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MICHOUD •
APPLE CEO TIM COOK • NORTHSHORE HEART WALK • A SOLDIER’S DIARY
SUMMER 2019 VOL. 34, NO. 4
Summer 2019
Publisher Lori Murphy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Anne Honeywell
Senior Editor
Managing Editor
Jan Murphy Leah Draffen
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Señor Art Director
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fax (985) 674-7721 Cover Artist Rolland Golden. Find more on page 16.
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INSIDE NORTHSIDE and INSIDE NEW ORLEANS are published bi-monthly by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copyright ©2019 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.
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contents table of
page 34
page 77
Features
16 Life, Love and Art Cover Artist Rolland Golden 34 “From Muskrats to Moon Ships” Michoud’s Contribution to History 42 Queen of the South 82 A Soldier’s Diary D-Day Remembered
102 IN Love and Marriage
92 The Old Mortuary Church at Our Lady of Guadalupe
109 Inside Peek Featuring Black & Gold Gala Eclectic Home After Dark Orléans Club Closing Reception Night at the Museum
100 Northshore Heart Walk 129 P.O.W.E.R. Palates
IN Business & Leadership 2019 Begins with Tim Cook on page 49
Orthopedics 2019
Begins on page 96
Departments
page 82
10 Publisher’s Note 12 Editor’s Note 14 Contributors
20 IN Great Taste 1 Savory Tarts 122 Wine Cellar Affordable White Burgundy 124 Haute Plates 125 INside Dining 30 IN Other Words 1 Is it Hot Enough for You?
24 INside Scoop 32 INside Story Vacation; all I ever wanted. 69 IN Better Health Medical Marvel at Lakeview Regional Medical Center 73 Flourishes Extraordinary gifts and home accents 77 INside Look page 92 8
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90 Generous Hearts Exceptional Lives
page 120
Celebrate Summer by Lori Murphy Though my girls are long past school age, I can still remember the anticipation that had us all counting down days until summer arrived, they headed to camp or, best of all, our family vacation. Like most things worth waiting for, summer seems to take forever to get here, and then speeds past us in a blur. We are just now hitting that “faster than a speeding bullet” point in this year’s break. At Inside Publications, we decided to treasure it in a new way—this is our first regional Summer celebration! On our regular schedule, we publish Inside New Orleans and Inside Northside, each serving a unique market in roughly the same format. While there are many similarities, there are some aspects of our communities that are decidedly not. Crossing the bridges, no matter which way you are heading, can provide unique experiences and new kinds of fun. These pages are sprinkled with highlights and stories from the entire region. The Scoop calendar of events offers ideas on ways to spend weekends and idle hours—whether you are in Mandeville, Metairie, Slidell, New Orleans, Hammond or Covington. Tom Fitzmorris and his dining guide will give you eating options galore. Try something new. We are blessed to live in a region so rich in possibilities for fun. I hope you and your family reach out of your comfort zone. If you haven’t ridden down St. Charles Avenue in a streetcar in years, do it! It is a beautiful way to treasure some of the South’s most engaging architecture. Go to the Audubon Zoo or Storyland. If you don’t have grandchildren, perhaps you can borrow one! (That is my plan.) Downtown Covington has just opened a walk-down launch in Bogue Falaya Park that allows for kayaking and canoeing on the scenic river—a great way to spend an afternoon. Cycling or walking the Tammany Trace or along the lakefront in Mandeville or Lakeview is exercise at its best. Sunshine and easy breezes, not to mention fantastic views. During the summer, I find that restaurants are extra happy to see you, and my favorite shops are filled with bright hues of linen and cotton. As the song goes, ”The days dwindle down to a precious few…” I hope these precious summer days are filled with many happy memories for you!
Editor’s Note by Anne Honeywell Summer officially began on June 21, the longest day of the year, although we have already felt the heat for some time. Especially for those with children, “summer” seems shorter now than it used to, as school ends in May and, for most, begins in early August. Our summer issue’s cover piece is Pigeon Haven, by acclaimed Southern artist Rolland Golden, whose career has spanned six decades. His style is bold, yet restrained; his work seems to combine emotions with intellect, and his surrealism has a soft, dreamlike quality. In 2014, Golden received the Louisiana Legends award and was honored with an exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. His work is represented in the permanent collection there and also in that of the New Orleans Museum of Art. I know you will enjoy his story as told for us by his daughter Lucille Golden. She shares beautiful insights of her father and her family and gives us a glimpse of their lives and an insider’s look her father’s career. This summer issue also celebrates two historic events—the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969. We are immensely honored that Joey Kent is sharing with us his father’s account of his experience on that June day. Joey also tells the story of Michoud and its major contribution to the moon landing. Our two special sections include articles by Leslie Cardé. She writes about Apple CEO Tim Cook for the Business & Leadership section and on Modern Orthopedics for the Orthopedics section. Leslie also gives us Queen of the South, the hit TV series which is filmed locally. Bill Kearney educates us on white burgundy, and Yvette Jemison teaches us how to make some summertime savory tarts! Michael Harold has us laughing in the back of his childhood station wagon on summer road trips, and Becky Slatten cannot hear about the heat anymore! This issue is chock full of some fun summer reading! Enjoy – and Happy Summer!
Contributors Our contributors give Inside Publications its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them. Other Voices: Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Annette Dowdle, Leah Draffen, Lucille Golden, Mimi Greenwood Knight, Thomas B. Growden, Yvette Jemison, Stacey Paretti Rase and Becky Slatten.
Leslie Cardé Veteran journalist Leslie Cardé began her career reporting for NPR in Los Angeles. From there, she landed in New Orleans as an anchor/health and science editor before moving on to anchor three hours of daily financial news and host an entertainment show for CNBC. She’s reported from the Middle East for CNN, worked as a producer and narrator for E! Entertainment and wrote, directed and produced the documentary America Betrayed. Leslie writes for The New Orleans Advocate and Los Angeles Magazine. She is also a producer/reporter for CBS Newspath. See Leslie’s article on Queen of the South on page 42, Tim Cook on page 49, and also Modern Orthopedics on page 96. Contact Leslie at leslie@insidepub.com.
Michael Harold
Bill Kearney
Joey Kent
Michael Harold grew up in New Orleans and graduated from St. Martin’s Episcopal School, The University of the South and LSU Law School. Fluent in Spanish and French, he is also a classical pianist. Michael practiced law for more than 23 years and is now a legal recruiter. He is a contributing writer for Local Palate magazine in Charleston, South Carolina. In his spare time, he coordinates the renovation of a 19th century home in New Orleans. In this issue, Michael tells his INside Story about vacation on page 32.
Bill Kearney believes if you like a wine, it’s a great wine—and the best wine is shared with friends. For more than 20 years, he has added wines from many regions, grapes and friends to his private collection. Recently certified as a sommelier, he serves as the wine director for Galatoire’s Restaurant and also at 33 Bar and Steak, where he is a partner. A graduate of Tulane, Bill is president of Yenraek, a governmental affairs firm. On page 122, Bill talks about affordable white Burgundy in Wine Cellar.
Joey Kent, a longtime author, historian and archivist, relocated his family from Shreveport to New Orleans several years ago to continue work in the movie industry. He has over 60 film festival awards for screenwriting and is wrapping up work on a coffee table book about the historic Louisiana Hayride radio and stage show, which is due for release next summer. The Kents—Joey, Amber and daughter Adelaide—love the rich history and culture of their new home. On page 34, Joey tells Michoud’s story and its contribution to the first moon landing and on page 82, he shares his father’s experience on D-Day.
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Life, Love and Art
Above: American Tableau. Right: Lucille and Rolland. 16
Cover Artist Rolland Golden
“After dark, on Mardi Gras evening, (1967) I was finally relaxing on the sofa and I heard the music and sirens in the distance, and said: “Come on kids, let’s run and catch the last parade. Even Stella exclaimed in joy, not too tired from the day’s festivities!” We grabbed our jackets and hats and, with me carrying Lucille, raced to the corner of Bourbon and Orleans streets just in time to see the first police car pass with sirens blaring, announcing the beginning of the parade…holding Lucille, I caught lots of beads and “throws” for her, while Stella, Mark and Carrie did quite well for themselves. At last the fire truck came, followed by the street sweeping machines – the end of another Mardi Gras season. We returned to 923 Bourbon a happy group…Once in our apartment the children began going over the mass of trinkets they’d caught during the carnival season; the large mound covering the floor proved their success. … We drank lots of punch and each of us, even three year old Lucille, decided it was our best Mardi Gras ever!” (Excerpt from the 2014 memoir of Rolland Golden, my father, titled Life, Love, and Art in the French Quarter.)
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Such was my life growing up with Rolland and Stella Golden as parents—never dull and always entertaining. There were, of course, ups and downs throughout my childhood while my father struggled to succeed as an artist, financially and creatively, with my mother always by his side as wife, manager and number one supporter. My parents married August 31, 1957, and their love story is much of the emphasis in my father’s memoir. He shares the real life of >>
photos courtesy: LUCILLE GOLDEN
by Lucille Golden
on the Trace. Right: Rolland in Russia in 1976.
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Quarter residents—not the Tennessee Williams or Hollywood romantic version propagated throughout stage, movie and literature. In June 1953, during dad’s four-year stint in the Navy for the Korean War, my father met my mother at his parents’ home at his furlough party. His parents had moved across the street from her while he was away. They met, dated and fell in love. When he was finally discharged from the Navy in 1955, the only career he wished to pursue was in fine art. He studied for two years with renowned artist John McCrady at the McCrady Art School in the French Quarter. Much of what my father learned derived through the teachings of this great artist. Along with having natural talent, his technique, draftsmanship, execution, composition and perspective came from those two formulative years studying with McCrady. My parents loved the French Quarter and called it home for much of the first few decades of marriage before moving to Folsom in 1981. They loved the
photos courtesy: LUCILLE GOLDEN
Above: Early Spring
neighborhood, characters, history, architecture and basic culture of living in this melting pot. Their small honeymoon apartment was above my father’s art studio on Royal Street, and as each child arrived, they relocated to larger residences. I spent my first four and a half years in the 900 block of Bourbon. Yep, born on Bourbon! We went to school, work, church and socialized all within the Quarter boundaries. Daddy’s style went through several changes throughout his career, but always with an emphasis on realism, whether that be abstractrealism or his own created style he calls borderline-surrealism: “that which is possible, but highly unlikely.” My parents were finally able to afford family vacations beyond the Gulf Coast to Eureka Springs, Shenandoah Valley and summers on Cape Cod, where they swapped painting(s) for rent with a collectorfriend. There, my father turned a bedroom into his studio, and while the rest of us went to the beach, rode bikes, flew kites, etc., he stayed behind working, taking breaks and joining us from time to time. Such was his devotion to our family and his career. Trips eventually included New York City, Paris and southern France, where I performed numerous occasions as a musician, my mother researched her maternal “Montegut” ancestry, and my father painted beautiful scenes. My parents always tried sharing their wonderful experiences with family and friends. Yet, it was at home, with my mother and our family, that he says brought him the most joy. In his >>
Above: Early Spring Evening. Left: Rolland and Stella on their wedding day. Below: Rolland and Stella in their beloved French Quarter.
Summer 2019 19
photos courtesy: LUCILLE GOLDEN
Clockwise: Evening to Dusk I; Lucille and Rolland on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; Rolland, Lucille, Carrie, Stella and Mark Damian celebrating Christmas in 1969.
studio he worked long hours, six days a week, and many evenings drawing at our dining room table. He only slowed down when his health problems were discovered in 2013. His dedication to his art is well-known, as is his discipline, and he has always said that creating art is like losing weight: “no one can do it for you.” Some of his most important museum solo exhibitions include: his travelling shows in the former U.S.S.R. and France; his Katrina Exhibition at the New 20
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Orleans Museum of Art and The Historic New Orleans Collection; later, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, An Alternative Vision, which travelled to the Morris Museum of Art. Presently, The Historic New Orleans Collection’s exhibition Art of the City includes one of his Katrina canvases, The Spirit Returns. In the summer of 2020, the Georgia Museum of Art will exhibit works from his Katrina shows, commemorating the 15th anniversary of this horrific hurricane. I have been blessed to have my mother—her devotion and love to my father, as well as we three children, Carrie, Mark Damian and me. It has superseded her own necessities and personal desires many times. She always says that she is happiest when we are all healthy and happy. As proud as I am of my father for the incredible artist he became and the magnificent career he has had these past 62 years, I am even more proud to call him “Daddy.” He has been the most generous, supportive and loving father a child could ever hope for. My father’s work is represented in New Orleans by the MacGryder Gallery, 615 Julia Street, where he had a one-man show this past May. macgrydergallery.com, (504) 322-2555, rollandgolden@aol.com.
Satchmo Summerfest
INSIDE the definitive guide to northshore events and entertainment
July Lemieux Galleries, 332 Julia St, New Orleans. Mon-Sat, 10am-5:30pm. (504) 522-5988. lemieuxgalleries.com. 1-29 54th Annual National Juried
3233. ariodantegallery.com. 1-Aug 16 Fall 2019 Registration. All Delgado locations and online. dcc.edu. 1-Oct 6 Art of the City: Postmodern to
Cabildo, 701 Chartres St, New Orleans. louisianastatemuseum.org. 2, 11, 18, 25 Live Music at Barrel Wine Bar. 69305 Hwy 21, Covington. 6-9pm. (985) 272-8485. barrelwinebar.com.
Artists Exhibition Summer Show. St.
Post-Katrina. New Orleans artist Jan
Tammany Art Association Art House, 320
Gilbert assembles works of artists during
from atop the Peristyle and music by the
Columbia St, Covington. (985) 892-8650.
three decades. The Historic New Orleans
Marine Corps Band New Orleans. City
sttammany.art/summershow.
Collection, 520 Royal St, New Orleans.
Park. 6-9:30pm. neworleanscitypark.
1-31 July Exhibit. Featuring Lue Svendson, Stephen Palmer, Janelle Crocker -Krause and Jax Frey. Opening reception July 6. Ariodante Contemporary Craft Gallery, 24
535 Julia St, New Orleans. (504) 524-
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Tues-Sat,9:30am-4:30pm; Sun, 10:30 am-4:30 pm. hnoc.org. 1-Oct 13 The Baroness de Pontalba & the Rise of Jackson Square. The
3 Happy 3rd of July. Fireworks set off
com. 3 Sparks in the Park. Bogue Falaya Park, 213 Park Dr, Covington. 6:30-9pm. covla. com.
photo: ZACK SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
1-27 Billy Solitario: Southern Feast.
August 2-4 Satchmo Summerfest. Presented by Chevron. Extensive line up of music and food. Discussions by renowned Armstrong scholars on the Hilton Satchmo Legacy Stage. Artists include: Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, Bonerama, Charmaine Neville, Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders, James Williams, Preservation Brass Band, The Dukes of Dixieland, Tim Laughlin and many more. New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint, 400 Esplanade. Daily admission, $6. satchmosummerfest.org.
4 Go Fourth on the River. Dueling barges fireworks on the downtown New Orleans riverfront. 9pm. go4thontheriver.com. 4 Madisonville Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. Water St, Madisonville. 11am until dusk. Fireworks, 8:30pm. Free. (985) 845-9824. madisonville4thjuly. com. 5-7 ESSENCE Festival. R&B, hip-hop, jazz and blues music, speakers, crafts and more. Mercedes-Benz Superdome. festival.essence.com. 6 The Westbank Beer Festival. Event Center at NOLA Motorsports Park. Shuttles available to and from Clearview, Mandeville and Harrahs downtown. 11075 Nicolle Blvd, Avondale. 12-6pm. nolamotor.com. 7-8 Endless Summer Promo Event. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US-190, Mandeville. (985) 7782547. 9, 16, 23, 30 Live Music at Barrel Wine Bar. 69305 Hwy 21, Covington. 6-9pm. (985) 272-8485. barrelwinebar.com. 10 Summer Children’s Series at Clearview Center: Movement. Led by >> Summer 2019 25
Inside Scoop The Studio School of Dance. Target Wing, 4436 Veterans Blvd, Metairie. 10am. clearviewcenter.com. 10 Tequila Dinner. Four-course dinner featuring Espolon Tequila pairings. Briquette, 701 S Peters St, New Orleans. Reservations, (504) 302-7496. briquette-nola.com. 12-14 Bastille Day Fête. Celebrate France’s national holiday with Bastille Day Fête presented by the Alliances Française of New Orleans, the Consulate General of France in Louisiana, the French-American Chamber of Commerce-Gulf Coast Chapter, and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Diboll Cl. 5-9pm. bastilledaynola.com. 12-14 San Fermin en Nueva Orleans. The 12th annual bull-run festival that pays homage to the world famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain. Running with the bulls on Saturday, July 13, 6:30am. nolabulls. com. 12-14, 19-21 25-28 Hamlet. In celebration of New Orleans Shakespeare Festival’s 26th Season. Tulane’s Lupin Theater, 16 Newcomb Blvd, Dixon Annex. neworleansshakespeare.org. 13 Bikers on the Bayou. Celebrating 50 years of the movie Easy Rider featuring ten locations throughout St. Mary Parish. Food, music, bayou tour, and car, motorcycle and rat ride show. Teche Drive, Franklin. 9am-dark. cajuncoast. com. 13 Slidell Movie Night: Jaws. Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell. 8:30pm. (985) 646-4375. myslidell.com. 16-21 Tales of the Cocktail. The international bar and spirits industry gathers for a week of seminars, tastings, networking and special events, including prix fix dinners. Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St. talesofthecocktail.org. 18 Kristin Diable. Lobby Lounge Concert Series. Northshore Harbor Center, 100 26
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Harbor Center Blvd, Slidell. 7-9pm. harborcenter.org. 17 Summer Children’s Series at Clearview Center: Literature. Featuring Pelican Publishing authors. Target Wing, 4436 Veterans Blvd, Metairie. 10am. clearviewcenter.com. 18 Smart Women’s Day Out. Women of Infinite Possibilities presents Smart Women’s Day Out: It’s All About You! Inspirational and expert speakers, breakfast, lunch, networking, entertainment and more benefitting You Night, Miracle League Northshore, Children’s Advocacy Center Hope House and Hospice Foundation of the South. Vintage Court, 75082 LA 25, Covington. 9am-3pm. Members, $55; nonmembers, $65. womenofwip.org. 19 Business & Breakfast. Jefferson Chamber of Commerce networking and contact-building event. Riccobono’s Peppermill Restaurant, 3524 Severn Ave, Metairie. 7:45-9:45am. Members, $10; nonmembers, $20. (504) 835-3880. jeffersonchamber.org. 19 Southern Nights. Benefiting St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce. Maison Lafitte, 402 Lafitte St, Mandeville. 7-10pm. $150. (985) 892-3216. sttammanychamber.org. 20 Big Easy Big Heart 5K Q50 Race. Benefits the New Orleans Mission’s Giving Hope Retreat. Fontainebleau State Park, 62883 Hwy 1089, Mandeville. (504) 5232116. givinghopenola.org. 20 Jewel of Madisonville Gala. St. Anselm’s 12th Annual Gala and Auction with popular restaurants, live and silent auctions, Groovy 7 and more. The Castine Center, 63350 Pelican Dr, Mandeville. Patron party, 6pm; gala, 7-11pm. $60. (985) 845-7342. stanselmparish.org. 23 Special Occasion Event: Marisa, Sara Mique and MI JONG LEE. Ballin’s LTD, 806 E. Boston St, Covington. (985) 892->> Summer 2019 27
Inside Scoop 0025. ballinsltd.com. 24 Summer Children’s Series at Clearview Center: Music. Led by The
St, Covington. Proceeds St. Tammany
northshore.finestcff.org.
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Response
26, 27 Special Occasion Event: Marisa,
School of Rock New Orleans-Metairie.
Sara Mique and MI JONG LEE. Ballin’s
Target Wing, 4436 Veterans Blvd,
LTD, 721 Dante St, New Orleans. (504)
Metairie. 10-11am. clearviewcenter.com.
866-4367. ballinsltd.com.
25-Oct 17 HBCU Art Showcase. In
27 Louisiana Art Car Festival. Presented
and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. 11am-2pm. $10. unitedwaysela.org. 31 JCYP Eats & Edu. Jefferson Chamber Young Professionals Wine Tasting at NOSH, 752 Tchoupitoulas St, New
collaboration with the New Orleans
by the Abita Springs Men’s Club and The
Orleans. Networking happy hour
Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the
Abita Mystery House. Parking field across
with cash bar, 5-6pm; dinner with
Ogden Museum presents a curated show
from Abita Springs Town Hall, 22161
pairings, 6-8pm. $40. (504) 835-3880.
of works from students attending Dillard
Level St. 9am-3pm. (985) 892-2624.
University, Southern University at New
abitamysteryhouse.com.
Orleans and Xavier University. Opening
27 Northshore Family Fun Day.
jeffersonchamber.org. 31 Summer Children’s Series at Clearview Center: Art. Help Clearview
reception, August 3 during White Linen
Northshore Harbor Center, 100 Harbor
kick off the 50th anniversary by joining a
Night. (504) 539-9650. ogdenmuseum.org.
Center Blvd, Slidell. 10am-2pm.
community art project. Target Wing, 4436
harborcenter.org.
Veterans Blvd, Metairie. 10am-12pm and
26 Columbia Street Block Party. Downtown Covington. 6:30-9:30pm. covla.com. 26 Northshore’s Finest. Dinner, honoree ceremony, live music provided by The
28
1645 N Causeway Blvd. Mandeville. 7pm.
28-29 On the Go Event. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US-190, Mandeville. (985) 778-2547. 29 United Way West St. Tammany Red
1-3pm. clearviewcenter.com.
August 1 Satchmo Summerfest Kickoff Party. An
Groovy 7 and bidding on exclusive silent
Beans & Rice Cook-Off. St. Scholastica
evening of music by Ellis Marsalis Jr. with
auction items. Fleur De Lis Event Center,
Academy Gym, 122 S Massachusetts
special guest Ashlin Parker celebrating
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Spirit of Satchmo winners Jackie Harris,
Gilbert assembles works of artists during
Chevron. Extensive line up of music and
Corey Henry and Ricky Riccardi. Omni
three decades. The Historic New Orleans
food. Discussions by renowned Armstrong
Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St Louis St, New
Collection, 520 Royal St, New Orleans. Tues-
scholars on the Hilton Satchmo Legacy
Orleans. 7-9:30pm. Dinner and drinks
Sat,9:30am-4:30pm; Sun, 10:30 am-4:30
Stage. Artists include: Aurora Nealand &
included. Cocktail attire. (504) 522-5730.
pm. hnoc.org.
