Discover Lafayette

Camille Pavy Claibourne has a beautiful voice and uses it to tell the story of others. Delving into the issues surrounding care of our elders as well as death and final decision-making, Camille Claibourne brings more than forty years of nursing experience to the table as she shares lessons learned from those who are dying.

Early in Camille's career as a critical care nurse, a young man's tragic death touched her heart as she witnessed his heart stop functioning.  As she moved on to care for the next patient and the next, Camille gradually realized that she had a deep interest in learning more about the process of dying and the many ways to navigate the topic that no one seems to want to talk about. She also shared in this audio podcast interview of Discover Lafayette that she loves being with the elderly and feels joyful in the process of loving and caring for them. She also learns great lessons from the elderly as they communicate without the filters that restrict most of our conversations!

Her brave patients inspired her to pursue a doctoral degree in thanatology, the subject of death and dying. Her research led her to the work of Ira Byock, M. D., who coined the term "Dying Well" which refers to dying as a life phase of growth and development. Interviewing hospice patients led to the publication of her first book, Dying in God's Hands  by Acadian House Publishing in October 2009. Camille shared in the book that a majority of her patients believed in life after death, that "life does not end with bodily death but goes on eternally."

Claibourne's second book, Purses and Shoes for Sale, the Joys and Challenges for Caring for Elderly Parents, was published in March 2016 and was inspired by the challenges of being a caregiver for her parents in their older years.  The humorous title is directly attributable to words of wisdom from her mother, Anna Mae, as she opined that her obituary should just state that upon her death there would be "purses and shoes for sale." When you stop and think about it, you should really stop and think about this observation: when we go, we go....without all the stuff we've accumulated! The book contains a treasure trove of resources on topics such as the Patients' Bill of Rights, how to prevent falls, how to clear out a house, and useful websites. Anyone faced with the responsibility of caring for a loved one in declining health will benefit from having Camille's experience as set forth in this inspirational and easy-to-read guide.

Both books mentioned herein may also be purchased on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble, as well as through Acadian House Publishing.

Camille Pavy Claibourne gives back to our community, serving as a board member of Hospice of Acadiana. A Master Craftsman affiliated with the Louisiana Crafts Guild, her hobby as an accomplished potter has evolved into a small business you should check out. She is also President & CEO of Cabill, Inc., an executive coaching company. She is certified in Emergenetics, a tool which allows people to learn about their personality type and how to work better with others. For more information, she may be reached by calling 337-856-7691 or by emailing [email protected].

Hospice of Acadiana, established in 1983, is Louisiana’s oldest hospice and palliative care provider, and the only non-profit provider in Acadiana.  As a non-profit provider, patients receive all of the care they need, regardless of the cost or their ability to pay. HOA also offers several programs and services to the community at-large free of charge, including:  Grief Counseling, Loss and Transition Workshops, Camp Brave Hearts, Pet Peace of Mind, and the We Honor Veterans Program.  For more information, call (337) 232-1234 or visit www.hospiceacadiana.com  You can also email [email protected].

Please forward this interview to anyone going through challenging end-of-life exp...

Jan Risher is a freelance writer and author of Long Story Short: Year of the Water Goat, a must read for anyone considering adopting internationally. She writes a weekly column for the Sunday edition of the Acadiana Advocate in Lafayette, LA which centers on the human condition; she was previously a writer for the Daily Advertiser. As President of Shift Key, a content marketing firm, she enables businesses to tell their story in an effective manner to help them flourish and grow.

In 2018, Jan published an anthology of her newspaper columns written over fifteen years from 2002 to 2017, Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short. In it, she chronicles her personal story including her move to Louisiana from Mississippi, the adoption of her daughter from China, and the ways in which she works to make the world a better place.

In this episode, Jan Risher discusses her love of writing and offers practical tips for aspiring authors.  She also freely shares strategies for businesses wanting to know how to market their business. An active and engaged member of the Lafayette community of business and non-profit endeavors, Jan is a voice to be reckoned with.

