INSIDE VOICES

ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

“That is a very lackluster story,” says Tyler Jones. Auburn hair styled in a mullet mohawk, ear gauges, and black-rimmed, rectangular glasses, the vocalist and guitarist of Inside Voices is not exactly one to blend into the background. “So, Conner’s girlfriend just pitched the name. I don’t know where she got it from,” he says, mentioning the band’s drummer, Connor Matthews. “We heard that, and we were just like, that sticks.” Perhaps the name of their band doesn’t have any specific meaning (because they are not quiet by any means), but therein lies the message says Jones: “It can have whatever meaning anybody wants it to have.” According to the band, everybody has inside voices, and in their latest album Liminal Space (2022) they offer a glimpse of some of their own.

Around 2009, Jones and Matthews started performing together as teenagers. “Connor and I were playing music together like in various bands in high school and whatnot…from there, we just kind of clicked; we found that we had like this chemistry,” says Jones. Breaking away from the “metalcore emo bands,” they formed another band called No Regrets where they began to write their own music. But then, Jones split after graduating from high school, moving to Ruston. While a student at Louisiana Tech University, Jones kept writing, thinking, “I just gotta get back to Connor, I gotta. That’s my drummer.” Jones finally got over to him with a handful of songs, and the result was their first self-titled EP Inside Voices (2016). Their second album and first LP was then released in 2018, Consecutive Normal Songs. “We did that with Eric Woolard, a buddy of ours that lives in Jackson,” says Jones, explaining that the band has been recording with him for close to 10 years. “We met him while we were in high school. And so, it’s been cool, like, growing as musicians and seeing him grow as a producer.”

For a while, Inside Voices was just a three-man band, until Matthews started pushing Jones to add a second guitar. “I’m really weird about creative control,” says Jones. Fortunately, the addition of an extra guitarist happened naturally. Already acquainted with Alex Stokes by way of their early band days, the pair began to joke about having Stokes join a practice, but when he finally came to jam “everything flowed really well. And now we’re here.” The most recent addition has been Taylor Bice on bass who joined the players around 2021. A harmonious combination of similar music tastes and playing “whatever feels good,” as Jones Usually categorized as Indie, math rock, and emo, Inside Voices prefers to stick to the description “Louisiana Y’allternative Rock.” Though Jones puts it, is what points out that the band’s early years were makes Inside Voices the kind of “definitely a lot more punk, but we had a lot of math rock influences.” In fact, his guitar playing was heavily influenced by bands like The Fall of Troy, band you would Chon, and TTNG (formerly known as This Town go see even on a Tuesday night. Needs Guns). “So, heavily post prog rock mixed with a lot of math rock” explains Jones. Overall, he and Matthew have been “massively” influenced by indie rock bands Title Fight and Glocca Morra, ~ VANELIS RIVERA a foundation still present in their current writing. Their music and music tastes have not necessarily changed drastically, but they have explored different avenues, further texturizing their sound. “We don’t really know what the genre class for ourselves [is],” says Jones, but they enjoy hearing the vast input from people. One comparison they’ve gotten a few times is with alternative rock/power pop band Weezer. Whenever they dropped one of their music videos when still a three-piece a viewer posted under the video, “Not bad, but I’d rather get my Weezer first hand.” Jones freely admits, “Oh, we laughed so hard at that.” Currently, Jones writes most of the lyrics, though Matthews has a few credited to him, particularly the song “Both” in the EP Seek (2020). Thematically Jones is drawing mostly from personal experience. His early songs were a bit “random.” He was just graduating college and was writing on a variety of experiences. One of his favorite songs is about his cat Cheese; another is about a game he used to play with college friends called Dark Souls. Some songs get even more specific, like the one recounting the time Jones ran over a bear on I-20. By the 2020 album, his points of exploration

got more intimate. “I was going through a lot of stuff personally,” he says. At the time, his grandmother, a person he considered his best friend, passed away. This tremendous loss paired with other family complications made for, what he considered, existential approaches to songwriting. “So, Seek is collectively just kind of about, like… me, I guess. Not getting a grasp on adulthood,” he says, though he backtracks, admitting that trying it may take a lifetime to truly get a grasp on adulthood.

