Face Magazine ~ Vol. 11 No. 3 Nov/Dec 2018

faceacadiana.com

KATIE Lopez

ANCHORING HER WORLD ON BOTH ENDS AS A MOTHER AND A JOURNALIST

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE P. 34

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"24 Nights, Over Half a Million Lights!”

Nov. 30 – Dec. 23 • 5:30 pm - 9 pm

2nd Annual All-Inclusive Public First Look | November 25th

OVER 40K NEW LED LIGHTS added to the Enchanted Forest!

Carnival Rides • Photos with Santa • Local Cuisine Raffle • Holiday Shopping • VIP Parking Available Advanced Tickets at Select ShopRite Locations $8 $10 at the Gate • 4 and under FREE Live Nightly Entertainment Presenting Sponsor

www.acadianvillage.org 4 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

Proceeds benefit LARC, a 501c(3) non-profit.

For over 60 years, LARC is dedicated to serving the needs of Acadiana’s community with developmental disabilities and their families.

IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER KATIE LOPEZ ANCHORING HER WORLD ON BOTH ENDS AS A MOTHER AND A JOURNALIST

CONTENTS 08 ACADIANA LIFE Festival of Lights 25th Anniversary Community Foundation of Acadiana Awards for Leaders in Philanthropy Noel Acadien au Village Celebrates 38th Annual Christmas Festival 20 MIND | BODY | SOUL Healthy Relationships Over the Holidays 22 LIFE & LEISURE Changing the Impossible 32 DISCOVER LAFAYETTE Lafayette Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker 33 THEN AND NOW Jill Dugas 34 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Love Where You Live – Shop Local 42 PETS Holiday Treats for Fideaux 44 EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

faceacadiana.com | FACE 5

2810 E. Milton Ave. #106 Youngsville • 337.451.5901

6 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

1 1 0 2 E . A d m i r a l D o y l e D r. # 2 A New Iberia • 337.560.8355

~ A l l A b o u t Yo u G i f t . c o m ~

NOVEMBER–DECEMBER 2018 | Vol. 11 No. 3 ONLINE www.FaceAcadiana.com www.facebook.com/FaceMagazineAcadiana www.issuu.com/FaceAcadiana

ADVERTISING & MARKETING DEPARTMENT Office: 337-456-5537 or Info@faceacadiana.com

ART DIRECTION | GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT Sharon Bruno | Bruno Design LLC

CONTRIBUTORS Don Short, Scott Brazda, Laurie J. James, Camille Mosley, Savannah Ludwig, Jan Swift, Megan Morris, Farrah Reyna,

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor@faceacadiana.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT News@faceacadiana.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Flint Zerangue, Sr.

COMMUNITY LIAISON Megan Morris – Splendid Events mmorris@splendideventsllc.net

THE ONLY

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Editor@faceacadiana.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT: News@faceacadiana.com

GIFT IS

PUBLISHER | EDITOR Flint Zerangue, Sr. Info@faceacadiana.com

FACE Magazine is a trade name of: FACE Media Group, LLC P.O. Box 61096 • Lafayette, LA 70596 337- 456 -5537

A PORTION OF

Please recycle this magazine.

© 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FACE Magazine is published 11 times per year and distributed throughout the Acadiana region of South Louisiana.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the Publisher. The acceptance of advertising in FACE Magazine does not imply endorsement.

FACE Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising if copy does not conform to editorial policies and/or standards. Published content does not constitute an endorsement by FACE Magazine.

THYSELF. —Ralph Waldo Emerson faceacadiana.com | FACE 7

ACADIANA LIFE

NOVEMBER 30 5-9 pm FREE ADMISSION

T

he Oil Center’s Festival of Lights – presented by

Lafayette Utilities System – is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Organized by the Oil Center Association, the Festival of Lights is the largest event held in the Oil Center annually and has traditionally been the first event to kick off the holiday season in Lafayette.

8 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

For festival details visit www.theoilcenter.com

FESTIVAL FEATURES INCLUDE the lighting

of Santa’s sleigh above Lafayette General Medical Center’s skywalk, lighted displays, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriages rides, face painting, live ice sculpting, carnival games, photos with Rudolph and Mrs. Claus, holiday shopping at Oil Center retailers, several stages with live entertainment, and more. Food and beverages will be for sale by local vendors. Some restaurants HORSE DRAWN in the Oil Center will also be open CARRIAGE RIDES during the festival.

A NEW FEATURE THIS YEAR IS THE SNEAUX ZONE, sponsored by Lafayette Coca-Cola, in which children and adults can play in the snow, build snowmen and make snow angels.

SANTA’S MAILBOX, sponsored by Borden’s

EVENT SPONSORS include: Lafayette Utilities System, Heymann Foundation, Lafayette Coca-Cola, Lafayette General Health, Travis Technology Center, The Palmetto Club, LAGCOE, Home Bank, Healthy Blue, Lafayette Convention & LAGCOE ALSO RETURNS THIS YEAR WITH Visitors Commission, Lafayette “LIGHT AND LEARN WITH LAGCOE” General Surgical Hospital, Peoples where children will be able to participate in age-appropriate, fun activities designed to introduce Health, Acadiana Prescription Shop, Acadian Total Security, Borden’s the next generation to the energy industry. The Ice Cream Shoppe, MidSouth Bank, LAGCOE Christmas Tree Corner will showcase mechanical oilfield Christmas trees, decorated to look Trahan Real Estate Group, Acadiana Travel, Business First Bank, Cullen like standard Christmas trees.

