Edge of the Lake Magazine June | July 2023

Northshore Media Group is a local, family-owned business with roots deep in the communities it serves. From McComb, Mississippi to Slidell, Louisiana, our radio stations offer an array of formats, all with an emphasis on local information. By delivering local news, sports, traffic and interviews, we strive to keep you informed, as well as entertained. With 14 radio stations and three print products, web design and direct mailing, we offer clients a multi-media approach to marketing.

We are super excited to announce that we have recently launched our podcast studio in our Covington office. Clients can rent it by the hour to record and produce their own podcasts, or we have experienced, talented staff that can help.

Jeff McNeely and Steve Macloud, the talented designers at Niche Modern Home curated the space for us, and we are thrilled with the results. We are excited to launch the podcast space and we welcome inquiries. For more information, go to NorthshoreMedia.net.

In this issue, we have a fascinating story on what could have happened to the Mandeville Lakefront, we take a trip to the Mississippi Coast, get some wedding and home trends from local experts and for those parents looking for some activities, we have included some suggestions for summer fun around the Northshore.

PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER

Sarah Cottrell

EDITOR

Edward Rooney

ART DIRECTOR

Erich Belk

STYLE DIRECTOR

Patty Beal

BEAUTY EDITOR

Caitlin Picou

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Elaine Millers

Nick Gagliano

Liz Smith

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jerry Cottrell

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Johnny Chauvin

Nancy Hale

Abby Sands

Matthew Schlenker

Joel Treadwell

KEY ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE

Eloise Cottrell

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Rebecca Blossman-Ferran

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Erin Bolton

Debi Menasco

Stephanie Miller

Cover Photo Photo by Nancy Hales

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY

BREAST IMAGING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

At St. Tammany Health System, a multidisciplinary team of board-certified breast care specialists, fellowship-trained radiologists, and highly skilled technologists and nurses are empowering women like never before. Together with our partner Ochsner Health, we’re giving women on the Northshore many ways to live stronger and better.

Saturday appointments and same-day mammogram appointments are available at the Women’s Pavilion. (985)-773-1500

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Submit your nomination by June 30th

SHE ROES HE ROES AWARDS

RECOGNIZING ONCOLOGY INDUSTRY EXCEPTIONALISM

June is National Cancer Survivors Month. To celebrate the hardworking individualsin our community who dedicate themselves daily to helping oncology patients,Northshore Media Group in partnership with the “We Lift You Up Fund” announce theSheroes & Heroes Award! Tell us why your favorite oncology doctor, nurse, hospitalemployee or volunteer from the Northshore who deserves this year’s Sheroes &Heroes Award! Submit your short essay-style entry by June 30th. Winners will becelebrated in the October/November issue of Edge of the Lake magazine. Nominate at: northshoremedia.net

“Hard work does not intimidate me I learned from the best. Plus, I have two great general managers, Giovani Gonzales in Covington and Brent Willis in Mandeville.”

After graduating from Archbishop Hannan High School, Alison attended Pepperdine University before transferring and graduating from Louisiana State University. After graduation, she worked at CitiBank in Dallas and then moved to Manhattan to work at Blackstone.

“It was good to get away from the restaurant business for a few years, but I was still involved to a degree by helping with their social media and answering questions when I knew the staff was super busy on days like Cinco de Mayo.”

Alison returned to Louisiana when Leticia was diagnosed with cancer.

“I knew she needed help and so did my Uncle Saul It was an easy decision as I had been away long enough and it was time to come back to the family business. My mom passed away last November but I know she is still helping me with the many management and people skills she taught me.”

Since returning to Louisiana, Alison has taken on more responsibilities and today she is a major contributor to the success of the twelve La Carreta Restaurants and the other restaurants in Rubio Hospitality Group.

Alison and her team always wants their guests to feel valued and comfortable. They invite you to stop in at your favorite La Carreta location and join the celebration!

The Northshore's full-service podcast solution. Studio Rental Production Distribution

NORTHSHORE MEDIA GROUP NM

Northshore Podcasting

PHOTOS JOHNNY CHAUVIN

Podcasts have been growing in popularity over the past few years and are now all the rage, with no signs of losing luster! 41% of people in the USA tune into a podcast every month, and 28% do it weekly. Podcasts can be engaging and powerful through storytelling and debates. The most popular subjects are news, comedy, and true crime. However, in addition to the most popular subjects, listeners can find the most varied content imaginable. The podcast spectrum is immense with everything from model airplane enthusiasts to gardening clubs from local civic organizations to national political forums. With the right topics and content, podcasts are the perfect way to engage loyal followers who have similar interests.

Northshore Media Group has been paying attention as podcasting has evolved, and after a couple years of research and discovery has launched a new podcast division: Northshore Podcasting. This new division provides the Northshore with a highquality podcast service similar to those found in large metros such as New Orleans, Atlanta and DC. Northshore Podcasting offers individuals, businesses, and public agencies on the Northshore the facilities and equipment to produce professional podcasts with a variety of flexible options. The menu of options includes basic in-studio recording of high-quality raw audio, right up to full creation, production, and distribution of their custom podcast.

“There was a void on the Northshore for this increasingly popular service, so we filled it. Podcasting is so closely related to what we already do with our broadcast stations that this expansion was a no-brainer,” said General Manager Brian Shirey.

As family-owned Northshore Media Group transitions ownership from Wayne Dowdy to a trio of new owners, Brian Shirey, Eloise Cottrell and Charles Dowdy, they plan to continue to invest and expand to enhance services to the Northshore. In addition to their 12 radio properties which remain the backbone of the company, over the past few years they have expanded by adding multiple print publications, direct mail, and digital marketing. Podcasting is the latest expansion. Who knows what’s next!

“Listen to any of our radio stations or read one of our magazines and you’ll realize that we are all in when it comes to local content. It’s what sets us apart,” Shirey said. “Our podcasts will be the same. Sure, we can produce something for a national audience, but we’re excited to see what local ideas come forward.”

