Discover Lafayette

Don Dupuis is a Louisiana technology pioneer whose work quietly shaped how businesses across Acadiana and far beyond learned to operate in the early days of the digital age. Don founded Acadiana Computer Systems in 1969, at a time when most offices still relied on adding machines, paper ledgers, and manual calculations. Long before “IT services” was a common phrase, Don saw that businesses, especially medical practices, needed help navigating billing, coding, payroll, and data management. What began as a small, homegrown operation became a regional force, supporting doctors, lawyers, oilfield companies, universities, public offices, and even the horse racing industry. In this conversation, Don walks us through a remarkable journey that begins in Carencro, where he grew up and still lives on the very property where he was born. He shares stories from his early career in banking, including helping launch the credit card business in central Louisiana, complete with a secret U-Haul trip to Baton Rouge to retrieve credit cards during a rainstorm, and how that experience opened his eyes to the power of automation. Without a formal computer science degree, Don built his company by pairing business insight with technical brilliance. He credits early partner Roy Arwood, a mathematician and programmer, as “a genius” who wrote the software while Don sold, ran, and personally operated the systems. Together, they computerized payrolls with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of employees, ultimately processing more than one million W-2s in a single year. Don explains how Acadiana Computer Systems served a wide range of clients: Oilfield companies with massive payrolls Medical practices struggling with complex coding and insurance reimbursement Universities and medical schools, including LSU systems Registrars of voters and tax assessors The horse racing industry, where his team produced race programs before tote boards existed In medical billing, Don describes uncovering widespread inefficiencies, and sometimes outright fraud, costing physician practices tens of thousands of dollars each month. His company didn’t just process claims; it helped doctors understand diagnosis codes, CPT procedures, and compliance, often recovering revenue that would otherwise be lost. “A doctor’s bill is one of the most complicated things to produce,” he explains, emphasizing how critical accuracy became once Medicare and government oversight entered the picture. The episode also captures the culture of Lafayette’s boom years. Don recalls a time when oil money flooded the region, businesses were expanding rapidly, and opportunity felt “wide open.” He also speaks candidly about downturns, particularly the late-1970s and early-1980s oil collapse, when many left Lafayette in search of work elsewhere. After decades of growth, Don sold Acadiana Computer Systems in 2021, staying on briefly before stepping away for good. He reflects on the realities of modern consolidation, offshore labor, and automation, noting that while technology keeps advancing, it often comes at the expense of long-term employees. In late 2025, Don made local news again when he sold the former ACS’ headquarters (nearly 30,000-square-foot building on Dulles Drive) for $3.6-million deal to South Louisiana Community College, allowing the campus to expand classrooms, offices, and student services. Beyond business, Don shares stories of generosity and community, from housing Lafayette’s mounted police horses on his rural property to building lifelong relationships based on handshakes rather than contracts. “If you’re nice to somebody, it comes back,” he says, reflecting on clients who became partners simply because he helped when they needed it most. The conversation closes with Don’s thoughts on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the future of work. Having witnessed the evolution from mainframes to personal computers to AI, he sees enormous potential, particularly in medicine, alongside serious risks if technology is used carelessly. He also laments the massive shift of jobs to foreign countries where people making $2.50 per hour are gladly taking jobs once held by America’s talented workforce. This episode is a rare oral history of Acadiana’s early technology era, told by someone who helped build it: one payroll run, one program, and one handshake at a time. We thank our dear friend, Don Dupuis, for his generous spirit and the contributions he has made to our business climate in Acadiana. Avec beaucoup d’amour!

Discover Lafayette welcomes Melissa Bonin, celebrated artist, poet, lyricist, and author whose work is deeply rooted in the landscape, language, and spirit of South Louisiana. A native of New Iberia with French and Acadian ancestry, Melissa is widely recognized as one of Louisiana’s leading contemporary landscape painters. Her work weaves together emotion, mythology, nature, and memory—often inspired by bayous, waterways, mist, and the movement of water. Melissa’s multidisciplinary voice is beautifully expressed in her 160-page book, When Bayous Speak, which pairs poetry and paintings spanning more than two decades of her artistic career. The poetry in the book reflects five to six years of work, while the paintings represent some of her most personal and enduring visual pieces. The cover image, Dances on Water, embodies the themes that recur throughout her work—flow, reflection, and deep connection to place. Finding Her Voice Through Art Melissa shared that she was painfully shy as a child and struggled to communicate with others. Her earliest breakthrough came on the last day of kindergarten, when a teacher handed her a chalkboard. “There was something I was able to express myself with, without speaking,” she recalled. That moment marked the beginning of a lifelong relationship with art as language. Her grandfather, a horse trainer, would sit with her and draw simple figures, unknowingly nurturing her creative instincts. Even early recognition came with challenges; after entering a poster contest as a young child she didn’t win. She was told she couldn’t have drawn the winning work herself. “But I did,” she said. Mentorship and Artistic Formation Melissa’s artistic path was shaped by extraordinary mentorship. At Mount Carmel in New Iberia, teacher James Edmunds and his wife Susan exposed her to museums, music, and culture, taking her to the King Tut exhibit and the symphony in New Orleans. Edmunds introduced her to Elemore Morgan, Jr., who became a lifelong mentor. Through these mentors, Melissa began taking fine art classes at UL Lafayette while still in high school at only 15 years of age. Edmunds even received permission from the nuns to continue teaching her privately at his home. “The greatest thing he ever did for me was to get out of my way,” she said. Reflecting back on her early mentor in high school, Melissa says, “James Edmunds would have different media there. It would be watercolor or whatever. He’d say, I’ll be back in an hour. Then he’d come back and we’d discuss it. Then I’d go back to school.” Melissa went on to earn her degree in Fine Arts at USL (now UL Lafayette), studying under influential artists including Elemore Morgan Jr., Herman Mhire, and Bill Moreland. Language, Identity, and France Melissa’s love for the French language developed alongside her art. Her parents belonged to what she called the “shamed generation” who did not speak French, yet her grandmother spoke only French. Wanting to communicate with her, Melissa taught herself French using a Bible she found in an armoire. Her academic journey led her abroad through scholarships from CODOFIL and LSU. She studied in Angers and Paris and described her first experience in France simply as “I’m home.” That connection continues to influence her work, which is often presented in both English and French. Art as a Living Practice Melissa described the moment she truly “found her voice” as an artist after her first major New Orleans show, when Elemore Morgan Jr. left her a message repeating, “Melissa, you have found your voice.” Her distinctive surface treatment—polished like “a gemstone or a precious metal”—became a defining element of her work. When asked how long it takes to create a painting, she quoted Picasso’s famous response: “All my life.” Some works move quickly; others are painted over dozens of times. “The canvas tells you,” she said. “It’s when you try to impose your will