Ashley Hinson
Louisiana
Covers:
medicine, business, technology, profiles, luxury goods
Doesn't Cover:
murder (for now)
Articles by Ashley Hinson
Marist Poll: Democrat Rob Sand Leads Zach Lahn 52% to 45% for Iowa Governor, With Independents Backing Him by 41 Points
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Hinson Leads Turek in Iowa Senate Race, Kansas and NJ Races Heat Up
Skip to stories Breaking •Oil Price Forecast: Where US Crude Heads Today and Next 30 Days•ABC7 Bay Area Delivers Local News for San Francisco•NVIDIA Stock Price Today: Live NVDA Quote, News and Price History•Marksville Man Killed in Avoyelles Parish Crash•New 2028 Poll Shows Two Potential Frontrunners•Oil Price Forecast: Where US Crude Heads Today and Next 30 Days•ABC7 Bay Area Delivers Local News for San Francisco•NVIDIA Stock Price Today: Live NVDA Quote, News and Price History•Marksville...
For the past twenty years, a cultural movement has been unfolding in Opelousas, Louisiana, and at its center is the Whirlybird Compound—a fever dream of a place that honors the legendary Cajun, Zydeco, and honky tonk halls that once served as cultural hubs in Acadiana. Jim Phillips’ and Christy Leichty’s tribute to Louisiana’s rich musical heritage, which began as a kind of speakeasy-style secret dancehall, has evolved into a dynamic, multifaceted creative coalition.
An Interview with Tim Allis, author of Henri Bendel's biographer
From the Gilded Age to the era of Gossip Girl, the name Henri Bendel has evoked the modern glamor of the American elite and the women who defined it, all wrapped in the iconic brown-and-white striped box. Bendel’s blend of business acumen and creative genius propelled him from Lafayette, Louisiana to Fifth Avenue, where his eponymous department store pioneered practices that would become the gold standard in luxury retail.
The Trainwreck Inn in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
After taking the exit 11 off LA-93, the modern world gives way to timeless beauty and tranquil rejuvenation. Once called the holiest place in Louisiana, Grand Coteau can save your soul if you let it. The historic town is renowned as a haven for spiritual rejuvenation and creativity, and its newest lodging, The Trainwreck Inn, serves as a vintage-inspired retreat that references the area’s history and contributes to its creative spirit. Like most good things, The Trainwreck Inn is a labor of love.
Tramadol Abuse: 8 Vital Questions, Answered
WebMD Connect to Care helps you find services to manage your health. When you purchase any of these services, WebMD may receive a fee. WebMD does not endorse any product, service or treatment referred to on this page. X Tramadol is prescribed legally for mild to moderate pain, but there are certain risks associated with this opioid medication. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that tramadol, an opioid analgesic, carries less risk of abuse than stronger opioids like morphine.
Fentanyl Laced Weed: 3 Myths You Should Stop Believing Now
Fentanyl lacing of illicit drugs has augmented the opioid crisis. But should you be concerned about fentanyl in marijuana? Fentanyl-laced drugs have been found circulating within America’s illegal drug trade during recent years. At the same time, marijuana use and marijuana legalization are becoming more common. You may have also heard rumors about fentanyl laced weed that periodically gain traction online. But what is fact, and what is fiction?
Palmyre, a Parisian-Inspired Paradise
If River Ranch is the cultural seat of style in Southside Lafayette, then its newest cocktail lounge, Palmyre, is the curated crown jewel. Nestled among Acadiana’s most high-end shops and a chic community of townhomes, Palmyre seamlessly layers sophisticated playfulness with traditional, old-money Southern hospitality. Stepping into Palmyre on a warm, rain-misted evening is like stepping out of time. This evocation, like every detail inside the parlor-esque lounge, is intentional.
Saving Native Spaces
Sometimes, developing property can mean returning it to how it hused to be. On sixty-seven acres near Lydia in Iberia Parish, conservationist Matt Conn has spent the last decade undoing the effects of his fellow man’s impact on the wetlands. The once-diverse marshland, thriving under the canopy of mature oaks, cypress, and tupelos, had all been cleared to the ground when Conn first came upon it, left fallow and overgrown with invasive species.
