July-August 2017 Issue of Inside Northside Magazine1707web

450

$

PONTCHARTRAIN YACHT CLUB • NORTHSHORE’S FINEST • TERRANCE OSBORNE • WATERCOLOR

JULY-AUGUST 2017 VOL. 32, NO. 4

July-August 2017

Publisher

Vol. 32, No. 4

Lori Murphy

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor-in-Chief Anne Honeywell

Senior Editor

Managing Editor

Editorial Intern

Jan Murphy Leah Draffen Rebecca Perrette

Contributors are featured on page 14.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Art Director

Graphic Designer

Brad Growden Jennifer Starkey

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Business Manager

Senior Account Executives

Jane Quillin Poki Hampton

Candice Laizer

Account Executives

Lisanne Alack

Barbara Bossier

Jonée Daigle-Ferrand

Amy Taylor

Susan Wormser

Advertising Coordinator

Margaret Rivera

Barbara Roscoe

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Advertise phone

(504) 934-9684

fax (504) 934-7721 email sales@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contribute Please send items for Inside Scoop to scoop@insidepub.com.

Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to peek@insidepub.com. Submit items for editorial consideration to editor@insidepub.com.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the cover

Contact

mail P.O. Box 6048

Metairie, LA 70009 phone

(504) 934-9684

fax (504) 934-7721 Artist Mel Moncada Swamp People Find more on page 16.

website www.insidenorthside.com

Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email subscriptions@insidepub.com

INSIDE NORTHSIDE is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copy­right ©2017 by M & L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside Northside Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.

contents table of

page 32

page 80

page 58

Features 16 Of Nature and Art Cover Artist Mel Moncada 32 River View at Indian Point

The Reese Home

40 Ahoy, Mateys!

Pontchartrain Yacht Club Sails Into Its 50th Year!

50 2017 Northshore’s Finest 58 Life on Wood

Artist Terrance Osborne 86 Watercolor Rendezvous

The Peterson Home

Business & Leadership page 86 8

Inside Northside

64 William Wainwright, Ph. D.

Chancellor, Northshore Technical Community College

contents table of

page 56

Departments 12 Publisher’s Note 14 Contributors 22 INside Scoop 30 IN Other Words

What’s a Hipster?

38 Wine Cellar

Spanish Red Wines

48 Traces

40 Years of Volunteers

The Junior League of Greater page 78 Covington

56 Traces

Beyond the Classroom Christ Episcopal School’s 95 INside Dining Wilderness Education Program 99 IN Love & Marriage

76 Traces 101 INside Peek

Oh Baby!

Featuring Baby & Me of Mandeville’s

Meet the Artists Party 35th Anniversary Women IN Business Luncheon 78 Flourishes Seersucker and Sazeracs Extraordinary gifts Gurney Games and home accents Northshore Community 80 INside Look Foundation’s 10-Year

Beach Needs Anniversary 92 At the Table

Al Fresco is Not My Best Friend page 106

10

Inside Northside

106 Last Bite SWEGS Kitchen

Come Sail Away

by Lori Murphy

The clanking of the lines against the masts of boats in the harbor is one of my favorite sounds. My dad had us on boats—sailboats, motor boats, catamarans—my whole life. The sailboat my parents owned when I was little was a wooden beauty named the Aloha. She gave me my sea legs! We spent hours in the NOYC slip wiping down the decks with teak oil, coiling the lines like he learned to do in the Navy. He would call us his crew, and we loved every minute of it.

When Dad went through a motor boat phase, we all switched gears. My younger brother, Brad, named that one the Agua Boat! It took us to the Tchefuncte River to learn to ski; it took us shrimping in the lake and cruising along the lakefront and West End. But, unlike sailing, you could hardly hear yourself think!

It was at the Boat Show in the ’70s that Dad fell in love with the Sea Otter, a 36-foot catamaran that would become our favorite playground. I learned how to navigate for races; we would go on the lake practicing “coming about” and tacking for the wind. It was a great place for us to spend time together with family and friends. The layout of the Sea Otter allowed plenty of friends to join us, which made trips to Augie’s Delago even more fun. Some sailing trips literally left the dock, went around the point and swung into the Augie’s dock space. It was a maneuver we practiced often, because nobody wanted to pull in looking sloppy!

Since losing my Dad in 1982, memories on the water are even more valuable to me.

The Ponchartrain Yacht Club (see page 40) is where my daughters learned to sail. The staff offers lessons for all ages—and learning to sail should be on everyone’s bucket list!

12

Inside Northside

Contributors Our contributors give Inside Northside its voice, its personality and its feel. Here we are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

Anthony “Chopper” Leone Northshore freelance photographer Anthony “Chopper” Leone’s passion for picture-taking began with a gift as a teenager—his first Brownie camera. With 60 years of photographic experience, his collections portray his world travels, but at home Chopper focuses his lens on his town, Madisonville. A community activist, he serves on the board of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum and is a charter member of the Tchefuncte Lighthouse Committee. His image of the lighthouse has been selected by the State of Louisiana for a new license plate design. Proceeds from the numbered plates will benefit restoration of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Chopper’s photo of the Madisonville 4th of July parade is on page 22.

Shauna Grissett

Becky Slatten

Webb Williams

Shauna Grissett grew up in New Orleans and graduated from St. Martin’s, the University of Virginia and the Fashion Institute of Design’s one-year fashion design program. She worked in New York’s roughand-tumble garment industry for over sixteen years before returning home. Shauna has been writing a fiction book based on her former life on Seventh Avenue for the past few years. When not writing or working on community endeavors, she is busy taking care of her beloved 13-year old English Bull Terrier, who has more “people” than J. Lo. Shauna’s article on artist Mel Moncada is on page 16.

Becky Slatten is a native of Natchitoches, an LSU alumna, the mother of three children and a newlywed.

She divides her time between the northshore and New Orleans, writing for both Inside Northside (since 2007) and Inside New Orleans. Becky loves telling the stories of people and events unique to the area and puts her own twist on topics in IN Other Words— in this issue on page 30.

In this issue, Webb Williams brings his unique style to writing about the Pontchartrain Yacht Club on page 40. Inside Northside readers have enjoyed Webb’s “voice” since 2002; he adds humor and warmth to tales of history and stories featuring interesting characters. After serving in the Air Force, Webb decided to become a writer. He learned camera, lighting and audio on his own to prepare for a career in advertising. Formerly Popeyes’ national creative director, Webb works as a freelance advertising copywriter/ producer.

14

Inside Northside

Other Voices: Gretchen Armbruster, Leah Draffen, Tom Fitzmorris, Candra George, Linda Gibson, Thomas B. Growden, Poki Hampton, Bill Kearney, Mimi Greenwood Knight, Rebecca Perrette and Eric Suhre.

Of Nature and Art Cover Artist Mel Moncada

THIS MONTH’S COVER ARTIST, Mel Moncada lives deep in the Piney Woods of Lacombe, his home set far back from the street, almost completely concealed by an un-cleared lot in front. Both painter and environmentalist, Moncada draws his inspiration from the pinewoods and bayous of south Louisiana, so his off-the-beaten-path address is no surprise.

However, navigating the gravel driveway through the overgrowth of vegetation in high heels to reach his front door is a complicated undertaking—I should have taken his instructions more seriously: “Wear practical shoes, because I really do live in a forest!”

Turns out, my once-in-a-decade commune with Mother Nature was well worth the trouble because Moncada’s unique perspective on how art plays wingman to environmentalism is thought provoking.

Not only is he a talented painter, but he is fervent in his life’s mission—the conservation of nature 16

Inside Northside

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Shauna Grissett

through his craft. “Like the writer, I believe the artist’s responsibility is to communicate to others through his art. I’d like others to be more cognizant of how we affect our environment by changing the way we live in it. I encourage everyone to consider a simpler existence by living in our world without destroying it.>>

the structure and planting additional tree and shrubs to help soften the impact of the construction.” The substance of Moncada’s work brings to mind the famous naturalist, Henry David Thoreau, who lived and died a century-and-a-half before, 1817–1862.

Walden, Thoreau’s masterpiece, was a reflection upon living in natural surroundings, and it presaged the modern conservationist movement.

Although Moncada’s subject matter had become 18

Inside Northside

more concentrated on environmental messages over the years, it was a felled tree from Hurricane Katrina that led to his current process/painting technique: acrylic paint on wood. He explains, “After Katrina, I must have lost about 100 trees on my property. I thought I had them all cleared, but there was still one dead tree left. I couldn’t believe it! So, I had the tree cutter come back out and cut it down.” The landscaper wanted to charge extra to haul the cut-up tree away. Instead, Moncada instructed him to place the logs in a back corner of his property. The artist continues, “Time went by, and the firewood started to fall apart and the rings of the tree began to separate into these thin veneers. I broke these pieces up and looked at them closely. I began to see human forms in the wood, and they started to create themselves, almost magically.” Moncada carves the pieces of tree

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

This is the message I want to convey.”

An artist for over fifty years, Moncada has explored many different mediums and various subjects; examples of his large body of work are displayed throughout his light-filled house: oil stilllife pieces, watercolors, portraits and ink drawings.

But more and more, the work has become focused on Moncada’s personal message about humankind’s effect upon the environment in which we live—more specifically, coming precariously close to ruining the natural world around us. In paintings such as The Last Tree on Earth, Industrial Nightmare and Lifeless, he depicts, respectively, towering figures pondering over a tiny tree in a barren wasteland, a factory-scape with plumes of smoke that become the sky and a sea of block-like industrialized buildings in a desert-like world with tiny people dwarfed by the edifices. In an artist’s statement, Moncada says, “Singularly small changes may be simple ones, but collectively they can be huge. Consider when building our cities and homes conserving as much of the natural environment as possible by removing only the trees in the footprint of

bark into the shapes he envisions and then places them into the scenes of his paintings. Once he paints the sculpted pieces, the wood really comes to life.

The first painting to evolve from the fallen tree was Swamp People, which is our cover. In a statement by the artist, he says, “The paintings Swamp People, Choctaw and Baton Rouge were inspired by my living in a pine forest near the bayous of southern Louisiana. One January morning, I came out of my home and looked through the foggy pine thicket. In the brush between the huge trees, I imagined Native Americans moving through the forest. I blinked again, only to realize I had only imagined this image.” Many of Moncada’s works are inspired from dreams or mental pictures: “The images come in through my eyes and flow out through my hands. For me it’s almost magical.”

Moncada has great respect for the Choctaw, and

Native American peoples are themes to which he often returns in his paintings. “The Native American culture could teach us many things. One lesson we should learn is to live in our environment without destroying it. The Native Americans passed the land on to us, unblemished. I hope that we can be as good custodians of the land as they were.”

Like the Native Americans, Moncada feels a strong connection to Mother Earth, and the relationship between his work and nature are closely intertwined. It’s as if the three—Moncada, the natural environment and his art—form the points of an equilateral triangle and work together in unison.

He explains his theory of art working alongside the natural world: “Millions of years ago, prehistoric man (caveman) saw some wild animals where he lived. He was so excited about what he saw that he >> July-August 2017 19

wanted to express himself. But there was no written language. The man took the image he saw with his eyes and went into the cave, picked up a piece of chalk and let the images come out through his fingers onto the cave wall.

Man’s first recorded communications were the images he created through art. Drawing is a natural way to communicate with others.”

Moncada’s love for art began at the young age of ten when a family friend gave him a set of oil paints. An artist, his friend taught him how to draw and paint. Moncada continued his artistic education at Delgado Community College, where he studied architectural drawing and then, later, took fine art classes in the evening after work.

However, the reality of providing for his wife and three children motivated him to take a job with Shell, and he spent 35 years there. For the first half of his career at the petroleum company, Moncada worked in the graphic arts department; the second half, he supervised construction in Shell’s building.

Now retired, Moncada spends as much time as possible doing what he loves—painting. He says to me, his eyes lighting up, “Art is fun! Everyone can draw and paint!” His enthusiasm for art and conservation is persuasive, and I feel energized as I face my drive back to the city. We say our goodbyes. After my time with Moncada, the overgrown vegetation surrounding the gravel driveway that I am once again confronted with now looks like verdure.

A selection of Monconda’s art can be found at Armbruster Artworks School, 501 N. Columbia Street, Covington. Pieces are also available through his shop on Etsy, LOGOHOUSE1, etsy.com/shop/ LOGOHOUSE1. For more information, email logohouse1@aol.com.

20

Inside Northside

July-August 2017 21

INSIDE

the definitive guide to northshore events and entertainment

July Day Celebration recognizing those who have served and continue to serve. Live music by Supercharger and

ogdenmuseum.org.

1-August 4 Olde Towne Arts Center 2nd Annual Summer Exhibition. 2055

Lakefront, Mandeville. Picnics allowed

Second St, Slidell. Reception, June 30,

beginning at 10am; music, 4pm.

7-9pm. Wed-Friday, 12-4pm. Free. 646-

cityofmandeville.com.

4375. myslidell.com.

of James Michalopoulos. Ogden I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e

St, New Orleans. (504) 539-9650.

Peace of Cake, fireworks and more.

1-16 Waltzing the Muse: The Paintings

22

Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp

1-Oct 8 Jim Steg: New Work. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll

photo: ANTHONY “CHOPPER� LEONE

1 Light Up the Lake. An Independence

Madisonville’s Old Fashioned 4th of July July 4 Madisonville’s Old Fashioned 4th of July. Parade, beauty pageant, fun run, kids games, contests, prizes and food.

Tchefuncte riverfront, 2-10pm.

Fireworks at Ballpark, 8:30pm. 8459824. madisonville4thjuly.com.

Cir. noma.org.

1-Oct 8 New at NOMA: Recent Acquisitions in Modern and Contemporary Art. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. noma.org.

1-Oct 8 Regina Scully. Japanese Landscape: Inner Journeys. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. noma.org.

>>

July-August 2017 23

Inside Scoop 1-Oct 16 The Georgian Collection at M.S. Rau Antiques. 630 Royal St, New Orleans. (504) 2245132. rauantiques.com.

1-Dec 2 Storyville: Madams and Music. The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St, New Orleans. Tues-Sat, 9:30am-4pm. Free. hnoc.org.

1-Dec 17 Giants of Jazz: Art Posters and Lithographs

Marine Corps Band New Orleans. City Park. 6pm. neworleanscitypark.com.

4 Go 4th on the River. Dueling barges fireworks show on the historic downtown New Orleans riverfront. go4thontheriver.com.

4 Independence Day at the Museum. Jefferson Chorale to play at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, 11:30am-12:30pm; and the New Orleans Concert Band

by Waldemar Swierzy from the Daguillard

of 70 members to perform patriotic favorites at the US

Collection. The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533

Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. National WWII

Royal St, New Orleans. hnoc.org.

Museum, 945 Magazine St. 2-3:30pm. (504) 528-1944.

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Camellia City Market. East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 1808 Front St, Slidell. 8am-12pm. camelliacitymarket.org.

nationalww2museum.org.

4 Madisonville’s Old Fashioned 4th of July. Parade, beauty pageant, fun run, kids games, contests, prizes

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Covington Farmers Market.

and food. Tchefuncte riverfront, 2-10pm. Fireworks at

609 N Columbia St. 8am-12pm. covla.com.

Ballpark, 8:30pm. 845-9824. madisonville4thjuly.com.

covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Mandeville Trailhead Market. 9am-1pm. mandevilletrailheadmarket.com.

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Abita Springs Farmers Market. 12-4pm. townofabitasprings.com.

3 Happy 3rd of July. Fireworks and music by the

24 Inside Northside

4 4 on the 4th. Four-mile run in Covington.

15thstreetflyers.com.

5, 12, 19, 26 Covington Farmers Market.

Covington Trailhead. 10am-2pm. covla.com. covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

6, 13 Lamaze Class. Natural process of childbirth,

relaxation and breathing techniques, signs and symptoms of labor, and post-partum care. Limited to

Covington. 2:30-4:30pm. 302-3285. christwoodrc.com.

13 Shop and Share with Grace from the Green Light.

20 participants. Lakeview Regional Medical Center,

Green Light is a nonprofit that feeds the homeless and

Magnolia Room, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington. 6:30-

helps to reunited them with their loved ones. Palm

9:30pm. 867-3900. lakeviewregional.com.

Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US 190 Ste.

7 Parkinson’s Support Group. St. Anthony’s Gardens, 601 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington. 1-2:30pm. Jackie Graham, 845-0015.

7-23 Saturday Night Fever. Playmakers Community Theater, 19106 Playmakers Rd, Covington. 893-1671. playmakersinc.com.

7, 14, 21, 28 “Legacies for All” Estate Planning Day.

C, Mandeville. 778-2547.

14 A Summer Night at Southport. The 10th Annual Akula Foundation Fundraiser featuring an open bar, silent auction, food and live music. Southport Music Hall, 200 Monticella Ave, New Orleans. 7-10pm. In advance, $35; at door, $40. (504) 881-0452.

14 Grapes & Grain. Food, live music and more to celebrate

Schedule a time to confirm your estate plan, which

the Northshore’s Finest honorees. Hosted by The Cystic

includes a Will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will.

Fibrosis Foundation-Louisiana Chapter. The Castine

Christie Tournet & Associates, 1795 W. Causeway App,

Center, 63350 Pelican Dr, Mandeville. 8-11pm. (504)

Ste 103A, Mandeville. 9am-3pm. $500 per basic estate

455-5194. louisiana.cff.org.

plan. 951-2177.

8 Second Saturday Evening Stroll. Downtown Covington.

6-9pm. covla.com.

13 Christwood’s Cognitive Memory Care Center

15, 16 Slidell Gun & Knife Show. Northshore Harbor Center, Slidell. Sat, 9-5. Sun, 10-4:30. Adult, $9; children, $1; under 6, free. slidellgunandknifeshow.com.

16 Bon Operatit! Third Sunday Concert Series. Christwood

Open House. Music, light refreshments and tours

Atrium, 100 Christwood Blvd, Covington. 5pm. Free.

available. Longleaf at Christwood, 100 Christwood Blvd,

302-3285. christwoodrc.com.

>>

July-August 2017 25

Inside Scoop 17 Volunteer Connections. Learned about volunteer opportunities in St. Tammany Parish through Volunteer of America’s RSVP program. Refreshments and entertainment. The Windsor, 1770 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville. 4-6pm.

624-8040.

20 Mid Mod NOLA: Modernist Block Tour in the Black Pearl. Summer cocktails and tours of mid-century modern residences presented by the Preservation Resource Center, the New Orleans Architecture Foundation and DOCOMOMI US/Louisiana. 7500 block of Dominican St, New Orleans. 6-8pm. $20-$25. prcno.org/event/mid-modnola-modernist-block-tour-black-pearl.

20-23 Feeling Hot Hot Hot. Gifts with purchase of $75 and $200. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US 190 Ste. C, Mandeville. 778-2547.

21 Sunset at the Landing. Columbia Street Landing, Covington. 6pm. covla.com.

22 Big Easy, Big Heart 5K Race.

Benefitting the New Orleans Mission.

