TAP INTO GREAT FOOD

Tommy Stewart, owner of Five 19 Tap House & Tapas and Brass Monkey Pub & Patio, considered his travels and subsequent culinary discoveries when curating the restaurant’s menu.

VANELIS RIVERA KELLY MOORE CLARK

When Tommy Stewart quit his offshore job to work at Olive Garden, he wasn’t thinking of opening his own restaurant. He just wanted to have fun at work. “I had a friend that worked in the restaurant industry...as a bartender, and I always wanted to do that. She always made it seem like it was so fun.” Having no previous service experience, the family-friendly chain was skeptical of hiring him, so he had a round of three different interviews, but his persistence paid off when they eventually brought him in. As a shy young adult, Stewart credits that experience with helping him open up to people. In two years, he grew with the company taking on additional responsibilities. Even then, opening up a restaurant wasn’t in his purview. It would take a few more professional wanderings before ultimately opening one of Monroe’s compelling new culinary escapes.

Olive Garden led to Copeland’s where he worked for six years, starting as a server and leaving as service manager. “So, I was like, ‘Alright, I think I can do this.’” With extensive knowledge of the financial inner workings of a restaurant, he applied to work at the Monroe Applebee’s when it opened. After nine weeks of training, he was promoted from the service manager to kitchen manager. Only six months in, Stewart was promoted to general manager. He stayed at this casual dining franchise for about four years, until he started to notice a particular craving. “I was like, man, I really want to do something myself.” At the time, he was going back and forth between opening a restaurant or bar, so he opted for the most familiar. In the early 2000s, he opened up Club Pink with a partner. It was an all-or-nothing deal. “We lived in Bastrop at the time, and we sold everything in our house. Had an estate sale. Put a sticker on every single picture that wasn’t personal,” he recalls. The pair stayed in the clubbing business for seven years, then Stewart had another idea.

He happened across a Historic Downtown Monroe location that he envisioned for his own establishment. The massive space was sectioned in two, so Stewart concentrated on what he knew he was most recently seasoned at and opened Brass Monkey Pub & Patio in January 2016. For four years, the adjacent room remained vacant. All the while, Stewart kept considering the possibility of opening a restaurant, but he wanted to take his time in order to

conceptualize something that would take hold. “I’m always nervous because I feel like Monroe only gives you so many chances to get it right. So, I made sure I got it right the first time. Brass Monkey’s success allowed him to focus on his prospective project, which would end up opening on July 17, 2020.

It began with curating a menu. “What do they not have in Monroe?” Stewart asked himself. He was in search of a niche that also allowed for variety. So, he began to consider his travels and subsequent culinary discoveries. The creative process was simple. Stewart would think of a dish he had tried and put his own spin on it. One of their most popular food items, their naan flatbreads, stemmed from such an experience. “There was a place in Jackson, Mississippi. They had something similar to it,” he says, adding, “We swapped it up a little bit.” With currently ten flatbreads on the menu, it’s an easy choice for large parties that want to taste a little bit of everything, as is the spirit of the tapa: traditionally a Spanish appetizer that can be combined to make a full meal. Sharing these “small” plates is highly encouraged by the Five 19 team. The Mediterranean is sure to please a variety of palates with sliced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, garlic herb butter, pesto, and mozzarella. In the same vein is the Creamy Spinach Dip and Chicken: grilled chicken, creamy spinach artichoke dip, and grated parmesan cheese. More familiar flavors can be found in the Buffalo Chicken flatbread (chicken breast, Colby and Monterrey Jack cheese, bacon bits, garlic butter, drizzled with spicy buffalo sauce) or the Blackened BBQ Chicken Melt (hickory BBQ sauce,

grilled chicken, bacon bits, shredded cheese, topped with jalapeno onion crisps). “I get back there sometimes and play with those flatbreads and I just mix and match,” says Steward, who encourages customers to also construct their own.

