PoV (February 2016)

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February 2016

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Point of Vue Magazine

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February 2016

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Point of Vue Magazine

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Contents

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 2

Columns:

On the Cover:

10 Editor’s Note

It’s Carnival Time

30 Then & Now

St. Joseph Co-Cathedral 32 Under the Scope

The El Niño Blues 34 Rendezvous

Where you need to be around town

12 PoV Picks

Expert picks to enhance your life 14 DIY

Valentine Glitter Votives & More

36 The Spoon

Hungry? Ground Pat’i.

38 Bon Appétit

Sweet and Savory Applesauce

Josh LaJaunie seeks to inspire others by sharing his weight loss journey.

Jose Delgado

16 Paws

Why is Chocolate So Bad for Animals?

Visit us online:

18 Intervue

Say what?

Facebook:

povhouma.com

/povmagazine

20 Smarty Pants

For when your thinking cap fails 22 The Vuefinder

Everyday Miracles 24 The Observer

Love the Ones You’re With

Instagram: @povmag 40 A Vue from the Vine

Traverse the Globe by Pinot Noir 41 Behind the Brew

2016: The Year of the Canned Mudbug

Twitter: @povmag

Pinterest: /povmag

Issuu: /rushing-media

Check out our newsletter: Receive additional content and weekly events when you sign up.

42 Chateau

Home tour 26 Volunteer

Chase Toups

Spotlight

28 Oh Snap

How the Turns Have Tabled

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Chic

TINYURL.COM/POVNEWSLETTER

72 Scene In

Look at ol’ so ‘n’ so!

75 Look Twice

Sponsored by Synergy Bank

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Contents

FEBRUARY 2016 • VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 2

Features:

FitLife: FitLife seeks to encourage, educate, and motivate readers to achieve their health and fitness goals

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We Support a Healthier Future Peripheral Artery Disease 101

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Pro Bono Publico

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Enduring Love

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Carnival season treats the kids.

Douglas and Genevieve Acosta

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G is for Gratitude Casey Cases for foster children

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Killin’ It

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FitMind

Josh LaJaunie spreads the word.

The Importance of Listening

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Editor’s Note

Publisher

Shell Armstrong

Brian Rushing publisher@rushing-media.com

It’s Carnival Time

Editor-in-chief Shell Armstrong editor@rushing-media.com

Creative Director Gavin Stevens gavin@rushing-media.com

Graphic Designers Mariella Brochard Todd Rowan

Sales Manager Deanne Ratliff deanne@rushing-media.com

Circulation Manager Michelle Ortego michelle@rushing-media.com

Subscriptions Point of Vue magazine is published monthly.

Subscriptions are available for $36 for 12 issues. For more information, email mail@rushing-media.com

FValentines. Beads and hearts.

ebruary is about Mardi Gras and

Purple, green and gold and red. And south Louisiana wears its heart on its sleeve for both.

I still remember seeing my first Rex parade. My Mom packed sandwiches, my Dad packed up the car and my brothers and I packed into the family Chevrolet for the trip to New Orleans.

We’d seen the newscasts of Mardi Gras Day in the Big Easy, but black and white TV just never did the greatest free show on Earth justice.

With a prime spot right on Canal Street, the spectacle was underway by the time we parked and made our way toward the crowd. King Zulu was passing. Beads by the hundreds were flying through the sky. And everyone was pleading for glittery coconuts. The Slidell parades I’d enjoyed the first six years of my life had nothing on Zulu.

By the time Rex arrived, I was feeling less skittish about the crowd. Still within my parent’s sightline, I burrowed to the front of the crowd … and that’s when I 10

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saw it. The clouds seemed to open, making way for the sun spotlight to shine on the king. Dressed all in white, the sun illuminated his scepter and crown, and it was like discovering nirvana.

We never made it to the truck parade … party animals all, we snaked back to the car for lunch, which turned into a nap since we had left Slidell in the pre-dawn hours to ensure a good seat for Zulu. As Dad steered back toward home, I glimpsed down from the interstate to catch one more look. On the street below, throngs of people, arms outstretched reaching to Rex riders. And I fell in love with Mardi Gras.

Enjoy the parades this year. And if you see me on the route, throw me something, mister! POV

SHELL ARMSTRONG is the

editor of Point of Vue magazine.

This issue’s contributors Photography Shell Armstrong, Channing Candies, Jose Delgado, Cherie Holton, Misty Leigh McElroy, Erica Seely

Writers Dwayne Andras, Lane Bates, Jaime Dishman, Mary Downer Ditch, John Doucet, Melissa Duet, Dr. J. Michael Flynn, Casey Gisclair, Cherie Holton, Bonnie Rushing, Becca Weingard

Copyright ©2016 Rushing Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of editorial and/or graphic content is strictly prohibited.

Business address: 6160 West Park Ave., Houma, LA 70364 985.868.7515 Point of Vue magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. The opinions expressed in Point of Vue magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Rushing Media, our employees or any of our advertisers. No employee or family member(s) of employees of Rushing Media are permitted to partake in any contests, giveaways or sweepstakes.

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Picks Ekster Wallets eksterwallets.com

In today’s world, you can never be too careful and this New York-based company has thought of just about everything to keep your money secure. This smart wallet, complete with wireless theft-blocking technology, syncs with your smart phone for constant contact, alerting you when the wallet goes out of range, say, when you leave it on the table at a restaurant. The app also allows you to set off an alarm to find your wa let between the sofa cushions. It also features a reverse finder hat activates your camera to sneak a peak at the person who swiped your phone in the parking lot.

Ruggie ruggie.co

There’ve been a million different alarms over the years designed to take the dread out of rising early.

This, however, might be the most painless one yet. Place the rug near the side of your bed and simply stand up. Don’t worry about falling back to sleep, either. Ruggie sounds an alarm if you don’t stand on it long enough, forcing you up and out the door with the sounds of running water or chirping birds instead of brain-rattling sirens.

Gaston Goes to Mardi Gras Bayou Country Children’s Museum, Thibodaux, 985.446.2200

Introduce your children to this classic from beloved Southern children’s author James Rice.

This story follows Gaston the Green-Nosed Alligator, developed through Rice’s nationally acclaimed holiday tale, “Cajun Night Before Christmas,” as he navigates all the excitement of Carnival like snagging a coconut from Krewe of Zulu and sneaking a peak at how those impressive floats come toge her. It’s an oldie but a goodie this time of year no matter your age.

Buggy Bench amazon.com

Parents with multiple toddlers know all too well the struggles that go along with trying to put two babies in a shopping cart that only accommodates one. This portable add-on solves that problem by snapping right onto the sides of any standard-size buggy, creating an additional safe space for your little one. The design is so compact, it still leaves space for your purchases without hampering the movability of your child.

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King Cake Soda Area Grocery Stores

It was only a matter of time before our beloved dough-and-sugar concoction found its way to our cup. Although everyone’s favorite Carnival treat tastes a little different, this sippable version is sweet like a cream soda with a hint of cinnamon to create a lightly carbonated beverage. True to Abita’s mission of honoring local products, the drink is sweetened with Louisiana cane sugar for a taste that’s both festive and familiar. POV

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DIY

Valentine Glitter Votives

Bottle Opener Show off our handiwork with this project that makes the perfect gift for the special man in your life. A few pieces of wood and a steady hand are all it takes to create this household must-have complete with a catch-all for bottle caps.

What you need: • 8 oz. regular mouth mason jar • Scissors • Foam heart piece (at most craft stores) • Painter’s tape

• Mod Podge • Glitter • Thin ribbon • Candle/LED lights

Ltle ones involved with this sparkling

Remove the heart and let the jar dry overnight. Paint Mod Podge over the painted portion of the jar and glitter generously while Mod Podge is still wet.

Tie a ribbon around the mouth and put a candle or LED lights inside to finish.

ight up your love by getting your lit-

votive craft. Place the foam heart shape on a piece of painter’s tape and use the heart as a guide to cut around. Affix the tape heart to an 8-ounce regular mouth mason jar and paint the entire jar in the color of your choice.

Visit pinterest.com/povmag to find these DIY projects and more!

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Dip-Dyed Frosted Tumblers Put a modern, fresh feel on those stemless wine glasses with this simple, chic DIY. Perfect for parties or backyard get-togethers, the glasses bring a pop of color to the bash and are sure to be a conversation starter. POV

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Paws

Why is chocolate so bad for animals?

