BayouLife Magazine December 2020

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DECEMBER 2020

170 32 / MADE TO SHINE

112 / PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST

56 / BAYOU ICON

128 / SIMPLY LOU

April Rodgers’ book of devotions, titled Made to Shine: 90 Devotions to Enjoy and Reflect God’s Light, was released May 5th — right in the midst of the COVID-induced quarantine

For her steady leadership in the non-profit sector, her outstanding professional career in real estate, and because of her unabased love and commitment to this community, Nancy Inabnett is our December BayouIcon

66 / HOLIDAY BAKE OFF

We’ve asked some of our favorite Northeast Louisiana bakeries to spruce up their best confections based on Christmas carols. Behold, these tidings of joy and creative creations

90 / CANDY CRUSH

Make her dreams come true this holiday season with these beautiful baubles from our fine jewelry retailers

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Phillip Michael LeBlanc is an instructor of Communication and Media Studies at Louisiana Tech University, but outside the classroom he is a photographer, graphic designer and woodworker

170 / COZY COLLECTIVE

This year, the holidays might look more laid back and loungey. We love these neutral and natural toned outfits in a variety of textures and textiles.

/ SOUTHERN COMFORT A P R I L 2 0 1 8190 Bundle up in style this holiday season with

Once upon a time in Bastrop, Lou Davenport recalls how music has always been a backdrop/soundtrack for her life

these fur looks from area boutiques. From ponchos to oversized coats, these looks are sure to keep you warm on winter nights.

134 / FOOD MINISTRY

200 / HOLIDAY TABLESCAPES

What began as an award-winning gourmet sauce and seasoning business found itself being aged and enhanced into West Monroe’s flavorful pitstop, JAC’S Craft Smokehouse

Whether your family gathering is a formal affair or something or a little more whimsical, we hope you find inspiration in these tablescapes

150 / SPREAD THE CHEER

There's not a day more magical than Christmas morning. After the kids have opened their presents and mom and dad have had their cup of coffee, it's time to settle down to a late-morning meal.

Every label carefully attached to every jar of jelly, syrup, and preserves prepared by Roger and Rita Smith of The Ole Homestead Jelly proclaims the flavorful treat within as “A Taste of the South”

220 / HOLIDAY BRUNCH

BayouLife

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f anyone would have told me last December the things that have transpired over this year, I would have looked at them like they were insane. I was so busy floating around at different holiday parties, playing pokeno with friends, getting my home ready for my entire family to visit – it seems like a lifetime ago. In fact, writing this publisher’s note and trying to make my words seem uplifting and inspiring is difficult. Just a few days ago, Covid ripped through our family - taking my beloved uncle sooner than we were ready to let him go. I have been angry, frustrated, sad – I’ve cried and screamed – and I’ve been scared. But, I’ve been in this season before. I have suffered incredible losses before and had my life seem to be dismantled of everything I held precious. And, while I don’t often write of my faith, I know that one day there will be no more tears, no more Covid, no more cancer or disease. This Christmas season, I’m focusing on my faith and my family, on the joy of being other-centered and of self-giving love. I’ll be leaning in to God more than ever, praying for peace to all those who have experienced depression, anxiety and grief this year, and trying to find that peace within. No matter your relgious beliefs or affiliations, we can all recognize the wonder of the holiday season. It is a time of celebration and excitement for what lies ahead. This December, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite gift items from stores around North Louisiana. There are so many small businesses that are truly counting on you to make purchases from local retailers. We’ve limped along through the hardest months our businesses have ever had and a lot of us have been depending on 4th quarter sales to bring us through. This year, more than ever before, please look through our magazine, these small business owners have beautiful gift ideas

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1201 Royal Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.855.3185

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PUBLISHER & OWNER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com

for everyone on your list. For a complete guide to gift giving, see pages 207-213. A few years ago, I met April Rodgers while serving on the ULM Women’s Symposium Board. I’d known her sister, Julia, and her parents through the magazine but never met April. If you’ve ever met the Barnhills, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to their daughters – they are dripping with kindness. On May 5th, April released a book of devotions, titled Made to Shine: 90 Devotions to Enjoy and Reflect God’s Light, right in the midst of the COVIDinduced quarantine. Through this devotional, April has been able to share her gift of love and light with the world. Read her article on pages 32-35. I’m blessed to get to publish this magazine. I truly love what I do, the people I get to meet and the staff of amazing writers and photographers that I get to work with. I want to say “thank you” for your support this year. I want to say “thank you” to my family for helping me keep things together. And, I want to say a huge “thank you” to Ashley, Katelyn, Meagan, Taylor, Kelly and Cindy for making this crazy world a fun, crazy world. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine. Have a happy holiday season and a great new year! Love always

Cassie

Cassie

GENERAL MANAGER Ashley Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com COPY EDITOR Cindy Foust GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meagan Russell meagan@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Katelyn Tolbert katelyn@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Taylor Bennett LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Kelly Moore Clark CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nils Borquist Dan Chason Kenny Covington Stephen Cox, MD Lou Davenport Johnn Dobbs Cindy Gist Foust Lori French Starla Gatson Heather Land Kerry Heafner Paul Lipe

Erin Love Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Glenn Miers Guy Miller Georgiann Potts Cathi French-Roberts Delia Simpson Beatrice A. Tatem Natalie Todd Vanelis Rivera Alana Wagner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kelly Moore Clark Andrew Bailey Allyson Walker

ON THE COVER model ANNA KIRKSEY makeup by BRITTANY DYE and hair by LESLEY BOYD at The Parlor House photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK present illustration by LOU DAVENPORT BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Postal subscriptions ($30) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts, or other materials. Opinion columns do not represent the views of the publisher. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

BAYOUOUTDOORS

A Father’s Gift ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON

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hen you think of the Christmas season as a older man, you cannot help but remember special Christmas times spent with family and friends. If you are an angler or hunter, these usually coincide with some very special holiday memories outdoors. My Ffather was a minister and fed a family of five on a very modest income of $75 a week in 1967. We lived in the tiny town of Millry, Alabama nestled in the foothills of western Alabama. We would normally travel 90 miles once a month to the city of Mobile, Alabama where my mama would shop for the month, as there were no chain grocery stores or box stores closer. The main place we shopped was K-Mart or Piggly Wiggly. It was a Saturday affair usually and if we got to go, it was a highlight as it was the only time our dad would treat us to “eating out” which was normally a cone of soft served ice cream. If he was splurging, we might get a hot dog. Daddy did not believe in wasting money eating out as usually there was none. My dad was a gun safety fanatic. My first year he took me squirrel hunting, I hunted with an empty Daisy BB gun. If he ever saw the muzzle of your gun or if you carried it or handled it unsafely, you were relegated to watching him hunt. My dad, brother and I took turns shooting squirrels with dad’s Stephens .22 rifle. During my 8-year old time, the local Sheriff put on a shooting competition. It was a skeet shooting match and most of the kids I went to school with were there. The Sheriff furnished 12-gauge single barrel shotguns and ammo. I remember barely sleeping the night before as I had shot my daddy’s shotgun for a couple of years on our annual dove hunt and was pretty confident I would do well. It was the one time I competed in anything that daddy was interested in other than baseball. Most of the kids were older than me. The age groups started at 8 and went to 14. But everyone was shooting for the same three trophies. Due to the large group there, and the fact the motive behind the event was drumming up votes for the Sheriff, we had 10 shots and 10 only. After watching the older kids do a lot of missing, it finally came to my turn. You can imagine my elation when I hit 8 out of 10 skeet. I didn’t know how many the other kids got but I will never forget my daddy’s face with they announced that I had won the event. I was so happy I had made my dad proud. That event was in August and school was starting. This meant it was time for my mama to go to Mobile and shop for school clothes. What I didn’t know was that was also the time they had chosen to get their Christmas shopping done for the year. I went with mama to try on clothes and was joined by my sister and brother. Dad took the car to a local outdoor store to “look around” while we grocery shopped with mom. After the long ride back home, I could tell something was up. My dad always unloaded groceries and then would hit his recliner with a massive glass of sweet tea. This particular day, he disappeared into the attic of our house. My detective skills were engaged later after my brother and I decided we needed to investigate. Mom and dad were generally night owls. Dad loved TV, popcorn and sweet iced tea. We would sit as a family and watch our favorite shows every evening. We would sit at the television that had all of three channels (if my brother and I turned the outside antenna just right). For you young folks that don’t follow, the big metal antenna outside had to be turned to catch the signal from a TV station. I was usually the one voted to turn it especially if it was raining. Kids in those days also served as remote controls. The television had to be manually switched by hand and that was a kids’ job. The unique thing about my dad was 8 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

he refused to allow beer or tobacco commercials to play in his house. That meant one of us had to run to the TV and turn it off if the devil’s commercials came on. Bedtime was always 10 pm and on this night I could not wait until my parents retired so I could find out what daddy had put in that attic. My brother was 2 1/2-years older than me. This meant my hunting clothes were always hand-me-downs and he always got the “big” presents first. The only time I got the same level of gift was if it were something like a bicycle as both of us usually ran the tires off our bikes within six months. There was no other way to travel and it was all we had. I spent many a day peddling to my favorite fishing hole or to a friends’ house. It was a different time in a country environment. You didn’t worry about kids being unsupervised like we do now. That night, my brother and I slipped upstairs and located one box. I don’t know to this day where the other things were but I found a box marked “HR 20 gauge shotgun.” I spent most of the night just admiring it. I could not wait for Christmas Day. My mama should have been a detective as by breakfast the next morning she found out daddy had bought a shotgun for me and that I had found it. She was livid. I was too little, it was too dangerous and by dog I had seen it before Christmas. Dad just sat there sipping on his tea (he did not drink coffee) and said nothing. If Mobile had not been so far away, I would not have gotten the gun as mama would have returned it. I am so grateful she didn’t as my days from then on and until I was a teenager were spent with that gun. A special gift from a special man who loved and knew his son. I will never forget that Christmas and to this day I walk back to my gun cabinet and look at that gun and remember Christmas of 1967. I miss those times but most of all I miss my dad, my mom and my brother who have gone on to heaven. Merry Christmas and may God bless you and your family in this very special season.

Where the Merry Happens Making the Holiday Season Merry BY BEATRICE TATEM, PH.D., LPC-S, NCC, ACS

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E MERRY AND LET IT BEGIN WITHIN.THERE IS THE SAYING that everything has a season. For many children the arrival of the holiday season seems to be an eternity. On the other hand for many adults it seems like the older you become the quicker the holiday season comes. I was one of those children who could not wait for the holidays and all it brought… the revisiting of family traditions, the reappearance of special recipes saved for the holidays and visits from friends and family. As a child I associated the holiday season with changes in nature, holiday music on the radio, retail displays, commercials on television, gift exchanges, merriment and receiving the things I wanted for the holidays. I often wondered why the merriment of the holiday had to end. Over time the holiday season has become symbolic of values, wishes and pleasantries I hold dear for myself and others throughout the year. This year the holiday season will look different. The pandemic is now part of our everyday life and as a result many traditions and rituals will have to be altered. Because of the pandemic and all the negativity that has come with it illness, death, depression, loss, grief, financial hardship, loneliness, along with devastating fires, uncharacteristic storms, civil unrest, and an anxiety provoking election it is important now more than ever to look forward to the warm feelings the holiday season offers. Tis’ the season to be jolly. I would be remiss to discuss merriment without acknowledging the holiday season is a challenging time of the year for many people. At the risk of projecting my thoughts and feelings this has been a particularly “trying year” for a number of my clients, colleagues, family and friends. It has been a year when admittedly the lows at times seem greater than the lows of past years. At the start of a recent counseling session I was reminded the holiday season is more than commercialized images of festivity and merrymaking. For many it is time of reflection on what life has brought us through and has brought us too. The occurrence of the holiday season is a reminder, as with nature, life is cyclical and ever changing. Perhaps a bit idealistic, all I want for the holidays is world peace and serenity for all, human understanding and unconditional acceptance, mental health and physical wellness. I want for every community, political reconciliation and racial harmony, engagement and cohesiveness, forgiveness and justice, peaceful progress and redemption, healing and renewal. It is my desire for all to experience respectful and meaningful dialogue and honest conversations of good intent. May each individual possess resilience, the mental tenacity and inner strength to withstand the forces of life. I wish for all people everywhere, young

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and old, ample provisions of the basic needs of food, water, safety and shelter coupled with an abundance of virtual hugs and kisses from those desired. It is my hope we will all experience prosperity in the form of promise, satisfaction and fulfillment. May we all be treated with good will, respect, compassion, humility, integrity, validation, and decency. Hopefully, we will witness and participate in acts of kindness both random and planned. My wish is for the merriment often associated with this time of the year to be lasting throughout the year and the years to come. Make it happen, make it merry! This year we have learned there are many things that are not in our control. We have also been reminded that there is power in being flexible, creative and open to a new way of doing things …. options do exist. Whereas, it is easy to focus on what we should not do, many aspects of the holiday season can continue. Whether you are recognizing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Diwali the holidays can still be meaningful without being minimized or cancelled. Tips for keeping the spirit of the holiday joyous and meaningful. Embrace the season sincerely and realistically optimistic…we are in a pandemic. Plan for family time and meaningful gatherings that can be done safely this may mean honoring precaution over tradition. Be centered in a spirit of gratitude of all things big and small; for the expected and the unexpected. There has been a lot of sickness, loss and hurt this year; seek and soak in the good that has happened this year as opposed to what has not occurred. Gifts from the heart versus material things are always timely, share them generously. We are constantly hearing about the spread of COVID-19, be a healthy giver and spread joy. The pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many. Indulge others with gifts of your time, concern and interest and avoid the frenzy of shopping for the right gift for the right person. From the office of Wellness Initiatives comes a lasting wish for all the hope, wonder and joy the season can bring. May the gifts that are too valuable to price, the gifts of love, safety, respect, peace, empathy, kindness, harmony, laughter, merriment and heart-felt soulful gifts from within be yours… this is where the merry happens. For more information about counseling services and outreach programming contact Dr. Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC 2485 Tower Drive, Suite 10, Monroe, La 71201, 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com

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W h e n C h r i s t m a s Wa s M o s t l y A b o u t “ W h a t W i l l I G e t ? ” not merit His love. He does not I REMEMBER how, as a child, love us because we are lovely. December 25th was mostly In fact, we are the opposite; we about, “What will I get for are unlovely. We do not behave Christmas?” Now that I am faras we ought. We are not, by removed from childhood and nature, good; by nature, we are am a practicing grandparent, the sinners. And the Bible tells us focus is on “What can I get them that, “While we were sinners, for Christmas?” I am no longer Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) concerned so much with getting, Despite our sin, the Father loves but with giving. I still enjoy us enough to give to us. receiving gifts from those who Furthermore, those He loved love me, but there is far greater needed this love Gift. You see, enjoyment in giving to those for God not only loves, He is also whom I have a special love. holy and just, and He cannot Christmas is, then, about ignore sin and what it does to giving to those you love. In fact, man. Because we have ignored that is how it all started. One His purposes for us and have of our favorite Bible verses says MAY THIS CHRISTMAS BE ABOUT broken His commandments this: “God so loved the world HOW WE CAN SHOW HIS LOVE that are designed to shape that He gave…” (John 3:16). The our behavior, we have caused first Christmas was when we TO OTHERS BECAUSE WE HAVE ourselves to come under His received the greatest Gift that EXPERIENCED THE LOVE OF CHRIST judgment. In short, we have ever was given – the Father ’s sinned, and His Word tells us that only Son, Jesus. the penalty for sin is death. We needed this awesome Christmas It is very important that we understand that it was love that Gift Who would pay our penalty by dying on the Cross for us. prompted the Father to give. We, on the other hand, may have The Father saw our need, was moved by our plight, and gave His other motives for giving. Sometimes, we may give to “balance Gift to die for us and to give us life. the scales;” that is, we give a Christmas gift to someone because The Scriptures teach that man is made in God’s image. So, that individual gave us a gift last year. Or, we may give because in some ways, we “look” like God -- not in physical appearance, it is expected of us – the grandchild’s other grandparents are because God is a Spirit and does not have a body. We are like going to give a gift, so we had better not fail to do the same lest Him in that we can reflect something about His nature in the we appear to be uncaring. Another possible reason for giving way we live. We can behave similar to the way He does. is to “buy” the child’s affection; if we give a nice gift, they will Even though that image has been distorted by our sin, it has probably like us because of the gift. not been eradicated. And when an individual, a sinner turns None of these are the reason the Father gave His Son for to God in faith, that image is restored – not perfectly, but in us. Why, then, would He give such a Gift? His reason for giving part, and he begins to think and behave more and more like his has a more noble flavor than is often true of the motives behind Savior. The result is that the Christian begins to reflect the loving our gifts. He gave because of His nature, His character. His nature of Jesus. When this happens, his Christmas will not be Word teaches this truth: “God is love.” (I John 4:16). His giving characterized by thoughts of what he will get for Christmas, but springs from who He is. He is loving, and love desires the best by how he might show the love of Jesus to others. May this for its object. Why did He give His Son? Because He loves us Christmas be about how we can show His love to others because and wants the best for us. we have experienced the love of the Christ Who was born on that We will have a greater appreciation for His Gift when we first Christmas Day. understand that those He loves and those to whom He gives do

ar t i c le b y PAU L L I PE o p in io n e x p re s s e d is t h a t o f t h e w r it e r

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Alumni Spotlight ULM Alumni: Jerrica Bennett

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AISED IN WEST MONROE, LOUISIANA, JERRICA Bennett grew up in a bubble. She spent kindergarten through 12th grade at Claiborne Christian with a class of only 25 students. Her father Brett Bennett teaches at ULM in the Rad Tech Program, and Jerrica’s childhood revolved around University events. His passion for the University and its mission was infectious. The family attended tailgating events, football games, and Jerrica fell in love with the academic environment and how it promoted a sense of community. ULM remained her first choice for higher education, and she immediately enrolled after graduating high school. What was once a small group of people in secondary school was eclipsed by a large and diverse university student population. Jerrica originally majored in Medical Laboratory Science, assuming the medical field was an appropriate fit. But like so many college freshmen, Jerrica soon realized she was meant for something else, eventually trying the Rad Tech program and even education. She landed in communication, as she preferred composing speeches and writing papers to routine memorization. Her advisor Dr. C. Turner Steckline-Wilson taught Interpersonal Communication. The class was so different from what Jerrica imagined, and she gravitated toward Steckline-Wilson’s creative style. Dr. Leslie Pace taught Gender and Communication, and Jerrica was fascinated by the relationship between communication concepts, culture, and gender constructs. Pace’s intelligence and well-spokenness impressed Jerrica even more. Dr. Bette Koffman taught several communication classes and always encouraged her students to do better. Jerrica learned how to meet the moment and the importance of high standards. The Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) is where Jerrica found her flock. She invested in the small community and served in a leadership role, overseeing the group’s Wednesday Dollar Lunches. She made lifelong friendships and was grateful for the opportunity to give back. In 2016, Jerrica graduated with a degree in communication. Her last two semesters in school, she interned at the Monroe/West Monroe Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, the tourism and marketing arm of the parish. She wrote blog posts and catalogued calendar events on the website, and in her research of the area, she fell in love with her city. She had lived here for almost two decades and never realized how much the area had to offer. The Monroe/West Monroe Convention & Visitors’ Bureau was rebranded and named Discover Monroe/West Monroe, and Jerrica was offered a full-time position. She now acts as one of

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the faces of the organization, frequently appearing on TV and giving interviews to promote local events and attractions. Jerrica is currently the Social Media & Website Manager and creates content to promote city happenings. She shoots videos and takes photos for promotion. She knows many people, like herself, are simply unaware of what all Monroe/West Monroe has to offer, and her goal is to change that reality. The Twin Cities currently has over 100 local restaurants and numerous events each weekend. Jerrica appears on bi-weekly news segments to boost community involvement. She encourages people to visit the Discover Monroe/West Monroe website for a full calendar of events, dates, and times. Jerrica created an innovative way to connect people with local events. Visitors and local residents can take a personality quiz on the Discover Monroe/West Monroe website to see what characteristics they embody and receive a personalized itinerary for discovering the Twin Cities. The Vibrant Blazes like to try new things, and the suggestions are centered around entertainment, the arts, and the downtown area. The Visionary Skies are the creative, entrepreneurial types, and suggestions include history and museum attractions. The Friendly Waves are the hospitable types, and homestyle restaurants and community-focused events are proposed. The Tranquil Bayous are the chill, laid-back types, and suggestions are nature focused. Jerrica enjoys inventing new ways for people to explore the area and get the most of what our region has to offer. As a ULM alumna, Jerrica sees the importance of having a local university in our community. Her career is all about building community, and our University is often the hub of many of these endeavors. Discover Monroe/West Monroe works closely with ULM, co-sponsoring sports projects and conventions. She sees ULM’s recent outreach to further edges of our region, cementing the school’s standing in the community. ULM is a vital part of the parish, and Jerrica is proud to be a product of our local institution. The ULM Alumni Association reaches, connects and celebrates alumni and friends to build lifelong relationships, and commit to the university’s missions of academic freedom, scholarship, diversity, excellence, integrity and service. We represent alumni who honor the traditions of our university and who share a sense of achievement and pride. We create a network of professionals, establish scholarships and advocate for our University through community engagement. Members of the Alumni Association support countless initiatives, and annual memberships are just $35. To learn more or to become a member, please visit our new alumni network at ulm.edu/alumni.

BAYOU HOL I DAY

GIFTS IN BLOOM Give a gift that keeps on giving. Paperwhites make the perfect DIY holiday gift and they’re blooming easy to grow.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Glass jar Paperwhite bulbs Pebbles/Gravel Moss Ribbon Fill a jar with pebbles and nestle in your bulbs, making sure there is room for them to root. Next add more pebbles until the bulbs are secure (but not covered). Add water to the base of the bulbs. You can add moss for a decorative element and tie with a ribbon for a simple, elegant gift. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT

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BAYOU HOL I DAY

VELVET CRUSH Be inspired this holiday season with wrapping papers full of color and character. Toss the raffia bow this year for luxe velvet ribbon in bold hues. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT

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Let Us Help You Provide The Perfect Gift Under the Tree this Holiday Season

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LEIGH BELLS ARE BEGINNING TO RING, LIGHTS ARE being hung, and a beautiful tree is in the window just waiting for gifts for friends and loved ones. We are super excited to help you find the perfect gift for anyone on your list! Let’s take a look at just a few of the many options we have available. Looking to find the perfect whiskey? Four Roses Small Batch Select is finally available in the state, and it’s delicious. The #3 whiskey of the year for 2019 is packed with incredible flavor. A big nose offers up aromas of lemon zest, oak, berries, and baking spice. The palate is deep and textured with chocolate, pepper, roasted walnuts, cherries, and dark fruit with a long and intense finish that is worthy of all the praise it has received. Another new line to the area is the long awaited Penelope Bourbons. A mash bill consisting of the four noble grains (corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley) comprises the base for these great whiskies. Let’s take a closer look at the Penelope Barrel Strength Bourbon. Bottled at 116 proof, we found this bourbon to be surprisingly smooth upon the second sip. A nose of honeyed vanilla welcomes you and continues onto the palate to be joined with caramel and oak spice. The finish is generous and long with a more pronounced rye spiciness. For a gift that comes in a great package and delivers on the tongue as well look no further than the #3 whiskey of the year from 2017, Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades. The Master’s Keep series consists of one time production whiskies made by the legendary Russell family. Made from barrels ranging from 10 to 20 years old to create balance and complexity, a nose of earth, vanilla, caramel, and mushrooms explodes onto the palate with more vanilla and caramel followed by cinnamon. The finish has a kiss of sweetness that will leave a smile on your face. If you have a Scotch lover in mind we have a great selection, but we are going to highlight Lagavulin Cask Strength 12 year old. This is perfect for those who love a good smokey Scotch. As with all Lagavulin the nose throws peat smoke your way immediately along with hazelnuts, lemon zest, and that classic Islay touch of ocean brine. On the palate we get a bonfire of smoke, lemon creme, and pepper that continues through the finish. The addition of an ice cube or splash of water opens up to reveal more citrus fruit and roasted nuts. For some simple great cocktails we can’t recommend enough Sirop de Saizon from Lafayette, La. This old fashioned simple syrup is overflowing with flavor and will help you make one of the best in home old-fashions ever. A Louisiana guy who wanted to bring the unique flavor of New Orleans to his home cocktails, he tried and failed until 28 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Sirop de Saizon was born. We can’t recommend this enough! A whiskey to use for a great rye old fashioned that is a stellar value is Old Forester Rye. Cinnamon, vanilla, and oak make the backbone of a palate that starts sweet and fruity, but then reveals a nuttiness followed by citrus. A little water reveals toasted pecans and ginger. A perfect compliment to the flavors of Sirop de Saizon. Maybe you need a gift for a lover of tequila? Do they happen to like George Strait? Check out the Codigo George Strait Edition Anejo. Vanilla mingles with oak and peppery caramel in the nose. A balanced tequila that harmonizes all the way through the palate with yet more caramel, vanilla, and honeyed fruit. Put on some George Strait and sip on this complex tequila while enjoying the company of loved ones. No matter what you’ll be having for your holiday dinner, we can help you pair up a wine that will take it to the next level. One example is Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. This exquisitely structured cabernet does need some time to open, so pop the cork while enjoying one of those fantastic whiskies or a Sirop de Saizon Old Fashion. That time to open will reveal violets, savory herbs, dark plums, and oak on the nose. On the palate you’ll be greeted by a textured mouthfeel that is teased by chocolate, more juicy dark fruit, and a rich finish. An incredible pairing with prime rib or wild game. People often mark the new year with a round of bubbles, and so we would remiss if we didn’t mention any. Perrier-Jouet 2005 Rose Belle Epoque was described as “the most extravagant and graceful PerrierJouet wine of the Belle Epoque Collection” by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps. These beautiful painted bottles will make a mark upon the eyes as you see those gorgeous bubbles flow into the glass. Bright raspberries and toasted brioche mark a wine that is extravagant from start to finish on all the senses, it’s true celebratory wine. We can’t wait to see you at the store this holiday season and help you find the perfect gift for anyone on your list, including yourself. We are open 11am-8pm Monday through Saturday. Merry Christmas from Doe’s Eat Place of Monroe and Washington Wine & Spirits and thank you for your continued support. 6 oz Filet - $9.75 1.5 lb Bone In Strip - $20.99 2 lb Bone In Ribeye - $37.98 2 lb T-Bone - $27.98 3 lb Porterhouse - $47.97 Twice Baked Potatoes - $4.99/each

10 oz Filet - $16.24 20 oz Ribeye - $21.24 1.5 lb T-Bone - $20.99 2.5 lb Porterhouse - $39.98 2-5 lb Sirloin - $11.99/lb

BAYOU SPI R I TS

HOLIDAY PALOMA This seasonal cocktail combines the best flavors of the holidays. Ginger combines perfectly with pomegranate to send your taste buds into overdrive. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Ginger Syrup: 1/2 cup honey Fresh chopped ginger 6 mint leaves Paloma: 1/2 cup pomegranate juice 1/3 cup grapefruit juice 1 ounce fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons ginger syrup 2 ounces tequila ginger beer or soda water Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil and add honey and ginger. Remove from heat. Add mint, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain out ginger and mint and set aside. For the Paloma, fill a glass with ice. Shake all the ingredients (except ginger beer/ soda) and pour over ice. Top with ginger beer or soda water. Garnish with blood orange, mint and pomegranate seeds. *Adapted from halfbakedharvest.com

30 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

made to shine

Reflecting Light April Rodgers’s hand hovered over her computer mouse, hesitant to click “publish” on her first blog post. “It was the very beginning of 2015,” she recalls. “This is when everybody and their sister had a blog. It was completely saturated with every kind of blog that you can think of, and I thought, ‘What in the world am I doing? Only my husband and my mother are going to ever read these things.’” Still, she published her first post anyway, and from there, her life slowly began to change. “The first few blogs were just legitimately terrible. I can’t believe anybody read it or kept reading it, but God is so good and so faithful,” she remembers.

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he little blog she was sure no one would read began to open doors for Rodgers, leading her to pen articles for national Christian bookseller, LifeWay and 90-second devotions for the Hill Radio. All the while, she dreamed of fulfilling an even bigger dream: writing her very own Bible study guide. “That’s where my passion is,” she says of studying scripture. “Jesus got a hold of my heart, and I fell completely in love with Him through reading His word, through Bible study.” She was drawn to writing about light, having been inspired by Matthew 5:16, when Jesus told the crowd to “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” And when DaySpring print company caught wind of the devotions and blog posts she had written, Rodgers was sure publishing her Bible study guide was the next step. But, Rodgers explains, the Lord — and DaySpring — had other plans. “They said, ‘Let us publish your devotions, then we’ll talk about the Bible study.’ And I kept saying, ‘OK, but I really wish the Bible study would go first.’” But the publishers were adamant, insisting the study guide be put on the backburner. This decision, it turns out, was one of the best things that could have happened for Rodgers’s writing. Her book of devotions, titled Made to Shine: 90 Devotions to Enjoy and Reflect God’s Light, was released May 5th right in the midst of the COVID-induced quarantine, a time when a book of personal devotions was more valuable than a Bible study guide for a group of people. “The Lord knows better than me. Sometimes, I’m hardheaded; He just has to say, ‘Let me just take the wheel; you sit back, and I’ll make it happen.’ It ended up being such a beautiful blessing.”

The book of devotions is a mixture of anecdotes from Rodgers’s life with her husband and children and spiritual musings about heavier topics like holiness and worth. Being willing to share her story, she says, is what she believes makes her book appealing to others. “I think for women, it has resonated because in there, I try to talk a lot about how you don’t have to have it all together,” she says. “Really, all you have to be willing to do is tell your story because your story is different from my story, and her story’s going to be different than your story, but if we all start to tell our stories about how He has been faithful to us and how He has changed our lives, then it shifts everything.” Telling your story, Rodgers says, is key to reflecting the light she’s so deeply passionate about. “More and more people will want to have that light. They’ll want to know, ‘What is it about her that I’m so attracted to? Why do I really want to sit down with her, and why do I really want to have a conversation with her?’ They don’t even know, but it’s because the light is shining out of you.” Rodgers tells her story through her devotions and blog through Reflecting Light, a ministry she began while studying at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “When I went to seminary, I wanted to do Reflecting Light ministries. I saw it kind of like Priscilla Shirer has her ministry; she’s able to write the Bible studies and then do it, but she isn’t necessarily working in the church.” Yet again, God had other plans for Rodgers. While on a trip to Israel, she received a call from staff pastors at Christ Church, offering her a position as Director of Women’s Ministry for all three campuses. Instead of giving an immediate answer, though, she asked for time to pray on it; she wanted to be certain the opening at the church was a space God wanted her to fill.

article by STARLA GATSON and photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

“I love a good plan, and the Lord and I have this conversation quite frequently where I’ll tell Him, ‘I’ll follow you. I’ll do whatever you say to do; just tell me where we’re going.’ And He’s saying, ‘Just trust me.’” “I was coming back home, and I was telling the Lord, ‘I’m about to be in JFK, and I haven’t heard from you about if you want me to do this or not,’” she recalls. “I was listening to this beautiful song, and this girl was singing in the background, but it wasn’t just her that was making the song so pretty. It was other people around that were participating — the musicians, the drummer, the piano player, all the different people — and I felt like the Lord was just saying, ‘You’ve been out here doing this on your own for so long. Do it with other likeminded people. Do it with people that I can surround you with, and you can love on the women. That’s what you’re good at; that’s what you love to do.’ And so, I said OK. I went for my first day of work, and then the next day, everything got shut down because of COVID.” Now, with a bit of normalcy restored, Rodgers has reported back to work and has hit the ground running with the introduction of “Women On Mission” at Christ Church. She hopes to encourage women to positively impact their spheres of influence for the cause of Christ, whether they are in their homes, at work, or out and about in the community. Her passion is evident in both her writing and ministry and though she seems to have hit her stride now, Rodgers says she never saw herself becoming an author or women’s minister. In fact, until the tragic death of her brother, the Monroe native had been completely certain she would work as a financial planner until she retired. “I was being groomed to be a financial planner ever since I was young; my dad was in the business, so it was just kind of understood that was the path I was going to go down,” she explains. “So, I went to school, majored in marketing, and I got my certified financial planner degree.” But after losing her brother so abruptly, Rodgers says she began to shift her thought process to a more eternal mindset. “I started to think about things like, ‘OK, what do you want me to do, Lord?’” She continued her career in financial planning, all the while pondering the possibility of switching occupational gears and battling infertility. After three years, Rodgers gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Addie, and after every door for childcare slammed shut, she found herself stepping out of the world of financial planning and into the role of a stay-at-home mom. “I said, ‘Now what, Lord?’ And it was then that my love for Bible study sparked and ignited, and I started teaching Bible study at my church and just never stopped, really,” she says. “We ended up having another daughter a few years later, and when I knew Addie and Ella were going to be going to school full-time, I had this decision to make: am I going to go back into financial planning, or going to seminary?” The two options could not have been more different, Rodgers knew, but after spending time in prayer and a long conversation with her husband, she made the bold decision to pursue a Master’s degree in theological studies. It was a leap of faith for sure, but faith, Rodgers says, is foot action. “It’s just putting one foot in front of the other,” she explains. “I love a good plan, and the Lord and I have this conversation quite frequently where I’ll tell Him, ‘I’ll follow you. I’ll do whatever you say to do; just tell me where we’re going.’ And He’s saying, ‘Just trust me.’” Rodgers believes the Lord has shown Himself faithful in her life over and over again, and she encourages any woman wrestling with uncertainty or hardship to draw closer to God and intentionally keep

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moving forward. “At the time, I thought, ‘What is the purpose in all this?’” she says of her past hardships. “And now when I look back on it, I see that He was so faithful. He was so faithful to me in the season of loss. He was so faithful to me in the season of infertility. He was so faithful to me on the mountaintop whenever He gave me a book contract. He’s worth us putting our trust in.” It’s not always easy, she warns, but if you walk with the Lord, He will illuminate every step of the path. And that’s exactly what Rodgers intends to continue doing: trusting in God’s faithfulness and reflecting His light brightly for all to see.

BAYOU HOM E

WA X POETIC Light up your holidays with these textured tapers, antiqued metal candlesticks, and seasonal scents from area home stores. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT

From left to right: Cire Trudon candle from Material Things; Brass candlestick with tassel from Ivy & Stone; Antique silver candlestick from Traditions on Trenton; Nest candle from Haven; LAFCO from Parterre Home, Tatine candle from Palette House + Plume, Glass cylinder with gold taper from Woodstock; Lantern candle from Bella Magnolia Home, Three-wick candle in wood bowl from Walsworth & Company

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Haven’s Holiday Gift Guide Haven Has Selected Some of Their Favorite Gifts to Make Your Shopping Easy

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OLIDAY BUYING IS IN FULL SWING! CUSTOMERS always appreciate the personal service they receive at Haven. All of their gift lines have been hand-selected and most are exclusive to their shop, so the staff has provided a list of wonderful gift ideas to inspire your shopping this Holiday Season. 1. JEWELRY: Haven has so many interesting jewelry lines, including the ever-popular Hazen jewelry. Pick up an iconic gold Margaret bracelet and pair it with a Tiger’s eye, for a stylish stack. Several other new jewelry line debuts, you are sure to love. 2. CINDA B: CINDA B is back! Those that travel with CINDA B know what a fantastic line it is and so practical. Classic colors of duffels, totes and small pieces are in-stock and other colors can be special ordered in just a few days. 3. LOUNGE SET: A Barefoot Dreams lounge set is an incredible gift for yourself or someone you love. Whether your style is seamed leggings, a relaxed fit top or a basic lounge set, Haven has several choices this season. 4. LITTLE ONES: Finley Bear and Lion are good friends and make great gifts for little ones. Check out the new arrivals of children’s books, including an expanded Louisiana section. Something for every age! 5. BARWARE: A beautiful iridescent champagne flute will help you ring in the new year, and 2021 has got to be better! New styles of cocktail and whiskey glasses are sure to be a welcomed gift this holiday season. 6. NEST: What is not to love? Haven has an amazing selection of NEST candles. Choose a customer favorite like the Bamboo candle, or a wonderful holiday scent. Some of the scents also have lotion and hand soap. 7. MEN’S PRODUCTS: Jack Black has exceptional skin products for men. Basics like the Face Cleanser, or the All-Over Turbo Wash are offered in individual bottles or you can grab a gift set. A new waxed canvas Dopp Kit is practical for all ages and Haven has several colors. Coordinating duffel bags available on some styles. 8. BAREFOOT DREAMS BLANKET: For the ultimate in relaxation this season, choose an amazing Barefoot Dreams blanket. Haven has a huge selection of these soft blankets, and they are flying off the shelves! Add a cozy pair of socks and you may never leave the sofa again! Relax into 2021. 9. PUZZLES: Games and puzzles are great way to spend downtime with family. Check out the new Louisiana themed and the popular Gray Malin puzzles. 10. BATH ESSENTIALS: Spongelle has great gift sets in several 38 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

scents. Their body buffers are so popular, including their men’s buffers! Haven always has a nice selection of small batch bath companies you won’t want to miss! 11. SLIPPERS: Slip into some new slippers this holiday season. Haven has an incredible selection of styles including one from Barefoot Dreams that are going fast. Men’s slippers in stock as well. 12. DESIGN BOOKS: S is for Style. New Interior Design books have arrived, and Haven always has a fantastic selection of books. A great read and then it’s perfect for the coffee table or bookcase. 13. DESIGN ACCESSORIES: Haven is the best place to shop for design accessories, since their owner is an interior designer. Whether you are looking for a stunning tray for a coffee table or vanity, accessories for a bookcase or side table, a decorative vase to make a statement on the mantle, Haven has all of these and more. 14. PAJAMAS: Give the gift of pajamas! Haven has pajamas in satin, and bamboo. PJ Harlow is a favorite and available in navy, silver and now a beautiful cream. Another new pajama making a debut has an abstract art design. Pair any of these with a robe and slippers and you have a hit for any female on your list. 15. LOUISIANA GIFTS: The new Louisiana section at Haven is a must see! Check out the Louisiana books such as recent releases by Chef Jay Ducote, a book on Southern College football and one on Louisiana musicians. Other state inspired favorites are LSU coasters, hand towels made in NOLA, roux spoons, and other fun pickups. 16. VEGAN BAGS: Step out in style with a Vegan leather handbag. Staff favorites in great neutrals such as charcoal or chocolate are available in a Hobo style and versatile clutch. Classic, stylish, and modern. Make it easy for your friends and family this holiday season and make a wishlist on-line or in-store at Haven. Haven’s new website (ShopHavenMonroe.com) is a great way to peruse gifts without leaving home. Local delivery, in-store pick up or have it shipped, all easy options from the site. Haven has many ways to shop. Haven offers a “Text to Shop” service where they can send you pictures and help you shop over the phone. Just text 267-7577 and they will be happy to help! Haven has extended holiday hours! They will be open every day in December, leading up to Christmas. Swing by Thursday, Dec 17th, as they will be open late. Follow Haven on Instagram and Facebook, as they are posting gift ideas daily. As Monroe’s premier shopping destination, the gift you give from Haven will be the best one under the tree, so stop by today!

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2020 Holiday Gift Guide From The Nude Nomad

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ICKING OUT THE PERFECT PRESENT IS HARD ENOUGH as it is! That is why we have put together a gift guide to take the stress out of your holiday shopping. From designer-inspired belts and purses to fashionable and functional face mask holders, you cannot go wrong with this season’s must-have styles. DESIGNER-INSPIRED BELTS Buckle up! Belts are one of the hottest trends to hit the runway in 2020 and have become a staff fave at The Nude Nomad. They can easily be styled with any type of jean and instantly elevate an outfit from cute to couture. The double o-ring belts are the most sought after accessory of the year by teens and women of all ages, making it hard to get your hands on one due to such a high demand. The Nude Nomad made sure to stock up on a wide variety of these designer-inspired belts this holiday season. From basic black to cognac crocodile, The Nude Nomad offers gorgeous color, texture and pattern options under $30, so there is something special for everyone. FACE MASK CHAIN HOLDERS Add style and function to any mask with The Nude Nomad’s mask chains. Similar to eyeglasses chains, they allow a sanitary way to keep your mask close at hand when it is not on your face. From elegant pearls to understated chain links, all of The Nude Nomad’s face mask chain holders are under $25 and make great stocking stuffers or secret Santa gifts for all ages. They are also super versatile and can be worn as a gorgeous necklace when not being used with a face mask.

a new Netflix series or for wearing out-and-about around town styled separately. Available in muted tie-dyed patterns and fun animal prints, such as snake and tiger print, many of the loungewear tops are oversized and can be styled with leggings for daily wear. Now that’s how you get more bang for your buck! The Nude Nomad also has cozy slipper options with rubber soles for only $28, making them the perfect gift for the perfect price. UNIQUE AND AFFORDABLE JEWELRY What girl doesn’t love jewelry?! From ornate stone statement pieces to simple and sleek designs, The Nude Nomad has it all. Many of their unique and trendy jewelry styles are under $20 and hand selected from across the globe. Whether you are looking for the perfect necklace, pair of earrings or bracelet, The Nude Nomad has a reputation for having the best jewelry selection in town. The options are endless at The Nude Nomad. ANDREA BARNETT DESIGNS An Andrea Barnett design can be spotted from a mile away. This Dallas designer puts her personal touch on all of her handmade jewelry, using religious medals, authentic gemstones, freshwater pearls, and vintage chains. Her styles are versatile enough to be worn daily alone or layered, but she is also known for her signature multi-layered statement pieces. For that truly special person, an Andrea Barnett cross necklace will be a timeless gift that is treasured and worn for years to come. Andrea Barnett has collaborated with the owners of The Nude Nomad to design many styles that are exclusively available at this local boutique located in the heart of downtown West Monroe.

PRISMATIC PURSES Not sure what to get your fashionista? You’ve got it “in the bag” with a prismatic purse! It is another designer-inspired favorite that can be seen all over the blogs, offering a contemporary take on the traditional handbag. This eye-catching design can be worn as a clutch, wristlet or cross body purse. Flexible yet sturdy, this designer dupe is lightweight and perfect for daily use. Prismatic purses are versatile and can be dressed up or down, making them worth every penny at a price point that is less than $50. The Nude Nomad has them exclusively in a beautiful array of color options that can be worn year round, including bourbon bronze, galaxy graphite, and starlight silver.

Regardless of whether you are looking for budget friendly gift options for stocking stuffers or wanting to go all out to show that special someone how much you care, The Nude Nomad should be the first stop for your holiday shopping! The friendly staff will help you pick the perfect gift or outfit. The Nude Nomad is fully stocked with all new clothing, accessories and shoes for teens and women of all ages, making it a one stop shopping experience! Love it all and not sure which gift you would like to give? Give the gift of choice with a gift certificate. They are a fail proof option that everyone loves to receive.

