January-February 2018 Issue of Inside Northside Magazine

495

$

INSIDEPUB.com

MADISONVILLE CEMETERY • HEATHER LAND • FINDING HER MUSE • HEALTH & WELLNESS

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 VOL. 33, NO. 1

January-February 2018

Publisher

Vol. 33, No. 1

Lori Murphy

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

Senior Editor

Managing Editor

Jan Murphy Leah Draffen

Contributors are featured on page 16.

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

Art Director

Graphic Designer

Jennifer Starkey

Production Intern

Carlton Stewart

Brad Growden

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

Business Manager

Senior Account Executives

Jane Quillin Poki Hampton

Candice Laizer

Barbara Roscoe

Account Executives

Barbara Bossier

Jonée Daigle-Ferrand

Corrinn Fisher

Amy Taylor

Margaret Rivera

Advertising Coordinator

Check us out online at insidepub.com.

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

Advertise phone

(985) 626-9684

fax (985) 674-7721 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 9148

Mandeville, LA 70470 phone

(985) 626-9684

fax (985) 674-7721 Cover Artist Marcia Holmes Find more on page 18.

website insidepub.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.

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Inside Northside

page 30

contents table of

page 68

page 48

Features

page 56

18 Giving Her Art Soul Cover Artist Marcia Holmes 30 A Bold Hammond Home

36 Workplace Romance

Couples Who Work Together 48 Resurrecting the Madisonville Cemetery 56 Finding Her Muse

Tara Leach Slater

page 34

85 One Germ At A Time

Xenex Disinfection Services’ Joseph Authement

Health & Wellness 2018 74 Expert tips for following your 2018 healthy-eating resolutions 8

Inside Northside

page 63

contents table of

Departments

12 Publisher’s Note 14 Editor’s Note 16 Contributors 22 INside Scoop 28 IN Other Words

Good News is No News

63 Flourishes Extraordinary gifts and home accents 68 INside Look

86 IN Great Taste 34 Traces

Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for Camellia Man and the Parade Day Brunch Ozone Camellia Queen 88 INside Peek 40 Traces

Featuring

Heather Land Harvest Cup Polo Classic “I Ain’t Doing It” Men Who Cook

42 At the Table Lakeview Regional Medical

Dining Around New Orleans Center’s Boo Fest in 2017 Women’s Charity Polo Tournament Unity in the Community

54 Wine Cellar Monster Mash

Winter Wines 94 INside Dining 60 IN the Bookcase

Crazy on the Bayou 98 Last Bite

by Humberto Fontova bäcobar page 86

North Of Your Expectations

by Lori Murphy

EACH NEW YEAR BRINGS its own sense of hope and the expectation of new beginnings, often with new personal goals that range from living a healthier lifestyle and spending more quality time with family to starting a new hobby or finally organizing the hundreds of pictures taken with your latest phone.

Communities, too, can experience the optimism that the new year promises. For us who are part of the Northshore community, this is an exciting time to celebrate the change and growth of the past 30 years while looking forward to what we want to be in 20 years.

The process to identify that vision for the future began in 2014 under the leadership of the Northshore Community Foundation. In fact, many of you may have been asked to participate in the effort. By December 2015, a vision and branding statement developed: THE NORTHSHORE, NORTH OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS The Northshore isn’t just another Louisiana neighborhood. It’s one of those rare places that combines quality of life with accessibility, a progressive business climate with natural beauty, and vibrant culture with community. For those who love Louisiana’s way of life, there’s no place better. Come exceed your expectations on the Northshore.

Place branding takes time and a strategic, well-thought-out approach to creating knowledge and experience of a place. Those ideas influence the illustration of how the community wants to be perceived.

Keep Austin Weird. 30A. I Heart New York. These are all brands that you have heard of. They represent communities that have chosen to take their future by the arm and waltz it through the front door instead of hoping that things will turn out OK on their own.

As a community, we on the Northshore are now taking our future by the arm. But North of your Expectations is a grassroots effort and pride campaign that asks all of us to share in telling the story. We need to remind everyone, the people living inside and outside of the Northshore, that we are not just a bedroom community with good schools. The Northshore is a place that celebrates a wide range of unique assets. It is a place that people want to live, work, visit and invest.

Northofyourexpectations.com is a portal that encapsulates everyone’s brand with links that take people directly where they are looking to go. Subcategories will dive deeper into questions like, “Are you looking to visit?” “Wanting to do business here?”

It is a way to bring us all together under one site. It is not an attempt to surpass anyone’s individual brand, but rather a unified front for anyone asking the question: What is there to do on the Northshore? Whether that is to visit, to do business, to move and raise a family… By combining an easy way to access the Northshore’s quality of life, business, and economic development assets, in the end, this will be a dynamic site that changes with the needs of the community.

If you are proud to live on the Northshore a great way to help us start sharing the brand is to put the new North of Your Expectations car cling on your cars. You can get your own by calling Northshare at 8938757 or stopping by 807 N. Columbia Street in Covington. We are looking forward to a truly Happy New Year for the Northshore.

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Inside Northside

Editor’s Note

illustration: THOMAS B. GROW DEN

by Anne Honeywell

Did you see those holiday t-shirts and Christmas ornaments floating around last month that said Happy Almost Mardi Gras?

That really is how it goes around here, isn’t it? Getting on the other side of Christmas and New Year’s to Twelfth Night means only one thing—it’s Carnival Time!

This January/February issue takes you there with northshore and New Orleans parade schedules in our Scoop Calendar (page 22), so making your parade plans will be a snap! On page 86, Yvette Jemison gives you recipes for a hearty brunch to fortify your parade-goers. And enjoy Mimi Knight’s tale of an Abita Springs woman and her shoe(s). No, she doesn’t live in them. She creates shoes—Muses Shoes, to be exact! The story of this artistic Muses krewe member is on page 56.

There’s much more in this issue besides Carnival. Sandra Juneau writes about plans for improving the Madisonville Cemetery on page 48. And Tom Fitzmorris takes us through 2017 in the restaurant world on page 42.

As we begin 2018, if your resolution (like that of so many of us) is to live a healthier lifestyle, please read our Health and Wellness section beginning on page 74 for tips to guide you.

Happy Almost Mardi Gras! And on February 13, have a Happy Mardi Gras!!

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. Chopper’s photos of Madisonville Cemetery begin on page 48.

Sandra Scalise Juneau

Mimi Greenwood Knight

Becky Slatten

Freelance writer Sandra Scalise Juneau continues her many years of writing for Inside Publications.

Sandra’s passions as a culinary arts historian and cultural/ community events coordinator and fundraiser keep her involved.

She represented her Sicilian heritage to the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, tracing the influences of la cucina Italiana on Louisiana’s cuisine. Sandra and her husband, Roland, have been married for over 50 years.

On page 48, she writes about the Madisonville Cemetery.

Mimi Greenwood Knight is a mother of four and a freelance writer with over five hundred articles and essays in print in national and regional magazines, devotionals and fifty anthologies, including two dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She lives on a small hobby farm in Folsom with her husband, David, where she enjoys gardening, beekeeping, Bible study, knitting and chicken wrangling. In this issue, Mimi writes about Tara Leach Slater and her Muses shoes.

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 28.

Other Voices: Gretchen Armbruster, Sara Essex Bradley, Leah Draffen, Tom Fitzmorris, Candra George, Thomas B. Growden, Poki Hampton, Anne Honeywell and Yvette Jemison.

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Inside Northside

My Winters Rose Beauty can be found in solitude.

In loneliness its called despair.

No wonder, oh wonder this spectacle of survival!

Delicate, peaceful, a bearer of sheer delight in this wonder nature provides.

Sweetness, perfection, sensational, a peachy site, Thriving through coolness, bursting with life.

How easily a transcendence from peril or plight to protection, preservation, caressed delight.

Oh, I shall speak, as the sole winters rose ...

Hear me, seek me, pick me ... observe.

Lonely no more. What a site!

Giving Her Art Soul Cover Artist Marcia Holmes

AS BOTH A LITTLE BIT of lagniappe and another form of expression, Marcia Holmes has accompanied her paintings with poetic narratives for years. Recently, she created Anecdotes from the Water’s Edge, a poetry and painting booklet, after her return from painting en plein air in France, translating her experiences and giving narrative to her large-scale abstract studio works.

“I am grateful for the experiences enjoyed, and further to be able to reveal the open heart of an artist, a voyager, a woman of conscience and faith. There is no comparison to being alone with nature.

For me, it is the closest thing to God and ultimate freedom. As Walter Anderson wrote, ‘Beauty is born of the rain.’ I found that beauty can be found not only in rain, but also in solitude, where loneliness is reversed with the gift of creativity, as in My Winter’s Rose.” >> 18

Inside Northside

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Poki Hampton

20

Inside Northside

“I believe it is important to keep growing as an artist,” says Marcia. She is always open to new ideas, willing to learn new techniques, use different products and color trends. A couple of years ago, her work took a new direction into large-scale works. “I expanded my natural tendency to paint abstractly, yet continuing to paint the things I love and know best,” says Marcia. “I gave myself permission to paint freely from within and now write freely. What I’m experiencing and feeling in my artistic endeavors now is very gratifying; it’s always a leap of faith in following your own artistic heart.”

Marcia has expanded and amplified the breadth and depth of her work from a more precise rendering of her own abstract impressionist manner into this new direction, a new plenitude, a leap of faith that has formed over the years and reached a point in her desire for this inner expression to be displayed in her latest contemporary abstract paintings.

“During this artistic exploration, we find out who we are as individuals, express that in our work from an internal place that only we know, giving

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Holmes traveled from the coast of Normandy to the magical cobblestones of Paris and spent a treasured afternoon in the Rodin Museum Garden.

She found incredible inspiration along the Epte in Giverny in the rain. “When I returned to Louisiana, I began creating a storyboard—a collage of anecdotes,” Holmes explains. “A serum of exhilaration pulsed within me while pursuing my visions of what had transpired in representing nature’s spirit—and I married my thoughts to my works in color with freeing poetic license.”

Marcia has been creating beautiful works of art for almost 20 years. She works methodically, choosing paint colors and pastels before she begins and then puts in blocks of color creating the background, making a base for the whole painting.

The inspiration for color choices can come from anywhere—a lily pond or a brightly colored fish in an aquarium. “Creating a piece is like solving a puzzle—creating a surprise drip here or a splash of color there until it becomes pleasing to the eye.” But Marcia often paints from her own inner expressiveness, not from an image or reality.

our art soul…each one is a piece of myself. It takes creating contemplation and trust in ourselves to trust in our hunches, intuitions and that our art can move beyond the predictable. This is the ultimate creative freedom, which is liberating, and the journey of change is a path to continually discover and explore your voice to your audience and collectors.”

Marcia has attained Master Signature Status in the Pastel Society of America. She is also an IAPS Master Circle pastel artist and has participated in juried exhibits around the world, including The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio; Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Laurel, Mississippi; Festival International de Pastel, Limoges, France; Pastel Society of America in New York; International Associate of Pastel Society, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Vose Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts; and Salmagundi Club, New York. Marcia has also led pastel workshop groups in France and will be conducting abstract pastel classes at David’s Art Supply in Metairie this spring.

“Now, at 63 years old, I am in a grateful position to share my painting methods by teaching in abstract pastel workshops in 2018. I have always found other artists to be generous in sharing, and I know I will experience and grow even further as an artist by giving back what I have learned. I found a like mind in Eudora Welty, who wrote: ‘The events of our lives happen in sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves, they find their own order...the continuous thread of revelation.’”

Marcia Holmes’ work can be seen at The Degas Gallery on Julia Street, in New Orleans, and online at marciaholmes.com.

January-February 2018 21

2018 Carnival Season

INSIDE the definitive guide to northshore events and entertainment

January Benz Superdome. 7:45pm. allstatesugarbowl.org.

1-3 Marcia Holmes: Anecdotes from Water’s Edge. Degas Gallery, 604 Julia St #101. (504) 826-9744.

1-20 Aristocracy: Luxury & Leisure in Britain in the 19th Century. M.S. Rau Antiques, 630 Royal St. (888) 557-2406.

22

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

rauantiques.com.

1-Feb 25 Prospect.4: The Lotus in Spite of the Swamp. Citywide triennial of contemporary art. New Orleans. prospectneworleans.org.

2-27 After the Wetlands: John Valentino.

Market. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire. 10am-2pm. covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

5 LPO Romance and Fantasy with Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy. First Baptist Church of Covington, 16333 Hwy 1085.

St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N.

7:30pm. $20-$55. (504) 523-6530.

Columbia St, Covington. 892-8650.

lpomusic.com.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Covington Farmers

6 National Camellia Show. The Northshore

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

1 Allstate Sugar Bowl. Mercedes-

Camellia Club hosts the national convention of the American Camellia Society. Longtime camellia grower and supporter C. Allen Favrot will be honored as Honorary Show Chairman.

Southern Hotel, 428 E. Boston St, Covington. Open to the public, 1-4pm. northshorecamelliaclub.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Camellia City Farmers

>>

January-February 2018 23

Inside Scoop Market. 1808 Front St, Slidell.

8am-12pm. camelliacitymarket.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Covington Farmers Market.

609 N Columbia St. 8am-12pm. covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

6, 13, 20, 27 Mandeville Trailhead Market. 675 Lafitte St. 9am-1pm. mandevilletrailheadmarket.com.

7, 14, 21, 28 Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market. Trailhead Park, 22044 Main St. 12-4pm. townofabitasprings. com/farmers-market.

8 Marisa Baratelli. Ballin’s LTD, 806 E Boston St, Covington. 892-0025.

10 Open House. Early Pre-K, Pre-K and Kindergarten. Christ Episcopal School, 120 S New Hampshire St, Covington. 9:30am. 871-9902 ext 208. christepiscopalschool.org.

12-13 Downtown Covington Film Festival. Southern Hotel, 428 E. Boston St, Covington. filmfreeway.com/ DTCFilmFestival.

12-27 That ’70s Show: A Musical Tribute to Music of the ’70s. Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd, Slidell. 8pm. $25-$32. 649-3727.

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

17 Coffee & Kindergarten Open House.

Cedarwood School, 607 Heavens Dr, Mandeville. 9am. RSVP, 845-7111. cedarwoodschool.com.

19-21 Jazz in January at Christ Episcopal Church. International and regional jazz musicians and vocalists. 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington. Jan 19 and 20, 7-9:30pm. Jazz Masses on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 9am and 11:30am.

Masses, free. Concert ticket information, 892-3177. christchurchcovington.com.

19-Feb 4 Peter and the Starcatcher.

Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Dr. Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays, 2pm. Adult, $16; youth, $8. 641-0324.

20 Bal Masque. A carnival celebration to 24

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

nourish and educate the

reception, 6pm; dinner,

youth of New Orleans.

