The Voice of Southwest Louisiana February 2018 Issue

February 2018 

Vol 5 No 7 

Community 1st 

Entrepreneur 

Edwina 

Medearis 

Medearis' Costumes, 

Cards & Gifts 

Q&A with 

Harry Guidry, 

Referee 

CALLING ALL THE SHOTS 

SWLA Center 

for Health 

Celebrates National 

Children’s Dental Health 

Be My 

Valentine... 

Bonding... 

Togetherness... 

Romance...

2 February 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 7

editor’s 

By Brenda Hill 

Be My 

Valentine... 

I 

remember in elementary school 

when someone put a little 

Valentine's card on my desk that 

read, 'Be my Valentine' on the front 

and 'Guess who?' on the back. For the 

rest of the day, I walked around in total 

amazement wondering, "Who left that 

card on my desk?" Finally, at the end of 

the school day we learned the 'Big' reveal. 

Sometimes it was a male, sometimes it 

was a female and sometimes it was my 

teacher. I remember feeling warm on 

the inside and important on the outside 

because I mattered to someone else 

other than a family member. 

This feeling was such a confidence 

builder for me and it was a dose of 

assurance, validating my sense of 

belongingness to the human race. 

In middle and high school, I remember 

finding a 'You are my Valentine' in my 

book sack or in one of my books. I 

automatically knew my mother put it 

there. I smiled throughout the day and 

felt such empowerment by that woman. 

After all, family suppose to 

love each other. Right? 

I remember a day in my adult life when 

I was asked to spend the rest of my life 

as a wife. We were at the park to fly the 

kites that we engineered ourselves. He 

presented me with a very mature and 

romantic Valentine card that he wrote 

himself. It was tailor made on the outside 

and very romantic on the inside. After I 

read the card, I looked at him and he said, 

"You calm the storm inside of me. Let's 

adventure together." 

I knew I was ready to take on this 

very serious responsibility of marriage 

because I had a long history of practice; 

receiving good cheer from others and 

glad tidings. 

Those were such personable times of 

bonding, togetherness, romance...and we 

wrote messages by hand! 

Today we text, Twitter, Facebook, insta 

gram etc., to communicate with each 

other, and to each other. 

Yes! We have gained a technological 

society that gives us access. What have 

we lost? 

Volume 5 • Number 7 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM February 2018 3

Feb 2018 

The Voice's Choice 

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

spread love, joy and peace throughout SWLA. 

Dr. Karnelius Duhon, DDS 

Dr. Duhon is a Lake Charles 

native, educated in the State 

of Louisiana and employed 

by SWLA Center for Health 

Services, one of the premier 

3 EDITOR'S PEN 

BE MY VALENTINE... 

5 IMPERIAL CALCASIEU REGIONAL 

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 

COMMISSION 

THE LAKE CHARLES METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION 

(MPO) 

6 KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE 

LEGACY WALK 

8 SWLA HEALTH CENTER FOR 

HEALTH SERVICES 

CELEBRATES NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH 

10 SWLA HEALTH CENTER 

NUTRITION FOR HEALTHY TEETH 

12 DR. KARNELIUS DUHON 

FAMILY DENTISTRY 

13 SWLA HEALTH, WEALTH & 

WELLNESS 

MY HERITAGE, MY HEALTH 

4 

Community Health Centers 

in the country. He is a 2010 

graduate from the University 

of Louisiana at Lafayette 

and graduated in 2014 as a 

National Health Service Core 

(NHSC) Scholar. The NHSC 

Scholarship Program is a 

competitive Federal program 

that awards scholarships 

to students in return for a 

commitment to provide care 

in underserved communities 

He says, “I especially enjoy 

the Lake Charles facility 

where family, church 

members, old classmates, 

teachers, mentors, and 

childhood friends are all my 

patients.” 

See more of Dr. Duhon ‘s 

story on page 12. 

CONTENTS 

22 Community 1st 

Entrepreneur 

Edwina Medearis 

Medearis' 

Costumes, Cards 

& Gifts 

10 NUTRITION TIPS: 

NUTRITION 

FOR HEALTHY 

TEETH 

14 REFLECTIVE LIGHT 

WHAT IS THE COLOR OF LOVE? 

16 MY SENIOR MOMENT 2.0 

MAYOR HUNTER VISITS WARD 3 RECREATION /UNIVERSITY 

PARK 

18 PEACE FROM PIECES 

USING A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE TO DEEPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL 

CONNECTION 

20 STAYING PUT 

LANCE GUIDRY TO REMAIN AT MCNEESE 

22 COMMUNITY 1ST 

ENTREPRENEUR 

EDWINA MEDEARIS 

24 ADVENTURES OF THE LAKE 

LOVE 

26 Q&A WITH HARRY GUIDRY, 

REFEREE 

CALLING ALL THE SHOTS 

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. 

Editor-In-Chief 

Brenda Hill 

brenda@thevoiceofsouthwestla.com 

General Manager 

Tracy Clark 

tracy@thevoiceofsouthwestla.com 

PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED BY 

Team Publications LLC. 

4310 Ryan St. Ste. 135 

Lake Charles, LA. 70605 

In the McNeese SEED Center 

337.474.2210 

February 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 7 

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 

Brenda Hill 

Cheri L. Soileau, AICP, Executive/ 

MPO Director 

Elliot Sterling, Legacy Walk 

Coordinator 

Dr. Seema Varghese, DDS 

Barbara Grigsby R.D., LDN 

Dr. Karnelius Duhon, DDS 

Emily Ashworth, RN, BSN 

Ronald J. Blanchard 

Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

Carra Sergeant, LPC 

Tori Hebert 

Sharon Gilbeaux-Brown 

Ian Thibodeaux 

Cover 

By Vinh Photography

SWLA news 

Editor’s Note: This series of articles provided by Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning 

& Development Commission (IMCAL) will inform, educate and update our readers on 

events affecting transportation and economic development in Southwest Louisiana. 

Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning 

& Development Commission 

The Lake Charles 

Metropolitan Planning 

Organization (MPO) 

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

Last month, the 

discussion focused 

on the Metropolitan 

Transportation Plan 2045 

Update. The Lake Charles 

Metropolitan Planning 

Organization (MPO) just 

kicked off the first steering 

committee meeting several 

weeks ago. This is the 

beginning of a year of public 

outreach, data gathering 

and understanding traffic 

movement within the region. 

There is now a website: www. 

transportplanswla.com which 

will serve as a focal point 

for information, surveys 

and updates as the project 

moves forward. Comments, 

thoughts, suggestions, ideas 

are encouraged to be shared. 

It’s important that all citizens 

from the region be involved in 

this process in order to 

make our Metropolitan 

Transportation Plan realistic 

and implementable. 

But the MPO does other 

activities as well. MPOs 

were created to carry out 

the planning for a specified 

urbanized area, which 

is determined by the US 

Census. Therefore, gathering 

Census information is so 

very important as it helps 

determine how much funding 

a region can receive. MPOs 

are required to represent 

‘urbanized areas’ or UZAs 

that have populations of over 

50,000. MPOs are created 

by agreement between 

the government and local 

governments that together 

represent at least 75 percent 

of the affected population. 

While there are MPO staff, the 

actual MPO consists of the 

elected officials or designated 

representative from the areas 

which cover the MPO study 

area. In this case, the Lake 

Charles MPO includes the 

City of Lake Charles, Westlake, 

Sulphur and parts of Calcasieu 

Parish. The MPO consists of 

Mayor Nic Hunter, Mayor 

Chris Duncan, Mayor Bob 

Hardey, Wes Crain, Planning 

Director for Calcasieu Parish 

and Don Duberville, DOTD 

District 7 Administrator. This 

is to ensure the utilization of 

federal planning funds are 

distributed equitably, based 

on need and that all parts 

of the region have a voice in 

the transportation planning 

activity. 