LOUNGEWEAR Social distance in style! Whether it is a gift for yourself or for a friend, you cannot go wrong with cute and comfortable loungewear. The Nude Nomad has a new loungewear section in the store with sets that are perfect for bundling up at home and binge-watching

The Nude Nomad is located at 222 Trenton St., West Monroe, LA 71291. To see their updated holiday hours and to be the first to know about their holiday promotions and new arrivals, join their fashion adventures on Facebook and Instagram: @thenudenomad.

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The Gift of a Great Smile Start Smiling with Confidence with NELA Dental

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RE YOU ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO AREN’T HAPPY with your smile, and use certain tricks to hide it? Maybe your lips never part, making all your smiles closed and tight-lipped, and when you can’t help but smile or laugh, you cover your mouth with your hand. A smile that you don’t want to show not only causes you undue stress, but it can actually harm your social or professional relationships. People may think you’re unhappy, or worse, think it’s a reflection on your attitude toward them. As much as we hate to admit it, the way we look and dress can dramatically impact just about everything, from our career to our friendships and relationships with others. Having a straighter, whiter smile is an important attribute in today’s image conscious, competitive world. YOUR SMILE REALLY DOES MAKE THE FIRST IMPRESSION Heard the saying, “Your smile is one of the first things people notice?” It’s true that a person’s smile is one of the most remembered attributes after having met for the first time. If you’re embarrassed about your teeth and are trying to keep from smiling, it can unintentionally make you appear unfriendly when you don’t mean to be. In contrast, a bright and confident smile makes a better impression, and will generally be perceived as you’re being happier, more intelligent, and trustworthy. After all, you only get a single shot at making an outstanding first impression, so it’s wise to invest in your smile. WHITER, ATTRACTIVE SMILES CAN = GREATER SUCCESS Actual studies and surveys have been conducted to show how a person’s smile can impact aspects of life including job interviews and job promotions. A recent Kelton Research perception study revealed that Americans with whiter, aligned teeth can be viewed as 45% more likely to be considered for a job when compared with someone who has the same skill sets and experience, but with a less attractive smile. Not only do people with more attractive smiles have a better shot at getting hired for the job, but they can be offered a higher rate of pay! It turns out that investing in a whiter, straighter smile may be just the thing you need to get that raise you deserve! 42 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

A BRIGHTER SMILE CAN BOOST YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE Researchers have studied how tooth alignment and enamel color in young adults and teens can affect their self-esteem and confidence while these traits are developing. The results weren’t surprising: those with stained, crowded teeth, and generally unpleasing smiles were usually less confident, shy, and more embarrassed about the way they look. The young adult years are some of the most impressionable, and experiences during this time in people’s lives can have life-altering impact (for better or worse). A bright, orthodontically aligned smile can have a life-long, positive effect on a young person’s life that extends far into adulthood. SMILING MORE FOR A LONGER, HEALTHIER LIFE Feeling good about your teeth means you’ll smile more often, and researchers have proven that people who smile more frequently generally live longer, happier lives. Smiling more often has also been linked to lower heart rate, reduction of stress and anxiety, increased release of endorphins, strengthening immune system, and much more! Reaching out to NELA Dental is a great way to start on your path to a smile that you’re happy with. If you or someone you know is looking for a brighter, whiter smile, or has misaligned teeth, contact NELA Dental for an initial appointment and free consultation! The five dentists at NELA have the expertise needed to guide you through treatment that will be most beneficial for you, be it dental implants, crowns & veneers, resin bonding, adult braces, or professional whitening. They are well credentialed in the practice of dentistry, and for your convenience offer three locations in northeast Louisiana in Monroe, Farmerville, and Oak Grove. For your comfort, NELA Dental offers sedation dentistry options that fit your preferences including mild nitrous oxide (sometimes referred to as “laughing gas”), an oral anti-anxiety sedation medication, and is one of few offices offering Intravenous Conscious Sedation (“IV sedation”). So when basic cleanings just aren’t enough, talk with someone at NELA Dental, and ask questions to find out more about their multiple services. You may visit them online at NELADental.com.

B AY O U H E A L T H |

BY SHANNON DAHLUM

LIFE LESSONS COURTESY OF THE YEAR 2020

DEAR READER,

ake a nice, deep breath. Sit up tall and completely fill your lungs. It feels so good to inhale deeply, doesn’t it? Inhaling nourishes your body with oxygen, but every inhale is always followed by an exhale. Without that exhale, you have no space for the next breath to enter. If you hold onto it for too long, the breath that gives you life can become toxic enough to end it. The inability to let go of the things you cherish can eventually hold you back. An ancient practice in India for capturing monkeys is a fascinating example of this. Small cages were made and a banana was placed inside each one. Monkeys would reach into a cage to grab a banana, but were unable to pull it back out through the narrow space between the bars. The monkeys were then easily caught because they were unwilling to let go of the banana and run away. The monkeys were free, but they clung to the trapped bananas until they became trapped, too. In the same way that holding your breath for too long can become toxic or refusing to let go of a caged banana will trap a monkey, maintaining your grip on the past will keep you stuck in a cycle of repeating the same experiences. Creating positive change somewhere in your life requires you to first let go of the negative expectations formed by your past. If you’ve ever been wronged by someone in a personal or business relationship, you have two choices; you either forgive them or you don’t. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that what they did was okay; it means you learned from the experience and let it go. You accept that it happened and perhaps make some adjustments within yourself to prevent the same situation from happening again. Maybe you’ll now see red flags more clearly and establish better boundaries to protect yourself. While you can’t control the actions of other people, you’ve learned that you can control who you choose to associate yourself with and how you react to others’ behavior toward you. On the other hand, if you choose not to forgive, you hold on to the hurt and anger that experience created and carry it with you. You now have those emotions inside of yourself and you will continue to surround yourself with people who give you a reason to express those emotions. When you’re full of hurt and anger, you’ll subconsciously continue to find new experiences that allow those emotions to bubble up to the surface. By clinging to the residue of the past, you remain stuck repeating it. By learning and letting go, you create space for new and better experiences. An inability to forgive yourself for past failures can also prevent you from attaining future success. Perhaps you’ve tried to adopt healthier behaviors to create physical changes in your body, but you weren’t able to stick with the plan. Rather than seeing your plan as something that didn’t work for you and learning to simply change your approach, you saw yourself as a failure for being unable to stick with it. You now believe you’re a failure, and those beliefs will shape your future behaviors. If you expect to fail, you will, because you’ll never exceed your own expectations of yourself. Holding onto your past failed experiences will trap you in a cycle of failure, just as a monkey becomes trapped by holding onto a caged banana. To change your beliefs about yourself and create new successful experiences, learn from the past failed ones and then let them go. Moving into a new year is always an opportunity to clean the slate and start fresh. In order to make space for something new, you need to first let go of what’s no longer serving you; whether it’s the physical stuff you’ve accumulated, your beliefs about yourself, or your ideas about what your life is supposed to look like. If I’ve taught you anything, I hope it’s this: things don’t always play out as you had hoped. In order to grow, sometimes you have to completely let go of your old ways of doing things to allow new ideas to form. Clinging to what you once knew and being afraid to let go of your old expectations keeps you trapped. I’ve provided you with massive opportunities to let go, to grow, and to build resiliency. Take a deep breath. Look back on the challenges and unrealized expectations I’ve presented you with. Hold onto them just long enough to learn from them, and then let them go. Now, exhale completely, and as you make space for a new breath to fill your lungs, make space for new opportunities to come in 2021.

With (tough) love, The Year 2020 44 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

ROASTED S P ROU TS

Ingredients:

photo by Kelly Moore Clark adapted from inpiredbycharm.com

1 lb. Brussels sprouts 2 tbs olive oil 1 cup Honeycrisp apples 1/2 c. dried cranberries 1/4 c. chopped pecans 1/4 c. red wine vinaigrette

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper and spread onto baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Roast for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the over and mix remaining ingredients and roast for an additional 10 minutes. Remove and plate, then drizzle with vinaigrette.

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES “Normal People” by Sally Rooney REV IEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE “No one can be independent of other people completely, so why not give up the attempt, she thought, go running in the other direction, depend on people for everything, allow them to depend on you, why not.” This exceptionally written love story chronicles the parallel lives of Marianne and Connor, two young people from different economic backgrounds who find comfort and heartbreak with one another. The story begins in high school, where Conner is the shy, but popular football star, and Marianne is the awkward, yet intelligent outcast. Connor refuses to reveal himself to others and is praised for his mystery, while Marianne’s reluctance to invest in personal relationships is seen as a character flaw. Connor is the product of a single working class mother who adores him, while Marianne’s wealthy family is emotionally unavailable and at times damaging. Marianne and Connor see reflections of themselves in one another, despite social obstacles. What begins as a casual physical relationship morphs into a deep friendship complicated by romantic issues. The story continues when Connor and Marianne attend college, a much different environment where Marianne thrives in an open-minded atmosphere and Connor shrinks into anonymity. Their shared appreciation of knowledge and resistance of social norms creates a foundation they repeatedly turn to as their lives diverge. This novel

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explores the complexity of personal relationships, the confusion of adolescence, and the innate desire to define oneself through another’s eyes. Rooney’s eloquent writing fashions deeply feeling characters who can’t escape their own minds regardless of natural intellect. They see the flaws in the world and their own thinking, yet they can’t stop thinking. She touches on the vulnerability of human nature, how hard it is to see ourselves, and how we can’t ever escape the desire to be truly seen. Marianne and Connor show the weight of simple decisions on the trajectory of life, and they constantly reflect and reimagine their paths. I read this book in two days, and I came to it in reverse. I had already watched the adapted series on Hulu. I was so intrigued by these characters I couldn’t quite understand, and felt I wanted to know more long after the series ended. The book did shed more light on character intuition and development. We understand more of why Marianne is who she is and how Connor is both drawn to her and fearful of her influence. The series and the book detail explicit sexual content, not shying away from the desires of adolescence and the complications that result. The book explores the lasting impact of intense parental love and the gaping emotional absence when it is denied. Rooney’s story is more than a love narrative, but rather a seat inside the minds of two people who love each other and are trying desperately to love themselves.

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES “In Five Years” by Rebecca Serle REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

“You mistake love. You think it has to have a future in order to matter, but it doesn’t. It’s the only thing that does not need to become at all. It matters only insofar as it exists. Here. Now. Love doesn’t require a future.” This novel is about love, friendship, and the absence of both. Dannie is on the fast-track to a perfect life. She has a strong relationship with her boyfriend, and their relationship falls along her approved timeline. She has her dream job interview with the most respected firm in town, and she feels confident. That evening she goes to bed and wakes up five years in the future, in a life she doesn’t recognize, with a man she’s never met. While she is only in the future for one hour, it alters the next five years of her life. This is a love story, but more so one between two girlfriends. Dannie and Bella are polar opposites who have shared their entire lives by choice. Dannie is structured, controlling, and a realist. Bella is beautiful, whimsical, flighty, and utterly unpredictable. It’s the kind of friendship that defines one’s life. They don’t really know life without the other present. I found myself

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more endeared to the women’s relationship than the romantic parts of this book. I couldn’t help reading this one with my own friends in mind, and wondering which girl I would be in each scenario. The novel is quick read, as each chapter is relatively short and meant to be immediately followed by the next. Serle wrote to keep us reading. She does include many emotional moments, both highs and lows, and demonstrates the humility of not being able to escape our feelings. While the story is predominantly plot-based, she does include some commentary on the dynamics between people and how we internalize heartbreak and externalize the appearance of being okay. The ending is surprising and worth the time investment. There are a few sexual scenes, though nothing too graphic or cringe-worthy. Serle creates detailed characters, but most of those details include physical descriptions that are a bit superfluous. What I did love about this book is the best friends’ love story, a gripping testament to the power of knowing you have someone in your corner. This is a summer high five to friendship.

99 CHRISTMASES

Meredith’s Musings article by M E R E DIT H MCK I N N I E

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hristmas trees are littering my social media feed weeks before Thanksgiving is even upon us. Everyone is anxious for good cheer, tradition, and a return to some sense of normalcy. The holidays afford us the opportunity to remember who we are, what we all share, and where our hopes and dreams converge. The anticipation of the Christmas season is too tempting to forestall any longer. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is how much we value our way of life, our freedom to live as we choose, and the importance of staying connected to those we love. When the school year comes to a close, we all see posts about parents recognizing how few summers they get with their kids while they’re still kids. We are limited to the same few Christmases when our kids still believe, and the magic is still alive. I’ve already used the “Santa’s watching” adage with Wilder when she misbehaves. She purses her lips and knows she can’t argue with the reality that Santa and his elves hold her Christmas morning fate in their hands. When we mix pancake batter on Saturday mornings, she casually asks, “Is Santa watching, Mama?” ...”Always,” I reply. She’s getting into the season in her own way, requesting the holiday episodes of her beloved Sofia the First. She’s fascinated with snow and looks for it routinely each morning despite the 80-degree temperatures. As much as I anticipate the nostalgia of the Christmas season, I also worry about the performance, the responsibility of making a memorable Christmas. Presents need to be ordered, menus need to be constructed, and travel plans need to be agreed upon. I also know the season should be enjoyed, not only by my family, but by me. My girls so rarely witness their mother fully relaxed, and during the holidays I try to breathe, despite the pressure. Particularly this Christmas, I want to give thanks for all that I have, and make sure my girls are aware of those who go without, season after season. It’s a delicate balance, the thrill of providing our children with gifts we worked so hard to ascertain and reminding them that it isn’t about the presents at all. We selfishly want to give our all but fear the repercussions of children who continue to expect it all. When I think back on my childhood though, I don’t remember the presents. I linger on the memories, the people who shared my space and celebrated the season alongside me. I remember mamaw’s eggnog on Christmas Eve, and how she wouldn’t be caught dead buying liquor in public and would send my dad to the store for the necessary bourbon. I remember running to my dad’s side of the bed on Christmas morning, often by 5 am, and screaming, “Santa

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Came, Santa Came!” I remember the excitement of mom dragging the Christmas tree down the stairs, smothering the branches with ornaments, and then dad dictating from the couch when the aesthetic was off. I remember mom’s obsession with vacuuming under the tree before the process was complete because she couldn’t stand the stray pine needles screaming from her white carpet. The memories are a collection of moments. Moments aren’t created from a list, or a menu, or planned event. They occur organically, are frequently flawed in nature, and fill us with warmth because they were not foreseen. And while this Christmas during a pandemic may be altered or prolonged, or even abbreviated, I know the moments will come, the memories will eventually surface, and this will be only one season in hopefully many to come. If we’re lucky, we may experience 99 Christmases. Some will be filled with magical child wonder. Some will be consumed with parental responsibility. And others will be filled with mature reminiscence of the holiday season and a chance to review the memories the most wonderful time of year bestows upon us. Merry Christmas, BayouLife readers. I wish all of you a warm, joyful, and memory-making holiday season.

BAYOU HOL I DAY

PINING FOR YOU Organically inspired, this cute pine cone tree is the perfect addition to your holiday décor. This little tree is a fun and easy project to make with your kids. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Written and Styled by HEATHER LAND You will need: Hot glue gun Styrofoam tree form Lots of xs/small pinecones Starting at the base of your form, begin to glue your small pinecones around, working your way to the top. Use the XS pinecones to fill in the blanks where you can see the form and to even out its shape.

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B AYO U I C O N

NANCY SNELLINGS INABNETT

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Monroe has been home to many remarkable people who have “made a difference” in countless ways. Some are relatively easy to spot – dynamic politicians, visionary business leaders, and innovative educators, for example. Others are not so obvious, but their contributions are no less significant. Those who know NANCY SNELLINGS INABNETT understand this distinction well. While others in her storied family have been highly visible public figures, Inabnett chose a different path. Although hardly shy, she nonetheless decided early in life to use her considerable influence in quieter, more subtle ways. For her STEADY LEADERSHIP in the non-profit sector, her outstanding professional career in real estate, and because of her UNABASHED LOVE and COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY, Inabnett is our December Bayou Icon.

ancy Inabnett Snellings was born in Monroe and has spent nearly all of her life here. Her parents, both lawyers, set the bar high for their children both through their professions and through their dedication to their community and their church. Nancy’s father, George Marion Snellings, Jr., held a number of board posts including Delta Air lines, Central Bank, and the University of the South (serving as a trustee at Sewanee). He practiced law from 1935 until his death in 1984. Nancy’s mother, Marie Louise Wilcox, grew up in New Orleans. She attended Newcomb College and graduated from Tulane University’s Law School. There she met and fell in love with her professor and future husband, George Snellings. Snellings had entered Princeton at age 15 (his mother stayed there with him for the first several months) and then graduated Harvard Law. They married, lived in Monroe for several years and then moved to Washington, D.C. with young George and new daughter, Nancy, during World War II. Nancy’s mother earned a master’s in law from Columbia University while her father practiced law in Monroe. During WWII Nancy’s dad served in the U.S. Navy in Washington, DC. Afterward, the Snellings returned to Monroe and made it their home. Both were highly respected members of the community, and instilled in their children the importance of working for causes that they believed in. Nancy remembers her childhood with joy. The neighborhood children knew her parents as “Cook” and “Gogo” and were always eager to share in the standard weekend activities --- cooking out and welcoming adults and children alike. There were no locked doors, Nancy remembers, and everyone enjoyed a special sense of community. “All my living grandparents, my parents, and Carrick’s parents (Kenneth and Katheryne aka “Mimi” and “Nini”) lived in Monroe and everyone was welcome to walk in their homes at any time,” Nancy says. Nancy’s mother was an active volunteer in the community, showing her daughter by example what was truly important. She also embarked on an entirely new career – farming (growing crops and breeding cattle) – at midlife and owned her own farm in Caldwell Parish. Once again, she was setting an example for her daughter to follow her dreams whenever and wherever they lead. Carefree rides on the Millsaps’ houseboat on the Ouachita River, sleeping under the stars (and mosquito nets!), and enjoying the vibrant conversations around her family dining table were highlights of Nancy’s childhood. The family home was the Old Country Club which her parents repurposed as their family home. She especially enjoyed being with people of all ages and

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from all walks of life who gathered at the family table for dinner at least twice a week. “One or two dogs were always under the dining room table hoping for a handout,” Nancy recalls with a smile. “Our home was also a revolving home to all politicians.” Nancy remembers fondly spending time with her mom riding horses every week. Equally fun were trips to the farm in her mother’s old red truck, listening to her candid assessment of “doings” in Louisiana. Holidays were always festive, especially the Halloween and Easter parties. Nancy and Carrick have continued the Easter Egg Hunt tradition by not only hiding eggs, but also letting out 20 or more rabbits for the children to catch. (One -- “Freddie” -- was caught by Lucy and Walt Sartor, and is still happily hopping some 12 years after capture.) Sharing this delightful childhood were Nancy’s siblings – the late George M. Snellings III and E. Frank Snellings. When Nancy was 12 years old, her parents realized their dream for a third child. During the early 1950’s, adoption for a couple over 40 with children had almost no chance at adopting. Nancy’s parents wanted a child at least 4 years old and had faith that someday they would find one. They turned to the church. “One Sunday after church, my parents invited the visiting priest from Ireland for dinner. They told him of their wish,” Nancy recalls. “He connected them with a home in Ireland, and not long after we were on our way to New York and then by ship to Ireland to meet Frank, a 5-year-old. This was a gift for Frank, and an even greater gift for our family.” When Nancy’s parents were asked beforehand if they would like to see a photograph of the child who would become a part of their family, they declined. Nancy remembers them saying that whatever child was meant for them would be the perfect child. Through her brothers, Nancy has welcomed 4 sisters-in-law: Betty Nolan, Caroline Boyett, Dianne Cage, and Mary Landrieu. She considers them to be the sisters she didn’t have growing up.

EDUCATION NEAR AND FAR

Nancy cherishes the education that she received through the Monroe City Schools – Georgia Tucker, Lexington, and Neville. At Neville, Nancy was active in several clubs including the Tigerettes (she served as Captain for 2 years and helped plan the half-time shows with the band director) and the Latin Club (one of the most successful clubs on campus at that time). Both Father Jack Allin, rector at Grace Episcopal Church, and Neville English teacher Jane Whittington were important mentors. Father Allin became the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States. From Bishop Allin, Nancy learned “. . . the way to live a Christian life.” Whittington taught her to love literature and language, a love that remains today.

At

Newcomb College, Nancy’s favorite subject was Art History. This gave her a “world view” of history and an awareness of the changing cultures of the world. Although the pull to the Liberal Arts was strong, Nancy attended Tulane Law School. Her grandfather, Dr. George M. Snellings, a Tulane Medical School graduate, was a pioneer doctor in Ouachita Parish. Nancy’s father, mother and both brothers were attorneys. While at Newcomb, Nancy lived in Cambridge, England, for a year while studying at Clare College of Cambridge University. She roomed with a delightfully eccentric Greek professor, Ms. A.K. Clarke. There was no refrigerator in the tiny flat and Nancy remembers having to put shillings into a heater to keep warm. “I rode my red bicycle everywhere,” Nancy says. “For our wedding, my parents flew Ms. Clarke over from England to attend and explore our part of the world. Her favorite event on that trip was the Crossett rodeo!” Nancy’s earliest travel experience was to Cuba during the days before Fidel Castro. She went there with her mother and father to visit an attorney who had gone to Tulane with her mother. “The people were beautiful and they always wore linen shirts and suits,” Nancy remembers. “The architecture was elaborate and soft in style and color.”

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

generations share a love for travel, music, sports, and spending time together. The grands call Nancy and Carrick “Lovey” and “Pater” and relish their attention. Nancy and Carrick share a love for history which others in the family also share. Nancy was asked recently who (living or dead) she would love to share lunch with. Her answer: “Winston Churchill. I would love to listen to him talk about WWII.” But family times remain her favorites! When asked what living person she would love to share lunch with, her answer is just as immediate. “Anyone in my family! There is never enough time to talk about all the things we enjoy discussing – politics, traveling, grandchildren, gardening, and history.” Some of their favorite activities are participating in school activities, sports, having dinner together often, fishing, wake boarding, and tubing on Bayou DeSiard. Nancy says that the children are a blend of their two personalities and are a source a great pride to her and to Carrick. Theirs has indeed been a partnership, recognized by a special gift from their daughter and son-in-law, Marie Louise and David, who gave them a bronze of two blue herons, a sculpture entitled “Partnership”. Nancy says this is a visual statement of her relationship with her husband. Each has supported the other in whatever direction their careers took them, sharing family responsibilities throughout. They not only love each other, but they like each other and enjoy being together in everything that they do. “We are best friends,” says Nancy.

Nancy and Carrick Inabnett’s marriage

ANOTHER DREAM COMES TRUE

Nancy and Carrick met in the 6th grade Most do not know that Nancy’s very has indeed been a partnership, recognized and became close friends and remained so successful real estate career (she’s now in by a special gift from their daughter and throughout high school and college. While her 30th year) began as a dream during son-in-law, Marie Louise and David, who she was involved with the Tigerettes, high school. She “noticed” the real estate gave them a bronze of two blue herons, a Carrick was playing a mean trombone for business, but considered it just a passing sculpture entitled “Partnership.” the Neville High School band. interest. She was wrong. When Carrick was a senior in law Nancy had several jobs, each of which school, the two realized that the helped her to grow. Her first was doing friendship that they had so enjoyed together clerical work for Dr. J.W. Cummins and had transformed into a deep love. Although Nancy says they are both trying to soothe and comfort his patients. After college she worked opposites in many ways, they are “. . . mostly the same.” They married at Louisiana Southern Life Insurance Company where she was in August 1966 at a beautiful wedding officiated over by 6 priests and responsible for interviewing and testing job applicants. She even the future Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. taught for several years at Neville while she was rearing their two After a lovely “at home” reception featuring a jazz band from children. New Orleans, the happy couple spent their wedding night at the It wasn’t until 1991 that Nancy’s long interest in real estate Bastrop Motel and then, first thing the next day, honeymooned translated into a new career. The late Sophia Blanks, a successful across the West as they drove to Long Beach, California, where realtor in her own right, encouraged Nancy to pursue her dream. She Carrick would begin a new job at Douglas Aircraft. “Off we went and John Rea became important mentors for Nancy as she entered in August driving our 1966 red, unairconditioned, stick shift car, this new career. Their faith was not misplaced. Nancy was to become pulling a U-Haul trailer,” Nancy laughingly remembers. Thus began one of the most successful realtors in our region. a remarkable partnership between two remarkable people.

PARTNERS FOR LIFE

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BUT THERE ARE OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS

Even as she juggled childrearing, a career, and the day-to-day responsibilities that come for a wife and mother, Nancy made time for volunteering. Organizations and groups that have benefited from her work include the Cerebral Palsy School (she has played piano since age 5 so she taught music to these children), Clara Hall School

NA NCY A ND CA R R ICK INA BNETT Nancy and Carrick met in the 6th grade and became close friends and remained so throughout high school and college. While she was involved with the Tigerettes, Carrick was playing a mean trombone for the Neville High School band.

FA M I LY T I E S

Pictured on the top righ is Inabnett’s family: Marie Louise, Corbin, George and David Kinder. Bottom Right: Carrick B. Inabnett, Carrick B. Inabnett, Jr., Breard, Mary Snellings and Jessica Inabnett

“I have received many blessings and hope that I can continue to reach out and touch someone’s life every day.” ~ Nancy Inabnett

(she taught arts and crafts to deaf children), Grace Episcopal Church (formerly St. Christopher’s Episcopal Day school) as Board Chairman and member, the Monroe Symphony League, the Ouachita Parish Public Library (Board of Control Chairman), the United Way, the Monroe Garden Club, P.E.O., and the Junior League of Monroe (President and Ways and Means Chairman). “I would encourage others to volunteer,” Nancy explains. “Volunteering helps one realize the true needs of the community.” This level of community involvement and giving spirit was evident as early as her high school years when she earned the Unselfish Servant Award from Lambda Sigma Chi sorority at Neville. At Newcomb College, she won the Pi Beta Phi Service Award. In 2010, her work as a volunteer throughout the community resulted in her receiving the Louise Seymour Award for Service to Others and Leadership in the Community. And in recognition of her leadership on the John Rea Realty team, Nancy earned the Spirit Award. “The service awards touch my heart as nothing else can do,” Nancy says. “I have received many blessings and hope that I can continue to reach out and touch someone’s life every day.”

AND FOR THE FUTURE

Both Carrick and Nancy have seen Monroe change in many ways, but have been heartened by the community’s ability to adjust and regroup for the good of all even during hurricanes and similar adversities. Even with the restrictions on daily life that the pandemic has caused, they continue to view life as a blessing from which invaluable lessons may be learned. It turns out that there is one area where their interests are not the same, and which in the future may provide a challenge. Carrick is well-known for his horticulture skills where perhaps his considerable gardening experience shows best through his propagation of staghorn ferns. At each annual Monroe Garden Club plant auction, Carrick’s donated staghorn always ignites a vigorous bidding war that brings top dollar to that organization. Nancy says that when she finally retires, she will resort in helping Carrick in his garden – an activity that she does think that she will enjoy! What they will enjoy is continuing to meet new people and quietly doing for others. More trips to Colorado to enjoy hearing the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Symphony in Vail are at the top of their list of “to do’s” together with traveling in Europe running a close second. In many ways, Nancy’s life reflects words written by her WWII hero -- Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill wrote, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” And what a life Nancy Snellings Inabnett has made!

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Via Edge AI Hearing Aids The Most Significant Innovation In the Hearing Aid World in Over Two Years

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AVE YOU SEEN OUR VIA EDGE AI CUSTOM rechargeable hearing aids? If we say so ourselves, our new Via Edge AI custom rechargeable hearing aids are pretty great. But we’re biased. So we won’t blame you if you want a second opinion. How about this one? Youtuber and audiologist, Dr. Cliff Olson, recently called them “the most significant innovation we have seen in the hearing aid world since 2018.” Here’s another — wearer Elliot Innes replied “they are by far the most advanced and best quality hearing aids I have worn in over 30 years!” So what makes Via Edge AI custom hearing aids so great? They’re the world’s first and only 2.4 GHz custom rechargeable aids. That’s right — they are rechargeable! You won’t find any other wireless custom hearing aids that are. No more batteries to fumble with or buy. No more wondering if your hearing aids will run out of juice at an inopportune time. Instead, you get the convenience of hearing aids you can charge overnight, and you can go about your day confident they’ll stay powered. THEY COME PACKED WITH OUR BEST TECHNOLOGY. The reason Via Edge AI custom rechargeables are the “most advanced and best quality hearing aids” Mr. Innes has worn is because of the technology inside them. Built off the same platform that helped Via AI hearing aids earn a 2019 TIME Magazine Best Invention nod, they’re the first hearing aids to feature artificial intelligence and built in sensors — helping them deliver game-changing sound that, until now, was impossible. THEY’RE MUCH MORE THAN JUST A HEARING AID It wasn’t only the sound quality that caught TIME magazine’s attention. Via AI are also the world’s first multipurpose hearing aids. Paired with our Thrive hearing control app, they give wearers the ability to stream to and from their smartphone, measure their physical and mental activity, translate 27 languages as they’re being spoken, detect falls, program alerts and reminders, and so much more.

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They’re a hearing aid, health tracker and personal assistant all rolled into one. THEY WERE MEANT FOR THIS PLACE AND TIME If these past months have taught us anything, it’s the importance of staying connected, informed, and feeling safe — and hearing is key to all three. • Custom Via Edge AI hearing aids deliver incredible sound, so you can stay engaged and a part of conversations, events and everyday activities. • They connect to your smartphone and TV, to keep you on top of news and information (and keep you entertained and distracted, which is important, too). • They are custom molded to fit your unique ear, so you can comfortably wear them all day long. • And they’re rechargeable, so when you do wear them all day, you don’t have to think twice about them. Plus, because they sit in your ear and not behind them, custom rechargeable Via Edge AI hearing aids don’t get in the way when you’re wearing a mask. And if you’re a hearing aid wearer and a mask wearer, that might be all you need to know to think, “maybe it’s time to upgrade.” Bring any questions you have with you to your appointment with your hearing professional. Your hearing professional will discuss the results of your loved ones hearing test, discuss the best treatment, and answer any other questions you may have. Don’t be surprised if your loved one is hesitant to seek help for their hearing loss. Be gentle and consistent. On average, hearing aid wearers wait 5-7 years to seek treatment. Which means, your loved one is probably aware of their hearing problem, but might need a little push of encouragement and support to treat it. Remind your loved one that they have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Being patient and supportive will help your loved one get the hearing help you will both benefit from.

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sugar & spice We’ve asked some of our favorite Northeast Louisiana bakeries to spruce up their best confections based on Christmas carols. Behold, these tidings of joy and creative creations. Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

CAK E

White Christmas sugar cookies: A selection of custom-designed vanilla sugar cookies topped with royal icing. Featuring intricate, hand-piped, white on white designs exuding sophistication and simplicity.

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sugar & spice

THU R M AN’ S FO OD FACTORY

Deck the halls with this decadent yule log cake made of chocolate sponge cake with chocolate cream filling and iced with a creamy, rich chocolate ganache.

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sugar & spice

SUGAR BAK ERY

This winter wonderland cake features a delectable almond flavored cake with bluebbery compote filling decorated with white chocolate snowflakes and Christmas trees.

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Gardening for Good Health Brought to You by the Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners Association

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HE NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENERS Association is proud to present Gardening for Good Health with P. Allen Smith, sponsored by The Gardens of Somerset. This will be our 11th annual January gardening seminar, and Drs. Heather KirkBallard and Kiki Fontenot of the LSU AgCenter and Monroe’s very own Hope Frugé round out the bill. Given everything that has gone on in 2020, especially with the pandemic, the theme of “gardening for good health” seems especially apropos. More households started new gardens this past spring than ever before, and renewed interests in self-sufficiency and healthy eating were big positive outcomes of being quarantined. P. Allen Smith, often described as one of America’s most talented garden designers, is the product of five generations of southern nurserymen. His foundational childhood experiences in planting naturally led to an appreciation for horticulture, genetic diversity, plant pairing and for an orderly and holistic approach to work. Later, as a garden and landscape graduate student in England, his design processes were refined to embrace each site’s unique characteristics and the needs of each unique commissioning family. Eschewing fashion, Mr. Smith identifies and sensitively accentuates the natural gifts of the landscape, imparting balance, harmony and beauty in the classic tradition of Palladio, Brown, and Repton. His designs are an expression of his client’s lifestyle and their legacy-melding site with living material and improvements to create environments that mature and improve with the seasons. And Mr. Smith’s many esoteric interests and insights allow for a myriad of inclusions such as ornamented aviaries, sheep pastures, walled gardens, fruit orchards, kitchen herb gardens, container gardens, stumperies, rare rose collections, wildflower and pollinator fields, apiaries, ponds, and architecturally appropriate built structures and follies. An affable manner, humor and humility has earned Allen long lasting client relationships that have grown into friendships, often spanning decades, with work for multiple members (and now multiple generations) of large families. Internationally celebrated for his for implementation of the Ferme Ornee form at his own private 600acre Moss Mountain Farm estate near Little Rock on the Arkansas River, Mr. Smith’s valuable talent set has attracted both private family and corporate patrons. His portfolio includes a diversity of projects: plantations, townhomes, campuses, golf courses, new town developments and rooftop gardens. In all, beauty, abundance, harmony and nature peacefully coalesce for the benefit of each guest. 72 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Mr. Smith is deeply passionate and involved with preservation and conservation efforts. In addition to green building and material use in his designs, he is a trustee of Winterthur House, a former board member of the Royal Oak Society (of the British National Trust), is a certified fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society, an honorary member of the Garden Club of America, the Honorary President of the Herb Society of America, and a life member of the Livestock Conservancy, Rare Breeds Trust (UK) and the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities. He is a TEDx speaker and the founder of the Heritage Poultry Conservancy. Mr. Smith makes his permanent home with his partner, two Scottish Terriers, and hundreds of heritage birds in Arkansas, where his voracious appetite for new projects, design challenges and sharing his love of the garden with new friends takes shape at his design studio and farm. WHEN Saturday, January 16th, 2021. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Masks will be required. See below. WHERE Gardening for Good Health with P. Allen Smith will take place at the West Monroe Convention Center, 901 Ridge Avenue in West Monroe. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. Due to COVID restrictions, some adjustments to the 2021 seminar have been made. These are: 1) seating in the convention center will be limited to 250 attendees, 2) seats will be arranged theater-style, in accordance with social distancing, and not around tables, 3) food will not be served, and 4) wearing masks will be required inside the West Monroe Convention Center. HOW For in-person attendance, pre-register by filling out the registration form and returning it with your check to the address on the form. To attend virtually, go to the LSU AgCenter’s online store at the URL below and register. Registration for virtual attendance cannot be substituted for in-person attendance. You can also go to https:// lsuagcenter.com and find the link. https://store.lsuagcenter.com/p-427-gardening-for-good-healthwith-p-allen-smith.aspx For more information or if you have questions, contact Kerry Heafner, LSU AgCenter Ouachita Parish Extension Office, 704 Cypress Street, West Monroe. (318) 323-2251. kheafner@agcenter.lsu.edu. Also, follow the Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners on Facebook.

WASHINGTON’S CHRISTMASES Historical Impressions

b y G u y M i l l e r, V i c e C h a i r E m e r i t u s , C h e n n a u l t Av i a t i o n a n d M i l i t a r y M u s e u m

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mericans. Willing to cross a frozen river to attack our sleeping enemies. In the dark. During freezing rain and snow. On Christmas Day. No kidding. We’ve actually done it. The above wording sounds like a Facebook meme, doesn’t it? Although I did some significant editing, the gist really is the caption of a meme that you might see online at this time of year. The description of this Christmas event refers to George Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware River. By the winter of 1776 the Continental Army had been facing continuing defeat as it was forced to retreat from New York City across New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. The troops were tired, cold, hungry and morale was low and desertions on the rise. Washington needed a victory and made a plan to conduct a surprise attack upon a Hessian garrison of roughly 1,400 soldiers located in and around Trenton, New Jersey. He chose Christmas night as an opportune time to catch the enemy off guard. The river was choked with ice, the weather turned severe with blinding freezing rain and snow and only part of Washington’s army was able to make the crossing. Regardless Washington achieved his victory and renewed American hope for freedom from British rule. 1776 was not the only year where Christmas was less than ideal for George Washington. The home of eight-year-old George’s family near Fredericksburg, VA burnt down on Christmas Eve 1740. The family had to spend a cheerless Christmas sheltering from the weather in the detached kitchen which had survived the blaze. Washington’s older brother Lawrence contracted tuberculous and it was believed spending some time in the warm Caribbean climate would help alleviate his condition. Nineteen-year-old George accompanied

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Lawrence on a journey to Barbados in the Fall of 1751. Unfortunately George came down with small pox while in Barbados and after recovering decided to return home. He spent Christmas without family or friends on board a ship. Lawrence died after his return some months later. The French and Indian War began in 1753 and George Washington was given a commission in the Virginia militia. Late in that year Virginia lieutenant governor Robert Dinwiddie sent Washington to make contact with the French and demand that they withdraw from the Ohio Valley which was also claimed by the British. Washington’s troops spent Christmas Eve at a place in Pennsylvania called Murdering Town where they had a skirmish with some Native Americans who fought for the French. In 1758 Washington was elected to Virginia’s House of Burgesses and planned to ask Martha Custis to become his wife. Washington applied for a commission as a regular British officer but was unable to secure one. Disappointed by the refusal, Washington decided to resign his militia commission by Christmastime and take up life as a husband, planter, and Burgess. George and Martha were married on Saturday, January 6, 1759 – the twelfth night of Christmas. George and Martha’s first Christmas together in 1759 should have been a joyous one. Unfortunately Martha contracted a case of the measles and was extremely sick through the holiday and into the first week of the new year. The American Revolution began in 1775 and Washington was back in uniformnow fighting against the British instead of for them. Christmas 1775 was the first of many Christmases where Washington would be in the field with his army instead of at home celebrating with his wife. Martha Washington decided to travel to her husband’s Massachusetts headquarters to be with him for this first Christmas of the war. Martha’s presence at the Continental Army’s winter encampment helped cheer her husband and boosted the morale of the entire camp.

We already know what happened on Christmas 1776. By Christmas 1777 General Washington and much of the Continental Army were in winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The winter of 1777 was brutal and almost half the Continental Army was either sick or dying. Many soldiers suffered without coats, shoes and blankets and inadequate food. It snowed on Christmas Day and by the next morning the snow was four inches deep. George Washington defeated General Cornwallis in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War in October 1781. Unfortunately Martha Washington’s son, Jacky, contracted a fever during the siege of Yorktown and died a few weeks after the victory. George and Martha spent Christmas together with a friend in Philadelphia but it was less joyful than it should have been. The Revolutionary War continued but the Continentals finally prevailed. On September 3, 1783 Great Britain formally recognized the independence of the United State by signing the Treaty of Paris. On December 23rd Washington appeared before the Congress of the Confederation to resign his commission as commanderin-chief of the army. “Having now finished the work assigned to me, I retire from the great theater of action; and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take any leave of all the employments of public life.” After many long years away during the war, George Washington was able to go home for the holiday. The last Christmas George and Martha Washington would spend together was Christmas 1798. It was a relatively quiet Christmas for the Washingtons. George spent much of the day writing letters to his friends. George Washington died eleven days before Christmas 1799. The staff and volunteers of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum hope you have a joyous holiday season!

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Fishing With Kenny The Art of Angling article by K E N N Y C OV I NGT ON

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n the past few years, I have been asked to captain high school fishing teams in their local tournaments. As a captain I can drive the boat and, if need be, run the trolling motor while the kid’s fish. It’s something I enjoy doing and each time I have participated I have ended the day with a very positive impression of the young anglers I have shared the boat with. The future of our sport is in great hands. Fishing has always been an individual sport. Even if you are sharing the boat with your buddy or fishing a team event with your team partner, your results are based on what you, as an angler, are doing. With the introduction of high school and college fishing teams I see more and more young people on the water. Each time the opportunity presents itself, no matter if I am in a local tackle store or on a body of water, I try to offer advice and words of encouragement to the younger anglers. While I had quite a few fishing influences growing up, most of my identity as an angler was developed by spending many hours fishing alone. I won my first tournament when I was sixteen and the fire to improve as an angler still burns almost 40 years later. If I only knew then all the tricks and tweaks that I know now but for this month’s Bayou Life article, I thought I would share my ideas on how to become a better angler. Before I start on my list, I want to emphasize that becoming a good fisherman has nothing to do with luck. It is a sport that can be learned and mastered, and your results will be reflected on the amount of work you put in. Anyone can win a tournament, but can you win two or three. Anyone can win Angler of the Year, but can you do it multiple times? Luck has very little to do with consistent successes. Here are some things I believe anyone who is trying to become a better angler can use to 76 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

improve their angling abilities. No matter if you are a young person trying to compete in high school or college events or someone a little older who is just picking up the sport, these suggestions are based on years of on the water experience and will help you better enjoy the sport. LEARN TO PROPERLY USE YOUR EQUIPMENT. No matter if it’s a new reel you are trying to throw or just trying to get the feel of a trolling motor you put on your boat. Take the time to understand how it works. Once you do this you will get the most out of your equipment making your days on the water much easier. Today’s young anglers are so good with their electronics they forget about some of the basic concepts of the sport. For example, one of the things I see in young anglers is a need to work on their casting accuracy. STUDY THE SPORT, BE OPEN MINDED AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. What took me years to learn, now can be learned in a matter of a few days or hours because of the technology we have. YouTube has more “how to” fishing videos than you could ever imagine and a lot of them are very good with the information and explanations. However, nothing in this sport is an absolute so keeping an open mind while on the water is something that comes with experience. In bass fishing the question “Why?” should always be in the back of your mind. Why was that fish under that dock? Why did they stop biting once it started raining? But don’t be afraid to ask. DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE AND WAYS YOU LIKE TO DO THINGS. I am a shallow water fisherman. I can fish deep and have won numerous events doing so but I prefer to fish in water less than five feet deep. It is where I am comfortable. I have learned to apply big fish lures and tactics to the shallower areas of a lake and have been quite successful doing so. I

fished with arguably the best deep-water angler, the late Glynn Blankenship, that ever launched a boat in this area. While our styles were completely different, we both became much better anglers by learning each other’s tricks in our respective areas of expertise. KEEP GOOD RECORDS AND NOTES OF EACH FISHING TRIP YOU TAKE. Fishermen are good at a lot of things but remember specific details isn’t one of them. I have been keeping records of my tournaments going back almost thirty years. I list the lake, the time of year, what I caught, how I caught them and what the result of the day was. I will also list things I should have done different, lures I should have tried and if possible, how the winning fish were caught. Earlier I mentioned asking questions; you don’t want to ask for specific information, just try to get enough information to get a general idea. Instead of asking what color spinnerbait someone was throwing, ask about the blade combination. Instead of asking about a particular area, ask them if the fish were caught shallow or deep. General questions, not specific questions, will get you more information. Once you get this information then you can do a better job of assessing your day on the water. SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN ON THE WATER AND FISH AS MANY DIFFERENT LAKES AS POSSIBLE. There are no shortcuts, no magic lures, or secret spots. You can’t depend on your buddy to put you on the right fish to do well, you must fish and a lot of times it will be alone. One of my proudest accomplishments as a tournament angler is that I have won tournaments on twenty different lakes. Fishing as many lakes as I have over the years is experience that is an advantage I don’t take lightly. These experiences have allowed me to make quicker on the water adjustments, as well as allowing me to become more focused when trying to figure out what the bass are doing on a particular day. There is no substitute for experience. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR ABILITIES. Bass fishing, especially tournament bass fishing, is the most humbling sport in the world. It is every bit as difficult as hitting a major league fastball. You are trying to make a creature, that you usually can’t see, hit an artificial lure while you take into consideration the weather, the time of year, the type of lake you are on, not to mention the other variables you will take into consideration. All this just so you can take a creature out of his underwater world and bring him into yours. It’s no easy task but always believe you can do it. Confidence will always be the best lure in your boat. Well, it looks like we have run out of time again for another month. I sure hope we were able to share some information that will help you become a better angler. Keep a positive attitude, your lure wet and good things will happen! Be careful in the woods and if you are on the water catch one for me, and I will see you next month!

