The Voice of Southwest Louisiana December 2017 Issue

December 2017 

Vol 5 No 5 

Q&A with 

RICKY SMILEY 

SWLA feature 

My Best 

Christmas Ever 

The Man Behind The Laughs My Senior Moments 2.0 

Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

The 

Business 

Titan of 

Tomorrow 

ERIKA SIMON 

Vice President of the Children's 

Advocacy Center and Court 

Appointed Special Advocates (COSA) 

MISSION POSSIBLE 

CAJUN NAVY RELIEF "Getting It Done" 

GIFTS AND 

MORE... 

More than Gifts 

Breaking the bank 

does not have to be an 

option... 

–Kris Welcome

Our community is 

talking, and we’re 

still listening… 

M/WBE/DBE Vendor Certified 

Advertise With Us! 

337.474.2210 

In the McNeese SEED Center 

TEAM PUBLICATIONS LLC • 4310 Ryan St. Ste. 135 • Lake Charles, LA. 70605 

2 December 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 5

editor’s 

By Brenda Hill 

A Savior Indeed... 

When Jesus was born, to Virgin Mary 

He was 100 percent God, and 100 percent Man. 

Word from the beginning, Word made flesh. 

Once He arrived, with humanity to tarry 

He learned obedience through suffering, and, withstood the limited constraints of time and space... 

Yet, 

Mindful of all His creation, male and female, 

He blessed them with dominion, the whole human race! 

God with us – Emmanuel 

Altogether, He made us able to subdue, 

to rule with power, the earth, 

the fish in the sea, the birds of the air and all creeping things. 

To think! He trusted me and you. 

Though sometimes we get confused and act like we have wings, 

I am called to see you as my sister, my brother. 

We are not to rule and have power over each other! 

Now that this is, the season recognized to honor His birth, 

Let it also reveal the reason to learn of Him 

And honor His way, His truth, His life. 

As with Peter’s mother, a centurion’s daughter, and the woman that touched His garment’s hem, 

You just may discover a reason of great worth 

why the covering is being removed 

from current 

hidden 

secret 

strife 

Merry Christmas 

Luke 2 

Genesis 2 

Hebrews 2 

Mathew 8 

Luke 8 

Isaiah 7 

Psalms 44 

Volume 5 • Number 5 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM December 2017 3

Dec 2017 

The Voice's Choice 

The Voice's Choice will spotlight groups, individuals or topics that 

spread love, joy and peace throughout SWLA. 

Nwora Emeke Amechi 

Fairley (meaning: First born 

noble son that knows that 

which is forthcoming). 

Nwora E.A. Fairley is 

the loving father of 3 

children: Nihya Lin Fairley, 

Malachi Ajani Fairley, and 

Naomi Grace Fairley. He 

attended Aldine High 

School in Houston, Texas 

and graduated in the top 

10% of 700 students. He is 

a McNeese State University 

alum, graduating with a BA 

in Graphic Design and MEd 

in Instructional Technology. 

He is an active member of the 

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity 

Inc., having pledged in 1989. 

Nwora is a seasoned graphic 

designer with over 20 years 

of experience. He turns 

visions into reality for many 

businesses and individuals 

throughout SWLA. He is also 

strategic in Mobile Marketing 

and Social Network 

Management. 

He designed the original 

KZWA 104.9 FM radio logo, an 

iconic symbol of the historic 

legacy left by the late Ms. 

Faye Brown Blackwell. He 

volunteers as a Track Coach 

at LaGrange High School, 

Lake Charles Site Coach for 

U.S. Express Track Club and a 

non-profit USATF youth track 

team. He is also a member of 

W.O.K.E. (Watching Our Kings 

Evolve), a mentoring group 

for young men. He has a deep 

love and devotion to assist 

small to medium businesses 

achieve their dreams. 

Nwora has joined forces 

with the Small Business 

Summit, which is a division 

of the Lake Charles North 

Redevelopment Authority to 

provide free business training 

and resources. 

CONTENTS 

14 FEATURE 

My Best 

Christmas 

Ever 

When I asked Liz 

Eastman, “What was 

your best Christmas 

ever?” her spontaneous 

answer was, “When I 

was in seventh grade. I 

got a fishing pole and a 

record player.” 

24 AVENTURES OF THE LAKE 

Healthy Happy 

Victory 

Juice Thyme Plus 

owner, Sharon 

Antoine wanted 

to change her 

own lifestyle and 

move in a healthier 

direction... 

Editor-In-Chief 

Brenda Hill 

brenda@thevoiceofsouthwestla.com 

General Manager 

Tracy Clark 

tracy@thevoiceofsouthwestla.com 

Art Director 

Vinh Alexander 

tvswlart@gmail.com 

Sales 

Lori Ross 

loriross3422@gmail.com 

Copy Editors 

Jason Clark 

Cecely Clark 

Ann Champagne 

Consultants 

Gene R. Hill, Sr. 

Reginald Clark 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, Executive/MPO 

Director 

Shining the Light (Contributed Article) 

Emily Ashworth RN, BSN 

Kris Welcome 

Carra Sergeant, LPC 

Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

Ronald J. Blanchard 

Tori Hebert 

Ian Thibodeaux 

3 EDITOR'S PEN 

A SAVIOR INDEED... 

5 I-10 BRIDGE 

IMPERIAL CALCASIEU REGIONAL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 

COMMISSION 

6 MISSION POSSIBLE 

CAJUN NAVY RELIEF 

8 WHAT IS LIFE? 

LIFE IS A VAPOR...JAMES 4:14 

10 GIFTS AND MORE... 

MORE THAN GIFTS 

12 SWLA GIVING 

GIVING BACK: THE ULTIMATE PATH TO HAPPINESS 

4 

14 SWLA FEATURE STORY 

MY BEST CHRISTMAS EVER 

16 REFLECTIVE LIGHT 

ALL ABOUT LOVE 

18 SWLA BUSINESS 

A VOICE FOR CHANGE: THE BUSINESS TITAN OF TOMORROW 

20 ANOTHER SEASON IN THE BOOKS 

MCNEESE FOOTBALL LEFT OUT OF PLAYOFFS 

24 ADVENTURES OF THE LAKE 

JUICE THYME PLUS - HEALTHY HAPPY VICTORY 

26 Q&A WITH RICKEY SMILEY 

THE MAN BEHIND THE LAUGHS 

DISCLOSURE: All materials contained in the publication are copy-righted and may not be reproduced or reprinted in part or its entirety without the expressed written 

permission of The Voice of SWLA. The views expressed in articles of The Voice of SWLA are not necessarily the views of the ownership or sponsors in this publication. The Voice of 

SWLA assumes no liability for errors or omissions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content. 

PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY 

Team Publications LLC. 

