Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
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2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA
71270
Chamber Connection CHAMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS June June 6 – Business Buffet, 11:30 a.m., Chamber board room, Social Media June 27-28 – Louisiana Peach Festival July
July 15 – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Princeton Place August
Aug. 12 – Business After Hours, The Hub Aug. 23-24 – Ruston Gun, Knife & Coin Show September
Sept. – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., The OWL Center October
Oct. 21 – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., NLMC Oct. 23 – Lighten Up Lincoln Community Wellness Expo 9 - 3 p.m. Library Events Center November Nov. 13 – Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Landry Vineyards
A Publication of the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Deliver to:
June 2014
Peach Perfect Louisiana Peach Festival set for June 27-28! It’s almost Peach Festival time in Ruston! The 2014 Louisiana Peach Festival presented by Squire Creek is the fourth weekend in June. The theme this year is Peach Perfect! Each year the celebration begins with a Peach Hunt sponsored by CenterPoint Energy. Listen to Z107.5, Peach 99.3, or Q94.1 or check the Ruston Daily Leader starting Monday, June 23 for clues that will lead you through Ruston on a quest to find the Peach. The lucky winner will receive a $500 prize! In addition to the Peach Hunt, we encourage you to visit the area Peach Stops throughout Ruston. You will visit the Stops to purchase their favorite Peach item and receive a stamp on your “passport.” Passports must be turned in by Saturday, June 28 at 5 p.m. at any festival entrance gate on Trenton, Vienna, or the Sexton parking lot to be entered to win fabulous prizes including a grand prize valued at $1,000. For more details visit www. louisiana peach festival.org or email peach@louisiana peach festival.org. The festival fun begins on Friday, June 27 at 5 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. in Ruston’s historic Railroad Park, you’ll hear the “southern, country rock” sounds of Louisiana Swamp Donky, then get ready for an 80’s experience with The Molly Ringwalds at 8 p.m. Both concerts are brought to you by the Evening in the Park Friday Night sponsor, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and co-sponsors; Ponch-atoula’s, Log Cabin, First National Bank, and State Farm/Kim Dupree. After a full day (8 a.m.- 6 p.m.) of events on Saturday, thanks to Saturday Night Entertain-ment Sponsors;
Ivan Smith Furniture, LA Lottery, Rocketfast Car Wash and other sponsors; First National Bank, Log Cabin, Ponchatoula’s, and State Farm/ Kim Dupree, we’ll get moving to the “the high energy, swamp funky zydeco sound” of Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. And as the festival draws to a close that evening, Dylan Scott will steal your heart with his talent of “writing your life in a song…and delivering it in a baritone so deep it’ll rattle your bones.” Peach Fest includes approximately 200 artisans and vendors, all in one location! You’ll find merchandise and re-sale vendors at Trenton Street Marketplace on the front lawn of the Ruston City Hall, and hand-made arts and crafts both inside and
outside the adjacent Civic Center. Trenton Street Marketplace and the Civic Center are open Saturday only. The 2014 poster was designed by Christian Dunn. Anne Muckleroy designed the t-shirt. Both winners were presented a check for $500. Not only do we have great peaches, but we have Peach Perfect talent in Ruston! Louisiana Peach Festival comes with a Peach Perfect event for everyone! Friday Night Concerts in Railroad Park are brought to you by: Evening in the Park Friday Night sponsor, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and co sponsored by Ponchatoula’s, Log
Cabin, First National Bank, and State Farm/ Kim Dupree 6:30 p.m. Louisiana Swamp Donky 8 p.m. The Molly Ringwalds Saturday Night Concerts in Railroad Park are brought to you by: Saturday Night Entertainment Sponsors; Ivan Smith Furniture, LA Lottery & Rocketfast Car Wash and other sponsors; First National Bank, Log Cabin, Ponchatoula’s, and State Farm/Kim Dupree 7 p.m. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band 9 p.m. Dylan Scott
Peach Stops new to festival! These area businesses will be promoting at least one Peach Perfect item June 23-27, the week leading into the Louisiana Peach Festival. Stop in to see what they have to offer. (Purchase may be required.) Each location has a stamp for your passport (playing card). The more stamps you
get, the bigger prize you'll be eligible to win. 1-5 stamps = eligible to win one of several gift baskets 6-10 stamps = eligible to win one of several $100 value gifts 11-20 stamps = eligible to win the grand prize valued at $1,000.