7pm. nowfe.com.

The Sugar Mill, 1021

25 Preschool-7th Grade

Convention Center Blvd.

Open House. Cedarwood

General admission, $300.

School, 607 Heavens

linkstryjewski.org.

Dr, Mandeville. 9am.

20-21 Jurassic Park Film

RSVP, 845-7111.

with Live Orchestra.

cedarwoodschool.com.

Orpheum Theater, 129

27 Girls’ Health Day. Lakeview

Roosevelt Way. Jan 20,

Regional Medical Center

2:30 and 7:30pm. Jan

and the Junior League of

21, 2:30pm. $20-$140.

Greater Covington host

lpomusic.com.

a Girls’ Health Day. Local

20 Mutts to Models.

physicians provide free

Benefitting Ian Somerhalder

health screenings. Limited

Foundation and

number of spots to perform

Scott’s Wish. Join Ian

simulated surgical activity

Somerhalder for a night

using the Da Vinci Robot.

of entertainment, music,

Lakeview Regional Medical

food and drink. Watch

Center, 95 Judge Tanner

celebrities, philanthropists,

Boulevard, Covington.

veterans, sports and media

9:30am-12:30pm. 867-

personalities walk the runway with their dogs, all in support

3900. lakeviewregional.com.

27 Krewe of Bilge. Slidell.

of charities benefiting Kids

11am. kreweofbilge.com.

& K-9s! Fleur De Lis Event

27 Krewe of Poseidon. Slidell.

Center, 1645 N Causeway Blvd, Mandeville. Cocktail

6pm. poseidonslidell.com.

30-Feb 4 An American

reception, 6:30pm; general

in Paris. New Orleans

admission, 7pm. 18+ event.

Theatre Association.

muttstomodels.com.

Saenger Theatre, 1111

24 Artist Lorraine Gendron Trunk Show. Rug Chic Home Décor, 4240 Hwy 22, Mandeville. 11am-2pm.

674-1070.

25 Ella Brennan Award Gala.

Canal St. (800) 982-2787. broadwayinneworleans.com.

February 1-25 Prospect.4: The Lotus in Spite of

The 2018 Ella Brennan

the Swamp. Citywide

Lifetime Achievement in

triennial of contemporary

Hospitality Award will be

art. New Orleans.

bestowed on celebrity chef,

prospectneworleans.org.

restaurateur, television personality, author and philanthropist Emeril

2 Krewe of Eve. Mandeville.

7pm. kreweofeve.com.

3 Krewe de Paws of

Lagasse. Ritz-Carlton New

Olde Towne. Slidell.

Orleans, 921 Canal St. VIP

10am.

>>

January-February 2018 25

Inside Scoop krewedepawsofoldetowne.com.

3 Krewe of Olympia. Covington. 5pm. kreweofolympia.net.

3 Krewe of Push Mow. Abita Springs.

com/farmers-market.

4 Krewe of Dionysus. Slidell. 1pm. kreweofdionysus.com.

4 Northshore Literary Society. Guest

11am. trailheadmuseum.org/events/push-

speaker. Refreshments. First Sunday

mow-parade.

of even numbered months, 4-6pm.

3 Krewe of Tchefuncte. Madisonville. 1pm. kreweoftchefuncte.org.

3 Mystic Krewe of Titans. Slidell. 6:30pm. kreweoftitans.com.

3, 10, 17, 24 Camellia City Farmers Market. 1808 Front St, Slidell.

8am-12pm. camelliacitymarket.org.

3, 10, 17, 24 Covington Farmers Market.

Members, free; non-members, $10. northshoreliterarysociety.wordpress.com.

7 Krewe of Druids. Uptown, New Orleans.

6:30pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

7 Krewe of Nyx. Uptown, New Orleans.

6:30pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

7, 14, 21, 28 Covington Farmers Market. Covington Trailhead, 419

609 N Columbia St. 8am-12pm.

N. New Hampshire. 10am-2pm.

covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

covingtonfarmersmarket.org.

3, 10, 17, 24 Mandeville Trailhead Market. 675 Lafitte St. 9am-1pm. mandevilletrailheadmarket.com.

4, 11, 18, 25 Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market. Trailhead Park, 22044 Main St. 12-4pm. townofabitasprings.

8 Krewe of Babylon. Uptown, New Orleans.

5:45pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

8 Krewe of Chaos. Uptown, New Orleans.

6:15pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

8 Krewe of Muses. Uptown, New Orleans.

6:30pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

9 Krewe of Hermes. Uptown, New Orleans.

6pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

9 Krewe of Morpheus. Uptown, New Orleans. 7pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

9 Krewe of Selene. Slidell. 6:30pm. kreweofselene.net.

9 Original Krewe of Orpheus. Mandeville.

7pm. mardigrasneworleans.com.

10 Krewe of Endymion. Uptown, New Orleans. 4:15pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

10 Krewe of Iris. Uptown, New Orleans.

11am. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

10 Krewe of Tucks. Uptown, New Orleans.

12pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

11 Krewe of Mid-City. Uptown, New Orleans. 11:45am. neworleans.com/ mardi-gras.

11 Krewe of Okeanos. Uptown, New Orleans. 6pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

12 Krewe of Proteus. Uptown,

House. Southeast Louisiana National

the works of local artists and special

New Orleans. 5:15pm.

Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center, 61389

pricing on all Lee orders and floor

neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

Hwy 434, Lacombe. 9am-3pm. Free.

samples. Rug Chic Home DĂŠcor, 4240

882-2000.

Hwy 22, Mandeville. 674-1070.

12 Krewe of Orpheus. Uptown, New Orleans. 6pm. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

13 Carnival in Covington. Celebration

17 Date Night with NPAS. Dinner with

22 Lisette Perfect Pant Fit Event. Ballin’s

a Northlake Performing Arts Society ensemble. Abita Quail Farm, 23185

LTD, 806 E Boston St, Covington. 892-0025.

22 Preschool-7th Grade Open House.

following the Krewe of Covington Lions

LA-435, Abita Springs. 7pm. $20

Cedarwood School, 607 Heavens Dr,

Club and Mystic Krewe of Covington

suggested donation. 276-9335. npas.info.

Mandeville. 9am. RSVP, 845-7111.

parades. Covington Trailhead, 434 N

17 LPO Beethoven and Blue Jeans:

cedarwoodschool.com.

New Hampshire St. 10am-1pm.

Beethoven Meets the Wild West. Our

502-8586.

Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 400

The Broadway Musical. Cutting Edge

Westchester Blvd, Slidell. 7:30pm. (504)

Theater, 767 Robert Blvd, Slidell. 8pm.

523-6530. lpomusic.com.

$25-$32. 649-3727.

13 Krewe of Covington Lions Club, Mystic Krewe of Covington. 10am. covingtonlionsclub.org.

13 Krewe of Rex. Uptown, New Orleans.

10am. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

13 Krewe of Zulu. Uptown, New Orleans.

8am. neworleans.com/mardi-gras.

17 Bayou Gardens Open House. Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges presents the Bayou Gardens Camellia Open

17-March 4 The Foreigner by Larry Shue.

23-March 24 Beauty and the Beast,

24 American Factory Direct Furniture

30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette

Outlets Grand Opening. New Covington

St, Mandeville. Fridays and Saturdays,

location, 218 New Camellia Blvd. 871-0300.

7pm; Sundays, 2:30pm. (844) 843-3090.

30byninety.com.

18 Mardi Paws. Mandeville Lakefront. 2pm. mardipaws.com.

19-24 Lee Loves Local Event. Featuring

Send your event information to scoop@insidepub.com to have it featured in an upcoming issue of Inside Northside.

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

Good News is No News IS IT JUST ME or has anyone else noticed that the world has gone completely crazy? It feels like people have just plain lost their minds in the past year; personally, I find the negativity very upsetting. Therefore, my New Year’s resolution for 2018 is to stay completely uninformed.

I can remember a time when people considered religion and politics very private matters; my parents never discussed elections with anyone.

These days, folks don’t hesitate to storm the political battlefield armed with opinions and pointed fingers, fearlessly risking offending those who disagree with them.

I, for one, refuse to soak in political poison anymore, and the first part of my threeprong plan starts with not reading the newspaper or watching the news. Who knows what’s even true these days?! I realize there are risks involved in being blissfully ignorant to what’s going on in the world, such as being blissfully ignorant to what’s going on in the world, but I’m willing to take my

28 Inside Northside

chances, at least for a little while. But really, when there’s nothing I can do to impact the crazy world around me (apart from offending others with my opinions), I’d rather live in my own happy, delusional world watching Andy Griffith and I Love Lucy reruns. So, if Kim Jong-un drops a bomb on us, don’t tell me. I want to be surprised.

The second part of my masterplan is to drink more wine. I find that when I drink wine, I’m in the best mood. I especially enjoy drinking wine with my friends because then we’re all in a good mood and we can collectively forget/not care that there are people in the world who hate us just because we don’t share the same beliefs. I certainly hope there isn’t a wine shortage in 2018 because this is an integral part of my strategy to stay in my happy place. So, if you find yourself stressed out after watching the news, c’mon over! The bar is open, and the feelgood movies are always on.

The last part is the hardest but also the most

important—trying to understand a different point of view. We are, after all, human beings first; and (unless you’re a Falcons’ fan or Roger Goodell) there is always some common ground if one takes the time to find it. I have dear friends whose political beliefs are very different from mine, but I know what good people they are, so their arguments must have some validity. In fact, I believe that almost everyone who is passionate about American politics is actually just passionate about our great country. We may never change each other’s minds, but one thing is certain, I’ll never learn anything new if I do all the talking. So, this year I’ll try to listen a little more.

Perhaps I’m something of a Pollyanna, but I don’t believe our country is as fragmented, on a personal level anyway, as the media would have us believe. We rarely see the stories of the kindnesses we show each other— complete strangers helping each other all day every day—on the prime-time news. But then again, how would I know? I don’t watch the news anymore.

Nope, I’m just floating down the river of denial with my glass of wine, making some crazy new friends.

January-February 2018 29

30

Inside Northside

photos: SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

A Bold Hammond Home ECLECTIC HOME EMBODIES its namesake: elements from a variety of resources, systems and styles.

Owner and principal designer Penny Francis and her daughter, Casi Francis St. Julian, carry the namesake through each and every design project with their Hammond project being a prime example.

“Together we approach projects by first understanding the client, their environment and how they live to create spaces that are truly a reflection of them,” says Penny.

A member of both ASID and IIDA, Penny opened Eclectic Home in New Orleans in 2000 to fill a huge void of diverse home products in this market and to help showcase her unique style. Casi works alongside her mother as a senior designer. Casi is also a lover of the world of interiors. She is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art & Design with a BFA in Interior Design.

I sat down with Penny and Casi for a little Q and A on Interior Design.

IN: EH:

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By Anne Honeywell What sets you apart as designers?

Though formal, traditional décor tends to be the norm in New Orleans, the city’s diverse mixture of cultures and styles support our design philosophy. We have an appreciation for the architecture and history, but our décor doesn’t have to all be from one period or style.

We juxtapose styles in a way that they come together looking collected and curated.

Who was the first interior designer to make an impression on you?

Dorothy Draper. I am still very obsessed with black and white checker-board floors, which she was known for amongst so many other forward-thinking combinations of color, pattern and texture.

The first designer to make an impression on Casi is Kelly Wearstler. She pushes the envelope and explores using unexpected materials and combinations. >> January-February 2018 31

EH:

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What are some of the things that influence you, aside from furniture and décor?

Inspiration is everywhere. The smallest things can be inspiring, like a vintage necklace recently, the handle design of an old hair brush or shadows cast from trees. Being present, paying attention to the world around you will provide inspiration.

What would you tell someone who doesn’t have a big budget?

For customers who don’t have a big budget, we always recommend painting a room. Paint is the smallest investment with the greatest amount of return. Also, new throw pillows or rug and layers of lighting with new lamps or chandelier are all small, relatively inexpensive changes that offer big impact. Reupholstering accent chairs can make a huge difference. It can often times be unrecognizable. Restyling bookcases and your collectables also have a great effect, and there is no cost in doing that.

Is there a favorite room you have designed?

Yes, most recently we designed a living room for a cottage in the French Quarter. The client downsized and had a great deal of art and furnishings. The challenge was editing those pieces while replacing others and not having a room that was cluttered or looking like a showroom. The mix of vintage and antiques from mid-century to neo-classic makes for an amazing space. It’s rich in color and interior architecture. The result is a sophisticated, functional, curated room that takes my breath away.

Inside Northside

IN:

What is one thing in modern interior design that you deplore?

EH: The same look over and over again. When that is done, clients tire of it more quickly and spend more time and money starting over because there is no originality.

IN: Is there something you will never, ever do when it comes to interior design—something you always avoid?

EH: Copying a room from the internet. Social media is wonderful for inspiration but not imitation.

Interiors should be a reflection of the homeowner.

IN: What colors do you use the most?

EH: Taupe, gray, black, white, shades of blue.

IN: Favorite materials or textures?

EH: Wall coverings with texture as well as modern takes on classic designs that are somewhat over scaled.

IN: Favorite interior design-related word?

EH: Cohesion.

IN: What qualities do you admire most in a room?

EH: We love rooms that have a diverse collection of furnishings and design elements, such as color or pattern that bring it all together.

We love one unexpected piece as well as not knowing where to look first because it’s all just so delicious...

IN: Design rule you love to break?

photos: SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

IN:

EH:

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None. We approach each job with open minds just waiting to explore using new materials and resources available to us.

What is your favorite room in the house?

Bedrooms. They are sanctuaries.

A place to retire and revive.

What is your most treasured possession?

A pair of antique Czech cut-glass decanters from my grandmother that I had always admired. She would have beautiful Thanksgiving dinners where she would use them.

They were from her grandmother and special to her as well.

And Casi?

A self-portrait of artist John Scott.

Any final words, Penny?

“At Eclectic Home, we pride ourselves on exploring new materials that are otherwise unavailable to see how they can evolve in a space. The store explains my point of view as a designer and allows me to showcase what I truly am—eclectic!”

January-February 2018 33

Traces

by Karen Gibbs

Seven years ago, Inside Northside featured an article about Slidell camellia guru Bob Stroud. It ended with Bob announcing that he’d hybridized a new camellia that he named “Mary Elizabeth Dowden,” after his granddaughter. Recently, Bob and Mary Elizabeth added another chapter to that

Mary Elizabeth Dowden with Mason Foltz.

Camellia Man and the Ozone Camellia Queen Bob Stroud and Granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Dowden LET’S START WITH A LITTLE BACKGROUND. As the original article stated, “Bob’s involvement in the Ozone Camellia Club had nothing to do with raising camellias and everything to do with raising a debutante.” You see, Bob’s wife, Erin, was determined that their daughter Shannon (who was two at the time) would one day reign as the club’s Camellia Queen. To promote that agenda, she and Bob joined the prestigious organization, despite having never planted a single camellia.