Guerriero Law Offices Local Law Firm Continues Its Tradition of Annual Giving

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HRISTMAS IS A SEASON TO GIVE TO OTHERS, AND Jeff Guerriero wants to ensure that everyone in Monroe, West Monroe, and the surrounding areas has a safe and enjoyable Christmas. As a way of ensuring that the citizens of Ouachita Parish have the best holiday possible, Guerriero Law Offices continues its tradition of sponsoring several events throughout November and December that everyone can enjoy and participate in! ANNUAL JUNGLE BELLS AT THE ZOO First, Guerriero Law Offices will be hosting the third annual “Jungle Bells” event at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Jungle Bells will take place on Saturday, Dec.19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. If heavy rain is predicted, the event will be moved to Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. Admission will be FREE, but Guerriero Law Offices asks those who can, to bring a new unwrapped toy for local children in need. Santa Claus will be arriving by train at 10 a.m. and available to take photos with the children until 2p.m. Every child who visits Santa will receive a gift! As in past years, there will be food trucks, letters to Santa, a bounce house, Christmas Carols, a stocking creation station, and of course- the zoo animals, and much more! This year don’t miss out on the amazing Winter Wonderland area where children can play in real snow, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and the large swinging pirate ship amusement ride. A radio DJ will be broadcasting live from the event. We will also hold drawings where children can register by age and gender for the annual free bicycle give-a-way!. Also, the zoo’s train ride will be running at an additional cost for those who wish to enjoy it. ANNUAL TOY DRIVE Guerriero Law Offices has once again partnered with Rock 106/ Stephens Media Group to sponsor the 18th annual “Christmas for Kids” Toy Drive. Jeff believes that each child should have something under the tree for Christmas. With your donation, this event will help ensure that each child does. New toys can be dropped off at any Ouachita Parish Fire Station, any Go Auto Insurance location, Monroe Telco, or the Guerriero Law Office located at 2200 Forsythe Ave. in Monroe beginning Nov. 20th through 78 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Dec. 20th. These toys will be distributed to families in need throughout the Christmas season to ensure that the children of Ouachita Parish have the best Christmas possible. Jeff is very passionate about this drive and personally helps the Ouachita Parish Firefighters, who selflessly donate their time to others during the busy holiday season, deliver all of the toys on Christmas Eve. We ask that all donations be new, unwrapped toys. ANNUAL COAT DRIVE As the weather gets colder, the men, women, and children in our area often find themselves in desperate need of warm winter coats. In order to help fulfill these needs, Jeff Guerriero is sponsoring the annual 103.1 NOW FM/Stephens Media Group Coat Drive in which people may drop off gently used coats. These coats will be dry cleaned and given to those in need, free of charge, as well as donated to local homeless shelters and the Salvation Army. The coat drive begins on Nov. 20th and will run through Dec. 25, 2020. Coats can be dropped off beginning Nov. 20th at the Guerriero Law Office located at 2200 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe and at the office of Stephens Media Group at 1500 N. 19th St. in Monroe. For more information about any of these events or to find out how you can help, contact Guerriero Law Offices. We can be reached by telephone at 318-325-4306 or feel free to come to the office located at 2200 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe. Also, you may contact us via our website at www.TheInjuryAttorney.com. We hope that everyone has a safe and joyful holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you at all Guerriero Law Office sponsored events! Guerriero and Guerriero is one of the oldest plaintiff law firms in Louisiana. The firm, which was established over 90 years ago, handles personal injury, 18-wheeler, motorcycle and car accidents, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, product liability, drug injuries, medical malpractice, oil field/rig accidents and mass tort class action litigation. The Guerriero law firm has collected millions for its clients and has been awarded some of the largest jury verdicts and settlements in the state of Louisiana. For over 30 years, Jeff Guerriero has continued his family’s local legacy and reputation of providing exceptional legal representation to Louisiana plaintiffs.

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Bella Magnolia Opens Kristan Berry Opens Home Store on Wood Street in West Monroe

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ITH NEARLY TWO DECADES OF DECORATING under her belt, Kristan Berry has quite the eye for design and detail. So when the space next to her spa became available, she jumped at the opportunity to use it to open a home store - Bella Magnolia. “I took over Spa Bella over a year ago, and I have enjoyed growing our spa business, introducing new products to people and meeting clients,” said Kristan. However, she hasn’t stepped far away from her love of design. “I still have clients that I decorate for, especially around the holidays, so I’m still involved in the design and home decorating world,” says Kristan. She knows what is on trend and what people are looking for so opening Bella Magnolia was a natural fit. Spa Bella and Bella Magnolia are located on Wood Street in the heart of downtown West Monroe, just around the corner from Trenton Street and Antique Alley. Bella Magnolia is currently filled with Christmas decor and trees covered in ornaments. They also carry a variety of tabletop decor, placemats and table settings to ensure your holiday tablescape is ready for friends and family. There’s also pieces of furniture to fill your home. From dining tables to chairs, there is plenty of options to make your home feel warm and cozy. They also offer mirrors, light fixtures, candlesticks and more. Bella Magnolia features an entire wall filled with candles from Milkhouse Candle Co. These candles are made from a blend of pure beeswax and natural soy wax from soybeans grown in America’s midwest. No artificial dyes are added and there is no lead in the wicks, providing a safe and clean-burning alternative to paraffin candles. Favorite scents include seasonal blends like Victorian Christmas, Fresh Cut Frasier, Fireside, Holiday Home, ’Tis the Season, Silver Birch and more. Year round favorites include Lemon Grass Tree, Sweet Woods, Oatmeal Milk and Honey, Coffee Break and Sweet Tobacco Leaves…just to name a few. They are excited to offer their signature Bella Magnolia candle, featuring a unique home cologne fragrance. The candle should be available this month and makes the perfect Christmas or hostess gift! Bella Magnolia carries a variety of treats from South Bend Chocolate Company including chocolate covered pretzels and bags of popcorn crunch. Anybody would love to get some of these in their stocking this year!

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Kristan is proud to support artists and Bella Magnolia features artwork from a local artists from New Orleans. She plans on expanding what artwork they offer and looks forward to featuring more artists from Northeast Louisiana. They also plan to be involved in everything going on in downtown West Monroe like Open Houses, Art Crawls and other special events. And while the space next to Spa Bella is growing, the spa is growing as well! Spa Bella is excited to now offer permanent makeup and microblading. With a licensed esthetician on staff, Spa Bella also offers dermaplaning and Bella lashes, both of which are great ways to put your best face forward this holiday season. Anyone will enjoy their European style facial - a thorough, deep cleansing treatment for the face and neck. It is basic, uncomplicated and meant to improve the look, feel and health of your skin, with a nice, gentle upper body massage. Spa Bella also offers a variety of massages including swedish, therapeutic, deep tissue, medical, soothing stone and pre-natal. Treat your body with paraffin treatments for your hands and feet, enjoy a hot poultice treatment with hot oils or enjoy a purifying back treatment to eliminate stubborn back acne. And just because it is winter, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have glowing skin! Take advantage of the spray tan packages from Spa Bella so you can look healthy and tan! Spa Bella carries the entire line of products from Bathhouse Soapery, a handmade soap, bath and beauty company that makes fresh cosmetics in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They offer soaps, soaking salts, bath bombs and scrubs, body butter, deodorant, shaving accessories, room and linen sprays and more. There’s even something for the guy on your list. Choose from Honky Tonk Man Soap Slice, Shaving Brushes, Moonshine Shave Soap and Whipped Soap and more. If you don’t know exactly what to get, you can always get a gift certificate. They are one size fits all and perfect for everyone on your list. There’s something at Spa Bella and Bella Magnolia for everyone. Stop by and visit with Kristan and her staff at Bella Magnolia and Spa Bella in the heart of historic downtown West Monroe this holiday season!

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Vizzy

Hard Seltzer with Antioxidant Vitamin C

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT BRAND MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

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OW-CALORIE, GLUTEN-FREE, LOW-CARBOHYDRATE, AND all-natural are more than just buzzwords. Modern consumers read labels. They care about what they put into their bodies. But they don’t want to sacrifice flavor. There has been a notable spike in recent years of “better for you” beverages. The response has been loud and clear. Give us more! A new seltzer from MillerCoors aims to do just that. Vizzy Hard Seltzer combines the benefits of a healthier alcoholic beverage with an added antioxidant bonus. In the booming hard seltzer category, Vizzy offers something truly special as the first hard seltzer with antioxidant vitamin C. Vizzy is made with the acerola cherry, an antioxidant vitamin C rich superfruit. In fact, acerola cherries contain roughly 30 times more vitamin C per cup than oranges. Acerola is a fruit from a shrub and is native to tropical areas in South America and the Caribbean. The botanical name is Malpighia glabra. This evergreen shrub grows multiple small flowers, which are replaced by small one to two-centimeter ovoid fruits. Acerola strongly resembles cherries, giving it the nick name “Barbados cherry”, “Antilles cherry”, or “country-cherry”. It should be noted that Brazil is a world leading acerola producer. The superfruit is then exported across the world for different applications, and particularly for making high vitamin C content food supplements. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, is known to do wonders for our skin, hair and nails, but most people don’t realize that it is equally effective to boost immunity from infections and diseases. It helps fight the dangerous free radical activity that causes oxidative stress. This chain reaction takes a toll on our cells, causing premature cell ageing, which could lead to weakened immunity. The new hard seltzer is the first of its kind to feature antioxidant vitamin C and is available in four unique flavor combinations: Pineapple Mango, Black Cherry Lime, Blueberry Pomegranate and Strawberry Kiwi. Vizzy is gluten free and boasts 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar and 5% alcohol by volume per can. Pineapple Mango is refreshing, characterized by juicy tropical notes, with a bright blend of ripe mango and freshly squeezed pineapple juice. It is perfectly balanced, with a hint of sweetness from pineapple juice that elevates the tartness of the natural fruit. Sparkling effervescence adds to the light body and delicate mouthfeel. The finish is brisk and

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refreshingly clean, with a hint of sweetness and lingering mango. Black Cherry Lime has a rich aroma of ripe black cherries highlighted by the bright, zesty citrus notes of lime peel. Juicy cherry sweetness is delicately balanced by a refreshing hint of crisp lime tartness. The finish is brisk and clean, with a hint of sweetness from the cherries. Blueberry Pomegranate is a complex blend of dark berries, highlighted by blueberry jam. Underlying floral and seedy pomegranate notes shine through. The fresh, juicy taste of mixed berries balanced with a subtly sweet and tart hint of pomegranate round it out. The finish is refreshing with a hint of sweetness and subtle lingering blueberry. Strawberry Kiwi is a juicy blend of ripe strawberry with subtle undertones of green melon and freshly cut kiwi tartness. Well balanced, its fresh strawberry sweetness melds seamlessly with a hint of tartness from the kiwi. The finish is clean, with a touch of sweetness. Stay tuned for new flavors coming in 2021. A lemonade variety pack is on deck, which will include four flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Peach Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade, and Watermelon Lemonade. Also slated for a 2021 release is a new variety pack of fruit flavors which will include Papaya Passionfruit, Blackberry Lemon, Watermelon Strawberry, and Raspberry Tangerine. “The hard seltzer category is becoming more crowded with many brands following the same playbook,” said Elizabeth Hitch, Director of Hard Seltzers. “We created Vizzy to have all of the things the other hard seltzers have but with a meaningful addition that drinkers actually care about, antioxidant vitamin C.” For more information and to find Vizzy near you, please visit vizzyhardseltzer.com and follow along on Instagram and Facebook at, @vizzyhardseltzer and @drinkvizzy on Twitter. Be sure to like Choice Brands on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with new product releases. Feel free to message us for information on where to find your favorite brands. Find us at facebook.com/ choicebrands, twitter.com/choicebrandsinc, and instagram.com/choicebrands.

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THE EVOLUTION OF LAND

I N RE AL L I F E , W E M AK E

article and photography by HEATHER LAND

In a world that is spewing information at us constantly, it can begin to feel like you are more a mannequin saturated in layer upon layer of random colors - filling your every orifice with indistinguishable and nonsensical ooze than a living, breathing human. Maybe it’s just me. Seems more than not are so wrapped up in the politics they can no longer even tell the difference between how they feel and what they are told to feel. Is there a Santa Claus? The holiday season - Christmas - whatever it is you celebrate between Thanksgiving and New Years, shouldn’t feel cold and confusing, heavy or overwhelming. And, the only thing it should ooze is satisfaction. It’s a changing of season indeed - in every way - both literally and figuratively. It is change to embrace; one that should absolutely interrupt your current programming for a refocus of attention. With summer phasing out and the cool air wafting in and around, I can never help but to fall into a quiet space that finds me nesting. I’m finding time I didn’t realize I had, to sit around a fire and teach myself to crochet. I am taking my mat and my practice outside to set with the sun. I am going to bed earlier and rising when the house is quiet. I’m throwing everything into a pot to make spoonfuls of comfort. The girls and I read a few extra chapters in the book we share before we really begin to stir for the day. And Kenny Burrell station is endlessly on the surround sound - a velvety, chill mix of instrumentals. My pace is slower and welcomed after the energy of the summer rush. Life feels like cinnamon and chai - warm and wonderful. This is what the season feels like for me. But it doesn’t just happen that way, it is the season I choose to embrace. Separate from some commercial hustle and bustle - espresso laced with anxiety with great intention, I make my own way. And, I don’t hate it. So, does your day-to-day life look different than mine? Do you work 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., are you single, don’t have kids? Remember, we make time for what matters most to us as individuals. Replace an hour of unnecessary scrolling on the intrawebs with an hour of making cookies on a Wednesday night! Make yourself a mug of something warm and sit and listen to your favorite song or start a game or a book that you can leave and come back to any time you want if only for one chapter or one round. Make dinner and sit by candlelight together, or take some time to yourself and give yourself permission to indulge in whatever you want. Instead of your episode of fill-in-the-blank, make a blank block of time to call someone you miss. Make a fort you don’t take down. Nothing has to be, or, everything can be homemade from scratch

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and incredibly imperfect and ongoing. Have a timeframe for only things that require one. Let everything else flow like syrup - soft, slow and sweet. The tree goes up no sooner, in this house, than the cornbread dressing has been polished off. I want to be anxiously anticipating its arrival and still sad to see it go when it’s time to ring in the New Year. For me, it makes me slow down, actually zone in on it and appreciate it all a bit more. And, speaking of imperfections, I gave up my insatiable desire for what I once thought to be a post-worthy tree years ago. I’ve let my girls have reign of the tree since they could climb and make it happen. I sit back, sip on something and take it all in - dancing down memory lane somewhere between bliss and gratitude. Our Christmas is made by our own design - homemade, collected, gathered and bought. The only rule of gifting is that it has to be thoughtful to be given. We don’t feel an obligation to gift at all. Last year, Stella (12) wrote and pencil sketched a short story for her Gramps that we bound in a scrap of leather and stamped her mark on. We also switched gears on Christmas morning and surprised

the girls with a scavenger hunt for their gifts, making the morning under the tree and in our pjs last just a bit longer. When I was a girl, my best friend and I would make pallets and sleep with our heads under the tree - gazing up at the twinkling lights, dreaming up endless wishlists and giggling until we fell asleep. This year, Taylor Bennett (BayouLife design guru) shared with me that each year his mother gifts them with an ornament at Thanksgiving dinner - something that speaks to the year they are bringing to a close. I LOVE THIS. It literally turns your Christmas tree into a storybook.

This month, my girls and I are lucky to collaborate with our dear friends Taylor and Kelly Moore Clark for this edition of BayouLife. We are sharing our IN REAL LIFE WE MAKE ….for the holidays. Any, and all of this can be modified to suit your own schedule - store-bought gingerbread, pre-made cocoa mix - it’s the company you share and the time you use to make it - however you make it - that fills your soul and enlightens your senses. We have made a gingerbread house every Christmas for as far back as memory allows, including one over-achieving and very much unfinished Empire State tower still gracing our countertop until the honeybees came in the following spring. True story. We have found that sharing this make with others is quite possibly the greatest gift we could think of as both givers and receivers. It has become tradition and we always look forward to welcoming in another set of hands to make a mess with and build something sweet together. This year, Taylor brought fresh perspective to our tradition and we created the most romantic edible terrariums - custom tiny gingerbread houses sitting on hilltops of fresh powder {sugar on sugar with coconut flakes} complete with rosemary Christmas trees dusted with powdered sugar snow. If your lists seem endless and the clock seems to be moving in fast forward, you have taken on too much. You get to choose what your season looks and feels like. Say no to needlessness and yes to the things that bring you true joy. Try something different together with people you love; let go of perfection and the desire to post the moments, instead, drink them in with all of your senses and let them etch into your season’s memories. Cheers to hot-gluing your gingerbread roofs, overindulging in over-the-top marshmallows in extra rich hot chocolate, fireside and to making a big ole’ MERRY MESS. To each of you I wish the very Merriest Christmas and/or the happiest of all of YOUR Holidays. May your mind be open, your heart warm and your spirit in bliss. “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.”

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Have a Banner Day Merry Christmas From Banner Ford of Monroe

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HE BANNER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP OPENED

Banner Ford of Monroe in February of 2019 at 6300

and the Flick Family keep the local community at the heart of

Frontage Rd off the Garrett Rd exit. This full-service

all that they do. Rick and Tina Flick consistently make time to

Ford automotive dealership sells and services new and used

be involved in many nonprofit organizations and serve on many

cars, trucks and SUVs. Banner Ford Monroe stocks in excess

business and charity boards.

of 500 new and used vehicles available for sale; in fact, it has

contributed to the food bank of Northeast Louisiana, the Coastal

already become one of the largest volume truck dealers in North

Conservation Association, Ducks Unlimited, Clear the Shelters,

Louisiana. Banner has a dedicated, state-of-the-art diesel repair

the Center for Children and Families, the Chenault Aviation

facility and a 10 bay Quick Lane to get customers in and out of

Museum, many local high schools and youth sporting activities.

service quickly and easily. Banner Ford of Monroe also has a

They have supported the State Trooper Child Passenger Safety

fleet of 40 loaner vehicles as a convenience to customers getting

Initiative, teaching parents how to properly secure car seats for

their vehicles serviced. The dealership is also one of the largest

their children. Additionally, some seats are even donated to those

wholesale parts distributors in the region, providing tremendous

in need. Banner has also become the main sponsor for the Golden

access to the parts needed to take care of its customers. Banner

Apple Awards given to the best teachers in our community.

started in 2019 with 50 employees and has quickly grown to

Banner Ford of Monroe strives for excellence in customer service

over 60 full time employees. In 2019, Banner won the prestigious

and community involvement; they would love for you to come

Thomas H. Scott Award of Excellence presented by the Monroe

by and see why “The Banner Way” really is “A Better Way.”

Chamber of Commerce, the ULM College of Business and

BayouLife Magazine for its commitment to the community through job creation, capital investment, and community engagement. 86 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Banner Ford of Monroe, the Banner Automotive Group,

Have a “Banner” Day!

In Ouachita Parish, they have

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Pennington Financial, LLC Asset Protection Planning for Seniors Needing Long Term Care

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ARAH AND JIM HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF themselves as average, hard working Americans. They were high school sweethearts, married and had three children. Jim had a long career in sales, and Sarah was a stay at home wife and mom who volunteered in her spare time. They expected to enjoy a quiet, but well-deserved, well-planned retirement. Things went well until five years ago when a specific incident changed everything. Sarah tripped in her garden and fractured her hip. She underwent surgery; it seemed she was on her way to recovery after receiving inpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy sessions during the Medicare allotted 100 days. Just when they both thought everything was on track, Sarah had another major setback. She suffered a massive stroke. Through everything Jim was at her side, but Sarah’s health continued to deteriorate. Eventually, it was necessary for Sarah to be admitted to a nursing home for residential care. The funds in Jim’s retirement plan didn’t include the cost of both their home and a nursing home residence of an additional $60,000.00 per year. Now, three years later, Jim is sick with worry that he will outlive his savings and is uncertain where to turn for help. For most retired Americans, the possibility that they may have to someday live in a nursing home is a very difficult thought. The reality that they may have to give up all of their hard-earned life savings and their home makes it even worse. Today, the cost of nursing home care is high; the average cost for nursing home care in Louisiana is approximately $5,000 per month, or $60,000 per year. At this rate, it is very easy to spend-down a family’s life savings in a short amount of time leaving little for the “at-home” spouse to live on. New government rules make it even tougher for nursing home residents in need of financial assistance to qualify for Medicaid benefits. The new rules changed the “look back” period from three to five years. This means, when one applies for Medicaid, he/she will need to disclose all gifts made during the five years prior to the date one applies for Medicaid. The penalty period was also changed. Under the new rules, the penalty period does not begin until the applicant spends-down all their assets and then applies for Medicaid. Because of these changes, it is even more important than ever to plan early. Three years might go by quickly, but five years, not so fast.

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To qualify for Medicaid, one must complete and submit a detailed, multiple page application and provide proof of all financial transactions. These transactions include, but are not limited to, banking, CDs, stocks, bonds, income, expenses, annuities, etc., for the previous sixty months or five years. Mistakes and/or inadequate completion of the application can result in approval delays costing the family thousands of dollars, or worse case non-approval of the application altogether. The laws around Medicaid qualification are extensive and confusing. However, there are numerous exceptions that can be applied to help protect one’s assets if used properly. Often, hospitals and nursing homes will offer to help with a Medicaid application for you at no cost. This may work well for an applicant with no assets. Unfortunately, it may be devastating for the applicant, spouse and family if there are assets that the family wishes to preserve and protect. Even with the best intentions, hospital and nursing home staff do not have the knowledge necessary to determine whether you can truly qualify for Medicaid benefits. This is the time when working with a knowledgeable professional can help clients/residents receive fair consideration of deserved benefits much sooner. This article was written and submitted by Chuck Barber of Pennington Financial, LLC. He has over 10 years’ experience as a highly qualified Financial Estate planner with a specialty in asset protection. Other services include Pre-Retirement planning, Post Retirement planning, Long-term Care insurance, Life insurance and Annuities, Registered Investment Advisor services, and Notary Public. Visit our website for additional information: www. Penningtonfinancial.net Pennington Financial, LLC is located at 1900 N. 18th St. #211 Monroe, LA 71201 (318) 855-4690.

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CANDY CRUSH

Visions of sugar plums, emeralds, amethysts and sapphires danced in her head. Make her dreams come true this holiday season with these beautiful baubles from our fine jewelry retailers. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT

H O L L I S & CO M PA N Y Striking yellow gold estate ring with a 10 carat oval amethyst surrounded by seed pearls.Elegant estate ring with twin Pear shape stones, one being a diamond and one an Emerald enhanced by small calibre cut emeralds surrounding the diamond and small round diamonds surrounding the emerald. Beautiful aquamarine Cabachon stone set in 18k yellow gold with a sterling silver base, made in Greece, by Konstantino.

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M A R T Y & M A R K’ S A gorgeous diamond and peridot ring features a 2.5 carat center stone. Beautiful two-toned gold ring feautres .5 carat pavÊ set diamonds. Elegant pear-shaped ring with 2.5 carat sapphire center stone and diamonds. Show-stopping 5 carat pink spinel ring with surrounding diamonds. Antique setting with a striking blue topaz center stone.

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DUPONT JEWELERS Custom 14 k white gold engagement ring containing a a 1.44 carat center stone with a total weight of 2 ct. Stackable rings in white and yellow gold featuring sapphires, rubies and diamonds. 14 k white and rose gold ring containing a 1.02 carat center with a total weight of 1/5 ct. Beautiful 18 k yellow gold ring with amethyst center stone and diamonds.

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School Readiness Tax Credits Turn Your Tax Liability into a Local Investment for Children

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HAT ARE SCHOOL READINESS TAX CREDITS? You have the power to decide where your tax dollars go. With no minimum and a $5,000 maximum, businesses who contribute will receive a dollar-for-dollar refundable credit on Louisiana State taxes. In 2007, the Louisiana Legislature passed a unique package of tax credits known as the School Readiness Tax Credits (SRTC). These credits are a refundable state tax credit for donations made to Louisiana Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies, such as Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. You can turn your tax liability into an investment in programs and people who support early care and education for children. Direct the State of Louisiana to spend your tax dollars in Northeast Louisiana on early childhood care and education. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All businesses are eligible. A business is defined as any for-profit or not-for-profit entity and includes sole proprietors (so long as the individual is not acting in his/her personal capacity), partnerships, limited liability corporations and corporations. WHY DOES IT MATTER? The Children’s Coalition CCR&R works to bring quality care and education to every child in Northeast Louisiana. Overwhelming evidence shows that children who enter kindergarten behind are likely to remain behind throughout their educational careers and beyond. These gaps in achievement are difficult and expensive to close with K-12 education alone, and they can last a lifetime, particularly for children from low-income families. Preparing a child for kindergarten requires a focus on five areas of development that begin at birth and are influenced by quality early experiences: physical well-being and motor development; social and emotional development, cognitive skills, language and developing literacy, and the ability to concentrate and follow directions. Investments in early childhood development lay the foundation for school readiness by building these cognitive and character skills that children need to do well in school and in life. HOW ARE THESE FUNDS USED? The Children’s Coalition reinvests these funds to impact the quality of early childhood care and improve the experience for young children and their families. There are countless initiatives that donors have funded through the years, and we are finding new ways to support through the pandemic and natural disasters. Direct grants to child care centers raise the quality of care for thousands of children including Center Improvement Grants, allowing for centers to improve learning environments. A new Technology Grant 94 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

was created and awarded to 58 child care centers and in home providers in response to COVID-19 state guidelines which require them to keep detailed records and increase communication between teachers and parents. The technology is not in the hands of students, but rather allows staff to check children in and out digitally, send weekly lesson plans virtually, record student progress and milestones with parents, and communicate virtually with other staff members. Training and programs that support teacher quality in child care has been key in raising quality standards to better prepare children for Kindergarten. Our Child Care Connections team continues to provide training virtually to centers and in-home providers. Summer Spectacular, our annual conference, focused on Conscious Discipline®, a traumainformed, evidence-based program. Community awareness of what quality child care and education entails is a key to long-term results. Public spaces are visible opportunities for children and adults to have meaningful interactions. Our newest investment is in Union Parish with the installation of Story Walks in public parks. In partnership with the Union Parish Library, this interactive walk reads a story with an activity that visitors can participate together. These are just a few of the ways School Readiness Tax Credits impact our local children. HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE? All donations must be postmarked by December 31, 2020 to be eligible for the 2020 tax year. Each LA Tax ID number can donate up to $5,000, with no minimum amount, to the Children’s Coalition. Please note that if your business’ state return flows through your personal state return, $5,000 is the maximum allowed per personal state return. After your donation is received you will be emailed a receipt AND mailed a verification letter documenting your contribution from us and the Louisiana Department of Education. For filing your taxes, you will need to provide a copy of your canceled check (preferred by the state) or credit card receipt to your CPA along with the letter that we provide you. Your CPA will file a Schedule F, 68F credit code on your Louisiana state tax return, and your tax liability is reduced. Make Payable to: Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana Memo Line: SRTC Mail to: 117 Hall Street, Monroe, LA 71201, ATTN: SRTC For additional information or questions, please contact Sarah Floyd at sfloyd@childrenscoalition.org or 318.323.8775.

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Share a New Beginning The Glen Announces Redbrook as Option for Independent Living

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COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF SHREVEPORT is becoming one of the most sought-after options for a retirement lifestyle with the new construction of Redbrook at The Glen. With picturesque walking trails and two different water features set on a lush, beautiful, 52-acre landscape, Redbrook at The Glen is setting a new standard for independent living in North Louisiana causing many to make their reservation early to move in. Anticipated to open in June of 2021, a tastefully-designed building with 60 residences will welcome new residents with plenty of amenities and provide numerous benefits to The Glen’s growing community. Some of the amenities will feature outdoor trails, bocce ball courts, multi-purpose rooms for groups and continuous learning classes, an art studio, two different dining venues, and a wellness center which will be complete with a spa and salon, an indoor heated pool, massage room, yoga studio and a strength training room with state-of-the-art, pneumonic workout equipment. In fact, with all that Redbrook has to offer, many are encouraged to consider an early move to The Glen. For older adults in their 60s, Redbrook is on the top of their list for a variety of reasons. The first reason is for older adults who like the idea of living their life without the burden and daily stresses of owning a home. There is no home maintenance at Redbrook and residents do not have to anticipate any unexpected costs. If anything breaks, The Glen will fix or replace it at no cost to the resident. The second reason is the security of support offered at The Glen. Many residents at Redbrook can live independently, and living on campus at The Glen has a greater benefit considering the future. Residents have the security of support if their needs change and if they would need more assistance. This support is part of the Life Plan Community model that offers a continuum of care if anything unexpected happens. The Glen offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. And another plus is that residents get priority access to each of these levels of care. A third reason is the amount of money they can save when they move into Redbrook. The monthly fee includes the rental of the residence, all utilities (with the exception of a landline), cable, internet, housekeeping twice a month and $300 dining dollars to spend for any of the three meals at your choice of two dining venues.

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Also included are the social events and continuous learning classes and lectures. A cost of living worksheet provides a cost comparison of current monthly expenses spent in a home versus what is provided at Redbrook for no additional cost. “Redbrook at The Glen really is a must-see for older adults who want to consider their options,” Lydia Earhart, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, said. “New residents will benefit from so much that it is worth taking a tour to see the latest renderings and learn more about Redbrook.” Five different floor plans ranging from 727 to 1,140 square feet are offered at Redbrook. Each residence features walk-in closets, private patios or balconies, in-unit washers and dryers, crown molding throughout, high ceilings, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, medicine cabinets, wall safes and plenty of other special features. “When we started master planning for Redbrook, we asked members of the North Louisiana community to tell us their opinion. Many shared their thoughts with us and some even gave specifics. We listened to the voices of those in North Louisiana and took into consideration what they would like to see in a retirement community,” Debra Williams, Glen president and CEO, said. “Through focus groups, surveys and extensive market research, we heard what the future residents wanted and we incorporated a lot of what they asked for into Redbrook.” “We are very proud of what The Glen has to offer not only residents but our community in North Louisiana,” she said. “With the addition of Redbrook, we look toward our new beginning. Redbrook is the future of retirement living in North Louisiana and we will do our best to live up to the expectations of the residents who will live at Redbrook.” Redbrook is filling up quickly, but The Glen is still accepting reservations for those interested in living in one of Redbrook’s 60 new residences. For more information, please call 318-798-3500 to schedule an in-person or a virtual tour.

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BAYOU HOL I DAY

EDIBLE TERRARIUM This unique gift idea is a fun, family project that will bring the merriment of the holidays not only to the receiver, but also to the giver. Start by choosing a glass jar that is suitably sized for your houses. Fill the bottom with white sugar - allowing for some hill tops. Top with coconut flakes. Place your dried gingerbread house in the freshly fallen snow with a sprig of rosemary. Dust it all with powdered sugar through a sift. Images by KELLY MOORE CLARK Written by HEATHER LAND 98 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

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BAYOU HOL I DAY

CHOC FULL OF COCOA Whether you make it from scratch or you buy it in bulk, make your hot cocoa an experience with these variations. We make ours with extra dark cocoa, oat milk, vanilla, Himalayan pink salt and cinnamon. Reserve some of the milk and make a concentrate to keep in a mason jar in the fridge, then add milk and warm to taste. And, always add a sprinkle of flake salt to cut the sweet and bring out the flavors. Pick up extra special snowflake marshmallows, candy canes - whole and crushed- mixed sprinkles, etc. and keep it on hand for the season. These Wonka-like marshmallows are free of unnecessary ingredients, and make every cup memorable and are worth the indulgence. Image by KELLY MOORE CLARK Written by HEATHER LAND

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MINT HOT CHOCOLATE CHIP Mint mallows topped with chocolate chips float in a mug atop an extra dark hot cocoa, with a candy cane stirrer. Add a drop of peppermint extract or Creme de Menthe Liquor to take it to another level. DARK CHOCOLATE DIPPED RASPBERRY Raspberry mallows dipped in dark chocolate melt into this mug of cocoa leaving the subtle flavor of chocolate-covered cherries. Sprinkle this one with a few extra chocolate chips that will leave one sweet spoon at the bottom in the end. HOT CHAI-COLATE & GINGERSNAPS, OH MY Cinnamon Churro mallows top a mug of 50/50 chai latte and dark cocoa with a dollop of coconut whipped cream, a sprinkling of cinnamon and cinnamon stick stirrer. Every gingersnap man’s dream swim.

BAYOU HOL I DAY

GINGERBREAD HOUSE Gather your family and friends for a fun afternoon making gingerbread houses. Use the recipe below to prepare your building blocks ahead and have a merry time decorating. Recipe and Photo by HEATHER LAND Make one or more days in advance and allow house pieces to dry out for sturdier construction. Substitute equal parts of dairy butter and all purpose flour. Use half for houses and half for cookies. The GF recipe makes for a lighter, less dense cookie. INGREDIENTS FOR DOUGH: 2 sticks butter 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup molasses 2 TBSP cinnamon 2 TBSP ground ginger 3 tsp ground cloves 2 tsp baking soda 4 cups all-purpose flour {GF or Wheat} 2 TBSP water FOR ROYAL ICING: 1 lb powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy) 2 egg whites 1 tsp almond or vanilla extract Should be around the consistency of Elmer’s glue a little thick but runny enough to pass through the tip of small squeeze bottle or piping bag. In a large mixing bowl, cream all ingredients (except flour) until smooth. Blend in flour and water to make a dough that resembles play dough - not sticky. CHILL FOR 30 MINUTES. The dough, in the fridge and you, by the fire. PREHEAT OVEN to 375. Cut out your templates using cardstock, the cardboard from a cereal box, etc. 4 walls / 2 equal sides for a roof PER house (whatever size you choose). *HALF OF THIS RECIPE will make one larger 5x7 size house and 1-2 tiny houses 2” square or 6+ tiny houses Use ALL OF THE RECIPE and make a compound if you dare. Lightly flour a smooth surface and roll out dough to about 1/4” thickness. Lay template over dough and use knife or flat spatula to cut out pieces. Bake on parchment lined baking sheet for 10-15 minutes - careful not to let edges burn. {*Bake cookies 8-10 minutes}. Cool on baking sheet (let house parts sit out and dry overnight). Do not try to assemble a warm house it will not work. Glue walls (two sets of hands works best) and hold them until they stick. Allow them to sit and dry for a bit. Repeat with the roof pieces. This may take a few trys. This is the fun part. Enjoy the process; and if all else fails, hot glue it! Allow your “glue” to dry while you ice cookies or have an intermission dance party. Use your glue to decorate and make your masterpiece. The more, the merrier. In every way, a gingerbread house will last for months on your open countertop. Eat only at your discretion.

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Taking Care of the Future So You Can Focus On The Present

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ATHERNE AND DAVIS ATTORNEYS at Law are based in Monroe and represent clients throughout Northeast Louisiana and beyond. Their firm provides a broad range of legal services to clients, specializing in estate planning, along with many other areas of practice. They bring extensive experience and professionalism in every case and customize their support to each individual client’s needs and concerns. Almost all individuals, regardless of age, marital status or net worth need to have an ongoing relationship and open conversation with a competent estate planning attorney. By creating a plan for the management of your assets in the event of disability and/or a plan for the disposition of your assets at death, the time and expense of the probate process and any potential estate tax liability, can be greatly reduced and the burden on loved ones can be minimized. They assist clients with comprehensive wealth management and estate planning strategies to best meet their needs and

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to help families with the transition of assets during lifetime and at death in the most efficient manner possible. Their services include the drafting and administration of wills, powers of attorney, trusts, and successions. In addition, they are experienced and available to counsel and advise clients in the areas of donations, marriage contracts, tutorships, interdictions, Medicaid planning, business formation, taxation and business contracts. The faces behind Matherne and Davis may be familiar to you as they were both born and raised in North Louisiana and are very involved in the community. Valerie Van Matherne has been practicing law in Monroe for 24 years. After graduating from Ouachita Parish High School, and ULM with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting, she attended Mississippi College School of Law. While attending law school, she passed the CPA exam and maintains her CPA status as “inactive.” She began her practice as a sole practitioner specializing in corporate law, successions, wills, trusts and tax

planning. She also spent several years working in the banking industry as a trust officer. In 2005, Valerie received her Certified Financial Planner™ Certification and has been a BoardCertified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist with the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization since 2007. In 2013, Valerie partnered with Lauren Davis to form Matherne & Davis, APLC. Lauren Pickett Davis is a native of Delhi and high school graduate of Riverfield Academy. She graduated from ULM with a Bachelor of Arts in Government/History in 2001 and received her Juris Doctorate in Civil Law from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans in 2007. After graduation, Lauren clerked for the Honorable James Boddie, Jr., of the Fourth Judicial District Court. Upon completion of her clerkship, Lauren practiced in Shreveport until 2012 when she and her family returned to Monroe. Valerie and Lauren’s work history and knowledge are invaluable in assisting their clients in the estate planning field as they work closely with many of their client’s tax advisors and financial planners to ensure that their clients benefit from a comprehensive approach. Contact the professionals at Matherne and Davis to plan for your future. Whether you are planning a new business, in need of a pre or post marriage contract or estate planning, Matherne and Davis can help you today, so you don’t have to worry about tomorrow!

The Images of Christmas Forsythe Church of Christ BY JOHN DOBBS, PREACHING MINISTER

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HAT IMAGES COME TO MIND when you think about Christmas? Perhaps you think of fragrant trees sparkling with lights and ornaments? Or maybe the first image is of a jolly fellow in a red suit? Other memories may include family gatherings with holiday food and singing carols together. Some may have unhappy images of difficult times of struggle or pain. Whatever image comes to mind when you think about Christmas, one image should always be present. There are many artistic depictions of the nativity scene in paintings, movies, and even plastic yard art with lightbulbs inside. Even though most have some factual inaccuracies, the reminder is so important to our times. The Bible says that angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

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he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). This news was brought so much joy that the night sky filled with angels saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The birth of Christ still brings joy to the hearts of those who believe in Him. It reminds us that God sees the ordinary and regards them highly. Mary and Joseph were ordinary people who became part of an extraordinary gift to the world. The birth of Jesus reminds us that God keeps his promises, for the coming of Jesus was foretold by the prophets of long ago. Matthew 1:22 says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” The birth of Jesus reminds us that God knows what it’s like to be one of us, a human being. God knows what it is like to experience

joy, pain, hunger, weariness, tears, and smiles. He knows what it is like to experience family and friendship. And He knows what it’s like to have enemies and false friends. The birth of Jesus reminds us that God loves us deeply. He went to great lengths to express that love, not only in the birth of Jesus but also in his life and teachings. God’s love was demonstrated in the way that Jesus experienced the pain and suffering of the cross. Following his death, Jesus was raised from the dead and is now alive. All of this was to save lost humanity from their sins, because He loves us. Christian churches around the world will spend time contemplating the birth of Christ during this season. They will welcome your presence as they remember the most powerful image of Christmas … the baby in the manger who was the Savior of the world. We certainly welcome your presence at Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe in the Christmas season and in every season.

Merry Christmas From Mickel Plastic Surgery BY NATALIE TODD, LICENSED AESTHETICIAN

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HRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE corner and one of the many ways you can show your significant other how much you care about them is with a gift certificate from Mickel Plastic Surgery. I have worked for Dr. Mickel for over 20 years and I can tell you that one of the benefits of being associated with a board certified plastic surgeon is the quality and consistency of non-surgical services. From laser treatments to skincare, all of our “spa” services are backed by science and clinical experience. Dr. Mickel has never believed in buying every new device on the market – only the ones that fill a need and that really work. Here are some of the non-surgical services we offer at Mickel Plastic Surgery. HydraFacial – We introduced HydraFacial to this area several years ago. It is basically microdermabrasion with water, so instead of sandblasting your face, it power washes it – aggressively exfoliating your skin and cleaning out your pores. This is one of our most popular

procedures and should be a regular part of your skin care routine. Morpheus8 – Morpheus is another new procedure – offered exclusively at Mickel Plastic Surgery - that uses radiofrequency energy to thicken and remodel the collagen layer. It goes deeper that Forma and is more aggressive at tightening the skin. Lumecca - If dark spots or little broken capillaries are your problem, then Lumecca pulsed light treatments might be right for you. They are quick, painless and effective. Laser Hair Removal – We have been doing laser hair removal for over 20 years and use the Lumenis Lightsheer diode laser, one of the most effective hair removal devices ever made. While it is great for the bikini area, the upper lip or the armpits, laser hair removal is not just for women - just ask Dr. Mickel. He wouldn’t mind me saying that after 5 treatments of his back and shoulders he went from looking like the missing link to a normal modern human. Fraxel – I have done hundreds of Fraxel laser treatments over the past nine years. They are a great way to improve skin texture, treat fine wrinkles and help with uneven pigmentation. Microneedling with PRP – Microneedling thickens and rejuvenates the collagen in your skin. When it is done with platelet rich plasma, there are additional benefits that come from the growth factors in the platelets. It is a great addition to Fraxel or HydraFacial. MiraDry – MiraDry is a new procedure that

reduces armpit sweat and odor by 85% with one treatment. If you know someone who suffers from excessive sweating, MiraDry is a must. CoolSculpting – The first and still the best treatment for non-surgical fat removal. These comfortable in-office treatments can reduce stubborn areas of unwanted fat – like love handles, muffin tops or lower abdominal fat. Botox – Dr. Mickel has been injecting Botox for decades. Let him make you smooth and wrinkle-free for the holidays – then schedule regular follow-up injections so you can stay that way throughout the year. Fillers and Fat Injections – Dr. Mickel has refined the use of fillers over the years, using them conservatively to give a natural look, rather than an altered over-inflated appearance. In some patients he injects fat, a more permanent filler, using a minor surgical procedure that is done in the office. ZO Skincare – We are the experts on all ZO skincare products, the new and improved Obagi. We will individualize your skincare program to help you incorporate retin A into your regimen – probably the most important thing other than sunscreen you can do for your skin. As you can see, we have something for everyone. So, come by Mickel Plastic Surgery and pick up a gift certificate, or make an appointment to see me for a free skin care consultation to discuss which of these treatments is right for you.

