Acadiana Lifestyle January 2020

JANUARY 2020

2020 Most Interesting

People

You voted - Now meet your winning cover star Can’t wait for crawfish season?

Take a firsthand look at the farming process Myths vs. Facts about salt therapy - the latest wellness trend to hit Acadiana Don’t miss the local art that we can’t get enough of this month

2 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

M O V I N G

F O R W A R D

F O R

G R E A T E R

H E A L T H C A R E

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 3

3

Welcome Home | Find us at www.acadianalifestyle.com

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU Publisher Christina Pierce christina@acadianalifestyle.com Editor Shanna Dickens shannap@acadianalifestyle.com Graphic Designer Robert Frey Sales Coordinator Carol Messinger carolm@acadianalifestyle.com Account Executive Damian Beaugh damianb@acadianalifestyle.com

EDITOR’S COLUMN

What Our Staff Is The Most Excited About In This Month’s Issue

THINGS

WE LOVE From Shore to Door I Page 12

Contributing Writers Patrice Doucet, Lisa Hanchey, Brianne Hendricks, Amelia LaFleur, Mallory Moser, Wynce Nolley

With subscription and specialty gift boxes popping up in just about every theme imaginable, it’s time Louisiana got in on the fun. Delcambre’s Louisiana Direct Seafood Shop has launched a campaign to give the rest of the country access to Louisiana’s Gulf delicacies.

Contributing Photographers Lee Ball, Jennifer Beslin, Sarah Soprano Editorial Board Ryan Boudoin, Karen F. Bonin, Angela Trappey Cestia, Geri Frederick, Beth Guidry, Larry Hensgens, Cathy Indest, Wendy Parich, Paul Schexnayder

Don’t be Salty I Page 28 Add a dash of salt...to your wellness routine. For our health & wellness section we took a look at Acadiana’s first salt cave. This pink Himilayian atmosphere is the backdrop for the most recent trend in zen!

Delivery Personnel April Dooley, Yvonne Romero, Contact Us 124 E. Main Street, New Iberia, LA 70560 337-365-2222

The Family That Cooks Together I Page 30

That stuff legal makes us say ©2019 by Wick Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of Acadiana Lifestyle, including articles, advertising or artwork may be reproduced in whole or partly without the written consent of the publisher.

When we learned about a family who lives in three different cities but still finds a way to create a meal together once a month, we had to know more! Find out what they’ve learned from this unique tradition. Plus, they share one of their recipes with us in From Scratch.

ON THE COVER Find More Of Our Favorite Stories On These Pages Personality Profile..................................6 Focus....................................................10 Night at the Museum...........................14 Most Interesting People......................17 Virtual Training ................................. 26 Allergies...............................................27

From Scratch........................................32 Better Days on the Bayou.....................33 Homestyle............................................36 Dining Profile..................................... 38 On Trend............................................ 40 A Day in the Life - Sugar Cane............ 41

5 Things Crawfish Farms......................42 Gonsoulin Land and Cattle...................44 Cajun Creations....................................47 By the Numbers ...................................49 Events...................................................50 Social Lights.........................................54

Meet one of our Writers Our January 2020 Most Interesting People honoree Katelyn Gulotta.

Through a poll on our website, Katelyn received the most votes to be our 2020 Cover Star. In a close second was honoree Mark Boyance. You can read all seven honorees’ stories on Page 17. Photos by Sarah Soprano

4 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Originally born in Opelousas and raised in Lafayette, Mallory Moser just moved back to Acadiana from San Diego with her husband Michal, three kids and one very active pup in tow. Being back in the area, she has once again fallen in love with the sense of community. She lives by the words “I am Enough.” If she had one superpower it would be invisibility because as she confides, she is nosier than her manners will allow her to admit. If someone had one day to spend in Acadiana, Mallory says she would recommend they go to Jungle Gardens, her favorite place in Louisiana. Of course, she’d also advise they pick up some cracklins and boudin from Don’s Specialty Meats to snack on along the way.

Lost & Found “Does sugar cane have WiFi?” That was the title of a column I wrote a little over a year ago.

At that time, it was something that I had asked myself in my car more than once...well, more than twice. Interviews for stories would often lead me down back roads surrounded by sugar cane.

The only thing more faint than my cell reception was my idea of where I was going. I began to realize that the harder it was to find on GPS, the more rewarding it was when I finally arrived.

This was usually the case for me every December as I conducted interviews for January’s Most Interesting People feature. Sitting in the living rooms, kitchens and on front porches of people who had only minutes before been complete strangers and having them share their life stories with me was always an honor. After all, it was the reason I chose this career. This year was a little different. My new “director of content” title means that I won’t be writing as much. (Though do not put it past me to still find a way to be lost in sugar cane fields.)

While it means that I don’t get to do interviews for our MIPs, it does mean that I get to think of new ways to make this, and many other features, more engaging. We did something we’ve never done before - we released the names of the honorees early. This was so you could choose who you wanted to be the January 2020 Cover Star. The response was amazing!

I have lots of plans to do more things like this in the future, so be sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter!

Editor Shanna Dickens

Vol. 81 Vol.• 81 No.• 1No. 1

January January 20202020

Leadership Leadership Iberia Iberia XXIXXI andand FireStarter FireStarter Project Project Class Class 3 Celebrate 3 Celebrate Graduations Graduations The FireStarter ProjectProject helps high helps school high school students students The Leadership The Leadership IberiaIberia program program graduated graduated its its The FireStarter across the parish have a deeper appreciation of what across the parish have a deeper appreciation of what twenty�first class in November, then was twenty�first class in November, thenjoined was joined their community has to offer. class their community has toThe offer.

TheFacebook class Facebook by itsby sister program for high students, its sister program for school high school students,page: www.facebook.com/FireStarterProject page: www.facebook.com/FireStarterProject chroni-chroniThe FireStarter Project, whichwhich graduated out itsout its The FireStarter Project, graduated cles their The fourth class ofclass eleventh clesjourney. their journey.

The fourth of eleventh grade students grade students has already has already been selected been selected for 2020 for 2020 third third class in December. class in December. begin in January. and activities begin in January.

The goal The ofgoal bothofprograms both programs is to help is tomembers help members of the of the and activities community community better better understand understand the challenges the challenges and assets and assets of of Iberia Parish.

Iberia Parish.

The Leadership The Leadership Iberia program Iberia program helps to helps to informinform adults adults and better and better prepare prepare them for them community for community leadership roles whether it be toitboards, commissions, leadership roles whether be to boards, commissions, non-profit non-profit organizations, organizations, electedelected positions, positions, or in their or injobs. their jobs.

FollowFollow the class their year Facebook at thethrough class through theironyear on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LeadershipIberia. www.facebook.com/LeadershipIberia.

The deadline The deadline for for participation in the 2020 January 10th. 10th. participation in theclass 2020isclass is January

Safety First: Safety Members First: Members of Leadership of Leadership Iberia don Iberia PPEdon for PPE theirfor their tour at the in August, 2019 2019 tourBayou at theCompanies Bayou Companies in August,

Members Members of FireStarter of FireStarter Project Project Class 3 are Class joined 3 areby joined theirby their Chamber volunteer coordinators at graduation.

Chamber volunteer coordinators at graduation.

IMC Welcomes IMC Welcomes New New Physician Physician to Staff to Staff

Iberia Medical Iberia Medical Center recently Center recently welcomed welcomed Dr. Wayne Lindemann to its medical staff. staff.

Dr. Wayne Lindemann to its medical Dr. Lindemann is a physical medicine and and Dr. Lindemann is a physical medicine rehabilitation physician bringingbringing years ofyears of rehabilitation physician specialized experience critical to the diagspecialized experience critical to the diagnosis and treatment of a variety medical nosis and treatment of a of variety of medical Over 165 Over families 165 families filed filed conditions affectingaffecting the brain, conditions thespinal brain,cord, spinal cord, the Chamber into theinto Chamber office tooffice to nerves, nerves, and musculoskeletal system.system. and musculoskeletal their Very Berry pick up pick theirup Very Berry He is serving as Medical DirectorDirector for the for the He is serving as Medical Christmas Quest Activity Christmas Quest Activity Inpatient Rehab Unit at the North Inpatient Rehab UnitIMC at the IMC North Card, mapof&goodies lots of goodies Card, map & lots CampusCampus and is responsible for overseeing the carethe of and and is responsible for overseeing caremultiof and multi- before heading before heading out to visit out to visit disciplinary approach to patients who have experienced a de- a dedisciplinary approach to patients who have experienced 38 activity 38 activity stops! stops! bilitating injury orinjury illness as such headas trauma or stroke. bilitating orsuch illness head trauma or stroke.

••••• ••••• He received his doctorate of medicine degree degree from LSU He received his doctorate of medicine from LSU Save the Save 2020 thedate!

2020 date!

School of Medicine in New in Orleans.

In 1995,Inhe1995, completed his School of Medicine New Orleans. he completed his Saturday Saturday 12/12/20 12/12/20 residency with thewith Louisiana State University Residency Pro- Proresidency the Louisiana State University Residency gram ingram Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

VERYVERY BERRY BERRY SUCCESSFUL! SUCCESSFUL!

Iberia Iberia Parish Parish Schools Schools Make Make the the Grade!

Grade!

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▲ Chick�fil�a ▲ Chick�fil�a ► CheckPoint ► CheckPoint Urgent Urgent Care Care

WELCOME WELCOME NEWNEW MEMBERS! MEMBERS! • CheckPoint • CheckPoint Urgent Urgent Care Care • Chick�fil�a • Chick�fil�a ® ® • 180° • Cajun 180° Cajun Blendz Blendz & Seasonings & Seasonings • Marble • Marble Slab Creamery Slab Creamery & Great & Great American American Cookies Cookies

In the most In therecent most release recent release of 2019ofschool 2019 performance school performance data, data, The Iberia TheParish IberiaSchool Parish District School District is also proud is alsoto proud announce to announce the Louisiana Department of Education announced of itshigh public high schools now"A" rated "A"by orthe "B" by the the Louisiana Department of Education announced that thethat the that all that of itsall public schools are noware rated or "B" Iberia Parish IberiaSchool Parish System School System received received a “B” a “B” Department Department of Education of Education and all public and all public rating with a District Performance in theare parish are once again rating with a District Performance Score ofScore 81. of 81. schoolsschools in the parish once again Additionally, Additionally, 13 schools 13 schools in IberiainParish Iberia Parish rated asrated "A", "B", as "A", or "C".

"B", or "C".

FUN FACT: FUN Your FACT: Chamber Your Chamber have been by the Department of haverecognized been recognized by the Department of was founded on was founded on Education Education as “Topas Gains “TopHonorees” Gains Honorees” indicating indicating September September 12, 193912, 1939 that they received an “A” rating Student Progress. that they received an “A”for rating for Student Progress.

This page Thisproudly page proudly sponsored sponsored by: by:

Launched Launched by the GICC by the & partners, GICC & partners, the Work the Ready WorkCommunities Ready Communities helpsthe bridge gap between employers initiativeinitiative helps bridge gap the between employers and job and job withneeded much needed credentials.

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The ACTThe National Work Work Ready Certificate is a portable, evidence-based credential Ready Certificate is a portable, evidence-based credential that that for workplace For more info certifiescertifies essentialessential skills forskills workplace success.success.

For more info the Chamber at 337-364-1836 or visit the weblink: contact contact the Chamber at 337-364-1836 or visit the weblink: www.iberiachamber.org/workreadycommunities www.iberiachamber.org/workreadycommunities

… is a weekly … is a TV, weekly radioTV, and radio social andmedia socialgood media news good news campaign campaign promoting promoting Iberia Parish Iberia Parish every Thursday every Thursday morningmorning on on KADN/KLAF KADN/KLAF News 15, News KANE 15,AM/FM KANE AM/FM & Facebook & Facebook LIVE! LIVE! Got a story Gotor a story interview or interview idea? Let idea? us know!

Let us know! @positivelyiberia @positivelyiberia on Facebook on Facebook or call or call 337�352�2892 337�352�2892 & leave & usleave a message! us a message!

(Call or(Call check or website check website to confirm to confirm all meetings.) all meetings.)

Acadiana Acadiana Lifestyle, Lifestyle, November January 2020 2019 1 5

Personality Profile | The case of the passionate citizen

Rising After the Fall Robert Vincent

By Patrice Doucet | Photos by Lee Ball

T

his story comes at the perfect time - the beginning of a new year, when resolutions are proclaimed but, according to research, fewer than 20 percent of them kept. It’s an inspirational story, for sure, about using what you’ve been given to the best of your ability, of living for today only, and of grace in the face of debilitation.

