Thrive December 2017

December 2017

In This Issue

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

First Person with

Pam Breaux

MANAGING YOUR ESTATE December 2017

Director of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

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Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

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• Rheumatoid Arthritis

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• Joint Replacements

Others who can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation are postoperative patients, accident victims and cancer patients.

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December 2017

December 2017

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Contents

Regular Features

In This Issue Wining &Dining

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Christmas Cookie Traditions 10 Hebert’s Specialty Meats 12 Warm Up with Winter Soups Places &Faces 20 Follow the Lights to Holiday Cheer 22 STEM Education Program 24 Ribbon Cutting for River Bluff Park Home &Family 28 – 35 Cover Story: Holiday 36 Unique Gifts 40 Hanukkah Gift Guide 42 Tackling End of Year Tasks 44 Fireplace Safety

16 First Person with Pam Breaux 26 Who’s News 46 McNeese Corral 47 Happenings 66 Solutions 67 New Family Tree

Entertaining Guide

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tyle &Beauty S 44 Find the Red that’s Right for You 50 Holiday Hair oney &Career M 52 Managing your Estate 54 Learn from Tyrants (and other Keys to Success) 56 Time Management Tips

Mind &Body

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Add a Little Hygge to your Holidays 60 Protect your Back through the Hustle and Bustle 62 Preventing Cavities over Christmas

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DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career.

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Editors and Publishers

Kristy Como Armand Christine Fisher

Advertising Sales ads@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099

Creative Director

Barbara VanGossen

Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

Managing Editor

Angie Kay Dilmore

Business Manager

Katie McDaniel Stevenson

Design and Layout

Mandy Gilmore

Assistant Designers

Shonda Manuel Kris Roy

Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

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December 2017

Lake Charles Civic Ballet presents…

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Other Holiday Treats

December 7 – 9, 2017 | Rosa Hart Theatre | Lake Charles Civic Center Join Santa and his elves for a celebration of the Christmas season with a performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Other Holiday Treats!

Christmas clowns, a battalion of toy soldiers, and a rowdy holiday hoedown are just a few of the treats sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

School Performances: December 7 & 8 | 9:30am Matinée & Gala Performances: December 9 | 11am & 6pm For school group reservations or ticket information: (337) 477-1581 or lakecharlescivicballet.com

December 2017

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Wining & Dining

Christmas Cookie TR ADITIONS

For some families, baking, decorating, and eating Christmas cookies are as much a part of the holiday tradition as trimming the tree, singing carols, and giving gifts. Holiday cookies can invoke a sense of nostalgia, especially when the scent of fresh baked treats fills the house. The process of making cookies can draw families together in the kitchen and create life-long memories. We asked some Thrive staff members to share their favorite holiday cookie recipes. Bon appĂŠtit!

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December 2017

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Pecan Sandies

submitted by Katie McDaniel Stevenson

submitted by Stephenie Fontenot

Decorated sugar cookies . . . the quintessential Christmas cookie! The memory maker kids most enjoy baking. With royal icing, sprinkles, and colored sugar, there is no end to the creative possibilities.

Depending on where you live, these classic cookies might be called Pecan Sandies, Russian Tea Cakes, or Mexican Wedding Cakes. We simply call them delicious!

Pizzelles

Chocolate Crinkles

submitted by Angie Kay Dilmore

submitted by Mandy Gilmore

To make pizzelles, you need a pizzelle iron. It is similar to a waffle iron, but makes these thin crisp delightful cookies. Anise is the traditional flavor, but with other extracts, you can make them any flavor you wish.

Lemon, orange, and chocolate are also popular.

December 2017

Fudgy like brownies, these crinkly cookies are a wonderful addition to your holiday cookie tray. Just watch out for a dusting of powdered sugar on your clothes as you take a bite!

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Wining & Dining Pecan Sandies • 2 Sticks softened butter or 2 cups margarine • 1 cup powder sugar • 4 tsp vanilla • 2 tbsp water • 4 cups flour • 2 cups chopped pecans • Powdered sugar for dusting

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Instructions 1. In a large mixing bowl cream the butter and powder sugar.

2. Add vanilla and water.

3. Slowly add the flour, mixing well after each cup is added.

4. Fold in pecans 5. Roll dough into a 1 inch ball and flatten with thumb onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

6. Bake in a pre-heated oven of 300 degrees for 20 minutes.

Remove and cool on a wire rack. When cookies are cool, dust with powder sugar.

Cookies • 3 cups all purpose flour • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp salt • 1 cup butter, softened • 1 1/3 cups sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Instructions 1. Cream butter with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

2. Add in sugar and cream until well combined, about 2 minutes.

3. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, creaming until combined. Add vanilla and almond extracts.

4. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet. Once Frosting combined, chill dough • 1/2 cup butter, for at least 1 hour. softened 5. Preheat the oven to 350 • 1 1/2 cups-2 cups and line a baking sheet powdered sugar with parchment paper.

• 1/2 tsp vanilla 6. On a floured surface, extract roll out cookie dough • salt to taste until it is about 1/4” in thickness. Using • 1 tsp milk cookie cutters, cut out your desired shapes and place them on the cookie sheet, about 2” apart. Repeat the rolling

Chocolate Crinkles • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder • 2 cups granulated sugar • 1/2 cup vegetable oil • 4 eggs • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar

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and cutting process with the remaining dough.

Leftover scraps can be rolled out again.

7. Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes, or until they look set and lightly colored (slightly underbaking them keeps them soft, about 8-9 minutes; baking them until they are golden brown will make them crispy, about 10-11 minutes), and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

Frosting 1. Beat butter until light and fluffy.

2. Add in powdered sugar, beginning with 1 1/2 cups. Add in vanilla, milk, and salt.

3. If the frosting seems too thick, add in more milk. If it seems too thin, add in 1/2 cup more powdered sugar.

4. Frost cookies. Decorate with sprinkles.

Pizzelles

Instructions 1. In a large bowl, mix the cocoa, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil.

2. Beat in eggs one at a time and stir in vanilla.

3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; then stir into the cocoa mixture.

4. Cover the dough and let cool in fridge for at least 4 hours. (This step is incredibly important to get the crinkles in the cookies) 5. Preheat oven to 350° F. 6. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and roll dough into 1-inch balls.

7. Coat each ball with confectioners sugar before placing on the baking sheet.

8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

9. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool and enjoy!

• 6 eggs • 1 ½ cups white sugar • 1 cup butter, melted and cooled • 2 TBS anise extract • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour • 4 tsp baking powder

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Instructions 1. Beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the melted margarine and anise extract. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir in gradually. Dough will be sticky.

2. Preheat your pizzelle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Drop batter by rounded spoonfuls onto the iron.

Close and cook for about 90 seconds, or until steam stops coming out of the iron.

Carefully remove and cool.

Store in an airtight tin at room temperature.

December 2017

Celebrating the

Spirit

of Louisiana

Community Coffee Company Introduces

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Blend

Just in time for cool winter mornings and holiday celebrations, Community Coffee has released its newest seasonal flavor, Dark Chocolate Peppermint . Available for a limited time only in both 12-ounce bags and singleserve boxes, this flavor offers a decadent blend of rich dark chocolate and smooth, refreshing peppermint—perfect for holiday entertaining or as an everyday sweet treat. “Our Dark Chocolate Peppermint blend gives our customers a way to indulge and share the festive flavors of winter with their family and friends,” said Jodi Conachen, general manager of communications at Community Coffee Company.

There’s nothing like the holiday season in Louisiana to remind us all of why this is such a great place to live.

At the Center for Orthopaedics, we understand this, because all of our physicians are from Louisiana and appreciate the rich holiday traditions of family, faith and community.

We’re proud to be part of the Southwest Louisiana community and to be the region’s largest, independent musculoskeletal group. This allows us to provide the kind of medicine our patients deserve, in an office where Southern hospitality is not just a cliché, but something we practice every day. It’s part of our commitment to deliver the most advanced, patient-focused orthopaedic care available, right here at home.

Team Physicians: 14 AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

OUR DOCTORS: John Noble Jr., MD Craig Morton, MD Tyson Green, DPM Steven Hale, MD William Lowry Jr., MD George “J.” Trappey IV, MD

Andrew Foret, MD Kalieb Pourciau, DPM Jonathan Foret, MD Joseph Crookshank, MD David Drez Jr., MD Senior Advisor

(337) 721-7CFO www.centerforortho.com LAKE CHARLES • SULPHUR

December 2017

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Wining & Dining

Hebert’s SPECIALTY MEATS

by Angie Kay Dilmore

photos by Andrew Dilmore

Hebert’s Specialty Meats, “home of the de-boned chicken,” originated in Maurice, La. in 1984. Serving South Louisiana for over 30 years, the business is now a franchise, with 10 locations between Destin and Houston. Fortunately for residents of the Lake Area, Joe Roseberry opened an Hebert’s franchise last year at 1140 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles.

After opening in August 2016, word spread quickly of Roseberry’s high quality meats, including traditional cuts, stuffed varieties, seafood, pork, sausages, prepared foods, homemade gumbo, and a myriad of side dishes.

He also has a loyal following for his popular plate lunches.

The holidays are an especially busy time at Hebert’s. Turkeys are their number one-seller, with turduckens a close second. Hebert’s Specialty Meats in Maurice is considered to be the originator of the turducken, but they don’t take credit for it. Roseberry says, “They give credit to an old man who walked into the store with a duck, a turkey, and a chicken in a pail, and asked them to make what we now call a turducken.”

Last year, Hebert’s premiered a new item, the Turducken Roll. Only the breast meat of the turkey, duck, and chicken are included and rolled together. “It’s not as intimidating as a full turducken when you’re looking to cut it,” says Roseberry.

Hebert’s Specialty Meats offers items not easily found at the average grocery store, such as quail, rabbit, and alligator. “I didn’t realize these meats were that popular here until I started selling them,” Roseberry says. “People are amazed that we carry them.”

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Originally from New Iberia, Roseberry graduated from high school in 1987 and moved to Lafayette to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He started working for a tire company and stayed there for 23 years. It was at the tire store he met Mr. Hebert. About three years ago, Roseberry decided he wanted to start his own business. His sons had graduated from high school and were willing to help him. “It was time,” said Roseberry, though he worried about uprooting his family. His daughters were still in school. His wife, Geri, had to transfer jobs.

Indeed, the transition was rough initially. Roseberry lived in the store office for seven months, while waiting for his family to join him. During that time, they lost everything when their home in Lafayette flooded with three feet of water. After that, the six of them, plus an employee, lived in a crowded trailer for several months while waiting to find more permanent housing. Yet his family supported Roseberry and his dream, and the hard times are paying off. “The response from the community has been tremendous,” Roseberry says.

For the Roseberrys, operating the store is a family affair. Joe starts cooking at 4:00 a.m. His sons, Dylan

December 2017

and Ryan, join him at 7:00 a.m. and also work in the kitchen. His daughters, Bryanna and Madyson, answer the phone and tend to customers in the front when not in school.

Hebert’s Specialty Meats was a natural fit for Roseberry because he grew up with a love for cooking. “I always cooked with my mom. For some, cooking has become a lost art. But I made my first roux when I was nine years old.”

The only down side for Roseberry cooking in the kitchen of his store is his love of people. He longs for more interaction with his customers. “I have to come out to the front every once in awhile because I love to talk.”

One of Roseberry’s favorite things to make for his customers is crawfish maque choux. He offers it year around and says you can’t get it anywhere else. It’s his own special recipe and can’t be found at other Hebert’s franchises.

The biggest compliment Roseberry hears from his customers is that his food takes them back to their mama’s table. “That makes me feel so awesome,” he says. “I put so much love and effort into what I do. We strive hard to make it good. Food is the way to everyone’s heart. Food and music!”

ALWAYS IN YOUR CORNER Jessica Latour 337-602-6393

For more information and a complete list of menu items, go to hebertsoflakecharles.com or call 337-602-6198. © 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.

December 2017

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Wining & Dining

WARM UP with Winter Soups

by John O’Donnell

One of the best things about a dreary, wet, cold winter day is breaking out a big bowl of a hearty soup. It doesn’t just make you feel good by warming your soul; soup on a cold day has a very practical purpose. It’s a great way to extend ingredients and reduce food waste, combine flavors that wouldn’t otherwise blend, and create meals that can be easily taken on the road.

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December 2017

The practicality of soup is one of the reasons why cooking and serving food in liquid has been around almost as long as the concept of cooking.

In fact, the very word “restaurant” comes to us from a bowl of soup. Derived from the French verb “Restaurer,” meaning “To restore,” “restaurant” was first used as a word in the 16th century to describe the thick inexpensive soups sold by street vendors. The soups were advertised to the busy working class as a way to restore your health and, much as they rightfully are today, billed as a cure for exhaustion caused by winter’s bleak climate.

In Southwest Louisiana, we have a strong history of great soups and stews. From gumbo to sauce piquante, and a myriad of combinations of slowly simmered beans and vegetables, our Cajun and Creole culture is rich with hearty fare. But many of our local eateries make delicious soup creations outside of that traditional Louisiana model, giving our winter palates a welcome, diverse break.

Specializing in original and traditional food from Asia, Hi-Licious Street Kitchen has been a staple of our growing local food truck scene.

Unlike other restaurants specializing in Asian cuisine, Hi-Licious uses no MSG in their food, and always cooks with the freshest ingredients available. That attention to detail and quality shows in their incredible soups. Local favorites include their Spicy Ramen, Pho, and Chicken Noodle soups. Their menu changes occasionally, but you can bet that whatever comes out of this truck will be delicious.

