Feb VIP

volume 2 issue 4 | NovemBeR 2009 | theVIPmag.
com
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4 | February 2013 | theVIPmag.com
complimentary
o f s o u t h e a s t t e x a s
A tribute
to Bill Leger
Hollywood
artist Curtis
Schnell
Two Film&
Music Fests
feb &
fab
Fashion tips for
Groundhog Day,
Super Bowl Sunday,
Chinese NewYear,
Valentines Day,
Presidents Day
Mix
love
and
work
without killing
your spouse
Anchor & author
Jackie
Simien
accessories
Willard
A fresh look for the
historical home
20
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HOT
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Editorial
Editor
DAVID CONSTANTINE
dconstantine@thevipmag.com
Contributing Writers
CATHLEEN COLE
AmANDA COrbELL
LArENA HEAD
grACE mATHIS
jANE mCbrIDE
HOLLI pETErSEN
CHEryL rOSE
Editorial Assistant
LAurEN mCgEE
Photography
Contributing Photographers
SCOTT ESLINgEr
rEN SHEppArD
LEE E. STINSON
Graphic Designer
DAVID CONSTANTINE
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on the cover
Whether you are part of a couple of not, Valentines Day is an oppor-
tunity to faunt your romantic side. Model Erikka Walker was stunning
in this timeless beaded silk dress and pearl tassel necklace from Bella
Bella in Beaumont. Find other February fashion looks on page 15.
Photography: Rene Sheppard; Styling: Grace Mathis and Larena Head;
Hair and makeup: Grace Mathis; Shoot location: Burns Antik Haus
c o n t e n t s
vip magazine
07 vip home
07 The Willard ancestral
home modernized
12 vip style
12 20 red hot accessories
15 Festive February wear
20 vipersonality
20 Anchor and author
Jackie Simien
24 TV designer and artist
Curtis Schnell
29 vip worthy
29 Power couples: How to
mix work and love
32 vip leisure
32 Beaumonts two flm
and music fests
35 vip spotlight
35 SE Texas events
39 food&drink
39 Recipe: Shades of
Love cake
42 vip voices
42 A tribute to Bill Leger
46 The importance of
Black History Month
43 vip adviser
43 5 great dates this month
44 Calendar
45 Crossword puzzle
inside february
39
07
20
12
4 February 2013 | theVIPmag.com
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w i l l i a r d h o m e
vip home
A New
Chapter
The Willards restore
their familys ancestral
home with fresh style
text by Cheryl rose
W
hen Kim Taft was a girl
growing up in Beau-
mont, she walked back
and forth in front of the
Willard home every day
as she went from her parents home to the
family funeral business to the family forist
shop. That house looked like a mansion
to my sister and me, she remembered. It
was grander than all the rest then. It just
stood out as the showpiece of the neigh-
borhood.
Thirty-some years later, she calls that
special house home. Shes now Kim Wil-
lard, the wife of David Willard, the fourth
generation Willard to own the home. The
couple recently fnished a total interior
renovation to once again make it a show-
piece.
Community pride
The frst Elmo Willard was the son
of two former slaves. He was born in
1867, just two years after the abolition of
slavery, on the Old Calder Plantation. A
true entrepreneur, he became a barber by
trade and a real estate mogul by talent. In
1925, he built the frst two-storey, brick
home owned by an African American in
Beaumont. According to Willard family
lore, neighbors would gather to watch the
construction of the home, as it represented
a source of community pride.
Elmo Willard died shortly after the
photography by lee e. sTiNsoN
>>
theVIPmag.com | February 2013 7
house was fnished, passing away in 1926. However,
his descendents, including his son, Elmo Jr., his
grand-daughter, Marguerite, and grandson, Elmo
III, would keep the house in the family. When
famed civil rights attorney Elmo Willard III died in
1991, his son David inherited the family homestead.
Though David grew up in Beaumont, he had
ventured away, attending Morehouse College in
Atlanta, working in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
and then attending Harvard University for mas-
ters and doctoral degrees. Though he had a busy
life far from Beaumont, he kept the ownership of
the home. Selling was never an option, he said.
There was too much history, too much feeling to
the family as a whole. My fathers last law ofce
was in this house for three years before he passed
away. Selling never crossed my mind.
Potential and plans
When his brother, Michael, died, David returned
to Beaumont for the funeral. In making the funeral
arrangements, he met Kim for the frst time, even
though their family homes were only a block apart.
Kim was working in her family forist shop at the
time.
While the couple was dating, Kim got her frst
chance to see inside the Willard house. David had
rented the home for many years with the assistance
of his mother, Pat. The house was between tenants,
so Pat took Kim through for a look.
I was just curious, but from the moment I
walked in the door, it was like this is what I need
to do. I need to bring this house back. This is like
home, Kim said. Ideas started spilling out then
and there that very frst time.
Kims background and current job are in graphic
design, but she loves design in all forms and has
also worked in interior and foral design. She knew
she would have to put together an impressive pitch
to convince David that renovating and living in the
home would be a smart move. With her experience
from working at Ethan Allen, she created a visually
detailed presentation and sold him on her ideas.
David moved back to Beaumont and the pair mar-
ried in 2007.
Preserve and replace
By the time they began renovating, the house
was showing its age and the wear-and-tear of mul-
tiple tenants. It was so bad, it made me sad, Kim
said. The house, that to me, was once so grand.
The couple hired an architect and contractors.
Installing new plumbing, new wiring, knocking
down walls, replacing the rotten staircase, add-
ing new bathrooms and a new kitchen took seven
months. They were able to preserve some of the
original wood foors that run throughout the house,
adding checkerboard tile as an accent. Kim chose to
cover the brick freplace with marble, but kept the
original mantel.
One unusual feature of the home was foor-to-
ceiling bookshelves in nearly every room. A neigh-
bor, Lula Seymour, remembers the house being like
a library, complete with Dewey Decimal System
organization. The current Willards removed almost
all the shelving, though they repurposed some in an
upstairs bedroom, converted now to a study.
Kim used her creative design powers to trans-
form several existing features. For example, in the
entry foyer, she took existing cupboards that were
painted white and painted them black and mirrored
the fronts for a more elegant look.
The original 1925 kitchen and master bath had >>
The Willard
Family
The City of Beaumont desig-
nated the Willard home as a
historical cultural landmark
in 2003 for the contributions
of the family and the role the
house has played in the towns
history.
Elmo Riley Willard
Though he began his career as
a barber, he later purchased
and invested in real estate
property. He was one of the
frst local citizens to donate
to the fund that founded the South Texas State Fair. He
and his wife, Sarah Adams, the daughter of Capt. Elisha Adams (another
signifcant Beaumont citizen), had eight children.
Elmo R. Willard, Jr.
Showing how intertwined the families have been over the years, Kims
grandfather learned the mortuary business from Davids grandfather, who
owned Willard and Willard Funeral Home with his brothers. Neighbor Lula
Seymour reports that during the August 1943 race riots, Elmo Jr. served
as a liaison with the Texas Rangers, National Guard and local police, with
these groups making a temporary headquarters in the vestibule of the
Willard home.
Elmo R. Willard III
Born in the Willard home in 1930, he became an attorney and played a
signifcant role in the advancement of African Americans in Beaumont. He
worked on many civil rights cases that led to the desegregation of public
parks, local schools and Lamar State College of Technology among other
public institutions in Beaumont. In the last years of his life, he moved his
law offce to the Willard home.
to be gutted and replaced with modern equipment, including stealing
space from a closet for a shower. However, the clawfoot tub, though
not original to the home, is a salvaged period piece. Without a doubt,
my favorite thing in the home is that tub, Kim said.
Refreshed and ready
The couple changed the homes existing earth tones to cool blues,
grays and whites. We like art and we wanted something that would
be neutral enough to not compete with the eclectic collection we have
started, Kim said. Hung in a place of honor is a portrait of the frst
Elmo Willard.
Though some furniture pieces are recent purchases, many are
family antiques or salvage fnds that have been reupholstered and
repainted. The style is an eclectic mix of classic and modern. I will
change things up in a minute with accents pieces, Kim said. Thats
the beauty of keeping a neutral palette. Small changes with fowers
and pillows look like youve done something major and you really
havent at all.
The couple moved in last spring. Theyve enjoyed entertaining
guests, showing of their hard work. Next up are plans for the outside
of the house and yard.
David remembers family gatherings in the home from his youth.
Hes proud to have revitalized the home for another generation.
We had the opportunity to restore and continue a legacy that is the
cornerstone of my family and all that that represents, he said. I am
equally thrilled with the interconnections of our two families, the Wil-
lards and Tafts, through this house. VIP
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R
E
a c c e s s o r i e s
vip style
compiled by Larena Head
W
ith the season of love approaching, were
seeing red because nothing says love like the
hue of passion. From garnet adornments to
luxe leather handbags, weve scouted out our
favorite red accessories from local retailers.
