Issuu

MARCH 2018

08 25 30

COVER STORY

VETS HELPING VETS Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association aims to help those that have served our country.

ROCKIN FOR A ROCKIN CAUSE The ladies of Sigma Sigma Sigma invite you to Rockin for Robbie.

THE BEAUTY OF THE BAYOU Paddle Bayou Lafourche allows attendees to discover the wonders of the waterway.

BOILED CRAWFISH HOT FROM THE POT DAILY • 11AM-7PM

Weather Permitting • While Supplies Last

CONTENT

COVER STORY 8 ON THE COVER:

COVER STORY 8 Vets Helping Vets Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association aims to help those that have served ourcountry.

GROW HOME & GARDEN 12 Life on a Mission College students help others and find pure joy in Kingston, Jamaica.

17 Salon Talk

EXPERIENCE CULTURE 20 Quakin’ Up Waddle on down to ‘Duckin’ Out for the Arts’—it’s sure to fit the duck bill!

23 Financial Focus

THRIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS 25 Rockin’ For a Rockin’ Cause The ladies of Sigma Sigma Sigma invite you to Rockin for Robbie.

29 Hello GorJess

INDULGE DINING & NIGHTLIFE 30 The Beauty of the Bayou Paddle Bayou Lafourche allows attendees to discover the wonders of the waterway.

33 What’s Poppin’?

CRINGE WIZARD OF COMBAT MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION

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BUSINESS ADDRESS Fathom Media, LLC P.O. Box 5702 Thibodaux, LA 70302 985.441.7073 What Now Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

EXPERIENCE 20

The opinions expressed in What Now Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Fathom Media, our employees or any of our advertisers.

PUBLISHED+EDITED BY BEN JONES JR. JONAH GIROIR ASSOCIATE EDITOR KEN RAYMOND EXECUTIVE GRAPHIC DESIGNER LINDSEY GAUTREAU

THRIVE 25

ACCOUNT MANAGER KARA DOMANGUE PHOTOGRAPHY JACOB JENNINGS KERSTEN CHATMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS EMILEE THERIOT IAN RIGG JESSICA REBSTOCK JONAH GIROIR KATIE ROBINSON SAMANTHA EROCHE TONY TRANCHINA

INDULGE 30

WELCOME

WAVING THROUGH A WINDOW

If I’m not listening to the greatest song of all time, “Africa” by Toto, you’re likely to find me listening to musicals while writing. I’ve recently found myself hooked on one particular number from Dear Evan Hansen, “Waving Through a Window.” Maybe it’s because I’ve always considered myself to be introverted and not as outgoing as my personality comes off or maybe it’s just because Ben Platt does a REALLY good job performing. In going with a “Giving Back” theme for this issue, the lyrics have been sticking with me even more. “On the outside, always looking in | Will I ever be more than I’ve always been? | ‘Cause I’m tap, tap, tapping on the glass | I’m waving through a window | I try to speak, but nobody can hear | So I wait around for an answer to appear | While I’m watch, watch, watching people pass |I’m waving through a window.” And while the lyrics aren’t directly related to this month’s theme, you can clearly see that Evan is struggling with fitting in and being involved. The connection to our theme becomes even more clear when he wonders, “When you’re falling in a forest and there’s nobody around |Do you ever really crash, or even make a sound? | Did I even make a sound?” Now I know it’s not the most direct correlation here, but the features in this issue are “making a sound” by giving back to the community and those in our beautiful bayou land. Starting on page 8, you’ll see our cover story, “Vets Helping Vets.” The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is composed of men and women who have either retired from the military or continue to serve that have adopted those soldiers who return home to no family, friends, or means to survive after their hiatus abroad.

On campus, students are making a difference through various activities at Nicholls State University. For instance, the Colonel Catholics of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church embarked on a mission trip to Jamaica this past December. We sat down with one of the eleven students, Cari Allums, to chronicle their journey. Read more on page 12. Furthermore, the ladies of Sigma Sigma Sigma are Rockin for a Rockin Cause with their second annual Rockin for Robbie event. With the event, the ladies of Tri Sigma help to carry on the legacy and wish of a five-year-old child, Robbie Page. Learn more on page 25. Our next two features give back by preserving our Cajun culture. Starting with Duckin’ Out, featured on page 20, you can see beautifully decorated carved ducks that drive home the connection of the arts to our culture. Presented by the Bayou Regional Arts Council, this event helps give back to several parishes’ community arts efforts. Finally, if you’re looking to further your appreciation for the bayou, check out our feature on Paddle Bayou Lafourche on page 30. The three-day event is entering its 17th year, of educating people about the environment as they experience it themselves while paddling down the 52-mile bayou. You can be assured that the people involved with the projects featured in these stories are “making a sound” and giving back to our great community. We are looking forward to continue bringing you great stories from around the area, and we would love to hear any suggestions, ideas, and thoughts you may have about the magazine going forward. If you happen to have any, shoot me an email at jonahg@fathomla.com.

