Wendy Parich

Acadiana LifeStyle Editorial Board Member

If you know Wendy Parich you know she loves Iberia Parish, specifically the people who live here. This is what makes her such a great asset to our Editorial Board. Here are some other facts you might not have known about her.

Occupation:   

I am a retired state employee of 33 years.  I worked as a Medicaid Analyst.  The last ten years, I did Long Term Care, which I loved.   I was able to assist families when they could no longer care for the physical needs of their family members.

Where are you from?

I grew up on a 60 acre country farm between the three little communities of Erath, Delcambre and Henry in a place called Prairie Greg.  I graduated from Erath High School.

Where do you live?

I moved to New Iberia when I married the love of my life Mike Parich in 1975.  We lived for 30 years in a home with a very small yard and finally moved to the country twelve years ago.  I can breathe again.  Falling in love with this community was easy, because there are so many wonderful people.  All you have to do to be accepted here is volunteer.

Family:

Mike and I have four sons.  We are expecting our 10th grandchild in early February.   He will be our seventh grandson and of course the other three are girls, finally!  We love the women that have married into our families and their families have become part of our family.

What is your favorite part of contributing to Acadiana LifeStyle? 

I’ve been blessed these past few years to meet some of the most interesting people ever.  Many are so unassuming but yet make such grand contributions to our community.  I love when we get to bring attention to them just for a moment and thank them for all that they do “just because”.  My favorite thing of all are the people that move here from elsewhere.  They, like I, feel so comfortable in New Iberia.

Hobbies: 

The last year I have been putting aside my many passions because I’ve been somewhat stretched by community and family responsibilities. I recently started babysitting  my newest granddaughter until she begins daycare.  My next grandchild should have arrived by then and I will begin watching him for his first six months.  Next September I hope to begin where I left off, doing the things that I live for.  My creative spirit loves the Arts…music, painting, performing dance and theatre, film,  sculpture, architecture and writing.  As a lover of learning, I could enroll at ULL and be a student for the rest of my life.  My love runs deep for different cultures.especially their music.  CODOFIL tops my list in that area.  In September 2019, I plan to return to the Life Writing Class that I have been a part of for several seasons.  

Hidden talents:

Dr. Donald Voorhies talked me into being on stage several years back.  It has been great to be there and share the stage with my husband, the real actor.  I’m always an extra, which suits me fine because I’m not comfortable in that area.  The highlight of my stage performances were being a Knight of Ni in “Spamalot” and one of the Mary’s at the foot of the cross in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”   I can sing and dance and make facial expressions with the best of them…but lines…no thank you.  This experience led me to discover that I am a natural born recruiter. Actually Doc Voorhies discovered this and said that I could work for the Marine’s.  My gift is seeing what needs to be done and knowing how to recruit the right team to get it done.  My secret is to never ask anyone to do anything unless they “really” want to do it.  Thanks to Cathy Indest, I have been able to practice this in Beneath the Balconies, and the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival.  Mayor Freddie Decourt brought me on to assist with Tombstone Stories, my favorite thing of all because we get to bring back all the stories of old before they are forgotten.

What do you love most about Acadiana?

What is not to love about this area?  The joie de vie is so distinct and we have a resilience that is undeniable.  To know this all you need to do is look at the Cajun Navy.   I have loved every place I have visited on this earth but nothing compares to Acadiana, my home.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My grandparents. Although they have been gone for a long time they are still my lifeblood.

Favorite food:

Everything organic, just like the food I ate as a child on my grandfathers farm.

Biggest wish for the future of your community:

That we someday become a major tourist attraction because of all the things we have to offer.  The talent in this area is tremendous.  We can be a mini New Orleans again like days past.

What is your “desert island” album?  

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason’s Album, “The Lover’s Waltz.”

First celebrity crush:  

The guitar picking cowboy, Gene Autry.

Words You Live By:   

Always speak the truth and your word is your bond. 

What is you favorite Acadiana tradition? 

Mardi Gras, of course.

Favorite book:

There are many, but I will pick  “Old Yeller” by Fred Gipson

What superpower would you choose?   

 I would want to be a healer.

If someone had only one day to spend in Acadiana…what is the number one thing you would tell them to do/see?

Come to New Iberia, the best place in the world. You can see Jefferson Island, Avery Island, The Shadows on the Teche, Bunk Johnson,  IPAL, all of our weekly events. There is always a party going on in town.