Two Hundred Years at the Academy
A little town steeped in rich history, Grand Coteau’s story can’t be told apart from its geographical and mythical center: The Academy of Sacred Heart (ASH). The idyllic all-girls Catholic school, which celebrates its bicentennial this year, is almost as old as St. Landry Parish itself and holds as many stories. Over the past two hundred years, upon these 250 acres of oak-and-moss-draped grounds, girls who would become powerful women walked, as did the people their institution enslaved.
3 Ways To Save Time During Medicare Enrollment
Medicare enrollment is all about timing. Knowing important deadlines and planning ahead can make the sign-up process easier. Medicare enrollment can feel overwhelming and time-consuming to the newly eligible or for those looking to renew or change their Medicare plans. However, there are ways to make sure that you save time during your Medicare enrollment process and avoid any gaps in your coverage. We consulted with experts about three ways to save time during Medicare enrollment.
Perspectives: Cayla Zeek
At the cusp of turning thirty, Lafayette artist Cayla Zeek only wants peace. Since graduating from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2015 in visual arts, teaching at Ascension Episcopal School (AES), hustling her wares on Frenchman and Magazine streets on the weekends, and working as a full-time artist since 2017, the visual multidisciplinary artist has become easier with stillness. Still she remains resourceful, frugal—reflective, she said.
Do Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Men Differ From Those In Women?
Sleep apnea symptoms are often more difficult to recognize in women than they are in men. We consulted the experts about why. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that stops and starts your breathing and often presents itself as snoring. This condition is sometimes misdiagnosed—and often dangerous—for both men and women. Signs of Sleep Apnea in Men vs. Women Snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea. However, for women, the issue of snoring as a symptom of sleep apnea isn't cut and dry.
Bonne Terre
Nestled deep in the forests of Poché Bridge in St. Martin Parish, where paved roads wind into gravel trails and the sky feels endless, there is a gem. The aptly named Bonne Terre Artists’ Retreat is rich with the sounds, textures, and pace of true country living designed to work with nature, not against it. Proprietor Jennifer Gray, a cheerful native of New Iberia, feels more a steward of the land than an owner of property. Walking the grounds, the ten acres are rife with the life she cultivates.
You’ve Got to Pick Up Every Stitch
Should you make your way to the Bywater’s Upper Ninth Ward, then stroll down Japonica Street, you will find a collection of artist studios settled inside an old school building, bedecked in murals. Step inside, and on the floor is a sleeping rescue mutt, Roxie, in a handstitched leather collar. Her owner, Sigourney Morrison, is at work, the vintage Singer 114w103 whirring. “It’s pretty much the standard chain stitch machine everyone uses,” Morrison explained in a Zoom call last December.
Setting the Tone
Entertaining at home is no small task. Presentation is everything, and before your guests take their first sips of your cocktails or indulge in their first bite of your thoughtfully crafted meals, they will first see your table setting. Make your mark with seasonal color by mixing tried-and-true designs with whimsical accents.
Gleaux Your Own Way
There are quite a few ways you can get out and about in safe way this week in Lafayette! For starters, the ever-popular gleaux ride returns to Lafayette with a short ride around downtown – plus a giveaway. Saturday is looking stacked as well, with a hands-on decorating class and two opportunities to see live music: one online, and one offline. One show will benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families during this very difficult time.
Feel Free: Free and Low-Cost Shows, Activities in Acadiana
facebook.com/DerrickSavoieMusic There are a few free and discounted events this week throughout town! One local favorite musician is bringing his new lineup to Downtown’s latest venue, and a dance studio is showcasing free classes for the whole family in the park! A free bike ride will honor a University of Louisiana at Lafayette student with a dazzling community ride, and the arts community will conduct a Zoom meeting for potential artists to showcase their work in a gallery.
