October is here, and with it comes one of my favorite times of the year. The days grow cooler, and the calendar fills with festivals and events every weekend. Looking ahead, November brings the Three Rivers Art Festival, the Northshore’s leading festival, which welcomes more than 50,000 visitors to the streets of Covington. They come to experience artists from across the country, and in this issue we are proud to share the full program, including artist information and weekend activities.
Personally, I am also looking forward to the Bluesberry Festival, which I help produce alongside Sarada Bonnett. It’s always a highlight of the season.
Inside this issue, we also revisit Global Wildlife to see what’s new, and we meet Eric McVicker, who has graciously provided photographs for our covers more than once. I also had the privilege of sitting down with Kim Blaylock, widow of Michael, to learn more about his journey through cancer. Kim asked that the story not be about her, but I want to say her grace and bravery were both touching and inspiring. In a time of deep grief, she chose to share Michael’s story and honor his memory. Michael was a wonderful man who fought so hard. He will be missed by many.
As you flip through these pages, I hope you find inspiration, connection, and a reason to get out and enjoy all that our Northshore community has to offer this season. I look forward to seeing you at the festivals and events.
PUBLISHER
Cover Photo
Eric McVicker
CARE WHEN YOUR KIDS NEED IT
Because kids rarely come down with something during office hours, St. Tammany Health System came up with something to make things easier for your family. We call it ExpressCare Kids. Now your child can see the St. Tammany Pediatric team up until 8 p.m. weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends for the same fee you’d pay for a regular office visit – no urgent care or emergency room co-pays!
MANY kids are treated after hours at ExpressCare Kids.
NORTHSHORE MEDIA GROUP NM
The Fall has made its triumphant return to St. Tammany, bringing in much needed cooler weather, evolving our beautiful landscape and celebrating the joys that come with this autumn season.
Perhaps my favorite part of the Fall is the festivities that often boost our local non-profits, and in turn, support our neighbors in need. Our spirit, culture and desire to help each other are among the many reasons that St. Tammany is the best place to live in Louisiana.
Speaking of jubilant celebrations, I am excited to announce that the Holiday of Lights will return for its 25th Anniversary this December on Koop Drive. Last year, thousands of families attended the yuletide event that features the talents of our community, hundreds of light displays, rides, food trucks and more surprises! The two-weekend festival is on December 6, 7, 13 & 14 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Koop Drive. I welcome you and your family to our campus to make memories together!
We will continue to work to provide charming events for our families, while enhancing our infrastructure and services to benefit the next generation in St. Tammany!
The Fall is also the time at St. Tammany Parish Government when we budget for the upcoming year. I am so proud of our Team Tammany, who has put forth dozens of critical improvements to our roads, bridges, drainage, water & sewer utilities, as well as broadband access for our neighbors who have limited access. You deserve the very best from us, and that is exactly what we strive for every day!
If you have a question, please do not hesitate to reach out at President @stpgov.org.
Serving you as your Parish President continues to be one of my most humbling honors!
We want to invite our residents to come out and join us for National Night Out on Oct. 7. We will host events from 5-8 p.m. at our 1st District Office on Oak Harbor in Slidell, at our 3rd District Office on Brewster Road in Covington and at our 4th District Office on Highway 21 in Bush. We will also participate in the annual event hosted by the Mandeville Police Department at the Mandeville. Trailhead.
National Night Out is a nation-wide crime prevention event. The night is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities. It is a great chance to learn about crime prevention, while also celebrating your community and spending time with your neighbors and local law enforcement.
We encourage everyone to come out to one of these events for free food and entertainment, and an opportunity to meet the deputies working in your district, to find out about services available and to share your concerns.
Neighborhoods are invited to set up tents or tables at any of our events. Residents can come out as a neighborhood or on their own with their families. We will also have deputies visiting neighborhood parties that night throughout the parish. You can register your neighborhood event on our Website under Community Programs.
If you have a business or community group that would like to participate with one of our events or to donate food, email carlimessina@stpso.com<mailto:carlimessina@stpso.com>.
Also throughout the month of October, we will partner once again with Ochsner-St. Tammany, the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation and the St. Tammany Health System for the Power of Pink Campaign. We have once again wrapped one of our patrol units in pink for the month and will travel around the parish raising money for Breast Cancer Research. For a minimum donation you can sign our pink patrol Tahoe at events throughout the month.
If you would like the Pink Tahoe, nicknamed “Pinkster,” to come visit your event or business, email carlimessina@stpso.com
I hope to see many of you as I am out and about in the coming months.
Mike Cooper
St. Tammany
Parish President
Randy Smith St. Tammany Sheriff
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Visit ochsner.org/spinecare to learn more or schedule an appointment.
