450
$
ULTIMATE HEALING • SAN FRANCISCO PLANTATION • RESTORE RENAISSANCE • BUILDING FAMILIES
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 VOL. 29, NO. 6
November-December 2014
Vol. 29, No. 6
Publisher Lori Murphy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Poki Hampton Senior Editor Jan Murphy Contributing Editor Anne Honeywell Editorial Assistant Leah Draffen Contributors are featured on page 16. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Art Director Brad Growden Graphic Designer Jennifer Starkey –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Business Manager Jane Quillin Associate Publisher Candice Laizer Advertising Account Executives Kelly Alberado Caroline Battaglia Barbara Bossier Anne Honeywell Candice Laizer Barbara Roscoe Becky Slatten Amy Taylor Sales Coordinator Rachel Mellen Intern Connor Ferrill –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For advertising information phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 email sales@mandlpublishing.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Please send items for Inside Scoop to scoop@mandlpublishing.com. Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to peek@mandlpublishing.com. Submit items for Inside Input or Dining Guide to editor@mandlpublishing.com. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Contact Inside Northside P.O. Box 9148 Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 website www.insidenorthside.com Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email subscriptions@mandlpublishing.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
On the cover Artist Brett James Smith
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– INSIDE NORTHSIDE MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tam many and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copyright ©2014 by M & L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside Northside Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.
6
Inside Northside
page 36
Features 18 Leaving Questions Unanswered Cover artist Brett James Smith. 34 Traces Charlotte Butler. Up-and-coming soprano. 36 Designed for the Holidays The Boudreaux home.
contents table of
46 Building Families 52 Traces Slade Rushing. Executive Chef, Brennan’s. 58 Winner by a Nose! Scout Wade, Deer Tracker. 66 Delicious Holiday Memories 71 Distinctive Books for Giving 74 San Francisco Plantation 82 Repurposing with a Purpose ReStore Renaissance. 86 Ultimate Healing Becky and Rory Roniger. 90 Generous Hearts Is it Better to Give or to Receive? 112 Traces Caroline Voelkel. Olympic Hopeful. 118 O Tannenbaum! Tiger Branch Christmas Tree Farm.
page 74
122 Holiday Mail for Heroes Red Cross program reaches out to service members. 26 Faces of Retirement 1 on the Northshore 48 Raising the Bar for the Holidays 1 Setting up bar for partying.
Business Profile 100 Anne Burnham Cannon Mia Sorella Gifts and Décor. 134 Molly Smith Style Made Simple. 145 El Shaddai Catering
Medical Profile page 148 8
Inside Northside
116 Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore
Super-Sized Issue!
page 31
contents table of
Departments
page 103
12 Publisher’s Note 15 Editor’s Note 16 Contributors 22 INside Scoop 64 IN Better Health Todd Herbet. 95 Flourishes Extraordinary gifts and home accents.
137 INside Peek 141 IN the Spotlight Kickin’ Parkinsons.
103 INside Look Oxblood and Tan.
144 146
IN the Spotlight Symphony Soirée. IN Love and Marriage Notable northshore weddings.
35 IN the Spotlight 1 Benefits of Home Gala.
150 IN Great Taste A Movable Feast.
36 IN the Spotlight 1 Northshore’s Finest Luncheon.
152 INside Dining 158 Northshore Living Plant Your Newest Investment. 161 Ad Directory 162 Last Bite Jubilee Restaurant and Courtyard.
page 95
page 150 10
Inside Northside
A season of blessings and gifts. by Lori Murphy At times, we take our blessings and gifts for granted, realizing how great they are only when someone else points them out to us. One of our—perhaps sometimes taken for granted—blessings is life on the northshore. On December 11 in Washington, DC, Partners for Livable Communities will present its Entrepreneurial American Community award to St. Tammany Parish. This award is presented annually to only one recipient in the entire nation. It acknowledges the civic capacity building, commitment, vision and spirit of a community. Communities honored with this award are true innovators, and have found success in providing unique solutions to local problems. Some past recipients are the cities of Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Most former recipients were acknowledged for a single remarkable success or a longterm project. St. Tammany is singled out for the sheer volume of entrepreneurial initiatives by the parish, municipal governments and the private sector—from the Tammany Trace, the integrated Emergency Operations Center and the wetlands mitigation bank to Chemo Beanies and the Maritime Pilots’ Institute. In announcing the award, Parish President Pat Brister said, “What makes me the most proud about this honor for our Parish is that we’re able to forge the kind of collaborative approach that maximizes the efforts, talents, and investment of public and private entities for common purposes.” That collaborative approach is possible only through the leadership Pat and others in local governments provide. Its effectiveness depends on the citizens’ ongoing passionate commitment to business that creates the atmosphere recognized by the award. We share Pat’s hope that more and more entrepreneurs and innovators will see St. Tammany as the right environment to launch their ventures and contribute to the vitality and diversity of our community. Something special is indeed happening in St. Tammany, and we are blessed and gifted to have this award-winning place to call home.
ps On a personal note, I would like to thank the team at M & L Publishing for tackling the impossible this year. We will celebrate this holiday season with gratitude!
Editor’s note by Poki Hampton I remember when Slade Rushing was just out of culinary school. A team from Southern Living was doing a piece on Madisonville and staying at my bed and breakfast. Slade was kind enough to cook breakfast for the whole crew, to rave reviews. In this issue, we feature Slade in his new role as executive chef of the newly renovated Brennan’s in New Orleans. See his story on page 52. November is the month for getting ready for the holidays. Decorating her house for Christmas is a passion of Leslie Boudreaux’s that she shares with us on page 36. On page 45, Leslie shows us how to create the beautiful centerpiece she makes every year. The holidays are also the time to entertain family and friends. Sandra Juneau imparts some of her family’s most treasured recipes (page 66). With suggestions from Adam Acquistapace, setting up the perfect home bar for entertaining was a snap (page 148). If dining out is more your style, see our suggestions for fall favorites from some northshore restaurants in our piece on a progressive dinner (page 150). Choosing the right fresh tree is an art, but growing a Christmas tree is what Brent Dufrene does best. He tells us all that goes into the making of the perfect tree on page 118. November is also national adoption month. On page 46, read about several northshore families who have opened their homes and hearts by adopting children and learn the different options available to families who want to adopt. Fall is hunting season here in Louisiana—and a special father and son dog team make the most of it by tracking deer. Alan Wade’s dogs Scout and Zipp (page 58) are quite the pair. We all know that the northshore is a wonderful place to live and retire. Several people who are making of most of this precious time share their stories on page 126. Can’t figure out what to do with all those out-of-town guests? Take them to tour the stately San Francisco Plantation in Garyville (page 74). It is just a short drive away. When you are feeling stressed this holiday season, sit back and relax with Inside Northside. There’s lots to read in this issue.
Contributors Our contributors give Inside Northside its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.
Karen B. Gibbs Longtime contributor and former managing editor of Inside Northside, Karen B. Gibbs enjoys writing about the fascinating people and places of the New Orleans area. In “Ultimate Healing” on page 86, she tells the story of two generous givers. A contributor to Today.com and iVillage. com, Karen just completed the biography of her father-in-law, a WWII paratrooper. When not writing, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spoiling their grandchild.
Susan Bonnett
Erin Cowser
Candra George
Anne Honeywell
Susan Bonnett has been the president and CEO of the Northshore Community Foundation since its founding in 2007. She writes Inside Northside’s series about the importance of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector to our region’s quality of life (page 90). Susan loves and lives what she does as she and her husband, Mace, raise their four children. Susan is most grateful for the opportunity to spend her “work” day building a better place to live, full of compassion and opportunities for all.
As executive director of public and governmental affairs for Southeastern Louisiana University, Erin Cowser represents the third largest university in Louisiana in both legislative and public arenas. She serves on various boards and community organizations that span the north and south shores. Her advocacy work has been honored at the national, state, regional and local levels. “Winner by a Nose” on page 58 is her latest contribution to Inside Northside. Most importantly, Erin has the esteemed privilege and honor of being Eliza Kate’s mommy.
Candra George is a wife, mother, travel junkie and collector of all things vintage and shiny. She’s been a professional photographer since 2007, and has been blessed to work with some of the best in the industry. When Candra isn’t traveling and shooting, she spends her days at home in Covington, attempting to take photos of her messy toddler and stubborn French bulldog. In this issue, Candra’s photos accompany several articles, including “Building Families” on page 46.
Anne Honeywell enjoys telling the story, and she is excited to join the M&L Publishing team as editor of Inside New Orleans and contributing editor for Inside Northside. Anne grew up enjoying the culture, sights and sounds of South Louisiana. Born and raised in New Orleans, she graduated from St. Martin’s Episcopal School and Louisiana State University. For the past several years, she has worked in communications, marketing and institutional alumni relations. Devoted mother of two, she proudly lives in a house divided— Tulane/LSU. On page 74, Anne shares her personal story about San Francisco Plantation.
Other Voices: Kim Bergeron, Leah Draffen, Connor Ferrill, Poki Hampton, Sandra Scalise Juneau, Mimi Greenwood Knight and Eric Suhre.
16
Inside Northside
Leaving Questions Unanswered
Cover Artist Brett James Smith
by Poki Hampton
18
Inside Northside
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN HIS ART on the cover of Gray’s Sporting Journal or Ducks Unlimited Magazine or recognize his work with organizations like the Coastal Conservation Association or the Ruffed Grouse Society. Brett James Smith has been creating sporting paintings for more than 30 years, and his work hangs in some of the most prestigious collections in the country. His art can be seen at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Coty, Wyoming, and in the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming. Smith was born in New Orleans and grew up in Metairie. As a youngster, his grandfather took him
hunting and fishing in the piney woods of East Texas. “My grandfather was the one who had the outdoorsman in him. He would hunt and fish and travel to the West on vacations,” says Smith. “Several times in the 1950s, my grandfather, father and their wives would drive from Louisiana to Big Fork, Montana, to vacation near Yellowstone National Park. I think that is where my father got his love for the West.” Brett’s father, Donald Smith, is an artist who still paints today. He was Inside Northside’s Cover Artist in May 2010. During college, Brett went on many trips with his friends whose fathers were seasoned Cajuns—hunters >>
Meet cover artist
Brett Smith and see some of his favorite works at a Sip and Stroll.
Lee Lane
in Covington the french mix California Drawstrings Welcome Home and Garden and the shops on Lee Lane
Thursday, November 13 5:30-7:00 p.m. For more information, call
626-9684
Everyone’s Invited!
and fishermen who would start on Friday afternoon and stay until Sunday morning at one of their camps. “These men were hunting and fishing to put food on the table,” says Brett. “I was painting at the time and began selling paintings of duck hunters.” In the days before computers, Brett was a commercial illustrator, working with New York firms to supply figurative drawings for the movie industry and high profile magazines like National Geographic. “Back in those days, before computers and FedEx, we had to do the drawings and rush to the airport to get them on the next plane to New York.” As the need for illustrators diminished, Brett moved into the world of fine art. He continued to refine his painting techniques as he traveled to the West. “Traveling gave me the opportunity to hunt and paint species we did not have in the South, such as woodcocks, pheasants and grouse.” As his interest evolved, so did his art. “At first, my interest was in depicting my usual cast of sportsmen characters in this new environment. The creative possibilities seemed endless.” Collectors nationwide buy his work because of its visually authentic representation of the sporting life and because Brett brings a certain nostalgia to his subjects. The cover image, Setting Up at Sunrise, is one of these creations, a classic composition of sportsmen in their natural paradise. “What is important in these outdoor paintings is mood, a feeling of how things were and still can be. The idea is to convey the natural ruggedness of the sport without missing the subtle nuances that make the experience personal.
These are the places that generations before us took for granted. In a way, I am documenting a dying tradition that is succumbing to an increasingly urbanized society.” Out West, Brett began to stretch his imagination and paintings to include a mix of sporting and western subjects in a traditional way. “I wanted to do something totally different and unique in the market of Western art. That is not as easy as it sounds.” He needed a creative place to go in his paintings where there were no rules. Brett read a lot of Native American history and started tinkering with a contemporary twist to Native American paintings. “There were not any contemporary paintings of Native Americans in the market at the time. Making these new unconventional images would involve using creative processes that I was unfamiliar with.” A lot of different elements that relate to the Native American culture go into the paintings— elements of mysticism, the sad history of the people, folklore, dreams, clothing and color. “Among the multitude of tribes of native people in North America, the customs, beliefs and religions varied from tribe to tribe. They differed as much as they were the same. Their art and designs were unique to the individual. Inspiration was born from the mystic haze of dreams, and these dreams would turn into nightmares as their fate played out. From the destruction of their culture rose the development and ownership of their land, a concept that was unimaginable to a people who had never seen a road or a fence. Within this context lies the inspiration for these paintings,” explains Smith. Inspiration can come from seeing one little thing—just a flicker of an idea can turn into a painting. A piece of rattlesnake skin found on the ground might become a pattern in a future work. “Starting with a simple idea, I work out a simple composition around it that will bring forth colors and shapes that are fluid and unplanned. My attempt is not to interpret history but to create paintings that leave questions unanswered. There should always be some mystery behind the intent.”
As Brett works in this new artistic development style, he leaves some of the constraints of his earlier conventionalism behind. He attempts to create pictures that inspire thought. “There is a great freedom in making pictures that are not bound by reality or a planned progression in a design.” This new artistic style has created a new set of collectors for Brett’s work. “Some people still want the older works, but I have found a market for the new images as well. My goal, first and foremost, is to create pictures and imagery that are unlike anything that has come before. I will admit that some attempts are more successful than others.” Brett and his wife, Cindy, live in Covington and Noxon, Montana, with their two children. For information about his work, email brettsmithart@gmail.com.
Black Leather. November-December 2014 21
Holiday Home Tour Dec 13-14 39th Annual Holiday Home Tour. Preservation Resource Center. Historic private homes in the Garden District. Tour headquarters: Trinity Episcopal Church - Bishop Polk Hall, 1329 Jackson Ave, New Orleans. 10am-4pm. PRC members and groups of 10 or more, $30; nonmembers in advance, $40; at door $45. (504) 581-7032. prcno.org.
For an up-to-date listing of events, please check our website, insidenorthside.com.
INSIDE the definitive guide to northshore events and entertainment
November best decorated site. 6:30-9pm. Adults
the Briggs Assembly Center. Covington.
turkey on the Big Green Egg. Outdoor Living
and children, $2; 3 and under, or 62
Sign-in, 12:30 pm; Open house, 1pm.
Center. 2101 N. Hwy 190, Covington. 893-
and over, free. 839-5707.
ssacad.org or stpauls.com.
8008. outdoorlivingcenter.com. 1 Covington Art Market. Fine arts,
1-2 St. Michael’s Arts and Craft Fair.
food-funding warehouse event, tours of
Bayou Lacombe Art Guild’s annual
live music and children’s activities.
warehouse, dancing, dinner, auctions,
art show. St. Michael’s Episcopal
Covington Trailhead. 419 N. New
live music featuring Soul Revival band.
Church and School, 4499 Sharpe Rd,
Hampshire St. 9am-1pm. 892-8650.
Covington Food Bank. 840 N. Columbia
Mandeville. Sat, 11am-9pm; Sun 7-9pm.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
St., Covington. 6:30-10pm. Tickets start
lacombeartguild.com.
1 Deo Gratias Northshore. Saint Joseph Seminary College fundraising gala, silent
at $75. Jamie Andrepont, 893-3003. 1 Saints and Sinners Halloween
1-2 Tammany Trace 20th Anniversary Celebration. Covington Trailhead on
auction, raffle. Saint Joseph Abbey in
Party. Live Zydeco music with Waylon
Saturday, Mandeville Trailhead on Sunday.
St. Benedict. 6-10pm. Gala, $125; raffle
Thibodeaux. K. Gee’s Restaurant, 2534
Sat, 8am-4pm; Sun, 11am-2pm. Free.
tickets, $25. sjasc.edu.
Florida St, Mandeville. 7-10pm. 626-
1 Halloween Decorating Contest. Bogue Chitto State Park camper campsite, trick or treat, guests vote on 22
1 Pallets With a Purpose. Fun-flavored,
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
0530. kgeesrestaurant.com. 1 SSA and SPS Open House. St. Scholastica’s at SSA Gym; St. Paul’s at
stpgov.org. 1-2,8-9,15-16,22-23,28-30 Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Mini-theme park, shopping and educational exhibits. 46468
photo: SARA ESSEX BRADLEY
1 Big Green Egg Cooking Class. Cooking
River Rd, Hammond. Adult, $18; under 13, $10; season pass, $118. larf.net. 1,8-9,14-15 The Haunting of Hill House. Playmakers Inc., 19106 Playmakers Rd, Covington. Adult, $15; Student, $10. 893-1671. playmakersinc.com. 1,8,15,22,29 Covington Farmers Market. Covington City Hall, 609 N. Columbia St. Free. 8am-12pm. Jan Biggs, rosehue@ charter.net. Covingtonfarmersmarket.org. 1,8,15,22,29 Mandeville Trailhead Market. 675 Lafitte St. 9am-1pm. Free. 845-4515. mandevilletrailheadmarket.com. 1-Jan 31 WHERE: The Exploration of Photographs and Place, 1843–2014. A Gallery for Fine Photography, 241 Chartres St, New Orleans. joshuamann@ att.net. (504) 568-1313. 4 Lunch and Learn on the Overview of Diabetes. Diabetes educator Jeannette Rousseau and St. Tammany Parish Hospital kick off National Diabetes Month with a three-part series. Community Center at Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. 11:30am-1pm. RSVP to 292-1234 or email jpaortmann@ christwoodrc.com. 4 Professional Women of St. Tammany 2014 Holiday Bazaar. Shop and learn about local businesses. Hosted by Volunteer Auxillary. Lakeview Regional Medical Center main lobby areas, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington. 11am-4pm. 867-3800. 5 Historic House Specialist Seminar for Realtors. Historic house types. Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans. 8:30am-3pm. $75 for PRC members; $85 for nonmembers. Suzanne, (504) 636-3399.
>>
Inside Scoop 5,12 Open House and Trunk Show. Jewelry by Leslie Boudreaux. M. Rossie Salon; 3916 Hwy 22, Ste. 3; Mandeville. 5-8pm. 467-1241. 5,12,19,26 Covington Farmers Market. Covington Trailhead. 419 N. New Hampshire St., 10am-2pm. Free. Jan Biggs, rosehue@charter.net. Covingtonfarmersmarket.org. 5-Mar 29 Andrew Jackson: Hero of New Orleans. Jackson’s role in the Creek War and Battle of New Orleans. The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St. Opening reception, Nov 11, 6:30-8pm. Free. (504) 523-4662. hnoc.org. 6 Art21 Preview screening. Southeastern Louisiana University Contemporary Art Gallery, 100 East Stadium, Hammond. 5-6:30pm. Free. 549-5080. 7 22nd Annual Let’s Make Waves Patron Party. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s party with live music, specialty dishes, cocktails and silent auction. Pontchartrain Yacht Club, 140 Jackson Ave, Mandeville. 7-10pm. In advance, $65; at door, $75. (504) 8362205. saveourlake.org. 7 Black & Gold Day. Wear Black & Gold all day with $1 or more contribution to Children’s Museum of St. Tammany. For details, email blackandgold@smstkids.org. cmstkids.org. 7 Rick Samson. K. Gee’s Restaurant, 2534 Florida St, Mandeville. 7-10pm. 626-0530. kgeesrestaurant.com. 7 Shotgun Jazz Band and Debbie Davis & the Mezmerizers. Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall, 430 Lamarque St, Mandeville. 6:30-7:30pm; 8-9pm. $10. dewdropjasshall.com. 7 Vietri Master Artisan Signing event. Italian Artisan Stefano Roselli will mold masterpieces and sign and personalize purchases. Hazelnut New Orleans, 5515 Magazine St. 4-7pm. 891-2424. hazelnutneworleans.com. 24
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
7-8 Made-to-Measure Custom Shirt Trunk Show. Measure Up, featuring dress, sport, formal and made-tospecification shirts. HW Rosenblum, 3426 Hwy 190, Mandeville. 10am-6pm. 727-9955. 7-9 Third Annual Pontchartrain Film Festival. Louisiana-made films, short films showcase featuring Student Short Film Competition winners, dramatic and documentary films screenings. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Dr. $5. pontchartrainfilmfestival.com. 8 Native American Cultural Day. Seven Louisiana tribes share traditional dance, dress and crafts. Cassidy Park, 625 Willis Ave, Bogalusa. 9am-4pm. Free. museumsofcassidypark.org. 8-Dec 6 Put Your Best Square Foot Forward: Members’ Exhibit. Small works. Opening reception, Nov 8. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org. 8-Jan 3 Louisiana Watercolor Society Juried Art Show. The Atrium Gallery at Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. Opening reception, Nov 8. Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm. Free. 898-0515. 9 Old Mandeville Business Association Empty Bowl 2014. Choose a handmade bowl. Food from local restaurants, silent auction, live music to raise money for the Samaritan Center Food Bank. Pontchartrain Yacht Club. 4-7pm. $30. 626-4457. 9 RIOULT Dance. Modern dance with daring music and movement. Columbia Theatre, 220 E. Thomas St, Hammond. 7:30pm. 543-4371. columbiatheatre.org. 10-24 10-Year Anniversary Bella Notte sale. Tent Event, Nov 15. Door prizes, refreshments, free pillowcases with $500 Belle Notte purchase. Hestia Luxury in Linens, 61 Park Place Dr, Ste D, Covington. 893-0490.
>>
November-December 2014 25
Inside Scoop sttammanyartassociation.org. 11-Dec 31 Coats for Kids. Free appetizer or dessert with donation. Mellow Mushroom,
recommended. Mellow Mushroom, 1645
com/box_office.
Hwy 190, Covington. 7pm. $40 per
13 Cedarwood School Open House. 607
1645 Hwy 190, Covington. 327-5407.
Heavens Dr, Mandeville. Preschool to 7th
mellowmushroom.com/store/covington.
grade, 9am; kindergarten, 7pm. 845-
11,13,14,15 What Fire Could Never Burn. Play by Gary Mendoza celebrating
7111. cedarwoodschool.com. 13 Mary Monk: Pastel Art Demo.
person. 327-5407. mellowmushroom. com/store/covington. 13-14 Christ Episcopal School Mistletoe Market. Crafts, jewelry, art, home decorations and more. Christ Episcopal
the Centennial of Covington High
St. Tammany Art Association,
School Gym, 80 Christwood Blvd,
School. Performing Arts Center, 73030
320 N. Columbia St, Covington.
Covington. Thursday, 12-5pm; Friday,
Lion Dr, Covington. 7pm. 893-9843.
6:30pm. Call for fees. 892-8650.
8am-4pm. 871-9902.
covingtonhigh@stpsb.org. 12 Feed the Needy. Benefit luncheon
sttammanyartassociation.org. 13 Wine and Dine with Hospice
13-15 Finley Trunk Show. FeBe, 474 Metairie Rd, Ste 102, Metairie. Thurs-Fri,
featuring Burse Hamilton’s presentation
Foundation of the South. Benefits
of No Bad Days. Covington Rotary
Foundation. Presented by Wineries
Club. Clairon Inn & Suites, Hwy 190,
of Select Brands and sponsored by
Santa, art and wine stroll, live music from
Covington. 11:15am. $60; table of
Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket.
the U.S. Navy Band, stargazing with the
eight, $600. Purchase tickets at Baldwin
Live and silent auctions. Benedict’s
Pontchartrain Astronomy Society and
Motors or covrotary.org.
Plantation, 1144 N. Causeway Blvd,
carriage rides. Downtown Hammond.
Mandeville. 6:30-9:30pm. $65 donation.
6-10pm. Downtown Development District,
643-5470.
277-5680, ext. 2. dddhammond.com.
12-13 98% Nice 2% Naughty: A Christmas musical celebration. Cutting Edge Theatre. 747 Robert Blvd. 8pm. Rows A, B, F and H, $25; general
26
admission, $21.50. cuttingedgetheater.
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
13 Wine Dinner. Four-course meal with wine pairings, reservations
10am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5pm. 835-5250. 14 10th Annual Starry November Night.
14 Christian Serpas. K. Gee’s Restaurant, 2534 Florida St, Mandeville. 7-10pm.
626-0530. kgeesrestaurant.com. 14 Harvest Hullabaloo. Mandeville Middle School PTA. Food, games,
Hwy 61, St. Francisville. 10am-9pm. $25 in
Show. Arts and fine-craft demonstrations,
advance. (225) 635-0058. lavetsfest.org.
music, kids’ activities. Downtown
15 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Covington. 10am-5pm. 327-9797.
activities, family friendly. Castine Center,
Fontainebleau State Park, 62883 LA
Pelican Park, Mandeville. 6-9pm.
1089, Mandeville. Registration, 9am;
mandevillehigh.stpsb.org.
ceremony, 10am; walk, 10:30am.
Thiaville on violin and Brian Hsu on piano.
northshorewalk@alz.org or alz.org.
Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New
14 Northlake Newcomers Luncheon and Chico’s Fashion Show. Tchefuncta
15 Holiday Block Party with Mia Sorella,
threeriversartfestival.com. 16 3rd Sunday Concert Series. Amy
Hampshire St, Covington. 5-6pm. Free.