Modko Shake Mess-free cleaning that’s stylish, too – now that’s a product any dog owner can support. Leave this puppy potty out, lock it up when its time to be cleaned, add water, shake it around and empty. Shake’s grates pop off for more heavy-duty cleaning, too. Modko also makes litter boxes ideal for your favorite feline.

Jdoesn’t mean your four-legged

ust because you have a sweet tooth

friend should enjoy a bite of that chocolate cupcake in your hand.

Chocolate and its relative, coffee, contain stimulants called methylxanthines. Two types of mythylxanthine, theobromine and caffeine, are prevalent in cocoa and chocolate and could pose a significant risk to your pets.

Animals are much more sensitive to methylxanthines and cannot break them down as easily as humans. According to Pamela George, president of The Humane Society of Louisiana Lafourche Chapter, when a dog or cat ingests food or beverages that contain these stimulants, the animal’s heart rate increases and may experience extreme sickness or seizures.

Other symptoms include excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity and tremors. In the worst scenarios, chocolate ingestion could cause death.

Although no dog or cat should ingest chocolate regardless of the type, it is important to note that the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.

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Dog-e-Glow LED Dog Collar & Leash This one’s so obvious we wish we had thought of it first. The length of the leash and the collar illuminate with built-in LED lights alerting passing cars to your presence and making it easy to spot your pooch when strolling around the neighborhood at night.

Catit Senses 2.0 Wellness Center Yes, even cats need a spot to chill out. This relaxation center offers a cushioned space to nap on, ridges and combs to groom fur, a swivel massager to relax the neck and head and a spot to add a little catnip for an extra special treat. POV

Point of Vue Magazine

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Walters, Meyer, Trosclair & Associates Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice

Gregory A. Walters, CFP®, MBA, APMA®, Private Wealth Advisor | Thomas J. Meyer, CFP®, APMA®, Private Wealth Advisor Ray A. Trosclair, CFP®, APMA®, Private Wealth Advisor | Lloyd J. Kern, III, APMA®, CMFC®, Financial Advisor David M. Ponson, Financial Advisor | Andrew C. Walters, Financial Advisor | Denise A. Badgerow, Associate Financial Advisor John T. Meyer, Associate Financial Advisor | Christopher M. Callahan, Associate Financial Advisor Nathan C. Walters, Associate Financial Advisor

132 Rue Colette, Ste. A • Thibodaux, LA 70301 985.446.1968 • 985.446.1989 fax 37410 Ascension Parish Rd., Ste. A • Prairieville, LA 70769 225.744.4482 • 225.744.4480 fax www.wmta-getadvice.com Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. © 2014 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Intervue

Megan

Lisa

Jane

Cindy

Laura

Anesthesia Coordinator

Business Manager

Homemaker

Photographer

Admin. Specialist

What’s the number one reason you get out of bed in the morning?

Waking up to a new day with unknown possibilities

At the moment ... spin class

Cup of coffee

My family

You have to get up and work hard for what you want in life

Your go-to king cake filling:

Bavarian cream, especially from Mr. Ronnie’s

Pecan praline

Cream cheese

Bavarian cream

Strawberry cream cheese

Laughing with someone two minutes after having a figh

A true adventure to happiness

All my “Lil Snooks” (aka my grandbabies)

All you need

Making you smile or giggle all throughout your heart, total trust and feeling secure in his arms

What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

A professional dancer

Miss America

Clothes designer ... I would make clothes for dolls when I was a child

A veterinarian

An artist

House, desk or car—which one is constantly messy?

Desk

None, duh! I’m a little OCD

Car

Desk

Desk

Feb. 28th is National Public Sleeping Day. Where can we find you lounging?

On my sofa snuggling with my boxer, Lexie

At Starbucks with Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis in tow

In a deer stand

Probably not in public, but in my rocking chair

On the sofa catching up on DVR

$3

Anything over 25 cents

Money

Silver dollars

$1

Love is ___________.

Best thing the tooth fairy ever brought you:

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Smarty Pants No Googling!

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Which U.S. president is credited with creating instant coffee in 1910?

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A George Washington B William Howard Taft C Theodore Roosevelt D Warren G. Harding

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Which music legend had a No. 1 hit the week of his death on Aug. 16, 1977?

A Ceramic B Glass C Porcelain D Aluminum

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A Rod Stewart B Elvis Presley C Stevie Wonder D David Bowie

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Dartmouth student Theodore Geisel was banned from the school’s humor magazine for throwing a raucous party. To keep working, he created the pen name:

No, your car isn’t breaking down. A stretch of Route 66 between Albuquerque and Tijeras plays what song if you adhere to the 45 mph speed limit: A “William Tell Overture” B “America the Beautiful” C “Mary Had a Little Lamb” D “Jingle Bells”

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What classic, wiggly American snack food, which enjoys a week-long celebration each February, is thought to be Ellis Island immigrants’ first taste of the USA? A Pudding B Oreos C Twinkies D Jell-O

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A Dr. Seuss B Roald Dahl C L. Frank Baum D P.L. Travers

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What material was originally used to create Mardi Gras beads but eventually changed do to the danger it posed to spectators?

When “Glee” ended in 2015, actress Lea Michele took what prop as a keepsake from her on-screen and real-life boyfriend Cory Monteith, who passed away in 2013?

A A choir trophy B A prom photo C Finn’s football jersey D Finn’s diploma

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The phrase “kill with kindness” is just one of a handful of popular phrases credited to this playwright: A Arthur Miller B Samuel Beckett C William Shakespeare D Christopher Marlowe

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What characteristic of gold makes it ideal for jewelry?

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A It doesn’t corrode B It’s very shiny C It’s a symbol of wealth D It’s is extremely dense

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Which of these NFL teams, set to relocate to Los Angeles by next season, previously resided in the City of Angels?

A Chik-filB Wingstop C KFC D Popeye’s Chicken

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Which former NFL head coach made an appearance as Screech’s cousin in the spin-off, “Saved by the Bell: The New Class?”

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A Steve Spurrier B Pete Carroll C Nick Saban D Jim Harbaugh

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Which school activity was part of the Olympic Games lineup until 1932?

A Rope Climbing B Hopscotch C Red Rover D Marbles

A Oakland Raiders B Dallas Cowboys C San Diego Chargers D St. Louis Rams

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Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain named what fastfood chicken joint as his go-to for a quick meal?

What message is among the most popular phrases requested on Necco Sweethearts, a tie to the candy’s original use?

A “Tweet Me” B “Marry Me” C “Sweet Talk” D “Be Mine”

Which famous city is also the smallest in the world at only .17 square miles?

Well, how’d you do?

A Maza, North Dakota B Cannes, France C Bavaria, Germany D Vatican City

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160 Pants on Fire

6-10

110 Smarty Pants

1-5

50 Pants on the Ground

0

3

# Correct IQ

Your Pantsyness:

Did You Forget Your Pants?

Answers

1. A 2. B 3. B 4.

D 5. A 6. C 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. D 11. D 12. A 13. D 14. B 15. D

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The Vuefinder Melissa Duet

Everyday Miracles

Tfrom the dog at 6:15 a.m. The first he first woof, a cry for breakfast,

drop of coffee hits the bottom of the glass pot at 6:20 a.m. Eggs are on the stove by 6:28 and the news echoes overnight happenings by 6:30 a.m.

As I peered with bleary eyes at the illuminated clock on the microwave one morning, it occurred to me how structured the hour and 15 minutes before stepping out the door had become.

I’ve got my morning routine down to a science so much so that if I left five minutes past my usual departure at 7:30, I’m guaranteed to get stuck behind a trail of school busses clogging the only thoroughfare in my little town.

And don’t get me started on my daily planner. The outlined boxes filled with dutiful notes to call the bank and pick up the dry cleaning keep my anxiety of forgetting to be somewhere or talk to someone in check.

At the beginning of the year, I made a promise to myself to live simpler,

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inspired by my husband’s minimalistic wardrobe of high-quality essentials that take up approximately a quarter of the closet while my stash of sale finds balloons embarrassingly from the other side. Amid the things I’ve sworn to simplify is my way of thinking about the future. I dream of the day the unknowns floating out in the universe don’t wake me from my slumber in the middle of the night.

In the interviews I’ve conducted over the last month, a thread of similar theme has woven through each story I have the privilege of sharing with our readers. The days, months, years leading up to their published stories weren’t unlike my own life, a rollercoaster of unknowns that led them to ask themselves more than a few times, ‘How am I going to make this happen?’