upon the canvas that you don’t get too far.” Melissa Bonin shared on Facebook, “So happy to see this in Moncus Park today on my walk. What a lovely job the Haynie Family has done incorporating one of my wildflower paintings and one of my poems into their display along Lake Reaux.” Nature, Water, and Healing Melissa’s work is deeply inspired by the natural world—water, mist, humidity, plant life, wildflowers, and birds. During a period of heartbreak, she began paddling her canoe on the bayou every afternoon. “When I got on the water, everything fell away,” she shared. That experience sparked her lifelong exploration of bayous as both subject and sanctuary. Today, birding has become part of her daily life and creative process. “Being out there and hearing the sounds of nature and the calls—I love it,” she said. Poetry, Rejection, and Resilience Melissa’s poetry has reached international audiences, with residencies in Montreal and current opportunities in France. Reflecting on a defining moment at the Congrès Mondial in Canada—where she was the first woman to present—she recalled a comment from a well-known figure who told her, “They will always remember your painting, but your poetry will get you nowhere.” Her response was resolute: “I must have had some really good poetry to make a person have to formulate that kind of sentence.” Since then, her poetry has appeared in parks in Belgium, installations in Lafayette, and residencies across borders. “My advice is filter what people tell you,” she said. Living the Artist’s Life Melissa spoke candidly about choosing to become a full-time artist after realizing her art income had surpassed her teaching salary. “I wish I would have done it sooner,” she said. Her advice to young creatives: trust the inner voice and begin before you feel completely ready. She also shared that meditation, movement, and dance—another lifelong love—play a vital role in her creative process. “When I’m really stuck, I move,” she said. “And then sometimes the answers come.” “Arianna Huffington had a quote that I love to live by. She said, “Go forward as if all the cards are stacked in your favor. And so for anyone who has a desire to paint or write, I encourage that. There’s something that happens to a person when they dig deep within themselves and really become acquainted with themselves. In that way, something beautiful happens and everyone around can feel it.” Upcoming Event Melissa will be featured in Bulles littéraires, a literary evening hosted by Alliance Française de Lafayette. 📍 Centre International de Lafayette735 Jefferson Street (enter on Jefferson side)🗓️ 6:00–7:00 p.m. | Free eventMelissa will present When Bayous Speak in English, French, or both.RSVP online through Alliance Française de Lafayette. Melissa Bonin’s work reminds us that art is not separate from life—it is life, observed deeply, felt honestly, and expressed with courage.

Discover Lafayette welcomes Heather Borges, owner of Bee Organized Lafayette, a professional organizing and life-transition company serving the Lafayette area. January is National Organizing Month, and this first conversation of 2026 kicks off the new year with practical insight into why organization is so personal and so powerful. Heather shares her path from nursing to professional organizing. A graduate of UL-Lafayette  in 2009, she spent 16 years as a nurse, including work as a dialysis nurse, in home health, and as a school nurse for Lafayette Parish for 11 years. Heather explains that home health nursing, in particular, exposed her to how people actually live in their homes and how clutter can affect safety and daily functioning. Burned out after COVID but still wanting to serve with compassion, she began researching professional organizing and discovered Bee Organized, a nationally based franchise that is locally owned and operated. After years of prayer and discernment, she made the leap, supported by her family and husband, calling it a step away from security but toward purpose. Heather describes Bee Organized as a tight knit franchise community based out of Kansas City, Kansas, with regular Zoom meetings and a strong culture of encouragement. She explains that the company’s approach is grounded in compassion, sustainability, and truly understanding how each client functions in their space. As she puts it, “We’re not just going to make things look pretty on the shelf. We’re really listening to you and seeing how you function, how you want it to function.” A recurring theme of the conversation is how overwhelmed people feel by their belongings. Heather says many clients tell her they feel paralyzed, explaining, “They go into the room, and then they just back out and close the door… ‘I can’t. I don’t know where to start.’” Her response is reassurance and process: “Nope, we got it. We are going to help you go through it.” Bee Organized prefers clients to be present during sessions so the systems created are realistic and maintainable. “Our goal is for you to be able to maintain it,” she says. Heather walks through Bee Organized’s complimentary in-home consultation process, where she assesses personalities, volume of belongings, and how a client wants a space to work. She emphasizes that square footage alone doesn’t tell the story: “A 1,400-square-foot home may have double the stuff as the 1,400-square-foot home across the street.” During consultations, she takes notes, photos, and measurements, and provides an estimate within 24 hours. She also offers flexible options for those who prefer to send photos or videos instead of an in-person visit. A key part of Bee Organized’s philosophy is recognizing different organizing personalities. Heather explains several types, including the “Crammer Jammer Stacker,” which she describes as “organized chaos,” where someone has a lot in one space but knows exactly where everything is. She also discusses the “Aspire,” who buys supplies for hobbies they hope to do someday; the “Just in Case” person who stocks up out of caution; the “Memory Keeper,” who holds onto sentimental items; and the “Money Minded,” who struggles to part with expensive purchases. These insights help her team, called “the Bees,” approach each job with empathy and strategy. Some of the most moving moments come when Heather talks about memory-based organizing. She shares stories of helping clients preserve meaning without forcing them to discard cherished items. One example involved turning her own late grandfather’s Western shirts into teddy bears for grandchildren, with the remaining shirts donated to a nursing home. “We do not force you to get rid of things because those memories are special to you,” she says. Bee Organized also offers keepsake boxes, memory albums, T-shirt quilts, and access to a local vendor list to support these projects. Beyond home organization, Bee Organized Lafayette provides packing and unpacking for moves, downsizing support, commercial organization for spaces like coffee shops and spas, donation drop-offs, help selling items online, and pre-estate-sale organization. Heather notes, “We’re not an estate sale company… we’re charging you our hourly rate,” emphasizing transparency and flexibility. Concierge services include holiday decorating, gift wrapping, personal shopping, and seasonal setup and takedown. Heather also shares practical advice listeners can use immediately. One of her favorite tips is the “this-and-that bucket,” where items that accumulate during the day go into one container and must be dealt with within 24 hours. “Everything has a home,” she repeats throughout the conversation, explaining that visual clutter often becomes mental clutter. She encourages people to finish the task of grocery shopping by putting groceries away, rather than leaving them on the counter to become a source of stress. Reflecting on what surprised her most about this work, Heather says she didn’t expect the emotional impact. “I’ve had people cry, and they tell me they can breathe again.” She describes seeing clients feel lighter, calmer, and energized by their spaces, sometimes comparing the experience to a “fresh start.” Heather invites listeners to take advantage of National Organizing Month in January and begin decluttering, one space at a time. Bee Organized Lafayette can be reached at https://beeorganized.com/pages/lafayette, heather@beeorganized.com, or you can call Heather at (337) 341-2025. As Heather reminds us, “One box at a time. One spot at a time.”