Get Farm-Fresh at Acadiana Outdoor Markets
If you’re like me, you’ve avoided larger grocery stores and markets for some time now. This week, there are three pop-up markets that provide a safe, open-air setting where you can get pick locally grown produce. Farm-fresh options and items from local vendors will be available at each stop. The online event of the week is a free virtual discussion on the arts hosted by Clayton Shelvin of the ACA.
On and Off: Online and In-Person Activities in Acadiana
Some of our favorite activities around town are going down in new ways! This week, Acadiana has moved some events online – like a trivia night that benefits future events, and even an online exhibition at the Hilliard. Some gatherings can’t be replicated for the web, though, like ArtWalk events and the weekly Farmer’s Market, which are both still on for in-person attendees. Stay safe! Have fun.
Fireworks for the Fourth in Acadiana
Sweltering heat, you know what that means: we’ve reached midsummer in Acadiana. The highlight of midsummer celebrations, Independence Day, will reach us on Saturday, but the celebrations will begin on Friday in various places in and around Lafayette. Many cities have made thoughtful adaptations to their plans to provide safety for all in attendance, so please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Saturday Night (and Day) Social: Pandemic Edition
Though Saturday nights used to look a little different a few months ago, Acadiana is taking precaution to adjust its entertainment industry for the coronavirus era. This week, Saturday is brimming with activity all around Lafayette! Live, local music can be found throughout town, and a drive-in event makes its way to the CAJUNDOME. It’ll be like any other Louisiana Saturday Night – just different.
New Fête, New Traditions This Weekend
Acadiana looks vibrant this weekend with Juneteenth celebrations at local restaurants, a parish-wide music festival, and a virtual Creole Culture Day! You can celebrate various facets of our culture this weekend no matter where you go – and for St. Martin Parish residents, “where you go” could simply be your front porch.
Acadiana Phase II: Artwalk, Protests, Scavenger Hunt
As of last Friday, Lafayette is in Phase II of reopening. Although some of us are still in self-imposed quarantine or limiting our interactions to those within our family, others are ready to venture out into the world again. ArtWalk returns to Lafayette this weekend, heralding a return of larger public gatherings, and protests continue.
Snackdowns and Style Shows in Acadiana
Fundraisers for Downtown events and the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra make up the biggest events this week! One event is a month-long competition among downtown restaurants, and the other is a traditional spring luncheon. Both should be a welcome change of pace from zoom meetings.
Live Shows, Live Streams and Live Action
Ready to venture out into the world? Still have reservations about – making reservations? Both points are understandable. For one, it’s hard to identify when, exactly, the weekend begins. We’re here to help. Whether you’re masked up and ready or more likely to watch from the comfort of your own home, this is your guide to what’s happening this weekend! All options below feature activities that promote safe social distancing.
Little By Little: What Phase I means for Acadiana
While perusing grocery stores, greenhouses, and shops, you may have noticed the increase in foot traffic – and an entirely too soon decrease in masking. It’s often misunderstood that the reopening will happen in increments, and not all at once. Lafayette City Court announced guidelines for Phase One of reopening businesses Monday, but what does that entail for public services and gatherings? We’ve got you covered.
Quarantine Corner: Soft Re-Openings Across Acadiana
As stores turn on their long-dormant lights, quarantine restrictions are lifting in Acadiana. Which restaurants have open patios ready for patrons? Which stores are allowing shoppers to return? And what are those who are maintaining quarantine status up to? Consider this your guide.
What Are Little Free Libraries?
While you’re making dinner this evening, an hour or so before sunset, look out your kitchen window. You’ll see more walkers, joggers and cyclists than usual taking in springtime air and breaking the monotony of life indoors. I’m one of them. On such jaunts, I’ve rediscovered one of my favorite aspects about Lafayette. A tiny detail that feels like a secret even though it is a nationally implemented measure. Once you know, you see it everywhere: The Little Free Library.