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Inside Northside

But once Bob clerked his first camellia show and caught sight of the sea of lush blossoms on display, he was hooked. He began raising camellias and creating hybrids. In time, he was elected president of the Ozone Camellia Society (and re-elected twice). Over the years, thanks in large part to his enthusiasm, expertise and dedication, he also served as president of the American Camellia Society, president of the Gulf Coast Camellia Society and board member of the International Camellia Society. Despite his extensive commitment, however, he never achieved his original goal—to have daughter Shannon crowned Ozone Camellia Queen.

“She should have been queen,” explains Erin, “but I was in anesthesia school at the time and couldn’t attend all the meetings, something that was an unspoken prerequisite.” Nevertheless, Shannon did serve on the court, thus beginning the Stroud tradition of royalty that continues to this day. Their son, Robert, served as Honor Duke, and Shannon’s children, Matthew, William and Jacob, each served as crown bearers when they were younger and as consort (the equivalent of king), when they were seniors in high school. Their sister, Mary Elizabeth, was a junior princess, a title that Robert’s twin girls, Sophie and Sydney, also shared.

Despite these honors, Erin longed to see a Stroud woman wear the royal crown. To her delight, that long-elusive dream finally became a reality when the upcoming court was introduced at the summer social this past May. The little girl who at three years

photo: BILL DOWDEN

story—one that’s even more magical.

photo courtesy: BILL DOWDEN

old snuck backstage to don part of the Camellia Queen’s costume was going to be queen herself!

“I was very, very excited,” says Mary Elizabeth. “I am also very grateful to have such amazing grandparents.

The magnificent train they gave me makes me feel like royalty.” The train, exquisitely decorated with 3-D camellias (silvery-pink Mary Elizabeth Dowden camellias, of course!) was commissioned

by Bob and Erin for Mary Elizabeth, but it will be given to the Ozone Camellia Society for future queens to wear.

The loving grandparents also had a copy of the traditional crown made for Mary Elizabeth’s coronation. “I wanted her to have her own crown,” explains Erin, herself a past queen of several carnival organizations.

On December 2, Bob Stroud proudly crowned his granddaughter Ozone Camellia Queen for 2017. Once again, Mary Elizabeth Dowden stole the show, only this time, it was the young lady herself and not her namesake blossom that everyone admired. She says, “For years I’ve dreamed of being Ozone Camellia Queen, and now my dream has come true.”

January-February 2018 35

Workplace Couples Who Work Together EVEN IN THE MIDST OF CARNIVAL, as Valentine’s Day approaches, you can’t help but notice the mushy, sweet love in the air. Flower shops are bustling with bouquets; frantic men are running through the grocery store looking for cards and chocolates; restaurants roll out their Valentine dinner menus.

And fellas, a plastic rose throw won’t work (hint, hint).

Couples of all ages celebrate the holiday in many different ways. Few, however, do so as partners at work as well as in marriage. We asked several such couples to share about running a business together. While many couples are admirably strong, it seems to us that those who work together deserve several boxes of chocolates!

Alan and Mona Vinturella of Southland Plumbing Supply and Outdoor Living Center How long have you been married? “Married 44 years—grew up next door to each other as young children!”

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Inside Northside

Why did you decide to work together? “Alan graduated from LSU in chemical engineering and went to work for his father at Southland. Mona graduated from LSU in interior design. After marriage, it was only natural to be a part of the family business in whatever role was needed, starting with showroom design for Mona and Alan running the business as his father retired.”

Favorite part of working together? “NOT working together!! We have separate roles and don’t spend a lot of working time together, but we both enjoy watching the business grow, traveling to industry functions nationwide, networking with our peers, making sure the fine reputation that Southland has in the community is maintained. As the business has expanded to include lighting, appliances and generators, and our children have joined us, we have taken on the Outdoor Living Center in Covington and brought it into the Southland family.”

Who’s the boss? “Alan is the boss. He has loved this business since the day he started. He likes to say he is the face

of Southland (on the radio)!! The rest of us TRY to keep him in line, quite a task, but we try to reel him in, just under the radar!”

Anything else we should know?

“We just celebrated Southland’s 50th year in business and our personal 60-year relationship—and we still laugh MOST days and keep it fun.”

Bob and Billie Comeaux of American Factory Direct Furniture Outlets, Inc. How long have you been married? “43 years.”

Why did you decide to work together? “With Billie’s background in mechanical drawing and drafting and Bob’s background in furniture, the business and design experience was a natural fit.”

Favorite part of working together? Billie: “It’s like having your best friend with you all of the time.”

Who’s the boss? Billie: “Both of us have compromising and forgiving personalities.”

Anything else we should know?

“Our honeymoon was in North Carolina, and it’s been furniture ever since. Our daughter-in-law says, ‘All roads lead to furniture.’” >> January-February 2018 37

Why did you decide to work together?

“Professionally, we were both ready to make a change.

And running a local business together made sense. Our strengths and personalities complement each other.”

Favorite part of working together? “The fact that we are building something together—a business that we are both so proud of. It takes a lot more than people could ever imagine to run and grow a successful business.”

Who’s the boss? Tom says, “We both have very different and essential roles, but Jenn is the boss.”

Jenn adds, “I’m the boss, but he’s my favorite person, funny and generous—and there is no one that I️ prefer spending my time with more.”

Doug and Lynell Dow of California Closets Thomas and Jennifer DiCerbo of The French Mix

by Jennifer DiCerbo How long have you been married? “Married for 16 years and together 20 years. We met 20 years ago at LSU—at Fred’s!”

How long have you been married? “13 years.”

How long have you worked together? “17 years at two different companies, one that we did not own and now at California Closets, which we own together.”

Why did you decide to work together? “We

worked for other companies and for other people for years, and we both had the desire to own our own business. We had very similar visions. We believe a successful marriage is key to having a successful business together. We have mutual respect for one another and each other’s positions.

We each have control over separate things and clearly defined roles.”

Favorite part of working together? “We play off of each other’s strengths by dividing up tasks based on what we each do best. I’m the creative visionary with a little bit of OCD; I’m also much more controlling. Doug has always excelled in operations and manufacturing—he knows all the ins and outs. He’s very relaxed and easygoing and knows how to delegate.”

Who’s the boss? Lynell: “That would definitely be me. It’s that whole control thing, but we each like to think we are the boss at work and at home.”

January-February 2018 39

Traces

by Leah Draffen

Heather Land “I Ain’t Doing It”

“IF I HAD IT MY WAY, I would skip all the bad parts and we would all walk around in our happy place 24/7. I would be skinny and be able to eat whatever I want. My children would never smart-mouth me, and my house would clean itself. We would live in a perpetual state of fall slash winter from here to eternity.

Christmas lights and college football would stay on yearround. Pumpkin spice lattes would never go away and my hair would look fly on the daily. Summer wouldn’t even be a thing. What Hear Heather Land speak on January 27 is summer?” at Refresh, Renew and Rejoice Blending humor with reality has endeared at Hosanna Lutheran Church, Heather Land to millions, but it is Heather’s roots that grow down deep in the soil of her 2480 Hwy. 190, in Mandeville. Two Tennessee home that make her not only sessions to choose from. Free admission. relatable, but downright lovable. While she Advance registration required. loves to make people laugh, she also enjoys For more information and sharing her love for Jesus. On January 27, to register, hosannalutheran.com.

Heather will share her unique take on life at 40

Inside Northside

Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mandeville.

Heather has been making people laugh since childhood, but it is her musical talent that has taken her all over the world. For over 20 years, she has served in leadership positions for churches from Tennessee to Texas and Colorado. In addition, she has travelled extensively, speaking and singing at conferences across the United States, as well as in Germany, England and Wales. In 2011, Heather released her first album, Pouring It Out For You, collaborating with some of the industry’s heavy hitters like Jared Anderson, Jennie Lee Riddle and Don Poythress.

As a writer, Heather has poured her story out in her blogs. Her bio bullet points: “Forty-one years old. Two babies.

Love life. Love the journey. Love Jesus.

Love my family. Love my friends. Love ministry. Love to travel. Hate humidity.

Love to laugh. Love to shop.

Wrote songs. Made an album.

Went through a divorce. Moved back to hometown after twenty years. (Ouch. That last one, tho.)”

While her words have continued to be transparent, she has taken it a step further.

Recently, knowing that real life can be real funny, she has embarked on creating video blogs. The ongoing series of “I Ain’t Doin It” has millions of views.

Heather’s Southern wit—peppered with some sarcasm and a whole lot of truth— and humorous take on everyday life situations from staff meetings to Crossfit friends makes you giggle.

Watch Heather’s videos and read her posts at iaintdoinit.com.

At the Table

by Tom Fitzmorris

Dining Around New Orleans in 2017 THE PRIMARY REASON ARTICLES about food show up in all media—even in hard-news outlets—is that readers like to have the lighter reportage around in dire times. Food journalism offers readers, listeners and viewers calming alternatives to the serious stuff. I’m pretty sure about this because of the number of people over the years who told me they reach for me and my works when headlines grow to a certain size and seriousness.

In the year just past, however, we saw something I never expected to encounter. Lately, you find wellknown chefs turning up in the company of the same kind of stories you read on Page One: alleged sexual harassment by famous figures in their respective marketplaces.

For the purposes of this article about the state of dining around New Orleans in 2017, >>

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January-February 2018 43

illustration: GRETCHEN ARMBRUSTER

I will back away from discussing this indelicate matter, mainly to continue the utility of food coverage as an escape from the heavy stuff. Nor will I name any famous names, many of which are very well known. It’s already too easy to find out who are the perpetrators and who are the victims. I leave it all up to you if you think the matter is important.

However, I can’t keep my thoughts from circling around to see whether other effects—possibly from the same characters and dramas—are being felt in the culinary industry.

The answer I keep finding is that many and perhaps most restaurants and their customers have changed their viewpoints as to what the other is about. Example: what does it mean that more American meals are eaten in restaurants, not in homes?

When Baby Boom generation people (like me) were old enough to have a budget for dining in restaurants, our parents continued to eat in restaurants only occasionally, as they always did.

Applying that situation to the much-discussed, twentyand-thirty-year-old Millennials, we find people who eat in restaurants all the time. Going to a restaurant for a meal is no longer special for them, but a routine part of the day.

This is not the fault of the restaurateurs, who know all about the above and are innovating to keep up with it. More new restaurants have opened in recent years than in many years. They’re setting higher standards for service and offering attractively priced special menus.

One thing that has clearly changed is the formality of restaurant dining rooms. Except for Galatoire’s and the Caribbean 44

Inside Northside

Room, hardly a dress code exists anywhere in New Orleans. T-shirts, shorts, baseball caps are all okay.

The informality extends to restaurant menus. You can order food almost any way you like. French fries first, entrées cut into many little pieces, sharing all around. . . everything’s cool.

Outback Steakhouse was ahead of itself with its slogan “No Rules.”

What came out of all these matters during 2017 were: 1. An unusually large number of new restaurants arrived in 2017. None of them have rules to speak of. Nor much in the way of brilliance. This is true in the most basic restaurant menus down to the kitchens with the most ambitious cooking. But two categories from which the new places spring are exceptional.

2. We are seeing a surprising new dominance of top-scale steak houses. That has been going on for at least twenty years, but every time a new steakery appears, many people (especially in the restaurant business) ask whether there can really be enough room in the market for another steak place. The answer is “probably yes, because they always seem to find a place in the market.”

But the real reason for the success of the beefsteak guys is that steaks create more volume than any other mainstream food. They make customers spend more money. Additionally, the preparation of a steak is very simple and requires less skill of the cooking staff—at prices approximately double that of the standard restaurant in the same category.

This year’s latest steak places are Rizzuto’s and Flemings. Rizzuto’s took over the former Tony Angello’s in Lakeview this year. Although there is a >> January-February 2018 45

strong Italian component on Rizzuto’s menu, their strongest effort is to get you to buy a steak. And they do have what it takes to impress the beefeater.

The other new beefsteak establishment is Fleming’s, a national chain of top-end steak specialists next to the Lakeside Mall in Metairie. Here, it’s not just about eating beef. The premises are extraordinarily handsome and comfortable, with a service staff to match.

3. Second only to the steakhouses in expansion during 2017 were the new Italian restaurants. The current copy line used by new Italian restaurants to set themselves apart is a claim to be Sicilian.

Almost every new restaurant to open recently makes a big deal about having Sicilian roots.

Unfortunately, not all restaurants who explored this background got anywhere with it. Altamura, a handsome new place with a big courtyard in the Garden District went so far as to nominate meatballs and spaghetti as their signature dish. This didn’t say much for the heritage of the place. I don’t think the restaurant lasted a full year.

The trend in menus these days is to allow diners to disassemble the components of a dish, then ask to have them all reassembled differently. That is the hallmark of current Millennia palates. One restaurant showed this better than any other: Meril, the nearby spinoff to Emeril’s operated by Emeril’s daughter. Some meals I’ve had there were like a full order of sides. This did indeed resonate with the customers, who became both numerous and young. Lately, I’m told, Meril’s has had busier days than Emeril’s own flagship restaurant two blocks away.

Having said all the above, the development that gives me the greatest pause is the death of the wine dinner.

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I have orchestrated wine dinners around New Orleans for over twenty years, during which attendees enjoyed hundreds of dishes and wines they probably wouldn’t have encountered on their own. Until the 1980s, only members of gourmet societies, restaurant critics and the very wealthy were exposed to the most ambitious cooking and best wines. After the turn of the century, such wine dinners spread into special events sponsored by the restaurants, wineries, wine stores and festivals like the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience.

But now multi-course dinners coordinated with wines may be on the verge of extinction. Most of them these days are kept alive for fundraising by charitable organizations—a good thing, but a different goal.

Probably, the dwindling schedules of wine dinners may be due to the fact that they are rather formal. A set menu that doesn’t allow alterations is the centerpiece. That, we have seen, is not something that the upcoming, thirty-ish gourmets go for. Finally, and ironically, there may be too many wine-and-food events. For a while, you could have found such an event to attend every day of the year. That is no longer true.

On the other hand, the Coolinary promotion during the end of summer brought many diners to the French Quarter. The Reveillon has accomplished the same goal this year, with fifty-eight wine dinners on its list.

So maybe I’m wrong, and the wine dinner is merely in a fallow time.

Wouldn’t be the first time. But I can’t help but think that the golden age of wine dinners, tastings, and table d’hôte menus will be forgotten when the next chef is caught up doing what he or she shouldn’t have been. If so, it may be time to bring those gourmet societies back.

January-February 2018 47

WHEN ORIGINALLY FOUNDED IN 1814, the Madisonville Cemetery was situated on the outskirts of town. In recent years, however, it has abided in near obscurity aside the flowing town traffic at the confluence of Main and St. Paul streets.