The Trails at Fontainebleau State Park, 62883 LA-1089, Mandeville.

Registration, 7-8:30am; start, 9am. neworleansmission.org.

22 Jewel of Madisonville Gala. St. Anselm’s 10th Annual Gala and Auction.

Over 50 restaurants, silent and live auctions, car raffle, and live music by Groovy 7. The Castine Center, 63350 Pelican Dr, Mandeville. Patron party, 6-7pm; gala, 7-11pm. $50. 845-7342.

501auctions.com/stanselm.

25, 26 Safe Sitter. Two-day course recommended for 11-13 year olds who have an interest in learning some safe babysitting techniques including choking and CPR skills. Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Pelican Room, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington. July 25, 9am-4pm; July 26, 9:30am-4:15pm.

Limited to 16 participants. $75. 86726

I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e

3900. lakeviewregional.com.

28 Columbia Street Block Party.

Covington. 6:30-8:30pm. covla.com.

28 Movie Night at the Trailhead. Screening “Storks: Find Your Flock”. Mandeville Trailhead. 8pm. cityofmandeville.com.

29 Fly Me to the Moon. Music from the 1940s to Now. Dinner and Theatre at St. Anthony’s Gardens. Proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. 601 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington. Dinner, 5pm; musical revue, 7pm. Tickets sold in advance for $30 for non-residents.

605-5950.

August 1 Marisa Baratelli Trunk Show. Ballin’s LTD, 806 E Boston St, Covington. 8920025.

1-Oct 8 Jim Steg: New Work. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. noma.org.

1-Oct 8 New at NOMA: Recent Acquisitions in Modern and Contemporary Art. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. noma.org.

1-Oct 8 Regina Scully. Japanese Landscape: Inner Journeys. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Cir. noma.org.

1-Oct 16 The Georgian Collection at M.S. Rau Antiques. 630 Royal St, New Orleans. (504) 224-5132. rauantiques.com.

1-Dec 2 Storyville: Madams and Music.

The Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St, New Orleans. Tues-Sat, 9:30am-4pm.

Free. hnoc.org.

1-Dec 17 Giants of Jazz: Art Posters and Lithographs by Waldemar Swierzy from the Daguillard Collection. The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St, New Orleans. hnoc.org.

2 Life Your Spirits and Enrich Your Life. >> July-August 2017 27

Inside Scoop Transitioning to a senior living community. St. Anthony’s

includes a Will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will.

Gardens, 601 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington. 10:30-11:30am.

Christie Tournet & Associates, 1795 W. Causeway App,

Shannon Hedrick, MSW, 750-4394.

Ste 103A, Mandeville. 9am-3pm. $500 per basic estate

2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Covington Farmers Market.

Covington Trailhead. 10am-2pm. covla.com. covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

2, 16, 30 Total Joint Replacement. Interactive class discussing preoperative and postoperative care for

5, 12, 19, 26 Camellia City Market. East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce parking lot, 1808 Front St, Slidell. 8am-12pm. camelliacitymarket.org.

5, 12, 19, 26 Covington Farmers Market.

patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery.

609 N Columbia St. 8am-12pm. covla.com.

Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Magnolia Room, 95

covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington. 1-2pm. Limited to 40 participants. 867-3900. lakeviewregional.com.

3 Join Our Pina Colada Club. Gifts with purchase of $200. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, 2735 US 190 Ste. C, Mandeville. 778-2547.

4-6 Satchmo SummerFest. Presented by Chevron.

5, 12, 19, 26 Mandeville Trailhead Market. 9am-1pm. mandevilletrailheadmarket.com.

6, 13, 20, 27 Abita Springs Farmers Market. 12-4pm. townofabitasprings.com.

9 Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Support Group.

Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Magnolia Room, 95

Celebrating the life, legacy and music of Louis Armstrong

Judge Tanner Blvd, Covington. 5:30-6:30pm. 867-3900.

with over 100 musicians. New Orleans Jazz Museum at

lakeviewregional.com.

the Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans. (504) 5225730. fqfi.org.

4, 11, 18, 25 “Legacies for All” Estate Planning Day. Schedule a time to confirm your estate plan, which

28 Inside Northside

plan. 951-2177.

11 Northshore’s Finest Luncheon. Recognizing the Northshore’s Finest honorees. Tchefuncta Country Club, 2 Pinecrest Dr, Covington. (504) 455-5194. louisiana.cff.org.

12 Putting on the Glitz. Presented by the Professional Women of St. Tammany. Music, food, cocktails, silent auction and more. The Greystone, 935 Clausel St, Mandeville. 6-10pm. pw-st.org.

12 Second Saturday Evening Stroll. Downtown Covington. 6-9pm. covla.com.

15 Lafayette 148 Trunk Show. Ballin’s LTD, 806 E Boston St, Covington. 892-0025.

17 Benefits of Home Gala. Benefitting cancer patients on the northshore. Tchefuncta Country Club, 2 Pinecrest Dr, Covington. 6:30pm. marybird.org/benefitsofhome.

18 Sunset at the Landing. Columbia Street Landing, Covington. 6pm. covla.com. sunsetatthelanding.org.

19 Covington White Linen Night. Downtown Covington. covla.com.

22 The Westbank Beer Festival. Presented by NOLA

25 Columbia Street Block Party. Covington. 6:308:30pm. covla.com.

26 Ultimate Tailgate Party VII. BBQ Competition Cookoff, big prize raffle, silent mobile auction, live auction and live music by Four Unplugged. Presented by the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany benefiting the Louisiana Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Wounded War Hereos and Upward Community Services’ 4:13 program. Tchefuncta Country Club, 2 Pinecrest Dr, Covington. 7-10pm. sttammanyexchange.org. ultimatetailgateparty.org.

27 Ronnie Kole. Thursdays at Twilight. Botanical Garden, City Park, New Orleans. 6pm. $10. neworleanscitypark.com.

30 Caregiver’s Family Support Group. The group meets the last Wednesday of each month. St. Anthony’s

Motorsports Park. Unlimited craft beer samples, raffles

Gardens, 601 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington. 12–1:30pm.

for driving and riding experiences, kart track demos,

Clarke McBee, LPC, 237-3945.

food and music by The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders and DJ Brice Nice. Shuttles available from

Send your event information to

Mandeville. NOLA Motorsports Park Event Center,

scoop@insidepub.com to have it

11075 Nicolle Blvd, Avondale. 12-6pm. nolamotor.com.

featured in an upcoming issue.

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

KING SOLOMON SAID, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” But I wonder sometimes—do you think there were Hipsters and Millennials in the Old Testament?

To understand each generation, we have to look at the one before. So just how did The Greatest Generation—those men and women who survived the deprivation of the Great Depression AND fought World War II—give way to The Greatest Generation to Graduate From College And Still Live With Their Parents, aka Millennials? I have a theory.

I remember my grandparents telling unbelievable stories about the Depression.

It’s incomprehensible to imagine an entire nation literally struggling to survive, only to then go to war. But perhaps overcoming hardship after hardship is what shaped this generation into the patriotic, hard-working, frugal, resilient citizens they became. And then they had kids.

One can hardly blame these poor people for wanting better for their offspring, but they unwittingly created a domino effect for generations to come of wanting better for their kids until, in some cases, the kids have it better than the parents.

The Silent Generation came on the heels of this “Can Do” era; “the seen and not heard” were rule followers who thrived in the peaceful post WWII lull, and at least some of them preoccupied themselves with producing the Baby Boomers. The Boomers are a very diverse and interesting generation; a roughly

twenty-year span that encompassed the Korean and Vietnam wars as well as the Hippie movement—free love and psychedelic drugs. I can recall the same Southern Baptist grandparents mentioned above lamenting the state of the world circa 1972—surely the end is nigh. But a funny thing happened on the way to Woodstock. The hippies bought stocks and bonds, they got jobs and haircuts and they invested in real estate. The last of this generation created the dot. com phenomenon, and quite a few millionaires were made in the dawn of e-commerce.

And another phenomenon was born within the Baby Boom—the helicopter parent came alive.

I don’t know about you, depends on what year you were born I guess, but my parents were not my personal valets. The oneand-only time my dad brought my forgotten lunchbox to school cured me of ever forgetting my lunch again; in fact, I’d rather go hungry. My siblings and I were orbiting planets in our family, and our parents are were the sun. Somewhere along the way, the children have become the center of the universe, and now the parents orbit the soccer fields and the dance recitals.

I’m not saying it’s bad. In fact, there are countless positives associated with kids being involved in sports and activities. I can only compare it with my childhood experience of after-school dance class.

In 6th grade, I rode my bike home

What’s a

Hipster?

on Tuesday nights from Miss Gwen Reese’s School of Tap, Jazz and Ballet, and by late fall, it was dark by the time I got home. My mother has completely forgotten about that little detail now that she’s become a helicopter grandmother.

Enter the Millennials. Coddled and adored by their hovering parents, this generation is socially aware, liberally educated and, apparently, extremely sensitive. When Millennial college students feel threatened by life, they get to go to a “safe space” and color and play with Play-Doh. When my generation was in college and didn’t like what was going on in the world, we got to go to the “get over it” space and the “go back to class or fail” space. It’s not that we didn’t have opinions and emotions; it’s just that we were expected to be in control of them.

There’s a strong contingency within this new generation that thumbs its nose at their parents’ cliches and love of creature comforts. These people are known as Hipsters. I’m not completely sure I understand exactly what a Hipster is, but I asked my Millennial daughter to explain it to me and this is her brief summary: vinyl records, elbow patches on tweed jackets and pretty much anything you can buy while waiting in line to pay at Urban Outfitters. They take their own bags to Whole Foods and sprinkle their conversations with words like “organic,” “sustainable” and “responsibly farmed.”

It recently occurred to me that in 1978, a whole lot of the parents of Milennials had vinyl records, and tweed jackets with elbow patches and, though we didn’t realize it at the time, we probably ate organic vegetables. We were the original Hipsters! We were so cool our kids have tried to jack our style, and they don’t even realize it.

Maybe there really isn’t anything new under the sun.

July-August 2017 31

River View at Indian Point THE NATIVE AMERICANS who lived near the slow-moving Tchefuncte River in what is now the town of Madisonville from around 600 B.C. until A.D. 200 were hunter-gatherers. They ate mostly seafood from the abundant waters of the river, lived in teepees covered in palmetto leaves and made large amounts of pottery by coiling clay found in the river’s banks. They chose the location for its deep bend in the river, which afforded a clear view of anyone traveling up or down the waterway. It is known as Indian Point to this day, and that view is just one of reasons Dan and Deanie Reese fell in love with their property.

The only structure on the estate was a 32

Inside Northside

by Poki Hampton

2,500-square-foot cottage, built around 1970. The rest of the grounds were dotted with large trees, oak and other hardwoods and featured a showstopping lawn that sloped gently down to the river bank. The Reeses chose to keep that existing cottage, repositioning it to serve as home base for the duration of construction and eventually as guest quarters for the new home. They added a garage and breezeway onto the original structure, then set about building a 5,500-square-foot main home that sits beautifully on the property, as though the site had been waiting for such a house.

Architect Tony Cockfield and builder Michael O’Brian created a classic West Indies plantation-style >>

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

The Reese Home

July-August 2017 33

Clockwise from top: Just off the kitchen, where the cottage joins the main structure, is a breakfast room, originally part of the old house, with brick walls and richly stained heart-pine flooring; the butler’s pantry; the master bedroom dressed in Hestia Linens.

34

Inside Northside

Clockwise from top: the center hall welcomes you into the library; at the river sits a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and a dock; the dining room surrounded

by French doors; a serene

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

sitting area in the front yard.

home with high ceilings, wide hallways and luxuriously deep porches that capture the breeze off the river. Tucked into the branches of the surrounding oaks, the house has a sense of privacy and retreat while being convenient to local amenities and to the Causeway.

Dan and Deanie are people who surround themselves with treasured things. They gathered beautifully authentic pieces to let the home settle into the past. A priest’s home on the False River yielded cypress doors with glass transoms to be used for a closet and powder room. The modern convenience of video equipment storage is hidden behind reclaimed cypress doors set into a brick fireplace façade. Instances of this careful >> July-August 2017 35

curating are found throughout the comfortable home.

Wide porches of Old Chicago brick surround the home. They are lined with 9-foot-tall custom mahogany French doors positioned to catch the cross breezes of riverfront living as in days gone by. Mahogany shutters on the doors are flanked by Bevolo gas lanterns and highlighted with simple rocking chairs. The front and back porches also feature symmetrically spaced columns with large square bases and capitals, authentic to the style, well proportioned and timeless. The scale of the home is balanced by the shade of massive oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. It is at once both very grand and extremely warm and welcoming.

On the main floor, a center hall welcomes you into a library and the dining room at the front of the house.

Under the sweeping curved staircase is a baby grand piano perfectly situated to be heard throughout. The richly stained heart-pine floors and brick accents contrast with the stark white walls and light-filled windows.

The living room and kitchen open onto the back porch and overlook the lawn and the sweeping view of the river. The brick steps off the back porch down to the lawn are flanked by parterre planting beds, an elegant

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

accent to the lush natural surroundings.

The kitchen is oversized, filled with custom cypress cabinets and a large island, perfect for gathering friends around before dinner. Accented with a sitting area and fireplace, it is truly the heart of the home.

Just off that kitchen, where the cottage joins the main structure, is a breakfast room, originally part of the old house, with brick walls and richly stained heart-pine flooring. Flanking French doors have been added to marry the space to its newer setting, which gives way to a charming brick landing on the front of the house. The focal point of that landing is an immense horse trough and tumbling greenery. This vignette, like so many others found on the property, have added an authentic richness to several weddings that the Reeses have hosted at their home for friends and family.

Above: The large kitchen overlooking the sitting area.

Left: The master sitting room leads to the upstairs porches, providing a wonderful view of the river.

July-August 2017 37

Wine Cellar

by Bill Kearney

THERE IS ALWAYS A KNOWN GOAL for wine consumers to pursue wines that are affordable or at least easier on our wallet than Grand Cru Burgundy or classified-growth Bordeaux. Irrespective of our fascination with drinking great wines, finding a bargain that others can enjoy evokes bragging rights as well as a known addition to our next big wine purchase. A question that I often receive is: “What quality wines are available in the marketplace that are ‘good buys’?”

Without question, it does not take a genius to go out and spend a hundred dollars on a bottle of

Spanish wines is to recognize that the grapes we are predominately dealing with are tinto fino (tempranillo) and garnacha (grenache). While there are many wonderful and distinctive wine regions in Spain, the two with the highest quality—and not coincidentally most familiar to Americans—are the Ribera del Duero and Rioja.

The Ribera del Duero region is home to Vega Sicilia, one of the most sought-after wine labels in the world, located in the north central area of Spain along the Duero River. The predominate grape

Spanish Red Wines wine and be able to enjoy the experience. Similarly, I am often amazed at how many $100 wines exist on the shelf that really are not worth $20. I find it inspiring and even gratifying to find a $20 bottle that I know is often better than the $100 bottle.

This task is becoming more difficult than it has been in the past as more consumers of wine flock to the hedonistic pleasures we have known.

There are many great values to occupy your drinking time, though I must opine that the country presenting the greatest value ratio is Spain. While producing some wonderful site wines, Spain is far more famous for the red wines it produces. Americans generally flock to a grape varietal such as cabernet, merlot or pinot noir, which crates an easier understanding of what we are drinking. Spain produces wines based upon their regions, and there are few that are cabernet sauvignon. Yet, I encourage you to give these beautiful wines an opportunity to speak to your palate, as they will provide a variety of distinctive pleasures based upon where they are from. The first thing we should do in trying to understand 38

Inside Northside

varietal is tempranillo, which seems to flourish in the relatively flat and rocky terrain. Many producers in the Ribera will blend cabernet sauvignon or merlot to their final blend and these wines are truly world class. Other than Vega Sicilia, some of the recognizable producers from this region include Dominio de Pingus, Tinto Pesquera and Hacienda Masterio. Tinto Pesquera is unique in that they proudly produce wines using tempranillo without the blending of other varietals. The grapes are naturally stressed from growth in limestone soils and make for intense and long-lived wines for consumption. The emergence of the Ribera created a strong competition to the older and more notable region of Rioja.

With some 600 different producers, over 150,000 acres and wine production that dates back to the 13th century, Rioja is recognizable to most seasoned wine consumers. In addition to tempranillo, there is a heavy influence of grenache in the wines of Rioja. You will also find the use of grenache in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the soils are dramatically different, as are the final cuvées. The

style of Rioja wines have undergone a dramatic shift in the last 15 years.

While built for long term, some producers would hold back releasing wines until after 15 years of barrel aging. To the dismay of many, some of these wines were not substantial and lacked intensity. While it might be coincidental, this stylistic alteration occurred about the same time as Robert Parker burst onto the scene of wine rating. Without question, Rioja wines now equal their counterparts in the Ribera del Duero in terms of their power. That is not to say that they are similar, as the introduction of grenache as well as the different soil and landscape, create unique wines from producers such as Marques de Rioja, Contador, Finca Allende and Vina Tondonia.

With aging, it is not uncommon to find both intensity and finesse with wines from recognizable regions in Spain. A savvy wine buyer can find a Gran Riserva with 5 years of age for $25 that will surely create harmony in the household. Many tapas restaurants will feature different Spanish wines that you may not be familiar with.

Ask the wine steward to help you— explain what you are looking for, as this experimentation with Spanish wines will be a rewarding and slightly different experience that should enable you to try multiple things. The wines of Spain are fun and often value-based opportunities for enjoying wines not typical in the marketplace.

July-August 2017 39

, y o h A ! s y e t a M

by Webb Williams

40

Inside Northside

purchased from an elderly club member for a mere $35,303.04 in 1967 dollars. Expansion of the old club ensued until 2005.

After having been severely damaged by Hurricane You-Know-Who, the building was totally reconstructed and expanded in 2007. The postKatrina facility has become a classic model of what a yacht club should be. It is a beauty, a labor of love by the membership, who pitched in after its expansive reconstruction and did all the interior trim, painting and detail work. The long, inviting bar was planed from cypress trees that had to be cut for the expansion.

The full-sized galley turns out specialties most days for the membership and their guests. The club’s event coordinator and staff head up a fully functional event venue that accommodates 25-500 guests. The large >>

photo: YARI GHIDONE illustration: A. THOMSON

I CLIMBED THE 20 STEPS up to the beautiful Pontchartrain Yacht Club on the lakefront in Mandeville to interview three-term Commodore Ken Buhler and two-term “Mama”dore Janie Eshleman.

There is an elevator, but I wanted the excuse to do my exercise for the day.

This year is the prestigious club’s 50th anniversary. Where were you in the fall of 1967?