The album Liminal Space was written during the pandemic. The first song titled “A Hero Appears” is drawn from Jones’ favorite anime Ping Pong (2014). Much of the premise of the show intermingles comparisons of philosophical and theological concepts from Buddhism, Taoism, and perspectives on enlightenment. “So the whole idea of the song was opening up the EP with movement,” he explains, referencing the imagery of hiding in a shell and needing to break out of it, which is indicative in the lyrics, “I sense that there is something more. / What am I waiting for? / A hero appears and / I feel alive again.” In this context, “hero” is open to interpretation, as it can be an influential thought or any driving force that creates an impetus for self-improvement. The second track, “Thank, Prometheus,” uses the Greek myth to comment on how technology has changed the world. “The whole song is kind of about the whole idea of Pandora’s box, you know, like releasing something you can’t put back in, and it having these crazy effects.” Initially, Jones wanted to name the song “Pandora’s Box” but considered it too derivative, so he read about the myth and found that it has origins with Prometheus “doing some wacky stuff.” One of the more upbeat tracks in the album is “Snooze,” a track that not only touches on a subject most people struggle with most mornings, but that extends to the dread of having to wake up to the reality of the pandemic: “Hitting snooze / I’m sleeping in / How did I end up like this? / I’ve got to make myself better again.”

In the span of seven years, the members of Inside Voices have not only immersed themselves in the creation of original music but have also toured fervently. Besides the regional hotspots like New Orleans, Lafayette, Mississippi, and “a good bit” in Texas, they have also gone to Missouri and Oklahoma. Their love of performance is best summed up by Jones who says, “If I could smoke the feeling that you get from playing live, I would have a problem.” He admits that songwriting is one of his true loves, but being able to perform in front of people is his ultimate vice. “The feeling of people approaching us after the show and telling us how much you know, they enjoyed it or any random comment… stuff like that is just—I am in my prime whenever I’m on stage.” Stokes and Bice second this sentiment, Bice adding, “It just doesn’t feel like much else…I just get up there and turn my brain off while we’re doing a set.”

A harmonious combination of similar music tastes and playing “whatever feels good,” as Jones puts it, is what makes Inside Voices the kind of band you would go see even on a Tuesday night, a feat they recently pulled off at Ruston’s Sundown Tavern. While sharing the stage with two other out-of-town bands, their opening set pulled the mostly young adult audience to the front of the stage. Full of carefree energy that keeps an audience joyous and mellow at the same time, these local guys are tapping into the pulse of what it means to be wild, young, and free. “One of my favorite things about this is being able to express ourselves in this way,” says Jones. In spite of the changes they’ve undergone over the years, and the ones sure to come, Jones holds that “all of it still feels right.”

Check out Inside Voices on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to learn about future performances.

The Cancer Foundation League celebrated an Evening of Southern Elegance Gala, April 9th at the Bayou DeSiard Country Club. Guests enjoyed great food, wine and champagne while raising money for area cancer patients. Auctioneer EZ Auctions, auctioned off many great items; trips, jewelry, wine and many more amazing items, giving everyone in attendance the chance at an item to bid on. After the auction and raffle, the stunning guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Lisa Span Band. The Cancer Foundation League has raised over $1.8 million dollars in Northeast Louisiana. With zero administrative costs, the CFL ladies volunteer their time to help patients with the financial strain that may burden them while battling their disease. 1

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1 Amanda and Dr. Brent McDonald, Christine and Jay

Gillikin 2 Caleb and Erin Etheridge, Amber and Josh Etheridge 3 Debbie McNew, Alise Oliver, Fran Miller and Lisa Vige 4 Debbie McNew, Heather Lee, Carla Costello and Alise Oliver 5 Dr. Sue Nawas, Claxton Mayo, Bill and Debbie Sawyer 6 George Aji, Gabby Elkins, Sherri and Wayne Jennings 7 Jeff and Debbie McNew, Theresa and Joey Fuller 8 Marion Willson, Alise Oliver, Lana Forte, and Mary Linda McCann 9 Stephanie Bryant and Jada Taylor 10 Murray and Donna Jackson, Megan and Mitch Jefcoat 11 Ronald and Ashley Herring 12 Melinda Winn and Steve Sills 13 Kayleigh Mailhes, Donna Jackson, Beth Lively and Aimee Kane 14 Jada Ali and Debbie Bourg

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Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design brings graphic design and interior design students together in a collaborative studio.