4310 Ryan St. Ste. 135 

Lake Charles, LA. 70605 

In the McNeese SEED Center 

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December 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 5 

Cover 

By Vinh Photography 

Credits to Adrian Said Mason 

for photos in Nov 2017, The Voice 

of Southwest Louisiana Vol 5(4), 

Adventures of the Lake pg. 24. 

AdrianSaid.org

SWLA news 

Editor's Note: This is the 12th and final article in a year-long series 

that focused on the Interstate 10 Bridge replacement project. 

I-10 

Bridge 

Imperial Calcasieu Regional 

Planning & Development 

Commission 

By Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, Executive/MPO Director 

IMCAL is not only the regional 

planning commission for the 

five-parish area, but we also 

provide the technical staff for the 

MPO (Metropolitan Planning 

Organization). 

The MPO is a federally-mandated 

agency that facilitates the 

planning and coordinates the 

construction of transportation projects 

throughout the urbanized area. The 

urbanized area includes the cities of 

Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake and 

part of Calcasieu Parish. There are two 

committees of the MPO: the Technical 

Advisory Committee (TAC) which 

consists of technical staff (engineers, 

planners, administrators) from not only 

the cities and parish but DOTD District 

7, the Port of Lake Charles, Chennault 

Airfield, Lake Charles Airport and the 

Calcasieu Parish School Board. This 

group is the advisory body to the 

Transportation Policy Committee (TPC). 

The TPC is made up of the Mayors 

of Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, a 

representative of Calcasieu Parish and 

the Administrator of DOTD District 7. 

IMCAL provides two transportation 

planners, a regional safety coordinator 

and a director to support the activities 

of the MPO. The major activities include 

planning, for the near and far term, 

coordinating transportation projects 

and providing support to Lake Charles 

Transit and the Human Services 

Transportation agencies throughout 

the five-parish region. 

Every year, a Unified Planning Work 

Program is submitted to DOTD and 

Federal Highways Administration 

(FHWA) that outlines the planning 

activities for the next year. Other 

significant documents include the 

Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) 

and the Metropolitan Transportation 

Plan (MTP). 

The TIP shows programmed projects, 

within a fiscal constraint, for the next 

five years throughout the MPO Study 

area. The TIP projects are submitted 

by member cities and the parish and 

must comply with the fiscal constraints 

of the area. The MPO currently has a 

$3.3 million budget for transportation 

projects each year. Each entity is 

responsible for the development of 

their project. Projects are ranked and 

added to the TIP throughout the year. 

The MTP has a 20-year planning 

horizon and is the guiding document 

for planning for growth and 

expansion of transportation systems 

throughout the study area and beyond. 

Transportation is rarely confined to 

one political boundary or area, so it is 

important that this study encompasses 

all factors which influence and impact 

traffic throughout the MPO study area. 

The MTP update is due in July 2019 

and work on the update is expected to 

commence shortly. As part of the MTP 

update, the MPO will be conducting 

a very robust public outreach to 

engage as many citizens as possible. 

It is important that all citizens be 

involved and aware of the process 

and contribute to the planning for the 

future. 

This is just a snapshot of what work 

the MPO does. For more information, 

please feel free to contact the office at 

337-433-1771 or check out our website: 

imcal.la 

Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, 

Executive/MPO Director 

Imperial Calcasieu Regional 

Planning & Development 

Commission 

Lake Charles Urbanized MPO 

4310 Ryan Street, Suite 330 Lake 

Charles LA 70605 

O: 337-433-1771 

C: 469-964-2015 

www.imcal.la 


SWLA news 

Mission 

Possible 

Cajun 

Navy 

The Cajun Navy Relief 

being honored at the 

Cancer Awareness Walk 

in Beaumont, Texas 

Relief 

Shining the Light (Contributed Article) 

We can all vividly remember 

the hurricanes that crashed 

onto Louisiana’s shores 

in 2005. The government’s limited 

resources to help the state conduct 

rescue missions gave birth to The 

Cajun Navy. Fast forward to 2016, the 

floods that inundated Baton Rouge 

and surrounding areas gave birth to 

a more diversified mission called the 

Cajun Navy Relief. Their multifaceted 

assistance approach has set them aside 

from other disaster relief entities. 

The Cajun Navy Relief is a 501 

(c)3 organization. The nonprofit 

organization is made-up of men 

and women volunteers who 

dedicate their time (endless 

hours, seven days a week), 

resources, finances and energy 

to assist and rebuild the lives of 

people during a disaster. 

On August 26, 2017, with the help of 

Zello (phone app) approximately 200 

volunteers with boats, canoes, trucks 

and rescue equipment met under 

the awning of the Civic Center to 

strategize a rescue mission plan. Mike 

Reid (former law enforcement) led 

the group and efficiently dispatched 

volunteers across Louisiana and Texas. 

Shortly after the rescue missions began, 

additional assistance and resources 

began to arrive from across the United 

States. 

Mike Reid, Jason Waymire, Linda 

Clark-Fonda, Jeff Mott, and Tommy 

McClelland, a group of Lake Charles 

volunteers who became involved 

during Hurricane Harvey remain 

involved today. Ms. Linda (Clark Bail 

Bonds) and Carl Webb traveled to 

Rockport, TX to distribute eleven pallets 

of water and mixed supplies. Mike Reid 

leads The Cajun Navy Relief in Lake 

Charles, LA, overseeing various disaster 

relief work sites across Louisiana and 

Texas. 

Disaster relief efforts began with Phase 

I encompassing rescue missions and 

resource distribution. Distribution sites 

stocked items from food (baby, pet) and 

water to household items (blankets, 

air mattresses, generators, fans, and 

blowers). Phase II is in effect, rehabbing 

homes (mudding out and installing 

sheetrock) in the Terrace area of Lake 

Charles. Phase III is in the planning 

stage with more resources being 

identified. Community distribution will 

begin in the near future. 

The Cajun Navy Relief has gained the 

support of the community across 

Louisiana and Texas and has created 

strong partnerships. The Church of the 

King (Lake Charles, LA) provided their 

warehouse as a main distribution site 

which allows volunteers (with trucks/ 

trailers) to continue to haul resources 

to other warehouses, churches 

and residential homes throughout 

southeast Texas and Louisiana. The 

Voluntary Organizations Active in 

Disaster (VOAD) has provided financial 

support and resources. The Cajun Navy 

Relief has recruited skilled volunteers 

and secured resources from local 

businesses. They have been honored 

for their commitment; Church of the 

King and Open Gate Church in Lake 

Charles, LA as well as the Thanksgiving 

Parade in Houston, Texas. 

The Cajun Navy Relief understands that 

we can only depend on a unified effort 

to rebuild communities and that’s why 

they are “Getting it Done!” 

If you have been affected and need 

assistance due to the floods or 

Hurricane Harvey, contact the Cajun 

Navy Relief website, Cajunnavyrelief. 

com or Church of the King (Lake 

Charles) website, Churchoftheking.us 

for assistance. 