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Get the Sleep You Deserve

American Mattress Outlet Offers Customers a “Whole Sleep Experience”

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T’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the year, and it’s also one of the most stressful seasons for many. At American Mattress Outlet, we realize that while Christmas is filled with holiday cheer and genuine joy, it is also a time where many are stretched thin with lists to be completed, presents to be be wrapped and holiday festivities. Getting a good night’s sleep should not be one of the things put on the back burner this holiday season. American Mattress Outlet carries several lines of mattresses including: Signature by Southerland, Thermo Balance, Scandinavian Sleep, Englander, Symbol, Capital Bedding, Brooklyn Bedding and Wellsville. With a range of mattresses varying from Euro top to adjustable beds, there is something for everyone at American Mattress Outlet. Stepping into the store offers customers a “whole sleep experience.” Not only will owner Robby Compton and his team fit you

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for the perfect mattress, they will help you make the best choices to improve your sleep experience. Compton says, “We see people that have horrible sleep experiences and by guiding them to a better pillow, a mattress that fits their sleep positioning, we can improve someone’s life, and that is what makes me so passionate about this business. Our tag line is ‘We are American Mattress Outlet, where you don’t have to go into debt to get a great night’s sleep’ and I mean that. The difference is we can find the perfect mattress for your needs and budget without sacrificing quality for price.” Whether your in-laws are coming in for the holidays, or you need to spruce up the deer camp, this holiday season is the perfect time to update worn-out mattress sets. Here’s what one of their customers said about their experience with American Mattress Outlet: “The staff, and of course Robby himself, were so helpful. It also made the process very

laid back due to them being such fun and light-hearted people. They knew we were looking for something for our camp and steered us quickly in the right direction. The prices were on-point, and all of the guys were so easy to work with. We have recommended and will recommend them again to anyone that’s in the market for a new mattress.” ~ Elizabeth Rials Don’t be a scrooge this holiday season, get the sleep you deserve. Visit American Mattress Outlet at 2200 North 7th Street, Suite A in West Monroe. Call them at 318.366.5565 or visit their website at americanmattressoutletwm.com. You can also find them on Facebook

Avoiding the Holiday Blues 3 Insights to Curb Stress and Depression

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AVE YOU EVER HEARD THAT, because they feel depressed around the holidays, more people attempt suicide than at any other time of the year? Not true, explains Raymond Tucker, PhD. This is a myth he often encounters while counseling patients and training med students as an assistant professor of psychology at LSU and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at LSU Health Sciences Center/Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. First, the suicide rate tends to go down this time of year -- it is highest in spring and summer. Second, depression is not an accurate predictor of who attempts suicide, Tucker said. There are 16 million episodes of major depression every year in the United States, while 50,000 die by suicide. However, examining those misconceptions reveals useful insights that can help curb feelings of stress and depression during the holidays. Insight No. 1: To feel better, focus not on

what you must do, but on what you probably stopped doing in response to stress. Many people in 2020 have reported gaining weight during the pandemic. They also report feeling more stress and greater isolation from friends and family. But blaming stress-eating for weight gain or quarantine restrictions for feelings of isolation are overly simplistic. In fact, in many cases people gain weight because their meal routine is disrupted or they stop doing physical activities they enjoy. People feeling isolated may have simply abandoned vital social contact as soon as they started to feel stressed out. The remedy? Recognize the value of healthy daily routines -- consistent mealtimes, regular exercise and fulfilling social connections. They are the very things that curb those feelings of depression. Insight No. 2: You don’t have to wait for motivation to take action. “It’s a myth that motivation comes before action,” Tucker said.

“Motivation sometimes doesn’t come until after a behavior.” People cite the absence of a motivational spark as a reason not to eat better, exercise or keep in contact with loved ones. “If you feel unmotivated, give yourself a break,” Tucker said. “Recognize you feel cruddy, and that by getting up and doing the activity you will feel better and be more motivated in the future.” Insight No. 3: This holiday season, embrace change rather than scrapping favorite activities. Christmas 2020 will look different thanks to COVID-19; don’t cancel it, Tucker said. Identify the things you enjoy about Christmas, and start discussing plans now so you can figure out how to celebrate them while making necessary accommodations. Can’t all get together? Embrace Zoom or Skype; schedule a practice run weeks in advance to iron out technical glitches. Will you miss hosting a big Christmas meal? Consider preparing a meal for a needy family, or volunteering. “Try to live in line with your values and the things you hold important,” Tucker said. “It may not be the Christmas you wanted, but it’ll be better than no Christmas at all.” If you or anyone you love may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, or if you want to know more about how to help somebody, please call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-2738255, or text 741741.

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The Perfect Find Specializes In Accessories and Jewelry New Boutique on Trenton Street in West Monroe is Now Open

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HE PERFECT FIND IS LOCATED on Trenton Street in Downtown West Monroe. The Perfect Find was founded this year by husband and wife team, Thom and Tonya Hamilton, who saw an opportunity for a quality accessory retail boutique. We specialize in women jewelry and accessories and have a unique selection of gifts for woman and men. Our team of buyers follow the latest trends and use them as inspiration to create modern, individualized collections for our boutique — all in the hopes that you will discover your personal style and express it with confidence. We carefully curate items that make high fashion trends accessible at an affordable price. Our customers have many choices when they shop, but they know they will find an exceptional combination of customer service, merchandise, and personal style when they come to The Perfect find. Unlike most other boutiques, The Perfect Find specializes in accessories. Our boutique jewelry offerings incorporate all the latest

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styles, allowing you to find well-priced pieces that suit your unique taste and look. You have the most beautiful and unusual things” is the comment most often heard at our store. We carry an assortment of fashion jewelry as well as designer pieces. You are sure to find the piece that is perfect for your style, your outfit and your wallet. Whether you are looking for a everyday lifestyle piece or an extra special event piece our team will be glad to help you with the Perfect Find! Our jewelry selections range from classic hoop earrings to contemporary geometric rings and ultra-feminine pearl necklaces. We have 14k gold chains, Sterling silver and fashion pieces. Earrings, rings, necklaces, gloves, hat everything that will make your outfit extra special. Come in and experiment with stacking mixed metal bracelets or trying on that bold one of a kind piece. No matter how you choose to wear your boutique jewelry from The Perfect Find, we can’t wait to see how you celebrate your individual style!

In addition to the fashion jewelry like Scout, Julio designs, and Embracelets we carry jewelry designers like, Heather Ford, French Kande, Lock &Key, Erin Bassett, and Melanie Clara. We also have a large collection of Made in American small designers, like Rose Gypsy, Gem Lounge, and Lorissa Loden. Jewelry, no matter your style, is the perfect way to add some extra glam and excitement to your outfit. We are always updating our collections to offer you high-fashion trends, so be sure to check back often to find your new favorite piece. In addition to amazing jewelry, we have many gift ideas for those who have everything! Try an Attic journal, a hardback book that has been repurposed into a journal. A shrimp (Crayfish) knife, from Toadfish for that amazing cook who has everything! Come see us for a unique shopping experience and we know you will leave with The Perfect Find!

Give Your Loved Ones the Gift of GLOW The Woman’s Clinic is Here to Help You Shine this Holiday Season

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HIS HOLIDAY SEASON SHOPPING FOR GIFTS IS MORE stressful than before, but it doesn’t have to be. The good news is you can give your loved ones the gift of a ZO Glow for the Holidays with our ZO Skin Health line. The Woman’s Clinic keeps many ZO products in stock that can be gift wrapped with pickup available at any of our clinic locations in Monroe, West Monroe, and Ruston, making the gift of a ZO glow more convenient than you would think! The Woman’s Clinic is here to get your skin ready for all your Holiday events this season with a wide range of cosmetic procedures that can be completed in the office. Sublime Skin Tightening & Contouring targets telltale signs of aging, including jowl and neck laxity and nasolabial folds. Unlike conventional laser treatments, Sublime offers virtually painless and fast treatment for sagging and wrinkled skin. Sublative Skin Rejuvenation is an advanced technology that uses radio frequency to deliver an effective and controlled fractional treatment to address wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, laxity, large pores, and textural irregularities on the skin. Velashape III is a noninvasive aesthetic tool that can smooth out your skin and get rid of your cellulite and shrink fat cells without pain or downtime. CO2RE Intima is a laser treatment used to address various intimate needs of our patients including mild urinary incontinence,

painful intercourse, cosmetic issues, and other concerns. Not sure what products or procedures your loved one might want? A gift card is the answer for you. Our gift cards are easy to purchase and can be used for ZO products, cosmetic procedures, and even gender ultrasounds! Your loved one can also schedule a free consultation to make sure their products or services are the right fit for them before booking a procedure. Every woman faces a variety of different decisions about their health throughout their lives. The physicians and staff at The Woman’s Clinic are dedicated to helping you make the best one. We know you are busy, and healthcare can be overwhelming; so, come see us and get the care you deserve and we can also help you get the perfect gift for that special someone.Call 318-388-4030 to speak with our cosmetics nurse and find out more about the glow you need for the holidays! The Woman’s Clinic Monroe-312 Grammont St., Suite 300 West Monroe-417 McMillan Rd. Ruston-931 North Trenton

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PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST Phillip Michael LeBlanc is an instructor of Communication and Media Studies at Louisiana Tech University, but outside the classroom he is a photographer, graphic designer and woodworker. article by ALANA WAGNER and photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

BAYOU ARTIST “I just want to create all the time,” Mike said passionately. “If I’m not in the classroom, being a husband or father, I’m thinking about using my hands to do something. I don’t know who I am unless I’m making something.”

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Mike’s father was injured and had to go through physical therapy. hillip Michael LeBlanc, P. Michael, or, as he prefers, “She was always willing to jump in and do what she had to do,” Mike. Whichever name people know from however Mike said fondly. they know him, the same passion and personality Though Mike had chosen a college, he still needed to decide on come out, especially when he talks about what he his major. He felt like he needed to pick something that would lead loves. And if he is not talking about his family, he is to a successful, lucrative career. Computer science seemed to fit talking about his art. the bill for him, so he followed that course all the way to advising. Mike was born in Rayne, Louisiana, the “Frog Capital of the World” When Mike’s love of art came up, however, his advisor suggested as it is most famously known from its time as a center for frog he look into graphic design. “I went for a tour and loved it,” Mike exports to restaurants across the country. The city is decorated with said. “It clicked. It felt like the right place to be.” frog statues and large, unique murals attesting to the major cultural After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in presence and impact of this commodity. “Almost the whole city is 2004, Mike considered doing graduate work. He decided against an art district because of the murals,” Mike said, having served it, citing what he had often heard on a committee that reviews cities’ throughout his undergraduate studies: applications for art district status. This “You don’t have to get a graduate degree vibrant creative atmosphere in Rayne because it’s about your portfolio.” Out would make the town seem like a great of college and not knowing whether he fit for someone who loves art as much as wanted to do graphic design or work Mike does. for a firm of some sort, Mike turned to This love began with his father, a freelance work. Yet because he always business owner and an entrepreneur. had another job, never doing just one Mike spent countless days at the thing, he felt in limbo, a mutt again. Acadia Parish School Board with his It was Mike’s girlfriend Dionna, now his father where he did construction and wife, who helped guide his choices this handyman work. “He had a workshop time. She grew up in Ruston after several in Crowley where he would build moves with her family, but she had a things for the school,” Mike said, brother in Independence, Missouri, mentioning a bookshelf and podium east of Kansas City, who had a bank that he specifically remembers his job ready for her after she graduated. “I father building. While he did not enjoy didn’t want to lose my girlfriend,” Mike working on these projects with his father said of choosing to move with Dionna, at the time, Mike acknowledges that this with whom he has three children: is the foundation of his lifelong love for Teagan, Tyler, and Zoë. As far as a job art. This, and boredom. According to for himself, Mike thought, “We’ll see Mike, “Boredom in Rayne gave birth to what happens.” When Mike and Dionna creativity.” arrived in Independence, she began her Even his well-established love for art bank job while he continued freelancing. was not enough for Mike to be enamored After it was clear to Mike that they both of his colorful hometown. “Unless you In his photography Mike is currently wanted to get married and were headed were sporty or outdoorsy, there wasn’t focused on fine art shots, a “daily snap” in that direction, he suggested they start much to do,” he said, making it clear that challenge of taking a picture a day, and making plans and move back to Ruston he was neither. At Rayne High School, his “Office Portraits” series. The daily where he could build a network near he tried several sports throughout high snap is, for Mike, both an exercise and Louisiana Tech and move toward fullschool, but only powerlifting stuck. an invitation to explore. time work. Mike referred to his high school self Once back in Ruston, Mike continued as a “mutt,” able to relate with various freelancing while working at coffee shops until he saw a design groups but never feeling like he fully belonged to one. Yet he job available at the local newspaper, the Ruston Daily Leader. He enjoyed powerlifting, which was new to Rayne High School and applied, got the job, and worked there for two years. He then saw the coach had recommended Mike try. The team later received a an opening for an advisor position as the “production manager” new coach who suggested Mike consider attending Louisiana Tech of The Tech Talk, Louisiana Tech’s student-run newspaper. He University in Ruston, Louisiana, and joining their powerlifting remained in this position for about six years, and with The Tech team. Talk overall for eight or nine years. Because The Tech Talk was Mike describes his college and career path in much the same housed initially in the Department of Journalism and later in the way as his high school experience. Powerlifting was the only solid School of Communication, Mike always felt slightly out of place as lead he had in choosing a college. “Not much of my family went a design major surrounded by journalism majors and colleagues. to college,” he said, “so I didn’t have much guidance.” He grew Around this time Mike and some of his journalism and up watching both his father and mother work odd jobs, and he communication students attended the Southeast Journalism eventually did the same for a time. “My dad was a hustler and Conference and got the idea for Louisiana Tech to have its own well-respected in the community,” Mike said, describing the magazine. Mike encouraged the idea and began pursuing it with his various elements to his father’s business: a barbershop with a cafe, students, and SPEAK Magazine was born. The quarterly magazine storefront, and liquor store. He has the same respect for his mother’s featured culture-based material that did not normally make it into work ethic, a stay-at-home mother who had her fair share of odd the newspaper, and it brought in people from multiple disciplines, jobs, as well. She took up the responsibility of bread-winning after

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The “Office Portraits” are an investigation of people, personality, and light. Originally holding an office in Keeny Hall, Mike said that with the combination of symmetry and great natural light through his windows, the idea just came to him as people would stand in his office. Now, there is a good chance he will ask to take pictures of his visitors, sometimes organic and sometimes directed. not just communication. Talking about SPEAK Magazine, Mike said, “It’s one of the things I’m proudest to get off the ground.” While he felt fulfilled in this journalism and graphic design work, he would dream of being an art professor. “I wanted to have my people around me,” he said. This dream began to take shape in 2014. One of Mike’s mentors, Dr. Reginald Owens, advised him to get a graduate degree. Remembering the old advice he had received, he was hesitant to seriously consider going back to school. Yet when Mike learned that he was eligible for a discount on courses in the University of Louisiana System, he could not pass up the opportunity. He enrolled at Grambling State University and earned his Master of Arts in Mass Communication and Media Studies in 2016. With his master’s degree, which Mike describes as a mix of journalism and design, he was able to move from teaching aide to instructor of his own courses. As an instructor of Communication and Media Studies at Louisiana Tech, Mike teaches layout design, videography, photography and beginning photography, and public speaking. Much like being in the journalism department during his Tech Talk days, Mike initially felt out of place teaching public speaking. “I’m constantly being a mutt,” he joked again. But he is grateful for the skills that he has gained from teaching the course. “If you put yourself in a situation where you’re uncomfortable long enough, you’ll learn something,” he said. “Nothing in life is wasted. It’s either a lesson or a gain.” Outside of the classroom, Mike’s work is in photography, graphic design, and what he once hated but now loves, woodworking. 116 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

“Forefront right now is photography,” Mike said. Exploration of color and composition are his starting points in setting up a shot, and light plays a major role in its success. “Getting the right light and mood, I feel like I can ‘paint with light.’ I feel like Rembrandt,” he said. “I get that down, and everything else falls in place.” Mike also seeks to “infuse meaning” by the way he composes his shots, making his meaning apparent but leaving enough room for others to find their own meaning, as well. “Photography is communication. As you’re shooting, what message do you want to portray?” he teaches his students to ask themselves. In his photography Mike is currently focused on fine art shots, a “daily snap” challenge of taking a picture a day, and his “Office Portraits” series. The daily snap is, for Mike, both an exercise and an invitation to explore. “It’s a way to stretch the muscle of seeing composition, light, and color,” he said. “If you have a camera in your phone, there’s no reason not to explore everywhere. You have all the power to do anything on the creative level. How are you going to push yourself?” The “Office Portraits” are an investigation of people, personality, and light. Originally holding an office in Keeny Hall, Mike said that with the combination of symmetry and great natural light through his windows, the idea just came to him as people would stand in his office. Now, there is a good chance he will ask to take pictures of his visitors, sometimes organic and sometimes directed. “It’s an interesting way to get to know colleagues I didn’t know well,” he said. While this series, and its evolution to a “higher art setting” in Mike’s current Robinson Hall office, happened partly by chance,

it is majorly because Mike has spent years training that muscle of seeing what is there but perhaps not obvious. “You can’t help but evolve when you put time into things,” he said. Branding is another part of Mike’s current work, rooted in his graphic design background and his original dream for his work. “I love building and putting together a logo and the message behind the symbol,” Mike said. He has done branding work for local organizations and businesses and particularly enjoys helping to highlight black businesses. Mike’s current dream? “Move to the woods, build a shop, and have this big beard,” he laughed. He has not done as much woodworking as he would like, having built five pieces over the years for himself and others, including a dresser, a wood bench, and frames for his prints. The craft which once gave him no joy is now what he would just as soon do over his design and photography work. “I love beautiful things that are functional, especially furniture,” Mike said. Of course, his design background plays a major role in his woodworking, as well. “These are pieces that I’ve obsessed over in terms of the design process, sketching it out,” he said. “And then, five years later, there’s the piece.” This careful attention to detail is part and parcel for Mike in all of his work, not just woodworking. “Part of many aspects of my art, and part of being in design, is being ‘persnickety,’” he said. And yet, creating something is still the bigger goal for him. “Perfection is important, but don’t let it get in the way of getting things done. Try to see the bigger picture,” Mike said. Though Mike enjoys the professional aspects of his work, he sees himself first and foremost as non-commercially creative. “Doing it commercially can deflate the passion,” he said of both his experience with design work and creating in general. “Artists feel like they have to constantly sell themselves, promote their art, push their own narrative in hopes that people will buy your stuff, and I don’t feel like that.” For Mike, art is not what he does but who he is and how he understands himself. “I just want to create all the time,” he said passionately. “If I’m not in the classroom, being a husband or father, I’m thinking about using my hands to do something. I don’t know who I am unless I’m making something.” Mike’s photography can be found on Instagram @ hashtagdailysnap and @hashtagofficeportraits and on his website, weareblancstudio.squarespace.com, where you can purchase prints of his work. He is also beginning a COVID-19 segment of his new “Office Portraits” series. You can find Mike, camera within reach, at Louisiana Tech in Robinson Hall, Office 219. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 117

Carlstedt’s Gives Back

Local Floral Wholesale Shop Partners with Organizations

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ARLSTEDT’S IS PROUD TO BE A part of the Northeast Louisiana community, not only supplying local florists and the general public with flowers and supplies, but also partnering with local organizations and schools to be able to raise money. “We are always looking at ways to give back and we do so throughout the year,” said Alice Givens, owner. Just this past month, Carlstedt’s worked with local cub scout organizations and cheerleader groups, where the members sold poinsettias and garland, which served as a major fundraiser for their organizations. “We have always committed to giving back to our local community,” said Alice. “And this year, it is more important than ever to give back. So much has changed but these organizations still need support and to raise funds.” Carlstedt’s also partnered with the Monroe Garden Study League, who sold paper whites, amaryllis and poinsettias. The group will use the money raised to continue their beautification projects throughout the city.

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Carlstedt’s is a local wholesale floral distributor and is the place to find everything you need to make your home holiday ready when it comes to florals and greenery. Nothing says Christmas quite like a poinsettia and Carlstedt’s offers them in classic red, as well as white and pink. They offer a variety of sizes 4.5-inch, 6.5 -inch, 8-inch and 10-inch. Another favorite during the holiday season are Paper Whites, a perennial bulbous plant that flowers at Christmas. The white flowers are borne in bunches and Carlstedt’s has the 6-inch variety. The potted Amaryllis is available in a variety of colors and is a great way to add dramatic color to your home during the holidays. Plus, they make great gifts for hostesses, co-workers, friends and more. Another potted plant available is the Christmas cactus, or the scientific name Schlumbergera bridgessii. This is a very popular houseplant and when they bloom, they produce colorful, tubular flowers. Not only are they beautiful, but the Christmas cactus has a long bloom time and doesn’t require much when

it comes to care and maintenance. Carlstedt’s offers the Christmas cactus plants in 4.5 and 6.5 inches, as well as a 10-inch basket. Another popular flower during the holiday season is the Star of Bethlehem, a winter bulb belonging to the Lily family. People always enjoy incorporating daisies, red and green carnations and red roses into arrangements for parties. In addition to the plants, you can also get greenery and wreaths from Carlstedt’s as well. They offer a variety of garland in a variety of sizes including mixed evergreens, cedar, douglas fir and pine. The fresh garland comes in 75-foot increments, perfect for decorating a large house or office, or splitting with a friend. You can also find ornamental red and green berries, that are great when incorporated into an arrangement or in a group on their own. Carlstedt’s also has a wide variety of containers, tabletop decor, ribbon, ornaments, artificial Christmas wreaths and garland. You can find all of the supplies you need as well, from oasis to wire to shears. Carlstedt’s is located in the heart of midtown Monroe, just off Tower Drive, and is importer and wholesaler of fresh cut flowers. “People don’t realize it, but we sell flowers to everyone!” Alice explains. Alice and her team are excited to open their 13th location of Carlstedt’s this month. The new location is located at 218 E Bayou Narcisse in Gonzales and can be reached at 225-210-3272.

Achieve Optimal Health At The Surgery Clinic of NELA

Dr. Walter Sartor, Dr. Bart Liles, and Dr. Patrick Smith Urge You to Prioritize Your Well-Being

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LL OF US AT THE SURGERY Clinic of Northeast Louisiana wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season—full of happiness and health. Speaking of health, we want to remind you how important it is to maintain your health, especially during a pandemic. To maintain the well-being of our community, our surgery clinic remains fully operational. According to a Kaiser Family Education poll, approximately 48 percent of Americans have canceled or delayed medical care because of COVID-19. Delaying medical procedures can create significant medical, emotional, and even financial consequences as diseases progress. Postponing weight loss surgery can decrease mobility, increase joint pain, and negatively impact one’s quality of life. Early surgical treatment of all cancers is crucial to a good outcome. Ignoring chronic pain increases the likelihood of complicated surgery and a longer recovery. Keith Minor, a U.S. Navy veteran and

Monroe native, can attest to the importance of seeking medical advice immediately. Keith was determined to maintain his physical health after retirement; he continued to lift weights and cycle each day. Several weeks into his training, he noticed a mass in his lower groin area. He was referred to Dr. Patrick Smith, who diagnosed him with a bilateral hernia that required surgery. Keith, who has never broken a bone or undergone any medical procedure, was nervous about the impending surgery until he discussed the symptoms and the procedure with Dr. Smith. “Dr. Smith was very reassuring, and he explained everything really well. He has a calm demeanor and a great sense of humor, which helped alleviate my nervousness,” Keith said. We agree wholeheartedly with Keith’s advice for those facing a medical challenge: “Listen to your body, and do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before seeking treatment.”

Our staff is taking every precaution to ensure your safety. Before you enter the St. Francis P&S Surgery & Heart Center, where our clinic is located, a staff member will take your temperature, assess your symptoms, and ask if you have been exposed to anyone diagnosed with COVID-19. If you do not have a mask, an employee will provide you with one. You will be screened once more upon entering our office, located on the third floor. Our waiting room chairs are arranged so that our patients sit six feet apart, our staff and patients wear masks, and we have hand sanitizer available to those in our clinic. We understand this can be a daunting time, but please know we are here for you. In addition to Dr. Smith, the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana is home to surgeons Dr. Walter Sartor and Dr. Bart Liles. Contact the clinic today with your questions about minimally invasive surgery or other medical needs, such as vein care procedures and weight loss surgery.

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Embrace this Holiday Season and Just Live in the Moment article by Cindy G. Foust

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ell, here we all are, still in this together, as we sit on the cusp of Christmas, 2020. Anybody out there besides me think we wouldn’t make it? It’s not enough that this year hit us right in the face with a pandemic, but it continues to just linger on, day in and day out, week to week, uncertainty to more uncertainty. If I’m totally honest, I like my Christmas with just a little less stress, because it’s already stressful enough as it is. But is it even possible to “destress” or “un-stress” during these times we are living in? For me, 2020 has brought other challenges, both personally and professionally and I’m not going to lie readers, and as much as I love Christmas and the wonderful season it brings, I wouldn’t mind one bit if we just hit the fast forward button and blew ourselves into 2021. Like go all Marty McFly and Back to the Future it just to put us out of our misery. I mean, I can’t even walk to my staircase (well, I was actually running to it, like I was trying to emulate Flo-Jo or Usain Bolt) without having a catastrophic incident, that found this writer flat on my back looking up at the ceiling wondering how in the cat hair does this even happen in your own house. So, here’s what happened…I was simply “running” upstairs to get something I had printed from my printer and a stray Christmas light (those tiny extra ones they put in your box of lights that no one, including the people who work at the factory where they make them) even knows what to 120 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

do with or has ever in the history of Christmas lights even used them. As I raced to the printer, that’s when my size 10 (feels so good I buy a size 11) foot gets that little light underfoot and the rest is kind of blurry. And painful, might I add. The next thing you know, I was rolling around on the floor in misery and agony and trying to figure out if I was going to actually live much less

how I was going to get up. My husband, who isn’t usually even home at this time of day, calmly walks over to where I’m laid out and says, “You need to go to the hospital?” No, Marcus Welby, I am totally fine, other than I landed on my pinky toe for crying out loud and now it’s broke. And blue. And for all you traditional Christmas community members, no judgment please because YES I

have put up my tree. Or trees, rather, which is probably what I get for decorating early, which is why I slid across my wood floor on a stray Christmas light and ended up with a broke toe and a divorce. Just kidding…a divorce would cost too much and quite frankly, I’m not sure there is anyone in the world of the universe that would or could put up with me and my Edith Bunker life, so I better just stick with Scott. Speaking of Scott, my groom and I had our 25 year anniversary in October… that’s right, the big “silver anniversary” for ole Scott and me. And what a ride it has been… he’s the person who makes me laugh the hardest and is definitely the go-to person when you slip on a stray Christmas light and end up half mangled, sore and with a mild concussion. Just kidding... and mangled might be a just a tad bit exaggerated. But there was this one time, when my parents celebrated their 25 year anniversary, me and my sisters decided to give them a surprise party to celebrate. That’s right, we decorated the entire gymnasium at my church to the point it looked like a Hobby Lobby Christmas (their anniversary is in December), catered the entire thing (with a little help from our friends) and snuck my sister who was a college freshman at Baylor, among many other out-oftown friends and family members, in for the weekend. It was the perfect execution of the Operation 25-Year Anniversary Surprise party. Right?

Until my dad got a kidney stone and had to be rushed to the hospital…two hours before the party started… with 300 guests waiting at our church. I’m telling you what readers, I ain’t making this up one bit. Right after the doctors got dad some “pain relief” with a “morphine cocktail” we told my parents that at that exact moment 300 people were enjoying their 25 year anniversary wedding cake… without them. My dad made the doctor come in his room and “discharged himself” so he and mom could go to their own party. Looking back at the pictures, my dad looked like he had been on a 5-day booze fest, as in every picture he is glassy eyed with the cheesiest smiles you’ve ever seen. I was recently looking at the pictures from the party and was really hit with a wave of nostalgia and longing. For in those pictures there were many, many friends and family who have gone on without us… and left us here to deal with the likes of this pandemic and the fallout from this catastrophic virus. One specific pull at my heart was seeing our Angel, my late sister, who would tragically be killed just a few months later in an automobile accident, and it really got me to thinking about how I could tie a Christmas column to my parent’s near-miss surprise morphine laced

anniversary party. But you see readers, my family had no idea what was ahead of us, what tragedy and unfathomable grief would be right around the corner. Instead, the people in those pictures reflected love, and laughter and happiness and smiles. Those people represented the same support group my family would need, in a completely different way, just a few short months later. But on that night, this one night when it was all wedding cake and fruit punch… time literally felt like it stopped. In that moment, you couldn’t have squeezed another ounce of love or happiness in that gymnasium. In that moment we were all living in that three-hour window, laughing with those that we loved the most; reminiscing about good times with our people; making indelible memories that to this day are some of the most treasured in my memory war chest. Why? Because they are some the last we had with Angel… a soul so beautiful and so revered that I named my child after her. We have these same opportunities right now readers, even in the midst of all the uncertainty and worry, we have the same capacity to embrace this holiday season and just live in the moment. I feel like I have been writing with the same type

of encouragement for the last few months, but this month, this month I know the value these holidays, these moments can have despite the circumstances going on around us. Because the truth is, none of us know what lies ahead, and in what should be a children’s column about the hottest Christmas toys for 2020 (just buy them a bicycle and call it a day), I hope instead it’s a column that will make you stop the worry, stop the hurrying and scurrying and carve out times to just live in the moment. And don’t just live in it, soak it up like one of Scott’s homemade biscuits in his sausage gravy and stop labeling the year 2020 (like I tried to do just a few paragraphs up) the one from “rhymes with tell.” I’ll stop where I started… here we all are, still in this together, on the cusp of Christmas 2020. It can be what you make it, readers, so keep your traditions (unless it involves a crowd of over 250), love your family, soak in the moments and all together we will march ahead to 2021 with the same optimism and confidence we had this time last year. I wish for you and your families the merriest of Christmases and the happiest New Year. Cindy G. Foust is a wife, mom, author and blogger. You can find her blog at the alphabetmom.com for weekly columns about home life, parenting, small business stories and insight with a smidgen of literacy. Give her a like or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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Share the Heritage and Traditions of the Outdoors Pass it On to Future Generations BY GLENN MIERS

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ANK WILLIAMS, JR., THE STORIED southern song writer, entertainer and son of the legendary Hank Williams, Sr., released a song back in 1979 titled, “Family Tradition.” It seemed to resonate with just about everyone that heard it. People connected with its simple but seemingly personal lyrics as it is considered a classic to this day. Passing on those family traditions helps the young determine who they are and where they come from. It’s so easy to get caught up in the fast paced lifestyles of a now information age, but there are still people who know how to slow things down a bit and return to a culture of heritage and tradition that someone handed down to them. They were taught things in nature, made to appreciate God’s beauty all around them, shown the importance of wildlife or an eco-system. Of course, terms like that were probably not part of those life

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lessons and the teachers were likely a family member, that cared enough to carry on an old family tradition. The passion outdoorsmen (and women) have for what they do is usually something they learned growing up. They embrace the experience the outdoors may bring them, but it brings them back to something that was once engrained in American culture. Now outdoor enthusiasts are almost an endangered species themselves, which makes the traditions they have to share all the more valuable. In the little northeast Louisiana corner of the world and many areas just like it around our great country, hunting and fishing are a part of the culture people know. Whether one participates in those activities or not, everyone is familiar with the practice. But it’s more than a hobby and a pastime. It is an identity for most. Just look at social media accounts this time of year, and there will be countless

postings of eventful hunts with family and friends. Although they are sharing with all that choose to follow them, they were first sharing their passion and knowledge with someone they care about. So many times, when going on a hunting trip or visiting a hunting camp for an excursion, the most valuable pieces of that experience are not the harvest, but the time, stories and knowledge shared with one another. Simmons Sporting Goods wants everyone to slow down and think about our outdoor traditions and pass them on to new generations as much as possible. Time spent with family and friends is priceless. Our family also wants to pass along our heartfelt condolences to any who have lost loved ones this year and encourage everyone to honor their memory and pass it on.

Give the Gift of Confidence DermaMediQ Offers a Variety of Services

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HIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN UNLIKE any other and you may have neglected yourself, with worrying about others, having to help with virtual learning, working from home and much more. However, the team at DermaMediQ can help you regain some confidence and put your best self forward in 2021! DermaMediQ offers the best in skin care, hair removal and more, focusing on quality one-on-one care and techniques with demonstrated success. They provide a variety of different services at the same level of considerate care consistintly demonstrated by Dr. Sowma-Fakhre and her staff. One process in particular, is popular with women of all ages is Morpheus 8, which improves tone and texture of the face and body by combining micro needling with the power of RIF thermal technology. Morpheus 8 combines the two technologies of microneedling and RF to deliver the thermal energy of radio-frequency waves to deeper layers of the skin and tissue with adjustable

microneedles. This combination allows RF energy to reach both the dermis and epidermis for maximum results. It treats acne scars, poor skin texture, sun damage, deep lines and creases, mild sagging or jowls and enlarged pores. Morpheus 8 works well with arms, abdomen and legs as well. The skilled staff at DermaMediQ can assess your needs and let you know if Morpheus 8 is right for you. DermaMediQ also offers Emsculpt. This is the first device to build muscle and sculpt your body. Through the high intensity electromagnetic therapy procedure one can enlarge current muscles, as well as grow new muscle fibers. The Emsculpt procedure is currently FDA cleared to treat abdominals, buttocks, arms, calves and thighs and is a great non-surgical alternative to the brazilian butt lift. It is based on high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy and a single Emsculpt session causes thousands of powerful muscle contractions which are extremely important in improving the tone and strength of your

muscles. These powerful induced muscle contractions are not achievable through voluntary contractions. The muscle tissue is forced to adapt to such extreme condition. It responds with a deep remodeling of its inner structure that results in muscle building and sculpting your body. Over time and as women age, lips lose volume, color and elasticity. DermaMediQ is happy to offer Restylane Kysse, the first lip filler designed with XpresHAn Technology™ for flexible movement and natural-looking volume. It adds volume, smooths upper lip lines for up to one year and enhances lip color. Restylane enhances the texture and color of the lips while maintaining a full range of expression, leaving your lips looking full, yet natural. This holiday season, you can give the gift of confidence to others with a gift certificate to DermaMediQ. Or you can treat yourself with one of the many services they have to offer including skincare, Botox, fillers, Morpheus 8, Fractora, hair removal, microneedling and more! Check out DermaMediQ’s website to find out more information on all of the procedures they have to offer and make an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Sowma-Fakhre and her staff. Be your best self in the new year with DermaMediQ!

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Harrison Paint Company Grand Opening Louisiana-based Harrison Paint Company recently opened its third paint store location in the region. The locally owned and operated retailer marked the West Monroe location’s Grand Opening with a community celebration on Friday, October 30th. Free family-friendly activities and refreshments were served, along with great prizes and raffle opportunities.

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On the BayouScene

1 Chris and Bridget Hamm 2 Cyndi Tatum and Lila Strode 3 Debbie and Jack Taylor 4 Jack Taylor and Bill Ham 5 Mayor Staci Mitchell and Courtney Hornsby 6 Scotty Robinson and Rick Guillot

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Ivy & Stone Ruston Helps with Design Local Store Can Help with your Dream Home

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HEN A FAMILY STARTS TO build a house, the idea can be fun and exciting. But after starting the process and making decision after decision, when the time comes to decide about colors, furniture and design, the whole thing can be overwhelming. And that is where Ivy & Stone Ruston comes in. While the shop offers unique home furnishings and decor, they are much more than that. They are equipped with the necessary tools to help with decorating your dream home. “We are able to work with customers throughout the building process,” says Jessica Phillips, owner of Ivy & Stone Ruston. “We can create design boards including lights, rugs, furniture and pictures for each room that will help bring our clients vision to life.” Not only can the experts at Ivy & Stone help with picking out furniture and furnishings, they can work with contractors by keeping track of deadlines to make the designing process

seamless and stress free. “We understand most of our clients are building their first home and they may not understand the language contractors and vendors use. Our clients also have full time jobs and other responsibilities and we are here to help keep the project on track.” While Ivy & Stone can certainly help with all aspects of building a home from the very beginning not everything they do are big jobs. “We also help with small projects. If you have built-ins and are unsure how to arrange items you already have or would like to start from scratch we are here to help. We also are available to re-design living or bedroom spaces,” said Jessica. Ivy & Stone also has expertise in decorating for the holiday season with table scapes, mantles and even your beloved Christmas tree. Ivy & Stone has a wide variety of holiday decor along with every day items to spruce up your home. They have tons of unique

Christmas ornaments along with holiday and daily stems to brighten your tree or a vase for the dining room table. No matter how many people you celebrate the holidays with this year they have plenty of plates, napkins and serving pieces to make it perfect. Add a pop of warmth this winter with gorgeous fur throws and pillows. You can also find a variety of gift items for everyone on your list. Ivy & Stone carries multiple all organic bath lines complete with hand soap, bar soap, lotion and bath bombs. They also carry a wide variety of jewelry, candles, baby items, clothes and even some fun dips and breads that make the perfect option to bring to your holiday gatherings. Whether you are looking to build your dream home, source up your current home or just need to pick up some gifts, stop by Ivy & Stone Ruston to see how they can help with your holiday shopping this season.

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Grow West

WMWO Chamber of Commerce

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HE WEST MONROE-WEST OUACHITA CHAMBER OF Commerce is proud to announce their new designation as an officially Accredited Chamber through Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE). With over 75 chambers of commerce in the State of Louisiana, only one chamber was recognized as the newest LACCE Accredited Chamber during the 2020 LACCE Annual Conference held November 6th via Zoom. The designation reflects a prestigious honor that distinguishes the high quality, expertise, and strong leadership displayed by accredited chambers. The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce now join the list of only 15 chambers of commerce and the 1stin Northeast Louisiana to be recognized with this distinction over the past four years. On November 10th, 2020 we are proud to announce this new distinction. “On behalf of the Chamber staff and the board of directors we are pleased to announce our new distinction as a LACCE accredited member. We are honored to continue the tradition of working for better business in a better community,” said Lila Strode, President of the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce. It’s an exciting time to be in the chamber of commerce industry and to be a chamber in Louisiana. The WMWO Chamber has risen to the challenge to provide unparalleled leadership and direction, helping their members and the Ouachita Parish communities served thrive. This type of performance reflects the solid organizational infrastructure built through much hard work and diligence. “The WMWO Chamber Board of Directors determined three major areas of focus earlier this year… Growth, Advocacy and Economic Development.” said Amanda Edge, Chairman. “This accreditation is truly an example of how our Chamber is raising the bar while fostering both economic development and an enriched business climate.” In 2016, the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) Board of Directors sought a way to recognize chambers in the state that have focused internally on their operations to assess their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to create efficient, effective organizations positioned to deliver great value. Thus, the LACCE Accredited Chamber program was created. The purpose of the program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across the state. Chambers must meet standards in organization, service intent and capacity, professional administration, financial management, communications, and advocacy to achieve the designation. All of these elements are highlighted by the WMWO Chamber of Commerce as they seek to #GrowWest! Watch the announcement on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/WestMonroeChamber/videos/668309670743972 ABOUT LACCE LACCE is the professional development organization for chambers of commerce executives and staff members in Louisiana. LACCE equips chamber professionals with leadership development opportunities and tools to build innovative chambers.