After several falls during a family

6 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

camping trip, a 10-year-old Robert Vincent was taken to a Gettysburg doctor who noticed the boy’s feet turned inwards and strongly suggested that he see a specialist when they return home. Several tests later, Robert found himself sitting across a doctor’s desk with his mother, hearing that he had a degenerative nerve disease known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder (CMT).

Having nothing to do with teeth, it is named after the three physicians who first identified it. The disorder damages

the nerves in the arms and legs and is most often inherited - except in Robert’s case. He is one of an estimated two in

Personality Profile

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Robert Vincent with some of his Hadacol collectibles he donated to the Erath Museum.

Robert’s Favorite Things ~ He likes to end his day watching the TV show “The Waltons.” ~ He has one of the largest collections of Hadacol and Dudley J. LeBlanc memorabilia in Louisiana. ~ Robert collects rotary dial telephones - the only phones that work during a hurricane. ~ A quote by Adlai Stevenson is his mantra: “It’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.”

2,000 people who contracted CMT with no family history. Genetic testing performed by Baylor University found no inherit trace - a fact that didn’t make the disease more forgiving.

A year after the diagnosis, Robert’s feet began turning inward so rapidly that he required three surgeries in three months to correct them. That allowed him to continue walking and he grabbed the opportunity and ran with it. “I climbed ladders, rode my bike around town, and did things any normal kid would do,” Robert remembers. Over the span of 30 years, he continued walking through middle school, to college, and eventually on stage to accept his law degree.

No doubt, Robert has had to learn to adapt to continuously changing limitations. He has redirected his energy and focus to just being Robert -- and not a disability. While he doesn’t have much stamina, his psyche has never quite

caught on to that fact.

“It was my life as it was,” says the Erath native of his diagnosis and prognosis. “I asked myself early on, ‘With this disability, what can I accomplish?’ I was never going to be a sports star, but there were so many other things I could accomplish.”

It was no surprise to his parents when in 1999, at the age of 19, he was elected as an Erath city councilman and, as mayor pro tempore, the youngest elected official in the state at the time. He kicked off his term immersing himself in planning Erath’s centennial celebration that year. Over the course of his fouryear term, he co-founded the Acadian Museum of Erath with attorney and cultural preservationist Warren Perrin – who is also Robert’s uncle. When the Hwy. 14 bypass opened, Robert’s efforts helped incorporate land into the town.

He also successfully campaigned to bring Continued on page 8 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 7

Personality Profile Continued from page 7

Erath a water treatment system. And, when the town’s patriotism really shines on the Fourth of July, many tip their hats to Robert, the longest serving president of the holiday’s association.

After losing re-election into the council by only 50 votes, he pushed forward pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree, which he accomplished in 18 months. In 2006, he was accepted in Southern University’s night school program, graduating in 2010; he passed the bar exam and was sworn in that same year. From 2011 to 2014, Robert was prosecutor for Erath.

In 2014, he ran again for the council seat and won.

That year brought victory and defeat, when the disease that normally travels upwards and stops at the knees and elbows left Robert’s feet, legs and thighs atrophied and his fingers curved down like a swan’s neck, preventing him from picking up a pen. The disease then took an unexpected turn and began invading his diaphragm so that he couldn’t breathe on his own. Back in 2014, doctors in Acadiana had seen only one

other patient whose CMT had affected their diaphragm.

Since then, Robert has required breathing assistance from a BiPAP machine, which pushes 30 pounds of oxygen to lift his lungs. Now 41 years old, he sits in the wheelchair that he was told years ago to purchase for when the day would come that he’d need it without warning. But then, he was also told he had an estimated three months to live. Not only did he outlive that prediction, he was re-elected to the council last year.

Today, his law practice is limited to serving in an advisory capacity. Living with his parents, he leaves the house only to attend his monthly council meeting and church services with his mother every weekend in nearby Henry.

Either excursion can wipe out his stamina leaving him with the choice to eat – or breathe.

“On my worst day I’ll experience a shortness of breath that leaves me gasping for air even with the BiPAP machine,” he says through the oxygen mask on his face. “It feels like I’m underwater for a long time and when

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Personality Profile I finally come up, I’m desperately struggling for that first breath.”

Robert has learned to deal with adversity as it comes and not allow CMT to get the best of him. For most, that would be a feat in itself, but he has many proud accomplishments to look back on. “I helped raise $160,000 for the building of an all-weather track at Erath High. (His mother proudly interjects, “He couldn’t run on a track, but he helped build one.”) With a smile of appreciation, he continues, “Being involved with the building and continuation of the museum has meant a lot to me. Through Warren, myself and others, we’ve saved the history of the town – and, consequently, its culture.

The Fourth of July celebration has been close to my heart; it started in 1936 and is an event loved by the residents. The money we’ve raised has done great things for the community.”

Most recently, Robert was notified by Southern University Law Center that he is being honored with the Distinguished Alumni award at a ceremony that will be held in April, 2020. That was a great day.

And on the not-so-great days, he still reminds himself that “God has blessed my life and given me so many opportunities and skills to help others, why would I complain about that?”

As for future projects, Robert is promoting an entrance for Lahasky Memorial Park with a plaque of its history. “The property is adjacent to the site of the former Erath General Hospital, first opened by Dr. Bernard Lahasky,” he explains. “Dr. Lahasky provided so much free medical care to residents and also started businesses in Erath.

I’m also working on getting a marker in downtown Erath to designate the site where the water tower fell during Hurricane Hilda in 1964, killing eight civil defense workers who were in the office beneath the tower at the time. I don’t want that story to be forgotten.

And…I hope to be able to personally accept the Southern University Distinguished Alumni award in April.”

Robert finds inspiration in his daily prayers and also credits his parents. “If I didn’t have my mom and dad, there’s no way I could have accomplished all of this. Every day when I wake up, I ask the Lord to make it a good day so that I can help someone in return.”

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Focus | Your guide to recent community news APPLAUSE

founders, Jannie Sullivan and Susan Giarratano Amos, were on hand to accept the awards at their Annual Senior Helpers Conference, which was held in Dallas. This award is given to the office that has the most growth of any of the more than 330 Senior Helpers offices in the country. Amos was also elected by her peers to hold a seat on the Senior Helpers OAC – Owner’s Advisory Council to represent them. » In November, Vermilion Catholic High School students partnered with St. Mary Magdalen Christian Service Center for a Thanksgiving Food Drive to help the needy.

» Home Bank announced in November that it has earned the highest rating of “Outstanding” for its recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The examination includes an evaluation of the bank’s lending, investment and community service related activities. The examination, which covered the three-year period ending Dec. 31, 2018, concluded that Home Bank is “a leader in providing community development services,” has demonstrated “strong responsiveness to community development needs” and provides an “excellent level of community development lending.” In its report, the OCC highlighted Home Bank’s Credit Builder Loan designed to assist customers in building or rebuilding their credit history. » In November, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy served as a substitute teacher for a sixth grade class at Paul Breaux Middle School in Lafayette. Kennedy has been substitute teaching at schools across the state since his time as Louisiana state treasurer.

» Three Iberia Parish Principals of the Year were announced during a meeting of the Iberia Parish School Board meeting in November. The three principals are New Iberia Senior High Principal Curt Landry; Iberia Middle School Principal Dina Bourque; and Coteau Elementary Principal Consuela Robinson.

JUST IN » In November, Louisiana Economic Development recognized Morgan City and Berwick as the state’s newest Louisiana Development Ready Communities. Mayors Frank Grizzaffi of Morgan City and Duval Arthur Jr. of Berwick accepted the awards from LED Secretary Don Pierson during a St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Morgan City and Berwick entered the program together after collaborating with St. Mary Excel and other St. Mary Parish stakeholders on a joint master plan for economic growth. The two municipalities are located on opposite banks of the Atchafalaya River, connected by the U.S. 90 and Louisiana Highway 182 bridges.

» Christian Services Center held its 2nd Annual Community Baby Shower in Abbeville in November. The event raised funds and donations for Vermilion Parish families in need.

» In October, Senior Helpers Lafayette, a premier provider of in-home senior care, was awarded the Million Dollar Award and the Power Growth Percentage Award for 2019. The organization’s 10 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

time promoter of Louisiana culture, heritage and genealogy, was inducted into the Order of Living Legends by the Acadian Museum of Erath. » In November’s runoff election in St. Landry Parish, Bill Fontenot defeated Kenneth marks to serve a third term as the St. Landry Parish President. » Moncus Park in Lafayette is opening this spring.

Construction is coming to a close in the coming months, and a historic Grand Opening celebration will be announced in the next few months. Moncus Park is expected to announce plans soon to celebrate this moment in history with more events and programs than ever before, including an annual gala, concerts, movie nights, holiday celebrations and much more. » In November, First Horizon National Corp. and IBERIABANK Corporation announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which the two companies will combine in an allstock merger of equals. Under the terms of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, the combined holding company and bank will operate under the First Horizon name and will be headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. Once the transaction is completed, the combined company will be one of the largest financial services companies headquartered in the South and one of the top 25 banks in the U.S. in deposits. The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2020, but is subject to closing conditions. » On Jan. 17, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the Bradford Apartments at 173 S. Beadle Road in Lafayette. » In November, Iberia Parish elected its first new sheriff since 2008. In a tight runoff race, Republican Tommy Romero beat out Murphy Meyers to become sheriff of Iberia Parish. Romero, a law enforcement veteran, will replace outgoing Sheriff Louis Ackal once his term expires on June 30, 2020.

» During a private ceremony at Chico State Park in November, Estelle Perrault of Opelousas, a long-

» In another race in November’s runoff election in Iberia Parish, Republican Tony Migues defeated fellow Republican Brett Lang to become the New Iberia City Marshal. Migues follows Victor “Vic” Delcambre who passed away last year after serving in the office for more than 20 years.

Migues was sworn in on the steps of City Hall by Attorney General Jeff Landry during a ceremony in late November. Migues has a law enforcement background working for the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and also spent 10 years working as superintendent of the parks and recreation department in New Iberia.

Focus | Your guide to recent community news » New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was in Lafayette in November to open his Surge Entertainment Center at 2723 W. Pinhook Road.

The 43,000 square foot facility features something for the whole family including a trampoline park, bowling lanes, a restaurant and batting cages. » The Cajundome & Convention Center in Lafayette announced in November that it would be opening a new 500-person bar venue called “The Table Room.” The venue features additional entertainment space and bar service during major concert, family and sporting events at the Cajundome. The Table Room is expected to open in late January and will have a sports bar atmosphere that patrons can enjoy before the concert doors officially open for a particular event. » On Dec. 5, the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first Chick-Fil-A in New Iberia at 1116 E. Admiral Doyle Drive.

MOVERS & SHAKERS » The Board of Directors of JD Bancshares, Inc. announced in November that Bruce W. Elder, a 35-year commercial bank executive, has been selected President & CEO of JD Bank and JD Bancshares, Inc. Elder, a North Carolina resident, comes to JD Bank from

CresCom Bank, headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. In this role, Elder will lead day-to-day operations and strategic direction of JD Bank. Dan L. Donald Jr., Interim President and CEO, will remain in his role as Chairman of the Board for JD Bank and JD Bancshares. For the past two years, Elder has served as the Strategy Officer and the President of North Carolina Banking for CresCom Bank. » In November, the TECHE Project announced its new Administrator, Erin Z. Bass, who will be formally welcomed at the organization’s Annual Membership Banquet in Breaux Bridge on Jan. 25. Bass is a native of Crowley and has lived in Lafayette for nearly 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University and has spent the past 18 years working as a writer and editor. Her career experience spans from newspapers and magazines to marketing and public relations.

Her newspaper experience includes The Times of Acadiana, Independent Weekly, The Current, reveal Lafayette and Acadiana Lifestyle. She also serves on the board of directors for Festival International de Louisiana. » Interim Superintendent Irma Trosclair has appointed Allison Dickerson as the new Public Information Officer for the Lafayette Parish School System. Dickerson is a graduate of Acadiana High School and the University of Louisiana at

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Lafayette where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational and Public Communications.

