Thrive September 2017 Issue

September 2017

IN THIS ISSUE:

RETIREMENT ROUNDUP FALL FASHION THE BISHOP OF BBQ SPECIAL INSERTS September 2017

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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 www.thriveswla.com

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September 2017

September 2017

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Contents

Regular Features

In This Issue Wining &Dining

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The Bishop of Barbecue 8 Bulldog Pepper Jelly 10 Crazy for Kombucha It’s Places &Faces

l a v i t s e F l Fal

Sea s on!

18 Sabine Pass Lighthouse: The Aging Lady of the Marsh 20 Cowboy Cannon Krewe 22 Bell City High School

12 – 17 Cover Story:

5 Happenings 24 Who’s News 32 The New Family Tree 57 Business Buzz 58 First Person with Dr. David Drez, Jr. 66 Solutions for Life 67 McNeese Corral

Home &Family

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26 Making Memories with your Grandchildren 28 A Little Thyme and Patience: Planting a Kitchen Herb Garden 30 Dr. Jana Kingrey: Animal Chiropractor tyle &Beauty S 34 The Hottest Fall Looks 36 Bath Bomb Mania 38 Your Guide to Growing Out Short Summer Hair Money &Career

4 0 – 51 Special Section: Retirement 52 Effective Job Search Strategies 54 6 Steps to Save Now for Christmas 56 The Art of Small Talk in Business Gatherings

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Roundup

Mind &Body

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Moving Toward Better Quality of Life through Exercise 62 The Importance of Balance 64 September: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

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

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Editors and Publishers

Kristy Como Armand Christine Fisher

Advertising Sales ads@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099

Creative Director

Barbara VanGossen

Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

Managing Editor

Angie Kay Dilmore

Business Manager

Katie McDaniel Stevenson

Design and Layout

Mandy Gilmore

Assistant Designers

Shonda Manuel Kris Roy

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

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September 2017

Mark Your Calendar!

Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy Fall Registration Open

Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy enrollment date for the fall session is September 8. Classes begin every six months and are designed for both traditional and non-traditional students, consisting of a six or an 11-month course, and tuition payment plans are offered.

LIMT is located at 3750 Nelson Road.

To learn more or request a Student Catalog, visit www.lamassageschool. com or by calling (337) 474-3737.

Mexican Heritage Fiesta Scheduled

The Mexican Heritage Fiesta is scheduled for September 9 from 9:30am-midnight at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, Texas. This year’s Fiesta will include the Mexican Heritage Society Folklorico Dancers performing authentic traditional dances from the states and regions of Mexico, in their vibrantly colorful costumes.

A Parade of Costumes will showcase different states and regions of Mexico. Among the entertainment will be live Mariachi, a dance band, food vendors and children’s activities.

For more information, call (409) 543-7580.

New Theatre Company in Lake Charles

Lake Charles is now home to the latest affiliate of Christian Youth Theater (CYT), an after-school theater arts training program for students ages 4-18. CYT is the largest youth theater program in the nation, with affiliates across the country. Registration is

September 2017

open for the first ten-week session teaching drama, voice, and dance by professional instructors who are qualified in teaching and/or performing at weekly two-hour classes. Registration and more information is available at www.cytlakecharles.org. Classes begin on September 5 and will be held every Tuesday from 4–6pm for ten weeks at Christian World Ministries in Lake Charles.

Mimosa Boutique Gives Back to Benefit Fragile Infants and Their Families

Mimosa Boutique is partnering with the local community to host its third annual Fashion Gives Back, a high-end runway show highlighting upcoming fall trends, on September 28 benefiting Hand to Hold, a national nonprofit Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) parent support organization.

Based in Austin, Texas, Hand to Hold provides comprehensive navigation resources and support to parents of preemies, babies born with special health care needs and those who have experienced a loss due to related complications. Parents and their extended families may seek help and support from Hand to Hold at any time -- while on bedrest, during a baby’s hospital stay, after receiving a new diagnosis, when older siblings need help, after the loss of a child, and for years beyond. All services are provided without charge to families to give them a hand to hold during challenging circumstances.

For its third year, Fashion Gives Back will be moved to the Burton Coliseum.

It will once again feature live music from Louisiana’s number one party rock

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cover band, Flamethrowers, and catering and open bar by Cousin’s Lebanese Cuisine. Cocktail hour begins at 7pm, followed by the runway show at 8pm.

For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, please visit Mimosa Boutique or the event Facebook page.

Lost Landmark Tour

CHPS will unveil and dedicate three new “Lost Landmark” signs on Saturday, September 30 at a “Trolley Tour” event beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the City Transit Center, Clarence at Ryan St. in downtown Lake Charles. The event will begin with fellowship and light refreshments, and the City Trolley will begin boarding at 10 a.m. to travel to the sites of three new Lost Landmarks. The sites for 2017 include Barbe Pier, St. Charles Academy, and Goldband Records.

An onboard docent will provide information about the program and about the existing signs enroute. At each site, a brief program will highlight the site, acknowledge the host, and dedicate the sign with a reading. In addition, there will be photo opportunities at each location.

Lost Landmarks is an ongoing project of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, and this event is co-sponsored by the City of Lake Charles. Additional acknowledgements include Guzzino Enterprises, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, the Barbe Family, and Matthew Romero, FastSigns.

Should attendance exceed the capacity of the City Trolley, please carpool and motorcade following the bus.

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Wining & Dining

The Bishop of Barbecue

by John O’Donnell

Paul Pettefer wasn’t always a barbeque fan.

Yet five years ago, there he was, standing in his kitchen, craving a rack of ribs. So Pettefer made himself a rack of ribs. “They weren’t great, but they hit the spot and satisfied my craving,” he said. “Even meat that’s cooked badly is still pretty good.”

That day Pettefer vowed to perfect his rib cooking. He bought a cheap smoker and started experimenting and learning the craft and art that goes into cooking meat. One day he invited a friend to visit and taste some of his latest creation. The ribs were a hit and Pettefer noticed something. “Dudes love talking about barbeque.” That’s when it hit him. Pettefer would use barbeque as a way to bring people together and build community, fellowship, and faith. That’s how the Rib List started.

“The Rib List” is a multi-page document that Pettefer keeps on his phone. It’s full of names, dates, and recipes. “It’s like a barbeque diary!” he explained. Once on the rib list, Pettefer

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would look for an opportunity and shoot people a text when he would have extra ribs on the smoker. Then you go to his house and pick up a rack of delicious meat. “If I invite twenty people to come over and pick up ribs from the house, we basically have a street party in my driveway. If someone wants to talk, they’ll linger until the end, and sometimes we end up praying together.”

Word spread about the incredible cooking and the good deeds of the “Bishop of Barbeque,” and it wasn’t long until Pettefer was cooking for special events. He was approached by a local school that was having trouble getting parents to participate in their Parent Teacher Organization. They asked if Pettefer would cook for their first meeting of the year to try and attract more participation. Not one to back down from a challenge, Pettefer accepted, then upped the ante. He recruited a class of 5th graders to help him cook and used it as a teaching opportunity.

September 2017

“Had I ever cooked chicken and ribs for that many people? No! Have I ever done it with a bunch of 5th graders helping me?! No! It was a huge challenge, but it worked. We had 140-something people at the second PTO meeting.”

Pettefer’s charity barbecue work exploded.

He cooked for churches, donating rib dinners for auction items and fundraisers. He was so busy that barbecue was taking over his everyday life. “So I thought if we had a food truck, it would allow us to do more charity events, and pay some of the bills,” Pettefer said.

And so was born Paul’s Rib Shack Barbeque Food Truck. He assembled a team to learn the craft of authentic barbecue, led by Sam Turner, his right hand and a full-fledged pitmaster now, and began traveling to learn more about cooking meat, and then pulled the trigger on the purchase of a blazing red food truck.

He debuted his food truck at Live at the Lakefront in March 2017 to great fanfare. Since then, Paul’s Rib Shack Barbeque has been present at community events like Food Trucks Invade, in addition to numerous charity and business events.

“I have two price points: full price and free,” Pettefer said of his on-going philanthropy work.

The Bishop of Barbecue, or @BishopofBBQ, as the social media handles and cool T-shirts display, is working on expanding his operation to be open for serving lunch on a regular basis from the food truck. His plan for the future of his business is simple: “Create a good vibe. Take care of your people. Make it fun. Have consistency in your products. Be a good friend and neighbor.”

Care That Makes You SMILE

Your smile is your trademark; it lights up your face and expresses your joy and friendliness.

Put your smile in safe, experienced hands:

the hands of the team at Lake Area Dentistry.

We offer all aspects of

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LAKE AREA DENTISTRY Peter T. Bayles, DDS Nathan Bray, DDS Jeffery Hennigan, DDS LAKE CHARLES 700 W. McNeese St. (337) 478-8470

lakeareadentistry.com

photo by Emily Cutrer

September 2017

DEQUINCY 824 W. 4th St. (337) 786-6221

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Wining & Dining

The Jellywith a Bite

by Kristy Como Armand

What happens when you mix two sassy, creative sisters with 85 years of farm-to-table tradition? You get Bulldog Pepper Jelly, handcrafted jellies made by Westlake natives Kim Johnson White and Cindy Johnson Anders that are blazing a delicious path toward success in the specialty food market.

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The business began on a small scale nine years ago when the sisters inherited their great-grandparents’ small farmhouse and rich farmland in Lone Pine, Louisiana, near Forest Hill, “The Nursery Capitol of the World.”

White moved to the farm where her love of cooking was fueled by the fresh ingredients so readily available. “My Aunt Jean had always made a pepper jelly that was a family favorite. With the heat of the long, hot summers in Central Louisiana, our peppers on the farm grow in abundance. I used her recipe and began to experiment with it, adding pecans and different flavors. That’s how it all began.”

White says the inspiration for the name and tagline came from her two French Bulldogs, Jolie Blanc (Jo Jo) and Rocco: “Bulldog Pepper Jelly, the jelly with a bite.”

At first, White just made jelly for family and friends. She started getting requests from people to purchase jellies for gifts, so she started selling jars. Then she went to a small craft show and sold everything she brought with her. More trade shows, fairs and events followed, with Anders jumping in to help when needed. Orders poured in. It soon

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became evident that there was bigger potential here, so Anders partnered with White to join in full time.

The farm had two dedicated gardens for the growing of pepper plants. “We raised Jalapeño, Habanero and Serrano for our assorted jellies,” explains Anders. These and all of our ingredients are fresh and pesticidefree, grown naturally, year-round.

Our strawberry pepper jelly is made using locally-grown strawberries. Our pecans are harvested from our own hundred-year-old pecan trees.”

White says they have created several unique flavors of pepper jellies, “some that are sweet and savory, and others that are loaded with seasonal fruits. We have four flavors available throughout the year, Jalapeño, Roasted Garlic, Roasted Pecan and Strawberry, and then we create seasonal flavors.”

With the support of family, friends and loyal customers, the sisters quickly outgrew the farmhouse kitchen for production. “We realized we were going to have to expand production to meet demand, but we were worried about losing quality and consistency, something that was very important to us,” said White.

“Remember, this all started with a

September 2017

SERVING UP FINGER-LICKING FOOD FOR THREE DECADES

& SPORTS BAR

family recipe, and we feel strongly about protecting the integrity of that.

It took us a while to find a production partner we trusted, but now that we have, the growth has been incredible!”

Today, Bulldog products are in over 100 stores in seven states, with more being added each week. In mid-September, they will launch a Kickstarter campaign to take their company to the next level.

This year’s fall flavors, Cranberry Pecan and Kadota Fig, will also be available in mid-September.

White says success is not without growing pains, but going through this process with her sister has made all the trials and tribulations of starting a business much easier. “I wouldn’t want to go through this with anyone else.”

Anders agrees. “It’s been a blessing and an amazing journey. We can’t wait to see where it takes us!”

Bulldog Pepper Jelly is available at several local retailers. For a complete list, and for more information about the Kickstarter campaign, visit their website www.bulldogpepperjelly.com.

You can also follow their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and recipes.

September 2017

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

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

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

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

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Wining & Dining

Crazy for

Kombucha

by Angie Kay Dilmore

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You hear a lot lately about probiotics and their myriad of health benefits. These healthy bacteria line your digestive tract and support your immune system as they absorb nutrients and ward off infection and illness. They contain antioxidants which detoxify the body, decrease inflammation, and protect against disease. They are found in common foods such as yogurt and fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi. But you can also drink your probiotics in the form of kombucha.

Kombucha, also known by the Chinese as “the immortal health elixir,” originated in Asia approximately 2000 years ago. The beverage is made from fermenting green or black tea and a source of sugar, such as cane sugar, honey, or fruit. This fizzy concoction contains vinegar, B vitamins, enzymes, plenty of acids, and of course, probiotics. With high levels of B vitamins, they can protect the brain and ward off depression. While still in preliminary phases of research, studies show that kombucha may lower triglycerides and regulate cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy choice.

Kombucha can be found in the health food sections of most grocery stores. But you can also buy it locally at farmers’ markets. Maia Atkins makes kombucha and sells a variety of flavors at the Tuesday Cash and Carry. Her most requested flavor is Ginger & Pineapple.

She says if stored and refrigerated properly, a bottle can keep for months.

Atkins got on the kombucha kick around nine years ago. Her friend’s mom made it, and then Atkins’ mom got hooked. At first, she didn’t care for the taste. But she helped her mom make it and upon research, discovered the many health benefits. One day, she added pineapple to the batch. “The fruit worked wonders!” she said. “I actually enjoyed drinking it and so did my younger siblings.”

Atkins says kombucha is very simple to make at home. She offers DIY kits with a detailed recipe. Basically, you brew organic tea with filtered water and add organic cane sugar. Pour the mixture into a glass jar and add a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). Allow to ferment for one to two weeks or more. You can drink as is or add flavoring.

Many kombucha fans enjoy the beverage as an alternative to sodas and plain fruit juices.

For others, kombucha calls for an acquired taste. Depending on the brand and method or preparation, it can be rather sour and vinegary. But when you consider the health benefits, it’s well worth getting used to.

September 2017

IndustryInsider

Straight Answers to Your Questions on Industry and the Environment

Q:

I see the flares burning at industry by my house and can’t help but wonder what they’re burning, or if something is on fire. Is it dangerous?

