THE ARTIST’S ISSUE
Welcome to the Artist's Issue!
Art is all around us, if we're willing to stop and notice. Here in South Louisiana, inspiration is stitched into the everyday. If we would slow down and notice, there is much to enjoy – forms of life on the bayou, the colors of our recent sunsets, or the pure rhythm of life that flows through our community. While these days, it seems it's easier to find things to complain about, there's an undeniable beauty in where we live, and artists of every kind have long drawn from it to create lasting works.
I don't consider myself an artist in the traditional sense, but I do create through storytelling. Through the written word, I feel I can capture the spirit of our community on these pages. Words, like brushstrokes on a canvas, have a way of lasting, of capturing a moment in time.
I also love photography, and though I wish I had the time, skills, and equipment to dive deeper, I admire those who can capture the magic of an instant through a lens. Whether it's paint, clay, fabric, music, or even the perfect photograph, art reminds us to pause, to appreciate, and to see the world in a new way.
In this issue, we introduce you to Sara McCann of The Vane Studio. Her creative and artistic ventures range from children's clothing to cookies to her latest venture polymer clay jewelry. This summer, leading up to Nicholls State University's week zero game, Sara worked in collaboration with the school to create a custom, licensed jewelry line for fans! (Sara welcomed Tillou into her studio for a special cover shoot for POV as well! A huge thank you to Tillou for sharing his time with us!)
Outside of her school collections, Sara's jewelry studio carries beautiful pieces, perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions. Learn more about Sara and her journey to the Vane Studio starting on page 14.
Meagan Thibodeaux, of MGT Artistry, is a self-taught artist who is on a mission to brighten the world one painting at a time. Meagan works in a variety of mediums, including acrylic and watercolor, and unique canvases. Most recently, she has published a children's book titled I Went to Thibodaux. Written and illustrated by Meagan, the book is a love letter to her hometown. Learn about Meagan ' s background and what led to her deciding to create a children's book starting on page 18.
One of the newest art forms rapidly taking over TikTok (Rush Tok, anyone? Did you see those Arkansas houses?) is balloon art. No, we're not talking about creating a poodle from a balloon. Think incredibly large-scale garlands, custom walls, and elaborate designs. Our local balloon creatives include two wonderful woman-owned businesses. The ladies behind these small businesses, Jasmine Becnel, owner of Blondie Balloons, and Gabrielle Barba, owner of Swell Design and Media, have truly set a standard in our area for balloon design. Learn more about both ladies and their work starting on page 22.
This issue of Point of Vue is a celebration of artists—their work, their passion, and their ability to see beauty where the rest of us may overlook it. My hope is that as you turn these pages, you'll be reminded that art isn't just something to admire in galleries. It's something to live, breathe, and find right here at home. POV
What’s the most creative thing you’ve done lately — even if it was just doodling during a meeting?
MIKE
Although not super recent, during the last major hurricane, my roof turbine was blown off, which left a huge hole in my roof. So as not to allow rain into the attic of my home, I stuck a Saints and LSU hybrid umbrella through the hole and opened it up. I secured it from the inside and kept the rain out until I could get it repaired. Pretty proud of that one!
LAURA
The most creative thing I've done recently was making a realistic-looking cardboard-and-paper-mâché sea turtle with my youngest daughter, Scarlett. What started as a rainy-day activity using materials we had at home somehow turned into a full-on ocean expedition in our dining room. I ended up with glue in my hair, she painted it a brilliant shade of blue, and together we welcomed a whimsical, lowmaintenance “pet” into our home. Creativity is fabulous when it's messy and shared.
MADISON
I recently photographed a Renaissance-themed wedding, and it was anything but traditional. One of the groomsmen wore a full suit of armor, the grandparents were the ring bearers dressed as a fairy and a Robin Hood-style character, and instead of flower girls, they had guys tossing Texas Roadhouse rolls down the aisle.
MEGAN
Lately, I've been using natural materials like leaves and wood to create textures for my digital work. It adds a subtle, organic feel that's hard to replicate with standard tools.
