St. Bernard Magazine Summer 2024

The 4 Horsemen Pg. 24 Health & Wellness Pgs. 35-40

Sen. Albert Estopinal Pg. 16

Spanish Governor Bernardo de Galvez & French Colonist Pierre de Marigny Pgs. 10-13

At St. Bernard Parish Hospital, we are proud and honored to be recognized as one of America’s highest-rated hospitals for patient safety by The Leapfrog Group. We are fueled by the talent, passion and diversity of our employees who continue to advance medicine in order to change and save lives. We’ve only got one real reason for the work we do every day. It’s You.

Visit ochsner.org/schedule to schedule an appointment.

2024 Summer Camps

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Charles D. Jackson

JPR (Jackson Public Relations)

Enterprises, LLC

Office - 1601 Ohio St., Chalmette, LA 70043

Email - stbernardmagazine@yahoo.com

Website - stbernardmagazine.com

Phone - (504) 609-7509

Copy Editor

Faith Dawson

Art Director

Brionna Palmer

Contributing Writers

Ron Chapman

Thomas Delahoussaye, M.D.

Jimmy Delery

Jerry Estopinal

Bill Hyland

Charles Jackson

Barry Lemoine

Ad Sales

Charles Jackson

Janet Mire

Ad Designers

Sharon Hueschen

Keith Hogan

Cover Designer

Tony Lawton

Photographers

Farrah Ross Appleman

Christy Cusimano

Kim Gritter

Charles Jackson

Joe Walls

Accounting

D.W. Huff Consulting

Circulation

Dontae James

Metro DistributionDanny Sunseri

Vol. 6, Issue 2 - Summer 2024

St. Bernard Magazine is wholly-owned by Charles D. Jackson, president of JPR Enterprises, LLC, Chalmette, LA; Printed by Fox Press, Hammond, LA.

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Men of Distinction

Publisher's Pen by Charles D. Jackson

Publisher's Pen by Charles

D. Jackson

The summer ’24 issue of St. Bernard Magazine features stories on the founders of St. Bernard Parish – Gov. Bernardo de Galvez and Pierre de Marigny – as well as snapshots of fathers and sons who serve in the same professions. Allow me to share notes on two other men – ex-slave turned politician/preacher, Elder Samuel Smith, Sr., and longtime newspaper Publisher Edwin M. Roy, Jr.

Elder Samuel Smith, Sr. of Veretteville served as a politician and pastor during the Reconstruction Era and beyond. Enslaved at the Proctor Plantation since age 8, he escaped as a teenager and joined the Union Army during the Civil War. While fighting on the battlefield (as told to his grandson), Smith received “a call from God” saying he would spare his life, and he should return to the plantation and start a church as a testament to the power of God. In 1870, after the war, in a stable on the plantation, he founded First Colored Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of Verette).

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Smith was elected police juror (council member), justice of the peace, and school board member. A respected community leader, he delivered the invocation during the Battle of New Orleans Monument Dedication Ceremony on Jan. 8, 1915, the 100th celebration of the historic battle. Throughout the years, Smith, more than likely a Republican, aligned himself with the most prominent local Democratic politician of the day – parish-born Sen. Albert Estopinal of Toca (also a two-term sheriff, state senate president, and U.S. congressman). Smith is buried in the cemetery of First Baptist ChurchVerette, where a State of Louisiana historical marker honors his life and legacy.

Edwin M. Roy, Jr. of Old Arabi was the longestserving publisher of The St. Bernard Voice, founded by his grandfather William Roy in 1890. Edwin M. Roy, Sr. “began working with his father, William, at age 13, and was 42 when his father planned

to leave the newspaper to Edwin upon his death,” wrote family historian/author Gayle Buckley and The Voice columnist/Nunez history professor Ron Chapman. “After his father’s death for the next 28 years, Edwin published The Voice. Upon his death in 1975, Edwin, also in his will, left The Voice to his son, Edwin M. Roy, Jr. who published the paper for the next 33 years with the help of his wife, Judy, and sister, Mazie.”

Roy amassed a collection of historic photos. He retired in 2008–09 and sold The Voice to copublishers Norris Babin and Dale Benoit, “who still publish the newspaper and are doing a great job informing the people of St. Bernard Parish on what’s happening in the parish,” Buckley and Chapman wrote. The newspaper’s century-old building (site of state historical marker) on Mehle Street in Old Arabi was sold by the new owners. Roy continued working at the newspaper’s new office until March 15, his 83rd birthday. Roy passed away peacefully at his home on May 3, 2024.

The magazine highlights the rich history, people, progress, traditions, culture, resilience, diversity, civics, small business, schools, organizers, and the extraordinarily welcoming community atmosphere of St. Bernard Parish. This mixture makes ‘Da Parish “The Most Unique County (Parish) in the Country.”

Man of the Year: Tony Fernandez

St. Bernard Parish’s 2024 “Man of the Year,” Tony Fernandez (aka "Chief") is on a mission: To protect and preserve the rich history, culture and diversity of St. Bernard Parish.

A lifelong devout Catholic, Fernandez received the Medal of St. Louis and served as a member of the Catholic Community Foundation. He led, with others, post-Katrina church restorations. He was recently recognized by the Archdiocese of New Orleans as an advocate of the preservation of the culture and history of St. Bernard. He raised more than $200,000 for the repair and maintenance of the St. Bernard Catholic Church, which was established in 1787.

Fernandez, of Islenos descent, is a graduate of LSU Law School. He served as chief criminal deputy sheriff from 1984-2007. During that time, he and Sheriff Jack Stephens cut violent crime in half, and launched the Neighborhood Watch program and D.A.R.E. They coordinated a daring evacuation

during Hurricane Katrina, saving hundreds of residents.

His civic contributions include legal counsel and historic preservation. He founded two local charities: the St. Bernard Bird Festival, and his beloved, Santa on the Bayou. Fernandez has made indelible marks on the parish he loves so dearly.

Fernandez and Roselyn (his wife and high school sweetheart) have four children who followed their parents' footsteps. Mark is an attorney, Randy serves in law enforcement, Greg is a local physician and coroner (Mom is a nurse), and Lisa works in marketing and communications. Fernandez was awarded “Man of the Year” by the St. Bernard Business and Professional Women’s Club.

The Fernandez Family: Mark (left), Lisa Fernandez Gavrilova, Roselyn, Tony, Greg, and Randy.

Father of the Parish

by William Hyland

Bernardo de Galvez

Governor Settles Isleños

1746-1786

The parish of St. Bernard is named in honor of Bernardo de Galvez, an obscure and unsung hero of the American Revolution who significantly furthered the cause of American Independence and whose unequaled record of accomplishment deserves widespread recognition and celebration.

Bernardo de Galvez was the fourth governor of Spanish colonial Louisiana, serving from 17771782. He was perhaps the most charismatic Spaniard to serve as provincial governor and was acclaimed far and wide as the conqueror of the British during the Galvez Expedition, 1779-1781. It was during his tenure as governor that colonists from Spain’s Canary Islands were settled along Bayou Terre aux Boeufs thus founding St. Bernard Parish in 1779-1780.

Building Spanish Foundation

“The Coat of Arms authorized for Don Bernando and the house of Galvez bestowed upon him for his exploits in the New World, from Reales Cedulas (1783),” The Historic New Orleans Collection.

Born in 1746 in Macharaviaya, a village about 12 miles from Malaga in Andalucia, Spain, he was the son of Matias de Galvez and Josepha de Madrid. Both parents belonged to ennobled families who were large landowners and successful in various business ventures. His uncle, Jose de Galvez, was appointed minister of the Indies by Carlos III, and his father held important offices in the Canary Islands and the Americas, completing his career as viceroy of New Spain.

Galvez was born in Macharaviaya in southwestern Spain. Andalucia was the land of the Moorish Caliphate and is very arid. Olive orchards abound there. Malaga is an important city along the Mediterranean, such a contrast with the wetland, watery, flat topography of this region.

Galvez began his military service in Spain in 1762, learned to speak fluent French and had extensive military experience in North America before his appointment as governor of Louisiana. Upon his arrival in Louisiana, he continued to successfully build upon the sound administrative foundation of Spanish Louisiana established by his predecessors.

Spain, which acquired the territory from France, determined that Louisiana’s best purpose to the global Spanish Empire was to constitute a barrier to British colonial expansion west of the Mississippi River. Spain did not come in the guise of conquerors but instead pursued the role of reconciling Louisiana colonists to Spanish rule, knowing that whoever held New Orleans controlled the mouth of the Mississippi and access to the Mississippi Valley.