200 Block 500
328 Paul Nikitchenko 2D
330 985 Demarcay Jewelry
331/332 Patrick Reynolds Drawing
333 Diane Seeman 2D Mixed Media
334 Chris Seeman Metalwork
335 Moises Biton Watercolor
336 Ana Maria Andricain Jewelry 337 Ghada Henagan Ceramics/Pottery 338 Teresa Merriman 3D Mixed Media
339 Donna Guidry Fiber
340 Tone Lowe Painting
Lorrie Drennan Painting 343 Scott McQueen 2D Mixed Media 344 Kate Carney Painting
400 Block
345 Denise Fletcher Jewelry 346 Frank Relle Photography 401 Michael Eddy 3D Mixed Media 402 Aaron Hunt 3D Mixed Media
403 Christine Ledoux 2D Mixed Media
300 Block
404 Carla Moll Painting
405 John Mroczek Jewelry
406 Chawn Murrah 2D Mixed Media
407 Molly McGuire Painting
408 Fred Tate Jewelry
409 Marisa Ray Painting
410 Ed Martin Glass
411 Amy Lansburg 3D Mixed Media
412 Debo Groover 2D Mixed Media
413 Heaven McCaulley Functional Art
414 Norman Morgan Jewelry
415 Shaun Aleman 3D Mixed Media
416 Jeffrey St Romain 3D Mixed Media
417 Jimmy Ellis Printmaking & Digital Art
418 Suzanne Seiler 2D Mixed Media
419 Michael Bonardi Jewelry
420 David Mayhew Photography
421/422 Jonah Ballard Painting
423 Todd K Fox 3D Mixed Media
424/425 Dusty Reed Painting
426 Robin Kittleson Glass
427 Tim Peters Ceramics/Pottery
428 Whitney Warren 3D Mixed Media
429/430 Christina Smith 2D Mixed Media
445/446 Keith Andry Watercolor
447 Mick Whitcomb Sculpture
448 Joey Chessey Ceramics/Pottery
501 Martin Taber Jewelry
502 Peg Usner Painting
503 Karen Libecap Watercolor
504 Nancy Eaves Jewelry
505 Jon Welborn Woodwork
506 Jason Wilson Ceramics/Pottery
507 Peg Martinez Woodwork
508 Kendra Bennett 2D Mixed Media
509 Elliott Hubbard Ceramics/Pottery
510 Christy Boutte 2D Mixed Media
511 R. L. Alexander Painting
512 Greg Arceneaux Woodwork
513 Chris Cumbie 3D Mixed Media
515/516 Greg Lathrop Ceramics/Pottery
517 Steve Riley Photography
518 Sandi Stewart 2D Mixed Media
519 Layl McDill Sculpture
520 Mickey Asche Painting
521 Lou Frederick Jewelry
522 Michael Steddum Painting
523 Dave McNamara Photography
524 Chase Mullen Painting
525 Reiko Uchytil Ceramics/Pottery
526 Paulette Lizano Glass
527 Jessica Joy Fiber
528/529 Dale Rogers Sculpture
530 Micheal Paul Cole Photography
531 Kenneth Butler Ceramics/Pottery
532 Ann Marie Cianciolo Jewelry
534 John Lathrop Printmaking & Digital Art
535 Holly Glenn Painting
537 Melissa Hampton Jewelry
539 Anne Byrd 2D Mixed Media
540 Paul Gillam Woodwork
541/542 Pat Juneau Metalwork
615 Teri and Chad Walker Ridgeway
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631/632 Alla
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634 Sean Corner Sculpture
635 Connie Kittok
636/637 Joshua Lee Nidenberg
638 Luke Koeferl Printmaking
639
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647 Helene Bernhard Little Watercolor 648 Van Doan Ceramics/Pottery
STORY LIZ GENEST SMITH
Itblew my mind when I realized that it had been five whole years since my last visit to Global Wildlife Center in Folsom. My husband, young son and I, along with visiting friends and family, took advantage of our proximity to one of the nation’s largest free-roaming wildlife preserves many times over the years. But the last time, I flew solo on an assignment to see the brand new giraffe barn. When I checked the submission date, I saw that it was February of 2020, just a heartbeat before the pandemic hit.
Along with the rest of the world, Global has experienced some monumental changes since then. Most notably, Ken Matherne, its owner and operator of 30 years, sadly passed away in 2021, prompting his daughter Maci to step in as the new owner and CEO. One of her first major decisions was to invite long-time former manager, Christina Cooper, to once again join the organization in the key role of Executive Director. In the last decade, Christina volunteered in wildlife conservation in Africa, was in leadership at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, then served as VP of Communications and Marketing for the St. Tammany Tourist Commission. All of this made her perfectly suited to return to Global Wildlife in her current capacity.
“Returning as Executive Director after all these years and being able to make so many of my goals and dreams for the organization a reality is such an exhilarating and humbling experience,” she told me. “Working side-by-side with our owner and CEO Maci Matherne and executing our vision for a new era together is so gratifying.”
To showcase the fruits of their labor, Christina generously conducted an extensive tour for me and my son, Sawyer, who is now grown and attending LSU. And while neither of us is jaded enough to be blase about getting another opportunity to mingle with exotic animals a mere 30 minutes from home, we didn’t expect for this to feel so completely different from all of our previous visits! The number of changes and upgrades they’ve made to animal care, staff development, infrastructure expansion and visitor experiences is just mind boggling.
Photo Meagan Gassen
THE ENCOUNTERS
We were vaguely aware of the new encounter experiences Global had launched, but didn’t realize how immersive and interactive they would be. The Capybara Creativity Encounter, The Walkabout Kangaroo Experience and the Snack and Craft Tortoise Encounter are located mere steps from the visitors center, but they feel like a world away.
En route to our first encounter, we had to walk through the lovely and super fluttery butterfly garden, which is one of the many places where they’ve stepped up the facility’s landscaping and gardening efforts. In addition to being alluring to both pollinators (bees and butterflies) and people, the carefully chosen selection of blooms is also home to many Anole lizards, crickets and even a beautiful writing spider. This and the adjacent treehouse pavilion, which now has a wheelchair ramp and can be rented out for private parties, are perfect spots to chill out and observe the placid pond, the kangaroos and all the roaming creatures milling about beyond the fences.
After a quick stop at the shoe and hand sanitizing station, we passed through the gate and crossed the bridge to the kangaroo area. They’ve been there for years, but we certainly had never been able to step foot in their open-air habitat. A roped-off walkway allowed us to stroll mere feet away from the mellow marsupials as they were leisurely lounging beneath shady canopies, completely unbothered by our presence. Inside The Walkabout, capybaras also graze alongside the roos and a couple of them strolled up to check us out, and though we were thrilled to be able to pet these super cute, overgrown guinea pigs, Christina had another surprise in store for us. She called out to “Popcorn,” and over hopped a little baby kangaroo. In the event that a mother animal cannot raise its baby, the Global veterinary and animal care staff will promptly intervene. In this instance, Christina volunteered for bottleraising duties, and Sawyer got a chance to feed the domesticated little roo, as well. Popcorn actually held Sawyer’s hand as he fed her, and we both basically melted into puddles of goo at how adorable that was.
When we pulled ourselves together, we exited back over the bridge and moved to the little habitat next door to visit a mama capybara and her babies and do a little art project. We squirted some paint onto canvases, placed them in compostable plastic bags, and set them on the ground to be transformed into masterpieces by the happy feet of these amiable rodents of unusual size (fans of The Princess Bride movie will appreciate that reference). Lured by leafy bamboo limbs (which are now being grown onsite) to snack on, they favored us with the cutest chirps, chitters and purring noises, while allowing us to pet and scritch them. Sawyer and I agreed that their coats feel exactly like when you accidentally use too much hair gel.