A:

Flares are a safety mechanism.

Flares process excess gas by burning it off. This safety mechanism minimizes air pollution and helps prevent industrial accidents. The noise that sometimes accompanies a flare is from the steam that’s used as a coolant. When the steam is introduced, it creates a hissing or rumbling noise. The steam cools the system, reduces smoke and minimizes air pollution. We know flares can cause concern and questions, and we try to minimize their use as much as possible because they’re so costly.

Understanding why the flares are used can hopefully put any concerns to rest.

Joe Andrepont

LAIA

senior community affairs director with local industry

Lake Area Industry Alliance

September 2017

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Places & Faces 17 12

Fall is the perfect season to get out and celebrate all things Louisiana! We’ve rounded up this list of events across the state to make it easy for you to find a festival that sparks your interest. Food, music, culture . . . there’s something for everyone!

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by Angie Kay Dilmore

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September 2017

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Highland Jazz and Blues Festival

Shreveport, Sept. 16, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. A free funky “party in the park” featuring local and national jazz and blues artists. Highland is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Shreveport. www. highlandjazzandblues.org

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Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival

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Ascension Hot Air Balloon Fest

Sept. 15-16. The festival celebrates the famous Natchitoches Meat Pie with a variety of homemade pies, musical entertainment, Meat Pie eating contest, a River Run (hosted by the Independent Motorcycle Riders of Natchitoches), kid activities, and more. www.facebook. com/NatchitochesMeatPieFestival

Gonzales, Sept 22-23. Last year’s flooding forced the cancellation of this popular festival; but this year, they’re back! Experience a tethered hot air balloon ride, live music, a classic car show, and nightly fireworks. www.ascensionballooning.com

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Louisiana Sugarcane Festival

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Alligator Festival

New Iberia, Sept. 20-24. Celebrate the Louisiana sugar cane industry with parades, carnival, live Cajun and Zydeco music, car show, sugar cookery, and art displays. www.hisugar.org

Luling, Sept. 21-24. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish, this festival raises funds for college scholarships. In addition to the usual rides, music, arts and crafts, there’s a golf tournament and an Alligator Stomp (a 5K run/walk along the Mississippi River Trace.)

And of course, food, including alligator burgers, alligator sauce piquant, fried alligator, smoked alligator sausage, alligator tamales, seafood alligator gumbo . . . www.alligatorfestival.org

September 2017

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Places & Faces | Fall Festivals

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Gretna Heritage Festival

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Red River Revel Arts Festival

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Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. This music-intensive festival covers 25 city blocks and supports businesses and organizations within the city. Big name entertainers include Kiss, Huey Lewis and the News, and the B-52s. Explore the Italian Village, relax at the German Beer Garden, and shop the Arts and Crafts area. www.gretnafest.com.

Shreveport, Sept. 30 – Oct. 7. Features over 100 visual artists, music of every genre, a children’s area, and food in downtown Shreveport. www. redriverrevel.com

Robert’s Cove Germanfest

Oct. 7-8. This sleepy hamlet has hosted an Oktoberfest since 1995.

The community celebrates its strong German heritage with live entertainment, authentic German food, a large selection of German beers on tap, folklore demonstrations, and children’s activities. www.robertscovegermanfest.com

Louisiana Cotton Festival

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Ville Platte, Oct. 10-15. In Evangeline Parish, cotton dots the fields and the

community celebrates their crop with the annual Cotton Festival. On Tuesday evening, witness the “Contradanse” (a French square dance) and at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, the “Running of the Tournoi,” a revival of an ancient French jousting game. www.louisianacottonfestival.com

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Festivals Acadiens et Créoles

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Lafayette, Oct. 12-15.

Celebrates all things Cajun – the history, the music, the food, the language . . . enjoy a fais-do-do, the official cutting of the boudin, arts and crafts, and more. This free festival is held in Girard Park and includes six stages presenting more than 60 live bands, along with two dozen food vendors in the Bayou

Food Festival and 70 artists at the Louisiana Craft Fair. Special events for 2017 include an Oct. 12 symposium at Vermilionville, Tour Des Atakapas Run & Paddle on Oct. 14, and a photo exhibit at the Hilliard University Art Museum from Sept. 8-Oct. 15. www.festivalsacadiens.com

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Andouille Festival

LaPlace, Oct. 13-15.

Pass a good time and celebrate this traditional Louisiana sausage. www.andouillefestival.com

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Zwolle Tamale Fiesta

Oct. 12-14. The town of Zwolle celebrates its rich Spanish and Indian heritage with a threeday fiesta. The featured festival food – hot tamales, of course! Eat them or enter the tamale making contest. zwolletamalefiesta.com

Wooden Boat Festival

Madisonville, Oct. 1415. Hosted by The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, you’ll see a wide variety of classic wooden boats. You can enter a boat-building contest.

The Museum will host The National WWII Museum and their PT-305 boat at the Lightkeeper’s Cottage on the grounds of the Museum on Sunday, Oct. 15. Children under age 12 and active duty military admitted free. www.woodenboatfest.org

September 2017

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Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival

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Oct. 14. Includes presentations on history, pioneers, and the formation of the town and founding families. www.festivalnet.com/36382/RagleyLouisiana/Festivals/Ragley-Heritage-and-TimberFestival

FAIR

Saturday, Oct. 7th 3pm (Sulphur High School) Pageant: Miss Cal Cam Pageant: Babymiss, T’nincy, Toddler, Little Miss, Etc

Crowley Rice Festival

Oct. 19-22. Events include a Rice Creole and Cookery Contest, a Poker “Rice” Run for the biker set, a 5K Run/Walk for athletic types, and a Classic Car Show, for the gear heads. www.ricefestival.com

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Oak Street Poboy Festival

New Orleans, Oct. 22, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Celebrate Louisiana’s favorite sandwich at this annual Po-boy festival. This year’s event will showcase regional craft breweries at the first ever Po Boy & Pint Fest. Experience the Where Y’Arts Market Event, featuring 20+ local artists with an eclectic array of handmade and one-of-a-kind artworks. Po-boys will be sold by approximately 50 po-boy vendors. Event is free and open to the public. www.poboyfest.com

Saturday Oct. 14th 1 pm Parade Lineup 2 pm Parade

October 18 - 22

West Cal Arena & Events Center (Exit 20 from I-10) Sulphur, LA

Thursday, Oct. 19th 5 pm Rides Open Pageant

Event Center Teen Miss

Livestock Show

6-9 pm

Sheep & Goat

Enertainment

French Band

Monday, Oct. 16th 9 am Exhibit Entries

Friday, Oct. 20th 4 pm Gates Open 5 pm Livestock Show

Tuesday, Oct. 17th 9 am Exhibit Entries 12 pm Booth Set-Up

7-10 pm Entertainment

Wednesday, Oct. 18th 4 pm Fair Opening 5 pm Rides Open 5 pm Pageant Event Center, Jr. And Freshman

Thursday, Oct. 19th 4 pm Gates Opens

Market Pig

Saturday, Oct. 21st 10 am Livestock Show 11 am 3-6 pm

Beef

Fair Opens Entertainment

French Band

7-10 pm Entertainment Sunday, Oct. 22nd Noon Gates Open

CalCamFair.com

DOWNTOWN NEW IBERIA | OCTOBER 14-15, 2017

SATURDAY, OCT. 14TH

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES 8:00AM 5K ROUX RUN 11:00AM – 2:00PM CAJUN CREOLE FEST & MEANEST BEANS COOKOFF 11:00AM-12:30PM CHUBBY CARRIER 1:00PM – 3:30PM HWY 90 4:00PM – 5:30PM TWO IN THE CHAMBER 6:00PM – 8:00PM JARYD LANE 8:30PM – 10:30PM JASON MILLER BAND

GUMBO SUNDAY, OCT. 15TH

COOKOFF WITH 90+ TEAMS SERVING BEGINS AT 11:00AM CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES 10:00AM – 12:30PM GENO DELAFOSSE 1:00PM – 3:30PM RODDIE ROMERO 3:30PM AWARDS CEREMONY For more information visit: www.iberiachamber.org/gumbo-cookoff

September 2017

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Places & Faces | Fall Festivals

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Louisiana Seafood Festival

New Orleans, Oct. 27-29. Shrimp, oysters, crawfish, tuna . . . three days to celebrate Louisiana’s culture and exquisite seafood. Watch celebrity chef cooking demos, listen to music, browse the Arts Village, and eat some of the best seafood around. www.louisianaseafoodfestival.com

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Voodoo Experience

New Orleans, Oct. 27-29. The Voodoo Experience is an annual New Orleans festival featuring art and “high octane” (aka hard rock/ heavy metal) music. With Halloween as a seasonal backdrop, most festival-goers attend in costume.

Festivities take place at New Orleans City Park. www.voodoofestival.com

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Rougarou Festival

Houma, Oct. 21-22. Only in Louisiana will you find a festival dedicated to this monstrous mythical legend. During the Krewe Ga Rou parade, you’ll see zombies, witches, ghouls, and a Rougarou Time Warp dance. Dress up in your scariest attire, join the parade, and enter the Costume Contest. At the festival’s end, community members and a “crew of witches” gather to clean the festival grounds at the “Rougarou Sweep.” www.rougaroufest.org

Yellow Rails and Rice Festival

Jennings, Nov. 1-5. Hundreds of avid birders, nature lovers, and photographers from all over the U.S. and some foreign countries flock to the area each year for a chance to see the elusive yellow rail, while simultaneously learning about the rice industry. www.facebook.com/ Yellow-Rails-and-Rice-Festival

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Thibodeauxville Fall Fest

Nov. 11. The Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce sponsors this annual event. Experience arts and crafts, music, a car show, and fabulous food. Interestingly, no two food vendors can offer the same fare.

So there’s quite a variety! Enjoy a Louisiana inspired cook-off and a “famous duck race” where hundreds of yellow rubber ducks float down Bayou Lafourche. Each duck is numbered and tickets cost $5. www.facebook.com/thibodeauxville

Port Barre Cracklin Fest

Nov. 10-12. This Lion’s Club fundraiser provides all the usual festival events -- pageantry, a parade, carnival rides and games, food, music, as well as a cracklin cook-off. There are professional and amateur categories and prizes for both taste and booth presentation. www.portbarrecracklinfestival.com

Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Nov. 18. The city hosts a day-long celebration with a parade, food, music, fireworks, and the unveiling of over 300,000 lights that adorn darling downtown Natchitoches.

Lights are on display through Jan. 6. www.natchitocheschristmas.com

Louisiana Renaissance Fest

Hammond, Nov.-Dec. This medieval festival takes place every weekend in November and the first two weekends in December.

A festival, theme park, theatre, holiday shopping destination, and educational experience all rolled into one great adventure. Offers 600 artisans, entertainers, and educational demonstrations. www.larf.net

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gumbo festivals 1

Bridge City Gumbo Fest Oct. 13-15. The Gumbo Fest in this town of approximately 8,000 people is “World Famous!” according to the website. Over 2000 gallons of both seafood and chicken/sausage gumbo are prepared and served during the festival. Wow! www.bridgecitygumbofestival.org

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Louisiana Gumbo Festival of Chackbay Oct. 13-15. You’ll find plenty of live entertainment. And of course, gumbo. www.lagumbofest.com

World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off

New Iberia, Oct. 14-15. Experience the “power of roux” at this 28th annual event hosted by the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce. www.facebook.com/gumbocookoff

September 2017

Calcasieu

Parish

festivals 1

Boudin Wars

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Gallery Promenade

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Sulphur, Sept. 9, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Boudin Wars is an annual celebration of this local delicacy made with a blend of pork, rice, onions and parsley and served in a sausage casing. Local chefs and restaurants compete for boudin bragging rights. Tickets are $10 and allow visitors to sample boudin from all the entries. www.facebook. com/BoudinWars

Lake Charles, Sept. 29, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. The Arts Council of SWLA hosts this annual showcase of 19 galleries and museums. www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org/events/ whats-coming-up/gallery-promenade

Cal-Cam Fair

Sulphur, Oct. 18-22. Five days of pure festival fun. This is one of the few remaining ‘Old Time Country Fairs’ in the state, where almost anything baked, grown, or crafted can be entered, judged, and awarded prizes. You’ll also find a livestock show, carnival rides, a beauty pageant, musical entertainment, and wildlife exhibits.

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Chuck Fest

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Flea Fest

Lake Charles, Oct. 21, 12:00 – 11:59 p.m. This newer annual event celebrates the culture of SWLA through food, drink, music, and art in downtown Lake Charles.

Lake Charles, Nov. 11-12. This bi-annual Big Happy Flea Market Event is held on nearly four covered acres at Burton Coliseum. With over 300 vendors, it’s a bargain hunter’s dream. Antiques, toys, handcrafted items, furniture, jewelry . . . you never know what you’ll find!

Food vendors and a petting zoo also onsite.

September 2017

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17

Places & Faces

Sabine Pass Lighthouse

Sabine Pass Light in early days

The Aging Lady of the Marsh

by Deborah Hacker Serra

Looking a bit worse for wear, this veteran of hurricanes, wars, marsh fires, and humans has stood watch over Brant Point and the Sabine Pass in Cameron Parish for 160 years. Today, members of Cameron Preservation Alliance-Sabine Pass Lighthouse, Inc. are working diligently to stabilize and restore the lighthouse. They are in a race against time and nature.

Soon after joining the United States in 1845, Texans in the Sabine Pass area lobbied for a lighthouse to help protect maritime traffic in the Gulf of Mexico. Funds were appropriated in 1849 but the hired surveyor reported that a lighthouse was not needed and would be a waste of money. More studies were made and finally in 1853, with $30,000 appropriated, a more sympathetic surveyor recommended a site on the east side of the river in Louisiana. Construction began in 1855 and the lighthouse became functional in 1857.

The huge light was fueled by whale oil at that time and operated by one keeper and an assistant.

Sister

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lighthouses in Bolivar and Matagorda, Tx. were constructed with brick and covered in iron sheeting, but the board overseeing the construction of Sabine Pass Lighthouse opted for brick only construction, making this a unique structure along the Gulf Coast. Even today the lighthouse rises over the marsh looking like a rocket with eight buttresses, an octagonal body, and a pointy cone at the top.

