March-April 2022 Issue of Inside Northside Magazine

495

$

INSIDEPUB.com

HOME & GARDEN •

JAKE DICKS • KREWE OF OLYMPIA • HARVEST CUP POLO CLASSIC

MARCH-APRIL 2022 VOL. 37, NO. 2

FamilyFriendly Luxe Page 30

contents table of

Departments

8 Pub Note 10 Contributors 16 INside Scoop 50 Flourishes Extraordinary Gifts and Home Accents 54 INside Look

Features

12 A Scene of Tranquility Cover Artist Jim Seitz 20 Heeding the Still, Small Voices of Nature Northshore Nature Artist Jake Dicks 26 The Boston Street Céilí Band

45 Children of Habitat 72 Generous Hearts

Building a Future for Louisiana’s Children 56 Olympia Makes A Triumphant Return Methodist Children’s Home of Southeast Louisiana 74 Nature’s Year-long Exhibit

Northlake Nature Center 75 INside Peek Chamber Installation and Awards Luncheon

Harvest Cup Polo Classic

76 IN Love & Marriage

60 Playing Polo Segundo Ortiz and the Game of Kings

78 IN Great Taste Celebrate Spring with Meringue Wreaths

68 Origins of the Harvest Cup Polo Classic

81 Haute Plates 82 Last Look

Home & Garden 30 Family-Friendly Luxe on the Northshore 38 Louisiana’s Own Plant Whisperer The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station 44 Finishing Touches 6

Inside Northside

page 56

68 Silent Auction page 54

71 Two Passions Collide Polo Artist Lorraine Beaver

Editorial Contributors: Maggie Bokobza, Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Hilary Creamer, Jan Dicks, Ashley Doubleday, Ashley Edwards, Candra George, Poki Hampton, Rick King Photography, Joey Michel Photography, Laney Reed Photography, Elizabeth Serban, John Snell.

Bring on Spring!

As everything around us blossoms with color and excitement, we happily welcome spring. This issue has some beautiful Home and Garden ideas, and, hopefully, at least a dash of inspiration.

We have to share some important shout-outs from the Louisiana Travel Association awards night! Our own Pat Gallagher was recognized with a Louey Award for Restauranteur of the Year for being a chef who understands the importance of the tourism industry and providing an outstanding visitor experience. Pat says, “I share this with the many people who have helped me deliver this experience over the last 44 years.” Whether you are fine dining or casually gathering with friends, Pat has created great options to enjoy from Covington and Mandeville to Slidell.

Far Left: Chef Pat Gallagher was recognized with a Louey Award for Restaurateur of the Year.

Left: Donna O’Daniels, St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission President and CEO.

The St. Tammany Tourist Commission, our partner in many ways, was also recognized with a Louey Award for being the Outstanding CVB among markets of a similar size. What does that mean for us locals? According to Donna O’Daniels, president and CEO of the STTC, visitor dollars exceeded $835 million in 2021!

That revenue adds to the paychecks of many neighbors, profits to the bottom line for many small businesses and countless benefits and opportunities for us to enjoy as residents.

Congratulations to Pat Gallagher, Donna O’Daniels and the St. Tammany Tourist Commission!

ps... While I look forward to spring adventures, it is summer I am most excited for—when I’ll finally become a grandmother! I warn you now, it is likely I’ll be an insufferable brag. :)

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

March-April 2022 Vol. 37, No. 2

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 Brenda Breck Stacey Paretti Rase brenda@insidepub.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the Cover

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

Steven Mills Cover Artist Jim Seitz.

Find more on page 12.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contact

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

Steven grew up in Covington and enjoys writing stories about the people and businesses that make the Northshore a special place to live. After graduating from LSU with a master’s degree in architecture, he was hired as a residential designer for LRK Architects. Steven enjoys spending time with his dog, Piper, and riding horses in Folsom.

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 ©2022 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.

A Scene of Tranquility Cover Artist Jim Seitz

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

by Maggie Bokobza

12

Inside Northside

WHEN YOU FIRST ENCOUNTER a piece by Jim Seitz, you are immediately struck by the luminous quality of the work. At least I was. When I was growing up, one of his unique and remarkable landscapes hung above the fireplace in our living room. Just staring at it, you could lose yourself in the serene setting, hints of the gold leaf reflecting the flickering light of the fire. Today, one of his works hangs in the living room of my apartment in Paris, reminding me of home, while at the same time echoing the promise of the future in its silver tones and the slight glimpse of a river you can make out in the distance between the trees of the scene. The luminosity is thanks to Seitz’s application of gold and silver leaf in the foreground of his work.

This technique, which has taken years

to develop and master, allows him to achieve his unique landscapes.

Prepping a canvas for a piece can take weeks. Seitz generally likes to work with hand-stretched canvases, which arrive white and bare. “I apply molding paste to provide texture to the canvas,” he explains, which provides heft to the look of the acrylic paint. He will spend days applying coats of primer, modeling paste and sanding down areas for the application of the gold or silver leaf.

Following the application of the metal leaf, Seitz uses as many as 20 thin layers of acrylic, blending the colors directly on the canvas rather than utilizing a pallet. This technique of blending creates a soft, almost ethereal, quality to the final image. “It’s like the canvas starts talking to me,” he says, of starting out on a new work. >>

Seitz will often be working on up to four or five pieces at the same time, which he says keeps him stimulated and inspired. Though he has had a few particular favorites over the years, he admits that often his favorite piece is the one he is working on at the moment. “It’s such a pleasure to see the final product,” he says, recounting how he still gets goosebumps when he finally finishes a piece and steps back to look at it.

Seitz refers to his style as a tonal minimalist approach to his subject matter. The landscapes that he conjures from deep within his own imagination, rather than a photograph, offer serene and pastoral images set against striking cloudy skies that have become his signature.

The viewer is asked to participate in the work by “connecting the dots,” making them an active participant in the construction of the work. He explains his value approach to painting a scene.

“I’m not specifically painting pine trees or palm trees, but when you look at it you think ‘That’s a tree.’” By allowing the viewer to participate in the creation of the image in their own mind, he is capturing their attention. This phenomenon is aided by the relatively large-size canvases he often uses, which allow you to become absorbed in the scene.

His passion started at an early age. “I fell in love with art in the 3rd grade,” he says. Growingup, Seitz would create ink drawings using a

photorealist style, creating pieces to give to family and friends. In college, he continued his love of art, even working for the university by providing medical illustrations for the science department.

When he graduated, Seitz set out for a career as a field engineer in the oil and gas industry.

This provided his family with the opportunity to travel extensively, from the deserts of the Middle East to the jungles of Southeast Asia. On these adventures, he always traveled with a watercolor kit and ink pens, capturing the local scenes and landscapes around him. At some point, however, he lost his love for painting. Seitz says that it started to feel more like a task rather than an act of creative expression. He took a break from painting for several years before revisiting his passion, this time in his now distinctive modern style of tonal minimalism. Since returning, he has not looked back; his landscapes of altogether recognizable yet still imaginary locations are full of earthy tones and natural color pallets. Today, his pieces can be found in collections across the country and the world.

He clarifies the importance of evolution in an artist’s body of work. “My style now is different from my style 10 years ago, not better or worse, just different—if your style isn’t evolving as an artist, then something has gone wrong,” he jokes cheekily. In this same vein, he has some advice for those interested in buying art: “If you

see an artist’s work and you’re drawn to it, buy it, because there is no guarantee the next time you encounter their work that it will be the same.”

One of his most memorable pieces, entitled Beyond Time, was an act of recreating an image from his memory. While working in Iran, in order to reach the oil fields of Agah Jari, he passed over a river. “From the center of the bridge, it just looked like this river lasted to eternity,” he says.

This, coupled with the rich historical significance of the region, made it a deeply inspirational place.

Many years later, having never taken a picture of the view, Seitz decided to try painting it from memory. Without thinking, he painted the image from his mind’s eye, working to capture the feeling that the place evoked. “Sometimes your memory is a lot bigger than the reality.” He laughs slightly to himself as he recalls the moment.

More recently, Seitz embarked on creating a series of pieces that feel closer to home. He decided to paint one tryptic and one diptych, each set representing one branch of his family tree. Though the pieces were composed as a unit, the works will hang separately in the families’ homes, with the individual canvases representing each of his grandchildren. “I hope they will be a family keepsake.”

Jim Seitz is represented locally by Armbruster Artworks Fine Art Gallery, 502 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985-630-6295. His work can also be found at Degas Gallery, 604 Julia St, New Orleans, 504-8269744; Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia, and The District Gallery in Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as Pitzer’s Fine Art in Wimberley, Texas. You can find more information about Seitz and upcoming exhibitions at JimSeitz.com.

March-April 2022 15

p resen t ed b y

4th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade & Celebration Saturday, March 12, 12-5 pm The traditional parade includes 100+ members handing out paper flowers and other Irish throws (it’s traditional to give ‘em a kiss for a flower!), bagpipers, Irish dancers and wolfhounds, St. Paul’s Marching Wolves, marching groups and more. Immediately following parade, bagpipers and others will perform until block party ends at 5 p.m. Corner of New Hampshire and Rutland Streets, Covington, 892-1873, covingtoncelticclub.com.

Information is current as of February 15, however, all dates and times are subject to change. More events can be found online at LouisianaNorthshore.com.

$5. Tickets good for re-entry all weekend.

Free entry for children 12 & under. Florida

Family Promise of St. Tammany

Parishes Arena, 1301 NW Central Ave,

Thursday, March 10; doors open 5:30pm,

Amite, vintagemarketdays.com.

concert begins 6:30pm Family Promise of

7th Annual Shamrock Sprint 5k & 1 Mile

St. Tammany and Christ Episcopal Church

Fun Run Saturday, March 12 Kelly

Covington present a free candlelight

Kicking Cancer invites you to its 7th

March 3-4 St. Tammany Health System

concert featuring American Idol Finalist Phil

annual signature fund-raising event, the

has introduced its Be Well, Stay

Stacey in celebration of the Lenten season.

Shamrock Sprint 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run.