2
3
13
5
15
17
8
18
19
10
photography by
Lee e. StinSon
and courteSy
of retaiLerS
E
D
From Dillards: 1. Ray-Ban Wayfarer classic sunglasses, $96; 2. Gianni Bini Rebecca platform booties, $90; 3. Jessica Simpson Waleo platform pumps, $89; 4. Coach candace leather
carryall, $398; 5. Michael Kors hamilton quilted tote, $448; 6. BCBGeneration two tone clutch, $88; 7. DKNY red sequin leather watch, $135; 8. Ralph Lauren Contrast Points Touch
Gloves, $29. From BMW of Beaumont: 9. 2013 BMW 6 Series 650i, $111,395. From Ella + Scott: 10. Red bubble necklace, $24. From The Pink Chandelier: 11. iPhone case, $14;
12. Flower head wrap, $14. From Bella Bella: 13. Rhinestone bow clutch, $58. From Monicas Mark: 14. Coral and sterling silver rose ring, $72; 15. Rhinestone chandelier earrings, $38;
16. Rhinestone tassel earring, $18; 17. Embellished ballet fats, $28; 18. Red jade and sterling silver belt buckle, $180. From Heartfeld Designs: 19. Red Swarovski crystal necklace, $38;
20. Ruby and diamond ring, Heartfeld Designs, $1,009. (all prices subject to change)
1
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12
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14
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At Burns Antik Haus, you will fnd stunning hand-selected
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Makes a great Valentines Day Gift!
6
fabulous nds
Retailers we love and their
merchandise we love to have!
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New 2013 product release is now in stock.
Treat your valentine to
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h o l i d a y f a s h i o n
vip style
feb &
fab
styling and text by
Grace Mathis, Larena head
I
n the month of February,
Cupids day and Mardi Gras
seem to get all the love. At VIP,
we look for every reason to cel-
ebrate. We hope these February
holiday looks inspire festive
dressing all month long.
Groundhog
day, Feb. 2
T
he tradition of Punxsutawney
Phil inspires this whimsical and
earthy look. Spring is afoot in
tapestry booties, while dark tones and
cozy fur embrace the feeting days of
winter. Who knew a groundhog was
so bohemian?
From Bella Bella: Faux leather dress, Eva
Franco, $250; Belted faux fur vest, $110;
Rhinestone wrap bracelet, $28; Rhinestone
stretch cuff, $40; Faux fur purse, $30
From YaYa Club: Wool foppy hat, $50;
Tapestry wedge booties, $60
From Burns Antik Haus: Door, Neo Gothic
forged iron and wood, circa 1880, $1900;
Tabriz Persian rug, animal and horseman
motif, $3,000; Louis XVI snakeskin table,
$740; Louis XVI gold leaf plant stand,
French circa 1880, $530; Earthen wave
pots, $75 each
photography by
rene sheppard
hair and makeup by
Grace Mathis
shot on location at
Burns antik haus
shoot assistant
Lauren McGee
modeled by
erikka waLker
Super Bowl
Sunday, Feb. 3
S
uper Bowl Sunday may not
be considered the most
fashionable of days. But
dont let all the jerseys and hot
wings distract you from the goal of
comfort with style. Score points with
your favorite team colors displayed
in solid statement pieces.
From Gaudie & Co.: Angora mix poncho,
$58; Suede boots, $52; Stretch silver
bracelet set, $22
From Posh & Co.: Skinny ft jeggings,
$89
From YaYa Club: Yarn necklace, $20
From Burns Antik Haus: Persian Bahk-
tian oriental rug, $4,300
Chinese New
Year, Feb. 10
B
old color and luxe fabric
embody the spirit of Chinese
New Year. Oriental-inspired
shapes and prints refect the
centuries old celebration of another
year of life. In 2013, the Year of the
Snake, let your intuition guide your
style.
From Posh & Co.: Silk skirt, $248
From YaYa Club: Silk one-sleeve blouse,
$200; Hammered earrings, $9; Leopard
fatforms, $50
From Burns Antik Haus: Spanish French
Renaissance bench with tooled leather,
$4,200; Bakora Persian runner, $750;
1920s screen, France, $390; Knitted
throw (new), $60
Valentines Day,
Feb. 14
W
hether you are part of a
couple of not, Valentines
Day is an opportunity to
faunt your romantic side. Stand
out in a sea of red in this timeless,
unexpected dress. Delicate details
emphasize feminine beauty.
From Bella Bella: Beaded silk dress,
Tracy Reese, $298; Pearl tassel neck-
lace, $38
From Burns Antik Haus: Cherry armoire,
Cognac, France, circa 1830, $6,400;
French tapestry armchair, pair for
$1,200
Presidents
Day, Feb. 18
P
ay homage to the Founding
Fathers by taking inspiration
from classic First Lady style.
An elegant sheath in a rich jewel
tone, when paired with simple yet
striking accessories, creates a look
suitable for American royalty.
From Posh & Co.: Silk shantung
sheath dress, $270; Beaded brass
clutch, $320
From YaYa Club: Two tone dangle ear-
rings, $15
From Gaudie & Co.: Embellished metal
bangles, beaucoup, $36 each
From Burns Antik Haus: French provin-
cial, salon suite in French blue velvet,
set of sofa and 3 chairs $3,900; Vintage
model ship, $165; Vintage French cor-
ner cabinet, $620; Louis XVI 3 drawer
chest, $500 VIP
j a c k i e s i m i e n
vip worthy
Bonjour, Tee Belle, (CUSH Communica-
tions), $11.99. Illustrations by Thaddeus
Lavalais. For more info, see nuzladi6.wix.
com/bonjourteebelle.
text by Jane McBride
F
or years, KBMT-TV 12 news
anchor Jackie Simien vol-
unteered with Beaumont
Independent School District,
reading classics that captivated
young students. Earlier this
year, when she sat down at her
old elementary school in Lake
Charles to share the story of a little French-speaking
girls day, the words she read were her own.
Bonjour, Tee Belle comes straight from Jackies
childhood, told through the eyes of her mother,
Annabelle Simien Amos, who never had a chance to
learn to read or write.
Annabelle grew up in the small community of
Prairie Ronde, Louisiana. Both her parents had been
students, but Tee Belles education was picking cot-
ton, chopping wood and other hard work.
Tee Belle couldnt read or write and spoke
French much better than English. Even though
Jackie has two older brothers and a younger sister,
Mamas little girl became her interpreter. By age
Jackie Simiens book
blends her passion for
literacy and a desire to
understand her heritage
while honoring the
complex woman who
was her mother
Through her
mothers eyes
photography by Scott eSlinger
and dave ryan
6, Jackie was reading mail, flling out feld
trip forms and applying for the free lunch
program at school.
When I say that, it sounds pretty un-
believable. But from the age of 6, this is
how the family business was handled.
Tee Belle eventually learned to sign her
name in all capital block letters, captured
on a fourth grade report card that is a
tangible link between her illiteracy and
Jackies precocious education.
She had to have a lot of trust in me.
Shed sign anything I put in front of her.
My mother treated me like I was supposed
to know things, and that, I believe, empow-
ered me to know things, to want to learn
things. I was not popular in school, didnt
wear the best clothes, wasnt the prettiest,
wasnt athletic and was never going to be
the coolest. Being smart was what I had
going for me. It got me things: it gave me
opportunities, it helped me win awards, it
got me recognition, it got me praise. You
couldnt beat the benefts of being smart!
Jackie had few friends whose parents
spoke French mostly cousins.
Like me, they understand it, but dont
speak it as fuently as we should because
we didnt try. I was teased in school about
it. My mom was that Frenchy lady.
Imagine your mother loudly fussing at you
in front of your friends. Now imagine her
doing it in another language. Embarrass-
ing! We did everything we could to conceal
our Creole French identity. It was not a
cool thing.
Feeling set apart kept Jackie from
enjoying the rich cultural heritage she
cherishes today, tracing ancestors back to
France and the Dominican Republic. She
recalls being dragged to Zydeco dances
at 12.
I hated it. Sometimes I literally cried
not to go. That didnt change a thing. I love
the music now and force my daughter to
listen to it.
Although Jackie isnt fuent in French,
she picked up phrases like Comment ca
va? (Hows it going?) and Ca va bien (Its
going well).
And faire attention which means be
careful, is the closest my mother will get
to saying I love you. She didnt grow up
in a very afectionate family and she didnt
raise us that way, but I know when she
says faire attention, shes really saying, I
love you, Jackie said.
Jackie sprinkles French phrases here
and there when talking to her daughter,
Carrington, who gets a full dose when
she visits her grandmother.
Jackie, a mass communication graduate
of Louisiana State University, has taken
a lot of teasing about her precise, perfect
enunciation.
I grew up over-enunciating because
of the language barriers at home. I paid
attention to words, pronunciation, diction,
etcetera, because I was aware that my
mother wasnt always saying words cor-
rectly. English was a second language for
her. I had to pay attention to the language
for her sake and for mine.
Retired teacher Brenda Bachrack taught
Jackie in the Lake Charles, La. gifted stu-
dent program SPARK. Jackie demonstrated
a level of intelligence and hunger for learn-
ing that Bachrack has seen in only one
other student during her 30-year career.
Her poise and ability to speak was
obvious from the moment I set eyes on
her. She had a very adult sense of humor, a
subtle and wry way of looking at the world
then remarking on it. It would just break
My mom was that
Frenchy lady. Imagine
your mother loudly fuss-
ing at you in front of your
friends. Now imagine
her doing it in another
language. Embarrass-
ing! We did everything
we could to conceal our
Creole French identity. It
was not a cool thing.
Jackie Simien
>>
me up. She was very intelligent.
She also was very private.
Bachrack had no idea of the
responsibilities Jackie carried at
home.