The response that surfaced in all their stories was letting go. How uncomplicated and freeing is that? The thought that simply releasing all of the bits

and pieces of our lives that we try to control to whatever higher power you believe, allowing them to take hold and take control is so simple. So simple, in fact, it’s kind of hard to wrap my mind around.

For them, bills were paid, business details fell into place despite having a lack of knowledge in the field, mission work evolved and thrived, marriages survived through life’s curveballs thanks to unwavering commitment. All that happened because they were willing to surrender to the life they were meant to lead, not the one they wanted to create.

With such immense freedom comes clarity to see and experience all the everyday miracles happening in our lives each day. POV

MELISSA DUET is a writer for

Rushing Media. Living simply for her also means evaluating her tendency to hoard bobby pins and Starbucks cups.

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The Observer Jaime Dishman

Love the Ones You’re With It’s hate it. Married people feel love month. Single people

obligated. Dating people love it. Moms dread it – trying to figure out if a lollipop attached to a store-bought Valentine’s Day card will ever compare to the perfect Pinterest projects brought by kids with crafty moms. (OK, the last one is just me – last year, we brought Fun Dips for every class. Straight sugar seems to be a success in every kid’s classroom. I don’t know why more people aren’t pinning that idea on Pinterest.)

History tells us the story of St. Valentine, a Roman priest who was caught, imprisoned and tortured for performing Christian marriage ceremonies against the commands of the emperor. That’s not really making it on any Valentine’s Day cards, I’m thinking.

There’s an ache that accompanies Valentine’s Day, is there not? The ache of loved ones gone, the ache of loved ones estranged, and the ache of wanting to love better, but not always knowing how. Valentine’s Day comes on the heels of New Year, where we vowed to love ourselves better by eating right, budgeting better and being more organized. On Feb. 14, we turn our eyes toward others, usually after failing to love ourselves (there’s been unhealthy foods, wasted money and lots of unorganized messes since Jan. 1).

So how can I love others when I seem to lack the energy to even love myself ?

I can talk all day about the idea of love and how to give love. But in the words of a long-ago song, “Love is a verb.” (If you know that song, congratulations. It’s a throw-back to old-school Christian rap.

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If you’re unaware such a genre of music exists, you’re probably doing just fine without that song in your iTunes rotation.)

I love others. I do. But if I’m honest, I love those who love me, well, the most.

I adore people who think I’m adorable.

I’m crazy about people who are crazy about me. Does any of this sound familiar or am I the only one loving people who love me back?

It would revolutionize the idea of love if we start loving the unlovable. Yes? Imagine the security our loved ones would feel if we loved our annoying boss, irritating co-workers and grumpy relatives better. I would think that those I love the most would think, “If she can love them, then she’ll always love me.”

Loving people better takes the focus from ourselves. If I love well, I can’t be consumed in myself. And if I’m honest, the temptation to be consumed in myself is always right at the edge of my peripheral vision. It’s as though if I just tilt my head a little more to the left or right, I can fully see myself. It’s kind of like getting the perfect angle for a selfie.

Have you ever witnessed someone take dozens of selfies trying to look slimmer, prettier and pretty much perfect? Oh, the time wasted on ourselves.

I’m giving love this month. And next month. And the next. And the month after that. I’m hoping you’re seeing the big picture of continual love here.

It’s not easy or natural. I want to focus on myself, my feelings, my priorities. But my best days are those that have been spent giving to others. An island of selflove is a cage of craziness.

None of this may be making sense to anyone but me, and if that’s the case, I’ll readily admit that I’m no self-help expert. I guess I’m suggesting we skip over the self-help portion of the book store and make our way to the “help others” section. Except there doesn’t seem to be a section for that. Everyone says “heal yourself then help others.” I don’t know if I’ll ever feel entirely healed or completely whole. The things that have broken my heart into pieces are the things that have helped me recognize the brokenness in others.

The mean lady in front of me at the grocery store is a soul shattered by grief unknown to me. My kindness is a salve that won’t cure everything but might make it feel better and give a brief glimpse of hope for just a moment.

I’ve often lingered over moments of love shown to me by others. An unexpected kindness in an ocean of days that sometimes feels more hopeless than hopeful. Crazy how just one loving action can light up even the darkest of days.

Author C.S. Lewis says, “Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal.”

Give love. This month. And always. POV JAIME DISHMAN is learning to

love others better. It’s possible the lesson will never be over and she will be 90 years old still learning to love. And that’s OK. It’s worth giving an entire lifetime to love.

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Volunteer Spotlight

Chase Toups

Nominate Someone!

To submit someone who’s doing incredible things, email us at EDITOR@RUSHING-MEDIA.COM

100 Jacket Mission

Channing Candies

AChase Toups recognized the need little more than two years ago,

for more giving in an often selfish world.

The idea of a jacket mission, a way to put a winter essential on the backs of those with little, kept popping up in his mind and before long, he couldn’t fight the call he now considers a divine intervention.

Throughout December, the public was encouraged through social media to donate gently-used or new winter items by bringing them to one of the designated drop-off oints. In 2013, Chase managed to gather 587 jackets for the homeless

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for 100 Jacket Mission. By his second year, that number increased to 700. In year three, more than 1,800 jackets were collected, an overwhelming accomplishment for the Houma resident.

Homeless shelters and rehabilitation centers in Houma, Morgan City, Alabama and Mississippi all received a portion of this past year’s contributions in the early weeks of December.

On Christmas Day, Chase, family and friends gathered under the bridges in New Orleans to pass out jackets and interact with those who are now a little warmer thanks to his hard work.

“A lot of days, we may be frustrated with our lives but going out there Christmas Day, you would swear they won this $1 billion Powerball,” he says. “Just seeing their faces and reactions and the thanks that they gave was amazing.”

The desire to volunteer in this manner has been a blessing and a call he says he’s happy he answered.

“My pastor [Cross Church’s Brandon Bilbo] says if it’s your vision, it’s your mission,” he explains. “If you see it and you put God first, it will happen.” POV

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Oh Snap How the Turns Have Tabled In a shocking twist, Chelsie Bergeron of the Krewe of Kajuns baffled the crowd when she demanded they throw something to her instead.

Misty Leigh McElroy

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Then & Now

Photo courtesy of the Bayou History Center of St. Joseph

An Joseph Co-Cathedral has proudly iconic Thibodaux landmark, St.

stood on Canal Boulevard since 1923. The first church, a small wooden mission that stood along La. Highway 1, opened in 1819 and was dedicated in honor of St. Joseph.

Fire destroyed the structure in 1916, after which the current Renaissance Romanesque structure was erected in its current location. The first mass was celebrated Jan. 25, 1923. POV

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Under the Scope John Doucet

The El Niño Blues FI think the new state motto should orget “Union, Justice, Confidence.”

be “Waiting for Winter.” It’s February already, the solstice is over a month past, and I’m still waiting. I’m talking about weather that’ll put a freeze on wet canals, that’ll make breath condense to fog right out of mouths, and that’ll make cypresses go bald. They like to say in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” that “Winter is Coming.” But those are people in Westeros. In Westwego, people couldn’t be less sure.

This past December was the warmest and wettest on record in the U.S. This weather confused not only humans but also living things all around us. For instance, my cat, like a good mammal, put on pounds of extra fur and ate pounds of extra kibbles to insulate herself from a cold that never came. And she’s pretty angry right now, not only for the discomfort of wearing a heavy coat in warmer-than-usual weather but also for the loss of her kitty figure. She looks like a calico Nerf football, and all the neighborhood Toms know it.

I’ve got acorns all over my backyard because confused squirrels won’t gather and bury them. All day for the past four months, instead of preparing for winter, my yard’s squirrels have been running up and down trees, aggravating birds and trying to encourage them to move on farther south. But why move on?

It’s warm, and there’s plenty of seeds from an extended autumn. Like winged carpetbaggers, those noisy little yankees may never fly back up north! And the trees on whose branches they chirp and

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caw and peck are fairly miffed as well, not knowing whether or not to drop the rest of their leaves in the midst of this springtime weather. And if you’ve ever seen “The Lord of the Rings,” you really don’t want miffed trees in your yard.

If Bing Crosby were in south Louisiana during the damp, 80-degree weather that graced us for Christmas, he’d still be dreaming. The only thing white about Christmas 2015 was the vanilla ice cream I served to cool off y family. It made me remember Christmases as a kid when Mom would buy us new outfits from Sears-Roebuck to look nice at church and when visiting the relatives.

Problem was that weather was often rainy and warm, and the outfits were winter fabrics designed by insensitive roebucks up north who think winter is the same all around the world. (The same sorts of people control the AC thermostat at Wal-Mart stores!) So there I was, up to my neck and wrists in a thick and prickly little sweater visiting houses where walls were sweating and where I was expected to eat hot gumbo.

