January feb 2018

January February 2018 Bayou Living Publication

Livestock Show & Rodeo | Mardi Gras | V-Day | LA Hospitals | Events | Recipes & More…

a Word From …

Delta Dawn

Wow, Louisiana has thrown us residents some regular surprises these past few months! Snow twice within a months’ time! Crazy, to say the least. I’ve lived in Louisiana near almost all of my life, but have never seen anything like the weather we’ve had of late!

It was nice right before Christmas when all the kids got to go out and make snowmen and throw snowballs.

The two freezes after that was bust-pipe city for me. As a regular DIY type of person I was below the house myself fixing those pipes! I moved two days before Christmas and was in a new house with some brittle old PVC pipes mixed with old galvanized ones as well.

So, when that first freeze hit I had five busted lines, even though I ran my water all night!

After examining the situation, I decided to rerun the whole hot water side of the pipes with that new “Blue’” PEX Sharkbite piping so it wouldn’t break the next time it decided to up and freeze. No chance in that--it did bust out again with the second freeze, but in a different way--so I was happy that I used that “new” PEX piping because the actual pipe didn’t bust! It was an easy fix the second freeze and I was happy about that because it was still 28 degrees when I was sliding on ice below the house to fix that bust.

The first time I reran the whole hot water side I was under the house sliding in mud for nearly four hours and it was cold as hell, too! At least I didn’t catch hypothermia, although it took me hours to warm up! I was still very happy to have accomplished a new feat in my life with my new plumbing achievement, since being an The Jambalaya News

independent woman is something to be very proud of.

Not depending on anyone or anything but yourself is one thing I hold to the highest advantage in life, especially being a woman! More on that later.

I’d also like to mention that I’m happy to have moved my home and office nearer to my home town and to Jeff Davis Parish! This year has started out with a few setbacks, but everything will be looking good for me and The Jambalaya News in 2018! We’ve taken on some fabulous new salespeople this year and still have some of the oldies but good ones on board as well! I’m also very happy to almost be coming up on a year of publishing The Jambalaya News!

I must say we have new and exciting things coming this summer for y’all to look forward to! We will be giving a vacation for a family of 4-8 this summer to a destination in New Orleans! Who isn’t down to win this? Details will be coming in the February issue! Also, we will be doing Facebook Live on all of our giveaways when we can! So, read the new rules carefully! Thank you all for playing and look forward to hearing from all of y’all each and every month! May the sun shine more than not in all of our lives!

Sincerely,

Delta Dawn Start Losing Weight today!

Dawn Daley 337-348-2958

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Bayou Living Magazine, LLC January - February 2018

Jan—Feb 2018 …. VOLUME 9 …. ISSUE NUMBER 10

630 West Prien Lake Road, STE B #301 Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601 Phone: 337-348-2958 www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

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79th Livestock Show & Rodeo

IN THIS ISSUE

Publisher Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley jambalayanews@gmail.com

Contributing Editors Lauren Abate

Contributing Writers Bill Elliot Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Dorothy Hughes Dominique Dugas Luke Eddleman Jackie Tabor Jade Harrington Nicole Shuff Arabie Paige Vidrine Tiffany Casey Russell Pawlowski

Contributing Photographers Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Dorothy Hughes Tiffany Casey

Sales jambalayanews@gmail.com heatherhughes808@gmail.com Jambanews.josh@gmail.com jambanews.gabby@gmail.com jambanews.megan@gmail.com

Graphics Art/Production Director Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by The Jambalaya News Columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff. The Jambalaya News is solely owned by Dawn Daley, published by Bayou Living Magazine, LLC, 630 W. Prien Lake Rd., STE B #301, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Phone 337-348-2958.

While every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publisher cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. Copyright 2017 The Jambalaya News / Bayou Living Magazine, LLC all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

January - February 2018

COVER STORY

CONTENTS

4 6 8 12 14 16 18 20 22 26 28 32 34 36 38 40 42 43 46 47

A Word From Delta Dawn Contest Guide & Winners The Saints Article Sportsman Bragging Rights Page Sportsman Bragging Rights Page Sportsman Bragging Rights Page Life On My Terms 79th Livestock Show & Rodeo Memorial Hospital Avail Health Lake Charles Hospital Roll—On Meet the Masters Healthy Size Article Soul Matters Be my Valentine 365 Let Them Eat Cake King Cake Recipe Carnival Season Fire Department Rescues Felix Rifle Chili by Delta Dawn Cookin’ With Chef RedHead

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Dining Guide & THE SPICE OF LOUISIANA 49 50 52 54 56 60 62 64 66 68 70 71 72 73 74

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Dining Guide Cover Buffi’s Peaux Boys Lucy Mae’s Confections Dining Guide Dining Guide Society Spice Spicy Shout Outs Golden Ponds The Buzz Events Candice Paints Jeanie for Ellen DIY—Valentine Planter Dogs of Louisiana Funbalaya Word Search & Tic-Tac-Toe The Poker Lady

Have a great Carnival Season and a Loving Valentine’s Day! 5

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Win Cash & Prizes … & a Vacation Soon!

Find the Blonde Bomber’s Necklace The

Blonde Bomber has lost his necklace. Can you help him find it? He’s been wearing this necklace since he was 16 years old, it’s a lightning bolt with the letters TCB on it. Do you know The Blonde Bomber is a local retired professional boxer. He can what TCB means? Taking Care of Business and the lightning be found punching thru ads in The Jam to help you get a prize. bolt symbolizes: in a flash. Elvis wore a necklace just like this Find the Blonde Bomber’s red boxing glove in one of the ads & one. Thankfully only the lightning bolt charm is lost. It’s important that he finds it … he’s lost it somewhere within the TEXT 337-348-2958 to claim your chance to win this months pages of The Jam, probably in one of the ads. If you find it prize. Include your full name, page number and ad description. please TEXT 337-348-2958 with details on where he can Drawing will be held on or around the 5th of each month. To earn extra find it (page number, ad description and where in the ad).

Leave your name when texting for the reward of $100. A entries in the drawing each month like and follow us on our social medias & rate us on Facebook. For Drawing will be held the 5th of each month and one lucky winner will be chosen. You MUST FOLLOW & LIKE each social media you follow us on you will us on Facebook to win this prize. Play every month get and extra entry every month! Winner will receive Four

because you are allowed to win prizes back to back!

Please follow us on Facebook for details on our Summer Vacation Giveaway and our in our upcoming issues!

Tickets to see The Urban Cowboy Reunion Show at Coushatta on February 24th in The Pavilion starting at 8pm! Good Luck, 2 Winners will be drawn!!!

Each will get 2 Tickets to see Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee. Find the Blonde Bomber’s Boxing Glove …

Michelle Loignon of Lake Charles was our November winner. She won a $50 gift card but opted out for cash instead. She found the boxing glove in the Frosty Factory ad on page 55. You could be our next winner, find the boxing glove and TEXT 337 - 348 2958 with the page number, what ad you found it in, where it is located in the ad along with where you picked up your copy of The Jam & your Full Name. If you are correct your name will go into our monthly drawing.

The Jambalaya News @jambalaya_news

Bayou Living Magazine The Jambalaya News @bayoulivingmagazine & Bayou Living Magazine

Find the Eye-Of-The-Tiger and you could win the prize of the month! When you find the eye of the tiger Text-337-348-2958 and list the page number & ad you found it within along with your name!

Follow us on Facebook for extra entries. This month we are giving away a $25 gift certificate to A Perfect Gift in Lake Charles, LA! Sherry Bush of Lake Charles won a $50 gift card to Honey B Ham for finding the eye of the tiger in our December issue in the New Orleans Hamburger ad on page 27. Try your luck!

Find the Blonde Bomber’s Necklace.

—————— Lindsey Ivey of Lake Charles, LA was our December winner.

She won $100 for finding the lightning bolt necklace charm in the Audubon Nature Institute ad on page 26. You could be our next winner, find the lightning bolt necklace charm and TEXT 337 - 348 - 2958 with the page number, what ad you found it in, where it is located in the that ad, along with where you picked up your copy of the Jam & your Full Name. If you are correct your name will go into our monthly drawing. We will Be drawing live on Facebook! We will be randomly showing up to your work or home on Facebook live to give you your prize. We have to be able to contact you either at work or your home within 15 minutes … if we can’t we will move on to the next person that is drawn. There are no disqualifications to winning back to back prizes so remember to play every month! GOOD LUCK!

Giving away a Family Vacation to a New Orleans destination this Summer. Check it out in our February issue coming mid month and you must follow us on Facebook to qualify for this promotion!

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kicks up the stakes, making the painful moments…. well, that much more painful.

While this particular season can be capped off with the phrase, “Well, can’t hurt much more than that,” I urge any Saints fans who are tempted to believe such nonsense to ignore the impulse. Pain and heartbreak is what being a New Orleans Saints fan is!

It is a part of what makes us love our team so much. Do you think that the Cleveland Browns fill anyone with hope… just before they rip it away?

Is there any such thing as a love for the Buffalo Bills?

Even the Patriots fans, I believe, see their team as more a bragging right, than an active part of their life that they love with the deepest depths of their hearts.

This is because pain in love makes love stronger, so if anything, as Saints fans, we should be excited, because we’re blindly going to love them even more next year. You’re bitter now, but you know you will.

The season of the Heartbreakers started with, yet again, hope. But this hope was not unchallenged. Before the season started, there was plenty of talk urging that if the Saints didn’t have a good season this year, there was going to be a need for big changes.

Again, we still had hope going into week one, an amped hope after the big off-season signing of running back Adrian Peterson… and who would’ve thought that after such a trade, we’d open the season against the Minnesota Vikings (Peterson’s old team)? Coincidence? NFL marketing at its finest?

Needless to say, the trade didn’t pay off, and the score of that game didn’t reflect the way it played out. The better team in this week one matchup was apparent, as the Vikings dumbed-down our hope, and made our expectations a little more realistic with a controlled win over the Saints.

But, we had a big shot to hold on and save our hope going into week two, where we’d have a chance to knock off the Super Bowl champs of the previous season: Big Brady

Win or Lose, the Saints Will Always Have Us Coming Back for More

By K.M. Woods, Staff Writer for The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine There are very few situations in football that a New Orleans Saints fan can’t handle.

Historically, it is a team that pushes its fan base to the edge of their seats with anticipation, as the team knocks on the door of victory, and just as you scream the word “YES”’ and pray to Anyone who will listen, thanking Them for the win, the Saints rapidly pull the rug beneath your feet, so that you fall on your face with a destroyed will.

And this destruction of hope is one you’ll share with the entirety of the city throughout the rest of your Sunday, and the Monday to follow.

I couldn’t tell you how many times this has happened in the 20 past years since innocently becoming a Saints fan.

Even worse is the amount of times I’ve come to expect the painful defeats, under the assumption that I’ll handle it better than last time, only to have the Saints kick the pain up a notch.

And after every moment of pain, I question, ‘Why do I still love them?’ Because I do…I love them. Some would call it an abusive relationship, but I don’t want to hear it. I always go back.

We’d think that with the brilliant mind of head coach Sean Payton, a Super Bowl winner and (I believe) destined Hall of Famer, a Hall of Fame quarterback in Drew Brees, and even that life-changing Super Bowl win in 2009, that the pain would naturally come less often, given that the team is historically, the best they’ve ever been.

But on the contrary, all these nice elements (a sold-out stadium, the coach, the quarterback, the winning records, the playoff appearances, the national exposure, the parades talking smack to the Falcons because they don’t have rings) only The Jambalaya News

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Bayou Living Magazine, LLC January - February 2018

and Belichick coming to the dome. If we knocked them off, we wouldn’t be a joke. We could show the league just who the Saints really are!

And like the game against the Vikings, we never held a lead or a chance. The grey Monday after that Patriots game should have been called the “Monday of Fury.” Radio programs, fans, the mailman, everyone in this town wanted Payton’s head on a pike after only two games. Little did we know, those first two games are indeed the likely favorites to play in the Super Bowl this year.

Luckily in the season of the Heartbreakers, there was a faithful someone who we could rely on. Anytime our heads were down, and our flame of hope was all but burned out, Cam Newton would appear on the schedule with his Carolina Panthers in a matchup that would end with the tall, slickly dressed quarterback pouting before the press.

In week three on the road, during a game that not a person in the city thought we would win, Brees lit up their “D” with 220 yards passing, three touchdowns, and an easy victory. Michael Thomas broke out in this game with seven receptions for 87 yards.

And slowly but surely, the hope came back. A shutout against the Dolphins in London just before the bye week put us right back at .500. Then we come back to the Dome against the Lions where we’re introduced to our fun, dynamic run duo of Ingram and Kamara. In the Lions game, Ingram rushed for 114 yards, and Kamara rushed for 75, which got the fans and sports personalities talking the phrase they’d repeat until the first week of the playoffs. “The weight isn’t all on Brees! And that makes these Saints a dangerous team.”

And the Saints proved this. They went into Lambeau Field and got a win against the Packers, who, yes, didn’t have Aaron Rogers, but who in New Orleans was complaining about that? We then came back home and beat the Bears the next week.

The week after that, we scooped up yet another win, this time against the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in Jameis Winston’s weird finger licking game (Remember how he did that in his pre-game hype huddle? The dude licked his fingers and said something like, “A win is delicious!” and his team just kinda stared at him like he had lost his mind. I don’t think they were too hyped up by it). There were some cheap shots taken in this game that amped up the protective January - February 2018

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spirits in us, the fans, and bit by bit, we started to love our Saints all over again.

So, at this point, after six wins, people started to ask the question, “Are these Saints the real deal?”

And the Saints heard that question, went out on the road, and stomped the Buffalo Bills like they were a pee-wee team of overweight second graders who forgot to drink their chocolate milk. As far as I can recall, this is where the question changed to a statement: “These Saints are the real deal.”

Enter the Washington Redskins. Just when we believed that our faithful Heartbreakers were truly unstoppable, they came back home to the Dome, to face a below .500 team, to try to pick up their eighth consecutive win. No one can deny our hope was back in full force, so naturally, the Saints gave us a scare.

Kirk Cousins and the Redskins offense looked better than they had all year. Off a touchdown pass to Redskins WR Sprinkle with 5:58 in the fourth quarter, the Saints had damn near broken our hearts for the second time this season with a score of 31-16.

But these Saints were the real deal. Kicking the offense into the two-minute drill, Brees quickly drove them down the field for a quick score. Then, after an impressive stop by the defense on a three and out…Brees did it again to tie the game and send it into overtime, with a bobbled touchdown pass to Kamara.

Two big runs by Ingram in overtime got the Saints the improbable win, spared our hearts, and invigorated our spirits. New Orleans was popping just like it was in 2009, as the words “Playoffs” and “Super Bowl” started being muttered in every bar you went into.

So hopes high, and a big matchup on the horizon, we again had another chance to shove it to the national naysayers with a win against the prolific LA Rams on the road.

Good things can’t last forever, and the Saints took a tough loss, moving us away from the number three seed in the NFC and tying us at first in the division with Cam and the Panthers who we’d face at home the next week.