Investment Group, Dwayne Brown, “The pleasure of being associated with an event MD, Liskow & Lewis, Mirian Real that has continued for 25 years is exciting and Estate, Neel-Schaffer, NeunerPate, rewarding,” said Kirk A. Taylor, OCA Board President. OB/GYN Associates of Lafayette, The “The Christmas spirit in Acadiana has always been Lemoine Company, Vintage Dental, strong, and the Festival of Lights showcases that The Daily Advertiser, FACE Magazine, spirit in the Oil Center. The OCA board continues Nouveau Photeau, Lafayette to focus on improving this event every year, and we Moms Blog, 008 Magazine, and anticipate the 25th anniversary to be very special.”

IBERIABANK. Ice Cream Shoppe, will be located across from the U.S. Post Office in the Oil Center from the last week of November through Christmas. Children are encouraged to drop their letters to Santa in the mailbox anytime during that period.

SEE THE LIGHTING OF SANTA’S SLEIGH above the LGMC Skywalk

Nov. 30 – 6 pm!

ABOUT OCA The Oil Center Association (OCA), established in 1994, is a 501c6 non-profit, volunteer-driven organization contributing toward the revitalization, improvement and vision of the future for the Oil Center. Its mission is to unite the business community to preserve, enhance, and assure the continued viability of the area recognized as Lafayette’s Oil Center, while encouraging orderly growth, avoiding urban decay, and promoting a positive image of the Oil Center.

OCA helps to drive economic development and sustainability in the Oil Center by holding annual events and projects, such as the annual Festival of Lights. It also helps to maintain the image and public awareness of the Oil Center and its businesses, and partners with local charities and organizations on co-advertising projects. To learn more, visit www.theoilcenter.com.

FAMILY PACKS ON SALE

at www.theoilcenter.com.

• Small Family Pack includes 30 tickets

• Large Family Pack includes 75 tickets.

Each pack comes with a festival guide map and sponsor giveaways.

faceacadiana.com | FACE 9

THE WORLD IS YOUR

STER Y O

White Elephant Party The Gift Exchange With A Twist

By Camille Mosley

Unique décor that adds a COASTAL ELEMENT to your home.

If you’re looking for a fun activity for a small group of ten or so people, try hosting a White Elephant Party.

A White Elephant party is a gift exchange gathering where funny, nice, and sometimes not so nice gifts (the white elephant) are exchanged. The goal of a white elephant party is to entertain rather than to gain. Everyone brings a gift so everyone ends up with a gift, but what you end up with is anyone's guess.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS. Make a guest

HOLIDAY HOURS Sundays 12-5 ( Nov - Dec )

list and figure out the who, what, where, and when stuff. Choose a theme and a budget for the gifts. The average budget is usually between $10 to $20 dollars, but be specific because the last thing anyone wants is to receive a dollar store trinket after they dropped $20 on the perfect Velvet poster.

Guests are asked to bring a wrapped gift that mimic’s the parties theme, such as funny, embarrassing, silly, etc.

ONCE EVERYONE ARRIVES, LAY OUT THE RULES !

Gifts are put in one specific area.

Everyone draws a number.

First person picks a gift and opens it.

Then the second person can either pick a gift or steal the opened gift.

This continues until all of the gifts are opened.

A gift can only be stolen three times before it is "locked," meaning it cannot be stolen again.

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10 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

Gift Shop

If your gift gets stolen, you can choose another gift to open or steal someone else's gift. You cannot, however, steal back your gift.

The most important part of a White Elephant party is to always have fun!

faceacadiana.com | FACE 11

ACADIANA LIFE

Acadia Parish

T

he Community Foundation of Acadiana recently held its eighth annual Leaders

Donna Shetler Corley of Crowley is the recipient of the

2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Acadia Parish. She organized a fundraising campaign to build a gymnasium for St. Michael Elementary School in Crowley. International Rice Festival recognized Donna by selecting her as Grand Marshal of the Rice Festival Parade. She was chosen to receive the Crowley Chamber of Commerce 2010 Humanitarian of the Year and the 2015 Business Woman of the Year awards.

In Philanthropy (LIP)

Awards presented by Hancock Whitney

Evangeline Parish

Bank at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette.

Leaders In Philanthropy Awards are presented annually to outstanding individuals, couples, and corporations who have supported nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools through charitable giving and/or philanthropic work throughout Acadiana.

Anyone can submit a Leaders In

Mary Alice and Leonard Fontenot are the recipients of

the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Evangeline Parish. They have donated generously to Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ville Platte, Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Sacred Heart School Foundation, Rotary Foundation, Evangeline Parish Foundation, Ville Platte Rotary Club, and Community Foundation of Central Louisiana.

Iberia Parish

Philanthropy Awards nomination online at www.cfacadiana.org/lip.

This year’s recipients included these deserving recipients.

Mary Carol and Thomas R. LeBlanc Sr. are the

Learn more about online at www.cfacadiana.org/lip 12 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

recipients of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Iberia Parish.

They support a wide variety of other organizations including Sisters of Mt. Carmel, St. Edwards, Haiti and Guatemala missions, The Unexpected Pregnancy Center, Wounded War Heroes, Shadows on the Teche, and Catholic High School (CHS). They were instrumental in securing the Doc Voorhies wing, a new addition to the Bayou Teche Museum in New Iberia.

Lafayette Parish

St. Mary Parish

JoAnn and Nick Pugh are the recipients of the 2018 Leaders

Alice and William Pecoraro are the recipients of the

St. Landry Parish

Vermilion Parish

Bruce Gaudin is the recipient of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy

Charles R. Sonnier is the recipient of the 2018 Leaders In

in Philanthropy Award for Lafayette Parish. They are the founders of the Pugh Family Foundation (PFF) established in 2000. PFF is an active supporter of a number of after-school tutoring programs and nonprofit organizations, including Hope for Opelousas, New Hope Community Development of Acadiana, Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, Lafayette Education Foundation, and Lafayette Parish Public Education Stakeholders’ Council.