Discover Lafayette welcomes a true living legend of service to Acadiana: Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel. Dr. Neiheisel was the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Lafayette Civic Cup, one of the highest honors for civic service in our community. Her journey in Lafayette began in 1966, when she started teaching at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette), launching 59 years of impact in education, healthcare, and community leadership. With quiet determination, Dr. Neiheisel helped build UL Lafayette’s Nurse Practitioner Program, serving as its first coordinator and director and laying the foundation for graduate nursing education across the region. Beyond academia, her heart for service shines through her long-standing work at Faith House of Acadiana, where she serves as a nurse practitioner and advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Her legacy of compassion is now honored through the Mary B. Neiheisel Patron of Hope Award, created in her name to recognize extraordinary servant leadership in our community. From South Texas to Lafayette “I grew up in a very small town in South Texas, about 40 miles from San Antonio, called Stockdale.” Dr. Neiheisel traces her path into nursing back to her mother’s influence. “My mother always said that she concentrated on me being a nurse when she was pregnant. She said it was implanted. Consequently, she bought me the Cherry Ames nursing books when I was very young. Any medical shows on TV? We watched them. My mother started out to be a nurse, but she wanted to get married. And in those days, they did not allow the nurses to be married. So I think, you know, it was just her wish on me.” Dr. Neiheisel received her early education in San Antonio, completing her baccalaureate degree at the University of the Incarnate Word before moving to Austin and later earning her master’s degree at the University of Colorado in 1965. She shares how she met her husband, Richard Neiheisel, then a USL history professor, and how that connection ultimately brought her to Lafayette in 1966. USL in the 1960s Reflecting on her early years on campus, Dr. Neiheisel recalls the realities of nursing education at the time: “We were actually in a condemned building.” She describes a small campus, modest facilities, and close-knit classes, noting how both the university and its nursing program have evolved into institutions that are now nationally known. Answering the Call to Teach Dr. Neiheisel explains what drew her to nursing education: “I felt like there was a real need for more faculty, more teachers in nursing, to help students learn the things that would be best in caring for their patients.” She speaks candidly about advocating for nursing education in what was largely a male-dominated academic environment, addressing disparities in pay and recognition while helping shape curriculum, meet state board standards, and recruit new faculty. “In 1984, Acadian Ambulance came to our college to ask about starting an EMT program in our college. And I had worked some in emergency room. Not that much, but I had actually taught some emergency room classes. So I was asked to work with Acadian Ambulance on that program. That was a great experience, Acadian Ambulance is really the business model. They knew what they wanted, and we put this together and then we needed a coordinator for that program in our college. Since I had been working with it, the dean asked me if I would be the coordinator of that program. And I said, no, I’m waiting for the graduate program. And she kind of looked at me like, you’re dreaming. But we continued to talk about our graduate program, and probably it was 1988, we actually were given permission to open our nursing graduate program, and I was offered the position of the first graduate nursing coordinator, which that was really exciting. Building the Nurse Practitioner Program Inspired by Dr. Loretta Ford, whom she calls “the mother of nurse practitioners,” Dr. Neiheisel carried a long-held vision for advanced nursing practice. Dr. Loretta Ford, known as “The Mother of the Nurse Practitioner Program, was a profound influence on Mary Neiheisel. Dr. Neiheisel says, “The year that I graduated with my master’s degree, Dr. Loretta Ford, who is considered the mother of nurse practitioners, the superwoman of nurse practitioners, actually came to our class and told us about the nurse practitioner program that she was starting, and she was a pediatric nurse. So it would be a pediatric nurse practitioner program. I was fascinated by the description that she gave for nurse practitioners and the independence that they would have and the way that they would be able to help patients, help people, help the population, not only in illness but in health, to maintain their health, to prevent disease. And I continued to kind of follow Dr. Ford and read what she was doing and seeing these programs opened. And she did start her program at the University of Colorado. She had six nurse practitioner students that year. There was, again, a lot of opposition to another role for nurses, but there was also a lot of support. She went on a national news. She went all over the country talking about the nurse practitioner program. She went from the University of Colorado to New York, started nurse practitioner programs there. And by that time they were really spreading across the country. In 1988, we finally were able to start our graduate nursing program at USL.” She describes the early challenges, resistance from some physicians, and the persistence required to establish the program. Dr. Neiheisel went back to school herself to become a family nurse practitioner, helping launch the nurse practitioner track and graduating the program’s first students in 1995. “It wasn’t long before the physicians were employing the nurse practitioners, and now they’re employed in clinics and hospitals.” High Standards and Lasting Impact Addressing her reputation as a demanding instructor, Dr. Neiheisel reflects: “I guess I did have high expectations knowing that one day I was going to need their assistance, perhaps played a role in it.” She speaks with pride about her students’ success and the responsibility of preparing nurses to be confident, capable, and compassionate professionals. The Evolution of Nursing From glass medicine cups and manual dosage calculations to electronic health records and patient portals, Dr. Neiheisel walks through six decades of change: “Technology has changed things in many ways… but we have lost some of that more personal touch.” She noted that nurse practitioners often help bridge that gap by spending more time with patients and answering their questions. Retirement — and Staying