Peach Stops Include: Centric Federal Credit Union Chartreuse Pear Counter Culture of Ruston The Depot The Fabric Shop The Fashion of Ruston Hampton Inn Hot Rod Bar-B-Q Lagniappe Auto Title LLC
Come
Lewis Boutique Mitcham Farms, LLC North Central Louisiana Arts Council Penny Perfect Ponchatoulas Prescription Shoppe Pharmacy RE/MAX Results Realty Rosemary’s Kitchen Russ Place-Enlivant Ruston Animal Clinic
with us.
www.bankruston.com
Ruston Florist & Boutique Ruston Wellness and Compounding Pharmacy Scott’s Catfish of Ruston State Farm/Kim Dupree Townsend House Gifts Wingstop
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Chamber Update By Judy Copeland, President, Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
Leadership – Beyond You I am truly amazed that we are already in June, half way through the year! They say time flies when you are having fun and we are definitely having fun…. and working hard to bring valuable programs to our members. We enjoy finding ways to benefit our members and our community. As I’m writing this, I’m sitting here listening to speakers at Leadercast, a Chamber sponsored program of 9 speakers sharing their leadership journey and how to be “beyond you”. How being a leader isn’t just about you, it’s about
Judy Copeland
what happens beyond you. It’s about how you can leverage your influence for the sake of others, how you can use your leadership to make others better. Listening to these speakers brings
me back to our Business of the Year/Hall of Fame held at Squire Creek where I heard some amazing honorees speak of exactly what we’re learning this day. Being a good leader requires putting others before you and understanding three practical attributes; service, generosity, and humility. If you missed either of these events I am referencing, you missed the opportunity to hear about leadership in all aspects and how you can make a difference in this world. I look forward to seeing you at our next event!
Notes From The Chair Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce – By Aaron Paul, Chairman
Life is better in the South In my opinion, life during the summer. is better in the South. We also have the added Working at Business bonus of great festivals Technology and great Group (BTG), music. One our IT projects great festival is allow us to coming up this interact with month right people from all here in Ruston. over this great The Peach country. We get Festival will to trade stories be Jun 27 and with these 28th. You can customers and have a great partners on what parents night Aaron Paul we do when we out and enjoy some great are not working. I am bias but it always music on the evening of seems like we have more Jun 27th with great bands fun here than other parts like the 80s retro band, of the country. We go The Molly Ringwalds, hunting during the winter who will be performing in Railroad Park. On and play on the lakes
Saturday, the 28th, grab the kids and get to the Peach Parade, Antique Car Show and Arts and Crafts show. Then that evening you can enjoy more music with Louisiana’s best country and zydeco bands play. There is nothing like listening to live music on a relaxing summer evening in the South. For more information about any of these events contact the Chamber Office at 255-2031 or e-mail jcopeland@rustonlincoln. org or contact me using the information below. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in OUR Chamber.
A Solid Board Heath Hattaway Heath Hattaway Associate with Gallot Law Law Office of Rick Gallot (318) 251-8480 Heath.hattaway@ gmail.com Something most folks don’t know about me: I showed cows in 4H In ten years I want to be: On the beach!
Sharon Shrell Sharon Shrell Vice President/ Mortgage First National Bank (318) 242-4783 sshrell@ theuncommon bank.com What I wanted to be when I grew up: A Teacher—I even prepared tests for the neighborhood kids. In ten years I want to be: Retired! I want to be sitting on my front porch doing NOTHING!