Jonah Giroir, Editor

COVER STORY

COMBAT MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION

COVER STORY

VETS HELPING VETS BY SAMANTHA EROCHE PHOTOS BY JACOB JENNINGS

Upon meeting the men of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), you refer to them by their road names: Padre, Harley Bob, McFlirt, Cringe Wizard, and Pepé. You gaze at their rough, black leather vests adorned with a large red and yellow skull on the back, representing the bloodshed of war, the branches of the military, and the death and darkness that war brings. Other smaller patches read, “God is my Co-Pilot” and “22 vets a day take their life,” while still others stack columnwise to display the numerous national meetings they have attended to stand next to their brothers and sisters in arms. Their polished motorcycles stand, parked at attention, just beyond the interview room. In truth, these men are an organization of support to other United States military veterans whose interests lie in motorcycles and “Vets Helping Vets.” They offer clothing, shelter, transportation, food, guidance, conversation, and a “thank you, and welcome home.” Interestingly, the United States’ first motorcycle groups are tied directly to the military. “[I] f you look at riders from the very beginning, like Hells Angels, they were veterans,” says McFlirt of the U. S. Army. “Groups of veterans transitioning back from the war would get together ride motorcycles, drink beer, and raise hell, and next thing you know little clubs are being formed.” Both the Boozefighters and

Hells Angels, in fact, were formed by World War II veterans in 1946 and 1948, respectively, making the Boozefighters the oldest of all the clubs at 72 years old, according to bfmcnatl. com and hells-angels.com. “When you get on that motorcycle, you’re in the wind. It’s just you and your thoughts. It’s such a mind-andsoul-clearing thing. You’re with your brothers [and sisters], you’re going, you’re traveling, you’re in the wind, your thoughts are clear, and phone is not ringing. They can relate to each other and there’s no pressure from the outside world,” McFlirt says. Unlike these first motorcycle clubs, however, the CVMA was founded as a nonprofit organization in 2001 under the motto “Vets Helping Vets,” originally with only 45 members. There are full members (FM), who have seen combat; auxiliary members, who are nonmilitary spouses; and support members, who have been in the service but have never been deployed overseas, all of whom comprise men and women who have either retired from the military or continue to serve. Currently the organization has grown to 20,000 members nationwide, adopting those soldiers who return home to no family, friends, or means to survive after their hiatus abroad. CVMA members find homeless veterans sleeping in cemeteries or asking passerby for spare change, wrought with substance abuse problems and the daily fight

COVER STORY

Everybody’s looking out for you, everybody’s together.

CVMA PRESIDENT & HIS WIFE

against PTSD. “Transitioning from the service back into the civilian world . . . I say it’s impossible. There’s no such thing as transitioning . . . A lot of people turn to alcohol a lot of times because of what they’ve seen or what they’ve done in the military. Some people just use alcohol as a coping mechanism, same thing as drugs,” says Cringe Wizard of the U. S. Army. “But there’s always that turnaround point where you say, ‘All right, enough’s enough.’ A lot of guys haven’t reached that point yet and that’s what they need to do. They need to reach out to us or we need to find them, whichever the case, and help them turn their life around.” One common misconception about the CVMA is that people join “to look cool,” but true members know it is more than that. “In the last twelve and a half years, I’ve seen a lot of members come and go. And the ones that don’t understand [what we’re about] are usually the ones that don’t stay, because they want the big back patch, they want to look cool,” says Harley Bob of the U. S. Navy. “They want to ride, look good, look cool, and once they get over that, they learn what it’s really about: ‘Vets Helping Vets.’” For those outside the world of war and military culture, the fact that so many veterans struggle postdeployment is beyond comprehension. “You ask why a soldier not deployed comes home and he reverts to things like [drugs and alcohol]. Well, in the military there’s structure, and the biggest thing is camaraderie. You’re being taken care of. Everybody’s looking out for you, everybody’s together,” says Pepé of the U. S. Army, Louisiana Army National Guard, and Army Reserves. “But when you leave the military, you’re on your own, you’re pretty much by yourself. It’s a culture shock. If you have a good family support system, it’s an easier transition, but if you’re single and you get out of the military, you experience a culture shock.” According to all of these men, sometimes only a veteran can exactly relate to another veteran. “It’s tough getting some of these guys the help that they need and a lot of us have been through a lot of the same problems that they’ve been through, so we try to help them out as much as we can however we can,” Cringe Wizard says.

COVERY STORY

COMBAT MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION

The CVMA contributes so much to veterans and the community at large, providing scholarships; a funeral procession of 190 bikes for the members of a neighboring motorcycle club; bicycles to vets without transportation; flood relief efforts toward Louisiana, Texas, and Florida; and poker runs to raise money for vets’ gloves, hats, coats, and reading glasses. Last December, the CVMA and the Louisiana Pinups hosted a Christmas party for the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve, collecting small Christmas gifts and 650 pounds of coffee for the veterans residing there. For the Fourth of July, the organization hosted a free cookout for the public at the Regional Military Museum on Barrow Street, raising over $700 in donations for the Terrebonne Veteran’s Shelter. Most recently, you might have seen CVMA members riding in the Krewe of Titans parade on Feb. 4, handing out goodie bags of bottled water and granola bars to the first-responding police officers and firefighters there, as well as shaking hands with civilians as they drove their war Jeeps and a tank-like track vehicle. “A lot of [our] guys, are looking for a ‘hand up,’ not a ‘hand-out,’” says Padre of the U. S. Army. “We work for the vet.” “’Vets Helping Vets, the young helping the old, and the old helping the young, going to the war home and listening to stories of the men and women who served in the different eras—it gives them peace of mind that someone will listen to them,” says one voice of the vets from the U. S. Army. “And, we get to listen to the voice of our heroes that we looked up to when we were growing up.” For more information on getting involved with the CVMA as a member or simply as a contributor to fundraising efforts, visit combatvet.org, the “Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association” Wikipedia page, or one of the many chapter’s Facebook pages. You can also hang out at your local motorcycle dealership, as you’re sure to find CVMA members there to talk to. Or, if you think you’ve got what it takes to ride with these guys, be sure not to “fix” yourself. “Let’s make that clear right now: Don’t worry about fixing your hair, your makeup, they’re looking at the bike,” laughs McFlirt. WN

Well, in the military there’s structure, and the biggest thing is camaraderie.

