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American Press
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Passion for preserving: Bell City man gives new life to old furniture, one piece at a time
1/5 Swipe or click to see more Corey Chauvin is recreating an antique pair of bathroom vanities for a Nacogdoches, Texas, homeowner complete with 12-inch barley-twist legs that are being custom-made in Pennsylvania. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 2/5 Swipe or click to see more Corey Chauvin is restoring this mid-1800 bar that was created in Lebanon. Only 50 were made and few are left. Inside the cabinet is a built-in turntable and radio. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 3/5 Swipe or click to see more Corey Chauvin said his stepfather used this exact model of a Sears Craftsman saw table for his remodeling projects. Chauvin said when he saw this table online for sale, he had to have it. 'I showed my stepdad, and he said, 'Yep, that's the same one.' (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 4/5 Swipe or click to see more The left section of this three-piece bookshelf built in 1890 once belonged to famed Blue Dog artist George Rodrigue. Corey Chauvin is restoring it for its new owner, who lives in Sunset. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 5/5 Swipe or click to see more Corey Chauvin said he's constantly learning and teaching himself new ways of restoring historical pieces. He keeps a copy of 'The Furniture Bible' handy for reference. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) Corey Chauvin has made a career out of reviving vintage wares and breathing life into sometimes forgotten pieces of history. It's a labor of love, and is something Chauvin does not foresee ever growing tired of. 'I have a background in carpentry and remodeling,' he said. 'Growing up my stepdad did remodeling so all my life I was always around it. I started laying flooring when I was 14 or 15 years old and I always puttered around with woodworking and furniture and building.' His business — Father and Son Creation — came about by accident just over two years ago. 'We started building little knick knack stuff like shelves, planter boxes, cooler stands and then someone I built something for asked me if I repaired furniture. I said, 'Yeah, sure.' ' The customer said his wife inherited an old dresser that had been her aunt's. Made in the 1930s, the wife couldn't bear to part with it, but it wasn't exactly usable either. 'Still to this day, that was my favorite piece I've restored,' Chauvin said. 'I brought it back to him and he said, 'I have several more pieces for you.' That's how this all started. It just fell into place.' Word got out about Chauvin's skills and now his shop is filled with furniture in need of repairing and scraps of wood for carpentry projects he is building from scratch. Alongside his 15-year-old son, the pair diligently scrap away broken veneer and recreate missing or broken pieces of furniture to give new life to historic pieces. 'I'm kind of a history guru and I love the challenge of restoring pieces that were made with tools we don't have anymore,' he said. 'Back then they didn't have stains. They used teas, coffee grounds and the sun to stain wood. Phillips headscrews weren't invented until the 1940s so pieces made before that mostly used flathead screws. And before that, they used hand-cut nails. That's when you get into the 1700s and 1800s. The stuff they did with what they had is astonishing.' Chauvin is in the process of restoring part one of a three-piece bookshelf built in 1890. The owner said the bookshelf had belonged to famed Blue Dog artist George Rodrigue, who kept it in his New Orleans studio. 'They didn't have power tools, saws, nothing,' he said. 'Yet the piece is covered in inlays — which are incredibly hard to do even today. It was all carved by hand.' Chauvin — who does not use chemicals or paint strippers — said he is scraping the original finish from the shelves using sanders and wooden blocks. The new owner wants a natural finish on all three pieces. Chauvin said he's always learning and developing his craft. 'With antiques, if you mess up you mess up bad,' he said. 'If you ruin the finish, ruin the wood you can't just go find another one. I do a lot of research before I start a project and develop a plan of what the customer wants and what's possible.' Chauvin said the process of restoring antique pieces is becoming a lost art. 'There's people who do woodworking, there's people who do furniture but there's not a lot who do antiques anymore,' he said. 'Part of the reason I wanted to start this business is to teach my kids how to do it, and keep them away from too much time with technology and apps.' He said his son is getting the hang of it, but is fearful of making mistakes. ''You're going to,' I tell him. People ask me if I mess up. I say, 'absolutely.' It's part of learning. What do you do when you mess up? Learn how to fix it. I've never destroyed a piece, but I've messed up, I've broken things, I've had to remake things. It happens. But each time I learn how to fix it.' Chauvin's favorite wood to work with is red oak. 'You can do a lot with regular plywood, too. You can use red oak or maple, both of which you can get locally,' he said. 'I'm big on local. I'll pay more for local over ordering. I'm a local business so I want to buy all I can from local businesses, too.' Another piece Chauvin is restoring is a bar built in the mid-1800s in Lebanon. It belonged to the father of a local family who brought the piece with him when he moved to America. Inside the bar's top lid is where bottles and shot glasses are kept. It is lined with glass and the lid has a mirror. Inside the bar's lower cabinet is a turntable and radio — both of which are powered by light bulb electricity. The piece survived a hurricane but has some water damage to the outside doors. It also has sun damage from when it was left outside to dry while the storm-damaged home was being repaired. 'This was the father's prized possession. Every weekend, if they had company over, he would put on his records. They were all in Lebanese so nobody could understand them. He would serve liquor out of this cabinet. The family wants to keep it as original as possible. They only want to replace what we have to.' Chavin said this furniture is one of his 'research pieces.' 'I have to replace the veneer top so I'm trying to find the exact match. Yes, we could totally strip it, add a new finish and make it look like the day it was made but all the character and charm would be gone.' When an antique piece is restored, there is no better feeling, Chauvin said. 'When you spend days, weeks, even months working on it and then it's done, I hate to see them leave sometimes. If I could keep everything, I would keep everything.'