I’ve certainly eaten gumbo since, but I’ve never worn a sweater again.

They say that the unseasonably wet, warm, and windy weather that kept chestnuts unroasted and dampened fi ecrackers during Christmas was caused by El Niño — that strong, global current that brings tropical Pacific air across Mexico and the southern U.S. They say this is one of the strongest El Niño’s in history and that it’ll last into summer. They say that El Niño has been blocking Artic cold fronts from dipping

into the South and robbing true winter from us. I don’t know who “they” are, but it’s probably the same people who control the AC thermostat at Wal-Mart.

With unusually wet, warm, and windy weather, it looks like our energy bills will go up in 2016. Even worse, it looks like it’ll be a bad hair year. But let’s not sing the El Niño Blues too soon! After all, we can turn our uncomfortable El Niño disposition into good things. For one, a strong El Niño will drive future hurricanes up the Atlantic Coast and away from the Gulf ’s. If you’re not forced to wear wool, your spirits will be OK since it’s hard to develop Seasonal Affective Disorder when there’s no change in season. Further, if you feel a little entrepreneurial, you can buy up a bunch of sweaters, thick socks, designer gloves, scarfs, hats, and coats at deep discounts and turn a profit reselling them in a future non- El Niño year. And finally, as we have learned from past warm El Niño seasons, potted meat will remain soft and flavorful in the can on your supermarket shelf and in your cupboard.

As I write, I’m sitting outside, basking in a mild southwesterly breeze, watching confused flowers and trees bud and flower way too soon, wondering how adult lovebugs will ever survive after all that premature plant nectar is gone by April and May. Might be a good year for motorcycling across U.S. Highway 90.

Get your motor running. POV

JOHN DOUCET is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Nicholls State University.

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Rendezvous Want us to include your event in our calendar?

Shoot an email to editor@rushing-media.com and we’ll help spread the word.

Nicholls State University First Pitch Banquet Saturday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m.

The “Father of Southeastern Conference baseball” Ron Polk headlines this annual benefit for the Nicholls State University baseball team. The banquet features a silent auction, dinner, cash bar, introduction of the 2016 Colonel team and a speech from Polk. Tickets are $60 per seat or $500 per table of 10.

Where: The Cypress Columns, Gray

Contact: seth.thibodeaux@nicholls.edu

Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV Show

Feb. 19-21, Fri.: 12 - 9 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun.: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The biggest boat and RV sales event hits Houma for the 18th year. See more than 40 types of boats and more than 100 RVs or check out the Fish-O-Rama Trout Pond. Admission is $8 for adults and free for those 15 and under with a paid adult. Children 12 and under are allowed to fish one time in the rainbow trout pond free on Friday.

Where: Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, Houma

Contact: southernlouisianaboatrvshow.com

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‘Waiting Around’ Feb. 19 - March 13

This hilarious musical follows the ups and downs of being a waiter in the French Quarter. Three veteran waiters teach newbie Jessie just what it takes to deal with the good and bad that come along with serving a delicious Cajun meal to the Big Easy’s diverse and hungry crowd.

Where: Bayou Playhouse, Lockport Contact: bayouplayhouse.com

Wild Game Supper

Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:45 p.m.

Sample more than 40 exotic dishes including kangaroo, zebra and more at this feast prepared by Bayou Lafourche’s best cooks. Individual tickets are $60.

Conservation tables for eight are $2,500 and include a company banner, shirts, goody bags, front row seating, special recognition, early admission, a bucket of beer and a personal server; VIP tables for eight are $800 and include a company banner, early admission, preferential seating, a bucket of beer, shirts and a personal server.

Where: Larose Civic Center, Larose Contact: 985.693.7355

Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Central Regional Feb. 25-27

Nicholls State University hosts more than 100 collegiate bass fishing teams during the three-day tournament, the second in a five-series qualifier for the 2016 national championships. Bob’s Bayou Black Marina serves as the regional’s official launch and weigh-in station. The final weigh-in takes place on the Nicholls campus.

Where: Bob’s Bayou Black Marina, Gibson & Nicholls State University, Thibodaux

‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ Feb. 26 - March 6

This autobiography-turned-play follows the story of accomplished journalist Mitch Albom and his former college professor Morrie Schwartz. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morrie’s appearance on a television program and learns his professor is battling ALS. The two reunite and a weekly pilgrimage on the meaning of life commences. Tickets are $15.

Where: Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne, Houma Contact: houmalittletheatre.com, 985.876.4278

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The Spoon

Hungry?

Ground Pat’i.

It’s Houma. Don’t believe me?

a common consideration in

Visit any Saturday or Sunday. Families enjoying an outing after church, couples milling about in search of a casual meal and shoppers seeking refuge for a quick bite pack the place.

Ground Pat’i first opened its doors in Terrebonne Parish in 1971. The familyfriendly restaurant quickly earned a reputation for chargrilling the best burgers in town. It’s a reputation owner Linda Ayers – who has held the title of owner/operator the last six years – works hard to maintain. And based on a recent visit, Houma’s Ground Pat’i is a hit with people of all ages.

Situated at 101 Bayou Gardens Blvd., Gound Pat’i is built for comfort – from the casual environments to the diverse menu. The wood tables and chairs surround a brick fire pit in the dining room.

As my guest and I step inside, we’re immediately greeted by a smiling hostess.

On this particular Saturday, the place is packed but our waitress is right on hand to take our drink orders and deliver menus and a can of peanuts.

What I’ve always appreciated about the Houma Ground Pat’i is the variety of options. Whether you have a yen for soup and salad or a full meal, there’s something for most tastebuds. That said, I’ve always considered hamburgers to be this eatery’s specialty. Cooked on an open flame, the Original Ground Pat’i, a half-pound charbroiled USDA Choice ground chuck burger, helped make a name for the place in the Seventies. To this day, it remains a favorite among diners.

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Ground Pat’i also offers curbside take-out.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

toasted bun. Lettuce, tomato and onion slices top the bun. Fries – conventional or the waffle sweet potato variety – accompany the meal.

We decide to forgo appetizers; we’ve been munching on the peanuts, after all. On previous visits, the Homemade Onion Rings ($6.95) and Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($7.99) have been big hits.

On this visit, I order the Cajun BBQ Ground Pat’I ($9.49), which is kicked up with Cajun spices and covered with a thick, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.

The same Cajun spices are generously sprinkled atop my fries, too.

A quick note of advice to burger lovers who like their ground chuck well cooked: it may be wise to stop at medium-well. Well-done burgers have a tasty brown center when served, but

as the burger cools, it can become quite hard. The juices of the meat are more prevalent ordered medium-well.

Heeding my own advice, I enjoy my delicious lunch.

My guest opts to try the seafood – a Shrimp Platter ($17.49) to be exact. The dish includes Louisiana Gulf jumbo shrimp battered and fried atop Texas Toast and a bed of sweet potato waffle fries. Diners have other options for the side: fries, baked potato or sweet potato or steamed veggies. And the meal includes a small dinner salad. (The thick homemade honey mustard dressing that topped the salad would probably be great on a burger. Next visit, I’m going to order a side of dressing to use in lieu of mayo and mustard.)

My guest enjoyed the shrimp, and reported the lunch was filling. Normally, I wouldn’t suggest Ground Pat’i to someone craving seafood – meat is more their thing, I believe. But the shrimp dish did earn a thumbs-up.

For dessert, we shared a slice of Key Lime Cheesecake ($6.99). The menu suggested fans of lemon icebox pie would enjoy its key lime twin. True dat!

Smooth and creamy, the sweet pie has the right amount of lime tang. Ground Pat’i went out on a high note.

Ground Pat’i is famous for its burgers and cold beverages in pewter mugs, but it’s the outstanding service that sets the Houma operation apart. Our waitstaff has always been attentive, helpful and friendly. Happily, we experienced that again on this trip.

No matter the occasion, no matter the day, Ground Pat’i is a sure bet for a casual outing. POV

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Bon Appétit Becca Weingard

Sweet and Savory Applesauce Makes 4 cups Prep Time: 30 mins.

Cook Time: 1.5 hours

What You’ll Need: 10 apples, diced into large chunks 3 pears, diced into large chunks 2 shallots, thinly sliced 2 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar 4 cups light brown sugar 2 T. mustard seed 3 whole cloves 2 whole cinnamon sticks 2 t. red pepper flakes 5 cloves of garlic, smashed and roughly chopped 1 inch grated, fresh ginger

How to Make It: Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot and bring to a vigorous boil. Reduce the heat to medium, stirring regularly.