Yet again, it was hard to tear ourselves away, but we had one more encounter to look forward to. Gaia and Ninja, two lovely lady tortoises, were super excited to see us and show off their renovated shelter, or perhaps it was the salads we were about to feed to them. Enthusiastic eaters, it required constant motion and extra long tongs to stay a step ahead of them as they hilariously advanced on us for bite after bite of breakfast. Who knew they’d be so active? When they were finally sated, we were each given a glob of clay to press onto their shell scales to make a cool impression to take home as a souvenir.
Photo Christina Cooper
Director of Animal Programming, Dr. Kanyon McClean
Before we hopped into a Pinz (short for Pinzgauer, the all-terrain military jeep-type vehicle that Global uses for smaller groups on private tours) to meet the new on-staff veterinarian at the giraffe barn, Christina pointed out several changes to the main visitors area. We’d noticed the nice new informational signage inside the ticketing area upon arrival, but we’d been too distracted by the animals at first to notice the new roof and fans in the tour boarding area that provide massive relief on those blazing hot Louisiana days. They’ve also added fans to the tour vehicles, with the giant wagons using solar panels to power theirs.
ANIMAL CARE
All of the aforementioned changes are quite obvious and tangible, but many of the very most important upgrades related to animal care are invisible to visitors. Soon after Christina and Maci joined forces, they recruited a fulltime zoological veterinarian and Director of Animal Programs, Dr. Kanyon McLean, DVM, to complete the management team. We were thrilled to get to meet her at the giraffe barn to learn what else was new.
The last time I visited, I was impressed by the new giraffe barn, but Maci has already invested in making it more functional for non-invasive animal care. Upon her arrival, Dr. McLean was instrumental in finalizing details on the installation of a special giraffe chute to the barn facility, allowing for medical intervention without having to anesthetize them out in the field.
Dr. Kanyon literally walked us through the open-air, but padded cage-like chute, while figuratively walking us through what it’s going to take to actually use it. The process is going to be painstakingly slow and meticulous, as each giraffe has its own personality and level of compliance. They’ll start by getting each one accustomed to simply using the chute as a hallway to exit the barn while the gates are wide open. At press time, the Animal
Liz and Sawyer Smith
Executive Director Christina Cooper and CEO Maci Matherne
Photo Jerry Cottrell
Photo Maci Matherne
Photo Chrisitna Cooper
Care team had successfully coached four giraffes to feel secure with this process.
As each giraffe grows more comfortable, the staff will gradually add new steps, like closing them within the gates of the chute at longer and longer intervals and desensitizing them to basic touch, so that things like hoof maintenance, injections and other medical interactions can take place with as little stress on the animals as possible. When more complicated procedures requiring sedation are necessary, there’s a sling mechanism to hold them safely upright, and a side door that opens, allowing them to lay animals down, as needed.
THE PRIVATE TOUR
Following the visit to the giraffe barn, Christina surprised us with a private Pinz tour of the property. I’d really worried about taking up too much of her time, especially since we’d already done so many wagon tours before, but this was a whole new thing.
Along with being able to check out all the new animal shelters scattered about, the secondary security fence that’s been added to the perimeter and the new groves of trees being planted and tended to for the hungry herds (check their website for the Adopt-A-Tree program to help fund their ever-growing forest), the off-road experience gave us even better access to the animals.
To be clear, we’ve never been disappointed with the wagon tours. In fact, we have millions of pictures of us feeding some of their over 2,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world to prove it. But as much as we’ve loved seeing and feeding camels, llamas, bison and all manner of exotic deer breeds in the past, the Pinz vehicles aren’t confined to roads, they’re lower to the ground and there are far fewer of humans offering treats to the animals, so the ratio is way more in your favor.
One of the cool options available on this tour is a Safari Souvenir art project involving canvas, human-grade food dye and animal feed to enhance the interactive experience, which quickly became delightfully up-close-and-personal. The giraffes especially had us, a 19-year-old and 54-year-old, grinning and giggling like we were five. Being completely surrounded by enormous, enthusiastic critters might be startling or overwhelming to tiny, timid people or those with sensory or boundary issues, but we happen to be none of those, so we thoroughly enjoyed all the nudges, snorts, hot breath and happy drool. You haven’t lived until you’ve had a ginormous giraffe head practically resting in your lap to bypass the cup in your hand to reach right for the feed bag at your feet!
The encounters and tours each require separate tickets, so you can mix and match however you choose, and a Safari en Español has also been introduced to broaden their reach in the community. The tortoise encounter is for ages 6 and over, it’s 8 and over for the capybaras, and guests of all ages are welcome in The Walkabout, but all Global visitors
can easily observe any of the encounter animals from just outside their habitats. Plus, the holidays are right around the corner, so check their website for information on new special events, including their upcoming Wildly Spooktacular Costume Contest and Trunk or Treat, Fall Fest and North Pole Express Safaris.
Want to support Global Wildlife and their conservation efforts? Along with their Adopt-A-Tree program, they’ve launched a Quarters for Conservation program to help raise funds for important organizations and their efforts to protect wild populations of animals, including the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Sahara Conservation and the International Crane Foundation.
If you’re not content to just visit, consider applying to join the Global Wildlife team. Another of the new administration’s goals has been to increase compensation by close to 30%, boost the benefits package and offer tons of training and workshops to support professional development, team building and safety.
Whew, that’s a lot to absorb, but Christina explained in closing, “We protect what we love, and enabling children and adults the opportunity to connect with wildlife in such a profound way is really life-changing. We opened in 1991, and one of the things I love most is meeting a guest who visited Global Wildlife Center as a child and is now returning with children of their own. We’re making core memories and educating multiple generations about the importance of wildlife conservation.”
Photo Jerry Cottrell
COMMUNITY LEADERS
I was once asked, “Why do you say Covington is one of the coolest cities in America?” I responded, “Well, when I say one of the coolest cities in America, I’m actually being modest. We’re really one of the coolest cities in the northern hemisphere. Like the great cities of Europe we have centuries of wonderful history, fantastic food for Foodies and wonderful live music year-round. When you put those three things together, you might as well be Vienna, Paris … or Covington.”
