COMPLIMENTARY

FEBRUARY 2018, VOL. 16 ISSUE 2

LSU BASEBALL
OUTLOOK 2018
 Publisher / Editor
Mike Strong
Table of Contents
CHAMBER BANQUET .............. 4
Sales Manager
GONZALES GARDEN CLUB .... 8
Dottie Godberry
Staff Photographer SWEET EYES W/ TANYA...........12

Jimmy Dunkley LSU BASEBALL OPUTLOOK.......... 24 FOR MORE INFORMATION

225.622.3262
BILL DELAUNE.......................... 30 www.riverparishfoods.com

Contributing Writers
JAMMIN’ WITH GOOSIE........ 32
Bill Delaune
THOUGHTS FROM BULLY.....34
Linda Melancon
LSU LIVESTOCK SHOW ..........41
Calvin Bessonett
Bully SNO’S RECIPE...........................45

Goosie Guice
Orhan McMillan
Kellie Seymour
Tanya Stilley
Jimmy Dunkley

For Advertising
Information Please call:
225-622-1324

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

Note: Features in this

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

18386 Little Prairie Rd.

Prairieville, LA 70769
Chamber Honors 2017 Success
at Annual Awards Banquet
The Ascension Chamber of
Commerce honored their 2017
Ambassador, Individual, New
Business, Small Business and
Large Business of the Year
nominees at its Annual Awards
Banquet held Tuesday, February
6, 2017 at Houmas House
Plantation. Attendees began
their evening by networking
with fellow Chamber members
during a social hour, followed
by an elegant dinner.
During the program, the
Chamber celebrated the
dedication and commitment of
their 2017 Award Nominees.
The program was led by
Chamber Board Chairman
Michael Buturla of Domain
Architecture. Nominees were
presented by Ascension
Chamber Board Member
Brandon Davis of Cox Media
and past winners. Individual of
the Year nominees were Rachael
Lambert of Ascension Specialty
Advertising, Holly Daigle of
One Source EHS, LLC and
Amy Lambert of Neighbors
Federal Credit Union. 2017
New Business of the Year Nomi- Year, Quality Engineering & Cox Business, Regions Bank,
nees were Labarre Associates, Surveying as the 2017 Small BASF, Rubicon and Shell
Inc., Alzheimer’s Services of Business of the Year and The Chemical. The Chamber would
Capital Area and Rouses Scotts Company as the 2017 also like to thank Houmas
Market. 2017 Small Business of Large Business of the Year. House for the accommodations.
the Year nominees were Quality The Ascension Chamber
Engineering & Surveying, would like to thank Corporate
Ascension Credit Union and Sponsors St. Elizabeth, EATEL,
Genesis 360
Construction.
2017 Large
Business of the
Year nominees
were St. Elizabeth
Hospital, The
Scotts Company
and Essential
Federal Credit
Union.
The Chamber
is proud to
announce Jackie
Whitley as the
2017 Ambassador
of the Year, Amy
Lambert as the
2017 Individual of
the Year, Labarre
Associates, LLC as
the 2017 New
Business of the
4
 The Hall for
All Occassions!
Accommodates up
to 300 guest.
• Full catering menu
• Outdoor Pavillion
for Weddings
• Space for seminars
• Business meetings
• Birthday parties
Call to set up an appointment
to view our venues.

225.677.5545
17425 Airline Hwy • Prairieville

5
Plenty of Fun at the 2018 St. Elizabeth Family Fest
More than 1,300 participants
attended the 2018 St. Elizabeth
Family Fest, presented by
EATEL, on Saturday, January
20th. Though skies were a bit
gray, all of the fun and activities
were sure to brighten anyone’s
day. Over 57 booths offered
event-goers the opportunity to
get hands-on with their health
and learn new ways to stay well
through preventative screenings,
healthy food choices, and physi-
cal activity.
This year’s fest offered kids and
adults-alike more areas of play
and learning than ever before!
Four unique areas (EAT Well,
GET Moving, STAY Healthy,
and GO Play) allowed local
businesses and organizations to
interact with participants and
showcase valuable resources
available in our community.
From the “Grow with Me”
Planting Station, sponsored by
Scott’s Miracle Gro, to the
“Teach Me Teddy” Stuffed Ani-
6
mal Clinic, kids and adults were
able to learn about health and
wellness in a fun and family-fo-
cused environment. There was
even a special section for kids
five years of age and under.
Free health screenings were also
plentiful during this year’s Fam-
ily Fest; a key focus for the
event. Screenings included
Blood Pressure, Hearing, Head
and Neck, Cardiovascular Risk
Assessment, EKG, Lipid Panel,
and BMI. Hundreds of screen-
ings were completed. “Preven-
tion is key,” said Jon Hirsch,
Director of Marketing for St.
Elizabeth, “It was wonderful to
see families at the event learning
about the different aspects of
personal health. Often, we get
so wrapped up in what is going
on around us that we forget to
eat well and exercise, and we
sometimes dismiss the signs and
symptoms when our bodies are
telling us that something is
wrong. This event was focused
on helping each participant un-
derstand their personal health
and offered resources to assist in
on-going care and treatment.”
“Community events such as
these don’t just happen,” says
Robert Burgess, CEO of St.
Elizabeth Hospital, “It takes
many hours of preparation and
many people just to have them,
much more to make them suc-
cessful. If the positive comments
and the numbers of people in
attendance are any indications,
this year’s event was a great suc-
cess. We owe a debt of thanks to
the numerous volunteers who
helped before, during, and after
the event, to our team members
who participated either by
working in a booth or helping
7
in some capacity, to the mem- Children’s Dental and Parker
bers of the community who Orthodontics, and Assumption
supported the event, to the offi- Community Hospital.
cials with the Parish of Ascen-
sion and the employees of
Lamar Dixon Expo
Center, and especially
to the sponsors of this
year’s Family Fest.”
Sponsors included
Eatel, UnitedHealth-
care Community Plan,
Baton Rouge Radiology
Group, St. John Pri-
mary/St. Theresa Mid-
dle School, Lake
Urgent Care in partner-
ship with St. Elizabeth
Hospital, MedCare
Medical Equipment and
Supplies, Ascension
 Garden Club Member Memorialized at Arbor Day Ceremony

Arbor Day Program attendees are (left to right) Gail Lonibos, Priscilla Monson, Lorraine Gautreau, Jamie Trisler, Loretta Ramirez, Loretta Speligene,
Conchita Richey, Marilyn Rice, Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux, Janice Dick, Jean Burstall-Moran, Eddie Bowman, Gonzales Councilman Neil Bourque,
Pastor Steve Berger, Mona Bickman, Terry Richey, Reba Wheeler, Dale Bowman, Ellen Richmond and Ross Mohler

The Gonzales Garden Club
held its annual Arbor Day
Ceremony at the First United
Methodist Church at 224 W.
Constitution St. in Gonzales on
January 19, 2018. The ceremony
was in memory of Mrs. Ruby Nell
Smith who was a member of the
church, and was a charter
member of the garden club.
The program began with a
welcome from GGC President
Jamie Trisler. An invocation was
then given by Pastor Steve
Berger who also expressed the
congregation’s appreciation for a
tree in Mrs. Smith’s memory.
Arbor Day Chairman Loretta
Ramirez explained that a
Savannah holly had been ordered
and will be planted once it arrives.
GGC Member Marilyn Rice said
of Mrs. Smith, "Miss Ruby Nell
was a wonderful garden club
friend and fellow church sister.
Curt and I always called her the
energizer bunny - she just kept
going. We all loved her dearly and
she is missed." GGC Member and
longtime friend Lorraine Gautreau
added, “Ruby Nell was a good
worker in the garden club and
organized committees all through
the years. In her later years, she
would sit with people who were
sick all through the night to offer
them comfort and to relieve family
members. She didn’t want people
to go through illness alone. She
did that with me for my brother
and for my mother, and I’ll never
forget her for that.”
Gonzales Mayor Barney
Arceneaux noted that he “always
enjoys attending the Arbor Day
Ceremony each year.” Live Oak
Society Chairman Gail Lonibos
spoke about efforts to advance
the culture, preservation, and
appreciation of the southern
live oak.
Chairman Ramirez read a
poem, “An Old Oak Reminisces”
written by deceased GGC Circle
of Roses Member Willie Mae
Montgomery, personifying an oak
tree’s life from an acorn to grand
old oak.
Club President Trisler thanked
the pastor, mayor, councilman,
congregation members and
garden club members for
attending the ceremony to
memorialize Mrs. Ruby Nell Smith
with the dedication of a new tree
for her church on Arbor Day.
The Gonzales Garden Club is federated by the
Louisiana Garden Club Federation and the
National Garden Clubs, Inc.

8
 GGC hostesses for the March meeting were (L to R) Barbara McCormick, Marilyn Rice, Gwen Heck, Weezie Cashat, Mary Jo Pohlig and Gail Lonibos.