TERA
ve been creating TikToks to capture my first days in the Disney College Program. It's been a fun, creative way to document the experience, share the excitement, and connect with others going through the same journey.
ROOTED IN SUGAR
BY MARY DITCH | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
Tucked away in the heart of Houma, Southdown Plantation House stands as both a reminder of Louisiana's sugarcane heritage and a celebration of community history. Today, the stately pink manor welcomes visitors as Southdown Plantation and Museum, offering visitors a walk through more than two centuries of stories.
The land beneath Southdown carries a fascinating past. Originally granted by King Charles IV of Spain in the late 1700s, it passed through notable hands, including Jim Bowie of Alamo and Bowie knife fame, before finding permanence with William J. Minor of Natchez, Mississippi, and James Dinsmore of Kentucky in 1828. While indigo first grew here, Minor quickly turned to sugarcane, forever linking the estate to Louisiana's booming sugar industry.
In 1859, William Minor and his wife Rebecca built the original one-story Greek Revival home. Ten years later, after Minor 's death, the property remained in the family, evolving with each generation. Henry C. Minor, William's son, transformed the house in 1893 by adding a second floor and dressing it in Victorian and Queen Anne details. The
result was the iconic home visitors see today. Southdown has approximately 5,000 square feet on each floor. The downstairs rooms feature 14-foot ceilings, and the upstairs rooms have 12-foot ceilings. The walls are solid brick, with floors a mixture of red cypress and pine.
But Southdown is more than its striking exterior. Each room reveals a piece of Louisiana's story. The Dining Room, once an open porch, was enclosed in the 1890s with a bay window and a faux-granite fireplace, now serving as a gallery for rotating local art exhibits. The Sugar Industry Room, once William Minor ' s office, tells of Houma's agricultural innovation. The First Responder Room shares the history of our police and fire departments. The Native American Room honors the Native Peoples of Louisiana, particularly the United Houma Nation. The Jackie and Arlen Cenac Sr. Mardi Gras Room is a collection of all things Mardi Gras, past and present. Upstairs, The Minor Bedroom features furniture and portraits original to the home. The Gayoso Room displays a bed that reportedly belonged to Manuel Gayoso de Lemos. The Gilbert-St. Martin Room focuses on the art
and literature of Terrebonne Parish. The Senator Allen Ellender Room is a recreation of his private office in Washington, D.C.
Life at Southdown was also shaped by those who labored behind the scenes. Separate from the main building, the twostory Servants Quarters, built in 1848, once housed the enslaved people and later workers who cooked, cleaned, and kept the plantation running. Downstairs rooms held the kitchen, pantry, dairy, and laundry, while upstairs offered sparse living quarters. Also on the property is a Workers' Cabin, moved to Southdown in the mid 1980's from the Minor 's Hollywood Plantation. The cabin's interior depicts life in the mid to late 1800's.
Though the Minor family owned Southdown for more than a century, the house eventually transitioned into the care of the community. In 1975, Valhi, Inc. donated the property to the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society, which opened the home as a museum in 1982. Since then, Southdown has become a gathering place—hosting festivals, art exhibits, and events that honor Houma's unique heritage. POV
No. 1 Exterior No. 2 Piano and images of Minor Family No. 3 Glasses in Gilbert-St. Martin Room No. 4 Gilbert-St. Martin Room
BY EVAN CRESSIONE
Nicholls State University's started their football season off with Week 0, a game against Incarnate Word Cardinals [UIW] on August 23. The season starter was televised on ESPN2. In celebration and community spirit, the university got one of its former HR directors, and current artist, on a special collaboration project.
Sara McCann graduated from Nicholls with a bachelor 's degree in human resources management and a minor in marketing. Since then, she worked as the university's Director of Institutional Effectiveness, and has come a long way in her creative career as well.