Award for St. Landry Parish. He has been an active member of the Opelousas Rotary Club since 1977 and has been involved in all aspects of his Rotary Club for four decades. Currently, he is the chairman of the Rotary Club annual television auction which raises $40,000 annually and benefits Hope for Opelousas, CASA, Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana, Opelousas-Eunice Public Library, Refinery, Cerebral Palsy Clinic, Boy Scouts Swamp Base Project, Desormeaux Foundation, Bishops Services Appeal, Carmelite Monastery, Disch Declouet Center, and Orphan Train Museum.

2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Mary Parish. Alice was a founding member of the St. Mary Parish Foundation, an affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana. She served on the board of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Keep Morgan City Beautiful, and Keep St. Mary Beautiful. William was active in the early years in the Knights of Columbus and in later years in the Boy Scouts, Morgan City Port Commission, and Wharf Committee.

Philanthropy Award for Vermilion Parish. He has demonstrated passion for sharing by lending his leadership skills to numerous fundraising endeavors, including a $4 million renovation project for St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. He’s an avid supporter of Vermilion and Mount Carmel Catholic schools, UL Lafayette, and Ducks Unlimited.

Corporate Award

St. Martin Parish

Travel Machine, a 40-year-old business in Acadiana, is the recipient Cyril and Lydia Guidry are the recipients of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Martin Parish. They are supporters of the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, the Diocese of Lafayette, Cathedral Carmel School, St. Thomas More High School, Food for the Poor, Salvation Army, Home for the Holidays, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Lafayette Ballet Theatre, and Acadiana Center for the Arts.

of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Corporate Award. Under the leadership of Kermit Duhon and Maegan Sonnier, it has helped hundreds of charitable organizations such as Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Lafayette Education Foundation Teacher of the Year, Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Annual Disney Trip Giveaway, St. Mary Parish Foundation, Rotary Club South, Shalom Temple Annual Raffle, Hospice of Acadiana, Lafayette Teacher School Supplies, Wounded Warrior Raffle, St. Martin Teacher of the Year, Impact Acadiana, and the David Trosclair Memorial Scholarships in Kinesiology. faceacadiana.com | FACE 13

Noel Acadien au Village Celebrates 38th

According to director of LARC’s Acadian Village, Thomas Gott, “…this year’s celebration has lots of new surprises, including an additional 40 thousand lights, the first ever animated Enchanted Forest, new animated resin porch displays, and lots of LED light upgrades.”

Annual

For those who are new to Noel Acadien au Village, this Christmas wonderland is popular for all ages.

Visitors will enjoy classic carnival rides, lots of local food, holiday shopping, and live entertainment nightly as they stroll down the lighted pathways enjoying over a half-a-million lights as they as they glisten atop the beautiful ponds. And don’t forget to take your picture with Santa in the LUS Fiber Pavilion!

Christmas Festival

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate.

All proceeds directly benefit LARC’s Acadian Village and the residential, vocational, and community supports, and services at LARC. For more information about Noel Acadien au Village, visit their website at www.acadianvillage.org.

LARC’s Acadian Village is hosting its 38th annual Christmas festival fundraiser, Noel Acadien au Village, presented by LUS Fiber from NOV. 30 – DEC. 23 to benefit persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Join LARC’s Acadian Village and that infamous mischievous Elf, Claude, as they kick off the Christmas fun with “Claude’s Enchanted Village.”

Noel Acadien au Village TIMES are 5:30 pm-9:00 pm. TICKETS are $8 in advance and may be purchased starting the week of Thanksgiving at select Shop Rite and Tabacco Plus stores located throughout Acadiana. Tickets are $10 at the gate. CHILDREN 4 YEARS OF AGE

AND UNDER GET IN FREE. 14 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

Visitors will enjoy classic carnival rides, lots of local food, holiday shopping, and live entertainment nightly.

Join us for

FACE MAGAZINE NIGHT Friday, December 21 The first 300 kids will receive a FREE SANTA HAT!

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faceacadiana.com | FACE 15

ACADIANA LIFE

Join Us Valerie

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Book your tour today.

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MIND | BODY | SOUL

Healthy Relationships Over theHolidays

T

HE HOLIDAYS BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. Thanksgiving and Christmas

are often times where families share and enjoy times of catching up and creating new memories.

For many, this is a positive time together, but for others, it often is a time of stress and conflict. Here are five suggestions to help make these times a more positive

1 2 3 4 5

and healthy experience.

KEEP YOUR CONVERSATION POSITIVE.

PERSON IN YOUR LIFE? Are you carrying anger, hurt or resentment

If someone around you starts to bring up negative and

towards someone you will be seeing over the

unhealthy things of the past, try to change the conversation

Holidays? I have a simple exercise that I would

and if that does not work, leave the conversation.

like for you to practice. I would like for you to REPEAT TEN TIMES OUT LOUD in a private

STAY AWAY FROM HURTFUL SARCASM. Too many of us have normalized hurtful sarcasm under the pretense of “I was just kidding” or “I was just playing around.” In reality, it is a bad habit, it is often very hurtful, and it needs to stop.

place the following statement.

“MY HEART IS FULL OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.” Pause for a moment after saying it ten times and notice how you feel. The next step is to

STOP THE NEGATIVE NAME-CALLING.

repeat it again ten times with the name of the

Instead, point out the positive qualities of the person.

person with whom you are having difficulty.

Encourage them in ways that will be helpful in the present and in the future.

