HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS

Rebekah Boyd Lawrence moved back to Louisiana and purchased the historic Neville House. Originally built in 1905, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lawrence has always dreamed of owning a beautiful old white house, operating an art gallery and having a bed and breakfast – the Neville House has made those dreams reality.

Neville House is a childhood dream come true for owner and proprietor Rebekah Boyd Lawrence. Ever since she was a little girl the large white house on the corner of Hudson Lane and North Third Street in Monroe, Louisiana has captured her imagination. She recalls staring out the window of her mother’s car as they passed by on day trips from their farm in Calhoun to the Garden District to shop. She wondered what life must be like there and what kinds of people lived in a house like that? Pulling up it’s not hard to see why; the two-story neoclassical sears kit house towers symmetrically over the front lawn. Clad in white cypress clapboard siding with the original milk glass windows and dark green shutters, the house seems to pluck you from the present and throw you several decades back in time. The house is framed by a hand laid brick path, two aged magnolias and a second-story balcony.

As you enter Neville House you’ll pass through its antique door painted green to match the shutters with a large beveled, oval glass pane and an old fashioned hand twist Shopkeeper’s doorbell. Upon entering the house you will be greeted with an eclectic mixture of early 1900s southern architecture and modern furnishings. Rebekah describes the house’s one-of-a-kind style as “Southern charm with a European vibe.” Almost the entire first floor has been converted to an open concept combined living space and quasi art gallery with dark hardwood flooring and clean white walls. Neoclassical columns frame the entryway and there are a grand total of five mantels in the house. Three on the first floor, one in the study and two mirrored against each other in the art gallery. The other two are upstairs in the main bedroom and the den. Each mantel is finished in a unique style. The two mirrored mantels downstairs are feminine and masculine style counterparts reflecting the original design of the house, which included two first floor parlors: one for the men and the other for the ladies as was traditional at the time of the house’s construction. The kitchen features a wall papered in old New Yorker magazine covers and 12-foot shiplap ceilings. Upstairs in the main bedroom is a king-size platform bed and an assortment of Moroccan, Haitian, African, Egyptian, Indonesian, Native American, Primitive and Mexican art and antiquities. Every piece in the house, whether furniture or decor, has a history and a story and they’ve all carefully been hand selected by Rebekah. Some of the true standouts are the large black feathered, African Juju hat hanging over the mantel in the main bedroom, the clawfoot cast iron tub in the bathroom, and the historic Carriage house that Rebekah hopes to one day convert into a studio for local artists.

Originally built in 1905, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by Ernest L. Neville, local educator and superintendent of Monroe City schools. Neville House began as a family home for Mr. Neville, his wife Allie and their daughter Sarah who was born in the home. Mr. Neville was a very curious man creatively. He made wood tools by hand which he used to craft the cabinetry in the kitchen that remains today.

Rebekah says his great-grandson recently discovered the tools hidden in the walls of the carriage house on a visit. Mr. Neville also had a passion for gardening. He was specifically gifted with camellias propagating his own camellia species on the property over his years of residency there. Rebekah took me to the backyard to an area behind the carriage house which she has fondly and aptly named “Camellia Grove.” In the grove you will find twelve, approximately eighty--year-old camellias flourishing several feet high. Memorabilia on loan from Mr. Neville’s great-grandson can be seen scattered about the first floor including a memorial plaque and several antique photographs of the house in its original state with a large wraparound porch and the family themselves. Rebekah says she wants the house to honor its history and serve as an education for those who come to visit.

Neville House has been made and remade into various institutions throughout the years, from the headquarters for the Junior League to a psychologist’s office. Each of these new iterations of the house’s use has added an additional layer of history preserved through the peculiar landmarks each new occupant left behind. The second bedroom upstairs still has the “Waiting Room” sign affixed to its door from the psychologist’s stint in the home and the bathroom has a vintage metal Harley Davidson emblem covering the old drain pipe that Mr. Neville’s great-grandson attached from his own personal motorcycle during a renovation. Rebekah loves that the house tells its story through the quirks it has accumulated over the years. She believes that is part of Neville House’s charm.

