Discover Lafayette

Our guests today are Jeff Martin and Blake Adams, creators and proprietors of Short and Fat, a unique custom men’s clothing line. While there are plenty of options out there for plus sizes, big and tall, and regular, there just aren’t traditionally that many for, well, someone who may be short and fat. Short and Fat originated in 2017 as Jeff and Blake’s response to a lack of clothing options for men who are “short and fat”. Their online store focuses on a subscription-based service for men’scustom shirts with hundreds of choices for customers. Shirts can be ordered on their website,https://shortandfat.com/ and have a one-month turnaround. Customers are shown nine videos which demonstrate the correct way to measure yourself and Short and Fat takes these measurements to make a perfectly tailored shirt! There are nine different cuffs and collars to choose from, as well as a choice of pocket, button color, button stitching, and shirt fabric. Jeff Martin tells us they are “custom built shirts for custom built men” which will givetheir customers confidence in their appearance. https://youtu.be/OsNeqgrmFME They have found five pain points for men’s dress shirts: collars, shoulder seams, sleeve length, shirt length, and something they call the “belly wink”. Blake describes it as the moment where someone’s shirt is too tight, and the buttonhole opens and “winks” at you. Short and Fat addresses these pain points with the 3 important variables to feeling more confident: fit, fabric, and fashion. They want the shirts to fit well, with over 1200 fabrics to choose from while also adding the fashion aspect with small details like buttons. The custom shirts, manufactured in Bangkok and shipped directly to Short and Fat, are allwrinkle free, aside from the linen, and customers don’t have to tuck in their shirt if they don’twant to. The average Short and Fat customer stays with the business for a long time, because once theshirt fits perfectly, the measurements and customizations are saved. The subscription serviceallows customers to receive custom shirts they know will fit well on a quarterly basis. Blake Adams has a “no bullshirt guarantee” that if a shirt doesn’t fit perfectly, they’ll retry until they get it right. Blake’s customer service is one reason why the business made it through the pandemicafter production shut down. He kept customers up to date and made sure they received the shirts they were owed once production picked up again. Blake also uses a one-on-one approach with customers for their custom blazers and suits. Suits and blazers cannot be ordered on their website yet, but Blake will assist customers in creating the perfect suit through email. He helps with fabric, accent color, and gives advice to first time customers when creating their suit or blazer. The idea for the business began when Jeff Martin was shopping in the “big and tall” section ofthe men’s department store. He had trouble getting a shirt to fit his neck and said, “I’m not bigand tall, I’m short and fat”. Later, he met Blake at a Catholic retreat where they shared theirsimilar struggles with men’s shirts. Blake was on board immediately, the two entrepreneurslaunched a Kickstarter campaign, and Short and Fat was born as a way to help men who are “vertically challenged and horizontally blessed.” Now they say that they are a startup with eight years of experience since COVID shut them down for nine months. Short and Fat is a passion project for Jeff Martin and Blake Adams, and Jeff says, “we know ourcustomer; we are our customer”. This passion is apparent from their dedication to making clothes that men want to wear and that fit them. https://youtu.be/RXvS7JQSLZA Learn more at https://shortandfat.com/. Their hilarious and informative videoscan be found on their YouTube channel, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok which are all@shortandfat.

Becky Collins and Jennifer Joseph, volunteers with the Bayou Teche Museum in New Iberia, join Discover Lafayette to discuss the museum’s inaugural fundraising musical event, Music On Main, taking place November 21, 2024. Located at the Bayou Teche Trading Company, Music on Main will be filled with food, music, and fun! The two bands performing are The Eighties Experience, an 80’s and 90’s tribute band, and 5th Avenue, playing R&B, country, and zydeco music. Co-chair member Jennifer Joseph says, “we’re also going to be combining music with laughter” and Jerrod Guillory, a local comedian, will certainly bring laughs to the event. Music On Main is a casual event that takes place both indoors and outdoors so Jennifer says “come as you want,” but get there early because there is a capacity limit. The first band starts at 7pm; doors open at 6pm. Attendees can park in Bouligny Plaza or across from the Bayou Teche Trading Company. Admission is $60 per person, and tickets can be purchased on their website, their Facebook page, or at the door at the event. The museum is also asking for sponsors to donate to the fundraiser in one of 3 tiers: The Bronze level at $250 will receive 2 complimentary tickets, Silver at $500 will receive 4 tickets, and Gold at $1000 will receive 8 tickets. All proceeds will go towards expansion of the museum, namely the “Doc” Voorhies wing, and improvements to the exhibits. When there isn’t a fun-filled music event, the Bayou Teche Museum is open from 10-4 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. There is an admission fee, but Veteran’s tickets are free so Becky and Jennifer urge Veterans to check out the museum. The Bayou Teche Museum at 131 E. Main Street, opened in 2010, and displays historic exhibits and art from New Iberia and the surrounding areas. Becky Collins states the museum’s mission: “Our mission is simple: Education, preservation, and engagement”. It reflects the excitement of New Iberia as well as the rich history of the towns along the Bayou Teche. As proof of her love New Iberia, Becky tells us, “I could live anywhere in the United States…we choose to live there because it is such an exciting place”. The museum serves as a bridge to bring the community together, and with a diverse board of directors, they are open to any suggestions to improve the museum. Going with their mission of engaging with the community, the museum wants to include members from pre-school as well as those from nursing homes and assisted living. The museum is hoping to add more interactive exhibits with the funds from the music event. When you step into the museum, there is a timeline that starts all the way back to 10000 BC where it traces the earliest Native Americans through New Iberia. It also includes artifacts and pottery from 400 AD connected to the Atakapa tribe. The timeline ends in 2013 as the museum was opening. There are several interesting artifacts thanks to the generous donations from the community. The Exhibit Acquisition Committee is in charge of going through these donations and determining if they have a purpose and fit the meaning of the museum. Some special exhibits include stories from Beyonce and Solange Knowles, who have connections to New Iberia, as part of their music area, and the painting that George Rodrigue was working on when he died. Becky Collins also tells us about her favorite exhibit, the Salt Mine. In this part of the museum, guests can step into an elevator and “it simulates what it would be like to ride down to the bottom of the salt mine”. It involves a fully immersive experience, including a lever that triggers a dynamite explosion. Exciting and interesting exhibits such as these are possible through generous donations from the community, so they urge those interested to join them on November 21st for Music On Main. For more information, reach out to bayoutechemuseum@gmail.com.