Recognizing that the Province of Louisiana was sparsely populated and dangerously vulnerable to an invasion mounted by the British, Spain devised and implemented a colonization program resulting in the settlement of several thousand colonists from the Canary Islands, Malaga in mainland Spain and the majority of Acadians who refused to swear allegiance to the King of England and were exiled from Acadia (presentday area of Nova Scotia, Canada) to France.

These settlements were established along Bayou Teche, Bayou Lafourche, the confluence of Bayou Manchac and the Amite River, Bayou des Familles/Barataria and Bayou Terre aux Boeufs. These waterways were all ultimately connected to the Gulf of Mexico and the adjoining ridges would have enabled an invading expeditionary force to reach the Mississippi River and ultimately capture New Orleans.

Photo Courtesy Los IsleÑos Museum

Galvez Destroys British

A modern Spanish artist recreated this image of Bernardo de Galvez leading his expeditionary force through Louisiana wetlands destined to Baton Rouge in 1779. Note the multiracial character of his fighting force.

The Galvez Expedition (through the capture of Fort Bute at Manchac, Baton Rouge and Natchez in 1779, Mobile in 1780 and Pensacola in 1781), resulted in the destruction of the British presence along what is today the Gulf Coast of the United States. All Louisiana colonists, including the Isleños of St. Bernard, contributed substantially to the cause of American independence. Galvez also freed Native

Americans from slavery and worked to respect and enhance the rights of free people of color and enslaved Africans. He married Felicite de Saint Maxent, daughter of Gilbert-Antoine de Saint Maxent, the wealthiest colonist in Louisiana in the 1770s and ‘80s who virtually bankrupted himself in support of the American Revolution. Upon Galvez’s departure from Louisiana, he was appointed Captain General of Cuba and upon his death in 1786, he had succeeded his father, Matias, as Viceroy of New Spain. Galvez was very young, only 40 years old, and left his widow and children in Mexico City.

Galvez was brilliantly successful in all he undertook. Highly respected by multitudes, his death was sudden and tragic. The parish of St. Bernard is named in honor of Galvez, an obscure and unsung hero of the American Revolution who significantly furthered the cause of American independence and whose unequaled record of accomplishment deserves widespread recognition and celebration.

Photo Courtesy Los IsleÑos Museum

Marigny de Mandeville Pierre de

Colonist Donates Land

1751-1800

Pierre (Pedro) Phillipes de Marigny de Mandeville left his greatest legacy of respect for people of different racial and cultural origins while presiding over the founding of St. Bernard Parish by Isleños, a distinctly cohesive community rooted in cultural diversity that captures the essence of all that sets Louisiana apart from any other place in the United States.

Born in New Orleans, he emerged before his death as the wealthiest Spanish colonist in Louisiana.

Photo Courtesy of the Louisiana State Museum

Father of the Parish by William Hyland

His son, Bernard de Marigny, baptized Bernardo in honor of Galvez in 1786, would open the faubourg Marigny in 1806 and contribute immeasurably to defining the face of an evolving New Orleans throughout the early and middle 19th century.

Pierre (Pedro) Phillipes de Marigny donated land upon which St. Bernard Parish was founded in 1779. Born in New Orleans in 1751, he emerged before his death as the wealthiest Spanish colonist in Louisiana. His great grandfather, Jean Vincent Phillipes du Hautmesnil, settled in Montreal, Canada, in the 1660s and became wealthy in the fur trade. Marigny was the fourth generation of his family to reside in North America and the third generation of his family in New Orleans. His grandfather, Francois Phillipes Sieur de Mandeville was appointed commander of troops in New Orleans in 1724, only six years following its founding in 1718.

The family surname was Philippe, Phillipe or Phillipes, and the family had lived in Normandy for generations. They were minor nobility and, in 1648, purchased the Seigneurie de Marigny (Lordly Estate of Marigny) near Caen in Normandy. Hence, that branch of the Phillipes family became identified as the Phillipes de Marigny family. Later, the estate of Mandeville, also in Normandy, became part of the family’s land holdings. Francois Phillipes de Mandeville was born in Montreal in 1682 and first appeared in Louisiana about 1702. When he died in New Orleans in 1728, he was the longest-tenured captain in the Louisiana colony.

Pierre Phillipes de Marigny de Mandeville was educated in France in the 1760s and entered the service of the King of France as a Mousquetaire du Roi in French Guyana in the mid-1760s. He returned to Louisiana and married Jeanne Marie Destrehan in 1772. Five children were born to the marriage, including Bernard de Marigny and his sister, Marie Celeste, who married Francois Enoul de Livaudais. Pierre de Marigny also sired natural children from relationships with enslaved women, including daughter Eulalie Mandeville whom he freed at birth.

Settling Los Isleños

Pierre de Marigny’s sister-in-law, Felicite de Saint Maxent, the widow Destrehan, married Spanish Gov. Bernardo de Galvez, establishing a close bond between Marigny and Gov. Galvez. The recruitment of Canary Islanders or Isleños to colonize strategically important areas of Louisiana closer to

The signature of Pedro de Marigny accepting the power of attorney of the residents of the Jurisdiction of San Bernardo against the Widow Despres, January 1793. He is now Pedro, not Pierre.

New Orleans began in 1777 under the direction of Gov. Galvez’s father, Matias de Galvez. In 1778, Gov. Galvez had Pedro de Marigny appointed as sublieutenant in charge of settling Isleños in Louisiana. On April 29, 1779, before Spanish notary Andres Almonester y Roxas in New Orleans, Marigny donated to Carlos III, King of Spain, a huge extent of land behind what would become in the 19th century the Poydras plantation. Primary documents describe the tract of land as having the depth or length of 10 leagues (30 miles) by a width or frontage of one league (three miles) largely bisected by Bayou Terre aux Boeufs. There Marigny with other officials began the process of settling Isleño families as they arrived on the land.

Parroquia de San Bernardo

Originally, the settlement was called La Concepcion and Tierra de Bueyes, later Nueva Galvez, Nueva Galvez del Torno, San Bernardo de Nueva Galvez, San Bernardo del Torno and finally, following the recommendation of Commandant Marigny, San Bernardo. By 1793, litigation called the settlement for the first time the Parroquia de San Bernardo or Parish of Saint Bernard.

Marigny’s service to Spain included settling, by 1788, 160 Isleño and Acadian families in San Bernardo that comprised about 800 people. He received and disbursed government subsidies to each family, oversaw the construction of St. Bernard Catholic Church, which he furnished and appointed with other “ornaments deemed necessary” to complete the functioning church.

Photo Courtesy Los IsleÑos Museum

This image of St. Martinville’s St. Martin des Tours Church, prototypical Spanish colonial church in late 18th century Louisiana, closely resembles the description of St. Bernard Catholic Church in documents from the 1780s.

Courtesy Los Islenos Museum

Commanding Battalion

Marigny also organized 600 trained militiamen residing downriver from New Orleans in modern day St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes in the Voluntarios de Misisipi. He also trained militia companies of blacks and mulattoes, served in every campaign of the Galvez Expedition from 1779 to 1781, functioning as aide de camp to his brother-inlaw, Gov. Galvez, during the attack on Pensacola in 1781 concluding the expedition.

When Spain completed the conquest of British West Florida with the fall of Pensacola, the colonial presence of Great Britain was eliminated along the Gulf Coast of what would become the United States. Gov. Manuel Gayoso de Lemos proposed Marigny to succeed Almonester as colonel

commanding the Battalion of Orleans in 1798, describing him as “the richest, most prominent and one of the persons most addicted to the Spanish cause in these provinces.” Marigny died suddenly two years later in 1800, serving as colonel and as an adjunct member of the Cabildo. Marigny was buried in the St. Louis Cathedral with his wife, daughter, parents and grandparents.

Marigny prospered in Louisiana as never before in his family. He embraced Spain, recognizing the great functionality of the Spanish regime in Louisiana and benefiting from Spanish administrative policies that ultimately solidified Louisiana’s Creole cultural identity. His son, Bernard de Marigny, baptized Bernardo in honor of Galvez in 1786, would open the faubourg Marigny in 1806 and contribute immeasurably to defining the face of an evolving New Orleans throughout the early and middle 19th century.

In the final analysis, Pierre Philippes de Marigny de Mandeville left as perhaps his greatest legacy respect for people of different racial and cultural origins while presiding over the founding of St. Bernard Parish by Isleños, a distinctly cohesive community rooted in cultural diversity that captures the essence of all that sets Louisiana apart from any other place in the United States.

Isleño Man of Distinction: ‘General’ Albert Estopinal

(1845-1919)

Dedicated life to public service, progress and lasting peace.