There were only eight sailboats berthed along the banks of Bayou Castine then. Their owners shared their passion for sailing and decided to form an organization to conduct formal races. These wavemakers were Dr. Lathan Crandall Jr., A.R. “Fred” Blossman Jr., Judge Frederick “Steve” Ellis, Pete Van Duym, Clay Prieto, Larry Thon, Paul Lawrence, Bob Boettner and Neil Sweeney. Bud Morse designed the club’s Burgee (a nautical identifying flag) that is still used today. The then-modest clubhouse was

Pontchartrain Yacht Club Sails Into Its 50th Year!

July-August 2017 41

Pontchartrain Yacht Club’s first Board of Directors.

inviting pool is not only a popular respite from the summer heat, but a learning tool for juniors when being taught how to right a capsized sailboat.

The club now has about 325 members; all but 20 to 30 are local. Most of the sailboats in the yard at Pontchartrain Yacht Club are owned by the members. “The northshore is a serious yachting community,” said Ken. “We have a lot of members who are national champions, and we have a sailmaker who’s very well respected throughout the Gulf Coast. My crew and I were North American champions in 2012, and we will pursue our title again this year. We had another crew who were national champions in 2014.”

Since the club members sail all year ’round, 42

Inside Northside

they’ve become very proficient.

Commodore Ken wants the club to focus on the sailing camaraderie, and he has programs for large and small boats to do just that. He said, “We signed up 52 new members this year when they saw how much fun sailing really is. Our focus now is to get more young people—even kids—as junior members.”

Janie quipped, “Or the senior members will have to start procreating.”

“If you want to sail, we can teach you how to sail, and hopefully, you’ll become a member. You don’t even need to own a boat. Male or female, everyone can become a sailor, and we can teach the skills you’ll need to be a good one,” said Ken. “Sailing Director Michael McKnight teaches our junior and adult members. Anytime you want to come out, and we’re having a race, we’ll get you on a boat, and we’ll teach you how to sail.

Everyone is welcome.”

Janie added, “All our sailing instructors at our summer sailing camps have to be certified

by U.S. Sailing. They’re not only taught how to teach sailing, but First Aid and CPR, too. During the summer, we have five instructors teaching

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

classes of 25 students for a total of five sessions.

It’s pretty comprehensive. It’s a very popular program, and it’s always sold out.”

Safety on the water is very important, with PFDs (personal floatation devices) required for youngsters under 17 and for all crew members during races in high-wind situations. I recalled my limited sailing experiences and how I encountered rapidly changing weather conditions on Lake Pontchartrain. Ken and Janie heartily agreed. Ken said, “Our sailing director’s primary instruction points for both adults and juniors involve safety on

the water. We prepare them for quick-changing weather that can pop up from time to time.”

The club has a massive swimming pool that Janie said serves as an instructional tool. “The instructors flip them over in the small sailboats in the pool and teach them how to deal with severe conditions. The pool is a great training ground.”

Racing is a premiere component of sailing, according to Ken and Janie. “In all yacht clubs, the members are highly competitive not only in private business, but on the open water as well,” Ken said.

“You might be my best friend, but I’m out there, you’re out there—and I’m gonna do everything I can to beat you in a race, legally. Sailing is one thing you’ll never master. There are different scenarios, different situations, every time you go out.”

One member has raced his catamaran all around the world. Catamarans are lightweight and have a lesser draft than most sailing vessels, with only a need for 2 1/2 to 3 feet for the rudder. Some recent models look more like a sleek jet plane than a sailboat. I asked about the shapes of sails. Ken said, “Sailing is like a plane flying sideways. The same lift principles, but the wing is vertical. Your keel is your other >>

Commodore Ken Buhler and Mamadore Janie Eshleman.

July-August 2017 43

wing; your sail can be made rounder or flatter, and the material is very important. There are no canvas sails anymore—most are made of Kevlar, the same material used in making bulletproof vests.”

On sailboat racing, Ken said, “Just like in football or soccer you have plays, in sailing, you have some plays, too. We can fake a jibe or fake a tack or whatever we can do to get the advantage, all the while watching the wind. If we can get between our wind and our opponent’s wind we can literally ‘take the wind out of his sails’ and go around him.”

“Or her,” Janie added. It’s a ladies’ and gentlemen’s sport, with rules just like other sports competitions.” Racing sailboats, they agreed, makes for better sailors. Ken’s been sailboat racing for 30 years. Janie says she started sailing late in life. “I was 15,” she laughed. They both concurred that 8 years of age was a good time to start.

Members have races up and down the Gulf Coast and have participated in races in the Atlantic, the Pacific and off the coast of Mexico. “Anywhere there’s a sailboat race, a Pontchartrain Yacht Club member has been there.

Of the 33 clubs in the Gulf Yachting Association from St. Pete to Houston, we have more active members of U.S. Sailing than anywhere else in America.” G.Y.A. clubs are required to buy a sailboat for teaching interclub racing. For some time, that has been the “Flying Scot” for all 33 clubs, but this was recently upgraded to the “Viper” sailboat.

Not many yacht clubs in our area have had a female Commodore. “We’re happy to have been more progressive, breaking that barrier with Bev Toebben, PYC’s first female Commodore in 1986; Janet MillerSchmidt in 1992-93; and Janie Eshleman in 200304,” said Ken. Janie added, “In 2006, one of our former Commodores, Janet Miller-Schmidt, was the very first female Commodore of the entire Gulf Yachting Association.”

Ken loves to sail. “We try to get out on the water in the springtime Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays as much as we can. We’ll set a mark out there; everyone kinda gathers up and sets their sails, goes to a turn, letting some of the new members trim the sheets.

That’s where most new members get hooked. Sailing is

a lifestyle. Makes you want to do it forever.

“I was a landlubber before 1985—had never even set foot on a sailboat,” Ken confessed, “but I got hooked and have since won my share of races. Some lucky members have been sailing since they were kids, and they know exactly what to do without having to ask them. My crew’s been together since 2006, and they all anticipate what we need and just get it done.”

I asked Ken what his perfect sailing experience would be. “Going from the Gulf to Pensacola, having broad reach on the outside of the islands, with a sustained 15 knot carried all the way to Pensacola.

That would be the perfect race. I’ve done that 100mile race one time with a good wind, and we hauled butt the whole way. The race was to end the next morning, but we finished it at about 12:15 that night.

Very invigorating.”

Janie’s favorite sailing experience? She laughed, “Probably in the Virgin Islands—no racing, just cruisin’ around.” Janie’s my kinda sailor.

Our conversation turned to the lake. I commented that Lake Pontchartrain’s average depth was 12 feet. Janie said, “And if you drained it, you’d

find lotsa beer cans and winch handles!” (For you landlubbers, winch handles are basically portable hand cranks used to hoist and trim the sails and run rigging on a sailboat. It’s their portability and improper storage that often lands them in the water.)

Ken said, “If you look to the east of the harbor, you’ll see a beach every so often.”

Janie posed the rhetorical question, “When was the last time the harbor was dredged?” That reminded her of some years ago when the harbor was dredged, and they encountered a manatee. She said, “By law, every time they spotted one, they had to stop. So a bunch of kids from the club set up chairs by the boat launch and began looking out for manatees. When they’d spot one, they’d tell the dredgers to stop. They all had fun that summer—and got paid for it.” Now the harbor across from the club’s sprawling, beautiful grounds has a manmade sand beach that residents are calling “Alligator Beach” for occasional reptilian visitors. But that’s another ongoing story.

The Pontchartrain Yacht Club gives back to the community by turning over the facilities to Safe Harbor, which offers help to victims of domestic >>

Pontchartrain Yacht Club Commodores Dr. Lathan Crandell 1968 A.R. Blossman Jr. 1969 Frederick S. Ellis 1970 Felix Dreyfus 1971-72 Joe Abrams 1973 Felix Dreyfus 1974 Ed Swanner 1975 Hazen Ross 1975-1976 Richard Upton 1977 John Cramer Jr. 1978-1979 Bill Dietrich 1980-1981 Ian Prosser 1982 Dr. Charles Norris 1983 Cleve Fair 1983 Robert T. Doolittle 1984 Howard Phillips 1985 Beverly Toebben 1986 Joe Huffman 1987 Will Farris 1988-1989 Ed Reardon 1990-1991 Janet Miller-Schmidt 1992-1993 Jack Gilbert 1994 Tommy Harrison 1995 Hank Vasquez 1996-1997 Tom Jarvis 1998 Shan Kirk 1999 John Cramer 2000 David Bolyard 2001-2002 Jane Eshleman 2003- 2004 Jeff Bishop 2005 Kelvin Troughton 2006-2007 Tom Quinlan 2008-2009 Bobby Lipscomb 2010 Brian Burke 2011-2012 Tom Jarvis 2013 Dick Jones 2014 Ken Buhler 2015, 2016, 2017 For more information, go to pontyc.org or the Pontchartrain Yacht Club Facebook page.

46

Inside Northside

abuse. They have their fundraisers there, but the PYC membership can still use the club with a separate cash bar. For some 35 years, the club also invited the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation to use the property for a fundraiser. “We like to be a good neighbor, giving back to keep our lake ship-shape,” Janie said. More recent fundraisers include the St. Tammany Humane Society.

The club also has an annual Veterans Appreciation Day, during which the PYC celebrates veterans by taking them and their families sailing.

They offer discounts for veterans to join.

There’s also a Fall Regatta benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project, White Summer Night Party (with proceeds benefitting Safe Harbor), Winter on the Water Lighted Boat Parade, the Lake Pontchartrain Northshore Open Fishing Rodeo and many other functions throughout the year. Additionally, they publish a weekly online calendar of club events with dinner specials.

The White Summer Night Party is very popular. “Everyone dressed in white, standing in line around the block to get tickets. One year, we had Deacon John & The Ivories performing. We had all the tents, tables and chairs set up, and it started pouring down rain. After a while, folks started getting out from shelter and began dancing in the rain. It was such fun—like a mini-Jazz Fest!”

Commodore Ken Buhler was an educator for 38 years before coming to Mandeville in 1985 and getting bitten by the sailing bug. “It’s definitely a lifestyle change, and I love it. You’re out there on the water, using the wind. It’s a beautiful experience.”

Mamadore Janie Eshleman chimed in, “You either love it or you hate it.”

She winked, “We love it.”

Happy 50th, sailors!

July-August 2017 47

Traces

by Rebecca Perrette

The Junior League of Greater Covington Above: Mimi Curran, Martha Green, Joanne Champagne and Patricia Gordon at the Anniversary Banquet.

SAVE THE DATE! The 21st Annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic October 8, 2017 Summergrove Farms, Folsom Patron Party August 27, 2017 Home of Michael and Allyson Sanderson 48

Inside Northside

FOR 40 YEARS, members of the Junior League of Greater Covington have committed themselves to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Today’s League had its beginning in 1977, when nine women who shared a vision of voluntarism and a commitment to their community established the Greater Covington Junior Service League. The Service League started off strong by volunteering at local hospitals, the St. Tammany Humane Society, the American Red Cross, Regina Coeli Head Start and many other organizations. The League’s Thrift Shop was one of the early fundraisers.

Over the years, the League was responsible for the formation of the Western St. Tammany YMCA, Meals on Wheels, Northlake Nature Center and Kris Kringle, which would become Toys for Tots under the Covington Police Department. Members of the League worked with local judges and law enforcement agencies to form the Youth Service Bureau for at-risk youth.

photos courtesy: JLCG

40 Years of Volunteers

In 1999, the Service League affiliated with the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. AJLI provides support and guidance to over 150,000 women in 291 communities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Upon joining AJLI, the Service League changed its name to the Junior League of Greater Covington and continued to expand its membership and service.

The founding members’ vision lives on today as the League celebrates its 40th Anniversary and the immeasurable impact it has had on our community over the years, thanks to the dedication of many hard-working and talented women. The JLGC continues to fulfill its Mission Statement by training members to be civic leaders in the community and to promote volunteerism. Over the years, the needs of the members and community have grown, and the League

has stepped up to meet those challenges and needs. Current projects focus on northshore youth. Project Prom/Project Homecoming gives high school women the opportunity to attend a traditional high school event, feeling confident and comfortably dressed, all while decreasing the financial burden on their families.

Girls’ Health Day is held in partnership with Lakeview Regional Medical Center to promote health and wellness for girls aged 8-13. The League’s Signature Project is the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany. Although it is now an independent organization, the Museum was developed as a JLGC community project, and the League continues to support it financially through grants and with volunteers for its outreach programs such as Museum without Walls and Kids Town. In addition to its programs, JLGC provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations through Community Assistance Grants. The League’s newest committee, Community Research, evaluates issue-based needs within the community to guide future planning.

Proceeds from its fundraising events such as the Annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic and sales of the award-winning Roux to Do cookbook are crucial to the support of JLGC projects.

In its 40th year, the League now boasts a membership of over 225 women, a diverse group of all ages and backgrounds. Classes for new members are offered each spring and fall to women who value the League’s mission.

League outgoing President Molly Burns has confidence in the women of the Junior League of Greater Covington.

“I know JLGC will continue to impact the northshore community for at least another 40 years! The sky is the limit!”

More information about JLGC projects and membership can be found at jlgc.net.

July-August 2017 49

Billy Landreneau Internal Audit and Investigations Manager at

Courtney Dorris Jenkins

Hornbeck Offshore Services

Senior Loan Officer at NOLA Lending Group, a Division

“When my wife was pregnant with our daughter, we found out she was a carrier

of Fidelity Bank

of the CF gene. I am honored to be a part of Northshore’s Finest. It is a great

“I want to bring awareness to a disease that affects more

cause in the fight against a terrible disease.”

people than you realize. It’s an honor to be involved on a deeper

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Sleeper Car Belgian Dark Strong”

level with the community I grew up in and am a part of.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “I’m a wine girl.”

50

Inside Northside

SINCE 2010, Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., have sponsored the Northshore’s Finest event with the dual goal of supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and celebrating young northshore professionals who give their time and talent to their communities.

This year, the goal of the Northshore’s Finest honorees is to raise $90,000 for research in hopes of bringing new treatments and drugs to the market that can significantly prolong the lives of those with CF. As they work toward their goal, the new volunteers are paired with patients and their families so that they can experience and understand what it is like to live with the disease.

The 15 young professionals who were selected as honorees for 2017 were captured by photographer Eric Suhre at Old Rail Brewing Co. in Mandeville. In the following pages, they share their motivation for taking part in the program and their Old Rail—or other—beverage of choice.

Celebrate with the honorees at the Grapes & Grain event hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Louisiana Chapter at the Castine Center in Mandeville on July 14. And recognize the honorees at the Northshore’s Finest Luncheon presented by Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore, Inc., at the Tchefuncta Country Club in Covington on August 11. Call (504) 455-5194 or visit louisiana.cff.org for more information on both events or to donate.

Inside Northside and Hornbeck Offshore proudly present

Northshore’s

Finest photo: ERIC SUHRE

by Rebecca Perrette

Rick Danielson

Betsy Merrick

Financial Consultant, Senior

Mortgage Originator at NOLA

Vice President in Investments at

Lending Group, a Division of

Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.

Fidelity Bank

“I have not had a direct family member

“My friend and his daughter, Justin and

that has ever faced CF, but I have certainly

Natalie, were both diagnosed with CF. I

met several people and their families in

hope to be a voice and advocate to help

the past who have faced it. I have been

raise awareness for CF for the children.

touched by their stories, their attitude,

I’m personally looking forward to

their spirit and their determination to not

building relationships with the families.”

let CF define them.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Hotbox

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Hobo Helles”

Belgian Blonde” July-August 2017 51

52

Inside Northside

photo: ERIC SUHRE

Aimee Bobo Faist

Perry Williams

Jennifer Frosch

Trish Trahan

Owner/Operator of Simply

Operations Manager at

Owner and Advisor of Cypress

Marketing Director at All

Chic Boutique Mandeville

BOH FPU Systems

Business Advisors, LLC

American Healthcare

“Being named one of

“Through the fundraising

“I have a good friend whose son

Northshore’s Finest is a

campaign, I hope to gain

has CF. Seeing how it has touched

Finest Honoree means so much

wonderful honor that gives me

friendships and support for

his life brings this campaign

to me. Throughout my personal

the opportunity to make a small

finding a cure for CF.”

close to my heart. I hope that

and professional life, giving back

difference by raising money to

Favorite Old Rail brew:

this campaign not only raises

to others has been what truly

fund programs and research

“Cow Catcher Chocolate

much needed funding, but brings

fills my heart with joy. Having the

that is vital to finding a cure for

Milk Stout”

“Being selected as a Northshore’s

awareness to the community.”

opportunity to make a difference

cystic fibrosis.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “I like

and help in finding a cure for

Favorite Old Rail brew: “I

the Seven Sisters IPA.”

CF by raising funds that are so

usually enjoy a glass of wine or

critical to research, is a privilege

yummy Bloody Mary when we

and honor.”

visit Old Rail, but my husband

Favorite drink: “Unsweetened

LOVES the beer options.”

fresh mint tea.”

July-August 2017 53

Courtney LeBlanc

Daniel Gabourel Jr.

Head Swim Coach at Pelican Athletic Club

Residential Realtor at Latter & Blum

Financial Service Professional at New York Life

“Northshore’s Finest is such a great honor, and

“I want to raise awareness in our community and

“I have been a proud resident of St. Tammany Parish

I appreciate the recognition received from it. The

help to give those affected by the disease a better

for the majority of my life and believe in giving back

path God laid out for me has been a long, strange

quality of life. I believe that success lies in the

to the community that I love so much. I’m honored

trip at times, so to be recognized as Northshore’s

heart and in the details. God is in the details.”

to be a part of such an important cause this year.”

Finest gives me a huge nod that I’m on His path.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Hobo Helles”

Favorite drink: “Canebrake”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Seven Sisters.”

54

Inside Northside

photos: ERIC SUHRE

Vic Moore

Megan Ferran Commercial Relationship Manager for Home Bank “My husband was honored enough to be a part of this last year, and it touched his heart so much that I am honored to be a part of it this year. Just by meeting these precious families and knowing how we can help in such a small way is such an honor.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Since I am not a beer drinker, my drink of choice is (drum roll please): vodka, water, splash of cranberry.”

Justin M. Greenleaf Owner and Principal Architect of Greenleaf Lawson Architects “I believe that every single person in this community has a role that we are called to play. This is what keeps the community operating. I hope to not only raise funds for CF, but to help spread the word about how CF affects people in our community.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Anything cold”

Skarlett Roa Regional Clinical Liaison “I witnessed a dear friend who lived and passed from CF struggle, and no one should go through that. This campaign is an opportunity for me to help make a difference in their struggle.”

Favorite Old Rail brew: “Col-Train American Stout”

Not pictured:

Joseph DiTommaso July-August 2017 55

Traces

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

Beyond the Classroom JOHN STEINBECK WROTE in America and Americans, “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. It might even be the greatest of the arts, since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”

For twenty years, the students at Christ Episcopal School in Covington have had one such teacher in Lana Dessauer. Her wilderness education program introduces kids as young as 4 to the wonders of nature—hands-on, down in the dirt, asking questions and looking to their environment for their answers.

Alexander Preau was one of those lucky kids.

