American Press Living Magazine-People's Choice

SEPTEMBER

TOP WINNER

2021

Check out the People’s Choice of SWLA Winners!

Thank You

For VOTING Us A Winner In 4 Categories In The 2021 People’s Choice Awards.

Best Hospital

Best Medical Clinic

Best Work Place

Best Nurse Practitioner Samantha Marceaux

At Avail Hospital, we take pride in delivering care that makes a difference in the lives of our patients every day.

To be acknowledged for those efforts is especially gratifying.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who took the time to vote to recognize us as your top choice in not one, but four different categories.

3730 Nelson Road | Lake Charles, LA., 70605 337.656.7630 | AvailHospitals.com

LIVING MAGAZINE PUBLISHER Dan Phelan *** EDITORIAL Crystal Stevenson *** CONTRIBUTORS Marlisa Harding Rita LeBleu *** PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Hickman *** MARKETING Joshua Brady Karen Cole Chandra Griffin Kim King Jasmine Washington *** GRAPHIC DESIGNER Grant Kelly *** ADMINISTRATION Karen Cole

Living Magazine 3

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

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We are very excited to be launching our inaugural edition of Living Magazine.

Future magazines will be primarily focused on lifestyle, community events and noteworthy businesses and individuals that contribute to the success of SWLA. In this issue we have several articles that incorporate some of the themes.

In addition, we are announcing the winners from our People’s Choice promotion that began in May. With all of the challenges this community has faced in the previous year, we felt it would be important to do something different to support our local businesses.

Working with another company, we designed the People’s Choice program. We promoted it in our newspaper, online and in our daily newsletter and through Facebook to ensure that as many people in the community as we could reach would have the opportunity to vote.

The company we partnered with managed the voting process to ensure accuracy and fairness.

There are three phases: ● Nomination Phase - American Press print and online readers nominate all of the businesses they would like to see recognized for being the best at what they do.

We have over 180 categories so as you can imagine, there were a lot of nominations.

● Voting Phase - This is where our readers are deciding who the winners are from the top three votes gathered in each category. ● Winners Phase - We announce who the winners are in each category. We have over 145,000 votes in this phase so the community was very engaged and clearly wanted to support their local businesses.

We will be continually promoting the winning businesses through next May 2022 with a dedicated online page and through our daily newsletter and Facebook.

Thanks to everyone who participated and I hope the final winning results meet your expectations.

I also want to add from a personal level, I am proud to be a resident of this outstanding community. I will continue to expand our reach into the community and provide more reasons for you to use us as your primary source of local news.

Dan Phelan 4 Living Magazine

SYMPHONY TO UNLEASH THE GATORS

BY CRYSTAL STEVENSON AMERICAN PRESS

Living Magazine 5

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Twenty years after Gators on the Geaux statues were unleashed into the wilds of Southwest Louisiana, the Lake Charles Symphony has decided to revive the beloved fundraiser.

“We’re in the very early planning stages of this, but since the hurricanes we’ve had several phone calls from people who either wanted to replace their gator or are interested in finding out how they can get a gator,” said Michelle Miller, executive director of the Lake Charles Symphony.

The first gator in the initial series, “Clotile,” was painted by artist Susan Fuerst and is displayed at the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Among gators that can still be found around the area are “Mayor Gator” made in the likeness of former Lake Charles Mayor Willie Mount in downtown Lake Charles; “News Gator” at the American Press offices on U.S. 90; and “Teddy Gator” in honor of former President Teddy Roosevelt at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron.

The Groves, Texas, company that created the life-sized, fiberglass gator design destroyed the original mold after it showed signs of wear and tear following the initial creation of 114 gators. A new mold will be created in the same likeness.

“It will be keeping with the similar look and feel of the gator but there will be some slight changes in his body style.

It will be very similar to what we did 20 years ago,” she said.

During the initial fundraiser, 100 gators were purchased by local residents and organizations and others were sold

6 Living Magazine

to residents in Texas, Florida and California. Along with corporate sponsorships, $150,000 was raised for the Symphony that year.

“There are several businesses from 20 years ago that are no longer around and, of course, 20 years later there are so many businesses now that weren’t here then that would probably love to support the Symphony and promote local art and feature a gator,” Miller said.

A committee has been created to head up the fundraiser and Miller said she’s hopeful the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau will partner with the Symphony this go ‘round, too.

“They created the Gators on the Geaux map for people to tour the area to find all the gators,” she said. “We want to revive that and bring that spirit back to Southwest Louisiana and the love for arts and culture, bring back some of the original local artists, feature some new local artists who weren’t around 20 years ago and just really get the whole community involved.”

Miller said a fundraiser of this scale is more than enough to cover a season of activities for the Symphony.