Our guests today are Mia and Rob Sandberg, husband and wife, and a dynamic duo of entrepreneurship! Mia is the proprietor of Root Floral on Jefferson Street in Downtown Lafayette, 810 Jefferson Street. The shop is open Tuesday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. unless an event taking place.. Her company specializes in providing floral arrangements for events, weddings, and everyday flowers.  They offer a subscription service where you can sign up to give periodical gifts of flowers to that special someone. Open for walk-in arrangements, Root Floral’s stock varies from day to day, so Mia advises people to order online or call ahead if they can. Big events like weddings can affect the in-store supply so it’s best to place an order well in advance. Rob is the proprietor of Lucia, a bakery that offers not only delicious pastries but baked goods that offer a feast for the eyes! One look at their website will have you running to Lucia, located at 607 Kaliste Saloom Road. Lucia started out as a small batch, from-scratch bakery that began doing popups in our downtown area in late 2020, selling brioche-stuffed donuts (bombolonis) and then slowly began adding laminated pastries to the rotational menu. Lucia now concentrates on viennoise-style baking, a form of pastry made famous in France with origins in Vienna. Mia proudly shares the expansion of her online event collections, which now includes 21 color palettes to choose from. This is a great option for a bride who just needs basic items or those who don’t want to go through the whole process of meeting. These collections can be used for bridal showers, baby showers, Christmas parties, or any special occasion. It’s also a great way for clients on a budget to order flower arrangements. For clients worried about costs, Mia says that Root Floral will work with clients on a budget to help them achieve a beautiful arrangement for their special day. She explains that for pricing, they “price everything out by the stem” and “use a system called curate”. This is helpful for adjusting the number and types of flowers based on a client’s budget. Mia graduated from the UL-Lafayette with a degree in interior design in 2008. She is passionate about color, texture and proportions, which she says helps her now in making her floral arrangements. After graduating, she took various jobs in product design and interior design in Dallas, Texas. She also was a waitress as Toulouse, the same restaurant Rob worked as a pastry chef. When the couple moved back to Lafayette in 2012, Rob was the one who suggested she open a flower shop. So, she began creating and sharing her creations inside of a small portable storage building at her parent’s house in Cecilia. For a year she says she was “sending arrangements to as many businesses as I could”, like Carpe Diem or Kiki, to promote her work. She attributes good photography, Facebook, and her unique arrangements for her success. In the beginning she says, “there was lots of spray paint”. Within a year, she outgrew that location and moved to downtown Lafayette. Now she continues to provide beautiful flowers for events across Lafayette. It is an understatement to say that her company began to flourish; Root Floral has even been written up in Martha Stewart Living! Lucía, a boulangerie and viennoiserie located at 607 Kaliste Saloom Road near St. Pius was opened by Rob Sandberg in 2021. He began in the bakery business by doing popups and later selling pastries at the Moncus Park farmer’s market where his brother Ruben Sandberg came on board. Lucía sold out each Saturday for about 2 years before Lucia opened on Kaliste Saloom. Rob says in the early days, he and Mia converted their sunroom into a bakery where their were frying donuts and making custards. Pastries and floral bouquets showcased at Lucia Mother’s Day weekend 2024. A wonderful partnership between Mia and Rob Sandberg. Lucía is open Wednesday – Saturday from 8 – 2, but Rob says, “we close when we sell out so usually, we don’t make it to 2”. The bakery is full of beautiful and delicious Viennese style pastries, croissants, Danishes, Bomboloni, lemon tarts and more. It’s a cozy atmosphere with 6 tables inside and outdoor seating available, although Saturdays are almost always busy, so Rob mentions the best times to go are from 8 – 11! The recipes are all created by Rob and his brother Ruben and he says, “we make everything from scratch”. Lucia Bakehouse Rob got his start in 2008 where he attended a 2-year culinary school in Dallas, Texas. He describes his love of the “artistic side of cooking” and began working in a French restaurant (Toulouse) as a pastry chef making lots of souffles and as a garde manger making salads. When the couple moved back to Lafayette in 2012, Rob got a job as a line cook working for Jolies. He then worked in restaurants that were just starting up, like Pop’s Po’boys. He notes that, “most restaurants I’ve worked in, I’ve worked in from the beginning”. He then took a break from restaurants and helped Mia with Root Floral for about a year. During the pandemic, Rob decided he wanted to get back into baking and “wanted to do something different that no one else is really doing”. And he had no experience at that time baking pastries yet mastered hir craft beautifully. A few years later, Lucía Bakehouse is selling out within hours, constantly improving their menu and creating delicious treats. Rob’s advice to up and coming entrepreneurs is to be careful with your funds. He obtained a $35,000 loan from Home Bank and utilized some of the couple’s savings. It is difficult to obtain loans as a newly minted business and never a good idea to get in over your head in debt. To learn more about Lucía, visit https://lucialafayette.com/ or go to their Instagram @luciabakehouse. To learn more about Root Floral, visit their website or Instagram @rootfloraldesign.

Dr. Shannon Bernard and Michelle Luquette, representatives of On Track by 5 Alliance for the Lafayette Parish Public School System, join Discover Lafayette to discuss their department’s mission to improve the quality and access of early care and education for children from birth to age 5 years of age. The research is clear: 90% of brain development occurs before age 5. Great work is being done to improve early childhood educational options for young people which is being funded through School Readiness Tax Credits and the generosity of Lafayette businesses. You can actually designate up to $5,000.00 of your state tax dollars that are owed each year to go to On Track by 5 Alliance, and then get a refundable tax credit of that same amount. How does this work? In January of 2008, Louisiana established a package of refundable state tax credits for businesses designed to support quality child care pursuant to LA R. S. 47:6107. A business is defined as any for-profit or not for-profit entity, which includes sole proprietors, partnerships, limited liability corporations, and corporations. Your CPA can help you file for this refund if you give them a heads up before filing your tax documents. See below for Michelle Luquette’s contact information to ask questions on this detail. How to Claim the School Readiness Tax Credit for Businesses? To file the SRTC for businesses: a) Filing Individually: complete tax form IT-540; b) Filing as a corporation or franchise: complete tax form CIFT-620; c) Filing for non-profit organization: complete tax form CIFT – 620. These tax credits provide businesses with a dollar-for-dollar credit of up to $5000 for donations made to Child Care Resource and Referral agencies that are contracted by the Department of Education. On Track by 5 Alliance is such an agency and your contributions go directly to benefit children that live in Lafayette Parish. You can make this designation each and every year, get a tax refund, and know that your money is being dedicated to early childhood educational efforts for our must vulnerable and in-need young people. Pictures above were taken when Ochsner’s Lafayette General adopted Campbell