Reduce to a thick consistency. Store in the fridge up to two weeks or process and seal in jars forever.

I sive glory of this experience floated

was 19 years old. Before that, the elu-

through stories from my grandparents, as they reminisced of a better time. Yet tales of the past stood before me in reality. At a friend’s house in the bayous of south Louisiana, I stood in disbelief, pinching myself to test lucidity … and finally … tasting homemade ice cream for the first time. Donuts, beignets, truffles – all else ghostly pales in comparison to the vivid memory of simple yet provocative flavors. There are flavors I love and

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remember yet struggle to recall a first encounter.

To change something, as Fraulein Maria recommends, we start at the very beginning, where food begets awe. Also a very good place to start. Sacred moments that represent what it is to savor something, not just consume it.

And it begins with taste.

A biological novelty misunderstood and underestimated as the gatekeeper of your diet.

Taste.

We own a unique arrangement of tastebuds, determined by your genetic map. Nature’s gift of individualized taste experience.

In college, I stumbled upon a biomedical research lab utilizing the propylthiouracil (or PROP) test – a diagnostic medium for interpreting individual taste preference. The PROP test is a clear, watery liquid that participants swish around their mouth, rate the taste of it from strong to weak, and spit it out.

PROP test participants who experi-

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ence little flavor enjoy a wide variety of food. Those with a strong aversion to the PROP test have tightly oriented tastebuds, making them sensitive to strong (bitter, sour, creamy, fatty) flavors, essentially determining the “good” eaters from the “picky” eaters.

I took the test along with a friend of mine. To her, it tasted like water. To me, it tasted like rusted dirt boring inside an infected foot … soaked in sock funk.

Thus I learned that I’m a “Supertaster,” my friend is a “Nontaster,” and “Medium tasters” find themselves somewhere in the middle.

A Wall Street Journal article delineates the health consequences of being a Supertaster vs. a Non-taster, and it lays out some traditional food preferences and aversions.

So, where do you fit in? What is your first food memory? A steak? A blissfully perfect cup of black coffee?

To guide food decisions, you have to understand your predisposition toward these flavors. Supertasters crave sweet flavors with fierce determination and must exercise caution, as studies show that the addictive qualities of sugar can be more rewarding and attractive than those with cocaine. Right, sugar > cocaine.

I’m currently attempting to drink my coffee sans sweetener, a huge leap from my pour-until-you’re-bored method.

The revelation of Supertaster status vindicated me from years of teasing for my “picky” tastes. Now, I possess a scientific understanding for why I choose certain foods over others.

However, I still catch a hard time for not liking beer.

And I’ll argue that my hard cider is a beer until I’m purple in the face. I don’t care from whence its fermentation came.

Enter the apple, and the salt.

I have a recipe here that strikes a balance with everyone on the spectrum. A medley of fresh picked apples, pears, cooked down with ginger, garlic, mustard seed, shallots, etc.

Th s pairs magnificently with a breakfast sandwich, trust me. POV

BECCA WEINGARD shares adventures and recipes from her Cajun/Italian kitchen in Washington, D.C. on her blog: PLAYWITHYOURFOODIES.COM. povhouma.com

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A Vue from the Vine Lane Bates

Traverse the Globe

by Pinot Noir Tare known for their superb blends. All three have pro-

he Pinot Noirs from South Africa, Oregon and California

duced excellent vintages the past couple of years, translating into an abundance of great choices.

Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2014 – $44.99 Wine Spectator Rating: 92

Hamilton Russell is one of the flagship wineries of South Africa. When it comes to Pinot Noir, this is the King of South Africa.

Very stylish with wonderful complexity, this wine has flavors of cherry, cinnamon and spices. It finishes with subtle tannins on a long, pleasant mineral taste.

Fans of French red burgundy will enjoy this wine.

The Four Graces Pinot Noir Williamette Valley 2013 – $26.99 Wine Spectator Rating: 92

Straight from one of Oregon’s up-and-coming producers, this Pinot Noir is elegant and earthy to the nose, and bright and vibrant on the palate. It’s flavors of cherries, cranberries and plum meld harmoniously. The wine fi ishes with focused tannins that suggest it will age well over the next 5-7 years.

The Four Graces is a superb example of Oregon’s Pinot and is a pretty good value to boot.

Pali Wine Huntington Santa Barbara County 2013 – $18.99 Wine Spectator Rating: 89

Pali Wine makes several great value Pinots from across California and Oregon, and this is one fine example. With its intense cherry, raspberry and spice flavors, the wine is clean and focused on the midpalate. It finishes with good intensity and subtle tannins. It is a great everyday Pinot Noir. POV

LANE BATES is the wine and spirits specialist

at Cannata’s. Feel free to visit him to find ou more. Or call 985.209.9762 or email him at LANEBATES@CANNATAS.COM. 40

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Behind the Brew Dwayne Andras

2016: The Year of Canned Mudbug Mits first year as the Tri-parish area’s only commercial udbug Brewery, of Thibodaux, recently celebrated

craft brewer.

Mudbug Brewery is not just sitting back and enjoying the accomplishments of 2015. They are taking the locally owned and operated brewery to the next level. Until recently, the brewery’s multiple craft beers were only available on draft at many local bars, restaurants and in Mudbug’s own Taproom. As of last month, Mudbug Beer is available in cans.

The first beer offered at various retail locations: the King Cake Ale. In time for the Carnival season, parade-goers across south Louisiana are able to enjoy locally-brewed craft beer.

Next in line, Mudbug plans to release Café Au Lait and, closer to spring, the Pelican Pilsner. Both are seasonal styles, which will be available in 12-ounce cans.

Thinking, “Why cans? That’s an outdated vessel.” Not so with all of the advancements in canning technology.

Beer was first commercially canned on Jan. 24, 1935, in Richmond, Va. Its popularity surged during World War II. Canning made it possible for American brewers to ship millions of cans to soldiers fighting overseas.

Some brewers still believe cans are the superior vessel – and not because drinkers can shotgun it like John Blutarsky, John Belushi’s frat brother character in “Animal House.” Air and light – the biggest threats to a beer’s flavor – are prevented from penetrating cans. And because cans are more readily recycled, canning beer is better for the environment.

Unlike bottled beverages, canned beer is also allowed on parade routes, beaches and pools. And its easier to stack in an ice chest. Because brewers have the entire can as a canvas, branding and labeling is often more creative, too.

I can’t wait to bring a six-pack of Mudbug beer to my next crawfish boil. That’s a perfect south Louisiana combination – Mudbug’s beer and crawfish. POV

DWAYNE ANDRAS is a home brewer and self-taught

beer expert in continuous search of the perfect pint. Chat with him about your favorite brew at DWAYNE.ANDRAS@GMAIL.COM.

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Chateau Chic Bonnie Rushing Erica Seely

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A

B

O fit their lifestyle, they just needed to make it their

nce Dean and Danielle Cheramie found a house that

style. The Acadian home is perfectly situated on a large lot, complete with a pool and guest house. Wanting to give the home a sophisticated, stylish and chic look while feeling approachable and welcoming, the Cheramies enlisted the help of Jennifer DiCerbo, designer and owner of The French Mix. After deciding on a warm, rich monochromatic color palette, Jennifer created the desired look by mixing many different mediums and textures to create interest.

Belgian linen, leather, velvet, lucite, iron, glass, marble, painted wood, silk and faux fur were combined throughout, creating a refined look.

The open concept kitchen and dining area flow nicely, while the decor ties them together and makes them unique. The kitchen island was painted a soft gray and is flanked with swivel stools that are upholstered in oyster leather with painted gray frames. Adding new island pendants and cabinet hardware, as well as closing in some cabinetry, gave the kitchen a new look. In the dining area, a custom table with a taupe hand-finish is mixed with faux leather dining chairs. A custom, handmade and finished chandelier hangs over the table, perfectly complimenting the colors in the dining set. povhouma.com

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C In the living area, a custom size Oushak rug sets the tone for the space. Hand-knotted wool with washed shades of taupe, gray and cream create a timeless and elegant impression. The sofa is Belgian linen in a natural tone while the French chairs are mixed with an unexpected fabric to keep the space fresh. A leather recliner and tufted ottoman add warmth and comfort, while the iron and glass nesting tables look polished and sophisticated. Silk window treatments and a silk velvet tufted bench with lucite legs provide another layer of texture.

