Proof

iver parishe R S MAGAZINE

Fall 2017 Edition Medical Mission To Uganda

Fun In The Sun Turns To Poolside Lifesaving Action

A Special Publication of

L’Observateur www.lobservateur.com

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Bienvenue!

Welcome

As fall season and cooler weather approaches, we look for- ward to showcasing St. John the Baptist Parish and all it has to offer. Our culture, diversity, and heritage are integral com- ponents of the community, while Andouille dishes, seafood and Friday night football bring families and fans together to root for their favorite teams.

St. John the Baptist Parish is located on the east and the west banks of the Mississippi River and is home to some 43,000 residents living in Edgard, Garyville, Mount Airy, LaPlace, Lucy, Pleasure Bend, Reserve, and Wallace. Uniquely positioned between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, our culture provides tourists world-wide with a change of scenery and a chance to take in the beauty of our homes, churches, and historical plantations.

Working with our partners, the Port of South Louisiana, the River Parishes Tourist Commission, the River Region Chamber of Commerce, Greater New Orleans, Inc., and our neighboring parishes, we offer great food, fun and an abundance of outdoor activities. St. John the Baptist continues to invest millions of dollars in its infrastructure, facilities and recreational outlets Parishwide. While miles of trails are available for walking and biking, our boat launches provide access to beautiful rivers and lakes. Plantations and swamp tours are available on both sides of the river.

Located in LaPlace, the St. John Center Soundstage serves as Hollywood South to the film industry. Housing many filmmakers and TV producers, the center caters to the needs of major motion pictures and television series. It is equipped with 26,000 square feet of sound stage, catering, dressing room and green room facilities. Each year in October, the Thomas F. Daley Memorial Park on Highway 51 plays host to local residents and visitors from around the state for the Annual Andouille Festival. This year, the 44th annual festival highlights St. John’s own staple – the delicious and decadent Andouille sausage. Andouille is a true representation of the nationalities that settled in the region and we are proud that its original homeland flavor has been sustained. Today, Andouille is widely cherished by all who call St. John home and those from around the country who have fallen in love with this unique taste. The festival offers a great time filled with entertainment, food and rides for all ages. In recent years, a second line parade, Andouille eating contest, car show and 5K run have been added to the merriment. Please join us October 13-15 for a Smokin’ Good Time! Visit www.andouillefestival.com for more information.

-Natalie Robottom St. John the Baptist Parish President 2 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Table of Contents CPR expert helps during pool crisis ------------ 5 Erica Rogers leads mission to Uganda ------ 9 DHS assistant principal strives for more ----- 16 Gerry Rogers is always there for veterans --- 18 10 things for moms to know ------------------ 21 Cook the perfect pizza tonight --------------- 23 Dining -------------------------------------------- 27 Parting Shots: Service for others ------------ 30

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BREATH of LIFE St. Charles Parish CPR expert charges into action during pool scene crisis

H

Hollie Louque Comardelle works as a CPR instructor at St. James Parish Hospital in Lutcher.

ollie Louque Comardelle simply wanted to grant her son’s birthday wish to go to a water park when she and a friend opted to take advantage of her friend’s free stay at the IP Resort, Casino and Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi.

While there, the Bayou Gauche resident took her three children, ages 10, 8 and 2, to the swimming pool accompanied by her friend and her children.

Comardelle will likely never forget what happened next.

“The pool was full that day,” said Comardelle, who works part time as a respiratory therapist and in other roles, including CPR instructor at St. James Parish Hospital in Lutcher.

“In fact, there were so many people that I pulled my children out of the pool and put them on the shelf for a while.”

She explained the shelf area is a very shallow part of the pool, likely only a foot deep.

“My 10-year-old wasn’t very happy with me when I told her to stay close,” Comardelle said.

“She wanted to move out into the deeper area of the pool. I had to explain to her that there were so many heads bobbing up and down in the pool that I wouldn’t be able to see if something happened.”

Comardelle recounted that she was talking to the children and happened to turn around and see a child being taken out of the water.

“Someone was doing chest compressions, but no one was doing breaths,” Comardelle explained.

“Many people are apprehensive about the mouth-

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to-mouth intervention because of the risk involved. All I could think of were my own children. I would want someone to do breaths for my child if something happened.”

Comardelle called out to her friend to watch her children so that she could help.

“I cleaned her off the best I could and started to breathe into her lifeless body,” said the young woman whose family stems from the Lutcher area. “Some were holding the mama away so that she wouldn’t be too close. I called for the mama because the child needed to hear a recognizable voice call her name, call her back to life.”