By Jerry Estopinal

He’s perhaps the most prolific dean of politics in St. Bernard Parish’s history, creating a template for the good uses of power and government in the parish and beyond. He served admirably in the Civil War, which prompted his lifelong career in politics as St. Bernard sheriff, Louisiana state representative, state senator, lieutenant governor, and U.S. Congressman.

“General” Martin Albert Estopinal (he always used the name Albert), was born Jan. 30, 1845, in the Estopinal House in Toca, eastern St. Bernard. The house in which he was born is preserved on the grounds of the Los Islenos Museum Complex at 1357 Bayou Road, St. Bernard Village, where the echoes of the men and women of many cultures are celebrated as part of St. Bernard Parish’s rich history. He descended from a family of Spaniards. His parents, Joseph and Felicia Gonzales Estopinal, came from the Canary Islands, and were among the first settlers in modern-day St. Bernard Parish. Estopinal’s exploits and accomplishments are many. He left as a teenager to fight in the Civil War, where he was made a sergeant and was at Vicksburg during the siege, serving with several Louisiana units. He commanded special details escorting prisoners safely through the lines of

both sides. Many years later he was recognized for his humanitarian treatment of his charges by the members of Congress who had fought on the other side. His participation in this tragic conflict affected him and he dedicated his life to public service, progress, and lasting peace.

Political Service on Every Level

Upon returning from the war, he was engaged in commercial enterprises in New Orleans with the famous merchant Leon Godchaux, but soon turned to politics. A Democrat, Estopinal was elected to two terms as St. Bernard Parish Sheriff from 1872-1876. Next he served four years as a state representative, where he worked on issues familiar today: drainage, flood protection and the creation of the Louisiana Constitution of 1878.

He continued this work for the next 20 years as a state senator, encouraging road construction of shell roads in the parish, and civic improvements. By contemporary accounts in journals and media, he was a man that brought a calm demeanor to what he did, and sought to better society.

Left, Estopinal in Congress; right, in state offices.

Photos by Charles Jackson

The Estopinal House, built 1790, is open for tours at Los Islenos Museum Complex on Bayou Road.

Estopinal began his involvement in various organizations that supported the veterans of the Civil War, and hosted the Great Reunion of 1906 in New Orleans, one the first big conventions for which New Orleans is now a preferred destination. In the tradition of the day, the once young sergeant was given the honorary title of general, a title he used for the rest of his life.

In 1900, he was elected lieutenant governor of Louisiana, serving under Gov. W.W. Heard. Heard was an early reform politician, who among other accomplishments, helped to end the practice of hiring out prisoners for labor. The pair promoted Louisiana as a place friendly to commerce, steeped in history, with a vibrant future.

He finished his career as the United States congressman from the 1st District of Louisiana. He was the last veteran of the Civil War to be elected to Congress, closing an era. He fought for veterans affairs, and helped to establish the pension program for those that had served, including African Americans. He was a true humanitarian. He fought to reopen the Algiers Navy Yard, and to build a “Blue Water Navy” to project American power. His most lasting work visible in the community is obtaining federal funds of $65,000

to build the Beaux Arts-style 1915 Courthouse in St. Bernard Village.

Estopinal served during World War I in Congress, and brought his sage advice on the waste of war, and a desire for peaceful solutions to world problems to the floor many times. Along the way, he saw many of the historical events of the 19th and early 20th centuries, including being with members of Congress when the Wright Brothers demonstrated one of their advanced flyers at Fort Myers to the Army, which was the genesis of the American Air Corps. He died April 28, 1919. His legacy of service is still felt today in St. Bernard Parish.

Parish Pride

by Barry Lemoine

Father & Sons

Clements Focusing on Community

All for one and one for all may be the motto of the Three Musketeers, but its emphasis on love, unity, and solidarity also applies to the Clements family of St. Bernard. Their family business, Clements Insurance Services, mirrors the closeness that makes this community such a special one.

by Charles Jackson

Richie Clements, 73, the founder of the business, grew up in Metairie and graduated from Rummel High School before enrolling at Nicholls State University where he said he “jammed four years into five.” It was there that he met the love of his life, Charmaine Serigne, a Chalmette gal with deep St. Bernard roots. After marriage, the couple moved to St. Bernard and have been here ever since. Richie said they couldn’t be happier. “It’s a small community right next to the big city, and a great place to raise kids,” he said. He referred to the people of the parish as accepting, cheerful, and special. Other special people in his life include his eight grandchildren, his daughter Alison Gros, and of course, his two sons and business partners, David and Timothy.

Timothy, Richie and David Clements opened Clements Insurance Services soon after Hurricane Katrina to help rebuild the community. The office is located on West Judge Perez Drive near Paris Road.

answer because that’s what family does.” He said working side by side with his younger brother, Timothy, has also been a privilege. “We have been best friends since birth and this gives us the opportunity to be together daily. And I’m the big brother, so he has to listen to me.”

Timothy Clements, who said he majored in fraternity with a degree in political science from Nicholls State, shares his brother’s sentiment and sense of humor. “The best part of working with family is the ability to always be honest and candid,” he said. “There is no need to spare feelings because we know we still love each other.”

His roots in the insurance business go back five decades. He opened his first agency in eastern St. Bernard in 1978, and was there until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina devastated everything in its path. “That is when Clements Insurance Services began with my sons.”

David Clements, the eldest son, said he never imagined working behind a desk. “I never knew if it was quite the right fit for me,” he said. “But after Katrina hit, and Dad called, I had no choice but to

Richie said the goal and the most rewarding part of the business are the same – solving peoples’ problems. But he said the insurance business is a difficult one to navigate. “Our challenges change constantly,” he said. “Now there is so much information and analytics readily available companies can pinpoint the entire nature of a risk. MBA’s (master's degree in business administration) have taken over what underwriters did for eons.”

Photo

Timothy said this ability to collect better data has changed the industry. “We know that a building that uses this kind of nail versus that kind of nail will fare better when the wind blows. We know that drivers who have this occupation versus that occupation will be less prone to accidents. Statistics and actuaries are on the rise daily.”

David put it even more succinctly. “Adjusting and adapting are simply part of the job.”

And while they need to be flexible at work, they are unwavering in their parish pride. “We wear our St. Bernard residency as a badge of courage,” Richie said.

'Serigne Strong'

Timothy said the love and importance of family was instilled in them by their grandparents, Jack “Dutz” Serigne and wife Elia – both active members of the Los Islenos Society and community leaders.

“Family was always together. Not just for holidays, but for all of our childhood, and we do the same for our children now.” Parades, sports events, and monthly red bean dinners are just a few of their many gatherings. David said he feels a deep connection to his hometown. “This parish has given everything to me, and I feel it is important to give back as much as I can to pave the way for future generations.”

This call to give back was never more evident than in 2019, when a dear family member, Jonathan Serigne, was diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Timothy said the family immediately sprang into action.

“We started calling every and any physician we knew for opinions and treatment,” Timothy said. “While Jonathan was insured, we also knew there would be costs associated with treatment that are not always covered, such as travel, lodging, food, and all other expenses. With the help of countless family and friends we organized the Serigne Strong Benefit.’’

The event was held at Docville Farm, and Timothy said it was both successful and inspirational. “The outpour of love and support is a testament to not only St. Bernard Parish but the entire region. Here in Southern Louisiana, family means so much and that ideal is instilled in all of us from generations down. Regardless of where your people are from, you come together for each other.”

The Clements’ love of family is palpable, but each is also a leader in the community and in the insurance industry. Richie has served on local, state and national level boards, ascending to

president in each and has chaired the National Flood Insurance producers for FEMA. “I’ve always been involved on the state and national level on insurance issues and lobbied on behalf of the people first, but my greatest accomplishment is being a husband, father and grandfather.”

His children have also been leaders in their field. His daughter, Alison, is a supervisor of special education in St. Bernard while David and Timothy have impacted an array of community and regional organizations. Both have served as chairman of the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce. David is proud of his service in the military - an Army combat veteran. He also enjoys volunteering at his church and ballpark. Married to Rachel Birdsall Clements since 2012, the couple have three children: Allie, Zoey, and David Jr., aka “Dudu.”

Timothy also has a slew of accomplishments: 2016 Louisiana Professional Insurance Agent of the Year, the 2017 St. Bernard Chamber Member of the Year, and the 2018 Royal Majesty King of Lourdes LXVIII. And like Dad and brother, Timothy is most proud of his family. He has been married to Melinda since 2012, and they have three children: August, Marie Claire and Emile.

Richie said the values he and his wife have instilled in their children is also evident in the workplace. “Our mission is to do right by the client first and foremost. Don’t worry about making money. If you do the right thing, the money will show up.”

Timothy said the Clements crew still uses the term “Serigne Strong” to rally for the family. “Many of us still wear rubber bracelets with those words to remind us of how precious family is.”

