September-October 2021 Issue of Inside Northside Magazine

495

$

INSIDEPUB.com

EQUINE ADVOCACY OF LOUISIANA • SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY • BAYCATION • BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 VOL. 36, NO. 5

contents

Entertaining Home Page 84

table of

Departments 10 Publisher Note

page 53

12 Contributors 18 INside Scoop 36 Traces Anna Papp: Purses with a Purpose 48 Generous Hearts Mission Driven 53 Flourishes Extraordinary Gifts and Home Accents 56 Inside Look 76 IN Other Words Abita Springs’ Haunted Bakery 78 IN Love & Marriage

Features 14 Impressions of Nature Cover Artist Carol Hallock 24 Time for a Baycation Pearl Hotel pays homage to the Cure family legacy

81 Inside Peek Featuring: Plate To Palette Luncheon at Tchefuncte’s Restaurant featuring Cover Artist James Michalopoulos

30 For the Love of Horses Equine Advocacy of Louisiana

Back to School

62 Leadership is a Doer’s Game

88 Last Sip Hibiscus Sangria

Noble Bates-Young

84 Entertaining Home

page 61

90 IN Great Taste Fall Back into Comfort Food

38 From the Northshore to the Nation Senator John Kennedy

Business & Leadership

92 Dining Guide

Editorial Contributors: Bellus Photography, Susan Bonnet Bourgeois, Britton Cook, Hilary Creamer,

96 Haute Plates

Kiyomi Appleton Gaines, Karen Gibbs, Poki Hampton, Candra George, Kelly Hand, Lindsay King,

98 Last Look

Margaret Murphy, Steve Randon, Becky Slatten, John Snell, Alysia Thomas-Maloney.

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Inside Northside

I accept the challenge Women Build is an annual project in which Habitat STW brings together women from all walks of life to actively address the problem of children living in poverty by building safe, affordable homes. In existence since 2008, Women Build uses the talents of 350 volunteers over 50 build days to create a brand new home and a real opportunity for a northshore family in need. The home under construction this fall is being purchased by Certified Nursing Assistant Jerica Woods for herself and her three active sons: Jayden, 13; Jahmir, 7; and Jace, 2. She looks forward to getting them settled in their new home and on the way to a bright future.

With 25 percent of St. Tammany renters spending 50 percent of their income on housing, it can be very hard to get ahead. The Habitat programs allow interested and qualified buyers to invest 350 sweat equity hours as the down payment for a new home with a 0 percent mortgage and a payment that will not exceed 30 percent of their income.

Join us in getting involved. Inside Northside will be on the job site this fall, and we hope you will too. A number of partnership opportunities allow you to follow Chevron’s lead and help bring this home and others to the community. There is even a way to support the efforts without swinging a hammer by joining W.A.T.C.H. (Women Accepting the Challenge of Housing). Visit habitatstw.org/ womenbuild, or contact Leighanne Weeks at 985-893-3172, x244 to find out more.

p.s. Join us for a W.A.T.C.H. social on Thursday, September 30th, 5-7 pm at the Mandeville location of La Carreta to find out more.

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Inside Northside

Contributors Our contributors give Inside Northside its voice, its personality and its feel.

Here we are proud to highlight a few of them so that you can put a face with a name and get to know them.

Mimi Greenwood Knight

Mimi Greenwood Knight is a freelance writer and recent empty nester. She and her husband, David, live on a hobby farm in Folsom. Mimi is blessed to have thousands of articles and essays published in national and regional magazines, as well as anthologies and Christian devotionals. When not writing,

September-October 2021 Vol. 36, No. 5

Publisher Lori Murphy

lori@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Editor Jan Murphy

jan@insidepub.com

Creative Director Brad Growden

brad@insidepub.com Digital Communications Margaret Murphy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Business Manager Jane Quillin

jane@insidepub.com Operations Manager Margaret Rivera

margaret@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advertising Account Executives

Barbara Roscoe Poki Hampton barbara@insidepub.com poki@insidepub.com

Pemmie Sheasby Hilary Creamer pemmie@insidepub.com hilary@insidepub.com Stacey Paretti Rase –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the Cover

she enjoys the “home arts” of cooking, canning, gardening, knitting, chicken wrangling and beekeeping.

Yvette Jemison

Cover Artist Carol Ha llock.

Find more on page 14.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contact

phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 Advertising Sales sales@insidepub.com Subscriptions subscriptions@insidepub.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Yvette’s passion for all things culinary extends back to her childhood growing up in a military family.

Her recipes and home cooking are influenced by the many places she has lived. She often attends cooking classes while traveling with her husband and two daughters and has truly enjoyed a well-seasoned life.

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Inside Northside

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 ©2021 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.

Impressions of Nature

by Margaret Murphy

14

Inside Northside

THE WILD AND COLORFUL NATURE of South Louisiana’s landscapes have long captured the heart of artist Carol Hallock.

Conjuring images familiar to any Louisiana native, she says, “Bayous, oak trees laying their limbs on the ground, banana leaves, humidity—it is just who I am.”

Hallock and her husband, Jim, knew when they moved back to Louisiana some years ago they wanted to be on the water. Their home, or “house on stilts” as Hallock lovingly refers to it, is situated on the banks of Bayou Lacombe. Her

surroundings provide constant inspiration for a naturalist painter like Hallock, who regularly features oak trees, coastlines and cypress swamps in her work.

Well known for her creative use of color and loose brush strokes, Hallock aims to capture the essence of her environment.

Primarily working in oil paint, she utilizes a “weton-wet” technique which lets her brush glide paint around the canvas. “It allows me to soften lines while the paint is still wet, encouraging looser strokes,” she explains.

One of her favorite >>

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Cover Artist Carol Hallock

the area and slow the tourist process down,” she says. “The workshops I host are small, which makes for a very tailored experience.” She currently has two workshops scheduled for spring of next year.

When I asked Hallock about her experience during this pandemic year, her response was very relatable. “I started cooking!

The more difficult the better—tamales, soup, cabbage rolls—and I don’t cook.” Mostly though, she enjoyed being at home in her house on stilts, taking long trips through the bayou in her kayak. “I found

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

tools for this purpose is a silicone-tipped brush that she lightly moves across the paint to further blend colors together while also adding texture to the surface.

South Louisiana’s landscapes are particularly suited to plein air painting, Hallock’s preferred method of capturing her scenes. “A camera just does not see what we see,” she says about her preference for working outdoors over painting from a photograph.

“The camera tends to make sharp lines out of things.

Nature has much softer lines in real life.”

One of Hallock’s favorite subjects to capture while out on her kayak is Geraldine, the egret. She says, “Egrets are one of the most prominent and beautiful birds found near where I live.” The name Geraldine actually came from Hallock’s mother, who enjoyed naming all of the most common “visitors” they saw near the house. Squirrels were Penelope, the lizard was named Alfred, and, of course, there was Geraldine, the egret. Now, all of her egret paintings start with the name Geraldine, reminding her of happy moments spent with her mother.

Recently, Hallock has also been inspired by landscapes outside of Louisiana. In 2019, she hosted her first painting workshop in Provence, France. As she captured the storied light of the area, painting wheat fields and distant villages, she felt connected to the place. “Painting in Provence helped me to soak in

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Inside Northside

it peaceful staying at home, not having to feel guilty that I should be out and about. I started being more relaxed in my painting, experimenting and taking my time.”

Speaking to a deeper point about what this last year has meant, Hallock notes how art has the ability to soothe others when they are experiencing difficult moments in life. “I have found in the past that art really does help people emotionally. The St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s Healing Arts Initiative is a perfect example of this. It may sound overly ‘arty and lofty,’ but I have seen the importance of my art in healing atmospheres firsthand.”

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Hallock is a graduate of Louisiana State University. Louisiana has not only provided her subject matter, but she has found that it is also the ideal place for her career to grow. “Louisiana supports its artists,” she says. Her most recent show, Gone Bananas featured at Gallery 600 in New Orleans, included depictions of the

bayou as well as urban scenes showcasing the revival of one of her celebrated motifs: banana leaves. “My banana leaf scenes have been missing for years, and I felt it was time to bring them back for their fun vibe.”

Hallock does commissions and studio work both in Lacombe and at her 40-acre country home in Southern Mississippi. Though she continues to love spending time in her one-woman kayak, she admits that she recently procured a pontoon boat so she can share her love of plein air painting with friends.

Carol Hallock’s work can be seen at Elizabethan Gallery, 608 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, 225-9246437; Gallery 600, 600 Julia Street, New Orleans, 504895-7375; Sofas and Chairs Design, 123 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-486-9622; Rita Durio & Associates, 337 Heymann Boulevard, Lafayette, 337-232-7022; and Pineapple Gallery at 829 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, 985-264-6382. You can also find more information at Carolhallock.com.

September-October 2021 17

p resen t ed b y

Girod Street Stroll Saturday, Sept. 25, 4-9pm. Businesses compete for bragging rights as event patrons vote for their favorite mint julep. Patrons purchase mint julep cups ($40) as their ticket to sample all food and beverages. Purchase online at OldMandevilleBiz.com and pick up at the event. Girod Street from the Mandeville Trailhead to the Lakefront, Mandeville, 801-2731.

Information is current as of August 18, however, all dates and times are subject to

the spectator interacts with the bundles

by calling 643-0556. Adults, $28; students

by viewing or physically touching and

and seniors, $22. Slidell Little Theatre,

change. More events can be found online at

re-arranging the pieces. When exhibited,

LouisianaNorthshore.com.

the sculptures are never shown the same

September Serious Traits III | Tiffany Nesbit Now through Sept. 25. Tuesday-Friday,

18

2024 Nellie Dr., Slidell.

Water/Ways Smithsonian Exhibit at the

way twice. Admission is free. St. Tammany

Maritime Museum Now through Oct.

Art Association, 320 N. Columbia St.,

9; Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday,

Covington, 892-8650.

1-4pm. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin

Matilda the Musical Now through Sept.

Maritime Museum presents Water/

10-4pm; Saturday, 11-4pm. Serious

12. Friday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2pm.

Ways, an exhibition by the Smithsonian

Traits III, by Tiffany Nesbit, uses small

Matilda the Musical is a stage musical

Institution that offers local communities

individual sculptured characters that are

based on the 1988 children’s novel by

a new opportunity to explore the myriad

physically tied together, or collaged, to

Roald Dahl. Tickets for all shows and

ways that water affects our lives. Get a

create large bundles and layers. Nesbit

events can be purchased online at

sneak peek of the exhibit and learn more

creates a sense of play and humor when

slidelllittletheatre.org/what-s-happening, or

at museumonmainstreet.org/content/

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

waterways#ExhibitionDetails. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, 133 Mabel Dr., Madisonville, 845-9200.

Covington Art Market Saturdays, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2, 10am-2pm.Juried market of visual arts and crafts featuring work by St. Tammany Art Association members, including jewelry, photography, paintings, woodworking, fiber art and more. South side of Lee Lane will be pedestrian traffic only. Lee Lane, Covington. For more information, or to participate, contact St. Tammany Art Association at info@ sttammany.art, 892-8650.

>>

September-October 2021 19

Inside Scoop Lobby Lounge Concert: T’Monde Tuesday, Sept. 7; 7-10pm. Three accomplished young musicians in T’Monde, the Louisiana

org to register. 892-2540, crichard@ ssacad.org Pink Tutu 5K Run/Walk Saturday, Sept.

phenomenon that Offbeat Magazine

18, 8:30am. Professional Women of

has called “a creative fusion of classic

St. Tammany presents its 3rd annual

country and out-of-the-way Cajun.” With

Pink Tutu 5K Run/Walk that benefits

a combined 10 Grammy nominations,

the organization’s Scholarship Fund for

T’Monde brings influences ranging from

Women in St. Tammany Parish. Run,

early country music to ancient French and

jog or walk on the road or trail. $25 per

Creole ballads to present day Cajun music.

individual ($30 after September 4) or

The Lobby Lounge at The Harbor Center,

$80 for a family of four. Pink tutus are

100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 781-3650.

encouraged! Fontainebleau State Park,

Olde Towne Crawl Friday, Sept. 10; 5-10pm.

Since 2014, the merchants of Olde Towne Slidell have been hosting a block party in

62883 Hwy. 1089, Mandeville, 373-7883, pinktuturun.com.

Pearl River Clean Sweep Saturday, Sept.

the heart of Slidell with evenings of family-

18, 9am. The Pearl River Clean Sweep

friendly fun: live bands, 75+ local artists,

celebrates drinkable, swimmable and

crafters and vendors, after-hours shopping,

fishable water, in conjunction with Pearl

kids’ activities, pet adoptions and more.

Riverkeeper, which is coordinating clean

This is a pet-friendly event. 2200 Block of

sweeps at over 30 locations along 490

Carey St. between Robert and Cousins St.,

miles of the Pearl River. All ages; rain or

Slidell, 285-9215.

shine. Honey Island Fish House, 65583

Honey Island Swamp Fest Sept. 10-11.

Join the town of Pearl River for the Honey

Pump Slough Rd., Pearl River, 290-0002.

Abita Springs Busker Festival Sunday, Sept.

Island Swamp Fest presented by Deep

19, 11:30am-7pm. Bring the whole crew,

South Entertainment. The music festival

lawn chair, dancing shoes and sunscreen,

features a monster truck show and rides,

and your appetite. Includes the Abita

mechanical bull and mini bike races, a car

Springs Art & Farmers Market with its food

exhibit and an arts and crafts area. $5 for

and drink vendors as well as restaurants

age 13+, free for age 12 and under. 39576

and a grocery. Abita Springs Trailhead,

Pump Slough Rd., Pearl River, 893-5800, facebook.com/honeyislandswampfest.

Sunset at the Landing Concert Fridays,

22044 Level St., Abita Springs, 502-7728.

Taco Takeover Tuesday, Sept. 21, 6:30-9pm.

Unique dishes creatively prepared by

Sept. 17 and Oct. 15, 6-9pm.Free outdoor

local restaurants competing for the Taco

performance on stage overlooking Bogue

Takeover. Winner selected by “People’s

Falaya River. Regional and touring artists

Choice.” General admission tickets are $35

performing jazz, bluegrass, folk, blues and

online until September 20; $45 at the door.

more. Bring refreshments and chairs or

Admission includes unlimited tastings and

blankets. 100 N. Columbia St., Covington,

two drink tickets. Benedict’s Plantation,

892-1873.

1144 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 626-

Dove Golf Classic September 17, 7am check-in St. Scholastica Academy’s annual

4557, lra.org/ Columbia Street Block Party Friday, Sept.

golf tournament at Tchefuncte Country

24, 6-9pm. This free family event features

Club. Outstanding food, prizes, and fun.

a classic car display over four blocks in

Individual golfer $160, Foursome $640.

Covington. Check out downtown shops,

Sponsorships available. Visit www.ssacad.

restaurants, live music and a DJ. Free

off-street parking and in public parking “oxlots”. 200-500 blocks of Columbia Street, Covington, 892-1873, covla.com.

Girod Street Stroll Saturday, Sept. 25, 4-9pm. Businesses compete for bragging rights as event patrons vote for their favorite mint julep.

Patrons purchase mint julep cups ($40) as their ticket to sample all food and beverages. Purchase online at OldMandevilleBiz.com and pick up at the event. Girod Street from the Mandeville Trailhead to the Lakefront, Mandeville, 801-2731.

Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival Saturday, Sept. 25, 10am-7pm; Sunday, September 26, 10-6pm. This family event attracts over 100 classic boats, hundreds of spectator boats, and wooden boat and music enthusiasts. Fun for kids of all ages, including arts and crafts booths, the Quick ‘n Dirty Boat Building Contest and the “Anchors Away” Cardboard Boat Regatta. Complete schedule at woodenboatfest.org. Adults, $10; seniors 65+, $5; and free for children 12 and under and Active Duty Military (with ID). 133 Mabel Dr., Madisonville, 845-9200.

Pelican Park Fall Festival Sunday, Sept. 26, 2-5pm. Fun activities and competitions for the whole family, including competitions for various age groups. Scarecrow Building Contest, Costume Contest Stroll, Pie Tasting Competitions. To join any of the competitions, register online at PelicanPark.com. 63350 Pelican Dr., Mandeville, 626-7997.

St. Tammany Parish Fair Wednesday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 3.

Founded in 1910, the fair showcases agricultural and horticultural exhibits, music, food, talent showcases, a rodeo, Fair Queen/ Princess and Rodeo Queen Pageants, and Midway rides. Complete schedule at sttammanyparishfair.info. Entrance fee $2 after 3pm; $15 all-day Midway rides on Friday; $20 all-day Midway rides Saturday and Sunday. 1304 N. Columbia St., Covington, 892-8421.

Scrap Dat Crafting and Scrapbooking Retreat Thursday, Sept.

30-Saturday, Oct. 2, 8am-midnight. Crafters scrapbook, crop, craft, paint, quilt, sew, make paper crafts, create, learn, eat, laugh and have a great time. Registration includes a t-shirt and daily goodies. $135 for 3 days, $105 for 2 days, or $70 for 1 day. Castine Center, 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville, 966-1865, scrapdat.com.

October Northshore Oktoberfest by A Rhea of Hope Saturday, Oct. 2, 4-9pm Traditional, German family-friendly Oktoberfest is a fundraiser for bile duct cancer. German and American food and drinks, games for adults and kids. $5 for age 10 & up; free for kids 9 and under.

Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 5025408, facebook.com/events/1601205000269776/ Al Copeland Foundation Golf Fest Presented by Fidelity Bank Friday, Oct. 8, 10am Chef-prepared food, on-course libations and food, player gifts and awards, course contests and much more!

>>

September-October 2021 21

Inside Scoop Proceeds support local cancer research,

Parishes Arena, 1301 NW Central Ave,

education and patient programs at the

Amite, Vintagemarketdays.com.

Copeland-LSU Health Science Center

28 Join the St. Tammany Chamber

Immunotherapy. $250 a player; contact

of Commerce at Covey Rise Lodge

for sponsorship opportunities. 2601

in Husser. 14 different stations with

Severn Ave, Metairie, (504) 620-3727,

different angles, speeds, elevations and

alcopelandfoundation.org/join-us/golf.

distances. $150 per individual or $600

Gulf Coast Sportsmen and Outdoor Expo

per foursome. Covey Rise Lodge, 24009

Oct. 8-10; Friday, 12-8pm; Saturday,

Singing Waterfall Rd., Husser, 273-3003,

10-8pm; and Sunday, 10-5pm. Vendors offer their latest products and services

Friday, Oct. 29, 6-9pm Last Block Party

sports enthusiasts. Product booths,

of the year; costuming is encouraged for

live music on Saturday, giveaways and

all ages. Some shops and classic car

door prizes. $10 per day or $17 for

owners have candy for trick-or-treaters;

weekend pass. The Harbor Center, 100

a pumpkin carving contest and other

Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 774-3144,

activities are typically held at St. Tammany

gulfcoastsportsmen.com.

Art Association, and other activities may be

Oct. 9, 10:30am-5pm Over 100 tables and booths featuring action figures, toys,

announced. 200-500 blocks of Columbia Street, Covington, 892-1873, covla.com.

Madisonville’s Battle for the Paddle

comics, video games, records, pop

Gumbo Cook-off Saturday, Oct. 30,

culture and local artists. Charity events

11-2pm Teams will compete for Best

like the STCC Blast-a-Troop with Storm

Gumbo. Admission is free; purchase a $10

Troopers. General admission, $5; children

wristband to taste all gumbos and vote for

6 and under, free. VIP tickets available on

your favorite! Team entrance, $25; contact

limited basis. For more information, visit

the Madisonville Chamber of Commerce

StTammanyCollectorsCon.com. Castine

to participate. 845-9824, louiselovich@

Center, 63350 Pelican Dr., Mandeville.

charter.net.

Northshore Half Marathon and 10 Miler

Doug Gardner’s Cruisin’ on the River Car

Sunday, Oct. 10, 7am Starting and finishing

Show Saturday Oct. 30, 8am-2:30pm

in Fontainebleau State Park, winding

Renowned as one of the best auto shows

through spectator-lined historic homes

in the South. Admission for spectators

of Old Mandeville, along Lakeshore Drive

is free. Cost to register a car is $25 per

and down the Tammany Trace. 62883

vehicle. North side of Hwy. 22 bridge,

Hwy 1089, Mandeville, (504) 237-7774,

Madisonville, 845-9824.

northshorehalfmarathon.com.

Vintage Market Days of Southeast

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

StTammanyChamber.org.

Columbia Street Halloween Block Party

to hunters, fishermen, campers and

St. Tammany Collectors Con Saturday,

22

Sporting Clay Tournament Thursday, Oct.

Partnership in Viruses, Cancer and

Olde Towne Slidell Antique Fall Street Fair Oct. 30-31, 10-5pm Two-day family

Louisiana, “Holly Jolly” Oct. 15-17,

event ranging over five blocks in Olde

Friday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday,

Towne features vendor booths of antiques,

10am-4pm. Shopping, food and music

collectibles and arts and crafts, as well

in holiday atmosphere; upscale market of

as the town’s antique shops, great food

vintage and vintage-inspired collections

and live music on three stages. Griffith

for all ages. Friday’s early-buying event,

Park, 333 Erlanger Ave., Slidell, 788-7799,

$15. Saturday, $10; Sunday, $5. Florida

slidellantiques.com.

time for a

baycation

Pearl Hotel pays homage to the Cure family legacy

photo courtesy: PEARL HOTEL

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

24 Inside Northside

IN CASE YOU’VE BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK for the past few years, let me be the one to tell you that Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has got it going on.

Since Hurricane Katrina put a whooping on it in 2005, the once-sleepy beachside village has reinvented itself. What has emerged is a fun, funky, artsy, highly walkable town that’s hopping every night and bustling every weekend. In fact, USA Today listed it in its “10 Best Small Coastal Towns in America” in 2020. The new, improved Bay St. Louis offers cafes and boutiques, art galleries, antique

shops, museums, restaurants and pubs, many of them tucked away in quaint and quirky historic buildings. The Bay’s downtown offers multi-story restaurants/bars open to Gulf breezes and the sights and sounds of the harbor. Foodies find everything here from finger fare in the bars to craft cocktails and fine dining in the restaurants with tons of fresh-offthe-boat seafood everywhere.

As New Orleans ex-pats—and others— have found their way to the Bay, many have set up idyllic, little Airbnbs within walking distance (or golf-cart-

riding distance) of the trendy downtown. At night, there’s live music along historic Beach Boulevard as visitors mingle with locals, all strolling with drinks in hand. Daytime finds endless shopping opportunities, with many stores featuring local artwork. There are popular festivals like Frida Fest, Cruising the Coast and Jeepin’ the Coast—plus block parties every second Saturday and Katrina-damaged trees transformed into towering angels. With all the growth and reinvention though, Bay St. Louis has held onto its small-town Southern charm and >>

September-October 2021 25

the family business, who co-manages the hotel with her brother, Joseph. She offered us a first-hand look around the elegant, new digs and a look back at the family legacy it honors.

Cure is a Gulf Coast girl through and through, having grown up right down the road in Waveland, attending the same elementary school where her father met her mother. She went to high school at Our Lady Academy, a stone’s throw from the

photos courtesy: PEARL HOTEL

maintained the atmosphere that appealed to our parents—and their parents before them.

If the beachside community was still missing one thing, it got it last year as a local founding family opened Pearl Hotel, a 59-room boutique hotel smack in the beating heart of Olde Town. The name and the décor throughout the hotel pay homage to the life and legacy of the Cure family. We were lucky enough to speak to Sarah Cure Clark, a third-generation in

hotel, before heading off to Ole Miss and eventually joining the family business. That business began in 1959, when her grandfather, Joseph Cure, known to the family simply as “The Old Man,” obtained a single oyster boat and tried his hand in the Hancock County oyster business.

Sarah chokes up as she talks about the decades of “blood, sweat, and tears” that went into making their Bayou Caddy Fisheries a success. “People don’t

realize what hard work the oyster business is,” she says. “My grandparents worked day and night to build up a business they could give to their four kids, which included my dad. Now, most of their eight grandchildren work in the family business, too.”

As the oyster business grew, family enterprises expanded to include a trucking company, a land management company, and more recently, the hotel.

In an oversized oil painting in the lobby of Pearl >>

September-October 2021 27

28 Inside Northside

photos courtesy: PEARL HOTEL

Hotel, Gulf Coast native Billy Solitario captured the family’s first boat, The Cindy C, named for the oldest Cure sibling. That boat is still in operation today, and Cure is happy to explain every element of the boat’s workings and the way the family learned to farm oysters, buying back the oyster shells from their customers and creating or enhancing the oyster beds they later dredge. As they fostered longtime relationships with customers and employees, their reputation and fleet grew, adding 15 more boats, named first for the next three Cure siblings, The Joey C, The Michael C, and The Susie C, and then moving on to the names of the grandchildren and even family pets, most recently adding The Atticus C, named for a beloved dog.

Throughout Pearl Hotel (Cure is quick to

point out there’s no ‘The’ in the name and no affiliation with The Pearl Hotel in Florida or New York.), artwork and photography pay homage to the Hancock County oyster business with depictions of the Cures’ boats and the faces of longtime employees.

There’s oyster art and other references throughout the rooms, lobby and the onsite restaurants and bar, including a giant pair of weathered oyster tongs on the wall of the hotel’s craft cocktail bar, Hinge. Cure was adamant that artwork for Pearl Hotel be commissioned from Gulf Coast artists and employed other locals to handle their marketing and interior design. She says, “Rick Dobbs did our logo, and he worked hard to create a font based on my grandmother’s handwriting. That’s her handwriting on our logo and sign just as if she’d written it.”

The hotel was still under construction but close to completion in October 2020, when Hurricane Zeta hit Bay St. Louis. “It was terrible,” says Cure.

“We had to replace all the windows, and the hardwood floors in the restaurant were ruined. It set us back. That’s the only time Joseph and I disagreed on anything. I felt like we still needed to open on December 30. We had an entire block of rooms reserved for a wedding that weekend. Canceling would have been a PR nightmare. Joseph wanted to take our time and open when we were 100 percent

ready.” The family backed Sarah, and they opened by the skin of their teeth on December 30. She says, “It was a nightmare. So much was on backorder because of COVID, and our installers had headed back to California. We worked Christmas Eve, had Christmas day with our kids, and on December 26 were back at it. The night before we opened, my husband and I and other family members were here hanging mirrors and assembling furniture. To be honest, there’s still a ton on our punch list, but people have been very complimentary. We’re getting good reviews and people are returning, so that’s a good sign, right? We came into this with no idea how to run a hotel, but it helps to think about what you’d like in a hotel yourself and then give it to your guests. When my husband, Jeremy, and I got married in 2014, there were only two small hotels in the area.

It was crazy trying to find places for all

our out-of-town guests to stay. We’re booking a lot of weddings now, seeing a lot of people from New Orleans and locals enjoying a staycation. We’re getting guests from other states, too, but it’s been mostly from the South.”

The four-story hotel, designed by New Orleans-based firm Trapolin-Peer, came with an $18-million price tag.

It includes six suites, an event space, appropriately named The Captain’s Quarters, a courtyard and a pool with private cabanas. Just this month, they opened a poolside bar. Currently under construction and coming soon are designated guest parking and The Reef at Pearl Hotel, a retail space for guests. “It’s amazing to step back and realize it’s all come together,” says Cure. “Pearl Hotel stands as a tribute to our grandparents and every fisherman who’s been a part of our family over the years.”

Plan your getaway at visitmississippi.org.

For the

Loveof Horses

Equine Advocacy of Louisiana

30

Inside Northside

Mornings start early on the farm she shares with her husband, Robert, and their two teenage daughters in Amite. But you won’t hear her complain. For one thing, she gets to work alongside her daughter, Mia, an accomplished horsewoman herself who does most of the therapy and training of the rescue horses.

For another, she can fall asleep each night knowing she’s making life better for the horses of Louisiana.

Maloney was 16, like Mia is now, when she first became aware of how many horses leave racetracks in this country no longer able to race and are headed for kill pens in Mexico and Canada. There they’ll be butchered and sold to countries where horse meat is considered a delicacy. (It’s illegal to kill horses

photo: ALYSIA THOMAS-MALONEY

GROWING UP between Virginia and Louisiana, Alysia Thomas-Maloney can’t remember a time she wasn’t obsessed with horses. By age five, she was happier on horseback than anyplace else.

Now, as founder and president of Equine Advocacy of Louisiana, she spends her days giving back to the glorious creatures who’ve given her so much love and enjoyment. On her website at EquineAdvocacyofLA.com, Maloney describes the mission of the non-profit as rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses, as well as “bringing awareness and positive change to the equine industry in Louisiana by not only supporting the horses but all those that love and care for them.”

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

for meat in the United States.) According to the website EquineRescueNetwork.com, over 160,000 horses in this country are at risk of slaughter this year alone, and more than 92 percent of these horses are serviceably sound for continued use. Maloney has made it her life’s work to see that as many of these horses as possible find their way to loving homes.

“I’m not anti-racing—far from it,” says Maloney. “I know some wonderful trainers and owners. But the number of horses being sent to kill pens is unacceptable. There are thousands of people in this country who want a horse and tens of thousands of outstanding horses being slaughtered each year. These are incredible athletes with exceptional minds. They can still go on to become very successful as hunter/jumpers, in dressage competitions or as family pets. These can be good trail >> September-October 2021 31

riding horses or barrel riders, too. When we come across a horse that isn’t ridable anymore, we look for a nice home where they can retire with dignity and still be wonderful companion horses. And on the rare occasion when a horse needs to be put down, we pay for humane euthanasia, which is much kinder than sending them on a 12-hour transport to Mexico for slaughter.”

Word is out about Equine Advocacy of Louisiana, and Maloney stays busy fielding calls from trainers, horse owners, veterinarians, sheriff’s deputies and others asking for her help in rescuing, retraining, rehabilitating and rehoming these outstanding animals—to the tune of 50 to 100 horses a year and a price tag of well over $100,000. While she’s occasionally able to rehome a horse directly from the track to a loving home, more often than not, the horses spend about a month at the farm as Mia works to retrain them and just generally let them know they’re loved. She says, “It’s not only retiring racehorses that need a home.