“Our focus is to produce radio and print products which are truly relevant to our local community,” Eloise Cottrell added. “We do that well, and it will remain the biggest part of our business. But many of the same principles we employ in our radio and magazines can be applied to the creation of a podcast. It is an excellent additional service to offer local businesses or individuals who are trying to stand out.”

Northshore Media Group recently launched Northshore Podcasting’s first dedicated studio in their Covington office which was designed by Niche Modern Home. Near-future plans call for at least two more podcast studios to be added at their Hammond location.

“We reached out to the guys at Niche Modern Home,” Charles Dowdy said. “We explained what we wanted and how we would use the space. Steve and Jeff were awesome. We can’t wait for others to see what they created for us.”

Northshore Podcasting offers a variety of options, from basic rental of that new space to a fully-produced podcast that includes guest sourcing, project management, production, audio hosting and promotion. This customized podcast approach will allow a variety of businesses and individuals to deliver engaging content consistently and easily.

Find out more about Northshore Podcasting at northshoremedia.net.

Spring has blossomed our Parish into its full glory with beautiful, breathtaking scenery and a lively social scene.

The Summer is a wonderful time in St. Tammany, full of festivities and sunshine. Whether you enjoy live music, historic parks and buildings, our beloved Tammany Trace or local restaurants, there is something for everyone in St. Tammany. I encourage all citizens and visitors to get outside to enjoy all that contributes to our remarkable quality of life.

Summer also brings the start of Hurricane Season. We were very fortunate in 2022 to not experience any tropical systems. While we hope for the same in 2023, preparedness is the key to a safe and successful Hurricane Season. Please take some time to check your generators, stock up on a few non-perishable items and revisit your family’s plan for storms.

Our Parish crews continue to work with all essential agencies to ensure quality services for our citizens, in addition to checking equipment, preparing sandbags and upgrading our drainage systems. Enhancing our drainage infrastructure remains at the forefront of my administration. We will exhaust every opportunity to ensure that our drainage systems flow efficiently to protect our citizens from floodwaters.

My administration has invested in innovative equipment to better access and clear drainage canals, while saving tax dollars. We have funded millions of dollars in projects to upgrade our pipes, culverts and ditches. For the first time in Parish history, we are examining drainage on a parishwide level and will budget solutions based on that analysis.

Simply put, my administration continues to work tirelessly to better our Parish and your quality of life, whether it is with regard to roads, drainage, water quality and more.

Serving as your Parish President continues to be one of my most humbling honors.

I hope everyone is enjoying and finding ways to stay cool this summer.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the citizens of St. Tammany Parish, for your continued support and for the trust you have placed in me and my deputies to keep you safe.

We stay committed to building a strong partnership with the community to preserve the wonderful quality of life we are so fortunate to have in our great parish.

Our efforts to improve the efficiency of agency operations are ongoing, and many exciting things are on the horizon for the Sheriff’s Office as we continue to grow and adapt to meet the changing needs of our community.

In March of this year, we broke ground on our new permanent 3rd District Patrol Station.

The site of the future 3rd District Station is located just off Highway 21 behind the Covington Target. This location reinforces my promise to improve response times, centralize manpower and increase visibility in the community.

The 5,500 square foot building will mirror the look of the Slidell Law Enforcement Complex on Brownswitch Road in a smaller scale. Cox Parker Contractors out of Mandeville won the bid for the project and have already begun construction with a completion date anticipated for Spring 2024.

In addition to 28 patrol deputies, the new station will also house property crimes investigators, community relations deputies, traffic deputies and representatives from the agency’s Crisis Intervention Team. Upon its completion, the new station will replace the temporary location that has housed the 3rd District Offices since the new patrol district was established in 2022.

The construction of this new patrol district office on the western end of our parish is a good thing for St. Tammany, and I am excited to see it come to fruition.

I encourage you to pass by and check out the progress as construction continues and, once the building is complete, please come visit and get to know the men and women who serve in our 3rd District.

Mike Cooper

St. Tammany

Parish President

Randy Smith

St. Tammany Sheriff

"We Mean

Elizabeth’s spirit is stronger than cancer.

Elizabeth was blindsided when at only 35 years old, she discovered a lump and found out it was breast cancer. She began treatment immediately, before moving to Madisonville. That’s when she opted to transfer to St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center, which not only lowered her mileage to and from treatments, but also her stress levels. Upon completion of her chemotherapy treatments, Elizabeth underwent physical therapy through Ochsner’s integrative oncology services, to regain strength and range of motion in her upper body. We’re helping Elizabeth get stronger every day, so that she can experience the joys of life and motherhood. Whatever your reasons are for doing the things you do, we’ve only got one. YOU.

ochsner.org/longliveyounorthshore

Elizabeth T.

TRENDS Home

SEE WHAT OUR LOCAL EXPERTS SAY IS TRENDING!

NICHE MODERN HOME

Not too many years ago we saw clients shun nearly all aspects of colors in their homes. They were tired of every room being saturated with color…The Oriental rugs, the hunter greens, golds, burgundies…Not to mention the dark, heavy mahogany furnishings, heavy window treatments and of course dark granite kitchens and baths.

That trend gave way to simpler interiors, brimming with crisp white slipover sofas. These sofas brought a new era of comfortable furniture that was easy to care for, relaxed and easy to care for. The mahogany furniture was replaced with painted furniture, lighter rugs and simpler window treatments. Grey also dominated these interiors for over a decade.

So now, this is where I see things headed…

While the classic white slipcovered sofas still rule, we are seeing a definite trend to clients embracing measured amounts of COLOR!

Not only is color making its way back into homes, so are darker stained furniture, with a nod to a more traditional tone.

We are also seeing a slight shift from super casual spaces, to more refined interiors. Our clients are looking for a home that is comfortable of course, but more polished. Slipcovered sofas are more tailored and fitted, fabrics have

more textures and sheen to them.

At the past 3 markets we have attended this year we are seeing more earth tones, browns, saturated colors, rich fabrics such as velvets, prints and boucle texture. Warm leathers such as cognac and whiskey colors are in the mix too. Rich colors such as peacock, deep golds, rust and green rounds out the spectrum.

