The Daily Advertiser from Lafayette, Louisiana • 26

66 The Advertiser tbeadvertiser.een Sunday, December 26, 2010J Even after many years, friends still pleasantly surprise us Sometimes in life, it's the little things that keep us going. Sometimes it's fun to turn one of those little things into a full-scale diversion. For most of the last eight years, I've counted my blessings to spend the day after Christmas with one of my best friends in the whole wide world. Cathy and I met in college. She was a junior.

I was a freshman. She was she thought enough of me to propose such a notion and was thrilled at the prospect. She may not even remember that, but it's one of those moments stuck on a loop in my head. Even back then, Cathy was a serious girl full of self-discipline. She could also be loads of fun, but she was a girl focused on getting things done.

Through the years, we've Jan Risher Long Story Short the president-elect of the student organization we were both very involved with, and we both studied English. When Cathy suggested that we room together the next fall, I couldn't believe Outdoor Kitchens Cypress Structures Outdoor Living Pergolas Pool House Play Homes been there for each other. We graduated from college and were in each other's weddings. Eventually, she and her husband became missionaries to Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa. When she came back to the States to have her first child, I traveled across the country to be with her.

For the 12 years she lived in Africa, we wrote letters boxes and boxes of letters, long before the Internet came on the scene (at least Internet in a remote African village). Finally, I was able to go to Africa to visit her and her family a trip that profoundly changed my life. Cathy is a steadfast girl. I can only imagine the highs and lows of living in one of the world's poorest countries. While there, she did what she could do to make it a better place.

Eight years ago, they mbved back to the States where she has continued her service to others. As long as I've known her, I've never known her to call attention to herself. bers to get on the ball. In fact, I submit that some of us have gotten a teeny-bit obsessed with voting the maximum 10 times every 24 hours. I've been heartened by some of my friends people who have never met Cathy, have gotten on board and are recruiting their friends to vote 10 times every single day The silliness of it all -has made us a bit giddy.

I speculate on what inspired Cathy and the rest of us to embrace this contest. I think she may have been looking for a little extra excitement in her life. Even though we all recognize that in the big picture this contest is an inconsequential diversion, Cathy has had fun. With more than 30,000 votes in her favor, she has a solid hold on third place for now, but the contest doesn't end until midnight Dec. 31.

Hopefully, between now and then, we can pull out a victory for Cathy. Yes, it's silly, but sometimes embracing the silly is good for us all. Until three weeks ago. When I got a phone call from her that still blows my mind. "Jan, I've decided to enter a clothing company's modeling contest.

If I win, I'll go to Minneapolis and be featured in their upcoming catalog. When I entered, I thought it was basically an essay contest. So, I wrote a short piece about my life as a mother, daughter, sister and friend. Then I realized it's one of those contests lhat requires people to vote online. So, I'm wondering if you could help me get some votes." Had she called and told me she was leaving for the moon on Tuesday, I would have been less surprised.

After a moment of stunned silence, I rallied and said, "Sign me up, girl. Consider me your self-appointed campaign manager." The combination of Cathy's sweet-stay-in-the-background nature and surprising request has inspired many of her friends and family mem safe CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION LA-IOOCn 89038 Outbuildings Derek HankS 337-984-9293 cell: 962 arm AND JAVb! TODAY ONLY ioam-spm Fall Christmas Decor a rj0 1'iioto uards Invitations Social calendar December 27-31 Fall Christmas Decor Photo Cards Invitations Kf XS OFF DEC. 31 WATCH THE FEATHERS FLY Acadlana Center for the Arts. 101 W.Vermilion St. 8 p.m.-l a.m.

New Year's Eve all-inclusive event. Champagne, nibbles, live music, dancing girls and more. Tickets $65 per person, $120 per couple. Visit acadianacenterfortnearts.org or call 233-7060. JAN.

26 SOLEDAD BARRIO AND Am -kaktmlite tm ulikeunkdfao! students. For more informa- tion, e-maii or call 898-0803. Cost is $395. OIL CENTER FARMER'S MARKET Heymann Boulevard, across from Champagne's Market 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays.

Produce, flowers, desserts and more. Oil Center Farmer's Market. WINE LESSONS 7-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. In the comfort of your own home.

Learn helpful tips on wine and food pairing as well as methods on proper tasting of wine. Must be 21 or older in age. For more details, visit ChateauWineaux.com or call 8494322 to register. Price' is $59. Lafayette.

r'TTl WINE TASTING Philippe's Wine Cellar 5-8 p.m. Fridays. Call 991-9794 for more information. WINEMAKERS' GUILD Knights of Columbus, 415 Robley Dr. Learn to make all types of wine and how to manage the process.

Meetings held every fourth Thursday of month at 6 p.m. For more information, call 984-3050. -ar r- engaged or get married soon, make sure your special occasion is included here HpaqUfflMfPrn- 9r more information call 237.2?LQ. Si if you are planning tq.be 6 i ht 3444 1 Me C2t Nicole Duhon and Daniel Arabie Mr. and Mrs.