She was a loving child who
asked very difcult questions
about life and people in general.
There were so many things she
wanted to know about. We did a
lot of theatrical work. I knew she
would end up doing something
that tapped into that potential.
She was always so stunning - those
eyes, cheekbones and smile. When
she started work at KPLC-TV in
Lake Charles, I wasnt the least bit
surprised. She has gone on and
made such a place in Beaumont for
herself.
Bachrack knew the history of
Louisiana schools physically pun-
ishing children who spoke French
in class decades ago.
Now, they are doing their best
to try to get rid of the French pro-
gram in Calcasieu parish. I cannot
understand why. I have written
letters expressing my thoughts on
how important the program is.
Bonjour Tee Belle blends
Jackies passion for literacy and
her search to better understand
her heritage, but the books most
important legacy is honoring
the complex woman who is her
mother.
Most of my moms stories
about her childhood are not happy
stories. Theyre hard to hear. But
Ive recently started calling her
daily and letting her get it all out,
Jackie said.
My mother went to school
and knew how to write letters, but
she wouldnt talk English at all,
Tee Belle said. I dont know why.
Its good to speak more than one
language.
As Tee Bell watched young
Jackie play, she saw in her daugh-
ter the potential for the life she
never had.
My Jackie was busy all the
time, singing, reading, teaching
school to her little sister, Jennifer.
When I was 6 and 7, I worked like
a grownup.
Tee Bell accepted no excuses
for her children to miss school.
It was very important, every
day, you go to school, sick or well.
Youve got to go. I was working
and I had to work sick or well. It is
good to learn. I couldnt teach like
some women, helping with home-
work when they come home from
school. But Jackie was making
straight As all the time. Jennifer
did good too.
Jackie had ambition, Tee Bell
said.
She all the time said she
wanted to be on TV. I said, Little
girl, go hide yourself somewhere.
Youre not going to be on TV! She
said, Youll see. But I knew Jackie
was going to be something.
Jackie kept the book a secret
from her mother. On the day of
her frst reading in Lake Charles,
she and her sister told Tee Belle
they wanted her to come to the
school. Wear something nice, they
told her.
I told them, I dont think so.
My leg hurts so bad today, Tee
Belle said. Why yall want me to
put on a nice blouse? And when I
walked in, there Jackie was with a
big box of books. I couldnt believe
it.
Tee Belle then understood all
the questions Jackie had raised.
She would ask me about this
and that and Id say, Why you
want to know about that stuf?
With Bonjour, Tee Belle, I
simply want people to know who
she is. This is my public thank you
to my mother; my tribute, Jackie
explained. I want this woman,
who was never able to go to school
herself, to fnd her way into as
many schools as I can get her into
through this book.
I want the book to inspire
children and adults to learn about
their own heritage and to explore
other cultures. I want readers to
develop a curiosity about their
families and nurture whats pre-
cious about them. And I want
children to have pride in their own
culture while respecting the cul-
tures of others. Its taken me my
whole life to get there. It shouldnt
have taken so long!
Jackie plans a series of Tee
Belle books. The next will be Tee
Belles Creole Christmas. Others
include her frst holy communion,
going to the church bazaar and
things a typical Creole girl would
do.
Jackie dedicated the book to her
mother, husband and daughter,
along with teachers Janie Williams
(who told Jackie she should be a
news anchor), Brenda Bachrack
and Anna Stevens, at whose
funeral Jackie spoke several years
ago.
Ten-year-old Carrington asked
her mother why she chose an
old picture of her at age 3 for the
Tee Belle eventually learned to sign her
name in all capital block letters, captured on
a fourth grade report card that is a tangible
link between her illiteracy and Jackies pre-
cocious education.
books back page.
I told her that the Carrington
in the picture is my favorite Car-
rington --the one who would let
me read to her.
That frst public reading
earlier this year honored John J.
Johnson II Elementary, whose
teachers nurtured a smart little
girl with very adult responsibili-
ties.
A teacher at Lincoln Middle
School recently asked me why I
looked up to teachers so much
as a child, Jackie said. I didnt
have the right answer then. Its
since dawned on me that because
my mother never went to school,
any adult who did go to school
was a superhero to me. And if
you were a minority, as many of
my teachers were, and you went
to college I was blown away by
you. So, my teachers were incred-
ibly special people in my eyes.
Through her daughter, Tee
Belle is infuencing a generation
of young people, teaching how
important it is to be proud of
whom you are and from whence
you came.
This book is helping to set
me free, Jackie said. I no longer
have to conceal any parts of who
I am. I was never disadvantaged,
after all. VIP
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c u r t i s s c h n e l l
vipersonality
On screen or on
canvas, visiting
Hollywood designer
and artist Curtis
Schnell creates a
visual
symphony
text by Cheryl rose
D
uring flming of the
1994 movie Witch
Hunt, the director
asked Curtis Schnell,
the production design-
er, to get some art for the background
of a scene something like that Rus-
sian, you know, Rodchenko, the one
with the circles, he said.
The average viewer may never have
given any thought to the art hanging on
the walls of the living rooms and ofces of
their favorite TV characters, but the pro-
fessionals tasked with creating the visual
presentation must. However, copyright
laws are stringent and seeking permission
to use existing art within a short shoot-
ing schedule is challenging. So
Schnell found a simple answer:
He fulflled the directors request
by painting his own picture in
the style of Alexander Rod-
chenko.
Though he never had any
formal art training, Schnell has
painted hundreds of works, over
400 pieces just for the television
show Crossing Jordan. In recent
years, hes explored his creativity
with original art. He will be bring-
ing more than 70 examples to
Beaumont for a show this month.
Southeast Texas friendships
Nominated for an Emmy for
production design and a member
of the Directors Guild of Ameri-
ca, Schnell has lived in Hollywood
for 30 years. A few years ago, he
was visiting friends in Galveston.
During the visit, he met several
local artists who were putting
together an art show to beneft the
Crystal Beach Fire Department,
which was still recovering from
Hurricane Ike. Invited to par-
ticipate, Schnell contributed his
artwork with a very positive and
successful result. Prior to then,
he hadnt shown his original work
in a public setting. It went over
really big and gave me a great deal
of confdence to continue paint-
ing, he said.
In his home studio in Los
Angeles, Calif., Schnell will often
have fve canvases underway at
one time. He enjoys working with
multiple mediums and challeng-
ing himself with diferent styles.
Initially, painting was part of the
job, he said. I could accomplish
things for the show. Now, it is
truly an expression of myself.
Sink or swim, its my stuf.
Sing Along
In history, King Caratacus was a
tribal chieftain who led the British
resistance against the Roman
occupation in the frst century. Lore
has it that Australian songwriter/
entertainer Rolf Harris found the
frst verses of this song in an old
campfre songbook in the 1960s
and added the last three verses.
Warning: Speed increases with
each verse! There are offcial hand
gestures too. Check out YouTube for
the melody.
Now the ladies of the harem of
the court of King Caratacus were
just passing by.
All together now! The ladies
of the harem of the court of King
Caratacus were just passing by.
just passing by.
just passing by.
Now the noses on the faces of
the ladies of the harem of the court
of King Caratacus were just passing
by.
[Repeat 4 times]
Now the boys who put the pow-
der on the noses on the faces of the
ladies of the harem of the court of
King Caratacus were just passing by.
[Repeat 4 times]
Now the fascinating witches who
put the scintillating stitches in the
britches of the boys who put the
powder on the noses on the faces
of the ladies of the harem of the
court of King Caratacus were just
passing by.
[Repeat 4 times]
Now if you want to take some
pictures of the fascinating witches
who put the scintillating stitches in
the britches of the boys who put the
powder on the noses on the faces of
the ladies of the harem of the court
of King Caratacus...youre too late!
Because theyve just passed by!
Where to see it
Schnells collection, Are We There
Yet? Traveling the Art Road, will
be on view from Feb. 9 to Feb. 27,
2013 at the Beaumont Art League,
2675 Gulf St. in Beaumont. An
opening reception and book signing
will kick events off on Feb. 9 from
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also, Schnell will
present a lecture on his television/
movie experience on Feb. 10 at 2
p.m. at Dishman Gallery Lecture
Hall, Lamar University.
>>
Schnell returns to Southeast Texas on
Feb. 9 for a show at the Beaumont Art
League. He will be bringing two styles of
his art, both showcasing his personality
and unique sense of humor.
The fantasy orchestra
Schnell found the inspiration for his
painting series in a London pub. There
is a song they sing, The King Caratacus
song, that is a kind of a sophisticated ver-
sion of 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall,
he said. He laughed at the song, but
found that it stuck in his head. When he
got home to his studio, he began think-
ing about what the orchestra of this king
would look like.
I started developing these charac-
ters playing fantasy instruments, he
described. As an example, there is The
Long Texas Longhorn Horn, a painting
two feet by 12 feet, depicting two men
blowing a steers horns at either end. All
of the paintings in the series are three
dimensional and shimmer with layers
of metallic paints. Many are oversized.
Schnell also handmade the frames of
each painting with wood from oak sticks
used in the winemaking process, a ftting
setting for scenes inspired by a drinking
song.
Several of the paintings use plays on
words, such as a root fute, to create
the image. Schnell describes them as
fun and fanciful. His sense of humor is
also seen in the other series at the show,
which are enlarged paintings of his
cartoons. Some of the sketches were
done without sayings and then the verbal
captions started hitting me, he said.