The MPO is required to 

develop a Transportation 

Improvement Program, 

which is a list of upcoming 

transportation projects over 

a four-year time. This list is 

developed in cooperation 

with local and state entities 

and includes transit projects 

and must be fiscally 

constrained. Meaning that 

projects listed align with what 

funding the region receives 

from the Federal Government, 

via DOTD. The project list for 

the Lake Charles MPO is on 

IMCAL’s website: www.imcal. 

la. 

Knowledge is power and it 

is important as residents to 

understand processes that go 

into the decision-making for 

transportation projects. 

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 

Keeping the 

Legacy Alive 

Legacy Walk 

By Elliot Sterling, Legacy Walk Coordinator 

Sacred Heart School has a long and 

storied history. That history began 

in the early 1900's when a group 

of concerned parents joined together 

to provide for a better future through 

education for their children. 

With limited resources as African 

Americans, they pooled those meager 

resources to build what became known as 

the ‘the little Red School.” 

In 1908, Miss Eleanor Figaro began her 

teaching career. Later, Miss Mary Ryan 

joined her. A huge debt of gratitude is 

owed to these original founders who 

worked tirelessly and with selfless service 

to uplift the community. 

In 1922, the Sisters of the Blessed 

Sacrament were secured to help with the 

schools expanding population. 

Mother Katharine Drexel (St. Katharine 

Drexel) financed the building of a 

convent for the sisters as well as for 

new classrooms for the ever-growing 

school operation. The convent where 

St. Katharine Drexel worked, prayed and 

slept still stands today as a testament to a 

vision of a ‘Better Future for All.’ She once 

stated that education was the means to 

empowerment. 

Struggle, Sacrifice and Success 

Below: A picture of the Convent. 

The contribution of Sacred Heart School to 

the wider community by its graduates over 

the past 110 years is immeasurable. 

Therefore, a commemoration of all past 

students, teachers, parents and supporters 

is in progress via a brick paver campaign 

known as “Legacy Walk.” 

The goal of the Legacy Walk is to 

Remember, Restore and Resurrect Sacred 

Heart to its original Vision of Educational 

excellence. 

To place you or your family members 

name on a personalized brick, contact 

Elliot Sterling, Coordinator – 832.754.2697 

or Sacred Heart School – 337.439.2646 

6 February 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 7

An artist's rendering of Legacy Walk 

REMEMBER... RESTORE... RESURRECT... 

SACRED HEART/ST KATHARINE DREXEL SCHOOL 1908-2018 

ANNOUNCES A LEGACY WALK BRICKPAVER CAMPAIGN 

BUY A 

BRICK 

CALLING ALL ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS 

Contact Elliot Sterling Today at 832.754.2697 and 

purchase your pesonalized engraved Brick!! 


SWLA Health Center 

Dr. Seema Varghese, DDS 

Dental Director, SWLA Center 

for Health Services 

Did you know that 1 in 

4 adults avoid smiling 

and feel embarrassed 

due to the condition of their 

mouth and teeth? Also, people 

with poor oral health ability 

to get a job is more difficult 

because of how their mouth or 

teeth appear. According to the 

Health Policy Institute of the 

American Dental Association, 

77% of adults say they will visit 

the dentist in the coming year, 

but do you know that actually 

only 37% of the people surveyed 

kept that promise? By age 34, 

more than 80% of people have 

had at least one cavity. More 

than 40% of adults have felt pain 

in their mouth in the last year. On 

average, the nation spends more 

than $113 billion a year on costs 

related to dental care. 

February is National Dental 

Health Month and this is the 

perfect time to place emphasis 

and focus on proper dental 

health. It is never too late to 

improve your dental health. 

Most assume there is no simple 

answers for good dental health. 

Taking good care of your mouth 

and teeth throughout your 

whole life can help prevent 

problems as you get older. 

Taking care of your teeth means 

brushing and flossing every day 

SWLA Center for Health Services 

Celebrates National 

Children’s Dental Health 

and seeing the dentist regularly. 

A healthy mouth is more 

important than you might 

think. Consider everything you 

expect your mouth to do each 

day. You use your mouth to eat, 

to smile, to speak, and more. 

Poor oral health can affect any or 

all of these things. 

A former U.S. surgeon general 

had said, “You can't be healthy 

without good oral health.” 

There is emerging evidence 

that oral health is related to 

conditions outside the mouth, 

like diabetes, pregnancy and 

even mental health," Dr. Vujicic, 

the ADA chief economist, has 

stated. "Health care policy in the 

United States clearly emphasizes 

oral health for children. It might 

be time to reconnect mouth and 

body for adults." 

Since being the Dental Director 

at SWLA Center for Health 

Services, I have seen a whole 

generation in this community 

come together and seek much 

needed dental care, especially 

with the inception of programs 

such as MCNA and adult 

Medicaid programs. Adults 

especially have benefitted from 

such programs due to availability 

and access to dental treatments 

that were otherwise out of reach 

due to overwhelming expenses. 

It has been very rewarding to 

treat patients of both young 

and old generations; to give 

them hope as well as a healthier 

and prettier smile because of 

these programs. Our sliding 

fee discount scale, based on 

a person’s ability to pay, has 

also been a tremendous aid in 

helping people be able to afford 

dental services. We are thankful 

for the opportunities to assist 

the surrounding population and 

help patients be encouraged so 

that they can visit the dentist 

more often as part of a healthy 

life routine. We look forward to 

shrinking the above statistics 

so that every individual can feel 

good about him or herself and 

are more confident in their smile 

and overall attitude. 

Good oral health isn’t hard 

to achieve but it does take 

discipline. Use these tips for a 

lifetime of taking care of your 

mouth and teeth. 

INFANTS AND CHILDREN 

The first set of teeth is already 

almost completely formed at 

birth. At first, these teeth are 

“hiding” under the gums. These 

teeth are important, because 

after they come in, they let your 

baby chew food and talk well. 

You baby’s first set of teeth 

also holds the space where 

permanent teeth will eventually 

be. They help permanent teeth 

grow in straight. 

You can care for your child’s 

teeth following these simple 

tips. Make sure to clean your 

baby’s new teeth every day. For 

children under 2 years of age, 

use water to brush their teeth. 

Also, please don’t let your baby 

go to sleep with a bottle. This 

can leave milk or juice sitting on 

the teeth and cause cavities that 

are known as “baby-bottle tooth 

decay.” Lastly, your children 

should visit the dentist regularly. 

The American Dental Association 

recommends that children see 

their dentist starting at 1 year of 

age. 

TEENS 

Taking good care of your 

mouth and teeth will help 

you have pleasant breath, a 

nice smile, and fewer cavities. 

There are some simple things 

you can do. Brush your teeth at 

least twice a day with a fluoride 

toothpaste. Floss your teeth at 

least once a day. Don’t smoke 

or chew tobacco, which can 

stain your teeth, give you bad 

breath, and cause cancer. Wear 

the right protective gear while 

playing contact sports and see 

your dentist every 6 months for 

regular check-ups and cleanings. 

ADULTS 

Continuing good mouth and 

tooth care as an adult can help 

you avoid tooth loss, painful 

gums, or other problems. If 

you have any problems with 

your teeth or concerns about 

your mouth, see your doctor or 

dentist right away. Here are some 

helpful things you can do: 

•• 

Brush your teeth at least 

twice a day with a fluoride 

toothpaste. 

•• 

Floss your teeth at least once 

a day. 

•• 

Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. 

•• 

Ask your doctor if your 

medicines have side effects 

that might damage your teeth. 

(For example, some medicines 

may cause you to have a dry 

mouth.) 

•• 

Look inside your mouth 

regularly for sores that don’t 

heal, irritated gums, or other 

changes. 

•• 

See your dentist every 6 

8 

February 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 7

months for regular check-ups 

and cleanings. 

Take this into consideration. 