Academy Childcare Center. Ochsner’s Lafayette General participates in the School Readiness Tax Credit as a non-profit, giving OTb5 $5000 contribution per entity in its health system and in return Ochsner’s entities get their contribution back with the dollar-for-dollar refundable tax credit program. These dollars are invested directly into our publicly funded childcare centers and Campbell Academy was able to get a Frog Street Pre-K curriculum. OTb5’s mission is to have all children in Lafayette Parish kindergarten ready! Paul Molbert said this is part of their “Healthy State” initiative as education is one of the key components of improving the healthcare status of our citizens. The School Readiness Tax Credit and ON TRACK programs here in Lafayette are so special because they serve learning centers and programs only in Lafayette Parish. Lafayette applied to be a Childcare Resource and Referral Agency just for Lafayette parish, so businesses know their dollars are staying in the parish and serving local centers when they designate . This tax credit not only boosts the economy by investing money back into the parish, but also ensures that children will become contributing members of society. In Lafayette Parish there are 58 publicly funded centers (meaning they accept childcare tax dollar assistance) and over 100 centers total which service over 6,000 children. Some publicly funded centers include Gifted Early Learning Center, Little Blessings, Little Miracles, and LA 4 (a public pre-school). In a typical school day, children are learning through play, such as dramatic play, sensory play, and manipulatives. Manipulatives are tools like string beads for counting and puzzles which develop the child’s fine motor skills. They are also being taught social-emotional skills that are critical for development and will set the child up for the next stage in their life. The children at these schools may not otherwise learn life skills and will enter kindergarten way behind their peers. This program is a life changer for many young people who are intelligent and gifted but need a hand-up while being provided a safe learning environment. Early childcare is much more than just babysitting, which is a common misconception about the On Track by 5 programs. Children are taught by qualified teachers who go through yearly training to continually provide quality care and education to the children. Providers are registered with the state and can take up to six children in their home from birth to 5 years old. There are also several Head Start programs and pre-schools in Lafayette that On Track by 5 works with. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the process of choosing a program and deciding what is best for their family and children. Dr. Bernard tells parents, “Don’t be afraid to say, ‘can I come and see the facility?’, don’t be afraid to ask questions”. Parents know their children the best, so they can give vital information on their child and what ON TRACK can do for them. Parents can visit www.enrolllafayette.com for more information and to apply for programs in Lafayette parish. They can also go online to the Louisiana Department of Education and search for programs by address. Here they can learn about learning centers near them, with information on classroom ratios, qualified teachers, curriculum, hours, and more. So how do parents learn about their options when it comes to early childcare and education? There are three main divisions in the early education department: LA 4 programs, Lafayette Ready Start, and ON TRACK by 5. Each division serves a different purpose and can help guide parents in making the right choices for their children. Dr. Bernard describes Ready Start as the access piece, where parents can start the process of finding the perfect fit, while ON TRACK is the quality piece. This is where they can give referrals to parents after determining the best program to care for the child. Background on our guests: Michelle Luquette, Child Care Resource & Referral Marketing Specialist, began her work in the Lafayette school system in 2017. Her background was in marketing, but then she went back to school as a non-traditional student and graduated at 36 years old. After graduating, she focused her time on working at a for-profit college helping non-traditional students, guiding them through resume writing and finding jobs after graduating. This inspired her to pursue a career in early education. Ms. Luquette joined the team for ON TRACK by 5 because she believes “early childcare…plays a huge part and critical role in our lives”. Dr. Shannon Bernard grew up in Lafayette and graduated from Northside High. She earned her Masters and Doctorate from the UL – Lafayette. Dr. Bernard says that early education “help set the foundation for our earliest learners” which is one reason why she is so involved in aiding the youngest group in our society. Her background is in non-profit work, serving families of children with disabilities, low-income families, and those who are disadvantaged. Bradley Beck State Farm Agency in front of Nite Owls Childcare after adopting it, When adopting a learning center, a sign will be put up in front of the center in honor of the donor. A sign will also be placed in front of the business to show their support and dedication to early leaning in Lafayette. Businesses will also get the chance to visit their adopted center and help deliver the materials that are bought with their generous donation. Dr. Bernard remarks on how excited the children get when they see the mountain of boxes that are delivered to their center. Donations to learning centers go towards materials like books, manipulatives like puzzles and counting beads, and even outdoor learning materials like sand tables. Money is also set aside to provide monthly training for teachers, coaches, and staff so they can stay updated on the best practices for educating children. Ms. Luquette says that “over the past 8 years with the tax credit and the ready start program, we’ve put over 300 curriculums in these classrooms” which is an astounding number that shows the importance of donations from local businesses. Delivering supplies to Truman after being adopted Businesses interested in donating can call Michelle Luquette at 337-521-7209 or go to https://sites.google.com/a/lpssonline.com/on-track-by-5. When donating through the website, Ms. Luquette will be immediately notified and can begin preparing the paperwork for the donor’s CPA.

Kevin Landry, proprietor of Café Lola, joins Discover Lafayette in special partnership with Eat Lafayette and Lafayette Travel. Eat Lafayette is a yearlong celebration of Lafayette’s locally owned restaurants. Café Lola was opened at 1155 Coolidge in the Oil Center in April 2002 by Mark and Jill Balser. Their focus was on fresh, wholesome, colorful, and delicious ingredients sourced locally. They offered a simple menu that worked through repeated trial and error as they found out what the customers consistently liked. Kevin took over the helm of Café Lola in February 2021 and has intentionally kept things just the same, because it works.! Café Lola is open for lunch, 10:30 AM – 2 PM. They can seat about 60 patrons at any time and about 70% of customers are dine-in and pick up. Door Dash is a popular option. They have a steady clientele of pharmaceutical/medical/business customers who order for meetings; call or order online ahead one day for these items. This is a great gig for single moms who need to drop off their children for school in the morning and then pick them up after school. Kevin is proud of his staff and depends on them for their understanding of customers’ needs as they order meals daily. “The menu is a guide but you can substitute anything to ge what you really want.” He trusts the staff and stays out of their way. “Our food is fresh. We make our bread daily. My motto is, ‘Fresh ingredients, fast service, and friendly faces. We are not fast food. Our menu is a guide but you can substitute anything.” In the ensuring