Chief Tommy Williams were sworn into their positions at a packed inauguration ceremony in Slidell on July 1, along with each of the nine City Council members, several of them elected for the first time this spring.
Fandal has been serving as mayor since winning a special race against former council member Bill Borchert last October He won a full four-year term in the May 16 elec-
“The future of Slidell is bright. We are growing, investing and improving, but these accomplishments do not belong to one person or one administration, they belong to all of us,” Fandal said, pointing from the lectern to the over 600 people in the city’s crowded auditorium.
tion after running unopposed.
“When I first sought this office, I promised to focus on public safety, infrastructure, economic development and quality of life Today I’m proud about the progress we’ve made and the future ahead,” Fandal said.
Williams, the new police chief, did not speak during the ceremony, but in an interview afterwards said that he “went back to work the day after I was elected.”
Williams retired from the Slidell police department in 2015 but had been serving as a reserve member before deciding to take the leap to the top office and winning a decisive victory in May against former police officer Brian Nicaud. Williams said he plans to name former interim
BY DARREN COOPER Contributing writer
Overpass memorializes Covington Marine
BY JOLIE LINDLEY Contributing writer
Honoring a beloved son of Covington, the elevated portion of U.S. 190 over the Bogue Falaya River is being named the “Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge” to remember the 2003 Covington High School graduate who was killed in action the following year in Iraq.
McLeese, only 19 when he died, was awarded the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for his heroism.
Matt C ole, Sam Baumgartner and Steve Chesne, all members of the local Marine Corps League Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese Detachment 1487, were instrumental in seeing this legislation through. “The idea of naming the new bridge came from one of our members, Steve Chesne. Our then-commandant, Wade Price, approached Rep. Mark Wright’s office with our formal request,” Cole said.
“The new Highway 190 bridge over the Bogue Falaya River is the most impactful traffic change in St Tammany Parish history, and we feel there is no better way to correlate the memory of our hometown hero’s actions. Covington and St. Tammany Parish will be excited for this and happy to honor ‘JM Forever!’” MATT COLE, Marine Corps League member
Wright successfully introduced the measure in the Legislature, and it has now been signed into law by Gov Landry
“The Marine Corps League had reached out to me during the summer about naming something around here for Justin. I called my senator, the mayor and the parish president for suggestions, too.” Wright said. “We had just finished redoing the bridge, so it was perfect. It’s big, and it was longawaited, so it was perfect for this type of honor.” Cole agreed that the bridge was the best place to memorialize McLeese.
“The new Highway 190 bridge over the Bogue Falaya River is the most impactful traffic change in St. Tammany Parish history and we feel there is no better way to correlate the memory of our hometown hero’s actions,” Cole said. “Covington and St. Tammany Parish will be excited for this and happy to honor ‘JM Forever!’ His actions saved the lives of his fellow Marines and forever impacted the lives they live now For those of us who survived combat and know of Justin’s story, we are
Marine Lance Cpl.
Justin McLeese was killed in combat in Iraq in 2004.
Slidell library scheduled for major expansion
New Lacombe branch to be built
BY SARA PAGONES Staff writer
Two multi-million-dollar projects that will provide much greater space for library users in Lacombe and Slidell are closer to construction following a vote by the St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control last month to designate capital funds for the work.
St. Tammany Parish owns all of the library system’s buildings, and the Parish Council must approve the spending, which could hap-
pen as early as its August meeting. Renewal of the library system’s millage in March of 2025 made the work possible. Lacombe library users will see the tiny 1,700-square foot building that has served as their branch since 1993 replaced by a new 6,000-square foot building. The $3.5 million project will provide study and meeting space that the current library, located on U.S. 190, lacked. The new Lacombe branch will be located on the south side of U.S. 190, on land that was purchased in 2024. The property backs up to the Tammany Trace and is with-
in walking distance of Chahta-Ima Elementary School. Paul Dimitrios, with RCL Architecture, told the board that a contractor should be in place by December with work to be finished by the end of 2027.
The Slidell branch on Robert Boulevard will undergo a major renovation of its interior A 3,000-square foot addition to the building is planned, as is installation of a new metal roof. Alton Davis, of Watermark Design Group, said that the $3.75 million project should be complete by early 2028.
Several options are being considered for how the heavily used Slidell branch
Light up the Lake in Mandeville
will continue to operate during the renovation, Trevor Collings, the system’s director, said. Building the addition first and moving operations into that space while the renovation work is underway is one possibility. But doing work in phases can add to the cost, he said, a point also raised by Davis during the meeting.
The other possibilities are moving into rental space — an approach that was used in 2013 when the library was last renovated — or using trailers that would house the library’s computers and the most popular items in its collection. Patrons would also be able to request items not
located there, Collings said.
The existing roof has leaked for years, but Collings said the new roof will avoid angles that have contributed to the current problem.