Richie sums it up this way: “We learned God, family and community from our parents and do not waver. Loyalty is very important to each.”

So for their commitment to their customers, to St. Bernard, and especially to each other, I say thank you for this positive example. You truly do represent Parish Pride.

Barry Lemoine is an award-winning writer and educator. His commitment to and passion for the Parish and its performing arts have earned him the moniker of “The Bard of St. Bernard.”

by Kim Gritter

Following Father’s Footsteps

It’s very rare that both of my boys chose to be police officers, and they are very good at their jobs.

– Capt. Bryan Fleetwood, Sr.

BBy Charles D. Jackson

ryan Fleetwood, Sr., a captain in the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office (SBSO), has been working in law enforcement for 39 years. He started with SBSO as a deputy in 1985, and two years later, joined the New Orleans Police Department. He was an integral part of NOPD until 2014, when he returned to SBSO to serve as commander of courthouse security. In 2022, Fleetwood was promoted to captain. He and wife Cheryl, married 37 years, have three children: two sons, and one daughter, Brittney Chilton, 31. Fleetwood’s sons are currently serving as law enforcement officers in St. Bernard Parish, following in their father’s footsteps.

Bryan Fleetwood, Jr., always knew he wanted to be a cop. Watching the camaraderie between his father and coworkers of the New Orleans Police Department when they visited made a lasting

impression. “It was like being in a locker room; the same group of guys hanging out, having fun – like a family thing. Some jobs you don’t know the person you’re working with, but in law enforcement, it’s like a brotherhood.’’

Bryan, Jr., 36, majored in criminal justice at Baton Rouge Community College. He joined St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2010 as a patrol deputy. He teases his father that Dad is “following in my footsteps” since junior joined the SBSO before Bryan, Sr. returned to the force in 2014.

Since 2015, Bryan, Jr., has been promoted three times: patrol sergeant, assistant commander of the traffic division, and now commander of the motorcycle division.

His younger brother, Rhett Fleetwood, initially wanted to be a sports agent but later figured he might have to move to California. Naw. He decided to stay home. “At Nunez College, I was told that I needed a career

path. Law enforcement was the first thing that came to mind. I had heard all the patrol and motorcycle stories, and I thought all that was fascinating.’’

Rhett, 24, started working in juvenile corrections in April 2021, entered the patrol division in November 2021, joined the crime prevention proactive unit in August 2023; and in January 2024, he became a part-time rider with the motorcycle division. “It’s fun, every day is new and exciting,” Rhett said. “I like being able to make a difference in my hometown.”

For Bryan Sr.: “I really didn’t want them to be police officers with some of the struggles that come with the job. Ultimately, I think they made a good choice. Parents this day and age don’t want their kids to be in law enforcement. They encourage them to do other things. It’s very rare that both of my boys chose to be police officers, and they are very good at their jobs.”

Photo

The Fleetwoods working at St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Rhett (left), Capt. Bryan, Sr., and Sgt. Bryan, Jr.

by Charles D. Jackson

Father, Son Launch Eco Boat Rides

New Orleans is the crown jewel of Louisiana tourism. If we can attract a piece of that to St. Bernard Parish, then we’re doing our part to showcase our great community.

– Monty Charles Montelongo, The Wharf at Bayou Bienvenue

Manuel “Monty” and Lana Montelongo are the proud parents of two daughters – Monica Oggs (the oldest), followed by Natalie Nunez – and one son, Monty Charles. By age 10, Monty would “tag along” with his father, owner of Montelongo Well Service. They later worked together on several projects in the Biloxi marshland, operating an oil well and patrolling the marshland near Hopedale.

Today, Montelongo (a former St. Bernard Parish council member) serves as silent partner in his son Monty and daughter-in-law Cheri’s ecotourism business – The Wharf at Bayou Bienvenue. The company offers exciting boat tours of St. Bernard’s ecosystem and bountiful waterways, bayous, Lake Borgne and Breton Sound, which make this a paradise for fishing, hunting and birdwatching. The idea started in 2017 when father and son began offering free airboat rides to attendees of the biannual St. Bernard Parish “Fresh Off The Boat” Seafood Market in Delacroix Island. In one day, more than 300 people took advantage of the free tour. “Seeing how much the guests enjoyed the

boat ride on our coast, we came up with the plan,” Monty, the son, said.

After developing a business plan and securing a location, Monty opened St. Bernard EcoTourism in February 2020 at 6301 Paris Road in Chalmette. He said a “huge success” was the first “Cajun Christmas Express” (version of the “Polar Express”) in December 2020. “It was the beginning of a family tradition. It kept us going (during Covid). We had an 18-passenger airboat and seven pontoons,” Monty said.

After Covid restrictions and society went back to normal, the business has picked up 300%, Monty said. “We’re continuing to grow and develop our location in St. Bernard as a tourist destination. New Orleans is the crown jewel of Louisiana tourism.

If we can attract a piece of that to St. Bernard Parish, then we’re doing our part to showcase our great community.”

“St. Bernard’s scenic beauty, cultural treasures and beautiful waterways make visitors yearn to remain in its tranquil surroundings – a paradise for fishing, hunting or birdwatching.”

– St. Bernard Government Office of Tourism

The Tales of 4 HORSEMEN

• Trainer/Owner Kevin Williams’ Thoroughbreds

• Lawyer Sidney Torres’ World-Class Show Horses

• Parish President/Rancher Louis Pomes' Cattle Tradition

• Businessman Fred Sigur’s Early Days on Rodeo Circuit

By Jimmy Delery

When I was young, our family would take the journey from uptown New Orleans to my aunt and uncle’s house, Barbara and Johnny Klees, on St. Bernard Highway for a Sunday afternoon. I would know we were about to arrive at their house by passing the big pasture with the cows on it.

Uncle Johnny taught all of the kids in the big Klees extended family about cattle and horses. We all enjoyed the rides in the sulky pulled by a Shetland pony or a donkey. As we grew taller, he would let us ride the saddled Shetland pony. The big day came when cousin Bobby Klees saddled up on his big horse. Those days are fond memories I will never forget.

Photo by Christy Cusimano

St. Bernard Roots: “Land of Oxen’

According to Dumont de Montigny, a French colonial officer and farmer in French Louisiana from 1719 to 1738, the area of present-day St. Bernard Parish was known as Terre aux Bœufs (boeuf is 'steer' or 'ox' in French, thus meaning 'land of oxen'). This designation presumably was due to the presence of domestic or feral cattle there. This settlement was later called La Concepción and Nueva Gálvez by Spanish officials, but was also called Tierra de Bueyes (Spanish for 'land of oxen'). Saint Bernard, the

St. Bernard Sheriff's Posse

patron saint of colonial governor Bernardo de Galvez, was used in documents to identify the area. Isleño colonists from Tenerife, Canary Islands (off the West Coast of Sahara Africa), brought the tradition of domesticating cattle to St. Bernard. The first Isleños arrived in Louisiana during 1778 and continued to arrive in the province until 1783, according to St. Bernard Parish Historian Bill Hyland.

Ranchers throughout Louisiana and eastern Texas brought herds of cattle to St. Bernard Village for training by Isleños, who became renowned for their ability to domesticate animals.

Parade goers beginning in the late 1960s would appreciate the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Posse riding in parades in the region. Wallace Ansardi, Frederick Sigur, Guy Busalacchi, Joe Meraux, Henry Ponstein, and Anthony “Tony” Pohlmann were some of the riders that founded the posse under the administration of Sheriff Nicolas Trist.

The posse was a close-knit group, open to the public with certain guidelines. A rider had to have a certain breed of horse. The flag troop, which led the posse, had a sorrel-colored (reddish) horse with a Western saddle, followed by riders wearing big cowboy hats on golden Palomino horses with silver saddles. All riders had matching uniforms with fringes and rhinestones, making for a true spectacle of horsemanship.

The tradition of cattle training evolved in Tenerife because of a scarcity of horses and mules. Tenerfenos were forced to utilize oxen in the cultivation of crops throughout the island. In addition to cattle training and farming, Isleños in the 19th century worked on the sugar plantations, harvesting sugarcane and cypress.

In New Orleans’ parades, they rode on the side of specialty floats for crowd control. With guns in holsters, they were bonded by the Sheriff’s Office. It was certain St. Bernard had a signature for Mardi Gras parades that all enjoyed.

Williams Raises Winners

Trainer/Owner Kevin Williams, second from right, poses with family and friends after his horse The Three K’s wins a race on March 18, 2022 the N. O. Fairgrounds.