“We started off in PreK with canoeing lessons on the lake,” he says. “The older we got, the more we learned. We went on canoe trips on the river, camped out overnight, walked through the swamp, and planted trees in a state park. We went hiking and caving. When we backpacked, we carried and cook our own food. Ms. Dessauer taught us to maintain a relationship with nature, to care for it and about it.”

Alexander’s parents originally chose Christ Episcopal for their son because of its rigorous 56

Inside Northside

academics and small class sizes. Dessauer’s wilderness program was icing on the cake. “Alexander was only in PreK when she started him out on the pond canoeing with a lifejacket,” says Alexander’s dad, Dr. William Preau. “They started slowly, just learning to paddle. As they were ready, they learned to camp out and sleep in a tent. All the while, Ms. Dessauer instilled a love of nature, teaching them to clean up after themselves and recycle. Each year built on the last. By freshman year, when they camped out in Yosemite National Park, and then in Glacier National Park senior year, they were prepared for primitive camping, pitching their own tents and catching and cooking their own food. They’ve learned to love God’s beauty, and Ms. Dessauer gave them a heart to protect it, protect the animals, protect the planet.”

“Many kids today just aren’t exposed to nature,” says Dessauer. “The first time we go to a pond, some of them have never seen a duck or a cricket. I try to show them how everything is connected. The same water they drink today, Cleopatra might have drunk.

In the compost bin, I have a Styrofoam cup and a plastic fork with a date on them. We talk about how

photos courtesy: LANA DESSAUER

Christ Episcopal School’s Wilderness Education Program

plastic and Styrofoam won’t break down like organic matter and that trash should always be a last resort.”

Before they graduate, the average Christ Episcopal student has accompanied Dessauer to Dauphin Island, where they dissect squid, eat calamari and hunt for ghost crabs on the beach at night; to the Big Branch Swamp, where they learn about the refuge there; on a moonlight canoe trip to study astrology (no flashlights allowed); and they’ve biked along the Tammany Trace, learning bike safety and stopping at each trailhead for a local history lesson.

They’ve planted and maintained a vegetable garden, with proceeds to local food banks. They’ve picnicked on the lake, canoed down local rivers to observe our changing waterways, and planted seeds of native trees, nurturing their saplings for a year and then transplanting them in Fountainbleau State Park. They’ve honed water rescue techniques on the Bogue Chitto River, climbed a mountain, hiked a glacier and participated in whitewater rafting, fly fishing, kayaking, and mountain boarding.

“I try to keep everything hands-on and interactive,” says Dessauer. “I show the classes Ken Burn’s documentary about our national parks. But then we go there. No cell phones. No computers.

Some of them tell me it was like a religious experience to be out in God’s world one-on-one, rain or snow or heat, with no distractions.”

As for Alexander, he’s newly graduated and headed off to University of Chicago in the fall. Along with his traditional education, he takes with him a rare connection with the earth that few young men his age have had the privilege to develop, thanks to a school and a teacher who weren’t afraid to take learning beyond the four walls of the classroom.

July-August 2017 57

Life on Wood Artist Terrance Osborne “ART WAS ALWAYS THERE. I watched my mom and oldest brother draw as their hobby, and I can remember thinking that being an artist full time would be such a good idea,” says Terrance Osborne.

As a child, Terrance moved with his family around the city, but he managed to find whoever was talented in art and learn more from them. “I was always known as ‘the boy who could draw’ at every school. When I tested into the Talented Arts Visual program, I began learning from practicing artists and began studying at NOCCA. That is when a friend took me to meet Richard Thomas.

“Richard Thomas was the first black man with a 58

Inside Northside

gallery that I had met. I saw myself immediately. He pulled out this thick book to show me articles about him and his achievements. It was a pivotal point for me. I wanted that. I wanted the recognition that he had. It made me see that it was possible.”

Terrance worked under Richard for years. “He basically put the paint brush in my hand. He taught school during the day and then would go to his studio at night to teach more. I was always amazed at how he could do it all,” says Terrance.

Following graduation in fine arts from Xavier University, Terrance also began teaching as a Talented Arts Visual teacher. Five years passed during which

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Leah Draffen

he taught during the day and painted on the side. “I taught my students how Richard taught me. I would take my own commissions to school to work on, tell them pricing and cost, and so on. I did that to eliminate the misconception that you can’t be successful as an artist.

“Painting full time was always a dream, but I was afraid of letting go of that set income,” says Terrance. “Well, Katrina took care of that—my job was ended just like the rest of the teachers. My wife encouraged me to just do my art.”

The storm took them to Georgia, and he began doing only his art. Although he was away from New Orleans, his subject remained the same—his city. “I can’t imagine painting anything else,” he grins.

“I don’t think I could. I love the people >> July-August 2017 59

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

here. I love my city.”

From shotgun houses to hurricane solutions to festive New Orleans scenes, Terrance’s content glows with color.

All of his work is done on wood. The electric shades of acrylic color jump off the wood, drawing in the viewer to every detail. He often told his students that the signs of a confident artist are heavy brush strokes and bold color. “I thought I would miss teaching, but now I teach on a larger scale. More people see my art—artists come to me and tell me my process. It’s great that they’re using my art to express their own.”

He mixes his colors until they are “vibrating” off the palette. “I have a fascination with light and shadow. I’m visually searching all the time. I gather these bits and pieces that I don’t know when I’ll use them, but when it does

come together, it’s magic.”

Terrance’s 3D paintings are also magic. With wood, he can cut out pieces to draw them forward. He doesn’t want a viewer to just walk by. “If someone hasn’t seen a 3D piece in person, the easiest way to explain it is that it is like a pop-up book. By pushing the layers out and making the colors extreme, it becomes something you have to look at.”

Unlike many artists who paint in seclusion, Terrance works surrounded by his wife, Stephanie, and children Terrance, Seth and Sydni. “My studio is in the middle of the house with no doors.

I know what’s happening around me. It just feels right. It’s a family affair.” The movement and family life surrounding him seem to jump into his paintings.

Stephanie manages the business side of Terrance’s art and their family’s home.

Terrance includes their relationship in everything he does. “I do that, of course, because I love her, but also to add her into everything I do. With a hidden T and S surrounded by a heart on my paintings, she’s a part of it. Now, all of my paintings are kind of like Where’s Waldo?,” he grins. The first T and S was included in his Jazz Fest 2010 Congo Square poster of the late Lionel Batiste titled Say Uncle.

Terrance has been chosen four times >>

62

Inside Northside

as poster artist, the first being the 2007 Congo Square poster of Philip “Tuba Phil” Frazier titled Rebirth.

“My first poster was also my first time receiving national recognition, especially in USA Today. As one of the most popular festival posters in the world, it was a big deal and a huge honor,” Terrance says. However, he explains that he is the co-creator of his Jazz Fest posters, giving credit to Jazz Fest poster producer Buddy Brimberg.

“He commissions and helps to design the original.”

Terrance’s 2012 poster of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews quickly became the best seller. In 2014, he painted Preservation Hall and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band for the festival’s 45th anniversary. Most of his posters can be seen in his recentlyopened gallery on Magazine Street.

“I’ve held off opening a gallery,” says Terrance. “It was always an ultimate goal, but I’ve put my family life first.

Our kids are getting older, so I knew it was time.” The gallery is housed in the oldest building on Magazine Street. On the walls, originals and reproductions all ask you to look at them. The 4-by-8foot From Nothing painting takes center stage. “From Nothing was painted during our time in Georgia. While there, we actually saw all four seasons, unlike you do here in New Orleans. In the painting, the leaves’ colors go from hot to cold, with dead leaves falling into the rippling water symbolizing Katrina. As a nod to home, I painted a double shotgun house on the horizon.” He draws viewers into his work in a way that is relatable to locals and other admirers alike— colorful, captivating and alive.

Terrance’s gallery is located at 3029 Magazine Street. Visit terranceosborne.com or call 504-232-7530 for more information.

July-August 2017 63

Business & Leadership 2017

William Wainwright, Ph.D.

Chancellor, Northshore Technical Community College

by Linda Gibson

WALKING TOWARD HIS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, Chancellor

Wainwright’s nearly 20-year career in higher education, to the contrary—it

William Wainwright passes through waves of blue light cast

is just the beginning. He has built his career on, in his words, “expanding

across the hallway from tall panes of glass that adorn the front of

access to higher education and workforce training that builds the future

Northshore Technical Community College’s newest construction.

of our nation and ensures the global competitiveness of graduates.”

Situated along the expanding I-12 corridor in Lacombe and open now for less than six months, the new campus has been a

launches a new chapter for the college and also for the whole

hub of activity for faculty, staff and students and has drawn interest

northshore region. The first building, completed in February

from community neighbors, business investors, government

2017, houses the administrative staff, state-of-the-art science

partners and non-profit agencies. Dr. Wainwright says, “One of

and computer labs, high-tech conference space and classrooms.

the greatest opportunities for the college is being part of the

“All design is intentional and reflective of collaborations with

Tamanend development led by Weyerhaeuser and supported by

university partners, parish government, economic development

the experienced professionals of Gulf States Real Estate Services.”

and business and industry support,” says Dr. Wainwright. The

And those tall panes of blue glass are an intentional nod to the

second phase, expected to be completed in 2019, will house an

maritime consortium partners who have invested financially

advanced technology center. Here, learners will be ushered into

and have been integrally involved in developing the campus’

a new world of vocational training that has been transformed

innovative Maritime Technology Program.

by the force of modern technology into sophisticated career and

Although this contemporary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) campus may seem like the culmination of Dr. 64

His focus is clearly seen in the latest campus project, which

Inside Northside

technical education. On the horizon, a third building will serve as an innovation hub of information technology supporting artificial

intelligence, global information systems and analytics Although Dr. Wainwright remains ambitious and forward

nomination to the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Research, Technology and Emerging Trends. Active in

focused for his college and students, he credits his success to

community and non-profit endeavors, he serves as the President of the

remaining grounded, remembering his foundations of career and

Board of Family Promise of St. Tammany, President of the Council of

technical education, his deep faith and his work ethic inspired by his

Louisiana Colleges and Universities and Vice President of COMBASE, a

father, who recently retired from Louisiana’s oil and gas industry.

national community-based education affiliation.

A native of Broussard, Louisiana, Dr. Wainwright earned his

After completing his walk down the light-filled hallway, Dr.

undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of

Wainwright enters the administrative offices to greet faculty, staff, and

Louisiana at Lafayette and then his master’s in education in 1999 from

students. Despite numerous tasks at-hand, he takes a moment to view

Northwestern State University.

a Northshore graduation

While at Northwestern, he

video that has recently

met his wife, Misty, also

been posted. It’s May and

a graduate student at the

commencement season. On

time earning her master’s

May 17, he had the honor of

in counseling. Today, Misty

conferring 250 HiSET (High

is the Louisiana Coordinator

School Equivalency) degrees

for Postpartum Support

on hopeful graduates, and

International and manages a

on May 22, the privilege

private practice in Mandeville

of conferring more than

specializing in women and

275 associate degrees,

depression.

technical diplomas and

Dr. Wainwright began his rise through the ranks of

consider it both an honor

career and technical education

and privilege, saying, “This is

in 1998 by authoring Carl

our mission; this is why we

Perkins Tech Prep and U.S.

exist.” The video of the May

Department of Labor School to Work grants. In 2002, he took a major

22 ceremony has been posted to social media. It shows many of the

step into a key leadership role as Dean of the Louisiana Technical

creatively decorated caps the graduates wore, telling their stories with

College Hammond Area Campus, overseeing the 50,000-square-foot

phrases such as “Believed. Persevered,” “As Promised. Love Mom,” “She

facility, 30 professional faculty and staff and a $1.2 million budget.

turned her cant’s into can and her dreams into reality,” and “Busted

After spending two years in Baton Rouge as Dean of Workforce

Mine to Save Yours.” How far some of these 2017 graduates will go

Development for Capital Area Technical College, he accepted the

is unknown, but it is a safe bet that among them, their children and

position of Regional Director for what is now Northshore Technical

grandchildren there are likely a few future Ph.D.’s, M.D.’s, or CEOs!

Community College in Bogalusa. It was during this time that he made

Some look at the Technical and Community College

the decision to pursue his doctorate. In 2011, after earning that honor

System and believe it “only” confers technical diplomas or

from the University of New Orleans, he assumed his current role.

associate degrees; however, nothing could be farther from the

Under his leadership, Northshore has boasted numerous

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

certificates. And he does

truth. The lasting impact of these diplomas and certifications on

accolades. In 2015, the college was distinguished as the Louisiana

families, economies and communities is immeasurable. With the

ACT Exemplar for College and Career Readiness, recognized

accomplishments of these graduates, the futures of generations

nationally by Community College Week for record growth, and

may be changed for the better. No one can speak more plainly to

ranked top in the nation by the Brookings Institute for greatest

this than Dr. Wainwright himself, who says “I have a Ph.D. today

economic value of its graduates. Dr. Wainwright says, “These

because my mom earned her GED.”

recognitions are directly attributed to exceptional faculty and staff who dedicate every day to student success.”

Dr. Wainwright’s personal accomplishments include recognition

To watch the 2017 NTCC Graduation Montage Video, visit youtube. com/watch?v=Jzs74VIqTF4. If you’re interested in learning more about

as the 2014 St. Tammany Economic Development Innovator of the

Northshore Technical Community College programs, including 4-year

Year, Harvard Institute for Educational Management Fellow, and

university pathways, visit northshorecollege.edu or call 545-1500.

July-August 2017 65

covering seven parishes. Within the first ten days, our

United Way granted $120,000 of immediate recovery funds that helped keep local food banks open, gave assistance to the aging, helped provide resources

for the mucking and gutting of homes, helped local

schools systems recover, helped schoolchildren with

supplies and clothing, and increased resources to our 2-1-1 emergency call center.”

UWSELA President and CEO Michael Williamson

says: “Our work is to serve as the voice for people who lost everything. We make sure they get the support

they need to get back into their homes and living in safe, sanitary and appropriate conditions.”

As emergency response groups left, United

Way stayed, making the long-term commitment of

rebuilding our flood-ridden communities. Williamson

states that after meeting with three long-term recovery committees and over a dozen partners, a plan was created for rebuilding UNITED.

The American Red Cross partnered with the

United Way network to provide grants to help in the long-term recovery efforts in our region. Alongside UWSELA, the United Ways of Acadiana and the

Capital Area, and Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge,

the Red Cross has assisted with community recovery

United We Rebuild

United Way and Red Cross partner to rebuild the northshore.

Do you have a bucket at your home? Stacked in

the garage, stowed in the cleaning closet, waiting for use—a simple plastic container that is rarely thought about unless you need it. Now think of receiving a bucket as a gift and being so very thankful for it.

To a homeowner who just lost everything to

for assistance from FEMA. United Way of Southeast

Louisiana’s Sr. Vice President of Long Term Recovery Jamene Dahmer states: “As we were working on

providing relief from the March floods, our northshore was hit again in August.”

“In just three days following the August flood

flood waters, a bucket can make a huge difference.

declaration, and with the collaboration of Tangipahoa

of Southeast Louisiana and American Red Cross of

warehouse space from the Daily Star, United Way opened

Buckets were just the beginning of how United Way Louisiana stepped in, providing supplies, grants and

hands to help in recovery following the floods of 2016.

“My family was impacted twice by the 2016

Parish President Robbie Miller, and the donation of a warehouse, mobilized volunteers and began the

receipts of goods for distribution to the local community.”

The Hammond warehouse was the base of

floods. The response of help was amazing. It was

operations for much of Southeast Louisiana. It was the

for organizations like United Way and the Red Cross,

supplies, as well as the collection point for the many

something we never expected, but we are so thankful along with all the volunteers, that were able to help

us and our neighbors,” Donna Bliss says. Donna was impacted from both floods, but became a steady volunteer at the United Way warehouse.

Within six months, two major floods affected

Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

Combined, over 20,000 homeowners registered 66

Inside Northside

location for flood victims to start gathering cleaning compassionate people who wanted to donate and help. Volunteers like Pastor Michael Otkins, Rachel Cooley, Dale Herzog, Lindsay Girardeau and Jodi

Rohner came to volunteer the first week and stayed for a month working with United Way in relief efforts.

Dahmer states: “We distributed over 1.55

million items with the help of over 90 organizations

in the flood-affected parishes, including helping to

fund repairs that allow people to complete work on

damaged homes. The collaboration, with a focus on

the most at-risk populations of flood survivors, is also helping people with functional needs or disabilities repair and get back into their flood-damaged

homes through the Louisiana EMDAC (Emergency

Management Disability and Aging Coalition). The Red Cross estimates 600-800 families will return home

through its partnerships and investments in recovery.

“We know from experience in Louisiana that

disaster recovery often is measured in months and years, and the Red Cross is here to provide hope,

Tips to Stay Safe this Hurricane Season

As recovery efforts continue, the Red

Cross and United Way also are focused on preparing our community for hurricane

season and working with parish and state emergency preparedness officials.

1. Talk with household members and

create an evacuation plan. Be prepared to evacuate quickly and evacuate if told to do so.

2. Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable comfort and one-on-one support,” says Joshua

them make recovery plans and locate available

our compassionate supporters, the Red Cross remains

qualify and help finding long-term housing solutions.

Joachim, CEO of the Red Cross in Louisiana. “Thanks to committed to helping our neighbors in their long-term

resources, including financial assistance for those who “As a part of our 2017 Long Term Recovery goals,

recovery through collaborations with partners with

we are currently assisting 80 families through rebuilding

United Way of Southeast Louisiana.”

unmet needs,” says Jamene. The long- term work

specialized expertise and strong local ties like the

The Red Cross opened and staffed safe shelters

for people forced from their homes and provided meals,

vital relief supplies and health services, such as replacing

homes, rehousing, and helping rebuild through other

includes local volunteer rebuild organizations as well as long-term recovery committees.

Because of these partnerships, 10,232 hours of

lost prescriptions and eyeglasses. Just as importantly,

donated time has saved homeowners $288,362.While

survivors, including many who lost everything. And as

to help. “I never dreamed I would see people come out

they offered emotional support and comfort for flood

people began returning to their neighborhoods to clean out waterlogged homes and salvage what they could,

United Way volunteers and Red Cross workers traveled through affected communities with food, water and essential cleanup supplies.

Robin Thompson, a Red Cross volunteer from

Anchorage, Alaska, began serving with the Louisiana flood response in early December and remained

for nearly eight weeks. “There would be no way we

could still be here helping families, finding families,

providing for families without the donors,” Thompson says. “Without the donors, we wouldn’t have given

families continue to rebuild, they rely on the community in numbers to help us and to go in a flooded house–with no hesitation–and do everything that was called for and more,” says homeowners Mike and Pat Guillot. “Thank you, United Way. We appreciate you.”

“United Way is a leader when it comes to

creating partnerships,” St. Tammany Fire Chief

Chris Kauffman says. “These storms, these natural

disasters, don’t discriminate. It can be any of us. It’s a challenge for our families. It’s a challenge for our kids. I would ask everyone to try to relate. To put

themselves in that position, to make a donation.”

an infant if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of

important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area, and emergency contact information.