Country Club, Covington. 10am.
Diana Plauche, Champagne Jewelers,
Reservations required by Nov 7. $27,
and Jear Voan’s. Shop, eat, live music,
members; $30, nonmembers. 234-9649.
raffles, book signing by Anne Cannon,
to the public. Fashion, home decor and
author of Reflections, and more. Mia
gift vendors. Franco’s Athletic Club, 100
of Adam Sambola and Kenny Bridges.
Sorella Decor, 1354 Corporate Square
Bon Temps Roule, Mandeville. Shopping,
Slidell Cultural Center, 444 Erlanger
Blvd, Slidell. 9am-5pm. Free. 781-3909.
9am-8pm; holiday market happy hour,
14-Dec 20 Artist to Artist. The Works
St, Slidell. Opening reception, Nov 14. 7-9pm. Free. slidell.la.us. 15 Armbruster Artworks. 2014 art exhibit
miasorelladecor.com. 15 Servolution. El Shaddai Catering
892-3177. 18-20 Franco’s Holiday Market. Open
5-8pm. 797-0220. myfrancos.com. 19 Top Chef’s Holiday Tasting Event.
requests volunteers for the Servolution
Benefits Covington Food Bank. Holiday
featuring over 30 artists. The Southern
serving the needy through eight
samplings from local restaurants. Franco’s
Hotel, 428 E. Boston St, Covington.
churches, feeding 2,500-3,500.
Athletic Club, 100 Bon Temps Roule,
6-9pm. 630-6295.
Hammond. Call (504) 606-7740 or visit
Mandeville. 11:30am. In advance, $15; at
elshaddaicatering.org.
door, $20. 792-0200. myfrancos.com.
15 2014 Louisiana Veterans Foundation Festival. Honoring Louisiana’s veterans.
15-16 Three Rivers Art Festival. Juried Art
21 7th Annual Home is Where the Art >>
November-December 2014 27
Inside Scoop Is. Benefits East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity. Food by Patton’s, live and silent auctions, music and open bar. Northshore Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd, Slidell. 7:30-11:30pm. Individual, $50; couple, $75. 639-0656. 21 David Finckel and Mozart Sympony No. 40. Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Markand Thakar. First Baptist Church of Covington. 16333 LA-1085. 7:30pm. lpomusic.com. 21 Viper Mad Jazz Trio and Lucien Barbarin Jazz Band. Dew Drop Social and Benevolent Hall, 430 Lamarque St, Mandeville. 6:30-7:30pm; 8-9pm. $10. dewdropjasshall.com. 21-22 Fraternal Order of the Police Chili Cook-off. Downtown Hammond. Chad Hill, 974-3162. hammondchamber.org. 24-26 Children’s Three-Day Art Camp. Ages 6-12. St. Tammany Art Association Arthouse, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. 9am-3pm. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org. 27 Northshore Turkey Day Trot. Benefitting 11th annual Run for Hope. Terra Bella, 100 Terra Bella Blvd, Covington. Race day registration, 7am; 1-Mile Fun Run with 5K to follow, 8 am. For race fee information and to register, visit theyatrace.com/event/northshoreturkey-trot. 28 Black Bra Friday! 15% off all regularpriced black bras. Bra Genie, 2881 Hwy 190, Mandeville. 10am-6pm. Jeanne, 951-8638. theBraGenie.com. 28 Black Friday at Basics and The Villa. Celebrate Black Friday with specials on black merchandise. 1281 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville. 727-9521. basicsunderneath.com.
December 1 H2U Holiday Brunch. Benefit for St. Tammany Project Christmas. Clairon Inn & Suites, Hwy 190, Covington. 1-3pm. $26. 28
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
867-3900. 1-6 Put Your Best Square Foot Forward: Members’ Exhibit. Small works. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org. 1-20 Artist to Artist. The Works of Adam Sambola and Kenny Bridges. Slidell Cultural Center, 444 Erlanger St, Slidell. 7-9pm. Free. slidell.la.us. 1-31 Coats for Kids. Free appetizer or dessert with donation. Mellow Mushroom, 1645 Hwy 190, Covington. 327-5407. mellowmushroom.com/store/covington. 1-31 WHERE: The Exploration of Photographs and Place, 1843–2014. A Gallery for Fine Photography, 241 Chartres St, New Orleans. joshuamann@ att.net. (504) 568-1313. 1-Jan 3 Louisiana Watercolor Society Juried Art Show. The Atrium Gallery at Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm. Free. 898-0515. 2 Lunch & Learn on Managing Diabetes during the Holiday Season. Presented by Jeannette Rousseau, diabetes educator with STPH. Community Center at Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. 11:30am–1pm. RSVP to 2921234 or jportmann@christwoodrc.com. 2-19 Christmas New Orleans Style. Cooking demonstrations at the Farmers Market Stage on Tues-Fri of December. French Market New Orleans. 2pm. Free. (504) 522-2621. frenchmarket.org. 3 Holiday Open House and Trunk Show. Handcarved and –painted Russian Santas, cocktails, hors d’oeurves and holiday cheer. Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Décor, 3902 Hwy 22, Mandeville. 5-8:30pm. 727-9787. 3-5,8-12 Sights and Sounds of the Holiday. School groups, local churches perform. North Shore Square, 150 North Shore Blvd, Slidell. 646-0661. northshorequareonline.com.
>>
Inside Scoop 3,10,17,24,31 Covington Farmers
10am-4pm. 523-4662. hnoc.org.
Market. Covington Trailhead. 419
of town tree, tour of homes, Christmas
N. New Hampshire St, 10am-2pm.
parade. St. Francisville, La. (800) 789-
Northshore Mandeville Kiwanis Club.
Free. Jan Biggs, rosehue@charter.net.
4221. stfrancisvillefestivals.com.
Complimentary pictures with Santa and
Covingtonfarmersmarket.org. 5 Downtown Ponchatoula Christmas
6 Breakfast with Santa. Lakeview
6 Pancake Breakfast with Santa.
fire truck tours. Bring loose change to fill
Regional Medical Center, main entrance,
piggy banks to help eliminate Maternal
Lighting Ceremony. Choirs and bands,
front lobby and Pelican Room. 95 Judge
Neonatal Tetanus. Fontainebleau High
businesses open late. 5:30pm. Free.
Tanner Blvd, Covington. Reservation
School Cafeteria, 100 Bulldog Dr,
ponchatoulachamber.com.
required, 867-3900.
Mandeville. 8-11am. Buy $5 tickets at
5-6, 12-13 Christmas Under the Stars.
6 Covington Art Market. Holiday
Resource, Whitney and Fidelity banks in
Christmas lights, Parade of Trees and
shopping, fine arts, live music and
Mandeville. Cliff Giffin, (504) 577-0799 or
visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Griffith
children’s activities. Covington Trailhead.
Peter Barsczeski, 624-9895.
Park, Slidell. 6-9pm. Free. 646-4375.
419 N. New Hampshire St. 9am-1pm.
slidell.la.us.
892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org.
5-7 Christmas Extravaganza Arts and
6 Holiday Extravaganza. Musical revue.
6 Saint Paul’s Christmas Run. Sponsored by St. Paul’s Cross Country Team. For details, go to stpauls.com.
Crafts Expo. Steinhauer Production.
Covington High School music and theater
6,13 Family Holiday Tea. Seasonal sounds,
More than 500 artists and craftsmen.
students. Performing Arts Center, 73030
crafts, hot chocolate, tea, cookies and
St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, 1304
Lion Dr, Covington. 10am, 2pm, 7pm.
sandwiches. Reservation required, price
893-9843. covingtonhigh@stpsb.org.
includes festive photo. Longue Vue
N. Columbia St, Covington. 10am-5pm. Adults, $5; 12 and under, free. 796-5853. steinhauerproductions.com. 5-7 Christmas in the Country. Three days
30
of special activities, including lighting
I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e
6 Mignon Faget Trunk Show. The Shop
House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd, New
at The Collection. Historic New Orleans
Orleans. 1-3pm. Children members,
Collection, 533 Royal St, New Orleans.
$20; children nonmembers, $25; adult
members, $35; adult nonmembers, $40.
house including 20% off purchase and
Schulerhaus Gift Gallery and Christmas
(504) 293-4701. longuevue.com.
free gift wrap. Mandeville Party Company,
Boutique, Varsity Sports and K. Gee’s. Old
1858 N. Causeway Blvd. 5-7pm. 674-
Mandeville. Mug, in advance, $10; day of,
1605. mandevillepartycompany.com.
$15. 5-7pm. oldmandevillebiz.com.
6,13,20,27 Covington Farmers Market. Covington City Hall, 609 N. Columbia Street. 8am-12pm. Free.
11 Winter Concert. Covington High School
Jan Biggs, rosehue@charter.net.
Band. Performing Arts Center, 73030
Covingtonfarmersmarket.org.
Lion Dr, Covington. 7pm. 893-9843.
6,13,20,27 Mandeville Trailhead Market. 675 Lafitte Street. 9am-1pm. Free. 8454515. mandevilletrailheadmarket.com. 9 St. Peter’s Lutheran College Symphonic Winds Concert. Free concert. Symphonic band from Brisbane,
covingtonhigh@stpsb.org. 11 Sip and Shop with Emma’s, Eros and
12 Luminary Celebration. St. Paul’s School. 917 South Jahncke, Covington. Begins at dusk. stpauls.com. 12 PRC Holiday Home Tour Patron Party. Cocktail party to kick off the PRC
H20. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories,
Holiday Home Tour weekend, Dec 13-14.
3904 Hwy 22, Mandeville. 10am-6pm.
Home of John and Yulia Houghtaling, St.
778-2200.
Charles Ave. 7:30-9:30pm. $175-$650.
12 David Torkanowsky and Friends.
Averil, (504) 581-7032 or prc@prcno.org. 12-14 Christmas on the Bayou. Story of
Australia. Lamb of God Lutheran Church,
Christmas Show. Dew Drop Social
57210 Allen Road, Slidell. 7pm. 847-1877.
and Benevolent Hall, 430 Lamarque
Adrien Rouquette, who devoted his life to
St, Mandeville. 6:30-9pm. $10.
helping Native Americans in St. Tammany
dewdropjasshall.com.
150 years ago. Playmakers Theater,
9,11,16,20 Holiday Tea. Holiday tea flavors, tour the house. Reservation required. Longue Vue House & Gardens, 7
12 Old Mandeville Sips of the Season.
19106 Playmakers Rd, Covington.
Bamboo Rd, New Orleans. 1:30-3:30pm.
Twenty beverage stops, caroling, live
Fri–Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. $8 for general
Members, $35; nonmembers, $40. (504)
music including Christian Serpas at K.
admission. Reservations, 893-1671, or
293-4701. longuevue.com.
Gee’s; mug purchase required. Mugs
playmakersinc.com.
10 4th Annual Holiday Open House. Open
available for advance purchase at Das
13 Christmas Past Festival. Fun, food,
>>
Inside Scoop vendors, live music, entertainment and more. Old Mandeville Business Association, 400-600 blocks of Girod St and Mandeville Trailhead. 9am-3pm. Free. oldmandevillebiz.com. 13 Deck the Rails Kids Event. Covington Trailhead. 419 N. New Hampshire St, Covington. 4:30-7pm. Aimee Faucheux, 892-1873. 13 Holiday Sip and Shop. Food, drinks and specials. Mia Sorella Decor, 1354 Corporate Square Blvd, Slidell. 4-7pm. Free. 781-3909. miasorelladecor.com. 13 Nature’s Essene: Two Visions Opening Reception. Paintings by Marcia Holmes and Jim Seitz. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. 6-9pm. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org. 13 Ponchatoula Christmas Parade. Cartoon Characters on Parade. Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce. Floats, marching groups, Santa. Begins at Memorial Park at 5pm, ends at Ponchatoula Junior High. Free. 386-2536. 13 Winter on the Water. Santa and boat parades, Mayor Donald Villere and Santa will light the oaks, live entertainment by Benny Grunk and the bunch, Woodlake Elementary School, Ballet Apetrei. Mandeville lakefront. 4-7pm. Free. 624-3147. 13-14 39th Annual Holiday Home Tour. Preservation Resource Center. Historic private homes in the Garden District. Tour headquarters: Trinity Episcopal Church - Bishop Polk Hall, 1329 Jackson Ave, New Orleans. 10am-4pm. PRC members and groups of 10 or more, $30; nonmembers in advance, $40; at door $45. (504) 581-7032. prcno.org. 13-Feb 6 Nature’s Essene: Two Visions. Paintings by Marcia Holmes and Jim Seitz. St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org.
14 10th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes. Junior Auxilliary of Slidell. 1-5pm. jaslidell.org. 14 Christmas on the Northshore 2014. Concert featuring St. Timothy Choir and Northshore Orchestra. St. Timothy on the Northshore UMC, 335 Asbury Dr, Mandeville. 3pm and 7pm. Free. 626-3307. 14-15, 20-23 Royal Teddy Bear Tea. Festive menu and program featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, Royal Teddy Bear and New Orleans Saintsations. Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St. Seating times, 11am-1pm; 2:30-4:30pm. Adult, $58-$68; children, $43-$53. (504) 533-2328. sonesta.com. 17 Total Joint Class. Preoperative and postoperative care for joint replacement patients. Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Pelican Room. 95 Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington. Call for reservations, 867-3900. 19 Baroque Christmas - Outside the Bachs. Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Church of the King, 22205 Little Creek Rd, Mandeville. 7:30pm. lpomusic.com. 21 A Christmas Brass Spectacular. Third Sunday Concert Series. Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St, Covington. 5pm-6pm. Free. 892-3177. 22-23, 29-30 Children’s One-Day Art Camps. Creative fun during winter break. St. Tammany Art Association Arthouse, 320 N. Columbia St, Covington. Call for details and confirmed dates. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org. 26 Christmas on Columbia. Saint Paul’s and Saint Scholastica Alumni Reunion. Columbia Street Tap Room. 892-3200. stpauls.com.
Send your event information to scoop@mandlpublishing.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside Northside magazine. November-December 2014 33
by Leah Draffen
Charlotte Butler Up-and-coming Soprano
CHARLOTTE BUTLER IS A TRIPLET, an eighth grader at Mandeville Junior High—and a professional opera singer. Her mom and dad don’t really know where her soprano opera talent came from, but they could not be more proud. Charlotte’s love of music came from her mom, Carol, who says that when Charlotte was younger she sang with a cute lisp. “At that point, we thought it was just adorable—until one day she said, ‘Mom, I want to sing opera.’” At 8 years old, Charlotte heard Jackie Evancho on America’s Got Talent. From then on, she began listening to and studying the only opera CD the Butlers had—The Phantom of the Opera. A voice coach was added to Charlotte’s regimen, and from there her voice blossomed. “When she sings, she sounds so much older than that little body,” Carol says. “Kids at school and her peers don’t know what to think of it.” Charlotte loves school, especially now that she and her sister, Kate, are in classes together and their bookworm brother, Louis, helps them in math. She also enjoys spending time with special-needs students, who love her singing. “She’s very compassionate,” Carol says about her mama’s girl. While Charlotte is an honor roll student, she truly enjoys her Tuesdays and Thursdays, the days that she gets to jump on the bus to the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts. She is a member of the New Orleans Children’s Choir, the Mary Queen 34
Inside Northside
of Peace choir and St. Tammany’s Honor Choir. Charlotte is one busy eighth grader. As if that weren’t enough, she recently participated in the 2014 Middle School Honors Performance at Carnegie Hall! Chosen along with other elite students from around the world, she traveled to New York to perform in a show for professionals and representatives of collegiate music programs. “There were kids from Guam, China, Canada,” Charlotte says. “It was cool to meet everyone.” In just three days, an entire performance of singers, strings and horns was prepared and displayed. Carol says it was impressive. While there, Charlotte snuck away with her mom to Broadway to see Aladdin. Charlotte’s favorite musicals include Les Miserables, Wicked and, understandably, The Phantom of the Opera, which she plans to see this month at the Saenger. Her icon? Audra McDonald. “Her voice is so beautiful,” Charlotte says. “I look up to her so much. She’s amazing.” At 13 years old, Charlotte has performed in La Bohème, Noah’s Flood and Un Ballo. The first opera—and her favorite—of her career was Un Baile de Mascaras, where she began to dabble in acting. Her most recent appearance was in Bizet’s Carmen at Mahalia Jackson Theatre in October. With a brace-filled grin, Charlotte admits that she still gets a little nervous, even after performing for four years. Carol quickly says that you can never tell that she’s nervous. “She’s bringing her dad and me into this whole new world. I didn’t know much about it. We are just amazed.” The next step in this soprano’s career is enrolling as a full-time high school student at NOCCA, where she can continue her education while also developing her talents. “She has this fire,” Carol says. “It’s nothing I’m pushing her to do; in fact, we sometimes have to rein it in.” While college was not a discussion mom Carol wanted to have, Charlotte has high hopes of Julliard or another prestigious arts school. Carol, on the other hand, would love for her to stay close to home. “I’ll experience the empty-nest syndrome all at once with my triplets,” she laughs. Charlotte smiled and giggled at her mom’s remark but continued to talk about her love for opera. “What’s your dream, Charlotte?” “To travel the world and sing. I don’t really care about being famous. I just want to share the music with people.” Brava, Charlotte.
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Traces
The newly added large family room is the perfect place for an 8-foot Frazier fir, decorated in gold and green with more than 11,000 mini lights. 36
Inside Northside
Designed for the Holidays
The Boudreaux Home
photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
by Poki Hampton
WHEN LESLIE BOUDREAUX was a child, her family drove around town looking at the Christmas light displays. “Every year, we would drive through Beau Chêne, and I would say ‘That is the house I am going to buy when I grow up.’” Eighteen years ago, Leslie and husband Brian bought that very house. Over the years, they have remodeled, added to and completely redone most of the house. Decorating for the holidays is one of Leslie’s
favorite things. She is a long-time member of the Beau Chêne Garden Club and has served as an officer for more than six years. Leslie believes in using fresh foliage and natural elements as much as possible. To add special touches to her decorating, she has gathered unusual items, such as deer horns, old sleighs and musical instruments. The Boudreaux’s visitors are welcomed by the festive mailbox beneath a rose trellis, festooned with >>
The fireplace mantel in the den is festooned with fresh greenery, fruit, an Old Paris urn and a bronze deer.
November-December 2014 37
The formal dining room has an antique French table with caned chairs. Bronze candlesticks flank the centerpiece.
magnolia leaves, holly berries, Frazier fir boughs and a big red bow. White poinsettias in wicker baskets line the Old Chicago brick walk and steps, and holly trees beside the porch are decorated with smaller red bows. A garland with tiny lights and red bows leads the way onto the porch. Swags are hung on Bevolo gas lanterns with big red bows. Beneath the swags are urns filled with greens and topped with lighted mercury glass globes. On the glass-and-cypress front door hangs an antique sleigh with greenery, ornaments and a red bow. Deer antlers, anchor pine and cypress with red berries are arranged over the door. In the foyer, the staircase is draped in a fresh cedar garland with sugar pinecones and green and gold ribbons and bows. The newel post is dressed with a base of pittosporum and chartreuse roses; a pineapple sits on top, and a green and gold bow finishes the look. A marble-topped antique Louis Phillip chest holds a large bouquet of flowers; over the piece hangs an antique gold leaf mirror decorated with greenery. The formal dining room has an antique French dining table that is inlaid with floral marquetry and caneback Louis XV-style chairs with leopard print seat cushions. The centerpiece is constructed of a fresh boxwood wreath, an antique Old Paris tureen, fruit and greens. (See page 45 for directions.) Two bronze candelabra from St. Romain Interiors are decorated with holly and greenery, and the antique chandelier, which has black shades, is draped with greens. An 18th century English chest is topped with a trumeau mirror from Atelier, tall bronze candlesticks and topiaries in rustic clay pots. To either side of the chest are Frazier fir trees with hundreds of tiny lights in Tuscan urns. The warm umber of the faux-painted walls ads to the drama, while an Oushak >>
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
The formal dining room has an antique French table with caned chairs. Bronze candlesticks flank the centerpiece. November-December 2014 39
photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
rug in black, tan and brown from Rug Chic anchors the room. The newly added large family room with its oversized custom French limestone fireplace and grand windows on two sides is the perfect place for decorating. On the mantel, Leslie starts with oasis in trays for moisture. Fresh cedar sits on the oasis as a base, and then Frazier fir is added, along with magnolia leaves, sugar pinecones, apples and berries. Above the fireplace hangs an oil painting of a saint holding baby Jesus that is flanked by antique French sconces. In front of the fireplace sits a French bench draped with the skin of 40
Inside Northside
an ebok. On the iron and glass cocktail table are white poinsettias in a silverhandled urn, an antique candelabra and a gold box. Two large slipcovered sofas flank the cocktail table. One window has a large wreath with a mounted deer head surrounded by magnolia leaves. Beneath the wreath, an iron marbletopped console table holds an antique lamp, tall candlesticks and a cornet. An oversized antique dough bowl is filled with antlers, green and gold ornaments and sugar pinecones. The 8-foot Frasier fir tree is raised on a fabric-covered platform for height and to keep the cats from climbing it. >>
Clockwise from left: A narrow French sideboard holds an Old Paris urn, antique books and an antique oil painting. A simple compote with mini wreath and oversized ornament. The mailbox decoration. A fresh pineapple surrounded by chartreuse roses and greenery sits on the newel post.
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
More than 11,000 mini lights and hundreds of ornaments in gold and green are the base of the decorations. Leslie tucks the lights deep into the tree to reflect the light. An antique sleigh and drum are the focal point of the tree. Gold fern, icicle branches and green and gold bows finish the look. Urns beside the tree are filled with greenery, silver globes and deer horns. Wicker baskets hold white poinsettias. What was once the formal living room is now a
cozy den, complete with brick fireplace. An antique clock and a piece of Old Paris porcelain grace the antique mantel, which is decorated with long-leaf pine, pittosporum, magnolia leaves, pinecones, lemons and satsumas. An oil painting by Robert Cook hangs over the fireplace; sconces with antique shield shades flank the mantel. A tall vintage bronze candelabra with fir greens stands beside it, while three white poinsettias sit beneath. The iron-andglass cocktail table holds a gold spiral Christmas >>
The front door boasts an antique sled with a French horn and greenery. Bevolo lanterns are decorated with sugar pine cones, red berries and red velvet ribbons.
November-December 2014 43
Over the limestone fireplace hangs an oil painting of a saint holding baby Jesus. On either side are antique
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
French sconces.
card holder. The French chandelier is from Atelier. An antique French walnut armoire is adorned with a boxwood wreath, gold leaf initials and gold and green ribbon. A vintage iron-and-marble crèche and two candlestick lamps are on a small chest; over the chest hangs an oil painting by Jim Seitz and deer horns. The needlepoint rug in brown, cream and taupe is from Rug Chic. A narrow sideboard holds antlers, an Old Paris compote and a small antique painting. Above hangs an antique gold leaf Louis Philip mirror, which reflects into the
room; a preserved boxwood wreath hangs in the middle of the mirror for interest. Vintage gold leaf sconces in a wheat sheath design flank the mirror. Decorating for Christmas is a labor of love that Leslie gladly shares with family and friends during the holidays. Every detail is perfectly attended to. Everywhere you look is another wonder to behold. Natural boughs plucked from the outdoors combined with treasures collected over the years make the holidays at the Boudreaux house very special indeed.
For centuries, fruit has been associated with Christmas. Often used for decoration on trees or boughs, the fruit was then eaten as part of the Christmas feast. Because it was often rare, fruit was also a popular gift. Leslie has used fruit to create this elegant centerpiece. The pineapple has long been a symbol of hospitality and is the focal point of the arrangement. Leslie’s collection of Old Paris porcelain urns and compotes is perfect for this, but any urn suitable for the tabletop can be used.
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
How to Build a Holiday Centerpiece Leslie Boudreaux shares how to build the beautiful and impressive holiday centerpiece pictured here. Start with a preserved or live wreath. If using live, protect the table with parchment paper or tray. Set an urn into the center of wreath. Place red apples around the base of the urn on inside of wreath. Add wet oasis to urn. Place
pineapple on oasis. Cutting a small slice off the bottom of the pineapple will help it stand straight. Add lemons or satsumas around bottom of pineapple inside lip of urn. Roses can be used around bottom of pineapple. Be sure to stick them deep enough into the oasis to keep them watered. Fill in voids with fresh greenery such as pittosporum or boxwood.
Building Families
PERHAPS DAVE THOMAS, founder of Wendy’s Restaurants, said it best: “Every child deserves a home and love. Period.” Unfortunately, not every child is born into a nurturing home. Likewise, many families long for a child to share their love. Fortunately, for those hoping to add to their families, there are many options for adoption and organizations that offer support. Each adoptive family has its own unique journey. We are grateful to the five who add to the joy of this season by sharing their stories with us.