The Gonzales Garden Club
held its February 7, 2018
meeting at the lovely home of
Gail Lonibos in Pelican Point.
A salad luncheon was hosted
by Gail Lonibos, Weezie
Cashat, Gwen Heck, Barbara
McCormick, Mary Jo Pohlig
and Marilyn Rice. The meeting
was called to order by
President Jamie Trisler and roll
call was answered by each
member giving the name of a
"pass-along" plant grown
in their garden that they enjoy
giving / passing along to
friends and loved ones.
The name of the program of
the month was “Share Your
Garden” with demonstrations
and educational information
given by club members
Barbara McCormick on
cuttings, Mary Jo Pohlig on
seed planting, and Conchita
Richey on division of plants. A
florial design was brought for
critique by Ellen Richmond of
red camellia, palmetto, and
sago palm.

GGC Member Conchita Richey explains how to dig up a crowded GGC Member Barbara McCormick describes how to snip
plant, separate the intact root/stem sections and replant each piece lower leaves from stem cuttings and use root stimulator to
into roomier locations. propagate herbaceous and softwood plants.

GGC Member Mary Jo Pohlig demonstrates the

use of seed starting mix, plastic six packs, and
peat cups to encourage seeds to sprout.

9
2018 RUBBER DUCK DERBY
The St. Elizabeth Women's
Advisory Council held it’s 2nd
Annual Rubber Duck Derby
Fundraiser on January 20th, at
1:00 p.m. (immediately after
St. Elizabeth FamilyFest) at
Lamar-Dixon Pond. The event
raised funds for local Breast
Cancer Screenings through
Mary Bird Cancer Center, as
well as nursing scholarships.
After months of hard work, the
St. Elizabeth Women’s Advisory
members reached out to the
community by "adopting" a
numbered duck ($10 each, or
Quack Pack of 10 for $100)
that corresponded to a raffle
ticket number for a chance to
win valuable prizes. This event
provided an opportunity for the
entire local community to get
involved.
At the “starting line,” large
buckets of the rubber ducks
were simultaneously emptied
into the water, and were
launched into the Lamar Dixon
Pond. The Gonzales Fire
Department assisted by spraying
the rubber ducks from one side
of the pond to the other.
There was a total of twenty-one
winning ducks, the first twenty
ducks that floated to the “finish
 1 MONTH FREE
line” first, as well as the very

ST
last duck to make it ashore,
won a prize. This year’s prizes
included a 55” Smart TV, a
beautiful ladies watch (provided
by Layne’s Jewelry), a 45 Quart
Yeti Cooler, and various
gift cards.
My Self Storage is a top of the line
climate controlled storage facility.
We are committed to our community and
our customers. We offer secure storage
units for domestic and commercial use.
My Self Storage has multiple unit
“Our goal was accomplished by sizes so whether you're storing one
serving our community to make
it a better place,” stated Dee
room or an entire house we'll find
LeJeune. “I personally want to the unit best for you.

"The Duck Derby was very

successful. This was a great way
to raise funds not only for local
breast cancer screenings, but
also for our nursing scholarship
program,” stated Kerry Songy,
Women's Advisory Council
Chairperson. “It is so gratifying
to have so many people in our
community generously donate • Boxes & Moving Supplies • Dollies and Carts
to support these worthy causes, • 18 Wheeler Loading Dock Access
and by helping those most in thank everyone for your • Electronic Entry with Individual Access Codes
need." contribution toward making • Online Payment
this event a success!”

The St. Elizabeth Women's Be a part of our new referral program.

Make a referral to a potential customer and
Advisory Council was formed to
enhance the communication
between the hospital and the
greater Ascension Parish receive $50 when they sign up.
community, fostering a better
understanding of the services
provided by St. Elizabeth
Hospital and Physicians. The
Women's Advisory Council
provides four nursing
scholarships each year.
1603 N. Airline Hwy • Gonzales, Louisiana 70737 • 225-644-4461
Office Hours: 9am – 5pm • Access Hours: 6am – 11pm, 7 days a week
Email us at myselfstoragela@gmail.com • Website: MYSELFSTORAGELA.COM
 with someone.

• Edify your partner. We have

enough people in the world
brining us down, so offer
compliments to your spouse
OFTEN. One compliment a
day takes no time at all, and
you’ll be amazed at how they
respond and how this builds
their self confidence.

• Say you are sorry. Sometimes

an, “I’m sorry” is all you need
to make a situation better, so
lay aside your ego and just
apologize. It takes a big person
to take ownership of what
they did wrong and to make
things right.

have ground rules in

Real Love is
Kind ...
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I
would be amiss if I didn’t talk
about love. Love means
different things to different
people, and love is shown
differently in places around the
world. But one thing remains
true for everyone; men and
Seven Levels of Intimacy,” just
women have a deep desire to
to name a few.
To truly love means to first be
connected and understand the
essence of who you are and
always work on becoming a
better person; because in order
to give love, you must have
love, in order to offer compas-
sion, you must first have
compassion, and in order to
edify someone else, you must
first be able to edify yourself.
Not only should you give
through an abundance of who
you are, but we should also
relationships as well. Here
are a few of my own:
• Always be slow to anger and
to speak with a gentle tongue.
Arguments will happen, but the • Communicate. (This is one I
way we respond can escalate or often have a challenge with.)
extinguish an argument. A If something is bothering you,
mean tone, expression or quickly speak up and have a
response will escalate a conflict, conversation with your partner.
but being humble, taking Quite often the thing that’s
responsibility, and speaking bothering you won’t go away,
and your mate can quickly
in a kind tone can extinguish
resolve any misunderstanding
an argument.
you might have.
• Focus on the good things
Those are just a few of my
about your partner. No one is
ground rules in any
perfect, and the easy thing to
relationship, but one final
do is to nit pick on the
thought to remember when
shortcomings of your partner,
loving someone. If you’re
so shift your focus to all that is
going to love, love with all that
good about them until it just
you have, not holding back, and
becomes a habit.
not counting offences. If
you’re going to love, choose to
• Be kind and thoughtful. Try
love through the bad times,
to understand who your partner
is and why he or she does the through the good times, and all
the times in between. Love un-
things he or she does. Quite
conditionally and unabashedly,
often understanding is all we
because love never fails.
need to gain common ground

love and to be loved, but quite

often they don’t have the
emotional intelligence to
convey love as completely,
unconditionally, or as
passionately as they desire.

Consider the array of books

men and women read just to
understand and obtain true
love- “Men are from Mars,
Women are from Venus,” “The
Five Love Languages,” “The
12
 “Our vision is to increase self confidence,
sense of beauty, and quality of life
providing a more youthful appearance.”
Botox • Dermal Fillers
• Chemical Peels
• Laser Services & IPL • Facials
Microblading • Microneedling

www.williamsoncosmeticcenter.com

(225) 927-7546
Serving
Baton Rouge & Gonzales

Amanda Maxwell-
Aesthetician/Laser Technician Michele Musso, FNP-C.

13
 Tickets are limited, so don’t
wait to purchase them.”

Tickets are $25.00 each in

advance or $30.00 each at the
door. Tickets can be purchased
at several businesses in the
Gonzales area including
Gonzales City Hall, St. Theresa
Church, Jeansonne & Spillers
Dentistry, Ascension Funeral
Home, Lofton Staffing, and the
Ascension Council on Aging.
Advance tickets may also be
requested by emailing
tracy@tourascension.com.
Restaurants and vendors
interested in participating
may also contact
tracy@tourascension.com.
Join us for great food from
our local vendors and

Rotary Club of Gonzales Plans Annual Food Fest

Members of the 2018 Food Fest Committee, front row, pictured from left to right are: Pierre Rabalais, 2017-2018 Gonzales Rotary President,
Paula Berthelot, Tracy Browning, Committee Chairperson, Sheena Falgoust, Anna Sparacino, and Rotary of Gonzales President-Elect, Craig entertainment. You will not
Walling. Pictured, back row, left to right are: Mike Hebert, Johnny Berthelot, Glenda Shaheen, Edward Prejean, and Willie Robinson. leave hungry! The Rotary Club
of Gonzales will also be
collecting canned goods for
the Food Pantry at the Food
Fest. Bring a couple of cans
Members of the Gonzales St. Theresa Food Bank. Chairperson of the Food Fest or boxes of nonperishable
Rotary Club have been busy Committee. “We hope to make foods and help fill the stomachs
preparing for its Annual Food “Last year’s Food Fest had this year’s Food Fest better than of those in need in our
Fest scheduled for February 27, hundreds of people attend with ever. Come join us for great f community while filling yours
2018 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo over 40 restaurants and food ellowship, fabulous food and with a taste of Ascension.
Center Trade Mart Building. vendors participating,” said help a worthy cause to feed
This annual event benefits the Tracy Browning, 2018, needy people in our area.

Men and Women Designer Wear • Rustic Interior Decor • Feed & Pet Supplies
Jewelry • Farm Supplies • Plants • Toys • Hats & Boots • School Uniforms
Come Get Your Western On!

