SPICE IT UP

These shrimp tacos from Iron Cactus are loaded with pico, lettuce and jalapeño cilantro ranch.

Turn up the heat with this delicious chicken salad loaded with jalapeños from Chicken Salad Chick.

Time to dust off the margarita glasses and kick the heat up with these spicy dishes from local eateries. From delicious homemade tamales to jalapeño chicken salad, these meals are sure to tickle your taste buds.

This loaded Mexican cornbread from Iron Cactus is topped with cheese and served with tortilla soup.

Beef tamales made from the Doe family’s original recipe and served alongside delicious homemade chili.

All-natural chicken, red and yellow bell peppers, red onions, jalapeños, cheddar, mozzarella, chili oil, housemade spice Jalapeño Cilantro Ranch sauce, garnished with cilantro from Newk’s Eatery. styling by TAYLOR BENNETT photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

article by Laura W. Clark

Ds a teenager, I disliked my hands, which were not slender and feminine like my mother’s. Mine were shaped like square blocks, part of my Germanic build, I suppose. One day, my dad held my hands in his and said, “I like your hands. They are strong and sturdy.” Although that was not exactly what a 17-year-old girl might want to hear, I felt comforted by his words, and as I grew older, I worried less about my hands and even started to embrace “sturdy” as part of my Midwestern identity. Then I learned of the need to be sturdy emotionally, to deal with adversity.

During a week-long business trip earlier this month, the overwhelming view of Colorado’s snow-covered mountains consumed my thoughts. Finally, the sound of my cell phone brought me out of my haze. A text from a friend read: “I know you’re feeling guilty about being away from your little boys. Sending you a hug.”

Her well-meaning message sent me into a new type of guilt: guilt about not feeling guilty. I have experienced all varieties of mother’s guilt, but this one was new. I processed her message, my lack of guilt about being away from home, and eventually settled on this: doing what I love makes me a better mother. I also remembered my son’s response to a friend who said, “Dads have bigger jobs.” My eight-year-old replied, “My mom teaches a lot of people. That’s a big job!”

While both sons and daughters benefit from a mother who works outside of the home, new studies reveal additional insight into how boys benefit. For example, when sons learn to help with household chores from an early age, they understand there are no household duties specific to men or women; there are simply human duties. A recent Harvard study found that sons of mothers who work outside the home: - Begin to understand that they play essential roles in running the household - Contribute more to managing their homes as adults - Spend twice the amount of time on childcare — 16 hours a week compared to the 8.5-hour norm - Subscribe to egalitarian gender attitudes.

While it isn’t easy to stop worrying about how much time we are spending with our children, it helps to reframe the situation: mothers who choose to work outside of the home are modeling a healthy work ethic and gender equality. As a result, daughters can be inspired by their working mothers, and sons can learn to view women as equals in the workplace.

Harvard Business School Professor Kathleen McGinn hopes the recent study results alleviate any guilt experienced by mothers. She said, “When women choose to work, it’s a financial and personal choice. Women should choose based on whether they want or need to work, not on whether they are harming their children—because they are not.”

Data supports children’s acceptance of working mothers. According to a recent study published by the Psychology of Women Quarterly, 12th graders in the 2010s were more likely to support equal roles for men and women. In addition, in the 2010s, 70 percent of 12th graders believed working mothers could develop equally warm relationships with their children, compared to 53% in the 1970s.

The adult population isn’t as progressive in this area. For example, according to a Pew Research Center, approximately 41 percent of adults say the increase in working mothers is “bad for society.”

Evidence supports that having a working mother has economic, educational, and social benefits for boys and girls. It is important to note that children also benefit when their parents spend more time with them. However, as we do in all facets of life, we compromise. We find what works for us, and we propel forward.

Part of that compromise is a phrase we often hear: work/life balance. When work consumes are daylight hours and our children consume our evenings, we are left with very little time for friendships. We know that friendships make us more emotionally sound, especially in adulthood, as we struggle to juggle our lives. Make a concerted effort to fuel your friendships. Prioritize a virtual coffee date—or a live one— just as you would a business meeting. Call your friend while grocery shopping or driving home from work; check in with her and encourage her.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add this: I admire mothers who work inside the home, caring for their children full-time. It’s an extraordinary amount of work. I tried it for ten months with Weston, and it wasn’t for me. The first few years were rough—I felt guilty about not staying home with him—but I eventually realized I was happier working outside of the home. I still remember how he cried for me each time I left him, but I force myself to also remember those instances when a much older Weston describes his mother’s job to a friend.