In 1976, a marsh fire destroyed what had been left of the keeper’s quarters and out buildings. All that’s left now is a brick generator building and the lighthouse itself, which is beginning to lean after the last several hurricanes passing this way.

In her 160 year history, this beacon along a quiet stretch of coastline has witnessed keepers’ children playing in its shadow. When the light was darkened during the Civil War, the lighthouse was witness to two Union ships being lost in the Battle of Sabine Pass. She even hosted a wedding in 1909. And then in 1952, she went dark forever. This grand old lady had become obsolete.

Over the years ownership has transferred between various governmental and private entities. In 1982, the Sabine Lighthouse gained a spot on the National Register of

September 2017

The Lighthouse Run: Are You Tough Enough?

Historic Places. In 1986 she was sold to some folks who wanted to restore the tower, build a restaurant, and add a yacht club. However, with these dreams unrealized, the Cameron Preservation Alliance assumed ownership in 2001 with plans to restore the lighthouse. To that end they have held fundraisers, among them an October run in 2016 which netted $30,000. This money helped fund a survey of the current condition of the brick and mortar in the tower. As a result, metal banding will soon begin to help keep the tower standing. The next fundraiser will be held October 14.

On private property, the Sabine Pass Lighthouse is not accessible to the public. However, it is starkly visible from both sides of the Sabine as she rises out of the marsh, waiting for her next chapter to begin.

September 2017

Saturday, October 14, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., the second annual Lighthouse Run will take place along Holly Beach in Cameron Parish. Featuring an all-sand one mile walk/run course and 5K and 10K runs. All proceeds go to the Cameron Preservation Alliance-Sabine Pass Lighthouse, Inc. This is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Sabine Pass Lighthouse. For more information and to register: Sabinepasslighthouse.org

The future is bright Andrew Tingler with the Cameron Preservation Alliance reports plans are moving forward for a specialty Louisiana license plate for the Sabine Pass Lighthouse. The cost of the plate will be $20 over the regular cost of a license plate. These funds will be collected every two years for those ordering the specialty plate and $20 per plate will be sent back to the Alliance for use on lighthouse preservation. Anyone in the state may purchase the plate, which includes membership in the lighthouse preservation organization. The plate will feature a likeness of the lighthouse with an indigenous bird such as an egret or roseate spoonbill and blue background.

Long range plans for the lighthouse and surrounding area include development of a museum about the area which includes a national battlefield. It will be the only lighthouse open to the public from New Orleans to Port Isabel, Tx. and will be included in the Creole Nature Trail.

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19

Places & Faces

Cowboy Cannon Krewe

The story behind the firing line at Cowboy Stadium

by Victoria Hartley-Ellender

It’s a tradition that runs deep through the bayous and swamps of Southwest Louisiana.

The rich history of pirates, contraband, buccaneers, and cannon fire can be found on street names, at festivals, and within the deep treasuries of local family tales and stories.

And on Saturday nights during football season, that old familiar cannon fire comes alive with Cowboy fans, commemorating each and every touchdown in true buccaneer fashion.

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Firing the cannons at football games originally began by the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) and continued under the direction of Harry Clark, a Lake Charles Buccaneer Club member. Clark owned several cannons and provided them for use during McNeese home football games. In 2000, the Lake Charles Buccaneer Club purchased Clark’s cannons for permanent use. The Buccaneers have continued preserving the cannon tradition ever since.

“We want to keep the tradition alive,” says Mark Lavergne, an active member of the Lake Charles Buccaneer Club since 1994. “Our organization values preserving the traditions for our city, and our Krewe dedicates their hard work and time to provide cannon fire for each game throughout the annual football season.”

Over the years, Lavergne has served many positions within the Buccaneer Club including landing chairman, raid chairman, membership chairman, social chairman, and president. He was chosen this year as the Contraband Days 2017 Jean LaFitte. A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Lavergne retired from CITGO after 35 years as

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photos by McNeese Athletics and the Buccaneer Club

a maintenance painter. He was a member of CITGO’s volunteer emergency response team and their industrial hygiene emergency response team. As a part of these teams, Lavergne learned many invaluable safety skills which he has incorporated into his leadership of the Lake Charles Buccaneer Club Cannon Krewe.

Every Cannon Krewe member is fully trained in cannon operations safety and fire prevention.

They have also attended trainings in blue/gray reenactment processes. The Krewe members dress in full costume attire for each game. A lot of preparation and planning goes into the execution of each football game and each firing of the cannons. The timing is pre-planned to coincide with the scoreboard and the MSU band.

The cannons must be cleaned and prepped before and after each game. “It requires a lot of time and work from our Krewe but it is all worth it for us because we love supporting our city’s traditions and our football team,” Lavergne said.

Dr. Mike Branch, a member of the Lake Charles Buccaneers, donates the powder for the two cannons that together form the firing sounds of

September 2017

Members of the Cannon Krewe: Keith Chisholm, Laura Chisholm, Butch Faust, Lisa Faust, Keith Jagneaux, Ellen Jagneaux, Eddie Langley, Mark Lavergne, Billey McDonough, Molly Morgan, Wayne Muzzy, Jane Muzzy, Johnny Owens, Deanna Reed, Johnny Savoie, Rebecca Spears, Briggs Becton, Craig Dupont, Crag Arabie, Don Brade, James Latham

each touchdown. The Cannon Krewe consists of at least 10-12 Krewe members for each game.

When the Cowboys win a game, the cannons are fired strategically right when the scoreboard timekeeper flashes zero. If the Cowboys do not win, the cannons are discharged only after the band plays the McNeese Alma Mater.

“It is a very special part of the game and a tradition we are dedicated to preserving for Cowboy fans and for the people of Southwest Louisiana,” Lavergne said.

For more information, please visit www.facebook. com/TheBuccaneersofLakeCharles.com.

The region’s preferred Sports Medicine provider.

(337) 721-7236

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Official Sports Medicine Providers: 14 AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

Lake Charles • Sulphur SPORTS INJURY HOTLINE (337) 439-7220

OUR DOCTORS John Noble Jr., MD Craig Morton, MD Tyson Green, DPM Steven Hale, MD September 2017

William Lowry Jr., MD George “J.” Trappey IV, MD Andrew Foret, MD Kalieb Pourciau, DPM Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Jonathan Foret, MD David Drez Jr., MD, Senior Advisor

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21

Places & Faces

Bell City High School

Experiencing Growth and Increased Successes Bell City High School is one of only two K-12 public schools still around in Calcasieu Parish. Principal Scott Nunez considers that factor a leading reason for the school’s increasing success. Once considered a small school by many, the campus now houses over 720 students, with a 16-classroom pod being added in the near future. As the growth continues, so does the success.

This past school year brought the first ever 100% graduation rate for the Bruins.

“With the industrial expansion our area is currently experiencing, our school population continues to grow as we begin each new school year,” said Nunez.

“In spite of our growth, our faculty, staff, and administration continue to work exceptionally hard to continue to provide the same personal service and quality education to our students and families. This ensures that our school continues to maintain the ‘community school’ status that Bell City High School is known for and has maintained since its inception nearly 100 years ago.”

Nunez will be entering his 25th year at Bell City High and is an example of the school’s high retention rate of faculty and staff. On campus you’ll also find a large sense of pride, as almost 50% of the employees are graduates of the school.

That number includes Assistant Principal Jason Leonards, whose children are fourth generation graduates of Bell City.

“I’m proud of the quality education

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my kids receive here,” said Leonards.

“The teachers instill the same core values that we teach at home.”

Another factor attributed to the school’s accomplishments is the dedicated effort to keep parents engaged. Nunez and his staff strive to keep parental lines of communication open and appreciate the cooperative and supportive nature of the community.

“I feel truly fortunate and blessed to be able to work in a community with so many wonderful and caring parents who entrust us daily with their most precious assets – their children,” said Nunez. “It is not a responsibility we take lightly or for granted.”

With the absence of school transition, students experience consistent processes from their first day on campus to their last and learn early on what is expected of them as a Bruin. The same goes for teachers who are able to familiarize themselves with future students years before ever teaching them. This relationship building effort trickles down to students and remains with

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many of them after leaving the school.

“Our school community is very diverse as we have students from various ethnic and social backgrounds,” said Nunez.

“Our students are respectful of various backgrounds and are quick to form positive relationships with one another, many that last well beyond graduation.”

Over the last several years, the school has also increased the number of Advanced Placement classes they are able to offer students. This is just another element Nunez feels makes Bell City High School unique.

September 2017

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2017 Keynote Speaker

Genevieve Gorder THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017 LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER

8:00 am - 4:00 pm Featuring Various DIY Workshops Vendor Registration for Marketplace Now Open!

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September 2017

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23

Places & Faces

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...

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

Janet D. Madison Joins Todd Clemons and Associates Law Firm

Todd S. Clemons, a Lake Charles attorney and founder of Todd Clemons and Associates, welcomes Janet D. Madison, attorney, to Janet D. Madison the firm. She graduated with honors from Louisiana State University, then earned her law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, graduating magna cum laude. Madison interned with the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, New Orleans City Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

Todd Clemons and Associates is located at 1740 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. The firm’s primary areas of practice are criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, and family law. For more information, call (337) 477-0000.

Golden Nugget Lake Charles Names 2017 Team Member of the Year

Christian Bertrand was named 2017 Team Member of the Year at Golden Nugget Lake Charles. Gerry Del Prete, Senior Vice President and Christian Bertrand General Manager made the announcement at a recent banquet honoring the nominees.

Bertrand, a lead valet attendant, has been with Golden Nugget since November 2014, as part of the Opening Team.

The Team Member Recognition Program honors team members who have demonstrated a commitment to the company’s mission, core values and have consistently delivered a “golden” experience to guests. Team Member of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly winners during the year. Bertrand received an awards package valued at over $3,500.

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Oak Crossing Names Special Events Coordinator

Oak Crossing, a business park development located in South Lake Charles, has hired Jordan Craft as special events coordinator.

Craft holds a Jordan Craft bachelor’s degree in hospitality, management and tourism from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She has extensive experience in event planning and management, gained from working for the American Cancer Society and the Vernon Parish Tourism Commission.

In her new role with Oak Crossing, Craft will be the primary point of contact for scheduling and booking events for Oak Crossing’s two new venues, The Gazebo, an outdoor lighted pavilion, and The TreeHouse, a 4,200-square-foot indoor event center. Craft will provide assistance and resources for all event venue clients, from planning details through on-site coordination.

She will also plan and coordinate a variety of special events hosted by Oak Crossing.

Oak Crossing is located at 5656 Nelson Rd. in Lake Charles, and is home to 12 businesses, including dining, professional services and event venues.

For more information, call (337) 421-6200 or visit oakcrossing.net.

Denise Rau Attends Barron’s Top Independent Women Advisors Summit

Denise Rau, Certified Financial Planner ™ and president of Rau Financial Group in Lake Charles, recently Denise Rau attended the second annual Barron’s Top Independent Women Advisors Summit in Washington, D.C. Rau was one of approximately 150 financial advisors selected to attend and participate in the exclusive conference to exchange ideas and best practices, with the goal of improving their business and serving the investing public in the best possible manner.

Participants discussed how trends and shifts in the wealth advisory business create both unique challenges and opportunities for female practitioners. Barron’s-ranked women advisors, Thrive Magazine for Better Living

independent channel industry leaders and renowned advisor coaches conducted sessions that explored subjects ranging from human capital development, core business strategy and management, capital structures and innovation.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist David McAlpine, MD Joins Memorial Medical Group

Memorial Medical Group Welcomes David McAlpine, MD, a boardcertified obstetrician and gynecologist to its Dr. David McAlpine staff. He sees patients at his office located at 1890 W. Gauthier Road, Suite 150 at the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women campus.

Dr. McAlpine is a Fellow of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and is also a member of the American Medical Society and Louisiana State Medical Society.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (337) 562-9995 or visit www. lcmmg.com.

Orthopedic Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon William Hubbard, MD joins Memorial Medical Group

Memorial Medical Group welcomes William Hubbard, MD, a boardcertified and fellowshipDr. William Hubbard trained hand orthopedic surgeon to its staff. He joins fellow orthopedic surgeons Thomas Axelrad, MD, Nathan Cohen, MD, Robert Duarte, MD, and Paul Fenn, MD, on Memorial’s main campus on the 3rd Floor of 1717 Oak Park Boulevard.

Dr. Hubbard is a Diplomate of American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and holds a certificate of added qualifications in hand surgery from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He is also a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hubbard, call (337) 494-4900 or visit www.lcmmg.com.

September 2017

ICCS Welcomes New Faculty Members Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, located at 1536 Ryan Street in Lake Charles, welcomes seven new faculty members for the 2017-2018 school year.

Movers and Shakers: SOWELA Recognizes Eight Educators with Faculty Rank and Promotion Ceremony

SOWELA Technical Community College recently held its third annual Faculty Rank and Promotion Ceremony to honor eight accomplished educators. Patricia Montou received a promotion to Assistant Master Instructor. The following individuals received a promotion to Assistant Professor: Dr. Raphael Ade Afonja, Jonathan Byrd, Kimberly Eaves, David LaFargue, Angela Madden, and Dr. Charles Stewart. Dr. Wendi Palermo received a promotion to Associate Professor.

Promotion-in-rank has long been the standard through which colleges and universities recognize the significant contributions of their faculty members. Applicants for promotion in rank meet eligibility requirements and undergo a rigorous peer review. Faculty members must demonstrate excellence not only in the classroom, but also in 30 areas of professionalism including service to the College, publications, continued professional development, and contributions to their teaching discipline and higher education.

Sarah House, Kindergarten Teacher

Kyndel Heffer, Middle School Literature Teacher

Brittany Ebersole, Middle School Science Teacher

Gabi Fournerat, Middle School Resource Teacher

Lania Vanchiere, Art Teacher

Allyson Dupre, Progressions Teacher

ICCS has over 45 faculty and staff members and nearly 420 students. For more information about ICCS, please call (337) 433-3497 or log on to www.iccschool.org.

CSE Announces New Business Development Specialist

CSE Federal Credit Union welcomes Amy Nyberg as Business Development Specialist to continue further developing CSE’s membership growth and Amy Nyberg community relations through reaching out to those persons who live, worship, work, or attend school in Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis Parishes.