Dickerson joins the Lafayette Parish School System with more than 20 years of experience in the field of marketing and communications. She has worked in numerous public relations and marketing roles with organizations such as United Way of Acadiana, BBR Creative Advertising Agency, and Lafayette Utilities System where she was the former Public Information Specialist and Business & Marketing Analyst. Most recently, Dickerson was employed as LAGCOE’s Director of Operations and Industry Relations. » In November, Lloyd “Red” Lerille, owner of health and fitness club, Red’s in Lafayette, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana CLI & Limb Salvage Club. Lerille was recognized for his dedication to promoting a healthy lifestyle through fitness training and his accomplishments in the local community. Lerille was given the award at the club’s monthly meeting at the Atchafalaya Grand Ballroom inside the student union of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. » In September, Iberia Medical Center welcomed neurologist Dr. Oliver Achi to its team of medical professionals. Achi specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of strokes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, headaches, tumors related to the brain and spinal cord, and disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

After graduating from UL Lafayette with honors, Achi obtained his medical degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services, Little Rock, Ark. He completed a neurology internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. Professional memberships include the American Academy of Neurology and American Medical Association.

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Feature Story | Louisiana fresh seafood delivered

Shore to Door Delivery Delcambre Seafood Shop creates delivery seafood gift boxes

By Patricia Doucet

F

or those states not as fortunate as Louisiana in accessing Gulf fresh, seasonal seafood - and for the discriminate Louisianans who buy only quality seafood - the next best thing to buying directly from Louisiana fishermen is now coming to doorsteps across the country.

At the beginning of November, Louisiana Direct Seafood Shop, an online market based in Delcambre, introduced a seafood gift box, a seasonally-selected collection of premium, wild-caught seafood, delivered throughout the 48 lower U.S. states.

Currently, the gift box includes one pound each of hand-selected catfish filets, red snapper filets and jumbo lump crabmeat, unseasoned, flash

frozen by the fishermen who caught them and ready to cook- with recipes included.

Seemingly happy to tell their story, the Delcambre Seafood Shop prides itself on being very transparent about the seafoods’ origins so that customers can be assured of product authenticity, sustainability and quality.

Lance Nancio, owner of Anna Marie Seafood in Montegut, La., a long-time shrimper and considered a pioneer in plate-frozen shrimp and other trends in the industry. He’s now added fish, like red snapper, to his catches from the Gulf. Using long lines, instead of nets, he intentionally decreases the bycatch.

Catfish lovers will say there’s nothing like those caught in the Atchafalaya Basin, which is where owners of Fresh

Water Seafood in Loreauville, La., Butch and Edna Smith, fish for the wild-caught catfish they supply to the Delcambre Seafood Shop.

Packed crabmeat is arguably considered the jewel of seafoods, in part because many people don’t like to painstakingly pick crabs to get the meat. Here, the work is done for you.

The crabmeat in this gift box is from blue points landed in Kaplan by Sheb Callahan, owner of Louisiana Blue Crab, LLC. He steams the meat instead of boiling it to maintain its texture, then vacuum packs it for longer freezer shelf life.

The box items will change just

as the seasons for the seafood says Wendell Verret, Director of the Delcambre Seafood & Farmers Market and Port Director of the Twin Parish Port Commission. In the next couple months, Verret says the choices may be grouper, oysters or shrimp (as they become available in the early spring.)

The seafood shop will also be on the lookout for unexpected items like calamari.

“We might also start to offer a plate frozen whole shrimp,” Verret adds “with no chemicals, no sulfates or sodium tripolyphosphates, and not frozen in brine.”

Time for Some New Year’s Financial Resolutions Have you thought about your New Year’s resolutions for 2020? When many of us make these promises, we focus on ways we can improve some form of our health. We vow to get more physically healthy by going to the gym, or we promise to improve our mental health by learning a new language or instrument. But it’s also important to think about our financial health – so it’s a good idea to develop some appropriate resolutions for this area, too. What kinds of financial resolutions might you make? Here are a few suggestions: • Increase your retirement plan contributions.

One of the best financial moves you can make is to take full advantage of your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you contribute pre-tax dollars to your plan, the more you put in, the lower your taxable income will be for the year, and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. So, if your salary goes up in 2020, increase the amount you put into to your plan. Most people don’t come close to reaching the annual contribution limit, which, in 2019, was $19,000, or $25,000 for those 50 or older.

12 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

You might not reach these levels, either, but it’s certainly worthwhile to invest as much as you can possibly afford.

• Use “found” money wisely. During the course of the next year, you may well receive some money outside your normal paychecks, such as a bonus or a tax refund. It can be tempting to spend this money, but you may help yourself in the long run by investing it. You could use it to help fund your IRA for the year or to fill a gap in another investment account.

• Don’t overreact to market downturns. You’ve probably heard stories about people who lamented not getting in “on the ground floor” of what is now a mega-company. But a far more common investment mistake is overreacting to temporary market downturns by selling investments at the wrong time (when their prices are down) and staying out of the market until things calm down (and possibly missing the next rally). The financial markets always fluctuate, but if you can resolve to stay invested and follow a consistent, long-term strategy, you can avoid making some costly errors.

• Be financially prepared for the unexpected.

Even if you’re diligent about saving and investing for your long-term goals, you can encounter obstacles along the way. And one of these roadblocks could come in the form of large, unexpected expenses, such as the sudden need for a new car or some costly medical bills. If you aren’t prepared for these costs, you might have to dip in to your long-term investments to pay for them. To prevent this from happening, you may want to keep sufficient cash, or cash equivalents, in your investment accounts. Or you might want to maintain a completely separate account as an emergency fund, with the money kept in lowrisk, liquid vehicles. If possible, try to maintain at least six months’ worth of living expenses in this account.

It will take some effort but following these resolutions could help you move closer to your financial goals in 2020 – and beyond.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Martha Moore, ChFC,® AAMS® Financial Advisor

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(337) 365-7670 ADVERTORIAL

Feature Story | Louisiana fresh seafood delivered Catch This ~ Shrimp is the most consumed seafood in the United States. ~ Louisiana is the largest seafood state in the continental U.S. ~ Ninety percent of all seafood sold in the United States is imported. ~ Shrimping in South Louisiana is seasonal. It generally begins in the spring, usually May, and grows to the end of the year with a break mid-summer. Because of the biology of the crustacean, July and August are usually closed to shrimping in Louisiana; shrimpers refer to that time period as the “split.” ~ In the late 1940’s, a fisherman out of Biloxi, Mississippi, noticed that shrimp shells would peel off the shrimp when rubbed against his rubber boots. Then 17-year-old, J.M. Lapeyre went on to invent the shrimp peeling machine that is used across the world.

Shipped by FedEx, the seafood gift boxes arrive within two days to ensure premium freshness of the frozen contents, and are priced at $55.50 plus shipping (depending on market price of products). Custom coolers are available upon request.

With many companies shipping frozen seafood these days, Verret says the Louisiana Direct Seafood line stands out from the competition. “Our seafood is caught and packed by the fishermen themselves. It’s not readily available as a volume distributed item. It’s organic with no chemicals, which is evident in the taste. And, it’s close to the source, so prices are at least half that of seafoods sold on Amazon.”

There are some 150 commercial fishing boats in St. Mary, Iberia and Vermilion Parishes, the majority of them are shrimpers – second and third generational. Each year, Verret says they sell approximately 250,000 to 300,000 pounds of shrimp from their boats.

Although still new to the market, the boxes have already been ordered or received by consumers from Texas to Ohio and New York - with many locals placing orders. “Our first customer was local and sent us a comment saying he was ‘happy to be able to support the local fishing industry with his purchase.

Louisiana Seafood Direct is a way to help the fishermen packing and selling their own products by providing an outlet to sell them nationwide,” Verret says.

To order a Louisiana Seafood Gift Box, go to LouisianaDirectSeafoodShop.com

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Feature Story | Up for auction

Night at the Museum

5 things you can expect from the annual Bayou Teche Museum Gala

By Mallory Moser

W

ith the holiday season behind us, Acadiana turns its sights on the next joyous event in every Cajun’s life- Mardi Gras. The Bayou Teche Museum is giving us one more opportunity to celebrate with their 10th annual Bayou Teche Museum “Night at the Museum” Gala this year. The 2020 Gala is set to take place on Jan. 30 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Bayou Teche Museum, Silman Theater, with a tented area on Main Street. Marcia Patout offers some insight into the 5 things that make this year’s event one that you don’t want to miss.

14 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

1. The silent auction is online this year.

Jerri Lacour and other committee members have researched and worked diligently to bring the auction onlinemaking it accessible to anyone who is out of town or will not be able to attend the Gala. This also allows for some of the smaller items, such as jewelry and accessories, to be viewed before the night of the event. The auction is open now at www.biddingforgood.com/btm and will remain open for bidding until Jan. 31.

2. Auction items can be picked up, shipped, or delivered.

Another element of ease and convenience that has been added to the Gala Auction this year is that auction items include gift certificates, art and even a flight experience over New Iberia is up for grabs. The auction does not end until 9:00 a.m. the morning after the event and these options for pickup or delivery make things much easier for any attendees or donors.

3. The theme for this year’s gala is “Party with Mardi Gras Magic” Marcia is excited for this year’s gala to follow the Bayou Mardi Gras Parade through historic New Iberia. The Gala is keeping that same Mardi Gras magic floating along the Bayou with this fun theme. Guests are encouraged to wear masks and come with their finest Mardi Gras revelry.

4. A featured exhibit you can’t miss This year’s featured exhibit will be Saga of the Acadians, the collection of fifteen

Feature Story original oil paintings by George Rodrigue.

These paintings have not been shown since 2015 and will be functioning as a tie-in to this year’s Books Along the Teche Literary Festival to be held in April of 2020. The exhibit will remain on display for six months following the unveiling at the gala.

5. Everyone’s favorite auctioneer Senator Fred Mills will once again be the auctioneer at the event’s live auction with Speaker of the House, Taylor Barras as emcee. If you attended last year’s gala, then you know that this is a duo that you do not want to miss out on seeing in action as they help the museum to auction off the amazing items, they have for you.

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Speaking with Marcia and Jerri, it was impossible not to feel the electricity that this event generates, but the most important reason to attend an event such as this one put on by the Bayou Teche Museum is to continue to assist the Museum in the important work of the preservation of culture and heritage.

Gala tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the museum Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Word’s Getting Around...

Acadiana Lifestyle’s Newsletter The Weekly Rundown Subscribers will receive this newsletter every Friday.

It features the three most popular stories from the week.

Plus, three can’t-miss weekend events.

Go to www.Acadianalifestyle.com to subscribe Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 15

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16 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

A C A D I A N A ’ S

MOST interes ting PEOPLE

I

n Acadiana, everyone has a story. Your neighbor is Interesting, your doctor’s background is unreal, even the person in front of you in line at the grocery store would make a good feature story. It’s never a struggle for us to round up nominations for our annual Most interesting People feature. These seven honorees are an eclectic mix, but they each showcase what it means to follow a dream and to love your community and neighbors. They are true examples of how pursuing your passion will always lead down a wild and wonderful path. Meet our 2020 Most Interesting People honorees Kate Gulotta, Sheriff Tommy Romero, Mark Boyance, Phebe Hayes, Elizabeth Shensky, Ben LeBlue and Emily Broussard.

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 17

Kate

G U L O T T A

A hard act to follow

K

ate Gulotta was sitting outside with her husband and 17-month-old, going through some emails, when she got the news of a lifetime. She’d made it as a top 10 finalist in Broadway’s nationwide search for the part of Roxie Hart in “Chicago the Musical,” a part she’d auditioned for in October. By November 12, she was informed that she’d made it to the top three finalists. Now the New Iberia native, who’s been singing since she could talk, acting since 14 and dancing at 15, is waiting word (as of this writing) on whether or not she’ll be the next Roxie.

You’ve performed in over 20 plays with the Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL) alone. What has been your favorite role? Playing Queenie in “The Wild Party” at the Theatre Baton Rouge. Because it required dancing, acting and singing, it pushed me to get outside of my comfort zone emotionally and physically.

Some roles have brought you recognition, correct? Yes, in 2014, I won Best Actress playing Rosie in “The Baker’s Wife.” I also won IPAL’s Best Actress in a musical for Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” and for my performance as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde.”

In what other ways do you use your talents? I’ve been performing with the New Orleans National World War II Museum’s Victory Belles since last February.

We appear as a vocal trio entertaining veterans and those in active military duty, going to places like Boise, San Antonio, Chicago –and throughout south Louisiana.

Being able to entertain these men and women and hearing their stories is touching and the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.

What other ways have you been active in the community? I’m principal cantor at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia. I’m also on the committee for Beneath the Balconies and secretary for IPAL’s Board of Directors.

You have a 17-month old daughter, what will you teach her about pursuing her dreams? A lot of people sell themselves short because of fear. I’ll teach her that embracing her fears and vulnerabilities will help her grow. I live by this saying: The moment you stop being nervous about what you’re doing is the moment you should be doing something else.

More About Kate...

- She began roller skating at 12 and by age 13 was offered a professional sponsorship to skate.