What Makes Shaklee 

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SWLA health, wealth & wellness Inform, Educate, Empower 

What is 

Life? 

Life is a vapor…James 4:14 

I 

asked my eleven-year-old son, 

“What is life?” He answered, 

“Something that has been given to 

me that is precious and is not always 

going to be there for some people.” 

He paused and went on to say, “It can 

be taken at any time so cherish every 

moment you have.” A few years ago I 

would have thought his response was 

profound for a child, but the society we 

live in today has so many moments of 

violence, suicide, and death that I can’t 

help but understand why he responded 

in the manner that he did. 

Both of our children are in middle school, 

and they often discuss topics that I would 

not have expected to expound upon with 

them until they were in high school. One 

of those topics is suicide. My daughter 

told me about a young lady that 

attended her school that was a “cutter.” 

She said the young lady told her that 

other children were saying things about 

her on social media, so she attempted 

suicide by cutting herself. There are so 

many youth today experiencing sadness 

and depression that encapsulates them 

to the point of despair that may lead to 

suicide. According to the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, suicide 

is the second leading cause of death in 

children starting at age ten through their 

teenage years and into young adulthood. 

I urge everyone to go to the attached 

link https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ 

publications/nimh-answers-questionsabout-suicide/index.shtml 

to the National 

By Emily Ashworth RN, BSN 

Institute of Mental Health and read more 

about the risk factors, warning signs and 

guidance on what to do if someone you 

know is suicidal. 

The holidays can be a time of sadness 

for those who have lost loved ones or 

may be experiencing tough times. 

In Loving Memory: 

L-R: Pictured wearing their traditional church hats 

are Emily and Mrs. Annie Ray Ashworth, Emily's 

husband's grandmother, who passed away February 

2017. They have the rich tradition of faith and family 

left to pass along to their children and to others. 

Reverend Elmore Garner of the Mount 

Calvary Baptist Church said it best, “You 

cannot focus on what you lost. You must 

focus on what you have left.” Though at 

times this can be difficult, prayer, seeking 

counsel from your Pastor, professional 

counselors, or even talking with those 

around you who love and support you 

can help shift your focus on“what you 

have left.” 

As my son so eloquently elaborated in 

the opening paragraph, life is a gift! It 

is filled with good times, bad times, sad 

Nigil speaks about his concerns. 

Allonah and Nigil talks with their mom, Emily. 

times, negative and positive energy, 

laughter, joy, moments of peace and 

pain. All feelings that we feel and 

connect with, good or bad, we feel; 

therefore, we are alive! Life, moments 

filled with deep breaths of air that moves 

through our pursed lips, tears that roll 

down our cheeks and sometimes fall 

into our lap, sighs when we exhale with 

memories of those who made us laugh, 

made us cry and taught us lessons…is all 

part of living…LIFE! 

May the Holiday Season be filled with the 

Gift of Life and continue as we experience 

every single day in the PRESENT! 

Be Well and Merry Christmas! 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 

1-800-273-TALK (8255) at any time day 

or night 24/7, to talk to someone who 

understands. Or go online at www. 

suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more 

information and help. 


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PHOTOGRAPHY 

“ Caring for the Community, because at the Center is You”! 

Affordable Care Act Marketplace Open Enrollment begins 

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SWLA giving 

Gifts and More… 

More than Gifts 

By Kris Welcome 

It’s that delightful time of the 

year again where we scurry all 

over creation to ensure that 

our loved ones have the most 

magical and splendid holiday 

season possible! Though this 

time of the year brings about a lot 

of joy and excitement, the anxiety 

that comes along with it can seem 

unbearable. Menu planning, gift 

shopping, decorations, and holiday 

family event coordinating can all be 

grueling tasks. This year I want to 

help sprout some inspiration for gift 

ideas that will leave an impression 

on the loved ones you hold near and 

dear. 

Gifting is stressful because you are 

responsible for gauging someone’s 

personality and needs into an item 

or two of material possession. 

This year I’ve had an epiphany of 

some sorts that has awakened me to 

understand the depth of enriching 

oneself with experiences that create 

lifelong memories… Though a good 

gift never hurt either! 

This year think about taking a 

loved one on a tour of another 

city. Traveling is a relaxing and 

rejuvenating activity for people to 

partake. One of my favorite gifts 

to date has been traveling to the 

swamp tour in New Orleans. Seeing 

the geography of another city and 

the architecture and landscape it has 

to offer is inspiring and renews a love 

for the world in which we live. Maybe 

your friend has had a hard year and 

could use something to invigorate 

them for the year to come… Perhaps 

your wife has picked up most of the 

slack as your work has picked up and 

she deserves a getaway of some sort 

to recalibrate. These types of events 

can be relatively cheap and even 

offered on sites like Groupon and 

LivingSocial. 

Breaking the bank doesn’t 

have to be an option when 

expressing your appreciation 

and adoration for those in 

your life! 

The memory you have given them 

will last longer than that Keurig 

machine or those Givenchy boots, 

anyway. Aside from this, maybe 

consider a spa day, a day trip to 

another city to just wander or relax, 

and maybe even book a flight 

somewhere you want to go in the 

next few months (the hotel and 

other amenities can be bought later, 

but the booked flight solidifies the 

desire to travel.) 

For those who love tackling the 

task of gift shopping head on, 

there are countless resources for 

you to breeze through the season 

without breaking a sweat! Amazon 

has become a hub for all-things gifts. 

It doesn’t matter how eccentric, 

introverted, weird, sexy, or nerdy 

your loved one may be—Amazon 

has something to put a smile on 

their face (there is even a weird gifts 

section on their site!) The internet 

has become a trusted ally in the 

grand scheme of all-things shopping. 

Sites like uncommongoods.com 

and odditymall.com can give you 

new gift ideas you’d never imagined 

before like custom socks or an eye 

glass holder that looks like an owl is 

wearing them, a mini donut maker, 

and backseat car organizer for 

electronics and drinks. 

Traditional gifting is an awesome 

gesture, but beyond the notion 

that it’s the thought that counts 

are the impressions we leave upon 

our loved ones. Let’s go beyond 

the bare minimum and really put 

thought into the experiences and 

objects that we gift. Your gift is 

a representation of you—why 

not make sure it’s thoughtful, 

compassionate, and amazing as 

you?! 

10 

December 2017 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 5


SWLA giving 

Giving Back: 

THE ULTIMATE PATH 

TO HAPPINESS 

By Carra Sergeant, LPC 

‘Tis the season 

of giving; what 

better time to 

take a look at the 

mental health 

benefits of giving 

and giving back? 