PRACTICE EMPATHY. Before you do or say

“(INSERT NAME’S) HEART IS FULL OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.” Pause again and notice how you feel. Many of my clients have found this to be useful in

anything, try to see how it could possibly affect the other

keeping them more grounded in the present

person. Would it be positive or negative?

and more self-aware as they deal with this difficult person.

PRACTICE FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It means letting go of things in the past that you found hurtful. It means setting healthy

God bless you and your family this year as you celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.

boundaries and moving forward in ways that make you feel safe and protected.

Some of the items mentioned above are bad habits that may have been in your family for years. Pause for a moment and reflect on how toxic some of this behavior has been to you and other family members.

DO YOU HAVE A TOXIC

Don Short is the owner of After Hours Counseling located in Lafayette, LA. His practice focuses on clients with marriage, relationship and family issues. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Contact After Hours Counseling 337-781-4565 or www.afterhourscounseling.com.

faceacadiana.com | FACE 21

Changing the

B

ill Cantrell authored the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. At a local networking event,

I heard him share about his humble beginnings. Bill said that the first years were the toughest. He dreamed of earning $100,000 in a single year,

We all go through circumstances

but that amount seemed impossible to

that make our future seem

achieve. He decided to create a fake

insurmountable at the time. With

$100,000 bill and thumbtacked it to the

the right mindset, though, we are

ceiling above his bed. Every night, he

able to conquer any potential

would go to sleep dreaming of that

obstacles that come our way. The

$100K. Through this consistent effort,

secret is to change our attitude. At

he willed his dream into existence.

the end of the day, you are in charge of your own attitude.

22 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

Through creative grammar and thinking, you can

P

change IMPOSSIBLE to I’m POSSIBLE!

POISE yourself for success. Create a goal that scares your gut but comes from your heart. Focus on a positive outcome, and the rest will take care of itself.

Negativity spreads like wildfire, so don’t buy into it. Focus on the potential possibility of great things.

OWN your shortcomings. We can’t do life alone, but we can surround ourselves with other people who will lift us up to success and help us change our own outlook.

S S i b l E

SEND out positivity to others. Cheer them on to success. We reap what we sow, so sew up a quilt of affirmative positivity!

SEEK out the best information for your career path. Do your homework.

Ask those who have succeeded. Ask people you trust. Asking for help gives someone else the opportunity to help you. People want to help.

Get a mentor and soak up everything you can. Soon, someone will seek you out!

ISOLATE negative feelings…think about ways to defeat them, and spin them into positivity. If your boss fusses at you for sending out something too quickly, remember that efficiency comes at every speed. Own your mistake, and then work on improvement with the understanding that we all have room for improvement. Let it geaux! Move on! Next!

BE intentional in mind, body, and spirit. EVERY situation has a positive. If you’ve had a dream of opening your own business, get your mind around the possibility that you can succeed! Focus on the outcome, and the details will present themselves when you’re ready to turn them into results.

LIVE in the moment. Picture yourself at a live concert. If everyone around you is holding up their cell phones to record the moment, consider putting your cell phone in your purse and watching! It’s amazing how fulfilling being “in the moment” can be.

EXERCISE your right to change your way of thinking. You may need to change your playbook, but that’s okay. The most successful people are the ones who keep tweaking their business mode!

Don’t worry about what will or will not happen—enjoy your present; it’s a GIFT. Now go out there and make it a great day!

#IntentionalPositivity

Laurie J. James is one of the only 12 Master Career Directors globally. She co-founded and presided over the Professional Resume Writing and Research Association from 2000-2004. PRWRA rebranded to Career Directors in 2005. Laurie has created 10,000+ job-winning resumes in her career. She is a credentialed resume & LinkedIn profile writer, seasoned public speaker and award-winning career image coach. Visit her at www.lauriejjames.com.

faceacadiana.com | FACE 23

24 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

KATIE Lopez

ANCHORING HER WORLD ON BOTH ENDS AS A MOTHER AND A JOURNALIST

By Scott Brazda Photography by Flint Zerangue, Sr. ©FACE Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

faceacadiana.com | FACE 25

Good Morning Acadiana has continued to zoom along, and with each day Lopez is endearing herself to thousands of viewers.

26 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

“It’s always in the back of your mind: Will people accept me?

They loved this person

for so long, so, how will

When Katie Lopez replaced the longtime television they accept me?” personality Tracy Wirtz as co-anchor of KATC-TV’s Good Morning Acadiana, those were viable questions. There was indeed, she says, a bit of pressure at first, but then, Lopez came to grips with the best possible answer.

“I can just be me. I hope they will like me for me.”She needn’t have worried. GMA has continued to zoom along, and with each day Lopez is endearing herself to thousands of viewers. And that suits the Crowley native just fine. “Everyone makes you feel like you belong,” she says. “The people of Acadiana treat you like family.” Of course, being in an area that isn’t lacking for a good time doesn’t hurt either.

“Acadiana has so much to offer, and you don’t have to go anywhere else. It’s all here.”

Katie Lopez has been here — Acadiana — ever since the day she arrived on this planet. Born in Crowley just over 33 years ago (June 1985), Lopez’s happy, friendly personality manifested itself almost from the very beginning. “My mom’s friend always called me ‘Bubbles’,” she laughs. “Apparently I was always bubbly and never got upset.

I’ve always wanted to talk to people and I guess I’ve been rather outgoing for most of my life.” Her childhood, she adds, seemed to fit her personality: happy, creative, joyful. “I have a twin sister, so I always had a friend with me. We were into imaginative things. We played school, pretended to drive cars, things like that. I loved going to my grandparents’ farm, where we would name the chickens. And of course, I loved reading. My grandmother would take me to the library in Iota, and I would read all the time.”