While visiting Scotland a couple of years ago, Jan learned about their "Feel Good Festival." Never one to waste a wonderful idea, Jan declared August 2018 to be Lafayette's inaugural launch of our very own Feel Good Festival with a theme of "Cool." Each day of August will provide an opportunity for us to celebrate life....something we can all share with others  For more information, contact [email protected].

For more information on Jan Risher's marketing firm, Shift Key, visit http://goshiftkey.com.  Her articles may be accessed at https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/entertainment_life/jan_risher/. Long Story Short Year of the Water Goat and Looking to the Stars from Old Algiers and Other Long Stories Short may be purchased at https://www.amazon.com.

This article was updated August 21, 2019.

Lafayette Crime Stoppers began in 1983 with a mission to assist local law enforcement to fight crime by helping to overcome the two elements that inhibit public involvement: fear and apathy. Crime Stoppers provides a method for local law enforcement to receive information on crimes. These efforts increase tips, which in turn increase arrests in our community.

Crime Stoppers originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico through the efforts of a young detective trying to solve a tough case involving the murder of a young college student.  He partnered with the local media looking for anonymous tips to solve the crime and within 72 hours public input led to the arrest of the perpetrator. Crime Stoppers is now found throughout 1800 communities throughout the U. S.

My guests on this episode of Discover Lafayette, Major Jules Broussard, a 28-year veteran of the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office, and Marc Mouton, a citizen volunteer serving on the Crime Stoppers’ Board of Directors, discuss the incredible impact Crime Stoppers has had on Lafayette and Acadiana.

Crime Stoppers keeps all identities of tipsters anonymous.  Major Broussard stresses that “If you see something, say something!”  Your identity will remain anonymous and you will be eligible to receive a reward for helping solve a crime if your tip leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.

With most crimes, the people closest to the perpetrators may know information about the commission of the crime. It is easy to share this information by calling (337)232-TIPS.  With the new P3 app which allows you to share information with law enforcement directly from your smartphone, witnesses are now able to report a crime while it’s being executed and provide video footage and other relevant data to local crime enforcement officials. To download the mobile app, visit https://www.p3tips.com.

In Lafayette, the first arrest as a result of a tip to Crime Stoppers occurred on June 5, 1983, which netted a young businessman dealing drugs. Since that time, 187 armed robberies have been solved. Over the years, Crime Stoppers' tips have also solved 45 murders, 50 attempted murders, 516 burglaries, and 1700 cases of fugitive warrants and recovery of narcotics.  Property valued at $5.5 million has been returned to the rightful owners. Over $20 million of narcotics have been taken off the streets. Real people can make a real difference when they assist law enforcement.

On the national level in 2018, Crime Stoppers has resulted in 715,000 arrests being made; 14,630 homicides have been solved; 1 million cases cleared, $106 million in rewards have been paid out; the value of property recovered is $1.1 Billion.  All of this just as of May 2018!

Lafayette Crime Stoppers also provides money to local law enforcement officials to assist with the needs of their departments. Major Broussard and Mr. Mouton spoke of the fulfillment of immediate needs not included in local annual budgets such as search dogs (which can cost up to $15,000 to $20,000), a horse trailer to transport the Lafayette City Police horses, cameras in downtown Lafayette to capture criminal activity, and a software program to help the Lafayette City Police Department identify pedophile activity online.

Lafayette Crime Stoppers partners with the following law enforcement departments: Lafayette City Court, Lafayette City Police Department

Lafayette Sheriff's Department, Broussard Police Department, Carencro Police Department, Scott Police Department, Vermillion Parish Sheriff Department, and the Youngsville Police Department.

To report a tip to Crime Stoppers, call (337)232-TIPS or download the free P3 app available in your app store or on Google Play on your smartphone or computer. For more information, please visit www.lafayettecrimestoppers.com.

