Blog - Page 21 of 128 - Thrive Magazine

February 2026

Beyond the Produce: Bakers, Cooks and Crafters Share Their Creativity at the Charlestown Farmers Market

by Angie Kay Dilmore African Americans have a storied legacy of commerce in Southwest Louisiana. Consider the Ball and Price families and many others who weighed the risks, acted on their dreams and opened their business doors to eager customers. That same entrepreneurial spirit is still evident today, including at […]

February 2026

Family Works: The Ball Family

by Kerri Cooke The Ball family legacy in Lake Charles began with Reginald McWilliam Ball Sr. who grew up In Winnfield, Louisiana, before moving to Lake Charles. By the age of 18, he was already a business owner three times over. His portfolio included two dance halls and a taxi […]

February 2026

First Person: Sean Ardoin

Sean Ardoin is a five-time Grammy-nominated Kreole Rock & Soul artist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. He’s also a Cannes Silver Dolphin Award winner for the documentary on Louisiana that he hosted called Amplify: Louisiana. He can most readily be found singing on stage while wearing his signature glasses. You […]

February 2026

Couples In Business

In honor of Valentine’s Day, meet four local couples who are in business together. It might not sound all that romantic to some to run a business as husband and wife, but the process involves a deep and loving bond for the business and marriage to continue working. Couples learn […]

February 2026

Stronger Hearts: Support at Every Stage

Heart health is rarely shaped by a single moment. More often, it is built—and rebuilt—over time, influenced by education, access to care and the support systems that surround a person before, during and after a heart event. For many individuals and families, heart health becomes personal only after a diagnosis […]

February 2026

Nonprofit Impact: Local Heart Foundation

Heart disease is considered a silent killer because it often goes undetected before crisis events such as a heart attack. However, heart defects are another problem those of all ages can face. From infants being born with various heart conditions to older adults collapsing because of an undiagnosed defect, heart […]

February 2026

Apart from the Start: a Tale of Two NICU Nurseries

Parents of premature babies are often prone to worry about the health of their children, as preterm birth can come with complications. Taylor and Taylor Cryer (both parents share the same first name) were expecting twins when Taylor gave birth to premature sons, Kash Alvin and Krue Allen. Their physician, […]

February 2026

Countdown to the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival

The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival, a culinary and beverage celebration hosted by Visit Lake Charles, takes place March 12–15. The festival is a showcase of culinary expertise, beverage options and music that highlights Louisiana’s unique culture and heritage. There will be celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/proprietors, artisans, […]

February 2026

Culinary Creators

Your favorite restaurant is only as good as the chef. How to bring out the flavors in food, what ingredients complement each other and cooking times are skills chefs have to know to get the best tasting food to your palette. In Louisiana, savory food is a big part […]