Connected Though she recently retired, Dr. Neiheisel emphasizes that she remains deeply connected to both nursing and the university: “It’s not like a total separation. I’m still very proud of our university and my years there.” She continues part-time work at Faith House, attends concerts on campus, and remains engaged with the humanities and music communities. A Life of Civic and Cultural Service Dr. Neiheisel reflects on decades of civic involvement, including United Way of Acadiana, Rotary Club of Lafayette, the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, Acadiana Center for the Arts, Zonta International, Foundation for Wellness, and the Lafayette Public Library Foundation. Of all her commitments, she says simply: “Faith House is my love.” She shares candidly about learning the realities of domestic violence, supporting women and children, fundraising for shelter operations, and recognizing community leaders through the Mary B. Neiheisel Patron of Hope Award. Named in honor of Dr. Mary B. Neiheisel, the award celebrates those who have gone above and beyond in their support of Faith House and its mission. Each year, the Patron of Hope Award will be presented to an individual who mirrors Dr. Neiheisel’s enduring passion for advocacy, service, and hope, Teaching, Challenges, and Why She Stayed On the most rewarding part of teaching: “Meeting students is a blessing, watching them learn. That ‘aha’ moment is just so rewarding.” On the greatest challenge of teaching: “Keeping up. It seems like it’s changing every five minutes.” And on why she chose to build her life in Lafayette: “The people. The atmosphere, the culture. I feel like I have several Louisiana families.” Life Beyond the Classroom In closing, Dr. Neiheisel shared her love of music, reading, travel, and the arts, along with a lighthearted story about an unsuccessful tomato garden that led her to grow zinnias instead. She speaks fondly of trips to Colorado, visiting her grandchild in Boston, and appreciating both travel and home.

Andre Michot, a driving force behind Louisiana’s cultural soundscape and a founding member of the Grammy-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss Michot Accordions. Widely known for pushing Cajun music forward while remaining deeply rooted in tradition, Andre’s influence extends well beyond the stage. He is also the proprietor and craftsman behind Michot Accordions, where he builds, restores, and customizes traditional Cajun accordions entirely by hand, creating instruments that don’t just make music, but carry culture. We sat down with Andre right before Christmas 2025, inspired in part by a recent Acadiana Profile article highlighting local craftsmen who help preserve the region’s musical heritage. Andre reflected on the shrinking number of Cajun accordion builders, noting that while there are now “maybe 10 or 12 accordion builders in South Louisiana,” there were once “30 or more in the 70s and 80s.” A Family Steeped in Music Andre’s musical roots run deep. He grew up surrounded by Cajun music through his father and uncles, who started playing together as Les Frères Michot, an all-brothers Cajun band, in 1986. The individual musicians have played with each other and with numerous other groups since then. Although accordion music was always present in his home, Andre didn’t begin playing the instrument himself until age 24. Before that, he filled in on guitar with his family’s band in the mid-to-late 1980s. “That’s what I play with Lost Bayou Ramblers,” Andre shared, explaining that he learned accordion by borrowing instruments from his father, uncles, and anyone else who would lend him one. In 1998, Andre and his brother Louis formed Lost Bayou Ramblers, with Louis playing fiddle at the same time Andre took up accordion. Learning the Craft Andre’s path to accordion building began through curiosity and mentorship. A pivotal moment came when his friend Ray Abshire encouraged him to learn tuning from Randy Falcon, a respected accordion builder known for a sound associated with Cajun music from the 1930s through the 1970s. “There’s probably no playbook,” Andre explained. “It’s mostly done by ear.” While machines help with precision, tuning ultimately depends on feel: air pressure, reed response, and how notes interact when played together. Andre described the Cajun accordion as “quite a feat of engineering,” with “a hundred little metal reeds” held in place by beeswax. Unlike guitars, which rely on resonance, the accordion produces sound through air compression, making it both mechanical and deeply physical to play. Inside a Cajun Accordion Technically known as a melodeon, the Cajun accordion features ten buttons on the melody side and two bass buttons for rhythm. Pressing a single button opens air channels to four sets of reeds across different octaves, producing layered sound from one note. The bellows, expanding and contracting, drive both airflow and rhythm. “It’s very physical,” Andre said. “When I started, I would get halfway through a song and be out of breath.” He later realized he had been breathing in and out with the bellows themselves. Cajun accordions are diatonic, meaning each button produces different notes depending on whether the bellows are pushed or pulled. This design creates the distinctive rhythmic pulse central to Cajun music. From Repair to Building Andre’s transition from tuning and repair to full instrument building came when Randy Falcon offered to teach him how to build rather than sell him an accordion. With a background in carpentry and furniture-making, Andre found the process both challenging and deeply satisfying. After building his first accordion, word spread, especially as audiences learned of his craft through Lost Bayou Ramblers’ performances. Orders followed from family, fellow musicians, and fans. “That gives the accordion its soul,” Andre said of the delicate reed work. “That part has got to be right.” Materials, Sound, and Customization Most accordion components can be sourced locally, including wood, often cypress, sometimes supplied by customers themselves. Certain parts come from Italy, where Andre says, “80 to 90% of the accordions and accordion parts in the world” are produced, particularly reeds and bellows, which require a highly specialized manufacturing process. Andre customizes each instrument based on how a musician plays. He listens to recordings, watches hand positioning of the artist, and considers tonal preferences. Differences in reed materials, zinc versus aluminum plates, steel reeds, block shaping, and tuning style, all can dramatically affect sound. “It helps playing the accordion in addition to building them,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to put those two together.” The Joy of