COMPLIMENTARY

JANUARY 2016, VOL. 13 ISSUE 12

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Publisher / Editor
Mike Strong

Table of Contents

Sales Manager

PARISH PRESIDENT..................4

Dottie Godberry

LAYNES JEWELRY ..................11

Staff Photographer

SWEET EYES W/ TANYA.... ....12

Jimmy Dunkley

FOR MORE INFORMATION

HEALTH FEST........................................24

225.622.3262
www.riverparishfoods.com

Contributing Writers
Bill Delaune

JAMMIN WITH GOOSIE........ 29

BILL DELAUNE........................ 30

Linda Melancon
Calvin Bessonett

Bully
Goosie Guice
Orhan McMillan
Kellie Seymour
Tanya Stilley
Roland Doucet
Jimmy Dunkley

For Advertising
Information Please call:
225-622-1324

E-Mail Comments
to Stronggraphics1@cox.net
www.ascensionmagazine.net

Note: Features in this

publication labeled
advertorial
are paid for editorials.
All Rights Reserved.
Opinions expressed are not
necessarily those of the
publisher, editor or staff of
Ascension Magazine

18386 Little Prairie Rd.

Prairieville, LA 70769

THOUGHTS FROM BULLY.....34

FEED THE NEEDY....................38

PHOTOS BY CANDY BRIGNAC

President Matassa Takes Oath,

Pledges Service, Transparency
and Unified Government Operations
With his wife, Selma, by his
side, on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016
newly seated Ascension Parish
President Kenny Matassa took
the oath of office in a packed
Donaldsonville Parish
Courthouse, assuring everyone
his administration would be one
committed to serving the
residents of Ascension while
also focusing on transparency,
and operating as a unified
government.
President Matassa was sworn
in by state District Judge Tess
Percy Stromberg following the
swearing in of the 11-member
Parish Council.
First-term members
Councilman Bill Dawson,
Councilman Aaron Lawler and
Councilman John Cagnolatti
joined with Councilman Oliver

Joseph, Councilman Travis

Turner, Councilman Daniel
Doc Satterlee, Councilman
Dempsey Lambert, Councilman
Randy Clouatre, Councilwoman
Teri Casso, Councilman Todd
Lambert and Councilman
Benny Johnson in taking the
oath from Ascension Parish
Court Judge Marilyn Lambert.
The following is taken from
President Matassas
Inauguration Speech On July 4, 1939, thousands
of Yankee fans honored one of
their heroes, Lou Gehrig. In his
brief message, to his fans and
the baseball world, Gehrig said,
Today I consider myself the
luckiest man on earth alive.
And its with much humility
that I say to you today, that I

am the luckiest man alive.

What an honor to stand next to

you as your next Ascension

Parish President. Its been a
long road from my childhood
in Donaldsonville to reach such
an important leadership role.
But rest assured, Im ready for
the challenge and anxious to
get started.
The theme of my next four
years will focus on servant
leadership. Scripture tells us
that Jesus professed it is much
more blessed to give than to
receive.
I found following this philosophy, this is the only pathway
to true success. And I feel
Ascension Parish Government
can elevate its effectiveness
using this approach to leadership. We will lead in the way we
serve others, serve excellence
and serve citizens.
We seek to be difference
makers. There are many
challenges ahead. We need
infrastructure improvements, a
parish wide sewer system,
technology upgrades across all
departments, effective
cost-cutting practices and a
productive approach to problem
solving, to name some of the

more important challenges.

Economically, Ascension is
blessed with a brisk climate and
a bright future. I will continue
to pursue new investments to
open jobs for our citizens and
adding tax dollars to parish
finances.
My expectations of all
employees is that they serve the
taxpayers and each other in a
productive manner.
Team work, improved
cooperation and communication
between parish governmental
bodies, and moving all actions
from the dark to the light of

day are essential components

required to propel our parish
forward.
We are one parish. We need
one vision. The Mississippi
River divides us physically, but
we must become one. Focus is
to create a governmental body
serving every citizen of this
parish.
We will not point fingers to
the past. That is over and done
with. It is our task to begin
where we currently are and
become as great as we are
capable of becoming. It is not
about blame, but boldness.

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5

These are trying and

demanding times demanding
change. Please understand there
will be some chaos because there
is no change free of strife. Your
parish leadership team is committed to serving citizens, not
filling our political hat for the
next election.
We will always do what is
right, not what is self-serving.
In the coming weeks, I will
communicate my vision and the
posture of a number of issues.
You will always know where
we are, and where we are in
the process.
Secrets are now effectively
outlawed.
Our government blanketed
with the sincere serving
approach is the new normal.
Im already looking towards the
future, not with daydreams,
but with a sound strategy for

happened to me in the past

months would not have been
possible without the support of
so many.
First, the voters who believed
in my candidacy, thank you for
your vote of confidence. I am
deeply indebted to your belief in
me. I will never let you down.
Secondly, the many supporters
who volunteered their time to
make the campaign a success, I
could not have won without
you. I appreciate you very much.
Members of the community,
my transition team, employees
and citizens have offered insights
that are invaluable. Thank you
for your wisdom.
For those individuals that
supported other candidates,
please know you are citizens of
the parish and I plan to extend
the same service attitude I
mentioned to you because I was

success.
Ascension Parish citizens
have the right to receive the
leadership that will overcome
obstacles now hindering the
process.
It is a daunting task, but one
our employees are ready to
tackle. It is with a confident
mind and a serving heart that
I ask for your support and
wisdom. Become a part of
the process when you feel
so inclined.
Keep us informed of issues we
may be missing. Join us not
only in serving you, but serving
each other as well. All that has
6

elected to serve everyone and to

forget about political paybacks.
I also want to thank
everyone for being here to make
this a memorable day. I am
appreciative of the elected
officials present and their
support. I pledge to work with
each of you in a cooperative
manner as we all strive to make
Ascension Parish one of the best
places in which to live and bring
up our families.
Ive saved the best for last.
I am eternally grateful and
thankful for the encouragement
to move forward extended to
me by my family, especially my

wife Selma. She has been the

rock on which I leaned on
throughout the campaign. I lost
precious time with her and the
children by being on the campaign trail. But there were never
complaints, just unwavering support to do what it took to win.
God has a plan for all of us.
Im grateful for the blessing he
extended to me and the ability
to lean on when I needed him
when things became tough. He
gave our family the courage to
cope with the accident of our
son Nick. I am pleased to tell
you, while he still has a long way
to go, we are encouraged by his
progress as you can see him here

today. I thank you for your

prayers. I ask that you continue
praying for his rapid recovery.
Let me leave you in closing
with these thoughts. I shall pass
through this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can
do, or any kindness that I can
show to my fellow human being,
let me do it now. Let me not
defer or neglect it, for I shall not
pass this way again. I love my
God. I love my family and I love
Ascension Parish.
I look forward for an exciting
four years serving each of you.
Thank You. May God bless the
citizens of our parish and our
entire country.

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Ascension Parish

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St. Amant Volunteer Fire Department Receives

$20,000 Donation from PCS Nitrogen

L to R: Potash Safety Specialist Chase Stogner, Firefighter Jack Belleu, Potash HSE Manager Gary Devall, Lt. Gary Germany, Sgt. Greg Swanson,
Chief James E. LeBlanc, Asst. Chief Josh Wingerter, Firefighter Mytrail Whitehead, Asst. Chief Shane Stunts and Safety Officer Mike Breaux

On December 21, 2015 the St.

for a donation which will make

As a team of highly trained and

Several years ago, PCS Nitrogen

Amant Volunteer Fire

our Volunteer Firefighters a

dedicated volunteers, it is our

also gave a sizable donation to

Department received a

safer place to train, stated

mission to provide the highest

the St. Amant Volunteer Fire

$20,000.00 donation from

Chief Officer James E. LeBlanc.

standard of service to all those

Department to purchase a fire

who may seek our help. We are

boat which is currently housed

PCS Nitrogen to assist in

funding for Emergency

According to Chief LeBlanc,

a service provider and we stand

on the Diversion Canal, stated

Response Training Props for

this money will start the begin-

ready to provide fire suppres-

LeBlanc. Since purchasing the

Volunteer Firefighters.

ning of several training props

sion, fire prevention and educa-

fire boat, we have responded to

that will be used at the St.

tion, rescue services and emer-

five working structure fires

Again we are overwhelmed by

Amant Volunteer Fire Station to

gency medical care. We will

along the Diversion Canal,

the generosity of this Local

train our Volunteers on

faithfully provide these vital

LeBlanc said.

