Thrive December 2025

DECEMBER 2025

Let Him

INN

Making Room for Christ in a Crowded World Pastor Kevin and Elizabeth Burns

In This Issue

Good Samaritans The Gift of 'Me Time' Community Christmas

Cover Sponsored by:

THRIVESWLA.COM

1

Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT

• Brain Injury

• Hip Fractures

• Strokes

• Osteoarthritis/DJD

• Amputations

• Neurological Disorders

• Burns

• Spinal Cord Injury

• Major Multiple Trauma

• Congenital Deformities

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Vasculidities

• Joint Replacements

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

24 Hour Nursing Care • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Nutritional Counseling and Monitoring Case Management Call for a free assessment today.

One Hospital Drive, Ste. 101 • Jennings, LA 70546 • Phone: (337) 821-5353 • Fax: (337) 821-5355 or 5366 jenningsrehab@yahoo.com • www.jenningsrehab.com 2

DECEMBER 2025

2917 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

(337) 433-8504

THRIVESWLA.COM

3

Contents 6

REGULAR FEATURES: 28 Family Works: Roach Law Firm 35 Nonprofit Impact 36 Just Imagine SWLA

58 Cowboy Connections 80 The Bookshelf 78 Cool Jobs: SWLA Santa

Wining & Dining 6-13 8 10-11 12-13

SPECIAL SECTION: Christmas Cheer Chill Out This Holiday Season at The Frosty Factory Getting Into The Holiday Spirits Your Goose Is Cooked: Christmas Dinners Around the Globe

26

Mind & Body 14-21 16 18 20

28

SPECIAL SECTION: The Gift of 'Me Time' Beauty & Renewal: The Ultimate Skincare Gift Guide for Every Age Glam & Styled: Indulge in Relaxation at Be Still Salon & Spa Pamper & Polish: Pedicures and Healing Your Inner Self

Money & Career 22-27 24 26 27

62

SPECIAL SECTION: Side Hustles Shayne Laughlin: State Farm Agent and Painter John Guidroz: PIO at DOTD and Musician Noelle Mills: Speech Therapist and Photographer

Places & Faces

30

30-35 SPECIAL SECTION: Good Samaritans 38-57 SPECIAL SECTION: Shop Leauxcal Southwest Louisiana

Style & Beauty

60 Holiday Style with Lydia & Lavender Boutique 62-63 Lucille Lane: Pop Art Takes on Ben Franklin, Lil Wayne 64 Making Scent, Fragrances & More

38

THE COVER CAN BE

Home & Family 66-79 68-70 72-73 76-77 79 82 83

SPECIAL SECTION: Community Christmas Holiday Happenings A Festive Journey through Europe's Christmas Markets Let Him INN: Making Room For Christ in a Crowded World Memories with the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus Winter Home Prep 6th Annual Lake Charles Acton Children's Business Fair

@thriveswla | thriveswla.com

76 Managing Editor Editor and Publisher Creative Director Design & Layout

FOR DETAILS & RATES CONTACT KATIE@THRIVESWLA.COM Kerri Cooke Kristy Como Armand Barbara VanGossen Kyra Labrie

Business Manager Advertising Sales Submissions

Katie McDaniel Stevenson katie@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099 editor@thriveswla.com

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 to be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career. Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

4

DECEMBER 2025

THRIVESWLA.COM

5

WINING & DINING

CHEER

It’s the time of year where you’ll want to break out the elastic pants as you dig into family feasts and a variety of sweets. And don’t forget the drinks.

The Candy Cane Girls have decked out the Frosty Factory to create a winter wonderland and Hokus Pokus has recommendations on what spirits to bring to Christmas dinner. But Christmas dinner isn’t all the same, even across the United States. Have a cultural Christmas by digging into some tamales or roast goose. Follow with Little Debbie Christmas Trees!

6

DECEMBER 2025

THRIVESWLA.COM

7

Wining & Dining | CHRISTMAS CHEER The Candy Cane Girls: Carrie Collins and Darla Meyer

Chill Out this Holiday Season

at the Frosty Factory

by Angie Kay Dilmore

The Frosty Factory has been transformed into a delightful Christmas wonderland! Hosted by Carrie Collins and Darla Meyer— aka the Candy Cane Girls—this holiday themed pop-up bar has been enchanting revelers since just prior to Thanksgiving. “Every inch of the Frosty Factory is decked out in holiday splendor,” says Collins. “It’s the perfect place for holiday office parties, a girls’ night out, photo-ops or simply for friends to gather and enjoy the season.”

The Candy Cane Girls concocted the idea for this unique space—a first for Lake Charles—after a girls’ weekend in Houston to celebrate a friend’s birthday late last year. Part of their festivities included a Christmas pop-up bar. Describing the space as beautiful, adorable and overthe-top, Meyer says that as she and Collins left the venue, they looked at each other and said, “We could do this!”

Planning began in January. “Once we got the commitment from the 8

DECEMBER 2025

Frosty Factory, it was ON!” says Meyer. By March, the Candy Cane Girls, both with full-time jobs in business and marketing, began sourcing Christmas decorations from estate and garage sales, donations and a particularly lucrative auction in Dallas where they procured many of the larger holiday features. The pair then worked tirelessly, with 6 a.m. brainstorming sessions and long hours during evenings and weekends in their warehouse, creating Christmas magic. To bring the décor to life, they collaborated with Twisted Vines for the lighting.

They also have holiday “elves,” aka family and friends who have helped with set-up and management.

The Candy Cane Girls say all the effort is their way of giving back to their beloved community. “People and businesses are struggling right now,” says Collins. Open during normal Frosty Factory hours through January 3, many exciting events will be held throughout this month, such as karaoke and

movie nights. Frosty Factory mixologists have concocted several specialty holiday drinks to accentuate the holiday vibe, including Sugar Cookie Martini, Cranberry Paloma, Rum Rum Rudolph and White Cranberry Cosmo.

With their Candy Cane Girls for a Cause program, two nights this month are dedicated to supporting local non-profits: St. Nicholas Center for Children and Families Helping Families of SWLA. Like any bar, patrons must be 21 or older to enter, but Sunday, December 14, is Family Day for all ages. The Frosty Factory will be open for a Cookies with Santa event, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Admission is $5.

This brand-new Christmas pop-up bar is already lighting up patrons’ social media profiles. Collins cites the nostalgia factor as a draw. “If you’re from Lake Charles, your first daiquiri was likely from the Frosty Factory.”

Tickets to that Houston attraction last year were $45, but the Candy Cane Girls want their pop-up bar to be more affordable. Admission is $10 Monday through Thursday, and $20 Friday and Saturday. Tickets include one free drink. Spaces for private parties or VIP tables can be booked for an additional fee.

The Frosty Factory, located at 4688 Common St., does not offer food, but guests are welcome to bring their own food or have their event catered.

The Candy Cane Girls are excited to bring something new and fun to Lake Charles. “It's our Christmas gift to our sweet city.”

For a full schedule of events or to reserve a spot for your holiday party, find Candycanegirlsllc on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Here are just a few examples of how Phillips 66 provides Good Energy to deliver Great Impact in Southwest Louisiana:

Social Impact

4,430

$815,000 Annual Campaign

hours volunteered in our community in 2024

$500,000 Children’s Museum SWLA

to support Port Wonder

$1,580,005

in matching grants and charitable contributions to nonprofits in our communities in 2024

Economic Impact $25,000 in Scholarships

$1 Million Process Technology Building

“At SOWELA, Good Energy Powers Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

DR. NEIL ASPINWALL,

SOWELA Chancellor

in Calcasieu Parish in 2024

$126 MM

“Good Energy Unites People to Support Those in Need.”

DENISE DUREL,

United Way SWLA President/CEO

Payroll

1

Refining Job

=

15.1 Community Jobs

THE BOOT Veterans Employment Program

Phillips 66 Veterans Network

Employees and Contractors

780 employees

76%

330 contractors

of employees live in Calcasieu Parish

BUBBA VIATOR, The Boot

WILLIAM DUCOTEY, Phillips 66

GoodEnergyGreatImpact.com

THRIVESWLA.COM

9

Wining & Dining | CHRISTMAS CHEER

Getting into the

Holiday Spirits

by Matt Dye

With the holiday season in full swing, there’s always a reason to get festive.

And one of the best ways to get in the holiday spirit is by gifting and enjoying holiday spirits, but what spirits are you looking for?

“Premium tequila is kind of top dog right now,” Katelyn Young of Hokus Pokus points out. “People are aiming now for zero additive, organic, ‘good for you’ type spirits. Stuff that just feels good in your body, so you’re not packing yourself with sugars and dyes.”

With that in mind, Young recommends the 123 Organic Tequilas, better known as the "uno dos tres" brand, or Tapitio Tequila, which has been around since the 1940s, but only in America for the last dozen years, slowly growing its reputation.

10

DECEMBER 2025

If tequila isn’t your spirit of choice, Young also recommends a good bourbon, of which Hokus Pokus has quite a few. For those who might be wanting to impress an out-of-state friend or relative, she suggests going local, specifically with the J. T. Meleck varieties, as well as Whiskey Tree from Seven Three Distilling Co.

But if you’re looking to avoid any type of “illicitness,” one of the more popular drinks is mushroom-infused, made with organic adaptogens, not they psychedelic variety. These drinks, such as the ones made by Hiyo, are sparkling tonics that reduce stress while boosting mood, giving imbibers a feeling called “the float.”

Hokus Pokus has other premium high-end bourbons, and Young is always looking to bring in other unique batches you can’t find anywhere else in town.

However you look to tackle the holidays, Hokus Pokus has the variety to cover even the most discerning taste on your holiday gift list as well as every type of cocktail imaginable to set your holiday party off right. And if you’re not sure, stop by for a taste.

If you’re hosting a gathering, ready-made cocktails are extremely popular, with everything from Double Espresso Martinis to Hot Toddy’s to pre-made Old Fashioneds.

There are also a number of mixes for the perfect drink if you’re looking to regulate the amount of spirits imbibed. Craftmix has a number of flavors to try, from holiday standards like Apple Cider and Hot Chocolate to something a little more refreshing in the Cranberry Vanilla mix.

If you’re looking to go the non-alcoholic direction or to try some mocktails, THC-infused drinks are one of the more intoxicating options out there.

“We definitely encourage trying before buying,” Young says. “So if we’ve got a bottle cracked, by all means. That’s what’s special about this store. In most cases, you can try before you buy.”

Hokus Pokus is located at 1915 Country Club Road.

Check their Facebook page to learn about future in-store tastings. Hokus Pokus offers custom gift baskets and complimentary gift wrapping in store with the purchase of a gift bag.

No matter your budget, Hokus Pokus has a gift basket that will delight anyone.

Stop by and make holiday shopping simple!

CUSTOM MADE (337) 474-0447

1915 Country Club Road, Lake Charles Locally Owned & Operated Since 1940 • Gift Cards Available

HOKUSPOKUSLIQUOR.COM THRIVESWLA.COM

11

Wining & Dining | CHRISTMAS CHEER

Your Goose is Cooked Christmas Dinners Around the Globe

by Madelaine Brauner Landry

Holiday meals across the USA and the globe vary widely. There are traditional classics in every family, but you might consider opening your menu to new ideas. Every family is a unique blend of cultures and customs; ask relatives if there are personal favorites you can add to this year’s feast. Exploring global or regional food traditions offers us a way to honor the old while embracing the new. Don’t throw out the pot of gumbo, but do hop aboard Santa’s sleigh for a magical culinary tour!

From Réveillon in New Orleans to the bonfires in Garyville to the hot tamales of Zwolle, Louisiana certainly has its own savory mixture of culinary treats. Our sweet teeth crave homemade pralines, bread pudding, divinity fudge and King cakes. Tennessee and Texas boast about their various barbeque flavors. Kentuckians enjoy Christmas fried chicken, as well as their bourbons. While technically not a food, the spirit finds its way into sauces, dishes and holiday drinks like Mint Juleps. Alabama and Mississippi feast on fried catfish and hush puppies, Alaska and Maryland love their crabs, and many folks blend classic holiday cuisine and soul food. Think glazed ham, collard greens and a variety of sweet 12

DECEMBER 2025

potato dishes. In Hawaii, it’s a Kālua pig on a plate of cabbage, while Idahoans opt for prime rib as their protein choice.

Globe-trotting Santas might feast on a succulent roast goose or duck, complemented by flavorful stuffing, red cabbage and potato dumplings in Germany. In the UK, revelers will only bring out the figgy pudding after you’ve had your fill of roasted meats, crispy roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Some Russians fast all day on Christmas Eve, only eating when they’ve spied the first star in the sky. Then they enjoy sochivo, a porridge made from wheat or rice and accompanied by honey, fruit, nuts and seeds. A Grecian Christmas meal features roast lamb or pork, seasoned with fennel and rosemary. Leave room for the baklava, dripping with honey and pistachios.

Puerto Ricans enjoy lechon asado, a roast pig with crispy skin, served with arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pasteles (meat-filled plantain tamales) and tostones (fried green plantains). The French serve roast turkey or venison stuffed with chestnut dressing, topped off with bûche de Noël, served with a dollop of fresh cream. The Italians tear-and-share

Have a Sweet Christmas

by Kerri Cooke

SWLA’s cafés, coffee shops and bakeries have numerous seasonal goodies to choose from. But what happens when you’re home during the holidays and businesses are closed? Stock up on some Christmas treats from the grocery store to tide you through.

Every year, the big names in the candy business offer new flavors and shapes for the Christmas season.

Here are a few to try: • Kit Kat Peppermint Stick • Snickers Trees • Twix Snowmen • Hershey’s Kisses in Snickerdoodle Cookie • Butterfinger Marshmallow

For coffee lovers, International Delight has Home Alone-themed coffee creamers in Peppermint Mocha, Hot Chocolate Marshmallow and Frosted Sugar Cookie.

For slow mornings, grab a box of Frosted Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Pop-Tarts. Pillsbury also sells dough for sugar cookies with characters ranging from The Grinch to Elf. If you want a healthier option for when you get the munchies, Blue Diamond Almonds has flavors in Peppermint Cocoa and Snickerdoodle.

And don’t forget about Little Debbie’s Christmas Trees!

Puerto Rican roast pig

panettone, a sweet bread, bursting with candied peel,

sultanas and raisins. Finlanders enjoy lutefisk, a Nordic specialty of dried fish soaked in lye. And the Japanese bring us full circle with platters of crispy fried chicken, now considered a must for their holiday menu!

Christmas is a universal celebration, uniting us all through the joy of shared meals and making memories. Unwrapping the dishes that make Christmas dinners around the world truly special is easier when we can find recipes and videos giving step-by-step guidance. Or maybe learning about these various foods is an educational and entertainment treat in itself. Either way, enjoy your holiday meal stuffed with stories, laughter and love this season.

Pecan pralines

Lutefisk, Nordic dried fish soaked in lye THRIVESWLA.COM

13

MIND & BODY

the gift of

'ME TIME' Too often do we neglect taking care of ourselves.

Often, it’s when we’re almost to the breaking point that we realize we need to decompress and indulge in some pampering to get back into a positive headspace.

Giving the gift of “Me Time” is one of the most special presents you can give someone as it’s something many people won’t gift themselves. Curated skincare, massages, head spas and intensive pedicures are often seen as a luxury. What better gift can you give someone than relaxation time? Gift cards are available for all these services, so consider one a token of appreciation to the special someone in your life. It will increase their happiness and yours in return since research overwhelmingly shows people are happier when they give than when they receive.

