December 2016

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December 2016

Point of Vue Magazine

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December 2016

Point of Vue Magazine

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Contents

DECEMBER 2016 • VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 12

Columns:

On the Cover:

10 Editor’s Note

Find Your Main Street

34 Under the Scope

The (Grand) Isle of Misfit Toys

11 Numerology

What’s Your Number?

36 Oh Snap

The Greatest Gift of All 52 Lets Have a Cookie Party

How To Have The Perfect Cookie Swap 54 Intelligent Investing

Sponsored by Ameriprise Financial 56 We Support A Healthier Future

Sponsored by Thibodaux Regional

Medical Center 58 FitMind Halleljah!

12 The Vuefinder

The Christmas Miracle 14 The Vue from the

Tidings of Great Joy

Trenches

16 Intervue

Say what?

Santa fuels up before his annual trip around the world.

18 PoV Picks

Expert picks to enhance your life

Channing Candies 60 Bon Appetit

Herbed Chicken Orzo Pasta and Zucchini 62 A Vue from the

A Taste of Tuscany 62 Behind the

Trappist Beers

Vine

Brew

Visit us online: povhouma.com

Facebook: /povmagazine

Instagram: @povmag

20 DIY

Mint Marshmallow Snowmen

Twitter:

22 The Observer

Gifts Are...

@povmag

Pinterest: /povmag 64 3-Course Connoisseur

Brooke’s Sno-World 66 Rendezvous

Where you need to be 68 Smarty Pants

For when your thinking cap fails 70 Scene In

Look at ol’ so ‘n’ so!

28 Chateau

Home tour

Chic

75 Look Twice

Sponsored by Synergy Bank

Issuu: /rushing-media

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

TINYURL.COM/POVNEWSLETTER

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Contents

DECEMBER 2016 • VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 12

Features:

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39

Tackling Your To-Do List

Feasting with St. Nick Breakfast with Santa

42

Just Add Water Ginger & Bee

The Busy Bee

Christmas GI F T GU I D E

46

Christmas Gift Guide This seasons must have items

50

Quack!

Thibodaux Community Art Project

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Editor’s Note

Find Your Main Street You can’t buy happiness but you can buy local and that’s kind of the same.

UNKNOWN

I

t’s hard to believe that we have already reached the point of hurriedly scribbling to-do lists for gift shopping and furiously wrapping the last of the boxes piling up near the Christmas tree.

The biggest challenge of every holiday season is finding that perfect gift and this year, we’re encouraging you to shop a little more locally.

Hundreds of small businesses fill the precious lands of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. These business owners curate collections of the latest styles in boutiques, local families stock the shelves with the freshest fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, and friendly faces fill your gas tank at several locally-owned gas stations dotting the Houma and Thibodaux landscape.

The individuals who lead these businesses put in countless hours dreaming, planning and cultivating some of the best shopping and services around.

What comes out of small businesses is nothing short of high-quality and often with a welcoming smile making shopping local this holiday season and beyond a no-brainer.

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Point of Vue Magazine

In this issue, as with every issue, we at PoV strive to bring you stories on these very men and women who work tirelessly to create the best buying experience possible. Their hard work and dedication to their craft is also a shining light of the power of community.

On page 24, you’ll meet Jennifer Hebert, owner of The Busy Bee, and her team who work diligently each and every day to help others take care of their to-do lists. From car service to the airport or that aforementioned growing gift shopping list, The Busy Bee is ready to serve those that call the bayou region home.

A few pages later, you’ll meet two more busy bees, Shelley and Brie Robichaux, collectively known as Ginger & Bee. Together, the duo are bringing their favorite pasttime, tubtime, to a whole new audience, generating local dollars in Houma, Thibodaux and beyond. Meet the ladies behind the sought-after relaxation destination on page 42.

Throughout the issue, you’ll also get a glimpse of some eye-catching community artwork now displayed throughout

Thibodaux and also hear from the legendary man behind that oh so famous red suit, who is set to visit Terrebonne Parish on Dec. 10 for a little pre-Christmas meet and greet.

No matter how you spend you money this holiday season, whether it be through a local fundraiser or snagging the last of those gifts from a small business, consider where that dollar is going before swiping your card. If we spend just a little more at locally-owned establishments, whether your home for the holidays or visiting family elsewhere, it could generate millions each year in that area’s local economy. This very mission is what makes companies just like Rushing Media continue to grow and provide the absolute best in customer service day in and day out. So find your Main Street and start shopping…your community will thank you. POV

MELISSA DUET The gifts un-

der her tree this year were wrapped up with love from small business owners.

Publisher

Numerology

Brian Rushing

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3

simple ways you can spruce up your holiday decor you can craft in this month’s DIY on page 20.

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colorful quackers have taken up residence throughout the city of Thibodaux.

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Editorial

busy bees bringing bathtime bliss to Houma, Thibodaux and beyond.

Melissa Duet EDITOR Mary Downer Ditch MANAGING EDITOR

Creative

Danielle Harrelson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rachel Lambert GRAPHIC DESIGNER Taylor Pellegrin GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Photography Tiffany Bourgeois, Channing Candies, Juliana Pennison, Simply Captured Images, Erica Seely

Staff Writer Jonah Giroir

Contributing Writers

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particularly misfi t toy unwrapped in this month’s “Under the Scope”.

Dwayne Andras, Lane Bates, Jaime Dishman, John Doucet, Dr. J. Michael Flynn, Bonnie Rushing

Advertising

Deanne Ratliff SALES MANAGER Harold Cancienne, Linda Dupre, Jamie Mazerac, Martha Naquin, Linda Pontiff, Elizabeth Porche, Rusty Talbot

Office Manager Ashley Thibodeaux

Circulation Manager Michelle Ortego

Customer Service Kathryn Holloway, Michelle Ortego

Accounts Receivable Jessica Gifford

Contact Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: melissa@rushing-media.com Sales: deanne@rushing-media.com Circulation: michelle@rushing-media.com

years Mr. Bill Boyd has suited up to bring holiday joy to Santa’s biggest fans.

Subscriptions Point of Vue magazine is published monthly.

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

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holiday events sure to make your Christmas bright in this month’s “Rendezvous”. See the comprehensive list in this month’s Gumbo.

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gifts sure to delight anyone on your list featured in our annual Christmas Gift Guide.

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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The Vuefinder

The Christmas Miracle 1

:02 a.m: Still shaking off the grogginess from the Tryptophan endured during the previous day’s festivities, I fumbled aimlessly through the dark, searching for my tennis shoes. To expedite the morning’s preparations, I’d taken the necessary precautions and slept in attire appropriate for the occasion: a matching sweatpants-sweatshirt ensemble complete with the more cushioned socks I could find at the bottom of my dresser drawers. Primed with a less than adequate amount of sleep but enough to keep me alert, I was as ready as I would ever be to tackle what lay ahead: Black Friday.

Thirty minutes later, my mom and I found ourselves in the Target parking lot, not gliding effortlessly into a parking spot near the entrance, but instead circling the rows, eventually careening at a whiplash-inducing rate into the only available space within eyesight. Immediately, the holiday spirit bubbling inside of me, mostly a combination of adrenaline and a grande peppermint mocha, turned into something quite different - one of mounting anxiety.

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By the time we arrived, we had missed the stampede through the store’s front entrance and were instead greeted by what can only be described as a hurricane of tinsel, garland and sheer panic.

The most popular toys, usually neatly lined up on their shelves near the the back of the store, were piled high near the cash registers, now in tattered boxes or all together broken. The racks inside the clothes departments were all but stripped clean, an array of ugly Christmas sweaters and mismatched baby clothes left behind in the wake of the chaos. People ran at marathon-worthy speeds, fending off the last of the best sellers in impressive and alarming fashions.

After lucking out on a few finds and giving up on others, we made our way to the checkout and again the pounding heart and heavy breathing began to bubble up. On most trips, one or two lanes stayed open, shoppers leisurely placing their goodies on the conveyor belts. This morning? Seven lines had morphed into one, wrapping like the always-too-tight ribbon on that last gift under the tree,

from the front of the store, through the cleaning products section, and around, spilling out into the main thoroughfare connecting the shoes to the front entrance. Eyes wide in disbelief, looking every which way for some type of Kris Kringle Bat signal, we knew we had but two choices: put all of the things piled in our arms back or suffer our fate.

But then…the sweetest sound we had ever heard fell upon our ears. The voice came from somewhere behind a tower of 72” televisions and Xboxes.

“I can check you out in Customer Service.”

Away to the counter we flew like a flash, thanking Saint Nick for a Christmas miracle at last. POV

MELISSA DUET is the editor of Point of Vue magazine.

Her most cherished Christmas gift that year was not a new iPhone, but her sanity.