The renovation and expansion in Slidell will provide a dedicated area for teens and another for families with young children. It will also have a larger “makers” area for arts and craft work, more study rooms and meeting areas.
The library system held public meetings to gauge the needs and desires of patrons of both locations.
Chuck Branton, chairman of the Library Board of Control, said the Slidell and Lacombe branches are the most heavily used by veterans, and these projects will allow the library system to create veteran resource centers. The goal of the board, he said, is to meet the future needs of St. Tammany residents as the parish continues to grow “I don’t want it to be a warehouse for books,” Branton said of the new Lacombe branch. “I want it to be a community hub.”
“We’re very much looking forward to it,” Collings said of the new facilities. “We’ve done our best to incorporate the public input.”
Covington sparkles for the Fourth of July
Cheyenne Aldridge, 10, tries her hand at an arts and crafts table at Sparks in the Park.
Maisie Bankston, 5, is an AllAmerican on the bounce house.
George Sanzenbacher entertains everyone entering Bogue Falaya Park
PHOTOS BY BOBBY GILBOY Sweet victory! Elder Danfors celebrates with gusto after winning the annual hot dogeating contest at Covington’s Sparks in the Park festival on July 4.
ABOVE: Kathy and Pete Spadoni dance to the music of Groovy 7 LEFT: When the sun dipped below Lake Pontchartrain on July 4 eyes turned to the sky as fireworks popped and sparkled to close the city’s Light Up the Lake festival.
Heather Johnson finds her groove on the Mandeville Lakefront.
PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
The Southern Militia fires a three-gun salute in Mandeville on July 4 during the city’s Light Up the Lake festival.
Old Glory waves in the breeze coming off Lake Pontchartrain on July 4 — the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
MARINE
Continued from page 1A
dedicated to ensuring his actions are not forgotten.”
Wright said he enjoyed pursuing this legislation.
“It was a pleasure. Everybody signed on It’s the easiest piece of legislation to do in the capital as long as you do things ahead of time correctly It allowed me to bring a few of his friends to the committee hearing and his parents to the House side when we passed the bill,” Wright said.
“He’s somebody who served and gave (his) life
Sometimes we see these (memorial) signs, and you may not personally know who they are, but it’s important to remember that the person memorialized was part of the larger community This was a way to solidify Justin’s name here permanently.”
In addition to honoring
VETERAN
Continued from page 1A
the trouble,” Albrecht said of the hoopla.
Albrecht went into the Navy in August of 1948 and was part of World War II occupational forces stationed in Hawaii and later Japan.
“I was stationed at Treasure Island (in San Francisco) waiting to go home that morning when Truman put an extra year on everyone,” Albrecht remembered. “They asked me where I wanted to go. I knew if I said here (Louisiana), it wouldn’t happen, so I said the East Coast. Well, they sent me to the Far East Coast: Japan.”
While not one to boast about his military service, Albrecht does remember visiting Hiroshima near where the atomic bomb was dropped.
“They had a marble bank on the corner that still had a man’s imprint,” Albrecht
McLeese, Cole said that the memorial will also be an enduring reminder to the community to remember the veterans among them.
“One of the most impactful gestures community members can do is take the time to visit our aging veterans in long-term care facilities. Just a few minutes to sit, talk and listen to their stories or surprise them with a treat will not only fill your soul with joy, but will let them know their service is not forgotten and sacrifice is appreciated,” he said.
Sharon McLeese, Justin’s mother, said she was delighted by the honor extended to her son. “The Marine Corps League surprised me with this. I didn’t know it was happening; these guys are incredibly awesome.”
She also said it was a full circle moment for the idea to have originated with Chesne, who as a young home inspector just out of the Navy helped her with her realty
said. “That’s how hot it was. I can’t imagine any bomb worse than that one.”
After leaving the service, Albrecht worked as an electrical contractor for St. Bernard Parish government. He also remembers when Hurricane Betsy hit in 1965, he handed daughter Colleen through a window to a friend as the water rose. Betsy washed away most of his belongings. Then Katrina did it again in 2005. After living in Mississippi for a while, he and Barbara came back to Louisiana and settled in Slidell. Baldo and Barbara met while working for the Sprites Carnival Club, an organization he founded to teach children the traditions of Mardi Gras. Between the two of them they now have eight children, 16 grandchildren and over 30 great-grandchildren.
Albrecht stays active at the Slidell Elks Club, helping out with bingo games, even though he
business and, through her, met Justin as a teen.
She also hopes that when people see the bridge memorial, they will remember how much her son loved living in Covington and made himself a part of the community
“He was so loved in Covington, and he loved the city He had the best time growing up here. He had a lot of friends and always had fun, and so many people knew him. Him going into the Marines was not the plan for us, but he decided it was an experience he wanted in his life. He was a natural leader He walked in the room and heads turned, and he was so kind and loyal, so through this memorial, everyone can remember him when they see it,” McLeese said. “I’m so appreciative and grateful for everyone.”