Before she set her sights on journalism, Lopez wanted to be a veterinarian…at least until middle school when a stark realization manifested itself. “I learned that sometimes veterinarians have to put animals to sleep, and that was the end of that dream,” she explains.

After that, her interests turned to acting, so much so that Lopez was a theatre major her first year in college at Northwestern State. From there, she transitioned to journalism, where her love of reading and writing began to take center stage.

“I love the writing process,” she says, “and growing up I really thought I loved fiction; it was just a way to get lost and I loved to make up

faceacadiana.com | FACE 27

28 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

Lopez graduated in journalism (with a broadcasting minor) from Northwestern State.

things. But then my creative writing professor told me he thought I’d be really good at nonfiction, and I soon found that I really enjoyed telling people’s stories.”

So, what was next? The Great American Novel? A Pulitzer? A book tour across the United States? “Well…there’s a bit of a problem with that,” Lopez chuckles. “I won’t let people read my stuff.” Wait a minute there, I respond. You want to be a writer, but you won’t allow people to read your work? “I don’t know; I definitely need to figure that out. My stories are all so personal, and I put my heart and soul in them, so, we’ll just have to see.”

Lopez graduated in journalism (with a broadcasting minor) from Northwestern State in 2007, and quickly began her career as a weekend reporter at KPLC-TV in Lake Charles. Her first call to Lafayette came a year later; problem was, the local Fox station dismantled its news department only a year after she arrived. “Oh, my, that was hard, being laid off. I was getting married six months later, and I needed to have a job,” she recalls. But the career roadblock was only temporary, mainly because of Lopez’s drive to succeed and follow her dreams. “I wasn’t going to give up. I knew if I kept doing the best I could do that good things would happen.”

A call came from a station in Harlingen, Texas. “Deep, south Texas,” Lopez says. “I didn’t know the area and didn’t speak a lick of Spanish.

But I needed a job and wanted a job and, although I was really alone and away from my friends and family in Acadiana, let me tell you, they were the best five years (2009—2013) of my life.” Being away from home also provided the optimum learning experience. “I didn’t know anyone there, so I was really able to develop the skills of building relationships, establishing contacts and simply fine tune my storytelling ability. I really hated to leave, but something a bit more important made that necessary.”

That something was the arrival of Lopez’s first child, Harper, and the beginning of a new role…Mom. “I was on call a lot, my husband, Lee, was away a lot, and I worked a lot; but with an infant, I couldn’t juggle all of that. I couldn’t be the Career Katie that I was and also be a good mom, at least at that point. Again, leaving was a really tough decision.

Tough but necessary.”

Lopez became a stay-at-home mom for the next 18 months of which, she discovered, was also tough, and not just in terms of the loving duties that come with being a parent. “No longer being on television, I kind of felt like my identity was gone,” she explains. But, yet again, fate

faceacadiana.com | FACE 29

The label fake news has become part of the common vernacular over the past couple of years, which Lopez believes “…is thrown around a bit too loosely.

30 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

intervened into a wonderful way as KATC was looking for a reporter and ‘Right Now Desk’ correspondent for Good Morning Acadiana. “It was just perfect. I was able to move back home, and we found someone to watch Harper in the wee hours while I was at the station or out doing a live shot.

I was very lucky.”

Nearly three years later, Wirtz’s departure in early 2018 led to Lopez’s move up to the GMA co-anchor slot. “People ask if it’s different now, and I don’t think it is,” says Lopez. “I’ve been on this shift for over three years, so I’ve been doing this already, essentially with the same people.” Working from, say, 3 a.m. to 10:00 or 11:00 will certainly help a team bond. “We really are a family because, you know, we’re all each other has in the morning.

We all go through good things and rough patches, and it’s so nice to have a work family that’s like a true family. We all support each other.” And as for a certain GMA part-timer who is also writing this article? You [Scott Brazda] are awesome. You are just a normal person – for the most part,” she laughs.

Local television builds familiarity which means Katie Lopez is considered a bit of a celebrity. “You sort of have to be ‘on’ all the time, but it’s the career that I chose. And the people are so kind, saying, ‘Hey, it’s the news lady; I wake up with you every morning.’ So if I can put a smile on someone’s face in the morning, I guess it’s a good trade-off.”

The label fake news has become part of the common vernacular over the past couple of years, which Lopez believes “…is thrown around a bit too loosely. I respect my colleagues; I respect what we do. We do try to do our best with the information we have so, to hear those words can make it really hard because you’re proud of what you do.”

Since her arrival at KATC, Lopez and her husband welcomed a second child, two-year old Analice (named after her great-grandmother). “Oh, Analice,” she laughs. “While Harper is my kind soul who loves everyone and is very affectionate, Analice is much more headstrong and can be a tough nugget.

I know she loves me, but sometimes she has a weird way of showing it. Harper is my ‘pleaser,’ but Analice does things very much on her own terms. So we have two amazing, yet unique, children.”

“Am I a good mom?” asks Katie Lopez, repeating aloud the very same question I just sent her way. “I hope so. I think I am, although sometimes I think I fail miserably.”