years since opening, the restaurant earned and maintained a popular reputation for its great lunch time menu selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads. Even today, you know you are always going to have plenty of delicious options for high-quality, fresh food with great service. And, the brownies are always a hit! While Kevin shares that prices on the menu went up recently against his instincts, it was done to meet the inflationary impact on the cost of fresh lettuce and other items. At one point, romaine lettuce soared in price from $29 to $80 per order. “We held on as long as we could to raise prices. It’s bad that we are not the gas pump and have the flexibility to raise and lower prices quickly. We have no choice but to wait it out and adjust accordingly.” Pictured above are Lynn and Kevin Landry. Fan favorites are the TLC Sandwich, composed of Turkey, Lettuce, Provolone cheese, sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes, and avocado, as well as the Shrimp wrap. “People like wraps,” says Kevin. At a point early on during the pandemic, the original owners, the Balsers, were empty nesters and found themselves ready to retire and live at their vacation home right outside of Park City, Utah. Kevin took over the helm of Café Lola in February 2021 when he and his wife were looking to buy a sustainable business venture; the opportunity fell in his lap and was the right fit. He secured financing and used his business acumen to maintain what was already a successful business. Soups are a popular option. Pictured is Café Lola’s Seafood bisque. Many people wait for the daily soup specials, which include Potato Soup on Wednesday, Broccoli and Cheese on Thursday, and Seafood Bisque on Fridays. ” We enter the Eat Lafayette soup competition all the time and usually win. One time we came in second.” Kevin hasn’t changed a thing on the menu since he purchased the restaurant and shares how when he talked to customers and polled people about Café Lola, saying he couldn’t “find a hole in the restaurant. Everything worked from an investment standpoint as well as the quality of food and service that Café Lola offered day in and day out.” The only downside he found was that people might have forgotten the restaurant was there in the Oil Center. That could be fixed. One of Kevin’s favorite meals is the Cobb Salad. He is an intermittent faster who eats around 10:30 to 11:00 am every day. “I’ll walk into the restaurant and tell everyone ‘I’m fixing my salad.” He’ll shake it up with different options such as olives and other tasty ingredients. With a unique blend of eclectic flavors and a cozy atmosphere offering nostaligic touches such as red and black tiles originally installed by Radio Shack, the original tenant, Café Lola has become a staple in the local dining scene, drawing in both longtime residents and visitors alike. “Some people say you need to be in the right place in the right time. I say, ‘No, you’ve got to be in the right place all the time.” Kevin Landry showed up prepared to take over Café Lola’s ownership as an experienced business person and a guy who had worked with his dad running a Mr. Gatti’s franchise in Abbeville in his teen and college years. He knew management, sales, food, and was steeped in the “As a service model” focused on the customer. Kevin currently has a day job as Director of Business Development for LineOne, a cloud-based business phone system. Café Lola offers a diverse menu that reflects Lafayette’s love of good food, featuring both local Louisiana-inspired dishes and a variety of international flavors. Customers rave about the gourmet sandwiches, artisan salads, and hearty soups that rotate with the seasons. Known for using fresh ingredients, the café provides something for everyone when you’re in the mood for a casual lunch. Café Lola isn’t just about food; it’s also about the experience. With comfortable seating and tasteful, clean décor, the space offers a welcoming environment that encourages guests to linger. But interestingly, Kevin shared that most patrons work in the Oil Center and have a 30-minute lunch break….they come in, pick up, and eat at their desk. Kevin Landry has been careful to maintain Café Lola’s original, distinctive vibe, balancing a relaxed charm with excellent service. His ability to remain true to the café’s roots has helped it thrive through changing times, making it a cherished part of Lafayette’s culinary landscape. To find out more, please visit https://www.cafelolalafayette.com/. Discover Lafayette would like to thank Eat Lafayette for its continuing partnership as we showcase local success stories in the locally-owned restaurant business!

Jill McGehee and Amy Broussard of Acadiana Vintage Finds join Discover Lafayette to discuss their inaugural marketplace event to be held October 25 – 27, 2024 at Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette. If you love consignment or thrift shopping, want to do your bit to purchase repurposed items to reduce waste production and conserve resources while supporting sustainable consumer habits, or just love the thrill of the hunt, Acadiana Vintage Finds’ offerings will please your tastes. How did this event come about? About two years ago, Jill began mulling over the lack of access to a one-stop shop for unique accessories and vintage items that can be purchased by people on a budget or who want to purchase unique items that have vintage appeal. On the same note, thrift shopping is on the rise nationally and Lafayette has some catching up to do! The thrift store industry in the U.S. generates over $17 billion in revenue annually. A few statistics: The average thrift store item is sold for about 75% less than its original retail price.  56% of thrift store consumers are under the age of 35. 80% of thrift store revenue is reinvested into the local community. It is definitely a real industry to take seriously. With all that said, about a year ago Jill reached out to Amy, her close friend from their Comeaux High days here in Lafayette, to partner with her to pull off this event. The upside is that Acadiana Vintage Finds will offer our community plenty of shopping opportunities for the home and personal apparel, Christmas gifts, and so much more. Acadiana Vintage Finds will feature everything from vintage fashion to antique treasures, handmade wonders, and gourmet delights. Repurposed furniture and lamps, new baby clothes, and uniqe jewelry will be found. This type of shopping is such a delightful to find unique ways to upgrade your home and fashion while keeping within a budget. Whether you’re a vintage lover, treasure hunter, or just love discovering unique items, there’s something here for everyone! Patrons can purchase a 3-day parking pass for $13.00 or a one day pass on Sunday for $10.00 where you will find all the markdowns from merchandise for sale on the last day. Vendors will be offering clothing & accessories, furniture and home decor, photography and artwork, collectibles and memorabilia, and there will be food truck offering delicious eats! Visit here to purchase a parking pass. According to the Journal of Antiques and Collectibles, 2024 was poised to be a year where vintage and retro trends took center stage. From the resurgence of ’90s nostalgia in fashion to the revival of retrocolor palettes in interior design, this year promised a celebration of the past. Designers are reimagining classic elements with fresh, playful styles, making Acadiana Vintage Finds the perfect destination for those seeking to embrace these trends. Blake Brodhead of Primary Artworks will be offering his unique designs. Banannie Bands, pictured above, will offer children’s items at Acadiana Vintage Finds. When: October 25-27, 2024 Time: Friday & Saturday 10 AM- 4 PM; Sunday 10 AM- 3 PM Where: Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, LA Cajun Cuisine will be joining the event as a food truck vendor at Acadiana Vintage Finds. For more information and to purchase a parking pass, visit https://www.acadianavintagefinds.com/.

