The State Of Tourism
Photo by Kathryn Shea Duncan
Destination: Determination By Angie Manning, CDME SWLACVB Communications Director
A “
hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve
Grit, determination, hardship, adversity, spaghetti models, boots on the ground, chainsaws, debris, grief, rebuilding, gas cans, humming generators, heroes and everyday angels. There were so many words that surfaced to my mind when I reflected on 2020. On a lighter note, if I never see another spaghetti model again, I’ll be just fine. I prefer my spaghetti with a side of garlic bread anyway. The quote from Christopher Reeve seemed appropriate for Southwest Louisiana. Of course, Reeve played 100 LAGNIAPPE /// 2021 ANNUAL REPORT SPECIAL EDITION / 03.25.21 /// www.BestOfSWLA.com
Superman on the silver screen and in real life. After surviving an accident that paralyzed him from the shoulders down, he still pursued the arts and even wrote two autobiographical books, Still Me and Nothing is Impossible. He moved forward with grit and resiliency. Our community is moving forward with determination too — focused on the future. It takes all of us, every hidden hero in the shadows or standing in the spotlight, to make things happen. We know this. We know our heroes well, from firefighters to police officers, city and parish employees, non-profits, compassionate residents, business owners, the hospitality community, faith-based organizations, and of course, the linemen. It was the linemen who worked tirelessly post-Hurricanes Laura and Hurricane Delta to rebuild power grids destroyed by the hurri-
canes of 2020. They were extraordinarily dedicated. All this context is set against the background of a pandemic that indelibly touched the lives of people we know. 2020 is a heartbreaking story, and the impact of the events that occurred will remain as soft whispers in the wind that play a powerful role in shaping our communities for many years to come. “The word ‘resilient’ truly has its own meaning for people who live in Southwest Louisiana. There is no doubt that the community has pulled together to walk through the back-to-back storms and challenges surrounding the pandemic. The hospitality community is interconnected across many sectors, and it’s remarkable to see the outpouring of support that we all share in rebuilding Southwest continued