- Believe it or not, Kate has never taken a formal dance, singing or acting lesson.

- Her dream role is Fatine in “Moulin Rouge.”

18 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Sheriff

TOMMY ROMERO

Laying Groundwork for a Safer Iberia

T

ommy Romero began his career in the New Iberia Sheriff’s Office in 1978, served 14 years as an undercover narcotics agent, was a state trooper and was personal security for two governors before he retired, in 2018, from the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Now, he continues his oath to serve when he will be sworn in as Iberia Parish’s new Sheriff in July.

What was a rewarding moment for you as a state trooper? I arrested someone who had possession of over 5,000 Ecstasy pills, preventing them from hitting the streets of New Iberia.

What is one case that still comes to mind? During the holidays in 1983, I got a call about a 15-year-old girl who had jumped into her neighbor’s front window saying that firecrackers went off in her house and everyone was dead. On my way to the scene, I was delayed when an elderly lady in the car ahead of me stalled at a busy stop light. Turned out, the owner of the home was a bookie and the collector had entered and lit some firecrackers to divert the sound of his shooting five people in the home.I think the old woman was an angel who prevented me from encountering the murderer, minutes before and getting shot myself.

How does technology affect your work? Because of the dark web, I think kids should be 18 before they have a smartphone. That said, I think the iPhone has its place in helping report a crime. I’d like to have an iPad App where residents could send a message or a photo tied to a suspicious or illegal activity – like a picture of a perpetrator’s license plate. A watch commander would send a police car to the area and potentially spoil the crime – with the intent of bringing crime stats down.

Reports would be kept confidential.

You take office in July - what challenges will you be addressing?

Restructuring the department and surrounding myself with the right people. I want to encourage residents to have a personal dialogue with the officers. I’ll be concentrating on the crime rate, specifically tackling the drug problem. In doing that, I want to encourage the continued migration of people and businesses back into New Iberia. Once people stay, the tax base goes up and we can fix the roads – which is another concern of residents.

More About Tommy...

- He enjoys cooking wild game- is proud of his duck en brochette with blackberry pepper jelly.

- A history buff, he has read the three Lewis & Clark journals.

- Tommy likes to play an occasional practical joke.

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 19

Mark

B o y a n c é

A Man of Many Roles

S

ince he was young, Mark Boyancé has had an interest in short films, making home movies with his Sears VHS camcorder. Today, he is an active member of the Iberia Performing Arts League (IPAL) and creator and director of the New Iberia Film Festival. While he encourages those behind the camera, he’s behind the scenes of numerous community projects that have helped and showcased the city that has inspired him all his life.

Where did you get the idea to start a film festival in New Iberia? Eight years ago, I submitted a short film for a festival in San Antonio that got accepted, and I thought it would be awesome to bring an event like that to New Iberia.

What did/do you hope to accomplish? I want to show off Iberia Parish’s local talent – many of whom work in the TV and movie industry in New Orleans.

How has the film festival been received by the community? A lot of people didn’t know what a film festival was about, but were open to it. Last July was just our second event held at the Essanee Theatre. Over 700 people attended in the course of the three days and there were more than 60 submissions, from Spain, London, Mexico and other countries, as well as across the U.S. We had a lot of student participation.

You’re associated a lot with IPAL, but your community involvement goes way beyond that. Yea, I’ve been on several boards. I’ve haven’t kept track of the hours I’ve volunteered over the last several years not only with IPAL, but at the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff, the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, building homes for Habitat for Humanity…I was proud to be grand marshal at the 2019 downtown Christmas parade.

This year, you’re the incoming Chairman of the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce. What do you want to accomplish? I believe the strength of Iberia Parish is in its diversity and during my term I want to see that strength recognized.

We can use a lot of the mechanisms/processes we have in place now to recognize more of the business and cultural diversity that we have as a community.

More About Mark...

- He has a collection of over 3,500 comic books.

- His dream film to create would be “The Carpenter,” a modern-day story of Jesus.

- At the national Muscular Dystrophy Telethon in 2000, Mark was personally thanked by Jerry Lewis for his work with the Jaycees in raising a sizeable donation.

20 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Phebe

H A Y E S

Saving a Forgotten History

I

t was a story that Phebe Hayes grew up hearing from her grandmother - about the expulsion of the black doctors of New Iberia – but didn’t think she’d end up proving its accuracy to the next generation. Now retired from UL, the former dean of the College of General Studies and professor of Communicative Disorders feels she was educated to teach Iberia Parish and other communities about their lost African American histories.

What lead to the research discovering the unknown black physicians of Iberia Parish? After losing two close relatives, I decided to pursue research of my family history. I volunteered in the genealogy room of the Iberia Parish Library. That’s where I discovered a self-published book by the medical society about great physicians of Iberia Parish from 1859-1959. It omitted the service of black physicians whom I knew practiced during that time - four of them I later discovered were women. I could only imagine their reaction to reading that book.

And your research has led you to writing a book? Yes, I now have a list of 20 black physicians who were born in and/or practiced in New Iberia between Reconstruction and the end of the Jim Crow Era and am working on a book for UL Press that tells their stories and includes photos, which I’m currently looking for.

What do you hope to accomplish with the book? There’s a lot in danger of being forgotten. Children grow up knowing about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., but they don’t know about Louisiana’s first black physician Carlos J. Vital or Clerk of Court Adolph Wakefield or that Iberia Parish had 300 black Civil War veterans. It’s important for our children to also know of the history closest to home.

Tell me about the important work of the Iberia African American Historical Society – of which you now head. It’s a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to research the history of African Americans in Iberia, to teach their history to the community and commemorate their experiences. Last year, we applied for and got approval from the State Office of Tourism for the placement of a state historical marker in Bouligny Plaza commemorating the state’s first black female physician, Dr. Emma Wakefield, and another on French St. remembering the expulsion of four black physicians and the NAACP from Iberia Parish in 1944. The society raised $10,000 for the markers and to bring in speakers to teach the community of this unknown history.

More About Phebe...

- She was the first home health speech language pathologist hired in Iberia Parish.

- Phebe holds one of the six doctoral degrees in her family.

- She’s writing a creative nonfiction manuscript on one of Iberia Parish’s historically Black communities: Necotown

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 21

Elizabeth S H E N S K Y

A Finger in Every Pie

O

ver the past seven years, Elizabeth Shensky has dabbled in acting, taught herself to play the guitar, and to speak Italian and took a six-weeks acting class in New York. This past summer, she took a six-weeks course in sustainable fashion at the Rhodes Island School of Design. Recently she’s returned to her native New Iberia to pursue her greatest passion as a pastry chef – all at barely 25 years of age.

Why did you pursue baking professionally? I baked a lot growing up. I have fond memories of helping my mom make chocolate chip cookies. When I graduated from Episcopal School of Acadiana, I decided to go with what I loved.

It’s a happy profession; you get to help people with their celebrations. I get to make this pretty and tasty art that is destroyed. (She laughs) You obtained your professional training in Italy? Yea, in 2013, I attended an intense, year-long program at an international pastry school in Florence. I learned everything about pastries. Afterwards, I worked as a pastry cook at SoHo House in Manhattan where I made a waffle for the rapper/actor Ludacris and baked cookies for singer Miley Cyrus.

Your boyfriend moved down here with you and is also a chef. Do you plan to work together? Yes! We’re searching for a small café to open. I want to do the European-style pastries and he’ll cook the savory foods. In the meantime, he’s helping me prepare the sweets that we’re selling at my parent’s business, Caribbean Ice Company in New Iberia.

What are some of your specialties? Tarts - you can express yourself artistically making them. Croissants are my favorite to bake. I’ve been developing my own take on a recipe and I plan to offer an Italian croissant called Cornetto. It’s a little piece of heaven.

What do you hope to bring to the community - other than the obvious sweets? I’d like to bring awareness of the importance of using locally-sourced, seasonal foods, while helping local farmers. When I’m set up, I’d also love to teach others to bake.

More About Elizabeth...

- She was an occasional guest singer of Marilyn Monroe songs at a small Russian bar in Manhattan.

- While baking, she plays rockabilly and old country music, the likes of Johnny Horton and Patsy Cline.

- She enjoys typing letters to friends who live far away, on her vintage typewriter.

22 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Ben

L E B L E U

Hitting the High Note

I

f you’ve been to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia and enjoyed the choir, you’ve sampled the work of its music director Ben LeBleu. For the past four years, Ben has enriched the church’s sacred music program leading an ensemble of 18 to 20 singers and a separate Cantorum of seven professional vocalists, while also playing the organ at 11.a.m. Sunday mass.

What’s your musical background? I’ve started playing the double bass at 12, then moved on to the piano. I studied with different musicians, namely Jeffrey Morse. I studied the organ and choral accompaniment with Charles Cole, the deputy organist with Westminster Cathedral in London.

What does music do for worship in liturgy? It brings a tranquility that sets apart the sacred space from the noise and clamor of the world. In doing so, it raises our minds to God and the liturgy and helps us participate in a more meditative way.

How do you choose music to get a congregation singing? I’ve tried to pick entrance and offertory hymns that people know and can sing along to – familiar pieces like “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” What have you done at St. Peter’s to enrich the sacred music program? I do add new music where it fits best. We introduced a professional group of singers who perform at the 9 a.m. mass. I’ve also incorporated the chamber ensemble of violins, viola, and cello. Many people don’t know that the cello has the same tonality as the human voice.

Most memorable performance at St. Peter’s? In 2018, the John Rutter arrangement of “O Holy Night” by the ensemble was beautiful. Anything by John Rutter with strings is beautiful.

What’s on your playlist now? It’s a range from Mozart and classics to the Eagles.

I also enjoy Country, Cajun, Opera – but, can’t do Heavy Metal.

Favorite piece to hear? Mack Wilberg’s ”My Song in the Night.” It’s an American folk hymn and the message is about wandering away, finding grace and coming back.

Where else do you contribute your knowledge and talents? I’m on the Symphony Committee for the Iberia Cultural Resources Association.

More About Ben ...

- He collects art- from Renaissance to modern.

- Then there are collections of silverware, china, replica and wind up clocks.

- He enjoys gardening, cigars and traveling.

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 23

Emily

B R O U S S A R D

F

Carving a Niche at NISH

ew of us have an appreciation for sawdust, but Emily Broussard loves the making of it. She caught the woodworking bug when she was 10, making baseball bats and tops. She has enough love of woodworking to have long felt a responsibility to share it by way of teaching it in the woodworking class at New Iberia Senior High (NISH.) What made you pursue woodworking as a career? My dad was my biggest influence having done woodworking all his adult life. I’ve been participating in craft shows with my work since middle school, making spoons, bowls, benches, swingseven tables. In college, I’d make things all summer to sell during the breaks, allowing me to make enough money for tuition. I’ve been teaching math at NISH, just waiting for the opportunity to get into the woodworking shop.

What do you like about working with wood? I enjoy the beauty of the art and being able to make something I need around the house. You can start a project with wood and finish in an hour.

Which woods do you work with most? Old cypress. It’s a soft wood making it easy to reshape and correct a mistake. No two pieces are alike. Three weeks out of the year, when the basin floods, my dad, siblings and I will get all sizes of driftwood.

As a woman teaching woodworking, what sort of reactions have you gotten from first-time students? My first year was a proving year and I’d hear guys say, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know you could cut that well.” Still now when selling woodwork at the craft shows, when people see that it’s made by a woman, they take a second glance.

How does woodworking help teens? It gives them something to do with their time at home and a finished product to be proud of. I allow them to come with their own ideas for projects, which contributes to taking pride in what they create.

What advice do you have for women considering male-dominated professions? Women have a different take on things; I think, in general, we give more attention to detail and we take our time. I would advise any woman to take advantage of being the only girl and being the example. My 7-year-old daughter has been working in the shop with me for two years.

More About Emily...

- She grows a HUGE garden of seasonal vegetables and fruits.

- She scours vintage stores and estate sales for old tools, which she prefers using.

- Most recently, she’s made children-sized Adirondack chairs – without a pattern.

24 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

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Health & Wellness | Get fit on the go

Virtual Training

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one are the days when going to an exercise class means waking up early and going to a gym.

Now, with advances in technology and new smarthome devices, you can join a class from the comfort of your living room.

First Things First Talk to your doctor about the type of programs you want to use and make sure you’re medically cleared to take part. This is especially true if you’ve recently had health issues, injuries or a chronic illness. Then, make sure you have the right set-up, equipment and space to do what you want.

Choosing an App Typing “fitness” into your app store is going to be overwhelming. Food trackers, run trackers, maps, ondemand workout apps, short workout apps, yoga apps, apps with music, apps

without music, apps that track your music. Overwhelming.