On this episode of Discover Lafayette, Marc Broussard, internationally renowned singer and songwriter known for his own unique style of rhythm and blues, joins Mark Falgout, owner of Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse and Warehouse 535, to discuss the first annual South Louisiana Songwriters Festival & Workshop known as "SOLO" taking place in downtown Lafayette May 22 - 27, 2018.

This first annual SOLO workshop has partnered with the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation to bring artists from around the world to collaborate for four days to create original music. The last two days of SOLO will feature the artists’ creations to be performed at Blue Moon Saloon and Warehouse 535.

SOLO will culminate with a weekend full of songs and stories when workshop participants will share the stage with greats such as Jim Lauderdale and Travis Meadows as well as young talent and established locals. Programming will consist of a mix of traditional solo and group performances, new and possibly never-to-be repeated collaborations and duos, as well as sessions curated by moderators Barry Ancelet, Herman Fuselier and Christiaan Mader.

The festival will also serve as the launch of Marc Broussard’s new label, Artist Tone Records, which will focus solely on local musicians who will provide exclusive content for the Artist Tribune, a news and entertainment website.

You can enjoy the work of the Artist Tone Experience at SOLO Festival on May 27 at 6 pm at Warehouse 535 in downtown Lafayette. Rader Solutions, a full service IT company, is sponsoring Broussard’s show as part of its ongoing commitment to invest in the culture and talent in our community.

For more information and to purchase tickets to SOLO Fest, please visit www.solosongwriters.com. A general admission pass for May 26-27, 2018 to take in over 50 events at 6 stages and two venues may be purchased for only $25.00! Please share this event with your friends and family to support and enjoy our rich artistic culture and take part in this historic event!

A special thanks to Mark Falgout and Nicole Leblanc of Blue Moon Saloon and Warehouse 535 for their commitment to the local music culture and for seeing that SOLO Fest came to fruition! Marc Broussard, thank you as well for your commitment to nurturing local talent and providing the opportunity for artists to have a voice through Artist Tone Records and Artist Tribune.

Ken Veron is owner and proprietor of Café Vermilionville along with his wife, Andrea Veron.  Veron is also chair of Eat Lafayette, an annual summertime campaign which supports locally owned restaurants and reminds people to continue to enjoy the restaurants that have made Lafayette, Louisiana the culinary destination that it is today.

In this episode of Discover Lafayette, Ken shares his love of being in the restaurant business, what it is like to be the second-generation proprietor of this renowned culinary treasure and the importance of supporting Lafayette’s locally owned restaurants through the Eat Lafayette initiative which takes place every summer.

“Café V” is perennially one of Lafayette’s best and most popular restaurants for fine dining. The restaurant has been featured in Southern Living and Saveur magazines, as well as on The Cooking Channel, and is renowned for its French-inspired, Cajun-influenced cuisine which never fails to please both locals and tourists alike.

The original structure of Café Vermilionville was built in 1812 and was called “The Old Vermilionville Inn.”  Over the years, it became a working plantation, headquarters for Yankee General CC Washburn in 1863, and eventually, a residence known as "Rickwood" during the 1950's.

In 1969, the historic building was converted into a restaurant known as Maison Acadienne, a dining establishment, and thereafter in the 1970s was the site of the popular watering hole Judge Roy Bean’s Saloon owned by Charlie Goodson and Earl Hebert.

In 1981, the property was again refurbished and opened as Cafe Vermilionville by Ken Veron and Charlie Goodson. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by Ken’s parents, Ken and Mary Veron.

In 2015, Ken and Andrea Veron conducted a full-scale updating of the interior to return to a truer look of the original house. During the interview, Ken discussed living onsite with Andrea for nine days as the restaurant was revitalized and work was conducted. The Verons are truly in love with their restaurant and maintain a hands-on approach, from day to day maintenance to selecting new menu choices and wines to be served. Ensuring a quality dining experience with a warm and welcoming ambiance is the focus, each and every day.