And in the end, I always remember what one of my favorite pediatricians said to me: “If you’re even questioning whether or not you are making the right choices as a mother, you are, by definition, a good mother.”

Laura W. Clark, owner of Vivian’s Voice, LLC, a communications consulting company, can be reached at findyours@viviansvoice.com.

ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON

There are very few things I enjoy more than a good crappie trip during the spawn. However, there is one thing I will pass up the crappie for and that is a good turkey hunt. Even better, a turkey hunt in Texas. Several years ago, my brother-in -law and our friend Jim Andrews planned our annual hunt. We usually go to one particular ranch but this year there were two issues: The ranch we normally engage had sold and we really wanted to look at a new place. I was elected to scour the internet and did what I thought was a fairly good due diligence. Last year, we had hunted the week after opening day on our regular hot spot but were hunting behind a large group of hunters. We hunted pressured birds for three days only to harvest one between us the last evening of the last day. It was not the best of hunts. Turkeys have a tendency to shut up when they have been pressured and that made our trip very difficult. My desire was to book a ranch for opening weekend of season.

You may ask why did or do we pick Texas. I like turkey hunting in Texas for many reasons. On most places you can get near any river or water source and roost a bird fairly easy. In Louisiana, the abundance of water is extremely higher and in my opinion makes it harder to pattern the birds. Also, in Texas you can normally hunt other game while turkey hunting such as hogs, predators and exotics if you so desire. There is nothing worse than to book your hunt and kill your one or two birds by day two and then there is nothing to do but sit at the camp for the rest of the days. So this year, I booked the entire ranch of 2900 acres and five of us decided that we would all give it a try.

In our group, there was Wayne (brother-in-law), Jim (our hunting buddy) Andy, (my son) and Andy’s friend, Montana. Hopes were high and we arrived on Friday afternoon to get our first look.

We knew that the lodging was “rough” and there was no inside toilet. Ok, we can live with that as long as we have a shower and a place to lay up. Problem was this “cabin” turned out to be a 60-foot trailer that I’m sure the settlers used when traveling west in the 1700’s. Talk about a dump. We meet our guide and find out we have no water. Now that’s a problem. I’m not sleeping in enclosed spaces with 4 other hunters who have hunted hard all day and I get to smell them all night. To make a long story short, we got the busted pipe repaired and had water by the next morning.

Our guide was young but very cordial. He was eager to please but to be honest he told us we were his first turkey hunters....ever. The guide’s job is to be knowledgeable of the lay of the land and most importantly has located the best areas where birds have been seen. He had not set foot on the place in over a year.

Our “outfitter” was not the most interactive one I’ve ever dealt with. I made some mistakes that I will detail and hope that this will help you not make the same ones I did. We got game photos and the website showed what we were looking for in the area of lots of game. That was a total misrepresentation.

Although we split up, only a few turkeys were seen and none killed. The most successful were Andy and Montana. They opted for a “run and gun” style while the old men took to pop up blinds where we saw and heard the little activity we did. Andy and Montana came close but as the old saying goes “roosted ain’t roasted” when it comes to turkeys.

So here are some words of advice if you are going on a guided hunt with someone you do not know:

First, always know that an outfitter is in the game to make money. Most could care less if you see or kill anything. Most outfitters are in the churn game. That means, book for hunts, put out little or no effort and wait on the next group to come. The way to combat this issue is to check out at least references who have guided out with the outfitter, regardless of photos of all the game there.

Second, keep your mind open. This outfitter is not the only one offering guided trips. Outfitters play off of emotion.

Third, longevity, rather than how much property or pictures shows an outfitter is legitimate. Example, if an outfitter has the churn mentality, he may control comments on his website or there are only positive comments. Everyone has a bad hunt but look for the ones who say that but comment that the guide treated them right.

Fourth, make sure accommodations reach your expectations. If you don’t mind roughing it, it may not be an issue. But I guarantee you when you are dealing with booking a group, not all of them can handle heeding the call of nature by slipping off in the mesquite bushes at 2 a.m.

Fifth, only send a deposit. Do not send full amount until you lay eyes on the place. Its best to lose a little than waste a lot.

Sixth, check for game and fish resources in the area. Talking to a local warden can tell you a couple of things. Is the area good for the game you are seeking? Does the warden know the outfitter? Can the warden tell you if you are making a wise choice to guide out with this particular outfitter?