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The Vue from the Trenches

Tidings of Great Joy “JCome!” Song and scripture speak of oy to the World, the Lord has

great joy at the birth of our King. What brings you joy? Sometimes, it’s the little things that can bring us the greatest joy.

My husband and I recently took our almost two-year-old to Disney World.

The joy we saw in our child at every little thing brings me to tears as I type.

Everyone knows the big things that you want your child to experience at Disney: meeting Mickey, riding their first ride, taking a picture in front of the Castle, and so on. For us though, it turned out to be the little things that brought us the most joy that we will remember most.

John and I weren’t exactly sure what to expect when it came to traveling with our tot. Jackson was to experience a lot of “firsts” on this trip, even when it came to modes of transportation. His first airplane ride, first bus ride, first boat ride and first train/monorail ride were all looming on the horizon. While I was very anxious, it eased my soul to see my son so excited. Jackson stood gazing out the windows at the airport,

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Point of Vue Magazine

fists pumping as he shouted over and over, “I fly, mama! Dada, I fly! Da plane!” Our vacation could have been as simple as a flight to Orlando and back, and the kid would have been stoked.

Every single ride on any general mode of transportation was met with equal amounts of excitement, all week long.

Jackson loves music and enjoys dancing. He heard music coming from the Castle stage in the Magic Kingdom and started cutting a rug in the middle of the Tomorrowland walkway. In his bossy little voice, he demanded his parents join in. So of course we stopped to boogie to the music. Sure, we got a few stares, but the pure joy present in his face was enough to make people stop and smile too.

We don’t do a lot of sweets in our household. I’m sure you can imagine the simple joy of that first (and second and third) Mickey-shaped ice cream.

I’m pretty sure I have 30 images on my phone of Jackson eating ice cream.

While he usually didn’t eat more than one ear, he was so excited to be having such a treat!

As working parents, we sacrifice a lot of face time with our child. When you both work 40-hour weeks, it comes down to a few hours each day and two days on the weekend for you to really BE with your child. For our family, there was no greater joy than being able to spend an entire week together. Being able to watch Jackson experience new things, learn a little more about him and his little personality, and see him grow before our very eyes was a beautiful gift.

For this gift, we are blessed.

I hope this holiday season finds you seeking out the joyous parts of life. POV

MARY DITCH is the managing editor of Point of Vue magazine. She finds great joy in writing about her life and hopes you enjoy reading her column.

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Intervue

Staciann

Keri

Inside Sales Representative

RN/ADON

Picture made by my mom of sunset behind my Grandma’s house

Jason

Mona

Kathryn

Music Producer

Receptionist

Customer Service

My bundle of joy (baby girl) Lila Michelle

New car

A ring my parents bought me

Blue electric motor scooter that had the trunk fi lled w/ fl avored lip gloss

My 3-year-old begs me to listen to Christmas music all year round, so it’s never too early to start.

Anytime! I love the Christmas spirit.

After Thanksgiving

Day after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

What are you looking forward to most this holiday season?

Going on vacation with my family

Shopping for my fi rst child and putting up her fi rst Christmas tree

Spending time with family

Watching my 3-year-old niece Lillie open up her presents

Mom’s homemade sweets

What’s your fallback option for last-minute Christmas shopping?

Gift card or bottle of their favorite alcohol

Cash. Family pictures make great gifts too!

Amazon!

CASH

A picture of what their gift would have been

Where do you plan to ring in the New Year?

Celebrating with friends and family

With family & friends around a warm fi re

A bar!

Piazza

Somewhere with fi reworks

What is your favorite Christmas present of all-time?

When is it okay to start listening to Christmas music?

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Picks: Subscription Boxes for the Holidays BUMPstyle Box bumpstylebox.com

Created by Julie and Robbie Allen, owners of Baby Bump Maternity in New Orleans, this subscription box designed for expectant mothers was born from tourists stopping by the shop and mentions their wish for a store closer to their hometowns. The Starter Box is perfect for that mom-to-be on your list and comes loaded with mommy essentials like Preggie Pop Drops for morning sickness. If they love this box, a monthly maternity fashion box is also available to dress that bump in style.

The Mantry mantry.com

Tracking down that perfect gift for the leading man in your life can be a seemingly impossible task. This crate, stuffed with only the fi nest in American artisan foods sure to satisfy his hunger, is sure to have even the pickiest male on your list waiting at the door for his bi-monthly delivery. Each themed box comes with six full-sized food products like Chef’s Cut Chipotle Jerky or Hot Georgia Soul BBQ sauce.

Mickey Monthly mickeymonthly.com

Keep your friend’s Disney addiction fueled with this mystery box for fans of the famous theme parks. Is he an avid trading pin collector? Maybe he’s more of a park snacks connoisseur? There’s a box specifi cally designed for either interest, as well as a theme park edition featuring a grab bag of classic Disney items like cookie cutters, t-shirts and more.

Kiwi Crate kiwicrate.com

This box is so much fun your little one won’t even know they’re learning. Choose from Koala Crate, Kiwi Crate, Doodle Crate, or Tinker Crate based on age range and watch as your nieces or nephews explore science, technology, art, math, and more. Each box features supplies to create a hands-on activity, kidfriendly instructions for the project, and a corresponding magazine for even more learning.

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Lagniappe Box

http://www.shopsft.com

Brought to you by Baton Rouge-based company Southern Football T-Shirts, these monthly boxes come loaded down with goodies from Louisiana small businesses sure to give your out-of-town friends and family a little slice of home. Past boxes featured small art pieces, skincare products, and pralines. POV

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DIY

Mint Snowman Marshmallows

Spoon Christmas Trees Who knew plastic utensils could look so chic? This craft can easily be completed in an afternoon and they’re so pretty your guests will never know they’re homemade.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Vegetable oil • 1 T. gelatin • 1/2 cup cold water, divided • 1 cup sugar & 1/8 t. salt • 1/4 t. peppermint extract • Powdered sugar • Small round cookie cutter • Orange candy melts & chocolate HOW TO MAKE IT:

Oil a 9-inch square pan and lightly dust with powder sugar. In a small bowl, soak gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water. Set aside.

Place the remaining water and sugar in a pot, bring to a hard boil and remove.

Pour into a large bowl and let stand for five minutes. Stir in salt and peppermint extract. Beat on low for two minutes then increase to high until doubled.

Pour in pan, smooth, and cool uncovered until firm (minimum 3 hours).

Lightly dust with powdered sugar. Cut out snowmen heads. Dust with powdered sugar and decorate.

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

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Pallet Christmas Tree If you’re not keen on having a real Evergreen in your home, this DIY tree is an eye-catching alternative. Salvage a pallet from a local business, scour the thrift store for cheap ornaments and get to crafting this shimmering new take on the ol’ tannebaum. POV

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The Observer

Gifts Are… Wegroup of friends that involved recently played a game with a

remembering. It’s not a particular gift of mine. My turn for the game arrived, and my assigned memory was to remember favorite gifts given to me over the years.

I looked down at my hand, realizing I had nine red M&Ms, and according to the rules, I would have to remember nine gifts. I immediately knew it would be a problem. About 30 people around the room waited to hear my memories of my favorite gifts given over a lifetime.

I started with the horse my parents gave me on my 11th birthday. By far, the memory of that horse surpasses any other gift ever given. It came to a little girl who begged for years, praying for a horse. My birthday arrived, and my parents brought me to the stables, introduced me to Kendall Prove It, and told me she would come home after my father finished building a barn for her.

I spent the summer learning to ride, loving a horse that will always feel bigger than life in my memory.

That horse became the companion of my early teen years until high school.

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The busyness of high school forced me to pick between horse or high school activities, and I picked high school. I still sometimes wish we would never have gotten rid of the horse.

But for game night, I simply said “horse” and pushed one M&M aside. My husband knew I would have a hard time getting through all nine gift memories, so he helped me out. “Your horse had four legs, so that counts for four M&Ms.” I agreed, and tried to remember five other gifts given me.

As hard as I tried, I fail with gift memories. I don’t remember them. If I try to count up the gifts I’ve been given over the years, I come up short. There was a go-cart and ping pong table. And the luggage my parents gave when my husband and I got married.

Here’s what I realized after I rattled off every single gift trying to get through the nine M&Ms. I remembered the long-lasting things that provided hours of time with the people I love. We played ping pong for years in a living room crowded because of the obnoxious placement of the table. The go-cart still functions and

now carries my five children blazing fast on the acres of my parents’ property.

Their stories when they come in windblown and red-faced sound so much like the stories my siblings and I used to tell about how we “almost” ran into a fence, “almost” ran out of gas.

The gifts I remember are those that gave the most memories. So much so, that I quit remembering the gift, and instead remember the memories associated.