Rooms are becoming more “moody” too. Sumptuous velvets, sink in comfortable sofas and chairs, and rooms that feel intimate and connected. I believe this stems from our lifestyle in the Covid era, where we all were living in every inch of our homes, and that closeness brought comfort to our lives and families. During this time, we learned what worked in our homes, the spaces, working from home and how we could make it better. Our homes have become our refuge, our haven and these warmer interiors reflect the mood so many people have when they furnish and update their spaces.

Metals are in furnishings too. Aged, darker golds, black and polished nickel are the classics for hardware, knobs, and lighting.

Look for more use of pattern in chairs, accents and wallpaper.

Photos Courtesy of: Niche Modern Home

BEVOLO GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHTS

Pool house lanterns warmly illuminate any space. These portable light sources are ideal for outdoor living spaces and pools. They provide a charming architectural style while delivering exceptional illumination to any modern or rustically sophisticated property. Perfect to line a garden path, suspend from a tree limb, decorate a table or fill with seasonal collectables.

Photo Courtesy of: Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights

BBT LIGHTING

LED lighting has opened up new possibilities for homeowners looking to brighten up their homes during the holiday season. The programmable LED holiday lights allow homeowners to select colors and display options, including pre-set holiday themes. The major advantage of permanent LED lights is that they do not have to be dismantled and put away every year, eliminating the hassle of yearly installations. Moreover, LED lighting uses less energy, emitting less CO2 and saving more money on electricity bills. BBT Lighting is a leading provider of energy-efficient and durable LED lighting products. Contact them at 985-789-8122 to install permanent LED holiday lights that will bring joy and cost-efficiency for years to come.

PLEASURE POOLS, INC.

In the 50 years that I have been building swimming pools, I have seen them become an integral part of everyday life in middle America. If you don't have one, I am sure that you have been a part of social gatherings where they were the focal point of the event. Today, a trend has already begun, and in my opinion will continue to grow, towards a demand for small, more sensible pools, that fit into more family's budgets, installs in a very short period of time, yet still offers all of the health and social benefits of the larger, more expensive pools.

Photo Courtesy of: BBT Lighting

Photo Courtesy of: Pleasure Pools, Inc.

June 23-24

Friday and Saturday 8 pm

Finley is 14 years old and from Bernie, MO. He is a tribute artist that loves Rockabilly and Blues music. A very talented musician that plays eight different instruments. Finley has appeared as a tribute artist on NBC’s, Little Big Shots, with Melissa McCarthy. After watching Finley perform live in Millington, TN, Jerry Lee Lewis said, “He has it! He is gonna be a star!”

July 6-16

Friday and Saturday 8 pm

A fearless musical about chasing popularity and being true to yourself. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. Cady and her friends devise a “Revenge Party” to end Regina’s reign with Cady going undercover as an aspiring Plastic. When the lines between the real Cady and her Plastic self get blurred, she must find her way back to herself and her true friends.

July 20-30

Friday and Saturday 8 pm

Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is the musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean

Things to do on the Northshore WITH Kids this Summer!

PHOTOS JERRY COTTRELL

Summertime! I would like to announce a positive change to our annual Fourth of July fireworks show “Light Up the Lake”. The fireworks show itself has in years past been heavily dependent on the weather. In previous years, the city has used a barge to bring the fireworks out into the lake. Since the music and the majority of the crowd is near the music stage, located in the central part of Lakeshore Drive, the intent is always for the barge to travel to that centrally located spot. However, in past years, there have been occasions where the water has been too rough for the barge, and the fireworks have had to stay and be popped off at the Mandeville Harbor.

As a result of this, I decided for last year’s show to move the fireworks staging area into Sunset Point. This would make the barge unnecessary and the wave action of the lake a non-factor since the fireworks were being popped off from the land instead. The unintended consequence of using Sunset Point as a staging area was that the show was hard to see for some in the central and eastern end of Lakeshore Drive. I know some were disappointed in last year’s show, and I take full responsibility. It was my decision, but I feel we had to try it to know if using Sunset Point was an option.

This year’s event will be on Monday, July 3. I am proud to announce that we have procured a “jack up barge”. The barge will jack up above the water and the vendor will finish his set up on the barge. This will allow the firework vendor to set up and shoot the fireworks out in the lake even if the lake is rough. The fireworks show will be centrally located right in front of the music stage. It will be easy for others to see, both on the west end and the east end. We are extremely excited and hope to see you at Light Up the Lake 2023!

Well darn, the secret is out. We’ve known for quite some time how wonderful the shops, boutiques and restaurants on Lee Lane, Columbia Street and throughout downtown Covington are. Now the rest of the world knows via a recent feature article in Country Living Magazine.

If that weren’t bad enough, Southern Living Magazine just announced we were selected as one of the Best 50 Small Towns in the region. Centuries of history, wonderful live music, incredible cuisine and year- round events all make our secret hard to keep.

June ushers in A Taste of Covington featuring some of south Louisiana’s best restaurants offering superb fixed-menus … all to benefit the St. Tammany Art Association and Covington Business Association: The Greyhound on June 6th, Gallagher’s Grill on June 7th, Seiler Bar on June 8th, Del Porto on June 14th and the Tavi on June 21st , The Glorietta on June 23rd, Valencia on June 27th and Marcello’s on June 28th … each doing a fete worthy of royalty.

July brings the quintessential 4th of July Americana event: Sparks in the Park. On July 1st, ease into 13 acres of sand, trees and shade wrapped by the winding Bogue Falaya River for music by the Northshore Traditional Music Society, face painting, a hot dog eating and a children’s pie eating contest. That evening, the Covington Concert Band, a 60+ orchestra of the area’s finest musicians, fills the Bogue Falaya Park with the sounds of America. For the finale, the band synchronizes their melodies with the oomph, pop and sparkle of a grand fireworks show. All for free.