A soup and sandwich has been a popular meal with Americans for decades. Buffi’s Peaux Boys is making that tradition their own with a distinct Louisiana twist. Known for their amazing poboys and wonderful service, Buffi’s has recently made a name for themselves with their Cabbage and Tasso Soup. The soup is creamy, not too spicy, but with a kick that warms your taste buds and your soul at the same time. Try it along with a half of one of their distinctive poboy specials. This soup is only available on Thursday, and you should call to reserve yours early as it sells out quickly.

The Lentil Soup at Toga Grill in Lake Charles is an old family tradition that has been graciously shared from the Holy Land with our community in SWLA. “It comes from where Jesus and all of his prophets were born. It has a lot of history behind it. I learned the recipe from my grandmother,” said Sammi Chloun, the mastermind at Toga Grill behind this delectable soup. Toga’s Lentil Soup is as good for your taste buds as it is for your health.

“It literally touches your soul with all the irons, protein, and vitamins that’s in it,” said Sammi.

Whether fighting illness or just plain hunger, our corner of Louisiana is blessed to have these and many other warm options to get us through a cold winter.

December 2017

DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS

copiers • scanners • printers • fax • shredders

Locally owned and operated for over 30 years

600 W McNeese Street, Lake Charles | (337) 474-9913 asiofficesystems.com

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Wining & Dining

Local Chefs Take a Taste of Louisiana to The Big Apple

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Two of Lake Charles’ finest chefs, Chef Lyle Broussard from L’Auberge Casino Resort’s Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill®™ and Chef Justin East from Golden Nugget Lake Charles’ Vic & Anthony’s, were part of a team of 10 premier Louisiana chefs who went to New York City to prepare the state’s world-class cuisine for key influencers, encouraging media to write about the Louisiana culinary experience.

Public relations representatives from around the state partnered with Hoffman Media for the “Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Louisiana.” This private event allowed guests to experience a true Louisiana festival with live music and special menus featuring Louisiana seafood with a distinct flavor found only in the Bayou State.

“Our goal is to connect key influencers – writers, editors and producers – to our diverse heritage through our cuisine,” said Jill Kidder, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA) President and CEO. “In turn, the media’s influential stories will showcase our state as a culinary destination to the world. We also aim to connect with companies who book tours for both domestic and international groups, encouraging them to choose Louisiana as a frequent destination.”

This effort was part of the Louisiana Culinary Trails campaign, a long-standing joint venture of LTPA, the Office of Tourism, Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board and 17 convention and visitors bureaus from throughout

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the state, including the Lake Charles/ Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The tourism campaign is championed by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

“In Louisiana, good food is just part of what connects us to our diverse heritage, and we want to bring this experience to the people of New York,” said Nungesser. “Just like here in Louisiana, people in New York have a passion for food.

While we are cooking up a bit of Louisiana to the Big Apple, the best way to experience Louisiana seafood is to come down and enjoy it in its natural setting.”

“We are excited to showcase what chefs from destinations throughout Louisiana are doing,” said Kyle Edmiston, Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Office of Tourism. “From New Orleans Creole cooking to Bayou seafood, you cannot eat wrong in Louisiana. This event is a way to share our passion for distinct flavor and cuisine and bring a taste to people who will influence visitors to choose our state as their next destination.

Come feed your soul in Louisiana!”

December 2017

SERVING UP FINGER-LICKING FOOD FOR THREE DECADES

Chef Lyle Broussard from L’Auberge Casino Resort’s Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill®™ prepared Blackened Alligator Cakes with roasted corn salsa, highlighting our regional flavors.

Chef Lyle is known for his Cajun and Creole flavors and his passion for Southwest Louisiana culture and cuisine. Chef Broussard‘s love of his local heritage carries over to the menu with authenticity, deep flavors, and a simplicity that allows the ingredients to do the talking.

& SPORTS BAR

JOIN US FOR GAME DAY Chef Justin East from Golden Nugget Lake Charles’ Vic and Anthony’s cooked a dish called Oyster and Crawfish Casino, also highlighting flavors of the region.

Growing up near the Gulf, it was only natural for East to have a love for working with the freshest ingredients. He spent time working in the commercial fishing industry, procuring fish, shrimp, crabs and oysters directly from the source. After graduation, he began working in fine dining in Lake Charles and never looked back.

December 2017

Since 1985, we’ve been satisfying the appetites of Louisiana folks with po-boys, chips and libations.

Let Darrell’s put a smile on your face and give you delicious food you’ll love.

We pride ourselves on serving enticing po-boys that include surf and turf, Darrell’s Special and BBQ. At Darrell’s, we make all of our gravy, BBQ sauce, jalapeno mayonnaise and butter sauce in-house daily because we believe in giving you the best.

119 West College Street, Lake Charles (337) 474-3651 | darrellspoboys.com Monday – Thursday: 11am–10pm Friday & Saturday: 11am-11pm Closed Sunday | Happy Hour 4–7pm

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Places & Faces

first person

by Kristy Como Armand

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with

Pam Breaux |

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Director of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

December 2017

From Lake Charles to Baton Rouge to Washington D.C., Pam Breaux has blazed a trail championing the arts.

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, her family moved to Lake Charles before she started school, so Southwest Louisiana is home to her. After earning undergraduate and masters degrees in English, she began her career of arts administration at the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. Her career path took her to the Louisiana Division of the Arts, where she was Executive Director, and then to the position of Secretary of the Office of Cultural Development at the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (CRT). While there, she led Louisiana’s cultural economy initiative and spearheaded the state’s attainment of UNESCO recognition of Poverty Point as a World Heritage site. She is currently the President and CEO of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) in Washington D.C., where she works with state arts agencies across the country to promote and protect the arts. Thrive caught up with Pam to discuss her work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the arts in their daily lives.

What is NASAA and what is your role there?

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is the professional association that serves the nation’s 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. At its core, NASAA exists to strengthen state arts agencies, and we do that by representing them, providing them with knowledge services, and uniting them around common goals and a shared vision that the arts help all communities achieve their fullest potential. Louisiana is connected to this network through the Louisiana Division of the Arts, a program under the commission of the Lieutenant Governor.

As NASAA’s President and CEO, I spend a great deal of my time championing state arts agencies and emphasizing the importance of the arts in public life. America’s communities need the arts because they create vibrant and fulfilling places to live, work, play, and raise families. Public sector support of the arts ensures that all communities, regardless of wealth and geography, benefit from the power of the arts. I work directly with state arts agencies to inform and inspire their work today and new ways of working in the future.

NASAA is a remarkable association, and each day here is different.

I can be talking with a member of Congress about how the arts benefit wounded veterans one day and helping a state arts agency explore new strategies to revitalize rural communities the next. I’m so fortunate it’s a joyful job!

Since NASAA is a non-profit association, I have the great fortune of working with a talented and dedicated staff, board of directors and committees to accomplish our goals. We’ll be marking our 50th anniversary in 2018, by celebrating a legacy of accomplishments, but just as important, we’ll continue to freshly examine how NASAA and state arts agencies can provide the most significant benefits to our country.

Describe your childhood, growing up in Lake Charles.

Lake Charles will always be home to me. I attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Saint Louis Catholic High School, where I received a solid foundation academically, spiritually, and as a whole person within the context of community. I learned at an early age that giving back is as important as moving forward, and I try to balance both ideas as I navigate life.

I’m grateful for this foundation; it continues to inspire me to this day.

Second Lady Karen Pence launched her signature initiative on October 18, 2017.

Healing with the HeART demonstrates the power of art therapy to support physical, mental and emotional wellness for individuals of all ages, including those facing cancer, anxiety, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, eating disorders, autism, dementia, depression and more. Visits to art therapy sites across America-many facilitated by state arts agencies-informed this uplifting initiative. NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux joined Second Lady Karen Pence and Florida colleagues to kick off Healing with the HeART.

December 2017

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Places & Faces What led to your choice of English as a major?

I have always loved reading, and that love informed my majors in undergraduate and graduate school. As a 17-year-old entering McNeese, I wasn’t sure what career would be the right fit, but I was absolutely sure about my love of literature. I distinctly remember returning home from my first registration at McNeese; I had just declared my major.

When I told my mother, she asked, an English education major? I proclaimed, no, just English. I followed that love of literature, and it led me to fulfilling experiences and eventually, my career path in arts administration. At McNeese, studying literature within the framework provided by the College of Liberal Arts taught me about the arts and about the world I had yet to experience. It ignited my curiosity and set me on a course to explore the world through travel and through continued exposure to the arts.

Whether my journeys were fueled by Alice Walker, Mark Twain, Jane Austen, or any number of writers and artists (It’s impossible to have a favorite!), those journeys taught me so much; they helped me appreciate people, our many distinct cultures as well as see how fundamentally connected we all really are.

How did your early work with the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana contribute to your career path?

That was such a happy experience! As a natural organizer and a lover of arts and culture, it was a great fit. Working at the Council meant working at the intersection of arts, humanities, volunteerism, and arts administration, and those experiences helped me understand and value the role of the arts in public life and the importance of public policy supporting that role. The arts benefit us all in so many ways, and we often don’t even realize it; they’re good for our connections to each other as well as good for communities, education, the economy, our wellbeing, our creative capacity and so much more. My interest in the arts as a critical part of public policy was born at the Arts & Humanities Council, and it changed the trajectory of my career.

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You’ve been involved with Louisiana Travel/Tourism, and your job requires a great deal of travel. What is your favorite destination?

I definitely love to travel. I particularly love traveling to France, with Paris being a real highlight for me. Honestly, I can never get enough. I used to wonder about why I feel so at home in France, even though I’m not fluent in French. It’s no surprise that Louisiana’s cultural ties to France answered that question for me. Years ago while in Paris, late on a Sunday night we were looking for someplace to have dinner. We decided on a small restaurant with incredible aromas and very few tables. We went in and had a really delicious meal; we were the last patrons in the restaurant that night (interestingly, that happens quite a bit). As we finished dinner, an older women came out from the kitchen to greet us. She wasn’t fluent in English, and we weren’t fluent in French, but we communicated on a few levels. She told us that she knew we were from Louisiana. That was a bit of a surprise. We asked her how she knew, and she remarked that we eat like French people, so she knew we must be from Louisiana. It’s a cultural connection I treasure and have never forgotten.

What do you miss most about Louisiana? What do you love about living in DC? I have been in DC for over two years now, and there’s plenty I miss about Louisiana.

I get homesick at the beginning of shrimp season, when I know the freshest gulf shrimp ever is being served up boiled and beautiful at restaurants in Lake Charles and across the state. I also get homesick when I report to work in DC on Mardi Gras day. That’s so unfair, am I right? Lucky for me, I get home to Lake Charles pretty regularly. It grounds me, and I can take care of my pesky Gulf shrimp addiction.

Living in DC is quite an adventure! Most people think about Capitol Hill action when they think about DC; I work in that environment, so the Hill is a part of my professional experience. However, as a city, Washington is a vibrant community made up of beautifully distinct neighborhoods and great opportunities to experience culture, cuisine and art.

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What stands out to you about the arts in Louisiana?

I’m fortunate to be able to travel across the country and experience the arts. I’m just as fortunate to be from Louisiana, where arts and cultural experiences have shaped who I am. Louisiana is indeed unique; history, culture, and the sense of place inspire its artforms. The arts and culture are inextricably linked, and over the course of generations, the creative people of our state have told Louisiana’s story, and it’s a story that has resonated world-wide. It’s no accident that Louisiana gave birth to so many musical genres, for example, Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop music couldn’t have been created anyplace else, and this music inspires folks across the globe.

Louisiana’s sense of celebration also stands out for me. People in the state celebrate EVERYTHING! Whether in daily life or at the many hundreds of festivals that dot the state map, that sense of celebration is an important part of life, culture, and art that makes the place so unique. Every state has festivals, but Louisiana’s many festivals are on steroids! It’s special and so different from other states and should never be taken for granted.

There is much debate and concern about public funding for the arts. Can you give us some insight?

During the last few months, I have been asked many times about the fate of public funding for the arts. It’s commonly known that an attempt was made to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and other federal cultural agencies.

I’m personally quite optimistic about the future of the NEA. Congress continues to demonstrate a desire to keep the cultural agencies whole. Although the fiscal year 2018 budget isn’t firm yet, Congress has placed the NEA and other cultural agencies in a healthy position moving forward. I believe that will continue.

December 2017

Your Home for the

Holidays Awaits If you’re dreaming of a new home this holiday season, CENTURY 21 Bessette Realty, Inc. has the keys you need.

Our experienced agents will make a list and check it twice so all of your wishes come true.

And don’t worry, we’ll give Santa your new address!

Bessette Realty, Inc. 474-2185 | century21-bessette.com • 3025 Lake Street, Lake Charles Each office independently owned and operated.

December 2017

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19

Places & Faces

Follow the Lights to

Holiday Cheer

by Angie Kay Dilmore

If you want to get into the holiday spirit, follow the lights!

Christmas lights, that is; there are plenty of places to ooh and ahh over the colors and magic of holiday lighting.

The City of Lake Charles kicks off the holiday season with its annual Light up the Lake Celebration on Dec. 2 at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Holiday events take place throughout the day (see www. visitlakecharles.org/event/lightup-the-lake for details), but stick around for the much-anticipated Lighting Ceremony, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., where thousands of colorful lights will set the Civic Center aglow in holiday cheer.