We hear about far too many cases of horses being abandoned, abused or not receiving the care they deserve. Some people acquire a horse without realizing how expensive it will be to maintain.

There’s no shame in that—but allow us to find them a home with someone who can give them everything they need. We also receive horses from people who may have become ill or gotten too old to keep their horse.” Two of the luckiest animals to arrive at the Maloneys’ farm are Half and Panther, who won the horsey lottery when they got to stay and become Mia’s horses.

The Maloneys don’t rehome their rescued horses with just anyone. “We have an adoption contract and do a thorough background check, including vet references and personal references,” 32

Inside Northside

photo: ALYSIA THOMAS-MALONEY

says Alysia. “We visit the farm to see where and how the horse will be living, check in on them for the first six months and offer a buy-back policy if anyone takes on a horse and then realizes it’s too much for them.”

Last August, when Hurricane Laura hit, Equine Advocacy of Louisiana was instrumental in evacuating over 50 horses to foster farms in Alabama and Florida and was called upon after the storm to rescue others that hadn’t been evacuated. “That’s not really our focus,” says Maloney, “but when we started receiving calls, we started looking for volunteer transporters. We have an amazing network of volunteers who lent their time and horse trailers to help evacuate and others who volunteered their farms to house them until they could return home. But we want to get the word out to horse owners to please

evacuate ahead of a storm so we don’t have any more emergency evacuations or rescues. There are people who will help you before the storm, but don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Of course, Maloney’s heart doesn’t go out only to horses. A recent morning saw her scrambling between cars on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway rescuing a family of stranded kittens who returned to the farm with her to await adoption. She also loves spending time with children who can benefit from a little equine therapy. “We don’t advertise it, but if we know of a child who’s been bullied or is going through another trauma, we’re definitely open to having them come spend time around the horses,” she says. “It’s a win/win.

The horses love the kids, and the kids love the horses. Just spending time grooming them or mucking stalls >>

34

Inside Northside

photo: ANDREW RYBACK PHOTOGRAPHY

goes a long way—for everybody. Horses are the best therapists.”

Although Maloney occasionally rescues dogs and cats and makes them available for adoption, the horses are her first love. She says, “When I started riding, thoroughbreds were the go-to horse everybody wanted, and they’re still my favorite. They’re very athletic and are all heart. They’re the best sport horse and they’re highly intelligent. But we don’t discriminate by breed. We’ll rehab and rehome any horse that needs us. My biggest regret is that I can’t take them all, and I wish the sport were more affordable so more children could benefit from it. Our adoption fees are very reasonable—between $1,500 and $4,000 depending on a lot of factors.

But we’ve also waved the fee when we’re able to. We do a lot of groundwork with the horses, though, to make sure they leave here well trained. So, by the time they’re adopted, we’ve put $6,000 to $10,000 into it. If we didn’t have such generous sponsors, we couldn’t do any of it. But we can always use more support—and definitely more experienced volunteers.”

Maloney is working on legislation to

help protect horses from abuse and neglect and to curtail overpopulation. She’s called upon to testify as an expert witness in animal cruelty and neglect cases. And she’s working to increase cooperation between equine non-profits such as Pegasus Equine Guardian Association, which advocates for Louisiana’s wild horse population and is a proud Bissel Pet Foundation partner. “We want to keep open lines of communication with others who are doing what we’re doing elsewhere in the state or around the country and build the community of equine non-profits. When we help each other, we help the horses.”

Equine Advocacy of Louisiana has horses available for adoption, but there are many other ways you can help. “We’re always looking for foster farms to house rescued horses,” says Maloney. “We need volunteers to help transport horses and experienced volunteers to help work on the farm.

We need people to report equine abuse, abandonment or neglect they witness.

And of course, we accept all financial donations and corporate sponsorships.

Not everyone can take on a horse, but everyone can give to help us find them homes with people who can. My dream is to someday have a sanctuary property where older horses can live out their lives and be loved. I’d also love to incorporate equine retirement facilities with retirement homes for seniors who can benefit from being around the horses.”

If you’d like to help support this worthy cause in any way, you can reach Alysia, see pictures of these gorgeous animals, or find out more about Equine Advocacy of Louisiana at EquineAdvocacyofLA.com. While you’re at it, check out PegasusEquine.org and BisselPetFoundation.org for other ways to make a difference.

September-October 2021 35

Traces

Anna Papp FOR 28 YEARS, Anna Papp owned and operated the Outdoor Living Center business in Covington. After selling the company and retiring, Anna found that she had not only a lot of fond memories, but a closet full of discontinued fabric samples. The high-end outdoor furniture she sold was all made with premium fabrics that do not fade or deteriorate in outdoor environments. Not wanting to just dispose of hundreds of 14-inch square samples, she set out to find a use for them.

Many years ago on a trip to Montana, Anna had purchased a purse that was hand-made from fabric. The “perfect” purse had provided good service for many years, but was starting to show its age, so she decided to try to duplicate it with some of her fabric samples. The outcome was much better than she expected. After showing the finished product to friends, she had many orders for the purses. Each is unique, because no 36

Inside Northside

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Purses with a Purpose

two fabric samples are the same. Anna’s former sales reps and retailers continue to provide her with fabric samples.

During the Covid lockdown, Anna’s home-based sewing room became a production area, and she has now made over 100 purses on her 60-year-old sewing machine that her father purchased for her. Soon, she had to determine what to do with the profits from the sale of the purses. Being the spouse of a veteran, she decided that she wanted 100 percent of the profits to go to the Wounded Warrior Project. As an immigrant herself, she believes patriotism should be cherished.

Anna says, “It is important to retire from something to something else. Retirement has to have a purpose.” So production continues. Two purses a day come from Anna’s “something else” benefitting a much worthy cause.

For more information on Anna’s purses, email her at annapapp49@gmail.com.

September-October 2021 37

38

YA GOTTA LOVE Louisiana’s Senator John Kennedy. For starters, he’s one of us. He, wife Becky, and son Preston live right down the road in Madisonville where they are founding members of North Cross United Methodist Church. Next, as a conservative eye in the center of a liberal hurricane in Washington, he supports issues that many Louisianians hold dear.

Despite being in the U.S. Senate for only five years, Senator Kennedy is considered by his conservative colleagues as one of their most effective voices. He has introduced or co-sponsored more than 8,040 pieces of legislation. His common-sense bills would help end sanctuary cities; secure the border; limit the number of Supreme Court justices; support Keystone XL pipeline construction; combat the fentanyl crisis; prohibit the blocking of lawful internet content; encourage lower flood insurance premiums and accountability for contractors; fund projects that reduce destruction from floods; expose Chinese Communist-funded institutes on university campuses; and oppose Pres. Biden’s proposed ban on gun braces, which could lead to the largest executive branch-initiated gun registration and

Inside Northside

confiscation program.

To those who are sick and tired of political doubletalk, Sen. Kennedy’s right-hand-on-theBible honesty is a breath of fresh air. Fast becoming a media darling, he’s a modern-day David taking on political Goliaths—not with rocks and a slingshot, but with homespun one-liners that echo for weeks in newspapers, online posts and talk shows.

“Louisiana has shaped my views on every issue, and all I do is offer my honest assessments of some of the ridiculous stuff coming out of Washington,” says Senator Kennedy. “If the managerial elite think the truth hurts, maybe it’s reality they actually need to wrestle with. I just call it like I see it, and people seem to appreciate that.”

Indeed we do! In a recent email interview with Inside Northside, Senator Kennedy candidly voiced his opinion on several issues concerning our country today. We are pleased to share his responses below, as well as a sampling of his trademark down-home wit.

IN: What legislation are you proudest of when it comes to helping Louisiana residents and why?

Sen. Kennedy: “As you know, Louisiana >>

illustration: MARGARET MURPHY

by Karen Gibbs

From the northshore to the nation

September-October 2021 39

Senator-Elect Kennedy hugs Becky at 2016 election watch party.

40

IN: What legislation are you proudest of when it comes to helping the USA and why?

Sen. Kennedy: “More than ever, foreign competition demands we protect Louisiana and American jobs by keeping the U.S. competitive in global industry. I introduced the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act to help manufacturers here at home create thousands of jobs, save billions of dollars, and safeguard the environment. (This act) became law last December, and is expected to create 150,000 U.S. jobs and save many Louisiana jobs from becoming obsolete.”

I should also add that Louisianians love their families, including their pets. Becky and I feel that way about our two dogs, Charlie and Jack. We were pretty upset to learn a few years ago that a French bulldog

Inside Northside

died when the dog’s owner was forced to place the pet in an overhead baggage compartment during a flight. I never wanted to see that happen again, so I introduced legislation making it illegal for airlines to endanger animals by placing them in overhead bins. Now that the Welfare of Our Furry Friends (WOOFF) Act is law, it’s safer for families to travel with all their members, including the ones with four legs.”

IN: Many people feel powerless and believe the country is being overrun by special interests.

What can they do to voice their displeasure most effectively?

Sen. Kennedy: “Citizens who don’t like the leftist path our country is taking should make their voices heard and should exercise the right all citizens have to vote—in local, state and national elections. Louisianians and all Americans have the right to make their voices heard at the ballot box and by sharing their hopes and concerns with neighbors in their communities.

“School meetings, town hall meetings, local organizations, and even letters to the hometown newspaper editor give people important opportunities to discuss the values they want their community to reflect. I think that the more we talk with our neighbors, the more we’ll discover

photo courtesy: OFFICE OF SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY

gets hit hard by storms. One of my top priorities is making sure that Louisianians have access to the flood insurance they need. To make that happen, I’ve passed legislation to extend the National Flood Insurance Program several times so that it stays affordable in the long run. President Trump signed my legislation to extend the program into law, and I’m still fighting for flood insurance rates to stay reasonable for families who depend on them to protect their homes.”

common ground and find practical ways to shape our communities for the better. It’s the American way.”

IN: When and why did you begin working as a substitute teacher?

Sen. Kennedy: “Next to parents, teachers have the hardest job in the world. Kids are our future. Almost 20 years ago, I started substitute teaching in Louisiana public schools to get firsthand insight into the challenges that students and teachers face each day. The Senate even passed my resolution, S.Res 356, asking all members of Congress to spend at least one day a year substitute teaching.”

IN: Louisiana ranked at the bottom of desirable places to live, citing crime, opportunity and environment.

What can we do to improve our state?

What can you do to help us improve?

Sen. Kennedy: “Louisiana is an incredible place to live and work, even if the coastal elites choose not to acknowledge that, and we have room to grow. I’m convinced that the future of Louisiana and of our country is education. It’s not the unemployment rate. It’s not who the president is.

It’s education. I appreciate all of the educators who have helped get our kids back in their classrooms and ready to tackle the future.

“Investing in Louisiana’s present and our future means investing in education and jobs. At the end of the day, education makes our workforce stronger, and that helps bring job creators to Louisiana.

“We have some other challenges, too. Louisianians are tough as pine knots because we get hit by a lot of natural disasters but always come back stronger. At the same time, Louisianians pay a lot of taxes to >> September-October 2021 41

Senator Kennedy is sworn in by Joe Biden.

42

the federal government. As the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation who sits on the Appropriations Committee, I do my best to make sure Louisiana gets its fair share of federal resources to help us recover from the challenges life throws our way, through no fault of our own.

“Louisianians work hard, pray hard, play

Inside Northside

hard, and help each other out. My job is to remind Washington that Louisiana gives a lot to our nation, and all we ask in return is a bit of fairness.”

Kennedy Speaks Senator Kennedy speaks out on some hotbutton issues:

photos courtesy: OFFICE OF SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY

On de-funding the police: “Defunding the police is foolish. It makes no sense. We need to re-fund the police and respect law enforcement officers.”

On cancel culture: “Our First Amendment has to be honored. People have a right in America to express their opinion, but you don’t have the right to cancel others with whom you disagree. You’re not free if you can’t say what you think. You’re just not.”

On critical race theory: “In my judgment, critical race theory is neo-Marxist, cynical, ahistorical, and dumb as a bag of hair. America is not perfect, but we’re good. Most Americans think a whole lot more about character than they do about race. And most Americans understand that, to a bear, we all taste like chicken.”

On the right to life: “Every life has value, whether it’s 82-years-old or 82-seconds-old, both born and unborn. We have a solemn duty to protect all lives, especially the most innocent and vulnerable among us, and I’ll always be proud to stand with the millions of Americans who fight every day for unborn children.”

On the border crisis: “I went to the border

recently. People who tell you that the border is closed probably also want you believe that Jimmy Hoffa died of natural causes. American families and children deserve to know their leaders aren’t turning a blind eye to lawbreakers who know they can make their way onto U.S. soil without consequences.” >>

Celebrating Preston’s college graduation.

September-October 2021 43

44

Inside Northside

many people have contempt for America these days. They should have gratitude. The American people are not perfect, but they are good.”

Kennedy’s Wit On Washington, D. C.: “I think most Americans are wondering how some folks up here made it through the birth canal.”

“Our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”

On gun control: “There are a whole host of people here in Washington [who] would be happy to confiscate America’s guns. And if you don’t believe that, then you probably also still believe in Bigfoot.”

“We do not need more gun control. We need more idiot control.”

“I am petrified of giving the power to confiscate guns and ask questions later to public officials. ... If you trust government, you obviously failed >>

photo courtesy: OFFICE OF SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY

On getting paid not to work: “Unfortunately for the Louisiana and U.S. economies, what the Biden administration is doing right now is hurting our recovery. There are so many jobs available right now, and the Biden administration’s unemployment policy is preventing those jobs from being filled. The best cure for poverty is a good job. It’s as simple as that.”

On government overspending: “Some rules of economics haven’t changed. Inflation is rising faster than wages, and that’s what happens when Washington spends massive amounts of money we don’t have. When the price of gas and groceries shoot up, that’s a tax on families and workers today. And it’s happening because the Biden administration thinks crippling debt is the secret to success. He’s wrong, and Americans are already paying the price.”

On the lack of patriotism: “Too

history class.”

“I think the American people, with some justification, think that most politicians live in la-la land.”

On Washington partisanship and gridlock: “That’s why the aliens won’t talk to us. They look at all of this stuff, and they go, ‘These people … they’re 13-year-olds.’”

Referring to a particularly crazy week in the Senate: “It’s been a circus without a tent.”

“Sometimes the majority just means that most of the fools are on the same side.”

“Economic forecasting around this place … in the last eight years makes those psychic hotlines look reputable.”

“I would remind you the lesser of two socialists is still a socialist.”

“The Bill of Rights is not an à la carte menu.”

“Let me state the obvious. Illegal immigration is illegal, duh.”

“If you believe that tax policy has nothing to do with the economy, then you’re pretty much like a rock, only dumber.”

“The Woke-a-ristas really do believe that when a cop shoots a criminal, it is always, every single time, the cop’s fault, but when a criminal shoots a cop, it’s always, every single time, the gun’s fault.”

“Facebook is a great company, but it’s no longer a company; it’s a country. That’s how powerful it is. And its behavior lately has kind of been getting into the foothills of creepy.”

As a United States Senator, Mr. Kennedy represents the entire state of Louisiana. To share your feedback with him, his office can be reached at (202) 224-4623 or through his website: www.kennedy.senate.gov.