Well self-renewal weekend, a post-

Food trucks will be on site before the

For details, follow Kelly Kicking Cancer

Carnival getaway, designed to help you

concert. Benefit for Family Promise of St.

on Facebook. KKC honors the memory

recommit to living well and catch up

Tammany, one of over 200 affiliates across

of Kelly C. O’Mahoney’s life and spirit

on all your annual health screenings

41 states that provide homeless children

by funding research to eradicate brain

in a convenient and relaxing setting at

and their families safe and comfortable

cancer. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New

the historic Southern Hotel. Highlights

shelter, meals, and compassionate

Hampshire St., Covington, 237-1798,

include accommodations at the hotel,

support. 129 N. New Hampshire St.,

KellyKickingCancer.org.

March Be Well, Stay Well Weekend 2022

delicious food and wine in a spa-like environment, and health screenings such

16

sttammany.health/StayWell.

Phil Stacey Benefit Concert sponsored by

Covington, 201-7221, fpstp.org.

Vintage Market Days of Southeast

Slidell St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2022 Sunday, March 13, 1 pm Features 50+

as cancer screenings, blood pressure,

Louisiana March 11-13, Friday &

floats, walking groups, bikes, horses,

aortic aneurism, bone density and body

Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday, 10am-4pm.

cars, trucks, dance groups and school

composition. Pricing starts at $900 per

Shopping, food and music; upscale

bands, with throws to include beads and

couple; group pricing, discounts and

market of vintage and vintage-inspired

stuffed animals, as well as everything to

á la carte options are available. 428

collections for all ages. Friday’s early-

make a traditional Irish stew—cabbage,

E. Boston St., Covington, 871-5932,

buying event, $15. Saturday, $10; Sunday,

onions, potatoes, celery and carrots!

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

For information, contact Robert or Bridget at Create Dat, 641-1105 or Brad Champagne at 768-0269.

Covington St. Patrick’s Day Concert, Four Unplugged Thursday, March 17, 5:30-7:30pm Celebrate at the Covington Trailhead at the 2nd annual “Get Your Irish On” concert featuring Four Unplugged.

Free. 419 N. New Hampshire Street, Covington, 892-1873, covla.com.

Chef Soirée 2022 Sunday, March 20, 5-9pm. Join us by the river for the 38th annual Chef Soirée, presented

by Chevron, featuring tasting-sized portions of food and beverages from northshore restaurants and food and beverage purveyors and live music. One of the biggest highlights of our annual event is the grand prize drawing for the Banner Ford Raffle. Bogue Falaya Park, Covington. Ticket information can be found at ysbworks.com/chef-soiree.

The Lobby Lounge 2022 Concert Series: T’Monde Wednesday, March 23, 7-9pm Three young musicians come together in T’Monde, the Louisiana phenomenon that has been called “a creative fusion of classic country and out-of-the-way Cajun.” With a combined 10 Grammy nominations among members Drew Simon, Megan Constantin, and Kelli Jones, T’Monde brings influences ranging from early Country music to ancient French and Creole ballads to present day Cajun music. Tickets are advance only on Eventbrite: $18, general admission; $50, 2-seat table or $100, a 4-seat table. 100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 781-3650, harborcenter.org/.

Swinging for Scholarships Golf Tournament Thursday, March 24 The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce is offering three $1,000 scholarships to local students who plan to attend a Louisiana college, university or community college and major in business. The tournament will help fund scholarship opportunities. 4 person scramble. Admission is $600 for>> March-April 2022 17

Inside Scoop foursome; $150 for individual golfer. 602 N. Beau Chêne Dr., Mandeville, (504) 4005287, anne@sttammanychamber.org.

starting at 11 a.m. Bring lawn chair, sun screen and dancing shoes. Please don’t

Street Fair Saturday, March 26,

bring food, drinks or dogs. The Abita

10am-5pm Annual, two-day family event

Springs Art & Farmers Market will host

in and around Griffith Park and ranging

food and drink vendors. Abita Springs

over six blocks of the Olde Towne area

Trailhead & Park, 22044 Main St., Abita

of Slidell. Over 200 booths of antiques,

Springs, 892-0711, trailheadmuseum.org/

collectibles, arts and crafts, and antique

busker-festival.

Rockin’ the Rails Concert Thursdays; April

three stages. Griffith Park & Old Towne,

7, 14, 21, 28; 5:30-7:30pm Covington’s

Slidell, 788-7799, slidellstreetfair.com.

Office of Cultural Arts and Events presents

Bayou Jam Concert: High School Band

the outdoor concert at Covington Trailhead.

and Choir Showcase Saturday, March

Performers include: April 7, Where Y’acht;

26, 5-7pm. Bring your blankets, picnic

April 14, New Suit; April 21, Big Daddy “O”;

baskets and lawn chairs for concert

April 28, Christian Serpas and Ghost Town.

showcasing local high school bands and

Bring blankets, chairs or dancing shoes for a

choirs. Free. Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou

free, family-friendly evening. Free. Covington

Lane, Slidell, 646-4375, myslidell.com.

Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St.,

Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale Saturday, March 26 One of Louisiana’s

Covington, 892-1873, covla.com.

Free Friday Pop-up Party at Mandeville

largest “garage sale” events. Hundreds of

Trailhead Fridays, April 8-May13 Grab

garage sales on the same day, and people

your blankets and chairs and kick off

from all over come to find great deals and

your weekends in April and May with

a good time. Vendors around the town

a pop-up party at Mandeville Trailhead

and at Town Hall. Rain or shine. Abita

featuring live music. Free. Music lineup

Springs, 871-5327, trailheadmuseum.org/

will be announced in late March. Guests

whole-town-garage-sale.

may bring small coolers, and food trucks

April Jazz ‘n the Vines Concert Saturday, April

will be onsite. 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, 624-3147, ExperienceMandeville.org.

Spring for Art 2022 Saturday, April 9,

2 & 16, gates open at 5pm, music is

6-9pm Free festival celebrating music, art

from 6:30-9pm Pontchartrain Vineyards

and performing arts held in Covington’s

has a new name, Wild Bush Farm &

downtown district. Produced by St.

Vineyard, and new owners, Neil Gernon

Tammany Art Association, the annual event

and Monica Bourgeois, of Vending

draws thousands of patrons who come out

Machine Wines fame. April 2nd concert

to enjoy the live music, art, performances

with singer/songwriter Amanda Shaw and

and dining. Juried art market on Columbia

her band, The Cute Guys. April 16 with

Street for a variety of work from local

Flow Tribe. Bring chairs and/or blankets,

and regional artists, including jewelry,

bug spray, and a flashlight. Wine available

photography, paintings, woodworking, fiber

for purchase. $10 for adults, 17 and

art, pottery and more. 320 N. Columbia St.,

under admitted free. Wild Bush Farm &

Covington, 892-8650, sttammany.art.

Vineyards, 81250 Old Military Rd., Bush, 892-9742, pontchartrainvineyards.com.

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

Sunday, April 3 Full day of free music

41st Annual Olde Towne Slidell Spring

shops, plus great food and live music on

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Abita Springs Busker Festival 2022

Twilight Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt 2022 Saturday, April 9, 6-8pm Grab flashlights

Harvest Cup Polo Classic

Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. Day of polo matches benefitting the many projects of the Junior League of Greater Covington. See our HCPC special section staring on page 60 to learn more. For tickets go to www.jlgc.net/harvest-cup-polo-classic

and Easter baskets and sign up for Pelican Park’s 6th annual Twilight Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt. The event is open to children ages 1 to 12 years, with four age-appropriate hunts planned between dusk and dark, increasing in difficulty for the older children hunting by flashlight. Space is limited, and spots must be reserved.

Reserve online and view age group specifics at pelicanpark.recdesk. com. Pelican Park, 63350 Pelican Dr., Mandeville, 626-7997.

Slidell Little Theatre presents Mamma Mia! April 15-May 1; Fridays & Saturdays, 8pm; Sundays, 2pm Mamma Mia! is based on the book by Catherine Johnson with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Tickets are $28 for adults, $22 for students and seniors, with discounts for members and season pass holders. Tickets for all shows and events can be purchased online via SLT’s What’s Happening menu: slidelllittletheatre.org/what-shappening or calling 643-0556. 2024 Nellie Dr., Slidell, 643-0556.

Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival 2022 April 23-24 The Covington Heritage Foundation will host the 6th Annual Covington Antiques and Uniques Festival. The two-day, juried, free event will showcase more than 50 vendors displaying an eclectic mix of antique furnishings, period collectibles, architectural salvage, silversmithing and vintage-inspired fine arts and crafts, as well

Beyond their salary, today’s employees are searching for companies with

as food and live music throughout the weekend. Covington

innovative approaches to benefits. To address this and other issues, Annette Dowdle

Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-1873,

has assembled a group of dedicated consultants and employee advocates that act

covingtonheritagefoundation.com.

as an extension of a company’s HR team. This “A-Team” has the experience to build a

Cruisin’ the Castine Car Show 2022 Saturday, April 23, 12pm-2pm

customized benefit package that meets each client’s goals for employee attraction and

Over 200 vehicles are anticipated, including antiques, classics, muscle

retention. From strategic guidance to networking, Annette and her team provide all

cars, trucks, motorcycles, Jeeps and modern vehicles. The event

needed resources so that clients

features awards, a food court and vendors. Admission is free to the

can focus on business growth.

public. Early Bird registration, $25; pre-registration, $30; day of show

“Providing great benefits

Annette Dowdle and HUB Gulf South have supported the American

registration, $35. Free for spectators. Pelican Park, 63350 Pelican Dr.,

is only half the mission – client-

Heart Association for several

Mandeville, 626-7997, pelicanpark.recdesk.com.

branded benefits programs

years. Annette continues to bring

establish their own identity and

awareness to heart disease’s impacts

29-Saturday, May 1 Abita Springs En Plein Air Exhibition, featuring

value proposition to the company’s

on women and is Co-Chair for 2022’s

approximately 75 paintings of Louisiana landscapes made on

internal clients: it’s employees”,

Northshore Heart Walk in May 2022.

location (“in the open air”) during the current year, will be on

says Annette.

Abita Springs En Plein Air Exhibition 2022 Friday, April

display in the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum April 29-May 1.

An opening reception will be held in the museum from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, where free food, wine and Abita Beer will be served. The show and sale continues 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to all events is free. 22044 Main

HUB International Gulf South, 504-491-5576

St., Abita Springs, 400-5393, trailheadmuseum.org/en-plein-air.