Ochsner Lafayette General’s Patrick Gandy and Marie Lukaszeski join Discover Lafayette to discuss the hospital system’s careful growth and planned design to meet the needs of the region today and into the future. The only Level II Trauma Center in Southwest Louisiana, its services extend to patients “from the bayou to the border,” stretching along I-10. Incredibly, the hospital system treats 255,000 unique patients per year. Patrick Gandy, a licensed CPA who has been with the organization for 31 years, began serving as President and CEO of in March 2021. He previously served in several senior management positions at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital and Ochsner Lafayette General Imaging. His tenure as CEO began right after Lafayette General Health merged with Ochsner Health of New Orleans in September 2020, and he successfully led the hospital system through the trying times of the pandemic. A native of Shreveport, Patrick loves the community and says he has been “happily married to a girl from Arnaudville since 1998.” Marie Lukaszeski, Director of Planning and Design, is an Arnaudville native who graduated in Interior Design at UL-Lafayette (formerly USL) in 1995. She is certified by the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (“AAHID”), the highest standard for the knowledge needed and experience required to address acute, ambulatory and residential care environments. After working with other industry professionals and a local architectural firm, Marie opened Interior Design Solutions in 2009 and became a consultant to Lafayette General. They began a series of expansions to meet the growing demands of the healthcare landscape, including expansions to its surgical platform and Emergency Department. Her service as Facilitator and Project Manager overseeing the projects was so successful that Patrick jokes, “We wanted her all the time!” So Marie and her team joined the healthcare system in 2015. Marie Lukaszeski is an artist at heart and in practice, and she brings that aesthetically pleasing touch to Ochsner Lafayette General’s design concepts! “There was a study done with prisoners that showed that blues and greens were more calming to your physiology than reds and yellows. We tend to go with a soothing, neutral palate for our interiors. But most of my time goes into ensuring that our spaces are safe, help the staff interact easily, and function successfully. I work with third party vendors and a whole team of Security, IT, and FF & E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) people to make sure that vital equipment, patient beds, etc. to make sure that the building is being designed to meet our standards. We have to meet licensing standards mandated by the State of Louisiana.” Ochsner Lafayette General has a rich history of significant contributions to our community’s well-being. It began in 1911 as a 6-bed sanitarium and has grown into an 8-hospital health system, the regional hub for Ochsner, and a leader in healthcare. Patrick mentioned the health system’s three core principles that define its mission: “First, we are always focused on patients first and then create our organization around their needs. Second, Transparency in everything we do is incredibly important as a philosophy for our organization. Third, We have to constantly evolve and assess how we can best adapt our business model to take care of our patients. “ The first major milestone in Lafayette General’s growth was in 2009 when it acquired St. Martin Hospital in Breaux Bridge. Patrick says “It was the first hospital outside of Lafayette. That was the beginning of us becoming a regional healthcare system in South Central Louisiana. That was a defining moment for us as well as rural healthcare in Acadiana. We want to invest in whatever a local community can support because local healthcare is the best healthcare.” U.S. News & World Report named Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center as the best hospital in Southwestern Louisiana for the second straight year in 2024. This recognition includes Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital, Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital and Ochsner Cancer Center of Acadiana. It was also named the No. 4 hospital in Louisiana and the Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access. Patrick states, “This award starts with our talented medical staff, nurses, and clinical staff. For them to receive this recognition brings me great pride and joy.” Ochsner Lafayette General delivers more babies than any other hospital in the community and surveys have consistently ranked it in the 99th percentile for patients’ likelihood of recommending our facility to other mothers-to-be. To meet its growing needs, a recent $30 million expansion of the mother-baby suites allowed the medical center’s obstetricians to treat more patients. . Before the expansion, the medical center already delivered more babies than any other hospital in the region, but it had maxed out its capacity. The medical center now has the ability to perform 5,400 deliveries each year, as well as more beds for its obstetrics emergency department, and beds for antenatal care. The neonatal intensive care unit will also has significantly more space, meeting a growing need in the region. On April 16, 2024, Ochsner Lafayette General celebrated the launch of its new General Surgery Residency Program, which began July 1, 2024. The new residency program is both a strategic response to the escalating physician shortage and a model for innovative care solutions leading to increased patient access. In a 2024 report, the Association of American Medical Colleges projected that physician demand will grow faster than supply, leading to a projected total shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Moreover, Louisiana is projected to rank third nationally for a shortage of physicians by 2030, according to a Human Resources for Health analysis. The accredited surgical residency program received nearly 600 applications for three coveted spots. The 5-year surgery program will train a new class of three residents per academic year. Ochsner is also pursuing accreditation of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Transitional Year Programs. The hope is that these physicians will remain in Acadiana upon finishing their training, as residents typically stay within 50 to 55 miles of where they train. On September 22, 2024, Ochsner Lafayette General broke ground on the $24 million expansion and renovation of the Ochsner American Legion Hospital in Jennings, the last American Legion hospital in the U. S. This rural hospital has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Jennings for more than 70 years. It merged with Ochsner in 2022. The renovation will expand the Emergency Department, create a drive-through pharmacy, and relocate the OB/GYN Rural Health Clinic to the hospital with expanded space. Ochsner American Legion Hospital cares for approximately 31,338 patients annually, with a staff of over 445 employees, greatly increasing access to care for this rural population. In August 2024, Ochsner Lafayette General broke ground in a project that aims to bring the most comprehensive orthopedic care to Acadiana. Two years ago, the medical center partnered with world-renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews to create The Ochsner Andrews Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. Located at 4212 W. Congress Street (at Ambassador Caffery intersection), the expansion adds 17,000 square feet to the property, and a 14,000 square-foot facility dedicated to physical therapy and sports medicine services. Patrick said the medical center is “transforming sports, medicine and orthopedic care for the for the community” by bringing together a multidisciplinary team under one roof. The new facility is expected to open in the Fall of 2025. Groundbreaking ceremony of the Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute on August 29, 2024. Patrick Gandy speaking of Ochsner Lafayette General being a Level II Trauma Center: “We are the only one from the Bayou to the Border (of Louisiana and Texas) and one of the busiest trauma programs across the state of Louisiana. We are consistently ranked one of the best in Louisiana. The other nearest trauma center would be the Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.” The physical safety and aesthetics of a hospital interior and exterior are important components of any project. Marie Lukaszeski has dedicated her professional life to ensuring that patients and visitors alike are comfortable in Ochsner Lafayette General’s facilities. Good lighting, clean air filtration, and art work that is pleasing to the eye all provide calm settings. “Any images on the wall should be one the brain can easily recognize. Abstract art is kept out. “That is why there is a lot of Time photography in healthcare facilities. You know if you are looking at a meadow or a beach. It doesn’t require your mind to make a translation.” Marie Lukaszeski, Director of Planning and Design, oversees all of the major expansions conducted by Ochsner Lafayette General. “If I’m confortable in a space and my family is comfortable, I feel that will translate into a space that others would feel good in. It’s a personal connection for me, ensuring that our spaces are safe and our clinical folks can handle their jobs efficiently. We want healing, confortable, calming spaces where people feel at home.” Ochsner Lafayette General has committed to expanding its footprint next to University Hospital & Clinics in the space that was formerly the Daily Advertiser building. Patrick stated the health system is adding 100 exam rooms and moving UHC Internal Medicine into the building to expand the care as part of its commitment to grow its Graduate Medical Education program to train physicians. In August 2024, Kent Design Build pulled a commercial alteration permit for $17.8 million for the space at 1100 Bertrand Drive to renovate the existing office building and warehouse. Ochsner Lafayette General and Oceans Healthcare have formed a partnership to increase access to behavioral health services in Southwest Louisiana. Oceans Healthcare is leading the development of an approximately 120-bed hospital that will operate under the name Ochsner Behavioral Health Acadiana and is expected to open in the first half of 2026. This partnership is a result of the Community Health Needs Assessment Ochsner conducts every two years. Behavioral and mental health are one of the top problems in Acadiana, which has secondary factors negatively affecting overall health. Located on Verot School Road, plans include inpatient services for adolescents, adults and geriatric patients, as well as outpatient treatment options. The new facility will greatly increase access to services, create the largest behavioral health center in the region and fill a critical need for compassionate, comprehensive care for those experiencing mental health issues and co-occurring substance use disorders. Together, the partners will invest approximately $30 million in the expansion. Shortages in the clinical workforce were exacerbated by the pandemic, in particular in the nursing profession. Ochsner Lafayette General is investing in training programs to bridge the gap and as part of that focus, Ochsner Lafayette General has partnered with UL – Lafayette to create an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Students with a completed bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline will complete 70 hours of nursing course work and earn their BSN through a combination of teaching methodologies including didactic courses, clinical and lab experiences, and hybrid interactive learning courses, in just 15 months. There are scholarship opportunities for students who commit to work for Ochsner Lafayette General for three years after graduation. Learn more here. LSU Eunice, Ochsner Lafayette Genera,l and Acadiana Workforce Solutions have partnered to create a Respiratory Therapy Apprenticeship Customized Training Program on the campus of LSUE which offers students the unique chance to “earn while they learn” through a paid apprenticeship while pursuing an Associate of Science in Respiratory Care at LSU Eunice. Specifically designed to provide opportunities in the thriving Respiratory Therapy field for financially challenged families. students benefit from paid positions at an Ochsner Lafayette General facility in Acadiana as they work towards their degree. Other initiatives to educate medical professionals exist at South Louisiana Community College (practical nursing) and the funding of faculty spots at UL Lafayette. We thank Ochsner Lafayette General for its commitment to providing the best health care in our region. For more information on the general surgery teaching initiative, please listen to our previous podcast with Ochsner Lafayette General Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amanda Logue here.