Chemical Facility and all the

Confined Space Rescue, High

services, promptly and safely, to

residents of the St. Amant

Angle Rope Rescue, Search and

any person who resides in,

As the worlds largest crop

Community should join our

Rescue Techniques and some

works in, or visits the St. Amant

nutrient company, PotashCorp

department by thanking PCS

live firefighting.

Community, stated LeBlanc.

plays an integral role in global

food production. The company

tion since 1964 and we are a

produces the three essential

proud member of the Geismar

nutrients required to help

region contributing locally

farmers grow healthier, more

through employment,

abundant crops. With global

purchasing and community

population rising and diets

investments.

improving in developing
countries, crop nutrients such

As a family of volunteers

as potash, phosphates and

committed to serving others,

nitrogen offer a responsible

we will always provide for the

and practical solution to help

welfare of our personnel

produce the food we need,

through a healthy and rewarding

from the land we have.

training environment. We are

dedicated to respect, integrity,

According to PCS Human

compassion, and leadership

Resources Specialist Misty

amongst ourselves so that we

Bonfanti, PCS Nitrogen

may proudly serve others,

Fertilizer, LP. (PotashCorp

Stated LeBlanc.

Cypress Hall

Weddings Business Seminars

Crawfish Boils Reunions
Located behind Frank's Restaurant.
Accommodates 250 guests.
Menu and prices available on line at franksrestaurantla.net

Full wedding
packages include
Cake, DJ,
Chair covers,
Buffet and
much more.
Full bar available.

Geismar) produces nitrogen

and phosphate products for
fertilizers and industrial uses.
Our facility has been in opera-

Catering Coordinator:

Jena Guidry 225-677-5545

17425 Airline Hwy, Prairieville
franksrestaurantla.net
9

Parish President
Proclaims Gwen
LeBlanc Day in
Ascension Parish

Ascension Parish President Tommy

Martinez proclaimed Monday, Dec.
7, 2015 as Gwen LeBlanc Day in
Ascension Parish in honor of parish
Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer
Gwen LeBlancs 42-year career.
President Martinez read the proclamation aloud during the parish
finance meeting on Dec. 7 before
presenting it to Ms. LeBlanc. Gwen,
youve always done a wonderful job

and we appreciate it and I just wanted to show this small token of

appreciation, President Martinez
said. A lifelong resident of Ascension
Parish, Ms. LeBlanc began her
career in public service with the
parish in 1973. In 1984, Ms. LeBlanc
accepted the position of Ascension
Parish Secretary-Treasurer and in
1994, she was promoted to Chief
Administrative Officer until 2000. Ms.
LeBlanc became Chief Financial
Officer/Treasurer in 2000 and
remains in that position today. While
maintaining a distinguished career in
Ascension Parish, Ms. LeBlanc has
also served with numerous organizations including as an Ascension
Parish Sales & Use Tax Authority

board member, a Parochial

Retirement System of Louisiana
board member elected statewide,
Government Finance Officers
Association (state and national)
member, National Association of
Counties County Administrators
Organization, Louisiana Association
of Parish Administrators, Leadership
Ascensions first class graduate and
past member of their Alumni Board.
She is also a member of the East
Ascension Rotary Club. With 42
years of dedicated service to the
residents of Ascension Parish, Gwen
LeBlanc has lived up to and surpassed the parameters defined in
the Ascension Parish Home Rule
Charter because she has performed

her duties as Treasure of Ascension

Parish with integrity and honesty,
and all done in a professional manner, President Martinez said. Shown
from left to right are: Parish
Councilman Daniel Doc Satterlee,
Parish Councilman Oliver Joseph,
Parish Councilman Travis Turner,
Parish Councilwoman Teri Casso,
Parish Councilman Kent
Schexnaydre, Chief Financial
Officer/Treasurer Gwen LeBlanc,
Parish Councilman Chris Loar,
Parish Council Chairman Randy
Clouatre, Parish President Tommy
Martinez, Parish Councilman Benny
Johnson, Parish Councilman
Dempsey Lambert and Parish
Councilman Todd Lambert.

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Birthstones

pastel colored freshwater pearls,

and the rich pastel shades of
Tahitian pearls.

January - Garnet.

Known
thousands of years for their
pomegranate color, a gift of garnet is

Rose or pink gold is produced by

adding a small amount of copper to
the alloy. The more copper, the
redder the alloy. Peach gold is an
orangey-pink alloy that looks
especially attractive with clear,
white diamonds.
Many fashion-forward designers are
offering new two-tone jewelry styles
combining pink and white gold, or
pink gold and platinum in elegant
rings, pendants, pins, earrings,
bracelets, and necklaces.

Rose Gold Blooms

as a High-Fashion
Color

your diamonds every day, soap, cosmetics, skin oils, and lotions tend to
build up and can form a film that
dulls a diamonds lively sparkle.
To clean your diamonds yourself, soak
diamonds in a solution of water,
detergent, and ammonia. Then scrub
gently with a soft brush. Put the jewelry in a fine wire strainer and rinse
under warm running water. The
strainer prevents diamonds from slipping down the drain.
To keep your diamonds looking their
best they should be cleaned regularly.
The safest way is to let us do it for
you using a high powered steam bath

A timeless look that many men have

already discovered: masculine rings
and watch cases in rose gold or
two-tone rose gold and platinum or
titanium.

thought to be symbolic of a deep love

and having the ability to keep loved
ones safe during travel. Legend says
Noah used a garnet lantern to help
him steer his ark through the darkness
and protect him from evil and disaster. A diverse and complex gem
group, garnets are hard and durable.
Famed for its rich red color, consumers are always surprised to find
this gem available in a rainbow of
sparkling hues everything except
blue.

with Layne Gautreau

The soft, luscious blush color of rose

gold is gaining new popularity this
season with designers of all types of
jewelry. Its fresh, flattering, and fun
to wear because it blends so well with
all kinds of flesh tones.

Jewelry Doctor

The warm look of rose, pink, and

even peach colored gold also
combines beautifully with the more
popular pastel gemstones...pink
tourmaline, pink and violet sapphires,
amethyst, pale blue topaz, light green
peridot, and soft yellow citrine. It
also goes well with pink and other

Care Tips for Diamonds

Diamond is the hardest substance
known to man. It is a brilliant,
sparkling, and durable gem but it is
also a magnet for grease. If you wear

11

made specifically for cleaning gems

and jewelry. That way we can also
make sure prongs or other settings are
not weak or loose.

only one weft to a section of my

hair and on the other side she
used tape only. This was really
important to not apply too much
pressure or pull to my hair, and I
can really tell they are super light
on my hair.
When using any extension, you
do need to make sure you use
sulfate free shampoo and
conditioner. Also, with these
extensions its important to make
sure you dont use oils on your
hair, at least not towards the
scalp, because it will cause the
tape ins to slip. After getting
sweaty, I also try to dry my hair

ANOTHER FINISHED PRODUCT

Your Best
Hair Day,
Everyday.
You know that Ive done just
about everything to my hair
from coloring it red, blonde and
brown. Ive also tried every type
of strategy to add length to my
hair like adding hair tracks,
weaves, clip in and bonded
extensions.
My biggest challenge with
extensions is that they were too
heavy for my fine, color treated
hair and ended up causing more
breakage and harm to my hair. I
recently started hearing more
about tape in extensions, so I
decided to do some research and
then called one of my friends
Amber Leigh at Vintage salon at
1203 E. Cornerview in
Gonzales. She convinced me to
give them a try, and a month
into having these tape ins, I

absolutely love them!