Executive Board
Title sponsor for 2014 is Squire Creek Country Club
Chairman Aaron Paul, Business Technology Group
FRIDAY, JUNE 27
Chairman Elect Mike Jones, Argent Financial
Friday – Sunday Squire Creek Golf Tournament, Peach Invitational
Vice Chair - Community Development Kathy Crowder, Crowder Concepts Vice Chair, Program Development Lee Denny, Bank of Ruston Vice Chair -Organizational Development Patrick Blanchard LA Methodist Children’s Home Vice Chair, Economic Development Doug Postel, LA Delta Community College
Board of Directors Neal Carter Community Trust Bank Cathi Cox-Boniol Lincoln Parish School Board Heath Hattaway Law Office of Rick Gallot Rodney Manning The Ensure Agency Richard Raue Hi-Tech Computers Sharon Shrell First National Bank Erica Wheelis Centric Federal Credit Union Ex-Officio Board Members
Kristi Lumpkin City of Ruston Dr. James R. Lumpkin Louisiana Tech University Courtney Hall Lincoln Parish Police Jury Gregg Phillips Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Ranaee Thomas-Walley Ruston/Lincoln Crime Stopper
Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Staff
Judy Copeland, President Ivana Flowers, Communications & Special Events Melissa Carpender, Office Manager
Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Staff
Travis Napper, Executive Director Amanda Quimby, Marketing Director
Deana Sherrill, Administrative Assistant Deadline for submitting newsletter information is the 15th of the month.
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All Day Baby Photo Contest sponsored by Barnes Portraiture, The Children’s Shoppe, 109 North Trenton St. 8 a.m. Lincoln Parish Park Kids’ Fishing Tournament sponsored by La Capitol Federal Credit Union, SciTech’s IDEA Place & Walmart Super Center, at Lincoln Parish Park 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fine Arts Show sponsored by North Central Louisiana Arts Council, Ruston City Hall 10 a.m. Peach Cookery Contest sponsored by Townsend House Gifts – Grand prize by LA Life, Presbyterian Church of Ruston, 212 North Bonner St.
7 a.m. 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run sponsored by Northern Louisiana Medical Center, cosponsored by FITRIGHT Active 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Beta Sigma Phi Arts & Crafts Show, Ruston Civic Center 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Trenton Street Marketplace, Ruston City Hall 8 a.m. – 6 pm. Children’s Expo (behind the Civic Center) sponsored by Backus True Value 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Carnival by Mitchell Brothers & Sons, Sexton Parking Lot (beside Bonner St. bridge) 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Kid’s Zone (at Railroad Park) sponsor by Blue Bell 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Downtown Food Courts & Amusements, Downtown Ruston
5 – 7 p.m. Carnival by Mitchell Brothers & Sons, Sexton Parking Lot (beside Bonner St. bridge)
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fine Arts Show sponsored by North Central Louisiana Arts Council, Ruston City Hall
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Kid’s Zone (at Railroad Park) sponsor by Blue Bell
9 a.m. Festival Parade produced by Ruston Rotary and sponsored by PetStar Animal Care. Chris Turner will be Grand Marshall.
5 – 10 p.m. Downtown Food Courts & Amusements, Downtown Ruston 6 p.m. Tennis Tournament sponsored by Brennan Dodge Chrysler Jeep Co-sponsored by Celebrity Theatre, Chartreuse Pear, Dominos Pizza, Farmerville Motors, The Fashion of Ruston, Foster Farms, Green Clinic Pediatrics, House of Raeford, Karen’s Hallmark, Lusiana Tradition-Choudrant, McKinney Outdoor Superstore, National Jewelry, RAW Sushi, Rodeo Boutique, Ruston Tractor, Sonic of Calhoun & Farmerville, Sonic of Ruston (both locations), Super 1 Foods Held at Home Court, LA Tech University 6:30 p.m. Concert - Louisiana Swamp Donky at Railroad Park Brought to you by: Evening in the Park Friday Night sponsor, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and co sponsored by Ponchatoula’s, Log Cabin, First National Bank, and State Farm/Kim Dupree. 8 p.m. Rodeo sponsored by Brennan Dodge Chrysler Jeep North Louisiana Exhibition Center 8 p.m. Concert - The Molly Ringwalds at Railroad Park Brought to you by: Evening in the Park Friday Night sponsor, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, and co sponsored by Ponchatoula’s, Log Cabin, First National Bank, and State Farm/Kim Dupree.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28 All Day Baby Photo Contest sponsored by Barnes Portraiture, The Children’s Shoppe, 109 North Trenton St.