In the master suite, the king size bed sits on top of a spa blue and champagne hand-knotted silk and wool rug from Nepal. The bed is adorned with a custom

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F upholstered headboard and custom bedding, mixing textures of silk, satin, linen and velvet.

Crystal lamps flank the bed on his-and-her night chests while, on the opposite side of the room, an armoire in a cream finish with antiqued mirror doors provide storage and house the TV. Custom-made silk panels complete the space.

In their girls’ rooms, mixed textures were utilized, again combining silk, velvet, linen, wood, iron, glass, lucite, cow hide rugs and mirrored furniture to create a curated and updated space. POV

G

A Kitchen B Dining C Master Suite D Master Suite E Living F Bedroom G Bedroom 46

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Mary Downer Ditch Shell Armstrong

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Pro Bono Publico

Carnival season always brings to mind several weeks of revelry stretching from the Twelfth Night to Mardi Gras Day. Area krewes’ celebrations are well known featuring parties, tableaux, parades and merriment. Then comes Ash Wednesday and the season is over.

But is it?

For several local Carnival clubs, while the party might end on Mardi Gras Day, the gathering of members to give back to the community doesn’t.

In the great tradition of Rex, King of Carnival, whose motto is “Pro Bono Publico” or “for the public good,” Carnival clubs have long gathered year-round to raise funds and give back to the communities that support them. From our area’s youth to the young at heart, needs are met by these jovial groups of revelers.

For the Children One of the greatest parts of riding in a Mardi Gras parade is seeing the children’s faces as they catch beads and trinkets. Its no surprise children are where a majority of local krewes focus their philanthropic eff rts.

The Krewe of Cleopatra hosts a public trick-ortreat event annually in the Courthouse Square in downtown Houma the night before Halloween. The club decorates the square and each of its 21 floats

donates candy. Members dress up in family-friendly costumes to hand out candy to any child who wishes to attend this safe alternative to going around their neighborhood. There is also a pumpkin carving and decorating contest.

“We might be adults but we are children at heart,” Liz Trosclair, president of the Krewe of Cleopatra, says. “We love to dress up at Halloween and have just as much fun as the children.”

Cleopatra took over the Halloween event, which began many years ago with the Krewe of Aphrodite decorating Pumpkin Bridge. What started as a bridge of pumpkins has blossomed into a seasonal main event.

“One special member of Cleopatra, Mona Guillory, loved Halloween. She had a special talent when it came to carving pumpkins. She would carve the artificial foam pumpkins with wonderful, intricate designs, creating around 50-75 pumpkins to place on display,” Liz explains. “Mona passed away in 2012 and it is in her honor that we call the event ‘Mona’s Kids at Heart.’ Mona’s former float is still on the committee in charge of decorating the court square.”

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“Mardi Gras is a way of life in the South.

It gets in your blood and you can’t let go.”

S.P. LARUSSA

the year to raise funds to donate to those facing heath, injury or funeral expenses.

“It’s not just one day of putting on a costume and getting on a float. It’s so much more,” Liz declares. “So many people think that Mardi Gras is just that one day, for the adults only. But we have so many women in our organization that love children and love to give. It’s not just one day for us. Our ladies help out year-round where they can.”

The Krewe of Aphrodite hosts a children’s parade, featuring a king and queen, who are special needs children nominated by the krewe. They are given a crown and scepter and ride in special dune buggies at the front of the parade.

“This is their special day,” shares Sharon Pontiff, ice president of the Krewe of Aphrodite. “It’s our way of reaching out and helping the children in our area. They are royalty. Our queen and royal court even walk behind them in the parade.”

This mini-parade made its way around the parking lot at Rouses Supermarket on West Park this year on Jan. 16. Children were invited to decorate a wagon, wear costumes and throw trinkets and beads to the gathered crowd.

“The children’s floats are very creative,” Sharon says. “Lots of hard work goes into the decorating.”

Every child gets a ribbon for participating and awards are given for first-, second- and third-place in a variety of categories.

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“We always do as much as we can to give back during the year,” Sharon says.

“We enjoy ourselves as adults on ride day, but to see all the kids come out for their parade – that day is all about them.”

For the Young at Heart For more than 20 years, the Krewe of Hercules has partnered with the Terrebonne Council on Aging. Each year, the king and his royal court donate and solicit sponsorships to host Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and provide a sizable donation directly to TCOA. Members of the court, the Board of Directors and their families work the dinners, serving the food and visiting with the elderly.

More than 200 people are fed at each event.

“We are so thrilled to have the Krewe of Hercules as a true partner,” says Diana Edmonson, executive director of the Terrebonne Council on Aging. “Only with Hercules’ help are we able to raise funds that are desperately needed by our parish’s elderly. They have provided for us for over 20 years.

“All the money raised go into an ‘unmet needs’ fund that helps pay for utilities, gas bill, and other needs,” Diana continues. “These funds could pay to replace a small window unit that might go out for an elderly person with emphysema. The extra funds help in countless ways.”

On Hercules’ parade day, krewe members attend a Mardi Gras social hosted by the Terrebonne Council on Aging. The members join in the festivities, bringing the parade to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. They dance, walking among the tables of elderly, handing out beads. Hercules’ grand marshal is presented the key to the city by the parish president, officially kicking off ouma’s two weeks of parades.

“Mardi Gras is a way of life in the South. It gets in your blood and you can’t let go,” says S.P. Larussa, founder and parade captain of the Krewe of Hercules.

“Our guys know on ride day they are bringing a special treat to the elderly. To see these guys keep coming and coming as they pile into the civic center, throwing beads and dancing,” S.P. adds, laughing. “You know, it makes me proud.”

“The indoor parade at the civic center is our elderly’s favorite. It’s the only parade they might get to see that year,” Diana says. “It makes them feel very special.

It’s like watching the parade in a position of honor from city hall. It brightens their day more than (the krewe) probably realizes.”

“Our ladies have loved meeting the grand marshals. Bobby Hebert, Edwin Edwards, Frank Davis … I didn’t think our ladies would ever let Frank leave!” POV

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Melissa Duet Channing Chandies

L1920s and ‘30s. A gravel road ran through the center of town, food ife was slow and simple for Douglas and Genevieve Acosta in the

was grown in the backyard, root beer was a treat reserved for Sundays and most people stayed put, a lineage of last names growing with each generation.

Genevieve grew up right across the street from where the couple’s brown brick home now sits in Raceland, one of the few inherited pieces of land remaining in today’s buy-and-sell society. As a child, she split time between plucking produce from the family’s farm and making the trek to and from school.

T I M E L I N E

Enduring Love

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Each step along that familiar gravel road, half a mile to Breaux Folse School and four miles to Raceland High School, brought Genevieve and the Mathews-born Douglas closer together, a lifelong friendship later blossoming into love.

Sometime between carrying Douglas’ textbooks in the basket of her bike, a late-childhood gift from her father, and playing baseball with the boys in her white high heels, Genevieve fell for Douglas and the pair, after dating for over a year, decided marriage was the next logical step.

Sitting across from each other at the dining room table today, the Acostas exchange glances, trying to remember how exactly the proposal came about. The details are a bit fuzzy. After all, the couple – Genevieve is 95, Douglas is 96 – has been wed for 77 years.

“You think I remember that after raising five kids?” Genevieve laughs.

Working at the nearby sugar mill for much of his teen years, Douglas earned $2 for a 12-hour day, the majority of which he gave to his mother, save 50 cents. That 50 cents went a long way, eventually supporting his now-wife and three daughters – Pat, Loretta and Cynthia – who followed shortly after the couple, 18 and 17 at the time, wed at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Lockport on June 22, 1938.

“When I was working at the sugar house, we didn’t have nothing,” Douglas remembers. “No money, nothing ... I had to borrow some money from my mother to buy [Genevieve’s] wedding dress. But we made it work and then we built the house.”

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WE HAD OUR PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, BUT WE ALWAYS WORKED IT OUT. DOUGLAS ACOSTA

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Babies and a home of their own ushered in what the couple says was arguably the hardest 15 months the two endured throughout their long-standing marriage. World War II came calling and Douglas had no choice but to go, thanks to the draft.

“Did I have a rough time,” Genevieve says. “I couldn’t live with my mother because they had my sister living with them. Her husband was in the service.

I couldn’t live with my mother-in-law because she had a daughter. Talk about growing up.”

Douglas headed off o war in January 1945, leaving behind his wife and a 4-, 3and 1-year-old, in exchange for combat as part of the 52nd Armored Infantry Battalion attached to the 9th Armored Division.