Welcome back Cam Newton. We gave the Panthers a stomping, kept ourselves in first place in the NFC south, and were able to see the well-dressed Newton pout at a press conference again. Oh, how I never get tired of seeing that. As far as I knew, it’d be the last time we saw it this season.

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Then came the first of the two matchups against the nemesis. On Thursday Night Football, the Saints would travel to the shiny new Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta to face the choking dirty birds in one of the few games that the Chick-Fil-A inside the place would be open (Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays).

While the refs helped the Falcons out, Brees threw an interception to Dion Jones at the end of the fourth quarter (one of the best defensive plays I’ve seen in the NFL this season) for the first real heart stinger of the season. The pain of that game lingered for most of the weekend.

But now with ten days off, the Saints would be able to heal, come back home, and take care of the Jets, which they did, but boy was it sloppy. Thank God that game was against the Jets.

Then came the second matchup against the nemesis, and this time…in our house. I attended the second game against the Falcons. Before the game, white towels were passed out to the fans, and during the game, while the defense was on the field, these towels were flinging so hard that I imagine half the fans, the ones who don’t keep up with their fitness, probably pulled muscles in their shoulders.

The screams were too much for Matt Ryan, and the Saints took care of the Falcons, I’m tempted to say with ease…though I had my fair share of $9 bottles of beer. Regardless, we locked in a spot for the playoffs, and I, as well as the rest of the Who Dat Nation was happy, even if I wouldn’t have my voice back for a week.

Happy, that is, until the end of the last game of the season, where somehow, Jameis “Finger Lickin’” Winston routed the Bucs on a final drive to beat the Saints in the final seconds of the final regulation game. The season ended with a heartbreak. But, Cam Newton had a pouty press conference in his last week against the Falcons, which meant that our Heartbreakers still won the division.

Off to the playoffs we went!

The Wild-Card round playoff matchup was against nonother than Cam “Pouty” Newton himself. This was a great game to watch in the city, where we got a taste of old school Brees chucking the ball for miles all over the Panthers defense. The game ended in a nail-biter, but ultimately the Saints defense sacked Newton on the last play of the game to send the city into a sadistic party. Cam Newton was so pouty at that final press conference that he couldn’t even handle his own disdain, and left the podium halfway through, without answering even one question with a legitimate answer.

But we were off to face the Vikings in Minnesota. I believe truly that Minnesota was, and still is, the best team in the NFL in the 2017 season.

I figured that if the Saints could somehow play well on special teams, get some takeaways, and Brees had a standout game, that there was a possibility that we could win. It was a long-shot, and halfway through the divisional round game my hope was damn near diminished, as the Saints played their worst half of football all season.

Then came the second half. Case Keenum threw an interception early on, taken away by the young rookie Marcus Williams to give the team some life. The Saints scored. Then The Jambalaya News

the Viking’s defense came back onto the field and was forced to punt. And then, the punt GOT BLOCKED by the Saint’s special teams!

In the third quarter, a takeaway, a big play on special teams, and incredible quarterback play by Drew “Fling it” Brees, got the Heartbreakers back into the game. The bar I watched from exploded into a revel of screams as the Saints took the lead, after what started as a quiet, grey, and hopeless sadness. With less than a minute left in the fourth, it appeared as though we had all but won.

Then, the play happened.

You know the play, so don’t make me write about it.

When it happened, there was a man in the bar who screamed “Noooo!” just before the place went silent in despair. I still hear that man’s “‘Noooo!” in my head as I lay down to go to sleep at night.

But a city united, whether it be in celebration or in painful broken hearts, is a city united, nonetheless. What is that but a type of unified magic? And please, if another team exists who has this power of unity over its fan base, write me and tell me what team it is, because I have yet to find one.

The majority of this city will love the Saints, regardless of what they do.

Pain is part of loving anything. What makes a loving bond stronger is the will to fight through the hard times and continue to love anyway. That’s what the Saints are to me.

Sure, it gets hard, but it makes the good times that much more rewarding.

And while the Patriots, the Steelers, even the Browns all have fans, can any of them claim to that kind of love? So with that said…Marcus Williams and the rest of the Saints: Keep your heads up, because you’re a Saint, and we still love you for it!

I’m The Astonishing K.M. Woods, A DieHard New Orleans Saints Fan and Proud New Orleanian and I Am Of The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine and I Approve This Message! You can visit us online at —— www.theastonishingtales.com

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January - February 2018

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A True Hunter’s Paradise Kirk Daley & Nephew Mikko Daley with a 10 lb. Bass caught in Toledo Bend, LA.

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The Sportsman Bragging rights Page — Ryan Navarre with his son Gage …

Trey Broussard … shows off a nice sized buck.

Clint Broussard … showing of a nice sized buck.

Homer Leger with his Arkansas hog …

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The Sportsmen Bragging rights — Chase Hendrickson shows off a 100 lb. Tuna.

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By Paige Vidrine Image by Emily Martindale

Do you have big dreams? Have you dreamt of moving to a big city and making a life of your own? Have you dreamt of becoming a successful entrepreneur or being the best at your craft? I read in the book, The Alchemist, recently that each of us has a “destiny” or some deep desire that we were born with. There is no escaping the desire or running from the yearning to do what you feel. It is the biggest blessing if fulfilled and the greatest regret if ignored.

As I delved deeper into my book, I realized the greatest lessons of all. Here are the nuggets of wisdom that helped me to see my vision clearer than ever.

1. Beginners Luck. Beginner’s luck is something we are granted so that we can get a taste of our destiny. It gives us hope in the beginning to believe that taking the risk might be well worth it.

2. Never give up what you haven't yet attained. Dreaming is easy, and many times people can get lost in their excitement of their dream. The problem lies when we get so excited that we start to offer up our earnings or start making promises before we have yet realized our dreams. For instance, one may get a big job offer and get so excited that they immediately take out credit to buy things they have wanted, in hopes that their new income will cover the expenses. One may make a deal with an investor to give up far too high of a percentage of their income for the investment, in hopes that their business will grow rapidly. Giving up things before you have secured the necessary means to gain them back is not a healthy way to realize your dreams. It may actually cause a greater burden along the journey. It’s better to delay your The Jambalaya News

wants and desires, take the longer route that is more secure than to promise a debt that you cannot immediately repay.

3. You haven't truly decided on following your dream until you have let go of the things that are holding you back. In the book, a young Shepard had a dream that he would find a great treasure at the Pyramids. He thought long and hard about embarking on the journey to realize the dream, but did nothing more. Then a man came to him and convinced him to follow his dream. He instructed the Shepard to sell his sheep. When he had done so, the Shepard asked, “Why would I have to sell my sheep?” The man replied, “When you sold your sheep, you truly decided. You cannot go back now.” In the same way, you have to truly decide whether or not you're willing to chase your dreams. If so, then your decisions from that day forward should reflect your commitment.

4. The Journey will be hard and that is why, so many give up right before they reach their destination. This point reminds me of the story of Joseph in The Bible. He had a dream that his brothers would bow before him. In order to see that come true, he had gotten sold into slavery, worked his way up to become a house slave to Egyptian royalty, had been thrown into prison as an innocent man and had suffered greatly throughout the years. He used his skill of interpreting dreams to save the Egyptian Empire which granted him the role as a leader in the empire. Because of this, his brothers eventually bowed before him just as he had seen in his dream. His journey was not pleasant. It was painful and burdensome. He was mistreated, and nothing ever seemed to 18

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go right. He had every right to stop trusting in people, to stop using his skills to help others. He could have shut the world out and felt sorry for himself, but he refused to do that. In the same way, to realize your dreams, you cannot allow the hardships to break you. You will be tested. It will not be easy. In order to appreciate your dream, you have to be able to look back on the journey with pleasure in knowing that you fought to get where you are. The greatest lesson I ever learned from my parents was that you cannot expect success to come easily. When everything goes wrong, you get up and go to work. When you are sick, you get up and go to work. When it seems like nothing is working out in your favor, you get up and go to work. They taught me the importance of perseverance. When you start to see the journey

as a way to sharpen your character and skills, you start to appreciate all the hardships. So when it gets hard, refuse to give up and you will be able to look back with so much appreciation for all the things that went wrong along the way.

You only have one life to live, and the biggest lesson I have learned is that living life on your own terms is the best way to find fulfillment day to day. Regardless of how long it takes, it is better to embrace a journey towards something rather than sitting around waiting for something meaningful to happen.

Through all the twists and turns I have faced in life, I have learned to give meaning to everything and watch the magic happen. In doing so, I have found so much beauty in the pain, so much joy in all the sorrow and great fulfillment in every burden.

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In the world of literature, there are three great conflicts from which all novels draw: Man against man, man against nature, man against self. Rarely does a single work employ all three. It’s rarer still for such a drama to escape the theater of the mind -- to burst out in living color with all the adventure, thrills, and micro-drama that evade the writer’s pen. Such is the experience awaiting those who’ll witness the unique spectacle of sport, skill, pageantry, and patriotism that is the Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo when it returns to Lake Charles this February.

Presented by Ram and JD Bank, the storied 79 year-old event draws old and young alike to the Burton Coliseum to enjoy the sights, sounds, and showmanship of America’s true original sport. There, spectators will witness feather-weighted cowgirls defy gravity as they steer massive and well-muscled horses around barrels, weaving hairpin turns in an astonishing display of animal mastery -- their boots floating delicately in their stirrups. White-knuckled cowboys will fight the laws of physics to stay perched atop ill-tempered ton-and-a-half beasts – bucking and spinning like snorting, angry tops. And should physics prevail (as it often does), brave bullfighters in technicolored outfits will dart about the dirt-floored arena, waving hat and hand to engage those same fearsome beasts in what is undoubtedly the world’s most dangerous dance.

The tension of it all will be punctured occasionally by riotous laughter as the legendary rodeo clown, Lecile Harris, displays his own equally impressive skill – a mastery of comic timing.

All these dramas and much more will play out against a backdrop of family fun and rhinestone-studded pageantry as professional rodeo competitors, including pro world champions and national finals contestants from across the nation and Canada, vie for thousands of dollars in prizes. Four performances will be held from February 1 - 3 with events at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, February 1 and 2, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 3.

The annual livestock shows, which host more than 2,500 4-H and FFA exhibitors from seven Louisiana parishes and awards more than $50,000 in scholarships, begin at 8 a.m., Wednesday, January 31. A detailed livestock show schedule can be found at LakeCharlesRodeo.com. The livestock shows are free and open to the public.

In addition to the PRCA Rodeo, area youngsters are invited to participate in a fun rodeo of their own atop stick horses and stick bulls. The Southwest District Stick Horse Rodeo, presented by McDonald's, is slated for Saturday, February 3 The Jambalaya News

in Burton Complex's outdoor covered arena. Kids ages 0-7 are invited to participate and no rodeo experience is necessary. Each contestant will receive a free McDonald's gift card.

Several stick horse events will be held within the rodeo and kids may either bring their own stick horse or borrow one at the event. Pre-registration is going on now at LakeCharlesRodeo.com and contestants can save $1 per event by preregistering by February 1.

The prelude to the big event will be the arrival of the trail riders into Lake Charles and the Western Heritage Rodeo Parade beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 1. The parade will begin on Ryan Street at E. LaGrange Street in Lake Charles, and will travel south on Ryan before ending at McNeese Stadium. Participation in the parade is free, and local organizations and businesses are encouraged to enter.

Entry forms are available at LakeCharlesRodeo.com During Rodeo Week, local businesses are encouraged to decorate their storefronts in celebration of the Lake Area’s western heritage and to welcome rodeo participants and fans back to Lake Charles. Rodeo Week is Jan. 29 – Feb. 3.

The legendary Rodeo Hall of Fame bullfighter and clown Lecile Harris returns as barrel man and comic relief at this year’s SW District Rodeo. Known for his mischievous personality, outrageous antics, and quick wit, Harris is a beloved favorite of generations of Lake Charles rodeo fans.

Additionally, the SWD Livestock Show & Rodeo Hall of Fame will induct two new members in 2018. The induction ceremony will take place February 2 in Burton Coliseum Complex's Chalkley Room.

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Tickets are on sale now at www.LakeCharlesrodeo.com and will be available at the Burton Coliseum Complex Box Office beginning January 22. Coupons for $4 off the price of an adult's ticket and $1 off the price of a child’s ticket will be available at all Jeff Davis Bank locations. For more information, call (337) 944-9710 or visit www.lakecharlesrodeo.com.

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Lake Charles Memorial Health System ...for all your healthcare needs.

The only locally-owned, regional community healthcare system in Lake Charles, Lake Charles Memorial Health System consists of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, a 313bed acute care facility at our main campus on Oak Park Boulevard; Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women, a 38-bed women's health services facility at Gauthier and Nelson Roads; a 29-bed long term acute care Memorial Specialty Hospital on DeBakey Drive, Moss Memorial Health Clinic & Urgent Care on Walters Road for uninsured populations in need of primary and specialty care, Archer Institute, our new behavioral health hospital on Nelson Road; the Memorial Medical Group & Urgent Care Clinic, our affiliate physician group comprised of over 95 specialists with their own Urgent Care Clinic on Nelson Road; and Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency Program which trains primary care physicians.

In 2017, the health system employed more than 2700 fulltime, part-time and prn employees and is one of the largest non-government employers in the area. Memorial is a true community health system, run by a board of local volunteers from all walks of business, industry and public service. It is one of an elite group of health systems that belongs to the people of Southwest Louisiana and serves everyone regardless of age, race, gender or financial status.

Memorial believes that the delivery of safe and quality healthcare is our primary responsibility to the community of patients we are privileged to serve. In fulfilling this goal, Memorial is committed to accomplishing this with a teamoriented approach. Patients and their family support systems are an integral component of this team. Healthcare delivery requires a well coordinated, collaborative system to provide care that is first and foremost safe, but also timely, effective, and patient-centered. Memorial values and promotes a culture that enables and empowers all members of our team to accomplish this mission.

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Lake Charles Memorial Hospital has served the citizens for Southwest Louisiana since October 23, 1952. Operated by a Board of Trustees from the community it serves, the hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission which provide accreditation to healthcare organizations.

The main hospital located on Oak Park Boulevard consists of 313 acute care beds along with specialty care in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Pain Medicine, Physical Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Radiation Oncology, Rheumatology, Trauma Surgery, Urology, Psychiatric, full service laboratory and diagnostic imaging, as well as breast health, cancer center, gastroenterology center, home health, wound care and sleep health specialty services. The modernization and service improvements, in particular in the critical care area, most recently have included: Emergency - A new 40-bed Emergency Department expansion The Jambalaya News

doubles the size of the previous space to just under 26,000 sq ft. and includes specialized treatment areas for critical care, mental health and fast track non-critical care designed to improve the care process and reduce waiting times. In addition, there are 6 trauma bays for the anticipated Trauma Program.

Treating an average 63,000 patient in the ER annually, as the largest, full-service health system in Southwest Louisiana with the most specialists, Memorial has 24/7/365 coverage of board certified emergency medicine doctors.

Intensive Care - Our new, state-of-the art, 15,102 sq ft. Medical Intensive Care Unit opened in 2016 on the 9th Floor of the main campus. The existing 10,180 sq. ft., on the 3rd floor Surgical ICU will undergo renovations in 2018. Between these two units, Memorial has the largest critical care capacity in southwest Louisiana with a total of 36 beds.