Brought to the restaurant by way of Stewart’s trip to San Diego is the Teriyaki Steak Tips: marinated beef steak tips, grilled, and served with crisp, sweet potato waffle fries. Another travel-inspired menu item hailing from Jackson, Mississippi is the Tuna Poke Nachos, a craveable item on the other side of the protein spectrum from the “Sharable Plates” section of the menu that you may be reluctant to portion among friends. Here, crispy wontons are topped with ahi tuna tossed with soy sauce and scallions, fresh avocado slices, crisp cabbage, pineapple-mango pico de gallo, then drizzled with cool, spicy wasabi mayo. A food enthusiast in his own right, Stewart plays around in the kitchen, which brought about another musthave item you’d probably rather keep to yourself, the Steak and Truffle Frittes: peppercorn crusted beef tenderloin served with parmesan creamed spinach, herb compound butter, and truffle frites.

Alongside kitchen manager Emily Elizabeth Ellis, Stewart has managed to curate some of the restaurant’s most successful menu items, but their carefully crafted cocktail menu, featuring their oneof-a-kind beer cocktails, may just be what keeps your curiosity piqued. “So, we have sixteen beers on tap,” explains Ellis, who had the enviable job of tasting “each and every” one in order to dive into one of her many expert roles in the restaurant— mixologist. “Our cocktails turn out that even if you don’t like beer, it’s something that you can enjoy because it’s unique with the flavor palate,” she says. Experience beer in a completely different way, starting out with the Yuengling Shandy: Yuengling, Grand Marnier, Peach Schnapps, and house sparkling lemonade. Stewart is a fan of The Spaniard, which is a fabulous mix of Stella Artois, 1800 Reposado, Triple sec, and house lemonade.

FOOD

An extensive sharable plates list, salads and Naan flatbreads, plus a dessert menu.

A variety of sharable plates starting at $9, flatbreads starting at $11, and affordable craft cocktails.

PRICE

Experience beer in a completely different way, starting out with the Yuengling Shandy: Yuengling, Grand Marnier, Peach Schnapps, and house sparkling lemonade. Stewart is a fan of The Spaniard, which is a fabulous mix of Stella Artois, 1800 Reposado, Triple sec, and house lemonade.

Not to be outdone by the nuanced cocktails, the martinis on the menu demand more than just a glance, particularly the Salted Caramel Martini: Rum Chata, Smirnoff Salted Caramel vodka, and caramel sauce with a sugared and salted rim. “My mom always told me that I have bougie taste buds,” laughs Ellis, who raves about their in-house simple syrups and freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice for their plethora of boozy blends.

Enjoying a meal or a drink at Five 19 is an all-encompassing experience, further elevated by the space. With the gifted vision of interior decorator Clint Downing and Heather Thacker from Redesign Management, the interior of the restaurant transports patrons to an age-old tavern-esque atmosphere that could make you feel as though you have left Northeast Louisiana. The romantic feel is in the details. The bar was made from reclaimed wood taken from an abandoned building in Historic Downtown Monroe. Downing snagged and reclaimed tin ceiling tiles, using them as the backsplash to the bar, which is the central piece of the space, due mostly to the vintage bar display and worn barstools.

A craveable item on the other side of the protein spectrum from the “Sharable Plates” section of the menu that you may be reluctant to portion among friends. Here, crispy wontons are topped with ahi tuna tossed with soy sauce and scallions, fresh avocado slices, crisp cabbage, pineapple-mango pico de gallo, then drizzled with cool, spicy wasabi mayo.

Rum Chata, Smirnoff Salted Caramel vodka, and caramel sauce with a sugared and salted rim.

“I didn’t want anything that looked too brand new,” attests Stewart, who partook in the artful conception of the interior by way of his own carpenter skills. “I built the tables myself. I’m a little handy,” he laughs. Adding to the timeworn ambiance are blown-up vintage flyers that Downing found in auctions. He printed some on canvas, changing a few of the words in order to fit the tapas theme. One in particular reads, “so good...I’d tapas that.” Downing is also to credit for the delightful display of small, black and white porcelain plates of varying designs, playfully arranged above the entryway. “I want it to be a social environment,” explains Stewart, who hopes that the small plate concept translates into an immersive and engaging evening between family and friends.