Also in July, to keep one of the coolest cities in America cool, is Kokomo Stroll. This ticketed event closes down historic Columbia Street as revelers adorned in their Caribbean - Hawaiian - South Sea garb stroll the streets sampling the rum drink concoctions of local businesses. The evening is capped off with a free concert at the Covington Trailhead.

So meander into Covington for food, fun and music … but please, just don’t tell anyone else ; )

Mark Johnson City of Covington Mayor

Clay Madden City of Mandeville Mayor

Wedding TRENDS

OLIVIER COUTURE

What are some of the trends for wedding gowns 2023 -2024? While the clean, sleek, simple looks remain popular with brides, we are seeing more embellishments added to those gowns. Sleeves are big! They may be detachable, anywhere from long and sleek to voluminous, bishop, or balloon sleeves. Bows are trending now in a big way, as are detachable overskirts and trains, even capes. Lastly, all over sparkle is making a big comeback as well. Let us help you find your perfect gown by giving us a call to schedule your appointment. We love our brides!

WEBSITE: OLIVIERCOUTURE.COM

PHONE: 985.674.6994

SUGARLOVE BAKERY

It’s all about textures in the icing; naked cakes fresh flowers on cakes are trending.

WEBSITE: sugarloveslidell.com

PHONE: 985.412.2326

MILICEVIC FAMILY VINEYARDS

Traditional weddings are great, but more and more people are getting married somewhere different than in a church. Some like a destination or a special place. What better venue to have a wedding than a beautiful vineyard? Acres of land with options of an indoor and outside wedding reception. It’s an all inclusive special day for the bride and groom, family and friends all under one place.

WEBSITE: milicevicfamilyvineyards.com

PHONE: 985.635.4404

BAYOU BOARDS BY JENN

PHONE: 985.707.8246

GRAZING TABLES

As charcuterie gains popularity, grazing tables and boards have become a mainstay at weddings and events. Both oversized displays at cocktail hour as well as more manageable boards incorporated into the tablescapes of our wedding celebrations.

LAKEHOUSE CATERING

WEBSITE: lakehousecuisine.com

PHONE: 985.778.2045

WOODHOUSE DAY SPA

Going to the Chapel?

Full body bliss awaits the Bride-to-Be with our Signature Woodhouse Calming Retreat. This service includes seven specialized treatments made to rejuvenate and restore. You’ll radiate from the inside out during your special day. Book today at woodhousespas.com

WEBSITE: woodhousespas.com

PHONE: 985.641.7772 / 985.785.5860

CLEAR TOP TENTS

What better way to hold an outdoor wedding than under a clear top tent? The tent allows natural light to flood in and provides an unobstructed view of the sky, while protecting your wedding party from any unwanted elements.

WEBSITE: REEVESHARDWARE.COM

PHONE: 985 222 2305

GEAUX MOBILE BAR CO, LLC

A mobile cocktail bar is sure to make a splash at your nuptials from adding to the decor to delighting your guests with a signature drink. This unexpected alternative will make your nuptials stand out from the rest.

WEBSITE: geauxmobilebar.com

PHONE: 504.453.0764

Gi GalleryChristmas& Boutique

Kite People

STORY ELAINE MILLERS

PHOTOS NANCY HALE

When Covid hit and Beth and Mike Foley’s youngest child, Michael, had left for college, the Foleys were looking for a new hobby. Mike had given Beth a kite for her birthday, and what started as a hobby and a way to get out of the house, soon turned into a spectacle and social activity filled with enjoyment.

When the weather is right, they go to the Mandeville Lakefront in front of Pat’s Rest Awhile and fly big kites. They started out with just one, but as their collection and their dedication to their new hobby have grown, the Foleys have met so many people. Older people love to reminisce about the kites they flew as children, and Beth speaks of the fascination that the younger generation has with kite flying.

People

In an effort to share their experiences and inspire others to join them in decorating the sky, they’ve launched a Facebook page. Beth and Mike have no business affiliation and they are not selling kites, they simply love the positive feedback they’ve received from the community. People around Old Mandeville have affectionately begun calling them The Kite People, so Beth and Mike chose that as the name of their page.

To find out when they’ll be out on the lakefront, or just to see some of their vibrant images, join The Kite People group on Facebook. And if you happen to be out on the Lakefront and see a flying gator or pig, don’t be alarmed. We are not being invaded! It’s just a group of people getting together and having fun.

It’s vacation time, and from the rolling hills of Kentwood to the Manchac swamp, Tangipahoa Parish offers a wealth of things to do and places to go all summer long!

From our parks and rec programs to our local libraries and summer camps, there is always something fun to do in Tangi. We are also home to more than two dozen local attractions, so there is never a shortage of things to do!

Looking for an escape from the heat or summertime thunderstorms? Think indoor entertainment! From our Florida Parishes Arena where you can watch cattle roping on a Louisiana Saturday night to our historic Columbia Theatre where tiny dancers perform their annual spring recitals, there are some great indoor venues where you can beat the heat and enjoy quality entertainment right here in Tangipahoa. Looking for something unique to do? Check out Ponchatoula’s Collinswood Museum or the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum in Hammond, where visitors can learn more about our rich culture.

Looking for a quick getaway? We have so many great options, both on land and on our beautiful waterways! Our friends at Tangi Tourism have some great ideas about staycation plans, and you can check them out at www.TangiTourism.com/Tangi/One-Day-Getaways.

As always, you’ll find great things to see and do all around our beautiful parish. I hope you’ll carve out a day or two this summer to soak in all that our parish has to offer. It’s just one more reason why people choose Tangipahoa to live, work, play, and MOVE HERE.

Dear Citizens,

We had a great spring in the City of Slidell with many successful events! Thousands of pounds of crawfish were boiled and consumed at the Hospice House of the South’s Crawfish Cook-Off, vendors sold crafts and antiques to thousands of people at the Olde Towne Historical Antique Association’s Spring Street Fair, Slidell Main Street and Keep Slidell Beautiful had a successful inaugural Earth Day event, St. Tammany Parish students showcased their art at the city’s annual Salad Days exhibit in the George Dunbar Gallery in City Hall, and our citizens enjoyed great music in Heritage Park at the city’s Bayou Jam Spring Concert Series and Some Enchanted Evening with the Northshore Community Orchestra.