14

DECEMBER 2025

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital

Archer Institute

Moss Memorial Health Clinic Rheumatology

LCMH for Women

2nd Avenue, LC

MEMORIAL

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Gauthier Rd., LC

Breast Health Center

Heart & Vascular Center

Your healthcare home all year long.

Urology

LCMH Sulphur DeRidder Jennings

Behavioral Health Clinic

3rd Avenue, LC

LCMH LCMH for Women MB Diagnostic Center

Enterprise Blvd., LC

Center for Neurosurgery

DERIDDER

Wolf Circle., LC

Heart & Vascular Oncology/Hematology

LSU Family Medicine

Oak Park Blvd., LC

Surgery / Trauma

IOWA Health Clinic

Clinic of WELSH Diagnostic Imaging

3rd Ave., LC Oak Park Blvd., LC

OB Care Clinic

LCMH LCMH for Women MB Diagnostic Center

Gauthier Rd., LC

Family Medicine Neurosurgical Institute LCMH

Lab Draw Stations

Aster St., LC Gauthier Rd., LC Moss Bluff Nelson Rd., LC Oak Park Blvd., LC Cameron Welsh Sulphur

Advanced Urology

LCMH LCMH for Women Nelson Rd., LC Moss Health Clinic MB Diagnostic Center Jennings Sulphur

Wolf Circle, LC Sulphur

Retail Pharmacy

Medical Plaza Moss Health Clinic

Digestive Health Center

Endoscopy Center

Oncology Hematology

CAMERON

Deridder LCMH Sulphur

Pulmonology Associates

Orthopedic Specialists

LCMH

LCMH

Mobile Family Medicine Unit

JENNINGS

LCMH Nelson Rd., LC

Heart & Vascular Internal Medicine

3rd Ave., LC

MOSS BLUFF

Diagnostic Center Family Medicine

Wound Care Center Oak Park Blvd.

Imperial Pointe

Internal Medicine Interventional Spine LCMH

lcmh.com

3rd Ave. Nelson Rd. Oak Park Blvd.

Jennings

SULPHUR

Family Medicine Specialty Clinic

THRIVESWLA.COM

15

Mind & Body | THE GIFT OF 'ME TIME'

Beauty & Renewal: The Ultimate Skincare Gift Guide for Every Age

by Katelynn Mouton

When it comes to gift giving, few gifts feel as personal or as transformative as those centered on beauty and renewal. With influencer culture now shaping so many skincare decisions, cutting through the noise to understand who truly needs what and at what stage of life has never been more important.

“Influencer marketing can be inspiring, but it often focuses on what is trending over what is medically proven,” explains board certified dermatologist and owner of The Gallery of Dermatology and Advanced Aesthetics, Dr. Kerri Davis-Fontenot.

“What works beautifully for one influencer’s skin type—under studio lighting—may not deliver the same results for you.”

Dr. Davis-Fontenot adds that effective skincare does not have to be expensive and says patients should prioritize science over popularity. “Choose products recommended by licensed professionals who understand skin biology and be mindful of counterfeit or “dupe” items sold online. Make sure to purchase products from trusted retailers or directly through your dermatologist’s office to ensure safety and authenticity.”

With so many trending products and treatments online, it helps to focus on what actually benefits the skin at different ages. Dr. Davis-Fontenot provides this helpful breakdown of gift ideas tailored to each stage of life: 16

DECEMBER 2025

Tweens and Teens: Start simple and build healthy habits early. “I love introducing teens to gentle, dermatologist-approved basics that make skincare approachable rather than overwhelming—like the PIPA Skincare line for teens, which encourages consistency without irritation. A tailored HydraFacial is one of my favorite self-care treats for this age group as well. It’s gentle, customized to their skin type, and a perfect opportunity to learn about products and how to properly care for their skin. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce them to healthy habits early. Skincare is self-care, not just a cosmetic concern.”

Twenties: Prevention is the key word for this decade. “Think medical-grade sunscreen, hydrating serums and chemical exfoliants that set the foundation for lifelong skin health. A HydraFacial or light chemical peel makes a fantastic gift for this age group. Results are instant, yet it’s a gentle way to begin professional skincare.”

Thirties: Renewal and repair become the focus of this decade. “After years of environmental exposure and stress, collagen support becomes essential. Microneedling is an excellent introductory procedure to stimulate collagen production. Botox can also be beneficial for preventing wrinkles. Incorporating medical-grade skincare can address more specific concerns. For example, use Revision’s Nectifirm for the neck or Neocutis’ eye cream for the delicate eye area.”

Forties and Beyond: This phase of life is about rejuvenation and restoration. “Think laser resurfacing, dermal fillers and energy-based tightening treatments for a refreshed, confident look. High-performance products like vitamin C, growth factors, retinoids and peptides—paired with a consultation from a board-certified dermatologist—make this the ultimate act of selflove. Consider our VIP membership to give yourself an extra boost in maintaining your skin’s health and vitality.”

Providing a gift that offers an experience is transformative for the recipient, says Dr. DavisFontenot. “In a world that rarely slows down, moments of care and rejuvenation are the truest form of luxury. Skincare and aesthetic treatments aren’t just about looking better—they're about feeling restored, confident and seen.”

Finally, Dr. Davis-Fontenot adds that self-care is a modern luxury that transcends trends. “Whether it’s a medical-grade moisturizer or a full-day aesthetic experience, the real gift is permission to rest, renew and reconnect with ourselves. At The Gallery, our motto is ‘Where the art of medicine meets the art of aesthetics.’ True beauty begins with feeling good in your own skin.”

For more information on The Gallery of Dermatology and Advanced Aesthetics, call (337) 564-7546 or visit galleryderm.com.

Seeing is Believing!

Give the GIFT OF SIGHT with LASIK from

Make the dream of lens-free, clear vision come true this holiday season with LASIK from the region’s most experienced specialists.

Call today for more information about our: • Free screenings • In-Office Laser Suite • Affordable financing options

Gift Cards Available Dr. Jon Yokubaitis Dr. Charles Thompson 877-95-FOCUS | TheEyeClinic.net

THRIVESWLA.COM

17

Mind & Body | THE GIFT OF 'ME TIME'

Glam & Styled:

Indulge in Relaxation at Be Still Salon & Spa

by Kerri Cooke

We’re so used to going to different places to receive various self-care services, but what if everything you wanted was all in one place?

Enter Be Still Salon & Spa. Founded by Marietta Laughlin, the business was originally a place where pregnant women in Sulphur could go for 3D and 4D ultrasounds without having to drive into Lake Charles. The business model has expanded to provide a variety of salon and spa services as well the original ultrasounds.

As you walk in the door, you’re first greeted by a boutique. Staying true to its roots, Be Still Salon & Spa is meant to be a “mommy spa,” according to manager Chynna Adams. In fact, when booking a 4D ultrasounds, you can get a packaged deal with either the Mama Refresh, which includes the scan and a 60-minute maternity massage or a 40-minute facial, or the Mama Retreat, which includes the scan,

18

DECEMBER 2025

massage and facial. Delivery and newborn photography is also offered.

The salon and spa services aren’t just for pregnant women, though. There are four hair stylists taking clients, a massage therapist who offers numerous different types of massages and an aesthetician who provides facials and waxes. Spray tans, permanent jewelry and a new head spa experience are also offered.

Adams says their mission is in the name—Be Still Salon & Spa. “It’s a place where people can come, relax and be still for a moment. It stresses the importance of self-care. Life can get in the way of that.” What better gift can you give someone than the gift of pampering?

The newly unveiled head spa service is not all that common in SWLA, but videos can be found of the process on social media. It begins with a scalp analysis, where you will learn of any issues with your scalp, such as dryness or inflammation. Then you get to spend time being pampered while your head and hair are

SERVICES: - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy - Medical Weight Loss - Thyroid Optimization - Nutraceuticals - Peptide & Injectable Nutrients - Well-Woman Exams - Contraception - STI Testing/Treatment - Urinary Tract Infections

given the princess treatment. You can then choose whether you want a stylist to give you a blow out or style your hair.

While the salon is available for walk-in service, it’s always best to call ahead to make sure the service you want is available at the time that works best for you.

For more information, visit bestillsalonandspa.glossgenius.com.

2 locations In Walnut Grove The Cottage - 1510 William St. Main Office - 2002 West Walnut St. Ste. 101 info@revitalizedhealth.org

PROVIDERS: Dawn Hinton, AGPCNP-BC, MSCP Melinda Strickland, FNP-BC Crystal Tarou, FNP-BC, MSCP D. Renee Thornton FNP-BC

337-214-0097 • REVITALIZEDHEALTH.ORG ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS • ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE • CASH PAY OPTIONS

WE’RE

CENTERED AROUND YOU

The Center for Orthopaedics provides national-level sports medicine expertise right here in Southwest Louisiana.

Our team of doctors and support staff offers experienced, hands-on care to tackle the toughest musculoskeletal injuries.

We’ll also help you develop a game plan to prevent future injuries.

Whether you’ve been injured on the field, at a gym or in your own back yard, trust the CFO team to give you an accurate diagnosis and get you safely back in action.

CenterForOrtho.com | (337) 721-7236 | Lake Charles | Moss Bluff

THRIVESWLA.COM

19

Mind & Body | THE GIFT OF 'ME TIME'

Pamper & Polish: Pedicures and Healing Your Inner Self

by Kerry Andersen

Cozymaxxing is a viral trend that’s easy to embrace.

It’s the practice of actively engaging in self-care and intentionally creating a comfortable and calming environment to counteract the burnout that comes with constant productivity in our hustle culture. The next time you are tempted to carve out some "me time," know that experts say go for it—it promotes well-being, lowers stress and can even improve your sleep quality. Here’s a roundup of comforting rituals to try: Beyond Basic Nails – So many of us pop into the nail salon for service over a hectic lunch hour or when we’re in a rush, but Camellia Nail Room (5400 Nelson Road) encourages you to slow down and treat yourself to a bit of pampering. The Nelson Road salon offers a full experience complete with an indulgent

20

DECEMBER 2025

atmosphere (check out the marble floors and opulent lighting), relaxing massage chairs and an atmosphere that encourages you to exhale and step away from your busy schedule. Grab a glass of champagne, slip into a cozy leather lounger and be pampered with a sugar scrub, moisturizing cucumber mask or hot stone massage. The 18k

Gold Champagne Pedicure even includes a mask with honey and 18k gold foil.

Healing Vibes – Sometimes self-care means soothing your mind and soul. Edgemont Healing Center (1800 Kirkman St.) focuses on spiritual wellbeing with restorative yoga, energy healing services and sound baths.

The Therapeutic Sound Healing Immersion uses instruments like crystal bowls, chimes and other healing tones to calm your nervous system through sound and vibration. When the lights come up, you’ll head back out into the noisy world in a more focused and calm manner. This oasis in the middle of town also offers a Midweek Midday Meditation and free community yoga. And exhale.

Making Spirits One Smile at a Time!

Chill Out – The stress of daily life can

lead to painful inflammation in our bodies.

Cryotherapy, exposing the body to extremely low temperatures for a short period of time, can benefit us in ways both physical and mental. At Elite Cryotherapy (134 W. McNeese St.), three minutes in the cryo chamber can improve your skin health, decrease stress and anxiety with a boost of dopamine, and reduce aches, pain and discomfort from arthritis, muscle soreness and other conditions. It’s a cool way to pamper yourself!

Start the New Year with a healthy smile. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

(337) 474-3636 robinsondentalgroup.net Lake Charles | Moss Bluff

We Wish you a

Healthy

Christmas The holidays are no time for sniffles, sneezes, fever, aches or pains. Imperial Health Urgent Care Centers are here to care for you. Open early, late, weekends, and holidays.

No appointment needed.

Lake Charles and Moss Bluff ImperialHealth.com

Get in, get out, and get back to the holidays.

THRIVESWLA.COM

21

side

MONEY & CAREER

Everyone h a which gen s hobbies, but not ev erates profi eryone wa nts t. a day in yo ur life,” but Mark Twain said, “Fin to, or finds a way to some peop d a job you , turn their tasks. Also, ho le e w love what hat Twain said many have more than one njoy doing, and you w bby into a business you do, the lo y ill never ha e v ars ago w e and hav re part is as si v mple as m will likely be times w as when the world w e to divide their time e to work arketing yo as a differe h b a etween t y o u lo In the follo ve to do w ur product. w ill feel like nt place, and even if y work—eve companies, ing pages, follow alo n if the wo ou ng with th but get cre rk re than their a e ti S v W e LA resid in their da It’s an adde y jobs as it’s often a w downtime. Their sid ents who all have jo e hustles o bs at well-k d benefit th ay of relaxin ffer no at these cre g ative ende and decompressing a different kind of fu wn avors also lfillment fr o m the b come with extra incom usiness of life. e.

22

DECEMBER 2025

McElroy, Quirk & Burch Certified Public Accountants are pleased to announce that MAKAYLA D. O’BRIEN, CPA has become a Principal with the firm.

With a century of experience, MQB provides a full spectrum of accounting and financial services tailored to each client’s unique needs. Our team combines extensive expertise with a commitment to personalized service, helping clients navigate complexity with confidence and clarity.

mqb-cpa.com

800 Kirby Street, Lake Charles 337 433-1063 THRIVESWLA.COM

23

Money & Career | SIDE HUSTLES

Shayne Laughlin

State Farm Agent and Painter

by Kerri Cooke

Shayne Laughlin is not only a wellknown insurance agent for State Farm, she is also an accomplished painter. Though she has been an agent for 13 years, she didn’t realize she was skilling in painting until the COVID-19 pandemic when she bought paint and canvases to occupy herself and her five kids.

“I’ve always been able to draw at a decent level, so I sketched a fish and threw on some paint,” Laughlin says. “I started posting my paintings on social media and received positive feedback. I would ask for recommendations of what to paint and people started asking for commissions. Over time I was asked to donate paintings for local auctions. When my first auction item went for over $600, I was shocked.”

Painting is a far cry from her day job, which she considers to be God’s calling on her life. “My job centers around being there for people in their worst moments, whether it’s a hurricane, car wreck or death in the family,” Laughlin says. “In my job, I am the non-stop, multitasking, social go-getter that worries about my team and customers.” Meanwhile, painting is a way in which she can restore her energy. “When I paint, it’s all about me and relaxation. It’s truly the closest I get to meditating.”

Selling her paintings happened by chance not intention, and Laughlin says she intends to keep painting as a hobby versus a main job because she doesn’t want to lose the joy in

it. “What I enjoy most about painting is it is literally the only time I think about nothing else.

It relaxes and calms me like nothing else ever has. There was a point where I was being commissioned to paint so often, I felt more pressure than joy, so I really pulled back.”

Pelican and Magnolia (below) were commissioned pieces for Lake Charles locals moving to TX.

It’s hard to manage time in the modern world with so many distractions and things to do. Extracurricular activities and methods of self-care are often the first activities to be cut. Laughlin hasn’t been painting as much these days as she went back to college in 2023. However, during her last semester, in May 2024, she took an oil painting class, which grew her skill set. Laughlin’s advice is “find the time to do the things that feed your soul. It is so important, so you just have to put it on the calendar and stick with it.”

As for the future of her painting, Laughlin says, “My painting has been put on the back burner this year, but I honestly think about it almost every day. My hope is that when I get close to retirement, I will give myself the grace to put me first and paint more often, but I never want to consider it a job.”

