Sophisticated Woman Magazine
By Women. For Women. Inspiring Women.
Publisher Barbara Edwards Doyle
Editor Mike Bell
Graphic Design Mike Bell, Michelle Plaisance-Billiot
Contributing Writers Jan Windhorst, Janice Edgerson, Maureen O’Brien, Sandra Scalise Juneau, Amy Barkerding, Mike Bell
Account Executives Michelle Plaisance-Billiot, Maureen O'Brien, Linda Larkin, Katie Chabreck, Daphne Misuraca
Contributing Photographers
Chuck Billiot, Maureen O'Brien, Linda Larkin, Michelle Plaisance-Billiot, Kiki Randon, Shea Duet, David Pevey
Distribution Manager Anthony Figaro
Distribution for Rouses Danny Sunseri
Cover Photography
Chuck Billiot
Sophisticated Woman Magazine
200 Greenleaves Boulevard, Unit 4 Mandeville, LA 70448
Phone: 985-893-7350
e-mail: barbara@sophisticatedwoman.com website: SophisticatedWoman.com
©2025 Sophisticated Woman Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Views expressed are not necessarily shared by the publisher or staff of this publication. Please mail comments or submit articles and photographs to the above address.
Distribution— Mailed distribution to targeted affluent homes and delivers to upscale businesses and homes throughout St.Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes and the southshore. Issues are also available at area Rouses Markets, Barnes & Noble, and local businesses.
Contact us today. You’ll be surprised at how affordable it is to advertise with the Northshore's Best.
If you wish to be mailed a one year subscription for $19.95, please email barbara@Sophisticatedwoman.com.
Behind the Scenes
Our Enterprising Man Photo Shoot With Blaze
Burkenstock
The Sophisticated Woman team coordinated the photo shoot for this issue’s Enterprising Man, Blaze Burkenstock. The photoshoot took place at in Beau Chêne in Mandeville. Read more about Blaze on page 20.
Contributors
Sandra Scalise Juneau A native Louisianian and resident of Madisonville, Sandra Scalise Juneau is a journalist focusing on local history, cuisine, and culture. Her book, Celebrating with St. Joseph Altars, published by LSU Press in March 2021 has received nationwide acclaim and is now in second printing.
Kiki Randon is an architectural and design photographer working with many corporate and private clients. Away from the camera lens, she enjoys gardening, biking and kayaking with her husband, Steve Randon. Together, they comprise Steve Randon Studio.
Jan Windhorst is a Contributing Writer for Sophisticated Woman Magazine. She has a Master of Journalism from Louisiana State University and is a marketing consultant and freelance business writer. She also enjoys performing and playing keyboards in the band Four Unplugged.
Chuck Billiot, owner of Billiot Photography and Video, is a Certified Professional Photographer in Mandeville. Chuck is a veteran Navy photographer who specializes in weddings and events. He has photographed over 2000 weddings since starting his business 28 years ago.
Well, it is time to pay tribute to our fathers. Unfortunately, dads are not often given enough credit, at least those that are out there being the protector and provider for their families. Of course, we all know there are many fathers that are absent but lets us focus this month on those doing the responsible thing. Let’s honor not only biological fathers but also those who step into this role with dedication and grace.
In a world of constant change, fathers are often the steadfast anchors, guiding with wisdom. This Father’s Day lets take some time to recognize all the things that our dads do to enhance our lives but let us not forget the father figures that often fill in for absent dads, like grandfathers, coaches and scout leaders. Let us make sure that we are letting these men know how valuable they are in our lives.
For me this will be a hard Father’s Day with my dad's recent passing. Not only is this month Father’s Day but my dad’s birthday is June 20th. So, it will be a little tough, but I will have to hold close the good memories to help get me through.
I hope each one of you have a male figure to in your life that you can honor this Father’s Day. So, from Sophisticated Woman Magazine Happy Father’s Day!
Barbara Edwards Doyle
WAll About Men
EVERY JUNE, in honor of Father’s Day, Sophisticated Woman shines the light on the men in our lives. We’ll feature prominent men in the community from legal, financial and insurance professionals as well as medical professionals, and more.
Featured on this month’s cover, our Enterprising Man, Blaze Burkenstock of Skin•Body•Health Institute tells of his journey growing up in his mother’s practice and wanting to help make people healthier, make them feel better about their bodies and boost their confidence.
In our our men-centered issue, we have drink recipes the family can whip up for Dad as he relaxes on his special day. Here’s to all the fathers and father figures who work so hard at making our lives richer in every way!
Dr. Randall Juleff
La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center
Dr. Randall Juleff is a vein specialist triple-board certified in Phlebology (vein treatment), General Surgery, and Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Patients describe him as calm, humble, joyful, and approachable, with an excellent bedside manner.
Originally from the Detroit area, Dr. Juleff still visits frequently to see his mother, now in her 90s. He has two children and three grandchildren and enjoys spending quality time with them. One of his grandchildren speaks both English and German— a language Dr. Juleff studied in college— giving them a special way to connect.
Dr. Juleff attended medical school at Wayne State University and completed his General Surgery training at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. He moved to New Orleans in the early ’90s for advanced training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Tulane Medical Center. He quickly fell in love with the city’s culture, food, music, and people. A music lover, he plays calming spa music during vein treatments in his clinic.
After 15 years as a Cardiac and Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Juleff shifted his focus to vein care, founding La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center. “I was impressed with the new technologies available and realized how underrecognized vein disease is—even among physicians,” he says.
He emphasizes that vein care is often mistaken for cosmetic treatment, a misconception rooted in how it was marketed in the ’80s and ’90s. “We’ve been fighting that stigma ever since,” he says.
Vein disease can develop gradually over years, with symptoms like leg pain, swelling, restless legs, muscle cramps, skin discoloration, inflammation, varicose veins, and even ulcers. Many people dismiss these as part of aging, but Dr. Juleff disagrees: “Modern treatments can dramatically improve quality of life.”
Since the early 2000s, vein treatment has advanced significantly. Many procedures are now minimally invasive and performed in-office within 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Juleff has successfully completed over 10,000 vein procedures.
If you’re experiencing symptoms and medications aren’t helping, schedule a consultation with Dr. Juleff at La Bella Vita Laser and Vein Center. You may find that effective, lasting relief is easier—and closer—than you think.
Arena Collective
At Arena Collective, we are grateful to serve the families, business owners, and investors who make St Tammany and Southeast Louisiana such a special place to live and work. As our community grows, we are honored to grow alongside it. We are here to support growth—through legal work, and by walking with our clients as they build legacies, lead their businesses, and invest in their future.
We combine legal expertise, business strategy, and real estate insight to equip our clients with the tools, structures, and mindset they need to lead well, build lasting legacies, and thrive in life. Our purpose is to create an environment where our team and clients can pursue excellence and impact others—anchored by the values of leadership, integrity, vocation, legacy and teamwork.
If you’re planning your estate, preparing to scale your business, or investing in property—we’d be honored to walk with you. Our services include:
• Estate planning (wills, trusts, POAs) and Successions
• Business formations, contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and operating systems
• Commercial and investment real estate transactions
Arena Collective
is located at 132 Terrabella Blvd. in Covington. For more information, call: (985) 607-7630 • email: Consult@ArenaCollective.com or visit: ArenaCollective.com • LA-25-18877
| June 2025
Joshua
“Josh” D. Allison Joshua D. Allison, A Professional Law Corporation
Josh Allison is a Covington based attorney, licensed to practice law in all state and federal courts in Louisiana including the Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. He is an active member of the Louisiana State Bar Association and the 22nd JDC Bar Association. His practice areas consist of business litigation, family law litigation, and personal injury litigation.