However, Rebekah doesn’t just want visitors to be educated in the history of the home but also in the arts. There are three things she has always wanted in life: to have an old white house, to run a bed and breakfast, and to have an art gallery. Through Neville House she is accomplishing all three. The house is listed on Airbnb for rental as a chance to stay with art. Rebekah has curated a wide variety of local artists’ works and plans to rotate solo exhibitions for them as well. Neville House also participated in the Herons on the Bayou purchasing Mario Mata’s sculpture “La Garza” earlier in 2021. The heron stands on the front corner of the property and is Huichol beaded using polymer and metal as the base. She is passionate about her plans for Neville House and hopeful that opening its doors for guests will offer a window into the vibrant art scene in Monroe that many travelers miss while staying in chain hotels near the interstate. Rebekah also hopes the Neville House will help the garden district’s revitalization effort gain traction. The current exhibition in the house is the work of local Caroline Youngblood. The solo exhibition, “Riverton, 1937,” is comprised of fifteen 14” x 20” charcoal and watercolor studies; five large charcoal drawings of various sizes; seven large paintings in water media on stretched and prepared burlap; nineteen 14” x 20’ graphite and watercolor studies; and seven larger charcoal and oil paintings which she completed as a part two of the series a few years later. The first half of the series was completed in 2012 during a threemonth residency at Centre d’Art, Marnay-sur-Seine, France. These images were created using still frames from a 1937 8mm family film

shot on their farm in Caldwell Parish. The majority of the scenes show people entering, participating in, and exiting an outdoor family gathering. Each piece offers a glimpse into lives of southerners enjoying the little pleasures of life in post-Depression Era, North Delta, Louisiana. Caroline explained that as she began studying her selected stills of film, she noticed that individual frames in the film looked like paintings. The grainy, faded nature of the old film had a watercoloresque quality to it and she was inspired to paint them. Her selections tell the story of the region’s hospitality, social customs, and culinary heritage as the family converse and sit down to a meal in an almost French Impressionist style. On the second floor a few more of Caroline’s works are on display from various other series she’s completed, including a few pieces based on some old Kodachrome slides she found in an antique store.

Neville House is the Lawrence’s personal home that they have opened to the community with the mission of educating and connecting their guests to the local arts scene, established artists, and Northeast Louisiana’s diverse art culture. They hope all who pass through their historic doors at Neville House will be inspired to invest in and support the arts. The Neville House will be hosting an invitation only event called “Dinner on the Grounds: Riverton, 1937” on October 28th from 5-8pm as an opportunity for the public to tour the house, view the artists’ exhibition, meet the artists, and have dinner. Neville House will also be featuring Caroline Youngblood as their solo artist during the upcoming December Downtown Arts Alliance Gallery Crawl happening December 2nd from 5-9pm. If you aren’t one of the lucky few on the invite list for Dinner on the Grounds and you can’t make it to the Crawl, have no fear,you can arrange a private tour to view the art by contacting Rebekah Boyd Lawrence at 318-348-6045 or at nevillehousegardendistrict@gmail.com. The house can also be found on Airbnb for rental by searching in the monroe area for the listing “Stay w/ Art at Garden District Gem: Neville House.”

FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, COVID-19 HAS DRASTICALLY changed our lives. The pandemic forced many of us to stay home from work and school. It also delayed people from getting preventative health screenings including annual mammograms. While postponing your screenings for a few months may not be too bad, it becomes more risky if it turns into a year.

According to a recent study, about 4 million American women missed their mammogram during the pandemic. “Our concern is that because of this delay in care, we will not be able to diagnose breast cancers when they are most treatable,” says Gwyn Ogden, Radiology Director at Delhi Hospital. Many women who develop breast cancer experience no symptoms. A mammogram can be lifesaving by detecting cancer long before a woman feels a lump. Breast cancer detected early usually means more treatment options and a better chance of survival.

With many people now vaccinated and restrictions being lifted, let’s remind and encourage your family members, friends, and loved ones to return to care. For those of us that missed our mammograms in 2020, it is time to get back to it! Don’t delay this potentially lifesaving screening any longer. The 3D Mammography Suite at Delhi Hospital is open and is taking all measures necessary to make sure our patients are safe, healthy and cancer-free.

With so much attention focused on COVID-19, it’s easy to forget about other health issues such as breast cancer, but these threats have not changed. The good news is with that routine screenings, often times we can catch problems early so that treatment is more effective. Equipped with the technology of 3D Mammography, the Radiology Team at Delhi Hospital can catch breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. In fact, this technology allows us to detect 40% more invasive breast cancers compared to the 2D standard mammogram alone.