GROW

LIFE ON A MISSION BY EMILLE THERIOT PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARI ALLUMS

MARY

CARI ALLUMS WITH PEOPLE OF JAMAICA

GROW

CARI ALLUMS & CHILD FROM HOLY INNOCENTS CENTER

e constantly hear how the holiday season is the time to give, well that is exactly what Nicholls State University junior, Cari Allums, did over her winter break. Cari, along with eleven other college students and Fr. Andre Melancon, current pastor of St. Bernadette Catholic Church (former pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas on campus) all packed up their belongings and left the small town of Thibodaux, Louisiana and flew to Kingston, Jamaica. For a week, these students were housed at Jesus Redeemer to serve with Missionaries of the Poor. The Missionaries of the Poor was founded in 1981, and the mission has grown over the years and presently includes seven centers in Kingston that care for the physically and mentally disabled, along with the poor and disadvantaged. Following the mantra, “The call to serve the poor is an invitation to happiness,” these dozen students set out in pursuit of happiness. Every student has their own personal reason for volunteering. The reason Cari decided to go stemmed from the first time she volunteered

in 2015. “It’s hard to put into words the lifechanging experience I had the last time I was there, but I knew that I wanted to feel that same feeling once again” Cari explains. With a lot of prayer and conversation with her parents, they decided that this would be her Christmas gift...her only gift. Cari says,“My parents supported my trip financially, down to the last penny, and I could not be more grateful for them and my wonderful Christmas gift, the gift of service.” A typical day for the college students involved waking up at 5:45 a.m. By 6, they would make their way to daily Mass and Adoration, and after breakfast, the students would receive their assignments as to what center they would volunteer at for the day. Once the assignments were made, the students would be shuttled to their respective centers. Typical tasks would range from helping the residents brush their teeth, feeding them, cleaning the bunk rooms, washing clothes, mopping the floors, to taking selfies and talking with residents at each center. Around noon, the students and the Brothers

The call to serve the poor is an invitation to happiness.

14 14 GROW

CARI ALLUMS & WOMAN OF JAMAICA

COLONEL CATHOLICS

would attend midday prayer, followed by lunch. Lunch was a favorite time for the students because they were allowed to get to know the Brothers on a more personal level. After lunch the students worked with residents’ a while longer until they were picked up and shuttled back to Jesus Redeemer. Once back, the students were free to do whatever they liked; take showers, hang out, or take a nap. Dinner was served in the early evening and afterwards the students were free to relax and play games. Like most of us from south Louisiana, a favorite pastime was playing Pedro. Night prayer was at 9 and lights out by 10. This routine stayed the same throughout the week in Kingston, and students typically would rotate which center they volunteered at during the day. Cari states that an added bonus to the trip would be waking up with her friend MacKenzie, a fellow student, to watch the sunrise every morning. On the last full day, they decided as a group to have a fun day. They took a trip out to Ocho Rios on the other side of the island, and enjoyed time at Dunn River Falls. The attraction consists of starting at the beach and climbing up huge natural waterfalls. Once at the top, you are soaking wet. Afterwards, on the return trip, the students stopped at the famous ice cream shop, Devon’s House I-Scream. A week of service in Jamaica creates a number of great experiences and fond memories. For Cari, her favorite experience was volunteering at the Holy Innocents Center, which housed children, the elderly, and pregnant mothers. The center is run by Sisters, and Cari said it was fun working with women for a day. There, Cari met a precious little baby named

Mary, who was born without functional arms and legs. “Seeing her like this made my heart ache for her. Mary was so desperate in need of love”, Cari explains. Cari held Mary and enjoyed playing with her when she was not doing other tasks. Mary helped Cari realize that even with so many obstacles that one faces, it is still possible to find joy in the midst of sadness. Cari still thinks of Mary and continues to pray for all the children she encountered at the Holy Innocents Center. We in the United States are blessed with so many minor necessities that we take for granted. We do not realize just how valuable these small things arem and how lucky we are to have them.. Hot showers, air conditioning, and ice were among the things unavailable to the students while in Kingston. If you think about Louisiana weather and just how much we rely on air conditioning, you can understand the challenge of living without these things, even for a week in a hot, tropical climate. Cari summed up the impact the mission has on student volunteers by saying, “While in Jamaica, I was able to care for those that are mentally and physically handicapped. Every person I encountered was among the poor and disadvantaged. But regardless of everything these people go through daily, they still manage to have the brightest smiles and such pure joy. One of the biggest takeaways from this experience is to continue to see the positive things happening in my life. Although college and assignments can be stressful, whatever is going on in my life, I can look back at my experiences here and find the pure joy that I had while in Kingston.” WN