The Hughes
John Parker Hughes and sister Caroline. 46
One of the most surreal phone conversations Erin Hughes ever experienced was with the birth mother of her son, John Parker. “She kept thanking us over and over,” Erin says. “Here she was
Inside Northside
changing our whole lives, giving us the one thing we so desperately wanted, and she was thanking us. I was crying so hard my husband, Adam, had to do most of the talking.” After four years trying to have a baby, the Hughes had turned to Little Angels Adoption Agency in Florida and had filled out an adoptive family profile. John Parker’s birth mother had chosen them from a portfolio of families while she was still pregnant. “She saw pictures of the two of us fishing and on our fourwheeler and loved that we’re outdoorsy like she is. She also read that we’re both from close families, so the baby will have lots of family around.” Because their son was born by scheduled C-section, the couple was able to fly to Florida, be present for his birth and hold him immediately. Two years later, another miraculous day occurred—
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
by Mimi Greenwood Knight
they discovered they were pregnant with John Parker’s little sister, Caroline.
The Reeds Dana Reed felt for years that someone was missing from her family, although she and her husband, Marc, were raising their 16-, 14- and 11-year-old kids. When she turned 40, Dana presented her husband with the idea of overseas adoption. They decided to try to adopt from China. Dana says, “We considered a special needs child, which in this circumstance just means they are over age 3 or have had surgery.” Looking through the adoption database, she saw scores of children wearing identical clothes, sporting identical haircuts. Yet one child stood out—a boy. “Nobody expects to get a boy when >>
Above: Dana and Marc Reed with their children Margaret and Michael. Left: Margaret and Michael Reed. November-December 2014 47
they go to China,” Dana says. “But I kept going back to his picture.” Several months later, the Reeds were in China meeting their new son. The adoption and the two weeks they were required to spend in China could not have gone smoother. And the child they’d been warned might be afraid of Marc took right to his new daddy. Their next adoption was not as smooth or streamlined. Having heard about a little girl whose life was in danger because she had blue eyes (thought to be a sign of demonic forces), Dana flew to Uganda to investigate adopting her. What she found was a child who was expected to go blind and a mother who’d changed her mind about letting her go. But Dana found something else—an older girl with whom she instantly bonded and who came right out and asked to be adopted. “My 10 days in Africa turned into five weeks,” Dana says. “I was completely out of my comfort zone the entire time. The adoption was very messy, with the language barrier and other issues.” But when she did return, she brought with her Margaret, a spunky, vivacious 7-year-old who is the newest member of the Reed family.
The Deroches The Department of Children and Family Services Foster/Adoption program made it possible for Tracy Deroche to become an over-the-top dedicated dad to two—soon to be three—children, even though he’s a single guy. It all began, sadly enough, when Tracy lost his own father far too young. “It made me realize how uncertain life is,” he says. “I read an article about foster parenting. I figured I had time and space, and I’d done volunteer work at Charity Hospital in the pediatric ward. “ 48
Inside Northside
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
So Tracy started taking in foster babies, many of whom had been born to drugaddicted mothers and were born addicted themselves. “I fell in love with the babies and realized what I really wanted was to adopt,” he says. He got his son, Doug, and daughter, Catherine, as infants, and at the time had a third foster baby, making him Daddy to three kids under the age of 2. “My life changed pretty drastically, but adopting these kids is the best thing I’ve ever done,” Tracy says. “I was warned they may have developmental problems, but Catherine, now 7, is being tested for the gifted program at school and went undefeated in her summer swimming league. Doug, now 6, is very bright, too. He does take ADD medicine, but he does well in school and has a delightful personality. We’re in adoption proceedings right now with my second son, who’s 17 months.”
The Maats Ken and Koni Maat were in a period of their lives many couples dream about. With the last of their four kids off to college, they were ready to enjoy their empty-nest years. “The first thing I did was turn our youngest’s bedroom into a guest room,” Koni says. “Here was this room where everything was always in order, yet every time I looked in there, it made me sad. All I could think of was that there were children who needed a home, and here we were with all this space.” Ken was less than receptive at first. When he scheduled a mission trip to China, Koni joked that he should look for a baby while he was there. Eventually, he came around and the Maats began the adoption process at Catholic Charities, which conducted their initial home study and referred them to Holt International Adoption Agency in China. >>
Tracy Deroche with his three children. November-December 2014 49
The Fischers Ken and Koni Maat. 50
Inside Northside
Drs. Michael and Anastasia Fischer’s attempts to have a child included medication for
infertility, artificial insemination, egg donation and implantation of adopted embryos. “Michael and I both looked good on paper,” Anastasia says. “But we just couldn’t conceive. My artificial insemination resulted in an ectopic pregnancy. I got pregnant with twins from the adopted embryos but lost them at nine weeks.” Then, one of Anastasia’s patients told her about a young woman who was living with her. “She already had two kids,” Anastasia says. “She was pregnant again and wanted to give the baby up for adoption. We were able to go to all of her doctor’s appointments with her, see our son on the ultrasound and be there when he was born.” In fact, the Fischers were the first ones to hold Saxon. “His birth mom is a smart, caring young lady who loved him very much,” Anastasia says. “She insisted on coming downstairs when he was ready to leave the hospital and to be the one to hand him to us.” The Fischers put the word out among all their fellow physicians that they were eager to adopt again. “We asked them to keep their eyes
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Koni says. “We’ve been matched with a little girl and have given China our letter of intent to adopt her. We have pictures of our daughter, who is 4 and has lived in the orphanage her whole life. She’ll likely be 5 by the time we bring her home, sometime around Christmas, we hope.” Many of the families at Journey Fellowship Church, where Ken is assistant to the pastor, have also adopted, and are praying for the Maats and helping raise funds to offset the cost of the adoption. “I can’t wait to see what God has in store for this little girl,” Koni says. “So many people are praying for her; so many are emotionally invested in her already.” Koni adds that she’s happy to help anyone she can to wade through the adoption process. “It can be overwhelming, but many have done it before you,” she says. “And I’m more than happy to walk you through it.”
and ears open,” Anastasia says. “One of their employees told us about Acorn Adoption Agency in Gulfport, where her friend was director. We contacted them and within three months had our second son, Soren.” The Fischers were able to meet the birth mom, obtain some pictures of her for Soren and even meet his older sibling.
Adoption resources LouisianaAdoption.com Department of Children and Family Services 800-259-4586, 985-893-6225 or DCFS.la.gov Holt International Adoption Agency 888-355-HOLT (4658) or HoltInternational.org Little Angels Adoption Agency 863-382-0352 or LittleAngelsAdoption.net Acorn Adoption Agency 228-439-6867 or AcornAdoptionms.info Catholic Charities 225-336-8708 or AdoptBatonRogue.com November-December 2014 51
Traces
Executive Chef, Brennan’s
Above: Executive Chef Slade Rushing. Top Right: Filet of Beef Roscoe. Right: Artisanal Eggs Benedict. 52
Inside Northside
photos courtesy: RALPH BRENNAN RESTAURANT GROUP
Slade Rushing
EXECUTIVE CHEF SLADE RUSHING, the new Toque at Brennan’s, New Orleans, has had a lifetime of culinary lessons, but the heart of his cooking is carrying on the traditions. Rushing describes his childhood in Tylertown, Mississippi, 90 miles north of New Orleans, as being straight out of an Anthony Bourdain show at times— like when his father took him to a friend’s hog killing. “Cracklings frying, fresh hogshead cheese, all that. Unless you’re there live, you can’t imagine the intensity of those smells and flavors.” He and his brothers were breaking down fish, still in the boat, at an early age. They’d shoot robins in the front yard of their rural property and cook them in the fireplace with chopped celery, onions and carrots wrapped in foil long before they’d heard the term mirepoix. It was not uncommon for his father to wake him in the middle of the night wearing a headlamp to shoot rabbits eating the turnip greens in their garden. “On the way back inside, we picked some scallions. Then, we eviscerated the
rabbit, dredged it in flour and black pepper and fried it up in a cast iron skillet with the scallions as a late night snack. It was flavor at its simple purest,” says Rushing. Balancing the rustic outdoor cookery, his parents had a great fondness for the fine dining of the New Orleans French Quarter. They’d bring the boys to town for classic Creole cuisine. “And so my mom was sure we knew how to mind our manners,” laughs Rushing, who, according to his mother, was eating turtle soup at six months. At home, his dad, an ardent cook-hobbyist, loved following recipes from Paul Prudhomme’s repertoire. The future chef was still a youngster when he began to discern differences in regional cooking, even within Mississippi: the cornbread of his mother’s people, from the northern end of the state, was sugarsweet; his father’s, from the south, was savory with cracklings. These are the food memories informing the Southern-influenced French cuisine that earned Rushing such great acclaim in New York City, and more recently, back in New Orleans. But he never planned to become a chef, despite his high school annual’s prediction that he was “Most Likely to Become a Restaurateur.” Instead, he headed to Mississippi State for the engineering program. It was his brother, who was also his roommate, who noticed that Rushing was skipping classes to watch the Discovery Channel’s Great Chefs, Great Cities. Word got back to the family, and, almost as a dare, his parents enrolled him at Johnson & Wales, the alma mater of one of his father’s clients. Rushing had never been so excited. He packed his Jeep, got a road atlas and headed to Providence, Rhode Island. “I’d never been north of Tennessee.” >> November-December 2014 53
Niman Ranch Double Cut Pork Chop.
After his false start in college, his attention was now refocused and Rushing absorbed everything and anything when cooking. His experience breaking down deer and wild game gave him a real leg up in meat-cutting class. Following an impressive internship at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado, he graduated at the top of his class. His early career was a whirlwind of kitchen intensity and running the gamut full circle. Interesting that Rushing started out in the French Quarter at Mr. B’s Bistro, a favorite of his father’s, partly owned by Ralph Brennan, with whom Rushing is now working closely as executive chef of Brennan’s. At Chez Daniel in Metairie, his understanding of classic French cuisine was ratcheted up under the tutelage of Daniel Bonnot. Leaving the South once more, his next move was to San Francisco, where his first job was under Traci des Jardins at Jardinière. At Alain Rondelli, a small establishment with “the most amazing kitchen” and four stars from the San Francisco Chronicle, he learned pastry. A year at the Asian-influenced Waterfront under Bruce Hill pushed his boundaries in the kitchen and at the markets, and a two-year stint at Rubicon as pastry chef deepened his understanding of wine and food pairing. Back in New Orleans, at Gerard’s 54
Inside Northside
Downtown, Rushing found himself immersed in farm-to-table cooking before it was “the thing.” More importantly, it was where he met his wife, Allison, who was doing a stage there. She helped him to make gnocchi, and when he moved to New York to fulfill a longtime dream, she moved with him. The struggling pair started slow, living on a dime for a while, but caught traction soon enough: Rushing worked first at March Restaurant under Wayne Nish and then with Cyril Renaud at Fleur de Sel, both Michelin-starred. As a creative innovator of French cuisine, Renaud was a great mentor and entrusted Rushing with daily trips to Union Square Market. In early 2004, Rushing joined his wife as co-executive chef at Jack’s
Roasted Gulf Oysters with smoked chili butter and manchego.
Vanilla Scented French Toast topped
photos courtesy: RALPH BRENNAN RESTAURANT GROUP
with strawberries and blueberries.
Luxury Oyster Bar. “We were both blown away by the acclaim,” he admits. “We had all these big chefs flocking to this little carriage house in the East Village. We were developing our own lighter Southern style, and it was clearly striking a chord.” The actual South was calling them home, and in the spring of 2005, they returned and opened Longbranch in Abita Springs. Despite the disruption of Hurricane Katrina within months, the restaurant was a tremendous success, cherished by locals and garnering features in such publications as Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Vogue, The Wall Street Journal and Art Culinaire. They brought their particular brand of Franco-Southern cuisine to the New Orleans CBD in 2007 with the opening of MiLa. The Times Picayune awarded it a four-bean rating, and again, >>
Smoked Pompano Salad with frisée, soft-boiled egg and sherry bacon vinaigrette.
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Smoked Pepper
national press took notice, with features in Food & Wine, Gourmet, CNN Money and Food Arts. It was a busy seven years for the couple, who served as MiLa’s co-executive chefs: they also had two children and produced a highly acclaimed cookbook, Southern Comfort, A New Take on the Recipes We Grew Up With, which was a 2013 James Beard Award finalist. And then Rushing heard that Ralph Brennan was reviving Brennan’s, the family’s old-school French Quarter dining institution. Rushing had always said that he would jump at an opportunity to overhaul the menu of an Antoine’s, or a Galatoire’s—or a Brennan’s. He says, “The old restaurants are the heartbeat of the city. The traditional food here is so decadent, and so rich, you wish you could indulge more than once a week or so. Locals want their traditional favorites, but can it be a touch lighter?” He left Ralph Brennan a message and was startled to hear back from him within hours. Brennan, himself a 56
Inside Northside
photo courtesy: RALPH BRENNAN RESTAURANT GROUP
Seared Tuna.
champion of lighter eating who insists that a simple grilled fish must always be offered on the menus of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, was thrilled to find a chef of Rushing’s caliber who had a more healthful approach to Southern cooking but was “not wavering from the expected flavors of what sets us apart from any other cuisine.” “Traditional New Orleans food is so unique that I don’t have to do much but lighten the sauces, not the taste,” says Rushing. “We can accomplish that through technique and execution and still retain the flavors.” His signature Deconstructed Oysters Rockefeller are a case in point, allowing him precise control over individual elements and flavors. Look for similar dishes on his menu at Brennan’s, like the Artisanal Eggs Benedict, a deconstructed arrangement of a housemade English muffin, fresh smoked bacon, farm eggs and Hollandaise, all completely from scratch. The heavy butter sauce of his Flounder Meunière is transformed to a lighter flavorful foam. Rushing’s Crab Remoulade gets a lighter touch with less fat, but plenty of aroma and texture from crispy shallots. A Bone-in Ribeye, sourced from nearby Alabama, is treated to a jus-like version of Brennan’s classic Marchand du Vin sauce—hold the cream—flavored with chanterelles from the northshore, shiitakes from Jackson, fresh parsley and locally cured pancetta. “With a quick extraction, rather than a traditional long-drawn-out sauce preparation, we can keep each dish fresh and immediate,” says Rushing. Just like that long-ago rabbit. And just the way he wants guests to experience the resurgence of the French Quarter’s classic restaurants. “I’m so happy to be a part of this,” he says. “We’re giving new life and sustainability to a truly grand old tradition.” November-December 2014 57
Winner by a Nose! by Erin Cowser HE’S A SINGLE FATHER of one son. He has a steady
Above: Alan Wade with Al Zippone “Zipp” Wade and celebridog Scout Barkounius Wade. Opposite: Scout retrieving. 58
job and annual income. He likes hunting, boating and long walks in the park. He’s relatively tall, somewhat dark and absolutely handsome. His name can be found in several record books, and he really loves scratches behind his ears. Meet Scout Barkounius Wade. He’s kind of a big deal. A celebridog, if you will. He lives in Bogalusa with his son, Al Zippone “Zipp” Wade, and his two humans, Amy and Alan Wade.
Inside Northside
Scout’s professional résumé is impressive. He’s a deer tracker with 123 found deer to date. Seventysix of those are record-book deer. He was the first dog ever to pass the United Blood Trackers II level test, the hardest test at the time. His job has led him on tracking expeditions in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Illinois, in addition to Louisiana. Of course, he lets his human Alan come along with him. They have matching cut vests. Before Scout came into canine fame, it all
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Scout Wade, Deer Tracker
started when Alan’s cousin gave him an American Kennel Club-registered chocolate lab as a gift. “I would bring him along looking for deer in the field when he was a pup,” says Alan. “He was a natural, so I starting doing some research on deer tracking. I discovered the United Blood Trackers organization and read Tracking Dogs for Finding Wounded Deer by John Jeanneney, the Bible for deer trackers.” It just so happened that UBT was holding its annual convention in St. Francisville that year, so the Wades decided to take a quick road trip. Scout was 1 year old in 2006, and he passed all three levels of the UBT I tracking test with flying colors on his first day. On the second day, he was the first dog in the world to pass the UBT II test. The test entails tracking a distance of 800900 yards based on 8 ounces of blood. The trail must include a minimum of three turns and two wound beds, areas scratched in the terrain to make it appear a deer would have lain down. In addition, the trail must be aged at least eight hours. When the next edition of Jeanneney’s book comes out next year, Scout’s accomplishments and accolades will grace its pages. One successful >> November-December 2014 59
track lasted 24 hours in terrain that had already been soaked with downpouring rains for 24 hours. What he found was a Boone and Crockett record-book deer, registering 189 inches total, based on a formula that includes the number of points, length of the spread and measure of the mass and beams of the antlers. Another involved five miles of trail that was 52 hours old. Scout still found his deer. “We’d be going along for a mile or so, and the hunters would say that maybe it’s time to give up,” says Alan. “Then he’ll suddenly pull like a freight train and signal ‘on,’ and they’re astonished. They ask me how he does it, and I tell them I don’t know, but that I’m happy as long as he keeps doing it.” His knack for tracking apparently runs in the family. Zipp tracked his first deer when he was only 3 months old. At the ripe old age of 2, he already has eight successful finds to his name. Their human Alan is pretty handy with hunting, too. At the time of Scout’s interview, Alan had just a few prize animals at the taxidermist’s shop. Nine turkeys—he earned two Turkey World Slams in two years, having killed one of every sub-species of turkey twice— five alligators, a fox and some ducks were being processed. The two 11½foot gators are being posed in upright full body mounts, “standing up like Godzilla.” “I’m definitely not looking forward to that taxidermy bill!” he says with a laugh. “I’d go hunt elk and other exotics, too, but I’d have to build a bigger house.” During alligator season, Alan has a contract with the state to hunt the green beasts. He is allotted 100 tags annually. Last year, he killed 94 in the first 10 days. So that they don’t end up becoming alligator snacks, Scout and Zipp aren’t allowed to go along on the gator hunts—per “Amy’s rule.” 60
Inside Northside
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
So what is it like to be the only female in a house full of such avid outdoorsmen? Amy, who works full time as a registered nurse and department head for the 2 East Orthopedics/General Surgery and 4 South Medical/Surgical units at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, says she’s glad her husband can make money doing something he loves so much. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that both the dogs and Alan are generous gift givers. “Scout and Zipp are excellent at picking out gifts,” she says. “They each get me a Christmas present every year, and they’re always all from the jewelry store.” Not a bad price to pay to be able to hunt eight months out of the year and be paid for it. Alan is a professional hunting guide for Golden Triangle Whitetails Lodge in Clayton, Illinois. Scout also receives calls from other guides when their hunters can’t find wounded deer. Their truck has been outfitted with a carpeted deck that fits over the folded-up passenger seat for canine travel. According to Alan, Scout had to turn down 35 calls last year because he was already working other hunts. “It’s mainly bow hunting in Illinois, and the clients pay top dollars because they want the hunt of their lifetimes,” he says. “Bows often wound, but don’t kill outright, so Scout helps make sure they can find their deer. Except when I’m hunting, of course,” he added with a grin. “Then they always go down immediately with the first shot.” Not only does Alan get to enjoy fine tuning his trade by going hunting—it’s the perfect combination of business and pleasure—but he has also turned his extra-curricular pastime >>
Top Left: Alan’s collection of hunting caps and turkey calls. Middle Left: Scout Wade. Bottom Left: Alan holding turkey beard trophies, made from spent shells. Above: Alan relaxing with Zipp and Scout in front of some of Alan’s deer trophies.
November-December 2014 61
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photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
into an opportunity for entrepreneurship. A tracking training boot design concept he formulated is currently being manufactured and sold online. Basic track training apparatus attaches real deer hooves to boots. They’re situated so that as the human walks, the hooves imprint on the ground. The W/E Track Training Shoes (named for Wade and Easter, the last name of the man who fabricated the prototype) allow for the entire deer leg to be attached, not just the hooves. This is important for two reasons, Alan explains. First, by attaching the full leg, the deer’s tarsal glands are included. This adds another dimension to the scent line as it is laid. “When a deer is shot or in distress, it leaves a different scent,” he says. “It’s called interdigital scent. That’s why you should only use the legs of deer that die in a state of distress when you’re putting down a training track for a dog.” Secondly, a pivot on the shoe attachment allows for articulated imprints of the hooves. It’s a much more realistic impression, he says. No doubt Alan has led what some might call a charmed life. He has worked previously as a pilot (at one time he pulled banners along Florida beaches
and got to view the sunbathers below—a tough gig), fishing charter captain and scuba dive charter captain, and has also done some specialized construction work. He spearfishes and hunts with a bow and just about any type of gun. He now sits on the national UBT Board of Directors and serves as a tracking certification judge at conventions across the United States. Most impressively though, this very lucky man
even has a wife who agreed to go alligator hunting once on their anniversary. “Every photo I get from Alan is of a dead animal,” she laughs. “She’s pretty cool for someone to be married to for 18 (million) years,” Alan replies. It’s obvious that Scout and Zipp take very good care of their humans. And, vice versa.
Opposite: Zipp is ready to hunt. Above: Scout, Zipp and Alan tracking.
November-December 2014 63
IN Better Health
by Leah Draffen
with Todd Herbet TODD HERBET HAS ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE. In high school, he played basketball religiously. Once in college, he admitted to being a couch potato for a couple of years before his friend suggested they purchase bicycles. After watching Tour de France in 1986, Todd decided that cycling was something he could get into. “I thought to myself, ‘Man, that looks pretty cool,’” Todd says. “I have always liked pushing myself.” Todd’s cycling hobby became his occupation after college. He worked for The Bicycle Connection in Metairie before opening his own shop as a co-owner. For nearly 26 years, Todd ran his business and cycled to keep active. After selling his shop recently, Todd’s cycling has become a daily practice, riding up to 250 miles a week. 64
Inside Northside
Yet, without the help of Nelson “Chip” Curtis, D.C., at All American Medical & Chiropractic, Todd may have not been riding the extended miles that he does today. Before visiting Dr. Curtis, Todd was experiencing come-and-go pain below his rib cage surrounding his diaphragm for three years. “As we get older we have these little injuries that seem to not want to go away,” he says. Routine CT scans, ultrasounds and more tests ruled out serious abdominal causes for the discomfort; Todd’s pain was muscular. After many years of repetitive motion, untrained muscles can cause pain. Dr. Curtis checked Todd’s range of motion and assessed the issue. “I explained to Todd that nerves control everything in the body. After he ruled out everything else, we assumed that it was pressure on his muscles, and we could help him. For Todd it was postural. After slumping during cycling all the time, it’s easy to cause stress,” Dr. Curtis says. He explains that there’s also a need for corrected posture after years of not utilizing certain motions. Todd began with three months of intensive treatment, including chiropractic, soft tissue techniques and rehabilitation. Three times a week Dr. Curtis worked on particular areas that needed stretching and conditioning to correct his posture. All American Medical & Chiropractic rehabilitates, strengthens and aids in stability while providing treatment. The goal is to relieve pain, but also to keep injuries healthy once they have healed. After treatment, Todd learned exercises to improve the problem areas and his posture. The education he received really impressed him. He says,
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Health Concern: Abdominal pain around line of diaphragm. Treatment: Chiropractic treatment and rehabilitation.
“Not only does All American physically treat you, they educate you. They come up with a plan to get you better, and they really explain it to you. It’s not only rehab. They think long term.” The idea of long term is what pushes Todd to continue his exercises and routines. Dr. Curtis explained that if he wanted to continue being active, there were things he needed to do to keep going—stretching, exercises. “I think the biggest mistake is when people get well, they just go back to their old routine,” says Todd. “One misconception people have about a chiropractor is that once you go, you’ll have to go forever. That’s not true,” Dr. Curtis says. “Todd chooses maintenance care for the pain he had. We were able to get him out of pain in a short amount of time.” Todd wanted to make sure his pain didn’t come back—he continues to visit Dr. Curtis once a month and perform daily exercises to keep his posture and strength. “Todd continues to return for maintenance; it’s like getting a massage every month,” Dr. Curtis says. Todd says that after his treatment, he is riding more than he ever has. His new goal? At 48 years old, he wants to continue his active lifestyle, cycling and enjoying life. November-December 2014 65
Delicious Holiday Memories by Sandra Scalise Juneau
ONE WHIFF OF ANISE and I am instantly transported on a wave of nostalgia snug inside my grandmother’s kitchen, eagerly anticipating delicious tastes of holiday favorites. Our Sicilian-New Orleans family honored centuries of tradition with a seemingly endless progression of feasts, including “American” celebrations like Thanksgiving, rounding out a marathon of cooking and baking for non-stop holiday revelry. Centering our table for Thanksgiving was always a roasted turkey, stuffed with Louisiana’s favorite, oyster dressing. This was served side-by-side with Sicilian style bracioloni, stuffed veal scallopini simmered in red gravy. Besides pumpkin pie, there were endless varieties of Sicilian desserts, including sweetened, ricotta-filled cannoli. For us, Christmas began each year on the Feast of Santa Lucia, celebrated on the 13th of December. We always decorated our Christmas tree on Lucia’s day of “light,” filling the days following with a flurry 66
Inside Northside
of cookie baking. I remember being mesmerized by my grandmother’s magic of slowly melting sugar into a golden syrup, then tossing hand-cut pieces of fried pasta into the hot caramel to quickly shape into sugared Christmas delicacies called pignolata. Christmas Eve was always a light supper of Sicilian-style oyster soup served with schiacciata, a rustic bread made with anchovies and tomatoes. It was our tradition to open presents after Midnight Mass, when we returned home to an amazingly sumptuous buffet with more of my grandmother’s Sicilian specialties. On Christmas morning, we awoke to the sizzling smells of homemade anise-flavored sausage and yeast bread spiced with cinnamon, allspice and clove. Recalling those rituals bound within delicious memories is like opening gifts again on Christmas Eve. Closing my eyes, I am still sustained by luscious sensations—the tastes and smells of preparations for the “Holy Days.”