As our discussion wound down, we started discussing the perennially favorite dishes that everyone needs to try if they've never experienced Cafe V's delectable menu. Ken shared that for the past thirty years, a crowd favorite has been the crawfish beignets: crawfish tails with the "trinity" of onion, garlic, bell pepper, mixed in with a three blend of cheese and crawfish tails, rolled in flour, fried and served with a creolaise sauce (creole mustard and aioli).  And of course, the turtle soup!

For more information on Café Vermilionville, please visit http://www.cafev.com/ Tickets to the June 18th launch of Eat Lafayette 2019 may be purchased here.

Discover Lafayette is proud to shine the light on Café Vermilionville and its owners, Ken and Andrea Veron We want to thank them for providing a rich culinary resource which serves our community during all of our local celebrations, as well as for the many visitors who want to experience a unique Acadiana dining experience!

This post was updated on May 8, 2019.

Discover Lafayette is proud to highlight this week's guest, Kenneth Boudreaux, District 4 City-Parish Councilman, who represents a diverse area of the northern portion of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Owner of the consultant business, To the Front, To the Top, a learning, training and development resource for individuals, families, and businesses, Kenneth is also well-known for his two radio talk shows Q95.5 Teen Talk Show "Holla Back," and KNEK Magic 104.7, "The Community Hour."

Councilman Boudreaux is passionate about issues on leadership, cultural diversity, non-violence, esteem building, drug, alcohol and substance prevention, black history, community action, parenting, education, relationships, motivating people and bullying, the latter of which is most prevalent in today's schools.

Previously, Councilman Boudreaux served 20 years in the 15th Judicial District in the District Attorney's Office, as Director of Youth Services and Programs.

A member of Louisiana Avenue United Methodist Church (THE AVENUE) located at 2700 Louisiana Avenue, Councilman Boudreaux is a proud graduate of Northside Senior High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Kenneth Boudreaux is the recipient of Big Brothers, Big Sisters "Brother of the Year" Award in 1991; two-time Kiwanis Club “Citizen of the Year; Omega Psi Phi "Man of the Year"; City of Lafayette Police Department Civilian Award'; "Outstanding Young Man State of Louisiana, Lafayette" Jaycees; the Honorary Attorney General Award; NAUW Tribute to Excellence; an EUTHU Honoree; Louisiana Girls and Guys Rock I Rock Honoree; Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter of UL Lafayette Outstanding Graduate Award, among others.

He has served as Finance Chairman over all LCG budget hearings for seven year, and has been named five times as Professional Services Chair over contracts.

Councilman Boudreaux has served as Chair of the Lafayette City-Parish Council in 2011, 2015 and 2017.

Herman Fuselier's childhood home always had music playing. His parents, Matteal and Herman Fuselier, enjoyed the sounds of James Brown, Otis Redding, and Frank Sinatra.  While Herman's generation was into the 70's genre of the Jackson 5 and the Carpenters, Herman always enjoyed Zydeco music and listened to it before it was "cool."

As a long-time freelance music and entertainment writer for the Daily Advertiser and Times of Acadiana, Herman Fuselier was originally hired as a sports writer for the Opelousas Daily World.  After realizing that the only time great musicians were covered by the paper was when their obituary was published, he convinced his boss, Harlin Kirgan, to allow him to cover the music scene.  Permission was granted, but only when he promised not to allow it to interfere with sports coverage!

Herman Fuselier covered the Louisiana music scene for more than twenty-five years before being hired as the Executive Director of the St. Landry Tourist Commission in December 2018. He has contributed features to Offbeat Magazine of New Orleans, Oxford American, Living Blues, and other national publications.

He’s written CD liner notes for Lil’ Nate, Leon Chavis, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Beau Jocque, Jeffery Broussard, and the World Music Network of Australia.

Herman has been interviewed for cultural stories done by NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and more.

In sharing his love of music, Herman also hosts The Zydeco Stomp on KRVS, our local public radio station, each Saturday from noon to 3 pm.