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Features of the light display include an impressive Christmas tree in front of the Civic Center.

You’ll also enjoy the whimsical Twelve Days of Christmas, a pirate ship, toys and gifts, and of course, Santa. Then head to the Lakefront Promenade along Bord du Lac Drive. at 6:30 for the Lighted Boat Parade, with a fabulous Fireworks Extravaganza to follow at 7:15 p.m. that will truly light up the lake! Red and green lit lamp posts by noted iron artist Josh Guillory add to the merriment.

Sulphur’s Christmas under the Oaks Festival takes place Dec. 1-2, including music, carnival rides, and holiday shopping, as

well as lights, snow, and tree lighting at 8:00 p.m. Friday! 923 Ruth Street. Lighted balloon parade on Friday, 6:00 p.m. down Cypress Street.

Shell Beach Drive is a holiday tradition, as you cruise past the grand mansions and massive live oaks lit up in holiday glory.

Many of these homeowners hire professionals to design and string light displays over their homes, yards, and trees.

Drive through the 40some blocks of the historic Charpentier District. Many of these quaint cottages, Colonial Revivals, and southern plantation style homes display

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brightly-lit Christmas finery during the holidays.

Don’t miss the annual light display at Prien Lake Park, located at 3100 W. Prien Lake Rd. Also in south Lake Charles, Trinity Baptist Church and Lights of the Lake Area present NOEL, a 10-minute light show, Dec. 4 – 25, 5:30-11:00 p.m. (weather permitting). 1800 Country Club Rd. www.tbclc.org.

In DeQuincy, see the annual Christmas lighted parade sponsored by the DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 1, followed by Christmas in the Park at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 8:00 p.m.

December 2017

Give the gift of

COMFORT this Christmas Facials Massage & Body Services Christmas at the Railroad Museum, 400 Lake Charles Ave, will be held from Dec. 2-31 and will include thousands of exterior lights and multiple indoor trees that all can be viewed from the drive through area in front of the museum.

Iowa Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park, Dec. 9. Christmas Parade begins at 3 p.m. from the VF Mall and travels to the Lawrence Toups Memorial Park. Christmas in the Park will be after the parade, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., and includes kid events, arts and crafts, shopping and more.

(337) 309-7914. www.iowala.org.

The Lake Charles Symphony Holiday Home Tour will take you along spectacular Shell Beach Drive on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2-4 p.m. Admission $50 per person. For tickets, call 337-433-1611 or see their website, lcsymphony.com.

December 2017

Many private citizens throughout Lake Charles take great pride in their spectacular light displays and welcome the public to view. Fred Roeder and his neighbors host Lake Area Light Show in Lake Charles at 5721 Alder St. Visit the Fontenot Family Christmas, 708 Briarwood Drive, and the Richards on Canal Street, Lake Charles.

Nail Services

Salon Services Spa Packages Waxing

We can customize a treatment plan or package designed specifically to meet all of your personal needs. Please visit our website to learn more, call us, or stop by for a tour of all we have to offer.

Gift Certificates Available

In Sulphur, look for Christmas on the Hill at 2151 Lynn Trahan Road, Carlyss Light Show Spectacular, 1372 Carl Lyons Rd., and the Pecan Street neighborhood next to Heritage Square.

No matter where you choose to enjoy the Christmas lights of SWLA, you truly are in for a holiday treat.

5656 Nelson Rd. Suite A2 • Lake Charles Tues–Fri: 9am–6pm • Sat: 9am–5pm

dermalogixspa.com • 477.1195

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21

Places & Faces

STEM Education Program for Elementary Students McNeese, Calcasieu Parish School Board and CITGO team up to make it happen

by Ashlee Lhamon, MSU Graduate Assistant

McNeese State University has partnered with the Calcasieu Parish School System and CITGO to bring STEM education to over 900 elementary students in 23 participating elementary schools through a national program called Engineering is Elementary (EiE).

EiE is a national STEM education program developed by the Museum of Science in Boston, Mass., that is designed to engage elementary school students to STEM education in creative ways with hands-on learning, discovery, and exploration using the engineering design process, according to Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, dean of McNeese’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

He discovered EiE three years ago when he was looking for a way to spark the interest of his son, then a third grader, in the science, technology, engineering and math areas.

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“Sparking a student’s interest in STEM is critical at a young age,” says Kiritsis.

“Research has revealed that by the time students reach fourth grade, a third of boys and girls have lost an interest in science, and by eighth grade, almost 50 percent have lost interest or deemed it irrelevant to their education or future plans. I was looking for some kind of program my son and I could do together that was hands-on and fun while also being educational.”

Kiritsis was excited about the EiE program and saw the potential educational value for both the community and McNeese. So he partnered with Dr. Ning Zhang, McNeese associate professor of mechanical engineering, and they initiated a weekly pilot after-school program that met for 15 weeks in the spring of 2015 at the McNeese SEED Center with 25 third grade students.

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December 2017

“Students and parents were enthusiastic so I approached officials at the Calcasieu Parish School Board about expanding the after-school EiE program,” says Kiritsis.

He even brought in Museum of Science President and Director Dr. Ioannis Miaoulis to talk with officials.

According to Darrell McDaniel, STEM educator development leader for the school board’s PROGRESS Project, EiE seemed the perfect program to bring STEM education to students in Calcasieu Parish.

“The PROGRESS Project seeks ways to improve student success and educator effectiveness in 20 priority schools in Calcasieu Parish and EiE presented a concrete method towards this goal,” said McDaniel. “Our EiE pilot program launched in 2016 with 100 fourth grade students in six schools.

CITGO also wanted to be involved and matched the Calcasieu Parish School Board funds for the project through its STEM Talent Pipeline program, which provides grants to schools and educational organizations to promote STEM awareness and instruction.

December 2017

“With this combined support and enthusiasm, EiE was able to expand quickly,” said Kiritsis.

While the program is still relatively new, McDaniel says that the board has already seen a large impact not only on students but also with teachers. “Now teachers are assigning students a problem that’s openended and has many different solutions that the student can pursue, providing much more of a hands-on learning experience in the classroom,” says McDaniel.

The program features modules that present “unique” problems to students. In the “Rockets and Rovers” module, students are asked to design rockets that that can carry autonomous rovers to explore different planets and moons. In “Bubble Bonanza,” students use different materials to create bubble wands and discover the science of how bubbles behave. Kiritsis and Zhang provided training to teachers on these modules.

As a result of the program’s successes, some teachers are bringing methods and techniques from EiE into their regular classrooms.

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McDaniel and Kiritsis say that future plans are to hopefully expand the after-school program into all 35 of Calcasieu Parish’s elementary schools, as well as potentially bring the program into regular classrooms.

Kiritsis says the partnership with CITGO and the school board is a win-win situation.

With assistance from the McNeese College of Engineering and Computer Science, the first CITGO Design Challenge was held last month to celebrate National STEM Day. The challenge featured nine EiE teams of fifth graders from Calcasieu Parish schools tasked with designing and building a mousetrap car. McNeese engineering faculty served as judges for the competition.

Also, F.K. White is hosting an upcoming robotics competition and two sixth grade EiE teams coached by Kiritsis and Zhang are entered in the competition and are made up of students from the original pilot class of third graders in the SEED Center.

“The STEM areas are where the best jobs of tomorrow will be and EiE is igniting a spark that will hopefully help fill those jobs,” says Kiritsis.

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Places & Faces

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon for River Bluff Park Phase II B are, from left to right: State Rep. Stephen Dwight, Parish Administrator Bryan Beam, Police Jury President Kevin Guidry, Facility Management Director Dean Kelly, Assistant Parish Administrator Dane Bolin and Shannon Spell - former Police Juror from Moss Bluff who was involved in getting the River Bluff project off the ground.

Ribbon Cutting for River Bluff Park Parish officials recently cut the ceremonial ribbon to commemorate the completion of Phase II B of River Bluff Park, located 543 Theriot Road in Moss Bluff. The park is now open to the public.

Phase II B, which sits on almost threeacres of land, includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible picnic areas, playgrounds with inclusive and accessible features for children of all capabilities, a splash pad, an exercise area, and a quarter-mile walking path, pergolas with bench seating and a family restroom facility.

The playground area has a section for 2-to-5-year-olds and one for 5-to12-year-olds. The playground, splash pad and exercise areas are equipped with a soft, rubberized safety flooring.

This phase of the project cost about $3.4 million and took 11 months to build.

“Bringing a park like this to fruition requires many things: imagination, leadership, persistence, technical and architectural expertise, and of course – funding,” said Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Administrator Bryan Beam.

“But underlying all of this is the Police Jury’s care for the people of Calcasieu

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Parish and for their quality of life.”

Martin Vires, Parish Project Manager, said Moss Bluff is a growing community and it wanted a family destination that could accommodate people of all ages and capabilities.

“The park’s pathways, playground and splash area, and the naturethemed butterfly pavilions in the picnic areas, are all ADA-accessible, as well as all water fountains found throughout the park,” he said.

In fact, early on in the park’s design, the River Bluff Advisory Panel asked Moss Bluff students what features they would like to see in the park. Many of their ideas were incorporated into the design.

Phase I, which was completed in 2015, includes a boat launch, which fits three boats at a time, and a parking lot with space for 50 boat trailers.

Phase II A was completed in 2016 and includes a new restroom facility for the River Bluff Park boat launch area and waste treatment plant for the park.

Dean Kelly, Facility Management Director, said Phase III, which is in development, will include an elevated walking path that will go through the

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The River Bluff playground area has a section for 2-to-5-year-olds and another one for 5-to-12-year-olds and it is fully accessible for children of all capabilities.

It’s December, but the splash pad is open! The playground, splash pad and exercise areas are equipped with a soft, rubberized safety flooring.

wetlands and along the river. It will also feature a large, rentable pavilion that can be used for weddings, family reunions, and other large gatherings.

“During this phase, we will also address the drainage lateral that runs through the park on the east side to make sure we have capacity for increased flow through the park in the future,” he said.

December 2017

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Places & Faces

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...

Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to edit@thriveswla.com with the subject line “Who’s News.”

Stephen Lyons Earns Tenured CIC Designation

Stephen Lyons, owner of Lyons Insurance in Lake Charles, earned designation of Tenured CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor). The CIC Board of Governors Stephen Lyons recognizes the milestones and achievements CICs have made throughout their careers, and to earn tenured status significant educational achievements and a record of maintaining a good-standing designation must be met. Therefore, this special recognition of tenure has been granted to CICs who meet the following criteria: held the designation for 25 or more years, or CICs who have not held the designation for 25+ years, but are 70 years old or older, designation is in good standing, and membership dues are current.

Lyons Insurance has been serving Southwest Louisiana since 1960. The agency is a full-service independent agency offering several lines of insurance including auto, home, commercial property and liability, worker’s compensation, life and health insurance.

The agency specializes in middle-market commercial accounts.

For more information, visit lyonsagency.com or call, (337) 478-4466.

Hospitalist Tristan Washington, MD joins Memorial Medical Group

Memorial Medical Group welcomes Tristan Washington, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician to its staff.

Dr. Tristan Washington Dr. Washington serves as a hospitalist, treating and caring for patients admitted to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Washington is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation Board Elects New Officers and Members

The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation Board recently elected Board Chair, Eligha Guillory, Jr. 26 www.thriveswla.com

for FY 2017-2018. Joining him on the Executive Committee are Eric Mire, Vice Chair; Faith Scott, Secretary; Brian Abshire, Treasurer; and Members-at-Large Jamie Chapman, Jordan Haman and Donald Lloyd, CEO, CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health System.

Eligha Guillory, Jr., 2017-1018 Board Chair, has served on the Foundation Board since 2012 and is a statewide Louisiana Notary Public.

Returning members to the Board are Sawsan Abu Shamat, Carl Ambrose, Sr., Missy Amidon, Nancy Burleigh, Kimberly Caldarera, Bob Chandler, Myrna Conner, Patricia Flavin, Marion Fox, Laura Leach, Glenda McCarty, Dorothy McDaniel, Michael Pendergast, Sister Joyce Mbataru, David Sickey, Courtney Storer, Gregory Thibodeaux and Keith Wimberly.

The Foundation oversees the philanthropic efforts of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital, which includes Children’s Miracle Network.

Amy Albarado Joins Hart Eye Center

Dr. William B. Hart at Hart Eye Center has announced that Amy Albarado has joined the team as Lakeside Optical’s optician.

Albarado is from Amy Albarado Angleton, Texas, and comes to Hart Eye Center with nine years of experience in the eye care field.

Lakeside Optical, located inside Hart Eye Center, offers the latest eyewear styles in a variety of frames to match your budget.

Featured designers include Ray Ban, Coach, Kate Spade, Vera Wang, Eddie Bauer and more.

For more information, visit www.HartEyeCenter.com or call Lakeside Optical at (337) 433-3231.

Stelly Earns Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification

Leslie Stelly, RN, CTTS, has completed comprehensive training through the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education Leslie Stelly, RN and Research in Mississippi to earn the designation of Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist (CTTS). She is Thrive Magazine for Better Living

a Registered Nurse and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist for the Smoking Treatment Center in Lake Charles, delivering a highintensity, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral plus pharmacotherapy treatment for nicotine dependence.

The Smoking Treatment Center is a partnership between the Smoking Cessation Trust and Imperial Health to offer free smoking cessation products and services to those who smoke in Southwest Louisiana.

