Tangi Lifestyles Dec. 2020/Jan 2021

Our many local businesses have supported our need for years. They’re owned by our neighbors and support local families. You may have heard a campaign we are running on Kajun 107.1, Tangi 96.5 and Boss 103.7 called GIFT OF LOCAL. This radio campaign includes our local mayors as well as our parish president and many local businesses reminding us how vitally important it is to shop locally this year by giving the GIFT OF LOCAL. We hear the same “Shop Local” message every year at about this time, but never has it been more important than now as our many merchants and restaurants try to recoup what they have lost during the Covid pandemic. This has been a strange year in so many ways but the one constant has been the support that our community gives to one another. So from all of us at Northshore Media, we ask that you join us in GIVING THE GIFT OF LOCAL this year and most importantly, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

December 2020/January 2021 Volume 14, Issue 6

PUBLISHER

Northshore Media

MANAGING EDITOR

Angela Blake

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Bolton

Eloise Cottrell

Charles Dowdy

Nick Gagliano

Blake Esta

Debi Menasco

Gabby Cox

Brian Shirey

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS

Johnny Chauvin

Tangi Lifestyles is a bi-monthly publication produced by Northshore Broadcasting, 200 East Thomas Street, Hammond, LA 70401. All rights reserved. Tangi Lifestyles is staff-produced 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.

Northshore

985.345.0060

Photo by Cheryl Schneider

On the Cover:

Phillip Colwart

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

Every good family-owned business starts with a good story. The Gulf Jani-King story starts with Tom Enmon. Jani-King and the Enmon family provide cleaning and janitorial services, and sell local franchises to individuals who would like to own their own cleaning and janitorial company. Read more about this prestigious company on page 26.

Photo by Cheryl Schneider

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

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS

Ponchatoula Farmers’ Arts & Crafts Outdoor Market

10 E. Pine, Ponchatoula • 985.386.9580 Ponchatoulacountrymarket.org Fri. 9 am - 5 pm • Sat. 10 am - 5 pm

DECEMBER

NOW thru 12/18

Fine & Functional

On view through December 18

12/5

Hammond Regional Arts Center Noon to 6 PM

2nd Annual Chili Cookoff Downtown Hammond

12/5, 6, 12 & 13

Louisiana Renaissance Festival

9:45 AM to 5 PM 46468 River Rd Hammond LA www.renfest.net

12/11 - 12/13

The Nutcracker Hammond Ballet Company Columbia Theater

Downtown Hammond

12/12

2021

JANUARY

Beyond the Proscenium January 22-Feb. 19

Opening reception: Friday, January 22 from 5-8 PM

1/11

ARTisTRY

(art classes for kids, teens, and adults)

Hammond Regional Arts Center Classes starting at 10 AM and 1 PM

2nd Annual Sweet Treats on Main Street 10:00 AM 4:00 PM

Downtown Ponchatoula Revitalization Program

12/12

ARTisTRY

(Art classes for kids, teens, and adults)

Hammond Regional Arts Center Classes starting at 10 AM and 1 PM

1/22

60th Annual

Miss Southeastern Pageant Columbia Theater Downtown Hammond

1/30

The Purple Xperience Columbia Theater Downtown Hammond

Photos by Cheryl Schneider

PERFECT Picture

— By Gabby Cox —

Cheryl Schneider specializes in capturing the simple beauties of nature and wildlife from all over the world.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, it was only 10 days after that Schneider was taken back to her parents’ home to live in the state of Kansas. Schneider and her family moved a number of places, including Louisiana, West Virginia and even out of the country to Mexico and Turkey.

Growing up with a sweet tooth for traveling, Schneider said she and her older brother developed a passion for photography at a young age. Her brother was a direct influence and mentor when it came to her love of photography and purchased Schneider her very first camera when she was 15-years-old. Being six years younger, she idolized everything her brother did. Schneider said, “He was a fabulous teacher and got me curious.”

Schneider’s passion for photography flourished into her life and is something that she still loves to do along with traveling. Schneider said that she has been to about 65 countries, and every one of them allows her art to really come to life.

“My favorite place to photograph in the whole world is Africa, and my husband Carl and I go there pretty much every year,” she said. Schneider explained that she enjoys photographing the animals in Africa and one of her favorites is the cheetah. Although it may sound frightening to some, Schneider enjoys every minute. “When I’m behind my camera, I’m never afraid of any animal,” she said.