Herman is the author of Ghosts of Good Times: South Louisiana Dance Halls Past and Present, which examines the world of Cajun dance halls, Zydeco clubs, Chitlin’ Circuit R&B nightclubs, Swamp-Pop Honkytonks and other venues that at one time were prevalent throughout the region. Photographs by Philip Gould blend architectural imagery of buildings still standing with historic photographs of the clubs that he took back in their heyday. Herman and other writers provide a rich selection of historical accounts and essays about their personal experiences in the clubs. The book also examines the dancehall scene today and how the venues have changed. The music following remains strong and people still come to dance. The surviving old dance halls and newer venues are still in full swing. Old or new, they are icons, a proud south Louisiana legacy of Good Times.

Herman Fuselier's writings have served as a treasure trove for our region, as he shines the light on the soul of the performers he covers.  His body of work will guide you if you are unfamiliar with Zydeco, Cajun or Swamp Pop music, as well as rock, jazz, and other genres.

Listen to Herman Fuselier's Zydeco Stomp by tuning in to 88.7 KRVS in Lafayette or by visiting http://krvs.org/programs/zydeco-stomp-krvs. 

*This post was updated May 22, 2019.

"Go Big or Go Home" is the mantra of Michael and Tracey Landry, founders of TM Landry College Prep in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

You may have heard of TM Landry College Prep through national media stories focusing on the 100% graduation rate, with students being accepted by Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Brown, Cornell, NYU, Tulane, and many more colleges, on full scholarships! Videos capturing the students' joy as they learned they were accepted to the college of their dreams have been posted on TM Landry's Facebook page and have gone viral, garnering thousands of views and providing an incredibly bright spot on the otherwise bleak outlook for the region's problematic educational outcomes.

Mike and Tracey are parents who have always wanted the best education for their children. When they realized, however, that their children needed a more effective instructional model than the public schools were able to offer, they started their own homeschool in a garage in 2005.

TM Landry College Prep currently has 175 students enrolled in its open-air building that formerly housed a fabrication facility. The students bring their own lunch, and their parents drive them to school early each day and pick them up at "Dark Thirty" as the school day winds down as the sun has set.  The learning institution is run year round, with only a few days allowed off during summer time. Students assist with keeping the facility clean, and are dressed in sharp uniforms which connote deep respect for the mission of this institution of learning.

The model for their instruction is a flexible, Montessori college readiness program that takes into account the individual needs of the student. There are no textbooks, no homework, and no specific class schedule. Students from kindergarten to high school work together and tutor each other to achieve mastery of their subjects. The ‘itty bitties’ learn economic and government principals right alongside the older, high school students. In fact, the week of our interview, the President of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank was dropping by to talk about economics. Very few walls contain the students, and very few boundaries will limit their potential for success.

At TM Landry, you must achieve a 90% or higher score before you can move on. Think about what this means for the future of each student as they move forward when they are ready, and build upon a solid base of skills as they master intense subjects such as Mandarin, Latin, Hindi (a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language), Arabic, Calculus, Physics, and other subjects many of us have never been exposed to!

When asked why there are no traditional extracurricular activities such as sports teams, Mike Landry likes to say, "Why play for the team when you can own the team?" The students are encouraged to "swing for the fences" and to realize that they are "competing for life."

To learn more about the genesis of TM Landry College and the family of students educated about academics as well as in how the world works, this is one interview you will not want to miss!

Please visit http://www.tmlandrycollegeprep.org for more information on how the educational landscape is being transformed.

In closing, I want to thank Mike and Tracey for their friendship and willingness to share their story.  It's about so much more than education; it's about love and dedication to their fellow human beings and the potential that has been gifted to each of us if we only explore it. May God bless Tracey, Mike and TM Landry College Prep as they move forward.

The thrill of racing enchanted Sarah Montgomery from a very young age. And now, at the still tender young age of 25, as one of only a few female professional race car drivers, Sarah is pursuing her passion for speed, as well as the pursuit of excellence in all she does.