AFTER

My tapes in extensions were a

brand called Babe that my stylist
recommended. They are about
an inch and a half wide and I got
them in the 18 length.
Other lengths available are
14 and 22.
I purchased two packs of extensions. Each pack costs $80, but
keep in mind you can reuse this
hair over and over as long as you
take care of them like you would
your own hair. (Installation starts
at $135) I ordered a lighter
blonde color other in a auburn
brown color. I must say the
color options for these extensions
are very true to life.

BEFORE

Each weft of hair is connected to

a piece of tape. A section of
your real hair is sandwiched in
between the two wefts, then heat
is applied for just a few seconds
using a flat iron. That is the
extent of the application. But
due to the fragile nature of my
hair, Amber didnt install these
extensions in the traditional
manner. Instead Amber placed

quickly, because I want to make

sure the tape stays put. Another
note: You also have to brush
them at least twice a day with an
extension brush, and you should
also put it in a braid or bun
when going to sleep to keep
tangles at bay.
These extensions are so easy!
They hold a curl for days on end,
and I have so many styling
options. When I wake up in the
morning, I brush my hair and
thats it. I use some dry
shampoo at my roots when I
want to avoid another day of
washing my hair, but thats it!
These extensions will grow out
with your hair, so you may want
to get them taken out and reapplied in eight to twelve weeks,
depending on how fast your hair
grows. Amber even mentioned
that she has one client that had
them in for 18 weeks!
So, if youre thinking about
adding some length and volume
to your locks, give Amber at
Vintage Salon a call. You wont
regret it!
Thanks!!

VERY NATURAL, BLENDED LOOK

SANDWICH STYLE APPLICATION

12

Amber Leigh
Vintage Salon
225-485-2718

Did You Know?

Williamson Cosmetic Center
offers a variety of skin care
treatments that turn back the
clock by replenishing volume,
improving skin tone and
texture, removing age spots
and relaxing frown lines?
Botox is the most popular
cosmetic treatment, with more
than 6 million Botox treatments
administered each year. Botox is
used to treat forehead lines,
frown lines and crow's feet by
relaxing the underlying muscles.

Injectable wrinkle fillers are

used to treat the lips, cheeks
and facial folds. Wrinkle
fillers can also be used as
"volumizers," plumping and
lifting cheeks, jawlines, and
filling out thin lips.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light):
IPL is a popular spa treatment
that treats broken capillaries and
hyper-pigmentation ("age
spots") caused by age and sun
damage. IPL also stimulates the
production of collagen and
elastin, which plumps up the
skin and evens out skin tones.
Microneedling/Collagen
Induction Therapy (CIT):
CIT is similar to that of
many other non-surgical
skin-tightening procedures.
It aims to create a controlled
injury underneath the skin's
surface, thereby inducing the

body to respond by producing

more collagen in the treated
area. The skin plumps and
thickens in response, reducing
the appearance of scars, pore
size and fine lines.
Customized Facials and
Exfoliation Procedures:
Dermaplaning- a safe and
highly effective physical
exfoliation procedure that
gently " removes the top-most
layer of dead skin along with
fine, vellus hair (aka peach
fuzz). The procedure
can be performed
monthly, in less than
thirty minutes, with
no downtime
post-treatment
Silk peel- a
non-invasive
procedure which
exfoliates and
stimulates skin cell
growth. A silk peel
is used for hydrating
skin, treating acne
and lightening skin.
Micropeel- this
procedure combines
dermaplaning and a
chemical exfoliant. Micropeels
assist the skin to become
smoother, enhance appearance,
improve texture and
discoloration. You will see a
noticeable difference in fine
facial lines.
WCC Signature Facial
includes a careful analysis of
your skin, followed by
cleansing, dermaplaning,
extractions, massage of the
face, neck, shoulder and
dcollet and a customized
treatment mask application and
chemical exfoliation. This
facial can be performed
monthly with no downtime.
Chemical Peels: Chemicals,
such as, betahydroxy acids
(BHA), enzymes and
alphahydroxy acids (AHA) help
to exfoliate the skin to produce
a dewy glow, reduction in fine
lines and improvement of acne.

13

2306-A S. BURNSIDE AVE.

GONZALES, LA 70737

OPENING FEBRUARY 2ND

Get ready for a
UNIQUE and EXCITING
shopping experience!!!

Coming to St. Amant

beginning February 2nd
BIRDS & BERRIES HOME
DCOR

PAID FOR ADVERTORIAL

Barbara Villemarette
announces the opening of her
new retail shoppe located in
The Venue Shopping Center
on Hwy 431 in St. Amant,
near the intersection of
Hwys 431 & 621, also near
The Church at St. Amant.

Pam Louque, Gwen Kohan, Barbara Villemarette, Annette Bates, Ruth Hanson, Denise Hebert, Pam Delaune
SPECIALIZING in
Shabby Chic, Vintage,

Birds & Berries Home Dcor

will be Open Tuesdays through
Saturdays, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Antiques, Collectibles,
Furniture, and Gifts
from brand new to old
Nineteenth Century
one-of-a-kind treasures

Twelve booths will be

chock-a-block filled with
furniture {distressed, antiqued
and painted} primitives
shutters doors
homemade soaps

15

designer room sprays crystal

china wooden boxes
wicker pictures
metal dcor rustic garden
dcor vintage jewelry
just to name a few!!!
Vendors already on board
include Annette Bates, Denise
Hebert, Gwen Kohan, Pam

Louque, Ruth Hanson,

Pam Delaune, Amy & Clayton
Villemarette and, of course,
Barbara Villemarette!
Our team will be bringing many
years of experience to the
business as well as a very
unique inventory that will be
ever changing since our

one-of-a-kind products tend to sell very

quicklyso plan to visit regularly. Also, be
sure to sign our registry so that your loved
ones can know what to buy for birthdays,
anniversaries, or just those sweet
I love you gifts.
The entire team at Birds & Berries Home
Dcor welcomes everyone to visit our new
shoppe for your home dcor needs, for
friendly decorating advice, or to just simply
browse for that perfect item hiding in and
amongst the shoppes large selection of
inventory.

SHOULD BE A LITTLE
SOMETHING FOR
EVERYONE!!!
{For more information concerning
Birds & Berries Home Dcor, or if you
are interested in renting a booth
(space is limited), please contact
Barbara Villemarette at 225.715.5554}
See you soon at

Birds & Berries

Home Dcor
13489 Hwy 431 Suite C
St. Amant, LA 70774

225.999.4438 225.999.GIFT

16

PHOTOS BY JESSICA RAMBIN

17

EATEL and C.A.R.A.

Team Up to Raise
Funds for Local
Animal Shelter
Pets Invited to
Join the Krewe of
Fideaux and
Parade in Their
Best Costumes
Calling all pets! EATEL and
Companion Animal Rescue of
Ascension (known as C.A.R.A.)
are teaming up to raise funds
for C.A.R.A.s House,
formerly known as the
Ascension Parish Animal
Shelter.
C.A.R.A.s House and EATEL
will host the Krewe of Fideaux
Pet Parade and Costume
Contest on Saturday, January
23, 2016 in the parking lot of
EATELs Operations Building
which is located at 406 E.
Worthey Road in Gonzales,
next to East Ascension High
School. Registration will start
at 11:30 a.m. and the parade
will take place at 1:30 p.m.
Its FREE to attend! To
participate in the parade or costume contest, its a $20 donation per animal, but if a family
has more than one pet to enter,
its just an extra $5 donation
per additional family pet.
Prizes will be given out in the
categories of Most Original,
Most Unusual, Best Small
Dog and Best Large Dog.
We are a critical resource in
Ascension Parish, providing a
safe place for stray and/or
abandoned animals to stay until
they are adopted, says Starr
Breaux, Director and Board
President for C.A.R.A.s
House. Without financially
supportive sponsors like
EATEL and donations from the
community, we wouldnt be
able to continue to give these
animals the food, water, shelter
and veterinary medical
attention they need while
they are with us.
The first annual Krewe of
Fideaux Pet Parade and
Costume Contest will feature a
canine kissing booth, vendors
with great items to browse and
buy, delicious food, and
adoptable animals who are
looking for a fur-ever home.

first Mardi-Gras-themed event

for local families and their pets
in Ascension, says Matt
Wallace, EATEL Executive Vice
President of Marketing. It is
our hope that through this
event, we will help C.A.R.A.s
House fulfill their mission
which is to find loving,
permanent homes for the
animals they rescue.