In closing, let me say that with better communication and some wiggle room on pricing our trip would not have been as disappointing for our group. We had a great time but it had little to do with hunting. There were a few groups of birds on the property but this outfitter did not control what he could. With that I would have been happy but without it will be why I won’t return and will be much wiser in the future.

INTREPID TRAVELERS AND ANTIQUARIANS MELANIE Liles and Pam Wood have combined these interests to create the basis for their renowned shop, Traditions Antiques, which is located on Antique Alley in West Monroe. Searching England and Europe for unique mirrors, furniture, lighting and decorative arts, the business owners have a knack for developing sources and friends, unlocking incredible finds, and building relationships along the way. These trips across the pond aren’t just their tradition, it’s their business. While the adventuresome duo was grounded from traveling for their European buying trips because of COVID-19 restrictions over the past two and a half years, it didn’t stop them from planning this latest excursion to England and Europe, where they continue their longstanding hunt for new treasures.

Melanie and Pam are always on the pulse of what discerning homeowners and designers are looking for in order to complete a room. As the owners of our regions premier source for Continental antiques, Melanie and Pam understand how important it is to find the perfect heirloom pieces for their customers’ homes and offices, pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation and stand the test of time.

It is not unusual for customers to stop by Traditions while shopping on Antique Alley and reminisce about favored furnishings and treasured antiques they sourced at Pam and Melanie’s store. Here is what a few customers had to say recently: “I bought a table, a bookcase, and a server about 20 years ago from Traditions, and they are still my favorite pieces,” a customer recently elaborated. A distinctive antique sourced from Traditions can be the pillar a whole house can be built around.

When shopping with Traditions, you’re experiencing history through the decorative arts and fine furnishings. Each hand-carved table or gilded mirror is a pathway back in time, yet is perfectly in sync with today’s décor for modern living. Melanie and Pam think of their shopping tours through England, France, Italy and beyond as a way to bring history to life, creating a culturally and historically rich shopping experience for their clients. A walk through the store and you’ll find something from practically every major decorative movement. Traditions is a place where Louis XVI opulence meets Regency elegance and the clean lines of Art Moderne.

Each item in the store is hand-selected during Pam and Melanie’s European trip for its exceptional quality and beauty before it makes its way across the Atlantic aboard a large container ship. At Traditions, the owners are famous for their ability to match customers with the quality antiques they desire at the best possible price, even offering a convenient layaway program. Everyone starts collecting somewhere and being able to pay for larger purchases over time is just one of the ways that Traditions differentiates itself as a leader in antique furnishings.

Each piece the owners select for the Traditions showroom provides the kind of stand-out, focal point that can make an interior. The design pros have known for years about the kind of quality that Traditions brings to home furnishings and are often seen pulling together whole house projects with key lighting, mirrors, and furnishings sourced from this marvelous, local shop.

If you’re unsure about how a piece of furniture will look in your space, the ladies at Traditions are friendly, approachable, and extremely knowledgeable in interior design and the decorative arts.

Over the years, Melanie and Pam have developed a solid reputation in the antiques world as two ladies from Northeast Louisiana who know their craft. They’ve also forged friendships across Europe with knowledgeable individuals who help them find beautiful treasures to bring back to northeast Louisiana.

On their most recent trip, the ladies visited with old friends and antique sources, plus gathered some new sources for exceptional antiques and decorative items. Although the date for the shipment arrival is unknown, the containers will be full of mahogany and oak tables, beautiful gilded mirrors, and wonderful decorative objects.

Working with people in Europe and here in the U.S. that are equally as passionate about antiques and the decorative arts as they are makes Melanie and Pam’s job easy. It is such a pleasure for the ladies at Traditions to meet young dealers and designers who have such a love for antiques that they have started their own businesses. And while this trip is the first that they’ve been able to visit their sources in person since the pandemic began, Melanie and Pam did receive a shipment from England and one from Sweden full of sought-after creamware and blue and white china.

While Traditions’ latest container ship filled with goodies makes its way across the Atlantic, customers here can benefit from a 20% off sale on all furniture and lighting at the Antique Alley shop. Now is an incredible time to add that piece you’ve had your eye on or discover something new for Spring!

article by MEREDITH MCKINNIE images by ULM PHOTO SERVICES

I’ve attended 15 graduation ceremonies at our local university. Only two of them recognized me. One of the duties of faculty members is an annual appearance at one of the three graduation ceremonies each academic year. You may have noticed us flanking the graduates at one of those same ceremonies. We all wear regalia, representing our alma maters from across the country and beyond. We are asked to stand shortly after the ceremony commences, and the audience claps dutifully, paying respect to the educators before the degrees are conferred. While the list of names is exhausted, followed sporadically by enthusiastic families and friends, we all sit patiently, following along in our programs, the same as the audience showing support.