In this episode of Discover Lafayette, Sarah shares her experience behind the wheel of her first car, a Barbie Jeep, and the sets of tires her dad, Robert Montgomery, had to change out as she barreled down the street in Lafayette LA. (I've learned on the side that Robert remembers Sarah being 6 years old and announcing it was time once again to rotate the tires on the Barbie Jeep!)

It was her first visit to an Indy Car Race at the age of 10, however, which enticed her to actually jump into the racing circuit.

Starting with go-kart racing, Sarah and her dad toiled to transform used carts into race-worthy vehicles. Sarah eventually met Brent Mosing, a local businessman, car collector and racing enthusiast who offered her a starter race car named Captain Nemo. Mosing shepherded her into professional driving classes and the world of competitive racing and still serves as a mentor today.

Supportive parents, Robert and Laura Montgomery, have nurtured Sarah's racing career through it all.

At the time of our interview, Sarah was pursuing the opportunity to enter the nationally televised Continental Tire Sports Car series, to gain exposure to a much wider audience.

Since our interview, Sarah has moved to Atlanta to work with Porsche and be in closer proximity to other racing professionals. It is noteworthy how few professional female drivers there are in this competitive sport, and Sarah has written a moving blog about her experience in motorsports being the only female at many of the races. You can read her blog here.

Driven by a love of speed as well as her deep faith, Sarah Montgomery is a young woman who inspires all who meet her.  We hope this interview inspires you to get to know Sarah better and follow her career.

Professional racing is a very expensive sport, and Sarah is grateful for all of her sponsors, which include Lafayette Travel and Lemons of Love Chemotherapy Support Organization out of Chicago.

This post was updated on August 28, 2019 to reflect new information. In 2019, Sarah signed with Sick Sideways to compete in the Global Mazda MX5 Cup Series Presented by BFGoodrich Tires

If you are interested in sponsoring Sarah Montgomery, opportunities are available.  For more information, please visit http://www.sarahmontgomeryracing.com.

Ellen McLemore, co-founder and Executive Director of Chorale Des Amis, exudes passion for teaching children the joys of choral singing. Listening to Ellen speak of her dream for building up Chorale Des Amis is reminiscent of the feeling one gets listening to Fraulein Maria and the von Trapp children make the hills come alive with the sound of music!

Chorale Des Amis is open to all students in the greater Acadiana area who love to sing. The students’ enthusiasm and love for music are nurtured in a challenging, yet safe environment. Along with improving their abilities, the children have the opportunity to make new friends and travel to make appearances with the choir.

Chorale Des Amis was formed in March 2017 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is supported by community donations along with students' tuition. Students are enrolled from 18 Acadiana-area schools representing five different types of school settings: public, private, charter, Montessori, and homeschooling.

The Les Petits Choir is a "get your feet wet" choir for students in 2nd through 5th grade. Les Jeunes Chanteurs Choir is open for 6th through 8th-grade girls with a focus on sightreading, blend and diction. La Chorale is comprised of singers who have demonstrated advanced vocal techniques and music reading skills and usually high school age. The newest choir is La Chorale des Garcon is an advanced men's choir that sings jazz, pop and the classics.

Interested students may audition for the upcoming season on either June 15, 9 to 11 a.m. or June 18 or 19, 5 to 7 p.m. Registration and information may be found at www.choraledesamis.com.

Camp Chorale will take place June 24 - 28, 2019 and registration is currently open for children ages 5 through 12 years of age. Age-appropriate activities and field trips to sing to the community, led by certified music instructors, are on the agenda. For more information, email [email protected].

Why support Chorale Des Amis? Let's allow Ellen to explain, as she did in this episode of Discover Lafayette: "We know that singing promotes academic work. The studies have shown that the skills that students receive from singing and from studying. focusing. and learning, the discipline of learning, follows them into their academic world. We want lifelong singers. We want our churches to have choir members that are not aging out, but love to sing." And, of course, we all want our community to offer children much-needed outlets for their creative expression!