"I painted this as an expression of how I was feeling after the hurricane."

24

DECEMBER 2025

"This was when I started to become myself again after the hurricane."

AUTO-HOME-LIFE-HEALTH FINANCIAL SERVICES

In your corner and around the corner!

4328 Lake Street Lake Charles, LA

337.477.7354 Shayne M. Laughlin, ChFC

www.insureSWLA.net

Beyond first class.

Flawless service that anticipates your every need. A high-level team with one dedicated point of contact.

Welcome to banking at a whole new level. Welcome to Private Banking from Red River Bank.

We’re your people.

Lesley Warren McLamore Vice President, Private Banker (337) 656-6521

Barry Brown Southwest Region Market President (337) 656-6511

redriverbank.net

THRIVESWLA.COM

25

Money & Career | SIDE HUSTLES

John Guidroz

Public Information Officer at DOTD and Musician

by Kerri Cooke

John Guidroz is a well-recognized face in the community—not only because he worked as a journalist for the American Press for a decade but also because he is an active musician in the Lake Area. Now working as public information officer for the Southwest Louisiana DOTD, he spends his days issuing press releases, taking pictures and videos of construction projects, and facilitating events to initiate or close the chapter on these projects.

Music came naturally to Guidroz as he explains how he grew up in a family where music was a priority. “My grandmother and grandfather on my father’s side were accomplished musicians. She was a classically-trained pianist, and he played trumpet for many jazz bands, including the Lake Charles Community Band. My grandfather would, like me, spend evenings playing gigs with various bands.”

While in school, Guidroz sang for the Dolby Elementary School choir and later with Barbe High School’s choir and Show Choir. He also began playing guitar while at Barbe. Once he became an adult, music became an important part of his career.

“I began playing solo acoustic gigs in my early 20s to supplement my income while working part-time as a radio news anchor for KYKZ-FM,” Guidroz says. “I didn’t expect I’d still be playing gigs all these years later or have three albums of original music!”

(Yesterday’s News was released in 2012, Misfit Me in 2017 and Another Shot in 2024, which includes a song about Hurricane Laura.)

26

DECEMBER 2025

Guidroz mainly plays gigs on the weekends now. “The best part is entertaining people,” he says.

“There’s something about singing for an audience and feeding off their reaction that motivates me to keep going.”

Musical performances have helped Guidroz gain the skillset he needed for his work at DOTD. He says, “Sometimes I have to be on camera for media interviews and give presentations to local organizations.

Some of my experience as a musician and being in front of crowds has helped in that regard.”

Guidroz says during the workweek he could potentially have only a few minutes to write or practice a song, but he considers it time well spent, even if nothing is accomplished.

“At least I devoted some time to my craft. Any time spent on your passion should be considered production.”

To avoid burnout, he is careful to not overbook gigs.

As to whether he can see a future as a full-time musician, Guidroz says he would love to pursue that avenue but “doing so would require a full commitment to promoting my music and playing shows, including shows in larger cities. Maybe a bigtime record executive will hear a song I’ve written and sign me to a multimillion-dollar deal one day. I can always dream.”

Noelle Mills

Speech Therapist and Photographer

by Kerri Cooke

Noelle Mills is a speech therapist working within the Calcasieu Parish School System. She went back to college at age 32 to finish her degree after having decided to work full-time instead at 18.

She is now in her sixth year of working in speech therapy.

Mills’ journey towards speech therapy was supported by her love of photography.

“Photography became my sole source of income during the end of my college years when having a full-time job became overwhelming. When it was my sole source of income, I felt like I had to take every inquiry or opportunity that came my way, and I quickly felt burned out and uninspired. Now, I get to take the clients and jobs I want to take, and it’s so much more fulfilling.”

Photography was a hobby Mills picked up after she had her children. She wanted a different type of picture of her children than your typical cell phone picture. This experience was the perfect training ground to hone her talent. “The biggest joy in it is the opportunity to photograph the same families year after year— to see their children grow or add new members to their family. It’s such an honor that I don’t take lightly.”

communications skills to cue my photography clients with their posing and make them feel as comfortable as possible during our session.”

Mills knows firsthand how hard it is to have one career, but juggling two separate endeavors is not for the faint of heart. She says, “You must learn when to say no. Learn which types of sessions bring you the most joy and fill your cup and try to specialize in those. I also found it helpful to implement setting working hours. Just because clients can reach you any hour of the day or night, does not mean you HAVE to respond right away.

Protect your peace of mind, set working hours and know your limits."

There are similarities that Mills finds between both of her passions. “With both speech therapy and photography, communication is a huge aspect. I am able to use my THRIVESWLA.COM

27

Money & Career

Family Works:

Roach Law Firm The Roach Law Firm, officially incorporated as Larry A. Roach, Inc., traces its roots back to 1959, when the late Larry A. Roach, Sr. opened his doors for business in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The firm began humbly at 2917 Ryan Street, its current location, operating from a small cement and cinder-block building.

Larry Roach built a reputation for his integrity, hard work and tireless commitment to helping his clients and became known throughout Southwest Louisiana for his skill and genuine care for the people he represented. In 1992, he was joined by his sons, Barry A. Roach and the late Larry A. Roach, Jr., who began practicing law alongside their father.

For years, the Roach family practiced side by side—sharing not only a name but a deep dedication to their community and their clients—until the passing of Larry A. Roach, Sr. Eventually, to accommodate their growing clientele and expanding practice, the two brothers built a new, larger

Barry A. Roach and Brooke A. Roach

office in Lake Charles, continuing the family tradition of providing experienced, compassionate and community-centered legal representation.

The Roach Law Firm entered a new era when the third generation of Roach attorneys began practicing.

Larry A. Roach, III, son of the late Larry A. Roach, Jr., joined the practice in 2020. In 2021, the firm welcomed another member of the third generation: Brooke A. Roach, daughter of Barry A. Roach.

With her addition, the two cousins began practicing together and carrying forward the principles established by their grandfather more than six decades earlier.

Larry A. Roach, Sr., Brooke A. Roach and Barry A. Roach 28

DECEMBER 2025

Larry A. Roach, Jr., Larry A. Roach, Sr. and Barry A. Roach

While the Roach name is central to the firm’s history, the Roach Law Firm has long been strengthened by talented attorneys who are not family by blood, but who practice alongside them as if they are. Michael H. Schwartzberg and Kenneth J. DeLouche have become an integral part of the firm’s identity—sharing the same values of hard work, honesty and compassionate representation.

Today, the Roach Law Firm remains one of the longest-standing, family-owned law practices in Southwest Louisiana. Its attorneys handle a broad range of legal matters—including personal injury, workers’ compensation, successions, criminal defense and civil litigation—while continuing to uphold the values of integrity, service and community commitment that have defined the firm since 1959.

Brooke Roach says, “Working with family is a unique experience. We all have strong personalities with different perspectives, but at the end of the day, we push each other to be better. The advantage is disagreements never damage our relationships; they’re over quickly because we care about each other and our clients more than anything.

There is a strong sense of unity and purpose that most people don’t get to experience.”

While there are many law firms to choose from in SWLA, Brooke says the Roach Law Firm stands among the best as they have a “deep, generational commitment to the people of Southwest Louisiana. We’re not just a business that opened here—we’re a family that has lived, worked and built relationships in this community for over 65 years. Every client who walks through our doors gets treated like they’re part of that family, and that level of personal investment is rare in today’s legal world.”

When she ponders family legacy, Brooke says it’s “both humbling and motivating. I grew up watching my grandfather, my dad and my uncle build careers around helping people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. To step into that legacy feels like carrying a torch that was lit long before I was even born.”

Barry A. Roach and Larry A. Roach, Jr.

Original Building

For more information about the Roach Law Firm, call 337-433-8504 or visit theroachlawfirm.com.

Current Building THRIVESWLA.COM

29

PLACES & FACES

Good Samaritans Good Samaritans—those people in the community who are always doing a good deed.

Their mission is service. They desire to make the world a better place.

They fill a need in the community that would go unfulfilled without them.

This year, Thrive spotlights three individuals who are making a distinct impact in SWLA. Personal missions include fundraising, serving on boards and supporting our children in a world that’s more connected than ever. Let’s give thanks for the do-gooders of the community and consider becoming one ourselves.

30

DECEMBER 2025

Make a BIG Difference

Create a lifetime impact with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA is committed to igniting the power and promise of youth through oneto-one mentoring relationships. By matching community members with the leaders of tomorrow, the organization believes youth can achieve their full potential, reach higher aspirations, develop greater confidence, build better relationships, avoid risk behaviors and accomplish educational success.

Big Brothers Big Sisters currently has over 75 littles, like these three, ready to be matched with a Big.

juston, 15 years old Juston is an easygoing and thoughtful 15-yearold who loves football, basketball, track, and gaming, and he dreams of becoming a quarterback at his new school. He’s a strong communicator, a natural leader, and someone who opens up once he feels comfortable. He hopes for a Big Brother who can cheer him on, toss a football, and encourage his goals.

Could YOU be the mentor who shows up for him in this next chapter?

Dion, 11 years old Dion is an energetic and loving 11-year-old who enjoys biking, being outside, and going to fun places. He’s sensitive, funny, and happiest when he has someone to talk to or laugh with. Dion is hoping for a Big Brother who likes to be active and can give him consistent, positive one-on-one time.

Could YOU be the one to make a lasting difference in Dion’s life?

landon, 12 years old Landon is a curious and creative 12-year-old who shines in robotics and loves building with Legos. He enjoys Minecraft, bowling, and is always up for discovering something new.

Landon is hoping for a Big Brother who’s kind, encouraging, and shares his love for tech and hands-on fun. Could YOU be the one to inspire Landon as he builds toward his future?

Being a mentor is about being present and creating special moments that last a lifetime.

www.bbbsswla.org | 4135 Common Street, Lake Charles | 337-478-5437

Free Quotes on Auto, Home, Life & Health Insurance!

Providing Insurance in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas & Kansas

Lindsey Cutler | (337) 474 4272 | 4850 Lake Street, Lake Charles THRIVESWLA.COM

31

Places & Faces | GOOD SAMARITANS

Randy Partin

by Kerri Cooke

SWLA MEN WEAR PINK

Randy Partin is a well-known fixture in the local community as the assistant

director of Banners at McNeese State University.

He is also the founder of Amalash, a marine surveying company. Heavily involved with local arts organizations apart from his role at McNeese, Partin has served on the board of the Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA for two terms and was on the board of the Lake Charles Little Theatre for 14 years. He was president of the Little Theatre for eight of those years, and among his accomplishments were obtaining corporate sponsors for the nonprofit and cutting tickets prices to increase the number of people attending events. Both were key in paying off the Lake Charles Little Theatre’s mortgage and obtaining an insurance policy on the old building.

For eight years now, Partin has been a member of SWLA Men Wear Pink, originally SWLA Real Men Wear Pink. The organization raises money for the American Cancer Society, which goes to breast cancer research and patient assistance. The SWLA chapter continues to rank in the top 10 for regions that raise the most money for the cause.

Performance at 2025's MAD for Pink

32

DECEMBER 2025

While SWLA Men Wear Pink have communal fundraisers, such as the yearly lip sync battle at Crying Eagle Brewing, each individual member is also an independent fundraiser. Partin says that while he represented his company, Amalash, he was at a loss as to how to effectively fundraise. He settled on knitting and selling beanies and scarves, a hobby that helps him relieve stress before bed. Undistracted, Partin can make one hat a night, which represents an hour and a half of work. Scarves take seven hours by comparison. Most beanies sport a leather tag that says, “Knit by Randy.”

Partin’s knitwear is available at Sway Boutique and the boutique makes a yearly donation based on the items they’ve sold. However, due to SWLA being without chilly weather much of the year, Partin is pivoting to making baby caps and scarves so he can sell more merchandise yearround. Beanies are also available at Grounded In Nature or available for order from Partin himself.

(He sells anywhere from 150-200 beanies a year.)

When Partin began to represent McNeese Banners for SWLA Men Wear Pink, he thought about how he could incorporate the arts into a fundraiser. Not only has he established the Live Arts Venue Alliance nonprofit to champion an exclusive space for the performing arts, he established the annual MAD for Pink event. The “M” stands for musicians, the “A” for actors and the “D” for dancers. This year MAD for Pink was an hour and 20-minute-long variety show with performances from seven local groups—Acts

Theatre, Lake Charles Little Theatre, Calcasieu Theatrical Arts, Mad Hot Ballroom, Lake Area Ballet Theatre, Christian Youth Theatre and McNeese Theatre. Partin says, “It’s unique to get two groups in one place at a time, much less seven.” Admission was free, but Partin cooks a mean jambalaya and “sold” 140 dinners in 10 minutes. Those who were inclined could donate any amount they desired for the dinner to help the cause.

While MAD for Pink is Partin’s primary fundraiser for SWLA Men Wear Pink, he believes that it’s just as important to raise awareness about breast cancer as it is to raise money. While he raised more money than ever before this year, with a grand total of $8,100, Partin also wore pink every single day in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. His goal is to remind women of the benefits of early detection and the importance of regular exams. “Help someone in the fight, honor past warriors, congratulate overcomers. That’s just as important as fundraising,” he says.

Prior to becoming involved in arts and cancer organizations, Partin spend 35 years volunteering in various churches with youth programs, music programs, deacon boards, finances and mission programs. He describes his passion to serve as “driven by my faith in Jesus.”

Jim Rock

by Haley Tarasiewicz

INDUSTRY CHAMPION

For Jim Rock, lending a hand isn’t just something he does, it’s who he is.

The longtime community leader and volunteer has built his life around one guiding principle his parents taught him: “Leave things better than you found them.”

“My parents ran our family business, Rock Painting and Decorating,” Rock says. “They always told me, ‘If you see something out of place, fix it. If you see something dirty, clean it. If you can help someone, reach out.’”

That mindset stuck with him. Whether improving a chemical facility operation, helping plan a neighborhood park or volunteering with a local nonprofit, Jim has spent a lifetime putting those words into action. Each project, big or small, is part of something larger: creating a more vibrant, stronger and connected Southwest Louisiana for generations to come.

Today, he serves as executive director of the Lake Area Industry Alliance (LAIA), where he leads outreach and community engagement efforts on behalf of local industries. In this role, Jim connects people with industry—bridging understanding, fostering transparency and helping residents see the positive impact industry has on Southwest Louisiana. From organizing volunteer efforts and civic activities to coordinating partnerships that support education and the environment, he’s passionate about helping industry be a good neighbor. “It’s rewarding to be part of conversations that build trust and collaboration,” he says.

In addition to his professional work, Jim serves as board chair of the Community Foundation of

Southwest Louisiana, helping shape projects that make a lasting impact on the region. “My ‘why’ is simple,” he says. “Our grandchildren are growing up here. My wife, Christi, and I want them to have a quality community—a great place to live, play, learn and prosper.”

One of his proudest efforts is the Mid-City Transformation, part of the Just Imagine SWLA vision launched by the Community Foundation.

The project is revitalizing a storm-battered neighborhood into a vibrant new community with homes, infrastructure and green spaces built to modern, resilient standards. “It’s going to have a tremendous impact on quality of life,” Rock says. “We had a talented team from right here in Lake Charles to as far away as Pittsburgh working together to turn an uninhabitable area into something hopeful and exciting.”

imagination. When his children attended Our Lady Queen of Heaven School, he helped lead the PPG Friends Partner in Education program and chaired the school’s science symposium. One year, with the help of the late Roy Reale, they transformed an old school bus into a full-fledged “space shuttle” for students to explore. “We had Mission Control, retractable wings, even exhaust pipes,” Rock says with a laugh. “It was amazing to see the kids light up. Maybe it inspired a few future astronauts.”