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Which Hair Products Are Right For Me? BY KATIE ROBINSON, THE BEAUTY BAR SALON

ne of the questions most people often ask us when it comes to product is, “What shampoo and conditioner should I be using?” We have come to find that there is never just one fit that will be your pick for life. Let’s say you have dry hair, that means you would go for a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, right? Perfect choice! Now after you use that shampoo and conditioner, and they do their magic by perfectly hydrating your hair, you may find that the hydrating agents are too heavy for your newly hydrated, healthy hair. So, after you use those products you may be looking for something that fits your new hair. THIS IS TOTALLY NORMAL. This is when you would talk to your stylist to see what products they recommend next. This goes for styling products as well. Your stylist will ask you what products you use on a daily basis or for special occasions, and will ask what your hair goals are. From there, he/she will pick the best products for you. Some staples we highly recommend, along with your normal routine, would be a heat protectant to use everyday and a deep conditioner to use at least once a week. The only place we recommend buying hair products from is a salon! Yes, the drugstore and other popular discount stores may have weaseled their way into carrying some of the same lines as your salon may carry, but are those really safe and are you getting your money’s worth? The truth is that those products you see on the shelves of those stores are not always up to

code. This means they could be expired, watered down, or products that were discontinued long ago by that brand. Salons get their products from companies that are directly partnered with those brands. Salons are also given proper education on these products. So where is the only place to get trustworthy products? A HAIR SALON! Here at The Beauty Bar Salon, we carry a brand called Kevin Murphy! Our favorite thing about his products are that they are sulphate free, paraben free, and cruelty free. KM is also an environmentally conscious brand that prides itself on cutting back on waste. The shampoo and conditioner products are highly concentrated, so you use less product at a time. Many of his product bottles are squared. Since plastic comes in blocks, they are not cutting corners to make the bottles round. (Not to mention the packaging and colors are super modern and stylish.) We love how many of the products have multiple benefits. For example, most of them have heat- protection built in so there is no need for a separate product just for heat protection. Another thing, the product ACTUALLY does what it says it’s going to do! If it says it’s going to give you volume, BAM, there’s your volume! To find the perfect product match for your hair type, take the KM Product Matchmaker Quiz on: www. kevinmurphy.com/au/allaboutyou. Also follow The Beauty Bar Salon on Facebook and on Instagram @thebeautybarsalonhouma.. WN

SALON TALK

WHAT NOW

MAR 2018

10 10

BAYOU LAFOURCHE CLEANUP Join forces with others to help clean up Bayou Lafourche, which also provides us with drinking water. The cleanup will cover the entire 106 miles of Bayou Lafourche and has been broken into sections to help get the job done. This will allow everyone in our area (no matter where you live) to make difference in cleaning our beautiful bayou. Sign ups and different sections can be found at https://form.jotform. com/80085599208162. 8 a.m., Bayou Lafourche

MAX CHARTER SCHOOL 10th ANNUAL â€œRACE FOR THEIR FUTUREâ€? 5K RACE FEST The MAX PTA will host a 1 Mile Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk that will benefit the students at MAX Charter School. MAX is committed to meeting the unique educational needs of children with dyslexia and other language-related disorders throughout the Bayou Region. Raffle Tickets can be purchased for $5.00. The Grand Prize is a Family Disney Vacation valued at $5,000. 2nd Prize is a Carnival Cruise Vacation valued at $1,000. 3rd Prize is a Beau Rivage Getaway valued at $500. There will also be food, drinks, games, bounce houses, live music, a silent auction, a Cajun cook-off, and lots more. 8 a.m., Peltier Park, Thibodaux

17 24

BCA BUILDING FUND GALA The Bayou Community Academy will host its 6th annual Building Fund Gala this month. The $25 ticket includes entry into the event, food tastings, and beverages. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Those attending can expect a silent auction, musical entertainment, food tasting from local food vendors, beverages & an all around good time. 6 p.m., Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium, Thibodaux

ADULT CLASS: SUSHI ROLLS Grab a your husband, wife, friend, mom and enjoy a fun evening of cooking! The Mix It Up Chef will be teaching you how to make a signature dish, and you can also bring a bottle of wine to have with your dinner. Each guest can participate in the cooking process of some menu items, which includes California Rolls and Crunchy Rolls, and you will receive a copy of all recipes used for the dinner. Wine glasses are provided, as well as all cookware and kitchen tools needed to prepare the meal. Cost is $35 per person. 6 p.m., Mix It Up Houma, Houma

WHAT NEXT

APR 2018

13th ANNUAL E.D. WHITE CARD DRAFT PRESENTED BY ANGELETTE-PICCIOLA The 13th Annual E.D. White Card Draft Presented by Angelette-Picciola is a fundraiser to benefit the E.D. White Athletics Department. This year’s event, scheduled for Friday, April 20th, at the Harang Auditorium, will consist of an auction in which all of the bidding will be done online, a cook-off and free food and drinks from local food vendors. There will also be raffle tables, a wine pull and an open bar provided by Premiere Catering/Grady V’s. Come out and pass a good time at this year’s Card Draft Presented by Angelette-Picciola. Enjoy some delicious food and drinks, bid on some amazing auction items and enjoy some great fellowship. To purchase tickets, or for additional information regarding the event, visit http:// carddraft2018.auction-bid.org, or contact Boyd Hebert (985.665.1049) or Michelle Keife (985.859.2321). Please remember, you must be 21 years old or older to attend. Hope to see you there! 6 p.m., Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal Auditorium, Thibodaux