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women In January 2003, a second campus in Southwest Lake Charles, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women, opened with the vision of proving the most comprehensive women's health services. The 38-bed facility features the Family Birth Center, Special Care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Breast Health, Women's Surgical and Specialty Unit, as well as lab services, and diagnostic imaging which includes 3D mammography.

Specially designed suites, educational programs, patientcentered nursing care and the latest technology help us ensure that every patient’s healthcare needs are met. The Family Birth Center offers 24 labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suites that are specially designed to accommodate women throughout the delivery process and surgical suites for cesarean deliveries. In addition, Memorial for Women has a 23-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The center is staffed with registered nurses skilled in both high-risk and normal deliveries. Planning is underway to add 14 beds and 2 operating rooms at the Women's Hospital.

Memorial Specialty Hospital Memorial Specialty Hospital is a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) that specializes in the treatment of patients with serious medical conditions that require care on an extended basis, but no longer require intensive care or extensive diagnostic procedures. Primary admissions are from an intensive care unit (ICU), critical care unit (CCU) or for patients needing several weeks of extended specialty care and rehabilitation after discharge from a general acute-care hospital.

Memorial Specialty Hospital focuses on restoring patients to the highest level of function that is realistically possible. The average duration of treatment is about 25 days.

Long-term acute care hospitals like Memorial Specialty Hospital have a niche role in the health care system providing coordinated medical care to critically ill patients with complex conditions over an extended period of time.

Archer Institute Located on Nelson Road, Memorial's newest contribution to the community is a behavioral health hospital named in hon22

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or of Psychiatrist Dale Archer, MD, a mental health leader in Southwest Louisiana. The modern 65,000 sq ft inpatient and outpatient facility will have 102 beds when all phases of the project are completed.

Phase I, opening in 2018, includes a 31,567 sq. ft, 28-bed adult unit and a 14-bed child and adolescent unit. Phase 2 and Phase 3 will include the addition of two 28-bed units, along with the construction of a medical office building adjacent to the main facility that will house several psychiatric outpatient programs. Mental health evaluations will be available, free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Moss Memorial Health Clinic In June 2013, Memorial Health System signed a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state of Louisiana to take over the management of W. O. Moss Regional Hospital which is now Moss Memorial Health Clinic. The management of Moss lead to the reopening and establishment of many new specialty clinics at that campus. This provided uninsured patients access to primary and some specialty care services that previously were only available in Shreveport, New Orleans and Lafayette. In addition, an Urgent Care Clinic, open 7 days a week, gives patients same day access to primary care for those who do not have a doctor.

Memorial Medical Group The Memorial Medical Group is the largest network of more than 95 primary and specialty care physicians in the region offering medical care across 18 specialties: Cardiology, Ear, Nose & Throat, Gastroenterology, Family Medicine,

The Jambalaya News

General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, OB/GYN, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Pain Medicine, Physical Rehabilitation, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, Trauma Surgery and Urology In addition, Memorial Urgent Care, provides fast primary care service for non-emergent illnesses. Located on Nelson Road, the clinic is open 7 days a week and accepts most commercial insurances, medicare and self-pay patients.

Whether you’re suffering from a cold or allergies, need a flu shot or a few minor stitches, you can receive fast care and quality care for non-life threatening conditions with the assurance that you have the backup of the region's largest healthcare system. Shorter wait times, less cost than an ER visit, quicker access to primary care, no appointments, and, if you are already a Memorial Medical Group patient, access to your Memorial medical records is available.

Memorial/LSUHSC Since 1996, Memorial has trained the Family Practice doctors of tomorrow. LSUHSC/Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program is a 3 year program which hosts 24 residents total annually. Each year eight Family Practice residents are accepted in the residency program at Memorial which is fully funded by the hospital with an affiliation agreement with Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

The family medicine residency physicians provide primary care services to patients who do not have a family physician while training under the supervision of qualified family physician faculty members and subspecialty physicians.

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Putting the Hospitality Back in Hospital Avail Health Lake Charles Hospital is a one-of-a-kind, fully licensed hospital, staffed with board-certified physicians to bring Lake Charles concierge-level care tailored specifically with the community in mind.

RADIOLOGY SERVICES Full-Service CT Digital X-Ray Ultrasound Cardiac Stress Test

Introducing your new 5-Star ER.

TRAUMA AND INJURY CARE Burns Sprains Fractures Dislocations Cuts and Lacerations Sports Injuries Back Pain and Sciatica Animal and Snake Bites Crush Injury

From the moment you step into our state-of-the-art facility, you can expect to be met with unmatched hospitality.

That’s why we stop at nothing to make your experience as positive as possible.

Experience the finest critical care by our team of boardcertified physicians and nurses as they assist you and your loved ones in many medical crisis that may arise.

What we treat:

EMERGENCY CARE Abdominal Pain Vomiting/Diarrhea Dehydration Heat Strokes Chest Pain Tachycardia Asthma/Wheezing Pneumonia Sinus Infections Headaches/Migraines Fever/Flu Bronchitis Acute Arthritis Abscess and Cellulitis Skin Rashes Allergic Reactions Serious Infections Seizures GI Bleed Diabetes Urinary Tract/Kidney Infections

CARDIOVASCULAR/NEUROLOGICAL Blood Clots Chest Pain Heart Attacks Congestive Heart Failure Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks High Blood Pressure/Hypertension Confusion/Dementia/Altered Mental State INSURANCE At Avail Health, we do our best to make sure that everyone can receive the treatment and comfort they deserve. We accept all major insurance providers, including: Blue Cross Blue Shield UnitedHealthcare Aetna Cigna Medicare If we do not accept your insurance, we will work with you to help establish a payment plan. We can either bill directly or set up a convenient installment plan that allows you to pay at a pace that’s right for you.

LAB SERVICES Full-Service Inpatient and Outpatient Lab. The Jambalaya News

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Roll-on

What’s never in your grocery cart? Seafood.

Favorite part of being a Roll Instructor? Meeting new people and being surrounded by so much dedication as well as drive (being Ms. Jackie’s favorite is pretty awesome too, lol).

Insomnia Remedy? None because I can sleep like a hibernating bear at any given moment!

Celebrity who embodies your inner Rockstar?

Drake White.

Favorite Lake Charles night spot? Outside by a fire with friends and a guitar.

Where can you be found when you aren’t on the Roll stage? I recently graduated from McNeese so I’m typically working with the other adults at Pat William’s Construction.

Meet the Masters

By Ja ck ie T a b or P h otogr a ph y b y Malise Gardiner Photography

There's a variety of things that set the Roll Team apart and make our studio & juicery a world class fitness environment. For one thing, none of our rockstar instructors teach "for the money". They all lead the pack because they love what we do and take a ton of pride in being part of LC's Fitness Addiction. We thrive on helping others achieve their best life and overcome less-than-optimal circumstances.

When things get tough, The Roll Team gets going and has a lot of fun making Lake Charles a better place...together. Master instructors have been leading the Roll Pack for 2+ years and literally blast beats & endorphins making every sweat sesh {and day} count!

We caught with all 5 of them to find out a little more about what makes them so great…

Brianna Peterson

Jansen Daniels

Song on repeat? Stay by Alesia Cara (Jonas Blue Remix).

Best Roll Juice? Green Machine for lunch or Unicorn Juice for pre-workout.

Mantra you live by: Life is funny.

Song on repeat? Talk is Cheap by Chet Faker.

Best Roll Juice? Cool Breeze.

Mantra you live by? Stay positive.

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Unleash Your — 28

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What’s never in your grocery cart?

Twinkies.

Favorite part about leading the Roll pack?

I love helping others crush goals not to mention rocking out on the bike!

Insomnia remedy?

Essential oils, a hot bath and if those don’t work… an old movie.

Celebrity who embodies your inner Rockstar?

Rhianna.

Favorite Lake Charles night spot?

Bodega Wine Dive.

Where can you be found when you aren’t on the Roll Stage?

Keeping up with my husband, Jace and daughter, Marley. Ball is literally life, we are only in #LCLA (Lake Charles, Louisiana) during the #MLB (Major League Baseball) off season.

Lauren Devillier

Song on repeat? Teenage Dream by Katy Perry.

Best Roll Juice? Green Machine.

Mantra you live by? Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

PSALM 37:4.

What’s never in your grocery cart? Tomatoes.

Favorite part of leading the Roll pack? Making a difference in other peoples lives and of course the music!

Insomnia remedy? Netflix.

Celebrity who embodies your inner Rockstar?

Julianna Hough.

Favorite Lake Charles night spot?

Anywhere with friends.

Where can you be found when you aren’t on the Roll stage? I’m a CPA at my family’s business, HR1, so I work a lot!

Kendrea Terrell

Song on repeat? Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

Best Roll Juice? Beet You Up. Mantra you live by? One man can change the world.

What’s never in your grocery cart? Ginger Root.

Favorite part about leading the Roll Pack?

People inspire me. Everyone has a burden, a struggle to overcome and my heart smiles when we beat stress on the bike… as a pack!

Insomnia remedy? Spinning morning, noon and night! I promise you will sleep at night.

Celebrity who embodies your inner Rockstar?

J-Lo. Favorite Lake Charles night spot?

Any dock on the water.

Where can you be found when you aren’t on the Roll Stage? Keeping track of our business at Lake Charles Tackle!

— Inner Rockstar!

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“Unleash Your Inner Rockstar”

Tina Rue

Song on repeat? Come alive by The Greatest Showman Soundtrack.

Best Roll Juice? Cool Breeze.

Mantra you live by? Anything is possible with God. What’s never in your grocery cart? Alcohol.

Favorite part about leading the Roll Pack?

Touching people’s lives in such a positive environment.

Insomnia remedy? Diffusing essential oils (lavender).

Celebrity who embodies your inner Rockstar?

Lady Gaga.

Favorite Lake Charles night spot? Blue Martini (VIP card carrier).

Where can you be found when you aren’t on the Roll Stage? The lodge at Calcasieu Charter service with my husband Erik

Unleash Your Inner Rockstar!

The Jambalaya News

2801 Ryan Street, Ste 800 Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-429-5260 www.roll-indoorcycling.com

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Bourque Smith Woodard Memorials, LLC Our facility offers a wide selection of headstones, slant markers, flat markers, bronze markers, benches, mausoleums, and much more. If you're looking for a custom memorial or monument, please contact our friendly support staff and we will do our best to create a meaningful tribute to your loved one.

Custom cremation memorials and monuments are offered in several varieties at B.S.W. Memorials. Ceramic, fine metal, stone, and many other custom cremation memorials are available. Please call our friendly staff to receive additional information on our custom cremation monuments and memorials.

(337) 439-4431 1818 Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA

SERVING ALL OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

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I haven't had much difficulty at all. My husband said to me, "Man, when you put your mind to it you did it!". Just knowing that I can walk into any store now and find clothes to fit is a wonderful feeling!

How did coming into Healthy Size each week help you reach your goal?

Just knowing that if you gain a pound or so these ladies still keep pushing you forward. I've called or gone in many times with questions, and they always have time to explain things to me. If you start to fall backwards, they are there to catch you!

If you could give advice to anyone who is considering starting Healthy Size, what would you tell them?

Go for it! What do you have to lose other than fat? But do it for yourself, not anyone else!

A Word from Healthy Size

"How I became my HEALTHY SIZE!" Name: Evelyn Landry Total Pounds Lost: 79 Date you reached your weight loss goal? December 27 of 2017.

What made you decide to start your weight loss journey?

I started my weight loss journey on October 27th of 2016. I looked in the mirror one day and wanted to cry because I did not like what I saw. The day I walked into Healthy Size, I was crying as well. The ladies at Healthy Size showed me that anything is possible if you want it bad enough.

How has losing weight improved your life?

My entire life has changed. I no longer have to take the medications that I was on before I lost the weight. The restful nights are wonderful, and I very seldom have headaches anymore. The biggest thing was learning how to eat healthy, but the staff at Healthy Size taught me so much about how I could accomplish eating healthy for the rest of my life.

What was the most difficult part of losing weight to you?

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As another year comes to a close and the temptations of holiday goodies subsides, it's time to refocus by making a New Year Resolution or two, such as losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle. Healthy Size Clinic has been proudly serving South Louisiana since 2006 in Jennings, and are now entering their third year in their newest location in Lake Charles. Healthy Size consists of a highly energetic and motivating team truly dedicated to your health and well-being, led by Dr. Penny Goodwin.

Healthy Size incorporates Healthy Lifestyle along with Nutrition Guidance as the main objective of the plan. Healthy Size will not only help you achieve your desired weight loss, but also equip you with the knowledge to continue down that healthy path once you reach maintenance. They offer two different plans. They are the RIGHT PATH PLAN and/or IDEAL PROTEIN PROTOCOL. The Right Path Plan has a more back to the basic approach, where the Ideal Protein Protocol is a more of a fast track plan.

Call Healthy Size Clinic today and setup your first step, the consult and "BECOME YOUR HEALTHY SIZE!" Healthy Size Clinic, LLC Dr. Penny L. Goodwin and The Healthy Clinic Staff "Let Us Help You to Become Your Healthy Size" 32

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Carl W. Churchman, Jr. D.D.S. General Dentistry 3640 Common St. Lake Charles Phone: 337-478-5070 Call For Your Appointment Today.

Mary Seale Churchman, D.D.S. Katie Courville Roberts, D.D.S. General Dentistry 3632 Common St. Lake Charles Phone:337-478-4022

Soul Matters With Nicole Shuff Arabie

It’s Time We Let Go and Listen We want to control everything so that it happens in just the way we want it. But in reality, at the end of the day, we truly control nothing. It's all in God's hands and has always been, and will always be. How many of you truly believe that? What does that actually mean to you?

Let’s take it a little further: Do you do what you can?

Do you then let go and let God handle the rest?

Our reality can be altered when we try to control everything just the way we want it to be. I remember when I truly let go and found myself in a place of quiet and stillness like I had never experienced before. It was as if my senses became deaf to the world. Everything around me silenced itself. I became aware that what I was now sensing was my own spirit. The impression was just there and it arrived out of nowhere. I wasn’t sure what to do with all of it.

What I was experiencing was in no way what I perceived to be ordinary. I began experiencing love in a way that I had never felt before. I knew that it was God’s love for me that I was feeling. As I previously mentioned, it was beyond ordinary. My senses changed and what I was experiencing was pure and true. What I began seeing seemed to be like echoes within time. The voice of God seemed to be everywhere I looked. I began seeing beauty in things that used to seem so ordinary to me.

How could I be seeing sound all around me? I would ask myself if this was even possible. It was as if all my normal senses: hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, even tasting became one, in a way. I was being spoken to. It was God’s voice I was hearing. We are used to only hearing verbally, but this was different. His voice was revealing, guiding and convicting all of me. I was tuned in to a frequency of new sound. God’s way of speaking to us is beyond our perception of the reality we live in. God’s voice transcends time and space.

There is no measuring tool that we have created in this world that can measure the language of God. Time began disappearing around me. It was as if invisible walls became visible to me. My limited dimensional views disappeared all around me. I began sensing that although I was still here in human form, I was also experiencing what exists outside of our time.