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Hopkins Dermatology

Dr. Hopkins Shares Expertise through Lectures

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HIS PAST YEAR HAS PRESENTED SOME CHALLENGES but Dr. Janine Hopkins and her staff have embraced the changes and adapted the way they see and communicate with patients. They have been able to continue to provide safe, advanced and state of the art care for their patients, which is always their number one focus. Dr. Hopkins makes sure she is always on the cutting edge of technology and education and she shares this passion and information with others through lectures, speaking engagements and events. Early in 2020, Dr. Hopkins hosted an event discussing skin cancer and treatment options that now include the non-surgical treatment known as Image Guided Superficial Radiotherapy that has a greater than 96% cure rate for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Hopkins brought this advanced technology to North Louisiana in November of 2019, and to date, over 100 skin cancers have been cured with minimum to no scarring. In February, Dr. Hopkins attended the annual South Beach Symposium to present on “photo-bio stimulation using low energy laser” to treat hair loss with no downtime, stimulating new hair growth for people experiencing premature hair loss and thinning. Obviously, the world changed in the spring of this year and so did Dr. Hopkins’ plans. In addition to working extended hours to meet patients needs, Dr. Hopkins spent this year giving lectures around the world. Originally, these lectures were planned to be held live in locations around the U.S. including Nashville, Dallas, and Denver and abroad in Barcelona, Spain, Vienna, Austria and Slovenia. However, because of the pandemic, all became virtual meetings and lectures. Quickly switching to this format, Dr. Hopkins was able to host meetings and give lectures on a variety of topics including: • The “Trinity of Anti-Aging” using lasers, fillers, and neuromodulators to create a natural, ageless appearance • Fotona Spring Webinar series educating dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other healthcare specialists on advanced laser science • Using subalative, fractionated, and ablative laser resurfacing procedures to treat sun damage, skin laxity, wrinkles, & hair loss. • Platelet rich plasma for wound healing • 3 monthly lectures to LSU Shreveport medical students on topics that included skin infections on children, skin reactions in Covid 19 patients and skin cancer. • Non surgical mommy makeover for postpartum stretch marks, loose skin, and vaginal laxity by combining non-ablative laser treatments on multi-platform laser system. • Advanced laser tattoo removal using FracTat. • Two Online Laser Training Lectures for Empire Medical Dr. Hopkins was honored to be on faculty for four international medical meetings, as well as four in the U.S. Additionally, Dr. Hopkins had two articles published and presented at the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and Women’s Dermatologic International Annual Symposium. Dr. Hopkins is a leading expert in the Dermatology field and that is apparent as she continues to share her wealth of knowledge and information around the globe. Hopkins Dermatology offers innovative treatments and procedures specific to patients’ needs. Even in this season of pivoting and adapting, Dr. Hopkins remains focused on delivering optimal care, addressing the needs of her patients at every stage of their lives with an emphasis on skin cancer prevention and treatment. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 127

SIMPLY LOU ONCE UPON A TIME IN BASTROP article by LOU DAV E N P ORT

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ecently, I watched Quentin Tarantino’s latest movie, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” his ninth movie to date. Tarantino plays homage to a dying Hollywood, told through the story of an aging TV star named Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his friend, stuntman, and assistant, Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt. Without giving away too much of the story, Tarantino “re-writes” the history of 1969, namely the Tate-LaBianca murders. It’s a wonderful movie thanks to the story, but also the attention to detail of the Hollywood of “back then.” The sets, the wardrobes, and especially the soundtrack are a treat. It took me back to a time in my life when I thought all things were possible. My story is a bit different with a totally different location, but there was that music. Music has always been a backdrop/soundtrack for my life. Whenever I hear certain songs, I can usually recall where I was, who I was with, and what we would have been doing. So, my column this month is going to have a soundtrack of its own. Born on the bayou…..Born on the bayou….Born on the bayou… Bastrop, Louisiana back in the 60’s was a thriving paper mill town located not far from Bayou Bartholomew. There were two mills and two sets of railroad tracks that intersected the town. There was a large group of teenagers that lived there, and I was one of them. There wasn’t much to do, but because of that, we learned a valuable life lesson...sometimes, you just have to make your own fun and oh, did we ever! I still do that to this day. Come on the risin’ wind…We’re goin’ up around the bend… The first thing you had to do was get ready to go out “riding around.” Your hair and makeup had to be just right. Bell bottom jeans were “the thing” at that time. My favorite t-shirt had the Rolling Stones logo on it. So, when the look you were going for was achieved, it was “go time,” the time to go out and look at the boys! 128 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

C’mon, baby, light my fire… The main activity we had was riding around. Being able to get your driver’s license when you turned 15 was a rite of passage for everybody! Gas was cheap, and having your daddy’s Gulf credit card was even better. We were lucky we didn’t have just one street to ride up and down, we had a whole “loop!” And she’ll have fun, fun, fun ‘til her Daddy takes the T-Bird away… You could start the “loop” just about anywhere, but it seemed Johnny’s Drive-In was the starting point. You pulled in there, and rounded the building looking for your friends. If you saw any, you stopped to see what they were doing or what they were planning to do as the evening wore on. There was always going to be somebody that had some beer, or Boone’s Farm Apple Wine, or the worst, Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill...and, of course, there were cigarettes to be (secretly) smoked! It’s gonna be a good thing…Such a good thing, baby… Turning right from Johnny’s, you were on Madison Street and made your way over the two sets of railroad tracks, hoping you didn’t get stopped by one or both trains, to the corner where the big clock hung off the side of Bastrop National Bank. By then, somebody would probably pull up beside you and there’d be more talking and cutting up until the light turned green. Turn right again, and you’d head for the Safeway parking lot to see who might be parked there. You couldn’t stay there for long it seemed, because the cops tended to frown upon a bunch of teenagers hanging out in parking lots. That wasn’t any big deal to us, because we’d just cross over to the hamburger joint, ToTo’s, and make the round of that building to start back. Good, Good, Good, Good Vibrations… Back towards the Courthouse Square, you’d probably get stopped at a red light or two. Talking to one another from one car to the other was always going on until the light changed. This time, we went to the next street and turned left in front of the Rose Theatre. Pippen’s Eat a Bite sat on the corner by the Rose, and I still think the best cheeseburgers ever were grilled right there in that little diner. Cause I’m hungry for those good things, baby. Hungry, through and through...

When you made your way back over the railroad tracks, you could go back to Johnny’s, or you could swing off to the left by the Piggly Wiggly, and go back around “the loop” again. There weren’t any rules to it. Just a bunch of teenagers riding around, trying our best to have fun. There was lots of waving, honking, music, and loud cars! Come on and turn it on, wind it up, blow it out…GTO! There was something about the young men in Bastrop and their cars. Those muscle cars were popular around then, and just about everywhere. There was something of a dangerous element about them, and, of course, all us girls thought they were so cool! I had my own car, so I didn’t ever go for a ride in any of those fast cars; I knew better. If my daddy found out, I wouldn’t have my car! All I ever asked for to make my car “cooler,” at least to me, was some white raised letter Goodyear tires. Of all things, I asked for a set of TIRES! I’m not kidding. Get your motor runnin’…Head out on the highway…Lookin’ for adventure and whatever comes our way… When I was 15, my cousin, Peggy, moved to town with her family. Now, we were a pair! Of course, we had to go “riding around” every chance we got. One night, while sitting at the red light right by the courthouse, a guy in a green truck drove up along side of us. I knew him, and Peggy wanted to know he was. I said, “Who, Charles? You want to meet him?” She said yes, and the rest is history! They have now been married 50 years, and if there was ever a match made in heaven - at a red light in downtown Bastrop, Louisiana - it was them! I like to remind her of “hookin’ her up” every chance I get. Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married... During the day, there were all kinds of great places to go ride around. You could go north over the bayou and end up at Bussy Brake. It was such a beautiful lake, and there were styles over the fence that you could climb over, and just sit and enjoy the water. It has recently been totally refurbished, and is on my “Places To Go To Get Out Of The House” list so that I can go reminisce, and see it again. Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun…I’ll be sittin’ til the evening comes… You could also go about seven miles outside of town, and end up in Mer Rouge, where to this day, the world’s best ice cream is made. I was there one day with some cousins of mine, and this young man got out of his car. I sat there, dumbfounded. I had never in my life seen any guy that looked like him. I didn’t know who in the world he was, so I just named him “The Greek God,” and went on about getting my caramel sundae. Little did I know, I had just seen the first real love of my life, George. He had just gotten out of the Marines, and somehow, we finally met each other, and…the rest is history, sort of. We got engaged, but things just didn’t work out. We were both too young, and it truly did work out for the best. We are still good friends...and he loves that I still call him that “Greek God.” You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find….you get what you need… Eventually, I left Bastrop, got married, and moved to a little town in North Mississippi named Aberdeen. I was used to knowing everybody, so making new friends in a new place wasn’t always easy. I always felt that little town was just not too welcoming to new people. I missed Bastrop so much, and I think I grieved for it for several years. From Aberdeen, it was an eight hour drive to go “home,” and with having three small kids, I just couldn’t load up and go whenever I wanted. What goes up, must come down…Talkin’ bout your troubles is a cryin’ sin…Ride a painted pony, let the spinnin’ wheel spin… I’ll be the first to say Bastrop was not perfect, but it sure was a wonderful little town to grow up. Times were different. Times were much more innocent. The Bastrop I knew is gone, but the memories are still there. I might just have to put on the soundtrack of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and go “make the loop” a few times. Eric Church sings, “Every melody brings back a memory.” I wanna know…have you ever seen the rain...comin’ down on a sunny day… WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 129

Fertility, Family and The Holidays

“Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”

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OVID HAS MADE US MORE introspective. We are distanced from others and isolated at home. Even more, the changing nature of work has us question our connections and identity. The more we shelter in place, the more we can’t help but think about our personal home as well as our place in the world. Even when we go out, with safety in mind, those experiences are often echoes of their former selves. The world has changed. Or has it? We are each part of an unbroken chain of life that has lasted almost four billion years. For all the world’s chaos, there is something with each miraculous birth where hope springs eternally. Even if we never have full control over this crazy world, starting small with your family/home is a step towards the manageable. However, what if you can’t get that control? What if every time you and your partner take that step for having a family, it

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just won’t happen? “Limbo,” “purgatory,” “an unending holding pattern,” and other descriptions for that two week wait take an enormous toll on a couple. Some relationships are destroyed through the efforts to expand it. Moreover, friends and family often make it worse. Fertility advice from those whose qualifications are that they failed contraception doesn’t always ring true. Advice to “try harder” when one is doing all one can simply creates stress without helping. One of the ironies is that despite good intentions, nonmedical advice is typically useless for fertility as it rarely increases sperm counts, won’t make eggs chromosomally normal, can’t open block tubes, nor cause fibroids to resolve, or otherwise fix underlying medical conditions that drive subfertility. Some of the best ways to reduce stress are to have a plan and to have effective support. To say, “I will be pregnant by this time next year, with my testing done in January and then low

cost, low tech measures for a few months, and then if that doesn’t work, I’ll go all out”—is the mindset that gets so many people where they need to be in a structured and effective fashion. Moreover, having experts who help women and families grow every day makes a world of difference. We take couples from “might have been” to “mom to be.” May Christmas and 2021 bring you the family and home of your dreams! Please join us on Facebook every first Friday of the month for First Friday Fertility Live 12:00 PM CST.

Make Her Christmas Magical With A Gift Of Beauty and Wellness

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OLIDAY SURVEYS SHOW ALMOST 90% of women and men want either gift certificates or gift cards for Christmas. Let Professional Laser Center make this year’s shopping easy for you. Give a gift that offers many health or beauty options. Over the last 17 years, Professional Laser Center has grown into more than just a laser center. Integrative Medicine, which includes natural hormone replacement therapy and sexual wellness and rejuvenation, has seen tremendous success over the last ten years. Restoring the hormones we made in our youth can be life-changing and our newest product line compliments this therapy. Foria is an innovative health and sexual wellness company, rooted in the proven wisdom of plants. Believing that sex and wellness go hand in hand, this brand creates product lines for intimacy, relief, and wellbeing, utilizing the benefits of CBD. We have topical oils for arousal and pleasure, daily tonics and bath

salts for balance and wellbeing, suppositories for localized benefits, and a newly released vape pen. Your gift card opens the door to choose from these many options and gift sets. The vFit Plus is the world’s first and only home, intimate wellness device that uses patented red light technology to quickly heal torn and weak vaginal tissue in postpartum and postmenopausal women. Plus, it improves sexual function, sensation, pleasure, and incontinence. It’s sold exclusively through a physician’s office. You can’t go wrong with this incredible gift. Medical Director, Dr. Zuckerman, offers Botox, the number one choice for treatment of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. He also offers injections of filler that plumps the lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds and marionette lines of the aging face. Some of our most popular laser procedures include Intense Pulsed Light which can take years off the appearance of the

skin by removing unsightly pigment, brown spots, sun damage, facial spider veins and Rosacea. Laser Hair Removal permanently removes hair in as little as eight months. Our Red and Infrared Laser Procedure penetrates deeply into the skin to promote collagen induction, and tighten the skin. Dermapen Microneedling also induces the production of new collagen through the delivery of tiny needles into the skin. We incorporate new technology that optimizes this procedure.  AnteAGE MD serum, used exclusively in a physicians office, can be microneedled into the skin and hair to restore their youthful states. Plus, AnteAGE MD offers a complete skin care line. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy can be used to improve the appearance of cellulite and tighten and tone the skin. It’s also used for Erectile Dysfunction in men. For more information on all of our procedures, visit our website www. professsionallaser.com. Make this Christmas magical by giving a beautiful gift certificate from Professional Laser Center. Merry Christmas to all.

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It is Never Too Late to Save

Justin Mailhes with Argent Advisors in Monroe Explains

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ETIREMENT CAN SNEAK UP ON you. At one time, it seemed like a lifetime away, now it may be just around the corner. A 2020 TD Ameritrade report shows that 53% of Americans between the ages of 50-59 have less than $99,000 saved for retirement. But there is no need to panic yet. There are many things you can do starting today that will help boost your retirement savings. Here are just a few: 1. Do an inventory of your spending and see what can be eliminated or reduced. 2. Put off your retirement. Putting your retirement off by five or even ten years can give you additional time to bolster your retirement savings. 3. Goes with point two, but delay receiving social security benefits till age 70. This can bolster your yearly income by 8% each year after Full Retirement Age (FRA). 4. Take advantage of increased contribution levels. When you hit 50, you

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can put an additional $6,000 annually in 401(k) plans a year. If you are at a place where your income level allows this, be sure to take advantage of this increase. For those with a traditional or Roth IRA, you are entitled to increase contributions by $1,000 annually when you turn 50. 5. Get rid of credit card debt. You should only use your credit card if you know you can pay the bill in full each month, or for an emergency. 6. Consider a job after your job. Many retirees look forward to the day they can stop working, only to find themselves lost when they finally retire. To that end, many retirees are beginning a new career in retirement, expanding a hobby into a business, or simply getting paid to do something they love, rather than something to pay the bills. Even if you plan on working past retirement age, increasing your nest egg will increase the options and opportunities

available to you when you do retire. It is never too late, so start saving today! WHY CHOOSE ARGENT ADVISORS IN MONROE? Our mission is to help establish, manage, and protect our clients’ financial plans, and we take that very seriously. No matter where one’s objectives fall, we help our clients establish a definitive goal-oriented plan for current needs and for the future. Argent Advisors in Monroe is a fee-based Registered Investment Advisor firm. We agree on an annual management fee, and then we work for you. We do not make money on account activity or have proprietary products. Our independent process assures you that we are acting in your best interest, not in ours! If you have any question about your financial planning needs, please contact our office.

Louisiana Cancer Foundation Donates $10K for Breast Cancer Research

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HE LOUISIANA CANCER Foundation (LCF) added another $10,000 donation for the continuing research by Paul Sylvester, Ph.D., of the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Pharmacy. Since 2005, LCF has contributed $137,500 to Sylvester’s breast cancer research. A check presentation was held Oct. 29, 2020, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Attending were ULM President Dr. Ron Berry; James Adams, executive director of the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute and LCF; Glenn Anderson, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy; Donna Jackson, assistant director of the LCF and Sylvester. Adams said 15 years ago the foundation board was seeking a way to fulfill the LCF’s mission to support cancer research. “We initially met Dr. Paul Sylvester and were immediately impressed with his research using tocotrienols for breast cancer prevention and treatment,” Adams said. “Since we are a local cancer foundation with all monies being

raised locally and redistributed back into our community, we thought it fitting that we supported cancer research being conducted at the ULM College of Pharmacy.” Sylvester expressed his gratitude to the LCF, saying, “It has been an honor and privilege to be part of this long collaborative relationship with the Louisiana Cancer Foundation. The foundation’s support and interest in our research have not only been of great benefit to our research efforts but has also resulted in the formation of some very dear friendships with the foundation’s board members.” Dr. Paul Sylvester joined the ULM College of Pharmacy in 2001. He is associate dean of research and Pfizer, Inc. B.J. Robison Endowed Professor of Pharmacology. An endocrinologist, his research has focused on endocrinedependent diseases, particularly breast cancer. His laboratory is currently examining the anti-breast cancer effects of tocotrienols, a rare natural form of vitamin E. “With the support of the Louisiana Cancer

Foundation, our laboratory has been able to conduct seminal research regarding the anticancer effects of tocotrienol, with the goal of developing tocotrienol-based therapies that can be used in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer in women,” Sylvester said. Sylvester found tocotrienols “ … display potent anti-cancer effects against breast cancer cells at doses that have no adverse effects on normal cell growth or viability.” “Subsequent studies have shown that combined treatment of tocotrienol with other traditional chemotherapies often results in a synergistic inhibition in cancer cell growth and viability,” he said, “Since this synergistic anti-cancer effect was observed using very low doses of each agent, these findings suggest that combined low dose treatment with tocotrienol and traditional chemotherapy may have significant value in the treatment of breast cancer without causing unwanted toxic effects associated with high dose chemotherapy treatment alone,” Sylvester said. In addition to LCF, Sylvester has maintained grants from the National Cancer Institute at NIH, American Cancer Society, American Institute of Cancer Research, and First Tech International Ltd., among others. Sylvester has authored 145 peer-reviewed research publications, 22 book chapters, and has presented more than 162 talks at national and international scientific conferences.

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WHAT BEGAN AS AN AWARD-WINNING GOURMET SAUCE AND SEASONING BUSINESS FOUND ITSELF BEING AGED AND ENHANCED INTO WEST MONROE’S NEWEST FLAVORFUL PITSTOP, JAC’S CRAFT SMOKEHOUSE article by VANELIS RIVERA and photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

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Food ministry is not an unfamiliar term to most southern residents. Whether fellowship is being shared at a family gathering, church luncheon, or even just a local diner, what is served from kitchen to table is often considered a service that not many take for granted. In Christianity, ministry is often associated with expressing or spreading faith, which can take many forms. For Kristi and Tracy Carter, that service extends to their community by way of craft barbecue. Beyond the food is the couple’s calling to express their love of their passion while also meeting their community’s needs. What began as an award-winning gourmet sauce and seasoning business found itself being aged and enhanced into West Monroe’s newest flavorful pitstop, JAC’s Craft Smokehouse. “I’m originally from Delhi, but I’m a military brat,” says Tracy. Around 2005, the couple started JAC’s Tailgaters, where they ended up producing about forty sauce and seasoning products altogether. At its conception, their products were making the rounds at craft and trade shows, even as Kristi and Tracy were juggling this venture with maintaining full-time jobs and raising children. The result? Forty-two national awards,“And it just kind of ballooned from there,” Tracy adds. Instinctively, they began using their products to make meals for people in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, when they would either hand out food plates or buy meals for families in order for them to build memories together while cooking for themselves. The couple would also give away their products with recipes, hoping to encourage aspiring cooks to take the first steps toward the blessing of creating home-cooked meals. Gratitude has always been at the foundation of their business and is reflected in the name JAC’s. Tracy’s son, Jordan Alan Carter, was born prematurely and extremely ill. In and out of the hospital for some time, Tracy considered it a miracle when his son survived the health problems. He named his companies after his son’s initials J.A.C. to preserve his thankfulness for such a tremendous blessing. Despite the early success, when Kristi took a promotion at her former job the business took a backseat. That dissolution didn’t last, however, and a year later Tracy decided to buy a food trailer. “Yeah, he couldn’t stay out of it very long,” laughs Kristi. The additional wheels allowed them to attend festivals and even get into the catering business. When COVID-19 hit, their meals-on-wheels was one of the few places people could pick up food. “I always knew that God was calling us to getting away from the corporate life, putting us in a place that we could be more of a ministry,” explains Tracy. “With that said, we just prayed one day when we were out feeding people. I said, God, if you really want me to do this, you got to make a way.” Three weeks later, Tracy got his pink slip from his day job. He wasn’t surprised. The couple had been making strides to use their meals as a service. When the 2016 flood hit Northeast Louisiana, the couple alongside

“I ALWAYS KNEW THAT GOD WAS CALLING US TO GETTING AWAY FROM THE CORPORATE LIFE, PUTTING US IN A PLACE THAT WE COULD BE MORE OF A MINISTRY,” EXPLAINS TRACY. “WITH THAT SAID, WE JUST PRAYED ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE OUT FEEDING PEOPLE. I SAID, GOD, IF YOU REALLY WANT ME TO DO THIS, YOU GOT TO MAKE A WAY.” the organization Operation BBQ Relief, were able to feed 55,000 people in the Twin Cities. Around the time that “God kicked him out” of his job, as Kristi puts it, the property at 401 Trenton Street became available. It seemed out of the blue, but it really was all hinging on a hope and a prayer. “My wife said ten years ago that one day, this place is going to be ours,” reveals Tracy, with Kristi adding, “Everything just fell into place. We felt like it was supposed to be, so we knew that was God’s answer.” Financially, they were confident they could open a restaurant because of the severance pay Tracy had received. It didn’t take long for Kristi to take her own leap of faith, quitting her job in September to embark on their new full-time positions as restaurant owners. “It’s been a big step and it’s a lot, but, I mean, it has all worked out,” she says. Though they acted on an impulse, the Carters had been considering the restaurant upgrade for some time. For that reason, one of their first hires was a marketing and social media director. For the task, they chose a friend and their former food truck window operator Rachel Nance, who also became a partner in the business. “This whole experience has been a huge learning curve and so much fun,” says Rachel, who has had marketing experience before, but discloses that when it comes to JAC’s, she’s never before had a hand in something that “basically sold itself.” It also didn’t hurt the couple’s new venture that the historic building had already been renovated to cater to a restaurant, as

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it used to be a coffee shop and bakery. “God had laid the path,” says Kristi. They didn’t have to do much to the interior; the motif was already laid out for them, like the exposed brick walls and bay doors original to the building. They opted to just subtly add their own flare. Their tables are made from hundred-year-old barn wood and industrial-style metal legs. Design-wise, they kept the decor very minimal. Their large menu boards stand out well, mounted over the register, while the wall across holds the only statement piece the establishment needs, a showstopper by local artist Ashley Alford-Dollar. The black and white piece is hard to miss, juxtaposed nicely with the aged red brick. Painted in a printblock style, it illustrates the “old” union mill and courthouse. “We just wanted the building to speak for itself,” says Tracy, clearly intending to honor the area’s distinct history and compelling aesthetic. With the extent of their travels, Kristi and Tracy were able to fall in love with flavors that made their way into JAC’s Smokehouse favorites. Two regions, in particular, shaped what they currently offer--the sweet yet tangy Carolina pork style and the Central Texas-style of smoked brisket and beef ribs. “The best of both worlds with a little JAC’d up twist,” as is expressed in the restaurant’s website. Though no longer in the rub and sauce business, they still utilize those products for the food items on their menu. Not calling themselves a smokehouse for show, Tracy takes great pride in all of their smoked meats: pulled pork,

chopped or sliced brisket, ham, turkey, and sausage. Most barbecue places rely on their pulled pork, and rightfully so, but JAC’s has put all their effort to make their brisket the “star of the restaurant,” while their turkey breast is easily one of their top supporting acts. Ribs are also on the menu, flavorful, and “smoked to perfection.” Though their meat plates are naturally popular, you can have a taste of their meats by way of their “handhelds.” While you’ll see a few classics like the pulled pork, brisket, and club sandwich, a few options get a bit creative. The Brisket Melt is their smoky chopped brisket, brown sugar caramelized onions, and melted pepper jack cheese served on toasted rye bread brushed with garlic butter. Piled high with pulled pork and smoked ham, their Bayou Cuban is an instant hit. It’s melted with Havarti cheese, slathered in creole mustard, pressed together on lightly-toasted Gambino’s po-boy bread, and topped with a pickle. Unlike their food trailer concoctions, the larger kitchen has allowed his team to bring some other visions to their food, stuff like their deep-fried Brussels sprouts, generously drizzled with house-made balsamic glaze. Their deviled eggs are “upgraded” with smoked pimento cheese and raspberry chipotle glaze. “Well, like I like to call them, ‘angel eggs’ because I don’t have no devils working for me,” laughs Tracy. More starters from the “Tracy unleashed” menu that are as unconventional as they are tasty include the Poblano Cornbread, a crispy house-made cornbread with lightly roasted poblano peppers served with a creamy whipped maple butter. On the cheesier side is the Mac Attack: creamy mac and cheese, topped with your choice of pulled pork or chopped brisket, drizzled with one of their craft barbecue sauces, and topped with their fried pork skin crumble. For Tracy, the JAC’s menu represents the “monster inside,” the one his wife would get mad at him if he tried to unleash in the kitchen in their previous circumstances. “We can actually do it right now,” he grins. Having hired a pastry chef, Alex Mancuso, the JAC’s dessert section is sure to surprise and delight several times a week. “The bread pudding is to die for,” says Tracy. Recently, Mancuso made a Coca-cola cake that Kristi attests has been one of the best she’s had. Their banana pudding, Tracy and Kristi’s concoction, is made with dulce de leche (slowly heated sweetened milk) and is a crowd-pleaser. The pastry side of the restaurant is already making waves during the morning because JAC’s opens at 7 a.m.! They have espresso machines and drip coffee at the ready, a light breakfast that consists of muffins, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, and home-made biscuits. It’s a graband-go set-up, but it is their contribution to the hustle and bustle of anyone needing a morning pick me up if their way to work happens to be near Trenton Street, or even if it requires a slight detour. “My wife and I seem to have a calling to help people,” says Tracy. For the couple, their new restaurant provides them the means to continue serving their community and those in need. As a veteran-owned business (Tracy is a disabled veteran), they want to be able to produce their best. They’re not just doing that with their food, but also their staff. “All his employees will tell you this: Tracy is a wonderful person to work with. He’s truly invested in the success and happiness of everyone employed here, and the happiness of every customer,” beams Rachel. Even then, Tracy’s approach to his food and business is simple, “We’re developing. We’re building memories one bite at a time.” JAC’s Craft Smokehouse is located at 401 Trenton Street West Monroe. It is open Tuesday through Thursday between 7 AM to 8 PM and Friday through Saturday between 7 AM to 9 PM. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, particularly to find out more about their developing breakfast menu.

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The Hub Music Hall A Place for Everyone

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EPTEMBER 14, 2019 WAS MATT AND Amanda Lyon’s wedding day. Their reception was held at The Hub because it was the largest venue in town and could hold 600 guests. The night was spectacular; the venue wasn’t complete, but it didn’t matter. Murphy Lounge & Ryan Hall were ready for action and so they went for it. The Lyon Wedding was the first event that ever happened at The Hub, and it was the talk of the town. That night, as the newly married couple kicked their shoes off and sat down for the first time, Matt said to Amanda, “One day we are going to take that place over.” In December, that became a reality. Newlyweds, new business to add to the five others… why not? Fast forward to January, Matt and Amanda had gone all in with a fantastic month under their belt and looking to a big February. With Mardi Gras approaching their eyes were on the prize! They both come from a very close family

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background, so when planning events for The Hub, making sure that it was family oriented played a huge role. But, not just family oriented, it was imperative that The Hub be a place for everyone. And everyone meant everyone. They took pride in hiring the right staff, opening a kitchen, focusing on customers and making sure everyone got the experience they deserved. Covid hit and it was a very scary time for a new business, but they grabbed their boots by the straps and continued to plunge right in. They took the downtime to put their own touch on things, adding their love, and doing so by never laying off any employees - which was a feat in itself. December, 2020, a year later, and they are still standing. With their faith in God, amazing employees, and customers who are second to none, The Hub has become “that place,” that place for everyone. With a kitchen, lounge, event hall, Chandelier Room,

and a VIP Room, there is plenty of room and amenities for your private event at The Hub. Weekly entertainment includes Trivia Night and Family Movie Night on Wednesdays, Karaoke Thursdays with BJ Bell, and Friday Night Unplugged featuring local artists and musicians. And don’t forget brunch on Saturdays! Start the weekend off right with chicken and waffles, bottomless mimosas, or a spicy Bloody Mary. Or wrap up your Saturday shopping with a great concert that evening! The Hub is a one of a kind in North Louisiana. For booking and event information visit our Facebook page, website, or call 318-3259837. It’s been a journey to say the least, but Matt & Amanda Lyon continue to put every effort into The Hub. Because after all, it’s that place everyone goes to feel special. See you soon at The Hub!

Your Hometown Urologist Dr. Robert Marx Specializes in Vasectomies

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S PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES AT home for the holidays, this is the perfect opportunity to schedule your vasectomy. With minimal downtime, you can be back at home the same day and simply resting for two days. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of met deductibles, and “Shelf Your Elf” this holiday season. A vasectomy is a medical procedure in which two tubes (the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the urinary tract are tied and sealed. This prevents sperm from passing into the seminal stream and fertilizing a woman’s egg. Although it is permanent, it is surgically reversible in most cases. Reversibility is dependent upon time elapsed since the vasectomy. When it comes to forms of permanent male birth control, a vasectomy is the ideal permanent surgical procedure available to men. The procedure carries a very low risk of complications and is available to be performed as an outpatient procedure with localized anesthesia. Dr. Marx performs a no-

cut technique, which is the least invasive. The patient is sedated and local anesthesia is used in order to achieve a painless procedure. THE VASECTOMY PROCEDURE IS NEARLY 100% EFFECTIVE Prior to a vasectomy, patients may be asked to prepare by: • Washing the scrotum to prevent infection • Not shaving the area • Bringing a pair of tight-fitting underwear or athletic support to the surgery to support the scrotum and minimize swelling • Arranging for transportation home to prevent extraneous movement • Avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs prior to and following the procedure, which thins the blood and can cause excessive bleeding AFTER THE VASECTOMY After the vasectomy is completed, patients are advised to rest for two days in order to reduce swelling and allow the vas deferens

to heal. Discomfort may last for up to a week after the procedure, with patients often being prescribed anti-inflammatory or painkillers for pain. Patients are encouraged to avoid heavy lifting, straining or squatting for one week. If you do any of these activities for work, you may need to take off work or arrange for light duty. Dr. Marx can give you an excuse. Also, keep the area dry for a week as well. If you are considering a vasectomy, rest assured that Dr. Marx and his clinicians are taking extra steps to keep their office safe and sanitized for patients. Temperature checks are performed with a no-touch infrared thermometer before entering the office, and then patients are escorted directly to exam rooms where paperwork can be filled out before the visit. Dr. Marx and his entire staff are equipped with proper PPE, and patients are also required to wear masks at the time of visit. Each room is then disinfected thoroughly before the next patient’s arrival. Robert D. Marx, M.D. is this community’s hometown urologist. He was born and raised right here in Monroe, Louisiana. He graduated from NLU, now ULM, and graduated from medical school and completed his residency at LSU Shreveport. Dr. Marx has traveled extensively working with the leaders of the field in order to keep up with the latest and most successful techniques in incontinence. He has been in practice for over thirty years and conveniently operates at Glenwood, Monroe Surgical and P&S.

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Shop Franklin First

Christmas Events to be Held at Historic Downtown Winnsboro

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HE WINNSBORO-FRANKLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and Franklin Parish Tourism believe shopping locally improves local economy - we want people to come and see what Franklin Parish has to offer. We have great shops, wonderful restaurants and many events throughout the year. Between the Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Parish Tourism, the Old Post Office Museum and the Princess Theater, we offer the people of Franklin Parish and surrounding communities to come together for fun, learning and growth! This year marks the 17th nighttime Christmas Parade in beautiful Franklin Parish. This is our great holiday event capped off by a fireworks display over Landis Park. This event brings our community together for family festivities and fun! Join us for the Winnsboro-Franklin Parish Chamber of Commerce and Franklin Parish Tourism’s annual Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4th from 6-8 p.m. with Santa in attendance! Fireworks will begin at 8 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce and the town leaders want to continue with our events, while keeping Franklin Parish residents safe. So, we are doing our annual Christmas Parade a little differently this year… we are doing a stationary parade with spectators doing the “drive by,”

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in order to social distance and keep our people safe. You may enjoy the parade without ever having to get out of your vehicle. Floats, antique cars and other entries will be lined up on one side of Prairie Street in downtown Winnsboro. From Hwy 15, cars will turn onto Pine Street - then proceed onto Prairie Street (a left turn) and drive towards the Hwy 15, but, turn right onto Common Street. The parade route will be open from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with fireworks at 8:00 p.m. We hope everyone will support this turn of events and join us on Friday, December 4th for our annual nighttime Christmas Parade! Don’t forget to shop Franklin first. Enjoy shopping at our Downtown businesses as they will be having “Parade Day” specials the Friday of the parade. To name a few, here are some of our downtown businesses: Stephanie’s Jewelry, Southern Glam Boutique, Madea’s, The Rusty Bucket, Rust and Bling, The Coffee Shop, Painted Pony, CLW Furniture, Winnsboro Office Supply, Main Street Trends, Every Occasion and Uptown Fashions. These small businesses are looking forward to having you shop local. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Spread Some Holiday Cheer with the Chick This Year Have Your Holiday Spread Catered and Order Today

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HICKEN SALAD CHICK SERVES FULL-FLAVORED, southern-style chicken salad made from scratch served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as wells fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious deserts, Chicken Salad Chicks robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. If you are planning on hosting an event for the holidays, let us help cater you’re exciting day. Call in and order what you want from our new catering menu and we will have your food ready so that you can enjoy your wonderful event with family, friends or co-workers. We believe food brings people together, so we always provide service with a smile and aim for you to leave our chicken salad restaurants happy with your meal and refreshed from time well spent. This holiday season, turn to Chicken Salad Chick for all your catering needs. From our class all-stars like Olivia’s Old South, a southern tradition with sweet pickle relish and eggs, to holiday favorites like Cranberry Kelli, a picture of dried sweetened cranberries and slivered almonds, we’ve got a Chick for you. The mini-croissant platters and assorted sandwich platters are easy go-to’s for holiday gatherings. You can please everyone by mixing it up between the twelve chicken salad flavors, egg salad, pimento cheese, or turkey sandwiches.

Pimento cheeseballs are all the rage this year for the holidays. You can choose from our regular or spicy pimento cheese. These delicious pimento cheese balls are covered in crispy bacon and pecans. Serve with crackers as an appetizer, or kick it up a notch with pepper jelly for a sweet and savory bite! Looking for something sweet for the holidays? Chicken Salad Chick’s buttercream frosted cookies are available by the dozen. Fruit trays are also a great way to add color to your table. The Chick’s fruit tray includes red and white seedless grapes and strawberries, served with a delicious sweat cream cheese mixture for dipping. Our delectable Pumpkin Cheesecakes are also a popular addition to your holiday menu. Available in slices or whole pies, our cheesecakes are great for friend gatherings or Christmas Day dinner. Chicken Salad Chick is the nation’s only southern inspired fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept. Local owners, Matthew, Krista and Ashley, opened their second set of doors in Ruston, Louisiana this fall. Thank you to all of our loyal customers, we appreciate every single one of you. 1191 Lamy Lane Suite 7, Monroe • (318) 322-4425 1301 Maxwell Blvd, Ruston • (318) 217-8494

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A Celebration. A Centerpiece. A Statement CAKE Bakery Creates Unique Custom Pieces

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T HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND OF A year for CAKE - including winning BayouLife Magazine’s 2019 Christmas Bake-Off and the honor of being nominated for the Thomas H. Scott Small Business Award. Despite all the trials and uncertainty 2020 has brought, CAKE has been featured at dozens of weddings and has been trusted with hundreds of custom commissions for every event imaginable. With the goal of creating unique custom pieces that blend seamlessly into each customers’ atmosphere and aesthetic, CAKE has established a reputation for exceeding expectations with service, skill, and excellence. Through the amazing support of a growing clientele, the team at CAKE is anticipating an exciting 2021. Becky Thompson, Chef/Owner, and Emily Kemp, Bakery Manager, look forward to welcoming the community into a CAKE storefront in the near future. Once in place, CAKE will not only be the preference for custom commissions but will also be ideal to

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elevate your daily sweet tooth. From weddings to birthdays, showers to corporate events, and everything in between, CAKE delivers a celebration, a centerpiece, and a statement. “My family and I have always loved CAKE. Now, not only do we love their business and their cakes, but they hold a special place and taste in our hearts by making custom cakes for our wedding and baby shower. My personal favorite thing is their Cookie Sammies - they make for the cutest addition to any party!” - SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF, WHOA That’s Good Podcast, Live Original, Duck Dynasty, Best-Selling Author, Dancing with the Stars Runner-Up “Our firm was first introduced to CAKE when one of our clients brought us custom cookies she had commissioned with our logo on them as a “thank you”. Since then, we have made sure to order CAKE cookies for our attorneys and staff for each milestone we celebrate! We love the designs on the cookies, and, of course, they are delicious! Cummins and

Fitts loves CAKE and we will continue to order our logo cookies for years to come.” - JESSICA L FITTS, Attorney at Law, Cummins and Fitts, LLC “When looking for the perfect wedding cake that combines beauty and flavor, look no further than CAKE. Their talent and creativity amaze me with every wedding we book. Flavor, design, style – the expectation is always exceeded. Dependable, professional, and just as sweet as can be, they are definitely one of our favorite vendors here at Sage Events!” - ADRIENNE STEELE, Sage Events and Design “The CAKE team is so sweet! They were open to our vision for our wedding cake aesthetic, and we have so many flavors to choose from. Despite not being able to meet in person due to COVID, I had full confidence that the flavors would all be delicious and we were right! Our guests loved all three tiers, and we ate leftovers happily for days afterwards!” -Savannah Walker McDougald

State-of-the-Art VASER Lipo Only at Louisiana Center for Women’s Health

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ITH THE CURRENT OBESITY epidemic, many people have unwanted fat on their bodies. This extra fat causes an unattractive appearance, interferes with various body functions, and damages a person’s general well-being, often destroying their self-confidence. Louisiana Center for Women’s Health has always been interested in helping people with such problems, improving their lives and enhancing their self-esteem. Liposuction may be the right solution. We have been performing liposuction for several decades. Starting in the 70’s we began using the original liposuction procedure which was invented and popularized by a gynecologist in France. Through the years liposuction technology has advanced and improved. When VASER liposuction became available, it was obvious it was a significant advancement and improvement, so we purchased the state-of-the-art technology. We

are now using the second and latest generation of VASER technology. We have even trained surgeons from around the world on how to use this VASER. When new technologies for fat reduction become available, we evaluate the manufacturer’s claims. Many of these claims don’t stand up to scrutiny. Some offer the patient little more than wishful thinking. This is especially true of various external freezing, radio frequency, or energy sources, which are non-invasive, but work poorly or perhaps not at all. Because they are non-invasive, they sound great, but they rarely live up to their expectations. Our best advice is to be careful when choosing the right liposuction procedure. The big difference with VASER compared to other liposuction methods, is the melting of fat prior to removal. The VASER procedure uses a two-step process, the first step essentially melts the fat using a thin ultrasound probe which is inserted under the skin and into the fat layer. This probe uses high frequency and

high energy sound to disrupt the fat cell wall, causing it to release its fat. The released fat is suctioned out of the body. It also probably kills the fat cell in the process, minimizing the future return of fat in this area. The VASER is real liposuction. Fat is actually removed from the body. VASER does not depend on promises of ongoing fat loss over time, as some of the non-invasive devices promise. The main differences between VASER and other conventional and non-conventional methods of liposuction are the following: 1.) The VASER procedure is performed in the office, so there is no expensive hospitalization required. 2.) The VASER administers its own local anesthesia, so you are awake during the procedure. 3.) The VASER is a minimally invasive procedure. The incisions used for fat removal are less than 1/4”. 4.) With VASER, healing is rapid and bruising is minimal. 5.) Finally, the VASER melts the fat prior to removal. If you are interested in the VASER procedure, Louisiana Center for Women’s Health is the only clinic offering this procedure in this area. Please call us for an initial appointment and evaluation.

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ARCO Drive Through Art Auction Thursday, November 5th ARCO hosted a drive through art auction. Proceeds benefit ARCO’s Life Saving Essential Services for individuals with developmental disabilities.The mission of ARCO is to envision a place where the community provides for all, including those with disabilities and they seek to empower persons with developmental disabilities and their families to have quality lives through instruction, support, and opportunity. ARCO proclaims the tenets that all persons are of equal value, all persons have the same basic needs, and all persons learn in uniquely different ways.

On the BayouScene

1 Barbara Blanson and Tyesha Turner 2 Hannah Ragas, Lori Gregory, Gwen Amelin and Michelle Griggs 3 Carly Spinazzola and Sarita Daniel 4 Katherine Nettles and Danielle Wheller 5 Debbie Cook, Christy Bass, Lexi Rose and Hannah Ragas

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Walsworth & Company You’re Holiday Home Headquarters

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OT HOLIDAY HOUSE FEVER? WHETHER YOU’RE looking to spruce things up for winter, or you’re searching for the perfect gift, Walsworth & Company is your one-stop shop for the holidays. Locally owned and operated since 2014, Walsworth & Company is located on Antique Alley in West Monroe. Their friendly and courteous staff have an abundance of knowledge and are ready to help give your home a seasonal lift or help you wrap up your giving list. Walsworth & Company is much more than just a furniture and décor store. This premier decorator showroom offers everything from furniture and bedding to lighting and apothecary products. With walls lined with beautifully selected works of art, intricately designed mirrors and wall hangings and gorgeous Christmas decorations, it’s clear why Walsworth & Company has become the decoration destination in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.

WALSWORTH OFFERS: • Holiday Décor • Custom Furniture • Bedding • Rugs • Lighting • Accessories • Mirrors • Vases

• Art • Stemware • Jewelry • Candles • Pajamas • Savory Seasoning • And much more

Along with having one of the top décor and design selections in the area, Walsworth and Company also offers a huge variety of unique gift selections for the holidays. Some of their favorite picks include candles from: Nest, Orleans, Nouvelle Candle Company, Capri Blue and Aquiesse. New this December is their exclusive line of Saint candles each candle is designed to appeal to a certain patron saint. It comes with a prayer, holy oil as part of the wax, and a prayer coin embedded into the candle, and each sale helps to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Give a gift while giving back. Need a comfy pajama set to sit around a cozy fire? Walsworth & Company carried Ju Ju Jams, PJ Harlow, Pretty You and Faceplant Dreams - all luxurious lines that will make you want to stay in bed all day. They also have offerings from scented shower gels and indulgent creams from Lollia, casual tote bags and more from SCOUT bags and handcrafted jewelry from Ronaldo and Mariana. Coming in January, Walsworth & Company is proud to announce their new Bridal Registry. A converted space in the showroom will become every brides’ dream space. Filled with a fantastic selection and expert consultants waiting to assist, their newest addition is sure to help make your wedding registry a truly special occasion. If you’re in the market for anything from a new accent piece or floor lamp, a holiday gift or an entire home redesign, the creative team at Walsworth & Company is fully prepared to assist in your design desires. When you enter the doors at 311 Trenton Street, you will be instantly transported into a world of incredible design and gift selections. Stop by Walsworth & Company on Antique Alley today and see why they are the premier design showroom and gift emporium in the area. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 147

Vines Capital Management

Ken Vines Opens Independently Owned Investment Advisory Firm

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ITH THE SUPPORT OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, CLIENTS and business associates, Vines Capital Management, LLC celebrated their grand opening with an official ribbon cutting ceremony on November 19, 2020. Although not new to the community or investing, Ken Vines followed the wise advice of a dear friend, who once told him, “It is never the wrong time to do the right thing.” Ken knew the time was right to launch an independently owned investment advisory firm, providing conflict free, institutional level investment management services, without exorbitant advisory fees. The values of honesty, integrity and compassionately caring for others are core principals of Vines Capital Management. They are not only traits Ken was taught, but also inherited from his parents Joy and Dr. Richard Vines, Sr. Ken has dedicated the naming of Vines Capital Management to his parents, who encouraged him to pursue his passion for investing over 30 years ago. Ken’s interest for investing began at an early age after taking his first finance and economics courses at ULM (formally NLU). After graduating, Ken attended LSU’s MBA program where he concentrated in finance to learn portfolio management for investing in stocks, bonds and other alternative investments. In 1992, Ken began his investment career working for Wall Street firm Dean Witter in New Orleans. In 2002, Ken co-founded FPL Asset Management, a multi-million dollar investment advisory firm, where he managed portfolios for individuals and employer retirement plans.