For more information, call (337) 312-8690 or visit smokingtreatmentcenter.com.

Imperial Health Seeks Participants for Cardiovascular Disease Research Study

Imperial Health is serving as one of 600 sites for a global cardiovascular outcomes trial to Dr. Richard Gilmore assess the safety and effectiveness of bempedoic acid, an investigational medicine, on the occurrence of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, in patients with, or at a high risk for, cardiovascular disease. This research is taking place under the direction of cardiologist Richard Gilmore, MD, with Imperial Health Cardiovascular Specialists.

The CLEAR Outcomes study, which stands for Cholesterol Lowering via BEmpedoic Acid-inhibiting Regimen, is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study – meaning neither the participant nor the investigator will know who is receiving a treatment. First and foremost, candidates must have or be at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Specifically, this research study focuses on patients who are unable to take statin medications for the lowering of cholesterol due to side effects.

Qualified participants will receive all study medication and study-related care from a dedicated team of medical staff at no cost, and health insurance is not required to participate.

Patients who think they may qualify for and are interested in the CLEAR Outcomes study should contact Imperial Health’s Research Department at (337) 312-8412 or (337)312-8405.

December 2017

Carl Krielow

Thomas Lorenzi

Krielow and Lorenzi Join Port of Lake Charles Board Of Commissioners

Carl Krielow and Thomas Lorenzi have been appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to the Board of Commissioners of the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, which operates the Port of Lake Charles.

An attorney with Lorenzi & Barnatt, Lorenzi was named as the 2007 Distinguished Attorney by the Louisiana Bar Foundation and was the recipient of the David A. Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana State Bar Association. He has served as president and board member for various state and local professional associations throughout his legal career.

Krielow has over 35 years of experience in the construction, real estate and agricultural industries, and he manages commercial real estate interests and agricultural operations involved in crop production. Krielow is a member of the Louisiana Independent Rice Producers Association and the U.S. Rice Producers Association.

For more information, visit www.PortLC.com or call (337) 439-3661.

You’re Invited to an

Open House!

January 6, 2017 | 2 PM – 5 pm 1301 E. McNeese Street, Suite 201 | Lake Charles Admission is Free!

Come check out the gym and enjoy cookies and cocoa!

(337) 419-1903 December 2017

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Home & Family

Holiday Entertaining Guide Christmas decorating, gift shopping, wrapping, baking, cleaning for houseguests . . . whew! We know how crazy busy the holiday season can be, especially if your plans include entertaining. In this month’s cover story, you’ll find articles with tips and ideas for décor, cards and invitations, and party planning that will hopefully make your holiday hosting to-do list a bit easier.

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December 2017

Deck the Halls Create warm, cozy holiday cheer at home with these simple strategies

by Victoria Hartley-Ellender

December 2017

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Cascading garland, shining ornaments, warm, shimmering lights -- nothing brings a room to life like holiday décor. Preparing your home for the holiday season can bring joy and good cheer to be sure, but the abundance of elaborate themes available can make it difficult to get started.

Sara Lasher, local designer and owner of Sara Lasher Designs, shares some of her favorite strategies that help pull it all together -- creating the space for laughter, fun memories, and a merry time.

Lasher provides her services for weddings, events, and special occasions throughout the year, but Christmastime is one of her favorite seasons to decorate. “There’s a certain cheer in the air that only happens during the holidays, and those warm fuzzies are reinforced with décor, food, drink, and music. As soon as the decorations are out, it’s hard for me not to get into the spirit,” Lasher said.

It doesn’t take much to bring the holiday season to life, according to Lasher, who is a huge advocate for repurposing items that would otherwise be thrown away. “All it takes is a little ingenuity. We’ve used limbs from a tree that needed to be cut back to create a faux mantle for stockings to be hung, and it was the perfect rustic flair for a little bungalow downtown,” she said.

Some current trends in holiday décor focus on minimalistic color palettes, but Lasher enjoys adding a bit of boldness to the modern style. She explores some of these daring themes on her Pinterest board entitled, “Yuletide Knot Tying.”

“The inclusion of herbs and cinnamon sticks in tablescapes, greenery suspended from chandeliers, and wood disk chargers are some of my favorite takes on the modern holiday table,” she said. “White, green, and mixed metallic are still very popular for an overall minimalistic color palette, but I love a good dash of oxblood or marsala for those who prefer a bolder look.”

Little inexpensive touches often have the biggest impact in setting the scene for the holidays. If you’re hosting a party, Lasher recommends mixing your holiday theme thoroughly between the décor and menu. “Leftover herbs like rosemary or sage are great when frozen in ice cubes for signature cocktails, and cranberry water looks festive yet functional in a decanter, which is much more pleasing for service than a boring tub of water. The theme should not only show in the invite or the decorations, but also in the cocktails and menu.

We have some really great florists and caterers in the area who are happy to help as little or as much as you need. If you are a do-it-yourself’er, the affordable possibilities are endless.”

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Home & Family | Holiday Guide

Greetings with Flair Make your Holiday Cards and Invitations Extra Merry

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

With the holiday season in full swing, party invitations and greeting cards begin pouring in as early as December 1, showcasing festive designs and picture-perfect families.

If you’re hosting an event, whether an Ugly Christmas Sweater party or an elegant New Year’s Eve soiree, take time and choose just the right invitation to set the tone for your entire party. With so many invitation options available, there are several elements to consider.

Sara Smith of The Papersmith in Lake Charles says foil printing and less traditional colors, such as aqua and apple greens, are big this year. “Our customers are going for more fun and splashy designs, however, wreaths, ornaments and trees in traditional reds and greens are a timeless and classic choice. The invitation is a small preview of what to expect at the party, so you should choose one reflective of the event.”

When choosing holiday cards to send out to your loved ones, photos of children, grandchildren, or even pets have become the focus of recent holiday well-wishes, along with traditional colorful photographs of the whole family. You will find these carefully-chosen pictures framed by gold foil or crimson and black colors touting greetings such as, Merry Everything, What a Year!, or Oh, What Fun, and the occasional spirited holiday graphic.

If time sneaks up on you and the holidays have come and gone, or maybe you don’t celebrate the Christmas tradition, but you still want to send out special greetings to friends and family, Smith suggests sending out a festive New Year’s card. It’s a fun idea without the added pressure of getting it out prior to December 25.

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December 2017

Some things to consider before you send out party invitations: • Mail invitations out two to three weeks prior to the event.

• Include a phone number, in case guests have questions or need directions.

• Include expected attire, if appropriate.

• Post with a holiday stamp, for a nice touch.

If you’re invited to a party: • RSVP if requested.

• Take a small hostess gift • Send a thank you note after the party.

December 2017

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Home & Family | Holiday Guide

Quick and Easy Appetizer and Cocktail Recipes

While we focus on Christmas cheer and the joy of the season, the holidays can also be a bit crazy and chaotic. But your party fare need not be complicated. Easy appetizers include traditional time-honored favorites such as pepper jelly-topped cream cheese and crackers, spiced nuts, and artichoke dips. For something new and different – and easy – try these recipes, courtesy of delish. com. Then whip up some festive holiday cocktails, shared by the L Bar at L’Auberge Casino Resort.

Bloody Mary Bombs

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Dip

INGREDIENTS • 1 c. vodka • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce • 2 tsp. hot sauce • 1/2 tsp. lemon pepper • 1 pint grape tomatoes • 2 stalks celery, chopped into 1/2” pieces • 3 strips bacon, cooked and cut into 1” pieces DIRECTIONS 1. In a large jar, combine vodka, Worcestershire, hot sauce and lemon pepper. Stir to combine. Set aside.

2. Poke each grape tomato 3-4 times with a toothpick, then skewer it about halfway up the toothpick.

Skewer a celery slice as well. Line the tomato-and-celery skewers into a small shallow resealable container.

3. Pour vodka mixture on top, letting the skewers soak in it. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

4. When ready to serve, remove skewers from liquid and place on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess juices. Add a piece of cooked bacon to each skewer and serve.

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INGREDIENTS • 1 package cream cheese • 1/4 c. powdered sugar • 2 tsp. cinnamon, divided • 2 tbsp. butter, melted • 2 tsp. sugar

Slow Cooker Bourbon Smokies INGREDIENTS • 2 lb. cocktail wieners • 1 c. brown sugar • 1 c. ketchup • 1/2 c. bourbon • 1/3 c. finely chopped shallot • 3 cloves garlic, minced DIRECTIONS 1. In a small slow cooker, combine cocktail wieners, brown sugar, ketchup, bourbon, shallot, and garlic.

Stir to combine and cover.

2. Cook on high until the bourbon smell has cooked off, 6 hours.

3. Serve with toothpicks

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DIRECTIONS 1. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium-sized bowl. Beat with a whisk or silicone spatula until the mixture is light, fluffy and no longer lumpy, 2 to 3 minutes. (You could also use an electric mixer.)

2. In a separate bowl, combine remaining cinnamon, melted butter and sugar. Mix to combine. Pour this mixture into the cream cheese batter, folding it in just enough to create cinnamon-sugar swirls in the dip.

3. Serve with graham crackers, ‘Nilla Wafers, apple slices, or whatever you’d prefer.

December 2017

Cocktails Winter on the Bayou INGREDIENTS • 2 ½ cups Bayou Spiced Rum • 4 cups Whole Milk • 4 cups Light Cream • 1 ½ cups Sugar • 12 Eggs – Separate Yolks from Whites • 5 Cloves • 2 ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract • 1 teaspoon Freshly Grated Cinnamon • ½ teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg

created by the L Bar at L’Auberge Casino Resort

Drunken Pumpkin Holiday Cocktail INGREDIENTS • ¾ ounce Bayou Select Rum • 1 ¼ ounce Rum Chata Liquor • 1 ounce Pumpkin Cream* • Freshly Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Clove • Cinnamon Sticks for garnish

DIRECTIONS 1. Combine Milk, Cloves, ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract and Cinnamon into saucepan on low setting for about five minutes. Slowly bring mixture to a boil.

2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar, whisking together until fluffy.

3. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs.

Pour mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves and let cool for about an hour.

4. While waiting for the mixture to cool, place egg whites in a large bowl and whip until soft peaks start to form. Set aside.

5. Stir in Rum, Cream, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and nutmeg into original mixture once cooled. Fold in whipped egg whites. Refrigerate overnight.

6. Shake well, pour into glass and garnish with freshly grated Nutmeg and a Cinnamon Stick.

DIRECTIONS 1. Add all ingredients to a shaker tin; add ice 2. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds 3. Strain into a Chilled Cocktail Glass 4. Garnish with Freshly Ground Spices and a Cinnamon Stick 5. Serves one; enjoy! *PUMPKIN CREAM 1. 4 ounces Pumpkin Puree (canned) 2. 16 ounces Half & Half Creamer 3. 6 tablespoon Brown Sugar 4. ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract 5. Add all ingredients to a sauce pan and bring to a soft boil, stirring continuously.

Continue to simmer until cream mixture has thickened.

6. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and chill for 2 hours. Tip: Make pumpkin cream ahead to have on hand for holiday cocktails!

Serves 12-14. Enjoy!

Come, & Shop

LET US HELP MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING EASY THIS YEAR! Pre-made holiday gift baskets & unique gifts

For everything

you crave and more…

(337)421-0040 | 2801 Ryan Street, Suite 100 | crave-foods.com December 2017

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Home & Family | Holiday Guide

The (White) Elephant in the Room

Gift Exchange Games for Your Christmas Party

by Keaghan P. Wier

The holidays are a popular time for parties. Many of these gatherings – whether you’re hosting or attending – include a gift exchange.

Secret Santa, White Elephant, and others are all great ways to do random gift exchanges. Need some good ideas? Here are a few fun gift exchange games to incorporate into this year’s Christmas party.

WHITE ELEPHANT

RIGHT-LEFT STORY

This is the standard holiday gift exchange game. Everyone arrives with a wrapped present. (For all gift exchange games, it’s a good idea to set a price range for gifts prior to party.) Place all the gifts under the Christmas tree or on a table. Randomly choose a person to go first – you could draw numbers from a hat or allow the person with the next birthday first pick, for example. That person selects a present from the pile and opens it. The next person in line can either get a package from the pile or “steal” the gift of the first person. This continues until everyone has a gift. Another common rule is to set a limit on how many times a person can be stolen from or a particular gift can be stolen.

There are a variety of different ways to play this one. Like Hot Potato, everyone is seated or stands in a circle. Each person holds his or her own present. The host begins to read a story that contains a number of times where they say “right” or “left.” Everyone follows the directions – passing their present to the right or left as the story goes on. At the end of the story, everyone should be holding a present that isn’t their own, and they keep it. (You can also have every guest hold a random present at the beginning, but you run the risk of them ending up with their own – in which case, they could always trade with someone else.) You can find several stories for this game online.

HOT POTATO A version of a popular children’s party game, this one is particularly fun with a high-energy or younger crowd. Everyone brings a wrapped present. Arrange chairs in a circle, with everyone facing inward.

One person holds a gift and waits for the timer to start. Begin passing the gift around the circle when the timer starts, and stop when the timer buzzes.

The person left holding the gift gets to unwrap and keep it. They step out of the circle and the game continues with a new gift. You can also play this one by playing Christmas music and stopping it at random points!