According to Madisonville resident Iris Vacante, 48

Inside Northside

who has done extensive research into the cemetery’s early history, “The property where the cemetery is was originally given to Juan Baptiste Baham but was adjusted to allow Commandant Charles Parent to have access to the turn in the river. He built a home on what is now St. Ann Street.” As stated in the St.

photos: ANTHONY “CHOPPER” LEONE

Resurrecting the Madisonville Cemetery

Tammany Historical Society Gazette, Madisonville Issue, “It was known as ‘The Catholic Cemetery at Madisonville’ and was outlined in the 1814 map of Madisonville by Ellis McCarty.”

Vacante says, “The changes in ownership of this land over the years are very complicated. It flip-flops

between families. According to Don Sharp and Robin Perkins at the St. Tammany Archives, the original founders of Madisonville, Juan B. Baham and his sons, were buried on Pierre’s land grant, which is documented in photographic evidence in the Jahncke photo collection at Southeastern Louisiana University.>> January-February 2018 49

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photos: ANTHONY “CHOPPER” LEONE

According to court records, at one time it was a private cemetery, so when an acre went up for sale next to the cemetery, Numa Chatellier, et al, purchased it along with 27 subscribers on April 19, 1848.”

Bounded by the Tchefuncte River, this tuckedaway treasure has endured the last two centuries through a catastrophic saga of deprivation where whole portions of the cemetery have been vanquished by erosion into the river. With continuous ground loss followed by years of neglect, worn-away gravesites tumbled onto overgrown paths strewn with weeds and trash.

Maintenance efforts by concerned citizens, such as the Keep Madisonville Beautiful project led by Samantha Goodwin, have over the years managed to intermittingly clean the cemetery and repair broken tombs, while full restoration of the cemetery has been hampered by the lack of a clear title to the property.

The intricacies of tangled ownership resulted in a lengthy odyssey of attempts to establish legality, during which the cemetery was subjected to further destruction from vandalized vaults and stolen tomb monuments.

Taking leadership for renewed purpose of the cemetery, on October 12, 2016, the Town Council and Mayor Jean Pelloat passed a resolution to approve expropriation, allowing for transfer of ownership of the Madisonville Cemetery to the Town of

Madisonville, converting the property from its status as a “private cemetery” to become a “public cemetery.”

Mayor Pelloat proudly states, “The expropriation and acquisition of the historical cemetery in Madisonville by the town is very exciting. This cemetery dates back to the 18th century and contains the burial sites of some of the town’s first families and historic figures.”

From the most recent land survey of February 2, 2017, the total size of the cemetery measures only 1.40 acres, yet within that hallowed ground is a history of Madisonville from its very beginning.

Gravesites still standing tell of the founders of Madisonville. The families of Baham, Canulette, Chatellier, Cooper, Oulliber and more can trace their roots going back through many generations— families whose descendants are active participants in today’s thriving community of Madisonville.

In her research, Vacante has identified many notable individuals and families interred in the Madisonville Cemetery, such as Joshua Aydolet and his infant daughter, whose headstone dated 1819 is the oldest marker remaining in the cemetery. There is Joseph H. Hawkins, an attorney in New Orleans who moved to Madisonville to escape the yellow fever epidemic; Hawkins had previously served in the U.S. Congress and also in the Kentucky House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker for two years. Also, Federal judges Samuel Harper and Joshua Lewis, the first Federal Judge appointed to serve the Territory of Orleans, who is buried next to his wife, America Lawson.

The first “keeper” of the Madisonville Lighthouse, Benjamin Thurston, is buried there, along with his descendants, whose lineage intertwined thorough marriages of his five daughters >> January-February 2018 51

out there to help protect it from further decay and destruction. We have over 150 grave sites lost. People were being buried on top of existing burial sites. In the late 1900s, there was a flu epidemic, and the cemetery was full.”

Efforts are now underway to establish a Friends of the Madisonville Cemetery group to raise funds to beautify and maintain the spot, giving the site recognition and the people buried there respect. Mayor Pelloat says, “Delighted that we had 45 people show up at our first meeting!”

When the Master of Preservation Studies Program of the Tulane School of Architecture, directed by Professor John H. Stubbs, formulated a study in 2016 of the Town of Madisonville, graduate students in the program made an assessment of the Madisonville Cemetery. The conditions of concern they identified were: low-lying areas with standing water to the height of 6 inches or more, impervious pavers that prevented drainage, and signs of oxidation from lack of maintenance

photos: ANTHONY “CHOPPER” LEONE

into founding families of Madisonville.

Sheltered within the cemetery’s wrought iron fences are former mayors of Madisonville and sheriffs of St. Tammany Parish, along with veterans of wars from each generation.

Most notable of these is General David Bannister Morgan, “surveyor and second in command at The Battle of New Orleans in 1815, and defender of General Jackson’s right flank,” as documented by local historian, Capt.

David R. Stefferud. “His role began when he and General Jackson met in Madisonville, as Jackson raced to New Orleans to prepare to repel the British Invasion,” says Stefferud of General Morgan. “He was unjustly maligned, court marshaled, but exonerated. I’d like to see a nice clean tomb and a somewhat substantial plaque recognizing David B. Morgan, an unsung hero of the Battle of New Orleans. He saved America.”

Vacante has been tireless in her work uncovering its fascinating history.

“We have worked together on getting the historical significance of the cemetery

that has led to structural failure. They suggested the installation of a system of French drains, perforated pipes on a slope of no less than 1 percent filled with coarse aggregate to convey water away from the cemetery. Additionally, they suggested planting of specified trees that hold water and provide absorption, such as the Swamp Tupelo, Pond Cypress and Red Maple.

Besides restoration, repair and maintenance, the quest for the Friends of the Madisonville Cemetery is to research archives and interview local residents for eventually placing family names on unmarked graves, as many of the gravesites are still unidentified.

The group is in the process of filing for non-profit status as a registered 501(c)(3) organization, so that it may accept donations. Vacante says, “We are researching the possibility of having the Madisonville Cemetery registered as a Historic Cemetery. Additionally, we are hoping to get training on preservation without destroying markers and gravesites. We’ve had such a good response since the town gained ownership. I have history professors, preservationists and family members offering their help. We know going forward we need a lot more help, so anyone wanting to get involved or having questions can call town hall.”

Bruce M. Danner, attorney for the Town of Madisonville who assisted in the acquiring the clear title to the Madisonville Cemetery, says, “We learn from history. This cemetery is the history of our region.”

Anyone interested in assisting with restoration and preservation of the Madisonville Cemetery as a volunteer, donor or member of the Friends organization may contact the Town of Madisonville by calling 985-845-3636.

January-February 2018 53

Wine Cellar

by Bill Kearney

Winter Wines THE WEATHER HAS TURNED CHILLY and has, at times, been downright cold

by Louisiana’s standards. For many wine enthusiasts, this change of weather creates a change in styles of wine to be consumed.

The seasonal transition from warm weather to cooler lead many Burgundy and pinot noir consumers to transition to heavier wines like cabernet sauvignon or cabernetbased wines from Bordeaux. Louisiana summers make the notion of consuming deep, brooding red wines unappealing. Fall and winter seem to enhance the delightful notion of a nice steak accompanied by a dark, powerful wine.

Without question, there are many oenophiles who have a singular preference for either pinot or cabernet, and their palates delight in drinking them year-round. There is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a soft and balanced Burgundy throughout the calendar, and many will also find joy in imbibing an unctuous Bordeaux.

Yet for those of us whose palate might seek a slight change of pace or who want to have different wine experiences, moving from

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a Domaine Serene Pinot Noir during the summer to a Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon in the winter solstice makes perfect sense.

There are as many different styles of wines being produced today as there are palates to enjoy them. The extraordinary diversity creates opportunities to try various wines through the year. There are no rules about what you should drink; the guiding principle should be what you enjoy most. I have heard from many readers who regularly read these articles that they enjoy my recommendations.

Accordingly, please consider a few of these wonderful wines for your cold weather consumption.

There are more California-based cabernet sauvignon wines today than ever in the history of wine making; regrettably, the pricing for many of them borders on the obnoxious. Current investors who want to enter into the wine-making business are paying ludicrous sums for real estate, and this in turn is reflected in the cost of the bottle on your favorite restaurant’s wine list or the retail shelf.

The best example of this is from Napa Valley, where it is becoming onerous to find a value-based wine.

Though I am loathe to create a habit of recommending $75 bottles for regular consumption, there are some tremendous options that will reward those in search of a bright cabernet. Many of you will be familiar with the wines of Joseph Phelps, and I think the 2014 release of their Napa Valley Cabernet is really wonderful. In a time where stylistic variations are becoming difficult to ascertain, Phelps creates some exciting wines true to its region.

I would also encourage you to consider two other large wineries from Napa, Mt. Brave and Dunn. These are two of the boldest examples of Napa Valley cabernet that you will find in the market, and some may want to cellar them for a while to create a more harmonious drinking experience.

They are not for the pinot noir lover, as they exhibit deep, dark experiences of cabernet.

Serve them to your dearest friends and loved ones, as they will create a memorable wine experience that will delight many.

January-February 2018 55

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

Finding

MARDI GRAS LOOMED LARGE in Tara Leach Slater’s childhood. Some of her earliest memories are of piling into her mom’s station wagon with her sisters and a passel of neighborhood kids to head downtown to catch a parade. “My mom loved Mardi Gras,” she says. “She used to make all our costumes and usually some for the neighbors.

Then she’d load the ice chest with sandwiches, and we’d make a day of it. Her favorite place to watch was on St. Charles in front of Delmonico where she’d let us roam the street, because you could back then.”

As soon as she was old enough, Slater found the cheapest apartment she could find on the parade route and moved herself in. “The kitchen was so small you couldn’t open the fridge and the oven at the same 56

Inside Northside

time,” she laughs. “But the parades passed right outside my door. We had a clean bathroom and a place to rest between parades and that’s all that mattered.”

For as long as she can remember, Slater wanted to join a Mardi Gras krewe. “We had friends in Bacchus when I was growing up,” she says. “I rode as a guest in Isis in Metairie and rode in a couple of truck parades.” But it wasn’t until 2004, when a coworker showed her how to go online and apply to ride in the all-female Muses parade, that Slater realized her dream. Muses was small back then, compared with the current 1,100-plus members.

Planning for the parade and decorating the coveted Muses shoes are a year-round pursuit for Slater now. “We usually find out next year’s theme on 12th Night,” she says. “By March or April—

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

HerTaraMuse Leach Slater

immediately after Mardi Gras but before Jazz Fest—I get together with the girls on my float and we start brainstorming around that theme.” And all the while, she’s designing and decorating shoes.

When Slater and her husband, Barry, relocated to Abita Springs after losing their Venetian Isles home in Katrina, they built a cottage on a sleepy stretch of bayou which Slater nicknamed “Taradise.” But there was a problem.

“The house was brand new, and glitter from my Muses shoes was everywhere,” she says. “It was in the grout, inside of light switches, floating on the surface of the pool. Barry even found it in his beard.” But decorating out on the patio was impossible with the heat and wind.

Barry proposed a solution and, with >> January-February 2018 57

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Inside Northside

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

the help of a friend, built Tara a 10’ x 12’ structure she christened the Glitter Palace.

She decorated her new “shoe-dio” like a Bahamian bungalow, painting it with blues, pinks and lime green and installing palm trees, pink flamingos and strings of shoe-shaped lights. Inside, she hung a whimsical, multi-colored chandelier above pink and white checked flooring. She painted the walls purple, installed lime green peg board to hold her spools of sequins and ribbon and filled her cabinets with pompoms, glitter and a crazy assortment of crafty googa. Now she can decorate her Muses shoes in the comfort of her Glitter Palace, and her house stays glitter-free.

“I have air conditioning, Direct TV, music and a fridge out here,” says Slater.

“I can have shoes in different stages and can work from shoe to shoe without having to pack anything away. I can listen to whatever I want as loud as I want. Winter and fall, I decorate shoes 15 hours a week. But as Mardi Gras gets closer, I’m in the Glitter Palace six or seven hours at a stretch.”

“Everybody wants a shoe, and my friends just expect one each year. I really love giving them to someone who doesn’t expect it—love the look on their face,” says Slater. To keep the coveted “throw” novel, each krewe member is only allowed to decorate and dispense 30 shoes during the parade. But Slater has undertaken some custom creations

for a few special people. “The Saints super fan, the ‘Whistle Monsta,’ came to our pre-pre-parade party last year, and I had a shoe decorated to present to him with his signature whistle hat on top.” She made another inspired by the LSU band hat, a graduation present for a friend’s son who’d been in the band.

This will be a big year for Slater and her floatmates. Because they won second place in the annual Muses headdress competition last year, they’ll be riding on the title float in this year’s parade. And Slater will be bringing her “A” game with the shoes she bestows on lucky parade goers.

Meanwhile, Barry is hard at work on a 10’ x 10’ expansion of her Glitter Palace.

The Krewe of Muses, launched in 2001, is New Orleans’ third official all-female krewe; the Krewe of Iris was introduced in 1917 and the Krewe of Venus began in 1941. In 2014, Muses added the first-ever female torch carriers, the Glambeaux.

Muses has no grand marshal, but each year selects an “Honorary Muse,” someone they believe has served as a role model to women and children in this area. The identity of the Honorary Muse is kept secret until the day of the parade when she appears riding in the krewe’s signature shoe float.

January-February 2018 59

IN the Bookcase

Crazy on the Bayou

by Humberto Fontova

LONGTIME INSIDE NORTHSIDE readers may remember with a chuckle an article Humberto Fontova wrote for the Fall 2001 issue titled “Real Men Don’t Change … at least, not in WalMart.” A brief quote says it all: “Yes, folks, there was one of those diaper changing things in the men’s restroom, and it was actually OPEN!!”

Around the same time, one of outdoorsman Fontova’s many books was published, The Helldivers Rodeo, a deadly extreme scuba diving, spear fishing adventure amid the offshore oil platforms in the murky waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This was followed by The Hellpig Hunt, a hunting adventure in the wild wetlands at the mouth of the Mississippi River by middle-aged lunatics who refuse to grow up.

Now, Fontova has written a new rollicking adventure starring the same cast of buddies, Crazy on the Bayou, published by Pelican Publishers in Gretna. Subtitled Five Seasons of Louisiana Hunting, Fishing and Feasting, the book begins with duck-hunting

season in the fall and continues with nutria, sheepshead and “Caaawnival” season in winter. Spring brings freshwater fishing season; summer, saltwater fishing season; and deer season in the fall starts the cycle over again.