When it comes to encouraging others to get involved, his advice is straightforward: “Whatever you’re passionate about, there’s a way to give back. Set your own pace and just start! You’ll be surprised how grateful you feel to be part of something that makes a difference.”

Rock also played a key role in sparking an idea that has become a game-changer for McNeese State University: the LNG Center of Excellence.

During a brainstorming session with thenMayor Nic Hunter, former McNeese President Dr. Daryl Burkel and other community leaders, Jim suggested building a center to train students and workers for the growing LNG industry in Southwest Louisiana. That suggestion led to a successful grant application and other fundraising efforts by Jason French of French Cole Strategies. “The community rallied behind the idea,” he recalls. “Now every time I drive by, I’m proud to know I was part of the conversation that made it happen.”

And while his more recent work has focused on large-scale community projects, Rock’s love for volunteering started long ago with a touch of THRIVESWLA.COM

33

Places & Faces | GOOD SAMARITANS

Paul Burgess

SOZO COACHING

Paul Burgess, a native of England, has spent the last 25 years in the United States affiliated with soccer in some way, shape or form. He has a background in youth sports and ministry and was the director of the Calcasieu Soccer Club, a nonprofit program servicing kids ages three to 18.

Last year, Burgess made the decision to step down from his position to follow what he feels is his calling—Sozo coaching. He wanted to “lean into holistic fitness for kids,” providing programming that addresses not just the bodies of the children but also their minds and spirits.

“This is a different world from when I grew up,” Burgess says. “Everything is evolving so fast, and even though kids are adaptable, many are not equipped for this rate of change.” The word ‘sozo’ is a Greek word meaning “to be restored or made whole.” Burgess, who will soon be a deacon in the Episcopal Church, says his models for helping children are easily transferable to sport, which is why he hosts clinics and camps.

He will also debut a book, You are More Than a Soccer Player, this month.

Burgess’ Sozo coaching involves team exercise games that emphasize interaction and cooperation, as well as some more traditional strength and coordination exercise activities.

With kids spending more time sedentary while scrolling social media, he aims to make sport more fun so “exercise doesn’t feel like a chore.”

Lessons focus on character building, confidence, gratitude and goal setting.

34

DECEMBER 2025

“I emphasize to kids that they have so much more potential than the world have them believe,” Burgess says. “And gratitude is about noticing the little things. It is changing your view from looking at what you lack to what you have.”

A lack of confidence is what Burgess sees much of in his coaching work. In addition to comparison culture, he mentions that it’s easy for parents to become overprotective, which can make children afraid to step out into the world. “Failure is part of resilience. There’s nothing wrong with trying and failing. I tell them that every challenge and adversity, they will overcome it.”

Ending each session in a meditation and prayer allows kids to “sit and reflect on something that happened in the session,” Burgess says. “I consider gratitude like a spiritual practice. We give thanks for what we have in life, and kids are encouraged to notice something in themselves they realized in the session or something somebody else did that was helpful and kind.”

Sozo clinics are 6 sessions, occurring once a week, while camps take place during school holidays, on three mornings of the same week. For more information, visit @sozo_coaching on Instagram and @sozo.coaching.2023 on Facebook. For book information, visit urmorethan.com.

by Kerri Cooke

NONP�OFIT

IMPACT Featuring:

FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES of Southwest Louisiana

Assisting Those With Disabilities Since 1992

Susah Riehn is the executive director of Families Helping Families SWLA. She began working for the organization the year of its conception in 1992 and acquired her current position in 2023. In this installment of Nonprofit Impact, we hear from her to discover the irreplaceable work Families Helping Families is doing in the local community.

What is the overall goal of Families Helping Families?

We are a one-stop shop for individuals with disabilities and their families. Our team provides information and referrals, education and training, peer support and advocacy skills. What makes us unique is all of our program staff have personal experience. They have children with disabilities, live with a disability themselves, or in some cases, both.

Our mission is to enable and empower individuals with disabilities and their families by providing information, referrals, education, training, peer support and advocacy skills. Our vision is that all individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to attend school, live, work and play in their own community.

What are your top three immediate priorities?

We remain committed to continue serving families throughout our five-parish area, secure funding to strengthen our

early childhood program, and providing education and training to address the everyday challenges of living with a disability.

What is the everyday impact you see in the local community stemming from your Families Helping Families?

I love when families realize help is out there, and they're not walking this journey alone.

That's why we do what we do.

What do you wish people knew about Families Helping Families that you feel is not understood?

We really are families helping families.

We've been there: searching for answers, looking for help, feeling overwhelmed.

That's why we're here to walk beside you.

We do our best to connect people with the right resources, show them how to use them and support them as they make your way through the maze of services. Nobody has to do this alone.

For more information, visit fhfswla.org.

THRIVESWLA.COM

35

Places & Faces

FROM VISION TO ACTION Just Imagine SWLA’s 2025 Year in Review As 2025 comes to a close, Southwest Louisiana can look back on a year marked by steady progress, community collaboration and meaningful investment in the places we call home. From major developments in downtown Lake Charles to student-led improvements in Sulphur, each milestone reflects the shared vision behind Just Imagine SWLA: creating stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities across the region.

The following highlights capture key moments that shaped the year.

Woodring Apartments Opens

The year began with a major milestone for downtown Lake Charles. The opening of Woodring Apartments in March marked a transformative moment for the community, introducing a 3.2-acre mixed-income and resilient housing development at 401 Division St. The 110-unit project offers offstreet parking, two community rooms, a fitness center, a grill area with picnic tables and a pocket park at Division and Hodges.

More than 20 pieces of artwork by Danielle Nester Faulk add to the property’s cultural richness. The development was made possible through collaboration among the Louisiana Housing Corporation, the City of Lake Charles, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and Capital One, with design contributions from HCl Architecture, Fox-Nesbit Engineering and Lagniappe Consulting Group.

Jeff Speck Walks Lake Charles

Building on the momentum of early-year progress, April brought a community-wide conversation on the future of Lake Charles.

Renowned urban planner and 36

DECEMBER 2025

author Jeff Speck visited the city to share his Walkable Cities recommendations, offering practical strategies for safer, more vibrant and economically robust streets. At the Lake Charles Event Center, Speck emphasized people-first design and the power of walkability to shape thriving downtowns. His visit highlighted how simple street-

space reallocations and long-term improvements like lighting and green space can make a significant difference.

Sulphur Students Lead Downtown Beautification Project

As those ideas continued to spark discussion, May showcased how the next generation is putting vision into action. Students from Sulphur High School, working through the Sulphur High LEAD Council and supported by Woodside Energy and the Calcasieu Parish School Board, took on a downtown beautification effort as part of the Strong Downtowns initiative. Their project focused on the intersection of North Huntington and East Lincoln (U.S. 90), adding new cultural district signage, a Louisiana heritage mural, colorful banners and native flowering planters near The Village Coffeehouse. Partners included the Sulphur Downtown Cultural District, muralist Morgan Allain, The Village Coffeehouse and Taproot Landscaping Management.

Mid-City Lofts Completed

A year after breaking ground, in November, Mid-City Lofts opened its doors, delivering 46 new resilient, affordable and market-

rate apartments at the southeast corner of Lake and W. 18th streets.

The project, part of Phase 1 of the Choice Neighborhood Initiative and the Just Imagine SWLA MidCity Neighborhood Transformation Catalytic Project, brings new life, resilience and opportunity to the city’s core. Each 1- to 2-bedroom apartment comes equipped with a washer and dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator, while community amenities include secure offstreet parking, a computer lab with high-speed internet and printing, a fitness center and 24/7 maintenance. Leasing applications are underway, with residents expected to move in before the end of the year.

Looking Forward to 2026

Together, these efforts reflect a year defined not only by physical improvements but also by a renewed sense of community pride and shared purpose across Southwest Louisiana. As we look ahead, the progress of 2025 sets the stage for continued transformation in the years to come.

To learn more, visit justimagineswla.org.

THRIVESWLA.COM

37

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

This Christmas season, the heart of our community can be found in its small businesses. They bring joy, character and local flavor to holiday celebrations while playing a key role in keeping Southwest Louisiana strong and connected. Their impact extends far beyond storefronts, shaping the vitality and resilience of the local economy.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy,” says Roy M. Raftery Jr., president and CEO of Lakeside Bank. “They not only provide employment opportunities but also circulate money within the community, creating a ripple effect of economic stability.”

National data underscores their importance. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses generate nearly half of all private-sector jobs and contribute substantially to the nation’s GDP. Even more meaningful locally, about 67 cents of every dollar spent at a local small business stays in the community, boosting other shops, services, schools and local organizations. “This economic recycling is what strengthens and connects communities,” Raftery explains.

Raftery says Christmas is more than a busy shopping season—it’s a crucial time for the small businesses that anchor our community. The holiday shopping season

38

DECEMBER 2025

can make or break a small business, often representing 20–30% of annual revenue according to the National Retail Federation.

Many retailers rely on these months to carry them into the new year on solid footing.

But supporting small businesses is about more than economics.

It’s about people. Local owners provide personalized service, familiar faces and authentic experiences that big-box retailers simply can’t match. “That personal connection matters,” Raftery says. “At Lakeside, we understand the value of being local because we’re locally owned ourselves. Supporting small businesses is part of who we are.”

Raftery encourages residents to be intentional with their spending during the holiday season and beyond. “Every purchase at a small business helps create jobs, keeps dollars in our community and strengthens the place we call home.”

Discover how Lakeside supports local businesses with tailored banking solutions and award-winning customer service at mylksb.bank.

SPONSORED BY

from the officers of the Best Bank, voted #1 by Southwest Louisiana in American Press and Lagniappe.

Roy Raftery

Shively Verrette

President & CEO

Dorene Gothreaux

Misti Young

Senior VP

Renee Lassiter

VP, Nelson

Cheryl Bertrand VP

Lisa Pinder VP, Compliance

Senior VP

Kala Kuhlthau

Bryan Armentor

VP, Moss Bluff

VP

Sam Jimney Asst. VP, IT

Dona Foster Banking Officer

Jamie Schiro

Senior VP, Sulphur

Senior VP

Aimee Gilmore

Bobby Broussard

Senior VP

Michael Hardy

Senior VP

Twenda Hanson

Executive VP

VP

Dillan Rainwater

Regina Thomas Asst. VP, Nelson

VP

Brandy Grantham

Tessie Dupuis

Manager, Oak Park

VP

Aaron Scott Banking Officer

Hollie Saltzman

Asst. Branch Manager

LAKE CHARLES | SULPHUR | MOSS BLUFF

MYLKSB.BANK

THRIVESWLA.COM

39

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

Pumpelly Tire

Where Customer Service Comes First For over 60 years, Pumpelly Tire Company has proudly served the Lake Charles and Sulphur communities with quality tires and dependable automotive service. The company is deeply grateful for the loyalty of returning customers and remains committed to continuously improving the customer experience by expanding services and reducing wait times.

What sets Pumpelly Tire apart from similar businesses is their commitment to personal service—they take care of customers from the moment they walk through the door to the completion of their visit, and if an issue arises, they make it right.

Core auto services include alignments, oil changes, A/C maintenance and repair, brake service and battery replacement, along with

40

DECEMBER 2025

a full range of tire repair and maintenance offerings.

Pumpelly carries tires for every need, from trailers and RVs to passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.

This holiday season, Pumpelly Tire is excited to offer instant and mail-in rebates from top tire brands like Michelin, Goodyear and Cooper tires through December.

And for those looking for a practical and thoughtful gift, Pumpelly Tire gift cards make it easy to give the gift of safety and peace of mind with a new set of tires this Christmas. Shop leauxcal this season to support SWLA businesses!

For more information, call their location in either Lake Charles or Sulphur or visit pumpellytire.com.

This Christmas, Give the Gift That Keeps on

ROLLING! AUTO • FLEET • TIRES CUSTOM WHEELS

pumpellytire.com LAKE CHARLES 337-477-9850

SULPHUR 337-527-6355 THRIVESWLA.COM

41

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

RevIVe Hydration

Going Beyond Standard IVs For residents of SWLA seeking a fresh approach to wellness, RevIVe Hydration & Wellness stands out as a locally owned, nursepractitioner-led business rewriting the script on self-care. Led by Blair Snider, APRN, FNP-BC, this full-service IV-hydration and wellness clinic empowers clients to feel better, recover faster and embrace ongoing health.

At RevIVe the offerings go beyond standard IV drips. Clients choose from tailored options, including vitamin infusion therapy, glutathione and antioxidant boosters, and injection services designed to support immune function, energy levels, hydration and general wellbeing.

What sets RevIVe apart is its practitioner-led model that emphasizes safety, individualized care and convenience. They currently offer mobile services that go to your location. A state-of-the-art clinic is coming in spring 2026.

42

DECEMBER 2025

Blair Snider, owner of RevIVe Hydration and Wellness, is a Lake Charles local with experience in primary care and Urgent Care practices. She has a passion for preventative care and holistic wellness. She is a wife and mother of four children. Blair is dedicated to empowering individuals to feel their best while strengthening the health and vitality of the community she serves.

Supporting a locally owned business like RevIVe matters. When you choose local, you’re backing your community’s health, economy and future. Every dollar you spend stays in SWLA, helping to sustain jobs, build relationships and keep entrepreneurship alive in our region. Local businesses respond quickly to community needs, offer personalized care (as RevIVe does) and bring the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor connection that big

chains simply can’t match.

In today’s fast-moving world, it’s easy to overlook the value of local. Wellness isn’t just about what you get, it’s about where you go, who is looking out for you and how your choice ripples outward. RevIVe Hydration & Wellness is doing more than infusions. It is building community, enhancing vitality and making wellness accessible in SWLA. If you’re ready to feel renewed and want to invest in your health and your hometown, it is where to go.

RevIVe Hydration and Wellness wants to help those who support local businesses and will be offering a free $25.00 gift card for every $100.00 spent on gift card purchases in December.

Text or give Blair a call at 337-485-2200.

Visit revive-hydration.net for more information.

Feeling tired, dehydrated or run down?

IV Therapy can help you get the hydration, nutrients and vitamins your body needs to feel its best!

Improved Overall Health - Hangover Aid - Boosts Energy Improved Immunity - Better Sleep - Glowing Skin & More!

GLP-1, Lipo B and NAD+ Injections

MOBILE HYDRATION THERAPY Blair Snider, APRN, FNP-BC

(337) 485-2200

REVIVE-HYDRATION.NET

Merry Christmas Stop by to explore our one-of-a-kind collection and find the perfect gift!

from

Candles • Books • Home Decor • Toys Bath and Body Items for both Men and Women

1505 W. McNeese St, Lake Charles • (337) 477-7733

PHARMACYLAKECHARLES.COM THRIVESWLA.COM

43

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

The Charmed Page Discover the Magic of Local Authors Deep in the Cottage District in Lake Charles, tucked away behind One Way Realty, you’ll find a little haven bound together by stories, community and a whole lot of heart—The Charmed Page. It’s a cozy indie bookstore giving storytellers a spotlight and readers a place to fall in love with homegrown literature.

The golden-yellow doors practically glow, catching the sunlight and beckoning you to come in, exhale and stay awhile.