While Comardelle continued rescue breaths and another rescuer compressed her tiny chest in rhythm, the party atmosphere changed to a place of prayer.

“It was amazing to hear so many people praying,” Comardelle said. “Some formed circles and held hands in prayer. A lady in an African dress walked around praying in tongues. The area was completely quiet except for the sound of prayers offered for this child.”

After continued life-saving measures, the girl’s pulse finally increased to 60, and Comardelle felt movement in the once lifeless body.

She stopped the rescue breaths and began patting and rubbing her back vigorously.

“Then she let out this shrill noise and began to cry. I looked over to her mom and told her to keep her crying to keep air flowing into her lungs,” Comardelle added.

The paramedics soon came and wheeled the child out.

She was still screaming.

“I instantly broke down and started crying,”

The head of security for IP Casino Resort & Spa sent a letter to St. James Parish Hospital CEO Mary Ellen Pratt commending the life-saving heroics of Hollie Louque Comardelle, pictured with a training dummy.

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www.louisianapottery.com Comardelle admitted. “I often pray and ask God to use me as his tool. There were so many children there and they were all watching. I hope that they will understand how precious a life is and how fast things can change. We had no equipment, we had nothing.”

Comardelle said she was too upset to drive home and cried for a few days afterwards whenever she thought about the incident.

Before she left the pool area, Comardelle was asked to write and sign a report of what happened that day — Sunday, July 30.

She remembered that, like most hotel pools, there was a sign nearby advising patrons to swim at their own risk because there was no lifeguard on duty. Less than a week later she received a call from the casino’s head of security, who learned she worked for a hospital and wanted to send a letter of commendation on her behalf to the administrator.

He also told Comardelle the girl stayed in the hospital one night and went home the very next day and was doing fine.

Comardelle said her work as a CPR instructor helped give her the confidence she needed to be a part of the lifesaving team.

Somewhere are the parents of a tiny little girl named Skye who are very happy that Comardelle and others came to their rescue on that fateful day.

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Erica Rogers, standing in green scrubs, is seen with school children after their physicals at a clinic in Masaka, Uganda.

‘Spreading the gospel through health care’ Dr. Joseph, a dentist by trade, said comforting fearful children before their dental examination is a key to service.

What started off as unsolicited emails led to one local woman to provide medical care for nearly 5,500 Ugandan people. And she’s just getting started.

Following a rough divorce and move from Houston, LaPlace native Erica Rogers, a nurse, found herself mulling over the opportunity several emails in 2014 offered: the chance to join a medical mission across the globe.

After replying to the emails,

reluctantly returning phone calls and securing donations from family and friends, Rogers made a two-week trip to Uganda.

There she traveled the entire country and helped to set up medical clinics at various villages.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Erica Rogers, founder of Braveheart Foundation, helps a malnourished child in a medical clinic in Masaka, Uganda.

“The first trip really helped me to put my life, including my divorce, in perspective,” Rogers says.

While the organization she traveled with disbanded, Rogers says she routinely received correspondence from contacts she had made in Uganda, desperately asking her to come back.

While she wanted to help, she honestly didn’t know how.

She was quite busy.

Rogers, who works today as a nurse at Ochsner’s main medical facility, began an organization called Braveheart while working in Houston.

Founded as a support group for cancer patients, Rogers says the organization was birthed out of her relationship with a cancer patient who changed her life.

“I wanted to make her life a legacy and benefit people who went through what she went through,” Rogers says of her patient, adding the patient showed her through vulnerability one could develop and display strength.

“She showed me that I have what it takes to change the world.”

After her initial trip to Africa, Rogers decided to turn Braveheart into a worldwide medical mission.

Rogers’ first Braveheart trip was in March 2015. She recruited fellow nurses, and together they traveled throughout Uganda. November 2016 and July 2017 trips followed, with the next trip slated for March 2018.

With each 7,000-mile trip to and from Uganda, Rogers says the scope and reach of the medical work has grown. No matter the enormity of the impact she’s making, however, Rogers remains sure of God’s divine role in it all.

“I’m just a vessel with the vision,” she says. “It’s not about me.”

During their trips, Rogers and her group set up temporary medical camps with their own resources and donations. All equipment and supplies brought to Africa, Rogers says, are either donated by medical facilities and doctors or purchased by Braveheart.