A date to unveil signs naming the bridge for McLeese has yet to be scheduled, but is expected soon.
does not like to play himself. He also maintains a woodworking area in his garage but says he can’t get out there as much as he wishes. His shoulders both hurt and his hearing isn’t the best.
As far as his military service, Albrecht is humble, modest and to the point. He doesn’t dwell on it.
“I have seen a lot of things that I will never see again and I’ve seen some things no one should ever see,” Albrecht said.
But Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal had something to say “Mr Albrecht represents the very best of the Greatest Generation. His military service, dedication to family, and lifelong commitment to his community make him an outstanding choice to serve as Grand Marshal for this special celebration of America’s 250th birthday We are honored to recognize his contributions and have him lead our parade,” the mayor said in a news release.
BY SARA PAGONES Staff writer
Wallace Laird, a four-decade lawman who served as second in command under three St. Tammany Parish sheriffs, died at his Folsom-area home June 29. He was 87.
A native of Folsom, Laird spent his entire 44-year law enforcement career with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, first hired by Sheriff Red Erwin. Under Sheriff George Broom, he was named first deputy, a role he continued under Pat Canulette and Jack Strain before retiring in 1997.
Canulette described Laird as deeply respected and recalled being told by a voter during his initial campaign that he needed to keep Laird as chief deputy. “I never considered anyone else,” he said.
“He was a square guy, a straight shooter,” Canulette said. “The deputies loved him.”
Tim Lentz, a former chief deputy, said St. Tammany is a better place because of Laird.
“This community has lost a legend in law enforcement,” he said.
Both men praised Laird’s role as an early innovator in sharing intelligence and information through what became the Regional Organized Crime Information Center at a time when the Dixie Mafia was prevalent. He
was appointed to its executive board in 1987 and was elected chairman in 1989. Lentz said Laird was instrumental in the start of those efforts in the late 1970s and early 1980s when technology was not as sophisticated or widespread and law enforcement officials shared information on 3-inch by 5-inch index cards. Laird, he said, was especially helpful busting up groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Dixie Mafia. Laird was a Covington High graduate who was an avid lifelong support of the school’s athletic programs. He continued his education at Southeastern Louisiana University and attended the Louisiana State University’s school of Criminology and the LSU Law Enforcement Institute. When he was 29, he was chosen to attend the FBI National Academy, the first St. Tammany law enforcement officer to do so and the youngest member of his graduating class.
He was also the first voting deputy to be elected to the Louisiana Sheriff’s Pension Fund Board Laird is survived by his wife, Sue, his children, Rebecca Sue Laird, Wallace Bryant Laird Jr and Jonathan Brett Laird, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
Heather Simon studies her next Jenga move while daughter Hannah Simon watches.
Maeleigh Bean intends to dunk Axle Avery in Folsom, and considering the July 4 heat, a dunk isn’t bad idea.
PHOTOS BY JOSEPH TROMBATORE
Mayor Lance Willie grills burgers and dogs while Taw Avery and his son Chisel look on.
Daisy Rose Cotton enjoys some nachos as sister Lilly Belle Cotton leans in and smiles during Folsom’s Independence Day celebration.
Mia Keicher and Mia Hart try beating the heat in Pearl River with sno-balls. Lydia Grace and Isaac Davis share a chair waiting
McLendon
Visit the Northshore gets clean financial audit
BY KADEE KRIEGER
Contributing writer
Visit the Northshore staff reported to its board of commissioners the results of a financial audit report and gave them a taste of new Master Plan study findings that have been formulated in recent months.
During the St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Board of Commissioners meeting June 30, auditor Ford duQuesnay, of Ericksen Krentel Certified Public Accounting and Consultants, which conducts the organization’s annual audit, praised Visit the Northshore for its clean audit and commendable financial record keeping. He praised Chief Financial Officer Devan Richoux and President & CEO Donna O’Daniels for the “clean and well-presented financial records” and for maintaining a close percentage between budgeted items and actual expenses. “The budget to actuals is almost to the tee, which is hard to do,” he said. Visit the Northshore is the destination marketing organization that operates to attract visitors to St. Tammany and generate tourism revenue.
O’Daniels told the board she has received the first draft of the 10-year Master Plan from the the group’s destination marketing consulting firm, MMGY, which led the study that will guide the future direction of tourism in the parish.
The $102,000 study, paid for from Visit the Northshore’s general fund, was created by MMGY after it collected data from hundreds of residents and community leaders.