American Press
20-06-2025
- Politics
- American Press
Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments in classrooms
Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday signed a bill mandating the displays of the 10 Commandments in all Louisiana public schools. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) A panel of three federal appellate judges has ruled that a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in each of the state's public school classrooms is unconstitutional. The ruling Friday marked a major win for civil liberties groups who say the mandate violates the separation of church and state, and that the poster-sized displays would isolate students — especially those who are not Christian. The mandate has been touted by Republicans, including President Donald Trump, and marks one of the latest pushes by conservatives to incorporate religion into classrooms. Backers of the law argue the Ten Commandments belong in classrooms because they are historical and part of the foundation of U.S. law. The plaintiffs' attorneys and Louisiana disagreed on whether the appeals court's decision applied to every public school district in the state or only the districts party to the lawsuit. 'All school districts in the state are bound to comply with the U.S. Constitution,' said Liz Hayes, a spokesperson for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs. The appeals court's rulings 'interpret the law for all of Louisiana,' Hayes added. 'Thus, all school districts must abide by this decision and should not post the Ten Commandments in their classrooms.' Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she disagreed and believed the ruling only applied to school districts in the five parishes that were party to the lawsuit and that she would seek to appeal the ruling. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' order stems from a lawsuit filed last year by parents of Louisiana school children from various religious backgrounds, who said the law violates First Amendment language guaranteeing religious liberty and forbidding government establishment of religion. The mandate was signed into law last June by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. The court's ruling backs an order issued last fall by U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, who declared the mandate unconstitutional and ordered state education officials not to take steps to enforce it and to notify all local school boards in the state of his decision. Law experts have long said they expect the Louisiana case to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, testing the conservative court on the issue of religion and government. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says Congress can 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion.' The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but served a plainly religious purpose. In 2005, the Supreme Court held that such displays in a pair of Kentucky courthouses violated the Constitution. At the same time, the court upheld a Ten Commandments marker on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol in Austin.
American Press
15-06-2025
- General
- American Press
Passion project: Local man on mission to save historic First Baptist Church
1/11 Swipe or click to see more Ripped-up carpets and floorboards can be seen inside the sanctuary of the former First Baptist Church of Lake Charles building. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 2/11 Swipe or click to see more David Shamieh believes the sanctuary's organ is the second-largest one ever built in the United States. On either side of the church's altar are where the pipes are located behind wood paneling. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 3/11 Swipe or click to see more The church pipe organ still works, said David Shamieh. 'The humidity in the building, though, is not good for the pipes.' (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 4/11 Swipe or click to see more A stained glass skylight that hangs over the center of the sanctuary is mostly intact, though some of the smaller pieces have cracks. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 5/11 Swipe or click to see more Inside the sanctuary, plaster finish is damaged and flaking off the walls, stained glass-wrapped columns have been broken. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 6/11 Swipe or click to see more Wooden pews are splitting because of the humidity and moisture making its way in through the still-plywood-covered windows. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 7/11 Swipe or click to see more The church's cornerstone remains visible to visitors. The church was organized on Jan. 25, 1880, and the cornerstone for their building was dedicated Feb. 12, 1908, according to American Press archives. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 8/11 Swipe or click to see more David Shamieh said construction workers found this painting — signed 'Pray with faith' Kent 1971 — in a room that had been previously used as a storage closet. He said shelving lined with paint cans blocked the mural from view. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 9/11 Swipe or click to see more Marble flooring tiles now line what was the life center. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 10/11 Swipe or click to see more Marble flooring tiles now line what was the life center. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 11/11 Swipe or click to see more The former life center and gymnasium have been converted into a rental event center called The Royal. Identical wooden flooring that matched what was the basketball court was brought in to repair damaged slats and the floor was sanded and restained. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) It's been 1,752 days since Hurricane Laura struck the former First Baptist Church in the historic district of downtown Lake Charles. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage to the church's sanctuary, stained glass entryway and skylight, air conditioning system, roof, educational building, life center and fellowship hall. But what, for many, would be a project too overwhelming to take on, David Shamieh has been undeterred. In negotiations to purchase the already vacant 100,000 square-foot structure before the hurricane hit, Shamieh stuck with his original goal of bringing new life to what he considers 'holy and sacred' ground. 'I love old buildings and I cannot see something like this torn down,' he said. 'I have the philosophy in life if you don't have a history, you don't have a present, you're not going to have a future. This building — doesn't matter how much money you have — you would never be able to build this same building again. The structure is amazing.' The church has 'good bones,' he said. There is no insurance on the building — as no insurance company has been willing to provide coverage for the property after a tornado hit the area in 2024. All of the repairs since have been paid out of pocket by Shamieh. The owner of One Source Digital Technologies, Shamieh has devoted much of his free time to restoring and maintaining the building, pouring his heart into every detail of its structure. 'If I can, I want to bring it back to the original design, identical,' Shamieh said. 'I could pay $50,000 and put in a big glass out front with a little bit of design where the stained glass was but that's not what I want. This church is too important to thousands of people in Lake Charles.' Shamieh said his goal is to restore the church and then pass it on to another church body who will make their own memories inside it. Two churches are interested, he said, but only if the construction is complete. 'I want to do something good for this community,' he said. He also wants to see the church listed on the National Historic Registry, but is asking for the public's help in finding the church's original blueprints. 'We're struggling to find any of the records and exact measurements,' he said. While progress to the sanctuary is on hold as that information is being gathered, work is complete on what was the church's life center and gymnasium. Those areas are detached from the sanctuary building. Now both spaces serve as part of The Royal event center, which has already hosted several weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, graduation celebrations and even an Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy. 'We wanted to give the community something really, really, really nice,' he said. What was the nursery is now the bridal suite and the former art room is the groom's suite. He's also planning a cigar area and cocktail lounge and is nearing the finish line in the remodel of the church's educational building and adjacent counseling center. One section of the educational building is being used by the Calcasieu Council on Aging. Some of the former Sunday school classrooms have been converted into conference rooms available for rent. Love for Lake Charles A native of Palestine, Shamieh moved to the United States to attend McNeese State University nearly 18 years ago. Shamieh said he fell in love with Lake Charles as a student and never left. 'I fell in love with 'Southern Hospitality ,' ' he said. 'This city has given me so much and that's why I want to save this church.' Shamieh said the church had been listed for sale for two years before Hurricane Laura struck. Portions of it were already in disrepair. Hurricane Laura caused more. The storm's winds — recorded at 150 mph at landfall — tore apart the intricate stone and stained glass design over the doors at the Pujo Street main entrance. It also ripped off a piece of the iconic stone statue of an open Bible that had been in front of the stained glass. 'The attention to details in this building is magnificent,' he said. 'I've never seen anything like it. It's unbelievable.' The stone design that was mixed with the stained glass outside carried over to the inside. The pattern can be found in the staircase rail to the church balcony, on the ends of each pew, and wrapped around the columns that provide muted light during services. 'We used the same pattern of the crown in The Royal sign,' he said. Though plywood is in place where the stained glass was, humidity still finds its way inside and has caused some of the arm rails in the wooden pews to split. Shamieh believes the sanctuary's organ is the second-largest one ever built in the United States. On either side of the church's altar are where the pipes are located. 'It needs to be tuned, but it still works,' Shamieh said. 'The humidity in the b uilding, though, is not good for the pipes.' There's much to do in the sanctuary, but Shamieh has pushed the pause button. 'I don't want to work on the sanctuary until it is listed on the historic registry,' he said. 'It's important to make these restorations according to their standards. This is not just a building to me.' And it's not the first historic building he's restored. In Palestine, he restored an 18th century three-story stone home. The first two floors are living space and the bottom floor was where animals were kept. 'It's a very significant place. In the Bible, when Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem they rested under the fig tree near spring water before going back to Nazareth. This is the place.' Though he travels to see family in Palestine when he can, Shamieh said his home is Lake Charles. 'I'm lucky. I have two mothers — the born mother country and the adopted mother country,' he said. 'This is my home. My parents are here and that's a blessing.'