Nyberg, a seasoned marketing veteran, has held positions with Family and Youth Counseling, Big Easy Foods, and Cameron State Bank. She has a history of being an active community leader with participation in Derby for Dollars, Water’s Edge Riders, and Good Time Brewers.

Any business or organization interested in becoming a CSE Business Partner Group can call (337) 562-3166 or visit www.csefcu.org.

September 2017

Averey Hollier, Middle School Religion Teacher

Bertrand named West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital employee of the month

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital named Jaqueitha Bertrand, RN, as its employee of the month for July Jaqueitha Bertrand 2017. As a registered nurse at WCCH’s Home Health Agency, Bertrand serves as a resource to patients and physicians by identifying and facilitating plans of care for patients’ health needs in the home. Bertrand has been with WCCH for eight years.

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Local Stylist Completes Advanced Training

Cortney Blalock, Master Stylist with Signatures Salon in Lake Charles, recently attended an advanced salon leadership class in Chicago at the S. Rog Cprtney Blalock Gallery. The course was called, “Leadership: Know Your Strengths,” and was conducted by BbU (Bumble and bumble University) Business School, often referred to as the “Harvard for hairdressers,” based in New York City. The three-day intensive series of classes covered the fundamentals of running a salon and provided a comprehensive overview of best practices honed in Bb.Salons and Network Salons. Blalock has worked at Signatures for 15 years. Signatures is owned by Wendy White McCown and has been in business for 21 years.

IBERIABANK Names Mid City Branch Manager

IBERIABANK, the 130-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, is pleased to announce the recent naming of Kelley Green as Assistant Vice Kelley Green President and Branch Manager for the Mid-City location in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Green most recently served as Branch Team Leader for Regions Bank in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

She joined IBERIABANK as Assistant Branch Manager in September with six years of banking experience. She is located at 2901 Ryan Street in Lake Charles and can be reached by phone at (337) 312-7135 or by email at Kelley.green@iberiabank. com.

Abshire Sworn In as District 5 Police Juror

Brian Abshire was sworn in as the new District 5 Calcasieu Parish Police Juror during the July 27 Police Jury Committee meeting.

Abshire was elected Brian Abshire without opposition on July 14 after the qualifying period for the October 14 election concluded. He is taking over the seat vacated by Nicholas E. Hunter, who officially resigned from the Police Jury in May after being elected as the mayor of the City of Lake Charles.

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Home & Family

Making Memories with your Grandchildren

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

Whether you see your grandchildren on a daily basis, or live out of town and see them for special occasions, grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. If you are looking for new ways to bond with your grandchildren, here are a few ideas to help you make lasting memories with your little loved ones.

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September 2017

It’s the thought that counts.

You don’t have to buy your grandchildren the latest technology or spoil them rotten to make an impression.

If you don’t live close to your grandchildren (and even if you do), carve out fifteen minutes one night a week to call them on the phone and ask how their week went.

Children love receiving mail.

You may want to send them a handwritten card or note once a month to give them a tangible reminder of how much you love them, and one they will treasure for years to come.

Make a memory book.

Taking the time to find pictures and materials to make a memory book with your grandchildren

September 2017

may seem daunting, but the effort will be worth it when you and your loved ones sit together laughing and sharing stories from the past about favorite family events and that time Aunt Eileen accidently lost her dentures in the potato salad at the family reunion and their dad unwittingly found them. Don’t be surprised if you find your grandchildren looking in on your shared memory book for the rest of their lives, reliving the moments you shared with them.

Special events are not the same without you.

For as long as you can, go. Go to their baseball games, the dance recitals, band concerts, birthday parties, Sunday lunch, and picture time before the Homecoming dance. They will feel loved and supported when you show up for the events in

their lives, even if they don’t let on. Every child needs a cheering squad, and you get to be theirs.

Even if there is nothing special happening, you can make a regular Saturday something special by taking them out for breakfast or sharing some time together at the park.

Teach them how to play the games you love, and learn the games they love.

Maybe you and a small group of your friends get together once a week to play cards or you enjoy playing bingo once a month.

Teach your grandchildren how to play, and take them with you. They will feel like they’ve entered your secret world and love every second because they are doing something special with you. Likewise, allow them to teach you their favorite board games or video games.

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Keep your eyes and ears open.

Sometimes children just want to be heard. Whether it’s talking to someone they love and trust about the intricacies of Minecraft or soccer strategies, or discussing the hard time they’re having with their parents’ divorce, to them it’s all big stuff deserving of a good listening ear. Keep those ears open and address problem issues in the loving manner that only a grandparent can.

No matter how old they are, grandchildren need their grandparents. Simple things can keep your relationship with your littlest family members flourishing for the rest of your lives.

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27

Home & Family

A Little Thyme and Patience:

Planting a Kitchen Herb Garden

by Keaghan P. Wier

Planting a garden can be a daunting task.

Maybe it’s the idea of spending hours out in the southern heat, pulling weeds, and holding a watering can. Maybe you fear you’ll end up killing the very plants you’ve invested so much in. Or maybe you simply don’t have the energy or time to devote to a larger garden.

If this sounds like you, but you’d still like to have some fresh produce to incorporate into your food, consider planting a kitchen herb garden.

Planting a Container Herb Garden Herbs are a good option for planting in containers, since they are smaller and don’t need deep soil in order to thrive. There are several options for the containers you can use:

• Purchase smaller pots if you want to bring your herb garden indoors.

• Use a larger container and plant several kinds of herbs with similar needs in a single pot.

• Use some other kind of container – the internet is full of fun ideas for indoor herb gardens, like using teacups or glass jars.

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You will have the best success if you use a container with good drainage. Herbs are prone to root rot if the soil stays too moist, so be sure you don’t have a container that will keep water pooling in the soil. (For this reason, smaller indoor containers like jars may require more upkeep than a larger one.)

Fill the containers with good-quality potting mix, and be prepared to water and fertilize according to your different herbs’ needs. Another vital part of growing a successful herb garden is sun. Most herbs require full sun (six or more hours of full sun per day), so be sure to place the containers where they will get plenty of light.

Best Types of Herbs for Kitchen Gardens

If you want to plant a container herb garden, it’s important to choose your herbs wisely. Beginners will likely want to start with herb seedlings, rather than seeds – it’s much faster and easier to get a garden going that way.

• Basil is a fantastic herb for beginner gardeners. It’s a hardy little plant and gives you cues as to whether you’re watering it enough – it wilts when it’s dry and perks back up once you’ve given it a drink.

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• Cilantro is also a good container herb, and used in a variety of cuisines from Mexican to Thai.

• Chives are versatile and a lovely garnish.

• Parsley is another great herb, full of flavor and nutrients.

Depending on how much room you have, you may want to throw in some other herbs.

But those listed above tend to be smaller plants, rather than larger ones like mint.

Here are a few more tips to help you cultivate a successful herb garden: • Learn how to best harvest and trim your herbs to stimulate new growth.

• Research how much fertilizer your specific herbs want -- some, like rosemary, prefer a drier leaner soil.

• Don’t overwater your plants – this will not help them grow, it can actually harm them.

Herbs are a fun way to experiment in gardening, while also providing access to fresh seasonings for your food. With good pots, good soil, plenty of sun, and some attention, you’ll have a lovely garden of flavors to use in your cooking!

September 2017

ALWAYS IN YOUR CORNER Jessica Latour 337-602-6393

© 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.

217968

Join CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital and CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health System for a night of insight and inspiration. Bring your girlfriends as we celebrate the 7th anniversary of this empowering women’s event, and join us as we share in the pursuit of hope and courage with one another.

This is one girls’ night out you won’t want to miss!

Call (866) 200-3627 or visit ChristusHealth.org/Lake-Area to register by September 7.

September 2017

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Home & Family

Chiropractic Care for

Dr. Jana Kingrey

Animals

by Victoria Hartley-Ellender

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living

top photo by Shonda Manuel

September 2017

In the field of veterinary medicine, animal chiropractic is quickly emerging as one of the most effective ways to ensure long-term optimal health for animals.

Originally used primarily for racehorses and show dogs, animal chiropractic provides non-invasive tools to effectively restore, maintain, and preserve nerves and joints in animals of all shapes and sizes.

Dr. Jana Kingrey of Bayou South Animal Hospital offers the latest chiropractic practices to Southwest Louisiana, providing chiropractic care for animals daily in their Lake Charles clinic. Some of the animals she commonly treats are horses, dogs, cows, sheep, pigs, and even cats. Common conditions among Dr. Kingrey’s patients include chronic pain syndromes, disc herniation, sprain/strain injuries, muscle spasms, nerve pain, sports injuries, and maintenance of joint and spinal health.

Dr. Kingrey joined the staff of Bayou South Animal Hospital in 2015. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada-Reno, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science. She received a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Parker University in 2014. Dr. Kingrey is certified through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association as an animal chiropractor.

Currently, Dr. Kingrey said she treats about ten animals per week in animal chiropractic, but that number is steadily rising. She works alongside the veterinarians within her practice, integrating chiropractic techniques into their patients’ care. Animal chiropractic provides a better quality of life for patients, and that is what Dr. Kingrey loves most about her job.

“Seeing those animals that were once hurting, and watching them come into the clinic four weeks later happier and full of energy -- I just love helping animals and I am thankful I have the opportunity to do it,” Dr. Kingrey said.

Animal chiropractic therapy provides many nonsurgical options to correct bone, disc, and soft tissue disorders. Not limited to injured or sick pets, chiropractic care also focuses on preservation of health by removing communication barriers among the nerves of the animal’s body as it ages. Chiropractic care helps older animals by maintaining proper joint alignment, giving pets increased agility, superior immune function, and a strong, healthy nervous system. “Some of the biggest benefits we see regularly among our patients are a better quality of life, a happier more relaxed animal, better movement patterns, a decrease in pain, and increased performance.”

For more information, visit www.bayousouthanimalhospital.com or call 337-480-1500.

September 2017

Turf!

Take care of your

Pre-season is CRITICAL.

And we’re not just talking about football! Having a game plan for your lawn and landscaping during the fall will help protect it during the colder winter months, and ensure a lush, healthy yard when spring comes. Fall is the perfect time to fertilize and aerate the lawn, freshen up mulch in the beds, remove dead annuals, and lightly prune dead and dying branches. When the temperature begins to drop, it’s also a good time to plant certain trees and shrubs, allowing them to establish roots during the cooler season.

Unsure about what you need to do for your yard this fall? We can help – just give us a call!

We Plan. You Plant.

Landscaping made simple for your home.

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

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LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

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31

Home & Family

10-Year-Old Boy Hopes Adoption Will Bring Him Home

Ten-year-old Braylon is far from home and without a permanent family. Due to a shortage of foster homes, Braylon had to be moved hours away from the Lake Charles area. He is hoping adoption can give him the stability he desires.

Braylon represents the hardest to place demographic: African-American, male, and over the age of five. Because it is such a challenge to find temporary homes, Braylon’s adoption specialist with the Department of Children and Family Services, Ashlee Walker, had to move Braylon 150 miles away.

“The most common reasons children are placed out of the parish is due to the lack of foster homes we have for the children,” said Walker. “The agency is constantly looking for homes for older children, children with special needs.”

Walker says Braylon is a wonderful child, who stands out on the football field, and as a tender-hearted child at home, who welcomes you with open arms and loves to offer hugs.

Braylon is available for adoption and Walker says a twoparent home with a great father figure would help him thrive the most. It is something this superhero fan wants to see happen for himself, and something that would be his super power if given that option.

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

The first step to adopt through foster care is attending orientation, then going through the certification process with classes, a background check, and home study. To enroll in the next round of classes or make an inquiry about Braylon, call the Lake Charles region Department of Children and Family Services at 337-491-2470.

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

QUICK FACTS ON ADOPTING A FOSTER CHILD • Minimum age is 21.

• Single people can adopt.

• Many of the children in state custody are considered “special needs,” which is defined as the following: older child, race/ethnic background, sibling group, medical conditions, and/or physical/ mental/emotional handicaps.

• Children in foster care are there as a result of abuse, neglect or abandonment.

• The certification process typically takes 90 days to complete. Once matched with a child, the process to legally adopt a child takes about one year.

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33

Style & Beauty THE HOTTEST FALL LOOKS ARE

Totally Retro

by Emily Alford

Fans of retro fashion will have plenty to celebrate this fall, since the coolest trends this year revolve around vintage-inspired

Bells are back!

styles. And while last

If you’re over skinny-legged jeans and clingy cropped tops, you’re in luck this fall because “bell” is the hottest buzzword in fashion right now. High-waisted pants featuring wide or flared legs showed up on every runway from Diane von Furstenberg to Chanel for Fall 2017. Meanwhile, sleeves are loosening up as well, according to Taylor Brown, owner of Retro West boutique in Lake Charles. She is incredibly excited about this season’s collection of 70s-inspired sweaters.

“Bell sleeve sweaters are great because they have that perfect timeless fall look, but with just enough flare to stay on trend,” Brown says.

bringing back the 1990s,

year seemed to be about fall fashion is taking the blast from the past a step further and focusing on 70s styles.

The sky’s the limit for pretty platforms.

Heels this season are a little bit sturdier – and higher – than those of seasons past. Floral-print platforms appeared in collections from Marc Jacobs and Nine West. One of the hottest trends right now are knee-high platform boots in jacquard prints that might be right at home on the family sofa. However, paired with skirts in fall foliage colors, these boots standout as incredibly sophisticated statement pieces.

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Plaid is rad.

Previous years have seen grunge-inspired, oversized plaid button-downs make a comeback, but this year’s plaids are a little more preppy. The prints are bigger and brighter than in past years, and jackets are tailored through the shoulders and waists, rather than the boxier styles popular last fall.

Keep warm in funky fur.

One of Brown’s favorite fall trends is the re-emergence of retro-style fur.

“I’m really excited about the vintage inspired fur cardigans, jackets, and coats that are making a comeback,” she says. “I may be a little partial, but this is definitely one of my favorite looks of all time. Fur may be a little out there for some, but a great fur piece will forever be a classic statement that looks great on everyone at every age, no matter what year it is.”

This fall’s best fur comes in the form of fur (or faux fur) collars on longer coats or even jean jackets with shearling sleeves and collars that give a warm, cozy feeling to classic denim.

Cowgirls are cool.