Although Schneider said she is not fond of photographing people, she said she feels lucky to have built relationships across the world through wildlife and nature. She said, “We have met so many people from all over

“When I’m behind my camera, I’m never afraid of any animal.” – Cheryl Schneider

the world with whom we share common interests. We have made friendships that have lasted years.”

Since COVID-19 halted her trip this past year, she said her back yard became her new subject. However, Schneider wasted no time to pick up right where she left off and has already booked trips to Spain, Turkey and Africa for 2021.

Schneider plans to continue developing her art through upcoming trips and encourages young photographers to master whatever their craft is. She said, “There are people who are so extremely good with their photography that it is an art in itself.”

My favorite place to photograph in the whole world is Africa.

-

Cheryl Schneider

Fr. Reuben Dykes is a native of Covington, Louisiana. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Baton Rouge in 2015 and has served in various parishes across the Diocese. He is currently the pastor of Mater Dolorosa and St. Dominic in Independence and Husser.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

Written by: Fr. Reuben Dykes

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” While many of us are doing our best to approach life “like it was” and we know that Christmas is supposed to be a great time, we may find ourselves conflicted. Our country is plagued with division. Skepticism and distrust have become a common lens through which many of us look at things. People are still getting sick. People are still dying. And even if the virus hasn’t touched me, the restrictions have made what was already a challenging routine more challenging. I would have to pretend that life is wonderful just because of the time of the year and that’s just exhausting. Sounds pretty cynical, right? I would suggest that it has the potential to be not only the most wonderful time of the year but one of the best Christmases of our lives.

How many of us approach Christmas with the hope of being changed? I may have that goal in mind after Thanksgiving, but after Christmas I find that the most significant changes have come in my waist line and bank account. Kind of depressing. Wouldn’t it be nice to be changed in a more substantial way? How many of us live with the burden of fear and worry? Struggle with an addiction or live under the pressure of having to be perfect and all providing? What would we not give to be infused with more peace or to feel the burden of life’s pressures lifted? The reason this is the most wonderful time of the year is precisely because these gifts are possible in the One whose birth we celebrate.

It’s easy to experience the joy of the season in family gatherings, the festive décor, and music. Many of us are even intentional about prayer and worship and celebrate Jesus Christ coming to live amongst us. But when we are surrounded with so much comfort and pleasure (not that those things are bad in themselves), it’s easy to forget that the wood of the cradle in which the baby Jesus lay was ordered to the wood of the cross on which He would hang. Our Christmas routines, even when they include Jesus, can numb us to the fact that He came to save us! They can make us forget that we need saving!

It may be cliché by now, but it bears repeating. The messiness of the world right now reminds us that we need Jesus. We can’t change everything ourselves and we definitely can’t save ourselves. Jesus came not simply so that we could have a holiday and a party. He came so that we could have Him! Whether our Christmas this year looks like it does most years or it’s a far cry from what we’re used to, try putting Jesus at the center. Let the craziness in the world and the weakness in you be the manger where He is welcomed. Invite Him to change you. Let Him be the one to show you why this is the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas blessings to all!

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS QUIRKY

There are lots of possible origins for the tradition of hanging a blown glass pickle on the tree, most being German or German-American. Anyway, every Christmas Eve, I hide a pickle on our tree. When Alec and Emma wake up (which gets later and later each year), they run to the tree to find the pickle. The one who does gets to open a special gift—one that’s usually silly and that the whole family will enjoy. Last Christmas, the pickle gift, as we refer to it, was a box of fake snowballs. So the pickle tradition of 2019 ended in a massive Griffith snowball fight in the living room.

_Jackie Griffith

We dress in our Christmas pj’s and play a game where you stand in a circle and a bowl is passed around with a single dye in it instead of two dice. When you roll a 6 you have to put on a Santa hat and gloves and begin to unwrap the big box that’s in the middle of the circle. Meanwhile, the bowl is being passed around, and the next person that rolls a 6 takes the Santa hat and gloves from the person that’s unwrapping the present. Each time a 6 is rolled, the person has to stop unwrapping the gift which is a box in a box in a box and all of them are wrapped. The end result is a prize — a gift card, money, etc.

