the minute magazine oct nov dec 2010

1Encourage, Enlighten, & Inspire. OCT / NOV / DEC 2010

The Minute Mag’s Purpose:OCT / NOV / DEC 20102


this issue...JACKIE LEWIS & TIFFANY BYRAM

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this maga-zine may be copied or reproduced without permission. The

Minute Magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials. The editorial content of The Minute is prepared

in accordance with the highest standards of journalistic accuracy. Readers are cautioned, however, not to use any information from the magazine as a substitute for expert opinion, technical information or advice. The Minute

cannot be responsible for negligent acts, errors and omis-sions. The opinions expressed in The Minute are those of our writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher has the right to accept or reject

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INSIDE

Contributors:Donna Arender

Dorothy BowdenTiffany Byram

Elizabeth DrewettAnita Goodson

Enid HarveyLaura Horton

Sharon JacksonJackie Lewis

Wesley LewisMegan Lord

Jason McReynoldsJay Stanley

Margaret Tripp TimmonsPhillip Volentine

Galen White

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The cover shot is of Kylie Guthrie and Preston Lewis, taken in Minden’s beautiful

Academy Park. For more on this story, read the article about

Frugal Friend on page 22 in this issue.

9 For Good Memories by M. Timmons

10 Showdown in Ruston by Wesley Lewis

12 Most Memorable by D. Bowden

21 P. J.’S Point of View by P. J. Volentine

22 Frugal Friend by Jackie Lewis

24 Decorating Diva by Enid Harvey

25 The Journey by Jason McReynolds

26 Blueprint for Preservation by Megan Lord

35 The White Elephant by Galen White

36 Sugar, Spice and Football by Tiffany Byram

38 Hormonal Woman by Elizabeth Drewett

40 Body Boot Camp by Sharon Jackson

50 Jay Walking in New Orleans by Jay Stanley

54 Antique Junkie by Donna Arender

55 Weeder’s Digest by Anita Goodson

57 Embrace Life by Laura Horton


FOR GOOD MEMORIES, WE ARE THANKFUL

-------------“My Daddy isMagic”-------------

God gave us a very special Daddy. He was magic. There was nothing that he could not do… or so we kids thought.

We’ve seen him put a coin, a small ball, a button, or a marble in his mouth and retrieve it from his ear. To our amazement, he could even put the object back in his ear and take it out of his mouth again. He had a God given musical talent and could play just about any musical instrument that you could think of. He could make beautiful music by running his fiddle bow across an old hand saw as he bent the saw blade to and fro. We watched in amazement as he coaxed tunes out of our drinking glasses that he had filled with various amounts of water. Different melodies of our favorite songs surrounded us as we sat around the table and listened as he gently tapped on the tops of the glasses with one of our teaspoons. Since Dad was a pipe fitter by trade at the paper mill where he worked, he was often called upon to use an acetylene torch to help weld the joints of the pipe together. His coworkers would tell us of the times that Daddy entertained the men at work by “playing” the acetylene torch. His music filled the air and gave the

men a welcome reprise from their hectic workday. Since there were eight of us kids and money was short, Daddy would often make us toys. He would take an empty spool from some of Mama’s sewing thread, a rubber band, a used wooden matchstick, and a piece of Ivory soap. By using these things, he would fashion a little “go-toy” that would bring us hours of fun and entertainment. He also fashioned us a type of “whirly-gig” from a piece of strong thread and one of Mama’s large buttons that we took from her big button jar. As wonderful as all of these things were, I guess our all around favorite thing that we were mystified about was the way Daddy could “float” a little ping-pong ball in mid air. It still remains a mystery to us today as to how he could do such a thing. The best we can explain how he did it was as follows. He would lie down on the couch or in a big easy chair. Leaning way back in the chair or on the couch, he would lay the little ping-pong ball on his lips. Slowly, he would take a deep breath and begin to blow on the ball. Up it would go…

right into the air! It would float in mid air for what seemed like forever. We were amazed! It was wonderful! “Do it again, Daddy!” we begged. Up the ball would go again with no strings attached. Over and over he would patiently repeat the process until his eyes were bulging and his cheeks became cherry red. Come to think about it that may be about the time that he started to “swallow” the little ball and pull it out of his ear. I imagine that piece of magic came about because of the severe oxygen deprivation that he was experiencing about that time! We have often seen vacuum cleaners and other machines at stores that could keep a ball or other objects in the air. They are exactly that… machines! There may be other machines and magicians in the world who can do great feats of magic. But to us kids, we decided a long, long time ago that our Daddy was absolutely the greatest magician in the whole wide world.

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Showdown inRustonHow a gunfight changed a railroad town in 1898.

By Wesley Harris

The conventional view of Louisiana history invokes images of genteel Southern chivalry rather than the hurly-burly associated with the rough and tumble Old West. Yet Louisiana experienced wild and woolly times in the 19th century, requiring the services of lawmen like John Tom Sisemore. Although not a big man—he wore a size 4 shoe—Deputy U.S. Marshal Sisemore was tough and solidly built. His children would later remember townspeople referring to their father as “full of dynamite” and “the shortest six-foot fellar we ever saw.” In 1884, the town of Ruston rose from the red-clay hills when the railroad finally spanned north Louisiana. The Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad—or the “Very Slow and Pokey,” as it was known locally—replaced the Wire Road as the main transportation route between Vicksburg and Shreveport. Vienna and other Wire Road communities all but disappeared when the railroad bypassed them.

With Vienna’s demise, the courthouse was moved to Ruston. New schools were started, including a small college, the forerunner of Louisiana Tech. A Chautauqua program was established for educational and cultural activities amid shade trees and bubbling springs north of town. Fiery politicians, preachers, and pontificators visited the Chautauqua to lecture and exhort. Bad men came as well. Routine gunfire and rowdy disturbances clashed with Ruston’s hunger for sophistication and culture. Believing liquor to be the root of the community’s ills, in 1894 the town fathers proposed an ordinance prohibiting the sale or possession of alcoholic beverages. It passed overwhelmingly. As a federal marshal, Sisemore scoured north Louisiana, raiding stills and arresting bootleggers and outlaws. His name struck fear among whiskey runners. One reporter wrote Sisemore was “an efficient officer who made it exceedingly risky for the moonshiner to run his business in North Louisiana. He is a terror to the whiskey element and all outlaws in general.” Sisemore’s pursuit of robbers and moonshiners became regular fodder for north Louisiana newspapers. He worked often with federal revenue agents who could destroy stills but relied on deputy U.S. marshals for arrest powers. While federal officials were interested in moonshine because of its producers’ aversion to paying taxes, communities like Ruston objected to alcohol for moral and social reasons. The town’s founder, Robert Russ, was a staunch Baptist. In a letter to

the Ruston Leader after the 1894 election, Russ wrote: “The votes have been counted. The decision has been made by a large majority…all persons are prohibited from selling in any quantity all alcoholic or vinous spirits. Remember this is clothed with the strong arm of the law, the voice of the people. The law should be upheld and executed and when we fail to do this, we fail to do our whole duty.” Ruston lawmen had their hands full. Removing the lawless element shooting up the town and enforcing prohibition was no small task. Some of Ruston’s early police chiefs served as little as one month before surrendering their badges within the gleeful taunts of the troublemakers. Marshal Sisemore’s chief adversary was Frank Mullins of Simsboro. Claiming photography as his profession, Mullins operated a “studio” near Ruston’s train depot. It served as a front for his true business—running whiskey. Mullins was arrested at least a dozen times in Ruston, usually for selling liquor without a license, but the fines were just a cost of doing business. By 1896, Sisemore had been asked to serve as a part-time officer in Ruston in addition to his federal duties. The marshal charged Mullins with federal violations and with violating Ruston’s city ordinance on selling whiskey. “A bad feeling has existed between Sisemore and Mullins,” reported the Shreveport Times, “and everybody expected trouble between them every time they met.” During one difficult arrest, Sisemore shot Mullins. Mullins