Shelley Delahoussaye, Supervisor of the Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center, joins Discover Lafayette to share her passion and love of animals and how the animal shelter works to save as any animals as possible while searching for loving and safe environments for them. A graduate of UL – Lafayette, Shelley earned a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. After working in private vet clinics, she was hired in 2017 by the Lafayette Animal Shelter as an Adoption, Foster, and Rescue Coordinator. One year later, she was promoted to Shelter Supervisor. She has always had a passion for animals. Prior to Shelley’s leadership, the save rate for dogs was 47% and cats a low 9%. In 2016 when former Mayor-President Joel Robideaux ran for office, he campaigned on the idea of NO-Kill 2020, an initiative to which he dedicated focus and support to make it happen. Through changes made under Shelley’s supervision, the shelter achieved a 90.3% save rate by 2020, and has maintained that rate ever since. Even with this success, there is still a continuing glut of stray animals in our community and the work of Lafayette Animal Shelter is critical. Pictured above is the beautiful Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Facility. Designed by Architects Beasley Moliere, the front entrance is separated into two wings: the surrender side and the adoption side. While Shelley originally questioned this decision, she quickly realized how important it is to keep the interactions separate. “The Surrender side is sad, with frantic owners looking for their pets. The Adoption side is happy, with people looking for a pet to love and care for.” Prior to COVID, other states around the country would take many of our stray animals as there was a shortage of pets. Nationally, there is a trend of more responsible pet ownership and laws enforcing spay/neuter, as well as restrictions on breeders as to how many animals can be bred and how often, thus reducing the overpopulation. But now post-COVID, the shelters around the U. S. are also full and can’t take our strays. “It’s important to get to the root of the stray population, which is access to low-cost spay and neuter. Wild Cat SpayNation for dogs and cats is the only nonprofit low-cost spay/neuter provider that services all of Acadiana. They can only do so much. Many people want to do better by their pets but can’t afford it. Please donate to them!” Lafayette Animal Shelter takes in approximately 5000 animals each year. And they get in not only dogs and cats, but potbellied pigs, goats, horses, cattle, bunnies and chickens. Shelley joked that recently her team nicknamed the facility “Old MacDonald’s Farm” because of the variety of barnyard animals they took in. Luckily that week they found homes for 10 chickens, 3 potbellied pigs, 3 goats, and a horse! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34TI_obzQj8 Shelley Delahoussaye on how to prepare adequately for your pet’s safety as a storm or hurricane approaches. Adopted animals are neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped before you take them home. “It’s a great deal,” Shelley says, and “The animals receive about $600 worth of vet treatment before they go to their new home.” Adoption fees are $35 for dogs and $25 for cats. Seniors and military vets can adopt at no charge. Any pets who have been at the Animal Shelter over 30 days can be adopted for free and when the shelter gets full, adoption fees are waived. “We want them in good homes without financial barriers.” Thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation and Cathy Bissell– all adoption fees are WAIVED until October 15, 2024. The ratio of cats and dogs in the shelter is approximately 50% each. About 800 of the 5000 animals who arrive annually are owner-surrendered each year. For some, the owner tried to rehome them with no success, and other owners find themselves in a situation where they have to get rid of the pet immediately and turn to the Shelter as a last resort. Shelley encourages owners who may be struggling with their pet’s behavior to take advantage of Good Pup, an app that teaches your how to effectively manage your pet. The Shelter partners with Good Pup and you can take advantage of the live video training for free. It is difficult for the Shelter’s staff to see animals returned when perhaps a bit of training and patience can make all the difference in a successful outcome. The Trap/Neuter/Release (“TNR”) program for community cats was an important key to reducing the kill rate for cats. Just a few short years ago the kill rate was 9% for cats; they were almost certain to be put down once they arrived at the facility. Kittens that came in without a mom almost always faced the “death sentence” according to Shelley. There was no foster program until recently and the community cat population was out of control. In 2017, Robert Benoit, who worked for Joel Robideaux, presented an Ordinance that authorized the TNR program. Today, the Shelter is seeing the results of this successful program and there are much fewer rescued kittens being brought to the facility. If you see a cat with a clipped ear, this is a universal sign that it has been neutered. Another fun initiative to place cats into useful settings is the “Cats Clocking In” program. An idea of former Mayor-President Robideaux, cats can be ‘hired’ and they ‘work’ to reduce pesky rodents in shops and barns. These cats may not fit into your home, but they definitely earn their keep by providing pest control services! Sometimes just the smell of a cat will keep rodents away. Working cats will arrive neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. They will need about two to three weeks in a safe, enclosed space to get acclimated to their new environment and adjust to the new sounds and smells. Employers must provide food, water, and future medical care. The Shelter staff recommends that you adopt cats in pairs as they will stick together beautifully. A ‘No-Kill’ facility means that at least 90% of the animals are saved from euthanasia. Some animals must be put down; if the animal is suffering after being severely injured, extremely old, or has a condition that can’t be addressed, they will be a candidate for euthanasia. If a $15,000 surgery is required in an attempt to save an animal, Shelley says that animal would be put down. “We try so hard to avoid euthanasia. But I’d rather take care of 20 animals for that amount of money. We have to watch our funds.” Also, some animals with severe behavioral issues that are too aggressive to be suitable for adoption will be put down. Shelley says, “I wouldn’t put an aggressive animal in someone’s home. When animals are picked up off the streets, there are varying stray/hold times. If an animal is untagged or not chipped, it will be held for 3 days before being released for adoption to the general public; it will be held for 5 days if they do have identification, in order to give the owner a chance to retrieve their pet. Many pets are reclaimed within one to three days. Once the stray/hold period ends, the pet becomes the property of LCG and it can be adopted or transferred. Volunteers enable the Lafayette Animal Shelter to provide the animals the love and attention they deserve. The Shelter is always in need of animal lovers who can volunteer their time bathing, grooming, walking, and socializing the animals. They need the help of volunteers at off-site events, photography, laundry, cleaning, and even some administrative duties. Volunteers must be 18 years and youth that are 12-15 years of age must have a parent volunteer with them. Volunteers 16-18 years of age can volunteer on their own with a parental consent. Contact LASCC@lafayettela.gov for more information. Shelley studied Animal Sciences at UL – Lafayette and had plans to become a veterinarian. But family responsibilities, namely a pregnancy, changed her plans. She worked at the New Iberia Research Center and as a vet tech before joining Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Facility. She is married with four children and has four dogs, a cat and chickens. “Its a circus but I love it!” The Lafayette Animal Shelter is open Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 12 to 2PM for adoptions only. Located at 410 N. Dugas Road off of University Avenue, it is a beautiful and clean facility filled with dedicated staff, many of whom have worked there for years. We thank Shelley Delahoussaye, along with her staff, for their dedicated service to our community of humans and animals! Visit https://www.lafayettela.gov/lascc/default for more information.