Kevin Williams, who many know as the Barbecue King of Violet, is a horseman in a unique way. His first experience was at the young age of 2 riding in the lap of relatives. As a young child, he loved horses and found a path to a sport of kings – horse racing. Opportunity knocked by working at a local track as a teenager, getting a chance to ride and help with racehorses. Soon, Williams would make it to the New Orleans Fairgrounds and eventually become a trainer and owner.

Posse saddle and uniform of Joe Meraux on display at Meraux Foundation Delta headquarters. (Not open to the public)

Photo by Hodges Photography

The thoroughbred horses used for track racing are tall and long-legged. They can be traced back to three original stallions that were brought to England from Arabia and mated with English mares. Today, there are about 100,000 registered thoroughbred horses.

Hazy Morn was a favorite of Kevin’s horses – a tall gray horse and a prize-money winner. The most noted horse Kevin has owned is the Three K’s. The name stands for the first initials of Kevin, his son, and his granddaughter, not to be confused with the KKK. Another winner is Flat Out America, who ran at the Fairgrounds in December. Daily, Kevin can be found at the Fairgrounds enjoying his devotion and passion to the fast and furious racehorses.

Sidney’s Show Horses

When you hear the name Torres you think of a long history in St. Bernard. Miss Lena, Torres’ mother, grew up on a farm we know today as Docville with the big oak trees along St. Bernard Highway. Her

father, Sam Randazzo, was the overseer for Doc Meraux for his many properties and livestock. Randazzo’s mode of transportation was his horse as he tended to the large farm. As time went on, many ranchers today turned to gasoline powered vehicles. It has always been a tradition to show and compete with horses on a local, national, and international level.

Sidney Torres III is proud of the show horses he began to collect about 30 years ago. The name Torres is an old Islenos name from around the 1760s.

The prized Paso Fino horses that make up Torres’ collection predated his family arrival by 250 years.

Yes, Christopher Columbus, on his second journey in 1493, brought the original stock. Horses were important to new world explorers. The queen of Spain gifted Columbus 20 stallions and 5 mares of her finest royal horses. The Paso Fino is a crossbreed between the Barb, Spanish Jennet, and the Andalusian. They are known for a special gait, smooth ride, and endurance. Hence, the name “paso fino” means fine step. When you see them running, they look like they are high stepping rather than a gallop stride like a racehorse.

Torres and his late wife, Roberta Burns, enjoyed their horses especially on quiet rides along the Mississippi levee and trails along the crevasse. The horses are well kept at Hacienda Torres in Poydras and at a professional training and boarding facility Horse Haven in Poplarville, Miss.

His favorite horse born at the Poydras Hacienda was named “Sockabo”, a childhood nickname for Torres. Sockabo became a grand national champion as well.

Yes, there is a lot of pride Torres has invested in his show horses, but nothing can compare to a relaxing ride after a hard day's work. In jest,

Photo by Charles Jackson

Kevin Williams with Flat Out America.

Roberta and Sidney raised prize-winning horses.

Torres’ prized stock has consisted of several grand national champions.

Photo Provided

is Sidney Torres an attorney turned horseman, or a horseman turned attorney? Another little point of humor, Torres Riverhouse at Crevasse 22 is a beautiful private art gallery, but who would imagine that the Paso Fino horses have a collection of art in their barn as well. In a very quiet way, world-class fame has been brought to a small stretch of land along the Mississippi River at Hacienda Torres.

Continuing Cattle Tradition

There are two men you will frequently see wearing a big white cowboy hat in St Bernard – Parish President Louis Pomes and real estate developer Fred Sigur, Jr. Pomes has long been a go-to, fix-it man in parish government, Road Division, with a second life as a rancher. Buying a young calf that needed to be bottle fed at an auction started Pomes’ rancher career. As time went on, a desire for more cattle was satisfied. The herd grew to almost 300 heads before Katrina. Unfortunately, the hurricane was fatal to most of the livestock in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes.

spring at calving time, the herd almost doubles. Primarily the calves are beef stock and will be sold at auction. Anyone who has traveled to lower St. Bernard has seen the herd on the pasture called the Sinclair tract.

So far, I have written about the cows, where do the horses come into play with this modern cowboy? Many ranchers in big open pastures out west use four-wheelers, but because in South Louisiana we have mixed open fields and woods, nothing works better than a quarter horse. The horse can maneuver through the brush and trees and is less likely to scare the cattle.

Has this talent of herding cattle by Pomes been a lifesaver? Yes.

A short story: Pomes, along with a little help, herded cattle, horses and other pets after Katrina to food and water. The animals were given a safe place to be held until a permanent shelter could be found. Another interesting fact is Pomes, along with John Esteves, assisted ranchers in other parishes herding cattle with airboats before and after hurricanes. For his service saving livestock, Pomes was awarded The White Horse Award in 2005 at the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America White Horse Heroes Luncheon at Belmont.

After Katrina, Pomes was hired as a rancher for a small herd, which he eventually purchased for his future rebuilding of livestock. Today, Pomes has a herd of 250 cows and eight breed stock bulls. Each

Pomes has always been known to the people of the Parish as someone who has a strong sense of caring for nature’s creatures. Beau Armond at Beau’s Feed and Pets in Poydras considers Pomes the go-to-guy for questions about livestock. We are lucky a tradition of cattle ranching has continued in St. Bernard that began with the early Spanish descendants.

Fred, a Teenage Cowboy

Sigur’s love for horses started when he was in the 10th grade. His father, Fred, Sr., purchased a Palomino horse and a Shetland pony. That’s when he started wearing a cowboy hat. When he was a senior in high school (1959-1960), he started working for Harvey Roberts, a local rancher, twice a year for four years, helping him take care of the cattle. He herded the cattle on horseback to vaccinate, deworm and brand.

Around the same time, he started riding the bareback broncs in the Louisiana rodeo circuit. He

Louis Pomes, left, and Fred Sigur

Photo by Charles Jackson

Photos by Christy Cusimano

1967.

rode for a couple of years until he broke his leg during one of the rodeos. He rode a few more times but quit soon afterward. His stables used to be located on St. Bernard Highway where the refineries are situated across from Rocky’s & Carlos. He and his friends would chase the trains on their horses and swing onto the caboose from their horses like cowboys in the Western movies.

Before the Sheriff's posse was created, Sigur and friends started a riding group called the Chalabi Rangers (short for Chalmette/Arabi). They began riding in Mardi Gras parades and then joined in with the Sheriff's posse. Sigur wanted to be a large animal veterinarian while in college, but decided to go into the homebuilding business with his father. After college, Sigur joined the Louisiana National Guard and served in the 39th Military Police Company for seven years.

Son of Arabi Neighborhood Leads Brother Martin High

Greg Rando, president of Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, has worked at the school for 39 years.

Growing up in Arabi, Greg Rando found his “second home” at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church and School, where his family and neighborhood friends gathered. “I have great memories of that school and church community. I believe that my life vocation as an educator actually began there,” he said.

For 39 years, Rando, 64, has worked at Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, serving as principal, assistant principal, admissions director, and teacher. In 2017, he was named president of the all-boys Catholic High School owned and operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart with grades 8-12. Brother Martin is known for its college-preparatory curriculum, outstanding faculty, a wide variety of Louisiana High School Athletic Association sanctioned sports, club sports, co-curricular offerings in music and Navy

I loved the community and family feel of St. Bernard. We all knew one another and took care of each other…like one big extended family.

- Greg Rando

Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, and other extracurricular activities.

He credits his mother, Gloria Rando, and his siblings LeAnne Harlton, Peter Rando, Susan Landry, and Gloria Doran – all longtime “school people” in St. Bernard Parish and the Greater New Orleans area –for developing his passion for education at an early age.

Besides St. Louise de Marillac school, Rando attended St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic School in Arabi. Both private schools closed in 2004.

“I loved the community and family feel of St. Bernard,” Rando said. “We all knew one another and took care of each other. St. Bernard Parish was like one big extended family; we had everything we needed in a small, friendly community. I still have siblings living in Arabi and Chalmette. I also have a few professional friendships with faculty at Chalmette High School, so it’s nice to visit with them at Brother Martin/Chalmette High events.”

– By Brother Martin High School Staff

Following Father’s Footsteps

Celebrating 50 Years In Chalmette

Jeanfreau’s Timeline

1950’s – Joey Jeanfreau Sr. opened Jeanfreau’s Supermarket - Meats & Grocery on the corner of Mazant and Derbigny streets in the 9th Ward. The family lived on North Robertson Street, where Joey Jr. spent his childhood.

1973 – Joey Sr. died. Joey Jr., his mother, Cecilia, and sister Carol continued the business.