Inside the store, the outside world fades and life slows to a comforting hum. Shelves of new releases, gently used books and stories by over 40 local and talented authors fill the space with that perfect “organized-but-cozy” chaos every book lover understands. The Charmed Page feels curated, not crowded. A raven statue named Poe keeps watch atop a bookcase, and somewhere between the towers of books is me– Hey, I’m Riah Evely.

Bookstore owner. Local author. Resident chaos coordinator.

44

DECEMBER 2025

People often wonder why I opened a bookstore in 2025, especially in a world where you can get books delivered in the time it takes to heat leftovers. The truth? There was a gap in the community I couldn’t ignore.

After being laid off in January 2023, I poured myself into running the Bayou Writers’ Group.

For nearly a year, I listened to local authors share the same struggle . . . they had incredible stories, but at the time, no store was willing to put their books on shelves. So, in October 2023, I walked into the only bookstore open at the time, Books-A-Million, to ask how I could get local writers stocked and set up book signings.

Their answer? “We don’t do that.”

That was when I decided we needed something different in Lake Charles. Shortly after, I scheduled a meeting at the Small Business Development Center, and for the next year, we built a business plan, piece by piece, until The Charmed Page became a reality.

Today, The Charmed Page is more than a bookstore. It’s a gathering place, a home for writers and a cozy refuge for readers. It’s a place where creativity comes alive through book clubs, writing workshops, bookish craft nights and much more.

As the holidays approach, consider this your friendly neighborhood bookseller PSA: The Charmed Page is stocked with special editions, collector’s editions and gift-worthy reads that make the perfect presents.

Order by December 8th for Christmas delivery and feel good knowing every purchase keeps local authors on shelves, keeps community spaces open and fuels dreams right here in Southwest Louisiana. Discover more @ charmedpagebooks on Facebook and Instagram, charmedpagebooks.com, or stop by at 2927 Hodges St., Suite 2.

Belles & Beaus C hildren’s Bo

utique

For Your Kids' Clothing Needs Belles and Beaus is a small mother and daughters-owned business in Sulphur. They offer a mixture of casual everyday outfits to cute boutique style clothing in sizing from newborn to 14. In addition, they also offer shoes, accessories, baby essentials, books, toys and more!

The goal of Belles and Beaus is to bring joy and provide an experience you'll remember.

Shop local and choose to invest in a business that knows your name, your child's sizes and celebrates milestones right alongside you.

For more information, call 337-888-1106, visit bellesbeauchildrensboutique.com or stop by at 3709 Maplewood Dr., Sulphur.

THRIVESWLA.COM

45

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

YaYa & Company

South Lake Charles’s Best-Kept Secret Tucked beside Rouses on Nelson Road sits one of South Lake Charles’ most charming hidden gems—YaYa & Company. Although the boutique has been open for two and a half years, many locals are only just discovering the shop that’s quickly becoming a community favorite.

Shoppers love shopping most-requested favorites including: Tyler Candle Company’s iconic “Diva” fragrance and Bridgewater Candle Company’s beloved “Sweet Grace.” For weddings, birthdays and celebrations, you can never go wrong with Nora Fleming, one of the most popular gift brands.

Recently voted No. 1 in Home Décor in Southwest Louisiana by the American Press People’s Choice Awards, YaYa & Company is far more than a home décor store. It’s an experience. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re greeted with the peaceful notes of Christian music and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like home.

Looking for something special for the men in your life? YaYa & Company has become the go-to destination for unique men’s gifts. From bourbon-themed essentials—cherries, candied oranges, bitters, lowball glasses and more—to golf accessories, hats, socks and game-day polos, they make gift-giving easy.

Every corner of the boutique is filled with carefully curated treasures: Beautiful home decor for every room . . .

Gifts for all ages—baby, mom, dad and everyone in between . . .

Thoughtfully selected religious section featuring artwork by Louisiana artist Naomi Maraist . . .

46

DECEMBER 2025

If you’re shopping for a Louisiana-inspired treat, the Louisiana section is a must-see. It’s filled with spices, gumbo bowls, spoons, stateshaped platters and countless handcrafted items that showcase the flavor of our state.

One of the things customers love most?

Walking through the boutique feels like walking through a beautifully styled home.

Every display is created to spark inspiration

and help you envision how a simple change— an accent piece, a wreath, a bowl, a candle— can transform your space.

Plus, Yaya & Company makes gift giving effortless with complimentary gift wrapping and gift, bridal and baby registries. And this month, they’re offering extended holiday hours, including Sundays from 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Whether you’re decorating your home, shopping for someone special or simply want to treat yourself, now is the perfect time to discover YaYa & Company. Bring your gift list, explore their newest collections and see why so many people are falling in love with Lake Charles’ best-kept boutique.

For more information, visit 5685 Nelson Road or call 337-377-0537. Follow Yaya & Company on social media for new arrivals, specials, and holiday updates!

Children’s Apparel & Accessories Toys & Gifts

3709 Maplewood Drive • Sulphur • (337) 888-1106

BELLESBEAUCHILDRENSBOUTIQUE.COM

Celebrate the Season with Yaya & Company!

From sparkling jewelry and outfits to festive home decor, thoughtful gifts and more.

Stop by and let us make this holiday season

merry and bright!

G e

5685 Nelson Road, Suite C Lake Charles • (337) 377-0537 THRIVESWLA.COM

47

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

y d o B E R A B Waxing StudiUoÉ to B A R E N

A New Name, A New Chapter, Same Heart As we close out another year in Southwest Louisiana, I, Jacquelyn Kraemer, am reminded of how deeply this community supports the small businesses they love. When you shop local, especially during the holiday season, you’re doing more than checking gifts off a list.

You’re helping real people grow, rebuild and continue offering the services that make you feel confident in your own skin. And as many of you know, that’s been my mission from day one.

This winter marks a significant moment for us, as we’ll unveil our new name and enter an expanded chapter of our identity in January.

While the full reveal is coming soon, here’s what I can share now: our rebrand is rooted in elevating the way our community experiences skincare and waxing. Over the last several

48

DECEMBER 2025

years, we’ve grown beyond “just waxing.”

We’ve become a place where corrective Korean skincare, Hydrafacials and results-driven facial treatments coexist alongside our signature Brazilian waxing experience. It’s time for our name to reflect that evolution.

The heart behind the rebrand is simple: your skin is not an afterthought. It’s the foundation of every service we perform. We want our new identity to represent transformation, confidence and the kind of care that lasts long after your appointment.

And of course … it’s the holidays. So, if you’re looking to treat someone you love (or yourself, which I fully support), we’re offering our annual BARE-ly Wrapped Gift Cards in-studio all December. When you purchase a $100 gift card, you’ll receive a $10 credit. A $250 gift card

earns a $25 credit and with a $500 card, you’ll receive a $50 credit. Credits can be gifted or tucked away for your own self-care next year.

And to kick off the season, enjoy the little $10 boost I included here to help your gifting season, whether you put it toward a card for someone else or keep it for your next treatment.

Whether your favorite service is a Brazilian wax, a Hydrafacial, or one of our custom Korean facials, thank you for choosing us and for choosing local. SWLA has supported my business from the very beginning, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter with you in January.

—Jacquelyn, founder & CEO of BARE Body Waxing Studio – Soon to be BARENUÉ™

Give the

GIFT of

JOY PETIT

with

LAGNIAPPE! Find playful treasures, creative gifts and holiday magic that bring smiles and spark imagination. This season, choose gifts that give more joy, more creativity and more memories! Gift wrapping is always free, and all proceeds help fund museum programs. Anyone can shop, regardless of whether they paid admission to the museum.

For more information visit swlakids.org or call 337-426-1559.

The Children’s Museum Gift Shop at Port Wonder is now

A Mem Gift of Last A bership W il ll Yea r Lon l g!

THRIVESWLA.COM

49

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

Flowers 2 Fabric

For All Your Quilting Needs Flowers 2 Fabric began in 2007 when Tonya LeBlanc Moak began selling fabric online with a friend, Brenda. Before this, Moak was a licensed florist—hence the name Flowers 2 Fabric.

Moak opened a storefront in September 2019 with 100 bolts of fabric. She now has an inventory of over 1,000 bolts.

Besides selling fabric, Flowers 2 Fabric sells Janome sewing machines and hosts classes such as Binding 101 and Quilting 101.

Pattern company By Annie has awarded Flowers 2 Fabric as the No. 1 fabric shop in Louisiana every year since 2023. Moak says, “God has blessed me with a successful business and wonderful customers who shop local.”

Flowers to Fabric is only open on Saturdays and by appointment as Moak is a full-time teacher. The shop will host a Small Business Saturday sale every Saturday before Christmas. Gift certificates are also available.

For more information, email tonya@flowers2fabric.com, visit flowers2fabric.com, call 337-274-1872 or stop by 217 W. Napolean St., Sulphur.

50

DECEMBER 2025

Vinton Farmhouse Market, LLC “Variety to Vintage”

Your local “Everything” Store

FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

1319 Horridge Street, Vinton, LA 337-324-7006 www.vintonfarmhousemarket.com Bonnie Jo Bahnsen, Owner | 337-377-7724 or bjbahnsen@yahoo.com

Flowers 2 Fabric Quilt Shop

OVER 1,000 BOLTS OF FABRIC, NOTIONS & PATTERNS JANOME SEWING MACHINES CLASSES

Open Saturdays 9-2 or by appointment Closed Saturday, December 27th

www.flowers2fabric.com Owner: Tonya LeBlanc Moak

Small Business Saturday SALE Dec. 6, 13 and 20 Gift certificates available!

217 W. NAPOLEON ST. (HWY 90) • SULPHUR • 337-274-1872 THRIVESWLA.COM

51

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

t h g i E y t h Eig Outfitters Sportswear With a Purpose Eighty Eight Outfitters was created to honor the incredible legacy of Wesley Ryan Hayes—a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend whose unwavering faith, Southern roots and love for the outdoors touched countless lives.

On October 1, 2024, Wesley’s earthly journey was tragically cut short by a drunk driver, leaving behind a young wife and infant daughter. In the midst of immense heartbreak, Olivia Hayes, Wesley’s wife, felt a divine calling to share his story and continue his legacy.

Guided by God’s purpose, and refusing to let his talents be wasted, she founded Eighty Eight Outfitters as a way to celebrate Wesley’s life and the values he held dear: faith, artistry and the beauty of the great outdoors.

Racking her brain, trying to think of the perfect name to embody a brand that represented him best, it hit her. Eighty Eight. Those who knew Wesley may remember that 88 was his football number in high school. Olivia also learned numbers that are repeated are considered “angel numbers” and are a sign of divine guidance.

52

DECEMBER 2025

About a year before Wesley’s accident, he asked Olivia to help restore files from his old college laptop. At the time, it seemed like a simple request—but later, it revealed something extraordinary.

As Olivia was building the foundation for Eighty Eight Outfitters, she discovered a folder never seen by her before. Included in this folder was a PowerPoint titled "Brand Ideas." Inside was a logo Wesley had designed years prior: his initials, framed by angel wings—something he had never shared.

At Eighty Eight Outfitters, the hope is that every individual who wears their apparel is led to live life to the fullest, always seeking the next adventure, while drawing closer to the Lord. Collections are released in limited edition drops, each one inspired by faith, legacy and the outdoors. Upcoming launches, restocks and behind-the-scenes stories are announced primarily through social media and their VIP email list—so if you want early access, that’s where you'll find updates! While many products are exclusive and only available

while supplies last, they also keep a collection of best sellers in stock year-round for those who want to wear the brand every day.

Through this mission, Wesley continues to lead others toward Heaven, and Eighty Eight Outfitters is humbled to have you on this journey with them. Together, celebrate his love for the outdoors and the lasting impact of a life lived with purpose.

For more information, visit eighteightoutfitters.com or @ eightyeightoutfitters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Southern Sportsman Apparel Inspired by Wesley Hayes Every brand has a story.

We’d love for you to be a part of ours.

At Eighty Eight Outfitters, we’re here to offer more than just quality apparel.

Behind our name, our mission, and every single product is a meaningful story rooted in faith, legacy, and purpose.

Shop now at THRIVESWLA.COM 53 F EIGHTYEIGHTOUTFITTERS.COM

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

s ' n o d r Go

e n i F & g u Dr Gifts

More Than a Pharmacy Gordon’s Drug Store has been serving the community since 1897! For 129 years, Gordon’s has been providing quality healthcare, friendly service and uniquely curated gifts that will always surprise and delight.

On October 1, 2025, George Paret, pharmacist and owner of Gordon’s Drug Store, welcomed a new co-owner and partner to the store, Raymond McCall.

Raymond is also a pharmacist and will be working alongside George and the wonderful team.

Gordon’s Drug Store continues to provide the great healthcare and highquality services they are known for. In addition, new customers are welcome to get their prescriptions filled and shop in store for beautifully curated gifts. Gift wrapping is free!

Gordon’s is adorned with Christmas splendor in every area of the store.

Gift giving is easy as the store has numerous items that are $50 and below, prewrapped and ready to delight that special someone. And decorate your tree with custom crafted ornaments made from oyster shells, hand painted wood, and okra!

For the person who loves great smelling clothes and a cozy home, Gordon’s has the Tyler fine line of laundry scent,

54

DECEMBER 2025

candles and sprays. And, this year, there will be another great home fragrance brand, Votivo.

Thinking of a spa? Find everything from face masks to bath salts to body creams that are sure to take you away for some peace and quiet!

For the ladies, get ready for upcoming parties and gatherings. Find blouses, sweaters and dresses sure to make you glisten at a party. There are also sparkling accessories to finish off your outfit.

For the Mahjong Mavens . . . Gordon’s is your headquarters for the game pieces, mats, holders and bags to carry to and from your latest Mahjong event.

Discover holiday-themed and everyday Swig insulted cups and mugs sure to keep you hydrated during the holiday season. For the quick get-away, grab designer-inspired weekenders for all your holiday travels.

And don’t forget that Gordon’s carries a wide selection of Christian related items from nativities, ornaments and jewelry.

For more information, visit gordonsdrugandfinegifts.com, call 337-477-6773 or stop by 2716 Lake St.

We’re more than your neighborhood pharmacy – we’re your go-to spot for thoughtful gifts, stocking stuffers, and holiday essentials.

Over a Century of Service

2716 LakeThursday, Street, October Lake Charles • 337-477-6773 13

presents

Lake Charles Civic Center

Science in

Action

A hands-on chemistry demonstration showing area students how basic chemistry is used by area industry to make useful products.

All 7 grade Public, Private, and Homeschool classes Nearly 2,000 attended fromstudents Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes arethe invited24th to join us.annual Chem Expo on October 23 at the Lake Charles Event Center to see science in action.EVENTS th

Mr. Freeze – a demonstration with liquid Nitrogen

Walking On Water – a demonstration of Surfactants

The moved Thick and Thin of It – a demonstration Rheology Acids stations and Bases – awhere demonstration of pHparticipated in Students through variousofinteractive they From Underpants to Spider Webs – a demonstration experiments using ingredients for of Polymers products produced by local industries.

In partnership with:

Please complete and email the Registration Form below to reserve your school or group Parish School Board | Calcasieu time slot. You must respond with your intent to attend byAllen Tuesday, September 6th. Once your attendance has been verified your school or groupParish will receive a designated arrival School Board | Cameron Parish time and detailed event information.