LOUISIANA-STYLE OYSTER DRESSING 1 loaf, day-old French bread 3 dozen fresh oysters, cleaned of shells and rinsed
SCHIACCIATA—SICILIAN STYLE RUSTIC BREAD 1 loaf of bread dough, homemade or purchased frozen, proofed to double in size
3 C oyster water, strained
Extra virgin olive oil
8 T butter
Mediterranean sea salt
2 large yellow onions, chopped
Black pepper, freshly ground
3 C chopped celery
4 T crushed fresh oregano
½ C chopped green bell pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
½ tsp cayenne pepper
8 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
1 tsp powdered thyme Salt and black pepper, to taste
*Optional ingredients:
2 bay leaves
1 tin (2 oz.) anchovy fillets, packed in olive oil, drained
1 bunch green onions, minced ¼ C minced fresh parsley
and broken into bits 1 C pitted black olives Italian sausage, cooked, cut into small rounds and/
In a very large bowl, break bread into small pieces and cover with water strained from the oysters. Let bread soak, then squeeze liquid out of the bread. Discard liquid and set aside squeezed bread. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large, heavy skillet. Add onions and cook until caramelized. Reduce heat and add celery, cooking until soft. Add bell pepper and sauté until soft. Return heat to high and add oysters. Continue to cook until mixture is dry, stirring to avoid sticking. Gradually add the squeezed bread, alternating with remaining butter while stirring to fully incorporate. Allow mixture to cook, continuously stirring while scraping browned bits from bottom and sides of pan to avoid scorching. Season dressing with spices: thyme, bay leaves, salt, cayenne and black peppers. Taste to correct seasonings. Remove from heat. Gently fold in chopped green onions and parsley. Remove and discard bay leaves. 8-10 servings. NOTES: Dressing may be made a day ahead. If not baked immediately, allow dressing to cool thoroughly before refrigerating. Refrigerated dressing should be thoroughly prewarmed before stuffing into turkey. For food safety, never stuff turkey with cold oyster dressing. Bake unstuffed turkey according to suggested weight chart. Remove turkey from oven 40 minutes before suggested finished baking time. Stuff turkey with warm dressing, return to oven and continue to bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the interior of dressing reaches at least 165°. Additional dressing may be placed in a buttered casserole and baked at 400° for 45 minutes, or until fully warmed through and browned on top.
or removed from casing Reconstituted sun-dried tomatoes
NOTE: Unlike pizza, schiacciata is usually baked in a shallow, square or oblong pan. Place dough into a baking pan brushed with olive oil. Top with parchment paper that has been brushed with olive oil. If dough is frozen, proof in oven until defrosted, or place on a warm stovetop. Allow dough to double in size. As dough begins to rise over several hours, intermittingly press dough toward edges until pan is completely filled. Brush top with additional olive oil. With fingers, press onions into dough. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Add fresh oregano. *Optional ingredients may be added at this stage. Eliminate salt if anchovies are added. Bake in a pre-heated 400° oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven; add grated cheese. Return to bake for 10-12 minutes or until bottom and sides are lightly browned. Cut into squares and serve.
>>
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CANNOLI
Chocolate Filling 1 lb ricotta cheese, thoroughly drained
Cannoli Shells
½ C powdered sugar
1 C flour
1 T unsweetened cocoa
1 T sugar
½ C semi-sweet chocolate mini-morsels
1 T cooking oil
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ C liquid—half water, half whisky
½ tsp nutmeg
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 T vanilla
Cooking oil for deep frying
2 T Frangelico liqueur
Mix flour and sugar. Blend in cooking oil. Mix to a cornmeal texture. Add liquid to form a stiff but workable dough. Knead dough until elastic. Cover and set aside for several minutes allowing dough to “rest.” Separate dough into four pieces. Roll out each piece to a thin (1/8”) thickness. Cut into 4” circles. Dip cannoli tubes in cooking oil. Drain off excess oil. Wrap each circle of dough around tube, allowing ends to overlap. Seal ends with egg white. Heat cooking oil until a small piece of dough dropped into oil floats to the top. Fry cannoli until golden. Drain on paper towels. Allow cannoli shells to cool slightly before removing from cores. Carefully remove cannoli shells and set aside until fully cooled. Yields approximately 18 cannoli shells. NOTE: Cannoli shells may be kept at room temperature in sealed plastic for several days, or may be frozen until ready to fill.
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Lemon Filling 1 lb ricotta cheese, thoroughly drained ½ C powdered sugar 2 T honey 1 T lemon juice 1 tsp lemon zest ¼ C chopped candied citron ¼ tsp nutmeg ¼ tsp almond extract
Gently fold ingredients, in order given, into the ricotta. Refrigerate sweetened ricotta until ready to fill cannoli shells. Ricotta filling is best used fresh, but may be refrigerated for no longer than two days. Using a pastry bag, fill each side of cannoli shell with opposite flavors of ricotta. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately. Ideally, cannoli should be filled just before serving, but if filled in advance and frozen, remove from freezer 30 minutes before serving.
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SOME BOOKS DELIGHT THE EYES; some fuel the mind; others inspire the soul—and many tempt the appetite. Each of these books accomplishes at least two of these; a few, three or four. They are not intended for a quick read on an e-reader; they were born to be treasured for years, gracing coffee tables and inhabiting favorite reading nooks. As such, they make the perfect gifts for those you-know-who unique individuals on your holiday lists. And you’ll probably want one or two for yourself! Chihuly on Paper, by Chihuly. The single most comprehensive book covering the energy behind the artist Dale Chihuly’s process, creating a compelling work that is organized by medium—graphite, charcoal and acrylic. Available at Hazelnut.
Distinctive Books for Giving Stable to Table Menu Cookbook, Recipes from around the equestrian world, by Dawn Harris Brown and Christy Sanantonio. Beautiful photography of horses and horse country and delicious recipes are perfect for the horse lover. Available at Rug Chic.
The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town, by Cyril Vitter. This book honors the legacy of A. Hays Town, one of the premier architects in the South, while giving us a visually appealing glimpse into many of this master’s Louisiana homes. Available at Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights.
Halston and Warhol, Silver and Suede, created by The Andy Warhol Museum. Highlighting classic clothing by Halston, art by Warhol and the connection between the two is the focus of this book set against a backdrop of 1970s New York. Available at Hazelnut.
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Artful Feast. An Elegant Lifestyle for Dining, by Nia K. Terezakis. Terezakis’ background as one of Montgomery, Alabama’s leading hostesses combines with her Greek heritage to produce this beautiful book of delicious recipes that showcases her style and innate sense of aesthetics. Available at Arabella Fine Gifts & Home Décor.
Segreto: Secrets to Finishing a Beautiful Interior, by Leslie Sinclair. This 300-page coffee table book details the number of finishes available and imparts tips on how to use them to create the desired effect in an interior. Available at Rug Chic.
La Vie Est Belle, by Henrietta Heald. This book offers a glimpse into dozens of French homes, sharing recipes, ambiance and culture of the French way of life. Perfect for the Francophile on your list. Available at Rug Chic.
Clockwise from above: San Francisco Plantation house. Magnificent handcarved details can be found on both the interior furnishings and the exterior elements of the house. Slave quarters on the grounds of San Francisco Plantation. 74
I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH to grow up in South Louisiana. I could ride my bike two blocks and be on the levee of the mighty Mississippi. It was right there. I took it for granted. We drove on River Road just about every time we left the house. To the left, New Orleans, and to the right—well, to the right usually meant we were heading up river to enjoy a little history. My dad never did like television. It was a waste of time. Go outside and play, or even better, go read a book! Our house was covered in books. Our bookcases had bookcases! And the majority of these books were on Southern history. The Civil War was of particular interest to my father. I am convinced he knew everything there was to know on the topic. He was often asked to speak on the war itself, and was well versed on all aspects of this particular time in our history. The sugar plantations just up the road were always an easy way to pontificate on this time in
Inside Northside
our history to me and my brother or our out-oftown visitors. I have to admit, even to an eye-rolling adolescent such as myself, my dad was a fascinating historian. We would only have to drive about 20 minutes, and there it was. History. Louisiana plantation homes. Through the years we visited them all. At least twice. And some more than that. I went back recently to visit one of them again. I had never seen a plantation authentically restored to its 19th century glory. It is said by some to be “The Most Opulent Plantation House in the South,” and after seeing San Francisco Plantation in Garyville, Louisiana, again, I would have to agree. San Francisco Plantation just completed its $1.3 million renovation and was reopened to the public this September. This three-month restoration project focused on the exterior of the house and the grand second floor galleries. The Gentleman’s Parlor was also restored.
photos courtesy: SAN FRANCISCO PLANTATION
San Francisco
Plantation by Anne Honeywell
“Several years ago, the home’s foundation was stabilized and leveled, causing a major crack in an interior wall in the Gentleman’s Parlor. Along with this repair, the parlor was repainted by restorative artisans to its original beauty,” says Kim Fontenot, general manager. “The second-floor galleries were structurally repaired, and the entire exterior was repainted to its pre-Civil War colors.” Every element of this home brings its visitors back to the antebellum time period. The antique furnishings, hand-painted ceilings and striking colors of the exterior all tell the tale of what was. Built in 1856 by Edmond Bozonier Marmillion, this extravagant and distinctive mansion took two years to complete. After the main construction was finished, Edmond hired accomplished artists to hand paint door panels and five of the ceilings and add >>
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revived hand-painted ceiling of the Gentleman’s Parlor.
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faux marbling decor. Sadly, Edmond passed away less than one year after the home was complete. His son Valsin and his family lived in the home and ran the sugar plantation for the next 23 years. Valsin never wanted to take over the family plantation. He had been educated at prominent universities and had traveled to Europe, where he met and fell in love with Louise von Seybold of Munich, Germany. They married and had a daughter. Valsin and Louise decided to travel back to Louisiana for his father to meet his bride and child; it was planned as a four-week trip. “When they finally arrived at the home after their long journey from Germany, it looked as though there was a party going on in the house, so they assumed it was in honor of their arrival. But, alas, it was Valsin’s father’s funeral. He had died the day before,” explains Janice Church, a San Francisco tour guide. “Louise’s four-week visit turned into 27 years. Welcome to the swamps of Louisiana. “The exterior colors of the house are a direct reflection of Louise’s Bavarian heritage. She chose the vivid colors after she and Valsin moved in. Working with restorative equipment, we are able to see the layers of paint, and this is what the house would have looked like before the War Between the States,” says Church. Valsin named the house St. Frusquin. This name was derived from a slang French term, Sans Fruscins which means “without a penny in my pocket.” Historians surmise the name was referring to his father’s ambitious project’s high cost, and the debt he inherited. As early as 1859, Valsin and his younger brother Charles tried to sell the estate, but a legal argument within the family stopped them from doing so. By the time the conflict was finally resolved, the war and subsequent reconstruction prevented the possibility of a sale for another 15 years. Archille D. Bourgere purchased the home in 1879 for $50,000 and changed the name to San Francisco.
photos courtesy: SAN FRANCISCO PLANTATION
The beautifully
Bourgere died in 1887. During his tenure, the plantation’s crops never were as prosperous as before the Civil War. Bourgere’s widow and sons maintained the estate and also purchased the neighboring Union Plantation for $30,000. In 1904, the family sold the entire estate to Schmidt and Ziegler for $80,000. In 1909, the Ory family purchased the property and established the San Francisco Planting & Manufacturing Company. They kept the plantation for the next 50 years and added a kitchen and bathrooms to the house. After the great flood of 1927, flood control of the Mississippi River became a national priority. The Army Corps of Engineers began building the Mississippi River System; the project was completed in 1932. The new levee sacrificed most of San Francisco’s vast front yard and magnificent gardens. The house itself was spared, thanks to local residents who lobbied the Louisiana Legislature to pass a measure that would save many of the plantations along the river. The Corps was able to curve the levee around San Francisco. In 1954, the Ory family leased the house to
Mr. and Mrs. Clark Thompson, who opened this Steamboat Gothic plantation home to the public. In 1973, the plantation was purchased by Energy Corporation of Louisiana as a site for an oil refinery. The chairman of the corporation, Frederick B. Ingram, supported the restoration of the house and donated seven acres to The San Francisco Plantation Foundation. Energy Corporation was acquired by >>
The grand second floor galleries are newly restored. The freshly painted exterior comes alive with the vivid pre-Civil War color scheme.
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photos courtesy: SAN FRANCISCO PLANTATION
Marathon Oil Company in 1976, and under its tenure, the house underwent a massive restoration. After analysis of the structure and research were completed, it was restored to its pre-Civil War glory. It was then that the house became listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now, almost 40 years later, the San Francisco Plantation house is even better than ever. The property is filled with magnificent 300-year-old oak trees and lavish gardens. Marathon Petroleum operates just beyond the tree-lined yard of the plantation house. “The San Francisco Plantation is history and industry working together. Without industry, San Francisco would not be here. We are so grateful to Marathon for donating the funds to make the latest renovations. The company’s generosity and thoughtfulness over the years has allowed thousands of visitors to enjoy this magnificent historical landmark,” says Fontenot. “You know, there are a lot of other things they could have done with this land and all that money, but Marathon chose to continue to support the
foundation and to keep this beautiful piece of history alive.” I very much enjoyed my tour of this historic mansion and the beautiful property on which it sits. Janice, our tour guide, was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Her keen interest in the house and the area’s history was very evident. At times, I could hear my father in my ear, “Now look over there, baby doll; that’s where the sugar cane crops would have been.” My dad didn’t live to see San Francisco’s latest revitalization. He would have loved it. After all, it is history restored. History telling its story for years to come. Southern history at its finest. Southern history restored. Living on to tell the tale, right up River Road. Yes, he would have loved that.
Opposite: The gingerbread exterior details are a hallmark of the San Francisco Plantation house.
San Francisco Plantation is located at 2646 LA 44 in Garyville, La. For more information, including hours and tours, call (985) 535-2341 or go to sanfranciscoplantation.org.
Left: One of the San Francisco Plantation house’s two water cisterns.
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of slavery and the hardships of daily life that contributed to the rich Louisiana cultures of today. Day One: Depart downtown New Orleans and travel 50 miles to Vacherie, home to Laura: A Creole Plantation. Prepare to enter into the fascinating world of Louisiana Creoles, who lived apart from the American mainstream for over 200 years. Guided tours are based upon 5,000 pages of documents and Laura Locoul’s book Memories of My Old Plantation Home details the intimate, personal daily lives of Creole planters, women, slaves and children who lived here. After the tour, travel to Oak Alley Plantation. At this iconic setting, a timeless story of romance, wealth, greed and tragedy unfolds. Check-in
Plantation Parade on the Great River Road IT’S FASCINATING TO LEARN how New Orleans is connected to the plantation homes along the Great River Road. The wealthy sugar barons who occupied these grand domiciles helped build the structures that are now icons in the French Quarter. The culture that existed 150 years ago is evident today in the dialect, customs, food and the surviving architecture. The River Road that winds from New Orleans and Baton Rouge is a portal to the past. As visitors step onto these stately estates during this overnight itinerary, they can almost hear the voices of the residents who lived there. Guides will swap stories of immense wealth, of charmed and tragic lives,
From top: Laura: A Creole Plantation, Oak Alley Plantation and Houmas House Plantation & Gardens. Opposite page: San Francisco Plantation. 80
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for the overnight stay and enjoy some free time strolling the lush grounds, renowned for the alley of 300-year-old live oaks. Don’t miss the chance to watch the mighty Mississippi River roll by. Travel to Houmas House Plantation & Gardens for the evening. The trip from Oak Alley Plantation to Darrow takes about 35 minutes. At this grand sugar palace, enter the world of the sugar cane baron through exotic gardens, rare art, lavish furnishings and fine dining. Enjoy dinner in the tradition of old Louisiana-style dining. Executive chef Jeremy
Langlois has created menus to delight and please the finest of guests. After dinner, return to Oak Alley Plantation and retire to luxurious accommodations. Day Two: Awake refreshed and ready for a full country breakfast. After the meal has finished, enjoy a tour of the mansion conducted by guides dressed in period costumes, followed by time to leisurely stroll the historic grounds. It takes about a half hour to drive from Vacherie to Garyville, where the San Francisco Plantation stands proud. A guided tour will reveal where traditional French and German sugar planters built the most colorful, flamboyant and distinctive plantation home. Explore the galleried house of the Creole open suite style, nestled under centuries of live oaks. Step inside the home to see one of the finest antique collections anywhere. For those who are interested in seeing more, continue traveling the River Road. Check out where two recent movies were made. 12 Years a Slave was filmed at Felicity, St. Joseph and Destrehan plantations and Django Unchained filmed on location at Evergreen Plantation. All four of these homes offer tours. Source: grouptourmagazine.com/ itinerary/139507-Louisiana-itineraryPlantation-parade-on-the-Great-River-Road November-December 2014 81
Repurposing with a purpose ReStore Renaissance
by Kim Bergeron
Above: A piano painted by Lori Gomez. Below: Carol
THE 14TH CENTURY MARKED the beginning of the Renaissance, a movement encompassing artistic, literary, intellectual and even political transformations that ultimately spanned three centuries and changed the world. It was this spirit of change that inspired a cultural rebirth with a more modern flair: The East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore Renaissance Challenge. While admittedly less ambitious than its Middle Ages counterpart, this renaissance is embraced with
similar passions and enthusiasm by modern-day creatives. In 2011, when I first approached Habitat’s President and CEO Debbie Crouch with the idea, she was quick to embrace it. The premise of the challenge is simple: participating artists select items that have been donated to Habitat’s ReStore and transform them into works of art to be auctioned at the organization’s annual “Home Is Where the Art Is” gala, to be held this year on Nov. 21. The proceeds benefit Habitat’s mission to provide affordable housing for deserving families. While perusing the aisles of the ReStore, shoppers find a myriad of selections for the home, many of which are surplus items donated from construction sites, with the remainder coming from homeowners who are renovating or clearing their homes of items they no longer need. Among the ever-changing choices are kitchen cabinets, pedestal sinks, furniture, tiles, glassware and dishes and a menagerie of knickknacks. And yes, now and then, even a kitchen sink. The artists who peruse those same aisles see so much more: a tile can serve as a ceramic alternative to canvas, a tabletop begs for a mural, or a pedestal sink can be converted to a planter adorned with hand-painted scenery. Cabinet doors provide a panel for a painting with a built-in frame. Nuts and bolts, cabinet knobs and door handles can be transformed into textural adornments for mixed media works. The possibilities are endless. “Our motto is, ‘Don’t see what it is. See what it can become,’” says Debbie. “Every year, the artists come in and select the items they want to transform, and I continue to be amazed at the results. They’re spectacular!” The artwork created over the years has been as varied as the artists’ visions. At the hands of Cheryl Weaver Simon, an inverted end table became an LSUthemed doggie canopy bed, and an old entertainment >>
Hallock’s painting of a swamp scene atop
photos: KIM BERGERON
a decorative table.
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center took on a new life as a child’s kitchenette with artistic touches. With hand-painted flourishes, a pair of ordinary lamps became illuminated works of art. Slidell artist Adam Sambola enhanced an old washboard with a painted Cajun scene. My works of choice have been mixed media created on cabinet doors. One of last year’s showstoppers was a piano painted by Pearl River artist Lori Gomez, which featured portraits of musicians from her Louisiana Legends series. Two of those legends, internationally acclaimed pianist Ronnie Kole and Vince Vance (of Vince Vance and the Valiants fame) autographed the finished work prior to the auction. It was unveiled at the gala with an unexpected bonus: a surprise guest performance by Mr. Kole. Slidell Memorial Hospital CEO Bill Davis was the lucky high bidder; he won the masterpiece with the highest bid of the night. Debbie hopes that the ReStore Renaissance Challenge provides inspiration for others to visit the store and put their imaginations to work. “Whether they want to restore, renovate or totally transform items into something new, the ReStore is a great place to find extremely affordable treasures that can be used as is, or, with a little time and effort, become something really special,” she says. This year’s ReStore Renaissance works will include a swamp scene painted atop a decorative table by Lacombe artist Carol Hallock, mosaic creations by Slidell artist Rose Marie Sand and “Carol’s Clutches,” purses handcrafted from donated upholstery swatches by Carol Wolfram. At this year’s event, Lori will unveil yet another painted piano, this one adorned with Beatles-themed artwork that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Once again, Ronnie Kole will tickle the ivories with the passionate splendor for which he is known. The gala also will feature live entertainment by Overboard, delectable 84
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fare from Patton’s Catering, an open bar and live and silent auctions. Debbie says she remains grateful to the artists and all of the community for being so supportive of this event and Habitat’s mission. Prior to the gala on Nov. 21, much of the artwork will be on display at the complimentary “Sip and See” wine and cheese preview event, which will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Habitat office. Also returning for this year’s gala are the dueling auctioneers, Police Chief Randy Smith and now-Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann. Last year’s event pitted the two in an epic battle of wits and humor as each worked to outdo the other, not only in securing the highest bids but also in providing the most entertaining antics for the crowd. Included in the spirited repartee was Kaufmann’s suggestion that the police chief might want to purchase the item at hand, as it included a bonus—a bag of Cheerios, or as the thenassistant fire chief claimed, “Donut tree seeds.” The playful jab drew one of the biggest laughs of the night. In the end, the competition was deemed a draw, but the performances were heralded as priceless, yielding one of the most successful live auction efforts in the event’s history. “The challenge we’re facing is how we are going to top last year’s event. Chris may now be the fire chief, but I’m still the Auction King,” says Chief Smith, with a playful chuckle. “You’ll have to come to the event to see what happens next.” The 7th annual “Home Is Where the Art Is” gala will be held at the Northshore Harbor Center on Friday, Nov. 21, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple and can be purchased at the Habitat office, located at 747 Old Spanish Trail in Slidell. For more information about the ReStore or the gala, call (985) 639-0656. November-December 2014 85
“When people are affected by tragedy, whether it’s sickness or some great loss, the best way to deal with it is by helping other people. When you join an organization like STOPS, you start seeing yourself as a survivor instead of a victim. This allows you to take back some measure of control in your life.” -Becky Roniger
Ultimate Healing by Karen B. Gibbs
BECKY AND RORY RONIGER are well-known for their generous hearts and community involvement. Becky is a longtime supporter of Christ Episcopal School, one of the founders of STOPS (St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide), and secretary and past president of the St. Tammany Commission for Families. Rory is president of Danielle Inn, an active member and former president of the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany and the organizer/ chairman of the club’s largest fundraiser, The Ultimate Tailgate Party. Becky became involved in STOPS as a way to deal with the unimaginable grief she felt when their 19-year-old daughter, Beth, died by suicide in 1999. As expected, Rory and Becky were overwhelmed with sadness, regret, confusion and self-incrimination. It took two years, but Becky found the silver lining in the very dark cloud that had overshadowed her life. “I wanted to do something to help lower the incidence of suicide,” she explains. After attending a meeting to discuss the growing suicide rate in St. Tammany Parish, Becky and other volunteers formed 86
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STOPS. Through suicide prevention workshops sponsored by STOPS, Becky brought her message to the community as an instructor. This was the balm she needed to heal. “When people are affected by tragedy, whether it’s sickness or some great loss, the best way to deal with it is by helping other people, especially those experiencing the same thing,” she says. “When you join an organization like STOPS, Bosom Buddies or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), you start seeing yourself as a survivor instead of a victim. This allows you to take back some measure of control in your life.” Rory handled his grief differently, throwing himself into his work at Bellingrath Wealth Management, where he is founding principal. “I justified my existence to be the primary breadwinner in the family,” he says. If a charity needed support, he was ready to write a check. For 12 years, he believed that hands-on involvement was not his calling. Eventually, he came to realize that wasn’t true. By 2011, Rory admits, “My life had a huge void
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Becky and Rory Roniger
in it. Like so many people, I wanted to get involved but didn’t know where to start.” When his friend Larry Ward invited him to join the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany, Rory didn’t think twice. A national service organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse, the Exchange Club offered Rory a chance to make a difference in the community. Unfortunately, at the time, the local Exchange Club had lost sight of its purpose, and its active membership had dwindled to 10. “I was close to getting out when Jimmy Hingle took over as president. He wanted to invigorate the club.” And Rory wanted to help. Opportunity knocked when Rory’s good friends Connie and Randy Robin decided they could no longer host their traditional party celebrating the opening of LSU’s football season and the first pre-season game of the Saints. It had grown too big. Rory says, “I went to the Exchange Club and said, let’s hold the ultimate tailgate party as a fundraiser for our favorite charities.” He wanted to go first class with cook-offs, live entertainment, auctions and great food. Club members were dubious but eventually agreed to go along with his idea. So The Ultimate Tailgate Party became his baby, despite the fact that he’d never, ever headed a fundraiser. With only five months to put the party together, Rory secured a venue for the big party. To him, the choice was easy. There was no better place than the Tchefuncta Country Club for an event of this size. Next, he needed a major sponsor, and who better to ask than his friend Joel Champagne of Champagne Beverage Company. Joel listened to Rory’s request and asked for time to think about it. Rory pressed on, telling >> November-December 2014 87
Joel about Danielle Inn, the charity that would be the sole beneficiary of the fundraiser. After hearing about Danielle Inn’s mission to provide young pregnant women with a Christ-centered home to support and minister to their spiritual, physical, educational, and emotional needs, Joel was sold. He agreed on the spot and has continued as a major sponsor of The Ultimate Tailgate Party ever since. Like Joel, Mallery Mele of Mele Printing also came on board as a major sponsor that year and has continued to do so every year. Putting on a major event with only 10 club members was a daunting task, but thanks to the willing hands of spouses, family, friends and high school volunteers, the party went off without a hitch. Patrons were wooed, cooking teams signed up, menus coordinated and entertainment contracted. Everyone cooperated except Mother Nature. “The weather was stifling hot,” says Rory. Even the large fans in the tents couldn’t keep up with the oppressive heat. A fan of Deacon John for many years, Rory hired him as the entertainment for that inaugural party. He was happy to take the ribbing about the temperature since the last time he hired Deacon John to play was many years before and the temperature had been freezing! To the delight of Rory and fellow Exchange Club members, five hundred people attended the first Ultimate Tailgate Party. Between sponsors, auction items and ticket sales, the event netted an impressive $47,000, every penny going to charity. While the bulk of the money went to Danielle Inn, the Exchange Club stipulated that 10 percent or $7,500, whichever is less, was to be reserved to help other charities throughout the year. Among those charities were the Children’s Advocacy Center and Becky’s favorite 88
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Ultimate Tailgate
The 2014 Ultimate Tailgate Party was photos: CHRISSIE KUPAR PHOTOGRAPHY
charity, STOPS. The next three years brought even greater success for The Ultimate Tailgate Party, with attendance growing by about 100 per year, maxing out at 800 this year. “That’s the biggest number we can handle. This is the largest party ever held at Tchefuncta Country Club,” declares Rory, with a hint of paternal pride. After all, this is his baby. When asked to name his favorite part of the party, Rory surprisingly confesses that the event itself is anticlimactic. What means the most to him is the blood, sweat and tears that he and his team put into staging it. “Working with fellow sisters and brothers in the Exchange Club draws us closer to each other. That’s what makes it great. And so does seeing the good we can do with the funds we raise.” To date, this event has netted around $225,000. That’s $225,000 that has gone directly to community charities to fight child abuse. In 2014, the party netted approximately $70,000. After escrowing 10 percent to fund other charities throughout the year, the club donated 60 percent of the remaining proceeds to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Covington. Secondary beneficiaries, Safe Harbor shelter for battered women and their children and the Louisiana Coalition against Human Trafficking, each received 20 percent. What’s interesting about the charities chosen is that they must have an Exchange Club member active in their organization, preferably on the board. This guarantees that Exchange Club members have a personal investment in the causes the club supports. Mirroring Rory’s philosophy, the Exchange Club does more than write the checks. Its
held at the Tchefuncta Country Club, raising $70,000 to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Covington. Safe Harbor and the Louisiana Coalition against Human Trafficking were secondary beneficiaries of the event. Within its four years of existence, the Ultimate Tailgate has raised $225,000, directly benefiting charities that fight against child abuse.
members believe in the cause and work for its success. Rory’s favorite charity is Danielle Inn, a three-time beneficiary of the fundraiser. He began helping there after seeing the executive director of Danielle Inn mowing the expansive grounds. “He was the executive director,” Rory says. “He had things to do. So I volunteered to mow the lawn.” Rory still cuts the grass today, but he has another job there, too. Since December 2013, he’s been president of the board. “Where else but in the U.S.A. can you go from being a gardener to being a president?” he laughs. “And I’m proud of it!” There’s a special reason why Danielle Inn is close to Rory’s heart—a connection between Danielle Inn and daughter Beth. “Beth had an abortion and saw the ultrasound of her baby before aborting it. She couldn’t get that image out of her mind. It haunted her. The abortion drove her into depression and depression led her to drugs and drugs led her to suicide. I want you to tell this story,” Rory pleads. “I want girls like Beth to know there are other alternatives. If it only saves one person’s life, it’s worth it.” Yes, Becky and Rory Roniger are well-known for their generous hearts and community involvement. And now you know why. Years ago, Becky emerged from the grief of their daughter’s death by working to educate the community about suicide. Rory couldn’t help his daughter cope with the trauma of abortion, but now he can do everything in his power to provide other girls with a better choice. For Rory and Becky Roniger, that kind of giving is easy; their passion and compassion permeate their existence today.
Generous Hearts
by Susan H. Bonnett
IF YOU ARE READING THIS MAGAZINE, you have the gift of an education. If you are reading it in your warm home, your family has a roof over its head. If you, like I do, love to try any new recipe we might find in these pages, you are not worried about whether your children will eat tonight. In fact, the vast majority of us in our wonderful and successful northshore region are not only abundantly blessed, we are vastly unaware of the needs that surround us daily. And now the holidays are upon us. We are busy making our lists of who needs what, who
some of the needs in our area that you might not be aware of: PROBLEM: On any given day in St. Tammany Parish, there are hundreds of people, mainly families with children, who are homeless. Literally, they have no home. There are currently no shelters in St. Tammany to take them in and get them through what must be an incredibly trying time. ONE SOLUTION: Family Promise St. Tammany is a group of caring volunteers partnering with local churches and the faith-based community to house and serve those families and get them
gets what, didn’t he just get one of those last year? Soon, we will be warming our hands to the heat coming off our credit cards from swipe friction, but our hearts won’t necessarily feel much fuller. In all of the pressure and retail chaos that surrounds this time of year, we can often lose sight of the fact that our lives are filled with great abundance and privilege. While we worry about the timing on our next “upgrade,” there are invisible neighbors who have much bigger worries on their mind. Although I might seem like quite the “Debbie Downer” around this cheerful season, my aim is to make all of our hearts more full. And there is great value in asking ourselves this question: How much more stuff is enough? Here is a tiny fraction of
back on their feet to self-sufficiency. They are not a government program, but local folks, their churches and volunteers living out their faith in real life. PROBLEM: It is estimated that more than 40,000 citizens of St. Tammany Parish are living with some type of mental illness or impairment. That is more than the populations of Slidell and Mandeville combined. Over 8,500 of those are living with serious mental illness. ONE SOLUTION: Support and educational services from NAMI St. Tammany are provided to more than 2,500 individuals and families dealing with that reality. Those services are provided free of charge to those most in need because of the gifts of generous people who understand the value in caring for the most vulnerable among us.
Is it Better to Give or Receive?
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PROBLEM: Last year, more than 5,500 families in our area were not able to provide enough food to feed themselves. This is a shocking number when you think about how abundant food is in our region and how long we spend deciding which restaurant to patronize for lunch. ONE SOLUTION: The Covington Food Bank aids these “customers,” many of whom are the elderly and disabled who need this vital help just to survive. Each year at Christmas, the Food Bank partners with the Covington Rotary in their “Feed the Needy” program, providing more than 1,500 holiday meals to local families. At the Food Bank, a donation of one dollar buys one pound of food. How many pounds of food could the cost of a new Xbox 360 provide? PROBLEM: The price of freedom is dear. In our region, the men and women in military service who have been wounded in active duty struggle to rehabilitate from their injuries and resume a normal, fulfilling life. ONE SOLUTION: The local organization Support our War Heroes assists servicemen and -women who have sustained life-altering injuries in ways that many of us don’t even imagine. With the absolute belief that all members of the military are heroes, these local volunteers are working to make sure their sacrifice >>
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is not in vain. We don’t always know where to give, do we? These are all huge issues—scary issues—and it is easy to become overwhelmed and to feel like we are not wealthy enough or don’t have enough to really make a difference. The Northshore Community Foundation works to simplify this process and make giving more accessible with easy-to-purchase gift cards. Give Northshore Charitable Gift Cards was created to give the gift of philanthropy. Offered in $50 or $100 increments, the cards let the receivers choose the non-profit they want to support. The benefit to the card purchaser is two-fold. First, you get to empower others (your kids, your employees, your mailman, etc.) to support the cause that matters to them. Secondly, your tax-deductible generosity becomes contagious. Teaching others to give is a powerful lesson and one which can benefit the entire community. Don’t get me wrong—generosity in all of its forms definitely matters. But can we do more? Can we channel the energy and fervor that we pour into finding our children THE toy/ game/shoes of the month into something more substantial? Can we model a culture of giving—really giving—so that our children and neighbors and siblings can see the fulfillment of this generosity? That would truly be a gift worth giving— and at the end of the day, it feels really, really good. Contact the Northshore Community Foundation at northshorefoundation.org to give the gift of philanthropy or for more information on any of the above organizations. 92
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Feeding the Needy Each year, the Covington Rotary Club, with the assistance of hundreds of community volunteers and donors, leads “Feeding The Needy,” a project designed to address the closure of school cafeterias during the winter break and to help other individuals and families who are in need. On Christmas Day 2013, the Rotarians and hundreds of volunteers made delivering boxes of Christmas cheer part of their celebration by delivering 1,567 cooked turkeys and all the trimmings to needy families. Most of the cooking and preparation was done on December 23 and 24 On November 12, the club will host a luncheon to benefit the project. Featured speaker Bruce Hamilton will present his “No Bad Days” philosophy. The luncheon will be held at the Clarion Inn & Suites on Hwy. 190 in Covington. Doors open at 11:15; lunch will be served at 11:45. Tickets are $60, or $600 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, go to covrotary.org or Baldwin Motors. For information on how to contribute time and talent or make monetary donations, go to covrotary.org. November-December 2014 93
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Flourishes 2
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1. Stylish copper and gold leaf toned bowl with driftwood-inspired handle, $386. EMB Interiors, Mandeville, 626-1522. 2. Matching Bella Notte pillows in seafoam linen, $170; with lace, $198. Hestia Luxury in Linens, Covington, 893-0490. 3. Festive holiday turkey centerpiece, $159. All Wrapped Up, Mandeville, 778-2041. 4. Octopus beverage dispenser, $249. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045. 5. Shu Uemura Full Shimmer Illuminating 8
hair care products, shampoo, $48; conditioner, $58; treatment for colored hair, $68. H20 Salon, Mandeville, 951-8166. 6. Fleur de Lis made from honeycomb calcite, a newly discovered stone more than 150 million years old, $65. Earth Glow, Covington, 893-2766. 7. Greek key design plush throw, $25. Stone Creek Club and Spa, Covington, 801-7100. 8. Cast iron fairy. Inwood Gardens, Covington, 892-0717.
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1. One-of-a-kind, heirloom quality Mark Roberts hand-painted Christmas fairy, $125. Rug Chic, 674-1070. 2. Handmade gold wreath with a holiday ribbon and embellishment, $65. Water Street Wreaths, Madisonville, 792-7979. 3. Original wine wafer in assorted flavors, $8.95 each. Oil and Vinegar, Covington, 809-1693. 4. Team party arrangements, starting at $85. Florist of Covington, 892-
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7701. 5. Handcrafted Bevolo Gift Box featuring a French Quarter Patio Lantern and The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town, written by Cyril E. Vetter, $400. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Mandeville, 249-6040; New Orleans, (504) 522-9485. 6. Lazy Susan made of 19th century European timber by Europe 2 You, $220. Hazelnut, Mandeville, 626-8900. 7.
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Michael Aram Gourd & Vine wood, copperplate and stainless steel cheese board and knife, $225; matching Gourd & Vine copperplate and stainless steel candy dish, $199. Arabella, Mandeville, 727-9797.
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1. Large 36” St. Francis garden statue, $299. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 8938008. 2. 18th century 3’ antique biot jar, $3,600. St. Romain Interiors, Madisonville, 845-7411. 3. Harvest apple spice herbal tea, $11.95; Kati brewing system, $14.59. Earthsavers, Mandeville, 674-1133. 4. Hand-carved Blue Wing Teal Decoy by Mitch Verdin of the renowned Louisiana family of carvers, $145. History Antiques & Interiors, Covington, 892-0010. 5. Pom Pom at Home handmade 28”x28” cable knit euro sham in slate, $150. mélange by KP, Mandeville, 807-7652. 6. Cow creamers for morning coffee, $25 each. deCouer, Covington, 809-3244. 7. Handcrafted glass coasters with antiqued copper trim, $42 set of four. the french mix, Covington, 809-3152. 8. Stunning gold and white capiz tray, $130. Welcome Home and Garden, Covington, 893-3933.
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To Buy Local” program, she, along with other area businesses, offers discounts to cardholders and at the same time raises money for local charities. Cannon is also passionate about promoting the works of local authors and
Mia Sorella Gifts and Décor
Michelle Hirstius author of JuJu’s NOLA ABCs and Fun Facts; Elizabeth Jamie Katz, author of The Princess, The Pearls & The Pekingese; and
ANNE BURNHAM CANNON, owner of Mia Sorella Gifts and Décor in
J. Steven Spires, author of Three Little Shrimp.
Slidell, began writing poetry in 2000; what began as personal journaling has
Anne is planning a particularly special book
culminated in her published book of poems, Reflections—Renew, Restore,
signing by a new local author at a Holiday Block
Redeem. Cannon was inspired to write her poetry by a desire to grow closer
Party November 15 when she’ll autograph
to God and to also encourage others. And when life brought its challenges,
copies of her new book of poems. Mia Sorella
like losing her mother and coping with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, it
and neighboring stores will have extended
became a form of therapy.
hours and will offer door prizes, music, food,
Several years ago, Anne began giving her poems, calligraphied and framed, as gifts for friends. Over and over, she was told she should compile them
libations and special holiday sales. Cannon stays committed to giving back
into a book of poetry. “My friends constantly told me that my poems blessed
to the community and feels it’s important to
and touched them; that meant a lot to me,” says Cannon. The inspiration for
teach her children to help the less fortunate. “I
Reflections was born. The rich, spiritual poems, combined with poignant personal
want them to see the benefits of volunteering
photographs, reveal her deep, unshakable faith and relationship with God.
first-hand,” says Anne. “I like to help local
The busy mother of four children (the youngest only 2 years old), Anne
causes. I always support the Chamber and the
juggles her family life and her role as a small business owner with grace. After
Junior Auxiliary of Slidell and I give our local
purchasing the business from a friend, Cannon revamped
teachers a discount.” Her win-win philosophy
the shop and made it her own, enlisting the help of her
extends to collaborating with her fellow local
sister, Mary Day, and daughter Alexis Cannon. Katie
business owners. “We network, we promote
Stevens, the daughter of the former owner, stayed on to
each other’s businesses, we market together,”
help manage the store. They, along with the other girls at
she says. “We’re always looking for creative
the shop, Katie Goedtel and Cathy Mohr, make a great team.
ways to help each other.”
“We each have our gifts and talents,” says Anne, “and we are all supportive of each other.” Always in search of unique and sought-after gifts, Anne
“God gives us gifts so we can bless others,” says Anne, and those are the words she lives by.
is especially dedicated to supporting local artists and vendors.
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“As a small business owner, I believe in buying from the people
Mia Sorella is located at 1354 Corporate Square
in the community,” she says. And as a partner in the “Love
in Slidell. 985-781-3909. miasorelladecor.com
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Anne Burnham Cannon
often hosts book signings by authors such as
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1. Three-strand Faith necklace with pearls and turquoise by Crave, $14.99. Mandeville Party Company, Mandeville, 6741605. 2. Saxx platinum boxer made of modal and spandex, $34.95. 8
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Bra Genie, Mandeville, 951-8638. 3. East River half-zip 100% cotton antique tan sweater, $128. H.W. Rosenblum, Mandeville, 727-9955. 4. Silver and gold Amazing Grace cross bracelet, $19.99. Private Beach, Mandeville, 674-2326. 5. Mandalay rope necklace by local artist Carrie Brown of La Bella Vita jewelry, $92. Mia Sorella, Slidell, 781-3909. 6. Fit and flare Brielle Dress with notched v-neckline in Cameo White Ottoman Stripe, $188. Palm Village Lilly Pulitzer, Mandeville, 778-2547. 7. Jimmy Crystal New York sunglasses made with Swarovski elements, $190. Louisiana Family Eyecare, Covington, 875-7898. 8. Virgins, Saints and Angels Milagrosa cuff bracelet with Pacific opals, $293. Fleurt, Covington, 809-8844. November-December 2014 103
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brocade key print silk dress, $2,445. Saks Fifth Avenue, New Orleans, (504) 5242200. 4. Damee Inc swing jacket with 3/4-length sleeves and rolled collar, $146. Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 809-1690. 5. Yea knit poncho, $94. California Drawstrings, Covington, 327-7300. 6. Raspberry rhodolite, garnet and chocolate diamond Levian ring set in 14kt strawberry gold, $3,689. Lowe’s Jewelers, Mandeville, 845-4653. 7. Gigi New York crossbody bag in sand, $180; Gigi New York Uber clutch in sand, $145. The Mix, Mandeville, 727-7649. 8. Clarks burgundy patent pump, $129. Shoefflé, Covington, 898-6465.
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1. Spartina Turn-Key classic tote, $165. George’s Girls, Bay St. Louis, (228) 216-0558. 2. Buddy Love fringe fall print dress, $88. Posh Boutique,
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Covington, 898-2639. 3. Ridinghood coat by Cavelle Kids, $74. Olive Patch, Covington. 4. Rose gold ring featuring 1.99ct natural ruby and .65cttw white round brilliant diamonds, $13,800. De Boscq Jewelry, Mandeville, 674-0007. 5. C. Luxe hi-low textured sweater in Oatmeal, $56. Paisley, Mandeville, 727-7880. 6. Matisse ankle boot in coconut suede, $138. Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0200. 7. Sweater poncho with hood and fringe detail, $32. JuJu’s, Mandeville, 624-3600.
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1. 14kt white gold bracelet with ruby and diamonds, $1,595. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Covington, 892-2317. 2. Hand-loomed earrings made with red and pink threads, $42. Azure Spa, Mandeville, 727-7799. 3. Prada suede lace-up stacked bootie, $1,100. Saks Fifth Avenue, New Orleans, (504) 524-2200. 4. MZ Wallace Marlena backpack with bold buckles and drawstring closure, $385. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories, Mandeville, 778-2200. 5. Montage Ivonne D Collection silk gown with ruched bodice and hand-beaded jeweled appliques, $800. Southern Bridal, Mandeville, 5
727-2993. 6. BCBG Oxblood skater skirt, $158; Tan perforated peplum top, $138. The Villa, Mandeville, 626-9797. 7. Natori Feathers bra with demi contour deep plunge neckline and molded mesh overlay with lace trim, $68; panties, $30. Basics Underneath, Mandeville, 727-9521. 8. Dear John oxblood stretch fabric jegging with faux pockets; also available in black, $79. [brown eyed girl], Mandeville, 626-0100.
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1. Damask print tunic dress, $46. Mainstream Boutique, Mandeville, 674-6600. 2. Purple and gold LSU game day flats, $49.50, with matching shoe clips, $14, by Lilybee U. Oasis, Mandeville, 624-6772. 3. Tonobi gold ring with a large blister pearl, $198. Accents & Things, Slidell, 649-4221. 4. Konstantine sterling silver and 18kt yellow gold earrings with round ruby overlapped with clear quartz and topaz accents, $1,190. Lee Michaels, Metairie, (504) 832-0000. 5. Plum Signature Merino wool sweater, $109.50; Traveler wrinkle-free and stain-resistant sport shirt in burgundy, $87.50. Jos. A. Bank, Mandeville, 6244067. 6. Soft wool multi-way Eden poncho, $46. Mainstream Boutique, Mandeville, 674-4400. 7. Julian Chang silk maxi dress with slit, $218. Bora Bora, Mandeville, 951-8454.
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Traces
by Poki Hampton
her that the tryouts were being held
Olympic Hopeful
WHETHER YOU CALL IT FATE or serendipity, what happened to Caroline Voelkel last summer is more than coincidence. Caroline has always been the girl who reached for the stars. But her dreams of being an Olympic athlete never materialized. She played soccer, volleyball and softball in high school and was an athlete at Rhodes College in Memphis, where she received her business degree. Out of college, she began working for her father’s design firm, handling the day-to-day operation. Last summer, while driving with her boyfriend, Kyle Boudreaux, to meet her parents at Callaway Gardens in Georgia, the two stopped in Auburn, Alabama, to research paddleboards at an outdoor shop on campus. Kyle is a huge paddleboard enthusiast. While he was discussing paddleboards with the owner of the shop, Caroline began talking with a tall, muscular young man who happened to be on the national handball team. When Caroline expressed interest in women’s team handball, he told 112
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this team is to raise awareness of the sport.) “I was focusing on what the team was doing while Kyle chatted
>>
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Caroline Voelkel
in 30 minutes just around the corner from the shop. “I wasn’t prepared to try out, but we went to observe,” says Caroline. “Reita Clanton, who was on the first USA team, in 1984, walked in behind us. I didn’t know who she was.” (Reita, now Director of the School of Kinesiology’s Performance Optimization Center at Auburn, was very instrumental in linking the USA Team Handball and Auburn University to recruit and train men and women to play team handball and to try out for the Olympics. One focus of
November-December 2014 113
up Reita. He was talking like he was my manager,” laughs Caroline. “After the team finished, I spoke with the coach, Christian Latulippe, a French Canadian, to find out more about how to try out.” After returning from the vacation, the October tryouts were still on Caroline’s mind. She emailed Latulippe to confirm the dates and attached two letters she had received from her high school and college coaches. “These were speak to the intangible athletic qualities that possess like worth ethic and heart, that do not translate in statistics alone.” Within hours, Latulippe called Caroline to say that they wanted her to come immediately. “I was dumbstruck,” she says. In early August, Caroline went to Auburn to try out, by herself, with the current team. “After the second practice, the coach sat down and talked to me. He liked my coachability and desire, but was concerned about my small stature and age.” Caroline is 28 and would be 30 when the Olympics were held. She went home and thought it had been a fun experience, but didn’t expect to be chosen for the team. When the coach called a few days later and said, “When can you move to Auburn?” Caroline was floored. She asked him to let her think about it, to digest it. “I couldn’t turn down this opportunity, this once-ina-lifetime opportunity, but I really had to put pencil to paper and look at my local commitments. My dad was overwhelmed; it took him about an hour to come around to the idea, but he is very happy for me.” Caroline moved to Auburn in October to begin training. She is a member of USA Team Handball but must work hard to qualify for the Olympics. “I have to earn my way just 114
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to be a member of the travel team, but I am thrilled to be part of it.” Caroline would say never, never give up on your dreams. They might come true at an unexpected time and place. Team handball is taking the country by storm. Its fast pace, high scoring and physicality make it fun to play and watch. The game has been around for more than 100 years. It was first played at the Olympics in 1936 and made an official Olympic sport in 1972. Women’s Team Handball was added in 1976. Played on an indoor court similar to a basketball court but laid out like a soccer field, team handball has elements of water polo, basketball, volleyball and hockey. The ball is about the size of a volleyball, but hard like a soccer ball. Each team has seven players—six court players and one goalkeeper. The ball, which can travel up to 70 miles per hour, is passed or thrown by the player, who can only take
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
three steps before throwing the ball. It is a high-scoring game with plenty of physical contact, man-to-man defense and end-toend action, but no tackling.
More information on Olympic Team Handball can be found at olympic.org and teamusa.org/usa-team-handball. November-December 2014 115
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Providing Options for Your Personalized Care Ochsner North Shore Women’s Healthcare Team in Covington
WOMEN CAN FIND individualized care for their
are ready to deliver your bundle of joy, you’ll
most personal healthcare issues by connecting
have the convenience of knowing our physicians
with physicians at Ochsner North Shore’s
deliver at our nearby partnering hospital, St.
Women’s Services, conveniently located in
Tammany Parish Hospital as well as other area
Covington. We offer a comprehensive range
hospitals.
of women’s services and are experienced in
Women’s Health Center is the only clinic in the
complex. Patients have peace of mind knowing
region performing both endometrial ablation
that we offer a variety of options that enable
and tubal ligation under local anesthesia
us to care for you from adolescence until well
without a hospital stay. There are many
after menopause. From annual health exams to
fertility and family planning options available
minimally invasive surgery, all of our physicians
to patients, including a new permanent form
are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology.
of birth control, Essure, that does not rely
If you are looking for an obstetrician,
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Interested in family planning options? The
treating everything from the common to the
on hormones, surgery, incisions, anesthesia
including support when dealing with fertility
or burning or cutting of the fallopian tubes.
challenges, we’re certain you’ll find a great
This procedure only takes ten minutes in the
match at Ochsner North Shore. And when you
physician’s office.
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Clockwise from top left: Dr. Nancy Thomas, Dr. Daniel Mokry, Dr. Johnny Swiger and Dr. Joseph Kuebel.
“We treat all of our patients like our own family members, and patients say that the personal one-on-one care given by Ochsner’s nurses makes them feel confident in Ochsner as their healthcare choice.” – Dr. Daniel Mokry, OB/GYN. All of our physicians are trained in state-of-
treating sensitive healthcare issues, it is important
the–art, minimally invasive surgical techniques for
that a patient feel comfortable with her provider.
gynecologic procedures. Dr. Daniel Mokry and Dr.