Think about the kinds of workouts you want to do, the time and space you have, and the kind of commitments you want to make. Then read these tips and get surfing.

Do you have a hectic schedule that’s rarely routine? Look for an on-demand app. Make sure it offers the types of workouts you’d like to do (HIIT? Yoga?

All of it?) and the level of instruction and length of workout you want to do not only now, but in the future. Many of these are subscription based, so if you get all you can out of that app and need a new one, you’ll need to remember to cancel the subscription in the app store, not just delete the app.

Don’t have a lot of time or are you new to fitness? Look for apps that are targeted for short workouts, usually modeled on circuit training.

PCMagazine recommends 7-Minute

Workout by Wahoo Fitness and The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout.

Want to do some good while working out? Charity Miles is an app that donates money to the organization

of your choice when you log miles running, walking or cycling. If you’re motivated by charitable causes and don’t mind a little corporate sponsorship, this free app might be for you.

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Health & Wellness | Managing allergies

Allergies possible the things that make you sick, there are a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can alleviate your allergy symptoms. Always talk to your doctor before starting any medication and be aware that many antihistamines and other medications can make you very drowsy. Make sure to read the labels thoroughly and ask a pharmacist if you’re concerned about drug interactions.

A

n allergy is when your immune system attacks something that doesn’t bother some other people, such as pollen, mold, pet dander, food, insect stings or bites.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology says about 50 million Americans suffer from some allergy.

Symptoms Symptoms of allergies include a runny nose, sneezing, itching, redness, rashes, swelling and trouble breathing. Life threatening symptoms include anaphylaxis, a severe reaction characterized by a feeling of warmth, flushing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, vomiting or diarrhea, and a drop in blood pressure that can cause a loss of consciousness and shock.

Diagnosis Your doctor may send you to a specialist, an allergist or immunologist.

Allergies are diagnosed through skin or blood tests combined with a thorough medical history and physical exam.

These tests can help you identify triggers to minimize your allergy symptoms.

Treatment Other than avoiding as much as

Immunotherapy Some allergic conditions may respond well to immunotherapy, a gradual exposure to allergens to train your immune system not to attack certain stimulants. Immunotherapy shots usually are administered one or two times a week for a range of months.

Sublingual tablets can also treat allergies for certain types of grass.

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 27

Health & Wellness | The saltiest new trend

Myth vs Fact about Salt Therapy What to know about Acadiana’s newest wellness therapy

By Mallory Moser The Writer’s Experience “This is going to be a fun assignment,” said my editor. As I read the words “salt cave,” I wondered what I had just agreed to. When I think of local salt, my thoughts immediately drift over to Avery Island. Was I going to be doing some sort of cave tour? Did I even own the right shoes to go on this adventure?

Arriving at Lafayette Salt Cave, I tried to walk in with an open mind – a little bit of salt is good, so a whole room full of it must be better, right? I settled into a zero-gravity chair, covered with a blanket that was provided as therapist, Abby Conques explained what would be happening during our sound bath and guided meditation. I practice meditation regularly, so I thought I knew what I was getting into. Wrong again! Abby’s guided meditation, the atmosphere of the room, and the sound bowls and gongs absolutely transported my mind to a completely tranquil and peaceful place. I walked out of the hour-long session feeling refreshed and absolutely energized. It was as if I had gained a whole night’s rest in the span of an hour. I was invited to place my feet on a detoxing salt lamp orb while I chatted with owner, Marta Wallace Ellinger about what prompted her to open Lafayette Salt Cave.

About the Owner Marta, a teacher at Prairie Elementary, had her first salt cave experience in January 2019 while visiting friends in North Carolina. She says that she immediately noticed that she felt very relaxed, but it was not

in the salt mines, chipping away at the salt, particles were being released into the air. The salt particles along with other ideal conditions such as air pressure, humidity and circulation provided the salt miners with natural health benefits. Mining was a dangerous for miners’ lives and health, but salt miners did not have the same respiratory issues that other miners had, and because of the quality of their skin, they looked great. Dr. Feiliks Boczkowski was the first to study these effects and he opened the first health facility at the Wielcza Salt Mine in Poland in 1839.

Salt therapy as we know it now developed in Russia in 1985 with the development of the first Halotherapy device. It was not until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that “Halotherapy” was shared with the rest of the world.

Because Halotherapy is a relatively new technology in salt therapy, there are some misconceptions about how it can be used.

until the next morning that she realized how much the salt cave session helped her. She said that she experienced such deep and restful sleep, which was not a common thing for her. By March she was applying for her LLC. Lafayette Salt Cave had a soft opening in August and a grand opening in September.

What is Salt Therapy?

Salt therapy originated in the salt mines and actual caves of Eastern Europe. As miners were working

Myth: Salt walls provide benefits.

Truth: The salt walls often seen in salt caves help to insulate the room, reduce noise and create a nice atmosphere, but they have no benefit for breathing or skin. The benefits come from the Halogenerator, which is what creates the salt aerosol.

Myth: Himalayan and Dead Sea Salts have beneficial minerals.

Truth: Studies using these salts have not been conducted and these salts are unstandardized. This means that they may contain impurities such as clay

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Russia in 1985 with the development of the first Halotherapy device.

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or mud that is not safe to inhale. The use of anything other than pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride is an experimental practice.

Myth: Some is good, more must be better.

Truth: Halogenerators must have a sensor system that constantly monitors the aerosol level. This system signals the Halogenerator to adjust it’s output constantly. Too much salt aerosol in the room can cause bronchiospasms.

While it is important to note that salt caves are not medical facilities and are not intended for the treatment of ailment, but rather to improve overall wellness. The rooms are often full during peak allergy and sinus season in south Louisiana as many have found that salt therapy helps to drain congestion and lessen coughing caused by seasonal allergies and sinus congestion.

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 29

Feature Story | A family supper club

Sharing Meals Miles Apart A Q&A with Phyllis Mata, Jacques Fruge and Emily Fruge Hood

By Brianne Hendricks

P

hyllis Mata and her children don’t let the distance between them stand in the way of sharing a meal. Mata lives in New Iberia, her son Jacques in Lafayette and her daughter Emily is in Chicago. While they may not all be crowded in one kitchen around the same stove, on Jan. 6 of 2019, the trio came up with a plan so that they could create dinner together once a month.

Q: How did this tradition get started? Which one of you was the first to suggest it?

Phyllis: We normally group text asking what each other is cooking for supper that night. Jacques was cooking pasta al limone for supper one evening and Emily and I decided to do it also. Emily suggested we do this once a month, each taking a turn to choose the entree’, and it had to be something we’ve never done before.

Jacques: I saw a “Bon Appetit” video with them making pasta al limone. I

told Mom and Emily I was going to make it that night and they decided to do the same. We all took pictures and talked about it and Emily suggested we started doing that every month. And we have.

Q: What’s been your favorite dish you’ve created so far?

Phyllis: This is a hard one. I guess I’d go with one I chose, which is the white pesto pasta with ricotta & parmesan.

We make our own ricotta! I also really liked the spinach & cheddar souffle’, and the bolognese sauce with tagliatelle.

Ya’ see, I can’t choose just one.

Jacques: Three way tie - bolognese, french onion short rib soup and chicken parmesan.

Emily: My favorites have been a bolognese we made for May or a mushroom lasagna we made for November.

Q: Has this tradition helped you

Jacques Fruge, Emily Fruge Hood and Phyllis Mata

explore different dishes you might not usually make?

Phyllis: We’ve definitely added lots to our cooking repertoire. We love the challenge!

Jacques: Yes, I never would’ve made a souffle ordinarily.

Emily: Yes. One of the rules is that it has to be something none of us have done before, so it’s always new.

Q: What’s your favorite part of the process?

Phyllis: Awaiting the announcement of the dish of the month is fun. The final photo and comparisons at the end are fun also.

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Jacques: The build up. Everyone sending pictures and updates about where they are in the process.

Sometimes it starts days in advance.

Emily: My favorite part is chatting while we’re all preparing. It’s funny to see how each of us interprets the recipe, comparing notes, etc.

Q: Have there been any funny mishaps?

Phyllis: We had a Pad Thai dish Jacques chose and Emily really didn’t feel like doing it, and the recipe was a bit confusing, and I remember something funny about one of the ingredients smelling bad, so we texted and kept Jacques off those messages.

I’d get a text out the blue from her, “I don’t want to make Pad Thai. Why did

Feature Story | A family supper club Their Favorite Foods: Phyllis: I have to go back to my roots on this one. Rice & gravy, spaghetti and meatballs, fried chicken, mac & cheese. I could eat pasta everyday though.

Jacques: My favorite type of food is more southern, Cajun type cooking - rice and gravy, étouffée. And for the past couple years I’ve been into making homemade pasta. It’s becoming a problem.

Emily: My favorite types of food are probably known as comfort foods....at least to me. Spaghetti and meatballs, roasted chicken, chicken pot pie, gumbo, crawfish etouffee - those sorts of things.

Brother choose that one?”

Jacques: I read right past the part of the mushroom lasagna recipe where it said to season the béchamel and I tasted it after I finished assembling and realized my error. So I took off all the layers and added salt, and it still needed salt in the end. I also made some ricotta with expired cream and I kept convincing myself it was fine. Then I finally gave in and bought more cream and made it again.

Emily: No real mishaps but the funniest moment was from Pad Thai in April. It called for a certain ingredient that was near impossible to find and allegedly was somewhat smelly. The recipe actually instructed you to open doors and windows to air out your home!

Q: Who’s the best cook?

Phyllis: Emily did not take to cooking as naturally as Jacques and I did, but she’s become a fabulous cook. Her style was, and is, a bit more refined than mine and Jacques’ in the beginning. In those days, Jacques was more or less your typical Cajun cook rooted in the traditions of his New Iberia Belanger family and his Ville Platte Fruge’ family, which includes more smoked meats than New Iberia, and I was also rooted in the traditions of my grandmother

and mother.

So who’s the best cook? That’s a tie between Emily & Jacques. They’ve taken my basic skills I received from hanging out in the kitchen with my Mama and Grandmother and brought that to a new level. I’m very proud of that. Cooking is love, comfort and warmth, and they both have homes full of love and comfort and warmth.

Emily’s daughter is five and is already sitting on the kitchen counter watching her cook.

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I’m not sure if it’s brought us closer together, but since we all live in different places, we don’t get to do things together the three of us, so this has been a nice tradition to add.

Emily: The three of us are pretty close and talk all the time anyway. So it hasn’t necessarily brought us closer because we’re already close, but it’s certainly fun to talk while we’re all preparing and sending pictures of the final results.

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Jacques: Me. Emily: Hmmm...that’s a very hard one. I’ll go with Mom since she taught us both so much. But Jacques is also excellent. Mom and Jacques are similar cooks, while I tend to tackle recipes we didn’t necessarily have growing up.

Q: Is this a tradition you hope to pass on to the next generation?

Phyllis: I think this tradition will continue after I’m gone. I sure hope it does. I can’t imagine it wouldn’t. My children are steeped in tradition, as I was.

Jacques: Hope so. We’ve just been enjoying doing this now and it’s still fairly new so I’m not sure if we’ve really thought too much about that.

Emily: I think it would be great if our kids wanted to do it. My daughter, Eve, certainly knows about the family meals and is interested in what we’ve chosen.

She doesn’t always volunteer to taste though, as in the case of Pad Thai from April.

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Q: How has this brought you three closer together?

Phyllis: I’m not so sure we could be closer than we already are, but it sure has been fun. I can picture Emily in her Chicago kitchen and Jacques in his Lafayette kitchen. We love doing things together. It’s nice to know that the three of us are in our kitchens at the same time, and it’s fun to see the final photos and discussions of the dish. Cooking together has been such a treasure.

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Jacques: We’re already very close so Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 31

From Scratch | Where Acadiana’s own get cooking

Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce This month we take a page out of Phyllis, Jacques and Emily’s book by trying Epicurious’ Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce. Easy to cook, and easy to clean, this dish is great to make with the whole family. Make early and let simmer in a crock pot to impress your friends this winter with this professional delicious treat. Pair with a medium bodied Italian wine such as a Chianti or a dry white wine such as a Verdicchio.

STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS

Step 1. Chop vegetables. Place oil, 3 tablespoons of butter and onion in your pot and turn to medium heat. Stir veggies until onion becomes see through, then add celery and carrot to your pot. Stir well and cook for 2 min.

Step 2. Add beef and salt/pepper to liking.

Stir well and cook beef until meat is prepared.