EXPERIENCE

MELISSA EROCHE

BAYOU TERREBONNE WATERLIFE MUSEUM

EXPERIENCE

QUACKIN’ UP BY SAMANTHA EROCHE PHOTOS BY KERSTEN CHATMAN

icture it: Dashing people dressed in their finest “camo couture” browsing a collection of local artisans’ unique, distinctively decorated decoy ducks for silent auction, all the while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and sipping their blue Ugly Duckling cocktails embellished with tiny floating rubber duckies. Such a scene paints a picture of what patrons can expect to see at the Bayou Regional Art Council’s 3rd annual “Duckin’ Out for the Arts” fundraiser, according to Executive Director Erica Anderson. “We wanted to do something that we felt was relevant to what the area had inherently as far as the arts and culture go: a fun theme based off of ducks and duck hunting culture, [and] the duck decoys are so beautiful,” Erica says. “They all kind of become a part of the story of this area [because] they help drive home the fact that the arts and culture are related and significant in the exhibits of this museum.” Duckin’ Out is on March 24th at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum at 7910 Park Avenue, in downtown Houma from 7:00-11:00 p.m., with admission at $35 per ticket. Erica says to be on the lookout in the weeks leading up to the event because she likes to display the decorated ducks in various businesses all over Houma. “My favorite part [of Duckin’ Out] is just when the ducks start coming back and you get to see how the different artists interpreted them. I love seeing them all together,” she says. “I wouldn’t want just one, I’d want a couple to put together.” This year, however, there’s a twist: For every business you visit and see a duck, you can collect a “duck ring” specific to the duck’s location, similar to the small aluminum bands real ducks sport on their legs which hunters generally keep as souvenirs. At the fundraiser, whoever has collected the most “duck rings” from all over town will win a prize. Additionally, these colorful, creative ducks and donated items such as wood duck boxes and the like will be on display for silent auction, and patrons can take home their winnings at the end of the evening. There may even be some special guest duck decoy carvers and collectors present. “It’s kind of a night of appreciating the arts and culture of our area in a fun way, but then there’s also a chance to see the real craft of duck carving, too,” Erica says.

2222EXPERIENCE

Old items with sentimental value are great for making uniquie artwork.

MELISSA EROCHE

Michelle Eroche, BRAC board member and aspiring artist, says she enjoys “coming together with other artists to support [their] regional organization” through this fun, quirky event whose profits go back into the arts endeavors of communities the Bayou Regional Arts Council serves. The Bayou Regional Arts Council, or BRAC for short, hosts Duckin’ Out. Created in August 2015, the nonprofit organization is one of nine regional arts councils in Louisiana and supports the following parishes’ community arts efforts: Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, and Assumption. Through its Decentralized Arts Funding (DAF) and Parish Arts Funding (PAF), BRAC’s six arts panels—one panel per parish—award grants to individuals and/or organizations working toward community art efforts. BRAC even has “Creative Relief ” grants that support artists whose work, homes, and/or studios have been impacted by natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes. Recently, BRAC members and the Acadiana Center for the Arts helped to clean and repaint the Chauvin Sculpture Garden after Hurricane Harvey’s destructive flooding.

ROSS JHANKE

Individuals and organizations can apply for BRAC’s grants through an online form on bayouarts.org and join the “folk art festival, 6 library performances, 5 artist workshops, 17 theatre performances, 2 reading programs, 7 art shows, art camp, and dance production” efforts BRAC has already helped bring to the Lafourche/ Terrebonne area, according to its website. Erica, having seen so many artistically rendered duck decoys over the years, shares that her favorite had little mosaic pieces all over it. Michelle cites her favorite as Hans Geist’s ‘Bomber Duck’ because “[it] was so ‘out of the box.’ [Hans] put a huge amount of work and creative effort into his piece.” As for advice to the future duck decoy decorators of the world, both Erica and Michelle agree that your duck— and your art in general—should be a reflection of you. “I am making a duck, and my buzz words right now are ‘reuse, repurpose, and recycle,’” Michelle says. “Old items with sentimental value are great for making unique artwork, so without giving away my duck theme . . . let’s just say I love old costume jewelry.”

There may not be enough time this year to contribute your own duck decoy, but you can still get involved with Duckin’ Out and BRAC in general. You can donate silent auction items and/ or become a sponsor for the fundraiser under one of the following titles: Canvasback Sponsor ($250, includes 2 tickets), Pintail Sponsor ($500, includes 4 tickets), Blue-winged Teal Sponsor ($1000, includes 6 tickets), or Mallard Sponsor ($5000, includes 8 tickets). Additionally, BRAC is always welcoming new artists and advocates to join as board members and to hang and sell work in the museum and gift shop. “What’s nice about being a part of a regional arts council [is that] we are able to link our region with other resources and support and also just bring attention on a larger scale to the different things that make our area unique,” Erica says. You can contact Erica directly to get involved by emailing her at erica@bayouarts.org or by visiting BRAC’s website at bayouarts.org.WN

EXPERIENCE

FINANCIAL FOCUS What Should You Do With Your Tax Refund? BY TONY TRANCHINA , Financial Advisor

You may not get much of a thrill from filing your taxes, but the process becomes much more enjoyable if you’re expecting a refund. So, if one is headed your way, what should you do with the money? The answer depends somewhat on the size of the refund. For the 2017 tax year, the average refund was about $2,760 – not a fortune, but big enough to make an impact in your life. Suppose, for example, that you invested this amount in a tax-deferred vehicle, such as a traditional IRA, and then did not add another penny to it for 30 years. At the end of that time, assuming a hypothetical 7 percent annual rate of return, you’d have slightly more than $21,000 – not enough, by itself, to allow you to move to a Caribbean island, but still a nice addition to your retirement income. ( You will need to pay taxes on your withdrawals eventually, unless the money was invested in a Roth IRA, in which case withdrawals are tax-free, provided you meet certain conditions). Of course, you don’t have to wait 30 years before you see any benefits from your tax refund. If you did decide to put a $2,760 tax refund toward your IRA for 2018, you’d already have reached just over half the allowable contribu-