This endeavor is a success thanks to more than 450 volunteers from local industries, along with teachers from McNeese State University, SOWELA Technical Community College and area high school chemistry classes.

School Board | McNeese State University SOWELA Technical Community College With support from: Louisiana Radio | Community Coffee

US Silica

THRIVESWLA.COM

55

Places & Faces | SHOP LEAUXCAL SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA

Queen of s d a e r Th For Your Monogramming Needs Queen of Threads, a monogramming and more shop, was established in 2013 when Amanda Moreno told her mother, Kandy, she wanted to buy a monogramming machine. It wasn’t long till they purchased a bigger machine and started selling custom items on Etsy, and soon after, another machine followed.

Their product line grew and in 2017, Queen of Threads moved into their current location on Nelson Road.

Queen of Threads offers monogramming on items sold in store or customers can bring in their own items to be monogrammed.

The store offers a baby registry. Each customer receives a one-on-one consultation to design the perfect coming home collection for their new arrival. They carry a variety of baby items, children’s clothing up to a size 5 and gift items. There are many different fonts and designs to truly customize any outfit. Seasonal items are currently popular, including a fall and Christmas collection for kids. The collections offer everything from gingham pajamas to a nutcracker sweatshirt.

The shop also serves local businesses through custom logo creation and monogramming services. Need a personalized backpack or duffel, or even a special piece for football season or Mardi Gras? Queen of Threads can help bring your vision to life.

For more information, call 337-564-5960, visit queenofthreadsmonogramming.com or stop by 4031 Nelson Road, #400.

56

DECEMBER 2025

Personalized Gifts Made Perfect

Queen of Threads Monogramming

G e

4031 Nelson Road, Lake Charles • (337) 564-5960

Deck Halls — and Shed the Pounds! the

Give yourself the gift of health this year. We are now offering hormone replacement and the most potent and cost-effective weight loss shots in the area for men and women.

Call to schedule your consultation.

CALL TODAY! (337) 312-0030

Jason Morris, M.D. (337) 312-0030 277 Highway 171, Suite 8 • Moss Bluff

THRIVESWLA.COM

57

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has appointed Dr. Kedrick Nicholas as the interim president of McNeese State University. Prior to being named interim, Dr. Nicholas served as the senior vice president.

Dr. Nicholas received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from McNeese and his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Dr. Kedrick Nicolas McNeese State University Interim President

58

Allison Puente Named Technologist of the Year Allison Puente, an assistant professor of radiologic sciences at McNeese State University, has been named Technologist of the Year by the Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technologists (LSRT).

“We are prepared as a team to continue the momentum that we have had, and there will be no change to our approach. We will continue to focus on the recruitment, retention and job placement of the students at McNeese State University,” Nicholas said during the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors meeting. “The strategic plan that was developed under the Rousse administration will remain in place and will continue to be the catalyst of our continued success.”

According to Greg Bradley, head of the McNeese Health Professions Department, Puente is an excellent professor and is wellliked by her students and peers.

Puente is active in both LSRT and nationally with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and champions policy and advocacy efforts at both levels.

As the senior vice president, Nicholas worked closely with the president of McNeese on broad conceptual efforts on campus, university-wide budget management, partnerships with external entities and relationships with governing authorities on the system and state levels.

“McNeese’s radiologic sciences program is nationally accredited and one of the requirements is having qualified and respected professionals teaching in the program. Allison is a nationally recognized individual and is well known and respected by national leaders in the profession,” Bradley explained.

DECEMBER 2025

Burton College of Education at McNeese Celebrates Success McNeese State University’s Burton College of Education is celebrating consistent growth, top rankings and national recognition.

Over the past three years, undergraduate enrollment in the Burton College of Education has increased. The H.C. Drew School of Kinesiology’s enrollment has increased by 17% and the McNeese Department of Education Professions has increased by 51%.

In the 2026 edition of “Best Colleges” by U.S. News and World Report, McNeese’s undergraduate degree in teaching program received national recognition as it tied for 18th in the South regional rankings among the Top

80 Best Undergraduate Teaching programs.

For the second consecutive year, McNeese is ranked No. 1 in Louisiana in the Louisiana Teacher Preparation Report, published by the Louisiana Board of Regents for both undergraduate and alternative teacher certification programs.

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has honored the Burton College of Education with the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement.

This distinction is awarded to educator preparation programs that meet all accreditation standards with no stipulations or areas for improvement.

McNeese Rodeo Team Earns Top Regional and National Rankings McNeese State University’s rodeo team capped an impressive fall season with the men’s team in first place in the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and ninth in the NIRA national ranking. The women’s team is in third place in the region and two student-athletes are ranked among the nation’s top 10 competitors in their events.

McNeese dominated the saddle bronc event this fall with Caleb Miller, from Welsh, leading the way with a No. 1 ranking in both the Southern Region and the nation. Five other cowboys are also ranked in the Southern Region: Wyatt Lavergne, of Sulphur, is second; Jackson Ford of Sturgis, South Dakota, is third;

Jace Nixon, of Lake Charles, is fourth; Izaah Bartels of New Underwood, South Dakota, is eighth; and Trent Broussard of Crowley is 11th.

In bareback riding, Monty Fontenot, of Ville Platte, is second and Devin Byram, of Welsh, is ninth in the region. Jude Leonards, of Bell City, is fourth in steer wrestling.

Three cowgirls from the women’s team are ranked in the region.

Camryn Richard, of Moss Bluff, is ranked 10th in breakaway roping.

In goat tying, Alyssa Gary, of LeBleu Settlement, is in first place in the region and seventh in the nation, while Andi Wilson, of Boyd, Texas, is ranked 10th in the region.

At Cheniere, we strive to make a difference in our communities through job creation and investments in education and career training, which is why we are proud to be the founding sponsor of McNeese’s Cowboy Energy Club.

Learn more about Cheniere: cheniere.com

THRIVESWLA.COM

59

STYLE & BEAUTY

Holiday Style with Lydia & Lavender Boutique

by Kerri Cooke

Holiday style is highly dependent on your personality and what event you’ll be attending. You wouldn’t wear a slinky, gold dress to an ugly sweater party. A white elephant gift exchange also calls for something casual.

60

DECEMBER 2025

velvet, satin and soft metallics are leading the way. A simple elegant dress paired with a statement jacket or wrap gives a polished look without sacrificing comfort.”

The Cottage Co-op Shop staff with the boutique Lydia & Lavendar say, “This year we are seeing customers gravitate toward warm, meaningful and comfortable pieces like classic Christmas sweaters, soft knits and elevated denim. People want outfits that feel festive yet wearable for everything from quaint family gatherings to casual evenings out with friends.”

Dressing in red, green and gold knits always makes it feel more like Christmas, but who knows what the weather has in store for us this holiday season. If you find the perfect gown, vest or blouse, don’t be discouraged if it’s sleeveless. More often than not, Christmas in SWLA is rather temperate. And on the odd chance it’s freezing cold for festivities, don a dressy cardigan, a shawl or a cute bolero.

If you’re looking for that perfect outfit for a Christmas Eve or Christmas church service or a holiday gala, sparkles and luxe materials are a must.

Cottage Co-op Shop staff say, “Rich textures like

Cottage Co-op Shop staff adds, “Holiday style reflects the spirit of the season: gathering, celebrating and creating memories. For us, Christmas is especially meaningful as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

We love helping customers find pieces that feel joyful, for formal parties, backyard bonfires and cozy moments around the tree.

So, whether you are looking for festive sweaters, soft layering pieces and denim, sequined statement pieces and velvet dresses, Christmas loungewear and pajamas or giftable accessories like scarves, jewelry and handbags, we hope you will shop Lydia & Lavender in historic downtown Sulphur.”

THRIVESWLA.COM

61

Style & Beauty

Lucille Lane

Pop Art Takes on Ben Franklin, Lil Wayne

by Kerri Cooke

Zoey Reed’s main job is lightyears away from the boutique she just launched, Lucille Lane.

With a background in political advocacy, Reed, who is originally from Sulphur, spent years living in New Orleans, only recently moving back to the Lake Area. What began as a way to use her creativity to decompress from the serious work she was doing during the day is now a shop that is skyrocketing in popularity on Instagram.

The shop is named Lucille Lane, the persona behind the brand who is not that far removed from Reed herself. In fact, you could say Lucille is an alter ego for Reed. Lucille is a sassy, Southern lady who says “things you probably shouldn’t say in public. She’s into pop art and loves needlework,” according to Reed.

Reed begins with a hand-drawn sketch and revisits some of her older paintings, digitizing and reimagining them with fresh elements before completing the color and final details digitally, a process she fondly refers to as “digitally frosting” them. The humor has resonated with an audience across the United States—she has shipped to Virginia, Iowa and New York—in a time when social media can be a divisive and depressive place. In fact, she had one lady who told her just as much, but when she came across Reed’s art, she smiled. This is the type of escape and joy Reed seeks to instill in her art. “I have spent my career helping people with their words to elevate their voice. It is fun to help Lucille find hers.”

Describing herself as a Grandmillennial, Reed says, “If you come to my house, you might assume an older woman lives there and that’s an advantage for me.” She is definitely tuned into the hunger and nostalgia many are feeling for a time before life moved so fast. In fact, just as this interview took place, Glamour published a story titled "Granny Print Is the Next Grandma-Inspired Fashion Trend Emerging in 2025.”

62

DECEMBER 2025

Lucille Lane’s tagline is “a little bit Walmart, a little bit Neiman’s,” which represents fine taste at an affordable price. “People want to participate in the art world, but they get intimidated,” Reed says. Perhaps, due to the formal approach to much art, the public feels they have to “figure art out.” However, Reed’s art instantly resonates with people due to its approachability and humor. For example, the name of some of Lucille Lane’s tote bags are: Abe the Babe, pop art of Abraham Lincoln; By George, pop art of George Washington; and Queen Lizzy, pop art of Queen Elizabeth.

She also has a Lucille Lane branded Taylor Swift tee and a print of Napolean Bonaparte holding a banner saying, “Fun Sized.”

Reed finds it exciting to imagine what these historical figures would be like in the modern day and age. One print features Benjamin Franklin with an iPhone, and Reed created a text thread for him on Instagram.

America will mark its 250th anniversary next year, so she expects to develop more products with the Founding Fathers. “Alexander Hamilton is getting a little jealous,” she says.

Reed also creates modern figures, including Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. (There’s a fun Lil Wayne story you’ll have to ask her about if you see her.) A slew of new products is in the works, but since her business has gained momentum so fast and demand is high, creating new merchandise takes time as she is a team of one. She will eventually have her prints on a variety of merchandise, including cufflinks.

Reed’s philosophy is to ask the people what they want and then deliver. (Spoiler: She’s currently working on Mardi Gras merch.

I’ve seen one of her prints and I’m obsessed with how clever it is.)

What started with only a couple hundred dollars in ads on Instagram has brought forth many returns, as has Reed’s journey back to SWLA. “Lake Charles is an epicenter of really good artists and musicians. My humor is rooted in this community and the spirit of this place.”

As to what the future holds, Reed says, “I hope Lucille evolves and stays cheeky. I’d love to wholesale my art. It will be fun to see where it ends up.”

You can find Lucille Lane on Instagram @ lovelucillelane or at shoplucillelane.com.

THRIVESWLA.COM

63

Style & Beauty

Making Scent, Fragrances & More Cologne Maker and Collector, Rico Ramirez

by Kerri Cooke

Rico Ramirez’s love for scent goes back to his childhood when he would sneak a spray or two of his dad’s cologne before going to elementary school. The fragrance that most evocatively summons his youth is Ralph Lauren’s Polo.

his homemade fragrance and sprayed it on the waiter’s hand before attending a cologne making workshop. Before long, the waiter and others were clamoring to get their hands on Ramirez’s cologne.

Ramirez didn’t dive into fragrance seriously until two years ago. Now, as a retired chef, he spends much of his time collecting and creating colognes and interacting with online cologne-centered groups. You probably won’t find as large of a cologne and perfume collection anywhere else in SWLA, as Ramirez boasts over 1,000 bottles. His favorite fragrances are among the Tom Ford and Guerlain lines, although he says asking him to choose is like asking what child is his favorite.

Scent has the ability to affect how others see you and how you see yourself. “It makes you confident,” Ramirez says. “It makes you feel good about yourself. I like to observe people. When they put a scent on, their aura changes.” Knowing the power of scent, Ramirez gives away samples for Great Harvest Food Pantry to give to people getting back into the work force.

Always one to enjoy putting things together, Ramirez compares cologne making to cooking a spaghetti. He instinctually can tell when a recipe needs more oregano or any such ingredients.

Concocting a cologne is the same. He can smell something and know what other scent it will match well with. He’s even been known to get up in the middle of the night and start on a new fragrance because he was suddenly inspired.

Largely self-taught, Ramirez recalls watching videos on YouTube when getting started. The most challenging part of making fragrances is creating accords, a blend of chemicals that makes a scent smell like it does after it dries down.

Accords make the scent complex, combining several different notes to create a new smell.

Ramirez says he loves the challenge and the chemistry making a cologne requires.

As to inspiration, it can range from something Ramirez ate to a scent he smelled in his daily life.

He describes making a Junior Mint cologne after eating one. He has also made a cotton candy cologne. The completion of a scent can take anywhere from days to months.

Ramirez remembers eating at a restaurant in New Orleans when his waiter asked him what scent he was wearing. Producing a bottle with a tiny amount of cologne in it, Ramirez showed 64

DECEMBER 2025

With a lineup including colognes, bar soap, incense, shampoo and body wash, Ramirez says he takes custom orders and can make pretty much anything. He’s copied famous perfumes and has his own line of original scents. He even has incense that smells like hot cocoa.

Being part of an online community for those interested in colognes and how to make them has helped Ramirez hone his craft. Groups discuss new releases from top brands, hear from professional cologne makers and solve problems together. Ramirez says he’s even made friends with people living in Dubai and has experimented with ouds as a result.

Out of the whole process, naming a cologne is the hardest part, Ramirez says. His Lady Intense cologne has notes of pink pepper, bergamot, coconut water, white wood, ylang ylang, jasmine and more, while one of his masculine fragrances, Weekend, has a profile including caramel, apple, wood, oak, moss, amber and more.

Ramirez is slowly building his business as the tariffs recently enacted have hurt his bottom line.

He sells a handful of colognes a month and hopes to bring his talent to local farmers’ markets in the future.

If you would like a custom fragrance or are interested in Ramirez’s range, you can contact him at 337-600-8915.

Give the gift of beauty this holiday season.

Gift cards & pre-pay services make the best stocking stuffers. Call us at (337) 508-2559 5400 Nelson Rd., Suite 600, Lake Charles, LA 70605

THRIVESWLA.COM

65

HOME & FAMILY

It’s easy to get involved this Christmas with a plethora of local events happening!

Join The Downtown Stroll or watch as 1911 Historic City Hall & Cultural Center is bathed in projections of local students’ art works. Dream about Christmas abroad, learn about how one local Santa is bringing joy to children of all ages, pick up a holiday-themed book and don’t miss out on the yearly performance of Handel’s Messiah. Even if you haven’t been to church in a while, The River Church has a heartfelt message for all of us during this festive season. Christmas is about Jesus, food, fellowship and giving. Make sure you find a way to get festive this year.