served a year in the Lincoln Parish prison while his younger brother Will kept the alcohol business in operation. Another Shreveport paper, the Evening Journal, speculated that the enmity between the two rose from Mullins’ alleged assassination of a government witness to prevent his testimony—Sisemore’s own brother-in-law. On December 14, 1897, Sisemore and Mullins exchanged gunfire but neither was injured. Mullins cried foul and a grand jury indicted Sisemore for assault. But Sisemore had sizable support in Ruston. In fact, in January 1898, after years of futile attempts at finding a strong police chief, city officials begged Sisemore to take on the job. A unique arrangement was approved allowing Sisemore to continue as a deputy federal marshal while serving as Ruston’s new chief. Sisemore bought a house for his wife and five children on a hill just south of downtown Ruston. Sisemore and Mullins met in a final showdown on the stormy evening of February 26, 1898. Lightning pierced the sky occasionally, casting ghostly shadows across Ruston’s business district. About 8:00p.m., a string of gunshots filled the air and Sisemore prowled the rain-dampened streets in search of the culprit. Mayor Fred Price also heard the gunfire between thunderclaps and, armed with his shotgun, rushed from his home to investigate. He had nearly stumbled between Sisemore and Mullins in the murky night when he heard voices. “It was very dark,” Price later testified. “I spoke and said hello to


Showdown inRustonHow a gunfight changed a railroad town in 1898.

attract their attention, but I heard somebody say, ‘Who is that? Is that you, Frank?’ The answer was ‘Yes, that’s me.’ I recognized Sisemore’s voice and I thought the other was Frank Mullins. I could see neither of them, only when the lightning flashed... Sisemore then said, ‘Is that you doing this shooting around here tonight?’ Mullins replied, ‘No, but by god I’ve got the fixing for you.’ Sisemore said, ‘You are a liar’—he may have said, ‘You are a damn liar’—and immediately both parties fired simultaneously.” Other witnesses would contradict Price and accuse Sisemore of firing again at the mortally wounded Mullins as he fled. One man reported the gunshots had sounded as if they came from the same gun, hinting that only Sisemore had fired. Mullins, riddled with shotgun pellets, limped to his boardinghouse where the landlady discovered him near the front door. Mullins encouraged Mrs. E.M. Sherwood to go to his room and locate his revolver to prove he had been unarmed. The many witnesses to his dying statement announced that Mullins insisted Sisemore had shot down an unarmed man. Before he died, Mullins urged his family not to seek revenge but to let the courts deal with Sisemore. Sisemore was indicted again by a grand jury, a surprise to many citizens. The Shreveport Times announced, “Mr. Sisemore has the sympathy and backing of almost the entire law-abiding community, and will doubtless be exonerated when his case comes to trial.” A record cotton season filled the streets with wagons, mules,

and farmers as the trial began on September 14, 1898. In a packed courtroom, jury selection was made difficult by the vehement opinions both for and against Sisemore. The prosecution subpoenaed 19 witnesses; the defense, 15. It would be the biggest trial to date in Lincoln Parish. Testimony was heard that the gun recovered from Mullins’s room was dotted with mud, as if it had been dropped on the wet street. Witnesses revealed Mullins had visited his room before Mrs. Sherwood found him bleeding by the front door. A youngster declared Mullins had been shooting off his gun on a street where spent cartridges had been discovered. The jury quickly returned a not guilty verdict. The Shreveport Times reported, “The verdict meets with general approval.” The charges from the earlier shooting were dropped. But soon rumors circulated that Sisemore had been targeted for assassination. On the evening of November 17, Sisemore ate supper with his family and played with his youngest son by the fire. Pocketing his children’s letters to Santa Claus on the pretense of mailing them that night, Sisemore followed his evening routine of making a final patrol through town. As he walked toward downtown Ruston, Sisemore heard a noise in a pine thicket nearby. Drawing his revolver, he approached the trees slowly. A shotgun blast knocked Sisemore to the ground. A second shot missed. Neighbors carried Sisemore to his bed and doctors hurried to the scene. With his sobbing family and concerned friends gathered around,

Sisemore whispered he did not see his ambusher. Soon Sisemore joined his nemesis Frank Mullins in death. The Shreveport Times reported the shooting on page one with the headline, “A Cowardly Murder: Deputy United States Marshal John T. Sisemore Shot to Death by Assassins.” The article noted Sisemore “for the past few years has been a terror to the moonshiners...and always fearlessly discharged his duties...regardless of fear or favor.” Telegraphs were sent in all directions requesting bloodhounds to track the killer. The U.S. marshal and a deputy rushed from Shreveport to aid in the manhunt. Rewards were offered. Frank Mullins’s associates were blamed for Sisemore’s death. One news story reported, “While so far as is known there is no direct evidence, yet every citizen of Ruston seems to have settled to their own satisfaction who the actual criminals or instigators of the crime are.” No suspects were arrested, but Sisemore family members tell the story of a killer hanged in El Dorado for another murder. Before his execution, John Henry Thomas reportedly confessed to killing Sisemore for $50. We will never know if Mullins was shot in a “fair fight” or who killed Sisemore. But we do know Ruston founder Robert Russ appreciated the town’s newfound tranquility. The removal of the alcohol element, Russ wrote, “added more to the material, social, and religious growth of Ruston than all other agencies put forward by its citizens. Money that once went to saloons now goes to beautify and make happy homes.

Wives and daughters who once had sad faces, now carry smiles and contentment. Ruston is now the refuge for virtue, happiness, and law abiding citizens.” Sisemore’s brief career and death helped mold Ruston’s path into the new century. The attitudes towards alcohol and lawlessness in Ruston’s early days endured for decades. The city would remain “dry” for nearly 75 more years before allowing alcohol to be sold again in the 1970’s. Despite the controversies they created, men like John Tom Sisemore were sought by struggling communities committed to maintaining law and order.

------------------------------------------------

Ruston native Wesley Harris wrote the book Neither Fear Nor Favor: Deputy United States Marshal John Tom Sisemore, available from amazon.com or by contacting him at [email protected]. Check out his Louisiana history blog at http://diggingthepast.blogspot.com/

PHOTO CAPTIONSTop, Right: In this heavily restored

photograph, 35-year old Deputy U.S. Marshal and Ruston Police Chief John Tom Sisemore appears much older as

he rides his horse in “Lewis’ Alley” in downtown Ruston; Top, in Background:

On November 18, 1898, Ruston shut down entirely for Sisemore’s

funeral in the City (now Greenwood) Cemetery. The men in uniform are

members of a Woodmen of the World honor guard. The massive grave marker has since been replaced.


Written by DorothyBowden

My most memorable Thanksgiving, it seemed, was going to be a quiet one. Maybe a little too quiet, I thought, with just my husband and me on our isolated piney woods farm in north Louisiana. Neither of our sons were coming, nor were either of the grandchildren. Never-theless, I was thankful for my many blessings, and I was looking forward to the day. It had been a mild fall—we hadn’t even lit a fire in the fireplace

yet. But my husband thought it was cool enough that we’d enjoy having one. He started the fire, and then went to the bathroom. I went to the kitchen and started dinner. We were having beefsteak instead of a tradi-tional turkey dinner. I began hacking the steak when all at once; I heard what sound-ed like a gunshot. I couldn’t imag-ine what was happening. Did my pounding the steak make a gun go off somewhere? It was deer season and I wondered briefly if my husband had left his gun on the carport and perhaps the cat had knocked it over, making it discharge. But it sounded as though the sound came from the living room. I hurried there and quickly came to realize that bullets were ex-ploding from off the fireplace mantel. Evidently my husband had forgotten to remember that he’d left some am-munition there after he and a neigh-

bor had been target shooting. Foolishly, I grabbed a pan-cake turner from the kitchen and started scooping some bullets from the mantel into a metal dustpan, and started toward the door, planning to throw them into the yard. Before I could open the door, one exploded and whizzed past my right ear. I threw the others into the yard. After the excitement was over, we assessed the damage—melted bullets on the mantel, a hole in the chair where I usually sat, and rem-nants of bullets on the floor. But, no one was hurt; a miracle, it seemed to me under the circumstances. After cleaning up as best I could, I resumed my meal preparation, and now had one more thing to be thank-ful for!