“Their first game was a really big game so they were trying to get community involvement, and of course, I know people all throughout the university from working with accreditation,” Sara shared. She was asked if she was interested in collaborating and after a meeting, agreed to create a line of her polymer clay jewelry for the big season opener. “I said ‘Okay, but I want the N! I want to be able to use the real N,' so they granted a temporary license for me to use throughout the end of August,” Sara said on creating jewelry with Nicholls' trademark logo.
For her, this collaboration was a nobrainer. Sara's journey with Nicholls began back in high school when she attended “Free Enterprise Week” [F.E.W] there, a competition with speakers, workshops, and simulations designed to teach high school students about the private enterprise system and hosted by the College of Business Administration.
“It sealed the deal for me with Nicholls, and going into business. It sparked an interest for me to go into human resources management,” Sara said.
After her college graduation, Sara spent some time in Baton Rouge doing medical staff services at Baton Rouge General before returning to Nicholls as a part of their Human Resources department. Sara said, “I felt very fulfilled. I had a great boss. I felt like I was finding creative ways to do assessment if that makes any sense.”
However, that wasn't the only area where Sara's creativity flourished. Her artistic ventures started with making baby boy clothing accessories like suspenders and news boy hats. “I did that right out of college when I was working on the side,” Sara said. “Then, I started messing with cookies and cakes. I had something called “My Oh Mya” for a while, which I did for probably two years. [...] My little girl had a stroke when she was born, and so I did that full-time to have the freedom to do other things.”
According to Sara, she's always been very creative and if you were to trace back these crafty ambitions, you could trace it right back to her childhood. Originally from Lafayette but raised in Houma, Sara comes from a large Cajun family. “Both of my grandmas were great seamstresses. I'd sew together scraps of material all the time. At their house, we'd play with spools of thread. We were just bored and I was enamored with all those artsy things. I feel like from a really young age that was something I grew up around,” shared Sara.
After getting a sewing machine in high school, Sara recalled, she would sew colorful belts to match her shoes. “I always thought I was crafty, but I don't know if I believed that other people would want the things I made. [...] The different color shoes were a cool thing, so I'd get material and make those pull-through belts to match my shoes. I guess I never thought about it further than that, it was just fun.”
It was only after Sara gave birth to her son that she found her way to creating jewelry, and ultimately, the creation of her small business, the Vane Studio. She feels like switching between these mediums of art made sense for her, and that each one lent itself to the next.
“Sewing kind of taught me how things were constructed, and then cookies taught me a lot of color development. I would draw really detailed things on cookies, like kids' faces and stuff! So then I feel like that lent itself to once I started messing with clay and developing the colors in clay. I was like ‘What could I do with this?' And I saw earrings, and I'm like ‘I hate heavy earrings, clay is so light.' I probably did it for 2 or 3 years just for fun,” Sara shared.
Although, the real drive behind starting the Vane Studio is one of tragedy. “Tragedy struck kind of multiple times in a row. I lost my sister and almost a year later exactly, I lost my best friend. Very tragic, very sudden for both things,” Sara said. “And during the same time, the writing was on the wall with my little boy, that he was autistic. It was a lot of things within a year.”
Between dealing with her own grief and her baby boy's needs, Sara knew it was best for her time as a director at Nicholls to
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wasting talents that maybe I have, and it's been really healing for me as well to be able to be creative all day and have that outlet. I'm much more present at home. I feel like it's definitely the medium I feel like I've been led to. Looking back, I can kind of see how every one led to this one.”
Thus, the Vane Studio was born, and Sara thought it the perfect medium as jewelry, and more specifically, earrings are items people can wear over and over again, “not a cookie someone eats and it's gone, or something somebody grows out of within a couple months.”
As for the studio's name, Sara wanted something that would reflect any medium since she's worked with multiple art mediums before. She settled on “vane” as in a weather vane which changes directions, and also for a vane of a feather because her clay jewelry is lightweight.
that. I think red was just good, and for Christmas, you know?” Sara said on some of her pieces in the Nicholls collection.
“And then I always say if at first you thought ‘vain' as in vanity, that's okay too because I think a little bit of vanity, and embracing feeling good, and making someone feel that through my pieces is the goal. So, it's kind of a three part little meaning for it,” Sara added.
With the Nicholls collaboration, Sara has been able to produce some of her fastest selling jewelry pieces. Having bought a 3D printer around six months ago, Sara makes her own cutters and shapes, and hand draws her designs. She was able to trace the exact Nicholls ‘N', make the stamps, make everything official. The university mascot Tillou even paid Sara's studio a visit and made videos with her.
“I think people want to wear game gear, but they also want it to be different. I did a lot in red too just because I'm also going to be doing something for ED White. I'm collaborating with Vandebilt right behind
She added, “I did some things for Nicholls and then some that could be for everyday too. The Nicholls licensed things sold out first. At the big event we had, they went so fast because there's just not a lot of trendy gameday earrings. It's been wonderful. I was very fortunate to get that opportunity because you have to be so careful with licenses and everything like that. That's why I was like ‘If I do it, I want to do it right!”
As of now, Sara runs the Vane Studio alone, working within the Bonnie Matassa Studio in Thibodaux. When Bonnie advertised having an open room in her studio, Sara went take a look and found the walls of the room to be painted the exact color of the Vane Studio logo, and so she felt that it was meant to be.
“I mean, we are so much alike. Our styles are similar, our clientele is similar. I've definitely been destined to meet her. All I did
to change the studio was put a V on the wall,” Sara said on working in Bonnie's studio.
Even though inevitable challenges arise, such as her kids getting sick or the burnout that can come from running a one-woman show, Sara prides herself on her transparency with her customers. She practices grace for herself and others, allowing flexibility in her production timeframe when need be, and getting the chance to personally fix a mistake on a customer ' s product. Getting to be so close and personal with her customers is one of the things Sara enjoys most about running her small business.
Aside from jewelry lines like the Nicholls collab, Sara also creates custom jewelry pieces for many occasions. Some of her favorite recent projects have been for weddings. “I incorporated the flowers he proposed to her with in her rehearsal dinner earrings. Another client's dad had passed away and we dried the flowers from his funeral and put little specks in her and her mom's earrings. The personal touches are the things I love the most, the tiny details that maybe not everyone else focuses on,” Sara said.
With a great support system of family and friends at her side, Sara loves creating jewelry for her customers, and credits them as the source of most of her own creative inspiration.
“When people come in with ideas, I write them down, and when they come back, I'm like ‘I've made it!' People see things and have their own creative ideas and I love feeding off of that,” shared Sara.
Art is something we thrive off of, even in the aftermath of difficult times, and Sara's ability to bring healing to herself and others through her artwork and jewelry crafting is one of many shining stars within the local community. POV
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BY ISABELLE PINTO | PHOTOS BY SADIE SIMMONS
Local artist Meagan Thibodeaux is bringing the magic of Lafourche Parish to life through her art— and most recently, her new children's book.
Meagan, also known through her professional name MGT Artistry, is a
self-taught artist who is on a mission to “brighten the world one painting at a time.”
Meagan works in a variety of mediums, including acrylic and watercolor, and unique canvases—painting on candlesticks, champagne bottles, wood slabs, hats, ornaments, glass, frames, and more.
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“I'm entirely self taught and started painting as a side hustle for my sorority back in college. I painted things for big-little week and more,” explained Meagan. “But it just slowly kept growing, and what started off as a hobby became a real passion.”
the bayou, the Fireman's Fair, and the downtown area, finishing the day with a hearty bowl of crawfish etoufée. Meagan explained she purposefully left the main character unnamed, so that families and children can imagine themselves as the character in the book.
“I had my son Callum in April of 2024, and while I was on maternity leave with him, I realized there were really no children's books out there to teach him about Thibodaux,” explained Meagan. “And I wanted to change that. This book comes from a true love for Thibodaux that my husband Tommy and I have, alongside many late nights, early mornings, and learning curves.”