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MUSICAL GIFTS Play this one like musical chairs – it’s a quick and fun way to do a random gift exchange! Set up chairs in a circle, facing outward. Each guest puts their wrapped present on a chair and starts out in front of it. The host plays Christmas music for a random amount of time, and when they stop it, the players all claim the present on the chair in front of them.

You can pick one of these games, or perhaps play a couple of them if you have a larger group. Whatever you do, make sure that everyone has a great time!

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December 2017

Tips for Gift Giving

When Santa’s Sleigh Just Won’t Do, We’re Here for You.

Thanksgiving is over and the holiday shopping season is in full swing. Buying all those gifts for everyone on your list can become expensive and overwhelming. How much do you spend? Do you have to buy for absolutely everyone? Is it alright to re-gift? What if you don’t know what to get a person?

Sharon Schweitzer, an international etiquette expert, author, and founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, offers these 10 guidelines for holiday gift giving: AVOID ASKING “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” If you don’t know what to get, try and figure it out. Consider their hobbies or what’s important in their lives. If they exercise every day, workout gear is probably a good choice. If they just moved into a new home, go for a housewarming gift. Remember, it’s about being thoughtful.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY FOR EVERYONE Annually review your gift list.

How has your relationship grown and evolved? Have you kept in touch via phone, email, or seen each other in person? Did you buy him or her a birthday gift?

If the answers to these are no, evaluate the need for a gift. You want to avoid having a friend feel truly forgotten, and sending a timely personalized holiday card will prevent hurt feelings.

DON’T BREAK THE BANK Stay within your household budget. Gift giving is a blessing, not an obligation.

Avoid overspending. January bills are unforgiving!

AVOID MATCHED SPENDING When buying is driven more by pressure than thoughtfulness, it loses its meaning. When folks buy flamboyantly, hopefully they do so because they wish to, not because they expect anything in return. Most extravagant

December 2017

gift buyers have everything they could wish for, so there’s nothing luxurious you can buy them that they can’t buy for themselves. It’s better to plan a thoughtful, sentimental gift without a hefty price tag.

CONSIDER COUPLE GIFTS Once a family member or friend is in a serious relationship, gift giving may segue from individual gifts to couple gifts. For example, buy them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant and include a thoughtful note that shows your gracious holiday spirit. If they are engaged or newlyweds, check their registry for a treasure trove of ideas.

Neighborhood Mini Storage is your One-stop Shop for Holiday Storage, Shipping and More!

Hide your holiday gifts from curious eyes in one of our three convenient locations.

We can also help with getting your special deliveries shipped safely in time for the holiday. We have all the packing supplies you need, and we’re an authorized UPS and FedEx shipment center.

STORAGE Regular & climate-controlled storage Variety of unit sizes Month-to-month lease options Secure, 24-hour access

BE GENUINE IN YOUR RESPONSE TO SURPRISE GIFTS If you receive an unexpected gift, be authentic in your response.

Share that you are “surprised, and maybe slightly embarrassed that you don’t have a gift ready for them.” It’s awkward to race to the gift closet and spring a lastminute gift on them. You may wish to send a thank you note with a small gift wishing them all the best in the coming year.

SHIPPING/MOVING Boxes & moving supplies Shipping services: UPS & Fed Ex U-Haul equipment rental

MINI STORAGE BOX & SHIP neighborhoodministorage.com

Lake Charles 474.8800 | 210 West Sale Rd. Sulphur 626.0000 | 460 Post Oak Rd. Moss Bluff 855.3000 | 716 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy.

HOLIDAY TIPS With loyal, long term service providers, like a yard person or cleaning person, consider a holiday gratuity or tip.

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Home & Family | Holiday Guide

Unique Gifts for Everyone on your List

One of the many joys of the holiday season is finding that perfect present for each person on your gift list.

Often easier said than done, right! The key is to know their interests, their personalities, and find something unique, something they’d never think to buy for themselves . . . something that puts a huge smile on their face when they unwrap your gift. To help get you started, we’ve put together this list of special gifts and paired them with various hobbies, activities, and general preferences. Coffee lovers, sports enthusiasts, food aficionados, fashionistas . . . there’s something here for everyone. Take a look, and start shopping!

Doodlers and Note Takers

Bakers and Cookie Lovers

This Ezra Arthur leather bound blank page journal is hand stitched and bound with full grain leather, constructed with Tomoe River paper. ezraarthur.com. $$

The “Sweet” Holiday gift box includes Gingerbread Man, Star, and Tree cookie skillets, whisk, holiday sprinkles, and white chocolate chip cookie mixes. thoughtfully.com. $$$

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Grillers and BBQ Chefs

This Branded and Grilled gift box includes a branding iron set, Sweet Fire BBQ sauce, five grill charms, a sauce basting pot and brush, and three rubbing spices. thoughtfully.com. $$$

December 2017

Custom and Pre Made

Beer Baskets

Hot Sauce Lovers

in the Crying Eagle Gift Shop.

This person probably already has a dozen bottles of Tabasco in his pantry, so introduce him to something different. Try Nando’s Peri-Peri Sauce in a variety of flavors and heat. Available at Walmart, amazon.com, or nandosperiperi.com. $-$$ For a local connection, try Jammin Jelly’s Hot Sauce, made here in Lake Charles, in flavors like Mamou Mangeaux, Creole Cucumber, and Bayou Blackberry. jamminjellyshotsauce.com. $

Beer Enthusiasts Crying Eagle Brewing Company sells an assortment of swag such as barware, growlers, apparel, and snacks that pair well with beer. You’re sure to find something to please any beer buff on your list!

1165 E McNeese St cryingeagle.com. $-$$$

Visit cryingeagle.com/swag for more great gifts for the beer lover in your life.

Java Junkies Just in time for the holidays, Community Coffee roasted up two new flavors: Chocolate Peppermint and Holiday Jazz. Sure to please the coffee lover on your list. Available at most local grocery stories. $

$ = Under $25 | $$ = $25-50 $$$ = $50 - 100 | $$$$ = $100 and Up December 2017

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Home & Family | Holiday Guide

Your Hostess with the Mostess Crave Gourmet Baskets and Gifts is well-known for their extensive selection of premium olive oils and balsamics, boutique cheeses, wines, and other fine foods, as well as unique gift items.

They specialize in creating exceptional gift baskets sure to please anyone on your gift list. The gift basket pictured includes a little bit of everything that Crave offers.

2801 Ryan Street cravegiftbaskets.com. $$$

Foodies

Glamour Girls

Doucce’s Limited Edition Holiday 2017 Set! This perfectly packaged set includes some of Doucce’s top selling products including; Master Pro Palette with two blush and four eyeshadow pans, Maxlash Mascara, Ultra-Precision Eyeliner, and Luscious Lip Stain in a bright bold red. Doucce.com. $$$

Stress Relief Seekers

Support a local business and buy a gift basket or gift card from Great Harvest Bread Company, Lake Charles. They specialize in homemade whole grain breads and baked goods, sandwiches, and salads made from only the freshest ingredients. They also sell jams, nut butters, and a variety of other gifts.

4112 Lake Street. $-$$

These folks would love to curl up in a luxurious robe, such as the Lacoste Home Pique Bath Robe for him or her. Crafted with soft cotton terry and a pique-knit design at the collar and belt, this robe provides superior comfort and style ideal for shower time and simply lounging around your home. macy’s.com. $$$

Style Mavens

Culture Patrons

What do you get the fashionista who has everything? How about a glitzy phone case by Cellairis? They offer a variety of styles and colors of their Rapture phone case models. cellairis.com. $$ Cultural organizations abound in Southwest Louisiana. Buy season tickets to their favorite form of entertainment, such as music, dance, or theater. Banners at McNeese crosses entertainment genres and cultures to bring our community a diverse selection of entertainment options each year. $$$$

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December 2017

Natural Gas Homes Help

Operating costs for a natural gas water heater are typically about

Save Money

50% LOWER

Water heating benefits

than electric.

• Natural gas water heaters recover twice as fast, so they have more hot water available than electric models.

Operating costs for a natural gas range are typically about

• Natural gas is significantly cleaner than electricity, with half the carbon footprint.

30%

Cooking benefits

LOWER

• 96% of pro chefs prefer cooking with natural gas, with its precise temperature control and even heat distribution.

than electric.

• Gas ranges can last six years longer than electric models.

Heating benefits

Operating costs for a natural gas heating system are on average

• Heat from a natural-gas-powered furnace feels warm, cozy as the air delivered is 25 F warmer than air from an electric heat pump.

54% LESS

• A natural gas furnace emits half the carbon and nitrous oxide emissions compared to an electric heating system.

than an electric heating system.

Clothes drying benefits

Operating costs for a natural gas clothes dryer are on average

• Faster heating lets you dry two loads for the cost of one.

• Shorter drying times help preserve the life of clothes.

CenterPointEnergy.com/NaturalGasBenefits

50% LESS

than an electric dryer.

Source: Electric emissions are based on eGRID data. U.S. average per EPA-DOE and natural gas emissions are based on Emission Factor AP- 42 Report per EPA-DOE; average residential energy prices in U.S. per EIA-DOE.

Over a Century of Trusted Service ©2017 CenterPoint Energy 176413

December 2017 176413_LA_Thrive_Ad_Dec.indd 1

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Home & Family | Holiday Guide

Hanukkah Gift Guide

In Jewish tradition, a gift is given each of the eight nights of Hannukah, Dec. 12-20 this year. Not sure what to buy for a friend or loved-one? We did some research.

Ask Bubbe, the Talking Jewish Grandmother Doll, as seen on Sharktank. amazon.com. $ The Mensch on a Bench Hanukkah Decor with Hardcover Book and Removable Bench. amazon.com. $$

Hanukkah Dreidel Spinner MultiPack in Silver, Blue, and Pink. amazon.com. $ Menorasaur: Triceratops Dinosaur Menorah

by Lisa Pierce. thejewishmuseum.org. $$$

Multi-Color Hand-Dipped Beeswax Hanukkah Candles. thejewishmuseum.org. $

Gelt for Grown-Ups -Kosher Chocolate Coins by Veruca in Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt flavor. thejewishmuseum.org. $

Oy-Vey Sticky Notes -- Add a little chutzpah to your desk accessories. knockknockstuff.com. $

Bagel Yo-Yo. Oytoys.com. $

Schlep Tote thejewishmuseum.org. $

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How to Raise a Jewish Dog in paperback. Everything a dog owner ever wanted to know. amazon.com. $

December 2017

Tickets & Memberships

ON SALE NOW!

2018 Season Highlights include Artrageous, Wildlife Expert Peter Gros and Moscow Nights RHYTHM FUTURE QUARTET Tues. March 6 | 7 pm Central School Theatre ARTRAGEOUS Thurs. March 8 | 7 pm Bulber Auditorium WALK THE LINE Sat. March 10 | 3 pm Stokes Auditorium

Let us tell your story. advertising public relations graphic design media relations

social media copywriting photography strategic planning

video production website development event planning corporate communication

THE STEPCREW Sat. March 24 | 7 pm Bulber Auditorium ALINA FERNANDEZ, CASTRO’S DAUGHTER Wed. March 28 | 7 pm Tritico Theatre

(337) 312-0972 4845 Ihles Rd., Lake Charles ehealthyimage.com U. S. Chamber Top 100 Small Business • SWLA Chamber Small Business of the Year LA Department of Economic Development • Regional Small Business of the Year

December 2017

MOSCOW NIGHTS & GOLDEN GATES DANCERS Thurs. March 15 | 7 pm Bulber Auditorium

REED TIMMER: EXTREME METEOROLOGIST & STORMCHASER Wed. April 11 | 7 pm Tritico Theatre

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HELL ON EARTH: THE FALL OF SYRIA & THE RISE OF ISIS Sat. April 14 | 3 pm Stokes Auditorium ZEB HOGAN: HOST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S MONSTER FISH Tues. April 17 | 7 pm Parra Ballroom PETER GROS: MUTUAL OF OMAHA’S WILD KINGDOM Fri. April 20 | 7 pm Bulber Auditorium MARY POPPINS Sat. April 21 | 3 pm Stokes Auditorium ARTURO SANDOVAL Sun. April 22 | 7 pm Central School Theatre THE MALPASS BROTHERS Thurs. April 26 | 7 pm Bulber Auditorium THE EAGLE HUNTRESS Sat. April 28 | 3 pm Stokes Auditorium

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41

Home & Family

START THE NEW YEAR

FRESH A Guide to Tackling End of Year Tasks

by Victoria Hartley-Ellender

Light bulbs, smoke detectors, dental visits, tire rotations -- those seemingly simple chores are often relegated to the back burner due to their infrequency on weekly and monthly to-do lists. The end of the year can be busy and stressful, but attending to these menial annual tasks can provide a sense of freshness for the New Year. We’ve compiled a checklist of common annual and biannual chores. Here’s to crossing off the mundane and greeting 2018 with a clear, focused mind.

Home

Home is our cozy haven for rest and recreation all year long, but we often forget to take care of the things that keep our home safe. Take a few minutes to install fresh batteries in appliances, alarm clocks, and smoke detectors. Turn your mattresses over and rotate your ceiling fans (for optimal heating and cooling efficiency, blades should rotate counterclockwise in summer and clockwise in winter.) Clean out linen closets and throw away expired pantry items. A little extra attention in our homes will yield comfort and peace of mind all year long.

Garden

Our home’s exterior could also use some extra tender love and care. A pressure wash, fresh porch paint, clean windows and doorways, can make a world of difference in the overall aesthetic of our homes. Treat ant mounds, hornet dwellings, and other pests. Give yourself the gift of clear gutters.