3. Get access to NOAA radio broadcasts.

Purchase a battery-powered or

hand-crank NOAA weather radio in the Red Cross Store.

4. Identify a place to store lawn furniture,

toys, gardening tools and trash cans (away

from stairs and exits) to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone. Protect windows with

permanent storm shutters or invest in onehalf inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.

5. Be informed. Learn about your

community’s hurricane response plan.

Plan routes to local shelters, register

family members with special medical

needs as encouraged and make plans

for pets. If travel is in your plans, learn about how emergency situations are

6. Download the free Red Cross Emergency

have the strength to keep on in their recovery, and to

App for expert guidance on what to do

know there are people who care.”

before, during and after hurricanes as well

Long after the floodwaters receded, dedicated

as 34 other types of emergencies. All Red

United Way and Red Cross employees and volunteers

Cross apps can be found in smartphone

continued to provide critical assistance for flood

assisted with affected individuals and families, helping

first aid kit, medications, supplies for

communicated at your destination.

residents the means to be hopeful for one more day, to

survivors with unmet needs. Trained caseworkers

food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio,

For more information, visit United Way online at unitedwaysela.org and Red Cross at redcross.org.

app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/apps.

July-August 2017 67

St. Anthony’s Gardens

While new to the New Orleans and northshore area, St. Anthony’s Gardens,

a Senior Living Ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, is gaining strong recognition. “It’s a ministry to us, not a business,” Executive Director Corey Leftwich says. “Our goal is to care for our residents not only physically, but spiritually.”

Corey joined the St. Anthony’s Gardens community having previously helped

two assisted living and memory care communities open their doors in roles ranging from Business Office Manager and Director of Operations to Memory Care Director and Executive Director. Being raised in the Catholic church and schools, Corey felt right at home at St. Anthony’s Gardens.

“It has been a joy getting to know the residents and being involved in such

a spiritually minded environment,” he smiles. “I enjoy talking to our residents. I jokingly call it my ‘second paycheck.’ I did not grow up knowing my grandfathers, so this has given me the opportunity to learn from an older generation.”

The residents of St. Anthony’s Gardens have the option of 213 residences,

consisting of 120 apartments for independent living in one-bedroom and twobedroom floor plans; 57 apartments for assisted living in studios, one- and twobedrooms; and 36 private suites for memory care.

In the dedicated memory care neighborhood, highly trained and kind staff

dedicate their day to life-affirming activities enriching the lives of residents who battle Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. Heartfelt CONNECTIONS – A Memory Care Program® is the soul of St. Anthony’s exceptional care.

St. Anthony’s Gardens is a not-for-profit organization managed by Life Care

Services®, An LCS® Company, and governed by a Board of Directors. The community

Mullin Landscape Associates

“As a leader, I enjoy working as part of a team and watching our team members

excel,” says Chase Mullin, owner of Mullin Landscape Associates. “It’s very rewarding to see them give clients the exceptional experience we are founded on.”

An essential part of Mullin’s priorities is having effective, open communication.

Chase guides his team of 80 to “walk the talk” and communicate with residential and commercial clients throughout the design-build and maintenance process.

“Even seemingly small things like responding to phone calls promptly and arriving at meetings on time are important to us.”

A project manager is assigned to each project as a point of contact for the client.

“Whenever our clients have a concern or question, they know who to go to, which

makes the project run more efficiently. We enjoy presenting a well-finished product to our clients on time and on budget.”

Chase grew up in construction, but founded Mullin Landscape Associates

after Hurricane Katrina. “I participated in the rebuilding process after the storm,” he

explains. “But I found myself really passionate about the dynamic nature of landscape installations. The light bulb went off—I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in landscaping.”

Mullin doubled in size after year one and has continued to grow. The full-service

company offers landscape architecture and construction; planting and maintenance; and irrigation design and contracting. “The details are really important,” says Chase.

“Often, small things can get overlooked while building a pool or other outdoor space.

“We make sure it all comes together—plantings, pools, structures—to meet our

clients’ expectations. We want to ensure that our clients are able to see the value in what we’re building. I believe that’s a cornerstone of our good reputation.”

is committed to providing equal housing opportunities for all races, religions and ethnic groups, and disabilities.

Mullin Landscape Associates offers services to residential and commercial clients

68

The community is located at 601 Holy Trinity Drive in Covington next to the Most

in New Orleans, Mandeville, Covington, Slidell and surrounding areas.

Holy Trinity Church. 985-605-5950. www.StAnthonysGardens.org.

10356 River Road, St. Rose, LA 70087. 504-275-6617. mullinlandscape.com.

Inside Northside

live in the R.E.D.

H2O Salon Northshore

In order to lead in the beauty industry, H20 Salon Northshore owner

Heather Maloney believes one must continuously strive to be better. Since

giving stylists the opportunity to master their skills.

One of H2O’s leading H5 stylists, Giselle Cuccia, came to H2O at age 20

June 5, 1988, Heather has continued to grow the H2O brand into more than

while studying at Loyola. “Giselle fell in love with the industry and decided to

just a business—it’s a culture. “We know there are many options out there in the

fulfill her purpose in beauty,” says Heather. “She has now been with us for 24

industry, and not everyone is the perfect fit, but the atmosphere and the way we

years. She is an educator for our team and a hair extension specialist while also

truly care about our guests easily becomes a part of their DNA—we want them to

being a mother of four. She has continued to be a solid and faithful part of our

become a part of our family.”

culture.”

Heather and her twin sister, Holli, are both second-generation family

Jennifer Gillis has been with H2O for over 18 years. As an H5 stylist and

entrepreneurs. She says, “We were raised knowing that we could create our

artistic director, Jennifer oversees the apprentice program, sharing her passion for

own businesses. It was a matter of finding what we did best and building off of

beauty through education. “Jennifer’s love for teaching and learning about the

that.” Heather’s love for people soon created the H2O culture, gathering team

beauty industry has driven her success,” says Heather.

members and clients alike who wanted to be a part of the brand.

“As I began to build my team, I looked for likeminded individuals who were willing to work hard, serve and care about others. I can honestly say that our stylists care as much about building relationships as they do about hair.

“Last year, Jennifer was named one of the top three stylists in the nation through the Shu Uemura Gallery of Style contest, gaining global recognition for our brand.”

Striving to always be better, Heather and Jennifer hold daily and weekly

For instance, when someone compliments your hair, you don’t say, ‘yes, I got

collaboration and education classes, allowing H2O stylists and team members to

a triangular bob’ and talk about the way it was cut—instead you talk about who

“live in the R.E.D.”—Reputation, Experience and Demand.

gave you the style because that person made you feel great. I always remind my team that at the end of the day, people buy personality, attitude and how you

“Our greatest success is returning guests.” Heather smiles. “We strive to turn our guests’ ordinary days into extraordinary experiences.”

made them feel.”

The caring culture is the heart and soul of the company and has earned Heather and her team the reputation of bringing the inside beauty out in everyone they touch. All H2O stylists begin with the H1-H5 Experience, a two-year education and training commitment that creates the opportunity for stylists to make six figures, create flexible schedules and fulfill their purpose. The training

H2O Salon Northshore is located at 3908 Highway 22 in Mandeville. 951-8166.

cultivates the very culture and philosophy Heather prides herself on, while also

H20salonnorthshore.com.

July-August 2017 69

“I want to say, ‘thank you’ to everyone who’s had a part in molding us from day one,” says McQuaid. “It took a leap of faith to step out of the norm and propose the Planet Kids model, ensuring true quality in childcare with an emphasis on education, hoping this new philosophy would resonate with the Northshore community. It certainly has.”

Through the years, Planet Kids expanded to include locations in Mandeville, Covington and Madisonville, but is now concentrated in one state-of-the-art location on Highway 21 in Madisonville offering a Science & Art Center, Computer Lab, Music and Movement Studio, splash pad, and Amphitheater.

“Over the years, many staff members have touched the lives of our students and their families,” says McQuaid. “It’s thanks to them

An Astounding Journey Planet Kids Academy

This year marks 23 years of personal and professional growth for Beverly McQuaid and her award-winning Planet Kids Academy. It’s a big year personally for McQuaid, as she and her husband both turn 50 and celebrate 20 years of marriage. Professionally, it marks 23 lifechanging years working alongside devoted and enthusiastic school directors, teachers, teacher assistants, kitchen managers and aides as together they’ve served the children and parents of West St. Tammany.

“That’s a lot to reflect upon,” says McQuaid. “When I do, it’s with a spirit of gratitude and humility.” In 1994, McQuaid was graduating from Loyola with a master’s in counseling education, leaving her beloved teaching post at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, and newly engaged with an overwhelming desire to launch her own little pre-school. “I wanted my own bulletin boards and my own class of kids,” she says. “I was 27 and wet behind the ears, but I had a heart to make a difference and faith in my Heavenly Father that told me I wasn’t doing it alone.”

Beverly lived out the philosophy it takes a village. “My parents were extremely supportive

that Planet Kids has been named Northshore’s Best for 10 years running (the number of years the designation has existed). I believe our success comes through caring about the smallest detail of each child’s day, as well as the bigger picture of their entire education.”

“I’m dumfounded to see our students graduating from college, entrepreneurially involved, getting married, and starting families of their own,” says McQuaid. “I believe the reason for our success has been our mission to focus on each individual child’s needs and life situations, and determining how we can best build their confidence and love of learning in a safe, secure, and esthetically remarkable setting.”

and helped me get through the many tearful unknowns you discover when you throw your hat into the ring, versus keeping it safely on your head,” says McQuaid. “Friends stuck by me and listened to all the positive happenings as well as the struggles, never allowing me to become discouraged. Most important, over the years, has been the support of a dedicated staff.”

Now with a business that’s thrived and with her children 14 and 15 years old, McQuaid wonders where the time has gone. “Through it all, I’ve been blessed with a staff that cares as much for the families of Planet Kids as I do,” she says. “I’ve loved every article written about us as we work to set the standard in early childhood education. A book on our journey would be a classic, outlining our hysterical yet phenomenal journey defined by so many very memorable children, parents, and staff.”

70

Inside Northside

Visit PlanetKidsAcademy.com or call 845-0377 to schedule a tour of this outstanding preschool.

years. Like an extended family, the staff creates a happy and friendly atmosphere.

Ron Cranford and April Wagner

Resident family member Desiree Lamanette says, “I feel all employees genuinely care about the residents. It is not just a job; they really care.”

As an affordable, independent/assisted senior living community, The Windsor has studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments with full kitchens. In addition to housing and activities, The Windsor offers two basic tiers of personal care. A resident who opts for independent living requires little assistance, may still drive and usually chooses to live at The Windsor for companionship, meals, convenient transportation and a carefree lifestyle. As aging residents need more care, they can choose from a variety of assisted living packages and à la carte services. A customized program can be developed with services that may include medication reminders, laundry services, bathing and dressing assistance and meal delivery.

With soon-to-be 20 years in the senior living industry, The Windsor is continuously committed to offering amenities and services that let residents and their family members have peace of mind. “It feels like an extended family. I sleep well each night knowing that if something happens to my mother and she needs immediate care, everyone on the staff is right there to help in an efficient and

The Windsor Senior Living Community

positive way,” says Sharon Murphy. “I wouldn’t have my mother anywhere else.”

Leadership comes through experience—and that is what The Windsor Senior Living Community has. In 2018, The Windsor will celebrate its 20-year anniversary.

Recognized as a leader in the senior care industry, The Windsor now has secondgeneration residents in its close-knit community.

Business leaders Ron Cranford and Dave Reutzel recognized the shifting aging trends in the country over 30 years ago. The two developed a new business model to market housing to seniors who were still independent or in need of supportive services, but not yet in need of skilled nursing care. In 1995, as Williamsburg Management Company, Ron and Dave teamed up with Guaranty Life Insurance Company of Baton Rouge to find the perfect location in St. Tammany Parish. The Windsor soon developed, nestled off Causeway Boulevard in Mandeville in 1998. It is conveniently located near shopping, hospitals, doctors and the Causeway.

Over the years, Williamsburg Management Company has put together a team of dedicated, caring and passionate professionals who recognize that you

Patty Suffern and Lu-Ann Parks

have only one reputation. April Wagner, The Windsor’s General Manager, has over 28 years in the geriatric industry. She has seen The Windsor grow from the ground up and has known every resident who has lived there. With 35 years of experience in customer service, Marketing Assistant Lu-Ann Parks really enhances the residents lives. Marketing Director Patty Suffern has over 20 years in the industry.

With the support of the local owners, Patty also volunteers for Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) and Volunteers of America’s RSVP program.

“Our philosophy is to treat our residents with love and respect,” says Patty. All

Licensed under the Department of Health and Hospitals as an Adult Residential

members of The Windsor’s staff are known for their “heart” for the residents and

Community, The Windsor Senior Living Community is located at

are dedicated to providing quality, caring assistance for them in their retirement

1770 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville. 624-8040. windsorseniorliving.com.

July-August 2017 71

Lisa Swords

Bliss Clothing + Home

While Bliss Clothing + Home is new to Mandeville, owner Lisa Swords

is not new to retail. She joined the family business after graduating from college. “My family has been in retail as long as I can remember,” says Lisa.

“We owned Strawberry Patch in Mandeville, which opened in 1981, and Town & Country Bridal, which we just sold last year.” After retiring from the retail day-to-day, Lisa soon realized she missed the interaction with her customers.

When a beautiful, chic new space opened on Highway 22 in Mandeville,

Lisa decided to take the opportunity to begin a fresh retail venture—Bliss Clothing + Home. “It has been wonderful being back in a shop setting meeting new faces and hugging old ones,” she smiles. “I’m thoroughly enjoying being back in the ladies clothing industry!”

Bliss Clothing carries ladies casual and evening wear, including cocktail

dresses, day dresses, denim, tops and pants. An array of jewelry and bags showcases a large selection of accessories. “Shoes are coming soon! We can’t wait to be able to complete our clients’ outfits.” The Home section of Bliss, to open next door in August, will feature furnishings, décor and more.

As the pieces come together for Lisa, her favorite part of retail remains

the same: “Making women feel great about themselves. I love to help my clients find the perfect outfit. I also enjoy helping them jump outside the box to try something they may not have tried on their own. It’s an amazing joy.”

THE PERFECT FIT Bra Genie

Bra Genie’s 18 bra-fitting experts understand the needs of women of all shapes

and sizes. “We are a supportive environment,” says Owner Jeanne “Genie” Emory.

“We assist all of our clients, bringing choices to them, educating them about the fit, wear, and care of each brand and style.”

After acquiring her degree in Merchandising from LSU, Emory worked as a

Buyer, a Store Manager, and finally as a Merchandiser for a full-cup bra manufacturer.

Frustrated that so many women were not fitted properly due to a lack of department store options, she opened an in-home “by appointment only” bra fitting business, Hooked On You in 2005.

With dedication to fitting techniques and attention to detail, Emory’s clients

began calling her the “Bra Genie.” Her success led to Bra Genie’s first storefront in Mandeville in 2008 and Baton Rouge in 2015. Both are now one-stop shops for women to get properly fitted for bras and swimwear.

“If you are disappointed by past bra fittings, we can help. We carry nearly 200

different bra size options, from 28-inch to 50-inch bands, as well as cup sizes A, B, C,

D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J, JJ and K!” During the bra fitting process, women learn the right way to put on a bra, the importance of rotating a bra wardrobe, and how to

launder and store bras. Bra Genie welcomes walk-ins and appointments, staying true to Emory’s personal relationship-building focus.

Emory says fittings are vital, because a woman’s body changes on average six

times in her life. “Women often want to purchase the exact same size and style bought in the past,” she says. “Because our bodies change over time, it’s important to retry

past styles and also try new ones for comfort, appearance, and even health reasons.”

Bra Genie is located at 2881 Hwy. 190, Ste. D, in Mandeville, 985-951-8638, and 7539 Corporate Blvd, #180, in Baton Rouge, 225-223-6114.

For more information, visit thebragenie.com.

Bliss Clothing + Home is located at 4450 Highway 22 in Mandeville. 778-2252.

72

Inside Northside

Left to right: Susan James , Kelli Baumann, Skip Scoggin, Janet Hickman, Marc Pellettiere, Peggy O’Neill

The Scoggin Group Steve “Skip” Scoggin and his team of Realtors

believe every detail is important. “These are big

transactions, and everything about them is important.

Keeping a deal together is tougher than ever these

days. From helping underwriters get a loan through

on complicated appraisals or zoning issues to how to respond when a workman falls through the roof the

Susan James, Peggy O’Neill and Kelli Baumann. Marc

recommend to anyone thinking of selling their

of Realtors and Peggy is the current 2017 President.

reviews reflect Mike and Lauren’s opinion. In fact, 98

was 2011 President of the Northshore Area Board

Janet was named 2015 Administrator of the Year by

the Northshore Area Board of Realtors and Susan was the 2013 Rookie of the Year.

The team specializes in valuation and pricing,

morning of your big sale—our award-winning team

corporate relocation, high-end properties, and

smoothly.”

comprehensive marketing plan. “Our ten-point

keeps a close eye on all the details so that closings go The accomplished sales team has over 80 years

of combined real estate experience. As the Broker/

Listing Specialist, Skip was named 2014 Realtor of the Year. He is a past president of the St. Tammany

creative marketing strategies, including a ten-point

Clients Mike and Lauren said: “The whole

better than any other realtor we have used. I would

MLS# 2089829

“I’m very proud of our team,” says Skip. “They’re

recognized by peers in the industry as well as our

community. I believe our commitment, giving back and attention to detail affords us the success we have seen.”

results that if priced right, homes sell quickly.”

His team includes Marc Pellettiere, Janet Hickman,

21 Cardinal Road, Covington

satisfaction with their work and refer their friends.

marketing,” Skip explains. “It has given us proven

experience was completely hassle free with the

$1,750,000 - Tchefuncte Club Estates

percent of their surveyed customers noted complete

marketing strategy covers all bases of real estate

Association of Realtors, and is a Louisiana Certified

Residential and Commercial Real Estate Appraiser.

home to call you.” Most of The Scoggin Group’s

most desirable results. You marketed our property

The Scoggin Group is located at the office of Mauti Meredith Scoggin Properties, 1131 N. Causeway Boulevard in Mandeville. 705-0059. thescoggingroup.com.

2000 Sunset Blvd., Slidell

236 S. Washington Street, Covington

MLS#2073297

MLS#2089030

$1,580,000 - Lakeshore Estates

$559,900 - Old Covington

July-August 2017 73

attend conferences, seminars and mind-shares to implement new ways to solve common problems.”

With communities on both the north and south shores, Robert attends association meetings, prepares bids and proposals for association projects and maintenance, provides personal advice to Board Members and residents, and responds to association needs. GNO can professionally manage all daily community functions, handle homeowner disputes and issues, negotiate contracts with vendors and handle large community improvement projects (such as drainage).