Completion Building an accordion takes Andre an estimated 80 to 100 hours, from cutting raw wood to final tuning. As he approaches the final stages, installing reeds, buttons, and bellows, he describes entering a kind of creative frenzy. “I can’t wait to hear how it sounds,” he said. “I’ve built over 50 accordions now, and I still feel that way.” Properly made, an accordion can last decades. Andre plays an instrument that is over 100 years old, including one built in the early 1900s that passed through the hands of Ray Abshire and family members before reaching him. Preserving Cajun Culture Andre sees his work as cultural preservation. By continuing the tuning methods and building styles passed down by mentors like Randy Falcon, he maintains a sound closely tied to a specific era of Cajun music. “You can play a Cajun accordion built and tuned here,” he explained, “and it’s going to sound and feel different than one built elsewhere.” That sense of lineage—of sound shaped by place—is central to his work. Music That Never Stops Andre described music as a constant presence. “I’m constantly waking up with songs in my head,” he said, sometimes humming melodies into his I-phone voice memos late at night and sending them to Louis, his brother and fellow band mates. Lost Bayou Ramblers’ sound reflects not only traditional Cajun influences but also blues, rock, and other genres the band members grew up playing. Lost Bayou Ramblers recently performed at Moncus Park’s Christmas event, with upcoming shows at The Blue Moon (December 26) and The Broadside in New Orleans (December 27). The band is also beginning work on a new studio album, following several recent live recordings, including their collaboration with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. For a more thorough history on the accordion’s history in South Louisiana, visit Lafayette Travel at https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/stories/post/cajun-creole-instruments-accordion/ Visit https://www.michotaccordions.com/ for more information on Andre Michot’s offerings.

Adam Daigle, Business Editor at the Acadiana Advocate, shares his insights on the top business stories shaping Lafayette and Acadiana in 2025. He discusses the exciting arrival of Trader Joe's and the region's manufacturing growth, highlighting the economic resilience post-Covid. Adam explores the uneven performance of restaurants, the impact of retail growth, and the challenges from the closure of SafeSource Direct. He also reflects on North Lafayette's future and the ongoing drive to revitalize local communities through development.

Hans Nelsen, known as 'Fast', is a veteran radio personality and co-host of Big 102.1's morning show, with a rich career since 1985. Joining him is Sean Trcalek, GM of KATC TV-3 and his lifelong friend. They discuss their early love for music and radio, the thrill of creating on-air characters, and the challenges modern broadcasting faces. Hans shares the poignant story of his son’s organ donation advocacy and their commitment to local broadcasting amidst changing technology. Their chemistry and humor shine through, revealing the heart behind their long-standing friendship.

We welcome Lafayette’s own master of illusion, Devon Faul, one of Acadiana’s most captivating magicians. Devon is known for blending sleight of hand with a deep sense of showmanship to create experiences that leave audiences spellbound. From close-up moments to full stage performances, Devon brings a unique blend of creativity, humor, and heart to his craft. We explore his journey into magic, the discipline required to master illusion, and the universal connection he creates through wonder and surprise. The Universal Language of Wonder Devon says that people of all ages speak the universal language of wonder and awe. In today’s world, he believes many people don’t get that feeling as often as they used to because everyone’s kind of in survival mode. Magic, for him, is a way to reach out to people in a universal way and give them a feeling that they haven’t had before, one that reaches you on a deeper level. Magic for Devon is “the human condition, psychology, philosophy, struggles, triumph.” Day Job at Stuller Devon’s day job is work at Stuller, the largest jewelry manufacturer and distributor in North America headquartered in Lafayette. He calls it “kind of a dream,” explaining that they take people seriously and foster an environment where employees “feel like you can be a person. I’m super lucky to be working with them.” How Magic Began: “A Place of Vulnerability” Devon began devoloping his magic craft at age ten years of age, but not in the traditional way. He didn’t get hooked by a magic kit or a grandparent pulling a coin from behind his ear. Instead, he says “it actually started because my dad was in the oil field, so we moved a lot”—Wyoming, Louisiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas.” “I was always the weird, quiet, out-of-state kid. You know, Wyoming people are very different than Louisiana people, who are very different from Virginia people. It’s like their own countries. Each state is its own territory.” Frequent moves and feeling out of place led to bullying: “People want to tear down that which they do not understand.” As a ten-year-old, he imagined that maybe people wouldn’t bully him “if I had superpowers, if I could become Superman.” Magic became “the closest thing to superpowers,” a way to bridge gaps, build confidence, and connect. Early Magic: Cards, Psychology, and Possibilities Devon started with card tricks, “kind of everyone’s entry point.” He explained that card magic involves numbers, memory, psychology, and timing. “It’s getting used to handling a deck of cards just like any tool.” He shares one of the mathematical realities that inspired him: If you shuffle a 52-card deck, “no deck has ever been in that exact order, and statistically, no deck in the future ever will be.” The concept mesmerized him: “It’s math, science and statistics and psychology.” “You get into, like, this weird area of random knowledge. For example, if you have a deck of 52 cards, figure out numerically how many possibilities are on a deck of cards. It is mathematically 52 factorial, which is 52 times 51 times 50, all the way down to one. Which means if you shuffle a deck of cards in the history of a deck of cards, no deck has ever been in that exact order. And statistically, no deck in the future ever will be in that exact order. It is a deck of cards and magic, but it’s also math, science and statistics. So, you start off with card tricks and then you branch into anything and everything from there.” Rejecting Gimmicks: “I Pride Myself on My Sleight of Hand” While some magicians use trick decks, Devon