Every year has a traditional gift and flowers, colors, and gemstones that correspond to the specific celebration. These longstanding traditions have a history extending back to the medieval period and were considered agents of good fortune and prosperity in marriage. However, giving anniversary gifts to loved ones wasn’t prevalent until the Victorian era.

Today, popular opinion differs from traditional legend, which suggests that each gift should be chosen to increase in value as you spend more time together, acknowledging a successful marriage.

Sort of a “thank you for hanging in there with me through thick and thin” gift. So, whether it’s your first year of marriage or you’re shopping for the perfect sentimental gold gift for your parents’ 50th, here are a few suggestions as to what is appropriate.

For your one-year anniversary, give a gift of paper or a clock. Your fifth year should be something wood or a piece of silverware will do. In the tenth year, a traditional gift would be tin or aluminum (not a box of tin foil). The modern gift is a little more expensive – diamonds. Jumping ahead to the 20th year anniversary, China or platinum. The 30th gets a little more expensive with pearls or diamonds (again). Your 40th is easy. Both traditional and modern gifts should be rubies. Same with the 50th and 60th but with gold and diamonds, respectively. You will notice that with each decade of marriage, the gifts tend to get more expensive, and for good reason. There should be a celebration and a reward for staying together, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health.

By Diane VanHoozer

Good films do not have an expiration date. Being relatively new in terms of storytelling, movies are a unique medium that creates experiences for audiences in all walks of life. The birth of as we know them today can be traced back about a century ago with the technology to synchronize sound and moving images. With more and more films being released every year on every screen, finding new stories to enjoy has never been easier. However, as with most mediums, with variety comes the novelty of ‘new’. This has given some the idea that the newest is always the best option and that unless a film is exceptionally good, movies have an expiration date. I do not believe this to be the case. Allow me to introduce to you a movie that was released 65 years ago that is one of my personal favorites: The Five Pennies (1959).

If you do like music and musicals though, the complexity of the music will be what interests you. The film’s title comes from the real-life band that Red Nichols led in the late 1920’s, but the recurring theme of the movie is a lullaby that is an original song called The Five Pennines. It appears multiple times in the movie, but it also appears with two other stacking melodies that are also lullabies. At a few points in the film, there are a few moments with full counterbalance duets. An example is when Louis Armstrong is singing “Goodnight, Sleep Tight” in a nightclub scene, then Danny Kaye starts singing “Lullaby in Ragtime”, then Susan Gordon, who was about eight at the time, joins in and sings “The Five Pennies”. All three songs stack beautifully on top of each other yet are as wholesome as individual songs.

The movie has some heavy scenes to it, but I watch it whenever I’m in the mood to be cheered up. Danny Kaye’s signature humor keeps the darkness of childhood illness and daily struggles of life to a light level. Perfect for movie night when you just want to watch something beautiful. You can rent this movie on Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Apple TV, for less than five dollars. You can also stream the soundtrack on Spotify or YouTube.

A Spectacular

‘SANCTUARY’

on Lake Bistineau

Step inside and experience the pinnacle of luxury with this contemporary waterfront estate … proving that modern and organic—along with sophisticated, savvy and fun—aren’t mutually exclusive.

Elm Gove, LA. Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana is a gem for anyone who likes to spend time outdoors. Wide-trunked cypress trees lure photographers, boaters, and nature lovers of all types. A bonus is that it is located a short half-hour drive from Shreveport and Bossier City. If you want to experience north Louisiana’s pristine wetlands at their wildest—this is the place to be. And, if you’re looking to buy a lakefront, state-of-the-art property that is full of charm and sophistication, look no further.

Nestled on a private peninsula in a finger of Lake Bistineau known as “Spring Branch” is an 11-acre estate known as Sanctuary. Behind its private gate you’ll find a pristine contemporary main house, a guest house, panoramic views, and over 1,200 feet of seawall. Listed for $5.25 million by REALTORS® Lynn Roos and Adrienne Frierson of Coldwell Banker Apex, this striking residence features a design unlike anything in the area. If it reads like a modern-day take of Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” architect Mike McSwain doesn’t mind. If it reads like a love poem to the surrounding forest and lake, even better.

“It was a purposeful intention to weave the building into the landscape,” says McSwain, a Shreveport architect whose firm specializes in contemporary design. In 2004, he was hired to create a utopian vision for the homeowner—one that unplugs from city life.