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----------------------------------Christmas Lights

------------------------------------------------

For many years my wife and son would go to Natchitoches, Louisiana to see the Christmas lights. I would occasionally go with them. The decorations were very pretty and the old part of town along the river made a beautiful backdrop. We also really enjoyed the fireworks display. I just assumed Natchitoches had a franchise on Christmas lights and no one else should ever consider putting any Christmas lights outside. Well, maybe putting lights along the eve of the house or on a bush or two would be fine but not covering a large area. But, as you know, all good things must end eventually.

After several years we began venturing out to view the Christmas lights. Many times we went to Jonesboro La. or to Creekwood Gardens to see their Christmas lights. One year we went to The Rose Garden in Shreveport, La. It was a very cold night but it was a lot of fun. Another time we went to see the lights on the courthouse and around town in Marshall, Texas. My son and wife also traveled with relatives to see the trail of lights from Marshall, Texas to Natchitoches, Louisiana and had a great time.

After returning from Natchitoches one December my wife and son started making plans to decorate our front yard. It covers about half an acre. At the time many of the trees were young and therefore not very tall. We decided to purchase a bunch of lights and start decorating. My son was a big help and he did much of the work placing the lights. My wife designed some pictures on plywood and I cut them out and she and my son painted them and we added these decorations to the front yard. Each year we continued to add lights and decorations.

The plywood yard decorations looked good in daylight, but one year

our Christmas lights would throw a breaker every night and about half the lights would go out. When that happens most people realize they have too many lights but not us! We moved extension cords around for about a week and finally we had it fixed where all the lights would work.

My wife and son always entered us in the annual town Christmas light contest. We had everything working so we thought we had a good chance of winning something. Our plan was to leave the lights off until just before the judges would be driving around so we wouldn’t take a chance on throwing the breaker again. Well, the meteorologist was predicting rain so the judges came by our house earlier than we expected. We didn’t win anything that year, but the next year I was prepared. I added several outlets and put everything on timers and we won!

In the last several years towns in our area have been putting up lots of decorations. It seems to me the more the towns decorate the fewer individuals decorate. I must confess the last couple of years I had some reservations about putting up lights myself. But my wife reminds me, from time to time, some of the older folks and some of the younger ones may not have an opportunity to travel to other areas to see the lights and also our grandbabies always have a great time looking at the pretty decorations! I wish more people would decorate the outside of their homes so local people everywhere will have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful decorations over the holidays.

My son now has a yard of his own to decorate and those little bushes that we once decorated are now twenty feet tall. I still decorate, with the help of some of my friends. So if you are passing through Gibsland in December, swing by and take a look, we will keep the light on for you!

My family and I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

PJ


Article and Photography by Jackie Lewis

Imagine that you’re in the grocery store, happily shopping away for your family’s grocery staples. Then imagine what would happen if you were to suddenly hear this announcement over the loudspeaker: “Attention all superstore shoppers. There is a super-sale on aisle two; all canned Pillstenberry Cinnamon Rolls and Crescent Rolls, regularly priced at $2.50, are now forty cents.”

With arms flailing and shopping carts colliding, every soccer mom from here to Enid, Oklahoma would be running toward the refrigerated section of the grocery store, ready to get their hands on this incredible bargain by any means necessary. Children would be crying in the store aisles as their desperate parents climbed over one another, frantically searching for deliciously cheap, pre-packaged carbohydrates. Then the loudspeaker begins again, this time with an offer that even the crying kids can’t refuse. “On aisle two, we are now offering our Superstore brand jelly beans for free. That’s right- for FREE. But you’d better hurry, because we’ll run out in exactly four minutes and thirty seconds.”

Mahem: that’s the only word for what would happen if this scenario were to actually play out. Shoppers would go stark, raving mad. Checkers wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand, and even the typically energetic bag boys would simply pass out from exhaustion.

Now what if I told you that you could actually buy your cinnamon rolls for pennies on the dollar, that jelly beans really could be free, and that you would be the only shopper in the grocery store to know about the bargain?

“That’s impossible,” you’re saying right now. And that’s what I thought, too, before I met the incredibly brilliant Elizabeth Simpson-Pickett.

Elizabeth is the type of woman that’s scary-smart. You can tell just by looking into her eyes. Though she is a small-framed, petite woman, she has an air about her that more than suggests she would be at ease keeping a room full of hormonal teenagers in line. And that, in fact, was Elizabeth’s previous profession. A former high school teacher, Elizabeth decided a little over a year ago that she wanted to be a stay at home Mommy. And she does exactly that, but with military-style precision. In one year, she perfected the art of stretching her family’s budget. For Elizabeth is the finder of free jelly beans, the coupon-clipping cost-cutter that makes it possible for all of us to once again, even in the terrible oppression of a bad economy, to fill our grocery carts to the brim and not worry about bouncing a check when it comes time to pay. So hold on tightly, because you’re about to go on a fantastic journey through the produce department and beyond. You’re about to become one smart shopper.

“Rule number one,” says Elizabeth as she stands in my living room before a small crowd of unbelieving Mommies, “is to never, ever waste a coupon. Only use a coupon on an item that is ON SALE.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I had clipped coupons in the past, and when it was all said and

done my effort had been entirely wasted. I knew, firsthand, that twenty-five cents off of a five-dollar product was not worth the time it took me to locate my scissors in the first place. But Elizabeth knew better, and she wasn’t afraid to make me see the error of my former coupon-cutting ways.

“You’ve got to get organized. I use a three-ring binder and sort my coupons by grocery store aisle,” said Elizabeth. She was serious about her bargains. “Then, when you’re in the store and you see that all canned Pillstenberry Cinnamon Rolls and Crescent Rolls, regularly marked $2.50, are on sale for $1.60, you go in for the kill. You open your binder, turn to the milk and dairy aisle page where you’re coupons are in clear, plastic sleeves, and look for Pillstenberry Cinnamon Roll and Crescent Roll coupons. You’ve already researched to find out which grocery stores triple the value of your coupon, so when you find Pillstenberry Manufacturer’s coupons that will save you 40 cents, you know that each coupon will really save you a dollar and twenty cents.”

Does the whole thing still sound too good to be true? That’s exactly what I was thinking, too. But then I did the math. The original price was $2.50. The sale price was $1.60. The coupon offers an additional 40 cents. But when that coupon is tripled, at several chain grocery stores in our area, it saves a whopping $1.20 off of the sale price. That means that said cinnamon rolls would cost me a grand total of forty cents. According to Elizabeth, who has officially taken on the persona of Frugal Friend, large grocery stores are constantly changing the prices of their products. During any six-week cycle, the price of any product will go up and

FRUGAL FRIENDOne smart local Mom shares her cost-cutting secrets and challenges us allto think outside of the box when it comes to shopping for our families.

down. The key to real savings at a big chain grocery store is to use your coupon when the price of a product is at the low end of its price cycle.