“What makes us different is that we also listen to our customers,” Robert explains. “We’re open to finding more ways to benefit our communities.”

Further benefitting our communities, GNO will partner with the City of Mandeville to host the second annual Unity in the Community event, which will be held this year on October 28. “Now more than ever, community cohesion is vitally important to our quality of life. Our local communities play an increasingly important role in how our children and grandchildren view the world around them, which is why we created Unity in the Community. It’s a chance for the

ROBERT PHILLIPS

GNO Property Management Celebrating its ten-year anniversary, GNO Property Management has grown from managing one association to 75. Representing over 7,500 homeowners, GNO President Robert Phillips says the company’s growth has been strictly by referrals. “A compliment of our company is that we bring communities together,” says Robert. “It’s a matter of giving communities back that neighborhood feel.”

Robert launched GNO Property Management in 2007 after seeing the need for community management during post-Katrina. “At the time, people were rightfully focused on their families and personal lives. There was

community to gather as a whole.”

As GNO looks upon the next ten years of the company, Robert hopes to continue creating cohesion and quality of life in each association they manage.

“Problem solving is my favorite aspect of the business— it keeps me thinking forward. My second favorite is a simple thank you from a resident or association,” he grins. “Their recognition of our devotion to their community definitely keeps us going.”

no additional time for them to devote to self-managed associations. That is when I decided we could be of help.”

With over 12 years of experience in all aspects of commercial and residential property management and construction management, Robert opened the full-service company to offer complete support to Louisiana homeowners, condominiums, cooperatives and commercial property management associations. Prior to starting GNO, Robert worked as a property manager for one of the top management companies in Atlanta, Georgia, managing 18 communities, representing approximately 6,000 residents in condominiums, townhomes, and single-family homeowner’s associations.

Since opening, Robert has gathered a full staff to assist in the daily operations. “From our Receivables and Payables Department to our Customer Service Representatives, I truly believe we have developed the most qualified team in our ten years of business,” he says. “We also have a Senior Manager who trains our Property Managers on staff. They can rely on her for assistance throughout their careers. It’s certainly a well-oiled machine.”

Robert and his team continue to improve the business by paying attention to industry trends on a national level. “We are heavily involved with the Community Associations Institute, which is our governing body. We 74

Inside Northside

GNO Property Management is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Community Associations Institute, St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. 504-528-7028. gnoproperty.com.

Fidelity Bank

Small Business Solutions

Small business at Fidelity Bank is anything but small!

Every day, Fidelity Assistant Vice President-Small Business Relationship Manager

Shane Purvis strives to add value to his client relationships by supporting and promoting local businesses who make our community thrive. “Our mission at Fidelity is “Here for Good.” We surprise clients by showing up at their place of business, spending our own money, and showing them we’re invested in their success.”

Justin Boswell thought it was just an ordinary day at his Wayward Owl Brewery.

He did, that is, until fifty Fidelity bankers showed up, participating in what they call a Fidelity Frenzy. “It’s a way for us to show our small-business clients some love,” says Purvis. It’s just one way Fidelity Bank is reinventing the small business/banker relationship.

Fidelity Bank’s business model is relationship-based. “We saw a real gap in

services for the local mom and pop business doing less than 1 million dollars in annual revenue—the restaurants, the boutiques, the small accounting and other professional service firms. As a Small Business Relationship Manager, I partner with these great local businesses and help them reach their financial goals.” Fidelity created a special product suite tailored to meet the needs of the small-business owner. “This isn’t one-size-fits-all banking; it’s highly personal, individualized care.”

Purvis brings to the table years of teaching banking instruction. He says, “The

more we know and understand about a client’s business, the better equipped we are to advise them on the steps they need to take to succeed.” For Purvis, the Fidelity mission of “Here for Good” means keeping his clients’ best interest at the forefront and also giving back to the community. He supports numerous local non-profits and enjoys teaching financial literacy and independence to children and adults.

Visit Shane at 2550 Florida Street in Mandeville, 626-8676, or go to bankwithfidelity.com to learn more.

July-August 2017 75

Traces

Oh, Baby!

Baby & Me of Mandeville’s 35th Anniversary

Sheldon Fortunato.

76

KERI PEACE WAS SO CAUGHT UP in the details of adopting her first child that when the call finally came to pick up her son, she didn’t have a thing she needed. “There were so many things to think about with the adoption itself,” says Keri. “Suddenly we had a baby and 48 hours to pick him up in Texas.

And I wasn’t ready.”

Fortunately for Keri, her sister, Kim DeBrock, had developed a relationship with Sheldon and Tara Fortunato at Baby & Me where Kim had bought everything she needed for her three children. “We called Tara in a panic,” Keri remembers. “She said, ‘No problem. Meet me at the store.’ We got there at 7 p.m. and didn’t leave until midnight. I was a wreck, but Tara had it all under control.”

Tara helped Keri select everything to furnish a nursery and to dress her son.

“She pulled out a list and started checking things off,” says Keri. “Playpen, stroller, car seat, clothes—I remember it like it was yesterday. By the time we brought Caleb home, he had a beautiful nursery and everything else he needed.”

Keri has been a loyal Baby & Me customer ever since. She says, “We had more time when our daughter was born, but Tara was just as great. She helped with my shower and with furnishing a beautiful baby girl nursery.

You’ll never get this kind of service at a department store. Tara knows her customers by name and even knows their children. Now, if I’m going to a Inside Northside

baby shower, I call Baby & Me, swing by to pick up the gift, all wrapped and ready—and I know the mom is going to love whatever Tara selected.”

Kim is still a devoted Baby & Me customer, too. She says, “I’ve been shopping there since my son was born 31 years ago. Tara and Sheldon helped me decorate three completely different nurseries for my three kids. Baby & Me is the only place I shopped for their clothes, because Tara has such great taste. She and Sheldon are like family to my kids. In fact, they call them ‘Aunt Tara’ and ‘Uncle Sheldon.’ I have friends who’ve moved to other states but still come back to shop at Baby & Me. They just can’t find that kind of service and that great selection where they are. Now I’m shopping there for my granddaughter.”

Tara began working at Baby & Me alongside her parents, Jeri and Sheldon, when she was a teenager and is thrilled to be serving her second generation of parents. She says, “Women who shopped with us for their own babies are bringing those ‘babies’ in to register for their baby showers. Moms who shop with us now tell me how their own mom shopped with us for them as a baby. It’s fun being part of so many families’ memories.”

Although the Mandeville store is not as large as it once was, Tara and Sheldon spend a lot of time ordering things for customers. “We can still get anything you want,” says Tara. “We just might not have it on the floor. If someone wants us to order a single dust ruffle, it’s not a problem for us. If they want to decorate an entire nursery, we can help with that, too. We also have a lot of customers who

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

call when they’re going to a baby shower, tell us how much they want to spend and the sex if they know it, then drop by to pick up a gift all wrapped and ready.

And we can take it to be monogrammed for them. Some customers have a favorite gift they like to give for every shower, and we know that.”

Because of this over-the-top service, Tara routinely sees customers drive from as far away as New Orleans, Mississippi, Pontchatoula, Franklinton, and Houma to shop at Baby & Me. “There are other places they can shop,” says Tara, “but I don’t think they get the personalized service they want. And we try hard to find good quality products in all price ranges, so there’s something for every pocketbook.”

Devoted Baby & Me customers know they can find favorite lines such as Feltman Brothers, Sarah Louise and Will Beth in clothing; Dulce Baby, Murine, Million Dollar Baby and Franklin & Ben in furniture; and popular Halo bassinette co-sleepers.

Tara and Sheldon are also devoted to giving back to the community that’s given so much to them; they are generous donors to local non-profits.

“We were blessed to be able to donate a dozen cribs to families in need after the Baton Rouge flooding,” says Tara.

If everyone enjoyed their work as much as Tara, the world would be a very different place. She says, “It’s always exciting when a mom has shopped with us throughout her pregnancy and then brings the baby in to show us, and we’re starting to see more and more dads. This is a happy place to shop. If someone comes in who isn’t smiling, our goal is for them to be smiling when they leave.”

July-August 2017 77

Flourishes

2

1

3

4

1. Crown wind chime, $29.

DeCoeur Gifts & Home Accessories, 809-3244. 2. Lightly antiqued silver coral sculpture lamp accented with

5

crystal details and round, hardback, ivory linen drum shade. $220. Pine Grove Electric, Mandeville, 8934003. 3. Hand-painted glass and gold leaf vase with natural geode by Kritin Binnings, $40. mélange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652.

4. Royal St. Streetcar, 33” x 45” framed. American Factory Direct, Covington, 871-0300. 5. Antique rug pillows in assorted sizes and

6

colors. Rug Chic, Mandeville, 674-1070. 6. Faith Unwinding, one-of-a-kind Boomdeeay Clay

7

piece, delicately constructed through a hand-coil process to evoke the natural beauty of coral. 33” x 27” x 18”, $9,950. Available exclusively at Beth Claybourn Interiors, New Orleans, 504-342-2630.

7. Embossed leather bench with 9

Lucite legs, available in fabric or leather in three lengths. The French Mix by Jennifer Dicerbo Interiors, Covington, 809-3152.

8. Seasonal arrangements starting at $65. Florist of Covington, 892-7701. 9. Kailua adjustable

8

outdoor standing fan with 3-speed motor, $279. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008.

78

Inside Northside

July-August 2017 79

INside Look

3 2

1

4

5

Beach Needs 1. Embroidered cotton dress, $59.

Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 809-1789 or 809-1690. 2. Ruby and diamond earrings set in white gold, $2,350.

Crown Jewels, Mandeville, 504-554-1102.

3. Soak up the sun and sand with this adorable beach bag, $29. Shoefflé, Covington, 898-6465. 4. Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil ultra-lightweight, hydrates, nourishes, soothes dry/sensitive skin. Prevention+ daily ultimate protection moisturizer SPF 50 ultrasheer, lightweight, built-in broad-spectrum high 6

7

UVA/UVB sunscreen. Oasis Day Spa, Mandeville, 626-6772.

5. Off-the-shoulder dress with tassel accents, $38. Just Imagine, Mandeville, 951-2455.

6. Gingham Reef Tunic top by Gretchen Scott, $148. Ballin’s LTD, Covington, 892-0025.

7. American Flag cufflinks with mother-

9

of-pearl and enamel, $59.50. Jos. A. Bank, Mandeville, 624-4067.

8. Beach Hair Don’t Care baseball cap, $24.95. Private Beach, Mandeville, 674-2326. 9. Sun Bum

8

moisturizing SPF 30 sunscreen with vitamin E; Cool Down lotion enriched with aloe and vitamin E; SPF 30 sunscreen lip balm; set, $19.99. H2O Salon, Mandeville, 951-8166.

80

Inside Northside

July-August 2017 81

82

Inside Northside

INside Look 1

4 5

3 2

Beach Needs

6

1. Bling Banz uses photosensitive sliders to monitor UV exposure, $13. Olive Patch, Covington, 327-5772.

2. 14k yellow gold hoop earrings with an upside-down and bypass design, $250. Lee Michael’s Fine Jewelry, Metairie,

7

504-832-0000. 3. Shiraleah Tote, $48.95 with Coola Organic sun care products, starting at $18.95. Earthsavers, Mandeville, 674-1133. 4. Marigot Lorient Block Print Nightshirt in custom-printed, fine cotton-poplin fabric with French seams, chest pocket, contrast

8

piping, and cuff detail, $90. Hestia Linens, Covington, 893-0490. 5. Turquoise,

9

diamond, moonstone and sapphire bracelet set in 18k white gold, $45,000. Lee Michael’s Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504-8320000. 6. Swim diapers and swim shoes, $15 and $12. Baby & Me, Mandeville, 626-0267.

7. Beach dress with embroidered flowers, $120. The Villa, Mandeville, 626-9797.

8. Prima Donna Swim retro Tango Longline with gold details, foam cups and adjustable straps to halter or crisscross. Shown with hi-waist bottom; bikini bottom also available.

Bra Genie, Mandeville, 951-8638. 9. Bags hand made by Madagascar women who are trying to earn independence; environmentally safe; large, $118; small, $98.

Bliss Clothing + Home, Mandeville, 869-2328.

July-August 2017 83

INside Look

3

2

1

4

5

6

Beach Needs

1. 14kt white gold earrings with

7

8.50 cttw oval aquamarine and .56 cttw diamonds, $3,495. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Covington, 8

892-2317. 2. Tie-die, v-neck top, $56. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0200. 3. 59” round beach throw, $28 and up! Paisley, Mandeville, 7277880. 4. Fia dress in Serene Blue, $238. Palm Village, a Lily Pulitzer Signature Store, Mandeville. 778-2547. 5. Silky print top and shorts; top, $85; shorts, $90. Vine, Mandeville, 951-0005. 6. Aqua

9

linen tunic with shell button detailing, $104. CDN clothing, Covington, 3277300. 7. Original Deano Tote by Scout, water resistant, wipes clean. $39.

Niche Modern Home, Mandevile, 624-4045. 8. Babor Skinovage beauty line. Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa. grandhotelmarriott.com or 251-928-9201.

9. Tacori 18k925 Island Rains Collection bracelets, starting at $270. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Mandeville, 626-1666.

84

Inside Northside

July-August 2017 85

THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE LIKE the beach. Whatever the time of year or weather, there is something that draws the human soul to return to the sea. The beach is the perfect escape from our hectic everyday lives, a place where we are revived and refreshed.

Watercolor brings the best of what beach communities around the country have in the way of a neighborhood feeling to the Gulf’s sugary white beaches and shimmering seafoam water.

The community of quality constructed homes is designed with large front porches and painted in soft pastel colors that emote a feeling that is tranquil, Southern and coastal. Exterior upkeep is minimal through the planting of native plants and durable hardscapes.

Susan and John Peterson chose Watercolor for their summer house because they fell in love with the community and lifestyle. “We really like the unique >> 86

Inside Northside

Watercolor

Rendezvous The Peterson Home

by Poki Hampton

Woven wood shades keep with the wood tones used throughout

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

the house, including the cypress fireplace mantel and beams.

The built-in seats under the windows provide extra storage.

July-August 2017 87

topography, extraordinary amenities and many activities in the area,” says Susan. “Our favorite part is the family atmosphere— this is the perfect place to relax and spend quality time with family and friends.”

As you walk into the 5,000-square-foot home, your eye is drawn through the house, through the Nano Wall, to the pool area in the back. There is continuity within the house, but each room has its own unique charm. A casual atmosphere accented with texture and ease-of-care fabrics was the goal of interior designer Connie Seitz and design assistant Christine Diggs. “All of the materials used in the home and furnishings, mainly soft linens and cottons, have to stand up to years of saltwater, sand and wet swimsuits,” says Seitz. Oversized windows allow plenty of sunshine to drench the house and the sea breezes to flow. Throughout the house, the walls of 8-inch tongue-and-groove shiplap and the furnishings are in neutral colors

Clockwise: A large limed-wood table anchors the dining area; the screened back porch with a painted wood floor and all-weather wicker chairs with cream Sunbrella cushions; the upstairs gathering room with full-sized bunk beds and storage drawers.

highlighted by touches of sea glass.

In the foyer, limed white-oak floors are in a herringbone pattern. From the striking pecky cypress ceiling, with its white cross beams, hangs a faux-bois chandelier with a gold patina finish. Above the Swedish-style sideboard, which has painted legs and a limed-wood top, is a contemporary painting. A protea in a clear 88

Inside Northside

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

vase adds to the island vibe.

In the large living room, which opens into the dining area and kitchen, the contemporary high-arm sofa is upholstered in soft blue chenille, while the chairs are slipcovered for easy care.

Soapstone tops the limed-wood cocktail table, and round velum-topped end tables with metal bases are between the chairs.

In a traditional twist on a Swedish style, the sofa table has a painted fabric-textured finish; it holds two white ceramic lamps.

The large limed-wood trestle table anchors the dining area, surrounded by six slipcovered parsons-style chairs and two continental-style arm chairs. A custom-designed built-in cabinet holding a wine cooler, an ice maker and a hammered stainless bar sink with gooseneck faucet provides storage and also a serving area on the White Rhino marble top; glass Cabochon knobs offer a bit of sparkle. Over the table hang two abstract paintings by Jim Seitz titled Liquid Ice I and 2. The pinch-pleat draperies are in white linen, with the leading edge stripe in sea glass linen. The chandelier, a contemporary take-off on Empire style, is made of tiny white rocks strung together.

The custom cabinets in the kitchen are painted in the lightest of sea glass color “Sea Salt� by Benjamin Moore, a blue that echoes the softest pallet of the sea. The European tubular hardware gives a contemporary edge to the >>

kitchen. White Rhino marble covers the countertop of the large peninsula; with its sea grass counter stools, this becomes the perfect place for a quick snack. The dishwasher and refrigerator are integrated to match the cabinetry.

One of two master bedrooms is on the first floor, just off the entrance.

Top: The second master bedroom boasts a white upholstered headboard with white linens and soft blue accents.

Above: The contemporary kitchen in the Petersons’ guest quarters.

90

Inside Northside

contemporary tub has polished nickel hardware.

Upstairs are four more bedrooms—another master with sitting area and three bedrooms for children and guests—with enough bathrooms for all. In the middle of the upstairs is a gathering room for the children to watch television or play board games. Four fullsized bunk beds, with storage drawers, are built into the room for overflow sleeping. A custom wall unit, complete with microwave for popcorn and a beverage cooler, makes it the perfect kids’ hang-out. The sectional sofa is slipcovered in durable oatmeal linen with vibrant coral accents. This opens onto an upstairs terrace, allowing for great views of the neighborhood.

The light-filled sitting room of the second master bedroom sports a large drum pendant light trimmed with a raffia cap amid two rows of the tiniest dark blue seashells. Two comfortable slipcovered chairs in neutral fabric are accented with blue pillows in a beaded coral pattern. The king-sized white upholstered headboard, with nail-head trim, is dressed in white linens with soft blue pillows and coverlet; a white starburst mirror hangs over the bed.

A place to spend time with family and friends. Isn’t that what living at the beach is all about?

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Driftwood linen is used for the bed’s upholstered headboard. Two night tables are in a white textured finish.

Through the pecky cypress barn door is the master bath. The brushed nickel sconces reflect in the custom tall mirrors framed in block paneling over the double vanity. Floor-to-ceiling storage shelves hold fluffy white towels and other essentials. An oversized shower has white handmade subway tile walls with glass inset banding; the

July-August 2017 91

At the Table

by Tom Fitzmorris unfortunate cold winds and colder rains make dining in the open air intolerable.

On the other side of that disappointment is good news. When the city and the surrounding suburbs passed ordinances allowing sidewalk tables in many parts of town, the number of outdoor dining possibilities increased greatly. To make sure that this is a reality, not another supposition, I checked in with an authority on the subject: my wife, Mary Ann. She is a serious student of dining outdoors and has been to most really nice courtyards and sidewalk dining opportunities.