He confessed that many were sketched
during production meetings of television
series hes worked on. I hate to say I
was inattentive, but I can multitask, he
said.
The art of art on flm
In his professional career, Schnell has
worked his way up through the movie/
television business from a set designer
to a director. He grew up in a small town
in Washington, enjoying band and choir
and eventually receiving a music degree.
He experimented with acting, but found
he preferred set design and started his
Hollywood career in 1979.
As he gained experience, he discov-
ered that not only did he have an artistic
eye, he had a talent for making visual
ideas work within time and budget lim-
its. He would fnd solutions acceptable to
the storyline of the writers, the vision of
the directors and the pocketbooks of the
producers. In one example, the Cross-
ing Jordan writers wanted to have a
dramatic train crash on a Boston street,
an almost impossible feat to achieve with
the restrictions in place. Schnell met with the writers and
suggested that if the train crashed of a bridge into water
instead, he could pull that of with a portion of submerged
train in a small lake on the Universal Studios grounds.
One of his biggest challenges as a production designer
was building a professional baseball stadium in four weeks
for the movie Ed. Among his other career highlights, he
was nominated by his peers for an Emmy for his work on
Heroes. He also is proud to have stepped up to the direc-
tors chair on Crossing Jordan.
Planning for The Planets
Schnell is currently in
negotiations for two television
pilots. Meanwhile, he is already
thinking about his next artistic
series: Mythological images
inspired by composer Gustav
Holsts orchestral suite, The
Planets.
If a major idea comes into
my head, it doesnt leave until
I do something about it, he
said. Notoriety and compensa-
tion are secondary to the joy of
creating for Schnell. For me,
its exceedingly enjoyable just
to do it.
Body of work
Some of Schnells flm and TV
credits include:
Women of Camelot
Crossing Jordan
Witch Hunt
Atomic Train
Ed
House of Frankenstein
Criminal Law
Track 29
Heroes
Day One
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Publishing March 3rd
Melynda and Don Brown, RE/MAX Beaumont
A passion for the work and each other
M
elynda Brown
joined RE/MAX
Beaumont in 1997
as a real estate
agent, and by 2006,
she was almost
overwhelmed with
the work. Thats the
year her husband, Don, decided to switch from
car sales to property sales and join his wife.
I was just so busy, Melynda said. I needed
help. The timing was right. It was the perfect
opportunity, Don said.
The couple doesnt even try to keep their
home life and work life separate.
Real estate is 24/7, Melynda said. Its
absolutely impossible to keep it separate.
And they believe thats a good thing. Its
really enhanced our family life, Don said of
their joint schedules and the ability to work
from just about anywhere with a smartphone.
Were always working but at the same time
enjoying life.
Keeping the peace at home and at work
isnt a problem. We have diferences, Don
said. We try to keep it in perspective. If you
have a disagreement at work, you have to deal
with it because you have to go home with each
other, he explained.
The couple loves working together and
believes there are only positive aspects and
no negatives of the business partnership.
Its a lifestyle, Don said. It comes down to
family and working with someone you care
about. They complement each other, Melynda
noted. If shes weak in an area, hes strong in
it and vice versa. There are a lot of people I
wouldnt want to work with, she admitted,
adding with a laugh that it doesnt hurt that
Don tells her every day that shes beautiful.
Although they love being together and
share hobbies including scuba diving, fshing
and golfng, they do take occasional vaca-
tions away from each other. We defnitely
have down time, Don said. The couple agrees
that guy time and girl time is very important.
Thats why Don goes on hunting and fshing
excursions while Melynda spends time with
friends and family including the couples
daughter, Ashli, and grandson, Zander.
The real-estate teams advice to couples
who are thinking of starting a business
together is simple. Do something you both
enjoy, Don recommends. If you have the
passion for the work and each other, its going
to work out. Melynda warns not to go into a
line of work just because it might be lucrative.
Money is secondary, she said.
Now that theyve formed a business
partnership, Melynda and Don cant imagine
having separate careers again. Its a working
relationship, Don noted. And judging from
their success, including Texas Monthly
magazines Five Star Professional Award in
June 2011, its a relationship that works.
business partners
w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r
vip worthy
text by CATHLEEN COLE
photos by sCOTT EsLiNgER
M
any couples
kiss each
other in
the morn-
ing after
breakfast and then go their
separate ways for the day.
But some go to work with
each other. Theyre not just
marriage partners. Theyre
business partners. They work
together well and have done so
for years without ending up in
divorce court. For them, its a
relationship that works.
some couples
can successfully
mix their business
and personal lives
Shonte and Rodney Cooley, Urban Habitat
Different styles that mix well
S
honte Cooley has run
her own retail shop since
2000 when she opened
Boho Soul, a teen vintage
clothing store, in down-
town Beaumont. After
that came home dcor
stores Urban Chic and
Urban Habitat, which merged into one store
on Calder Avenue in Old Town. The shops
were Shontes dream she never worked
for anyone else. That wasnt the case for her
husband, Rodney. He worked for an oilfeld
services company until 2004 when he
joined his wife in the retail business. Once
he left the oilfeld, he dove right in, Shonte
remembered.
Sometimes she thinks he dives in a bit
too deeply by bringing work home with
him. I try to keep it separate, Shonte
explained. I like to keep work at work, but
Rodney doesnt do that. Its work, work,
work all the time. Occasionally she tells
him, I dont feel like your wife. I feel like
your business partner 24/7. Rodney cant
turn it of. For me, it naturally blends,
he said, adding that he often stays in work
mode at home. Once we get home, she
turns back into the mother.
Shonte credits prayer with keeping the
couple on the right track at work, even if
theyd had a personal problem at home. It
used to be me, she noted. Id be the one to
bring it to work. Rodney started the rou-
tine of saying a prayer together every day
before opening the store. His belief is that
the couple shouldnt argue because there
are enough challenges to face in the world
without being at odds with each other. If
theres a problem, its probably a business
problem, he said. You tend to iron it out
by the end of the day.
A big positive of the working relation-
ship is that he can say things and do
things that I cant, Shonte explained. He
balances me out. When he needs to be,
Rodney is frm with customers and their
daughters, Malayia and Kayln, she admit-
ted, but shes a pushover. The best part for
Rodney is coming to work with her is like
having fun all day.
The hardest aspect of the business part-
nership for Shonte is the control issue.
He always wants to be in control! she
observed. He thinks hes always right. Its
also hard to rein in his spending on mer-
chandise for the store. He wants to reinvest
profts into more merchandise and will
spend his last dime to invest in something,
Shonte says, while she is more thrifty and
cautious with their capital.
For Rodney, the hardest part about being
in business with his spouse is that Shonte
is a wife frst, a business partner second.
Sometimes those two dont mesh. I love
it though, Rodney admitted. I wouldnt
change a thing.
The spouses spend most of their free
time together too. Treasure hunting,
Shonte said. Were always hunting. We love
estate sales and garage sales. They also like
to hang out with their daughters. Theyll
go shopping for antiques or clothes, Rod-
ney said. I just tag along with them.
They believe if you give a spouse too
much space, you allow something else to
come between you. If Id stayed in the
oilfeld, we probably would be divorced,
Rodney noted. At the beginning of their
marriage, he worked on rigs in the Gulf and
was gone for weeks and sometimes months
at a time. Even when he took an ofce job,
he worked long hours. They feel theyve
had enough alone time already. My wife
and my kids thats my life, Rodney said.
Work, wife and kids thats it.
Shonte and Rodney advise couples who
want to work together to make sure the
business venture is a mutual agreement
and something both spouses are passionate
about.
Do something that you love, not some-
thing that you think is going to make a lot of
money, Shonte recommends.
As for their home decor business, Shonte
admits that her tastes and her husbands
are dissimilar, which makes for an eclectic
mix of merchandise. Our styles are totally
diferent, she explained. They just mix
well. Apparently, that works for their shop
and their marriage.
Kelli and Willie Miller, Miller Insurance Agency
Neither one is boss of the other
K
elli and Willie
Miller were work-
ing for a local
insurance agent
in 1982 when they
decided to open
their own insur-
ance business.
To help with the start-up, Kelli got
another job with benefts while Willie
opened Miller Insurance Agency in
Beaumont in 1983. Kelli brought home
the paychecks while the business was
growing and also came in after her day
job to help Willie with the paperwork.
She came on board full time in 1985.
I couldnt work for anyone else,
Willie said about being in business
with his wife. Im so hardheaded.
Kelli likes running a business with
her husband too. We have that time
together that most people dont,
she said, adding that its an equal
partnership. Neither one is boss of
the other.
The couple has diferent ideas
about keeping home life and work life
separate. Kelli doesnt mind bring-
ing work home, but Willie does. If
theres a problem at work, Ill leave it
at work, he said.
What about personal problems
coming to work? Thats a whole
diferent story, Willie joked. We do
have a wall between our desks. Ill
make faces at her. He acknowledges
that there are times when he and his
spouse are ticked of at each other,
but they just have to get over it. If
you want your business to succeed,
youve got to get along, he explained.
Kelli concurs. You cant stay mad
when you work together, she said.
Youre going to have that tension, but
you have to put it behind you.
For Kelli, the best part about
working with her husband is the vast
amount of time they spend together.