Personal Finances

The end of the year is a great time to review your finances and develop an intentional plan for the coming year. Schedule a meeting with your partner or spouse and design an outline for each month of the year. What special expenses can you plan for? Having a plan for holidays, birthdays, and special events can make unexpected surprises easier to navigate.

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December 2017

Automobile

Is it time for a tune-up? The end of the year is a good time to check fluid levels, change spark plugs, and schedule oil changes. Many lube shops offer end of year specials to have your tires rotated. Also check tire pressure and brakes. Verify that your car’s registration, inspection sticker, and insurance card are all up to date.

Family

Fill in your 2018 calendar with as much detail as possible. Consider all registrations, deadlines, and vacation dates that you may need to remember. Add them to your family’s calendar now so that everyone will be aware of upcoming events and dates. Family reunions, school try outs, work travel dates— creating a comprehensive family calendar will streamline the family’s outlook on the New Year and eliminate confusion.

Health

This is also a good time to schedule annual doctor’s appointments, dental cleanings, and update immunizations for pets. Make sure your emergency contact list is up to date and every family member has an up-to-date insurance card. Consider your health goals and evaluate your diet and exercise plans. The end of the year is also a good time to take an inventory of the medicine cabinet. Eliminate expired medications and purchase new medicines and first aid needs.

December 2017

INTRODUCING

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advanced vaginal rejuvenation

A safe, effective, non-hormonal treatment for urinary incontinence and feminine health with immediate results.

OFFERED AT TWO LOCATIONS! Dr. Alice Babst-Prestia and Dr. Uzma Porché are proud to be the first physicians in Louisiana to offer this technology.

Schedule your appointment today!

Dr. Prestia | 475-8949

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Dr. Porché | 474-0653

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43

Home & Family

FIREPLACE SAFETY

by Frank DiCesare

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December 2017

As autumn slowly wanes into winter, many homeowners begin conjuring thoughts of dark, quiet evenings by a warm fireplace. But before you place that first log on the fire this winter be sure your fireplace is a safe place for you and your loved ones to enjoy in the months ahead.

First and foremost, fireplaces should not to be used for long periods of time or as home furnaces. HGTV.com recommends five hours of continuous use as the maximum amount of time to keep a fire burning in your home.

Fireplaces generate carbon monoxide and without proper exhaustion of the fumes released from your fire over a period of time (especially in fireplaces with poorly maintained chimneys) the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning becomes all the more imminent. It is estimated that 4,000 deaths each year in the United States are attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning. So, if possible, keep a nearby window cracked open when a fire is burning.

Homeowners should also install both

smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them monthly; their batteries should be changed at least once a year.

Before starting your fire, make sure the damper (or flue) is open so the smoke is drawn out of the house. You can check your damper by looking up your fireplace with a flashlight. Don’t stack any logs until you’ve checked for smoke ventilation. Light a match, blow it out quickly, and see if the smoke rises up and out of your chimney. If it does, you’re all set to begin laying those logs. Afterwards, when your logs have died down to a glow, do not close the damper until the embers have stopped burning completely.

The area around your fireplace should be clear of anything that is potentially flammable, which includes drapes, newspaper, books, and furniture. It is also important to never leave a fire in your fireplace unattended. If you decide to go to bed or leave the house, ensure the fire is out completely. If you have small children, make sure you take them

with you if you leave the room.

Cleanliness counts when it comes to fireplace safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 30 percent of heating fires are caused when homeowners fail to clean their fireplaces and chimneys.

Your chimney should be checked once a year (or after about 80 fires) by a professional chimney sweep.

A chimney cap can prevent water damage and deter animals from nesting. Make sure you clean the firebox (the area where the logs burn) at least once a week during use so that ash does not build up. During cleaning, leave about an inch of ash in the area for insulation. This will allow the coals to heat up quicker; it will also make it easier for them to retain heat.

Few things top a roaring fire in the winter months. But all household fires should be enjoyed responsibly.

So when you’re stacking logs in your fireplace this winter, keep these tips in mind to keep you and your loved ones safe – and cozy – in the months ahead.

Landscaping Made Joyful

Happy

Be sure to add some holiday to your landscaping with splashes of Christmas color, such as red holly berries and evergreen shrubs.

And don’t forget to add the lights!

Landscaping made simple for your home.

Holly-days

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

landscapemanagement.org

LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

WATCH

WHAT YOU HEAT safetycouncilswla.org December 2017

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45

McNeese Receives Donation to Establish Boyer Scholarship

Gear and Sprocket - featured in the October issue of Ceramics Monthly. This piece was selected to publicize his solo exhibit currently on display at McGuireWoods Gallery in the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia.

The investigative properties of this series are focused upon the mechanical objects or artifacts derived from the advent of the industrial revolution.

Dr. Chris Thomas Presented with 2017 Dan Seymour Award

L to R: Lee Boyer, Jim Boyer, Martha Boyer LaBorde, Richard H. Reid, vice president for university advancement and executive vice president of the foundation, and McNeese President Dr. Daryl Burckel.

Lee Boyer, Jim Boyer and Martha Boyer LaBorde have given $30,000 to the McNeese State University Foundation to establish the William and Margaret Boyer Scholarship in memory of their parents, William and Margaret Boyer.

Ceramic Piece Featured in Ceramics Monthly

Dr. Chris Thomas, assistant vice president for university services at McNeese, has been presented the 2017 Dan Seymour Award for Outstanding Commitment to Student Affairs by the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators.

LACUSPA - an organization dedicated to servicing higher education professionals, students and associates - presents this annual award to one of its members who has made outstanding and exceptional contributions to the organization.

Since 2006, Thomas has served as president of LACUSPA, as well as presidentelect, conference chair and a four-year public institution representative.

Thibodeaux Awarded 2017 LSBDC State Star Award

Susan Thibodeaux, business consultant for the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University, is the recipient of the 2017 LSBDC State Star Award.

She was recognized by America’s Small Business Development Centers at its recent national conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

This award highlights an individual who is an exemplary performer, makes a significant contribution to that individual’s state and shows a strong commitment to small business.

She has been part of the LSBDC at McNeese service center since September of 2014. During fiscal year 2015-2016, she helped start 10 new businesses, achieved more than $5 million in capital infusion and helped retain eight jobs as well as 34 employees.

Gear and Sprocket, by Kenneth Baskin

Kenneth Baskin, associate professor of art at McNeese, has had one of his ceramic pieces –

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December 2017

HAPPENINGS MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Art Market Offers Unique, Local Gift Shopping

Located throughout historic Central School, the annual Holiday Art Market will return December 8-10 with an array of fine and handmade items created by Louisiana artists, along with student arts and music performances, bakery treats, and a creative shopping experience.

Each year, a spotlight organization receives a portion of the proceeds from sales at Holiday Art Market. This year, donations will benefit MusicMakers2U, an organization devoted to providing area youth with access to musical instruments.

Times for this festive shopping event are as follows: December 8 (3pm-7pm), December 9 (10am5pm), and December 10 (12-5pm).

Admission is free.

Holiday Art Market is presented annually by the City of Lake Charles and the Arts Council of SWLA. For more details, contact the Arts Council at (337) 439-2787.

December 2017

Washington-Marion searching for 100 Community Leaders/ Supporters Washington-Marion Magnet High School is inviting 100 community leaders/supporters to partner with 100 student scholars on December 16 from 7:30am1:40pm. The event, 100 for 100, serves to bring awareness to the academic progression in the school’s learning environment. It will also provide the opportunity for scholars and community leaders to learn, connect, and share new strategies and practices. Participants will attend two lesson sessions from advisors.

The school is actively looking for community members who would like to participate in the event.

If you’re interested, please contact Tap Master Teacher Danielle Chretien-Lambert at danielle. chretien@cpsb.org.

2017 Holiday Gala Featuring Clarinetist Doreen Ketchens

Jazz In The Arts foundation will present its annual holiday gala at Treasures of Marilyn’s at 6pm with musician extraordinaire Clarinetist Doreen Ketchens of New Orleans. The holiday gala is a benefit for the funding of scholarships and music education.

The gala will include dinner and a silent auction. For tickets and more information, visit www. jazzinthearts.com

Spring 2018 New Student Orientation Dates Now Scheduled for SOWELA Technical Community College SOWELA Technical Community College is offering four orientation sessions in the upcoming months to prepare incoming students for spring classes. Incoming students are required to participate in orientation to help ensure a smooth transition into a college

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environment. Face-to-face sessions are offered during the morning and afternoon to provide greater flexibility and meet the needs of our students.

New Student Orientation Schedule November 10, 2017, 8:30-10:30am December 1, 2017, 8:30-10:30am December 7, 2017, 4-6pm January 5, 2018, 8:30-10:30am Sessions provide students with information they may need in order to decide on their program of study. Sessions also cover admissions, registration, placement exams, financial aid, and tuition and fee payments.

For more information or to register, visit www.sowela.edu/orientation.

Walk-ins, parents, and guests are welcome.

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47

Style & Beauty

FIND the

Red

that’s R IGHT for YOU

by Emily Alford

At Christmastime, rich, vibrant red isn’t just for decking the halls. Red lipstick is also the quickest way to look ultra-glamorous, not to mention festive, for any holiday event.

But with a million red lipsticks out there to choose from, it can be hard to find the one that best suits your skin tone. Here’s a handy guide for choosing the red that’s right for you.

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December 2017

Find your undertone

If you’re neutral, hit the bricks

The perfect red lipstick draws attention for all the right reasons: it makes lips pop and skin seem to glow. The best way to get the full benefit of a red lip color is to find a shade that matches skin’s undertones, or the color of skin that lies just beneath the outer layer.

Since neutral tones contain both pink and red, blue and orange red options could work. However, even those with neutral undertones usually fall toward one end of the spectrum or the other, so to test out red lipsticks, try different reds out on the inside of your wrist and see how they work next to the color of your veins. One option that works great with neutral undertones is a brick red lipstick. Since brick red is more brownish than the others, it can work with either undertone for a look that flatters.

To find your undertones, just look at your veins. If the veins on the insides of your wrist are blue or purple, then you have cool undertones. If they’re green or olive, then you have warm undertones. If they’re a combination of these colors, then your undertones are neutral.

If you’re cool, think berries Many guides to finding the right red lipstick will advise shoppers with cool undertones to seek out “blue reds,” which can be confusing, since those are literally two unrelated colors.

Generally speaking, when beauty experts talk about blue reds, they mean colors similar to the stains left behind by fresh berries, like raspberry red or even deeper, wine-tinted hues.

Of course, when it comes to makeup, there are really no “rules,” only what works best for you. If you’ve got warm undertones but find a berry-colored lipstick that makes you feel great, wear it! There’s no better accessory than confidence.

If you’re warm, think fire Those with warmer skin tones often look best in reds that have a bit more orange in them to blend with the slightly yellowish undertones in the skin. Orangey-reds are generally closer to the color of a sunset or even what we think of when we say “true” red.

December 2017

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49

Style

& Beauty

Expert Tips for Great

HOLIDAY HAIR

by Emily Alford

There’s so much to think about during the holidays—from meal planning to parties to endless shopping lists—that most of us don’t have a ton of time for complicated hairstyles. If you’re looking for easy ways to keep hair looking great during the holidays, here are a few tips from the pros.

LOOSE CURLS ARE ALWAYS IN STYLE MAKE TRAVEL EASIER WITH DRY SHAMPOO Many of us are away from home during the holidays, which means limited access to drawers full of the sprays, creams, and styling tools we’re accustomed to. One way to keep hair from looking travel-weary is to invest in a professional style before your travels and then keep your roots looking clean with dry shampoo, which is sold in travel-sized spray bottles at drugstores, while you’re away.

“Dry shampoo can extend your style for days,” says Noelle Mills of Signatures Salon in Lake Charles. “It also adds texture, so it will boost any limp locks.”

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If you’re getting a blowout just before the holidays, and want to go for a more special occasion-ready style, opt for loose curls. Even if you decide to wear your hair down for dressier events and parties, a slight curl gives hair a more elegant, polished look. But the style is also relaxed enough not to look too dressy for more informal gatherings. “Loose curls are always a great look because they’re flattering on any length or face shape,” Mills says.

December 2017

FOR A PHOTO FINISH, TAME FLYAWAYS Holidays mean nearly endless photo ops, and many of those pictures end up posted on social media. To help hair photograph well even in dry winter air that often creates static, make sure hair stays smooth, especially in the bright lights of a camera flash.

“Lighting is essential for great photos,” Mills says, “but bright lights also really accentuate flyaways. Be sure to use a great finishing product like Bumble and Bumble’s Brillantine or Thickening Crème Contour. They are great for setting your style and taming stray hairs.”

GET MESSY If you don’t want to let your hair down for all your holiday parties, there’s no need to head to the salon for a complicated updo. Try styles like a bun coiled at the nape of the neck or a loose French twist pinned in place with a sparkly accessory.

“A low bun or a French twist is a timeless classic that’s easy to execute,” Mills says. “And they look great messy, so if every hair isn’t in place, just go with it!”

Holiday hair is all about feeling your best without having to spend too much precious time fussing with styling tools and hair products.

Having a few essentials on hand— like a great hair accessory and a good styling spray—are really all you need for an easy, yet elegant look.

Beautiful Have a

Holiday

If a healthier, more youthful appearance is on your wish list, call the Aesthetic Center. Our skin care specialists will asses your skin and recommend rejuvenating treatments and products to help you glow this holiday season!

