Dennis Beckman has always been a talented designer and collector. But even those born with the talent and “the touch” will agree — a little luck now and then never hurts.

While running his San Francisco shop, The Enchanted Crystal, Beckman stumbled upon the Mardi Gras mask-making business. “When I was visiting Paris one year, someone told me about these amazing antique silk flowers,” says Beckman.

“I bought them all to showcase with some jewelry. A bride came into the store one day and said she wanted to wear them in her hair for her wedding. She asked if I could put them into a comb and add crystals and pearls. I said ‘sure.’’

After the bride’s request that day, Beckman started making bridal headpieces.

“I made thousands of oneof- a-kind headpieces,” says Beckman. “One day, one of my brides said she really wanted to walk down the aisle and surprise everyone by wearing a mask.”

“I made her an elaborate mask to go with her gown.

She was a celebrity after that. Everyone loved it. Her friends were all asking me to make them one.” In addition to the masks, Beckman designs Mardi Gras wreaths, pens, and crowns for Mardi Gras Kings and Queens around the area. All his ideas for the elaborate mask and crown designs come from his travels.

He loves to travel. Always has.

Originally from Shreveport, Beckman ran the San Francisco shop for 42 years after a military assignment brought him to the West Coast.

“My military assignment was very unique,” says Beckman. “They sent me to San Francisco with a whole civilian group to review major core projects. It was also the beginning of the environmental revolution.”

Beckman went on to develop what became the National Environmental Policy Act.

“The law says any federal actions have to review the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project,” says Beckman. “I developed the whole concept.

Then I went to Washington, D.C., and they made it into law.”

With a Master of Environmental Design degree from LSU, Beckman then worked on designing a park in Hawaii and one outside of Las Vegas. He also worked on the redesign of a Florida sanctuary.

When Beckman opened The Enchanted Crystal, he was the first guy in America to begin importing the world-renowned Swarovski crystals.

“I happened to meet the Belgium and Austrian representatives of Swarovski crystals,” says Beckman. “They had mentioned to me how they started making paperweights and decorative pieces.”

Beckman told them he was interested and became the inaugural American Swarovski crystal importer.

You can check out Dennis’s masks at his sister Debra’s shop, Enchanted Garden, on Line Avenue in Shreveport.

“People will come into my sister’s shop all the time and tell her, ‘I’ve been to your brother’s shop,” says Beckman.

Creativity and talent run deep in the Beckman household. Dennis’ son, Stefan Beckman, is a renowned designer of sets, fashion shows, and exhibitions.

A landmark Shreveport institution that has surely outlasted everyone reading this article is turning 200 years old this year… Centenary College of Louisiana, Louisiana’s only Tier One liberal arts college (as per U.S. News and World Reports) and the oldest liberal arts college in the country west of the Mississippi River. You might say it’s the granddaddy of all colleges in Louisiana too, since it is also the oldest college in Louisiana, period. The facility on Kings Highway is not the first building Centenary has called home; the first site of what is today Centenary College was in Jackson, Louisiana (in the southeastern part of the state) and was known as the College of Louisiana and was created by a charter from the Louisiana State Legislature in 1825. The name “Centenary” came from a Centenary College in Clinton, Mississippi (later relocated to Brandon Springs, Mississippi) that was affiliated with the Mississippi Conference of the southern division of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which established that college. In 1845, due to the state legislature halting funding for the College of Louisiana in Jackson, this Centenary College purchased the College of Louisiana, relocating to Jackson and renaming the college Centenary College of Louisiana. The college shut down during the Civil War, as noted by the board of trustees’ last minutes entry in 1861 stating “Students have all gone to War – College suspended, and God Help the Right!”

After the war, Centenary fell on hard times financially and in 1906, the Methodist Episcopal Church accepted an offer from the Shreveport Progressive League to relocate the college to Shreveport, eventually opening the college in 1908, where it remains today. Meanwhile, Centenary’s Jackson facility, which served as a hub for Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War and as a tuberculosis hospital in the 1920s, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 1979 and remains open for guided tours to this day, operated by the Louisiana Office of State Parks.

Two hundred years is a long time. This age makes Centenary (not to be confused with Centenary University in New Jersey) the distinction of being the 43rd oldest college in the country. When Centenary opened, James Monroe was ending his term as President of the United States…and he was the fifth president and last of the Founding Fathers to be president, only two after Thomas Jefferson (and he was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, because the Democratic nor Republican Party we know today existed yet). Back then, the White House was not even called the White House; it was called a variation of the “President’s Palace” or “Executive Mansion” until being officially named the “White House,” 76 years later, in 1901. Tuition was $50 a year, with room, board and firewood being an additional $7; today it is about $50k a year after room and board (as a private college, Centenary gets no public funding, thus the higher tuition rates, and over 95% of Centenary students using some form of financial aid), roughly $15k a year more than LSU for comparison. Starting in 1895, women were allowed to enroll as a desperate effort to boost enrollment, which was 25 years before they were given the right to vote in this country. There were only 24 states in the country. Perhaps most shocking though, is that Shreveport was not even a city yet in 1825; that wouldn’t happen for another 46 years.

“Sometimes people say Centenary is a hidden gem, and we try not to be hidden. This is a good opportunity to get a little less hidden. Raising the profile of the college is going to be really cool,” he adds. Centenary has also been doing small things like wrapping city buses and billboards with the Bicentennial campaign to raise awareness. For a complete list of Bicentennial-themed events, you can visit www.centenary200.com. Surely the brightest and most significant change going into Centenary’s third century though, launched in a bid to boost enrollment and public awareness of the college, football at Centenary is back, after being an on-again off-again affair. In 1898, the Board of Trustees had resolved to not only not play football, but any athletics, after LSU quite literally crushed a makeshift Centenary team from the old campus in Baton Rouge, defeating them by a large margin and hospitalizing two players. But slowly, athletics found its way into the new Shreveport campus. Finally, in 1922, Centenary was back in the football business. These were considered the “Glory Years,” from 1922-1942, and included undefeated seasons in 1927 and 1932. Centenary accomplished miraculous feats for a college of its size, like beating Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and in a true David-and- Goliath story and humorous comeuppance, even the venerable LSU that had once crushed their entire athletic department, in 1932 (by a score of 6-0, and the “Gents” would also tie LSU 0-0 in Baton Rouge the following year). An Associated Press writer wrote of that 1932 undefeated team that the team had earned the title “Wonder Team of the South… it’s a little team that never gives up.” These years were short-lived, however; the war ended the program temporarily, and it never got back on its feet. Prior to 2023, the very last game Centenary played was a bruising 51-14 loss to Louisiana Tech during their 1947 season. Now, Centenary has hired former Evangel and LSU standout Byron Dawson (who played under Nick Saban) to be its head coach, and they are competing at the NCAA Division III level. Prior to dropping to the Division III level in 2009 from Division I, Centenary had the proud distinction of being the smallest Division I school in the country. 

So, what about the next 200 years? Coining the plan “Bold at the Bicentennial,” and currently in their second year of implementation according to Dr. Soul, Centenary has a fourpronged approach moving forward. The four themes are: 1) Provide a Transformative Student Experience, 2) Grow Enrollment, 3) Be Shreveport-Bossier’s College, and 4) Be a Great Place to Work. Fundraising is ongoing for the vision, which currently has a goal of $50 million, with around $40 million already raised or pledged. The development projects include improving Mickle Hall (the sciences building), the football program and updates to the Hurley School of Music. Centenary will be looking to further capitalize and improve upon their well-known strengths, such as their pre-med program that has an acceptance rate of 94% and the ever-popular Centenary in Paris study abroad program, where students spend about a week in Paris. “We’re trying to expand opportunities for people that are not just interested in going to medical school but may be interested in other kinds of medical fields. We have articulation agreements with both Baylor and Northwestern to their nursing programs.

The school was named after Charles Edwin Byrd, a notable figure in Louisiana’s educational landscape who served as the city’s superintendent of schools. The establishment of C. E. Byrd High School was driven by the necessity to provide quality education to the growing population of Shreveport, which was experiencing a significant demographic shift during the post-World War I era. Over the decades, the school has celebrated numerous milestones that reflect its commitment to educational excellence and community engagement. Today, Byrd High School’s website welcomes visitors to “The City of Byrd,” which is affectionately referred to as “The City.”

C. E. Byrd High School boasts a notable roster of alumni who have left indelible marks in various fields, including politics, arts, and sciences. Among its distinguished graduates are Academy Award Winner William Joyce, former Secretary of the Navy John Howard Dalton, and Pulitzer Prize winner Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz, who have advanced their respective careers. Byrd has produced Mayors, Senators, Judges, U.S. Attorneys, and state representatives. Outstanding professional athletes have walked the halls of the Byrd campus. Liffort Hobley of the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Dolphins, Isaac Hagins of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arnaz Battle of the 49ers and the Steelers just to name a few.

There is great pride in the purple and gold. With over 18 offerings that include football, basketball, soccer, and track, the athletic programs for boys and girls foster a sense of camaraderie among students as they rally together to support their teams. These sporting events create cherished traditions and build community pride as parents and residents gather to cheer on the students.

Beyond academics and athletics, C. E. Byrd students are also deeply involved in community service initiatives. Students participate in various volunteer projects that benefit local organizations and instill a sense of civic responsibility and empathy. This year, to mark the 100th day of school, students were given the opportunity to participate in community service for the entire day. Over 300 students signed on to participate as a volunteer. Whether organizing food drives, participating in environmental clean-up efforts, or mentoring younger students, these initiatives help students develop leadership skills while contributing positively to the community.

That same evening, the Robinson Film Center opens its doors to alumni for the screening of “Glimpses of Byrd.” This documentary by Brent Latin, a Byrd alumnus, of Young Professionals Entertainment, will tell the story of Byrd and will feature many of its remarkable and accomplished graduates.

The party continues as six separate establishments along Texas Street in downtown Shreveport play host to a Decades Reunion. Each Decade of Byrd graduates will take over one of the six for a chance to mingle and re-connect with old friends. The 50s decade will meet at the Robinson Film Center, 60s decade will meet at 421 Texas Street, 70s at the Missing Link, the 80s at Rhino Coffee, the 90s at The Noble Savage and the 2000s at Fatty Arbuckles Pub.

Early the next morning, June 7th, the Byrd neighborhood will be covered by runners and walkers alike for a 5K Walk/Run. Byrd High School will also host an open house on the campus where anyone and everyone is welcome. There will be assemblies and pep rallies just like the good old days as guests enjoy refreshment from food trucks. Historic memorabilia will also be displayed throughout the school for all to view.

C. E. Byrd High School is a beacon of learning and community in Shreveport, Louisiana, with its rich historical background and diverse academic programs. The school’s foundation, rooted in a commitment to educational excellence, has been instrumental in shaping the lives of its students, many of whom have made significant contributions to society. The outstanding qualifications of faculty and staff, coupled with a commitment to professional development and mentorship, ensure that students receive a holistic and supportive educational experience. The school’s achievements and recognition highlight its impact on student success and the broader Shreveport community. For 100 years, The City of Byrd has fostered an environment where students thrive academically and personally, preparing them to become responsible and informed citizens in an increasingly diverse world. As such, C. E. Byrd High School remains a vital institution, embodying the values of education, community, and excellence that will undoubtedly resonate for future generations. “The City” will literally be taking over the city for this one spectacular weekend. 100 years of C.E. Byrd. The tradition continues. Come be a part of it!

Main Squeeze on Airline Drive in Bossier City has been a popular and healthy spot for many of us in the Shreveport/Bossier area for years now. Everything they offer is vegan and gluten-free.

Jon and Taylor Shellhaas officially took ownership of the Bossier Main Squeeze store in January of 2023. Their beautiful store has a great, big moss wall when you walk into the lobby on the right. Just below the wall is a little seating area to hang out in. There are plenty of plants and greenery covering the lobby area, as well.

Very cool atmosphere at Main Squeeze. And if you have ever tried any of their healthy, tasty juices and smoothies, you already know they match the aura.

That’s because their drinks are made without the added junk some other places use.

“We don’t use any added sweeteners in our smoothies,” says Jon Shellhaas. “All other places use turbinado.”

At Main Squeeze, your smoothie is never watered down either because they don’t use ice, ensuring you get all the nutrients and taste with no filler. Instead, they take the fruit, freeze it, and that emulates the ice in a smoothie. They also offer acai bowls with imported acai from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

Main Squeeze has expanded their food options lately. They have a great kitchen, and they have been putting it to use. Some quick and healthy food options are their new grab-and-go wraps. The chipotle wrap has black beans, corn, pico de gallo and comes with a side of their homemade chipotle sauce. The hearty wrap includes black beans, pico de gallo, sweet potatoes, cashew cream and spinach.

Of course, Main Squeeze has always been known for their cold-pressed juices.

“Cold-pressed means it’s going to be free of high-pressure pasteurization,” says Shellhaas. “It also means we don’t use any chemical preservatives, as well.”

It’s basically using a grinder to grind all the fruits and vegetables between two metal plates.

They can make anywhere from 20 to 100 bottles of juice in each batch.

“I would show them my drawings, and they would always be so excited. I was like, I’m gonna be an artist one day,” Haley recalls. Parental support and encouragement are so very important to a little one. 

In the 6th grade, Haley was accepted into the talented arts program at school, which confirmed that she was pretty good at this art thing. She was excited that the types of projects the students were doing were so outside the box and weird and different, “it just sort of made me fall in love with art even more.” One of her TAP teachers, James King, was one of her favorites – always motivational and encouraging. Not a man to mince words, but Haley valued his input and opinions.

Throughout her educational career, Haley learned to work with numerous art mediums. She has always been drawn to portrait work and has spent countless hours honing her skills in oil and acrylic. Today, she is naturally focused on the digital arts. It’s basically painting, but it’s all on an iPad. Haley will not incorporate AI in her work.  “I find the artistic process deeply rewarding, and the joy comes from creating something with my own hands and imagination. While I wouldn’t call AI a bad thing, using it (for me) feels a bit like opening a jigsaw puzzle only to discover that all the pieces have already been assembled. Where’s the fun in that? It takes away the experience and vulnerability of putting it together myself.”

She doesn’t need to. Besides, she prefers everything she produces to be handcrafted. She loves the process of creating everything from the ground up.

Now Art loved her work and asked permission to put Haley on their roster.  Haley thought it was a scam and almost deleted the email.  Good thing she took the chance that the offer was the real deal. The rest is history.

Haley was also part of the creative team commissioned to produce the huge mural at our new Amazon Fulfillment Center in Shreveport. She found it interesting to see how it evolved from the very beginning.  They didn’t know each other very well, and they didn’t know what to expect. But you get six or seven gifted artists together, and something fantastic is bound to happen.

Haley draws her inspiration from several sources. Fellow artists who she follows online, YouTube, and more often than not, her ideas just blossom. It’s a meditative process for her, like putting a puzzle together and seeing how everything will fit. 

Haley is sure to have a plethora of subjects to study with her work as the marketing director for the Shreveport Metropolitan Opera.