Annette.dowdle@hubinternational.com March-April 2022 19

, ll ti S e th g in d e e H

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

e r tu a N f o s e ic o V ll Sma

Northshore Nature Artist Jake Dicks

20 Inside Northside

photos: JAN DICKS

THE DANISH WORD “ENKEL” loosely translates to “beautiful through simplicity.” Northshore artist Jake Dicks has spent a lifetime paying homage to the spirit of enkel and to his idyllic childhood exploring the flora and fauna of South Louisiana and Mississippi. He says, “I was lucky to have both my parents at home with me growing up.

My mom knew from the moment she met my dad that she wanted to stay home and raise her kids. She even put her art career on hold to homeschool us. But she taught art classes to homeschool groups, so I grew up learning art from her.”

Dicks received a different kind of education from his father. “My dad is a super outdoorsy and adventurous person. As soon as I could fit in a backpack, they started taking me everywhere.

There are pictures of me at the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico, strapped in a baby carrier, when I was just an infant.” The family lived in Gulfport, Mississippi, for a few years, and Dicks spent long days in a fiberglass boat with his dad exploring and camping on the islands in the Gulf. “My dad always had a fascination with the little things in nature,” he says. “We’d spend days on Cat Island, where I’d find horseshoe crabs and other creatures and Dad would teach me about them—how they lived, what they ate. He was better than a nature documentary.”

The family returned to the northshore, where Jake and his buddies spent entire days on the banks of the Tchefuncte River. “We’d fish with homemade harpoons and just explore

and be kids,” he says. “It’s amazing how many things you can find to do when there’s no TV at home. Anytime I found something I didn’t know about I’d do extensive research to learn about it. I drove my poor mom crazy coming home with pocketsful of frogs and other things.”

Dicks filled his childhood bedroom with rocks and crystal, animal bones, snake skins, wasp nests and beetles.

One night, the family watched a documentary about American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. “I was mesmerized by the melting glass and thought it was the coolest phenomenon,” Dicks says. “I told my dad how much I wanted to do that, and he said, ‘Well, I have a torch in the garage.’ He and I melted a piece of beer bottle and I was hooked.”

Dicks saved up his money, bought himself a proper torch and as many glass rods as he could afford, and started making and selling simple glass teardrop necklaces. “I earned enough money to pay for most of my first car,” he says. “It was my first artistic moneymaking endeavor, and it was much more fulfilling than mowing lawns.”

When he headed off on scholarship to Louisiana Tech, no one was surprised he chose a wildlife major. Unfortunately for Dicks, before he’d completed his education, the school dropped that major and switched him to forestry.

“It wasn’t my cup of tea,” he says. “So, I came back home, got my Merchant Marine credentials and worked on boats for a few years. It was an extremely dangerous and demanding job.” His years working on the water only >>

22 Inside Northside

photos: JAN DICKS

increased his fascination with the natural world.

Finally, Dicks broke the news to his parents that what he really wanted to be was an artist. “My dad said, ‘Great! Where are you going to live?’” he laughs. “I’d learned in high school that it was possible to make money selling jewelry, and why not do what you love?” Working on the boat offered Dicks stretches of time when he was onshore but off work and could start experimenting with his next artistic challenge, preserving all those lovely, tiny things in nature by setting them in resin.

“Anything that’s going to rot can be preserved in resin,” Dicks says. His first project was a yellow jacket queen. He was so pleased with the result that he moved on to ferns, flowers, butterfly wings, honeycomb, moss, snails, beetles and even snake fangs and spiders, showing others the beauty and symmetry in these tiny creations that most of us walk right past. With the help of Instagram, he soon had an enthusiastic following and started getting requests, like setting funeral or wedding flowers in resin as a memento. “When a loved one dies, I can take one of the flowers from a funeral arrangement

and set it into a necklace or earrings,” he says. “My cousin went to Lebanon and was really touched by the cedars of Lebanon. He brought home leaves and pressed them in his Bible. Then, his wife snuck some to me, and I was able to set an entire branch in resin for her to give him for his birthday. Another cousin calls his wife ‘Sunflower,’ so I made her earrings with sunflower petals.”

Not all his work is in resin. Dicks makes >>

March-April 2022 23

Dicks makes larger resin pieces, too, “stillscapes” combining elements, such as moss on the bottom with the skeleton of a lizard or bird with lichen growing on top and maybe a bee flying into the scene with the whole thing preserved in resin. “I really enjoy making the big pieces,” he says. “But if I mess up, at any point during the process, it really shows.”

Even as he perfects his resin technique, Dicks is looking toward his next challenge. “I’m getting into primitive flint napping, using bone, stone or copper tools to break flint and create knives,” he says. “I make purses and backpacks out of turtle shells and usually have a waiting list for those. I enjoy making things like that that are utilitarian but still grounded in nature.”

Wherever his art takes him next, he hopes to continue helping the rest of us see the beauty in the tiny things that fascinate him. “Regardless of the life you live, there’s a connection to nature,” he says. “Nature is a place where people can come together and meet on common ground.”

The work of the northshore’s own Jake Dicks is helping make that common ground anything but common.

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

photos: JAN DICKS

delicate earrings with animal bones and teeth. It’s amazing how lovely water moccasin vertebra can be dangling from an earring, or a black widow spider floating in a tiny globe necklace. “The drive behind most of my art is to find something in nature I think is beautiful that other people probably haven’t experienced,” Dicks says. “When a friend comes over with his little kids, I can say, ‘Have you ever seen a snake fang?’ and then hand them one. They can handle it, even though it’s delicate, and they can see it perfectly and safely while it’s encased in resin.”

the

Boston Street Céilí Band IT WAS JUST A REGULAR SATURDAY, and I was busy doing Saturday things. Heading out with a long list of errands, I thought I’d zip into Giddy Up Coffee House in Folsom for a cup of liquid energy to get me through the morning. An hour later, not a single errand was scratched off my list because, as I opened my car door at the coffee house, I was involuntarily pulled into the music swelling from the bandstand across the alley. It was Celtic music—and some of the best I’ve heard this side of Ireland. There was no decision to be made. I slipped my beach chair from the trunk and joined the party.

It was obvious the musicians offering up this heavenly music were having the time of their lives.

The smiles and smirks and eyebrow arches that flashed between them were enchanting, and I felt like they’d be playing just as spiritedly if there were no audience listening. They loved the music they were creating and were as fun to watch as they were to listen to. I learned they were The Boston Street Céilí Band, a collection of local music educators and enthusiasts fated to meet and marry their talents. It was just a matter of time.

The first one I met was fiddler Annie Young

26 Inside Northside

Bridges. A longtime professional violinist and string teacher in the St. Tammany Parish Public School System, she’s also the founder of the popular Northshore Strings Fiddle Camp, where she teaches students authentic Celtic and Cajun styles of playing, dancing and singing. “This all started with the kids,” she says of her 250 Mandeville-area students. “They were getting bored with the classical violin pieces I was teaching them. So, I started introducing some fiddle tunes just to hold their interest.” That interest grew over the past eight years into a school-based fiddle group and then the fiddle camp, which has been wildly successful.

As the camp grew, George Serban came onboard to help Bridges, and, eventually, so did Jim Gunter.

While George originally trained in classical music and Jim began with Scottish bagpipes, the camp’s instructional book, Fiddle Club Favorites by Bridges’ longtime friend and colleague, Tom Morley, emphasized traditional Irish music. So, the two men made the transition. Both men have impressive resumes. Jim had been studying Celtic music since he was 16, but more in the Scottish tradition, concentrating on the tin whistle and Irish flute and competing in Irish dancing

photo: ELIZABETH SERBAN

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

for several years. He’s the director of the New Orleans Strathspey & Reel Society, which focuses on tunes from all the Celtic nations. Originally from Romania, George has a bachelor’s in music performance and music interpretation, is an active chamber musician, a St. Tammany strings teacher, lead tenor in the Christ Episcopal Church choir and has claimed ten national and international first-place awards in music competitions on viola throughout Europe.

Under the instruction of such seasoned, talented and passionate musicians, the students flourished, and soon, the teachers were looking for more opportunities for the kids to play. One way they did this was through monthly Celtic “jam sessions” at St. John’s Coffee House on Boston Street in Covington.

Once a month, they welcomed the students to join them in playing for an hour for the coffee house crowd. Then the teachers took over and played for an additional hour. “A few of the kids were so good, though, that they played with us the whole time,” says Bridges.

What had begun as a jam session for the kids quickly turned into a popular local event. As the audience grew, so did the band, welcoming accomplished violinist, ethnomusicologist, >>

private violin teacher, and founding member of the New Orleans Volunteer Orchestra, Madeline Hill; middle-school band director, New Orleans Volunteer Orchestra co-conductor, flutist and Irish whistle player, Kelby Sappington; and accomplished drummer, Pam Brownlee, a member of the popular Haggis Rampant Family Bagpipe Band and one of the founders of the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. They chose the name Boston Street Céilí Band in honor of their beginnings at St. John’s and in reference to céilí music (pronounced kay-lee), which is traditional Irish dance music.

“Céilí means a party or gathering,” says Gunter. “Céilí bands traditionally play for céilí dances.” The band is still growing, too. The newest members are Ricky Stelma, an accordion player with a classical and rock piano background, and George’s wife, Lizzie, who’ll soon be adding her vocals to the band’s vivacious melodies.

There’s no doubt this music, which can be traced back as far as the 1600s, makes you want to dance. I defy you not to at least tap a foot as you listen. It’s generous and invigorating, playful and primal and haunting. There’s nothing pretentious or elitist about it. It’s music for everyone, at

any age or station or stage of life.

“When you’ve been classically trained, this music is so fun, because it doesn’t have to be perfect,” says Sappington. “You can be creative and innovative and just do it because you love doing it.”

“We’re all busy with our families and our careers,” Bridges says. “But when something is this fun, you just make time to squeeze it in.”