This pet parade and costume

contest event is one thats
crucial to the future of this
organization.
Please note:
Aggressive behavior of
animals will NOT be tolerated
at this event.
Pets must be older than 12
weeks old and have rabies c
ertificate.
No pets in heat are allowed at
the event.
All pets must be on a leash at
all times.
Owners are responsible for
their pets waste.
Non-motorized floats are
allowed.

About
C.A.R.A.s House

We are so happy to support

C.A.R.A.s House and host this
18

C.A.R.A.s House staff and

volunteers rescue animals that
have been abandoned to fend
for themselves or who are
surrendered by owners who can
no longer care for them. They
obtain and pay for veterinarian
services for all foster animals,

including vaccinations,
screening for common illnesses,
and treatment of preexisting
conditions. They place
adoptable pets in safe and
caring foster homes until their
forever homes can be found.
They spay/neuter and
microchip all pets prior to
adoption. They hold adoption
events on a regular basis. They
maintain and care for adoptable
cats and kittens in the Gonzales
PetSmart Luv-A-Pet Adoption
Center and so much more.
The mission of C.A.R.A.s
House is to find loving,
permanent homes for the
animals they rescue.
To learn more about
C.A.R.A.s House, please visit
www.carala.org or call
(225) 255 1275.

Deviating

Developing
Your Strategy:
Monitoring and
Evaluating

Now, youre probably wondering

if deviating from your plan is
alright. Honestly, it is perfectly
fine and your strategic plan is a
guideline and not written in
stone.

by Orhan Mc Millan
dezinsINTERACTIVE

Last month, we continued our

article series on developing your
business strategy through
implementation. We explained
that the process of
implementation turns your
strategies into a reality. Simply
put, strategy is nothing without
executing it.
In the final installment of
Developing Your Strategy, we
will focus on the ideas of
monitoring and evaluating your
strategic plan. Although we
mentioned these concepts, we
will discuss them more
specifically.

Once tasks and roles are delegated to individual employees, then

someone has to assigned to both
watch and assess the progress of
the plan. Think of it as a periodic
checking to see how things are
going. For many businesses, these
steps are as vital as complete the
initial strategic plan.

Monitoring and
Evaluating

In the end, monitoring is the

correlation between your written
strategic plan and the day-to-day
operation of your company or
organization. This will prevent
employees from neglecting your
goals and getting caught up in
daily tasks. Your employees
performance will be stimulated
and improved as well.
Whats more is that evaluating
your efforts will serve as an early
warning mechanism. If something
is not working, you have the
opportunity to make changes as
needed.
Truthfully, the frequency of
monitoring and evaluating
depends on the type of
organization and its environment.
Whether it is meeting on a
weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or
quarterly basis, you have to find
the regularity that is right for
your company.

There are tools available to

track strategic priorities, like
Bridgespan, for example. These
types of dashboards show
timelines and results, reinforce
strategies and highlight progress.

Heres a checklist:

Ensure that activities are

kept within the parameters of
strategic goals and objectives.

Guarantee that activities

correlate with the companys
mission, values and overall vision.
Keep note of any external and
internal adjustments that may
need to be made the match
organizations strategy.
If you get off track, determine
why as soon as possible and
make changes.

When you are writing your

strategic plan, you must decide
what systems and structures will
be used to evaluate your
progress. In other words, are you
accomplishing what you
intended? It works as
measurement.
Watching the process closely also
allows for corrective action.
Therefore, you can make vital
adjustments along the way. Its a
means of fine tuning your
strategies and goals.

19

As the years pass by, your

company will probably change
directions several times as
business changes and grows.
These often result from external
needs and wants of clients. In
this case, you have a complete
understanding of why you are
changing from the original plan
and what needs to be done.
Continually revising your plan
is one of the best things you
can do.

Celebrating

Oftentimes, businesses do not

recognize the accomplishments
they have achieved. Strategic
organizers are too focused on
more and more progress.

Remember to celebrate your

small successes. This will only
motivate you and your team to
continue with the plan and
achieve more triumphs.

Ultimately, we hope these ideas

will help you not only monitor
the implementation of your
strategic plan, but also evaluate
its successes and failures.

What is
Periodontal
Disease
By Calvin Bessonet, DDS,FAGD

Gum disease, or periodontal

disease is a chronic inflammation
and infection of the gums and
surrounding tissue. It is the major
cause of about 70 percent of adult
tooth loss, affecting three out of
four persons at some point in their
life. Periodontal diseases include
gingivitis and periodontitis.

What causes
gum disease?
Bacterial plaque a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on
the teeth is recognized as the
primary cause of gum disease. If
plaque isn't removed each day by
brushing and flossing, it hardens
into a rough, porous substance
called calculus (also known as
tartar).Toxins produced and
released by bacteria in plaque
irritate the gums. These toxins
cause the breakdown of the fibers
that hold the gums tightly to the
teeth, creating periodontal pockets
that fill with even more toxins and
bacteria. As the disease progresses,
pockets extend deeper, and the
bacteria moves down until the

bone that holds the tooth in place

is destroyed. The tooth eventually
will fall out or require extraction.

Are there
other factors?
Yes. Genetics is also a factor, as are
lifestyle choices. A diet low in
nutrients can diminish the body's
ability to fight infection. Smokers
and spit tobacco users have more
irritation to gum tissues than
non-tobacco users, while stress can
also affect the ability to ward off
disease. Diseases that interfere
with the body's immune system,
such as leukemia and AIDS, may
worsen the condition of the gums.
In patients with uncontrolled diabetes, where the body is more
prone to infection, gum disease is
more severe or harder to control.
Pregnant women experience elevated levels of hormones that
cause the gums to react differently
to the bacteria found in plaque,
and in many cases can cause a
condition known as "pregnancy
gingivitis."

What are the

warning signs of
gum disease?
Signs include red, swollen or
tender gums, bleeding while
brushing or flossing, gums that
pull away from teeth, loose or
separating teeth, pus between the

gum and tooth, persistent bad

breath, a change in the way teeth
fit together when the patient bites
and a change in the fit of dentures.
While patients are advised to check
for the warning signs, there might
not be any discomfort until the
disease has spread to a point where
the tooth is unsalvageable. That's
why patients are advised to get
frequent dental exams.

How do you prevent

gum disease?

What does
periodontal
treatment involve?

How can I maintain

treatment at home?

In the early stages of gum disease,

most treatment involves a special
cleaning called scaling and root
planning, which removes plaque
and tartar around the tooth and
smoothing the root surfaces.
Antibiotics or antimicrobials may
be used to supplement the effects
of scaling and root planing. In
most cases of early gum disease,
called gingivitis, scaling and root
planing and proper daily cleaning
achieve a satisfactory result. More
advanced cases may require
surgical treatment, which involves
cutting the gums sometimes
with the assistance of a laser and
removing the hardened plaque
build-up and recontouring the
damaged bone. The procedure is
also designed to smooth root
surfaces and reposition the gum
tissue so it will be easier to keep
clean.

Removing plaque through daily

brushing, flossing and professional
cleaning is the best way to
minimize your risk. Your dentist
can design a personalized
program of home oral care to
meet your needs.

Sticking to a regular oral hygiene

regimen is crucial for patients who
want to sustain the results of
periodontal therapy. Patients
should visit the dentist every three
to four months (or more,
depending on the patient) for spot
scaling and root planing and an
overall exam. In between visits,
they should brush at least twice a
day, floss daily and brush their
tongue. Manual soft nylon bristle
brushes are the most dependable
and least expensive. Electric
brushes are also a good option,
but don't reach any further into
the pocket than manual brushes.
Proxy brushes (small, narrow
brushes) and other interdental
cleaners are the best way to clean
between the recesses in the teeth
and should be used once a day.
Wooden toothpicks and rubber
tips should only be used if
recommended by your dentist.

