2021Feature

December 8, 2021

Blog – December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

Christmas 2021

John Bel and I hope you all have a blessed holiday season.
Enjoy this video of the Mansion decorations.

FEATURE ADVENT – Our God Came, He Comes, and He Is Coming Again!

Rev. Dr. Rodney Wood

I am very grateful to First Lady Donna for inviting me to share some thoughts during this special season of the year.

Advent, as you may know, means “Coming.” The Story of the World pivots on that one word – adventus!

When we hid from God in shame in the garden, what did He do? He came to us! He immediately showed that part of His character without which we would be undone. Then throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, in various ways, He lovingly and repeatedly says, “I am coming!” And the story of your life and mine pivots on our response to Him who said, and is saying, “I am coming!”

During these days of Advent, Jesus wants to take you into your fullest, personal experience of His comings: His first coming, His present comings, and His second coming. Let Him lead you into prolonged ponderings of the Holy Scriptures wherein He will tell you about both His first and second comings. As you deeply contemplate all that you are told about His wonderful advents into His world, you will be taken up into extraordinary feelings of amazement, gratitude, and love. Your continued meditation on the facts of His story will become like a casting of fire logs onto the flames within you. It is by those flames that your heart and mind will be transported back to the time of His birth and His life as the Suffering Servant, and you will be launched forward to see the day of His return as the Victorious King. Your ongoing experience of these two great advents of our Lord will then cause you to have a greatly heightened awareness of His constant, present comings in your life.

His First Coming: Jesus, Almighty God the Son, came for our redemption. This is the bedrock of our faith. Our foundation is not our personal experiences, as wonderful as they may be. The underpinning of our faith is an historical event: the coming of God into His world as a Man.

Over fifty years ago, when I was a university student, I was struggling greatly with uncertainty about the truthfulness of the Incarnation. I knew that if this seemingly bizarre idea was not true, this whole Christian religion was nothing: it was absolutely nothing for me to be concerned about. On the other hand, if it was true, then it was everything – everything my whole life was about, everything the whole world was about. Knowing that it was possible that this might be true, and therefore in fact be everything, I knew right then and there that I could not pass through this short life without at least trying to find out whether this was true. Soon after this, in God’s kind providence, I had the opportunity to go with some friends to a beautiful farm in Washington Parish to hear a talk by a Harvard graduate who was involved in campus ministry at LSU. His lecture was exactly what I needed to hear. He spoke on Christ’s perfect fulfillment of the Old Testament’s messianic prophecies. Here is a very brief synopsis of what we heard:

It was in Genesis 3:15 that God announced His redemptive plan as He declared that the “offspring” of the woman “will crush the head” of the serpent. Centuries later, the prophet Isaiah said that this woman would be a “virgin.” The prophets also said that this Man would be a descendant of the Hebrew patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that he would be of the lineage of King David who was of the tribe of Judah. They said that He would be born in the small town of Bethlehem and that He would spend time as a child in Egypt and that a massacre of infants would occur at his birthplace and that He would be called a Nazarene. He would begin His ministry in Galilee, and during His ministry, Gentiles would come to Him.

Possibly most fascinating of all is the detail with which the prophets described his crucifixion and the events attendant upon it. He would be betrayed. He would be abandoned by His closest friends. He would be falsely accused and would give no answer to His accusers. He would be mocked and ridiculed and spat upon and struck. He would be executed with criminals, having His hands and feet pierced. Soldiers would gamble for His garments. He would be given vinegar for His thirst. His bones would not be broken. His side would be pierced. He would be buried with the rich. He would be resurrected from the dead. And He would ascend into heaven.

And who exactly would this Messiah be? The prophet Micah said, “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” And Moses said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.” In the New Testament, as Jesus stood on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah, God the Father echoed Moses’ prophetic words, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

As I sat there, on that night in Washington Parish, I was convinced that it was true: Jesus of Nazareth really was and is Eternal God the Son. God really did come into this world as a Man.

And why did He come? As the songwriter said,

He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed someone to wash my sin away

And now I sing that brand new song: Amazing Grace
For Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

Let Jesus take you back to the feed trough in Bethlehem where in humility He lay. And let Him take you back to the cross where He paid our dreadful debt. Hear Him say, “I came for you!”

His Present Comings: Jesus comes to us again and again as we face the challenges, disappointments, sorrows, and perplexities of this world. Sometimes He comes to deliver us, and sometimes He comes to sustain and strengthen us.

When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace, they replied: “… the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, … But even if He does not, … we will not serve your gods.” When they were then thrown into the fiery furnace, what the king saw bewildered him greatly: “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? Look! I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” The “fourth” is believed by many to have been a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. But even if it was through the agency of one of His holy angels, God came. He delivered them. However, the greatest testimony of these three men’s lives was not their deliverance: it was their declaration of their unconditional loyalty to their God and their absolute trust in His wisdom and goodness: “But even if He does not …!”

When our youngest son John had leukemia twice in the nineties, in our desperation for God’s help in processing this grave situation, my wife Becky and I felt led to continually read and meditate on Psalm 91. The entire psalm was a source of strength over a period of eight years. We had no assurance that John would live, but we sought to hold onto these words from that psalm: “I will be with him in trouble.” We knew that God may not deliver him out of trouble, but He told us that He would be with John “in trouble.”

Jesus may not always deliver you from difficult, even tragic situations, but He will “never leave you nor forsake you.” He will always come!

His Second Coming: Jesus will come to gather to Himself all who belong to Him.

Jesus says: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory.”

The Apostle Paul vividly describes that glory-filled day: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

And in The Revelation, the Apostle John tells us that all the pain of this world will be over: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain: the first things have passed away!”

In the final chapter of Holy Scripture, three times our King speaks of the imminence of His coming. He says, “Behold, I am coming soon. … Behold, I am coming soon. … Surely, I am coming soon.” And we, whom He calls His “bride,” cry out in reply, “COME!” With the Apostle, we say, “COME, LORD JESUS!” This will be our unceasing prayer until He comes again!

Dear friends, our Savior came for our redemption. He continually comes to help us in our present condition. And soon He will come again, and “… we will be like Him” – full of goodness and truth and the beauty of holiness!

Adventus! It’s The Story of the World! It is to be the story of your life and mine!

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

TEACH MAM

Join Annelise Cassar Tedesco as she encourages students to build community and overcome barriers through her conversation and performance series titled Arts Strong.

Community is one of the essential components of Louisiana. Louisianans are famous for good food, good times, and most importantly, good people. In today’s world, where emotional distance has developed amid social distance, we must prioritize building connections and community. Students need connections that extend horizontally to their peer group. Still, they are better when they become part of a vertically growing community, connecting with generations both younger and older than they are. When this occurs, and students connect with and learn from role models outside the classroom, they gain a broader world insight and learn valuable lessons from professionals working in the field. Students understand the interconnectedness of disciplines, grow in confidence as they form relationships, begin building a professional network, and most importantly, they gain strength from meeting new people and learning how every adult is the result of, or maybe better stated, is in the midst of a journey through challenges and joys.

Learn more

LOUISIANA FOSTERS

If there is one thing you may know about children in foster care, they often live in multiple different foster homes and usually age out of care. While the goal of foster care is to reunify the child/youth with their parents, it is not always a possibility. This situation is something to which I can relate. When I entered the foster care system with two of my three siblings, there was no chance of reunification because both of my parents were set to be incarcerated for a long time and, in turn, had to have their parental rights terminated. I lived in five different homes, the last of which I was placed just seven months before I aged out of care. I believe a child’s success in the system is influenced heavily by the support system they have.

Most children who come into care experience a lack of control in their lives, even more so after being taken from their families. Too often, these children find themselves in similar situations as mine while in care. Every foster child deserves a family to support and love them unconditionally. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. These children have almost assuredly experienced all ranges of trauma throughout their young lives.

Learn more

ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Louisiana has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the United States Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime that will be used to improve outcomes for child and youth victims of human trafficking. The grant is a multi-year award that will be administered by the newly established Louisiana Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention and will help fund the Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative Accessibility Initiative. This is the second time Louisiana has been selected for the award.

“I am proud that the Department of Justice recognizes the hard work we are doing in Louisiana to combat human trafficking and grateful that they saw fit to once again single out Louisiana for this grant,” said Gov. Edwards. “Although we have made great progress, we know that our work is not yet done. This funding will greatly assist our state in implementing programs and practices that will promote greater healing and recovery for victims and survivors. This wouldn’t be possible without the collective efforts of key agencies and trained professionals who have made it their mission to end this horrific crime. I am also extremely thankful of the leadership of my wife Donna who has worked hard over the last several years to raise awareness at both the state and national levels.”

Learn more

GOVERNOR'S MANSION Holidays at the Governor's Mansion

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! With the help of our talented designer, Audrey Hendry, the mansion has been transformed into a magical holiday wonderland. The theme this year is All things silver & gold, with a touch of red. The children’s ornaments have been hung and two new eight-foot angels were created to welcome guests that walk through the mansion front door. The oak trees are lit with snowflakes, and lit garland lines the perimeter of the property. Enjoy these beautiful photos of the exquisite details of our decorations inside the mansion.

We wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

WOMEN'S HEALTH A Woman's Self-Care During the Holidays

The chill of winter approaches as Autumn’s colorful scene sets the stage for a season of festive celebration. The heavy, cozy coats coupled with brilliant orange fireplace flames keep us warm as we snuggle in our favorite red blanket on crisp December night. As we embrace this holiday season, remember that self-care is essential. It should be one of our highest priorities as wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, and friends. Even as we plan our family holiday meals and shop for holiday gifts for those we love, let’s not forget to invest in our well-being.

Community Fridges – Is there one in your area?