It’s why I keep telling my kids that video games won’t make memories. As we are fast approaching gift giving season, I’m on a mission to make memories.

When they’re older and trying to remember gifts, I want them to mostly remember each other. The gifts are the people you’re surrounded with. That’s the memories that matter. That’s the story we need to tell. POV JAIME DISHMAN may not

remember the gifts, but this Christmas season, she remembers the Giver.

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Jonah Giroir Tiffany Bourgeois

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Point of Vue Magazine

TACKLINGYOUR Tbegin to pile up as life happens. The mountains

hroughout the day-to-day, errands and housework

of tasks may cause you to forget to do something and can often lead to late night trips to pick up prescriptions or last minute runs to the grocery store for the party you’re hosting that snuck up on you.

Luckily, Jennifer Hebert, who battled her own todo list for many years, saw the need to fill the gap for those who simply can’t get everything done and established The Busy Bee, a concierge service ready to meet your every need.

“Sitting at my desk one night at about 8:30, it dawned on me that I hadn’t gone and picked up my clothes at the cleaners and I hadn’t picked up my husband’s medicine,” Jennifer remembers. “So I said to myself, ‘I need a personal assistant,’ and I started thinking about it. That’s where The Busy Bee started.”

Concierge services have taken off not just locally, but across the globe. A growing number of doctors

are offering concierge services to make health care more accessible, grocery stores have begun offering personal shopping and delivery, and some car services have even started delivering meals when you’re under the weather or stuck at the office. The United States Department of Labor reports that approximately 31,000 people work for a concierge service and that number, undoubtably, will continue to grow as lives get busier and busier. Errand runs are the focal point of The Busy Bee’s daily operations, so if you need someone to pick up your medicine, do some grocery shopping, make post office trips, or even assist with some Christmas shopping, “We do casino runs, restaurant runs, airport runs, wherever you need to go. The longest trip we’ve made was to San Diego, California to help a young lady move,” Jennifer explains.

Simply can’t get it together to create the perfect party for your employees or sister’s surprise birthday

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bash? The Busy Bee is also a go-to for assistance in everything from setting the place settings to hanging up every last inch of tinsel. Unwrapped a shiny new computer on Christmas morning? They’ll also got your back with set-up, repairs, installation, and upgrade services.

So who are these wonderful people behind the wheel of one of the company’s three vehicles or at your doorstep with all of your party essentials?

The Busy Bee is a three-person operation with Jennifer at the helm. Her passion for providing exceptional service forms the foundation for The Busy Bee and that mission carries through in the work of driver Dean Azemar and office

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Point of Vue Magazine

manager Jorden Decker.

“If you tell Dean, ‘I want to leave the restaurant at 9’clock,’ he’s there 15 minutes early waiting,” Jennifer says of the driver. “That’s Dean, and I would say that he’s my backbone.”

After realizing how popular The Busy Bee’s service would be, Jennifer also brought on Jordan, who schedules and manages each and every appointment that comes through “She is very good at scheduling and she is very professional on the phone.

She is my diamond-in-the-rough,” Jennifer explains. “To be honest, I can take off and not have to worry. And if they’re treating me that way, I know

they’re treating my clients that way.”

At the heart of the company’s operations, the steadfast thread is exceptional service at affordable prices creating for wonderful experiences.

Taking care of people has always been a key aspect to Jennifer’s life and she and her team plan to continue providing those services to people through The Busy Bee. “All I know is service…When I started thinking about the errand runs, I realized that this helps people like me that don’t have enough time during the day,” Jennifer explains. “It’s a service that’s a quick fix, and I like making people happy.” POV

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Chateau Chic Bonnie Rushing Brian Seely Erica Waitz

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Point of Vue Magazine

A

B

Oon a Acadian style home in an nce a young family laid eyes

established neighborhood, they knew they would call it home. After several months of renovations including repainting, improvements to the kitchen and revamping the fireplace to include a large hearth and mantle, the family settled in during the Spring of 2014.

The great room serves as the heart of the home by connecting nearly every room in the house as well as serving as a favorite gathering space for family and friends. The balcony which overlooks the great room provides a dramatic view of the living space and attracted the homeowners at first sight. With an absolute passion for the spirit and the magic of the Christmas season, this family goes all out for the holidays.

Enlisting the help of Rachel Masters of Rachel Masters Interior Redesign, the home is outfitted yearly with a twist, making each year unique from the last.

Fresh greenery is used throughout the povhouma.com

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C D

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D

C

home in arrangements making the home smell like Christmas. Cuttings from Christmas and Magnolia trees are in keeping with Southern tradition.

This year, red and green with bursts of lime freshen up the traditional color scheme. A massive, live tree graces the great room adorned with traditional colors of red, green and twists of black, white and lime. Colored lights set the stage for children of all ages and ornaments from the entire family remind them of the past and the present. A nutcracker collection that grows each year as part of a family tradition is

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E F displayed on the large mantle. Rachel spreads cheer throughout the house by embellishing the second floor as well. The balconies sparkle with colorfully lit garland draping between columns which are adorned with red and white velvet antler style sticks attached with ribbons and sequined poinsettias, giving a spectacular sight looking up from the great room. Whether the holidays or any day, the energy and personality of this house make it easy for the family or guests to feel at home. POV

F

A Living Room B Stairwell C Kitchen D Detail E The Hideout F Front Door 32

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Point of Vue Magazine

CHIC PEEK DIY

/

E N H A N C E YOU R S P A C E

/

MO DE RN I Z E

/ R E N O VA T E Y O U R R O O M S

A RT G ALLE RY, I NC.

Interior Décore and Design OLD ESTATE ART GALLERY 202 E 7TH ST, THIBODAUX 985.447.5413 Now offering custommade curtains

e Hosm weet Home

Trim Your Windows with Custom Shades BUDGET BLINDS 985.223.6544 A style for every point of view

Holiday Decor GREEN ACRES THIBODAUX 985.447.6771 Now open 7 days a week for the holidays!

Specializing in Christmas, Mardi Gras & all your holiday decor needs.

Interiors, Consultations, Custom Orders YOLI FUNDERBURK 985.868.7528

BY APPOINTMENT

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Under the Scope

The (Grand) Isle of Misfit Toys E“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” veryone in PoV land has likely seen

that stop-motion animated television show with lots of awkwardly-moving reindeer and elves, a prospector named Yukon Cornelius, a Shaq-proportioned abominable snowman, and Burl Ives.

Over the years, I must have watched it 50 times. By the second watching, I knew the whole story by heart. By the third watching, I knew all the words to “There’s Always Tomorrow.” By the fifth watching, I could hit all the notes to “There’s Always Tomorrow.” By the 30th watching, I was using Rudolph’s red nose in my genetics class as an example of a rare phenotype caused by random mutation in the reindeer population of the Arctic Circle.

From the earliest watchings, I’d always been emotionally attached to the concept of the Island of Misfit Toys. I’d even associated it with real life: Up until the sixth watching. I believed that this island was off the coast of Louisiana and that kids could go to Grand Isle to bury their misfit toys in the sand for crabs to pinch apart and eat. As much as I felt empathy for the toys in the TV show, I felt shame that there were kids who sometimes didn’t appreciate their toys.

And I was one of them.

What changed me around that sixth watching was one particular Christmas present. I don’t exactly remember who gave me this gift, but I remember the anticipation. In seeing the rounded shape and in feeling the soft texture of the present labeled with my name, however, I was skeptical in advance. Unwrapping it, my dashed anticipation drew less than a smile and more a tear. Surely, 34

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this could not be my gift, mislabeled by a visiting aunt or uncle or family friend generalizing a young boy’s world and not precisely aware of my specific one.

But I accepted it kindly, not wanting to seem ungrateful before all the loud, happy people. For me and my preconceived notions of great gifts (microscopes, chemistry sets, insect-collecting guides), this one was certainly misfit.

It was a boxing glove.

Now, by all accounts, I was a shy and quiet kid, and no one could accuse me of being the hitting kind. And, although a boxing glove may not be an odd gift for some—like Laila Ali, or Ken Norton, Jr., or any of the multiple George Foremens carrying heavy Roman numerals after their names—it was odd for me. I soon packed up an old garden shovel in the event that my parents would agree to take me to the coastal burial grounds later that Christmas afternoon.

But this is literally only half of the story because I didn’t get a pair of boxing gloves. I got only one. And it was for the left-hand. I was a right-handed kid. I know this because I tried it on my right hand and it was stuck there until New Year’s.