“And don’t feel guilty, either,” she says. “Because stores are paid eight cents for every coupon that they redeem, plus the price on the coupon. And checks from the manufacturer don’t bounce.” Elizabeth giggles as she gives away her secrets to being a smart shopper, and within a few hours I was giggling, too.

Being a journalist sometimes requires me to go “out into the field” for articles. So when Elizabeth and I went to CVS, I did so under the pretense of “research.” And that’s when it happened. Elizabeth made a believer out of me. Thirty-five minutes later, I had spent thirteen dollars and some change, and had three bags worth of cleaning supplies, air fresheners, lip gloss, candy corn, and body wash to show for my smart-shopping efforts.

And now, we at The Minute Magazine have incredibly exciting news for you. We have a new columnist, and we know for certain that she will give us all fantastic shopping advice. Mrs. Elizabeth Simpson-Pickett will begin her column with our next issue, and believe us when we tell you that you’re going to want to follow all of her advice. I certainly do now.

A week and a half after she taught me how to shop, I found myself staring at my grocery receipt in disbelief. I saved a whopping $74 because of Elizabeth’s advice. And, because I followed Frugal Friend’s golden rule, I didn’t “waste” a single coupon.

Find Frugal Friend on Facebook, where you can sign up for her coupon classes or get $-saving advice!


--------------------10 Must Haves for Decorating--------------------

The holidays are fast approaching, and it’s not too early to start enhancing your holiday décor. For inspiration, here are ten “must

haves” to encourage your creativity!

1. Let there be light! Soft glowing light is complementary to you and your guests. Once you’ve turned the lights down low, bring out the candles by the boxful. From tall and tapered to short and stout, candles set a celebratory tone. For the most dramatic impact, group candles just as you would any other collectible, and display them on a silver platter.

2. Haul out the Holly! When choosing plants to help add holiday cheer, think beyond the traditional poinsettias. Fill metallic vases with bouquets of fresh flower and holly. Or choose beautifully shaped topiaries covered with pepper berries.

3. Precious Metals. Silver is still the choice of metal, and you can incorporate it in a number of ways, including candlesticks, picture frames, and decorative boxes. Don’t

hesitate to mix things up a bit. In formal rooms, combine your silver pieces with gold or polished brass accessories. Or take a more casual approach by blending pewter, copper and brass.

4. A Feast for the Eye. The dining room itself should be a visual feast. Drape the chandelier with pine garland or holly. Surprise your guests with wrapped gifts on their salad plates. And for a cohesive feeling, incorporate an element of your room’s design on the table. If your room features a mirrored wall, used mirrored chargers beneath each plate.

5. Ornamental Accents. Christmas tree ornaments are not just for trees anymore. Display some on the coffee table in an oversized bowl or clear glass urn. You can even use round glass balls as place cards, and write each guest’s name on each and set them around the dining table.

6. Be My Guest. Is your guest room ready for holiday guests? Is there a luggage stand and/or space in the closet? Are there plenty of pillows? Is the bedside table big enough to accommodate a lamp, reading materials, and a carafe of water? Don’t forget the little extras, such as fresh fruit, potpourri, and a basket of toiletries. And be sure to include a few holiday touches like greenery or a small gift.

7. The Wonder of Wreaths. Whether you prefer wreaths made of natural materials or some of the lovely permanent florals on the market

today, wreaths are an absolute must for any holiday home. In addition to their traditional place on the front door or over the mantle, smaller wreaths can be used as curtain tiebacks or napkin rings.

8. Festive Fruits and Vegetables. Visit the produce aisle of your grocery store for unique holiday decorations. For example, spray-paint walnuts and gourds in silver or gold and display them in a decorative basket. Or fill a large crystal bowl with red and green apples.

9. Set Your Own Style. Make your tree an integral part of your decorating scheme and a reflection of your personality. Are antique toys a personal passion? Then decorate the tree with miniature wooden versions. Are you a dedicated beachcomber? Then attach some of your favorite shells t the tree with simple grosgrain ribbon.

10. Wrap It Up With Ribbon. Ribbon can be used for much more than wrapping presents. Use French wire ribbons, in a variety of widths, to tie bows on your tree. Or instead of a garland or greenery, wrap your banister with ribbon. You can also hang holiday cards from a mantle or shelf using narrow ribbons in holiday colors.


--------------Chaos.--------------

Jason McReynolds

is the pastor of

New Orleans Com-

munity Church.

He and his wife,

Liev, have three

children. To

learn more about

him, or NOCC,

visit:

www.neworleanscommunity church.com

As I write this, change is in the air and it is awesome! LSU and the Saints have resumed play. School is under way. The weather is beginning to cool (finally). I love it! However, I see hints of chaos on the horizon. Why is it that I see Halloween decorations in stores before September 15th now? Why have I already heard store employees whispering about Black Friday (you know, the Friday after Thanksgiving when everyone loses their friggin mind and sanity is locked in a closet only to be let out after you come home for a nap)? Why do I hear Christmas music over the mall P.A. system before Thanksgiving?

Ah yes, the chaos is coming. People are out more during the chaos. People honk at me more in the chaos. People are more rude to me during the chaos. People have less time to talk during the chaos. These things make me grumpy and then I start to contribute to the chaos. I being to think, “If they’re gonna be this way then I’m going to beat them at their own game!” I’ll honk back… and for a longer time. I would never give you the finger but I’ll make my point just the same! I won’t be rude but I sure won’t take your disrespect and I’ll let you know it. I will always take the time for you but I’ll also let you know that you’re eroding a friendship when you don’t invest in it. In other words I’ll point out

your selfishness just to tick you off!

And it is usually at that point that I realize I’m not fighting the chaos, I’m contributing to it, albeit, in my own logically insane way. Let’s face it, we turn into crazed lunatics during the holiday season. I wish I could say that if you just avoid the mall or the most popular toy store everything will be ok. But that just lowers your blood pressure for an hour or so. You still have family coming in. You have to clean the house, wash the cars, wash the dog, get the guest room ready, get all the food, cook all the food, deal with Aunt Melba, and no, Uncle Larry, I won’t look at that mole on your back to see why it feels like it’s oozing. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! I wish I could say, “Just go to your sister’s house and make her do all of that.” But you know that doesn’t work either. Then Uncle Larry has more time to talk about his “medical issues” with you.

Did Jesus deal with this stuff? Would His mall have pumped me full of stuff that I wanted instead of what I needed? Would someone have rung a bell at me or even pushed me off my donkey while I’m slowing riding down the path? Did Jesus have a crazy relative that asked crazy questions or always wanted to tell him where “it” hurts.

I understand it’s a different culture but it really isn’t that much different. They still had to go places. They still had holidays and festivals and parties and weddings. They did all these things and they didn’t have air conditioning! Yea, I know! Not a single person. You would think that their murder rate would have been enormous! But they did have all the same trappings that you and I deal with when the holiday season comes around. You know what Jesus tells us to

do? Love them. Love the people who flip you off in traffic. Love the people who are only after you money. Love the family who irritate you like someone scratching a chalkboard. Love them. In the book of Matthew (in the bible), in chapter five and verses 43-48 Jesus explains this out.

43You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. 47If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48But you must always act like your Father in heaven.

Do you see what Jesus is saying here? Anyone can hate their enemy. It takes a real man or woman to love them. If you love your enemies you’ll stand out. You’ll stand out for your Father in Heaven, not for yourself. If you stand out for yourself you just add to the chaos. If you stand out for your Heavenly Father you add peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. These are qualities that disperse and diffuse chaos. These are characteristics that are desperately needed in the chaos.