Community Fridges are popping up all over the state. Community Fridges are filling a need across our state. It usually works when community groups team up to place a refrigerator and pantry in an area in need. They are usually registered places where surplus food is shared within a local community, by businesses and individuals, and provide welcoming, social spaces open to all.

The fridges are kept up through social media and other means, providing free groceries. Check social media by searching “Community Fridge” to see if there is one in your area.

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 2. Schools

Engagement through Classroom Transformations

As we begin the winter season, our school days are often filled with busy schedules, making plans, meeting deadlines, and most importantly, excited students! The weeks that fall from Thanksgiving until the New Year can bring lots of excitement in the classroom, so it is important as teachers to keep the excitement going when the students return from winter break. There are many ways that teachers can incorporate engagement strategies in the classroom and ensure that all students are excited to learn each and every day. As I begin to plan something new for my students, I like to keep in mind my 3 E’s of Engagement: Effective, Engaging, and Exciting.

One of my most favorite things to do as a classroom teacher, is to bring the element of surprise to my students through classroom transformations! Every day as children arrive at school, teachers have the opportunity to make an everlasting impression on their students and the way that they learn. Many days throughout the year, my students will arrive, expecting a normal school day, and then the classroom is transformed into a new environment! Whether they arrive at a Fractions Pizzeria, StarBUCKS Cafe, NFL Touchdown to Learning, or Inferencing Class Detectives, the students are involved and enthusiastic about the lesson activities. By incorporating classroom transformations, you will be surprised at how effective, engaging, and exciting your lessons will be!

Effective

As teachers create lesson plans, students have a variety of objectives and standards that need to be met. It is important as teachers to be sure that all students are able to successfully meet those expectations. With classroom transformations, students are motivated, involved, and eager to achieve any educational goals that are set for the day. By having effective lessons, students are more likely to achieve higher levels of academic success. The more often I do classroom transformations, the more times I find my students referring back to those lessons when accessing prior knowledge and talking about their experiences for days to come. That is when I know that classroom transformations not only effectively achieve lesson objectives, but also create memorable learning experiences!

Engaging

Capturing student’s engagement is key to the success of classroom transformations. As the students walk in the door on a transformation day, or begin their lesson activities, they are instantly engaged with the new, personalized learning environment! Classroom transformations allow students the ability to use the skills that they have learned, and use them in a fun, more engaging way. When teachers use classroom transformations in the classroom, it provides the students with a hands-on approach while giving them the opportunity to create, collaborate, and discover a new love for learning. This engagement will give students the motivation and determination to complete any task that you have planned for them. When students are engaged in the lesson, they are more likely to show growth and push themselves beyond their expectations!

Exciting

There is nothing more exciting for a student than to be surprised when they walk into their classroom and see something unexpected! By getting the students excited about the upcoming school day, it inspires them to complete the lesson activities as they anticipate what is to come. During these transformations, students are using the skills that they have learned and applying them to real life situations and environments. This allows students of all abilities to connect to the outside world, while giving them an experience like no other. As I plan each of these classroom transformations, I am reminded of all of the joy and excitement that it brings to my students, which inspires me to continue to provide an unforgettable learning experience for my students!

Planning a Classroom Transformation

When planning your first classroom transformation, there are a few things to keep in mind so that both you and your students can fully enjoy the experience.

Keep the decorations cheap and easy!

Classroom transformations do not have to be expensive or time consuming. Simple decorations such as plastic table cloths, a poster, sign, or banner, and activity supplies will help bring your classroom transformation to the next level. A few decorations to match the theme is all you need for the students to recognize that they will have something new and exciting during their school day!

Focus on the content.

The goal of classroom transformations is to bring life to the skills or content you have already been teaching, and present it in a different way. Sometimes, this could be as simple as finding the difference between two scoreboards during a football transformation, or other times applying what they have learned about counting coins to make change during a cafe’ transformation. This gives teachers the opportunity to give students real life experiences and inspire them to think outside the box.

Have fun!

What brings the most joy to students during a classroom transformation, is when they see their teacher excited about learning, too. By wearing a referee shirt and whistle, or using your best Italian accent, the students are sure to buy into the theme and enjoy the excitement that is to come.

By incorporating classroom transformations into your classroom after the winter break, you are sure to bring a new level of excitement into the classroom. This level of engagement from your students just may inspire you to continue to provide these exciting learning experiences, throughout the remainder of the year! As I plan each of these transformations, I am reminded of how important it is to involve students in their learning so that they may reach past the expectations that we have set for them. It is crucial that all students are given the opportunity to achieve excellence in the classroom, which is why I am motivated to give them memorable learning experiences through classroom transformations!

Kaitlyn Richard
Beauregard Parish
South Beauregard Elementary
2022 Louisiana Elementary School State Teacher of the Year

Twitter: @KaitlynHRichard

Instagram: @kaitlynhrichard

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 3. Military

As we move past Veterans Day, we must not forget an important date in December: Wreaths Across America Day. Annually on Dec. 18, ceremonies are held across the nation at more than 2,500 memorial sites to remember, honor and teach. Right here in Louisiana, people gather at our five state-run veterans cemeteries to fulfill the mission of Wreaths Across America so that no veteran is forgotten.

There are two ways that Louisianans can be involved: Purchase a wreath, or multiple wreaths, or attend a ceremony at one of our five cemeteries. If you would like more information, contact one or more of Louisiana’s veterans cemeteries:

Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
337.238.6405
james.armes@la.gov

Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
318.728.4346
tim.johnson@la.gov

Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
318.925.0612
don.howard@la.gov

Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
985.646.6458
daniele.palen@la.gov

Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery
337.246.7094
dwayne.guidry@la.gov

It is important that we show a united front of gratitude and respect across our state as we remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom. We encourage every person who places a wreath on a veteran’s grave to say that veteran’s name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Remember, we are not “decorating graves.” We are to remember not their deaths, but their lives, and each wreath is a gift of appreciation.

For more information about LDVA, visit vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 4. Business

Jill DiMarco, DMCP/CMP

Owner, Signature Destination Management, LLC

Jill DiMarco is the owner of Signature Destination Management, LLC. Signature DMC is a full-service Destination Management Company that works with corporations and convention groups traveling to New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast. The past two years have been particularly devasting to the tourism industry. Jill’s team of meeting and event professionals are inspired to introduce clients once again to the culture and authenticity of the region. From Events, Conventions, Tours, and Teambuilding, they work with local vendors and businesses to produce nationally acclaimed and award-winning programs. They are so excited to showcase New Orleans once again to their clients. When clients book with Signature DMC, they know that it is a turnkey service and that Signature will take care of all the creativity and nitty-gritty details.

Jill and the Signature team have proudly collaborated with the Zurich Classic PGA tournament since its inception in 2005. And are thrilled to be working with the Louisiana First Foundation on the National Coalition for the Prevention of Human Sex Trafficking Fund Raiser.

Signature DMC is a certified WBENC. Jill is serving a second term on the Board of Directors of New Orleans & Company (New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.) She holds the designation of Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP). She is a member of the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADMEI) and is currently on her second stint on the ADME/Accreditations and Certification Board. She is also a past chair of this board. Jill is married with two children and a fighting tiger from LSU.

Website: www.signature-dmc.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=signature%20destination%20management

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaturenola/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-dimarco-703440154/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/76915365/admin/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxkdGTn4y748SVQQcKx0VyA

FEATURED RECIPE Christmas Sugar Cookies

Everyone needs a quick recipe for cookies during the holidays! Try these and add fun sprinkle toppings to make them festive.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder 1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar 1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

Step 2
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until
smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.

Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto un-greased cookie sheets.

Step 3
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Servings: 48
Yield: 4 dozen

MEMORABLE VERSE December 2021

THE FIRST DOGS Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

MEET OUR EDITOR Delery Rice

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Delery has lived there all of her life except during undergraduate school and a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She is a mother to four boys, ranging in ages from 21 to 16, and they are the heart and soul of her life.

Delery earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University. She completed a fellowship at Loyola University, New Orleans Institute of Politics, and currently attends Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.

November 18, 2021

Blog – October 2021

The October 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 12

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

Everyone Can Do Something

I was invited to participate virtually in the Science and Ethics of Happiness workshop on “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” this month. This workshop was hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Science and Social Sciences at the Vatican in Rome.

A special thank you to Monsignor Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo for the personal invitation and the work he has been doing over the last few decades through this Academy. Also, I want to acknowledge the great work of Jeffrey Sachs throughout his professional career and his leadership through this Academy.

In 2016, my husband John Bel Edwards and I were blessed to become Governor and First Lady of Louisiana. As pro-life/whole-life Democrats, we are considered an oddity in politics. Some have used the word unicorn in their descriptions. We hit the ground running in 2016 to address the many problems, including poverty, which has been a long-standing issue in our state, poor education and health outcomes, and tackling a historic budget deficit of nearly two billion dollars that threatened critical state services.

My husband signed an executive order expanding Medicaid for the working poor on his first day of office. Today, more than 680,000 Louisianans now have health insurance who were unable to afford it before. In addition, we also have the lowest percentage of uninsured Louisianans in our state’s history because of the expansion of Medicaid.

The issue of human sex trafficking (HST) was not on my radar, but it quickly came to the forefront as a pressing matter that needed attention in our state. You see, before this position, I had never heard of this type of crime. I soon came to understand that it existed right in front of me – in front of us all.

Many of you may know or have heard of Sister Eugenia Bonetti from Rome. She has been working in this space for decades. Through her work, along with the work of Father Jeff Bayhi and the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy, I came to be involved in the effort to end human sex trafficking.

In January of 2017, we traveled to Rome and met with Sister Bonetti to learn even more about this crime and to meet others who were working hard to end trafficking. We met women from all walks of life but ended up in the same situation due to these traffickers. So, my journey of understanding began at this point.