The City of Slidell is working diligently to revitalize many of our outdoor facilities, including eight new tennis courts at the Henry J. Calamari Tennis Center, the renovation of Hickman Baseball Field, new outdoor pickle ball courts, and the much anticipated Slidell Skate Park.

We have also been working on the Olde Towne Slidell Main Street Master Plan by adding new decorative street signs in Olde Towne, adding directional signage off the interstates to direct visitors to our historic district, and are currently adding brick cross walks at several intersection in our Olde Towne area.

As summer approaches and we enter another hurricane season, I encourage everyone to start preparing now. One of the most important things you can do for storm season is be prepared and stay informed. If a storm threaten us this year, Team Slidell is working hard to make sure that the city is prepared. We are updating our hurricane plans, checking all the choke points, clearing waterways, and making sure that our pumps are ready and working should we need to use them. To keep our citizens informed, we will post emergency information on our city website at MySlidell.com and on the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” Facebook page. These sites can be accessed from virtually anywhere via cell phones, laptops or tablets. Even if you have to evacuate, you can still get continuous news and updates about Slidell.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe summer.

Robby Miller Tangipahoa

Parish President

Greg Cromer City of Slidell Mayor

The Mandeville That Almost Was...

STORY LIZ GENEST SMITH PHOTOS JERRY COTTRELL

As of this writing, the debate over a proposed development for the western edge of Mandeville’s lakefront rages on. It’s basically been raging for almost a decade now, never really reaching any permanent resolution, but merely enduring endless fits and starts, getting quashed, then changing in name, size and composition before roaring back to life to frustrate both sides for another day.

Will there ever be an outcome that makes everyone happy? Doubtful. Am I going to register an opinion on the subject? Not on your life! I’m only here to offer a little historic perspective on how impassioned clashes over the town’s shoreline go way, way back.

When Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville founded this quaint little burg almost 200 years ago, he was adamant about preserving the natural, park-like beauty of its lakefront. By the looks of things today, it certainly seems like he got his way. But, if you were to step back in time, there was a period when it looked very different. I wonder how Bernard and today’s residents would feel about the busy steamer traffic, electric rail car, bath houses, and private and public wharves that kept the lakefront humming during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

All that remains from that era are the gazebo, fountain and a few scattered wooden pylons poking up from the shallow waters just beyond the seawall. Things seem to have reverted to the founder’s original vision. But what if I were to tell you that there once was a development in the works that could have forever changed the local landscape?

Unlike recent development proposals, which focus on residential, commercial and entertainment usage, the Mandeville Harbor project from the 1920s came awfully close to industrializing Mandeville’s lovely shore. An article from a June 1921 edition of the New Orleans Item newspaper explained:

“Within a few short months, the great work of dredging out the Bayou Castaign and basin for big passenger ships, repairing the streets and mending the gap in the long sea-wall will begin. All the talk is of the future and of the three factories that are soon to be built.”

Did the word “factories” send a chill up your spine, like it did mine? Stick around.

Bayou Castaign is one of several different spellings I came across for our present day Bayou Castine, located at the eastern edge of the historic lakefront. It’s currently the site of the playground and beach, Pontchartrain Yacht Club, boat launch and marina, all of which exist in near-perfect harmony with both the historic residential neighborhood to the west and protected wild wetlands of Fontainebleau State Park on the opposite side of the bayou.

In addition to a sawmill, lumber planing mill and the three aforementioned factories, this plan called for berths for yachts along the seawall, a widening and straightening of the bayou and docks that could handle both passenger and freight vessels from New Orleans and beyond.

According to several newspaper and trade magazine reports, the wheels were in motion with one man, in particular, leading the charge. Not much is known of his formative years, but George E. Reine, Sr., packed a lot into the final two decades of his 49ish years on Earth. Census records from 1900 show that at age 26, he and a partner were running a bar on Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans. One can only imagine how colorful that must have been, serving and cavorting with the kinds of characters who worked and lurked down by those busy MIssissippi River docks! He must’ve finally gotten his fill of this raucous scene, as between 1903 and 1907, he married and had two daughters, then promptly moved to Mandeville alone in 1908, where he ran a general store on Girod Street.

In addition to inexplicably separating from his wife and children, he apparently ran into some financial trouble and declared bankruptcy that same year. Things turned around over the next few years, however, as he managed to get remarried and start a new family, become a correspondent for the Times-Picayune newspaper and get elected to the city council. At some point, he took ownership of a chunk of family-owned land, mainly concentrated in the area between the yacht club and marina. He formed the Mandeville Harbor Improvement Company, Inc., in 1920 and launched a plan to build his mills, provide land for factories and petition the city to create a harbor and infrastructure to support the new industrial area.

Despite several news reports that made it sound like a done-deal (does that sound familiar?), all was not smooth sailing for the avid yachtsman and entrepreneur. There seems to have been a miniscule but mighty minority of citizens who filed suit to

stop the development, and city officials decided they wanted the mills and factories built before they would commit any funds or manpower in support of the project.

By all accounts, George was undeterred, but it’s possible that all the personal and professional upheaval and strain of those last 15 years took a serious toll on him. A few short months after a January 1923 news clipping in a trade journal announced that he had started construction on his sawmill while awaiting an imminent decision from the Supreme Court on the fate of the harbor, Mr. Reine died of apparent heart disease.

What was the court’s ruling? No clue. I enlisted the help of researchers at the St. Tammany Public Library and Clerk of Courts, but none of us could find a shred of additional information on the harbor project. It seems to have died along with its primary champion. Likewise, we couldn’t find any information on the exact location or even proof that the sawmill ever existed, other than a couple of records that say his widow “operated Bayou Castin sawmill” (yet another spelling) after his death.