The first few years, I marched with pride. I had crossed over. Once I sat amongst the students, and now I educated students. Regardless of the degrees bearing my name, I always felt I’d slipped through the cracks, representing a flaw in the system. What did I know? But nonetheless, I showed up in the spring to pay homage to the graduating class. What becomes routine begins to lose its luster. A graduation appearance morphed into another job duty. As I perused the names and the announcer’s voice faded into the background, my mind would wander. Then a familiar name would bellow from the speaker. I would look up in anticipation, placing the face among the thousands of students who’ve sat in my classes. Oftentimes, I would smile, as the graduating student’s success wasn’t surprising. She always submitted exemplary work, or he would always finish what he started.

In the last decade, student realities have shifted. Many work full time jobs, are raising families or caring for ailing family members. The traditional college student is not so traditional anymore. The stakes are raised, and success depends upon one’s work ethic while juggling responsibilities we don’t often associate with college life. My students’ lives look more like my own, and in that realization lies an opportunity for enhanced connection. Early in my career, a 70-year-old woman sat on the front row of my class, a freshman among peers decades younger. Recently retired, she wanted to finish college. She longed to learn for learning’s sake. She valued the knowledge I could provide, and she reminded me of the honor my profession affords me daily. When I heard her name over that speaker six years later, I almost leaped out of my seat. She received a master’s degree in science, and the tears flooded my face as she glided across the stage. The university president extended his hand, and she semi-tackled him in an embrace. She always insisted on hugging, and I tingled with the memory of the awkward dance of what is appropriate interaction in educational spaces.

When faculty presence at graduation ceremonies evaporated under Covid restrictions, initially it felt like one less thing to do after an exhausting semester. But as May rolled around the second year in a row, I started pondering the absence of traditional recognition. I missed the culmination of my students’ efforts. I missed the athlete who struggled with subjectverb agreement but could describe a picturesque scene better than his writing instructor. I missed the single mother who after being a teacher’s aid for 10 years longed to lead her own classroom. I missed the quiet kid in the corner who rarely spoke but was obsessed with insects, finding a way to incorporate bugs into any writing assignment. I missed the firstgeneration African American student who wanted to become the black doctor who never treated him. I missed the cheerleader who twice sneaked her pocket poodle into class because he appeared sad. I missed the kid from out-of-state who followed his girlfriend to school, only to break up two days into his first semester. I missed the pre-nursing student who cried when she read my positive feedback on her paper. I missed the youth pastor who wanted to step out of his shell and pursue something outside of his comfort zone. I missed the international student who kept telling her parents she was majoring in biology, all while reveling in her art classes. I missed the culmination of their stories. Collectively, those students represent the fabric of academia, the personalization of a professional endeavor.

Graduation thrives on tradition, and while we inevitably call tradition into question, in its

absence, we long for the familiar, for the pinnacle of a well-deserved accomplishment. This May, I will attend my first in-person graduation ceremony in three years. I will cheer and clap for the students I know, and even harder for the stories I missed, for they are just as worthy. While the ceremony is only a snapshot on a person’s timeline, it represents the transferal of knowledge, a gift from one generation to the next. Under every cap and gown lies a unique story on the precipice of a plot twist.

has partnered with schools across Ouachita, Franklin, Morehouse and Union parishes as well as Downsville Charter and Early Head Start to plant pinwheel gardens in support of child abuse prevention in the month of April. Pinwheels for Prevention is a national campaign used as a reminder of the uplifting and great childhood all children deserve.

Jennifer Dumas, Ph.D., University of Louisiana Monroe Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science, has been accepted to attend the prestigious annual 2022 Academic Council on the United Nations System Workshop. The ACUNS Workshop, held in conjunction with the United Nations, will be at University College London in early June. ACUNS is a professional organization committed to bringing together scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders worldwide to share knowledge and research on the United Nations system.

Dr. Ricky Caples of Monroe, La., was named this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Service Award that was awarded during the 141st House of Delegates of the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) on April 9, 2022. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the LDA and is given annually to individual members who exemplify the highest standards of professional conduct in dentistry and make extraordinary contributions to organized dentistry and their community.