The interviewer, a Foodie himself, followed up with, “Do you have one or two favorite restaurants in Covington you could share with us?” I replied, “Well, yes I do. Pho Cong, The Pink Agave, the Chimes, Butter Krisp (home of Butter Burgers, a favorite late-night snack), New Orleans Food and Spirits, Coffee Rani, Meribo, Abita Roasting, Aki and Bon Saki … for Sushi, the Greyhound (which is in the old Greyhound Bus sStation), the English Tea Room, The Tap Room, The Seiler Bar, Cured on Columbia, Hoodoo Ice Cream, Covington Beer Garden, Mattina Bella, St. John’s Coffee, Buster’s Place (with Oyster Bar), Vasquez, Haven Coffee and Cocktails, Del Porto, Cilantros Mexican, Marcello’s, Pizza Man, Pat’s Seafood, Lola, Dakota, Valencia, Hampshire.”
Him, “So many?” Me, “I’m not finished yet: Baan Thai, Bear’s (which was recently named the best Roast Beef Po-boy in Louisiana which makes it the best roast beef po-boy in America which then makes it the best roast beef po-boy in the world.”
He then pivoted the interview before I could finish my list. Loved and not forgotten are “Megumi, Sweet Daddy’s BBQ, Gallagher’s Grill (the best of Pat Gallagher’s restaurants!), Town and Country Donuts, Zoë’s Bakery … DiMartino’s and DiCristina’s!”
To be considered one of the coolest cities in the World one must be a Foodie Paradise … and our Covington is : )
Clay Madden
City of Mandeville Mayor
It’s Fall in Mandeville!!!
Fall brings Football, beautiful weather and lots of community events such as a community favorite, the MANDEVILLE LIVE! Free Concerts at the Trailhead on Friday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
LIVE MUSIC LINE-UP:
October 3rd – Bottoms Up
October 10th – Little Freddie King
October 17th – Jourdan Blue
If you cannot get enough of LIVE Music, drop-in to one of the Dew Drop Concerts held on Saturdays at the Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall. Doors open at 5:30pm and Live Music from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.
Other GREAT Events in the City of Mandeville this Fall:
October 7th – Night Out Against Crime – 5:00pm to 830pm at the Mandeville Trailhead
October 12th – Northshore Beer Festival – 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Mandeville Trailhead
October 24th–26th – Festival of the Lake – 312 Lafitte Street in Old Mandeville
November 1st – WideWater Music & Art Festival – 11:00am to 8:00pm at the Mandeville Lakefront
November 8th – Veterans Day Parade – beginning at 11:00am at the Mandeville Lakefront
Please mark your calendars now for the largest event that the City of Mandeville puts on in the Fall, Sunset Symphony: An Evening with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Sunset Symphony will be on Saturday, October 18th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm at the Mandeville Lakefront.
Mandeville is an extremely inviting place for new businesses! This is a result of the ease of doing business with the city and the safe environment our Mandeville Police Department provides on a daily basis. In the last few months we have welcomed Bonvenu Bank, Terra Pizza & Grill, Painting with a Twist, Iceberg Charlies Grill & Chill, Paradise Alley (Bowling), Aperitif Spritz + Bites, and more.
Mark Johnson City of Covington Mayor
NEW MANDEVILLE LOCATION!
233 St. Ann Drive, Ste 4, Mandeville, LA 70471 985-323-4003
Our new location is conveniently located to help our patients get excellent G.I. Care. Did you know that GastroGroup has been serving the community for over 25 years and has over 100+ years of combined dedicated patient care?
We are excited to have Amy Seale NP, as part of our team of providers!
58515 Pearl Acres Road 985-641-8982
Felix G. Rabito, M.D.
L. Phillips Jenkins, M.D.
Brandon Brousse, M.D.
Let’s roll, St.Tammany
St. Tammany Health System’s Breathe Well ConneCTion takes aim at lung cancer
STORY AND PHOTOS BY STHS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
Itwas 1979, and Rich Mauti had every reason to feel on top of the world.
Not only was the Penn State standout living his dream of being a professional football player as a New Orleans Saints fan favorite, but he was also just coming off a season in which he was named the Saints’ special teams MVP.
Monday mornings might have brought their share of aches and pains, but by and large things were good in his world.
Then, on Nov. 16, 1979, news came that would change everything.
That’s the day Mauti learned his father had lung cancer, the disease that would eventually claim his life.
It would also give the young Mauti a new mission: to tackle cancer with the same passion and dedication he brought to the football field.
For the past 45 years, he has tirelessly continued that fight with his Rich Mauti Cancer Fund – and on July 10, he scored what might be considered among his biggest victories in that effort.
That was the day St. Tammany Health System unveiled its Breathe Well ConneCTion, a first-in-the-region lung screening vehicle designed to bring potentially life-saving cancer screenings directly into the community – and which was partially funded through a $500,000 donation from the Mauti Cancer Fund.
“This thing does maybe 2,500, 3,000 screenings a year,” Mauti said. “That’s a lot of people, and if we catch one and save one life, it’s well worth it. I’m humbled to be here to kick this thing off. … I’m so confident we’re just going to knock it out of the park.”
The Breathe Well ConneCTion joins the health system’s Be Well Bus, a mobile mammography unit in service since May 2021, in crisscrossing the parish to visit local festivals, health fairs and other community gatherings.
In addition to providing quick and painless lung screenings through an advanced low-dose CT unit, the Breathe Well ConneCTion also employs AIpowered technology to offer a multi-organ approach that further addresses coronary calcium in the heart, aorta measurements and bone density in the vertebra.
The implications for the Northshore are nothing short of profound. Even before the tread on its tires are worn, it has already participated in 23 events and completed 169 screenings.
“It is simple: Screenings save lives,” St. Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman said. “In just the past three years alone, we have had 14 early breast cancer catches on the Be Well Bus. The expansion of our mobile screening program stands to be just as impactful, if not more so. On behalf of St. Tammany Health System and the Northshore community, I want to personally thank Rich Mauti and the Mauti Cancer Fund for what is truly a lifesaving gift to the community.”
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with lung cancer accounting for 26% of cancer deaths among men and 25% among women. If undetected until the disease advances to Stage 4, the survival rate for lung cancer patients is only 10%. If detected early, however, the survival rate rockets to 68% to 92%, studies have shown.