125 South Burnside • Gonzales • 225-647-2448 Mon-Sat 8 to 6 • Like Us on Facebook • sacswestern.net

15
 “How Diversity
Affects Businesses”
by Orhan Mc Millan
dezinsINTERACTIVE
By now, talk of racial and gender
inequality has made its way into
mainstream news enough for
businesses to know it’s a very
sensitive topic and one to be
taken into special consideration.
We’ve seen recent shifts in com-
panies pushing for a more diverse
workplace to support their or-
ganization. Companies such as
AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, and
Disney are all making monumen-
tal shifts for diversity in their
company culture. From employee
programs to incentive opportuni-
ties and focus groups, the impor-
tance of having a diverse, inclusive
workplace has become a priority
for many businesses.
Benefits of a Diverse
Workplace
“A diverse organization will out-
think and out-perform a homoge-
neous organization every single
time,” CEO of Proctor & Gamble,
Alan Lafley, states.
From a corporate side, there are
many benefits that can come from
an inclusive workplace. Studies
show companies in the top quar-
tile for racial and ethnic diversity
are 35 percent more likely to
have financial returns above their
respective national industry medi-
ans. In addition, companies in the
top quartile for gender diversity
are 15 percent more likely to
have financial returns above their
respective national industry medi-
ans. While there is no direct link
between correlation and causa-
tion, it can be noted that a com-
pany who strives for overall diver-
sity have access to a wider range
of skill sets.
Furthermore, companies who ex-
hibit strong culturally diversity
have a better chance of recruiting
and retaining top talent in the
workforce. In the ever-competi-
tive ‘war for talent,’ job seekers
are looking for more than just
salary when choosing an em-
ployee. A positive, empowering
work environment is important in
creating employee satisfaction,
and as a result, employees will de-
velop a strong sense of loyalty to
the company and exhibit more
productivity in their performance.
16
A survey by McKinsley & Com-
pany shows that 79 percent be-
lieve diversity initiatives have had
a positive impact on company cul-
ture, and 89 percent of executives
believe a diverse workforce im-
proves their company’s ability to
capture and retain a diverse client
base.
Conclusion
Diversity comes in many forms:
gender, race, age, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, religion, and many
more. Including diversity and in-
clusiveness in your workplace
isn’t just “the right thing to do,” it
is an empowering move that cre-
ates an overall sense of positivity
and respect for both your em-
ployees and the company’s image.
A multi-culturally represented
company will benefit from
stronger customer relations,
brand loyalty, and a better bottom
line. Diversity is a great invest-
ment for the long run, and a shift
in race majority and demograph-
On top of employee improve-
ics in the near future will dictate a
ment, companies will also see an
strong need for company diverse-
increase in customer relations
ness. The road to greater diversity
and satisfaction. Angela Naef, sen-
can start with anyone at any level
ior vice president at DuPont,
and will ultimately lead to a more
stated, “A commitment to diver-
inclusive environment with hap-
sity and inclusion makes you
pier and more productive em-
more able to know who you are
ployees.
innovating for and why.” When
customers see that a company is
well-represented, they will be able
to build a stronger connection to
that company and its brand. This
in turn creates a relationship in
which a customer develops brand
loyalty and is more likely to share
their experience with that com-
pany via word of mouth.
 "Proudly Sponsored by Dutchtown Physical Therapy"

Caleb Barrow
Caleb with teachers Caleb with David Alexander, Superintendant

Congratulations, Dutchtown Primary Student of the Year

Caleb has been chosen to represent Ascension Parish

Primary Schools as our Primary Schools Student of the
year, at the next level. He will represent Ascension Parish
and compete at the regional level in the Louisiana student
of the year competition!

The Students of the Year Awards Program is designed to

recognize outstanding elementary, middle/junior high, and
high school students. This program, patterned after the
Teacher of the Year Awards Program, is an excellent
opportunity to recognize those students who have
demonstrated excellent academic achievement, leadership
ability, and citizenship. The Students of the Year Awards
Program is sponsored by the Louisiana State
Superintendent through the State Department of Education
and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education. Each school nominates someone to compete for
Ascension Parish School district and then a winner is chosen Christina Robertson, Caleb Barrow, Matthew Lass
from that group to represent us in our region. Caleb is
representing our district at the regional level.

"Your Community
Physical Therapy
Provider" for
10 years.