Between slaying nutria for a Mardi Gras celebration, lying in wait for mallards in Venice, or fighting off a wild hog, these Cajun boys know their way around Louisiana’s bayous. For these homegrown, southern hunters, the swamp really is a land of abundance. The cast of Cajun characters lampoons not just the city dwellers who venture into the swamp seeking a duck-hunting adventure like they’ve seen on TV, but also themselves and the other local residents they encounter. Everyone is fair game in this laugh-out-loud book full of fun, practical advice, and a new Cuban-Cajun recipe in each chapter—from parmesan-dusted duck fingers to pressure-cooker nutria sauce piquante and Bambi backstrap in mushroom sauce.

Musician Ted Nugent, an avid hunter, says, “Humberto is the real McCoy, and

when he and his blood brothers unite for their voracious tooth, fang, and claw orgy of reasoning, predator killin’, and grillin’, they prove there is no party like a bayou party. What a wonderful quality-of-life upgrade everyone could experience if they would only get crazy on the bayou like the rest of us!”

Cuban-born Humberto Fontova grew up with his family in New Orleans. An avid hunter and fisherman, he has contributed to Louisiana Sportsman for almost thirty years, and has also written for Sierra, Scuba Times, and Bowhunter magazines. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Orleans and a master’s in Latin American studies from Tulane University. He tours the country speaking at universities and special events. Fontova and his wife, Shirley, live in Covington.

January-February 2018 61

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Flourishes

2

1

1. Gannet lighting by Feiss with a two-toned finish of painted, distressed Weathered Oak on an Antique Forged Iron metal frame. Pine Grove Lighting and Electrical Supply, Mandeville, 8934003. 2. Kohler Stainless Steel Ideal Workstation

3

with culinary kit available in natural bamboo, graphite wood composite, or white or gray resin.

Available in an array of sizes, colors and features, 4

starting at $2,100. Southland Plumbing, Mandeville, 893-8883. 3. Hand-crafted and -finished cross sculptures. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 875-7576. 4. Seasonal arrangements starting at $65. Florist of Covington, 892-7701. 5. Windrow Berry Bowl by Farmhouse Pottery, wheel thrown in Vermont, $85. Hestia Linens, Covington. 8930490. 6. Mod Palm hand-cut glass mosaic by New Ravenna. Exclusively at Stafford Tile & Stone; New Orleans, 504-895-5000; Baton Rouge, 225-925-

5

1233, staffordtile.com. 7. Gold leaf hinged bud vase, $54. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 6

624-4045.

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Flourishes

1 2

3

4

5

6 1. Rug handwoven in Afghanistan with all natural vegetable dyes using antique Persian design. Nola Rugs, New Orleans, 504-891-3304.

2. Flower vase/candleholder with gold leaf band and geode, starting at $40. Lucid oil candles starting at $28. MĂŠlange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652. 3. Antique gold leaf on starburst blades mix mid-century feel with Old World feel on this pendant. American Factory Direct, Covington, 871-1120. 4. Cream, farmhouse-style table lamp with subtle distressing easily adapts to other design styles, $99. Southern Farmhouse and Furniture; available at the Clayton House Marketplace, Covington, 718-9249. 5. New Orleans water meter trivet, $19. deCoeur Gifts & Home Accessories, Covington, 809-3244. 6. Avantgarde Kenzo mosaic tile shown in Calacatta Oro and Gunmetal with touches of brass. Palatial Stone and Tile, Covington, 249-6868.

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January-February 2018 65

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Flourishes 2 1

3 4

5 6

7

1. Mardi Gras bead bag, $18. Olive Patch, Covington, 327-5772. 2. Mardi

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Gras Indians hand-crafted and -painted by local artist Lorraine Gendron, starting at $90. Rug Chic Home DĂŠcor, Mandeville, 674-1070. 3. Classic White closet system wine rack. California Closets, Metairie, 504-828-5705.

4. Sequined Mardi Gras shawl with fringe, one size, $24.99. Layton Family Pharmacy, Covington, 888-1170. 5. 18� glass masquerade bowl, $40.

Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008. 6. Bisque orchid on gold leaf stem, starting at $90. Hand-sculpted, fired pottery vase, $197. EMB Interiors, Mandeville, 626-1522. 7. Ruffled hand-blown glass dish with pale gold accent. The French Mix by Jennifer Dicerbo Interiors, Covington, 809-3152.

8. Carnival board made of Louisiana Sinker Cypress, Yellow Heart and Purple Heart woods, $80. Nola Boards, New Orleans, 504-516-2601.

January-February 2018 67

INside Look

2

1

5 4 3

1. Rose gold slip-on sneakers. Suella, Covington, 276-9775.

2. Hand-embroidered corduroy collection; longall and dresses available, starting at $66. Auraluz, Metairie, 504-888-3313 or shopauraluz.com. 3. Bring out your true beauty with Kevyn Aucoin makeup. Products available in an array of shades.

H2O Salon, Mandeville, 951-8166. 4. Ultra-soft UGG robe, $125. Stone Creek Club and Spa, Covington, 801-7100.

5. Rose Gold Morganite Ring with 2.73 Ct Morganite and .35 Ct total weight diamonds. Deluca’s Fine Jewelry, Covington,

6

892-2317. 6. Marlyse Silk Dress, Sandstone Metallic Palm Tree Clip Jacquard, $298. Palm Village, A Lilly Pulitzer Store, Mandeville, 778-2547. 7. Baby Chic pink geometric diaper bag by Petunia Pickle Bottom, $190. Baby and Me, Mandeville, 626-0267.

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January-February 2018 69

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INside Look 2

1

3

1. Halston Heritage short sleeve fit and flare dress with v-neckline and hidden back zip in Syrah, $425. Ballin’s LTD, Covington, 892-0025.

2. Wrinkle-free fabric, tulip hem crossover soft knit dress with 3/4 sleeves, $124. Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 809-1789; 8091690. 3. Elegant and fun wrap, $88.

4

cdn clothing, Covington, 327-7300. 4. Jane Iredale Lip Fixation® lip stain and gloss in rapture, $32; We the Female OPI Nail Lacquer, $10. The Oasis Day Spa Mandeville, 624-6772.

5. Burgundy velvet jeans. The Villa, Mandeville, 686-9797. 6. Slip-on sneakers in rich wine, $89.

5

Shoefflé, Covington, 898.6465.

6

January-February 2018 71

INside Look

1

2

3

1. Wine strapless tube dress, $48. The Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0200. 2. Chan Luu 34” white freshwater pearl mix necklace with multi-faceted semi-precious stones, moonstone pendant and cotton cord tassel, $295. Ballin’s LTD, Covington, 892-0025.

3. 1905 Tailored fit sport shirt, $79.50. 1905 grey Henley, $89.50.

Navy and puffer vest, $195. Jos. A Bank, Mandeville, 624-4067.

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January-February 2018 73

Health & Wellness 2018

Expert tips for following your 2018 healthy-eating resolutions IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA to take charge of your health, but there’s

vinegars and whole grains such as quinoa, farro, bulgur, millet

no time like the New Year. To help you get started in 2018, the

and brown rice. Evidence of your clean slate will help: Post

American Heart Association is offering up fresh approaches to

“before” and “after” photos of your newly organized kitchen

keeping those resolutions. “You’ve had time to think about who you want to be or what you want to accomplish and to plan for that

on social media to inspire yourself and your friends.

2. Be truthful: It can be easy to fool yourself into thinking you’re

change,” says ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Kelli Braud, RD, LDN, CDE, dietitian at St.

eating healthy. Sure, there are carrots in that cake and peaches

Tammany Parish Hospital. “The first days and weeks of the New Year

in that pie. But these foods don’t count toward the fruits and

serve as the ideal springboard for putting your plan into action.”

A New Year’s resolution should be viewed as a marathon

veggies you should eat every day.

3. Cook more: Develop seven to ten go-to healthy recipes

and not a sprint. Start off with obtainable goals, such as just

and the shopping lists you need for them. Print them out or

eating one bite less, or making the plate or glass smaller so that

take photos of them with your phone. Let family members

the calories become more manageable. A resolution should be

pick favorites. Aim to try a new recipe once a week or once a

focused on a lifestyle change, not something that is a high priority

month. Try tweaking favorites with different ingredients.

for two or three weeks and then abandoned. Setting goals that are manageable will allow them to last longer. “Don’t expect immediate results; prepare for the long haul,” says Braud. “Track your progress, and reward your successes, but don’t be surprised — or defeated — if you slip up.”

Here are 12 tips to help you with eating healthier in 2018 and sticking to your New Year’s resolution.

4. Reduce sodium: Experiment by seasoning food with herbs and spices such as basil, black pepper, cayenne, garlic, nutmeg and ginger instead of salt.

5. Include more seeds: Many seeds offer heart-healthy fats, fiber, protein and important nutrients such as magnesium and potassium. Keep a shaker with unsalted sunflower seeds and flax seeds in your refrigerator to sprinkle over soups, salads, yogurt and oatmeal.

1. Start with a clean slate: Clean and organize your pantry and fridge by chucking the overly processed junk foods. Throw out

vegetable’s fiber content—important for digestive health, heart

those sugary cereals, cookies and crackers with hydrogenated

health and reducing risk of some cancers—can be found in its

oils, bottled salad dressings and refined grains like white rice

peel. So, wash the outside, but don’t remove the edible peel

and pasta. Instead, stock up on healthy granolas and unsalted

from potatoes and apples when cooking.

nuts and seeds, a good olive and avocado oil, a variety of 74

Inside Northside

6. Stop throwing away fiber: A good portion of a fruit or

7. Read the ingredient list: Many people focus on the package

H E A L T H

A N D

W E L L N E S S

Istre Hearing Care Hearing loss can occur gradually. But if you find yourself or someone you love withdrawing from social situations, spending less time with family and friends and shying away from things they used to love—like going to dinner or a movie—this selfimposed isolation may be due to hearing loss. front and the Nutrition Facts label. A quick shortcut if you’re confused: Start

Untreated hearing loss can lead to loss of wages, strained relationships,

by looking for foods with nutritious ingredients listed first, such as whole

depression, and, as more and more evidence has indicated, an early onset of

grains, fruits or vegetables.

dementia. Audiologist Dr. Cliff Istre and Licensed Board-Certified Hearing Specialist

8. Graze, don’t gorge: If you’re at a party with a tempting spread, try a small

Heather Corley of Istre Hearing Care spend their days counseling patients and their

sample rather than a full portion. Balance these tantalizing snacks with

families about hearing loss. With an emphasis on patient education, they take the time

healthier options such as fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, or have a healthy

to get to know each patient and their unique situation.

snack before you go so you’re not hungry when you arrive.

9. Help make healthy food more available: If you have a school-age child,

“People think hearing loss is a natural part of aging and something they just have to live with,” says Corley. “But untreated hearing loss can affect your quality of

team up with other parents to advocate for healthier cafeteria foods. At

life and your relationships. Hearing aids today aren’t the clunky, whistling devices our

home, always have a stock of ready-to-eat healthy snacks on hand so they’re

grandparents wore. They’re thinner, smaller, lighter, more comfortable, less intrusive

easy to grab and go when hunger strikes.

and far less noticeable. Our most popular models sit farther down in the ear canal and

10. Stay hydrated: Start the day with a glass of water first thing in the morning. Look for healthier options than sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sparkling water. Make water tastier by adding fruit to your ice cubes.

11. Get moving: While many of us focus on diet with our resolutions, remember

can even pair with your iPhone for streaming music, podcasts and TV shows.”

These high-tech, programmable devices respond to the needs of each wearer and each situation—be it a crowded restaurant, an intimate conversation, or a vigorous workout. Like fingerprints, no two ears are alike. New tailored hearing aids are

the importance of getting active, too. It doesn’t take a lot of exercise to

customized to fit the exact shape of your ear canal, to respond to your exact hearing

improve your heart health, help lose weight and just feel better. But it can

challenges and to adjust in seconds as your hearing needs change.

help to keep track of your exercise time. The American Heart Association

Corley says, “We offer hearing correction in a range of prices, as well as personal,

recommends an hour and a half a week of moderate physical activity for

wireless customized earphones, and custom-fitted earplugs for people working in

most adults (or at least 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week or a mix of

noisy environments.”

both). Kids should get about an hour a day.

12. Find a buddy: Don’t go it alone. Find a friend or family member to go on this journey with you. You can offer each other encouragement and support along the way. Healthy lifestyle choices made each day can add up to become a routine healthy habit for long-lasting change.

Istre Hearing is located at 350 Lakeview Court, Suite A, in Covington Article supplied by American Heart Association News.

and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 985-845-3509.

January-February 2018 75

How often do you cross your legs when you sneeze or cough? Is it hard to run after your kids or grandkids without leaking urine? With the passage of time or after the birth of a baby, incontinence can become an embarrassing and frustrating part of daily life for women. Dr. Katherine Williams is pleased to offer the groundbreaking ThermiVa as a treatment for urinary incontinence, helping women regain what time or childbirth has taken away.

ThermiVa is a non-surgical procedure that uses temperature-controlled radiofrequency to generate the body’s own collagen production, healing the vaginal tissue and tightening the labial tissue to reduce a noticeable sag.

A gentle wand is used both in the vagina and externally around the vulva and clitoral area. Women who are suffering from incontinence, vaginal dryness, loss of vaginal elasticity, or a decreased response to sexual stimuli are seeking out ThermiVa treatments in record numbers to address their needs.

The results speak for themselves! Our patients report that they rarely need to wear panty liners any longer. We also hear from women who didn’t feel feminine for years that ThermiVa gave them back moisture and sensitivity in the vaginal area. As an added benefit, patients are having more intense orgasms and seeing their relationships improving, drawing closer to their partners as the intimacy improves.

Patients should expect their results to last for approximately one year. But with pelvic floor exercises and physical therapy, the results can last even longer. Without pelvic floor exercises, touch ups are recommended yearly to maintain the rejuvenating results of ThermiVa. ThermiVa is an appealing alternative to life-long expensive medications or risky surgeries to correct the same problems.

ThermiVa treatments are performed in Dr. Williams’ office in Covington. Dr. Williams is a board certified OBGYN and an expert in women’s sexual health; therefore, she can best optimize the treatment plan for the patient. The treatments occur monthly over a three-month period and take about 30 minutes each. Patients should expect to see an improvement in symptoms after each treatment and can resume sexual activity immediately!

H E A L T H

A N D

W E L L N E S S advanced health screening and diagnostic testing to detect any health issues early and provide a clearer view of overall health. “That annual visit takes an hour and a half,” says Dr. Robinson. “We conduct extensive blood work not included in traditional wellness checks. At your next visit, we sit down together and go over your results in detail. You won’t just know your ‘numbers’ but will understand what those numbers mean and how they can be improved. Together, we develop an individualized step-by-step action plan for optimum wellness. You’ll receive a follow-up letter detailing our recommendations.