“It would even allow us to bring in bigger acts,” she said. “Our Summer Pops is one of our biggest draws as far as our concerts go so to be able to bring in bigger acts would draw bigger crowds which would then create more awareness in the Lake Area. It would also allow us to help support the school programs. We work with Barbe High School and their string orchestra and this would allow us to do more for them and hopefully bring

more of the Symphony into the schools and the education realm.”

Prices for the gators have not yet been set, but the committee does have forms available for businesses interested in ordering a gator.

“There will be options as far as the art goes on the gator,” Miller said. “What was done in the past is what we’re trying to stick with where there is a select artist and a select design. A business could choose from a select design or they could hire their own artist to do a design but that design would have to fall within the art guidelines. Our plan is to stick with that to keep the integrity of the project.”

Miller said while packing up their office — located in the Central School Arts & Humanities Center — after Hurricane Laura damaged the building, she found two dozen copies of “Art Across America,” a book that features community artwork on display. Among the pages was a special feature about Southwest Louisiana’s Gators on the Geaux.

Miller said the first 20 organizations that purchase a gator for this fundraiser will receive a copy of that book.

She said the Symphony is considering kicking off the fundraiser similar to the original launch, which featured dinner and the auction of the first gator designed in this series.

“It would kind of be like a rebirth of Gators on the Geaux,” she said. “What a cool way to come back from the hurricanes and devastation and the rebirth of our area and the rebirth of the Symphony and then bringing back the Gators on the Geaux.

It would all tie in so well together.”

Every Thursday & Friday

ALL SEASON LONG For the latest live high school football scores visit www.americanpress.com

WWW.AMERICANPRESS.COM

OR SCAN HERE! Living Magazine 7

BOUNTIFUL BASKETS: A NEW WAY TO BUY PRODUCE

BY CRYSTAL STEVENSON AMERICAN PRESS

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Cases of colorful fruits and vegetables line the tables outside the Moss Bluff VFW every other Saturday. The fresh produce is delivered biweekly to the site where volunteers then organize and separate the fruits and vegetables for participants who have contributed to Bountiful Baskets.

Bountiful Baskets is an all-volunteer co-op in the greater Lake Charles area whose members pool their money to buy fresh produce in bulk.

“Everyone who helps out are volunteers, which means that all of the money that people pay when ordering their baskets goes to purchasing the produce so we are able to provide fresh healthy produce for a really low cost,” said volunteer site coordinator Emily Fryberger.

Fryberger said she started volunteering with the group after her family moved to the area from Washington.

“When we first moved here, there were not a lot of healthy choices available so I spent a year driving up to Leesville,

8 Living Magazine

where they already had a Bountiful Baskets site, learning how to run a site,” she said. “Then I went through all the steps to open a site here in Lake Charles.”

The concept is based on the mutual need to save money on grocery bills while providing a healthy diet for families. Because money is pulled together, prices for the food are kept substantially low. Co-op members sign up for the service through boutifulbaskets.org and create a free account where orders can be placed for the biweekly program. The baskets are $18 each plus a $1 fee for every order, which is given to the delivery driver. First-time participants are also charged a $3 administration fee that goes toward the upkeep of the website.

Every other Saturday, members can pick up their basket of produce at the Moss Bluff VFW, 2668 U.S. 171, through a convenient drive-thru service.

The co-op mutually benefits participants with no contracts or commitments other than to log on, select and purchase from the weekly options.

“Ordering is always the Monday and Tuesday before pickup and the program is offered year-round — unless it happens to fall on the weekend before Christmas or New Year’s,” she said.

The produce is supplied through Bell City Produce out of Baton Rouge, which uses nearly all locally-grown produce to fill the baskets.

“Some things just don’t grow well down here, like apples, so some items have to be brought in, but anything they can get locally they do,” Fryberger said. “They deliver to the site in case quantities and then volunteers divide the produce between the number of baskets purchased for that cycle.”

The baskets are seasonal and generally include an even split of vegetables and fruits.

“They get six different types of veggies and six different types of fruit,” she said. “As we come into fall, veggies tend to be more in season than fruits so we may end up with more vegetables.”

Each basket contains 12 different types of produce.

“Not just 12 items but four or five of each type of item,” she added.

Fryberger said she receives a truck sheet in advance letting her know what produce the site is expected to get that week — such as cases of lettuce, apples, bananas and broccoli.

“Then we go over the order list and make sure we have enough so that everyone gets one head of lettuce, one broccoli crown, five apples, four plums, whatever it may be,” she said.

“Last time we had 22 heads of lettuce left over and 23 crowns of broccoli extra so we go through and distribute those items into the baskets so that nothing goes to waste. On those weeks, members may get two heads of lettuce or two crowns of broccoli. Not everybody will get the same ‘extra’ but everybody will get extras.”

The 10 volunteers — one who drives as far as Kinder to help — also get to pick a “thank you item” before the extras are divided out.

