Tangi Lifestyles Feb/March 2022

WOO HOO ITS ‘22!! We’re excited that life is so much closer to normal! Despite new variants, most of our community has responsibly continued to live life. In this issue we’re optimistically looking into the new year and we’re excited to celebrate this year’s Tangi Lifestyles Readers’ Choice Winners! Every issue of Tangi Lifestyles highlights the best that our area has to offer. The first issue of each year we reveal the local businesses that our readers choose as best of the best. We thank the thousands of you who took time to vote and encourage everyone to join us in celebrating this year’s winners.

The calendar of events in our past several issues have unfortunately been sparsely populated. However, THIS issue the calendar is bursting at the seams! All our area’s fairs, festivals, competitions and events are scheduled and ready for huge comebacks. Practically every event benefits our LOCAL non-profit organizations. These organizations traditionally operate on very limited budgets, and most have been unable to have the traditional fundraising events which allow them to serve our community. We hope you join us in attending and supporting these great events which bring our community together in fun fellowship with a charitable benefit.

In closing, on behalf of our fellow business owners, we thank the residents of our parish for shopping locally, not only this holiday season, but for all of 2021. Across the parish, business owners have reported exceptional sales. When local businesses do well, they invest right back into our community. We hope you will all continue to support locally as we at Northshore Media Group will continue to promote the value of shopping locally in this magazine, Tangi 96.5, Kajun 107.1 and Boss 103.7/1400am.

The input we get from readers shapes our content. Please share your thoughts for stories at info@tangilifestyles.com and send your pictures for our SEEN & HEARD and your events for our calendar to events@ tangilifestyles.com. Cheers to a confident start to 2022!!

PUBLISHER

Northshore Media Group

Angela Blake

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS

Johnny Chauvin

Phillip Colwart

Riyen Helg

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Bolton

Eloise Cottrell

Charles Dowdy

Nick Gagliano

Brian Shirey

Debi Menasco

Kiyomi Appleton Gaines

Hydee Holsapple

ADVERTISING

(985) 345-0060

CORRESPONDENCE

200 East Thomas St. Hammond LA 70401

For advertising rates, call (985) 345-0060 info@tangilifestyles.com

Calendar submissions and “Seen and Heard” pictures may be emailed to events@tangilifestyles.com

February / March 2022

Volume 16, Issue 1

Media Group

200 East Thomas St. Hammond, LA 70401

985.345.0060

Tangi Lifestyles is a bi-monthly publication produced by Northshore Broadcasting, 200 East Thomas Street, Hammond, LA 70401. All rights reserved. Tangi Lifestyles is staffproduced and cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited materials. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork.

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival's Queen 50 Avery Meyers and King 50 Carl Wells. The festival began in 1972 with a proclamation by Governor Edwin Edwards. The Berry Bonanza, it’s original name, was organized by Mr. Carl Wells who is this year’s Strawberry King 50. Mark your calendars for April 8 – 10, 2022 for the 50th Anniversary of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.

Learn more about the festival on page 8.

Cover photo by Johnny Chauvin

FEBRUARY

Now through 2/17

Marjorie Morrison

Sculpture Biennial

Hammond Regional Arts Center

Noon to 6 p.m. W-F www.hammondarts.org

2/5

ARTisTRY Classes (kids)

Downtown Hammond

Hammond Regional Arts Center 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday hammondarts.org

2/5 – 8pm

Krewe of Omega Ball 1904 Nashville Ave Kreweofomega.org

2/12 V. Watts Trade Mart All Day

2/12

ARTisTRY Classes (teens/adults) Downtown Hammond Hammond Regional Arts Center 10 a.m. to Noon Saturday www.hammondarts.org

2/19 - 3 PM Krewe of Denham Springs Downtown Denham

2/19 - 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff

District 2 W Thomas St Hammond rotarycookoff.com

2/19 - Best of Classic Country Grand Country Junction livingstontourism.com

2/19 - 12 PM Krewe of Diversion Amite River livingstontourism.com

2/19 - Krewe of Tchefuncte Boat Parade - 1 PM

2/19 - 2 PM

Krewe of Tickfaw Tickfaw River, Springfield livingstontourism.com

2/19 - Art of the Cocktail Hammond Regional Arts Center 7-10 p.m. www.hammondarts.org

2/23 - Tangipahoa Professional Women’s Monthly Luncheon 11:30a to 1p The Event Center, University Blvd, Hammond tangipw.org

2/26

Mystic Crusin' Auto Downtown Ponchatoula 8 AM - Noon 985.386.2536 PonchatoulaChamber.com

2/19 - 7 PM Strawberry Ball Chesterton Square 143 NW Railroad Ave Ponchatoula lastrawberryfestival.com

MARCH

3/4-24

Young Artists Exhibition Opening reception: Friday, March 4 from 5-8 p.m. Hammond Regional Arts Center www.hammondarts.org