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20

Ascension
PREMIER DENTAL

Calvin G. Bessonet, DDS, FAGD

225.673.6910 www. AscensionDentist.com

OF OUR NEW CLINIC ON FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Conveniently located on Hwy 73 across the street from Dutchtown Elementary School at

13053 Highway 73, Suite B Geismar, Louisiana 70734.

The new state of the art facility will continue to have the same great one on one care that has made us

"Your Community Physical Therapy Provider" for over 8 years.

We are thankful for the trust from the
physicians and the community that
allows us to help Dutchtown and
Geismar residents with their
physical therapy needs.
We look forward to continuing
to grow with you in the
coming years.
Stephen Jackson, PT, DPT

21

DUTCHTOWN PHYSICAL THERAPY

13053 HIGHWAY 73, SUITE B
GEISMAR, LOUISIANA 70734

(225) 744-3631 fax (225) 744-3647

YOUR ESTATE MATTERS

By Linda Melancon
planning needs.

Another New
Years Resolution:
Organizing Your
Important Documents

Ive written before on how

crucial it is to meet with an estate
planning attorney to plan your
estate before its too late. But
even those who make this a
priority often wind up in
emergency mode in a lawyers
office years later. Clients invest
the time and resources to obtain
these documents to protect their
estate, their family, and their
loved ones, only to lose them or
not be able to provide them
quickly in their time of need.
So here are a few tips on how to
organize and take care of your
estate planning documents.

While I love the holidays and the

time with family that that they
bring, it felt good to walk into
the office on the first Monday in
January with my list of 2016
goals in hand, sit down at a
re-organized desk and work
without interruptions. Theres
something freeing and motivating
about cleaning out the old and
welcoming in the new, and in
honor of January being national
Get Organized Month, I want
to discuss how important that
organization can be to your
and your familys estate

First, know where your original

estate planning documents are.
While I encourage clients to
provide copies of their documents to their agents, executors
and trustees listed in their estate
planning documents, those copies
may not be able to accomplish
the desired result in an hour of
need. In fact, in Louisiana, if the
original will cannot be found at
the time of ones death, it is
presumed that the testator
purposely destroyed it as a means
to revoke it. Make it a new years
habit to verify where your
original documents are located,

that they are accessible in case of

an emergency, and that
responsible friends or family
members also know where they
are and how to access them. If
you cannot locate your original
documents, dont put it off until
later. Call and discuss with your
attorney what options you have
for replacing them.
Another thing to consider in
organizing your estate planning
documents is how you will
protect them so that they are
both accessible and safe in the
event of a natural disaster or
family dispute. I generally
recommend that my clients keep
their documents with other
important papers in a fire-proof
box at home. While a safety
deposit box at your bank may be
a natural conclusion, it often
creates difficulties for family
members after one is deceased.
Without the living owner of the
box, a court representative may
have to be appointed to access
the box and retrieve the contents.
A final reminder regarding the
organization of your estate
planning documents is to keep
them updated. When you check
each year to verify your original
documents location and
accessibility, also check that each
document still protects you or
your familys best interests. Has it
been 3 years or more since you
last updated your will or trust? If

so, you may want to review them

with your attorney. Tax
regulations may have changed, or
perhaps there was a marriage in
the family, a divorce, or the
purchase of a significant piece of
property that needs to be
addressed. Additionally, you
may have had minor children
who have since become adults
and need to designate their
own health and financial
representatives.
Your trips to the gym may wane
by March and the freezer now
stocked with healthy foods may
slowly refill with 5-minute boxed
options. But, a simple visit to the
place where your estate planning
documents are located and a
couple of phone calls with your
appointed agents or attorney is
one New Years resolution that
can provide for your peace of
mind throughout the entire year.
Of course, if you have never
created estate planning
documents to care for your
family and loved ones, make it
your resolution to make an
appointment with an estate
planning attorney today.
Mrs. Melancon has engaged in the practice of
law in Louisiana for the past 17 years. The
primary focus of her practice is estate planning,
special needs planning, elder law and probate.
She is also accredited by the VA to give advice
regarding veterans benefits. For more
information, please contact her at
225-744-0027. You may also visit her website
at www.LegacyCenterLa.com

Get Your
Mardi Gras Throws

CHEER UP AT THE PUB

PELICAN PUB
6473 hwy 44 suite 120
Gonzales, La.
extra shot
FREE
with every daiquiri

225-257-4153

CARNIVAL
MART

Open daily 2pm til

Shuffleboard Table Golden Tee

The Mardi Gras Center

BEADS THROWS DECORATIONS
www.carnivalmart.net
225.248.9720 800.229.6054
8986 Florline Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815
e-mail: carnvlmart@aol.com

Come Visit the Ford sisters

22

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Non-Smoking

23

EATEL Presents
St. Elizabeth
Hospital and
Physicians
2016 Family Fest

More than 1,500 people

from Ascension Parish and
surrounding areas attended
St. Elizabeths Family Fest last
year, and this years Family
Fest promises to be bigger
and better than ever!
Whether its having your face
painted or conquering the
1,850 square foot Adrenaline
Rush Extreme Obstacle
Course, shopping for the right
piece of reasonably priced
jewelry or the perfect gift,
learning how to feel better
and prevent or treat chronic
illnesses, or just having a bite
to eat, Family Fest has
something for everyone.
The Trademart Building at the
Lamar Dixon Expo Center in
Gonzales will house 24,000
square feet of Adventures in
Health with five distinct

islands of fun dedicated to

Lifestyle and Entertainment,
Shopping, Eating, Playing, and
Screenings, exhibits, and
demonstrations. Theres no
entrance fee or registration to
get in, and area restaurants
will be providing delicious food
samples while supplies last.
Each family will receive a
special gift while supplies last

just for attending, and if you

are lucky, you may win one of
the dozens of door prizes.

It would be difficult to find an

event that offers so much in
one place, for so many, for so
little. So bring your family to
the Family Fest between 9
a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday,
January 30, 2016, and
have a great time.

26

Booths and Activities

Shopping

Lady Janes
Simply Susan Jewelry

Games

AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana

Ascension Childrens Dental
Mathnasium
Premier Lanes

Activities

BREC on the Geaux

Recreational Trailer
Basketball goals
Disc Golf
Slack Lines
Jump Ropes
Hula Hoops
Mini Trampolines
And more!

Car seat safety inspections

Inflatables for all ages
BRPT Lake Physical
Therapy Obstacle Course
Bricks 4 Kidz Brick Building
Face painting
St Elizabeth Physicians
Pediatrics Stuffed
Animal Clinic

Food and Drink

Samples
Community Coffee
Zaxbys Chicken
Rotolos Pizza

Screenings

Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Blood glucose
Spinal screen
Carotid Artery Screening
Hearing

Live Entertainment

27

St. Elizabeth Family

Fest 2016 Sponsors
Stage Sponsor:

EATEL

Expedition Sponsors:

AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana

Atlas Dermatology
MedCare Medical Equipment
and Supplies

28

Outpost Sponsors:

Baton Rouge Physical

Therapy Lake

Community Coffee
Lake Urgent Care

Rotolos Pizzeria
Smith Chiropractic
Zaxbys

Hey Dr. Rob?

Is there a age
limit for hunting
dogs?

Scrapbook
My 7-year old grandson is
fascinated with sharks. He reads
about them. He plays with
shark toys and watches shark
programs on T.V. One of his
dreams in life is to catch a
shark. On one particular
Saturday morning he asked me
about how many sharks have I
caught in my life. I told him
that I had probably caught over
a thousand. The biggest that I
landed was a 125lb hammerhead, although I've been
involved in battles with other
species of sharks that weighed
well over 500lbs. As the conversation continued I promised
Nik that I would take him
shark fishing before long. I
then showed him some pictures
of the sharks that my old buddies and I had caught in the
past.
In 1973 I began putting pictures of every hunting or fishing trip I made into scrapbooks. I now have accumulated
five completely full books of
outdoor memories. The contents of these books have just
about everything that you can
imagine in them that can be
done in the southern outdoors.
Some of the snapshots show
limits of fish, shellfish and game
and some show outings that
were not so productive, but
each and every one of them
brings back precious memories
of the past. A moment captured
forever.
I thumbed through the
pages of the first book I'd created looking for pictures of
sharks here and there while the
young boy oohed and aahed.
When he'd seen enough he
finally walked away turning his
attention to something else like
most kids do. I continued
examining each picture on each
page reminiscing each person

and event as if it had happened

yesterday. It's amazing how
young we were and how full of
energy we were back in those
days with our entire life ahead
of us. Those pictures were all
about smiles but they also projected the faces of many that
are no longer here. In those
first two albums, believe me,
there were quiet a few faces in
that category. I'm blessed to
have their images in my possession forever.
Hardly a day goes by that
someone doesn't come up to
me with one of those camera
phones and show me a picture
of fish or game. That's fine for
now, but forty years down the
road from now what good will
that do when you want to reminisce your son's first squirrel
kill or your grand baby's' first
fish or your daddy's last buck.
Technology is fine, but there's
some things of old that you just
can't replace. A regular old picture photograph is one of those
things in my opinion that keeps
a memory fresh forever.
Hopefully in the near future
I'll have the pleasure to apply a
picture of my grandson, Nik,
with his first shark to the beginning of my sixth scrapbook.
It'll be a moment that I'll be
able to enjoy forever...

ASCENSION PARISH

A N I M A L H O S P I TA L
225.744.4905

$100 off Termite Treatment

$25 off Initial Pest Control
Pest Prevention Programs Real Estate Certificates
Pre-Construction Soil / Borate Treatment
Termite Treatment Programs Mosquito Suppression Services

Till Next Time,

Local Licensed Insured Bonded

Enjoy Photographs,
James "Goosie" Guice
Ascension Outdoors Air Times
THE PELICAN - CHANNEL 113
SAT. - 9:00 - A.M.
SUN. - 7:30 - P.M.
MON. - 9:00 - P.M.
EATEL - CHANNEL 4
SAT. - 6:30 A.M. & 1:30 P.M.
SUN. - 1:30 P.M.
WED. - 10:00 P.M.
FRI. - 8 - P.M.
IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN
ADVERTIZING PLEASE CALL
225-485-7997

29

225-644-7466 Ascension 225-924-7096 Baton Rouge

Website www.BeebesPest.com

Resolutions, Revelations and Revolutions

by Bill Delaune

Happy New Year, everyone,

and say hello to 2016-the
Chinese Year of the Falling
Stock.
I know its difficult saying
good-bye to that wonderful
year 2015 in which peace and
love reigned worldwide or as
my idol Dave Barry so
eloquently put it
After so many years of
sneering judgementalism and
derisive, overheated rhetoric,
we were able to have rational
conversations about issues such
as gun ownership, gay marriage,
race relations and abortion, so
that, as a nation, we finally
began to come together and
Whoa! Sorry! Evidently, I am
high on narcotics
As Shelton would say on
The Big Bang Theory, Wait,
thats sarcasm, isnt it? Yes, it
was, Shelton. In fact the only
two years that even rival 2015
were 1347 when the Plague
wiped out most of humanity
and 33 A.D. when a
riddle-speaking prophet said,
Hey, maybe we ought to treat
the sick and feed the hungry
and maybe be a little nicer to
each other and they nailed
him to a tree.
What a disaster last year
was-war, terrorism and worst
of all, Tom Brady deflating
footballs for a better grip. And
2016 didnt start much better
as I had a whopping total of
zero numbers on my billion
dollar lottery tickets. But the
year is still young and if you can
get a grip on yourselves, Im
about to give you a peak into
whats in store for the
upcoming year

January
My first resolution to whip
this 60-something year old shell
with 80-something year old
insides back into shape will be
shattered in the first two weeks.
My perfectly good excuse is
that the new Golds Gym
located in downtown
Prairieville (Isnt everything
these days?) is right next door
to the Agave Blue Mexican
joint. So after a spirited
10-minute workout, I jog
over to Agave for some tacos,
burritos, tamales and enchiladas
and chase that down with some
top-shelf margarita specials.
For those who are really
looking for a really quick

weight-loss program, I
suggest a digital scale with a
failing battery.

February
The New England Patriots
win the Super Bowl by inflating
Carolina quarterback Cam
Newtons Superman outfit with
helium and blowing the
Panthers away 42-0 while
Newton blows away across the
Pacific Ocean.
Pat coach Bill Belichick
denies any allegations of wrong
doing and blames a wind shear
caused by El Ninoand refers

thing most of the members of

the audience have wanted to do
for years.
The award for Best
Choreography goes to Dabo
Swinney for his interpretation
of the wildly popular danceThe Dab.

April
The Madness of March gets
even more foolish in April when
LSU basketball coach Johnny
Jones is suspended for using a
Donald Trump-like insult on a
female official and is replaced
by his legendary Tiger mentor

New England Tight End Rob

Gronkowski emerge as the
winner in an unruly stampede.
Coach Bill Belichick denies any
monkey business saying that,
Gronk has been training on
a steady diet of Kentucky
Blue Grass.
In other racing news, Dabo
Swinney makes a big hit with
the military crowd by
winning the Indy 500 in an
Armored Hummer H-2 that
blocks most of the track and
endears himself to the
NASCAR fans by gunning
down Kyle and Kurt Busch
and Juan Pablo Montoya when
they try to pass.

June
Coach Paul Mainieri guides
the LSU team back to Omaha
only to be hit in the head by a
Bo Pelini for President
banner from a local rally.
Unable to be cleared by the
concussion committee, Mainieri
is replaced by the legendary
Skip Bertman who reinstates
Gorilla Ball and advances to
the finals against Texas.
With the 14-13 games taking
a toll on the pitching staff,
Bertman invokes the Dale
Brown rule and tabs ESPN
announcer and former Tiger
great Ben McDonald as his
starter. Big Ben easily outduels
the steroid-less Roger Clemens
of the Longhorns for the title.

July
any other climate questions to
Al Gore or Pat Shingleton.
In political news, Dabo
Swinney-that lovable losing
Clemson coach who almost
slew the Alabama dragon-wins
both New Hampshire
Primaries.

March
The always sensitive Academy
of Motion Pictures presents the
Oscar for Best Actor to
Chewbacca, the Wookie
co-pilot from Star Wars
saying that beasts of the
world (and out of the world)
have been discriminated against
too long.
Best Supporting Actor goes
to the Grizzly in The
Revenant for his bear rape
of Leonardo DiCaprio-some-

Dale Brown. Citing an obscure

rule by his old friends at the
NCAA, Brown brings back
Shaq ONeal for his final year
of eligibility and the two best
buddies lead the Tigers past
Kansas and Browns old
nemesis Lester Earl in the
Finals.
The Saints offer to draft
beleaguered Ole Miss lineman
Robert Nkemdiche-but only if
he will buy a vowel so that
WWL commentator Bobby
Hebert-a graduate of the
Buddy Diliberto School of
Broadcasting-can pronounce
his name.

May
In a controversial ruling, the
PETA people outlaw whips in
the Kentucky Derby allowing
30

Revolution is in the air as

Independence Day fireworks
explode across the nation.
First, at the Republican
convention in Cleveland,
Donald Trump blockades Lake
Erie and builds a wall on the
Canadian border to try and
keep out the delegates of
Canadian-born Ted Cruz.
The strategy is somewhat
successful as Trump secures the
bid but Cruz is nominated as
Vice-President thanks to a
blockade-running Toronto
Cruz which sneaked delegates
in from the North.
However, a disgruntled
moderate wing of the party
borrows a maneuver from the
coaching profession and
declares Dabo Swinney as a
possible President-in-Waiting.
All is not well in the City of
Brotherly Love at the

Democratic Convention either

when Bernie Sanderss
supporters show up with
posters depicting their
candidate as Colonel Sanders
frying Hillary Chicken.
Ruffled feathers are soon
smoothed as Hillary gets the
nomination with Sanders as her
Vice-President. A Southern
contention called Demos for
Dabo does manage the same
President-in-Waiting deal for
Swinney.

August
Beloved Saints quarterback is
injured when a statue of Robert
E. Lee falls on him during a
demolition process in Lee
Circle. The injury appears to
be career-ending until engineers
at the NASA facility in New
Orleans announce that, We
can rebuild him. We can make
him better than he was. Better,
stronger, fasterIf he will only
take a pay cut so we can get
under the salary cup.
Which leads to a TimesPicayune story in

September
Headlines blare the news
Brees Throwing and Running

Better Than Ever! Rumors

swirl about a grant from the
Lee Majors School of Bionics
but with the Saints winning and
Brees taking a 14 million hit for
the team, no one is challenging
the newly nicknamed
Six-Million-Dollar Man.
On the campaign trail,
Donald Trump points out that
Dabo Swinneys name can be
rearranged to read, Yon bad
swine.

October
Oh that tricky Mad Hatter.
Frustrated by his teams
inability to beat Nick Saban and
Alabama over the past five
years, Les Miles and Presidential
poll leader Dabo Swinney
devise a plan to benefit both
LSU and Clemson. Since both
teams share the same mascot
(Tigers), the same fight song
(Hold that Tiger), the same
stadium nickname (Death
Valley) and almost the same
colors, it would be easy for a
visiting team to confuse which
venue they were playing in.
So with a little help from
some Auburn-educated air
traffic controllers, the Tides
trip to Baton Rouge is
diverted to Clemson where a

revenge-minded band of Tigers

baffle Bama with their wideopen offense and put a win in
the Bayou Bengals column.
Ive never seen a Les Miles
offense that imaginative, says a
very-confused Saban after the
contest.

November
After months of name-calling,
swapping positions and spending billions of dollars that could
have gone to much better use,
the long awaited Presidential
election between Trump and
Clinton ends in a tie.
The House of
Representatives moves quickly
to declare Dabo Swinney as
President of the United States.
The gregarious coach with the
homespun humor becomes
wildly popular with the general
public when he announces his
first order of business will be to
abolish the IRS because those
letters spell Theirs.

December
President-elect Dabo gains
even more support when he
dishes out duties for his
vanquished competitors.
Hillary can run the Blue

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States and Trump can run the

Red States and Bernie can be in
charge of Washington D.C.
Ted Cruz will be appointed
Prime Minister of Canada,
Swinney states.
Pressed on the issue of gun
control, Swinney has a simple
solution. Everyone gets to
keep their shotguns, deer rifles
and Red Ryder B.B. guns.
However, if someone wants an
assault weapon, they must do a
10-year waiting period with the
weapon in a Middle Eastern
country of their choice. Then,
they will be able to return to
this country-if they are still
with us.
Everybody is happy-with the
possible exception of Nick
Saban who is never happy- and
nobody decides to return to the
Mother Ship like Dr. Spock did
in 2015 and Ziggy Stardust did
earlier this month.
Oh, and if I happen to hit
the right six numbers before
this column comes out,
Ill be harder to find than
Spock or Ziggy.

31

Doug & Sally

Hi Maintenance Band
Rocks Park Place
Hi-Maintenance is a party band from
Gonzales, LA. Band members include
Elizabeth Rich lead Vocals, Derek
Ryan - Lead Guitar, Brandon Bourque
- Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Logan Hymel
Bass, Trent Richey Drums. The
beautiful Elizabeth on lead vocals has a
voice like a songbird belting out every
ones favorite sing-alongs. Also, with
Brandon on vocals and rhythm guitar,
the genres and styles of music we cover
is suitable for everyone. Featuring

32

Derek on lead guitar melting

faces with those famous solos
and
recognizable guitar licks, and
the solid rhythm section of
Brandon, Logan, and Trent, it's
sure to be good times with

love to play music together.

Upcoming shows for
Hi-Maintenance are February
5th, at the Hangout in
Maurepas, March 4th, at Park
Place in Gonzales, and March
good music every time they
play. Hi-Maintenance was born
from a few different musical
projects that eventually landed
them all together. But the basis
of the band is 5 friends that

25th, at the Hangout in

Maurepas.
For booking, please feel free to
email or call anytime.
Hi.maintenance.band@gmail.
com or call (225) 938-7801.
Hi.maintenance.band@gmail.com
or call (225) 938-7801.

33

Thoughts from Bully

IT WAS MY
TIME TO
GO DAD!
A tribute to the
best dog ever.
This is our family dog Chipper.
Hes been in the family 13 years.
When my son was in high school
he always said he wanted a black
lab. One day a friend called me to
let me know a breeder was getting
rid of the last of 8 puppies for
free. These puppies were $600
dogs but this dog was the runt
and no one wanted him so he was
ours for free if we wanted.
That afternoon I picked my son
up from school and stopped by
the kennel and Michael saw this
lonely puppy by himself behind
the fence. I said, Go get him
hes yours. He put him in the car
and the first thing he did was pee
all over the back seat.
After a few months and some
discipline our new dog Chipper
showed signs of real growth and
real smarts. He took to all the
regular retrieving of sticks and
catching balls . As he got bigger
he soon would perform High 5s
and shaking of hands. The higher
you held your hand up the higher
he would jump and slap his paw
in the middle of your hand.
He was primarily a house dog
with no hunting training but one
day I decided to take him to the
creek to hunt Wood Ducks. He
retrieved 3 on his first time out
and brought all back to me and
placed in my hand. Now, in 13
years of hunting hes never missed
a duck. He once retrieved for 4
hunters 100 yards apart and
would run to the sound of gun
fire and retrieved all the game
from all 4 hunters.

34

That dog lives for going to the

camp but now after 13 years his
retrieving days are over. He old
and gray, limping and has knee
and hip issues. He still has the
heart but not the legs.
Recently he has been going
down hill, struggling with
breathing and asthma. I have to
pick him up to put in my vehicle.
Last week he knew I was going
to the camp and laid in the yard
watching me pack. I couldnt
leave him behind. I made sure he
did all his business before we took
the 4 hour ride so he wouldnt
have bathroom issues.
As we travel he gets excited at
every turn and the closer we got
to the camp the more excited he
would get. This started breathing
seizers. Once we arrived at out
gate he was laid out laboring to
breath. I felt so sorry for him I
pulled over to pet and calm him
down. I talked to him. It wasnt
working. He couldnt stand and I
started to tear up and told him it
was OK to go on to the happy
hunting grounds. He struggled to
stand and lost control of his
water. Barely breathing I got back
in the vehicle to get down the dirt
road to the camp site. Once there
I opened the door to pick up his
broken limp body and placed him
on the ground. I was a mess.
Immediately and ran 5 steps only
to squat and relieve himself and
took a good poop. After that he
walked over wagging his tail and
found a pile of leaves to roll in.
He rolled around scratched his
back on the ground and smiled at
me.
Ive been so worried about the
day when its his time to pass on I
forgot that he was just being a
good dog and not breaking the
rules by messing up my car.
I laugh about it now. I can only
imagine what he was thinking as I
was boohooing over him.
Probably something like, Would
you quit that and get me out of
this car. I GOT TO GO DAD.
Get in the car and get me to the
camp you big DUMMIE.
On the way home from that
trip I picked him up and let him
out on the side of the road
several times.
Chipper is still with us today
and Ill do better remembering
hes just like me, OLD.
Next trip I think Ill give
him a few more potty
breaks. Probably will do
me some good also.

Hai Karate Feb 6th

FREE WIFI

with Kellie

Useless Random Facts

Daniel Boone hated coonskin caps.

J.Edgar Hoover like to fire FBI agents

whose palms were sweaty
when shaking hands.

Bill Gates house was designed

using a Macintosh computer.

In New York City, approximately

1,600 people are bitten by other
humans every year.

There are 365 steps on the front of

the U.S Capitol Building-one for
every day of the year.

The onion is named after the

Latin word 'unio' meaning large pearl.

There is more real lemon juice in

Lemon Pledge furniture polish than
in Country Time Lemonade.

Kite flying is a professional sport in Thailand.