In all sincerity, I was reluctant to take on the issue of human sex trafficking at first. It was tough to hear the stories of adults and especially victimized children. I didn’t want to listen to the horror of this terrible crime happening across our world, including Louisiana.

But I listened to those who have been on the front lines and prayed for the victims of this heinous crime. As a practicing Catholic trying to live out my faith, I accepted the calling to use my platform and leverage my leadership role as the First Lady to raise awareness about this serious crime.

We soon learned there is a real connection between poverty and human sex trafficking. That’s why we have focused our efforts on helping foster youth establish permanent relationships. One major step we have taken is extending foster care to 21 years of age. The goal is to surround foster youth with the resources and support that they need to exit foster care as stable, confident adults with relationships they can continue to rely on. Currently, there are 233 youth in our Extended Foster Care Program.

Children in foster care are at greater risk of being victimized by human sex trafficking. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, it’s estimated that 60 percent of child sex trafficking victims have a history in the child welfare system. Human traffickers will prey on the most vulnerable individuals, which is why foster children have a greater risk of becoming victims than those who aren’t in the system.

On any given day in Louisiana, we have an average of over 4,000 children in our foster care system. Since 2016, we have had a record number of over 4,000 foster children who have found their forever homes. Approximately 66 percent of children were reunited with their biological families once their relatives received counseling and support to create loving, nurturing, and safe environments.

This year, I supported a bill that created the Governor’s Office of Human Sex Trafficking Prevention, and it was signed into law by my husband this session. This new office is Louisiana’s first government entity dedicated solely to addressing human sex trafficking.

We all understand these crimes have no borders, so in 2020 I started reaching out to the first spouses of governors in other states to see how we could work together on a larger scale to address this problem. They were immediately on board, and we began hosting virtual Human Sex Trafficking Global Summits. The response has been tremendous.

To date, we have held four summits that have collectively attracted more than 1000 participants consisting of first spouses, state leaders, and national and international service providers. We have learned so much and created contacts and connections across state lines. Part of this process includes learning more about the trauma that comes from this abuse or, as Pope Francis calls it, this scourge on humanity.

I began attending courses and participating in forums to better understand the effects of this type of trauma. We are currently working on a Trauma and ACE’s Statewide Plan. I take away from these many courses my layman’s understanding and then share this knowledge with others hoping that they too will begin to understand what is actually happening.

Many everyday people want to understand and become involved. Some may ask, what do I have to offer? How can I make a difference? I asked myself those same questions at one time. I do not have professional or formal training in this area of research and understanding of HST.

This is how I respond. I can offer myself by learning and doing all I can do to better understand ways to prevent and bring awareness to this crime.. I am constantly educating myself, learning all that I can by reading books and articles about trafficking and organizations that rescue, heal and teach victims how to rise above the ashes. I participate and listen to seminars and podcasts by law enforcement to better understand their perspectives.

I volunteer at homes like Metanoia Manor in Louisiana, a safe haven for trafficked young girls. The average age of the victims is 13. Metanoia is the only one of its kind in our country where the state, civic organizations, and faith-based groups have come together to help survivors restore their lives. I listen and learn, and my empathy deepens when I look into the eyes of these young girls.

I support and raise money for organizations like Children Advocacy Centers which carry out the hard work of rescuing, counseling, and rebuilding the lives of these victims. I travel, speak and share the stories of the survivors, and I lift them in prayer. This is how I support these victims and support the professionals that do the hard work.

We have created the National Coalition of HST Prevention and will hold the first conference in New Orleans in April 2022 for The Final Four NCAA Championship weekend. As many of you know, large sporting events draw traffickers, and our goal is to consolidate resources from all of our state agencies to produce a sizable statewide campaign that says, “Our state’s people are Not for Sale.” We want to see this replicated in other states as well.

Lastly, I will say we must invest in early childhood and public education (because children are our future), affordable and accessible healthcare for all, and more low-income housing. Otherwise, we need to admit that we are trapping people inside the walls of poverty.

Let us all RISE UP to help survivors of this terrible crime of human trafficking, raise awareness and provide solutions and policies to support the needs of the victims. We all deserve access to a quality life. Together, we can and will make a difference.

God Bless,

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

Yes Mam, No Mam, Thank you Mam = Teach MAM!

Teach MAM
(Music, Arts, Movement)

LOUISIANA
FOSTERS

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Governor’s Mansion
China

Upon entering the Governor’s Mansion, you’re immediately taken aback by the stunning historical architecture and walls covered in fine art. As you progress through the foyer, you’ll notice two rooms, one on the left, one on the right. The room to the right is the State Dining Room which contains many historical pieces of art, but the one we’ll focus on in this month’s blog is the beautiful wooden china cabinet and what resides inside.

VISIT GOVERNOR'S MANSION STORE

DOWNLOAD MEMBERSHIP FORM

WOMEN’S HEALTH

“The Fight of Our Lives”

by Monique Pierce Hamilton MD, FACOG

LFF_Blog_October2021_Health_DrPierceHamilton

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Ida
Resources

COMMUNITY

READ

Karen Robertson

2022 Louisiana State Elementary Principal of the Year

SCHOOLS

READ

Desert Storm 30th Anniversary Commemoration

MILITARY

READ

Melissa McInnis
Bliss Photography

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

KETO JALAPEÑO POPPERS

These keto jalapeno poppers are a low-carb appetizer that is so easy to prepare! Wrapped with bacon and with a creamy, cheesy filling, it’s a show stopper! Baked, not fried!

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: august 2021

: july 2021

: june 2021

: may 2021

: april 2021

: march 2021

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

Just out here looking for Fall.

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, she went on to receive a Masters in Non-Profit Management from Louisiana State University. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.

November 18, 2021

Blog – November 2021

NOVEMBER 2021

It's Fall, Y'all!

The Loving Louisiana Blog is entering into its 4th year this month. We are excited about this upcoming year and the opportunity for more outreach and highlighting even more of our community partners and those making a difference across our state.

Like many of you in the nonprofit world and others in the business community, all of us working with the Louisiana First Foundation (LFF) have also had to find innovative ways to raise money during the Covid-19 pandemic. We spoke with other nonprofits about their strategies and were so inspired by the many ideas they shared, prompting us to think of creative ways to promote and raise funds to support our work helping Louisiana’s children.

So as we begin this new chapter in our story, we are faithful to the work set before us. We trust that given all that we have been able to accomplish together, through the generosity of people like you and many others, we will continue providing valuable resources to those who need them. We are so excited about what the future holds.

As the holiday season approaches, we have come up with a great idea to help make your gift shopping and giving a little easier. We have curated a beautiful but small collection of Louisiana-made items that could be perfect for that special child or loved one in your life. We are thrilled to introduce all of our partners and friends to the Les Fideles Louisiana Collection. Les Fideles is a French phrase that means “the faithful.” Each purchase enables the LFF to continue supporting children across our state. We hope you enjoy the collection and thank you in advance for your thoughtful purchase.

You all have been such wonderful encouragers along this journey, and my team and I are THANKFUL for each of you! We pray your Thanksgiving is filled with joy, gratefulness, LOVE, and FRIENDS and FAMILY. Happy Thanksgiving!

Click our logo to shop and support LFF

Lord,

Help us to all be “The Faithful”. Faithful in doing your will and trusting in your loving care. Guide and guard us as we step out in faith believing in your word. Give us a heart of compassion for those around us as we all carry a cross along this journey called life. Amen

FEATURE A Bandit in the Mansion

Hello friends, can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here? We may be near the end of the year, but I’m super excited to finally share some pretty big news about a new beginning of sorts for me. It’s a special project that I’ve been working on for quite some time- a real dream come true. It’s the release of my new children’s book series entitled A Bandit in the Mansion Series, and the first book is called “Bandit Moves to the Mansion”. As a teacher and a mom, I know that reading is such a gift, which unfortunately many take for granted. Reading allows us to escape to a place and time all our own. It encourages our minds to dream and to go where our feet often cannot take us.

In 2016, I found myself in a place of uncertainty. Uncertainty of my new role as the first lady. Uncertainties of being mom to our newly married daughter, a son in his last year of Jr High and a daughter in college were sometimes a challenge. January of that year was filled with the inauguration and lots of stressors. Thirteen tornadoes touched down in February, flooding in March, a shooting, protests and unrest in June and even more shootings in July involving six law enforcement officers, of which three died. Then August came, and we experienced the 100- year flood that destroyed many communities. It seemed everywhere we turned there was tragedy and trauma that was often hard to process much less understand.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized that the numbness I was feeling, the days of walking in a fog-like state was actually my brain in overload. I would go through the days and realize I had accomplished very little. Staring out the window watching law enforcement officers protecting the mansion as protesters yelled from the other side. These were times of high stress, anxiety and uncertainty.

The constant in my life at the time was my husband. John Bel had a source of strength that I often referred to as his “Ranger Mode”. He was focused and solid. His resilience and our strong faith in God gave me strength and calmness as we rode out this storm of uncertainties together.

My sweet dogs were my second source of peace. They brought joy and calmness. Bandit and Molly came to the mansion with us from Roseland. But my little bichon, Lady, was brought to the Mansion in July. A puppy always brings a certain joy that is like none other. Having these fur babies around gave a certain comfort and often laughter.

Only after a few months did the idea of a children’s book about Bandit and his adventures in the Mansion come to my mind. It was this book idea that started bringing a state of clarity to my spirit. I would sit outside rocking in the breeze writing these adventures, pin to paper and remembering the details of each discovery he made. Using my creativity to write what I believed Bandit must have been thinking based on his actions.

This time of writing became my chance to escape into his world. His movements and actions throughout the Mansion property became an opportunity for me to write, to be creative, to heal. Yes, this time of creativity of writing presented a time of stillness, and a time of healing of my mind. My mind now had a focus. This new focus was not of uncertainty or trauma. It was a focus of what I knew, and within this time I found joy and the opportunity to smile.