_Amy Mayeaux

Every year a couple weeks before Christmas, my mom and I get together for a day or two and bake Christmas sweets. I have a tin can that I keep my grandmothers and moms recipes in. Sometimes we have best friends that join us. It’s a day full of sugar, flour, butter, and lots of champagne. We have been doing this for years and a tradition we look forward to every year!!! We give most of it away....but the love, laughter, tears, and memories make it one of my favorite days of the year!

_Brandi R. Harris

My family always celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve because my dad and uncle were truck drivers and usually had to hit the road on Christmas morning. Mom and Dad would drive us around looking at Christmas lights after dinner. Magically while we were gone Santa arrived and left us our presents. This photo is of my dad and uncle putting together one of my gifts. They both passed in 2002 and this is one of my favorite photos of them. It perfectly shows their personalities.

_Nichole Liuzza

Every Christmas Eve, the Genco’s house turns into game show central. Family members divide into teams and the fun begins! Games include “Snowball Toss,” which is when marshmallows are thrown through a wreath and have to land in a bucket. “Best Human Christmas Tree.” A timer is set and teams must decorate their team member like a Christmas tree. “Minute to Win It Snowball Scoop” is another family favorite, as well as “Christmas Charades,” “Reindeer Antlers,” and many more. It is a fun, competitive way to celebrate after going to mass as a family..

_ Ron Genco

As the Christmas Season winds down, Lisa Hughes and Sylvia Mantia gather annually with their daughters, Megan and Natalee to celebrate the holidays with the traditional pastime of Holiday Tea in Le Salon of Windsor Court, New Orleans. For the past 20 years, the cousins have looked forward to enjoying the English tea sandwiches, the house-made scones, the Tea of Good Tidings, and each other’s company. Pictured from L-R: Teri Richardson, Megan Richardson, Lisa Hughes, Sylvia Mantia, and Natalee Mantia.. _ Lisa N. Hughes

So... a quirky thing that Watkins family does at Christmas... As our family has grown, gift purchases/exchanges have become cumbersome and complicated. Several years ago we decided on the white elephant route. We pick a theme (as many do) but our’s are family oriented. Maybe something “that was your grandparents’”. It is usually some worthless item like an “As Seen on TV” product or something that person had an odd interest in that has resurfaced. It is always good for some laughs and remembering our loved ones and their one quirks... I mean individuality.

_Lucas Watkins

Every year, my mom buys every family member SOMETHING very small and we all take a family photo with it. It is a fun ritual that we look forward to every year.

Sunglasses, red hats, etc.

_Andi Matheu

_The Gillies Gang

Every Christmas Eve after the kiddos go to bed, wifey and I snuggle in front of our fireplace and listen to Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters Christmas albumn as we savor a steaming cup of spiced tea. which we both enjoy so much!. (I like an extra pinch of cinnamon in mine)

_Marty Adams

My small family of six always celebrate Christmas together. The celebration begins with a fireworks display at Seth’s “country home” in Folsom. Followed by a traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, in the “city home” of Myles, we celebrate with an elaborate brunch of Grillades and Grits, New Orleans Style. Another dear tradition is joining my PRIDE (Positive Role-models Involved in the Development of Excellence) sisters in preparing holiday meals for the women’s basketball team and coaches who are on campus practicing and playing games.”

_Patsy Causey

This is a Christmas Memory from Christmas 2012. This is my dad, Floyd’s, family including his brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles at our annual Talley Christmas Party. We all don’t get to see each other as much as we would like but when we do get together it is a fun time filled with excitement and good memories. We have a Special Meal of Fried Turkey, Ham, and Cornbread dressing. Very similar to our Thanksgiving Meal This is one of many Christmas Memories for the Talley Family!

_ Kyle Talley

Cousin Christmas, a yearly tradition which started in 2013 when Grandma Diane Gillies was very sick. Not knowing if it would be her last Christmas, all of the cousins decided to come together and started new family tradition. No parents, aunts, or uncles would be invited, only our grandma Diane. For one night, she would be surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren to celebrate the Christmas season and end the year with great memories!

Merry Christmas from our cousins to yours!