When you do not regularly take 

good care of your teeth and 

mouth, you could experience 

these problems: Cavities, Gum 

Disease, Oral Cancer, and Poor 

self-esteem. 

Cavities. Cavities are caused 

by tooth decay. Your teeth can 

decay when you do not brush 

and floss them regularly to get 

leftover food off of them. If left 

untreated, cavities can cause 

tooth pain, can cause your tooth 

to become infected, and can 

even lead to tooth loss. 

Gum disease. Plaque on your 

teeth can lead to gum disease. 

Gum disease is an infection of 

the tissue that supports your 

teeth. It can cause teeth to 

become loose over time. There is 

also evidence that gum disease is 

related to heart disease. Experts 

aren’t sure if gum disease makes 

you more likely to have heart 

disease or vice versa. 

Oral cancer. Smoking, chewing 

tobacco, and alcohol can 

increase your risk for oral cancer 

(cancer in your mouth). Poor oral 

hygiene alone may not increase 

your risk for oral cancer. When 

you combine it with any other 

risk factor, though, it dramatically 

boosts your chances of getting 

cancer. 

Poor self-esteem. When your 

teeth aren’t clean, you have bad 

breath. Bad breath can make 

you feel uncomfortable at work, 

school, and in social situations. 

This can make you reluctant to 

participate. Longtime poor oral 

health can result in tooth loss, 

which can make you smile less. 

All of these things can damage 

your self-esteem, or how you see 

yourself. 

You should see a doctor if you 

have pain. If you have mouth or 

tooth pain, do not ignore it. See 

a doctor or a dentist. The longer 

you wait, the worse it could be 

for your mouth. You should also 

see your dentist twice a year to 

get your teeth cleaned. If your 

dentist diagnoses you with gum 

disease, share this diagnosis with 

your medical doctor. 

If you have not had your 

annual dental visit this 

year, please call and make 

an appointment with your 

Dentist today. If you do not 

have a Dentist, SWLA Center for 

Health Services is accepting new 

patients for both children and 

adults. Call 337-439-9983 today 

to make your appointment. 

SWLA Center for Health 

Services, your local community 

health center, has been serving 

and providing quality healthcare 

services to the community for 

over thirty-five years. SWLA 

Center for Health Services is a 

Joint Commission Accredited 

Federally Qualified Health Center 

providing preventative and 

primary healthcare services. 

Services offered at SWLA 

Center for Health Services 

include Family Medicine, 

Obstetrics & Gynecology, 

Pediatrics (KidMed), Oral Health 

(Dentistry), Behavioral Health, 

Pharmacy, Laboratory, Case 

Management, WIC, insurance 

enrollment, and a state of the art 

Fitness Center. 


Services accepts all types of 

insurance including Medicaid, 

Medicare, Veterans Choice, and 

most private insurances. Patients 

who qualify can also participate 

in our sliding fee scale discount 

program which allows a patient 

to pay for services based on their 

household size and income. 

SWLA Center for Health Services 

“Caring for the Community, 

because at the Center is You!” 

Information in this article provided by the American Dental Association. www.ada.org 



NUTRITION 

for 

HEALTHY 

TEETH 

By-Barbara Grigsby R.D., LDN 

SWLA Center for 

Health Services 

Nutrition has an effect 

on your dental health. 

Eating a variety of 

nutrient rich foods from all the 

food groups promotes healthy 

teeth and gums. A balanced 

diet of fruits, vegetables, 

protein foods, dairy products 

and whole grains provides 

essential nutrients for 

optimum oral health as well as 

overall health. 

FOODS FOR OPTIMUM ORAL 

HEALTH 

CALCIUM rich foods, such as 

low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt 

and cheese, cottage cheese, 

cooked rhubarb, cooked 

spinach, canned salmon, 

almonds and dark green leafy 

vegetables help promote 

strong teeth. 

10 

PHOSPHORUS found in eggs, 

fish, lean meat and dairy 

products is good for strong 

teeth. 

VITAMIN C promotes gum 

health; so, include citrus fruits 

such as oranges grapefruit 

and strawberries in your diet. 

Kiwi, tomatoes, peppers, 

broccoli, spinach, greens, 

cabbage and potatoes are 

also good sources of Vitamin 

C. Eating fresh fruits and 

vegetables also helps protect 

your teeth by stimulating the 

production of saliva, which 

cleanses the mouth and 

makes it less acidic. 

SUGAR AND ACIDS AFFECT 

TEETH 

TOOTH DECAY is caused by 

bacteria in the mouth using 

sugar from foods and drinks 

to produce acids that dissolve 

and damage the teeth. Sugar 

sweetened beverages (soft 

drinks, sports drinks, energy 

drinks, fruit drinks) have high 

levels of sugar and drinking 

these can significantly 

contribute to teeth decay. 

Particularly, drinks with a 

high pH level (acid), such 

as soft drinks, can cause 

damage to teeth by eating 

away at the hard, outer layer. 

Enamel erosion is a problem 

because enamel that becomes 

destroyed can’t grow back. 

When your tooth enamel 

erodes, it can also lead to 

painful dental conditions like 

tooth sensitivity. People with 

sensitive teeth experience 

pain when they drink or bite 

into hot, cold, sweet, acidic or 

spicy foods and drinks, and it 

can have adverse effects on 

their diet in the long run. 

HOW TO FIGHT TOOTH 

DECAY AND EROSION 

1. DRINK SOFT DRINKS ONLY 

IN MODERATION. 

2. Use a straw so your teeth 

are less exposed to the 

sugar and acid in the drink. 

3. Drinking water with food 

and after a meal helps 

eliminate bacteria and 

reduces acid production. 

4. Chewing sugar-free gum 

for 20 minutes after meals 

and snacks helps prevent 

tooth decay 

5. Never drink sugary or 

acidic drinks before you go 

bed. If you do so, the liquid 

will pool in your mouth 

coating your teeth with 

sugar and acid. 

6. Eat a diet low in sugar to 

help prevent tooth decay. 

7. Visit your Dentist every 6 

months for regular checkups 

and cleanings. 

Smart snacking can keep your 

mouth in good shape. Resist 

the urge to snack frequently. 

The more often you eat, 

especially between meals, 

the more likely you are to 

introduce acid attacks on your 

teeth. If you do snack, choose 

wisely, forgo sugary treats 

such as hard or sticky candy 

and opt for nutritious choices 

such as raw vegetables, fruits, 

plain yogurt, cheese, milk and 

popcorn. 

If you have a taste for 

something sweet, try eating 

some fruit first. When you’re 

thirsty reach for milk or water. 

Other ways to reduce sugars 

in your mouth include making 

or buying healthier versions 

of baked goods, eating or 

drinking smaller amounts, and 

limiting foods and drinks with 

added sugars. 

SOME TIPS ON HOW TO 

REDUCE SOURCES OF 

ADDED SUGARS. 

• Sweeten low-fat plain 

yogurt with fresh, frozen, 

or canned (in its own 

juice) fruit instead of fruit 

flavored yogurt. 

• Add cinnamon and dried 

fruit to plain cooked oats 

instead of using instant 

flavored oatmeal. 

• Substitute 100% fruit juice 

for fruit punch and other 

fruit flavored drinks. 

• Switch from sweetened to 

unsweetened applesauce. 

• Drink plain low-fat milk 

instead of chocolate milk. 

• Use jams and jellies with 

no sugar added. 

• Enjoy a homemade 

smoothie with frozen fruit, 

low-fat milk, and yogurt 

instead of ice cream. 

• Quench your thirst with 

water, low-fat milk, or 

100% fruit or vegetable 

juice instead of sweetened 

beverages, like energy, soft 

and sports drinks. 