Before Hurricane Laura devastated the area, nearly 96 baskets were ordered each week; today, that number is about 30.

“My goal is to eventually have our site selling consistently 96 baskets again so then we can open a second site in Kinder and maybe another one in south Lake Charles to make it more accessible for people who don’t want to drive so far,” she said.

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LIFELONG WELLNESS JOURNEY STARTS BY TAKING THE FIRST STEP

BY RITA LEBLEU AMERICAN PRESS 10 Living Magazine

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There is something in the air during autumn that makes a body want to reboot. Whether it’s the first morning Southwest Louisiana temps fall below 70 degrees, the bright color of porch pumpkins or imprinted back-to-school memories, fall can have the feel of opening to the first page of a brand new college-ruled notebook (for folks of a certain age who remember school before computers and the Internet).

A reboot that adds more movement in the life of anyone who feels stuck is a good idea, but for Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, it is especially important. Spring is in the rearview mirror and winter is around the bend, literally and figuratively. Add that to what’s going on in the world and here at home that threatens to depress and isolate. If there’s ever been a time to “Bust a Move,” it’s now.

“Our movement health indicates our mortality,” said Suzy Trahan, LDN, RDN and director of Dynamic Fitness in Sulphur and Moss Bluff.

It’s a clarion call during days when the sand can look like the most inviting place to stick our heads and the recliner the easiest place to stick our tails. Exercise also helps alleviate some feelings of depression and may increase focus.

Adele Stewart heads up the Dynamic Dimensions Silver Sneaker program. Yoga, water aerobic, core and other strengthening classes are for individuals of any age; however, for individuals aged 65 and older insurance may pay for membership.

“An insurance company started Silver Sneakers after it realized it would be less costly to pay for prevention than treatment,” Stewart said.

She noted that exercise and social interaction have always been important for warding off depression and mental decline but perhaps those benefits are even more vital today because of COVID, natural disasters and other current events.

When contemplating adding movement, don’t think Peloton and P90X commercials, Trahan said. Such images aren’t realistic goals and can discourage making the first move.

“What we’ve done for so many years is talk at people as experts instead of talking with them. Now we are demonstrating the importance of meeting them where they are. I know Fitness is part of our name, but a model that better represents what we do here at Dynamic Dimensions is to coach you in your lifelong wellness journey.”

It doesn’t matter where or how a person begins, the shape they are in, the workout clothing they may or may not have, their weight or age. Trahan told about one woman who had a knee replacement. She didn’t want to take a class because it was difficult to move from standing to floor exercises. She stuck with it. She used the steps (from a portion of the cardio and strengthening exercise segment during the class) to lower herself. She used a chair for balance as needed. She was given assistance if she requested help. That was two months ago and now she can get up and down without any assistance.

Jana Cormier, one of Stewart’s yoga students, thinks classes helped strengthen her quads and stabilize her knees making it possible to put off knee replacement for the time being. Her doctor agrees.

Yoga class participants use bolsters, blocks and chairs and are constantly reminded to modify the movement if needed.

Other Dynamic Dimension classes focus specifically on balance, strength, mobility, agility and flexibility.

Robin Pitre is a certified DD instructor. She said the point of programs at the facility is to explore not what it means to be fit, but what it means to be well. She had a simple tip for adding movement at home.

“Move more at home and make bolder movements,” she said. “When I’m in my kitchen, I put music on and that helps. Anyone can do it. I just move my arms around, bend, sway, twist and and move to the music.”

Call it dancing. Call it a reboot. Call it exploring range of motion.

“As a fitness organization, what we are encouraging people of all ages to do, and seniors especially, is to explore how their bodies move. We even have a functional movement screening service. Our ability to get up and down from the floor or squat easily for instance, has indications for our mortality,” Trahan said.

“Walking is good, but walking may not be enough,” said Stewart. “When people think about retiring they think about traveling more, being with their grandkids. Will you be able to put a suitcase in an overhead compartment? Play with your children? Get in and out of the tub?”

For exercise, weight loss can be a prime motivator, as is reversing a negative health effect, such as high cholesterol or increased diabetes risk. Peggy Scripture Woodson, 72, found herself out of breath one day after an activity that wouldn’t have normally winded her. She also has lipoma, a condition where tissue grows underneath the skin and she was dealing with excess fluid in her lymph system.

“I just knew I had to get up and exercise even though I didn’t want to,” she said after her eighth day of walking and counting steps with a very affordable device she found online.

The first day she walked to the sidewalk in front of her house and back. The second day she made it to the corner and back.

“Start at your own pace, but start,” she said. “If you don’t get up and do it, you may not get the chance.”

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FALL PERFECT TIME TO SPRUCE UP THE HOUSE

BY MARLISA HARDING AMERICAN PRESS

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Who says seasonal cleaning is just for spring? Fall is the perfect time to spruce up the house and get it ready for all of the upcoming holiday festivities.

Katie Doxey, a local interior decorator, said fall decorating doesn’t have to break the bank, either with a few savvy choices. A fresh fall update can easily begin at the doorstep with the use of mums in planters, fresh pumpkins and a fall wreath to set the scene for a festive home, she said.

For an even more elaborate outdoor scene, Doxey suggested following the “2-3-2 Rule”: two green plants, three colorful plants and two cascading plants. “It just makes it look full and lush.”

Personally, Doxey prefers to keep the pumpkins outdoors and transition indoors with a more sophisticated look of intentional, fresh touches in the common areas.

A festive floral centerpiece is an easy, low-maintenance way to brighten up the kitchen/dining room, she said.

“I always switch out the stems. Greenery stems are really in style and then just switch out the stems into a fall color and they can easily translate into a Christmas vibe. It’s just an easy transition without it being pumpkins.”

On a tight budget? Maintaining a set of neutral dishes and utensils helps ensure the floral arrangement never clashes with the rest of the table décor, she added.

Bring fall into other common areas by changing out throw pillows and artwork for a warmer, more festive feel.

“If you don’t have the storage, pillow covers are a great option,” Doxey said.

When using pillow inserts, they need to be two inches bigger than the pillow, she reminded. “If you get the same size, it’ll look frumpy.”

Don’t forget the walls when you get ready to decorate.

Doxey suggested using www.etsy.com to search for seasonal art prints to swap out existing art.

“It doesn’t have to be a pumpkin or wording, either.

Search ‘fall or harvest’ images and trade that out instead of a beach landscape.”

Using a local printer and thrifting for frames helps cut costs on this project, too, she added.

Art prints not your style? Try covering a print with Modge Podge to give it a more artistic texture, Doxey suggested.

When considering colors for these projects, Doxey suggested working beyond the usual yellows, red and orange for your fall scene. Variations of those classic colors are in this season, she said, like plum, burnt orange, mustard yellow and gold.

“Those are always trending anyways but definitely the maroon, purple, plums are big this year.”

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You voted. We tallied. Keep reading to see who’s who in SWLA! 14 Living Magazine

FOOD & HOSPITALITY

BEST CATFISH Seafood Palace

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT Peking Gardens

BEST CHINESE FOOD Peking Gardens BEST COCKTAIL 121 Artisan Bistro

BEST BAKERY The Bekery

BEST COFFEE Stellar Beans

BEST BBQ Paul’s Rib Shack BEST BREAKFAST KD’s Diner

BEST COFFEE SHOP The Village Coffee House

BEST BRUNCH Luna Bar & Grill

BEST CRAWFISH BeauDines

BEST CASUAL DINING Luna Bar & Grill

BEST CUPCAKES Jo’s Party House

BEST CATERING Cajun Cafe

BEST CURBSIDE SERVICE Chick-fil-A BEST DATE NIGHT Mazen’s

THANK YOU FOR ve!

HE Lo T S U G N I W O SH People's Choice • Best Music Venue • Best Distillery/Brewery • Best Guy's Night Out • Best Patio

1165 E. McNeese St, Lake Charles, LA

cryingeagle.com Living Magazine 15

M

0P en y!

9:0 M Op y Da M to :30 P A 9 er 00 to PM Ev ur 11: 0 AM 8:30

0 -Th t 11: M to Mon i & Sa 1:00 A Fr Sun 1

Thank you so much for the honor!

Best Happy Hour

337-429-5755

2001 Oak Park Boulevard Lake Charles LA 70601 337-477-9759

King of the Grill

1201 Lakeshore Drive Lake Charles, LA. 70601

Thank you for voting for us!

It was greatly appreciated!

Monday-Saturday 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM Closed on Sunday

Thanks to everyone who voted for us!

Best Mediterranean Food 2612 B Kirkman Street Lake Charles LA 70601

337-437-1144 www.cousins-lebanese.com Tue, Wed, & Thur: 11:00AM to 9:00PM Fri & Sat: 11AM-10:00PM Lunch Special 11AM-2:00PM 16 Living Magazine

Best Local Burger

BEST DELI Rouses Market

BEST GIRL’S NIGHT OUT Bodega’s Wine Dive

BEST DELIVERY Chick-fil-A

BEST GUMBO Seafood Palace

BEST DISTILLERY/ BREWERY Crying Eagle

BEST GUY’S NIGHT OUT Crying Eagle

BEST DONUTS Nelson’s Donuts BEST DRIVE-THRU BEVERAGES Paradise Daiquiris BEST FINE DINING Mazen’s

Thank you for your votes! We are proud to serve you the BEST LUNCH in SWLA!

BEST HAPPY HOUR LaGuna’s Mexian Grill & Cantina BEST HOT DOG Botsky’s BEST HOTEL Golden Nugget

BEST FOOD TRUCK Hilicious

BEST ICE CREAM LuLu’s Speciality Snowcones

BEST FRIED CHICKEN Ball’s Fried Chicken

BEST ITALIAN FOOD Joe’s Pizza & Pasta

NOW OPEN EVENINGS! Open for lunch Monday through Saturday & lunch AND DINNER Thursday through Saturday!!!

Nina P‛s Cafe

1600 W. McNeese St. (337) 474-6462

Thank you SWLA for all of your support!

Best Catfish!

Best Seafood!

Best Gumbo!

2218 Enterprise Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA. 70601 Phone 337-433-9293 Monday-Saturday 10:30 AM - 9 PM Closed Sunday

Living Magazine 17

BEST KIDS MEAL Chick-fil-A

BEST PIZZA Tony’s Pizza

BEST LOCAL BURGER Cotten’s Famous Hamburgers

BEST POBOY Darrell’s

BEST LUNCH Nina P’s BEST MARGARITA Casa Manana BEST MEDITERANEAN FOOD Cousins Lebanese Cuisine BEST MEXICAN FOOD Casa Manana BEST NEW RESTAURANT Crust Pizza BEST PATIO Crying Eagle

BEST RESTAURANT Mazen’s BEST SALAD SPOT Greenhouse BEST SANDWICH Darrell’s BEST SEAFOOD Seafood Palace HALF BEST SOUL FOOD Leonard’s Food Quarter BEST SPORTS BAR Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Thank you SWLA! The residents and our staff are so honored to be named Best Retirement Home and Best Assisted Living!

3905 Kingston Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 337-478-4780 Our residents and staff are so thankful for the honor to be named Best Retirement Home and Best Assisted Living in SWLA! 18 Living Magazine

BEST STEAK Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse BEST TAKE-OUT Tony’s Pizza BEST WINE BAR Bodega’s Wine Dive BEST WINGS Buffalo Wild Wings

HEALTH & FITNESS BEST ASSISTED LIVING Villa Maria Retirement Center BEST AUDIOLOGY CENTER Acadian Hearing

BEST CARDIOLOGY CENTER Cardiovascular Specialist of SWLA BEST CHIROPRACTOR Trevor Jolie Center for Chiropractic BEST DENTIST Dr. Mary Churchman BEST DENTAL CLINIC Robinson Dental Clinic BEST DERMATOLOGY CLINIC Shondra Smith

Dr. Trevor C. Jolie

BEST ENT Brad Lebert BEST ESTHETICIAN Amy Collins

Helping you move better, feel better & live better.

BEST EYE CARE The Eye Clinic

Thanks for voting me as your BEST CHIROPRACTOR! • Lower Back Pain • Shoulder Pain • Neck Pain • Sciatica

• Headaches • Numbness • Tingling • Neuropathy

(337) 502-5303 - Lake Charles 1210 E. McNeese St. Lake Charles (337) 888-3144 - Sulphur 671 S. Post Oak Rd. Sulphur Living Magazine 19

Churchman & Roberts Dentistry, LLC Dr. Mary Seale Churchman

Dr. Katie Courville Roberts

GENERAL DENTISTRY

BEST GYMNASTICS STUDIO Louisiana Powerhouse BEST HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER SPAR (Sulphur Parks & Recreation) BEST HOME HEALTH CARE Southern Home Health BEST HOSPICE CARE Harbor Hospice BEST HOSPITAL Avail BEST MARTIAL ARTS Gracie Barra Lake Charles

3632 Common St. Lake Charles, LA 70607

(337)478-4022

churchmanrobertsdds.com Churchman-Roberts-Dentistry-LLC

BEST MASSAGE STUDIO Scarborough’s Salon & Day Spa BEST MEDICAL CLINIC Avail Hospital

BEST NURSE/NURSE PRACTITIONER Samantha Marceaux (Avail) BEST NURSING HOME & REHAB Grand Cove Nursing Home & Rehab BEST ONCOLOGY Dr. Broussard BEST ORAL SURGEON Dr. Raleigh Fisher BEST ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON Dr. John Noble BEST PEDIATRICIAN Dr. David Wallace BEST PHARMACY Boudreaux’s New Drug Store

Best Dermatology Clinic Thank you SWLA for voting us as your first choice in Dermatology! Shondra L. Smith, M.D. 3635 Nelson Road Lake Charles, LA 70605 337-477-0011 20 Living Magazine

Mon to Fri: 8:30AM-5:00PM Sat & Sun: Closed

Best Oral Surgeon 1624 Wolf Circle Lake Charles, LA 70605 (337) 478-0468 Mon, Tues, Thur: 8:00AM-5:00PM Wed: 8:00AM-12:00PM Fri: 7:00AM-2:00PM Sat & Sun Closed

Thank you to everyone in SWLA who voted for us!