But the mother of five-year old Harper and two-year old Analice then pauses for a moment, and gets to the bottom line. “Although I love my career, my life is really for those kids, every single decision. I just want them to have a good life. I just want to have happy kids.”

faceacadiana.com | FACE 31

DISCOVER LAFAYETTE

LAFAYETTE BALLET THEATRE’S Mitzi Heath Discusses The 18th Annual NUTCRACKER BALLET

Mitzi Heath and Jan Swift

M

itzi Heath, Co-Artistic Director of the Lafayette Ballet Theatre, provides a delightful take on why she has the most wonderful job in the world. On a recent podcast episode of Discover Lafayette, Mitzi spoke with Jan Swift about the theatre and its conservatory, as well as the tryouts for the 2018 annual Nutcracker Ballet performance to be held December 8-9, 2018 at the Heymann Center.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre (LBT) was founded in 1982, filling the need for a classical ballet company in our community. Its official school, Dance Conservatory, was established the previous year and supplies 90 percent of the company’s dancers.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre is run by sisters Shannon and Mitzi Heath, both of whom were professional dancers. Their mother, Patty Heath, designs and creates the costumes: with tutus 32 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

If you’ve never seen a live performance of the Nutcracker Ballet, add this to your bucket list of life’s beautiful experiences. running up to $5,000 each, any talented young dancer has access to the appropriate costume no matter their financial situation. Committed to their craft, the Heaths pour their hearts, souls, and talents into LBT in order to sustain opportunities for classical ballet training and performances in our area. LBT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with its funding generated through community financial support, grants, and tuition from the Dance Conservatory.

If you’ve never seen a live performance of the Nutcracker Ballet, add this to your bucket list of life’s beautiful experiences. Guest artists from the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the entire dance community present this classical ballet in two acts, based on the story of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s “Nutcracker and the King of Mice,” with original music of Peter Tchaikovsky. More than just a dance, the Nutcracker is a tradition for many families who view this as the start of the holiday season.

Mitzi explained that with over 150 young dancers needed for this year’s Nutcracker Ballet, they were reaching out to all area dancers who were at least 8 years old, had completed one full year of ballet study, and were currently enrolled in an established dance program. If your child is a dancer and you

haven’t considered having him or her audition, you may want to put this on your list for next year. The cost is $35 to audition, and performers selected incur a $300 charge which covers their costumes and all related expenses for the performance. It’s a beautiful gift to your child to have this life-changing experience!

Through the support of the community, LBT has sustained its place as Acadiana’s professional ballet company, offering 28-week contracted positions to local artists, and a long-term student scholarship program.

LBT currently maintains an extensive complimentary ticket program, providing underprivileged children and adults, A Night at the Ballet, as well as supporting all of its educational programs that reach over 2500 children annually in schools and at the theatre.

LBT students have gained acceptance into the School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet and many more. Mitzi shared that the ideal age for an aspiring ballet dancer is age 8, and training takes about 12 years for a serious student. Similar to a ball player, ballet is an athletic endeavor and not for the undisciplined!

Jan Swift is host of Discover Lafayette, an audio podcast focused on the people and rich culture of Lafayette, the Gateway to South Louisiana. www.discoverlafayette.net. Podcasts are released each Friday and you may subscribe at no charge to receive free downloads on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

COMMUNITYLIFE ACADIANA SPOTLIGHT

[THEN AND NOW ]

JILL DUGAS

By Scott Brazda “It was definitely an honor to have been chosen, and I was definitely surprised when I got the phone call,” Dugas recalls. “My initial reaction, though,

very challenging. My brain has been programmed in the nonprofit world for so long!”

was: ‘ WHO? ME?’”

Are there any common threads, I asked. Any people with whom she had relationships in the non-profit world that have continued into her for-profit one? “Nope,” she responds, “totally different. Totally new industry, a totally new group of people, and it’s a man’s world, from what I’ve seen.” That being said, Jill Dugas is beginning to make her mark. “I just got my first contract,” she said excitedly. “There’s most At the time, Dugas served as the executive definitely a sense of accomplishment, director of Lafayette’s Hearts of Hope, a and the achiever in me is very pumped Jill Dugas was originally featured in the December 2013 issue group that continues to do amazing work up!” for those who have experienced the trauma of FACE Magazine. Her original cover story can be found at: https://issuu.com/faceacadiana/docs/face_dec2013_issuu of sexual violence. “Hearts of Hope truly Similarities? “Now, the sales and was my ministry, and my second life. It marketing side are about the same, was my second home, and our staff was because you’re always trying to sell my family. Anytime you can lessen the trauma for children who have yourself and sell your business and sell the product. I do enjoy experienced that type of abuse, it is so fulfilling.” that, and feel very comfortable doing it.” Most importantly though, comes the people with whom she works. “I love the sense of family However, in December of 2015, Jill Dugas decided it was time for a that we have there, and carrying on my dad’s legacy.” change. “It was very hard to leave,” she recalls, “because I had lost my father unexpectedly in October of that year, and felt that I needed Her mother is the owner and president, and her brother is to transition into the family business. Still, that combination—losing essentially running the business, continuing with the sense of aspects of my two families—was a rather major loss for me.” family. There are some who have been employed at Howell Environmental Companies for many years. But, what if there’s a Dugas says leaving a place where she’d planted roots and helped family dispute at this decidedly family business? “I’m happy to say others for so very long also set into motion a loss of identity, too. “Oh, that, in our case, it’s pretty easy,” smiles Dugas. “It’s whatever the definitely, and now I’m working to reinvent myself into a new industry. president and owner wants. It’s all up to Mom; she’s got great ideas Now, there was a lot of stress as an executive director. I don’t miss and kind of keeps us on our toes.” doing budgets and having to prove something to your board or show the public that your organization is viable and needed—but there were so The mother of three daughters [10, 18, & 27], Jill Dugas is moving many positives, so many rewards.” along just fine into the latest chapter of her life. As she does so, she’s slowly reentering the world of community involvement, and The aforementioned new industry is the family business, Howell with her background, it’s easy to see why. Giving back and getting Environmental Companies. “We have a utility company, a service involved are reflective of just who Jill Dugas is. company, and we have an equipment company.” And how’s it coming?

