2013 Cenla-ian of the Year: Laura A. Leach

Posted June 2013

June 2013 CoverLaura A. Leach, the recipient of many distinguished awards and accolades throughout several decades, has made not only an impact on Central Louisiana, but throughout the state.  Whether serving for 18 years on the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors or as the state president of Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana or as the president of the Leesville’s Lion’s Club Auxiliary, Leach exemplifies a life devoted to others.  In recognition of her service, Leach has been named the Cenla-ian of the Year by Cenla Focus magazine and a panel of community leaders.

 

“I was very surprised and very honored to receive this recognition,” says Leach, a principal owner and chairman of the board of directors of Sweet Lake Land & Oil Company [...]

Three Little Maids from (the Impressionist) School

Posted June 2013

One of the best loved Gilbert & Sullivan operettas is The Mikado, and one of its best loves songs is “Three Little Maids from School”.  My wife and I were talking about Gilbert & Sullivan the other night, and about how so many communities on the east coast used to have a FROGS (Friends of [...]

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Lost In Your Own Backyard

Posted June 2013

Many of us have “heroes”—people we would like to emulate and pattern our lives after.  Personalities rub off on us, and without always being aware of it, we are influenced by their behavior.  You and I are very contagious when it comes to attitudes and actions.  Tell me who your heroes are, and I will [...]

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Avoyelles Arts & Music Fest Sizzles July 4th

Posted June 2013

The Avoyelles Arts & Music Fest (AAMF) returns to downtown Marksville this July 4th with a stellar line-up of entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors, BBQ Cook Off and fun and games for the kids.  “Our goal is to become Louisiana’s July 4th destination festival and after the overwhelming success of last year’s event, hopefully [...]

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Parish Health Rankings 2013: Cenla’s Problematic Profile

Posted June 2013

Each spring, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, releases the County (Parish) Health Rankings & Roadmaps.  These statistics are intended to stimulate local health and state health departments to focus on those problem areas within their states.  These statistics are separated into “Health Outcomes”, based on [...]

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Tax Law Updates

Posted June 2013

Just received a “special issue” of the Kiplinger Tax Letter that outlines the more recent updates to our voluminous tax code, and thought I would share some of them with you.  For higher income folks—couples with earnings over $250,000 and singles with earnings over $200,000—will pay an additional .9% surtax for Medicare. It applies only [...]

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AZA Grants Accreditation to the Alexandria Zoo

Posted June 2013

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) has announced that Alexandria Zoological Park was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.  “Only zoos and aquariums that meet the highest standards are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “The community should take great pride in knowing that [...]

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