Included in your membership is the benefit of the MDVIP website which supports you in your health goals with meal plans, recipes and shopping lists. You can also customize exercise programs tailored to your fitness level and health challenges. Additional benefits include travel care, “Should you become sick while traveling, our office will work to get you an appointment with a nearby MDVIP physician.” If both parents are members, we will see your children, ages 15-26, at no additional fee. Also, should you require very specialized treatment not available locally, we can expedite an appointment at a center of excellence.

Whether you’re managing a chronic illness, worried about a family history of disease or consider

James M. Robinson, MD Consider your last wellness checkup. How long did you wait to see your doctor? How much time did

appointments if necessary.

Fortunately, he found this model of personalized

yourself the picture of health, there’s always room for improvement. Dr. Robinson and his team take the time to help you identify and address your unique needs so you can focus on being your healthy best. Even if you’re in the best shape of your life, Dr. Robinson’s

the two of you spend together? Did you discuss diet,

healthcare in MDVIP. MDVIP has allowed Dr. Robinson

personalized care can help you maintain good health

exercise and a proactive wellness lifestyle? Did you

to focus on wellness as well as care for his patients

and, through early detection of disease processes, avoid

receive a detailed action plan for your optimum health,

quickly when they are ill. “Now I’m able to focus on my

some of the problems that come with aging.

feeling like you and your doctor had partnered in your

patients’ complete health,” Dr. Robinson says. “Every

“The MDVIP Wellness Program is a

lifetime wellness journey?

patient has my cell number and knows they can call,

comprehensive tool to help map out a health plan

whenever they need me. And I’m able to devote the

specific to you,” says Dr. Robinson. “It reflects your

visits in this country, as far too many good doctors have

time I need to each patient without the typical rushed

unique test results and your unique health goals.

found themselves on a medical treadmill required to

office visit. Our staff takes great pride in accommodating

Published studies bear out that the MDVIP personalized

see too many patients in a day, leaving little time with

the needs of our patients.”

preventive care approach leads to better, healthier

Sadly, that scenario describes few primary care

each and resulting in healthcare that’s reactive rather than proactive.

The harried healthcare model didn’t sit well with

In fact, while the average U.S. physician hurries

lives.”

through 25 to 30 patients a day, Dr. Robinson’s personalized practice allows him to spend quality

Covington internist James M. Robinson. He wanted

time with his patients, scheduling routine visits for 30

more time with each patient, to be able to address

minutes. Here’s how the program works: There is a

James M. Robinson, MD, can be found at 190

their individual needs. He wanted to be available to

yearly fee for membership with MDVIP. This fee affords

Greenbrier Boulevard, Suite 106, in Covington,

see his patients when they needed him with same day

the patient an annual comprehensive wellness physical,

985-809-7171. mdvip.com/JamesRobinsonMD January-February 2018 79

Health & Wellness 2018

Healthy at home Inside Northside asked Fitness Expo for their favorite ultimate workout machines to exercise on at home! All found exclusively at Fitness Expo.

The Matrix TF30 XIR Ultimate Treadmill is the industry’s most advanced frame- and-deck combination for the ultimate run in your own home. The TF30 Treadmill includes easy-folding design, durable Ultimate Deck, exclusive Johnson Drive System and convenience features that redefine the workout experience in amazing ways.

A stunning HD display and intuitive home screen offer easy access to entertainment.

The Octane xR6 is a seated elliptical that has redefined the recumbent exercise. With workout boosters that will activate certain muscle groups in short bursts, this machine can push you to reach new exercise limits. An effective workout with no impact on your knees, joints or back.

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The WaterRower Natural rowing machine is handcrafted from solid ash and features Honey Oak stain finished in Danish oil. It offers a full-body, lowimpact, joint-friendly workout. It features sounds of moving water and the rhythm of a rowing machine.

The Inspire Fitness FT1 Functional Trainer offers a durable, maintenance-free modern design. The FT1 Functional Trainer works all of the muscle groups with easy-to-pull grips and cable pulley system for any level user. It has over 40 different exercises and a quick, one-handed adjustable high/low pulley system that adjusts to more than 30 height positions. The dualweight stacks allow you to work each side of your body independently for a more balanced workout.

The Precor EFX 225 Elliptical provides a reliable workout with all of the quality and technology you expect from Precor. The moving handlebars complement the CrossRamp Technology, offering a full-body work out. The motorized cross ramp elevates from 15 degrees to 25 degrees, giving the user more options and variety.

January-February 2018 81

Health & Wellness 2018

Resources Canon Hospice 626-3015 CanonHospice.com Children’s Hospital CHNOLA.org Community Center at Christwood 292-1234 christwoodrc.com Culicchia Neurological 201-7351 culicchianeuro.com Istre Hearing Care 845-3509 istrehearingcare.com Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center 875-2334 MaryBird.org MDVIP Dr. James M. Robinson 809-7171 mdvip.com/JamesRobinsonMD MetaGlow Health & Beauty 225-767-0646; 212-7972 metaglow.net North Oaks Medical Center 345-2700 NorthOaks.org Paradigm Health System 882-4500 paradigmhealth.net Pontchartrain Cancer Center 875-1202; 419-0025 pcclouisiana.com Southern Institute for Women’s Sexual Health 871-0707 siwsh.com St. Tammany Parish Hospital 898-4000 stph.org Tulane Health System Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 893-1291 tulanehealthcare.com 82

Inside Northside

services became available 24/7/365 in the new Mandeville facility, just as they are at our main campus in Covington.”

Both facilities are staffed and equipped to handle even the most alarming emergency needs.

The Pediatric ER is equipped and staffed specifically for children. Patients should only seek care in emergency departments when experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms, conditions, accidents or incidents. At-the-ready emergency resources in both locations save lives and improve healthcare in our service district, but they also cause care in EDs to be more expensive than primary and urgent options.

Urgent Care Urgent care is staffed and equipped for diagnosis, testing and treatment. If your primary care office isn’t available and your need is not an emergency, urgent care is a reliable resource when you’re sick or hurt.

Understanding Urgent and Emergency Care Options It’s easy to think “Call 911” for heart attack, stroke or serious fall, burn or broken bone to get immediate help and transport to the nearest emergency department. Some accidents and incidents don’t feel like an emergency but can’t wait for the next available appointment in the doctor’s office either.

Here is a guide to accessing care where and when you need it: Primary Care Your established primary doctor or nurse practitioner is the best place to start when you’re sick or hurt. They know your history, including chronic conditions, prescriptions and past illnesses.

Mandeville Location

St. Tammany Physicians Network offices have evening and weekend hours to accommodate busy schedules and convenient locations in Covington, Mandeville, Folsom and Madisonville (pediatrics).

You probably already have insurance and

payment preferences on file, so this may be the least expensive, easiest answer. But if your primary care provider is closed, you may need emergency

or urgent care.

Emergency Care If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms or conditions, the emergency department is best. It is open 24 hours, seven days a week, every day of the year, even holidays. They have the widest range of services for emergency after-hours care, including heart attack and stroke care, diagnostic testing and access to specialists. That specialized care also makes it the most expensive type of care. And if what you are experiencing isn’t life-threatening, you are likely to wait to be seen.

St. Tammany Parish Hospital offers two emergency departments in the service district. One is part of the main hospital at 1202 S. Tyler, Covington, the parish’s largest ED with a separate Pediatric ER. The other is newly opened in Mandeville at 2929 Hwy. 190 across from the post office.

“Adding the Mandeville Emergency Department is a way that we can live our mission and deliver on our promise of world-class healthcare close to home,” STPH CEO Patti Ellish said. “In November, emergency

Pediatric ER Through the STPH-Ochsner partnership, we offer urgent care after hours, including evenings and weekends in Mandeville and Covington. Urgent care is usually more expensive than primary care but less expensive than an emergency room, and it is very convenient.

Whether primary, emergency, or urgent, rest assured that your care through STPH is nationally recognized for high quality, safety and patient experience.

For more information on STPH, its expansion and its care options, visit stph.org.

January-February 2018 83

H E A L T H

A N D

W E L L N E S S

Kathy and Dr. David Oubre operate the only remaining privately-owned oncology practices on the northshore.

Pontchartrain Cancer Center Gone are the days when a cancer diagnosis

You have an alternative to expensive and

advocacy. “Many patients don’t understand how

meant a death sentence. Advancements in cancer

impersonal cancer care. When patients walk through

the things happening in Washington directly affect

treatment, over the past decade, are resoundingly

the doors of either location of the Pontchartrain

them,” Kathy says. “We spend time educating

encouraging. “Developments in chemotherapy

Cancer Centers, the staff knows them by name. They

patients, caregivers, and families about their

and targeted radiation greatly reduces the risk of

know their family and caregivers, their hobbies and

insurance, their rights, and how to speak to their

damage to surrounding tissue,” says Dr. David Oubre

their favorite college teams. But even as they offer

representatives; helping them understand that their

of Pontchartrain Cancer Center. “Cancer surgeries

highly personalized care, Dr. Oubre, his practice

voice matters. And we spend considerable time in

are less invasive. Improved supportive therapies like

manager and wife, Kathy, and their seasoned

Washington advocating for the rights of all cancer

antibiotics treat infections better. Blood growth factors employees are offering next-generation care and speed recovery after chemotherapy. Additionally,

national clinical trials, that aren’t being conducted

patients.”

Firm believers in giving back to the

targeted cancer treatments that unlock a patient’s own elsewhere in the Florida Parishes or New Orleans.

community, Pontchartrain Cancer Center is a

immune system to prevent the reoccurrence of cancer, “The cancer drug market has exploded with many

primary sponsor of You Night, a non-profit that helps

make cancer less of a death sentence and more of a

viable options, that weren’t available, even five years

empower women to overcome the physical and

chronic disease to be treated throughout a normal

ago,” says Dr. Oubre. “I have been called upon to

psychological challenges of cancer treatment, and

lifespan.”

help develop and test targeted treatments that offer

sponsors of the biomedical leg of Project Lead the

far lower toxicity and decidedly better survival rates.”

Way, preparing students for the global economy

Since 2005, Dr. Oubre has operated Pontchartrain Cancer Center right here in the

Pontchartrain Cancer Center currently has

Covington and Hammond areas. As cancer care has

50 patients participating in national clinical cancer

become more institutionalized and far less personal,

trials, including the largest enrollment in a national

his is the only remaining privately-owned oncology

breast cancer trial. Yet this advanced care is being

practices on the Northshore. If you or a loved one

offered with compassion by folks who live in this

was recently diagnosed with cancer, that means the

community. “Our patients are our neighbors,” says

treatment you receive at Pontchartrain Cancer Center

Kathy Oubre. “We see them at church, the ballpark

is not only the very latest cutting-edge care from an

and grocery store. They pop in and bring us flats of

innovator in the industry but it’s also highly personal.

strawberries and veggies from their garden.”

And because costs can be streamlined and care more

The highly personal nature of their practice

through its world-class STEM curriculum.

Pontchartrain Cancer Center is located in Covington at 120 Lakeview Circle, (985) 875-1202, and in

cost-efficient in a smaller facility, your treatment can

is what motivated Kathy and Dr. Oubre to become

Hammond at 15752 Medical Arts Plaza, Suite 101,

be less of a financial burden.

involved in national healthcare policy and patient

(985) 419-0025. PCCLouisiana.com

84

Inside Northside

One Germ at a Time

Xenex Disinfection Services’ Joseph Authement JOSEPH AUTHEMENT’S DEDICATION to improving healthcare is personal.

Authement, who serves as senior vice president of global sales at Xenex Disinfection Services, watched his father, Rickey Authement, battle a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection contracted during a hospital stay years ago. His father still suffers daily with the side effects of MRSA. The next time his father was hospitalized, Authement was ready. He arranged for a Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot™ to disinfect his father’s room at the skilled nursing facility in New Orleans where he received rehabilitation and treatment for complications resulting from diabetes.

that cause them. Every day, I’m reminded of our mission when I watch my father continue to suffer from the MRSA infection he contracted in a New Orleans hospital years ago,” says Authement.

The Xenex Germ-Zapping Robots are the only portable, broad-spectrum ultraviolet disinfection system that quickly destroys antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthcare facilities. More than 350 hospitals, long-term acute care, outpatient surgery and

photo courtesy: XENEX DISINFECTION SERVICES

“Xenex’s mission is to stop the pain, suffering and deaths caused by hospital-acquired infections by destroying the pathogens

skilled nursing facilities use Xenex’s room disinfection technology

State University and the University of New Orleans (MBA degree),

to destroy deadly superbugs before they harm patients and

Authement spent much of his career at Medtronic and then at

hospital employees. According to studies published in peer-

Intuitive Surgical, Inc., where he was one of Intuitive’s leading

reviewed journals, Xenex robots have been credited for helping

sales executives before taking on the sales leadership position at

healthcare facilities in the United States decrease the infection

Xenex. He has served on numerous local and national boards and

rates of MRSA by 50 percent, Clostridium difficile by 70 percent

has been honored by The American Diabetes Association and the

and Surgical Site by 100 percent.

Father’s Day Council of New Orleans.

The Xenex room disinfection system works by pulsing xenon, an inert gas, at a high intensity in a xenon ultraviolet flashlamp. This produces intense ultraviolet C light, which

In 2015, Authement donated a Xenex Germ-Zapping Robot to his high school alma mater.

Authement explains his generosity. “Jesuit taught me about

penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, including bacteria,

being a man for others and serving my community. At Xenex, we

viruses, mold, fungus and spores. Their DNA is fused, rendering

want to eradicate the pathogens that cause infections and pose a

them unable to reproduce or mutate, effectively killing them

threat to patients and hospital workers. Germs and bacteria can

on surfaces without contact or chemicals. The robot is effective

also cause outbreaks in schools and locker rooms among students,

against even the most dangerous pathogens, including

athletes and sometimes entire teams. Whether it’s preventing my

Clostridium difficile, norovirus, influenza, Ebola, and MRSA. The

father from contracting another hospital-acquired infection, or

robot disinfects in a five-minute cycle, so a single device is able

preventing student athletes from contracting a MRSA infection,

to decontaminate 30-60 rooms per day.

I’m honored to be able to serve my community by destroying the

A graduate of Jesuit High School of New Orleans, Louisiana

pathogens that cause infections.”

January-February 2018 85

IN Great Taste

by Yvette Jemison

Andouille & Egg Bake Servings: 6 1 large bunch green onions, plus extra for garnish 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 pound andouille sausage, cut into bite-size pieces 1 dozen large eggs 1 cup heavy cream 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 pound grated cheddar cheese,

A BRUNCH-STYLE MEAL is a good idea to send off your parade krewe members as it always makes the occasion feel special. Brunch straddles two meals and serves well for hours of parade watching, too.