Being a scholar of the Rudolph show, I was determined not to see my glove as a misfit toy, despite all evidence to the contrary. After New Year’s, when the glove was forcibly removed from my right hand, I began a regimen of onearm training on a recycled oyster-sack filled with pinecones. I learned to be a southpaw and jab with my left hand, preserving my school penmanship with an unbattered right. I grew strong. I learned exercise and coordination. I

learned emotional control. I learned courage. I learned sport. I learned that aggression is exhausting and maybe I should be passive-aggressive in life. And I learned problem-solving, too, because, after some months of wear and tear— and with a little rip here and a little tie there—I fashioned my boxing glove into a baseball mitt. Functionally, it was not very good at catching balls. But at least I could pitch-and-catch with the neighborhood kids. And this time, the glove worked on the appropriate hand.

The giver of that boxing glove on that one Christmas must have been keen not to what I wanted but rather to what I needed. To learn to lower fists, to raise courage, and to become a civil human being. To wear one hand gloved by right to protect or defend but to have the other hand open for good work, for greeting, to help, and to help make happiness.

There are no misfit toys. There’s only misfit understanding of thoughtfulness.

Admittedly, for you to understand it, sometimes the thoughtfulness has to punch you in the face, which I had done at least three times before the seventh watching, the last of which involved a visit to Dr. Sherman’s office. That’s the last day I held that glove. And for many years afterwards, I could enjoy my grandma’s seafood gumbo on Christmas Days without searching for fragments of unwanted toys in the crabmeat, despite encountering a piece of shell every now and then. POV JOHN DOUCET is the dean

of the College of Arts and Sciences at Nicholls State University.

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Oh Snap The Greatest Gift of All Christmas is truly a time of magic, wonder and miracles. This holiday season, Dakota and Breanna received the greatest gift of all: a loving home.

According to The Children’s Bureau, an estimated 415,129 children are currently in foster care. Please consider opening your heart and your home.

Simply Captured Images

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Sand he’s bringing with him a

anta Claus is coming to town

smorgasbord of delicious eats and festivities to delight holiday lovers young and old.

Since 1988, Kiwanis Club of Houma has been bringing a winter wonderland to Terrebonne Parish with its much-anticipated event, Breakfast with Santa.

Now in its 28th year, the Houma-based organization, which strives to make the community a better place specifically through services provided to local children, has crafted what is nothing short of an impressive display of food, activities, and an opportunity to mingle with the main man himself.

And maintaining an event for so many years is nothing short of a feat.

Jennifer White, Kiwanis Club of Houma’s president-elect, says the annual event has survived this long because of the hardworking men and women who are passionate about ensuring the success of the breakfast.

“Kiwanis has been part of Houma since October 1968. We are always there for the community and trying to give back,” Jennifer explains. “And how can anyone refuse breakfast with Santa?”

From 7-11:30 a.m. on Dec. 10, little ones and their families are invited to line up at Vandebilt Catholic High School’s Cafeteria for a dizzying array of morning mealtime staples including pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and more. Face painting and other activities will keep children entertained while Mr. and Mrs. Claus prepare to make their grand entrance. Mrs. Claus will read Christmas tales to attendees and Santa Claus will meet and greet with all who have a holiday wish, even posing for photos.

All proceeds from Breakfast with Santa go right back to helping these little ones, as well. Among the community initiatives benefitted are Kiwanis’ Play It Again Terrebonne, a program which provides refurbished band instruments to elementary school students; Books for Bikes, which rewards children who read a specified amount of books with a bike; and a coat drive for children.

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Melissa Duet Photos by Channing Candies

supporting local high school Key Clubs and creating an Action Group for TARC. “It’s kind of like Key Club…It’s really about helping to give them a purpose and feel like we can go and we can do something too,” Jennifer explains.

The gentleman of the hour, who will arrive complete with his cherry red suit, matching gift bag, and snow white beard, is Bill Boyd, who has been suiting up for the occasion since 1992.

“Each time, we have hundreds of kids at the pancake breakfast, but I’ve probably had thousands of children sit on my lap over the years,” Bill remembers.

From the most popular toys of the year to more touching requests, Bill says the appeals from the children who confide in him are one of the most special parts of this honored job.

“I’ve had children sit on my lap and say that they want their momma back. I had a little boy one time tell me that his

daddy had gone into the service and he’d like to get his daddy back,” he recalls.

“There’s some heart wrenching things like that. I’ve also had silly things like I want a tractor. I said, ‘Oh, you want a little John Deere tractor?’ They say, ‘No, no. I want a real one like Paw Paw.’” It’s those magical moments that simply can’t be adequately described that brings him back to the suit year after year.

“It’s a magnetism toward children and the things they say,” Bill says.” You never expect it. It’s impromptu and it’s just wonderful to see the gleam and the sparkle in their eyes. It only comes one time in your life that we have that certain feeling about Christmas and Santa Claus. You get older and it kind of fades. I enjoy being part of that in their lives. It’s been rewarding.” POV

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Melissa Duet Juliana Pennison

Tthe tub…from the earliest he glory of a good soak in

documented times, people have loved to wash away the troubles of the day chin-deep in a warm bath. The Roman Empire pioneered the daily ritual, President Franklin Roosevelt depended on it to soothe the pains associated with his health issues, and Napoleon Bonaparte even signed the Louisiana Purchase from a tub.

Mother-daughter duo Shelley and Brie Robichaux have spent much of their lives as part of the masses who spent hours relaxing, reading, and soaking in what they began to affectionately call “tub time”. After the ladies grew tired of traveling out of the area to find one-of-a-kind soaps and the like, they knew it was time to introduce Houma to the art of bath therapy as Ginger & Bee. Their passion turned into months of research on high-quality essential oils and ingredients and concocting the perfect scent pairings to create what is now an expansive array of vibrantly hued bath bombs, shower bombs, bubble powder, soaking salts and more.

Hundreds of cellophane-wrapped bombs line large tables and fill wooden baskets in the store’s flagship location in Houma, a subtly sweet aroma wafting through the expansive and homey space. Handmade soaps are piled high on a station near the rear of the store and a soaking salt bar awaits customers near the check-out.

Each and every product sold by Shelley and Brie is handmade, crafted from recipes perfected by the duo. For them, povhouma.com

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“

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE CARE THAT GOES INTO IT THAN JUST LETTING A MACHINE SPIT THEM OUT.

”

~Shelley Robichaux

creating products any other way is simply unthinkable.

“The human element is very important,” Shelley explains. “There is so much more care that goes into it than just letting a machine spit them out. It’s less expensive that way but it’s not in keeping with our mission. When you think about the soaps and the time that we take with the scents - we line all these scents up and smell and pour and pour and pour - there’s some artistry behind it.”

And those scents have become 44

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some of the most covetable items in the bayou region. New fragrances are often teased to customers via social media and limited-edition runs of seasonal creations ignite a firestorm of excitement in loyal followers, even leading some to stockpile their favorite items, like the store’s Candy Corn Bubble Powder, until it reappears the following year.

Since opening the original store in Houma in 2015, Shelley and Brie have relied heavily on the requests and feedback from customers to hone in on

the best products and fragrances. It’s that attention to what customers need that has brought the store resounding success in it’s one year of business.

“Now, I really go a lot off of our customers,” Brie explains. “Recently I realized we don’t have a strawberry bath bomb. Three people in a row came in asking for a strawberry bomb. You don’t think about it, but other people coming in really [drives the products].”

That attention to customer need has also driven Shelley and Brie to open two additional locations to be

more accessible to those that may not be able to make it to Houma during the week. In June, Ginger & Bee opened its second location in a 90-square-foot space in downtown Thibodaux, a place that has affectionately been nicknamed the “tiny boutique.”

“When we started, we wanted to keep it very much like a boutique and with boutique hours. I personally don’t believe in making people work until 9 or 10 at night. Everybody needs a home life, to recuperate. That’s what the store is about: taking a break,” Shelley explains.

“People coming from Thibodaux were having a hard time getting to Houma before 6 p.m. Brie was constantly getting the requests [ for another location]. We decided to do something small and bring a small sampling of the store to Thibodaux. That way if they really want everything, they can still come on the weekend. During the week, if they want a little something or they need a gift, it’s closer for them.”

“It’s like a really nice walk-in closet,” Brie laughs. “It’s cute though. Everybody wants to come because they’re like, ‘How did y’all do this?’”

Just five months later on Nov. 7, Ginger & Bee took the next step in their business venture and opened a kiosk inside The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk in New Orleans to share their carefully curated collection of bath essentials with an even bigger audience. Drawing on the concept of a kiosk set-up when creating the Thibodaux location, the ladies were well-versed in how to display their products for the tourists and locals that flood the popular shopping area daily. Although admittedly a bit of a challenge because the customers are not as familiar with Ginger & Bee’s mission, Shelley and Brie are confident the passion for providing handcrafted, high-quality products to others will take hold in the city as well.