American Press
12-06-2025
- Business
- American Press
Full steam ahead for St. Nicholas Center rebuild
1/2 Swipe or click to see more St. Nicholas Center intends to preserve the Landry Memorial Gym when it purchases the property. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) 2/2 Swipe or click to see more Melissa Priola, assistant executive director of the St. Nicholas Center for Children, celebrates the announcement of FEMA funding toward the center's rebuild. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) Five years after Hurricane Laura irreparably damaged the St. Nicholas Center for Children, hope is on the horizon. Earlier this week, U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins announced the center has received its FEMA obligation for hurricane recovery efforts through the major disaster declaration for the storm. The funding is worth just over $3.4 million. 'This has been a five-year journey that we're celebrating,' said Melissa Priola, assistant executive director for the center. 'Since opening our doors in October of 2008, this is the first time the St. Nicholas Center has had to navigate disaster, recovery and the FEMA process.' After the storm, the center downsized and offered a smaller selection of services from a set of temporary buildings on Ihles Road. Later, the organization moved into its current location in the former Stage department store on Ryan Street. Now, their sights are set on expansion. Priola said the group plans to purchase the current St. Louis Catholic High School location at 1620 Bank St. in a multi-phased approach that will allow them to expand back to at least 24,000 square foot — the size of their first Ryan Street location. St. Louis Catholic — which was nearly completely destroyed by Hurricane Laura — has purchased a 42-acre lot on the corner of E. McNeese Street and Corbina Road and plans to construct a two-story main academic building, pavilion, practice field and a soccer field in their first phase of rebuilding. Priola said phase one of the St. Nicholas Center plan includes the purchase of the area along Bank Street where St. Louis Catholic's main structure and the Vianney House were located, spanning from 7th to 9th streets. Phase two includes the property where St. Louis is currently conducting operations in temporary buildings. Phase three includes the still-standing but heavily damaged Landry Memorial Gym and parking area. 'We will have the opportunity to expand our footprint with a potential to add in the future in order to serve even more children than before,' Priola said. St. Nicholas Center intends to preserve the Landry Memorial Gym, she said. 'The restoration of Landry Gym will be a labor of love,' she said. 'Although not part of our FEMA grant, we're hoping that with community support we can preserve this important piece of Lake Charles history — a place that means so much because of its enduring legacy for so many.' She said the neighborhood along Bank Street has been welcoming already and the center's plan is to design a building that would make the residents surrounding it proud. 'We're excited for the future and grateful for the support,' she said.
American Press
13-05-2025
- American Press
To protect and serve: CPSO honors five fallen deputies
Members of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Honor Guard present the American and Louisiana flags Tuesday during the CPS Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Lake Charles Events Center. (Crystal Stevenson / American Press) The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office joined communities across the nation on Tuesday in honoring law enforcement officers during National Police Week, recognizing both their service and the ultimate sacrifices made in the line of duty. During the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Lake Charles Event Center, the family members of fallen Deputies Billy McIntosh, John Mayfield, Alan Inzer, Eric Bellard and Randy Benoit lit candles in their loved ones' memory. Later, Deputy Myra Fontenot sang 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters.' 'As we gather this week, we reflect on the men and women who have devoted their lives to the service and protection of those of our parish,' Sheriff Stitch Guillory said. 'Their sacrifices will forever be etched in the heart of our agency and our community.' Guillory — standing in front of five thin blue line flags that displayed the faces of the fallen deputies — told their family members his office 'will always stand with you and have respect for your loved ones.' 'Their courage, commitment and unwavering dedication to the safety of others represent our profession,' he said. 'We honor them not just in memory but in a way that we can carry forward their legacy every single day.' Guillory also recognized the deputies — whose numbers were so many that they lined the second-floor balcony overlooking the mezzanine where the service was held — who 'continue to hold the line,' thanking them for choosing a path that demands integrity, resilience and compassion. 'Your service, it matters,' he said. 'Your sacrifices are seen. Your dedication is appreciated by those who you protect and those you serve.' Guillory said it is important to honor the fallen by supporting the living, a sentiment echoed by Assistant Chief Franklin Fondel. 'It's a time to honor the service and sacrifice of those who wear the badge,' Fondel said. 'It's also a time for us to celebrate those who continue to serve, ensuring the legacy of courage and sacrifice of those who have served before us is not forgotten.'