In fact, when the pandemic put the kibosh on their monthly Celtic jam sessions, the musicians still found ways to get together. “We couldn’t stand the thought of not playing together,” says Hill. “So, we’d practice on porches or under barns with everyone spaced six feet apart.” There’s no doubt those afternoons and evenings got them through what was a stressful time for us all. Just before COVID hit, they’d organized 44 fiddlers to march with the Covington Celtic Band in the Covington St. Patrick’s Day parade. Having to cancel the parade was a blow. But happily, it’s on for this year and on Saturday, March 12, members of the Boston Street Céilí Band will be there at noon marching through downtown with their students and “anybody else who wants to join,” playing the traditional Irish folk music they love. You can also catch them at Spring for Art in downtown Covington on Saturday, April 9 and at the Covington Farmers Market Saturday, April 30. I promise you’ll be glad you did.

For more information regarding Celtic music performance and education or the Northshore Strings Fiddle Camp, contact Annie Young-Bridges at FiddleLady06@yahoo.com.

Home & Garden

Family-Friendly Luxe on the Northshore

by Poki Hampton

WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE HOME of Shruthi and Dr. Pramod Menon in Covington, you exhale and relax. Although their tastes are opposite—he likes richer darker hues, while she leans toward light and airy—it is a sanctuary, creating a calm oasis which is both traditional and timeless.

“We moved walls and closed off what was the butler’s pantry into the kitchen, making a mud room and small office for Shruthi,” says Ellen Bajon of EMB Interiors. “By closing these walls, we >> 30

Inside Northside

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

The spacious living area was enhanced with a honed marble fireplace. The fluid lines of the bookcase are mimicked in the two barrel-shaped chairs. The room is both elegant and family-friendly. The open arch creates a site line into the keeping room.

March-April 2022 31

created an inviting entrance and music room. A large contemporary painting hangs over an ebony-black piano.

Two chairs with gilded frames provide adequate seating, but the show-stopper chandelier of gold-leaf branches and selenite rock crystal creates light in the evening.”

Traditional wooden stair spindles were replaced with painted iron, and the risers on the stairs were wallpapered in a textured diamond pattern. Everywhere you look in the living room is a different surprise. The fluid-lined bookcase is filled with beautiful objets d’art and topped with a gold-leaf sculpture from a California artist. A transitional marble fireplace in tailored, honed black marble that holds selenite rock crystal logs replaced the existing fireplace; it is topped with a hand-painted European painting.

Mineral accents run throughout the house, including on the white-textured, curved front sofa, two metal intricate barrel chairs are in a textured metallic weave with soft grey, velvet-back pillows.

A large onyx bowl sits on the gold metalbased cocktail table, which has a 5 cm. quartzite top. Two diamond-shaped crystal lamps with linen shades rest on a large, six-panel, crotch mahogany credenza behind the sofa. A beautiful linen-covered pedestal topped by a cutglass, brass and resin sculpture complete the room.

The kitchen was the first room that the team of EMB Interiors created for the Menons. “We knew we didn’t want fussy, French or farmhouse, but didn’t know where to begin. We did know that we liked clean lines, and we needed comfortable livable spaces that would stand up to our three children,” says Shruthi. Beams were added to the 12-foot ceiling, and walls were removed to make room for the 10-foot-wide >> 32

Inside Northside

Above: Wooden beams were added to the ceiling, and the back wall was pushed out, adding French doors to give more light to the dining area.

Left: Walls were moved to make room for the 10 foot cooking area. The backsplash is white marble mosaic with diamond-shaped inserts. New cabinets in a soft gray were added photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

and topped with honed quartzite countertops.

All of the kitchen hardware is live brass, which changes to a warm patina over time.

March-April 2022 33

Washed wooden beams and a hand-painted mural were added in the master bedroom, which was once Pamrod’s office. The room is kept light

Top: Black framed glass French doors lead into the media room. Built-in surround sound and a very large television are great for family movie night. The doors of the credenza behind the sectional sofa are white painted glass. Above, left: Pamrod’s closet, with lighted glass cabinets and lighted floating shoe shelves, was designed to resemble a men’s haberdashery.

34

Inside Northside

cook area. The backsplash is of white marble mosaic, dotted with diamond-shaped Light Emporador insets. The countertops and roomy island are in leathered quartzite, and the cabinet hardware is a live brass finish, which ages over time.

A pair of antique doors form the

pantry entrance. “We left the original antique hardware on the pantry door to add interest,” says Ellen. The floors in the kitchen, dining area and keeping room are leathered marble stone. “We pushed the dining walls out and added French doors.” This area provides ample seating for the

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

and airy with natural fabrics and furnishings.

family and guests around a Theodore Alexander wooden table with metallic accents. The metal-legged chairs are covered in textured metallic linen.

A contemporary chunky quartzite chandelier with bronze hangs over the table. “We gutted the keeping room and put in a new limestone fireplace and dove-grey bookcases that slightly contrast with the white walls,” says Ellen. Four swivel chairs are covered in a geometric patterned fabric and an Oushak rug anchors the room.

Ellen used the original footprint of the media room, but tweaked it by taking away the ornate detailing and added clean moldings. A comfortable sectional in high-performance fabric has plenty of room for movie night. The drum style cocktail table is of metallic cork with a glass top. As you enter the media room, behind the sectional is a mineral-painted, glass-front credenza incased in waterfall cast cement.

Dr. Menon’s music room brings >> March-April 2022 35

To blend into the media room, the bar area was painted white, and smoky mirrors were added to the back of the shelves. Mineralaccented wallpaper was added, along with woodtoned metal pendant lights.

The master bathroom was completely gutted, and double vanities, extra storage drawers, wall-to-ceiling handmade tiles, heated marble floors, free-standing tub, and custom heated towel rack were added. The oversized shower is floor-to-ceiling marble

in the dark moody and soothing hues of metallic deep charcoal. The custom fireplace is faced in metallic tiles; the walls are papered in a deep metallic

subtle print and the coffered ceiling is painted in dark metallic charcoal. The glow of the room is created by a bubble glass inset table flanked by the club chair. An antler chandelier adds to the masculine esthetic.

The smoky mirrored bar area features custom cabinets with glass doors and black granite countertops and two wood and iron pendants hang above the bar area, and leather barstools with nail head trim complete the ambiance.

photos: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

tiles with a fog-proof mirror.

Charcoal sliding wood-grained panels were added to the garage closets to hide tools and exercise equipment. The marble-veined charcoal gray vinyl flooring was added along with an ultracotemporary chandelier to make Pamrod’s dream garage.

The master suite, which was originally Pramod’s office, was completly remodeled by the EMB team. “We turned the office into the spacious master bedroom and moved his music room to the other side of the house,” says Ellen. A hand painted wallpaper mural behind the king-sized bed brings the outdoors in. Contemporary crystal lamps sit on top of wood front chests. A sofa and leather recliner provide seating.

Back-to-back lighted bookcases filled with cherished mementoes and favorite books, along with the wall of closets, create ample storage for out-of-season clothing and luggage. Shruthi’s dressing area is light and airy, with a welllit custom walk-in closet. A bath area with two vanities, a soaking tub and an oversized marble tiled shower was added. “We walled the entire space with the metallic tiles, added cabinetry, heated marble floors and custom towelwarming racks. His closet is outfitted with custom burledwood, glass-front cabinets and lit floating shoe shelves to replicate a man’s haberdashery,” says Ellen.

The three-car garage is every man’s dream. “Pramod wanted to turn the garage into a beautiful room to house his cars. We added dark-charcoal paneled doors to hide tools and workout equipment. The floors are marble-veined vinyl, and the walls are painted a dark, moody charcoal color. A gunmetal, eight-LED-light, contemporary chandelier is the crowning touch in this extraordinary garage.

“EMB Interiors made everything so easy for us. The house evolved over time with the team’s meticulous attention to detail.

We now have a house that was individually designed for us, but we are a little sad that it is all finished, because we have made lifelong friends of Ellen and her team,” says Shruthi.

March-April 2022 37

Home & Garden

The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station

Louisiana’s Own Plant Whisperer

DR. JEB FIELDS READILY ADMITS to being a plant nerd. “Everyone here is,” he says. “We could talk about plants all day.” The “everyone” he’s referring to is the team he heads up at the LSU AgCenter Research Station in Hammond. As an assistant professor and extension specialist for the college and director of the Hammond research facility, Dr. Fields is absolutely in his element. “The real purpose of the station is to teach and promote horticulture any way we can,” he says. They do this in myriad ways. “One of our goals is that when you buy a plant at a local nursery or when you hire someone to design and plant your landscape, the plants you buy are those that will thrive in our climate.”

By working with local nurseries and landscapers, the research team seeks to ensure that whatever you as a South Louisiana gardener buy has been university-tested and industry-approved for the unique characteristics and challenges of our South Louisiana environment. Another goal is to partner with those same landscapers and nurseries to keep their industries growing and thriving.

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Inside Northside

The research station that once focused on fruit and vegetable crops—with an emphasis on strawberries—transitioned about 18 years ago to concentrate on ornamental plants. The 140-acre campus on Old Covington Highway in Hammond includes walking gardens. Although, first COVID and then Hurricane Ida closed the gardens to the public, Dr. Fields is happy to announce they’ll be reopening on weekdays this month, just in time for all those glorious spring blooms.

Although the layout of the gardens predates his tenure, Dr. Fields says it’s one of the things that attracted him to his current position. “Ours is one of the largest trial gardens in the Southeast U.S. Most other trial gardens are laid out in rows, but we do ours in an aesthetic landscape form, the way you’d do at home. So, you have the appeal of a public garden, but every plant here is being tested.”

In fact, Dr. Fields and his team test over four thousands plants a year. “We have plants sent to us from around the state, around the country and around the world,” he says. “If a plant does well in

photos: ASHLEY EDWARDS

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

our incredibly hot and wet weather, we know it will do well throughout the Gulf States. Basically, what’s harsh for people is great for these plants.”

Although they do fertilize their gardens, Dr. Fields says they don’t prune or manicure them or use any insecticide. “We let nature take its course, then watch to see what it will do. Sometimes a visitor will find one of us to tell us a plant is dead. We assure them it’s supposed to be dead. That’s data.” Meanwhile, they’re researching all those things we Louisiana gardeners struggle with, including pest management, plant diseases, weed control, watering, fertilizing, irrigation and substrates (soil).