“Slowly,” she laughs. “But it’s coming. I’m involved with marketing “I guess it’s part of my DNA, working with people and working to and sales, and I enjoy that, but it’s learning about the industry that’s help our community. All good stuff, I think.”

After the dust settled—and the initial shock wore off—Dugas truly appreciated the selection by the editors of FACE. “I think being on the cover of this magazine truly validates what you do. It’s recognition for the agency for whom you work, and I think it just kind of gives you that extra motivation to keep doing what you’re doing, and maybe even do a little bit more.”

faceacadiana.com | FACE 33

Acadiana Health & Aesthetics All About You Allure Enhancement Center Allure Express Backyard Hibachi Bare Wood Furniture Caroline & Company Dianna Rae Jewelry KidCam Holiday Camps Lafayette Ballet Theatre

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Looking for the perfect gift? Our Holiday Gift Guide features local retailers, salons and boutiques with unique, one of a kind items that are sure to please!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Join us at Noel Acadien au Village for

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Holiday Treats For Fid eaux

By Camille Mosley

T

he holiday season is upon us, and while I am busy prepping my recipe

for a sugar-free coconut cream pie my mom will actually enjoy this year, I make sure to think of a little something sweet for my entire family.

While Cousin Kenny loves eating Mom’s dump cake and Aunt Heidi can’t seem to stop bragging about her shrimp mold, I make sure I don’t forget my most favorite family members during the holidays—my dog Rooster and my cat Lorna. My fur children are my world, and as such, deserve to be treated to lip-smacking foods during the holidays, just like the rest of my family.

At the same time considering some delicious and easy homemade treats for your furry friends, there are a few foods you should be mindful of that are INCREDIBLY HARMFUL to your pets: Chocolate Grapes and Raisins Onions Garlic Macadamia Nuts Yeast Bread Dough Alcohol

While the idea of feeding your animal the wrong human food may be scary, there are plenty of other human foods that are amazingly healthy for your pets while also keeping your pal’s coats shiny, skin clear, and breath smelling fresh! Not to mention if your pets are anything like mine, a lot of these foods can provide excellent means of what one should wrap those pesky flea pills in.

Try these treats frozen for hot days, steamed for dinner time, or raw for when you start prepping the Thanksgiving pies:

Avocado

Cooked meats (beef, chicken,

Coffee Xylitol (an artificial sweetener

turkey, and other lean deli meats

in sugar-free products)

Peas

Dr. Diana Tran, a veterinarian at St. Francis Veterinary Hospital in Lafayette, has some advice for keeping dangerous foods out of your furever friend’s reach: “Avoid all table scraps as many are too seasoned and may contain too much fat which can [potentially cause] gastroenteritis (inflammation of the GI tract) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), or may be toxic to them. Also, bones can get lodged in the esophagus and require costly diagnostics and/or surgery to treat and repair. Signs to look for are lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, etc. If you notice any of these signs during the holiday season, call your veterinarian.”

42 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

Spinach

With such a large variety of safe human food, there are quite a few different treats one could whip up in the kitchen for dogs and cats to enjoy! For instance, when I combine then freeze yogurt, peanut butter, and blueberries together, I’ve made an awesome summer snack for Rooster.

Lastly, Dr. Tran wants pet owners to remember “The best thing you can do for your fur baby is to try to be vigilant about what they could get into and make sure there's no way for them to access harmful foods or food products. This will ensure their wellness and happiness while you're celebrating with your friends and family!”

Baby Carrots Blueberries Apple Slices Green Beans Pumpkin Cantaloupe Bananas Some other unexpected foods that benefit your pets include oatmeal, yogurt, peanut butter, cheese, cooked eggs, cooked or canned fish— particularly salmon—whole grain products, and parsley.

Remember that Minou will also appreciate cat treats!

CAMELLIA

CROSSING

Acadiana’s Gleaux Run

NOV 21

RIVER RANCH TOWN SQUARE 5:30pm

GET YOUR GLEAUX ON! REGISTER AS A TEAM OR INDIVIDUAL

Youth Entry Fee: (12 & under) $30-early $35-late $35-early $40-late Adult Entry Fee: (13 & up) Late fees begin Nov. 12th SPONSORED BY:

TO BENEFIT:

media lafayette

DECEMBER

E V E N T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 30

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

♦ Safari of Lights at Zoosiana (Zoo of Acadiana) from Nov.

♦ Sonic Drive-In Christmas Parade Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. One of the

23-Dec. 30, 2018. Stroll the glistening pathways of the Zoo at night as Christmas music fills the air putting you in the spirit of the holidays. View still and animated lighted animal figurines, North Pole Express Train ride, hot cocoa or hot cappuccino at the Elves Eatery. For more information visit http://zoosiana.com/sol

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 ♦ The Oil Center's annual Festival of Lights - Powered

by LUS - will be held Friday, November 30, 5-9pm, in Lafayette's historic Oil Center. The festival will feature lights and animated displays, holiday shopping, photos with Santa, Light and Learn with LAGCOE, live entertainment, a horse-drawn carriage ride, photos with Rudolph, face painting, carnival games, letter writing to Santa, live ice sculpting, food and beverage from local vendors, and more! You won't want to miss this nostalgic tradition in the historic Oil Center! Admission to the festival is FREE! Family packs are available for purchase on EventBrite. For more information visit https://www.theoilcenter.com/festival-of-light/

NOVEMBER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 23 ♦ Noel Acadien au Village Nov. 30 through Dec. 23, 5:30-9 p.m.