“They were killing so many people on D-Day when we went on the beach and we lost so many,” he remembers as he picks up a white cap from a nearby table, covered with patches and medals commemorating his service. “Well, then they had to start getting to the bottom of the barrel, so to speak. They started taking husbands and anybody with children.”

When Douglas returned to Raceland, he was virtually a stranger to his children, far too young to understand what was happening across the globe.

War changed Douglas. It proved to be an experience that influenced his stern disciplinary hand, he says.

Soon after Douglas’ return from the Army, the Acostas welcomed two more children, Paulette and Steve, and all five understood that Douglas, who took up a seven-on, seven-off rilling job with Exxon, was in charge, resuming roles that Genevieve had to fill in his absence.

“She grew up and she got sassy then,” he jokes of the couple’s role reversal while he was away. “I’d come home for seven days and she’d tell the kids, ‘Wait ‘til your daddy gets home. He’s gonna

straighten you out.’”

The give-and-take of their marriage continued to work. Genevieve tended to the children and kept the house functioning and Douglas made an honest living, putting food on the table. Eventually, the children moved out and began their own lives. The Acostas’ day-to-day routine changed as the once small house became big. The empty nest years offered the couple a chance to enjoy a little rest and relaxation.

After Douglas retired in the 1980s, the couple returned to the road, this time in the comfort of a motorhome, traveling across America and Canada.

Knee operations and age eventually put the brakes on traveling but that hasn’t slowed the couple. Douglas still drives, making the necessary trips to doctors’ appointments and the like, and a computer sits in a back room, a purchase he made seven years ago – at age 89 – to stay up-to-date on events in this everchanging world.

Likewise, Raceland continues to change. The grocery store that used to sit near the water tower is long gone, and the road through the middle of town is now paved. The days of attending Mass have been replaced with friends’ visits Saturday evenings to share Communion and recorded religious television broadcasts Douglas tapes at 5:30 a.m. each Sunday.

As kids, the Acostas never imagined they’d live long enough to see the growth of their beloved town. They don’t take it for granted, however. It’s time they’re blessed to have.

“If someone had told me when I was in my 20s that I would still be here when I was 65, I would have said no way,” Douglas explains. “Here I am 96. Back in our day when we were born, our life expectancy was about 70 years, and here we are with about 26 over it, so we’re on borrowed time. We’ll take all we can get as long as our memory’s good.”

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Reflecting on the days gone by brings back a flood of memories for Douglas and Genevieve, some wonderful and some tough. They smile, though, and the love that has remained after all these years is evident. In those moments, it is easy to see what’s carried them through 77 years: a genuine commitment to each other through thick and thin.

“Think positive. Never think negative,” Douglas advises. “That’s no good. Today might be a bad day, tomorrow’s gonna be a good day. If you get into an argument, settle it. The way they do today, ‘I’m tired of being married.’ They get mad at one another and say, ‘Well, I’m leaving.’ You gotta talk it over. We had our problems throughout the years but we always worked it out.”

“Don’t leave one another,” Genevieve continues. “Out of all the years we’ve been married, one time we went to bed and didn’t kiss one another goodnight. Now how many people can say that?” POV

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Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. is for GratitUde Cherie Holton

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Casey Haynes wanted to do something different for her 33rd birthday.

Actually, she had wanted to do something different for her 30th birthday, but life got in the way when her father, the Rev. John Williams, passed away. First grief then busyness delayed that plan.

When 2015 rolled around, Casey finally resurrected her dream. “My birthday is Dec. 14. I wanted to celebrate something on that day, but not myself,� she recalls. povhouma.com

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Casey had a long-time interest in the plight of foster children and began researching on the Internet. The hunt led to the website for Together We Rise, a humanitarian, non-profit organization founded in 2008 by a group of college students who wanted to make a difference in the lives of foster kids. Casey discovered the organization had already helped more than 10,000 youngsters and had received several awards for their public service.

Together We Rise’s website offered several options for groups or individuals to participate. The requests varied: assemble bicycles, contribute to scholarships or, Casey’s choice, put together “Sweet Cases.”

Typically, when a child is relocated from one foster home to another, he or she is given two garbage bags in which to pack their belongings. The blue vinyl duffel Sweet Cases were created to replace the trash bags.

Each Sweet Case contains a teddy bear or pillow pet, blanket, hygiene kit, coloring book and crayons, journals and other age-appropriate items. The zipped bags are decorated with cartoon characters, such as Spongebob Squarepants, and inspirational messages.

Casey set out to raise $825 to cover the cost of 33 sweet cases by her birthday. In October 2015, she contacted Together We Rise, which helped her set up a temporary website to fund her project. She called it Casey’s Cases.

“I didn’t think I would be able to raise that amount of money, especially at Christmas, but it just took off” she explains. “I ended up making $1,025 and was able to add a few more things to each duffel bag.”

It was a personal, word-of-mouth campaign. Friends, relatives, co-workers and fellow church members all participated.

Casey’s desire to give back comes from her father, who grew up poor. Like most parents, he wanted his children to have opportunities not available to him. For young Casey, that included fostering her love for music. But a pastor’s salary could not afford piano lessons. That changed when a lady from the church stepped up and offered to pay for Casey’s lessons.

Reflecting back, Casey says, “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t play a piano.”

She went on to graduate from Nicholls State University’s music program, and today gives private lessons to about 25 students. She also finds time to provide accompaniment for an opera class at Nicholls, and the pre-school at the First United Methodist Church in Thibodaux.

“I knew that without the help of another person, I wouldn’t have had that opportunity” Casey says of her music. “It’s gratitude that motivates me to give back. It’s the legacy my father left me and a lesson I want to teach my son.” povhouma.com

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Once Casey reached her fundraising goal, Together We Rise sent her everything she needed for her sweet cases. She was ready to celebrate her birthday with a “packing party.”

Nine friends and relatives were there to share the experience, including her sister, Brittany Williams, her husband, Jason, and her 7-year-old son, Brayden, who is a second grader at Bayou Community Academy.

The partiers were required to decorate and pack all 33 duffel bags.

“Brayden decorated two of them himself using a dragon stencil,” Casey says.

Once completed, the sweet cases were ready for distribution to CASA, Catholic Charities and the state Department of Children’s Services.

Casey admits to one other influence on her decision to help foster kids - James 1:27.

“When my dad died, making my mom a widow, I saw how much it meant to her when people checked up on her to see that she was doing OK. This verse in the Bible is about caring for the widows and orphans in their time of distress.”

Casey describes herself as shy and not much of a talker. That’s why, from the outset of the project, she was uncertain she’d be able to make a difference. She found the reinforcement she needed in Together We Rise, and for that, she feels … well, gratitude. POV 62

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fi life Local man sheds 200 pounds, aims to share his story

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We Support a Healthier Future Heart and Vascular Center of Thibodaux Regional

Peripheral Artery Disease 101 Smoking Smokers are four times more likely to get PAD than nonsmokers.

Physical Inactivity Excess weight and lack of exercise contribute greatly to unhealthy arteries.

Diabetes Unmanaged diabetes can have negative effects on the arteries inside and outside your heart.

A the narrowing or blocking of the arteries outside of the heart. The arteries in

bout eight million Americans live with peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is

the legs and pelvis are the most commonly affected by PAD. Because arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the body, a blockage can result in tissue damage to the kidneys, legs, arms and feet. Left untreated, PAD can lead to infections, such as gangrene, and even amputation.

Symptoms of PAD include leg pain and foot wounds that do not heal. Some risk factors for PAD are out of your control — if you have a family history of PAD or cardiovascular disease, you are more likely to have PAD. However, controllable factors include:

High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol These so-called silent killers have no symptoms but increase your risk for PAD and other cardiovascular problems.

Talk with your physician about your risk for PAD, and learn how you can make lifestyle changes for a healthier heart. POV

For more information contact the Heart and Vascular Center of Thibodaux Regional at 985.493.4703.

Comprehensive Heart Care

Close at Hand Put Your Heart in the Hands of Experts

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Nationally-Recognized Hospital Patient-Centered Excellence

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Casey Gisclair Jose Delgado

Caround the corner in the spring ollege graduation was right

of 2011 for Thibodaux native Josh LaJaunie. All that stood between Josh and that coveted degree was a big Business 490 presentation – the capstone course he needed to complete his education.

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But there was a problem.

During the time that this was all taking place, Josh was obese. He weighed more than 400 pounds and was a massive man.