says, “I pride myself on my sleight of hand. I don’t ever want to be reliant on any kind of apparatus. That’s not magic.” He wants spectators to be able to inspect anything he uses. “Magic will come for those who seek it. I’ve always told people I don’t have any special capabilities that anyone else can’t develop. I just put in the time, the energy and the effort. Everyone wants the view from the top of the mountain, but very few people want to actually climb the mountain. And so it’s the destination, but it’s also more so the journey. So once you get the knack for cards and you develop that dexterity, then you see other things that are maybe more visual.” Learning Through YouTube and Persistence Devon began learning magic through YouTube “when I was like 9 or 10.” Some tricks came easily; others took relentless practice. “The cool thing about magic is that it kind of compounds a little bit… it builds the dexterity in your hand to then be able to do something totally different.” Beyond Cards: Ropes, Coins, Rings, and Mentalism Devon performs with cards, coins, rings, ropes, and also does mentalism—“reading minds.” He studied reading systems and even tarot, not spiritually, but “as a way to understand it for what it is.” He notes that ancient magicians, including shamans and the oracle at Delphi, used magic to bring people spiritual well-being and peace of mind, much like the psychological effects we recognize today. Magic as a Fine Art Devon believes magic belongs alongside poetry, storytelling, and painting. “Magic is so pervasive through human history,” he says, describing innovators like Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin and the famed Light and Heavy Chest illusion. “The effect would be that the magician might be able to lift the box. But when the box is set back down, no other spectator could lift it. Or maybe a child could lift it, but no adult could.“ This magician has been rumored to have stopped a violent revolt in Algeria that threatened to erupt into a full-scale war with France. In 1856, the French government commissioned him to perform his magic for Algerian tribal chiefs, who were being incited to rebellion by religious leaders claiming magical powers. Houdin’s show of superior illusion, including catching a bullet and the light and heavy chest trick, demoralized the rival magicians and quelled the uprising.  Defining Magic: “Perception Is Reality” Devon sees magic as the art of altering perception: “Magic is about perception… because perception is reality.” While science says matter cannot be created or destroyed, “a magician pulls a coin out of thin air.” The illusion forces us to confront the gap between what is real and what seems real. Close-Up, Parlor, Stage, and Specialization Devon explains that magicians often specialize in: Close-Up — his specialty Parlor Stage magic (Criss Angel, David Copperfield) Escapism Mentalism He prefers close-up and parlor for the “intimacy” they create. Silent Magic: Lessons from Teller Devon admires Penn & Teller. Teller doesn’t speak because “he found that the magic would speak for itself.” Devon notes that magicians unconsciously build misdirection into speech patterns, but Teller proves that “you could say absolutely nothing and let the magic speak for itself.” At 28: “Overwhelming, but in the Best Way” Devon loves connecting with people: “We all have stories… we’re like screaming, this is me, this is who I am.” Magic allows him to meet people and share meaningful experiences, because “none of us make it out alive… we’re all in the same playing field.” His signature maroon velvet suit and handlebar mustache? It’s intentional: “I love the vaudeville style of magic.” And yes—he wears velvet suit to work: “Oh, absolutely.” “Being a Magician Is a Mindset” Devon says: “Being a magician is not necessarily just a career choice… It’s a mindset.” A magician is “someone who creates their universe,” seeks knowledge, solves problems from new angles, and explores what is “possible versus impossible.” Magic teaches him to “tear open the fabric of reality for just a split second.” Magic in the Workplace: Connecting People Devon explains that magic at corporate events can make “two people who have been working together for ten years and just never seen each other” suddenly bond. Magic creates conversations that lead to genuine connection. “Magic speaks to everyone… it’s arguably unmatched in that regard.” Hypnosis: A Surprising First Attempt Devon once hypnotized his cousin after practicing from YouTube tutorials. Her hand stuck to the wall—so convincingly that “the genuine look of concern in her eyes told me, oh wait, this might be real.” When he released her, “you could hear the sound of her hand coming off the wall.” She told him, “my brain was telling my hand to move and it wouldn’t respond.” He explains that hypnosis is misunderstood but real, sharing examples like highway hypnosis while driving and gut-level decisions. Magic’s Origins in Misdirection and Thievery Devon discusses how the same psychological tools magicians use were once used by pickpockets and con artists. He references a historic painting depicting the cups and balls trick—“the oldest trick in the book”—where someone is performing magic while a thief steals a nearby spectator’s purse.”“In the ancient times of the Pharaoh, slaves would do magic tricks to distract the Pharaoh while others would sneak in and steal food. Some of the oldest magic tricks were removing the head of a goose and then reattaching it. And then the goose would walk or fly away.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGY0wPAnus Devon also discussed a modern day master of deception, Apollo Robbins, who is one of the world’s leading experts on pickpockets and confidence crimes. Robbins made national news as the man who pick-pocketed the Secret Service while entertaining former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. He uses pick-pocketing and sleight-of-hand to demonstrate proximity manipulation, diversion techniques and attention control. Devon explained the science behind misdirection used by magicians: “There’s this little guy in your head and he’s running the security cameras and he sees everything, but he still has blind spots. You can only take in so much information at one time, and you don’t know what you don’t know. You can’t see what you can’t see. So there are times where if you’re looking here, something is happening elsewhere, or I’m setting something up in ten minutes, but because you don’t know what’s happening, you don’t know that me rubbing my nose is going to be something that helps me in like ten minutes. So there is like a core tool set, psychology.” Visit https://devonfaul.com/ or call 337-366-2014 to contact Devon Faul.