23 nights of half a million lights, nightly entertainment, 10 acres of holiday displays, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa. An Acadiana Christmas Tradition for the entire family! Tickets are $8 in advance (Available at all Shop Rite locations), $10 at gate. For more information visit http://acadianvillage.org/noel-acadien-au-village/

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 - 8 ♦ Sacred Heart Academy presents Christmas at Coteau

Dec. 7-8 at 9 a.m. Every year, The Academy of the Sacred Heart offers a little Christmas cheer, holiday shopping, and amazing local cuisine. This is the perfect opportunity to view the gorgeous, sacred grounds which includes the Alley of the Oaks. At the Holiday Market, shoppers have first selection from as many as 75 unique vendors offering antiques, estate jewelry, Christmas accessories, handmade items, artwork, children’s apparel, and home and garden accessories. For more information visit https://cajuntravel.com/event/christmas-at-coteau/

oldest Christmas activities in Acadiana. Parade features over 20 floats, High School Marching Bands and the official arrival of Santa Claus to Lafayette. For more information visit https:// www.lafayettetravel.com/event/sonic-drive-in-christmas-parade/24776/

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 ♦ Christmas Murder Mystery Dec. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Espirit de Coeur on

402 Garfield St. Have yourself a very merry- MURDER!? Esprit de Coeur will host the murder mystery dinner, A Christmas Killing!

On this night, patrons will participate in solving a murder over the course of a themed dinner. Clues will be given, and suspects will speak on their behalf as you and your investigative team solve whodunit. A tantalizing prize package awaits our top sleuths of the evening. Tickets are $60. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/337334656836395/

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 - 9 ♦ The Lafayette Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker Dec. 8-9.

Lafayette Ballet Theatre with principal dancers from the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the entire dance community presents the fulllength holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Two performances will take place at the Heymann Performing Arts Center on Dec. 8 and 9. For more information visit http://lafayetteballettheatre.org/performances

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31 ♦ New Year's Noon Carnival & Countdown at the Children's Museum

of Acadiana, 201 E. Congress St. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many children miss out on the fun and excitement of the New Year’s Countdown tradition at midnight. The Children’s Museum of Acadiana has an event just for them! On Saturday, December 31, 2016 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. celebrate with families and friends as the Museum celebrates its Annual New Year’s Noon Carnival & Countdown. For more information visit https://www.childrensmuseumofacadiana.com/

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31 ♦ New Year's Eve Dance at Vermilionville, Vermilionville's Performance

Center, Lafayette 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $35 which includes admission, a glass of champagne to toast in the New Year, and a party favor. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Dance in the New Year with Grammy-nominated Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie! No outside food or beverage. For more information visit http://www.vermilionville.org/events/new-years-evedance-with-geno-delafose-french-rockin-boogie

POST YOUR EVENT ON THE FACE MAGAZINE EVENTS CALENDAR • WWW.FACEACADIANA.COM

faceacadiana.com | FACE 45

Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana would like to thank everyone who made our

14TH ANNUAL

Buddy Walk such a success!

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SPONSORS

BUDDY SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

AOC Community Media Chick-fil-A TimCom, Incorporated Darnall, Sikes & Frederick Jumpin Jax Jumps, LLC Lafayette Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Scott and Alison LeJeune Pediatric Therapy and Learning Center LLC

Guinn Construction, LLC Offering Solutions KBON 101.1 FM Radio Acadiana Profile Magazine CanDee Land Sneauxball Stand BIG 102.1/Pure Country 106.7 KADN/Fox 15 Lamar Advertising Popeyes Rene Prejean Catering, LLC Townsquare Media FACE Magazine

ROUTE SPONSORS

Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) Home Bank, NA

Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club Corner Bar MacLaff, Inc. Searcy Orthodontics David & Mary Romagosa

BRONZE SPONSORS

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Acadian Companies/Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. Therapy Center of Acadiana Raising Cane’s La Récolte Band Upside Downs, Inc. M & J Valve Services Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers Keaty & Gouri Pediatric Dentistry Dermatology Center of Acadiana Knights of Columbus Council #8901

Bu

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SA THE VE 201 DATE 9

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TOB

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* AND THE MANY VOLUNTEERS *

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ER 2

501st-Bast Alpha Garrison A Pair of Ears Travel Acadiana Hearing & Balance Center Albertsons Ardent Services LLC Aztecas Mexican Restaurant Beau Brooks Buffalo Wild Wings Boy Scouts of America Troop #55 & 455 Cajun Market Donut Company Catholic High Jazz Team & Jr. Jazz Celebrations D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation of Acadiana Cheerleaders Deacon William Vincent of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino Flowers Bakery Co. of Lafayette FPD Photographics/Fletcher Drew Hoss & Tisha Childress Jude A Simon Lafayette Police Department Lafayette Rental Service Lafayette Christian Academy Jr. Beta Club Lowes Home Improvement M & M Ice/Kirk Magnon McDonald’s of Rayne McGruff the Crime Dog MI SWACO Miss Louisiana USA 2018, Victoria Paul Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2018, Emma McAllister National Oilwell Varco Rig Technologies Outback Steakhouse Rebel Legion-Dagobah Base Republic Services Rickey Meche’s Donut King Queen Shutterbug/Lory Landry Reed & Wyatt Robin Republic Services Sho Up & Sho Out Entertainment St. Thomas More High School Cougar Dance St. Thomas More High School Sparklers Super One Foods of Scott Trahan Foods Teurlings Catholic Campus Ministry Club Trinity Outdoors Disabled Adventures The Home Depot The Music Garden/Melissa Stevenson Tommy Dore Home Improvements, LLC Toughest Monster Truck Promotions UL Women’s Basketball Team Zealous Energy Services

Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana

46 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018

337-234-3109 | dsaa.info

faceacadiana.com | FACE 47

48 FACE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2018