A crowning achievement of the research station has been its Louisiana Super Plant Program. Each year, Dr. Fields and his team recommend the best plants for our Louisiana landscapes— those with a proven track record, having gone through several years of observation and evaluation. The program was first launched by Dr. Field’s predecessors, Dr. Regina Bracy and Dr. Allen Owings, who Dr. Fields calls >> March-April 2022 39

performance under North and South Louisiana growing conditions but the Louisiana Super Plant Advisory Committee works with local producers, retailers and landscapers to make sure the plants they recommend will also be available when you shop for them.

Visit LSUAgCenter.com/SuperPlants for a list of

photos: ASHLEY EDWARDS

“horticultural rockstars.” The team releases a new list of beautiful and reliable plants each spring and another each fall, including categories such as warm-weather, cold-weather, bedding plants, shrubs and trees which have been deemed to be easy-care, low-maintenance and successful. Each is not only extensively researched for their superior

this year’s recommended plantings, which includes not only the type of plant, but a variety of each that tested particularly well. “People will ask us about lilac trees, which just don’t grow here,” Dr. Fields says. “Yes, they’re beautiful. But if you buy them, they won’t grow. The Super Plants list is a great tool for knowing what will.”

The research station is more than a garden and a laboratory. It’s a classroom. “We employ between 15 and 20 full-time employees, but we also have students and interns, some of whom live on the property,” Dr. Fields says. “We hire five or so paid interns each summer, from LSU and other colleges.

The real purpose of the station is teaching and >>

March-April 2022 41

promoting horticulture any way we can.”

Starting in April, another way they’ll do this is through a biannual plant sale. “Our first one was scheduled for last fall, but we were hit pretty hard

by Hurricane Ida and had to cancel.

So, our actual first sale is scheduled for April 22nd and 23rd. The public is invited to come and shop for plants that are on our super plant list, and we’ll also have educational sessions and activities.

We’re hoping the event will get kids and adults to the station to generate an interest in horticulture. Of course, it will also generate funds for the station, but it’s mostly about education and outreach and interacting with the public—letting them know we’re here and letting them see what we’re doing.”

Dr. Fields himself grew up in Winter Haven, Florida, in an agricultural area.

“My father runs the local John Deere dealership, and my family owned a retail nursery. I grew up surrounded by plants.” He went on to earn his horticulture degree from the University of Florida; however, he realized he didn’t want to work in the family business, but in horticulture research. So, he continued on and earned his masters from North Carolina State University, where he focused on container plant production and greenhouse floriculture, and his doctorate from Virginia Tech, where he conducted research with the state nursery extension specialist with growers in mind and helping nurseries and farmers solve problems.

After he finished his doctorate in 2016, Dr. Fields considered job offers from several universities. “I’m a soil scientist and an irrigation scientist, and I love gardening,” he says. “This job combined everything I love. I’m able to support the Louisiana nursery industry, but I also get to manage the garden. I 42

Inside Northside

didn’t have to choose.” In fact, at the end of the day, when he leaves his ornamental garden, there’s more gardening ahead, as he returns home to a backyard filled with fruit trees and vegetables.

The word “aptronym” is defined as “a person’s name that’s regarded as amusingly appropriate to their occupation.” Famous examples include William Wordsworth, the poet; Margaret Court, the tennis player; Emily Wines, the celebrated sommelier; Rosalind Brewer, a senior executive at Starbucks; English appellate court judge, John Laws; and South African golfer, Gary Player. (I could go on.) Here’s one more

aptronym to add to the list: Dr. Jeb Fields, who spends his days happily lost in fields of flowers making sure when you and I don our gardening gloves and sink our spade into the earth this spring, chances are good the things we plant have been thoroughly researched and studied and are ready to grace us with color and beauty and aroma all summer long. We can’t thank him enough!

The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station is located at 21549 Old Covington Hwy. in Hammond, Louisiana.

(985) 543-4125, lsuagcenter.com/portals/ our_offices/research_stations/hammond.

2022 Northshore Garden & Plant Sale April 22-23, 9am-4pm Sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and St. Tammany Master Gardener Association, the Northshore Garden & Plant Sale is a wonderful opportunity for home gardeners to meet local growers, purchase locally grown plant material, and expand their knowledge in growing and maintaining landscape plants. The entrance fees directly fund two

photos: ASHLEY EDWARDS

scholarships made available through STMGA. Entry fee $5 for over 18 years old; free entry for Police, Fire, EMT. St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, 1301 North Florida St., Covington, 875-2635, stmastergardener.org.

Home & Garden

Finishing Touches

1

1. Slender and stately, the Governor 2

Pool House Lantern stands watch with the romantic glow of pillar lights. Available in Antique Copper or Stainless, these portable lanterns will find a home on the hearth, or the table or along a garden path.

Shop the latest collection. Visit bevolo.com. 2. Ledge Lounger Signature Chaise, $659. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 8938008. 3. One-of-a-kind artisanal handmade tiles and natural stones sourced from quarries worldwide. Stafford Tile & Stone, showrooms in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, staffordtile.com.

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Inside Northside

3

Children of Habitat HAVING A PLACE TO CALL HOME has a powerful effect on children and lays the foundation for their future success. Studies show that kids who grow up in stable households earn higher standardized test scores, have better high school graduation rates, are more likely to attend college, and have better outcomes as adults.

Over the past 40 years, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West has given the gift of “home” to more than 550 children. With the help of long-standing partners like Chevron, the organization has made a huge impact on our Northshore community by building and selling almost 290 homes.

“Moving into our home I would say lifted my children’s security level,” says Habitat homeowner and mother-of-three Latonya Foster. “Coming out

of a 2-bedroom trailer to a 4-bedroom 2-bath home by Ashley Doubleday brightened their life and made them push harder on what they wanted to do after high school. Their dreams never changed but their smiles got brighter, and they were never ashamed to show off where they live.”

The stresses of constant moving or financial worries can play a role in children’s mental health. Uncertainty can translate into emotional or behavioral problems and poor performance in school. In addition, low quality housing and issues like pests, poor ventilation, lack of heat and other factors have been strongly linked to physical health The Foster family problems in children. at their 2013 “Environment is crucial for all of us. This is Home Dedication especially true for children,” says Habitat for >> Ceremony.

March-April 2022 45

Humanity St. Tammany West President, Terri Gage. “Out of all that we have accomplished, I am most proud of the security that we’ve been able to provide to all of the Habitat kids along the way.

Many of them had strong drive and work ethic to begin with, but it is so wonderful to see them grow and thrive and to know that we played a part in their stories.”

Many Habitat children from the St. Tammany area have gone on to accomplish amazing academic, career, and personal goals. Hayley Theriot was 12 when her family moved into their new Habitat home. Now 27-years-old, she’s graduated from high school, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from LSU and is one year away from obtaining her PhD in biomedical sciences from The University of Arkansas.

“Hayley always had good grades, but having a home helped her feel more confident and comfortable in her surroundings,” said Theriot’s mother Shawn Schexnayder. “I think having a place to call home increased her confidence and helped her to know that those dreams could become reality.

Home is a place that you can be yourself.

Home is where you can build confidence to pursue your dreams. Home is who you surround yourself with and a place that anyone can feel welcome.”

“By investing in the wellbeing and success of children, we are investing in our community’s future,” says Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico Business Unit and long-standing partner, Leah Brown.

Since 2013, Chevron has contributed over $280,000 and more than 1,500 volunteer hours to Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West. The company is also deeply invested in St. Tammany Parish with key focus areas being STEM education and community health and wellbeing.

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Inside Northside

Leah Brown, Brit Payne, Sandy Payne, Madison Payne and Ally Payne at a Habitat STW Wall Raising Event.

“There is something extremely special about helping members of our community raise the first wall to their new home,” says Brown. “It’s remarkable how much of an impact Habitat has had on our community.

The organization has improved thousands of lives, and we are extremely grateful and proud to be a part of it.”

Together, Chevron and Habitat are improving not only the lives of those they directly assist, but also the lives of people across the Northshore. In fact, increased community engagement and bringing people together are two of the organization’s key objectives. Regardless of income level, homeownership promotes civic and social involvement. People who are helped in such a big way often want to pay it forward by giving back to the community that supported them. Many Habitat homeowners and their children now volunteer in the Habitat ReStore or join local community groups.

“Since I’ve been in my home, I’ve gotten more involved with my church, where we do a lot of community outreach,” says Foster. “My home changed me. When I say the word ‘home,’ it makes my security in life strong as well, because I know my home is equipped, safe, clean, and something I’ll be calling my own.”

As Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West and its partners plan for the future and build on their previous successes, they look forward to many more years of helping families find security and a place to call home.

For more information on how you or your company can support Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West or to volunteer, please visit habitatstw.org.

March-April 2022 47

1.

2.

3.

1. Bling Bluetooth Boombox & Tie Dye Microphone.

2. Goose Warmie. 3. Peggy Green Bunny Day Dress & 4.

Button On Bubble. 4. Jane Marie Ocean Tote Bag. 5. Professor Puzzle Play Mat. 6. Queen of Sparkles Kids Popcorn Sweatshirt. 7. Miniland Junior Bucket.

6.

7.

5.

70515 Hwy. 21, Covington • (985) 900-2410 • March-April 2022 49

Flourishes

2 1

3

1. Taormina Chandelier by Currey. Southland Plumbing, Covington, 8938883 2. Promise scripture cards, $25. Corrinn Fisher Interiors, Covington, 888-1229. 3. Allium moly in white porcelain and gold stands tall on a crystal base, 15”H x 8”W x 5.5”D. V Home & Interiors, Mandeville, 2317411, vhomeandinteriors.com. 4. Mirror with hand-arranged marble tiles with painted gold accents. Pine Grove Lighting & Electrical Supply, Mandeville, 893-4003. 5. Blue and white ginger jars, starting at $110.

Greige Modern Home, Covington, 985-7576. 6. Easter Bunny board, $39. deCoeur, Covington, 809-3244. 7. Governor Lantern with bracket mount, available in three sizes and two finishes, Antique Copper or

4

Stainless Steel. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Mandeville, 249-6040.