1974 – Led by Joey Jr., the family relocated the store to Chamette, purchasing the former Taranto’s Grocery Store at 2324 Paris Road. Taranto’s was a full-service grocery. Joey III was 2 years old. “This was my playground,” Joey III said. “When I was a kid, I used to stand on a milk crate and watch them cut meat.”

Joey Jeanfreau III and his only child, daughter Mattie Leidinger, operate the family business.

1980’s – Larger grocery stores opened in St. Bernard Parish. “We went through a lot of tough times with big stores moving in,” Joey III said. “So we downsized and focused on New Orleans-style cuts like veal, hot sausages and hog’s-head cheese. My father held on. We started introducing stuff that’s not available anymore, like luncheon tongue (cold cuts that Hormel used to make). I started working here when I was 15, joined the Navy at age 20, then returned to work with my father as a butcher.”

Photos by Charles Jackson

Founder Joey Jeanfreau Sr. at the original supermarket.

Joey Jr. and Joey III

1994 – Joey III’s only child, Mattie, was born at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Hospital in Portsmouth, Va., Navy Base to Michelle Busby.

2000 - Joey III returned from serving seven years in the Navy and started the store's catering service.

2005 – Opened the grill/restaurant in February. Hurricane Katrina hit August 29.

Ryley, Joey’s granddaughter, enjoys bagging groceries for customers, who often give her tips. The 5-yearold has grown up in the store, playing games and picking up loose change.

2006 – Returned one year after Katrina. “My dad said, these people were here for us, so we’ll be there for them. We were one of the first restaurants and grocery stores to reopen. We expanded our grill and catering operations after Katrina.”

2015 – Mattie married Robert Leidinger. He joined the Coast Guard and the couple were stationed in Michigan and California before returning to New Orleans.

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2018 – Mattie gave birth to daughter Ryley, who became Joey III’s “sidekick,” Mattie said. “She’s here helping us when she’s not at school or in dance practice. I am the only child and only grandchild, so the Jeanfreau last name cannot be carried on any further. But the Jeanfreau’s Meat Market is forever here. I dream that my daughter will carry on this legacy and make us all proud.”

December 2023 – Joey Jr. died at age 76. “We were best friends and neighbors,” Joey III said. “We bonded over food. We were well-fed.”

2024 – Business celebrates 50 years in Chalmette. “We love our loyal customers,” Joey III said. “We have multiple customers who have shopped at this location since we moved here.”

– By Charles D. Jackson

Family Military Service

All three Joey Jeanfreaus served in the military. Joey Sr. was a cook in the Navy during World War II. “Because he was a butcher, they assigned him to be a cook,” Joey III said. Joey Jr. served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War; and Joey III, following his grandfather’s footsteps, was a cook in the Navy.

Footsteps

Smitty’s Tire: Tony & Scott

One of St. Bernard’s longtime businesses is run by a father and son duo who has been working together for 27 years. At Smitty’s Tire, Anthony (Tony) Cuccia says his son, Scott, is a chip off the old block.

Scott Cuccia grew up around the business, watching his grandfather Cola Long and his dad work together. Long owned the business and Tony was the manager. As a young boy, Scott ran through the warehouse of tires stacked up to the ceiling. He admired the way his dad handled his customers and vowed to do the same when he came of age.

After graduating from Chalmette High School, Scott began working with his father and grandfather at Smitty’s, and quickly learned the trade. He became a certified brake tag technician. Tony and Scott worked side by side every day, with father teaching son mechanics and tire repair.

After Hurricane Katrina, Tony became the owner of Smitty’s Tire in Meraux. In 2018, he purchased Smitty’s Tire of Chalmette located at 2615 Buffon St. Scott was immediately named manager of the store. Like his dad, Scott takes pride in servicing the people of St. Bernard Parish. “I love coming to work every day. It makes me proud to help people and continue the legacy that my dad and grandfather created 50 years ago.”

Smitty’s Tire opened in 1973. Tony was recently honored for his five decades of service and now, his daughter, Natasha Robin, works alongside him at the Meraux location.

A Lifetime Entrepreneur

Richard “Richie” Lewis, 49, grew up in the Cypress Gardens neighborhood (where Joe Davies Elementary is located).

An entrepreneur since high school, he now owns Gerald’s Donuts, one of the parish’s leading small businesses, employing 70 workers.

His Timeline

1988 – Lewis started work at age 15, helping a Bunny Bread driver with deliveries, starting at 1 a.m. “He’d drop me off at school (Chalmette High) after deliveries,” Lewis said. “In later years, I’d leave school and walk to Tony Po-Boys (where El Paso is located) and wash dishes. We were a poor family with five kids. My mom worked two jobs to support us and made sure we had everything we needed, not everything we wanted.”

1991 – At age 17, he opened Richard’s Meat Market at Magnolia and Felicity streets in Central City (New Orleans) inside a grocery store.

1997 – Lewis managed the Spur Gas Station at Washington Street and South Claiborne Avenue. His wife, Jennifer, worked for Beeper World. “She and I decided to open our own pager store

Photo by Farrah Ross Appleman

After so many ups and downs, wins and failures, we learned that the best practice is to invest in our community.

- Owner Richard “Richie” Lewis

inside the gas station where I was manager. We later opened four locations before cell phones made beepers/pagers obsolete.”

2004 – Lewis and Jennifer purchased Wagner’s Meats at South Claiborne Avenue. “Then Katrina hit; reset,” Lewis said.

2005 – After Katrina, he worked for a roofing company for three weeks, then partnered with a contractor “that turned into a multi-million dollar construction company, which led me to open Professional Building Supplies on Judge Perez Drive,” he said.

2009 – Lewis filed for bankruptcy. “Back to broke,” he said.

2010 – “After the construction boom post-Katrina dwindled, we opened a pizza and laser tag facility called The Jungle,” Lewis said. “This was one of my most passionate and dearest businesses because it involved serving so many children. Although it was a great business, it was too

soon after Katrina. We didn’t have the population to support it.”

2011 – “The opportunity came to reopen the ever-so-popular Gerald’s Donuts,” Lewis said. “After so many ups and downs, wins and failures, we learned that the best practice is to invest in our community, and that's one of Gerald’s mission statements. My mindset is to build a stronger community; to be part of something that’s much bigger than me.”

Today - “Gerald’s Donuts donates more than $50,000 a year back into the local community through civic and non-profit organizations,” Lewis said. He has been married to Jennifer for 28 years. The couple has one daughter, Madison (for whom Madison Enterprises, LLC – the parent company of Gerald’s Donuts – is named). “Jenny and I had our first date in the eighth grade – and here we are 33 years later.”

– By Charles D. Jackson

Lewis with daughter Madison and wife Jennifer.

Small Business Profile

by Charles D. Jackson

Poydras Junction Hardware Customers Load Up The Hard-to-Find

Photo by Charles Jackson

Owner Chris Roberts, Troy Sims, Karen Palmer, Kevin Walter and Chris’ son, Colby Roberts.

Poydras Junction Hardware is almost like Grand Central Station: People (mostly men) coming and going almost nonstop. The store is located near the old Poydras Plantation stop of the Mexican Gulf Railroad, which operated in the mid-1850s to around 1930. The train ferried folks to and from New Orleans, with a stretch of railroad going to the Shell Beach Depot, where the rail company built a restaurant and hotel for tourists and New Orleanians.

But today, the spot serves as a junction stop for regular customers of owner Chris Roberts, who’s often seen hopping in and out of the store. “What you got, Stacey?” said Roberts, walking outside to greet Stacy Geraci, who is getting help from a Poydras Hardware worker unloading a large black device from the bed of his pickup. “I got a battery for you. It’s brand new. It wouldn’t fit our machine,” said Geraci, who works for a construction company doing marsh restoration.

Items like the hard-to-find battery are what has kept Roberts’ business growing for almost 36

years. “We stay busy,” Roberts said. “We’ve got most of the stuff people need. Some of the stuff is kind of oddball – things Home Depot doesn’t have, like oilfield supplies and boat supplies.”

Poydras Hardware also has a steady stream of loyal customers. “99% are repeat customers,” said Karen Palmer, who has worked at the store for 27 years. “I watched all these kids growing up. I saw customers come in here small; now they have kids of their own.”

“Busy?” she responded to a question. “Sometimes we’re over swamped, but we get them in and out.”

That’s because the jam-packed store has an army of workers – who average a total of 20 years on the job, with Karen the longest-serving, followed by Kevin Walter, 24 years; Gary Lindsey, 21 years; Troy Sims, 19 years; Randell Journee, 16 years; and Roberts’ son, Colby, 15 years.

Although Colby has the shortest tenure (he started working at age 20), the 35-year-old actually has been around the business since age 1, when the family lived above the store for five years, while saving money to buy a house after Roberts purchased Poydras Hardware out of bankruptcy court in November 1989.