Mask-Making at Melodi’s Belles & Beaus
Many years, a change of location, and a pandemic made Melanie Cunningham, owner of Melodi’s Belles & Beaus, add locally made masks to her store’s list of products. Cunningham’s daughter, social media manager and part-time shop employee, Erica Thibodeaux, said her multi-talented mother is a seamstress by trade. “When we didn’t live here, we lived in Patterson and did bridal alterations,” said Thibodeaux.
Gone Native: Urban Naturalist
Should you make your way down Madison Street, you’ll find the home of the Urban Naturalist, Marcus Descant, and the third of an acre he cultivates. The garden center offers environmentally friendly products and solutions for Acadiana gardens that work within our unique ecosystem. “Most of my customers do realize it is an ecosystem you’re assembling,” Descant said.
Best Plants For At-Home Spring Gardening
Home and gardening stores are seeing a boom! We all have more time on our hands, and more incentive to accomplish whatever tasks we’ve been putting off around the house. There is one task, however, outside of the house: the garden. Every spring, we gather the old plants to make way for the new. Spring is like New Year’s in that way: you begin again. Even if you’re not a master gardener, knowing what plants grow best in South Louisiana at this time helps.
Quarantine Reads: Louisiana-Set Books
Ça C'est Bon The official blog of Acadiana Profile, offering up a heaping helping of fun from around the region. about Ashley Hinson is a writer with a concentration in music, arts and culture. She is most interested in understanding how artists think and create, and what inspires their work. Having written across several parishes in Acadiana, she is deeply familiar with its ins and outs, its highways and dancehalls.
Filmed On Location: Louisiana Movies to Stream
Over the years, Louisiana has been showcased in films to encapsulate irreverence, magic, charm, Southern gothic and a subversively sweet nature only available in the state known for its parishes, not counties. Often combining magical realism and impassioned ways of living, the state’s mossy oaks and mysterious flatlands are the perfect backdrop for mysteries, romance and adventure.
Acadiana Restaurants Offering To-Go Orders
What a time to be alive. On lockdown, there are no events or activities as we – hopefully — eschew community for rituals in our homes. It doesn’t come naturally to us. The mandate has been met with indignance, some rebellion, lots of grief, and, finally, acceptance. For most of us. In an effort to get more Acadiana residents to stay inside, I’ve compiled a list of 10 places where you can get your favorite meals from you favorite local spots.
Beers, Beats, but no Battlestar Galactica
Events this week in Acadiana Celtic Bayou Festival In recent years, the annual celebration of the Irish saint St. Patrick has permeated Acadiana. And if you think about it, the similarities between Cajun and Irish cultures are abundant: predominantly family-oriented but down for a good time, hardworking but creative, and predominantly Catholic with a wild streak. This year, the St. Patrick’s Day festivities surrounding the region include traditional music as well as a modern take on the holiday.
Community-Driven Gatherings This Weekend
Mardi Gras season has concluded, and events around Acadiana are returning to their usual blend of uniquely creative and innovative. This weekend kicks off with the annual Women’s Leadership Conference, which is sure to motivate and equip Acadiana women with local resources and inspiration! A Beer and Gear social from one of Lafayette’s premier outdoor specialty stores is a great way to meet new people, and a supernatural festival is sure to be fun (and telling, should you get your fortunes read).
Mardi Gras Week Hits Acadiana
This weekend, celebrations start early, end late and go well into the week for Mardi Gras! Everything from parades to their afterparties are featured here, so you’ll know where to go before you start your night. This week is all about runs, floats, live music and, of course, poor boys. Whether you’re into catching throws or chickens, we’ve got you covered.
Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras Season Kicks Off
This weekend marks the return of floats, costumes and public intoxication with Mardi Gras! Whether you celebrate with your friends, children or just looking to stumble upon something exciting, this weekend won’t disappoint. And this year Mardi Gras coincides with Valentine’s Day. What could be sweeter? 2/14: Adopt-a-Valentine: Carencro Animal Aid is hoping you’ll find someone lovable and in need of a home this Valentine’s Day.