Foods, National Jewelry, Rodeo Boutique, Ruston Tractor Held at Home Court, LA Tech University 8 p.m. Bass Tournament, Lake D’Arbonne sponsored by Farmerville Motors & Wood Marine Registration 6-8 p.m., D’Arbonne Diner 9 p.m. Concert - Dylan Scott at Railroad Park Saturday Night Entertainment Sponsors; Ivan Smith Furniture, LA Lottery & Rocketfast Car Wash, and other sponsors; First National Bank, Log Cabin, Ponchatoula’s, and State Farm/Kim Dupree Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors! • BlueLine Rental • Century Marketing Solutions • City of Ruston • Community Trust Bank • Louisiana Office of Tourism • Morrison Companies (Celebrity Theatre) • Ruston-Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Thanks to our Corporate/Media Sponsors! • Ruston Daily Leader • KALB NBC 5, CBS 2 TV • KTVE NBC 10, KARD Fox 14 • Louisiana Life • The News-Star • Q-94.1 Radio • Z107.5 Big Z Country, ESPN 97.7, The Peach 99.3
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Antique Car Show sponsored by BancorpSouth & Hot Rod Bar-B-Q, BancorpSouth parking lot
Thanks to our Information Tents Sponsors!
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fabric Art Challenge Quilting Contest sponsored by and held at Quilteroos, 1309 Farmerville Hwy.
Thanks to our Entrance Gates Sponsors!
11 a.m. Diaper Derby sponsored by Barnes Portraiture, Trinity United Methodist Church Multi-purpose building, 1000 West Woodward Ave. 6:30 p.m. Peach Eating Contest sponsored by Michael Walsworth/LA State Senator and SciTech’s IDEA Place, at Railroad Park 7 p.m. Concert - Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band at Railroad Park Saturday Night Entertainment Sponsors; Ivan Smith Furniture, LA Lottery & Rocketfast Car Wash and other sponsors; First National Bank, Log Cabin, Ponchatoula’s, and State Farm/Kim Dupree 8 p.m. Rodeo sponsored by Brennan Dodge Chrysler Jeep North Louisiana Exhibition Center Time: TBA Tennis Tournament sponsored by Brennan Dodge Chrysler Jeep Co-sponsored by Celebrity Theatre, Chartreuse Pear, Dominos Pizza, Farmerville Motors, The Fashion of Ruston, Foster Farms, Green Clinic Pediatrics, House of Raeford, Karen’s Hallmark, Lusiana Tradition-Choudrant, McKinney Outdoor Superstore, RAW Sushi, Rodeo Boutique, Sonic of Calhoun & Farmerville, Sonic of Ruston (both locations), Super 1
• Bank of Ruston • Jim Taylor Ford Lincoln Mercury
• Coordinating & Development Corporation • Counter Culture • Courtesy Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac • Green Clinic • Roseburg Forest Product-Louisiana Particle Board • State Farm/Kim Dupree Thanks to our Behind the Scenes Sponsor! • Hampton Inn Thanks to our Friends of the Festival Sponsors! • The Arbor & Terrace Assisted Living • Business Technology Group • Days Inn/Comfort Inn • La Capitol Federal Credit Union • Louisiana Center for the Blind • National Jewelry Company • Walpole Tire Service, LLC
Admission is charged for ages 7 and over. Friday $10 armband, includes concerts. Saturday 8-6 p.m. armband $5. $10 armbands are also available on Saturday to include concerts. Visit www.louisianapeachfestival. org/ for more information.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Through A Pastor’s Eyes
Chamber Business Spotlight
By Chris Witt, Lead Pastor, Southparkway Church
The Christian infuence in Lincoln Parish Thomas Jefferson said, “The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.” Someone said that it takes a village to raise a child, but Jefferson would agree that it takes churches to raise a village. Lincoln Parish has many wonderful churches from which to choose. The Ruston Ministerial Alliance sponsors a holy week of services each year in an area church.