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Dear Citizens,
We made it through one of the hottest summers on record, commemorated the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and, as of writing this letter, have enjoyed a relatively uneventful storm season. I want to assure you that Team Slidell was fully prepared to protect our city, and we continuously evaluate and update our emergency response plans.
With the much anticipated return of cool fall weather, Slidell is in full festival mode. The Bayou Jam Concert Series celebrates its twenty second season with free performances every Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Heritage Park. Enjoy Audio Beach on October 5, Monster Crawfish on October 26, and a Veterans Day Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra on November 9. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Other highlights include the Olde Towne Pumpkin Fest on October 4; the St. Margaret Mary Food & Fun Fest from October 17-19; the Olde Towne Merchant Association’s Zombie Crawl on October 24; and the Olde Towne Historic Antique Association’s Fall Street Fair on October 25-26.
We are fortunate to host so many cultural events that bring our community together. I encourage you to get out, enjoy the cool weather, and support these wonderful celebrations.
The fall is a special time for our community, and this year, Tangipahoa Parish is gearing up for a monumental birthday party for our university.
2025 marks the Centennial anniversary of the founding of our Southeastern Louisiana University, and during the month of October, there will be lots to celebrate! In addition to Southeastern’s traditional Homecoming week activities (October 12-18), we are very excited to see the world premiere of Southeastern 100, a documentary celebrating the university’s 100 years of growth, resilience, and impact. This one-night-only screening will take place on Friday, October 3, at the Columbia Theatre in downtown Hammond, and it promises to bring the university’s legacy to life on the big screen.
Speaking of special celebrations, I can’t wait for the big ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new and improved D Vickers Hall. Not only were these renovations necessary after Hurricane Ida, they were spearheaded by a wonderful partnership with one of Southeastern’s most recognized alumna, Robin Roberts, who generously donated funds to build a modernized media center for Communications students. This gift will influence future generations of Lions as they learn cutting-edge skills to help inform the world!
As a proud Lion alum myself, I invite our entire community to come out and celebrate the great things happening at our university. It’s truly the jewel of the Northshore, and I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of another 100 years of success for our Southeastern!
Robby Miller Tangipahoa Parish President
Bill Borchert City of Slidell Mayor
LIFE MOVES FAST LIFE MOVES FAST
From Politics to Photography, Finding Clarity in the Middle
Eric McVicker
STORY SARAH COTTRELL
Eric McVicker’s life has always been defined by motion, across continents, careers, and even states of mind. Born in Huntington, England, in 1991 while both of his parents were serving in the U.S. Air Force, his earliest years were steeped in discipline and transition. When he was three, the family relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Not long after, his parents divorced, and Eric’s world shifted again as he moved with his father to Perry, Ohio. It was a tiny town east of Cleveland that he describes as even smaller than Abita Springs.
It was in Perry that Eric discovered his unusual calling: politics. While most nine-year-olds were fixated on cartoons, he was glued to the television during the Bush Gore election, captivated by the talk of “hanging chads” in Florida. At sixteen, he earned his first paycheck working on a judicial race. From there, campaigns became a steady presence in his life.
Education took him on a winding path. Through a post-secondary program, Eric completed college courses during high school, then enrolled at American University in Washington, D.C. He quickly discovered that the life he thought he wanted in politics at the nation’s capital was hollow. After a stint at Tulane, he ultimately graduated from LSU with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. For him, the diploma was more a passport than a passion. “A college degree is like a pair of pants,” he jokes. “Nobody notices unless you don’t have it.”
PHOTOS ERIC MCVICKER
But politics never let go. Over the years, Eric has worked on more than 105 campaigns, from small local races to statewide contests. He has done everything: stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors, writing radio spots, and running entire campaign strategies. “Each political campaign really is a microcosm of behavioral science,” he explains. “It has everything to do with the dynamics of the moment, the profile of the candidate, and the political times.”
Politics also brought relentless pressure. The best candidate did not always win. Long days blurred into longer nights. Stress, disappointment, and exhaustion piled up. Eric found ways to escape, some healthy and some not. Alcohol became a frequent companion. He does not shy away from that chapter. “It was part of my story,” he admits, “but it wasn’t the whole book.”
What began as a casual habit, always being “the guy with a camera,” quietly grew into something more. By 2016, Eric started to see photography as more than a quirk. It became an outlet, a way to slow down. “When you sober up and you start to see things more clearly and you don’t drown your issues away with drugs or alcohol, you have to confront them,” he reflects. “It makes you see things through a lens, no pun intended, that is much more clear.”
After the grueling 2019 election cycle, Eric invested in professional camera gear. When COVID hit, politics paused. Eric poured his energy into photography. For nearly a year, he taught himself the craft, composition, lighting, editing, through long hours in the field and endless YouTube tutorials. Photography became more than a distraction. It was a lifeline, a practice of patience and presence that counterbalanced the chaos of political life. Where campaigns demanded constant motion, photography allowed him to pause. Where politics was about persuasion, photography was about perception.
His three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Caroline became his anchor during this transformation. Fatherhood gave his creative work deeper meaning and his recovery stronger purpose. She is, he says, the reason balance matters most. He is a hands-on dad, deeply involved and present. While he often says he never truly understood love until he had a child, he also believes it is important not to revolve his entire life around her. Instead, he strives to blend their worlds symbiotically, honoring both his identity and hers, growing together rather than losing himself in the process.
In recent years, Eric has taken photography from personal passion to public platform. Last year he published his first book, Louisiana, Our Home, a collection of images that celebrates the quiet beauty of the state’s landscapes and wildlife. That was only the beginning. His second book, Sunsets over Louisiana, is due out this fall.
Today, he is developing an ambitious docu-series by the same name, a high-end project that he likens to Planet Earth but with Louisiana as the subject. “It’s not about the people,” he explains. “It’s the land and the creatures that inhabit it. High-quality visuals, sound design, music, and storyline.” Working with a professional production team, he has already
cut a sizzle reel and trailer, and filming is underway. He expects the full series to be ready within a year and is already in talks with distributors and streaming services.