Our guest is Teri Dupuy-Gore, Executive Director of Hub Lafayette Urban Ministries, a Christ-centered outreach serving our neighbors experiencing homelessness, chronic poverty, hunger, and difficult life transitions. Teri shares how The Hub and its Lovewell Center at 1515 W. University Avenue in Lafayette, create a place to be present in our community and love people right where they are, offering not only practical resources but dignity, relationship, and restored hope. The Lovewell Center: Eat Well, Dress Well, Style Well, Smell Well Teri explains that Hub Lafayette Urban Ministries “actually unifies two separate ministries,” and that this conversation focuses on The Lovewell Center at 1515 W. University Within the Lovewell, members access four resource “stores”: Eat Well – “kind of like a Walmart where you can get toothpaste, toilet paper, nonperishable canned goods, things of that nature… like a mini Walmart.” Dress Well – gently-used men’s and women’s clothing: “belts, shoes, pants, coats… new socks and new underwear… gently used backpacks.” Style Well – “where you get your hair cut by a licensed beautician or barber.” Smell Well – “our six stackable commercial washers and dryers so you can wash your clothes.” All of these resources are available to members of the Lovewell Center. Membership & the Points System: “A hand up, not a hand out” Becoming a member is intentionally simple: “To be a member, you simply have to walk in and say, hey, I want to be a member. There’s no criteria.” When someone joins, the team takes basic information: name, phone number (if they have one), address (or notes if they’re living on the streets), and next of kin — “because we want to become your family… we want to be your family anyway.” New members “automatically get 20 points for just joining us.” The Lovewell uses a points system instead of cash so people can actively participate in their own progress: “You earn points by taking classes because we believe in healing and helping yourself… or you’d bring us your check stub from a job that you have now.” Teri explains that this model is particularly powerful “for people who are struggling in chronic poverty, because we can help you offset the cost of everyday life without using money, but using points… you get to make decisions.” Members can choose to “earn points and store them up, or earn points and spend them,” and that freedom is central to their approach: “We instill dignity and value in you… it’s a beautiful, beautiful opportunity for us to be able to be present in our community and love people right where they are.” Classes that Heal Broken Relationships At the heart of Lovewell are the classes that help people earn points and, more importantly, work toward inner healing: “Our classes are geared around broken relationships that we feel everyone has or will have — a broken relationship with God, a broken relationship with yourself, a broken relationship with others, or a broken relationship with creation. So our classes are all geared around healing in those areas.” Classes typically run for eight weeks and meet for one hour, once a week. Facilitators are often people who have personally wrestled with the same issues they’re teaching about: “I may overcome something and say, I would love to teach this class… using the experiences that I have and the healing that I’ve received… and share that with others. Giving them hope.” Communication classes are a key example: “For some of our members… it’s very natural to have a confrontational conversation. It’s not natural to scale that down to where it is speaking truth with grace. It’s usually just truth in your face.” The goal is to help everyone “have a voice and be heard” in “a polite and generous way.” Teri calls these classes “really the heart of the Lovewell Center” and “the heart of the mission of The Hub.” She sums up their mission this way: “Our mission statement is, “We’re on a mission to offer everyone in our city access to restored life. And we believe in what we call the four R’s: Rescue, Relationships, Resources and Recovery.” Community Meals & Daily Presence The Lovewell Center is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the yard open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. For neighbors experiencing homelessness, it’s a safe place simply to belong: “If our friends experiencing homelessness need a place to go, they come and hang out with us, because they are wanted and belong.” Every Tuesday night a community meal is offerred “Every Tuesday night we have community meal, which means we all get together and eat dinner together. Anyone in the community is invited… We start at 6:00 and we’re usually finished by 7:15–7:30 p.m.” From 6:00–6:25 p.m., there are large-group activities — bingo, class time, or worship — and if you participate in those events as big group events, you earn ten points for that.” Teri shares that on Tuesday nights they see 125–150 people, and during the day they have “90 to 100 people every day” coming through for services, community, and support. Philosophy: “A hand up, not a hand out” Teri is deeply intentional about not harming the people they serve: “The core of the program is about empowering people through relationships to see themselves the way Christ sees them and to empower them to be all that God has called them to be.” She speaks candidly about common pitfalls in helping: “In a world of ministry where we all feel called to give, at some point giving hurts. We then take from the person and we steal their dignity and their value because we want to do for them what they can do for themselves.” That’s why she describes The Hub’s posture as, “We are a hand up, not a hand out. We are not there to be sympathetic, we are there to be empathetic. We want to sit in it with you and encourage you and remind you that you’re not alone.” How You Can Help Hub Lafayette Urban Ministries is 100% funded by donations by individuals, churches, grants, and in-kind gifts. Teri says: “Money is always welcome. It keeps the lights on. It keeps the coffee in the pots. It allows us to keep food on the shelves.” They also always need physical donations, especially: Canned soups and “top-protein” items Easy-open foods like beanie-weenies, tuna, pocket snacks Toilet paper and full-size toothpaste New men’s and women’s underwear (“men’s underwear… tagless colored brief boxers or they don’t leave the shelf”) Meals for Tuesday night community dinners and Wednesday morning breakfasts are donated and served by volunteers, including local partners and cooks like Kent Zerangue, who prepares “the most fabulous meal ever from homemade ice cream… and shrimp stew.” Teri emphasizes that everyone can do something: “Not everyone has the capacity to donate money. Not everyone has the capacity to donate their time… But everyone has the capacity to pray. Everyone has the capacity to pass on the word.” For more information on donating, volunteering, providing meals, or inviting Teri to speak, listeners can visit Hub Lafayette Urban Ministries at https://www.hublafayette.org/or connect via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thehuburbanministrieslafayette or their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/thehublafayette/?hl=en