Stephen Jackson, PT, DPT

(225) 744-3631 • fax (225) 744-3647

DUTCHTOWN PHYSICAL THERAPY • 13053 HIGHWAY 73, SUITE B • GEISMAR, LOUISIANA 70734

17
 FINANCIAL FOCUS
What’s the
Investment
Outlook for
2018
By most measures, 2017 was a
pretty good year for investors. But
what can you expect in 2018?
It’s difficult to precisely predict the
immediate future of the financial
markets. However, many signs
$100 off Termite Treatment point to improved global
economic growth and rising
$25 off Initial Pest Control corporate earnings – both of
which are important drivers of
stock prices. In the United States,
economic growth may be more
Pest Prevention Programs • Real Estate Certificates
modest than in other regions,
• Pre-Construction Soil / Borate Treatment
which could result in international
Local • Licensed • Insured • Bonded
• Termite Treatment Programs • Mosquito Suppression Services
stocks outperforming
domestic ones.
Here’s another consideration:
Low interest rates typically benefit
the financial markets – and unless
inflation jumps sharply, the
Federal Reserve will probably
remain patient, only raising
short-term rates slowly
throughout 2018.
Despite these positive signs,
there’s also reason for caution.
Political uncertainty and changes
225-644-7466 Ascension • 225-924-7096 Baton Rouge
in economic policies may lead to
Website www.BeebesPest.com
increased market volatility.
Another factor is the long-term
Hey Dr. Rob, history of the stock market, which
includes a drop of 10% or more –
Did you make me technically called a “correction” –
this Purdy? about once a year. We’ve gone
two years since the last correc-
tion, so it would not be surprising
if we saw one in 2018.
Given this outlook – which could
be classified as “moderately
optimistic” – what investment
moves should you consider this
year? Here are a few
suggestions:
A SCENSION PA RISH
Jamie Lavigne, Financial Advisor
A N I M A L H O S P I TA L
225.744.4905 4600 Sherwood Common Blvd, #103 • Baton Rouge, LA 70806-6609 • 225.292.4971 (O)
18
• Rebalance your portfolio –
The market's gains may have
increased the value of your stocks
so much that they now represent
a greater percentage of your
portfolio than you had intended –
and you may not be comfortable
with this increased presence.
So, you may want to rebalance
your portfolio to achieve a
suitable mix of stocks and bonds,
based on your goals, risk
tolerance and time horizon. As
part of this rebalancing, and in an
effort to help reduce the impact of
market volatility, you may need to
add investment-grade bonds and
cash investments. (Of course,
bonds carry some risks, too,
including interest rate risk and
credit risk.) The availability of
cash will also make it easier for
you to purchase stocks during a
market downturn, when prices
may be lower.
• Look beyond U.S. borders –
You may want to consider adding
some international equity
investments to your portfolio, if
appropriate. As mentioned above,
these stocks may do better than
U.S. stocks in 2018, but regard-
less of performance, the presence
of global stocks can help diversify
your portfolio – and diversification
can help decrease your overall
risk level. (However, diversifica-
tion can’t guarantee profits or
protect against all losses.) Keep
in mind that international investing
carries some inherent risks, such
as those related to currency
fluctuations and foreign political
and economic events.
• Be aware of “big” versus
“little” – If you don’t own many
stocks of smaller companies, you
might consider adding them to
your portfolio. Smaller U.S. stocks
have traditionally outperformed
larger ones and may benefit from
stronger economic growth and
lower corporate tax rates. Be
aware, though that small
company stocks tend to be more
volatile than those of larger
companies. And, as with all stock
investments, you may risk losing
some or all of your principal.
You may want to consult with a
financial professional to
determine which of these moves,
or any others, are right for you.
You can’t control the external
factors affecting the financial
markets, but you can take total
charge of your own investment
decisions – and in the long run,
these decisions can help
determine your success as
an investor.
 How Does
Sugar Cause
Cavaties?
By Calvin Bessonet, DDS,FAGD
Tooth decay happens for a
variety of reasons, and although
sugar itself can certainly lead to
cavity formation, it doesn’t do
it by itself.
So what exactly is sugar’s role in
dental caries? Here we discover
how cavities form and what
sugar has to do with it.
Sugar Leads to
Bad Bacteria
Everyone has bacteria in their
oral cavity. In fact, some of
these bacteria are very helpful
to oursmiles. Of course, bad
bacteria exist too, and
maintaining a balance between
these good and bad bacteria in
our mouths is often what helps
us prevent tooth decay and
other oral healthproblems
such as gum disease.
13053 Hwy 73, Ste A Geismar, La 70734 • Call:
When sugar is introduced into
the oral cavity, it produces more
bad bacteria in the form of
harmful acids that can attack
tooth enamel. It upsets the
balance of bacteria and turns
the pHof our saliva more acidic,
which can quickly harm tooth
enamel and begin the process
of forming a cavity.
Other Foods
That Harm
Your Teeth
Besides sugar, there are other
foods that can cause the mouth
to become more acidic and
cause these bacteria to harm
your teeth. These include
carbohydrates such as those
found in bread, crackers, chips,
and even pasta. These
carbohydrates are turned into
simple sugars,which in turn,
feed bacteria and cause acid.
While sugar usually takes center
stage when it comes to tooth
decay, often, other foods can be
just as harmful as sugar when it
PREMIER DENTAL
Calvin G. Bessonet, DDS, FAGD
19
comes to cavities. It’s important
to eat foods that help nourish
your smile and maintain a
healthy bacteria balance, such
as vegetables.
How to Stop
the Damage
You can help prevent sugar and
other simple carbohydrates
from damaging your smile by
adopting a few simple habits.
The first, of course, is to
minimize these sugars in your
diet as much as possible. You
can still eat these foods in
moderation. When you do,
be sure to:
• Rinse with water.
Rinsing your mouth with water
after consuming these foods can
help
create a buffer between the bad
bacteria and your teeth, helping
to reduce your risk of
enamel damage.
• Wait to brush.
Although some people think
225.217.2688 • www. AscensionDentist.com
brushing immediately after
meals is the answer, in truth,
this practice can be very
damaging to teeth. Our tooth
enamel is porous and can
become softer after we eat.
You should ideally aim to wait
at least 30 minutes after eating
or drinking sweet beverages
before brushing.
• Visit your dentist.
Your dentist can help ensure
your tooth enamel is healthy
and stayon top of any enamel
damage to help prevent cavities.
So there you have it— while
sugar certainly plays a role in
cavity formation, in and of
itself, sugar isn’t solely to
blame. There are other foods
that are just as responsible for
causing tooth decay as sugar.
hBe sure to visit your dentist
to help stop cavity formation
and adopt healthier practices
to keep your smile beautiful
for life!
HEALTHY
SMILES FOR
THE WHOLE
FAMILY
EMERGENCIES WELCOME
• IV Sedation
• Invisalign Certified
• Laser-Assisted Decay Detection
• Porcelain Veneers
• Implants
• Wisdom Teeth
 YOUR ESTATE MATTERS
By Linda Melancon
5 Estate Planning
Tips for the
Non-Traditional
Family
(Which Probably
Means Yours)
Is your family of the “Leave
It to Beaver” variety --
opposite-gender parents, the
first marriage for each, one or
more kids, all healthy and
thriving? If so, your estate plan
will probably be straight
forward. But if not, it's not as
simple and you have a lot of
Have a Merry Seafood Christmas
• Oysters By the Sack
• Fresh Shrimp
• A Wide Variety
of Fish and Seafood
• Snow Crabs
• Turtle Meat
Ask for Sally’s stuff crabs.
You’ll love them.
company.
The percentage of married
households in the United States
fell from 55 percent in 1990 to
48 percent in 2010. About 40
percent of all marriages end in
divorce. Three quarters of
people who divorce remarry --
accounting for a pretty large
proportion of the 48 percent
of American households that
are married.
If you are in a relationship, but
not married, been married more
than once, have children by
more than one partner, or have
beneficiaries who cannot
manage funds for one reason or
another, then it's more
important that you do estate
planning and your planning
cannot be plain vanilla.
Here are a few
tips to consider:
Give Your Partner Rights.
There are laws in place
empowering spouses and
governing the distribution of
Doug & Sally
20
property in the event of death.
The so-called "rules of
intestacy" provide that property
will pass to spouses and
children, or to parents if
someone dies without a spouse
or children. But no laws protect
unmarried partners or
unadopted children. There have
been many cases of parents
pushing aside the same-sex
partners of their children upon
death or incapacity.
But Don't Give the New
Spouse Too Many Rights.
All too often, despite the best of
intentions and good will, when
parents remarry the new family
doesn't bond. The children
from prior marriages or
relationships don't become
friends with one another or with
the new spouse of their father or
mother. Frequently, the death of
one spouse means that all the
assets of both families end up
with the surviving spouse and
ultimately pass to his or her
children and grandchildren.
Frank discussions about what
the new couple wants and
planning to make sure it plays
out as planned can prevent a lot
of misunderstanding and
resentment.
Don't Be Afraid to Talk
Pre-Nup. While most people
entering a first marriage have no
children and few assets, this is
not the case with a second or
third marriage. Before getting
married again, the couple needs
to talk about what they have in
mind in terms of mutual
financial support of one another
and of their children from prior
marriages and relationships.
Then they need to put their
understanding in writing so that
there are no misunderstandings
or different memories of what
they agreed. If memorialized in
a prenuptial agreement, it will
also be legally enforceable. If
circumstances change, the
couple can always modify
their agreement.
Use Trusts. Wills are generally
straight forward instruments.
When you pass away, your
property passes to the people
you name. Wills do not easily
permit more flexible planning.
For instance, you may want to
permit your new spouse to live
in your home for as long as he
wants, but for it to ultimately
pass to your children and
grandchildren. A trust permits
you to plan for this scenario,
giving your spouse rights, but
someone else -- the trustee --
the power to manage the
property and protect it for the
next generation. Or a couple
could pool all their resources in
a single joint trust for their
benefit during their lives, with
the funds remaining after they
have both passed away to be
distributed equally to the
children they each bring to the
new relationship or marriage.
Goals First, Planning
Second. No planning can take
place in a vacuum or based on
assumptions without asking
questions. Anyone considering
planning for themselves and for
loved ones needs to start by
listing her goals. Is her primary
concern providing for herself?
Leaving an inheritance to
children? Protecting a spouse or
partner? Or a pet? Making sure
children are independent, but
have a safety net if necessary?
Of course, most of us don't
have just one goal, but we
should start by writing them all
down. Ultimately, the estate
plan should reflect these goals
and priorities. While this is
true of anyone doing estate
planning, it is even more
important in non-traditional
families.
The bottom line is that laws for
distribution of property and
rights in the event of incapacity
are based on a vision of a
marriage between one woman
and one man with one or more
children. However standard this
ever was, it almost certainly
applies to fewer than half of
American adults. For those who
don't fit the one nuclear family
mold, planning is essential and
you should consult with an
attorney well-versed in planning
for non-traditional families to
make sure your goals are met.
The information provided is not
intended to be legal advice and
does not constitute an
attorney/client relationship. You
should consult with an attorney
for individual advice regarding
your own situation.
Ms. Melancon is an attorney with Legacy Estate
& Elder Law of Louisiana, LLC, with offices in
Baton Rouge, LA and Prairieville, LA. The pri-
mary focus of her practice is estate planning,
probate, special needs planning and elder law.
For more information or to attend an upcoming
estate planning seminar, call her office at
(225) 744-0027.
FU R N ITU R E

21
 Front Row, Left to Right: Assistant Treasurer Dawn Caballero, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Gwen LeBlanc, President Kenny Matassa, and Assistant Treasurer Amanda Berot.

Ascension Parish Finance Department Wins National Award

Back Row, Left to Right: Finance Department staff accountants Laurie Lemoine, Toni Ourso, Ann Falcon, Lynda Timmons, Leslie Daigle, Abbey Roussel, Jeannie Yszara (clerk),
Ashley Barnes, Celeste Harris, Sherri Bellina, and Carol Celestin.

Ascension Parish President
Kenny Matassa has announced
that the Parish Finance
Department has been awarded
The Certificate of Achievement
for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for the ninth her staff are to be commended Association of the United States
consecutive year. for this well-deserved award.” and Canada (GFOA) and is
“Once again, our Finance The Certificate of Achievement considered the highest form of
Department has been for Excellence in Financial recognition in the area of
recognized for excellence,” said Reporting is awarded by the governmental accounting and
Matassa. “Gwen LeBlanc and Government Finance Officers financial reporting.