I can prove her authority with this oftenproclaimed opinion of hers: “I would rather eat in a beautiful restaurant with average food than in a place with the best food in town but not-so-good surroundings.” I can attest that this is something she really does feel strongly. And add that she has a special favoritism for restaurants with outdoor tables. I asked her for a list of such places and she immediately batted out forty-three of them.

I will go through that list to eliminate the

Al Fresco Is Not My Best Friend

92

Inside Northside

mediocrities in the food. While I’m busy with that, please read my thirteen-best list of restaurants with outdoor dining that also excel in the culinary departments. Please know that no matter what the weather is like outside, I’d prefer dining in a nicely air-conditioned dining room.

The Thirteen Best New Orleans Area Restaurants For Outdoor Dining The ranking below is based on a fuzzy combination of the excellence of the environment.

I give more preference for restaurants with actual patios, balconies or courtyards than to those with sidewalk tables. Left out: Café Degas, whose deck-like dining room is sort of outdoors but sort of not. Slip it into this ranking wherever you think it belongs—and it should be in here somewhere.

1. Brennan’s. French Quarter: 417 Royal St. 504-525-9711. For most of its history, the courtyard

illustration: GRETCHEN ARMBRUSTER

A COMMON QUEST among New Orleans diners is for restaurants with outdoor dining. Because surely, with all its courtyards and patios and sidewalk tables, our city has many options for al fresco dining.

Doesn’t it? I mean, you give it moment’s thought, and you envision the Court of Two Sisters, and Commander’s Palace, and ... let’s see … who else?

The fact is that our town doesn’t have as many courtyards for full-service dining as you might suppose. And, to tell you the truth, I never thought that Al Fresco was much of a host for fine dining.

There’s a reason for this paucity of courtyard dining: the weather. During long sections of the calendar, it’s too hot to dine comfortably outdoors.

Thanks to global warming, other parts of the year get battered with tropical thunderstorms and worse.

Nobody I know likes eating in the rain, not even with a big umbrella mounted over them. And when we get into festival seasons—Carnival, Jazz Fest, etc.—the

at Brennan’s—certainly one of the prettiest places in the French Quarter—was not used for dining.

The new owners, led by Ralph Brennan, spent tens

504-525-4455. A small courtyard with a few tables, very pleasant in cooler weather. And you get the food, for which Susan Spicer is famous.

of millions of dollars in the restoration. One of the best parts of that work was the bar, which gives out onto the tree-laden courtyard. It offers a generous menu for more casual dining (and what else is there, these days?). Anyone who wants to dine among the fountains in the courtyard is welcome to do so.

2. Commander’s Palace. Garden District: 1403 Washington Ave. 504-899-8221. The epitome of courtyard dining, under immense oaks, quiet and romantic. With five-star food, to boot. Open when the weather is good, the courtyard at Commander’s is in use much more these days than, say, twenty years ago.

3. Broussard’s. French Quarter: 819 Conti St. 504-581-3866. The largest courtyard for dining in the French Quarter, the big open area behind Broussard’s backs up into the courtyard of the Hermann-Grima House. Flowers, trees and an enormous wisteria vine keep the courtyard Eden-like.

Broussard’s management of the past four years has made much greater use of all this. At the very least, the courtyard offers cocktails out there if the weather is even marginally tolerable.

4. Lakehouse. Mandeville: 2025 Lakeshore Dr. 626-3006. In 1847, a two-story Greek revival plantation home went up on the lakefront in the center of Mandeville. In 1885, the Bechac family opened a restaurant there. It lasted more than a century, succeeded by at least five other restaurants in recent times. The current management uses both floors of the main building for dining. But on a nice day all working tables are on the patio and the lawn in front of the restaurant, with its view of the lake and the setting sun.

The contemporary Creole cooking is good, too.

5. Court of Two Sisters. French Quarter: 613 Royal St. 504-522-7273. Open except in really bad weather, the large courtyard here was designed for dining, and has become an apotheosis of the style.

Live jazz. Better food than you think, particularly at dinner. Brunch, offered every day, is a buffet that will appeal most to fans of all they can eat.

6. Bayona. French Quarter: 430 Dauphine St.

7. Santa Fe. Esplanade Ridge: 3201 Esplanade Ave. 504-948-0077. The triangular building began its life long ago as a hamburger stand. The interior dining rooms can be noisy and cramped. Even if that were not the case, the tables along the sidewalk, lit by tiki torches, are in the greatest demand. Big umbrellas and the canopy of large live oaks make it possible to dine out there even in a light rain.

8. Blue Crab. West End: 7900 Lakeshore Dr. 504-284-2898. A large deck with views of the lake and the marina is ideal for the eating of big seafood platters. It’s not quite as scenic as the Katrinadestroyed West End Park, but to protect against future storms the building is lifted higher than any of the old places. And you’re actually outdoors.

9. Brisbi’s. West End and Bucktown: 7400 Lakeshore Dr. 504-304-4125. Another seafood house on the New Basin Canal, Brisbi’s deck also has a good view of the lake and the sailboats in the harbor. Down below is a very casual covered outdoor area where crawfish and crab boils go on while oysters get shucked.

10. Café Amelie. French Quarter: 912 Royal St. 504-412-8965. Café Amelie’s large, well-planted space is not only among the most attractive, but casual and affordable enough that it gets a lot of walk-in business from strollers on Royal Street. The courtyard is the focus, shady and breezy, with lush plantings all about.

Broad umbrellas defeat falling leaves and even light drizzle. Summer days find the courtyard still full, with customers dressed very lightly.

11. Avo. Uptown: 5908 Magazine St. 504509-655. It’s a suave Italian restaurant with an emphasis on Sicilian food, but in an original style.

The courtyard is the preferred dining area. Either a reservation or a long wait is essential for getting a table there. What makes the dining especially good is that if it starts raining or gets cold, the management can throw a few switches and ameliorate the environment with heaters or fans or a domed roof.

12. Tableau. French Quarter: 616 St. Peter St. 504-934-3463. The outdoor tables at this beautiful, >> July-August 2017 93

a

t

t

h

e

t

a

b

l

e

old-New-Orleans-look restaurant are in an unusual spot: several balconies overlooking St. Peter Street, Jackson Square, the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and even the river. There could hardly be a more advantageous perch. The menu tends strongly toward the Creole classics and is not quite as fine as the surroundings predict. But that’s the usual Brennan family schedule: Mr. B’s and the Red Fish Grill and even Commander’s Palace took two or three years to get up to speed. I’m sure Tableau will as well.

13. The Chimes. Covington: 19130 W. Front St. 8925396. In a parklike setting overlooking the Bogue Falaya River, Chimes has a big deck with ramps running through the cypress trees and down to the water’s edge. This makes for one of the most striking restaurant decks hereabouts.

Other restaurants with outdoor dining above the level of sidewalk tables, listed in alphabetical order. This is not an exhaustive list, but captures the best al fresco venues: • Altamura. Uptown: 2127 Prytania St. 504-265-8101.

• Andy’s Bistro. Metairie: 3322 N. Turnbull Dr. 504-4557363.

• Doris Metropolitan. French Quarter: 620 Chartres St. 504267-3500.

• Kenton’s. Uptown: 5757 Magazine St. 504-891-1177.

• La Carreta. Mandeville: 1200 W. Causeway Approach.

624-2990.

• Middendorf’s. River Parishes: Exit 15 off I-55, Manchac.

386-6666.

• Mr. Ed’s. Kenner: 910 W. Esplanade Ave. 504-463-3030.

• Rip’s Seafood Restaurant. Mandeville: 1917 Lakeshore Dr. 727-2829.

• Station 6. West End and Bucktown: 105 MetairieHammond Hwy. 504-345-2936.

• Sylvain. French Quarter: 625 Chartres St. 504-265-8123.

Sidewalk Tables Only • • • •

Café B. Old Metairie: 2700 Metairie Road. 504-934-4700.

Cava. Lakeview: 789 Harrison Ave. 504-304-9034.

Del Porto. Covington: 501 E. Boston St. 875-1006.

Forks & Corks. Covington: 141 TerraBella Blvd. 2733663.

• Lola’s. Esplanade Ridge: 3312 Esplanade Ave. 504-4886946.

• New Orleans Food & Spirits. West End and Bucktown: 210 Hammond Hwy. 504-828-2220.

• Ox Lot 9. Covington: 428 E. Boston St. 400-5663.

94 94 Inside InsideNN orthside orthside

INside Dining

Bud’s Broiler, 1250 N. US 190, 985803-8368. Hamburgers. MCC.

MCC: Major credit cards accepted

Buster’s Place, 519 E. Boston St.,

ME: Menu Express delivery

809-3880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks.

RR: Reservations recommended

Lunch, dinner. MCC.

ABITA SPRINGS

Carreta’s Grill, 70380 Hwy. 21,

Abita Barbecue, 69399 Hwy. 59,

871-6674. Great Mexican cuisine and

400-5025. Ribs, brisket, chicken,

margaritas served in a family-friendly

pulled pork and boudin. MCC.

atmosphere for lunch and dinner. Kids eat free every Wednesday! Private

Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St.,

events and catering also provided.

892-5837. Good fun and great

carretasgrill.com. MCC.

beer. On the Trace. Lunch, dinner. abitabrewpub.com. MCC.

The Chimes, 19130 W. Front St., 892-5396. Catering, Sunday brunch,

Abita Springs Café, 22132 Level St.,

daily lunch specials, 72 beers on tap.

867-9950. Tues-Sun. MCC.

Lunch and dinner. chimesbeeru.com.

MCC.

Camellia Café, 69455 Hwy. 59, 8096313. Traditional seafood and New

Coffee Rani, 234-A Lee Ln., 893-

Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com.

6158. Soup and salad specialists.

MCC.

coffeerani.com. MCC.

Mama D’s Pizza & More, 22054

Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill, 434

Hwy. 59, 809-0308. Lunch, dinner.

N. Columbia St., 898-0899. Lunch,

mamadspizza.com.

dinner. covingtontaproom.com. MCC, ME.

COVINGTON Abita Roasting Company,

Copeland’s. 680 N. US 190, 985-

1011 Village Walk, 246-3345.

809-9659. Creole. MCC. RR.

abitaroasting.com.

Dakota Restaurant, 629 N. Hwy. Acme Oyster House, 1202 Hwy.

190, 892-3712. Contemporary

190, 246-6155. Lunch, dinner.

Louisiana cuisine using local

mamdspizza.com. MCC.

and seasonal ingredients. thedakotarestaurant.com. MCC, RR.

Albasha, 1958 Hwy. 190, 867-8292. Mediterranean cuisine.

Del Porto Restaurant, 501 E. Boston

albashabr.com. MCC.

St., 875-1006. Northern Italian cuisine. delportoristorante.com. MCC, RR.

Annadele’s Plantation, 71518 Chestnut St., 809-7669. Yellow fin

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy.

tuna, domestic lamb & much more.

21, 871-2225. Locally-owned and

annadeles.com. MCC, checks.

-operated franchise. Kids eat free on Sundays. MCC.

bacobar, 70437 LA-21, 893-2450.

International street food with South

DiCristina’s Restaurant, 810 N.

Louisiana soul. bacobarnola.com.

Columbia St., Ste. C, 875-0160. Italian

MCC.

and seafood. dicristinas.com. MCC.

Bear’s Restaurant, 128 W. 21st St.,

DiMartino’s, 700 S. Tyler St., 276-

892-2373. Best po-boys in the world.

6460. Great food and reasonable

MCC.

prices. Lunch, dinner. dimartinos.com.

MCC.

Beck ‘n’ Call Cafe, 534 N. New Hampshire, 985-875-9390. Lunch

Don’s Seafood Hut, 126 Lake

Cafe, Breakfast. MCC.

Dr., 327-7111. Lunch and dinner. donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.

>>

July-August 2017 95

i

n

s

i

d

e

d

i

n

i

n

g

The English Tea Room, 734 Rutland

1211 Village Walk, 893-0406.

Raising Canes, 1270 N. Hwy. 190,

St., 898-3988. Authentic English

megumirestaurant.net.

809-0250. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut

Tommy’s on Thomas, 216 W.

fries, coleslaw, texas toast, signature

Thomas St., 350-6100. Pizza, pastas.

cream teas. Special event teas, English scones, crumpets and cakes.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers,

secret dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go

Lunch, dinner. tommysonthomas.com.

Serving breakfast and lunch. Mon-Sat,

1645 Hwy. 190, 327-5407. Salads,

and catering. MCC.

MCC, checks.

7:30am-6pm. englishtearoom.com.

pizzas, calzones. 20 craft beers on

MCC, RR.

tap. Open 7 days a week. Lunch and

Sala Thai, 315 N. Vermont St., 249-

Tope là, 104 N. Cate St., 542-7600.

dinner. MCC. mellowmushroom.com.

6990. Special salads, spring rolls,

Contemporary delights. topela.com.

soups, noodle and curry dishes.

MCC.

Fat Spoon Café, 2807 N Highway 190., 893-5111. Breakfast, Lunch,

Mugshots Grill & Bar, 300

Sun-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat,

Tues-Sun. 7am-2pm. Breakfast

River Highlands Blvd., 893-2422.

11am-10pm.Lunch buffet weekdays,

Yellow Bird Café, 222 E. Charles St.,

severed until 10:30 on weekdays and

mugshotsgrillandbar.com.

11am-3pm. salathaibysu.com. MCC.

345-1112. A great place to start your

Fat Spoon Café for your next party.

New Orleans Food and Spirits, 208

Sugarbear’s Sweet Shop, 100

fatspooncafe.com. MCC.

Lee Ln., 875-0432. Family owned

Tyler Square, 276-2377. Creative

and operated. neworleansfoodspirits.

cakes and assorted sweets. Tues-Sat.

La Provence Restaurant, 25020

com. MCC.

sugarbearsweetshop.com.

Hwy. 190, 626-7662. Dinner, Sunday

11:30am-2:30pm. Dinner, 5-9:30pm.

Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery

Sweet Daddy’s, 420 S. Tyler St., 898-

gallaghersgrill.com. MCC.

and Cafè, 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste.

2166. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs.

5, 893-1488. Full service, year-round

sweetdaddysbarbq.com. MCC, ME.

all day Saturday and Sunday. Reserve

Gallagher’s Grill, 509 S. Tyler

day. Breakfast, lunch. MCC, checks.

St., 892-9992. Lunch, Tues-Sat

brunch. laprovencerestaurant.com.

Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food,

bakery. Luncheon salads, panini,

200 River Highlands Blvd., 327-7420.

catering, donuts, kingcakes, cupcakes

Tchoupstix, 69305 LA Hwy. 21, 985-

and wedding cakes. Tues-Sun, open

892-0852. Japanese. MCC.

Glory Bound Gyro Company, 500

LACOMBE

MCC, checks. RR. Sal & Judy’s, 27491 Hwy. 190, 8829443. Veal is the house specialty. salandjudys.com. MCC, RR. MADISONVILLE

at 7am. nonnarandazzo.com. MCC.

River Highlands Blvd., Ste. A, 871-

Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys, 515

Abita Roasting Company, 504

0711. Open 7 days a week, lunch and

Osaka West, 804 N. US 190, 985-

E. Boston St., 893-9336. Cuban

Water St., 246-3340. abitaroasting.

dinner. A new age American restaurant

871-8199. Japanese. MCC.

sandwiches and more. vazquezpoboy.

com.

concept with Mediterranean influences. gloryboundgyroco.com. MCC.

com. MCC, checks, ME. Osaka 21, 70340 Hwy. 21, 985-8092640. Japanese. MCC.

Italian Pie, 70488 Hwy. 21, 8715252. Dine in or carry out. italianpie.

Ox Lot 9, 428 E Boston St., 400-

com. MCC, checks.

5663. Hotel. Dinner, Sunday brunch. oxlot9.com. MCC.

La Carreta Authentic Mexican

Keith Young’s Steakhouse, 165 Yujin Japanese Restaurant and

Hwy. 21, 845-9940. Lunch, dinner,

Sushi Bar, 323 N. New Hampshire

Tues-Fri. keithyoungs.net. MCC.

St., 809-3840. MCC. Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar, Zea Rotisserie & Grill, 110 Lake Dr.,

702 Water St., 845-4970. Lunch,

327-0520. Inspired American food.

dinner. MCC, checks.

Cuisine, 812 Hwy. 190, 624-

Papi’s Fajita Factory of Covington,

2990. Festive Mexican atmosphere,

1331 N. Hwy. 190 Ste. 100, 893-

fresh food from traditional recipes,

1382. Kids eat free on Tuesday nights.

outstanding service and value. Live

Open 7 days a week for lunch and

Brady’s, 110 SW Railroad Ave., 542-

music. Lunch and dinner seven days a

dinner. MCC.

6333. bradysdowntown.com.

Pardos, 69305 Hwy. 21, 893-3603.

Don’s Seafood & Steak House,

Lola, 517 N. New Hampshire St., 892-

Lunch, Tues-Fri; Dinner, Tues-Sun;

1915 S. Morrison Blvd., 345-8550.

4992. Lunch, Mon-Fri; Dinner, Fri-Sat.

Happy hour, Tues-Fri, 4-7pm. Private

donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.

Closed Sundays. lolacovington.com.

parties and catering. pardosbistro.

zearestaurants.com. MCC. Orlando’s, 304 Hwy. 22 West, 985HAMMOND

week. carretasrestaurant.com. MCC.

com. MCC.

190, #7, 985-951-2246. Breakfast.

542-0043. Catering, special events,

MCC.

weddings. jacmelinn.com. MCC,

MCC.

Deli, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-7287.

checks.

Jambalaya, gumbo, stuffed artichokes.

892-0708. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

MANDEVILLE

Jacmel Inn, 903 E. Morris St.,

Pat’s Seafood Market and Cajun

MCC, checks, ME.

MCC.

Another Broken Egg Cafe, 1901 US

985-892-6550. Contemporary Creole.

MCC, checks.

Water Street Bistro, 804 Water St., 985-845-3855. Contemporary Creole.

Mac’s On Boston, 324 E. Boston St.,

Mattina Bella, 421 E. Gibson St.,

845-4446. Seafood. MCC.

The Barley Oak, 2101 Lakeshore Dr., 727-7420. Serving 130 styles of beer,

Kirin Sushi, 223 S. Cate St., 542-

call and premium liquors. Lunch and

8888. kirinjapanesecuisine.com. MCC.

dinner. thebarleyoak.com. MCC.

PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 70456 Hwy. 21, 875-7894. Catch your morning

La Carreta Authentic Mexican

Beach House, 124 Girod, 985-

McAlister’s Deli, 206 Lake Dr., Ste.

buzz at this convenient drive-thru!

Cuisine, 108 N.W Railroad Ave., 419-

624-9331. Neighborhood Cafe.

15, 898-2800. Great sandwiches,

Catering. MCC.

9990. Festive Mexican atmosphere,

beachhousemandeville.com. MCC.

salads, overstuffed potatoes. mcalistersdeli.com. MCC, checks.