Hollie Girouard, proprietor of Ton’s Drive-In and Ton’s Downtown joins Discover Lafayette in partnership with Eat Lafayette to discuss her family’s multigenerational success in the restaurant business. While Hollie is known for her dedication to Ton’s, she is also well-known for her athletic prowess, having been a volleyball player for teams at ESA and UL – Lafayette, the latter of which she graduated from with a degree in Graphic Design. She is a third-generation proprietor of Ton’s, following in the footsteps of her hardworking grandparents and parents. Hollie knows the restaurant business inside and out, having grown up in it and working from a young age, as soon as her grandmother gave her permission to clean tables and help out doing whatever was needed. Ton’s in Broussard is beloved for its classic American and Cajun comfort food, including fried chicken, hamburgers, and regional favorites. Hollie’s grandparents, Rosemary and Alton Girouard, originally opened Ton’s in May of 1963. At that time, Rosemary left her job at a downtown Lafayette dress shop to run the restaurant full time. Alton stayed on working for the Lafayette Hardware Store (located then at the corner of Vermilion and Buchanan in downtown Lafayette) during the day, joining Rosemary in the evenings at the restaurant. Their children, Karl and Yvette Girouard, also worked at Ton’s, and when Karl married Hollie’s mom, Juanita, in 1973, she became an integral part of the family business. Rosemary and Alton Girouard. Hollie Girouard describes her grandmother as “a business woman. She was the heart and soul driving the restaurant. It was her dream.” As Ton’s attracted more business in the decade after its founding, the restaurant expanded in 1973 to a new location across the street in Broussard in what had originally been Bonin’s Bar. Hollie shared that when her grandparents were remodeling the space to accommodate their new restaruant, they paid for the demolition work by giving the beautiful oak bar in Bonin’s to the contractor as a payment for services. “The original oak bar is somewhere in New Orleans,” says Hollie. The new Ton’s restaurant was equipped with a drive-thru window, the first in Lafayette Parish, and also offered indoor dining and outdoor seating. Ton’s has maintained many of its original menu items offered from its first day of operation. The chili, seasoning blend, and hamburgers which attracted avid fans still taste the same to someone visiting after forty years away. Hollie says the original pizza pans are now used as pot lids. And many of the employees’ families have worked at Ton’s over the years; Danielle, the general manager and head cook at the Broussard location, is a third generation employee as her grandmother, Edna, worked with Hollie’s grandmother in the early days. Regina, Danielle’s mother, worked with Hollie’s mother, Juanita, in Ton’s second generation of operations. Yvette, Alton, Rosemary, Juanita (holding Hollie) and Karl Girouard. Eat Lafayette honored Ton’s Drive-In as it celebrated its 60th anniversary of successful business operations. Pictured are Hollie Girouard along with her parents, Karl and Juanita Girouard. Hollie calls herself “a glorified errand girl, running back and forth between the restaurants. I take my cues from the general managers!” Both restaurants source their food as local as possible, and Hollie says, “The crawfish are always being within 10 miles of the restaurant. We grow things in the garden.” The top seller is the burger and plate lunches at the Broussard location have the same rotation each week as people expect the continuity. So on Tuesday, you can expect to see calf liver and onions as a plate lunch option, with the usual classic comfort foods offered each day. Catering is offered and Ton’s provides food for sports tournaments, as well individuals looking for great comfort food. “Miss Laura,” who has worked at Ton’s since before Hollie was born, works the grill and stuffs all the baked, deboned turkeys, pork roasts and brisket for special occasions After 60 years of successful operations, Ton’s recently opened a second location in downtown Lafayette at 500 Jefferson Street, Suite C, known as Ton’s Downtown. Hollie said, “It was a special time for us opening our second location in downtown Lafayette because it was the 60th anniversary of our grandparents opening Ton’s while working in downtown Lafayette!” Ton’s Downtown has an evolving menu, a bit different from Broussard at this point in time, offering fresh pressed juices every day and Straw Cove bagels and yogurts. “We try to serve food as close as we can to how our grandparents would. When they first opened, they would have a calf butchered every week, with some going to burgers and some to smothered plate lunches. We want to serve people as if they were our own family members. We would never sell an item we wouldn’t give to our grandmother or our child. We are mindful of how we source our foods.” Hollie loves being in downtown Lafayette as she is friends with many other owners of the restaurants surrounding Ton’s. They share resources with each other as needed. “Whatever success we have is only made better by other restauranteurs’ success. We love supporting each other. It’s a special thing to be a part of.” Ton’s Downtown has a full bar, which makes sense given its hours of operation extend from 5 to 12 PM Thursday through Saturday. Interestingly, at this year’s Festival International, the frozen coffee was the surprising #1 seller. “People would spike it with Tito’s or Kahlúa. When asked about the incredible longevity of many employees’ tenure with the restaurant, Hollie stated, “Restaurants are typically high turnover endeavors. We want to ask what our employees would be comfortable doing. When interviewing someone, I ask our current employees if they know the person. Would you feel comfortable working with them? I want my employees to feel work is a safe space. And we don’t micromanage.” And Hollie will do any task needed, including custodial work. “On any given day, I am the custodian. I would never ask my employees to do anything I wouldn’t do.” Ton’s food is consistent at both locations. “Someone can go away for 40 years and come back and taste the same burger. You see the joy and happiness in their face, with nostalgic memories. It tastes the same! Old Corelle dishes are used to serve food, pictures of her grandparents are on the walls. Nostalgia is built into your dining experience.A part of the experience is thinking of your childhood and family. The food we are feeding you is something we do care about. We want you to tast that and experience that,” Hollie says. While Hollie loves the restaurant business, she also enjoys the artistic side of life. In her spare time, which is limited, she throws pottery and makes wedding dresses and functional wear. According to Ton’s Facebook page, “Alton “Ton” was a scout in WW2, sneaking around France, clearing a safe way for troops. Toward the end of the war he had the pleasure of being General Patton’s private driver. We can’t imagine what that time was like and the true courage he and his fellow servicemen and women had to muster at such young ages.” A true American hero! Ton’s Downtown is open Monday – Wednesday, 7AM – 2PM. Thursday – Saturday, 7AM – 2PM & 5PM – 12 AM. Sunday, 8AM – 3PM. Visit https://tonsdowntown.com/ for more information. Ton’s Drive-In at 101 W. Main Street in Broussard is open Monday – Friday, 6 AM to 2 PM, and Saturday 7 AM to 2 PM. For more information, visit https://www.tonsdrivein.com/ Thank you for a fun interview Hollie, and best wishes on another sixty years of success!