46

Inside Northside

the Connect to Success program, and

Northshore Tech for helping him build

based on his positive extracurricular

his future, “NTCC gave me a chance

experience, Brandyn made a

to change my future. I was encouraged

successful bridge from NTCC to

to grow and achieve my goals. I

Southeastern Louisiana University,

am passionate about NTCC and an

where he would graduate with a

advocate of community colleges.”

bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

He also quotes Nelson

After graduation, Brandyn

Mandela, when asked how he has

not only transitioned from a math

been able to achieve so much after

teaching position to the principal

enrolling at NTCC, “It always seems

of Lighthouse Christian Academy,

impossible until it’s done.” Brandyn

but he also decided to continue his

also attributes his success to his “ I

After graduating from Loranger High

educational journey by pursuing

attribute my success to my faith in

School, Brandyn Baham chose to start his

a master’s degree in Social Work

God, my family, and my Lighthouse

educational career at Northshore Technical

from Our Lady of the Lake. Brandyn

Ranch family.” Finally, when asked

Community College (NTCC). As a student in

will receive his LMSW license in

about future goals, Brandyn reported

our Connect to Success program, Brandyn

September and begin his internship

that he would begin supervision

spent two years in a leadership role with NTCC

with over four hundred hours of

hours to become an LCSW (Licensed

as Student Government Association (SGA)

supervision via Carrie Mercke, CEO

Clinical Social Worker) with plans to

Executive President over all campuses, and he

of Option, Inc. Additionally, Brandyn

enroll in a doctoral program focusing

was also an officer in Phi Theta Kappa. Along

serves on the Northshore College

on education.

with serving in elected positions at NTCC,

Enhancement Foundation’s Board of

he also helped students with math tutoring

Directors and is part of the NTCC’s

to his wife Victoria, father to his

and worked with youth at Upward Bound for

Alumni Advisory Committee.

daughter Adeylnn, and a resident of

Summer Programs. Due to his participation in

Brandyn credits his experience at

Brandyn is a proud husband

Hammond, Louisiana.

Generous Hearts

by Susan Bonnett Bourgeois

Mission Driven Holzhalb, III, this year’s Dick Knight Award winner, is congratulated by friends and wellwishers including,

Father Steve

from left, Kathryn Knight (daughter); Susan B. Bourgeois, president & CEO of the Northshore Community Foundation; Susan Knight Davis (daughter); and Lisa Wilson, chair of the Northshore Community Foundation.

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Inside Northside

The Dick Knight Award recognizes individuals for their commitment and service to the charitable, nonprofit sector in the four-parish Northshore region. The spirit of the award is to recognize nonprofit staff who have significant tenure in service-based work and have a body of accomplishments that reflect that success. Previous winners include Dianne Baham of STARC, Myrna Jordan of Our Daily Bread Food Bank and Ola Magee of Regina Coeli Child Care Center.

Christ’s Heart, Hands and Feet in Today’s World Father Steve Holzhalb has been described as an entrepreneur in a priest’s clothing. From the day he was appointed rector of Covington’s Christ Episcopal Church in the early 1980s, he has worked to improve the quality of life of his congregation and the Northshore community that surrounds it with the vision and drive of a true entrepreneur and with the humility and dedication of a devoted pastor.

It seems the mission of the church he faithfully served—“to be Christ’s heart, hands and feet in today’s world”—was written for him, and his first

photo: STEVE RANDON PHOTOGRAPHY

The Rev. Stephen

This year, the Northshore Community Foundation is proud to name the Reverend L. Stephen Holzhalb III, known to many as Father Steve, as the fourth recipient of the Annual Dick Knight Award for Nonprofit Service to his community.

Dick Knight worked harder in his philanthropic missions than most people do at the height of their careers. He moved the needle on philanthropy and community service in our region unlike any other.

His strong personal and professional relationships and stellar reputation in all of South Louisiana were instrumental in the efficacy and strength of philanthropy throughout our communities. We lost Dick more than five years ago, and to ensure Dick’s legacy, the Foundation offers this annual recognition and service award in celebration of the impact his example has inspired in others.

With this year’s award, we honor Dick’s legacy by recognizing the lifelong service that Father Steve has given to the citizens and families of the Northshore.

opportunity to set his heart, hands and feet into motion to accomplish a mission came when a group of young mothers from his congregation visited him, advocating for a Northshore Episcopal school for their children.

Serving as president of the founding board of the Covington Christ Episcopal School, he became a fundraiser, a real estate consultant, a construction overseer and a recruiter of academic talent.

As a result of his unmatched enthusiasm and focus, and with the help and hard work of many other devoted individuals, Christ Episcopal School opened for the 1984 school year with 34 children, four classroom teachers and two enrichment teachers on staff. Today, this exemplary school is among the largest Episcopal schools in Louisiana, with more than 650 students attending pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Long before Father Steve was approached by the Christ Church mothers, he had proposed the idea of a senior care community to his vestry, a mission to nurture and support Northshore citizens at the other end of the age spectrum. It became his dream deferred, and he waited patiently until the school was established to push forward with this idea.

So when the time was right, Father Steve, with the support of the Christ Church vestry, announced to the congregation and the greater community that, “with the aging of America, and of St. Tammany Parish, we must step forward now to fulfill our mission from God as a ministry to the elderly.”

Soon after that, Father Steve and Jack Lohman, a vestry member with a keen interest in expanding the thoroughbred industry in St. Tammany Parish and an equally strong interest in creating a continuing care facility for the elderly, began researching and visiting >> September-October 2021 49

communities that had already adopted the intergenerational model of ministry, involving education and guidance for the young as well as care and comfort for the elderly, delivered in contiguous facilities.

“We were particularly interested in such a model in Bucks County, Pennsylvania,” Father Steve recalls. “We learned quite a bit from that visit.”

There were many site visits, amidst ongoing research and discussions of possible locations for a continuing care community—all, as a friend put it, “on their own dime.”

Eventually, the efforts of this dedicated pair created an undeniable momentum, and considerable public attention began to focus on the particular need they were addressing.

In May 1994, 94 acres adjacent to Christ Episcopal School on Highway 21 south of Covington were purchased for the expansion of the school and the establishment of Christwood. By that time, deposits had been received on 50 of the 96 apartments that would soon be built, while educational forums throughout the state continued to produce additional sales.

After years of diligent work and fundraising, Father Steve’s vision became a reality as Christwood opened its doors in May 1996. And today he serves as Executive Officer of the retirement community he so dearly loves.

While undoubtedly the driving force behind the development of these two major institutions, both the Christ Episcopal School and Christwood, Father Steve acted as a self-described ‘Johnny Appleseed’ in the establishment and enrichment of numerous other nonprofits on the Northshore.

While rector of Christ Church, it was discovered that Father Steve’s interest in providing hospice care aligned with St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s interest at 50

Inside Northside

that same time, resulting in the creation of a joint exploration committee between the hospital and the church that formed HOST, or Hospice of St. Tammany. A similar collaboration occurred with the church’s ‘Parent Talk’ lecture series becoming an early supporter of the hospital’s parenting program. Father Steve also served a term as a Trustee of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Foundation.

Continuing to serve as rector of Christ Church, Father Steve was fortunate to be in a position to put a group of local citizens who were exploring ways to provide housing for lower-income individuals and families in touch with the newly formed Habitat For Humanity in Americus, Georgia.

This liaison culminated in the formation of Habitat For Humanity, St. Tammany West. Father Steve was an early board member of this fledgling affiliate and served in that capacity again some years later. The Covington organization became the tenth Habitat affiliate in the world, and today there are more than 2,000 affiliates spread across the globe.

Yet another collaborative effort led by Father Steve was the assistance provided by the Christ Church Food Closet in support of the Covington Food Bank. Another early supporter of the Food Bank was the Covington Ministerial Alliance, of which Father Steve was an active member and participant.

With his continuing focus— always on community wellbeing and development—Father Steve became the Northshore liaison for the Jeremiah Group, an organization that works to form bridges across divided neighborhoods, as well as promotes economic opportunity and education.

Father Steve’s dedication and philanthropic heart are the embodiment of the spirit in which Dick Knight lived his life.

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Inside Northside

Flourishes 1

2

3

1. 25”W x 36”H gold mirror, $156.95. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Covington, 892-2317. 2. Large freeform onyx bowl, $1,420. EMB Interiors, Mandeville, 626-1522. 3. Seasonal arrangements, starting at $65. Florist of Covington, Covington, 892-7701.

4. Hand-painted water scene, $1,400. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 875-7576. 5. French Quarter

4

Lantern on Holland Post, $1,175. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Mandeville, 249-6040, Bevolo.com.

6. Modular outdoor kitchen suite by Thor Kitchen; design allows flexibility in configuration. Southland Plumbing, Covington, 893-8883; and Metairie, 504835-8411. 7. Woodburning cast-iron fire bowl with stand. Available in 27”, 31” and 39”. $289-$425.

Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008.

5

6

7

September-October 2021 53

Flourishes 1 2

4

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1. Sterling silver Fleur de lis cuff bracelet, $195. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504832-0000. 2. Biltmore Antler Hill lantern, gas or electric, Available in 3 sizes, starting at $629.

Gulf Coast Lanterns, Covington, 800-910-3275. 3. Zodax Vitorrio stemless gold champagne glasses, clear with gold-tone honeycomb designs, $14 each. V Home & Interiors, Mandeville, 231-7411. 4. The Good Stuff candles, variety of scents. Hand-poured natural soy, available at Attic to Awesome, 22107 LA-36, Unit B, Abita Springs, and at Vintage Market Days® Southeast Louisiana Oct. 15-17, Florida Parishes Arena, Amite. 5. LSU dog jersey! Assorted sizes from tiny to xx-large; price based on size. Adventure Pets, Mandeville, 951-8251; and

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Covington, 900-2300. 6. Bayou Bengal eye chart tea towel, $16. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045. 7. LSU wrapped canvass art

by Pappion Artistry, $75. Redoux Home Market, Mandeville, 674-8811. 8. Elegant linen napkins with classic hemstitching; set of 4, $44. The Villa, Mandeville, 674-9797.

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September-October 2021 55

INside Look 1

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1. Yellow gold diamond and ruby Tiger Pin, $3,800. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, Metairie, 504-832-0000. 2. T is for

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Tiger hand-embroidered Jon Jon and dress. Kiki & Lolli, Covington, 985-9002410. 3. Super-soft t-shirt, $45. Mono B black faux leather leggings, $42. J. Ashley Design Studio, Mandeville, 778-0965. 4. Tiger print crisscross back tank, $46; matching shorts, $46.

Columbia Street Mercantile, 809-1690 or 809-1789.

5. Black & Gold neoprene tote from Queen Designs, $56. Elan ribbed square-neck tank, $56; matching wide-leg pull-on pant, $89. The Lifestlye Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0200. 6. JB star sapphire ring featuring a 3.53cts cushion-cut sapphire and

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1.82cts in diamonds surrounding. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Mandeville, 626-1666. 7. Gold zebra 7

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suede cabana slide sandal, $32. Shoefflé, Covington, 898-6465.

September-October 2021 57

Hotel • Casino • Spa • Pools • Lazy River • 7 Restaurants • Conference Center • Marina • Amphitheater

Camellia Bay Resort OVER 300,000 SQUARE FEET OF LUXURY & ENTERTAINMENT Imagine it … a first-class resort casino on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, located right

casino will be located right on the lake, a brand

at the foot of the Twin Spans in Slidell. It would

new marina is part of the project. Want to get

become a reality if voters approve it in an

in on the fun while enjoying more beautiful

upcoming election.

sunsets? Just pull up in your boat and enjoy.

The design plans are simply spectacular and

Another major outdoor attraction has generated

the amenities are like nothing St. Tammany has

a great deal of interest in the community. An

ever experienced. A hotel with up to 250 rooms

outdoor amphitheater with green space large

and the Northshore’s first real convention center

enough to host major concert events. But

— big enough for special events, weddings

the amphitheater will also be available to the

and even Mardi Gras balls. The resort will also

community to bring people together. A space

include a luxury spa, swimming pools and

large enough to host farmers markets or high

everybody’s favorite … a lazy river. In Louisiana

school graduations — no more driving the family

we love good food and part of the plan is seven

to another parish to watch your child graduate.

different restaurants … from casual to fine dining with a celebrity chef.

But the excitement doesn’t end there. Outside the resort there’s even more for the

WELCOME TO CAMELLIA BAY

community to enjoy. Because the new resort

Louisiana is the heart of camellia country and

for years Slidell has been known as the Camellia City. So it’s only fitting that the new resort will be called Camellia Bay. The name was chosen in an online contest from thousands of names submitted by local residents. The winner was awarded a $5,000 cash prize and the honor of naming the $325 million investment that would bloom on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

The project is being developed by a celebrated casino operator, P2E. The company has a proven track record of excellence.

Their resort properties have been honored as outstanding by USA

“

Today, US News & World

Our mission is to create quality

Report, and even earned

entertainment destinations while

the coveted Four Diamond

enhancing the communities where we are privileged to do business.

”

Award from AAA Travel.

THE NORTHSHORE WINS

From an economic standpoint, the resort casino is a major win for our area. A historic five percent of the gaming revenue, which is the largest percentage is state history, will be available to improve our education, roadways and public safety. That $35 million annually will also be used for drainage, flood protections and infrastructure. The project will mean thousands of local jobs too. These jobs will pay far more than the local average wage and include full health insurance benefits. Millions of payroll dollars would flow into the local economy creating more jobs and boosting home values too.

For a long time the Mississippi casinos have drawn tourists and locals alike to their properties. But think about this … all the tourism money and revenue generated across the state line would be able to stay right here and generate millions for our roads, schools and safety.

A COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY

“This location in Slidell is the best single casino development site that I’ve ever seen,” said P2E CEO Brent Stevens. “Our mission when we develop a property is to create quality gaming and entertainment destinations while enhancing the communities where we are privileged to do business.”

Those enhancements are clearly demonstrated through the developer’s commitment to the Slidell community.

Leaders in Slidell have worked for years to develop a sports park for East St. Tammany and now the project could become a reality.

The developer has committed $35 million to build a state-of-the-art, regional sports park in our community – the first of its kind in East St. Tammany. The sports complex will offer first-class sports, recreation and fitness facilities that are not only close to home, but will attract athletes

from across the country for tournaments and events. The complex will be independent of the resort and would be a permanent asset for our community. The developer has already made a $100,000 donation to be used to begin the planning and development process of the project they’ve pledged to fund upon approval of their proposed resort.

The final step for Camellia Bay to become a reality is for St. Tammany voters to vote yes in a parish-wide election in November. To learn more about the project and show your support, visit TheNorthshoreWins.com.