Other churches enjoy community services where two or more churches worship together once or twice a year. We declare that the Bible is held in high esteem by a majority of the people in the Ruston area. A helping hand is extended to the poor and downtrodden through Christian Community Action with clothes and groceries. Some churches provide Christian daycare for children where they can experience a safe and engaging
Tech Support By Nick Bracey, System Engineer – Business Technology Group
What’s in a browser? 2013. Internet Explorer In this technical claims to be the most age, a person may universal browser in wonder how we ever terms of content that survived without the just works internet. correctly out With the of the box. creation However, of the web Internet browser, or Explorer has browser for been losing short, this popularity has been ever since made a much Microsoft simpler task. has been Now, you may Nick Bracey slow to be asking update yourself, the browser as well what is a browser? A as provide critical browser is simply a updates. program that allows The next browser in for the retrieval, the line-up is Mozilla presentation, Firefox. Firefox was and traversing of created in 2004 as an information resources experiment. Firefox is on the internet. In a great alternative to this article I am Internet Explorer in going to touch on the the fact that there are four main browsers: many add-ons for this Internet Explorer, browser. The various Mozilla Firefox, Google add-ons can add Chrome, and Apple various functionalities Safari. such as managing Let’s start with your news websites, Internet Explorer. This downloading your is the oldest browser favorite video streams, that I will review. or even mimicking Internet Explorer other browsers to originally came out add even greater with Windows 95 in functionality. 1995. The most up-toThe third browser date version is version that I am going to 11 which came out in
good combination of features from other browsers. It can sync across multiple devices like Chrome as well as update most of the same software as Chrome. Also, since it was primarily built for Apple products, it is less vulnerable to online spyware/ malware. The big downside to this browser is the lack of compatibility to certain websites (mainly Gov., accounting, etc.). No matter what browser you choose, I encourage you to explore each of the four browsers that I have talked about in this article. If you are reading this and have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Nick Bracey, Systems Engineer Office at (318)2518993 nick.bracey@btgllc.com.
talk about is Google Chrome. If any of you have an Android-based phone, chances are that you have Chrome on your phone. The nice thing about Chrome is that you can sync settings and features across multiple computers, phones, and tablets by using your Google account. Chrome also updates all essential software that is needed for accessing web content when it updates as opposed to the previous two browsers that I have mentioned. The only real downside to Chrome is that some of the bigger websites (mainly Gov. websites) have issues with Chrome being able to access their content. The last browser that I am going to talk about is Apple Safari. If you are like me, I almost take Safari for granted. Safari has a
environment. The public school system is comprised of many teachers that are practicing Christians, which gives us confidence that our children will not be indoctrinated with secularism. Lincoln Parish is cosmopolitan in nature due to the numerous foreign students that attend Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University. Many organizations extend hospitality to the various cultures found on these campuses. Alexis de Tocqueville said, “For the American the ideas of Christianity and liberty are so completely mingled that it is almost impossible to get them to conceive of the one without the other.” Many of the principles that made America great, that have vanished in other parts of the land, can still be found in the Piney Hills of north central Louisiana. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness will be the future of Ruston if we follow the command of 2 Chronicles 26:5, “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Psalm 1:3
50 Years of Community Action On August 20, 1964 in Washington, DC, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA). The EOA created a variety of programs— including Community Action Agencies—as part of his War on Poverty. Humanitarian Enterprises of Lincoln Parish (H.E.L.P.) was one of those agencies later established to address local poverty problems in rural, urban and suburban communities across the country. Humanitarian Enterprises of Lincoln Parish established in March of 1981, is the state recognized community agency and is an entity of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury. The agency is governed by both an