I was seeing through the eyes of God’s love. I wasn’t experiencing this world with my own eyes anymore. I felt so out of place in the only life and world that I had ever known. It became very lonely in the sense of feeling like an outsider looking in. My focus began to identify others’ hearts. My eyes began to be like light that would shine in a certain direction, and I was receiving the language of their heart.

We don’t always hear what’s actually being said. The explanation for that is that our hearing is being filtered by the world around us.

We are only hearing portions of what is all. We might speak a certain language that doesn’t mean we are truly hearing the other person’s complete language. Your tuner is only tuned into a small frequency.

I have learned that God is not able to be measured by any of us.

God can and does speak to each and everyone of us in the language The Jambalaya News

that we understand. The language that I have been taught to understand is the language of God’s love.

My new view is that I am multidimensional and so is everything around me. My perception of time changed. It’s as if time opened up its door and let me in. Through the door of my heart, I have been given these gifts to view the beauty that is within and beyond this world we exist in.

I am going to share words that I received from God many years ago. I am to use these words when helping others to walk into and through the door of their own hearts. I have been blessed with this life and the beautiful gifts that I have been given.

Many things might appear as if they keep us apart, but there’s only a doorway that separates our hearts. Today, use the door of God to leave what you could never leave and go where you could never go. ~Nicole Arabie

2018: I am stepping through that door so that I may leave what I could never seem to leave and go where I could never go. When you pray a prayer and truly mean it, be ready for what is extraordinary to happen in your life. I am giving permission for these words to speak into my life. I am allowing the truest things about me, my God-given gifts, and His plans for my life to become all that I AM. I welcome all of time into my world. I will walk boldly and bravely.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth.

~ Isaiah 55:11 Remember this…

There Is No Time Like Now, Nor Will There Ever Be. Your Soul Makes An Everlasting Imprint Forever In Time.

Make Them Count, Because They Truly Will Matter.

A PASTOR’S REFLECTION

By Rev. Weldon C. Bares First United Methodist Church

‘When the Dog is Covered with Mud’

My dog, Max, is about seven years old. He is pretty bright, most of the time. But there is one thing that Max just doesn’t get, in spite of my trying to teach him. If it rains, he enjoys playing in the mud. He is an Italian Spinone, which is officially classified as a Pointer. So, I guess in all that mud, he is pointing to something.

Max doesn’t see the big deal. Grass, dirt, dust, mud, muddy water. What’s the problem? The problem is that he gets really muddy. I have seen him at times almost literally covered in mud, from wet nose to wagging tail.

When I open the back door to feed him, he wants to come inside and visit for a while and hang out. I try to explain to him that when he is covered in mud, he can’t come inside. He never seems to understand and, without fail, his feelings are hurt.

I’m so thankful today that things are different with God. We don’t have to be clean in order to come to Him. God never closes the door on us because we have done wrong.

Even if we are covered with mud in our souls, God doesn’t bolt the door against us.

Instead, He offers forgiveness and another chance at life. I love the words found in the prophet Isaiah, “Come now, let’s settle this matter. You are stained with sin, but I will wash you clean as snow.” (1:18) Are you stained today? I have good news for you!

You are invited to worship at First Methodist: Sundays, 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. Corner of Broad and Kirkman www.fumclc.org 34

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Lake Charles and the surrounding area have so many additional Mardi Gras events including cookoffs, dances, balls and more. For a full calendar of Mardi Gras events in Lake Charles and other southwestern Louisiana locations see Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras.

Parade Schedules 2018 Mardi Gras is one of the biggest celebrations all year in Louisiana and deciding what parades you want to hit can big a tough decision! Below are selected parades set to roll on the following dates and Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday is on

Lafayette Mardi Gras 2018 Parade Schedule: Saturday, February 3, 2018

February 13, 2018.

Lake Charles Mardi Gras 2018 Parade Schedule

Krewe des Chiens Canine Parade, Lafayette, 2 p.m.

Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Parade, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, February 9, 2018 Krewe de Canailles Walking Parade, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 10, 2018 Children's Parade, Lafayette, 12:30 p.m.

Krewe of Bonaparte Parade, Lafayette, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 11, 2018 Queen Evangeline’s Parade, Downtown Lafayette, 6 p.m.

Fat Tuesday, February 13, 2018 King Gabriel's Parade, Lafayette, 10 a.m.

Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade, Lafayette, 1 p.m.

Town Square Independent Parade, Lafayette, 2:30 p.m.

The entire Lafayette area, Opelousas, Jeanerette, St. Martinville, Crowley and more, is packed with Mardi Gras celebrations, Cajun Mardi Gras events and don't miss balls and fests.

For even more festivities outside of Lafayette, check the full calendar by visiting the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission. Or visit St. Landry Parish for additional event info.

Thursday, February 8, 2018 Lighted Boat Parade, Lake Front Promenade Lake Charles; 7 p.m.

Friday, February 9, 2018 Mardi Gras Merchants' Parade, Downtown/Midtown Lake Charles; 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 10, 2018 Mystical Krewe of Barkus (dog parade), Lake Charles Civic Center; 3 p.m.

Mardi Gras Children's Day Parade, Downtown; 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Iowa Chicken Run, KC Hall, Iowa; 10 a.m.

Second Line Stroll, Downtown Lake Charles, 1 p.m.

Jeeps on Parade, Downtown Lake Charles; 2 p.m.

Krewe of Omega Parade, Downtown Lake Charles; 2 p.m.

Motor Gras Parade, Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles; 3 p.m.

Krewe of Krewes' Parade, Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles; 5 p.m.

Krewe of Illusions, Lake Charles Civic Center; 7:30 p.m.

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Be My Valentine 365 Many people associate Valentine’s Day with flowers, chocolate, greeting cards and a romantic night. If you do some digging on the origin of the holiday, it dates back to the third century AD. The widespread belief about St. Valentine is that he was a priest from Rome. The legend says Emperor Claudius decided to ban marriages because he believed married men were bad soldiers.

St. Valentine thought this was unfair, so he went against the rules and arranged marriages in secret. Eventually, Claudius found out and St. Valentine was arrested and sentenced to death. While there, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter.

Before he was taken to be executed on February 14, he sent her a love letter signed “from your Valentine.” So there you go – a passionate priest who fought for love.

I share his passion because I know how powerful it can be. My earliest memory of Valentine’s Day was when I had to exchange cards with classmates. I was a shy kid and the thought of telling a guy in class to “Be My Valentine was embarrassing.

What if they thought I liked them? That could be weird, at seven years old, I wasn’t having it. So I asked my mom to buy a few packs of cards so I could select only the messages that said “Be My Friend” to give to all of my classmates. I trashed the rest. Whew, problem solved.

Who knew that one day I’d be a coach who helps others connect to their feelings so they can better express themselves? Life has a sense of humor. right? Let’s just say I’ve done a lot of work to get to where I am today. Like many, I didn’t come out of the womb understanding relationships. I worked on it, and I’m happy I did. Having a beautiful relationship brings me incredible happiness which flows into the The Jambalaya News

rest of my life.

So I love cards now. I keep them forever, and when my sweetheart gives me one, I read it over and over again because it melts my heart. It’s special and expresses meaningful words.

The act of receiving sweet cards and flowers never gets old. And even though the flowers eventually die, the memories live on forever. So give your sweetheart cards, sweet notes, and flowers. We love them!

All around the world, people jump through hoops to show and express their love on February 14. It’s one of the busiest times for restaurants and floral shops. While I appreciate the lovely legend of St. Valentine and am happy we have a holiday that celebrates love. I wonder what it would be like if we hyped it up every day? Too much? I don’t think so.

These days I have a blooming relationship with my partner. We are the nicest to each other than to anyone else. And I have to say we are both really nice people. It fuels me to be better for everyone else when I feel loved by my partner.

There are so many benefits.

Acts of kindness that might seem small will often warm our hearts the most. Simple with heart always wins for me.

For example, my guy doesn’t drink coffee but makes me coffee every morning.

He knows coffee makes me happy. Really, it does. Also, he always asks me about my day even if he’s tired and doesn’t feel like talking. Yes, I’m a lucky girl, I know. He listens as I explain. And hey, if he’s fake listening, it doesn’t matter, because he’s giving me his time, aka “Love.” Guys, fake it until you make it if you have to. When the girl feels understood, life is good. It goes both ways. Ladies, give your guy your time, too and look for what’s right in the relationship. Set your intention to seek for what’s right with someone instead of what’s wrong with them.

If I asked you to look for red in a room, you would probably see it in a few places at first. If I urge you to do it again and again – you would see more and more. Eventfully you would try and make orange look red. So when we’re upset, it’s easy to spot what we don’t like. So, if we’re capable of detecting all the things that are flawed with someone, we’re also capable of seeing what’s right.

When you decide to be in intention rather than reaction, your life changes, and so does your relationships. I vote for celebrating love every day instead of just one time a year. It’s all about building muscle. You can’t exercise once a year and expect to be a fitness model. The same goes for tending to our relationships. You need to tend to a garden if you want it to thrive and that takes effort. Effort doesn’t mean difficult.

We often miss out on the small things that work.

Here are a few tips you can apply that won’t cost you a dime: Take a moment and be grateful for what’s right in your relationships rather than what’s lacking. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong or what’s missing celebrate what is present.

If you want a ten in your life, look at your partner like they’re a ten and I promise you they will become a ten!

We have two tool boxes we can bring to a relationship: ego or love. If you open the box of ego, you will find con36

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troller, dominator, blame, self-centeredness and the need to be right. The box for Love is compassion, truth, gratitude, and grace.

While it’s your choice of what box you want to bring to your relationship, I invite you to bring the Love box. Live with intention and love on purpose every day. Rock your Valentine, then repeat it throughout the year. I think St. Valentine would be okay with that.

I’m The Astonishing Francine Mathiew, Master Life Coach and Public Speaker and Astonishing Contributor for The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine and I Approve This Message! Visit us at www.theastonishingtales.com

PLACE YOUR Valentine’s Day Orders Early … It’s right around the corner!

NEW HOURS

FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ALSO AVAILABLE ON WAITR

Thursday—Friday 10am—5pm Saturday—10am—2pm 1155 RYAN STREET, LAKE CHARLES, LA PHONE: 337-488-9315

January - February 2018

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By Tiffany B. Casey—There Once Was a Kitchen Table

“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” or “Let them eat cake!”

These words exclaimed within earshot of a Louisianan can mean only one thing – it must be Carnival and Carnival, well, that means that it is time for the King Cake feeding frenzy to commence!

Ah yes, the King’s Cake in all its tricolored splendor Purple for “Justice,” Green for “Faith,” and Gold for “Power” – has come to represent much more than the original connotations once associated with it and that of the religious holiday, the Epiphany.

This once unassuming little cake has become somewhat of a shining star, recognized much in the same way as the glorious star which guided the Magi to Bethlehem 12 days after the birth of Jesus Christ. Annually, the Epiphany is celebrated worldwide by the faithful on January 6 and is often referred to as Twelfth Night, the official start of the Feast of Epiphany.

I am not a culinary historian but I am a lover of food history particularly Louisiana’s food history. I find everything that encompasses our food’s ways, traditions, and of course, our food itself fascinating. Some of you may know me from an ever-growing group of Louisiana food enthusiasts which I lead daily in discussions spanning from what we are cooking for dinner to what we should be considering planting in our gardens the next growing season. “There Once Was a KitchThe Jambalaya News

en Table” is an open Facebook group designed to encourage discussions not only about our history but more specifically, recipes passed down from generation to generation and the ways in which they are learned.

Since Mardi Gras has officially begun and much of the festivities are in full swing, I thought that there was no better time to share with you a few interesting tidbits that I have learned along the way, not only about Carnival, but also that of our beloved King’s Cake.

There are those who believe that the King’s Cake is completely rooted in Christianity, while others say its origins can be traced back further to that of festivities which were held during ancient Roman times.

A winter solstice celebration honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, was known as the celebration of Saturnalia. It is told that during this celebration, fava beans were used to cast votes. These magical beans (I know, stop laughing) appear to have been cleverly baked into small cakes and not only eaten as a part of the harvest celebration, but used to choose a “King of the Day.” The beans were chosen by lot, meaning that it really was luck of the draw which got you the crown. If your piece of the cake contained the broad bean or fève as it was called, then you were chosen as the reigning “King of the Day” and allowed to sovereign over the day’s proceedings.

Sound familiar?

Because both the Epiphany and the Saturnalia holidays coincided at some point during the Middle Ages, it is believed the pagan cake ceremony of the Saturnalia became associated with that of the Christian holiday of the Feast of 38

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the Epiphany. Keep in mind that it was much easier for the church to incorporate these traditions into Christianity than it was to abolish them altogether. The culminating result was, let us just say, one heck of a good time, even by today’s standards.

It was a rowdy, booze induced, hedonistic, free-for-all with dancing and masquerading (for the safety of one’s identity, you can imagine) with just enough religion to keep everyone in God’s graces after the festivities had come to an end.

And the cake with its small trinket baked inside – its traditions were carried over while somehow managing to retain its pagan roots of electing a mock “King of the Day.” These celebratorial cakes can still be found throughout Europe. In Spain they are the Rosca de Reyes; in France, the gateau de Rois; and in Portugal, one can still find the Bolo Rei. There are mentions of these cakes and their traditions throughout history as far back as the 1300s.

So much history to take in, I know. But this extensive history as a whole is responsible for how we celebrate Mardi Gras today, particularly here in South Louisiana.

With the exploration of the New World, it is believed that Carnival festivities along with their traditions were brought to Louisiana. You can thank French-Canadian explorer, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur de Iberville when he led and ultimately succeeded in settling the first camp along the Mississippi River, March 3, 1699 one day prior to Ash Wednesday. This day was known to the French as Mardi Gras, the last day before their 40 days of penance began in the Lenten season. And so it was the name chosen for the first settlement under the French crown would come to be known as Point du Mardi Gras. We now know the location of this encampment to be that of present day Plaquemines, Louisiana. Now that’s a legacy, Plaquemines!

With the steady onslaught of immigrants, the ritual of the King’s Cake (both that of the galette--the popular pastry in Northern France and that of its counterpart, a sort of yeast cake--elaborately decorated with vibrant colored, candied fruits in the southern regions) along with that of a trinket, perhaps a coin or a frozen Charlotte baked inside, was sure to follow.

Like many of our traditions here in Louisiana, the King Cake has managed to survive many years of turbulent and tempestuous times. As a matter of fact, this now flamboyantly decorated cake, twisted beautifully into a diadem, has done more than just survive. It has managed to become not only the symbol of Mardi Gras but of an entire culture as well.

While the appeal of the King’s Cake as a Mardi Gras novelty has helped to popularize this once simplistic European confection, so has the same recognition helped to increase its ability to be marketed in a much more grandiose scale. The King Cake has, in fact, become so popular over the last several years that the room for profit by large companies has grown tremendously, thus creating an entirely new market for the once religious symbol of Twelfth Night. While its popularity has undoubtedly grown by staggering accounts, its traditional, ritualistic, and Christian aspects have all but completely been eliminated. This change has allowed the custom of celebrating Carnival with that of a King Cake by anyone January - February 2018

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regardless of faith.