Wayne Duhon are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter Nicole Angelle to Daniel Anthony Arabie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Arabie. The couple will exchange vows at 5:00 pm, Saturday, January 1, Joseph Manning and Annabclle Pardi Annabelle Jean Pardi, daughter of Charles 14 7. NOCHE FLAMENCA Heymann Performing Arts Center.

1373 S. College Road 7:30 p.m. A passionate combination of flamenco dance, music and beautiful costumes. Tickets available i by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at pasaonline.org. JAN.

30 RED, WHITE AND BLUE ON THE BAYOU Angelle Hall. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Campus' Girls from throughout Acadiana are invited to compete for titles Miss Lafayette and Lafayette's Outstanding Teen. Winners move to Miss Louisiana and possibly Miss America. Apply online at BEGINNER EGG ART CLASS Vivian Alexander Gallery and Museum. 6165 Plcard Lane, Maurice First Saturday of the month.

Open to students from ages 12 up. Beginner class lasts three hours. Maximum of 15 students. For more information, e-mail michellevManalexander. com.

Cost $95. Call 898-0803 for more information. ADVANCED EGG ART CLASS Vivian Alexander Gallery and Museum. 6165 Plcard Lane, Maurice Third Saturday of the month. Open to students ages 12 and up.

Advanced class lasts eight hours. Class size is limited to six In brief Bristol Palin buys home in Arizona MARICOPA, Ariz. Bristol Palin has bought a five-bedroom home in Pinal County south of Phoenix. Paperwork shows the recent "Dancing With the Stars" diva and daughter of Sarah Palin is the sole purchaser of the house in the town of Maricopa. She bought it for $172,000 from a North Dakota couple.

It's not clear if Bristol v- I 4 2011 at Ballroom," Keith's The Downtown Lafayette. Nicole is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Curly Duhon of Maurice and Ms. Sandra Babineaux previously of Kaplan now living in Youngsville.

Nicole is a 2007 graduate of Comeaux High School and is attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene. She is currently employed with Macs. Daniel is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Antoine Arabie of Basile and Mr.

and Mrs. Russell LeJeune of Eunice. He is a 2009 graduate of Acadiana High School and currently the University of Louisiana at Lafayette pursuing a degree in3iology to continue on to Medical School. He is currently employed at Academy Sports. After the wedding the couple will reside in Maurice.

Jane Pardi, will marry Joseph Stanier Manning, son of Frank Jacqueline Manning. Annabelle attended St. Joseph's Academy in Baton Rouge and graduate from Tulane University in 2009. She is currently a student at LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center in Baton Rouge.

Joseph attended Northside High School in Lafayette and graduated from Tulane University 2008. He is also currently a student at Paul M. Hebert Law Center. They will marry at St. Martin de Tours Church in St.

Martinville, Louisiana on December 31, 2010. 4 A earned a Bachelor's Degree in Science. She is currently employed by Oil Center Research where she works as a Chemist. The groom-elect is the grandson of Mr. Mrs.

Charles Arceneaux of Lafayette and the late Mr. Mrs. Leonard Villard of Carencro. Brice is a graduate of Carencro High School and currently in his last year at UL of Lafayette where he will earn a Bachelor's Degree in Business. After the wedding, couple will reside Lafayette.

the in Brice Villard and Ashley Quebedeaux ARTWALK Downtown Lafayette On the second Saturday of each month, visit art galleries around the downtown area. See the latest displays while enjoying refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, live music and trolley rides. Palin will be a seasonal visitor or permanent resident at the home, in a development called Cobblestone Farms. According to real estate websites, the residence is a two-level, brown stucco house with a tile roof, a landscaped front and back yard, and access to a community pool. The Arizona Republic reports the home was built in 2006 and was bought for a little under $330,000 at the time.

From wire reports 7rlV '7 pm yJJ Mr. and Mrs. Randy Quebedeaux of Scott are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Ashley Quebedeaux to Brice Villard. Brice is the son of Mr. Mrs.

Richard Villard of Lafayette. The couple will exchange vows on February 12, 2011 at Sts. Peter Paul Catholic Church in Scott. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Patricia McGrew of Lafayette and Mr. Mrs.

Gene Quebedeaux of Scott. Ashley is a graduate of Carencro High School and a 2010 graduate of McNeese State University where she The Weiect Christmas Gift A Gift Certificate for Cajun Dance Lessons andor A Cajun Dance Teaching Video by Cat Lou Courville Dance Lessons Jan. 9 -Feb. 13 aunaays Call NOW to Register! 234-6709 it'' Shouldn't the happiest day of your life make headlines? For more information, please call us at 289-6427. Lafayette, LA www.dancecajun.com tA 100019449.