Advisory Board comprised of 15 members and an Administrative Board comprised of 12 members. H.E.L.P. was first located at 108 S. Bonner Street, later relocated to 101 W Railroad Ave and is currently located in the Lincoln Parish Police Jury Complex at 301 N Homer Street, Ruston, La. “H.E.L.P.’s track record in Lincoln Parish highlights the positive impact we’ve had helping our residents through a variety of financial and personal challenges,” said Rosalind Jones, Executive Director. “On an annual basis, we help hundreds of families to achieve economic stability and improve their lives through a variety of programs such as employment
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2028 E. Kentucky Ave. Ruston, LA 71270
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information and referral, GED referrals, rent/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, prescription drug assistance, food assistance, budget counseling, prevention of homelessness activities and after school child care assistance. Our success stories accentuate our ability to achieve measurable results.” In addition to social services, H.E.L.P. administers the Lincoln Parish Public Transportation System. Transportation services are open to the general public and the fare is $4.00 one way to any location in Lincoln Parish. Transit hours of operation are currently Monday-Friday, 6AM-5PM, one day advance reservation notice is required. Current fleet consists of 8 vehicles, 6 of which are handicap accessible. Last month, Community Action Agencies across the country commemorated the 50th anniversary of Community Action. Nationally, the Community Action Partnership will honor the occasion during its 2014 Annual Convention August 19-22, 2014 in Washington, DC. Locally, H.E.L.P. celebrated with an open house on May 22, 2014. For the past 33 years of its’ existence, H.E.L.P. has been extremely successful helping people achieve and maintain economic security despite experiencing budget cuts and increased demands for services during challenging economic times. Each community action agency is exclusive and offers a variety of services. As Community Action Professionals, the staff is trained to identify the residents’ unique needs and to develop programs that will best serve them and their families. For more information you may visit the agency Monday-Friday, 8AM-4:30 PM or call (318) 251-5136.
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The Chamber Connection (023/623) is published monthly for $12 a year by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 2111 North Trenton St., Ruston, LA 71270. Application to mail at Periodicals postage rates paid at Ruston, LA and additional mailing offices.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
CHAMBER CONNECTION
A Pause at the Podium
Business After Hours held at Hampton Inn Congratulations to Brandon Sutherland for being honored with the ‘Spirit of Hampton’ award. The Spirit Award was created to recognize those top performers within each brand who impact guests, team members, the hotel, or the community. Spirit Award winners represent less than 2% of the entire Hilton Worldwide team member population.
By Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln Achieve Coordinator
Muscle Education My first car was a 1965 Mustang convertible. And no, I wasn’t turning 15 in 1965! Instead, it was almost ten years later as my fifteenth birthday approached. The year was 1974 and daddy was on the lookout for a little car for me to drive when I got my license. At the time he was running his Shell Service Station and therefore constantly out and about on service calls. And as he went up and down McDonald Street repeatedly, he couldn’t help but notice that Mustang that never seemed to move from its parked spot. Finally he stopped to inquire about it, asking the little lady who lived there if she might be interested in selling it. As he explained that he was looking for a car for his daughter, she agreed to sell him her son’s Mustang for what it would take her to get a new television set--$200. Daddy then took the car to the station, gave it a fresh coat of baby blue paint, ordered a new white convertible top from Sears and installed it, cleaned up and painted the motor, put new tires on it, and my first wheels were ready to roll. I loved that car and all that it represented. In fact, I wish I still had it—but then, so does my husband. Loving Mustangs is something Tom and I have in common. Therefore we have really enjoyed all the specials that have been around this year as the Mustang celebrates its 50th Anniversary. So you can imagine the absolute glee we shared when we discovered a magnificent article on the legendary Ford muscle car in the American Way magazine on our recent flight to Maryland. We could almost feel the wind in our face as we raced through David Halloran’s tribute to the pony and its giddyup and go. Halloran explained that the American cultural icon has become the centerpiece for conversation and a bond that has united thousands of people across six continents. However, he also adds