Its made us a lot closer, she be-
lieves. I enjoy seeing him, talking
with him. Willie agrees that the best
part of the situation is being with his
wife. If we didnt get along as well as
we do, I wouldnt be married to her,
he noted.
The couple thinks the worst aspect
of working together is when they want
to go on a vacation together, which
means closing the ofce. When they
frst started the company, the spouses
didnt take a vacation together for
about 15 years. Its easier today than
it was in the 1980s since smartphones
and laptop computers now help busi-
ness to continue even away from the
ofce.
As for shared interests, the couple
does just about everything together.
Their two girls, Hayley and Erin, play
team sports and Kelli and Willie try to
go to all their games. We dont focus
on having time away from each other,
Kelli said. We dont say, We need a
break from each other. When op-
portunities arise, the two do go their
separate ways Willie goes fshing
with the guys and Kelli hangs out with
her girls.
The Millers, who have worked
together in their insurance business
for 30 years, have some sage advice
for couples thinking of going into
business together. The most impor-
tant thing is to make sure that you get
along and share the workload, Willie
said. Dont let one person be the
boss over the other. It needs to be a
partnership.
While some couples cant even
picture themselves working together,
the Millers cant think of doing it any
other way. I truly believe we have a
stronger marriage because we work
together, Kelli said. VIP
f e s t i v a l s
vip viewing
audiovisual antics
Two February festivals for both the diehard
and casual music, flm lovers of SE Texas
text by AmAndA CorbEll
S
ince probably the beginning of time,
flm and music festivals have given fans
an outlet to celebrate and be a part of a
community that shares their passions.
For local flm and music junkies, these Meccas
of culture usually are defned by needing a lot
of money and a long road trip to a larger city.
Until now, that is.
I have been hearing a quiet, but power-
ful buzz over the last several months of two
upcoming flm and music festivals that will
be happening in our back yard here in South-
east Texas. With excitement pumping in my
veins and my curiosity extremely piqued, I
decided to fnd out what exactly is going on
here. Two phone calls is all it took for me to
meet and convince the directors of these two
festivals to sit down and fll me in.
Boomtown Film and Music Festival
I met Bryan Lee and Christopher Dom-
brosky, who organize the Boomtown Film
and Music Festival and was more than a
little embarrassed to learn that this festival
is in its sixth year and started out as the
Spindletop Film Festival. The Spindletop
Film Festival was an event I volunteered for
as a college student, but was under the
illusion that it no longer was around
(I guess thats what I get for holing up
in Orange for too long). The original
festival celebrated flm, not necessarily
music, and ran from 2000 until 2007,
at which time a group of volunteers
decided to keep it going.
With a local flm society already
organized and talk of starting a music
video festival, the two ideas were com-
bined to become the Boomtown Film
and Music Festival in 2008. Lee said
that even though Boomtown is now an
independent non-proft organization,
Lamar Universitys communication
department and flm students remain
involved in putting on the event. Dom-
brosky, a flm enthusiast and native
Southeast Texas, had attended every
Spindletop Film Festival and was one
of the volunteers that decided to keep
it going, and has stayed involved ever
since.
Our team of organizers consists of
fewer than 10 people spread over the
diferent departments of the festival,
said Dombrosky. Were always on the
lookout for others that want to help,
as planners are far and away our most
valuable resource. But because every-
one who works to put BoomFest to-
gether is an unpaid volunteer, recruit-
ing good people can be a challenge.
At BoomFest, concerts and flm
screenings happen simultaneously
over the two days of the festival (Feb.
22-23), with venues for both still in the
works. During the frst three years of
the festival, everything happened at
the same locations, or at least within
walking distance, but venue limita-
tions have required organizers to start
separating the two sides of the festival,
geographically.
But despite the short drive from
one side to the other, said Dombrosky,
a 15 dollar festival pass will get you
in to every screening, concert, panel
discussion and party during the event.
Film bufs and movie-makers have
been able to submit their own works
for viewing at the festival all year
long. Last years festival featured a
particularly strong slate of movies,
according to Dombrosky, who said that
was due to a new strategy of scouting
for outstanding flms to screen, rather
than just relying upon those that were
submitted to the festivals contest. The
result was a better ofering of flms,
and the same tactic is being employed
for the 2013 Boomtown Festival.
While Im not involved in pro-
gramming the music side of the
festival, its my understanding that a
special efort is being made to invite
bands from outside of our area, rather
than just booking a lineup of local
groups, said Dombrosky. This will
give festival-goers the opportunity
to be exposed to music theyve never
heard before.
Most of the movies that will be
screened at this years BoomFest are
from other parts of the country, and
even some international works will be
presented. However, its the local flm
makers and their works that are always
showcased, no matter what the genre.
Sometimes were even able to pro-
gram flms about Southeast Texas that
were made by flmmakers elsewhere,
said Dombrosky. This past year, for
instance, we were able to include a
documentary about Port Arthur that
was narrated by Robert Redford.
With the backing and help from
Lamar University, the Southeast Texas
Arts Council and many other valuable
sponsors, the festival is able to show>>
flms ranging from poignant local docu-
mentaries to sensational features with
name stars, and everything in between.
As Dombrosky said, BoomFest is an arts
festival that features voices and visions as
true as any that are hanging on a gallery
wall. Its entertaining, its educational and
its here in Southeast Texas.
Lagniappe Film and Music Festival
Less than a week after the Boomtown
Film and Music Festival comes to a close,
another is right on its heels. The La-
gniappe Film and Music Festival is debut-
ing Feb. 28 and will run through March
3, in a number of venues throughout
downtown Beaumont. According to their
Facebook page, the concerts and screen-
ings will take place in a unique combina-
tion of historic venues, state-of-the-art
theaters and outdoor stages.
Director and CEO of the Lagniappe
Film and Music Festival, Thomas Hall,
spoke with me about the festival and its
inception. He and several of his friends
started talking about creating an event
with a true festival atmosphere, and
after much deliberation and work, devel-
oped Lagniappe, a carnival of flm, music
and little something extra, all highlighting
the Southeast Texas community.
There are a large number of flmmak-
ers and flm lovers in Southeast Texas,
said Hall, and although weve had other
festivals in this area, I got the feeling that
the attendees left wanting more.
When asked what the little something
extra is that the festival promises, he
told me I remind him of an excited child
waiting for Santa, which is exactly how
I, and Im sure many others, sound when
inquiring about a new festival. Ever the
mysterious man he is, however, Hall says
he prefers to leave that to the imagination
and assures us all that people will be smil-
ing, laughing and so happy to fnd out
there was something extra that they didnt
expect to ever experience.
Great entertainers and flm projects are
not necessarily new to the area (case in
point, the Annual Jazz and Blues Festival),
and Hall says the other area festivals do a
great job at promoting great communities,
food and music.
But most of these other festivals, with
the exception to the YMBL Fair, target
a very specifc demographic for their
attendees, said Hall. My vision of La-
gniappe has always been a festival which
has something for everyone. I think its
important to provide a place of entertain-
ment and education for all members of
our community.
Lagniappe began accepting flm entries
in August, with the absolute latest cutof
being last month. The time period allowed
the judging panel plenty of time to review
the submissions and also gave flmmakers
a little more time to submit their proj-
ects. As for the distinction between the
music and flm sides of the festival, Hall
says there will be a clear line. With the
entire event within walking distance from
venue to venue in downtown Beaumont,
Crockett Street is not the only place that
will host aspects of the festival. The City
of Beaumont is also allowing Hall and
the festival to utilize some of the other
Beaumont facilities in downtown for the
flming and panel portions of the festival.
Films from both Europe and Asia will
be viewed, alongside flms from universi-
ties, representing Lamar University stu-
dents, as well as colleges and universities
from around the world. There will be both
feature length narratives and documen-
tary shorts, and a music video from The
Manicheans, who will also be performing
during the festival.
Through the continuous eforts of
our marketing team, we have been able
to contact flm makers from all over the
world, said Hall. As far as types of flms,
I promise you will laugh, cry, cringe and
probably sleep with the lights on for a few
days after the festival.
For music lovers, numerous genres
will be represented, including country,
R&B and Indie rock bands. Tejano bands
will be on Fannin Street for the Free for
All portion of the festival. The Saturday
of the festival, vendors will be lined up
on the streets exhibiting and selling their
wares, and local bands and dance troupes
will be showcased. There will even be
a Zumba class to start the day of right
with and various other gospel and jazz
ensembles.
Through the many festivals hes at-
tended in his life, Hall says most plan-
ners attempt to throw as many bands
on the stage as possible, which creates a
tremendous amount of down time while
the bands set up. As a musician, he says
he also knows that bands are only just get-
ting warmed up when their typical 30-45
minutes sets conclude. With that said, he
says Lagniappe is playing fewer bands, but longer sets.
So lets do some math, said Hall. We have four ven-
ues for two days, times at least three bands per venue, and
that brings us to about 24 bands over the course of the
festival. Now, of course, this doesnt include the perform-
ers during Saturday over on the Free for All stage, and
it also doesnt include the other various entertainment
provided throughout the festival.