For additional food and 

nutrition information visit 

www.eatright.org 


INGREDIENTS 

Good dental health 

is a top priority 

for parents. Here 

are 3 healthy and 

nutritious recipes for 

your enjoyment. The 

recipes are provided 

by the National 

Cancer Institute. 

https://www.cancer.gov/ 

about-cancer/causesprevention/risk/diet/downhome-healthy-cooking.pdf 

WINTER and 

SUMMER CRISP 

FILLING 

½ cup granulated 

sugar 

3 tablespoons allpurpose 

flour 

1 teaspoon grated 

lemon peel 

5 cups unpeeled, 

sliced apples 

1 cup cranberries 

TOPPING 

²/³ cup rolled oats 

¹/³ cup packed 

brown sugar 

¼ cup whole wheat 

flour 

2 teaspoons ground 

cinnamon 

3 tablespoons soft 

margarine, melted 

20-MINUTE 

CHICKEN CREOLE 

INGREDIENTS 

4 medium chicken 

breast halves (1½ 

lbs total) skinned, 

boned, and cut into 

1-inch strips 

1, 14-ounce can 

tomatoes, cut up 

1 cup low-sodium 

chili sauce 

1½ cups chopped 

green pepper (1 

large) 

1. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, 

and lemon peel; mix well. Add apples and 

cranberries; stir to mix. Spoon into a 6-cup 

baking dish. 

2. In a small bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, 

flour, and cinnamon. Add melted margarine; stir 

to mix. Sprinkle topping over filling. 

3. Bake in a 375° oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until 

filling is bubbly and top is brown. Serve warm 

or at room temperature. 

NUTRITION CONTENT 

Per Serving 

Makes 6 servings 

calories: 284 

total fat: 6g 

saturated fat: 1g 

carbohydrates: 54g 

protein: 3g 

cholesterol: 0mg 

sodium: 56mg 

dietary fiber: 5g 

1. Spray deep skillet with non-stick spray coating. 

Preheat pan over high heat. Cook chicken in 

hot skillet, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes or until no 

longer pink. 

2. Reduce heat. Add tomatoes and their juice, lowsodium 

chili sauce, green pepper, celery, onion, 

garlic, basil, parsley, crushed red pepper, and 

salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer 

covered for 10 minutes. Serve over hot, cooked 

rice or whole wheat pasta. 

To reduce sodium, try low-sodium 

canned tomatoes. 

½ cup chopped 

celery ¼ cup 

chopped onion 

2 cloves garlic, 

minced 

1 tablespoon 

chopped fresh basil 

or 1 teaspoon dried 

basil, crushed 

1 tablespoon 

chopped fresh 

parsley or 1 

teaspoon dried 

parsley 

¼ teaspoon crushed 

red pepper 

¼ teaspoon salt 

non-stick cooking 

spray 


Per Serving 


calories: 255 total 

fat: 3g 

saturated fat: 0.8g 


protein: 31g 

cholesterol: 100mg 

sodium: 465mg 

dietary fiber: 1.5g 

CHILLIN' OUT 

PASTA SALAD 

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. 

Drain; cool. 

2. In a large bowl stir together yogurt, mustard, 

and herb seasoning. Add pasta, celery, and 

green onion; mix well. Chill at least 2 hours. 

3. Just before serving, carefully stir in shrimp and 

tomatoes. 

INGREDIENTS 

8-ounce (2½ cups) 

medium shell pasta 

1, 8-ounce carton 

(1 cup) plain nonfat 

yogurt 

2 tablespoons spicy 

brown mustard 

2 tablespoons saltfree 

herb seasoning 

1½ cups chopped 

celery 

1 cup sliced green 

onion 

1 lb cooked small 

shrimp 

3 cups coarsely 

chopped tomatoes 

(about 3 large) 


Per Serving 


calories: 140 total 

fat: 1g 


saturated fat: 0.1g 

protein: 14g 

cholesterol: 60mg s 

odium: 135mg 

dietary fiber: 1.3g 



Dr. Karnelius Duhon 

– Family Dentistry 

By Dr. Karnelius Duhon, DDS 

SWLA Center for 

Health Services 

supports and 

encourages students 

to pursue careers 

in healthcare. This 

month Dr. Karnelius 

Duhon shares his 

personal journey for 

aspiring Dentists. 

My first day at LSU 

School of Dentistry, 

I was nervous 

and excited all at the same 

time. Dr. John Ritchie and Dr. 

Stephen Briscoe shared with 

us the story of a young boy, 

who died of a toothache at 

12-years-old. A routine, $80 

tooth extraction might have 

saved his life: if his mother 

had been insured; if his family 

had not lost its Medicaid; if 

Medicaid dentists weren’t 

so hard to find; if his mother 

hadn’t been focused on 

getting a dentist for his 

brother, who had six rotted 

teeth. By the time this 

12 year old’s own aching 

tooth got any attention, the 

bacteria from the abscess had 

spread to his brain. After two 

operations and more than six 

weeks of hospital care, the 

young boy died. I was deeply 

touched by this story and 

committed that day I would 

always serve the underserved. 

With God’s, and my mom’s 

and dad’s blessings, I 

graduated in 2014 as a 

National Health Service 

Corps (NHSC) Scholar. The 

NHSC Scholarship Program is a 

competitive Federal program 

that awards scholarships 

to students in return for a 

commitment to provide care 

in underserved communities. 

Awards are made to applicants 

most committed to serving 

underserved people and 

most likely to build successful 

careers in Health Professional 

Shortage Areas to meet future 

needs for care throughout the 

nation. 

I remember rushing home 

after class on a Friday 

afternoon because I had just 

received my Board Exam 

scores. I closed my bedroom 

door and said a little prayer then 

opened my letter. P-A-S-S-E-D! 

It felt like electricity running 

through my body, I was 

ecstatic. As I proceeded to call 

my mom and dad to share the 

good news, I received a call 

from SWLA Center for Health 

Services. The Chief Executive 

Officer offered me a job at the 

Lake Charles facility. Talking 

about the best day of my 

life! My childhood dreams of 

becoming a dentist had not 

only come true, but God made 

it possible that I could go back 

and serve in my own village. 

As an employee of SWLA 

Center for Health Services, 

I have also had the 

opportunity to provide 

services in Oberlin, Crowley, 

and Lafayette. As a 2010 

graduate from the University 

of Louisiana at Lafayette, 

it brings me joy to go back 

and work in the place I spent 

countless hours studying 

and dreaming of becoming 

a dentist. I always said I 

would go back to CC’s coffee 

shop when I finished school 

and did not have to study. 

One day for lunch, while 

working in Lafayette, I had the 

best Mochasippi you could 

imagine. However, I especially 

enjoy the Lake Charles 

facility. It has been a very 

rewarding experience for me. 

Family, church members, old 

classmates, teachers, mentors, 

and childhood friends are 

all my patients. My patients 

often compliment me on 

bedside manner, as well as, my 

oral surgery and restorative 

techniques. Although, what 

I enjoy most is seeing the 

difference I make in people’s 

lives who may otherwise not 

receive much needed dental 

care. The power of a “Thank 

You, Doctor” is priceless. 

Accordingly, I intend to 

always keep community 

health a part of my career 

because it is so important 

that everyone has access 

to quality, affordable dental 

care so that there are no more 

incidents like that young 

12 year old boy. Working 

at SWLA Center for Health 

Services allows me that 

opportunity right in my home 

community. 

Dr. Duhon is a Lake Charles 

native, educated in the State 

of Louisiana, and employed 

by one of the premier 

Community Health Centers in 

the country. Dr. Duhon sees 

both children and adults and 

is currently accepting new 

patients. 

Call 337-439-9983 today to 

make your appointment. 


Services “Caring for the 

Community, because at the 

Center is You!” 

12 


SWLA health, wealth & wellness Inform, Educate, Empower 

By Emily Ashworth, RN, BSN 

My Heritage, 

My Health 

Emily Ashworth, RN, BSN 

As a wellness nurse, I often tell 

my patients to look at food 

as a source of fuel. For many 

of us, meal time is tradition, family 

time together, pulling up the chair to 

grand mamma’s table and receiving 

nourishment for our soul. 

