Issuu

J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 8

08 25 29

COVER STORY

THE COMEBACK Ross Landry puts a lock on stress through Jiu Jitsu.

ONE PATIENT AT A TIME A holistic approach to health.

COOKING UP A GREAT START Chef John Folse Culinary Institute Alums take over the Cinclare Kitchen.

CONTENT

COVER STORY 8 ON THE COVER: ROSS LANDRY

COVER STORY 8 The Comeback Ross Landry puts a lock on stress through Jiu Jitsu.

GROW HOME & GARDEN 13 Heaven Scent The Serendipitous Resurrection of New Orleans Oldest Perfumery, Madame Aucoin.

16 Financial Focus

EXPERIENCE CULTURE 21 First Family & Family First Nicholls State University welcomes the Clune family to the president’s office.

24 Travel Time

THRIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS 25 One Patient at a Time A Holistic Approach to Health.

28 Work It Out

INDULGE DINING & NIGHTLIFE 29 Cooking Up a Great Start Chef John Folse Culinary Institute Alums take over the Cinclare Kitchen.

32 What’s Poppin?

GROW 13

BUSINESS ADDRESS Fathom Media, LLC P.O. Box 5702 Thibodaux, LA 70302 985.441.7073 What Now Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, not the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

EXPERIENCE 20

The opinions expressed in What Now Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Fathom Media, our employees or any of our advertisers.

PUBLISHED+EDITED BY BEN JONES JR. JONAH GIROIR ASSOCIATE EDITOR KEN RAYMOND CREATIVE DIRECTOR EMILY KNOBLOCH

THRIVE 25

EXECUTIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER LINDSEY GAUTREAU ACCOUNT MANAGER KARA DOMANGUE PHOTOGRAPER JACOB JENNINGS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANDREA CHIASSON IAN RIGG JESSICA REBSTOCK JONAH GIROIR SADIE FANGUE SIERRA MULLINS TONY TRANCHINA

INDULGE 29

WELCOME

NEW BEGINNINGS The start of a new year always comes with resolutions and sights set on change. Here at What Now, we’re also experiencing a little bit of change and a new beginning of sorts. You’ll notice in the byline and in this lovely picture of a handsome, young gentlemen that Ben is not writing the editor’s note this month. Don’t worry, he’s still very much involved!

Sometimes, the best way to find a new beginning is to look in the past and see what worked then. Jay Caillouet has done just that as he was able to uncover his great aunt’s legendary perfume and reopen her shop in the heart of the French Quarter. Learn more about how Jay has been able to preserve the legacy of the oldest perfumer in New Orleans on page 13.

Joining me in the changes to the staff is Lindsey Gautreau, our graphic designer. I can speak on behalf of both of us that we’re really excited to continue portraying the best of bayou country in the way that What Now has done since 2013.

Finally, a lot of us start the new year with aspirations to live a healthier lifestyle. Whether that be losing a few pounds or preventing illnesses, Krysten Perque at Prevention Plus Clinic is here to help. Her preventive approach to health aims at stopping the illnesses beforehand and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle. Read more about Krysten and her work at Prevention Plus on page 25.

To celebrate our new beginning, we wanted to explore other’s finding their new beginnings in our feature stories. Ross Landry takes his place on our first cover of the year with a great comeback story. Learn more about his “rock bottom” and how he found peace and clarity in the form of Jiu Jitsu on page 8. Logan Boudreaux and Crystal Lachney are another group of young people experiencing a new beginning as they have recently been named co-Head Chefs at Cinclare Restaurant in downtown Thibodaux. The duo has spent several hours in the classroom and kitchen together, honing their craft and building teamwork. Read about their background and plans going forward on page 29. Sticking with Thibodaux, our university will be welcoming its new President at the start of the year. Dr. Clune will be bring along his wife and two daughters as the first family settles in to their new home on campus. Meet the Dr. Clune on page 21.

In addition to some of the staff changes, you’ll also notice that we’ve had a bit of a redesign as well. These are exciting times for us at What Now, and we’re looking forward to growing with our readers. The new year is a perfect time for a new beginning, and that is exactly why we wanted to share this issue with you now. Thank you for welcoming What Now into your homes, office locations, cars, etc. since 2013. We are looking forward to continue bringing you great stories from around the area, and we would love to hear any suggestions, ideas, and thoughts you may have about the magazine going forward. If you happen to have any, shoot me an email at jonahg@fathomla.com. We hope you enjoy our new beginning as much as we enjoyed making it!

Jonah Giroir, Editor

COVER STORY

THE COMEBACK BY JONAH GIROIR PHOTOS BY JACOB JENNINGS

ROSS LANDRY

COVER STORY

ROSS LANDRY AND RYAN IGNO

t all started with college graduation in 2014. Ross Landry walked across the stage, received his diploma from Nicholls State University, and entered into the “real world.”

was back in the primitive days of UFC, and back then, everybody had his or her own discipline. My dad told me, ‘whichever guy has Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he’s going to win the whole thing.’”

The adjustment period for Ross was a little difficult as he was the first in his group of friends to finish college. “They were all still on that college schedule, and I just couldn’t do that anymore,” he explains. “From there, I felt like I wasn’t really happy, but I also had this feeling that this is what life is after college.”

Sure enough, Ross and his father watched as Royce Gracie, a skinny Brazilian guy wearing a Gi ( Jiu Jitsu uniform similar to a karate uniform), defeated some of the best fighters from other disciplines by submission.