His work takes him into the heart of Louisiana’s wild places. He photographs snakes with local educators, rides the Tammany Trace with his camera. Each image reflects the clarity he has found in sobriety and the balance he seeks in life.
Eric McVicker lives in two worlds: the charged, fastpaced arena of politics and the patient, observant realm of photography. Both shape him, both challenge him, and both tell his story. Politics may be the career, but photography is the balance that keeps him whole.
“I used to think I had to map out every step,” he says. “Now, I take things as they come.”
For Eric, that means raising Caroline, consulting on campaigns, capturing the beauty of Louisiana, and sharing it all. Not as a fixed plan, but as an unfolding story.
Honor the Warriors. Celebrate the Survivors. Empower the Recovery.
Board Certified Oncology Physical Therapy.
Fellowship Trained in Manual Therapy.
Specialized cancer care you can't find anywhere else in the Gulf region.
Cancer Related Fatigue
Chemo-induced Neuropathy
Pelvic Pain & Dysfunction
Radiation Fibrosis
Balance Deficits & Weakness
Vestibular Issues
Oncology Rehab
Physical Therapy
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Lymphedema Management
Tai Chi & Chair Yoga
Meditation
Supporting sur vivors of all cancers — from head and neck to b reast, and beyond.
STORY SARAH COTTRELL
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLAYLOCK FAMILY
Michael Blaylock
Photo Tracie Morris Schaefer Studio U for Amercian Cancer Society
Michael Blaylock’s story began in Arkansas, where sports and family shaped much of his youth. Football and baseball were central, and like many young athletes of his generation, smokeless tobacco was part of the culture. In dugouts and locker rooms, it was accepted, as just something players did.
For Michael, it started around age 13.
“I knew the warnings. I knew the dangers. But like everybody
else,
I
said,
if something happened to me, that’ll happen to somebody else. I never thought I was addicted to it. Always thought I could give it up at any time. But it really had a stronger hold on me than I thought.”
At Arkansas Tech, he became a Certified Athletic Trainer. Michael’s path changed forever when he met Kim. Both were in the student athletic training program, working with athletes on the sidelines. Their friendship grew quickly into love, and in July of 1995, just weeks after Kim’s graduation and months before Michael’s, they moved to Van Buren, AR after getting married (lived there for over 20 years) where he worked at Alma High School as the Athletic Trainer. He started the student athletic training program there. He made a difference it a lot of students’ lives.
When Michael and Kim later moved to Louisiana, it was Michael’s desire to help seniors but also so they could be close to his brother and family, who had settled in Madisonville. Michael wanted Kim to have support, long before illness would ever touch their lives. That foresight became a gift when hard times came.
Louisiana gave Michael the chance to pursue his calling in health care. He had begun his medical career in clinic leadership, eventually serving as COO for 13 primary care clinics and several dental clinics in Arkansas. But after his mother’s passing, Michael wrestled with guilt. He felt that the rushed, impersonal system of quick visits and “getting butts in the seats” had failed her.
He wanted more for patients, doctors who had time to sit, talk, and listen. That conviction led him to CentreWell, where he found a model of care that treated patients as whole people, especially seniors. Later, he transitioned into a sales role with Humana, continuing his mission to connect people with better care.
Outside of work, Michael’s creativity and passions truly flourished. He had a deep love for woodworking and music, often combining the two. He spent countless hours refinishing old furniture and crafting handmade cajóns— wooden percussion boxes. Michael didn’t just build them for himself; he gave them away to friends and family. Some of his favorite moments were spent on the patio, playing on a cajón while friends strummed their guitars.
At home in Louisiana, he found joy in cooking. had a covered outdoor patio built where he loved to grill, share meals, and watch his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks, often surrounded by Kim, family, friends, and his loyal dog, Barley
In late 2021, what started as a tooth problem led to devastating news: oral cancer.
“The day I was told I had cancer, I never touched it again. The fear of having to approach my family, the guilt that I have to live with every day because of what I’ve done to my family, should be enough for someone to say, I don’t want to go through that, and quit.”
In March 2023, he underwent a brutal 14-hour surgery. Surgeons removed his jaw, teeth, and surrounding tissue, replacing them with bone and muscle from his leg. Skin grafts and drains marked the long recovery. He learned to walk again, to swallow again, to eat soft foods after months of relying on a feeding tube. Pizza toppings, flakey fish, and smoothies became small victories. The hardest losses were not always visible.
“Half of my tongue I cannot feel. The front part of my jaw I cannot feel. I can’t eat solid foods. I can’t feel when my wife gives me a kiss. And that is probably the one thing that I can’t do that bothers me the most.”
He was also honest about the shame he carried.
complication after complication: blood clots, transfusions, infections, and endless procedures. His weight dropped from 325 pounds to 145.
In June, he was forcing an emergency tracheostomy. The surgeon called it one of the top 10 hardest trachs he had ever performed. His jaw had to be wrapped 2-3 times a day, it was then that Michael saw the irreversible damage cancer had caused to his jaw and chin—and realized just how serious his wound truly was. “I knew it was bad,” he admitted, “but I didn’t know it was this bad.”
Michael and Kim asked for the Doctors to be lovingly blunt: there was nothing more curative to be done. Hospice was the next step.
Michael came home to spend his final weeks surrounded by love. Michael’s family, their friends and Hospice caregivers supported Kim, while Barley kept vigil by his side. Barley filled the house with noise and companionship, especially when silence threatened to take over.
“My wife asked me to quit. I hid it from her. One
of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was make that phone call to tell her I had cancer, because I was selfish all those years, continuing to do something just because I enjoyed it. One of the hardest things for me was watching my father stare back at me in the ICU, not knowing what to say. Just the hurt my family went through because of my selfishness.”
By the end of 2024 hope dimmed. His jaw began to swell, and tests confirmed the cancer had returned. In January 2025, he began chemotherapy and immunotherapy, facing
Family and friends filled the days with presence, honesty, and goodbyes. A cardboard cutout from his “Men Wear Pink” cancer campaign stood sentinel in the home, a bittersweet reminder of his strength and humor.
On July 15, 2025, Michael and Kim celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. He passed away a week later on July 22nd. Leaving behind not only grief, but also an enduring message.