It’s too soon to predict the full impact of COVID-19 on breast imaging and women’s health, but one thing remains certain: a yearly mammogram is an essential step in early detection of breast cancer. Bottom line, it’s important to receive your routine screenings, despite the pandemic. You can be assured that the Delhi Hospital Radiology Department has increased their safety standards to keep our patients safe during their mammogram experience- including in-office physical distancing, sanitizing after each exam, and requiring all staff and patients to wear a mask.

Remember, breast cancer will not wait for the pandemic to end - but neither will the Radiology Team at Delhi Hospital. Don’t put your health on hold. Contact us at 318-878-6350 to schedule your annual mammogram today.

Learn more at www.delhihospital.com

OMERTA IS AN ITALIAN NOUN meaning, secrecy or sworn by oath, what is not a secret is the camaraderie and legacy of newly established Monroe hotspot, Omerta Cigar Co.

Originally established in Oklahoma City in 2015, Omerta Cigar was founded by six cigar aficionados with a vision of providing other enthusiasts with a robust selection and superior lounge experience. From that vision the Omerta lifestyle emerged and expanded to include multiple cigar shops, a whiskey bar, and a cigar friendly dive bar in the greater Oklahoma City, Tulsa and now Monroe.

Any cigar connoisseur can attest, the act of smoking a cigar is an extensive multi-sensory experience, an art form if you will. Given the ideal environment, the act of smoking a cigar can provide moments of mindfulness, calm, and restoration. Cigar lounges were inherently created to provide a refuge for enthusiasts; and the lounge experienced created by the Omerta team is sure to exceed your expectations.

The mantra at Omerta is “ Your lounge experience is our strength.”, a concept the team has readily embraced. In conjunction with providing a robust inventory and expert staff recommendations Omerta’s location provides its members with a unique atmosphere that exudes a vintage ambiance flowing to the rear lounge area which has been renovated to include modern seating, a fully stocked beverage area, two 65-inch wall mounted televisions as well as two state of the art air purification systems. The staff at Omerta prides itself on creating a superior lounge experience for its members encouraging a sense of community, solidarity, and appreciation for commonality among its members.

The Omerta lifestyle encourages community, solidarity, and appreciation for commonality among members. The team at Omerta supports the concept of community and encourages patrons to enjoy, unplugged. Due to heavy use of social media and the pandemic, there is a substantial decrease in opportunities for people to make genuine connections, interactions, and the creation of shared experiences. Cigar lounges, specifically Omerta aim to provide enthusiasts with this long forgotten practice.

Their focus on creating an external community stems largely from their commitment to employees. The Omerta Cigar Monroe store is managed by a homegrown Monroe resident and Disabled Combat Veteran, which the company is very proud to have representing them in the community. and on their management team.

We invite you to stop in and experience the Omerta lifestyle. Located in the historic Monroe garden district at 1004 North 3rd Street. Open Monday- Saturday 10-8. Lounge membership opportunities are available. Be sure to follow on social media and check-in frequently for the latest news and upcoming events. You can also shop online at http://www.purocigarhouse. com.

WITH OVER THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, TERRI Trichel is one of the few licensed interior designers in Northeast Louisiana. As a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with an interior design degree, Terri has a vast knowledge of design concepts and project history.

Terri Trichel Interiors services includes custom window treatments, space planning, floor plans and furniture arrangement. With her professional supervision and design expertise, Terri Trichel Interiors can make any space come alive. “One misconception people have is that they can’t afford interior design services,” says Trichel. “We offer competitive pricing that works with our clients’ budgets and can work on all projects big and small.” There are times when homes’ needs and functions change based on seasons of life. A spare room that hasn’t been used in years can be transformed into an office. A playroom can be changed into a home theatre. Over the years, styles can change and need to be updated. “If you built your home twenty years ago, you may be ready to change paint colors or other design elements,” explains Terri. “Some people think they need to remodel their home but decide against it because of the high costs associated with such projects. Thankfully, there are cost-effective alternatives that can give your home long-lasting character and appeal. Working with an licensed interior designer means that you’ll have a field of knowledge and support helping guide you through the process.”