The Solid Choice in

Ascension Parish
23
 Lettermen Returning/Lost:…..16/16
Pos. Players w/Starting Experience
Returning/Lost:…..8/8
Pitchers Recording Innings
Returning/Lost:………..8/8
Newcomers: 17
(11 high school players;
6 JUCO transfers)
LSU is ranked as high as No. 10 in
the 2018 preseason polls, marking
the seventh straight year the Tigers
will begin the year among the Top 10
teams in the nation. LSU coach Paul
Mainieri, a four-time National Coach
of the Year, welcomes the
expectations and challenges
assigned to a preseason Top 10 club.
"To see ‘LSU’ as the 10th ranked
team in the country going into the
season is exciting, however, we are
not satisfied with that ranking. It just
means we only have nine spots to go
to get to where we want to be, which
is No. 1,” said Mainieri, who has
directed the Tigers to one national
championship, five College World
Series appearances, four SEC
overall titles, six SEC division titles
and six SEC tournament
championships in 11 seasons. “We
realize that nothing will be handed to
us. It will take an unbelievable
amount of hustle and hard work, a
tough attitude, unwavering confi-
dence, and clutch play for us to
achieve our goals.”
LSU is the nation’s leader in wins
(301) over the past six years, and the
Tigers are the only team in the
country to have earned an NCAA
Tournament National Seed in each of
the last six seasons (2012-17). Last
season, the Tigers won five separate
championships – the SEC
regular-season title, the SEC
Tournament title, the SEC Western
Division championship, an NCAA
Regional title and an NCAA Super
Regional championship. The Tigers
advanced all the way to the College
World Series Finals and finished as
the 2017 national runners-up.
Mainieri is eager to mold the 2018
club into another national
championship contender.
“This will be a unique season for us
in the sense that if you have a
32-man roster with 17 new players,
literally more than half of your entire
roster will be brand new,” Mainieri
explained. “We have a lot of work to
do, and we won’t enter the season as
highly-touted as we were last year. I
feel very confident about this group,
though, and I’m really looking forward
to working with them.”
LSU returns six players who filled
everyday starting roles on last
season’s College World Series
runners-up team, including junior
outfielder Antoine Duplantis,
sophomore outfielder Zach Watson, CALEB GILBERT
sophomore shortstop Josh Smith,
senior outfielder/DH Beau Jordan,
sophomore third baseman Jake
Slaughter and senior catcher/first
baseman Nick Coomes. The Tigers
are bolstered by the return of junior and junior infielder Chris Reid is The class was rated as high as
first baseman Bryce Jordan, a 2016 another returning player with No. 5 in the nation in the annual
All-SEC designated hitter that missed starting experience. recruiting rankings.
the 2017 season due to a knee injury, On the mound, LSU will have to “With 11 new pitchers and two new
replace its entire weekend starting catchers on the roster, our two
pitching rotation as Alex Lange and biggest priorities going are
Jared Poche’ have moved on to determining who will fill roles on the
professional baseball , and right- mound and behind the plate,”
hander Eric Walker, a 2017 Mainieri said. “Our expectation will
Freshman All-American, will be be, as it always is at LSU, to have
sidelined in 2018 after undergoing our team in position to play for cham-
Tommy John surgery. pionships at the end of the year.”

Junior right-hander Caleb Gilbert
(7-1, 2.16 ERA in 2017) and
sophomore right-hander Zack Hess
(7-1, 3.12 ERA, four saves in 2017)
are the top returning members of the
JOSH SMITH LSU staff, which also includes
veteran pitchers Austin Bain, Nick
Bush, Matthew Beck, Todd Peterson
and Will Reese.
The Tigers’ talented group of 17
newcomers consists of 11 pitchers
and six position players. The class
contains four players that were se-
lected in the 2018 MLB Draft –
right-handed pitcher AJ Labas,
right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders,
outfielder/left-handed pitcher Daniel
Cabrera and right-handed pitcher
Nick Storz. Other new players to
watch include catcher Hunter
Feduccia, infielders Hal Hughes,
Brandt Broussard and Nick Webre,
and pitchers Ma’Khail Hilliard and
Devin Fontenot.
Position Players
The LSU outfield is led by junior
rightfielder Antoine Duplantis, who
begins his third season in the Tigers’
starting lineup. The Lafayette, La.,
native, batted .316 (90-for-285) last
season with 14 doubles, two triples,
two homers, 61 RBI, 50 runs and 19
stolen bases. He was named to the
2017 College World Series All-
ournament Team and to the SEC
All-Tournament Team, and he was
LSU’s leading hitter in the Tigers’ 16
postseason games, batting .333
(22-for-66) with three doubles, one
homer, 13 RBI, nine runs and three
steals. Duplantis finished No. 2 in the
SEC in stolen bases with 19, No. 4 in
base hits with 90 and No. 8 in RBI
with 61.
Sophomore Zach Watson returns
 JAKE SLAUGHTER

ZACH WATSON

as the Tigers’ starting centerfielder
after a stellar freshman season in
which he batted a team-best .317
(70-for-221) with nine doubles, three
triples, nine homers, 37 RBI, 42 runs
and 12 stolen bases. Watson, a
Freshman All-American, was LSU’s
leading hitter in NCAA Tournament
games, batting .333 (16-for-48) with
one double, five homers, 10 RBI, 12
runs and four steals. He was voted to
the 2017 College World Series All-
Tournament squad after batting .346
(9-for-26) in seven games with one
double, one homer, two RBI, five
runs and two steals
Freshman Daniel Cabrera, a
product of Parkview Baptist High
School in Baton Rouge, La., is the
leading candidate for the starting
leftfielder role. Cabrera, selected in
last summer’s MLB Draft by the San
Diego Padres, enjoyed a spectacular
summer in the Cal Ripken Collegiate
League, batting .339 with seven
doubles, three homers, 21 RBI, 22
runs and 11 stolen bases.
Senior Beau Jordan, who has
started 111 games as an
outfielder/DH over the past two
seasons, will contend for significant
playing time. He batted .268 (45-for-
168) last season with seven doubles,
four homers, 29 RBI and 30 runs and
provided four hits in the College
World Series, including one double,
one homer and four RBI. Jordan’s
CWS home run – a solo shot – came
in LSU’s 6-1 semifinal win over
Oregon State, a game in which he
also doubled and scored two runs.
Freshman Nick Webre, a product of
Teurlings Catholic High School in
Lafayette, La., should also make an
impact in the outfield after a
productive summer in the Prospect
Collegiate League, where he hit 324
(58-for-179) with nine doubles, nine
homers, 40 RBI, 47 runs and 20
stolen bases.
Sophomore Josh Smith, who
earned Freshman All-America honors
last season at third base, takes over
the starting shortstop role in 2018.
Smith, a member of the SEC All-
Defensive Team, batted .281 (68-
for-242) on the year with 16 doubles,
five homers, 52 runs, 48 RBI and five
steals. He collected five hits in the
College World Series, including one

There is Always Something Fun Happening at the Kilt

Kids Night on Tuesdays 6-9 • Tilted Trivia on Wednesdays 7-9 • Late night Happy Hour 9-close
Check out our
Blackboard Happy Hour Specials Daily 3-6
Lunch Specials:
Monday-Friday doors
open at 10:30am

Delicious homemade
meals that are
served quickly to
accommodate your Live Music Thursdays
lunch hour!
6 :3 0 - 8 :3 0

Check out our Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter pages for more info on these and more exciting
events & specials at the Kilt! • 2828 S Outfitters Drive • 225-450-3496
 PRIMARY RETURNING POSITION STARTERS
Player Pos. Cl.-Exp. B/T Avg. HR RBI Notable
Zach Watson OF So.-1L R/R .317 9 37 2017 Freshman All-American
Antoine Duplantis OF Jr.-2L L/L .316 2 61 2017 CWS All-Tournament Team
Josh Smith INF So.- 1 LL/R .281 5 48 2017 Freshman All-American
Bryce Jordan* DH Jr.-2L R/R .293 5 33 *2016 stats listed; missed ’17 season due to injury
Beau Jordan OF Sr.- 2L R/R .268 4 29 1 HR, 4 RBI in 2017 College World Series
Jake Slaughter INF So.-1L R/R .257 5 26 1 HR, 3 RBI in 2017 College World Series

TOP NEWCOMERS—POSITION PLAYERS

Player Pos. Cl. B/T Hometown (2017 School)
Daniel Cabrera OF Fr. L/L Baton Rouge, La. (Parkview Baptist HS)
Hunter Feduccia C Jr. L/R Lake Charles, La. (LSU-Eunice)
Nick Webre INF/OF Fr. L/R Youngsville, La. (Teurlings Catholic HS)
Brandt Broussard INF Jr. R/R Baton Rouge, La. (Delgado CC)
Hal Hughes INF Fr. R/R Norman, Okla. (Norman North HS)

PRIMARY STARTING POSITION PLAYERS LOST

Player Pos. Cl.-Exp. B/T Avg. HR RBI Notable
Cole Freeman 2B 2L R/R .315 2 41 4th-round draft choice of Washington Nationals
Greg Deichmann OF 3L L/R .308 19 73 2nd-round draft choice of Oakland Athletics
Kramer Robertson SS 4L R/R .307 8 43 4th-round draft choice of St. Louis Cardinals
Michael Papierski C 3L S/R .256 11 39 9th-round draft choice of Houston Astros