With plans to open several more locations to continue serving those that seek out Ginger & Bee for all their relaxation needs, Shelley and Brie are prepped to continue spreading their mission of handcrafted and locally owned with as many people as possible. It’s that support from the community, after all, that allows small businesses like Ginger & Bee to thrive and offer truly unique products to residents and visitors.

“For me, it’s about giving back to your community. That money stays in the community,” Shelley says. “What you spend here, we spend here. We try to buy everything from the ingredients to if we have somebody working for us to packaging, I go out of my way, to make sure that it is nothing less than U.S. For me, it’s important that it stays in the U.S. and it’s local. Our money is from here and it stays here and it goes through the community.” POV povhouma.com

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Christmas GI F T GU I D E

DeBrand Fine Chocolates 12 Piece Truffle Collection Nick J. Hebert Designs I 985.262.4813 Give the gift of something decadent this holiday season. This incredible truffle collection from the gourmet chocolatier features 12 variations including Dark Chocolate, Key Lime Pecan, Caramel, Coconut, Peanut Butter, Mocha, Macadamia Hazelnut, Raspberry, Almond, Milk Chocolate, Deluxe Nut and Black & White.

Kids’ Cooking Set Karen Chisholm-Independent Director Pampered Chef I 813.505.2060 Spend this holiday season cooking up memories with the kids. This complete Kids’ Cooking Set is filled with real tools that were tested and approved by kids. They will be able to make pizza, cookies, and anything else they can dream up.

Gift of Magic “Pack Your Bags We’re Going to Disney”

Pedicure & Manicure Allies Day Spa I 985.917.0009 Get pampered with a pedicure and manicure from the acclaimed Houma spa. Relax as Allie’s provides high-quality services to soothe stress and gets you looking your best this holiday season.

Monique Bascle-Fick, Agent Cupcake Castles Travel Company, LLC I 985.804.7270 Give the gift of magic this holiday season. We are a full-service travel agency specializing in Disney vacations including Disney World, Disneyland, Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney’s exclusive Aulani Resort located in Hawaii. I concentrate specifically on couples, families, and large groups with any booking needs to make memories magical!

PaZēn Massage PaZēn Massage Services I 985.791.9685 Rest and revitalize during the busy holiday season with a Relaxation Swedish Massage.

Let the knowledgeable and professional staff of PaZen relieve stress with massages beginning at $60 for one hour. All new clients get their first massage half off or purchase your first hour-long massage full price and receive two additional massages free.

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The Shack Gift Card

IceMule Cooler Backpack

The Shack I 985.868.9996

Home Hardware I 985.223.6370

Louisiana’s precious sea critters take center stage at The Shack and this season you can share those delicious crawfish, shrimp, and crabs by purchasing gift cards for your loved ones. The Shack gift cards make great Christmas presents for any family looking for some tasty seafood in Houma.

The next time you’re preparing for an outdoor adventure, pack your food and drinks in the IceMule, a portable, soft-sided, ice bag with all the cooling and insulating properties of a hard cooler, but none of the bulk. The IceMule resulted from a simple need: to carry a real cooler comfortably and easily, and now it is here to help keep all of your adventures cool!

AirRestore Air Naturalizer Local Dealer I 985.414.0706 AirRestore’s Organic Air Technology restores the indoor air to the natural energy found in fresh outdoor air. It’s energized elements continually fill the room and attack germs, bacteria, viruses, mold and pet dander without using filters or harmful chemicals and perfumes. It’s so thorough that it even helps with odors in carpeting, draperies and upholstery. Fresh, organic air can also help alleviate snoring, sleep apnea and sinus problems.

Viper Dart Board Clearwater Pools I 985.868.4809 Add some friendly competition to the mix with this Viper Dart Board set from Clearwater Pools. A staple in many bars and game rooms, darts provide a gaming experience that anyone at your holiday party can enjoy!

Lagniole Folding Knives Old Estate Art Gallery I 985.447.5413 When it comes to creating the perfect holiday feast, having the best in cutlery at the ready is a must.

Laguiole’s philosophy is to successfully combine tradition and innovation and that is evident in these beautifully crafted folding knives. Made from the finest quality materials available, these knives are known for both elegance and flawless finish.

Rougaroux Rum, Orzya Vodka & Gin, LA 1 Whiskey Donner-Peltier Distillers I 985.446.0002 dpdspirits.com Grain to glass, cane to cocktail…it doesn’t get any more Louisiana than these Thibodaux-Based spirits. Visit the distillery for great gift ideas, including customized gift baskets or The Ultimate Cajun Bloody Mary Kit!

4 Seasons Spa Gift Card 4 Seasons Spa I 985.876.2088 Treat your loved ones to some much needed stress relief this holiday season. Let the professionally trained service providers at 4 Seasons Spa take care of them with their services including nails, spa pedicures, permanent makeup, facials, massage and waxing. Right now buy $100 in gift cards and get $150 in gift cards free! povhouma.com

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Christmas GI F T GU I D E

2016 Thomas Kinkade Jolly Santa Bouquet Just for You Florist I 985.851.6012 The tradition continues with this beautiful 2016 Thomas Kinkade Christmas centerpiece. Set atop a magnificent bouquet of festive red roses, snowy white carnations and fresh Christmas greens, this beautiful arrangement, complete with a warmly lit holiday scene, is perfect for sprucing up your decorations as you and your loved ones get into the holiday spirit. .

Relaxing Massages Allie’s Day Spa I 985.917.0009 Treat yourself or a loved one this Christmas. Allie’s Day Spa is the only full service spa in the area with 27 treatment rooms, providing high quality relaxing services to destress and have you feeling and looking your best with any treatment.

SAVVYROOT Handbag It’s All About You Interiors I 985.308.0234 SAVVYROOT is a line of chic accessories that proves you don’t have to pay a lot to get a lot. Owner and designer Celeste Austin taught herself leather accessory production from start to finish and has built her brand with a passion for fashion and styling. Add this handbag to your accessory collection and make a fashion statement this year.

Ostbye Ruby and Diamond Ring in 14K Gold Bill George Jewelers I 985.447.9039 Looking for a stunning gift this holiday season? Try out this beautiful ring from longstanding jewelry company Ostbye. This 14K gold ring is studded with rubies and diamonds, sure to make her eyes sparkle.

Customized Cerakote Designing Ground Zero Coatings I 985.791.4644 Ground Zero Coatings specializes in customizing items with a durable ceramic coating. Firearms, Yet/RTIC Cups, knives, automotive parts, etc. Limited only to your imagination. www. groudzerocoatings.com. Gift Certificates Available. POV

Downtown Jeaux Gift Card Downtown Jeaux I 985.346.6662 A Downtown Jeaux gift card would satisfy just about anyone’s taste. If you’re looking for coffee, smoothies, breakfast, panini sandwiches, or wraps, Downtown Jeaux is the place to go. Right now, buy a $25 gift card and receive $5 extra or buy a $50 gift card and receive $10 extra to enjoy. This holiday special offer ends Dec. 24, 2016. Merry Christmas!

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Jonah Giroir Channing Candies

I Spy…A Duck!

Check out these artists’ creations at various points throughout Thibodaux:

· Cyd Duet Toups - “Estuary Melange” · Haven Ledet - “Magnolia Tree” · Ellen McCord - “Daisy Dreams” · Karli Jacobs - “Texture Array” · Rhonda Marce l- “Colorful Camouflage” 50

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· Tiffany Thibodaux -

“Growing Hands of Our Community”

· Stephanie Donaldson -

“Gettin’ Down in Thibodaux”

Wdriving down Highway hether you’re

308 or Highway 1, or even taking a stroll on the walking trail around the Adley Landry Water Reservoir next to the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium, you are sure to have encountered your fair share of ducks.

These friendly, feathered creatures have grown so accustomed to interacting with humankind that they do not even move whenever a runner passes by them. And with that, ducks have become a staple to the beautiful city of Thibodaux.

Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce, along with sponsor Advance Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation LLC, wanted to celebrate our winged and web-footed friends by honoring them in a Thibodaux Chamber community art project appropriately named Quack. Through this project, seven 3.5foot fiberglass ducks were decorated and painted by local artists and unveiled at the Thibodeauxville Fall Festival last month.

“The idea came back from my work in New Orleans and traveling across the country. New Orleans did a similar project with fish, and I thought it would be a great tie-in with Thibodeauxville and the duck race if

we did a duck community art project,” Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Marguerite Knight explains of the concept.

With every Thibodeauxville Fall Festival, the Chamber tries to add something new, and the giant ducks seemed like a perfect addition for this year.

“It certainly promotes art, and art brings tourists,” Marguerite says.

“Thibodaux is such a beautiful and historic town, and there are ducks in our backyards, at the Reservoir, and along the bayou, so they are known in the area. We wanted to celebrate the artists, the area, and Thibodeauxville.”