Michael’s life did not end with the happy cure everyone hoped for. It ended the way real life often does, messy, unfair, and far too soon. But he refused to let it be meaningless. He wore the consequences of his choices on his face, yet never hid. He turned pain into purpose, warning others not to follow the same path.
The addiction that began with smokeless tobacco in his teens eventually took his health, his comfort, and his life. Michael wanted others to see that risk for what it truly was — not harmless, not “just dipping,” but deadly.
“Don’t do what I did. If my story helps even one person, it’s worth it.”
And in that truth, spoken with courage, love, and honesty, Michael Blaylock’s faith never wavered, he trusted God and knew where he was going. Michael’s legacy lives on as a powerful reminder of the dangers of smokeless tobacco and the importance of choosing life, health, and family instead.
2025 Power of Pearl Lung Cancer Walk and Kids’ 1-mile Fun Run
Resource Village
St. Tammany Health System’s Be Well Bus St. Tammany Health System’s Breathe Well ConneCTion Lung Cancer Screening Assessments Tobacco Cessation Resources
Music by Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces
11 AM - 1 PM
Patient Testimonials
Kids’ Fun Run
Food available for purchase
First 200 registrants recieve a FREE Abita beer
St. Tammany Health System invites you to the 3rd Annual St. Tammany United in Lung Health – Power of Pearl Lung Cancer Walk and 1-mile Kids’ Fun Run.
Join survivors, caregivers, families and supporters of the healthy lung community as they walk to promote lung cancer awareness or to honor a loved one who courageously embraced the Power of Pearl on their journey.
Enjoy live music, great food and countless resources for cancer research and screening, along with many opportunities to embrace healthy living.
In our Resource Village, medical experts will provide education on heart health and cancer screenings, disease prevention, and the latest resources on research, clinical trials, and national campaigns and organizations to assist survivors and caretakers as they navigate this difficult season.
Please join us to shine a light on this resilient community and learn how you can help treat and prevent lung cancer.
New Heights Havana Nights:
This year, New Heights Therapy proudly hosted its 2025 Annual Fundraising Gala under the vibrant theme of New Heights Havana Nights. Held once again at the elegant Southern Hotel, guests were transported to the lively streets of Havana, right in the heart of Covington, for a night filled with rhythm, color, and purpose.
Attendees swayed to the sounds of Cuban music, immersed themselves in rich cultural décor, and celebrated the mission of New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center, to help individuals “Experience the Healing Power of a Horse.” The event brought together art, culture, and philanthropy in a spectacular evening dedicated to supporting equine-assisted activities for individuals facing emotional, physical, and cognitive challenges.
PHOTOS FILMBALAYA FILMS AND SHERRI LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
For over a decade, New Heights has hosted its Annual Summer Gala to raise critical funds and awareness for its therapeutic programs. What began as a simple backyard Garden Party has evolved into one of the Northshore’s premiere philanthropic events.
In recent years, themes such as the Bridgerton Garden Party, A Night on Broadway, and Nature Through Art have captured imaginations and hearts. 2025’s Havana Nights continued that legacy, offering guests a dynamic cultural experience while reaffirming the transformative power of horses in healing.
It was an unforgettable night that reflected the effort, heart, and spirit of everyone involved, congratulations to all.
A Night to Remember
Saturday, October 18th
Saturday, October 18th
Bogue Falaya Park | 10am - 2pm
Bogue Falaya Park | 10am - 2pm
Tickets
Children:
Children
CHILD
St. Tammany NOW
Louisiana’s STartUP Launchpad
Welcome back to St. Tammany NOW, bringing you the latest economic development, business, and industry insights in our community. St. Tammany NOW highlights who and what makes the St. Tammany business community thrive and illustrates the opportunities to diversify and fortify our economy.
Three years ago, St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (St. Tammany EDC) launched STartUP Northshore, a three-year entrepreneurial ecosystem pilot program designed to deliver first-class programming and technical assistance to entrepreneurs, startups, and second stage companies on the Northshore through strategic partnerships with recognized entities in the entrepreneurial landscape. This ambitious program was launched to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation across St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. STartUP Northshore set out to prove innovation is not confined to big cities or coastal hubs. It can, and should, thrive right here on the Northshore, where local founders are ready to build businesses that strengthen our economy and improve our communities.
Since its creation, STartUP Northshore has transformed the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Northshore, creating a culture shift that champions entrepreneurship as a driver of economic mobility, innovation, and community impact. We recognize that fostering entrepreneurship is economic development. Every time someone takes a risk on an idea and turns it into a business, they are not just creating income for themselves. They are creating jobs, revitalizing commercial spaces, solving problems in their communities, and keeping opportunities local.
“Since its launch in August 2022, STartUP Northshore has achieved significant milestones,” said Ryan Seal, Parish President, Washington Parish. “We believe this program will have a transformative impact on our community by fostering economic prosperity, business growth, and long-term economic resilience.”
Over the past three years, the organization has served more than 200 entrepreneurs across the three-parish region, awarded $75,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, delivered over $250,000 in services, facilitated more than 600 hours of mentorship, recruited 40+ active mentors, and collaborated with more than 20 partner organizations to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These numbers represent more than output. They tell a story of momentum, transformation, and proof of what is possible when communities invest in their own. Over the past three years, STartUP Northshore has helped showcase the Northshore as a birthplace of transformative innovation.
To celebrate the successful culmination of its pilot program, STartUP Northshore released its 3-Year Impact Report. What began as an experiment to build a thriving startup and small business ecosystem has grown into a proven model for regional entrepreneurship - one that is
now formalized as a core part of St. Tammany EDC’s long-term economic development strategy. The full 3-Year Impact Report is available online by visiting bit. ly/3YrImpactReport_SUNS.
“What we’ve built is a platform for bold ideas, a launchpad for local ambition, and a living ecosystem that is helping redefine what’s possible from right here,” said Cenzo Caronna, Executive Director of STartUP Northshore and St. Tammany EDC Entrepreneur in Residence. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created, but I’m even more excited for where we’re headed. The future is ours to shape, and we are creating the kind of enduring infrastructure that will ensure entrepreneurship remains a defining force for our region’s growth, resilience, and identity.”