Combining that with a feeling deep inside that he wasn’t at the right place professionally, Ross started to experience what others refer to as “rock bottom.” After a year of being in the workforce, he decided to take this somewhat dark period as an opportunity to start over and experience a new beginning. “Around the end of 2015, I had some different personal things go on in life, and it was sort of a big hit that the way things in life are going is not how it should be,” Ross says. “By all means, I was not at rock bottom as compared to other rock bottoms, but to me it felt that way.” The changes associated with digging himself out of this rut all started with Jiu Jitsu, a passion of his since his pre-teen years. Ross recalls that his interest in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Jiu Jitsu, in particular, dates back to flipping through the Landry family’s new satellite channels during those crucial development years. “My dad and I were at home, and we were watching a documentary on Royce Gracie,” he reminisces. “The big story you hear from people in the States is that Royce Gracie is the first person they ever saw Jiu Jitsu from. This

Jumping a few years, Ross became a huge MMA fan, knowing statistics about fighters akin to the most diehard fantasy football players. However, he didn’t have the free time, money or discipline to pursue learning more about this passion of his. That all changed when he expressed interest in MMA to one of his college professors. “I’ll never forget my English teacher, Brian Ellender (owner of Crossfit Houma), told me ‘My brother has a gym in Houma,’” Ross says. “At the time, I wasn’t quite ready. When it got to the point that I was ready to do something, I looked up Ernest Ellender, who was Brian’s brother, and he was a legitimate black belt. He got his black belt from Dave Camarillo, the former headgrappling instructor at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. Basically, when Brock Lesnar lost the heavyweight title to Cain Velazquez, Dave Camarillo was in Cain’s corner that night.” With such a strong chain of black belt instructors, Ross jumped at the opportunity to learn from Ernest “Waffle” Ellender and the two other instructors, Scotty Smith Jr. and Kaiesie Alberado, at Evolution Training in Houma. NAME HERE “The three of them all have their own styles and skills,

COVER STORY

It’s such a cerebral kind of thing to do that you can’t think about anything else.

ROSS LANDRY AND RYAN IGNO

and I’m so lucky to be able to learn from all three,” he says. “I have the highest respect for them all because they’ve taught me so much both on and off the mats.“ After joining Evolution Training, Ross began to feel like he was doing something he loved. “I can walk in mad at world, but I never walk out of the gym stressed,” he explains. “It’s such a cerebral kind of thing to do that you can’t think about anything else.” With this newfound hobby, Ross made more big changes in his life like cutting out sugar completely and eating clean in order to meet a specific weight goal to start competing. Those changes continued to reinforce the positive vibes he received from Jiu Jitsu. “This is what feeling good feels like,” he says. “I was obviously spending a ton of time in the gym, I started a new job that I absolutely love, social life started to get better, and everything just sort of fell into place.” With so many great people to learn from, train with, and support him, Ross really dove into the

tournament scene this year. “I had this date in my mind of competing in Mississippi,” he says. “At that point, I was probably walking around at five pounds under the weight limit, so I lifted weights and tried to get in the best shape of my life. I took home two gold medals that day.” In June, he competed again and won two more gold medals before earning his blue belt later that summer. After that competition, Ross entered Grapplefest and earned a silver medal, for what he thought would be his last event for the year. “I told myself that I was done for the year,” he says. “There’s this running joke with my family and friends that I always say that I’m done for the year, and something comes up, and it’s something I can’t pass up. That’s exactly what happened this year.” The event he could not refuse was Submission Hunter Pro 19, a grappling event that’s treated like an MMA fight. The submission only event in Gonzales turned out to be a rubber match for Ross and his

COVERY STORY

ROSS LANDRY AND HEATH COOPER

With all of that mixed together, it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.

TOP ROW: JOE MONIER, HEATH COOPER, ERNEST “WAFFLE” ELENDER PHD., SCOTTY SMITH JR. BOTTOM ROW: LUIS GOMEZ, RYAN IGNO, HALEY CHAMPAGNE, ROSS LANDRY

opponent, so he jumped at the opportunity. “The promoter contacted me looking for an opponent. The person he mentioned was a former opponent of mine, and we each had wins against each other,” Ross explains. “With all of that mixed together, it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. It’s about as close as I’ll ever get to an actual MMA fight.” With eight weeks to train, Ross jumped right into the gym and worked to perfect his craft before the big match. Through that hard work, he was victorious with an ankle lock just over two minutes or so into the match. “It was by far the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but also the most rewarding,” he recalls. “What was cool about it was that my friends and family were able to see what I’ve been up to for the last two years.” Now that his 2017 competitions have come and gone, Ross is enjoying a little bit of downtime. Sure, he’s still going to the gym to experience that sense of peace and clarity he finds rolling on a Jiu Jitsu mat, but you can also find him

trying out the best our area has to offer. He says, “On any given day, if I’m not training on the mats, chances are you’ll find me taking a yoga class at Root2Rise, working on strength and conditioning at Bayou Barbell, floating in a float pod at Leisure Spa of Houma, getting my body straightened out at Houma Thibodaux Spine & Rehab, finding my new favorite foods at Rouses or the Rienzi Market, or paddling my paddleboard down Bayou Lafourche. There’s always something to do here, you just have to get out there and look for it.”

this area.“I remember thinking back to where things seemed like they were at their worst,” Ross explains. “I just wasn’t happy with the way life was going. One day I came across one of those random motivational videos online, which oddly enough, was a video of Joe Rogan (yes, the Fear Factor guy) saying, ‘be the hero of your own movie.’ The idea was if your life were a movie, be that person that you would want as the hero. It was right around then that I made the choice to make the changes I knew I needed in life, and I haven’t looked back since.”