Although writing the book came easily, the illustration process took Meagan about a year as she learned to navigate her first project using the digital drawing tool Procreate. “It was difficult to learn a whole new program— I'm a very hands on painter, and drawing on an iPad was definitely a challenge,” said Meagan. “But it really gave me the opportunity to finish this book while I was rocking, feeding, and holding my newborn baby, and just provided me more flexibility.”
After months of hard work, the book was officially released with 200 copies on July 10th of this year, and is 15 pages long.
“When we released the book, I quickly realized we were going to need more copies, and ended up ordering 100 more than I had originally,” said Meagan. “The response to the book has been absolutely incredible.
It just goes to show how many people share this deep love for Thibodaux and want to share that with their children.”
Looking towards the future, Meagan is planning to write more children's books, with one about Nicholls State University already in the works. “This is definitely something I want to keep doing in the future. When I published I Went to Thibodaux, I was nervous no one would be interested. I thought, ‘I'm an artist, not an author ' ,” said Meagan. “But seeing the incredible love and interest in the book has given me so much confidence, and I'm excited to see what's in my future.”
I Went to Thibodaux is now available for purchase at www.MGTArtistry.com, or on MGT Artistry's Facebook page. Pickup is available in Thibodaux, and other payment options and shipping are available upon request. $1 of each sale will be donated to CASA of Lafourche. POV
On a daily and midnight basis, local balloon artists, Jasmine Becnel, owner of Blondie Balloons, and Gabrielle Barba, owner of Swell Design and Media, swipe the town and outer city limits with their visionary balloon art.
Their creations such as garlands, backdrops, and stacks hang, adhere or stand in the galleries of homes, businesses, and venues, painting stories of live celebrations. “I want to bring your vision to life,'” Gabrielle said.
Clients ' inquiries are like blank white canvases that sit on easels in front of both artists. Jasmine and Gabrielle creatively envision the client's request, tie on smocks, then dip their minds into colorful balloons. Brush, swipe! Dreamy balloon art comes to life. “Every project feels like a new adventure. Each client has a unique vision, which inspires me to think outside the box and express my creativity,” Gabrielle said.
“Our industry offers endless creative opportunities. I get to wake up everyday knowing there's always the possibility of creating something new such as an eight foot spinning carousel or a wedding dress, or anything else my clients allow me to dream up,” Jasmine added.
Before Gabrielle got knee-deep in creativity and splashy balloons in her home, she stood with faith on clear unknown ground and listened to God's vivid voice.
“My husband works away and [at the time] I worked nine to five. When he was home, I felt like we only saw each other in the morning. We had to try to fit in family time. It felt like that time was slipping away from me,” Gabrielle said.
BY BRANDY BAUDOIN | PHOTOS PROVIDED
God tugged on Gabrielle's heart like her two children tugging on a balloon string. Her daughter 's first birthday party was the influential tug that started her business.
“I figured out how to make a massive Sesame Street balloon garland for my daughter 's first birthday party and it turned out really good. Then, I started making them for friends and family for free,” Gabrielle explained.
She then started to receive text inquiries about her services. Eventually, she held onto a balloon string and took a leap of faith. Swell Design and Media expanded into a fully inflated business in May of 2022 out of her home.
“I was either going to take a leap of faith and fully trust God or I was going to keep working nine to five because it felt more secure and comfortable,” Gabrielle stated.
Before Jasmine took her leap of faith into balloons, her full-time balloon artistry opportunity was presented by a resonant rainbow-haired spirit, Dacia Persilver.
“When I walked into Hi-5, Dacia, who I worked with previously at Olive Garden, said, ‘I remember you. You used to have a wreath business and you used to paint. You're very artsy, so I have the perfect job for you,'” Jasmine explained.
From 2022 until the summer of 2023, Jasmine created whimsical balloon creations. During that time, the owner, James Cabirac, contemplated selling Hi-5 and Blondie Balloons. Eventually, James made the decision to sell Hi-5 and Blondie Balloons. He offered Jasmine ownership of Blondie Balloons. (Past manager, Erica
Cheramie, sported a blonde pixie cut. Thus, the name, Blondie Balloons.) She pondered the offer and with her husband's driving push, Jasmine and her assistant/sister, Alexis Jones, jumped into a soft balloon pit of fulltime imagination.