_The Gillies Gang

From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holiday. ~ Northshore Media

Looking Ahead to a

Colorful FUTURE

Written by Gabby Cox

Talented art takes on a new level with paintings like those Gracie Babin creates. Babin is a vivacious ninth grader at Hammond High Magnet High School.

Babin’s interest in art started early after someone at Southeastern’s Lab School nominated her to the Tangipahoa Public Schools’ Talented Art Program. She has been enrolled in Talented Art Program since first grade and that has been her only formal training. Of course, her talent has only matured over time.

Babin said she always doodled as a child and found an interest in drawing and painting animals. She said, “There’s just something about animals that I love; they’re all so different and unique.” She prefers more than one picture to paint from so she can truly catch their expressions and features.

Babin currently sells pet portraits. These are personalized, custom representations of fur babies for their owners to cherish forever. She uses pictures provided to her to paint her subjects. She said, “As I am completing more, I’m just growing, and you can see my growth through different ones that I have done.”

As she has started high school, she knows it’s time to start thinking ahead. Babin has been spending her time learning and studying computer programs that aid in developing animations. “As I have gotten older, I really love drawing little characters and little designs. I really want to be an animator or an illustrator when I get older”.

Along with mastering her craft, Babin also swims and plays both the ukulele and the piano. However, she said her art is what she loves most. She said, “Sometimes it can be a job, but it is also a time when I can calm down and be myself.”

Grace with her Mom, Amber

The Heartbeat Of Loranger

JOYCE

COOPER CHAMBERS –Celebrating 99 years

When one talks about the heart of Loranger, Ms. Joyce Chambers is the HEARTBEAT. Surviving cancer and the loss of loved ones very close to her, Ms. Chambers’ strength, dignity and grace inspires so many. A 1937 graduate of Loranger High School at age 15 and double-major graduate of LSU four years later at 19, Ms. Chambers returned home to Loranger in 1941 to teach English and coach the Lady Wolves Basketball team before becoming the full-time Guidance Counselor in 1965. For 48 years, she impacted her students and colleagues, but still today, remains to be a constant pulse of Loranger and Tangipahoa Parish.

One morning in October of 1979 was one of the most nervewracking days of my life. I was just a 13-year-old girl from Nola wanting to play ball. I know she had to sense that I felt like a “ sh out of water” because from that moment on, Ms. Chambers took me under her wing. I literally was in her o ce the whole day. We had so much to talk about. She was an athlete, coach, and mentor who I felt was a Godsend. She wanted to know all about me so she could guide me in my transition. She made me feel at home, and I soon began to realize that my parents really did know what they were doing when they moved us to Loranger.

Ms. Chambers had never coached me because she had retired from coaching by that time, but from age 13 until today, Ms. Chambers has been coaching and inspiring so many in the game of LIFE. From daily tennis matches after school early on to golf rounds together in our later years, it’s all the same when you’re being taught life’s lessons by Ms. Chambers. I will forever be grateful to you, Ms. Chambers. You were my calm through the “storm” when I needed it most that day in October in 1979.

–Erin Montalbano Bolton, Loranger High School ‘83

Photo credit: Anna Billiot

Hammond Florist 115 W. Thomas St. Downtown Hammond

985.345.1313

JANI-KING — And The — ENMON FAMILY

Written by Nick Gagliano

Joining Louisiana’s Generationally Owned Family Businesses

The names of successful generationally owed family businesses in Louisiana are easily recognizable…The McIlhenney family with Tabasco; the Reilly family with Lamar Outdoor Advertising…and the Saurage family with Community Coffee.

Now there is the Enmon family with Jani-King.

Every good family-owned business starts with a good story. The Louisiana Jani-King story starts with Tom Enmon.

Originally from Orange, Texas, Tom moved here with his family when his father transferred with DuPont, to work at the new plant being built in St. John the Baptist Parish when he was eleven years old.

“During my early career, I had a number of jobs,” said Enmon. “I worked in the catalogue department at SearsRoebuck, I sold cars, industrial tools, and I even owned a clothing store for a while.”

Then one day in 1982, Tom received a call from a friend who had been working at Jani-King in New Orleans. I went to visit, and he sold me on the company that looked like a company on the rise.

“After meeting with my friend in New Orleans, I knew I wanted to be part of this growing company.”