There’s a tiny deadend street that carries the name Reine in the vicinity, and one street away, there’s a large, mostly undeveloped parcel of land along the bayou, but no proof that it was the site of a sawmill. The only solid reports or images of a sawmill in Mandeville that we could find refer to the Poitevent and Favre Lumber Company, which according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report from 1996, closed in 1925 and was eventually replaced by the Mariner’s Village condominium complex adjacent to the Causeway Toll Plaza.

It’s worth noting that two years before Reine’s death, The Southern Lumberman trade publication ran a brief mention of the project under the heading: “Mandeville may become a seaport.” It announced that a representative of the behemoth Great Southern Lumber Company, who owned “the world’s largest sawmill” in Bogalusa, along with many other business entities, was inspecting the bayou along with George, but it was never mentioned again. It stands to reason that support from such a huge outfit would’ve surely greased the wheels for the harbor development. But, perhaps the lawsuit and appeals process slowed down the progress just long enough for the lumber giant to recognize that the Louisiana lumber boom was grinding to a halt, thanks to the decimation of the state’s pine forests. Like Poitevent and Favre, most of the sawmills in the region closed within the next few years.

Was the loss of the lumber giant’s support what inspired George to build his own sawmill and fight for the project alone?

Was it the Supreme Court’s decision that killed the project? Or was the protracted battle over George’s estate an indication that his heirs had no interest in seeing his dream brought to fruition? No one knows. But, the mere prospect of this development has plagued me ever since I read about it. What would Mandeville look like if it had moved forward?

Neither Reine’s sawmill, nor the lumber planing mill he also planned to build, would have survived for very long with the lumber industry’s looming downturn, but it still leaves a lot of unknowns about the aforementioned factories. It’s impossible to know if their proximity to the historic district would’ve changed its complexion over the years. And when you start factoring in not just the actual facilities, but the parking lots, loading docks on both land and water and new access roads, it’s hard to estimate the size and scale of their footprints.

How far up the bayou and east into the wetlands would this development have reached? Would the factories and housing for their employees have sprawled into what is now Fontainebleau State Park, Northlake Nature Center and/or Pelican Park? Could the current two-lane Highway 190 have handled all the additional employee and trucking traffic?

For help in painting a realistic picture of the impact this might’ve had on the environment and general integrity of the area, I reached out to multiple local and state officials and agencies, but no one wanted to touch this with a ten-foot pole. Because they simply didn’t want to speculate? Or because it might be too closely associated with the current lakefront development debate? It’s yet another mystery we may never solve.

Left to my own imagination, I initially conjured up a toxic hellscape of apocalyptic proportions, but I decided to apply a little logic and common sense to conceptualize some reasonable, albeit amateurishly derived scenarios.

In scenario one, the factories don’t survive the Great Depression and are left to fall into disrepair and forever rot away in this rather obscure location. In scenario two, the abandoned factory buildings are eventually repurposed into retro-themed housing or retail buildings, which could be kind of cool in theory, but still robs the area of much of its natural beauty. In scenario three, the factories either survive the Great Depression, or are eventually acquired by other manufacturers when the economy turns around, creating a busy industrial corridor that spews waste into the local air, water and soil. Yes, that’s the toxic hellscape I spoke of, but environmental awareness wouldn’t come into vogue for another 50 years, so is it that far off the mark?

I suppose there’s a scenario where the factories fail and the abandoned buildings are eventually dismantled, allowing responsible homeowners, boaters and mother nature to reclaim the land and make it pretty much what it is today. But, who really knows?

The bottomline is, there’s no way to know how the Mandeville Harbor project would’ve changed the town and region, but you can rest assured that countless traffic, economic and environmental studies didn’t factor into the decision-making process. The New Orleans Item article from 1921 starkly stated that the harbor project meant “progress, nothing else.”

So, while everyone is understandably exhausted by the ongoing tug-of-war over the current development project, and there’s simply no way that any single outcome will please everyone, years of debate and revisions to the plans at least prove that an abundance of clear-eyed caution and consideration are being poured into it. That’s the real definition of progress, in my book.

Nancy - Artst Kaia - Owner

Worth a Drive

Just like an oyster producing a pearl, the oyster industry in Mississippi gave the town of Bay St. Louis the Pearl Hotel.

In 1959, Joseph Eloi Cure started Bayou Caddy Fisheries, a wholesale oyster business in Mississippi, with just one boat. Over the years, the business grew to include the second generation of four children now running it, and many of the eight grandchildren working there, as well. The Cure family decided to diversify into hotel ownership in 2020. Not taking an easy route, they built the hotel from the ground up. Their parents and grandparents built Bayou Caddy Fisheries with blood, sweat and tears, and it took the same to get the Pearl Hotel opened.

The façade of the hotel is striking, with four floors of balconies providing spaces for the guests to sit and enjoy the sunset views. The hotel has become the centerpiece of the town and can be seen from the harbor that sits in front of it in the bay.

STORY SARAH COTTRELL PHOTOS JERRY COTTRELL

The Pearl’s lobby sets the tone for the hotel. From the moment you step inside from Main Street, you are struck by the elegant design. This is where I sat down with Sarah Cure to discuss the hotel and the history associated with it. Sarah is the hotel manager and great granddaughter of Joseph and Sylvia Cure.

Sarah gives credit to Rick Dobbs of Unreal NOLA, who was responsible for designing the logo and overseeing all the hotel’s branding. The logo was inspired by her great grandmother, Sylvia Bertel Cure’s beautiful penmanship. Rick took the letter P and formed the simple, yet dramatic logo. He also is responsible for the large painting at the reception desk of a toad fish. Sarah admits it’s one of the ugliest fish, but it’s often caught in Bay St. Louis, It’s not edible, but has teeth that can crack an oyster shell.

The hotel’s curated art collection features a stunning oil painting by Billy Solitario, commissioned by the family, depicting the two of the families’ original boats. The boats, 30.3088° N, 89.3300° W

the Cindy C and the Joey C, are named after the eldest of the Cure’s children, and are still in use today. Sarah tells me that other boats are also named after family members, and some are even named posthumously after family pets.