This is what God does – loves His friends and His enemies. That is why Jesus died on a cross for me and for you, because my Heavenly Father loves me. In my chaotic world He broke through and revealed peace to me. He

showers the aforementioned qualities on me every single day. He speaks clearly to me when everyone else if speaking confusion.

So what about you? The chaos will come. It does every single year. Do you think you can love your enemies? Do you think you can stand out for your Heavenly Father and love those who seem unlovable? If you do, you will be able to live in that peace that only He can provide. It’s your choice. The chaos is coming. Do you want to live in that relaxing autumn feeling or would you rather live like it’s Black Friday every single day?


BLUEPRINT FORPRESERVATION Megan Lord holds and M.F.A. in Historic Preservation and is finalizing an M.A. in Architectural History from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives and works in Central Louisiana, and enjoys traveling and exploring our state and its architectural heritage with her husband and son, via Louisiana back roads, of course.

---------------------------------------

Calling all Questions! Have a question about preservation or old house repairs? Send me an email at [email protected]. Each month Megan will feature a brief Q&A with real-world problems and practical solu-tions appropriate for your old house.

---------------------------------------

The holiday season is fast approaching and as I recently took time to reflect on some of my precious memories from seasons past, I realized that the setting – the place these memories were made – plays a significant role in the value I assign to each memory. In my case, I’ve realized that my most fond memories occur in historic structures or at historic sites. Perhaps that’s simply an indicator that I’ve long been fond of old buildings. But quite possibly, it suggests that places with character – usually older buildings and established neighborhoods - convey a greater “sense of place,” therefore establishing more lasting impressions in one’s memory. No wonder so many holiday events are held at historic sites. Not only are they steeped in tradition, but for the newcomer they provide a memorable experience not soon forgotten. Remember the power of place this holiday season and support preservation throughout our state by attending holiday events at historic sites. A few of my favorites are listed below.

Spend a holiday weekend in New

Orleans. There’s oh-so-much to do! My suggestions? Book a room in the recently restored Roosevelt Hotel, or at least wander through the lobby. A winter wonderland of white lights will leave even the most stubborn scrooge enchanted. Ride the streetcar down Saint Charles Avenue on your way to the Annual Holiday Home Tour presented by the Preservation Resource Center. Seven stunning Garden District homes will be open for viewing, as well as the beautiful Opera Guild Home, the restoration of which was recently completed. Enjoy informational tours on the interior furnishings of each home to the tune of local musicians who entertain at each address. Complete your day with a Reveillion meal at one of the city’s established French Quarter restaurants and afterwards wander over to Jackson Square for Christmas caroling in front of Saint Louis Cathedral. A drive up Esplanade Avenue to attend Christmas in the Oaks at City Park will be fun for the entire family.

If you’ve never been to Natchitoches, you’re missing out. Any time of year, the quaint town of Natchitoches (Louisiana’s oldest city, established in 1714) is a treat to visit. But during the holiday season the city is downright enchanting. The Festival of Lights will run from November 20, 2010 – January 6, 2011, and what a spectacle it is! The entire downtown and riverfront is aglow with Christmas

lights. For the preservation-minded, the Natchitoches Historic Foundation hosts a Tour of Homes every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night, beginning December 8. A host of Bed and Breakfasts await you as their guest for a charming overnight stay. Be sure to attend the Fête d’Hiver on December 11 at Fort St. Jean Baptiste. Historians, re-enactors and period merchants will help you celebrate Christmas in 18th century style. Sample a Natchitoches meat pie, historic in its own culinary right, and drive a bit south down Cane River Lake through the Cane River National Heritage Area. Distinguished as Louisiana’s only national heritage area, this region is steeped in distinctive local and national history, not to mention beautiful geography. The Cane River National Heritage Area boasts seven national historic landmarks, three state historic sites, and 24 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

New Orleans and Natchitoches make great weekend destinations, but be sure to support preservation in your own community. Check your local community calendars for events at historic sites in your hometown. Or schedule your own holiday outing to share with family and friends. Attend holiday concerts and services at historic houses of worship to celebrate the season, while also enjoying the magnificent

architecture and colors of the stained glass windows. Your local historic society may host a tour of homes, and your local Mainstreet Program will certainly have holiday events planned in downtown. While in Natchitoches, surprise a special loved one with a Christmas Eve trip down River Road past stately plantations homes. Enjoy the beautiful architecture and scenic farmland by day, and let the bonfires along the Mississippi River levee at Lutcher and Gramercy light the way for both you and Papa Noel as you end your journey on Christmas Eve night. With so many holiday traditions that are unique to Louisiana and reflect our distinct culture, this is the perfect time to celebrate that culture and create memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll recognize the importance of protecting our cultural traditions and constructed heritage, while starting some holiday traditions of your own.

========================All I want for Christmas….is your questions! Have questions about preservation or old house repairs? Send me an email at [email protected]. Each month Megan will feature a brief Q&A with real-world problems and practical solutions appropriate for your old house. ========================


------------------------------------- NEVER MAKE A FACE AT YOUR MOTHER-------------------------------------

If one is to offer advice, it is wise to know of what you speak. In this case, folks, I am wise beyond belief! In other words, I’ve “been there, done that.” And the advice is: “Never make a face at your mother!”

Our old house stood on piers, with five or so steps leading from the kitchen out the screened back door and into the yard. We had never heard of air conditioners, and fans used way too much electricity...., at least, that’s what my folks always said.

As a result and due to me being a small chunky lad, I knew what a pork chop felt like when placed in a pan of hot grease! Yes, sir. I sizzled! But summertime heat was nothing compared to a mother’s wrath!

You remember how your mother always seemed to be the one who stood between you and fun? If I asked to go swimming in May, she replied, “No, it’s too cold.” When I asked in June, she said, “Wait ‘till it gets a little warmer.” When I asked in July, she said, “No, it’s raining.”

Now, folks, that last remark got to me. What’d she think? I was gonna get wet or somethin’? Riding my old piece-of-a-bicycle during a thunderstorm was okay, but swimming wasn’t. Of course, I learned later that they believed lightning was more apt to strike around a body of water rather than a lone kid on a bicycle. I’m thankful I wasn’t required to prove it.

Regardless, one particularly, hot summer day, I asked Mom if I could go up to Mickey’s and play. Mickey, a younger cousin that lived up the road about a quarter mile, was about the only other kid within several miles

that I ever played with. Naturally, mom said “No”.

Unreasonable! That’s what she was. Why she wanted to be so mean to me was just beyond belief! What’d I ever do to deserve such mistreatment? I’m a good kid! She’s just being mean.

Even after pestering her time and time again to allow me to visit Mickey, she was rock solid and wouldn’t budge. Well, I’d had enough! I turned and stormed out the kitchen door, giving it as hard a shove as I could, hoping the resulting slam would show her! I guess you could say it got her attention.

I knew she was washing dishes, and had her back to me. What I didn’t know was that she had her head turned and was watching over her shoulder as I stormed out the door and plopped down on the top step. Due to the fact that I was outside in the bright sunlight and peerin’ over my shoulder through a screen door into the darkened kitchen, I couldn’t see her very well.

She, on the other hand, was in the darker area looking out into the daylight outside and had a completely uninhibited, crystal clear view. Had I only known!

Like I said, I didn’t know. So, while facin’ her and my anger steamin’ ahead at full throttle, I scrunched up my face, poked out my bottom lip as far as I could, and stuck my tongue out far enough that an anteater would have fainted at the sight! I was some kinda mad and I wanted her to know it….., well, so I thought.

You know, it didn’t take but a moment for me to begin to think the world had come to a stop and began turnin’ the other direction. There was something in the way she turned and started toward me that sent a signal. And I ain’t talkin’ a weak signal, either! Why, compared to her message, a biplane flying treetop level and skywriting would have been considered “a weak signal”.