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As the Chief Investment Officer and a Certified Investment Manager Analyst (CIMA®) for Vines Capital Management, Ken guides the firm’s asset allocation framework and investment strategies. With over 27 years of experience in the financial service industry and a proven record of investment management over many market cycles, Ken feels the use of both active and passive investment strategies gives his clients a favorable advantage over a one-size-fits-all or cookie cutter portfolio. This unique investment approach has proven especially beneficial in the current market climate and in turbulent economic cycles. Vines Capital Management believes earning trust and building longterm relationships with their clients is imperative to providing a highly personalized investing approach that is consistent with the client’s goals and needs. Their fee only fiduciary professional management process offers complete transparency to clients. Vines Capital Management does not sell commissioned investment products nor earn commissions on trades. There are no hidden fees received for investing in certain products, ever. Putting the client first is not just something they say; it is what they do! If you would like more information or to receive a no-obligation review of your investments and retirement strategy, please contact our office for an appointment. We specialize in personal wealth management accounts, IRA and IRA rollovers, 401(k) and other types of retirement plans, and trust accounts.

The Paper Market is Your Holiday Headquarters Celebrate Christmas, New Years and More

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ITH THE UNCERTAINTY AND anxiety of this past year, there’s no doubt we could all use a little Christmas cheer by now and The Paper Market is the local headquarters for all things holiday. When it comes to gift wrap, they carry rolls of wrapping paper to ribbon and tissue paper to tags, making sure all of your gifts are the perfect amount of festive. If you don’t want to bother with wrapping, you can grab a variety of gift bags in all sizes. They have oversized reusable cloth Santa bags, perfect for bigger items on Christmas morning. And if you don’t want to fool with wrapping gifts at all, The Paper Market offers gift wrap services. You can drop off your gifts and pick them up, ready to go right under the tree! If your Elf on a Shelf hasn’t shown up at your house yet, he is probably on his way. Stop by The Paper Market to check out the kits by Monroe native Kathryn Saye Labaucher. The kit includes 24 days of activities with supplies included, so mom doesn’t have to spend hours

scrolling Pinterest for ideas! Even if you are having a smaller, scaled down Christmas celebration this year, The Paper Market has plenty to choose from for Christmas decor. They have a variety of napkins, tableware and tablecloths to add the perfect amount of Christmas cheer. If you are having a more laid back holiday, grab some Christmas games like the Reindeer Ring Toss for your family to enjoy together. You can also find great gifts and stocking stuffers at The Paper Market. They have notepads, pens and desk pads by Taylor Elliott Designs, perfect for the trendy girl on your list. You can also order personalized items like water bottles, wine cups and pouches, giving your gift an extra special touch. Personalized stationary with names, monograms or initials are also a classic go-to gift option. The Paper Market also has school themed notepads, perfect for teacher gifts. There’s a whole section of holiday happies, perfect for the little ones on your list.

Everyone knows The Paper Market is the go-to place for balloons and the holiday season is no different. You can get all color combinations for holiday parties. They also offer AirWalker balloons, character balloons that have the ability to float in place or roam about the room as if walking on air. With options like Santa and reindeer, these would be a great addition to Christmas morning. And if you have a hard to buy for person on your list, you can always get a balloon to put money or a gift card in it! We are all ready to ring in a new year and The Paper Market has everything you need to celebrate the end of 2020! There’s tableware, balloons and photo props, as well as headbands, glasses and noise makers and confetti to end this year with a bang! The Paper Market is proud to be the local shop with everything you need to celebrate the special occasions in your life. They look forward to continuing to celebrate the holidays, parties and more in 2021!

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Every label carefully attached to every jar of jelly, syrup, and preserves prepared by Roger and Rita Smith of The Ole Homestead Jelly proclaims the flavorful treat within as “A Taste of the South.”

article by NILS BORQUIST and photography by TAYLOR BENNETT

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EACH OF US THAT ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FONDLY Interestingly, even with all these delectable flavors, none of them reminisce about Southern mothers or grandmothers or great aunts are the top seller for the Smiths. In fact, there is no other jelly that cooking sweet smelling jams on stoves, lightly stained red and comes remotely close to outselling the most ingenious combination purple from years of spilled sugar and spices, can attest to the truth created by Rita: crawfish jelly. While the initial reaction to the idea of of that slogan. Whether on pantry shelves in a farmhouse kitchen crawfish jelly might be shock, recognizing that it is by far the favorite in Delhi, on overturned milk crates stacked in musty, low-lying of customers means that it deserves a closer look. Rita assures those cellars in Tallulah, or lining curtained windowsills in a darkened interested that while there is no actual crawfish in the mix, nearly shed in Mer Rouge, remembrances of perusing those dusty jars of every other ingredient one would use when boiling crawfish gets varied colors brings a smile and perhaps a fond tear for people and thrown in the pot. When eaten with cream cheese, utilized as an traditions lost to time. Fortunately, the Smiths and their imaginative ingredient when cooking, smeared on a buttery biscuit, or blended culinary efforts allow us to enjoy both traditional tastes of the past with onions, bell peppers, mayonnaise, and chopped pecans to make as well as creative flavor combinations never before considered. a wonderful dip, the overwhelming scrumptiousness is undeniable. The Ole Homestead Jelly was born in Gilbert after Roger Smith Building on the success of the jellies, the Smiths decided to retired from Chevron. Like many folks living in rural Louisiana, branch into other products. Pickled okra and cucumbers, including Roger and his wife Rita personally a Hot Damn dill, along with candied grew fruits and vegetables while also jalapenos became available. Along relishing other local produce. Many with the fruit jellies, other fruit of the fruits, including strawberries, concoctions emerged, such as fig blackberries, and muscadine grown preserves, pineapple marmalade, near them, eventually found their orange marmalade, and strawberryway boiled, blended, and jarred fig preserves. Finally, the Smiths and for family use. Although making their family also prepare ribbon cane various preserves using 70-year-old syrup, fig syrup, and even sorghum family recipes was initially a hobby, molasses. With all of the products, after a particularly abundant crop over 45 in all so far, the Smiths have of plums in 1995, Rita thought she established Ole Homestead as a would make enough jelly to try to sell premium brand within the state jelly at a craft show in Destrehan. Little and preserve business. However, did she and Roger know what was in their impact has even begun to store for their future in the preserve resonate nationally. business. After their product sold out In the early days of Ole at that first festival, they realized the Homestead, many of the festivals potential for a full-blown operation. and craft fairs where they sold Utilizing decades old recipes, the their products were understandably skill of the process of jelly crafting, within the state. Most of these, as well as the inventiveness of Rita, those bringing in the most potential the Ole Homestead menu today has customers, were in south Louisiana: exploded from including only a few Belle Chasse, Baton Rouge, and fruit jellies to pepper jellies, jams, New Orleans. Traveling as often as syrups, preserves, and a cookbook. possible, the Smiths quickly built With the rapid selling success a name associated with quality. of those early batches, the Smiths Utilizing decades old recipes, the skill of Distributors eventually sought them decided to move into different out in order to make possible access the process of jelly crafting, as well as the types of products. While focusing on a greater scale both to the extremes inventiveness of Rita, the Ole Homestead at first on fruity jellies, such as of the state as well as reaching out menu today has exploded from including mayhaw, blueberry, raspberry, and to a broader audience. Additionally, only a few fruit jellies to pepper jellies, jams, the delightful elderberry, someone the burgeoning company created syrups, preserves, and a cookbook. suggested to Rita that she might a website early on, and the benefits consider incorporating the abundant have paid off immensely. With a species of peppers to create a sweet and spicy combination. After catalog of products, a brief overview of the operation, and the ability making the first batch of pepper jelly from a single recipe, Rita quickly to order online, Ole Homestead has made purchasing their jellies realized how savory and addictive such a mixture can be, and all of easy in our world of online commerce. Roger stated that as of today, the jellies that followed she invented herself. With so many pepper they have sent jelly all over the country, tens of thousands of jars varieties available, the possibilities of multiple flavor groupings every year, from Seattle to Florida, and they especially enjoy and take became apparent. In fact, in addition to the straight pepper jellies, great pride in getting requests from soldiers on military bases. Also, which includes green pepper, the extremely hot habanero pepper, while they do receive orders from overseas customers, the difficulty jalapeno pepper, and five peppers jellies, fruits were ultimately and expense of sending food products across the ocean is limited. added to excite taste buds. Favorites of the fruit and pepper fusions However, the reality that theirs is a product treasured by so many are the muscadine-pepper, plum-hot pepper, blueberry-pepper, people is not lost on them, and they are appreciative of the response. blackberry-pepper, pineapple-pepper, the ever-intriguing pecanIn fact, one customer in particular made an enormous impression pepper, and, perfect for the holiday season, cranberry-pepper jelly. not only on the Smiths but on foodies all over the country.

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The Old Homestead five-pepper jellies may be the best in the country.

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When representatives of the Rachael Ray Magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, called in 2005 asking for some samples of pepper jelly for an article to be written, Rita obliged, sending an entire case. Within a month, she received a second call, and the message surprised her. Rachael Ray, after tasting various jellies from around the country, decided that the five-peppers pepper jelly should be considered the best pepper jelly in the nation. In fact, when that very article was updated on rachaelraymag.com 10 years later, in November of 2016, Ole Homestead was still prominently displayed as having the best pepper jelly. Readers of the magazine certainly took notice, and the national audience was undoubtedly expanded for the Smiths. Today, Roger believes that their five-peppers jelly may be likely the bestselling pepper jelly in the country, especially when one considers the modest size of their operation. Fortunately, due to their tireless efforts to maintain tried and true recipes as well as constantly creating new combinations, the abundance of orders and joy in their sweet and spicy products exponentially grows annually. As all Southerners would admit, our interest in expansive flavors, interesting taste combinations, and culinary originality remains unmatched. We pride ourselves on a willingness to try dishes with exciting blends of meats, fruits, vegetables, and spices. And our unique availability of foods allows our creativity to be boundless. However, perhaps even more evident than our enthusiasm for

novel fares is our attachment of nostalgia with dining. Of course, all over the world people think of family and friends when certain foods are mentioned: turkey and dressing are connected with Thanksgiving, seafood or fowl and peppermint go along with Christmas, and hot dogs and apple pie can hardly be thought of without also imagining the fireworks of the 4th of July. Where Southerners diverge from the rest of the country, though, is that nearly every single type of food, from a simple bread or a fried pickle or a thick, white gravy, brings about vivid and joyful recollections of our youth and those smiling faces of family. In an anecdote from an interview given over 10 years ago, Roger Smith recounted a brief exchange he had with a man who had earlier purchased their product and was returning to another festival to get more. The man told Roger that after buying that first jar and going home, he opened it and was immediately transported to the warmth and happiness of his childhood, “eating his mama’s figs.” He beautifully encapsulated all that makes The Ole Homestead Jelly wonderful when he added that Roger and Rita weren’t only selling jelly and figs, they were selling memories as well. With such a heartwarming endorsement, including any flavor of jelly, preserve, or syrup from The Ole Homestead at your next family gathering, friendly social, or afternoon snack with the kids will surely not only remind you of glorious days from the past but will also serve as a catalyst for new memories with the next generation to come.

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Now is the Time to Plan

Robert Collier, Attorney at Law, Can Help You and Your Family

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HE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE, and it’s the time of year for spending time with family and friends, and sharing the love, memories, good times and cheer. This year, with Covid-19 and the new guidelines for family gatherings, our lives are different in many ways. But one thing remains the same, and that’s the special feelings we all have for our families. Now is a good time to review your family and estate planning and see if everything is in order. After being quarantined with your favorite uncle, you may find that he would not treasure the family pocket watch as much as you thought he would. Or that your cousin is actually more responsible than you had given her credit for. This might make you reconsider the previous plans for your estate. Also, an unexpected emergency or illness could create a costly and difficult situation for family members if basic steps are not taken in advance. Everyone should have a simple will, which names a representative to handle your

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estate, and provides that your representative is “independent.” Your will also provides clarity as to the distribution of your estate among your heirs. Having a will avoids time-consuming, costly Court fees or litigation costs. A simple will can be prepared quickly and for a very reasonable cost. A will is often combined with a medical power of attorney, a disability power of attorney, and a living will. Trusts can be created for young children or family members who may not yet be capable of handling their financial affairs. Of course, more extensive estate planning may be needed, as each person’s situation is different, but a basic will is a good starting point. Another thing to consider: Is there a spouse or family member who’s passed away and whose succession hasn’t been opened? A person’s succession serves to transfer assets to his or her heirs, and is necessary to convey good title to real estate. In Louisiana, “probate” need not be a difficult process if handled correctly.

I am a Board Certified Tax Attorney under the Rules and Regulations of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) in Louisiana, and I have extensive experience in tax matters and employee benefit plan issues. I grew up in Monroe, graduated from Neville High School and Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM), and then received a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law. For over 40 years, I have practiced law in the areas of estate planning, general business and corporate law, taxation and employee benefits. Some of those areas include: • Estate planning, wills, living wills, powers of attorney, trusts and successions; • Business law, including corporations, LLCs and partnerships; • Purchases and sales of businesses, and mergers and acquisitions; • Federal and State tax planning and controversies; •E mployee benefit plan (ERISA) matters, including plan design and corrections, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs), 401(k) plans and ESOPs; and • General business legal advice and consulting. Call for a free telephone consultation, or to schedule an in-person meeting, where options and costs for your needs can be discussed.

DCHC Addiction Medicine Services

Medication-Assisted Treatment in Opioid, Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

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HILE THERE ARE STEREOTYPES in popular culture about what a person suffering from addiction may look like, the reality is much different. Addiction can happen to anyone-even those in our society who we perceive as the happiest, wealthiest, and most successful. The victims of addiction are parents, children, siblings, and spouses. They are often productive, law-abiding citizens who have no experience with crime or drug abuse. Even still, the addictive effects of opioids, drugs and/or alcohol on the brain are often so powerful that many people become physically dependent without intention. With the recent expansion of our Addiction Medicine Services, Delhi Community Health Center is proud to offer a promising approach to addiction recovery with MedicationAssisted Treatment. This outpatient treatment option uses medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole patient” approach to the treatment of opioids, alcohol & substance use disorders.

Medication-Assisted Treatment consists of three elements: 1) Medications used to manage cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. 2) Therapy or Counseling, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to address underlying issues, specific causes of chemical dependency, and provide the patient with skills to aid in recovery. 3) Connection to long-term support that will encourage patients to stay engaged in treatments, reducing the risk of relapse and/or overdose. This comprehensive approach is largely why Medication-Assisted Treatment works so well. It addresses many of the roadblocks that can lead to relapse, while allowing patients to focus on the inner, personal work of recovery.

Dr. Cesar Gonzales, Medical Director DCHC’s Addiction Medicine Services are led by Dr. Cesar Gonzales, who is a Board-

Certified Physician in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Gonzales is committed to providing caring and effective treatment of individuals and their families and to reducing drug use and drug overdoses in our community. He is passionate about helping his patients recover and go on to live healthy and productive lives. Begin Your Journey to Recovery Today If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, remember that you are not alone and there is hope. Here at Delhi Community Health Center, we understand that a substance use disorder can happen to anyone- and fortunately, so can recovery. Our Addiction Medicine Team wants to help you regain your life and freedom. Call us today at 318-878-8656 to schedule your private and confidential consultation. Lasting recovery is possible. Learn more about our Addiction Medicine Services at www.dchc-delhi.com.

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Shop J. Marie Boutique

Local Shop Offers Top Trends for the Holidays

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VER SINCE OPENING IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, J. MARIE has become a favorite of locals when it comes to women’s fashion. Owner, Jessie Blackard, says the boutique was years in the making. “I have always been into fashion and wanted to own a boutique,” Jessie said. “I had an online boutique and this opportunity came up and I jumped at it.” J. Marie is located on Desiard Street in the Baker Building, in the heart of downtown Monroe. Jessie loves being a part of the downtown community. “I love promoting my downtown neighbors and look forward to being able to do even more like hosting local makers fairs and participating in Art Crawls.” If you have a trendy girl on your shopping list this holiday season, J. Marie has just what she needs. The tie dye trend is big and J. Marie has fun tops and sweatshirts that are perfect. Plus, there are cozy sweaters in winter hues like warm blue, burnt orange and deep purple. These can be dressed up or down, depending on your style this holiday season. If you have family photos or just want to feel fancy, J. Marie carries a variety of dressy tops. You can pair any of the tops with jeans or skirts. You will find different styles of skirts, including suede and corduroy. Add an extra layer with a jacket from J. Marie. Jessi is excited to offer fuzzy pullover jackets as well as stylish jackets with western designs and colors. Leopard and animal print is always in style and now, more so than ever. You can walk on the wide side with tops, sweatshirts, jewelry and shoes from J. Marie that feature pops of animal prints. Graphic tops are fun and perfect for ladies of any age. J. Marie has several to choose from with sayings like “Be a Nice Human” and “See the Good,” promoting some positivity that we all need this year. You can top any outfit with this year’s statement piece - a hat! Check out J. Marie’s hat wall that features different colors and textures. You will want them all! January is just around the corner and that means so are New Year’s resolutions. If you are looking to get fit, do it in style with athletic wear from J. Marie. Jessie also owns a gym and works as a personal trainer so she is very particular when it comes to what she wears to the gym. “I wanted to offer athletic wear because I wear it so often, and I wanted to be able to share what I like with other women,” she said. J. Marie has a variety of athletic tops, sports bras, crop tops and leggings, as well as sweatshirts and oversized tops to wear to the gym. Jessie is excited to introduce a new line of workout wear in the coming months so stay tuned! J. Marie has a variety of stocking stuffers and gift items you can grab this holiday season. They carry a plethora of jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets. A customer favorite is the leather cuff that features a local zip code. Candles are great one size fits all gift options and J. Marie has plenty to choose from. Stop by and see everything that J. Marie has to offer. Jessie will be happy to see you and help you pick out the perfect gift…or something for yourself!

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DuPont Jewelers

Celebrating Our Six Year Anniversary and 68 Years in Business

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HE YEAR WAS 1952, MY DAD, WHO had been back from the war only a few years, had been working as a watch maker. He purchased a jewelry store in Rayville, Louisiana from a man named Dip Carson. Back then, we carried everything from jewelry to guitar strings. We eventually moved from across the railroad tracks next to the Joy Theater. Later, we moved to downtown Rayville, across from Glovers Hardware. Our final location in Rayville was in a shopping center next to Walmart. We opened a second store in the early 90’s in the West Monroe Glenwood Mall. Eventually, we relocated this store to 18th street in Monroe. I entered the business in 1981 after completing jewelry school... 39 years ago. Now, we are celebrating five years at our current location on the corner of Forsythe and 19th in Monroe. I was fortunate to have a father who had over 50 years of experience in the jewelry business. While working with him, he gave me some of his wisdom. “James,” my dad said, “in the jewelry business, your reputation is everything.” He also said, “It’s never wrong to do the right thing.” I think he

was right. I have tried to let these, and other ideas guide me in business. For myself, I have always loved making beautiful jewelry. When designing jewelry for my customer, I enjoy finding out their styling likes and dislikes. It is important to me to make the piece that will be exactly what my customer desires. Acquiring a new piece of jewelry has never been easier. These are some of the options we offer and you should consider. TRADE If you have a piece of jewelry that has gone out of style, simply trade your piece for a new style. Simple and easy! We have a showcase full of jewelry, and you’re sure to find something new you will love. RESTORE If you like the styling of your piece, we can restore it to like new condition by redefining details that have worn off, re-tipping or rebuilding settings, replacing the shank of the ring, or re-engraving worn engraving. We work with rose gold, white gold, yellow gold, platinum and silver. all work is done in-house and we have over 50 years of experience. REDESIGN Redesigning your piece using your diamonds and colored stones which you already own is another option. When we make

a piece of jewelry we hand-make the setting to accommodate your stones instead of trying to find a setting in a book and then make your stone fit the setting. Our process insures a perfect fit every time. We use solid gold metal that has been rolled and work-hardened into wire or flat karat plate. This metal is very dense and hard, so it doesn’t scratch, bend or dent likes most commercial jewelry. This handcrafted process will ensure your jewelry can be passed down for generations. CREATE If you have seen a design on the internet or in a catalog and are wondering if it can be made, the answer is yes! If you have changes or different combinations of metal you would like to work into the design, great. We work with rose gold, yellow gold, white gold and even green gold. SELL The last option we offer is making you an offer to purchase your diamonds and jewelry regardless of their condition. We buy old jewelry, new jewelry, gold and silver coins, and large and small diamonds. During our Anniversary sale we have marked down everything in our store with up to 50% off in-stock merchandise. You can also buy a gift card online at DupontJewelers.com. We hope to see you soon.

James DuPont

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Bayou Buzzworthy

On November 17th Johnny’s Pizza held a ribbon cutting at their newest location on 19th street in Monroe. Both the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and West Monroe - West Ouachita chamber were on hand to mark the occasion. Johnny’s Pizza was founded by Johnny Huntsman in Monroe over 50 years ago and now has locations through Louisiana and Texas. This popular restaurant features a variety of pizzas, muffulettas, flips, pizza bowls, wings and desserts. They are best known for their “Sweep the Kitchen” pizza, a north Louisiana favorite. Homeland Bank is holding its 3rd annual coat and blanket drive to help others in need this season. This year’s recipients of the drive are the Ouachita Council on Aging and The Wellspring, according to Ashley Doughty, Vice President of Business Development. All sizes in coats, sweaters along with gloves, hats and blankets are welcome. The items can be dropped at Homeland Bank in Monroe on Tower Drive and West Monroe on N. 7th. Doughty says, “We are having our first cold snap and winter is among us. It’s our hope that families clean out their closets and donate what they don’t need to those that can use the help.” The drive will begin December 1, 2020 – January 30, 2021. The Louisiana Delta Ballet presents Christmas at Bella’s. This unique walk through experience is being held at Bella Stanza located at 231 Desiard street in downtown Monroe. Participants can come through and enjoy a socially distanced Christmas experience complete with hot chocolate and even a visit with Santa. A portion of the proceeds benefit LDB, who’s goal is to bring quality ballet to our community in order to educate our young people in arts, enjoyment and appreciation as well as to enthuse the community at large in the passion of ballet. The experiences was created by Dustin Underwood. For questions or more details call 318-348-4562. 158 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Ground Your Home With the Ideal Antique from Traditions

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HIS HOLIDAY SEASON, LOOK TO MELANIE LILES AND Pam Wood, the owners of Traditions on Trenton to help you find gorgeous antiques, gifts and décor. Each item in the store is hand-selected for quality and beauty. At Traditions, each customer has the opportunity to own the types of collectible antiques they desire at the best possible price. Despite their bi-annual trip being canceled this year due to Covid, the duo have treasures from previous trips across the pond in their expansive showroom. Each piece Melanie and Pam have brought back to the U.S. has a story, a history and memories. They bring those stories and histories back with them, and are happy to share them with the new owners. When you buy a piece from Traditions, you’ll begin to make your own memories, which you can hand down to your children, their children and their grandchildren for generations to come. If you’re searching for unique gifts, Traditions has a variety of options from Staffordshire dogs to Majolica pottery, Flow Blue china to French confit pots - there is something for everyone on your list. Traditions also carries a great selection of Black Forest pieces, including an intricately hand-carved cigar box, jewelry boxes and bears. This year the holidays will be filled with intimate family gatherings around the table. With this in mind, the ladies at Traditions can help you spruce up your home. Whether you need a more formal mahogany table or a class trestle table from France and England, Melanie and Pam will help you ground your home with the ideal antique. Some of their more popular items include antique copper pots and kettles. Known as the holy grail for a lot of passionate cooks, these copper pieces are practically works of art. Traditions also carries lovely teak bowls, European dough bowls and perfectly weathered cutting boards. They have a nice selection of horn-handled flatware which is always popular in Louisiana, oyster plates, decanters and serving pieces. Along with these superior finds, Traditions also has a host of French chandeliers and sconces, intricately designed mirrors and religious artifacts, Radko ornaments, lovely armoires, bookcases, leather bound books, and more. Traditions prides itself on bringing the unique and fun to life for its customers. Whether it’s a new source for antique copper or antique mahogany or walnut table to transform you dining space, Melanie and Pam will help you achieve a curated look without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. Traditions on Trenton Antiques is located at 313 Trenton Street in West Monroe. Their new hours of operation are Tuesday - Saturday from 11:00 - 3:00 p.m., or by appointment. Stay on the lookout for a new shipment coming next year. Happy holidays.

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Delicious Dining

New Restaurant Opens with Familiar Faces

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HERE’S A NEW NAME IN DOWNTOWN DINING BUT the owners are familiar faces. The Concession Stand recently opened at 428 Desiard Street in the heart of downtown Monroe. Owners and operators are Roy Arthur and Sammy Nagem of Miro’s, just around the corner on Walnut Street. “The opportunity presented itself and we jumped on it,” said Roy Arthur. “We have had a good experience with Miro’s and are excited to offer another restaurant concept in downtown. We love being a part of downtown and the revitalization.” The Concession Stand offers wonderful food, great drinks and outdoor dining. There’s a variety of appetizers, burgers, wings, hot dogs and sandwiches. Appetizers include loaded cheese fries and potato skins, homemade onion rings, boudin egg rolls and pork wraps. Inspired by the name, some favorites include chicken on a stick and corn dog bites. Wing flavors include buffalo, lemon pepper, garlic parmesan and hot honey garlic. The Concession Stand burgers knock it out of the park. They start with two 4 oz. hand-pressed Certified Angus Beef patties, seasoned and flash grilled. Bun options include Brioche, Sesame Seed, Wheat and Jalapeño. In addition to hamburgers, there’s also a patty melt, turkey burger, chicken melt and chicken sandwiches. And you can’t have a restaurant named the Concession Stand without all American hot dogs. Options include the basic hot dog, Chicago style hot dog, chili cheese dog, and the sausage dog. There’s also The Big Dog, a large premium 44 Farms all beef dog with mustard and dill relish on a brioche bun. The outdoor dining make it a perfect place to take the kiddos and they have their own menu. The kids menu has chicken nuggets, a hot dog, a hamburger, a cheeseburger and mini-corn dogs. The Concession Stand is open Monday through Sunday and has six 70 inch televisions so you can root for the home team. They also have live music and karaoke planned. Be sure to follow them on Facebook so you can keep up to date with their schedule! Be sure to visit Miro’s as well, with some of the best views of the Ouachita River. The locally owned restaurant pays homage to the Endom Bridge and train track, just steps away from the patio. The menu features the River Burger, the Morning Barge, the Conductor, and the Caboose, just to name a few. Miro’s offers a daily lunch special, with the perfect amount of food to get you full and served quickly to get you right back to the office, all for just $10.99. The Sunday brunch is one of the best in town. Not only is the menu delicious, but there is also plenty of hair of the dog options with bottomless mimosas. Brunch is served on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is time to book your holiday parties, and both Miro’s and The Concession Stand have plenty of space to host your friends, family or co-workers. There is a large room in the front of Miro’s that could seat a group in a private setting, and both restaurants offer plenty of outside seating as well. Miro’s also offers catering for local offices, as well as off-site events like parties, weddings and receptions. Miro’s will be in the holly jolly spirit this holiday season. They will be hosting a Santa Brunch on Sunday, December 6th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Santa Claus himself will be there so all the boys and girls can bring their wish lists! Both The Concession Stand and Miro’s offer delicious dining in the heart of downtown Monroe. Whether you are a craving a quick bite to eat during lunch, a fun dinner spot or want to grab brunch, they have it all!

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Revival Design and Consign A Winter Interior

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HAT IS A REVIVAL? REVIVAL IS defined as an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again. When Clinton Whitney Downing began working on the revival of downtown Monroe and some of its historic buildings, he had always had a passion for this former auto dealership of the 1920’s at 300 Walnut at Washington. In 2009, Clinton was in a transition and revival of sorts of his life. He was on a journey of renewal and restoration. During that time, he drew up a plan to create a unique space in downtown Monroe. It would revive a historic space and give it a new life. He had always had his eye on the building that now inhabits Revival. For a decade, Clinton held on to his vision of creating something unique for the Monroe area with hopes that one day this space would come available. Recently, Revival celebrated their 1st Anniversary with an official ribbon cutting.

Over the course of the past year, Downing and his team have continued to evolve their 10,000 square foot showroom into a designer’s haven of lush textiles, exquisite antiques, unusual art, and amazing accessories. From the 1800’s to the present, there is something in store for anyone who enters. With a fondness for New York City at Christmas, Downing spent the best of two months sketching and designing out the lush windows displays for the holiday season. He has fond memories of Downtown Monroe during his childhood when it was the epicenter of retail. He hopes you will take advantage and drive by in the evening to enjoy his creations. Revival is more than just an upscale interior design consignment shop. It is also an evolving concept that works with local, regional and statewide artist to showcase their talents. On December 3rd, Downing will host more than a dozen artists and artisans for the first Downtown Gallery Crawl to take place in 8 months.

Revival started out as an interior upscale shop and is looking to expand in Spring 2021 with Avant-Garde’n, a 2,000 square foot courtyard filled with garden statuary, planters, iron patio furniture and an array of patio and bedding plants. Revival is open TuesdaySaturday 11am- 5pm as well as Sundays in December from 1pm-5pm.Their phone number is 318-381-8191. Take a moment out of your day to check out this incredible new addition to the revival of downtown Monroe. Revival is extremely cautious for the well being of its staff and customers during this pandemic. They have taken all precautions to provide you with a safe environment to shop during the holidays and into 2021.

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CAL PRESLEY BAND

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alvin “Cal” Presley is a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. A quick scroll through his band’s Facebook page portrays an easygoing 34-yearold with an affinity for wearing single-tone baseball caps backward, dark aviators, and a plethora of sneakers. His preferential style may make it easy for him to blend into any crowd, but he lives for the moment that he can step onstage and stand out. He and the four band members that make up the Cal Presley Band are keeping it simple and delivering a diverse assortment of cover songs that will make you want to get up from your seat, do a little dance, and get down. “So, I’ll just go from the beginning,” says Presley with an assertive tone, revealing that as a military kid, he was born in California where his grandparents, who raised him, lived for about nine months. They then moved to the Philippines when he was five, and finally settled in Bossier City, where he graduated from high school. Becoming more involved at church around 16 years old led him to join the worship team. “It was quick learning for me, you know. I’m that type of person on one side, when I decide I want to do something, I’ll try to put everything into it to learn it,” he says. His music know-how kept evolving, particularly when the family moved to West Monroe, enrolling Presley in a “bible school.” Initially, his motivation to learn instruments was so he could be good enough to fill in for bands. Though some of his development got stunted momentarily when he joined the fire department full-time, he still continued playing at churches “every now and then.” It wasn’t until 2016 when a couple of his buddies got together with the intention of starting “a little band, a little rock band,” that performing became a bigger part of his life. The band was called Chosen Stone, which focused on playing “positive rock.” He jammed with them until close to 2018. “We really didn’t go anywhere. We recorded a couple songs. We had a fan base that was more down south than it was locally because we were doing more originals, and playing in some festivals,” says Presley. At a given point, the band realized the significance of catering to your home crowd, so they decided to “rebrand” and start trying to play at more local venues. That’s how the Cal Presley Band was formed. They shifted from alternative rock to rock country, more of the local flavor of Northeast Louisiana. “We got into it, and it was a fast rise for us.” Locally the first venue they played was Hooks Marina, a picturesque lakeside hangout on the shore of Caney Creek Reservoir.

A R T I C L E BY VA N E L I S R I V E R A P H OTO G R A P H Y BY A N D R E W B A I L E Y

“And from there we just started booking pretty quickly,” continues Presley. Growing their popularity locally has also extended into more gigs in Mississippi and Shreveport, some of which have been at the swanky Horseshoe hotel in Bossier City. “Oh, that was a big launch for us,” says Presley, considering the last year and a half to have been a “big uptick,” not just in the number of gigs, but also the band’s sound. “Since about a year ago, I would say that we’ve done a lot of trial and error,” he says. He credits his former drummer and band manager Ryan Carr with establishing a solid foundation. Currently, he and the other band members--currently Sky Board on vocals, Ian Smith on keys, drummer Nick Donald, and bassist Garin Hatch--have made sure to focus on songs and music that bring people together, adding their own spin, and then “going from there.” His versatile bandmates play a major role in the route their covers end up going. For instance, Hatch is known for his “hard rock metal vibe,” which has increased that element of their sound. In other words, they end up giving a pop song like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” or Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” a rock edge, taking their sound away from what used to be more “country pop” and letting it “evolve to be more raw.” As for Presley’s originals, they tend to get more intimate. “I’ll try to write what people are gonna feel. You know what I mean? And what I’m feeling,” he says. When he writes music alongside his band, the goal is to strike a balance between what he is going through and what an audience can connect to. This year he released “I Want to Know,” a relatable ballad for any lovesick listener wanting to dive further into ‘the feels’: “So tell me, can you bring me back to life? / It’s like we’re swimming in the ocean in the middle of night.” Another single, which he wrote a year ago, was just recorded for release later this year, titled “I Think I’m in Love.” “It speaks about seeing a woman dancing and just knowing, Okay, she doesn’t know it yet, but I think I’m in love with that girl,” explains Presley. The song traverses an imaginary relationship, one that Presley seems to believe in, the good ole story of boy-meets-girl, finds out more that he likes about her, and strives to create a life together with her: “Every time she goes somewhere / I fall in love more and more.” Though no personal story is attached to his new single, Presley seems to appreciate the magic of idealized romance, recognizing perfect love isn’t real, but not letting that stop him from wanting to write about it. “Maybe it’s something that I want,” he says in passing, but really his songs are just thoughts he has in a given moment. “Something that hit me that maybe people deal with, you know.”

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WRITING AN ORIGINAL “I’ll try to write what people are gonna feel. You know what I mean? And what I’m feeling,” he says. When he writes music alongside his band, the goal is to strike a balance between what he is going through and what an audience can connect to.

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ove ballads may be Presley’s momentary muse, but ultimately the band aspires to keep growing their versatility. “I’m terrible at figuring out what genre something is,” Presley says, asserting that his music is more about “feeling the vibe out.” He wants to be able to reach as many people as he can, whether they are 18 or 70 years old. At any of his shows, you can see the young, old, and older finding something they like from their set. They play covers from Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” to Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” One time, a show he’ll never forget, a man in the audience had a veteran hat on. His wife was visibly digging the music, but they were just sitting down, until the moment he played some Cash, and the gentlemen perked up, more attentive to the set. “Anything we do, we always change it,” says Presley, considering the band’s covers, regardless of musical artist or original genre, something that can grab just about any audience member. “We want to capture everybody.” The current times have greatly limited live music, but for the Cal Presley Band, “music doesn’t stop.” Miro’s restaurant has become one of the band’s regular weekend venues. “We almost have a neck and neck relationship where we feed off each other.” They’ve also established a strong relationship with Enoch’s Pub & Grill. The last time they played there, there was nowhere to sit, as the indoor and outdoor areas are adequately socially distanced. Presley understands that for many the decision to go out is a difficult one still, but he credits the pandemic with allowing his band to create relationships locally they may never have been able to make otherwise. The establishments

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welcoming live music have become more than a venue to play; they’ve developed into partnerships. From his experience, there is a stronger connectivity between business, musicians, and customers, that wasn’t there before. At times, if Miro’s gets busy and backed-up, they help out serving, taking orders, seating people, and cleaning tables. They’ve even extended that kindness when they play weddings, having helped parking cars if there is valet parking. “We just want people, when they see the Cal Presley Band, to see a band that loves their fans, loves everything about the community,” he says. After all, they are already accomplishing that with their music. The Cal Presley Band is a family. “We don’t just play to get paid,” says Presley, adding, “We just care about doing something, as a family. We travel as a family. We eat every day, you know. We hang out as a family.” There have been times when Presley has gone to some of his guys with their share, and they’ve forgotten about the night’s payment. “That really brands us and helps us with our chemistry.” While everybody in the band has a “nine-to-five job,” Presley is his own boss, owning a wedding entertainment business and recently beginning a sound installation company. With that said, financially he has taken a hit since the pandemic. At one point, his band members approached Presley offering to give him their share of gig payments. “You just take whatever you need until you’re good,” they expressed. Ultimately, who they are as a band speaks to what an audience will get in a live performance--music from the heart. Follow the Cal Presley Band on Facebook and Instagram. Their music can be streamed on all online music outlets.

Ultimately, who they are as a band speaks to what an audience will get in a live performance-music from the heart.

Introducing Sugar Bakery Businesses Help Make Your Holidays Happy

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HAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THE BEST TIME of the year then with a spread from The Platter? The local business specializes in charcuterie boards filled with fruits, cheese, meat, pastries and more. You can even get holiday themed boards featuring Christmas candy, bright red and green colors and seasonal favorites like gingerbread men. If you are celebrating social distance style, you can order individual boxes for family members and friends so everyone can safely enjoy the goodness of The Platter! Some classic favorites include sandwich, charcuterie, veggie and fruit platters. But they offer a variety of creative culinary creations as well. The donut platter includes oversized cinnamon rolls, donuts, apple fritters, donut holes, fruit, bacon and maple syrup. The brunch platter has waffles, bacon, boiled eggs, fruit, muffins, brownie bites, honey syrup, jelly, scones and sausage links. And if you can’t find the perfect gift for that special someone, grab a birthday sprinkles platter with cake, rice crispy treats, cookies, popcorn, cake balls, dipped strawberries and pretzels, sprinkled with candy. These would make great gifts for teachers and co-workers this holiday season. The Platter has a variety of wooden trays to beautifully display their food, or you can provide your own to match a setting for a party or special occasion. With the holidays just around the corner, The Platter can help you celebrate with family and friends. You can order a Bloody Mary Platter, perfect for a boozy brunch. You can also order casseroles and family meals so you don’t have to worry about cooking. The Platter has been serving customers out of their West Monroe location for six months and recently expanded to Ruston. The Platter is now open at 708 Celebrity Drive, next to Allure Nails and 1st Franklin Financial. Now people all over Northeast Louisiana can enjoy their platters, full of variety, texture and vibrant colors, along with the freshest ingredients. However, platters aren’t all they do. The Platter in West Monroe also offers daily plate lunches during the week as well as off site catering. Look for plate lunch options in Ruston at the beginning of the new year. They are able to accommodate weddings, showers, game night, Sunday school function, anniversaries, birthdays, receptions, galas, corporate events, sales rep lunches and more. They can do it all! Some of their daily lunch options include baked chicken with turnip greens and potato salad, Baked fish with roasted potatoes, hamburger steak with gravy, porkchops and more. Lunches come with a drink and are just $9.50. You can dine in or take the lunches to go. The Platter is excited to announce their sister business, Sugar Bakery, is now open! You can find cakes, cookies, donuts, brownies, pastries and more at their new location on McMillian Street in West Monroe. They even have fun items like chocolate spoons perfect for hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows. You can order your custom birthday cakes, wedding cakes and other celebratory confections that taste as good as they look. Stop by The Platter on Cypress Street in West Monroe, Celebrity Drive in Ruston and Sugar Bakery in West Monroe. The Platter is excited to continue to grow and expand, building an even better community! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 167

CHRISTMAS CAMELLIAS LSU AG CENTER

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eck the halls with boughs of camellias! While typical colors of the holidays are red and green, let’s not forget about the wide variety of colors afforded by the winter blooms of camellias! Four species, Camellia hiemalis, C. japonica, C. sasanqua, and C. sinensis, have occupied niches in Louisiana landscapes for generations, some for over two centuries. Camellias are members of the tea family (Theaceae). They were introduced into the United States from Asia through the port of Charleston in the late 1700s. Their popularity was immediate, and ever since, camellias have become perennial stalwarts in southern gardens. Sasanquas (C. sasanqua) bloom first, from fall into winter, and have smaller leaves and flowers than the Japonicas. They are also more tolerant of direct sunlight, but still perform best is part sun or dappled shade situations. ‘Yuletide’ is one of the more popular sasanqua varieties, no doubt because the contrast between bright yellow stamens surrounded by bright red petals makes each flower pop with eye-catching color just in time for Christmas. Two small-leafed camellias are Louisiana Super Plant selections, ‘ShiShi Gashira’ and ‘Leslie Ann.’ ‘ShiShi Gashira,’ a 2010 selection, is actually a variety of Camellia hiemalis despite sometimes being categorized as a sasanqua. It has dark pink flowers that start in October and are visible into January. Because of its smaller stature, ‘ShiShi’ is often planted at entrances to houses and buildings and is often a good choice for container plantings. ‘Leslie Ann,’ a variety of C. sasanqua, is a 2015 Super Plant selection and features double flowers with bi-colored petals, white outlined by rosy pink. ‘Leslie Ann’ is a taller specimen than ‘ShiShi,’ so will need a bit more room in the bed or landscape. At maturity, she’ll be 8 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide. Camellia japonica is perhaps mostcommonly recognized and the most robust of

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the four species. Specimens of C. japonica that are at least a hundred years old can be seen around some of the old antebellum plantation homes in south Louisiana. Japonicas have the larger, broader leaves and produce flowers in an array of colors, from singles to semidoubles, to rose-like doubles from winter through early spring. ‘Debutante,’ ‘Pink Perfection,’ and ‘Alba Plena’ are popular Japonica varieties. A host of hybrids are also available in a wide array of bright colors. Camellia sinensis is the species that gives us tea. Yes, THAT tea! Since it is a camellia, it makes perfect sense that it will do well in Louisiana landscapes. Vegetatively, tea camellia closely resembles sasanqua, but has a smaller flower that, to me, is reminiscent of an orange blossom. Like other camellias, tea flowers through the fall and early winter. Both broad leaf and small leaf tea varieties are available. Tea production is fascinating. New leaves are harvested and may be processed in a variety of ways to become tea. In Monroe, there are impressive specimens of sasanquas in The Garden District and in the older neighborhoods

south of the Masur Museum. Many are the size of small trees and loaded with seed pods, former flowers that were pollinated. On mild days, honeybees and other insects really work camellia flowers. Camellia fruit look rather like small apples and will split open when they dry out on the plant (dehiscence). The actual seeds are black or brown and have a blocky shape. They fall to the ground and often germinate to yield genetically different plants. Camellias will thrive in any shady spot with highly organic, well-drained acid soil. A 3 to 4-inch layer of pine straw as a mulch will reduce evaporative water loss from the soil’s surface, help regulate soil temperature, and break down to add organic matter to the soil. So, in addition to the boughs of holly, the strategically-placed sprig of mistletoe, and the bright red bracts of poinsettias, take

Camellia japonica

Shi Shi (photo provided Dr. Ed Bush, LSU AgCenter)

LESLIE ANN

“TAKE TIME DURING THIS MUCHANTICIPATED HOLIDAY SEASON TO RELISH THE EXTRA SPARKLE CAMELLIAS PROVIDE OUTDOORS DURING AN ORDINARILY DRAB TIME OF SINENSIS YEAR.” photo provided from the Biedenharn

time during this much-anticipated holiday season to relish the extra sparkle camellias provide outdoors during an ordinarily drab time of year. If you’re using a real Christmas tree this year, don’t forget to repurpose/reuse/recycle. Used Christmas trees make great habitats for wildlife. If you live near a pond or lake, sink the tree just offshore with cement blocks. The tree will provide structure that fish and other aquatic wildlife will use for habitat. As many of our native game fish ambush their prey, the tree will provide them a good hiding place. The next spring, when the bite is on, you’ll be glad you put your used Christmas tree to good use. If you don’t live on or near a body of water, then consider using your Christmas tree in your backyard as a way to attract birds. Treats made from suet, peanut butter, birdseed, and like material can be hidden among the branches for our feathered friends that overwinter in the area. As winter progresses into spring and if there are still any branches left on the tree, good nesting habitat is available. But, birds may simply enjoy perching in the branches on a winter day. Maybe they’re anticipating the spring gardening season as much as we are! Yes, I wrote this last year. But, it seems since we really shouldn’t be out and about in crowds right now, a fun activity this holiday season may be to take some time to wander out into your landscape and gather the makings for a homemade holiday wreath. Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) will not only have glossy foliage, but will also have the clusters of fruit, aggregates of follicles, with the red seeds still attached. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and arbor vitae (Thuja sp.) are two conifers that have foliage perfect for holiday decorations, and should have small, blue, berry-like female cones for added color. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is downright weedy in our area with its unmistakable needles and cones. The female individuals of our native hollies, like yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) will have both glossy green foliage and red berries that you’ll have to compete with birds for. If you have an herb garden, sprigs of rosemary will add both

greenery and small blue flowers for a different texture. Also add some color by finding some leaves of deciduous trees like hickory for yellow, and even Bradford pear for scarlet. A touch of blue can be added if you can find some leftover bunches of our native fox grape (Vitis labrusca). Glue acorns, hickory nuts, and pecans into clusters and attach them at various places for something more 3-D. There’s no right or wrong so be creative! Florist wire from a hobby shop can be used to attach these to a frame made from muscadine vines (Vitis rotundifolia) or peppervine (Ampelopsis arborea). If the vine appears “hairy,” leave it alone! It may be poison ivy and you don’t want to spend the holidays itching! Then, when Christmas is over, hang your wreath in a strategic location in your landscape and see what wildlife enjoys it long after Santa is gone. Without question, 2020 has been an eventful year. Let’s relish this season to remind ourselves that, despite all that’s gone on, life is still pretty darn good. Remember, anything is possible in an Ark-La-Miss garden! Noel! For advice on how to make your garden thrive, go to the Ag Journal page at www.myarklamiss. com and submit your questions.I’ll answer them every Tuesday on Louisiana Living!