Free Art Showings, New Workshops and More in Acadiana
This weekend brings free artistic experiences in various capacities. We are a musically inclined community, and that will be on full display this Saturday with the annual unveiling of the Festival International de Louisiane poster and pin! This coincides with Artwalk, as does the spring exhibition at the University art museum.
Spring Things To Do and See In Acadiana
Acadiana springs are the prettiest, albeit briefest, season.
Sweet Moves and Fests
The in-between time between Christmas and Mardi Gras could feel oddly vacant – but not this weekend. I’m not sure why January feels like it’s been going on for approximately 17 years, but that just means more time for seeing all that our region has to offer.
Acadiana Projects, Productivity This Weekend
An exceptionally productive weekend awaits Acadiana. Kick it off with a vision board workshop to map out your momentum! Follow that by planting trees in one of Acadiana’s favorite parks for nature enthusiasts. Sing some songs that evening to benefit local cultural and economic growth, then get up to network (and get your brows done). Top it off with the first Black History Month celebration of the season, and your weekend will be fun-filled and proactive.
Events To Cure Post-Holiday Blues
By now, the Christmas lights are taken down, and I’ve got the post-holiday blues. What to do after weeks of holiday parties? Do I exist outside of a cocktail dress? Why is water somehow not as enjoyable as champagne? Fear not. As we adjust to the new decade, lots of events in and around Lafayette will make the transition a little smoother. Even if there are no more Christmas lights and mimosa Tuesdays.
Exclusive Acadiana Dinners, Shows for Christmas
It’s the last week leading up to Christmas. In true fashion for Lafayette at all times of the year, it’s a time for food, music and good deeds for others. This week, you can indulge in two cross-cultural dinners in some of our finest restaurants – one of which is set to close at the end of the year – as well as catch an Opelousas native on her tour, a toy drive featuring Roddie Romero and a Christmas singalong that puts you on the stage! These are a few of my favorite things.
Partying in Acadiana – Christmas Edition - My New Orleans
Who doesn’t love a good holiday party? If you’re anything like me, you’re down for a theme, and Christmas-themed parties leading up to New Year’s Eve are the best. Before we delve into holiday celebrations with our families, there are tons of ways to celebrate the holidays with your friends! Here are five ways to get into the holiday spirit before you try not to argue with Uncle Whatever at the dinner table.
Where to Shop, What to See This Week in Acadiana
This week, Lafayette and the surrounding parishes will celebrate the holidays with multiple ways to shop for Christmas presents and take part in traditional holiday festivities. Trees, neighborhoods and homes will be ceremoniously lit. Live music is, as always, in abundance. Plus, Santa! 12/5: Wine Tasting: The Barrel of Broussard, Cass Winery and Chops Specialty Meats will host a wine tasting and dinner this Thursday evening from 7-10.
Small Business Saturday Takes Over Downtown
Black Friday officially heralds the holiday season. Small Business Saturday, however, is on its heels and gaining traction in Acadiana. This weekend, locally owned shops in Lafayette and the surrounding areas will celebrate with special deals and events that make for a unique shopping experience to get you in the spirit. Additional events include outdoor activities for kids and a special styling lesson.
Christmas Shopping and Sipping
It seems that after Halloween, we have all collectively decided to eschew Thanksgiving events altogether in favor of Christmas-themed gatherings. Personally, I’m all for it. I’ve always associated Christmas season in Acadiana with shopping with my mom. We’ve always had lots of opportunities to get presents together in settings that combine events and activities with local businesses. While the Festival of Lights in the Oil Center is off, new events are definitely on.
Benefits Kick Off Holiday Season In Acadiana
Need to get some shopping done? Want to bring home a new family member? Maybe you just want some brunch. This weekend, we’ve got you covered! 11/17: Vermilionville Cochon-de-lait: Café’ Vermilionville invites the community to participate in a traditional roast on its historic grounds this Sunday. Artisan Jay Steiner will emcee throughout the day’s activities, which include cooking demonstrations on cracklins, jambalaya and boudin. Soup making demonstrations and beer tastings are on tap as well.
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