From offshores worker to restaurant owner, Stewart is not shy admitting that he is living his dream. “That makes me proud, and happy,” he says. Driven by the evolving nature of the restaurant, alongside the many grueling hours he has accumulated in sharpening his skills, Stewart welcomes the daily challenges of his chosen career path. And, though he may not be in it just for the fun like his early years, the payoff of building a unique and well-established eatery is one he is grateful to be sharing with the Northeast Louisiana community.

Five 19 Tap House & Tapas is located at 519 Desiard St, Monroe, LA 71201. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday between 4 to 11 PM, and Wednesday and Friday between 11 AM to 11 PM. Visit their Facebook page for food and drink specials.

ASHLEY HUBENTHAL WAS BORN AND RAISED IN Monroe and truly has a passion for the 318! With two decades in marketing, sales and communications, she is excited to become a licensed Realtor®, an industry that is a natural fit for her. Ashley obtained her undergraduate degree from LSU in Mass Communications. “One of my first jobs was working for the local university paper where I honed my journalism and writing skills,” said Ashley. “I somewhat fell into sales when I just happened to be in the office and they were looking for a sales person. I quickly fell in love with the business of sales and building relationships with people.”

Ashley went on to obtain her Masters Degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism from UNO, where she was immersed in the hospitality field. She worked at a corporate event management company, where she learned logistics, design and execution of large scale events. “Not only did I learn event coordination, but I experienced thinking on my feet in high pressure situations,” said Ashley.

She knew she wanted to return to her roots and moved back to Monroe in 2010, where she quickly became involved in the community. Ashley was an integral part of the downtown Monroe revitalization efforts, creating synergy with events like the Downtown Pub Crawl, the Monroe Renaissance Up on the Rooftop Party and more. Ashley is the founder of the Cinderella Project of Monroe and the creator of the Bayou Desiard Dragon Boat Festival, which has raised thousands of dollars for local non-profits since its inception. For the past seven years, Ashley was employed at BayouLife Magazine. She worked with hundreds of local business owners, creating and executing marketing strategies for a variety of types of businesses and played an integral role in the day-today operations of the magazine.

“I truly believe that my education and experience have prepared me for my new venture,” said Ashley. “Not only am I extremely passionate about our community, but I have built relationships with a variety of people in our community - from local lenders, contractors, inspectors and more - all of which are assets and resources that I use for my clients.” With her years of experience in marketing and events, Ashley has a proactive attitude and a problem solver mindset, which can be a lifesaver for her clients. “I also pride myself on attention to detail and I work with professional stagers and photographers, ensuring my clients’ houses not only show in the best light, but sell quickly.” And as a buyer’s agent, Ashley relies on her tenacious tendencies to ensure that she finds her clients the perfect home, while making sure they are taken care of through the entire process.

“I am excited to be a full-time Realtor® with John Rea Realty, an agency that I have admired for years. I have already learned so much from their experience and expertise. By working with agents that have been doing this for decades, I have tons of knowledge at my fingertips and I look forward to being an asset in our community for years to come!”

THIS FALL, MAKE SURE TO TREAT yourself. Over the last few decades, our clinic has acquired the equipment and expertise to offer a palette of state-of-the-art procedures to maximize your appearance and personal health.

We strive to offer our cosmetic services and procedures at affordable prices, which represent real value in today’s world. These various high-tech services can be obtained at our private clinic here in the Monroe area for a fraction of the charge for the same procedure in other cities. We are aware that our patients are interested in getting the best value, and we are structured to deliver this.

Everyone can benefit from the Hydrafacial procedure. It is inexpensive, gives immediately noticeable results, only takes about 30 minutes, and has no social downtime. The procedure is extremely pleasant and relaxing. We have the latest Hydrafacial equipment and a dedicated technician to perform it in a private setting. The procedure minimizes skin discoloration and brightens skin tone, instantly minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin is saturated with antioxidants and peptides to maximize skin glow. Uncover a new layer of skin with exfoliation and resurfacing.

We are among the earliest adopters of Vaser Liposuction in the world. In fact, we have taught and demonstrated this unique procedure for doctors from as far away as Seoul, Korea.

Vaser liposuction uses a very small incision to emulsify and remove fat. The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia, saving the expense of a hospital or surgery center. The results are immediate, unlike various non-invasive treatments which may or may not work.

Hormone pellets have helped thousands of men and women achieve hormonal balance for restoration of their health. We offer hormone pellets and hormone testing in our clinic. The pellets look much like a grain of rice and are placed under the skin where hormones are released as they dissolve over a period of months. For most people, this is the easiest way to replace missing hormones. If you have fatigue, depression, anxiety, decreased sexual performance, muscle wasting, insomnia, or weight gain, it might be appropriate to have your hormones checked.

Our clinic has state-of-the-art lasers for the treatment of numerous medical and cosmetic problems. Unfortunately, this involves too much information to include in this space but will be detailed in future articles.

We also offer Botox and Dysport, Juvederm and Restylane fillers, and various cosmeceutical beauty correcting formulas, all priced competitively.

Please call us at 387-3113if we can provide you with additional information.

WE ARE WELCOMING THE NEW fall season, which means winter and the holiday season are quickly approaching. Soon, entertaining friends and family will be at the forefront of your mind, which may or may not be an exciting experience. For some, hosting these gettogethers may be stressful due to the perceived comfort of their home. For you, we hope you enjoy your home to the fullest with your family and friends this holiday season and for years to come. We are here to help you prepare for the holidays by making your home the best it can be. Since the kitchen is one of the most popular gathering places for guests, most homeowners tend to focus solely on remodeling it around the holidays. While most guests tend to visit the kitchen to help prepare meals, spend time with others and assist in other preparations, which usually means sneaking samples of the food or beverages, other guests may enjoy company around the dinner table, being entertained in the living area or visiting guests on the patio. While we consider the kitchen to be a universally loved room in the house, there are multiple spaces you can update to make your home more enjoyable for yourself and your loved ones. When updating your kitchen, minimalism and storage seem like they are contradictory, but they pair well. Minimalist styling has a simple elegance that will last for years to come while having enough storage space will help prevent clutter and kitchen accidents. Quick updates to your lighting can change the atmosphere, while larger updates such as new cabinets and countertops take a bit longer but have a larger impact on your home design. If you feel your kitchen is too small, consider removing a wall to expand your kitchen or create a more open floor plan.

Dining and living areas are wonderful places to enjoy your company on a more personal level. While furniture updates help keep your home comfortable and trendy, consider new windows and doors to open the space with more natural light. Updated lighting can help change the atmosphere, while new floors update the look and feel of the room.

Changes in flooring and furniture can change the acoustics of the space, which can impact the atmosphere of the room, but the durability, look and feel of the flooring should be the biggest decision.

In your living space, creating or updating a fireplace can be a great project. If you currently have a fireplace, updating it with a new mantle, changing the color or finish of the fireplace, or converting it from wood burning to gas are all wonderful transformations to consider. If you have a fireplace and hang things above the mantle, be aware of the heat when using the fireplace. Excess heat can damage artwork and electronics and may void warranties for certain technology. Other heat sources, such as a fireplace built into the patio, are a great option for keeping guests warm and have an inviting atmosphere outdoors.

All the projects mentioned are just a few of the home improvement options the professionals at Achievers Home Improvements can and will gladly provide their advice on. Achievers Home Improvements also has financing options available and would love to help make your home the best it can be this season. Feel free to visit our showroom at 304 Downing Pines Rd in West Monroe or schedule your complimentary consultation and estimate at 318-325-0555. Visit our website at www.achieversinc.com for more information on our services because, at Achievers Home Improvements, WE DO IT ALL!

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE for such a warm welcome to the Northeast Louisiana community. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so the southern summer temperatures are giving new meaning to my definition of what “hot” means! I am honored to serve this community through the St. Francis Podiatry Clinic. I recently finished my residency training in Toledo, Ohio, at a level 1 academic trauma center. I have completed extensive training in a wide variety of traumatic injuries to the lower extremities. With the exciting news that St. Francis Medical Center is in the process of becoming this region’s only accredited trauma center, I am looking forward to using my training and skills to treat those who need trauma services. Although I meet these patients under unfortunate circumstances, I find it truly rewarding to play a small part in their rehabilitation and, ultimately, their recovery!

One of my specific interests lies in the sub-specialty of limb salvage. We are actively building a comprehensive Limb Salvage Program at St. Francis Medical Center. This program, consisting of physicians representing various specialties, will be focused on treating patients facing amputation in Northeast Louisiana. Our area has a rising epidemic of diabetes that dwarfs the statistics of most other states in the country. Because this disease can result in many problems for patients, including a higher risk of feet or leg amputation, their care can be challenging for the team of physicians working to keep them healthy. Because of the training I received through my residency program, I have honed a unique and specific skill set to help prevent major amputations of the lower extremities. I am very humbled to fill a need in the community for a physician specifically trained in techniques of advanced external fixation, flap coverage for wounds and the complex reconstruction of these challenging deformities.

I have enjoyed getting to meet so many people as I begin to settle into my new clinic. The Monroe/West Monroe community is larger than I initially thought but still offers a very “hometown” atmosphere. I am continually impressed by the strong sense of community here. I am an avid sports fan and a die-hard member of the “Steeler Nation.” I love seeing how passionate local residents are about their favorite sports teams. Being a former collegiate athlete myself, I enjoy treating athletes of all levels. During my training, I served as a consultant for several high school sports teams and am excited to continue to do so right here in Northeast Louisiana. As a former athlete, I understand being on the other side of the exam room so I can truly appreciate the passion to get back on the field as soon as possible! With my training and expertise, I can help make that happen.

Dr. David Tran, DPM, AACFAS practices at the St. Francis Podiatry Clinic located in the St. Francis Community Health Center, 2600 Tower Drive, Suite 215, in Monroe; phone number (318) 966-6480.

FOREVER YOUNG article and illustration by LOU DAVENPORT

I’ve been wanting to write about Bob Dylan since the first of this year. Dylan turned 80 on May 14th and I’ve been listening to him since I was fifteen years old. But, after reading at least eight different books about him through the years, I thought I’d skip all the information that everybody probably knows and tell things that you might not know. Since he’s been performing since the early 60’s, there’s not enough room to list all I know about his career in one column.

There’s so much that has been written both, factual and fictional, I thought I’d tell about some of the things I’ve learned about him that I know to be true.

To date, Dylan has written over 500 songs and those songs have been recorded by over 2,000 other singers. He has sold millions of albums.

In 1970, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of music from Princeton University. In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has won numerous Grammys and in 2001, an Oscar and Golden Globe award for Best Song, “Most of the Time,” for the movie, “Wonder Boys,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Toby McGuire. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded him the Medal of Honor, the highest honor for a civilian. And in 2016, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Dylan first decided to go “electric” at the Newport Jazz Festival and he was booed. His performance only lasted 15 minutes before he and his band left the stage. Later, he would unite with former Hawks member, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manual, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko who would later be known as “The Band.”

Aside from all that, Dylan is an incredible visual artist. When he first moved to New York, his first girlfriend, Suze Rotolo, noticed he “doodled” on napkins and paper a lot so she started taking him to art museums. He was drawn to the work of the artists of that time like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. From that spark, Dylan began to draw and then paint, especially when he is on tour. Through his travels, he has painted old motels, signs and landscapes that capture the time as well. Many of the places he’s painted, he used a camera to capture the moment. But, his paintings are as timeless as the subjects he paints and he keeps getting better.

Another interesting and creative side to Dylan is that he collects “junk” and turns it into beautiful works of art. He learned to weld, so, he lays out the objects until he gets the design right and then welds them all together. Some are gates, some are tables, some mirrors, some are banisters while others are just beautiful works that can hang on walls. He has a studio in Malibu that he’s named “Black Buffalo Ironworks.” He goes looking for junk wherever he tours.

Which brings me to a very interesting story that my friend, Doyle Jeter told me. In fact, Doyle is who told me about Dylan’s paintings and his welded sculptures! I knew that Doyle had actually met Bob Dylan and that he had been to Enoch’s, Doyle’s bar and pub, but I didn’t know the entire story.

Doyle is good friends with Dylan’s bass player, Tony Garnier. When Dylan was scheduled to play at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, the power went out and wouldn’t be fixed for several days. Tony called Doyle to ask if there was any place in Monroe that they could play that was close-by. Doyle suggested the Jack Howard Auditorium and got Tony the number. Bob also asked Tony to see if there were any interesting places or sights they could go see before the concert. The concert was immediately booked and Bob and the band came over to Monroe. Doyle made a list with a map of things Dylan could do while he was here. The band and Dylan booked rooms at the old Howard Johnson motel that was near the Civic Center. After they checked in, Doyle actually took the list and map and handed it to Dylan. Doyle said Dylan was on the second floor, walked out on the balcony and reached down and got the list from Doyle.

The band and Doyle went out to eat at Ma and Pa’s, a restaurant that was in West Monroe. Dylan rented a car and he and two “wardrobe mistresses” went to all the places around here that Doyle had suggested. Dylan actually walked around what is now Antique Alley into some of the shops and ended up buying a few things at the Army/Navy Surplus store. When Dylan was checking out, an older lady who was an employee said, “Do you know who you look like?” and Dylan replied, “Oh, yeah, I get that a lot!”

Later that day, Dylan did show up at Enoch’s but Doyle had put on the marquee outside “Post Party After Dylan Concert.”

Doyle had planned a private party and only invited a few friends that he knew were going to the concert and would like to meet Bob Dylan. But, because Doyle had used his name, Dylan got angry and left. He was angry that Doyle had used his name! Needless to say, Mr. Dylan did not show up at the after party but the band did and partied until 5 a.m! Dylan left the Jack Howard Theatre on his motorcycle with his tour bus following him down I-20 to Vicksburg where they turned down Hwy 61 S. to New Orleans where they’d be playing their next date. The band followed the next day on the other two tour buses.

Doyle had another meeting with Dylan in New Orleans. Doyle, Yvette and a few friends had gone down for the concert and knew that Dylan and the band were staying at a small hotel, The Toulouse. They were out front and Doyle said security was tight. But, out walked Dylan and when he say Doyle he stopped long enough to shake hands. But, when Yvette saw him, she was star struck ( I would have been, too) and threw her arms around him and hugged him! Doyle said you could see Dylan recoil because he doesn’t like anybody touching him. But, he was nice and went quickly on his way.

The third time Doyle met him was after a concert and his daughter, Molly went along. This time they had back stage passes and when they went back stage Dylan was in a room by himself. The band that included G.E. Smith was in another room. The band was friendly and conversation fun but, Molly got up and went out in the hall. At some point the door was locked from the outside and they couldn’t get out! After several tense minutes, the door opened and there stood Molly. When asked what was going on she said she had just been talking with Bob! After the concert, they were invited to Mulatte’s to a private gathering and Dylan was there along with his son, Jakob. Once again, Dylan shook Doyle’s hand and was very polite. Doyle talked Molly into taking one of Enoch’s cards over to Dylan to see if he would autograph it. He did! The card now hangs on the wall at the pub.

One other thing that Dylan has invested in is a distillery in Nashville. You can tour the distillery that makes “Heaven’s Gate” bourbon, whiskey and rye whiskey. The labels on each bottle feature three of the many metal gates Dylan has made.

I asked some of my Facebook friends had they ever seen Bob Dylan in concert. Many have, although I have never gotten to! Robert Riddle has seen him four times, Joan Taylor has seen twice and one of those times, Dylan kept the lights on the audience, not himself! She said her son was named Dylan! Josh Madden has seen Dylan three times, one of those being at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport and he described the set to look like an old Hollywood movie set. Bob Eisenstadt saw Dylan when “The Band” was backing him in 1975, as did Paul Abraham. My cousin, Loretta saw Dylan in Jackson and said he never communicated with his audience, just walked out, sang and left. Leslie Booher says when she and her husband, David, saw him in St. Louis, his voice was very weak. Jackie Mullin saw him at the Saenger in New Orleans, and said he was great! One of my students, Ashley Nugent saw him in Lafayette and became a huge fan! My own son, Adam saw him at Jazzfest several years ago and Chelsey, Adam’s fiance’ said her parents went to see him in Jackson several years ago and he sounded horrible. They were so disappointed and many people walked out. Sandra Gay Smith saw him in Lafayette. The record holder who has seen Dylan six times is Joey Mickel!

Dylan seems to be a mercurial, moody, private, and rude man but at times he can be polite, kind and generous. He’s been singing, writing, and touring for over forty years and that is not an easy thing for anyone to do. He’s a legend, but, he’s managed to stay “forever young.”

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this column, especially Doyle Jeter, my friend and owner of Enoch’s Pub

AFTER THE PAST YEAR OF LIVING SOCIALLY DISTANT and behind masks, we think reconnecting is more important and coveted than ever.

Unfortunately, it’s also more challenging for those of us with hearing loss — which is the biggest reason why 2021 should be the year to test your hearing and treat it if you have hearing loss.

Just in case reconnecting to life and making sure you never miss out again isn’t reason enough, let us offer up a dozen more: 1. Hearing tests are painless, frequently free, and there are online hearing tests that only take about five minutes of your day. 2. Nearly half the people who reported no trouble hearing actually turned out to have mild hearing loss. 3. Adults with moderate hearing loss are 3X more likely to develop dementia over time, and 5X more likely if their hearing loss is severe. 4. Untreated hearing loss can increase the risk of falls by 30 percent. 5. In studies, hearing loss was linked to higher risks of loneliness and social isolation. 6. If your hearing test shows your hearing is normal, you can rub it in the face of all the people who accused you of being hard of hearing. (Turns out they are mumbling, right?) 7. Researchers think that treating hearing loss early is one of the biggest things you can do to help reduce your risk of dementia. 8. Once you’re 50, experts recommend getting hearing screenings every three years. 9. Per Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins Medicine, “The earlier hearing loss is treated, the easier it is for the brain to adapt.” 10. Hearing loss may be an early warning sign or red flag for other health conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 11. Older adults who treated their hearing loss with hearing aids reported their quality of life was significantly improved. 12. Being proactive about your hearing health today will pay off hugely tomorrow and for the rest of your life!

Think you may have hearing loss? You can test your hearing for free using our online hearing test at aucibelmonroe.com. Or, find out for sure by scheduling a thorough evaluation at our Monroe location by calling 318-325-2363 or our Ruston location at 318-251-1272.

FALL IS HERE AND HAVEN IS stocked with so many amazing items this season. New candle lines, bath products, a restock on jewelry, and pajamas are all out and ready for you to see! New debuts also include beautiful design accessories, trays, and lamps, perfect for your home.

The Pura Diffuser has arrived for NEST! The set contains Bamboo and Grapefruit making it a favorite for NEST lovers. The Pura device allows you to control the amount of scent in your space, schedule a time and even change between the two scents, all from your phone. Haven also has the Pura diffuser set for Lafco, which has two favorite scents of Champagne and Chamomile & Lavender.

Haven has a new section that highlights the Monroe area. They have worked hard to find vendors that promote Monroe and ULM. Cute mugs, napkins, cups, and notepads let you show your spirit for our hometown.

A must-have this fall is their lightweight rain jacket that comes in several colors. Stylish, with a hidden hood, it is ideal for running errands on those dreary days. They also have a rain cape that is easy to throw on and folds up to a size that fits in your purse. Cole Haan rain jackets for men are a new addition to the guy’s section. They are a great fit and available in two colors.

Several shipments of down throw pillows have been arriving at Haven over the last several weeks. Solid velvets, interesting patterns, and textures round out the assortment to add interest to your sofa or bedding. Shades of blues, greens, and earthy colors, as well as neutrals are all represented. Haven is a great place to shop for bedding. With a nice selection of coverlets in cottons and velvets, you are sure to find something you love. One of the designers, Analise or Kelly, can help you pull together a beautiful combination in your choice of colors. They have seven lines of bedding, so they are sure to have something just right for your space. If they don’t have the size and color you need, they will be glad to order it for you and most pieces arrive in less than two weeks. With most all the coverlets being machine washable, they are also very practical.

Merchandise is arriving daily and Haven always has so many great gift ideas. Their complementary wrapping provides the perfect presentation for gift giving. You can always use their TEXT to SHOP by texting 267-7577 and one of their staff will be glad to send you pictures if you are shopping for something specific. They are open Monday – Friday from 10:00-5:00 and Saturday from 10:00-3:00. Stop by Haven today!

DO YOU WAKE UP FEELING LESS LIKE SLEEPING beauty and more like Frankenstein? Do you find yourself drifting off at work or felling like a zombie even after a night’s rest? You may be suffering from severe sleep deprivation.

On average, adults require between seven to nine hours of nightly sleep. Often though, work schedules and day-to-day stressors prevent us from receiving enough quality sleep, making daily tasks monstrous. You spend about a third of every day in bed. Whether that time is spent blissfully slumbering -- or tossing and turning -- depends a lot on your mattress.

American Mattress Outlet is home to several lines of mattresses including: Signature by Southerland, Thermo Balance, Scandinavian Sleep, Englander, Symbol, Evolution Sleep and Wellsville. With a range of mattresses, there is something for everyone at American Mattress Outlet. The team at American Mattress Outlet are sleep experts, and are equipped with knowledge to help customers make the best choices to improve their sleep experience.

Owner Robby Compton says this, “We see people that have horrible sleep experiences and by guiding them to a better pillow or mattress that fits their sleep positioning, we can improve someone’s life, and that is what makes me and my team so passionate about this business.”

And for our frugal shoppers, Robby promises to cut out the sticker shock, “Our tag line is ‘We are American Mattress Outlet, where you don’t have to go into debt to get a great night’s sleep’ and we mean that. We find the perfect mattress for your needs and budget without sacrificing quality for price.”

The experts at American Mattress Outlet understand the importance of a great night’s sleep a pride themselves on providing their clients with a robust collection of mattresses, pillows, and adjustable bases sure to soothe even the most restless sleeper.

It’s all treats and no tricks at American Mattress Outlet. This fall, let the team at American Mattress Outlet help you take your sleep to the next level! Ditch your old mattress and visit Robby and his team today at 2200 North 7th Street, Suite A in West Monroe or reach them by phone at 318.366.5565. You can also visit them online at www. americanmattressoutletwm.com or follow them on Facebook.

BY J. PRESTON PARRY, MD, MPH

THE POWER OF A “HOME ISSUE” for a magazine isn’t just updating the details of where you live. It’s about taking control of your world, creating meaning, and forming lasting memories. There are many ways this can be achieved. I fondly remember days as a struggling student where two new dog beds were a huge step forward in taking care of my family. I feel one reason remodeling may strike a deep chord with many of us is that it’s a physical expression of our nesting instincts—a way of investing what we can in providing a safe space for those we love. As a fertility specialist, I have seen some spectacular nurseries over the years for babies we’ve helped bring into this world. However, if the average six-month-old can only see several feet, I know that the elaborate wall designs aren’t entirely for them. That’s okay, after all, what is more worth celebrating?

In building our two full fertility clinics in Madison, MS, and Shreveport, LA, I’ve tried to turn them into homes, as well. While gynecology doesn’t exactly lend itself to an open floor plan; from high ceilings, warm lighting, real flowers, and comfort food for anyone coming through the door, we’ve never wanted the experience to be that of a typical medical office. Our art resonates with purpose, having egg and nest themes paralleling the roles of the ovaries and uterus, as well as water themes linked to hysteroscopy, as part of a more gentle approach to understanding the pelvis. We even have kintsukuroi pottery, which is a Japanese concept where broken bowls are repaired through gold seams, symbolizing that no matter how broken we may feel, we are more valuable in how we come back together. Also, some of the most beautiful aspects to me are things that couples never see or appreciate, such as how state-of-the-art HVAC creates air purity helping embryos thrive, which will someday become children. However, what truly turns Positive Steps Fertility into a home is the real love and respect we have for each other and our patients as soon as they come through the door.

I’ll admit I’m a bit of a nerd, so when writing about the meaning of life issues such as family, I’ll probably come across as more awkward than when I talk more technically about reproductive testing and clinical success rates. At least anyone who has read this far knows I haven’t used a ghostwriter, as they probably would have never written anything like this. However, my purpose in this world relates to why this issue of BayouLife matters. I get up every day so that couples don’t have an empty house instead of a home. Along with the whole PSF team, I hope that your world is filled with everyone that makes everything else worthwhile.

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