A few quick and simple recipes and you’ll be set to feed a crowd. Try Andouille & Egg Bake, a twist on a classic breakfast casserole that gets a flavor boost from andouille. It’s an upgrade from everyday scrambled eggs and is prepared with little fuss. Lemon Blueberry Scones, from the cookbook Entertain Effortlessly Gift Deliciously, are a great addition to your brunch menu. These lightly sweet scones can be prepped a day ahead and quickly baked to be served warm with your favorite preserves. While the scones are baking, your Citrus Buratta Salad can be prepared in minutes for a beautiful dish with a refreshing flavor combination. Pair these recipes with endless mimosas and your Mardi Gras festivities will be off to a great start!

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Inside Northside

1. Preheat broiler.

2. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss green onions and olive oil to coat. Arrange onions in a single layer on half of a rimmed baking sheet.

Arrange andouille in a single layer on the other half of the sheet. Place sheet about 6 inches below broiler, and broil until onions and andouille are charred in spots, about 2 minutes. Set aside, and reduce oven temperature to 350°F. 3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and heavy cream. Add andouille, onions, garlic, salt, pepper and cheese and whisk to combine.

4. Pour into 9 x 13 baking dish, and bake until eggs are set but still wobbly in the center, 25-35 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes; serve topped with sliced green onions and grated cheese.

photo: YVETTE JEMISON

plus extra for serving

Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for Parade Day Brunch Lemon Blueberry Scones

Servings: 8 large scones or 16 mini-scones 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for flouring surface 1/4 cup sugar, plus extra for topping 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 Tablespoon lemon zest 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled 1 cup fresh blueberries 3/4 cup sour cream 2 Tablespoons milk, plus more for brushing on top 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 large egg

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the lemon zest, and toss to coat with flour. Grate the butter into the bowl, and toss to coat with flour. Blend butter into the dry ingredients by rubbing between your fingers until the mixture is crumbly.

3. Add the blueberries, and gently toss to coat with the crumbly flour mixture. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, vanilla and egg. Pour into the flour well, and use your hands to gently combine just until the dough forms. Do not over mix as this will result in tough scones.

5. For 8 large scones: On a floured surface, pat the dough into a 1-inch thick disc (8-9 inches in diameter). Transfer the disc to the prepared baking sheet. For 16 mini scones: On a floured surface, divide the dough into two equal pieces. Pat each piece of dough into a 1-inch thick disc (about 5 inches in diameter each). Transfer the discs to the prepared baking sheet.

6. Brush dough with milk, and generously sprinkle with sugar. Dust a knife with flour and cut each disc into 8 wedges.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown: large scones 25-30 minutes, miniscones 20-25 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

7. Serve with lemon curd, butter, clotted cream, whipped cream or your favorite jam.

Do Ahead: The prepared dough can be formed into a disc, sealed in plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight. Brush with milk, top with sugar and bake as directed when ready to serve. >>

January-February 2018 87

Citrus Burrata Salad Servings: 6 16 ounces fresh mozzarella

photo: YVETTE JEMISON

IN Great Taste

1 blood orange 1 navel orange 1 satsuma mandarin Maldon flaky salt Fresh cracked pepper Extra virgin olive oil Basil leaves

1. Tear mozzarella into medium pieces, and arrange on a platter.

2. Cut ends off each orange. Using a paring knife, work around the oranges, removing peel and white pith. Slice the trimmed oranges, discarding any seeds. Tuck the slices around the cheese.

3. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with basil. Serve chilled.

For more recipes and the cookbook Entertain Effortlessly Gift Deliciously, go to Ydelicacies.com and follow on Instagram @y_delicacies.

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Inside Northside

Harvest Cup Polo Classic The 21st annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic, though rescheduled, successfully gathered a large crowd of patrons for a day of polo, food and celebration. As the primary fundraiser for the Junior League of Covington, guests enjoyed bidding on silent auction items and placing their bet for the Lee Michaels Rolex Raffle. As the match raced down the polo field, specialty libations and local cuisine were enjoyed by all.

photos: JOEY MICHEL

Men Who Cook Over 400 people mingled, danced, and tasted their way through the Men Who Cook evening! Held on the top level of the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center parking garage, guests enjoyed a treetop view of the sunset.

In good competition, the team of Warren Montgomery, St. Tammany Parish District Attorney, with The Shack Restaurant won first in Judges’ Choice; followed by Covington City Councilman District E Rick Smith with Pepe’s Mexican Kitchen and Pardos; and Paul Myers, Metairie Bank & Trust Northshore Marketing President, with Lola’s Restaurant.

Not to be outdone by their fellow teams, the People’s Choice awards, won by guests buying tip tickets for their favorite teams, were: first place, Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz with Columbia Street Tap Room; second place, State Senator Jack Donahue with Zea Rotisserie; and third place, Rick Smith with Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant and Pardos.

January-February 2018 89

INside Peek

Lakeview Regional Medical Center’s Boo Fest Over 70 haunted houses, a pumpkin patch, face painting, allabilities games, music and more filled the Lakeview Regional Medical Center grounds for the 8th annual Boo Fest.

All proceeds raised benefited ACCESS (Adapting and Changing Children’s Environments with Successful Solutions), a locally founded non-profit.

Back for a fourth year, the Northshore Area Board of Realtors Annual Chili Challenge was held during Boo Fest for parents and kiddos to enjoy.

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Inside Northside

Women’s Charity Polo Tournament

photos: BOBBY GILROY

Hosted by the New Orleans Polo Club, the 1st Annual USPA Women’s Charity Challenge Tournament took place at Summergrove Farm. The tournament raised funds for the Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and re-homing of ex-racehorses. Ladies from England, Puerto Rico, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas descended on the northshore for a fun weekend of polo and camaraderie. Emcees and hosts David Fennelly and Carlos Sanchez gave a play by play of the match, explaining the rules of polo to first-time attendees. The winning team consisted of Lacey Conway, Sara Regis-Torres, Sarah Wiseman and Lori Summers, sponsored by Anderson and Boutwell Brain Injury Attorneys.

January-February 2018 91

INside Peek

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1. Jeremy and Caitlin Boelte, new owners of Hestia Linens, at a holiday celebration. 2. Michele Sutton with Allison Portier at the 36th Annual Pelican Awards where Allison was honored as Graphic Designer of the Year. 3. Women Build committee members, W.A.T.C.H. women and Habitat STW Staff celebrating exceeding their goal, raising $146,000.

4. Dan Forman, Chad Grimm, Shelly Barreca, Chris McMahon and Dan Harlin at the sneak preview of Longbranch Recovery Center. 5. Chef John Folse

7

with Candra and Wes George at the Eat, Drink and Be Merry Cooking Class. 6. Leo Denault, J. Wayne Leonard and Marcus V. Brown at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new J. Wayne Leonard Prosperity Center. 7. With a record of 9-0, the 9/10-year-old Pelican Park Seahawks football team are both the regular season and tournament champions. 8. Drs. Gregory Henkelmann and Jennifer Daly after Dr. Michael K. Hill (center) awards them both with 2017 third quarter St. Tammany Parish Hospital Medical Director’s Awards. 9. Clarence Buckley, Suzanne Weidenbacher, Clothilde Tilly Richard-Gard, Derek Rousseau, Kyle Krieger, Jimmy Corne, Michelle Rouyer and Morgan Deynoodt at Lakeview Regional Medical Center A Campus of Tulane Medical Center’s Community Outreach for Injury Prevention entitled “Stop the Bleed.” 10. Paul Parrie, Lillie Parrie and Sydnie White riding in the Crew of Jingle parade.

11. Supporters and fans of the St. Tammany Humane Society gathered at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club for Unleashed!

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Unity in the Community GNO Property Management and the City of Mandeville hosted Unity in the Community at the Mandeville Trailhead. A barbeque cook-off, carnival games, pumpkin decorating and a costume contest filled the afternoon with excitement. Live music and dancing closed out the evening.

Monster Mash The St. Tammany Parish Hospital Parenting Center Monster Mash, presented by Metairie Bank Northshore, celebrated 29 years of family fun.

Monster Mash offered plenty of fun for kids, parents and volunteers, including games, a trick-or-treat village and an auction. Live music, fun costumes and plenty of candy completed the day!

January-February 2018 93

INside Dining MCC: Major credit cards accepted ME: Menu Express delivery RR: Reservations recommended ABITA SPRINGS Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St., 892-5837. Good fun and great beer. On the Trace. Lunch, dinner. abitabrewpub.com. MCC. Abita Springs Café, 22132 Level St., 867-9950. Tues-Sun. MCC. Camellia Café, 69455 Hwy. 59, 809-6313. Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe. com. MCC. Mama D’s Pizza & More, 22054 Hwy. 59, 809-0308. Lunch, dinner. mamadspizza.com.

COVINGTON Abita Roasting Company, 1011 Village Walk, 246-3345. abitaroasting.com.

Acme Oyster House, 1202 Hwy. 190, 246-6155. Lunch, dinner. mamdspizza.com. MCC. Albasha, 1958 Hwy. 190, 867-8292. Mediterranean cuisine. albashabr.com. MCC. Annadele’s Plantation, 71518 Chestnut St., 809-7669. Yellow fin tuna, domestic lamb & much more. annadeles.com. MCC, checks. bacobar, 70437 LA-21, 893-2450.

International street food with South Louisiana soul. bacobarnola.com.

MCC. Bear’s Restaurant, 128 W. 21st St., 892-2373. Best po-boys in the world. MCC. Beck ‘n’ Call Cafe, 534 N. New Hampshire, 985-875-9390. Lunch Cafe, Breakfast. MCC. Bud’s Broiler, 1250 N. US 190, 985-803-8368. Hamburgers. MCC. Buster’s Place, 519 E. Boston St.,

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

English cream teas. Special event

1211 Village Walk, 893-0406.

Lunch, dinner. MCC.

teas, English scones, crumpets

megumirestaurant.net.

and cakes. Mon-Sat, 7:30am-6pm.

Carreta’s Grill, 70380 Hwy. 21,

englishtearoom.com. MCC, RR.

871-6674. Great Mexican cuisine and

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, 1645 Hwy. 190, 327-5407. Salads,

margaritas served in a family-friendly

Fat Spoon Café, 2807 N Highway

pizzas, calzones. 20 craft beers on

atmosphere for lunch and dinner.

190., 893-5111. Breakfast, Lunch,

tap. Open 7 days a week. Lunch and

Kids eat free every Wednesday!

Tues-Sun. 7am-2pm. Breakfast

dinner. MCC. mellowmushroom.com.

Private events and catering also

severed until 10:30 on weekdays

provided.carretasgrill.com. MCC.

and all day Saturday and Sunday.

Mugshots Grill & Bar, 300

Reserve Fat Spoon Café for your next

River Highlands Blvd., 893-2422.

party. fatspooncafe.com. MCC.

mugshotsgrillandbar.com.

daily lunch specials, 72 beers on tap.

Gallagher’s Grill, 509 S. Tyler

New Orleans Food and

Lunch and dinner. chimesbeeru.com.

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

Spirits, 208 Lee Ln., 875-0432.

MCC.

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

Family owned and operated.

gallaghersgrill.com. MCC.

neworleansfoodspirits.com. MCC.

6158. Soup and salad specialists.

Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food,

Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery

coffeerani.com. MCC.

200 River Highlands Blvd., 327-7420.

and Cafè, 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste.

Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill,

Glory Bound Gyro Company, 500

round bakery. Luncheon salads,

434 N. Columbia St., 898-0899.

River Highlands Blvd., Ste. A, 871-

panini, catering, donuts, kingcakes,

Lunch, dinner. covingtontaproom.

0711. Open 7 days a week, lunch

cupcakes and wedding cakes. Tues-

com. MCC, ME.

and dinner. A new age American

Sun, open at 7am. nonnarandazzo.

restaurant concept with Mediterranean

com. MCC.

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

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

5, 893-1488. Full service, year-

Copeland’s. 680 N. US 190, 985-

influences. gloryboundgyroco.com.

809-9659. Creole. MCC. RR.

MCC.

Dakota Restaurant, 629 N. Hwy.

Italian Pie, 70488 Hwy. 21, 871-

190, 892-3712. Contemporary

5252. Dine in or carry out. italianpie.

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

Louisiana cuisine using local

com. MCC, checks.

5663. Hotel. Dinner, Sunday brunch.

Osaka West, 804 N. US 190, 985871-8199. Japanese. MCC.

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

oxlot9.com. MCC. La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 812 Hwy. 190, 624-2990.

Papi’s Fajita Factory of

Del Porto Restaurant, 501 E.

Festive Mexican atmosphere,

Covington, 1331 N. Hwy. 190 Ste.

Boston St., 875-1006. Northern Italian

fresh food from traditional recipes,

100, 893-1382. Kids eat free on

cuisine. delportoristorante.com. MCC,

outstanding service and value. Live

Tuesday nights. Open 7 days a week

RR.

music. Lunch and dinner seven days

for lunch and dinner. MCC.

a week. carretasrestaurant.com.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy.

MCC.

21, 871-2225. Locally-owned and

Pardos, 69305 Hwy. 21, 893-3603.

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

-operated franchise. Kids eat free on

Lola, 517 N. New Hampshire St.,

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

Sundays. MCC.

892-4992. Lunch, Mon-Fri; Dinner, Fri-

parties and catering. pardosbistro.

Sat. Closed Sundays. lolacovington.

com. MCC.

DiCristina’s Restaurant, 810 N.

com.

Pat’s Seafood Market and Cajun

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

Italian and seafood. dicristinas.com.

Mac’s On Boston, 324 E. Boston

Deli, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-

MCC.

St., 985-892-6550. Contemporary

7287. Jambalaya, gumbo, stuffed

Creole. MCC.

artichokes. MCC, checks, ME.

6460. Great food and reasonable

Mattina Bella, 421 E. Gibson St.,

PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 70456 Hwy.

prices. Lunch, dinner. dimartinos.

892-0708. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

21, 875-7894. Catch your morning

com. MCC.

MCC, checks.

buzz at this convenient drive-thru!

Don’s Seafood Hut, 126 Lake

McAlister’s Deli, 206 Lake Dr., Ste.

Dr., 327-7111. Lunch and dinner.

15, 898-2800. Great sandwiches,

Pizza Man of Covington, 1248 N.

donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.

salads, overstuffed potatoes.

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

DiMartino’s, 700 S. Tyler St., 276-

Catering. MCC.

mcalistersdeli.com. MCC, checks.

The English Tea Room, 734 Rutland St., 898-3988. Authentic

Raising Canes, 1270 N. Hwy. Megumi of Covington,

190, 809-0250. Chicken fingers,

i crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, texas toast,

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

signature secret dipping sauce. Dine-

Lunch, dinner. tommysonthomas.com.

in, to-go and catering. MCC.

MCC, checks.

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

Tope là, 104 N. Cate St., 542-7600.