Another fun trend Brown has noticed is the return of the classic silk scarf -- this time with a western twist! “I’m seeing a big interest in what we like to call ‘Wild Rags.’ They are a western-inspired trend and are basically a large silk handkerchief that you wear around your neck, very similar to a scarf, but a little dressier and not as overpowering.

A classy subtle accessory you can add to almost any outfit.”

If you’re not quite ready to go full Urban Cowboy or Saturday Night Fever for this year’s fall wardrobe, adding a few trendy pieces, like a bell-sleeved sweater or floral-print handbag, to your favorite outfits is a fun way to experiment with fall looks without going completely over the top. However, if you’ve been mourning the loss of the leisure suit, this fall might just be your time to shine.

September 2017

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35

Style

& Beauty

Bath Bomb Mania

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

Rubber-ducky is no longer the only one that can make bath time lots of fun. He has a little competition in the form of the newest hygienic obsession—bath bombs. Those adorable little balls or shapes handcrafted with combinations such as soap, sea salt, and essential oils can remove toxins from your body while creating an aromatic and relaxing soak. What sets bath bombs apart from ordinary essential oils is their ability to create soaking art. Drop certain bath bombs into your water, and watch them fill your tub with bright, changing colors. It makes taking a relaxing bath a little more exciting.

Gleaux, a fun new store in Prien Lake Mall, offers these luxurious products. Owners Joe and Ally Fowler, along with their partner, Sherri Campbell, can introduce you to the wonderful world of bath bombs for an affordable price.

“A bath bomb gives you a relaxing and enjoyable soaking experience,” says Ally Fowler. “People often ask, ‘How do you use it?’ You simply fill your tub with water, drop in the bath bomb, and it starts to fizz like an Alka Seltzer. As it fizzes, it releases soaps

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and oils into the water which leave your skin feeling soft and smooth and your body relaxed, smelling fresh and clean.”

If you’re uncertain of where to begin your bath bomb adventure, the Gleaux team suggests their best seller, the MoJeaux. They say it is popular with their clientele because of its fresh scent. If you’re not a bath person, Gleaux offers a close-cousin to the bath bomb -- aromatic shower tablets.

Bath bomb baskets are a great goto gift idea for that special someone in your life. The Gleaux team will create a gift basket for you on your budget with locally-made products. Though the gift basket will be affordable, the gift of relaxation is priceless.

Bath bombs are an indulgent part of a routine self-care ritual, and why wait? They come in a variety of scents and colors and will make any bath more appealing to a multitude of senses, and are often extramoisturizing. Treat yourself to this new bath tub trend. Your skin will thank you.

Gleaux is located in the Prien Lake Mall.

For more information, visit facebook. com/gleauxproducts or gleauxus.com.

September 2017

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37

Style

& Beauty

Your Guide to Growing Out Short Summer Hair

by Emily Alford

A shorter hairstyle is one of the best ways to beat the summer heat while staying fashion-forward.

However, growing out a sassy summer style can

be a drag. If you’re hoping for longer locks this fall, here are a few ways to keep hair looking stylish during that notoriously frustrating transition period.

Twist it!

One of the most annoying parts about growing out a shorter haircut is those shaggy pieces that fall over the forehead.

They’re too long to look like bangs and too short to look like layers, which leads to an awkward bell shape. To keep them out of the way, part hair on the side and twist sections loosely away from the face. Secure with a bobby pin. Or, if twists aren’t your style, wrap small sections of hair in spirals around the barrel of a curling iron. Finger-comb the ringlets away from the face and spray in place with hairspray.

Keep it trimmed

Getting a haircut while attempting to grow out a short style can seem counterproductive, but a tiny trim can mean the difference between an unkempt ‘do and a stylish look. Around the two to four-month mark of growing out a short style, have a hairstylist trim the back layers so that hair sweeps forward towards the chin, which will make it look longer.

Sharpen the edges

If you’ve made it to the chin length-mark, consider a sharp, stylish bob. Blunt ends at a stylish angle towards the chin will give hair shape, and cutting bangs will add even more definition and style.

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2017 FA LL BR I DA L

Invest in accessories

Open House

When growing out a short hairstyle, there are days when hair just won’t seem to behave itself despite your best efforts to tame it. Bobby pins are great for holding back stray hairs, and headbands are even better. A well-tied scarf can also hide awkwardlength hair, not to mention add some flair to your fall wardrobe.

September th

Craving a cut? Try color instead

24 1until 4 pm

Every stage of transitioning from short to shoulderlength hair comes with its own frustrations, and it can be tempting to cut it all off again just to avoid the hassle. One easy way to keep your style fresh without chopping it all off is to experiment with hair color.

Whether you’ve been dying to rock the rainbow trend or just brighten up with a few highlights, a new color can work wonders for a hairstyle.

When it comes to growing out a short cut, patience is the ultimate virtue. But that’s not to say your hair has to look awful during its growth period. Growing out hair is the perfect time to experiment with new accessories, fun hair colors, and even new shapes, from sharp, angled bobs to wavy layers. Trying out new looks is the perfect way to pass the time until you’ve got the long locks you were growing for.

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Ca l l for R e s e r vat ion s 337- 477- 3553 or R e gi s t e r on l i ne at m a r i ly n s cat e r i n g.com EVENT PLANNING, FLORALS, HORS D’OEUVRES, FORMAL WEAR, CAKES, PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSIC, LIMO AND INVITATIONS

REVERSE THE DAMAGE

Did you know that 90 PERCENT of the signs of AGING are from the damaging effects of the SUN?

Rejuvenating treatments and products from the Aesthetic Center can help restore and protect healthier, younger looking skin.

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

Treatments are provided under the medical direction of facial cosmetic specialist, Mark Crawford, MD.

facehealth.net • 310-1070 • 1747 Imperial Blvd.

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39

Money & Career

Is Your Road to Retirement Mapped Out?

by Victoria Hartley-Ellender

It is a journey that crosses over many landscapes. From childbirths, job transitions, high school and college graduations, weddings, and beyond, planning for retirement can have many roadblocks, detours, and stops along the way. With good planning and tools in place, retirement planning can lead to great destinations. And, while starting early is recommended, people of all ages can benefit from planning for retirement, even if it is only a few years away.

Alice LeBlanc, VP Senior Trust Advisor at JD Bank, provides local and personalized support to customers as they plan for retirement. She advises people to start wherever they are, and let experts guide you through the process of designing a custom plan to fit each unique situation.

“Start now -- whether you’re in your twenties or your fifties,” LeBlanc said. “It is never too late to get started. Utilize every tool you have available, including 401K savings plans through your employer. At JD Bank, we’re local and we help our customers with personalized support throughout their lives as they plan for retirement.”

A plan for each family should be customized, depending on several variables.

Marty DeRouen, board certified financial planner at Northwestern Mutual, starts each consultation with a thorough assessment for each person. “Our one and only first step is a complete assessment of a family’s current picture – not only retirement but liquidity, debt, estate planning, death and disability plans, college funding, etc.,” DeRouen said.

A big determining factor when considering what type of financial plan fits each person is their current age and when they plan to retire. Here are few guidelines for determining your route, depending on your starting place.

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Twenties Start now. Matthew Shaheen, financial advisor at Terrell and Associates, said people should begin forming their long-term retirement plan and goals early. “No matter what age you are, it is never too early or too late to begin investing for your future.” In a person’s twenties, it is important to avoid bad debt by establishing an emergency fund to protect yourself from the unexpected.

Other important steps are to sign up for your employer-sponsored retirement plan and develop a relationship with a professional advisor who will help you get started on the right path.

Thirties When a person reaches their thirties, it is time to get a bit more targeted in their approach to saving. Take advantage of employer’s benefit packages. And continue to control your debt and maximize contributions.

Forties At this stage in life, many people begin earning more money than they had in the past. “Controlling expenses is paramount.

Don’t blow the plan up because you have kids you want to spoil,” Shaheen said. “Review your debts as often as you review your investments. Debts are as much a part of the plan as your investments. So, don’t ignore them.”

Another potential roadblock to anticipate in this age range are unexpected expenses.

Do not to let these detours derail your overall vision. “Life tends to throw curve balls.

Developing a plan to handle the unexpected will prepare you to roll with the punches,” Shaheen said.

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Fifties For those in their fifties, “the most important task is to measure their progress toward their retirement goal – the date and lifestyle desired – then adjust and keep rechecking that over time,” DeRouen said. The ten years prior to retiring are the most important time to meet with an advisor and iron out the details. “Sitting with your financial professional to develop an income strategy is key to managing your retirement,” Shaheen said.

Sixties and beyond The time for retirement is drawing near.

Making the right choices when transitioning into retirement is key during a person’s sixties. Having an expert on board to walk with you through your final stretch toward retirement is crucial to successfully executing your mission and plan.

Regardless of where you are in your journey toward retirement, it is never too late to start mapping out a plan. Having a tour guide and a map in hand can help make the journey easier and smoother, even with inevitable bumps along the way.

September 2017

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41

Money & Career | Retirement Roundup

When you Can’t Bank on Retirement Funds

Tips for Retirees with Little or No Savings Retirement could be considered one of life’s greatest adventures. Yet fewer than half of all Americans have a formal financial plan. A study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that about half of households age 55 and older have no retirement savings at all.

Ideally, the time to start saving for retirement is in your early 20s. But it is never too late to start saving. Even if you are already in retirement, consider these tips for your best retirement adventure.

Determine how much money you have for investing and saving, and also how much you’ll receive in Social Security. If you have a pension, include that, too. The goal is to get an idea of where you are financially.

Know and understand your financial resources.

Income is key when it comes to retirement planning. A file cabinet crammed with paper is not a plan. Good financial advisors can help you maximize your Social Security benefits, deal with tax issues, and understand other income options. Chris Craven, with New York Life in Lake Charles, says many retirees purchase Income Annuities that guarantee monthly income they cannot outlive.

“The income is based on age and mortality, so the older one is when they purchase an Income Annuity, the higher the payout rate.”

Make a budget and live within your means. Most people assume their expenses will decrease after retirement, but that’s often not true. You may buy less clothing when you aren’t working, but other expenses may increase such as travel, new hobbies, dining out and entertainment. Strive to live within your means and learn to say no to requests for handouts. “I have seen too many times where retirees will run out of money trying to help their children or grand children,” says Craven.

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by Angie Kay Dilmore

Mutual goals. If you are married, talk to your spouse about goals – and the financial decisions that will get you there. What are your priorities?

Will you relocate? Stay close to the grandkids? After you have good grasp of your money situation . . . .

Eliminate and avoid debt.

Carrying excessive debt makes saving and managing your money even more difficult.

Craven suggests continuing employment until your debt is paid off. The sooner you’re out of debt, the better.

Know your retirement timeline and reevaluate your risk tolerance. The plan when you are retired on a fixed income should look vastly different than when you were a working 30-something. Older investors need a more diversified approach, with fewer risks and more protection for that allimportant income.

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If managing your finances in retirement with little savings seems, well, unmanageable, you may want to consider downsizing your home or working during retirement.

The most important thing to remember is that is it’s never too late to start saving.

September 2017

DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS

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CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CRPS, CRPC Investment Advisor Representative Ferdinandsen Financial Group is a marketing name. Securities and Investment Advisory services offered throughout Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SPIC.

September 2017

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43

Money & Career | Retirement Roundup

To Work or Not to Work in Retirement?

by Angie Kay Dilmore

That’s a good question! For many retirees, the notion of sleeping in every day and lounging around the house has been replaced with an alarm clock and time for work.

U.S. seniors are employed at the highest rate in 55 years.

According to a July U.S. jobs report, 32% of Americans age 65 to 69 were employed; 19% of people 70-74 worked.

Why this growing elderly employment trend? Many older Americans are healthier and living longer than previous generations.

They enjoy their work and want to remain active. Others need the money. Considering stagnant wages and declining pensions, retirement is more expensive these days.

In either case, working in retirement can have several advantages.

A sense of purpose and accomplishment. Barbara Dubose, age 76, owns an upscale dress shop and alterations service called The Perfect Fit on Pujo St., Lake Charles.

She finds joy in her work and says it gives her a sense of purpose. “God has blessed me with good health and I don’t want to let that go to waste. I’m still useful to a lot of 44 www.thriveswla.com

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people. My clients depend on me for things and I want to be there to help them.”

Relief from financial stress. With longer life expectancies (near age 77 for males, 81.5 for females) some retirees fear running out of money.

It’s a genuine concern. Even a parttime job that brings in a little extra cash can help reduce some of the stress.

Employee benefits. Working retirees can benefit from employerpaid life insurance and the employer contributions to a 401(k).

Another biggie is health insurance, which can be less expensive than Medicare and provide more comprehensive coverage. Employer coverage is especially valuable if your spouse is younger than 65 and covered by your plan.

September 2017

A larger pension. If you’re fortunate enough to have a pension, you may get a bigger payout by working a few more years. Pensions are calculated based on pay and years of service. Some plans base the benefit on your average earnings over the last three or five years of employment, others on your average earnings over all the years in which you’ve participated in the plan.

Greater Social Security Benefits. For every year you delay taking the benefit past full retirement age (66 for people born in 1943 to 1954 -- it will gradually rise to 67 for people born in 1960 or later), you get a bump of 8% in your benefit, until age 70.

Physical fitness. As people age, they tend to suffer more physical health problems. A job can keep them active and moving, making for better health.

Mental fitness. Numerous studies have found that brainchallenging activities may help delay symptoms of dementia.

Working also helps keep minds active. “It gets your mind going and gives you something to get up in the morning for,” says Dubose. She also cites the benefit of social interaction.

“Working gets you out and about, especially if you are a widow and you don’t often see your children. You have to make your own life.”

Only you can decide if working in retirement is right for you. The relationships, recognition, financial benefits, and sense of purpose that come with a job can add fulfillment to life. But retirement can also be well spent devoting time to leisure activities, traveling, and volunteer work. The choice is yours.

Living the dream is a state of mind.

Backed by a good retirement plan.

No one wants to work forever. Whether you’re just starting to plan for retirement, deciding what actions to take when you do—or have already begun to enjoy your post-work life, we can help you achieve your retirement dreams. This way, you’ll be able to make the most of your newfound free time with a sense of financial security.

• Investments* • 401(k) Rollovers • Life Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance Christopher Craven

Agent, New York Life Insurance Co.

* Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SPIC) A Licensed Insurance Agency.

3105 Lake Street, Lake Charles | (337) 475-6226

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Money & Career | Retirement Roundup

Retired, but Not Tired Tips to Stay Youthful in the Golden Years Planning for retirement isn’t the same as gearing up for a long vacation. Spending day after day in front of the TV may sound great after forty years of hard work, but your body and brain need more than a recliner and mindless entertainment if they’re to stay healthy. You may end up bored with all that freedom if you don’t have a plan for what you want to do with it; and boredom often leads to unwanted outcomes.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in five retirees will experience depression, a condition they’re at increased risk for if they remain inactive. A sedentary retiree likewise risks a number of physical maladies. So instead of resigning yourself to twenty or thirty years of couch surfing, challenge yourself to remain physically healthy and mentally sharp.

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Stay Interested If you had a leisure activity you enjoyed throughout your career, consider dedicating even more time to this hobby. Maybe your love of cooking hinted at a deeper culinary talent you never had the chance to cultivate. Did you take pleasure from tinkering in your workshop and building things? If you pursue these pastimes, you could potentially turn your passion into a parttime source of extra income.

And if you never had time for hobbies, now is the time to find something that interests you.

Learn a second language, how to play an instrument you love, or any new craft or skill that strikes your fancy. One key to staying youthful is to never stop learning.

Stay Social According to a study conducted

by Dr. George E. Vaillant of Harvard Medical School, the beginning of retirement also brings with it a change in your social sphere and too often the loss of contact with many old friends and co-workers who were once part of your life. This can be a dangerous situation. Isolated individuals are more vulnerable to mental health problems such as depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Avoid isolation by being active in your community.

Find ways to maintain your established relationships, such planning a weekly lunch meetup group or get together over coffee. Seek out ways to make new friends, too. Volunteer your time with a non-profit organization or church group.

Homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and animal shelters always need assistance.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

by Austin Price

Stay Moving Physical activities such as swimming, walking, joining a local gym or sports league are also great ways to meet people and have the added benefit of keeping you fit, which is essential for retirees. According to a U.S. Health and Retirement Study, inactive seniors are 40 percent more likely to suffer strokes and heart-attacks than peers who maintained even a modest exercise regime. Find physical activities you enjoy and participate in them several times a week.

Stay Young Remember, while you may be past what conventional wisdom calls your “prime,” there’s no reason you have to accept that label. Be your best you!

Retirement is not merely a time to rest after years of labor, but a chance to explore yourself in your world in ways you couldn’t when you were previously busy with other life obligations.

September 2017

DESIGN YOUR FUTURE with Rau Financial Group

(l-r) Denise Wilkinson, Denise Rau, Debora Alexander and Latrana White

When Denise Rau entered the financial field in 1984, women were few and far between in the industry. In 2001, after nearly 18 years of experience at major commercial banks, Rau decided to form her own company, and Rau Financial Group opened its doors.

Rau is originally from Lake Charles and received her undergraduate degree from Tulane University and an MBA from the University of Texas. She is a Certified finanCial Planner ™ and holds a variety of other certifications and licenses for insurance and securities.

Rau says a big part of her job is listening, and she likes to ask clients what things are most important to them in their lives. “Then together we look at where they are spending their money. Very often, we’ll find they are not actually

spending the most money on the things most important to them, and because they are not putting their money where their heart is, they are unhappy with their financial situation. Once we get their financial goals aligned with their true life goals, they begin to pursue both with renewed inspiration.”

Rau Financial Group has grown significantly since its beginning, fueled by a highly-experienced staff, including Registered Paraplanner Latrana White, Branch Operations Manager Denise Wilkinson, and Client Service Manager Debora Alexander. Rau offers an extensive range of financial planning services, including investments, insurance, retirement, cash flow, and social security planning.

(337) 480-3835 | 1634 RYAN ST., LAKE CHARLES | www.raufinancialgroup.com

Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through GWM Advisors, dba Rau Financial Group, a registered investment advisor. GWM Advisors and Rau Financial Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

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Money & Career | Retirement Roundup

Taxes in Retirement

You can Count on It Baby Boomers have been on the leading edge of nearly everything since the first of them were born in mid-1946.

Now early boomers near another big milestone – and it’s one that many may prefer to avoid. They’ve begun turning 70½, which means by law they’re required to start making withdrawals from their 401(k) and IRA accounts. If they fail to withdraw the money – or withdraw too little – and they face a hefty penalty. Today, there are roughly 75 million baby boomers in the U.S., which means plenty of people will be reaching the age 70½ over the next couple of decades.

Those with 401(k) or IRA accounts need to know the rules and what they will be facing. Kelly Love, CPA and Manager of Accounting and Assurance with J.Walker and Co., Lake Charles, advises seniors talk to a financial professional about their tax options.

Read on to see if any of these tax breaks may apply to you:

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September 2017

The age advantage. When you turn 65, the IRS offers a bigger standard deduction. For 2017 returns, for example, a single 64-year-old gets a standard deduction of $6,350. A 65-year-old gets $7,900. Note: These values could change, depending on changes in federal tax laws.

Deduct Medicare premiums: If you become self-employed -- say, as a consultant -- after you leave your job, you can deduct the premiums you pay for Medicare Part B and Part D, plus the cost of supplemental Medicare (medigap) policies or the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan. You can only claim this deduction if you are not eligible to be covered under an employer-subsidized health plan offered by either your employer (if you have retiree medical coverage, for example) or your spouse’s employer (if he or she has a job that offers family medical coverage).

Spousal IRA Contribution: Retiring doesn’t necessarily mean an end to IRA contributions.

If you’re married and your spouse still works, he or she can contribute up to $6,500 a year to an IRA that you own. If you use a traditional IRA, spousal contributions are allowed up to the year you reach age 70 ½. If you use a Roth IRA, there is no age limit.

Move the money to an asset-based longterm healthcare program. There is no tax penalty to move the money from the retirement account to an asset-based longterm healthcare account. The program is an interest-bearing account that provides income if needed, liquidity if needed, and covers long-term healthcare if needed. With traditional long-term healthcare insurance, any unused money goes to the insurance company when the person dies. There is no benefit for beneficiaries. With asset-based long-term healthcare, any excess money goes to the beneficiaries.

Reduced Capital Gains Tax: For 2017, the longterm capital gains tax rate is 15% for those in the 25% to 35% tax brackets, and 20% for those in the 39.6% tax bracket. If you are in the 10% or 15% income tax bracket, your long-term capital gains tax is zero. (Again, figures may be subject to change.)

Direct transfers from your IRA to a qualified charity can help avoid income tax on the IRA distribution – and the withdrawal counts toward satisfying your Required Minimum Distribution. (Being generous has never been more (financially) rewarding!

These are but a few of many considerations when understanding taxes. Filing taxes at any age is complicated at best, but especially during retirement age. So many questions, ie should I itemize or take the standard deduction? Love recommends you visit a CPA early in the year, rather than at the end of the year to do taxes when it is too late to make changes. “We can discuss plans for the up-coming year, any major purchases, expenditures, taxation of Social Security benefits . . . let your tax professional know your concerns and goals so he or she can work with you.”

As a trusted advisor, J. Walker & Company, APC, is committed to providing quality service to our clients. Our firm’s success is measured by our ability to enhance our clients’ business endeavors.

By understanding the unique and special needs of your business, we are able to customize our services to your specific needs. Our approach is to optimize performance through careful planning.

Our focus and dedication to your business’ needs help us continue to develop lasting relationships as your trusted business advisor.

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September 2017

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49

Money & Career | Retirement Roundup

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

by Kristy Como Armand

Whether retirement is 30 years away or 10, at some point you’ll wonder if you have enough money to cover your daily living expenses. Hopefully the question comes sooner than later, says Certified Financial Planner Denise Rau, President of Rau Financial Group. Maybe it’s already been asked and answered. Or maybe you’re not giving it much consideration because you know Social Security will be there to cushion the fall. If that’s the case, you have some more mulling-over to do, Rau says.

“It’s certainly nice to know that Social Security is there to help provide for your financial future,” she says. “After all, it’s income for life, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that, especially when you’re ready to turn in your work badge for a life of well-deserved leisure. But it’s important to appreciate the potential reality of your situation and understand that Social Security was not designed to be enough for you to comfortably retire.”

Most comfortable retirees supplement Social Security with a work pension, IRA, or other savings. Few are able to get by solely with Social Security, Rau explains.

Still, millions of people don’t have anything else tucked away. “It’s crucial for those people to understand the role Social Security will play in their retirement,” says Rau. According to Union Plus Retirement Planning Center, Social Security, which is more than 70 years old, provides $539 billion in annual benefits to nearly 49 million retired and disabled workers, their dependents and families that have lost their wage earners. Millions of people rely on Social Security

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as their only source of income.

Every year, the Social Security Administration sends workers a record of their earnings and estimates of benefits. This statement outlines what recipients can expect to receive at the ages of eligibility—62 or 70. Benefits are based on earnings during the 35 highest-earning wage years.

Unfortunately, Social Security resources are expected to decline after the year 2040. That’s because the Baby Boomer generation will soon reach full retirement age and, for the first time in Social Security’s history, there will be more people taking from the system than contributing to it.

Although Social Security provides a blanket of funds in retirement, other expenses—such as unforeseen medical expenses, increased cost of living, and caregiving expenses, to name a few—can compromise its impact.

“I suggest that everyone obtain a copy of their benefits statement from the Social Security Administration (available online at www.ssa.gov) to get an idea of where you stand,” Rau says. “If you can start a retirement fund or increase contributions to a work plan, do it. If you have nothing saved and you know you want to retire comfortably—whether it’s a year or 20 years from now—make an appointment with a trusted financial advisor to put a plan in place for the life you want to have after retirement. You don’t want any financial surprises at the time when you should be enjoying a work-free, low-stress lifestyle.”

For more information about retirement planning, call Denise Rau at Rau Financial Group at (337) 480-3835.

September 2017

By the Numbers

Retirement 63 20% 80% The average American retirement age

18

The average length of retirement, but many last longer.

of Americans tap into their 401(k) assets early, either through a loan or withdrawal.

of Americans between the ages of 30 and 54 believe they will not have enough saved for retirement.

62% 1/6 Medicare only covers this much of the average American’s medical expenses.

The number of employers that offer healthcare coverage to retirees.

$1,355

The average monthly Social Security pament for a retired worker, as of Nov. 2016.

$163,577 1/3

Americans that have nothing saved for retirement.

The amount that the average Baby Boomer has saved for retirement.

source fool.com

September 2017

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51

Money & Career

Effective Job Search Strategies

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Even with a local growing economy, finding a job that is right for you can be a challenge.

The days of merely sending in an application, resumé, and cover letter to a potential employer and then waiting for the phone to ring have gone the way of dot matrix and dial-up.

According to McDonald Carheel, President of Carheel Consulting, these changes, such as online applications, social media, and job boards have made it easier for qualified applicants and harder for those less qualified to attain employment. “Because employers have increased their talent pools, they can afford to be more selective, which doesn’t necessarily benefit job seekers who don’t meet or exceed the employer’s job requirements,” he says.

Job candidates need to stand out from the ever-growing pool of qualified people.

Stay positive and improve your odds of employment by taking these steps to improve your presentation to potential employers.

Stay motivated and active.

Send out at least one resumé or completed job application each day. Job hunting is a skill that improves with practice.

Create a personal marketing plan. List the companies where you’d like to work. Research

52 www.thriveswla.com

what they do and their role in the industry and where you might fit in. When you do get that first interview, you’ll be prepared, knowledgeable, and able to ask intelligent questions.

Be honest with your skills and abilities. Make improvements where necessary. Job seeker support groups can be helpful, but if possible, hire a professional job counselor.

Tweak your resumé. Your resumé is your calling card to clearly tell a potential employer who you are and what you can do for them. Carheel advises that the content of your cover letter and resumé ultimately determines if you are qualified and moves the interview process forward. Study resumés of others who have successfully gained employment. Include key words that may help move your resumé beyond the filters and screeners. Ensure that your cover letter and resumé accurately reflect your purpose, passion, qualifications, and how the employer will benefit from hiring you. Review the employer’s job description to gain insight into the responsibilities of the job as well as what requirements the employer seeks. Your resumé should reflect that you have performed or have knowledge of the tasks associated with the job responsibilities, and

your relevant experience, skills, and education should demonstrate that you meet or exceed the job requirements.

Set up job alerts with employer career websites. This is an effective way to stay abreast of their specific job opportunities as they become available. A similar option is to create a profile and set up job alerts on job boards such as Indeed, which allows you to customize your job search based on the types of jobs, industries, locations, and employers that interest you. “The benefit of using sites like Indeed is that you can save time by researching multiple jobs, receiving job notifications from multiple employers, and applying for many of those jobs through a single website, rather than going to each individual employer’s website,” Carheel says.

Practice interview skills by role-playing with friends or family. Rehearse the expected questions, but also be prepared for the curveballs that force you to think on the spot.

Realize the importance and value of networking. Carheel says networking is the most effective way to look for work.

Knowing people and letting them know you are job seeking can result in job leads that may not be posted. And in

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

order to stand out from the crowd of applicants, having someone in your corner to put in a good word for you can make all the difference.

Be open-minded to relocation.

The top 10 states with high unemployment rates account for nearly 57 percent of the country's total unemployment, meaning there is enormous competition in those areas.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana ranks fourth in the country for high unemployment. If necessary, consider moving to an area with more opportunities and less competition.

Maintain a positive professional online presence.

When employers consider a candidate’s job application, they often then go straight to the internet to get a truer sense of a person’s personality. Be present on several different social media sites. If there are unsavory photos and content linked to your name, delete it as best you can.

Pursue your passion. Carheel recommends seeking a job you are passionate about. “Passion illuminates a candidate on paper, over the phone, and in person.

Those who are passionate about their work typically perform better, which benefits both the individual and the employer.”

September 2017

Leveraging LinkedIn

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What it is: LinkedIn is a professional networking site and can be a powerful resource for job seekers. Through the website, you can search for job openings, expand your network, and seek referrals.

You can join groups dedicated to your own profession. Recruiters often look to LinkedIn to find qualified candidates. Carheel says, “LinkedIn is a great tool to research who you already know or who you need to know in a particular industry, and provides a platform to express interest in working for prospective employers, or inquire about the most effective way to submit a cover letter and resumé for consideration.”