For the two weeks spent in Uganda this past summer, Rogers and nearly 20 volunteers helped locals set up camps in seven villages, delivering medical care including vision screenings, women’s health services, dental services and malaria prevention to 1,467 people.

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Rogers’ younger sister, Erin, who earned a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University’s School of Tropical Medicine, says her favorite part of July’s trip was communicating with patients while triaging.

“It gave me an opportunity to learn the various burdens of diseases in the different villages we travel to, which allows us to plan effectively for the next mission,” Erin says.

Brittany Roig, a nurse Rogers met through Ochsner, also took the July trip.

“It’s hard to put into words what this trip meant to me,” Roig says. “I learned about true and genuine people, about pure and not materialistic love … and about the fight for life.”

Rogers says her five-year goal for Braveheart is to establish five permanent mission clinics, which will be in addition to the biannual pop up clinics she’s currently organizing.

As Braveheart has grown, Rogers says, so has she as a person and Christian.

“We’re spreading the gospel through health care,” Rogers says, adding she and other medical workers pray over patients who want prayer. “They allow me to come and pour into their lives … it allows me to mobilize my gift that God has given me. They give me more than I give them, and they always will.”

For more information on Rogers’ foundation, visit mybraveheart.org.

Francesca Cecchini teaches about medications to Masakan villagers.

12 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

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Homegrown Education L Destrehan High School assistant principal David Schexnaydre Jr. didn’t start out with dreams of becoming an educator, but now, he can’t imagine doing anything else.

The 34-year-old administrator was recently selected to join the Louisiana Educator Voice Fellowship, which allows Louisiana educators to learn firsthand about the rapidly changing economy and workforce demands and the implications for career readiness education.

The highly selective, 16-month fellowship will create a new career readiness course, which will be piloted during the 2018-19 school year and phased in across the state by 2020-21.

“Hopefully, this course will show kids that it’s not just about showing up for class and making good grades, but it’s also about taking things that we do in those classes and applying them to your life,” Schexnaydre said. “We want to make them more successful because they’re able to use those skills. The kids that we’re graduating today are going to be the adults and citizens of St. Charles Parish tomorrow.

It’s important to prepare them as best as we can for life.”

The 2001 Destrehan graduate said his road to education began at LSU. During his freshman year as a business major, he was working on an assignment and commented to a friend that he couldn’t wait until it was over. The friend reminded him the coursework would be part of his career, which sparked him to reevaluate his major.

“I could see myself going back to Destrehan, so I could see myself going into education,” he said. “I loved my time there, and I wanted to affect people like my teachers affected me.”

After college, Schexnaydre became a teacher at R.K. Smith Middle School for seven years, earning the 2009 R.K. Smith Teacher of the Year Award and the 2011 Louisiana Middle School Association’s Most Outstanding Teacher Award.

16 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Then, his career took what he called “a natural turn to administration.”

“It just kind of felt right,” Schexnaydre said. “When I was a teacher, pretty early in my career, I wound up moving into some leadership roles. Those are things that all kind of happened naturally, and I really liked those roles. So I decided to go back and get my master’s so I could move into administration. I’ve really enjoyed doing it.”

He served as an assistant principal at J.B. Martin Middle School for four years before joining Destrehan High School last school year. This is his 13th year in the St. Charles Parish School System.

While juggling the responsibilities of a wife and two children (both under 10), Schexnaydre earned masters and doctorate degrees from the University of New Orleans. His doctoral work won the Louisiana Educational Research Association’s 2016 Outstanding Graduate Student Research Paper Award as the top education dissertation in the state and was included in the American Educational Research Association’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., in 2016.

His dissertation focused on the Compass Teacher Rubric and how it impacts schools. The rubric is an evaluation tool that administration uses to measure teacher performance.

“I think it’s important to stay abreast of what’s going on, especially in education, where things are moving so quickly,” Schexnaydre said. “So I thought it would be important to throw my name in the hat for this fellowship to keep growing. If I could have a role in something that our students are going to have to do in the future, that is important.”

n Leadership His commitment to continued learning was never more evident than during his doctorate work when he settled into a Friday and Saturday night research routine that included a pot of coffee while working from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. as his family slept.

Now, the fellowship will give him yet another additional focus. In return for his commitment, Schexnaydre will receive a $3,000 stipend, allexpenses-paid visits to industry sites inside and outside Louisiana that highlight the changing economy and nature of work in the 21st Century, an opportunity for dialogue with statewide decision makers and additional recognition for his role in creating the career readiness resources.