Our Ochsner team’s breadth of experience and
Johnny Swiger have received additional training
collaborative approach to care make certain each
in robotic surgery to treat women’s urologic and
patient receives the highest quality, personalized care.
overactive bladder conditions as well as pelvic pain. In addition, Dr. Nancy Thomas is a recognized laparoendoscopic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures and she is also a National Osteoporosis Foundation member. If you are experiencing menopause and need to better understand your treatment options, meet with Dr. Joseph Kuebel, who is a Certified Menopausal Practitioner by the North American Menopause Society. The physicians at Ochsner North Shore’s Women’s Services know that when it comes to
Ochsner Women’s Health Center – Covington 101 E. Judge Tanner Blvd. Ste. 301 Covington, LA 70433 (located in the medical office building behind Lakeview Regional Medical Center) Call 985.875.2828 to schedule an appointment. November-December 2014 117
O Tannenbaum! by Leah Draffen
Above: Rows of Christmas trees under blue skies at Tiger Branch Christmas Tree Farm. Inset: Brent and Mitzi Dufrene. 118
“LET’S GO SEE MY UNCLE for a Christmas tree,” Brent Dufrene’s wife Mitzi said almost 20 years ago. The two traveled across the Causeway onto Highway 25, took a right at Million Dollar Road, then KC Camp Road and down Tiger Branch Road. They drove away that day with a free Christmas tree, but Brent couldn’t leave it at that. He wanted to get more involved, really work for it—and that he did. Arthur Matthew opened Tiger Branch Christmas Tree Farm in 1980. They named it after the road that it was planted on. Arthur’s wife, Cherlyn, says it was the obvious choice because “all the cute tree farm names were taken.” Why Christmas trees? “I like working outside, and well, I thought I could make a lot of money, but it doesn’t work like that,” Arthur says with a laugh. He and Cherlyn found out very quickly that a tree farm
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was a lot of work. They began with Virginia Pines, which led to Leyland Cypress, Blue Spruce Needles, Murray Cypress and Blue Atlas Cedars today. The 12 acres of trees require shaping three times a year. Brent started working for Arthur after the free Christmas tree incident and hasn’t stopped since. He travelled across the lake to help sheer the trees. As the trees grew taller, some reaching 10 feet, the sheering machine grew, too. The weight of the equipment was too much for Arthur, but not for Brent. Arthur decided it was time to hand the farm over to his nephew when he realized his approaching-70-stature was not up to the tasks required to operate the farm. Brent bought Tiger Branch Christmas Tree Farm from Arthur four years ago and hasn’t looked back. He and his family wanted more land to grow a home on. They got it with the purchase of an adjacent unplanted
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Tiger Branch Christmas Tree Farm
18 acres. While their home is not yet built, the farm is their second home during the holidays. Opening on the Friday after Thanksgiving, it remains open each weekend until the ready-tobe-cut trees are gone and the “Peanut” trees are left. Thanksgiving weekend is the only Friday that the farm is open. The Dufrenes don’t get first pick of the trees for their home; Brent humbly says that they take what is left. The already-cut tree that someone changed their mind about is usually the one that goes to the Dufrenes. Brent’s favorite is a Carolina Sapphire. Of the Cypress family, Carolina Sapphires have grey-green foliage that gives off the amazing aroma of the holidays. Although Arthur sold his brainchild to Brent four years ago, he still can be seen helping the family each holiday. Arthur’s favorite tree seems to be the Leyland Cypress. “I’ve heard of some customers watering them so that they can last till Mardi Gras.” He says that if taken care of, the Leyland Cypress can last a very long time if it is put in water soon after cutting it down—a Christmas >> November-December 2014 119
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tree that can double as a Mardi Gras tree. The Christmas tree process begins at least five years before you’re placing the star on top. All trees are born by placing a graft from another tree in a hormone powder. After four to six months, the graft begins to grow roots and is moved into a larger liner to grow. The young tree lives at the nursery for another year and is then transplanted into the field to grow to a healthy height of 6 to 8 feet. Brent says trees from 6 to 8 feet tall are the most common because of the lower ceilings in older homes around our area. The largest trees sold are generally 23 to 26 feet tall. One loyal doctor from New Orleans
while others can take hours looking at the trees.” Tiger Branch takes cut-down-your-own seriously. You can saw the trunk yourself or get one of their friendly helpers to do the work. Once your perfect tree is chosen, they will load it on a trailer and take it up to the front for a good shaking and wrapping. A few families take advantage of the extra 18 acres for family pictures and picnics. The signature blow-up Santa always waves families into the field to park, and if the Louisiana heat lets up and the “cold” comes in, some families sip on hot chocolate while they browse the rows of greenery. “It’s a day in the country for some people,” Brent says.
comes every year for his oversized tree, strapping it on top of his SUV. Arthur says the tree trunk’s diameter is usually around 12 inches across. The family places the tree in their two-story home with cathedral ceilings in New Orleans. In fact, Arthur says the doctor’s wife is willing to cut a hole in the roof to keep their large family tradition. For those who haven’t fallen for the synthetic version, cutting down a tree is an after-Thanksgiving family ritual for many Louisianans. Brent says it can be fun for families to discover their own prickly, good-smelling tradition. His favorite part is watching them arrive each year to find that perfect tree. “It’s funny to watch,” he says. “Some take five minutes,
The threat of hurricanes is always a concern for Brent and the farm—Hurricane Isaac hit the farm in 2012. They are gradually regaining their green inventory as the years go by. “There are no extra trees that we can bring in each year. What you see has been here. It’s not like a tree lot that can get more trees if they need them.” Now, in 2014, Brent is still working for that Christmas tree from 20 years ago, and the Dufrenes won’t be moving their roots any time soon. After your bellies are full with turkey and dressing, you can head on over to Tiger Branch to saw down your own bristled family tradition. Brent promises that you can just pay him—he won’t make you work for it. November-December 2014 121
Holiday Mail for Heroes
by Mimi Greenwood Knight
THINK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS that make the holidays special to you—the sights, the sounds, the soulnourishing smells and most of all, the people. Now imagine it’s December, and all of that is far from you. Such was the case for U.S. Army National Guard Major and New Orleans native Melissa Eugene. “Most of the time I get used to being away from my family and friends,” she says. “I’ve been in the service for 15 years. But around Christmastime, it gets harder. It meant a lot to receive a Christmas card from a fellow American 122
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thanking me for my service and wishing me a Merry Christmas—to know I wasn’t forgotten during the holidays.” Major Eugene still has that card. “It let me know someone was thinking of me back home,” she says. “I know it meant even more to friends of mine who received cards in Afghanistan. We’ve talked about it. You know, it only takes a few minutes of someone’s time to sign a card and write an encouraging message. But it can really make a difference to a service member away from home—maybe for the first
Red Cross program reaches out to service members.
time—at Christmas.” Major Eugene is only one of hundreds of thousands of servicemen and -women who’ve been touched by well-wishing cards for Christmas, Kwanza or Chanukah, thanks to a program of the America Red Cross called “Holiday Mail for Heroes.” The program was launched in 2007, when Walter Reed Veterans Hospital personnel contacted the Red Cross with a problem. They were receiving so many holiday cards addressed to “a wounded service member,” it was beyond their ability to distribute them. With thousands of wounded service members and a tsunami of cards, they didn’t have the extra manpower to put the two together. They hoped the Red Cross would. Such a mission fit right into the Red Cross’ commitment to “help military members, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service.” The organization was more than happy to step in and develop a new program to take on this challenge. Holiday Mail for Heroes was born, and the response of American citizens and organizations has been overwhelming. In only seven years, several million cards have been placed in the hands of U.S. soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, hospitalized veterans and their families, each one delivering the well wishes of an American back home. “It’s a simple way to say ‘thank you for your sacrifice’ and to deliver a little touch of home to a service member who is tired, lonely and missing family during the holidays,” says Kay Wilkins, CEO of the American Red Cross South Louisiana Region. Over the past seven years, the Red Cross has taken card signing events to local service organizations, schools and churches. Others have arranged their >> November-December 2014 123
own signings, such as pro sports teams, Fortune 500 companies, neighborhood organizations, even the U.S. House and Senate. Celebrities have endorsed and participated in Holiday Mail for Heroes, as well. “Some companies will create their own cards for our heroes and invite their employees and customers to sign them,” says Wilkins. “The New Orleans Saints have their own card. So does the state of Louisiana and many other states.” One of those organizations locally is Iberia Bank. “All of our communities are touched in some way by service members overseas,” says Judi LeJeune, Iberia senior vice president and public relations director. “Many of our customers and employees have family members in the service.” The bank had their own cards commissioned, with a beach scene for their Florida branches, a streetcar in the New Orleans area and an outdoor scene in Arkansas. “We set up stations in the lobby of our banks with signage inviting our employees and customers to personalize a card for a service member,” says LeJeune. “We encouraged people on our Facebook page to come in and sign, and our tellers were instructed to point the station out to all customers. Some of our customers took a handful of cards and brought them back signed. 124
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One schoolteacher had her class sign cards. I brought some to my daughter’s classroom, too. We find that no matter where someone is politically—even if they disagree with the United States having a military presence overseas— they still want to support individual service members, and they’re grateful for a way to do it.” The Red Cross schedules special card-signing events at schools and for Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups where they set up stations with construction paper, glue, scissors and crayons. While the children are creating cards, Red Cross members teach them about the troops, where they are, what they’re doing and why. “This year, we’re revamping the program to make it more area specific,” Wilkins says. “In the past, all cards went to a location in D.C. to be distributed. Now our local South Louisiana office will be collecting, sorting and distributing cards for our own South Louisiana service members, and other states will be doing the same. So service members can receive a card from someone in their own area of the country.” A partner in the program from its inception, Pitney Bowes offers a service on its website where Americans can pay a dollar (to offset postage) and sign their card online. At PB.com/HolidayMail, there are tips for hosting your own card-signing event. Locally, you can attend a card signing on November 11 (Veterans Day) from 11 to 2 at the Red Cross office at 300 Ashland Way in Madisonville. On November 25 from 11 to 2, go to the Madisonville location; to 2640 Canal Street in New Orleans; or to 4655 Sherwood Common Boulevard in Baton Rouge. Visit RedCross.org/HolidayMail for further signing dates as the holidays get closer. November-December 2014 125
Faces of Retirement
by Mimi Greenwood Knight
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RETIREMENT. WITH AN ABUNDANCE of free time, it is a blessing to have opportunities around every corner, and we certainly have those on the northshore. Living the good life in Louisiana has always included great food and opportunities for recreation. Sportsman’s Paradise provides abundant fishing, sailing on Lake Pontchartrain, hunting in the dense woods, canoeing through canals. The nevertoo-cold weather allows for year-round gardening,
Inside Northside
golfing and leisurely walks on the Trace or lakefront. For foodies, fresh produce is available at Saturday morning markets, and there’s a plethora of great dining out experiences. The culture of our region flows with art, theatre and music. Stop in one of our many art galleries after morning coffee; watch a performance at one of our theatres; listen to live music at outdoor stages, or while eating dinner. Leisure classes and volunteering
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
on the Northshore
“Retirement means no pressure, no stress, no heartache ... unless you play golf.� - Gene Perret
offer a myriad of options. Some retirees spend more time doing things they used to squeeze in on the weekends, and some embark on entirely new adventures. Whatever your approach to taking it easy becomes, you might be surprised how little truly free time you actually have. Whether trying something new or enjoying old routines, northshore retirement can be rewarding; read along to see how these retirees have it all figured out. The year might be 2014, but to one northshore retiree and her young neighbors it feels like 1865. At least, on one day a week. While their peers are tethered to cellphones or giving their thumbs a workout on handheld gaming devices, the preteens in Donna Gay Anderson’s neighborhood are in her >>
November-December 2014 127
living room sipping tea, eating cucumber sandwiches and taking turns reading aloud from the classic novel Little Women. It’s what Anderson calls The Neighborhood Book Club and it’s the highlight of the week for all concerned. The club began when Anderson decided that, since the neighborhood girls were always hanging around her house, they ought to have something worthwhile to do there. One thing stood in the way though—Anderson’s uber demanding job as director of the Columbia Theatre for Performing Arts in Hammond. “It was a dream job,” she says. “I loved it, but it kept me so busy I hardly saw my husband, and I had little time for other pursuits, like starting a book group with the girls. As director, I was expected to keep regular daytime hours, but I was also expected to be there at night for performances. So I was there all the time.” Anderson took the plunge and retired at a very young 53. And she hasn’t looked back. One of the first things she did was complete a play she’d been working on. High and Mighty is slotted to be performed at Southeastern in fall 2015. She also took an extended trip to Italy, France and Germany and has made frequent jaunts to New York to take in the Broadway shows. But it’s the book group with the girls that has really put the wind in her sails. “We began with Nancy Drew books,” she says. “Then we spent a year reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. One girl is always in charge of the dictionary, as we read. When we come across a word the girls don’t know, we look it up. When we’re done reading for the day, the girls put on a play using the new words we’ve learned.” Each week, a different girl takes turns providing 128
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photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
their snack, often in the theme of the current book. Anderson sets the table for “high tea” and breaks out her best china. When they’re all done with a book, they invite the parents for a formal dinner to celebrate, with the girls serving as hostesses. “I’ve been in book clubs my whole adult life,” Anderson says. “It’s refreshing to be able to offer the next generation something that has meant so much to me. I think the secret to a happy retirement is not just retiring from something but retiring to something, so you can stay vital and vibrant.” On most days, Debbie Schoen wonders how she ever had time to devote to her 33-year teaching career. Between gardening, teaching gardening classes, taking painting classes, volunteering, enjoying morning Pilates, dabbling in a little professional baking and zipping off to LSU and Yankees games— she’s married to a diehard fan of both—her days and weeks fly by. “I’m a bit of a homebody,” she says. “I took classes and underwent the testing to become a master gardener and am most at home in my greenhouse.” Of course, hers is the Taj Mahal of greenhouses. Schoen also has a kitchen garden and an herb garden
at her Covington home and cans extra veggies for herself and for the Covington Food Bank. When asked how retirement is different from what she thought it would be, she’s quick to respond, “I don’t read like I thought I would. I thought I’d read all the time, but I bet I haven’t read 20 books since I retired. I also thought I’d cook more. My husband, Jeff, comes home most nights expecting to find dinner cooked, but I just haven’t had time.” Instead, she has taken classes on the popular Annie Sloan chalk painting and has taught classes on >>
Above: Debbie Schoen.
growing and cooking with herbs for the Junior League of Greater Covington. When local restaurateur Pat Gallagher asked her whether she’d be interested in baking desserts for his restaurant, she added that to her to-do list. Any commitment she makes, though, is contingent on her being able to take time off to accompany her husband to as many LSU Tigers’ and New York Yankees’ games as possible. “My best advice is to learn to be organized,” Schoen says. “People may come into retirement thinking they’ve left schedules and agendas behind. But I found that without my old school schedule to keep me on track, I have to be even more organized if I hope to accomplish anything. “I hope everyone has the chance to experience retirement,” says Schoen. “I loved teaching and I miss my kids and my teacher friends. But retirement has been everything I dreamed it would be.” Some retirees leave and return. After 31 years as a Bell South cable repairman in Louisiana, David Daquin retired and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to volunteer his time with a ministry called Life Changers. “I also served on the board of Teen Challenge,” he says. “But Life Changers allowed me to work directly with young men who were being released from prison or who’d been offered the choice of prison or our program.” Life Changers rented houses for the young men. Daquin and other mentors walked alongside them throughout days which began with Bible study and worship and culminated in a work detail, often performing community projects, such as doing repairs and yard work for the elderly. A call from his daughter prompted 130
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photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Sandra and David Daquin.
Daquin and his wife, Sandra, to pack up and move back to the northshore. “Our son-in-law was given the chance to pastor a satellite campus of Celebration Church in Slidell and asked us to come work with them.” He didn’t have to ask twice. The Daquins set about looking for an older home they could restore (something they’d done in Tennessee) and fell in love with a gem on the banks of the bayou in Lacombe. “It was built in 1935 as a summer home for the Morton Salt family,” he says. “It’s right on the Tammany Trace, and we can see the bayou from our porch.” Daquin, an all-around handyman, says he enjoys working on the old place, even though on one of their first days there he went up on the roof and fell straight through some rotten boards. “We’re not in a hurry,” he says. “The house is livable enough now and we’ve got all the time in the world to fix it up.” In the meantime, he and Sandra host Bible study groups there, teach Sunday school and jump in wherever they’re needed around the church. Many retirees look forward to travelling. It’s hard to name an area of the world Dr. Joseph “Pete” Pecot hasn’t visited, either during his years in the U.S. Air Force or since. But if he has his way, he’ll be seeing a lot more. A beloved pathologist in the Abbeville-Opelousas area for 37 years, Pecot has found >> November-December 2014 131
what he considers the perfect retirement community in Mandeville. “It’s a small town built in the middle of a forest, yet it’s 24 miles from the big city and anything you might want,” he says. “The lakefront is beautiful. I try to walk it every day.” Pecot likes to take that walk at sunset, snapping pictures either there or at Fontainebleau State Park. “Every sunset is a little bit different,” he says. “If I take pictures every night, every three or four weeks I usually get a really good one. That’s what I enjoy doing on my trips, too. I’m not interested in going
to typical tourist destinations but in seeing beautiful sites around the world, experiencing nature. “My daughter, Giselle, often comes with me,” he continues. “When we get back home, she makes photo books of our travels. Those books are a trail of what we’ve done and where we’ve been, for the next generation.” In the past few years, the two have been to Alaska, Bora Bora, Bonaire, Tahiti, the Canadian Rockies and other far-flung destinations. They spent 26 days seeing the western United States and are ready to pack their bags now for their next jaunt—to
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Dr. Joseph “Pete” Pecot.
Iceland and Norway. When he’s not planning his next trip, Pecot enjoys reading mountains of books, particularly about World War II. “I was too young to be drafted,” he says. “But I had a neighbor whose sons were, and she couldn’t read or write. So I used to read her letters from her sons and help her write back. We all followed the war religiously and even had an outpost that everyone in town took turns manning, watching for enemy aircraft.” Pecot finally has time to read the details of a war that was such a big part of his childhood. “My advice is, if you’re considering retiring any time soon, find a great financial planner now,” Latham says. “That’s what we did, several years back. We wanted to make sure our money wouldn’t run out before our life did. He assured us we’re good until we’re 100. Start getting serious about planning for your financial future at least three or four years before you actually want to stop working—sooner if possible.” A few common denominators in successful retirements seem to be staying busy, finding a way to give to others, cultivating new hobbies and interests, expanding your social circle and committing to lifelong learning. Whatever is fancied for retirement, the northshore has it all. November-December 2014 133
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when someone finds the right look that makes them feel good about themselves. Women aren’t the only ones who deserve special wardrobe attention. “Most men do not like shopping for clothes,” says Molly. “They know what they like, but the time and effort to put everything together is not easy to achieve in the retail market. Finding clothes that fit them properly is especially challenging.” As a personal stylist for J. Hilburn, Molly is able to address these concerns for her customers. J. Hilburn’s core promise is “the best-fitting shirt you’ve ever worn.” Molly uses your exact measurements and your personal choices of luxury fabrics, collar, cuffs and buttons to create a custom look. Made-to-measure suiting is also available, as well as custom belts and accessories. Style Made Simple offers personal service,
Style Made Simple—For Women and Men
important to me to develop a personal relationship with my clients. This is crucial to my understanding their wardrobe needs and being able to do my best as an ongoing resource for them.” Molly believes in
IF YOU THINK HAVING A PERSONAL STYLIST IS not
the importance of Judith Rasband’s statement from
for you, think again. Molly Smith brings her love of
Power of Personal Appearance: “The way we dress
fashion and her organizational skills to you and your
affects the way we THINK, the way we FEEL, the way
wardrobe. She is committed to providing a shopping
we ACT, and the way others REACT to us.”
experience to both women and men the way they
To help prepare for wardrobe updates, Molly can
want it…personalized, welcoming, and stress-free.
do a closet audit to trim out your closet. At the same
While spending 11 years in sales with an
time, she can help you analyze gaps in your existing
international company, she also worked 9 years
wardrobe and make suggestions on how best to fill the
at her part-time passion as a consultant with CAbi
gaps.
(Carol Anderson By Invitation). CAbi is a ladies
Molly can also assist with selecting the perfect
clothing line that presents two collections each year
gift from these collections for the man or woman
of easy, wearable and comfortable fashion to active
in your life. This is a great timesaver for special
women who want to look and feel their
occasions or the upcoming holidays. Steve Ahrons,
best. With the opportunity to retire from her
busy owner of The Tap Room in Covington, used
full-time job, Molly was ready to make a
Molly’s services recently. “Molly bailed me out of a
change that would encompass her passion
bind. My wife had seen some items at Molly’s studio
of helping people find their own style.
and came home and said she liked some things but
“I have always loved fabrics,” says
didn’t buy them. So before her birthday, I called,
Molly. “The quality of the fabrics and the
and Molly helped me find several outfits. She even
attention to detail were what attracted me
wrapped them and delivered them to me. Now that’s
to CAbi in the first place.” Designer details
service!”
are evident on each and every piece. But what she has come to love even more is
For your personal consultation,
the personal connection that happens
call Molly Smith at 985-869-5556.
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Molly Smith
proper fit, quality fabrics and affordability. “It is
IN the Spotlight Benefits of Home Gala
photos: HOPE RICHARD PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2014 “Benefits of Home Gala,” presented by HUB International, Humana and Franco’s Health Club and Spa, was held at Franco’s to benefit Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. The John Gray Jazz band played throughout the evening as guests enjoyed everything from charbroiled oysters to roasted red pepper smoked chicken bisque. An auction and raffle were open for guests to win a trip to Destin, a duck hunting trip, private dinners and more. All proceeds from the gala are used locally to provide free cancer screenings, community education, transportation assistance, nutritional supplements, support groups and other services to help fight the community’s battle with cancer. This year’s event raised more than $170,000.
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IN the Spotlight The 5th Annual Northshore’s Finest campaign culminated in the awards luncheon presented by Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore at Tchefuncta Country Club. All 13 honorees were recognized and celebrated for raising a total of over $65,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The top three fundraisers received special mention—Michael Nicaud, Brittany Mobley and Kevin Samrow. Guest speakers Brian Egan, a CF dad, and Jim Harp, CF friend and vice president/CFO of Hornbeck Offshore, told their stories at the luncheon. Brian spoke of the hope he has for his daughter because of the generosity and passion of all those in the room. Jim shared about his amazing friendship with a CF patient and what he does in his friend’s memory to help find a cure for CF. Both reminded everyone of the importance of the work of Northshore’s Finest to make CF stand for Cure Found.
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photos: ERIC SUHRE
Northshore’s Finest Luncheon
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1. Polo poster artist Morgan Cameron, IN cover artist Scott Ewen and James 8
Michalopoulos at the IN Sept-Oct Meet the Artist Party at the Southern Hotel. 2. Abbot Justin and Jane Brown. 3. Laura Miles, Mandie Battaglia and Korie McEntee. 4. Patrice Senac with Elizabeth and Marta Bragg. 5. Cindy and Louie Hoerner with Dr. Garya and Dee Agena. 6. Mary Marti, James Rivera and Gretchen Armbruster. 7. Scott Quillin, Jim Seitz and Pete Taggard enjoying the artist party. 8. Lee and George McMillan listening to the jazz music of Montage in the courtyard of the Southern Hotel. 9. Morgan Cameron and Jed Duffy standing in front of Morgan’s work that was chosen for the 2014 Harvest Cup Polo Poster. 10. The Junior League representing Harvest Cup Polo Classic 2014 at the artist party. 11. Mayor Mike Cooper and Scott Ewen.
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1. Stephanie Ellzey, Luana Naylor and Bridget Host of Palm Village give customers an exclusive sneak peek of
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the upcoming Resort collection from Lilly Pulitzer. 2. Chef Jeffrey Hansell hosting the Ox Lot 9 ribbon cutting at the Southern Hotel. 3. Linda Bonaccorso, Jackie Farkas, Andrea Kopfler, Catherine Monica and Jim
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Hoover at Bra la Vie! for Hot August Night in Hammond. 4. Chris Daughdrill, Saul Rubio and Thomas Daughdrill at La Caretta for Hot August Night in Hammond. 5. Zac Caramonta, Kevin Elliott and Josh Erickson celebrating Louisiana Craft Brewers Week at Mellow Mushroom.
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1. Al Ryan, Larry Rase, Joan Wallace, Mike Alford and Ken Sprague as honorees of Pelican Park’s 25th Anniversary. 2. Rick Danielson and Larry Rase leaving handprints to represent the work they’ve done at Pelican Park. 3. Clay Madden, Leighanne Weeks, Jennifer Messina and Larry Ward at the West. St. Tammany Exchange Club’s meeting for the Women’s Build Initiative. 4. Debbie Thompson, Paul Thompson, Gary L. Bauer, Frank St. Philip, John Hair and Jeff Wylie at the Louisiana Family Forum Awards Banquet where the El Shaddai Catering team prepared steaks for attendees. 5. Money Hill author Mimi Dossett signing her book at Money Hill Country Club. 6. Therese, Joan and Alaina Chifici sharing SSA’s 2014 Book Day experience. Send your submissions to peek@mandlpublishing.com.
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1. Meghan Kreeger, Caroline Cantrelle, Nicole Kluchin and Olivia Lapuyade at SSA’s Back to School Dance and Social. 2. Louise Saenz revealing the 2014 Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival poster and t-shirt. 3. Amy Boehm and Ryan Richard at the poster unveiling. 4. Poster artist Don Scafidi, Mary Jumonville and Patti Scafidi. 5. Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann and JoAnn Chelchowski at the Glitz, Glamour & Giving Gala presented by United Way of Southeast Louisiana. 6
6. Matt Faust, Tony Adams, Bill Brady and Michael Williamson. 7. Jamene Dahmer, and Sharon Green getting groovy at the Glitz, Glamour & Giving Gala 8. Jaime Burchfield, Cammie Proctor, Mark Myers and Vickie Myers. 9. Jane Abide, Cindy Williamson and Ann Stewart celebrating birthdays together. 10. Sisters Donna Bissel and Debbie Hocevar celebrating their one-year anniversary of Water Street Wreaths in Mandeville.
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IN the Spotlight Kickin’ Parkinson’s
photos: GREG RANDON
The New Orleans Team Fox 5th annual “Kickin’ Parkinson’s” raised $300,000 for Parkinson’s research. Guests at Stone Creek Club and Spa enjoyed live music by Bucktown All Stars and a silent auction. The success of the pre-race party and the Twilight Run made the New Orleans chapter the second-largest Team Fox contributor in the nation. Team Fox is the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s grassroots community fundraising program. The New Orleans chapter began five years ago when Quentin Dastugue, a local businessman and former state representative, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Global Wildlife and Ken Matherne, who is Dastugue’s brother-in-law, challenged the community to reach its $100,000 goal by matching all funds up to an additional $100,000.
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1. Delta Zeta grand big Merritt Parsons with her grand little, Alexis DeZayas, and little, Shelby Guinot. 2. The cast of Covington High School’s Holiday Extravaganza. 3. Active and provisional members of Kappa Delta sorority from the northshore posing on Bid Day at LSU. 4. New KD sisters Abby Lindsey and Shelby Rase. 5. Taylor Menendez with Disney Channel’s Spencer Boldman of Lab Rats and Zapped at North Shore Square Mall.
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1. Sculpt Fitness of Slidell wins the Most Represented Fitness Club trophy at Rock the Road 5k. 2. Rock the Road one-mile fun run winner 9-year-old Vittoria Notaroberto. 3. Members of the West St. Tammany Exchange Club host the Ultimate Tailgate Party that had more than 700 attendees 5
this year! 4. Exchange Club members enjoying the tailgate. 5. Stephen Lytton, Jennifer Gitz, Ron Gitz, Steve Ballard, Scott Ballard and Wiley Gahagan of the Ballard Brands cooking team placed second in brisket at the Ultimate Tailgate Party.
Send your submissions to peek@mandlpublishing.com.
IN the Spotlight Symphony Soirée
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and its Northshore Advisory Council celebrated the beginning of the northshore 2014-2015 cultural season with “Symphony Soirée” at the Southern Hotel. Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto was the guest of honor for the evening. The LPO Woodwind Quintet played for the 150 guests as Ox Lot 9 Executive Chef Jeffery Hansell served delectable lobster hush puppies with gribiche and tuna crudo with Serrano relish and pineapple. The northshore LPO season will continue Nov. 21 with cellist David Finckel and Mozart Symphony No. 40 at First Baptist Church of Covington.
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Their love for God and for others is what fuels the Thompsons and their partners, Frank and Michelle St. Philip, to continue their work. Since the mission to Illinois, El Shaddai’s opportunities to serve have increased, requiring a larger need for volunteers, partners, monetary donations, and food supplies. El Shaddai has fed more than 14,000 people since November 2013. They have prepared meals for the Covenant House New Orleans, New Heights Ministries, House of Redemption, Helping Hands Ministries Worldwide, Random Acts of Kindness, Safe Harbor, Fairhope, and several churches in our area to “make a difference in every life they feed.” El Shaddai members and volunteers cook for their beliefs and not for money. “The past year has been a labor of love and financial output for Paul and Debbie,” says Frank. “We want to encourage people to donate and volunteer.” With their equipment and dedication, Paul has managed to create hearty meals for less than $2 a person. A contribution of $1,000 can easily feed 500-700 people. El Shaddai also caters events at cost. Recently, the team
Making a difference in every life they feed “WE NEED TO GO FEED these people,” Debbie
prepared 600 steak dinners for
Thompson said to her husband, Paul, as they watched
the Louisiana Family Forum’s
the news of an Illinois tornado last year. They were
Annual Legislative Awards
waiting for an opportunity to serve, and this was it. The
Banquet in Baton Rouge. Other
consider donating to or volunteering with El
two traveled to Washington, Illinois, with their portable
events include fundraisers, such
Shaddai Catering. Currently, there is a specific
cooking equipment to see how they could help.
as a Lions Club event to raise
need for more cooking equipment to help outfit
money for an Army veteran who
new El Shaddai cooking ministries and a storage
of El Shaddai Catering, a northshore Christian 501(c)
wished to donate his kidney to
facility for food donations. Our goal is to equip
(3) cooking ministry serving churches, community
his dying father. The fundraiser
each El Shaddai cooking ministry with a new cargo
organizations, homeless shelters, disaster-stricken
raised more than $10,000 for his
trailer and cooking equipment at a cost of $10, 000
areas or any group or place in need.
medical bills.
each. Any amount, no matter how large or small,
That trip to Illinois in 2013 was the first mission
El Shaddai began while the Thompsons were
El Shaddai’s next mission is
Can you help? During this special season of giving, please
will go to make a difference in someone’s life.
preparing meals in their own kitchen in Mandeville for
November 15, a Servolution event
three halfway houses on the northshore. They purchased
in Hammond. We are helping to feed 2,500-3,500 people from eight different
a trailer in order to feed more people—their mission is
churches in the local community. (“Servolution” is a movement which
to be the hands and feet for Christ to use to feed others
fosters active serving by changing lives through simple acts of kindness.)
in need. Why the name El Shaddai? Because of what it
The structure of El Shaddai is easy to duplicate. The team plans
means “God the All Sufficient One.” By serving others in
to train volunteers and partners with the vision to form new El Shaddai
a time of need, those served learn the true meaning of El
cooking ministries on the northshore, in the greater New Orleans area—
Shaddai and, hopefully, God’s love for them.
and eventually, perhaps, across the country and beyond—to feed those
During El Shaddai’s three-day stay in Illinois, the
in need through the cooking ministry.
team fed 3,000 people, including those who had lost their homes to the tornados. “We didn’t just get to feed those
El Shaddai Catering is located at 1342 Sycamore Pl.
people; we got to encourage them,” Paul says. “We got
in Mandeville. To donate, volunteer or to obtain more
to connect with them and pray for them.”
information, call 504-606-7740 or go to elshaddaicatering.org. November-December 2014 145
M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N photo: RICK KING PHOTOGRAPHY
Drinkard-Nail Jessica Drinkard and Justin Nail celebrated their wedding at LynHaven in Hammond. The bride’s trumpet-style gown from Southern Bridal featured beaded lace with sparkling crystals along the scalloped lace hem; it was complemented by yellow Swarovski crystal-accented shoes made by the bride. Her bouquet, from Florist of Covington, was composed of ivory, yellow and pale peach roses, ranunculus and ivory hydrangea. The bridesmaids wore long canary yellow dresses and carried ivory and yellow roses with green hydrangea. The couple celebrated with family and friends while dancing and enjoying delicious food provided by LynHaven. The newlyweds honeymooned in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and currently reside in Covington. 146
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Raising the Bar for the Holidays by Poki Hampton
FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO STOCK a home bar for a fabulous holiday fête, we turned to Adam Acquistapace. For liquors, Adam helped us select some old favorites and new brands. He recommends Old New Orleans Rum for daiquiris and mojitos or mixed with diet ginger ale for a lower-calorie libation. Bombay Sapphire gin is perfect for martinis or gin and tonics, while Jack Daniels makes the best whiskey sours, old fashioneds and Manhattans. A relatively new vodka from Texas, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, is the perfect choice for martinis, 148
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screwdrivers or with cranberry juice for a colorful holiday cocktail. Dobel Tequila, made with 100 percent agave, is so-o-o smooth for margaritas and sunrises. The Glenlivit, a single-malt scotch, is also a favorite bar staple—pour it on the rocks with a bit of soda or combine with Drambuie for a Rusty Nail. For the wine drinkers, a great host has both a red and a white available. A full-bodied cabernet sauvignon will be a hit, as will an oaky chardonnay. Beer drinkers will appreciate a chilled selection. Also have on hand some
in a classic stemmed glass. While not necessary, special glasses are available for whiskey sours. Double old fashioned glasses are appropriate for cocktails served “on the rocks” and for other mixed drinks. Tall glasses can also be used for mixed drinks such as gin and tonics, highballs, etc. Garnishes should include lemons, limes and oranges sliced and ready to go, as well as cocktail cherries, pearl onions and olives. Having a special cocktail ready when guests arrive helps the party get going and creates less stress at the outset for the host. Something seasonal will fill the bill, or serve the classic cosmopolitan martini. Even simpler is a flute filled with champagne and topped with a few fresh cranberries—
photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
liqueurs, such as Grand Marnier for mixing margaritas. Dry and sweet vermouth, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and Rose’s Lime Juice can make you look like an expert mixologist (or help you follow a recipe from one!). Soft drink mixers, club soda, tonic and fruit juices are essential. Having plenty of ice, about one pound per person, is recommended. A rule of thumb is that each person will use three glasses and three napkins during the duration of the party, so have plenty. A universal wine glass can be used for both red and white. Martinis and Manhattans always looks elegant
Voila! Instant cocktail! Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket is located at 125 E. 21st Ave. in Covington. 893-7554. acquistapaces.com.
Books About Cocktails For more information, consult books from the experts. The Ultimate Little Martini Book, by Ray Foley, can help you create just about any martini known to man. Available at Mandeville Party Company. The Land of Cocktails, by Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan, proprietors of Commander’s Palace, encourages the reader to try new cocktails and gives tips on how to make them at home. New Orleans Classic Cocktails, by Kit Wohl, gives some spirted recipes for your favorites. Available at Arabella.
Cosmopolitan Martinis Chill all ingredients before mixing. In a pitcher, mix 4 cups cranberry juice with 1 ½ cups Tito’s Handmade Vodka, ½ cup Grand Marnier, ¼ cup Rose’s Lime Juice and 1 cup club soda. Add club soda at the last minute so it doesn’t flatten. Serve in a martini glass with a slice of lime. Holiday arrangement by Florist of Covington. November-December 2014 149
IN Great Taste
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by Poki Hampton
Movable PROGRESSIVE DINNERS are very popular during the holiday season. Traveling from one house to the next for an anticipated sumptuous dish makes for a fun evening. We dreamed up a progressive dinner of our own using suggestions from some of our favorite northshore restaurants.
Feast
The Scotts’ Coffee Bar, Mandeville The Scotts’ Coffee Bar in Old Mandeville serves a Caprese appetizer of sliced fresh Roma tomato, julienned fresh basil and buffalo mozzarella drizzled with house-made balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Start the evening with a seasonal cocktail created for you by Dakota’s mixologist, David Berman. A blend of unfiltered apple juice and Louisiana-made Rougaroux Rum with housemade spiced cinnamon syrup, topped with Beaver Tree Ginger Beer, a cinnamon stick and a Granny Smith apple slice, is the perfect way to whet the appetite. 150
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photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Dakota, Covington
The Lakehouse, Mandeville Pete Kusiw recommends the Lakehouse Salad, spicy mixed greens tossed with fresh strawberries and topped with crumbled blue cheese, shaved red onion, candied pecans and a drizzle of sherry vinaigrette cleanse our palate.
K-Gee’s, Mandeville Rich, steaming-hot chicken and Andouille sausage gumbo with okra, served over fluffy white rice with crusty French bread, recommended by Kathy Williams, is a warming first course for our progressive dinner.
Fazzio’s, Mandeville For our main course, we head to Fazzio’s for a tender filet mignon, cooked to perfection and topped with plump sautéed shrimp; red, yellow and green peppers; fresh mushrooms; and olives in a light brandy cream sauce; served over pasta. November-December 2014 151
IN Great Taste
INside Dining
and dinner. Kids eat free every Wednesday!
ME: Menu Express delivery
The Chimes, 19130 W. Front St., 892-
MCC: Major credit cards accepted RR: Reservations recommended
Private events and catering also provided. carretasgrill.com. MCC.
5396. Lunch and dinner. thechimes.com. MCC.
ABITA SPRINGS Abita Barbecue, 69399 Hwy. 59, 400-
Coffee Rani, 234-A Lee Ln., 893-
5025. Ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork
6158. Soup and salad specialists.
and boudin. MCC.
coffeerani.com.
Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St., 892-
Columbia St. Seafood, 1123 N.
5837. On the Trace. Good food, great
Columbia St., 893-4312. Seafood platters
beer. Lunch, dinner. abitabrewpub.com.
and po-boys. columbiastreetseafood.com.
MCC. Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill, Abita Springs Café, 22132 Level
434 N. Columbia St., 898-0899. Daily
St., 867-9950. Southern cooking for
specials, appetizers, sandwiches, salads,
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tues-Sun.
soups and burgers. Live music Thurs-Sat
MCC.
nights. Lunch, dinner. covingtontaproom. com. MCC, ME.
Camellia Café, 69455 Hwy. 59, 809-
Ox Lot 9, Southern Hotel; Covington
George’s Mexican Restaurant, Mandeville
Ox Lot 9 serves a dessert extraordinaire. Pastry chef Breanne Kostyk prepares a mille-feuille concocted of puff pastry and chèvre mousseline, topped with thinly sliced local figs, fig and balsamic preserves and a sprinkling of hazelnuts.
A warm, delicious way to finish off a wonderful evening is to have the house special Mexican coffee from George’s. Kahlua and brandy are added to steaming fresh-brewed coffee; this is topped with whipped cream and a splash of Grand Marnier with a dusting of cinnamon and a maraschino cherry.
6313. Traditional seafood and New
Copeland’s, 680 N. Hwy. 190,
Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com.
809-9659. Authentic New Orleans
MCC.
cuisine. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Online take-out orders at
Mama D’s Pizza & More, 22054 Hwy.
copelandsofneworleans.com. MCC,
59, 809-0308. Great pizza, sandwiches,
ME, RR.
pasta, fresh homemade bread. Lunch, dinner. mamadspizza.com.
Dakota Restaurant, 629 N. Hwy. 190, 892-3712. Contemporary Louisiana
COVINGTON
cuisine using local and seasonal
Acme Oyster House, 1202 Hwy. 190,
ingredients. thedakotarestaurant.com.
246-6155. Established 1910 in New
MCC, RR.
Orleans, 1995 on northshore. Seafood, sandwiches, local favorites. Lunch, dinner.
Del Porto Restaurant, 501 E. Boston
mamdspizza.com. MCC.
St., 875-1006. Northern Italian cuisine. delportoristorante.com. MCC, RR.
Albasha, 1958 Hwy. 190, 867-8292. Mediterranean cuisine. albashabr.com.
Di Martino’s, 700 S. Tyler St., 276-6460.
MCC.
Great food and reasonable prices. Lunch, dinner. dimartinos.com. MCC.
Annadele’s Plantation, 71518 Chestnut St., 809-7669. Yellow fin tuna, domestic
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy. 21,
lamb & much more. annadeles.com.
871-2225. Locally-owned and -operated
MCC, checks.
franchise. Kids eat free on Sundays. MCC.
Bear’s Restaurant, 128 W. 21st St., 892-2373. Best po-boys in the world.
DiCristina’s Restaurant, 810 N. Columbia St., Ste. C, 875-0160.
Blue Hickory BBQ, 570380 Hwy. 21,
Conveniently located next to the new
Ste. 9, 871-4216. Meats smoked on
Covington Courthouse. Italian and
site, handmade sausage; brisket, ribs,
seafood. dicristinas.com. MCC.
chicken, seafood and salads. Drive-thru. Open 7 days a week. bluehickorybbq.
Don’s Seafood Hut, 126 Lake
com. MCC.
Dr., 327-7111. Lunch and dinner. donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.
Buster’s Place, 519 E. Boston St., 8093880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks. Lunch,
Downtown Deli, 400 N. Thread St.,
dinner. MCC.
234-9086. Chicken salad, burgers and poboys. Mon-Fri, 10:30am-2:30pm.
Carreta’s Grill, 70380 Hwy. 21, 871-6674.
MCC.
Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas served in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch
152
Inside Northside
El Portal, 1200 Business 190, 867-5367.
i The English Tea Room, 734 Rutland
and Cafè, 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste.
St., 898-3988. Authentic English cream
5, 893-1488. Full service, year-round
teas. Special event teas, English scones,
bakery. Luncheon salads, panini, catering,
crumpets and cakes. Serving breakfast
donuts, kingcakes, cupcakes and
and lunch. Mon-Sat, 7:30am-6pm.
wedding cakes. Tues-Sun, open at 7am.
englishtearoom.com. MCC, RR.
nonnaskingcakes.com. MCC.
Four Seasons Chinese Buffet, 600 N.
North Island Chinese, 842 N. Collins
Hwy. 190, 893-3866. MCC.
Blvd., 867-8289.
Gallagher’s Grill, 509 S. Tyler St.,
Northshore Empress, 31 Louis Prima
892-9992. Lunch and dinner, Tues-Sat.
Dr., 871-6975. northshoreempress.com.
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gallaghersgrill.com. MCC, RR. Osaka West Japanese Restaurant, Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food, 200
804 N. Hwy. 190, 871-8199.
River Highlands Blvd., 327-7420.
osakawest.com
Isabella’s Pizzeria, 70452 Hwy. 21,
Ox Lot 9, 488 E Boston St., 400-5663.
Ste. 500, 875-7620; 1331 Hwy. 190,
Hotel. Dinner, Sunday brunch. oxlot9.
809-1900. Salads, gourmet pizza,
com. MCC.
sandwiches, paninis, calzones and pasta. isabellaspizzeria.net.
Pardos, 69305 Hwy. 21, 893-3603. An American bistro with a blend of multi-
Italian Pie, 70488 Hwy. 21, 871-5252.
cultural cuisine with local flair. Frutta del
Pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Dine in
mar pasta, rosemary-grilled shrimp,
or carry out. italianpie.com. MCC, checks.
roasted chicken. Lunch, Tues-Fri; Dinner, Tues-Sun; Happy hour, Tues-Fri, 4-7pm.
Jerk’s Island Grill & Daiquiri
Private parties and catering. pardosbistro.
Bar, 70437 Hwy. 21, 893-1380.
com. MCC.
jerksIslandgrill.com. Pat’s Seafood Market and Cajun Lola, 517 N. New Hampshire St., 892-
Deli, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-7287.
4992. Lunch, Mon-Fri; Dinner, Fri-Sat.
Jambalaya, gumbo, stuffed artichokes.
Closed Sundays. Daily lunch specials, local
MCC, checks, ME.
produce, Louisiana seafood, everything housemade. lolacovington.com.
Peck’s Seafood & Grill, 70457 Hwy. 21, Ste. 108, 892-2121. Po-boys,
Mattina Bella, 421 E. Gibson St., 892-
seafood, burgers and lunch specials.
0708. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. MCC,
MCC.
checks. PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 70456 Hwy. 21, McAlister’s Deli, 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15,
875-7894. Catch your morning buzz at
898-2800. Great sandwiches, salads,
this convenient drive-thru! Catering. MCC.
overstuffed potatoes. mcalistersdeli.com. MCC, checks.
Pizza Man of Covington, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-9874. Checks, ME.
Megumi of Covington, 1211 Village Walk, 893-0406. megumirestaurant.net.
Raising Canes, 1270 N. Hwy. 190, 809-0250. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers,
fries, coleslaw, texas toast, signature
1645 Hwy. 190, 327-5407. Salads,
secret dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go and
pizzas, calzones. 20 craft beers on tap.
catering. MCC.
Open 7 days a week. Lunch and dinner. MCC. mellowmushroom.com.
Renaissance Antiques & Gifts with the Original Soda Fountain & Café
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 104 Lake
Cabaret, 322 N. Florida St., 892-7220.
Dr. #1, 898-6362. menchies.com.
Nostalgic soda fountain for lunch and after school, six days a week.
New Orleans Food and Spirits, 208 Lee Ln., 875-0432. Grilled fish,
Sake 21 Japanese Restaurant, 70340
smothered rabbit and voodoo crawfish
Hwy. 21, 809-2640.
rolls. Family owned and operated. neworleansfoodspirits.com. MCC.
Sala Thai, 315 N. Vermont St., 2496990. Special salads, spring rolls, soups,
Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery
noodle and curry dishes. Sun-Thurs,
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Jacmel Inn, 903 E. Morris St.,
salathaibysu.com. MCC.
542-0043. Catering, special events, weddings. Casual fine dining, chargrilled
Sweet Daddy’s, 420 S. Tyler St.,
steaks, gulf fish, fresh seafood, house
898-2166. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs.
specialties. jacmelinn.com. MCC, checks.
sweetdaddysbarbq.com. MCC, ME. Kirin Sushi, 221 E. Cate St., 542Thai Chili, 1102 N. Hwy. 190, 809-
8888. First Japanese sushi restaurant in
0180.
Hammond! Dragon roll, Kirin roll, sake. kirinjapanesecuisine.com. MCC.
Thai Spice, 1581 N. Hwy. 190, 809La Carreta Authentic Mexican
6483.
Cuisine, 108 N.W Railroad Ave., 419Thai Taste, 1005 N. Collins Blvd.,
9990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh
809-7886.
food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music. Lunch
Tony Bosco’s at TerraBella, 141
and dinner seven days a week.
TerraBella Blvd., 612-7250. Authentic
carretarestaurant.com. MCC.
Italian cuisine. Lunch, dinner, private meeting room, catering. tonyboscos.com.
Old MacDonald’s Smokehouse, 1601 N. Morrison Blvd., 542-7529.
Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys, 515
BBQ brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage.
E. Boston St., 893-9336. Cuban
oldmacdonaldsmokehouse.com. MCC,
sandwiches and more. vazquezpoboy.
checks.
com. MCC, checks, ME. Tommy’s on Thomas, 216 W. Thomas Winos and Tacos, a 321 N. Columbia
St., 350-6100. Pizza, pastas. Lunch,
St., 809-3029. Fresh, innovative cuisine
dinner. tommysonthomas.com. MCC,
by Chef Joel Brown. MCC.
checks.
WOW Café & Wingery, 501 N. Hwy.
Tope là, 104 N. Cate St., 542-7600.
190, 892-9691. Wings, burgers, wraps
Contemporary delights. topela.com. MCC.
and more. MCC. Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 2100 N. Yujin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi
Morrison Blvd., 345-6789. Innovative
Bar, 323 N. New Hampshire St., 809-
quality Chinese food served in Imperial
3840. Japanese cuisine and sushi in a
surroundings. treyyuen.com. MCC,
casual atmosphere. MCC.
checks.
Zea Rotisserie & Grill, 110 Lake Dr.,
VooDoo BBQ & Grill, 2108 W. Thomas
327-0520. Inspired American food.
St., 345-1131. “Taste our Magic.”
zearestaurants.com. MCC.
voodoobbq.com. MCC.
HAMMOND
Yellow Bird Café, 222 E. Charles St.,
Adobe Cantina & Salsa, 1905
345-1112. A great place to start your
W. Thomas St., 419-0027. Fine
day. Breakfast, lunch. MCC, checks.
Mexican cuisine, good spirits, great LACOMBE
friends and fun. Ceviche (marinated fish) and Mexican pasta. Live band.
Janie Brown’s Restaurant, 27207
adoberestaurant.com. MCC.
Hwy. 190, 882-7201. Casual dining with a great atmosphere. MCC, checks.
Brady’s, 110 SW Railroad Ave., 5426333. bradysdowntown.com.
La Provence Restaurant, 25020 Hwy. 190, 626-7662. Owner John Besh
Cocoa Bean Bakery and Cafe,
combines hospitality with French cuisine
910 E. Main St., 345-2002.
and welcoming hearths. Dinner, Sunday
Specialty cakes, pastries. Serving
brunch. laprovencerestaurant.com. MCC,
breakfast and light lunch. Specials.
checks. RR.
thecocoabeanbakery.com. MCC. Sal & Judy’s, 27491 Hwy. 190,
154
Inside Northside
Don’s Seafood & Steak House,
882-9443. Great food and line of
1915 S. Morrison Blvd., 345-8550.
retail products. Family-owned for 27
donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.
years. Veal is the house specialty.
i salandjudys.com. MCC, RR. MADISONVILLE
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5375. countrykitchenrestaurants.com. Fat Spoon Café, 68480 Hwy. 59.,
Hook’d Up Riverside Bar and Grill,
809-2929. Breakfast, lunch, Tues-Sun.
100 Marina Del Ray Dr., 845-8119.
7am-2pm. Breakfast served until 10:30am
Burgers, wings, hot dogs and specials.
on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Reserve Fat Spoon Cafe for your
Keith Young’s Steakhouse, 165 Hwy.
next party. fatspooncafe.com. MCC.
21, 845-9940. Steak, crab cakes. Lunch, dinner, Tues-Fri. keithyoungs.net. MCC.
Fazzio’s Seafood & Steakhouse, 1841 N. Causeway Blvd., 624-9704. Fresh fish
Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar,
daily, aged beef, traditional Italian. Lunch,
702 Water St., 845-4970. Relaxed
dinner. fazziosrestaurant.com. MCC,
atmosphere, seafood, daily specials.
ME, RR.
Lunch, dinner. MCC, checks. Franco’s Grill,100 Bon Temps Roule, Water St. Bistro, 804 Water St.,
792-0200. Fresh organic foods for
845-3855. Casual ambiance on the
breakfast, lunch and takeout. myfrancos.
Tchefuncte. Lunch and dinner, Wed-Sun.
com/dining. MCC.
mortonsseafood.com. MCC. George’s Mexican Restaurant, 1461 MANDEVILLE
N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4342. Family
The Barley Oak, 2101 Lakeshore Dr.,
owned. Fajitas, George’s nachos, Carne
727-7420. Serving 130 styles of beer, call
al la Parrilla. Best top-shelf margaritas in
and premium liquors. Lunch and dinner.
town. georgesmexicanrestaurant.com.
thebarleyoak.com. MCC.
MCC, ME.
Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 4700 Hwy. 22,
Gio’s Villa Vancheri, 2890 E. Causeway
674-9090. Bear’s po-boys and more.
App., 624-2597. Sicilian specialties by
bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC.
5-star chef Gio Vancheri. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. giosvillavancheri.com.
Benedict’s Plantation, 1144 Lovers
MCC. RR.
Ln., 626-4557. Traditional New Orleans cuisine. Dinner, Sunday brunch.
Hong Kong Restaurant, 2890 E.
benedictsplantation.net. MCC.
Causeway App., 626-8222. MCC.
Bosco’s Italian Café, 2040 Hwy. 59,
Isabella’s Pizzeria, 2660 Florida
624-5066. boscositalian.com.
St. (in the Florida Street Market), 674-5700. Salads, gourmet pizza,
Broken Egg Café, 200 Gerard St.,
sandwiches, paninis, calzones and pasta.
231-7125. Excellent choice for brunch!
isabellapizzeria.net.
Pasta, specialty salads, sandwiches. anotherbrokenegg.com. MCC.
Italian Pie, 4350 Hwy. 22, 626-5252. Pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Dine in
Café Lynn Restaurant and Catering,
or carry out. italianpie.com. MCC, checks.
2600 Florida St., 624-9007. Casual fine dining for lunch, dinner and Sunday
Joyce and Johnny’s, 1461 N.
brunch by Chef Joey Najolia. Tues-Fri,
Causeway Blvd., Ste. 11, 727-7727.
lunch: 11am-3pm. Dinner, 5pm. Catering
Soups, salads, stuffed potatoes,
provided. cafelynn.com. MCC.
sandwiches, po-boys.
Chili’s Bar & Grill, 3420 Hwy. 190, 727-
Jubilee Restaurant and Courtyard,
2771. Fajitas and the Awesome Blossom.
301 Lafitte St., 778-2552. Contemporary
Lunch, dinner. chilis.com. MCC, ME.
Louisiana cuisine for dinner, lunch by Chef Tory Stewart. Casual fine dining,
Coffee Rani, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-0560.
daily lunch/dinner specials, private events,
Soup and salad specialists.
catering. jubileerestaurantcourtyard.com.
Coscino’s Pizza, 1817 N. Causeway
K. Gee’s, 2534 Florida St., 626-
Blvd., 727-4984. New York hand-tossed
0530. Featuring Louisiana seafood
pizza and Italian foods cooked on stone
with raw oysters 1/2 price on
using the finest ingredients. MCC.
Tuesdays. Express lunch and daily lunch specials under $10. Mon-Thurs,
Country Kitchen, 2109 Florida St., 626-
11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm.
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ingredients. Family-friendly atmosphere. Lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays.
La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 1200 W. Causeway App., 624-
Petunia’s Place, 2020 Hwy. 59, 674-
2990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh
3436. petuniasplace.com.
food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music. Lunch
Pinkberry, 3460 Hwy. 190, 612-7306.
and dinner seven days a week.
Pinkberry is the original tart frozen yogurt
carretasrestaurant.com. MCC.
that is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy paired with high quality, fresh
La Madeleine French Cafe, 3434 Hwy.
cut fruit and premium dry toppings.
190, 626-7004. lamadeleine.com.
pinkberry.com.
The Lakehouse, 2025 Lakeshore
PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 2963 Hwy.
Dr., 626-3006, events 778-2045.
190, 674-1565. Catch your morning buzz
Restaurant open. Call for reservations.
at the convenient drive-thru! Catering.
lakehousecuisine.com. MCC.
pjscoffee.com. MCC.
Little Tokyo, 590 Asbury Dr.,
Raising Canes, 3801 Hwy. 22, 674-
727-1532. littletokyosushi.com.
2042. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, texas toast, signature secret
Louie & The Redhead Lady,
dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go and
2820 E. Causeway App., 626-6044.
catering. MCC.
louieandtheredheadlady.com. Rip’s on the Lake, 1917 Lakeshore Dr., Macaroni Grill, 3410 Hwy. 190, 727-
727-2829.
1998. Penne rustica, pasta Milano, other Italian favorites. Lunch, dinner.
Ristorante Carmelo & Pizzaria, 1901
macaronigrill.com. MCC, ME.
Hwy. 190, 624-4844. Family-oriented Italian cuisine. Lunch and dinner. MCC.
Mande’s, 340 N. Causeway App., 6269047. Serving breakfast and lunch, daily
Rusty Pelican, 500 Girod
specials.
St., 778-0364. Lunch, dinner. rustypelicanbythelake.com. MCC.
Mandina’s, 4240 Hwy. 22 in Azalea Square Shopping Center,
Sake Gardens Japanese Restaurant,
674-9883. Seafood, Creole and
1705 Hwy. 190, 624-8955.
Italian. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. mandinasrestaurant.com.
Sesame Inn, 408 N. Causeway Blvd., 951-8888. Finest Chinese cuisine.
Megumi Japanese Cuisine, 4700 Hwy. 22, Suites 11 and 12, 845-1644.
The Scotts’ Coffee Bar, 201 Carroll St.,
Yakimono and sushi bar. Lunch, dinner.
231-7632. Open seven days. Gourmet
megumirestaurant.com.
coffee & tea. Breakfast and lunch items available. Evening tapas menu - Fri and
MiMamacita’s New Mexican Cuisine,
Sat, 6-10. thescottscoffeebar.com.
2345 Florida St., 674-1400. Great food and margaritas. Lunch, dinner, catering. MCC.
Smoothie King, 1830 W. Causeway App., 626-9159. Smoothies.
Monster Po-Boys, 1814 N. Causeway
smoothieking.com. MCC, checks.
App., 626-9183. Lunch, dinner. Taqueria Noria, 1931 Hwy. 59, 727N’Tini’s, 2891 N. Hwy. 190, 626-5566.
7917. Lunch, dinner.
Steaks, martinis. Lunch specials. Mon.Sat. ntinis.com. MCC.
Times Bar & Grill, 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-1161. Famous hamburgers,
Nuvolari’s, 246 Girod St., 626-5619.
starters, steaks and more. Lunch, dinner.
In Old Mandeville. Italian cuisine for fine
timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.
dining daily for dinner or special events. MCC. nuvolaris.com.
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 600
The Old Rail Brewing Company,
China cuisine with Louisiana flair. Lunch,
639 Girod St., 612-1828. Homemade
dinner. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.
N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4476. Quality
American cuisine with fresh, local
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Vianne’s Tea House, 544 Girod St., 624-5683. A full café menu with over 120
La. Pines, 1061 Robert St., 641-
loose leaf and speciality teas. Breakfast,
6196. Meet under the water tower for
lunch. viannes.com. MCC.
Ahhhfull-waffles, Sugar Watcher specials. Breakfast, lunch. lapinescafe.com. MCC,
VooDoo BBQ & Grill, 2999 Hwy.
checks.
190 E., 629-2021. “Taste our Magic.” voodoobbq.com. MCC.
Michael’s, 4820 Pontchartrain Dr., 649-8055. Steaks, seafood, veal, duck,
PONCHATOULA Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant,
eggplant au gratin. Extensive wine selection. Dinner.
30160 Hwy. 51, 386-6666. middendorfsrestaurant.com.
Nathan’s Restaurant, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., 643-0443. Waterfront dining
La Carreta Authentic Mexican
featuring seafood, steaks and pasta. MCC.
Cuisine, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave., 370-0930. Festive Mexican atmosphere,
Nola Southern Grill, 1375 Gause Blvd.,
fresh food from traditional recipes,
201-8200. Burgers, ribs, steaks, pasta,
outstanding service and value. Live music.
sandwiches and seafood. MCC.
Lunch and dinner seven days a week. carretarestaurant.com. MCC.
Palmettos on the Bayou, 1901 Bayou Ln., 643-0050.
Taste of Bavaria Restaurant &
palmettosrestaurantslidell.com.
Bakery, 14476 Hwy. 22, 386-3634. Charming Bavarian bungalow, European-
Peck’s Seafood Restaurant, 2315
style breakfast, German-style lunch.
Gause Blvd. E., 781-7272. Po-boys,
tasteofbavariastaurant.com. MCC, checks.
seafood, burgers and lunch specials. MCC.
SLIDELL A Touch of Italy Café, 134 Pennsylvania
Smoothie King, 150 Northshore
Ave., 639-0600. Seafood, veal,
Blvd., 781-3456. Low-fat health drinks.
steaks, daily specials. Lunch, dinner.
smoothieking.com. MCC, checks.
kathrynandcompany.com. MCC, checks. Tacos and Beer, 2142 Front St., 641Assunta’s, 2631 Hwy. 190 W., 649-
4969. Lunch, dinner and late-night.
9768. Italian food, extensive wine selection. Dinner. assuntas.com. MCC,
Times Bar & Grill, 1827 Front St.,
checks.
639-3335. Famous hamburgers, starters, steaks and more. Lunch, dinner.
Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 550 Gause
timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.
Blvd., 201-8905. Po-boys and more. bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC.
The Wine Market, 2051 E. Gause Blvd., 781-1177. Deli restaurant, lunch,
Sapphire, 2306 Front St., 288-4166.
11am-3pm. Sandwiches, soups, salads,
Sunday brunch, live entertainment, fine
wraps. MCC and checks.
wines and spirits. Open seven days a week. bistrodelareine.com. MCC.
NEW ORLEANS/SOUTHSHORE Café Giovanni, 117 Rue Decatur,
Bonnie C’s, 1768 Front St., 288-
(504)-529-2154. Dinner, Sun-Thurs,
5061. Home-style Italian, seafood, and
5:30-10pm. Fri-Sat, 5:30-11pm. Live
barbecue.
Entertainment Wed, Thurs, and Friday Evenings. . Cafegiovanni.com. RR.
Camellia Cafe, 525 Hwy. 190, 649-6211. Traditional seafood and New Orleans
Criollo Resturant and Lounge at Hotel
cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com. MCC.
Monteleone, 214 Royal St., (504)-5233340. hotelmonteleone.com/criollo/.
Carreta’s Grill, 137 Taos St., 847-0020.
MCC, RR.
Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas served in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch and
Restaurant R’evolution, 777 Bienville
dinner. carretasgrill.com. MCC.
St., (504)-553-2277. Located at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Offering modern,
KY’s Olde Towne Bicycle Shop, 2267
imaginative reinterpretations of classic
Carey St., 641-1911. Casual dining in
Cajun and Creole Cuisine. Triptych of
former bicycle shop. Kids’ menu. Lunch,
Quail and Oysterman’s spaghettini.
dinner. kysoldetowne.com. MCC, checks.
Revolutionnola.com. RR.
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Once the variety is decided, picking the spot in the yard to make the tree a focal point is next. Why are you planting a tree? Shade to cool your yard? As a focal point? Or to shield the eye from an unsightly view? If the tree is small enough to pick up easily, it can be put into different positions in the yard and observed for a few minutes to see if it is indeed aesthetically pleasing. “Trees up to 30 gallons can be planted by individuals,” says Norman Fussilier of Inwood Gardens in Covington. “However, if the tree is large and will require an auger or other large equipment to plant it, location is crucial, because the initial investment will be more substantial. Larger trees will also require professional installation.” Trees usually come with a burlap wrap on the root ball, which should be removed. The roots need to be examined and loosened or scored in two or
Plant Your Newest Investment by Connor Ferrill EVERYONE KNOWS THAT RENOVATING a bathroom or kitchen can increase the return on your investment in your home. Experts are now saying that a well-landscaped yard can yield lucrative rewards as well. Trees are a vital part of any landscaping plan. “While spring is the traditional time to put in annual plants and tropicals, fall is the time to plant trees. Trees are going dormant at this time of year, and the soil is still warm enough for good roots to develop, while the cooler temperatures will not stress out the plant,” says Henry Hunter of Banting’s Nursery in Lacombe. Choosing the type of tree and planning for its size, location and growth potential are the first steps. Take the time to find species that grow best in our Zone 9-10, research the varieties and their characteristics and plan the space for the tree. Getting advice from the extension service or from a nursery can be very helpful. Select trees with healthy foliage and straight trunks. “Oak, Crepe Myrtle, Red Bud and Drake Elm trees are among the most popular trees to plant here,” says Henry. Fruit trees make wonderful additions to a home. Not only will you receive a bounty of fresh fruit in season, but their shiny dark green leaves are beautiful and can be used for decorations during the holidays. 158
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three spots to encourage outward root growth. Trees should be planted in a hole at least 18 inches wider than the root ball and about 2 inches deeper. “With the clay table here is St. Tammany, you should plant the tree 3-4 inches above the ground for adequate drainage,” says Norman. Most professionals do not recommend putting fertilizer into the hole. Fertilizer will often adversely affect the growth of the roots, making the roots smaller in subsequent years. “Fertilize in the spring, using 1/2 cup of Triple 8 or Triple 13 fertilizer per 1 inch of the tree’s diameter.” When setting the plant into the hole, adjust it so that the most pleasing side faces in the desired direction. Wet the roots and begin filling the hole with dirt until level with the undisturbed soil. Water, and then add a little more soil to create a slightly elevated mound. Do not tamp the soil or step on it. Water thoroughly once a week, soaking the roots when there has not been adequate rainfall. Wires are not generally recommended to help straighten the tree. Letting it grow on its own is better, but if wires are required, use a tree guard to prevent the wires from growing into the bark. With all the hard work finished, sit back, put your feet up and watch your tree mature as your home value increases.
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Directory of Advertisers ADVERTISER...........................CONTACT INFO PAGE 10/12 Properties........................985-626-8200 159 Accents & Things........................985-649-4273 94 Acquistapace’s Covington Supermarket............. ................................................ 985-893-7554 97 Agena, Dr. Gary M. - OBGYN......985-845-7121 84 Air Blow Dry Bar & Salon............985-626-1402 29 All American Chiropractic...........985-893-2223 70 All Wrapped Up..........................985-778-2041 70 Al’s Plumbing Co........................985-845-9390 130 American Factory Direct..............985-871-0300 33 American Red Cross....................... redcross.org 130 Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Décor................. .................................................985-727-9787 98 Armbruster Artworks Studio........985-630-6295 142 Artistry of Light..........................225-247-8963 6 Asset One..................................985-727-2834 26 Barley Oak, The..........................985-727-7420 10 Basics Underneath.....................985-727-9521 105 Beau Provence Memory Care Assisted Living..... ...........................................BeauProvence.com 115 Bedico Creek Preserve................985-845-4200 27 Bella Bridesmaids.......................985-264-5558 109 Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights.......985-249-6040 7 Bisso Towboat Company.............504-861-1411 59 Blue Williams LLP.......................985-626-0058 48 Bora Bora...................................985-951-8454 105 Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers..........985-626-1666 41 Bra Genie...................................985-951-8638 106 Bra la Vie!..................................985-662-5065 110 [brown eyed girl]........................985-626-0100 109 Brown Family Orthodontics.........985-626-8297 114 Business First Bank Northshore...985-624-4503 88 Café Lynn Restaurant & Catering...985-624-9007 93 California Drawstrings Northshore....985-327-7300 113 Candra George-My Creative Reality.................. .................................................985-871-6990 120 Carreta’s Grill............985-871-6674, 847-0020 149 Cedarwood School.....................985-845-7111 51 Champagne Beverage Co................................. .................................champagnebeverage.com 35 Champagne Jewelers.................985-643-2599 24 Chris Wynne Designs........................................ ..........................chriswynnedesigns.tumblr.com 160 Christ Episcopal School...............985-871-9902 32 Christwood Retirement Community.................. .............................................christwoodrc.com 25 Columbia Street Mercantile........985-809-1789 102 Covington Dental Care...............985-892-2273 133 Culinary Connections.................985-727-5553 160 DA Exterminating.......................504-888-4941 33 Dakota Restaurant, The..............985-892-3712 153 David Pierson Designs Inc...........985-871-0457 147 De Boscq Jewelry.......................985-674-0007 Gate deCoeur..........................................decoeur.net 102 DeLuca’s Expressions in Gold......985-892-2317 146 Designs in Windows...................985-209-1689 70 Dr. Burkenstock, Skin Body Health...985-237-1960 132 Earth Glow.................................985-893-2766 98 Earthsavers................................985-674-1133 69 El Shaddai Catering....................985-778-2333 145 EMB Interiors.............................985-626-1522 97 Emma’s Shoes and Accessories...985-778-2200 42, 106 Eros Home & Clothing................985-727-0034 42 Etan Enterprises.........................985-966-7042 124 Fazzio’s Restaurant & Bar...........985-624-9704 154
ADVERTISER...........................CONTACT INFO PAGE Fielding Photography..................985-626-7549 160 Fitness Expo...............................504-887-0880 87 Fleurt.........................................985-809-8844 85 Florist of Covington....................985-892-7701 56 Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter............. .................................................504-524-7611 84 Franco’s Athletic Club.................985-792-0200 BC French Market Corporation.........504-522-2621 24 french mix, the...........................985-809-3152 87 French Quarter Business Association ................ .................................................504-309-1423 98 George’s Girls............................228-216-0558 97 George’s Mexican Restaurant.....985-626-4342 154 Glenn Michael Salon..................504-828-6848 17 GNO Property Management.......504-528-7028 44 H.W. Rosenblum.........................985-727-9955 113 H2O Salon.................................985-951-8166 42 Hazelnut....................................985-626-8900 93 Heritage Bank of St Tammany.....985-892-4565 79 Hestia Luxury in Linens...............985-893-0490 98 History Antiques & Interiors........985-892-0010 94 Hosanna Christian Preschool......985-624-5525 91 Hospice Compassus....................985-639-8000 5 Huntington Your Tutoring Solution....985-727-0000 48 Infusé Oils & Vinegars................985-778-0903 54 Integrity Builders, Inc..................985-626-3479 28 Inwood Gardens.........................985-892-0717 131 Istre Hearing Care......................985-845-3509 123 Jacmel Inn..................................985-542-0043 28 JaRoy Pest Control......................985-892-6882 128 Jennifer Rice Realty Group..........985-892-1478 159 Jill Gibson, MD, LLC....................985-898-5990 45 Jos. A. Bank................................985-624-4067 105 Jubilee Restaurant & Courtyard...985-778-2552 156 JuJu’s Boutique..........................985-624-3600 110 K. Gee’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar....985-626-0530 153 Khoobehi & Associates................ khoobehi.com 13 Kinsley, Dr. Elizabeth...................985-893-3737 81 Knight Integrative Medicine........985-867-5516 31 La Bella Vita Laser & Vein...........985-892-2950 53 La Belle Center for Cosmetic Surgery................ .................................................337-456-6532 65 Lake After Hours.........................985-375-9979 127 Lakehouse, The...........................985-626-3006 157 Lakeview Regional Medical Center.................... .................................................985-867-3800 IBC Latter & Blum - Stevie Mack.......985-630-1934 159 LCI Workers Comp......................985-612-1230 62 Lee Michaels Jewelers......................... lmfj.com 2,3 Louisiana Custom Closets...........985-871-0810 63 Louisiana Family Eyecare............985-875-7898 91 Louisiana Heart Hospital.......louisianaheart.com 11, 23 Lowe’s Jewelers.........................985-845-4653 65 M. Rossie...................................985-867-8906 106 Mainstream Boutique.................985-674-6600 113 Maison Lafitte............................985-807-5014 157 Mandeville Party Co....................985-674-1605 88 mélange by KP...........................985-807-7652 94 Mellow Mushroom.....................985-327-5407 155 Mercedes-Benz of New Orleans..504-456-3727 9 Metlife Premier Client Group......985-969-0591 114 Mia Sorella.................................985-781-3909 69, 100 Michalopoulos Gallery................504-558-0505 128 Mix, The.....................................985-727-7649 110 Molly Smith................................985-869-5556 134 Money Hill Golf and Country Club....985-892-3300 20
ADVERTISER...........................CONTACT INFO PAGE Monmouth Historic Inn..................601-442-5852 138 Montage....................................985-778-9993 81 Murphy Appraisal ......................985-626-4115 115 Natchez Grand Hotel and Suites....601-446-9994 138 Niche Modern Home..................985-624-4045 15 Nonna Randazzo’s Bakery..........985-893-1488 147 North American Insurance Agency....985-871-5480 124 North Oaks Health System..........985-230-5725 57 North Shore Square Mall............985-646-0661 101 Northshore Community Foundation.................. .................................................985-893-9757 78 Northshore Dermatology ...........985-792-5959 19 Northshore Harbor Center..........985-781-3650 143 Oasis Day Spa, The.....................985-624-6772 147 Ochsner Medical Center - Northshore............... ....................................985-875-2828 72, 116, 117 Oil & Vinegar..............................985-809-1693 69 Old Rail, The...............................985-612-1828 10 Olive Patch............................... olive-patch.com 94 Outdoor Living Center................985-893-8008 60 Paisley.......................................985-727-7880 109 Palatial Stone & Tile....................985-249-6868 12 Palm Village...............................985-778-2547 105 Pan American Power...................985-893-1271 30 Paretti Jaguar.............................504-455-2101 125 Peace of Cake............................985-951-8137 57 Personal Care MD......................985-778-2330 60 Pontchartrain Hematology & Oncology.............. .................................................985-875-1202 123 POSH Boutique..........................985-898-2639 110 Preservation Resource Center ....504-581-7032 83 Private Beach.............................985-674-2326 113 Raising Cane’s............................985-809-0250 156 Real Results Weight Loss Clinic...985-590-4061 38 Rehab Dynamics LLC..................985-871-7878 53 Resource Bank.................. bankonresource.com 127 Rick’s Professional Painting Service...985-845-0533 92 Roosevelt Hotel of New Orleans, The................. .................................................504-335-3190 56 Royal Sonesta............................504-586-0335 146 Rug Chic....................................985-674-1070 54 St. Paul’s School.........................985-892-3200 59 St. Romain Interiors....................985-845-7411 69 Saks Fifth Avenue.......................504-524-2200 4 Samaritan Center.......................985-626-4457 51 Scotts’ Coffee & Tapas Bar, The...985-231-7632 155 Shoefflé........................................ shoeffle.com 102 Slidell Memorial Hospital............985-280-8820 92 Southern Bridal..........................985-727-2993 147 State Farm Insurance, C J Ladner.....985-892-5030 119 Stone Creek Club and Spa..........985-801-7100 14 Stone Source..............................985-892-0695 119 TerraBella...................................985-871-7171 139 Three Rivers Art Festival..............985-327-9797 29 Villa Vici......................................... villavici.com 73 Villa, The....................................985-626-9797 102 Water Street Wreaths.................985-792-7979 160 Weimer, DDS, Patrick..................985-727-1800 70 Welcome Home and Garden.......985-893-3933 97 West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission.......... .................................................225-635-6769 120 Windsor Senior Living Community, The.............. .................................................985-624-8040 133 Witt, Dr. Victoria.........................985-643-5145 120 Wreaths by Laura............... wreathsbylaura.com 160 November-December 2014 161
Last Bite
Jubilee Restaurant and Courtyard
BECAUSE THE WEATHER stays warm into November and sometimes into December, dining in Jubilee’s beautiful courtyard is a very pleasant experience indeed. Savor the exquisite contemporary Louisiana dishes Chef Tory Stewart crafts with a nod to the French masters. “Soubise Sauce dates back to the time of the great French chef Escoffier,” says Chef Tory. He starts with the French onion sauce, which has a béchamel foundation, and adds shredded Gruyere cheese, giving it a nutty flavor. The sauce is served over fresh pasta with sautéed shrimp, oysters, mushrooms, garlic and fresh tomatoes. Chef Tory recommends an icecold glass of Abita Beer to accompany this dish.
Chef Tory Stewart of Jubilee Restaurant and Courtyard.
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photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
Jubilee, at 301 Lafitte Street in Old Mandeville, is now reserving space for holiday parties and catering. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday; dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. 778-2552. jubileerestaurantandcourtyard.com.
by Poki Hampton