Questions? Email answers@thenorthshorewins.com | visit: thenorthshorewins.com | on Facebook @thenorthshorewins

Business & Leadership 62 Leadership is a Doer’s Game Noble-Bates Young 64 Ochsner Health and St. Tammany Health System A Team Approach to Care 66 Bleu Med Spa of Covington Ewelina Szumski 67 Blue Williams, LLC 68 Fleur De Lis Law & Title 69 MD VIP Live Healthy with Your Doctor Focused on You 70 Honda of Covington, Covington Powersports and Mercedes-Benz of Covington Laurie McCants 72 Northlake Veterinary Hospital Dr. Craig Guidry 73 Secure Access, LLC 74 Vintage Market Days® of Southeast Louisiana 75 Adventure Pets 75 Creole Tomateaux Frank Annerino

September-October 2021 61

Business & Leadership One thing that immediately becomes clear when speaking with Noble-Bates Young is that she loves the Northshore. The 32-year-old Natchez, Mississippi, native, who moved to Hammond several years ago and found her heart’s home, says “I feel like I want to put down roots here.” The sunny warmth of her tone when you meet her makes you feel like if you’re not already old friends, you may be well on your way to it. “The biggest joke is that people think I would talk to a wall and hope that it might talk back,” she says. “I love people. A lot of times I will meet somebody and ask about them, and they’ll ask me, ‘what are you doing, are you writing a book?’ Well, maybe, if I like their answers!” she laughs. “I love learning about people and different perspectives.” The chair of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Northshore Young Professionals Committee sees an openness to people and experiences as the keystone of her vision for the group and the community at large. “There are so many groups. Everyone is doing their own young leaders, young professionals. We wanted to bring everyone together.”

Young first came to the St. Tammany Chamber with a mind to meet people and connect around a bigger picture of community connection and engagement. Coming from a background in nonprofits, she is used to seeing a duplication of efforts and the scarce resourcing that can sometimes make the best intentions fall short of their potential. The better approach, and the one she champions, is to bring everyone to the table together, and the best way she sees to do that is to talk to those she calls ‘the doers.’

The Northshore Young Professionals Committee came into being with a vision of bringing young leaders across the parish together. But the group is about more than networking happy hours. Young says, “If we can come together as one community, with one voice, moving in one direction, we can be much louder, and more effective and efficient.”

The committee has a founding commitment to giving back to the community through volunteerism, says Young, who became involved with the committee around five years ago. She notes that there aren’t a lot of young professionals, either locally or in Louisiana in general.

Many young people stay to pursue a college education though the

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

TOPs program, but then end up leaving the state in search of work.

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The committee sees part of its role as equipping young professionals to stay in Louisiana, and St. Tammany in particular.

“There’s a rap of being people who just want to hang out and get drinks,” she says. And creating opportunities for young professionals to network with like-minded people is a key part of the committee’s goals, “Really, who doesn’t at the end of the day want to sit around and chitchat, meeting people in a relaxing environment?”

But Young and the committee want to give individuals the

opportunity to develop themselves in different ways—to “expand

The best thing our community leaders can do to support

the individual,” as she puts it. “Not being afraid to open your mouth

younger professionals is to get to know what’s already here in our

and talk to the person next to you at whatever the event, is huge.

community, she says. A graduate of Leadership St. Tammany, she

And that was really where the Northshore Young Professionals

credits the program with opening her eyes to not only the challenges

started,” she says. As Young sees it, if young professionals are better

facing the parish, but also to the abundance of resources and “doers”

educated, more well-rounded, that’s better for business, and younger

right in her own community. The second thing more seasoned leaders

professionals are literally the future of the organizations that make

can do, she says, is “don’t underestimate the power of just spending

up the community. But there are a lot of things that local young

a day with someone. Let a younger person shadow you and see what

professionals may not be exposed to.

your job is actually like.” And, lastly, “Encouraging young people to

With filling that need as their charge, the committee set to work researching young professional needs locally and in other

come out to Northshore Young Professionals events!”

She encourages chamber members, as well as other seasoned

communities, and partnered with Northshore Media Group and other

professionals, to send representatives from their organizations to

local chambers to launch and promote the annual Northshore Forty

the committee’s networking, learning and volunteer events. The

Under 40 program.

committee hosts one volunteer opportunity each quarter, and an

Leadership is a Doer’s Game

by Kiyomi Appleton Gaines

Noble-Bates Young But the committee also wanted to expand the vision of what a

education series once or twice each year. The next opportunity will

local young professionals group could be and connected with the St.

be a board training class, geared toward teaching new leaders about

Tammany Corporation and the Northshore Community Foundation

how to serve on a nonprofit board.

to partner around what that could look like. “I’m all about working

She says there is a lot of diversity among young professionals

smarter, not harder,” Young says, crediting her nonprofit background.

in the area that may go unrecognized. There are young people just

“If two people are trying to do the same thing, they’re going to go a

out of college, as well as those in their thirties, many of whom have

lot farther if they do it together.”

children at home, so the committee tries to have different events and

This year, the partnership launched an economic development series to educate young leaders about what economic development is

meeting times so anyone can attend.

The committee recently hosted its first morning breakfast

and what it means for the community and the region. Young is candid

meeting for those whose after-hours may already be committed to

about not knowing how to set up an economic development class,

family or other obligations. Networking breakfasts will be added to

but credits the importance of doing this kind of work in partnership.

the regular event calendar, as well as an upcoming board training and

She says, “I’m not afraid to admit what I don’t know, and I don’t ask

the annual luncheon. Details for all Northshore Young Professionals

people to do something I wouldn’t do. Some the best bosses I’ve had

Committee events are shared on their social media channels and on

weren’t the coach on the sidelines—they were the quarterback on

the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce events page.

the field with us.”

The best way she has found to be a leader, she says, is to be

“We want to find people who are committed to continuing this vision of a bigger picture,” Young says. “Having more open minds

there, to know who and when to call on to get things done, and

and more open doors is what’s going to make everything better. If

to connect people. “I’ve been in a world where I know ‘the doers.’

somebody can look at the Northshore Young Professionals and look at

Knowing those people, I can pick up the phone in any situation and

the bigger picture that we’re trying to serve and want to be a part of

know who to call and make a connection for somebody.”

that, then we’ve done something good. We’ve done the right thing.”

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A Team Approach to Care OCHSNER HEALTH AND ST. TAMMANY HEALTH SYSTEM WORK TOGETHER TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF CANCER CARE

In June, Ochsner Health and St. Tammany Health System opened

This new space is home to a multidisciplinary team of expert providers,

St. Tammany Cancer Center - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center, a new

clinicians, allied health and support services specialists working together

state-of-the-art cancer center bringing innovation to the fight against cancer.

to evaluate patients, deliver a treatment plan and work together as a unit

Located on the campus of Ochsner Health Center - Covington and near St.

to execute that treatment plan. This team approach means that you have a

Tammany Parish Hospital, the new center provides patients with access to

whole network to lean on and each member of the team knows what the

world-class cancer care close to home.

other is thinking and doing.

“Cancer can be extremely complex, daunting and frightening to our patients. There are many factors that come into play and multiple doctors and specialists that are needed to provide excellent care. With our multidisciplinary approach, we hope to make this easier for patients. Our goal is to allow patients to have multiple visits coordinated in one location to optimize their care,” said Dr. Angela Buonagura, St. Tammany Health System breast care specialist and surgeon.

As part of this approach, the team participates in tumor conferences to collaboratively discuss individual cancer cases on a routine basis. This approach enables the combined clinical expertise of each team member to coordinate and facilitate an individualized treatment plan for each patient using nationally recognized clinical guidelines that promote evidence-based care.

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“Our multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer care is much more than a quality benchmark - it is essential to our commitment to evidence-based, progressive care for each and every patient. These sessions are another way that we as healthcare providers can ensure a tailored, whole-person approach to the care we provide each of our

specialties – including medical and radiation oncology, radiology, surgery,

patients. As a breast radiologist, there is no better way to convey details of

pathology, clinical psychology, and others – to come together and share

each patient’s case directly to the care team and ensure that we all have a

opinions in an interactive forum. Patients also benefit from a more integrated

consensus for the best plan moving forward,” said Dr. Natalie Fitton, breast

care plan with input from medical specialists and allied health including

radiologist at St. Tammany Health System.

patient navigation, social work, clinical trials, rehabilitation services,

Working together in this way allows physicians from multiple

integrative medicine and nutritional counseling.

“Having all of these individuals work together ensures that patients receive balanced recommendations and a well-executed treatment plan. With a cancer diagnosis you need to move at an efficient, quick pace to get the appropriate answers, complete the workup, develop the treatment plan and initiate the treatment plan in time to truly make a difference, and potentially lead to a cure,” said Dr. Brian Moore, Director of the Ochsner Cancer Institute.

Along with this multidisciplinary approach to care, the new center is home to the latest technology in cancer care treatment. This includes the cancer center’s linear accelerator equipped with Vision RT, which provides the most accurate targeting of radiation beams that account for the patient’s breathing and changing movements while undergoing radiation.

Through increased collaboration and cutting-edge technology, Ochsner Health and St. Tammany Health System provide expert care conveniently to patients on the Northshore.

For more information, go to northshorecancercare.org or call 985-249-2383.

St. Tammany Cancer Center, A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center is located at 900 Ochsner Blvd., Covington, LA 70433.

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their procedures and outcomes.

Together, they focus on bringing the absolute best to each individual. The results are incredible; down time is reduced—using new and improved ways to enhance natural beauty.

Bleu Med Spa of Covington offers high quality procedures and organic products that allow for incredible results. One of Szumski’s favorite treatments is SkinPen Microneedling, a collagen induction that firms and smooths skin, offering a brighter, toned look.

Another anti-aging treatment is Fibroblast, which aims directly at fine lines and wrinkles. “We customize our treatments for each individual client according to their needs because we believe in bringing the absolute best. These non-surgical procedures are new, offering alternatives to plastic surgery with minimal down time, producing great results.” A full list of treatments and services is on the Bleu Med Spa of Covington website.

Ewelina Szumski

BLEU MED SPA OF COVINGTON When Ewelina Szumski purchased the franchise of Bleu Med Spa of Covington in January, it wasn’t what she thought her career would be. “I studied airplane engine mechanics!”

From owning a coffee house to running a cleaning business, that wide entrepreneurial

“I want people to know that I am a mom and wife and run all day just like everyone else,” says Szumski. “I understand life is busy. But, I also know you have to take care of yourself to be able to take care of everybody else.

Giving to yourself just a little can bring much more than many people acknowledge.

experience led to a homecoming. Szumski’s mother was a cosmetologist in their native Poland,

“When clients come in, I see it takes just a tiny

where she taught the art of cosmetology. She opened a second school when she came to the United

bit to make them feel better about themselves.” The

States, continuing her 40-year career of making clients feel beautiful and teaching others.

transformative effects of small acts of care are what she says

Szumski feels comfortable following in her mother’s footsteps. “My mother inspired me; she

brought her to this work. “Seeing the improvement after a

was a business woman that always found time for her family. It had a profound impact on me and

few treatments and the increased confidence after years of

the person I am today. That is why I wanted to make sure I did the same for my family.“

struggling - that was when I realized that this is something I

Family has been at the center of each professional choice Szumski has made and

really enjoy. It was like seeing a person bloom.”

continues to be at the heart of Bleu Med Spa of Covington. “We’re all mothers, grandmothers,

Szumski’s best advice for at-home skin care is,

wives and friends,” she says. “They make Bleu Med Spa of Covington. We share a passion; we

“You have to wash your face before you go to sleep, and

care for each other. They teach me something new every day.” Her team is made up of health

you have to use sunscreen. And hydrate! If you don’t,

and wellness experts. Her aesthetician and nurse enjoy making people feel confident about

your skin is not going to look radiant.”

MED SPA OF COVINGTON Bleu Med Spa of Covington is located at 135-B Terra Bella Blvd. in Covington, 985-710-1331, bleubeautyco.com.

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Blue Williams, LLC WHO WE ARE

Since its inception in 1982, Blue Williams, LLC, has built and maintained an exceptional

Lawyers in America, Elite Lawyers of the South, Lawyers of Distinction, Top Lawyers, and more.

“Our Northshore office is staffed by attorneys

extended to the entire Gulf South Region.

“The strength of our firm is that we have enough attorneys and resources to provide services

litigation practice and a successful record of

who, if not raised and educated in St. Tammany,

in a variety of different areas of law,” says Partner

representing clients in a wide variety of legal

now live here, raise families here, and do business

Christopher Grace. “But we maintain the individual

disputes and personal needs. For the past 20 years,

here.” says Managing Partner Ric Poirier. “We are

attention of a smaller firm in representing our

Blue Williams has served and been immersed in

St. Tammany.”

communities, neighbors and their businesses.”

the Northshore community.

Of the firm’s nearly 50 attorneys, 16 reside and are involved in communities in St. Tammany

Blue Williams is involved with and proudly WHAT WE DO

Blue Williams’ Northshore team of attorneys

supports many local Northshore organizations, including ACCESS Louisiana, Children’s Museum of

Parish. Nine practice primarily in Blue Williams’

provides representation in many areas, including

St. Tammany, Exchange Club of West St. Tammany,

Mandeville office: Ric Poirier, Christopher Grace,

healthcare/medical malpractice, professional liability,

Habitat for Humanity STW, Hospice Foundation

Cynthia Cleland Roth, David Parnell, Elizabeth

governmental/municipal liability, commercial

of the South, Leadership St. Tammany, Miracle

Sconzert, Christopher Hatcher, Kelly Brian, Whitney

disputes, personal injury, business planning,

League Northshore, NAMI St. Tammany, Northshore

Stewart, and Michele Moore Echols.

intellectual property/trademark, estate planning,

Community Foundation, Northshore Food Bank,

corporate transactions, toxic tort, products liability,

Northshore Humane Society, PIG Invitational

honored each year by local and national entities

labor and employment, workers’ compensation,

Charity, Safe Haven, St. Tammany Chamber of

such as Louisiana SuperLawyers, Martindale-

family law, tax law, and more. Although Blue

Commerce, STARC of Louisiana, West St. Tammany

Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Ratings, Best

Williams primarily serves Louisiana, services are

YMCA, and Youth Service Bureau of St. Tammany.

Blue Williams attorneys are recognized and

Blue Williams, LLC, is located at 1060 W. Causeway Approach in Mandeville, 985-626-0058, bluewilliams.com.

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L E A D E R S H I P De Lis Law & Title now has twelve offices across Louisiana and South Mississippi, including the new location in Terra Bella.

“We don’t want this to be like your typical law firm,” says LeSaicherre. “We wanted to build an experience around the closing. We’re very casual. It’s nice, but not stuffy and formal.” He wanted to create a space where families would be comfortable stopping by after moving boxes and furniture all day, with a focus on making people feel welcome and supported throughout the process of a home purchase. “We pride ourselves on covering everything important, but we keep it light and keep conversation going so everyone knows what they need to know.”

His business philosophy revolves primarily around two points: don’t be greedy, and be a good boss. “Whatever you put into people, you get out of them,” he says. “What sets us apart at the end of the day is our people. We can’t be competed with in terms of our amazing team. We give everyone the opportunity to be their best self, and that makes a difference.

“I’ve tried to hire a certain kind of personality that is people-oriented and business-oriented,” he continues. LeSaicherre takes pride in his team and the

Fleur De Lis Law & Title Jeff LeSaicherre, the owner of Fleur De Lis Law & Title, was born and raised in Ponchatoula. “We

little bit of luck in terms of how I was brought up.”

“I was four when we had the ‘83 flood, and

culture they’ve built. “We’re like a family. We don’t punch a clock—people hold themselves accountable.”