tion limit of $5,500. (If you’re 50 or older, the limit is $6,500). By getting such a strong head start on funding your IRA for the year, you’ll give your money more time to grow. Also, if you’re going to “max out” on your IRA, your large initial payment will enable you to put in smaller monthly amounts than you might need to contribute otherwise. While using your refund to help fund your IRA is a good move, it’s not the only one you can make. Here are a few other possibilities: • Pay down some debt. At some time or another, most of us probably feel we’re carrying too much debt. If you can use your tax refund to help reduce your monthly debt payments, you’ll improve your cash flow and possibly have more money available to invest for the future. • Build an emergency fund. If you needed a new furnace or major car repair, or faced any other large, unexpected expense, how would you pay for it? If you did not have the cash readily available, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments. To help avoid this problem, you could create an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth

of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. Your tax refund could help build your emergency fund. • Look for other investment opportunities. If you have some gaps in your portfolio, or some opportunities to improve your overall diversification, you might want to use your tax refund to add some new investments. The more diversified your portfolio, the stronger your defense against market volatility that might primarily affect one particular asset class. (However, diversification, by itself, can’t protect against all losses or guarantee profits.) Clearly, a tax refund gives you a chance to improve your overall financial picture. So take your time, evaluate your options and use the money wisely. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. WN

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ROCKIN FOR A ROCKIN CAUSE BY JESSICA REBSTOCK PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY STEIN

BRENIN RODDY, KATI GREMILLION, KATE BENOIT, CHLOE COLLINS, REBECCA GRABERT, TAYLOR BOUDREAUX, MARY ANN STEIN, LAUREN CONSTANT & LYNDA BOYLAN

igma Sigma Sigma Sorority’s chapter, Gamma Pi, was founded in 1967 at Nicholls State University. This group of dedicated women and leaders are determined to give back to their philanthropy, the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation. These hardworking, steadfast scholars not only dedicate their time to their academics, but devote time to giving back to a foundation that matters to them. Member Brianna Millet says, “One of our sayings is that to receive much, you must give much. The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is important to me because it’s our way of giving back. It’s also awesome to see a group of people pulling together toward one goal. We’re very passionate about our philanthropy and our community work. It’s just part of what we’re here for.” Tri Sigma’s philanthropy, the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation, raises money for children’s play therapy. The money raised by these charitable women go to children who may be in the hospital for a significant amount of time or unfortunately, for the remainder of their life. Play therapy helps these children cope with their illness through therapeutic play. In the past, with the money the foundation raised, they were able to purchase items like iPads and asthma dolls to donate to children in hospitals. With the event being called Rockin for Robbie, the ladies of Tri Sigma help to carry on the legacy and wish

of a five-year-old child, Robbie Page. The Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation is made up of various philanthropic organizations. One of these organizations is the Robbie Page Memorial Fund. Member Hailey Chabert says, “Robbie Page, the son of Tri-Sigma’s fourth national president, had one wish, which was to successfully help other children. Due to Polio, Robbie passed away when he was five-years-old. The Robbie Page Memorial Fund was created to carry out Robbie’s mission of helping children.” In 2017, the women of Tri-Sigma wanted to host a philanthropy event that was different from their usual volleyball tournament or 5K run they host in the fall. Chabert says, “Many of the Greek organizations on campus host a lot of tournaments. The women who came up with Rockin for Robbie last year, thought outside the box and wanted to bring something new to campus and the community.” Together, the women came up with Rockin for Robbie, a family oriented music festival to bring the community of Thibodaux and surrounding areas together to raise money for children in hospitals. On Sunday, March 25th, 2018, the second annual Rockin for Robbie will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m. This year, the event will not only be a music fest, but also a

One of our sayings is that to recieve much, you must give much.

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TAYLOR CHARPENTIER, ALLISON LAROSE & JESSICA CLEMENT

family oriented day-long event. Some of the activities that will take place are a jambalaya cook off, various games, silent auction, and a host of local vendors.

Hailey adds, “Having the children’s choir would make the kids feel important and we are all about serving children.”

This year, the women of Tri-Sigma wanted a wide variety of musicians to partake in the event. Some of the musicians who will participate are solo artists focusing on R&B, acoustical, and a few different music genre bands. The lineup includes The Remixers who have played for Mardi Gras balls and often play in New Orleans for city events, The Remedy who have been featured at Family Gras and heard on radio station 92.3, Russ Cheramie, a local acoustic artist, along with Forgetting Last Friday, DJ Frankie Bruno, and Chase Matherne, an R&B artist.

Each of these performers are donating their time and performing free of charge in order to support the Robbie Page Memorial Fund and the Sigma Sigma Sigma Foundation. The women of Tri-Sigma would not be able to put on this event without the borrowed time of these amazing performers.

Brianna says, “I’m excited to see them all, but I would be most excited if the children’s choir is able to show up. We really want to make this event family oriented this year.”

Performer Russ Cheramie says, “I agreed to perform because I enjoyed playing for Rockin for Robbie last year. My sister-in-law is in the chapter, and I feel like it is a good way to support the cause by doing something I love.” Russ added that his favorite style of music to play is alternative rock, but he also enjoys playing country music. He doesn’t have a favorite song because he

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RUSS CHERAMIE

has many, but if he were to pick, “3Am” by Matchbox Twenty would have to be his favorite. Forgetting Last Friday’s lead singer Harley Talbot says they were approached by their friend Mary Stein who is helping organize Rockin for Robbie. Forgetting Last Friday played last year for the event and thoroughly enjoyed the experience so they were eager to perform again this year. Harley says, “Throughout our time, in college we’ve been able to play at a lot of local events, and any time it’s for a good cause, it’s hard to pass up. We’ve always supported Tri-Sigma’s philanthropy events, so getting to be involved as well is even more fulfilling.” Sigma Sigma Sigma Sority is bringing a new event to the Nicholls and Thibodaux community involving people and children of all ages, all while raising money for a well-respected philanthropy serving children.

OLIVIA ADAMIETZ & HANNAH BRIGNAC

Alumnae and former president Anna Catherine Lee says, “As an alumnae of the Gamma Pi Chapter of Tri Sigma, it is exciting to see the collegiate chapter members explore new philanthropic opportunities to benefit the Tri Sigma Foundation. I personally believe that Rockin for Robbie is a great event that highlights and enriches our South Louisiana culture perfectly. It is important to attend events such as these to support organizations, raise awareness, and contribute to a greater cause.” Mark your calendars for March 25th for a guaranteed “Rockin” family fun event! WN

...It is a good way to support the cause by doing something I love.

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HELLO GORJESS Workin’ On My Fitness BY JESSICA REBSTOCK

appy March everyone!

For those of you first time readers, my name is Jessica Rebstock and I am a 25-year-old blogger and the writer for Hello GorJess. I started blogging a year ago and I have been blessed by the endless opportunities that have since appeared before me. I have found such solitude in working out daily. Can any of you agree? I typically workout six days a week and have really learned what exercises my body responds best too. This is a major factor in my overall health and wellness and can be yours, too. For me, it is no longer about a scale weight. This is my best advice for any of you on a journey to a healthy lifestyle. It’s about looking and feeling your best! With this frigid Winter coming to an end (I pray), I’m excited to see warmer months ahead. In the meantime, with the unpredictable weather, many days I find myself

stuck between a rainstorm or icy weather and who wants to leave the house to go to the gym in gloomy weather? Not me!

AT HOME WORKOUT

I’ve researched many at-home workouts and mashed a few HIIT (high intensity) exercises with my regular workout. On the days I miss the gym, this is my go to workout. For those of you who may not be into going to the gym and prefer to workout in the privacy of your own home, this may be something you’d be interested in. Also, you can modify the workout to fit your needs, using this as a basis of where to start to get the best workout for your time.

WARM UP Jumping Jacks: 3 minutes. 30 second break Squats: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. Jumping Lunges: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. Mountain Climbers: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. Glute Bridge: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. REST Stationary Lunge: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. Side Lunge Squat: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. Chair Knee Up: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. Sumo Squat: As many as you can for 30 seconds. 10 second rest. Repeat squats for 3 sets. REST Cool Down and Stretch

I hope you enjoy this quick workout! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email. I’d be happy to help in any way! hellogorjess23@gmail. com. Stay strong, stay motivated and stay GORJESS, Jess WN

40-45 Minutes 420 Calories

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THE BEAUTY OF THE BAYOU BY IAN RIGG PHOTOS COURTESY OF BTNEP

PADDLE BAYOU LAFOURCHE

We’re giving people a chance to discover the estuary.

hat sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other travel. Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brute; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a child of nature.” -- Pierre Elliott Trudeau If there is magic in Louisiana, it can be found in the bayou. The annual Paddle Bayou Lafourche event allows people find that magic for themselves. “We have a slogan here,” states event organizer Kristy Monier, “We’re giving people a chance to discover the estuary.” Created by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), Paddle Bayou Lafourche is an inventive approach to educate residents and visitors about the culture and ecology of Bayou Lafourche. Now in its 17th year, the popular event indicates there is no better way to educate people about the environment than to experience it for themselves.

“We invite residents and visitors from all over the country to travel down the waters of Bayou Lafourche, and learn about the culture and heritage that goes along with it,” Kristy explains. “By paddling and kayaking down it, we’re able to give people a better understanding of what it is and why it’s important.” The 52-mile, four-day paddling trip down the bayou starts Thursday, April 5, in Donaldsonville, and concludes in Lockport on Sunday, April 8. “It’s not just ‘put them in the water and let’s go down the bayou’,” quips Kristy. “It’s designed to help educate people about its value and importance. For instance, many of our own locals don’t realize that that’s where their drinking water comes from. The estuary provides 300,000 people with clean drinking water.” Along the way, riders will learn many more facts about Bayou Lafourche’s natural and anthropological features and history. The hope is that after seeing it firsthand through a breathtaking backyard adventure, participants learn about their coast’s needs, and how to help with ongoing restoration projects.

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“We’re just trying to open their eyes – hopefully they share the awareness.” Paddlers can participate for a single day, all four days of the trip, or anywhere in between. And people who do not wish to paddle can even participate by supporting rowers from the banks of Bayou Lafourche, cheering them on with music and signs. Because while everyone should consider registering, prospective paddlers should be warned of the event’s demanding physical nature. “It’s not a walk in the park – it’s a paddle up a bayou,” jokes Kristy. “It is strenuous –you’re paddling 17 miles the first day, 15 miles the second, 15.5 on Saturday, then 5 and a half on our half day, Sunday. If you hit a wind it gets even more difficult. I tell people: ‘you are the current.’” A joke, but also a profound statement: by exerting themselves and exploring the waterway, people discover how important the bayou really is. “But it’s not a race – everyone is encouraged to go at their leisure, and the bayou only opens up and gets wider as they go.”