In August of 2005, Katrina devastated the region, but thanks to revitalization efforts, the bay area is now lined with multi-storied bars and restaurants offering harbor views and Gulf breezes. The Cure family purchased the vacant lot on the corner of Main Street and Beach Boulevard, hired famed New Orleans architectural firm Trapolin- Peer and contractor Woodward, and set about building the hotel. Sounds simple right? But as with most major projects, the target date of December 2020 was ambitious, and then Hurricane Zeta struck the area. With guests, including a wedding party, booked in for New Year’s Eve, it was all hands-on-deck to finish the hotel in time.

Sarah describes that Christmas as a blur, as the entire family worked mightily to get the hotel ready just in time for the 3pm check in. That ethos carries on today, with most of the current staff having been with them since the start. They work as a team and understand what it takes to run a successful hotel.

Due to the small and unique footprint of the hotel, they have five different floor plans, many offering balconies with water views. The rooms are well-stocked with coffee makers, fridges, microwaves, steamers and hair dryers, and they feature photographs of the family oyster business. Bathrooms offer personal items along with multiple oversized bath towels. The housekeeping, like the rest of the staff, go out of their way to make guests comfortable, adding supplies as needed, along with personal notes letting you know that they have been in the room and what they have done.

Along with the 53 rooms and suites, the hotel offers a meeting room called the Captain’s Quarters. It overlooks the pool area, which offers private cabanas, making it a perfect spot for bridal or baby showers, or corporate meetings. The hotel also features a plush bar called The Hinge, which is run by the hotel management, offering specialty craft cocktails, pre-Prohibitionstyle drinks with daily specials and live music on the weekends. Guests can also enjoy outdoor seating overlooking Beach Boulevard and the bar area.

There are two restaurants in the hotel, and both are owned and run by local Chef Jeffery Hansell and his wife Amy. Until recently, they ran the Oxlot 9 at The Southern Hotel in Covington to much local and regional acclaim. Sarah describes Hansell as a “Mississippi Coast boy.” Their parents went to school together and the families grew up in nearby Waveland, so when Hansell wanted to return to his roots, he found the perfect home at The Pearl Hotel.

The main restaurant, The Thorny Oyster, takes up a large portion of the ground floor, with bright fixtures and banquets along the wall bordering the bar area. The raw bar features freshly caught and prepared oysters, tuna crudo, and Gulf shrimp and grouper ceviche. The regular menu features familiar classics like fish almondine with a modern twist, along with

Hansell’s favorite frog legs served with hot sauce butter and pickled celery with buttermilk ranch dressing.

My personal favorite is the Bouillabaisse. This fish stew is a seafood delight with Gulf fish, mussels and clams, all served in a spicy tomato base. The bold, balanced flavors are a signature of Chef Hansell, who takes fresh, local coastal fare and creates creative seafood dishes to delight any palette. The famous oysters were also delightful, beautifully plump delicacies served on the half shell. It was hard to decide between all the tempting items on the menu, which features fresh, local seafood, but the knowledgeable staff helped us to navigate. And we easily chose to end the meal with their campfire dessert, which pays homage to S’mores.

The second eatery is a small, funky breakfast and lunch café, called Cosmos. The décor is a tip of the hat to the local NASA facility, and its family-friendly menu includes sandwiches, salads and various breakfast items.

Visitors from all over the country have found their way to the revitalized Bay St Louis, which has retained its small-town charm, while offering a respite to visitors wanting to get away from it all. Along with its beach, boat trips and fishing, the walkable and golf-cart-friendly community boasts an endless number of boutiques, antiques shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. This formerly sleepy hamlet has evolved into a funky, bustling destination, even hosting popular festivals like Cruising the Coast, Jeepin’ the Coast and Frida Fest, plus block parties every second Saturday.

Bay St. Louis is only a short drive from the Northshore. So, pack up the car and head for the coast for a perfect little getaway.

St. Tammany NOW

St.Tammany NOW is a curated collection of the latest economic development information and business and industry insight in our community provided by St. Tammany Corporation, the economic development organization for St. Tammany Parish. St. Tammany NOW highlights who and what makes the St. Tammany business community thrive and illustrates the opportunities to diversify and fortify our economy.

In this issue, we share insights on the newly announced Gulf South Commerce Park development. St. Tammany Corporation, as the chief economic development organization for St. Tammany Parish, works to intentionally position land and site assets within our community to be as viable as possible for new and existing companies. Recognizing the advantageous geographic location of St. Tammany along the I-12 corridor, St. Tammany Corporation initiated a two-part program of work. First, retool a unique existing zoning designation in our community, Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics (AML), which provides for the location of large-scale facilities for operations such as research and development, transportation, warehousing, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Secondly, develop a logistics corridor initiative, including the master planning of a large tract of land within the corridor for the sole purpose of attracting and recruiting major high-value Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics (AML) related economic development projects.

St. Tammany Corporation worked in collaboration with the property’s owner, Crosby Development, and St. Tammany Parish Government leadership on the creation of a comprehensive master plan for the 919-acre site centered around the Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics industries (AML). Thoughtful planning, deployment of smart growth practices, and implementation of appropriate infrastructure ensures the viability of this development, which will offer significant opportunities for job creation and business expansion within St. Tammany Parish’s footprint. Gulf South Commerce Park is a major asset for St. Tammany Parish, the Greater New Orleans Region, and the State of Louisiana – The geographic positioning, existing industry base, and deep regional labor pool all work together to set this development up for long-term sustainability.

St. Tammany’s five-year strategic economic development plan, THRIVE2023, noted tactics for enhancing the competitiveness of land and site assets as an important component of the overall economic development strategy. The unveiling of this commerce park is the culmination of long-term collaboration and planning among multiple partners and stakeholders and the realization of the vision laid out in THRIVE2023. Gulf South Commerce Park will be developed in a multi-phased approach. Phase 1 encompasses the southernmost 189 development-ready acres, and immediate efforts have been concentrated on site preparation and project development of this portion of the

Collaborative partners at the unveiling of Gulf South Commerce Park April 2023.

site. The first stage of Phase 1 includes a portion dedicated to the construction of a spec building with the intent of accelerating the recruitment of future tenants.