Although the company started with a focus on real estate, LeSaicherre says the importance of

were pretty blue collar,” he says, “we always grew

Katrina hit when I was getting out of law school, and

diversifying has always been at the forefront of his

a lot of strawberries—it was almost like being on a

then the recession hit as I was getting ready to go on

mind, both to provide greater security for his team

farm.” The small-town sensibilities of responsibility

my own,” he laughs, reflecting on it. “I’ve learned to

as well as to serve their clients better and more

for the community and a desire to take care of

push in those times. Take a little risk, lean into the

efficiently. In addition to real estate services, they

people are what drove him to go to law school.

people, and take a step forward when everyone else

also provide succession and estate planning and

is stepping back. Try not to let fear direct you.”

business law services.

LeSaicherre grew the firm in 2017 by opening its Covington location, where he says he found

In 2019, the company expanded

“Our people are top notch,” LeSaicherre

the right formula to grow his business without

considerably again, a trajectory that continued

says often, with conviction, “and they are the

sacrificing quality and care. He describes it as “a

even through the COVID-19 pandemic. Fleur

best out there.”

Fleur De Lis Law and Title Company is located at 132 Terra Bella Blvd., Covington, LA 70433 • 985-273-3666 • www.fdltitle.com.

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fee. Also, should you require very specialized treatment not available locally, we can expedite an appointment at a center of excellence.”

“I have been a patient of Dr Jim Robinson’s for well over a decade and find him to be one of the most caring and knowledgeable diagnosticians that I have encountered in my lifetime. However, perhaps

Live Healthy

Dr. Robinson’s leading attribute is his ability to listen to his patients and then communicate a specifically

with Your Doctor Focused on You

tailored path for that individual patients health. It is not a convenient cliche to say that Dr. Robinson has made a significant positive difference to each of my family member’s quality of life,” adds patient Gordon Stewart.

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

Consider your last wellness checkup. How

patients, scheduling routine visits for 30 minutes.

consider yourself the picture of health, there’s

“Dr. Robinson makes you feel like you are

always room for improvement. Even if you’re in the

time did the two of you spend together? Did

his only patient. His calm demeanor and wealth

best shape of your life, Dr. Robinson’s personalized

you discuss diet and exercise? Did you receive

of knowledge and experience make him the first

care can help you maintain good health and,

a detailed action plan for your optimum health,

choice for my family’s healthcare needs. We feel

through early detection of disease processes, avoid

feeling like you and your doctor had partnered in

blessed to know him,” says patient Elinor Dorsey.

some of the problems that come with aging.

long did you wait to see your doctor? How much

your lifetime wellness journey?

Primary care that makes you primary.

Sadly, that scenario describes few primary care

Here’s how the program works: There is a yearly fee for membership with MDVIP. This fee

comprehensive tool to help map out a health plan

affords the patient an annual comprehensive

specific to you,” says Dr. Robinson. “Published studies

wellness physical, advanced health screening and

bear out that the MDVIP personalized preventive care

diagnostic testing to detect any health issues early

approach leads to better, healthier lives.”

and provide a clearer view of overall health. “That

visits. Too many good doctors have found themselves

annual visit takes an hour and a half,” says Dr.

on a medical treadmill required to see too many

Robinson. “We conduct extensive blood work not

patients in a day, leaving little time with each and

included in traditional wellness checks. At your next

resulting in healthcare that’s reactive rather than

visit, we sit down together and go over your results

proactive. The harried healthcare model didn’t sit

in detail. You won’t just know your ‘numbers,’ but

well with Covington internist James M. Robinson.

will understand what those numbers mean and

He wanted more time with each patient, to be able

how they can be improved. Together, we develop

to address their individual needs. He wanted to be

an individualized step-by-step action plan for

available to see his patients when they needed him

optimum wellness. You’ll receive a follow-up letter

with same day appointments if necessary.

detailing our recommendations.”

Fortunately, Dr. Robinson found a

“The MDVIP Wellness Program is a

James M. Robinson, MD

Included in your membership is the benefit

personalized healthcare model in MDVIP. “I’m

of the MDVIP website which supports you in your

able to focus on my patients’ complete health,” Dr.

health goals with meal plans, recipes and shopping

Robinson says. “Every patient has my cell number

lists. You can also customize exercise programs

and knows they can call, whenever they need me.

tailored to your fitness level and health challenges.

And I’m able to devote the time I need to each

Additional benefits include travel care, “Should you

James M. Robinson, MD, attended Louisiana State

patient without the typical rushed office visit.

become sick while traveling, our office will work

University School of Medicine and is affiliated with

Our staff takes great pride in accommodating the

to get you an appointment with a nearby MDVIP

St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He can be found at

needs of our patients.” Dr. Robinson’s personalized

physician. If both parents are members, we will

190 Greenbrier Boulevard, Suite 106, in Covington,

practice allows him to spend quality time with his

see your children, ages 15-26, at no additional

985-809-7171. mdvip.com/JamesRobinsonMD September-October 2021 69

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Laurie’s natural athletic aptitude and honed skills in leadership, confidence, risk-taking and self-discipline. After spending the better part of an hour with her, it is apparent she holds those core values near and dear and calls upon said values to operate her companies.

Post college, Laurie initially cut her teeth in the banking industry in Mississippi. Hailing from this background in banking, she enjoyed working the automobile loan process from start to finish. In particular, she says, “The loans acquired for really cool cars grabbed my attention.” An interest grew for the auto industry.

Over time, Laurie planned to move closer to family. An opportunity to partner at Honda of Covington in August 1998 led to settling in Louisiana. By July 2013, Laurie and her partners acquired Garrett Honda, adding Gator Powersports in June 2020. Covington Powersports was born and is now located alongside Honda of Covington. The empire continued to grow. In April 2018, Laurie partnered with the Baranco family on her latest venture—bringing a

In the Driver’s Seat with Laurie McCants Clear as the modern glass-ensconced structure housing luxury

at Mercedes-Benz of Covington is a dream realized. Laurie is a fixture at each dealership, tackling day-to-day duties and big-picture concepts. She has created a culture at all three entities based on

Mercedes-Benz vehicles is the commanding presence of Laurie

excellent customer service, loyalty and standing behind products.

McCants. McCants has made a name for herself along the Gulf

These pillars make Honda of Covington, Covington Powersports

Coast as a driving force in automotive and Powersports dealerships.

and Mercedes-Benz of Covington perfect choices when in pursuit

Currently, she is Managing Partner of three local dealerships, namely

of a luxury or economical vehicle or a weekend joy ride. Although

Honda of Covington, Covington PowerSports and Mercedes-Benz of

accessibility and a hands-on approach keep Laurie keyed in, she

Covington.

purposefully designed a stellar team. She says, “My personal

The Mississippi town of Hattiesburg saw Laurie grow up and ultimately leave for a distant (and, different!) Southern home— Southern California. Dreaming of a distinct career path and a change

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Mercedes-Benz dealership to the Northshore. Becoming a partner

assistant, department managers and controllers at each store are solid. I couldn’t be successful without them.”

Laurie, a powerhouse in the boardroom, puts it on the line for

of scenery, SoCal was the winner. Laurie remembers warmly, “The

a worthy cause. She is a former twelve-year board member of the St.

weather is so nice. Everything is happening outside there. So much

Tammany Parish Hospital Foundation and two-year chairperson. Also,

to do—surfing, swimming, running, golf, tennis, exercise—it’s all done

she holds past and present board posts at Safe Haven Foundation

outdoors!” Regular participation in outdoor activities complemented

and St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. A founding member of the

Honda of Covington,

Covington Powersports,

100 Holiday Square Boulevard, 985-892-0001

152 Holiday Square Boulevard, 985-892-9730

Inside Northside

Northshore Business Council, she enjoys other philanthropic efforts, including the Harvest Cup Polo Classic, American Heart Association and Kelly Kicking Cancer. In Fall 2021, Mercedes-Benz of Covington will host Mutts to Models. The nighttime event will benefit several causes, namely the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Scott’s Wish Foundation and animal non-profit, Bark for a Cure. Additionally, Laurie is an esteemed member of several professional groups geared to mentoring CEOs offering a platform to connect with like peers. Two such organizations are The Wall Street Journal Woman IN network and Vistage International.

Laurie keeps the pedal to the metal with no plans to halt progress. The footprint of all three locations is ever evolving and continuing to expand. Laurie explains, “This means real estate purchases, planning, construction—even amidst the Covid months.

We remained open throughout this trying time and faced the unique challenges head-on. We are grateful for the overwhelming support of the St. Tammany community and beyond!”

Walk in to any of the three showrooms and prepare to become a customer for good. Laurie and the team await the chance to wow with inventory and assist throughout the entirety of the purchasing process. When asked for hot tips, Laurie did not hesitate. “The Accord, Civic and SUV line-up at Honda of Covington continues to make sense for those on the hunt for reliability. Covington Powersports major players are ATVs, Side-by-Sides and Sea-Doos. The GLE, GLS, G-Class and the 2021 S-Class are all frontrunners for Mercedes-Benz of Covington.”

Laurie can talk shop with the best of the best, but, admittedly, she is a family woman. Enjoying over 20 years with husband Wayne, she also is stepmother to three amazing young men. “I hit the lottery with these boys!” Lastly, she and Wayne share their beloved dogs, two Mi-Kis, Kenzie and Gracie, along with cat Bailey. In her downtime, Laurie can be found practicing Pilates, swimming or, of course, in the driver’s seat of her favorite ride.

Mercedes-Benz of Covington, 8080 Westshore Drive, 985-900-1212.

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animal doctor. From that point on, I knew what I wanted to do. That set me on the path.”

Over the years, Guidry’s focus has shifted from farm animals to smallanimal care. “For me, it’s always been about the animals,” he says. “When I get a sweet puppy licking me on the nose and we’re making friends, or a frightened animal that I’m able to calm down and earn it’s trust, from the time I was a boy, that’s been the best feeling in the world.”

Building a veterinary hospital that is welcoming for the pets who visit there was a priority in expanding the 22,000-square-foot facility on an acre of land in recent years. Services include the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, an ICU, laser therapy, surgery and ultrasound, as well as boarding, grooming, dental and microchipping services. The facility boasts 85 runs and 10 luxury suites for pets who may need a staycation while their family is away.

Dr. Craig Guidry

NORTHLAKE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Throughout the pandemic, many people added new furry loved ones to their families. “The pet population has grown dramatically in the past year,”

“People used to think about warehousing animals while someone’s on vacation, but now it’s the norm for pets to have AC and playtime. We offer big play yards and play rooms—it’s about making boarding welcoming for the pet,” says Guidry, adding, “We think your pet should be on vacation, too.”

The veterinary hospital, which started with a single veterinarian, has now

says Dr. Craig Guidry, veterinarian and owner of Northlake Veterinary Hospital.

grown to seven doctors and a full staff of 24-hour providers for the animals

“We’re needed. Our business has grown tremendously. The staff we have is

in their care, and continues to expand. The priority for the entire team is that

great; everyone is pitching in.”

people know that their pets are being well cared for—when surgeries require

After graduating from veterinary school and working at a veterinary practice in New Orleans East, Guidry purchased Northlake Veterinary Hospital

overnight care, it is always a concern to leave them overnight.

Noting the need for increased emergency veterinary care in the parish,

in 1991 when he saw an opportunity to open his own practice and return to

Guidry says, “Animals don’t choose office hours for accidents, so having

the countryside where he grew up. The family raised ducks, chickens, cows,

emergency care after hours has been important; 24-hour care is a big part of it.

pigs, rabbits, and occasionally, turkeys, and Guidry relished being their

It’s a relief to both us as veterinarians and to our clients.”

caretaker as a boy. “My dad saw me in that role when I was ten years old and told me I needed to be a veterinarian. I said, what’s that? And he told me, an

Guidry says, “We want our clients to feel like they don’t need to go anywhere else.”

Northlake Veterinary Hospital is located at 1399 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville. 626-7522, northlakeveterinaryhospital.com.

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B U S I N E S S

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L E A D E R S H I P

Secure Access, LLC be found in any textbook. Through hard work and

have become very popular. Drowning is the leading

dedication, both brothers have learned the art of

cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4

planning, designing and troubleshooting to create a

years. Most of these children gained access to the pool

safe and secure environment for their customers. They

because of no perimeter security or faulty gates and

have become experts in customization of each client’s

latches. Choosing Secure Access means that by using

needs and wants. But above all, they value integrity,

only quality products, safety is never compromised.

being reminded by their father that while you can lose

Access control technology is not just for the

Customization is one of the many things that

anything at any time, no one can take your integrity

sets this installation company apart. Utilizing in-house

away from you unless you give it away. Integrity became

fabrication, Secure Access can install your perimeter

the foundation that the company prides itself on.

security to your specifications with precision. Already

Offering a full line of aluminum, wrought iron,

have an existing gate you would like to update?

movies anymore. We are entering an era where

chain link, wood and PVC fencing, Secure Access

Reimaging your older gate into something more

technology is advancing rapidly, and some of the most

creates options that fit every budget. Certified in

modern is one of their specialties.

state-of-the-art access control and perimeter security

Gate Operator Installation, this team is the leader in

applied science is landing in residential homes, back

providing automatic gates for just about any suitable

Secure Access offers options for commercial and residential

yards and subdivisions.

opening. A distinguishing aspect of every project

properties such as intercoms, keypads, and RFID (Radio

Secure Access of Baton Rouge is a leader in

Access control does not only mean gates and fences.

is that each customer gets to work with them on

Frequency Identification), smartphone and/or cloud access.

access control technology and perimeter security.

creating perimeter security with distinctive design

Using the latest advanced technology, controlling who

This family business, owned and operated by Nick

elements to keep their family, pets and property safe

comes in and out of your property has never been easier!

and Ryan Hale, has over a decade of knowledge and

without compromising beauty and style.

experience solving residential and commercial security issues all over the Gulf South.

Critical applications, such as swimming pools,

Security is no longer a luxury in today’s world—it has become a necessity. Both brothers stay on top of the latest technology with continuing education, training

Nick and Ryan credit their father, Steven Hale,

and certification courses. With this knowledge, Secure

with their gift of the security industry. Steve, who has

Access is able to provide security solutions for small- to

been in the access control business for over 30 years,

large-scale projects without compromising the details

has passed down valuable knowledge that cannot

for Baton Rouge, New Orleans and surrounding areas.

To learn more about Secure Access, LLC, visit secureaccessllc.com. (225) 247-1152 September-October 2021 73

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L E A D E R S H I P event in Louisiana. Vintage Market Days® is an event for the whole family, where you can enjoy a weekend full of shopping, listen to the best live music and eat delicious food from unique local food trucks.

“We love seeing customers and vendors, old and new, spending time together finding that unique treasure that speaks to them,” says Don. Supporting small businesses is something that is close to Michele and Don’s hearts. At Vintage Market Days® of Southeast Louisiana, you can converse with the designers, artists, collectors/resellers, get to know their story and bring a piece of it home. Maybe they will even share some of their secrets with you! To create a unique vintage experience, each vendor is selected for variety, originality and quality. Returning year after year from near and far, the vendors have become an extended family, and each event is a happy reunion.

Nearly 100 vendors will bring art, antiques, clothing and jewelry, home décor, outdoor furnishings, handmade treasures and tasty treats sure to satisfy and inspire. There is always an abundance of new and unique finds to see (and taste). It is the perfect place to find that special gift. “My best advice,” says Michele, “is if you see something you love, buy it! As soon as you put it down, someone else will buy it. We have seen it happen at every event, especially during our Friday Early Buying Event day when vendors put out their best items for the early shopping customers.”