Discover Lafayette welcomes Kent Zerangue, the founder of Food With Love, “a heart centered ministry of Hospice of Acadiana” that he first began in July 2017 when he offered to cook for a former classmate whose son had been diagnosed with a brain bleed. Kent had retired in March of 2017 with plans to open a catering business, but he experienced an epiphany that overshadowed any need to make money. He shares in our interview how his parents were devout followers of Jesus Christ and consistently demonstrated love to their family, neighbors, and community through their actions in helping and praying for others. Kent’s culinary journey with Hospice of Acadiana was jumpstarted by a simple meal of shrimp and okra gumbo. When he was 18, a neighbor’s daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. The young woman loved the delicious shrimp and okra gumbo Kent’s mom would make, and he said, “I can still see my mom walking through the thick St. Augustine grass to bring Debra her shrimp and okra gumbo, and more importantly, to be present for a family in need.” Fast forward years later when Kent’s dad was in hospice care and a family friend came over with “shrimp and okra gumbo. The comfort that meal delivered was indescribable. This gumbo filled my stomach, but more importantly, this meal—this simple act of bringing food—placed unspeakable joy in my heart during a most difficult time.” Kent knew his retirement plans had to change. He decided to put aside notions of making a profit and begin cooking for families in need. Since then, Food with Love has grown dramatically in its outreach, mobilizing volunteers to prepare and deliver “delicious, comforting, home cooked meals to patients and their families,” providing nourishment, dignity, and what Kent describes as “a tangible that our community cares about.” Kent Zerangue assisted a longtime friend, Claire from his school days, when her 34-year old son was diagnosed with a brain bleed. He provided meals for the family while her son was in treatment in Houston. Kent shared that afterward, he began cooking for other families in need. By the end of his first year in cooking service, several other families were added to the food chain. When he saw Claire in person for the first time in 40 years she said “Kent, you are providing food with love!” Thus the name of the ministry was born. From One Family to 135 Families Kent began by cooking for one family, and within months, support and demand grew: “Over the first six months, we ended up with ten families.” His early recipients included “ALS patients… terminally ill, long term Parkinson’s.” “None of them were in hospice care. They just knew that I was cooking.” By February 2018, Kent approached Hospice of Acadiana to officially offer meals:“I kind of got my sea legs under me a little bit. And then they started giving me families.” By the end of 2018, he served about 60 families. Today, Food With Love serves about 135 families, preparing approximately 800 meals a week. The simple, profound message is “Jesus loves you. Jesus has always loved you. Jesus will never abandon you.“ The Move From His Backyard to a Commercial Kitchen For over 7 years, Kent cooked from his backyard commercial kitchen. Volunteers arrived naturally—“I had this lady call me one day…‘I’ve been watching you for about a year… Can I come volunteer?’ I didn’t even know I needed a volunteer.” Eventually he approached then-CEO Kacee Thompson of Hospice of Acadiana: “Do we want food with love to be something that continues for the long term? Her response was, “Absolutely.” She later called him saying, “Are you ready to start fundraising?” A space had become available on the side of Hospice of Acadiana, on the corner of Johnston and Christopher Street. Kent shared: “In less than 11 weeks, we had raised $1 million.” The kitchen is now fully paid for, USDA-approved, and equipped with the finest of equipment. On the day we recorded our podcast, Kent shared: “Today we cooked loaded baked potato soup. 40 gallons of it. And we will put it in individual meals tomorrow. We had 18 volunteers in the kitchen this morning helping cook bacon. We cooked 25 pounds of bacon and potatoes just to get the soup ready. We’re going to bag it, put it in bags, vacuum seal it, label it, freeze it. And then what a family does when they receive it, when they’re ready to eat it, put it in hot water, boil it for about five minutes and it’s ready to eat. Volunteer-Powered Ministry Food With Love has about 115 volunteers: “Half of those volunteers work in the kitchen.” “The other half, our delivery angels… visit, they pray with… They build this relationship with families.” Volunteers handle everything from chopping and baking to making ice cream. Kent emphasized the spiritual dimension: “No one thinks that they own it because it doesn’t belong to any of us. It’s his. It’s God’s.” What They Cook Kent cooks the foods he loves: “We make a lot of soups.” “Spaghetti and meat sauce.” “Lasagna.” “All of the stews.” “Fish courtbouillon.” Seasonal desserts like “fig cakes” (or “apple cakes” when figs are scarce). For Christmas:“We make them a full plate lunch… rice dressing, the pork and all the sides.” Food with Love’s beloved spaghetti is named Sadie Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, honoring Sadie, a teen whose hospice story is included in his book. Sadie loved Kent’s spaghetti sauce and insisted on eating only Kent’s version. (He did admit to adding brown sugar to the concoction!) Now, Kent says, “When I visit new families, I bring then Sadie’s spaghetti….I share her life, her purpose, and her journey home. Sadie’s mom insists: “Kent, never stop telling Sadie’s story. It keeps her alive.” Funding Food With Love Kent said, “For the first four years, my wife and I paid for the food costs.” As the ministry grew, Hospice of Acadiana began supporting food expenses. Community donors and partners like David Puckett of Café Sydnie Mae have also played a major role. Food costs now total $50,000 to $60,000 per year. Kent explained, “It’s important to me that the community backs what we do monetarily, because it helps Hospice of Acadiana to be able to supply this God driven mission.” And of course, beyond food, there are costs for bags, equipment repairs, utilities, insurance, and more. Becoming a Volunteer or Donor To volunteer: “First of all, I point people to our Food With Love Facebook page.” Contact Hospice of Acadiana volunteer services. Kent also invites people to call him directly: (425) 894-2723 To donate: “You can donate online at Hospice of Acadiana… there’s a pull down menu where you can direct the funds to Food with Love.” Father Howard Blessing is an active participant in Food with Love, and offers last rites for Hospice of Acadiana patients. Kent Zerangue wrote and published Holy Moments on the Journey Home: Food With Love Stories, a book that honors hospice families and highlights “insights about holiness at the end of life while emphasizing the importance of being present to the sick and dying.” All profits benefit Food With Love. You can purchase a copy for $20 at Hospice of Acadiana, Cafe Sydnie Mae in Breaux Bridge, or on Amazon here. Kent’s Life, Faith, and Influences Kent wakes daily at 3:30 a.m., spending two hours in prayer before starting his day:“My own relationship with Jesus and my prayer time.” He cherishes his grandchildren, loves sports, and is always thinking about food. Kent also shared deep admiration for his cousin, Father Floyd Calais, saying, “He was just the holiest of priests. The people’s priest. He was there for all of us.” There is a full chapter about him in Kent’s book. What Food With Love Needs Most Kent was clear about the ministry’s greatest need: “I need more delivery angels.”Not every one is a cook, but you can still help. He also explained the importance of prayer during visits: “Because when you pray with people, your relationship changes.” And he encourages volunteers not to fear the prayer aspect: “Don’t let that stop you. God has a plan for you. And it might be being a delivery angel. And we will help you with the prayer.”