Marla Emory, Associate Professor of Interior Design, and Tom Futrell, Associate Professor of Graphic Design teach this winter quarter 10-week course. Emory and Futrell pair students from each degree program so they can collaborate on concept designs for a hotel and restaurant, solving real-world business challenges.

“Design programs tend to keep students in silos but that is not how the professional world works,” Emory said. “This studio helps students gain real-world, professional experience before they move onto internships or graduation.”

Futrell explained that in the modern academic setting students are not taught to collaborate with each other, but that is not how professional environments work.

During the course, students are tasked with testing ideas, learning from their partners, and going out of their comfort zones to create a final design concept for the end of the quarter showcase.

“At the end of the day, designers are communicators, and it’s their job to create a memorable experience for their audience,” Futrell said. “My favorite projects are the ones where students push themselves out of their comfort zone. I love when they discover they can do something they thought was impossible.”

The students who took part in this winter quarter studio brought different ideas to the table for their design concepts. Anna Lester, a graphic design student from Shreveport, was partnered with Audrey Bergstedt, an interior design student from Sulphur. The pair designed a hotel and restaurant that popped with color and personality.

“Audrey and I worked together to bring our wildest dreams to life through the resources provided to us such as the life size prints of our concepts and the different software we were able to experiment with during the quarter,” Lester said. “Creating the graphics for a Dolly Parton-themed restaurant and a hotel inspired by Magazine Street in New Orleans was my favorite project in my academic career.”

Emory and Futrell have traveled the country, educating other design programs about the experiential design studio and the benefits it can bring to students in both graphic design and interior design.

“There are not many design programs focused on collaboration and discipline interaction like we offer here at Louisiana Tech,” Emory said. “Students should have unparalleled learning opportunities that allow them to examine their careers beyond certain isolated professions.”

The experiential design studio is supported by alumni, faculty, administration, and national and local sponsors that have provided students with materials, trips to conferences and equipment.

“When students aren’t burdened with cost, they have more ability to experiment without risk,” Futrell said. “And when are students are able to create freely, they are able to imagine and design the impossible.”

This story was written by Communication student Kelly Cole.

LIKE MOST BUSINESSES, REGIONAL wealth management firm Argent Financial Group did not know what to expect when COVID hit just over two years ago.

The company certainly did not foresee setting records for growth. Yet that is exactly what happened in both 2020 and 2021. At the end of 2021, Argent was responsible for $39 billion in client assets, up from $27 billion at the close of 2019. Impressive for the current economic environment.

It has been said that the pandemic revealed who and what companies really are. Argent’s CEO, Kyle McDonald, thinks those circumstances allowed Argent to exemplify the company’s core commitment to personal service. When personal contact became all but impossible during the worst days of the pandemic, Argent professionals found a way to give clients personal attention and worldclass service.

In a low-growth industry during a global health and economic crisis, a company like Argent grows by being not only technically competent, but a true fiduciary, honor-bound to put the client’s best interests first.

McDonald also believes a good trustee is a good servant, and that the best trustees are servant leaders. That is, they combine unusual business acumen with the heart of a servant. At Argent this is called humble confidence, and it is goes to their very DNA as a company.

Call it what you wish – humble confidence or servant leadership – this, says McDonald, is the primary reason Argent is growing even during trying times. Argent professionals are known and respected for the ability to manage complex and generational wealth with exceptional care.

To be certain, other factors have also contributed to Argent’s growth, including the decision four years ago to bring backoffice operations in-house, providing greater efficiency and an even higher quality of service.

Another investment in the future made in recent years that is fueling Argent’s growth has been opening offices in eight new markets strategically located throughout the South: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Jackson, Oxford and Birmingham. These offices were staffed with outstanding professionals mostly because of competitors’ move away from the personal trust business.

Argent’s executive leadership has found that the corporate philosophy of personal service is attractive not only to discerning clients, but also to talented wealth management professionals, who appreciate the respect and collegial environment they find at Argent.

McDonald believes that Argent’s clients are prospering—and that the company is growing at a record-setting pace during a challenging time—because it has hired the best, brightest and kindest people.

Today, Argent—with over 300 employees and operations in 30 markets across 12 states and clients throughout the U.S.—has responsibility for $39 billion in client assets. The firm provides individuals, families, businesses and institutions with a broad range of wealth management services, including trusts and estate planning, investment management, ESOPs, retirement plan consulting, funeral and cemetery trusts, charitable organization administration, oil and gas (mineral) management and other unique financial services.