Vintage Market Days® of Southeast Louisiana

You are cordially invited to attend Vintage Market Days® of Southeast

Mark your calendar, get your advanced tickets and bring the whole family. This is community, fun and shopping with a vintage Southern twist.

“You never know what you will see at our event. It may just be snowing in Amite in October!”

Louisiana’s “Holly Jolly” Fall event!

In 2014, Michele Carlton attended a Vintage Market Days® event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a vendor selling her homemade “The Good Stuff” candles.

Impressed by the upscale, vintage-inspired open-air market and the sense of community it possessed, Michele and her husband, Don, decided to bring it home to Southeast Louisiana, where it has flourished into a staple event.

Michele emphasizes, “When we invite you to our event, we want the anticipation and excitement to build until we can open our doors to you. The look and feel of our event is like no other. We invite you to slow down, sip on some sweet tea, munch on freshly popped Kettle Korn and browse our curated vendors while spending time with your loved ones in a charming Christmas atmosphere.”

Twice a year, in March and October, the Florida Parishes Arena is magically transformed into the most glamorous, vintage-inspired pop-up shopping party you can imagine, and small-town Amite becomes home to the largest vintage

For ticket information, email selouisiana@vintagemarketdays.com or go to vintagemarketdays.com/market/se-louisiana.

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Adventure Pets

As you step through the doors of Mandeville’s Adventure Pets, the gurgle of the Koi pond draws you in as the fish vie for attention. “You are allowed to feed the fish, and they know it,” owner Stephen Creech explains. And then you are ushered in by Minnie, his tiny Chihuahua.

The field trip continues with many live animals—rabbits, birds, ferrets, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, even the occasional hedgehog! Freshwater and saltwater fish dart about tanks, and birds fill beautiful cages as if precious jewels. The reptile

Frank Annerino

section contains snakes, lizards and small tortoises. Come to inspect the array of

CREOLE TOMATEAUX

animals and leave with a new family pet!

Stephen and Rachael Creech realized a dream in 2001 when they

When Frank Annerino opened Creole Tomateaux in 2017, he knew he

opened their first store. In September, celebrate 20 years with them, both at

would have to work hard to attract customers, and create a family friendly,

the latest Mandeville location and the new, slightly smaller Adventure Pets

home-style restaurant. His core values have always been great service, amazing

Covington, which carries all the food and gear needed to take care of your

homemade local dishes, and a fierce passion for serving the community. Flash

dog, cat or small pet with the same quality and considerations with regards to

forward four years, and now Frank has a Creole Tomateaux food truck at almost

products that loyal customers appreciate.

any local event you attend. In 2018, he purchased his first food trailer so that

Customer service and product knowledge are key to the Creech philosophy.

“Our relationships with our customers are very important to us,” says Stephen. Their

Creole Tomateaux could share their unique local cuisine on the road.

Frank’s goal has always been to craft rich, flavorful dishes that you can

biggest goal is to set pet owners up for a successful experience while offering the

enjoy, even when you’re on the go. Each and every menu item is unique, and

safest habitats and supplies that work for each type of animal. Pet specialists are

made from the highest quality ingredients, including fresh seafood and Certified

available to guide and answer questions.

Angus Beef. The fried seafood is some of the best in town, and if you are not the

Stephen and Rachael love dogs, and leashed dogs are always welcome. Both

seafood type, be sure to try their famous fried green tomateauxs. They also offer

stores have many choices in dog food, treats, toys and accessories, but Rachael assures,

overstuffed po-boys, delicious appetizers, tempting desserts, and everything in

“We do not carry any products that we would not take home to our own pets.”

between.

Pet adoption is important to the Creeches. Rachael says, “We love helping

As Creole Tomateaux continues to expand, they are now booking events. If

families add dogs to their household.” They host groups such as Greyhound Pets of

you have a special event that you need catered, or would like a food truck to visit

America/Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter and Honey Dew Dog Rescue

your neighborhood, Creole Tomateaux may be the right option for you. They are

Whether searching for a lifelong companion or another small animal friend, Adventure Pets is the place for assistance. The knowledgeable owners and staff are

sure to deliver delicious food for all of their customers’ needs. Nestled at 1851 Florida St. right past Hwy 59 in Mandeville, you can’t miss them!

ready to help you make an informed choice. Just walk through the doors!

Adventure Pets is located at 3547 US Highway 190 in Mandeville,

Creole Tomateaux is located at 1851 Florida Street in Mandeville.

985 951-8251 and 70457 LA Highway 21 in Covington, 985-900-2300.

985-951-2650 CreoleTomateaux.com September-October 2021 75

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

EVEN THOUGH SEPTEMBER is still hot as blazes, it eventually ushers in glorious fall and the promise of alfresco dining and good hair days and, of course, Halloween.

Though I usually conduct a paranormal investigation for this issue, accompanied by my sidekick and former editor, I had a little trouble finding a new haunted hotel to explore. With

Abita Springs’ Haunted Bakery

ghosts in seemingly short supply, I briefly considered camping out in the woods to try to catch sight of a bigfoot, but that would involve, you know, camping.

Plus, I really don’t think I want to actually see a bigfoot close up … in the dark … alone, because there’s no way in hell I’m going to talk the editor into camping. So, as I researched all of the other paranormal creatures that are rumored to terrorize the state of Louisiana, I was forced to rule out zombies, vampires, werewolves and the rougarou for the obvious reason that they don’t exist.

It was quite a quandary until my son and I drove past the Maple Street Bakery in Abita Springs and he casually mentioned that it was haunted; the story he heard was that of mysterious footprints appearing in a dusting of flour spilled on the floor. And just like that, the ghosts took the lead and my faith in the spirits was restored.

The footprints in the flour, as it turns out, is merely local lore, but bakery owner Jan Liggett assured me that the building is indeed haunted. The house is more than 100 years old and once served as a convalescent home during an outbreak of yellow fever, among other things. Twice Jan has seen the apparition 76

Inside Northside

of an older man in the early morning hours as she began her day of baking. She once experienced the feeling of being pushed, and she’s grown accustomed to unexplained footsteps on the porch. Once, while looking for the gold paper she uses when boxing up her wedding cakes, she heard a noise in the kitchen.

When she went to investigate, she found it lying on the floor in the middle of the room.

“Whatever is here isn’t bad,” says Jan, but she did have another experience that was a little more chilling. She videoed a strange, unexplained little bubble floating in the kitchen until it popped; when she later watched the video, a low, evil-sounding laugh could be heard when the little bubble burst. Jan played the video for me, and I can personally attest to its creepiness. The tenant who occupied the house before the bakery moved in had a much more frightening haunting; in addition to doors opening and closing and chairs moving on their own, Jan recalls hearing stories of the police often being alerted to investigate the activated security alarm and actually witnessed the blinds going up and down on their own.

Several paranormal groups have investigated the property, and Jan continues to receive calls from others requesting access to the house. “I just can’t allow them to spend the night for liability reasons,” she shrugs, but they still show up, sometimes with mediums in tow, to get in touch with whatever haunts the bakery.

Once a priest came in to buy pastries, and in the middle of their conversation he just stopped and asked her, “Is this house haunted?” She nodded and he replied, “They’re trying to talk to me.”

There are countless other ghost stories surrounding the haunted Maple Street Bakery, and Jan Leggett is as friendly a storyteller as she is an amazing baker. I can personally recommend her chocolate chip cookies and fruit tarts … they’re scary good.

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

Murphy-Merryman

I N

A year and states away from their original plan, Lauren

LeQuesne Murphy of Covington married Timothy Dean Brydon Merryman in the groom’s hometown of Annapolis, Maryland.

Their special weekend began with a cocktail party at the Annapolis Yacht Club and continued the next day with a traditional Maryland crab feast and a schooner sail on the Chesapeake Bay, hosted by the groom’s parents, Keith and Cherie Merryman. Finally, at a black tie affair hosted by the bride’s parents, Richard and Lori Murphy, on a gorgeous afternoon in the gardens of the historic William Paca House, the couple exchanged vows in front of their wedding party and a few close friends and family. The bride wore an Alexia Maria silk faille column gown with bow detail atop a chapel length train; the groom wore an ivory dinner jacket tuxedo from Perlis, a nod to his Southern bride.

At the end of the ceremony, the guests were surprised by the sounds of the New Orleans-style Naptown Brass Band, which led a second line into the reception. The tented terrace was filled with accents of blue and white, in keeping with the chinoiserie theme. The bride’s collection of blue and white vases held an all-white selection of tulips, roses, hydrangea, and lilies with fresh greenery, arranged by the bride herself.

The menu featured Mid-Atlantic classics; their cake, by Palate Pleasers, was buttercream with lemon filling, decorated topper. Guests danced the night away to the jazz band and a late night DJ and sent the couple off with streamers.

The couple resides in Washington, DC, and plans to have a larger celebration in New Orleans next spring.

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photos: LINDSAY KING

with Swiss dot detail and a vintage bride and groom

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INside Peek Plate To Palette Luncheon at Tchefuncte’s Restaurant featuring Cover Artist James Michalopoulos Tchefuncte’s Restaurant was the setting for Inside Northside’s recent Plate to Palette luncheon celebrating the work of artist James Michalopoulos. His current show at the The New Orleans Jazz Museum was a hot topic as he engaged the crowd with stories from his career.

James’ love of all things New Orleans and her unique blend of culture, characters and music play muse to the work he is currently focused on. The show will be on display through 2021.

September-October 2021 81

INside Peek Back To School 2021

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1 1. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and local elected officials joined St. Tammany Health System and Ochsner Health leaders on a tour showing the depth and breadth of high-quality

2

care close to home on the Northshore. 2. Rainbow Brunch at Tchefuncte’s Restaurant in Madisonville. 3. St. Tammany Health System, START Health Clinic, Our Lady of the Lake, Gastro Group, Dr. Christel Malinski, Northshore Food Bank, The Blood Center, NAMI, YMCA and more turned out to administer vaccines and offer outreach, education and screenings during the Healthier Northshore Community Health Fair. 4. The staff, board of directors, volunteers and supporters of Northshore Humane Society were honored to host a charity night to thank Morton’s Seafood Restaurant for their three-year corporate sponsorship.

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September-October 2021 83

Entertaining Home

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

by Poki Hampton

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WHAT IS A HOME but an extension of your style? Your home reflects how you live, your personality and how you entertain. The home of Mimi and Bill Dossett features rich warm wood, brick floors and expansive windows giving off massive amounts of natural light.

These are all hallmarks of the mid-century-modern architectural design created by Pat Camel, >>

September-October 2021 85

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photos: PAIGE HENDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY www.bellus.photography

a native of Baton Rouge, in 1977.

Classic lines with functionality and minimal fussiness were the name of the game. Colors from neutral to bold pops of bright hues with daring graphic designs bring authenticity to the space.

The Dossett home was the stage for a girls’ night out with a 1960s-style

cocktail party, complete with ’60s-inspired hors d’oeurves like cheese balls and shrimp cocktails and drinks served in mid-century barware. The guests, dressed in colorful classic frocks, lounged poolside and in the large great room where a Charles Eames chair mixes with traditional pieces. The soaring cathedral ceilings in oak planks and two walls of windows blend seamlessly with nature. Midcentury built-in bookcases flanking a large brick fireplace make a cozy spot to relax. Adding earthy elements are a natural sisal rug and the brick floor. The adjacent wet bar is the perfect place to mix up a Mad Men-style Tom Collins or Singapore Sling.

The sunken living room with large windows and built-in bookcases, painted with a bright teal blue background, along with the elegant modern furnishings surrounding the fireplace, evoke the glamorous Hollywood era. Soft hues of light blue make the master bedroom a serene retreat. The oversized master bathroom, with chevron wooden walls and freestanding soaker tub is a glamorous place to dress for a party. Two guest rooms have sleek built-in bookcases and twin beds designed by Camel to complement the environment.

The brick floors carry through to the spacious kitchen, which, with wooden walls and stainless appliances, is in keeping with the mid-century style and perfect for cooking for large crowds or small.

Feeling just a bit sophisticated and like feminine members of the Rat Pack, the women had a wonderful time enjoying the evening hosted

by Mimi.

September-October 2021 87

Last Sip

Hibiscus Sangria Servings: 6-8

by Yvette Zuniga Jemison Hibiscus Tea 2 cups water

1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers (flor de jamaica) Simple Syrup 1/4 cup hot water 1/4 cup honey Sangria 1 cup hibiscus tea 1/2 cup simple syrup 1 cup fresh lime juice 1 cup fresh orange juice 1 bottle white wine, chilled (Vinho Verde or dry Sauvignon Blanc) 2 cups sliced green apples 2 cups sliced peaches

photos: PAIGE HENDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY www.bellus.photography

photo: YVETTE ZUNIGA JEMISON YDelicacies.com

Hibiscus Tea

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1. Pour the water and add the hibiscus flowers into a small saucepan.

Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat.

2. Cover the saucepan and let the flowers steep for at least 15 minutes.

Reserve 1 cup of the tea for the sangria.

Simple Syrup

1. In a small cup, stir the water and honey together until the honey is dissolved. Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Sangria

1. In a large pitcher, make the sangria base by stirring the hibiscus tea, simple syrup, lime juice and orange juice until combined. Add the apples and peaches and stir. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

2. To serve, add the wine, stir until combined, and pour over ice garnished with apple slices and peach slices.

IN Great Taste

by Yvette Zuniga Jemison

Fall Back into Comfort Food Garlic-Studded Pork Roast and Creamy Grits

photos: YVETTE ZUNIGA JEMISON YDelicacies.com

There’s no denying it’s fall. The air gets a little crisper with each passing day, and tasty fall dishes begin to appear. After a season of warm-weather grilling, it’s finally cool enough to turn on the oven. It’s the ideal time to invite some friends and share a cozy meal filled with the comforting flavors of the season.

This garlic-studded roast is easily prepped and slow roasted until fork tender and falling off the bone. Serve it on a bed of creamy grits to capture all those garlic-infused juices. If you’re lucky enough to have leftover roast, it can easily be shredded or chopped. The flavorful leftovers are a great addition to crowd-pleasing favorites such as pulled-pork sandwiches or loaded nachos. When there’s a chill in the air and you’re craving roasted dishes, turn on the oven, because after all, fall is the official start of roasting season.

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Garlic-Studded Pork Roast Servings: 8 6 lb. Boston butt pork roast 10 cloves garlic 2 Tablespoons chili powder 1 Tablespoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons black pepper 1 1/2 cups water, divided 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, coarsely chopped

Special equipment: large Dutch oven with oven-safe lid 1. Arrange oven rack to fit Dutch oven and lid. Preheat oven to 350° F. 2. With the fat cap side up, place the roast on a cutting board. Using the tip of a paring knife, poke 5 slits evenly spaced on the fat cap. Stuff a garlic clove into each slit. Flip the roast with the fat cap side down. Poke 5 slits evenly spaced on top and stuff a garlic clove Goat Cheese and Veggie into each slit.

Pressed Sandwich.

3. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, salt and pepper. Rub roast with the seasoning mixture until completely coated on all sides.