Joshua D. Allison A Professional Law Corporation is located at 207 E. Gibson Street in Covington, 506 Water St. in Madisonville, and 1203 Main St. in Franklinton. For more information, call: 985-302-5630, visit: allisonlawcorp.com • LA 36142
Darryn Melerine MD Claims Group, LLC
Elite Insurance, LLC
Zanshin Dojo
Darryn Melerine exemplifies entrepreneurial versatility, leading three distinct ventures that reflect his commitment to service, protection, and empowerment.
MD CLAIMS GROUP, LLC
As CEO of MD Claims Group, Melerine oversees a premier independent adjusting firm specializing in property loss assessments, catastrophe management, and third-party administration (TPA) services. Established in 2015, the firm boasts a leadership team with over 145 years of combined experience, offering services such as flood and earthquake claims, workers’ compensation, and expert witness testimony. Their “One Claim. One Team.” approach ensures streamlined, client-focused solutions across the nation.
ELITE INSURANCE, LLC
In the insurance sector, Melerine’s Elite Insurance, LLC, based in Mandeville, provides comprehensive coverage options tailored to individual needs. The agency specializes in Auto, Motorcycle, Boat, Homeowners, Flood, and Commercial insurance. By representing multiple carriers, Elite Insurance offers clients personalized plans that align with their financial and coverage goals. The firm’s commitment to education is evident through free seminars aimed at empowering communities with knowledge to make informed insurance decisions.
ZANSHIN DOJO
Beyond the boardroom, Melerine serves as Sensei at Zanshin Dojo in Covington, Louisiana. Holding a 5th-degree black belt in Minami Ryu Jujitsu, he imparts traditional martial arts training with modern applications. The dojo offers classes in jujitsu, defensive tactics, kids’ judo, and self-defense, including specialized programs like the “Thin Blue Line” initiative, providing free training to law enforcement, first responders, medical professionals, and military personnel up to the blue belt rank.
Through these enterprises, Darryn Melerine demonstrates a profound dedication to safeguarding individuals—whether through meticulous claims processing, tailored insurance solutions, or empowering martial arts instruction.
MD Claims Group, LLC
19411 Helenbirg Road, Ste. 103 Covington, LA 70433
Elite Insurance, LLC 3925 LA-59
Zanshin Dojo 19411 Helenbirg Road, Ste. 100 Covington, LA 70433
The Sign of a Life Lived Well
HONORING REV. LEO P. EDGERSON
WRITTEN BY JANICE EDGERSON AND MAUREEN O’BRIEN
Family, friends, elected officials and community leaders gathered together to celebrate the naming of Rev. Leo P. Edgerson Dr. on April 5, 2025. It was a joyous occasion where all had an opportunity to pay tribute to a life lived as a true community servant.
Leo Phillip Edgerson, son of Charles Clinton and Beaulah St. Amant Edgerson, was born in New Orleans on December 1, 1926. After attending McDonogh #35 High School and St. Tammany High School, the honor graduate enlisted in the United States Army. Sergeant Edgerson served four years in the Philippines during World II. Returning to New Orleans after the war, he initially worked as a carpenter. Later, he moved to Mandeville where he met and married Julia Lucille Butler in 1953. They had seven children: Janice, Phyllis (deceased), Mathis, Phillip, Errica, Letitcia, and Mechelle. They were happily married for 58 years before Julia’s death in 2011.
In November 1977, Leo Edgerson, after being ordained in Mandeville in 1976 by the Third District Baptist Association, was called to pastor the First Free Mission Baptist Church at 434 Lamarque Street in Mandeville, LA. The century old church was formerly pastored by his father, Rev. Charles C. Edgerson for 44 years. Rev. Leo P.
Edgerson continued to feed the flock of parishioners for 34 years until his death September 2012. Rev. Edgerson helped organize the Samaritan Center in Mandeville and was appointed by the Mandeville Ministerial Alliance to work on the Municipal Police Employees and Municipal Employees Board since its inception in 1982. Rev. Edgerson was awarded for his service on the Boards with the Monte M. Lemann Award on October 17, 2003. The award is given to individuals outside the classified civil service system who have made contributions to the advancement of the merit system of public employment in Louisiana. The City of Mandeville under Mayor Edward Lyons proclaimed December 11, 2009 as “Reverend Leo Phillip Edgerson Day” in recognition of Rev. Edgerson‘s life achievements, dedication to the community and faithful services to the City of Mandeville, its citizens, administration and employees. Rev. Edgerson remained faithful to family and community in all positions for the duration of his life.
The April 5 street renaming event began at Rev. Leo P, Edgerton St., where community leaders, family and friends got to speak about his memory and legacy. After pictures were completed, there was a second line procession which ended at the Spitzfaden Center, where a delicious lunch awaited those participating. All got a chance to share memories, and express their true appreciation for who he was, and all he did.
Father, grandfather, war hero, friend, pastor, public servant, and community leader are all words used to describe Rev. Leo P. Edgerton. They are all wonderful signs of a life lived so very well!
Art
OF THE COCKTAIL
Clover Club #2
A raspberry-gin martini coupled with fresh lemon juice, topped with sparkling wine and garnished with fragrant mint.
2 oz. Wonderbird London Dry Gin
3/4 oz. Raspberry Simple Syrup
3/4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
2-3 oz. Sparkling Wine
Add Wonderbird Gin, raspberry simple syrup and lemon juice into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and double strain into large cocktail glass. Top with 2-3 ounces of sparkling wine. Garnish with mint or fresh raspberries.
Hammond Regional Arts Center added a new twist to Art of the Cocktail 2025! This year, the 8-year-old event took over Downtown Hammond, as Art of the Cocktail became a downtown pub stroll!
Local bars and restaurants competed for the title of “Best Cocktail 2025”, they had their mixologists serve creative cocktails to the guests. Then at the end of the evening attendees were able to vote on their favorite cocktails, and there was also the Judge’s Awards recognizing creativity, originality and taste.
The first hour started at the Hammond Regional Art Center for VIP guests and there they were able to
begin sampling drinks and free hors d’oeuvres before heading out to the other locations along Thomas Street and Morris Avenue for more cocktail sampling.
The event started at at 7pm at Railroad Park where guests had the opportunity to taste all of the creative drinks and mingle with friends along the way.
Since 2017, Art of the Cocktail has quickly become a major source of funding which supports the Hammond Regional Arts Center's mission of helping provide free and affordable arts-engagement opportunities to people of all ages who live in or visit Tangipahoa.
The Steakhouse
Moroccan Knights
Truth Hookah Lounge
1.5 oz of fresh or Frozen Dragon Fruit
1.0 oz of Coco Lopez De Cream
0.5 oz of fresh Lemon Juice
2.0 oz of Orange Juice
1.0 oz of Spice Rum
1.0 oz of Hennessey
Shake pour. Layer with .25 of 151 Rum. Flambé. Add a cinnamon, let cool and serve!
Adventure is Out There
Cena
2 oz Redemption Rye Bourbon
2 oz fresh Watermelon Juice
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
0.5 oz Lemon Juice
Muddled Basil
Shake, pour and serve!
Emilee Duet, a Local ShootingStar!
WRITTEN BY MAUREEN O’BRIEN
When Emilee Duet got her first basketball at age 4, her family had no idea how important that ball would be in her future. She became interested in playing basketball right away. She was either 5 or 6 when her parents first signed her up to play basketball at Coquille. She was "hooked" right away. She was a natural! Her father, Shea Duet, said, “I am not sure if it was because she was very competitive with her two older brothers, but she always wanted to excel at it.”