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7 6

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Inside Northside

March-April 2022 51

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Inside Northside

Flourishes 1

2

1. Hyland contemporary lantern on a ceiling contemporary yoke. Available in 3 sizes, gas or electric, prices begin at $688. Gulf Coast Lanterns, Covington, 800-910-3275. 2. Original 48” x 60” resin and gold leaf painting from Louisiana Home Accents, soothing pattern and color pallet of teal, taupe and white; double wired for horizontal or vertical hanging. Redoux Home & Market, Mandeville, 674-8811. 3. Seasonal arrangements, starting at $65. Florist of Covington, Covington, 8927701. 4. Elegant Dragonfly, Quoizel’s Tiffany-style home décor designs, hand-assembled using copper foil technique developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Various colors and patterns. Doerr Furniture, Covington, 9002425, doerrfurniture.com. 5. Outdoor citronella candle, 45 oz, by Illume in Eucalyptus Ylang, $78. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045.

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4

5

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INside Look 1 4

3 2

5

6

1. Platinum and yellow gold 6.03ct cushion-cut yellow diamond ring, $150,000. Lee Michaels Jewelry, Metairie, 504-832-0000. 2. Trina Turk dress in fun citrus color, $198. Ballin’s LTD, Covington, 892-0025. 3. Halter-neck long dress, $69. Lifestyle Store at Franco’s, Mandeville, 792-0270. 4. Tara side-pleat overlap gown with side opening, $139.

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Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 8091690 or 809-1789. 5. David Yurman Novella drop earrings with prasiolite and diamonds, 8

$1,100. Lee Michaels Jewelry, Metairie, 504832-0000. 6. Knot-front clutch, $52. The Villa, Mandeville, 674-9797. 7. Lullaby sibling set in blooming green. Kiki and Lolli, Covington, 900-2410. 8. Beige knit tie dye sweater, $133.

Bliss Clothing + Home, Mandeville, 778-2252; and Covington, 276-4609. 9. 14kt mystic topaz

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and .10cttw diamonds ring; regular, $695; sale, $550. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts, Covington, 892-2317.

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Inside Northside

March-April 2022 55

Makes a a i Olymp Triumphant

by Maggie Bokobza

AFTER A LONG, TWO-YEAR WAIT, The Mystic Krewe of Olympia made its triumphant return.

Zeus, his queen and their court waited patiently and were finally able to participate in the revelry of carnival season. Both the ball, held at the Castine Center in Mandeville, and the parade through downtown Covington were a huge success for the krewe members, who have not experienced anything like the last two years in their 56-year history.

The krewe and court were devastated by the cancelation of the 2021 ball and parade, and even after reworking to a smaller event, a surge of COVID meant that they could no longer move forward. On the day of the canceled parade, the captain sent out a request to the krewe that

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Inside Northside

photos: JOEL MICHEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Return!

everyone toast Zeus from home, since people were still not gathering at the time.

The krewe normally does a summer “court call,” where members of the board of directors, clad in blue seersucker suits, white bucks and Olympia ties, call on the young ladies who will be members of the following year’s court. This year, the members of the court had already been given scrolls for the 2021 ball ahead of the cancellation, so the krewe held a second event in December to present them new scrolls with the correct date.

“I suspect that the court members will put the ‘old’ scrolls behind the ‘new’ scrolls in frames, which will one day be an interesting find for their future families,” says the captain.

The afternoon of the ball, the queen’s family traditionally hosts an intimate gathering at the Tchefuncta Country Club, where her identity is finally revealed. This year, the queen decided to even keep the secret from her own siblings, who were delighted to discover the news at

the toast! Family and friends of the court toasted her majesty, the five maids, 12 ladies-in-waiting and three pages of this year’s court.

Reigning as queen this year was Hope Caroline Robinson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Michael Robinson. Her Majesty is a sophomore at Louisiana State University majoring in social work with plans to attend graduate school. She is a graduate of Saint Scholastica Academy (Class of 2020) and is active in her sorority, Delta Gamma. Her regal ensemble included a vintage Suzanne Perron St. Paul design featuring a trumpet silhouette of Italian silk satin layered with beaded tulle and fringed lamé.

Highlighting the bodice was an elaborate pattern of lace heavily encrusted with silver, crystal and pearl beading.

“Reigning as the 56th queen of the Mystic Krewe of Olympia is such an honor and has truly been an amazing and unforgettable experience,” >> March-April 2022 57

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photos: JOEL MICHEL PHOTOGRAPHY

says Hope, “I have always absolutely loved Mardi Gras and cannot think of a better way to celebrate the season than reigning as queen in one of my favorite parades! Thank you so much to everyone who made this possible.”

The ball took place at the Castine Center at Pelican Park in Mandeville, with 800 guests in attendance. Helping to celebrate, the 31 members of the Marine Forces Reserve Band, led by Drum Major

Sgt. Patrick Box, performed a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, among other songs. As is krewe tradition, a wounded warrior was honored for his service. This year’s honoree was Mr. Lane A. Carson of Covington, a distinguished veteran of the Vietnam War, who was presented with a gift from the krewe. ELS performed following the procession of the court, and a late supper was served by The Dakota Restaurant. The energy was high and lively among the guests as the krewe was finally back together.

This year’s parade rolled through the streets of downtown with the theme, “Olympia: Been Masking Up for 56 Years.” As the only nighttime parade in Covington, this year’s 290 riders threw a plethora of Olympia-themed throws, including large doubloons, sliver laurel wreaths, LED lightning bolts, and new 26” pearl beads with the gold Olympia crest.

March-April 2022 59

WHEN ASKED HOW BEST to describe the sport of polo. professional polo player Segundo Ortiz says, “It’s like hockey, but on horseback.” As a young boy growing up in Argentina, Segundo, a thirdgeneration “Gaucho” from Argentina, was afraid of horses. Things changed when his father, a member of the Argentine Cavalry, gave him his first pony at the age of 4 to ride to school. “My father told me I can either learn to ride the pony to school or I would have to walk every day. So, I learned how to ride the pony,” he says with a laugh.

At the age of 18, Segundo began playing polo professionally and, shortly after, moved to America to live with his older brother, who was already there managing a polo club. The move to America set him on a path that has given him opportunities to travel

around the world playing a sport he loves.

Segundo’s big break came when polo veteran Bob Daniels, owner of the famed team Pony Express, took him under his wing and gave him the chance of a lifetime. When he began working for Pony Express, Segundo was the youngest and most inexperienced player on the team. He says, “Bob saw something in me, the way I treated horses, and gave me an opportunity. The best advice he gave me was to never give up, no matter what, and, if you want to win, you have to play hard.”

All of Segundo’s hard work paid off during a trip to New York for a tournament. One of the players decided not to play because of weather conditions, giving Segundo a chance to play with 7-goal players. “That was my big break,” he says. “I

g n i y a o l l P o P

by Steven Mills

Segundo Ortiz and the Game of Kings

A young Segundo on his first pony, Empanada, with his half-brother, Roberto.

Opposite: East Coast Open 1988 at the Myopia Polo Club, the oldest active polo club in America.

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was only a 3-goal player at the time, and I was also the youngest player competing in the tournament.”

Segundo and the Pony Express team went on to win numerous other tournaments after that, including the 1988 East Coast Open, considered the most prestigious championship game played in America at that time. “I played for Pony Express the longest, then the Busch family and the son of the Dominican Republic’s president. That year playing for Pony Express was the best year. All of the players on the team meshed well and played great together.”

In 2001, Segundo made a trip from his home base in South Florida to Folsom, Louisiana, to play on a friend’s team in the Harvest Cup Polo Classic at Summergrove Farms. Following their team’s win at the Harvest Cup that year, Segundo’s performance landed him a spot playing for Folsom local John >>

Harvest Cup Polo Classic

March-April 2022 61

Harvest Cup Polo Classic Sunday, April 24, 2022 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Summergrove Farms For tickets and information go to www.jlgc.net/harvest-cup-polo-classic

Top: Segundo and Kim enjoying a moment together before a game at New Orleans Polo Club.

Right: Segundo out with his ponies for their daily exercise.

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Melton, previous owner of Summergrove Farm.

While playing for John, Segundo was first introduced to his wife, Kim McGrath, whom he married in 2017.

Kim, an accomplished hunter/jumper rider and trainer from New Orleans, began playing polo in 2010 when a friend invited her to play in a women’s tournament in Folsom. She says, “I was kind of getting burned out with the hunter and jumper world. I still loved horses and wanted to do something that involved them, so I tried polo. That game sealed the deal for me. I started out by renting polo ponies, and now I have seven of my own.”

Even with a lifetime of experience riding horses, Kim admits that the transition from hunter and jumpers to polo “was difficult at first, but that’s also what intrigued me. Hunters and jumpers are an individual sport. It’s you and your horse.

What makes polo exciting is that it’s a team sport.

Variables change. You can play well, but your teammate doesn’t play as well. I had to depend and count on other players, because you can’t do everything on your own in polo. It took me a long time to figure out that everyone has to play their individual position, but now I love it.”

Today, Kim and Segundo operate So Polo >>

March-April 2022 63

from their farm in Folsom, where they focus on training the next generation of polo enthusiasts, as well as developing and selling young polo ponies to high-goal players around the country. Segundo says, “It takes a long time to make a good polo pony, but that’s what I like to do now.” Several of their polo ponies are currently playing in high-goal tournaments and have gone on to win Best Playing Pony with high-goal players Santi Torres and Marcos Alberti.

For anyone looking to start playing polo, the husband-andwife team agree that “Experience is the only thing that gives you the ability to adapt and foresee what other players are going to do. We can try to strategize before every game, but you can’t decide how to play until you’re out there on the field and see how the other team is playing. You have to learn how to adapt.”

While the variables of the game are always changing, Kim and Segundo’s love for horses has remained constant and continues to bond them to the fascinating world of polo.

The New Orleans Polo Club Folsom, Louisiana, is home to a large community of horse enthusiasts, making it only natural that it also has a thriving polo club, the New Orleans Polo Club. Founded in 1985, the only polo club in Louisiana is a diverse group of men and women, ages twelve to eighty, who play at a variety of different levels.

Referred to as the “Sport of Kings,” polo has maintained a relatively exclusive following around the world. In America, the sport has roughly 4,000 players and is usually touted as a game played by the wealthy and elite because of the costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a string of polo ponies. The 64

Inside Northside

Above: Game face! Riding in a New Orleans Polo Club tournament.