double, one homer, three runs and
five RBI.
Sophomore Jake Slaughter, who
started 40 games at first base in
2017, will move to third base this
season. Slaughter batted 257 (38-
for-148) last year with five doubles,
three homers, 26 RBI, 22 runs and
two stolen bases … He started four
games in the College World Series
and launched a three-run CWS
homer versus Florida State in the
Tigers’ 7-4 win over the Seminoles.
Junior Bryce Jordan, who had to
miss all of the 2017 season due to a
knee injury, returns this season as
the top contender for the starting job
at first base. Jordan was a 2016
first-team all-SEC selection at
designated hitter after batting .293
(55-for-188) with seven doubles, five
homers, 33 RBI and 40 runs. He
batted .333 (28-for-84) in SEC
regular-season games with three
doubles, four homers, 14 RBI and 18
runs, and he led the SEC in hit-by-
pitch as he was struck 23 times.
Junior Brandt Broussard, a Baton
Rouge native and a transfer from
Delgado Community College in New
Orleans, will likely begin the season
as the starter at second base.
Broussard, the son of LSU’s 1986
CWS second baseman Burke
Broussard, batted .429 with two
home runs, 16 doubles, three triples
and 15 stolen bases with a .531
on-base percentage last season at
Delgado while committing only six
errors during the year.
Excellent infield depth will be
provided by junior Chris Reid, who
has 50 career starts at LSU, and by
freshman Hal Hughes, a product of
Norman (Okla.) North High School.
Junior Hunter Feduccia, a Lake
Charles, La., native who transferred
from LSU-Eunice, projects as the
Tigers’ starting catcher. Feduccia
batted .394 (65-for-165) in 2017 at
LSU-E with 11 doubles, three triples,
six homers, 47 RBI and nine steals.
Senior Nick Coomes will also
contribute behind the plate after
batting .303 (40-for-132) last season
with seven doubles, two homers, 24 ANTOINE DUPLANTIS
RBI, 20 runs and a .401 on-base
percentage. Braden Doughty, a
freshman from Denham Springs (La.)
High School, brings quality depth to
the catching corps.
Pitchers
34.1 innings with 16 walks and 21
strikeouts. He defeated Northwestern
State on May 16 in his final start of
Junior right-hander Caleb Gilbert the season, allowing just one run on
enters the season as the top four hits in five innings with six
candidate for the No. 1 weekend strikeouts.
starting role. He appeared in 28 Another strong contender for a
games (five starts) last season, weekend or mid-week starting role is
posting a 7-1 mark and a 2.16 ERA in junior right-hander Cam Sanders, the
58.1 innings with 12 walks, 67 son of former Major League pitcher
strikeouts and a .190 opponent Scott Sanders. Cam Sanders was a
batting average. In his last 12 2017 MLB Draft selection by the San
appearances of 2017, Gilbert was Diego Padres, and he recorded 59
5-0 with a 0.84 ERA in 32.2 innings strikeouts in 43 innings last season at
while allowing three earned runs on Northwest Florida State College.
17 hits with seven walks and 36 Freshmen right-handers Devin
strikeouts. He recorded a 4-0 mark Fontenot and Ma’Khail Hilliard
and a 0.77 ERA in LSU’s postseason impressed the LSU staff during fall
games (five appearances, two practice and could play significant
starts), allowing just two earned runs relief roles this season. Fontenot, a
in 23.1 innings with five walks and 26 product of The Woodlands, Texas,
strikeouts. fired 207.2 innings in his career high
Gilbert is expected to be joined in school career, recording a 2.99 ERA
the weekend rotation by sophomore with 57 walks and 265 strikeouts.
right-hander Zack Hess, a 2017 Hilliard was the 2017 Baton Rouge
Freshman All-American. Hess made Metro Area Player of the Year after
HUNTER NEWMAN
a team-high 30 appearances (six
starts) on the mound in 2017, posting
a 7-1 record and a 3.12 ERA in 60.2 PRIMARY PITCHERS RETURNING
innings with 30 walks, 83 strikeouts, Player R/L Cl.-Exp. W-L ERA IP BB SO Notable
four saves and a .182 opponent Caleb Gilbert R Jr.-2L 7-1 2.16 58.1 12 67 5-0, 0.84 ERA in final 12 appearances
batting average. He worked the first Zack Hess R So.-1L 7-1 3.12 60.2 30 83 3 saves in 2017 College World Series
two months of the season as the Todd Peterson R So.-1L 3-1 4.19 34.1 16 21 22 appearances, three starts in 2017
Tigers’ mid-week starter, but moved
to the bullpen in early April. Hess
TOP NEWCOMERS—PITCHERS
pitched brilliantly in the 2017 College
Player R/L Cl. Hometown (2017 School)
World Series as a reliever, appearing Cam Sanders R Jr. Thibodaux, La. (Northwest Florida State CC)
in five of the Tigers’ seven games Devin Fontenot R Fr. The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands HS)
while recording three saves and 11 Ma’Khail Hilliard R Fr. Central, La. (Central HS)
strikeouts in seven innings. Brandon Nowak L Jr. Chicago, Ill. (Oakton CC)
Sophomore right-hander Todd
Peterson is a candidate for the No. 3 PRIMARY PITCHERS LOST
position in the weekend starting Player R/L Exp. W-L ERA SV IP BB SO Notable
Alex Lange R 3L 10-5 2.97 0 124.1 48 150 1st-round draft choice of Chicago Cubs
rotation. Peterson appeared in 22
Jared Poche’ L 4L 12-4 3.17 0 113.2 39 76 9th-round draft choice of Oakland Athletics
games (three starts) last season, Hunter Newman R 4L 1-1 2.51 10 28.2 20 27 22 career saves at LSU
posting a 3-1 mark and a 4.19 ERA in

27
 leading Central High School to the
Class 5A state championship.
LSU should also receive bullpen
support from sophomore left-hander
Nick Bush, who recorded 23 relief
BEAU JORDAN appearances last season, posting a
1-1 mark and a 3.75 ERA in 24.0
innings with 19 walks and 22
strikeouts. Senior right-hander Austin
Bain is another accomplished
reliever who has 120 strikeouts in
108.2 LSU career innings.
Freshman left-hander Daniel
Cabrera, also the Tigers’ projected
starter in left field, should contend
for mound appearances, as will
freshman right-handers AJ Labas
and Nick Storz, both MLB Draft
selections that were affected by in-
juries in the fall.
The bullpen will be bolstered by
more newcomers like junior left-han-
ders Brandon Nowak and Taylor
Petersen, freshman left-hander
John Kodros, junior right-hander
Clay Moffitt and freshman
right-handers Trent Vietmeier and
Matt Schroer.
Sophomore right-handers
Matthew Beck and Will Reese will
lend veteran depth to the LSU staff.

'Cooking for a Cause'

Live Entertainment • 1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards • Judged by the Jambalaya Festival Association

Jambalaya Cook-Off
You are invited to participate in the 4th Annual

Wounded Combat Coalition, home of Wounded Wear which

Sunday May 6thI to benefit

supports combat veterans across the United States

We moved our benefit date due to heat issues previous years. All proceeds go to Wounded Combat Coalition, home of Wounded

We need teams and sponsors.

Wear. Last year we raised $16,200 which helped 2 Purple Heart recipients receive Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) treatment.
Please help us give back to those who have given everything.

For More Information contact Zack or Katie • tiger-tavern.com

14505 Highway 44, Gonzales, LA 70737 • (225) 622-3719

28
St. Valentine’s Day Massacres
One of my favorite TV shows
of all time was “X-Files”-a
science fiction classic- that
appealed to my feeble brain for
several reasons.
The first was because I had a
television crush on Dana Skully-
I mean Mulder didn’t seem to
be too interested in her for the
first few years.
Secondly, I actually believe
there are some aliens out there
killing themselves laughing at
the inane goings-on at this
terrible cosmic joke of a planet
we call earth. As my infinitely
wise classmate Mack Aldridge
recently pointed out-why are all
the radar systems seeking
intelligent life pointing away
from earth.
And, of course, the show’s
hook line-“The truth is out
there somewhere”- because,
quite obviously, truth is a lost
virtue on this third rock from
the sun.
But in the spirit of Valentine’s
Day-a time of love and
affection-I will reveal to you-as
a public service to you my
faithful readers-some actual
Valentines that were not made
public but that Skully and
Mulder have assured me were
sent to their respective Cupid’s
targets on February 14.
Reliable sources are in short
supply these days.
First of all, a couple of notes
d’amour from our old Cold War
enemy that must have Ronald
Reagan doing flips in his
grave…
From Russia with Love to the
Republican Party…
“With the Rubles that put your
Rube in charge,
We could have elected Bruno
Mars.
All we want in return is for
Putin to burn
Up the floor on ‘Dancing with
the Tsars’.”
Not one to be playing politics,
here’s one from Russia to the
Democratic Party…
“You Demos were having a
blast,
Thinking all those collusion
charges would last,
But Hillary’s own crew then
thought victory a shoo-in,
No wonder their symbol’s an
ass.”
No Super Bowl victory would
be complete without a
sportsmanlike shout-out from
Philadelphia to Tom Brady…
“That last sack really rang
your bell,
And saved us the game-but
30
what the hell.
Sure we got beer from Dilly
and a cold parade in Philly,
But you get to go home with
Gisele!”
And we can’t leave out the
love letter from Cleveland’s
LeBron James to the rest of the
NBA concerning the Cavs’
recent slump…
“I’m still the King-all you
haters,
And it my team could only
shoot straighter,
We wouldn’t look like pee on
prime time TV,
And I wouldn’t have to say,
‘See you, Laker’”.
On the local level, I think
LSU fans need to show some
love to new basketball coach
Will Wade…
“Your first year’s been no
short of gallant,
Can’t wait til you coach with
some talent,
But don’t calm down, please,
we can live with the T’s,
It’s time we had someone
combatant.”
by Bill Delaune
Speaking of coaches, how
about that coaching carousel
going on in the NFL. The
irony of the situation is that
teams are knocking each other
over to hire Patriot assistants
and the Super Bowl champion
coach-Doug Pedersen of the
Eagles once coached high
school football right here in
Louisiana at Calvary Baptist. In
fact, when one reporter asked
the former Northeast (now
ULM) quarterback if New
England would be the toughest
team he ever coached against,
Pedersen dead-panned, “You
mean, besides Evangel?”
So it’s no surprise that when
Patriot offensive coordinator
Josh McDaniel agreed to take
the Indy Colts head job and
resurrect their high-priced but
oft-injured quarterback and
then backed out of the deal,
that Josh could expect a
valentine from Colt general
manager Chris Ballard…
“Again Indianapolis gets
stuck,
Even though we could offer
big bucks,
But Josh said he’d stay Pat,
sit on Belichick’s lap,
Leaving Indy again out of
Luck.”