66

DECEMBER 2025

THRIVESWLA.COM

67

Home & Family | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

Holiday Happenings Enjoy the 2025 holiday season with one or a few of the many events being hosted in SWLA. From children’s events to adult-only nights, there is something to do every weekend in December. Don’t be a grinch. Go take some Christmas-themed selfies or enjoy a walk downtown with the Holiday Stroll. Nothing says Christmas quite like coming together as a community to foster fellowship, fun and giving.

Through January 2, Monday-Friday Candy Cane Girls Take Over Frosty Factory 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

The Candy Cane Girls, Carrie and Darla, are bringing holiday magic to Lake Charles. Join them for cocktails, photo-ops, sing-a-longs and Christmas parties.

Through January 3, Tuesday-Saturday Selfie Wonderland & Snow Village Historic City Hall 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Explore Selfie Wonderland, a Christmas-themed selfie exhibit featuring unique, communitycrafted photo stations. Each space is designed by local creatives to immerse visitors in magical, one-

68

DECEMBER 2025

of-a-kind holiday settings — the perfect backdrop for your family photos and Christmas cards.

spreadin’ Christmas cheer, and makin’ memories that’ll warm your heart for years to come.

hospitality—all in a winterwonderland setting perfect for photos and holiday cheer.

This 700-piece collection, on loan from the McNeese Foundation, features charming town squares, festive neighborhoods, and a skating rink—a cherished holiday tradition of the late Mrs. Nancy Stone Crowe.

Morning Mimosa Mommas Friday, December 5 | 9:00 a.m.-noon $40 + tax & fees Start your weekend in style with bubbly mimosas, a charcuterie cup, and first access to the Cowboy Christmas Holiday Market before it opens to the public. Gather your girlfriends, shop 60+ vendors, and soak up the festive spirit of the season!

Concert Friday, December 5 | 6:00 p.m., Show at 7:00 p.m.

General Admission: $40 + tax & fees VIP $125+ tax and fees

December 5-6 Cowboy Christmas The Stables at LeBocage Beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Price: Friday Mimosas: $40+taxes and fees Friday Concert: General Admission $40+taxes and fees | VIP $125 (+ tax & fees) Friday & Saturday Markets: $10+taxes and fees From joyful shopping and toetappin’ tunes to heartwarming traditions and memory-makin’ magic, Cowboy Christmas is all about supportin’ small businesses,

Holiday Market Friday, December 5 1:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 6 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $10 + tax & fees (Ages 2 & Up) Shop 60+ local artisans, boutiques and makers offering gifts, décor, jewelry, gourmet treats and more. Enjoy live music, choirs, festive drinks and Cowboy-style

CELEBRATE THE SEASON

inStyle!

The newly renovated event space at Graywood Golf & Racquet Club offers the perfect setting for holiday gatherings of all sizes. Options include the Evergreen Room and Cypress Room, with the addition of the spacious veranda to either booking if outdoor space is desired. From sparkling soirées to cozy celebrations, our versatile event space will make your season – and your holiday memories – shine!

– BOOK NOW! –

Call (337) 562-1206, ext. 5, or email amanda@ggrclc.com.

6150 Graywood Parkway Lake Charles

O

O

Merry Christmas!

O!

ehealthyimage.com | 337.312.0972

THRIVESWLA.COM

69

Home & Family | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

Holiday Happenings The Stables at Le Bocage welcomes Multi-Platinum Quartz Hill Records recording artist Joe Nichols as the headliner for this year’s inaugural holiday celebration, Cowboy Christmas at Le Bocage.

Multiplatinum Artist Joe Nichols will be live in concert Friday, December 5, 2025.

December 5-December 26 Downtown Lake Charles Christmas Glow Show Historic City Hall 7:00 p.m-12:00 a.m.

Displays will run every Friday through Sunday leading up to Christmas featuring 3D projected scenes that light up the building with magical holiday imagery.

Featuring Digital Arts program at SOWELA to showcase local student art displays. On Monday through Thursday guests can expect to see transformative photo projections and on Friday through Sunday there will be an immersive show on loop.

December 6 Cajun Christmas Carnival Prien Lake Elementary 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Free Entry: Photos with Santa Wristbands: $20

70

DECEMBER 2025

Carnival games, jambalaya plate lunch, concessions, & craft available with wrist band purchase. Silent auction also happening.

December 7 Christmas Tour of Homes Homes located in the Margaret Place Subdivision (Shell Beach Drive to South Ryan Street) 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Price: TBD Guests are invited to take a selfguided tour of select homes located within the Margaret Place subdivision. Musical performances by local school groups, musicians, and choirs will add a festive flair to this holiday stroll. A trolley with limited seating will also run on a continuous loop to the homes starting at the Bord du Lac Marina located on Bord du Lac Drive.

Benefitting the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.

December 7 Music in the Park: Christmas Edition Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Grab your lawn chairs, bring your ice chests, and don your favorite Christmas sweater

December 7 Dickens in DeQuincy Downtown DeQuincy 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

Inspired by the timeless works of Charles Dickens, the event will transform DeQuincy into a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, cozy holiday cheer, and a magical sense of community.

Noon-4:00 p.m.: Farmers Market at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum, featuring local vendors and festive finds; Opening Remarks Noon-1:00 p.m.: DeQuincy High Choir 1:00-1:30 p.m.: DES Choir 2:00-2:30 p.m.: Sondra Stark Legacy 2:30 p.m.: Costume Contest (Individuals, Couple, Family) 4:00 p.m.: Parade Line Up 5:00 p.m.: Christmas Parade through downtown DeQuincy.

6:00 p.m.: Christmas Tree Lighting, Preschool Company-Bible Baptist Choir 7:00 p.m.: Fireworks Display December 12 Christmas in the Courtyard at The Johnson Firm 4:00 - 6:30 pm Photos with Santa, Christmas train, carolers, hot cocoa and more!

December 11 Downtown Holiday Stroll Downtown Lake Charles 5:30-7:30 p.m.

This pop-up event turns downtown Lake Charles into a winter wonderland for one magical evening. Visitors can enjoy live performances, sip warm cocoa, shop for unique gifts, and experience the sights and sounds of the season as local storefronts and vendors join in the fun.

December 13 Christmas Meet Me at the Market & Ornament Workshop Historic City Hall 9:00 a.m.-noon Shop local for art, produce, and handmade goods, enjoy live music, sip on cocoa or coffee, and take

part in the annual ornament and Christmas card workshop.

December 13, December 20 Holiday Art: A Very Pop Art Christmas Imperial Calcasieu Museum 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Ages 5-13 Price: $75 Celebrate the season with creativity at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum’s Holiday Art Camp! Young artists will enjoy two mornings filled with festive fun, exploring a variety of art materials and techniques. Campers will create multiple holiday-themed projects, exploring the vibrant world of pop art!

December 21 World Ballet Company: Nutcracker Lake Charles Event Center 6:00 p.m.

Price: $50+ Celebrate the season with The Nutcracker a dazzling, family-friendly ballet filled with holiday magic, whimsical character, and Tchaikovsky's timeless score. Performed by 40 international dancers and featuring over 150 hand-crafted costumes and enchanting, snowy sets.

experience a

Canvas of Creativity

Save the Date for the next Mural Festival

March 21-22, 2026 Plan your trip or go to VISItBEAUMoNttX.CoM NATURE TRAIL MURALS IN TYRRELL PARK

BEAUMONT MURAL FESTIVAL THRIVESWLA.COM

71

Home & Family | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

A Festive Journey Through Europe’s Most Enchanting Christmas Markets

Innsbruck, Austria photo credit: Danijel Jovanovic

by Andrea Guthmann

Across Europe, the scent of spiced wine and roasting chestnuts fills the crisp winter air as town squares transform into enchanting holiday villages. From the bustling medieval squares of Munich, Germany, to the fairy-tale alpine setting of Innsbruck, Austria, to the French-speaking festivities found in Montreux, Switzerland, these gatherings are a feast for the senses.

While there are dozens of cities through Europe that make “Best Christmas Market” lists, these are a few favorites.

Rüdesheim, Germany Nestled in Germany’s wine region, along the Rhine River, Rüdesheim’s Christmas Market of Nations features over 15 countries displaying crafts and cuisine along the famously narrow Drosselgasse lane, lined with shops and restaurants. In addition to international fare, sample traditional German Christmas market foods popular in this region, including käsespatzle (cheese spaetzle), flammkuchen (flatbread with cheese, 72

DECEMBER 2025

onions and ham) and kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes).

Beyond the market, take time to visit the Niederwald Monument. Built in the late 1800s to commemorate the unification of Germany, it rewards visitors with breathtaking river views. Another delightful stop is Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet, a museum of automated musical instruments. Close out your day by sampling some of the region’s fine Rieslings.The Baron

Knyphausen Winery is a fine choice with a lovely restaurant and several rooms offering overnight lodging, or cross the Rhine to Rheinhessen and sample the wines in the stylish tasting room at Braunewell Winery, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the vineyards.

Munich, Germany With more than 20 Christmas markets and so much to do in and around Munich, you could build an entire vacation around this city. The

Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz is the best known, spread out beneath the neo-Gothic New Town Hall. For a unique twist, the Medieval Market at Wittelsbacherplatz transports visitors back in time by authentically reenacting a medieval market scene with historical references to Munich in the Middle Ages.

During downtime between Christmas markets, visit one of the many beer halls featuring live music and regional cuisine or take

Montreux Noel - photo credit: Marie Contreras Rudesheim, Germany Christmas Market - photo credit: Marlis Steinmetz

a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland. Remember that on Sundays, many museums in Munich are only one Euro. Another budget-friendly choice is overnighting at the Flemings Hotel, conveniently located across from Munich’s main train station and an easy walk to the Old Town. Along the way you’ll pass by historic highlights like Marienplatz, Theatinerkirche and Feldherrnhalle.

Innsbruck, Austria From Munich, it’s less than a two-hour scenic train ride to Innsbruck, Austria.

Known as the Imperial City for its connection to the Habsburg Empire, Archduke Ferdinand once ruled from here. In winter, Innsbruck's Old Town is a snow-dusted jewel, where cobblestone lanes wind beneath the iconic Golden Roof landmark building, the heart of the Christmas market festivities. Wooden stalls, adorned with twinkling lights, overflow with handcrafted ornaments, intricate nutcrackers and the warm glow of candles. Ornate, pastel-hued buildings house cozy cafes, upscale boutiques and restaurants like Weisses Rossl, featuring authentic Austrian fare including schnitzel, spatzle and strudel. After dinner, your server may ask if you’d like a glass of schnapps, as Innsbruck is the epicenter for production of these fruit-based afterdinner spirits.

Innsbruck offers a unique blend of culture and outdoor adventure. Marvel at Baroque architecture before ascending a modern funicular high into the snow-capped Tyrolean mountains for breathtaking

views. Or, purchase Innsbruck’s Ski Plus City Pass, which includes access and transportation to 12 nearby ski resorts, as well as 23 other attractions.

A great lodging choice is the Adlers Hotel, two blocks from the train station and a five-minute walk to Innsbruck’s medieval Old Town. A sumptuous complimentary breakfast is offered in the rooftop restaurant with its panoramic floor-toceiling windows looking out at the Alps.

Access to its sauna with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains is also included.

Innsbruck, Austria - photo credit: Danijel Jovanovic

Montreux, Switzerland Overlooking the snow-covered Alps and Lake Geneva, Christmas is a chance to enjoy this French region of Switzerland without all the crowds that come for the popular Montreux Jazz Festival in July.

The Montreux Christmas market, known as Montreux Noël, runs from late November to December 24 along the shores of Lake Geneva. In addition to vendors selling crafts and food, there’s a large Ferris wheel. The highlight is the nightly spectacle of seeing Santa Claus in his sleigh flying over the Christmas market.

Montreaux Noel - photo credit: Maude Rion

Make time to tour the 12th century castle Château de Chillon and experience its medieval festival. Sitting on a rocky island, it is the most visited monument in Switzerland. If you’re up for a night of luxury, choose the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace for your lodging.

Innsbruck, Austria - photo credit: Danijel Jovanovic THRIVESWLA.COM

73

Home & Family | A COMMUNAL CHRISTMAS

74

DECEMBER 2025

Christmas is not just something God DID. Christmas is something God is still DOING.

In fact, everything God wants for you can be found in the Christmas story.

• God drawing close.

• The Holy Spirit’s creating.

• Angels are helping.

• Miracles are happening.

• Heaven is speaking.

• Provision is coming.

• The rejected are welcomed.

• The humble are seen.

• God is keeping His promises.

Everything we long for—revival, healing, provision, direction, purpose—still begins with Him. Join us this Sunday!

8:30am | 10am | 11:30am

5654 Gerstner Memorial Dr., Lake Charles, LA

RIVERCHURCHLAKECHARLES.COM

Pastor Kevin & Elizabeth Burns

THRIVESWLA.COM

75

Home & Family | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

Let Him Pastor Kevin and Elizabeth Burns

INN

Making Room for Christ in a Crowded World

76 76

DECEMBER DECEMBER 2025 2025

No Room Inn Every Christmas season, we’re drawn back to the familiar story: Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem, weary from travel, only to be told, “There is no room in the inn.” The Savior of the world—the One who created the heavens and the earth— entered our world in a borrowed stable because there was no space made for Him. In the first century, an “inn” wasn’t the kind of roadside hotel we think of today.

More likely, it was a simple guest room or lodging house, already full of travelers. Yet the point remains the same—there was no room for Christ.

Modern Crowding Out That was over 2,000 years ago, but not much has changed. In Southwest Louisiana and across the world, we still have a tendency to tell God there’s “No room inn.”

We fill our schedules so tightly that prayer gets squeezed out. We fill our calendars with school, sports, football, parades and holiday parties until Sunday worship feels optional. We fill our budgets with wants and comforts but struggle to give God our first fruits. We fill our homes with noise and busyness, leaving little space for peace and reflection. We fill our marriages and parenting with self-reliance but forget that God is the One who holds families together. We fill our minds with politics, news cycles and endless scrolling but leave little room for the eternal

perspective of God’s Word. We fill our careers with ambition, chasing success, while neglecting the One who said, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

Jesus Pushed Aside It wasn’t just at His birth that there was “no room.” As Jesus grew and began His ministry, the crowds pressed in so tightly around Him that Luke tells us they were “almost crushing Him” (Luke 8:42). He had to step into a boat and teach from the water just to create space. Once again, there was no room. The very One who made space for all of creation was constantly being pushed to the margins.

The Woman Who Made Room But in that same crowd was a woman who refused to accept “no room” as her story. She had been bleeding for twelve years. According to the culture, she was “unclean,” forced to live on the margins, even required to announce her private condition in public spaces. She had spent all her money on doctors and empty promises, yet only grew worse. She had no more resources, no more dignity, no more hope—until Jesus came near.

In desperation, she pressed through the crowd, pressing past cultural limitations, social shame and physical weakness, until she touched the edge of His garment. In an instant, everything changed. Jesus

stopped the crowd, looked for her, and when He found her, He didn’t call her “unclean” or “outcast.” He called her “daughter.” He spoke shalom—peace, wholeness, restoration—over her life: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be whole.”

When there was no room for her in society, she made room for Christ.

And when Christ came in, He brought acceptance, beauty, dignity, healing and restoration.

The Call for Us This Christmas, the message is simple: Let Him INN. Make room in your schedule. Make room in your conversations. Make room in your home, your priorities, your plans.

The innkeeper missed the chance to host the Savior. The crowds nearly pushed Him out. Society tried to shut out the broken and unclean. But those who made room for Christ found life.