Schexnaydre said it’s the students that drive him to learn continuously.

“I had a student that I taught several years ago that we actually hired to work here,” he said. “It’s cool to see the transition from student to when they become adults and when they tell you that all the things you were telling them about life were right.

Each kid when they’re growing up needs people to nurture them and help them grow into good adults.

To see the finished product is very rewarding.”

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Gerry Rogers stands next to Louisiana Veterans Home resident Greg Drake.

Love for V

White Castle resident Gerry Rogers feels right at home at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve. There’s good reason as the 80-year-old volunteer was recently honored for recording the most volunteer hours in St. John Parish.

18 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

r Veterans

“I

was really surprised,” Gerry Rogers said, failing to mention that each of her volunteer shifts at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve comes with a two-hour round trip commute from her home. “I was sitting there, and when they called my name I thought, ‘Is that me?’ It was great. It’s such an honor.

“I love taking care of older people, but I had no idea I had the most hours. I was just doing something I love to do.”

That affection for giving back is evident as she greets every veteran walking through the building’s halls.

Some ask for coffee; others need simple errands run.

“I always talk with everybody in here to see if they need any help,” Rogers said. “Not long ago, one man asked me for a pack of gum because he felt like chewing gum, so I went across the street to get one.

Whatever they need, I’ll go get it for them because I am always glad to do anything to bring a smile to someone’s face.”

Administrator Brian Fremin stands with Gerry Rogers.

Activities Director Sonya Hebert said, “Mrs. Rogers” – as everyone affectionately calls her – is an invaluable part of the home.

“We’re so excited about Mrs. Rogers getting the award, and what touches my heart so much is that she works so hard,” Hebert said. “Her husband had just passed away, and she didn’t even know that she Gerry Rogers stands with was getting the award, veterans home activities so it was very special. director Sonya Hebert.

It is just all about her dedication and love for everyone here. I don’t know what we would do without her.”

Rogers started volunteering at the home more than five years ago after her husband, John, was admitted while battling Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away on June 29, and less than two weeks later, Rogers received the volunteer recognition.

Rogers said she always heard from other residents that John was the envy of the nursing home. She spent the first two hours each morning dedicated to her husband, so he would get a shave or a shirt to “clean him up the way that I wanted,” she said.

Rogers was a constant companion each day she volun-

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teered, whether it was calendar delivery or rounding up veterans for the daily afternoon activity. She’s a regular organizer for Sunday Mass and often helps with meals or bingo.

She also manages the home’s clothes closet and handles all the thank you notes for donations. She even takes extra clothes donations to the Plaquemine or Donaldsonville homes to help others.

“I think it’s super great what she does for us,” resident Gary Drake said, looking up from his daily reading with a smile. “She’s a special person, and we’re lucky to have her here.”

Rogers is a home favorite at the dances because of her nimble feet, and her decorating skills draw praise for the residents during any event.

She said her volunteer commitment could be traced back to her White Castle roots. She and John owned the Ace Hardware Store in White Castle for 35 years. She worked the register at the store along with seven employees, but they had to sell when John’s condition worsened.

Nevertheless, Rogers felt like her volunteer role at the home replaced the daily interaction she had with customers of the small town store.

“I just wanted to give back to folks,” she said. “We did real well at our Ace Hardware, so I felt like this was giving back for all those years. I was always the one at the register collecting money at the store, so I felt this is how I wanted to give back. And I got to spend time with John as well. It is very special. I thought I just want to help older people who need help. It’s been more rewarding than I could ever imagine.”

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10 Things Every Mom Needs to Know A baby bump can prompt even the most introverted of strangers to offer unsolicited advice — much of it less than helpful, like “cherish every moment” and “you’ll never sleep again.”

Here, we’re giving you the scoop on the things you really need to know.

1 - YOUR DUE DATE should be called a rough estimate. Only a small amount of women actually deliver on their due date. Some babies are ready to join the world early, while others take their sweet time.

2 - NEWBORN POOP doesn’t look like poop. Your baby’s first bowel movement will be a sticky, tar-like substance — and that’s a good thing. This substance, known as meconium, is jam-packed with everything your baby ingested while in utero, from amniotic fluid to skin cells.

3 - BREAST FEEDING IS HARD. Yes, it is natural and most moms and babies are able to have a successful breast feeding relationship, but it often takes time and lots of practice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

4 - SWADDLING A REAL baby is harder than swaddling the doll in your birthing class. But it’s a key calming technique for most babies, so keep at it. As with all things baby related, it will get easier.