She said the Master Plan steering committee will review the draft before officially releasing the report. But she offered the board a “sneak peek” into some of the plan recommendations, including creation a signature destination for the parish that highlights the area’s natural assets and local culture, increases accessibility and leverages sports events as an economic driver
“The great thing about this plan is that it has five years of implementation built into it. So, it’s not going to be a binder that sits on a shelf. It’s going to be a living, breathing plan that is reflected in all of our decisions and how we move forward. It is an exciting time,” she said.
Board Chair Patti Ellish agreed. “This is going to be fabulous for our region, and I look forward to seeing all the things that unfold in the future,” she said.
O’Daniels said the steering committee will complete its review this month, and she will present a Master Plan report to the board at its Aug. 25 meeting.
The steering committee is composed of local leaders representing a range of organizations throughout St. Tammany Parish and helped oversee the development of the plan.
Additional Visit the Northshore marketing campaigns on the near horizon include a “sip series” in conjunjuntion with this year’s “Float Awhile” theme, as well as a holiday promotion called “Glitz and Gallivant” that will last from Thanksgiving into Carnival 2027, said Kadtie Guasco, chief marketing officer.
The sip series will be a mostly social media campaign that includes a logo with animated bubbles that showcases drinks, from cocktails to coffee, and pairs with the upcoming Tammany Taste of Summer promotion. In addition, a collaboration is in the works with Chafunkta Brewing Co., for a Visit the Northshore branded beer
BY SUZIE HUNT Contributing writer
The biggest news at Jeanell Landwehr’s “retirement” party was that she wasn’t retiring.
“I don’t know where people got that idea. I love what I do and don’t intend to stop,” she said.
The invitation to the reception on June 26 in the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse invited guests to join in honoring Landwehr’s 64 years of service to the citizens of St. Tammany Normally, with that length of time on the job, it would be safe for guests to assume Landwehr was leaving her post. But they were wrong.
The impetus for the party came from Division G Judge Scott Gardner, soon to be retiring from the bench himself. He wanted to be sure that Landwehr’s service was recognized before he left, and he went as far as working with Parish President Mike Cooper to proclaim June 26 as Jeanell Raiford Landwehr
Appreciation Day
“Her lifelong commitment to public service is well known, and she has the greatest respect of the members of the judiciary here We all know there’s nobody like Jeanell,” Gardner said.
Landwehr shared a few memories from her start with
wanted to travel the world. After a while, I got a call from Judge Patricia Hedges. She warned me that the boys wanted me to come work for them,” Landwehr said. Hedges was speaking of several
parish government, compli-
ments of her mother
“I had gone to business school and been home for about a month when my mother told me to get up and get dressed She had talked with John Brewster, who was
clerk of court at that time, and I had a job at the Clerk of Court’s Office. The funny thing was I couldn’t be sworn in as a deputy clerk for some time because I wasn’t 21 yet,” she said.
Landwehr retired after 36
years in the Clerk of Court’s Office, but following a oneyear hiatus, she returned in 1999 as the jury coordinator in the 22nd Judicial District Court.
“When I retired from the Clerk of Court’s Office, I
Sheriff’s election set for Nov. 3
Parish Council opts for earliest possible date
BY ANDREW CANULETTE Staff writer
The St. Tammany Parish Council had little discussion last week before it acted to begin moving the parish beyond the stunning fall of one of the northshore’s most powerful political figures.
The council needed less than five minutes to adopt a resolution calling a special election for St. Tammany Parish sheriff on Nov 3. The council’s June 29 vote was 12-0, with council member Martha Cazaubon abstaining and member David Cougle absent.
The council announced the special meeting on June 25, a day after former Sheriff Randy Smith resigned from his post and pleaded guilty to a second-degree battery charge, a felony, after attacking a man in a steakhouse near Madisonville on May 29. The encounter and the ensuing charges against Smith effectively led to the end of his 40-year career in local law enforcement, including nearly a decade as sheriff. Smith agreed to enter a substance abuse program as part of a plea agreement he reached with prosecu-
BY KIM CHATELAIN
Contributing writer
In his first public appearance since being named interim St. Tammany Parish sheriff, Bret Ibert presented himself on June 30 as a calming influence for a law enforcement agency roiled by the sudden downfall of his former boss who pleaded guilty last month to charges of felony battery and misdemeanor disturbing-the-peace.
Addressing the media at the Sheriff’s Office complex on Brownswitch Road near Slidell, Ibert sought to cast his agency in a positive light despite the highly publicized conviction of former Sheriff Randy Smith. Ibert, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, pointed to the results of the June 27 tax referendum as evidence that the public still has confidence in the Sheriff’s Office. Voters soundly approved the 10-year renewal of a 4.31-mill tax that helps pay salaries and benefits for deputies.
“It demonstrates that even in a time of transition, even during a time of uncertainty, that citizens of this parish believe in their deputies and believe in the men and women who serve them,” Ibert said.