“I added the junction to the name because we’re at the junction of State Road 300 and State Road 39,” Roberts said. “It was kind of hard at the time, a lot of hours and time away from the family. But we have good customers who keep coming back.”

And they have a great staff who love serving. “All of us are loyal to the job,” Sims said. “He (Roberts) takes care of us. They’re good people. I love my job. I love my two-by-fours (lumber). I love loading customer supplies on their trucks.”

Marty Melerine III, who has been a customer since day 1, said, “If you break it, they have the part to fix it.”

Transplant Journey

Positive Attitude, ‘Miracle’ of Receiving Lung

Photo by Charles Jackson

Ron Chapman, with wife Margaret, tells the complete story in his book, “A Quest For A Lung,” available on Amazon books.

By Ron Chapman

There IS such a thing as a “second lease on life.” I have gone from counting my days to planning a “bucket list.” That is a miracle. My journey resembles every transplant journey. Their story is my story. Perhaps it may even be yours –hopefully not!

It all began in 2016 with a visit to my cardiologist. He discovered a strange noise in my lungs and referred me to a pulmonologist. That doctor diagnosed me with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and gave me three to five years to live. Devastating news.

I visited Dr. Janine Parker for a second opinion. She diagnosed hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), the lungs’ reaction to contaminants in the air. HP causes fibrosis, a scarring of the lungs that prevents the transfer of oxygen to the blood.

Dr. Parker then referred me to Dr. Joseph Lasky at Tulane Medical. He attended me for three years before referring me to Houston Methodist Hospital for a lung transplant. I required ever-increasing levels of supplementary oxygen.

On April 4, my wife, Margaret, and I arrived for an interview with the pulmonologist. I was admitted to the ICU, listed for a transplant within 18 days and received a lung on April 24. According to the doctors, that timeline was a miracle. Many wait months. Anyone undergoing a transplant must relocate for up to a year. Patients are monitored over concerns of organ rejection. Our stay was nearly eight months.

Home Away From Home

While in Houston, we lived in a variety of apartments provided by different religious and charity groups at a reduced rate. Hotels would have crippled us financially. Living away is still expensive, but these facilities do make it somewhat affordable.

Other issues concern who will take care of matters in your absence from home? Houses, cars, children, pets, mail, bills, etc., all must be considered. These just add to the stress.

Nevertheless, there is no question that one is blessed to undergo transplant. A transplant is a life-altering event. I have returned to a nearly normal life, but underwent a social and emotional evolution. One sees the world differently. The medical tests are comprehensive. Patients

meet some wonderful doctors and nurses in whose hands you trust your life. They become lifelong trusted friends. They are indeed “lifelong.” Transplant patients must return to their respective hospital on a scheduled basis for testing until they die. Organ rejection remains a persistent threat, and it can happen fast – very fast!

When transplant patients share housing with other patients, strong relationships develop. One enters a unique community of common experiences. Although the organs might be different, the process is similar. You learn from one another and support one another.

I arrived in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank and met some wonderful people who had either just completed their transplant or had it performed some years ago. They all offered friendly advice and support. Experienced guides are welcomed. After surgery and recovery, the tables turn. Suddenly, the patient becomes the mentor to those just arriving and needing support. This process builds strong bonds among members of the group.

Caregivers Critical

When something impacts one, it affects us all. When a friend gets the call for transplant, we all rejoice. The same when tragedy occurs. A special connection exists unlike other relationships.

This leads into another aspect of the transplant journey: the caregiver! On your first visit with the transplant team, the caregiver(s) must be present. They are critical to the success of the process.

Caregivers provide support and are the unsung heroes. They continue doing what they always did, must take on many of the duties you formerly performed, and are then called upon to perform medical assistance.

Margaret is my gift. Were it not for her, I likely would not be here today. Her strength, determination, passion and drive sustained me through many difficult challenges. She never faulted. When we married she signed up “for better or worse, richer or poorer, and in sickness and health.” She got all six! I owe my life to her.

It is now a year since my transplant and all is going well. So far no complications, and I am gaining strength every day.

I close with this thought. One must be positive in life no matter the challenges. For those facing transplant, this is especially so.

NEVER GIVE UP!

To become a donor, contact Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency www.lopa.org

Ron Chapman has been a proud member of St. Bernard for 47 years. President of Ron Chapman-Shipwright, Inc. since 1976, he has been a history professor at Nunez Community College for 24 years, and has composed a weekly column for The St. Bernard Voice for 37 years. Chapman has written five books in recent years.

Program Aims To Prevent Overdoses

During the Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette, representatives from the University of Louisiana at Monroe Harm Reduction Education and Referral for Opioid Overdose Reversal (ULM H.E.R.O.) Program distributed free naloxone kits that could save the life of a person experiencing an overdose.

The program aims to provide first responders and key community organizations evidence-based educational programs on harm reduction to reduce opioid overdose rates and increase referrals to treatment recovery centers in the Greater Orleans Parish (including St. Bernard) and Greater Ouachita Parish areas. This program is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration until September 2026. These parishes are surrounded by highly underserved populations high in medical need with poor access to naloxone, a lifesaving medication for people overdosing on opioids.

In 2021 the state of Louisiana ranked fourth in the United States for per capita overdose rates as 56 out of 100,000 persons died due to overdose and 1,300 of those deaths involved opioids. Additionally, Louisiana providers write an average of 72 opioid prescriptions per 100 individuals. The program advocates for everyone to have access to naloxone and learn how to use it, much like people learn how to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

ULM H.E.R.O partners with first-responder organizations to provide valuable, free education sessions and participate in community events. Programming includes addressing stigma regarding opioid use, the pharmacology of opioids, the history of opioid use in Louisiana, and teaching communities how to use opioid overdose reversal medications.

Types, Signs of Hernias

Hernias are common and often result in pain or discomfort. When muscles are weak, an organ or tissue pushes through those muscles. Hernias may be noticeable as they can cause a visible lump that protrudes in and out of the body. For example, hernias are more noticeable when standing up, bending down, and coughing.

There are four common types of hernias. Inguinal hernia is the most common type found in the inner groin as the intestines protrude through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall in the inguinal canal. Hiatal hernia is common in people older than 50 and results from the stomach pushing through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. A ventral hernia is found in the abdomen and minimizes when lying down. Ventral hernia results from a surgical incision. An umbilical hernia is commonly found in children and babies where the intestines push through the abdominal wall near the belly button. Often, an umbilical hernia heals itself.

Symptoms of hernia can range from pain and discomfort to heartburn, trouble swallowing, and chest pain. There are some cases when symptoms

by Thomas Delahoussaye, MD

are not experienced, and hernias are discovered through a routine medical exam. Causes of hernias include aging, injury, surgery, heavy lifting, coughing, chronic pulmonary disorders, obesity, pregnancy, constipation, and congenital conditions. Additional risk factors to keep in mind are, premature birth, cystic fibrosis, chronic constipation, smoking, and heredity.

Sometimes, surgical repair is required. Physical exam and imaging are needed to diagnose a hernia. If you think you are experiencing hernia symptoms, contact your provider.

To

Delahoussaye

or visit www.ochsner.org.

A Decade of Better Healthcare

Dr. Edwin Lin examines a pediatric patient, just as he has done for more than 40 years in the Greater New Orleans area.

(Sponsored Content)

Imagine a place where young, old, poor, and wealthy — all people regardless of income, insurance status, language, or background — could go to receive high-quality, affordable healthcare close to home. A place where a mother can bring her kids to the doctor and see her doctor, too. A place where she and her children can all get top-notch medical and mental health care. A healthcare home.

For the past decade, Baptist Community Health Services (BCHS) has been making this a reality in St. Bernard Parish and across the Greater New Orleans area. In fact, Community Health Centers, qualified by the Health Resources and Services Administration, work hard every day to make that happen across the nation.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a group of churches called the New Orleans Baptist Association worked together to help resilient New Orleans rebuild. In order to fill the glaring gap in access to primary care in the Lower Ninth Ward, they helped a physician and a team of medical professionals begin seeing patients from a clinic on St. Claude Avenue. That same clinic is still in operation today – now a multi-site Community

Baptist Community Health Services began because of a belief that everyone deserves the highest quality of healthcare regardless of their insurance status. Every day our team strives to go above and beyond for our patients as we work to provide for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

– Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Simmons

Health Center providing individuals and families across three parishes with the care they need and deserve, regardless of ability to pay.

Mission: The Love of Christ

The mission of BCHS is to demonstrate the love of Christ by providing high-quality medical and behavioral healthcare, and that mission won't stop any time soon. In fact, the organization is gearing up for exciting expansions to continue meeting the needs of the community. This past year, the health center significantly increased access to care for Hispanic communities by utilizing technology and employing more bilingual medical personnel. This is only the tip of the iceberg. BCHS is dedicated to continuing its mission to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and convenient for all.