Left: The famed “Pony Express” team victorious in the East Coast Open

New Orleans Polo Club is focused on changing that image by making it easier and more cost-friendly for beginners to learn how to play the sport. New members interested in learning to play are connected to instructors who have horses for rent to those first starting out.

The polo fields in Folsom are some of the nicest in the country, hosting competitors from around the United States, as well as internationally, to play in tournaments each season. Tournaments take place weekly during the spring and fall seasons, from March to June and September to November. Practices are held on Wednesdays, with tournament matches on Saturday and Sunday.

The club’s primary playing field is located at Summergrove Farms in Folsom, owned by former club president David Fennelly and his partner, Carlos Sanchez. Together, the pair have been the biggest champions of polo in the area, donating their fields for various benefits, such as the annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic that is put on by the Junior League of Greater Covington.

The club also plays at several other fields, including current club president Dr. Sebastian Koga’s Carpathia >> March-April 2022 65

Farm located on Million Dollar Road and the Rice family’s Innisfree Farm on Highway 40.

Longtime manager of the New Orleans Polo Club Doug Parsons took up the sport 30 years ago without having any previous knowledge of riding horses.

“Polo is a lifetime sport. There’s a place for everyone to start, but if you already know how to ride horses, it’s going to be a lot easier to learn how to play,” says Doug. “Each player owns their own horses once they start competing, but most borrow or rent from someone in the club at first. The hardest horse to buy is the first one.”

The polo that is played in the Folsom area is considered “low-goal” polo, which refers to the ratings given to players based on their skill level.

Doug reassures that “it’s going to be a safe environment for people of all levels, and you don’t need to have a bunch of horses to start. It can be competitive, but it’s fun. The only thing that helps is if you have a little bit of riding knowledge.”

For more information, please visit neworleanspoloclub.com

The Game Said to be the world’s oldest recorded team sport, polo is a very strategic, high-contact sport that is 66

Inside Northside

Above: Segundo with his prized homebred pony, Rulo, winner of numerous Best Playing Pony awards. Left: Kim on the winning Inside Northside Team in the last Harvest Cup Polo Classic in 2019.

competed on horseback. The game, played by two teams with four players each, is made up of chukkers (periods) that last 7 minutes, with 4-minute breaks in between chukkers and a 10-minute half. A ball is thrown in mid-field, and the players try to get the ball into the goal using a wooden mallet, often reaching speeds upwards of 35mph. Players have a string of polo ponies ready to go for every game, often swapping out their mount several times during a single chukker

after a hard gallop down the field.

Teams are formed based on player handicaps ranging from -2 to 10, with a 10-goal player being the best. The only 10-goal players in the world are in Argentina and Uruguay. Argentina is known to have the fastest polo in the world and is the only country with a true “open” because they don’t have a limit on handicaps. In America, the combined handicaps of all the players cannot exceed 23, whereas in Argentina you can go up to 40.

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Silent Auction

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Jennifer Rice at Innisfree, 2012.

The Origins of the Harvest Cup Polo Classic

THE HARVEST CUP POLO CLASSIC began in the early 1990s, when Jennifer Rice moved to Innisfree Farms horse farm in Folsom, Louisiana. Rice wanted to have an event that would allow her friends from the city to become part of her new life on a horse farm. Her support of the event has continued through the years.

The annual event quickly took on a life of its own, and in 1995, Rice approached J.D. Ellis, the then-president of the Covington Service League, because she wanted the League to take over the event and utilize its success for their charitable mission. When asked why she chose the League to take over the event, Rice famously said: “I approached the League because those women get stuff done!” The League turned Rice’s small event into "The Event" of the fall season in Southern Louisiana.

Celia Palazzo, who became the president of the League in 1996, officially united the League with the AJLI, turning the Covington Service League into the Junior League of Greater Covington. Palazzo solidified Polo as one of the League’s events, and it has lasted 25 years. Palazzo first observed the event under the direction of Ellis, and then helped to create a tradition of Polo that would sustain the League’s charitable missions throughout the year, every year since.

By 1997, the League’s Polo event was attracting more than 1,000 guests annually. Before the turn of the century, Polo became too big for Innisfree Farms, and the League has been able to grow the event, expanding participation, allowing sponsors and friends from the community to help and further the mission of the Junior League of Greater Covington—women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

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1. Polo Collection earrings. Golden Lily, Mandeville, 337-257-7071. 2. My Louisiana Guardian Angel painting: mixed media, 15x 30 inches, $600 value. Karen Van Zandt, Covington, 504-578-4000. 3. Handmade copper 25” six-sided French Quarter lantern with gooseneck bracket in natural gas, $900 value. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Mandeville. 4. Lily Pulitzer basket that includes two wine cooler tumblers, circular towel, canvas print and bag, $260 value. Lily Pulitzer, Mandeville, 778-2597. 5. A $300 gift certificate toward an original couture hat with your style preferences.

Haute Dames Couture, Covington, 869-8788. 6. Private wine class for 20, $500 value. Total Wine & More, Mandeville, 231-5725. 7. Makeup lesson for 8 people, $200. Kismet Cosmetics, Covington, 900-2455. 8. Twonight weekend stay in the Lake Loft suite or Lake Loft apartment, $550 value. de la Bleau B & B, Mandeville, 629-4646. 9. Gift certificate for your pup to enjoy 3 days of camp and spa bath, $185 value. Camp Bow Wow, Covington, 892-9364. 10. Custom Luca Falcone suit, $1,500 value.

Harvest Cup Polo Classic 3 4

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Luca Falcone, New Orleans, 504-

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390-3711. 11. Whitewashed wood chain link, $65. Welcome Mat Home Interiors, Covington, 264-4189. 12. Inshore fishing charter with Captain Chase Gourgues, $800 value. Chasen’ Limits, Du Lac, 789-1135.

13. Hand-cut, painted and embellished wooden Mardi Gras king float door hanger made by local artist Molly Jahncke, $150 value. Jolie Designs NOLA, Covington, 504-343-0713.

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14. $50 Crescent Blú gift card (pictured: Crescent Blú’s signature crab on adult long-sleeve performance wicking Columbia blue shirt). Cresent Blú, Covington, 504-512-0987.

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Harvest Cup Polo Classic

Polo Artist Lorraine Beaver

Two Passions Collide LORRAINE BEAVER HAS ALWAYS loved to create. Though she has no formal training, Beaver has been sketching and painting since middle school. “I draw and paint what I feel,” she says. Trying to capture every detail, she draws from the heart, allowing her two passions to collide: art and horses. As to what draws her to horses as a subject matter, Beaver explains, “I love horses, and they are what inspire me the most. I really did not study any art or specific artists during school, so this is natural for me.”

“I want to capture the power and athletic ability of the horse and rider. I don’t think a non-horse person really understands how talented the horse and the rider really are…” she explains of the piece, “I have ridden for my whole life, and completely appreciate the teamwork, skill, balance and beauty of horse and rider, which is incredible!” While she has never officially sought a career in art, she has over the years sold several pieces to friends and family. But now that she is retried and has more time, she says, she would love to focus more on her art.

Growing up in Raeford, North Carolina, Beaver developed a passion for horses from an early age and owned her first horse at six years old. She even harbored a dream of becoming the first female jockey,

but someone beat her to that title. As an adult, horses became a family affair, with her daughter following in her footsteps.

“My daughter shares my love for horses and we showed and rode together during her childhood.” Beaver explained.

Reading Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion as a child fostered a life-long love for Arabian horses, though at the time she had never even seen one in person. Finally she was able to reach her dream when she found her “heart horse” Savidinn, who everyone called Savvy.

“My husband always joked that we were like one body when riding. Savvy knew what I wanted before I asked him. A one of a kind horse…I miss him every day,” she said of their 20 year relationship. Her love of Arabians has continued though, and after 12 years of searching and owning several other horses Beaver has finally found her second “heart horse” CP Wind dancer who everyone calls Kadin (which means “companion” in Arabic).

Beaver first became involved with the Harvest Cup around 2001, ridding in the Parade of Breeds as part of the Arabian show class in costume.

You can contact Lorraine Beaver regarding her work by email at Lorraine. beaver@hotmail.com.

Generous Hearts

by Susan Bonnett Bourgeois

Methodist Children’s Home of Southeast Louisiana

Building a Future for Louisiana’s Children

HERE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA, we have a startling rate of children in need of hope and healing, and for many of them, options are limited. In fact, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which focuses on improving the life of America’s children, has ranked the state 49th in overall childhood wellbeing. But there is hope. For this Inside Northside Home & Garden issue, we wanted to feature a different kind of “home” and also one of our member nonprofits that has been working on this problem for more than a century.

Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services is a statewide organization dedicated to improving the mental health and general welfare of Louisiana’s children and families. Though it began as an orphanage over 120 years ago, LUMCFS has grown and evolved, and today, it provides levels of care through many different programs, including three residential treatment facilities, and a new one is on the way.

In February 2022, LUMCFS will open a brand new, state-of-the-art facility for its Methodist Children’s Home of Southeast Louisiana, marking the beginning of a historic expansion of its services 72

Inside Northside

in this region—an area in which half of the state’s children and families in need live. Originally located in New Orleans, this Children’s Home facility was forced to close after Hurricane Katrina, and the children in care evacuated to the North Louisiana campus in Ruston before eventually settling in a temporary space in Mandeville. In 2015, LUMCFS purchased 123 acres of land on the northshore for the comprehensive new facility, which has the capacity to nearly double the number of children in care each year. It has been specially designed to

meet them where they are, and with care and love, guide them to the future they deserve.

The Children’s Home’s Program Director, Marlin Giacona, shares what it means to join in its mission. “Ultimately, we want to guide our children back to homes that are ready to receive them, that are healthy, that are creative, that are supportive. I feel like to say that it’s a blessing is almost an understatement of what it is, because it’s such a wonderful thing to be a part of. If you ever have the opportunity to meet any of our boys, they speak for why we do the things that we do.”

With much of the campus still undeveloped, LUMCFS Director of Development and Public Relations Sarah Head says, “Because it’s so conveniently located among a large portion of the population, we see this facility developing into a ‘one-stop shop’ for the region—a campus in which the organization’s many community-based services can be found alongside the Children’s Home.”