The interim sheriff, a Hammond native who has a criminal justice degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, emphasized a commitment to open communication and transparency during the transition,
tors from the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Should he meet all requirements of the plea, the charges against him would be reduced to a misdemeanor Following his resignation, Chief Deputy Bert Ibert was named acting sheriff. The only person to speak at the meeting was Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith, who told the council moving quickly to elect a new sheriff was in the best interest of not only St. Tammany, but surrounding parishes, as well.
“I felt like it was worth noting the size and influence that St Tammany Parish has in the world of (area) law enforcement,” Jason Smith said “The things that go on here have a bearing on things that go on outside (the parish). So selfishly, my agency will benefit from having this resolved as quickly as possible so we can have a relationship at the organizational level.”
Council President Cheryl Tanner said after the meeting that there was no discussion within the board to hold the election at a later date. Some observers closely following maneuvering of potential candidates to replace Randy Smith said there were some who wanted to see the race held next April, perhaps providing
more runway for potential candidates to mount campaigns.
The council “owed it citizens not to delay this,” Tanner said.
“We need to get a new sheriff in office, someone who can work out the problems,” she said. “There’s only a short time before someone is elected before they’ll have to qualify again next year And doing this now also saves the parish money.”
The special election later this year will be to fill the remainder of Smith’s term, which officially ends June 30, 2028. Candidates for the next four-year term as sheriff must qualify again in the summer of 2027 with yet another election following later that fall.
Dozens of races are scheduled for the Nov 3 ballot, and each agency involved foots some of the bill to hold the election. The parish would incur a greater cost if it were to schedule the special election for sheriff in spring 2027, when the ballot will be far less crowded.
Qualifying for the Nov 3 ballot will be held Aug. 5-7, and as many as six candidates have publicly expressed interest in running to complete Smith’s unfinished term.
A runoff, if necessary would take place Dec. 12.
while thanking the St Tammany Parish Council for quickly calling a special election to elect a permanent sheriff on Nov 3.
“Their efforts have provided a clear and orderly path forward for the citizens of St. Tammany Parish to select their next sheriff,” Ibert said of the council’s decision.
The day before Smith stepped down, his secondin-command — Jeff Boehm — abruptly resigned, creating a leadership vacuum at the top of the agency
Ibert described his multistep elevation from deputy chief to sheriff as quick and “very humbling.” Asked what it felt like to suddenly being referred to as sheriff, he said, “It takes a little getting used to.” In the sudden shakeup, George Cox, who joined the sheriff’s office in 2000 after starting his law enforce-
ment career in Lafayette, was promoted to chief deputy to serve as second-incommand. Dan Fleischman was moved up from major to deputy chief.
Ibert said he has no plans for other significant changes to the agency and has no intention of running for the post this fall.
“My purpose remains exactly where it should be leading this agency through a smooth and successful transition and ensuring that the next administration inherits a sheriff’s office that is strong, stable and positioned for continued success,” he said, later adding that he has never had a desire to hold political office.
Ibert said he believes voters will have an opportunity to choose from a “full field of candidates” in the Nov 3 election. He said he does not plan to issue an endorsement.
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sheriff.
“Daniel and I have always worked closely together We started at the same time at the police department and we just knew that we have a cohesive team and we’re going to continue that,” Williams said.
Williams also said he has been in touch with interim St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Bret Ibert, who was named sheriff after a dramatic shake-up at the top of the department last week when Sheriff Randy Smith and his second-in-command both resigned. Smith resigned after pleading guilty to beating a parish resident at a steakhouse near Madisonville in May
“My primary function is the city of Slidell, but Bret Ibert, the sheriff, has already reached out to me and he wants to form a more cohesive team than what we’ve had in the past,” Williams said.
The May election also featured races for two at-large seats and five district seats on the nine-person Slidell City Council.
On inauguration day, some of the city council members gave speeches about America’s history and promise, in a nod to the country’s 250th anniversary just a few days away
Newly elected at-large Council Member Leslie Denham encouraged the crowd to recognize the long history of activism and political work that led to people of color and women having the right to vote, including through the passage of the 15th and 19th amendments.
“When we embrace our differences, we not only get delicious food and great music, but more importantly, we build solid communities and life experiences that drive our decisions and vote for the entire community rather than self-serving policies,” Denham said.
“I am thankful, very thankful, to live in a city
that understands that community is bigger than race, gender, class, or political affiliation,” she said. At the end of the ceremony, the recently sworn-in officials were escorted by their spouses and family members down the center aisle of the auditorium, as fans and supporters clapped and cheered, and local musician and former school principal Bobby Ohler sang “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. Besides Denham, others returning to the council for new four-year terms include Megan Haggerty in District C, Nick DiSanti in District D, and Trey Brownfield in District F. Denham previously represented District A on the Slidell City Council. Five people were sworn in for their first terms on the board. They are at-large council member Tommy Abney, District A’s Landon Washington,
PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Slidell Police Chief Tommy Williams is sworn in at the Slidell Auditorium on July 1 by Judge Vince Lobello.
Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal gives his inaugural address at the Slidell Auditorium on July 1.
At-large Slidell City Council member Leslie Denham, right, was sworn in by Angela WhiteBazile, left, at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium on July 1.
STAFF PHOTO BY WILLIE SWETT
Ibert vows ‘smooth’ transition after Smith’s resignation
PHOTO BY KIM CHATELAIN
Interim St Tammany Parish Sheriff Bret Ibert addresses the media June 30 at the agency’s administrative headquarters near Slidell. New Chief Deputy George Cox is at left
PROVIDED PHOTO
Artist Victoria Brand holds the original artwork will
and Lagniappe poster
Vintage painting transformed into White Linen Night poster
Staff report
A stylized watercolor titled “Vintage Soda Shop” by local painter Victoria Brand has been selected as the official poster art for this year’s ninth White Linen and Lagniappe in Slidell.
Brand’s original artwork will be featured on promotional materials for this year’s event Aug. 8 in Olde Towne, and she will be on hand that evening to sell signed copies of the poster
“Congratulations to Victoria on this well-deserved recognition,” said Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal. “She is an incredibly talented artist whose work beautifully captures the spirit and character of our community I love that events like White Linen and Lagniappe give us the opportunity to showcase and promote the amazing local artists who make Slidell such a special place.” Originally raised in Metairie, Brand relocated to Slidell after Hurricane Katrina and has since become an active part of the local arts community
Brand discovered her passion for art at just 9 years old and began teaching herself watercolor techniques in her early twenties. Her artistic journey has been deeply shaped by her faith, which she says continues to inspire her art Working primarily in watercolor and acrylic, she often explores themes of hope, reflection and connection through expressive visual storytelling.
An active member of the Slidell Art League, Brand regularly participates in local exhibitions, and her work has been featured throughout the region.
The celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will allow residents and visitors to see local artwork while shopping at antique and boutique stores, listening to live music and enjoying hot food and cold drinks in Olde Towne. Admission is free.
For more information, call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.
Summertime at Covington’s Art House
BY SARAH BONNETTE
Contributing writer
It was because of teaching that artist Jane Hill discovered her love of clay “It’s very natural for what goes on in a classroom situation to feed one’s own personal work and vice versa,” says Hill, a retired Talented Arts Program teacher who holds a master’s degree in painting “I got into ceramics because I had to teach it. When I got my hands in clay I realized that the twodimensional work I was doing at the time needed to be a sculptural form.”
For artist and arts educator Gerald Ancar, helping students in his art classes at St. Paul’s School “sometimes fuels my work, and I work alongside them,” he says of smaller pieces he tries to complete in one day “I have started big pieces in our studio space just to show them the artistic process.”
His body of work — a visual Rolodex of his day-to-day observations — includes oil-on-canvas paintings, prints partly inspired by his studies in China, and mixed media works that combine prints on maps and found objects. Each piece explores Ancar’s Creole roots and his Eurocentric studies.
Hanging artwork in the St. Tammany Art Association’s Members Gallery and applying to its annual Summer Show helps Ancar have critical conversations about art outside of the classroom.
“I’m around art all day, seven days a week. Some of the students give me great academic discourse when it comes to talking about their work and conceptualizing it,” he said. But it’s nice to be around other adult artists.”
There will be lots to talk about when The Summer Show, one of the area’s most diverse exhibitions of contemporary art, opens July 11 in the Miriam Barranger Gallery at STAA’s Art House.
“The Summer Show has always been one of my favorite exhibitions. For 56 years, it has connected our community with remarkable artistic talent and introduced audiences to contemporary art from across the country,” said Cindy Pulling, the exhibition’s chair
Officially titled the Annual National Juried Artists Exhibition, it provides emerging and established artists ages 18 and up with the opportunity to submit up to three pieces each one must be an original created within the past two years and not previously exhibited at the St. Tammany Art Association — for consideration. The selected winners will get $3,500 in cash prizes, including $2,000 for the Best of Show Miriam Barranger Award.
This year’s show brought 296 entries from 107 artists in 13 states. Of those, 38 pieces were selected by juror MaPó Kinnord, a contemporary ceramic art-
WHAT: 56th National Juried Artists Exhibition presented by the St.Tammany Art Association
WHEN: July 11 to Sept. 12, with an opening reception and a closing reception on those two dates each from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: STAA’s Art House, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington HOW MUCH: Free. Regular hours are Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MORE: Visit www.sttammany.art, follow @sttammany.art on Instagram, or email info@sttammany.art/.
ist who serves as the department head and an associate professor of art at Xavier University of Louisiana.