Step 3. Simmer with milk added until bubble has gone away completely. Add in 1/8 grating of nutmeg.

Step 4. Add wine, cook until evaporated.

Then add the tomatoes and cook to a very low simmer.

Step 5. Cook for 3 hrs, if the meat appears dry, add water as necessary making sure to cook the water away before ending your cooking time.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 tablespoons butter, divided 2/3 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 2/3 cup chopped carrot 3/4 pound ground beef chuck Salt Fresh ground black pepper

32 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

1 cup whole milk Whole nutmeg 1 cup dry white wine 1-½ cups canned imported Italian plum tomatoes, torn into pieces, with juice 1-¼ to 1-½ pounds pasta (preferably spaghetti), cooked and drained Freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano Step 6. Cook pasta, using the last tablespoon of butter to add to the pasta. Toss with sauce.

Serve with grated parmigiano-reggiano.

Feature Story | Community beautification project

Better Days on the Bayou How one initiative is enhancing local pride

By Amelia LaFleur

T

he familiar streets of Acadiana are something to behold, however, early sunsets, long nights and winter gloom can have adverse effects on these tranquil scenes. Thanks to Natalie Broussard, Iberia Parish Council District 6, the Better Days on the Bayou campaign has successfully gathered council members and residents of New Iberia to create and display beautiful decorations around the downtown area.

The Better Days on the Bayou project is a community-wide project to enhance New Iberia.

Broussard’s goal with the Better Days on the Bayou project is to boost resident’s spirits and make her constituents proud to live in her district of New Iberia. Broussard said she also wants to give residents a reason to

travel around town and spend quality time with friends, family and neighbors.

She even has hopes of attracting tourism and higher foot traffic within the downtown area in the months to come. Broussard also explained that the project was not limited to just decorations, but to fix various problems in New Iberia.

“We want to build relationships between the constituents and elected officials,” she said. “We just want to make our community a better place to live. It might not necessarily be just decorating.”

Another one of Broussard’s goals for the Better Days on the Bayou is for friends, family and constituents to be inspired to create a community-wide change. She said she wants to find more

ways to improve the city and the overall quality of life in New Iberia.

Broussard said she hopes to expand the Better Days on the Bayou campaign to become a year-round project. She plans to decorate the downtown area for every season and for special holidays throughout the year. For example, she expects to have different decorations for Mardi Gras, Easter and Fourth of July.

The first thing on the Better Days on the Bayou agenda was the Noel Iberia project. Noel Iberia was a project

implemented by Broussard to decorate downtown New Iberia with Christmas lights and decorations to boost the Christmas spirit of the residents of Iberia Parish. The project was a hit with the families and residents in Acadiana.

With the help of other council members, Broussard, friends and family, decorated the downtown area by adorning it with hand-made signs and string lights, among other decorations.

This created a glow that gifted New Continued on page 34

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Feature Story | Community beautification project Continued from page 33

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Iberia residents the Christmas spirit and also gave the older residents a sense of nostalgia and cheer.

“I remember when I was younger, my friends and I would hop in the car and drive around and look at Christmas lights,” Broussard reflected. “You just don’t see that as much anymore.”

The next big step to beautifying and enhancing New Iberia is to get the other council members of different districts to join the Better Days on the Bayou project for the months to come.

“This is just the beginning,” said Broussard. “We want to spread the spirit and cheer to all the people in the downtown area. We are just a group of friends that want to improve our community. We’ve gotten together and for Better Days on the Bayou and we look forward to working with each other in our community to improve it for the life of our children and grandchildren.”

Though the future plans for the Better Days on the Bayou community projects are still in the works, it is never too early to sign up or contribute to this project, along with other community projects in New Iberia, to make Acadiana a nice and beautiful place to live.

All ages are encouraged to contribute to the Better Days on the Bayou community projects. To sign up and get involved in one of the upcoming projects, check out the Better Days on the Bayou Facebook page or contact Natalie Broussard, Iberia Parish Council District 6 on Facebook or by phone and email.

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Two pictures showing the variety of holiday displays installed by the Better Days on the Bayou initiative

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Home Style | Local homes that could be yours

Bayou Beauty 701 Mallard Cove, New Iberia Listed by Rebekah McGee Bedrooms & Baths: Four

In the Details: Double doors,

bedrooms with three and a half spacious bathrooms

soaring ceilings and an office nook make up the little details of this place complete with balcony and wood floors

Square Footage: 3,292 sqft.

Kitchen: Open kitchen with shining stainless steel appliances and ample cabinet space

The views: Step out onto your balcony and overlook the spectacular views of your lovely pool area with water feature

36 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

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Pool features cascading water feature

Home Style | Local homes that could be yours

The dining area is spacious enough for large gatherings

Open concept leads to the family room with a fireplace

The kitchen has ample storage and granite countertops

The master bedroom features a seating area that overlooks the backyard

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 37

Dining Profile | Bread & Circus Provisions

MUST HAVE DISHES

Eggplant Hummus This gorgeous shareable starter is a unique twist on hummus, using eggplant and black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas.

Served on feta-rubbed schiaccia (flatbread), this amazing app is topped with Tunisian red pepper sauce and kalamata olives.

A Passion for Properly Prepared Food and Pizza Born in Sicily, Manny Augello moved to the U.S. at age 8. By age 9, he was working in his father’s restaurant on the Northshore in Louisiana. “I was ‘drafted’ into the restaurant business,” he says with a chuckle.

By Lisa Hanchey

38 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

H

is sister, Rosie, was recruited later into the family tradition. The siblings’ father was a chef for more than 40 years, as was their paternal grandfather. Their mother’s side consisted of farmers as well as chefs. “We had the best of both worlds growing up,” Manny shares.

After high school, Manny ended up at Northwestern University in Natchitoches, where he graduated in criminal justice. “I had kind of a teenage crisis where I wanted to be as far away from the restaurant business as possible,” he confides. But, his roots proved stronger, and he was lured back into the kitchen, where he honed his skills as a chef.

In 2010, he moved to Lafayette, where his then-wife, Abi Broussard, was reared. He fell in love with the culture, and never looked back. At the time, restaurateur Steve Santillo discovered his talent, and hired him as sous chef at Jolie’s.

Two years later, Manny moved up to head chef.

By then, he had started working on a project with prepared foods, called Bread & Circus. “We were preparing foods how they should be properly prepared – with locally-sourced ingredients and no preservatives,” he said.

When the market at the Horse Farm first started, the Augellos became charter members, hawking their unique home-made canned products. “We started in an apartment, where we jarred up provisions, then carried them to the

Pizza by Ben Of course, you must order the Neapolitan-style pizza, fired up in “Ben,” the infamous wood-fired oven. Customer favorites include the traditional Margherita – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and single-source extra virgin olive oil – and the Biancaneve, or “Snow White”– mozzarella, house-made burrata, ricotta, sweety drop peppers, oregano and olive oil.

Bucatini Carbonara If you are a pasta lover, try the Bucatini Carbonara – house-made egg pasta, black pepper butter, pork check pastrami, pea shoots and Parmigiano-Reggiano topped with a Spanish-fried farm egg. Augello slowly brings extra virgin olive oil to the smoking point before dropping in the egg, which puffs it up into an airy cloud with a crispy outside. Crack into the yolk and let it flow into the pasta – divine!

Dining Profile | Bread & Circus Provisions Horse Farm,” Rosie says. Within 30 minutes of their debut, the Augellos had sold out of their wares.

The demand for Bread & Circus’ creative provisions, like General Lee – pickled mirlitons with tasso, or “porky pickles” -- French onion jam, and smoked and cured meats grew to the point where the Augellos expanded to a brick-and-mortar location. In 2013, Bread & Circus Provisions officially launched at 258 Bendel Road.

Three years later, Manny decided to revamp the entire concept, going back to Southern Italian and Sicilian cuisine he remembered. The restaurant held a Kickstarter fundraiser to purchase a wood-fired oven from Sicily. The 3,400-pound oven, named “Ben” after the top-donor’s grandson, took a month to get to Lafayette by ship. But, it was worth the wait.

Today, Bread & Circus’ authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas are among the most popular items on the menu.

The house-made crust is cooked in the oven at 800 to 900 degrees, producing an airy, crispy crust topped with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

At Happy Hour, offered Wednesday from 4 p.m. ‘til and Thursday through Saturday from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., you can get a whole pie for half price, along with drink specials.

The Italian-inspired menu offers a host of creative “Spitzi” (shared snacks), including Angry Meatballs (aged veal, pork and beef with wood-roasted peppers, onions, white arrabiata and parmesan) and Devil (deviled eggs with chix-fried boiled peanuts). Served with a choice of bianca (white), rossa (red) or con olio (olive oil), the pizzas are creative

and fun, like Angry Pie (fennel pork sausage, peppers and onions in a spicy salsa bianca, mozzarella, garlic and peperoncino herb oil and parmesan) and Bee Sting (garlic and peperoncino marinara, sopressata salami, mozzarella and local honey).

For dessert, pastry Chef Molly Deshotels whips up amazing concoctions like Tripe Chocolate Cake, Tiramisu and Cannoli. You can pair these with the chef’s personal stash of Limoncello, Grappa or La Mosca (sambuca with espresso beans).

Chef Deshotels also offers her sweets and breads at the Horse Farm on Saturdays.

On Saturdays, brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with passarounds such as Chicken Skins and Bounuts (boudin-stuffed donuts), mains like Eggplant Napoleon and the famous Breakfast Club Lucy – houseground cheddar-stuffed beef patty, caramelized onion mayo, bibb lettuce, tomato and bacon jam on a brioche bun served with homemade chips.

Late night on Saturdays from 10 p.m. ‘til, Manny lets his chefs go “crazy” in the kitchen and serve their own creations at a special price. The music gets turned up, and the line starts forming at the counter for the surprise menu. “Sometimes we don’t know until two hours before what will end up on the menu,” Manny reveals.

Manny gives credit to his staff for Bread & Circus’ success. “They are the most passionate people I’ve ever worked with,” he says. “I enjoy using their other talents, like music and decorating, to make Bread & Circus better.”

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 39

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The New Year is upon us! While we’re all thinking of our resolutions to enter into the new decade eating healthier is never a bad resolution to add on to your life! This month 5 Fiesta Farm Fresh Salsa, 2 Sisters Salsa, $3.99, www.2sisterssalsa.com check out a few locally made items to add to your better eating habits.

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40 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Faming Salute | A sugar cane photo essay

A Day in the Life

What it takes to get Sugar Cane from the field to the mill Photos by Ron Olivier

Loading whole stalk sugar cane to go to the mill

S

haring the road with more tractors than cars. Smoky red sunsets from burning cane fields. The familiar sights and sounds that indicate the sugar cane farming season are all to familiar to Acadiana denizens. Sugar cane farming doesn’t begin and end with the points of the season that we know best. It’s a year-long, dusk-to-dawn endeavor for so many faming families in south Louisiana. We take a look at 8 pictures that tell the story of how sugar cane goes from the farm to the mill.

Cutting whole stalk sugar cane with a Soldier machine

Cutting billet sugar cane

Bringing cane to the mill

Beginning of the filed burning process

Once the burning season ends, the work beings again

Farmers catch Z’s where they can. This one was The final product exhibited at the Oakland Mill Sugar Warehouse in line waiting to dump sugar cane when the mill experienced a breakdown.

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 41

Farming Salute | Louisiana’s favorite crustaceans

Five Things to Know About Crawfish Farms Local restaurateur explains how he chooses the perfect crawfish

By Brianne Hendricks

I

t’s always crawfish season in Acadiana. Even when there aren’t crawfish boils being held every weekend and lines a mile long at your favorite crawfish spot, farmers and local seafood restaurants are always preparing for it. In the downtime, before the season, we take a look at where restaurants, like Jane’s, get their crawfish.

1. Crawfish can be harvested all over the Acadiana area.

Jane’s owner Vu Tran says the local restaurant gets their crawfish from right down the road. From Breaux Bridge to Jane Street, they find their red-tailed friends plump and ready to serve.

Though in-between seasons can get slow at times, they’ve found multiple places to pull crawfish from.

“We have fishermen that fish ponds back in Loreauville, and then we also purchase from our wholesaler at Blanchard seafood,” Tran said. “They also provide us with crawfish as well, and then we also have a fisherman who fishes ponds as far as Breaux Bridge, so we do get them locally.”

Tran says they also buy from Teche Valley Seafood when they’re open. As a seasonal business, Teche Valley Seafood can be found serving scrumptious mud bugs during peak season and into June as well. Though there are more than 500 species of crawfish all over the world 350 of them can be found in the United States and only 2 of them are eaten at places like Jane’s and Teche Valley Seafood.