He’s seen amazing health results due to these changes in his life as well. “I had these health issues that I dealt with my entire life,” Ross explains. “I don’t think I can pinpoint one particular thing that solved anything, but from eating better, frequent exercise, and all that kind of stuff, all these health issues that I dealt with my entire life literally just went away.”

“Although I’ve had a small amount of success recently, I’m still very much a beginner in all of this, and I have a very long way to go before I’ll even be close to where my coaches and training partners are now,” he adds. ”That’s what keeps me going though—I get to train with and interact with these awesome people that amaze me every day, and we’re all just working toward the same goal together. I’ve only scratched the surface here, but I can only hope that me from several years ago would be proud of who I’m working to become today.” WN

Aside from Jiu Jitsu, the catalyst to all of this has been a mantra he stumbled upon and the accepting, family-like Jiu Jitsu community in

LEADING YOU

TO THE CLOSING TABLE

Catholic School

2018 2019 REGISTRATION

MARCH CASSIE RODRIGUE BRAUD , ESQ . AND WOODY FALGOUST , ESQ . REAL ESTATE PERSONAL INJURY

• ESTATE PLANNING • SELECTIVE LITIGATION 807 Barbier Avenue, Thibodaux , LA (985) 447-9291 stgenevieveschool.us St. Genevieve Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, national, or ethnic origin and is open to students who share our values and traditions.

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HEAVEN SCENT BY IAN RIGG PHOTOS BY JACOB JENNINGS

he past always entranced Jay Caillouet. A preservation architect from a prominent Thibodaux family, it’s perhaps no surprise that he’d be captivated by the romance of petticoats dancing across the pavement. “Early 20th century New Orleans was a storied, thriving metropolis rich in culture, banking, trade, and a dash of debauchery,” he explains. “Luckily for us, those aspects of our wonderful city still remain.” What remains with Jay are memories of his childhood, when he would be regaled with tales of his great aunt: the French Quarter’s legendary perfumer, Madame Mamie O. Aucoin. Records seem to prove that Madame Aucoin was not only the first female perfumer, but the oldest perfumer in New Orleans. And the social butterfly, called the First Lady of Fragrance, became an integral and indispensable part of the Big Easy’s upper crust. “Victorian-era New Orleans didn’t just love perfume – it needed it. Antiperspirant didn’t come along until 1903,” jokes Jay. So along came Madame Aucoin. Together with her husband J.M. Aucoin, she opened a shop on the corner of Royal and Bienville, in a chic area she herself dubbed “the Paris of America.” And then she opened four more of them. With her keen mind for business and timeless style, her signature scents like Louisiana Magnolia, Ce Soir ou Jamais and Toujours Charmant flew off the shelves. Even after her husband’s death, Madame Aucoin prevailed through a maledominated world, and kept her shops thriving until her own passing.

GROW

The ghost of it clings, long after we leave the room.

Ownership of the business then passed in 1962 to her sister, Mary “Mimi” O. McHughes and her husband, Edward. When the Vieux Carre staple shuttered its doors in 1982, the Aucoin Perfume Company legacy had lasted for 80 years. Mimi’s only daughter, Elaine, married Lucien A. Caillouet and had eight children. The youngest grew up to become a preservation architect. And though long since departed, the memory of his grandmother and great aunt lingered in Jay Caillouet’s mind. Perfume, after all, is a powerful thing. The ghost of it clings, long after we leave the room. Among Jay’s prized possessions were inherited bottles of his ancestors’ century-old perfume. He’d been instructed by his grandfather to hold on to them. He kept his promise, and he would also hold them in his heart as he’d meander through the French Quarter’s nostalgic streets again as an adult. Jay pictured his own childhood visiting the shop, and also imagined the dignified ladies and dapper gentlemen arm in arm as they strolled across the 20th century cobblestones. Though those people lived a world ago, the buildings they frequented still stood witness. “I always wondered if I could one day restore one of them into a perfume boutique,” ponders Jay. “I would hope that it would make Madame Aucoin proud.” It was an ephemeral dream that he longed to bring to fruition. But serendipity saw fit to toss that very opportunity into his lap. After a lengthy and fortunate chain of events, the architect found a historic building in need of repair. It was apparently abandoned, with graffiti adorning the walls. But when he returned home to do research, he was astounded to learn: this building he’d stared at was his great-aunt’s exact address. Jay Caillouet made a resolute decision that day. No matter how long, no matter how many people said he was crazy, he was going to quit architecture, and open a perfumery right inside Madame Aucoin’s old residence on 608 Bienville St. “The cosmic clockwork just seemed to set in motion to bring together these like minds,” Jay ponders. In fact, it’s difficult not to wonder whether the First Lady of Fragrance herself was interceding on his behalf. Because by happenstance, Jay then met Ashley Lund, a business expert with an entrepreneurial spirit and a flair for design, customer service, and creative merchandising. And yes, by chance, she had always dreamt of a life in the fragrance industry.

GROW

Some would call it coincidence. Others would call it fate. But Ashley introduced Jay to Phillip Collier’s “Making of New Orleans,” a book with a thoroughly researched history of Madame Aucoin’s business. And through a supportive friend’s phoned-ahead reference, Jay was able to secure the cooperation of the owners of that boarded-up building he’d found, the Monteleone family. He put his architectural preservation skills to the test in his dream playground, the historic French Quarter. For a whole year, he worked on (and lived in) Madame Aucoin’s abode tirelessly. And together with his new business partner Ashley and the gracious Monteleone family, Jay Caillouet opened his great aunt’s doors once more this August. The newly reborn Madame Aucoin Perfume would no doubt make its namesake smile. “We specialize in ‘indie’ or niche, fine fragrances that are exclusive to us,” entices Jay. The resurrected perfumery carries a unique and eclectic palette of artisanal perfumes from a wide price range and a vast array of origins, from local craftsmen to far-flung fragrances from England and France. The crown jewel of the collection is perhaps Eight & Bob, a cologne worn by John F. Kennedy. Stepping into the chicly decorated shop is practically a portal to a Parisian boutique, and just a waft of one bottle transports to an elegant, bygone era. Fragrance fans should frequent the establishment, which often adds and acquires new scents and accessories. With the shrewd sales acumen of a modern retail design and fragrance professional, and the fierce drive of a devoted descendant, past and present have now coalesced in the resurrected Madame Aucoin Perfume Company. Observes Jay, proudly: “Our promising future is where it all began – in the heart of the Vieux Carre.” And judging by the warm reception from its growing niche of fans happy to have her as a neighbor again, it appears Madame Aucoin is alive and well and here to stay. “Our goal? To put the Paris of America back on the map!” Jay smiles, wistfully. “I can smell it already.” WN

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How Can You Improve Your Financial Fitness This Year? BY Tony Tranchina, Financial Advisor

FINANCIAL FOCUS

f one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get healthier, you may already be taking the necessary steps, such as improving your diet and increasing your exercise. Of course, physical fitness is important to your well-being – but, at the same time, don’t forget about your financial fitness. Specifically, what can you do to ensure your investment situation is in good shape? Here are a few “healthy living” suggestions that may also apply to your investment portfolio: Build endurance – Just as exercise can help build your endurance for the demands of a long life, a vigorous investment strategy can help you work toward your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. In practical terms, this means you will need to own some investments with the potential to provide long-term growth. These are the investments that, ideally, you can hold on to for decades and eventually reap the benefits of capital appreciation. Of course, growth-oriented investments, such as most types of stocks, will rise and fall in value over the short term, and there’s no guarantee of profits, or even preserving principal. But if you choose wisely, and you’ve got the patience and discipline to hold on to your investments through the market’s ups and downs, you may well be rewarded. Maintain an ideal “weight” – You can help yourself stay healthy by maintaining your ideal weight. This can be challenging – as you know from the recently finished holiday season, it’s easy to put on a few extra pounds. And, just as inadvertently, your portfolio can tack on some unneeded weight, too, in the form of redundant investments. Over time, you may have picked up

too many similar investment vehicles, resulting in an overconcentration, or “flabbiness,” that can work against you, especially when a market downturn affects the asset class in which you’re overloaded. So, you might be better off liquidating some of your duplicate, or nearduplicate, investments, and using the proceeds to help broaden your investment mix. Get proper rest – Many studies have shown that we need adequate rest to stay alert and healthy. In your life, you’ve probably already found that if you over-tax your body, you pay a price in your overall well-being. If you look at your investment portfolio as a living entity – which, in a way, it is, as it certainly provides life to your goals and aspirations – then you can see that it, too, can be weakened by stress. And one of the main stress factors is excessive trading. If you’re constantly buying and selling investments in an attempt to boost your returns, you may rack up hefty fees, commissions and taxes – and still not really get the results you wanted. Plus, if you’re frequently moving in and out of different investments, you’ll find it hard to follow a unified, long-term strategy. So, confine your trading to those moves that are really essential – and give your portfolio a rest. To enjoy your life fully, you’ll want to take care of your physical and financial health – and, as it turns out, you can make similar types of moves to help yourself in both areas. Tony Tranchina is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments. His office is located at 142 Laura Drive Suite G in Thibodaux and he can be reached at 985-447-1745. WN

202 East Seventh Street, Thibodaux 985.447.5413 | /oldestateartgallery

WHAT NOW

JAN 2018

09 20 24 27

VOLUNTEER CHILD ADVOCATE TRAINING This recurring event will offer volunteers training to advocate for children in the foster care system. The goal is to ensure that each foster child from Lafourche Parish has all basic needs met. Volunteers will build a relationship with a foster child and their family, gather factual information, and report it back to the judge. The volunteer will also be a consistent person in this child’s life that is changing by the second. Join CASA of Lafourche each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. through February 6 in changing our parish one foster child at a time. CASA of Lafourche, 406 W. Third St., Thibodaux

LEAD THE PACK: A RELAY RACE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Advance Physical Therapy’s JC Advance Foundation’s commitment to promoting health and fitness in our community while supporting our local students continues with this year’s fundraising initiative. Lead Pack is a relay race open to everyone that will be held at the E.D. White football stadium. Teams will consist of 3 people, and each person will run or walk a mile and then the next person takes over and then the next until all 3 miles are completed. The race, starting at 9 a.m., will raise money for the private schools in Thibodaux. E.D. White Catholic High School, 555 Cardinal Dr., Thibodaux

JANUARY KIDS COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF SALLY Rouses Markets will be hosting a cooking class at their Thibodaux location. This month the kids will learn how to make Sloppy Joe Sliders and decorate their own Mini King Cake. Each child will have the option to enjoy their delicious creations or take them home to enjoy later. They will also be sent home with a recipe to make the Sloppy Joe Sliders. The cooking class starts at 5 p.m., is for ages 5-14, and only participating children need a ticket for the event. Rouses Market, 204 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux

UNITED WAY SOUPER BOWL Teams cook their best soup, chili, or gumbo for a chance to be named “Best SOUP in Houma”, and the public will be able to vote for their “Fan Favorite.” There will be music, face painting and a bounce house; fun for the whole family. A 5K run kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and the gates for the cook-off will open at 11 a.m. Contact Ashlee Champagne at 985.381.7390 or achampagne@uwsla.com for more information. Courtyard Marriot, 142, Library Dr., Houma

WHAT NEXT

FEB 2018

MUTZIE Side-splitting comedian Mutzie is back in Thibodaux for four shows in February. Mutzie is a multiple award-winning laugh riot from the minute he walks on stage until his show stopping close with improv skills that are second to none. Watching Mutzie on stage is like watching a very likable class clown, you don’t know what’s coming next, but you know it’s coming. He also works clean, so the night is sure to be fun for the whole family.

utzie performs over 300 shows M every year including Cruise ships, comedy clubs, churches and Corporate events around the globe. Tickets are $20, and there are shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on both nights. Call 985-449-0333 to get your tickets today. Fremin’s Restaurant, 402 W. Third St., Thibodaux

21 EXPERIENCE 21

FIRST FAMILY & FAMILY FIRST BY JESSICA REBSTOCK PHOTOS BY JACOB JENNINGS NICHOLLS PRESIDENT, DR. JAY CLUNE

new year, a new president, and a new first family. It looks like Nicholls State University is getting a fresh start to the new year. Dr. Jay Clune, the newly hired president of Nicholls State University, has found his way back to South Louisiana, the place he calls home. After being gone for about thirty years, Dr. Clune, his wife Allison, and daughters Gabrielle and Caroline have found a way to return back to the bayou region, serving as the first family of Nicholls. Dr. Clune, originally from Broadmoor subdivision in Houma, is a former graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School. After completing his high school education, he made his way up the bayou to Nicholls State University in 1982. During his time at Nicholls, he was involved in intramural sports, Greek life, and campus ministries. Graduating in 1986 with a marketing degree, Dr. Clune had the dream and desire to work on a college campus, all due to his rich experience with student life at Nicholls. “The desire to be a president coincided with the announcement that Nicholls would be searching for a new president,” says Dr. Clune. “I always wanted to come back to Nicholls. I never thought the timing would work out just right and I would be in a position to come back. When the position opened up, it was a dream come true.” After completing his time at Nicholls, Dr. Clune spent the next two years serving in the Peace Corps while stationed in Guatemala. While there, he was far from the familiarities of Cajun country. Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Clune attended the University of Alabama where he received his master’s degree in Latin American Studies. After earning his master’s degree, he received his Ph. D from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and then moved on to Pensacola, Florida, where he has been residing with his wife and two daughters, while working for the University of West Florida.

EXPERIENCE

Having my family beside me meant everything to me.

Years of hard work and dedication paid off when the stars aligned for Dr. Clune. In the fall of 2017, the job position as the sixth President of Nicholls became available. This was his chance for him to make his way back home to his roots. When he applied for the presidential position, he says his wife Allison and eldest daughter, twenty-two-yearold Gabrielle, were excited. His youngest daughter though, who is fifteen years of age, was going to miss her friends, but as a family, they were excited for the possibility to be closer to other family members who live in Houma. On September 25, 2017, the first public forum for the presidential search, was held at Nicholls to gain feedback from the community. Throughout the next couple of weeks, Dr. Clune, with his family supporting him by his side, interviewed with student leaders, alumni, community leaders, staff, faculty, and administration, as did the other presidential candidates. “Having my family beside me meant everything to me,” says Dr. Clune. “It was great having my parents and my sisters, who are in Houma, following it in the newspapers, magazines, and on the livestream.” After going through the entire presidential search process, Dr. Clune states, “The presidential search process is much more family oriented than Florida, the state where I am coming from.” Nicholls State University’s newly elected president has many priorities on his agenda to serve the university itself, along with the community of South Louisiana. Dr. Clune wants to begin by looking at those areas which he believes the university has the ability to improve on, one of which is development. He hopes to create a development office which will go out to raise money for the university. “We have a couple of good people working right now in development, but they are unfortunately largely without a staff and I need to look at the needs of that area,” Dr. Clune says.

Additionally, he would like to focus on marketing and getting the word out about the great things that Nicholls is doing. While speaking of long-term priorities, faculty and staff salaries will always be on the front burner according to Dr. Clune. Initially, he wants to raise resources and get the word out about Nicholls. “I want my alma mater to become the most innovative and impactful university in the state, expanding educational attainment, enhancing our communities, and providing businesses and industries with the talent they need to compete on a global scale. We have the students, faculty and staff, and industry and government leaders to make this happen. I have no doubt about that,” says Dr. Clune. Now that he and his family are official residents of Thibodaux, there are a few things the first family is looking forward to during their time here, one of which is becoming a part of the Thibodaux community and getting to know everyone, who has been described by Dr. Clune as nice and gracious. Being in and out of town over the past few months, the Clune family is mostly excited to be here full time and start enjoying the community every day. Dr. Clune is particularly excited for his wife and daughters to experience the Louisiana culture as he did growing up here. “The food, the people, the places I remember from my youth. As a teenager, I spent a lot of time on the water, with friends, fishing the bayous, lakes, and canals of the area. I’d like to get back to that—get back to the water—but with the family this time. I know I can get Caroline and Gabrielle to join me, and I think I can get Allison to go along. That’s my goal, at least,” Dr. Clune says. The Nicholls’ community is excited to welcome the Clune family, now known as the first family, with open arms. It is also fortunate to have a president who is a family man and puts family first. WN