“It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be because there were so many works to consider,” Kinnord said of the jurying process. “You want the work to have a compelling narrative as well as risk-taking aesthetics. There were a lot of people who had amazing technical abilities to illustrate images, and there are some that are included in the show. But at some point, you have to balance a work that is not as technically conventional, but has a lot more of a compelling narrative.”
Among the selected artworks is Hill’s “Vessel,” inspired by her interest in “organic form, in notions of fluidity and movement, and in how energy can kind of animate matter,” she
Jane Hill’s ‘Vessel’ is one 38 pieces — out of 296 entries from 13 states — selected for exhibition in The Summer Show: A National Juried Exhibition.
says of the large functional ceramic form she created with red clay coils and a surface technique called terra sigillata.
“It’s my most successful experiment to date with that surface application, which is one of the reasons I entered it,” she says.
There’s also “Release,” an acrylic painting by Kim Howes Zabbia, a retired arts educator and author of two books on painting While she says that “none of my work is preplanned; instead, you put the paint down and let it talk to you,” “Release” started as a painting of flowers. When she flipped the canvas, the images of birds she saw were more appealing. “I’d rather do a lesson plan than a painting,” she said. “But you just have to go in that studio and make stuff. You can’t wait to be inspired because there’s no such thing. You don’t have to be in the mood to do it. Because it’s work, that’s why they call it a work of art.”
Atrium Gallery welcomes a Covington artist and students
Staff report
The Atrium Gallery near Covington will hold an artists’ reception and exhibition opening July 11 for the work of Columbia Street Academy and Gallery owner/ teacher/fine artist Ryan Perea and his students. The reception takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend in the gallery located on the Christwood residential community campus. The heart of the academy in downtown Covington is the teaching studio model where, under Ryan’s guidance, students work on whatever draws and inspires them, producing the wide variety of subjects and styles so evident in the new exhibit.
Perea says he tries to offer his students the classical technique
he learned, while maintaining a relaxed and positive environment in the academy, a place where people come to grow, to create and genuinely to enjoy the process. The result is intended to be a studio that takes the craft seriously without taking itself too seriously, he says. And unlike a traditional academic institution, there is no fixed curriculum, no prerequisites, and no expectation that students arrive with any particular skill level.
“Most of my students are retirees who are just looking to enjoy life through their art,” he said. “I want to cater to that mindset.”
Perea received his classical training at Teaching Studios of Art and the storied Art Students League of New York and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art. Dur-
ing his training, Perea grounded himself in rigorous technique and time-honored approach to the vi-
sual technique that he shares with his students.
After returning to Louisiana in 2011, Perea continued to paint before finding his calling as an educator and spending seven years teaching at Northshore High School in Slidell. During that same period, he began teaching adult classes alongside Gretchen Armbruster, a beloved figure in the local arts community, at her studio in downtown Covington. When Gretchen retired in 2024, Ryan stepped in to carry the school forward — rebranding it as the Columbia Street Academy of Art & Gallery
Perea lives in Covington with wife Heather and daughter Harper, and outside the studio, he is a devoted singer-songwriter and sports fan.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
‘Portrait of Nick’ by student Elizabeth Jackson
‘Hommage à Banksy’ by student Brigette Gomane
PROVIDED PHOTOS
grace Slidell’s White Linen
ON STAGE
JUST SIT RIGHT BACK:
Playmakers Theater closes out its season with “Gilligan’s Island” July 11-26 near Covington. This family-friendly musical version of the ever-popular, iconic ’60s TV comedy show tells the tale everybody loves to hear.
Shipwrecked on a remote island, seven castaways build huts and explore their surroundings. They discover strange hieroglyphics in a spooky cave that speak of an ancient legend; they endure rough weather; Gilligan foils the best-laid of the castaways’ rescue plans; romance develops; the castaways have an out-of-this-world encounter, and more. Fun, wacky and entertaining with 18 original songs.
Produced by Liz Zelenka; directed by Derek Thrush; technical director Anna/Van Turner; and musical director Shawn Patterson. Leads include Shane Carter, Vince Boston Derek Thrush, Tiffany Mortillaro, Christian Gray, Aisha Sofia Johnson and Sal Mortillaro. See it at 19106
Playmakers Road.
SATURDAY NIGHT: It’s another Comedy Night at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Old Mandeville on July 11 featuring nationally touring headliner Andy Beningo with special guest Des Mulrooney. Tickets for the 7 p.m. standup show are $32. Beningo is known for his clean, relatable “everyman” style of comedy who finds humor in the everyday. Opening for him will be the up-and-coming Mulrooney, only 25, and already a regular at Chicago’s legendary Zanies Comedy Club, and in 2026, he filmed his first widely streamed Drybar Comedy special.