3/4-6

Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days Ponchatoula - 9 AM - 5 PM 985.386.2536 PonchatoulaChamber.com

3/5

38th Annual Krewe of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade Downtown Ponchatoula 10:30 AM - www.kreweoferin.org

3/6-10

U.S. Police K-9 Association’s Region 10 K-9 Trials - 8 AM Chappapeela Sports Park

3/10

Ponchatoula Chamber After Hours Memorial Park • 5 PM

3/11-13

Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival Downtown Independence indysicilian.com

3/11-13 - Vintage Market Days

Florida Parish Arena, Amite vintagemarketdays.com

3/12 - ARTisTRY Classes (kids) Hammond Regional Arts Center 10 - Noon | hammondarts.org

3/12 - V. Watts Trade Mart All Day

3/18 – 3/20 - Amite Oyster Festival Downtown Amite amiteoysterfestival.com

3/19 9a-1p - Geaux Yoga Cate Square Park Downtown Hammond

3/24 8:30a to 3p

Women Mean Business Conference Southeastern Ballroom, Southeastern Louisiana University tangipw.org

3/25 – 3/26 - Hammond Blues & BBQ Downtown Hammond hammondbbq.com

3/26

Julian Dufreche Strawberry Day in the Park Ponchatoula lastrawberryfestival.com

FIRST FRIDAY OF MONTH

Gospel Music Fest 13101 Hwy, 442 W., Tickfaw 985 974 0507, mvmgoodnews.com

EVERY SATURDAY

Hammond Farmers’ Market 2 West Thomas St., 8 am-12 pm

Independence Craft & Farmers’ Market 750 E. Railroad Ave., Independence, 8.30 am-1 pm • Facebook.com/Independence

Denham Springs Farmers’ Market Historical District, 8 am-12 pm

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS

Ponchatoula Farmers’ Arts & Crafts Market 10 E. Pine, Ponchatoula • 985.386.9580 ponchatoulacountrymarket.org Fri. 9 am - 5 pm • Sat. 10 am - 5 pm

3/26

ARTisTRY Classes (teens/adults) Hammond Regional Arts Center 10 a.m. to Noon www.hammondarts.org

3/27

Chef’s Evening Pennington Student Activity Center Southeastern Louisiana University

KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines

Photos by Johnny Chauvin

The

Ponchatoula

Strawberry Festival

is Back in 2022

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival began in 1972 with a proclamation by Governor Edwin Edwards. The Berry Bonanza, its original name, was organized by Mr. Carl Wells, this year’s Strawberry King 50, the late Representative Dennis Hebert, and several others. The festival began as a way to promote local berry farmers and gave them a venue to sell the berries that the Strawberry Capital of the World has become known. “We need to give the local strawberry farmers from past and present the credit because without strawberries, the Berry Bonanza, now known as the very popular Strawberry Festival, would have never been born,” says Carl Wells. He continued, “I can remember when we loaded the railcars down right here in Ponchatoula with ice before stocking the berries to be shipped. Today, we have the convenience of refrigerated trucks.”

“The festival itself started with 11 booths in the parking lot of a Ford dealership on North 6th Street when it started. Tom Enmon was the one who initiated the carnival rides, and because of the late Dr. Charles Gideon, the tradition of local non-profits being the sole vendors on the grounds came to fruition. Back then, Dr. Gideon went to several non-profits to only get turned down by all except for the Ponchatoula Chamber and the Jaycees. Because of the Chamber and the Jaycees' willingness to give it a try, today’s very successful non-profit organizations’ presence on festival grounds continues to thrive,” stated Chairman Jeff Wright.

L to R: Margaret Joiner, Grand Marshal 2022; Jeff Wright, Chairman 50; Avery Meyers, Strawberry Queen 50; Carl Wells, Strawberry King 50; Willie Mae Vicknair Cummings, Strawberry Blossom 2022

Entertainment has also grown through the years. From the Southeastern Baseball game at Athletic Park kicking off the Bonanza back then to a flatbed trailer with music, to now featuring four major band stages, the Strawberry Festival has become a local and regional favorite. You can expect live music from the time it kicks off Friday ‘til the time it closes on Sunday.

“The festival is special to so many,” says Donald Lanier. “Avery Meyers grew up in the middle of the Strawberry Festival. With her grandparents who were Jaycees, her great grandfather, the late Rep. Dennis Hebert, and her mom who is a former queen and board member, Avery remembers sitting on the floor at board meetings as a little girl eating strawberries. She has always dreamed of one day becoming Strawberry Queen. After a few tries, her dream became a reality. It meant so much to her, that she never gave up.”

“I am so honored to represent Ponchatoula and Louisiana as this year’s Strawberry Festival Queen 50. “My favorite part of the festival is coming together with friends and family and celebrating farmers. “It’s so important to teach young kids how important farmers are to keep the tradition alive.”

“The thing I love best about the Strawberry Festival -- and I’ve been to all 49 -- is that it is so family- oriented. I live across from the grounds, so every year I look forward to my children and grandchildren stopping in throughout festival weekend,” shares 2022’s Grand Marshal Margaret Joiner. “It’s my favorite time of year.”

Wright remembers conversations years ago with the late Kymbra Recotta Downing, a past queen, about the importance of women of the strawberry industry. “Kymbra said we need to honor one special lady each year and call her the Strawberry Blossom. I’m thrilled to say that this year’s inaugural title has been given to Ms. Willie Mae Vicknair Cummings.” “The women involved in strawberry farming are and have always been vital to the industry. Whether it’s picking, packing, loading the truck, delivering to the market, keeping the books, ordering the plants – you name it, we are very much a part of the whole process. We make sure everything is where it needs to be when we need it,” says Cummings.

“The festival came alive because of the strawberry industry,” Mr. Carl says. “We need to recognize the farmers. Without the farmers, we don’t have the strawberry or the festival. People can buy local berries and support local families. Other strawberry festivals bring in berries from other regions. But Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival berries are exactly that – Ponchatoula strawberries.”

Mark your calendars for April 8 – 10, 2022 for the 50th Anniversary of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. For more details and a complete schedule of events, visit lastrawberryfestival.com.

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CITY COURT JUDGE 7TH WARD

Britain Sledge is running for City Court Judge for the 7th Ward. Sledge has eight years of expereince as a City Court prosecutor and 15 as Assistant District Attorney, but more than that he is a lifelong resident of the 7th Ward.

When asked what makes him the best choice for City Court Judge, Sledge commented, “I think the experience that I’ve gained through trying cases and jury trials with the DA's office as well as the hundreds of trials in the Hammond City Court, makes it evident that it’s something that fits me.” But what really inspires him about the 7th Ward Court is that it’s rooted in community. “It’s a community court. It is something that’s handled on the local level, cases that we can get adjudicated quickly. I know the values that our commuity shares and I will apply them to the cases.”

As City Court Judge, Sledge wants residents of the 7th Ward to feel confident knowing that the person hearing their cases is as invested in keeping the community safe as they are. “I’m somebody that is from the area, knows the in's and out's, knows our values and our way of life.” He continues, “I live here, I’m raising my kids here. So I want South Tangipahoa Parish to be the most successful, prosperous place that it can be so my kids will grow up here and raise their families here.”

Sledge is married to Erika Williams Sledge, and a father of two. Coll, who is 11, and Everly, who is 7, are both active in local sports, dance, school, and community, their father shares. An avid outdoorsman, Sledge loves hunting and fishing, and also tending his garden and chickens at the family’s home.

Keeping the community safe is a big part of Sledge’s platform. “It’s been rewarding to put bad guys away and make our community safer. But my favorite thing about being a prosecutor has always been

I’m somebody that is from the area, knows the in's and out's, knows our values and our way of life.”

helping the victims of crimes have some power over the people that did it through the court system.”

“Being a prosecutor is not necessarily locking the people up. It’s helping the victims that have been traumatized through these violent crimes.” That’s why, he says, he is running for judge. “The 7th Ward Court is a court where you can help people; you can make a difference.”

Sledge says the first thing that triggers the system to become involved in a person’s life is truancy. “There’s never going to be a positive outcome when a juvenile’s not going to school.” He says he will continue the work the late Judge Grace Gasaway did with the truancy court. “Get them in school, hold parents accountable, get some services in place, and we will have positive outcomes for these juveniles.”

Learn more about the Britain Sledge campaign for City Court Judge for the 7th Ward at britainsledge.com.

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines | Photos by Johnny Chauvin

HAMMOND, LA | COVINGTON, LA | BATON ROUGE, LA | LAFAYETTE, LA

HAMMOND, LA | COVINGTON, LA | BATON ROUGE, LA | LAFAYETTE, LA

NEW ORLEANS, LA (UPTOWN) | NEW ORLEANS, LA (LAKEVIEW)

NEW ORLEANS, LA (UPTOWN) | NEW ORLEANS, LA (LAKEVIEW)

SLIDELL, LA | AMITE, LA | DENHAM SPRINGS, LA | PRAIRIEVILLE, LA MANDEVILLE, LA | JACKSON, MS | OCEAN SPRINGS, MS

SLIDELL, LA | AMITE, LA | DENHAM SPRINGS, LA | PRAIRIEVILLE, LA MANDEVILLE, LA | JACKSON, MS | OCEAN SPRINGS, MS

Broken Can Be Beautiful

Written by Hydee Holsapple | Photos by Phillip Colwart

Sticks and stones may be able to break bones, but with artists like Michelle Wilson Juneau, they can be used to craft beautiful sculptures that convey messages of beauty and hope.

Juneau began crafting her art, which she calls “Beautifully Broken,” in 2019. She uses natural elements such as sticks and other items to create her sculptures. Her artwork is now being featured in Bayou Booksellers in downtown Hammond.

The name Beautifully Broken was inspired by “everyone being a little broken,” said Juneau.

Juneau grew up surrounded by art. Her grandmother and cousin both were artists and they inspired her to explore her own talents. Ultimately, she created her first Beautifully Broken piece which was an angel. Juneau has also done some traditional art such as painting; however, she primarily uses wood in her pieces.

“I always seemed to involve wood because I had a wood panel, watercolor and just kind of followed the grain of the wood,” said Juneau.

Although wood is mainly used, she incorporates other items into her pieces as well. For example, some of her angel faces are constructed with wine corks and some sculptures feature turkey feathers given to her by her cousins.

Juneau uses her husband’s hunting trips to do some hunting of her own. “Stick hunting for me,” she jokingly commented. Juneau loves the hunting trips to Mississippi but she is also given donations from others. “I can’t tell you how many times friends and family will hand me a stick that caught their eye,” said Juneau.

These sculptures help Juneau take her mind off of life’s stresses. The time per sculpture depends on the size and difficulty. Typically, the bigger pieces evolve over time and a group of smaller pieces with wings precut (about six) can be finished in a weekend.

Some bigger pieces look different from when it was originally started and is held until she is ready to part with it.

“One is in the house that has been being worked on for a year that I am not ready to part with yet,” she said.

Some bigger sculptures have bases built by her husband, Brian Juneau. He works in fabrication at his business, Firestruck. These bases are used to hold up artistic sculptures such as the angels which vary by series.

“One series I do tends to be more seasonal. I’ll have the wings cut out and then use some sticks, pinecones and pine bark that I make look like oyster shells and mix all kinds of natural items with our found items to hang on a tree or wall,” said Juneau.

To learn more about Juneau’s artwork, or to get your own piece, stop by Bayou Booksellers or check out the Beautifully Broken Facebook page.

THE NAME BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN WAS INSPIRED BY “EVERYONE BEING A LITTLE BROKEN,” SAID

3 Over 30 years Civil, Criminal and Juvenile Legal Experience.

3 Current Magistrate Judge for Town of Springeld.

3 Former Felony Prosecutor as Assistant District Attorney.

3 Double the Number of Court Days.

3 Committed to Expanding City Court to Semi-Monthly Civil and Criminal Night Court.

3 Create an Eviction Court to help Property Owners.

3 Will Tackle Extremely Violent Juvenile Offenders.

3 Registered Republican.

Early Voting March 12 – 19, 2022 Election Day Saturday, March 26, 2022

Fine

The

The

Strawberry Festival

Chad

North

Smith & Purvis Carpet

Hammond Florist

FUNERAL

Harry McKneely & Sons

Bayou Booksellers

GOLF

Cart-n-Swim

HAIR SALON

Noland Stewart Salon

HAIR STYLIST

Alli Wallis - Noland Stewart Salon

HARDWARE

Gabriel Building Supply

HEATING

Professional

Holiday Inn - Hammond

MEDICAL -

North Oaks

Family Medicine

MEDICAL - DENTIST

Currier Dental Studio

MEDICAL - DOCTOR

Dr. Jacque Peltier

MEDICAL -

Benson Dermatology

MEDICAL - NURSE

Alexis Dominguez

MEDICAL - PEDIATRICIAN

Kristi Moody

MEDICAL - PHARMACY

Mannino's

MEDICALPHYSICAL THERAPY

Ponchatoula Therapy

MEDICAL - SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

Landmark Nursing Home

MEDICAL - WALK IN / URGENT CARE

North Oaks Clinic

MORTGAGE LENDER

Amanda Prokop Germany

NAIL SALON

Polish Nail Salon

PAINT SUPPLY

Helm Paint

PET BOARDING SERVICE

Slobbering Sweeties

PAWN SHOP

Tangi Pawn Shop

PHOTOGRAPHER

Stinky Mud Photography

POOL SALES / SUPPLY

Tropical Pools

Your

REAL ESTATE AGENT Jason Lipscomb

RESTAURANT - ASIAN China Lotus

RESTAURANT - BBQ

Salty Joe's BBQ

RESTAURANTBREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Son of a Biscuit

RESTAURANT - BURGER Our Mom’s

RESTAURANTDATE NIGHT Cena; Hammond

RESTAURANT - FINE DINING

Topé La

RESTAURANTKID FRIENDLY

Salty Joe’s BBQ

RESTAURANTICE CREAM

Eddie’s Frozen Custard

RESTAURANTHEALTHY OPTIONS

The Salad Station

RESTAURANT - ITALIAN

Joe’s Italian Ponchatoula

RESTAURANT - LUNCH

Streetside Market

RESTAURANT - MEXICAN Tacos & Beer

RESTAURANT - PATIO / OUTDOOR DINING

Roux & Brew

RESTAURANT

Salad

RESTAURANT

Millside Seafood

RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT

RV SALES/SERVICE Berryland Campers

SNOWBALL STAND Freeze King Snowballs

SEAFOOD MARKET

B & J Seafood

SPA

Jeanne Maureen’s European Spa & Salon

SUPERMARKET/ GROCERY STORE Bohning’s

TIRE SERVICE

Tonys Tire & Auto

TITLE SERVICE/ COMPANY

Fleur De Lis Law & Title

VETERINARY SERVICE/ VETERINARIAN

Ponchatoula Animal Hospital - Cody Schmaltz

YOGA Downtown Yoga

Unleash a refined performance that delivers more punch off the line, an intoxicating growl, and an overall thrilling experience.