“I told my husband, 'I think I would love to do this.' Then, my husband, Jack Becnel, told me, ‘If you think you capable of getting your hands dirty and being knee-deep in balloons all day, then do it,'” Jasmine said.
Therefore, Blondie Balloons' brick and mortar grand opening was on Small Business Saturday, November 25, 2023. Since then, blessings have immensely ballooned. Jasmine and Alexis moved from their 1,200 square foot space to a 2,400 square foot business front on August 31, 2025, located at 216 Mystic Boulevard in Houma.
The “afters” for Jasmine and Gabrielle have swelled with success and with a “balloon bouquet” of opportunities.
Jasmine's creative expertise was requested by the vice president of the NFL Women's community and the National Football Wives Association to create balloon art for their event on February 8, 2025. The debut installation draped in the Super Bowl Ladies Lounge. The balloon creation was also featured in the New York Times and The Times of Houma/ Thibodaux.
“We were asked to decorate an event that celebrated the women in the lives of professional NFL players with only eight days' notice. It was an overnight install in New Orleans during the Super Bowl and
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Mardi Gras, so it was crazy! We had so much fun and we were so honored to play a role in such a fantastic event!” Jasmine exclaimed.
Gabrielle's determined balloon artwork led her to create the entrance of the Louisiana King Cake Festival in February of 2024. There, she tackled and “swiped” her biggest “blank canvas” with success. Sixteen thousand balloons were prepped by a team of twelve and used to create a massive tunnel at the entrance, multiple backdrops and columns.
“We started at 3 a.m. during a wind advisory of thirty-five mile per hour winds. Despite the chaos, it was exhilarating and incredibly fulfilling. We hope to do next year's festival!” Gabrielle exclaimed.
Many days, separate canvases of opportunities sit in front of the balloon artists. However, in September of 2024, a happy accident brought them together to collaborate in front of a single canvas. The instant ‘balloon besties' worked together to design a donated balloon installation for Terrier Tailgate to raise funds for Vandebilt Catholic High School.
“We ran into each other at the Vandebilt job where two parents accidentally hired us both. So, after that we became friends,” Jasmine said.
“Working with a fellow ‘balloonie' was such a blast! Putting our creative minds together for a school that supports us both throughout the year was so much fun. We kept saying how great it was to work with someone who shares the same joy of balloons,” Gabrielle added.
The balloon artists, whether creating art together or separate, use custom and magical ‘brush work' to beautify memorable moments with happiness.
“It says on our website, ‘Our goal is to help everyone celebrate life's special occasions. So, I love getting to celebrate all of life's special moments such as birthdays or anniversaries - you name it! Spreading joy is what balloons are all about!” Jasmine said with excitement.
“I truly enjoy being a part of special memories in our community and contributing to moments of happiness. It's incredibly fulfilling to spread joy through my craft, especially with something as delicate yet striking as balloons,” Gabrielle added.
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Balloons delicately swell with invisible air and possibilities. The two artists mold them daily to fulfill their creative spirits and to make a magical impact on life's special moments.
“Balloons offer endless possibilities to create. You can mold them into anything you could possibly imagine. Creating balloon art has allowed me to run a business and express my creative passions, while bringing magic to our clients' special moments,” Jasmine said.
Being full-time balloon artists has embellished Jasmine's and Gabrielle's “smocks” with endless creative and flexible opportunities. Therefore, they give back by using their talented artistry to “swipe” the community with balloon whimsy that exhibits memorable joy.