Emilee began to get serious about basketball at age 7 when she made the Madisonville All-Star team. She traveled to a couple of tournaments in Louisiana. The team won the International All-Star Tournament in Slidell. That is when she really started to see how much potential she had, as well as how much she enjoyed playing.
Training to work on her basketball skills began at 8 years old. She started training at a facility three days a week. She also played pick-up games on the weekends. From the time she was 8 years old until age 14, she trained with boys and girls and played in tournaments with both. At age 11, she was training three to five days a week. Training was intense and helped to make her the player she is today.
Along with her training at the facility, she did private training with different professionals over the years. When she was younger, her focus was on ball handling, but then, as she mastered that, training moved to shooting, ball movement, and quick release, among other skills. Emilee became a member of her first school team in 6th grade at St. Peter's. While she played as a 6th and 7th grader, her team went undefeated and won both the Northshore Independent Athletic League and Catholic School Athletic League.
Her secret to success has been hard work and determination, as well as a love for the game. Her dad said, “All the honors and success with her playing at the level she plays are
not just by chance. That is thousands of hours in the gym training, shooting, ball handling, playing, etc. She has put in an enormous amount of time, and that is why she is so successful. It also doesn’t hurt that she loves the game.”
Fast forward to this year, she set the new All-time Scoring record at Saint Scholastica Academy and has received a full scholarship
to play basketball at the University of Mobile. She plans on majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Business. Her goal, currently, is to become an athletic trainer and possibly do private training one day. She may even want to run her own business. Playing basketball professionally might be every player’s dream, but she has not really talked about that much.
I asked what advice she has for other young girls who want to be a great basketball player. She stated, “I would tell the young girls to work as hard as they can and never give up, no matter what anyone tells them, because no dream is impossible or out of reach.”
Emilee was also blessed with unwavering support from her family, which was a huge part of the preparation for her basketball success. The family had lots of nights bringing her to and from practice, training, and lots of travel out of state for AAU tournaments. Her dad said, “We have a very close family—everyone in it, from her mom and dad, brothers, and grandparents, supports her always.”
When asked about her goals and
experiences, especially at Saint Scholastica Academy, and how they shaped her life, along with her legacy, Emilee stated, “In general, I just want to be known as a good person and be successful in the things I do. Yes, everything I did at SSA and everything I learned in my time there has prepared me for any future goal by teaching me perseverance and to work hard. Everything that happened made me the person I am today.”
Emilee Duet is an impressive young lady on and off the court. She will long be remembered for her basketball skills and the way she chose to live her life as a young, diligent student in St. Tammany Parish. We wish her success in all her future endeavors.
For Father Don Bosco Darsi, a Salesian priest in the Diocese of Vijaywada, India, leaving his Covington, Louisiana classroom at St. Joseph Abbey to return to his mission of Talitha Cumi Unnati, which is more than a journey of over 9,000 miles, and it is also a renewal of his commitment to transforming lives of the most vulnerable - orphans and children abandoned into dire poverty; those who are deprived, excluded and marginalized. Taken from the Scripture of Mark, 5:21, Talitha Cumi, means - “Little Girl, Arise”, and through his mission of Talitha Cumi Unnati - “Little girl, arise together” those words, bring hope and transformation with spiritual awakening.
According to Fr. Don Bosco Darsi, “Thirty million children are left alone, orphaned or without a family. And only two out of a hundred find a place in some structure. When speaking about India the numbers immediately get out of hand; it is a scale of magnitudes far removed from what we are used to. You have to stop and think to realize that the number of homeless children is more than
Talitha Cumi Unnati
A MISSION OF HOPE
WRITTEN BY SANDRA SCALISE JUNEAU
half the population of Italy. Add to that poverty, hunger, an illiteracy rate that remains over 20% and for women reaches 29.7% (UNESCO data), and the picture becomes even bleaker.”
Located in India’s Capital Region, Andhra Pradesh, Talitha Cumi Unnati is a Catholic Educational Center which serves girls between the ages of 9 to 24 years old. “Dedicated to Protecting, Sheltering and Mentoring,” TCU brings together over 240 girls from the rural Gunadala area, and devotes its time, talent and treasure in transforming lives. Fr. Don Bosco Darsi, the Soul of Talitha Cumi Unnati, which he founded in 2019 and is now staffed by eight permanent workers with the assistance of about twenty volunteers, says, “While some have just arrived, some are growing up here, and for each of them it is more than a school. It is a home.”
Fr. Don Bosco Darsi adds, “Here, we strive to break the culture of silence, indifference and conformism. By taking a smart and empathetic Human Rights Approach in preventing exclusion of the most vulnerable, we are committed to
uplift those who are suffering the serious consequences of marginalization. Our actions are aimed at all the rural adolescent girls who are robbed of their dignity and deprived of liberty. We instill the transformative power of hope, compassion and empathy, which underpins efforts towards the reinstatement of dignity for the exploited, vulnerable and yet valuable members. It is done through fraternal relationships, walking together, healing, spreading awareness, mentoring, addressing the systemic causes and preventing vulnerable girls from falling into the hands of trafficking networks. Globally, more than 700 million girls today were married before age 18 and India has a big share in it. India has the largest adolescent population in the world, 253 million. If this huge number of adolescents are safe, healthy, educated and equipped, the nation will develop. But regrettably, due to pernicious social norms, adolescent girls are exposed to multiple layers of vulnerability. About 43 percent of girls drop out before completing secondary education. It is due to household responsibilities, limited relevance of education, early marriage and child labour. These are glaring widespread abuses of gender inequality and discrimination. Child/ early marriage, as a deeply rooted social norm, which makes India home to the largest number of child brides in the world. Adolescents lack access to information on issues affecting their lives. We develop their competencies for active participation and collaboration.”
Fr. Don Bosco Darsi explains further, “We have thousands of girls who, for lack of means, stop studying and end up who knows where. If it goes well, in child labour. Or they are sent abroad: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates... But the fate for many is another: Prostitution, slavery, organ trafficking. We want to change all this. We want to give them a chance.”
With common purpose, in 2001, David Pevey of Ponchatoula, Louisiana founded Faith Sharing Ministries, a coalition of Christian Churches with an ecumenical approach to combatting those dire circumstances for the
most vulnerable of India’s impoverished, by providing the means for breaking the cycle of poverty and oppression.
According to Mr. Pevey, “Our mission is to help provide the channels necessary to educate a generation of those less fortunate, so as this generation matures, it can affect change and begin to provide the education and nourish-
"By taking a smart and empathetic Human Rights Approach in preventing exclusion of the most vulnerable, we are committed to uplift those who are suffering the serious consequences of marginalization"
- Father Don Bosco Darsi
ment for itself. We focus on providing holistic support to exploited and excluded girls through:
Quality Education - We work to ensure that girls receive formal education by enrolling them in local schools and providing additional tutoring, books, and supplies. Our goal is to help them reach academic milestones and develop critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout life.
Skill Development - Beyond academic education, we offer vocational training programs aimed at equipping these girls with practical skills that will help them become financially independent and self-sufficient. From computer literacy to vocational crafts, we ensure that their learning extends beyond the classroom.
Mentorship and Guidance - Each girl is paired with a mentor who provides personal guidance and support. Our mentors play a critical role in helping these girls navigate the challenges they face, boosting their self-esteem and encouraging them to aspire for greater goals.