With gratitude to its community, partners, founders, donors, and patients calling the organization their healthcare home, BCHS celebrates a decade of service to the New Orleans area and its most vulnerable. With great hope and excitement for the next 10 years and beyond, the health center invites you to visit www.bchsnola.org.

The Louisiana International Terminal

The Louisiana International Terminal is about more than meeting future market demands. It’s about creating opportunities for St. Bernard Parish and Louisiana. The Port of New Orleans aims to open doors for local workforce and businesses. To do so, we will continue to collaborate with our neighbors. Let’s work together to build a project that preserves local quality of life. The Louisiana International Terminal is currently undergoing an environmental review process, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), before permits can be issued and construction can begin.

by Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Old Arabi History

Final of 3-Part Series: Historic Districts

The Le Beau House Hosted Hotel, Casino

Roughly 10,000 square feet, the structure was believed to be the largest plantation house remaining in metropolitan New Orleans. It represented a hybrid of Creole vernacular design principles and very bold, simple Greek-Revival architectural details.

By William deMarigny Hyland St. Bernard Parish Historian

The Le Beau House was constructed between 1852 and the death of its builder, Francois Barthelemy Le Beau, in 1854. The rear of Le Beau faced Bienvenue Street near the corner of Friscoville Avenue. Le Beau acquired the first portion of the property from Numa and Gustave Treme in 1850 with a complex of 18th-century structures, including a raised principal house and outbuildings. He purchased the remainder of the tract in 1851.

Le Beau built a remarkable home which represented a hybrid of Creole vernacular design principles, and very bold, simple Greek-Revival architectural details. His widow, Sylvanie Fuselier de la Claire, lived in the home until her death in 1879. The Le Beau children sold the house in 1905. The house was two stories and of brick-betweenposts construction, perhaps one of the latest examples of this building style in Louisiana. The structure contained roughly 10,000 square feet and was believed to be the largest plantation house remaining in metropolitan New Orleans.

Prior to a disastrous fire in 1985, most of the original interior and exterior millwork, plaster ornamental ceiling medallions, plaster work, doors, window sashes and cast-and-wrought-iron balustrades remained intact. A beautiful wooden staircase on the rear gallery of Le Beau connected the first floor, second floor and attic. A wooden spiral staircase led from the attic to the cupola which surmounted the roof, providing a memorable view of the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

A Standout House

Unlike Creole houses, a 13-foot wide center hall divided each floor. Then, unlike Anglo-American houses, four rooms, each opened into the other, flanked each side of the center hall on the first and second floors. The double parlors and public rooms opening into the center hall on the first floor had beautiful black and gold veined Egyptian marble mantels in a restrained Rococo Revival style with very large gold leaf framed pier mirrors hanging on the chimney breasts above the mantels. There was no evidence of gas lighting fixtures. Large wrought iron hooks protruded from the

Photo by Joe Walls

ceiling medallions on both the first and second floors. Photographic documentation exists of much of the ornamental plaster work throughout Le Beau prior to the 1985 fire.

Le Beau House was a hotel, gambling casino and home for the Francioni family following acquisition by the Friscoville Realty Company and later gaming entrepreneur Joe Brown. Community leader and banker Joseph Maumus Meraux purchased Le Beau House in 1967.

The respected restoration architects Robert J. Cangelosi, Koch and Wilson Architect were hired to structurally stabilize Le Beau in 2004. Le Beau House burned again in November 2013. The landmark was totally destroyed in the second fire.

The Cavaroc House

Cavaroc House is located at 7417 N. Peters St. on the grounds of Domino Sugar Refinery. The house was constructed for the widow of Paul Darcantel by contractor Jean Louis Isnard, according to plans developed in 1844 by renowned 19th century architect James Dakin. Darcantel and later, his widow, operated one of several dozen brickyards on the east bank of the Mississippi below New Orleans, extending almost to the western boundary of the Chalmette Monument property.

The city was experiencing such a construction boom that these brickyards could barely meet supply demands from the late 1830s through the end of the 19th century.

The building derives its name from a later owner, Pierre Charles Cavaroc, who lived in the house from 1860 until 1886. He was a successful businessman involved in insurance, the Slaughterhouse Company and other enterprises. His brother-in-law, Frederic Roy, purchased the downriver adjacent and operated the Roy Brickyard. Roy donated bricks to construct St. Maurice Catholic Church and served as a member of the New Orleans City Council and, later, the St. Bernard Parish Police Jury.

Ultimately, these properties, and others contiguous extending downriver to the Chalmette Slip, were sold to the American Sugar Refining Corporation beginning in 1906. Cavaroc House served as the offices for the American Sugar Refinery for almost 80 years. This elegant Greek- Revival style masonry

building has a center hall with four large rooms on each floor. A stair hall extends the width of the building on each floor, housing an exceptional winding staircase, carved and finished to look like rosewood. The staircase winds from the first floor to the attic.

The Ford Motor Plant

In 1922, Henry Ford established a sprawling, 227,000-square-foot assembly plant in Arabi for Model T Fords. Introduced to the world in 1908, the Model T was one of the first mass-production vehicles, allowing Ford to achieve his aim of manufacturing the universal car.

He converted the plant at 7200 N. Peters St. in 1928 to make the Model A. Designed by renowned industrial architect Albert Kahn, the Ford Plant was strategically located at the Mississippi River and adjacent to railroad lines to transport parts and finished automobiles to and from the plant. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2018.

Today, the 27-acre plant site is owned by Attorney Sidney D. Torres III, lead partner of The Ranch Film Studios. Future plans include a multimillion-dollar historical restoration and repurposing it into a 21st century creative industries hub and cultural art center for St. Bernard and the Greater New. Orleans area. Torres has hosted receptions to show off the plant’s history (with early Ford vehicles as photo props) and its potential (bird’s-eye view of the Mighty Mississippi).

Vehicles displayed at Ford Plant event by owner Sidney Torres.

Photos by Charles Jackson

Faces of the Parish Newcomers

and Longtime Residents

1. Scholarship celebration: Emma Abadie, left, congratulates Carmen Tonry, during dinner with friends Zoey Wolfe, Audrey Cox, and Amelia Cusimano.

2. Raymond Mitchell came to Chalmette in 2008 with his construction tools and HarleyDavidson motorcycle from Western Massachusetts to help rebuild after Katrina. He’s now director of construction for a company, purchased a home in Violet, and built a weekend getaway lakefront home in Hattiesburg, Miss.

3. Renata and Alton Brown met in 2008, married in 2009 and have been living in Chalmette since 2008.

4. Nicholas Guidry, a teacher and coach at Lake Forest Charter School, moved to Chalmette in January 2023 “to escape the city. I like that it’s a small community not far from the city,” he said.

5. Brandi and Michael Martin have been married four years. They are lifelong residents. What makes St. Bernard stand out from any other place? “How friendly everyone is,” Brandi says.

6. Dustin Beebe sports his Rollie Fingers mustache while dining at Rotolo's Pizzeria. Beebe moved to Chalmette in October 2019 from Huntington Beach, Calif. What does he like about St Bernard? “It’s safe, friendly and close to work at NASA.’’

7. Twins Casey and Hanna flank sister Marisa Hufft after enjoying breakfast at a Chalmette restaurant. They live in Arabi, close to their school, Arabi Elementary. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8. Demi Deblonde, then 8, celebrates her first Holy Communion with mom Crystal, brother Britt, Jr., and father Britt.

9. Cool priest. Rev. Andy Gonzalez enjoys Tomato Fest at Our Lady Prompt Succor.

10. Alora and Elise Dickens, Emma Messick, and Aaliyah Walgamotte chill on Octavia Drive.

11. Newcomers Dora Lotz and Johnny Tomlinson celebrate Johnny's birthday at The Kitchen Table. The couple live in Arabi “in a bright yellow house.” Johnny says they moved in May 2016 from New Orleans.

12. Sadie Gioe, 1, hangs out with dad Chris Gioe, a lifelong resident, who is holding his godchild Caiden Anderson at Crave Restaurant.

13. Wayland Cooper moved in October 2022 from Mid-City to Arabi with his partner Torrey. “I’m a country boy at heart. I love the space and the community is great; it feels very safe.”

Faces of the Parish Newcomers

and Longtime Residents

14. Atticus, 2, and mom Susana Landry wait for coffee at French Press. “I tell him he’s too young for coffee; but he tries to sip it anyway.” She moved from New Mexico in 2017, met local John Paul, and married him in 2021. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14