We’re deeply proud of the strategic partnerships we’ve built with institutions like The Idea Village, Southeastern Louisiana University, Chevron, and many others. Together, we’ve launched world-class programs, connected hundreds of entrepreneurs to vital resources, and created multiple onramps to meet people wherever they are on their journey. In doing so, we’ve connected more deeply with the broader innovation economy, from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and across the Gulf South, positioning the Northshore not as a satellite, but as a central node in this growing regional network. To further underscore the impact of the
Cenzo Caronna St. Tammany EDC Entrepreneur in Residence and Executive Director of STartUp Northshore.
initiative and to support its next iteration, St. Tammany EDC has promoted Cenzo Caronna to the role of Executive Director of STartUP Northshore, while continuing in his role as Entrepreneur in Residence.
“We are very excited to be a core partner behind STartUP Northshore,” said Ginger Cangelosi, Executive Director, Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation. “Our region is ripe with opportunities for entrepreneurs and start-up companies, and STartUP Northshore is poised to continue supporting new businesses and budding entrepreneurs.
Looking ahead, STartUP Northshore’s role in capital readiness takes on new importance. The organization has been officially designated as a Technical Assistance Partner to Louisiana Economic Development under the U.S. Treasury–funded State Small Business Credit Initiative
Technical Assistance Program. Through its Northshore Capital Ready Initiative, STartUP Northshore will provide no-cost legal, accounting, and financial advisory services to Very Small Businesses and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual-owned businesses across the Northshore. This partnership extends STartUP Northshore’s proven model of ecosystem support into the realm of capital access, ensuring that local entrepreneurs have the knowledge, preparation, and resources needed to secure funding and scale their ventures.
As we look towards the future, STartUP Northshore is poised to catalyze a region where entrepreneurship is embedded into the economic DNA, where investment follows talent, and where bold ideas thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment. To everyone who’s helped us get to this point, especially our partners at Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation and Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation, thank you. The foundation is strong, and together we are ready to THRIVE.
TICKETS
$105/Single
$1,050/Table for 8
*All food & beverages included in ticket price
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2025
4-7PM, JUSTICE CENTER PARKING GARAGE ROOFTOP, Covington
Bradley Cook & Rory Gallardo
Adam Acquistapace
Sheriff Randy Smith DA Collin Sims Dr. Jason O’Rear
Dr. Matthew Bernard Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser
Michele Echols Scott Discon
Michael Cochran
Gabe Arnoult & Kevin Alario
Nick & Patrice LaRocca
Jared Miguez & John Stephens
Jennifer Nolen & Brian Upshaw
Anthony Rutledge & Connor Brown
Senator Beth Mizell & Joan Coffman
our turn: by Sara and Cayman Sinclair
ABOUT
In every issue, EDGE of the Lake invites a local chef or restaurateur to visit another eatery on the Northshore.
Sara Sinclair and her husband Cayman, who previously ran The Lakehouse restaurant in Old Mandeville, recently opened their new venture, Aperitif Spritz & Bites just a block away. Located in a stylishly renovated historic lakefront cottage, the eclectic eatery offers a unique new menu of palette pleasing dishes inspired by various global cuisines, along with a carefully crafted bar menu that features beer, wine, cocktails + mocktails. They’re open for lunch from 11am to 2pm on Thursday through Saturday, and dinner from 5 to 9pm Wednesday through Saturday.
My husband and I love supporting other locally owned restaurants, so I was excited to hear about and then sample T-Rey’s Boudin & Specialty Meats in Mandeville. I’d read that it was primarily a graband-go kind of place, so I visited on a Thursday afternoon to pick up some dinner.
It’s located on a stretch of Highway 59 between I-12 and Abita Springs in a bright blue building, so you can’t miss it. Clearly modeled after an old school South Louisiana meat market, it’s definitely an authentic, no-frills, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of place. It reminded me of a comfortable corner deli. There’s an inside window where you can walk up to order a generously portioned hot plate special of the day and see the owner back in his work space, cooking up signature dishes like smoked sausage, brisket, ribs and other meat-and-three combos from a rotating menu. Or you can browse through the refrigerated section.
There were a lot of classics to choose from, like boudin, andouille sausage, hog’s head cheese and cracklins, as well as more creative offerings. I decided on a mix of the two, selecting smoked chicken salad, shrimp and sausage jambalaya and roasted root vegetables.
The roasted root vegetables featured carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, roasted rosemary garlic, fresh thyme and lemon. The subtle use of seasoning and fresh herbs allowed the perfectly cooked vegetables to really stand out.
The central Louisiana Cajun style jambalaya was made with lots of caramelized trinity, sausage and fresh Louisiana shrimp, with just a little tomato. The flavors were vibrant and balanced, but that housemade smoked sausage was the star of the show.
Those were both delicious, but I think my favorite was the chicken salad. It’s made with house brined and smoked shredded chicken mixed with finely diced trinity and house aioli. It all comes together so well and the smoky essence of the chicken definitely puts a new, surprisingly fresh spin on an old classic.
Much like you have to try authentic barbecue when you visit Texas, I think T-Rey’s is the place you have to go to on the Northshore to experience expertly prepared Cajun meats and boudin. It’s the perfect comfort food, especially with fall and winter coming. And it would also be great for picnics, a quick hot lunch, or just a night off from cooking dinner.
Northshore Media Group was a proud media sponsor of the St. Tammany Chamber’s Tourism Economic Impact Luncheon, featuring Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, as well as the Fan Up Luncheon with guest speaker Mike Detillier
The City of Slidell and the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition hosted the Spirit of Louisiana: Katrina 20 Year Commemoration
The evening featured a heartfelt community gathering, a second line with the Storyville Stompers, and a Bayou Jam concert with the Bucktown All-Stars and special guest Vince Vance.
This was not only a night of remembrance, but a time to give thanks to the many individuals, organizations, and first responders who stepped up in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help rebuild our community.
Palette celebrated its official launch in Covington, with an incredible turnout at the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Bash, marking a major milestone for the Northshore’s entrepreneurial movement. The vibrant event brought together community leaders, business owners, creatives, and supporters, all eager to experience the energy and vision behind this groundbreaking business incubator and coworking hub.
Welcome to St Tammany, Smalls Sliders.
Congratulations to Clearview Auto Title & Notary on celebrating 50 years in business.