that if not for a visionary and his team, the Mustang would have never come to be. The article continues with the fact that in the early 1960s, Ford Motor Company knew that it needed something unique to attract the baby boomer generation that was rapidly approaching driving age. Lee Iacocca, the vice president and general manager of the Ford division at the time, was joined by engineers, designers, product planners, marketers, and executives to develop a vehicle that would appeal to the younger generation. They knew they had to create a car that would be stylish, sporty, and affordable. And on April 13, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair, Iacocca unveiled the sporty new coupe that was loaded with options. Halloran tells us that when Iacocca introduced the Mustang, he said “This is the car we have designed with young America in mind, for frankly, we are very much interested in serving young America. With the Mustang, we expect to make it easier for them to have the kind of car that will suit their suit their needs, wants, and tastes while better preparing them for the future ahead of them.” It would seem that Lee Iacocca and I have something in common. As with his Mustang, I am interested in providing an education designed with young Americans in mind—one that breaks down barriers and puts away rigid scheduling so that it can and will suit their needs, wants, and tastes while better preparing them for the future ahead of them. In the most recent issue of the LASER, Louisiana Science Teachers Association President Nathan Cotten points to a trend that is crippling the ability of schools to provide a more well-rounded education that can be designed to
lives of countless students I have interacted with fully meet the needs of our students. Cotton over the past three decades and it is something I explains that currently, English Language Arts cherish. However, more importantly I know what (ELA) and math are weighted 2:1 versus science a role it played in the well-rounded and successful and social studies in the K-8 school performance individual they have become today. score (SPS) calculator. And while this has not It pains me tremendously to know that changed in “LEAP” grades 4 and 8, the decrease opportunities for this type of learning aren’t in emphasis of science in grades 5, 6, and 7 just being put on the back-burner, they are being might come as a surprise. Cotton points out the pushed off the stove. With such a narrow focus SPS calculation because if a school is going to on ELA and math, students do something to improve its are getting less and less time rating, there will most likely be for those learning experiences a focus on ELA and/or math. that can truly serve their needs, We are already witnessing ELA wants, and tastes while better and math being double-blocked preparing them for the future in elementary school, leaving ahead of them. And at some little if any time for science and point our society must step up social studies. Add to that the and let policymakers know that new career diploma for 2014they are putting a choke-hold on 2015 that only requires students student passion with the rigidity to complete two science and of such narrow areas of focus. social studies credits, yet four Steve Ling, current car English and three math credits. marketing manager for Ford, Again, this shows a 2:1 ratio of states that the Mustang has importance when compared to a dynamic, useful kind of ELA. Cathi Cox-Boniol exuberance about it. When Certainly it is important it debuted, it was all about that our students master their freedom and independence ELA and math skills—in fact, and even kind of optimism. He adds that it was it is critical. However, I believe it is equally the right car at the right time with what was important that there be room within the happening in America and people took to it like schedule for students to expand their horizons water. through exciting, engaging, challenging, and I’m of the opinion that’s what our mentality productive learning experiences that enable should be about education. It should be what’s them to really stretch their imagination, right for our students so they will take to it like creativity, and critical thinking. And there water and thus become free, independent, and is no place better for that than with vibrant optimistic citizens who can successfully tackle STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, their future. Wouldn’t it be great if people mathematics) learning. would take to public education like water? I Have you ever witnessed the sheer joy of believe they would if we were able to put more a student when they have solved the problem, muscle in our education and thus help unleash a constructed the tower, scaled the bridge, created passionate joy of learning within our students. the masterpiece, completed the investigation, This should be something that is the centerpiece mastered the robotics course, conquered the of our conversations, uniting us through a