EXPERIENCE

NICHOLLS PRESIDENT, DR. JAY CLUNE

EXPERIENCE

Making Magical Memories BY SADIE FANGUE of Say Magical Vacations

TRAVEL TIME

ith the start of the new year, there’s no better time to start getting ready for a magical vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort than right now. The “Happiest Place on Earth” is the quintessential place to create memories as a family, and we have some great tips to get you walking down Main Street, USA with the least hassle possible. Let’s start with the best ways to start saving for a magical vacation at the beginning of the year. The Walt Disney Travel Company requires a $200 deposit to book a vacation, and final payment is due 30 days prior to check in date. It’s best to book 7+ months out because dining reservations are made 180 days prior to check in. The further in advance you book, the more time you have to pay it off. This will also give you ample opportunity to book meals with your favorite characters and pick your fast passes for some of the most in demand rides on Disney’s resort. Target and Sam’s Club offer deals with Disney Gift Cards to help stretch your dollars a little further. Now that we have the money out of the way, let’s make sure your bags are packed and ready to go. Here at Say Magical Vacations, clients are treated like VIP members. I have a special Client

Portal on my website where you can find a detailed packing list as well as tips and tricks and recommendations for dining. All you have to do is find the list, check it twice, and your magical vacation is going to be very nice. And just like that, you’re all set for a fun time in the Magic Kingdom Park. All you have to do now is decide when you want to go. As expected, the most crowded times are holidays, so if you’re for smaller crowds you may want to consider the last two weeks of January, the first week of May, any time in September, or the first two weeks of December. This will also help you avoid the dreaded summer heat of Florida…which may not be that bad considering you live in south Louisiana. Say Magical Vacations would love to help you find your Happily Ever After in Walt Disney World Resort. If you have any questions or need assistance in creating a magical vacation, feel free to message me at Sadie@saymagicalvacations. com. My services are FREE! WN

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ONE PATIENT AT A TIME BY HAYLEY SAMU PHOTOS BY JACOB JENNINGS

KRYSTEN PERQUE

rysten Perque isn’t your average nurse practitioner. Whereas others see a reason for treatment, Krysten sees an opportunity for prevention.

Krysten grew up listening to her mother recount stories of her days as a nurse. Enthralled with the possibility of helping others too, Krysten decided to pursue a nursing degree. She spent years working with cardiac patients, but soon began to wonder if there was more she could do to prevent illnesses before they happen. Krysten finally found a place where she could practice preventative holistic medicine at Prevention Plus Clinic, where she is now the primary care provider. The clinic takes care of both sick and healthy patients by managing diseases and treating or preventing heart-attacks, strokes, and other illnesses. For Krysten, preventative health simply made sense to her. “It made more sense to stop the cause of something instead of putting on a band aid,” Krysten says. Prevention Plus Clinic specializes in three main areas: Cardiology, Internal Medicine, and Wellness. All three specialties are approached from a preventative perspective. In addition to treating something like cardiovascular disease, the clinic approaches disease with a holistic, preventative model that works hard to prevent and even reverse things like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Krysten is joined by a Preventative Cardiologist and an Internist. The clinic works hard to reverse the assumptions that many people have about health. Krysten sees patients at risk of heart-attacks or other diseases every day, and most don’t even know that prevention is even possible simply because prevention is not emphasized in most healthcare facilities. That’s what makes Prevention Plus Clinic different. The first line of business at Prevention Plus Clinic is to determine a preventative plan for each patient, whether sick or healthy.

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One of the hallmark pieces of Prevention Plus Clinic’s work is a personalized lab results book that they give to patients who have blood work done. The book comes with a complete analysis of the lab work results for the patient complete with tips on what they can do to improve their health, keeping them on task and with goals in mind for their health. The clinic emphasizes the importance of their patients knowing all of the details about their own health so that they can make sure they stay healthy.

We show each other we love each other and appreciate each other with food.

Krysten is also particularly proud of the clinic’s ultrasound department, which includes CIMT. The CIMT takes ultrasound pictures of a patient’s vessels in their neck to determine if there is plaque buildup. This machine helps prevent cardiac disease and strokes by monitoring plaque, making sure it is decreasing as treatments become effective. Beyond preventing more serious diseases, Krysten believes that a healthy and active

lifestyle can increase the wellbeing of her patients and even prevent future health problems. One of the biggest tips she urges her patients is to watch what they eat. But that’s not always easy when you live in the South. Krysten believes that the Southern culture presents one of the hardest obstacles to finding a healthy lifestyle because of people’s relationship with food. “Down here, it’s always a challenge to change how you feel in your relationship with food,” Krysten says. “We show each other we love each other and appreciate each other with food. It’s so intertwined with emotion.” It’s not easy to reorder an unhealthy relationship with food. But one patient at a time, Krysten hopes to change that perspective and relationship with what we put in our bodies. With the New Year fast approaching, Krysten has a few tips to beginning 2018 with a healthy start. Here are her top three tips to a healthier lifestyle:

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•Exercise most days of the week. •Leave a little bit of food on your plate at each meal. Oftentimes, people put far too much food on their plate. •Drink plenty of water. Most people don’t drink as much water as they need. More importantly, Krysten says it’s about the mental attitude towards health. “Every day is a new day and it’s never too late to start,” she says, “People start off with good intentions and get a bump in the road and never come back from it.” Prevention Plus Clinic is excited for the new year and the many lifestyle change seekers it might bring. The clinic has a variety of options to help patients stay healthy.

while they get their fluids. The clinic also has an infrared sauna that people can use to help relieve pain, lose weight, and relax. Regardless of your health status, whether you are at risk of a heart attack or just want to lose a few pounds, Prevention Plus Clinic wants to hear from you. “We help with lifestyle modification. If people want to get a consult and come talk to me, whether it’s the exercise, food, or anything, we are here to help,” Krysten says. For Krysten, Prevention Plus Clinic offers her the opportunity to reverse many of the assumptions about health and improve the lives of others, one patient at a time. Krysten’s favorite part about her job is, “Seeing that person’s face light up and making them feel better. It’s an awesome feeling,” she says. WN

For example, the clinic has an IV therapy if you are dehydrated or just need an energy boost. The best part of the IV therapy is the comfort of the Prevention Plus Clinic, where patients can sit back and enjoy their favorite movie

Prevention

Plus

Clinic

has

three

locations in the area. The clinics are located in Morgan City, Pierre Part, and Thibodaux. Krysten owns and works at the Thibodaux location at 905

Canal

Louisiana

Boulevard, Thibodaux, 70301.

Prevention

Plus

Clinic of Thibodaux is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and you can reach them at 985-492-9100.

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Find Your Why BY ANDREA CHIASSON of 409 Fitness

WORK IT OUT

t’s January, a time for resolutions, renewal, and forming healthy habits. And for most people, those resolutions and new habits will be forgotten by February… but not you, not this year! This year, you’re going to stick to it. I have clients come to me all the time with bright shiny new fitness goals and the very first thing I have them do is create a self-change contract. As part of that contract, we identify not only what the goal is but why it’s important. Finding your why can really help to solidify your goal and give it a weight of importance. When you have identified your goal and your why, make sure you WRITE IT DOWN! Write it down, sign it, and put it somewhere that you can see it. Don’t be afraid to get specific about it. In fact, the more specific and clear you are, the more likely you’ll be to stick with it. Once you feel good about that self-change contract, you’ll need to create a plan of action. Set yourself up for success by getting clear on how you plan to achieve your goals. Want to relieve stress? Go to a weekly yoga class. Want to lose 5 lbs? Start up a cardio routine like Dance2Fit, Zumba or POUND (check out the 409 Fitness Studio schedule for all of these and more *wink wink*). Want to complete your very first 5k? Then, honey, you better start jogging! Creating a plan and setting reasonable expectations for yourself can go a long way when

trying to tackle something new. Share that plan of action with someone, better yet, find a partner that is willing to take on the task with you! Besties, hubbies, girlfriends or boyfriends make great accountability partners and can help you stay motivated throughout this process. Make a pact with each other that you’ll stick with it and when you start to slip, you’ll be there to pick one another up and keep moving forward. Once you’re on your way to healthier living, the best advice I can give you is to make sure you celebrate your wins! Every healthy choice you make is a win. Every time you step on your yoga mat, jog around the block, go to a group fitness class or even go salsa dancing, that’s a WIN and it deserves to be celebrated. If you’re new to setting health and fitness goals and you’re not sure where to start or if you just need a change of scenery and a community of people to help keep you motivated, come see us at 409 Fitness Studio in downtown Thibodaux. Our classes are designed for all levels and abilities from beginners to fitness enthusiasts. There are no fees, no contracts and you can join us anytime for $5 a class. This is our year and we’re going to celebrate it! Andrea Chiasson is the owner of 409 Fitness Studio located at 409 West 3rd Street in Downtown Thibodaux . Check out their fitness schedule at mindbodyonline.com or call her at 985-688-2040. WN

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COOKING UP A GREAT START BY SIERRA MULLINS PHOTOS BY JACOB JENNINGS

here’s nothing that can satisfy a person’s body and soul like a delicious meal. Chefs Crystal Lachney and Logan Boudreaux learned that in their own singular, but equally edifying ways.

For Logan, it was all about good ol’, down-home food right at home in Lockport. From his parents and two sets of grandparents he learned the secrets to authentic Cajun dishes like gumbo, seafood bisque, and jambalaya. “Brown was the color of nearly everything,” Logan says. “But, that meant flavor.” Exposure to so many fantastic dishes served up by his own relatives resulted in a revelation for Logan at the age of seventeen. He wanted to know more, broaden his horizons about how great food could actually get. The realization was the start of his dreams of attending culinary school. Though Crystal also became passionate about food through her family ties, the restaurant scene was where her own epiphany took place. She worked in a meat market for three years and also in her uncle’s fried chicken shack/burger joint before her college years. The innumerable creations that could be concocted through cooking were far too intriguing to Crystal not to pursue. For both aspiring chefs, the dreams they had of a future in cooking became reality. They have obtained the roles of co-head chefs at Cinclare Restaurant in Thibodaux, an establishment which represents Rustic Southern cuisine at its best. Crystal and Logan met at Chef John Folse Culinary Institute (CJFCI) where their journey to their current positions began. At CJFCI, the students are introduced to a world of ingredients and given insight into the life of fine dining. “CJFCI taught us all the basics and techniques that helped groom us into the people we are today,” Crystal explains. “School emphasized on the importance of kitchen sanitation, organization, food cost, and the importance of a good relationship with front of the house as well. School teaches us to be able to understand every aspect of a restaurant, and we took advantage of the teachings for sure.”