“In everything I showed you 

that by working hard in this 

manner you must help the 

weak and remember the 

words of the Lord Jesus, 

that He Himself said, ‘It is 

more blessed to give than to 

receive.” Acts 20:35 

Our lives are richer when we 

share, and great joy comes 

from helping others to 

better their lives. Truly giving 

from the heart fills your life 

with joy and nourishes your 

soul. As Mahatma Gandhi 

said, “To find yourself, you 

must first lose yourself in 

the service of others.” Giving 

takes you out of yourself and 

allows you to expand beyond 

earthly limitations. The act of 

giving kindles self-esteem and 

brings happiness. True joy lies 

in the act of giving without 

an expectation of receiving 

something in return. 

When people are asked 

why they give, the readiest 

answers include: God wants 

me to; I feel better about 

myself; others need, and I 

have; I want to share; it’s only 

right. The question I would 

ask is how did you feel when 

you gave to others? I imagine 

you felt very pleased with 

yourself and happy inside. 

It has been my experience 

that when we are focused on 

giving to others, we’re less 

likely to become consumed 

by our own concerns and 

challenges. Giving provides 

an opportunity to look 

beyond our own world and 

see the bigger picture. A great 

perspective can be achieved 

by stepping out of our own 

world and venturing into the 

world of other people. Our 

worries and challenges may 

not seem as significant when 

compared to other people’s 

situations. 

A true gift is something 

that is enjoyed twice. First, 

by the giver who revels in the 

pleasure of giving something 

special. Secondly, it is then 

enjoyed by the person who 

received the special gift. We 

need to realize, however, 

that it is not always money or 

belongings that people need. 

So, at this point, you may find 

yourself being a bit skeptical, 

wondering what you have to 

give. In truth, everybody has 

something of value to offer. 

Many times, giving takes the 

form of small, personal acts 

of kindness. It’s the things 

that can’t be seen, Iike a 

few minutes of your time, a 

kind word, a simple smile, 

some appreciation, a hug of 

reassurance, the sharing of 

some special knowledge, a 

helping hand or even a bit 

of support during a difficult 

emotional time. 

What, you may be asking, 

exactly what does “true 

giving” mean? Well, 

how often do you expect 

something back from the 

person to whom you give 

something? If so, it is not true 

giving, but instead it is an 

ego based form of giving. It 

is giving with an expectation 

of something in return. A true 

act of giving comes from the 

same place inside you as your 

deepest happiness. They are 

inexplicably intertwined. 

One philanthropic 

organization uses the catchphrase, 

“Give ‘til it hurts”. 

This approach is not healthy 

and can leave us feeling 

depleted and taken advantage 

12 


of. Here are some tips that will 

help you give not until it hurts, 

but until it feels great: 

•• 

Find your passion: Our 

passion should be the 

foundation for our giving. 

It is not how much we give, 

but how much love we put 

into giving. 

•• 

Give your time: The gift of 

time is often more valuable 

to the receiver and more 

satisfying for the giver than 

the gift of money. 

•• 

Find ways to integrate your 

interests and skills with the 

needs of others: Selfless 

giving, in the absence of 

self-preservation instincts, 

becomes overwhelming and 

results in fast burn-out. 

•• 

Be proactive, not reactive: 

We should set aside time, 

examine our options, and 

then find the best way to 

“give-back” that aligns with 

our values. 

•• 

Don’t be guilt-tripped into 

giving: The key is to find the 

approach that best fits. That 

way, we are more likely to 

gain purpose, meaning and 

happiness. 

Truly giving something from 

the heart is an action which 

will fill your life with joy. This 

is where the expression to 

“give whole heartedly” comes 

from. The intention behind 

your giving is the most 

important thing. The intention 

should always be to create 

happiness for both the giver 

and the receiver. Simply put, if 

you want to experience more 

joy, give joy to others. If you 

want more love, learn to give 

love. If you want appreciation, 

learn to give appreciation to 

others. These are some of life’s 

most precious gifts and they 

don’t cost you anything. 

Every day that goes by 

without helping another 

is an opportunity missed. 

Recognize that others helped 

you achieve your merits, and 

now you have the opportunity 

to pay them back while 

paying the effort forward. 

As the Apostle Paul said, 

“the Lord loveth a cheerful 

giver”. No matter what your 

circumstances in life, you have 

the ability to give. I encourage 

you to look for opportunities 

where you can give, give 

back and help others. This, I 

believe, is the ultimate path to 

happiness. 

The rewards of giving are 

priceless. If you want to 

have happiness, you need to 

give happiness. If you want 

love, you need to give love. 

It is only in giving that you 

receive. No matter what your 

circumstances in life, you have 

the ability to give. I encourage 

you to look for opportunities 

where you can give and help 

others. The gift of joy will 

come to you when you give of 

yourself to others. That’s what 

life is all about. Let’s practice 

and commit our lives to giving 

joy. Try it! It works! 

To learn more about the 

benefits of giving, check out 

the following: 

The Neurobiology of Giving Versus 

Receiving Support: https://www.ncbi. 

nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26867078 

A Reflection on Serving Others: 

http://www.sjpcommunications. 

org/images/uploads/documents/ 

servingothers.pdf 

The Joy of Giving: https://www. 

speakingtree.in/blog/the-joy-of-givingsharing 

Happiness That Comes From Giving: 

http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/thetrue-essence-of-giving/ 

Carra Sergeant, 

Licensed Professional Counselor 

Peace from Pieces Counseling Services 

For an appointment, call 337-515-6716 


SWLA feature story 

My Best 

By Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

Christmas Ever 

Liz Eastman Jennings School picture 

Year she got the rod and reel for christmas 

Liz as a toddler to second grade 

When I asked 

Liz Eastman, 

“What was your 

best Christmas ever?” her 

spontaneous answer was, 

“When I was in seventh 

grade. I got a fishing pole 

and a record player.” 

This got my attention. 

One would think a middle 

school girl would ask for 

“girly things,” 

“I was a bit of a tomboy,” Liz 

laughs. 

As we talked about her gifts I 

came to understand why she 

was so excited about a rod 

and reel. It goes back to her 

grandfather, Frank Dietz 

Cannon who was an avid 

fisherman and hunter. He 

passed his passion down 

to his children which lives 

on today in his greatgreat-grand’s. 

A buddy who had moved 

to Louisiana missed 

fishing and hunting with 

Frank. He was visiting 

back in Indiana. “Frank,” 

he said, “there are so 

many good places to 

hunt and fish. You ought 

to come down there.” 

When Frank brought up moving to 

Louisiana to his wife, Bertie Ann, she 

wasn’t at all into the idea. “I’d like to see 

what it’s like down there,” he bargained 

“We can stay for just one year. If you don’t 

want to stay after that we’ll move back 

here to our families.” After much cajoling, 

Bertie finally gave in. 

Frank found work here and they began 

their life in the sportsman‘s paradise. 

By the year’s end the transplants were 

firmly rooted in Louisiana’s swampy soil. 

Making their home in Welch, they happily 

lived out their lives there watching their 

children and grandchildren grow up to 

love hunting and fishing just as Grandpa 

did. 

Liz was born in Lake Charles. She had 

three younger brothers. Her father’s work 

took the family to live in several towns 

in Southwest Louisiana. “When we lived 

in Ville Platte there were more horse and 

buggies than there were cars,” Liz recalls, 

“We moved to Jennings when I was in 

the sixth grade and I graduated from 

Jennings High School.” 

With their grandparent’s home in 

Welch and Liz and her family in 

Jennings they were all very close. While 

Frank Cannon taught the grandchildren 

to fish just as he had their dad, Grandma 

Bertie left her mark on the family too. Liz 

chuckled, “On Sundays she loaded up her 

black iron pot, some potatoes, seasonings 

14 


and a tub of lard. All the roads towards 

Cameron were dirt roads. Leaving at two 

or three in the morning we each had 

our fishing poles in the old car and we 

children slept all the way there 

Daddy and Grandpa knew all the best 

places to catch fish. As soon as we 

caught enough for our meal the men 

cleaned them. Mama and Grandma 

cooked them and we ate outdoors. Once 

when we were fishing from the rocks at 

the jetties, my little brother was taken by 

the tide into the deep water. Grandma 

was the fastest. She grabbed his arm and 

pulled him back to shore.” 

For as long as I can remember Daddy 

took us children to the woods near 

Evangeline to find a Christmas tree. 

In those days everybody cut down a 

pine tree growing on vacant land. We 

made green and red paper chains from 

construction paper. Mama got silver 

foil icicles in a box. She helped us string 

popcorn using a needle and thread. 

When the Sears Catalog [the Wish Book, 

we called it] came in the mail mama 

ordered a large tin of Christmas Candy. 

The hard candies were different flavors 

and shapes. I especially liked the striped 

ones that looked like ribbons. We each 

got a few pieces and the rest was put 

away for Christmas Day. On Christmas 

Morning our stockings were filled with 

fruit, nuts and small gifts. Grandma came 

over with her homemade divinity” 

Until that memorable Christmas Liz 

remembers so well, she had only 

a cane pole to fish with. She was as 

excited about her first rod and reel as she 

was with the new record player. While 

at home her family enjoyed the record 

player too. Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra 

and Bing Crosby were some of their 

favorites. 

Liz married Frank Eastman in January 

1953. “While Frank was in the United 

States Marines we lived out of state. 

It was hard leaving my family. Our first 

home away from here was made of 

railroad cross-ties and cement. When 

we lived in the Mohave Desert, a tribe of 

Indians lived across the street. There were 

also three marine and one air force base 

surrounding the town.” 

Liz Eastman, at 83years young 

each Christmas becomes the best 

ever. 

Liz lost her husband in the year 2000. 

Their children, Scott, Mari, Dietz, Jan 

and Kristi all live in Southwest La. The 

Liz today. 

At age 83 Liz still enjoys fishing at Toledo Bend 

L-R front row: Scott Eastman, Mari Rieth, Dietz Eastman 

L-R back row: Liz Eastman, Kristi Raca, Jan Eastman 

stocking tradition of Liz’s childhood has 

been carried on throughout the years. At 

8:00 a.m. Christmas morning the whole 

family, dressed in pajamas gather for 

breakfast and the gift exchange, then 

return home. At 2:00 p.m. they return 

for Christmas Dinner which include Liz’s 

cornbread dressing, ham, and turkey 

and, of course wild game; compliments 

of the hunters in the Eastman Family. 

To Liz Eastman, at 83 years young each 

Christmas becomes the best ever. 


Reflective Light INSPIRED REVELATIONS FROM A MALE PERSPECTIVE 

All About Love 

By Ronald J. Blanchard 

Beyond the words of a 

poem, the lyrics and 

melody of a song, there 

is the undeniable, intangible 

revelation of the reality of inner 

motivation. Within the essence 

of a man, the essence of a woman, 

there is a special inner quality that 

dares one to care about one’s fellow 

man, demonstrate a true concern 

about humanity. Looking beyond 

the surface of one’s skin, there is 

universal kin; after all there is only 

one family, one race, the human race. 

The commonality of purpose creates 

a necessity for unity and compassion. 

An elevated vision allows one to 

see a hidden mystery, accepting 

the possibility of a colorblind mind, 

the nature of a magnetic attraction 

defines who we ought to be. A 

spiritual understanding inspires an 

unconditional situation as one learns 

that we exist within invisibility. What 

one can see is not what one may be. 

This profound observation suggests 

that there is a need to explore the 

totality of personality. More than 

simple affection, one must overcome 

the complexity of emotion. Simplicity 

communicates the solution, the 

answer is unconditional; it’s all about 

love. 

Walking in rhythm to a 

supernatural order, there is hope 

and comfort in knowing that from 

pediatrics to geriatrics, there 

is endless potentials to share a 

world that offers empathy and 

sympathy to sisters and brothers. 

It begins with love for one’s God as 

one’s self as there is the fact that 

within His image we exist. It begins 

with a parental commitment to 

demonstrate through example the 

righteous application of integrity 

and respect. Learning the rule of 

doing to others as one would have 

done to oneself, it continues with 

the elimination of hate and bigotry 

supplanted by illustrations of love 

and tolerance for our university 

of diversity. Elementary teachings 

of acceptance and effectual 

relationships contribute to a 

wonderful human evolution, as our 

children transform into conscientious 

adults perpetuating elements of a 

better world. This cannot happen 

through chance and happenstance. 

Choosing to be better, one must do 

better. 

As we share the totality of who 

we are to one another, we 

begin to understand that as 

we are different, we are mostly 

the same. 

Sharing dreams of success and 

happiness, there are endless 

possibilities. Ignoring the obstacles 

of carnality, there are endless 

possibilities to see. Writing a story of 

glory, together, people of tomorrow 

must begin today, perpetuating 

acts of deliberate kindness to each 

and every man, woman, and child; 

eliminating doubt that love is here 

today. More than the scientific DNA, 

one must follow the way of heavenly 

instructions, a righteous blueprint 

within a human heart. It’s all about 

love. 

A Bible speaks of a woman 

made of a man--a metaphysical 

wonderment of eternal inspiration. 

The beginnings of a family is 

expressed. We learn responsibility as 

our brother’s keeper. Instructions in 

soul survival enhances our lives as we 

begin the journey to salvation. What 

we look for is what we already have. 

Walking hand in hand, like children 

playing countless games that foster 

oneness of purpose, one gains a 

unique insight through majestic 

light. Ultimately, there must be 

more than a physical education. Life 

lessons of long-suffering, patience, 

and selfless generosity are the key. 

It’s all about love. 

16 


Teresa Bellard 

Author, Inspirational & Motivational Speaker 

writer takes her pen to tell the story about answering 

A the call and being in the position as a real armorbearer 

walking with her pastors, but the will to follow first, serving 

as a true and faithful servant in her local church. 

Book Availability: 

CreateSpace, Amazon, 

Smashword, Kindle, Calcasieu 

Parish Libraries, Christian Book 

Store, Barns and Noble. 

Website: www.teresabellard.com 

Real Armor-Bearers, you will learn: 

•• 

How to hear the voice of God to become an 

effective Armor-Bearer. 

•• 

How to have the mindset to be a builder for the 

kingdom of God. 

•• 

How to be consistent and stay true to who you 

are in your position. 

•• 

How to know the spirit of those who labor 

amongst you. 

•• 

How to find favor with God first and men second. 

•• 

How a good soldier never goes into battle 

without putting on the whole armour of God, but 

knowing how to fight in combat with the right 

weapons. 

•• 

How to receive a double portion in the anointing 

with an overflowing cup. 

•• 

How to run with the vision of the visionaries in 

the local church. 

•• 

How to discern the seasons and times you are in. 

Armor-Bearers Today, but 

Ministers for Tomorrow 

Email: tbellard@yahoo.com 

Follow Teresa on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Twitter. 


The Busin 

of Tomor 

SWLA business 

A Voice for 

What makes a 

good leader? 

Some people 

say it’s a person who 

can walk ahead and 

forge a path for others 

while inspiring them to 

be the best version of 

themselves. Erika Simon 

is such a person. 

Erika Simon is a young up and 

coming star in the business world. 

She started off at the Family and Youth 

Counseling Agency in 2006 and in 

2015 became the vice president of the 

Children’s Advocacy Center and COSA 

(Court Appointed Special Advocates). 

Erika has been working at Family 

and Youth for 11 years recruiting and 

training volunteers to advocate for 

children placed in the foster system. 

Erika Simon, Vice President of the Children’s Advocacy Center and COSA (Court Appointed Special 

Advocates). 

Erika and her team serve as an extra 

set of eyes and ears for endangered 

children in child protection cases 

and make sure that everything 

runs smoothly. They talk to children 

and learn what their needs are, then 

advocate for them so they can live 

18 


Change: 

ess Titan 

row 

By Ian Thibodeaux 

THE Women's Business Network Luncheon honored women in business including this year's Up & 

Coming Woman in Business Erika Simon of Family & Youth Counseling (top right with Leslie Harless, 2017 

WBN Chair). 

Credit: SWLA Economic Development Alliance Town Planner-Your Community Calendar 

the best life possible. Erika also fights 

for children who have been victims 

of abuse and neglect. The Children’s 

Advocacy Center talks with children 

one on one about anything they want 

to discuss. Everything stays neutral 

and confidential. They always move 

at the child’s pace so they can feel 

comfortable and safe. This information 

is even sometimes used in trial cases to 

prosecute offenders. 

Erika also leads community 

initiatives to make people aware 

of what child abuse looks like. She 

teaches parents how to talk to their 

children about how to protect their 

bodies. “It’s always up to us as adults 

to ensure the safety of the children in 

our community. They are going to be 

shaping our future for tomorrow,” says 

Erika. 

The Children’s Advocacy Center 

does everything it can to educate 

the community about how to keep 

children safe. In the case of children 

who are victims of home abuse, they 

want to provide counseling services 

to help the family heal and be whole 

again. “It does become a family issue 

once you have a child in the home 

that is a victim of some type of abuse. 

It’s going to affect the siblings. It’s 

going to affect the non-offending 

parent, if for whatever reason, the 

other parent is in prison or is out of 

the home because of what happened. 

So we want to make sure we provide 

education and support services to 

our families and also provide a child 

friendly environment for the kids to 

talk and tell their story,” says Erika. 

Last year for the five parish area, 

there were 672 kids that came to 

the center to share their stories 

of abuse. Also on the COSA side, 

Erika and her team were able to 

advocate on behalf of 215 children 

that were assigned to the program. 

“It’s an ongoing effort on our part to 

recruit quality volunteers that want 

to be engaged with youth in our 

community,” says Erika. 

Erika Simon is so passionate and 

impactful in what she does, that 

she even caught the attention of 

the Allstate Greater Good Nonprofit 

Leaders Program. She was awarded 

the scholarship to the program which 

was designed to train the leaders of 

nonprofit organizations. Out of 400 

applicants to the program, Erika is 

one out of 31 that were accepted. 

The training courses are held at the 

University of Northwestern in Chicago. 

The program teaches everything 

about nonprofit management, from 

leadership development to learning 

how to inspire others within your 

organization. “It’s been amazing. I’m 

literally studying at one of the top 10 

schools in our country for nonprofit 

management, the Kellogg School 

of Management in Chicago. The 

professors are really knowledgeable 

and the classes are interactive. The 

way we’re learning the material has 

been really beneficial and exciting 

for me.” Erika also stated, “I’m fairly 

new in my leadership role and I’m 

just hungry to learn more. It will 

help me prepare for the next level 

within my organization.” She is 

also hoping the program will assist 

her in becoming a more effective 

leader and help her to mentor 

others just as she was mentored 

along the way. 

Erika Simon has a true zeal 

for helping others. She fights 

for children’s rights and does 

everything she can to create a 

safer world for them. She is a 

positive force for change. So make 

sure you keep up with her as 

she continues on her journey to 

becoming a business titan. 


SWLA sports 

"Bringing the Wood" is a football tradition that highlights 

a player that has lived up to the motto big hits and big 

plays. Prior to the game, head strength coach or a defensive 

coach picks an individual to lead the team out the tunnel. 

Another Season 

By Tori Hebert 

After a 9-2 regular season 

record and 7-2 in conference 

play, the McNeese Cowboys 

were hoping for a playoff appearance. 

Unfortunately, the Cowboys were 

left out of the NCAA Division I FCS 

Playoffs. 

The Southland Conference was 

hoping to have four teams make the 

playoffs for the first time. Nicholls, 

Central Arkansas, and Sam Houston 

are all Southland teams that made 

the playoffs. The season came to end 

sooner than the team wanted, but 

McNeese football left out of playoffs 

they still have reason to celebrate. 

The Cowboys ended this season in the 

number one spot for rushing defense 

in all of Division I football with 54.5 

yards per game. This number also set 

a new school and conference record. 

The team also finished in the top ten 

in the FCS for total defense, thirddown 

conversion, first down defense, 

defensive touchdowns, turnovers 

gained, red zone defense, pass 

interceptions, and tackles for a loss. 

Safety Dominique Hill was named 

in the Books 

first team all-conference defense 

and Ashari Goins was named to the 

second team. First team offense 

winners were running back David 

Hamm, tight end Lawayne Ross, and 

place kicker Gummar Raborn. Second 

team offensive went to center Andy 

Dodd. Wide receiver Kent Shelby, 

running back Justin Pratt, defensive 

end Jammerio Gross-Whitaker and 

linebacker BJ Blunt all received 

honorable mentions. 

Special thanks to McNeese Sports for 

athletic information. 

Spring sports are gearing up and will be looking for your 

support. Show your Cowboy pride all year long! 

20 


MARDI GRAS BEADS 

TheMardiGrasLady.com 

Something for 

Everyone’s Budget 

•Specialty Beads 

•Parade Beads & Throws 

•Ball Gifts 

•Rhinestone Jewelry 

Tues.-Fri. 

9-5:30 

Sat. 9-3 

1417 E Prien Lake Road 337-419-8960 


~ 2 0 1 8 ~ 

Martin Luther King Jr. Festival 

s c h e d u l e 

The M.L.K., Jr. Festival honors the 

courageous efforts and sacrifices 

of Martin Luther King Jr. 

The MLK Coalition announces plans for 

Martin Luther King Jr. Festival 2018 

to be held January 12-15. The theme this 

year is “The Ultimate Measure Of A Man 

Is Not Where He Stands In Moments Of 

Comfort And Convenience, But Where 

He Stands At Times Of Challenge And 

Controversy.” We celebrate the 34th 

anniversary and being chosen as a top 20 

Event by the Southeast Tourism Society 

for the first quarter of 2017, a coveted 

honor among 12 member states. 

Starting Friday January 12th 

7:30 a.m. — Annual Memorial Breakfast Morning Kick Off @ Glad Tidings 

Church (Honoring outstanding individuals in the community) 

Guest Speaker- Pastor Byron Broussard, The Love Center ,Atlanta Georgia. Local high 

school choirs performing include: Barbe, Lagrange, Sulphur, St. Louis and Washington 

Marion, led by each school’s choir director, and accompanied by Mr. Don McZeal and Ms. 

Belinda Williams. 

9:00 a.m. — MLK Unsung Hero Award 

First place winners from each division of the essay contest will read their winning essay. 

Open to the public and televised live on KPLC TV. 

Saturday January 13th 

8:00 a.m. — MLK Community 5K Run/3Mile Walk And Health Fair @ Lake 

Charles Civic Center 

3:00 p.m. — MLK Community Clean-Up @ Martin Luther King Center 

Featuring the Boy Scouts of America and Washington Marion ROTC 

Sunday January 14th 

6:00 p.m. — Gospel Extravaganza @ Throne of Grace Fellowship on 2401 6th 

Street Lake Charles, LA 

Featuring performers from throughout Louisiana...Free Admission 

Monday January 15th 

8:30 a.m. — Annual Parade Line up @ the Lake Charles Civic Center 

11:00 a.m. — Parade Roll Out 

Family Day Celebration 

WW 

Zydeco, R&B, Blues, and Southern Soul Music 

WW 

Celebrity Gumbo/Sauce Piquant Cook-Off Contest 

WW 

Local Vendor Exhibition 

WW 

Arts, Crafts, Creole, and Cajun Foods 

Purchase T-Shirts at KZWA and Unlimited Fashions 

Those wearing Commemorative MLK 2018 T-Shirts are invited to march in the parade and the 

admittance into Monday events are all free. 

Scenes from 2017 MLK Festival events 

Pay fees and/or pick up 

entry forms at the following 

business offices, and for 

more details contact: 

ROXIE SMITH 

Call: 337-491-9955 

or fax: 337-433-8097 

KZWA LIVE 104.9 

mail@kzwafm.com 

305 Enterprise Blvd 

Lake Charles, LA 70601 

22 


The Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council 

is 

SLAC 

Commemorating 30 years! 

PROVIDING SUPPORT & SERVICES TO 

Region 5 

99Free & Confidential HIV Testing 

99Primary Medical & HIV Care 

99Medical & Non-Medical Case 

Management 

99Oral Health & Vision Care 

99Outpatient Psychiatric, Mental 

Health & Substance Use 

Counseling 

99Emergency Financial Medication 

Assistance 

99Nutrition / Food Pantry 

99Medical Transportation Assistance 

99Housing Assistance 

99Support Groups 

99HIV Education & Prevention to 

Community 

1987-2017 

The Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council (SLAC) is a nonprofit 

community-based organization supported by grants 

from the HIV/AIDS Program of the Louisiana Office of Public 

Health, Department of Health and Hospitals, and Health 

Resources Services Administration (HRSA), as well as other 

private and foundation funding. These grants allow SLAC 

to provide HIV prevention and education programs, risk 

assessment, and outreach in Southwest Louisiana, as well 

medical and social services to regional persons living with 

HIV and AIDS. Additionally, fundraisers memorials and other 

donations support the agency’s mission. Founded in 1987, 

SLAC provides services to five (5) parishes of Southwest 

Louisiana: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff 

Davis. 

Our Mission: to provide education to the people of 

Southwest Louisiana about HIV/AIDS, HIV Prevention, and to 

offer medical and social services to people living with HIV. 

Our Goal: To provide comprehensive quality care to people 

living with HIV in the region and to reduce the transmission 

of HIV. 

avitapharmacy.com 

KNOW YOUR STATUS - GET TESTED! 

RESOURCE & WELLNESS CENTER 

808 Walters St. 

Lake Charles – 337-480-8271 

Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council 

425 Kingsley St. 

Lake Charles, La – 337-439-5861 

slac.org 

30 years 


ADVENTURES of the Lake 

Healthy Happy 

Victory 


The woman behind the movement 

So the year is almost 

over and your body 

still isn’t where you 

want it to be! Maybe 

it’s time for a change. 

If you’re looking for 

a way that leads to 

a healthier lifestyle, 

then you should start 

at Juice Thyme Plus. 

Juice Thyme Plus is a 

local business in Lake 

Charles, Louisiana 

that promotes healthy 

food options in the 

form of juice by 

blending fruits and 

vegetables, but this 

isn’t your average 

juice joint. There’s so 

much more. 

24 


Juice Thyme Plus was created 

when its owner, Sharon 

Antoine, wanted to change 

her own lifestyle and move in a 

healthier direction. After dealing 

with medical conditions and having 

to take medication for years, Sharon 

was told about the benefits of juicing 

by her doctor and it changed her 

life. Upon this new found discovery 

foward Sharon thought that it was so 

revolutionary that she wanted to share 

it with others. “Once I saw the benefits 

of juicing, I wanted to share it with the 

community” says Sharon. 

Sharon is an advocate for healthy 

living. Juice Thyme Plus even tries to 

encourage others to eat healthier by 

offering promotions such as discounts 

for senior citizens, first responders and 

teacher Tuesdays. She even promotes 

children to strive for excellence in 

school by offering them a free smoothie 

with a good report card. 

Juice Thyme Plus is also 

going to start a class called 

Juicing 101. This class will 

show people how to pick good 

ingredients and how to juice, 

teaching them everything they 

need to know in order to begin 

their juicing journey. 

There are multiple benefits to 

juicing. Taking on this practice can help 

you detox, boost energy, lower blood 

pressure and even lower cholesterol. It 

is a great way to get your daily dose of 

vegetables, especially if you have a hard 

time eating them. Personally speaking, 

I’m not exactly the definition of health, 

so this is a good way for me to change 

that. My metabolism isn’t what it used 

to be in high school. Back then I could 

eat whatever I wanted and never gain 

weight, but now eating reckless has 

consequences and I should 

really treat my body better. 

As Sharon would say “Love 

your body from the inside 

out”. 

It’s all about taking baby 

steps. You don’t have to go fullfledged 

health guru right away. Upon 

my visit to Juice Thyme Plus, I tried 

a drink called Reset Juice. It consists 

of kale, cucumber, spinach, broccoli, 

pear, pineapple and carrot. I won’t lie. 

I was a little scared at first, but I have 

to say it was pretty good. It serves as a 

meal replacement and I would drink it 

again. However, for those of you who 

are too scared to try that one, Sharon 

suggests starting with Tropical Melon, 

but hopefully you’ll get the courage 

to explore the rest of the menu. “The 

mind, that’s where the battle is. Once 

you renew your mind, you renew your 

thinking,” says Sharon. 

Juice Thyme Plus even does 

delivery. You have the option of Waiter 

or Sharon will even personally deliver 

her awesome fresh, all organic products 

to you herself. 

Juice Thyme Plus is located in 

North Lake Charles. Sharon chose 

the location because she wants to 

help people in the African-American 

community develop a healthy lifestyle. 

It can certainly be hard to eat healthy 

when you are surrounded by fast food 

restaurants. “I feel like if we knew better 

we’d do better,” says 

Sharon. Sharon 

wants to give 

people options to 

have a healthier 

life. “Eat healthy 

now and avoid 

taking medication 

down the road,” she 

says. Juice Thyme 

Plus also offers 

sandwiches and 

organic coffee. 

Ianander Thibodeaux, a recent Mass 

Communication graduate from McNeese 

enjoys travel and writing about interesting 

experiences and adventures in SWLA. 

Message Ian S. Thibodeaux on Facebook 

to have your adventures featured. 

My experience at Juice Thyme Plus 

was great! I found out that eating 

healthy can also be tasty and affordable. 

I am looking forward to taking a step 

toward healthy eating now so I can leap 

into the New Year as a healthier and 

happier me. So what are you waiting for? 

Go down to Juice Thyme Plus and start 

the journey with me. You won’t regret it. 

Taking the first sip to a healthy me 

This coupon entitles you to10% off 

your Total purchase.(Must present coupon) 

LOVE YOUR BODY 

FROM THE INSIDE OUT 

Become a VIP Member & 

“Give the Gift of a Healthier Choice” 

With a Juice Thyme Plus Gift Card 

1540 N. MLK Hwy, Suite B. Lake Charles, LA. 70601 (337)437-4237 


Q&A 

...sometimes 

standing by 

your truth, you 

have to run for 

your life... 

RICKEY 

The Man 

In my interview with renowned 

comedian Rickey Smiley, we 

discussed his new book “Stand 

by Your Truth And Then 

Run For Your Life!” 

Look closely at his 

answers as we dig 

into his thoughts. 

QWhat does “Stand by Your Truth” 

mean? 

AStand by your truth is part 

memoir, part inspirational. It 

has great stories with an inspirational 

message in each chapter and I think 

that the readers would absolutely 

love it. Just stand by your truth and 

run for your life because sometimes 

standing by your truth, you have 

to run for your life. The book is 

straightforward and it comes right at 

you. It’s honest and open, and it’s a 

great read. 

QHow did you come up with 

the idea for the book? 

AMy manager is a 

literary agent as well 

and I had been thinking 

26 


SMILEY 

Behind The Laughs 


about a book for a while. It just made sense 

to do a book. I’ve been doing stand up for 

some years and it made good business sense 

to do an inspirational book that would be 

with folks for generations, and I’m really 

excited about it. 

QWhat happened in your life that 

impacted you to even want to write the 

book? 

AMy whole life impacted me from 30 

years of stand-up comedy, 12 years of 

radio and 49 years of life. 

QHow will the book help people find their 

truth on their journey? 

AThere’s a lot of stories in it that people 

can probably relate to. A lot of people 

have come to a point in their life where they 

can use some of that wisdom and knowledge 

in there when it comes to their decision 

making. I would definitely recommend it to 

anybody. Any young parent, any single dad, 

any teenager. It’s a great read that people 

could learn from and pull from. 

QSo would you say it has a lot of life 

examples that you’ve experienced that 

people could use themselves? 

AOh absolutely, in almost every chapter. 

It has some great and wonderful stories. 

The book should be a movie. It would make a 

great movie because there’s a lot of trials and 

tribulations that I had to overcome to this 

point, and I still have trials and tribulations; 

but I just think that people would get a lot of 

information and encouragement from it. 

QYou said that you’ve been doing 

comedy for 30 years now, so why write 

this book now? 

ANow is the perfect time! You don’t want 

to write a book when you get too old 

and do a book tour because you can’t get up 

and down the steps. 

QWhat is one of the most impactful 

lessons you've learned that’s 

highlighted in your book and can help 

others? 

AForgiveness, the world is filled with 

grudge holders including myself, but 

the forgiveness chapter is a great chapter for 

people to read; and I just hope people can 

free themselves from stuff so that they can 

move on. It’s a really positive chapter that I 

think everybody would enjoy. 

QWhat can people get from this book 

that they can’t get from your comedy? 

How can they differentiate the man from the 

entertainer? 

AA lot of the stories that happened are 

just not funny. My stage show is funny. 

Everything that happened to me in my life 

is not funny, and you just can’t talk about it 

on stage because people come to see you 

perform. So you get a lot of great stories in 

there that I think you would actually enjoy. 

QI noticed the name of your show is 

called “Rickey Smiley and Friends.” So, 

how would you describe the friends that 

travel and entertain with you on tour? 

AThese are a group of comedians that 

are funny and up and coming. They 

deserve the opportunity to get out on the 

road and work out their talent. 

QIn the second part of your book’s title 

it says run for your life. So, why should 

someone run after finding their truth? 

AEverybody can’t handle the truth. So, 

you have to run for your life because 

people get mad at your honesty. 

In closing, Rickey Smiley may tell a lot of 

jokes for a living, but his life isn’t one. In 

his book, “Stand by Your Truth And Then 

Run For Your Life!” you get to know not 

the celebrity, but the man. With each 

enticing chapter you’ll experience his 

triumphs and struggles as you’re thrown 

into his world. This book is full of life 

lessons that can help you come to know 

your own truth and the examples of his 

strength to overcome will inspire you to 

run forward in your own life. The book is 

now available on www.rickeysmileybook. 

com, Barnes and Nobles, and Amazon. 

Pick up your copy today because you’ll 

definitely want to know the truth about 

Rickey Smiley. It makes a great stocking 

stuffer for the holidays!

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana December 2017 Issue

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