While researching some of the 

meals that are considered staples in 

Louisiana culture, I found that many 

of the dishes that I enjoyed as a child, 

and still enjoy today, did not originate 

from American soil. According to 

National Geographic, okra, black-eyed 

peas, watermelon, coffee and many 

other foods were brought to the North 

American continent via the slave route 

between the 16th and 19th centuries. 

Slaves brought the seeds of many fruits 

and vegetables with them and planted 

them on the farms in which they 

inhabited. 

Smothered okra, black-eyed peas and 

sliced watermelon during hot summer 

months, include coffee in the morning, 

are not just tradition, but part of my 

heritage. 

Okra, Hibiscus esculentus, West 

Africa, has many health benefits 

and is rich in vitamin C, calcium, 

magnesium, fiber, potassium, pectin, 

and vitamin A. Vitamin C helps to 

boost our immune system and is 

a powerful antioxidant that helps 

elevate our bodies defences against 

heart disease and the production of 

cancer cells. It is also important for the 

increased absorption of iron. Calcium 

and magnesium are not only helpful 

in strengthing our bones, but it also 

helps with muscle and nerve function 

along with improving our heart health 

by regulating blood pressure and heart 

rhythm. Fiber and pectin help reduce 

cholesterol levels, and potassium is 

essential to heart health. Vitamin A 

has many benefits to the improvement 

of our vision and beautiful, healthy, 

youthful looking skin. 

Black-eyed peas, Cowpeas, Vigna 

unguiculata, Central and Southern 

Africa, one cup contains 690 mg of 

potassium! It is also rich in folate, 

Vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, 

B-Vitamins and contains iron. Folate, 

also known as folic acid, and Vitamin 

B9, are vital to red blood cell formation. 

B vitamins perform a multitude of 

delicate tasks in our bodies including 

the breakdown of fat and improve our 

energy levels. 

Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, Africa, 

region unknown, is high in Vitamin C, 

Vitamin A, and contains potassium, 

magnesium and B-vitamins. It is also 

an excellent source of water, which 

hydrates our bodies. In addition to the 

benefits listed above, potassium can 

also aid in reducing anxiety and stress. 

Coffee, Coffea arabica, Ethiopia, 

known as the birthplace of the 

world’s premier coffee, is often 

roasted locally. The beans originate 

from different areas around the world. 

Coffee has been shown to protect 

against Type 2 diabetes, as long as 

you don’t drown it in sugar and some 

studies shows it to lower rates of 

depression in women. 

Be mindful that the foods we prepare 

and eat with each other are not only an 

expression of our love, but part of our 

heritage. 

Be Well! 

References: 

https://news.nationalgeographic. 

com/news/2014/03/140301-africanamerican-food-history-slavery-southcuisine-chefs/ 

https://www.nationalgeographic. 

com/people-and-culture/food/theplate/2016/09/5-foods-from-africa/ 

https://draxe.com/okra-nutrition/ 

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/ 

hsph-in-the-news/drink-up-healthbenefits-of-coffee-are-numerous/ 

https://draxe.com/black-eyed-peabenefits/ 

https://draxe.com/benefits-ofwatermelon/ 


Reflective Light INSPIRED REVELATION FROM A MALE PERSPECTIVE 

What Is the Color of Love? 

By Ronald J. Blanchard 

Nearly sixty years ago, when 

children of African descent 

were “colored”, a six-yearold 

boy began to gain an elevated 

view of a world that did not readily 

offer opportunity and circumstance 

to obtain the American Dream. He 

would learn that his dreams would 

be deferred, his dreams would be 

delayed. Asking the question “why?”, 

the answer would suggest—the color 

of one’s skin. The answer would reflect 

the racist mind set of America, the 

not so beautiful. However, a child’s 

introduction to hate, would stimulate 

and motivate this young man as he 

began his quest to discover the true 

nature of love. 

Experiencing his elementary 

education in his colored school, this 

inquisitive young man began to learn 

the value of one’s character, beyond 

ones’ color. Within his segregated 

society, his perception was a reality 

that his people were indeed of every 

hue—crème, caramel, brown, red, 

ebony, charcoal. The texture of their 

hair offered endless possibilities, 

whether fine as silk or coarse as rope. 

His thoughts would bring him to 

the appreciation of the beauty and 

diversity of a multicolored people. He 

would begin to understand that there 

was something more than physicality, 

something called spirituality. 

A life changing experience that 

would impact him for all his life 

occurred in his first-grade classroom. 

Beyond the prepared lesson of phonics 

and writing, he learned a lesson of 

love. Seated near the back of the 

room was the darkest child in the 

room. She had short, brown coarse 

hair with a chocolate complexion 

and the whitest teeth. It seemed that 

within his segregated world, she was 

often criticized and ignored by her 

peers. Perhaps, she was not thought 

to be attractive. It was something 

about her complexion or hair texture 

that many found to be less than 

beautiful. However, this young man 

saw something different. Daily, he 

watched her brilliance and resilience, 

as she endured the insulting whispers 

and snickers. Beyond her surface, there 

was a special essence, a unique quality 

that would not allow her to exchange 

hate for hate. Something deep within 

her soul manifested the unerring, 

unconditional gift of love. 

Overcome with emotion, this sixyear-old 

boy walked over to this 

wonderful young lady. He simply 

wanted a closer look at an individual 

that had overcome the limitations 

of flesh and carnality. He wanted an 

opportunity to share with her a simple 

compliment. His word was “friend”, 

as she turned to greet him with a 

big white infectious smile. Within 

that elementary class room, nearly 6 

decades ago, he gained a friend. He 

gained a supernatural understanding 

beyond common humanity. A life 

lesson was learned as he, a little 

colored boy in a segregated world is 

transformed into a child of light and 

understanding. He moves on faith 

in a higher power and confidence 

beyond mortality. Within a colorblind 

mind, a young boy becomes a man 

appreciating the endless possibilities 

within a world that must exist with love. 

14 


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leading up to the main 

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Excitement. Craft 

Martini’s, Music and 

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Designer: Jeta McCreary. 

Attire:Fashion Fabulous 

with Masquerade Masks. 


My Senior Moment 2.0 

By Joyce R. Kebodeaux 

Mayor Hunter 

Visits Ward 3 

Recreation / 

University Park 

Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation 

recently held its seventh annual 

Fitness Expo at its newest Facility 

the Power Centre. The event was to 

introduce some of the activities Calcasieu 

Parish and the city of Lake Charles offers the 

community. In a recent visit to University 

Park, Mayor Nic Hunter told the group, 

“The city of Lake Charles owns and operated 

this facility until about two years ago. It is still 

the city’s property but Ward 3 is in charge of 

operations.” 

Mayor Hunter told the group about 

forming a Community Foundation. This 

would be similar to Partners in Education 

where a business could sponsor a park or 

recreation center which would be invaluable 

to the community.Then he answered the 

group’s questions; which were mainly about 

drainage and public transportation. 

“Drainage is one of the city’s greatest 

priorities. Lake Charles is 150 years old, 

which means some drain lines are 100 years 

old. We have just allocated a 78% increase 

for drainage but it will take time. Our plan 

is to begin moving methodically through 

neighborhoods with cameras to find and 

repair blockages. We’ve found that when one 

neighborhood’s drainage is improved many 

times one close to it is also relieved of the 

problem.” 

“Detention ponds are an easy-fix. As 

Lake Charles keeps growing we need to 

be responsible in development and rely 

Pictured L-R: Alisha McCray, Mayor Nic Hunter, Camile Stakes, Claudette Payne and Gerald Victor 

on science and engineering to solve the 

problem.” 