BY J. MARSHALL HAYNIE, MD

AMERICAN WRITER/SATIRIST, RUSSELL BAKER WROTE “Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” Even though temperatures may rise to nearly unbearable in our beloved Louisiana, we still flock to our lakes and rivers, fire up the grill and flip flops become the footwear of choice… only to be beat out by bare feet running down the pier. Unfortunately, these seasonal behaviors, can wreak havoc of our feet leading to foot pain, blisters and even increasing your risk of infection and injury

There is a lot you can do to protect your feet and ankles. Here are five tips to help keep your feet in tip top shape this summer.

Flip and flop in moderation. Flip Flops are a summer staple, and they are comfortable, convenient, and fun. However, flip flops typically offer little to no structural support around the foot and extraordinarily little, if any arch support. This lack of support can lead to foot/ankle pain and fatigue which can lead to even greater orthopedic issues. Flip Flops are not designed to wear all day. I tell my patients to wear the proper shoes for daily activities, so you can wear the fun shoes for special occasions or shorter periods of time. Not all flip flops are created equally… When shopping for a new pair, look for flip flops that have a thicker sole with arch support and a moderate toe box that allows minimal movement underneath the toes.

Drink plenty of water. Spending more time on our feet and in the summer, heat can cause our feet and ankles to swell and a big contributor to this swelling is dehydration. When you perspire and do not take in enough water, your blood will become slightly thicker which decreases circulation and can exacerbate foot and ankle swelling. When outdoors, try to always keep water with you and if the weather is particularly hot, try to continue drinking and do so regularly. If foot and ankle swelling persist, lie down, and elevate the feet higher than the rest of the body. You can also soak your feet in ice water for fifteen minutes or less to reduce swelling.

Wear your sunscreen! Summer footwear or lack thereof leads to greater sun exposure to the feet. In the summer, we replace shoes, boots and socks with flip flops and sandals. The skin on the outside of the foot is very thin and more susceptible to sunburns and sun damage and can increase the chance for calluses and blisters forming on the feet. Do not forget about your lower body! Getting a sunburn on your feet will make it very painful to wear shoes in the coming days.

Waterskiing… Woe is me! We love our lakes in Louisiana and one of our favorite pastimes is to get behind a boat on a pair of skis. Being aware of some of the common injuries associated with waterskiing can help water enthusiasts reduce risk of injury and seek proper treatment if an injury does ensue. Some of the more common water skiing injuries I see as a foot and ankle surgeon include ankle sprains, fractures and Achilles’ tendon injuries. In all water sports, ankle sprains are probably the most common injury. If the water skier catches the edge of the water, it can cause the foot to be pulled backwards causing the leg to move outwards or inwards resulting in either an ankle inversion sprain (outward) or ankle eversion sprain (inwards). Prevention and taking precautions are key to keeping you on the water. Make sure before you get behind the boat that you practice strengthening and conditioning exercises and that you are in sync with your boat captain regarding turns and speed changes. Remember to adjust the skis so that your feet are not wobbling in the event of a crash and most importantly, if you suspect or know you have an injury, do not push the limits, and consult an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist sooner rather than later. Also, with all water sports, whether it be the pool, the lake, the beach, be sure to rinse and clean your feet. Stagnant water often carries bacteria which can potentially lead to foot infections.

Do not ignore foot pain. If something happens to one or both of your feet, it can have a major impact on the rest of your body. Foot and ankle instability often leads to putting extra stress on our body, particularly the knees, hips, and spine. If you have an injured foot or have persistent pain, see your doctor. A lot of patients put off coming to see an orthopedic surgeon because they think we automatically direct you to have surgery. In reality, most of the time patients will not have surgery and there usually is a relatively quick fix that we can treat in the clinic.

With summer and greater exposure of your feet, do not ignore blisters, punctures or wounds and be mindful of your feet by strengthening and conditioning the feet and wearing the proper footwear for the designated activity.

If you would like more information on how to care for your feet and ankles, I encourage you to visit: http://myfootcaremd.com/ J. Marshall Haynie, MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in lower extremity/ foot & ankle, as well as general orthopedics. To schedule an evaluation, please call or visit: 866.759.9679 or orthopedicspecialistsla.com.