The Royal Roses, Bonerama, Charmaine
satchmosummerfest.org. 1-4 2019 New Orleans Antiques Forum:
1-Oct 13 The Baroness de Pontalba &
Neville, Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz
the Rise of Jackson Square. The
Serenaders, James Williams, Preservation
Fancy Footwork. Williams Research
Cabildo, 701 Chartres St, New Orleans.
Brass Band, The Dukes of Dixieland, Tim
Center, 410 Chartres St, New Orleans.
louisianastatemuseum.org.
Laughlin and many more. New Orleans Jazz
$300. hnoc.org. 1-16 Fall 2019 Registration. All Delgado locations and online. dcc.edu. 1-31 COOLinary New Orleans. Annual
1-Oct 17 HBCU Art Showcase. In collaboration with the New Orleans Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the
Museum at the Mint, 400 Esplanade. Daily admission, $6. satchmosummerfest.org. 3 White Linen Night. Featuring the Julia
Ogden Museum presents a curated show
Street Block Party. Art openings, outdoor
culinary tradition featuring specially priced
of works from students attending Dillard
celebration, cuisine, dancing and more.
prix-fixe lunch, dinner and brunch menus
University, Southern University at New
300-700 blocks of Julia Street and
at New Orleans favorite restaurants.
Orleans and Xavier University. Opening
throughout the Arts District New Orleans.
coolinaryneworleans.com.
reception, August 3 during White Linen
5:30-9:30pm. Rain or shine. cacno.org.
1-31 Tammany Taste of Summer. Delicious deals, prix fixe menus and more. tammanytaste.com. 1-Oct 6 Art of the City: Postmodern to Post-Katrina. New Orleans artist Jan
Night. (504) 539-9650. ogdenmuseum.org. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Live Music at Barrel Wine
3-Jan 5 Louisiana Contemporary. Presented by The Helis Foundation. Ogden
Bar. 69305 Hwy 21, Covington. 6-9pm.
Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St,
(985) 272-8485. barrelwinebar.com.
New Orleans. ogdenmuseum.org.
2-4 Satchmo Summerfest. Presented by
5 United Way East St. Tammany Red
>>
Inside Scoop Beans & Rice Cook-Off. Proceeds benefit suicide prevention, mental health services and other United Way programs serving St. Tammany Parish. Slidell City Auditorium, 2056 Second St. 11am-2pm. $10. unitedwaysela.org. 6, 13, 20, 27 Live Music at Barrel Wine Bar. 69305 Hwy 21, Covington. 6-9pm. (985) 272-8485. barrelwinebar.com. 8-11 Back to School Promo Event. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US-190, Mandeville. (985) 778-2547. 10 Red Dress Run. Wear your best red dress and run for a good cause in the French Quarter. Starts at Crescent Park, 835 N Rampart St. neworleanshash.com. 10 White Linen and Lagniappe. Art, live entertainment, drinks, shopping and dining. Olde Towne Slidell. 6-9pm. (985) 646-4375. facebook.com/ OldeTownMainSt. 13 Lafayette 148 Fall Trunk Show. Ballin’s LTD, 806 E. Boston St, Covington. (985) 892-0025. ballinsltd.com. 17 Jenkins Jam Grand Finale. Presented by Champagne Beverage to benefit the Benjamin Blanchard Memorial Foundation. Fulton Alley, New Orleans. 7-11pm. benblanchardfoundation.com. 16 Business & Breakfast. Jefferson Chamber of Commerce networking and contact-building event. New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway, 3838 N Causeway Blvd, Metairie. 7:45-9:45am. Members, $10; nonmembers, $20. (504) 835-3880. jeffersonchamber.org. 16-19 Lafayette 148 Fall Trunk Show. Ballin’s LTD, 721 Dante St, New Orleans. (504) 866-4367. ballinsltd.com. 17 Covington White Linen. Art galleries, restaurants, retailers and more showcase their summer best. Presented by the Covington Business Association. Some activity proceeds benefit the Covington Public Art Fund. Downtown Covington. 6-9pm. Free. (985) 892-1873. 30
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gocovington.org. 18-19 Jewelry Promo Event. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US-190, Mandeville. (985) 778-2547. 21 Danika & The Jeb. Lobby Lounge Concert Series. Northshore Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd, Slidell. 7-9pm. harborcenter.org. 21 Wine Dinner. Ceasar’s Ristorante, 408 N Causeway Blvd, Mandeville. (985) 9512626. ceasarsristorante.net. 21-24 NOLA Downtown Music and Arts Festival. Presented by the Music Business Institute. Musicians, pop-up shops, food trucks and more. Downtown, CBD and Warehouse District. cuttingedgenola.com. 22 Fan Up Pep Rally. Presented by the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. Northshore Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd, Slidell. 4-8pm. harborcenter. org. 23 Hammers & Heels Fashion Show. Benefiting Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West Women Build. Fashion show, lunch and open bar. Maison Lafitte, 402 Lafitte St, Mandeville. 11am-2pm. $50. habitatstw.org/womenbuild. 24 Ultimate Tailgate Party. Hosted by the St. Tammany Exchange Club. Live music by Four Unplugged, online silent auction, live auction to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center-Hope House and the Youth Service Bureau CASA. Covington Trailhead, 419 N New Hampshire. 7pm. ultimatetailgateparty.org. 27 Shadow Day at St. Paul’s School. 917 S Jahncke Ave, Covington. Registration, (985) 892-3200. stpauls.com. 30 Columbia Street Block Party. Downtown Covington. 6:30-9:30pm. covla.com.
Send your event information to scoop@insidepub.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue.
INside Story by Michael Harold
all I ever wanted. IT WAS ALWAYS the last week in July when our family packed up the Country Squire wagon and headed to the beach. We were rambunctious and whiney children. (Picture a chorus of “Dad, are we there yet?”) My parents decided Biloxi was the farthest place they could endure, and I was such a disagreeable beast of a child that they chose to pay for the Broadwater Beach Hotel over staying at friends’ houses. The hotel was a kiddie paradise anyway with its huge swimming pool, snack bar, and jukebox. One summer, I was obsessed with the song Harper Valley P.T.A. and sang it so much that my mom and dad feared the hotel would kick us out. Thankfully, there were worse guests that week. One prominent New Orleans family was shamed into leaving after their two teenage boys broke into a storage room and guzzled excessive amounts of rum. Some of the carpet stains were still there the next year. The year Hurricane Camille socked it to The Broadwater, we upgraded to the Florida Gulf Coast along with another family. As a general rule, kids behave better with other parents, so it was decided that the kids would be divided among two cars. It 32
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alleviated some of the sibling bickering, but it was far from comfortable, and the choice was tough. The Harold car came with cartons of Winston cigarettes and a continuous haze of smoke. AM radio was all we had, and “Easy Listening” was the preferred channel. The other option was a wide Lincoln sedan with scalding, plastic seat liners (I still cringe when I think of that sound), a grandmother named “Mamaw” with Bloody Mary breath, and a daughter who threw unbridled tantrums. Sadly, everyone had to deal with me, Michael, the kid with the pea-sized bladder who either had to stop every 30 minutes or fill up an empty Blue Plate mayonnaise jar. No embarrassment there. You might imagine parents have it easy today with satellite radio, movie screens and headphones, but let’s face it, kids will be kids, and gone are the days of moms holding fly swatters in their hands. An old college buddy of mine grew up with a physician father who tranquilized the kids before getting into the car. They literally drank the Kool Aid. All the dad had to say was, “Wake up kids, we’re in Florida,” and the trip was over. My friend
MONEY DOCTOR
Do Risks Pay Off? Q A
W. Mike Stewart AIF, RFC
Chris asks: What kind of returns should I expect from my investments?
OK a couple caveats here. 1) No one can predict future returns. Anyone who claims they can is a scam artist. 2) In the short-
term, your returns can do anything—go up, down or sideways. It’s only over the longer term that returns become predictable.
But over the course of recorded history (at least the last hundred
years) a few things have been clear. One is that, over time, risky assets tend to outperform cash over time. Related to that: even among assets that are riskier than cash, some of the risker ones (like stocks) tend to outperform the less risky ones (like bonds). It makes sense, if you think about it. If it didn’t pay to take risks, no one would do it; everyone would just hold cash, nobody would invest, companies wouldn’t have capital to fund their businesses and we would not be driving Teslas, or
Madeleine had such rotten daughters that on one summer road trip, she made good on her “Don’t make me pull this car over” threat. She calmly exited the interstate, found a safe neighborhood and made her kids sit out on a street corner for 30 minutes in the heat while she stayed in the car with the air blasting in her face. One summer, my father put an end to the annual Florida beach trip after a series of mishaps pushed him over the proverbial edge. A vicious brigade of stinging jelly fish and sand flies invaded Pensacola Beach, and after he took one look at a poor man covered in welts, he decided to load us back in the car and finish up the family vacation at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear. It took only a fraction of a second to realize upon opening the car door that someone had left a container of raw shrimp in the back of the wagon. For months we were forbidden to mention the odor or even think about distorting our faces whenever we got in the car. To add insult to injury, just minutes from returning to our house, a Jefferson Parish police officer pulled my father over for speeding. We were dead quiet. Dad rolled down the window and handed his license to the cop. The officer peered into the car and took one look and one whiff. “You’re free to go” was all he said.
maybe even cars.
But I get it, you want a number. Here is a best guess based on
history, since 1900, equities (stocks) have earned, on average, between 5 and 6 percent annually above inflation (or 11.7% since 1900). I believe that in the future, returns may be a bit lower than that. Why? It’s complicated, but it has to do with the fact that equity prices have risen faster than corporate profits over the past century, which isn’t a trend that’s sustainable. So, let’s account for that, and be conservative, and say history would recommend a guess of 4 to 6 percent above inflation.
With Interest rates historically low, a diversified portfolio of 60%
stocks and 40% bonds should average somewhere in the 5 to 6% range over the long run. If you have a larger percentage in Stocks, then obviously you should average a little higher return. You have financial questions? Call or email Mike today.
W. Mike Stewart AIF, RFC • Wealth Management Services 985-809-0530 • wmsgroup@advisormike.com Check out Research Materials and Video Library at: www.advisormike.com Summer 2019 33
“From Muskrats to Moon Ships”
by Joey Kent
photo courtesy: JOEY KENT
Michoud’s Contribution to History
34
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Apollo 11 launched July 16, 1969, landed on the moon July 20, and returned to Earth July 24. The 3-man crew consisted of Neil A. Armstrong, mission commander; Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., Lunar Module Pilot; and Michael Collins,
photos courtesy: NASA
Command Module
ON THE FAR EASTERN EDGE of New Orleans where I-10 begins to curl upward toward Slidell sits an area still known as Michoud. Pronounced “MeeShoo” by the locals, the most renowned remains of the small 18th century village of some 34,500 acres named for sugar merchant Antoine Michoud is a sprawling government facility bearing the initials MAF (Michoud Assembly Facility), where some 4,000 workers create rockets and space ships for NASA. As our nation marks the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing this summer, I want to shine a spotlight on the place where the first Apollo rockets were assembled and New Orleans’ often unheralded role in the past and future of space exploration. I was nine years old when Apollo 11 astronauts
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin bounced around on the moon for the first time in July 1969. My father was Administrative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Joe D. Waggonner of Louisiana, who happened to be on the NASA oversight committee, so suffice it to say I had the coolest “Show & Tell” things to present at school. Whereas my classmates were showcasing ant farms and coin collections, I was offering up black and white images of Mars fresh from the recent flybys of the Mariner 7 deep space probe. I had my own government model of the Lunar Module and even got to get out of school to meet the Apollo 12 astronauts in person. Little Joey Kent, like most of the inhabitants of our planet, was captivated by the “Space Race” of the 1960s and glued to the television >>
pilot. Here we see “Buzz” Aldrin as he begins to descend the steps of the LM ladder as he prepares to walk on the Moon. Inset: Antoine Michoud operated a sugar cane plantation and refinery on the site until his death in 1863. Two brick smokestacks from the original refinery still stand before the Michoud facility today. Summer 2019 35
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Director Dr. Wernher von Braun (left) applauds President Lyndon Johnson’s remarks to MAF workers. At right is NASA Administrator James Webb. 36
when Walter Cronkite confirmed Armstrong’s clipped audio that “the Eagle has landed.” Let’s back up a bit. Louisiana was still a colony of France when New Orleans merchant Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent received the parcel of land in question from the King of France in 1763, along with valuable trading rights in the territory. St. Maxent established a plantation on the swampy tract where sugar cane was grown, cypress trees harvested and plentiful muskrats
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trapped for their fur. Most notably, during this time, he sponsored a fur trader, Pierre Laclede, on an expedition to establish a trading post further up the Mississippi River. Laclede succeeded in his efforts, founding what would become the city of St. Louis on Valentine’s Day the following year. Upon his passing in 1794, St. Maxent’s heirs sold his plantation at auction, and it passed ownership again in 1801, this time to New Orleans merchant, surveyor and part time “privateer” Barthelemy Lafon, who owned the tract until his death in 1820. Lafon is best known to us today for his early maps of New Orleans and surrounding territory and for the Lower Garden district, where he designed and chose to name many of its streets after Greek muses: Clio, Calliope, Euterpe, Thalia and others. Coliseum Street was to lead to the sight of an actual coliseum and the park that remains, the sight of a public forum meeting place … but that’s another story. Coming to America in 1790, Lafon soon established an iron foundry on the lower part of Canal Street and came to serve as the Chief Deputy Surveyor for Orleans Parish. He saw value
photo courtesy: NASA
photo courtesy: JOEY KENT
Various Saturn IB and Saturn V vehicle components in the manufacturing plant.
in “privateering,” the capturing of merchant ships of one country while under license of another, and was known to keep company with the Laffite brothers and other noteworthy pirates … um, “privateers.” With foreign alliances constantly changing, it was hard for the early members of the Louisiana territory to keep up with all the Letters of Marque, as the permission slips to pillage were known, so the line between “privateer” and “pirate” was difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish. As it relates to this story, upon Lafon’s passing in 1820, his heirs were faced with a number of lawsuits and other credit claims over various taxes and other debts overlooked during his latter years when he moved to Galveston to better serve alongside his buddies Jean and Pierre Laffite. Parcels of the original St. Maxent estate were given >> Summer 2019 37
over to lesser creditors, but the bulk of the plantation was sold in 1827 to Antoine Michoud, who spent many of the ensuing years buying back the lost parcels. Michoud immigrated to New Orleans soon after the fall of Napoleon in 1815. His father had been the emperor’s Administrator of Domains (think land parcels, not dot coms), so the dude hit town with a fair bankroll. He opened an art and antiques shop on Royal Street and, once established, used his connections to wade in deep into the commercial real estate market, where he quickly increased his fortune, which was said to have been in excess of $200,000 (just under $5 million in today’s dollars) when he died in 1862. In 1910, the tract was sold again and, after a failed attempt to drain and develop the plantation, it eventually ended up in the hands of a New Orleans realtor with the impossibly long name of Roch Eugene Edgar de Montluzin du Sauzay. I’m calling 38
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photo courtesy: NASA
photo courtesy: JOEY KENT
him “Ed.” Ed continued leasing the marshlands for the trapping of muskrats and sold off timber for railroad crossties. Under his watch, the government was granted permission to build a 7.5-mile section of the Intracoastal Canal through the property, a development that would play a pivotal role in its eventual selection by NASA. At the onset of World War II, a 1,000-acre tract of the plantation was chosen by the government as one of a handful of sites for the building of Liberty ships, the landing vessels designed by local boat builder Andrew Higgins that played a critical role in the D-Day operations. The government changed its mind several times during the war, however, instructing Higgins to first build the boats, then cargo planes, then nothing at all. The plant was formally closed at the end of the war and essentially put in mothballs by the government. It should be noted that at the time the government consigned the complex to the War Assets Administration, the Michoud facility contained, among other structures, one of the largest manufacturing buildings under one roof in the country. Spanning 43 acres, the 1.8 million-squarefoot behemoth had hardly been used and was an incredible diamond in the rough. To put this in
modern perspective, it was the size of 7 Superdomes all under one roof. In the early 1950s, Chrysler was awarded a $30 million contract to build tank engines for the Army, and the plant saw life for a few years, but was once again silent by mid-1953. In 1955, German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, the former head of Adolph Hitler’s V2 rocket program who was relocated to the United States along with 1,600 of his fellow scientists after the war as part of the secret “Operation Paperclip,” officially became a U.S. citizen. Soon after, von Braun became the first >>
Top: Saturn V S-IC flight stages being assembled in the horizontal assembly area. Above: Little Joey Kent (in white turtleneck), accompanied by his parents and sister, poses with Apollo 12 astronauts (from left) Alan Bean, Dick Gordon, and Charles Conrad. Summer 2019 39
director of NASA’s George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and led the U.S. team in the space race against the Soviets. When the NASA facilities at Huntsville proved too small to handle the assembly and testing of the massive Saturn rocket boosters that would take us to the moon, it was von Braun who suggested the acquisition of the Michoud plant for the space program. Several states fought hard for the jobs and economic activity the factory would generate, but in the end, due in large part to the infrastructure already in place and the accessibility of Huntsville by water, the Michoud site was chosen in September 1961 and repairs initiated to bring it up to aerospace standards. Chrysler once again set up shop there, sharing operations with Boeing, and over the next three years, vertical assembly and testing buildings were added. The first Saturn 1 rocket rolled off the line at Michoud in December 1963. Von Braun attended the ceremony marking this milestone and received the rocket for NASA, complimenting the Michoud plant: “You have converted this wreck of an industrial facility into one of the cleanest and nicest facilities in the space business anywhere.” He praised the Michoud workers for their dedication to quality and reliability, saying the consistently positive test results reflected “not statistical tricks but an almost religious dedication and devotion to perfection by every member of the team.” Two months later, the 50-ton booster rocket was loaded onto a barge and floated to Huntsville on a river journey. The boosters built at the Michoud Assembly Facility powered the rockets of 40
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This photograph shows a completed S-IC flight stage being transferred from the vehicle assembly building to the stage test
photo courtesy: NASA
building at the Michoud Assembly Facility.
the Apollo space program, including the one that first landed our astronauts on the moon some fifty years ago, leading the workers at the plant to proudly proclaim that man’s journey to the moon began in New Orleans. During the first half of the 1970s, the facility was retooled to begin manufacturing the fuel tank for the Space Shuttle program. Standing over 150 feet tall, each tank weighed in at 1.5 million pounds and held over a million gallons of propellant. The first of these massive tanks left New Orleans in September 1977 for further testing at the nearby Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, eventually powering the shuttle Columbia on its maiden voyage in 1981. As we brace for another push into space with the next round of human exploration, the folks out at MAF will continue to provide the power to get us there. Last December, the largest rocket fuel tank ever built rolled out of the Michoud plant as part of NASA’s Space Launch System, which will power the rockets to the Moon, Mars and beyond. And still standing in front of the main offices at this NASA facility as ever-present reminders of the humble beginnings of the plantation are the twin smokestacks of the original sugar mill from more than 250 years ago. “From muskrats to moon ships” is how the workers there sum up the property’s rich and diverse history. Fair enough, I’d say.