The signal screamed “TROUBLE!” I’m talking “Mom-ticked-off-royally-and-Galen’s-behind-in-serious-

trouble” trouble! I could not have heard Gabriel’s trumpets had they sounded at that moment; that’s how loud her signal was.

I weren’t no dummy, though, and knew quick thinkin’ was called for. I was well aware that if I sat there, my behind was grass and she was gonna be the lawn mower! She was going to cut me down to size in only one pass.

So rather than just sitting there, I did what any smart kid would do......, I ran. There’s no way she can catch me, I thought, so I’ll stay gone long enough that by the time I get back,

she will have cooled down. Not a bad idea for a six year old, huh?

My brother Jerry was disking with the tractor in the field in front of the house, and since he was a thoughtful and considerate brother (at times) and had often let me ride the tractor with him, I made a bee line for him.

Sure enough, Jerry saw me coming, stopped the tractor, and waited. As I approached and he climbed down from the tractor, I happily asked, “Jerry, can I ride with you?”

Now folks, his response was as shockin’ as the one my mom had just given me. And I certainly was not expecting his reply. “Okay, but let’s wait and see what Momma wants first” he said.

“WHAT?!” Turning, I saw my mother in hot pursuit, brandishing a stick of pulpwood in her hand the way some folks wave an American flag in a Fourth of July parade. Of course, the stick of pulpwood was nothing more than a switch, but to me and the manner in which she could wield it, a stick of pulpwood would have done just as much damage.

I lived over the whippin’, but I never forgot. So, when I say to you young folks, “don’t ever make a face at your mom!” Trust me, for I know of what I speak!


by Tiffany Byram


Confessions of a Hormonal

Woman:Memories of Trees

and Roots...

by Elizabeth Drewett

My people have deep roots. And because both of my children were born in Scottsdale, Arizona, a long way from those deep roots, I am trying to share with them, when time allows, some of their heritage. Labor Day served as an opportune moment to dig into the root system of our family tree.

Not only is Labor Day a day to celebrate the American worker (that’s me), it is also a great time to be with family. And a special member of my family had a birthday that day. To celebrate this wonderful occasion, my son, my daughter and a few other family members headed north to pay him a surprise visit.

Where north, you ask? Well, my roots, on my dad’s side of the family, are in Shongaloo. No, not Shon-ga-who! It’s Shongaloo. A small town about 8 miles south of the Arkansas/Louisiana line, it is here that some of my earliest and most precious childhood memories were made.

I remember learning to drive...at age six...sitting in my grandmother’s lap...all the way to the country store. And yes, I would roll over and die if my almost six-year-old were in her grandmother’s lap driving

today! But my grandmother had a sense of adventure! So off we went. I sat in her lap peering over the steering wheel. My foot sat on top of hers, her foot an extension of mine as I pressed on the gas and break pedals. My first driving experience was a little less than a straight drive. And it was fabulous! I don’t have any idea what I might have purchased at the country store once we arrived. But I will never forget the drive there and back!

I remember climbing my first tree. At her house, there were many wonderful and climbable (is that a word?) trees. My cousins and I would spend the whole morning out in the trees imagining that we were escaping some great danger. Donnie, Keith, Alyssa and I, even though our regular lives were quite different, always found a common enemy to avoid up in those trees.

I remember learning about the circle of life...birth, death, and everything in between. In the country, you can’t escape the circle of life. I loved helping my grandmother gather eggs from the chicken coup. I also remember watching my grandmother grab a chicken by the neck, swing it around with arm fully extended and chicken in hand, until there was suddenly a headless body running frenetically around the yard and only a chicken head left in her hand. Even though it was quite a sight for this little girl to watch, I knew how much I enjoyed that fried chicken the next day at

lunch, and I certainly learned to appreciate the work it took to prepare that wonderful meal.

I remember learning to express my inner creativity. You name it, we could make a pie out of it...a mud pie that is. My grandmother let us set up an outdoor “kitchen” complete with loads of dirt and water, and tons of pie plates. We had no fear of being dirty. When we were done, she’d wash us off with a water hose. Our pies would “bake” in the sun while her real homemade pie baked in the kitchen. Following an afternoon “nap” watching her favorite soaps, we’d pretend to eat the mud pie followed quickly with eating the real pie, and chased by an ice cold glass of milk fresh that morning from the cow.

I remember mowing miles and miles of grass. My grandmother and I would saddle up on the riding lawn mower, she with her wide-brimmed straw hat and me hanging on tight for the ride. She had acres of grass to mow. It seemed like millions of acres at the time. Now I know it was probably more like one.

All those memories are precious to me. They collectively make me who I am. I wish there were some way to funnel all my memories in to my kids. But since that’s just not going to work, I will settle for filling their minds with as many of my precious memories as possible while taking them to the very spot those great memories occurred.

And so, on Labor Day, the memories flowed. But not only did they hear tales of years gone by, we made new memories that will be unique to them. They celebrated a birthday, laughed at my uncle’s jokes, played with DeeDee - the weiner dog, and saw all the landmarks of my childhood, like the grass that had to be mowed, the trees I climbed and the country store I drove to. My daughter laughed til she cried thinking that her momma drove that far. And then, of course, she wanted to try it. She didn’t get to drive that day, but her Daddy has been known to put her in his lap, just like my grandmother did me, and let her drive around the neighborhood. I’m sure my neighbors will now be keeping a closer eye on who is actually driving the Drewett vehicles!

So my thoughts following Labor Day led to one big question. What will be the memories that collectively make my children into adults?

The hardest part of being a parent, other than the crisis situations that interrupt our busy routines, is deciding how to parent with purpose. It’s easy to muddle through parenthood reacting to this situation or that one. Well, maybe not easy, But taking pause to plan your parenting is a lofty goal I’ve made every attempt towards, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.

My hope is to parent children who live with purpose and


integrity, who serve others before themselves, and who place great value on people, not things.

But with both of my children now being school-aged, and my husband and I being working parents, that valuable teaching time is diminishing every year. And so my challenge is to creatively and effectively use the time we have to develop their character as we create a few memories of our own.

I worry about my children’s probably over-planned lives. The over-planned lives seems to be a side-effect of a parent’s busy-ness combined with the complications of modern day life. You know. It looks like this: wake kids up, feed kids, get kids dressed, deliver kids at school, pick up kids, take kids to piano lessons, drop kids at tennis, monitor kids homework, eat, do laundry, brush teeth, and go to bed. What ever happened to playing outside, riding your bike, and crawfishing in the creek behind your house? Oh wait, those are my memories. And my world was vastly different than theirs. I treasure my childhood memories. I’m reminded, however, that my memories are what make me unique. Their memories will make them unique.

I have no great miracle solutions for parenting here. But the most wonderful moments seem to be the unplanned ones. And where the grey areas of parenting exist, there is prayer on my part and

mercy on God’s part that will cover them.

In the meantime, I find myself resting under the family tree of memories, sitting on a root that has presented itself above ground. I look up and see sunshine twinkling through the leaves. The whisper of the wind and the smell of outdoors returns to my mind images of days gone by. Those memories are magical. They take me back to precious times. They give me comfort. They make me smile. Even laugh.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Glynn. I’ll be back next Labor Day to “surprise” you again, and most importantly, to make a few more memories under my family tree. In the meantime, I love you, DeeDee (the weiner dog) and Aunt Dolores. Thanks for being my biggest fan. And thanks for a beautiful day of memories. My kids will treasure them, and so will I.


Sharon Jackson is a Certified Personal Trainer from Ruston, Louisiana and the founder of Sharon’s Slamming Boot Camp. She is passionate about empowering and shaping the lives of women. Her Boot Camps are held weekly in Ruston and Arcadia, Louisiana. For more information on Sharon, visit www.stayingfitwithsharon.com.