4. With the fat cap side up, transfer roast to a Dutch oven. Add 1 cup water to the bottom of the Dutch oven. Bake roast, uncovered, until the top is brown, about 45 minutes.

5. Add another 1/2 cup of water, cover with a tightly sealed lid. Bake until the roast is fork-tender, 3-3 1/2 hours.

6. Uncover and bake until the top of roast is crispy, about 15 minutes.

7. Remove from oven, and let roast rest 30 minutes before serving.

8. Reserve drippings to drizzle on sliced or pulled roast when serving. Just before serving, toss onions and cilantro together. Serve roast on a bed of grits and top with cilantro and onions. >> July-August 2021 91

New Orleans and the northshore are home to more great restaurants than we could hope to list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fitzmorris’ nomenu. com. In this guide, you will find some of the best bets around town. Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.

Copeland’s aa Creole, 680 N. US 190, Covington, 809-9659 Cured. On Columbia 415 N. Columbia St., Covington, 893-0355 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 892-3712 Desi Vega’s Steakhouse1950 N Highway 190,

ABITA SPRINGS Abita Brew Pub a 72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, 892-5837 Abita Springs Café aa 22132 Level St., Abita Springs, 400-5025 Camellia Café Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine, 69455 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 809-6313 Mama D’s Pizza & More aa 22054 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 809-0308

Creamy Grits

COVINGTON

Servings: 8

Abita Roasting Company 1011 Village Walk, Covington, 246-3345

4 cups chicken stock

Albasha aa Mediterranean, 1958 Hwy. 190,

3 cups heavy whipping cream

Covington, 867-8292

1 1/2 cups stone ground grits

Annadele’s Plantation aaaa 71518 Chestnut St., Covington, 809-7669

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Apres Lounge 1950 N Highway 190, Covington, 276-4994

For more recipes go to Ydelicacies.com and @y_ delicacies on Instagram.

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Inside Northside

Aki 510 N.Florida St., Covington, 302-5166 Bear’s Restaurant aa Po-boys, 128 W. 21st St., Covington, 892-2373 Beck ‘n’ Call Cafe 534 N. New Hampshire, Covington, 875-9390 Blind Tiger 19124 Rogers Ln., 900-2443 Bud’s Broiler aa Hamburgers, 1250 N. US 190, Covington, 985-803-8368 Buster’s Place aa 519 E. Boston St., Covington, 809-3880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks. Open photos: YVETTE ZUNIGA JEMISON YDelicacies.com

1. In a 4-quart, heavy-bottom pot, stir stock, cream, grits and salt until combined.

2. Stirring frequently, cook on medium heat just until it begins to reach a boil. Immediately reduce heat to a simmer, and stir well.

3. Cover pot and simmer, stirring only if needed, until grits are softened, 20-30 minutes.

4. Turn off heat, stir and let sit covered until grits are tender and thickened, about 20 minutes.

seven days a week. Lunch, dinner. MCC. Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 871-6674 CC’s Coffee House Coffee and pastries, 1331 N Hwy 190., Covington, 900-2241 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 892-5396 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 234-A Lee Ln., Covington, 893-6158 Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill aa 434 N. Columbia St., Covington, 898-0899

Covington, 276-4994 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy. 21, Covington, 871-2225 DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa 700 S. Tyler St., Covington, 276-6460 Don’s Seafood Hut aa 126 Lake Dr., Covington, 327-7111 The English Tea Room aaa 734 Rutland St., Covington, 898-3988 Fat Spoon Café aa 2807 N Highway 190., Covington, 893-5111; 7117 LA-21, Covington, 888-6877 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler St., Covington, 892-9992 Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food 200 River Highlands Blvd., Covington, 327-7420 The Greyhound 701 E. Boston St., Covington, 400-5828 Habanero’s 69305 Highway 21, Ste. 600, Covington, 871-9760; 1331 N Hwy 190, Ste. 100, Covington, 900-2124 Half Shell Oyster House 70367 Hwy 21, Ste 100, Covington, 276-4500 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw 190, Covington, 400-5202 La Casa de Sabores 324 East Boston St, Covington, 900-2297 Lit Pizza 71180 LA-1077, Covington, 259-8020 Lola aaa 517 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-4992 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E. Gibson St., Covington, 892-0708 McAlister’s Deli 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15, Covington, 898-2800 Megumi of Covington aaa 305 S. Tyler St., Covington, 327-7040 Meribo Modern Italian, 326 Lee Ln, Covington, 327-5407

Mugshots Grill & Bar 300 River Highlands Blvd., Covington, 893-2422 New Orleans Food & Spiritsaaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 875-0432 New Orleans Style Seafood Restaurant & Market Seafood platters, gumbo, burgers and more! 1536 N Highway 190, Covington, 888-1770 Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Cafè 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste.

Salty Joe’s BBQ 43344 S. Range Rd, Hammond, 956-7099 Si Senor 1905 W Thomas St, Hammond, 393-0090 Streetside Market 201 W Thomas St, Hammond, 318-7370 Tommy’s on Thomas Pizza, 216 W. Thomas St. Hammond, Tope là Contemporary delights, 104 N. Cate St., Hammond, 542-7600 Yellow Bird Café 222 E. Charles St., Hammond, 345-1112

5, Covington, 893-1488 LACOMBE

Outback Steakhouse aa Australianthemed cuisine. 60 Park Place Dr., Covington, 893-0505. MCC.

Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 882-9443

Pat’s Seafood 1248 N. Collins Blvd.

MADISONVILLE

and 70456 LA #21, Ste 400, Covington, 892-7287 Peace, Love & Little Donuts 70493 Highway 21, Ste 100, Covington, 400-9780 Pot & Paddle 70493 Hwy 21 Stuite 800, Covington, 234-9940 Pyre 70437 LA-21, Suite 100, Covington, 888 -6129 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 70456 Hwy. 21, Covington, 875-7894 Pizza Man of Covington aaa 1248 N. Collins Blvd., Covington, 892-9874 Raising Canes 1270 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, 809-0250 Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian, 501 E. Boston St., Covington,

Abita Roasting Company 504 Water St., Madisonville, 246-3340 The Anchor 407 St Tammany St, Madisonville, 323-4800 Five Girls 305 LA-21, Madisonville, 845-2348 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville, 845-9940 Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar aa 702 Water St., Madisonville, 845-4970 Orlando’s Seafood, 304 Hwy. 22 West, Madisonville, 845-4446 Tchefuncté Restaurant 407 St Tammany St, Madisonville, 323-4800

875-1006 Sweet Daddy’s 420 S. Tyler St., Covington, 898-2166 TCBY 70488 Hwy 21, Covington, 892-9000 Theo’s Neighborhood Pizzeria 70488 LA-2, Covington, 2349420

MANDEVILLE The Barley Oak Serving 130 styles of beer, 2101 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 727-7420 Beach House Neighborhood Cafe, 124 Girod, Mandeville, 624-9331 Bistro Byronz aa American, 1901

Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys a 515 E. Boston St., Covington, 8939336 Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr., Covington, 327-0520 HAMMOND Brady’s 110 SW Railroad Ave., Hammond, 542-6333.

Don’s Seafood & Steak House 1915 S. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, 345-8550 Jacmel Inn aaaa 903 E. Morris St., Hammond, 542-0043 Kirin Sushi 223 S. Cate St., Hammond, 542-8888 La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine 108 N.W Railroad Ave., Hammond, 419-9990 One Thirteen Restaurant New American cuisine, 113 N Oak St,

Highway 190, Mandeville, 9517595 Bosco’s Italian Café aaa 2040 Hwy. 59, Mandeville, 624-5066 Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole, 2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 624-9007 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-0560 Coscino’s Pizza aa Italian, 1809 N. Causeway Blvd., 727-4984 Crazy Pig Southern Kitchen 4700 LA-22, Mandeville, 792-2900 Creole Tomateaux Authentic Creole Cuisine, 1851 Florida St., 9512650 Cucina Cangemi 3900 LA-22, Mandeville, 778-0101 Daisey Dukes 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Ste 13, 951-2140 El Paso Mexican Grill 3410 US 190,

Hammond, 402-3481

July-August 2021 93

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624-2345 Fat Spoon Café aa 68480 Hwy. 59., 809-2929.

Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 624-9704 Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar 2891 Highway 190, Suite D. Mandeville, 778.2176 Franco’s Grill Fresh organic foods, 100 Bon Temps Roule, 792-0200 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 6264342 Girod Street Market and Deli Private

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Reginelli’s Pizzeria 1810 N. Causeway Blvd. Ste. 4, Mandeville, 778-0644 Rip’s on the Lake aa 1917 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 727-2829 Rob’s Rockin’ Dogs 2890 E Causeway Approach, Ste B, Mandeville, 231-7688 Rusty Pelican aa 500 Girod St., Mandeville, 778-0364 Times Grill a 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 626-1161 Trey Yuen Cuisine of China aaa Quality China cuisine with

Chef/Catering available. 528 Girod

Louisiana flair, 600 N. Causeway

St., Mandeville, 629-4260

Blvd., Mandeville, 626-4476

Impastatos Cellars 240 LA-22, Mandeville, 845-4445 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 624-2990 La Madeleine aa French, 3434 US 190, 626-7004

PONCHATOULA Middendorf’s Seafood Restaurant 30160 Hwy. 51, Ponchatoula, 386-6666 La Carreta aaa Mexican, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave., Ponchatoula, 370-0930

The Lakehouse aaa Contemporary SLIDELL

Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 626-3006 LaLou Breakfast, 200 Girod St., Mandeville, 231-7125 Leonardo’s Trattoria & Pizzeria Authentic Sicilian dishes, 2625 Florida St, 788-2550 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 590 Asbury Dr., 504-727-1532 Liz’s Where Y’At Diner aaa 2500 Florida, 626-8477 Mande’s 340 N. Causeway App., 626-9047 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 4240 La 22, Mandeville, 674-9883 Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246 Girod St., Mandeville, 626-5619 The Old Rail Brewing Company a Homemade American cuisine, 639 Girod St., Mandeville, 612-1828 Pardo’s aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 5280 LA-22, Mandeville, 893-3603 Papillon’s by Gio aaa 690 Lafitte St., 624-2597 Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant and Bar aaaa 527 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville, 778-2820 Pat’s Rest Awhile 2129 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 951-2173 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 2963 Hwy. 190, Mandeville, 674-1565 Poke Loa Louisiana’s freshest poke bowls, 1810 N Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 778-0444 Pontchartrain Po-Boys aaa 318 Dalwill Dr., Mandeville, 626-8188 Raising Canes 3801 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, 674-2042

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A Touch of Italy Café 134 Pennsylvania Ave., Slidell, 639-0600 Assunta’s aaa Italian, 2631 Covington Hwy., Slidell, 649-9768 Blue House Grill Sandwiches, 2170 Gause Blvd W., Slidell, 288-5544 Cafe Luke Breakfast and brunch favorites plus Dinner Theatre, 153 Robert St., Slidell, 707-1597 Camellia Cafe aaa 525 Hwy. 190, Slidell, 649-6211.

Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 1340 Lindberg Dr., Slidell, 847-0020 Copeland’s aa Creole, 1337 Gause Blvd., Slidell, 643-0001 El Paso Mexican Grill 1100 Robert Blvd., Slidell, 445-1450 Gallagher’s on Front Street 2306 Front St., Slidell, 326-8350 Nathan’s aaaa Contemporary Creole, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., Slidell, 643-0443 Palmettos on the Bayou aa 1901 Bayou Ln., Slidell, 643-0050 Peck’s Seafood Restaurant 2315 Gause Blvd. E., Slidell, 781-7272 Restaurant Cote 2219 Carey St., Slidell, 985-288-5440 Speckled T’s Seafood, 158 S Military Rd., Slidell, 646-1728 The Blind Tiger Slidell 37330 Lakeshore Marina Dr., Slidell, 707-1082 Times Grill 1827 Front St., Slidell, 639-3335 Vera’s aaa Seafood, 2020 Gause Blvd W., Slidell, 690-9814 Zea aaa American, 173 Northshore Blvd., Slidell, 327-0520

Haute Plates

A selection of restaurants and haute dishes found around the northshore and beyond.

Creole Tomateaux

Half Shell Oyster House

La Carreta

MANDEVILLE • 951-2650

COVINGTON • 276-4500

HAMMOND

1851 FLORIDA ST.

CREOLETOMATEAUX.COM There’s nothing better than

70367 LA 21

HALFSHELLOYSTERHOUSE.COM Local Gulf oysters and a variety

MANDEVILLE,

Nothing Bundt Cakes

COVINGTON,

1111 GREENGATE DR. #D

AND PONCHATOULA

NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM

CARRETARESTAURANT.COM

COVINGTON • 888-6555

Our goal is to bake a cake that

enjoying a down home meal in a laid back

of Gulf Coast seafood with a New

atmosphere. From fresh fried seafood, to

Orleans flair and influence that

food in a fun and festive atmosphere, La

opens you to a new world. And while

our famous Fried Green Tomateauxs, to

extends throughout our ambience

Carreta offers authentic Mexican cuisine

that’s no easy request, the handcrafted

overstuffed Po-boys, to appetizers, desserts,

and menu. Steaks, chicken, pasta and

at several locations across Southeast

recipes are more than up to the task.

and everything in between, we have a little

so much more. Lunch, dinner, daily

Louisiana. Daily lunch specials, fiesta

Each recipe uses the finest ingredients

something for everyone. Catering available.

happy hour, Sunday brunch.

time daily and family friendly.

to bring you Bundt Cake perfection.

96

Inside Northside

Celebrating over 20 years of fresh

not only reminds you of home but also

one thirteen

Pat’s Seafood

Si Señor Taqueria

AND 70456 LA #21,

HAMMOND • 393-0090

113 N. OAK ST.,

1248 N. COLLINS BLVD.

ONETHIRTEENRESTAURANT.COM

STE 400, COVINGTON

HAMMOND 402-3481

One Thirteen seeks to enliven the senses through an inspired mid-

892-7287 • 892-7287 Our Poboys Runneth Over!

1905 W. THOMAS ST., STE. V SISENORTAQUERIA.COM Whether you are looking for

Tchefuncte’s

407 ST. TAMMANY ST.

MADISONVILLE • 323-4800 TCHEFUNCTES.COM

Overlooking the river, Tchefuncte’s

an enhanced dining experience or a

celebrates the highlights of the season,

century modern setting, graceful

Fresh local seafood and a large

happy hour, Si Señor Taqueria is the

rooted in classic Southern cuisine.

service and new American cuisine

offering of deli to-go items, such as

best spot for authentic Mexican dining

Executive Chef Michael Gottlieb sought

that simply tastes delicious. Menu

boiled crawfish, gumbo, crawfish pie,

in Southeastern Louisiana. Experience

the world’s best ingredients and found

items include chicken, beef, seafood,

corn and crab bisque, crabmeat au

our upbeat atmosphere while enjoying

most in the Northshore area. Tchefuncte’s

wood-fired flat bread, and house-

gratin and po-boys. On-site catering

our fresh cocktails, like the House

partners with community purveyors for

made desserts.

available.

Paloma with fresh agave nectar.

the best seafood, meats and produce.

Last Look

by John Snell

Sunrise Drama Bayou Lacombe by FOX 8’s John Snell.

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Inside Northside