NASA used barges for transporting the Saturn vehicles between the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; the Michoud Assembly Facility; the Mississippi Test Facility and the Kennedy Space Center. Summer 2019 41
Queen of the South by Leslie Cardé
Inset: Teresa counsels the troops, Alfonso Herrera as Javier Jimenez and Ryan O’Nan as King George, from her penthouse at The Standard Hotel in the New Orleans CBD. 42
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photos: USA NETWORK/ALFONSO BRESCIANI
Alice Braga is Teresa Mendoza, star of the Queen of the South.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS of a hit series? As most producers will tell you, a good script is almost always at the core. Beyond that, attracting a loyal following of viewers can oftentimes be challenging, as network executives are profoundly aware. To their chagrin, 65 percent of all new shows will be cancelled after their first season. So, when you’ve reached season four, no one will quibble about the fact that you have a hit on your hands. Such is the position which the USA series Queen of the South finds itself in, as it glided into the Big Easy this past February to begin shooting the latest series of plot twists and turns in the ongoing saga of the initially reluctant drug queenpin, Teresa Mendoza. Forced to seek refuge in the United States after her drug-dealing boyfriend is murdered in Mexico, Mendoza is mercilessly chased by the cartel until she decides to fight back. The addictive storyline of a drug baroness-in-the-making has clearly held the attention of the public through three action-packed, edge-of-yourseat seasons, thus far. The series was derived from the Spanish novel, La Reina del Sur (Queen of the South) by best-selling author Arturo PÊrez-Reverte and the Telemundo series of the same name, which has been the most popular telenovela of all time on that network. Although showrunners who write this series tell me the plot has deviated since season one from the original book and even the telenovela, certainly the premise was a great one to get the ball rolling on this hit series. As season four begins, the Queen has brought her battle and her newfound empire to New Orleans, quite literally. Shooting all across the city since February, and using elaborate mock-up sets constructed specifically for the series at Starlight Studios in New >> Summer 2019 43
Orleans East, local viewers will see their city reflected in every episode. “Our main character, played by Alice Braga, has a swanky new penthouse atop the actual Standard Hotel in the CBD,” says Stephen LeBlanc, location manager for the show. “We are frequently shooting in Rio Hackford’s One-Eyed Jacks bar in the French Quarter, and we use The Old New Orleans Rum Distillery on Frenchmen Street, which sits in for a tequila distillery in the show. Queen of the South showcases the city in so many ways. As our Queen drives her Ducati through the city, you’ll see familiar backdrops everywhere—in the Holy Cross neighborhood, in St. Bernard, in the warehouse district, the Bywater, and beyond.” And why did a show which had been shooting first in Mexico, and then in Texas and Arizona suddenly wend its way to New Orleans? Showrunner and co-executive producer Ben Lobato explains. “Most people believe that drugs come into this country from Mexico and South America through Miami,” recounts Lobato. “But the truth is Miami is inundated with DEA agents, so drug dealers go elsewhere. Louisiana is now the corridor for drugs coming into the states for the entire east coast of this country. Once we realized that was our storyline, we said to ourselves, ‘where’s the sexiest place in Louisiana?’ and naturally, we all agreed upon New Orleans.” The city has become a favorite, not just for the crew, but star Alice Braga, originally from Brazil, sings its praises, as well. “To be able to film here is wonderful, because the camera really captures the essence of this place. I came here in February and am staying into July. I live in the lovely 44
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Lower Garden District while I’m here, and I find the people to be so kind and warm and welcoming. And the food? Fabulous! I love Cochon and the classic Emeril’s Delmonico restaurant, and I could go on and on and on.” For Braga, making a drug lord sympathetic can be a daunting task, but somehow when watching the series you are rooting for this woman who takes on the slimiest of adversaries— and wins. “When we first meet Teresa Mendoza,” remembers Braga, “she’s being chased by the cartels for information she happens to have. At that point, it was survive or die. It’s almost like she falls down this rabbit hole, and then realizes she’s actually good at this. I don’t want to judge this character, and I hope she’s not demonized, because I think she’s a character with many different colors. In a strange way, she’s actually very likeable, because she responds well to very horrific circumstances, while having the backs of her partners.” Female drug lords in any major films or television shows are rare, which is what makes this series unique, giving the writers a lot of new outlets for female-centric plotlines. Showrunner and co-executive producer Dailyn Rodriguez, who crafts the storylines with Lobato, believes it’s important to show what an unusual scenario this is in the world of international drug cartels. “Teresa is a woman in a man’s world. Her antagonists are men, and her allies are men. In season four, we introduce a couple of new characters who pick up the flavor of the city—a godfather of sorts, played by Alimi Ballard, and a good ol’ boy judge played by David Andrews, who is originally from Baton Rouge. This >> Summer 2019 45
season will feel and look different. It’s visually so beautiful, and we’ve injected music into the equation since it’s such a part of New Orleans. We thought it was time to move the show to a new location with a new vibe, and New Orleans certainly fit the bill.” “We’ve been very fortunate that many major films and televisions shows have chosen New Orleans in which to place their productions,” says Starlight COO Kevin Murphy. “Our studios, which were built from scratch rather than converted warehouses, opened in 2017 and happened to coincide with a number of important projects that felt our two large soundstages could accommodate them. When Queen of the South moved its storyline to New Orleans in 2019, it was a chance for us to work with Fox. And it’s been a very good relationship. We’re on the real estate side, so we say ‘here’s your stage.’ We have nothing to do with production, as they’re the experts in that arena. So, we stay in our lane.” The cast and crew are hoping to be renewed for season five, which means the entire production could be back. They have an option to rent the studio again, and since showrunners who write the episodes have become enamored with the city, it could be that Teresa Mendoza and her band of bandits just may be sticking around the Crescent City. If you’d like to join the excitement but need to catch up on previous seasons, the first three are now running on Netflix. Season four began June 6, with back episodes now available On Demand. New episodes run through the summer. 46
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IN Business & Leadership 2019
Tim Cook by Leslie Cardé
When Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., strode onto the stage of the Superdome to deliver the commencement address for Tulane University this year, it’s fair to say that everyone in the crowd of 20,000 knew who he was. However, it’s probably also fair to say that not many knew much about him personally, or specifically about his long path to become the head honcho of one of Apple CEO Tim Cook welcomes
photo courtesy: APPLE, INC.
attendees to June 2019’s annual
Silicon Valley’s corporate juggernauts, Apple. It may surprise many to know that Cook is a Southern boy, born in Mobile, Alabama. He spent his formative years in Robertsdale, a small town about 25 miles away. But the path to
Apple Worldwide
becoming the chief of one of the world’s biggest tech giants was
Developers
a winding one, with a bit of luck, a lot of hard work, and a dash of
Conference in San
serendipity thrown in for good measure. When I asked Cook what
Jose, California.
he wanted to be growing up, his sense of humor surfaced. Summer 2019 49
>>
IN Business & Leadership 2019
he recounted. “Unfortunately, I realized I had absolutely no
at Auburn, where he was a member of the professional
musical talent. Later, while still in middle school, I thought
organization known as IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineers),
briefly about becoming a lawyer, but then I realistically
he was nominated by his classmates for outstanding graduate.
concluded that I couldn’t afford to go to school that long.”
While giving his speech and modestly noting that he wasn’t
Lest anyone think that Tim Cook was born with a silver
worthy, it just so happened that a recruiter from IBM was in
spoon in his mouth, the evidence and the CEO himself tell a
this meeting, sitting in the back of the room. Fate was about to
different story. “I spent my high school summers working at the
intervene.
Scott Paper Company,” he said. “It smelled a little bit there, but
“He came up to me afterward and said, ‘You’re not on my
I was earning money. And, during college at Auburn, I began
schedule for tomorrow.’ To which I replied that I had certainly
a co-op program with Reynolds Aluminum, in which I went to
tried to have a meeting with him, but his calendar was booked.
Richmond every other quarter to work for them. That’s how I paid
He told me he’d make a place for me. So, I went and interviewed
my way through school.”
and ended up at IBM. Life is like that.”
It was in high school that his direction in life would
Life can be “like that” for the best and the brightest. He
become clear. A love of mathematics led him to “pull that string,”
took a break before going to grad school at Duke University
which in turn put him on an engineering path. “Math and my
and earning his MBA, which IBM paid for “as long as I kept my
love of people directed me toward industrial engineering, the
grades up.” He graduated as a Fuqua Scholar in 1988.
most people-friendly of the engineering fields,” he explained.
50
Cook survived Fortran, and during his last quarter
But the Gulf Coast was never far away in his mind, Cook
“So, in college I began programming. I didn’t have exposure to
noted to the Tulane class of 2019 when he told them that New
this in high school in the mid-1970s, and back then we used
Orleans may be in their veins—and perhaps their livers—but
Fortran, which nobody remembers anymore.” (Fortran, derived
some folks at Apple have New Orleans in their blood. “When I
from Formula Translation is a programming language developed
was a student at Auburn,” he said, “the Big Easy was our favorite
by IBM in the ’50s for scientific computing.)
getaway. It’s amazing how quickly those 363 miles fly by when
Inside Publications
photo courtesy: APPLE, INC.
“You know, Leslie, I wanted to be a musician for a while,”
you’re driving toward a weekend of beignets and beer—and how slowly they go in the opposite direction.” Cook joined Apple in 1998, after a short stint at the Compaq computer company. He considers this one single decision to join the company paramount in his life. Yet, at the time he joined Apple, there was no iMac, no iPhone, nor iPad. The company was losing money at alarming rates, and Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Computer, said publicly, after asking how Apple could be fixed, that he’d shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders. But, within less than a year after Cook’s coming on board as vice president, a major turnaround had occurred, with the company actually
Jennifer Rodriguez Crystal Cavanaugh Ambris Northern Andrea Erwin Potter Kristi West
Solving tax problems has always been the focus at Geaux
reporting profits. It was a steady acceleration of fortunes from there, as Cook
Tax Resolution. Bryon Garrety, Kristi West and Andrea Erwin Potter
rose through the ranks of EVP, COO, and eventually CEO in 2011, while Steve
opened Geaux Tax Resolution, LLC in Mandeville, Louisiana,
Jobs continued his struggle with cancer, a disease he succumbed to six
after establishing offices in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. These
months after Cook took over.
professionals recognized the community’s need for assistance with
Since Cook’s rise to the helm, the steady stream of innovation has
tax disputes. As the business expanded, Crystal Cavanaugh, Ambris
continued, and as the leader of the world’s first trillion dollar company (it hit
Northern and Jennifer Rodriguez joined the team. This created a
that milestone in 2018), Cook’s future plans involve continuing, as he says,
predominately female business with professional working moms.
to build the world’s best products that enrich people’s lives. “I really like that
Bryon Garrety and Kristi West are both Certified Public
we can have an impact on people—first with the Apple watch, which monitors
Accountants with 53 years of combined experience. Before opening
your health,” Cook recalled. “I get notes from people every day who’ve found
this business, both were employed by the IRS. Andrea Erwin
out they have A Fib (atrial fibrillation, which causes irregular heartbeats),
Potter is an established attorney in Mandeville who has served
and that heart monitoring fundamentally changes for them what could have
this community for the past 5 years. Crystal Cavanaugh brings 13
been a catastrophic situation.”
years of tax preparation experience to the team. Ambris Northern’s
Meanwhile, Apple has the largest augmented reality platform
background includes 10 years in tax with 5 focused on resolution
anywhere integrated into its operating system. Thousands of apps now
work. Jennifer Rodriguez earned a degree in Business Administration
enable lots of “wow” moments.
with a focus on accounting.
“With augmented reality, you can take a sofa from your favorite
These women help those who owe the State of Louisiana,
furniture store and look at it in your house,” explained Cook. “Or travel via
Parish of St. Tammany or Internal Revenue Service. The goal is
augmented reality and stand where the Berlin wall was. You can overlay the
to negotiate on behalf of the client to resolve the tax dilemma.
wall right in front of you, see what it looked like, and even walk around it.”
Specifically, the team has settled wage garnishments, back taxes,
He encourages a philanthropic spirit at Apple, which he leads by
wage levy’s, lien releases and innocent spouse relief.
example. In 2011, he instated a company-wide, donation-matching program.
Over the past eight years, Apple has contributed nearly $300 million to various nonprofits. Cook, being an idea man who believes in venturing out beyond his comfort zone, summed it up for the 2019 graduates: “Call upon your grit. Try something. You may succeed. You may fail. But, make it your life’s work to remake the world.” Clearly, a man who has taken his own advice to heart.
Our team is ready to assist with all tax concerns. Contact us at (985) 722-1040. Visit our website at geauxtaxresolution.com. Summer Summer2019 2019 51 51
Keeping Promises, Delivering Results: Health System Partners Improving Northshore Healthcare
It was 2014, and a momentous decision was made when
to receive care close to home and reduce the overall cost of care
St. Tammany Parish Hospital and Ochsner Health System entered
for our patients,” said John Herman, CEO, Ochsner Health System-
into a unique joint operating agreement to benefit patients of
Northshore Region. “Two of the highest quality organizations in
both institutions. Five years later, parents in West St. Tammany
the region came together around one common goal – our patients
have comprehensive pediatric care in their own backyard, and all
–building on our unique strengths and delivering far more to the
residents have complete resources for general and specialty care
people of West St. Tammany together than we did individually
from neurosurgery and orthopedics to cardiology and cancer.
before the partnership.”
“When you look at the depth and breadth of care that we
Northshore families know firsthand how pediatrics has
provide together,” STPH President and CEO Joan Coffman said, “it’s
changed in five years. Together, the partners offer the most
truly inspiring to realize that our community health system and
comprehensive hospital for children across the I-12 corridor.
its partner deliver on the promise we make for every patient every
From primary pediatrics practices in Mandeville, Covington and
day; world-class healthcare, close to home in West St. Tammany.”
Madisonville to pediatric-specialty rehabilitation, orthopedics and
Essentially, the two nonprofit health systems, one a service
a specialty clinic, the partners deliver West St. Tammany parents
district and one a foundation, collaborate to elevate healthcare by
convenience and excellence in children’s care. For a little help from
focusing on what their patient population requires. This unique
some well-informed friends, the STPH Parenting Center supports
undergo corrective spine
hybrid model meets patients’ needs through experts and facilities
West St. Tammany parents from first steps to teen angst.
surgery for scoliosis with
from both Ochsner and STPH, plus strong community physicians
Pediatric Orthopedist
in West St. Tammany. So, while most community health systems
on the northshore, STPH launched a pediatric emergency room,
McCall McDaniel MD
struggle to staff pediatric orthopedic surgeons or back and spine
a level two pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), a renovated
at St. Tammany Parish
specialists, the intermeshing of these two leading organizations
inpatient pediatrics unit and is expanding its level three neonatal
means the best of all worlds for patients in Covington and beyond.
intensive care unit (NICU). Ochsner supplies the PICU intensivists
Shelby Stoop, the first pediatric patient to
Hospital, the first facility
“Together, we leveraged the benefits of our clinically
to offer the procedure on the northshore.
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integrated network to improve coordination, allow more patients
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As part of the joint commitment to comprehensive pediatrics
and the specialty clinic pediatric cardiologists, otolaryngologists, nutritionists, general surgeons, gastroenterologists, hematologist/
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oncologists, plastic surgeons (including hand), orthopedists, pulmonologists and urologists. Families receive nationally ranked care at the clinic with a 223% growth in visits. While complicated pediatric procedures were not performed at STPH before the partnership, delicate corrective spine surgery for scoliosis and neonatal post-surgery recovery are two exciting examples of the partnership’s hospital for children. The collaboration enables patients to benefit from physicians employed by STPH and Ochsner as well as independent community physicians in care environments that are not competing against one another, ultimately increasing the ability to treat nearly any case within the service district … even those of the complex variety. All the while, each hospital retains its autonomy. “Our independence is important to us, and partnering with Ochsner gives us that brilliant balance,” explained Tom Davis, Secretary/Treasurer of the STPH Board of Commissioners. “We have a business partner that is as focused on quality, safety and patient care as our hospital leaders are. Together, we are more efficient than either of us would be without the other. It’s an advantageous business arrangement that does what we always promise…
tools and 3-D navigation support during surgery, mapping the
delivers exceptional healthcare and keeps it close to home in West
best possible approach to tumors to avoid damaging structures
St. Tammany. That’s what I call a win-win.”
responsible for critical functions such as speech, movement, vision
The win-win extends into the high-tech world of medical
and memory. Safer surgical routes and less invasive procedures
equipment, including groundbreaking technology in STPH’s
reduce complications and speed recovery. The neurosurgical
operating rooms and cardiac catheter labs. STPH installed a
expansion has grown now to include pituitary tumors, aneurysms
biplane unit in a new fourth cardiac cath lab, making it easier for
and movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Ochsner and St. Tammany cardiologists to get accurate pictures of
All this collective work has grown the number of
the internal workings of the heart. With the sophisticated biplane
neurosurgeries occurring close to home by 208% since 2014.
as opposed to single plane units, the 3-D images capture data
Similarly, the partners have achieved 66% growth in telestroke
from two different points of view.
patients who received critical intervention, avoiding the
Down the hall in its own specially built operating suite, STPH added the Synaptive BrightMatter™ system to provide the three neurosurgeons of the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Northshore
devastating effects of a stroke, and a 27% increase in cardiac care provided by heart failure specialists. The partners know the northshore is growing, with the
Region, with the latest in brain and spine technology. The larger
latest census data suggesting population around 260,000 in St.
Celia Lewko, the first
operating suite includes robotic cameras, brain navigation devices
Tammany Parish alone. Five-year growth rates are nearly 2% above
STPH and Ochsner
and high-field microscopes, such as Modus V, utilized in spinal
the national average, and higher in West St. Tammany towns. With
partnership story, for
surgery to visualize the soft tissue ensuring nerve roots are
85-90% occupancy in the hospital, STPH and Ochsner recognize
her premature birth,
completely free from pressure, eliminating painful back pain.
the need to continue collaborating for patients and families.
pediatric heart surgery
“The Ochsner neurosciences program coupled with the local
“When you think about how much Covington has grown,
and neonatal intensive
operating suite, neuro-ICU and highly skilled team at St. Tammany
how much our whole service district has grown, we made the
care recovery, delivering
allows us to deliver expanded neuroscience care locally,” said
right decision in pairing our hospital with the strongest healthcare
on the promise of world-
Sebastian Koga, M.D., Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Northshore
partner, Ochsner Health System,” said James Core, Vice Chairman
class care close to home
Region. Specifically, BrightMatter™ provides effective planning
of the STPH Board of Commissioners. “We have a responsibility
for this Bush, La., family.
Summer 2019 53
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as the hospital governing board to respond to the needs of the people who live here. Covington is thriving and growing, and so is St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Our partnership with Ochsner is at the root of that success.” In 2018, more patients were treated on the northshore with coordinated access to nationally recognized specialists in neurosciences, pediatric cardiology, cancer care and women’s health than any prior year. By sharing best practices, integrating technology such as a single EPIC medical record, telemedicine and jointly investing in new physicians
in a 243-bed all-private-room hospital for children and adults. As the partnership continues, new care spaces are opening,
and programs, the STPH and Ochsner partnership continues to expand
including post-hospitalization environments in the Northshore
patient services and resources.
Medical Complex, a collaboration of Ochsner, STPH, SMH and
The partners now employ more than 2,000 Ochsner
national partners. The 30-bed Northshore Rehabilitation Hospital
team members on the northshore and 2,300 STPH colleagues
will provide intensive rehabilitative care in an inpatient setting
throughout the service district, and have grown to enable
to help patients recovering from stroke, brain and spinal cord
significant reinvestment. Since 2014, Ochsner has invested $26
injuries, orthopedic conditions, neurological disorders, cancer,
million in construction on facilities in West St. Tammany, adding
transplants and cardiac conditions. The 26-bed Northshore
124,000 square feet on space. STPH invested $30 million in
Extended Care Hospital will provide highly skilled medical care
construction through 2018, renovating 29,000 square feet and
for patients working through short-term rehabilitation or suffering
adding 38,500 new square feet of patient care facilities. In fact the
with chronic conditions that require long-term care. In addition to
Right: Joan Coffman,
43,000 square foot expansion of OHS-Covington represents new
these post-hospital services, Ochsner will also open a Northshore
St. Tammany Parish
features including a headache center, concussion management,
Service Center for corporate support functions, retaining 190 non-
Hospital President and
occupational/physical therapy, orthopedics, sports medicine and
patient care jobs and adding 125 more in St. Tammany Parish.
Top: The newly renovated Emergency Room waiting area.
CEO; John Herman, CEO,
pain management among others. On the main STPH campus, this growth continues amid the
Ochsner Health System -
Already a beloved local asset, St. Tammany Parish Hospital continues to be recognized for excellence. The hospital has now
Northshore Region with
three-year, $96 million Expansion 2020 project, which will improve
been awarded its seventh consecutive Leapfrog A for safety; high
Sheriff Randy Smith and
environments for critical care, women’s and children’s care, and
performing hospital for colon cancer surgery by US News & World
ultimately eliminate semi-private rooms from STPH altogether, resulting
Report; top medical and hospital care from CareChex; outstanding
community leaders.
54
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Above: Groundbreaking for Expansion 2020 Project, November 28, 2018. Right: Rendering of the Expansion 2020 project.
patient experience and safety from Healthgrades; America’s Best
and Ochsner have improved the lives and overall safety of West St.
by Women’s Choice in stroke centers, breast centers, cancer,
Tammany. We have comprehensive neurosciences, and intensive
cardiology, obstetrics, orthopedics and patient safety; Gold Plus
pediatrics that we could not provide our service district without our
recognition from the American Heart Association for stroke care;
partner. Without a doubt, this was the right strategic decision at the
A+ with positive outlook from Fitch rating agency; plus the Vizient
right time in our hospital’s history.”
Brilliance Award and Baby Friendly designation.
– by Leslie Cardé
Ochsner was founded in 1942 with the intention that New Orleans area residents should have access to the very best care right in their own backyards. The same premise has afforded West St. Tammany residents access to quality care just around the corner at STPH since 1954. There’s a synergy in this partnership, where people working together can achieve more than they can working separately. It’s proven to be successful for both hospitals, and most importantly, it’s what’s best for the community’s patients. “As we look back to fall 2014, all indicators point up from then
1202 S. Tyler St., Covington 985-898-4000 • stph.org • ochsner.org
to now,” recounted Chairman of the STPH Board of Commissioners, John Evans. “Our hospital sees more patients than ever at a higher level of care than before the agreement. Together, St. Tammany Summer 2019 55
Franco’s Health Club & Spa in Mandeville.
Franco’s Credo CHANGE LIVES.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. LOVE WHAT YOU DO. SHOW YOU CARE. HAVE FUN. EXCEL IN EVERYTHING. DO IT ALL WITH PASSION! What do you do when you have three decades of trailblazing success in your industry; when you have built your business to become a national benchmark, presented your model across the globe, hosted top-tier industry leaders and surpassed your expectations? Do you kick back, enjoy the fruits of your labor and watch others brave the rapids of the ever-changing fitness
Ron and Sandy Franco
industry? Not if you are Ron and Sandy Franco. You continue
FRANCO’S HEALTH CLUB & SPA
to grow, to look for ways that you can serve more people. You preserve the traditions that were at the heart of your vision from day one, and you protect the golden threads that are woven through your brand. Above all, if you are Ron and Sandy Franco, you recognize when what you have created has wings. “Our dream has been surpassed by something far greater and much bigger than we could have ever imagined,” says Sandy. LOOKING BACK
The Franco’s brand of fitness began in 1986 when this young newlywed couple embarked on a mission to create a place where people would come together, not just to exercise, but to Franco’s Mandeville club is a 250,000 sq. ft indooroutdoor fitness facility. 56
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play, to get away, to meet up with friends and to make memories. Along with this shared dream, Ron and Sandy Franco had years of experience in the fitness industry, tremendous capacity for
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connecting with people and understanding their needs, the tenacity to
Franco’s on Magazine St.
turn dreams into action and unwavering faith in God. Above all, they had each other. By the spring of that year, they also had a 28,000-square-foot racquetball club and a new baby. Over the next 30 years, they would grow their Mandeville club to become a sprawling 250,000-square-foot, indoor and outdoor, fitness, sports and lifestyle center, complete with four pools, a pair of two-story water slides, eleven tennis courts, an indoor gymnasium, four spacious weight training areas, six customized fitness studios, multiple childcare areas, a hair salon, day spa, grille, clothing boutique, and too many amenities to list. The Franco family grew along with the club. Ron and Sandy’s four children made sure that their parents kept an astute perspective, not only on the needs of growing families, but on the need to balance work and family life. While Franco’s flagship club became the hub for healthy lifestyle seekers on the Northshore, new opportunities arose for Ron and Sandy to
CrossFit Franco’s is the largest
reach more people, both geographically
CrossFit Box in the southern region.
and demographically. In 2014, they opened Franco’s on Magazine Street, a boutique fitness oasis in the heart of New Orleans’ Garden District, and Franco’s CrossFit, an 18,000-square-foot training center in Mandeville. In 2018, they also opened their first Crunch Fitness location in Jackson, Mississippi. also uniquely adept at taking on the perspective of someone who has THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
Although the Franco’s facilities, programs, services, events, technologies
never set foot in their clubs, or any other. This skill has been essential to the creation of inclusive and inviting health centers. “The last thing
and innovations have grown, the thing that is most often associated with the
that we want Franco’s to be is intimidating,” says Sandy. These efforts are
name is a warm, welcoming culture. Ron and Sandy have maintained that
apparent in the details, from the design of the clubs to the personalized
culture by instilling in their team the credo that started it all and by maintaining
treatment from staff.
traditions that recognize and reward them, such as their $2 bill tradition. Each
After 30 years of building the Franco’s culture, there is no sign of
time an employee is caught doing something exceptional for their members,
this power couple slowing down. They continue to travel the globe to
that employee receives a $2 bill on the spot. “It represents that what they did
learn about the latest trends in their industry. They are still pushing the
was unique and special,” explains Ron. At the end of the year, employees can
envelope on new and exciting ways to bring fitness to all generations.
turn in all of their $2 bills for a chance to win the “pot,” a lump sum of cash.
And though they are fully tapped into the digital age, they have no
This is just one of the traditions begun 30 years ago and still a part of the
plans to compromise their mission to bring fitness to their community
Franco’s culture today. To ensure that these traditions are not lost in translation
and to bring their community together. “I can’t help but think that at
through the years, Franco’s management team has developed an employee
the end of the day people still need to be around people,” says Sandy.
training program called “Franco’s University.”
“So as long as we continue to design clubs for connectivity, people are going to come.”
GOING STRONG
The culture of Franco’s envelopes you—the feeling of belonging comes with ease. Yet the very people who created it seem most able to step back from it and see things from the outside. Ron and Sandy have been involved with the day-to-day operations of their clubs since day one, and both have worked in the fitness industry since they were old enough to have jobs. Yet both are
To learn more about Franco’s, visit www.francosmandeville.com. Summer 2019 57
Mid-City, Say Hello to Keesler Federal Credit Union A BETTER BANKING ALTERNATIVE FOR THE BIG EASY
There’s a fresh, new financial institution on the scene in New Orleans, and it’s beginning to generate buzz among
Swoger, “Many of our existing members live and work in Louisiana.
local consumers and businesses: Keesler Federal Credit Union.
Having offices in both Orleans and St. Tammany parishes makes it
The name may be familiar, since Keesler Federal, the largest
more convenient for them to conduct their financial business—plus, it
Mississippi-based credit union, has been a presence on the
allows us to introduce our better banking experience to a whole new
Northshore since 2014. It currently boasts a total of four branches
audience of potential members.”
in St. Tammany Parish—two in Slidell and one each in Mandeville and Covington. The new full-service Keesler Federal branch in the Mid-City
Tiffany Palmer, Assistant Branch
C. Whitney, Branch Manger; Shantell Thomas, TSR 1 and Diondra Robair, TSR 1. 58
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Members? What exactly does that mean for me?” Well, the difference between credit union members and bank customers is actually an important distinction, one that is
neighborhood is the 72-year-old credit union’s first step into
at the very heart of the credit union philosophy. First and foremost,
Orleans Parish and part of a long-anticipated strategic expansion.
as a credit union, Keesler Federal is a not-for-profit, member-owned
Located in the iconic American Can Company building on Orleans
financial cooperative. Unlike traditional banks, credit unions do not
Avenue adjacent to Bayou St. John, the Mid-City branch features
exist to pay profits to stockholders; instead, earnings are channeled
a light-filled, modern-industrial aesthetic that is an exciting
back into providing members with lower loan rates, higher rates of
departure from more conventional standalone and shopping
return on deposit accounts, innovative rewards and free or low-fee
center branches. Here, the vibe is open, welcoming and as far from
services. As a full-service financial institution, Keesler Federal offers
a staid, traditional bank as one could imagine.
a wide variety of personal checking and savings accounts, credit
Manager; Candace Williams, FSR 1; Jerome
contributing to the city’s dynamic growth and success.” According to
“I speak on behalf of everyone at Keesler Federal when I
cards, mortgages, land and construction loans, auto loans, business
say we are thrilled to open our first branch in New Orleans,” says
services, retirement planning and much more. It also offers free
Andy Swoger, President and CEO of Keesler Federal. “This is a
financial counseling services.
major milestone in our credit union’s history, and we’re eager and
“At Keesler Federal, members come from all walks of life.
ready to serve the people of the Crescent City. We embrace New
You don’t have to be military or associated with Keesler Air Force
Orleans’ vibrant, unique culture and are 100 percent committed to
Base,” explains Jerome Whitney, Mid-City Branch Manager.
Inside Publications
According to Whitney, “Anyone who lives, works, worships
the demands of establishing a new branch, Whitney knows
or attends school in many areas of Orleans and St. Tammany
first-hand what it means to have a busy schedule. “I completely
Parishes are eligible for membership. In addition, when an
identify with our members who seek convenience, great value and
individual joins the credit union, their immediate family and
creative solutions to their financial needs. That’s why I’m proud to
household members are also eligible to join. We also offer
represent Keesler Federal.”
membership through numerous select employer groups.” Whitney, a New Orleans native, joined the Keesler Federal team in early 2019 after more than decade in the financial services industry. “Keesler Federal is my first credit union, and the difference between it and traditional banking has been an eye-opener. I’m a credit union believer for life now,” he enthuses. “At a credit union, every employee is focused on building real value for our members by assessing their individual needs. For us, it’s all about finding the right financial solution for each
Jerome Whitney and his team invite you to stop by the Mid-City branch and discover the Keesler Federal difference,
member.” Whitney also feels positive differences from a workplace
or visit online at kfcu.org.
standpoint. “Words like ‘team’ and ‘family’ are used frequently, but
Federally insured by NCUA. Membership eligibility required.
at Keesler Federal, that genuine spirit permeates all levels of our organization, from our CEO to the newest front-line teller.” Another topic Whitney is proud to talk about is Keesler Federal’s popular Member Giveback program. “Every month, we reward over 35 randomly selected members with prizes ranging from $100 in cash up to $2,000. Members can win a match of their mortgage payment, direct deposit or car note, or cash simply for using everyday services like online bill pay. I don’t know of any
Founded in 1947 to provide banking services to employees at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, Keesler Federal Credit Union has grown into a thriving regional financial institution with more than $2.7 billion in assets and serving over 228,000 members worldwide.
banks who do something like that!” Along with his Keesler Federal colleagues Jill Jennings,
3700 Orleans Avenue, Suite 107
Director of the Western Region; Kevin Estrade, Community
New Orleans, LA 70119
Development Officer; and Tiffany Palmer, Assistant Branch
1-888-KEESLER (1-888-533-7537)
Manager, Whitney is committed to making the Mid-City branch “a friendly, familiar face in the neighborhood and the go-to financial
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 - 5:00
resource for individuals, families and businesses who are seeking
Friday: 9:00 - 5:30
an authentic financial partner.” As a devoted husband and father
Saturday: 9:00 - 1:00
of three who is also attending Tulane University while juggling Summer 2019 59
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Board in Louisiana. A career overachiever, Melody also remains active in social causes. She regularly recruits with her husband, a pediatrician, and volunteers for the New Heights Therapeutic Riding facility in Folsom, La., the Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management, The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, and the American Heart Association. A fierce supporter of the Louisiana public school system, Melody served as PTA president while her daughters attended local schools. Melody believes in cultivating real relationships, a trait that, despite its fundamental simplicity, has differentiated her from competition throughout her career. Her strong bonds with industry leaders earned her the trust and leverage with industry partners to maximize her impact as her clients’ broker. She not only takes care of her client, but also the vendor and the team that surrounds the client. She has everyone’s best interest at heart, resulting in
Melody Terral
BENEFITS CONSULTANT, AREA VICE PRESIDENT ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER
Melody Terral has been a leader, a team builder and an innovator in the
long-term clients and relationships. Melody’s goal with each interaction is to make the people she works with look good. Sharing the workload, success and accolades is her formula for professional success. Melody is a leader, innovator and respected expert in the insurance industry. Melody is all of the above, with a humble mindset and a servant’s heart. She has consulted and collaborated with some of Louisiana’s largest
insurance industry for the past 40 years. Early in her career, in the 1980s, she
employers on human resources strategy and employee benefits management
became one of the nation’s rising stars by developing proprietary software
for over 25 years and is nationally recognized as an expert in employee
systems for Section 125 Plans. She was part of the first group of women
benefits. A pioneer of employee benefit technology, she is one of the most
assisting employers with self-funded plans at the onset of ERISA legislation.
knowledgeable consultants in the large-group and self-funded marketplace.
Melody served in an administrative role in one of the first group of Third Party
Melody has earned her formidable position because of year after year
Administrators in the country that took on insurance companies for market
of dedicated client service and industry innovation. However, the impact
share in the self-funded arena. She later moved into an executive sales role
she hopes to leave is one as a mentor. In recent years, Melody has risen to a
for one of the oldest and largest TPAs in the Southeast.
leadership role, enhancing and developing opportunities, transferring her
In 2005, she founded her own consulting firm, Integrated Insurance
knowledge to new employees and encouraging rising leaders to embrace
Solutions. Six short years later, Arthur J. Gallagher, one of the largest
challenge and change. She motivates and challenges the young consultants
international broker firms in the world, acquired IIS, including the entire
on her team, imparting her wisdom learned through years of studies and
employee staff Melody assembled to support her book of hundreds of clients.
struggles, surprises and success.
Throughout her career, Melody has served in different roles that have
Melody is dynamic; she is a problem solver, a visionary, an educator. Her
given her depth and a detailed understanding of the industry. She has served
life’s work is to give back to her community, industry and peers and to inspire
on insurance advisory councils and boards and has held officer positions
tomorrow’s sales team, business leaders and fellow insurance revolutionaries.
with LA Healthcare Association and Employee Benefits Planning Association of Louisiana. One of her most high-profile achievements was working in collaboration with the Department of Insurance, successfully creating a highrisk pool for those who were uninsured in Louisiana. Melody is regularly featured as an industry expert and has been a guest speaker for the Society of Pension Benefit Administrators in Washington, D.C., and the Louisiana Association of Self Insured Employers 60
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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is located at 109 Northpark Blvd., Suite 305 in Covington. Visit ajg.com for more information.
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deals or sell products, but rather, build relationships.” Since assuming his current role, Jamie has found his biggest challenge to be educating the New Orleans area business community about who Fidelity Bank really is in 2019. “Fidelity has been around since 1908 and is one of the few banks still headquartered here in New Orleans. Most people know who we are, but still view us as the Homestead we were for a very long time. The Fidelity Bank of today is much different from the Fidelity Bank of just ten years ago. The reality is that Fidelity Bank can do anything any other local bank can do. All of our decisions are made locally. All of our employees live in and raise their families in this community.” To this point, Fidelity Bank’s slogan of being “Here for Good” actually has two different meanings: the bank is here for the duration, and the bank is here to provide for the communities in which it serves. As a way to further the “Here for Good’ mission, in 2018, Fidelity Bank became the official bank of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which directly benefits the Fore!Kids Foundation. Jamie is actively involved in the Fore!Kids Foundation and is part of the team that helps put on the PGA tournament each year. He says,
Jamie Sablich FIDELITY BANK
“The Fore!Kids is an organization of local men and women whose hard work does a lot of good in the community and for the kids in the New Orleans area. Fidelity Bank’s pride in this affiliation is hard to fully express.” Outside of his work at Fidelity
Since 2016, Jamie Sablich has been passionate about helping to grow Fidelity Bank. Now Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Manager, he joined Fidelity Bank after spending the previous six years at another local financial institution. Jamie’s success in banking has been influenced by his education, having earned both his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Notre Dame, and growing up in and ultimately leading his family business early in his career. “A large part of my decision to join Fidelity in 2016 was the presence of Chris Ferris, our now CEO,” says Jamie. “While Chris was not our CEO at the time of my hiring, he was one of the leaders of the bank, and I knew he had the experience
Fidelity Bank Commercial Lending Team Back row: Randy Crochet, Jamie Sablich, Donald Peltier and Louis Bartels.
and knowledge to elevate Fidelity’s product mix, technology and vision to always
Front row: Patrick Landry, Joey LaRocca, Casey Fletcher and Brian Cook.
allow it to be competitive with any other financial institution in the New Orleans
and the Fore!Kids Foundation, Jamie serves on the Jefferson Chamber Board of
area.” Jamie had a very successful 2017, and when Chris fully assumed the role of
Directors and is a member of English Turn Country Club.
CEO in January 2018, he promoted Jamie to the position he now holds. “I find my job very rewarding,” says Jamie. “My current responsibilities
When asked about the future of Fidelity, Jamie adds: “Fidelity Bank is very excited about its next 111 years. The path we are currently on that has
allow me to make a significant impact at a bank our size through leading and
been established by our leadership, coupled with the bank’s current and future
developing the current commercial team that consists of seven Relationship
capabilities, is going to be key to the future of New Orleans area businesses
Managers, who cover the entire footprint of Fidelity from Baton Rouge to Slidell
and the communities that those businesses serve. It’s an excitement that
and north to Hammond and Covington.” Jamie and his team are focused on
resonates daily throughout our entire organization.”
developing and maintaining a successful and diversified commercial portfolio at Fidelity Bank. They do this through traditional relationship development and being a consultative resource for their clients and prospects. Jamie likes to think of his team’s approach as: “Commercial Banking like it should be … Commercial Banking like it used to be. Our goal each and every day is to not do 62
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To learn more about Fidelity Bank, visit www.bankwithfidelity.com.
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Gulf Coast Office Products Established in New Orleans in 1977 by Bob Walsh and Bill Kenny,
customers call us for service, they aren’t calling a ‘1-800 number’ and getting
Gulf Coast Office Products is the largest locally owned distributor of office
lost or forgotten about in the prompts. They get a live person on the phone
hardware and software in Louisiana, with over 17,000 clients and employing
at any of our four locations.”
over 110 people. The words “office products” in the company’s name, however, are a bit
Gulf Coast Office Products has a wide-ranging client base, including schools, churches, banks, law, engineering and architectural firms and
misleading, because this is not a small mom-and-pop shop selling paperclips
sports franchises. “We have official partnerships with the New Orleans
and Post-it Notes. As Director of Sales, Andrew Cassara says, “We’re thrilled to
Pelicans, New Orleans Saints, LSU and ULL athletics. We work with clients
be celebrating 42 years in business as Louisiana’s largest copier distributor,
of all vertical markets and sizes, and we give the same customer service
but we do so much more. In addition to the printers and copiers that
and attention to all, from the most well-known firms to the more modest.
we sell, we sell commercial and industrial printers, as well as projectors,
I prefer the term ‘partner’ rather than vendor. We have a tremendous team
video conferencing and interactive whiteboards. And, we sell software for
of employees, and we go above and beyond to make sure every customer is
document management, cost control and recovery, mobile printing and
undeniably satisfied,” says Cassara.
sharing, and printer and network security.” Gulf Coast Office Products is a
Cassara is dedicated to providing his customers with excellent service
full-service company and has an internal IT department that delivers, sets up
and the best office equipment and software solutions on the market today.
and manages the products and software that it sells.
“At Gulf Coast Office Products, we want to be known as the place where
In today’s advancing technology, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be underestimated. Cassara adds, “Adding our secure products on
people come not just for copiers—I want our customers to know us for our many other cutting-edge products we sell.”
a network is extremely important, and our IT team has the capacity to understand how to connect them with our clients networks so they can operate efficiently, and securely.” Gulf Coast Office Products believes in Louisiana and growing the local economy. “We have been approached numerous times to sell and service other brands, but we have turned them all down, remaining loyal to our partners and to the award-winning Savin-Ricoh products we know so well. Our technicians have been working with the same manufacturer for 42 years, and we only stock inventory for one brand,” Cassara explains. “When
Gulf Coast Office Products has locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville and Lafayette. 504-733-3830. gcopnet.com. Summer 2019 63
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We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. MURPHY APPRAISAL SERVICES, LLC
Murphy Appraisal Services is a comprehensive real estate appraisal
L E A D E R S H I P
additional state-certified general appraisers, two SRA-designated appraisers, six additional state-certified residential appraisers, ten licensed trainees, and other professionals in real estate sales and brokerage supplemented by an excellent team of administrative support. The newest expansion for Murphy Appraisal Services is an office in River
and consulting firm with experience throughout Louisiana, Mississippi and
Ranch to better serve the needs of our clients in the Lafayette and Lake Charles
Alabama. While based and focused in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan
Metropolitan Areas. This is our seventh location, adding to existing offices in
Area, we historically have covered the length of the Interstate 10 and Interstate
New Orleans, Covington, Hammond, Metairie, Baton Rouge and Thibodaux.
12 corridors from Lake Charles and Lafayette to Baton Rouge through
At Murphy Appraisal, we take pride in giving back to the community
New Orleans and the Florida Parishes to the Gulf Coast from Waveland to
wherever possible by involvement in a variety of organizations, both
Pascagoula and Mobile, as well as from Shreveport to Jackson.
professionally and socially. In some cases, the contributions are financial; in other
Since 1990, we have provided high-quality commercial and residential
cases, it is in stewardship, leadership and committee positions. These important
real estate appraisal services for a wide-ranging client base that includes
alliances include The Preservation Resource Center, Hogs for the Cause, Kingsley
both national and locally based institutional lenders, private individuals,
House, Habitat for Humanity, WRBH-FM, TARC to benefit adults with disabilities,
estate planning professionals, attorneys and real estate development
the St. Bernard Project, the Bobby Hebert CF Foundation, the Appraisal Institute,
companies. We perform literally thousands of appraisals annually and
the Regional Loan Corporation, NO Young Leadership Council, American Cancer
are the largest appraisal firm in Louisiana. That is important to our clients
Society, HBA, NAPMW, Mortgage Lenders Assn., Project Graduation, National
because it gives our appraisers access to more transaction data, improving
World War II Museum, the Audubon Nature Institute and the Thibodaux,
the quality of our reports and our turn-around time.
Hammond and St. Tammany Chambers of Commerce. As proud parents, we also
Founder Rick Murphy, who has 35 years of experience in real estate appraisal, brokerage and
coach and volunteer for various youth sports programs, including Carrollton Boosters and the Amite Area Youth Sports Organization.
development, leads a team of over 30 individuals that continues to grow in both size and expertise. In the past twelve months, William Summerour, Tom Hancock, and Blake Ridings were each awarded the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute, the highest designation awarded for general
Murphy Appraisal Services Main Office: 757 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans; 504-
appraisers. Meanwhile, Chris Smiroldo received the SRA designation from the
274-2682. Operations Center: 19411 Helenberg Rd., Covington; 985-626-4115.
Appraisal Institute, the highest designation awarded for residential appraisers.
Other locations in Metairie, Hammond, Thibodaux, Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
Murphy Appraisal Services now has five MAI-designated appraisers, three
For more information, go to murphyappraisal.com or follow us on Facebook. Summer 2019 65
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L E A D E R S H I P
Sara and Cayman Sinclair
THE LAKEHOUSE AND MAISON LAFITTE Cayman and Sara Sinclair have a longstanding history in hospitality, and so do the buildings they host patrons in. In Old Mandeville, the two provide fresh cuisine, offsite catering and event venues through The Lakehouse and Maison Lafitte. In 2009, Cayman renovated the former Bechac’s Restaurant, built in the
Connie S. Bertus, CISR
NORTH AMERICAN INSURANCE AGENCY
Connie started her insurance career as a receptionist with an insurance agency. “It was then that I fell in love with personal lines insurance and knew
mid-1800s overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. Fulfilling a dream, he opened The
that’s what I wanted to do as a career,” Connie reflects. Shortly after, Connie
Lakehouse in the historic venue as a restaurant with special on-site events
worked to obtain her Property & Casualty License in 2008.
and small off-site catering. Following a FEMA contract for the BP Oil Spill, the
In April 2016, Connie joined North American Insurance Agency as their
catering business grew and has become a part of the flourishing film and
Personal Lines Account Manager. The goal was to build the personal lines
music production arenas in Louisiana and out of state.
department by getting more contracts with carriers to open the market for growth
In April, Cayman and his team served up to 24,000 meals a day during the NFL Draft in Nashville. “We love working local within our community, but it has also been amazing to accommodate such large events from Florida
within their personal lines department. With Connie’s passion for insurance, North American’s carrier growth went from nine carriers to 24 carriers in three years! While maintaining her Certified Insurance Service Representative
to Virginia to Tennessee,” says Sara. At home, The Lakehouse celebrates ten
designation, Connie works to provide the best coverage options for her
successful years, and Maison Lafitte, another historic venue for weddings and
insureds. “I have customers that I have never met, but feel like I have known
events, celebrates six years under Sinclair ownership.
them my entire life,” says Connie. “When a customer says they are with us
Through The Lakehouse and Maison Lafitte, Cayman and Sara
because we look out for their best interest, that’s what makes my day.”
continuously open their doors and hearts to many fundraising efforts. “Giving
Not only specializing in high-value homes, NAIA recognizes the
back is very important to us,” says Sara. “From offering venue space to food to
unique coverage needs for all valued residences and goes beyond standard
time, we want to be helpful and connected in a way that feels good.”
homeowner’s insurance to offer extended dwelling replacement coverage,
Maison Lafitte has partnered with local organizations such as the Junior
collectables coverage, loss of use and personal liability coverage. Licensed
League of Greater Covington, Northshore Humane Society, OWEL Project and
in 25 states, NAIA can offer all personal lines programs and is not limited to
Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West. The Lakehouse has supported Our
automobile, seasonal and rental dwellings, boat/personal watercraft and flood.
Lady of the Lake School, Rich Mauti Tennis Classic, Mandeville Family Reunion, Pontchartrain Yacht Club and countless other organizations. When not working or giving back, Cayman is an avid tennis player at the Pelican Athletic Club and Beau Chêne Country Club, while Sara is a member of the Krewe of
When not providing clients with excellent service, Connie enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, grandchild, four dogs and four horses. Connie is a member of the National Barrel Horse Association, in which she competes in barrel races throughout the northshore.
Eve, Cedarwood School Room Parent and helps plan the Habitat’s Hammers & Heels Fashion Show. Living in a historic Mandeville home, Cayman and Sara enjoy spending time with their recent St. Paul’s graduate, Cole, and 3-year-old Sully.
North American Insurance Agency of LA has proudly served the southeastern Louisiana area and beyond for over 30 years with a broad range of coverage options from Marine to Commercial to Personal. NAIA is located at
For more information, visit lakehousecuisine.com or maison-lafitte.com. 66
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2255 N. Hwy. 190 in Covington. 985-871-5480. naiala.com.
IN Better Health by Stacey Paretti Rase
Medical Marvel at Lakeview Regional Medical Center
Larry Edmondson
photo courtesy: LRMC
and his wife, April.
GROUNDBREAKING AND SEEMINGLY unbelievable medical procedures are standard fare on prime time medical dramas popular on television today. However, it’s not very often that a revolutionary, neverperformed-before surgery is completed successfully right here at home. Luckily for 64-year-old Pearl River resident Larry Edmondson, that is indeed what happened late last year in Covington at Lakeview Regional Medical Center, a campus of Tulane Medical Center. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. John Breaux performed an extremely complex open heart surgery that had never been attempted before in the world. It involved the coordination of four different procedures during the same operation, each dependent on the other. And only a successful attempt at the innovative surgery could save Larry’s life. Larry and his wife, April, went to Dr. Breaux hoping for a miracle. Larry had suffered with various heart ailments over the years, but he knew he couldn’t hold on much longer without immediate help. “He was so weak he couldn’t even walk across the room,” remembers April. “He felt like his body was giving up on him.” That’s because Larry was indeed suffering from severe end-stage heart failure. He was dealing with four concurrent, complicated issues when he
presented to Dr. Breaux. He had an aortic valve disease, blockages of his coronary arteries, chronic atrial fibrillation, and, most troubling, a very large ascending aortic aneurysm. Because of all this, his ejection fraction (the term used to measure the strength of the beating heart as it pumps blood from the left ventricle with each contraction) was at a meager 10 percent. With a percentage that low, the most common treatment is a heart transplant. But Larry was not a candidate for transplant because of his age. There were other proven ways to treat each of Larry’s individual conditions. A stent procedure could treat his coronary artery disease. A catheter-based ablation could help the atrial fibrillation. Another stent procedure could treat the aneurysm. And a transcatheter aortic valve replacement could treat the aortic stenosis. “All of those modern, minimally invasive procedures are available to help patients that have one of these problems,” notes Dr. Breaux. “But he had all four. He had theoretically correctible problems, but when you add them all up into one patient, it became close to impossible to fix. No simple plan would ever work for him.” Other physicians and a hospital on the Summer 2019 69
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photo courtesy: LRMC
southshore had already declined to take Larry’s case because of its complex nature. However, Dr. Breaux felt he and his team could devise a comprehensive plan to fix all of the issues in one surgery. It was a strategy that had never been tried before and was dangerous, especially considering the amount of time Larry’s heart would be on bypass during the surgery. But Dr. Breaux felt positive all along. “Both God and Lakeview Regional have been very good to me,” Breaux asserts. “When I came to work here, they let me bring my whole team with me. And that was key, because this surgery was a big team effort.” Dr. Breaux and his team planned for nearly a week to outline all the steps of the surgery. “When I perform complex open heart surgery, I always go into the operating room with a well-thought out plan, as well as a backup plan,” he explains. “But in this case, there was no backup plan. We essentially had to go full court press. It was a complicated plan that had never been attempted before, but with our team of experts at Lakeview Regional, I knew we could make it happen.” Advanced technologies allow for a tiny heart pump to be placed into the heart muscle in the operating room. The
device is intended to pass through the blood vessel of the arm and through the patient’s healthy ascending aorta, then through the patient’s healthy aortic valve and then into the failing left ventricle. But in Larry’s case, the aorta, valves and vessels were all failing, and Dr. Breaux had to repair them before the pump could be placed. The team performed a two-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting, followed by a Maze atrial fibrillation ablation procedure, an aortic valve replacement and an ascending aorta replacement before they could finally put the heart pump in place. The seven-hour surgery (four of which were on bypass) went exactly as planned. Larry’s ejection fraction improved to 20 percent while still in the operating room and was up to 45 percent just four days later. His heart recovered, and he rapidly regained strength. The heart pump was removed five days following surgery, and Larry was discharged four days later. Dr. Breaux says Larry’s prognosis is very good. “The blood supply to the muscles is good. His aneurism has been removed. Now he’s back to a regular heart rhythm. And the valve that he has should be good for about 18 years. So if I’m still around in 18 years, I’ll be happy to replace it for him,” he says with a smile. Larry is now enjoying his new lease on life, spending time with his family and building chicken coops on his property. He says he can’t thank the team at Lakeview Regional enough. “I don’t think I would have survived this at any other place. I want to thank Dr. Breaux,” he says, looking over at his doctor with a gleam in his eye. “I’m just so glad I’m still here.” Dr. Breaux immediately smiles and offers a quick, humble reply. “You put your faith in me, and I just tried not to let you down.” Summer 2019 71
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1. Lucerne gold-finish wrought iron chandelier,
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natural quartz crystals, illuminated tree-like branches; 23” H x 60.25” Dia. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 985-875-7576. 2. Bevolo’s Governor Pool House Lanterns; three sizes, also available in stainless steel. 5
Bevolo; Mandeville, 985-249-6040; New Orleans, 504-522-9485. 3. Plush Jesus and Mary dolls made in Breaux Bridge, La.; small, $30; large, $40. Kiki & Lolli, Covington, 985-900-2410. 4. Black matte lamp, $395. Fur.nish, Metairie, 504-4272039. 5. Le Griddle on cart. Additional sizes and tabletop versions available. Southland Plumbing Supply, Mandeville, 985-893-8883. 6. Seasonal arrangement starting at $65. Florist of Covington, Covington, 985-892-7701. 7. Travel bags in gold or pewter; bag, $69; wristlet, $19. EMB Interiors, Mandeville, 985-6261522. 8. Ancient Pazyryk design, hand woven
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in Afghanistan using wool and all natural dyes. NOLA Rugs, New Orleans, 504-809-3304. 7
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2 4 3 1. Gold leaf star buffet lamp with metal and white marble base and white linen shade. Pine Grove Lighting & Electrical Supply, Mandeville, 985-893-4003. 2. Two-tier antique gold finish Julie Neill chandelier offers ample lighting from multiple flower petals. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 985-875-7576. 5
3. Insulated soft cooler from Scout, $49.50. deCoeur, Covington, 985-8093244. 4. Executive personalized notepads range in size and price from $4 to $28. Hilltop Shoppe, New Orleans, 504-533-9670. 5. Stars and stripes dog collar and leash and odor eliminating candle. Candle, $8.99; leash, $17.99; collars, starting at $10.49. Crosspoint Veterinary Hospital, Covington, 985888-1566. 6. Louisiana-themed indoor/outdoor pillows. $24.99-$29.99. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 985- 893-8008. 7. Handmade fan and bags from Dioum Basket Project, $30–$60. The Shop at The Collection, The Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans, 504-598-7147. 8. Humorous bed-and-breakfast sign, $45. mélange by kp, Mandeville, 985-807-7652. 9. Churchill Copper Lantern in gas or electric; prices start at $538; as shown with exclusive farmhouse hooks, $695; available in three sizes with fast shipping. Gulf Coast Lanterns, Covington, 800-910-3275. 10. Eco-Lux Body Organic Sunscreen Spray with SPF 30 with piña colada scent; TanTowel On The Glow Self-
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Tanning Daily Body Moisturizer. The Oasis Day Spa, Mandeville, 985-624-6772.
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1. Double Wicker discs on hammered post, $75. The Villa, Mandeville, 985-626-9797. 2. Handmade tote of recycled and regenerated cotton jute with gold details, $79. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 985-792-0200. 3. Platinum 0.65ct diamond and 0.35ct Sapphire halo estate collection ring, $5,900. Symmetry Jewelers & Designers, New Orleans, 504-861-9925. 4. Reversible hat with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection, $49. Other styles and colors available. The Annex, Mandeville,
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985-727-7701. 5. Women’s platform espadrille open-toe, slip-on sandals topped with elasticized straps and wedge heel; women’s strappy platform wedge sandal with cork texturing and razor lugs. Joe’s Shoe Store, Mandeville, 985-626-5633. 6. This I. Reiss cuff bracelet is crafted in 14k yellow gold with a hammered finish and scalloped edging. The bracelet features a vine pattern with diamond leaves, $4,475. Friend & Company Fine Jewelers, New Orleans, 504-
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866-5433. 7. Matsuda sunglass, $650. Optical Shoppe, Metairie, 504-301-1726. 8. Women’s scuba sleeveless V-neckline fit and flare dress with racerback and laser cut hemline, $122. Ballin’s Ltd.; Covington, 985-892-0025; New Orleans, 504-866-4367. 7
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1. Hand-painted earrings by Covington artist Francie Rich, $50. The Southern Hotel, Covington, 985-866-1907. 2. Tacori Ivy Lane Surfboard pavé pendant in 18K yellow gold, $2,490. Boudreaux’s Jewelers; Mandeville, 985-626-1666; Metairie, 504831-2602. 3. Moonstone with chocolate and white diamonds, .35ct tw, set in rose gold, $695. DeLuca’s Jewelry, Covington, 985-892-2317. 4. Volatile platform sandals, $59. Shoefflé, Covington, 985-898-6465.
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6 5. Geometric polka dot linen top, $92. cdn clothing, Covington, 985-327-7300. 6. Jane Taylor’s Cirque Collection 14 karat yellow gold bracelet features a line of amethyst, iolite, blue topaz, green tourmaline, yellow beryl and red garnet squares set in a matte finish with a hinged opening, $3,465. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504-832-0000. 7. Overnight travel bag, $100. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 985-624-4045.
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1. 14k yellow gold vining ring by I. Reiss with 0.20 carats of diamonds, $1,375. Friend & Company Fine Jewelers, New Orleans, 504-866-5433. 2. Ippolita’s Prisma Collection 18 karat yellow gold 25mm hoop earrings with a marquise shaped turquoise prong set at the top with a round tsavorite prong set on top with French wire backs, $1,995. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504-8320000. 3. Loro Dress in the Peri Blue Rum Swizzle print, $118. Palm Village – A Lilly Pulitzer Store, Mandeville, 985-778-2547. 4. Yellow square bucket-style bag with removable pouch and cross-body strap; orange leather cross-body handbag with custom gold hand-dipped hardware and custom-designed inner lining. Ballin’s Ltd.; Covington, 985-892-0025; New Orleans, 504 866-4367. 5. Striped dress with embroidered floral design, $39. Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 985809-1690, 985-809-1789. 6. Executive White Linen suit, $598; Traveler Tailored Fit dress shirt, $89.50$99.50; Joseph Abboud Clarence slip-on shoe, $165; Reserve tie, $79.50; 100% cotton Pocket Square, $24.50. Jos. A. Bank Mandeville; 985-624-4067; Metairie, 504- 620-2265; New Orleans, 504528-9491. 7. Inflatable tote for girls with charms; pump included. Olive Patch, 7
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Covington, 985-327-5772.
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A Soldier’s Diary D-Day Remembered
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by Joey Kent
photos courtesy: JOEY KENT
SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, my father, David Kent, was serving in the Army, a Technical Sergeant in the Headquarters Battery of the 204th AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons) Battalion. The 204th was stationed at Weymouth, England, and as an aide to General Vandenburg and other high-ranking officers, my father had some limited knowledge of a pending operation that would come to be known as “D-Day.” This first-hand account was written shortly after the invasion and gives an interesting “you are there” perspective of the early hours. I’ll let my father tell it from here. By June 1st, we knew it was just about to begin. We didn’t know the precise date, but it couldn’t be more than two or three days. We had been restricted and briefed for almost two weeks. We hadn’t been outside the gates of our camps. In our particular case, being in a forest, it meant out of the bivouac area. Air activity had sharply increased in the area. Every night, for the past two or three weeks, German raiders had been over. Not many, but enough to make a night’s sleep impossible. The Germans had long ago spotted our area in a daylight raid on Weymouth. Every night, about 1 or 2 in the morning, we were routed out of our tents by the wail of an alert siren about 25 yards
slope and zoomed down the valley over us, firing sporadic bursts from small cannons. Usually, they then passed on over the hill to Weymouth, deployed the remainder of their bomb loads and circled back to France. Only once was there real danger of any considerable casualties in our encampment. All four planes peeled off just over our heads and raced down our forest, raking the trees with cannon fire. It was weird watching the tracers. It made you shudder to see one dig in behind you and the next in front. You knew there were four other shells between those two tracers that missed. Once, a small bomb landed beside the Command Post tent. Fortunately, the Operations staff was working in a new position while the temporary floor was being repaired. There was not much left but shreds of fireproof tenting. On June 2nd, the order came. Odd, but it didn’t seem to mean much at the time. We had been reading about “D-Day”, speculating and wondering just like all the other people in the world. But, now that it was here, or almost, I don’t think any of us felt either fear or relief. It was 2:15 a.m. when Captain Briggs called us together. We stumbled down the hill to the Command Post tent and waited. He came out
away. Before we could stumble out into the darkness and into foxholes, the big ack-ack guns of the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), about 300 yards away, would begin to crash. Searchlights would climb the skies at the first sound, first slowly as though operated by sleepy, dazed people, then quickly as though the operators were mad at being routed from their beds. Usually, two or three planes comprised the force. Ack-ack fire seldom stopped at the planes that swooped in low over the water’s edge, rode the rising
of the tent, flashlight in hand and, as we shivered in the damp chill, he read General Eisenhower’s orders. We had always thought that, as protective troops, we would not be in on the first landings. But, we were hearing it now: “Your troops will be loaded on assault vessels and ready for the initial crusade against the stronghold of Germany within twenty-four hours.” That was just part of it. Twenty-four hours! That didn’t give us much time. As soon as the formation broke, we began to pack and load the battalion. By >>
The Headquarters Battery of the 204th AAA Battalion. David Kent is seen in the back row to the right of the flag. Summer 2019 83
The Normandy invasion was the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. 84
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photos courtesy: JOEY KENT
David Kent.
8:30 we were finished. Over three hundred boxes were packed, nailed and marked TAT (To Accompany Troops). Then, it was a matter of waiting. Spirits rose with the sun. There was comment on the landing. Where would it be? When as a matter of fact? Nobody knew, but everybody was willing to go. Sgt. Nock, the battalion supply sergeant, had just returned from the hospital after treatment for arthritis or something else the hospital couldn’t diagnose. He was the other officer of my tent. He was sick most of the morning, and I spent much of my free time trying to help him and make him ready for what we knew was coming. At 4:30 that afternoon, we loaded the trucks. The boat trip across the English Channel, I had heard, brings the passengers into the proper mood: everybody hopes he won’t get seasick. We had roared out of our forest bivouac and through the streets of Weymouth. There was a lot of shouting, cheering and waving from the English. Kathy MacEwin, my young Scottish girl of the ATS, was waiting under the statue of George III as I had hoped she would be. I had sneaked a message to her when to meet me. It didn’t
seem then to matter that others were not to know. This was the last time I could see her, and the risk was worth it. As she stood at the base of the statue, I signaled the lead vehicle to slow as we passed. I could only touch her hand as we moved by. For the first time, it seemed to really mean we were off! Most of the rest of the day was spent in loading. After a frantic day, the night was just as exciting. Would we move out tonight? The odds were we would. But, we didn’t. The third, fourth and fifth days were much the same. Cramped quarters, and loose tempers made conditions uncomfortable. Nothing, we thought then, could be worse than sitting in Weymouth harbor day after day— wondering. Dawn of the fifth day of June came and went. Tonight had to be the night. By seven in the evening, there was activity in the Commander’s cabin. The rumor spread we were moving out of the harbor. We were briefed again. This time, we heard Eisenhower’s order of the day. At 9:30, we set sail. There were 36 ships in our convoy. To our left were hundreds. To our right, other hundreds. One of our 90mm guns protruded from the bow of each of our 36 ships. We were guarding the convoy, sandwiched between a double lane of infantrymen and engineers, shock troops and assault troops. We anchored just outside the harbor and waited again. Blackjack games, poker and rummy ceased. Most of the men set to giving their guns a final checking. We were allowed to fire three rounds each into the sky as a final assurance to us that Uncle Sam had given us good equipment. Few men bothered. They had honed, filed, oiled and petted their guns for two or three years. They knew >> Summer 2019 85
they wouldn’t fail them now. I was in the Troop Commander’s office. The personnel rosters had to be verified by final check to see that everyone aboard was accounted for. Messages poured in. Early in the evening, I heard our landing position “Champs Terrance, coordinates V8148.” It didn’t mean anything to me. General Vandenburg just smiled at my inquisitiveness. He was one of the best officers I have ever known for a General rank. He didn’t mind a bit that an enlisted man was in the room, hearing secrets that the remainder of the officers up to and including Generals aboard our convoy would have given their eye teeth to know. We supplied the coffee and English cigarettes as the officers poured over maps and Top Secret papers. I sat opposite Vandenburg, with Colonel Harry Rigg of the 1st Infantry Division and Lt. Colonel Pardon Watson of our unit. No one slept that night. Most of the men huddled in their tightly packed hammocks or in ships corners. At two a.m., we signaled the lead LCIL (Landing Craft, Infantry, Large). It blinked back a signal and we set out. It was cold outside, and we filed back into the cabin. Not much was said then. General Vandenberg shook hands with Colonel Rigg and Colonel Watson and they left for their quarters. That was the last time I saw Colonel Rigg. I typed letters of thanks from the General to Colonel Rigg, Watson and the Boat Commander for their cooperation in the movement and that was the finish of the work. The General shook hands with me and thanked me as I left. He seemed to have aged in the past hours since I had first seen him, but I dismissed it as imagination. Four o’clock and the planes droned overhead. They were mostly C-47s, large, cumbersome and eternally slow 86
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photos courtesy: JOEY KENT
as they roared over in the semi-moonlight. Soon, we could see the lights in the sky that meant that the target ahead was being bombed. I scarcely thought of E-boats or the Luftwaffe. Maybe because we were on the far shore, balanced with fervent desire to get the shore under foot. I ran through my mental file to see that everything was in order. I had left Kathy letters to mail for me after I had gone. Seven letters to Mother and friends…enough to kill time until I could get letters out again myself, if I made it okay. I had cabled Mother the day before, telling her I was safe and not to worry. Maybe, as I thought about it now, that would only make her worry more. But it was too late. Few of the hundred and forty passengers on my LCIL were actively sick the night before D-Day, but we were all thinking about it. I was wide awake and sat on an open ammunition case next to our gun on the prow and smoked. I couldn’t have slept anyhow, even if this weren’t D-Day. It was chilly, and the water was rough, enough to make it uneasy for smaller types of craft like ours. Six thirty. The first men would be going ashore now. The code lights began to blink as we sighted land. The men had strapped most of their equipment and were filing to their gun stations. Time wouldn’t drag now. Suddenly, our guns opened up and I held my breath. What would be the answer from the shore? Barrage after barrage were fired. The guns no longer pointed skyward at the absent Luftwaffe, but at the shore, ahead of whatever troops might have landed already. The return fire was negligible. Our center lane of ships steamed ahead of the flanking lines and centered on the beach. Almost side by side, easily within earshot, they laid down a rolling barrage of fire that was deafening. For an hour it continued, barrels becoming so hot they couldn’t even be removed for replacement. I recognized the shore by the strip photo maps in the General’s cabin. Normandy. The shore curved out toward us on the port side of the ship and in that direction, I could see smoke from what appeared to be shells bursting on the beach. There was also an LCT, grounded and burning. At about that time, a shell splashed in the water off our starboard quarters and sent up a spray but did not explode. We were moving in fast now. I could visualize, from the plan I had seen in the cabin, the
straight, narrow lane in which we had to stay. “On a straight line, like a rope ferry,” Vandenberg had said. The burning LCT was behind us now. Suddenly, our ship grounded. Over on the other rows of ships, the beach battalion men were already moving ahead, so the ramps must be down. I could hear some officer shouting: “Move along now.” He sounded like a traffic cop, I thought. The men needed no urging; they were moving without a sign of flinching. A burst of tracers came pretty close. Colonel Watson and I flattened ourselves against the pilot house for an inch more protection. Something tickled the back of my neck and I slapped at it. Part of the doorway had been shredded and it had fallen against me. It was all like a giant Hollywood recruiting poster. Men were sweating now in the dawn cold at their battle stations around the guns on deck. Looking up, I could see behind them an American >>
David Kent in Normandy. Summer 2019 87
flag as a background. It had been hoisted a moment before and it streamed at the ship’s prow. The colors seemed particularly brilliant in the sun. A sailor grabbed me by the arm. “Three casualties below,” he shouted in my ear. I ran after him not knowing why at first. I knew nothing about wounds or first aid. A shell had ripped away a winch and ramp and three more sailors were badly torn up. Cases of food were piled near them. A fragment of a bomb or tracers had eaten into it and tomato juice covered the deck, mixed with blood. For fourteen hours, we stood by while our convoys unloaded, and others slid into their makeshift berths. Bodies floated in the waves beside our boat. I didn’t look into the water anymore. One man, still alive and breathing hard through his mouth, was hauled aboard. I managed to get his name and serial number.
He was a thin, small man with not long to live. His uniform hung on him like wet tissue paper. He still smiled. “Christ, can’t a fellow even die without signing out?” he asked. I gave him my army cross. He’d lost his in the water. A Catholic, he clutched it tightly in his hands. Through the sixth of June, it continued. Dusk and the firing continued, the stream of ships continued. There were rumors that we were being driven back into the sea. Counter-rumors that we were not. Dawn of the seventh. Men were tiring. Coffee and cigarettes wouldn’t keep them awake anymore. By nightfall of 88
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the seventh, almost a third of the men had all but collapsed. Then the order came to head back. I was too tired by now to know what that meant. Maybe we had been driven back into the sea. Maybe we’d finished our mission and we could go back to England for a while. I slept. Some four hours later, I was awakened and told to pack. We had arrived at Portsmouth Harbor. We filed ashore and were hurried to a marshalling area. It was around three in the morning and the town was asleep. But nobody cared there was no one to welcome home the conquering heroes. We were all too tired and consumed with thoughts of the men no one would ever welcome home again, the bodies on the beaches and floating now in the icy channel. The next morning, the men of the 204th were fed their first hot meal in 6 days and soon were preparing to go back out. This time to Colleville sur Mer, where the battalion was part of the all-out assault on Omaha Beach. For his part, my father was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation issued 12 July 1944 noted: “Kent landed with a Battalion Headquarters but volunteered to lead a rifle squad against a particularly deadly center of fire on the beach. With his inadequate squad pinned down by merciless mortar, machine gun and small arms fire, Technical Sergeant Kent displayed exceptionally meritorious and distinguished conduct far above the call of duty as he led his men forward toward their objective. Although twice wounded, Technical Sergeant Kent refused to be evacuated. Thus, painfully wounded, he continued to drag himself over the jagged rocks and rough terrain until he and his men reached a vantage point to set up their machine gun. From this point, he personally directed the fire of his crew to such an advantage that the enemy position was soon silenced.” Many brave men of the 204th AAA were lost during the D-Day operations, and still more when they took part six months later in the surge known as “The Battle of the Bulge.” For my father, and all those who have served and do serve, my humble thanks for your role in ensuring the freedom we all too often take for granted.
Generous Hearts by Susan Bonnett Bourgeois
EVERY PARENT WANTS what is best for their child, right? While many of us are confident that we know what that means, parents who receive an unexpected diagnosis can be thrown into a whole new world of what that looks like and where to turn for answers. Today, it is estimated that one in 59 children is diagnosed with autism and even more with other developmental disabilities. All too often, their parents feel overwhelmed with the sea of unknowns, unaware of the services and benefits available to help them and their children. Parents and caregivers throughout the state can now easily find services they need to support their children of all ages living with a developmental disability such as autism. The resource, Exceptional Lives, provides free information to help families access services and resources they need and navigate complicated disability-related processes in language that is easy to follow and understand. The interactive website provides information in two formats: stepby-step How-To guides to maneuver through complicated and often overwhelming processes and a trustworthy Resource Directory that provides information on more than 1,000 resources statewide. “I’m a mom of two amazing little boys. They are 8 and 10, and they have autism,” says Randi Stevens. “I have been using the Exceptional Lives resources for about a year now. It’s so nice to know that information and guides are at my fingertips, whereas before this was available, I would have to search for hours or days and maybe not even find an answer at all.” The Northshore Community Foundation joined our partners at the Baton Rouge Area Foundation when we learned of their work on this important issue. “We started this project because more and 90
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more children were being diagnosed with autism or other disabilities,” says John M. Spain, executive vice president, who oversees the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s long-term projects for civic good. “One of the first things we learned is that families need a helping hand after receiving a diagnosis. They are starting a journey that requires them to make difficult choices and find and interact with education, health and human services professionals.” Exceptional Lives aims to improve the lives of caregivers and their children by meeting them where they are, reducing stress by providing accurate, vetted, and easy-to-understand information, and supporting parents and caregivers with knowledge so they can more effectively advocate for their children. By doing so, it hopes to close the information gap between figuring out what information is needed and knowing where to can find it. It offers guidance in navigating the school system, knowing what government services are available, navigating health care or learning about what’s available in the community. Based in Massachusetts, Exceptional Lives was hired to build the platform which uses innovative web software to create personalized guides for adults with disabilities and parents and caregivers of children and young adults with disabilities. Each guide asks parents simple questions about their family, then uses their answers to display relevant, actionable information. “The Exceptional Lives website is great. I love this resource and will continue to share it with my colleagues, clients and their families!” says Elise McIver, PhD, BCBA, Ochsner Health System/ Health Center for Children - Live Oak.
photos courtesy:NORTHSHORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Help After a Developmental Disability Diagnosis
The information is available in plain language that is easy to read and understand, it is personalized with information tailored to each family’s situation, and it is action-oriented, turning complicated processes into manageable steps parents can take today. The website also has an interactive resource directory that lets users filter results by zip code, age of their child, disability type, services they need, and whether providers accept Medicaid. The Resource Directory also shows where the providers are located on a map. Data is updated at least every quarter to ensure it is always current and accurate. Parents can access the free guides and directory at any time through any device connected to the Internet. Those who have a question while using the guides or directory can get free phone or online support from the Exceptional Lives professional staff. Exceptional Lives is committed to returning EVERY call or message within a 24-hour period, knowing that timing is often critical. Whether it is questions about a new autism diagnosis, how to write an IEP, when to start the process for your child’s transition to adulthood, or how to apply for SSI, Exceptional Lives has the trustworthy and understandable information to help parents take the action they need. “The school aspect of the resource is phenomenal. Before, I would walk into a room with a bunch of people I do not know to discuss my child’s educational plan, and it was just intimidating—especially when the principal is there; everyone is afraid of the principal,” laughs Stevens. “But after learning about the process through Exceptional Lives, I go into school and now, instead of hearing three letters and not even understanding what they are, I know all about what the Individualized Education Plan is, does and how it can benefit my child. It is just a phenomenal resource and very empowering for parents.” ExceptionalLives.org/la was launched for families and professionals across Louisiana. The website is one result of a twoyear project by several foundations in Louisiana to improve autism services in the state. Though the autism project was focused in Baton Rouge, the Exceptional Lives platform includes information on resources and services throughout Louisiana for autism as well as other developmental disabilities. This interactive website was underwritten by Matt and Sherri McKay of All Star Automotive through a generous donation, and the McKay family have been deeply involved in increasing the availability of autism services and educational opportunities in Louisiana. Exceptional Lives is available via phone or text at 1-844-3541212, email at info@exceptionallives.org, or chat on the website exceptionallives.org/la at any time. Summer 2019 91
by Mimi Greenwood Knight
nuanced. St. Louis Cathedral, actually the CathedralBasilica of St. Louis King of France, can be said to be “the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the United States.” But as I learned recently, Our Lady of Guadalupe, on the corner of North Rampart and Conti, takes the prize for oldest NOLA church building, and it has a fascinating history to boot. The website NewOrleansChurches.com puts it this way: “Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is actually the oldest church building in New Orleans. Saint Louis Cathedral is often thought to be the city’s original church; however, the Cathedral building was rebuilt during its lifetime.” Although the Our Lady of Guadalupe building was constructed in 1826, 25 years before the existing cathedral, it has been closed and reopened several times while the cathedral remained in service, and has been many things to many people and many groups.
The Old Mortuary Church at Our Lady of Guadalupe As a rule, I try to avoid controversy on Facebook. But I broke my policy the other day when I posted this question: “What’s the oldest church in the city of New Orleans?” I got busy doing other things, and when I revisited my page, I had fifty replies. Everyone felt certain their answer was correct but— no surprise—they didn’t all agreed. Some said St. Patrick’s, others said St. Augustine, still others St. Joseph’s and about half said St. Louis Cathedral. None of those were the answer I was looking for. To be fair though, the “right” answer to this question—in true New Orleans style—is a bit more 92
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A historic marker in front of the church refers to it as “The Old Mortuary Chapel,” which current pastor Father Tony Rigoli, OMI, explains like this: “In 1826 in New Orleans, thousands of people were dying of yellow fever, and it was believed that the disease was being spread by exposure to dead bodies by transporting the dead through the city streets for burial. This was before they discovered that it was actually mosquitoes from cargo ships bringing yellow fever from the West Indies.” These were dire times in the city, and by the end of the epidemic, approximately one out of every twelve New Orleanians had died from yellow fever. To curtail the spread of the disease, the Catholic church banned burials in St. Louis Cathedral graveyard and constructed the mortuary chapel in what was then farmland surrounding the city and designated it the main burial location for New Orleans Catholic families. “Hundreds of funerals were ‘passing through the church’ each day on their way to St. Louis Cemetery #1,” says Father Tony. That began a tradition still in practice by New Orleans Catholic families today of “passing through” Our Lady of Guadalupe on the way to the cemetery.
photo:THOMAS B. GROWDEN
The Old Mortuary Chapel
Sanctuary for Soldiers “The mortuary church wasn’t an active parish, though,” says Father Tony. “It was only there for funerals, and once the epidemic was under control, the building sat empty. Then came the Civil War, and the church building was opened as a sanctuary for soldiers. Women were able to come here to care for sick and wounded soldiers; the men were safe, because it was still taboo to attack someone within a church.” Father Père Turgis used the church to hold services for Catholic members of the Confederate army. “Then after the war, there was an influx of Sicilians who came to work the plantations in place of the slaves,” says Father Tony. “They settled around the French Market (and now live mostly in the Ponchatoula, Independence, Hammond area). At that time, New Orleans held one of the largest Sicilian populations in the United States, and the mortuary church became St. Anthony’s Italian church, a thriving center of Italian life in New Orleans.”
St. Anthony’s Italian Church It was Bishop Napoléon-Joseph Perché who, in 1870, designated the church for use by this growing Italian immigrant community, which had been busting at the seams in a small church across from the Mint on Esplanade Avenue. “Churches in that day were very ethnic, as were neighborhoods,” explains Father Tony. “As different people groups immigrated to this country, they wanted to connect with their own people, and the church was a way for them to do that.” Eventually, the Italian population drifted farther west or moved to the >> Summer 2019 93
larger St. Anthony of Padua on Canal Street, and the church sat empty once again. Father Tony says the church was still shuttered in 1916, and the then-archbishop, John William Shaw, wanted it to be reopened. “(The diocese) took a guess at what the next big wave of immigrants to settle in New Orleans might be and predicted it would be from Mexico. Of course, that didn’t happen for another 90 years, after Hurricane Katrina.” But the church was renamed Our Lady of Guadalupe, in anticipation of an influx of South American Catholics.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Today, Father Tony says his is one of the most diverse congregations he’s ever seen. “I suppose we are 50 percent black, 40 percent Anglo and another 10 percent Vietnamese—and we all worship together. Our services are so lively and joyful that people visiting will look outside on the sign, to make sure they’re really in a Catholic church,” he laughs. Weekly masses include a popular jazz mass each Sunday at 9:30 and 11:30 featuring a full jazz band with horns, piano, organ, guitars, drums and soulful singers. In fact, you didn’t hear this from me, but Aaron and Charmaine Neville have each been known to show up unannounced and jump right in with the band. There’s also a dynamic Spanish-language mass, each Sunday at 1:00. During the 1950s, then-pastor Father Laux was named chaplain of the New Orleans Fire and Police Departments, and thus began a ministry to local firefighters and police officers. Today, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the official chapel for the NOLA Police and Fire departments, as depicted on a colorful mosaic to the right of the main altar and on plaques bearing the names of fallen police officers and firefighters.
The International Shrine of St. Jude The church is also home to The International Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus. Although a tradition of quarterly public novenas to St. Jude began at the church in the 1930s, the shrine was not built until 1976. A lovely and colorful mosaic alcove sits to the left of the main church altar, where during each novena, upwards of 3,500 candles burn for nine days at a time and hundreds of worshippers flock—some from out of state—to lift their petitions to the patron saint of lost causes. When St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital in Kenner was converted into an Ochsner facility in 1985, they offered Our Lady of Guadalupe the 17-foot 94
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statue of St. Jude, the largest in the world, which had stood in front of the hospital; it is now installed in the peace garden alongside the church.
Extensive Outreach Ministry Directly across the street, the church sponsors the St. Jude Community Center under the direction of Sister Beth Mouch, MSC. The center offers breakfast and lunch to around 140 underserved individuals a day, provides room and board for high school and college students embarking on mission projects in the area and temporary housing to homeless working women, and houses a food bank for low-income families. The weekday I visited Our Lady of Guadalupe, the center across the street was bustling with activity in preparation for the lunch hour. As the affable, white-haired priest emerged from the church office, shouts went up from those waiting in line. “I see you, Father Tony!” and “Come give me a hug, Father Tony.” The grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes, nestled between the church and the church office, was filled with formal and not-so-formal thank-yous to the saint and visitors lighting candles or obtaining holy water from a silver font. The tiny gift shop was crowded. Inside the church, the faithful, who were scattered about, kneeling and praying silently, lit up in recognition when they saw the priest enter. And preparations were already underway for the next quarterly novena. “New Orleans isn’t a city,” says Father Tony. “It’s an experience.” And for almost 200 years, the little church on the corner of North Rampart and Conti has been part of that experience, for tourists and residents from all faiths and walks of life. Cool facts about Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
• It was constructed by French architects Gurlie and Guillot for a cost of only $14,000. • The Gurlie and Guillot firm also built the Ursuline Convent and finished the Presbytere.
• Brick walls of the church are 20” thick and supported in a trapezoidal foundation measuring 20” thick composed of brick and cypress. • The brick floor and 12” interior walls are typical of construction of that day. • The exterior walls rise twenty feet, and the roof is slate installed on wood structure. • The Our Lady of Guadalupe Peace Garden houses the largest statue of St. Jude in the world. Summer 2019 95
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 2019
Modern Orthopedics by Leslie Cardé THE PRACTICE OF ORTHOPEDICS dates back to primitive man. Fossil evidence suggests that early man treated fractures with hand-carved wooden splints. Splinted femurs and forearms have been found in archaeological excavations dating to 300 B.C. Crutches have been depicted on Egyptian cave carvings, and the ancient Greeks treated fractures and dislocations with traction and casting. The modern medical practice of orthopedics has come a long way since fossil evidence showed early man attempting to treat bone fractures with handcarved wooden splints. But prehistoric man didn’t have one important problem that the modern man and woman face— osteoarthritis. This occurs when the joint cartilage and the underlying bone degenerate, causing boneon-bone friction when the pad of cartilage between bones disappears. This ordinarily occurs from middle age onward. Our prehistoric ancestors didn’t live long enough to have such problems. Active 50-somethings have already started the process of degeneration, especially if they partake in high-impact sports like running, or if they are overweight. For every pound of excess weight, about 4 pounds of extra pressure is exerted upon 96
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the knees—a key weight-bearing joint. So, a person who is 10 pounds overweight has 40 pounds of extra pressure on his knees. Excess weight puts a burden on both the knees and the hips, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Orthopedic surgeons know that when the cartilaginous pads disappear between the bony hinges of our joints, the remedy is often surgical reconstruction. But knee replacements and artificial hips, as they’re known, have seen big strides in terms of more sophisticated anesthesia and less-invasive surgical techniques. For many patients, having a local spinal, where a small needle with local anesthetic is injected in the lower lumbar spine, eliminates the need for general anesthesia. It is similar to an epidural, which some females have during childbirth. However, the difference is only a small amount of anesthesia is needed. The major benefits include less risk of nausea and vomiting following the operation, less postoperative pain, and in fact a greater capacity to walk sooner. Some patients have concern that they don’t want to be aware during the surgery, so most people also have an intravenous sedation which makes them unaware of anything happening during
their surgery. This form of anesthesia has also been shown to reduce the risk of both bleeding and the formation of blood clots. Additionally, reducing the amount of surgical trauma to the knee can now be achieved through minimally invasive surgery in which surgical incisions are much smaller, reducing the damage to soft tissue and promoting a faster recovery. As a side benefit, the scar is about onefourth the size. And we’re all become familiar with robots in the operating room; they are now often used in knee surgeries. Studies have shown that robots often have more accurate placement and alignment of implants. Of course, robotic surgery should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by you and your physician. Taking care of our bodies by eating nutritional foods, maintaining a proper weight, and limiting high-impact exercises can prevent the need for surgery, or at least delay it. But, if you’re in pain, or
can’t do the things you used to, it’s time to address the problem. Whether it’s a traumatic sports injury, a fracture amongst the elderly, or just the wear and tear that comes about with age and use, finding the right orthopedist is critical. Ask your primary care physician for recommendations. And, always ensure that the surgeon you choose is board certified. It’s easy to check with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery by going to their website, abos.org, or by calling them at (919) 929-7103.
A healthy and an osteoarthritic knee.
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Ortho Resources Culicchia Neurological Clinic Mandeville, Marrero and New Orleans • 504-934-8320 cnchearing.com Sarah McGuire, FNP-BC in collaboration with Moises Arriaga, MD is now seeing patients suffering from inner ear, balance and hearing disorders at our Northshore Clinic in Mandeville and in New Orleans-uptown and Marrero. Pinnacle Medical Network- Ortho Care Clinic Covington • 985-237-3337 orthocareurgentcare.com The OrthoCare clinic is a walk-in orthopedic clinic, staffed by Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons. The OrthoCare clinic is open Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm and has on-site diagnostics including X-Ray and MRI. Thibodaux Regional Medical Center Thibodaux • 985-447-5500 thibodaux.com Wellness Center of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center is the first of its kind in the state and among the finest in the nation, the medically directed Wellness Center is designed to improve the health and well-being of the region through prevention, fitness, education, rehabilitation, and focused sports and wellness services. Vantage Point Covington • 985-259-7774 vantagepointcovington.com Dr. Stewart B. Fresh is a sports chiropractor specializing in the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of athletic injures, and in the application of peaking and recovery programs for sports performance optimization. Westside Orthopedic Clinic Marrero • 504-347-0243 westsideortho.com Dr. Katz proudly serves the greater New Orleans area as one of NOLA’s finest Orthopedic Surgeons. Westside Orthopedic Clinic offers same day appointments and is accepting new patients.
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North Oaks Sports Medicine Coaches’ Seminar Coaches and athletic directors in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes are invited to save the date of Saturday, August 3, to attend the ninth annual North Oaks Sports Medicine Coaches’ Seminar from 8 a.m. to noon. The sminar is free, and registration is required. To sign up to attend, visit northoaks.org/coaches or call North Oaks Sports Medicine at (985) 230-5248. The North Oaks Sports Medicine team of experts will help participants tackle student-athlete safety through a series of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on skills training surrounding the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries. Topics of discussion will include sports nutrition; sports performance; and shoulder and knee surgery recovery. The seminar will be held in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center, located within North Oaks Diagnostic Center at 15837 Paul Vega, M.D., Drive in Hammond. Attendees will receive a participation certificate upon completion of the seminar. The annual coaches’ seminar is just one way North Oaks Sports Medicine works to prevent injuries and enhance performance of student-athletes. Other program features include free physical screenings provided annually to junior high and high school student-athletes of participating schools and athletic trainer coverage at many school-sponsored sporting events and practices. Saturday morning clinics also are held during football season offering free injury evaluation and physician referral. Summer 2019 99
Northshore Heart Walk by Annette Dowdle HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER 1 KILLER in this country. That means that today and every day, a man, woman or child dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds. The American Heart Association works every day to help build a healthier northshore free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. In fact, the Northshore Heart Walk is the only event in our community that is focused on increasing awareness of cardiovascular risks and offering information and tools to better your health. Working with the American Heart Association on this event, and leading the City-Wide Executive Challenge this year, is personal for me as I am a heart survivor. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with a heart condition called Supraventricular tachycardia. SVT is an abnormal rapid heartbeat that develops when the normal electrical impulses of the heart are disrupted. Although most cases of SVT are not considered to be dangerous or life threatening, frequent episodes can weaken the cardiac muscle over time and should therefore be addressed with medical intervention. I received help from educational resources like AHA and a monitor that has been implanted beneath my skin to record my heartbeat, which is then sent cellularly to my cardiologist. Thanks to my cardiologist and a healthy lifestyle, I’ve been symptom free for the last 3 years. Health problems cost corporate America 100
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nearly $300 billion each year in productivity losses, and the cost of treating heart disease and stroke is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. That means at least one of every three employees will need expensive ongoing therapy for high blood pressure, cholesterol or some other condition if we don’t all start to take action. So we had a decision to make. Will we, as “leaders” on the northshore be a part of the problem, or will we be part of the solution? With the help of the American Heart Association and this Challenge, we can all be a part of the solution by embracing a culture of cardiovascular health; thankfully, 80 percent of cardiovascular disease is PREVENTABLE. So I called on our northshore leaders to use their influence and leadership in a healthy competition that will aid the fight against our Number 1 killer. Thanks to many of our leaders on the northshore, I am proud to see how many stood up to raise funds for this important cause. All told, 22 northshore leaders participated, and we raised more than $62,000 for the 2019 City-Executive Leadership Challenge. I thank you all for standing up to help save lives, perhaps even the life of someone you know. I believe strongly in the American Heart Association and the Heart Walk and its mission and am grateful to all who participated with me in this Challenge. I am so proud to count on our community leadership in fighting heart disease with me on the northshore. Annette Dowdle is a volunteer and survivor with the American Heart Association and Senior VP with HUB International Gulf South
American Heart Association City-Wide Executive Challenge participants: Dennis Pasentine Florida Marine Transporters Elder Brown Continental Underwriters Annette Dowdle HUB International Dennis A Pasentine Florida Marine Transporters Johnny Pasentine Florida Marine Transporters Rhonda Bagby Humana Samantha Goodwin Cleco Power, LLC Rene Ragas Our Lady of the Angels Hospital Brian Laborde Laborde Products Thomas Brennan HUB International Katherine Carr Brenchley Shoes & Accessories C J Ladner State Farm Insurance Todd Whalley My Hospitality Maura Donahue DonahueFavret Contractors Kyle Kent Kent Design Build, Inc. Kevin Carr Sun Life Financial Angela Lambert Our Lady of the Angels Hospital Lori Murphy Inside Northside Laurie McCants Honda of Covington
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M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N
Arnold-Addison Ashley Elizabeth Arnold and Bryce Michael Addison wed in holy matrimony at the Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church. After arriving with her parents in a Rolls-Royce motor car, Ashley graced the aisle in a custom gown by Perla Orihela accented by her mother’s veil. Father Anthony McGinn presided, Vance Wolfe provided trumpet music, and Sarah Jane McMahon served as the cantor. The bridesmaids wore light pink, one-shoulder gowns complemented by bouquets of white blooms and greenery. To celebrate, guests reconvened paper lanterns designed by Luminous Events. Hedge walls holding filled glasses of champagne in the Country Club’s foyer greeted guests, as well as florals by Thibodeaux’s Floral Studio. Musical Fantasy Band, from Mobile, Alabama, brought guests onto the dance floor. LED flower crowns, customized sunglasses, LED foam sticks and LED tambourines lighted the party. A limbo pole dance-off and the bride’s Tri Delta college crew dancing to Rolling on the River on stage added to the fun. The newlyweds traveled to Italy and Greece for their honeymoon. 102
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photos: BRAD BURKEL, DU CASTEL PHOTOGRAPHY
at the New Orleans Country Club, entering the steps under a canopy of circular
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M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N
Franco-Salisbury Charles Drew Salisbury and Danielle Nicole Franco exchanged vows at The Other Side in Eleuthera, Bahamas. Guests arrived by boat to the ceremony where they were greeted with personalized cocktails and refreshments. The aisle, built over water, was lined with floral details leading to a scenic backdrop of the ocean. Hydrangeas, cymbidium orchids, white stock and hanging amaranthus dressed the intimate ceremony, while 18 of the couple’s closest family and friends served as the bridal party. Danielle’s maids wore their favorite dresses in shades of blue. Following the vows, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a beachside dinner accompanied by a string quartet. Dinner was served under a sailcloth tent with chandeliers hanging above. The bride’s cake was a triple-tiered buttercream cake with hydrangeas draping the side and the groom’s cake, photos: PERRY VAILE
a cookies-and-cream decorated half with the Saints logo and half with the University of Georgia logo. Creativity Band from Atlanta, Georgia, provided dancing tunes throughout the reception, and a second line, late-night snacks and a local Junkanoo performance closed out the festive evening. The couple honeymooned in Bali, Indonesia. Summer 2019 105
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M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N
Levenson-Guiza Lauren Elise Levenson and Taylor Payne Guiza married at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church. Escorted by her father, Dr. Leslie W. Levenson, Lauren donned a silk shantung off-the-shoulder trumpet gown and lacetrimmed cathedral length veil. Her maids dressed in blush gowns. The ceremony, officiated by Fr. Jacob DuMont, was complemented with music by vocalists Gregory Rittiner and Sarah Jane McMahon including Coeur de Jesus, the Academy of the Sacred Heart’s traditional song. Following the ceremony, NOPSI Hotel New Orleans set the scene for celebration. Entering the reception, crepe myrtles from Johnson Tropicals lined the Avenue at NOPSI along with flowers, greenery and candles from Federico’s Florist. A New Orleans photos: JULIA BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY
tricentennial book served as the guest book. The bride and groom danced to Someone Like You by Van Morrison and Choppa Style by Choppa to kick off the dancing. Mo’ Sol band from Atlanta, Georgia, played a mix of throwbacks and current hits including Tom Petty tunes—a favorite of the bride and groom. Lucky Dogs, flashing tambourines and glow sticks capped off the exciting night before the couple’s sparkler exit. Lauren and Taylor honeymooned in the French Riviera and Paris. Summer 2019 107
INside Peek Black & Gold Gala
photos courtesy: JEFFERSON CHAMBER
More than 900 guests joined the Jefferson Chamber to party on the turf of the New Orleans Saints indoor training facility at the Black & Gold Gala. The event, presented by Ochsner Health System and hosted by the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, was masquerade themed. The Gala featured an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres by Pigeon Caterers, more than 100 silent auction items, casino games, wine raffle, punch wall, champagne trailer, dancing and live musical entertainment by Dat Band. Patrons also had the opportunity to take photos with the Lombardi trophy, Super Bowl XLIV ring, HD Photobooth and photobooth inside of the champagne trailer. Proceeds from the Black & Gold Gala support the Jefferson Chamber’s efforts in public policy advocacy and quality of life initiatives.
Summer 2019 109
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photo courtesy: WYES
photo courtesy: WYES
INside Peek
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1. Lauren and Ken Flower at the WYES Passport to the World gala at the home of Sheryl and Bob Merrick. 2. Lisa and Karl Hoefer with Larry and Mary Kevin Kornman.
photo courtesy: WYES
3. Hosts Sheryl and Bob Merrick.
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4. St. Tammany Parish Hospital celebrating the opening of the level two pediatric intensive care unit. 4
photos courtesy: ECLECTIC HOME
Eclectic Home After Dark Eclectic Home recently hosted an after-hours event to launch the After Dark wallpaper series, a design collaboration by Casi St. Julian and Bradley Bowers. Guests and clients were invited to stop by the Oak Street store and nosh on small bites and custom cocktails. Penny Francis, and everyone at Eclectic Home, was on hand to welcome patrons into the showroom. Casi and Bradley greeted all and chatted about their new wallpaper series inspired by New Orleans Storyville. After Dark wallpaper is sold exclusively through Eclectic Home.
INside Peek 1. The Paretti family and many others gathered for the groundbreaking of the Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center on the Safe Haven campus. 2. Allison and Will Trist at St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Annual Leadership Recognition Celebration at
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Benedict’s Plantation. 3. Sue Osbon, Ph.D., Lindsey Osbon and Kellie Osbon.
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1. Graduates of the 2019 North Oaks Dietetic Internship Program celebrate: Nutritional Services Director Ann McDaniel-Hall, Brittney Rodriguez, Catherine Thomas, Brooke Bernier, Brenna Breaux, Ashley Eusea, Darien Loup, Allison
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Junca, Caitlin Bascle and Dietetic Internship Director Leslie Ballard. (Not pictured: Jacob Lalanne.) 2. Paulette Stewart and Chad Berg at an American Red Cross Tiffany Circle event at The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center. 3. Dr. Virginia Tatum, Gail McQuade and Marty McMahan. 4. Peggy Benit with her family vacationing in Spain.
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photo: Frank Aymami, Delgado Public Relations and Marketing
INside Peek
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7 1. St. Paul’s students (seated) Andrew Lacoste, Sean Hightower, Andrew Norlin, Ross Hightower, Briggs Cooper and Davis Lagarde; (standing) Josh Rovira, Zachary Nichols, Trey Paine, Thomas Bitterwolf, and Callan Danenhower after being presented medals for academic and extracurricular achievement. 2. Delgado Athletics, Nursing and Culinary Arts students greet guests at the Delgado Community College Foundation 2019 Roast of the Town fundraising event. 3. Marla Garvey and Joseph Canizaro at the Friends of Jefferson the Beautiful Tree School reception. 4. Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Cynthia Lee Sheng with Nora Vaden-Holmes. 5. Celeste Favrot, Chelsea Cusumano, Caroline Favrot, Katie Stansberry, (back) McKell Favrot, Max Cusimano, Collin Stansberry and Parker Favrot at the 2019 Gray Matters fundraiser. 6. Matt Weeks, Max Ferran, Jack Donahue, Debbie Bogantes, Lauren Laudun, David Dupre’, Bryan Hodnett, Maura Donahue, Patrick Descant, and John Donahue at DonahueFavret Contractors 40th Anniversary Party. 7. The DonahueFavret Contractor staff. 8. St. Tammany Quality Network Medical Director Michael K. Hill, MD, presenting James Connolly, MD, the first quarter Medical Director’s Award for work on treatment for ruptured eardrum.
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Orléans Club Closing Reception Orléans Club members and their spouses or guests gathered at the beautiful St. Charles Avenue clubhouse for the annual Closing Reception. Greeting them on the front porch were the Storyville Stompers, who later moved inside to the Presidents Room, providing background music during the evening. VIPs milling around were President Brenda Moffitt and Reception Chairman Adrienne Rynning with spouses Michael and Jonathan. The rooms of the club were filled with floral arrangements of roses, gerbera daisies and Louisiana iris, in hues of yellow, pink and white, beautifully arranged by Jennifer St. Paul, Kathy Singleton and Sherry McFadden. Chef Sarah Wood provided a delicious menu, including fried oysters with dill caper sauce, lamb lollipops with a mint julep reduction and asparagus gruyere torte passed by staff. To finish the evening, there were assorted sweets, including the chef’s famous pralines.
Summer 2019 115
INside Peek
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3 1. Ponchatoula police officer and former Cancer Center patient Donald Burton meets Saints punter Thomas Morstead. 2. Zoe Johnson, Lauren Goforth and Lori Paige at M.S. Rau Antiques’ opening reception of From Sea to Shining Sea: 200 Years of American Art. 3. Lyndon Lassiter and Michael Rudelson. 4. Rebecca Rau, Karim Ouazzi and Michael Farrell.
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1. The Northshore Food Bank breaking ground on the new building expected to open in November 2019 in downtown Covington. 2. Mothers Against Drunk Driving Louisiana gathered for the 27th New Orleans Walk Like MADD event, raising $32,000. 3. New Orleans Garden Society President Alice Reese and Mayfair owner Susanne Krieger during New Orleans Garden Society’s visit to the Mayfair House and Gardens. 4. The Ballard brothers with Covington Mayor Mike Cooper (second from right) at the ribbon cutting of WOW American Eats.
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INside Peek
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2 1. Susan Strain, Mayor Mike Cooper and Catherine Cooper at the Leadership St. Tammany Alumni Foundation’s Family Reunion BBQ. 2. The North Oaks Medical Center Trauma Program team and the first responders of Acadian AirMed Services celebrate the hospital’s reverification as a Level II Trauma Center. 3. Sheila Collins and Mimi Schlesinger at Longue Vue’s Spring Garden Seminar, featuring June May, who spoke about the flora at Downton Abbey. 4. United States Congressman Ralph Abraham, MD, of the 5th District of Louisiana, paying a visit to AVALA.
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Night at the Museum The Louisiana National Guard Foundation recently held the 2nd Annual Night at the Museum supporting their upcoming Cold War Exhibit. The event was held at the Jackson Barracks Museum. Guests enjoyed cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres while bidding on the silent auction items and visiting the Museum Open House. After a seated dinner, all were entertained by the music of Marty Peters and the Party Meters. All proceeds benefited exhibit development at the Louisiana National Guard Museums.
Summer 2019 119
IN Great Taste by Yvette Jemison
Savory Tarts
Puff pastry isn’t just for sweets.
PUFF PASTRY IS ONE of those workhorse ingredients that you should always keep in the freezer. It’s the shortcut that will have you baking savory tarts for a quick appetizer, a weeknight meal or a weekend brunch. Consider puff pastry a blank canvas that you can easily bake into an elegant creation. Transform your farmer’s market squash into a rich and tangy Zucchini and Goat Cheese Tart. For an even more flavorful treat, try our Peach and Prosciutto Tart. These easy-to-form tarts are as beautiful as they are delicious. Get creative with your favorite ingredients and let them shine in a savory tart.
Zucchini and Goat Cheese Tart Servings: 9 slices 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Roll out puff pastry to a 9x13-inch rectangle on a lightly floured sheet of parchment. Using a fork, prick the surface of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border. 3. Transfer dough and parchment onto a baking sheet. Place in freezer until frozen, about 30 minutes. 4. Crumble goat cheese over frozen puff pastry, staying within border. 5. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh thyme leaves together. Add zucchini and onions and toss to coat. 6. Arrange zucchini and onions on top of goat cheese. 7. Bake tart until edges of pastry are puffed and crisp, 30-35 minutes. Let tart cool for 5 minutes before cutting.
4 ounces goat cheese 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Peach and Prosciutto Tart Servings: 9 slices
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
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6 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
2 small zucchinis, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoon olive oil, divided
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh ground black pepper
Inside Publications
photos: YVETTE JEMISON
3 Tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated 6 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into pieces 1-2 peaches, sliced
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Roll out puff pastry to a 9x13-inch rectangle on a lightly floured sheet of parchment. Using a fork, prick the surface of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border. 3. Transfer dough and parchment onto a baking sheet. Place in freezer until frozen, about 30 minutes. 4. Brush 1 Tablespoon olive oil onto surface and edges of puff pastry. Sprinkle pastry with fresh ground black pepper. 5. Arrange cheese on puff pastry. Arrange prosciutto on top of cheese. 6. In a small bowl, toss peaches, the remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and fresh cracked pepper until peaches are well coated. Arrange peaches on tart. 7. Bake tart until edges of pastry are puffed and crisp, 20-25 minutes. Let tart cool 5 minutes before cutting. We’d like to see your version. Share your creation by tagging us on Instagram at @InsideNewOrleans. For more recipes go to YDelicacies.com or follow on Instagram at @y_delicacies. Summer 2019 121
Wine Cellar by Bill Kearney
THE MERE MENTION of white Burgundy as being “affordable” is certainly a mischaracterization to most. The prices of chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France have certainly seen huge increases during the last few years. The village-level wines of both Chassagne-Montrachet and PulignyMontrachet served as the obvious white wines of choice for those who enjoyed “Old World” wines versus the “New World” white wines of California.
Affordable White Burgundy As prices have increased for white Burgundies, lesser known appellations with a more reasonable price point have begun to curry favor with an American buying public that is seeking out more French wines. Indeed, the over-oaked and buttery American chardonnay wines seem to have worn out their welcome none too soon, as styles have changed to a more restrained and classic French style of white wine production. The desire for white Burgundy and escalation of prices has sent savvy consumers to try other options. Indeed, there are a plethora of different growing regions in Burgundy that focus on chardonnay production. In no certain order, some of the more widely recognizable names are Saint Aubain, Rully, Saint Romain, Montagny, Viré-Clessé and SaintVeran. Chablis is a large and very memorable white wine region that still produces some wonderful wines at pricing that will not create financial 122
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hardship. I am also a big proponent of finding white wines from excellent producers who make Bourgogne Blanc. Bourgogne Blanc are wines from anywhere in Burgundy, and thus are not centric to a specific village or region. When produced by a chateau with longevity and history, these wines are usually declassified from an excellent region, but their grapes do not make it into the final batch for production. The end product might be Bourgogne Blanc, but the quality often rivals lesser producers whose wines are classified from either PulignyMontrachet or ChassagneMontrachet. White wines from the Chablis region can also be a great area to find value and pleasure. It is not uncommon to find Premier Cru Chablis at an affordable price. However, you will need to be judicious in your shopping, as Chablis is certainly not immune from the price escalations seen through much of Burgundy. Village-level Chablis can also be a source of bargain shopping for white-wine drinkers. Two lesser-known appellations that I think are consistently producing very nice wines are Saint-Veran and ViréClessé. These two in particular seem to be very focused on raising their levels of quality, and their soils have the requisite
structure to make Burgundian-style chardonnay at prices you will not find offensive. The wines from Saint-Veran are only white and come from soils that are dry and have great minerality. These mineral qualities come through in the wine and provide structure and balance that serve to create wines with fruit flavors of lemons and pear with some hints of apple. The white wines of Viré-Clessé are among the driest in Burgundy and rival the levels of Chablis in terms of their austerity. The appellation is relatively new, having been granted status in 1999. These dry wines have even more pronounced levels of gunflint and minerality that are reflections of the limestone and clay soils that dominate this area. The wines of Viré-Clessé are wonderful for New Orleans summers and are great fun to have poolside. This summer presupposes to be another fairly warm summer, so finding the proper wine is important. The Burgundian wines of and Viré-Clessé should bring about high levels of enjoyment, while not creating a lasting impression upon your bank account. Rosé is always a great and cost-conscious summertime choice in New Orleans, but a diversity of consumption with chardonnay can be most enjoyable. I look forward to my next column, whereby I will detail my travels to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, what many describe as “The Holy Grail” of wine! Summer 2019 123
Haute Plates
Antoine’s
A selection of restaurants and haute dishes found around the northshore and New Orleans.
Briquette
Café Beignet
NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS
713 ST. LOUIS ST.
701 SOUTH PETERS ST.
(504) 581-4422
504-302-7496
NEW ORLEANS
ANTOINES.COM Established in 1840, Antoine’s
BRIQUETTE-NOLA.COM Award-winning contemporary
FRENCH QUARTER
CAFEBEIGNET.COM Since 1990, Café Beignet has expanded into three locations, with
Caffe! Caffe!
4301 CLEARVIEW PKWY.
METAIRIE, 504-885-4845 3547 N. HULLEN ST.
METAIRIE, 504-267-9190 CAFFECAFFE.COM
is the oldest French-Creole fine
coastal cuisine featuring Gulf
another soon to open. Each location
In 1992, Lisa and Gerald
dining restaurant in New Orleans.
seafood and fish, beef, lamb, chicken,
offers something unique to visitors,
Beck opened the first Caffe! Caffe!,
Enjoy the Summer $20.19 lunch
Maine Lobster and unique chef
including live jazz, cocktails, outdoor
a friendly neighborhood café that
special above. Three courses,
specials daily. Lunch, Dinner, Happy
seating (with pet friendly areas),
would be a gathering place for
available Monday–Saturday. Also
Hour, Private Parties. Make your
and classic New Orleans dishes to
business, pleasure and after dinner
featured, 25-cent cocktail of the day.
reservations on OpenTable.
complement beignets.
coffee and dessert. Meet me at … Caffe! Caffe!
Ceasar’s Ristorante
Half Shell Oyster House
New Orleans Creole Cookery
MANDEVILLE
COVINGTON
NEW ORLEANS 504-524-9632
408 N. CAUSEWAY BLVD. 951-2626
CEASARSRISTORANTE.NET Offering traditional and
70367 HWY 21 276-4500
HALFSHELLOYSTERHOUSE.COM Local Gulf oysters and a variety
WOW American Eats
508 TOULOUSE ST.
13130 LA HWY 1085, STE. 103
NEWORLEANSCREOLECOOKERY.COM
WOWAMERICANEATS.COM
Experience the traditional
COVINGTON
Newly opened, WOW American
Creole tastes of New Orleans in the
Eats in Covington features patio
innovative authentic Italian food
of Gulf Coast seafood with a New
historic French Quarter. Specialties
seating, kiosk ordering and an
made from scratch sourcing fresh
Orleans flair and influence that
include jambalaya, crawfish
iPourIT Draft Beer wall. Serving
local ingredients in their season.
extends throughout our ambience
étouffée, shrimp creole and raw and
breakfast, lunch and dinner seven
Come enjoy the good food, Italian
and menu. Steaks, chicken, pasta and
chargrilled oysters on the half shell.
days a week! Located next to Rouses
wine, and elegant atmosphere.
so much more. Lunch, dinner, daily
Craft cocktails and signature drinks
in the Copperstill Marketplace, across
happy hour, Sunday brunch.
with Happy Hour, weekdays 3-6pm.
from Hannan High School.
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INside Dining New Orleans and the northshore are home to more great restaurants than we could hope to list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fizmorris’ nomenu.com. In this guide, you will find some of the best bets around town. Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown. ABITA SPRINGS Abita Brew Pub a 72011 Holly St., 892-5837 Abita Springs Café aa 22132 Level St., 400-5025 Camellia Café Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine, 69455 Hwy. 59, 809-6313 Mama D’s Pizza & More aa 22054 Hwy. 59, 809-0308
Sugar Park 3054 St. Claude Ave., 504.942.2047. Suis Generis aaa Eclectic, 3219 Burgundy St., 504-309-7850. The Joint aaa Barbecue, 701 Mazant, 504-949-3232 . Wing Snack 2540 Desire St., 504943-1869. CARROLLTON, RIVERBEND AND BROADMOOR Babylon Café aaa Middle Eastern, 7724 Maple St., 504-314-0010
Bacchanal American Gourmet, 600 Poland Ave., 504-948-9111. Cafe Dauphine aaa Creole Homestyle, 5229 Dauphine St., 504309-6391. Cafe Henri Neighborhood Cafe, 800 Louisa St. Cast Iron Rose Creole Homestyle,
5340 St Claude Ave. 504-309-8560
Cheesy Cajun Sandwiches, 3325 St Claude Ave., 504-265-0045. Elizabeth’s aaa Creole Homestyle, 601 Gallier, 504-944-9272. Golden Feather Bistro Creole Homestyle, 704 N. Rampar, 504266-2339. Jack Dempsey’s aa Seafood, 738 Poland Ave., 504-943-9914. Jughead’s Sandwiches, 801 Poland Ave., 504-304-5411. Kayla’s Creole Homestyle, 3036 St Claude Ave., 504-949-3477. Mariza aaaa American Gourmet, 2900
Basil Leaf aaa Thai, 1438 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-9001 Boucherieaaaa Southern Barbecue, 1506 S. Carrollton Ave., 504862-5514 Brigtsen’saaaa Contemporary Creole, 723 Dante St., 504-861-7610 Cooter Brown’s Tavern aaa Sandwiches, 509 S. Carrollton Cowbell aa Hamburgers, 8801 Oak St., 504-866-4222 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 5030
Pizza Delicious 617 Piety, 504-6768482. Red’s Chinese aaa 3048 St. Claude Ave., 504-304-6030. Satsuma Cafe Breakfast, Lunch Cafe.
Hana aaa Japanese, 8116 Hampson, 504-865-1634 Jacques-Imo’s aaa Cajun, 8324 Oak St., 504-861-0886 Lebanon’s Café aaa Middle Eastern, 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-862-6200 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen aaa Pizza, 615 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-866-5900
Ave., 504-945-9059.
504-584-3911
Mikimoto aaaa Japanese, 3301 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-488-1881 Mona’s Café aa Middle Eastern, 1120 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-861-8174 Panchita’saaa Central American, 1434 S. Carrollton Ave., 504-281-4127
Hampson St., 504-862-5252 Riccobono’s Panola Street Café aa Breakfast, 7801 Panola St., 504-314-1810 Vincent’saaaa Italian, 7839 St. Charles Ave., 504-866-9313 Ye Olde College Inn aaa
Tap Room aa American, 817 Common St, 504-827-1651 Lucky Rooster aaa Pan-Asian,
Ave., 504-378-2840 Morton’s The Steakhouse aaa Steak, 365 Canal St. (Canal Place Mall), 504-566-0221 Windsor Court Grill Room aaa American, 300 Gravier St., 504522-1994 Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill. Hamburgers. 1 Poydras St. (Riverfront). 504-247-9265 Restaurant August aaaaa Eclectic, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-299-9777 COVINGTON Abita Roasting Company 1011 Village Walk, 246-3345 Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 1202 US 190, Covington, 985246-6155 Albasha aa Mediterranean, 1958 Hwy. 190, 867-8292 Annadele’s Plantation aaaa 71518
with South Louisiana soul, 70437 LA-21, 893-2450 Barrel Wine Bar Wine, small plates and more, 69305 LA 21, Ste. E, 272-8485 Bear’s Restaurant aa Po-boys, 128 W. 21st St., 892-2373 Beck ‘n’ Call Cafe 534 N. New Hampshire, 985-875-9390 Bud’s Broiler aa Hamburgers, 1250 N. US 190, 985-803-8368 Buster’s Place aa 519 E. Boston St., 809-3880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks. Open seven days a week. Lunch, dinner. MCC. Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 985871-6674 CC’s Coffee House Coffee and pastries, 1331 N Hwy 190., 985-
Magazine St., 504-524-3386
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Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 234-A Lee Ln., 985-893-6158 Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill aa 434 N. Columbia St., 985-898Copeland’s aa Creole, 680 N. US 190, 985-809-9659 Creole, 629 N. US 190,
Carrollton Ave., 504-866-3683
Bon Ton Café aaa Cajun, 401
d
Charles Ave., 504-524-4114 Legacy Kitchen’s Oyster Counter +
Neighborhood Café, 3000 S.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
e
Dakota aaaa Contemporary
Chestnut St., 809-7669
937 Leonidas St., 504-861-9600
d
Herbsaintaaaa Creole French, 701 St.
bacobar, International street food
Mat & Naddie’s aaaa Eclectic,
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0899
Drago’saaaa Seafood, 2 Poydras St.,
7623 Maple St., 504-314-9003
Shank Charcuterie Sandwiches, 2352 Stewart’s Diner 3403 N Claiborne
6020
Maple Street Café aaa Creole Italian,
3218 Dauphine, 504-304-5962. St. Claude Ave., 504-218-5281.
St. (Roosevelt Hotel), 504-648-
Freret St., 504-899-6883
Central American, 8120
504-267-4776.
Domenicaaaaa Italian, 123 Baronne
515 Baronne St., 504-529-5825
Melba’s 1525 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-
Oxalis aa Pub Food, 3162 Dauphine,
Charles Ave., 504-523-7600
Lüke aaa French, 333 St. Charles
Pupuseria La Macarena aaa
267-7765.
Desi Vega’s aaaa Steak, 628 St.
720 Dublin St., 504-861-9696
Chartres St., 504-598-5700.
N7 French, 1117 Montegut St.
s
Barcelona Tapas aaa Spanish,
Ave., 504-866-9104 BYWATER AND DOWNTOWN
n
900-2241 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 985-892-5396
Covington, 985-892-3712 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy. 21, 985-871-2225 DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa 700 S. Tyler St., 985-276-6460 Don’s Seafood Hut aa 126 Lake Dr., 985-327-7111 The English Tea Room aaa 734 Rutland St., 985-898-3988 Fat Spoon Café aa 2807 N Highway 190., 985-893-5111 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler St., Covington, 985-892-9992 Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food 200 River Highlands Blvd., 985327-7420 The Green House Salad Co Signature salads made to order, 104 Lake Dr, 898-6380 Habanero’s 69305 Highway 21, Ste. 600, 985-871-9760 Half Shell Oyster House 70367 Hwy 21, Ste 100, 985-276-4500 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw 190, Covington, 985-400-5202 La Casa de Sabores 324 East Boston St, 985-900-2297 Lola aaa 517 N. New Hampshire St., 985-892-4992 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E. Gibson St., Covington, 985892-0708 McAlister’s Deli 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15, 985-898-2800 Megumi of Covington aaa 1211 Village Walk, 985-893-0406 Mellow Mushroom aa Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, 1645 N. Hwy. 190, 985-327-5407 Meribo Modern Italian, 326 Lee Ln, 985-327-5407 Mugshots Grill & Bar 300 River Highlands Blvd., 985-893-2422 New Orleans Food & Spiritsaaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 985-875-0432 Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Cafè 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste. 5, 985-893-1488 Outback Steakhouse aa 60 Park Place Dr., 893-0505. Australian-
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themed cuisine. outback.com.
Steak, 215 Bourbon St., 504-
MCC.
335-3932
Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 400-5663 Creole, 69305 Hwy 21, Covington, 985-893-3603 Pat’s Seafood 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 985-892-7287 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 70456 Hwy. 21, 985-875-7894 Pizza Man of Covington aaa 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 985-892-9874 Raising Canes 1270 N. Hwy. 190, 985-809-0250 Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian, 501 E. Boston St., Covington, 985-875-1006 Sala Thai 315 N. Vermont St., 985249-6990 Sweet Daddy’s 420 S. Tyler St., 985898-2166 TCBY 70488 Hwy 21, 985-892-9000 Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys a 515 E. Boston St., 985-893-9336 Yujin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar aaa 323 N. New Hampshire St., 809-3840. MCC. Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr., Covington, 985-327-0520 FRENCH QUARTER Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 724 Iberville St., 504-522-5973 Antoine’s aaaa Creole French, 713 St. Louis St., 504-581-4422 Arnaud’s aaaa Creole French, 813 Bienville St., 504-523-5433 Bayona aaaa Eclectic, 430 Dauphine St., 504-525-4455 Bombay Club aaa Contemporary Creole, 830 Conti St., 504-5772237 Bourbon House aaa Seafood, 144 Bourbon St., 504-522-0111 Brennan’s Contemporary Creole, 417 Royal St., 504-525-9711 Broussard’s aaaa Creole French, 819 Conti St., 504-581-3866 Court of Two Sisters aaa Creole French, 613 Royal St., 504-5227261 Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse aaa
Peter St., 504-525-1486
9752 Frank’s aaa Creole Italian, 933 Decatur St., 504-525-1602 Galatoire’s aaaa Creole French, 209 Bourbon St., 504-525-2021 Galatoire’s 33 Bar & Steak aaa
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One Thirteen Restaurant New American cuisine, 113 N Oak St,
985-402-3481
Bienville St., 504-529-8811
Kingfish aaaa Cajun, 337 Chartres Mr. B’s Bistro aaaa Contemporary
985-956-7099 Tommy’s on Thomas Pizza, 216 W.
Creole, 201 Royal St., 504-5232078 Muriel’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 801 Chartres St., 504568-1885
Thomas St., Tope là Contemporary delights, 104 N. Cate St., 985-542-7600 Yellow Bird Café 222 E. Charles St., 985-345-1112
New Orleans Creole Cookery Classic 524-9632
HARAHAN Charles Sea Food aaa Seafood, 8311 Jefferson Hwy., 504-405-
534 St. Louis St., 504-522-6652 Palace Café aaa Contemporary Creole, 605 Canal St., 504-5231661 Pelican Club aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 312 Exchange Place, 504523-1504 Port of Call aaa Hamburgers, 838 Esplanade Ave., 504-523-0120 R’evolution aaaa Creole French, 777 Bienville, 504-553-2277 SoBou aaa Contemporary Creole, 310 Chartres St., 504-552-4095 The Country Club Contemporary Creole, 634 Louisa St., 504-9450742 Trinity aaa Contemporary Creole, 117 Decatur St., 504-325-5789 Vacherie aaa Creole Homestyle, 827 1/2 Toulouse St., 504-207-4532
GARDEN DISTRICT Contemporary Creole, 1403 Washington Ave., 504-899-8221 Coquette aaaa Creole French,
5263
Hamburgers, 1640 Hickory Ave., 504-575-3581
HappyItalianaaa Italian, 7105 Jefferson Hwy., 504-305-4666 Kim Anh’s Noodle House aaa
Vietnamese, 6624 Jefferson Hwy., 504-739-9995
Koz’s aa Sandwiches, 6215 Wilson St., 504-737-3933 Oak Oven aaa Italian, 6625 Jefferson Hwy., 504-305-4039 Red Wagon Neighborhood Café, 6611 Jefferson Hwy., 504-737-3610 Seither’s aaa Seafood, 279 Hickory Ave., 504-738-1116 Shimmy Shack aa Sandwiches, 855 Taqueria Corona aaa Mexican, 1827 Hickory Ave. # A, 504-738Zea Rotisserie & Cafe American, 1655 Hickory Ave., 504-738-0799
Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 985882-9443 LAKEVIEW Cava aaaa New Orleans Style, 785 Harrison Ave, New Orleans LA 70124, 504-304-9034
7697
El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 300 HAMMOND Brady’s 110 SW Railroad Ave., 985542-6333. Don’s Seafood & Steak House 1915 S. Morrison Blvd., 985-345-8550 Jacmel Inn aaaa 903 E. Morris St., 985-542-0043 Kirin Sushi 223 S. Cate St., 985-5428888
LA-21, 985-845-2348 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville, Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar aa 702 Water St., 985-845-4970 Orlando’s Seafood, 304 Hwy. 22
MANDEVILLE Another Broken Egg Cafe Breakfast, 1901 US 190, #7, 985-951-2246 The Barley Oak Serving 130 styles of beer, 2101 Lakeshore Dr., 985727-7420 Beach House Neighborhood Cafe, 124 Girod, 985-624-9331 Bistro Byronz aa American, 1901 Highway 190, 985-951-7595 Bosco’s Italian Café aaa 2040 Hwy. 59, 985-624-5066 Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole, 2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 985-624-9007 Ceasar’s Ristorante aa Authenic Italian cuisine, 408 N Causeway Blvd, 985-951-2626 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 3517 Hwy. 190, 985-674-0560 Causeway Blvd., 985-727-4984 Creole Tomateaux Authentic Creole 951-2650 Daisey Dukes 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Ste 13, 985-951-2140 El Paso Mexican Grill 3410 US 190, 985-624-2345
Jack Rose 2031 St. Charles Ave.,
2111 St. Charles Ave., 504-679-
Louisiana seafood dishes, 305
Cuisine, 1851 Florida St., 985-
504-525-4937
Mr. John’s Steakhouse aaaa Steak,
St., 985-246-3340 Crabby Shack & Po-Boys aaa
Coscino’s Pizza aa Italian, 1809 N.
6722
Creole, 1300 St. Charles Ave.,
504-523-1500
MADISONVILLE Abita Roasting Company 504 Water
Ave., 504-305-4833 Desi Vega’s Prime Burgers & Shakes
LACOMBE
Delmonico aaaa Contemporary
Harrison Ave., 504-289-8025
West, 985-845-4446
2800 Magazine St., 504-2650421
488-8981 Triple B’s Hamburgers & Wine Bar, 911
Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1821 Hickory
Dock St., 504-729-4442 Commander’s Palace aaaaa
Creole, 888 Harrison Ave., 504-
985-845-9940
Creole, 510 Toulouse St., 504NOLA aaaa Contemporary Creole,
Steak Knife aaa Contemporary
Salty Joe’s BBQ 43344 S. Range Rd,
St., 504-598-5005
2467 French Market Place, 504-525-
985-419-9990
Irene’s Cuisine aaaa Italian, 529
Steak, 716 Iberville St., 504-522El Gato Negro aaa Mexican, 81
Cuisine 108 N.W Railroad Ave.,
Gumbo Shop aaa Creole, 630 St.
E Boston St., Covington, 985Pardo’s aaaaa Contemporary
La Carreta Authentic Mexican
Harrison Ave., 504-488-0107 Mondo aaa Eclectic, 900 Harrison Ave., 504-224-2633 Munch Factory aaa Contemporary Creole, 6325 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-324-5372 Ralph’s On The Park aaaa Contemporary Creole, 900 City Park Ave., 504-488-1000
Fat Spoon Café aa 68480 Hwy. 59., 985-809-2929. Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-624-9704 Franco’s Grill Fresh organic foods, 100 Bon Temps Roule, 985-7920200 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985626-4342 Gio’s Villa Vancheri aaa 2890 E. Causeway App., 985-624-2597 K. Gee’s aaa Seafood, 2534 Florida St., 985-626-0530.
i La Carreta aaa Mexican, 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 985-624-2990 La Madeleine aa French, 3434 US 190, 985-626-7004 The Lakehouse aaa Contemporary Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 985-626-3006 LaLou Breakfast, 200 Girod St., 985231-7125 Leonardo’s Trattoria & Pizzeria Authentic Sicilian dishes, 2625 Florida St, 985-788-2550 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 590 Asbury Dr., 504-727-1532 Liz’s Where Y’At Diner aaa 2500 Florida, 985-626-8477 Lama’s St. Roch Seafood and Cajun style entrees, 1814 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville, 985-951-2135 Mande’s 340 N. Causeway App., 985626-9047 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 4240 La 22, Mandeville, 985674-9883 Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246 Girod St., Mandeville, 985-626-5619 The Old Rail Brewing Company a Homemade American cuisine, 639 Girod St., 985-612-1828 Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant and Bar aaaa 527 N. Causeway
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Andrea’s aaa Italian, 3100 19th St., 504-834-8583 Andy’s Bistro aaa American, 3322 N. Turnbull Dr. 504-455-7363 Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West Esplanade Ave., 504-888-5533 Caffe! Caffe! aa Breakfast, 4301 Clearview Pkwy., 504-885-4845; 3547 N. Hullen., 504-267-9190 Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320 Veterans Blvd., 504-8376696; 1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 504-305-4833 Dat Dog a Craft Hot Dogs, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd. (Lakeside Mall), 504-304-7005 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., 504-888-9254 Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., 504-455-1545 Legacy Kitchen aa American. 759 Veterans Memorial Blvd. 504309-5231 Riccobono’s Peppermill aaa Creole Italian, 3524 Severn Ave., 504455-2266 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd., 504888-3600 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325 Veterans Blvd., 504-833-7477 Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411 Chastant St., 504-885-2984
Blvd, 985-778-2820 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 2963 Hwy. 190, 985-674-1565 Poke Loa Louisiana’s freshest poke bowls, 1810 N Causeway Blvd, 985-778-0444 Pontchartrain Po-Boys aaa 318 Dalwill Dr., 985-626-8188 Raising Canes 3801 Hwy. 22, 985674-2042 Rip’s on the Lake aa 1917 Lakeshore Dr., 985-727-2829 Rob’s Rockin’ Dogs 2890 E Causeway Approach Ste B, 985-231-7688 Rusty Pelican aa 500 Girod St., 985-778-0364 SWEGS Kitchen Healthy pre-made comfort food, 4350 Hwy 22, Ste H, Mandeville, 985-951-2064 Times Grill a 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., 985-626-1161 Trey Yuen Cuisine of China aaa Quality China cuisine with Louisiana flair, 600 N. Causeway Blvd., 985-626-4476
NEW ORLEANS EAST Castnet Seafood aaa Seafood speciality, 10826-1/2 Hayne Blvd., 504-244-8446 Deanie’s on Hayne aaa Seafood, 7350 Hayne Blvd., 504-2486700 Messina’s Runway Cafe Creole Homestyle, 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd., 504-241-5300 PONCHATOULA Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant 30160 Hwy. 51, 985-386-6666 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave., 985-370-0930 SLIDELL A Touch of Italy Café 134 Pennsylvania Ave., 985-639-0600 Assunta’s aaa Italian, 2631 Covington Hwy., 985-649-9768 Blue House Grill Sandwiches, 2170 Gause Blvd W., 985-288-5544 Cafe Luke Breakfast and brunch favorites plus Dinner Theatre, 153
METAIRIE Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 3000 Veterans Blvd., 504-3094056
Robert St., 985-707-1597 Camellia Cafe aaa 525 Hwy. 190, 985-649-6211. Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340
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Summer 2019 127
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Mais Arepas aaaa South American, 1200 Carondelet St., 504-523-
Copeland’s aa Creole, 1337 Gause Blvd., 985-643-0001 El Paso Mexican Grill 1100 Robert Blvd, 985-445-1450
6247 Meril Contemporary Creole, 424 Girod St., 504-526-3745 Pêche Seafood Grill aaa Seafood, 800
Gallagher’s on Front Street 2306
Magazine St., 504-522-1744
Front St., 985-326-8350
RestaurantRebirthaaaaFrench-Creole,
Nathan’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., Slidell, 985-643-0443 Palmettos on the Bayou aa 1901 Bayou Ln., 985-643-0050 Peck’s Seafood Restaurant 2315 Gause Blvd. E., 985-781-7272 Speckled T’s Seafood, 158 S Military
857 Fulton St., 504-522-6863 Seaworthy Oysters and Cocktails, 600 Carondelet St., 504-930-3071 Tomas Bistro aaaa Creole French, 755 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-5270942 Tommy’s Cuisine aaaa 746 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-581-1103
Rd., 985-646-1728 The Blind Tiger Slidell 37330 Lakeshore Marina Dr, 985-7071082
WEST BANK Kim Son aaa Vietnamese, 349 Whitney Ave., 504-366-2489
Times Grill 1827 Front St., 985-639-
Legacy Kitchen Steak + Chop aa American, 91 Westbank Expy.,
3335 Vera’s aaa Seafood, 2020 Gause Blvd W., 985-690-9814 Zea aaa American, 173 Northshore
504-513-2606 O’Brien’s aaaa Steak, 2020 Belle Chasse Hwy., 504-391-7229
Blvd., Slidell, 985-327-0520 WEST END AND BUCKTOWN UPTOWN Bistro Daisy aaaa Creole French, 5831 Magazine St., 504-8996987
The Blue Crab aaa Seafood, 7900 Lakeshore Dr., 504-284-2898 Deanie’s Seafood aa Seafood, 1713 Lake Ave., 504-831-4141
Clancy’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 6100 Annunciation St., 504-895-1111 Dick & Jenny’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 4501 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-894-9880 Gautreau’s aaaa American, 1728 Soniat St., 504-899-7397 Patois aaaa Creole French, 6078 Laurel St., 504-895-9441 Upperline aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1413 Upperline St., 504891-9822
Lakeview Harbor aaa Hamburgers, 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504486-4887 Landry’s Seafood House a 8000 Lakeshore Dr., 504 283-1010. New Orleans Food & Spirits aaa Seafood, 210 Hammond Hwy., 504-828-2220 R&O’s aaa Seafood, 216 Old Hammond Hwy., 504-831-1248 Sala Small plates and great cocktails, 124 Lake Marina, 504-513-2670 Station 6 aaa Contemporary Creole, 105 Metairie-Hammond Hwy.,
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT AND CENTRAL CITY Annunciation aaaa Contemporary Creole, 1016 Annunciation St., 504-568-0245 Briquette Contemporary Coastal Cuisine, 701 S. Peters St., 504302-7496 Cochon aaa Cajun, 930 Tchoupitoulas St., suite A, 504-588-2123 Legacy Kitchen’s Craft Tavern aa Refined American Fare, 700 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-613-2350 Emeril’saaaaa Contemporary Creole, 800 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-5289393 Gianna Italian, 700 Magazine St., Suite 101, 504-399-0816
128
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504-345-2936. Two Tony’s aaa Creole Italian, 8536 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-282-0801 WESTWEGO Amy’s Seafood 100 West Bank Expy. 504-348-9285. Avenue Restaurant 750 Larroussini St., 504-371-7850. Estralita’s Homestyle Creole, 1022 Westbank Expy., 504-340-8517. Joe’s Southern Eatery 812 West Bank Expy., 504-941-7714. Mo’s Pizza aa 1112 Avenue H., 504341-9650. Mosca’s aaa Italian, 4137 US 90., 504436-9942. Thea’s Harbor Light Homestyle Creole, 27 Louisiana., 504-309-8077
FOR THE FIRST TIME in New Orleans history, Fidelity Bank and the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation are celebrating women in the hospitality industry with the launch of P.O.W.E.R. Palates. The month-long celebration of women in the hospitality industry is part of Fidelity’s “Potential of Women Entrepreneurs Realized” program. To date, 30 women-led restaurants and bars are participating in the first-of-its-kind program. The goal of the program is to raise awareness and drive business to women-led restaurants and bars in the New Orleans area. For the entire month of July, participating businesses will feature a food or drink item with sales from those items benefitting the LHF. Featured items from each restaurant can be found at louisianahospitalityfoundation.org/featured_ items. Customers of these businesses can also enter to win a prize containing gifts and gift cards from all participating restaurants and bars by entering at powerpalates.com.
photo courtesy: ANNA TUSA
P.O.W.E.R. Palates “This is the first time women in the New Orleans hospitality industry have been highlighted for their critical role in making the city the food and drink capital of the world,” says Elizabeth Broekman, Fidelity Bank Associate Vice President and Director of P.O.W.E.R. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation and helping them with their mission of supporting Louisiana’s hospitality industry workforce.” Each restaurant or bar will also choose POWERful women from their business who embody the entrepreneurial spirit and give back to the New Orleans community.
“Women in the New Orleans hospitality industry have a tremendous impact on not only our city, but our entire state,” says LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley. “Programs like Fidelity Bank’s P.O.W.E.R. program are crucial in bringing women to the forefront and highlighting their successes, and P.O.W.E.R. Palates is the perfect way to showcase these amazing women.” Organizers plan to bring the program back in 2020 and potentially expand it to other cities in Louisiana.
Anna Tusa, P.O.W.E.R. member and proprietor of Briquette and New
For more information, a list of participating restaurants and more, visit powerpalates.com.
Orleans Creole Cookery. Summer 2019 129
IN Other Words by Becky Slatten
Is it Hot Enough for You? ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY in mid-May, I found myself in conversation with a little old lady from up north. She asked me, “Is the weather always like this?” “Oh no,” I replied. “We’re having a cool spell. Isn’t it wonderful? It feels like California!” She stared at me like I had three heads as she began to vigorously fan herself. “No, it does not feel like California.” With that, she turned away from me as if I were personally responsible for 84 degrees and 62 percent humidity—and there I was, feeling all proud of Louisiana for serving up some nice weather for that ungrateful Yankee from Wisconsin. I sometimes forget that many of our visitors aren’t used to living in a sauna; inconceivably, some places actually still get snow in May! It’s all about how we’re acclimated, I guess. Growing up in the ’60s, like most Southern children, we played outside from morning ’til dusk, and no one had to make us go outside because outside was way more fun than inside. I don’t ever remember it being too hot to go out and play— summer was hot, and that was just life. These days, kids collapse from heat exhaustion walking from the house to the car. I heard one mom telling another that it was too hot for her kids to play outside— what?! Do you not own a garden hose, woman? Or a sprinkler? I had something of a flashback after eavesdropping on those young mothers. I was back in 6th grade 130
Inside Publications
on the day after Christmas, wearing my new plaid bell bottoms, watching the neighbor kids play their new video game: Pong. And just like that, children all around the world developed an air conditioner dependency, which has become worse with each leap in technology. Those young moms were probably raised on Atari. We air conditioned adults are probably lost causes, but for the love God, lock your kids out of the house for an hour with a garden hose. They don’t even know what they’re missing. Now, it’s just a pet peeve of mine, but having the fact that it’s hot outside constantly brought to my attention is just a tad annoying. If you were born in a state that touches the Gulf of Mexico, you’ve probably noticed that it’s more often hot than not where you live. It’s also humid. If it’s not hot or humid, that just means it’s either our 5 minutes of fall or spring, or it’s winter and that, too, will be over soon; in my opinion, constantly talking about it just makes it hotter. But I have to confess that I’m somewhat hypocritical; I find myself doing it too. It’s kind of a reflex thing. When we step out of the cool into the sauna, it just takes the breath away, and we have to make sure that everyone is informed that it is indeed hot. And humid. Native Louisianians have no excuses; we just can’t help ourselves. But for those of you who are new to the area, I have some bad news. It’s gonna be a scorcher—until November.