Advocacy for Rights - We advocate for the
rights of Dalit girls by raising awareness about their struggles and ensuring they are protected from exploitation and discrimination. Our outreach initiatives engage local communities, encouraging them to support the education and empowerment of these young girls.”
The financial support of Faith Sharing Ministries has provided the means to uplift and empower marginalized girls, those who have been historically deprived and exploited, by providing them access to quality education and opportunities for growth. During over six mission visits there, Mr. Pevey, as President of Faith Sharing Ministries, has witnessed firsthand the impoverished in India, and through an introduction in 2023 to Fr. Don Bosco Darsi, aligned their ministry to assist in the sustenance of the school and programs of Talitha Cumi Unnati.
Ways to join in the journey of support for Faith Sharing Ministries, a 501(c)3 designated non-profit organization, are:
1) Individually; 2) Church Families; 3) Communities 4) Business or Corporate Donations.
All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of donations go towards projects, since the organization is volunteer driven with no overhead for salaries. Donations can be mailed to:
Faith Sharing Ministries
P.O. Box 393
Ponchatoula, LA 70454.
While we may think of Human Trafficking as a problem that is alien to our experience, the tragic truth is, this global scourge to society prevails within our home communities. According to the 2023 Impact Study of The New Orleans Mission, “Human Trafficking is a $150 billiona-year industry. The US is one of the top destinations for human trafficking and is one of the top consumers of child sex. There are more humans trapped in slavery than at any point in human history, including when slavery was legal.” From Louisiana statistics of 2022: “There were 922 confirmed and suspected victims of Human Trafficking. And from their 2024 Impact
Study: “Over 300,000 individuals in the U.S. are at risk of being trafficked each year. In Louisiana, the number of confirmed trafficking victims has risen sharply, by 53% over the past five years. 88% were female and 70% were under the age of 17.”
From Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director, Louisiana's Right To Life: “Human trafficking is a terrible injustice that gravely disrespects the dignity of women. Not only does the woman face terrible abuse, but traffickers will use forced abortion as a way to perpetuate their violence and keep women enslaved. Pregnancy resource centers and many other agencies offer critical assistance to trafficked women at all times, including when a woman
is pregnant. It takes the entire community to fight against the reality of human trafficking.”
According to the Human Trafficking Prevention Resource Center of Louisiana, an initiative of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, " Of the number of alleged child victims reported, 16% were 10 years of age and under. 84% were between the ages of 11 and 17. Further, 65% of all alleged child victims reported were between the ages of 14-17. The most frequently reported age of alleged child victims was 15, totaling 20% of all alleged child victims reported.”
From Elizabeth Authement, Assistant District Attorney at St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office: “As parents, we need to be aware of the predators who are targeting our children.” Further,
Ms. Authement cites the following case, “A Washington Parish jury unanimously convicted 28-year-old Benjamin Hart, guilty of multiple felony offenses involving the sexual exploitation of a local child. Hart was found guilty of Sexual Battery of a Juvenile Under the Age of 13, Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes and Computer Aided Solicitation of a Juvenile Under the Age of 13. Evidence presented at trial established that Hart met the victim—a 10-yearold boy from Washington Parish, in 2020 while playing Xbox online. Their communication continued over time and moved to Snapchat, a messaging platform known for automatically deleting content after it is viewed. Hart used the app to send the child a sexually explicit image of himself, resulting in the solicitation charge.”
St. Tammany District Attorney J. Collin Sims urges parents, educators, and community members to be aware of how predators target children through online gaming platforms such as Xbox Live, Minecraft, Roblox, Grand Theft Auto, and others. In this case, Hart used online gaming to gain the victim’s trust, isolate him, and begin years of abuse.
“This case is a devastating reminder that human trafficking can start in the most seemingly innocent places—like a child’s video game system,” said District Attorney Sims. “When a young child starts missing school or their grades suddenly drop, it should never be ignored. These may be red flags that something much more serious is happening behind the scenes.”
Warning signs may include:
• Sudden or unexplained decline in school performance
• Truancy or frequent absences
• Secretive behavior about online activity or gaming
• Receiving expensive or unexplained gifts (phones, electronics, money)
• Withdrawal from family or friends
As stated in “Rewriting the Future”, a study led by Fr. Don Bosco Darsi and Ray Kancharla, “Human trafficking is a modern international slavery, it is a heinous act which involves recruiting, transferring, and harbouring a vulnerable person by using coercion, kidnapping, and trickery for forced labour or commercial sex among other disreputable purposes. It has become a multi-billion business. The global conviction rate for Human Trafficking offences stands at only 11.4%.”
And Fr. Don Bosco Darsi adds, “Efforts of individuals for education, and the creation of awareness especially from organizations like Talitha Cumi Unnati will play a tremendous role in stopping the act. Can we actually change the destiny of these girls at risk and rewrite their fate? We at Talitha Cumi Unnati believe that the future of the vulnerable could be rewritten. This is our hope for humanity. Only a heart filled with love can transform this.”
photos courtesey: David Pevey
Follow Up
Here is a follow up to the story about The YEA program that was in the May issue. The winning student from the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Northshore, a program in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa is Libny Hernandez. She was competing against 30 other students in the National Competition on May 3rd and placed 2nd overall! As the YEA Northshore chapter celebrated their 10th year with the 2024-2025 class, this makes her achievement all-themore special. Lib was awarded two different scholarships, one to campuses in Rochester, NY, as well as a cash award. We’re all excited for Lib as well as very proud of her accomplishment!
For more information about the program, to get an application and tuition details for the upcoming 2025-26 class, go to yeanorthshore.org.
Blaze Burkenstock, PA-C
WRITTEN BY JAN WINDHORST
Blaze Bukenstock was raised in a family dedicated to excellence. High achievements were expected, and from a young age, he envisioned carrying that legacy forward. Burkenstock explains his decision to join the family medical practice was a thoughtful, but natural choice. “In 1999, my mother, Dr. Kelly Burkenstock, founded what would become the area’s premier anti-aging institute. She paved the way for cutting-edge, holistic wellness in the region. Today, I’m proud to carry the torch and continue our mission to deliver state-of-the-art treatments that enhance vitality and longevity. My siblings and I were practically raised in our family clinics. Early on, I watched my mother blend science, compassion, and innovation to help clients thrive. Over the years, our family traveled extensively - to Germany, France, Greece, and Brazil - attending advanced medical conferences. I sat through lectures and demonstrations that just drew me in. That exposure sparked my passion to pursue a journey into the field of personalized medicine. We still bring those innovations back home, giving our clients access to global advancements in care.”
In its third decade, Dr. Kelly Burkenstock’s SKIN • BODY • HEALTH Institute continues its commitment to offering science-based, holistic care by pursuing top-notch practitioners who firmly embrace her philosophy. Extending her clinic’s own longevity, she welcomes Blaze Burkenstock to the practice. Of her youngest son, she proudly says, “Blaze shares my passion to empower clients to look fabulous and feel phenomenal at any age. He’s always wanted to work in the practice with me. My boys were in the clinics a lot - after school and during summers.
Blaze grew up watching me work and helping where he could, so it’s a natural fit. Blaze is an artist. He has an eye for aesthetics, like a sculptor, and wants to improve people’s confidence and sense of well-being. He’ll spend time between our Northshore and Southshore offices and continue to travel nationally and internationally.”