“Each time I create balloons, it's not just about the art; it's about giving back when I can and helping to make lasting memories for others. Also, through balloon artistry, I've found a way to do it all: be my own boss, express myself, provide for my family, stay present for my children, and connect with the wonderful community around me!” Gabrielle ended. POV
DC REPORT 2025
Whether recovering from a stroke, fall, or other medical condition, our customized rehab program helps you recover quickly so you can get back home. If you’re getting ready for long-term living, we make the transition from home to our community as rewarding as possible. A variety of spacious resident suites offer the ultimate in privacy and comfort.
When filmmakers try to produce a new movie blockbuster, it's worth both their while and their money to feature a character who can actually bust blocks. And that's exactly what we've been given this summer: Another musclebound, cleft-chinned, wavy-haired brunette man wearing red shorts over blue tights. And though the new movie tells this character 's tale yet once again, it's less a “reboot” and more a pair of red boots (and a red cape).
As you may have guessed, this block-busting character is not a bird, not a plane, and not George Reeves or Christopher Reeve or Henry Cavill. DC Comics' most famous superhero, Superman, is played anew in 2025 by actor David Corenswet. Corenswet's actually got a connection to Louisiana not too far away from PoV Country: His father was born in New Orleans. Despite the proud father 's claim, however, Superdome stadium was not named for
Released in July, the new Superman movie is grabbing audiences and their wallets just like each of the previous seven (!) Superman movies have done for Warner Bros. studios. With a $225 million price tag, the new movie costs nearly as much as the worldwide profits earned over the past 47 years by Christopher Reeve's first Superman movie. That makes the new movie's budget nearly as inflated as Corenswet's digitally-animated superhero chest. For those of you who paid the outrageous price of $2.50 for a ticket to see that first Superman movie in 1978, you may not realize that the idea of Superman--with his X-ray vision, superhuman strength, freeze-breath, and crippling susceptibility to kryptonite--was invented several decades earlier. Superman was a comic book concept first developed in 1932 by two high schoolers, Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster--a writer and an illustrator. In the original story, Superman gets his super powers--not physical but psychic powers--by taking a mad scientist's experimental drug, and this leads him to commit crime instead of fighting it. In revising the Superman character, Siegel and Schuster removed his evil behavior and placed it instead into Superman's arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Notably, they also made Luthor a mad scientist. Unfortunately, what pop culture always gets wrong is that though some scientists may be occasionally miffed, they are rarely mad. (Trust me on this.) Like Superman's human alter-ego Cark Kent, scientists are typically mild-mannered. That is, of course, until federal budget cuts to research centers and institutes began earlier this year. But that's a different kind of mad.
That first Superman movie from 1978 retells for audiences much of the superhero's origin story. Superman was born on the planet Krypton. As a baby, his parents evacuated him to Earth in a small spaceship shortly before Krypton was destroyed by a natural disaster. The ship landed in the American countryside near the town of Smallville, Kansas. But imagine if the space-travelling baby Superman had not landed on Earth in Kansas but instead in Louisiana and not near Smallville but instead near Chauvin. And imagine if he was not raised on Earth by Jonathan and Martha Kent but instead by Joe and Marie Kliebert. And imagine if Clark Kent was a reporter not for the Daily Planet but instead for the Daily Comet. Imagine what superhuman good could be done here in PoV Country! Superman could build levees faster than a speeding bullet. He could dive below our communities in a single bound and, more powerfully than a locomotive, lift our sinking marshlands above sea level. And, oh, his freezebreath could extinguish hot Gulf waters and make light drizzle out of hurricanes. Then maybe we would not need to evacuate from or otherwise suffer those natural disasters. And then maybe, as a matter of government efficiency, FEMA could be renamed Former Emergency Mitigation Ask.
dizzying series of lawsuits, and after nearly a century of radio and TV programs, comic books and comic strips, novels, chewing gum, breakfast cereal, playing cards, action figures, costumes, video games, and, of course, movies--all amounting to several billion dollars in profits--DC eventually settled out-of-court with heirs of Siegel and Schuster to prevent further challenges to copyright ownership. By now, the invoice for those fees must amount to one big, beautiful bill—and not the only big, beautiful bill this summer with a DC address on it.