Finding a suit to wear to his presentation proved near-impossible. Once he finally did find something that fit

his frame, he said he looked awful in it, which hurt his confidence and selfesteem. The entire process, Josh said, was an eye-opening experience, and once it was all said and done, he made himself a promise – a vow to never be obese ever again.

“That was the start,” he says, looking

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back on that day. “The official beginning of my journey.”

Flash forward five years to the present, and it’s easy to see that Josh has made good on the deal he made with himself, and he’s done so in a big, big way.

Since graduating from Nicholls in 2011, Josh has committed himself to his fitness, using a combination of hard work, dieting and diligence to turn things around in his life.

Once over 400 pounds, Josh now tips the scales at 195 – a more than 200-pound loss that has inspired the community.

On social media, Josh’s triumph has made him into a wellknown local figure. He uses his popularity to inspire others with before and after photos, words of wisdom and other things to keep others inspired.

Josh’s triumph is already completed, but now, his goal is to inspire others and see to it that more people can get control of their lives and become fit.

“I’m writing down my story currently, so that’s a big goal of mine. I want to get it finished and out there,” he says. “But I also really want to travel, meet, train with and help people wherever that may be. I’ve been asked to speak from time-to-time, and I’d love the chance to get better at it – anything to help people who I can relate to. Anything to give back to the people who are in the shoes that I once wore.”

For Josh, his journey contained many phases.

He says after that miserable experience in college with the suit, he started to workout at a local gym. His early routine was nothing special – just basic lifting and cardio to increase his miniscule activity level.

Josh recalls the largest number he physically saw on a scale was 397 pounds, but that mark is a bit skewed because he didn’t generate the courage to actually weigh himself until he’d been working out for a month.

He can admit to himself today that his starting number was much greater than that original tally.

“At that time, it was nothing for me to lose two or three pounds a week,” Josh recalls. “Three-hundred-ninty-seven (pounds) was the most I ever physically saw myself weigh, but I can easily assume that I was over 400 pounds at some point when I first got started, because I know I lost a good bit of weight in those first few weeks.”

Josh says the beginning phases were easy in terms of weight loss, and just the sheer increase in activity with a commitment to a better diet knocked off he pounds with relative ease.

“Weight came off eally quickly,” he says. “People noticed, and I started to feel good.”

But one of the biggest obstacles Josh has had to overcome in his journey is learning that everything happens in phases … stepping stones.

For example, Josh urges everyone trying to lose weight to understand that the process happens in steps, and that steady progression is the key. The goal, he quickly learned, was to constantly be striving to achieve something, because by doing so, he was actively attacking his overall aim of better health.

“You have to have small victories, because that in a lot of ways makes you more confident to take the next step,” Josh says. “There’s always a next step – even if you don’t know what it is. I always tell people to keep changing their ‘finish line’ or just throw it away all together. My point is this: just keep doing, and then from there, try and pick behaviors that benefit what you’re doing.”

Josh’s second big piece of advice is to accept diversity.

Once he dropped to 300 pounds, he plateaued and struggled to lose weight for several weeks.

At that time, Josh greatly changed both his diet and routine, accepting that he was in a new phase of his development.

From there, he was able to shed the final 100 pounds to bring him to 200-plus pounds lost – a figure heavier than the average male in the United States.

“I had to change constantly,” Josh says. “When I plateaued, I decided to start running more, not just using it as a way to end my lifting workouts. That worked wonders for me.”

And with his diet, he abandoned meat, opting for greens.

“I have adopted a mostly plant-based diet – a true humanspecific meal plan,” Josh says. “I have since gone, and stayed plant-only for the past two and a half years. I honestly think that if we ate more plants as a country, we’d fix a lot more than just the weight problems that we have.”

And now, he’s all about helping others.

Through Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and other social media, Josh aims to inspire others and show them that anyone can achieve the same successes he has through hard work and dedication.

He posts mileage charts, which show viewers exactly how much he’s run in a given day. Josh also makes inspirational videos, urging his followers to get up, become active and realize their goals.

Of course, the bread and butter are the “before-and-after” shots – photos that show Josh at his heaviest beside Josh today.

It’s an astonishing transformation, and it’s one that he urges others in similar situations to chase.

“If I can do this, anyone can do this,” Josh said. “It’s not easy.

No one is saying it will be. But it can be done. Work hard, dedicate yourself and never quit pushing. It’s out there. You just have to reach out and take it.” POV povhouma.com

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FitMind Dr. J. Michael Flynn

The Importance of Listening “If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.”

MARK TWAIN

Sothers, there should come a time

ome people are natural listeners. For

when we realize that we need to listen better. Fortunate are those who learn this important skill earlier than later, and who never forget how significant it is to be a listener, to truly listen.

Not judging while listening is an art, and like all art it takes practice.

Listening to ourselves as we go through our daily routines is especially important. We live in a world of evergrowing distractions, but also in an incredible information age where if you listen effectively it can have a positive impact on your life. Listen to Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman Emperor (161-180), who said, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”

The late author Dr. Stephen Covey identified one of the weaknesses that many seem to have with listening, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

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speaking raises blood pressure, where attentive listening can lower it.

Listening is not the same as hearing, or simply receiving sounds. Attentive listening requires more – it requires you focus on what is being said. It is exhilarating to be understood by a good listener.

One of the earliest lessons we are taught as children is to “respect our elders.” There is also great benefit in listening to them.

One of my favorite elders was Earl Nightingale. I still enjoy listening to his past recordings to this day. He was born in 1921 and passed away in 1989. Earl grew up in poverty, joined the Marines when he was 17 and was aboard the USS Arizona when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941.

The USS Arizona Memorial is the resting place for more than 1,000 sailors and Marines killed that Dec. 7. Earl Nightingale was one of 15 Marines who survived the attack.

Among his many accomplishments in life, Earl was a respected speaker and

author on issues of human character, development, motivation, excellence and meaningful existence. In 1956, he produced a spoken word record, “The Strangest Secret,” which sold more than 1 million copies, making it the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status.

He asked the question why so few understand the difference between success and failure? Why some people succeed and others do not? The answer lies in what he calls “The Strangest Secret,” known by too few. The recording is only 30 minutes and you can find it on YouTube.

Here is the secret, in case you don’t get around to listening to the recording, in the words of Earl Nightingale: “Throughout history, the greatest wise men and teachers, philosophers, and prophets have disagreed with one another on many things. It is only this one point that they are in complete and unanimous agreement ... the key to success and the key to failure is this: We become what we think about.”

Effective listening is a skill that supports all positive human relationships.

Spend some time thinking about and developing listening skills. Teach your children to listen effectively. Listening to what we are thinking is influential to what we become. POV

DR. J. MICHAEL FLYNN

practices at the Flynn Clinic of Chiropractic in Houma.

Call him at 985.855.4875 or visit DRMIKEFLYNN.COM.

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Scene In A Vandebilt Catholic High School

students put the finishing touches on their production of the Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods.

Performances of the play, which brings together a handful of iconic fairytale characters, ran Jan. 14 -17 in the school’s Kolb Center.

B

The all-female Krewe of Aphrodite held its annual Tableau Jan. 9 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center as the kick-off o Carnival Season.

C Les Mills instructors at Bayouland

A B

YMCA kicked off he #PictureMeFit2016 initiative, an effort to get more people interested in group fitness, at the Houma facility on Jan. 9.

D Muralist Hans Geist cuts the ribbon

on his latest work adorning the side of 7928 Main Street. The 100-foot piece depicting the evolution of Houma is set to be complete this summer.

E

Pint-sized reader Ben earned a spot on the Lafourche Parish Public Library Wall of Fame on Jan. 8 by reading 300 books.

F

Michael Rabalais Jr. and David Tackett show off ome of the top 50 awards handed out Jan. 9 during the annual Bass for the Cure. The car and sound competition benefitted Autism Society Bayou, a support group serving Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne and lower St. Martin Parishes. POV

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F

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Look Twice Win a $50

Gift Card

Find the six differences in this photo from our feature on page 48. Drop off your answers along with your name and daytime contact number at the PoV offices, 6160 . Park Ave., Houma. Stuck at the office? Fax it, 985.873.9009, or email it to us, editor@rushing-media.com.

A winner will be picked by random drawing February 15.

The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank.

Congratulations to Jennifer Gilmer for winning last month’s contest.

Courtesy of

Answers to last month’s contest 1 2 3 4 5 6

Extra speaker at bottom Lion missing in background Extra line on Belle’s dress Spoon now a fork Dark blue stockings now light blue Light bulb missing

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