Music, art and movement are part of my initiative within the Louisiana First Foundation. The arts are important to teaching the whole child. And within the arts many find a peace, a calmness that is therapy and healing to the mind and soul. Therapy for the overworked brain. Therapy for the mind that is needed for healing. So this is where I found my healing, in using my creative mind. I hope you will enjoy reading this book to your children, grandchildren, young family members and students.

I encourage everyone to find something creative to bring into their life. A focus of joy and a gift to your mind. I am truly thankful for the gift of creativeness. And my wish is for you to find that gift too. We all have a creative side so start searching if you don’t know what yours is yet. It may be music, art, movement, acting, writing, dance, sports, etc…. Take a chance on yourself!

And please consider supporting our foundation by selecting a special gift from Les Fideles.

Lesfideles.com

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

TEACH MAM

Louisiana First Foundation’s Teach MAM Ambassadors joined First Lady Donna Edwards to discuss Teach MAM plans for the upcoming year. Be on the lookout for some fun videos from our Ambassadors, and be sure to follow First Lady Edwards on TikTok to participate in the upcoming Christmas Caroling Challenge led by our Music Ambassador, Annelise Casaar Tedesco with surprise guest appearances by our Art Ambassador, Carolyn Scalfano and our Movement Ambassador Key’re Bradford.

Learn more

LOUISIANA FOSTERS

On October 28, 2021, Louisiana Superintendents, teachers, school counselors, the Department of Children and Family services, Louisiana Fosters, and partners participated in the 5th Louisiana Fosters Summit. The summit was able to reach all corners of the state through our virtual platform. This year covered all the aspects of trauma in our state and how it affects our children. Below is a recap of what each speaker had to say.

Learn more

ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Louisiana First Foundation’s (LFF) work on Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness has grown to a national scale. During the Spring of 2022, LFF will host the inaugural event for this heinous plague on our society. First Spouses from all fifty states and territories are invited to join First Lady Donna Edwards in hosting the first National Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign with the intent of eliminating the scourge of human sex trafficking in our states. Working in this area has allowed First Lady Edwards and LFF to collaborate with many outstanding individuals across our country who are working to combat this scourge against humanity.

Learn more

GOVERNOR'S MANSION The Rose Garden Ornament

The 2021 Louisiana Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation ornament pays tribute to the mansion’s beautiful rose garden, a favorite area to visit by both children and adults alike. Under the care of Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards, both avid gardeners, the garden has blossomed to include more than 30 varieties of roses. The rose garden was first established by Gov. and Mrs. Jimmie Davis in 1963.

In 2016, Mrs. Edwards began hosting annual celebrations inviting garden club members from around the state to learn about its history and help sustain its future. She was delighted to welcome Peggy Martin during that inaugural year to plant the Peggy Martin Rose, also known as the Hurricane Katrina Survivor Rose. These climbing roses were placed on the three trellises in the garden. Mrs. Edwards further enhanced the garden by adding a swing and lights to the Dripping Oak Fountain designed by Brenda Wiederkehr.

In 2017, LSU Agriculture Center along with First Lady Donna Edwards and several wives of legislators replaced all of the original rose bushes, which were given to the families of former governors. That same year, the garden was officially named the Rose Long Garden in loving memory of Senator Gerald Long’s wife Rose who generously supported its preservation.

In addition, each parish that has helped with the preservation of the garden has a special plaque placed in front of a rose bush. As you enjoy southern afternoons with family and friends, remember to always take a little time to smell the roses.

These ornaments make lovely Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. As we prepare for the holidays, which may look quite different this year, we offer a unique gift that will be appreciated by those we love. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to place your order as soon as possible.

PURCHASE ORNAMENT HERE

WOMEN'S HEALTH A Woman’s Breastplate of Prevention and Protection This Winter

7a.LFF.Blog.Nov21.WomensHealthLaura Mutter

With winter approaching, as an emergency physician and pediatrician, I am bracing for the onset of the 2021-2022 flu season. I am more concerned this year than other years. It turns out that masking and social distancing was effective against COVID 19, but surprisingly even more effective against influenza. Less than 0.2% of samples globally tested positive for influenza between September 2020 and January 2021 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Between 2017-2020, the rate was 17%. The near complete suppression of influenza worldwide from 2020-2021 likely worsens the outlook for the 2021-2022 flu season: we could face an outbreak that occurs earlier, is more widespread, or of longer duration for several reasons.

The first concern is that immunity from influenza only lasts a year or two. If far fewer people were exposed to the circulating influenza viruses in the past year, then the level of natural immunity in the population will be low. Will this be like forest fires where if you suppress all the little fires when you finally get a forest fire it’s a monster? We just don’t know. It is unclear how people’s immune systems will respond when re-exposed to influenza.

Secondly, the near absence of influenza is 2020-2021 impacted vaccine production for this season. The Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) is a group of laboratories and public-health institutions in 123 countries that collect respiratory samples throughout the year. They do gene sequencing of the influenza viruses to determine which ones are most prevalent. In February, the WHO united experts to recommend which strains of flu should be targeted by the next influenza vaccine for the Northern hemisphere. In February of 2021, these experts selected four viruses for this year’s vaccines. Given that they had less information, it’s uncertain if they targeted the right viral strains.

The third area of concern is the possibility of managing both a bad influenza outbreak and a COVID resurgence this winter. This has produced a new term in medicine. Instead of a pandemic we would have a “twin-demic.” The Academy of Medical Sciences in Britain report that being infected with influenza A makes people more susceptible to COVID-19. There is increasing evidence that influenza and COVID-19 can coexist and that if you have both infections simultaneously COVID 19 is worse. Also, anyone with even mild influenza will seek medical attention to get a COVID 19 test and this will tax the medical system.

As a result of all these factors, this will be a unique winter of unknowns. The best strategy of protection and prevention is simply to get vaccinated for both infections if approved by your healthcare provider. Also, although social distancing rules are being loosened, you should continue to wash your hands, wear masks in public indoor spaces and socialize outdoors.

References:

Northern Exposure. The Economist. September 25, 2021.
Seasonal Influenza in adults: Transmission, clinical, manifestations, and complications. Raphael Dolin, MD. UpToDate. Nov.18,2020.

–Dr. Laura Mutter

8a.LFF.Blog.Nov21.Community.UWVolunteerOpp

8b.LFF.Blog.Nov21.Community.UWVolunteerOpp

The United Way of Southeast Louisiana has compiled a list of volunteer opportunities available during the holidays through their United Way HandsOn Entergy Volunteer Center. The list can be found on their website and below:

Sometimes life presents us with challenging situations. In these instances, we often find ourselves searching for sunshine during the rain and calmness during the storm. In these times, it can be hard to move beyond the dark clouds in search of clarity. In Louisiana, the weather occasionally beats us down by the roar of thunder, the blowing of the wind, and the flooding of streets and homes. However, even in the lightning strike of adversity, Louisiana has proven to be a place of resilience where we remain believers, that all storms will pass. Over the last two years, Louisiana has endured multiple hurricanes and weather that affected daily operations. Still, we have and must continue to keep moving forward, onward, and upward through it all.

Like a pair of work boots, made to last, protect, and suited for the environment, our boot-shaped state- inclusive of our rich culture and deep heritage, is a perfect example and picture of resilience, strong.

Storms, natural disasters, or anxiety-causing terrors by the names of Laura, Delta, and Ida have become a part of our environmental landscape, leaving us feeling unsafe, unprotected, and unsure. These hurricanes, along with their counterpart, global storm/pandemic Covid-19, have changed our lives as we know them. They have affected our homes, jobs, health, mental well-being, and education systems.

The storms have come, but as leaders of schools and communities, we are protectors. People look up to us and depend on us even when we are in search of the same. As educators, we are expected to be strong; deal with the blows, and take it as it comes. Sometimes that is hard. As we deal with our own “stuff” and our family’s “stuff,” we must come to work and deal with what? Yes! Our children’s “stuff” and other people’s “stuff,” yet we propel as protectors. Our way of protection comes as a natural occurrence; it is what we do, and our strength is that we do not think about it other than in reflection. We turn it on. We make it happen for our students. There are no available survival kits that can prepare us for the unpredictability of the storms we deal with, so our mindset is everything. We must continue to wake up determined to make it and go to bed every night satisfied, knowing that we did our best. Whether it is the storms of life, storms of health, storms of being an educator, or natural storms, keep in mind that it is temporary “stuff,” and we can push through it all. Though challenging, we must stay the course because the storm is only passing over. It will not last forever.

In the heart of Calcasieu Parish lies a principal who, like many other principals in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and surrounding areas, is dealing with the woes of the pandemic and some of our toughest challenges, the challenges of others. With these challenges in mind, we help educators see that their undying efforts will improve the lives of the students we serve. Similarly, as leaders, we must help parents and students find new hope during and after the storm. The absence of homes now compounds the absence of hope due to hurricane damage, the absence of loved ones, and a new hopelessness in the environment in which they live. These storms have left many of the students we serve with that feeling of hopelessness that resonates tenfold with the additional challenges they face daily. How do we now sustain a quality life and quality education? We have had to have many collaborative “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” collective moments to help one another. Today, I grab your bootstraps, and tomorrow you grab mine. That is how we survive, sustain, grow, adjust, and balance.

Balance is a word that we all talk about, and it looks different from many lenses. As principals, we must plan for balance because the job comes with weighty responsibilities. Below are five tools that I have used when I have felt hopeless and overwhelmed by the storms in my life. These tools have helped me press the “reset” button and get that balance needed to move forward, onward, and upward. I hope these tools will be helpful to you too

Five tools to keep in your “surviving the storm” kit:

Get back to the basics as soon as possible. When I feel the weight of too many problems and responsibilities, I get up, walk down the hall, find a classroom, and immediately begin to work with the teacher and students. Often sliding into a seat in a classroom taught by an inspired and inspiring teacher, immersing myself back into the world of students brings me immediate happiness. These visits remind me of my WHY and not the storm!