In addition to St. Tammany Corporation, Crosby Development, and St. Tammany Parish Government, partners in this endeavor include CLECO Power, Development Counsellors International, GNO, Inc., and Louisiana Economic Development. As a result of St. Tammany Corporation’s partnership with CLECO Power, the organization had the opportunity earlier this year to introduce Gulf South Commerce Park’s branding, concept, and conceptual site design to a group of global site selection experts at the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The reveal has garnered positive reception from leading site selectors, and St. Tammany Corporation’s development team continues to facilitate project inquiries on a regular basis. Additionally, St. Tammany Corporation facilitated a local unveiling of the site, concept, and branding at a press event in mid-April. Gulf South Commerce Park truly represents an opportunity for business and industry to “Land in Louisiana. Grow in the Gulf. Connect to the World.”

If you are a company looking to expand or locate in St. Tammany and would like more information about this site and how St. Tammany Corporation can facilitate this business development, please contact Keith Espadron at kespadron@sttammanycorp.org or (985) 509-7596.

To learn more about Gulf South Commerce Park, visit gulfsouthcommercepark.com.

St. Tammany Corporation continues to be a resource hub for businesses and consistently shares timely, relevant information related to our economic landscape and upcoming business resource programming on our online platforms. Stay connected with St. Tammany Corporation on Facebook at @StTammanyCorporation, Twitter at @ StTammanyCorp, our website at StTammanyCorp.org, and our business development platform InvestStTammany.com.

Kate Moore and Elizabeth Lee are the lead staff contributors to this article. Photos from the April 2023 unveiling of Gulf South Commerce Park provided by Brandon Savoie.

Chris Masingill Chief Executive Officer St. Tammany Corporation

St. Tammany Corporation team and Board members with Cleco, GNO, Inc., and Port NOLA regional partners.

Gulf South Commerce Park Aerial

My turn: by Kiki Ng

ABOUT KIKI NG

In every issue, EDGE of the Lake invites a local chef or restaurateur to visit another eatery on the Northshore.

Kiki Ng is the owner of Kazoku Asian Fusion restaurant in Mandeville. It used to only serve sushi, but when Kiki found that taking care of a baby while running two restaurants was too difficult, she closed Kiki’s Saigon and expanded Kazoku’s menu to also include her Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese dishes. She plans to celebrate her 14-year anniversary on the Northshore with a dance party sometime at the end of August or beginning of September.

My daughter’s school is near Turgeau, so I knew about it well before my girlfriends and I visited recently. It’s located in downtown Covington, so it has that hip, in-town vibe.

Rosie Ledezma, who co-owns Turgeau with her fiance J.P. Turgeau, was our server and she greeted us when we arrived. She’s very personable and sweet, and you can feel the passion she has for running the restaurant.

Turgeau has a very healthy menu, especially for people with special dietary needs. They feature Southern and Mexican inspired food with glutenfree, vegan and non-dairy options, as well as traditional dishes. And they also have a list of substitutions for those with specific food allergies. They’re open for breakfast and lunch, but they serve breakfast all day. Lunch options include a really interesting selection of sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads, plus desserts.

I chose their avocado toast on wheat bread. The generous portion of avocado mash was incredibly fresh. It was well-seasoned and served with diced tomatoes and a balsamic reduction. To drink, I had hot coffee with oat milk. I don’t know where they get their beans, but the coffee was so good.

One of my friends ordered a vegan omelet and the other got shrimp and grits. We all loved our orders and will definitely go back!

The Slidell’s Big Shot Mardi Gras Costume Exhibit held an Opening Reception featuring Zulu’s 2023 Big Shot Terrance McGuire.

Chicks for Charity held a fundraiser at Sweet Olive for Hayze Hart and raised $4,000.

The City of Slidell held a public screening of “George Dunbar: Mining the Surfaces” at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. The film by WLAE TV directed by Bruce Smith documents the life of world-renowned Slidell artist George Dunbar and all the contributions that he’s made to arts and culture in Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States and throughout the world.

Crawfish Cookin’ for a Cause held its annual Crawfish Cookoff on the Mandeville Lakefront. Sixty one teams boiled over 40,000lb of crawfish at their Hospice House Crawfish Cook-Off in Fritchie Park, Slidell

Covington Heritage Foundation held their second Farm to Table event at the Covington Trailhead. Chef Jarrett and Rachel Eymand prepared a three-course meal pared with wine and a signature cocktail.

Ricky Windhorst celebrated the launch of his new album, Lucky Dog with a party st the St. Ann’s Wine Bar.

St John Fools of Misrule enjoyed their traditional walking parade to celebrate the start of the carnival season through the streets of Covington.

CAC Hope House celebrated their 2023 Champion for Children Award Winners, Stacie Schrieffer LeBlanc, Ron Smith, Kim Carver, Ross Quatano, DDS. (Legacy Champion), Shane Venezia, Katie Robbins, Bailey Burdette (Youth Champion) and Ashley Jones.

RIBBON CUTTING

BUSINESS POR TRAITS

SYN in Mandeville

Saturday, April 12, 2023 5-9 pm • Free Admission

Olde Towne Slidell

646-4375 • MySlidell.com

Local Artists & Artwork

Live Entertainment

Fine & Casual Dining

Antique, Boutique & Unique Shopping

And lots of Lagniappe!

The City of Slidell and the Commission on the Arts would like to thank our 2022/2023 Cultural Season Sponsors for making this event possible: Renaissance $5,000 Sponsors:

Neocla ssical, $1,000 Sponsors: Councilman Bill & L aura Borchert

Lori ’ s Art Depot • Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency

Impressionism, $500 Sponsors: P. David Carollo, Attorney At Law • CiCi’s Pizza Mayor Greg Cromer • State Representative Mary DuBuisson, District 90

Roberta’s Cleaners • Slidell Historic Antique Association

Slidell Museum” by Colleen Marquis

White Line n and Lag niappe 2023 Poste r Artist