5 - YOU WILL NEED an extra 30 minutes to leave the house. Tiny humans require a ridiculous amount of cargo, and packing it all up can feel like an overwhelming task in the early months. For an easier exit, keep the diaper bag stocked and ready to go.

6 - NEWBORNS ARE NOISY sleepers. Grunts, snorts and yelps are all par for the course when

baby is snoozing.

7 - NEVER LEAVE HOME without hand sanitizer. And don’t be shy about offering it up to everyone who wants to hold your baby. Your tiny tyke hasn’t had a chance to build up an immune system yet, so keeping germs at bay is crucial.

8 - SOMETIMES BABIES cry for no reason. If you’ve fed, changed and swaddled your little one and the fussing just won’t stop, don’t despair. You may not always know exactly what your newborn needs, but the effort isn’t wasted — your baby still feels the love. And if you’re ever at the end of your rope, it’s perfectly fine to set your baby down in the crib and walk away for a few moments.

9 - ALWAYS BRING AN extra outfit. Diaper blowouts are real, and they never seem to happen at home.

10 - CHANGING HORMONES and sleep deprivation are no joke. Your moods will likely be all over the place in the first few months. Ask for help, try to take some time for yourself, and talk to your doctor if you’re feeling depressed or anxious.

Do you have a pediatrician yet? Don’t wait any longer. Ochsner pediatricians provide free prenatal consults so you can meet with the doctor before baby arrives — Rajiv Gala, MD, Oschner.

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Cook up the perfect pizza for your fall football party Make this delicious meal for your guests, whether you serve it at a home or tailgate party.

SPECK AND ARUGULA PIZZA, SERVES: 4 Pizza Topping: Flour, for dusting 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 garlic clove, crushed 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 1⁄2 cup partly skimmed ricotta cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated 2 cups baby arugula 1 small shallot, thinly sliced 1⁄2 lemon, juiced 4 slices Black Kassel Speck, cut in half lengthwise Pizza Dough: 1 3⁄4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cake and pastry flour 2 1⁄4 teaspoons instant or bread-machine dry yeast (or 1 envelope) 1 teaspoon salt 1 1⁄4 cup very warm water

1. To make pizza dough, stir together all-purpose flour, cake flour, yeast and salt in a mixer fitted with a dough hook; make a well in the center. Add water. Mix on medium speed until all flour is incorporated into dough; add remaining flour as needed to have soft, slightly sticky dough. Alternatively, you can mix by hand. Turn out on a well-floured surface. Let rest covered for 10 minutes.

Divide into thirds.

2. Place a pizza stone or upside-down baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450 F. Gently flatten dough into a circle or rectangle on a lightly floured surface, creating a rim. Transfer to a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel or another upside-down baking sheet; slide dough onto the hot pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil in a

bowl with garlic, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste.

Remove pizza from oven. Brush with olive oil mixture and top with ricotta and mozzarella. Return pizza to oven, baking until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 6 more minutes.

4. Toss arugula and shallot slices in a large bowl with lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Top the pizza with arugula salad, speck and shaved Parmesan cheese.

5. Cut into wedges or squares with scissors; serve immediately.

TIP: As an alternative to speck, you can try Black Kassel Old Forest, Picante or Mustard Seed salami.

You can also buy store-made pizza dough and simply layer on the toppings.

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SCENE IT:

S

ylvia Taylor and dozens of family, friends and supporters helped celebrate the grand opening of Sylvia Taylor’s law and notary office this summer.

The office is located at 1126 W. Airline Highway and can be reached at 985359-9100.

Taylor retired in 2015 after serving 22 years as a Workers’ Compensation Judge and attorney supervisor.

She has two daughters, Aspen Murphy and Syrita Martin and a grandson, Ethan Martin.

Her educational background includes graduating from Dillard University with Cum Laude Honors. She attended Southern University Law School and received her Juris Doctorate Degree from Loyola University Law School.

Pictured at right are Cynthia Cook and Branda Cola.

Sylvia Taylor stands with Wayne Aucoin of FASTTRAC.

24 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Pictured, from left, are Lennix Madere Jr., Larry Snyder, Roland Neville and Larry Sorapuru Jr.

St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom speaks at the grand opening.

Roshaun Taylor, from left, Aspen Murphy, Sylvia Taylor and Robert Taylor Sr. stand outside Sylvia Taylor’s law office during a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration in LaPlace.