PIRATES: Moonlight Productions will present the “Pirates of Penzance” July 10-12 & 17-19 on the North Star Theatre stage, 347 Girod St., in Mandeville. This was Gilbert & Sullivan’s only opera to officially premiere in the U.S., opening on Broadway Dec. 31, 1879, as an immediate smash. It’s a rollicking tale of duty, love and delightfully misplaced loyalty follows the adventures of Frederic, a young man who finds himself entangled with a band of soft-hearted pirates, a troop of determined maidens, and a very persistent majorgeneral. Directed by James Sayles. Shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Adult tickets $33.42 and student seats are $28.22, all inclusive. Get them at northstartheatre.org/.
THE LAND OF SEUSS: A musical perfect for the whole family, ‘Seussical Jr.’ will take its audience into the world of Dr. Seuss to visit a family of beloved characters from
July 17-26 at the Cutting Edge Center of the Arts, 767 Robert Blvd., Slidell. Go with The Cat in the Hat into The Jungle of Nool to meet Horton, the kind-hearted elephant; Gertrude McFuzz; Lazy Mayzie la Bird; and JoJo, a Who child reprimanded for thinking too many ‘thinks.’ Horton tries to convince the other animals of the existence of the Whos, but he is ridiculed and put on trial for insanity. Only his loyal neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, never loses faith in him. Tickets $28-$45 at cuttingedgetheater.com/.
MUSIC
LISTEN: Nashville-based singer, songwriter and storyteller Katie Boeck will bring her emotionally resonant music to the Harbor Center’s Listening Room on July 14, an intimate, bohemian-styled space that hosts monthly shows by mostly acoustic touring artists. Boeck’s music rests at the intersection of contemporary folk, Americana and soul. A 2023 Kerrville New Folk winner and two-time Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter Showcase finalist, Boeck is gaining recognition as a standout voice in the independent folk scene. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; music 7 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. at 100 Harbor Blvd. in Slidell. Tickets at eventbrite.com/.
BEGINNER’S BLUEGRASS: Free Slow Jam on July 13 (every second Monday) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pavilion in Abita Springs at 22049 Main St. Bring a chair for yourself. Free session welcomes musicians new to jamming and playing with others, as well as those who want to practice playing at a slower tempo. Get more session details at nstms.org/.
IRISH: There’s a traditional Irish session on July 16 (every third Thursday) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the back room of Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St Musicians and musiclovers to play and sing favorite pieces of Celtic music. Visit thesession.org/tunes to find music catalog or go to nstms.org for details.
FUNDRAISERS
BEAN TEAMS: St. Tammany’s annual dueling red beans and rice fundraisers to benefit the United Way of Southeast Louisiana takes place soon, so get ready to buy $10 lunches for the family, all your friends or your colleagues at work. The first red beans and rice sale on behalf of the western section of the parish takes place July 27 in the Briggs Assembly Center on St. Paul’s campus in Covington, and on Aug. 3, the eastern team will prepare and sell their lunches in Slidell Auditorium. This good-natured (serious) competition kicks off the United Way campaign season in St. Tammany, and funds raised this year will support suicide prevention programs, mental health services, and other local United Way programs. Sponsorships for the east or west team are available by contacting Jamie Clark at jamiec@unitedwaysela.org or (504) 827-6894. GO BANANAS: American Legion Post 16 in Covington will hold its sixth annual Great American Legion Banana Split Celebration on Aug 22, with profits from the sale of old-fashioned banana splits and ice cream sundaes donated to the Northshore Food Bank. Volunteers
are needed to help. Call (985) 3343036 or (985) 892-0677 to discuss or sign up.
COMMUNITY GUMBO
STROLLING: Get out the flip-flops and little umbrellas because the ninth annual Kokomo Stroll is about to roll at the Covington Trailhead. Crowds celebrating summer are expected to stroll along celebrating summer July 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with special drinks, live music and yummy bites. The stroll happens rain or shine. Tickets are $45 at gocovington.org/event/kokomostroll-2026/. FREE DAY: Pelican Park will hold a free Day in the Park Festival July 11 starting at noon at 63350 Pelican Drive, near Mandeville. There will be hands-on workshops, giveaways, and a car show; vendors offering food, beverages and art; plus a DJ and live music. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be an EDM after-party from The Groves stage. Come out and celebrate the power of parks!
FOLSOM: Folsom Recreation District No. 12/Magnolia Park hosts its 2026 Community Expo July 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a free family event with more than 40 vendors. Free sports physicals for student-
athletes offered on-site, as well as mammogram screenings, lung screenings (which must be scheduled), hearing tests and a blood drive. Food truck on site at the 13296 La. 40 park. For more, contact Lisa Peacock at Lpeacock.rd12@gmail. com; call (985) 796 5045; or go online to magnoliaparkfolsom.com/.
FEDS: Slidell Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal
