The LSUS Foundation members and community sustainers visited Washington, D.C., recently to support Dr. Alex Mikaberidze, LSUS professor, as he delivered his second lecture this year at the Smithsonian Institution. The 29 local travelers were among more than 140 people who attended the lecture on how the French Revolution triggered a revolutionary fervor across Europe. Mikaberidze was the guest of honor at a cocktail reception at the Georgian Embassy. The group also toured Dumbarton House, headquarters of the Colonial Dames of America preservation group, and attended a National Symphony Orchestra concert where Michael Butterman, Shreveport Symphony music director, was guest conductor.

– Mary Ann Van Osdell

LSUS Trip

1) David Bakradze, Alexander Mikaberidze, Larry Clark

2) Twenty-nine locals made the trek to D.C.

The first Lunch with Legends was hosted by Kent Gill, with the guest being Michael Garvin. He grew up in Bossier City and currently lives in Shreveport. He has 33 Top 10 hits and has 23 No. 1’s in his catalogue. Some of the artists who have recorded his songs include George Strait, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, T. Graham Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Janie Fricke, England Dan and John Ford Coley, and Cher. The group hopes to cover a lot of the successful men and women who have made major cultural contributions in music, art, education and business. – Mary Ann Van Osdell

Lunch With Legends

3) Jane and Kent Gill, Michael Garvin

Dairyman Randy Morell is starting off on a new adventure with his wife, Ann – creating the Morell Dairy Farm and creamery in northwest Louisiana’s MOOringsport. Morell has raised cows since his boyhood in Shreveport. An open house for the local farm was held Nov. 2. The farm will process and sell its own rich Jersey milk, butter and ice cream. There are also hens laying scrumptious eggs. – Mary Ann Van Osdell

Morell Farm

4) Cynthia and Edward Peterson

5) Will Morell, Maggie Morell, Ann Morell

6) Randy Morell

The Poor Man’s Supper went through a quick program on Nov. 3 at its office to recognize five members of St. Mary AME Church as the Sister Margaret McCaffrey Award recipients. They are Alice Lewis, Virginia Lampkin, Jacqueline Jordan, Torya Whitaker and Sonya Coleman. It was held at the Levy Street office, with Richard Hiller presiding and Father Mark Watson giving the invocation and blessing. Entertainment was by All Strings for Granted. The organization will have its 50th anniversary gala on May 2. – Mary Ann Van Osdell

Poor Man’s Supper

7) Al Moore, Richard Hiller, James Martin

8) Lisa Wellborn, Jane Snyder, Father Mark Watson

Reach Out and Read has helped thousands of children over 20 years as literacy was made a part of standard medical care. The 20th anniversary of the program at LSU Health Shreveport was celebrated at a reception Nov. 5. Mayor Adrian Perkins read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” – Mary Ann Van Osdell

Reach Out and Read

9) Daisy Kime, Berte Muslow and Yvonne Mitchell

10) Dr. John Vanchiere, Dr. Steven Bienvenu and Dr. Joseph Bocchini

The Norton Art Gallery invited artists to participate in The 9: Muses and the Art of Passion on Oct. 18. Artists represented in this international exhibition hailed from countries as far as Greece. During the opening reception, guests mingled with the artists, enjoyed the exhibit and events on the lawn for MuseFest. – Mary Ann Van Osdell

The 9: Muses and the Art of Passion

1) Amanda Cole and Annie Gilmer

2) Caroline Crittell, Sophia Nicolosi, Julia Hancock, Allye Covington and Grace Matthews

The Gingerbread House’s Partners in Prevention 2019 Luncheon was hosted at the Horseshoe Riverdome and featured guest speaker Bre Lasley. Lasley is an attempted murder survivor and co-founder of FightLikeGirls.com, along with Elizabeth Smart. The luncheon is the main fundraiser for The Gingerbread House, which serves more than 900 child victims every year. The Gingerbread House has saved the Northwest Louisiana community more than $12 million since opening their doors in 1998. – Mark Crawford

Partners in Prevention Luncheon

3) Ali Smith, Amanda Nottingham

4) LeVette Fuller, Michael Angelo and Felice Williams

5) Meghan Hochstetler, Kristi Gustavson

6) Sarah Hood, Beverly Paxon

7) Trey and Tina Tomasek, Mary Parker

8) Nikie Robley, Waynette Ballengee, Becky Dalton

One guest said this event had him at the words “Boo Bama.” LSU Alumni gathered at Cordaro’s Event Center for a Boo Bama indoor tailgate right before Halloween. The organization sold shirts and gift packages with Boo Bama megaphones and cups and raffle tickets to win great LSU tailgate items. There was music, purple-and-gold popcorn, a giant Jenga playoff and Game 6 of the World Series featuring the Houston Astros and LSU’s Alex Bregman on TV. – Mary Ann Van Osdell

Boo Bama

9) Karen Peace, Allison Walsh, Melissa Olivier

10) Charlie Olivier and David Thomas

Evans Financial Group presented A Celebration of Heroes to a packed house at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. The annual event honoring veterans featured Kris “Tanto” Paronto, an inspiring hero of the 2012 Benghazi attack and the subject of the book and motion picture “13 Hours.” Also speaking was Carl Marino, star of “Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda.” – Mary Ann Van Osdell

A Celebration of Heroes

11) Staff Sgt. Ret. Danny Stutzman, Susan and Sgt. Ret. Curtis Brooks

12) Kris “Tanto” Paronto

13) Bill Navarro, Danette Pugh

14) Doug and Tanya Harville