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581 Garyville Northern St. Garyville, LA 70051

64 pounds lost and I’m not finished yet!

Join me on my Idealistic Plan with 21 meals a week, 7 days, 3 meals a day... all for only $90 per week.

Healthy Habit Lifestyle Meals

985-535-6654 www.petesbodyshopinc.com

24 HR Towing/Auto & TK Repair Sales/Rental RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

N O O S G N I M CO GROUND INDOOR PLAY

VIRTUAL PLAYGROUND

Pre-K Learning Games to High Intensity Games

CITY VILLAGE

Features 11 rooms of real-world experiences.

• Chauvin Firestation #828

• Nielsen Triche Police Dept. 816,

• Cat & The Hat Library

• 123 Alphabet Street

• DJ’s Salon & Barber Shop

• Toy Shoppe

• Kidz Construction

• Sunnyside Market

• Way Off Broadway Theatre

• Vroom Auto Repair

• 3B Medical Center & Lab

OFFERING BIRTHDAY PACKAGES AND FIELD TRIPS FOR SCHOOLS Open 7 Days a Week

Tuesdays open to Exceptional Children ONLY!!

2021 W. Airline Hwy. LaPlace, LA 70068

985-359-2697 26 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Meal Market St. John Parish Aloisio’s Bakery 504-430-1194 • 504-858-8432 Avis 3900 Hwy 51., LaPlace 985-651-8684 Baba’s Sports Bar & Grill 509 Main Street., LaPlace 985-359-5555 Bailey’s Andouille 513 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9090 Belle Terre Country Club 111 Fairway Drive, LaPlace 985-652-5000

Connie’s Grill 1462 LA-44, Reserve 985-536-3256

Huddle House 4325 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-1800

Clay’s Cafe 975 B Cambridge, LaPlace 985-359-6848

IHop 220 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-4468

985-479-7800

Dragon Garden 140 Belle Terre Blvd., Ste E., LaPlace 985-652-7250 Dunkin Donuts 1334 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-9244

OVER 89 YEARS & STILL SMOKIN’ !!

Donut Hole 421 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-651-4001 El Mexicano 1036 W Airline Hwy # 123, LaPlace, LA 70068 (985) 652-4250

Jambalya Shoppe 150 Belle Terre Blvd, LaPlace 985-359-5747

Mabile’s Restaurant

“Home of the Best Roast Beef in Town!”

Best Wok Chinese Restaurant 530 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-9989

985-651-2893

Frenier Landing 113 Dottie Lane, LaPlace 985-224-2178

Chili’s Grill & Bar 1820 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-1227 Chinese King 1036 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-651-7888 Church’s Chicken 1601 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2089 Chung’s Heavenly Sweets 607 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-7987

Popeye’s Fried Chicken 1603 W Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-3030 Raising Cane’s 123 West Airline Hwy, Laplace 985-652-4701 Rotolo’s Pizzera 3503 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. B, Reserve 985-536-3503 Ruby Garden Chinese Restaurant 3101 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-653-8700 Sam’s Southern Eatery 1173 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-1677

• Fresh Po-Boys

Kobe Japanese •Steak Seafoodand Muffaletta • Finger Sandwiches Sushi Vegetable Trays 506 Belle Terre •Blvd., LaPlace • Plate Lunches 985-652-8880/652-8853 • Italian Muffaletta 1124 W. Airline Hwy. • LaPlace, LA 70068

Cajun Grill 135 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-4745

PJ’s Coffee 1808 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-764-7573

Frisco Deli 1113 W Airline Hwy, Laplace, LA 70068 (985) 651-7745 LaPlace Frostop 411 Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-6361

Mama Jo’s 2917 Hwy 51, Ste A., LaPlace 985-224-2666 McDonalds •4297 U.S. Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-652-5171 •1608 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2600 •5387 W Airline, Hwy, Garyville New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. 1338 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. 7A, LaPlace 985-653-6731

Gator’s Den Old Highway 51 South, Manchac 985-386-7902

Petra 10363 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-8888

Guidry Goody’s 3595 W Airline Hwy., Reserve 504-606-1185

Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar 3017 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-651-0300

Hibachi Supreme Grill 1721 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-5233