Megumi of Covington,

96

Inside Northside

fresh food from traditional recipes, Pizza Man of Covington, 1248 N.

outstanding service and value. Live

Bistro Byronz, 1901 Highway 190,

Collins Blvd., 892-9874. Checks, ME.

music. Lunch and dinner seven days a

985-951-7595. American. MCC.

week. carretarestaurant.com. MCC.

i

n

s

i

d

e

d

i

n

i

n

g

Bosco’s Italian Café, 2040 Hwy. 59, 624-5066. boscositalian.com.

La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 1200 W. Causeway

Café Lynn Restaurant and

App., 624-2990. Festive Mexican

Catering, 2600 Florida St., 624-9007.

atmosphere, fresh food from traditional

Casual fine dining for lunch, dinner and

recipes, outstanding service and value.

Sunday brunch by Chef Joey Najolia.

Live music. Lunch and dinner seven

Tues-Fri, lunch: 11am-3pm. Dinner,

days a week. carretasrestaurant.com.

5pm. Catering provided. cafelynn.com.

MCC.

MCC. La Madeleine, 3434 US 190, 985Coffee Rani, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-

626-7004. French. MCC.

0560. Soup and salad specialists.

The Lakehouse, 2025 Lakeshore Coscino’s Pizza, 1809 N. Causeway

Dr., 626-3006, events 778-2045.

Blvd., 727-4984. Italian. MCC.

Restaurant open. Call for reservations. lakehousecuisine.com. MCC.

Fat Spoon Café, 68480 Hwy. 59., 809-2929. Breakfast, lunch, Tues-

LaLou, 200 Girod St., 985-231-7125.

Sun. 7am-2pm. Breakfast served

Breakfast. doyoulalou.com. MCC.

until 10:30am on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Reserve

Little Tokyo, 590 Asbury Dr., 504-

Fat Spoon Cafe for your next party.

727-1532. Japanese. littletokyosushi.

fatspooncafe.com. MCC.

com. MCC.

Fazzio’s Seafood & Steakhouse,

Liz’s Where Y’At Diner, 2500 Florida,

1841 N. Causeway Blvd., 624-

985-626-8477. Breakfast, Diner. MCC.

9704. Fresh fish daily, aged beef, traditional Italian. Lunch, dinner.

Mande’s, 340 N. Causeway App.,

fazziosrestaurant.com. MCC, ME, RR.

626-9047. Serving breakfast and lunch, daily specials.

Franco’s Grill,100 Bon Temps Roule, 792-0200. Fresh organic foods

Mandina’s, 4240 Hwy. 22 in Azalea

for breakfast, lunch and takeout.

Square Shopping Center, 674-9883.

myfrancos.com/dining. MCC.

Seafood, Creole and Italian. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. mandinasrestaurant.

George’s Mexican Restaurant,

com.

1461 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4342.

Family owned. Fajitas, George’s

New Orleans Hamburger &

nachos, Carne al la Parrilla. Best

Seafood Co., 3900 LA 22, 985-624-

top-shelf margaritas in town.

8035. Sandwiches. MCC.

georgesmexicanrestaurant.com. MCC, ME.

Nuvolari’s, 246 Girod St., 626-5619.

In Old Mandeville. Italian cuisine for

Gio’s Villa Vancheri, 2890 E.

fine dining daily for dinner or special

Causeway App., 624-2597. Sicilian

events. MCC. nuvolaris.com.

specialties by 5-star chef Gio Vancheri. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat.

The Old Rail Brewing Company,

giosvillavancheri.com. MCC. RR.

639 Girod St., 612-1828. Homemade American cuisine with fresh,

K. Gee’s, 2534 Florida St., 626-0530.

local ingredients. Family-friendly

Featuring Louisiana seafood with

atmosphere. Lunch and dinner. Closed

raw oysters 1/2 price on Tuesdays.

Mondays.

Express lunch and daily lunch specials under $10. Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm;

Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant and

Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm. kgeesrestaurant.

Bar, 527 N. Causeway Blvd, 778-2820.

com. MCC.

Lunch, Tues-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm.

Dinner, Tues-Sat 5-9:30pm.

Kazoku Sushi, 1680 LA Hwy. 59,

gallaghers527restaurant.com.

985-626-8118. Japanese. locu.com.

MCC.

Pinkberry, 3460 Hwy. 190, 612-7306.>>

July-August 2017 97

i

n

s

i

d

e

d

i

n

i

n

g PONCHATOULA

Pinkberry is the original tart frozen

Creole. MCC.

yogurt that is the perfect balance of

Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant,

sweet and tangy paired with high

30160 Hwy. 51, 386-6666.

Osaka, 792 I-10 Service Rd., 985-

Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant, 1713 Lake Ave., 504-831-4141; 841 Iberville

quality, fresh cut fruit and premium

middendorfsrestaurant.com.

643-9276. Japanese. MCC.

St., 504-581-1316. Louisiana seafood

La Carreta Authentic Mexican

Palmettos on the Bayou,

Bucktown or the French Quarter for lunch

PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 2963 Hwy.

Cuisine, 147 N.W. Railroad

1901 Bayou Ln., 643-0050.

and dinner. deanies.com. MCC.

190, 674-1565. Catering. pjscoffee.

Ave., 370-0930. Festive Mexican

palmettosrestaurantslidell.com.

com. MCC.

atmosphere, fresh food from

dry toppings. pinkberry.com.

prepared in Creole seasonings, available in

Gautreau’s, 1728 Soniat St., 504-

traditional recipes, outstanding

Peck’s Seafood Restaurant, 2315

899-7397. Open Monday through

Pontchartrain Po-Boys, 318 Dalwill

service and value. Live music. Lunch

Gause Blvd. E., 781-7272. Po-boys,

Saturday. Dinner. gautreausrestaurant.

Dr., 985-626-8188. Sandwiches.

and dinner seven days a week.

seafood, burgers and lunch specials.

com. MCC, RR.

MCC.

carretarestaurant.com. MCC.

MCC. Gumbo Shop, 630 Saint Peter St.,

Raising Canes, 3801 Hwy. 22, 674-

SLIDELL

Speckled T’s, 158 S Military Rd.,

504-525-1486. Award winning gumbo

985-646-1728. Seafood. MCC.

and soups, ship nationwide. Lunch

2042. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut

A Touch of Italy Café, 134

fries, coleslaw, texas toast, signature

Pennsylvania Ave., 639-0600. Lunch,

secret dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go

dinner. kathrynandcompany.com.

Vera’s, 2020 Gause Blvd W., 985-

and catering. MCC.

MCC, checks.

690-9814. Seafood. MCC.

Rip’s on the Lake, 1917 Lakeshore

Assunta’s, 2631 Covington Hwy.,

Young’s, 850 Robert Blvd., 985-643-

504-522-9500. Casual dining in a fine

Dr., 727-2829.

985-649-9768. Italian. assuntas.com.

9331. Steak. MCC.

dining atmosphere with experienced

and dinner. gumboshop.com. MCC. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen French Quarter, 95 French Market Place,

MCC. Rusty Pelican, 500 Girod

waitstaff, fresh dishes and madeNEW ORLEANS/SOUTHSHORE

from-scratch menu items. Lunch and

St., 778-0364. Lunch, dinner.

Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 550 Gause

Andrea’s, 3100 19th St, 504-834-

rustypelicanbythelake.com. MCC.

Blvd., 201-8905. Po-boys and more.

8583. Northern Italian and local

bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC.

seafood. Lunch, dinner, Sunday

Mellow Mushroom, 3131 Veterans

brunch. andreasrestaurant.com.

Memorial Blvd., 504-644-4155. Pizza,

MCC.

30 craft beers on tap, lunch and

Sake Garden, 1705 US 190, 985624-8955. Japanese. MCC.

Blue Bayou Cafe, 1101 East Howze Beach Rd., 985-649-3264. American.

SWEGS Kitchen, 4350 Hwy 22, Ste

MCC.

H, Mandeville, 951-2064. Healthy premade comfort food. SwegsKitchen.

Blue House Grill, 2170 Gause Blvd

com, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.

W., 985-288-5544. Sandwiches.

MCC.

MCC.

dinner. lpkfrenchquarter.com. MCC.

dinner. mellowmushroom.com. MCC. Antoine’s Restaurant, 713 Saint Louis St, 504-581-4422. antoines.

Messina’s Runway Cafe, 6001

com. MCC.

Stars and Stripes Blvd., 504-2415300. Tues-Sun, 8am-3pm.

Bayona, 430 Rue Dauphine, 504-

messinasterminal.com. MCC.

525-4455. Fresh local ingredients, Taqueria Corona. 1901 US 190.

Bonnie C’s, 1768 Front St., 985-288-

balanced yet complex dishes. Lunch

Nola Beans, 762 Harrison Ave.,

985-778-2135. Mexican. MCC.

5061. Creole Homestyle. MCC.

and dinner. bayona.com. MCC.

504-267-0783. nolabeans.com. MCC.

Taqueria La Noria. 1931 LA 59.

Camellia Cafe, 525 Hwy. 190, 649-

Brennan’s, 417 Royal St., 504-

Restaurant R’evolution, 777

985-727-7917. Mexican. MCC.

6211. thecamelliacafe.com. MCC.

525-9711. Creole traditions

Bienville St., 504-553-2277. Located

and contemporary influences.

at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Triptych

Times Bar & Grill, 1896 N.

Carreta’s Grill, 137 Taos St., 847-

Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

of Quail and Oysterman’s spaghettini.

Causeway Blvd., 626-1161. Lunch,

0020. Great Mexican cuisine and

brennansneworleans.com. MCC. RR.

Revolutionnola.com. MCC. RR.

dinner. timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.

margaritas served in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch and dinner.

Caffe! Caffe!, 4301 Clearview Pwky.,

Riccobono’s Peppermill, 3524

carretasgrill.com. MCC.

504-885-4845; 3547 N. Hullen,

Severn Ave., 504-455-2266. Seafood,

Metairie, 504-267-9190. Breakfast,

filets and Italian. Breakfast and

lunch and coffee. caffecaffe.com. MCC.

lunch. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 600 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4476. Quality China cuisine with Louisiana flair. Lunch,

Copeland’s, 1337 Gause Blvd., 985-

dinner. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.

643-0001. Creole. MCC.

riccobonos.com. MCC. Carreta’s Grill, 2320 Veterans Blvd.,

Usual Suspects. 1680 LA 59.

Felipe’s Taqueria, 176 Town Center

504-837-6696; 1821 Hickory Ave.,

Sala, 124 Lake Marina, New Orleans

985-674-3333. Chicken Fingers.

Pkwy., 985-288-1210. Mexican.

Harahan, 504-305-4833. Mexican,

504-513-2670. Cocktails and

usualsuspectschicken.com. MCC.

felipestaqueria.com. MCC.

lunch and dinner. carretasgrillrestaurant.

shareable plates. salanola.com.

com. MCC.

MCC.

Vianne’s Tea House, 544 Girod St.,

Michael’s, 4820 Pontchartrain

624-5683. A full café menu with over

Dr., 985-649-8055. Creole French.

Criollo Resturant and Lounge at

Warehouse Grille, 869 Magazine

120 loose leaf and speciality teas.

michaelsrestaurantslidell.com. MCC.

Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 504-

St, 504-322-2188. Lunch and dinner

523-3340. Creole dining for breakfast,

specials, Monday-Friday. Brunch,

Nathan’s, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty

lunch and dinner. hotelmonteleone.com/

Saturday-Sunday, 9am-3pm.

Rd., 985-643-0443. Contemporary

criollo/. MCC, RR.

warehousegrille.com. MCC.

Breakfast, lunch. viannes.com. MCC.

98

Inside Northside

M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N photos: HEATHER WILKINSON

Coady-Boudreaux Rebecca Anne Coady and Brandon Michael Boudreaux exchanged vows at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters at sunset. Rebecca wore a custom Katrina Tuttle gown with an illusion bodice, hand-placed lace appliques, a sleek fit-and-flare silk crepe skirt, and a custom veil. She wore custom-made Boudreaux’s signature earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet to complete the look. Maria of InNOLA Events & Design created an elegant evening with antique urns and candelabras. Four cypress trees were brought into the space that were later planted in the newlyweds’ back yard. Omega Sounds played throughout the evening for guests to enjoy. The happy couple now reside in their Lakeview home.

July-August 2017 99

M A R R I A G E A N D L O V E I N

Rachael Hilary Welborn and Matthew Peter Duris wed at Christ Covenant Church in Baton Rouge. The bride graced the aisle in an elegant beaded ivory lace top and soft tulle skirt from Olivier Couture. Her maids dressed in lavender chiffon gowns and carried bouquets of white alabaster garden roses, dove roses, eucalyptus and lavender. Rachael’s nephew, Henry Wingerter, and Matthew’s niece, Isabella Duris served as ring bearer and flower girl. Pianist Vasil Cvetkov played as the bridal party walked toward the altar. The reception followed at La Maison de Bella in Prairieville, where guests enjoyed Cajun dishes including andouille jambalaya and crawfish étouffée. Tables were decorated in fresh eucalyptus and candles, creating a warm and intimate environment as Stormy the Band played. The happy couple left the reception through a tunnel of sparklers heading to their honeymoon destination, the Grand Canyon.

100

Inside Northside

photos: SAM AND KAYLA EASTERLING OF THE WILD WEST

Welborn-Duris

Meet the Artists Party A lively crowd of Inside Northside readers and art fans gathered at the Northshore Home Builders Association’s Raising the Roof for Charity Home for the Meet the Artists Party. Cover artists Mary Helen Seago and Gretchen Armbruster displayed their works throughout the beautiful house, which was built by Highland Homes and staged by Niche Modern Home.

Guests enjoyed tours of the home and bites from Coffee Rani.

Women IN Business Luncheon Inside Northside’s inspiring Women IN Business gathered at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club to celebrate with one another over lunch. Erin Moore Cowser gave an insightful talk about tangibility and the need to not take life so seriously.

Her words often created laughter throughout the room, especially when Erin’s Snapchat photo cardboard cutouts made a debut.

The light and enjoyable luncheon closed with dessert and smiles.

July-August 2017 101

The 3rd Annual Seersucker and Sazeracs fundraiser for the St. Tammany Art Association was a huge success.

Approximately 250 guests attended the event at the Southern Hotel. Patrons enjoyed Sazeracs along with food from the Dakota Restaurant, Del Porto Ristorante, English Tea Room & Eatery, Gallagher’s Grill & Courtyard and Gallagher’s 527, OXLOT 9 and Pardo’s American Bistro. Entertainment was provided by clarinetist Ben Redwine.

Proceeds from the event benefit the artists, exhibitions and education programs at the St. Tammany Art Association.

102

Inside Northside

photos courtesy: ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION

Seersucker and Sazeracs

1. John and Suzy Graham and Steve Holzhalb at Christwood Foundation’s Stewardship Breakfast in Christwood’s

1

Atrium Café. 2. Patient Robert Vannoy and

2

Jenny Gensler at Lakeview Regional Medical Center’s Great Save event. 3. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Parrie married at St. Lawrence in Eunice.

4. Raising the Roof for Charity House winner Michael Taylor Jr. and his wife, Ashley, with their family. 5. Amy and Michael Wolfe with Vance and Sherry Manale at St. Scholastica’s Falaya Fling. 6. David Bottner, Noble Bated

3

4

Young, Mathew Seal, Melanie Rudolph, Nicole Suhre and Jules Guidry at the Raising the Roof for Charity House drawing.

5

6

Gurney Games

photos courtesy: ST. TAMMANY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

The St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Gurney Race navigated through downtown Covington in festive costumes and decorated gurneys. Centered at the Covington Trailhead, the games kicked off with an official parade. Parade goers were then able to watch teams compete for fastest time, most creative gurney and fan favorite. Following the games, music played as teams enjoyed food and drinks.

1

2

4

5

3

6

1. Addison Riecke (right) at Cannes for her part in the new Sophia Coppola movie with Nicole Kidman. 2. District Attorney Warren Montgomery presenting the District Attorney’s Award to St. Paul’s 2017 senior Oliver Sibley. 3. Lakeview Regional Medical Center’s Volunteer Auxiliary Board members Kathy Gibbs, Jerry Lambert, Catherine Rish, Beverly Smith, and Viola Dickson at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. 4. Fontainebleau High School’s talented art students won third place in the Vans Custom Culture art contest. Teacher Jessica Danby, and students Mia Berube, Ansley Jensen, Morgan Growden, Chris Mosol, Catie Cleveland, Ella Norris, Jack Menard and Victoria Maxwell enjoyed the red carpet treatment in Los Angeles at the awards ceremony. 5. Sam Yelnick, Kelly Villars and Devon Lockfield setting for the Rehab Dynamics Doggie Dash. 6. Teresa Krutzfeldt RN MN, Dr. Patrick Torcson, Angela McKay RN, Stephanie Knapps RN, and Dr. Robert Capatelli after the Guild and Medical Staff Committee awarded scholarships to St. Tammany Hospital employees. 7. Crystal and Joey Ferris at the Rehab Dynamics Doggie Dash with sons Eli and Jax.

7 104

Inside Northside

photos courtesy: NORTHSHORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Northshore Commmunity Foundation’s 10-Year Anniversary Over 250 philanthropists, community leaders and nonprofit partners met at the new co-working Northshare building to celebrate its dedication, the Northshore Community Foundation’s 10-year anniversary and its Annual Meeting. Attendees heard countless stories of philanthropy at work in the connections that were present at the celebration. Ranging from Milne Café as the caterers, The Young Entrepreneur Academy students who were networking, and entertainment by the Hammond High Band, which received a grant from the Foundation to replace flooddamaged instruments, all had a story to share.

July-August 2017 105

Last Bite

SWEGS Kitchen

Chicken Salad Wrap Inset: The SWEGS Kitchen team.

106

WITH A NAME that’s an acronym for Small Wins Equal Great Success, SWEGS takes a healthier approach to classic New Orleans dishes and comfort foods. Built by a team of talented chefs, restaurateurs and licensed nutrition professionals, SWEGS designs the perfect balance of taste and nutrition in every meal. From breakfast to dinner to snacks in between, SWEGS provides healthier alternatives.

SWEGS Kitchen Mandeville offers plenty of freshly prepped, Grab-n-Go options for healthy

Inside Northside

eating on the run. Some customer favorites include BBQ Shrimp & Cauliflower Grits, Chicken Caesar Salad, Turkey Meatballs & Zoodles, and the Geaux Green Cold Pressed Juice.

The home delivery SWEGS Lifestyle Advantage program is also based at the Mandeville location.

Imagine having all of your meals and snacks delivered to your door with no shopping, cooking or cleaning required. That’s what you get with SWEGS Lifestyle! Visit swegslifestyle.com to view the dietitian-designed meal plans and individual meals available for ordering. The program is great for weight loss, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and overall eating a healthier diet.

SWEGS Mandeville store is located at 4350 Highway 22, Suite H. Catering is also available.

951-2064. swegskitchen.com.

photos courtesy: SWEGS KITCHEN

by Leah Draffen