A call for artists was made across several platforms, asking artists to give a mock rendition of what they would be painting on each duck. Thirty applications were sent in, and Advance Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation chose what they felt were the best seven of the bunch.

Some depict the school spirit of Nicholls State University, others show off Louisiana’s state flower, and others feature the handprints of students at The Purple Penguin Art Company. Each of these ducks is unique in their own way, but as a whole, they come together to truly reflect many of the beautiful aspects of our community.

One of the artists, Cyd Duet Toups, whose creation is titled “Estuary

Melange”, jumped at the idea of bringing her creativity to a whole new medium.

“I think it’s a worthwhile project and Thibodeauxville is an amazing event.

And how often do you get to paint a large duck? I had a blast.”

The inspiration for her duck came from an appreciation of the estuaries and wildlife that call those places home.

“I’m inspired by the wildlife in the area.” She explains, “ There’s so much fragile beauty, and we’re so lucky that it’s still here.”

And these beautifully painted, colorful ducks are here to stay. The creations have become permanent fixtures at strategic points throughout the city. Marguerite says the Chamber hopes to add more or repaint the original ducks and host the project again in the coming years.

Though intended to be an art piece, Marguerite says these ducks are also meant to be an attraction to be enjoyed by all. It’s efforts like this that enrich and continue to strengthen the community.

“What kid isn’t going to want to take a picture with a large duck? I hope that the community’s reaction to them when they see them is as excited as I was when I was going around town picking them up. They’re beautiful.” POV povhouma.com

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Let’s have a cookie party If festive party this holiday season,

you’re looking for a way to host a

a holiday cookie exchange party is a sure bet for a good time. Everyone has a favorite family recipe that they love to make during Christmas. What better way to taste everyone’s best than by hosting a cookie swap? You can try a few new recipes and maybe even leave with a new favorite.

Tips for Hosting A Cookie Exchange Festive invitations are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Tap into your creativity or find one online to spread a little holiday joy.

Guests must include their recipe with their cookie.

Part of the fun is leaving with new ideas and ways to delight your family members.

Keep the kids entertained with cookie decorating. Create a decorating station with sugar cookies, frosting placed in bowls or piping bags, and small candies.

Grinch Cookies What You Need: • • • • • •

1 box French vanilla cake mix ½ cup vegetable oil 2 eggs Green food coloring, 1 drop Confectioners sugar for dusting Sprinkles or candies, large heart-shaped

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Visit www.povhouma.com to download our recipe card design for your party.

Set a reasonable amount of cookies for everyone to pre-bake and bring. Most recipes make at least two dozen. Don’t be afraid to request cookies with fun or different ingredients!

Have a variety of containers for your guests to take home their cookies. There may be a little variety in how many cookies each guest wants to take home and the size and shape.

Decorate the area with festive décor. This will fill the atmosphere with holiday spirit, making for a jolly and fun environment.

How to Make It: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of your mixer cream together cake mix, food coloring, oil, and eggs. Chill the dough for 10-15 minutes. Drop by tablespoon into confectioners sugar and roll into ball (If cookies are spreading too thin, put them back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes after this step). Place on a baking sheet and press 1 large heart candy/sprinkle. Bake for 8 minutes until set. Let cool 2 minutes on pan before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. POV

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Intelligent Investing

Changing Jobs & Your 401(k) W

hen you change jobs, you need to decide what to do with the money in your 401(k) plan. As you consider your options, keep in mind that one of the greatest advantages of a 401(k) is that it allows you to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. When changing jobs, it’s essential to consider the continued tax-deferral and, if possible, to avoid current taxes and penalties that can eat into the amount of money you’ve saved.

Take the Money and Run When you leave your current employer, you can withdraw your funds in a lump sum. While cashing out is certainly tempting, it’s almost never a good idea.

Taking a lump sum distribution can significantly reduce your retirement savings, and is generally not advisable unless you urgently need money and have no other alternatives.

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Leave the Funds Where They Are One option is to leave the funds in your old employer’s 401(k) where they will continue to grow tax deferred. However, you may not always have this opportunity. If your vested balance is $5,000 or less, your employer can require you to take your money out of the plan when you leave the company. Your employer may also require that you withdraw your funds once you reach the plan’s normal retirement age.

A Direct Rollover You can always roll over your funds to your new employer’s retirement plan (if the new plan allows it), roll over to a traditional IRA at a brokerage firm, or you can roll over your non-Roth 401(k) money to a Roth IRA. The taxable portion of your distribution from the 401(k)

plan will be included in your income at the time of the rollover.

Finally, no matter which option you choose, you may want to discuss your particular situation with a tax professional (as well as your plan administrator) before deciding what to do with the funds in your 401(k). POV Note: Neither Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. nor any of its employees or representatives are authorized to give legal or tax advice. You are encouraged to seek the guidance of your own personal legal or tax counsel. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.

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We Support a Healthier Future Priscilla Broussard, LCSW, LAC, Behavioral Health Center of Thibodaux Regional

The Power of Gratitude and Thankfulness Tday of the year many people made

hanksgiving has just passed. On this

it a point to express their gratitude and thanks. Is there any benefit to keeping that tradition of giving thanks going all through the year?

Research has found that people’s happiness levels tend to remain at about the same level over the long term. Whether a person wins a bundle in the Lotto or loses his legs in a motor vehicle accident, after about three to six months, he will return to his usual level of happiness. So if we’re born with a “glass half empty” sort of mentality, are we doomed to be unhappy? Maybe not.

Since 1998, UC Davis psychology professor Dr. Robert A. Emmons has been studying a tool that has helped people increase their happiness levels up to 25 percent. What’s more, at the

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completion of the studies, the spouses and friends of the test subjects agreed that participants did seem happier, more helpful, and easier to be around.

Emmons also found study participants reported improved physical health; an increase in their levels of physical exercise; higher levels of positive emotions; and a fuller, richer social life.

In the study, Emmons and his colleagues divided the participants into three groups. One group sat down once a week for 10 weeks and listed five things that had happened to them during the previous week. A second group sat down and listed five daily hassles from the previous week [such as burning dinner or having trouble finding a parking place]. The third group sat and listed 5 things they were grateful for that had happened during the previous week.

Point of Vue Magazine » FitLife

What do you think happened to the study participants? People in the third group, the “gratitude group,” reported that they felt up to 25 percent happier.

They were more optimistic about the future, they felt better about their lives, and they did over an hour more exercise than people in the other two groups.

So how does one go about being more grateful?

• Try keeping a gratitude journal or say prayers of gratitude.

• Challenge yourself on social media to express something you are grateful for every day for a month.

• Invite your social network to join you by expressing things they are grateful for that start with a different letter each day.

• Start a “gratitude jar”.

• Even practicing gratitude for a few minutes, once a week, can make a difference. POV

What’s Shakin’ Want us to include your event in our calendar?

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

Freedom Run Dec. 3, 8:30 a.m.

Do your part to help those that fight for our freedom at this sixth annual race through downtown New Orleans.

Post-race festivities include prizes for overall finishers, beer, music and food.

Cost is $30 for the one mile run/walk and the 5K. Active military receive a $5 discount. A portion of proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

Where: Corner of Julia & Baronne Street, New Orleans Contact: active.com

GOTR Reindeer Run Dec. 4, 2 p.m.

Join the girls of Girls on the Run Bayou Region at this fun-filled 5K. Renee the Reindeer joins participants for this annual end-of-year celebration which winds through the neighborhoods near Southdown Plantation. The post-race party includes a DJ, food and more.

Cost is $20.

Where: Southdown Plantation, Houma Contact: girlsontherunht.org

Reindeer Run & Romp Dec. 10

Remember Pearl Harbor 5K Dec. 3, Fun Run: 8 a.m., 5K: immediately following

Take to the streets at this race hosted

by VFW Post 4222 while remembering the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Awards are handed out to top finishers in a variety of categories and the first 50 runners receive an American dog tag. Cost is $25 for the 5K and $20 for the fun run.

Where: Lawrence Park, Morgan City Contact: facebook.com/VFWPost42225Ks/

Candy Cane Classic Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.

Gather the family and don your ugliest Christmas sweater for this race through downtown Houma. Pre-registration is $25 and race day registration is $30.

Where: Downtown Houma Courthouse Square Contact: runsignup.com

The littlest runners of the bunch hit the pavement for this holiday romp through the Big Easy streets. Rudolph, Santa, and all their friends join the children for either a one-mile fun run or half-mile eggnog jog. After the race, enjoy healthy activities, games, music, crafts and more. Cost is $15.

Where: The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk Spanish Plaza, New Orleans Contact: active.com

Celebration in the Oaks Run Dec. 10, 3 p.m.

Take a leisurely stroll while admiring the beautiful Celebration in the Oaks display during this two-mile run/walk.