Your support is greatly appreciated!

Thank YOU for voting us Best Hospice in SWLA in 2021!

5210 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605

(337)562-8620 Living Magazine 21

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY SWLA Sports & Rehab BEST PLACE TO HAVE A BABY Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women BEST PODIATRIST Dr. Daniel T. Hall BEST RETIREMENT HOME Villa Maria Retirement Center

3004 Kirkman St Lake Charles, LA 70601 Ph: 337- 478-7415, Fx: 337-478-7416 Retail - Installation - Wholesale Since 1952 We are that business with the opportunity to serve you and the community for the last 60 years!

Thank you for making us THE #1 fencing company in Southwest Louisiana!

BEST SPA Scarborough’s Salon & Day Spa

HOME & GARDEN BEST CARPET/ FLOORING Gulf Coast Carpet BEST CONSTRUCTION COMPANY The PAR Group BEST CONTRACTOR LaRocque Homes BEST ELECTRICAL REPAIR Dollar Electric BEST FENCING Hercules Fence

BEST URGENT CARE Lake Charles Urgent Care

BEST FURNITURE Home Furniture

BEST YOGA STUDIO Yoga Y’all

BEST HEATING & A/C Trouth Air Conditing & Sheet Metal

We at SWLA Sports & Rehab Center would like to give a HUGE thank you to all the voters who picked us as Top Phyical Therapy Clinic in Southwest Louisiana.

We are truly blessed and love what we do!

Thank you again, we love you all and come visit us at our new location in Sulphur!

900 Cypress St., Sulphur, LA 70663 337-528-2828 7:00am - 5pm SWLASportRehabCenterSulphur 22 Living Magazine

208 W McNeese St. Lake Charles, LA 70605 337-475-1053

We’re the urgent care you choose to

clinic

“Feel Better. Faster!”

SWLA for voting and making us your “top choice” urgent care center. We are dedicated to providing quality, convenient care to Lake Charles and the surrounding areas.

LakeCharlesUrgentCare.com Check-In Online

Walk-In

Schedule a Virtual Visit

Give us a follow:

Living Magazine 23

Thank you SWLA for voting us Best Construction!

Enhancing the natural beauty of Southwest Louisiana.

Par Construction is raising the standard for construction and development in the Lake Area, providing a superior product, and offering customers an unparalleled level of customer service.

24 Living Magazine

BEST HOME BUILDER LaRocque Homes BEST HOME DECOR Home Goods BEST INTERIOR DESIGN Changing Spaces BEST LANDSCAPE COMPANY Landscape Management Services BEST LIGHTING Joseph’s Electric BEST MATTRESS STORE Bayou Beds BEST MOVING COMPANY Two Men & A Truck BEST PEST CONTROL J & J Exterminating

BEST PLANT NURSERY Greengate Garden Center BEST PLUMBING COMPANY Pistol’s Plumbing & Maintenance

Louisiana Owned, Customer Focused, Results Driven Over

60 years! years

Shielding What’s Near and Dear in Louisiana against Termites, Mosquitoes and Pests since 1959!

BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY Magnolia Property Management BEST RETIREMENT HOME Villa Maria Retirement Center BEST ROOFING COMPANY/ROOFER Pelican Roofing

Thank you for your votes of confidence!

LAKE CHARLES 474-7377 JJEXT.COM

Thank you for voting us BEST Heating and A/C company and relying on us for all your air conditioning and sheet metal needs!

Thank You

Come see us at 1212 Whitaker St. Sulphur, LA or give us a call at (337) 527-8683 Living Magazine 25

OUT & ABOUT BEST DAY TRIP Sam Houston State Park

THANK YOU SWLA FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

BEST DOG PARK Bark Du Lac Dogpark BEST GOLF COURSE Contrband Bayou at L’Auberge BEST KEPT SECRET Loggerheads Bar & Grill

730 Bayou Pines East Drive, Ste. A · Lake Charles LA 70601

337-478-0152 Monday-Thursday 8:00AM - 4:00PM Friday 8:00AM - 12:00PM www.magnoliapropertyla.com

BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

BEST PLACE TO FISH Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge PLACE TO KAYAK Prien Lake Park BEST WEDDING VENUE Cash & Carry Farmer’s Market PETS

BEST LOCAL EVENT Downtown at Sundown

BEST ANIMAL HOSPITAL Best Friend’s Animal Clinic

BEST MUSIC VENUE Crying Eagle

BEST FEED STORE Tractor Supply

BEST PARK Prien Lake Park

BEST PET GROOMER Paws on the Geaux

BEST PARK FOR PICNIC Prien Lake Park

BEST PET SUPPLY Petco

BY DESIGN

Thank you, SWLA, for voting us Best Landscape company in the People’s Choice Awards!