bond challenge, experienced the euphoria of wonder, of visionary expectation and commitment to our and then clearly articulated their experience children. Wouldn’t that be exciting? through various means of expression? Can you Iacocca said in his introductory speech that imagine the hard-to-contain excitement that Ford had a hard time containing its excitement erupts when a student realizes the confidence for the Mustang and he hoped the public would they now possess, the passion for life-long feel the same way. Fifty years later, more than learning that evolves as that confidence grows, 9 million Mustangs produced, and the passion and the faith they have in who they are and seems as strong as ever. He got his wish. Why what they can do? I have had the privileged joy can’t I? of observing such remarkable moments in the
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A good time was had by all at Business After Hours in April, hosted by Hampton Inn. If you weren’t able to attend, stop by and say hello to Ronnie Rawls, Brandon Sutherland and the staff. For your meeting or event needs, remember to check out Hampton Inn’s lobby, patio area, and conference room. Hampton Inn • 1315 North Trenton St., Ruston • (318) 251-3090
Touring Lincoln Parish Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau – By Travis Napper and Amanda Quimby
Be an advocate for your hometown Summer has arrived in Ruston-Lincoln Parish which means the Louisiana Peach Festival is just around the corner! June 27-28, 2014, the festival will celebrate its 64th year. As one of the longest running agricultural festivals in the state, it gives quite the reputation for our community. Both residents and visitors enjoy a weekend of great food, live music, unique shopping opportunities and an abundance of family-friendly activities. The music lineup this year is impressive and offers a little something for everyone. Kicking things off Friday night in Railroad Park is
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Contact Cathi Cox-Boniol, Lincoln ACHIEVE Coordinator ccox@lincolnschools.org, 318-255-1430
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Louisiana Swamp Donky with their own brand You have the power to influence visitors by of “southern fried rockin’ country.” Taking telling about our events, attractions and local the stage next and promising the ultimate 80’s dining and shopping opportunities. Remember experience is the Molly Ringwalds. Opening the Louisiana Military Museum and Lincoln up Saturday night will be Chubby Carrier and Parish Museum and share information on our the Bayou Swamp band, followed by history. Suggest recreational hot spots rising country star, Dylan Scott. like Lincoln Parish Park and James We’re also excited about the Lake. Encourage getting a delightful festival’s new activity: Peach Stops! dose of culture at the Dixie Center for June 23-27, festival enthusiasts the Arts. will have the unique opportunity As a resident, you can be an to purchase premiere peach goods advocate for your hometown and a at select restaurants, retailers, viable part of the tourism industry. galleries, entertainment venues Welcome our visitors as guests and and local organizations. In doing so, show them a great time, meet their participants will receive a stamp on needs and give them a reason to visit their Peach Stop Shopping Rewards again! Amanda Quimby card used to enter drawings for If you are unsure about events prizes. happening in Ruston and Lincoln The Louisiana Peach Festival brings a Parish, check out the CVB’s website at large number of visitors to our beautiful www.experienceruston.com or Facebook town. While the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Events Calendar at www.facebook.com/ Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau experienceruston. Get engaged. Reach out work hard to promote the festival throughout to you friends and family and invite them the region and assist with travel plans, citizens to attend the 64th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival and experience what our community are the most valuable asset this community has to offer. And be sure to show our visitors has to ensuring that visitors experience the that true Lincoln Parish hospitality. very best of Lincoln Parish.
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Louisiana Tech University Theatre
(318) 257-2930 latechuniversitytheatre.com Ruston has great options for performing arts enthusiasts, certainly the theatre team at LA Tech University is a big part of that. Tickets are available per show or for the season. You may even want to have one of your events catered in the theatre building.
Bulldawg Nutrition
205 West California Ave., Ruston (318) 202-5877 Bulldawgnutrition.com “Where your good health is our business.” Bulldawg Nutrition offers weight loss challenges, fit camps, nutritious products and more with friendly service. They’ll make you smile while you sweat.
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