Article and Photography by HEATHER LAND

Not only are they striking to look at, these roots are a powerhouse addition to your plate. Rich in fiber, potassium, manganese, iron and vitamin C, beetroots and their juice are full of antioxidants and are also known for lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow. Raw beet’s mild, subtle flavor makes it the perfect power-packed punch of both color and nutrition to most anything including salads and tacos. Simply peel and shred. They keep better when stored sprinkled with a bit of lemon.

On Saturday March 26th The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana held its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Monroe Civic Center. Delicious food was served from over a dozen local restaurants accompanied by live music and numerous art and gift items in a silent auction. Artist Leigh Buffington created a live painting at the sold out event, and dozens of artists created beautiful bowls of various sizes and colors for patrons to take home. The goal of Empty Bowls is to raise awareness for hunger while raising critical funds to provide food assistance to those struggling with hunger in our community.

1 Leigh Buffington and Ashley Able 2 Brenda Howell, Terry Esswein and Susan Placke 3 Nic Pepper, Jenni Jordan and Halie Burnside 4 Catherine Yarbrough and Megan Butler 5 Lee Duke, Becky Bailey, Susan Guise, Sawyer

Keahey, Lisa Duffey and Beth Smalling 6 Cameron and Vicky Weaver 7 Lonesha Tyson, Odenesha Tyson and

Charleszette Tyson 8 Katy and David Boles 9 Anya, Keonia and Antonio Brown 10 Marion Zentner, Virginia and Joey Haddad 11 Amanda Buchart, Sarah Bridges and

Chelsea King 12 Linda Holyfield, Susan Bajon, Melissa Maxwell,

Pam Lavender, Jessica Bostic and Jazmaigne Sears 13 Lee Denton and Ashten Morgan

VALAYSIA SMITH, A 15-YEAR-OLD FROM OUACHITA Parish in Monroe Louisiana, is making her mark in history as the first from her hometown and parish to receive the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence. Smith was chosen to be a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders based on her superior academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. The honor was issued by The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The voracious student who holds a 3.9 GPA, plans to major in Biomedical Engineering when she attends college. She would like to matriculate at either Louisiana Tech University, Howard University or Louisiana State University.

During the two-day conference held in October 2021, she joined students from across the country and heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; was given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witnessed stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; became inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learned about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology. In addition to her award of excellence, Smith received college credit for attending the event.

Along with her interest in the medical field, Smith has multiple talents. She enjoys drawing, reading and writing as well acting and modeling. She also loves learning foreign languages and playing the piano and violin. The aspiring author is currently finishing her debut novel, a sci-fi fantasy, while also contributing a column for teens to her local newspaper, the Monroe Press. Active since her early childhood, she was once a member of an All-Star Cheerleading team.

In 2018, she received the Teen Business Award from the Global Power Tour for Women of Power by Women CEO Project for her online boutique, Unicorn Kingdom. Prior to closing due to the pandemic, it offered unicorn themed, jewelry, clothing, accessories, decorations and stuffed animals.

As Smith continues to accomplish more milestones, her mother, Lavandolyn Smith is excited about her daughter’s future opportunities including a chance to study abroad in Vietnam. “I am beyond proud of her. She deserves it. It has given her even more grit to keep pushing forward on the dreams and goals that she has set for herself. We all want to be recognized for our hard work,” she says.

Driven to achieve her dreams, Smith whose deceased father, William B. Smith, was a United State Air Force veteran, passionately strives toward her purpose. “You should always be the one holding the torch for others. I love the fact that I will be able to help others and save lives one day,” she says.

WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, ALL WE WANTED to do was grow up so we could make our own decisions, eat whatever we wanted, and go wherever with friends. We knew that being an adult had all these advantages that children did not get to experience. While there were perks, we didn’t see the downsides of growing up, until we start to age. Aging can be a difficult process, but when it comes to your home, we can help your home mature with you.

We decided to become Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists (CAPS) to grow with you by learning new technology, sustainable techniques, and quality standards to modify your home. Home modifications, for safety, comfort, and independence, are something to consider regardless of your age, ability, or income level. We have noticed that adults reaching retirement age want to continue living in their current residence and, by having CAPS home modifications, you can age gracefully while maintaining your current household lifestyle.

We can assist in developing your ideal home by adding new, convenient, accessibility options to your living spaces, especially when you prefer your current living arrangements to the alternative housing options, such as assisted living homes, independent living communities, or moving in with children. The decision to stay where you are can give you comfort and security in your surroundings and keep you close to your known routines, including your familiar day-today things, for example, your favorite hairdresser, church, and grocery stores.

Bathrooms are one of the best places to start. Walk-in tubs are easy to use and have wonderful features, like jets, lights, and builtin seating. However, if you prefer showers, consider converting your shower space into a full, walk-in shower and add extra stability with grab bars, a fold-down seat, or a handheld showerhead. Another option would be upgrading to tall, elongated toilets and adding a grab bar if needed.

To make your kitchen easier to use, having a more open space, and utilizing the cabinetry you already have can help. If you currently have shelves as part of your floor cabinets, installing drawers would allow you to use the entire space without having to get low to reach the back. For your upper cabinets, you can add pull-down shelves to keep items within a safe reaching distance.

For your outdoor spaces, ramps are a great option to convert indoor and outdoor steps and stairs for easier walking or wheelchair accessibility to your home. Adding a deck with a railing or replacing step stones with a smoother walking path can help prevent walking accidents. There is a multitude of options that allow you to upgrade your home features creatively and safely, regardless of what life stage you are in.

When deciding on a CAPS contractor in Northeast Louisiana, keep Achievers Home Improvements on your list. Your well-being in a home setting is what we care about. Let us help you stay independent, comfortable, and private in your own home. We are here to help, just give us a call to schedule your complimentary consultation and free estimate. Call us at 318-325-0555 or visit www.achieversinc.com/caps for more information. At Achievers, We do it all!

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT HAVING AN ice-cold drink on a hot day. Be it after a long day of playing in the sun, or an even longer day crossing things off the honey-do list, it’s always a perfect end to find one’s self sitting on the patio, looking out at nature under the hot sun and enjoying a crisp drink. Granted, after this day, breaking out a blender, cutting the ingredients, and making a fresh margarita may not be at the top of your list of to-do. Honestly, on a hot day, a lot of individuals crave that margarita flavor, with the freshness of the lime and sweetness of the agave. That is where Cayman Jack comes into play. With the bottled, malt margaritas you will get to enjoy something crisp and sweet.

Best enjoyed close to freezing, these bottled beverages have an incredible sweetness coming from the cane sugar, all mixed with delicious bitter limes and a deeper undertone from the agave nectar. Compared to other ‘margaritas’ in the bottle or can, Cayman Jack definitely surpassed each one with their ingredients and flavor. A little tip to up the margarita factor of this awesome little bottle would be to take a little margarita salt and sprinkle it into the open bottle.

Cayman Jack is a hand-crafted, ultra-premium malt beverage with smooth drinkability and just the right bite. Made with 100% blue agave nectar, natural lime juice, and real cane sugar, Cayman Jack makes it easy to discover something unexpectedly great. Drawing on the best of nature for inspiration, with a crisp and clean taste, it is arguably the most refreshing margarita in the world. Cayman Jack is available in 12oz bottles, 12oz cans and can also be enjoyed over ice.

Cayman Jack Margaritas fall under Mike’s Hard Lemonade portfolio. When the iconic hard lemonade was first introduced in Canada in 1997, it was spiked with vodka. However, when the drink was introduced to US consumers in 1999, the vodka was replaced with a proprietary malt liquor. Even as a malt beverage, Mike’s Hard still represented an exciting new world of possibilities to non-beer drinkers; Mike’s prides itself on being both easy to drink and easy to love. Being in the flavor beverage business, Mike’s has mastered the Flavor game.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade simply follows a 4-Step brewing process:

Ferment malt grains with our proprietary, bespoke yeast, filter through proprietary filtration technology, resulting in a very clean, neutral alcohol base. Squeeze and zest lemons to produce superior, natural lemon flavor. Add natural sugars and lemon flavor to the neutral alcohol base to produce the best liquids. Mike’s transforms this product to many different flavors, such as Original Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Peach Lemonade, Cranberry Lemonade, Black Cherry Lemonade and many more.

Spring is here and so is this springs most sought-after Seltzer. Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer is the Full Flavor Hard Lemonade Seltzer with 100 Calories, 1g Sugar, 5.0% ABV, and is Gluten Free. The Variety Pack includes four refreshing flavors: Lemon, Strawberry, Mango, and Pineapple. Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer is the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. With the kick of lemonade and the lighter, low alcohol profile of hard seltzer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer is a sessionable beverage made for gatherings. While we’re deep in the second surge of an unprecedented global pandemic, it is anyone’s guess what next summer will look like, but knowing that this effervescent lemonade is on the horizon gives us one guaranteed bright spot.