6990. Special salads, spring rolls,

Contemporary delights. topela.com.

soups, noodle and curry dishes.

MCC.

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Sun-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm.Lunch buffet weekdays,

Yellow Bird Café, 222 E. Charles St.,

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

345-1112. A great place to start your day. Breakfast, lunch. MCC, checks.

Sugarbear’s Sweet Shop, 100 LACOMBE

Tyler Square, 276-2377. Creative cakes and assorted sweets. Tues-Sat.

La Provence Restaurant, 25020

sugarbearsweetshop.com.

Hwy. 190, 626-7662. Dinner, Sunday brunch. laprovencerestaurant.com.

Sweet Daddy’s, 420 S. Tyler St.,

MCC, checks. RR.

898-2166. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs. sweetdaddysbarbq.com. MCC, ME.

Sal & Judy’s, 27491 Hwy. 190, 8829443. Veal is the house specialty.

Tchoupstix, 69305 LA Hwy. 21, 985-

salandjudys.com. MCC, RR.

892-0852. Japanese. MCC. MADISONVILLE Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys, 515

Abita Roasting Company, 504 Water

E. Boston St., 893-9336. Cuban

St., 246-3340. abitaroasting.com.

sandwiches and more. vazquezpoboy. com. MCC, checks, ME.

Keith Young’s Steakhouse, 165 Hwy. 21, 845-9940. Lunch, dinner,

Yujin Japanese Restaurant and

Tues-Fri. keithyoungs.net. MCC.

Sushi Bar, 323 N. New Hampshire St., 809-3840. MCC.

Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar, 702 Water St., 845-4970. Lunch,

Zea Rotisserie & Grill, 110 Lake Dr.,

dinner. MCC, checks.

327-0520. Inspired American food. zearestaurants.com. MCC.

Orlando’s, 304 Hwy. 22 West, 985845-4446. Seafood. MCC.

HAMMOND Brady’s, 110 SW Railroad Ave., 542-

Water Street Bistro, 804 Water St.,

6333. bradysdowntown.com.

985-845-3855. Contemporary Creole.

MCC.

Don’s Seafood & Steak House, MANDEVILLE

1915 S. Morrison Blvd., 345-8550. donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.

Another Broken Egg Cafe, 1901 US 190, #7, 985-951-2246. Breakfast.

Jacmel Inn, 903 E. Morris St., 542-

MCC.

0043. Fresh fish, small plate classics, house cut steaks, Sunday brunch.

The Barley Oak, 2101 Lakeshore Dr.,

jacmelinn.com. MCC.

727-7420. Serving 130 styles of beer, call and premium liquors. Lunch and

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

dinner. thebarleyoak.com. MCC.

8888. kirinjapanesecuisine.com. MCC. Beach House, 124 Girod, 985La Carreta Authentic Mexican

624-9331. Neighborhood Cafe.

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

beachhousemandeville.com. MCC.

9990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh food from traditional recipes,

Bistro Byronz, 1901 Highway 190,

outstanding service and value. Live

985-951-7595. American. MCC.

music. Lunch and dinner seven days a week. carretarestaurant.com. MCC.

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

Tommy’s on Thomas, 216 W.

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g

MCC.

Catering, 2600 Florida St., 624-9007.

Pinkberry, 3460 Hwy. 190, 612-7306.

0930. Festive Mexican atmosphere,

Pinkberry is the original tart frozen

fresh food from traditional recipes,

Casual fine dining for lunch, dinner and

La Carreta Authentic Mexican

yogurt that is the perfect balance of

outstanding service and value. Live

Sunday brunch by Chef Joey Najolia.

Cuisine, 1200 W. Causeway

sweet and tangy paired with high

music. Lunch and dinner seven days a

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

App., 624-2990. Festive Mexican

quality, fresh cut fruit and premium dry

week. carretarestaurant.com. MCC.

5pm. Catering provided. cafelynn.

atmosphere, fresh food from traditional

toppings. pinkberry.com.

com. MCC.

recipes, outstanding service and value.

SLIDELL

Live music. Lunch and dinner seven

PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 2963 Hwy.

A Touch of Italy Café, 134

Coffee Rani, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-

days a week. carretasrestaurant.com.

190, 674-1565. Catering. pjscoffee.

Pennsylvania Ave., 639-0600. Lunch,

0560. Soup and salad specialists.

MCC.

com. MCC.

dinner. kathrynandcompany.com.

Coscino’s Pizza, 1809 N. Causeway

La Madeleine, 3434 US 190, 985-

Pontchartrain Po-Boys, 318 Dalwill

Blvd., 727-4984. Italian. MCC.

626-7004. French. MCC.

Dr., 985-626-8188. Sandwiches.

Assunta’s, 2631 Covington Hwy.,

MCC.

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

MCC, checks.

El Paso Mexican Grill, 3410 US 190,

The Lakehouse, 2025 Lakeshore

624-2345. Daily specials, happy hour,

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

Raising Canes, 3801 Hwy. 22, 674-

2-7pm. elpasomex.com. MCC.

Restaurant open. Call for reservations.

2042. Chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries,

Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 550 Gause

lakehousecuisine.com. MCC.

coleslaw, texas toast, signature secret

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

dipping sauce. Dine-in, to-go and

bearsgrillandspirits.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.

MCC.

catering. MCC. Blue Bayou Cafe, 1101 East Howze Rip’s on the Lake, 1917 Lakeshore

Beach Rd., 985-649-3264. American.

Dr., 727-2829.

MCC.

Rusty Pelican, 500 Girod

Blue House Grill, 2170 Gause Blvd

St., 778-0364. Lunch, dinner.

W., 985-288-5544. Sandwiches. MCC.

rustypelicanbythelake.com. MCC. Bonnie C’s, 1768 Front St., 985-288SWEGS Kitchen, 4350 Hwy 22, Ste

9704. Fresh fish daily, aged beef,

5061. Creole Homestyle. MCC.

traditional Italian. Lunch, dinner.

Mande’s, 340 N. Causeway App.,

H, Mandeville, 951-2064. Healthy pre-

fazziosrestaurant.com. MCC, ME, RR.

626-9047. Serving breakfast and

made comfort food. SwegsKitchen.

Camellia Cafe, 525 Hwy. 190, 649-

lunch, daily specials.

com, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.

6211. thecamelliacafe.com. MCC.

Franco’s Grill,100 Bon Temps

MCC.

Roule, 792-0200. Fresh organic foods

Mandina’s, 4240 Hwy. 22 in Azalea

for breakfast, lunch and takeout.

Square Shopping Center, 674-9883.

Taqueria Corona. 1901 US 190. 985-

Carreta’s Grill, 137 Taos St., 847-0020.

Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas

myfrancos.com/dining. MCC.

Seafood, Creole and Italian. Lunch and

778-2135. Mexican. MCC.

served in a family-friendly atmosphere for

dinner, Mon-Sat. mandinasrestaurant.

George’s Mexican Restaurant,

com.

lunch and dinner. carretasgrill.com. MCC. Taqueria La Noria. 1931 LA 59. 985727-7917. Mexican. MCC.

1461 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4342.

Copeland’s, 1337 Gause Blvd., 985-

Family owned. Fajitas, George’s

New Orleans Hamburger &

nachos, Carne al la Parrilla. Best

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

Times Bar & Grill, 1896 N. Causeway

top-shelf margaritas in town.

8035. Sandwiches. MCC.

Blvd., 626-1161. Lunch, dinner.

El Paso Mexican Grill, 1100 Robert

timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.

Blvd, 445-1450. Daily specials, happy

georgesmexicanrestaurant.com. MCC,

643-0001. Creole. MCC.

Nuvolari’s, 246 Girod St., 626-5619.

ME.

hour. elpasomex.com. MCC.

In Old Mandeville. Italian cuisine for

Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 600 N.

Gio’s Villa Vancheri, 2890 E.

fine dining daily for dinner or special

Causeway Blvd., 626-4476. Quality

Felipe’s Taqueria, 176 Town Center

Causeway App., 624-2597. Sicilian

events. MCC. nuvolaris.com.

China cuisine with Louisiana flair. Lunch,

Pkwy., 985-288-1210. Mexican.

dinner. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.

felipestaqueria.com. MCC.

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

Vianne’s Tea House, 544 Girod St.,

Michael’s, 4820 Pontchartrain

American cuisine with fresh,

624-5683. A full café menu with over

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

K. Gee’s, 2534 Florida St., 626-0530.

local ingredients. Family-friendly

120 loose leaf and speciality teas.

michaelsrestaurantslidell.com. MCC.

Featuring Louisiana seafood with

atmosphere. Lunch and dinner. Closed

Breakfast, lunch. viannes.com. MCC.

raw oysters 1/2 price on Tuesdays.

Mondays.

Nathan’s, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty PONCHATOULA

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

Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant and

Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant,

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

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

30160 Hwy. 51, 386-6666.

com. MCC.

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

middendorfsrestaurant.com.

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

Kazoku Sushi, 1680 LA Hwy. 59, 985-626-8118. Japanese. locu.com.

96

Inside Northside

gallaghers527restaurant.com.

Rd., 985-643-0443. Contemporary Creole. MCC. Osaka, 792 I-10 Service Rd., 985643-9276. Japanese. MCC.

La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave., 370-

Palmettos on the Bayou,

m 1901 Bayou Ln., 643-0050.

Lake Ave., 504-831-4141; 841 Iberville St.,

palmettosrestaurantslidell.com.

504-581-1316. Louisiana seafood prepared

a

r

k

e

t

p

l

a

c

e

in Creole seasonings, available in Bucktown Peck’s Seafood Restaurant, 2315

or the French Quarter for lunch and dinner.

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

deanies.com. MCC.

seafood, burgers and lunch specials.

MCC.

Gautreau’s, 1728 Soniat St., 504-8997397. Open Monday through Saturday.

Speckled T’s, 158 S Military Rd., 985-

Dinner. gautreausrestaurant.com. MCC,

646-1728. Seafood. MCC.

RR.

Vera’s, 2020 Gause Blvd W., 985-690-

Gumbo Shop, 630 Saint Peter St.,

9814. Seafood. MCC.

504-525-1486. Award winning gumbo and soups, ship nationwide. Lunch

Young’s, 850 Robert Blvd., 985-643-

and dinner. gumboshop.com. MCC.

9331. Steak. MCC. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen French NEW ORLEANS/SOUTHSHORE

Quarter, 95 French Market Place,

Andrea’s, 3100 19th St, 504-834-

504-522-9500. Casual dining in a fine

8583. Northern Italian and local

dining atmosphere with experienced

seafood. Lunch, dinner, Sunday

waitstaff, fresh dishes and made-from-

brunch. andreasrestaurant.com. MCC.

scratch menu items. Lunch and dinner. lpkfrenchquarter.com. MCC.

Antoine’s Restaurant, 713 Saint Louis St, 504-581-4422. antoines.

Mellow Mushroom, 3131 Veterans

com. MCC.

Memorial Blvd., 504-644-4155. Pizza, 30 craft beers on tap, lunch and

Bayona, 430 Rue Dauphine, 504-525-

dinner. mellowmushroom.com. MCC.

4455. Fresh local ingredients, balanced yet complex dishes. Lunch and dinner.

Messina’s Runway Cafe, 6001

bayona.com. MCC.

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

Brennan’s, 417 Royal St., 504-

messinasterminal.com. MCC.

525-9711. Creole traditions and contemporary influences. Breakfast,

Nola Beans, 762 Harrison Ave.,

lunch and dinner. brennansneworleans.

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

com. MCC. RR. Opal Basil, 719 S Peters, New Caffe! Caffe!, 4301 Clearview Pwky.,

Orleans, opalbasil.com. MCC.

504-885-4845; 3547 N. Hullen, Metairie, 504-267-9190. Breakfast, lunch and

Restaurant R’evolution, 777 Bienville

coffee. caffecaffe.com. MCC.

St., 504-553-2277. Located at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Triptych of

Carreta’s Grill, 2320 Veterans Blvd.,

Quail and Oysterman’s spaghettini.

504-837-6696; 1821 Hickory Ave.,

Revolutionnola.com. MCC. RR.

Harahan, 504-305-4833. Mexican, lunch and dinner. carretasgrillrestaurant.com.

Riccobono’s Peppermill, 3524

MCC.

Severn Ave., 504-455-2266. Seafood, filets and Italian. Breakfast and

Criollo Resturant and Lounge at

lunch. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 504-

riccobonos.com. MCC.

523-3340. Creole dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. hotelmonteleone.com/

Sala, 124 Lake Marina, New Orleans

criollo/. MCC, RR.

504-513-2670. Cocktails and shareable plates. salanola.com. MCC.

Dat Dog, 5030 Freret St., 504-8996883; 3336 Magazine St., 504-324-

Warehouse Grille, 869 Magazine

2226; 601 Frenchmen St., 504-309-

St, 504-322-2188. Lunch and dinner

3363. datdog.com. MCC.

specials, Monday-Friday. Brunch, Saturday-Sunday, 9am-3pm.

Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant, 1713

warehousegrille.com. MCC.

January-February 2018 97

bäcobar

“A BLEND OF INTERNATIONAL fare with South Louisiana flair is what we offer,” says bäcobar Chef Carl Schaubhut. “Chef Jean Pierre Guidry and I call our style an ‘international melting pot.’”

Inspired by Central American, Korean, Mexican, Thai, South American and Vietnamese cultures, the menu plays off the varied cuisines while melding with the Cajun and Creole cooking that the two chefs were raised on. “A lot of love goes into our food and drinks. We use local ingredients and make everything but the breads and cheeses in house,” smiles Carl. “Our goal was to create good-quality, creative, healthy food that you can’t find anywhere else.”

A common favorite is the bäc-bäc Shrimp. “We combine crispy Gulf shrimp, cucumber, pickled veggies, Seoul sauces and sesame seeds on our signature steamed bun tacos—bäcos.”

Light and fluffy, the signature bäcos can be found under carnitas, chipotleagave brisket, Bangkok chicken and more, including newly added brunch items on Saturdays and Sundays such as the Sticky Pork Belly or Chicken & Gravy bäcos. Another brunch highlight is the Korean Beef Benedict served on a corn cake base with bulgagi brisket and poached eggs and topped with cilantro hollandaise and crispy onions. Perfectly accommodated by a 98

Inside Northside

bäcoBloody or bottomless mimosas.

Speaking of drinks, the foundation of imaginative and delicious twists flows onto the drink menu of creative frozen cocktails and local American craft beer taps. Signature drinks are the craftwork of world-renowned bartender Lu Brow,

and frozen cocktails include the Alex’s Bramble and French 75 among others.

Curious? Then I guess you’ll have to try them for yourself!

Bäcobar is located at 70437 Highway 21 in Covington. 893-2450. bacobarnola.com.

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Last Bite