BOOK YOUR FALL COLOR NOW 26 Living Magazine

5005 Cobra Road, Lake Charles (337) 478-3836 M-F: 7am – 4pm Sat: 8am – 2pm (Seasonal Hours) landscapemanagement.org

BEST PET TRAINER/ OBEDIENCE SCHOOL Bons Chien Dog Training BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Terry Ford

PROFESSIONALS BEST AUTO SALES PERSON Sylvia Mallett

BEST COACH Grant Anderson BEST COLLEGE PROFESSOR Dr. Lonnie Turpin BEST DAYCARE/ PRESCHOOL Our Lady Queen of Heaven BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR Aaron Quinn/Edward Jones

BEST BARTENDER Holly Bertrand @ The Bad Apple Saloon 337-244-8258

BEST FIREFIGHTER Travis DeLano

BEST CHEF Jacob Gillett

BEST HAIRSTYLIST Ali Rentrop

BEST CHEF Kenny Huddle - The Pioneer Club

BEST INSURANCE AGENT Shayne Laughlin

THANK YOU! for voting us as

BEST ROOFING COMPANY!!!

Thank you for voting us the #1 plumbing company in SWLA! 4416 Maplewood Drive, Sulphur, Louisiana 70663 Tel: 337-533-8415 • Tel #2: 337-855-1545 • Fax: 337-533-8564 • Email: pistolsplumbing@aol.com Office hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30am to 5pm Sat. & Sun. - Closed. Emergency and after- hours answering services available!

Plumbing license number: LMP # 4621 & LMNGF #9286

Living Magazine 27

BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT Sheriff Tony Mancuso BEST LAWYER David B. McCain BEST LOCAL ARTIST Candice Alexander BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN Rusty Metoyer BEST MORTGAGE LENDER Courtney Peveto - NOLA Lending Group

Thank You SWLA for Voting Us Best Dog Trainer/ Obedience School.

2311 Hodges St. Lake Charles, LA 70601

(337)422-4703

https://www.facebook.com/BonsChiensDogTraining/ https://bonschiens.com/

Sylvia Mallett I would like to thank each and every individual that voted me 2021 "SWLA People's Choice for Best Auto Salesperson", providing the people of our community with safe and reliable vehicles is not only and honor, but a privilege, I take pride in placing family first, and that is how I view my customers as family. I have enjoyed working for the Navarre family for over 16 years and look forward to continuing this journey of provinding safe, secure high quality vehicles for SWLA, Thank You from the bottom of my heart, the support from the community means everything to me.

phone:(337)474-1999 Cell (337)274-8231 email: samallett@aol.com website: www.billynavarreauto.com 28 Living Magazine

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Emily Fuselier

BEST SALES PERSON Glen Priola - LC Toyota BEST SCHOOL (K-12) Our Lady Queen of Heaven BEST SELF-MADE ENTREPRENEUER Jamison Trouth Yellowfin Vodka BEST TEACHER (K-12) Robbie Austin - St. Louis Catholic BEST TRAVEL AGENT Lenore Carroll/TIME TO TRAVEL

BEST REALTOR Bailey Dowden

SHOPPING & SERVICES

BEST RESTAURANT SERVER Heather @ Prime

BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM Langley, Williams & Company, LLC

Thanks to everyone for all of the support over the years and all of my voters!

Thanks to The Gregg's for giving me the opportunity to work for you guys!

Proudly serving y'all one drink at a time!

Best Bartender Holly Bertrand

3436 Ryan St. Lake Charles, LA 70605 Open Mon-Sat 6 AM-'til

Phone 337-474-2294

Home of the Better Blues Burger!

BEST ANTIQUE STORE Polished Peasant BEST AUTO DEALER (NEW) Lake Charles Toyota BEST AUTO DEALER (USED) Lake Charles Toyota BEST AUTO REPAIR Lake Charles Toyota BEST BANK CSE Credit Union

BEST CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE Etie’s, a Children’s Shoppe BEST COMMERICAL INSURANCE Shayne Laughlin - State Farm BEST CONSIGNMENT/ RESALE Style Encore BEST COSMETICS Ulta Beauty

BEST BOOK STORE Books-A-Million

BEST CREDIT UNION CSE Federal Credit Union

BEST BOUTIQUE Accessory Zone BEST BRIDAL REGISTRY Navarra’s Jewelry

BEST DEPARTMENT STORE TJ Maxx - Home Goods

BEST CAR WASH Don’s Car Wash

BEST DRY CLEANERS AAA Drive-In Cleaners

Thank you for voting us Best Florist.

Our hearts are blooming!