Have a hard conversation with yourself. Often, we focus on the “Mirror Me and not the Inner Me.” When I am frustrated, overwhelmed, or feel underappreciated, I stop and look in the mirror, then often look beyond. Mindset matters, and sometimes we focus on what everyone sees versus how we see it. In these times, I take a moment to gather perspective by reminding myself of the gift I possess as a person, not only as a principal. Every day I am blessed with the opportunity to walk into a building filled with people who expect me to lead in all capacities. I have a first-row seat in witnessing the making of our future. No other job on earth would make me feel this worthy, grateful, and proud! This job reminds me of my WHY and not the storm!

Out of sight, out of mind. Now and then, I will end a day feeling like I will never get ahead or dug out from under all the things I must get done. Ironically, the best thing I can do for myself at that moment is go home. I remind myself that the work will get done in due time. It always does. So, I will take a long walk, have a meal with my family, enjoy some extra time tucking the kids into bed, and refuse to worry about school. It is incredible how taking some time away from the to-do list can flip the switch from “impossible” to “completely do-able.” These breaks remind me of my WHY and not the storm!

Find an accountability partner. I have a group of colleagues on speed-dial. On difficult days, I pick up the phone and ask, “Can you just…listen for a moment?” They allow me to vent some of my anxiety or frustrations and respond in kind. Before I know it, we are making fun of ourselves for some aspect of our jobs, and then we are laughing, and I am back to feeling inspired. Just remembering that I am not alone can fix me right up. These friends remind me of my WHY and not the storm!

Adjust your mindset when needed. Remember that it does not matter with which type of storm you are dealing. You will survive! Keep in mind that with the right attitude, all things are possible, and you will move forward, onward, and upward!

Website: www.principalcoachharvey.com
Facebook: @Ronnie W Harvey, Jr.
Linkedin: Principal Coach Harvey
Instagram: @ principalcoachharvey
Twitter: @ princoachharvey
#ForwardOnwardUpward
School System: Calcasieu Parish
School: Washington Marion Magnet High School
2022 Louisiana High School State Principal of the Year

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 3. Military

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DEDICATES “NEVER FORGET” GARDEN ON VETERANS DAY

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) dedicated the “Never Forget” Garden in the Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park adjacent to the State Capitol on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Gov. John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards joined LDVA Secretary Joey Strickland, COL (USA Retired) for the dedication.

“The dedication of the Never Forget Garden in our Veterans Park is important because it coincides with the 100^th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” said LDVA Secretary Joey Strickland, COL (USA Retired). “These gardens are being put in around the country as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by our service men and women who died with their remains unidentified.”

The National Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier enlisted the American Rose Society to encourage the creation of Never Forget Gardens to ensure the millions of American service members are forever honored and remembered. The garden in the Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park is a statewide volunteer project by Louisiana members of the American Rose Society, the Louisiana Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Louisiana Garden Club Federation.

You can see a recording of the day’s events on LDVA’s Facebook page and via this link: https://fb.watch/9d8yDRtP_u/.

For more information about the dedication or LDVA, visit www.vetaffairs.la.gov, email veteran@la.gov, call 225.219.5000 or follow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Connect with LDVA:

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA 4. Business

The Louisiana First Foundation is excited to announce Les Fidelis will provide a portion of all proceeds to support the foundation. We are thrilled to embark on this partnership that supports the continuation of our work in Louisiana.

FEATURED RECIPE Turkey and Sausage Gumbo

It’s Gumbo season in Louisiana! Don’t forget to save the turkey carcass for your roux. One of our favorite holiday traditions in Louisiana is taking the time to make homemade Gumbo with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. It fills the house with amazing smells! Enjoy this traditional recipe, or one from your own family. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Turkey and Sausage Gumbo

Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 lb. andouille sausage, sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Creole seasoning to taste
5 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 cup of leftover Thanksgiving turkey

Optional: Tabasco Sauce to taste

Directions:

Step 1 – Make the Roux
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil gets hot, whisk in flour. Continue whisking until the roux has cooked to the color of dark chocolate, 10 to 12 minutes. You must stir constantly. Be careful not to burn the roux! You will have to start over if you see black specks in the mixture!

Step 2
Stir the onion, bell pepper, celery, and sausage into the roux and cook down for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetable are clear and soft. Stir in the garlic and cook another 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning; blend thoroughly. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chicken, and simmer 2-3 hours. Skim foam that floats to the top during the last hour.

MEMORABLE VERSE November 2021

THE FIRST DOGS Happy Thanksgiving!

MEET OUR EDITOR Delery Rice

Delery earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University. She completed a fellowship at Loyola University, New Orleans Institute of Politics, and currently attends Harvard Kennedy School of Politics. Her volunteer work has mostly evolved from issues that have affected her personally. Actively engaged in disability rights advocacy, Delery has testified numerous times in the Louisiana Legislature regarding issues that affect persons with developmental disabilities. She served as the chair of the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, worked for seven years directing regional advocacy efforts and is a graduate of Louisiana’s Partners In Policymaking.

August 10, 2021

Blog – August 2021

The August 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 10

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

Do You Really Want To Hear The Truth?

Do You Really Want to Hear the Truth?

As I write this month’s post, I can’t help but think about the crisis our state is facing during this fourth surge of COVID-19. I’m grateful to all of you who have received a vaccine and are wearing a mask. You are doing your part to help make our state safer and stop the destruction the Delta variant is having on adults and children alike – something we have never seen during this pandemic. My heart hurts for those affected and for the people who have yet to get vaccinated.

Do you really want to hear the truth? As I write out this question, a line from a famous movie, A Few Good Men, comes to mind, “You can’t handle the truth!” said actor Jack Nicholson. Is that where we are, is it that we can’t handle the truth, or do we no longer recognize the truth or facts? There is so much misinformation, TV reporting mistruths, social media conspiracies, and fake news. It doesn’t help that so many of our leaders don’t speak the truth. So, what are we to do? How in the world do we find the truth or recognize the truth when we see and hear it? There is so much misinformation preventing people from doing the right thing that it’s putting all of us in a perilous situation. So, what are we to do? Keep sharing the truth.

Honesty and integrity have always been the hallmarks of a strong character. We should expect these from all of our leaders. I’m very proud that John Bel, my husband, father of our children and governor of our great state, is a man of great integrity and honor. He has been for as long as I’ve known him. In high school, a civic organization gave him the Honesty and Integrity Award. His peers at West Point Military Academy selected him to serve as vice chairman of the Honor Committee. He has always been known as “Honest John.”

He is the same way today. As he makes difficult decisions about how to best protect Louisiana during this deadly virus, he consistently consults with medical experts across our state and nation. No matter the emergency our state faces, he surrounds himself with those who know first-hand what’s going on. He is always transparent and truthful about where we are. We are both grateful for the many letters, emails, and calls supporting his efforts.

Of course, we should always think for ourselves, but our decisions should be based on facts, not myths spread on social media or by people and sources that are not credible.

What makes me sad about this latest surge is how the defiance and ugliness of others affect our own family and friends, some of whom are nurses treating COVID patients who continue to complain about the vaccines and masks. Wow, I have no words.

We have family and friends who are teachers and have colleagues who are outright disrespectful to them, either by wearing masks on their chins or not at all. But those same educators demand their students follow the classroom rules to maintain safety and order. As teachers, we have always taught the Golden Rule. Did we forget what it means?

The real truth is that there are three safe, effective, free and widely available vaccines at more than 1,400 locations in our state. No one has died from the vaccines, but more than 11,000 Louisianans have died from the virus. The overwhelming majority of hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated. As many doctors and nurses who are on the frontlines in our hospitals have said, our only way of combating this latest surge is with vaccines and masks. Anyone in our state can call 211 to get their questions answered or find a vaccine location near them.

I also have loved ones who have chosen not to be vaccinated. I don’t agree with their decision, but I still love and am kind to them. Why? It is the right thing to do, and we are called to be good, honest, truthful, and kind.

John Bel works many late nights and weekends. I know he is tired both emotionally and physically. But I also know he is committed to doing what is right by our people and finds great joy serving our state. That’s a gift from God.

One evening after a recent press conference, I said to John Bel, “Don’t you just want to give up on these people who are so completely defiant of the facts?” In a caring and calm voice, he said, “Donna, I can’t give up on them.” Such compassion and patience. My husband genuinely cares.

Each morning before John Bel leaves for the day, we pray together. He often leads. We thank God for our blessings and pray for those who are sick, health care workers, family and friends and that our people will come together in unity. We offer it up and trust in the goodness of God to lead our day and bless our work.

As I close, I have one simple question: Can we just be nice to each other? Because if there is anything this virus has shown us it’s at the end of the day, we are all truly connected in some way. We are all children of God.

Love to all,

ProfTracy on TikTok has gone viral for combatting misinformation surrounding the coronavirus vaccine. She is a retired college professor and holds a PhD in microbiology and immunology. She creates videos which feature people who are spreading misinformation and de-bunks this misinformation in real time.

Watch her TikTok videos here.

02. FEATURE

Governor’s Fellow Experience

Written by Allison Hunt

My experience in the Governor’s Fellows program has been full of knowledge, passion, and connections that will last a lifetime. It’s given me a new love and appreciation for Louisiana and its people. Traveling to different parts of the state and meeting so many passionate people about making Louisiana the best it can be has inspired me to continue to do the same.

Working in the First Lady’s Office this summer has taught me so many things, one being that we have the best First Lady in the country! Along with her office, she works tirelessly to make life better for children, teachers, and survivors through her Louisiana First Foundation. Getting to learn and help with that work has been an eye-opening experience. I have found a passion for fighting against human trafficking, and I plan to keep fighting after the fellowship ends. The Governor grants the opportunity to present a policy that we wrote with the help of our assigned offices. We present the policy proposal to him and his cabinet at the end of our time in Baton Rouge. I have seen firsthand how government works in Louisiana and even get to play a small part.

LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

Yes Mam, No Mam, Thank you Mam = Teach MAM!

Teach MAM
(Music, Arts, Movement)

LOUISIANA
FOSTERS

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Governor’s Mansion
Virtual Tours

It’s officially August! Time for summer activities to start winding down and school activities to start gearing up. As school days are upon us, one particular activity everyone at the Governor’s Mansion loves is welcoming our school tours to this beautiful property. Since 2016, schools from all over the state of Louisiana have come to the Governor’s Mansion to learn about its unique history and taste one of the famous Mansion Cookies! Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Mansion is quiet, and we await the final call that the pandemic is behind us so we can have our school tours and visitors back again.

VISIT GOVERNOR'S MANSION STORE

DOWNLOAD MEMBERSHIP FORM

WOMEN’S HEALTH

“Groundhog Day”

by Dr. Lucio Miele

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Keep Louisiana
Beautiful

COMMUNITY

READ

Marco D. French, M. Ed.

SCHOOLS

READ

Suicide Prevention
Summit

MILITARY

READ

August Events

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

MAKE LEMONS OUT
OF LEMONADE:

LEROY’S STORY

Leroy’s Lip Smack’n Lemonade Stand was started in 2012 in Leroy Hayward, III’s front yard as a participant in Raising Cane’s National Lemonade Day. The young entrepreneur thought it was a great way to give back to the New Orleans Children’s Hospital since the doctors there had done so much for Leroy. In 2014, he entered his lemonade in the Lemonade Day tasting contest, and won 1st place! At just six years old, Leroy became one of Louisiana’s youngest entrepreneurs. Leroy expanded the business by selling his lemonade at Tiger Stadium, the PMAC and at Matherne’s. In more recent years, the business began bottling its product and now sells the famous lemonade in over twenty stores.

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: july 2021

: june 2021

: may 2021

: april 2021

: march 2021

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

The First Dogs enjoying books on
National Book Lovers’ Day

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

July 7, 2021

Blog – July 2021

The July 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 9

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

Dear Friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

I’m excited to share a few bills with you that were especially dear to me in this last legislative session. They are directly related to my Foster Care and Human Sex Trafficking Prevention and Awareness initiatives and will help move Louisiana forward in these areas. I offer my gratitude to all those who helped make these bills a reality.

SB 170 creates the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. My thanks to Senator Ronnie Johns for making this a priority.
SB 211 requires in-service training for teachers and certain other school personnel on adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed education. Thank you to Senator Katrina Jackson for sponsoring this bill.
SB 151 by Senator Regina Barrow, which enacts the Foster Youth’s Bill of Rights. Thank you, Senator Barrow! If you would like to read more about this bill, you can do so here.

First Lady Edwards and supporters of SB 170 gather
to watch Governor Edwards sign the bill into law.

If you have some time, look back at my 2021 April Blog where I highlight the CDC’s study of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). It’s so important to be wise and knowledgeable about such issues. The CDC website provides statistics and resources on ACEs. Please note that one in every six people has experienced trauma and its effects somehow. When I first learned about these topics, it changed my understanding and empathy toward those who suffer or deal with these issues. I encourage you to learn more about this important topic and how it affects all of us.

Our children are our future, and we must provide them with the tools needed for success – for instance, the power of a book and reading. I visited the State Library of Louisiana recently. What an incredible team of individuals that run our state library! I was impressed with how essential they are to so many. This group of amazing people is so humble about the work they do and the services they provide to so many people throughout the state of Louisiana. Today they are a small team of 44 after being cut from 78 positions beginning in 2008, yet they still perform the duties of those 78 positions. Rebecca Hamilton, our State Librarian, showed us around and introduced me to all the staff. I was able to see firsthand the incredible work they do.

Did you know the Summer Reading Program is not just for kids? I always loved bringing my kiddos to the public library. The State Library of Louisiana supports all parish libraries with this and many other programs. Our son was such a great reader growing up. The school AR program helped encourage reading—such a great incentive for our young students. My mom is an avid reader and visits our local library weekly. My daughters love audiobooks while traveling and driving. Of course, the Governor loves books and reads nightly. I particularly like books of encouragement with a focus on faith and biographies. Books can take your mind on journeys and faraway places that your feet and body cannot.

I also discovered during my tour that the State Library of Louisiana also administers the Homework Louisiana program and makes it available to all 340 public libraries in Louisiana. I used this program with my children many years ago. It is such an excellent resource. The library also has an incredible Louisiana Collection. This archival department is run by Ms. Charlene and her assistant Mr. Samuel and they have tremendous knowledge of our historical and digital archive collections.

A whole floor at the State Library of Louisiana focuses on the blind and physically disabled community. This section is called the Talking Books and Braille Library. The work here is so impressive! Nearly a thousand digitally recorded books housed in this area go out to patrons daily. Additionally, the library services on this floor include videos that speak on the benefits of receiving free audio, Braille, and large-print music scores, texts, and other instructional materials and recordings in the mail, or downloading them through the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) app. So many of our Louisiana families benefit from these services.

Lastly, the State Library of Louisiana has one of the best Book Festivals in the world! This annual award-winning event draws nearly 30,000 people each year to downtown Baton Rouge in a single day. With this event, it’s all boots on the ground for the staff! In an upcoming blog issue, we will feature Rebecca Hamilton, State Librarian, writing about the Book Festival, which occurs on a Saturday in late October/early November each year. It’s definitely on my calendar for Saturday, October 30th this year! In the meantime, you can read the feature piece from Rebecca on the Summer Reading program below.

There is one other thing I wanted to share. An area on the lower floor of the State Library features a sound studio for a program that was called Louisiana Voices. At one time, local celebrities and other notable Louisianans would record Louisiana authored books and magazines for our citizens to check out through the Talking Books and Braille Library mentioned above. How amazing to have the recordings of people like Cokie Roberts, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, Governor Kathleen Blanco, other well-known local news and radio personalities, and so many others! This area is such a wonderful and historical collection of Louisiana voices. BUT…. the Louisiana Voices program was canceled in September of 2010 due to a lack of funding. The studio and all the equipment are still there. The program costs about $100,000 annually to operate. If you know anyone interested in helping the library bring back this historical and popular program, please let our State Librarian, Rebecca Hamilton, know. The Louisiana Library and Book Festival Foundation supports efforts like these and is happy to receive donations for library programs.

The amazing people working in the State Library of Louisiana do so much for our state with so little pay and resources. Rebecca has the most incredible stories of past disasters and how the library assisted in so many ways. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the State Library of Louisiana or your local parish library, you should take some time to do so. It will be well worth your time.

State Library of Louisiana
701 North 4th Street,
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 342-4913
Fax: (225) 219-4804

So, sign up for your library card at your local parish library and see all that is waiting for you!

Thank you to all our Librarians and Library Staff. You are amazing people that give so much to our state. We are grateful for your dedication!

Love to you all,

First Lady Edwards and supporters of SB 170 gather to watch Governor Edwards sign the bill into law.

02. FEATURE

Join the Summer Reading Program –
“Tails & Tales”

Youth and Adults can Join!

The State Library of Louisiana announces the 2021 statewide Summer Reading Program, “Tails and Tales,” following the general theme of animals. This program is a free annual program that allows children, teens, and adults to access the vast resources of Louisiana’s public libraries. The program aims to combat summer learning loss by offering dynamic, entertaining, and educational programs across the state for children and teens.

“Reading during the summer break is critical for students to retain knowledge learned in the previous school year,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Students who don’t read throughout the summer are at risk of falling behind, and, by the end of sixth grade, children who consistently lose reading skills over the summer will be two years behind their classmates. This is why the State Library’s Summer Reading Program is so important.”

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03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Christmas in July at the Governor’s Mansion

It’s Christmas in July at the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation! Buy any ornament and get 10% off your total purchase for the whole month of July. Your discount is automatically applied at checkout. The 2021 ornament is in stock now. Get ahead of your Christmas shopping and be on the lookout for the 2021 ornament! For information or questions about store items, contact Jennifer Gomez, Executive Residence Director at jgomez@la.gov.

SHOP NOW

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WOMEN’S HEALTH

“Our Fluttering Heart”

by Dr. Arezu Bhatnagar

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Volunteer Louisiana

COMMUNITY

READ

Kayla Joseph

SCHOOLS

READ

Military Family
Assistance Fund

MILITARY

READ

Sara West

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

CLAIRLY VEGAN
EGGPLANT CACCIATORE

Clairly Vegan is a healthy, plant-based meal prep service nourishing everyone from busy moms and families, professionals, athletes, and non-vegans. Here, owner Claire Steiner shares her vegan version of Eggplant Cacciatore! Enjoy!

FULL RECIPE HERE

LFF_Blog_July2021_Recipe_EggplantCacciatore

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: june 2021

: may 2021

: april 2021

: march 2021

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

: september

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

Celebrate July with the red, white and doggy crew!

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

May 13, 2021

Blog – June 2021

The June 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 8

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

A Tribute to our Fathers

Born in 1966 and 1967, John Bel and I grew up in the 70s and 80s. Our fathers were involved in community, church, and family. We realized it then, but we appreciate much more now the love commitment of our fathers to our siblings and us. I was the baby with two older brothers, and John Bel, number seven of eight. His sister was the oldest and the only girl, and his house, like mine, was full of energy and laughter. I was fortunate to know John Bel’s father when I was just 14 years old when we began dating. And he developed a relationship with my dad at the same time. Living in the small town of Amite allowed each of us to know the other’s families and fathers well. We were each blessed to be shaped and molded by two sterling patriarchs.

Our fathers disciplined, taught, motivated, and loved us. They were both storytellers and loved to laugh. But, next to God, family always came first.

Always generous with his time and attention, the special memories that I have of him and our times together are more plentiful. For example, on Saturday mornings, Daddy would often take me to the Five and Dime, where I could buy a specific number of items. I would spend at least an hour trying to find just the right things, and he was patient. The family — all of us — would often take trips, visit state parks, go fishing and walk in the woods. Sunday afternoon after the church was Daddy’s favorite time for family events.

When I was a very young girl, Daddy would make time to take my friends and me to the ice cream shop. He even taught us to bowl. He would take me in the woods and give me a compass to navigate our way home — with his help, of course. A career forester, he taught me about trees and how to distinguish different species and determine their age. He loved nature and passed that love to me — always giving God the glory.

Like all relationships, there were ups and downs. But the foundation was solid, and our commitment to each other never wavered.

I lost my dad in April. My heart still aches. Because of his deep and abiding faith and mine, I trust and know that he is in a better place. Dad’s fatherly love for me and my siblings, and the fine example he set for us in shepherding his family, are among the greatest blessings I have known. He continues to inspire me every day.

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy. I miss you so much!

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03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Drapery at the Governor’s Mansion

The Governor’s Mansion has an incredible history throughout every room, but the one-piece we want to focus on this month is the drapes hung in the State Dining Room, State Drawing Room, and Capitol Suite. These were either hand-curated, stitched, and reworked by the late drapery extraordinaire, Kay Stacey.

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WOMEN’S HEALTH

“The Heartbeat of Women”

by Kimiyo Harris Williams, MD, FAAP

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

United Way of
Southwest Louisiana

COMMUNITY

READ

Ginger Richard

SCHOOLS

READ

The Veteran Rapid Retraining
Assistance Program

MILITARY

READ

Elizabeth Jayne
Studio

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

MARINATED CUCUMBER,
ONION AND TOMATO SALAD

Summertime brings a bounty of delicious local vegetables for summer recipes! Governor Edwards loves eating Cucumber, Tomato, and Onion Salad with vegetables from the Mansion Garden. Enjoy!

READ RECIPE

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: may 2021

: april 2021

: march 2021

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

: september

: august

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

I’m gonna soak up the sun…

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

May 9, 2021

Blog – May 2021

The May 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 7

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

As we continue our journey through these unique times, the light at the end of the long dark tunnel seems a little closer – but things aren’t yet back to normal. I usually host my Louisiana First Foundation Seersucker, Hats, and Sazeracs (SHS) fundraiser in May. This fundraiser provides vital funding support for my official initiatives – Teach MAM, Louisiana Fosters, and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness. Like many other non-profit organizations, we will have to be creative in this COVID-19 era to raise those funds. Now is a great time to think of the non-profits you usually support in the spring and send a donation if you are able. Every little bit helps! Non-profits are notorious for making a whole lot happen with just a little!

May is also Foster Care Awareness Month. You can find an abundance of information about Foster Care in Louisiana by visiting http://www.louisianafosters.la.gov. There are many victories to celebrate regarding Louisiana’s foster care programs. There is also still much work to be done. The Louisiana First Foundation – through our Louisiana Fosters initiative – recently launched our One Church, One Family, One Child initiative. Louisiana has over 4,000 churches, and at any given time, there are about 4,000 children in our Foster Care system throughout the state. What if one church found and recruited one willing family to support one foster child? We could change things in a way that would make a significant impact on our state’s children. You can read more about what the Louisiana First Foundation has been working on through this program in the Fosters section below.

You can also see more here:
https://louisianafirstfoundation.com/one-church-one-family-one-child/.

By giving of ourselves, we not only help the ones we give to, but we also help ourselves. Giving provides us with a sense of connection to others. It allows us to create stronger communities and provide a healthier and happier environment for us all. Several studies suggest when we give to others, it activates the areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. As researcher John Cacioppo writes in his book Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection, “The more extensive the reciprocal altruism born of social connection . . ., the greater the advance toward health, wealth, and happiness.” So, while our usual ways of connecting socially are not quite back to normal yet, find ways to connect by giving to others.

I remain ever grateful for each of you and hope to see many of you in person soon.

Give, and it will be given to you. – Luke 6:38

If you would like to donate to the Louisiana First Foundation, you can do so here:

LFF_Blog_May2021_Feature_FosterAwareness

02. FEATURE

May is Foster Care Awareness Month

Louisiana’s Quality Parenting Initiative has Support for Families at its Center

By Elizabeth W. (Beth) Green

Child Welfare Manager – Home Development, Faith/Community Partnerships
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. It is a time to acknowledge the 463,000 American children and youth in foster care and the family members, foster caregivers, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and policymakers who help children and youth find permanent homes and connections.

The theme of this year’s national awareness campaign is “Foster Care is a Support to Families, Not a Substitute for Parents.” The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) embraced this theme in 2017 when it joined the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) movement. QPI strives to strengthen foster care by refocusing on quality parenting for all children and youth within the child welfare system. Research shows children and youth need consistent and effective parenting to thrive. When parents cannot care for their children, another caregiver must step in to provide loving, committed, and skilled care in partnership with the child welfare system.

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03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Summer Planting at the Mansion

As the summer approaches, the mansion grounds get special attention by removing the winter annuals and planting new annuals. The summer annuals are heartier plants and flowers that can withstand the Louisiana heat. These have been kindly curated and supervised by our voluntary Landscape Architect, Jeff Carbo.

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WOMEN’S HEALTH

“Guard Your Mental Health”
A Message For Women

by Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Bring Back
Louisiana

COMMUNITY

READ

Jason Beber

SCHOOLS

READ

Memorial Day Ceremonies
And
Call for Louisiana World War II Women Veterans

MILITARY

READ

Jordyn Cosey

Coco Visions

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

LOUISIANA STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Ponchatoula, Louisiana, is the strawberry capital of the world. It certainly makes sense that Louisianans first created this very English dessert in this area of our state. There is a dispute over the exact shortcake recipe, but most agree with this version.

READ RECIPE

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: april 2021

: march 2021

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

: september

: august

: july

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

April showers bring May flowers!

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

April 7, 2021

Blog – April 2021

The April 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 6

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

Happy Spring, Y’all!

Oh my goodness, it’s hard to believe we are now into April. As more and more people receive the vaccine, it feels as if we are finally coming up for air, literally. There is still much work to be done and more hurdles to cross, but we are getting there my friends, finally.

I feel like my mind and body have been on autopilot, coasting along. But spring is in the air, and the vaccine is working to save lives. It brings such a feeling of joy. I feel a sense of rebirth, a recharging of the mind. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer!

April is the month we highlight work that prevents child abuse. The more I learn about childhood trauma, ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and mental disorders, the more aware I become of the need we all have to understand it better. So I hope you will find time to reflect on how you can understand childhood trauma and how it affects all of us. When we educate ourselves, we can be more aware of those around us and their needs.

I often say, if I had known more about trauma and its effects on our children, I would have been a better classroom educator. Understanding ACE scores linked to trauma is something everyone benefits from knowing. Here is a link to the CDC-Kaiser study explaining “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.”

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html.

Louisiana is fully vested in lowering the ACE scores in all of our children.

Knowing about traumatic events that impact adversity in childhood allows us to empathize and relate better to others. You will learn that there are those in your own life that may have some experience with trauma. It could be a co-worker, spouse, family member, or other loved ones. It could even be your children. Those traumatic experiences change how we react, communicate, and live our lives.

There is currently a national movement to include trauma and resilience in our approaches to legislation affecting those who have experienced it. When our leaders are informed and educated about ACEs, we can support them in “policies, programs, legislation, and appropriations that prevent and address childhood trauma and build resilience across the lifespan.” You can read more about the National Trauma Campaign here: https://traumacampaign.org.

It is essential to know about trauma, TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention), and ACE. Find out about your ACE score. Only by educating ourselves will we start to make breakthroughs and put policies in place that make a difference in our future. When we know better, we do better.

Healing and hope are powerful, and a light for so many that suffer and need our love and support. I am so grateful for those working in this field and their many years of commitment and research. Significant advances in this field provide us all with an opportunity to make a difference and move our state and our children forward with positivity and hope for a better future.

I remain so grateful to you all,

You can take your ACE test here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” (MT 18:10)

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your many graces poured out upon us daily.
Thank you for the gift of hope and charity.
We ask for your healing hand upon our children,
especially those that deal with abuse.
Show us how we can be your hands and feet here on earth.
Amen.

02. FEATURE

Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers

Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Kate Shipley

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, an annual commitment across states and agencies to raise awareness of child abuse and the importance of prevention. In a meaningful push to raise awareness and strengthen children and families in our own state, Governor John Bel Edwards has proclaimed April 2021 as Child Abuse Prevention Month for Louisiana.

Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) are the designated agencies in the state to coordinate trauma-informed investigations of child abuse and the delivery of services for victims. Children’s Advocacy Centers provide investigative and treatment services for victims of abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and children who witness violent crimes. Through a groundbreaking initiative led by Governor John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative, nine Children’s Advocacy Centers have specialized staff dedicated to increasing outreach, collaboration, screening, and advocacy for victims of human trafficking.

Children’s Advocacy Centers also serve as central hubs in the community for prevention. These hubs include training for adults to identify and report child abuse, prevention programming to empower children with information about online safety and healthy relationships, and family advocacy services to build resilience and prevent future harm. In 2020 alone, the Louisiana CAC network provided training for over 23,000 adults and empowered over 7,000 children with prevention education.

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03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Garden Photos

Enjoy these beautiful pictures from the Governor’s Mansion gardens!

VIEW PHOTOS

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WOMEN’S HEALTH

Women’s Health and the Covid-19 Vaccine:
What you should know before you Roll Up Your Sleeve

by Dr. Michelle R. Easton

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Volunteer
Louisiana

COMMUNITY

READ

Jessica Deon

SCHOOLS

READ

Sandra Franks

MILITARY

READ

Margaret Eckert

Leo Candles

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

JAZZFEST ROSEMINT TEA

Are you missing Jazz Fest, too? To combat this melancholy feeling, brew up some Jazz Fest Rosemint Tea and listen to WWOZ! Tune in to WWOZ April 22-25 and April 29-May 2 as they partner with the Archive of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation to bring you “Jazz Festing In Place 2021,” featuring rare and historical sets from Jazz Fest’s past, on the traditional spring weekends of the festival!

READ RECIPE

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: march 2021

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

: september

: august

: july

: june

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

The First Dogs have had enough of the April showers!

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

March 9, 2021

Blog – March 2021

The March 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 5

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

I need a break…

I have been thinking about what I would write this month, and it hit me – the real raw honesty of needing a break. Sometimes life is filled with all kinds of fillers, and as a wife and a mother, we have these running lists of tasks that we need to complete, and we are always pushing the tide to get through it all. Truth be told, we need to honor that time when we genuinely need a break. So, instead of sharing my thoughts and a message this month, I am taking a break.

Please enjoy the beautiful picture of pelicans taken by Marie Constantin at the lakes. You can read about her work in cleaning up our lakes below, in the community section. Take care this month…I need a break and so do some of you. Be kind to yourself, you deserve it!

Love to all,

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”

-Matthew 11:28-30

Capitol Lake – Photo by Marie Constantin

02. FEATURE

Louisiana State University AgCenter

Caring for Plants After a Hard Freeze

By Heather Kirk-Ballard, PhD
Assistant Professor of Consumer Horticulture
School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences

Our winters vary in severity from year to year. This year, in mid-February, we got a dose of freezing temperatures for several days. The entire state of Louisiana got ice, sleet, and snow. With temperatures reaching as low as 20, 15, or even lower, covering plants, despite our valiant efforts, could not prevent damage to our plants. Undoubtedly, we all lost something during the recent hard freezes.

The roots of most hardy plants will be okay. Luckily, the soil was wet from recent rains, protecting against freezing soil temperatures. Even though many plants froze up top, they are still alive beneath the soil, and plants will return from their roots-rest assured.

No doubt, tender tropical plants melted like the wicked witch of the west from Oz. Under an extended hard freeze like the ones we just experienced, you may see plant stems splitting and peeling. I hate to say it, but if you see this, you’re likely burying that plant for the second time, and there will be no resurrection.

Many tropical plants turned to mush and are now brown. If you’re fortunate enough that your tropical plants survived, now that the temperatures are warming up, you can safely remove the dead foliage and add a nice thick layer of mulch around the plant’s crown and the rest of the surrounding area.

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03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Jeffrey Carbo

The Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation is delighted to announce the partnership with Jeffrey Carbo, FASLA, and CARBO Landscape Architecture. Jeff has joined the Executive Board and has graciously donated his time to re-envision the Governor’s Mansion gardens. He and Grace Ragland, ASLA, have been working with First Lady Donna H Edwards, Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation Executive Director Sandy McClelland, and Governor’s Mansion coordinator Jennifer Gomez, to create a landscape renovation master plan aimed for completion by Fall 2023. Jeff’s vision for the grounds will be timeless and stately while focusing on preservation and maintenance ease.

Jeffrey Carbo is a Landscape Architect with over thirty-five years of experience in professional practice. The range and scope of his concerns include:

Environmental conservation.
The historical and cultural context of local and regional landscapes.
The attention to detail in the numerous places and gardens that he helped create.

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WOMEN’S HEALTH

“Cultural Immersion in Louisiana: An International Student’s Perspective on Our Health”

by Minqi (Maggie) Huang

PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA

Making A Difference

Community Lakes

COMMUNITY

READ

Twainna Calhoun

SCHOOLS

READ

Louisiana Women Veterans
Health Care Symposium

MILITARY

READ

Lauren Morris

Pink House Consulting, LLC

BUSINESS

READ

04. FEATURED RECIPE

The Crawfish Boil

It’s finally time! Crawfish season is upon us.

Crawfish boils are a long-time tradition in Louisiana. It’s a time when family and friends gather to celebrate spring, sun, and food. But when did crawfish boils begin?

READ RECIPE

SOMETHING TO DISCERN

05. PAST QUOTES

Gallery

: february 2021

: january 2021

: december

: november

: october

: september

: august

: july

: june

THE FIRST DOGS

06. THE FIRST DOGS

Spring Time Is Here!

07. OUR EDITOR

DELERY RICE

February 4, 2021

Blog – February 2021

The February 2021 Blog

01.

Volume 3, Edition 4

A Word from the
First Lady of Louisiana

Resilience

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

As we move solidly into the year 2021, I feel a shift toward hope and change. Although it seems we are still in the midst of some of the most trying times our communities and the world have experienced, my faith keeps me looking forward. St. Ignatius Loyola teaches us to “find God in all things.” A conscious effort made to seek the good in each day, each moment renews my faith and strengthens my resolve. And the resilience of the people of Louisiana amazes me.

Some of the things spurring a strengthening of my faith include the early successes of the vaccine distribution across the state. Knowing that our frontline workers and most vulnerable populations are receiving inoculations against the deadly COVID-19 virus brings specs of joy each day. Another ray of light is the continuing efforts in our communities to provide relief during the pandemic. We have published many stories in our “Community” section highlighting organizations and efforts to feed our citizens who are in great need. Adaptation to our circumstances is evident in our Foster Care Community’s work facilitating adoptions by Zoom! We continue our work in advocacy for Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness and my Teach MAM program in my office. It truly amazes me how far we have all come since those first, scary days last year.

One of the most fun, and brightest spots this year, has been watching the city of New Orleans find alternative ways to celebrate our famed Mardi Gras traditions safely. Daily I receive texts of pictures of homes transformed into Mardi Gras floats! The Krewe of House Floats, the Krewe of Red Beans, and many independent others have upheld the spirit of Fat Tuesday. These new organizations have additional purposes they serve as well. Donation boxes to Second Harvest Food Bank are in front of some of the transformed homes. Online fundraising has kept Mardi Gras artists, musicians, and other creators employed by constructing these residential pieces of art! Some of this beautiful artistry and the uplifting community support are in our articles below.

It is hard to keep us down here in Louisiana! I have always been amazed at the resilience of the people of this state. Is it years of enduring dangerous hurricanes that makes us so resilient? Is it our endearing sense that friends and neighbors are like family? Whatever the reason may be, I am proud to call this beautiful state, with its resilient people, my home. May God bless us as we continue to move forward in faith ~ and make a little fun and beauty on the way.

God Bless you all,

May the Lord of all, give us the endurance and the fortitude to preserve in the hardest of times. We thank you Lord for your gift of this day. May your grace and mercy walk us through these trials of life. Amen

02. FEATURE

By LouisianaTravel.com Staff

Louisiana Honors Its African-American Heritage

Get to know the people and places of Louisiana that played important roles in African-American history.

A cotton plantation founded by a former slave. The daughter of freed slaves who created a hair-care empire. A New Orleans boy who went from singing on street corners to headlining at Carnegie Hall. These are just a few of the fascinating stories you’ll hear as you join us to celebrate the cultural contributions of African-Americans from Louisiana.

Since 1976, February is designated as African-American History Month. But in Louisiana, we pay tribute to this heritage year-round in places like Melrose, where former slave Marie-Therese Coin-Coin and her family founded what is now known as Melrose Plantation. And at the Hermione Museum in Tallulah, where an exhibit tells the story of Madam C.J. Walker, considered the country’s first female self-made millionaire after developing a line of hair-care products.

And that musician? Well, he just happened to become the one and only Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, who helped popularize jazz. Each year, Satchmo SummerFest, a three-day festival in New Orleans, celebrates his life and music.

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03. GOVERNOR'S MANSION

Glen Armand, Craftsman

Native Louisiana craftsman Glen Armand grew up learning Armand family skills from his father Wallace Armand and assisting his grandfather Florian Armand in his furniture shop after school. This work helped plant the seed for third-generation Louisiana craftsman Glen Armand to continue the Armand family tradition of crafting furniture.

Restoring antique furniture has allowed Glen to learn design, construction, form, and finishing from the unheralded and distinguished master craftsmen of generations before. Utilizing this knowledge and experience, Glen has become one of Louisiana’s most revered furniture craftsmen.

Armand, an Alexandria, Louisiana craftsman, who is widely known for his one-of-a-kind custom furniture, was contacted by the Design Team of the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion Foundation around 1998 to discuss a Master Suite Bed for the Master Suite in the Mansion. The bed is reminiscent of the Louisiana-style furnishings built in the 1840s. Armand constructed the bed using South American mahogany wood. The serpentine, or scrolled headboard, is clad in Crotch mahogany veneer. Supporting this piece, are four turned posters.

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04. FEATURED RECIPE

King Cake

For the biggest party held every year in the French Quarter, it’s only fitting to have a king cake. If you’ve been searching for an authentic king cake recipe, look no further!

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Blog – December 2021

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Christmas 2021

John Bel and I hope you all have a blessed holiday season. Enjoy this video of the Mansion decorations.

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Blog – October 2021

The October 2021 Blog

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Volume 3, Edition 12

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MEET OUR EDITOR Delery Rice

John Bel and I hope you all have a blessed holiday season.
Enjoy this video of the Mansion decorations.

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