As went Reeves and Reeve and Cavill, so will Corenswet go. In just a few years, Hollywood undoubtedly will be looking for yet another muscular, cleft-chinned, wavyhaired brunette who looks stunning in red briefs. Unfortunately, I was not born with a cleft chin, and these days it's getting tougher to produce brunette pigment. In addition, there's an issue with the waistband of the red shorts. Nonetheless, as I mention in each and every one of my auditions, those few things are nothing that a bit of digital animation cannot overcome. If nothing else, maybe I could be cast in the next Superman movie in the alter-ego role of a mild-mannered magazine writer. POV
RENDEZVOUS
Treasures on the Bayou
September 5-6
Warren J. Harang, Jr. Auditorium, Thibodaux
Formerly the TAWASI Antiques & Art Show, the show has expanded, renaming it to Treasures on the Bayou. The show features timeless antiques, inspiring art, and unique gifts! There will also be a special preview party on Friday morning, 8-10 a.m., featuring mimosas, hors d'oeuvres, logo shopping tote, first look at merchandise, and vendor specials.
Vandebilt Catholic Terrier Tailgate
September 12, 6 - 10 p.m.
Brother Alfred Kolb Center
Mark your calendars for an exciting evening of fun, food, and philanthropy celebrating the 10th year of Vandebilt Catholic's Terrier Tailgate! Attendees can look forward to a night filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, live music by Clustafunk, and a silent auction, all while supporting Vandebilt Catholic High School. Individual tickets are priced at $40, which includes food, beer, and wine. All guests must be 21 or older to attend.
Southdown Community Garage Sale
September 13, 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Southdown Plantation, Houma
Join Southdown Plantation and Museum for their 2nd Southdown Community Garage Sale! Individuals may purchase spots for their garage sale items prior to the event by emailing info@southdownmuseum. org, calling 985.851.0154, or by visiting southdownmuseum.org. All spot proceeds will support Southdown Plantation & Museum, a nonprofit museum that preserves and promotes Terrebonne Parish's history, culture, and arts.
Hero Fest
September 19-21
Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center
Hero Fest 2025 is an event aimed at supporting the first responders of Terrebonne Parish. Attendees can enjoy a range of attractions, including live music, food, rides, a 5K, pickleball tournament and a craft show, offering a weekend
of fun for the entire family. This year 's headliner performer on Saturday night is Craig Morgan! The funds raised from Hero Fest will be used to fund scholarships for children of first responders, support for families of first responders in need, and more For information and music line-up, visit facebook.com/terrebonneherofest.
Terrebonne ComicCon
September 20, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Terrebonne Parish Main Library
Come out for a fun, free comic con experience at the Terrebonne Main Library! See cosplayers, shop nerdy vendors, and attend comic con style panels and programs. This program is free to attend and open to the public and vendors will be selling items. For more info contact mhutchinson@mytpl.org
Brunch Under the Oaks: A Cook-off to Benefit St. Matthew’s Episcopal School
September 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. SMES Campus
Join the delightful fundraiser featuring a unique cook-off of delectable brunch foods. Teams of four are invited to compete in one of three categories: Sweet, Savory, or Both. A Kids in the Kitchen Zone will see cook-off teams composed of four children (7th grade and below) and one adult competing for awards in categories like Most Creative, Healthiest, Most Unique Ingredient, and more. The zone will also include short cooking demonstrations on fun family recipes, food and kitchen safety, and more. Don't miss out on this delicious event!
Twin Fest
September 27, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Downtown Houma
Third time's a charm! You heard it right— after not once, but TWICE rescheduling, we're finally ready to twin it up with you at the long-awaited 2nd Annual Twin Fest Louisiana Presented by Humana Healthy Horizons! From the festive vibes to the Double Trouble 5K Run, live music, food, vendors, and twin-filled fun, this is the celebration we've all been waiting for—and trust us, it's going to be bigger, better, and bolder than ever! Grab your twins, triplets, siblings, cousins, besties—or just bring your fun-loving self. POV