Pirouge’s Cafe 719 W 10th St., Reserve

Sicily’s 214 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-7010 Subway •357 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8700 •1616 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-4822 •2701 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace •1900 Hwy. 51, Ste. B, LaPlace 985-479-7827 985-652-9699 Tavern 61 1421 W Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-6161 TNT Seafood 405 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-6312 Turn Arounds 1107 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-224-2818 Waffle House 4304 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-6111 Wayne Jacob’s Restaurant 769 W 5th St., LaPlace 985-652-9990

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Wing Spot 136 W 10th St, Reserve 225-558-1492 Zaman Mediterranean Cafe 1502 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-5566 Zora Christina 2003 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-3673

St James Parish

225-265-2151 Pizza Hut 1665 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6151 Popeye’s 982 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060 Sandwich World Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060

Café Perique 234 East Main St., Gramercy 225-869-1774

Spectacular Tubers 1665 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-5600

Creole House Cafe 3409 Hwy 3125, Paulina 225-859-3333

Subway 10850 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy

DJ’s Grille 21060 La. Hwy. 20, Vacherie 225-265-7600

Taylor’s Express Truck Stop 964 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-1734

Golden Grove Restaurant 935 La. Hwy. 641, Gramercy 225-869-1212 Grand Point Truck Stop & Casino 3415 La. Hwy. 3125, Paulina 225-869-6960 Hymel’s Seafood Restaurant 8740 La. Hwy. 44, Convent 225-562-7031

Tod’s Catering 2180 S. Albert St., Lutcher 225-869-7000

St Charles Parish Anita’s Smokin’ Steak Burgers 13145 U.S. 90 Ste. B, Boutte 985-785-2220

Jenny’s Overstuffed Poboy & Chicken Shop 114 N. Airline Hwy., Gramercy 225-869-0899

Bamboo Garden 13491 U.S. 90, Ste. 6, Boutte 985-785-9929 Bei Jing 12895 U.S. 90, Ste. D, Boutte 985-331-8885

Nobile’s Restaurant & Bar 2082 W. Main St., Lutcher 225-869-8900

Breeze Cafe 124 Longview Drive, Destrehan 985-764-8800

Oak Alley Restaurant 3645 La. Hwy. 18, Vacherie

Cafe Ormond 1974 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-0741 Cajun Kitchen 13322 U.S. 90, Boutte, Ste. Q 985-785-2405 Cashio’s Food Villa and Deli 13572 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-9389 Chow’s Garden 1974 Ormond Blvd., Ste. I, Destrehan 985-725-2469

China King 849 N. Pine St., Gramercy 225-869-2000 Chuck Lee’s Chinese Kitchen 10560 Hwy. 70 W., St. James 225-473-3050

Buster’s Grill 10405 Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-472-0771

Boulevard Bistro 1950 Ormond, Ste. B, Destrehan

28 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Happy Gardens II 15264 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-3888 Hong Kong 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. D, Destrehan 985-725-9099 The Howling Pepper 109 St. Rose Ave., St. Rose 504-466-1944 IHOP 14099 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013 Iron Gate 13299 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013

Cucina Bon Creole At Cypress Lakes Country Club 10 Villere Dr., Destrehan 985-764-6868

Jas Café 307 Paul Maillard Rd., Luling 985-785-0200

Daddy’s Fried Chicken 15683 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743

Julie’s Restaurant 15805 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6349

Destrehan Donuts 1974 Ormond, Ste. D, Destrehan 985-764-0050

Little Tokyo 13371 U.S. 90, Ste. A, Boutte 985-331-0887

Dot’s Diner 12179 U.S. Hwy. 90, Luling 985-785-6836

Lovecchio’s Deli 29 Apple St., Norco 985-725-5683

El Gato Negro 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. 1, Destrehan 985-307-0460

Mariano’s Italian Eatery 12371 Highway 90, Ste. A, Luling 985-785-7777

El Mexicano 12715 U.S. Hwy. 90, Ste. 140, Luling 985-785-7694

McDonalds 3009 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-1021

El Paso Mexican Grill 12895 U.S. Hwy. 90, Ste. A, Luling 985-331-1984

Mizu Japanese Restaurant 12715 Hwy. 90, Ste. 190, Luling 985-785-8168

Frostop 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. H, Destrehan 985-725-1116 Grand Café 500 Willowdale Blvd., Luling 985-308-1640 Grumpy’s 14984 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-2083

Mrs. Snowman 110A Lakewood Dr., Luling 985-331-1411 Ormond Plantation Restaurant 13786 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-8544 Palmetto’s Restaurant 10405 Airline Hwy, St. Rose 504-472-0771