In fact, enthusiasm has increased so much that King Cakes may now be ordered via the Internet and shipped just about darn near anywhere around the globe. All it takes is a good Internet connection and your pocket book. I was not the slightest bit surprised to come across statistics that suggest a large portion of out of state orders go to satisfying Louisiana natives who no longer live in their great state but still have the desire to celebrate Mardi Gras abroad with their families and friends, spreading sticky, sweet harlequin-colored happiness across the land.

To keep up with the ever-growing demand, bakeries and merchants alike have been busy modifying their cakes, making them even more appealing to the consumer by adding vivid-colored icings, sparkling candied coatings, filling them with luscious puddings and jams, or even frying them. All of this zhushing has paved the way for the once exiguous cake to become not only representative of Mardi Gras but any other celebratorial holiday we Louisianans can devise in order to devour one of these treasures from the past.

Whatever delights your fancy, whether it is to perfect a recipe gifted to you from long ago, have one delivered to your home or office, or just picking one up from your favorite local market or bakery, one thing is certain in this vast land of excess, you are sure to get your fill of cake this Carnival season no matter how you choose to slice it. If you don’t, then you are seriously doing something wrong…and that is a fact!

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By Tiffany Casey There Once Was a Kitchen Table

Ingredients

16 oz. sour cream 1/3 cup sugar ¼ cup butter 1 teaspoon salt 2 (1/4 oz. envelopes active dry yeast) 1 tablespoon sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten About 6-7 cups of flour 1/3 cup softened butter ½ cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon Directioins

Add the first four items to a medium saucepan and stir over a low heat until they are well-combined. Let cool and put to the side. In a Pyrex measuring cup, add ½ cup warm water, one tablespoon sugar and the two envelopes of yeast.

Let stand for five minutes.

In a mixer, beat the sour cream mixture, yeast mixture, eggs, and two cups of flour until smooth. While mixer is on low, add the remainder of the flour (four-five cups) a cup at a time until a soft dough forms (you may not use all of your flour or you may use it all).

Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic for at least 10 minutes. Place in a well-greased bowl, making sure to grease the top. Cover and let rise about one hour. Should double in size.

Punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a LONG rectangle (about 20 inches) and about 10 inches wide.

Spread 1/3 cup butter evenly on each piece leaving an inch border. Sprinkle ½ cup sugar and cinnamon over buttered pieces.

Mix ¾ cup sugar, two packages of cream cheese, one large egg, and vanilla to taste until smooth. Spread some of the cream cheese mixture evenly on each piece. Some people may just use the cinnamon sugar and some just the cream cheese mixture; I like both.

Roll up each piece lengthwise, like a jelly roll. Moisten and pinch the seams, being careful not to tear. Carefully twist the two together and shape into a “crown.” Place on greased baking sheet. Allow to rise once more for about 20-30 minutes.

Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool cake and then drizzle generously with Royal Icing and sprinkle colored sugar on top of the wet icing. Add a PLASTIC baby and there you have it! If placing a plastic baby in the cake AFTER it is baked, make sure to let everyone know – no one wants to choke on a King Cake baby!!

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2018 Tiny Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Laila Bernard, 6.

The daughter of Lance and Alisha Bernard of Lake Charles, she is a first grader at Gillis Elementary.

Thomassee of Iowa, she is a sophomore of McNeese State University majoring in mass communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in agriculture. Kelcie will represent Mardi Gras of SWLA in February 2019 at the Louisiana Congressional Mardi Gras Ball in Washington DC.

2018 Petite Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Emily Grace Guillory, 7. The daughter of Alfred and Danielle Guillory of Lake Charles, she is a second grader at TS Cooley Magnet Elementary.

2018 Little Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Ali Claire LaBove, 9. The daughter of Shannon and Katie LaBove of Sulphur, she is a fourth grader at Our Lady’s School.

2018 Deb Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Isabel Kate LaBuff, 12. The daughter of Scott and Kim LaBuff of Kinder, she is a seventh grader at Kinder Middle School.

2018 Teen Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Emily Claire Aguillard, 13. The daughter of Derrick and Kristina Aguillard of Lake Charles, she is a seventh grader at Iowa Middle School.

2018 Junior Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Abi Rogers, 16.

The daughter of Daniel and Kayla Rogers of Lake Charles, she is a tenth grader at Sam Houston High School.

2018 Miss Mardi Gras of SWLA is Kelcie Claire Thomassee, 19. The daughter of daughter of Freddie and Stacie January - February 2018

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Carnival is deeply a part of our group think, and the experiences we take from its traditions, such as costuming and role reversals, become a part of our psyche.

If you want to understand New Orleans, it’s essential to realize that our entire population plays, prays, and stays together. Folks who are from here do not tend to leave, and those who come and put their roots down here stay for generations, as well. That’s how we have such a deep connection.

Customs, rituals, and etiquettes are passed down and along from one person, or family, or neighborhood to the next, across idiosyncratic boundaries, and get embedded in what I call “our group think.”

The city pride here is like none I’ve ever seen, and we can all look at each other and easily acknowledge it at any moment we so choose. As Carnival came knocking on the city’s door on January 6, the locals knew what it was bringing with it and we let it in. It’s a yearly guest that just makes itself at home for a spell.

This year will make the city of New Orleans’ 300th Carnival, but it came years before that with the explorers Iberville and Bienville in 1699. They found the mouth of the Mississippi River and claimed this territory for France on Fat Tuesday.

This was not lost on them.

The encampment was immediately christened Point du Mardi Gras. From French to Spanish and finally into “American” hands, the city has always known Carnival like an intimate friend that shares its performances, secrets, tales, parties, and occasionally tragedies with each one of us.

We all know it intimately because the closer it gets to its climax on Fat Tuesday, it becomes simply inescapable. The city gets blurred and transformed in the holiday’s ancient magical fog.

It creates an external collective dream. So, Carnival is The Jambalaya News

deeply a part of our group think, and the experiences we take from its traditions, such as costuming and role reversals, become a part of our psyche. It is a place where public meaning is created, probed, integrated, and displayed in no small way, and we all do it together.

We come together during Carnival and it translates into our lives year round. Age, ethnicity, gender, class, and religion all go out the window to a large degree because all of those elements that seem to separate people are open for exploration.

It is not always pretty to make such mockery or push certain social boundaries, but blurring lines that seem so rigid in other circumstances is expected during the season, and it invariably has been. Come what may. So now, with the whole country being coerced into a life of fear and constraint, New Orleans gets to take a big ole gulp of fresh air.

It’s Carnival Time! We can see the signs of liberation blow down the streets, into the trees, into every single house and business, and into every person’s life. The parades, impromptu gatherings, the purple, green, and gold flags, and feathers and beads hanging on everywhere are acts and symbols of breaking free. Carnival is inescapable here. It is a salve on society the rest of the year, and it’s essential to the preservation of our unique culture.

So if you happen to be here for Carnival time, dress up for the God’s sake! Get involved and keep this ancient tradition and “our group think” alive! Keep it Astonishing.

I’m The Astonishing Ragan Wicker, Co-Owner of Carnival Couture and Contributing Columnist for The Astonishing Tales Digital Magazine and I Festively Approve This Message!

If shapeshifting interests you too, check us out at carnivalcouture.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ CarnivalCoutureNewOrleans/ , and on Instagram as carnivalcouturenola If you would like to learn some more fun and interesting facts about Carnival, feel free to check out Ragan Wicker’s Masters Thesis on women’s roles in 19th century Carnival in New Orleans by clicking HERE or going to this URL: http:// ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/E0/01/58/68/00001/ wicker_r.pdf If you would like some help with your own personal costume transformations, you can visit Ragan’s website and check out the bad ass headdresses they craft at carnivalcouture.com 42

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to come with some different equipment. His wife Laura Laundry came in with the big equipment on a much larger truck. They worked to try to get the Felix out of the tree, but he was just too far up to reach with the extension ladder.

With final evaluations Mr. Tim Laundry decided he could use the hose on the truck to spay some water near Felix and he’d possible come on running down.

Miraculously the water trick worked, and Felix ran right down from the top of the tree and down the trunk of the tree and swiftly ran under the house as to avoid the dog at all costs! I’d already taken care of securing the dog, so he couldn’t get him though. But Felix wasn’t taking any chances!

All was well that ended well and Felix is now safe and secure in the house staying clear of any more encounters with that dog! Hopefully we will find the owner of the dog soon!

Until then I’ll feed and shelter him from this cold weather in the garage, so he doesn’t disturb the cats!

I guess that in the end I met two nice people in Mr. & Mrs. Landry and confirmed that fire fighters are gracious people and really do rescue those cats that get stuck in the trees running from dogs! It’s good to know it doesn’t just happen in the movies though! So next time you run into your local firefighter let them know that you appreciate all they do for your community! I know that I am thankful that Mr. & Mrs. Laundry came and helped me get my Felix out of that tree!

Fire Department Cat Rescue

By Dawn Daley

Have you ever watched the movies and you see where the fire department is rescuing a cat stuck up in a tree? Yeah?

Well ever wonder how true that is? It is true.

I recently moved out to the country and of course I took my city cats with me. My cats are inside cats but one of my cats ‘Felix’ likes to go outside at least once are twice a day.

Well one day when he was on his outside time a lost chocolate lab showed up and scared him up into a very large oak tree. He no only ran up the trunk of the tree but way up to the top and most far out limbs of the tree. He was up there for hours and I kept trying to coax him down with his favorite fancy feast food. He was just too afraid to move and wouldn’t come down! Hours later I decided to try calling the fire department.

As the guy at the fire department answered the phone I wasn’t quite sure what to say. So, I began by saying “Don’t laugh at me, but I have a question. Can y’all get my can out of a tree?”. The guy did laugh with me and then proceeded to ask me where I lived. After I told him my location he offered to call the closest fire station to my location and said they would be out shortly. I thanked him and waited for them to get there.

A Mr. Tim Laundry showed up about 20 minutes later and evaluated the situation and then called in a bigger truck January - February 2018

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Bayou Living Magazine, LLC January - February 2018

NEW ORLEANS — Mississippi View— French Quarter 2 Bedroom Apartment Book this quaint apartment for your next stay in New Orleans! Fully stocked with everything you need to feel right at home! Full kitchen stocked with everything you need to make a home cooked meal (pots, pans, dishes & utensils)! Perfect for Mardi Gras season … call 504-95705490 or book online

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537 Decatur Street New Orleans, LA 1-800-992-9699

We’ve got all your Mardi Gras needs covered.

Ingredients 5 lbs. ground beef 1 - 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes 1 – 27 oz. can Blue Runner cream style red beans, New Orleans Style 1 – 15 oz. can tomato sauce 1 – 14.5 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes 1 – 10 oz. can Rotel chipotle diced tomatoes 2 med. yellow onions, diced 2 tablespoons Lacoste chipotles 2 tablespoons hot Mexican chili powder 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons pepper 1 tablespoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

By Dawn Daley

Making chili can be somewhat of a passion to anyone who is a cooking enthusiast…most all chili is pretty good, right? So, making chili my way was important to me and to bring it to you, I needed to take measurements--and I don’t use measurements! I use my skill and eye ball to make anything and everything and always have!

In the case of Rifle Chili, let me tell you how I named it that. Making chili has always been one of my favorite meals to cook over a good campfire. Well, one of those times I made “The” perfect chili, while camping with my sister, Heather and son, Justin in Colorado.

In Colorado, bison is a regular ground meat you can buy at almost any market so originally it was made with bison, but it works just as well with ground beef. Now, when I make any chili I always make large quantities to save for the next few days and it is always better the next day or so. You can also freeze it for later in individual-sized portions. The recipe here will be a good-sized chili for a tailgating or football game or large families.

Now, back to how my chili got its name. After I made that chili down by the creek where we had chosen to camp that night, it was so good we decided I should name it. We started joking about names and such and talking about how great the chili really was! My sister said it was so good it would “blow your socks off.” Since we were in the town of Rifle, Colorado it was later decided I should call it my Rifle Chili. So, the name stuck.

Later, I figured out the measurements to relay it to all you folks who are interested in making some for yourself and your families or friends. I hope you will enjoy this chili as much as we have. It’s the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold day!

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Directions Start by browning the ground meat until it is cooked down and all fat is separated, about 15 minutes. Drain out the fat leaving very little for taste (about a teaspoon). Add all other ingredients and cook the chili for about two hours on a medium to low heat. Change up seasoning according to your tastes.

After eating or serving to your guests you may want to check and see if your socks are still on! Enjoy!

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4430 Eileen Street, Lake Charles, La 70605 | 337-474-1962 www.2cajuns.com | You can also find them on Facebook January - February 2018

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Russell Pawlowski Cajun Red Head Spinach Casserole 2 tsp Olive Oil ½ medium onion chopped 3 large garlic cloves minced 3 -10 oz. packages chopped frozen spinach (or use a fresh spinach 4 large container which is what I did) 1 cup sour cream 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature 1 cup milk 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyere Cheese ¼ tsp nutmeg 1 tbsp. of Cajun Red Head Seasoning 1 large beaten egg ¾ cup panko bread crumbs ¼ cup grated parmesan 2 tbsp. of butter melted Preheat Oven 350 degrees. Grease 9 inch square baking dish. In medium skillet, warm oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender about 3 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook about 2 more minutes. Add fresh spinach and cook until tender or in a large bowl combine frozen spinach, onion mixture, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, gruyere, nutmeg, and seasoning. Mix thoroughly. Stir in Egg. Pour into baking dish.

In small bowl mix panko and parmesan add melted butter mix well.

Pour mixture over spinach. Bake uncovered until golden brown approx. 40 minutes. Enjoy!

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Dining Guide

Table …

Come Have A Seat

By Dominique Dugas —

Yvette "Buffi" Kocik grew up watching her single mother struggle for many years. Between trying to put food on the table and raising (at that time) three girls, times were hard.

Kocik would go on to watch her mom grow into a successful businesswoman. Her mother envisioned a better life for her children and worked hard to accomplish that. However, with much success comes great sacrifice. Her mother would spend long hours away, and Kocik knew she had to step up and take care of her siblings, which included making dinner for everyone. She quickly realized that her real passion was in the kitchen. She was known as the "family chef," and to this day, she finds her joy and peace when she is in the kitchen preparing a delicious meal for her family.

Kocik and her siblings helped her mother nurture that small business into the award-winning Steamboat Bill's that we all know and love, definitely giving new meaning to the phrase "family business."

A few years ago, Kocik took a back seat to her responsibilities at Steamboat’s. She was eager to venture out and find her journey. Growing up with her mother being so successful and seeing firsthand the family business thrive, Kocik realized that she not only had an excellent mind for business but understood that she wanted her journey to be doing what she loved: working with food and making people happy.

In 2014, Kocik bought a small startup po-boy shop. She wanted to utilize her business skills and quickly threw herself into the task. Modifying the menu, she added her mouthwatering gourmet po-boys. She also added delicious soups, salads, and homemade desserts. Buffi's Peauxboys quickly became popular in the Lake Area, mostly by word of mouth, at first. People came to fall in love with the food and atmosphere.

Everything Kocik does, she does with love. The Cajun, rustic décor adds to the overall unique atmosphere. I've been dining here for years and I know, firsthand, that the staff is respectful, kind, and will help you decide what you're in the mood for. I've taken a tour of the place. I see how the employees interact with each other, and you can tell it's such a positive environment. The kitchen, I must add, is incredibly spotless.

For those of you who have already dined at Buffi's, I'm sure you can agree that there is nothing on that menu that isn't delicious. As I sit here thinking about what items to highlight, my mouth is already watering, and my stomach is The Jambalaya News

crying out, "Feed me, I need a Crawfish Po-Boy!" Which, if I had to pick, is my favorite on the entire menu. Okay, it's tied with the Buffi's Special and Kickin' Chicken.

If you haven't had the pleasure to dine at Buffi's, what are you waiting for? Make it a short-term goal; you have to try this place out. You'll quickly realize what all the fuss is about.

When deciding what to order, don’t let the vast selections overwhelm you. Fortunately, you can just close your eyes and point to a choice on the menu, and enjoy it! Everything is made with love and has been well thought out before it hit the final menu.

Buffi’s offers three types of gourmet po-boys: seafood, chicken, and specialty. I will highlight some of my favorites from each category.

I've already mentioned one of my favorites is the Crawfish Po-boy. Heed this warning; this po-boy will change your life. A literal crawfish boil in a sandwich, it's all the same flavors and ingredients, with none of the mess. Boiled crawfish tails, corn and cut up boiled red potatoes are drizzled with crawfish sauce and is served on a freshly baked po-boy bread bun. The other two selections under the seafood options are going to be the Boiled Shrimp Po-boy and the Shrimp Reauxmoulade Po-Boy. The Shrimp Reauxmoulade Po-Boy is served with a mouthwatering butter herb shrimp and is

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Dining Guide

naturally topped with Remoulade sauce.

Not in the mood for seafood? No problem. Buffi's offers a variety of yummy chicken po-boys. With complete confidence, I'm going to tell you to go ahead and order the Kickin' Chicken Po-Boy, aside from a cool name, this po-boy is unbelievable! There's a reason it's such a fan favorite. Again, served on fresh baked po-boy bread, grilled chicken is topped with bacon bits, jalapenos, shredded cheese, jalapeno mayo and bacon ranch spread. The heat from the grilled chicken melts that cheese and really holds that bacon in place, so with each bite, it's pure heaven! They also offer a classic Grilled Chicken Po-boy, Chicken Alfredo Po-boy, Homestyle Chicken Salad Po-Boy, and a Cajun Chicken Salad Po-Boy. Buffi's line of specialty po-boys is definitely worth some notoriety. Every po-boy in this selection has been thought out, and is unique in its own way and downright tasty!

The Buffi's Special is one doozy of a po-boy. Ham, turkey and roast beef are placed on the fresh baked po-boy bread and is topped with American, Provolone, and Swiss cheese.

Again, the heat from the meat melts the cheese which adds to the deliciousness. Jalapeno mayo, lettuce and au jus gravy finish off this tasty sandwich. I've had this po-boy a few times, and every time I fall in love again. Do I always finish the entire 12-inch po-boy? Sure do. Do I usually need a nap afterward? Yes. Every single time.

I wish I could delve into each specialty po-boy because I want you all to understand how yummy each one is. Like the Philly Po-Boy, which has roast beef, Swiss cheese, au jus gra-

January - February 2018

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vy, sautĂŠed mushrooms, and onions.

Or the Italian Meatball Po-Boy, which has homemade Italian meatballs covered with marinara and Provolone. Other specialty po-boys include the BBQ Pulled Pork and the Cajun Meat Ball. Why ever eat fast food when you can eat delicious food like this and get back on with your day in just minutes?

All the po-boys that Buffi's offers come in two sizes; approximately 6 and 12 inches. Located at 3620 Gerstner Memorial Blvd, the hours have recently been extended as the business grows each day. Buffi's is now open Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 8 PM and 10 AM to 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday.

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The Jambalaya News

Lucy Mae’s Confections

While many college students are trying to figure out what path they want to take in life, a Lake Area young woman has already figured it out.

Now, her goal is to take her business and love for gourmet baking to the next level.

At only twenty-two years old, Ashley Crooks has figured out that if you have enough passion for something that age is simply a number.

As the visionary behind “Lucy Mae’s Confections,” Crooks has loved the art of baking for as long as she can remember. She pulls the inspiration for the business name from her two dogs, Lucy and Mae. Although she has baked for family and friends her entire life, the actual plan to make her love for sweets into a business didn’t come into fruition until November of last year.

She describes a lot of the motivation and positive energy behind actually chasing her dream as a gourmet baker to come from her boss, Mrs. Paulina. While still in school, Crooks is employed at the local cafe, Nina P’s. She says, “I want to give credit to Mrs. Paulina for pushing me so hard!”

She recounts that everyone she worked with knew about her passion for baking and one day she baked a cake for the store, and it sold in 45 minutes. Since then, she has enjoyed the response from customers at the cafe about her baking, and that confidence helped push her into making Lucy Mae’s Confections a reality.

Crooks describes her style as “rustic, Chevy chic.” Every one of her creations isn’t necessarily perfect, but perfect in its own way.” She goes on to say, “I’m just trying to find my place in the world. [With her treats] … You will be very pleased with them! They won’t let you down.” She specializes in cupcakes, cookies, cake pops and specialty desserts. She also is excited about custom cake orders! In regards to her finished products, “I surprise myself sometimes… Everything is custom, so whatever they want!”

Since she has started to venture out into her new business, Crooks exclaims that she has been booked with some baking project every weekend since the beginning of the year.

Aside from her delicious treats frequently being sold inside the cafe, she has been hired for weddings, birthing announcements, birthdays and rehearsal dinners.

With a quick scroll on her business’s Instagram page, you can tell that Ms. Ashely does keep busy, from edible fidget spinner cookies to laughing emoji birthday cakes, she does cater to the custom taste of every single client that she has.

She spotlights a mouthwatering treat, the Banana Pudding Cupcake. “It's a banana cupcake with 'nilla wafers baked in, topped with a banana buttercream and garnished with banana pudding, a fresh banana slice and a whole 'nilla wafer!”

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Crooks brings the rustic look with her line of “Naked Cakes.” Very minimal frosting, but decorated ever so beautifully with flowers and other simple elements.

From cookies and cream cupcakes to edible penguins, I could go on and on about the tempting treats that will put a smile on your face. Like any good baker, Crooks has managed to remember a few particular favorites, from over the years. She enjoys the outcomes of her custom cakes, for example, a Patron bottle she replicated for a wedding event.

Her favorite dessert would be a cupcake that she feels best represents her, the south and her love for the sweet side of life. Her signature Pecan Praline cupcake is a must try!

In five years, Crooks is hoping to have her own store front where she can feature all of her delicious treats. Until then, she realizes that her best next step is to graduate McNeese State University in December 2017. After that, she realizes that she must start off small and gradually build up her clientele before, hopefully, opening up her own shop and becoming a local house hold name. She looks at local bakeries like Jo’s Party House and Pronia’s Deli & Bakery, as examples of how truly successful a bakery can become if you have a good reputation based on your out of this world line of treats!

She understands that local business is important for any growing city, “[small businesses] … Keep the city up and running! If we are nothing but chain companies than we aren’t Lake Charles, we’ll just be another interstate town.

People love coming to Lake Charles because when you come here, everyone has a part of [this city], they feel a part of it.

It’s home!”

If you’re looking for a custom cake baker, give Ms. Ashely Crooks a call. You can check out her many outlets of social media. Just find Lucy Mae’s Confections on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information and to see more pictures of her many different types of yummy treats!

The Food Dude, Dominique Dugas

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Dining Guide

Cajun Tales Seafood Restaurant 501 N. Adams St., Welsh LA 60591 | 337-734-4772 Seafood Buffet Fridays & Saturdays 5-9pm Sunday Lunch Buffet 11am-1:30pm

Visit www.cajuntalesseafood.com for our complete menu.

Hours:

Daily Lunch Specials

Monday-Closed Tuesday-Thursday 8am to 9pm Friday-8am to 10pm Saturday - 7am to 10pm Sunday - 7am to 2pm

$1.50 draft beer on Monday Nights ‌ come watch the game with us!

Thursdays after 5pm all Ladies drinks 1/2 Off.

Breakfast & Daily Lunch Specials. We also service all your processing needs. Best Sausage & Boudin Around!

Monday-Friday 5am-5pm Saturday 5am-12pm 726 E. Russell Ave, Welsh, LA | 337-734-2500 January - February 2018

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Daily 2-4 free chips for every beer you purchase.

1020 North Lake Arthur Avenue, Jennings www.darrellspoboys.com | 337-616-9977 53

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Dining Guide

Nina P’s

1600 W. McNeese Street, Lake Charles, LA 337–474-6462 | www.ninapsafe.com At Nina P’s Café, we have great home-made southern-style plate lunches, dinners, burgers, New Orleans style po-boys, gumbo, etoufee and much much more! We’ve now added a special Saturday Brunch to our menu! Serving some of the best breakfast in town! Some of our specialty are so mouth watering you’ll have to try everything on the menu, such as our Crepe C’est Tu, Cajun Monte, Omelet C’est Tu, Nina’s Eggs Benedict to the Cajun Eggs Benedict! Not to mention drinks like The Big Crispy, which is glazed donut-flavored vodka and coffee served with a sugared rim or the Raspberry Sparkler, which is raspberry vodka and champagne & everyone's favorite Bloody Mary!

Sassy Oil & Vinegar

4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 337-540-1408 www.sassyoilandvinegar.com Sassy Oil & Vinegar has recently opened a cafe inside The SEED Center Lobby. They have a coffee bar with a 75-cent cup of coffee for a quick cup of Joe on the Go. Their menu includes sandwiches and salads made to order. Two-egg omelets are also available with your choice of add-ons.

One of the unique features of the cafe is that their menu changes weekly, with one new item included each week. It can range from healthy varieties of chicken salad and avocado chicken toast to the notso-healthy Super Deluxe Nachos and Frito Pie. They also sell bottles of oils and vinegars with flavor cards to give you ideas on how to use them. They like to say, "It's OK to play with your food!”

Look for Sassy Oil & Vinegar to go on Waitr in July.

The Jambalaya News

Spoonful of Sugar 1155 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana.

337-488-9315 Spoonful of Sugar is perfect for any occasion. If it is for a planned event are just stopping for some daily sweets they have what you are looking for.

With some of the most creative tasty working coming out of their doors they aim to please their clients with everything they do. They also serve a daily lunch special each weekday. They are located downtown Lake Charles and offer a nice clean open dining area. During the holidays don’t forget to order your pie ahead of time because it is the word that they have the best homemade pies around. So head down town this summer and bring the kids for some sweet treats!

Tio Juan’s Fresh Taco’s & More

2211 B Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 337-602-6772 At Tio’s you’ll find friendly smiling faces ready to serve you Breakfast at 6am! Lunch starting at 11am and thru dinner at 9pm! The food is a perfect blend of authentic Mexican and tex-mex. It’s sure to satisfy your taste buds and you can also now get Margaritas and ice cold beer! Tio Juan’s Fresh Taco’s & More is a little oasis that is sure to be one of the up and coming favorite Mexican restaurants in town! They also have a convent drive thru for when you are on the run!

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Raja’s Curry Kitchen & Grill

3821 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana.

337-476-2777 www.therajasgrill.com The cuisine at Raja’s Curry Kitchen & Grill reflects the food found in modern day India with diverse Indian cuisine. They have a freshly prepared buffet each day. You can get the buffet or order off the menu. The buffet offers some of their most popular foods and is serves fresh and hot. So go on down to Raja’s Curry Kitchen & Grill ready to taste some foreign flavors that will have you come back for more very soon!

The Bad Apple

3436 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 337-474-2294 The Bad Apple invites you to COME TAKE A BITE! They are serving breakfast starting at 7am and thru-out the day Monday thru Saturday. They are also rumored to have some of the best burgers in town! They have many other favorites that they serve during lunch and till closing everyday such as their catfish sandwiches, Grilled Jalapeno Cheese and much more! Also now serving steak on Tuesdays! They have service industry specials as well as 1st responders specials! The grill is open Monday thru Saturday 7am till 10pm.

You can enjoy music and pool while you have a draft beer are one of their many specialty drinks.

Now available on WaitR so you can enjoy at work are home by delivery!

Bayou Living Magazine, LLC January - February 2018

Dining Guide

Steamboat Bills

Sloppy’s Downtown

Listed as one of the top 10 places to eat in the US and voted #1 in the top 20 best restaurants in Southwest Louisiana. Steamboat Bill’s draws in Cajun-Creole-craving tourists and locals alike.

This fast full-service restaurant offers a wide range of Louisiana flavor from fried, etouffeeloaded pistolettes and the locally favored, boiled crawfish to the rivetingly pleasing homemade gumbo crafted from their family recipe. Steamboat Bill’s not only serves highly rated, Louisiana cuisine, but is an outstanding place for fellowship with close friends and family.

329 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-602-6365 Sloppy’s Down town is serving towns best street foods around. They have everything from Pizza, Burgers, Sushi, Sliders, and so much more! They also serve lots of beer on tap! Offering such specials as beer and burger, pitcher & pizza nights!

Recently they added a kids night to their menu.

Kids eat free! They have entertainment for the kids on Wednesdays from 4-8. Another thing they have recently started in Lake Charles was a Saturday Zydeco Brunch! So not matter what night of the week you decide to check them out they have something special for you!

1004 N. Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles 337-494-1070 | www.steamboatbills.com

Los Ponchos Mexican Grill 2502 Broad St., Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-564-5814 2555 N. HWY 171, Moss Bluff, Louisiana 337-905-1016 520 HWY 397, Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-602-5553

Los Ponchos Mexican Grill has three location in the Lake area to better serve you. They serve an authentic Mexican Tex-Mex menu. They have 2 for 1 margaritas all day everyday. They have a lunch menu for $6.99 with a sweet tea. All of their locations are located next to a video poker right next door. With their great prices, drink specials and great tasting food you are sure to find a unique little place to dine!

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Buffi’s Peauxboys

3620 Gerstner Memorial Blvd.

Suite H Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-656-2883

If you’re looking for a Louisiana Poboy, Buffi’s Peauxboys is the place to go! It’s a little hide away restaurant on the east side of Lake Charles. They serve gourmet, New Orleans style poboys that pack a big punch in flavor.

The options are endless when your searching for southern flavors with a flare. Their speciality is the Boiled Crawfish Peauxboy. You can find us on Facebook. Now available on Waitr as well!

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Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen

5614 HWY 14, Lake Charles, Louisiana

337-474-3731 www.hackettscajunkitchen.com If you love boudin, sausage or home cooked plate lunches you’ll want to head on down to Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen. Hackett’s has so many great varieties of boudin that you’ll have to get more than one because it will be to hard to choose! Their sausage is pretty darn good as well! Plate lunch are served daily Monday thru Saturday. If you love Crawfish and Boudin you’ll have to try their special Crawfish Boudin it will take you to Cajun heaven for sure!

Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp

723 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-602-6243 | www.tiajuanitasfishcamp.com

A vibrant atmosphere breathes life into anyone who walks through the doors of Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp! The name alone suggests a casual little vacation from the rush your day might’ve been. With terrific food, colorful décor, a great downtown location and friendly service—this place is nothing short of a delightfully unique experience. Vintage brick walls, with memorabilia from times past, offer a virtual exhibit with an undeniable ’coolness factor’! Looking through the menu for the very first time, you’ll know you want to keep coming back — trying EVERYTHING served up by this eatery of special flavors, mixing their own version of Tex-Mex laced with Cajun Flair! It doesn’t get any more special than that!

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Dining Guide

Richards Hot-To-Trot

Daigle’s

Strickland’s Spirits & Eats

415 E. Russell Street., Welsh, LA 337-734-4483 Hot-To-Trot in Welsh, Louisiana is now under new ownership! They plan on bringing you the same great daily lunch specials, boiled crawfish & Shrimp as well as adding some new items to their menu soon! So they encourage you to follow them on Facebook and stop by soon to see what’s new! I hear the rumor is that they are adding steaks and gumbo to the menu! So y’all go by and give them a try!

726 E. Russell Street, Welsh, LA 337-734-2500 Daigle’s has you covered for breakfast at 5am and for lunch and dinner until 5pm Monday thru Friday and Saturday from 5am until 12pm. They are serving homemade daily plate lunch specials every day! They are also know for their boudin and sausage for miles around.

For all you hunters they also offer known for some of the best priced deer processing and any other of your needs.

Cajun Tales Seafood Restaurant

Darrell’s Po-Boys of Jennings & The Crawfish House

Roy’s Meat Market

501 North Adams Street, Welsh Louisiana 337-734-4772 | www.cajuntalesseafood.com

Cajun Tales is committed to satisfying their customers with great food and excellent service.

They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

They feature a daily lunch special, crawfish pie, broiled stuffed catfish and award-winning seafood gumbo… just to name a few of their great menu selections. They offer a buffet on Friday & Saturday evening and a breakfast buffet on Sundays.

They are also family friendly with a menu just for the little ones. Their menu is full of irresistible Cajun favorites as well as burgers, steaks, seafood, gumbo, red beans & rice and so much more!

Your sure to find a reason to go back soon and try another dish off the menu. Conveniently located right off I-10 in Welsh.

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1020 North Lake Arthur Avenue Jennings, Louisiana 337-616-9977 | www.darrellspoboys.com

Darrell’s Po-Boys of Jennings is a franchise from the one in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It is the first and only one like it. The unique thing about the Jennings Location is they also have The Crawfish House connected to it and serve crawfish and shrimp in season. They have ice cold beer bottled are on tap. They serve the same specials that are served in Lake Charles. They are a great location to go sit have a beer and watch the big game during football season.

Everyday from 2-4 you get a chip for a free beer every time you purchase one, that buy one get one free! Stop in for a quick bite are stay indoors and cool off while having a cold brew, hey it’s hot outside!

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203 East Nezpique St., Jennings, LA 337-246-7411 Everyone is talking about Strickland’s Spirits & Eats. They may be new to town but they are quickly becoming very popular. Everyone is boasting of their amazing burgers and chicken fried steaks, the atmosphere is good, the staff is friendly and they serve adult beverages late.

It’s a place to go for a daily plate lunch are to order off the menu. It’s dubbed to be the gather place to hang with friends. If you haven’t tried it yet you may want to scurry on down and try them out. It may just be your new favorite place.

401 S. Thompson Ave., Iowa, Louisiana 337-582-2220 This isn’t just your average everyday but butcher shop. They are a specialty grocery store and a restaurant as well. They have daily lunch specials each day of the week it is different serving up anything from shrimp stew, beef tips, pork jambalaya, pork chops & gravy, of course they all have great sides with all their plate lunches, and so much more. They have really great burgers, chicken etouffee, and sandwiches.

They are one of the number one places to go during hunting season to get your meat processing need taken care of as well. So next time you are passing thru Iowa stop by Roy’s and the friendly staff will be happy to get you what ever you choose to try!

Bayou Living Magazine, LLC January - February 2018

Dining Guide

Life is Too Short for Average Food !

Restaurant Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm Sunday: 12pm-9pm

Buffet Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-4pm Sunday: 12pm-4pm

Best Indian Food in Town!

337-476-2777 | www.therajasgrill.com 3821 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605

Roy’s Meat Market 401 S. Thompson Ave. Iowa, Louisiana 337-582-2220

3 Locations Moss Bluff HWY 171 337-905-1016 Lake Charles Broad 337-564-5814 Lake Charles HWY 397 337-602-5553 For each stores hours follow on Facebook.

SMOKED & SPECIALTY MEATS BOUDIN CUSTOM MADE SAUSAGE DEER & WILD GAME PROCESSING PLATE LUNCHES SPECIALTY GROCERIES NOW SERVING BURGERS ALL DAY We Now Have Alcohol Steak Dinner & More on our New Menu!

Daily Plate Lunches $6.99 with Sweet Tea Two for one Margaritas all day everyday!

January - February 2018

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Dining Guide

If you’re looking for a Louisiana Poboy, Buffi’s Peauxboys is the place to GEAUX! Buffi’s is located at 3620 Gerstner Memorial Blvd.

Suite H. in Lake Charles, LA Phone: 337-656-2883 Also NOW available on wiatr app order today!

MEET YOUR FRIENDS HERE AND PASS A GOOD TIME PLAYING POOL, SHUFFLE BOARD, FOOSBALL & SING KAREOKE.

Hours — M-F 10am—8pm Sun-Sat 10am—4pm

WEDNESDAY DRAG SURVIIVOR

$1 OFF ALL MIX DRINKS AND LONG LECK BEERS! OPEN 9PM-2AM SHOW 11:30PM $25 CASH PRIZE FOR 1ST PLACE

THURSDAY KARAOKE W/ KELSHA

DRINK AND DROWN $10 BUY IN $1 REFILL ON ALL WELL DRINKS PEN AT 9PM-2AM KARAOKE @10PM

OUR FRIENDLY STAFF IS ALWAYS AT YOUR SERVICE WITH A BEER, WINE OR FAMOUS FROZEN DRINKS!

FRIDAY FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY $3 FIREBALL OPEN 9PM-4AM DJ IN THE MIXX

SATURDAY SHOW NIGHT

4688 COMMON ST., LAKE CHARLES, LA * 474-9019

2 FOR 1 FROZEN DRINKS, DRAG SHOWS ANNOUNCED WEEKLY ON CRYSTALS FACEBOOK OPEN 9PM-2AM * SHOW 11:30PM

$1 DRAFT BUDLIGHT $5 PITCHERS $2 JELLO SHOTS ALL THE TIME. 112 W. BROAD STREET, LAKE CHARLES The Jambalaya News

JOIN US FOR KARAOKE FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

| 433-5457 58

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711 Enterprise Blvd.

Lake Charles, LA 70610 www.ryansperformance.net

Open 24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week

Best Prices in Town

Low Prices On — Beer & Wine Alcohol Cigarettes Tobacco Icee Gasoline & Diesel 99 Cent Fountain Drinks w/ Crushed Ice Bagged Crushed Ice $1.29 for 8 lbs.

Hunts Brothers Pizza & Chicken Wings

We’ve got all Your performance needs covered.

Call 337-656-2072

Evan’s Jennings Location — 1207 S. Lake Arthur Ave., Jennings Fishing Supplies & Bait—Live shiners, worms & frozen bait.

Iced Single Beers Alexis’ Diner offers—Video Poker, Fried Chicken, Hamburgers & also available on Waitr App. Store is open 6am—10pm Soon

Evan’s Corner Store 5th Ave., Opening Soon on Location!

5th Ave For Your To serve you better!

Convenience — 4252 5th Ave Lake Charles, LA Iced Single Beers, Beer, Wine, & Liquor.

Cigarettes & tobacco products.

Gasoline & Diesel.

Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken, Hamburgers, Boudin, Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice and More!

The place to stay while hunting in & around Lake Arthur, LA! Call to reserve your room today 337-774-7249 233 Arthur Ave Lake Arthur, Louisiana January - February 2018

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Mike & Christie Soileau at the Krewe de Bien Faire Ball.

SOCIETY SPICE

Get Spicy with Society Spice

Jeff Babineaux, Grant Navarre, Kayla Vezina, Amber Bennett and Mike Bennett … back to front.

L to R: Elizabeth Laughlin, Jessica Pruitt, Amber Mabile and Megan Knippa.

L to R: Kimmie Hudson & Christie Soileau.

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Phil de Albuquerque & Sammie Hugonin.

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SPICY SHOUT OUTS Happy Birthday Daley Hughes II February 23rd

Happy Birthday Bess Hughes February 24th

Happy Birthday Kaitlin Hughes January 14th

Send a Shout Out to your loved one … contact us at The Jambalaya News Facebook Page or Call 337-348-2958.

Happy Birthday Daley Hughes III February 24th The Jambalaya News

Happy Birthday Destiny Logue January 6th 62

Happy Birthday Daley Hughes I January 13th

Happy Birthday Autumn Logue January 11th Bayou Living Magazine, LLC January - February 2018

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The Jambalaya News

KC Productions Presents on Golden Pond January 25-28 Fresh on the heels of their Halloween weekend hit Sweeney Todd, KC Productions SWLA has more great theatre coming up. On Golden Pond is one of director Keith Chamberlain’s favorite plays, and his production promises to be a powerhouse of talent.

JAM: Congratulations on the success of Sweeney Todd! I

personally think it’s your best work to date! Were you happy with the performances?

KC: First of all, thank you, Lauren, for featuring KC Productions SWLA in The Jambalaya News again. Yes, I was very happy with the final product and satisfied with the overall production of Sweeney Todd. We were fortunate to have such an extremely talented cast and crew. I had no intention on casting such a large ensemble, but after auditions and hearing so much talent, it was difficult to turn a lot of the people down. I have always wanted to direct Sweeney again and I was so happy with the cast. Jessa Theriot Lormand is a genius in costuming and her insight. If I had to do it over again, there are several changes I would make, but as far as this production goes, it worked.

30 to a drama/ comedy with a cast and crew of under ten.

JAM: What are the high points of the play?

KC: You ask me of high points? Just come see the perfor-

mance of these amazing actors and all the technical work involved. We are having the best time and the relationship between us all has been such a delight. This doesn’t happen often. It’s an experience to treasure forever.

“On Golden Pond” will be held at the Ben Mount Theatre at Central School, 809 Kirby St. in Downtown Lake Charles January 25-27 at 7 p.m. and January 28 at 3 p.m.

All tickets are $20 and are on sale now at www.kcproductionsswla.org

We are always looking to expand our sales team.

We are in need of experienced Sales Representatives.

Want to be on our sales team?

Call Dawn today at 337-348-2958 … or E-mail: jabmbalayanews@gmail.com Come & be part of a winning team!

We offer higher sales commissions to experienced sales reps.

JAM: On Golden Pond is up next. What made you choose this play for your next production?

KC: On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson is a work I have enjoyed for years. When I saw the movie I was hooked.

There are so many personal connections with this work, not only with me but also with several of my friends. I wanted to do this play to pay homage to my friends and myself that have experienced the love, the characters and the dysfunction.

This play/production will always hold a special place in my heart as a fan and as a director.

JAM: Why did you change the dates?

KC: On Golden Pond has faced a few obstacles that were out of our control for opening night as planned. The elevator at Central School has been out and postponed for repairs until it became absurd. After the issue was addressed after several meetings, everything will be up and running before we open on January 25. In addition to the elevator issues, with the change of dates we were forced to replace some of our cast because of their work schedules. The cast was and still is stellar. I couldn’t be happier. This is a dream come true for me and I know so many people can relate to the characters.

We Offer Top $$

JAM: How are rehearsals going?

KC: Rehearsals for OGP have been outstanding. It’s a bit of a shock going from a huge musical of a cast and crew of over The Jambalaya News

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January - February 2018

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THE BUZZ

‘Out of the Blue’ Fund Established at Community Foundation of SWLA The “Out of the Blue” Fund has been established at the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana thanks to a $10,000 contribution made by an anonymous donor. The purpose of the fund is to promote the relationship between law enforcement and citizens. Police officers will identify needs they see frequently, such as children in need of car seats, and provide vouchers to citizens to receive the item. Catholic Charities will provide the items through grants from the Fund. The City of Lake Charles, Lake Charles Police Department, Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana and Catholic Charities are currently working to identify the specific needs.

Tax deductible donations may be made to the Community Foundation for the “Out of the Blue” Fund. On-line donations may be made at www.foundationswla.org or mailed to P.O. Box 3125, Lake Charles. Go to www.foundationswla.org for more information.

greatest need. The SOWELA Foundation appreciates the generosity of donors like the Beams who provide financial support to help students in reaching their higher educational and career goals.

Two Receive Employee of the Month Honors from WCCH West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recently recognized its October and November employees of the month for 2017: Russell Benoit, environmental services director, and Adam Edgar, radiologic technologist. “The exceptional work ethic and the values these employees embody are what makes our organization exceptional,” says Janie Fruge’, CEO of WCCH. “These employees are shining examples of service at its core, and we are honored to have them as part of our team.”

L’Auberge Donates to Toys for Tots L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles donated more than 350 toys to the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program.

The toys were distributed to families all across Southwest Louisiana. L’Auberge team members have supported the Toys for Tots giving program for 11 years.

Caption: Pictured in front of L’Auberge’s Gingerbread House holiday display are team members representing the departments that participated in the annual property-wide toy drive.

Beams Donate to SOWELA Jim and Jo Ann Beam contributed $10,000 to the SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation to establish the Jim and Jo Ann Beam Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to students based on the area of The Jambalaya News

McNeese State University President Dr. Daryl V. Burckel Officially Installed Dr. Daryl V. Burckel was officially installed as the seventh president of the university by Dr. James B. Henderson, president and CEO of the University of Louisiana System during the 149th commencement exercises held in Burton Coliseum. During the investiture ceremony, Burckel was presented with the chain and the medallion. Burckel is also holding the academic mace that has for hundreds of years represented the peaceful leadership of universities in their charge to advance the principles of knowledge and learning. The McNeese mace is carried in the procession of administrators, deans, faculty and graduates at commencement ceremonies each May and December.

L-R: Dr. James Henderson and Dr. Daryl Burckel.

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Entergy Donates to City Community Events Anthony “Chip” Arnould, Sr. Region Manager, Entergy Louisiana presented Mayor Nic Hunter with a check for $10,000 on behalf of Entergy in support of several of the City’s community events. Programs such as Downtown at Sundown, Red White Blue & You, and the Light up the Lake Christmas Celebration rely strictly on corporate sponsorships such as Entergy’s. “Entergy is proud to partner with programs which enhance the quality of life and contribute to the cultural economy in our community,” said Arnould. For more information, go to www.cityoflakecharles.com.

LCCP can only be evaluated on the strength of its End of the Course scores. LCCP does not yet have qualifying ACT Scores, a graduation rate, or “strength of diploma score.” In granting the extension, BESE recognized the academic growth of LCCP students shown by the EOC scores, which were greater than neighboring schools. The strength of the ACT composite score for the junior class was a further indication of the strength of the school. Next year at this time, LC College Prep will go before the BESE Board seeking a renewal of its charter. For more information, email mancusohenry@gmail.com Westlake Chemical Supports SOWELA Representatives from Westlake Chemical Corporation presented a check for $8,044.88 to SOWELA to support the Westlake Chemical Corporation NOW Scholarship.

Caption: Wayne Ahrens, Curtis Brescher and Joe Andrepont, all of Westlake Chemical Corporation with Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor of SOWELA, and Marianne White, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and SOWELA Foundation Liaison

L-R: Mayor Nic Hunter and Chip Arnould, Entergy Dr. Carl Fastabend Serves as Program Director at Deep Venous Summit Carl Fastabend, MD, FACC, founder and medical director of the Vein Center of Southwest Louisiana, served as a program director and instructor at a recent Deep Venous Summit in Boston. The advanced course was hosted by Philips Volcano Academy and was attended by cardiovascular and venous specialists from across the country. The objectives of the course were to provide an understanding on the evaluation and management of chronic venous obstruction. Dr. Fastabend is considered a leading expert in this modality and is the only full-time, comprehensive vein specialist in Louisiana.

Mallard Cove Donates to CAC Mallard Cove’s Men’s Golf Association donated $10,717.00 to the Children’s Advocacy Center, a division of Family & Youth Counseling Agency, Inc. Included in the donation is a sponsorship of $2,500.00 given by First Federal Bank of Louisiana. The money was raised during the 40th Annual Shine Flournoy Golf Tournament held at Mallard Cove to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center. The CAC is a child-friendly facility designed to coordinate services for children who have been reported as sexually or severely physically abused.

LC College Prep Granted Extension of its Charter The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has granted Lake Charles College Prep an extension of its charter.

The first senior class of the Lake Charles College Prep will graduate in May, 2018. Having no graduates up to this point, January - February 2018

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(L to R): Julio R. Galan, President & CEO of Family & Youth; LaSalle ‘Pap’ Williams, President of MGA; Erika Simon, VP of Family & Youth; Bub Bell, Director of MGA; Leslie Harless, Marketing Director for First Federal Bank of Louisiana.

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Events …

Mardi Gras 2018 Vinton MG Celebration and Gumbo Cook-off Feb. 3 Vinton will usher in the Mardi Gras season beginning with the Knights of Columbus hosting a gumbo cook-off at 10 a.m. and a parade at 1 p.m. starting at starting at Vinton Middle School and ending at Knights of Columbus Hall where the gumbo judging will begin at 2 p.m. Free gumbo tasting begins after the judging. (337) 589-7453 Sulphur Mardi Gras Parade Feb. 3 The City of Sulphur's Mardi Gras Parade will consist of Mardi Gras Krewes, merchants, individuals, groups and organizations, and the route will be from Cypress Street through the S-Curve to South Huntington Street. Mardi Gras festivities will begin at noon in Heritage Square. Stay after the parade for the King Cake Taste Off from 3-5 p.m. To sign up for the parade or for more information, contact Sulphur City Hall at (337) 527-4500 or email mayorsoffice@sulphur.org.

Lake Charles Mardi Gras Chicken Run Feb. 4 Follow the parade of horses, ATVs, and floats along the Lake Charles Civic Center at 1 p.m. After the parade, enjoy a Mardi Gras concert featuring a variety of Zydeco musicians, which begins at 4 p.m. For more information, call (337) 6601050 or email lakecharleschickenrun@yahoo.com.

Lighted Boat Parade Feb. 8 Head to the Lakefront Promenade and be dazzled by the glowing boat parade on shimmering Lake Charles. Starts at 7 p.m.

Mardi Gras Merchants’ Parade Feb. 9 Local business leaders and social organizations take to the streets on festive Mardi Gras floats from the Lake Charles Civic Center to Ryan Street, ending at Sale Road. Begins at 7 p.m.

Gumbo Cook-off Feb. 10 The public tastes from every pot of chicken and sausage, seafood or wild game gumbo in a hot contest of more than 60 teams on Sat., Feb. 10, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Amateur and professional teams will stir up hundreds of gallons of gumbo and serve it at the Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off.

The event is a must-be-there mix of award winning food, floor-stomping music, and the down-home spirit of Mardi Gras. Gumbo contestants begin cooking at 7:30 a.m., and judging is at 11:30 a.m., with gumbo served immediately afterward until 1:30 p.m. Admission is $5, and gumbo-lovers will be able to sample from all the different gumbo pots. For more information on the Gumbo Cook-off, contact Katie Harrington at (337) 526-9009 The Jambalaya News

Krewe of Omega Parade Feb. 10 The Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras parade will be held in downtown Lake Charles at 2 p.m. The krewe was formed to bring Mardi Gras activities to the black community. To this day, it is the only Southwest Louisiana krewe to hold its own parade. It is held each year on the Saturday prior to Mardi Gras.

Krewe of Barkus Parade Feb. 10 A parade of costumed pets and their owners makes for a whimsical, carnival atmosphere. The title of "Mystical Dog" is given to the most strikingly costumed participant. One of the most highly attended parades during the Mardi Gras season, the day-time parade attracts pet-lovers and families. Call (337) 439-3300 to enter your dog. Entry fee applies. Begins at 3 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade.

Krewe of Illusions Presentation Feb. 10 Celebrate Mardi Gras with the annual presentation of the Krewe of Illusions at the Rosa Hart Theatre at the LC Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. For the $30 orchestra seats (formal attire required, as it includes entrance the ball afterwards), call William at 436-5843. $18 balcony reserved seating and $15 standard balcony seating (casual attire) can be purchased at the Civic Center box office or Party Time store. Begins at 7:30 p.m.

Children’s Day Feb. 11 Children's Day, a free event open to children ages 3 to 11, combines Mardi Gras fun with culture, music and learning on Sun., Feb. 11, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Includes exhibitions of performing arts, technology and science, safety and health, and arts and crafts-all interactive and hands-on. (337) 436-9588

Children’s Parade Feb. 11 A purple, green and gold parade in Lake Charles for the young and young at heart. Parade starts at 3:30 p.m. and will begin at the north end of Bord du Lac Drive, cross over Lakeshore Drive onto West Mill Street, turn right onto Ryan Street and continue south on Ryan to Sale Road where the parades will end.

Taste de la Louisiane Feb. 11 Enjoy pots and pots of traditional Louisiana cuisine ready to be sampled, all for a $10 admission fee at the LC Civic Center. Event is from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Royal Gala Feb. 12 The Cinderella night of Mardi Gras manifests on Lundi Gras, Mon., Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. with a lavish promenade of more than 60 krewes’ royalty in extravagant, glittering costumes before thousands of residents and visitors at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. Advance tickets will be available at Gordon’s Drug Store, Party Time Store, Medearis’ Costumes, The Mardi Gras Lady and the Lake Charles Civic Center Box Office. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door.

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Children age five and younger are admitted free. And tonight’s the night The Jambalaya News’ presents our 2018 Mardi Gras issue! Email lauren@thejambalayanews.com to reserve your space now! Deadline Jan. 17.

Kimmy Bellard at (337) 884-1403.

Seven Slots and Motor Gras Parades Feb. 13 In conjunction with Seven Slots Society, jeep lovers unite to roll down Ryan Street in this jammin' jeep parade at 2 p.m.

Next, the Motor Gras parade kicks off at 3 p.m. with hot rods, classics and motorcycles.

Iowa Mardi Gras Run Feb. 13 Catch a chicken at the 38th annual Mardi Gras Run on Tues., Feb. 13 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E Highway 90, in the town of Iowa. Doors open at 8 a.m., the Mardi Gras floats start lining up at 9 a.m. and the parade rolls at 10 a.m.

The parade goes west on Hwy 90 stopping at local businesses and continues going through neighborhoods with the horses following behind to get their ingredients for gumbo and ends back at the KC Hall. The ingredients are then put into a pot with the chickens, and gumbo is served to the riders while the children play from 2-4 p.m. The chicken run concludes with a Zydeco dance. The entry fee is $10 at the door for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, contact Rodney Victorian at (337) 842-1875 or

January - February 2018

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Krewe of Krewes Parade Feb. 13 Hundreds of elaborate krewe floats, costumes, beads and more wind through the city in the culmination of the Fat Tuesday celebration in downtown-midtown Lake Charles.

Starts at 5 p.m. Catch some beads and laissez les bon temps rouler!

Elton Mardi Gras Run Feb. 10th This is a traditional Mardi Gras run so we have one float and many riders on horseback. The celebration begins in town at 8am and will end in town around 5pm.

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Candice Paints Jeanie the 3-legged Dog for Ellen DeGeneres Birthday Candice Alexander, a well-known Louisiana artist, has painted the perfect gift for Ellen DeGeneres, also from Louisiana, for her birthday. This incredible portrait of Ellen is a gift from her home state to celebrate her 60th birthday on January 26th. After seeing Jeanie, a local 3-legged dog therapy dog, wearing a T-shirt from Ellen’s line of pet products, Candice was inspired and felt the two should meet. So, she picked up her paintbrush and made that happen. This amazing artist brought together one of the world’s most philanthropic celebrities with a beloved, special-needs service dog who, like Ellen, gives hope and comfort to those who need it most.

Candice has worked her way to the top, starting with nothing but talent and a paintbrush, sometimes living in her car or tents. After many years of hard work and hard times, she finally burst onto the scene with her custom Fleur de lis paintings (a Louisiana favorite) and quickly became one of Louisiana’s top selling artists.

Like Ellen, Candice is also an animal activist. She coordinated a team from her community, later known as Louisiana Cajun Angels, that collected pet supplies for the victims of the Louisiana floods of 2016, mainly overlooked small town flooded areas. She also spearheaded the Lake Charles Tree of Life group that developed an after-school art program for underprivileged schools.

Jeanie is honored to be the included in the painting (a nod to Ellen’s love for the disadvantaged). She’s wearing the tshirt from Ellen’s pet line, while Ellen is wearing one of Jeanie’s “four legs are overrated” T-shirt’s, subtly, under her jacket. Jeanie has worked as a certified therapy dog for over 6 years. She works for the local Children’s Advocacy Center The Jambalaya News

where she comforts children as they are questioned by forensic investigators in abuse cases, violent crimes, and even homicides. She visits hospitals, schools, nursing homes, reading programs & veterans’ homes, where she bonds with fellow amputees.

Candice brought the two together on Ellen’s set, hand-inpaw, complete with the Hollywood sign in the background and the MOST life-like image of Ellen ever. But what’s most evident is Ellen’s love for animals, brought out by the most radiant smile on Ellen’s face. You can literally see her joy of being in that moment. There’s several hidden gems in the painting; Ellen’s right hand is actually Candice’s, donning traces of paint on the fingernails, a Fleur de lis can be found on Ellen’s jacket, and many more. Videos and pictures of the painting, Candice and Jeanie have been submitted to Ellen’s website.

The frame is made from sinker cypress trees from the bayous near Ellen’s hometown.

Fun fact: Because Jeanie frequents Christus St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles with her pet therapy group, Candice included her in the murals she painted in the Emergency Room.

From one LA to the other... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her.

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Happy 12 MONTHS of MARTHA day! What? You didn’t know I blogged for my best friend? Martha just left and I gave her this cupcake liner planter that I made, she loved it…. (hehe) Check out all of my posts on jaderbomb.com.

My succulent was sad and depressed, so I made her a lovely home to hang out in. Who would of ever thunk it! A planter made out of cupcake liners. However, this would not have been possible without the help of beautifully designed cupcake liners, right! Remember my cupcake hat that was featured in KIDS CRAFTS 123?

check out more of my 12 months of Martha posts’, check them out at www.jaderbomb.com … and on my social medias.

XOXO, Jade Wanna follow me on some social medias sites?

COME ON!

You will need: Succulent | Empty Tin Can | Glue Gun | Cupcake Liners What is it about succulents that make you smile!

Step One: Take a cupcake liner and fold it in half.

Step Two: Fold it again in half.

Step Three: Start hot gluing it to the tin can. I started from the top and made my way down so they would overlap each other.

You can find more DIY projects on these social medias!

Time to enjoy your creation!

How easy was this craft! Not only will you fall in love with it but if it gets damaged you won’t lose sleep over it. Want to January - February 2018

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By Luke Eddleman

Some people say, you only get one good dog. I'm not one hundred percent sure if that's true, but I do know that for a little over eleven years, a small black dog who I named Eboni, was the center of my world.

Eboni was a Miniature Schnauzer. She wasn't your typical Schnauzer though, Eboni was laid back and quiet. She mostly enjoyed being next to me, no matter where I was the couch, bed, floor, vehicle, yard, it didn't matter, as long as I was around. The most Schnauzer like spunk she had, would be exerted when I'd arrive home from school or work, or when she saw a squirrel.

The short eleven years spent with Eboni, showed me that the Miniature Schnauzer is mostly defiantly the breed for me. I find it highly important to know or learn what breed fits your personally as well as your lifestyle. I see myself searching and bringing a new Mini into my life soon, hopefully I'll get lucky twice!

The earliest records surrounding development of the Schnauzer, was in Germany in the late 19th century.

They were originally bred to be medium-sized farm dogs, suited for ratting, herding, and guarding homes. Over the years, farmers bred the Standard Schnauzer into a smaller size for ratting, by mix breeding it with the Afenpinscher and the Miniature Poodle. The first ever recorded Miniature Schnauzer appeared in 1888. The Schnauzer is known for its spunky behavior, alertness, and for being easy to train.

The miniature Schnauzer is currently the 17th most popular breed in the United States, but to me, they are number one!

If you have a special pet you’d like to see featured in the jambalaya news please feel free to contact us on facebook messenger or by email at jambalayanews@ gmail.com.

The Jambalaya News

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Tic-Tac-Toe

January - February 2018

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Game ...

Take A Seat

The Battle Unknown Recently while playing poker I saw a really good showdown between two other players; two good players at that!

On the flop it was a fold for me. There had already been a raise preflop that I had called, because I had a pocket 8’s.

The flop revealed a lot of face cards K, Q, 10, and a J … no doubt someone only needed an ace or a 9 to get either straight, and the king, queen and jack where all clubs. So I was more than happy to muck my hand with another raise on the table.

The turn revealed an 8 of clubs. I’m thinking “I’m happy to be out because someone surely has a straight or a flush,” but

you hate to have a set and not be in at the same time!

Two guys are left. One raising and the other calling. The river reveals another 10 of clubs … I’m thinking I would have had 8’s full of 10’s! One guy raises $300, and the other guy goes all in. Then with no hesitation, there’s a call on the all-in move. Wow! Now I’m even more happy to be out. Someone could have a straight flush!

After they reveal their cards I see the conundrum. One guy had kings full of 10’s, and the other guy had a Royal flush thanks to the 10 of clubs on the river. I’m happy I wasn’t in that battle! Then again, I would have most likely not made any of those final calls. I was pretty sure someone had a possible straight flush or the Royal Flush. “Talk about the NUTS”!

Poker is a thinker’s game, and that is why I love it! Until next time…choose your battles wisely!

The Poker Lady

COMPULSIVE OR PROBLEM GAMBLING? CALL 1-877-770-STOP(7867).