Enjoy more than 500,000 twinkling lights and other holiday decorations as you make your way through the park grounds. After the race, enjoy refreshments and complimentary entry into the walking tour of the Botanical Garden, Storyland and Carousel Gardens before the gates open to the public. Cost is $30 for adults and $25 for children.

The Ross Mullooly Project Outrunning Cancer 5K Dec. 10, Fun Run: 10:30 a.m., 5K: 11 a.m.

Friends, family and the community gather to honor Houma native Ross Mullooly at this fifth annual race. The Ross Mullooly Project, founded by Ross before his passing in 2013, has donated more than $80,000 to Hope Lodge in New Orleans since the first event and has since been able to purchase two cans for patient transport and deliver snacks monthly to patients at Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center and Ochsner-Chabert Medical Center.

Cost is $15 for the children’s one-mile fun run and $25 for the 5K. Post-race activities include free food and drinks, a silent auction, and entertainment by The Jordan Anderson Band.

Where: Downtown Houma Courthouse Square Contact: splitsecondllc.com

Jingle Bell Run Dec. 17, 9 a.m.

This festive race helps champion arthritis research while getting racegoers in the spirit of the season.

Where: Audubon Park Jogging Path, New Orleans Contact: jbr.org

Where: City Park, New Orleans Contact: ccc10k.com povhouma.com

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FitMind

Hallelujah!

S

ometimes there is a good reason to just say Hallelujah! Like when an election is over. Hallelujah is a Hebrew word which is often translated “Praise the Lord.” If you want to hear a beautiful rendition of the song Hallelujah, written

by Leonard Cohen in 1984, Google Choir! Choir! Choir! 1500 singers. It was performed in a vacant factory this past June. The song is a ballad infused with religion and realism. Many will have heard this song in the popular movie “Shrek” in 2001. Hallelujah can be used after a triumph or a victory, often after great struggle. There is a dark perspective to the song and one verse includes, “It’s a cold and broken Hallelujah.”

How many generations have raised their voices in singing “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore, Hallelujah?” This song was written during the Civil War when a plantation overseer, Charles Pickard Ware, heard freedmen singing it. The song was first published in “Slave Songs of the United States” in 1867. The song is about hope.

Abraham Lincoln, as the Civil War was coming to an end, made this profound 58

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statement, “My dream is a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope on earth.” That best hope, as sung by the freedmen, reflects on liberty. Liberty is accomplished by a nation, and by individuals, with a price of courage, sacrifice, responsibility and love. Maya Angelou was one of America’s most revered poets who said, “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

The 19th century British author and clergyman Charles Caleb Colton wrote, “Liberty will not descend to a people, a people must rise us to liberty, it is a blessing that must be earned before it can be enjoyed.” How precious is the word liberty to anyone confined or held down against their will? Through the choices we make and the responsibilities we accept every day we earn our rise to liberation.

21st century slavery can be defined and chained to the habits of bad choices. How many needlessly suffer and are held down by addiction as personal will succumbs to: drugs, alcohol, gambling,

Point of Vue Magazine » FitLife

negativity and food, to name a few of the serious bad habits that are robbing many of liberty.

In this December holiday season let us all share hope for joy to the world and peace to men and women of good will.

To those of good cheer who have the will to create better lives for themselves and those they love; and to those who will set good examples for all of us to follow in overcoming obstacles and challenges in their lives, let’s offer a Hallelujah!

As we prepare for the New Year, choose to be healthier and happier.

Break any chains of bad habits with a can-do attitude. Eat to live and don’t live to eat. Drink water, exercise in some form daily, smile often, get proper rest and be kinder and gentler with yourself and others. Above all be hopeful! 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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Bon Appétit

Herbed Chicken Orzo Pasta and Zucchini Yield: 4 servings WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 cup dried orzo • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (1-1/4 lb.)

• 1 t. dried basil • 3 T. olive oil • 2 medium zucchini, sliced • 2 T. red wine vinegar • 1/2 T. snipped fresh dill • Lemon wedges (optional) • Snipped fresh dill (optional)

HOW TO MAKE IT:

Prepare orzo according to package directions; drain. Cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, sprinkle chicken with the basil; season with salt and ground black pepper. In large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add chicken and cook 12 minutes or until no longer pink, turning once. Remove from skillet. Add zucchini to skillet; cook for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. In a bowl, whisk together vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and the 1/2 tablespoon fresh dill.

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Add orzo and zucchini and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Serve chicken over orzo/zucchini mixture and fresh lemon wedges; sprinkle with dill if desired. POV

HILLARY SCOTT is a graduate of Nicholls State University’s Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.

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A Vue from the Vine

Behind the Brew

A Taste of Tuscany

Trappist Beers

TTuscany produces some of the worlds finest wines and

T

his month we will review some wines from Tuscany.

also one of if not the number wine wine vacation destination places in the world. Here are a few tuscan blends currently available.

Tolaini Al Passo 2011 $25.99 This Tuscan blend comes from Tolaini, a relatively new winery that has made great wines from its beginning. This classically styled, yet fruit forward red has flavors of cherry and plum mixed with notes of tobacco, leather, and earth for which Tuscany is known. The wine is dense yet not overly heavy handed making for a fairly easy drinking wine with a balanced, mildly tannic finish. Made of 85 percent Sangiovese and 15 percent Merlot. Drink now or over the next 4 to 6 years.

Arcanum Il Fauno 2011 $22.99 This red screams Tuscany from the instant you take a sip.

The wine is dense, complex, and full bodied with flavors of plum, leather, and earth. Those flavors carry on through the midpalate to a long, dry finish with mouthwatering tannins. A great wine to pair with some heavy meat dishes or a steak. A blend of about 50 percent Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A great cellarworthy wine at a price that doesn’t break the bank. Drink now or over the next 8 to 10 years.

Castello Banfi Toscana Centine Red 2013 $10.49 Banfi brings us this great value wine that rarely misses the mark. The wine is vibrant yet focused, with cherry and plum flavors with subtle notes of tobacco and earth. A great intro wine into Italian wines or a great everyday wine for Tuscan fans. POV

LANE BATES is the wine and spirits specialist

at Cannata’s. Feel free to visit him to find outmore. Or call 985.209.9762 or email him atLANEBATES@CANNATAS.COM. 62

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he Trappist beers are brewed

by Christian Monks. They originated in the Cistercian monastery in La Trappe, France after feeling that the Cistercian order had become increasingly liberal. A founding principle that is still in effect today for the Trappist order is that each monastery should be self-supporting and maintained by the Monks who reside in the monastery. Because of this many Trappist monasteries have continued to brew beer. If I had pick only one style of beer, hands down my favorite would be Trappist.

The International Trappist Association has created a logo that can only be used on Trappist produced items such as cheese, wine and beer. Certified Trappist beers are currently brewed in eleven monasteries around the world.

Trappist beers are all ales and are brewed with top fermenting yeast. The majority of the beers are bottled conditioned. The beers are designated by using different terms based on the amount of grain used to brew the style of beer. The alcohol content also rises as the ranking system increases. The most common terms used are Single (rarely produced today), Dubbel (double), Tripel (triple) and Quad.

Exceptions are Chimay, which uses a color system of red, white and blue and Rochefort uses numbers 6, 8, and 10.

Usually as the beer’s grain build increases, the flavor profile and depth of the beer is increased.

During the upcoming winter months I recommend for you to enjoy a great Trappist Tripel or Quad by a nice fire.

Do not over chill the beer and never chill the glass. Serve it in a wide mouth chalice or goblet and allow the beer to slowly warm and experience the development of the depth of complex flavors that are Trappist beers. 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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3-Course Connoisseur

Brooke’s Sno-World Sto sit down at a restaurant. That

ometimes you just don’t have time

time crunch doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor, however.

Brooke’s Sno-World is known throughout Bayou Country for serving refreshing snowballs 365 days a year, filling the void we all feel when snowball season is over. Brooke’s is that and so much more, however.

Owner Brooke Hyde and her staff take customer service seriously and serve up a dizzying array of menu items sure to satisfy any appetite. And that strive for excellence is working. The drive-thru line typically wraps around the West Main Street location with hundreds bellying up to the window for everything from banana splits to chili Fritos daily.

The best part is that no two visits are alike. There’s so much to choose from, you never have to eat the same meal twice and Brooke’s consistently sprinkles in new menu items to keep customers coming back.

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Appetizer: MAC-N-CHEESE BITES

These crispy nuggets are the concoction you never knew you needed. When you’re in need of just mid-day snack, these bites are perfect. Golden brown on the outside and loaded with ooey gooey macaroni and cheese on the inside, it’s too good to believe.