This December, as the lights twinkle across Southwest Louisiana and families gather around tables, may we pause and open wide the doors of our lives to Christ.

He doesn’t just want a corner of the stable or a borrowed boat—He wants the center of it all.

Let Him INN. And watch His light fill every room.

THRIVESWLA.COM

77

Home & Family | COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

SWLA

Santa, Michael McHale

by Kerri Cooke Michael McHale is a lawyer by day and moonlights as Santa during the holiday season.

The story begins in 2020, when he saw an ad for a company looking for Santas to make Zoom calls during the COVID pandemic. While he never heard back from the company, McHale didn’t let that stop him from branching out on his own.

In 2021, McHale invested more money in his Santa suit, something that has become a yearly tradition, and started volunteering as Santa for local charities such as Families Helping Families.

He says that being Santa for special needs charities are his favorite and “I get more hugs than anything.”

McHale calls his ex-wife’s daughter, Daisy, the “special needs whisperer.” She has Down syndrome and will sometimes accompany him to his gigs as an elf. He describes how a child can be upset and crying, but when Daisy touches them, they often become calm.

This year, McHale attended the Charles W. Howard Santa School, which is considered the “Harvard of Santa schools,” for three days in Midland, Michigan. The school holds the record of oldest continuously run Santa school in the world.

McHale details how the residents of the community explain to children that Santa is having a family reunion and the men showing up in town are his cousins. Describing all the information he and his fellow attendees were privy to is akin to “drinking water from a firehose.”

The intensive workshops included talks from child psychologists, information on the history of Santa, beard maintenance lessons, sign language classes and a schooling on the hottest toys of 2025. McHale says the camaraderie that comes 78

DECEMBER 2025

with hanging out with “300 guys who want to be Santa” is unmatched. The lesson McHale took away from his experience in Michigan is how the teaching is not about the figurehead of Santa but the heart of Santa. Often, Santa is portrayed only as a gift giver, but there is so much more to him than that. Charles W. Howard said, "He errs who thinks Santa Claus enters through the chimney; he really enters through the heart."

This is a theme the Santa school focuses on and something McHale has taken to heart. It starts with understanding the impact Santa has on children and adults alike. “It’s not just little kids,” McHale says. “Adults become kids again.” He details how when he leaves an event, he will drive around and wave at people. While most people don’t notice, those who do wave back with an expression of joy on their face.

That said, it’s not always easy being Santa. Kids can bring some pretty large requests as they sit on Santa’s lap and whisper in his ear. McHale has learned, as Santa, you never promise anything.

Instead, Santa says he’ll “try.” For those children who ask him if he can get their parents back together or make their parent healthy again, McHale has a special protocol. He keeps a notebook and tells them, while Santa’s just a toymaker, he will write their names down in his prayer book that he keeps by the side of his bed at the North Pole when he says his prayers before bedtime. During the day, he promises to keep the prayer journal in his coat, next to his heart.

McHale says being Santa is “the most fun yet humbling thing I can do. It’s like a religious experience. I think I probably have more fun than the kids.” The role allows him to “be as creative as I want to be because kids ask all kinds of questions, and if you’re quick on your feet and say something with conviction, they’ll believe it.”

McHale will be doing a dramatic reading of the Cajun Night Before Christmas on his SWLA Santa Facebook page the first weekend of December, so tune in and check it out. He provides services for home visits, Zoom calls, charity events and Christmas parties

A MULTI-GENERATION LEGACY

MEMORIES WITH THE LAKE CHARLES MESSIAH CHORUS

by Jennifer Roback Morse Dr. Francis Bulber directing 50th Messiah Performance

Messiah Chorus Orchestra 2024 directed by Colette Bulber Tanner

Research consistently shows that stable families, family traditions and regular religious attendance all contribute to both mental and physical health.

So, Lake Charles is fortunate to have an annual event that draws families together, unabashedly celebrates a religious theme and has been a staple of our community since 1940—the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. This year, the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus will hold its 84th Annual Performance on December 7. The Messiah is a staple of the Christmas holiday season in Lake Charles. Some chorus members have sung for 50 years or more. Others will be singing for the first time. The annual performance of Handel’s Messiah is part of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Southwest Louisiana.

The first performance was in 1940, organized

by Dr. Francis Bulber, then head of the McNeese State University Music Department. Mrs. Renee Champeaux Wood remembers those early days of the Messiah performances as a cherished childhood memory. Her grandfather, Dr. Malcom Leveque, was good friends with Dr. Bulber. They were the “founding generation” of the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus.

Mrs. Wood remembers watching her mother perform in the chorus. She prepared her three daughters to be as quiet as church mice during the performance, going so far as to “preopen” a package of lifesavers. Her dad, Joe Champeaux, could pass out the candies to the little girls

without making any rustling noises with packaging.

“We went to Mass, lunch at Piccadilly and then to the Messiah wearing our Sunday best,” Mrs. Wood says. “I fondly remember as we stood clapping when the Messiah was over, mom smiledbeamed at her three girls and her Joe! For our family, the attendance of going to the Messiah became a tradition!”

This tradition continued into the next generation.

Mrs. Wood’s family attended the Messiah every year with the Bulber children: Patrice, Gerald and Collette, and later, with their children! “As we grew older and had children of our own, Collette put her three boys sitting next to my father and me,” Mrs. Wood says. "As my dad silently passed out Lifesavers to them, Collette's youngest decided to crawl upon my father's lap, where he proceeded to take his nap!”

as a young musician.” This year, several high school seniors will be joining the chorus for the first time. Most importantly of all, participating in the Messiah brings great spiritual solace and a sense of community. Numerous members recall the beauty of the audience singing Silent Night along with the chorus at the end of the performance.

The members of the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus, past and present, invite you and your family to be part of this very special Christmas tradition at Bulber Auditorium on the campus of McNeese State University at 3:00 p.m. on December 7. Admission is free.

That youngest of Collette’s children, Colin, is now a member of the chorus himself, along with his two brothers.

New performers join the chorus every year.

Whitney Chaumont Rougeau is a recently graduated vocal music major from McNeese.

Her f irst performance with the chorus was as a soloist. “As an 18-year-old, I felt the pressure of the moment,” Rougeau says. “But as I sang, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ I felt the love and support from the entire chorus. It was truly a magical moment to be able to participate in the rich history of the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus

Collette Bulber Tanner and Patricia Cavell Bulber (mother and daughter) at 75th Messiah Performance THRIVESWLA.COM

79

Home & Family

shelf

the

With Christmas coming, we’re hearing strains of the song White Christmas.

While there’s no indication SWLA will have a white Christmas this year, nobody can forget the snowstorm in January of 2025. One Louisiana woman, Brittany M. Sanders, wrote a children’s book about the experience and sent it to meteorologists across the state.

A Gulf Coast Miracle

by Brittany M. Sanders Experience the joy and surprise of a true southern snow day in in this heartwarming story, based on the historic events from January 2025, when snowfall records were set along the Gulf Coast. A Gulf Coast Miracle takes readers on a journey through towns in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to celebrate community, imagination and the beauty of the unexpected. This book is a tribute to the extraordinary winter day that, for so many, can only be described as a dream come true.

Sanders was born and raised in Destrehan, Louisiana and graduated from LSU in 2011. I was an English teacher for 13 years but has been working in ed. tech. as a project manager for the last two years. She currently lives in Slidell, Louisiana with her husband, Tyler, and twin daughters, Logan and Landry.

A one-year anniversary edition will be available in January with new illustrations. Available for purchase on Amazon.

For the more mature writer who loves Hallmark movies and romance novels, earlier this year, a writer who is no stranger to Thrive published a book of short stories, each based around a holiday.

A Hint of Holiday Romance

by Pamela S. Thibodeaux Winter Madness: Is it true love between the faithful optimist and broody pessimist or simply winter madness?

Choices: Can Cammie and Kip rediscover each other after one night of his Home is where the Heart is Tour or is she destined to unrequited love?

Love Unmasked: Will Kelli and Cody find love when the masks come off?

Casi’s CPA: Will her new CPA be the one to fill Casi's bankrupt heart to overflowing?

Lilies for Sandi: Can two hearts broken by unfulfilled dreams find healing, wholeness, and restoration?

Cathy’s Angel: Can a confirmed bachelor and the mother of four find love amid normal daily chaos?

80

DECEMBER 2025

Detained for Love: Will love set her free when Maddy Albright is detained

by Officer Jacob Roberts for a traffic violation?

Ferryn’s Quest: Will Ferryn’s search for the man in her dreams cost her the love of her life?

Kaylyn’s Flowers: Will a storm on All Hallows Eve give Kaylyn and Jake a chance at love?

SERVING SWLA FOR OVER 40 YEARS

DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS

• COPIERS • PRINTERS • SCANNERS • LARGE FORMAT

Old Flame, New Love: Will Lindsay’s old flame, Stephen (who’s in the middle of a divorce), be her new chance at love?

I.T. AND NETWORK SOLUTIONS

Love Field: Will Katie spend the holidays alone again or will the romantic name of an airport bring her and her soul mate together?

Pamela S. Thibodeaux has been writing romance novels since 1982. Her tagline, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ defines her life, writing and coaching style. She is active in the SWLA writing community and is the founder of Bayou Writers Group.

You can find Thibodeaux's books on Amazon and at local bookstore such as The Charmed Page.

• WORKSTATION MANAGEMENT • NETWORK MANAGEMENT • EMAIL MANAGEMENT • VoIP SALES & SERVICE

600 W McNeese Street, Lake Charles 337.474.9913 | asiofficesystems.com

SPECIAL OFFER fect Per r fo n g s cki S to

5

WASHES FOR $ 35

Visit donswashandlube.com for details!

FOUR LOCATIONS, INCLUDING OUR NEW LOCATION IN MOSS BLUFF

3700 Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA 70605

4050 Nelson Road Lake Charles, LA 70605

2325 E. McNeese Street Lake Charles, LA 70605

266 N Highway 171 EW Lake Charles, LA 70611

N

THRIVESWLA.COM

81

Home & Family

Winter Home Prep Helpful Tips for Uninterrupted Holiday Gatherings

by Reagan Hooper-Powell

Santa isn’t the only one who needs to check his list twice! Make sure your home is ready for winter, too. The holidays are here, and your home should be in its best shape for guests and family to gather. Here’s how to prep for cold nights and holiday comfort: HVAC

With guests coming and going all season long, it is vital to ensure your HVAC system is in the best shape and running smoothly. Simple changes such as replacing your air filters, clearing your outdoor units and checking your thermostat can keep your home comfortable as temperatures drop by preventing 82

DECEMBER 2025

blockages, maintaining proper airflow and ensuring your thermostat accurately reflects what your system is doing.

ELECTRICAL

Statistics show that electrical fires increase during the holiday season.

While no one can predict every fire risk ahead of time, there are ways to safeguard your home by reducing hazards and ensuring all safety measures are in place. You should be inspecting all your outlets before plugging in your slowcooker, Christmas lights and trees.

Your outlets should not be loose, sparking or warm to the touch—all of which can put your home at risk for electrical fires. Even with these precautions, it is important to make sure your smoke and carbon

monoxide detectors are functioning and have fresh batteries.

PLUMBING

Let’s face it, your home is seeing more than Santa and his reindeer during the holiday season. With extra guests in your home, your water systems will be working overtime. Now is the time to fix leaks and slow drains and make sure your water heater is flushed.

Also, as cold fronts arrive, it is vital to protect any exposed pipes to prevent costly damages.

In addition, remember to clean your gutters, check the window and door seals for any cracks that allow outside air to come into your home, and complete any unfinished repairs. The holiday hustle and bustle are real, and your to-do list

is most likely growing every day.

Flavin Home Services wants to take on the weight for you!

“Our mission at Flavin Home Services is to go above and beyond for our customers’ needs,” says Haley Bertrand, home services coordinator. “The holidays are a hectic time, and our families should be the focus, not plumbing problems or a broken A/C. We take pride in providing detailed and excellent work because our customers deserve it.”

Whatever your home needs, let Flavin Home Services be a trusted partner to handle your worries, big and small. To learn more, visit flavinhomeservices. com.

The 6th Annual Lake Charles Acton Children’s Business Fair & Christmas Market Presented by Peppermint Sage Dental Wellness

Could a ten-year-old invent the next Uber? Find out at Acton Children’s Business Fair Christmas Market, showcasing kids’ entrepreneurial genius!

On December 13, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., the 6th annual Acton Children’s Business Fair & Christmas Market will host 60+ young entrepreneurs at The Burton Coliseum to showcase their hard work and knowledge.

This event is free and open to the public. Last year's fair hit a record number of shoppers with over 900 locals purchasing handmade gifts and goodies. The fair invites the community to listen to live music, take pictures with Santa Claus, eat from the several delicious food trucks on site and shop for Christmas stocking stuffers.

Kids create a product or service, develop a brand, build a marketing strategy and then open for customers at this one-day marketplace. The children are

responsible for the setup, sales and interacting with customers.

Any parent seen selling to the customer or promoting the child’s product will result in disqualification from the competition.

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s business innovators and leaders,” said Jeff Sandefer, founder of the Acton School of Business, one of the sponsors of the fair. “The Children’s Business Fair gives students the opportunity to spread their entrepreneurial wings

and get a head start on promising business careers.”

Badges will be awarded to those entrepreneurs who show mastery in various areas of business including: ownership, problem solving, customer engagement, creativity, presentation, grit and innovation. And awards will be given to the top of the selected categories.

For more information, visit dcikids.org.

THRIVESWLA.COM

83

T he 41st Annual

We extend our gratitude to our partners in Southwest Louisiana for their dedication to making a positive impact in our community.

Ainsley’s Angels Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking Alzheimer’s Association of Louisiana American Cancer Society Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA Autism Services of SWLA Banners at McNeese State University Bess the Book Bus Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA Boy Scouts of America Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana Boys Village Foundation Brimstone Historical Society Calcasieu Council on Aging Calcasieu Parish School Board CHRISTUS Ochsner SWLA Foundation City of Lake Charles City of Sulphur City of Westlake Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana Community Foundation of SWLA Down Syndrome Association of SWLA Families for Inclusion Family & Youth Counseling Agency

Friends of Sam Houston Jones State Park Holden’s Hope Imperial Calcasieu Museum International Club of SWLA Junior Achievement of SWLA KZWA Family Legacy Foundation Lake Area Industry Alliance Lake Charles Symphony Literacy Council of SWLA Louisiana One Health in Action Louisiana Troopers Charities - Troop D McNeese Athletic Foundation Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana Muscular Dystrophy Association National Turkey Federation Oasis A Safe Haven Region 5 STEM Center Reins of Hope Second Harvest Food Bank Smoke & Barrel Inc. Special Olympics Louisiana St. Nicholas Center for Children Sulphur Christian Community Coalition SWLA Center for Health Services

SWLA Economic Development Alliance SWLA Veterans Association SWLA Youth Foundation The Children’s Museum of SWLA The Salvation Army The Whistlestop Tournament of the Stars United Way of SWLA Voices of Freedom Ward 4 Marshal’s Office West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce Women’s Commission of SWLA Education Partners: Calcasieu Parish Alternative Sites E. K. Key Elementary School LeBlanc Middle School Maplewood Middle School McNeese State University SOWELA Technical Community College Sulphur High 9th Grade Campus Sulphur High School W. W. Lewis Middle School

Corporate social responsibility is a core value woven throughout our many community programs and employee volunteer efforts.

84

DECEMBER 2025

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT CITGO