Peggy Feehan, Executive Director of CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana), an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the French language and culture in Louisiana, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss the agency’s mission and work. Born and raised in the New Brunswick province of Canada, Peggy grew up speaking French, enjoying the outdoors with deer and moose in her backyard. Fishing and hunting activities were prevalent, just like in Louisiana. While her region of Canada was predominantly Francophone, she learned English in school; some of her family spoke English, but it was not her first language. Peggy admits that she still thinks and dreams in French. And interestingly, she remembers watching American television and enjoying English-speaking shows such as Growing Pains and Family Ties which helped her in learning the English language. While Louisiana, and South Louisiana in particular, had many French-speaking citizens, the language was looked upon as uneducated and backward by some sectors of society. In 1921, a new Louisiana Constitution was adopted that mandated English as the official language of instruction in public schools. This effectively banned the use of French in classrooms. Many old-timers and their descendants clearly remember the shame felt when being ridiculed by teachers for using their native French language in school. The number of French-speaking people in Louisiana began to dwindle drastically as the decades passed. James “Jimmy” Domengeaux, a prominent Lafayette attorney and former U.S. Congressman, was instrumental in founding CODOFIL as a means to stop the loss of French-speaking Louisianians. CODOFIL was established in 1968 with the goal of preserving and promoting the French language and culture in the state. The council played a key role in advocating for French education and cultural programs, particularly in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. CODOFIL was empowered to “do any and all things necessary to accomplish the development, utilization, and preservation of the French language as found in Louisiana for the cultural, economic and touristic benefit of the state”. Appointed by then Louisiana Governor John McKeithen, Domengeaux served as CODOFIL’s first president from its creation until his death in 1988. Domengeaux was passionate about revitalizing French language education, and under his leadership, CODOFIL helped reintroduce French into Louisiana public schools. His work faced challenges, such as a lack of qualified teachers and resistance from some English-only advocates, but Domengeaux’s efforts laid the foundation for a French cultural renaissance in the state. CODOFIL is an agency of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, under the direction of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. It is the only agency physically situated outside of Baton Rouge and is housed in the former Lafayette City Hall across the street from our Lafayette Parish Court House. COD)FIL has been housed there since the mid-1980s except for a period (2014 – 2019) when extensive renovations were undertaken. It is a bright, beautiful space which delights visitors and employees alike. The hiring of international French teachers began in 1972. The recruitees from France and Belgium were flown to Louisiana in chartered planes and landed in Baton Rouge where they were met by yellow school buses and driven to their respective parishes. Approximately 100 teachers would be hired each year. One teacher from Belgium was Phillippe Gustin, who moved here in 1974 from Belgium. He ended up staying and went on to lead the Lafayette International Center for 28 years, serving as an outstanding ambassador for Lafayette and Acadiana in promoting business and cultural opportunities. Peggy moved to Louisiana 25 years ago to teach French in the St. Martin school system for CODOFIL. At the time, CODOFIL advertised in Canada to recruit French teachers, just as they do today. She knew someone in Lafayette and was aware of the huge superstar, Zachary Richard, and got on the waitlist to be a teacher in Acadiana. Her goal was to be here in the States for one year, out of what could be a potential three-year U. S. Visa work permit. Peggy taught in Cecilia Junior High and High School for six years, and also worked for the Louisiana Department of Education as a consultant in French education to recruit other French teachers. “I loved it! I knew what it meant to move from another country. It’s a culture shock to move overseas to Louisiana. It can be hard to get used to.” And may we add…..Peggy ended up staying for much longer than ever originally planned due to meeting her now husband, Scott Feehan, at Festival International de Louisiane. “Immersion is certainly one of the best ways to teach French. Only one hour once a week makes it tough to learn. In immersion, the children think in French and research shows that one disruption in English take a kid up to 20 minutes to come back to the language. Once they hear English, they start talking English to their friends before they switch back to French. If you have long hours of French, that’s when development occurs and the kids learn. It works!” Peggy’s role as Executive Director of CODOFIL involves overseeing efforts to support French immersion programs in schools, maintain cultural ties with Francophone regions, and advocate for French-speaking communities in the state. Today there are 144 internationally recruited French teachers statewide who work in French immersion programs in 17 school districts. Peggy spoke of the challenges in recruiting as there is a shortage of teachers worldwide. This year was a banner year for CODOFIL’s recruiting with approximately 62 new French teachers from France, Belgium, Canada, Cameroon, Senegal and the Ivory Coast of Africa. For the teachers recruited from France, their retirement benefit is paid by France. The teachers are considered to be on sabbatical and their time spent teaching in the U. S. counts toward their retirement. They progress in their profession as if they were working in France. And of course, then France has to hire replacement teachers to do the job in their local schools. Peggy noted that French President Emmanuel Macron is proud to have French teachers in the U. S. to shine the light on the French culture internationally. When asked about the benefits of studying and becoming fluent in French in lieu of Spanish, Peggy stated, “There will always be enough jobs for Spanish speakers. But if you speak French, you have something that not a lot of people have. There are many jobs out there that require French. It’s a tool in your tool belt that gives your more opportunities and less competition to be hired for a position. Come over to the French side!” Festivals are a great attraction for French-speaking individuals and they come here by the thousands and spend tens of millions of dollars in South Louisiana. Peggy said, “We could double our employees and we still wouldn’t have enough to meet the potential demand for Francophone speakers. We could do so much more.” While exact numbers for Francophone visitor spending specifically tied to festivals are not readily available for this interview’s purpose, it is clear that their economic contribution plays a vital role in supporting the local economy, particularly in the Acadiana region where French culture is celebrated. CODOFIL also works to emphasize the importance of maintaining Louisiana’s unique French heritage and culture, which has deep historical roots in the state due to its colonial past. CODOFIL puts on exhibits across the state from time to time, and recently finished  “Louisiana French: Preserve and Evolve” in Jennings. The exhibition was held to demystify Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole and the way these languages have shaped the state. The exhibit will be held next in Abbeville. Another initiative of CODOFIL is French Tables or “Tables Françaises,” a grass roots effort to encourage camaraderie among French speaking individuals. There are dozens of French Tables across Louisiana and the organizers are private individals who are interested in promoting the French language and culture. They decide when, where, and how often they will meet at gatherings where only French is spoken at the table and can call upon CODOFIL for guidance if needed. Peggy Feehan’s leadership has contributed to the growth of French language initiatives, fostering stronger cultural connections between Louisiana and other French-speaking regions globally. She loves her job and says, “It is truly an honor to be a part of CODOFIL. As long as they will keep me, I am so happy to be here!” We thank Peggy Feehan and her entire team at CODOFIL for their work and outstanding commitment to preserving Louisiana’s unique cultural heritage. For more information, visit https://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/codofil/. And please note that the website is being improved and the new site will be launched in approximately six months. You can also call CODOFIL at (337)262-5810 or visit their office at 217 W. Main Street, Lafayette LA 70501.