Blaze is an LSU board-certified Physician Associate, with memberships in the International Society for Sexual Medicine, the Sexual Medicine Society of
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK BILLIOT
Continuing a Legacy of Sophisticated, Global Anti-Aging Medicine
North America and a certification in Personalized Medicine with a focus on hormone replacement therapy. “This allows me to address a range of concerns from PCOS, infertility and menopause to erectile dysfunction, BPH, and andropause, to name a few. We also offer non-invasive solutions that restore confidence and improve quality of life. I’m particularly excited about our results with body sculpting using HIFEM technology to burn fat and build muscle. It’s exciting for me to bring art and science together in the practice. Early on, I was drawn to photography. It was fulfilling to boost my subjects’ confidence by using tools like Photoshop to enhance their appearance in pictures. Now, I have the education, training and experience to make people healthier, feel better about their bodies and boost their confidence in real life. It’s a dream come true for me. We know that when patients feel their best, they want to look their best, so we provide services including BotoxTM, fillers, lasers, and chemical peels - all performed with a natural approach. There’s a world of difference between looking ‘overdone’ and looking rejuvenated, and our patients are consistently thrilled with their results.”
Blaze explains that blending the best of scientific precision with holistic wisdom is a tried-and-true approach. “It’s a serious responsibility to have patients’ health in your hands
and one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from years of involvement in our practice is honoring that duty. We also take our oath, ‘Do No Harm’ seriously. The public needs to be careful about hype, misinformation and empty promises that can potentially hurt people. So many people want fixes like quick weight loss from a shot, but it’s our responsibility to protect them from very real dangers when administering that - to follow up with medical care and regular testing to make sure there are no adverse effects. Our focus is on long-term results with programs like our Seven Steps to Skinny Success, which produces the best results. It might be a slower path, but it’s a lasting one that puts holistic health first.”
Another shared family tenet is the belief in education and outreach, says Blaze. “Dr. Burkenstock has long been a trusted medical expert, appearing on WGNO and FOX, sharing insight on anti-aging and preventative health. Together, we now host free, webinars, social media events and a monthly segment on WWL-TV to share practical, effective tools for wellness, better nutrition and natural hormone balancing. Our messages always emphasize our Feel Good – Look Good approach – the health behind the good looks is top priority.” Blaze also carries his outreach across borders, traveling yearly on mission trips to provide
medical care and build houses in Honduras. Blaze adds that his whole family philosophy and environment of excellence, life-long learning and respect for the medical profession has led him to take his place in the practice. “I am definitely where I belong. I couldn’t be happier to build on the legacy of Dr. Kelly Burkenstock’s SKIN • BODY • HEALTH Institute and share our unique knowledge and life-changing care with new patients. For me, this is more than a career. It’s a calling to help our clients feel their best, inside and out.”
Stay tuned for Dr. Burkenstock’s book release this year, Do Menopause Magnificently! The Burkenstock Protocol.
Giving A Voice to the Voiceless
Elliott Cohn and Expectant Fathers Without Voices
WRITTEN BY MIKE BELL
In the national conversation around reproductive rights, one voice is notably absent: that of the expectant father. Elliott Cohn, founder of Expectant Fathers Without Voices (EFWV), a 501 (C3) non-profit, has made it his mission to change that. His belief is clear and deeply personal — expectant fathers deserve a say in the life-ordeath decisions involving their pre-born children. Cohn launched EFWV in response to what he calls a “legal vacuum” in paternal rights. Today, in most of the Western world, men have zero legal input or recourse when it comes to abortion decisions, either in cases of mutually
planned pregnancies, or within the confines of marriage. Even when the father is emotionally and financially committed and preparing for parenthood, his role is made irrelevant by a broken system that frames the abortion discussion solely as a woman’s right to choose, and women’s healthcare.
“Our culture refuses to acknowledge one critical truth,” says Cohn. “The father is a parent too. Yet only one parent has the legal power to decide whether a child lives. That’s not equality. That’s erasure.”
EFWV does not oppose women’s health or autonomy, but challenges the notion that the rights of one parent should completely overshadow the other—especially when the outcome is irreversible.
A Painful Origin Story
For Cohn, this mission is rooted in tragedy. He lost two children — Sara and Isaac — to abortions he neither wanted nor knew about until it was too late. Both were planned pregnancies, conceived with mutual intent to start families.
“We had deep, loving conversations,” Cohn recalls. “These children were wanted. That’s what made the pain so difficult to overcome.”
Sara, Cohn’s first child who was aborted, would be almost 20 today. Cohn was told that Sara was lost to a miscarriage. “I mourned my
daughter. Then I found out months later it had been an abortion.” Once learning the truth, Cohn was mocked for the intense grief and sadness he experienced.
“That moment broke me,” Cohn says. “I’ll carry that memory, that pain, forever.”
Elliott’s son, Isaac, would be 16 today. Cohn didn’t know the child existed until years later, when Isaac’s mother came forward and revealed that her family had forced her to abort the baby when she was nearly six months pregnant.
What ties both tragedies together is the utter lack of legal recognition for the father. “There was no requirement to tell me, no way for me to stop it,” Cohn explains. “That’s a primary factor in why I started Expectant Fathers Without Voices.”
Advocacy and Reform
Cohn’s organization is grounded in a message of dialogue, justice, and shared responsibility. “This isn’t about giving men control over women,” he clarifies. “It’s about fairness, preventing avoidable heartbreak, and keeping families together.”
EFWV’s mission is: To create equal parental rights and responsibilities for both parents, from conception, by law. Their strategy is twofold: to raise awareness and push for legal reforms, such as:
• Mandated notification and consultation
with the father, where safe and appropriate;
• Legal recourse if a father is denied information about his pre-born child;
• Recognition of the father’s emotional and financial investment in parenting, from conception;
• Consideration of shared reproductive decisions from both parents.
“These conversations are uncomfortable,” says Cohn. “But growing pains always start with discomfort. We’re not saying fathers should have the final say—we’re saying we deserve a say.”
Emotional Aftershocks
EFWV also provides emotional support for men grieving children lost to abortions they couldn’t prevent. The trauma, Cohn says, is
often dismissed by society. “Men are told to ‘man up’ and move on,” he explains. “But this is a unique and deep loss. When you’ve lost a child and had no power to protect them, the pain doesn’t fade easily.”
The organization offers a confidential platform where men, and women, can share their stories, find community, and begin healing. “It’s one of the only spaces where people suffering this type of loss are truly seen,” Cohn says.
Challenging Cultural Norms
Beyond legislation, EFWV is sparking a broader cultural conversation about fatherhood. “We have to ask: why do we treat one parent as indispensable, and the other as disposable?” Cohn asks. “Fathers are not
afterthoughts. They’re essential. Their voices matter—before birth, not just after.”
Cohn believes decades of gender polarization have led to a distorted understanding of parenthood. He envisions EFWV working with women’s groups, religious leaders, policymakers, and the broader pro-life movement to restore balance to the dialogue.
“This isn’t a war between men and women. It’s a war between creation and destruction, between truth and deception.”
Looking Forward
Though EFWV is a young organization, its message is resonating. More and more people— men and women alike—are beginning to see that true equality means both parents are heard, and that no child should be lost when at least one parent is willing to fight for their life.
“We’re not asking for control,” Cohn reiterates. “We’re asking for dignity, dialogue, and due process.”
As the national debate over reproductive rights evolves, Cohn’s voice—like those of countless expectant fathers—is becoming harder to ignore.
“I dream of the day we won’t need organizations like this,” he says. “But until then, I will keep speaking for those who can’t—the expectant fathers without voices, and the children who never got the chance to speak at all.”