We are surprised every day by the growing interest
in the festival and have been contacted by people all over
Texas, the United States, and several other countries,
said Hall. I cant wait to see the amazed eyes when every-
one gets a glimpse of the Lagniappe we have planned for
them. VIP
w
YWCA Inaugural Gala
ren sheppard
Herman and Bobbie Granger
Stephen and Jeanette Wycoff
Michelle and Ralph Cryer
Becky and Larry Hansing
JaWon Swift, Neosha Young, James Clayton,
Aishia Briggs, Latreveon Austin and Trent Herrell
Armena and Contessa Dickson
Theresa Tate and Alma Hodge Bertha Weaver, Frances Gallow and Jo Ann Lemon
Mary Coleman, Barbara Dellahoussaye, Rosiel and Donald Lewis
Naomi and Curtis Lee
s e t x e v e n t s
vip spotlight
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The Nutcracker Ballet
Darlene and Dr. John Iceton
Jerry and Iris Nathan
Lindsay and Kaylie Snider
Jennifer, Olive-Anne and
Charlotte Draper, Gracie Quave
Jessie Boone and Ann Bares
Christiana and Kallie Richard,
Lacy, Melissa and Tracie McCarty
Cecelia George and Lorenda,
Zarrya and Dr. Earl Thornhill
Tiffany and Angel Page,
Steffanie and Tommi Leger
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Hall & Oates @ Nutty Jerrys
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food dining
shades of love
T
his is a cake for those who care
enough to fuss. Even better, its a
cake for those who want the ob-
ject of their fussing to think that
countless hours, hand cramps
and a certain head-over-heels
giddiness went into making such
a Valentines Day dessert. The truth shhhh is
that its not so difcult.
Really? Is this possible to make without the aid of
a ptissierie degree or fancy equipment? No question,
it helps to know your way around the kitchen, and
you do need an electric stand mixer. But the wow
factor is based in a careful use of food coloring and
the ability to squeeze frosting through a plastic bag.
In other words, you can do this.
Before breaking an egg, though, read the recipe
several times and map out a timeline. Heres why:
The frst step of the frosting needs to chill in the re-
frigerator overnight. Butter and cream cheese should
be at room temperature. The cake layers are most
easily frosted if theyre chilled. The cake also benefts
from a few hours in the refrigerator or a cool garage
before serving. So dont start the cake on Feb. 14.
Bottom line: This cake is well within reach of
home bakers who want to dazzle their darlings on
Valentines Day. Just be prepared for those darlings to
reach back.
text by kIm oDe
>>
Buttercream
frosting
Makes about 7 cups.
Note: You will need a candy thermometer for
this frosting. Vanilla bean paste is a liquid
available in larger grocery stores and specialty
shops; it has tiny vanilla seeds which will be
visible in the cake and frosting. Vanilla extract
can be substituted. If using frosting with a
6-inch cake, you will have leftover frosting.
Ingredients
Step 1
2 c. granulated sugar
c. water
2 whole eggs plus 2 egg whites
Step 2
1 c. unsalted butter, room temperature
c. (1 sticks) shortening, such as Crisco
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or extract
Step 3:
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temp.
c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temp.
1 lb. (3 c.) powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste (see Note)
Directions
Step 1: Stir together granulated sugar and
cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring
to a boil and cook until a candy thermom-
eter reaches the softball stage (235 to 240
degrees). Remove from heat and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer ftted with a
whisk attachment, beat whole eggs with egg
whites on medium speed until frothy. Slowly
dribble in the hot syrup. Once all the syrup is
added, beat for 10 minutes. (You might want
to set a timer.) Pour the syrup into a clear con-
tainer or bowl and let chill in the refrigerator at
least four hours, or overnight.
The next day, youll see that the syrup
has separated. Using a spoon, skim off and
discard the foamy layer. (You dont need to get
all of it, just most of it.)
Step 2: Place butter and shortening in the
bowl of an electric mixer ftted with a whisk
attachment. Beat on high speed, stopping sev-
eral times to scrape the bowl and beater, until
the mixture is light in color with a whipped
texture. Reduce speed to low and add the
vanilla bean paste. Slowly pour in the syrup.
When all the syrup is added, increase speed to
medium and beat until well-mixed and fuffy.
Scrape mixture into a bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Using the mixing bowl, place
cream cheese and butter in it. Using a paddle
attachment, beat on medium speed until
well-combined. Reduce speed and slowly
add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, then
increase speed and beat until there are no
visible lumps. Add the vanilla bean paste and
mix thoroughly.
Scrape the mixture from Step 2 into the
mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until
thoroughly combined.
The frosting should be at room temperature
to frost the cake, but may be made ahead
and refrigerated or frozen. Let thaw at room
temperature for several hours before using.
To color the frosting, see the directions for
the cake.
The cake
Serves 8 decadently, 12 to 16 reasonably.
Ingredients
2 c. cake four
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
tsp. salt
1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Red food coloring
About 5 to 5 c. Buttercream Frosting
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and move oven rack
to center. Prepare cake pans with baking spray or
shortening, then dust with four. Trace a pans outline
on parchment paper and cut four rounds that ft
inside the pans. (See Note about baking with fewer
than 4 pans.)
In a small bowl, whisk together the cake four,
baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In bowl of a mixer ftted with a paddle attachment,
cream together the butter and granulated sugar on
medium speed until fuffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce
speed and add eggs, one at a time, then add the
buttermilk. Add vanilla bean paste and beat until
well-combined.
Add four mixture and beat until all looks creamy.
To color the layers: Measure 1 cup of batter each
into three bowls, leaving 1 cup of batter in the mixing
bowl.
In the frst bowl, add a very small amount - only
a drop - of red food coloring and stir until no streaks
remain. In the second bowl, add a bit more food
coloring to make the second layer slightly darker, and
mix well. Repeat with the third bowl, adding enough
food coloring to make it darker than the last. The
colors for all 3 layers should be distinctively different
shades. Keep tweaking until you like the look. The
layer in the mixing bowl should stay its natural color.
Scrape batter into pans and smooth with a
spatula.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick
inserted in the middle comes out clean. Invert cakes
onto a wire rack and peel off parchment paper.
When cool, wrap each layer in plastic wrap and
refrigerate to chill completely, about an hour.
To assemble layers: The best-looking cakes
start with a crumb layer of frosting - a thin layer
that seals any crumbs so they wont appear on the
fnished cake.
On a cake plate, dab a bit of frosting to anchor
the bottom cake layer, the one most deeply colored.
Spread with 1/3 cup of white frosting. Top with the
layer in the next shade and spread with 1/3 cup of
frosting. Top with the last colored layer and spread
with 1/3 cup of frosting. Top with the last layer - the
uncolored one. Using about 1 cup of frosting, spread
a thin coating over the top and sides of the cake.
Place cake in the refrigerator while preparing the
colored frosting.
To color the frosting: Measure cup of frosting
into each of three small bowls, and 1 cups into
a larger bowl. Add a very small amount of red food
coloring to the bowl with the 1 cups for frosting
and mix well. Add gradually more color to each of the
remaining bowls, mixing until you have 4 distinctive
shades of pink. Dont be shy; the deepest colored
frosting should be a little dramatic.
The frosting rosettes need a Wilton 1M frosting
tip. You can use a pastry bag to pipe the frosting,
or you can use 4 plastic sandwich bags. Cut off a
-inch tip off one corner, then place the frosting tip
in the hole, pressing it halfway through. To fll with
frosting, place the bag in a glass, folding the edge
over the rim, then fll.
With a ruler and toothpick, mark the layers of
the cake into 4 even sections to help you place
the rosettes. Starting with the most deeply colored
frosting, pipe rosettes around the bottom of the cake
using a tight circular, spiral motion. Clean the tip and
fll a second bag with the next shade. Pipe another
row of rosettes as tightly as possible to the frst row,
flling any gaps with a dot of frosting. Repeat with the
remaining frosting, piping the last, palest shade in 2
batches, around the cake and over the top. Chill for
several hours before serving.
Tips
Its possible to get professional results with less-than-professional equipment or at least come
close enough. Here are some tips we learned in trying to replicate the Shades of Love cake at home.
The recipe used Americolor gel food coloring for his shades in increments of Soft Pink and Electric
Pink for the cake tones, and Holiday Red and Tulip Red for the frosting. We used only a red food color-
ing, Wilton No Taste Red icing color, in varying amounts to create four shades of pink.
Instead of using and cleaning a pastry bag between each frosting color, we used plastic sandwich
bags. Just make sure the tip fts snugly into the hole you snipped in the corner.
The recipe calls for a tall 6-inch cake (it took us back to days of Easy-Bake ovens), but should you
not want to buy new ones, the more common 8-inch pans will work, too.
The frosting recipe makes about 7 cups, which is more than the 5 to 5 cups youll need for
the cake. If you are baking 8-inch layers, youll want the extra frosting. Otherwise, freeze it to use on
cupcakes or a sheet cake or even put it between graham crackers to create a snack for the kids.
Using an offset spatula, which bends where it meets the handle, makes frosting easier.
The cake holds well up to a week if kept chilled and the cut surface wrapped. If you have a large
enough bowl (we used the one from our salad spinner), invert it over the cake to cover it.
MCT
g u e s t c o l u m n
vip voices
text by Cheryl rose
D
id you need to
know anything
about the Cajun
music scene? Or
did you need a
good Boudreaux
and Thibodeaux joke? Bill Leger,
respected professional journalist and
polished raconteur, was your man.
Leger loved his Louisiana heritage,
his family and his broad commu-
nity of friends and colleagues here
in Southeast Texas. We at VIP of
Southeast Texas respected his contri-
butions to journalism, but also just
liked him for the great, genuine guy
he was. Like so many of his friends
and fans, we wish to express our
grief that his life was cut short.
Knowing his Cajun expertise, I
approached Leger a couple of years
ago with a challenge. For those of
us not born and bred in the area,
how could we get in the Mardi Gras
spirit and mix in like true Cajuns?
Leger and his wife, Tecoo, put their
heads together and then took the
question home to Louisiana over the
Christmas holidays to collaborate
with their relatives on an answer.
They came up with a list of 10 ways
to act like youre a Cajun, even if you
werent born one. Presented here,
their list has some great tips for
Mardi Gras fun as well as for life.
Leger often donated his time and
talents to emcee nonproft events,
usually slipping in a few Cajun
humor jokes to keep the audience
laughing. Here is one for him:
One day Marie was exasperated
with little Boudreauxs antics. She
snapped at him, saying, How yall
ever expect to get into heaven?
Well, fdgeted little Boudreaux
after some thought. Ill run in and
out, and keep slamming da door till
dey say Come in or stay out! and den
Ill go in.
I certainly believe that Leger is
having a fne Mardi Gras in heaven
this year, even if the lights are a little
dimmer down here without him. Au
revoir and peace. VIP
A Tribute to Bill Leger
10 Ways to Be
Cajun (even if
youre not!)
by Bill and TeCoo leger
1. Replace yeehaw! with ahh-
heeeeee!
2. Learn how to pronounce laissez les
bons temps rouler and then live it!
3. Wear a feur-de-lis and cheer for
the Saints!
4. Forget the bass and go crawfshing.
5. Call your sweetheart cher (pro-
nounce it sha).
6. Enjoy boudin and cracklins for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Thats
boudin, not boudain).
7. Visit Freds in Mamou and sip Hot
Damn! with Taunte Sue. (Taute Sue
retired from bartending last year)
8. Fight for cheap Mardi Gras beads
like they are expensive strings of
pearls.
9. Download anything by Wayne Toups
from iTunes.
10. Buy a pair of white shrimping
boots and wear them to the fais do-do
at Larrys French Market in Groves.
8113 Gladys Ave.
Beaumont,TX
409-866-1234
Brook Mahan, D.D.S.
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Our smiles are contagious...
catch yours at Brookside Dental!
Dazzle your
sweetheart
with ZOOM
whitening
Taste of the Triangle
February 12
A must for area food-lovers,
featuring tastes from area
restaurant and beverage
companies. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at
Ford Park. Tickets are $20 general
admission, available at fordpark.
com or by calling (409) 951-5400.
VIP tickets (enter at 5 p.m.) $150
for two people, available by calling
(409) 892-2752
Boomtown Filmand
Music Festival
February 22-23
Annual showcase of some
of the hottest independent
flms and local musical acts,
held at multiple locations
around Beaumont. For the latest
information on venues and events
website at http://cineddiction.com/
boomtownfestival/
great dates in february
Kid Rock
February 7
Kid Rocks Rebel Soul tour with
Buckcherry and Hellbound Glory
hits Ford Arena in Beaumont.
Tickets $86, $60, $50.50
and $40.50 at the Ford
Park Box Offce, all
Ticketmaster outlets,
including HEB on Dowlen Road,
Beaumont, the Beaumont Civic
Center and the Lake Charles Civic
Center, online at ticketmaster.com
or call (800) 745-3000.
Mr. Habitat 2013
February 16
Annual fundraiser for Habitat
of Humanity of Jefferson
County, where 10 leading
men of Beaumont vie for the
prestigious gold hammer and
hard hat during three gruelling
rounds of competition. Think
of it as a beauty pageant for
some of the areas hottest men.
Individual tickets, $45. 6 p.m. at
the Event Centre, 700 Crockett
St.
Mardi Gras of
Southeast Texas
February 7-10
Downtown Port Arthur. Parades,
concerts, childrens activities, carnival
rides and games, food and more.
(409) 721-8717 or www.mardigras.
portarthur.com.
Event Submissions
Do you have an event you would like to promote? Do it with VIP for FREE! Please send us detailsdates, times, location, contact phone, web address
and a brief descriptionto dconstantine@thevipmag.com. Information should arrive at least 60 days in advance of the event.
Thursday Feb. 7
Festival grounds open 5 to 10 p.m.
4:45 p.m.: Courir du Mardi Gras Parade
6 p.m.: Phillip Glyn Band in concert
8 p.m.: Sabine River Band in concert
Friday, Feb. 8
6 p.m. to midnight
7 p.m.: Valero Krewe of Krewes Parade
7 p.m.: The Joel Martin Project in
concert
10 p.m.: Easton Corbin in concert
Saturday, Feb. 9
Noon to midnight
1 p.m.: Krewes Royalty March
3 p.m.: Pookie Marceaux Band in
concert
5:30 p.m.: Motorcycle Showcase Parade
5:30 p.m.: Chubby Carrier & The Bayou
Swamp Band in concert
6 p.m.: Total Krewe of Aurora Parade
8:30 p.m.: Whiskey Myers in concert
10 p.m.: Chris Cagle in concert
Sunday, Feb. 10
Noon to 8 p.m.
2 p.m.: Munchkin Parade
3 p.m.: Gregg Martinez & The Delta
Kings in concert
4 p.m.: Truck Parade
6:30 p.m.: C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot
Louisiana Band in concert
{ February }
FEBRUARY 1
A Vintage Affair Wine Tasting
7:30-10 p.m., Art Museum of
Southeast Texas, Beaumont.
Admission $35 per person for the
regular tasting, $100 per person for
the premium seated tasting. Advance
reservations recommended. (409)
832-3432 or www.amset.org.
True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Dallas Childrens Theater, 9:30 and
11:30 a.m. Feb. 1, Lutcher Theater for
the Performing Arts, Orange. Tickets
$4. (409) 886-5535 or www.lutcher.
org.
FEBRUARY 1-2
Hay Fever
Beaumont Community Players, 7:30
p.m. Betty Greenberg Center for the
Performing Arts, Beaumont. Tickets
$10, $16, $18. For reservations,
call (409) 833-4664 or www.
beaumontcommunityplayers.com.
FEBRUARY 2
YMCA Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk on
the Seawall
9 a.m., Carl A. Parker Multipurpose
Center, Port Arthur. 5K entry fee
$30; Kids 1K $20; family maximum
rate $70. Register at Active.
com or download the form at
ymcasoutheasttexas.org. (409) 962-
6644 or www.portarthurymca.org.
The Symphony Ball
Presented by the Symphony League,
6:30 p.m., Beaumont Civic Center,
Beaumont. For tickets, call (409) 898-
4018 or (409) 347-3714.
Joe Winston Art Exhibition
Reception 7 p.m., the Art Studio, Inc.,
Beaumont. (409) 838-5393 or www.
artstudio.org.
Texas Strikers vs. Real Phoenix
Indoor soccer, 7 p.m., Ford Park
Arena. Tickets $9, $15, $18 and
$25 at the Ford Park Box Ofce, all
Ticketmaster locations, online at
www.ticketmaster.com or call (800)
745-3000.
FEBRUARY 7
Celebrating Seniors Mardi Gras
Style
An event exclusively for seniors
presented By Best Years Senior
Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Beaumont
Civic Center. Free admission, food
sampling and parking. (409) 838-
1902.
First Thursdays on Calder Avenue
5-9 p.m., starting at the Mildred
Building, downtown Beaumont.
Monthly event featuring food, live
music and sidewalk vendors ofering
clothing, jewelry, art, photography,
recycled and handmade items and
more. (409) 833-9919.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
with Wynton Marsalis
7:30 p.m., Lutcher Theater for the
Performing Arts, Orange. Tickets
$40-$65. (409) 886-5535 or www.
lutcher.org.
FEBRUARY 8
Loretta Lynn and Family
Special guest Holly Williams, Nutty
Jerrys, Winnie. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets $35, $40, $50. (877) 643-7508
or www.nuttyjerrys.com.
Brilliance! 10
Annual showcase of young performers
from Southeast Texas presented by
the Jeferson Theatre Preservation
Society, 7:30 p.m., Jeferson Theatre,
Beaumont. Adults $10, retirement
home residents $5, free for students
and children. Cash only at the door.
(409) 838-3435.
FEBRUARY 9
Ubi Caritas Annual Mardi Gras
Extravaganza
6:30 p.m., Holiday Inn Hotel and
Suites, Beaumont. Gumbo and
etoufee dinner, 7-8:30 p.m., dancing
to the music of Three Car Garage,
8 p.m.-midnight. Tickets $50 per
person. (409) 832-1924 Ext. 115.
Texas Country Music Show
7:30 p.m., Palace Theater, Kirbyville.
Adults $7, children 7-12 $3, (409)
423-3319.
FEBRUARY 10
Texas Strikers vs. Rockford Rampage
7 p.m., Ford Park Arena, Beaumont.
FEBRUARY 14
Ray Wylie Hubbards Annual Concert
of Love
7 p.m., Big Richs Place (Courvilles),
Beaumont. Tickets $30, includes
dinner. For reservations, call (409)
860-9811 or emailjesi@cajunfavors.
com.