Interior designers are trained to think spatially and creatively to oversee projects, anticipate problems and work with subcontractors and contractors to ensure that a client’s vision is realized. It takes years to master the process of interior design, and with 30+ years of design under her belt, Trichell can help homeowners determine their dream design, while working through the complexities of home design and remodeling from start to finish.

Terri Trichell is known for incorporating beautiful, neutral palettes with eclectic furniture selections, often combining antique pieces with contemporary styles for a finished product that looks effortlessly chic. She is experienced in selecting gorgeous window treatments and textiles that ultimately add a cohesive flow to the finished project.

This is what Arabelle Moore says of working with Trichell, “Terri has such a talent of incorporating the combination of contemporary and traditional styles. Her eye for color in impeccable and her interior designs are extraordinary. She accessorizes beautifully, especially with pillows that she’s fabricated specifically for the space. Terri is such a wonderful person to work with.”

When looking for an experienced designer to help plan your space, lighting, furniture, and layout, as well as managing your project as a whole, look to Terri Trichel Interiors. Whether your next project is in Northeast Louisiana, or you are looking for a professional to handle design selections abroad, Trichel is available to help her homeowners find their inspiration and guide them throughout the updating, remodeling or new construction phase.

Find photos from previous jobs at interiordesignmonroe.com, and call today to schedule a consultation.

THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS SEEKING family therapists in our Northeast Louisiana location. The positions are available in several of our evidenced-based programs including Functional Family Therapy (FFT,) Functional Family Therapy - Child Welfare (FFT-CW,) and Multisystemic Therapy (MST.) Each of these programs provide evidenced-based counseling services for youth and their families. Our mission is to promote safe, healthy environments for children and families through advocacy, counseling, education, and prevention. The Center for Children and Families has developed and implemented innovative treatment programs that specifically target fractured family relationships. Our agency is highly respected throughout the community for our excellent standard of service to both providers and clients. At the Center, we are guided by the principles of servant leadership, where the driving force of our actions is not status or power, but serving others as we pursue a common mission. Therapeutic Services has a reputation for terrific outcomes, not just because of the people that choose to work with us, but also because of the support we receive from the community.

When a family feels like giving up, we seek to provide them with the tools and encouragement they need to keep going. When a positive outcome feels impossible, we are able to find a way. We meet families where they are, reminding them that they are not alone. Likewise, when discouragement comes knocking at the door, we remind ourselves of the countless families who are now thriving because our staff and clinicians have invested in them. When you join The Center for Children and Families, you belong to something bigger. You are a part of a family. At the Center, we believe that personal growth is just as valuable as the job that we have been hired to do. Through our Huddle series, we explore how we relate to each other and those around us. By developing community through shared meals or taking time out to play, we find that being a part of this agency is more like being a part of a family. Our core values of community, respect, integrity, service, teamwork, Eempowerment, and excellence are the guiding principles of our organization. We believe that these values are the very foundation for our philosophy, culture, and practices.

Candidates for these positions must hold a Master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy, or Psychology. Preference is given to candidates who are fully licensed as an LPC or LMFT or provisionally licensed as a PLPC or PLMFT in Louisiana. These are fulltime independent contractor positions. The agency is a National Health Services Corp Approved site, with a federal student loan repayment program available for potentially qualified licensed practitioners. We are looking for individuals with a passion to serve children and families in our communities. Someone who doesn’t want to do this life-changing work alone. If you’re a qualified applicant who wants to be the hope for families in Northeast Louisiana, learn how to submit your resume at www.standforhope.org/apply.

On Friday September 3rd, crowds of hungry sweet lovers converged on Downtown West Monroe to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for local bakery, Cake. Chef and bakery owner Becky Thompson along with sister and bakery manager, Emily Kemp, unveiled their long awaited brick and mortar space anchoring the bustling Trenton Street landscape. The team provided custom patrons a sneak peek of their space and mouth watering samples. For your next special occasion, the team at Cake is ready and excited to serve you.

1 Becky Thompson and Emily Kemp 2 Holli Henry, Evan Thurston and Jamie McCullars 3 Bobbi McWilliams and Kelley Abernathy 4 Stephanie Sikes, Kris Kelley and Debra DeHart 5 Dylan Williams, Thomas Hendrix with Hali Hendrix 6 Sheila Snow and Dianna DeMoss

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