On May 16th, we proudly celebrated 26 years of Enterprising Women, a milestone rooted in a vision started by Joanne Gallinghouse, founder of Sophisticated Woman Magazine. In 1993, Joanne purchased The Sophisticated Shopper, a newspaper-style publication in business since 1985. By 1999, she transformed it into the glossy magazine we know today, and in 2004, she launched the Northshore’s Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Our very first Enterprising Women cover featured Ann Jameson & Angele Darling of Coffee Rani. Today, more than two decades
later, we continue honoring Joanne’s mission: to uplift and celebrate the achievements of extraordinary women across St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes.
A heartfelt thank you to our emcee, WDSU journalist Sula Kim, fashion show commentator Joann Chelchowski, live auctioneer Penny Mutz, and Jodilyn Domelo for their wonderful support during our event.
Our keynote speaker, Kim Bigler, shared a moving story of perseverance and faith through life’s most challenging moments. We also recognized Lisa McKenzie, founder of You Night,
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK BILLIOT
as our 2025 Hats Off Luncheon beneficiary. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $5,200 to support women on their cancer recovery journey with sisterhood and healing resources.
The You Night ladies graced us with a fashion show featuring outfits from four locally owned boutiques — all 2024 Northshore’s Best winners.
We were proud to honor this year’s Enterprising Women cover stars and cap off the celebration by naming attorney Michele Echols our 2023/2024 Enterprising Woman of the Year.
2023/2024 Enterprising
Women Covers:
December 2023 - Dr. Kelly Burkenstock
January 2024 - Dr. Laura Roan & Dr. Ashley Mays
February 2024 - Dr. Heather Vinet
March 2024 - Donna O’Daniels
May 2024 - Brittani Naccari Farrell, FNP-C
June 2024 - Stephen Rue
July/August 2024 - Dr. Jenifer Newton
September 2024 - Michele Moore Echols
October 2024 - Nhat-Thuy “Tiffani” Calix
November 2024 - Joan Coffman
December 2024 - Lauren K. Navarre
When Joanne began this journey, some doubted it would last. They thought we’d run out of inspiring women to feature. But 26 years later, we know better—our community is full of powerful stories still unfolding.
To all who have supported us along the way—thank you. We are just getting started. Let’s keep celebrating, uplifting, and inspiring women for years to come.
With gratitude and blessings to all who joined us,
Barbara Doyle & The Sophisticated Woman Team
Thank you to Our Sponsors!
Fedora Sponsor
Derby Sponsors
Cloche Sponsors
Scientifically Natural
Acquistapace
Joshua D. Allison, Attorney at Law
KyElle Charcuterie
Demo Diva
Empower Her Life
Sen. Bob Owen
Fascinator Sponsors
Laurie M. Pennison, Attorney at Law
Parish President Mike Cooper
Egan Wellness
Speedway Printing
Aesthetic Haus
Louisiana Glow
Empower Nutrition & More
Ritual Co. Spa & Salon
Serenity Home & Gifts
Parade of Prizes Donors
Timeless Touch Medical Aesthetics
Corrinn Fisher Interior
Serenity Home & Gifts
Pelican Pointe Carwash
Southern Brain & Body Solutions
DryBar, Mandeville
Selina Trahan, J Bloom
Born Health and Wellness
Lauren Gee
Columbia Street Tap Room
Pink Blossom Nail Salon
Flo & Glo Wellness Lounge
Mia Fit Coach
Tia Cronin, Artist
Sparkle & Shine NOLA
Heidi Rhea
Apricot Lane
Cody Kate
Olivier Couture
Xpessions Salon & Boutique
Serenity Spa
The Diva Pet Sitters, LLC
WRITTEN BY JAN WINDHORST
What could a1912-born son of a sharecropper from Pachuta, Mississippi possibly do to inspire his own son to achieve greatness in multiple industries, to invent life-changing engineering innovations, to work with some of the biggest musical artists on the planet and to garner that industry’s highest recognition along the way? According to wonder boy and renaissance man William “Bleu” Evans, his “daddy” first and foremost taught him gratitude, humbleness and the value of others - no matter their circumstance or background. Raphael Semmes “Smokey” Evans, Jr. taught Bleu to follow his dreams and to do so with respect and appreciation along the way. Smokey must’ve also taught his son how to tell a good story, because Bleu has hundreds of them spanning a heady, career-jumping, star-studded, frenetic, hilarious, unbelievable, tragic and heartwarming lifetime. But true to his upbringing, those stories don’t center around his achievements or accolades, although he has many. As told by Bleu, they are stories about people – other people whom he admires, who he’s had the honor of working with, and the privilege of creating iconic songs, patented inventions and soaring adventures with. Some of his favorites, though, are of his beloved family, beginning
with his daddy’s advice that would prophetically ring true: “If you treat everyone you meet in the way I’m going to tell you, your life and the lives of the people you come in contact with will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams.”
After hearing just a few of Bleu’s stories, one wonders why this Louisiana native son hasn’t written an autobiographical thriller to chronicle a life that reads more like a shape-shifting fictional character. An avid storyteller, Bleu begins with the tale of how his father, a World War II US Marines Air Corp pilot, gave him “the obsessive love of flight”, helping him get his pilot’s license at the age of 16. “I remember daddy giving me and my friends rides in his Ercoupe plane as a kid. By 19, when the Boeing 747 was first certified, I couldn’t wait to fly to California on one, thrilled to be headed to UCLA to major in physics. Little did I know I would play a part in correcting a design problem of later 747s while studying there. And none of it would’ve happened had I not traded seats on the plane as a courtesy to an elderly couple. The person I ended up sitting next to would give me astronomic future blessings –all the result of me just being kind, just like my daddy taught…”
Before revealing the conclusion of one
HIS WILDEST DREAMS –INSPIRED BY HIS FATHER
fantastic story, Bleu is on the to next, “… and then when we got Stevie Wonder to come to Bogalusa to record at our Studio in the Country…” Hold on please Mr. Evans! How did we get from airplanes and UCLA to music legends at a recording studio in the Louisiana woods? Bleu backtracks explaining that through connections made while studying acoustical physics at the prestigious university, he happened to be working at the studio where Sammy Davis, Jr. recorded Billboard #1, Grammy nominated The Candy Man in 1971. (It seems physics can be more hip than one might imagine.) In true Bleu fashion, he won over the gifted artist - as the self-proclaimed “humble southern boy” would do over and over
throughout his career in the music production industry. Years later through a winding path of wildest-dream-level events, as predicted by his father, the friendship with Davis would lead to another with one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. “Stevie Wonder agreed to meet with me at MIDEM, The World Conference of the Entertainment Industry held in Cannes, France. I went to MIDEM as an American Delegate for seven years. All facets of the industry are represented with some of the most important deals and relationships in the entertainment industry made there. I was a nervous, shaking, guy from Bogalusa, Louisiana standing on the city’s waterfront promenade, ‘La Croisette,” which
epitomizes the city’s glamour with its highend shops and luxury hotels, including the Belle Époque-style Carlton Hotel where Stevie always stayed. I was waiting to go in and pitch him on recording at our new studio and was determined to be myself - honest, true and of humble character. Steve already had his team check out everything about Studio in the Country - its staff, the design, equipment, console and the property layout – and said he was quite impressed, adding that he heard all the recordings they could find with favorites being Sammy Davis, Jr., and local Louisiana artists like Pete Fountain and others. In 1974, not long after opening the studio, I don’t think we had received any Gold or Platinum Albums yet, but they were on their way. Steve asked if there might be a possibility Sammy Davis would come record in Louisiana. I replied with a confident ‘yes’ and Steve replied, ‘I’ve only met him twice and would be honored to see him again, especially down south in Bogalusa’. I said one word, ‘Wonderful!’”