2. What you feed your crawfish makes a difference.

Humans aren’t the only ones choosing their New Year’s diets carefully.

What breeders choose to feed their

42 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

completely. With local crawfish, Tran says he can see the ponds first hand and get to know the person he’s buying from.

“You know you can count on them. They’re reliable and they’re able to provide this service to you locally.

They’re literally down the road. You don’t have to go searching for them,” Tran mentioned. “It’s pretty important to have that person who can always supply to you. You can count on them.”

Tran says he’s even been out to one of the crawfish ponds to take an up close and personal look at the product.

He went right down the road from his restaurant on Jane’s Street with a local fisherman. He said the whole experience was pretty neat seeing exactly where the crawfish come from.

crawfish can be just as varied as the ponds that they grow in. Whether it’s an all hearty rice field or a nice and serene water pond what they eat matters to their body types. Not all crawfish are created equal, or should be treated as such.

“You get different varieties. The rice one is a little more red, softer, more tender type of crawfish with the big claws,” Tran said. “ Your Basin crawfish have a bigger tail with a smaller head and skinnier claw. There’s different types depending on what you want.”

Not only does the diet make a huge difference, but the environment does as well. The crawfish from the

Basin are subject to river and water flow, which can also be subject to how much snowfall the northern parts of the United States saw over the winter. The more snow, the higher the river and the different flow, which creates a different environment for the crawfish to live in.

3. Find a supplier you trust, even if you’re just buying a few sacks for you and your family.

Tran confirmed what most Cajuns know, the only place to get a really great quality crawfish is Louisiana. Not only because we have the best quality crawfish, but because when you buy locally, you can count on that business

4. Now tell me about the food.

Jane’s is taking a different approach to seafood by introducing Cajun-Asian fusion to their menu. The trend has been growing throughout the area for some time.

Though on the surface Cajun and Asian food may seem as different as night and day, their similar main ingredients, such as rice, spices and seafood make these two a fantastic pairing. Tran is quite pleased with the response he’s seen at Jane’s, especially to their crawfish fried rice.

“It’s crawfish tails, fried rice with mixed vegetables - onions, green onions, eggs and a little bit of spice to really give it that Cajun kick with an Asian flair in it. It’s been good. It’s been a really good item for us,” Tran said.

If that isn’t enough to make your mouth water, Jane’s also serves boiled crawfish, crawfish fettuccine and a crawfish etouffee over fried or grilled catfish fillets.

Farming Salute | Louisiana’s favorite crustaceans 5. So when does the season start?

According to WeLoveCrawfish.com you’ll be able to find crawfish springing back onto the market around midJanuary, depending on how cold or mild winter will be this season. Still, even if Jack Frost pays south Louisiana a visit, if the weather warms up quickly crawfish season can pick back up as well, just in time for the lenten season.

“Our peak season, you know when it really gets good is typically February,

March and April, May,” Tran said.

Typically the season lasts until early July. Between those months visit one of Louisiana’s many crawfish festivals to get a real good taste of how plentiful the season has been. Breaux Bridge, the “Crawfish Capital of the World” holds a crawfish race each year paired with every sort of crawfish you can imagine.

Boudin, bisque, etouffee, jambalaya, pie, or just plain boiled crawfish all make an appearance at these festivals each year.

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 43

Farming Salute | From family farm to family table

Gonsoulin Land and Cattle A tradition of locally sourced grass-fed beef

By Brianne Hendricks

I

t’s rare to find a family who has owned the same land since the 18th century, even rarer to find a family who’s been working that same land since that year as well. With cattle as their industry, the Gonsoulin family has made their mark upon beef, both figuratively and literally.

“The family has been having the ranch since 1787,” Dr. Shannon Gonsoulin said. “Our brand is probably the tenth oldest (cattle) brand in the United States, so we got some pretty unique family history there.”

Gonsoulin, who is also a veterinarian, operates the farm with his family right here in Acadiana giving locals a fantastic place to purchase their locally sourced meat. Still, even though the land has been in his family

44 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

for generations, starting in 2005, Gonsoulin decided to do something a little different with his cattle.

“We’ve always had some kind of cattle operation at the ranch. In 2005 we decided to develop a niche, or find a niche where we could. You know, have something a little different,” Gonsoulin laughed. “At that point the organics were coming out, grass-fed things were coming out and all these other types of beef were just starting.”

From that point on the Gonsoulin Land and Cattle would start carving out their niche within the grass-fed and organic market promising locals a product free of antibiotics, hormones or processed feed. Starting first with the anticipation with selling only a small amount of beef to friends and locally,

not knowing they were about to embark upon a new adventure.

Soon enough they were certified by the American Grass Fed Association.

Though Gounsoulin noted the process to certify his beef within his new niche was not completely an easy one.

“They sent a vet over to our ranch for two days to go over everything we were doing to make sure we were doing everything the way they wanted it to be done before you can even become certified,” Gonsoulin mentioned.

He said he prides himself in the fact that the American Grass Fed Association was a fully independent third party verification. “This wasn’t

some paid person saying that the farm was now verified. This verification carries weight.”

The grassfed model has been a successful switch for Gonsoulin Land and Cattle and currently you can find their beef at many local Farmers Markets. You can also order straight from their meat market, which even allows you to custom order the cuts of beef you prefer.

As for what else has changed since they’ve made the switch - Gonsoulin pointed not to beef, but to the consumer for that change.

“Straight from the pasture to the plate,” Gonsoulin said. “From the

Farming Salute | From family farm to family table producer to the consumer. We have a more educated consumer. The customers want to know where, how and when.”

For Gonsoulin it isn’t about a smarter consumer per say, but a consumer who asks those questions digging into the heart of how their food is produced. With constant streams of news alerts calling many different produce recalls, knowing exactly who makes your food is a huge comfort.

The Gonsoulin farm also raises their cattle in a humane way, working the cattle on horseback, which according to their website results in a low stress, low-pressure environment for the beef.

Gonsoulin says they raise their cattle to around 1,000 - 1,100 pounds before they are ready. Which usually takes around two years as the Gonsoulin family relies on pure genetic potential of the beef rather than growth hormones.

The meat is processed in Eunice once it is ready to go, where they butcher and cut the animal to the style of their choosing. Soon after, the meat

is delivered back to the ranch where it’s aged for 10 days to really get a concentrated flavor.

“We’re offering the same thing, but just a little bit different,” Gonsoulin laughed. “And we’re more taction every year with people wanting our product.

A lot of people want to buy local, if it’s available and if people know it’s available.”

Approached by Rouse’s some years back, the grocer saw success stocking Gounsoulin’s locally sourced meat before deciding to go another direction and stopped all the local beef products they were selling. Thankfully, the clout produced by their product at the time allowed for a bit of freedom and footing to branch into their own market.

Though they hope to be back in Rouse’s sometime in the near future, for now you can find Gonsoulin Land and Cattle beef at grocery stores in Lafayette as well as featured in a few restaurants.

And as for their land? The history of the cattle ranching Gonsoulin’s lives on as vibrant as ever.

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Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 45

Your Business • Your Story • Your Words Issue Date: February 28, 2020 Space Reservation Deadline: February 7, 2020

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Her love and compassion for her clients is witnessed in her everyday interactions with them as she supports them each day.

Mary “Liz” Leblanc Arc of Acadiana is pleased to congratulate Mary “Liz” Leblanc on her 25th anniversary with our organization. Liz has worked in several different positions over the past 25 years and has continued to grow with the company. She is currently a vocational trainer working with our Supported Employment vending crew in New Iberia. She helps her clients achieve their goals and realize their dreams of living as independently as possible. Her hard work and dedication to her clients are greatly appreciated.

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46 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Cajun Creations | Discover local art, books and music

Rethinking New Acadia: Recent Interpretations of the Acadians’ Dispersal and Arrival in Louisiana Edited by Michael S. Martin Copies signed by Shane Bernard are available at Books Along the Teche for $21.00.

A collection of essays from six contributing scholars including Shane Bernard, this book presents recent analysis of the dispersal of the Acadians and their arrival in southwest Louisiana.Based on intensive research this compilation of writings include: The Expulsion of the Acadians in a Broader Context, The Acadian Refugees in France, The Environmental Context: Bayou Teche as the Acadians Found It, The Initial Acadian Settlement: A New Look at its Location in the Attakapas, Finding Nouvelle Acadie: Lost Colonies, Collective Memory and the New Acadia Project, Indians, Settlers, and Slaves on a Colonial Frontier: The Acadians among Other Peoples.This book published by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press is a must read for historians, genealogists, Acadian descendants.

Book Review Presented by Books Along The Teche 337-367-7621 • 106 E Main St., New Iberia

Scenic World

Just-Cris Lazard

Available on Spotify

Gospel Comedian

Looking for new music to take you into the new year?

Look no further than Scenic World. With a new album coming out mid 2020, there’s never been a better time to start humming along to their tunes. Right now you can find the indie-rock band’s self-titled album on all streaming platforms. You can also see them frequently at different locations in Downtown Lafayette paired with other local favorites like Brass Bed and Carbon Poppies.

Available on Youtube It’s not often you hear of a “Gospel-Comedian,” but Just-Cris prides himself on breaking molds. A father of four daughters the man is a quadruple threat as a stage-director, writer, actor and comedian. Lazard performs locally in churches and considers his comedy fun for the whole family to enjoy. Currently battling stage 4 cancer, Lazard feels that his family, his comedy, and the Lord will help get him through any battles.

Ashley Berard

FLUID and other works Available for viewing at Basin Arts and the Acadiana Center for the Arts Visual artist Ashley Berard takes her inspiration from others around her. Berard relishes in the spontaneity of human nature and how special each and every person is. She says that she could imagine herself doing anything but painting.

Currently, she creates on stretched canvas capturing life around her in beautiful ways. Using vivid pinks and striking blue hues Berard’s works invoke the same inspiration that she takes from the world around her.

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 47

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St. John Elementary - (337) 828-2648 Hanson Memorial High School - (337) 828-3487 Call for Inquiries, Appointments, and Campus Tours.

Hanson and St. John does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, or national origin in accepting applications for student admission.

By the Numbers | Shop small in 2020

48

65

percent of your dollars spent at local Acadiana owned restaurants is recycled back to Acadiana.

67 1,607

dollars of every $100 spent at a small business in the Acadiana community stays within the community as opposed to $14 for every $100 spent at a national chain.

82

percent of consumers planned to shop or dine locally last year for Small Business Saturday.

million Americans bought locally during Small Business Saturday in the year 2018. Making the day almost as popular as Black Friday.

small businesses in Iberia Parish employ 1-4 workers. This is the most popular worker range for businesses in the area.

950

10

times a year Louisiana Economic Development hosts a round table discussion to touch base with small businesses in the area providing yet another avenue of advice for owners.

regional businesses are represented by “One Acadiana,” who seek to help the economy in our area thrive through the wealth of a flourishing business association.

Join us for an evening of networking, inspiration & tastes of Acadiana’s favored fare Keynote speaker Honoring Civic Service & Business Impact Award Recipients

Silent & Live auction

Thursday, January 16, 2020 ▲ 6PM Cade Community Center for tickets www.iberiachamber.org ▲ 337-364-1836

biggest

positively the business meeting of Iberia Parish! presented by:

(chamber membership not required)

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 49

Upcoming Events | The what, where and when for January New Iberia When: Mondays from 7 - 8 a.m.

Details: 337-380-7420

Jan. 4 - 28

Teche Area Farmers Market What: Experience our harvest of delicious, locally grown produce and homemade products by area farmers, artists and crafters. Also included are handcrafted cypress yard objects, bread and fresh baked goods, ceramics, honey, jellies, jams, herbs, candies, wooden bowls and utensils, birdhouses, garden benches and much more.

Where: Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia When: Tuesdays from 2:30-6 p.m., & Saturdays from 7-11 a.m.

Details: 337-369-2330 or www.

CityofNewIberia.com Jan. 5

Centenary College Choir

What: Organized in 1941 by Dr. A.C. “Cheesy” Voran, the Centenary College Choir has concertized throughout the world for seven decades, giving rise to its nickname as “America’s Singing Ambassadors” by the press. Please join us for this astounding performance at the Grand Opera House of the South.

Where: Grand Opera House of the South, 505 N. Parkerson Ave., Crowley When: Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m.

Details: 337-785-0440 or www.

TheGrandOperaHouse.org Jan. 6 - 27

La Table Francaise (French Table) What: Celebrate the Cajun culture and improve your French speaking skills regardless of your level of French.

Additionally, enjoy conversations with francophones and francophiles who visit New Iberia from all over the world as well as students in the French Immersion setting at North Lewis Elementary. Vive le francais!

Where: Victor’s Cafeteria, 109 W. Main St.,

Jan. 4 - 25

Cajun Jam What: Join Vermilionville for their free Cajun Jam, which is led by some of the area’s finest musicians and is open to all skill levels, beginner to professional.

Where: Vermilionville’s Performance Center, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette When: Saturdays from 1 - 3:30 p.m.

Details: www.Vermilionville.org or 337233-4077

4 things you should do 1

Cinema on the Bayou. This annual international juried film festival features the screening of nearly 200 independent films, along with the filmmakers who make them, from across the United States and around the world. Jan. 22 - 29 at various times and venues in and around Lafayette. www.CinemaOnTheBayou.com.

2

WWE LIVE. WWE LIVE New Year’s Revolution tour comes to the CAJUNDOME for the first time ever. See Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair vs. the Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Also see Ricochet vs.

AJ Styles plus Seth Rollins, Erick Rowan, Natalya, Drew McIntyre and many more.

Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Cajundome, Cajundome, 444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette.

Tickets start at $15. www.Cajundome.com.

3

Farewell, Angelina. Named after a haunting Bob Dylan song, Farewell Angelina is an all-female country group with four powerhouse vocalists, dynamic songwriters and accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Their stellar blend of heart-stopping harmonies over blazing double violins and guitars has earned soaring praise across the board. Thursday, Jan. 16 from 7 - 9 p.m. Grand Opera House of the South, 505 N. Parkerson Ave., Crowley. 337-785-0440 or www.

TheGrandOperaHouse.org.

4

Wonderland Performing Arts presents Frozen, Jr. Each performance kicks off one hour before with a DJ’d Disney dance party, and the magical surprises continue throughout the evening. With hits like “Let It Go,” and “Love is an Open Door,” this will be an experience you won’t soon forget. Frozen Jr. is a must-see musical for kids and the inner-kids in all of us. Friday - Sunday, Jan. 10 - 12 at 7 p.m. & 2 p.m. Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette. 337-233-7060 or www.AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org.

Jan. 5 - 26

Bal du Dimanche What: Dance the afternoon away with local Cajun musicians at Vermilionville’s weekly Sunday Dance. Refreshments will be available for this smoke-free all ages show. Admission is for dance only and does not include entry to the park.

Where: Vermilionville’s Performance Center, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette.

When: Sundays, 1 - 4 p.m.

Details: www.Vermilionville.org or 337233-4077 Admission: $10 Jan. 8 - 29

GLC Farmers Market What: Local farmers selling produce, plants, honey, homemade pies and other items grown locally. Grass-fed beef, pork and lamb are also available at the meat market during this time.

Where: GLC Meat Market, 6110 Loreauville Road, New Iberia When: Wednesdays from 2 - 6 p.m.

Details: 337-577-9160 or www.GLCRanch. com

EACH ONE OF US IS UNIQUE with our own life story to tell. We understand this, and that’s why you can depend on your Dignity Memorial® professionals to capture a person’s essence with a service that’s both a fitting reflection and a memorial tribute.

No two of us are alike.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE SHOULD REFLECT THAT. 50 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Evangeline Funeral Home

New Iberia

Delcambre St. Martinville

(337) 364-1881

Upcoming Events | January Continued from page 00

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

As part of the Cane Fire Film series, “White Snake” will be shown at ACA Jan. 11

Jan. 16

What: Enjoy an evening of live music featuring the hits of the 80s and more.

Where: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, 905 Jefferson St., Lafayette When: Saturday at 9 p.m.

Details: www.TheRocknBowl.com Admission: $17

What: One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village. She has lost her memory, and together they go on a journey to discover her real identity, developing deeper feelings for one another along the way.

Where: Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Details: 337-233-7060 or www.

AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org

The Molly Ringwalds

Jan. 15

Economic Outlook 2020 What: Learn how the economic trends of 2020 will impact your business with a panel of Louisiana business leaders at the Acadiana Center for the Arts. Moderated by The Acadiana Advocate’s Managing Editor Kristin Askelson and Business Editor Adam Daigle.

Where: Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette When: Wednesday from 7:30 - 10 a.m.

Details: 337-233-7060 or www.

AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org Jan. 16

Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet What: The event is an annual meeting of all chamber members and community members to present the Outstanding Civic Service and Business Impact Awards, celebrate the members, and prepare for the positive year ahead for Iberia Parish.

Where: Cade Community Center, 1688 Smede Hwy., New Iberia When: Thursday at 6 p.m.

Details: 337-364-1836 or visit www.

IberiaChamber.org

Cane Fire Films: White Snake

Jan. 18

“Snow” - Tunes Sing Along What: Do you wanna build a Snowman?

Join Envision da Berry for the next SnowTunes Sing-Along. Bring your friends and lend your voice as they sing all of your favorites.

Where: A Spot for Tea, 108 E. Main St., New Iberia When: Saturday from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Details: 337-378-9469 or www.DaBerry. org Jan. 18

Teche Project Wood Duck Management Workshop What: Learn about how you can raise wood ducks and help ensure that the population stays commonplace in Louisiana’s waterways.

Where: Shadows-on-the-Teche Visitor Center, 320 E. Main St., New Iberia When: Saturday from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Continued on page 52

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Ask Us About Interest Free Financing and Free Local Delivery Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 51

Upcoming Events Continued from page 51

Details: 337-323-9228 or www.

TecheProject.org Admission: Free for TECHE Project members; $5 for others.

Jan. 18

5th Avenue What: Enjoy an evening of live music featuring all the hits and more.

Where: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, 905 Jefferson St., Lafayette When: Saturday at 9 p.m.

Details: www.TheRocknBowl.com Admission: $12

SEND 2019 PACKING!

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405 Jefferson Terrace Blvd. • New Iberia 2829 S.E. Evangeline Thrwy, Lafayette • 289-0403 storage@climasecur.com www.climasecur.com

Jan. 21

Across from Le Triomphe at Hwy. 90 & LA 92

Les Cadiens du Teche Cajun Dance

337-365-2355

What: Les Cadiens du Teche (Cajun French Music Assoc.) dance to Cajun music, enjoy a meal, door prizes, cake walk, 50/50 and camaraderie at their open to the public monthly meeting every third Thursday of the month except August and December.

Where: La Louisiane Banquet Hall, 5509 Hwy. 14, New Iberia When: Tuesday from 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Details: 337-258-1876 or www.Facebook. com/LesCadiensduTeche Jan. 25

2nd Annual Masquerade In Da Swamp What: The Swamp Smokers presents this masquerade ball featuring food and cigars on hand to purchase to be enjoyed on the patio.

Where: Bayou Teche Trading Co., 301 W. St. Peter St., New Iberia When: Saturday from 9 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.

Details: swampsmokers17@gmail.com Jan. 25

Clay Cormier & The Highway Boys + Neutral Snap What: Enjoy an evening of live music featuring country, classic rock, 90s rock and more.

Where: Rock ‘n’ Bowl, 905 Jefferson St., Lafayette When: Saturday at 9 p.m.

Details: www.TheRocknBowl.com Admission: $12

HOTTEST NEW GAMES: • Cowboy Up • Ultimate 3 Hand Draw • Ultimate 5 Hand Draw • Ultimate 10 Hand Draw

• Boudreaux & Thibodeaux • Big Time Banker • Bayou Bash

• Tabasco Poker • Run for Your Money Mardi Gras • Midnight Desire

HAND OF THE DAY

A NEW WAY TO WIN 24/7

Each Hand of the Day Equals One Entry into the Big Easy BOnus CasH Drawings on the Last Day of the Month!

Jan. 25

Bayou Mardi Gras Parade What: Family style Mardi Gras celebration, on the banks of the Bayou Teche on Historic Main Street New Iberia.

52 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

See Your Big Easy Hostess for New Hotseat Promotions

HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM? 1-877-770-STOP

Upcoming Events | January & PRESENT

One of the Most Anticipated Social Events of the Year!

All-female country group Farewell, Angelina to take the stage at the Grand Opera House of the South

Where: Main Street, Downtown New Iberia When: Saturday from 6 - 8 p.m.

Details: 337-367-2844 or www.

BayouMardiGras.com.

Details: www.Facebook.com/ BeignetBoogie.

Jan. 26

What: The New Iberia Museum Foundation and IberiaBank present A Night at the Museum – Party With Mardi Gras Magic. The Bayou Teche Museum is bringing back Saga of the Acadians, the collection of 15 original oil paintings by George Rodrigue. Event includes a live auction.

Where: Bayou Teche museum, 131 E. Main St., New Iberia When: Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Details: 337-606-5977 or www.

BayouTecheMuseum.org

Beignet Boogie 5K and 1 Mile Run What: Boogie your way through the streets of Abbeville and celebrate your finish with a delicious beignet breakfast.

This event will have music, face painting and fun jumps with fun for the whole family.

Where: Mount Carmel School, 405 Park Ave., Abbeville.

When: Sunday at 9 a.m.

Jan. 30

Night at the Museum Gala

Thursday, January 30, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

131 E. Main Street • New Iberia Senator Fred Mills Auctioneer!

Here are just a FEW of our live auction items presented the night of the Gala: • 14’ Weld Kraft Boat with 20 horsepower Mercury four stroke Engine inclauding the Boat Trailer.

• A Week at a Private Five-bedroom Luxury Home in Vail, Colorado.

• Maison Le Rosier Cooking Demos and Dinner for Twelve with Overnight accommodations for Two. • First Murder Mystery Dinner for Twelve at Baits Motel.

• Tickets for Two to the 2021 Washington D.C. Mardi Gras Ball weekend.

• Mardi Gras 2021 Parade Party in the courtyard of the Daily Iberian.

• Priceless his and her jewelry from the Private Collection of Wendy Rodrigue.

EXCITING NEWS ABOUT OUR SILENT AUCTION: This year the Silent Auction will be held ONLINE and the site is open for bidding now through January 30th. You can see and bid on these fabulous items at www.BiddingForGood.com/BTM You’ll be amazed at the items we have amassed! And, there’s a raffle going on now, too. Check the BiddingForGood website for more information on that.

Tickets and info are available at the Museum.

For gala tickets or more information, please call the Bayou Teche Museum at

(337) 606-5977

WWE LIVE New Year’s Revolution tour comes to the CAJUNDOME for the first time ever.

or email us at bayoutechemuseum@gmail.com.

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 53

Social Lights | Photos of you and your friends

Amanda Montesano Live Painting at Teche Center for the Arts St. Martin Parish Mega Trivia Night

Coatney Raymond, TCA Board Chair, Gives Welcome and Thank You Speech

Art made by St. Martin Parish Schoolchildren in Memory of Isley Thibodeaux

Team Brown & Brown Gulf States – Winners of St. Martin Parish Mega Trivia Night

Jason Bayard and Jennifer Beslin

Alix and Casey Sorrel

St. Martin Parish Mega Trivia Night

Teche Center for the Arts Fundraiser Teche Center for the Arts presented the first ever St. Martin Parish Mega Trivia Game Night hosted by Senator Fred Mills. The night was a fun, community-spirited, Parish-wide event of friendly competition with proceeds going to Teche Center for the Arts’ operating and programming budget.

November 14, 2019 • Photos by Meagan Andrepont

Dr. Seth and Julie Rosenzweig

A Taste of Main This event was a fundraiser to promote the New Iberia Christmas Season to continue the New Iberia Downtown Alliance’s Main Street tradition. It was held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the fountain at City Hall.

November 20, 2019 • Photos by FUSION PHOTOGRAPHY

Lisa Lourd, Barbara Feldman and Phyllis Mata

54 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020

Richard and Lori Hurst

Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020 55

[RECOVERY] FOR OUR PATIENTS TO RETURN TO INDEPENDENCE When the ability to function safely is impaired due to an illness or injury, our bodies suffer, along with our sense of well-being. That’s why the Inpatient Rehab Unit at Iberia Medical Center’s North Campus is committed to restoring physical independence for our patients and helping them return to a more fulfilling quality of life.

SPACIOUS, PRIVATE ROOMS I EXPERIENCED NURSING & THERAPY STAFF I INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT PLANS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM I CONVENIENT NORTH CAMPUS LOCATION I CENTERED ON EXCELLENCE

Wayne Lindemann, M.D.

Medical Director - Inpatient Rehab Unit

N O RT H C A M P U S : 600 N. Lewis St., New Iberia 337.364.0441 / iberiamedicalcenter.com /

For more information call 337-359-4568

56 Acadiana Lifestyle, January 2020