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Pam and Dale’s 14620 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-3112 Pizza Hut 12439 Hwy. 90, Luling 985-331-8380 P.J.’s Coffee of New Orleans 150 Ormond Center Court, Ste. T, Destrehan 985-764-7573 Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken •116 Longivew Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1231 •13210 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-1377 Portside Restaurant 11698 River Road, St. Rose 504-546-93111 Rico’s Cafe 124 Longview Dr, Destrehan 985-725-3170 Rotolo’s Pizzeria 150 Ormond Center Court, Destrehan 985-725-2411

Taste of Tokyo 1972 Ormond Blvd., Ste. E-2, Destrehan 985-764-1818

Sailfish Food and Spirits 12287 U.S. 90, Luling 985-308-0712

Sub Express 26 Apple St., Norco 985-764-9922

Seafood Pot 14386 River Rd., Destrehan 985-725-0053

Subway •613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 200, Luling 985-331-2257 •14130 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-9818 (located inside Walmart) •13001 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-331-1786 •12715 U.S. 90, Ste. 120, Luling 985-785-3999 •12609 Airline Drive, Destrehan 985-725-1108 •1955 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-9444 •15632 River Rd., Norco 504-469-8864

Southern Latte Cafe 50 Wade St., Ste. 1, Luling 985-308-1472 Sonic Drive In 12557 U.S. 90, Luling 985-331-0099 Sports Pub & Grill 3001 Ormond Blvd, #B Destrehan 985-331-0099 St. Rose Driving Range & Sports Bar 10362 Airline Dr., St. Rose 504-466-0411 St Rose Tavern 14466 River Rd, Destrehan 504-469-8864 /985-725-3133

Sushi Cafe 13899 River Road, Ste. A, Luling 985-308-1003

Trey Wah (Chinese) 124 Longview Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1147 Two Sisters Bakery 100 Melonie St., Ste. E, Boutte 985-308-0280 Voodoo Grill 100 James Drive East, St. Rose 504-464-1880 Waffle House 14173 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-758-6499 Waffle House 10384 E. Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-467-1522 Wingzzz 613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 400, Luling 985-308-0743

Take Away Donuts 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499

A Special Publication of L’OBSERVATEUR c'est la vie

River Parishes Magazine Guidry’s Goody’s serving up treats for generations

LaPlace ice cream parlor remembered

Crawfish fun

Louisiana Southwest Veterans Home brings new life to those that have served

A special publication of L'OBSERVATEUR www.lobservateur.com Winter 2015 Edition A special publication of L’OBSERVATEUR

www.lobservateur.com

Summer 2017 Edition

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Advertise in Edition coming December Advertise inourourWinter Summer issue publishing in2017 June RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE: Parting Shots

St. John Parish Sheriff’s Officer Ingrid Perrilloux gave out glow sticks to children as part of the annual Independence Celebration and fireworks show at St. Peter Church in Reserve and St. John the Baptist Church in Edgard.

East St. John High School Head Custodian Wanda McGuffy accepts appreciation from Gov. John Bel Edwards for her work making sure the school was kept in order while being used by the soldiers and other staff with the Louisiana Cares initiative.

Emily C. Watkins Elementary School took the opportunity of the rare solar eclipse on Aug. 21 to lead students in a handson educational experience.

Sixth- through eighth-grade students were allowed outside to view the eclipse through solar eclipse glasses. Pre-K through fifth-grade students were able to view the solar eclipse via the NASA website.

30 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Jerry Poche, MD —LIFESAVER–

Megan Deslatte, RN —LIFESAVER–

REAL LIFE

Lifesavers Every day at work our amazing team changes the lives of patients, but their service doesn’t stop there.

We would like to commend each of our wonderful caregivers

Hollie Comardelle

throughout the years who have stepped in during emergencies outside

—LIFESAVER–

members of our award-winning team, fathers have been reunited with

Respiratory Therapist

of work to care for both community members and strangers. Thanks to

“

children, daughters to mothers and husbands to wives.

”

We are so proud of our lifesavers and we are blessed to have people like you —inside and outside of the hospital.

Rhonda Zeringue, RN Director of Nursing

—LIFESAVER–

—Mary Ellen, FACHE, CEO

Follow Us on Facebook 225.869.5512 | 1645 Lutcher Ave. | Lutcher, LA | www.sjph.org This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

44 AnnuAl Andouille FestivAl oCtoBeR 13-15, 2017 th

32 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE