Tangi Lifestyles April/May 2022

April/May 2022 | Volume 16, Issue 2

APRIL

22 - 24

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

6:30 - 8:30 PM- Mike Broussard & Night Train

9:00 - 11:00 PM - Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

1:30 - 3:30 PM 61 Suns

4:00 - 6:00 PM - 900 West

6:30 - 8:30 PM - Bottoms Up

9:00 - 11:00 PM - Ivory White

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

12:00 - 1:00 PM - Nick Perkins

1:30 - 3:30 PM - Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition

4:00 - 6:00 PM - The Dominos entertainment line-up

Festivals! Parties! Vacations! Life went from slow to breakneck speed so quickly. Everywhere we look there’s activity and something to do right here in our backyard. This issue of Tangi Lifestyles features lots of folks out and about doing good things in this community. From a local entertainer who offers a platform for aspiring musicians, to a young man sharing his positive outlook on life with young people, to the celebration of two high school basketball state champions – we have so much to be proud of.

As we get out and enjoy all that our parish has to offer, please remember our local businesses. Recent years have shown us the importance of local businesses and what they provide to our community and way of life. Our area will continue to thrive if we all remember to buy local, be local and always promote local. That is what we try to do every day at Northshore Media Group through Tangi Lifestyles Magazine and our radio stations, TANGI 96.5, Kajun 107.1, Highway 104.7 and Boss 103.7fm/1400am. In addition to shopping local, we hope you will listen local.

Finally, we encourage our readers to always send us ideas for local stories. The mission of this magazine is to celebrate our parish and we consider all suggestions. Share with us what you think is great about our parish so we can share with our neighbors. Send your ideas to publisher@tangilifestyles.com We also encourage readers to send us pictures to be included in our “Seen and Heard” section to events@tangilifestyles. com. We hope you’ll enjoy this issue and that you have a great spring 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

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

April/May 2022

Volume 16, Issue 2

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.

PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Hammond has grown to be an important and vital component of the comprehensive healthcare our community can offer. The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Mendez leads a 140-person team of experienced, dedicated, sympathetic and empathic medical professionals. Learn more about this life-saving hospital on page 8.

Cover photo by Johnny Chauvin

APR MAY

2022

APRIL

4/1-2

Northshore Arts in Bloom Downtown Hammond northshoreartsfoundation.com

4/1-28 Fleur-essence, presented by the New Orleans Art Association

Opening reception: Friday, April 1 from 5-8 p.m. Hammond Regional Arts Center www.hammondarts.org

4/ 2-3

Pirates of the Pontchartrain Louisiana Renaissance Festival Grounds lapop.net

4/ 8 - 10

Strawberry Festival Memorial Park, Ponchatoula

4/16

Southern Style Muddbogg 56136 Loranger Rd, Loranger 985.878.9343

4/6-9

Bill Evans Jazz Festival Columbia Theater • columbiatheater.org

4/22-24

Italian Festival Tickfaw Festival Grounds

On-Going

FIRST FRIDAY OF MONTH

Gospel Music Fest

13101 Hwy, 442 W., Tickfaw 985.974.0507, mvmgoodnews.com

EVERY SATURDAY

Hammond Farmers Market

APRIL

4/23

Tickfaw River Regatta for TARC tarc-hammond.com/tickfaw-river-regatta

4/23 & 24

Bo's Extravaganza

John Schneider Studios, Holden

4/27

Tangipahoa Professional Women Luncheon Hammond Event Center • tangipw.org

4/ 27-28

The Phantom of the Columbia: A Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Columbia Theater • columbiatheater.org

4/30

ARTisTRY Classes (teens/adults)

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

4/29 - 5/1

St. Joseph's Fair St. Joseph's School, Ponchatoula

4/30

Denham Springs Spring Festival Denahm Springs Antique District

4/30 — Pinch Me World Championship Crawfish Competition

POSTPONED

Riverside Marina, Springfield • 985.256.8309

MAY

5/7 — 5k Purple Run Mother’s Day Brunch Low Road Brewing facebook.com/5kPurpleLLC

5/6- 6/17

The Pelican State Goes to War: Louisiana in World War II

Opening reception: Friday, May 6 from 5-8 p.m.

Hammond Regional Arts Center www.hammondarts.org

5/14 — ARTisTRY Classes (kids) Hammond Regional Arts Center 10 - Noon • www.hammondarts.org

5/14 — Riff Ridgel Crawfish Cook-off 11 - 4 • Tickfaw Festival Grounds

5/21 — ARTisTRY Classes (teens/adults)

Hammond Regional Arts Center 10 - Noon • www.hammondarts.org

5/25 — Tangipahoa Professional Women Luncheon

Hammond Event Center • tangipw.org

5/31 - 7/28 Summer Reading Program Tangipahoa Parish Library www.tangilibrary.com

103 E. Robert St. Hammond 8 am-12 pm • Facebook.com/hammondmarket

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 -5 • Sat.10 - 5

2ND TUESDAY

Grief Support Group

LN Hughes Funeral Services • lnhughes.com

Amite Chamber Monthly Luncheon Mike’s Catfish

TangiLifestyles.com

Providing Exceptional Long-Term Health Care

Written by Nick Gagliano | Photos by Johnny Chauvin

As the Tangipahoa Parish medical corridor continues to expand, PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Hammond has grown to be an important and vital component of the comprehensive healthcare our community can offer.

PAM Health Specialty Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Mendez leads a 140-person team of experienced, dedicated, sympathetic and empathic medical professionals.

“We take the sickest of the sick, and our goal is to help our patients achieve the best medical outcome possible,” said Mendez.

PAM Health Specialty Hospital is part of the Traverse Health System with 60 hospitals nationwide and five other Louisiana hospitals. The Hammond Hospital is a 40-bed long-term acute care hospital, and Mendez and his staff provide 24-hour nursing, respiratory, nutritional services, therapy, and wound care to patients that need acute medical care.

“Our job is to provide outstanding clinical care and customer service which allows our patients to transition to the next level when clinically appropriate.”

Most of PAM Health Specialty Hospital’s patients stay between three to four weeks before they are well enough to be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital, nursing home, or their personal residence.

PAM’s reputation for positive outcomes as a long-term acute care hospital has grown over the past several years. Today,

patients come to the Hammond hospital from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Jackson, Mississippi area and all over southeast and middle Louisiana.

This hospital was the first LTACH hospital in the state to accept a COVID-19 patient that needed long-term ventilator and respiratory care at the beginning of the Pandemic. PAM Health Specialty Hospital played a critical role in helping to relieve some of the stress on the local hospitals.

Mendez credits his staff with the growth of the hospital. His team are active participants in planning and recommending recovery plans prior to the patient arriving at the hospital. Bridget Gillies, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Integration is the key staff member who leads the process.

She and her team of clinicians meet with the patient, the patient’s family and physician to ensure the plan of care is well documented and well planned.

“We have a great relationship with North Oaks Medical System, the Veterans Administration Hospital and Clinics, area nursing homes, physicians and home health care agencies. Bridget and her team work extremely hard for the benefit of our patients,” says Mendez.

While all of their patients receive exceptional care, military veterans get some extra attention. Each year for Veterans Day, the veterans in the hospital receive special recognition, a veteran’s gift basket and a steak dinner. PAM Health Specialty Hospital also sponsors the annual community Veterans Day Breakfast.

PAM Health Specialty Hospital participates in the community as well. The hospital is a member of the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce, and their staff works with the Richard Murphy Hospice House, cooks for the Southeastern Baseball Team, and volunteers at local elementary and high schools.

If you feel a family member would benefit from the medical services at the hospital, or if you have specific questions and would like a tour, you can call the Admission’s team at (985) 902-8148 or visit their website at www.pamhealth.com. The hospital’s physical address is 42074 Veterans Avenue in Hammond and they accept most major insurances, Medicare, Veterans Administration Insurance and Workmen's Comp.

“We are proud to be part of the local healthcare community, and we look forward to continuing to be a vital healthcare facility for families in Tangipahoa Parish and Southeast Louisiana,” Mendez boasted.

CONDITIONS TREATED

Amputation

Brain Injury

Cardiopulmonary Conditions

Lymphedema

Neurological Disorders

Orthopedic Conditions

Stroke (CVA) Wounds

Respiratory Failure

SPECIALTY SERVICES AND TREATMENT

Hemodialysis

Pulmonary Services

Vent Weaning

Telemetry Monitoring

Complex Wounds

Infectious Diseases

Multiple Intravenous Therapies

Post - OP Complications

TPN and other

Nutritional Interventions

Catastrophic Injuries

Pain Management

On-Site Pharmacy

Vital Stim

Bariatric

CRYSTAL BONEY

Lead Pastor

The Mission Church

themission.org

Sundays 8:00 | 9:30 | 11:00

The Mission Church

41347 W I-55 Service Rd Hammond, LA 70403

Empathy

"Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge... is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding." Bill Bullard

In a world riddled with the effects of people's assumptions about others and the labels we so freely place on others, what we need most is empathy. When it comes to people and what it is they may be walking through, we either assume we know all the facts, or we lean the total opposite direction and tend to think we have to have all the answers. We feel we must know how to fix the problem, or we can't be of any help, so we in our simple minds self diagnose, only creating an even greater problem. Empathy, however, is simply stepping away from our own emotions, what we think, what we feel and our one sided opinion, to view things entirely from the perspective of the one who is hurting. It's allowing our lives to be briefly interrupted for the betterment of another, only to find out in the end it was the quality of our own lives that were improved. We don't have to have all the answers, we just have to be willing to love someone right where they are and choose to walk with them through the pain. What would happen if we fought as hard to understand as we do to disagree? If we chose to inquire rather than assume or diagnose? Regardless of what your methods have been in the past, tomorrow is a new day full of opportunities to love someone through their pain.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."

Romans 12:15-16 NKJV

Local educators and business people lace up their boots for a thrilling hands-on experience

Mid-January of this year, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, hosted a group of 34 educators and media from Louisiana and the Miami, Florida area to participate in an Educator’s Workshop. Locally, counselors and teachers from Ponchatoula High School and Covington High School participated as well as Northshore Media Group’s Brian Shirey. The experience provided the attendees with an in-depth snapshot of what life is like for a Marine Corps recruit, and what an experience it was!

Normal Marine Corps boot camp is 13 weeks of intense warrior training. For purposes of this workshop, teachers and media were exposed to a two day sample of the life of a Marine recruit and culminated with viewing the graduation of 6 recruit classes.

OORAH! OORAH!

Brian Shirey recounts, “The first morning began at 5a.m. with breakfast. Then after a short bus ride we were ‘greeted’ in traditional recruit fashion by a DI (Drill Instructor) storming onto the bus (just like in the movies), ordering us to proceed to the infamous ‘yellow footprints’ which every enlisted Marine has lined up on since the 1960s. Once we were lined up, we were further ‘welcomed’ with the traditional inspirational ‘greeting’ of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor (just like in the movies).”

Participants spent the next two days, learning to march in formation and “sounding off” as their DIs escorted them across Parris Island. The days were jammed packed with activities which included touring the Squad Bays (barracks), chow (eating) with recruits, IT (exercise), viewing recruits’ morning exercise regimen, touring the Parris Island Museum, experiencing the Confidence Course, walking through the gas chamber, firing M16s, touring the air base, climbing the repelling tower, observing the traditional Family Day Ceremony, and touring the infamous Crucible! They also spent time with the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Brigadier General Julie L. Nethercot and her staff to discuss the operation of Parris Island and its role in the Marine Corps as a whole. The General’s presentation was very interactional with the teachers. Many questions were answered about how young men and women can serve and participate in the many short and long term benefits offered through service in the Marine Corps.

The experience culminated on Day 3 with the observation of a formal Colors Ceremony before the awe-inspiring graduation ceremony where the group had the honor of observing six recruit classes celebrate their transformation into United States Marines. In three short days, this group of educators and media gained an awesome experience which could never be booked through a travel agent. Additionally, they brought back to their community first-hand information to help our young men and women make informed decisions as they consider service to our country.

“The Marine Educators workshop was an eye-opening experience that allowed teachers to directly participate in some of the same challenging activities that transform young inexperienced recruits into well-trained interdependent Marines in just 13

weeks!” Daniel Scheer Ed.S., Secondary Science, Covington High School.

“This was an awesome experience that provided a better understanding of what it takes to be a Marine Corps recruit. I am now much better prepared to guide my students in their post-secondary pursuits. I highly recommend this experience to any high school educator” Denise Latour, NCSC, School Counselor Ponchatoula High School.

For more information about becoming an influencer for the Marine Corps or the Marine Corps Educators Workshop, visit https://rmi.marines.com/influence or www.mcrc.marines.mil/ Outreach/Workshop-Home/. You can also contact Sgt. Danielle R. Prentice, RS BTR MAC, Danielle.prentice@marines.usmc.mil

We've Got Talent 'Round Here! OPEN MIC NIGHT

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines | Photos by Riyen Helg

To say Jim Braun is enthusiastic about music would be an understatement. “I am not a musician, and I don’t play. When I sing in the shower, the water stops. It’s really bad,” he jokes. But he’s been working with and around musicians for over four decades.

“I wanted to promote the wealth of talent that’s in this area, and provide a platform for artists to be able to put their music out,” Braun says. “A lot of these people around here can’t get their stuff on the radio. And now we have a platform where they can get their music heard every week. That’s what this whole thing was about all along, just trying to promote the local scene, and bringing the world to Louisiana.” He’s done that through his weekly ‘Round Here Entertainment radio show produced by Daydreams Recording Studios in Loranger for the past two years.

He warms to the subject, and it’s easy to see the passion he has for sustaining live music opportunities. “It has blown

up into an international thing. The pandemic hit; we couldn’t bring people into the studio, so my kids got me doing this Zoom thing. And when people found out, we started getting calls from all over the world. Now we’ve had people from Canada, France, and Australia. We do local artists, unsigned and signed artists, and we’re doing national and international artists now. We’re on three stations now. It’s pretty huge, it’s overwhelming, you know. I’m very humbled about it and honored to be able to do it.”

“I’ve been doing this for like 45 years now,” he continues. “I’ve been touring with different bands including Wayne Toups, since I was young. I hooked up with a major act and went out on tour, and it just took off from there. Then I started a company, and we were doing a lot of shows. We had to get insurance and all that and my insurance guy said, ‘Man, every time you come in here, you come in with some off-the-wall thing,’ and I said that’s what I’m changing the name to.”

Off-The-Wall Productions does stage rentals, PA rentals, and sound and promotion for bands. They have recently partnered with Pappy’s Stowaway Café in Ponchatoula to produce a weekly open mic night to showcase local performers.

“We’ve been searching, trying to find venues for these artists,” Braun says. “Callie [Hines] calls me, and come to find out, she owns Pappy’s Stowaway Café. She said it was a dream of hers to have a place that people could just come and hang out and play. And then boom, it happened!”

The first open mic night was held in January and continues the third Thursday of every month from 7:30 to 9:30 at Pappy’s Stowaway Café at 365 West Pine St., Ponchatoula.

“If a lot of artists are there, we let it run a little longer,” he says. “We’ve had great success with it. The first one, we had 13 or 14 artists come up and play.”

Those interested in learning more can connect with Jim Braun at offthewallproductionsllc.yolasite.com or find Off The Wall Productions and ‘Round Here Entertainment' on Facebook.

2022 Graduates

to all of our Seniors in Tangipahoa Parish

These last few months have been trying for all of our graduating seniors, and we are still proud of your accomplishments and resilience. Good Luck in all your future endeavors.

www.tpso.org

Sign up online for our free Summer Reading Program! www.TangiLibrar y.com READ MORE!

MAY 31–JUNE 2 Yuck Show

JUNE 7– 9 JoJo the Magician

JUNE 14 –16 Johnette Downing

Tangipahoa Parish Librar y is bringing you an ocean of fun activities! Enjoy weekly programs for all ages, in branches and online, while reading to reach your goals and earn prizes. Visit www.tangilibrar y.com for a complete program listing.

RE A D TO ME AGES BIRTH –Read to your child or have your child read to reach goals, receive prizes and earn raffle tickets to win special prizes.

CHILDREN

Read to reach goals, receive prizes and earn raffle tickets to win special prizes.

JUNE 21–23 Dinosaur Experience

JUNE 28 –30 Sheryl Faye

JULY 5 – 7 Wow O’Clock

JULY 12–14 Shana Banana

JULY 19 –21 Lady Chops

JULY 26 –28 Animal Tales

Saturdays in JUNE and JULY Kim’s Pony Carousel

TEEN

Read to reach goals and receive prizes. Earn raffle tickets to win special prizes.

A DULT +

Submit book reviews for raffle tickets to win a

Track yo u r m i n utes!

Track your minutes read, from anywhere! Go to our website and follow the link to the Summer Reading Program or download the Beanstack App!

June 6 – to –July 29

June 6 – to –July 29

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

June 6 – to –July 29

register online: southeastern.edu/roomiesreccamp

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

$140 weekly fee

Extended care available!

$140 weekly fee

$140 weekly fee

Extended care available!

Extended care available!

For more information or to register online: southeastern.edu/roomiesreccamp

Includes breakfast, lunch, snack, crafts, games, culinary opportunities, and a T-shirt!

Includes breakfast, lunch, snack, crafts, games, culinary opportunities, and a T-shirt! online: southeastern.edu/roomiesreccamp

Includes breakfast, lunch, snack, crafts, games, culinary opportunities, and a T-shirt!

For more information or to register online: southeastern.edu/roomiesreccamp

A Match Made in Heaven

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines

When Jennifer and John met, it was magic, they say. While the match was truly meant to be, it’s not the typical love story.

“The reality is, Chris Slinker is the one who put the Preferred group together,” John explains. “Later on, he approached me because they had interest in the Hammond market.”

John Exnicios is Managing Partner of the Hammond Division of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred, REALTORS®. The ownership partners also include top producing Realtors® Stephanie N. McKeough, Cory Oubre and Katelyn Pfister. They are forward-thinking leaders from diverse backgrounds making them highly respected in the community and among other Realtors®. Their energy attracts clients as well as other like-minded agents seeking to join them in elevating their careers.

Jennifer Rice is Managing Partner and Luxury Collection Specialist for the region.

They are enthusiastic and supportive when they speak of each other, with true admiration for the quality of work each has achieved. “Part of the pull for me,” John says, “was just knowing her and her success as being consecutively in the top three agents across the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) doing luxury [properties.]”

“I don’t ever want to be the smartest person in the room,” he continues. “For my growth [professionally], that was a big pull to be aligned with someone [like Jennifer].”

Jennifer is quick to jump in, “Well, thank you very much! But for me, I looked at John’s style and his brand, and I thought, he’s doing everything right. I love this guy!” I said, “You have to come to Berkshire. John has the style that I like, it’s really clientbased. You’ve got to give back to the community, and John was really involved [in that]. He just stood out. And it’s been a really good partnership. John wants to grow, and that’s our goal,” she adds after a pause.

Photos by Phillip Colwart

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred, REALTORS® prides itself on knowledgeable local expertise to help guide clients to the best possible home and community for them. John and Jennifer are no exception.

“There is an authenticity to the Northshore,” Jennifer says. “It’s always going to keep its charm, and that’s what’s so attractive about it. It’s close to New Orleans, but communities here have kept their authenticity.”

John agrees, “A number of the people that I grew up with have moved here. And I constantly run into people that have come up for the weekends to enjoy the farmers market, the restaurants, maybe go to Gnarly Barley Brewery, and do things that are like a mini vacation.”

Their priority is client satisfaction, and they say the love story continues to the client relationship. “If you have happy clients, success follows,” Jennifer says. “It’s just so important that you always have the client’s interest at heart. If you continue with that promise, put their needs first, you will be successful.”

The Preferred network of seasoned agents has locations on both sides of the lake, as well as throughout the Gulf Coast region, which focuses on collaborative efforts and adopting new technologies to best serve their clients.

“We’re embracing a different way of doing business,” John says. “We’re the perfect mix.”

Those interested in connecting with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred, Realtors® on the Northshore can visit BHHSPreferredRealtorsNOLA.com.

Whether you're looking to outfit your company, find the perfect swag for your special event or fundraiser, thank your clients or recognize employees, our team is here to help Something Great Together! LET'S CREATE

SWAG PROM APPAR SIGNA BRAND

Trust.

The festivals in South Louisiana are returning. The music, the energy, the diverse collections of people, joy multiplying in revelry. Music has the extraordinary ability to join a people together who may have nothing in common except that moment. Whether at a festival, in a worship service, a funeral, sharing dinner on the patio with live music, etc….music can break down our human categories of separation and establish new lines of trust between people.

Coming off of our joyous Mardi Gras celebrations, we prepare for the spring festivals about to flourish all over south Louisiana. And yet this joy is in stark contrast to the heartache many around the world know and are experiencing. It’s a lack of peace that dries up joy like rain water from a summer shower on the hottest of summer days. It’s a lack of peace in Ukraine, political turmoil in our country, the rising cost of basic necessities, instability of employment, uncertainty in our communities. This lack of peace is breaking down trust all over our world.

I heard someone say, “Trust is built brick by brick but turned off like a light switch.”

We see the rubble of structures we once put our trust in. The demolished bricks of institutions and organizations we once believed in. Now we me might say “I don’t’ trust…the authorities, the administration, the institution, that company, that church…”

The lack of trust breeds hesitation giving way to contempt. Contempt ignites frustration collecting anger sending people to war with one another.

It happens between individuals, between families, between companies, between political parties, between nation states. The continued erosion of trust expands the lack of peace like a wedge in our divided lives.

The Christian church prepares to celebrate Easter, the Holy season in which we give thanks for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. There are many interpretations of what this means. An interpretation is that Jesus lived, died, and resurrected so that we know of a love with the capacity to heal a divided people. His life is a song showing us how grace mends the hearts of people who don’t know how to trust any longer.

Rev. Drew Sutton is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hammond. He is married to Elizabeth Sutton, pictured, and father of Willow (5), Gregory (2) and Shepherd (7 months). You'll find him and his family most evenings running or riding bikes around Southeastern's campus.

The cross is a symbol of how human distrust can take simple elements of wood, nails, mockery and try to destroy life. Yet, love has the power to overcome our distrust, our fears, our contempt, our anger. Love transforms the symbol of distrust into a symbol of hope for all people. That forgiveness can overcome our lack of peace and begin to restore trust between a divided people

As the world struggles with a lack of peace, may we hear a new song that heals our hearts so that we might trust one another, might forgive one another and might dwell in peace instead of a pathway to war.

There’s an old Negro spiritual that says, “over my head, I hear music in the air, there must be a God somewhere.” May that music lead us to trust and find peace in our world.

Balancing Work And Play At Professional Heating and Air

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines | Photos by Johnny Chauvin

You may recognize James Barras and his family -- wife Angelica, seven-year-old Adalene, and four-year-old Sterling -- from the Hammond Ballet Company. “We were in the Nutcracker,” he says. “My whole family was in the Nutcracker this past year. This is our second time doing it.”

Barras has run Professional Heating and Air in Hammond for a decade and has over fifteen years of experience in the industry. “I was always a hard worker. I've always been very entrepreneurial. And I knew through sheer will and determination I could learn it,” he says. Barras, who studied air conditioning at Delgado, says in the early days he would even bring his textbooks to work. A decade into it, he knows

exactly how long the company has been in its current location, “I built the building at the same time that we had Adalene. I have pictures of her in her carrier on the slab.”

“We do heating and air conditioning,” he says. “When I first came here, you would just call a guy: I got an A/C guy. Who's your A/C guy? But we're a professional company. We train our service guys on communication.”

“I could probably give you a 10-minute course, and you could test your own capacitor,” he continues. “But when you go to a customer's house, you have two broken things. You have a broken air conditioner and a broken customer. The customer is frustrated: they're hot, they know they're about to spend money they don't want to, and so you have to know how to deal with the customer, also. Our guys do a full health report on every system. That way, when we're done, the client has a full report that says either nothing is wrong, or this is what caused the failure and we found this

other stuff. If you want us to fix that while we're there, we can. If you don't, that's fine, too. But you know the health of your system. It leads back to customer service.”

Barras likes to balance work and play to keep his team feeling connected both as a company and with the community.

“We do a lot of things together at this company, the main one being the Hammond Rotary Christmas parade. We start planning and plotting around September. Everybody pitches in. The day of the parade, we all get together and hang out and eat, and it's a good time.”

“The Christmas parade is a competition for us. I don't know if it's a competition for everybody else in town. And I don't know if they know that it's a competition, but it's definitely a competition for us!” He says, “this will be the third time we've won.”

“We are an open book company with our people. We actually had our company meeting. I went over all our numbers for last year, explained the financials to everybody. I try to educate my employees on what it costs to run a business. I find a lot of people don't know how to manage their money very well. And so, I try to help my team here learn to budget.”

The company also hosts barbecues, has monthly breakfasts, and prioritizes fun as a team. They even have a company mascot, a little black dog called Gerald.

You can contact Barras and his team at Airpro.me.

Cole Catalano PAY ATTENTION! Blessings Abound

Written by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines | Photos by Phillip Colwart

Cole Catalano has been part of St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School for a decade, but he counts it as nine, “including COVID, I don’t count that one.” His love for the school where he’s Advancement Director is clear. “And I coach baseball,” he adds.

“I wear a lot of hats. Advancement is raising money. But I do whatever the school needs. That’s pretty much what I’m here for.”

You can tell he means it beyond just a job description.

“In the summer of 2017, I was having a little bit of equilibrium stuff, tingling in my tongue and fingers. Finally, one of my students was like, Coach, you’re slurring your words. Sure enough, I had an MRI, and the doctor said, Hey, you have a mass in your brain.”

Just thirty years old when diagnosed, Catalano, 34, is now married with two children. He says again and again, “I’m very blessed.” His family has been there every step of the way, and he appreciates each moment.

He also credits the school with keeping his spirits up throughout his journey.

“St. Thomas Aquinas has been so supportive and integral. Courtney Silewicz and Grace Gambel were always checking on me, things like that. It means a lot, especially when I first got diagnosed.”

“It was something I was blown away with,” he says, humbled by the outpouring of support and prayers. "They helped me with a GoFundMe page. You get so much over the years, and all of a sudden it gets depleted because you have doctor bills. But Coach Tony Robichaux said, 'turn this test into a testament.' And that’s the way I look at it.”

He has a lot of 'little sayings,' as he calls them; pieces of wisdom collected over the years that he shares readily.

“I’m two and a half, almost three years out of chemo. I’ve been very blessed to take every day as it is. I always told my students, take life as it is every day. Don’t take nothing for granted. Sure enough, I gotta practice what I preached.”

"It was a bittersweet decision to leave the school. When I first got diagnosed, the kids were like, 'Hey, you hit, Coach! And I said okay. I’ve been doing it all my life. And I was missing by a good foot and a half. It was very tough for me to say, I’m not up to doing this for 10 more years. I just don’t feel like riding a clipboard is enough.”

His message for his students: “I want them to realize life goes by so quick. They only got one life. Live it and hold nothing for granted. Be the best version of yourself. Because it takes so little effort to be a nice person.”

“It’s unfortunate the world we live in right now is a little chaotic. But step away from social media. If you make yourself better, you could make someone else better. And maybe they could make somebody else better.”

He is full of hope for the future, “I’m very privileged because of the things I’ve experienced. I don’t look at it as, oh, I got cancer. Look what it allowed me to be! I wake up every morning, and I’m so blessed. These kids and these co-workers gave me a reason to get up and go to work every day. And that’s important.”

His next chapter will be working in his family’s restoration business.

amite Lady Warriors

2022 class 5A State Champions!

An International Coach in Our Midst

Written by Nick Gagliano | Photos by Phillip Colwart

The International Baccalaureate Program at Hammond High Magnet School is well known for its success in the classroom. There is another international component at the school that many do not know unless their daughter is a member of the Tornado Softball Team.

That international component is Head Softball Coach Treshan McDonald.

“I absolutely love being part of this school and coaching the Tornado Softball Team,” said McDonald.

A native of Canada, McDonald has the national and international coaching credentials you normally see at the collegiate level.

Here is how she got to Hammond.

McDonald was on the Canadian National Team and a high-level softball travel team in high school. When her team was playing in Buffalo, New York, the Texas A & M softball coach contacted the tournament officials for names of players who had potential. Since this was before internet videos for recruiting, McDonald’s name was sent, and she was recruited by phone to play for Texas A & M.

After her playing days, McDonald coached for a few years at A & M and then landed the assistant coach position at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. The following year, she was elevated to head coach.

McDonald’s teams were nationally ranked for five years and went to the Softball College World Series in Oklahoma.

During the off-season, she continued to coach the Canadian National Youth Softball Team and coached them in the Summer Olympics. McDonald also worked with the International Softball Association and traveled to Africa and Europe to develop new softball programs and create grassroot organizations to grow the sport.

After 17 years at UNLV, it was time for a program change. She left UNLV on good terms and was hired to coach the Chinese National Team.

“That was a complete culture shock for me,” said McDonald. “The living conditions and coaching with interpreters was nothing I had ever experienced. It was a huge challenge.”

She didn’t let those roadblocks deter her coaching instructions. McDonald had two Chinese interpreters.

“The language barrier was perplexing. One day I would give a long explanation and the interpreter's sounded like a short explanation. The next day I would give a short explanation, and the interpreter would go on and on. I could only hope the message was the same.”

After a few seasons, McDonald returned to Las Vegas and received her middle school teaching degree. During the school year she taught and coached high school softball, but in the summer, she traveled to Europe to coach and develop international players.

Five years ago, McDonald moved to St. Tammany Parish and wanted to teach in that school system but could not find a job. She heard of a job fair in Tangipahoa Parish, and while meeting with then Hammond Eastside Principal Stephen Labbe, he told McDonald he did not have an open position, but Hammond High Magnet School did and they even needed a softball coach.

She went and met with Mrs. Shelly Gaydos for the teaching position with no intention of coaching softball.

“Mrs. Gaydos talked about the open positions, but she always circled back to coaching softball. I said fine, check my credentials and let’s touch base in a few days.”

Mrs. Gaydos contacted former ULL and LSU coach Yvette Girouard about McDonald. Coach Giourard said you should have hired her yesterday!

McDonald was hired to teach Special Education and coach the softball team.

“Coaching and teaching at Hammond High School has been a wonderful experience. Our softball players have heart and are very coachable. These girls play because they love the sport and the companionship of being on a team.”

Today, McDonald works with the Sports Medicine component at the Magnet School. She realizes the lessons in the classroom can help these students in their path to a sports medicine career.

As for her international softball coaching, McDonald will travel to Greece later this year to coach the National Greek Softball Team.

“The language barrier was perplexing. One day I would give a long explanation and the interpreter sounded like a short explanation. The next day I would give a short explanation, and the interpreter would go on and on. I could only hope the message was the same.”

NABOR Making A Difference

Written by Nick Gagliano

“Our 800 member organization can make a positive impact when we work together to help others who need our help.”

Realtors make a difference in our community. They help new homeowners…they help people wanting to sell their home… they work to improve the quality of life for our community.

The Northshore Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) is a great example of realtors working to make Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Washington Parishes an even better place to live.

“Our members want to be part of the community where we live, work and worship,” said Joe Mier, President of NABOR. “Our 800 member organization can make a positive impact when we work together to help others who need our help.”

This year NABOR has designated the Fuller Center in Tangipahoa Parish, Habitat for Humanity in St. Tammany Parish and Hope House in Washington Parish as their charities.

Mier said his organization has announced the three nonprofits this year that they will be helping with internal

fundraising and NABOR will be announcing additional fundraisers for the general public at a later date.

Last year, the NABOR designated charities were LynHaven in Tangipahoa Parish and Food Warriors in St. Tammany Parish.

In addition to the designated charities, local realtors can always be found helping in local schools, churches, and other non-profit organizations.

Mier said his association is also wanting to spread the word for a state program that helps low to moderate income homeowners who have fallen behind in mortgage payments as a result of the pandemic.

“The state of Louisiana has set aside funding to help bridge the gap for families severely affected by COVID-19. Grants up to $25,000 are available for eligible homeowners.”

For more information on the Northshore Area Board of Realtors, please visit their website at www.nabors.org.

Largest Free Festival in the State!

Friday, April 8, 2022

12:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

12:00 Rides, Food, & Game Booths Open

PONCHATOULA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

5:00-7:00 Clay Cormier – SouthStage 5:15 Royalty Introductions – NorthStage

5:30-7:30 Chase Tyler – NorthStage

7:45-9:45 Souled Out – SouthStage

8:15-10:15 Category 6 – NorthStage 10:30 FESTIVAL CLOSES

Friday, April 8, 2022

12:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

Friday, April 8, 2022

Saturday, April 9, 2022

12:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

9:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

12:00 Rides, Food, & Game Booths Open

5:00-7:00 Clay Cormier – SouthStage

9:00 Rides, Food, & Games Booths Open 9:30 Parade Starts Downtown

5:15 Royalty Introductions – NorthStage

11:00 Royalty Introductions – BothStages

5:30-7:30 Chase Tyler – NorthStage

11:30-11:45 Egg Toss – NorthStage

7:45-9:45 Souled Out – SouthStage

11:45-1:45 Dirty Works – NorthStage

8:15-10:15 Category 6 – NorthStage 10:30 FESTIVAL CLOSES

12:30-2:30 Lindsey Cardinale – SouthStage

Sunday, April 10, 2022

6:30 Strawberry Strut Registration

7:30 Strawberry Strut

9:00 Church Service – NorthStage 10:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

10:00 Rides, Food, & Games Booths Open 10:30 Strawberry Strut Awards – NorthStage 11:00-11:15 Egg Toss –11:00-1:00 Katie Kenney – SouthStage 11:30-12:45 Will Vance – NorthStage

Sunday, April 10, 2022

6:30 Strawberry Strut Registration

7:30 Strawberry Strut

12:00 Rides, Food, & Game Booths Open

5:00-7:00 Clay Cormier – SouthStage

5:15 Royalty Introductions – NorthStage

5:30-7:30 Chase Tyler – NorthStage

7:45-9:45 Souled Out – SouthStage

8:15-10:15 Category 6 – NorthStage 10:30 FESTIVAL CLOSES

Saturday, April 9, 2022

9:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

Sunday, April 10, 2022

1:45 Parade Winner Announced –NorthStage

1:45-2:15 Strawberry Eating Contest – NorthStage

Saturday, April 9, 2022

6:30 Strawberry Strut Registration 7:30 Strawberry Strut

2:15-4:15 Nashville South – NorthStage

9:00 Church Service – NorthStage

9:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

3:00-5:00 Waylon Thibodeaux – SouthStage

10:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

5:45-7:15 Peyton Falgout Band – SouthStage

9:00 Rides, Food, & Games Booths Open

5:30-8:00 The Dominos – NorthStage

9:30 Parade Starts Downtown

8:00-10:00 Parish County Line – SouthStage

11:00 Royalty Introductions – BothStages

11:30-11:45 Egg Toss – NorthStage

8:30-10:30 Louisiana Spice– NorthStage 11:00 FESTIVAL CLOSES

11:45-1:45 Dirty Works – NorthStage

9:00 Rides, Food, & Games Booths Open

9:00 Church Service – NorthStage

12:45-1:30 Strawberry Eating Contest – NorthStage 1:00-3:00 Ryan Foret – SouthStage 1:30-3:30 Amanda Shaw – NorthStage 3:30-5:30 Tyler Kinchen – SouthStage 4:00-6:00 Phunkey Monkeys – NorthStage

10:00 FESTIVAL OPENS

6:00 FESTIVAL CLOSES

10:00 Rides, Food, & Games Booths Open

10:30 Strawberry Strut Awards – NorthStage 11:00-11:15 Egg Toss – NorthStage

11:00-1:00 Katie Kenney – SouthStage 11:30-12:45 Will Vance – NorthStage

12:45-1:30 Strawberry Eating Contest – NorthStage

1:00-3:00 Ryan Foret – SouthStage

1:30-3:30 Amanda Shaw – NorthStage

10:00 Rides, Food, & Games Booths Open

3:30-5:30 Tyler Kinchen – SouthStage

10:30 Strawberry Strut Awards – NorthStage 11:00-11:15 Egg Toss – NorthStage 11:00-1:00 Katie Kenney – SouthStage 11:30-12:45 Will Vance – NorthStage

*Schedule times and events are subject to change.

12:30-2:30 Lindsey Cardinale – SouthStage

1:45 Parade Winner Announced –NorthStage

1:45-2:15 Strawberry Eating Contest – NorthStage 2:15-4:15 Nashville South – NorthStage

4:00-6:00 Phunkey Monkeys – NorthStage 6:00 FESTIVAL CLOSES

12:45-1:30 Strawberry Eating Contest – NorthStage 1:00-3:00 Ryan Foret – SouthStage 1:30-3:30 Amanda Shaw – NorthStage 3:30-5:30 Tyler Kinchen – SouthStage

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Jimmy TRAVIS'

FAVORITE THINGS 5

Tangipahoa is home to Jimmy Travis. Born and raised in Kentwood by his patents Leroy and Dorthey, Jimmy is the youngest of 5 children. He graduated from Valley Forge Academy (’84) then from SLU with a degree in accounting (’89). After graduation he worked as an agent with Louisiana Probation and Parole while simultaneously serving as a Reserve Deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s office. In 2001, he went to work with the Louisiana Attorney General’s office as an investigator. In 2004 Jimmy became the Accreditations Manager for the Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff’s Office which he did until 2020 when he transitioned to Chief of Operations. Law enforcement is obviously his passion, but aside from that, we were curious his 5 favorite things…

HIS GRANDSON

Born in January 2021, Jimmy’s grandson Jude lives in Zachary with Jimmy’s son Brandon. Jimmy’s top favorite thing is playing with puppies at the park with Jude as he is just learning to walk.

EATING GOOD FOOD

Jimmy likes to eat and is a fan of good food of all types. From Kentwood to Manchac, he brags on the many restaurants in the parish and contends that there is no other parish with the quality and variety of food available here.

TEACHERS COOKING

Having dated a schoolteacher, Patty Benton, for over four years, he has a fond appreciation and respect for what he describes as a “noble and underappreciated profession.”

Whether its competing in one of our area’s many cookoffs, volunteering to cook for a fundraiser, or simply cooking at home, he finds cooking to be relaxing and rewarding.

SERVING

Jimmy’s career and personal time have been dedicated to service. From volunteering, to performing his job duties in times of need, serving his neighbors rounds out his list of 5 favorite things.

Pictured: Sarah McCarley, Kristi Moody, Sandra Martin

Calling all Tangipahoa citizens to join Love the Boot!

Governor John Bel Edwards and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser are working in unity with Keep Louisiana Beautiful to address the litter problems in Louisiana. But, we need your help and the help of all citizens.

Two ways to Love The Boot —

Love The Boot Week

April 18-24, 2022

Love the Boot Week is dedicated to cleanup and beautification events in all 64 parishes across our great state. Locally there will be events in Amite, Kentwood, Ponchatoula, and Hammond.

4th Saturday Cleanup Pledge

The fourth Saturday of every month in 2022 is “Love the Boot. Don’t Pollute Day.” Pledge to participate on a monthly basis and clean up your neighborhood. After each cleanup, please submit a Cleanup Pledge Report so we can track your progress.

For more info and to register visit keeplouisianabeautiful.org/love-the-boot/