The main goal was for the future home to be nestled into the existing hillside and engage with nature. General contracting services were provided by Shreveport’s premier design-build construction company Commercial Construction & Development (also known as CC&D).

Embracing a simplistic design, the main structure took four years to design and complete. As you snake down the driveway, the house seems hidden, as if it had just crawled out of the earth—and there are minimal differences in material deployment inside and out of the home. There is a spirit of escape, as well as of personal discovery—seeing something that rises out of somewhere uniquely special—was a big part of the design. The visioning, the framing of spaces and the detailing was meticulously planned. As a designer, McSwain recalled how he was constantly challenged by the homeowner. “He was a collaborative partner from beginning to end. It was a fun process, and final results speak for themselves.”

Though modern, the home’s vernacular focused on cultivating a vibrant, family-centric lifestyle melding indoor and outdoor gatherings. “Taking advantage of the lake views was key, as was creating a home that would seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living,” says McSwain. To create these seamless spaces between indoor and outdoor, McSwain integrated the structure using the terrain to his advantage. By positioning decks and patios—over 8,000 square feet in total—he was able to take advantage of the lake to beautifully capture the surrounding views.

All primary living spaces, such as the family room, dining area, and kitchen, are placed strategically next to exterior living spaces, with large sliding doors that lead to the great outdoors. “Moving indoors to outdoors is very easy in this home,” says McSwain. The home was also carefully positioned on the site to maximize natural light and follow the path of the sun— the roof is pitched perfectly, and the structure is precisely aligned, to accommodate large windows that effectively combat heat gain from the hot Louisiana summers. The interiors are clean-lined and spare yet warm, making use of materials for the custom cabinetry, unique flooring, and exposed ceiling beams throughout. The living areas are placed at the heart of the home, surrounding it with glass on the sides, which brings the outside in, revealing more of the surrounding landscape. 

Case in point—the vast, north-facing windows frame cinematic views over the estate. These floor-to-ceiling steel-frame glass walls on the main level bring 180-degree views directly into the main living areas with as little obstruction as possible. All primary living spaces—such as the family room, dining area, and kitchen— were placed strategically next to exterior living spaces, where Nana sliding glass doors open for airflow (if desired). A tall ceiling helps keep the space cool. While the architect admitted that the focus was the outdoors, he also wanted the interiors to be easy and comfortable.

The modern, exaggerated roofline combines form and function. And because of the contemporary design, the architect wasn’t constrained by traditional details—allowing the structure to have a clear and strong relationship with the environment. By night, the home glows from the inside thanks to the abundance of windows. While public living spaces are exposed to nature with its expansive glass windows and doors, as a counterpoint, private spaces—like bedrooms SBMAG.NET | JULY 2024 59 and bathrooms—are cloistered for privacy. “Those spaces feel more cocoon-like and intimate,” says McSwain, making their attention to design and detail unparalleled. The primary suite offers two bathrooms separated by an oversized walk-in closet. On the lower level find two additional suites, a private kitchen, theater room, gym, craft room, and additional living spaces.

In all the bedroom suites, the same floor-to-ceiling window design frames the view of the outdoors. Hurd windows offer an elevated living experience—featuring a unique design component that allows fresh air to be brought inside. Two types of environments— exposed and intimate—are linked through a series of intentional passages. “Movement through the building was very important—how you arrive and what you see as you circulate between the spaces,” says McSwain. For instance, moving up the stairs, you feel as if you are outside, with similar materials in the stairwells are carried to the porches and patios. “When you move through the building, there is a choreography where you understand the site more clearly because of the views you see through the different windows,” says McSwain. “And even though this is a very large house, there is a ‘tease’ of what lies around the corner. You can never see everything at once—which, as a designer, I find absolutely fascinating.”If connecting with all spaces was important, that meant that finding the right interior designer was paramount. That’s why the homeowner brought in interior designer Kirk Thomas. For anyone who steps foot in the home, they would immediately sense that a lot of inspiration came from Kirk Thomas— referring to the sleek minimalism prevalent throughout the interior rooms. Thomas fleshed out the luminous interior spaces with an eclectic blend of art and decor. For example, some walls are adorned with custom Venetian plaster wallpaper—offering a symphony of design and craftsmanship that invites you to experience luxury at its finest. Each stroke of that plaster tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship, creating a canvas that transforms the living spaces into a work of art. A one-of-akind custom limestone “hanging” fireplace, expertly crafted from Portugal, was thoughtfully designed to allow stunning view of the lake as you enter the front door.

 An Ingo Maurer Chandelier enhances the grandeur of the dining room. On the lower level there are two large bedroom suites—each with ensuite bathrooms—along with a home theater, living room, kitchenette, exercise room, craft room, and over 1,900 square-feet of enclosed space for mechanical, storage, and garage. And, despite the total proportions of the home, McSwain managed to make the home feel cozy, not sprawling, which was key to the homeowner’s vision. A series of nest-like spaces are found throughout to contrast more expansive areas—alcove insets for beds, sunk-in seating, and plenty of built-in nooks. All-in-all, this beautifully designed home is any nature-lover’s dream—and is sure to create happy memories for any potential homebuyer for year to come. And just like the natural elements that surround it, there is a feeling it will only get The following individuals and companies supplied consulting, products, and materials for The Sanctuary: Architecture—Mike McSwain, Mike McSwain Architect; LLC; Construction—Fred White, Commercial Construction & Development; Interior Design—Kirk Thomas, Kirt Thomas Design; Electric—Wilhite Electric; HVAC and Plumbing—FitzGerald Contractors, LLC; Lighting—Oldner Lighting.

One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is choosing a wedding venue. After all, it sets the scene for your special day! With so many options out there, how do you choose the perfect venue that reflects your style and personality? We’ve got you covered with some important aspects to consider when selecting your dream wedding venue!

No matter what kind of wedding venue you’re dreaming of, Shreveport-Bossier has something for everyone. So go ahead and start planning your dream wedding in this charming city – we promise it will be a day you’ll never forget!

LAST MINUTE details

Addressing the legal and administrative details is an essential part of planning a wedding to ensure that everything runs smoothly and according to regulations. This includes obtaining necessary permits and licenses for the wedding venue, catering, and any other relevant aspects of the event. Planning for marriage officiation and obtaining the marriage license well in advance is crucial to avoid any last-minute hiccups. Managing logistical details such as parking, security, and insurance ensures that the wedding day proceeds without any unforeseen issues.

CONTINGENCY plan

Finally, it’s always good to have a Plan B. Handling unexpected challenges and contingencies is a vital skill for couples and wedding planners to navigate any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. Developing a contingency plan for unexpected weather, vendor issues, or emergencies can help mitigate the impact of such situations on the wedding day. Effective communication with vendors and guests in case of changes or emergencies is key to managing expectations and ensuring a smooth transition. Maintaining a positive and adaptable attitude throughout the planning process can help couples overcome obstacles and focus on the joyous celebration of their love.

PACKING Luggage trends

Embark on a journey of luxury and elegance with the VIP Duffle Bag Collection. With the pearlized vegan leather and unique Greek Key Quilting, this divine travel companion redefines opulence and organization. Available at Jolie Blonde.

 Hard to believe, but there are The Great Unwashed among us who still wonder why we call this beckoning stretch of sand the Redneck Riviera. All these summer beach trips, and they’ve missed seeing the wind and waves and tattoos? The unfiltereds and the red lipstick mixed with Coppertone? The vacationing truckers in cut-off blue jeans? Oh, how blind we can be…

Sometimes, to establish themselves, the redneck gods have to play hardball. This very thing happened years ago, not 20 feet from my sandy beach chair, when a very senior citizen in Bermuda shorts put a beach towel around his waist, right there by your lapping Orange Beach waves. He had a pair of swim trunks in his hand. Suddenly, one hand went sort of under his towel at his waist area. The Bermuda shorts dropped to his ankles. Hello!

Then he bent and attempted to put on the trunks. The towel slipped a bit. Or maybe the towel cracked. It was supposed to stay up, I guess. It didn’t. Was this a circus act? Were we on Candid Camera?

Suddenly, there was a full moon, and not the pretty kind, at 9 a.m. But the (redneck) gentleman just pulled his trunks up and set about enjoying the rest of his day at the beach with his family, who didn’t even look up from reading their Popular Mechanics while he was changing because I suppose they’d seen it all before. Literally.

And there, in living color, is your Redneck Riviera defined. Hate to put that picture in your mind, but life is filled with hard lessons. Can’t wait to go back.

Write Teddy at teddy@latech.edu