Our services include: • Chemical Peels • Microdermabrasion • Targeted Skincare Treatments • Eyelid Surgery

• • • •

Latisse for Eyelash Growth PCA Skincare products Jane Iredale Make-up Cosmetic Injections

Call 310-1070 for more information or to schedule your appointment.

Gif Certifict a Availab tes le December 2017

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Dr. Mark Crawford

310-1070 l facehealth.net www.thriveswla.com

51

Money & Career

Managing your

Estate A lifetime of hard work may have rewarded you with a nice home and respectable bank accounts, but what happens to your assets once you’re gone?

Perhaps you want to leave everything to your children. Maybe a charity, your church, or a cause you feel passionate about should get a portion.

And what happens if, before you die, your mental capacity diminishes and you can no longer make decisions for yourself? Only thinking about your final wishes – or even discussing them with a close friend over lunch – isn’t enough.

James Sudduth III, with Sudduth and Associates, says estate management - either through a will,

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trust, health care directive (living will), or power of attorney is absolutely essential. “Folks don’t like to talk about wills and trusts, and for a very natural reason. It brings up an uncomfortable topic - death.

However, ignoring this particular issue won’t make it go away. As the old saying goes, there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. Ironically, estate management addresses both of those issues.”

Sudduth explains that having your affairs in order protects both your wishes and your family. “Having a plan for end of life issues will avoid heirs fighting and litigating over your estate and will avoid unnecessary strife and stress for your family after your passing.”

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December 2017

To manage your estate, consider the following: Appoint a power of attorney (POA)

Sudduth recommends you choose someone who is trustworthy and who you ultimately believe has sound decision-making skills.

Inevitably, decisions will come to this person that could not possibly be planned for. Having a POA who you not only trust but trust their decision-making is essential. Also, plan for alternates in case something happens to your POA (also called agent in fact or attorney in fact).

Designate beneficiaries

In Louisiana, beneficiaries for life insurance plans or retirement accounts often operate outside the succession process. Those that receive from a succession process are referred to as either heirs or legatees. So for a beneficiary, consider the same factors as those for legatees. Sudduth cautions against out-dated beneficiary designations. “All too often we see folks with an ex-spouse still listed as a beneficiary. This can create a situation where an ex-spouse receives a retirement or life insurance proceed rather than a current spouse or child - simply because the person forgot to change the designation.”

Draw up a will.

This is perhaps the best known document for letting your final wishes be known, yet it’s not as widely used as you might think.

According to a 2015 Rocket Lawyer estate-planning survey

by Harris Poll, 64% of Americans don’t have a will. “If a will is not in place, the default rules of Louisiana succession come into place in a process known as an intestate succession,” says Sudduth. “An intestate

succession divides an estate by a presumed set of default rules that can leave your estate in the hands of individuals you would have never dreamed or wanted to be involved.”

Secure healthcare documents such as a living will.

As you near the end of your life you could reach a point where you’re no longer capable of making your own medical decisions. The right documents detail your wishes for health care and remove the guesswork.

Communicate your wishes.

Ensure your heirs know where to find all your important documents, so they are not blindly searching for essential papers when the time comes.

Criminal Defense Family Law Employment Litigation Personal Injury/Auto Accidents General Civil Litigation Successions 4216 Lake Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 t: (337) 480-0101 f: (337) 419-0507 www.saa.legal

When is the best time to begin managing your estate?

Capital One tOwer

Sudduth says now is the time. “You can never begin thinking about this too soon.

By stepping ahead of the curve and taking care of it early, you can turn estate management into an advantage for yourself and your family. People often hear about very contested court cases and contentious litigation surrounding successions. This creates a concern regarding estate planning. These contentious cases often happen only because the parties did not plan for the future. By planning ahead you can reduce stress on yourself and family significantly.”

For more information on estate planning, contact Sudduth and Associates at 337-480-0101.

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53

Money & Career

LEARN FROM TYRANTS and other Keys to Success

by Paula Gant, PhD

Visiting with McNeese students this fall, I had a chance to share my experience in a STEM career and reflect on how the American spirit propels our success and prosperity as a nation and as individuals in our careers and communities.

What do I mean by success? I am referring to our ability to make our way through uncomfortable places and difficult challenges in order to create something, to innovate, or to advance. Among the many contributors to success, three stand out in my experience.

“If one comes across as being cold or brusque, it’s simply because I’m striving for the best.” ~ Anna Wintour Anna Wintour, Fashion Icon, Editorial Director for Condé Nast and Vogue Magazine Editor-in-Chief

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December 2017

PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS

breakthroughs and significant discoveries that sharpen your skills and confidence, making you more effective and resilient, and in turn lead to success.

Find and focus on your strengths. Focusing on your shortcomings is a poor use of energy that can also fuel frustration. Research into factors for professional success has shown that those individuals who focus and act on their strengths have a higher rate of success than those who focus on minimizing their weaknesses. There are lots of tools available to help you identify your strengths, but you should also rely on your own insights and the perspectives of your mentors. Think about the activities that you consistently do well and that leave you feeling energized rather than drained. Seek out opportunities that profile your strengths -- in the process, you will shine and also continue to build your strengths.

RECOGNIZE FAILURE AS A TEACHER

LEARN FROM TYRANTS

The U.S. has experienced a recent abundance in domestic natural gas supplies that has, in turn, dramatically changed the role that energy plays in our economic, national and environmental security. We find ourselves in this very fortunate situation as a result of relentless pursuit of technical and operational advancements, through decades of investment by public and private interests, due to the vision of one man in particular: Texas oilman George Mitchell. His success in fracturing shale rock formations in the late 90s has received due attention, but that success was preceded by twenty years of trying alternative technical and engineering approaches – experiences some might have called “failures”. Instead, Mr. Mitchell approached each of those setbacks as opportunities to learn. His willingness to consider failure as a teacher was vital to his success.

Considering the paths to success taken

by Mr. Mitchell and other great innovators suggests that our greatest personal and professional growth will not come from moments that feel good but rather from moments of adversity and setback. The feeling of discomfort that results from failure is key to

Work lives are messy and full of people. We will encounter difficult personalities: a boss who is consistently critical or unsupportive, a colleague who takes credit for work done by others, or a client who is always dissatisfied and condescending. When faced with these tyrants, often we respond by feeling oppressed or off balance. We complain to our partners and friends about how unfair it is to be treated in this way. It helps to stop those thoughts and instead consider why the tyrant is undermining our confidence and enjoyment at work, or what fear we are fixated on that gives the tyrant power over us. We may not be able to change the tyrant’s behavior but we can control how we respond to it. Be curious about their motivations and the fears that drive their actions. In doing so, we can shift from a defensive mental posture to one that helps us feel a sense of control. Then keep asking questions: What can I learn from this person?

What skills and strategies are needed to be successful when confronted by a tyrant? How can I cultivate behaviors that allow me to avoid being a tyrant? In this way, you can turn tyrants into teachers.

All the above require authenticity: be an original, not a copy. Understand yourself, know your values, and follow them. This allows you to be confident and deliberate in your actions – particularly when addressing challenges or pursuing opportunities that require you to move beyond your comfort zone. Acting from your center in this way helps you not only use your strengths, but also grow through experience.

Paula Gant, a Sulphur native and 1991 McNeese graduate, served as a senior official in the U.S. Department of Energy for several years under the Obama administration.

We

Steve Jobs, Late Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc.

“My job is not to be easy on people. My job is to make them better.”

“Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.” ~ Steve Jobs

Holidays!

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December 2017

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55

Money & Career

Time Management Tips

by Bailey Castille

“People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it’s more like a big ball of wibbly, wobbly, time-y wimey stuff.” -Doctor Who, BBC Many think time is an untamable entity that creates stressful lifestyles. However, wibbly, wobbly time can be managed from day to day. These tips for time management may relieve your time-related stress.

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Plan. Keep a calendar or notebook so you know what to expect each day. List the things you wish to complete in the order they need to be accomplished. Whatever does not get finished today should be put on the top of the list for tomorrow.

Limit. Some say to limit yourself to only three tasks per day. While you are the only person who knows how much you can handle, understand you are only one person. If you realize accepting a task will cause

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you unnecessary stress, then say, “No.” This does not make you a bad person, worker, or friend. This makes you human.

Prioritize. Learn the difference between importance and urgency.

People focus on tasks camouflaged as urgent, like notifications on a smartphone. Turn off the notifications and focus on importance. Set a time for important items on your list, and follow those times.

December 2017

...

Evaluate. Procrastination is not always bad. If you are procrastinating, evaluate why you are doing so. Is it you?

Perhaps the issue is not with you but with the task itself.

Try. No matter how many articles you read on time management, if you never try to manage your time, you never will. Find a system that works for you to plan, limit, prioritize, and evaluate your to-do list. Then try to stick to it.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you, today and every day.

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57

Mind & Body

Add a Little Hygge to your Holidays

by Sylvia Ney

Love, happiness, and cozy contentment are all synonymous with the holiday season. But what if that way of life wasn’t limited to just one month of cheer?

In Denmark, a practice referred to as hygge (HOO-GA) has become a common year-round experience. Consistently ranked the happiest country in the world, Danes credit this culture of hygge as the reason. Dictionaries define hygge as a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.

Quite simply, hygge means “warm and cozy soul.” Key elements of this practice include blankets, wool socks, hot drinks, candles, and fireplaces. Inanimate qualities for this lifestyle incorporate a sense of humor, kindness, and remembering not to take life too seriously.

However, the concept goes further than mere simple pleasures. Think about

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the small intimacies you purposely create on a daily basis to make life more bearable or even joyful, such as sharing coffee and pastries with a friend, curling up with a good book, playing games and sharing laughs with your family, snuggling with your pet, or going for a brisk walk outdoors.

Hygge, in a nutshell, is finding the joy and comfort in everyday life throughout the year. This concept is particularly important for those suffering from stress, anxiety, or seasonal affective disorders.

Most of us naturally practice hygge here and there, especially during the holidays. However, Danes intentionally make it a part of their daily ritual.

Ultimately, don’t be too hard on yourself or others, relax and connect with friends and loved ones, and create experiences that bring you joy.

If you want more details on how to

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reach this form of happiness, consider reading Meik Wiking’s “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living.” Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, created this book to function as a guide to the philosophy of hygge for those of us starting from scratch. He includes tips like what to pack in your hygge “emergency kit” (chocolate!), how the always-on-the-go lifestyle can still squeeze in the experience, and how you can make gratitude and pleasure a part of your daily ritual.

“Focus on your relationships, the atmosphere you spend time in, and allow yourself a break from the demands of life,” he writes in the book.

His book, as well as more than ten others published on the subject this year alone, can be found online and through most retailers.

December 2017

The Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council is

CE LE B R ATI N G 1987

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ALL IS

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Providing Support & Services to Region 5 9 Free & Confidential HIV Testing 9 Primary Medical & HIV Care 9 Medical & Non-Medical Case Management 9 Oral Health & Vision Care 9 Outpatient Psychiatric, Mental Health & Substance Use Counseling 9 Emergency Financial Medication Assistance 9 Nutrition / Food Pantry 9 Transportation Assistance 9 Housing Assistance 9 Support Groups 9 HIV Education & Prevention to Community

after LASIK at The Eye Clinic Give yourself the gift of clear vision this holiday season.

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• Reduce the transmission of HIV in the region.

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59

Mind

& Body

PROTECT YOUR BACK

through the Hustle and Bustle

by Andrea Mongler

Holiday decorating and shopping may sound like perfectly safe activities, but oftentimes they’re not.

That’s because some of us do much more lifting, carrying, and ladder-climbing during the holiday season than at any other time, and those activities increase our risk for injury.

According to the National Safety Council, some 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating are seen in U.S. emergency departments each year.

Back injuries are a particular concern this time of year — picture lifting a too-heavy Christmas tree or falling off a ladder while hanging lights.

Rather than take a chance at being sidelined during the holidays, follow this advice to protect your back and avoid missing out on the festivities:

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Use proper lifting technique. Whether you’re lifting a Christmas tree, a box of decorations, or a heavy package, do it the right way. The Mayo Clinic recommends starting as close to the object as possible.

Then kneel or squat with the object between your legs. Lift the object while maintaining the natural curve of your back, and don’t hold your breath. While holding the object close to your body, rise to a standing position.

Remember to use your leg muscles, not your back. Don’t twist, and if you need to turn your body to carry the object somewhere, pivot with your feet, not your back.

Also, if you think something is too heavy for you to lift on your own, don’t do it. Instead, ask for help or, as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests, use a cart or other assistive device if there’s one available.

Use correct ladder safety. Maybe you have a tall tree to decorate, or perhaps you plan

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to string lights from your second-story roof.

Whatever the case, there’s a good chance you’ll need a ladder, and the last thing you want to do is fall off. Even falls from a few feet off the ground can cause injuries, and falling off a tall ladder could result in serious injuries such as a broken back.

According to the National Safety Council, a straight or extension ladder should be placed one foot away from whatever surface it’s resting against for every four feet of ladder height. When you’re climbing, always grip the rungs rather than the side rails, and keep three points of contact — two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet — on the ladder at all times. If you’re putting up lights or other outdoor decorations, get off the ladder right away if high winds or rain begins.

And last but not least, make sure you’re using the proper ladder or stepstool to begin with; never stand on chairs, tables, or other furniture.