==================You are what you EAT==================

I love to read, especially books that pertain to my profession. I believe that you always have to continue to stay educated to be the best that you can be. Everyday I work with women who are not happy with their bodies. They profess to me, “I they really don’t eat that much so why am I not

losing weight!” They work out at least 3 times a week but the pounds are still there. The formula does not change unless you have another underlying medical problem. If you burn more calories than you consume you are going to lose fat. The most important factor to why these clients are not successful is because of what they are eating or not eating. Many clients think that to lose weight they should decrease their calories significantly but this is not the case. When you deny your body food you are sending your body into starvation mode and the fat will not burn. I recently read a book called How To Eat,

Move And Be Healthy. This book of full of great stuff, but can be overwhelming. It just reinforced what I already believe and share with my clients. In order to achieve your goals and be healthy you have to put the right things in your body. It is so important that you choose healthy food choices. I will give you some things that you can work on incorporating into your eating plan. Please don’t feel like you have to make all the changes at one time. Choose one and work on it and try another one when you are ready. Always remember that living healthy is a lifestyle. * When choosing foods try to

buy certified organic instead of chemically produced foods.* Try to avoid processed foods(most foods in center of grocery store)* Avoid genetically modified foods* Eat Plenty of vegetables and fruit* Choose organic or sprouted grain products* Always choose high-quality sources of animal products* Get adequate Omega 3* Consume sugar in moderation

I know this seems like a lot but when it comes to your health it is worth it to know what you can do to maintain it! The good news is that the more postitive changes you make in regards to your eating habits, the better you will feel and the more energy you will have to keep striving for optimal health. This is the ultimate goal!

------------------------

YOU ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE, EVERYTHING YOU HAVE AND EVERYTHING YOU BECOME.

------------------------


When you have a digestive problem, Dr. Leonel Lacayo is here

to help you live a healthier life. Dr. Lacayo is a board-certified

gastroenterologist who serves Lincoln, Ouachita and the

surrounding parishes. A graduate of LSU and the Tulane School

of Medicine, Dr. Lacayo treats conditions ranging from heartburn

and indigestion to acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome

symptoms. He also provides preventive care such as colonoscopies

and other colon cancer screenings. For an appointment, please

call 318-254-1274.

Leonel Lacayo, M.D.Board-Certified Gastroenterologist Member of the Medical Staff at Northern Louisiana Medical Center

411 East Vaughn Avenue, Suite 205 Ruston

318-254-1274

He can help keep your digestive system on tract.Right here at home.

51448_NLMC_Lacayo_9_75x6_08c.indd 1 9/30/10 10:35 AM


------------------CURTAINS AT RIVERTOWN REP. in NEW ORLEANSHAS PIZAZZ------------------

“CURTAINS” is a back-stage murder mystery musical about the fallout where an untalented star is murdered at her final curtain call. Opening night. A police Lieutenant from Boston’s finest in 1959 who is a fan of musical theatre is called in to solve the murder.”Curtains”, a Tony Winning musical has all the stuff needed for a successful who-dun it with all the elements of a star studded evening of theatre under Patrick M. Mendelson’s watchful direction. His cast takes his direction and Jaune Buisson’s choreography to a high level of kicking with pizzazz filling the Rivertown stage... There is a lot of theatre expressions used and Michael Sullivan as the director does them with effect. Jaune Buisson

(Marquee winner) frosting on the cake as Niki, the love interest of the Inspector, .Lucas Harms, are a good match. They work well off each other. Tracy E. Collins as the producers’ wife is a stand-out (another marquee Award winner).as usual. She gives her role the added projection needed and gets many laughs in her songs as she belts. Carrie Black as her daughter, Bambie, has many moments. Kayla Herrington as one of the musical writers and takes over the leading role, also belts many of the Kander and Ebb’s songs. Jim Chimento as the #man, Clayton Mazoue, Jessie Alan Forcha and Jimmy deMontluzin round out the first-class cast giving the leads exceptional background. Jeffery Ramirez as the other song writer team has 2 songs and is outstanding in both. He is a good match to Kayla Herrington together. Musical Director Alan Payne, Set Designers Christopher Ward and Eric Porter. Costumers Kate Jensen and Rebecca Marcus and Lighting Designers Scott Sauber and Nancy Macko are necessary added talents that help to make “Curtains” what it is, a good start for their 23rd Season.Also don’t forget they have dinner catered by Benedict’s Plantation. It is super special..


the true confessions

of an

ANTIQUE JUNKIE

by Donna Arender

Obviously, since I’m known as the “Antique Junkie”, I like old stuff. I usually write about treasure hunting trips where I search high and low for antiques, junk, and almost anything in between. If it’s old, rusty, cracked, or has the paint peeling off-then it usually “calls my name.” The term “modern” just doesn’t seem to go well in my home, unless it’s electricityor running water. But something

happened almost two years ago that made me change the rules a little bit.

In December of 2008 my first grand-child was born. My daughter was still living at home at the time, so I had to part with a few of my beloved antique pieces to make room for the baby. There were a few one-of-a-kind trea-sures that I couldn’t bear to get rid of, so they ended up going to storage. A big red rocking chair, a baby bed, rat-tles, and toys soon took the place of an old pie safe, antique mantel, and vintage collectables. I didn’t mind making these changes because the birth of Remington Elijah brought me a new level of JOY that I never knew was possible. As a parent, I loved my children deeply, but becoming a grandparent, I experienced a whole new level of love. My heart skipped a beat and my eyes were filled with tears when I first held that sweet tiny baby.

Just as surely as the coming and going if these seasons, life goes on and we are faced with changes. This year has proven to be no different. I have adapted well to the changes in my life and I have learned to blend the old with the new. I have been blessed beyond measure.

My Mom and I usually go off on oneof our “treasure hunting” trips to cel-ebrate one of our birthdays, but this year I didn’t have to travel very far...I had a new treasure just waiting on me. In July of this year I was given the gift of my second grandson. Levi Wesson was born only two days after my birthday.

So as I look around my home, my heart if filled with delight by some of the “junk” that I’ve collected here and there. But more than any material possession is the love and joy I have

from being surrounded by family and friends. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl”. The same is true with antique junkies.

No matter how much “new” comes in to our life, we still have a place in our hearts for the “old”. I have had lots of fun in the past several months, enjoy-ing time with both of my grandsons, but still playing around with some of my vintage toys. I think somewhere in the near future I’ll have a couple of little shopping buddies as I travel off on one of my treasure hunting trips. I‘ve already converted an old high water pie safe into a storage shelf for toys and books. And I can’t wait to see the look on my daughter’s face when “the boys” come home wag-gin some piles of junk that their Gigi let them get. I already got in trou-ble when I decided to have a photo shoot with Levi laying in an antique doll cradle.

McKensie said, “Mom-I can’t believe you put my new baby boy in THAT OLD THING!” I just smiled, think-ing to myself...if she only knew. No doubt about it, I have the best of both worlds...and I’m lovin’ every minute of it.

------------------------------------------------Pictured is Levi Wesson - 2 months old. He is lying in a antique black doll cradle accom-panied by “Smiley” the vintage brown teddy bear.