Amelia Grace Jordan the Louisiana State Chapter President of P.E.O, a native of Rayville, has been a P.E.O. since 1995, and a member of several chapters through the years as her work took her to different cities. She is currently a member of chapter BL. Amelia Grace is Parish Business Administrator for St. Pascal Catholic Church in West Monroe. Amelia Grace has chosen to assist chapters through workshops, seminars, and other means, most of them online. Amelia Grace’s chapter is honoring her with a named S.T.A.R. scholarship of $2,500 which will be awarded to an outstanding Louisiana high school senior girl.

3BPENCILWORKS held it’s 1st Art Contest on March 29, 2022. The contest featured the work of East Carroll Parish students who shared their interpretations of the city of Lake Providence, Louisiana. This event was hosted by Brandon Virgil, Sr., local artist in Monroe, Louisiana and Lekeisha Powell, 4-H Agent of Lake Providence, Louisiana. Participants received cash prizes, trophies and dinner at Monroe, Louisiana’s finest restaurant, Parish.

BY DARIAN ATKINS

ROBERT JORDAN WAS BORN AND RAISED IN Alexandria, LA. He moved to Monroe in 1984 to go to school at ULM. Jordan decided after one semester that college wasn’t for him. He was, however, mechanically inclined. In fact, he had gone to mechanic school before coming to Monroe. Jordan opened his own small auto mechanic shop in 1986. He purchased his first piece of commercial property in 1988 and started a licensed, legitimate mechanic facility. “I’ve been there in the same place for 30 years,” says Jordan.

Jordan was preparing to retire when he was approached about coming to work at Louisiana Delta Community College. “I really wasn’t interested,“ shares Jordan. “But, they were so persistent I agreed to meet with the faculty over that part of the college.” When Jordan realized just how much the students needed someone to invest in them, he decided to commit. The road ahead wasn’t easy, though, and the pay left much to be desired. Jordan concluded it was better to focus on the students than on the salary. “I fell in love with the kids and with teaching,” said Jordan. “It became my second calling, you know? I mean, what’s the point of having something and taking it to the grave with you?” Jordan said the great thing about teaching is watching students grow and evolve. “You watch a student come through the door not knowing how to change a flat, and within a semester, they’re doing repairs, and within three to four semesters, they’re working at dealerships. You can’t put a price tag on building skills and watching people evolve into productive citizens. In four years, you watch them purchase a home and get married, all because of this training they’ve picked up here. Nope, you can’t put a price tag on that, and that’s rewarding to me,” explains Jordan.

To be an effective auto mechanic instructor, you have to keep your skills sharp. Automotive technology evolves so much every year. Jordan says one of the reasons why LDCC students are so advanced is because he still uses his skills every day, keeping up with modern technology.

Enrollment in Automotive Technology has increased 100% for the past three semesters. Jordan is shooting for 150% next semester and believes it will happen because the atmosphere and environment are right for student success. His philosophy is never to leave a student behind; he finds a way to help bring them across the finish line.

Ebony Magazine approached Jordan to do automotive repair videos. Ebony happened upon Jordan’s own YouTube car repair videos. His videos featured his work on Range Rovers, Jaguars, and Mercedes. “I had been working on $100,000 cars that most people take back to a dealership. When the Ebony representative saw the things that I was working on, he was impressed. I was asked to do 3-30 minute segments a month with video. I’m excited about my opportunity with Ebony. My podcast is set to air sometime in June,” shares Jordan.

Jordan is married to Samantha, and together they have ten children. They met through his business ventures. He admits, “She’s the brains, and I’m the muscle! It works very well that way.” Jordan’s children are either in college, college graduates or pursuing military careers. Of six children, Jordan has one daughter gifted in working on cars, though she has no interest in doing so professionally.

For more information about LDCC’s Automotive Technology program, call the West Monroe Campus at 318-397-6100 or email Robert Jordan at robertjordan3@ladelta.edu.

Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC), an open-admission, comprehensive community college, provides the citizens of northeast Louisiana with affordable and accessible high-quality educational programs, services, and modern workforce training. Supported by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, a dedicated faculty and staff fulfill this mission through their commitment to student achievement, academic excellence, lifelong learning, and the use of current technology.

Whether you are a traditional student just starting your college career or a mid-career person wanting a different path, LDCC has the resources and people to help you to the next step in your life’s journey.

By choosing Louisiana Delta Community College, you choose to be a part of a culture of integrity, rigor, and honor. LDCC promises to do all we can to help you reach your goals. Start Here. Go Anywhere.