The company also makes a higher ABV option, called Mike’s Harder, which contains eight percent ABV. Mike’s Harder comes in a variety eight pack of 16 ounce cans, containing two each of Cranberry, Lemonade, Purple Grape, and Strawberry. It also comes in a tallboy 23.5 ounce can.

Mark Anthony Brand’s also owns MXD Cocktails Co., a 12 percent ABV RTD. These “Wildly Good” Pre-MXD cocktails come in four flavors: Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai and Strawberry Daiquiri.

Last but not least, White Claw fits into the “work hard, play hard” mentality of many young professionals, there weren’t any good options for a light and refreshing gluten-free drink that wasn’t either too sweet or too alcoholic. The 5% ABV White Claw Hard Seltzer is available in minimally sweet flavors with zero aftertaste.

Locally, Marsala Beverage employs about 100 full-time employees. Marsala Beverage, LP is the largest malt beverage, wine/spirits and non-alcoholic distributor in Northeast Louisiana. Their success is based on the fact that they never lose sight of delivering what is really important – quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for our customers’ needs. Annually, they deliver over 2.4 million cases of beverages to over 700 retail accounts.

Please find us at www.marsalabeverage.com or follow us on social media:

Facebook: Marsala Beverage Twitter: @marsalabeverage1 Instagram: @marsalabeverage

On April 7th, Citizens Progressive Bank hosted a ribbon cutting at their newly remodeled Home Mortgage center at 1804 N. 18th street in Monroe. Light hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were on hand for the community, board members and business partners to enjoy. Both the Monroe and West Monroe Chamber directors along with city officials spoke on the importance of community investment. Courtney Holyfield and her team welcomed everyone to the event and gifted the most creative branded logo cookies as a welcoming gift.

1 Edna Matthews and Debra Nelson 2 Mark and Courtney Holyfield 3 Joe Holyfield, Sarita Daniel and Roy Heatherly 4 Mark Holyfield and Mitch Houston 5 Paul Stephenson, Carmen Head and Paul West 6 Kristen Rider and Melanie Walker 7 Mack Anderson, Carmen Head, Mark and Courtney Holyfield, Dr. Mike Davis,

Gary Sanford, and Monty Adams

BY KYLE ROBERTS

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE coronavirus pandemic, a local grandmother felt hopeless after her 16-year-old grandson returned home from a stay in a psychiatric inpatient facility. The young man was angry, confused, and constantly getting into trouble, leading him down a path that would ultimately land him in prison, like so many other troubled youth. Finally, she reached out to the Brokers of Hope program in Union Parish, a division of The Center for Children and Families made possible through partnership with The Post Family Foundation chairman Glen Post. By doing so, her family was able to start with small steps. An advocate came to help be the voice for the grandson with the judicial system. The grandmother was able to set up clear expectations and boundaries for behavior. Now, they have access to local resources and help that they never would have received without Brokers of Hope. For the grandmother of this story, she now feels like she has a plan moving forward and feels hopeful for the first time in a long time.

Ragan Haynie now serves as the Director of Brokers of Hope to provide hope for families just like this one in Union Parish. “We’ve been afforded a unique opportunity to join arms with an amazing resource network full of partners willing to provide support to families in need. Brokers of Hope is a program designed to provide help to families by creating a pathway to a community ready to help through partnerships and collaboration with community partners, service providers, and local churches. Through our Family Advocacy program, we can serve families who have fallen through insurance, educational, or healthcare gaps. We are serving children and families who have no access or limited access to care and bridging them to sustainable support, and that is why this work is so important to me.”

Launched in February of 2019, the goal has always been community transformation and helping families who may fall in between gaps of insurance coverage receive needed services for hope and healing. The program also works with other agencies and community partners, all committed to the same vision of being the hope for the Union Parish community. Advocates start small by identifying the basic needs for the family. From there, the advocates will provide direct care and by identifying strengths and needs, developing a plan of action, and connecting the families to the resources in the community that are already there and available to them. The goal is ultimately to bridge those gaps of services and meet the demands of the community and to enhance the support and safety of the families served in Union Parish. As the program grows in Union Parish, the hope will be to help more families meet their concrete needs in order to find the hope and healing they need to thrive.