------------------------------------------------


------------------------------------------------Extend your Growing Season & Your Plants

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The more gardening you do, the better you get at it-you learn the tricks over a period of time. You have to have faith in yourself; even if you go to the books, common sense is the answer 90% of the time. You have to be persistent, have a little self-confidence, and keep plugging at it. ~ John Kehoe, Greenhouse Supervisor, Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, quoted from Garden Smarts, 1995 One of the greatest pleasures a gardener can have is to propagate their own plants. It is so much fun to watch beginnings of your own hand grow and mature into plants. It is also economical. Propagation by cutting is a highly efficient method of reproducing an exact genetic replica of your plant. The perfect time is fall. Take tip cuttings and multiply your plant collection. I take extras just in case some do not take root. I also love to share with friends. Some things to remember: Use a sharp clean pruning hook (Websters’s name for a pair of pruners) or a one-sided razor blade to avoid transmitting disease and crushing plant tissue. If you choose to use recycled pots be sure and sterilize with a solution of 10% bleach water after scrubbing containers with warm soapy water. Wipe container thoroughly & rinse well. By sterilizing pots before reuse, the crop of cuttings is sure to get off to a healthier start. To help ensure a cuttings success, I use a rooting hormone. This encourages difficult plants to develop faster. A free draining growing medium like sand mixed with sterile mix, or seed starting mix will help with your success. I also like to start my cuttings in kitty litter. Yes, I said kitty litter, a normal inexpensive brand from the grocery or garden center. You will be surprised with the results. Now that you have your clean pruners, pots, and soil mix you are ready to get started. Select the tip of the bud and a length of stem containing two or three nodes. (A node is a knot or growth, bud, bulge, bump, lump, or swelling.) Don’t get anxious and do to big of a cutting. The growing tip is going to root faster than hardened wood lower on a stem. It is best if you have a greenhouse to place your new babies in, but if you don’t, just place the pot of new cuttings in the shade out of

direct sunlight, label, and water well. You do not want them to dry out, but not over water. That will be sure death. Check on the newly started pots often, removing any dead or fallen leaves. Stems of plants such as geraniums, dahlias, mints & watercress root quickly. They will be ready in a few weeks. This is fast work compared to other types seedlings. When following my plan of attack, in anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, you will have many new plants to be set out in the garden sunshine and share with your friends. It doesn’t matter if you are an old hat or beginning with plants and propagation you will have successes and some failures. I learned this by placing cuttings in the ground and giving it a try. Many times I didn’t know If it would live. If you fail, try, try again; plants are different as to what season is best for cuttings. Give it a try, what have you got to lose. You can always put it in the compost pile if it doesn’t work out!

Sterile Mix Recipes:

Peat-Based Seed Starting Mix: 1 part milled Canadian sphagnum peat moss with 1 part perlite or

vermiculite.

Peat-Based Planting Mix: 1 part milled Canadian sphagnum peat

moss with 1 part horticultural vermiculite and 1 part coarse

sand or perlite.

Start Small, think big, Whether growing from seed or propagating from cuttings, nothing compares

to the thrill of starting life.

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Share your gardening tips with us at [email protected]. And above all, Happy Gardening! Some material for this article were taken from Charlie’s Greenhouse.com Smith & Hawkins; The Hands on Gardener-Seeds & Propagation. October is time to plant poppy’s and larkspur flower seed. Vegetables to plant include sweet peas, beets, lettuce, celery, cabbage, carrots, Swiss chard, garlic, leeks and onions, mustard greens, radishes, shallots, spinach, parsley, and turnips. November is time to plant garlic, celery, cabbage, mustard greens, and spinach. Want to try some internet sources? Go to gardening.com, garderners.com, & greenfeet.com. A good book to check out is The American Horticultural Society’s Plant Propagation, by Alan Toogood.


So, today, my son informs me that he no longer needs therapy. In his infinite, 11-year-old wisdom he has every confidence that he has got everything under control. True, he has had three glorious weeks, continuously, I might add, at school. He has been completing work with no complaint, obeying rules with no talking back and controlling his anger when he gets things wrong. Therapy, he says, is boring. I mean, it’s not like playing video games, right?

Just before school started, we began a new therapy; neurofeedback. This therapy is direct training of brain function, by which the brain learns to function more efficiently. Autism spectrum disorders are said to cause abnormal neurological development. Boring, just like my son says, right? I find it pretty interesting, considering how little we actually know about brain function. It’s all over my head when we get to talking about the different brain waves, but interesting, nonetheless. I also sing its praises! We have seen a pretty big shift in our child. A child who once could not tell us what he did at school all day, now comes home and relays

an entire day’s worth of activities, including what he ate for lunch and the conversation he had with the one friend he has made. A child who once pronounced his undying and life-long hatred of math is now willingly working long-division problems with his tutor and doing it with a smile on his face AND has told us his hero is his math teacher because she made him love math. A child who could not vocalize the emotions that were constantly causing him confusion and insecurity and now sits with us and explains what he is feeling and why he thinks things bother him and what he and others can do to help him get through a day. I stand

amazed. Of course we’ve hit bumps in the road. Just last week we had some major ones involving the same old behaviors of yelling, screaming and using the strongest words possible in his attempt to describe the emotion raging inside. We’ve met with his school, gotten him some new tools in place, secured training for his teachers and strengthened his IEP. We’re still going to have issues and I’m slowly coming to terms with that. I was so taken in by the good stuff going on, that when he had his problems last week, I was almost devastated. But, we’re trying to take one day at a time and everyone seems to be interested in working things out at the moment. And he was completely shocked that he ended up grounded the entire week, because none of this could possibly be bad enough for THAT! He was relentless in his attempts to do something, anything, fun. But as he’s pointed out to us before and he is learning slowly, we are mean and don’t want him to have any fun. The bump I’m most worried of hitting is the one we come to when he’s old enough to decide for himself whether he wants the therapy or if he’s happy with who he is and the way things are going. More and more, as he gets older, I see where I have to let go and let him succeed or fail on his own terms. That’s hard to do. I can only hope the example I’m setting for him now will empower him to become a good advocate for himself. I tell him every day he is amazing and that I am proud of him – he rolls his eyes, sighs and says “Yeah, I know…” Because that’s what preteens do best; they eat, sleep and roll their eyes at you. I can find comfort in knowing that, in this, he is like every 11 year old in the world.


Embrace Life,No Matter What,

By Laura Horton

State Farm® agent

Have you ever heard, “If I only had more time” As people grow older, some may have regrets about all the things they did not do. Not taking an exotic trip or missing visits to family members might top the list. Your list might even include “not running a marathon.” One of the biggest regrets may be not telling a loved one how much you care.

One thing is for sure: The more you enjoy life and prepare for the unexpected, the fewer regrets you may have. While no one can possibly do everything on a lifetime to-do list, there are plenty of ways to show people you care. One way is to make sure your family has the financial means to continue living their current lifestyle if you are no

longer around.

Life insurance is one way to do just that. A strong economic foundation includes adequate life insurance coverage; enough to cover a mortgage, college tuition or outstanding debts.

There are many online sites, including statefarm.com®, that provide calculators to determine your life insurance needs. A qualified insurance professional can help you choose a policy to meet your needs and fit in your budget. Once a policy is in place, you can revisit it, especially during different life events, to make certain the coverage is still appropriate.

Knowing you have provided for your loved ones will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy doing the things you’ve always wanted to do.

Your primary care is his primary concern.

When it comes to the well-being of your family, you can rely on the knowledge and compassion of Tobe Momah, M.D. A board-certified family practice physician, Dr. Momah is dedicated to helping your family get well and stay that way. So whether it’s a simple stomachache, preventive care or the management of a chronic condition like diabetes, Dr. Momah will provide the attentive care you need. He treats adults and children of all ages and has a particular interest in women’s health.

Dr. Momah is now accepting new patients. For an appointment, please call 318-263-7003.

Member of the Medical Staff at Northern Louisiana Medical Center

Tobe Momah, M.D. 1251 Hazel Street • Arcadia

318-263-7003

51083_NLMC_Momah_4_8x6_08c.indd 1 9/22/10 9:39 AM

the minute magazine oct nov dec 2010

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