And how can you have a
Valentine’s Day without a Tiger
Woods’ composition to an
ex-girlfriend-this one, a gold
medal threat in Winter
Olympics skiing…
“If I just had a magical wand,
I would probably create a new
blonde,
Then I’d wave it again, and
make myself win,
As much as my ex Lindsey
Vonn!”
Since no one is too keen on
my idea just to annex Mexico,
open the border and send all the
fast-food joints down there to
ruin their citizens’ health, here’s
a card from the immigrants to
Donald Trump…
“A thousand miles long, twenty
feet tall,
And no way to pay for it all,
But send the Mexicans home
and rely on home-grown,
Who do you think will work on
your wall?”
And finally, another Winter
Olympics-themed ode from the
husband to his young and
beautiful wife whose forte is
obviously not housekeeping…
“She’s skied round mountains
of dishes so steep,
Over dirty clothes piles done
axel leaps,
But don’t count this girl in
and contest of curl-ing,
Cause she don’t even know how
to sweep!”
Red hearts and gold
medals to all.

Publisher’s Note:

Photos and images used in this artcle are from the

internet and do not a reflection the magazine’s
political view.

With that said, our policy is also to be an all inclusive

publication even including liberal views.
Ever once in a while.

However I may have to put Bill on

Double Secret Probation.

31
 not at one time keep mowed.
Back in those days it was not
uncommon at all to see rabbits,
opossums, raccoons, or bob
whites on that small piece of
habitat. That's not the case
anymore since the small piece of
property now gets regular grass
mowing. But even with that
being said, there is a thick area
around a hollow tree on that
property that does allow enough
habitat for a family of opossums
and squirrels.
Amazing! Just one thirty foot
circle of habitat is all it takes for
common for some amount
of time, and I still see them
every now and then. On one
particular morning two of the
fox sat under a light post as I
slowly passed by. Daytime
sightings: add squirrels and
even a cottonmouth to the list.
Small patches of woodlands
and thickets like this are a
direct testament that if given
the proper habitat all wildlife
species will thrive and survive.
Animal rights groups should
take a strong look at habitat
acquisitions and donate their

Habitat an animal or two to call home.

I had the pleasure of
knowing, in my opinion, the
best conservationist that our
area has ever produced. His
name was V.J. Bourque Jr. He
was an outdoor writer and he
wrote a monthly column for the
East Ascension Sportsmans
League paper. Virgil was more a
giver than a taker when it came
to his usage of our natural
resources. As I grow older I can
really appreciate more than ever
his understanding of wildlife
and habitat. Many of his
writings were about sightings
During the work week before
daylight I pass by a parcel of
effort and money towards that
reasoning. Instead they
protest against the groups of
from a small portion of his yard
land, about three acres, of hunters and other outdoorsmen
that he let grow to its natural
woods that has yet to be and women that are
state. Time and time again he
developed. A drainage ditch responsible for footing
wrote of the different animals
practically splits the property in the bill for wild creature
and birds that visited the small
half. This supplies the area with habitat...
portion of land that was never
a continuous supply of water.
manicured in any way.
Across from the acreage is a Until Next Time
During those days our
typical subdivision with a pond,
Ascension Parish still had several
etc. Its unbelievable the types It Don't Take Much,
more undeveloped areas than it
and amounts of wild animals I
presently has today. Looking
see in the darkness in that area. James "Goosie" Guice
back, I can reminisce about
I've seen rabbits, raccoons,
wildlife at my house that I don't
opossums, coyotes and just
see today. There is a small
recently some beautiful red fox.
portion of land between my
The fox sightings became very
neighbor and myself that we did

32
 Feb 23rd ....... Foret Tradition

with Kellie
Useless Random Facts
Monday Night
• DJ MUSIC & KARAOKE
Bubble wrap was originally designed to be used $4 Bombs
as a textured wallpaper. $2.50 Blue Moon Drafts
•
Morphine is named after the ‘Morpheus’, Tuesday Wednesday
the Greek god of dreams. DJ MUSIC/KARAOKE DJ MUSIC / KARAOKE
• $5 Double Wells! 2 for 1 Bomb Shots Special $5 Bombs Coors Draft Combos
You can't work in Antarctica unless your wisdom teeth and
appendix are removed. Friday
•
Groundhog Day was originally observed on February 14.
2/16 Beaucoup Boogie
2/23 Foret Tradition
•
3/2 Heath Ransonnet acoustic duo
Reindeer like to eat bananas. 3/9 Jump School
• 3/16 Barbarella Blue
In eighteenth-century English gambling dens, there was an
employee whose only job was to swallow the dice if there was Saturday
a police raid.
• 2/17 Karaoke
1 in 8 Americans has worked at a McDonalds restaurant. 2/24 Karaoke
• 3/3 Sofa Kings
The thumbnail grows the slowest, the middle nail the fastest, 3/10 Press 1 for English
nearly 4 times faster than toenails. 3/17 St Patricks Day
•
Average number of days a West German goes without wash-
Every Sunday
SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT 2 FOR 1
ing his underwear: 7
DJ MUSIC & KARAOKE ... $2.50 Domestics!!
•

Come Enjoy Golden Tee and Target Toss Pro

Texas is also the only state that is allowed to fly its state flag
at the same height as the U.S. flag.
•
MEGATOUCH, AND POOL TABLES.
Between 2 and 3 jockeys are killed each year in horse racing.
• “ L I K E ” U S O N FA C E B O O K
The average woman consumes 6 lbs of lipstick in her lifetime. Visit our website:www.parkplaceofgonzales.com
•
1711 S. BURNSIDE • GONZALES • 644-8901
CBS' "60 Minutes" is the only TV show without
"BEST HAPPY HOUR IN THE AREA!
a theme song/music.
$2.50 DOMESTIC LONGNECKS!"
33
 Thoughts from Bully
Rain Rains on
My Hopes to
Win Our
12th Annual
Super Bowl
Rib-Off
Another Super Bowl has come
and gone. Sorry! I missed it. I
stood a hard line on my
personal boycott except for the
last minute thirty seconds of the
game. Ya see, I finally broke
down and bet on the game. My
betting failures are well known.
I quit after the Atlanta loss last
year, of which looked like a
shoe-in bet at half time, but like
most of my bets I lost. This year
my strategy was not to watch
and maybe I’d win.
I was channel surfing and
came across the game and the
score got my attention. So I
admit I watched these last
minutes and throughly enter-
tained because I had money on
the line.
Another Super Bowl Rib-Off
has come and gone and like my
betting record I did not win.
I swear, my high hopes were
dashed when the final results
were revealed. They were Then there were the rest, one When it was all said and
further dashed when I found veteran never winning before done Bruce had completed a
out I was in the middle of the cook and 2 rookies. This was my Three Peat as Super Bowl
pack of 8 cooks. It was a feast or year to reign. Rib-Off Champion. Second
famine crew of cooks. One of the rookies was my place was Jacque, my never
Participating were 3 former daughter-in-law, Jacque, of cooked ribs before daughter-in-
champions with 2 wins each and which I just knew she didn’t law. I came in fourth but I did
Lebo a 1 time champion. I have have a change because she had beat 4 former champions and
come in 2nd at least 5 times. never cooked ribs. Jacque’s husband came in last.
34
 Helping Rebuild Our Community
from the Ground Up!
Johnson Cement Finishing
is locally owned, reliable
and insured. During these
tough times we can deliver
your job and construct
what you need.

She has been giving us hell ever Bowl Rib-Off. We’ll see how the
since asking, “Hey, What place judging goes from now on.
did you come in?” After making my

“No Job Too Big or Small”

I have come up with a solution announcement about the
to this Rib-Off Championship. sponsorship I have two issues of

15985 Gunboat Landing Road, Maurepas, LA 70449

I am going to be the major
sponsors for this event and so I
announce, Ascension Magazine
is now the Official Corporate
Sponsor. Now to be known as
‘The Ascension Magazine, Super
concern. How do I hide this
from my CPA, Uncle Joe, and
Contact: Lee Johnson 225.304.1983 or C. J. Johnson 225.380.8188
what do I do about Jacque
asking me the question, “Why
aren’t there second place
trophys?”

30 Years of Top Notch Services

Braud Company Welding & Industrial Supplies Abrasives Janitorial Equipment
has been providing material to industries for over Adhesives, Sealants & Tapes Marking Tools
thirty years. Our emphasis is on service. Chemicals, Lubricants & Paints Material Handling
We take pride in same day delivery and
Display Units Measuring & Leveling Tools
customer service is always our number one
Electrical & Lighting MRO Supplies
priority and we deliver ontime, everytime.
Electrical Tools Plumbing Equipment
We have a well stocked walk-in sales counter
Fasteners, Clamps & Straps Pneumatics

where you can purchase any quantity of an item.

Hand Tools Pumps
Oilfield Power Tools
HVAC Safety & Security

225.673.3370 • Toll Free 888.269.4315 • www.braudco.com

35
SPANISH TOWN 2018

36
 PROFESSIONAL • RELIABLE • EXPERIENCED

When You are Ready to Make a

Change. We’ll Help you Upgrade.
It’s a good time to start
preparing for the spring!
Ryan "Shake" Schexnayder
Our Front End Alignment
Equipment is State-of-the-Art
BEFORE AFTER
STATE INSPECTIONS • NEW TIRES
BRAKES • OIL CHANGES
MECHANIC ON DUTY • A/C REPAIR
ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC
Mention this ad and receive a 10% discount

Prairieville, La 70769 • 225.715.4594 225.647.3000 • 1311 N. BURNSIDE • GONZALES

37
 1 3 0 5 3 H W Y. 4 3 1 • S T. A M A N T

FIRESTONE BRIDGSTONE CREDIT CARDS

ACCEPTED AND AVAILABLE AT BIGGEAUX’S
State-of-the-Art
Equipment

Front End
Alignments

NOW STOCKING: ANCO WIPERS,

HERCULES TIRES, INTERSTATE BATTERIES

24 Hr. Emergency Roadside Service

• All tires from ATV to Commercial Machinery • Emergency road service

• All brands to fit autos, trucks and assistance-Commercial Only
18 wheelers, including tractor/ • Locally owned and operated since 2004
construction equipment tires • New used and retreads

Locally Owned & Operated by

Oscar and Linda Mire and sons
Call for Appointment • 225.644.8473
 “Come Fall in love with our
home-like atmosphere"
For more than 20 years, we have developed, owned and managed
senior housing communities throughout Louisiana and Georgia that
provide alternative living arrangements for seniors combining
wellness, independence and personal care in a warm
dignified setting with over 100 years of personal
and professional experience.

2305 S. Purpera Avenue, • Gonzales, LA 70737

225.644.1028
40
LSU AgCenter state livestock show at Lamar Dixon
Hundreds of youth from across
Louisiana will gathered in
Gonzales for the 83rd annual
LSU AgCenter Livestock Show
at the Lamar-Dixon Expo
Center.
LSU AgCenter officials expect
more than 2,400 4-H and FFA
exhibitors brought about 1,500
breeding animals, 1,500 market
animals, 175 pens of broilers
and 600 exhibition birds to the
competition on Feb. 10-17.
By the time those 4-H and FFA
members reach the state show,
they already will have qualified
in parish and district competi-
tions across Louisiana during
the first few weeks of the year.
All will arrive in Gonzales aim-
ing to be state champions — or
at least to earn rewards for their
hard work and dedication.
Judges at the show determine
the winners in various breeds of
beef and dairy cattle, goats,
hogs, poultry and sheep, said
livestock show manager Dwayne
Nunez.
The 2018 is made possible by
endowed funding from The
Meraux Foundation, Gerry
Lane Enterprises, Nutrien and
Price LeBlanc Automotive, said
Vickie Hutchinson, director of
development for AgCenter live-
stock programs.
Other top-level donors include
First South Farm Credit,
Sunshine Quality Solutions,
Louisiana Land Bank and
Mosaic, she said.
Supreme Champion animals in
all six breeding species — beef
cattle, dairy, poultry, sheep,
goats and swine — will be
presented awards supported by
the Arlene and Joseph Meraux
Charitable Foundation
endowment.
Six exhibitors will earn Premier
Exhibitor awards, which place
emphasis and recognition on
exhibitors’ knowledge and skills
in the 4-H and FFA livestock
projects. Supported by an
endowment from Gerry Lane
Enterprises in Baton Rouge, the
program is open to participants
exhibiting beef, dairy, swine,
sheep, poultry and goats. The
awards are based on perform-
ance in tests of each youth’s
knowledge of the livestock
industry, practical exercises
demonstrating skills and the
ability to communicate
effectively.
One exhibitor will receive the
Price LeBlanc Champion
Livestock Award, which is pre-
sented to one grand champion
market animal each year from
among five species: steers,
swine, sheep, chickens and
goats. The award is funded by
an endowment from Price
LeBlanc, a Baton Rouge
automobile dealership.
Junior, intermediate and senior
Champion Showmanship awards
will be presented to exhibitors
in each of the eight animal
41
categories: dairy cattle, beef
cattle, swine, exhibition poultry,
broiler poultry, sheep, breeding
goats and market goats.
Supported by an endowment
from Nutrien, awards will be
presented in the junior 9- to
11-year-old, intermediate
12- to 14-year-old and senior
15-year-old and up divisions.
The livestock show also includes
a quality assurance and ethics
certification program that
educates youth on proper and
ethical use of animal health
products, ensuring a high-
quality, wholesome product,
Nunez said.
While the annual event may be
called a livestock show, it’s more
about the young people than
their animals, said LSU Vice
President for Agriculture Bill
Richardson.
“This event provides an
opportunity for some of the
most outstanding youth in the
state to receive recognition for
their hard work in learning not
only the scientific principles that
must be mastered but also the
responsibility required to raise
this wide array of animals,”
Richardson said. “This show
also is about the dedication of
the many parents, teachers,
volunteer leaders, 4-H agents
and FFA advisers who have
worked with the young people
to help them grow as people
and responsible citizens.”
As a result of what they learn,
generations of young people
who have participated in LSU
AgCenter livestock projects go
on to become leaders, whether
in the livestock industry or a
variety of other fields ranging
from medicine to government,
Richardson said.
Youth participating in livestock
projects gain knowledge of
animal husbandry, including
selection, genetics, nutrition,
health, showing, economics and
marketing of livestock, Nunez
said. “But they also develop
skills such as communication,
leadership and cooperation,”
he said.
Competition in various phases
of the show will begin almost as
soon as the first animals are
checked in on Saturday, Feb.
10, and will continue daily
through Feb. 17.
A concluding awards ceremony
at 4 p.m. on Feb. 17 will
recognize champion market
animal exhibitors, champion
showmanship winners and
Premier Exhibitors as well as re-
cipients of the annual
Superintendent of Education
Award, Attorney General Award
and Governor Awards.
More information on the show
and the variety of research and
educational activities offered by
the LSU AgCenter is available
online at www.lsuagcenter.com
and through LSU AgCenter
parish extension offices.
Stocking Up on Goat Champions ...

42
Stocking Up on Goat Champions ...

43
It’s a Great Day for a Parade ...
 Ingredients:
Cooking Gourmet at Home
with SNO’S SEAFOOD & STEAKS
1 lb Louisiana Crawfish tails (peeled) ¼ cup Mayonnaise
1 cup diced onion 1 tablespoon Creole Mustard
¼ cup diced celery 1 tablespoon Ketchup
¼ cup diced bell pepper 2 teaspoons Horseradish
2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chopped green onions 4 eggs
½ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 lemon (juiced) 1 cup bread crumbs
½ cups fresh shredded smoked Gouda
(any cheese you like)
Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste

Method:
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil over medium high heat. When the
oil is hot, add your onions, celery, bell pepper, and minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the
crawfish tails, Worcestershire. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from the
heat and pour into a large mixing bowl.

Now, add your shredded cheese to the crawfish mixture and season to taste with salt & pepper. Add
Crawfish Cakes with the green onions, 2 eggs, and the regular bread crumbs to the crawfish and mix well. At this point
your mixture should be able to hold its shape. (add a little more bread crumbs if not)

Remoulade sauce Form mixture into cakes

In a mixing bowl add the 2 remaining eggs, salt & pepper then whisk. In another small bowl add
the panko bread crumbs
Yield: 8 cakes
In a large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium high heat. While the oil is heating, dip
Prep: 15 minutes each cake into the egg mixture, then the panko bread crumbs. Once your oil is hot, add the cakes
and fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side. (You can also bake these cakes for a healthier
option- 350 for 10 minutes) Remove the cakes from the hot oil and set them on a plate with
Chef
General Manager
Cook: 10 minutes paper towel to drain.
Ben Jarreau
In a small bowl combine your mayo, Creole mustard, ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice.
Serving: 4 Mix well and drizzle over the top of your delicious crawfish cakes ENJOY!!!!!!

45
46
5405 Highway 44, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737 5405 Highway 44, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737 6490 Highway 22, Sorrento, Louisiana 70778
The Cabin: Bernadette's Table: The Coffee House:

(225) 473-3007 (225) 473-9000 (225) 675-8068