Nokia was once famous as a

manufacturer of toilet paper.

Our right lung takes more air

than our left lung.

There are 10 towns named

Hollywood in the United States.

Monday Night
DJ MUSIC & KARAOKE
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$2.50 Blue Moon Drafts

Tuesday

Wednesday

"Thirsty Thursday"

DJ MUSIC/KARAOKE

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$5 Double Wells! 2 for 1 Bomb Shots Sp ecial $5 Bombs Coors Draft Combos

Your Choice Beer, Wine, Cocktails!!!

$3 from 8-11pm!!!

KARAOKE & DJ MUSIC

Friday

1/15 .. DEBBIE LANDRY

ROCK BAND
1/22 .. FORET TRADITION

1/29 .. AUSTIN & THE DJS

2/5 .. TRUE SPIN
2/12 .. MOJEAUX

Saturday

1/16. CONTRAFLOW
1/23 SOFA KINGS
1/30 SIDE EFFECTS

2/6. HAI KARATE

2/13. CHRIS LEBLANC
2/20. SOFA KINGS

Every Sunday

SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT 2 FOR 1

DJ MUSIC & KARAOKE ... $2.75 Domestics!!

Come Enjoy Golden Tee and Ms. Packman

MEGATOUCH, AND POOL TABLES.
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35

"BEST HAPPY HOUR IN THE AREA!

$2.75 DOMESTIC LONGNECKS!"

When You Buy Art

Buy Big Art
Wall Mural 25 W X 8 H

Gymnasium Entrance
25 W X 25 H

Wall Mural 35 W X 10 H

Art is a Great way to inhance your business or home.

It becomes a landmark that draws attention your way.
No space to large indoor or outdoor.
Quik turn around. Typically a week. Great for Restaurants,
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Free Consultaions on projects.

Contact Mike Strong @ 225.622.1324

Small section of 125 wall at Kids Kove 25 W X 10 H

Restaurant Conference Room 20 W X 8 H

Building Downtown Baton Rouge 150 W X 50 H

37

Feed the Needy

Annual Fundraiser
Raises & Donates Over
$30,000 to Families
In December 2006, Uncle Perry and
Aunt Susan Aldridge casually mentioned to
BAMA that there were three needy
families in the Gonzales area who were in
danger of going without the necessities
for Christmas.
That was all it took for the idea of Feed
the Needy to be born in the big heart of
the CEO, Thomas BAMA Aldridge.
It was a humble beginning that year as
BAMA asked Sheriff Wiley if he would
sponsor a pot of food to use as a fund

recognition. These folks come back each

year because it becomes more evident that
there are many people right here in our
community that are down on their luck
and really need our assistance and

appreciate the help we are able to provide.

One of the most satisfying elements to
this years benefit was the fact that we sold
every serving of Jambalaya cooked. The
community really stepped up to the plate.
It is heart warming to know we live in a
community that cares about its citizens.
The funds raised were distributed to:
LOCAL CHURCH FOOD BANKS - $9500
SPECIAL CHARITIES - $1500
NEEDY CHILDREN / LOCAL SCHOOLS - $7200
BATTERED WOMANS SHELTER - $2000
LOCAL NEEDY FAMILIES - $7200
raiser in order to try to help these
families. The Sheriff obliged and BAMA
and his Sous Chef, Bones Sheets cooked
a hen and andouille sauce piquante which
was sold for the regular Saturday lunch at
Gonzales Country Club. The process raised
$800.00 and in turn, those three families
had an unexpectedly great Christmas.
Since those early days the Feed the
Needy has raised money to help our local
citizens in need for the Holidays. This year
the organization raised in Cash and Checks
the amount of $29,210.00. There were
25 cases of frozen food was delivered to
the Battered Womans Shelter.
None of this would be possible without
the sacrifices and contributions of our many
generous donors. We had our usual great
team of volunteers who want no

Special thanks to our major sponsors

who once again supplied the jambalaya
ingredients:
1. Sheriff Jeff Wiley
2. Blaine, Garrett and Cade Sheets
River Parish Foods
3. Brandon Trosclair Ralphs
4. Jimmy Cruze Personal
5. Lamendolas Supermarket
6. Kyle Labat and family

38

#1 FACT about
Feed The Needy
We have zero expenses and all
of the money we collect stays
right here at home to help
needy people.

A touching story

We are Growing to Fulfill Your

Full Service Salon Needs

After sending a donation to a

local school the recepient wrote us:
Thanks for blessing our families
of the children with clothes. Both
parents are incarcerated. The aunt
who was caring for them has been

622.5085

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We take pride in same day delivery and
customer service is always our number one
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We have a well stocked walk-in sales counter
where you can purchase any quantity of an item.

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39

LLC

PROFESSIONAL RELIABLE EXPERIENCED

Its time to clean the rough and

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prepare them for the spring season.

My company is large enough

to do the job right.
Its also small enough to
treat you right!

Ryan "Shake" Schexnayder

BEFORE
picked up for warrants and she
expected to get out of jail in
February. Its a very sad situation.
After meeting with the children
they asked if someone could get
them something to wear besides
school uniforms. This is a total of
six children. The story is sad but
because of people like you and
your organization you have given

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them, A Ray of Hope!

Thank You so much!!!!

TO HELP NEEDY
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These Kids Rock!

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41

The Best Youth Photos of 2015

The only thing better than Skid Marks Tire Pros

and their Five locations is a solid community.

These Kids Rock!

18562 HIGHLAND DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, 225-751-8473

1312 WEST HWY. 30, GONZALES 225-647-9631 11209 COURSEY BLVD., BATON ROUGE 225-368-1234 1015 WEST LEE DRIVE, BATON ROUGE 225-767-5008 1800 SOUTH RANGE AVE. DENHAM SPRINGS 225-664-8103

42

The Best Youth Photos of 2015

The only thing better than Skid Marks Tire Pros

and their Five locations is a solid community.

These Kids Rock!

18562 HIGHLAND DRIVE, BATON ROUGE, 225-751-8473

1312 WEST HWY. 30, GONZALES 225-647-9631 11209 COURSEY BLVD., BATON ROUGE 225-368-1234 1015 WEST LEE DRIVE, BATON ROUGE 225-767-5008 1800 SOUTH RANGE AVE. DENHAM SPRINGS 225-664-8103

43

Cooking
Gourmet at Home
with SNOS SEAFOOD & STEAKS

Ingredients:
12 jumbo shrimp- peeled & deveined
(10/15 or 16/20)
4 slices of lemon
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp finely sliced green onions
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp fresh basil
1 tsp fresh rosemary
cup extra virgin olive oil
cup water
Salt and black pepper to taste.

A great dish to start the New Year

Method:
In a large saut pan heat your olive oil over medium
high heat. When the olive oil is hot add the shrimp
one at a time. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes then
turn the shrimp over. After turning the shrimp add
your fresh garlic. Do not allow your garlic to brown.
Let garlic cook for 1 minute then add your water, and
fresh herbs. Allow to reduce for another minute then
finish with the fresh lemon slices. Salt and pepper the
shrimp to taste and serve immediately.

Healthy Garlic & Herb Shrimp

Yield:
2 servings

Prep Time:
15 minutes
Executive Chef
Ben Jarreau

Cook Time:

Goes great with steamed vegetables

Have a happy, healthy and delicious New Year!!!!

10 minutes

45

The Inn at Houmas House

Plantation and Gardens

"The Great River Roads" newest and most elegant

bed and breakfast.
Our cottages are nestled along an alley of ancient oak trees, where you
will have full access to our world famous gardens to watch the sunset or
relax in a cozy spot and enjoy the gentle breeze from the Mississippi River.
The cottages depict historic structures that once graced Uncle Sam Plantation,
which was located downriver from Houmas House. Each room is complete
with a single king or queen size bed or double queen beds,
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Breakfast and a tour of the mansion are included.
Check In: 4pm Check Out: 11am.

Book Now Online www.houmashouse.com

or call (225) 473-9380.

46

40136 Hwy 942, River Road, Darrow, LA 70725

225.473.9380 kk@houmashouse.com