Care - Ponchatoula

North Oaks Urgent Care - Hammond

Arts BLOOM

IN

Presented by the Northshore Arts Foundation, Inc.

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines

The mission of the Northshore Arts Foundation is to create and encourage cultural enrichment for all ages through visual enjoyment, participation, and learning. To that end, this spring, April 1-2, 2022, the Foundation will host “Northshore Arts in Bloom.”

Photos by Johnny Chauvin

This year’s inaugural exhibition and competition will explore the arts including a competition in floral interpretation of an art piece, professional floral displays, and gardening lectures. Additionally, a playwriting contest with staged readings, an art show, and an Art and Flower Market will round out the event. Patrons will get a sneak peek of the floral competition entries and have the opportunity to vote for the Viewer’s Choice award at the Patron’s party on Friday evening, April 1st, at the Columbia Theatre.

The cornerstone of the event will be the floral competition. Thirty amateur florists will have the opportunity to create floral interpretations of paintings from local art collections. The paintings will represent a range of periods and styles. Florists will be assigned their paintings by a random drawing in February.

Colleen Scarle, one of the event organizers, said, “Designers have been sought from garden clubs across the state to compete in this year’s competition. The floral interpretations will be placed in the Columbia Theatre conference room on Friday morning, ahead of the Patron Party. Each floral arrangement will be displayed alongside the painting that inspired it.”

In addition to the floral competition, three professional floral designers will be invited to create spectacular floral designs, and there will be lectures on landscaping, horticulture, and gardening. Concurrently, the New Orleans Arts Association (NOAA) will be presenting an art show based on the theme “Arts in

Bloom” at the Hammond Regional Arts Center.

Another piece of the exhibition is an international playwright competition for adult, youth, and teenage writers. Writers are invited to submit a one-act play, up to 20 pages long. The winning entries will be staged at Reimer’s Theater on Saturday. Organizers are seeking entrants throughout Louisiana and beyond!

Finally, the Art and Garden Market will take place in conjunction with the regular Saturday Hammond Farmers’ Market. The market will feature local artists and florists, as well as nursery and garden items for those inspired by the floral competition, or who may want to put into practice what was learned in the lectures!

The event has been spearheaded by Pat Graves, Creative Director for the Northshore Arts Foundation, and amateur florist. Graves shared, “For several years, I have competed in the Arts in Bloom competition that New Orleans Museum of Art holds, and I was inspired to bring a similar event to Hammond.”

Graves points out, “The board is made up of representatives from the Regional Art Center, The Art Guild, Southeastern Louisiana University through the Columbia Theater and the Hammond Garden Club. It is the first time all of these groups have joined forces to create a cultural event using these various forms of expression. It is the board’s hope that successive events will bring in other groups on the northshore to expand its reach.”

Sponsorship opportunities are available. More information on sponsorship or participation, and tickets, can be found on the Northshore Arts Foundation website at northshoreartsfoundation.com

EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS

CITY COURT JUDGE 7TH WARD

In the juvenile sector of the city court, I will assist families with programs to lead our youth on the right path. While it is important to discipline for wrongdoing, it is equally important to provide the necessary tools to become successful adults.

HONEST SERVICE

Since 2016, I have been the City Prosecutor for the City of Ponchatoula. I’ve continued to be active in the community by serving on the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce Board and the Tangipahoa Parish Council on Aging Board.

IMPARTIAL

I will listen carefully to all of the facts and thoroughly review the evidence presented to make fair, unbiased decisions that uphold the law.

I am humbled to serve our community. As you know, I’m campaigning for City Court Judge of the 7th Ward. I’m really excited for this new opportunity and to get going on this new challenge. I am ready to work hard to bring new leadership to our City Court.

— Jenel Secrease

This Place Is On This Place Is On

FIRE

Written by Nick Gagliano

Photos by Phillip Colwart

CREATING FUTURES WHILE SAVING LIVES

Many times, you have passed a unique studio on I-12 in Holden where over 350 talented craftsmen and women apply their trade. This studio infuses science through a highly engineered process to fabricate a product used to protect and preserve life and property of the communities they serve.

We know the studio as Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. (Ferrara). Ferrara is a premiere manufacturer of fire and emergency response vehicles with a global customer base.

“We specially design our vehicles to meet the unique needs of customers,” said Amy Overheu, Manager – Human Resources Business Partner. “It is impressive to know each vehicle is a custom piece constructed locally by hand.”

Ferrara, which is now part of REV Fire Group division, has built an international reputation for manufacturing the most durable, heavyduty and dependable fire and rescue trucks in use today. Ferrara manufactures commonly recognized fire trucks like pumpers, aerials, tankers, and heavy rescue trucks. It also designs and manufactures specialty trucks such as command centers, walk-in rescue vehicles, and monster rescue trucks.

The amount of truck building knowledge at Ferrara is amazing, and the manufacturing process begins with the company’s in-house Engineering Team.

“After we hear the needs of our clients, our engineers start the planning process,” said Ferrara OpEx Leader Luke Blocker. “We have 18 engineers who work closely with the production team every step of the way. Our engineers are on the floor helping problem-solve and modify plans during the entire hand-built process.”

Taking crew safety and apparatus durability very seriously, Ferrara uses a fine-tuned manufacturing process to build the strongest fire safety vehicles in the industry. The craftmanship of the manufacturing process is team driven through an organized workflow. Each stage specializes in a specific segment of the build, and the result is a fire or rescue vehicle designed and outfitted to serve.

Since joining the REV Group in 2017, Ferrara has expanded its production capability to meet a growing customer base. In addition to growth within the Ferrara brand, the Holden facility recently welcomed a second industry recognized brand, Kovatch Mobile Equipment (KME). This expansion has provided the Holden facility the opportunity to add more than 100 design and manufacturing team members.

“We are looking for team members who are seeking a rewarding career and are eager to learn,” said Overheu. “We are collaborating with local high schools and higher education institutions to educate and train students interested in a career with a company invested in growth.”

The company offers an attractive total rewards package and on-the-job development opportunities. “Our mission is to produce the absolute best fire and rescue trucks on the market today,” said Blocker. “We know we can accomplish this by expanding our talented team with people who realize and appreciate their work saves lives.”

REV is committed to the Holden Facility and the growth of the Ferrara and KME brands. The continued expansion solidifies southeast Louisiana as home of a key player in the Fire & Emergency vehicle manufacturing industry.

Dogs and cats can start reproducing at just 6 months old. Avoid unwanted litters by having your pet spayed/neutered at the new low-cost clinic in Hammond. Located at the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services Center, the Brandywine Valley SPCA Animal Health Center offers high quality spay/neuter services with more affordable pricing.

Pour Me Something GOOD

If good bourbon is your hobby or drink of choice, the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Bourbon Raffle will make you and Mark Twain happy.

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”

– Mark Twain.

Story by Nick Gagliano | Photos by Riyen Helg

L to R: Jenni O'Neil, Erica Kelt, Maurie Wolfe Kyla Tardie, Chance Enmon, JJ O'Neil , William Sims

The second annual Mary Bird Perkins Hammond Bourbon Raffle is scheduled for April 28 with Jani-King hosting the event as one of the major sponsors.

“After last year’s Bourbon Raffle success, we are excited about this year’s raffle,” said Bourbon Raffle Chairperson Jenni O’Neil. “This is a terrific way to raise money for cancer patients who are undergoing radiation treatment.”

As a cancer survivor and Tangipahoa Advisory Board Member, O’Neil is passionate about helping other cancer patients.

“Radiation treatment is five days a week for a number of weeks. There are expenses that many people do not realize that are not covered by insurance. The proceeds from our raffle help us cover some of these expenses for our patients.”

Last year’s raffle raised an amazing $78,000 and the funds were used in Tangipahoa Parish to provide transportation help for 600 patients; 2,000 nutritional supplements; 100 mammograms; and 60 therapeutic food pantry boxes.

The idea of a bourbon raffle was hatched when O’Neil and Destin Sims were discussing fundraising opportunities. Destin said her husband, William, just purchased tickets to another bourbon

raffle so Jenni thought this may work. She then set out to investigate the possibilities.

“I knew nothing about bourbon when we started. The more I learned about the different bourbons and bourbon enthusiasts, the more I knew we could have a successful raffle.”

Jenni’s first contact was Blake Hebert with the Louisiana Bourbon Club. Blake was a valuable resource in helping the raffle move forward.

The next stroke of luck came when John Exnicios heard about the raffle and donated a number of bottles of bourbon he recently purchased when he bought a full bar at an estate sale. One of the bottles in his donation was an aged Old Fitzgerald Bourbon. Little did anyone know that bottle was worth thousands of dollars.

When this word got out to bourbon collectors around the country about the Old Fitzgerald Bourbon and other highend bourbons in the raffle, the event exploded.

“Our goal was $50,000, and three days before the raffle we had collected $48,000. In the final three days, $30,000 in raffle tickets were purchased.”

Over 3,000 tickets were sold, and tickets were bought from bourbon lovers in eighteen states from California to Connecticut.

The raffle concept is simple. Tickets are $20 each and you can purchase as many tickets as you want for each bottle of bourbon. The photo of the bottle along with a description is posted on the raffle’s website. Then on the day of the raffle, one winning ticket is drawn for each bottle.

Last year, because of COVID restrictions, the raffle was shown live on Facebook and then Jani-King paid for all shipping costs for the raffle winners. This year Chance Enmon has graciously agreed to host the live raffle along with the Facebook stream for out of state ticket purchasers.

“Everyone at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center appreciates Chance Enmon and his crew at Jani-King. We know Chance is committed to helping our community and we know he throws a great party!”

Now is the time to purchase your raffle tickets as the event is a few months away.

“We invite everyone to join the fun, purchase a raffle ticket and help us help cancer patients in our parish while they are facing one of their toughest struggles.”

Information can be found on Facebook at Bourbon Raffle for Mary Bird Perkins 2022.

Hammond Welcomes Elite Officers

Written by Nick Gagliano

9.

1. K-9 officers were first used in America in 1907 in New York City.

2. German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are the most popular breeds for police dogs.

3. Police dogs live with their handlers while on duty and after retirement. This means they bond for life with their handlers and will always be part of the police family.

4. Police dogs can tell the difference between identical twins. While this may fool the eyes of a human, dogs are trained to use their noses.

5. K-9s are trained to sniff out electronics such as hard drives or thumb drives.

6. Police dogs played an important role in searching for victims during the 9/11 attacks. More than 100 search and rescue dogs looked for survivors.

7. Persians, Greeks, Babylonians and Assyrians were the first cultures to use dogs with the police.

8. K-9 Officers can search an area four times faster than human beings can, and with much higher accuracy.

K-9 Dogs identify objects first by scent, followed by voice, and then by silhouette.

10. Each K-9’s career only lasts about 6-8 years.

Photos by Phillip Colwart

L to R: Lt. Quin Bivona and Bishop, Officer Miles Miller with Moose, Sgt. Kris Schilling with Roko

The Hammond Police Department is hosting an elite group of police officers in March.

Some of these officers are specially trained for narcotics and bomb detection and others are trained for patrol and apprehension.

These are the brave K-9 police dogs and their handlers who will be in Hammond March 6 – 10 for the U.S. Police K-9 Association’s Region 10 K-9 Trials.

“We are looking forward to five days of competition and recertification,” said Lt. Quinn Bivona with the Hammond Police Department’s K-9 Division. “There will be officers and their police dogs from all over the southeast United States working for recertification while competing in three divisions. These trials will be intense and challenging.”

Since K-9’s and their handlers have to be re-certified annually, the U.S. Police K-9 Association has added the competition as part of the fiveday process.

“Every dog will be rated from first to last and trust me, no one wants to be last,” Lt. Bivona joked.

As part of the process for the narcotics and bomb detection dogs, there will be several rooms and several vehicles with bomb and narcotic smelling materials. The dogs and their handlers must find the exact location and provide the information to the judges. For the patrol and apprehension dogs, the dogs and their handlers will be put through a series of tests and obstacles.

All of these competitions will be held at Chappapeela Sports Park and are open to the public to attend.

According to experts there are over 50,000 police K-9’s currently in service in our country, and the Hammond Police Department has four K-9’s working full-time.

“Police dogs are specially trained in three separate categories: bomb detection, narcotics detection and apprehension. HPD has some dogs that are dually trained in narcotics detection and apprehension.”

Lt. Bivona said when he first started on the force, Hammond had just one dog. Over the last 10 years, that number has grown to four full-time police dogs. Each dog must complete 480 hours of training before being accepted by a police department. Then the dog and handler must be recertified annually.

Today, Lt. Bivona and his dog, Bishop, show up everyday for work. Bishop serves as an apprehension and narcotics detection officer. He lives with Bivona and his family and is considered part of the family.

“Police dogs are very smart. They know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to play. Bishop loves playing with my three-year-old and Bishop lets him pull his tail and ears. I am perfectly comfortable with Bishop and my family.”

In order to make the Regional Trials a success and memorable event, Lt. Bivona wants to have a meal and entertainment each night for the participants. He is asking the community for their support.

“We will be serving meals at the Hammond Police Union Hall on Natchez Street each night. If any group or individual would like to help, provide entertainment or donate, we will appreciate it. You can call me at 985-277-5700.”

Your Skin Again

Many of us can remember when microwave ovens first became available. We were simply amazed at how fast that big metal box could heat food in seconds!

In dermatology, these same microwaves are today used in radiofrequency treatments to do the same thing—generate heat in millisecond bursts to areas within our skin that need remodeling. In areas with extra fat, such as lower lid bags, special insulated needles reach down and sizzle the fat away. For general sagging of face or neck skin, tiny needle grids are stamped on the overlying skin which produce bursts of microwaves over the entire area, leading to tightening via collagen production.