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photography by Kelly Moore Clark models Rebecca and John Reed Loflin hair and makeup by Jamee Auttonberry at Rain the Salon

THE NUDE NOMAD These super chic sequin joggers are paired with a cozy ivory sweater. Accessorize with a long gold and glass beaded necklace and nude sandals with clear straps.

C O Z Y C O L L E C T I V E This year, the holidays might look more laid back and loungey. We love these neutral and natural toned outfits in a variety of textures and textiles. Find these cozy casual looks at local area boutiques.

RON ALEXANDER CLOTHIERS Stay inside in style in this brown and white button-down shirt with a classic knit cardigan with mock neck collar. Pair with St. Croix pants and lightweight oxfords in soft sage.

MR. P’S TEES This original Duck Martin design from Mr. P’s Tees is featured on a premium super soft eco fleece sweatshirt in cranberry.

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THE NUDE NOMAD Comfort is key in this creamcolored tee with round neck. Wear with a vintage-inspired, copper-colored velvet puffer and mid-rise distressed jeans. Accessorize with double strand necklace and taupe booties.

PALETTE HOUSE + PLUME This color-block pullover is an ultra-soft hoodie fashioned in a color-block detail you won’t want to part ways with. Pair it with vintage-inspired sweat pants and a denim jacket. Finish the outfit with cool high tops with metallic embellishments and an adjustable zipper.

Antique Alley Holiday Open House In Downtown West Monroe, on Sunday November 1st, the certified merchants of Antique Alley held their annual Holiday Open House. Over 30 businesses stayed open on Sunday to host the event that was open to the public. Boutiques, food, antiques, furniture and decor can all be found on the alley, something for everyone. Guests were invited to stroll the streets while a live band played music, Lights and Christmas decor were displayed in the shop windows and refreshments and treats were provided. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season and get started on that local holiday shopping.

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On the BayouScene

1 Sherrie Lowe, Tonya Hamilton and Denise Grassi 2 Morgan Allen and Taylor Kennedy 3 Kristan Berry and Kallie Bible 4 Patty Fuller, Paige Pippins, Jordyn Rayburn, Benji Jones, Emma Richardson and Karen Branham 5 Stephanie and Troy Cage with Lindsey Cage 6 Benji Jones and Emme Richardson 7 Madison Parker and Rachel Norris 8 Savannah Albritton, Breanna Bass, Jessica Pollard and Ellie Grace 9 Marty Grassi 10 Sarah Caldwell, Elizabeth Guerriero and Madison Guerriero 11 Tristan Sims and Averie Chilton

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Local Businesses Celebrate Ribbon Cuttings In the last two months, several businesses in the heart of downtown West Monroe celebrated ribbon cuttings and Open Houses. On Thursday, October 29th, Off the Hanger celebrated their recent opening of their local women’s clothing boutique. This trendy fashionable shop, owned by Morgan and Chase Allen, carries something for women of all ages and sizes, as well as children and men’s selections. Later the same day, JAC’s Tailgaters held a ribbon cutting for their new restaurant on Trenton Street. Owned by Kristi and Tracy Carter, the restaurant features a selection of handcrafted sandwiches and burgers, as well as smoked brisket, ham, turkey, chicken and more! On November 12th, The Perfect Find held their ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their locally owned jewelry, gift and accessory shopped. Tonya and Thom Hamilton celebrated with friends, family and members of the community, who all enjoyed browsing their unique selections!

On the BayouScene

1 Morgan and Chase Allen 2 Kristi and Tracy Carter and Mayor Staci Mitchell 3 J essica Pollard, Ellie Grace, Tonya and Thom Hamilton and Karen Laban 4 Alana Cooper and Amy Keifenheim 5 Courtney Hornsbey, Adrienne Lafrance-Wells, Mayor Staci Mitchell 6 Sheila Snow, Jessica Pollard, Ellie Grace and Jay Curtis

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the HALLS

Interior decorator Shawn Brazzell helped Kerry and Theresa McCoy expand the timeless sophistication of their stately home with yuletide accents, spreading the delights of the season from the inside out.

Shawn Brazzell • WRIT TEN BY Vanelis Rivera PHOTOGR APHY BY Kelly Moore Clark

INTERIOR DECOR ATING BY

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utdoor Christmas decorations get more outstanding every year--giant, inflatable Santas stuffed with LED lights, glimmering tinsel reindeers, and pathway candycane lightings. The more challenging the times, the more expansive our Christmas wonderlands become. We know the spirit of the season lives within us, but sometimes an array of twinkling lights alongside imitation pine wreaths amplifies the distinctive feeling palpable in the air-holiday cheer. Such outdoor Christmas displays spread joy to a passersby, but that doesn’t mean a home’s interior should be left wanting; after all, that’s where the most merriment takes place. The heart of a home is where the pulse of Christmas should exist, as much in practice as in aesthetics. Adopting this tenet, interior decorator Shawn Brazzell helped Kerry and Theresa McCoy expand the timeless sophistication of their stately home with yuletide accents, spreading the delights of the season from the inside out. Theresa, seeing Shawn’s work on other projects contacted her while designing the plans for their “dream home,” located in West Monroe. Once construction was underway, Shawn swooped in and began working on choosing all the home’s finishes. Led by the McCoys’ vision of elegant sophistication--a measure of refinement and subtlety--Shawn chose a light and neutral palette, further emphasized with stunning quartzite and marble throughout the interior’s surfaces, creating an unmistakable and charming continuity. “It is one of the projects I’m most proud of,” says Shawn. Her success at the McCoy home has a lot to do with the time she

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In the living room, a stately tree stands in the corner while a swag of Christmas garland with glittering pine cones drapes elegantly around the fireplace.

“Hearing the stories and memories behind ornaments and traditions is one of the gifts of the holidays.” getting to know the couple in order for certain aspects of the design to really speak to them. For instance, the moment you open the wrought iron entry doors, you are met with a marble-wrapped stairway with a classic-style iron railing. This was a special request by Kerry, who has wanted an entryway marble staircase since he was a child. Another deep-seated detail can be found in the dining room. Theresa’s father had black walnut lumber in his workshop, and when he passed away, it was important for her to make use of that wood in a special part of their home. The pieces were turned into cabinetry, finely constructed by Mayo Custom Cabinets. Wanting to mimic the arches in the rest of the home, Shawn created a similar shape in the cabinets, which now hold fine porcelain dinnerware and crystal once belonging to Theresa’s mother. “There is a lot of history in the details incorporated in the house,” says Shawn with admiration. Though many personal items are thoughtfully spread in the family’s space, the more obvious pieces were painstakingly chosen by Shawn and Theresa. “I can’t explain it, but when I walk in a space I can see what it’s supposed to look like,” she says, though she admits it’s not always easy narrowing down selections of fashionable furniture, sleek lighting accents, or stone detailing. There are so many choices. At times it can be overwhelming, but it’s my job to make that easier. Furniture hunting took place around town and in Dallas, greatly widening their selections. Shawn chose pieces based on texture and color. “I always try to have a common feature in the furniture or some detail that runs throughout the house, whether it be a color palette or the lines,” she says, particularly referring to the home’s archways, the curves of which are mimicked in cabinet doors, delicate candelabras, hoopstyle chandeliers, and even the backs of some chairs. “Sometimes I’ll choose things curved a certain way, or something that creates repetition of a particular detail,” she says. Establishing a common thread throughout the home is part of Shawn’s creative process. “I always keep a common palette.” Color is a major player in her design approach, as well. Shades of light blue, as well as a neutral linen color, run from room to room. One of Shawn’s favorite aspects is the backsplash in the kitchen. There is a focal point behind the stove of a delicately styled water jet cut marble mosaic, adding an artistic flair to the sleek space most notable for its walnut stained kitchen island with ornate corbels. The expansive island has a beautiful Sea Pearl Quartzite stone countertop.

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Above: Macey, whose bedroom reflects her chic and glitzy style, has a tree bedecked with blush pink, gold, and silver decorations

Top Right: Morgan, whose bedroom is more natural, and edgier, has a more organic tree, with red and white ornaments, and marked by details that connect to her hobby of music and her love of the outdoors

Designer, Shawn Brazzell, worked with the McCoys to help them design their dream home located in West Monroe

The Master Bedroom --a semi-modern, French country style bedroom with light hardwood flooring, and tons of natural light from large French doors--has a 12 foot, thin pine tree that ever so slightly brushes the top of the rib vaulted ceiling.

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rom an early age, Shawn was interested in the “construction of all things.” Her father and grandfather were both in the construction business and her mother is an incredible seamstress and quilter. “It’s in my blood,” she says. Putting things together is not just about a space, as much as it is about who will eventually occupy that space. She strives to design kitchen and dining room areas that don’t feel tucked away because to her they are the heart of the home: “I think we’ve lost that family connection.” Even with five children, she makes sure to prioritize her family eating together, regardless of whether she orders carry-out or cooks dinner. “Incorporating that dining space or space you can commune together is important,” she says. It wasn’t a challenge designing such areas for the McCoys, as they are a close family and also enjoy entertaining. With that in mind, Shawn curated gathering spaces. One of the largest, the living room, has a roomy sectional with relaxed sofa chairs, a perfect fit for comfortably watching a movie or game nights, especially when the McCoys’ two daughters are home from college. “I love every part of a project. Holiday decor just fell into the mix,” she says. She noted that many of her clients wanted holiday decor to go with the interiors she had created. “I guess it was a natural progression,” she says. “I tend to do a house from start to finish, including furnishings and landscaping,” she continues, adding she also designed the McCoys’ landscaping, installed by

her husband’s company Northeast Lawn Service. Though she has designed many modern homes, both locally and out-of-state, with attention to fads and trends, Shawn has an affinity for time-honored aesthetics, especially concerning Christmas adornment. “My spin on the way that I do Christmas decor is a more traditional type of decor that incorporates more memories because I think we’ve lost a love and value of traditional things,” she says. Christmas is about comfort for Shawn, so when decorating for the McCoys she made sure to incorporate family collectibles: “Something I really enjoy is unwrapping existing Christmas decor, especially with my client.” The dining room’s Christmas tree (one of approximately nine in the entire home), uses Theresa’s ornament collections all in the theme of the twelve days of Christmas. The main tree, gracing the living room, integrates a whimsical collection of blown glass, hand-painted Old World ornaments. The brightly colored ornaments are joined by a stream of crushed ice crystals and red berries spiraling from the top to the bottom of the tree. “The tree is a significant symbol of Christmas,” affirms Shawn, who tends to keep a balance between the ornaments and the branches of pine peeking through. “I want to see the tree,” she adds, admitting that while she doesn’t mind cramming a tree with shimmering delights, she prefers “a more natural approach to design.” Though there may be only one Christmas tree everyone gathers around, that doesn’t mean one is enough. “I love to trickle WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 185

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Christmas throughout the entire house,” says Shawn. Each bedroom is embellished with a personalized tree and a few jolly accents. Macey, whose bedroom reflects her chic and glitzy style, has a tree bedecked with blush pink, gold, and silver decorations; whereas, Morgan, whose bedroom is more natural, and edgier, has a more organic tree, with red and white ornaments, and marked by details that connect to her hobby of music and her love of the outdoors. The master bedroom--a semi-modern, French country style bedroom with light hardwood flooring, and tons of natural light from large French doors--has a 12 foot, thin pine tree that ever so slightly brushes the top of the rib vaulted ceiling. “There is something in every corner,” says Shawn. A walk through the butler’s pantry reveals a few amusing elves, festively clad in holly, jingle bells, and gilded frocks. Shawn considers these “Christmas reminders.” They take the form of figurines, garlands, wreaths, nativity sets, red and white striped ribbon, and even bowls of antique glass-ball ornaments, which intentionally peek-a-boo on countertop corners, bathrooms, nightstands, and even sections of the outdoor patio. Having a sense of Christmas in every room doesn’t necessarily mean to “throw-up Christmas everywhere,” laughs Shawn, though she enjoys bringing spaces to life, even with just touches of fresh greenery and flowers. “So much of our Christmas decor is artificial,” she says, emphasizing how it doesn’t take away from the warmth and elegance of the home. Once again, Christmas decorating for Shawn is about taking a trip down memory lane, standing in the glory of the “richest blessings” of the Christmas season. “I wanted their decor to spark those happy Christmas memories of their family and friends.” Walking toward the McCoys’s grand entry, intricately designed with brick, stone, and precast concrete detailing, it’s easy to get lost in its opulence. Yet, inside an unexpected feeling of comfort prevails. The simplicity of its interior is not designed for show. Shawn intended for it to be a reflection of the McCoy family. The whole design, including the added seasonal charms, large and small, are elements of who they are. Shawn has taken the unique collectibles and treasures of the McCoys and turned them into her favorite part of Christmas--“Hearing the stories and memories behind ornaments and traditions is one of the gifts of the holidays. It’s a little bit of therapy I believe. It brings us back. I like to think it helps us remember what this season is about.” WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 187

Holiday Open House On Thursday, November 12th, several local businesses kicked off the shopping season with a holiday Open House. Even socially distanced, shoppers were able to enjoy shopping local and buying early for Christmas. Third Street in the Garden District was a buzz with shoppers visiting Woodstock, and checking out their wide selection of holiday decor, gardening items, clothing and more. Just across the street at Palette House + Plume, ladies were loving seeing the unique home and clothing options from Margaret Moses and Jansen Harvey. Just around the corner, the fun continued along Forsythe Avenue at Haven, Legacy and Artistic Designs. And down the road, shoppers enjoyed visiting at The Muffin Tin, as well as refreshments made from some of the dips and mixes they offer in the store. Fantastic door prizes, discounted services and specials were available to patrons attending!

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1 Yvonne Lyons and Kathy Vines 2 Sarah Leary, Margaret Moses and Jansen Harvey 3 Jansen Harvey and Tanya Pesek 4 Larry Cavalier and Lenece Lasester 5 Linda Tubbs and Deborah Pace 6 Kassidy Wallace, Marilyn Elliott Hobson and Belle Cerda 7 Joy Jackson and Stuart Scalia 8 Kathy Biedenharn and Margaret Brock 9 Jacey Smith, Sydney Moore and Katy Armstrong 10 Elizabeth Freeman and Leslie Murphy 11 Christy Boldon and Claire Gordon 12 Amanda Wooten and Kerri James 13 Annalise Kelly, Sandy McMillian and Adrianna Liner 14 Ellie and Anna Claire Herndon and Rachel Sitton

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Sleepy Hollow Celebrates 40 Years On Thursday, October 29th, Sleepy Hollow celebrated their 40th Anniversary Celebration at their locally family-owned furniture store on Louisville Avenue in Monroe. Attendees enjoyed food from Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant and music from Robert Wright. State Representative Michael Echols marked the occasion by presenting a proclamation commending Sleepy Hollow on their four decades of business and giving back to the local community. Both the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce were on hand to mark the occasion as well. Sleepy Hollow was founded in 1980 by Ron Scott and his daughter Jo Tiffany took over in 2010.

On the BayouScene

1 Debbie Scott and Karen Johnston 2 Jarrad and Jo Tiffany Faulk 3 Jo Tiffany Faulk, Amelia Faulk and Ron Scott 4 Kerri Taylor and Kayli May 5 Aubrey and JoLeigh Faulk 6 Lila Strode, Hali Hendrix and Adrienne Steele 7 Renee Arrington, Johnna Van and Patricia Cameron 8 Jude and Corban Faulk

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HEMLINE MONROE This real raccoon fur trimmed lightweight knit poncho in lilac is paired with Spanx faux leather leggings and over-the-knee suede boots. Accessorize with layered bracelets and an enamel box clutch.

SOUTHERN COMFORT

Bundle up in style this holiday season with these fur looks from area boutiques. From ponchos to oversized coats, these looks are sure to keep you warm on winter nights. photography by Kelly Moore Clark model Natasha Regard hair and makeup by Meka Bennett Reliford

HERRINGSTONES This elegant black jumpsuit features flowing legs and a halter neckline. Cover up with a cozy, ivory fur coat and accessorize with acrylic pumps with clear straps and Kendra Scott jewelry.

DUSTY AND COMPANY Show your wild side with this bold zebra-print faux fur jacket worn over a soft, black velvet tunic dress. Accessorize with black peep toe booties and black glitter hoop earrings.

OFF THE HANGER Turn up the heat in this form-fitting sleeveless black dress. Paired with a cheetah print fur jacket and classic strappy black shoes, this outfit will have you dancing through the holidays.

SADIE C’S A beautiful lace bralette is worn with a cream-colored criss-cross blouse and black Spanx faux leather leggings. Complete this look with a mid thigh length faux fur jacket and Ellie Vail jewelry.

ULM Join FAA Initiative

To Meet Growing Demand for Graduates in Drone Technology

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N AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE University of Louisiana Monroe and the Federal Aviation Administration commits the university to develop students skilled enough in drone technology to be ready for the workforce upon graduation. ULM is one of fewer than 100 two- and four-year institutions to join the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Collegiate Training Initiative, a collaborative effort begun earlier this year by the FAA. ULM officials signed an official memorandum of agreement in October. The initiative, according to the FAA, is designed to ensure that new technology is safely incorporated into the National Airspace System and that qualified professionals are in the pipeline to satisfy the demand of the rapidly growing industry. The FAA created the program under a congressional mandate. “The FAA is serving as a kind of intermediary for schools that offer this kind of program to get together,” said Dr. Paul Karlowitz, associate professor of aviation.

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Through the networking efforts of the FAA, Karlowitz said, universities will be able to compare notes with each other concerning curriculum, technology, and training efforts. ULM is the only Louisiana institution to offer a four-year degree in drone technology and the only state program in the consortium. The program is officially known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems Management and is part of ULM’s College of Business and Social Sciences. The Louisiana Board of Supervisors asked ULM to focus on drone technology, changing the focus and degree program from what once was a Bachelor of Science in Aviation. Although much of the aviation curriculum is still being taught, ULM is no longer awarding degrees in fixed-wing aviation. Still, Karlowitz said the study of aviation is essential to obtain a license to operate drones commercially. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Management program has 30 students. It provides students with an analytical foundation to interpret data collected from the use of drones.

The program’s overall goal is to prepare individuals to become competent, ethical, safety-conscious aviation professionals, ready to assume leadership roles in various aviation management careers. The FAA provides members of the consortium its recognition that their programs are of the highest standards. “You have to measure up to their credentials,” Karlowitz said. The FAA will offer participating colleges and universities with the latest regulations and links to resources, recognition of participating institutions with a description of programs on its website, invitations to conferences and webinars, and a list of job openings in the industry. “I don’t expect any financial help from the FAA,” Karlowitz said, “That’s not what they do. But it is more visibility for our students and our program.” Karlowitz hopes the UAS CTI program will open up more opportunities for his students. “With this new FAA program, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Colligate Training Initiative, we have the opportunity to collaborate with not only the FAA, but other member institutions to further the development of the UAS workforce. We look forward to sharing training tools, resources, and guidelines for further the safe and ethical use of UAS in the National Airspace System,” he said.

LEH Gives Grants for Humanities LEH Awarded 22 Rebirth Grants in 11 Parishes

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HE LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT for the Humanities has awarded 33 Rebirth Grants and Rebirth PL Grants to organizations statewide, including libraries, university divisions and other non-profit organizations, in support of humanities programs. With a total of $163,726 awarded, the projects are based in 19 different parishes, and several programs have a statewide focus. Now in its seventh year, the Rebirth Grants program supports projects that provide access to the humanities to Louisiana residents. Eligible projects include public humanities programs; documentary photography, radio, and digital humanities projects; and humanities-based educational initiatives. In October, thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, including $43,774 made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the LEH awarded 22 Rebirth Grants in 11 parishes for a combined total of $108,236. “Rebirth Grants allow organizations big

and small to offer high-quality public programs within their communities,” said Miranda Restovic, LEH’s president and executive director. “The LEH is proud to support local partners in delivering meaningful humanities programs across Louisiana.” This year, the LEH was also able to award an additional 11 Rebirth PL Grants in support of Louisiana public libraries’ transition to virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Made possible by the NEH through the CARES Act, with additional support from the Union Pacific Foundation, public libraries in 11 parishes received Rebirth PL Grants totaling $55,490. The LEH received 113 applications for the 2020 Rebirth and Rebirth PL Grant opportunities, and a review committee of scholars, LEH board members and staff selected the 33 projects and organizations for support. The types of funded projects include oral history and archaeological initiatives, lecture series, podcasts, exhibitions, and more

exploring topics as varied as agricultural festival pageant queens, the lived experiences of enslaved people on Evergreen Plantation, French-speaking Cajun soldiers in World War II and the Louisiana transgender community. “This was the most competitive pool of grant proposals we’ve reviewed since opening the Rebirth grant stream six years ago, not only in the number of applications submitted, but in the quality of proposals and diversity of subject matter explored,” said Chris Robert, grants manager and assistant media editor at the LEH. “There is clearly substantial want and need from our partners for funding to bring quality humanities educational experiences to their communities.”More information about all of LEH’s grants programs may be found athttps://leh.org/grants. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to all residents of the state. Guided by the vision that everyone can realize their full potential through the humanities, LEH partners with communities, institutions and individuals to provide grant-supported outreach programs, literacy initiatives for all ages, publications, film and radio documentaries, museum exhibitions, public lectures, library projects, 64 Parishes magazine and other diverse public humanities programming. For more information, visit www.leh.org.

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Parterre Home Holiday Event On Thursday Novemeber 19th, Parterre Home hosted an Artistry and Holiday Shopping event at 1821 Avenue of America. This event hosted a multi-artist exhibit that featured female artists and their beautiful work. Parterre also hosted a New Orleans based jewelry collection, Saint Claude. This extraordinary line encourages the customer to see beyond what meets the eye. It was a lovely night filled with great shopping, food and beautiful friends.

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1 Coco Zentner, Rhenda Saporito, Ann Johnston Currie, Annie Richardson and Rebecca Vizard 2 Coco Zentner and Hardeman Cordell 3 Annie Richardson and Joey Haddad 4 Charlotte Breard and Ann Johnston Currie 5 Deborah Giger and Misti Cordell 6 Mandy Fritzer, Becky Bizard, Forrest Sartor and Janice Landry 7 Joey Haddad, Jordan Haddad and Lauren Boyce 8 Mandy Pruitt and Brenda Marsala 9 Paula Kirk, Hardeman Cordell, Rhenda Saporito and Sadie Walker 10 Quinn Snellings, Janelle Snellings and Diane Cage 11 Maxine and Brian Moreau

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Ivy & Stone Holiday Open House On Thursday November 5th, Ivy & Stone of Ruston hosted their beautiful Holiday Open House. The night was filled with fun, music, good food and great shopping. Ivy & Stone has everything you need to help make your home cozy and welcoming. Ivy & Stone’s owner, Jessica Phillips, and her lovely staff can help make your dream home a reality. Stop by this holiday season and let them help deck your halls.

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1 Meghan Davis, Lyndsi Logue, Jessica Phillips and Hillary Hohlt 2 Beverly Martin and Ronnie Martin 3 Barbara Rodgers, Julie Bailey and Jan Johnson 4 Sharron Schimmel, Joan Vaughan and Leah Hall 5 Rose and Stephanie Reeves 6 Mary Justice and Jame Thomas 7 Jennifer Sexton and Suzanne Tyler

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H O L I D A Y TA BLESCA PES There is something about an intimate family dinner around the table that sets the mood for holiday festivities. As we reflect on a year filled with togetherness, let us continue to celebrate life’s precious moments. Whether your family gathering is a formal affair or something a little more whimsical, we hope you find inspiration in these tablescapes. Thank you to our incredible decorators that worked with local stores to bring you these thoughtfully inspired tablecapes.

i m a ges by KELLY MOORE C L A RK

BRANDI BROWNLEE THOMAS Brandi Brownlee Thomas is known for her Global/Boho style aesthetic which combines a layered, collected feel, and this tablescape is an example of her ability to create a whimsical masterpiece by adding different textures to achieve a cohesive look. This is what Brandi said about her design inspiration, “ I worked with Ivy & Stone in Ruston to achieve an organic woodland vibe with a touch of festive glitz and joy. Since this has been such a difficul year for many of us, I wanted the atmosphere and aesthetic to feel magical and other worldly. I wanted to create a space that felt peaceful and enchanting - a place of escape and wonder.”

Vase from Sleepy Hollow Furniture Silverware, plates, glassware, placemats, decorative trees and holiday décor from Walsworth & Company Florals from Carlstedt’s

JAN STRICKLAND

Jan Strickland is a master when it comes to combining traditional items with modern elements. This is what Jan said about her tablescape inspiration, “I wanted my tablescape’s theme to be one of renewal and rebirth. When I see the colors green, gold, silver and white, that theme, that feeling comes to mind.This holiday season, I want to focus on that idea. With everything that we’ve been through this year, it is time to look ahead to our future. The greens and golds represent growth and the whites and silvers represent hope for a better tomorrow.”

BLUE CHRISTMAS

This simple and elegant design combines tradition elements with sophisticated style. A large white orchid centerpiece from Parterre Home takes center stage while Blue Flow china from Traditions on Trenton sets the course for dinner ahead. Modern gold-rimmed glasses from Parterre and chic glass trees are combines with antique crystal glasses from Traditions. Large tapered candles in silver candlesticks from Traditions are nestled upon richly-hued and realistic faux garland from Palette House + Plume.

CLINTON WHITNEY DOWNING

Holiday designs have been a long-time tradition for designer, Clinton Whitney Downing, since childhood. In creating this design, he reflected on the past. Growing up Downing, adored time spent with his late grandmother, Mary Frances Whitney, who worked for The Pillars. This is what Clinton says of his inspiration, “The focal point of the tablescape is an arrangement of red cabbage roses, blush roses, seeded eucalyptus, green trick, mini loofahs and purple scabiosa. I created a terrarium effect with a large glass globe vase on a brass Asian incense burner from Thailand. I also selected flatware from Thailand to border the Noritake Fitzgerald china. For the stemware, I selected Noritake with a gold band. For a literal added twist, I added swirled stem wines by local artist and woodworker, James Sharplin.” These items are available from Downing’s shop Revival Design.

COLORFUL CHRISTMAS Taylor Bennett stepped away from traditional Christmas colors to bring to life a colorful tablescape full of whimsy and joy. Large brightly hued brush trees from Pallete House + Plume set this stage for this bold presentation. A trio of decorative trees with wooden stars and bases from Haven are combined with metallic brush trees from Woodstock. Confetti dipped wine glasses with a gold accent from Haven, along with large candlesticks and bright botanical napkins from Woodstock complete the look.

WILL COPELAND As a local decorater, Will Copeland creates elegant florals designs and beautiful holiday décor by seamlessly combining modern elements with traditional and antique pieces. This is what Will says about his inspiration for this tablescape: “Christmas is a joyous time, a perfect time to break out those beautiful and special things that we may not use everyday. My inspiration for this table started with the gorgeous leopard napkins with shades of soft green and rose colored accents by Ardmore at Material Things. Keeping it classic and modern at the same time, I wanted to use mostly a monochromic theme. The flocked ornaments in various muted shades and shapes added texture and visual interest. These accessories along with the La Petite Abeille beeswax candles and dried palm leaves that I used in the arrangement, also from Material Things, really paired well together. The antique white linen cloth that I used as a table scarf was my grandmothers. The place setting is a mixture of platinum and gold china topped off with a horn ornament and a box of Louis Sherry chocolates for each guest. For a subtle pop of color, I used colored crystal wine hocks that I acquired from the estate of a beloved friend. The arrangement in a low silver plate bowl is a mixture of cedar, variegated pittosporum, cream hypericum berries, white lisianthus, dried palm, and white garden roses. “

2020

HOLIDAY gift guide

Each year, we compile a gift guide in our Holiday issue that features items from local boutiques, shops and retailers. This year, more than ever, it is so important to shop local as you buy gifts to wrap under the tree and place in the stockings. Our local businesses are the backbone of our community and do so much to give back to make our home a better place to live. Browse through the next few pages to find everything from dish towels to diamonds and candles to cars, all available from local retailers here in Northeast Louisiana.

Eye Opening Dr. Mickel’s office carries the entire line of ZO Skin Health, including this Growth Eye Serum. It is designed to improve the appearance of expression lines, encouraging healthy skin for a visibly revived look, which we could all use after this year.

Zum Zum Zum This is the magzum opus - the olfactory overture of soaps. This goat milk based soapis naturally homogenized and smells like a dream. Find this and more gift items at Sadie C’s in West Monroe.

Sew Special Material Things in Monroe is excited to offer a variety of sewing machines, including the Husqvarna Viking Epic 95Q, one of the best on the market. If you have a sewing enthusiast on your list, they will love this comprehensive computerized sewing machine under the tree this year.

Wrap it up This fur throw is uber cozy and comfortable and anyone will love to wrap up in it this holiday season. Available at Ivy & Stone.

Wet Hair, Don’t Care The Ultimate Hair Wrap that is easy to use, dries hair quickly and says “by-bye” to frizz. Available at Rain in Monroe, this is perfect for the girl on the go.

O’ Sleepy Night Give the gift of relaxation this Christmas with a new bed and mattress from Sleepy Hollow. They have a variety of wood and upholstered beds that would be complete with a Tempurpedic mattress.

Duck, Duck, Gift The little ones on your list will love this Duck Martin baseball style tee from Mr. P’s Tees. It is super soft and perfect for the Louisiana loving little kid. Available at mrpstees.com Cup of Cheer CC’s Coffee not only has a menu full of hot and iced coffee, they have plenty of travel mugs and cups that any java Joe on your list will love.

Give ‘Em The Boot These pink croc boots are exclusively available at Hemline Monroe. Grab a pair for the stylish gal on your list and she will be the talk of the town.

Watch Out Marty and Mark’s in West Monroe carries Bertucci watches, which are perfect for the outdoorsman on your list. They start at $55 so you can get one for all the guys.

Pillow Talk Via Venezia Textiles pillows are available at Material Things and their extravagant pieces reflect a brilliant infusion of handdyed and hand-painted colors and designs that come crashing through every piece with old world and modern charm.

Scent Explosion With its signature silhouette and dynamic cobalt blue color, this jar candle is soon to be your favorite. It will entice you with its tropical citrus and sugary scent. Available at Sadie C’s in West Monroe.

Grill Mate A modern, high-performance version of an authentic plow disc cooker, FIREDISC is built to last and designed to be easily taken down for travel and storage. FIREDISC fires up fast, cooks virtually anything, seasons like a cast-iron skillet and cleans up quickly with just water. Available at Sonny Panzico’s Garden Mart.

Not Your Basic Basket Thurman’s has a variety of gift baskets full of speciality themed items. You can choose from Italian theme with pasta and spaghetti sauce or Louisiana with Cajun seasonings. You can even have them customize a basket for anyone on your list.

Sparkle and Shine This unique lipid correction cream found at Spa Nouvelle helps restore the skin’s external barrier and support natural self-repair, while potently nourishing aging skin for improvement in the visible appearance of skin smoothness, laxity, pores, and overall radiance. Blinging Beauty Kendra Scott is always a must have, especially around the holidays. These boxed sets are available at Herringstone’s and will make great gifts for every girl on your list.

Powerful Powder This mineral powder from MD Minerals has SPF and Zinc Oxide, to help skin look flawless. Ladies of all ages will love anything from the MD Minerals line, available at Hopkins Dermatology.

Local Love The Perfect Find has many gift options and stocking stuffers like these stainless steel cups and tumblers that represent the Twin Cities. Anyone that loves repping the 318 will love getting one of these.

Pretty Fly Pajamas have become a staple this year and this set from Hemline Monroe is a must have. This silky set is covered in beauty butterflies and she will love to relax and lounge in.

Organic Oil This intimacy oil with CBD is an all natural formula with organically grown hemp plus 8 synergistic botanicals. Available at Professional Laser Center Light and Love Undeniably warm, peaceful and pure, Simply Curated’s Peony and Salt candle illuminates with effortless beauty and a heart-warming aroma. Find this scent and more at Fiesta Nutrition Center.

The Perfect Plan Give the gift of peace of mind this holiday season with a planner from Haven. These mom agendas are beautiful and functional, perfect for the busy mom on the go.

Feet First If you have a tik-toker on your list, you must get them these peeling socks available at Rain. They are this year’s obsession that has gone viral and will leave your feet feeling soft and smooth.

Dear Deer Each fall, Mr. P’s releases a deer t-shirt and this year’s has a #noshavenovember deer with a beard. Hand drawn by local artist Lissy Compton, Mr. P’s Tees has several designs available at mrpstees.com, perfect for everyone on your list.

Glitter Girl Throw them in your bag or wear them on your wrists, these key chains from Sadie C’s are sure to not be missed. Find these and more holiday gift items.

Cigar Keep This antique Black Forest cigar box features an intricately carved design – the perfect gift for any collector. Find this and other beautiful pieces at Traditions on Trenton in West Monroe. Cozy Cheetah Slippers Whether you are bingewatching your favorite Netflix series or running to grab the newspaper, everyone needs a comfy pair of slippers with a rubber sole. The Nude Nomad has a great selection of slippers for only $28.

Sippin’ with Santa Estelle Colored Glass is a luxury brand of handblown colored glass cake stands and stemware in a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels. You can find these beautiful glasses at Parterre Home.

Diamonds by the Yard These diamond station necklaces are available in 14kt white and yellow gold with diamonds ranging from .5 to 1.5 carats. Dazzle her this Christmas with a gift from Dupont Jewelers.

Shine On She will certainly shine in this sequined jean jacket from Herringstone’s. They have plenty of sparkly and fun fashion for all of the trendy gals this holiday season.

Merry and Bright SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic serum found at Spa Nouvelle provides advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin’s complexion. It’s In the Bag The best holiday treat is arm candy, and Dusty & Company’s Myra Bags are no exception! These awesome bags make the perfect stocking stuffers and gifts! From canvas to cowhide, choose from assorted colors and textures to mix and match to get the look that best fits your personal style.

The Belt Way The double o-ring belts are the most sought after accessory of the year by teens and women of all ages. The Nude Nomad has a wide variety of these gorgeous designer-inspired belts for under $30.

Go Above and Beyoncé This whipped soap is fit for a queen. With hints of vanilla, blackberry, magnolia, fig, orchids and amber, the bouncy texture cleanses and nourishes and smells divine. Available at Spa Bella in West Monroe.

Christmas for the Chef The chef on your list will love this pizza oven available at Sonny Panzico’s Garden Mart. This oven ensures uniform heat distribution and is sure to eliminate hot spots. Your personal chef will be able to prepare great tasting, gourmet pizzas in their own backyard, truly a gift for everyone.

Tray Under the Tree Irresistibly quirky, this natural birch wood tray is handmade in Sweden and is ideal for serving drinks and snacks. Place atop a coffee table or ottoman, or simply use as a striking decorative accessory. Available at Palette House + Plume.

Flip it and Reverse it This Tommy Bahama sweater from Ron Alexander’s is a must have for the versatile guy on your list. This fully reversible with stylish contrast stitching, is a two-in-one combo that embodies his versatile spirit while keeping him comfortable.

Claus Caus Caus is a line of stainless steel drinkware that donates 25% of all profits to charities to promote positive change throughout the world. You can find this pink leopard print and other options at The Paper Market in Monroe.

B. a Candy Queen This delicious B. toffee is available at Fiesta Nutrition Center. Perfect for teacher’s gifts or stocking stuffers, this delicious candy is mouth-watering good.

Christmas Cheers This Calumet Farm 14 Year found at Washington Wine and Spirits is distilled and aged in Northern Kentucky, this straight bourbon whiskey comes from a private reserve of premium Kentucky bourbon stock. This specific bourbon’s unique ‘high-rye’ mash bill was hand-selected, offering a bold, yet balanced expression. Scent of the Season Snow-white wax poured into clear glass, embellished with delicate pine needles, fills your surroundings with the crisp, just-cut forest fragrance of Frasier Fir found at The Muffin Tin.

Boots Were Made for Walking Off The Hanger has these cute white ankle booties perfect to dress up or down. This fierce style is the perfect addition to any fashionista on your list this year.

2 Turtle Doves This beautiful fountain found at Parterre Garden would be a great addition to your outdoor patio or garden. The relaxing sound of the water will help you relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Christmas Spirits Old Forester Bottled in Bond found at Washington Wine and Spirits has an intense caramel, rich vanilla with roasted coffee notes, spiced dark fruit and mature oak. Sweet and intense with a big and bod finish.

Nice Lid This beautiful cream-colored hat from Sadie C’s in West Monroe is the perfect accessory this holiday season. The black and gold ribbon adds flair to this well-fitted lid.

Sleigh this Christmas This black mini bag with a gold chain found at Off The Hanger is the perfect gift or stocking stuffer this Christmas. It’s cute, chic and the perfect size for a night on the town with the girls.

Merry Mask Masks are now part of a daily life so why not gift a stylish one? Material Things has these silk reusable face masks with a smooth texture that soothes delicate skin. Chic Case These Stephanie Johnson cosmetic cases are available at Haven. Both stylish and practical, any trendy girl on your list will love one of these beautiful bags.

Your Very Own Yellowstone This jacket has western vibes and any girl, whether she watches Yellowstone or not, will love it! Available at J.Marie in Monroe.

Hot Tub Holiday Azure Pools and Spas carries several products from Hot Spring Spas, providing a powerful combo of massage and hot water. We can all use a little relaxation this year and this is the perfect answer.

Arm Candy Each Ronaldo Designer Jewelry piece is handcrafted in the USA. It is a family owned and operated business that stands behind their quality and craftsmanship for nearly 3 decades. They use only the finest materials available for pearls, gemstones, Cameo, sterling silver and14k gold artist wire. FInd this at Walsworth & Company. Walking in a Floral Wonderland Woodstock carries a variety of garden items like this Arrangement Workshop, the quintessential starter kit for the burgeoning floral designer and hobbyist alike, featuring professional quality tools and components for the making of endless arrangements.

King of the Ranch For the guy that has everything, get him the ultimate truck - this 2021 F 150 King Ranch edition from Banner Ford in Monroe. He will be rolling into 2021 in style.

Santa Baby Bella Magnolia has a variety of ornaments, perfect for gift giving or for your adding to your own tree. This large Santa head is just one of our favorites to keep you holly and jolly this holiday season.

Cheers to the New Year These unique polished wood martini glasses will be the toast of the town. Find this and more at Revival Design and Consign.

A Glowing Gift This Fir candle from Cire Trudon is a classic holiday pine fragrance. The oldest French manufacturer produces the world’s most prestigious candles of the highest quality with hand blown glass and pure vegetable wax and they are available at Material Things. Camo Up This new vintageinspired chamois shirt is part of Avery’s Heritage Collection. Made from super soft Portugese cotton, this button down will warm you up. Find this and more at Simmon’s Sporting Goods in Bastrop.

Picture Perfect Patio Sleepy Hollow has plenty of options for outdoor furniture for the backyard and patio. We have all spent more time outside this year so what better time to give the gift of a patio set or fire pit.

Make Mom Happy Mom has had a rough year, so why not upgrade her ride. Banner Ford in Monroe has plenty of SUV’s to choose from like this Ford Explorer.

Steppin’ in Style These brown heeled booties found at Dusty & Company are sleek and perfect for any occasion! You will surely be turning heads in these stylish booties. Cajun Christmas This Cat Studio towel found at The Muffin Tin is the perfect gift for all of your lovely Louisiana folks. It’s A dish towel. A tea towel. A hand towel. A bar towel. A guest towel. The. Perfect. Towel.

All That Glitters Be her golden boy with a gift from Hollis & Company in Monroe. This 18kt Italian pave diamond cuff bracelet with 1.45 carats will have her swooning this holiday season.

Best Face Forward This all-in-one skin rejuvenating serum improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture. Get the glow you deserve this holiday season at DermamediQ.

Grillin’ & Chillin’ The guy on your list will be giddy to get a Primo grill from Azure Pools and Spas. He can grill, roast, sear and smoke on this ceramic grill, all in the comfort of his own backyard.