Our Lady Queen Of Heaven School 3908 Creole St. Lake Charles, LA 70605

(337)477-7349

www.facebook.com/olqhs | www.olqhs.org

Thank You SWLA For Voting Us Best K-12 And Best Daycare/ Preschool, We Appreciate The Community Support And All Of Our Parents, Teachers And Students

Living Magazine 29

BEST FLORIST Wendi’s Flower Cart

BEST LAW FIRM Hoffoss Devall, LLC

BEST GIFT SHOPE Expressions

BEST MARINE/ OUTDOOR STORE Lake Charles Tackle

BEST GROCERY STORE Rouses Markets BEST HAIR SALON Ginger Vine Salon BEST HUNTING / TACTICAL DTS Tactical BEST INVESTMENT FIRM Edward Jones BEST IT SERVICES/ COMPUTER REPAIR Southern Technologies LLC BEST JEWELRY STORE Diamond Durrell’s

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING Dillards BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY Louisiana Mortgage Company BEST NAIL SALON Milanie Nail Salon BEST NEW BUSINESS LuLu’s Specialty Snowcones BEST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DeWanna’s Community Closet

Thanks to everyone who voted for us!

It's been a pleasure!

Monday-Saturday Style Encore 10 AM to 7 PM Sunday 1 PM to 6 PM 121 Eddy Street Lake Charles LA 70601 Phone 337-602-6124

30 Living Magazine

THANK YOU SWLA!

2021 PEOPLE’S CHOICE OF SWLA

CALCASIEU · CAMERON · JEFF DAVIS 337.477.2000

CSEFCU.ORG

Thanks SWLA for trusting me with your travel plans!

It doesn't cost you more to plan your dream vacations with me.

It's the best Time To Travel!!

Voted Best: Travel Agent – Lenore Carroll Travel Agency – Time To Travel 337-263-1243 118 S Huntington St, Sulphur, LA 70663 www.timetotravelagent.com

Living Magazine 31

BEST OFFICE SUPPLY United Office Supply & Equipment BEST OIL CHANGE Bob’s Full Service Station BEST PAWN SHOP Chad’s Pawn Shop

BEST TANNING SALON DarQest Tan BEST TATOO SHOP Iron Cypress Tatoo BEST TIRE STORE Pumpelly Tire BEST TITLE COMPANY Ironclad Title, LLC

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY COMPANY Emily Fuselier

BEST TOWING Affordable Wrecker & Towing

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY C21 Bessette BEST SELF STORAGE Moss Bluff Storage, LLC BEST SIGN COMPANY Image360 Lake Charles BEST SPORTING GOODS Academy Sporting + Outdoors

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY Time to Travel BEST WINE/LIQUOR STORE Hokus Pokus Liquor Lake Charles BEST WORK PLACE Avail Hospital

Thank You for Voting Us

331 Sam Houston Jones Parkway Lake Charles, LA 70611 337-214-7565 www.dtstactical.com 32 Living Magazine

Thank You SWLA For Voting Us Best Nail Salon We Appreciate All Of Our Customers And The Support Of Our Community

4740 Nelson Rd. #340 Lake Charles, LA. 70605

(337) 602-6764

milanie.nailbar · milanie-nail-bar.business.site

SWLA'S #1 TOWING COMPANY

IT Consulting Managed Services Hosting Computer Repair Providing you with an array of IT solutions for your home and business.

Locally owned and operated.

916 WEST MCNEESE STREET LAKE CHARLES, LA 70605 337-474-3567 www.southern-tech.net

Thank you all for voting us the BEST towing company around!

For all your business computing needs, we've got IT! Living Magazine 33

Best Real Estate Agency Thank you SWLA for your votes of confidence!

3025 Lake Street, Lake Charles LA 70601 337-474-2185 wehavethekeysyouneed.com Hours: M-F 8AM to 5PM

By Appointment Only Saturday and Sunday

#1

Office Supply Huge THANK YOU to EVERYONE that voted and conducts business with United Office Supply!

34 Living Magazine

McCain & Swann LLC Best Lawyer in SWLA!

Thank you for this honor!

3422 Common St. Lake Charles, LA 70607 337-439-4571 Living Magazine 35

OVE R

ANCING

100% FIN

NEW CONSTRUCTION

RD

VA

FHA Keith Wimberly

NMLS# 87412

Lynn Calles

NMLS# 428513

Michael Bertrand

Jennifer Spees

NMLS# 115740

NMLS# 103474

Scott Boudreaux

NMLS# 114438

REVERSE MORTGAGE Philip Porche

Tracy Singer

Erica Gibbs

Mason Minervini

Valerie Rodriguez

Lauren Fogle

Chantelle Fontenot

Candace Hillard

Melanie Ardoin

Austin Bertrand

Hope Marcantel

Matt Ensminger

Madison Stroderd

Kelsey Latz

Erika Thomas

NMLS# 1969402

NMLS# 1281782

NMLS# 1964718

NMLS# 88985

NMLS# 87235

NMLS# 114431

NMLS# 115707

Manette Pecorino

310-HOME (4663)

36 Living Magazine