The details of the months Stevie Wonder, his band, crew and entourage spent in Bogalusa recording Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants would surely take up several chapters of Bleu’s long wished-for but not yet completed book. Other chapters would hold stories of scores of top tier artists the studio would attract with its technical and innovative design paired with the downhome, genuine hospitality Bleu enthusiastically offered – both inspired and facilitated by his beloved father. An engineering prodigy, Bleu began drawing up plans for a recording studio at age 16, and by 21, his designs had been used to build three studios, the third of which would be his Studio in the Country. Completed on an unassuming 26-acre pine forest in Bogalusa in 1972, its foundation was firmly rooted in the downhome life lessons Smokey imparted to young Bleu. With contributions from Tom Hidley of Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, the studio is a primer on acoustical physics, vibration minimization, precise sound representation, atmospheric
Williams “Bleu” Evans, Perry Como and Dick Van Dyke.
Evans
control and more. At the same time, its unique, secluded location proved a welcomed nature sanctuary for artists to create and be free of big-city distractions that often followed famous (and fame-seeking) musicians. The rest is musical history.
Although Bleu’s contributions include much more than just studio design, he has gladly eluded the household-name status of the long list of stars he has produced, engineered and collaborated with. In his self-deprecating style, Bleu insists that his main contribution to some of the greatest musical hits of the mid to late 20th century was allowing the “true”
artists to be so comfortable in the recording environment and experience that they felt confidently free to perform beyond even their own high expectations. Despite his protestations, Bleu and/or Studio in the Country have been a key factor in creating Billboard Chart-topping, Grammy-winning and Gold and Platinum-status works by artists including Kansas, Blues Traveler, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Marilyn Manson, Jimmy Buffet, Frankie Beverly and Cinderella in addition to multiple Stevie Wonder projects, soundtracks including Dirty Dancing’s I’ve Had the Time of My Life, and Disney’s Louis Prima Meets Robin Hood and too many more to list. Bleu is also a champion of Louisiana based artists, and the studio has produced acclaimed work from many including the Neville Brothers, Dr.
The Wild Magnolias, Louisiana LeRoux and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown including his Grammy-winning Alright Again album. The 2011 Grammy Hall of Fame induction for “King of Zydeco” Clifton Chenier’s Bogalusa Boogie, recorded in October 1975 at the famed, local studio, also included Evans’ induction as the project’s producer and engineer.
Bleu joyfully continues sharing tales of family, friends and his magical life as long as someone listens. So why hasn’t he written that book? “I’ve had four book offers and three film documentary offers, but all had major contract problems that I found absolutely unacceptable under any conditions or amount of money. Each publisher wanted to know the most private details of friends and artists who counted on me, not only as an engineer and producer, but most of all as a trusted friend. This was not the way my parents raised me. I wouldn’t harm these people whether friend, foe, artist or groundskeeper. I have too many funny, unusual, and heartwarming stories to offer which could entertain people about the wonderful blessings our Lord has given me.”
Bleu’s eyes twinkle as he adds a hint that he may have recently found a publisher who would give him editorial control of the project that so many hope he’ll be able to complete. It would be wonderful to hear the cornucopia of anecdotes that can only be hinted at here, like
"Bleu" Evans receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the Ozone Music Foundation and State of Louisiana that he received at the 2022 Ozone Music Festival Showcase.
the time Stevie Wonder drove Bleu’s car for a joyride on the Studio in the Country grounds, or how Bleu broke George Martin’s leg while exiting the legendary Beatles producer’s bulletproof Rolls Royce in London - delightfully intertwined, somehow, with his engineering work on gas station pay-at-the-pump technology. You just never know what Bleu has up his sleeve. What you can be sure of is that one of the first stories in Bleu Evans’ book would be the importance of living by his father’s cherished lessons. So in the spirit of Father’s Day, and for the mentors, parents and teachers who foster others’ wildest dreams, regardless of their circumstance or background, here are some of Bleu’s favorite fatherly quotes: “Don’t you ever let your treatment of another be guided by the color their skin, the way they look or talk, their religion, their possessions or lack thereof, where they come from or the way they dress. Always treat all the people you meet with big loads of respect and courtesy. No matter how many tragedies or troubles you have been through or are currently facing, someone has a much greater hill to climb and is suffering a much worse fate than you. Always be grateful for everything you have, no matter how small. Any help given to another and any accomplishment completed is a major blessing. If you are successful, remember, you didn’t get there by yourself. Always thank God for everything.”
John, Zebra, Professor Longhair, Ronnie Kole,
Rick Windhorst is also pictured presenting the Ozone award.
photo courtesey: Ozone Music Foundation
A Lifesaving Solution for Parents in Crisis
WRITTEN BY AMY BARKERDING
In May 2023, my good friend, who was working in Mississippi to establish Safe Haven Baby Boxes, put it on my heart that Louisiana needed a Baby Box and that Covington would be the perfect place for one. I met with Mayor Mark Johnson and spoke with the City of Covington Fire Dept and they both were very positive about this prospect. This set into motion needing the Safe Haven laws amended in Louisiana to include the use of a safety device at Safe Haven locations.
Next, I reached out to Senator Kirk Talbot, who so graciously accepted my plea to help, and he enlisted Senator Adam Bass to write and co-author the bill SB414. Little did I know that other politicians were also working on a House bill, which ended up being combined with our bill and passed unanimously in the House and Senate in August of last year.
I immediately reached back out to the
Covington Fire Department and Assistant Chief Steven Michell has been amazing to say the least! We got the ball rolling, and our funding was quickly completed with help of many local businesses, charities, family, friends, and the biggest donor was Louisiana Right to Life. Our box was blessed and open to the public on April 30, on the same day as Slidell's box. We have the only two boxes currently in Louisiana, although I have heard there are now many areas in the works trying to get more boxes.
These boxes offer a compassionate and secure option for parents in crisis who are unable to care for their newborns, and ensures the safe and anonymous surrender of infants. There have already been over 52 babies saved by baby boxes! Our Covington box was number 350 opened in the country.
What's important to note is that the Safe
Amy Barkerding and her family.
St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper, Chief Administrative
Assistant Kimmi Duncan, Amy Barkerding, Covington Mayor Mike Johnson and Assistant Fire Chief Steven Mitchell.
Haven baby law has been around 25+ years. The current law allows for the surrender of an unharmed newborn (up to 60 days old) to hospitals, fire departments and police stations without the fear of prosecution of the parent. The Safe Haven baby box is just an extension of the existing law, but now offers an additional, anonymous way for the parent to safely surrender their baby, without the fear of a face-toface surrender, judgment, or questions.
I personally hope that there is never a moment where a parent is in crisis and needs to surrender their baby, and never has to use the box. But if that day comes, and there is
Saving lives just got a little easier in Slidell, Louisiana as our newest baby box was blessed on April 30th, 2025. The newest addition represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide a safe and anonymous alternative to surrendering an infant. Located at 322 Bouscaren Street in Slidell, our new location offers a secure and compassionate option for parents in crisis and help ensure every infant has a chance for a
a parent out there who feels that there is no other option, that they know of the box, and choose to safely, lovingly surrender their baby, I hope they will use it.