Main Course: OYSTER POBOY

It’s nearly impossible to settle on just one item we’d choose as our main course. This poboy, however, is so tasty, it had to be our pick. The oysters are crispy fried and delicately placed over the works.

Dessert:

POLAR PUNCH SNO-BALL & TURTLE BLISS SUNDAE

The Polar Punch is a satisfying bluehued snowball that will transport you to cooler weather no matter what that

thermometer in your rearview mirror reads. Think of this as a taste of an Alaskan vacation. Refreshing and subtly sweet, this one is also a great pick for those who aren’t fans of an overly-sugary snowball.

The Turtle Bliss Sundae is a sight to see. The creation comes loaded with all the traditional elements of the dessert like layers of caramel and a dusting of pecans. Brooke’s takes it to another level, however, by stuffing a square of cheesecake into the dessert and topping it with a generous helping of whipped cream and extra carmel. POV

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Rendezvous Want us to include your event in our calendar?

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

Downtown Houma Christmas Festival

Teddy Bear Christmas Tea

Gather the family and head downtown for this inaugural Christmas celebration in Terrebonne Parish. The festival features Santa’s workshop, crafts, food, music, shopping, storytelling, a 5K Ugly Sweater Run and Christmas photos.

At 4 p.m., the annual Christmas parade rolls through the streets spreading holiday cheer.

The Dansereau House presents this muchanticipated sixth annual event featuring a special children’s tea and holiday celebration.

Santa will be on hand to tell stories and take photos and activities will keep little ones entertained. Every child receives a teddy bear as a keepsake. Cost is $40 plus tax and gratuity.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dec. 10, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Dec. 11, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m

Where: Downtown Houma Contact: houmachristmasfestival.com

Where: The Dansereau House Contact: cbreaud@aol.com, 985.438.2671

Reindeer Rowe & A Visit to Santa’s Land

Tour of Homes

Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thibodaux Service League hosts this Christmas market featuring unique holiday shopping from local merchants all in one place. Nearly 40 vendors will be on hand to help you complete your Christmas shopping and a raffle will be held at 3:30 p.m. Raffle tickets are $10. Admission to Reindeer Rowe is $5 or free with a Santa’s Land ticket. A Visit to Santa’s Land is the children’s portion of the day-long event and features crafts, games, snacks, and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $20 for the VIP sessions or $12 for the regular sessions.

Where: Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium Contact: thibodauxserviceleague.com

Christmas Fest

Sunday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.-till

Visit downtown Thibodaux for this enchanting event that ushers in the holiday season. A parade roll through the streets of the city at 4 p.m., followed by the ceremonious lighting of the Dansereau House, music, food, and photos for Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 5-8:30 p.m.

Meander through five beautifully decorated homes and enjoy delicious local cuisine during this bi-annual event held during the holidays. Cost is $25. Proceeds benefit Refuge127 Ministries, a Christian organization that provides resources to meet the spiritual, physical, emotional and medical needs of orphans.

Where: Thibodaux Contact: refuge127.org

Papa Noël’s Cajun Christmas Saturday, Dec. 10, 5-9 p.m.

Meet Papa Noel and celebrate Christmas on the bayou. Storytelling, food and drinks, music, children’s activities and more will be available. A gumbo cook-off is also held as a chance to show your stuff and celebrate a truly Cajun Christmas. Entry for the cook-off is $25 per team and winners receive custom trophy paddles.

Where: Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gray Contact: 985.868.2732

Where: Downtown Thibodaux Contact: 985.447.1187

Want us to include your event in our calendar?

Shoot an email to MELISSA@RUSHING-MEDIA.COM and we’ll help spread the word.

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Point of Vue Magazine

Newsletters Receive additional content and weekly events when you sign up. SCAN HERE:

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Smarty Pants No Googling!

1

Which two actors have appeared in all the Star Wars fi lms to date (Episodes I-VII)?

A B C D

3

5

A B C D

7

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December 2016

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Three sizes too small Two sizes too small One size too small Four sizes too small

Which of these battleships was not damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941?

A B C D

Australia Germany Canada Japan

Jimmy Buffett Alan Jackson Paul McCartney Mick Jagger

In “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” how small was the Grinch’s heart?

A B C D

8

‘83 ‘43 ‘53 ‘63

Which of these musicians was born on Dec. 25, 1946?

A B C D

“The Night Before Christmas” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” “A Christmas Carol” “Miracle on 34th Street”

Boxing Day takes place on Dec. 26. Which of these countries does not celebrate this holiday?

A B C D

4

Swans a Swimming Golden Rings Lords a Leaping Geese a Laying

In December 1843, what famous Christmas story was fi rst published?

“Oh what a night. Late December, back in ___?

A B C D

Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker Frank Oz and Harrison Ford Peter Mayhew and Anthony Daniels Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher

In the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” what is given on the seventh day?

A B C D

2

USS Arizona USS West Virginia USS Iowa USS Pennsylvania

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, released Dec. 21, 1937, is often credited as the first feature-length animated film. Which of these was the actual first?

10

A National Cat Herders Day B National Cookie Day C International Ninja Day D 20th Anniversary of the First Text Message

A “El Apostol” (The Apostle) B “Sin Dejar Rastros” (Without a Trace) C “Peludopolis” (Peludo City) D “Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed” (The Adventures of Prince Achmed)

11

Which of the top four movies of all-time according to worldwide gross was not released in December?

12

A “Avatar” B “Titanic” C “Jurassic World” D “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

13

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights arrived in Walt Disney World in 1995 and turned off its lights for the last time in 2015. Which state does the Osborne family call home?

Which of these Christmas songs appears most often in movie soundtracks?

A “Silent Night” B “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” C “Deck the Halls” D “Jingle Bells”

14

Which of the following awards are normally handed out in December?

A Academy Awards (Oscars) B Nobel Prize C Grammys D Golden Globes

A Mississippi B Arkansas C Louisiana D Texas

15

Which obscure holiday occurs on Dec. 15?

What famous event in U.S. history took place on Dec. 16?

Well, how’d you do?

A Boston Tea Party B The Mayflower hit shore C John Lennon was assassinated D Louisiana Purchase

11-15

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) C 2) D 3) A 4) A 5)C 6) B 7) D 8) C 9) A 10) A 11) C 12) D 13) B 14) B 15) A

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Scene In French Food Festival The communities of lower Lafourche Parish gathered Oct. 28-30 for the 43rd Annual French Food Festival. The annual weekend event celebrates the food, music, and culture unique to the bayou region.

Savor the Flavor On Oct. 29, local cooks showcased their best recipes during Bayou Lafourche Folklife Museum’s annual Savor the Flavor event. Amy and Trudy Adams claimed the championship title with their brisket with bacon and bourbon sauce.

Ironman Florida Photo courtesy of George Robichaux

Eleven athletes from across Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes put their prowess to the test at Ironman Florida on Nov. 5 in Panama City Beach. The race featured a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run.

(front row) Amber Berry, Kevin Lecompte, Natalie Lindsay (back row) Chris Berry, Mark King, David

Baughman, Chris Lindsay, George Robichaux, Brent Ragas (not pictured) Chuck Lichenstein, Clay Denning

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Sponsor Wayne “Rescue Wayne” Bourgeois, Jr., Amy and Trudy Adams

Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival Hundreds flocked to the Lafourche Central Market in Raceland on Nov. 5 for the Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival, a one-day event highlighting Cajun music and culture. The day featured artisans, live music, delicious food and more.

Nick J. Hebert Designs Grand Opening On Nov. 10, Nick Hebert celebrated the grand opening of his interior and design shop with friends, family and community members during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Houma store.

Bayou Beer Fest Spigots Brew Pub brewers Jacob Aucoin and Knickolas Turner meet and greet with attendees at Bayou Beer Fest. The newest addition to downtown Houma, the brew pub served as the title sponsor for the annual festival which supports veterans.

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Scene In Out of the Darkness Walk Photos courtesy of Bayou Momma Photography

Community members gathered Nov. 5 at the Houma Air Base to remember loved ones and walk in solidarity as part of Out of the Darkness Community Walks. The event, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, raises awareness and provides comfort and support to those in need

Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off On Nov. 11, community members like Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court Annette Fontana gathered to cook up their best dishes at the kick-off to Thibodeauxville, Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off.

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Look Twice Win a $50

Gift Card

Find the six differences in this photo from our feature on page 22. Drop off your answers along with your name and daytime contact number at the PoV offi ces, 6160 W. Park Ave., Houma. Stuck at the offi ce? Fax it, 985.873.9009, or email it to us, melissa@rushing-media.com.

A winner will be picked by random drawing December 13.

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

Congratulations to Eve Trosclair for winning last month’s contest.

Courtesy of

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

Earring color pink to blue Airplane added Flag raised log added “M” missing form plaque Brick color changed

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