When asked about later hours and running 

public transportation on Saturdays he said 

“Our office has been looking into that. 

I know there is a need and I would like to 

make it happen.” He explained in more 

detail about the costs of adding more hours. 

“We will continue to study the population’s 

preferred hours and how the buses’ hours 

might be increased.” 

At University Park Activity Center, Exercise 

Instructor Gerald Victor keeps the group 

energized with his antics. On a serious note 

he gives safety tips on things like breathing 

and swallowing. He has brought in other 

guest speakers and health professionals who 

spoke about falling and other dangers to 

senior citizens. There are also optional blood 

pressure checks and hearing tests, usually 

before or after Victor’s class. 

Stephanie Creitien who coordinates 

the activities, from the request made by 

members, started two new ones since the 

first of the year. Both and the movies and 

popcorn day and the craft class, taught by 

Shronda Broussard were well attended. Here 

students furnish only their supplies and take 

home their finished products. 

Besides the University Park Recreation 

Center Ward 3 has seven facilities with 

each catering to the people who gather 

there. Each welcomes everyone to look 

them up and try out the facilities. Some 

frequent more than one site to fulfill their 

expectations. Each center operates on its 

own schedule. There are no dues and no 

contracts giving individuals a chance to 

participate as they wish. Ward 3’s Martin 

Luther King, The Power Center, Pryce/Miller 

and Foreman/Reynaud and Enos Darbonne 

all offer pretty much the same as University. 

Also under the direction of Ward 3 are a 

baseball field on 5th Avenue and the center 

on Second Avenue where crafts are a major 

attraction. 

The fitness classes offer different levels of 

exertion so that participants choose what 

best fits their lifestyle. Most classes are 

free. Others are at a minimal cost. Residents 

of Ward 3 may use the facility which is most 

convenient. For indoors fitness there is Yoga, 

Zumba, aerobics, Zydeco, spin classes and 

more. For outdoors there are swimming 

pools, covered basketball courts, baseball 

fields tennis courts, walking paths and parks 

with playgrounds. Ward 3’s, soon to open, 

natatorium will also have a competition pool 

and a therapeutic pool. 

I’d like to invite readers to visit any or all 

the sites mentioned and thank the mayor, 

Ward 3 and the City of Lake Charles. This 

is a sure way to insure that these centers 

remain open for years to come. It is not in 

every city that citizens of varying incomes, 

cultures and ages can come together to get 

fit and/or stay healthy, both emotionally and 

physically. 

16 


PHOTOGRAPHY 


Peace from Pieces 

USING A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE TO 

DEEPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL 

CONNECTION 

By Carra Sergeant, LPC 

Licensed Professional Counselor 

“When we get too caught up in 

the busyness of the world, we 

lose connection with one another 

- - and with ourselves” 

-Jack Kornfield 

We live in a time of where 

overstimulation is the norm, and 

moments of quiet are considered 

boring. Multitasking seems to 

be the overriding expectation at 

work and at home, and anything 

less seems perceived as a lack 

of motivation or as being lazy. 

At the end of the day we are left 

feeling empty, spent and often 

disappointed that we “did not 

get enough accomplished today.” 

Merriam Webster Dictionary 

defines ‘Mindfulness’ as “the 

practice of bringing oneself to 

a quiet heightened awareness 

of the present moment while 

maintaining a nonjudgmental 

view of your thoughts, feelings 

and actions.” 

‘Mindfulness’ breaks 

throughout the day may reduce 

our stress level which, in turn, 

has a positive effect on our sense 

of internal safety and wellbeing. 

In a less stressful state, we 

become more productive in our 

day-to-day lives. ‘Mindfulness’ 

helps us to re-focus our attention 

and ‘INTENTION’ into something 

affirmative and goal oriented. 

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow 

has not yet come. We have 

ONLY today. Let us begin” 

-Mother Teresa 

The essence of ‘Mindfulness’ is 

18 

being totally grounded in the 

present moment. You are not 

in a state of regret over what 

happened yesterday, nor are 

you full of anxiety over what 

might happen tomorrow. You 

are sharply focused on your life - 

right there in that moment. You 

are aware of your feelings - right 

there in that moment. You are 

in touch with your thoughts - 

right there in that moment. A 

‘Mindfulness’ moment gives 

you an opportunity to suspend 

judgment by replacing it with an 

awareness that every moment in 

which you are totally engaged 

with your inner self, is a perfect 

moment (even if things are not 

going your way). 

As human beings, we want to 

categorize things as “good/bad” 

or “positive/negative.” This 

dualistic thinking causes us more 

pain than we should inflict upon 

ourselves. What would happen if 

you came to a place where you 

could accept life just as it is: A 

collection of experiences that 

mark the time between birth 

and death? Painful, yes! Joyful, 

yes! Sad-yes! Powerful-yes! Our 

perception of these experiences 

is what makes them good or 

bad or positive or negative. 

‘Mindfulness’ gives you a chance 

to step back and shift your usual 

critical perspective to one of 

non-judgmental acceptance and 

realize that every experience 

holds its own kind of blessing. It 

is truly liberating when you open 

your heart and mind to the belief 

that every messy moment in life 

“is what it is” and is imperfectly 

perfect. 

Your vision will become clear 

only when you look into your 

heart. Whoever looks outside, 

dreams. Whoever looks inside, 

awakens” 

-Carl Jung 

As children, we generally accept 

the values our parents teach us 

and usually function well within 

societal mores. As we grow 

older, we strive for knowledge 

and enlightenment and in the 

process of questioning most of 

the things we were taught, we 

begin to develop our own set of 

values. Day to day experiences 

can shift our perception of what 

is right or wrong, fair or unfair, 

and can exert undue pressure on 

the path we take in our lives. We 

may find ourselves sometimes 

envious of what we see in other 

people or what they have. We 

may be at times envious of 

someone’s success or may even 

decide that we “don’t like them” 

because of our perception of 

the gifts in their life. We judge 

ourselves harshly for these 

feelings and are self-critical for 

not being satisfied with what 

we have in our lives. My dear 

readers, please remember that 

we are spiritual beings having 

a human experience, and as 

humans, we are fallible. In those 

“push/pull” moments of life, 

a ‘Mindfulness’ practice can 

empower us to stay true to who 

we are at our core. ‘Mindfulness’ 

February 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 7 

Image by Leah Perlman of Dharma Comics

enables us to remain strong in 

the face of any external force. 

‘Mindfulness’ becomes the 

entrance door to our soul and 

in that state we can remind 

ourselves that all that matters is 

what truly exists in our hearts. 

So exactly how does one create 

a ‘Mindfulness’ moment? It is 

actually very easy and yet it is 

difficult because it requires us 

to remember to set time aside 

amidst an already overloaded 

life. Here is a brief two-minute 

‘Mindfulness’ break. (Can be 

done at work): 

99 

Find a quiet private place 

where no one would disturb 

you (bathroom stalls are 

perfect!) 

99 

Set the timer on your cell 

phone for two-minutes 

99 

Either close your eyes or find 

a spot to softly focus on 

99 

Take three or four deep 

breaths and then let your 

breathing return to normal 

99 

Bring your attention to the 

pattern of your breathing 

(counting your breaths may 

help) 

99 

Your mind WILL wander, so 

NO judgment allowed 

99 

Each time you catch your 

mind wandering, gently 

bring your focus back to your 

breath 

99 

Repeat until the alarm 

sounds. 

99 

End by saying, “PRESENT 

MOMENT, HOLY MOMENT”. 

This sets your intention 

for your next Mindfulness 

moment. 

“We must intentionally ask to 

connect to the Divine within us” 

-James Redfield 

Have you ever noticed how 

children are in total amazement 

of everything new that they see? 

As adults, we do not often allow 

ourselves to be in awe of the 

things around us. Our lives are 

routine and the things around 

us are perceived as ordinary. In 

truth, if we start to look at the 

world through “new eyes,” then 

everything old becomes new 

again and every ordinary thing 

becomes extraordinary again. 

Remember, God is in us and with 

us, and connecting to the Divine 

within us through ’Mindfulness’ 

moments enables us to have 

“awestruck” experiences again. 

. We have to give ourselves 

permission to open that door 

and we must ask to see all things 

“anew.” If you have time, go 

take an “awe” walk and look at 

your surroundings through the 

eyes of a child. Most assuredly 

you will not be able to deny the 

presence of something greater 

than you. How else could these 

wondrous things be here? If you 

are having a difficult day and 

only have time for a 2 minute 

‘Mindfulness’ moment, making 

a simple modification can easily 

shift you to “Divine awe.” During 

your ‘Mindfulness’ moment, 

shift your focus from breathing 

to what is laying on your heart. 

Allow that to surface, welcome 

it to the present, and with your 

next breath, release it to your 

higher power. For example, you 

are angry about something that 

was said or done to you and you 

can’t seem to move past the 

anger. In your next ‘Mindfulness’ 

break, you might focus on your 

breath for the first 30 seconds 

to introduce calmness into 

your moment. Then turn your 

attention to the anger in your 

heart. LOOK DEEPLY, see it, feel 

it, and allow it to fully come to 

the surface. Look at it squarely 

in the face and say, I welcome 

you without judgment, I accept 

you as part of this moment 

and I now release you to God 

through whom I can do all 

things. Envision yourself laying 

the anger down and then return 

your focus to your breath for the 

last 30 seconds. Again end by 

saying, “PRESENT MOMENT HOLY 

MOMENT”. 

“In this moment, there is plenty 

of time. In this moment, you 

are precisely as you should be. 

In this moment, there is infinite 

possibility” 

-Victoria Moran 

‘Mindfulness,’ at its base, is 

simply paying full attention to 

whatever thoughts, feelings or 

emotions are flowing through 

you in this moment. It is not a 

way of detaching, but rather 

a way of FULLY engaging. It 

is not about controlling your 

thoughts or emptying 

your mind, but instead 

about looking into 

your mind (and 

heart) with utter 

love and lack of 

judgment. In our 

chaotic lives, we 

can very easily lapse 

into mindlessness… 

an active ‘Mindfulness’ 

practice forces us to 

come off of autopilot. 

With our full attention, 

life at once becomes 

vivid, exciting and 

profound. Do 

yourself a favor…. 

kickstart your 

life and add a 

‘Mindfulness’ 

practice to your 

day. Try to start 

with four 2 minute 

experiences daily. 

That’s EIGHT MINUTES A 

DAY. Don’t you think you 

deserve that? Well for what 

it is worth, I surely think you 

deserve it. 

To read more about 

Mindfulness and its benefits, 

find the following links: 

Mindful: Taking Time for What 

Matters — https://www.mindful. 

org/meditation/mindfulnessgetting-started/ 

How You Use Mindfulness 

Matter — https://www. 

psychologytoday.com/blog/ 

peace-mind/201709/how-youuse-mindfulness-matters 

Six Mindfulness Exercises You 

Can Try Today — https://www. 

pocketmindfulness.com/6- 

mindfulness-exercises-you-cantry-today/ 

By the way, don’t forget to join 

the 2018 Gratitude Project 

on Facebook. Log on and tell 

us what you are grateful for 

today: https://www.facebook. 

com/The-2018-Gratitude- 

Project-512209272505638/ 

Carra Sergeant, LPC 

PEACE FROM PIECES 

COUNSELING SERVICES 

For an appointment, 

call 337-515-6716 


SWLA sports 

By Tori Hebert 

Staying Put 

Lance Guidry to 

Remain at McNeese 

The McNeese football head coach 

position was up in the air for a 

while, but McNeese Athletics has 

confirmed head coach Lance Guidry will 

be back for another season. Guidry had 

been in talks with Florida State but the time 

wasn’t right for either party to make a deal. 

“We have a lot of great things 

going on here at McNeese,” 

said Guidry. “There’s a lot to be 

excited about this coming season 

and the coming years.” 

In 2017, Guidry reassumed the role as 

the defensive coordinator one year after 

relinquishing the duties while in his first 

year as head coach in 2016. That year 

McNeese finished with a 6-5 record and 

slumped in the defensive area without 

Guidry’s guidance. 

This past season, he spearheaded a defense 

that ended the season ranked No. 1 in the 

FCS in rushing with a school and Southland 

Conference record 54.5 yards per game 

allowed. 

Guidry and the Cowboys will open spring 

practice on Feb. 28 with the spring game 

scheduled for March 24. 

Special thanks to KPLC and American Press 

for sports information. 

20 


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SWLA feature story 

Community 1st 

Entrepreneur 

Sharon Gilbeaux-Brown 



Pictured L-R: Christopher Medearis, Jeanette Medearis- 

Colston, Rogerella Medearis, Edwin Medearis 

Mrs. Edwina Medearis 

is the proud owner of 

Medearis' Costumes, 

Gifts, and Balloons. Medearis' 

Costumes offer costume rentals 

and sales for adults and children. 

Additional services offered are 

make-up, masks and formal 

accessories such as gloves, some 

themed jewelry, and crowns for 

women and men. 

Tux Plus (also an entity of this 

enterprise) offers tuxedos (After 

Six, Raffinati, Perry Ellis, Ralph 

Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael 

Kors) for men and formal 

dresses for women and children. 

Christening attire for both infants 

and older children, formal shirts, 

ties and vests in all the colors to 

match the varied colors of dresses. 

She has put many years of hard 

work and hours into building 

her business which has become 

her legacy. Here is a one- onone 

snapshot into the life of Mrs. 

Edwina Medearis. 

Edwina Medearis moved to 

Lake Charles in 1976 with her 

husband and four children. 

Already a Registered Nurse, she 

did student teaching at Lake 

Charles High School under the 

leadership of Mr. Falgout and Mr. 

Daniel Ieyoub, and taught as a 

relief instructor to LPN students at 

Moss Regional Hospital for Sowela. 

She is a graduate of McNeese 

State University with a B.S. degree 

in Psychology and a teaching 

minor in Biology. 

Mrs. Medearis has worked in 

the hospital as a staff nurse and 

middle management as night 

supervisor, head nurse and 

surgical unit director. She has 

worked on the medical/surgical 

units, oncology, psych., cardiac 

and telemetry. She has worked 

several years in home health and 

now works part time in a psych. 

hospital. 

She has served as a member 

of various organizations in 

Lake Charles starting out the 

very first year of arriving in Lake 

Charles as a parent for some 

fund-raising events at Our Lady 

Queen of Heaven fall festivals. 

She has served on various boards 

including the Arts and Humanity 

Council board, the Convention 

and Visitor’s Bureau board, the 

MLK board, Crime Stopper board, 

the music museum board and 

is presently a member of the 

Louisiana Democratic Central 

committee representing District 

34, and others. 

She is the Founder of two 

Mardi Gras Krewes, La Krewe 

Des Gens Extraordinaire 

of Lake Charles and La 

Krewe Des Gens Content. 

She has been nominated and 

received various awards and 

has belonged to other clubs 

throughout the community. 

She even dipped her hand 

in politics, running for State 

Representative in 2007 and 

Calcasieu Parish School Board 

in 2014, Medearis learned that 

if you want to make positive 

changes in your community, 

you must be involved. 

Medearis' Costumes, Cards, 

Gifts and Balloons was 

created out of a need for 

having a diverse cultural 

greeting card company 

that looked like the variety of 

women and mothers in my 

community. In the 1980’s, when 

she went to buy a greeting 

card for her mother, there were 

not the variety of birthday 

and mother’s day cards that 

represented what her mother 

looked like as we now have on 

the shelves today. After going 

to market in Dallas to find 

companies that would supply 

her with those cards and gifts, 

she found a Vendor that was 

marketing Costumes and he 

convinced her to add costumes 

to her idea. A second reason 

for opening her business was 

her mother. Her mom was a 

professional and a business 

owner and always encouraged 

her to have more than one 

source of income throughout 

her young life. 

Louisiana is a wonderful state 

to live in and the need for 

costumes is all year round. 

From Mardi Gras costumes to 

the Easter bunny and passion 

plays in church to Pirate days, 

celebrating the 4th of July to 

Halloween and the passion 

events during Christmas to 

themed parties all year long, 

all serve to the advantage of 

keeping the doors open as 

compared to some other states. 

Valentine and special occasions 

always call for Singing 

Telegrams and the Stripping 

Gorilla. 

After adding the tuxedo 

company, Tux Plus and Formal 

Dresses in 1989, prom, wedding 

tuxedos and homecoming attire 

fills my second store. She also 

attends trade shows and takes 

as many classes to keep up to 

date on new products coming 

out for the industry. 

She networks with other 

businesses in the area, and if 

she does not have a product 

that her customers may need, 

she will call other companies in 

pursuit of what her customers 

require. 

22 


A life lesson that she has 

learned is that when you see 

a person who is successful in 

business, know that it happens 

by that businessperson staying 

up late and getting up early 

to meet the needs of their 

customzer. Mrs Mederasis 

stated, “I am inspired by the 

support of this community for 

new businesses opening. The 

new technology that is offered 

through classes at the Chamber, 

McNeese and its small business 

administration, the Convention 

and Visitor Bureau, the SW 

Louisiana Alliance, the Library 

and other opportunities is 

beneficial to all, even if you have 

been a business owner for years. “ 

She also responded, “I owe all 

my success as a Nurse and a 

Business owner to the glory of 

God and the wonderful people 

who have come into my store 

and have kept me in business 

for these years. My four children 

have been my inspiration and 

now give me advice as to the 

trends and business knowledge 

that they have. I have seven 

grandchildren who will benefit 

from the knowledge that my 

experience has blessed me.” 

Mrs. Medearis took the time 

to give this advice to future 

business owners: “My advice 

to those who want to go into 

business is to research the 

business and industry first 

before investing in it, join 

trade organizations of the 

business and go to their events 

and workshops. Learning 

bookkeeping and the tax laws is 

very important, have more than 

one source of income, not take 

NO as an answer to your ideas in 

what you truly want. Surround 

yourself with positive people and 

ask a mentor for help. Be careful 

who you share your ideas with 

and invest in yourself through 

books, tapes and seminars.” 

She stated that since they have 

both businesses side by side, 

they do alterations on formal 

and personal clothing all year 

round, especially in their slower 

season. They have recently 

updated their website to www. 

tuxplusandformaldresses.com 

and are building a Facebook 

page. 

Her four adult children grew 

up in the business and have 

learned business ethics and are 

pursuing their own careers. She 

hopes all seven grandchildren 

will pursue businesses in 

their future. She certainly 

will continue to keep them 

encouraged in that pursuit. 

Medearis is located at 2619 

Ryan Street and Tux Plus and 

Formal Dresses is next door 

at 2623 Ryan Street to meet 

customer needs. 

“I am so thankful for all of 

my customers who have 

supported me throughout 

these 35 years with their 

prayers and their financial 

purchases,” she says. 

Mrs. Medearis prides herself 

and her staff on meeting the 

needs of their customers and 

assisting them with all their 

special occasions. 

Come by or call today. We are 

happy to serve you! 

Email Medearis: 

at mdmsed@aol.com, 

medeariscostumes@aol.com, 

or call 337.436.7812 for your 

special appointment! 

“Let us dress you up” 

Open Mon - Fri: 10AM – 6PM 

Sat: 10AM – 3PM 

www.tuxplusandformaldresses.com 

or call 337.436.7812 

2623 Ryan St. Lake Charles, Louisiana 


ADVENTURES of the Lake 

By Ian Thibodeaux 

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. 

l 

l 

Love 

Love, through you so many things came true 

Help me push my limits every day 

If only there was some way I could repay 

Love, because of you I can say what’s been on my mind 

You make me lose all track of time 

Even the sun can see how bright we shine 

With our Love 

Never thought there existed something so kind 

It makes me want to please you 

And show the world that you are mine 

All the time cause you’re my, Love 

I may mess up yet you stick right by my side 

Though I don’t deserve it 

My heart fills with so much pride 

Can’t deny how I try 

Love, please stay because I have withdrawals when you’re away 

I try to keep my composure 

But I’m weak for more of you each day 

So I pray that you stay 

Love 

I’ll always do right by you 

Fight by you 

When you’re with me there’s just so much more that I can do 

Makes me do some crazy things 

Face my fears 

Show my tears 

And that’s why I need you here 

Love 

24 


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 


Q&A 

By Sharon Gilbeaux-Brown 

Harry 

Guidry 

REFEREE 

Mr. Guidry is a thoughtful family man and a 

native of Welsh, LA. He is married to Christine 

and he has 8 children (6 boys and 2 girls) and 

6 grandchildren. His hobbies are Golf, Horses, 

Roping, Duck Hunting and Joking Around. 

Calling All 

the Shots 

Mr. Harry Guidry, the referee 

known for his million-dollar 

smile and great personality 

has been an employee of the Jefferson 

Davis Parish School Board for 33 years. 

Besides the love he has for children in 

the classroom, he also loves to mentor 

youth on the basketball court. Let’s 

learn more about this man making the 

final calls. 

QWhen did you start officiating? 

AI started in 1983, after talking to Mr. William (Bill) 

White. He had been officiating my games. 

QWhat drives you to be a referee? 

AI love people and kids and I love the game of 

basketball. I believe you should never put the 

game of basketball before the kids. 

QWhat sports do you officiate? 

AMainly basketball, but I have umpired baseball 

games and I have planned the recreation for the 

Coushatta Reservation since 1988. 

26 


I love people 

and kids and I 

love the game 

of basketball. 

I believe you 

should never 

put the game 

of basketball 

before the kids. 

QWhich sport would you say is your favorite? Why? 

ABaseball is my first love! It was the very first sport I 

ever played. 

QWhat do you do to mentally prepare for each 

game? 

AKnowing I will have fun out there on the court….I 

feel like a kid at heart when I am out there. I know 

I will touch someone’s life that night. I try to have fun 

with kids during the game. I think positive! 

QHow do you stay physically conditioned for this 

task? 

AHe laughs and says; good genes and I walk a lot!! 

QWhat is the biggest challenge of being a referee? 

AGiving a technical foul to a friend or relative. 

QWhat do you consider the most important 

characteristics of a top referee? 

AA top referee must learn to not let anything 

bother them. Realize there will be mistakes. It is 

just a game! Always be fair! 

QHow do you keep focused during a game? 

AI carry a special cross with me that I rub across 

my chest at a particular time during the game. It 

helps me to remember who has the ball. This cross has 

very special meaning to me. 

QHow many more years do you plan to officiate? 

AEvery year I say this is it….but I actually don’t 

know. I’m taking it one year at a time. 

QHow do you handle crazed parents/fans in the 

crowd during games? 

AKill them with kindness! Smile! Be friendly! It is still 

all about the kids! 

QWho were your mentors? 

AMr. Johnnie Adams, Mr. Aubrey Wade, Mr. Wilbert 

Gilbeaux, and Mr. Harry “Doc” Gilbeaux; it always 

did wonders for me to look up and see these men 

sitting in the bleachers showing their support. 

QWho are your favorite teams? 

AFootball- Oakland Raiders, Basketball – Los 

Angeles Lakers, Baseball – Los Angeles Dodgers. 

QWhat is your lifelong dream? 

ATo win the lottery, but most of all to make people 

happy.

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana February 2018 Issue

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