If you want to keep your baby, but you just need help, please reach out to the crisis pregnancy centers in our area. We have two that can assist in so many ways, they can even help with some material needs. There is one in Slidell and Covington. The Covington number is 985-893-4281 www. knowmyoptions.net and Slidell is 985-893-4281 www.crisispregnancyhelp.org. The Slidell after hours line for texting is 504-233-2832.
safe and loving future. The Safe Haven Baby Box in Slidell would not have been possible without the local advocates who worked tirelessly to bring this resource to their community.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey on a mission to end infant abandonment. In addition to baby boxes, the organization provides a confidential National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1.
Chief Kaufmann, Monica Kelsey, Charlene Stein, Carole Gillio, Parish Councilman, Patrick Burke and Slidell City Councilman Trey Brownfield.
Monica Kelsey.
Celebrating The Best!
St. Tammany West
This year was our 21st year of Northshore’ Best!! Our readers take this very seriously and so do we, as they vote for the Best of… in many different categories, and we have some awesome winners!! Some have won over many years! This program was started by editor at the time, Francie Unger and Publisher Joanne Gallinghouse to recognize and honor local businesses. And we still do that today.
This year we added a few events to give even more recognition to our winners. We had 3 events between the two parishes to award the certificates for Northshore’s Best
to the winners.
The first was held at St. Ann’s Bar in Mandeville for the West St. Tammany winners, the next one was in Tangipahoa at the beautiful new Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie and last but not least, we held one at the Brass Monkey in Slidell for the East St. Tammany winners.
All the events were great, and the winners were able to enjoy a little food and spirits, while they mingled with other professionals and business winners. They were all nice event and I thank all these hosts for creating welcoming venues for our winners!!
Tangipahoa
Photos by Visit The Northshore
Ribbon Cuttings
St. Tammany Chamber DryBar, Mandeville
St. Tammany Chamber Bonvenue Bank, Mandeville
St. Tammany Chamber Equine Reflections Therapeutic Center, Folsom
St. Tammany Chamber Perma Power Generator Sales and Service, Abita Springs
Tangipahoa Chamber Jones Physical Therapy, Hammond
East St. Tammany Business Alliance Honey Creative, Slidell
Amanda Bravender’s Book Signing
Amanda Bravender and Jennifer Perrault
Junior Auxiliary of Slidell Ladies Tea Party
Whiskey Tavern Wyatt Putman and Anthony Billiot
Empower Her Life New Orleans Launch Party
Whiskey Tavern
Nashville recording artist, Wyatt Putnam with his wife, band and the owners of Whiskey Tavern, Grace and Scott Johnson
PARDOS in Mandeville Bridgerton Calamity Lunch
June Calendar
12th
Mammos in Maui at St Tammany Women’s Pavilion
5pm
301 N. Highway 190, Ste C-2, Covington, LA
13th-14th
Tangipahoa Parish Pro Rodeo & Music Fest
7:30pm Price: $30
Florida Parishes Arena, 1301 NW Central Ave., Amite CIty, LA
14th
Shakes and Shoes Sock Hop
6pm to 9pm Price: One pair of new school shoes 675 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, LA
17th
Lacombe Art Guild Meet and Greet
2pm Price: Free Formal Meeting, 2:30pm 28000 Main Street, Lacombe, LA
18th
Pelican Park Nature Club Meet and Mingle: Louisiana Medicinal Flora
5:30pm to 7:30pm Price: Free Tandem Coffee and Cocktails
424 Girod Street, Mandeville, LA
18th
Southern Nights Soirée at The Greystone
7pm to 10pm Price $150
The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, 985892-3216. 935 Clausel Street, Mandeville, LA
19th
Abita Springs Songwriters Circle
7pm to 10pm Price: Free 22161 Level Street, Abita Town Hall, Abita Springs, LA
19th
Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
9am to 5pm Price: Free
317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, LA
19th
Traditional Irish Session at Abita Brew Pub
6:30pm to 8:30pm Price: Free 72011 Holly Street, Abita Springs, LA
20th
Nature Explorers at Big Branch
Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
9:30am to 10:15am Price: Free 61389 Hwy 434, Lacombe, LA
20th
Sunset at the Landing Concert
6pm to 8pm Price: Free 100 N. Columbia Street, Covington, LA
21st
Cars & Coffee, Pizza Platoon
9am to 11am Price: Free 460 Town Center Parkway, Slidell, LA
21st
Larry Brew Fest & Homebrew Competition
4pm to 7pm Price: $45-60
Benefitting the Northshore Humane Society 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville, LA
21st
Blue Line Bash VII at The Harbor Center
7:30pm - 11:30pm Price: Various Sponsorship levels. 100 Harbor Center Blvd.m Slidell, LA
27th
18th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-off
6:30pm to 9:30pm Price: $65 Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd. Slidell, LA
27th
Columbia Street Final Friday
Block Party
6pm to 9pm Price: Free 200-500 Blocks of Columbia Street, Covington, LA
27th
Poetry & Music Open Mic Night at B Roots Plants and Coffee
6pm to 9pm Price: Free
124 Erlanger Ave., Suite B, Slidell, LA
27th
Kick Off Tammany Taste of Summer at the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off 6:30pm - 9:30pm Price: $65
100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, LA
28th
Fish. Crab. Explore the Great Outdoors in Lacombe
7am to 1pm Price: Free 28th
Sparks in the Park
5:30pm to 9pm Price: Free Bogue Falaya Park, 213 Park Drive, Covington, LA 28th
Pearl River Independence Day Celebration
5pm to 9:30pm Price: Free 39460 Willis Alley, Pearl River, LA
28th
Little Miss Firecracker at Ponchatoula Community Center Price: $35 311 N. 5th Street, Ponchatoula, LA
28th
Slidell Heritage Festival
5pm to 11pm Price: $15 for ages 13 and up, free for age 12 and under Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell, LA
29th
Slow/Fast Fiddle Session at St. John’s
12pm to 2pm Price: Free 535 E. Boston Street, Covington, LA
Please Note: All calendar events are subject to change. Call or visit websites for any updated information.
Weekly Markets
Every Wednesday
Covington Farmers Market 10am–2pm, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire Street, Covington, CovingtonFarmersMarket.net
Every Thursday & Saturday
Lafitte Street Market 4–8pm Thursdays, 9am-1pm Saturdays, 698 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, facebook.com/LafitteStreetMarket
First & Third Saturday
Pearl River’s Honey Island Art & Farmers Market 2–6pm, year round. 64378 Highway 41, Pearl River, 985-640-5482 LouisianaLandCan.com
Every Saturday
The Giddy Up Market 9am–1pm (weather permitting) Giddy Up Folsom, Live Music from 10am-1pm 82292 LA-25, Folsom, 985- 7051091, GiddyUpGrounds.com
Camellia City Market 8am–Noon, rain or shine. 2055 2nd St. in City Hall Complex Garage, Slidell, 985-640-7112, facebook. com/CamelliaCityMarket
Covington Farmers Market 8am–Noon, 609 N. Columbia Street on side lawn of the Covington Police Department, CovingtonFarmersMarket.net
Hammond Farmers Market 8am–Noon, corner of #2 W. Thomas Street and 106 N.W. Railroad Avenue, Downtown Hammond, 985-277-5683, dddhammond.com
Mandeville Trailhead Community Market 9am–1pm, Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, 985-624-3147, CityofMandeville.com
Every Sunday
Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market 11am–3pm, Abita Trailhead, Drive-thru and pedestrian service, 985-892-0711 ext. 7, market@abitaspringsla.gov
Claiborne Place Makers Market 10am–2pm, Claiborne Place, 1000 US-190, Covington, facebook.com/ ClaibornePlaceMakersMarket