FEBRUARY 14-16
Mama Wont Fly
7:37 p.m., Orange Community
Playhouse, Orange. For reservations,
call (409) 882-9137 or www.
orangecommunityplayers.com.
FEBRUARY 15-17
9 to 5: The Musical
7:30 p.m. Feb. 15-16 and Feb. 22-23
and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 24 and March 3,
Port Arthur Little Theatre Playhouse,
Port Arthur. For reservations, call
(409) 727-7258 or www.palt.org.
FEBRUARY 16
Golden Triangle Heart Ball
Honorees are Floyd and Patti
McSpadden and Dr. Robert Toups,
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites,
Beaumont. Cocktails 6:30-7:30
p.m., dinner, auction, program and
dancing to the music of Book of
Days, 8 p.m.-midnight. Tickets $150.
(409) 550-1753 or www.heart.org/
goldentriangletxheartball.
Ziggy Marley
7 p.m., Event Center at Delta Downs
Racetrack & Casino, Vinton, La.
Tickets start at $25. (800) 589-7441 or
(337) 474-4900.
Morrissey
Special guest is Kristeen Young, 8
p.m., Jeferson Theatre, Beaumont.
Reserved seats $42.50, $49.50
and $55. Tickets available through
Ticketmaster outlets and online at
745-3000.
Winter Love Tour
Glenn Jones, H-Town Tony Terry and
Silk, 8 p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre,
Beaumont. Reserved seats $32.50,
$42.50 and $52.50. Tickets at
Ticketmaster outlets and online at
745-3000.
Texas Strikers vs. Rio Grande Flash
7 p.m., Ford Park Arena, Beaumont.
FEBRUARY 20
The Pipes and Drums of the Black
Watch 3rd Battalion the Royal
Regiments of Scotland and the Band
of the Scots Guards
7:30 p.m., Lutcher Theater for the
Performing Arts, Orange. Tickets $20-
$45. (409) 886-5535 or www.lutcher.
org.
FEBRUARY 21
Queen of the Sun
Free community screening of the
documentary about the plight and
decline of the honeybee and what that
means to the global environment, 7
p.m., Jeferson Theater, Beaumont.
FEBRUARY 21-24
Mama Wont Fly
See previous listing.
FEBRUARY 22-23
The Importance of Being Earnest
7:30 p.m., Betty Greenberg Center,
Beaumont. Tickets $10, $16 and
$18. (409) 833-4664 or www.
beaumontcommunityplayers.com.
FEBRUARY 22-24
Monster Nation
8 p.m. Feb. 22-23; 3 p.m. Feb. 24, Ford
Arena. Adult advance tickets $23,
children 2-12 $11. Advance tickets are
available at the Ford Park Box Ofce,
all Ticketmaster outlets, online at
745-3000 or (409) 951-5400.
9 to 5: The Musical
See previous listing.
FEBRUARY 23
Girls Haven Gumbo Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m., parking lot at Parkdale
Mall. Gumbo, family activities and
childrens games. To enter a team, call
Joe Cascio at (409) 880-2725.
Three Score and More
The Symphony of Southeast Texas in
concert with Frank Huang on violin,
Brinton Averil Smitih on cello and
Jon Kimura Parker on piano, 7:30
p.m., Julie Rogers Theatre, Beaumont.
Tickets $15-$36. (409) 892-2257 or go
to www.sost.org.
FEBRUARY 24
Comedian Mike Epps
7 p.m., Beaumont Civic Center.
Reserved seats $45.50, $39.50 at
Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.
ticketmaster.com.
The Stephen F. Austin State
University A Cappella Choir
4 p.m., St. Marks Episcopal Church,
Beaumont. (409) 832-3405.
FEBRUARY 28
Family Services of Southeast Texas
Celebrate Families Luncheon
11:30 a.m., MCM Elegante Hotel,
Beaumont. Tickets $40, tables of
8 $300. For information about the
luncheon, call Rebecca Blanchard
at (409) 833-2668. For ticket
information, call Linda Guerrero at
(409) 833-2668 Ext. 115.
FEBRUARY 28
Macbeth
7:30 p.m., University Theatre at
Lamar University, Beaumont. General
admission $15, seniors, students and
LU faculty/staf $10, Lamar University
students $7. For reservations, call
(409) 880-2250. www.lamar.edu/
theatre.
ACROSS
1 Deal or No Deal host, Howie ____
4 He starred in the movie Zodiac,
___ Gyllenhaal
8 British prince
9 And I Love ___ (Beatles tune)
10 Were in this love together singer,
___ Jarreau
11 Signifcant period
12 Friends character, ___ Tribbiani
Jr.
13 ___ luck?
15 The __ Band: (funk band)
17 ___ Ventura, character played by
Jim Carrey
18 Miamis state
19 Rogers city is in this state
21 Newport state
22 Her album Burnin was a big hit in
1991, ____ LaBelle
24 High School Musical 2 star, ___
Efron
25 It takes __ to tango!
26 Freddy Kruegers street
27 Tucks partner
DOWN
1 Famous mouse
2 Massive Falls in Canada
3 Mama Cass ___, one of the Mamas
and the Papas
5 She had a number one album with
I am me, _____ Simpson
6 My name is ___ show
7 Basketball Olympic champs in 2008
10 Excellent
12 The _____ Five (band)
14 As I am singer, ____ Keys
16 Legendary basketball coach, ____
Riley
18 Pariss nation , for short
20 Lovely___ Beatles girl
22 Apple is one
23 Valkyrie star, frst name
24 Sweater closer
Find answers on page 4
c r o s s w o r d
vip magazine
2290 IH-10 S
@ Washington
Beaumont, TX
409-842-0686
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g u e s t c o l u m n
vip voices
text by Holli Petersen
W
hen I was in el-
ementary school,
my teacher asked
the class to write
an essay about
what Black His-
tory Month meant
to them. If memory serves correctly, I think
I wrote about George Washington Carvers
greatest confectionery treasure peanut
butter.
While the virtues of peanut butter
cannot be overstated, my topic was chosen
only because I felt uncomfortable writ-
ing about anything else. Truth be told, I
felt removed from Black History Month.
It wasnt my history or my heritage; I was
only an outsider looking in. How could I
presume to comment on an oppressed na-
tion of people who overcame insurmount-
able odds, when my ancestors could have
potentially been their oppressors?
Even today, my fngers stutter and hesi-
tate as they hover over the keyboard. What
if I ofend someone? What if I choose the
wrong words? What makes me qualifed to
address this sensitive topic?
Notwithstanding my discomfort, I frm-
ly believe everyone needs a do-over now
and again. Certainly, my pitiful peanut
butter essay is deserving of such clemency.
And since that debacle, Ive had plenty
of time to reconsider what Black History
Month really means to me.
So, if I had it to do over again, heres
what I wish Id written:
Black history is my history, even if Im
not black.
Through sheer perseverance, Harriet
Tubman escaped a horrifc existence and
earned herself freedom. That could have
been the end of her story. But, she plowed
back through dangerous pathways, risking
her life, time and again, to rescue others.
She created the Underground Railroad,
worked as a spy for the Union Army, fought
for womens sufrage and saved countless
lives through her dedicated service. As a
free woman, she didnt have to spend her
life in the service of others, yet she was an
unwavering humanitarian. Her resolve to
make a diference in our country was of
higher priority than her own well-being.
Fredrick Douglass was born in a shack,
destined to be nothing more than a slave.
He was transferred from one master to
another, until one kind-hearted woman
illegally taught him the alphabet. Twenty-
six letters were all he needed to overcome
every conceivable obstacle and become
an articulate orator and powerful writer.
Douglass used his gifts to incite the aboli-
tionist movement and impact the way our
nation viewed slavery. He refused to let the
circumstances of his birth or social con-
straints dictate the trajectory of his life.
Rosa Parks was an ordinary woman,
with a list of things to do and her fair share
of worries. After a long day at work, she sat
down in a colored section of a bus. As the
bus flled with white passengers, she and
three other black commuters were told to
move farther back. The other passengers
moved, but Parks would not. She was told
she was inferior. She was threatened and
ridiculed and despised. She was even ar-
rested. It would have been easier for her to
put her head down and hide herself away.
Yet, she stood her ground, stood for what
was right. Her quiet act of civil disobedi-
ence taught the whole world the true mean-
ing of civility.
Martin Luther King, Jr. developed a new
form of combat nonviolence. He orga-
nized thousands of people, ignited the most
prevailing social movement in our history
and changed the world by preaching noth-
ing more than love and tolerance. Perhaps
the greatest orator in American history,
King provided hope for the hopeless and
comfort for the comfortless, permanently
changing our nation forever. He gave his
life so that others might live theirs.
The lessons taught by these heroic
individuals and countless others are uni-
versal. Their messages are simple dream
big, live up to your potential, stand up for
whats right, serve and love others.
Perhaps at no other time in our nations
history are we more in need of these poi-
gnant lessons.
If Black History Month teaches us
anything, it is that we must retain hope
that no matter what our impediments, no
matter what our circumstances, life can get
better, our country can get better and, most
importantly, we can do better.
Just before her death from pneumonia,
Harriet Tubman said, I go to prepare a
place for you.
Might we all use Black History Month
as an impetus to prepare a better place for
our future. VIP
Hope and Peanut Butter

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volume 2 issue 4 | NovemBeR 2009 | theVIPmag.

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