The beautiful vistas are enough to take in on their own, but Paddle Bayou Lafourche is enhanced by camaraderie and bountiful food. “We do feed them well,” laughs Kristy. Paddlers are treated to traditional Cajun dishes like shrimp stew and jambalaya, and enjoy nightly entertainment in a campsite setting. Years past have featured everything from music and dancing, to storytellers sharing Cajun folklore. After all, the event endeavors to not only teach people about the bayou, but the cultures that live alongside it. This year’s attendees will have the privilege to be hosted by members of the United Houma Nation on Saturday. When all is said and done, Paddle Bayou Lafourche is about fun and fundamentals, not funds. “This is not a fundraiser of any sort,” assures Monier. “It’s a purely educational activity event, that’s grown into a project that talks about history and culture, and encourages eco-tourism within the area.” While BTNEP has a foundation for restoration efforts, that is not the event’s intent.

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PADDLE BAYOU LAFOURCHE

“Paddle Lafourche pays for itself,” smiles Kristy. “We break even to cover the cost. It’s not making us rich. Hopefully we’re making others rich by educating them. And in that way, when they leave and carry that knowledge with them across the country, it’s really paying for itself.” While Paddle Bayou Lafourche’s route has never changed, its landscape has. Due to increasing climate change, the Louisiana landscape has lost an average of 1 football field of land an hour between 1985-2010. “When we’re losing our land, we’re losing our culture. Our heritage,” cautions Kristy. “When we lose land, people have to move. We all know that coastal erosion is happening, and it’s coming up the Bayou. The Bayou Lafourche Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Indians may even have to leave their ancestral lands for safety.” Kristy, who recalls a time when she could drive on the beach, looks determined as she continues. “It’s not just the land that will be lost. It’s everything else. We’re saving people’s homes. We’re saving OUR home.” Luckily, the message is certainly spreading. The event can accommodate up to 100 paddlers per day, and it fills up every year – sometimes with returning paddlers. For instance, there is an uncle and nephew team who have attended all 17 years. Paddle Bayou Lafourche even draws people from states as distant as Minnesota, to countries as far-flung as France and Australia.

PADDLE BAYOU LAFOURCHE

“This is the best part of my job,” beams Kristy. “I get to build a family – my paddle family. And we all walk away with not just the knowledge or delicious food, but also with friendships that they didn’t have when they got here. People keep in touch and will paddle on other trips too. We’ve had couples that have met here and have gotten married – call it Cupid on the Current.” Diverse as the bayou they love to explore, people from all walks of life come to share stories, share the waterway, and share its message with the world. “We must be doing something right,” beams Kristy. Paddlers can register by completing the registration form at www.BTNEP.org, calling 985-447-0868, or emailing Kristy Monier at Kristy@BTNEP.org for registration instructions. The trip cost is $50.00 per day, or $175.00 for all four days without a canoe rental. The cost for paddlers renting a canoe is $70.00 per day, or $250.00 for all four days. Limit 100 people per day. Participants will also receive a souvenir t-shirt, water, and healthy snacks throughout the day. Canoe rentals are available in a limited supply. Pre-registration is required. Please visit the website for more information, and pick up a paddle to discover untold wonders of the waterway. WN

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Your March/April Movie Preview BY JONAH GIROIR

he year is moving right along, and it’s just about time to sit back and enjoy some summer blockbusters. Recent years have seen bigger movies creeping into March and April, and this year is no different. Highlighted by intense action and an intriguing Disney adaptation of a classic novel, the spring months are shaping up to be an exciting time at the movies.

3) Rampage (April 20) The fact that a video game from my childhood, where I was able to play as a giant wolf, lizard, and gorilla and destroy a city, is being made into a movie is enough to sell me on the idea of this film. When you add in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, you’re almost sure to see me in the theater on opening weekend with a large bucket of popcorn. This looks like it will be a big ball of fun.

Let’s look at my top five picks for March and April. 1) Ready Player One (March 29) Simply watching a trailer for Ready Player One gets me really excited about the idea of having famed director Steven Spielberg put me in the middle of a video game. The movie, based on the 2011 novel by Ernest Cline, sees gamers in the not so distant future competing inside an extensive video game universe to find an “Easter egg” hidden by the network’s recently deceased creator, which promises real life riches. The story really kicks off when Wade Watts becomes the first person to make it through the first level, igniting an all-out race to crack the game’s code. 2) Pacific Rim: Uprising (March 23) Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim was one of my favorite movies of 2013. The movie pitted monsters versus machines as humanity used giant robots ( Jaegers) to battle massive creatures known as the Kaiju. I’m looking forward to returning to this world in Pacific Rim: Uprising as we’ll watch John Boyega of Star Wars fame continue the war against the Kaiju.

4) Tomb Raider (March 16) Speaking of video games, Rampage isn’t the only title that will be seeing a big screen adaption this spring. Alicia Vikander takes over the lead role as Lara Croft in this series based on thrilling adventures. If you’re unfamiliar with the game series, think of this as a female Indiana Jones. I can’t wait to see how the movie plays out and if this can be the franchise that breaks the streak of less than stellar video game adaptations. 5) A Wrinkle in Time (March 9) A Wrinkle in Time is a Disney adaptation of the 1963 fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle. The story follows Meg Murry, a young girl traumatized by the disappearance of her father. Aiming to find her father, Meg finds herself on an interplanetary journey with a schoolmate and her younger brother. The group is aided by a trio of supernatural beings: Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), and Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey). WN

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MIND WORKOUT

WIN A $50 GIFT CARD COURTESY OF

WHAT NOW? Figure out the puzzles in this page and e-mail your answers to info@fathomla.com. A winner will be randomly selected on March 16th and will recieve a $50 VisaÂ® Gift Card.

JANUARY WINNER: AMY WANNER

FEBRUARY ANSWERS: Rainbow, Milkshake, Jaywalk, Spyglass