For those in the community who are ready to be the hope for families in need, making a referral is the first step to connecting a family to a community ready to help. By partnering with Brokers of Hope, you are committing to making a difference in the lives of families who need help and hope in Union Parish.

Referrals can be taken from anywhere or anyone, and insurance is no barrier to a child or family receiving support and family advocacy through Brokers of Hope. Family Advocates can work with any child (ages 0-18 years) or family with children in Union Parish. Call today at 1-866-398-0945 or visit www.standforhope. org/refer to make an immediate impact on this community.

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT BRAND MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

D.G. YUENGLING & SON, INC., AMERICA’S OLDEST Brewery, announced in March that FLIGHT by Yuengling, the Next Generation of Light Beer, is partnering with Imagine Dragons, the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning American pop rock band, for its summer 2022 Mercury Tour. The partnership brings music and beer lovers together for a once in a lifetime opportunity to win an epic VIP experience with Imagine Dragons and amazing, instant-win prizes all summer long in association with FLIGHT promotional activity.

“Yuengling and Imagine Dragons are raising the bar when it comes to summer fun and creating one-of-a-kind music experiences for our fans,” said Wendy Yuengling, Chief Administrative Officer and 6th generation family member. “It’s an amazing collaboration for FLIGHT by Yuengling, our low-carb upscale light brand, to align with such a great band that is known for their high-energy, entertaining performances.”

FLIGHT by Yuengling’s partnership with Imagine Dragons includes an on-pack VIP Experience sweepstakes and concert ticket opportunities for winners across Yuengling’s 23-state footprint. Retail displays will feature Imagine Dragons signage and special limitededition Imagine Dragons 12 pack cans of FLIGHT by Yuengling. In bars and restaurants, fans can look for FLIGHT promotions throughout the summer. QR codes on the FLIGHT 12oz cans and aluminum cups will lead to the latest Imagine Dragons music for fans to enjoy.

Starting in May, consumers can enter daily by scanning the special 12 pack can packages to win one of five VIP prize packs. VIP winners will be flown to a select Imagine Dragons show to enjoy a VIP lounge and bar with an augmented reality photo experience and have access to exclusive merchandise. Fans are also rewarded all summer long with instant win prizes like Uber and DoorDash gift cards, FLIGHT by Yuengling swag and more. FLIGHT drinkers can also enter to win the VIP experience sweepstakes at bars and restaurants by scanning the QR code on signs and coasters.

Additionally, as part of the FLIGHT by Yuengling summer collaboration, Yuengling will be joining the band in donating to the Tyler Robinson Foundation—which the band helped found with the Robinson family in 2013 after their son, Tyler Robinson, passed away from Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Every year, Imagine Dragons donates to and helps to raise millions for the Foundation, which aims to strengthen families financially and emotionally impacted by a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

This unique collaboration between FLIGHT by Yuengling and Imagine Dragons is the first of its kind for America’s Oldest Brewery. Born from six generations of brewing expertise, FLIGHT by Yuengling is the Next Generation of Light Beer that combines superior taste with low carbs and calories. A leader in the light beer refreshment category, FLIGHT contains 2.6 grams of carbs, 95 calories and 4.2% ABV. For more information about FLIGHT by Yuengling, and to stay up to date about all the latest Imagine Dragons VIP summer tour experiences, fans are encouraged to follow the Yuengling Facebook page, follow Yuengling on Twitter and Instagram, or visit www.Yuengling.com.

Imagine Dragons is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning American pop rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2009 as a self-identifying “genreless” band, Imagine Dragons developed a grassroots following with their series of independently released EPs before their major label debut on KIDinaKORNER/Interscope with their 2012 EP, “Continued Silence.” The band’s 2012 full-length album, “Night Visions,” entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2 and the lead-off track, “Radioactive,” topped Billboard’s “Hot Rock Songs” chart; won a GRAMMY for “Best Rock Performance;” and achieved RIAA Diamond status. The band saw continued success with their subsequent albums: “Smoke + Mirrors,” “Evolve,” “Origins,” and most recently, “Mercury: Act 1.” Today, Imagine Dragons is one of the best-selling rock bands of all time with 46 million albums and 55 million songs sold globally, as well as 74 billion combined streams. You can hear their current singles, “Enemy” and “Bones,” both out now.

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