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What it isn’t: LinkedIn is not the primary tool to use to find a job.

It is not a job board where a broad range of jobs are advertised.

Effectively utilizing LinkedIn: • First, include a professional headshot photo with no other people or pets.

• Connect with as many people as possible, as your visibility is directly linked to your number of connections.

• Join LinkedIn Groups to focus your search. Carefully and professionally “like” and comment on good discussions. Post articles you find interesting and start new discussions or post a meticulously edited article you have written on LinkedIn Pulse.

• Click on the “Jobs” link at the top of your home page and specify “Preferences.” This makes you more visible to recruiters and employers.

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Money & Career

6

Steps to Save Now for

Christmas With only three months left until Christmas,

by Sylvia Ney

you may be looking at your bank account and wondering if you can afford it this year.

Consider these six steps to add merriment to your family holiday.

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September 2017

1 2 3 4 5

Determine the amount you want to spend on Christmas. According to the American Research Group, Inc., Americans spend approximately $1,000 on their holiday festivities. Review what you spent in years past before deciding if that’s your goal this year. Now divide your decided-upon amount by the number of weeks left until the big day. Then do your best to put at least that amount aside each week.

6

Pause your entertainment budget. Many of us prefer dining out, visiting the theater, or enjoying weekend getaways. Instead, make more home cooked meals (or buy less expensive take out), revisit favorite movies at home, and plan more family game nights. Kids stay pretty busy this time of year with school, homework, and extracurricular activities anyway. In addition to more relaxed time with loved ones, you’ll save more for a great Christmas break.

GETTHE HOME TEAM

Save your ‘under budget’ cash. You may already have a weekly plan for your regular monthly expenses. Anytime you don’t spend as much on groceries, utilities, or annual check-ups, stash that cash in your holiday savings.

Start looking for deals now. There is no rule saying you have to wait until December to buy, or that the items must be a new release. Many clearance racks hold some good finds this time of year. Department stores host back to school and Labor Day sales events. Some offer regular weekly or daily deals, such as Amazon and Hobby Lobby.

Also, watch for coupons. There will be an increase in special offers between now and December 25, but be sure to do your research so you know if it’s a true deal, or too good to be true.

Find alternative ways to earn money. If you struggle to meet your weekly saving goal, consider how you might earn extra cash. September and October are great times of year to clean out the house and have garage sales, or get creative and sell your wares at local festivals.

Have a DIY Christmas. Homemade treasures leave a more lasting impression than store bought gifts. They can also be considerably less costly. Consider giving at least one gift (if not all) for each family member from your own hands and imagination. Starting now gives you plenty of time to gather materials and craft a unique memento. Not sure how to get started? Scour the internet for ideas and focus on anything your loved ones might collect, or that they may have expressed an interest in. Concentrate on their dreams or goals when planning this piece.

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Saving and planning early makes creating a memorable holiday possible. It also makes the next few months less stressful and more enjoyable. Planning, or continuing, holiday traditions can be one of the best parts of the season. So follow these steps and make holiday savings part of your own tradition.

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55

Money & Career

The Art of Small Talk in Business Gatherings

by Bailey Castille

Small talk can make a big difference in conversation effectiveness. Although it is one of the most common forms of communication, many detest small talk and see it as an awkward gesture. However, small talk in a business setting can accomplish many tasks—easing tension, establishing a common factor, or forging a lasting business connection—without the need for profound speech or originality.

Effective small talk begins with the body, not the voice. Eye contact, coupled with a friendly smile, is a key part of any conversation, making the speaker appear approachable and attentive.

Whoever makes the first introduction looks confident and is positioned to guide the rest of the conversation. Questions or statements about the weather or event, as cliché as it sounds, are a great way to follow up initial introductions. A compliment also serves as a good startup to the discussion.

The tone of the conversation should be light and positive when searching for a shared interest.

Common topics for small talk are movies, music, sports, books, travel, and hobbies. Knowledge of current events is an important tool for discussion, especially in the business world; however, one should avoid controversial topics—politics, religion, or off-color jokes—if it is unclear where the other person stands on these subjects.

Focus on the other person and listen intently to what he or she is saying. This will show respect for the speaker and lessen feelings of self-consciousness.

Silence is not always a bad thing. Thoughtful pauses in the conversation are encouraged as they give all participants the opportunity to collect themselves and reflect on what has been said.

Before one walks away from the other person, a simple, graceful exit line will politely close the conversation rather than just allowing it to dissipate.

For example, one can say, “It’s been great talking with you! I really enjoyed hearing about…”

Small talk is a simple tool that can be used in any setting to create a lasting impression in a respectful and innocuous manner.

All Systems GROW. Be a Part of It! The Alliance for Positive Growth is an organization of professionals in the fields of real estate, development, construction and all other interested parties working together to protect property rights and promote strong, beneficial growth in Southwest Louisiana.

To learn more, visit: APGrowth.org 56 www.thriveswla.com

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September 2017

Where you go to stay in the know!

Mike Beer, Executive Director of Boy Scouts of America - Calcasieu Area Council Carmen Million, President of the Better Business Bureau serving Southwest Louisiana Ryan Abell, Club President and Co-Owner of Abell & Son Cindy Mathieu, Development Director for Boys Village John Fear, Allstate Agency Owner

GLC Rotary Helps with Boys Village Foundation

The Greater Lake Charles Rotary has partnered with the Boys Village Foundation as part of their August service project. The project aimed to provide school supplies for the organization as well as spread awareness about the mission of Boys Village. Boys Village provides a crucial, and much needed, service within the community and the Greater Lake Charles Rotary club is honored to be able to further their cause.

If you would like to help the organization, please contact them at (337) 436-7553 or

by Email at BGvillages@hotmail.com.

Stirling Properties Expanding Commercial Real Estate Services in Southwest Louisiana

Stirling Properties has announced it is expanding its commercial real estate services in Lake Charles and the Southwest Louisiana region.

Seth Citron, Sales and Leasing Executive, will lead the company’s growth efforts in the area.

For more information, call (337) 572-0273.

September 2017

Amy Nyberg, Business Development Specialist; Liz Trahan, Marketing Communications Specialist; Colleen Desselle, Director of Marketing and Business Development; Pam Rivers, Marketing Assistant; Rosa Alfred, Marketing Communications Representative

CSE Federal Credit Union Wins Four Marketing Awards

CSE Federal Credit Union won four Excellence in Marketing Awards at the Louisiana Credit Union League’s annual conference held in New Orleans. Each year the Louisiana Credit Union League recognizes outstanding credit union marketing and communications efforts through the Excellence in Marketing Awards.

Categories range from digital advertising to community events and beyond.

This year, CSE FCU won first place awards in Community/Public Relations and Annual Report. The marketing team also won second place in Digital Marketing and Newsletter.

The Louisiana Credit Union League (LCUL), is a statewide network comprised of credit union professionals. It is a non-profit, professional trade association that exists to serve credit unions in Louisiana. LCUL is dedicated, through cooperation, to promote, protect and perpetuate the credit union movement.

LCUL provides member credit unions with quality leadership to achieve positive results in the areas ranging from governmental affairs to research and information.

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LCP Announces Expansion into Texas Market

LCP, a full-service printing and mail company based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has purchased Becker Printing in Beaumont, Texas, which will now operate as Becker Print and Mail.

LCP has served the Gulf Region of Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas for 40 years, specializing in digital printing technology and direct mail.

For more information, call (337) 477-2595.

Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy Celebrates 30th Anniversary Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy (LIMT), one of the first massage schools licensed by the state of Louisiana, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. LIMT is the oldest continually operating massage school on the Gulf Coast and the state’s first massage school to provide continuing education. LIMT was founded by massage therapists, is taught by massage therapists, and has been operated by massage therapists since 1987.

To learn more or request a student catalog, visit www.lamassageschool.com or call (337) 474-3737.

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57

Mind & Body

A national lifetime achievement award, an endowed university chair, a rehabilitation facility named in his honor, recognition as citizen of the year in his home town and countless patients positively impacted by the care he and those he has helped educate have provided. It’s quite an impressive legacy, and one that semi-retired David Drez Jr., MD, recognized as a leading national expert in the orthopaedic and sports medicine fields, doesn’t spend a lot of time thinking or talking about.

Originally from DeQuincy, Dr. Drez is a graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine. After completing a general surgical and orthopedic residency, he returned to Southwest Louisiana in 1971 to begin private practice, and was one of the original founding members of Center for Orthopaedics in 1994.

He retired from full-time practice in 2013, but continues to do part-time consultations to stay active in the field that he loves.

He served as a clinical professor of orthopaedics at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans for 30 years. In recognition of his contributions to the education of orthopedists, the LSU School of Medicine created the “Dr. David Drez Chair in Orthopedic Sports Medicine.”

Dr. Drez served as head team physician at McNeese State University for 37 years and was inducted into the McNeese State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In further appreciation of the countless hours he donated to the university

first person

Dr. Drez receiving the NATA lifetime achievement award in June.

by Kristy Como Armand

58 www.thriveswla.com

with

Dr. David Drez Jr.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

September 2017

throughout his career, the rehabilitation area of the university’s Sports Medicine Center was also named the “David Drez, Jr., MD Rehabilitation Facility.”

Dr. Drez has published a large body of research that focuses primarily on athletic injuries and their prevention and treatment options – particularly injuries of the knee and shoulder. He is the coauthor of Orthopedic Sports Medicine, a highly acclaimed guidebook for sports medicine physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers; and was co-editor of Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine.

In June of this year, Dr. Drez received the Jack Weakley Award of Distinction from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), which is given to honor one individual each year for a lifetime of outstanding contributions that directly impact health care in athletics, athletic training, or sports medicine, and are of major and lasting importance.

Thrive recently spoke to Dr. Drez about his career and accomplishments.

What influenced you to become a physician?

That’s all I ever wanted to be.

My dad, David Drez Sr., was a general practice physician, and my mom, Hester Bingham Drez, was a registered nurse.

Growing up with my parents, health care was all I knew. My dad opened the original hospital in DeQuincy when I was a boy.

I remember living for a time in some rooms above the hospital.

Healthcare literally provided the backdrop for my childhood.

How did you choose the specialty of orthopaedics and sports medicine?

That began in high school, when I played football for coaches Jack Doland and Johnny Buck.

They really had a profound influence on me. Even as a kid, I had a tremendous amount of respect for them and what they did. I realized then that I wanted to work around, and with, people like

them. When I became involved with McNeese athletics in 1973, soon after I started my practice, I was further influenced by very talented trainers there, the late Doc Fontenot and Jim Murphy.

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in your medical career – good or bad?

I don’t think there is anything bad; it is just different. A lot more documentation and gathering of information is required now, and physicians spend a great deal more time satisfying the demands of insurers and the government. There have been tremendous advances in technology that have greatly improved diagnostic and treatment methods.

What did it mean to you to receive the Jack Weakley Award of Distinction?

That is hard to express, other than to say it was a great, unexpected honor to be recognized by NATA for whatever they felt I had contributed to the care of athletes, which has always been a big focus of my career.

Even though you still spend some time working, what do you enjoy doing the most outside of work?

Spending time with my family, watching our children and grandchildren become responsible adults. I also really enjoy fly fishing because it is a little like orthopaedics in that there is always more to learn and skills to improve upon.

Looking back on your career, what accomplishment means the most to you?

That’s easy – my family and my faith. My marriage of nearly 60 years, my three children and their spouses, my eight grandchildren. They are more important to me than anything else I could ever hope to achieve.

What’s next for you?

Whatever God has in store!

I’ll continue to serve in an advisory capacity at Center for Orthopaedics as long as they will tolerate me. I certainly don’t want to give up working yet.

Two sayings have guided me throughout my career. My dad always said that “Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.”

I don’t want to lose that. Another saying that continues to guide me is from one of my professors: “If you are green, you are growing, but if you are ripe, you are next to rotten.” I certainly don’t want to be rotten; I want to keep growing and contributing.

Dr. David Drez, Jr. and his father, Dr. David Drez, Sr.

Dr. Drez on a fishing trip in Montana with friends and his oldest grandson.

September 2017

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59

Mind

& Body

Moving Toward Better Quality of Life through Exercise

by Christine Fisher

Would you like to improve your memory, flexibility, lower your stress level, boost your mood and energy level? Most Americans would say “Yes!” immediately. You might be surprised to find out that it’s all possible through exercise.

Benefit your brain.

Activity stimulates the growth of nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in memory.

An active mind produces new dendrites; these are the connections between nerve cells that allow cells to communicate with each other, and to store and retrieve information more easily.

Researchers with Columbia University Medical Center say exercise optimizes the brain to learn and remember by making the brain cells more resilient and pliable, which allows the brain to retain new information.

Regular physical movement is one of the few ways to generate new neurons in the brain. This strong neural network allows information to be better stored and processed.

“Movement affects every area of your life, both physically and mentally,” says Suzy Trahan, wellness coach, ACM certified exercise physiologist, registered dietitian nutritionist, and director of Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers. “We often think of weight loss or building muscle when we think of exercise, but it’s so much more than that. You can greatly improve your quality of life through movement.”

To boost your outlook and reap great benefits, Trahan says you don’t have to spend hours exercising.

“We need to focus more on movement training, which involves so much more than muscle, to improve our daily life activities. The more we train movement, the greater our bodies respond to everyday life,” she explains.

Stretch and flex.

The way a person moves says a lot about them. How do they get out of a chair? Can they easily pick something up from the floor? Is reaching difficult? All of these daily life tasks can be enhanced through flexibility.

“A limber, graceful body looks young and energetic, no matter what the actual age,” says Trahan. “Flexibility can’t be faked, injected, or bought. For a body to move with ease, it must be agile. Some people are naturally flexible, but the majority of us need to move and stretch.”

The good news is that only 30 percent of flexibility is attributed to heredity, which means the majority comes from personal choices and daily habits. “Muscles can become more flexible at any

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An integrated educational program for physician and physician extenders in the areas of family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, occupational medicine, sports medicine, physical therapy, nursing and athletic trainers. Specialists from individual fields will speak on all aspects of musculoskeletal medicine.

For more information, call 337-312-8291 or register online at www.womansfoundation.com.

Same-day registration is also available at the event.

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a maximum of 5.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ will be awarded

September 2017

age, and increased flexibility makes routine tasks a little easier. Bending to tie shoes, lifting packages or twisting to get something out of reach becomes easier with more flexibility and mobility in the joints,” says Trahan.

Stress less.

When life gets hectic, exercise is often one of the first things to be crossed off the list, but exercise is one of the best ways to cope with feelings of stress. Studies show people who exercise are also happier and less stressed overall than their sedentary counterparts. The American Council on Exercise and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Association endorses exercise as a way to reduce stress.

During exercise, the body produces the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters known as endorphins. These increase selfconfidence and feelings of wellbeing. “Clarity is also improved,” says Trahan. “During a workout, it takes concentration to complete the movements and maintain balance. This focus on a single task often helps other stressors in your life fall into place. Exercise gives your body and your mind a renewed sense of positive focus.”

Boost your mood.

In an odd twist, exercise helps quiet the body. While exercise is all about movement, energy, and motion, after the exercise routine is completed, the body balances itself by calming nerves, producing endorphins

and pumping blood throughout the body more efficiently.

Exercise helps the body release toxins and excess energy creating a more positive outlook.

“Doing something beneficial to lift your mood is a positive coping strategy,” explains Trahan.

“Being sedentary often leads to low energy levels. By focusing on movement, you’ll likely have a more optimistic outlook.”

Exercise increases body temperature, which has a calming effect on the body. It also releases muscle tension, helps improve sleep habits and reduces levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. These changes can help improve one’s mood and outlook.

Increase energy.

Energy levels affect almost every function of the body. When a person feels energetic, they report having good feelings about themselves overall.

“It might seem like a contradiction,” says Trahan, “to ask people to expend energy in order to gain energy, but when those endorphins are released thanks to exercise, it makes a world of difference. Moving your body generates energy. The more you sit, the more tired you feel. When you exercise, your heart pumps more blood and the body extracts more oxygen from that blood, boosting your overall health and energy level.”

Energy levels naturally ebb and flow. It’s natural for it to dip lower on some days than others; but continuously feeling drained

is not natural, and lifestyle habits are usually to blame.

Trahan cautions that exercise does not need to be strenuous to gain these quality-of-life benefits. “It’s better to have a moderate routine and continue it rather than abandoning exercise all together because it’s too difficult or too time consuming.” Aim for thirty minutes, five days a week to reap these wellness benefits.

Being active boosts not only the body, but also the mind and emotions. Focusing entirely on weight loss can be discouraging if it doesn’t happen as fast as one would like; paying attention to the quality of life benefits can be a great motivation.

For more information about exercise benefits, call Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur at 5275459 or Moss Bluff at 855-7708.

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Mind

& Body

THE

IMPORTANCE

OF

BALANCE

by John O’Donnell

It’s said that you’re never really “old” until you start having balance issues, and that you can always tell a person’s physical age by how well they move around without falling, or experiencing fear of falling.

Getting out of your car, walking through a store, opening a door, and putting on pants all require balance and coordination, which are an important part of everyday life. Approximately 12.5 million Americans over the age of 65 have a dizziness or balance problem that significantly interferes with their lives. Many people believe loss of balance is unavoidable as we age, which can result in lost mobility and independence. Physical therapy centers across the country realize the importance of balance and coordination and are proving that loss of balance, dizziness, and muscle weakness can be avoided or reversed with the right treatment.

Floyd Saltzman, physical therapist and owner of FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Center in Lake Charles, offers several treatment modalities for patients to improve their balance. He says his business name “is spelled different because we are different.” He and his staff understand that balance issues are multi-faceted. There can be many reasons a patient develops balance problems, so when it comes to balance loss prevention, FYZICAL utilizes a whole body treatment approach. “Our Balance Program focuses on strength, functional mobility, endurance, gait training, and coordination activities for safe waking and preventing falls,” said Saltzman.

FYZICAL staff members meet their patient’s needs with comprehensive balance and fall prevention programs using the latest technology that analyzes the stride and gait of a patient, and a sophisticated ceiling mounted rail system.

“These overhead rails are the standard of care in balance and vestibular physical therapy centers.

They allow the clinician to treat the patient in the safety of the suspended harness and allow walking, running, and any other complex dynamic balance training. The system allows the balance training to the point of falling, which is essential to achieving optimal outcomes,” Saltzman said.

For patients who have lost balance and are working to get it back, FYZICAL employs stateof- the-art Static and Dynamic Balance Retraining.

It focuses on real world situations where a person might fall, and trains them to react in a way that prevents the fall. “Most of these patients report dizziness, but in fact, they are describing disequilibrium, or off balance,” Saltzman said. “The treatment puts an extra emphasis on practical solutions to common problems; for example, difficulty getting around in the dark, walking on uneven surfaces such as carpeting or grass, and negotiating steps and curbs. Fall prevention, movement coordination, and improved safe participation in everyday activities are all high priorities of our balance retraining program.”

For more information on balance and fall prevention therapy at FYZICAL, call 337-494-7546 today.

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September 2017

Enhancing your face requires the skill of a surgeon and the eye of an artist.

Making skin smooth and tight again is only a part of facial plastic surgery. Also, consider the balance and proportions of your face – the relationship of your chin, nose, eyes and ears to your total appearance. Adjusting this balance creates a face that is more youthful, more delicately shaped, more gently perfected. You want to look better, not different.

Jeffrey J. Joseph, md, facs

The hands of a surgeon.

The eye of an artist.

1000 W. Pinhook Road • Lafayette 337-237-0650 www.acadianent.com

board-certified & fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon jeffrey j. joseph, md, facs

September 2017

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Mind

& Body

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Early Detection Key to Survival According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer is the 8th most common cancer among women in the United States (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). However, it is the 5th most common cause of cancer deaths in women. Among the gynecologic cancers (uterine, cervical, and ovarian), ovarian cancer has the highest death rate. Each year, more than 22,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and around 14,000 will die. Tragically, the overall five-year survival rate is only 46 percent in most developed countries (it is lower for more advanced stages). But if diagnosis is made early, before the tumor has spread, the five year survival rate is 94 percent.

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September 2017

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer In the early stages, ovarian cancer usually has few symptoms; in many cases, there are no symptoms at all. Patients often attribute their symptoms to other conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or a temporary bladder problem. The main difference between ovarian cancer and other possible disorders is the persistence and gradual worsening of symptoms.

Early symptoms of ovarian cancer include pain in the pelvis, pain on the lower side of the body, pain in the lower stomach, back pain, indigestion or heartburn, feeling full rapidly when eating, more frequent and urgent urination, pain during sexual intercourse, and changes in bowel habits, such as constipation.

As ovarian cancer progresses, these symptoms are also possible – nausea, weight loss, breathlessness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Bloating, pressure, or pain in the abdomen or pelvis that persists for more than a few weeks are also symptoms of ovarian cancer. If you experience any combination of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

Diagnosis is key If ovarian cancer is suspected, your doctor will generally order some or all of the following tests: Blood test, ultrasound, laparoscopy (looking at the abdomen through a small incision), abdominal fluid aspiration if the patient’s abdomen is swollen, a colonoscopy if the patient has rectal bleeding, CT scan, and MRI. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of survival.

Risk factors ovarian cancer Although we know that ovarian cancer, like many other cancers, is caused by cells dividing and multiplying in an unregulated way, nobody completely understands why cancer of the ovary occurs. However, we know the following risk factors are linked to a higher chance of developing the disease: family history of ovarian or breast cancer, age (most ovarian cancers occur in women over 65), higher number of total lifetime ovulations (for example, from earlier start of menstruation, fewer or no pregnancies, later menopause), infertility treatment, breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy, obesity, and endometriosis. If you identify with any of these risk factors, be especially aware and watchful for symptoms.

Treatment Treatment for ovarian cancer consists of surgery, chemotherapy, a combination of surgery with chemotherapy, and, sometimes, radiation. The kind of treatment depends on many factors, including the type of ovarian cancer, its stage and grade, as well as the general health of the patient.

Like all cancers, early detection of ovarian cancer is critical for a positive outcome.

Know the risk factors and possible symptoms, see your doctor regularly, and be diligent to monitor any subtle unexplained changes in your body.

Experience MATTERS

IF YOU HAVE VARICOSE VEINS, HEAVY OR ACHY LEGS, SWELLING, ITCHING, CRAMPING OR RESTLESS LEGS, CHOOSE LOUISIANA’S ONLY FULL-TIME, COMPREHENSIVE VEIN SPECIALIST.

Dr. Carl Fastabend’s practice is totally dedicated to VEIN CARE, and he has spent years developing his diagnostic and treatment skills for venous disorders. Dr Fastabend founded the Vein Center of Southwest Louisiana, and it is recognized as a training center of excellence for physicians from across the country.

We’ve Moved: Our New Office Location is at

711 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr., Lake Charles

Source: http://www. medicalnewstoday.com, August 2016

Trust your Legs to Experience www.VeinCenterSWLA.com (337) 312-VEIN

September 2017

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Carl Fastabend, MD

Medical Director

Covered by most insurance.

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!

Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

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

What’s Your EQ – Part 4 “Anyone can become angry – that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way – that is not easy.” - Aristotle Well, we have finally made it: the last installment of our lengthy Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ) conversation.

Before we can discuss the fourth and final component of this very important topic, we need to review the first three.

As you will recall, Emotional Intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your own emotions, along with being able to identify other’s emotions, then being able to figure out how to effectively interact with that person.

People with higher EQs are better able to read themselves and others, and people with lower EQs just don’t seem to “get it.” Lower EQ people struggle with why people react to them the way they do, why people “abruptly” end conversations (even though the other person has been giving all kinds of signals they want the encounter to end), and are often surprised by things that happen in relationships because they are just not tuned in and reading the signs.

Three months ago, we discussed the most important part of EQ: SelfAwareness. You cannot influence your interactions with anyone else unless you know yourself. And I mean really know yourself - being able to very specifically identify your emotions, acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, playing to your strengths, and constantly evaluating and tweaking interactions with others.

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After increased self-awareness, we then discussed Self-Management. Learning to handle situations the way you want to is much easier when you know yourself and know the areas you need to work on. We can make healthy choices only when we have cleared out the “noise” of fear/anger/anxiety in our heads.

Last month we addressed Social Awareness. It kind of naturally happens that when you are more aware of yourself, you become more aware of others and why they are acting in certain ways. Developing empathy (the ability to place yourself in another’s position) is key to this component.

Today, we are going to cover the last bastion of EQ: Relationship Management. When managing relationships, we are always looking for the best approach with whomever we are dealing. We check ourselves (SelfAwareness), focus on what we want to happen and the healthiest way to get there (Self-Management), get vibes from other people (Social Awareness), then put all that together to make sure the interaction is productive (Relationship Management).

Below are the best ways to achieve effective Relationship Management: Be respectful. To everyone. All the time. No matter what the other person does, you maintain your dignity. That doesn’t mean you are a doormat, but it does mean that you act according

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to your values at all times. You do this because of your character – it is who you are.

Know how to handle criticism. You will be criticized. Take a look at the critique, and be willing to see if there is any merit to it. If so, work on it. If not, move on. As Hillary Clinton said, “Accept negative feedback. Take it seriously, not personally.”

Neutralize toxic people. These are the people who take more than they give, and when you leave them you feel worse than before you got there. Limit your interactions with these people. When you do have to be around them, remind yourself of their lower EQ and don’t join in their chaos.

Learn communication and conflict resolution skills. I spend more of my time in therapy teaching these two skills than anything else. Your ability to convey yourself in a way others can receive it, and your ability to effectively deal with conflict, predict life success on a great level. And they are skills – you weren’t born with them. They have to be learned. Buy a book, get a life coach or therapist, attend a seminar. Whatever you have to do, learn these two things!!

I hope you have enjoyed our EQ journey.

It certainly helped me when I was introduced to the material, and I just know you are going to use the concepts to help you in your daily interactions with others!

September 2017

Student Central Open at McNeese

Now open on McNeese State University campus is Student Central, a convenient one-stop enrollment center in Chozen Hall for prospective students and parents and incoming as well as continuing students.

Student Central – located on the corner of Ryan and McNeese streets - now houses the offices and departments of the registrar, admissions and recruiting, scholarships, financial aid, general and basic studies, community services and outreach that services the high school enrollment program) and enrollment management.

Chozen Hall was originally constructed in 1956 as one of the first residence halls on campus. The repurposed building has been completely renovated and this central location offers students a more streamlined approach to academic support services.

In 2009, the building was named in memory of David Edward Chozen, a notable businessman in Southwest Louisiana and an alumnus and long-time McNeese supporter.

September 2017

New Dining Options & Renovation Available

This summer, several dining areas were refurbished and remodeled, including Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Chartwells, McNeese’s food service and catering provider, completed a major renovation to Rowdy’s Dining Hall this summer.

Improvements were made to the serving line, grill and deli areas, the My Pantry area where students create their own meals was enlarged and updated and the salad bar has been expanded and will offer new options.

The Food Court in the New Ranch were remodeled with two new food concepts - Pizza

by Design and Burger 337.

Pizza by Design will offer artisan-style pizzas that will allow customers to buy pizza by the slice or build their own individual pizzas by dough, sauce, cheese and specialty toppings as well as offer a choice of other Italian-style dishes that vary from week to week.

Burger 337 will offer premium-grilled burgers, sandwiches, po’boys, chicken tender baskets, French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings and cilantro coleslaw.

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McNeese’s Kappa Sigma Fraternity Receives National Awards

McNeese State University’s Theta Rho chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity was recently presented with four national awards at the 71st Biennial Grand Conclave in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The McNeese fraternity received the coveted the Founders’ Award of Chapter Excellence and the Founders’ Circle Award – two awards that are only given to a small handful of chapters around the country each year.

The Founders’ Circle Award is the highest award given to chapters based on the areas of fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service, while the Founders’ Award is the benchmark award in Kappa Sigma – recognizing outstanding chapter management, achievement and program development.

The chapter also received the 100% Ritual Proficiency and Military Heroes Campaign Champion awards. Last year, Theta Rho raised the sixth largest amount of money for Kappa Sigma’s national philanthropy, Kappa Sigma Military Heroes Campaign.

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September 2017