December 2017

Prevent tripping hazards. With holiday gifts, strings of lights, and extra extension cords, your house and yard are probably more cluttered than usual this time of year. And more clutter means more chances to trip and fall, potentially injuring your back or other body parts. To avoid this problem, keep gifts and other decorations in places where no one will need to step over or around them. When possible, place extension cords against the wall and avoid running them under rugs, around furniture, or across doorways.

Similarly, don’t run a string of lights across a high traffic area.

With some caution and common sense, you can protect your back and focus on enjoying the holiday season.

Wishing you a Happy,

Healthy Holiday Season

The physicians and staff of Imperial Health extend the warmest of holiday greetings to our patients and the communities we serve.

It has been an exciting year for our physician-owned group. As we look forward to continued growth next year, we strengthen our shared commitment to work together to provide exceptional care for our patients.

CARDIOLOGY

Miguel DePuy, M.D. Carl Fastabend, M.D. Corey Foster, M.D. Richard Gilmore, M.D. Brett Goodwin, M.D. Jake LeBeau, M.D. Thomas Mulhearn, M.D. Michael Turner, M.D.

ENDOCRINOLOGY

Steve Springer, M.D. Errol Wilder, M.D. Benjamin Williams, M.D.

INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT & ANESTHESIOLOGY

FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALISTS

Joseph Crookshank III, M.D.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Jonathan Foret, M.D. Steven Hale, M.D. John Noble, M.D. George Trappey, IV, M.D.

Tyson Green, D.P.M. Kalieb Pourciau, D.P.M. Juan Teran, M.D.

HAND & WRIST SPECIALIST

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION

Sandra Dempsey, M.D. Timothy Gilbert, M.D.

Andrew Foret, M.D.

EAR, NOSE & THROAT

Brian Wilder, M.D.

William Lowry, M.D. Craig Morton, M.D.

INTERNAL MEDICINE – HOSPITALIST

PULMONARY DISEASE & CRITICAL CARE

Brad LeBert, M.D. Blake LeBlanc, M.D. Bridget Loehn, M.D.

FAMILY MEDICINE

Jason Burklow, M.D. John DiGiglia, M.D. Benjamin Fontenot, M.D. Andres Guillermo, M.D. Thomas LeBeau, M.D. Jason Morris, M.D. Keane O’Neal, M.D. Todd Peavy, M.D. Arthur Primeaux, M.D. Melissa Rasberry, M.D.

INTERNAL MEDICINE

Cody Tingle, M.D.

Luke Williams, M.D.

INTERNAL MEDICINE & PEDIATRICS

Enrique Mendez, M.D.

Yoko Broussard, M.D.

RHEUMATOLOGY

imperialhealth.com | (337) 433-8400

December 2017

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61

Mind

& Body

Preventing Cavities Over Christmas During the holiday season, sweets surround us. At home, at work and at holiday parties, sugary treats are there to tempt us.

We tend to think about this in terms of potential weight gain, but what about our teeth? You probably know that sugar can contribute to cavity formation, but here’s the thing: Sugar is just one element in the cavity formation cycle.

“Most people just think sweet foods cause decay, but actually three components have to be present,” says Harry Castle, DDS, of Oak Park Dental. “Number one, plaque on the teeth, usually from non-brushing.

Number two, sugar. Number three, bacteria in the mouth.”

It works like this: When you eat foods containing sugar or drink sugary beverages, you naturally end up with sugar on your teeth. If you don’t brush well enough and get all the sugar off, bacteria will begin feeding on it, forming plaque. The bacteria also use sugar to produce acids, which eat

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by Andrea Mongler

away at your teeth. Then, when you eat more sugar, the bacteria-filled plaque is already there, more acid is formed, and the cycle continues.

According to Dr. Castle, the best thing you can do to prevent cavities — during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year — is brush your teeth properly. However, in his opinion, doing so requires an electric toothbrush.

“When people are brushing their teeth and still getting cavities, it probably comes down to the fact that they are using a manual toothbrush and not covering all of the surfaces to get rid of that plaque,” Dr. Castle says. “I suggest a motorized electric toothbrush. There’s no other way to do it.”

A research review published in 2014 that included 56 previously published studies found that powered, or electric, toothbrushes were 11 percent more effective than manual toothbrushes at reducing plaque after one month of use.

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After three months of use, they were 21 percent more effective.

The American Dental Association (ADA) says you should brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Also be sure to replace your toothbrush if the bristles are frayed.

And do be conscious of your sugar intake.

The more sugar you eat (or drink), the more food you’re providing to that acid-forming bacteria. Be especially cautious with sugary foods that cling to your teeth for a long time — think dried fruits, hard candy, and honey — as well as soda or other sugary drinks if you sip them throughout the day.

Finally, although there is no need to make a special trip to the dentist after the holiday season, be sure to go every six months for a checkup and cleaning.

In the meantime, if you’re smart about your holiday snacking and you brush your teeth correctly, you can enjoy the season without fear of cavities.

December 2017

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The Sneeze

The Correct Way to Brush your Teeth According to the ADA

& Wheeze.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.

• Gently move the toothbrush back and forth in short (the width of a tooth) strokes.

Dr. Harry Castle

It’s a classic move, and one that could be a sign of allergies, a cold, sinus problems or even an infection.

Specialized treatment for little ears, noses and throats.

It’s the season for sneezing and wheezing, and when you notice these symptoms in your child, that’s your signal to see an experienced ENT specialist. Dr. Bridget Loehn, ENT & Allergy Specialist with Imperial Health, offers advanced diagnostic and treatment options for a wide range of pediatric ear, nose and throat problems, along with comprehensive allergy testing and treatment.

• Brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of your teeth.

• Tilt the brush vertically and use up-and-down strokes to clean the inside surfaces of your front teeth.

Call Dr. Bridget Loehn

ENT & Allergy Specialist

1747 Imperial Blvd., Lake Charles (inside CFO) • (337) 419-1960 December 2017

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63

Mind

& Body

Putting the Hospitality Back in Hospital

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrated Recent Grand Opening of Avail Health Lake Charles Hospital photos by Shonda Manuel Avail Health Lake Charles Hospital celebrated the recent opening of their new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place at their 3730 Nelson Road location on November 9.

“We’re thrilled to introduce our new state-of-the-art hospital to the people of Lake Charles,” said Dr. Dharmesh Patel, CEO of Avail Health. “Our ribbon cutting ceremony marks the launch of a new phase for this city as we provide innovative, highquality health care while retaining the individuality and spirit of the surrounding community.”

The event provided the business community an opportunity to capture a glimpse of this “5-Star ER,” the first-of-itskind health care facility in Louisiana. The Chamber/Southwest Louisiana facilitated the ribbon cutting and Lake Charles Chamber representatives, as well as other invited dignitaries, assisted in welcoming the facility to the local community.

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The fully licensed, general acute-care hospital features a visually striking, ecofriendly blueprint with fully equipped emergency and trauma rooms, as well as inpatient beds and procedure rooms for cardiac and gastrointestinal care and pain management. The facility is staffed with board-certified physicians who have trained at the best teaching institutions in the nation, including Yale and Columbia, as well as experienced nurses and clinical specialists dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care.

The facility will also include an industrial medicine component for occupational health services dedicated to serve the needs of our area’s local workers. “We’re delighted to become part of the community and show the same appreciation and gratitude that they’ve shown us,” said Patel.

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December 2017

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Meet the Newest Member of our Physician Team,

Cody Tingle, MD,

Internal Medicine Physician-Hospitalist

Imperial Health proudly welcomes Cody Tingle, MD, board certified internal medicine physician, to our medical staff.

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. Tingle has practiced as a Hospitalist for CHRISTUS Health at their Louisiana hospitals in Lake Charles, Shreveport and Alexandria for over two years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and a Diploma of Higher Education with Commendation in Medical Sciences from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. He received his Medical Degree from St. George’s University Medical School in Greneda, before completing clerkships in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Ob-Gyn and Neurology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

He returned to LSU Health in Shreveport for his Internal Medicine Residency.

In his new position with Imperial Health, Dr. Tingle will take care of patients in area hospitals and coordinate inpatient care.

imperialhealth.com

501 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr., Lake Charles | www.ImperialHealth.com December 2017

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65

!

Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

If You Don’t Believe, You Won’t Receive!

I heard a friend of mine tell her kids a version of the title one day. The oldest had come home from school with some sort of horror story that Santa doesn’t exist. I remember I thought she handled it beautifully when she sad, “How sad! You know, if you don’t believe in Santa, he won’t come to your house on Christmas Eve.” Now, you can choose to believe or not, and you can tell your kids anything you want about Santa. I just thought her answer covered believers and nonbelievers without judgment.

I also remember thinking that belief is a huge part of any receiving that gets done. Let’s take a look: Spiritually – We know that people do better when they have a belief system that includes a higher power. We have a need to feel as though there is something bigger than us that is in control of the universe. Most people increase and decrease the amount of their believing as they go through life. They go through periods when they think what is in front of them is all there is. I find that to be a normal part of our development. I can tell you this – when people come in to see me for the first time, I always ask how they are doing spiritually.

By far, the majority of people dealing with depression, issues with family members, issues with addictions, etc. are not where they would like to be spiritually. If you’re not happy with your current situation, start working

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on your spiritual life. You may not receive what you think you should, but it will probably be what you need.

you become aware of your self talk, evaluate and decide if you need to replace the message.

Self Talk – We’ve discussed this before. That audiotape that runs a never ending loop in your head is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. I really do believe that the things you tell yourself tend to come true – “I’m so stupid,” “I’m miserable in this marriage,” “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Likewise, others tell themselves, “I’m going to get that job,” “I know I can pass that test,” “My marriage isn’t great, but we can fix it.”

Make Your Claims – This is connected to self talk, but on a larger scale. Begin to envision the things you want to happen in your life as already happening. If you want to be a millionaire one day, begin to claim it.

I know this sounds simplistic, but I have seen it work so many times - whatever you “claim” comes to fruition. Now, this doesn’t mean that if you claim you’re going to have a million dollars deposited into your bank account it will happen (although I guess it’s not out of the realm of possibility). What it does mean is if you begin to claim, “I am becoming financially responsible,” or “I am making healthier eating choices,” or “I am feeling better today,” it’s a very real possibility it will happen.

Where do we learn this self talk?

Typically it comes from our families of origin. The way our families viewed us is typically the way we end up viewing ourselves. (So, parents, be very mindful of what you tell your children!) The great thing is, we can “re-program” our brains if needed. As

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I saw an interview with a musician today about her new album. “It’s successful,” she said. “But it hasn’t even been released yet!” exclaimed the interviewer. “I know,” she said.

She envisioned her success – she “claimed” it. You can begin to claim your success, too. Picture your successful world – with relationships, finances, careers, etc. Decide what skills/tools you need to make your picture a reality and get to work. Will it always work out? Probably not. But you’ve got a much better shot if you stay in a positive frame of mind as you work towards the goal.

I learned a long time ago that not everything can be calculated, controlled, or even explained. You have to accept that, or you’ll drive yourself crazy. Even better, you need to receive the possibility. So, to the son of my friend discussed at the beginning of this article – I want to receive, so you’d better know that I believe!!

December 2017

14-YearOld Miah Longs for a Forever Family

Miah, a 14-year-old high school freshman, is experiencing the hardship of a new family, a new school, and a new city hours away from the place she calls home. Due to a shortage of foster homes in the Lake Charles region open to teenagers, she was moved to Baton Rouge. Miah is hopeful that the dream of adoption into a stable, loving home will soon be her reality.

But to make these dreams come true, Miah needs parents who can invest in her for the long-term -- and she needs them soon. Adoption specialist with the Department of Children and Family Services, Ashlee Walker, says that as teenagers age it can become harder to move them into adoptive placements.

Each day, an abused or neglected child is removed from an unsafe home and placed in Louisiana’s foster care system. They remain in the system until their home environment is safe—but for many, that never happens. Of the 4,000 children currently cycling in state foster care, about 350 are ready to be adopted today. More than 60 of them are in Southwest Louisiana, right here in our community.

“They need that family support when they’re in their 20s, 30s, to teach them how to raise their own children and things about life,” says Walker. “It’s very important that these teenagers find a forever home so that they can have a family after they turn 18.” She also says that Miah still has so much to give a family and much to be received as she grows from a girl into a young woman.

KPLC reporter Britney Glaser, in partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), highlights children who are legally ready to be adopted. Thrive is supporting The New Family Tree by featuring this month’s story.

Miah, who hopes to help others by becoming a registered nurse one day, is a fierce defender of those being bullied.

“Miah sticks up for people who are getting bullied,” said Walker. “That’s one of the positives that the home told me about her, is that she doesn’t want anyone bullied.”

Although moving around to different foster homes and different schools all while being far from home has been difficult for Miah, she relies on her faith for comfort. “I pray,” she said. Prayer gives this young lady strength. That is one of Miah’s qualities that shines through, according to Walker.

When asked about her checklist for the perfect family, Miah says, “I want a mom and a dad. It doesn’t matter what color they are…that’s it.” Two people who can pour a lifetime of love into her life.

Miah is legally freed for adoption through the state. Before she can be moved into adoptive placement, you must be a certified home.

The first step to adopt through foster care is to attend orientation, then go through the certification process with classes, a background check, and a home study. To start that process, or to make an inquiry about Miah, call the Lake Charles Region of The Department of Children and Family Services at 337-491-2470.

December 2017

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living

December 2017