Just like then, Jani-King has two missions. They provide cleaning and janitorial services, and they sell local franchises to individuals who would like to own their own cleaning and janitorial company. These individual franchisees work with franchisors who help the local business owner with marketing, leads, billing, collections, insurance, and other services that often take time away from operating a business.

Enmon went to work for Jani-King Corporate, in Dallas to expand the company in the United States. His responsibility was to set up Jani-King regional offices around the country and then help them set up a system to attract and support the local franchisees.

He worked in Chicago, New York, Minneapolis, Detroit, the Carolinas and many other states and regions east of the Mississippi River. In 1987, Enmon said he made 87 flights in one year and he was traveling so much his children, Chance and Casey, thought he worked at the airport.

“That was the year I left Jani-King corporate and acquired the New Orleans region as a Jani-King Master Franchisee.”

Since that time, Enmon has expanded his company’s footprint with 13 Master Franchises from Texas to Tallahassee, Florida. These 13 territoires continue to be some of the top producers in the company. In fact, the New Orleans region is the top producer in the world surpassing places like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

As time progressed and the company grew, after college his children started to take interest in the company. Chance came to work for Jani-King in 2000 and Casey 2002. As the

company grew they grew within the company as well. Chance spent most of his time focused on the external operations of the company, sales, marketing, and operations; Casey spent most of her time focused on its internal operations, accounting. administration, HR and payroll.

“My sister and I make a good team,” said Chance. “She handles all of the internal operations, and I work with our sales, operations, and management teams to ensure we provide every franchise the opportunity to be successful.”

One of their recent achievements for the company has been the design and construction of their corporate headquarters on the corner of Interstate 55 and Highway 22 in Ponchatoula.

“We are very proud of our new headquarters,” said Casey. “We started planning in 2011 and after several years of designing and thinking about our needs for today and future, we finally started construction in 2018 and completed the project in 2020.”

Both Chance and Casey feel their new headquarters is a greeting card for the City of Ponchatoula and Tangipahoa Parish.

It was important during the planning process for Casey and Chance to design a building that was both functional and showcased the culture of the company.

“When entering our building you will see open areas and spaces that make it comfortable to work. Our philosophy has always been about helping our people succeed and we feel this building does just that,” said Casey.

Jani-King currently has 31 staff members working in its headquarters with room to expand as the company grows in the next three to four years. One of the extraordinary spaces in the building is the training room. This room is designed with stadium seating and can hold 52 people at one time.

The kitchen and dining area is also important to Casey and Chance as well.

“We like to eat as a group because we feel a company that eats together stays together,” said Casey. “When there is a birthday for a staff member, we take a cake break at 2:30 so we can celebrate that special day.”

In addition to the 31 staff members onsite, the Jani-King headquarters supports over 100 Jani-King employees and 470 franchisees located throughout the Gulf Coast Region.

Shortly after moving into their offices, Jani-King like every other business in the world faced the COVID-19 virus with all its uncertainties and challenges.

“At the end of February, we hosted our annual franchisee convention in Biloxi. We had about

600 people there and Covid was just starting to be talked about,” said Chance. “Then the following week the Jani-King international convention was cancelled out of an abundance of caution and then the next week, everything shut down.”

It was during the March shutdown that Jani-King became more than a commercial cleaning service. They became a vital part of cleaning and disinfecting for front line facilities across the region.

Chance said the company had to reset its operations. They turned all of their functions inward and focused on developing the right policies, procedures and guidance for its employees, franchise owners, and customers. While they worked on resetting the organization to prepare it to fight the pandemic, one of the most glaring holes emerging were supply lines. The entire world was buying disinfectant and PPE.

They set out to buy from many sources, and many times multiple sources for weeks until they could establish a steady supply. In the meantime each of its regional offices would canvass the local market for supplies, and this was an everyday task so that they could continue to serve their established customer and franchise base.

“We immediately began researching the best ways to perform disinfecting for crucial medical offices, office buildings, schools and other public facilities. Internal meetings were non-stop because we knew we can be a key player in helping our region with the Covid 19 crisis.”

During this time, Chance and his team started working on strategies and procedures to disinfect office buildings so everyone could be as safe as possible. They used five

“We

take pride in our employees, their accomplishments and successes. Companywide employee retention

is

a focus, and we have great long-term employees. The average tenure of our local staff in Ponchatoula is almost 10 years. Additionally, we are proud of the fact that our Executive Management Team were all educated right here in Tangipahoa Parish.”

different local business offices as their training ground to see how long it would take to spray and fog a building and wipe down all touchable services to kill the virus.

“Many of our customers use our commercial cleaning services on a regular basis but the cleaning and disinfecting of light switches, doorknobs and keyboards may have been done on a weekly or monthly basis. Now we were being asked to perform this task daily, so we needed to be able to let our franchisees know how long the extra work would take.”

Once the information was gathered it was disseminated throughout the company. Word quickly spread throughout the communities that Jani-King knew what to do and their business exploded.

“Our thoughts at first was just to maintain as much of the current business as possible. We were not actively calling on new clients, but when word spread about our knowledge and procedures, we saw an influx of new customers.”

By responding to the pandemic in a timely and professional manner, Jani-King continues to see an increase in business.

Both Chance Enmon and Casey Enmon Lambert are excited about the future of their company. They are proud of the culture they have built, and they look forward to continuing the legacy that Tom built before them. They will continue to lead during this pandemic and long after it is over, and they will continue to make service their mission, and clean their statement.

Louisiana is proud of the generational family-owned businesses and now the Enmon Family can be added to that prestigious list of Louisiana businesses.

For years, nursing home care has been a reasonable solution for families needing assistance caring for loved ones. Now COVID has many second guessing their decision to utilize nursing homes and other long term care facilities. But what are the alternatives for families in need? In-home sitters are expensive and may not have the skills needed to provide proper care. If a sitter with the proper skills can be found, how can their trustworthiness and reliability be insured? If care needs increase how can a new, more skilled sitter be found? C.A.R.E. inc. has answers to all of these questions and has helped families navigate these difficult decisions for almost 30 years.

C.A.R.E. inc. was founded in 1991 in response to a social push to deinstitutionalize care for individuals with both physical and/or mental disabilities. The goal was to provide a better quality of life through care in homes rather than in institutions. C.A.R.E. inc. set out with two primary objectives. First, to care for special needs children and individuals in their own homes so they wouldn’t have to live in an institution, and second, to aid in the care of people well enough to return home from institutions.

OFFERING A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO NURSING HOME CARE

Throughout the years, C.A.R.E. inc. services have evolved to include caring for seniors who have chosen to remain in the home rather than moving into a nursing facility. Over the last decade consumers in general have come to appreciate personalized, concierge-type services. From shopping, to doctor visits, there has been a trend toward home-based services. Now, COVID has many families reevaluating the option of home-based care for their loved ones. C.A.R.E. inc. has the experience and expertise to provide the quality, in-home care expected for any family member in need.

Committed to continued growth and development as the needs of the communities change.

THE MISSION OF CARE, INC.

CARE, Inc. assists individuals with both physical and/or mental disabilities in achieving a better quality of life by caring for them in their own homes. We believe that individuals who live at home and remain active in their community maintain their self-dignity and ultimately live a higher quality of life.

James Griffith, owner of CARE, Inc., states “One of the most difficult times is when a family has decided that the parent needs care but the parent does not agree. This can be hard on everyone involved. Our experts are skilled at working with families in a favorable, non-threatening way to help alleviate those concerns.”

The process is simple. After an initial phone call, the intake process assigns a social worker to the patient. A thorough, but easy assessment determines the level of care needed. It could be as simple as a companion or a more skill-based need such as nursing care. Options include services for as few as four hours a day up to 24 hour care. Generally clients are looking for about 6 hours per day, but each situation is unique and as needs increase and decrease, C.A.R.E. inc. has the staff and expertise to expand and contract with those needs.

A frequently asked question is whether these services are covered by long-term care insurance policies. The short answer is yes. Long-term care policies do offer a daily benefit that is reimbursable to agencies like CARE, Inc.. Many people don’t realize their policy assists with this benefit. There are also federal and state programs that assist in the funding of the services. The CARE, inc. expert staff assist in this process as well.

CARE, Inc. is licensed through the Department of Health and Hospitals. As such, they are held to regulations that other companies are not. Included are background checks, on-going training, and maintaining a supervisory staff

The need for in-home care can be daunting, but it is much easier when you have trained professionals to help along the way.

that makes sure everything is done correctly. With locations in Hammond, Covington, Baton Rouge and LaPlace, CARE, Inc. has nearly 400 employees caring for 300 people daily.

CARE, Inc. has proudly served the local communities for more than a quarter of a century. Whether you’re seeking someone to simply help with errands and companionship, or are looking for around the clock assistance, they provide in-home care services 24/7. For more information please visit them at careinc.com.

Hammond Team

CP MITCHELL SPORTS PARK

A New Park in Town

— Written by: Nick Gagliano —

The Hammond Area Recreation District is regionally known for sports and recreation at Chappapeela Sports Park, and now, using a common baseball phrase – “They just hit one out of the park” with the opening of the new CP Mitchell Park.

“We are excited about the opportunities and future this facility will be able to offer the families on the east side of Hammond,” said Hammond Area Recreation District Executive Director Ryan Barker. “This park will serve an underserved community, and when we were researching the area, we found there were 1,100 children ages 4 to 14 in a two-mile radius. It just made sense for us to proceed and expand sports and recreation facilities for these families.”

CP Mitchell Park is located on Old Baton Rouge Highway about two miles west of I-55, and it took a team effort to renovate and refurbish the park.

Barker quarterbacked the project and recruited a team of community minded officials to make this park a reality. When he came up with the idea, he received support and encouragement from his Board of Directors to proceed. He then met and received the support from Tangipahoa Parish Councilman Joey Mayeaux and Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller to move forward with the project.

The renovation of the park began in September 2019, and one year later, the park held a soft grand opening for the community on October 24, 2020. The turnout was much larger than expected.

“We saw the potential for the park when we began, but we also saw that the park was in disarray. The park was full of pine trees and underbrush and the main building had been neglected for years.”

With the soft grand opening complete, the park will start the process of establishing organized sports and recreational sports. Plans call for the creation of tackle football teams for players 11, 12 and 13 years old along with flag football, baseball and soccer. Basketball players will be able to enjoy the courts, goals and nets in the park.

In addition to the organized and leisure sports, Barker said the main building will be the event center with concession stand and restrooms. Families can lease the Event Center and during the week, the event center will be used for an afterschool program for students aged 6 to 10. One group will be 6 to 8 years of age and the other group will be 8 to 10 years old.

Leisure activities will also have a place in the park. There will be a walking and jogging trail around the six-acre park. For the younger age group there will also be playground equipment which was purchased with a $15,000 grant from K-Boom. Security will be provided by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the park will be open from 9 am until dusk every day.

“Over the years, we knew this part of the parish was recreationally underserved. Transportation was always an issue, but now there are two miles of new sidewalks so families and players can safely walk or ride their bicycles to the park and avoid the heavy traffic on Old Baton Rouge Highway.”

The Hammond Area Recreation District is responsible for more than the Chappapeela Sports Complex. The citizens and businesses inside the district pay a property millage each year to fund the entire district which now includes Chappapeela and CP Mitchell Park.

“I am proud to be a part of this worthwhile endeavor, and I’m proud of our Board who had the vision and confidence in our team to renovate and run a new sports park in the Hammond area,” said Barker. “At the end of the day and when the clock hits zero, it’s all about the kids, and that’s how we will measure our success on and off the fields.”

Hammond’s CITIZENS ACADEMY

Hammond Police Department, Chief Edwin Bergeron Jr., and Mayor Pete Panepinto would like to introduce, a first of its kind to this area, Citizens Academy.

The Hammond Police Department’s Citizens Academy will be led by Reserve Captain Jim Richardson and Reserve Sgt. Steve Amos.

“Captain Richardson and Sgt. Amos are retired members of Hammond Police Department who have come back to Hammond Police Department as volunteers to help the Hammond Police Department reach some of the goals and initiatives I have set out to accomplish.” said Chief Bergeron. Capt. Richardson and Sgt. Amos bring a combined total of over 80 years of law enforcement experience and knowledge.

The Citizens Police Academy is a civilian training program established to provide members of the community with a background and understanding of Hammond Police Department policies, procedures, and daily functions.  Familiarity with these principles is the key to understanding the actions and reactions of police officers in our community. The Citizens Police Academy seeks to improve police/community relations through educating the public about police work. “Often times an officer’s actions or lack of action is misunderstood by the general public. We hope that this training will bring clarity to the question of ‘why’”, said Chief Bergeron.

The 6-week program condenses the Hammond Police Department’s Officer Training Program allowing Hammond citizens the opportunity to gain a finer understanding of the skills and abilities that a police officer brings to the community partnership.

Each session will address key Hammond Police Department initiatives through lectures, videos, roleplaying events, tactical exercises, and workshops led by Certified Police Instructors. “We will also have guest instructors from some of the Department’s Specialized Units. They will bring their unique perspective of their job to the classroom.” said Captain Jim Richardson.

Curricular coursework touches on Patrol Operations, Criminal Investigations, SWAT Training, and much more. Attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the academy, as well as CPR Certification.

For more information, or to apply for the Hammond Police Department’s Citizens Academy, please call the Hammond Police Department Training Center at (985) 277-5751. Registration is limited, and classes are expected to fill up quickly.

Citizens Academy Details:

Duration:

Six Weeks January 21st – February 25th (One Night per week) Times: 6 – 10 PM (may vary depending on topic)

JANUARY 21, 2021

Orientation:

Introductions and questions & answers. Hammond Police Department Standards and qualifications, Legal Issues in Law Enforcement, Constitutional law, Juvenile Division Operations & Corrections Operations

January 28, 2021

Patrol Operations, Traffic Division, Criminal Investigations, & Crime Scene processing

February 4, 2021

Narcotics, Street Crimes, K-9 Division, & S.W.A.T.

February 11, 2021

CPR/First Aid

February 18, 2021

Training House Scenarios and Roll Play

February 25, 2021

Self Defense and Defensive Tactics, Graduation

Wishing You Holiday Cheer!

Tangi Taste

1THE CADILLLAC OF WINGS

Coop DeVille 1750 W Thomas St I Hammond 985.419.2667

2 THE CADILLLAC OF WINGS Cena; Hammond 123 S Cate St Hammond 985.662-3222

3 A SLICE OF HEAVEN Commodore’s Pizza 2008 Demarco Blvd. Hammond 985.345.9726

Sandy Summers’ 5 FAVORITE THINGS Sandy Summers’

Sandy Summers is well known and respected in many local business and community circles. Originally from Plaquemine, Louisiana, Sandy moved to Tangipahoa Parish in 1996 to attend SLU where she met her husband Eric, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance then her MBA. She worked at SLU’s Small Business Development Center for over 17 years before accepting her current position of Technology Recruiting Manager with SLU’s Workforce Talent Initiative in the College of Science and Technology. Through her work she has assisted countless business owners and helped students navigate their paths to success. Helping others succeed is the best part of her work life, but aside from that, we wanted to share her 5 favorite things…

CHURCH – Faith and involvement with her church ranks #1. Though Covid kept her from attending normal services for over 6 months, she stayed connected to her church family of First True Love World Outreach Ministries in Ponchatoula through video services. From high school (community traveling choir), through college (gospel choir) and still today (Praise Team), she has a passion and talent for singing and sharing God’s word through song.

GIRL SCOUTS – Scouting has been an incredible mechanism for Sandy to spend time and grow with her daughters Layla (14) and Macie (11). Their experience with Troop 31018 has connected them with girls from 1st – 10th grades, from Amite to Ponchatoula. It has been fulfilling seeing her daughters and other troopers gain confidence and learn life skills through scouting.

HER BACK PORCH – “I love my back porch!”. Her screened back porch is HER place for reading a book, hanging out with the family, eating lunch, listening to music, watching TV, grilling and occasionally working. The solitude and peace and quiet it provides is the most treasure

HER SORORITY – She began her journey with Delta Sigma Theta as an undergrad at SLU. The sisterhood, scholarship and service that drive the organization are an extension of Sandy’s natural personality. She remains active in the North Tangi Area Alumnae Chapter whose 5 point thrust engages economic, educational, political, physical/mental health and international aspects of our community.

THOSE SUMMERS GIRLS – Sandy was raised to prioritize Faith and education and she instills those same values in her daughters. While balancing those priorities she encourages cautious curiosity as she instills “The sky is the limit.” Exploring and experiencing new things is realized though scouting, beach trips and destinations such as Great Wolf Lodge.

*62% of U.S. small businesses reported that they need consumer spending to return to pre-COVID levels by the end of 2020 in order to stay in business.