Why is this such a revolution in skin remodeling? Light waves in the form of laser energy have to beam through the top layers of the skin to reach their target,

limiting their ability to generate enough heat deep down to remodel and tighten. Sound waves in the form of ultrasound have the same problem as they burst through the skin in a less focused way. Both of these methods are typically more painful, as are some traditional radiofrequency treatments. But newer radiofrequency technology such as the Agnes and Scarlet treatments utilize special insulated needles to prevent any “spillover” heat and strictly limit the beneficial energy to the targeted layer. Picking the right type of “wave” results in little or no down time and predictable tightening and remodeling.

Come to QnA Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa to see if the amazing technology of Agnes or Scarlet is right for you!

Robert Benson, MD American Board

Certified Dermatologist Dermatological Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon

“Thank you again for your continued vote of confidence in me and our entire staff whose dedication and compassion sustain our quest for excellence .” ~ Dr. Robert Benson

PASTOR BARRY CHANCE

First Presbyterian Church

Barry has been the pastor of FPC since August 2012 having previously served a congregation in Shreveport. He also has a passion for providing spiritual nurture to adults with intellectual disabilities. He develops curriculum for Friendship Ministries and serves on the board of directors of Evergreen Life Services. Barry is married, his wife Katie teaches English at Hammond High School and they have one son.

MAKE TIME

I have a distinct memory of telling one of my mentors in high school, “I’ll do that when I find the time.” Her immediate response was “If you don’t make the time, you will never find it.” That is wisdom that I have tried to live by over the years. It is also wisdom that I have had to relearn after forgetting it time after time.

Those who know me well know that I keep my running to-list on my writing pad and a color coordinated calendar on my phone that chimes at me when I need to leave this board meeting to make it to that hospital visit on time. Those reminders keep me organized and help me keep my promises to myself and others. Those that know me even better know that when that schedule gets thrown off I can get anxious and agitated as things begin to pile up. Yes, pastors get anxious and agitated too! In fact, when those times come it is usually my spiritual life that suffers the most as I sacrifice time for prayer and meditation to make sure everything else gets done first. Of course, doing so only makes things worse until I relearn that lesson all over again.

The Fourth Commandment tells us to “Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy… for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth… but rested on the seventh” (Exodus 20:8-11).

“Remember,” I used to think, “Who could forget?” Apparently me! Which is why I started adding something new to the to-do list and the calendar: On today’s agenda is rest, prayer, or meditation! Because if I don’t make time for God, then I probably won’t find Him! When was the last time you made time for the one who made time itself?

TJ Maggio of Kajun Kountry

Johnny Chauvin

FAVORITE THINGS 5

Leah Fitzhugh has always called Tangipahoa Parish home. A proud alumnus of Holy Ghost Catholic School and St Thomas Aquinas (’93), Leah went on to graduate nursing school from William Carey (’98). After graduation she worked as a flex nurse at North Oaks for 15 years and that is where she met her husband, Malcolm. They live in Hammond with their daughters Reese (16), Riley (13) and the family’s Yorkie Rudy (9). Her passionate love for her family is intertwined in her 5 favorite things…

Traveling with Family

Leah grew up traveling with her mom.  She and Malcolm have had the opportunity to travel the world together and are enjoying sharing the same experiences with their daughters.

Supporting the Community

She currently serves as a member of Holy Ghost Church Parish’s Board and as a Eucharist minister at Holy Ghost.  She recently served on the HGS Home and School Association and volunteered for CASA for 2 years. She also supports her high school Alma Mater where her oldest daughter attends high school.

All Competitive sports

Leah’s favorite sports are obviously the ones that her daughters play, but she enjoys watching all sports. She played volleyball and ran track in high school.  She loves attending SLU events and being a part of the excitement in Hammond. She loves to run long distance events and hopes to get back into training and possibly do some more 1/2 marathons.  Her biggest health accomplishment was running a full marathon in 2015 when she turned 40.

The Outdoors

She just likes spending time in nature and enjoying the outdoors.  Leah appreciates being in peaceful woods watching deer or tending her blueberry bushes and satsuma trees. Her favorite outdoor place is on the water, and this year she marked off a bucket list item by reeling in a White Marlin in the Gulf of Mexico.

Learning New Things and Taking Chances

Leah is a registered nurse by degree but recently changed her career focus and works at her husband’s insurance agency.  She is still helping people, which is her passion, just in a different capacity. Finally, being a proud mom has provided much learning and challenge which have taught her more than she could have ever imagined, spiritually and mentally.  Mom is the accomplishment of which she is most proud!

Continued

Ponchatoula native Erica D. Williams has devoted her career to public service. Specifically, Erica has served as an Indigent Defender, providing free and reduced legal representation to the underserved and impoverished for over sixteen (16) years and particularly serving Hammond City for over twelve (12) years. She would be honored to have your vote in the March 26, 2022 election for City Court Judge, 7th Ward.

ericawilliamsforjudge.com