“THE TRUE PURPOSE OF A PRESENT IS TO BE RECEIVED. PRESENTS ARE NOT “THINGS” BUT A MEANS FOR CONVEYING SOMEONE’S FEELINGS.” - MARIE KONDO

AS THE GIFT-GIVER – Always give a gift that is personalized for the receiver. Even I tend to buy things that I want to receive as gifts for others, but to be a gracious gift giver, it is better to choose a gift that fits the receiver’s personality and lifestyle, not your own. For instance, don’t buy a coffee mug for someone who doesn’t drink coffee. AS THE RECEIVER – No matter what the gift is, you should still show thankfulness and excitement as not to hurt the giver’s feelings. In considering the feelings of the giver, you are showing graciousness. And, I give you permission to re-gift the item IF and ONLY IF you know of someone who would love and use it. Again, be thoughtful when it comes to this, though. Don’t make it known that you will be re-gifting the item. AS THE GIFT-GIVER – Give items that are useful and somewhat practical (but not too practical). Unless you are adding to a much loved collection, do not give tchotchkes or knick-knacks as gifts. As a professional organizer, I know all of the ramifications of this - guilt will keep the item on display and from being donated to someone. Instead, I suggest giving items that can be used and do not have an everlasting shelf life. For instance, I love giving journals, pens, wine, food, room sprays, candles, etc. Just remember to consider the receiver’s lifestyle before purchasing. AS THE RECEIVER – When you receive a practical gift, I suggest that you always try the item before coming to the conclusion that you don’t like it or need it. Remember that the giver gave it to you for a reason – she thought you would like it – and so you may. Who knows, you may add it to your daily routine, for instance!

T H E A RT O F G I F T- G I V I N G A N D G R AC I O U S N E S S by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE erinlove@panachebyerin.com

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nfortunately, we tend to think of giftgiving and social graciousness mostly during the holiday season, but both should be year-round sentiments. After all, we give gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, new babies, and sometimes we give gifts “just because.” I try to do the latter as much as possible, as you never know when you will make someone’s day! Plus, it is FUN to give gifts! Bringing joy to another person brings the giftgiver joy, as well. And, kind social behavior should always be in season! Graciousness is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding; the state or quality of having a pleasant or agreeable manner in socializing with others. “ Many think that graciousness just means saying “thank you,” but it goes much deeper than that. “Graciousness” means knowing and displaying proper manners and etiquette while having a soft and kind demeanor. So, now that we are upon one of the biggest giftgiving seasons of the year, it is time to polish up on the art of gift-giving and graciousness!

AS THE GIFT-GIVER – Be creative with your giving! You may want to give experiences, instead of an actual item, for instance. The gift of an experience is most likely going to be more memorable than a bottle of wine! Here are some ideas for giving experiences: • A cooking class • Tickets to the theater

• A special meal or date night • A trip to the best ice cream place in town • The Escape Room • Yoga classes

• A wine tasting • Dance lessons • Family movie night in a box • A veggie garden in a box

I could keep on going with this, but you get the idea. Think outside of the box (pun intended). AS THE RECEIVER – Truly enjoy the experience that you are given. Make sure to plan it for a time when you can get the most from it, and then be sure to call the giver to display proper graciousness for the experience. A phone call is best followed by a handwritten note. Experiences are to be remembered and should be truly treasured. AS THE GIFT-GIVER – Take care in wrapping your gift. It is so much easier to throw the present in a bag and call it a day, but the truly gracious giver will take time and care to wrap a gift with impeccable precision. However, this is something that takes practice. Get on YouTube and watch a few DIY videos on how best to wrap a present. Who knows, it could turn into a side gig! AS THE RECEIVER – Unwrap the gift with excitement, yet with care. It shows that you are cognizant of the time it took to wrap the gift and you may be able to reuse parts of the wrapping for your gift-giving opportunities. The successful gift is one that is an act of love. It should make the recipient feel pampered, loved, and admired. The most important thing is not what is given, it is how it is given. When you take the time to “research” what the receiver may want, you show grace and love.

Speaking of “grace,” I wanted to end this article by giving you some characteristics of someone who is considered “gracious.” I hope you can check all these boxes!

C H A R AC T E R I S T I C S O F A G R AC I O U S P E R S O N

o u s h o w c o n s i d e r a t i o n fo r o t h e r p e o p l e Y a n d t h e i r fe e l i n g s . T h i s a c t i o n d o e s n o t just apply to those that you are close t o a n d /o r a r e fa m i l y m e m b e r s . T h e g r a c i o u s p e r s o n s h o w s c o n s i d e r a t i o n fo r A L L L I V I N G B E I N G S ( i n c l u d i n g a n i m a l s) .

o u a r e h u m b l e . Yo u d o n o t b r a g o r Y a c t l i ke y o u a r e b e t t e r t h a n s o m e o n e b e c a u s e o f t h e i r s e x , r a c e , p r o fe s s i o n a l l ev e l , o r b a n k a c c o u n t .

ou can empathize, not just sympathize. Y D o y o u k n o w t h e d i f fe r e n c e ? W h e n y o u s y m p a t h i z e y o u S H A R E t h e p e r s o n’s fe e l i n g s , b u t w h e n y o u e m p a t h i z e y o u U N D E R S TA N D t h e i r fe e l i n g s . T h e r e r e a l l y i s a b i g d i f fe r e n c e . T h e g r a c i o u s p e r s o n empathizes.

ou are thoughtful. When someone is in Y n e e d , y o u h e l p , fo r i n s t a n c e . O r w h e n someone is down, you try to lift their spirits.

Y o u a r e w e l c o m i n g . Yo u i m m e d i a t e l y put others at ease when they enter your home or business.

ou are grateful. When someone does Y s o m e t h i n g n i c e fo r y o u , y o u s h o w t h e m the appropriate thanks they deserve. Yo u a r e g r a t e f u l fo r w h a t y o u h a v e a n d do not covet what someone else has.

o u a r e p o i s e d a n d m a n n e r l y. Yo u c a r r y Y yourself with conf idence and know proper etiquette.

Times are tough right now, yet we ALL have the capacity to show each other goodness and graciousness. Let’s wield that power and make a change.

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OUTSIDE INFLUENCES

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he unassuming splendor of nature, wildlife and outdoor objects can help you create your own sanctuary. When

you forget the rules and follow your heart instead, there

is a harmony that can be felt. Using God’s creation and

celebrating all aspects of nature can successfully be implemented

in any home. The result is an appreciation of the wonders of this world that can truly be a signature to your personal spaces. Art has

many definitions. The art in nature is unmatched and unlike no

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other. Embrace these gifts and pave the way for a welcoming and comforting mix.

1. A variety of naturally shed tortoise and turtle shells display one of the ultimate showings of God’s detailed brush strokes. Not one alike, each a masterpiece in its own right. 2. A vintage softly dotted deer skin is a perfect accent tucked behind the pillows of a cream love seat. 3. An antique pair of painted wooden rams provides shape, texture and interest. Accent your sculptures and busts with decorative neckpieces and bits of fabric. 4. Aged concrete architectural pieces provide such beautiful accents. Intricately curved corner pieces can nestle books or an oversized candle. 5. Covering just the top part of the ottoman, a vintage zebra hide is expertly tucked and held by brass nail heads. The basket weave fabric on the bottom is cleanly pleated to finish the look.

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FOR YOUR OWN FRENCH TWIST CONSULTATION, CALL CATHI AND LORI AT 318-355-3041

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College Readiness

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BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA

requirements, as well as end-of-course exams oday, a majority of high school to help ensure course quality graduates aspire to earn a Vanessa Williams is a licensed college degree, and yet only professional counselor in Arkansas. 68% of them immediately She currently works as the Director of enroll in a two- or four-year Counseling, Disability Support Services, postsecondary institution after completing and Title IX Coordinator at South Arkansas high school. Even among students who do Community College in El enroll in college only about Dorado, Arkansas. Vanessa 60% of students at fouris a graduate of Southern year institutions complete a Arkansas University, where bachelor’s degree within six she received both a bachelor’s years of initially enrolling, of arts in sociology, minoring and degree completion rates in criminal justice and a master at two-year institutions are of science degree in counseling. even lower. Results from She is a doctoral candidate standardized test scores that at Walden University in the are aligned to college readiness field of public administration. standards assist in identifying VANESSA WILLIAMS Vanessa has worked in many the gaps that exist between settings, including emergency the knowledge and skills youth shelters, community corrections, students have acquired in high school and outpatient, intensive outpatient, inpatient, those that are needed to be successful in and residential facilities. She has helped college. Students may lack the academic students deal with personal challenges while behaviors and goals that are needed to pursuing higher education for the past five succeed in college. States, districts, and years. She is passionate about ensuring schools are looking for solutions to help students have the support they need and improve the college and career readiness equitable opportunities to pursue their of their high school graduates. Many states educational goals. are also adopting more rigorous graduation 218 DECEMBER 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Q: What is the most important thing parents and youth can do to prepare college? A: One of the most important things parents and youth can do to prepare for college is to set college as a goal at a very young age. Having college as a goal will help both parents and their children center their choices around this long-term goal. Appropriate steps include making sure children and parents build vital relationships with mentors and peers. Building healthy relationships can be accomplished through extra-curricular and volunteer activities at school or community organizations. These relationships ensure that students have multiple sources of positive influences who can help teach children how to persevere, positively deal with failure, and model how professionals behave. Students have numerous examples of how to behave appropriately in different settings and gain exposure to different environments they may not be exposed to if only relying on parents. Counselors can work with parents and children to ensure that children enroll in the right classes, receive help and encouragement when needed, and start early on admissions preparation, including volunteer activities and leadership opportunities.

Q: What are some factors that contribute to children being prepared for college? A: Some factors contributing to college-readiness include completing financial aid applications, competing for scholarships, and preparing and completing admissions exams. Students who have disabilities should also meet as soon as possible with the college disability support office to learn of accommodations that may be available to them in college. Students need an opportunity to meet college graduates and visit college campuses to get an idea of what college campuses are like. Some colleges may be too large, and some may be ill-equipped to meet student needs. For example, some students may want a smaller campus with smaller classes. Others may want to attend large campuses with multiple resources and student life opportunities. That’s not to say that smaller campuses do not have these resources or opportunities, but students and parents should evaluate several aspects of prospective colleges to ensure the best fit. Finally, to the extent possible, students should participate in various activities to practice soft skills such as proper etiquette in different situations, getting along with others, expressing themselves appropriately, and working well with others. These skills can help students adjust well once beginning their college careers. My family helped prepare me by allowing me to participate in summer programming for secondary students on college campuses, allowing me to tour college campuses, and talking with me and holding me accountable from a very young age regarding behavioral and academic expectations.

their knowledge whenever possible. Many students begin college and do not know how to study or take notes, and students must discover their learning styles and study accordingly. It is often not enough to memorize material, but one must know how to apply the material learned. Students would greatly benefit from using a planner, especially an electronic one that can send reminders of due dates or a task manager to manage projects or break up large assignments into manageable parts.

Q: Is there something that my child can do now to begin preparing? A: Students need to take their classes seriously and do their very best. Asking for help often and early is essential. Students will need to practice advocating for themselves because they may need to do so when they begin their college journeys. Students also need to explore career options and try to find things that both interest them and challenge them so they can reduce the need to change majors multiple times. Not having to change majors can reduce the time in school and the expense of college. Many free online career interest surveys will help students determine a career choice. Students can also job shadow to get an idea of which professions best fit their interests and abilities.

The Khan Academy® (https://www.khanacademy.org/sat) is full of practice questions, video lessons, and interactive modules that provide helpful feedback as you study for the SAT. Better yet, you may earn a scholarship simply by using the Academy!

“Among students who do enroll in college, only about 60% of students at fouryear institutions complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of initially enrolling.”

Q: Are there skills my child can begin working on to help prepare for college? A: Students need to learn how to manage their time. Once in college, due dates are not flexible, and parents will not be there to make sure the students attend classes. Students need to learn how to be responsible through practice, and this practice should begin early. Students also need to master communication skills and attention to detail. Much communication takes place via email or through a learning management system, and this communication should be professional. Students should also learn different study skills and practice applying

Q: Why is it important for parents to talk to their children about college readiness? A: One important reason to talk to children about college readiness is so that children understand that college means work. Among students who do enroll in college, only about 60% of students at four-year institutions complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of initially enrolling. Many aspects of college life are fun and can be distracting. Students need to manage their time wisely and prioritize their activities to avoid hampering their educational progress. Students must also realize that consequences stick. Some mistakes may cost a student a scholarship, an admissions decision, or a long delay in degree completion. A parent may not be able to make the results of poor choices disappear for the student. Not keeping grades up could jeopardize the ability to obtain financial aid. The great news is that colleges have many resources to help students who have difficulty adjusting or with situational challenges, including tutoring, counseling, advisors, career services, and disability support services. Students need to be honest in their self-reflection and actions and ask for assistance often and early to keep focused on earning their college degrees.

RESOURCES The Khan Academy

ACT, Inc.

ACT, Inc. has created a comprehensive study guide with tips for how to do your best on the ACT. The guide even comes with another set of practice questions. The guide can be found at (https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/ unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf).

Jan Daniels, Youth Development Director at the Children’s Coalition, works with middle schools in northeast Louisiana to provide the suicide prevention program Signs of Suicide (SOS) and the abstinence-plus program Rights, Respect and Responsibility. Call Jan at (318) 323-8775 or go to www.childrenscoalition.org to learn more about how you can get these programs at your child’s school. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2020 219

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The HUB

Buttermilk waffles with crispy fried chicken, topped with whipped cream and mouth-watering maple syrup

The Platter

Platter with waffles, bacon, pastries, eggs, croissant with chicken salad, cheese, fresh fruit and crackers

Cake

These culinary confections are cinnamon roll cakies topped with icing

There's not a day more magical than Christmas morning. After the kids have opened their presents and mom and dad have had their cup of coffee, it's time to settle down to a late-morning meal. These favorite brunch dishes from local restaurants will make your mornings merry and bright. Styling by Taylor Bennett and photography by Kelly Moore Clark

Chicken Salad Chick

Freshly-made pimento cheese ball coated in crushed pecans and crispy bacon

Cake

Hot chocolate cheesecake cubies topped with marshmallow icing and chocolate swirl

Eat, drink and be merry this holiday season.

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Eat, drink and be merry. These savory dishes are a perfect way to start Christmas Day. From a classic casserole to warm, flaky pastries, these dishes are the key to keeping thing magical this holiday season. Thurman’s Food Factory This holiday brunch casserole features bread, sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, sautéed vegetables, cheeses and seasonings

CC’s Coffeehouse

A flaky spinach and feta croissant is paired with a seasonal pastry featuring delicious maple and pecans

Fiesta Nutrition Center

Miro’s

Butterfly Pea Flower tea is delicious herbal drink that is good for reducing anxiety and a fun base for colorful tea cocktails

Classic Louisiana barbecue shrimp and grits with gulf shrimp and served with French bread

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Trio’s Ruston

French toast topped with Banana Foster, sweet New Orleans sauce, fresh whipped cream and granola

Newk’s Eatery

Succulent peeled shrimp, complete with cocktail sauce, Newk’s signature white BBQ sauce, remoulade dressing and lemon slices

King Springs Water Introducing Ouachita Parish’s New Spring Water Provider

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ING SPRINGS IS OUACHITA PARISH’S NEW SPRING water provider. Bottled at the source our water is perfectly purified, PH balanced and it tastes great. The idea for King Springs came from our founder Terry D. King MD. Dr. King is a nationally renowned pediatric heart specialist, owner of Kingsland Ranch in West Monroe and no stranger to business in Northeast Louisiana. Kingsland Ranch is Dr. King’s prized possession, and he wants it to be a legacy for him for generations to come. “I want Kingsland Ranch to be a property that my grandchildren and their grandchildren inherit and tend” Dr. King often says. Kingsland Ranch is a 868 acre property located in the hills of southwest Ouachita Parish. Natural springs are all over the property and crystal-clear water flows from the ground, cold to the touch. Clear spring water in Northeast Louisiana is not a common occurrence so Kingsland Ranch identified 3 springs located at the back of a 300 acre hay meadow, they researched the long term availability and lab tested the quality of the spring water source. The testing for the water came back with excellent results, the water was identified as very pure and as an excellent long-term source of drinking water. Over the past few years King Springs worked with the University of Louisiana at Monroe, environmental experts, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, numerous geologists and professional well drillers to cultivate a water source worthy of bearing the King family name. All King Springs water goes thru a 3-step purification process to ensure that you have the same refreshing taste in every bottle. King Springs also invested heavily in their bottling equipment, every bottle is blown in house using high pressure heat and air. From there the bottles are automatically rinsed and filled in a enclosed machine to fully ensure product quality. Each bottle is laser coded with its date of production to guarantee the freshness of our product, so you will always know the exact day your King Springs Water bottle was produced. King Springs has entered into a distribution partnership with Marsala Beverage, so not only will you be able to find it at most of your NELA stores, but if you’d like to stock King Springs at your business or restaurant it’s just a phone call away. “Marsala was the perfect partner for this endeavor” Terry King stated. Marsala Beverage is headquartered

in Monroe, LA. They employ over 100 individuals that inventory, sell, deliver, and market their brands to over 800 licensed retailers. Marsala Beverage is proud to be locally owned and operated and is very excited with their partnership with King Springs and the King Family. King Springs also produces five and three gallon dispenser bottles. For information on pickup or home and office delivery, you can contact King Springs via their website or at 318-396-1047. They hope to be the top choice for office delivery in North Louisiana. King Springs is also committed to conserving North Louisiana’s natural beauty. Their facility recycles every possible component of the production process and they encourage the public to always recycle their King Springs bottles and any other recyclable waste from their homes. Any wastewater produced is used for irrigation of the meadows surrounding the water plant. King Springs commitment to Louisiana’s most precious resource, its environment, will always be built into the foundation of their business model. King Springs was assisted in this endeavor by ULM, as they helped King Springs with budget development, water testing, marketing analysis and the extensive regulation processes that go into opening such a detailed production facility. King Springs plans to continue their collaboration with ULM as an avenue for students to get first hand experience in production, environmental / lab studies, and marketing thru internship programs. King Springs hopes to be your go-to water, whether you are on the go and find us at a convenience store or purchasing water for the whole family at your local grocery, King Springs is your clear choice. Locally, Marsala Beverage employs about 100 full-time employees. Marsala Beverage, LP is the largest malt beverage, wine/spirits and non-alcoholic distributor in Northeast Louisiana. Their success is based on the fact that they never lose sight of delivering what is really important – quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for our customers’ needs. Annually, they deliver over 2.4 million cases of beverages to over 700 retail accounts. Please find us at www.marsalabeverage.com or follow us on social media: Facebook: Marsala Beverage Twitter: @marsalabeverage1 Instagram: @marsalabeverage

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artwork by Jay Davis

Eric Siereveld Quartet

ARTvent

A Fun New COVID Safe Way to Support the Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana

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TARTING DECEMBER 1ST FOR A TOTAL OF 12 consecutive days, the Arts council will be drawing for prize packages to be given away to lucky winners. A limited number of tickets to enter are just $50 each and give you a chance to win every day plus a chance at the Grand Prize! COVID-19 has forced many organizations to re-invent their approach to funding their mission. With the cancellation of both Blend of the Bayou in May and North Delta Food & Wine Festival this fall, the Arts Council has realized a significant reduction in income. The Arts Council created this COVID safe way to give everyone a chance to support the arts AND win unique and exciting prizes. Listed in the order they will be given away, the prize packages are: DECEMBER 1: Holiday Dinner including a turkey from Cormiers/ Ham, 2 sides, deserts, rolls from Thurman’s, a Mac’s Fresh Market Gift Card, and wine from Tiger Market…Value $440. DECEMBER 2: 1 framed Monroe Skyline Print by Courtney Wetzel, 1 Kerry Kilpatrick Inca Designed necklace…Value $570. DECEMBER 3: 1 pet package of a bed, collars, leash, feeding bowls, toys, blanket set, pooper scooper w/bags, pet play pen & dog inspired wine glass w/wine; 1 gift card to Sit, Stay & Play; 1 gift card to Animal House; 1 custom pet portrait by Victoria Smith Amos; pet grooming by Doggy Style Grooming; pet odor removal by Carpet Care Cleaning & Restoration...Value $600 DECEMBER 4: 1 night stay at Hamilton House Inn with gifts cards to Spa Bella, Sadie C’s, Eleven 26, Spice & Tea Exchange and Cotton Port Antiques; 1 Gretchen Pettis Interlude Antique Jewelry Gift Certificate; 1 9X6 painting with 2 bold confetti stemless champagne flutes by Sallie Bynum Anzelmo…Value $655 DECEMBER 5: 2 night stay at the beautiful Bayou Long Beard AirBnB on Bayou Desiard; Fiesta Nutrition welcome basket; paddle board or kayak rental…Value $730 DECEMBER 6: Set of 4 bourbon/scotch glasses with a set of stones; 1 bottle of bourbon, 1 bottle of scotch, 4 imported cigars and 1 poker chip rack; 1 limited edition Jay Davis print; Sandra Fontenot Estates Jewelry…Value $775 DECEMBER 7: Two nights at the Maison Madeleine B&B; private cooking class for 2; Duc In Altum kayak tour for 2…Value $870 DECEMBER 8: Dinner for 6 at Chef Cory Bahr’s Parish Restaurant; Flying Tiger Brewery private tour and tasting…Value $950

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DECEMBER 9: One original Catherine Cookston Russell sketch of the winner’s home; 1 Sani-Clean gift card; 1 Woodstock gift card; 1 signed copy of The Modern Mix by Eddie Ross; 1 Material Things gift card; 1 signed copy of The Art of Place-Lee Ledbetter Architecture and Interiors; 1 home design consultation by Taylor Bennett Creative… Value $965 DECEMBER 10: Tapas plates by Chef Clélie Stone in the Biedenharn Gardens; private concert by the Eric Siereveld Quartet; family scape or bird painting by Leah Reitzell…Value $1000 DECEMBER 11: One solo or family fine portrait studio experience by Amanda Myree Photography at The Parlor House-includes one studio sitting, professional hair and makeup for one and digital gallery; 1 Kelly Moore bag; 1 gift package from Rain The Salon…Value $1080 DECEMBER 12: Two night stay at Cazan Lake Lodge for up to 14 people – must be during the March to May “Nesting Season”; 1 guided Bird Photography Tour with Janenne Declouet for 2 (additional people from the trip can join in the guided tour at an additional fee); 2 adult and 2 youth Mr. P’s Tees (winner‘s design choice-expires 1/31/2021); 1 TP Outdoors gift card…Value $1,994 GRAND PRIZE DRAWING: Perdido Beach Getaway: 7 night stay at a beautiful & luxurious 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo at the Indigo Resort in Perdido Key (based on availability); Old Paia Sunset painting by Amanda Johnson; 2 Andrea May Hinton 30oz travel mugs…Value $4070. Tickets are currently on sale and available on-line at www.nelaarts. org/artvent as well as from any Arts Council board member or through the Arts Council office. A full list of daily prizes, donors and sponsors can be found on the Arts Council website as well. You must be 21 or older to participate. This is all possible through our generous prize donors and Day Sponsors who are listed in our ad on the facing page. Don’t miss out on your chance to win one of these fabulous prize packages and the Grand Prize. Tickets available on-line through noon December 12. All daily drawings will take place via Facebook Live at 2:00pm. Winners will be contacted immediately following each days drawing. Proceeds from the raffle benefit the Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana, its programs and services.

TICKETS: $50 nelaarts.org/artvent Arts Council Office | 397.6754 Drawings take place

DECEMBER 1ST - 12TH

THANK YOU TO OUR PRIZE DONORS:

June Cooper | Victoria Smith Amos | Doggy Style Grooming | Sit, Stay, and Play | The Animal House | Thurman’s Food Factory | Cormier’s Mac’s Fresh Market | Tiger Market | Bayou Long Beard AirBnB | Jay Davis | Hamilton House Inn | Adrienne LaFrance-Wells Interlude Antiques by Gretchen Pettis | Sallie Bynum Anzelmo | Catherine Cookston Russell | Sani-Clean | Woodstock | Eddie Ross Material Things | Lee Ledbetter | Cazan Lake Lodge | Janenne Declouet | Mr. P’s Tees by Lissy Compton | Maison Madeleine B&B Duc In Altum | Parish Restaurant | Flying Tiger Brewery | Chef Clélie Stone | Eric Siereveld | Leah Reitzell | Kelly Moore Bag Rain the Salon | BayouLife Magazine | Amanda Myree Photography | Courtney Wetzell | Inca Designs by Kerry Kilpatrick Amanda Johnson | Amy Keifenheim | Evelyn and Jeff Johnson | Brandi B. Cole | Victor Crusan | Sandra Fontenot Estates Taylor Bennett Creative | Fiesta Nutrition | T P Outdoors | Carpet Care Cleaning and Restoration

AND TO OUR DAY SPONSORS

Vickie & Bill Krutzer

nelaarts.org | Northeast Louisiana Arts Council License #0010020

One Foot in Front of the Other Are you a Candidate for Ankle Replacement or Ankle Fusion? BY STEPHEN COX, MD

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OUR FEET AND ANKLES BEAR THE BRUNT OF YOUR entire body weight… they allow you to walk and dance and they are amazing option to get you from one place to another. Over time, osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis that results with age), post traumatic arthritis (arthritis from past injury of the joint) and/or rheumatoid arthritis ( a system-wide arthritis that affects your joints) can cause pain, inflammation and stiffness that can make walking difficult. Your mind may be saying let’s get up and go, but your joints are saying something completely different. Most of my patients initially come to see me because foot and ankle pain has begun to interrupt their daily activities. After an evaluation, we begin to talk about options. If the patient has mild to moderate arthritis, it is best to initially consider nonsurgical options: • Special shoe and foot inserts • Pain and anti-inflammatory medications • Physical therapy • Corticosteroid injections If pain persists after conservative treatments, it may be time to consider surgical options. If the arthritis has not progressed severely, arthroscopic debridement maybe be a choice. If the arthritis is severe, end-stage, then it may be time to consider ankle fusion or ankle replacement. All the choices have risks and benefits. Before considering any of these options, it’s important that I have an honest conversation with my patient about their expectations following surgery, while considering their lifestyle, age, health and current activity level. So, let’s talk about ankle replacement versus ankle fusion. ANKLE REPLACEMENT: Ankle replacement (ankle arthroplasty) surgery is the replacement of the ankle joint with an artificial implant that is made of metal and a high performing plastic. Th ankle joint (tibiotalar joint) is where your shinbone (tibia) rests on top of the foot, the talus. As arthritis progresses, the smooth cartilage on the surface of your bones can wear away. You may be told you are “bone on bone.” Ankle replacement requires the bone to grow into the artificial joint, so that the new joint can work properly. If this does not take place, complications could incur that include ankle weakness, stiffness and instability. Following ankle replacement, patients typically will regain a greater range of motion and

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are able to return their active lifestyles quickly. On average, the patient will wear a cast and be non-weight bearing for three to six weeks to be followed by physical therapy. Recent studies show that the artificial ankle prothesis has a lifespan of 10+ years. The recovery period for ankle replacement is typically shorter than it is for ankle fusion. Ankle replacement is most often considered when patients want to continue their active lifestyles and are typically over age 50 and in overall good health without compromising comorbidities. ANKLE FUSION Ankle fusion (arthrodesis) is more common than ankle replacement. Ankle fusion involves cleaning out the worn-out ankle joint and fusing bones together with screws, plates and bone grafts. During the healing process, the bones fuse into one combined bone. Ankle fusion is successful with relieving ankle pain due to arthritis, but it does reduce the ankle joint’s ability to move causing other joints to compensate to allow for movement. The stress on the other joints can eventually result in arthritis in those joints. Following an ankle fusion, patients spend 1012 weeks in a cast, but because the ankle joint is “locked” into place, physical therapy is rarely part of the recovery process. Ankle fusion is most often considered when patients want to be done with their ankle pain or for those in which total ankle replacement is not an option: those who are overweight, have a condition that has resulted in nerve damage, paralysis, a history of infection, diabetes or avascular necrosis. Some patients who have ankle fusion may be candidates for ankle replacement surgery to restore motion and function. When determining what option is best for you, it is best to weigh the pros and cons with your orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. Not every procedure is best suited for every patient. After a careful review of your overall health, age and activity level, you can make a joint decision on whether ankle replacement or ankle fusion is the best and healthiest choice for you. My partners and I want to wish you a healthy and joyous Christmas. Home for the Holidays has an all new meaning this year… make the most of it! Stephen Cox. MD is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Cox has clinics in Shreveport and Bossier City. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Cox, please call or visit Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana: 866.759.9679 or orthopedicspecialists.la

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Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com November 11-December 31 Holiday Lights in Monroe-West Monroe Get in the Christmas spirit and check out all the magical lights in Monroe-West Monroe! The Freedom Trees will be lit on November 11th with other displays around MonroeWest Monroe turning on November 21st. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe DeSiard and Trenton Streets, Monroe and West Monroe Cost: Free November 21-December 23 Santa's Christmas Village Santa’s Christmas Village includes cookie decorating, visits with Santa, a model train village, make-and-take holiday ornaments, snow shows, festive light displays, photo ops, and more! Please visit http://nelcm.org/ to purchase tickets in advance. Venue: Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum 323 Walnut Street, Monroe Hours: November 28: 10:00 AM 7:30 PM, November 29: 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Fridays in December: 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Saturdays in December: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM, Sundays in December: 1:00 PM 5:30 PM. Phone: 318-361-9611 November 28-Dec. 19 Downtown Carriage Rides Experience magical carriage rides through the decorated streets of Downtown Ruston this holiday season! Venue: Historic Fire Station 200 E. Mississippi Ave. Ruston Hours: Fridays & Saturdays, 6 PM-10 PM Cost: Kids- $5, Adults- $10 Phone: 318-251-8647 December 1 City of West Monroe Christmas Tree Lighting The City of West Monroe's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be December 1st at 6:00 PM.

Venue: West Monroe City Hall 2305 N. 7th Street, West Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM December 3 December Downtown Gallery Crawl Don't miss out on the December Downtown Gallery Crawl on Dec. 3rd. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe DeSiard and Trenton Streets, Monroe and West Monroe Holiday Open House Join Parterre Home and Garden to find unique items for your home and outdoor space, as well as great gift options for everyone on your list. Venue: Parterre Home: 1821 Avenue of America, Monroe Parterre Garden 813 Park Ave, Monroe Hours: 10:00-5:00 Christmas Open House Material Things is hosting their annual Christmas Open Souse. Be sure to stop by and shop local this holiday season. Special guest, Interlude Antiques, will also be there. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks from The Warehouse will be provided with music by Rod Allen Payne as entertainment. Venue: Material Things 2305 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe Hours: 4 PM - 8 PM Virtual Cooking School by Health with Hope Join the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana for a Virtual Cooking School event. Learn to prepare three festive and simple holiday recipes with dietitian and culinarian Hope Fruge' in this virtual cooking class. Recipes and ingredients list will be emailed out in advance so you can cook along with Hope if you like, or prepare the recipes later. Link to live video will be sent out with recipes! 100% of proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. Tickets: atfoodbanknela.salsalabs. org/virtualcookingschool Hours: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-322-3567

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December 3-5 Lincoln Lights Up the Pines Enjoy Ruston’s premier drivethru Christmas lights display at the beautiful Lincoln Parish Park from the comfort and warmth of your vehicle. Venue: Lincoln Parish Park 211 Parish Park Rd, Ruston Hours: 5:30 PM -10PM Cost: $10 per vehicle/ $20 per bus Phone: 318-255-2031 December 3-6 A Christmas Carol Strauss Theatre Center presents Charles Dickens timeless family classic, A Christmas Carol, on December 3rd-6th. Miserly moneylender Ebeneezer Scrooge learns lessons in love, generosity, and redemption when he is visited by a host of spirits on Christmas Eve. Filled with magic, ghosts, and holiday cheer, Strauss Theatre's production of Charles Dickens; heartwarming Victorian classic features young artists from Geneva Academy and Philip Brooks as Scrooge. Directed by Matt Wilkins Tickets are available online - www.strausstc.com or you can call 318-323-6681 to reserve your tickets. Venue: Strauss Theatre Center 1300 Lamy Lane, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM, December 6: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM Cost: $30, $15 per student (up to college age) Phone: 318-323-6681 December 4 Steven Curtis Chapman's Acoustic Christmas Steven Curtis Chapman is bringing his Acoustic Christmas Tour to First West - West Monroe Campus on December 4th! Don't miss out on a night of celebration and Christmas cheer as Steven sings beloved favorites and new takes on Christmas classics. Venue: First West 500 Pine Street, West Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM Phone: 318-322-5104

Winnsboro-Franklin Parish Christmas Parade Join us for the WinnsboroFranklin Parish Chamber of Commerce and Franklin Parish Tourism’s annual Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4th from 6-8 p.m. with SANTA in attendance! Fireworks will follow the parade, beginning at 8PM. December 4-5 Open Wagon Rides Through the Lights Landry Vineyards is once again providing its wonderful wagon so everyone can take a ride through the festive lights in Monroe and West Monroe. The 30-minute rides begin at 5 PM on weekend nights beginning Nov 28th. The ride begins at Alley Park. Rides are $5 per person. Venue: Alley Park 200 Natchitoches, West Monroe Hours: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: $5 per person December 5 Christmas on the River 5K Join Downtown West Monroe as they begin the Christmas on The River Festival. Race begins at 8:30am. The 5K loop runs through downtown West Monroe and along the River. Venue: Antique Alley 100-400 blocks of Trenton Street, West Monroe Holly Jolly Whoville Take the whole family on a stroll through Whoville to meet the Grump, Max and many more characters from TCB’s “Where Are You Christmas?” On your journey to find the true meaning of Christmas, you’ll enjoy many stops along the way including Max’s Grocery Store where you’ll make your own reindeer food, write a letter to Santa in the Post Office, make crafts throughout the city and so much more! Your last stop brings you to a matinée performance of “Where Are You Christmas?” in the Civic Center Theatre. Professional pictures with Santa will be available by Samuel Bourland. Visit twincityballet.org for

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tickets and more information! Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Hours: 9:00 AM Cost: $15 Phone: 318-329-2225 Federico Christmas Baseball Camp Don't miss out on the Federico Christmas Baseball Camp for ages 5-12 years old. Lunch will be provided. Venue: University Park 4709 Bon Aire Drive, Monroe Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Cost: $75 Phone: 318-342-5305 Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade Parade like no other! You'll enjoy floats with fun-loving redneck themes and throws that range from beads to toys to other surprises! Parade starts at 10:00 AM. Venue: Starts at Riser Junior High, 100 Price Drive, West Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM Cost: Free Phone: 318-388-5858 Twin City Ballet - "Where Are You Christmas?" Join Twin City Ballet on their 51st Anniversary, with the colorful Christmas production of ‘Where Are You Christmas?’ In Act I, watch as a man’s stone cold heart turns from Ho-Hum to Hallelujah! With the help of all the townspeople, a little magic and a man’s best friend! In Act II, Peace on Earth, celebrate the true gift of Christmas, as you enjoy this beautifully choreographed piece by Leaia Alsup. Visit twincityballet.org for ticket information. Venue: Jack Howard Theater 401 Lea Joyner Expy,, Monroe Hours: 1:00 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-329-2225 Kiwanis Christmas in Paradise Parade Don't miss out on the Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade! This years theme is Christmas in Paradise! Download registration info below. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe DeSiard and Trenton Streets Hours: 3:30 PM Cost: Free

Monroe-West Monroe Christmas Fireworks Don't miss out the Christmas Fireworks in Monroe-West Monroe! Best viewed from either downtown Monroe or West Monroe, the fireworks will be shot from the Endom Bridge. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe DeSiard and Trenton Streets, Monroe and West Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM Festival of Trees Make plans to attend Twin City Ballet's annual Festival of Trees, featuring beautifully decorated trees of all sizes and more! Wander through Whoville, and enjoy preperformance refreshments while browsing designer Christmas trees and special mystery boxes. Purchase Chinese raffle tickets for your chance to win one of their gorgeous full-size trees. Admission is free. Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Hours: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2225 Twin City Ballet Gala Join Twin City Ballet on their 51st Anniversary, with the colorful Christmas production of ‘Where Are You Christmas?’ In Act I, watch as a man’s stone cold heart turns from Ho-Hum to Hallelujah! With the help of all the townspeople, a little magic and a man’s best friend! In Act II, Peace on Earth, celebrate the true gift of Christmas, as you enjoy this beautifully choreographed piece by Leaia Alsup. Your soul and spirit will surely be filled with peace, love and joy. Visit twincityballet.org for ticket information. Venue: Jack Howard Theater 401 Lea Joyner Expy,, Monroe Hours: 7:30 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-329-2225 Ruston Farmers Market Shop, eat and support local at the Ruston Farmers Market. Choose from a wide selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, and other locally produced goods. Venue: Ruston Farmers Market 220 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston Hours: 9 AM – 1 PM

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Cost: Free to attend Phone: 318-957-1305 December 5-6 Holiday Hoedown 2: Christmas Around the Campfire Join Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts for their performance of Holiday Hoedown 2: Christmas Around the Campfire! Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Hours: Saturday: 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM, Sunday: 2:00 PM Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for students, Children under 3 free Phone: 318-396-4016 December 11-12 Open Wagon Rides Through the Lights Landry Vineyards is once again providing its wonderful wagon so everyone can take a ride through the festive lights in Monroe and West Monroe. The 30-minute rides begin at 5 PM on weekend nights beginning Nov 28rg. The ride begins at Alley Park. Rides are $5 per person. Venue: Alley Park 200 Natchitoches, West Monroe Hours: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: $5 per person December 11-13 Big Creek Trade Days Big Creek Trade Days are held monthly on the weekend before the second Monday with over 100 indoor and outdoor vendors, food trucks, and fun for all ages! Venue: 327 California Plant Rd, Dubach, LA Hours: Friday & Saturday 9AM-5PM, Sunday 10 AM-4 PM Cost: $5 per vehicle for the weekend Phone- 318-680-1304 December 12 Louisiana Delta Ballet - A Cajun Nutcracker Don't miss out on a performance of A Cajun Nutcracker on December 12! Jack Howard Theater Venue: 401 Lea Joyner Expy,, Monroe Hours: 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM Phone: 318-329-2225 Lil' Hawks Holiday Camp Don't miss out on the Lil' Hawks Holiday Camp on December 12! Ages 5 Years to 6th Grade. Lunch will be provided. Venue: University Park 4709 Bon Aire Drive, Monroe

Dates: 12/12/2020 - 12/12/2020 Cost: $80 Phone: 318-342-5305 An Artisan Christmas Downtown West Monroe presents An Artisan Christmas: Market, Music, and Holiday Outdoor Movie on December 12! Don't miss out on an Artisan Market with music in Alley Park from 11:00 AM 3:00 PM. Stay around for a holiday outdoor movie in Alley Park at 5:30 PM! Venue: Downtown West Monroe Trenton St., West Monroe Hours: 11:00 AM Cost: Free Ruston Farmers Market Shop, eat and support local at the Ruston Farmers Market. Choose from a wide selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, and other locally produced goods. Venue: Ruston Farmers Market 220 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston Hours: 9 AM – 1 PM Cost: Free to attend Phone: 318-957-1305 Cookies with Santa Bring the entire family out to Esma’s Alley for cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa in magical Downtown Ruston! Venue: Esma’s Alley 112 E Park Ave, Ruston Hours: 10 AM- 12 PM Cost: Free to attend Phone: 318-251-8647 Cocoa and Carols with the LA Tech Choir Join the Louisiana Tech Choir in Railroad Park for the first ever Cocoa and Carols event. Sing along and enjoy free hot cocoa with your loyal Bulldogs. Venue: Railroad Park 101 W. Park Ave. Ruston Hours: 6 PM- 8 Pm Cost: Free to attend Phone: 318-251-8647 December 12-13 Holiday Hoedown 2: Christmas Around the Campfire Join Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts for their performance of Holiday Hoedown 2: Christmas Around the Campfire! Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe

Hours: Saturday: 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM, Sunday: 2:00 PM Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for students, Children under 3 free Phone: 318-396-4016 Chennault Gala Discover Monroe-West Monroe & Visitors Bureau and Louisiana Seafood present the second annual Chennault Gala! Join Chennault Aviation and Military Museum on December 12th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a special performance by the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra at the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum hangar. Get your tickets today at chennault.eventbrite. com. All across America, audiences have fallen in love with these two sophisticated Southern gentleman and the high-energy show that is Davis & Johnson Present the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra. The Delta Roux & Que food truck will be on site serving delicious food. The event will be broadcasted on Facebook on December 17th. Venue: Chennault Aviation and Military Museum 701 Kansas Lane, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Cost: $30 Phone: 318-362-5540 December 17 Sip and Shop 'til 7:00 Visit Haven, Palette House and Plume, Woodstock and The Muffin Tin for a 'Sip and Shop' on December 17th. These local participating stores have something for everyone on your list.

Venue: Haven, Palette House and Plume, Woodstock and The Muffin Tin. Hours: Until 7:00 PM Chennault Gala - Virtual Event Join Chennault Aviation and Military Museum for the second annual Chennault Gala featuring a performance by the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra! It is free to watch the program, but viewers are encouraged to give a donation at this link: http://bit.ly/chennault The performance will launch on Facebook Premier on the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum page. Due to the pandemic, this year's Gala is going virtual! The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will perform for a limited audience at the Chennault Aviation Park on Saturday, December 12th. The performance will be recorded and uploaded to Facebook for the public on December 17th. Join them for this unique, virtual USO Jubilee as they celebrate their 20th year of operation. Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Phone: 318-329-2225 December 18-19 Christmas at Kiroli Park Celebrate Christmas at Kiroli Park this holiday season with a walkthrough Christmas light display, hot cocoa, smores and holiday activities. Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Phone: 318-396-4016

December 18-20 Open Wagon Rides Through the Lights Landry Vineyards is once again providing its wonderful wagon so everyone can take a ride through the festive lights in Monroe and West Monroe. The 30-minute rides begin at 5 PM on weekend nights beginning Nov 28th. The ride begins at Alley Park. Rides are $5 per person. Venue: Alley Park 200 Natchitoches, West Monroe Hours: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: $5 per person

Venue: Ruston Farmers Market 220 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston, LA Hours: 9 AM – 1 PM Cost: Free to attend Phone: 318-957-1305

December 19 Jungle Bells presented by Guerriero and Guerriero Join the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo for a day full of Christmas fun! Venue: Louisiana Purchase Zoo 1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Phone: 318-329-2400

December 31-January 3 LQHA Sugar Bowl Classic The LQHA Sugar Bowl Classic will be held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center Dec. 31st - Jan. 3rd. The Louisiana Quarter Horse Association (LQHA), is a membership organization dedicated to the keeping, showing, and ownership of quarter horses in the state of Louisiana. Venue: Ike Hamilton Expo Center Arena 501 Mane Street, West Monroe Phone: 318-325-9160

Throwback Sweater Day in Downtown West Monroe Wear your favorite holiday vintage or ugly sweater while shopping with the Downtown West Monroe merchants! Venue: Downtown West Monroe Trenton St., West Monroe

December 21-22 Christmas at Kiroli Park Celebrate Christmas at Kiroli Park this holiday season with a walkthrough Christmas light display, hot cocoa, smores and holiday activities. Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Phone: 318-396-4016

Ruston Farmers Market Shop, eat and support local at the Ruston Farmers Market. Choose from a wide selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, and other locally produced goods.

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