LOGAN BOUDREAUX CRYSTAL LACHNEY

Logan echoes Crystal’s praise of the school, saying that the chefs are endlessly supportive of the students, giving the aspiring chefs the chance to reach for their goals. After two years at school, the next step is for the students to find intern positions. Logan fulfilled this requirement at John Besh’s Luke in New Orleans and will also be attending Institute Paul

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I am happy and excited to see what Logan and I can do.

Bocuse in Ecully, France this summer. Crystal’s internship was fulfilled working with Marc Forgione in New York and studying at Institute Paul Bocuse where she graduated top of her class, providing both Logan and Crystal with comparable fine-dining exposure. Logan says that he and Crystal saw their potential as collaborating chefs early on, when they were only sophomores in school. With aligning work ethics, likes, dislikes and experience, it wasn’t hard to imagine working together. Besides, cooking together always turned out to be a great time! In January of 2016, Crystal brought the opening of a new restaurant downtown to Logan’s attention. They applied and both received positions as protein cooks. Just as they had in school, the two chefs enjoyed working together immensely. “This was the first moment that we actually got to be in a work environment instead of a school environment, and it inspired so may things out of us,” Logan explains. “As a team, we started to propose special ideas and really involve ourselves with the logistical pieces of the kitchen. Nearly two years later and we still work the same way. We ultimately enjoy the co-chef aspect of the job. Crystal and I believe that something really special often happens when both of our minds end up on a plate, and we just hope that these plates are as special to the guests as they are to us.” Crystal and Logan will be graduating soon and there’s no better place than downtown Thibodaux for them to continue seeing their aspirations fleshed out. Crystal has worked in downtown for five years since arriving there for school. She describes it as unique with plenty of historical charm and a healthful dose of the lively college scene. Still, the Cinclare restaurant brings food and drink in downtown to an entirely new level.

Logan is also more than pleased with the opportunity to work downtown. “Because I have grown up so close to Thibodaux and the surrounding areas, it is surreal to be able to give back to the same public that raised me,” he explains. “I am young enough as a chef to be able to feed my grandparents at the restaurant I cook at. This is surreal, because I understand that this opportunity is very few and far between.” He goes on to describe the formation of relationships with others who are passionate about making food in Thibodaux as great as it can be and how valuable those ties have become to both himself and Crystal as well. Having accomplished a great deal already, there is no doubt that exciting things are cooking up in Logan and Crystal’s futures. Still, both are fully focused on appreciating the present. “Cinclare is where my sights are set for now,” Crystal says. “I am happy and excited to see what Logan and I can do. And am happy to grow in my career somewhere that I’m comfortable enough to call my second home.” Similarly, Logan is looking forward to growing right where they’ve been planted. “I am not totally sure what could be in store next,” he explains. “Right now, Crystal and I are having such an exciting and enlightening experience at Cinclare. I think we both may see where this experience takes us. But at the core, Crystal and I know that we can never truly get away from the fast-paced fine dining experience, as well as the friends you make along the way. These things attract us to the industry, sort of adrenaline junkies for food. Cinclare or not, Crystal and I will always be looking to express ourselves through food in one shape or form.” WN

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CRYSTAL LACHNEY LOGAN BOUDREAUX

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Your January/February Movie Preview BY JONAH GIROIR

WHAT’S POPPIN?

n 2017, we were treated to several great movies. Some of my favorites included Coco, War for the Planet of the Apes, and, of course, Star Wars The Last Jedi. Looking ahead into 2018, we are sure to have another exciting and fun-filled year at the theater. Superheroes and fan favorites like Captain America, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Han Solo will all return to the silver screen, and the second installment of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series will also come out. However, we have to start with January and February, so let’s look at my top five picks for the first two months of 2018. 1) Black Panther (Feb. 16) This is easily my most anticipated movie for th first two months of the year. Chadwick Boseman made his first appearance as Black Panther in 2016’s Captain America Civil War, and he was one of my favorites from the star-studded movie. In the character’s first solo film, we’ll see T’Challa, aka Black Panther, return to his home country of Wakanda and assume the role of king after his father’s murder. With Michael B. Jordan playing the lead villain, I’m really looking forward to the battles that will occur in this movie. 2) Paddington 2 ( Jan. 12) Paddington was one of the surprise hits of 2015, and the sequel will look to do the same in 2018. This year’s iteration finds the lovable bear settled in with the Brown family and celebrating life as an outstanding citizen. Trouble comes about when Paddington sets his sights on a gift for Aunt

Lucy’s hundredth birthday. The gift is stolen, and it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to find the thief. This movie is sure to be a fun one for the whole family. 3) Den of Thieves ( Jan. 19) If you’re looking for action, Den of Thieves is sure to give it to you. The movie follows the intersecting and often connected lives of an elite unit of the sheriff ’s department and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew, as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank of downtown Los Angeles. 4) Maze Runner: The Death Cure ( Jan. 26) The first month closes out with the epic finale of the Maze Runner series. Here, we’ll find Thomas leading the group of escaped Gladers on their most dangerous mission yet. Whoever makes it out alive will finally get answers to the questions they’ve been asking since they first arrived in the maze. 5) Peter Rabbit (Feb. 9) To be completely honest, this movie is here because I definitely didn’t want to be put Fifty Shades Freed (also Feb. 9) on my list. However, there is something to be said about a movie that was able to get the vocal talents of James Corden, Rose Byrne, Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie, and Domhnall Gleeson. The beloved rabbit from childhood stories will make his big screen debut as he feuds with Mr. McGregor for the affection of a warmhearted animal lover who lives next door. WN

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