Plans include a Methodist Foster Care and Life Skills Training building, equine therapy center and chapel.

The mission of the new Children’s Home translates to helping children recover by building trust and instilling hope. Giacona adds, “We’re not just building offices and dorms here; we’re building a future for the children of Louisiana and creating a legacy that will outlive us all.”

Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services is a valued member of the Northshore Community Foundation.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a member of the Foundation, visit NorthshoreFoundation.org; for more information on the new Children’s Home in Loranger, Louisiana, or if you would like to support its mission, visit mchsela.com.

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Nature’s Year-long Exhibit

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

photo courtesy: NORTHLAKE NATURE CENTER

Traces

by Hilary Creamer

Save the date!

The Great Louisiana Bird Fest on April 8.

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COVERING 400 ACRES and nestled to the east of Bayou Castine, the Northlake Nature Center continues to grow and change, much like the natural habitat it preserves. This hidden gem offers a variety of intertwining trails showcasing nature’s splendor from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. It’s a great place to visit with friends.

Even when you hike here alone for tranquility and solitude, you can’t help but feel a sense of community in this place. That is because the beautification, event programs and maintenance of the center is completely volunteer driven. Nature enthusiasts and volunteers spruce up and clear the trails of obstructions during the reoccurring event “Nature Walk and Titivation.” Structures and amenities, such as the gazebo, canoe launch, educational signs, special gardens, outlooks and benches, have all been lovingly added by volunteers and groups like the Boy and Girl Scouts.

Even the beautiful irises, which will be in bloom beginning in late March, were planted by the Iris Society of New Orleans and are continually cultivated by volunteers of the Louisiana Iris Conservation Initiative. With more than 3,000

Inside Northside

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Northlake Nature Center

irises of at least five different varieties planted around ponds and swampy areas, you won’t want to miss this springtime spectacle.

With such a large variety of programs and events throughout the year, the Northlake Nature Center has something for everyone to get involved.

There’s canoeing on the bayou, biking the back trails, moonlight hikes and marshmallow melts, a book club, “Storywalk” with the St. Tammany Parish Library, line dancing and yoga in the pavilion. Another spring event that is returning for 2022 is a mini-version of The Great Louisiana Bird Fest on April 8.

One could easily plan a hiking visit for each season using a different path each time. And nature

photo courtesy: NORTHLAKE NATURE CENTER

INside Peek

will deliver you a different demonstration for each visit— new colors to see, new birdsongs to hear—and the light even seems different, depending on the season. The experience is a non-tangible gift that can have a lasting, positive impact on your mood. Executive Director Rue McNeill agrees: “Walking in the woods—getting outside—is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. If you let the scenery absorb you completely, you will walk away with a peaceful mind and a feeling of relaxation like no other.”

Like much of our area, the center was impacted by Hurricane Ida. But here, unless they are obstructing a path, the fallen trees will stay where they fell. Once towering high providing shade, they now begin the transition back to the soil—each surface, nook and cranny providing new homes to different plants and wildlife. If we are open to learn, nature has a way of teaching us how to use adversity as opportunity.

The Northlake Nature Center extends to you an open invitation to nature’s year-long exhibit. Admission is free; as a non-profit organization, the programs, events, and mission of preservation and education are supported wholly by taxdeductible memberships, donations, private and public grants, and beloved volunteers. If you would like more information on becoming a member, a volunteer, or to register for an event, please contact Rue McNeill at rue@northlakenature.org or by calling 626-1238.

Chamber Installation and Awards Luncheon The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce held its annual Installation and Awards Luncheon, installing David Boudreaux of Hancock Whitney as 2022 Board Chairman. Awards were presented to the following: Alan Thriffiley—Member of the Year; NobleBates Young —Board Member of the Year; Mary Byrd—Ambassador of the Year; Communications—Committee of the Year; Andy Frisard—Community Leadership Award; Chris Masingill— Chairman’s Award; and Gulf States Real Estate Services—President’s Award.

The Northlake Nature Center is located at 23135 Hwy. 190 in Mandeville, 626-1238.

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M A R R I A G E A N D

Winters-Ward

L O V E

A colorful garden at the groom’s family’s historic Covington home was

the perfect setting for the wedding of Amanda Winters and Jackson Ward.

This day was many years in the making for the high school sweethearts, both northshore natives now living in New Orleans. Guests were greeted with a

I N

glass of champagne as a string trio played classical versions of the Talking Heads and Andrew Bird and the ceremony concluded with Curtis Mayfield’s joyous Move on Up. The invitations and printed accents included custom illustrations by Eglantine Rose Letterpress that thoughtfully reflected the sculptures and greenery of the grounds.

The bride’s dress, an Alexandra Grecco modified A-line cut with scattered floral appliques, was complemented by her grandmother’s earrings and her sister’s veil. Her wedding ring was custom made with 11 small diamonds to represent the couple’s years together. The large wedding party was filled with siblings and close friends, with the women in champagne dresses and the men in classic tuxedos. The cheerful, sunset-colored flowers boldly accented the neutral tones and complemented the statement arrangements at the reception, which included a beautiful arch and large mantelpiece, all artfully arranged by Moonbeam Fleurs.

Guests proceeded to the reception at the Southern Hotel, where the garden theme was continued and lanterns and string lights lit up the space.

The NOLA Dukes Band played in the courtyard and guests filled the dance floor all evening. The Southern Hotel’s signature cocktail, “Sage Advice,” was renamed “Marriage Advice” for the evening and was passed upon arrival, along with various appetizers and a cheese and charcuterie station, all catered

by Dakota. The three-tiered classic white wedding cake from Gambino’s was favorite hobby of the couple and was made to look like a tennis court, topped by handmade miniatures of the bride and groom.

The photographer, Lainey Reed, snapped shots as the newlyweds made their departure, showered by rose petals as they ran through a tunnel of guests and into a vintage white Austen-Healey belonging to the bride’s stepfather.

They relaxed for a few days in Fairhope, Alabama, after the wedding and will be adventuring to Arenal National Park in Costa Rica for their honeymoon.

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photos: LAINEY REED PHOTOGRAPHY

decorated with fresh flowers. A German chocolate groom’s cake reflected a

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

Rase-Murrell

The marriage of Hadley Victoria Rase and Jackson

Beckett Murrell was celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Covington, officiated by Fr. Buddy Noel.

On the day of the ceremony, the entire bridal party relaxed at Sleepy Lagoon in Covington. Bridal and family portraits were taken in the fields at Sleepy Lagoon, with ponds and fountains in the background.

The bride walked down the aisle wearing a Monique Lhuillier gown with a detachable train from I Do Bridal in Baton Rouge. Her attendants’ dresses were from Bella Bridesmaids in Baton Rouge, and the men’s tuxedos were from John’s Tuxedos in Metairie. Flowers were an assortment of white roses and greenery by Lisa Smith with Petals and Parties.

A reception at The Tchefuncta Country Club followed the ceremony. The traditional ballroom was transformed into a whimsical and elegant venue, complete with a photo booth from Boogie Booth. Rick King Photography and videographer Steven Canatella with Louisiana Is For Lovers provided for lasting memories. Guests danced the night away to the music of The Rewind Band from Baton Rouge photos: RICK KING PHOTOGRAPHY

while enjoying a repast from the club’s chef. Both cakes were crafted by The Cocoa Bean Bakery in Hammond. The wedding cake was made of five tiers with a dramatic bow draped from top to bottom, and the groom’s cake featured one of Jackson’s favorite hobbies, duck hunting!

The newlyweds honeymooned in Fairhope, Alabama, at the Grand Hotel. They will reside in Baton Rouge.

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IN Great Taste

by Yvette Zuniga Jemison

Celebrate Spring with Meringue Wreaths

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SPRING IS HERE with many festive opportunities to serve a meringue wreath. This edible wreath is almost too pretty to eat, and it doubles as an eye-catching centerpiece. The meringue is delicate and crispy with speckles of chocolate shavings. A piping bag fit with a star tip makes it easy to create the individually portioned rings that form the wreath. You’ll find that the puffed portions can be individual nests, which make it easy to garnish and serve. Get creative and arrange fresh flowers, hard candies or berries into your meringue to celebrate any occasion this spring.

Meringue Wreath and Nests Servings: Makes 12 nests or one large wreath 6 egg whites 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into thin chips Special equipment: parchment, piping bag fitted with

photos: YVETTE ZUNIGA JEMISON YDelicacies.com

extra-large star tip

1. Preheat oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. For the wreath, trace an 8-inch circle in pencil on the parchment and place the tracing side down. For the nests, line two baking sheets with parchment.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites, cornstarch and salt on medium speed until frothy, 1-2 minutes.

3. While beating the egg whites, slowly add the granulated sugar and beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, 5-7 minutes. Slowly add the powdered sugar and beat on high speed until glossy and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes.

4. Fold the cocoa powder and chocolate into the egg whites to create chocolate streaks. Use only 3-4 strokes when folding.

5. Spoon meringue into a piping bag fitted with an extra-large star tip. Attach the parchment to the baking sheet by piping a small dot of meringue on each corner of the baking sheet and set the parchment directly onto the dots. Press gently to attach.

6. For the wreath, use the 8-inch circle on the parchment as a guide. Along the outer edges of

traced ring, pipe 9 evenly spaced rings onto the parchment (each about 2½ inches in diameter), lightly touching each other. Use any leftover meringue to make mini nests.

For the nests, simply pipe 2½ inch circles onto the parchment about 2 inches apart on the two lined baking sheets.

7. Bake until dry and firm, 1-1½ hours. Let cool completely.

8. Gently slide a spatula under the wreath to loosen from parchment. Using two large spatulas transfer the wreath to a serving platter. Individual nests can be transferred to a serving platter. Decorate with fresh flowers and spring-colored candies. If serving with cut or sliced berries that release juices, add berries right before serving. If serving with whole berries that don’t release juices, fill an hour before serving.

We’d like to see which recipe you’ve made, so share with us on Instagram @insidenorthside and @y_delicacies.

Scan QR code to go to @y_delicacies

by Yvette Jemison on Instagram.

March-April 2022 79

Marketplace

80

Inside Northside

Haute Plates

Gallagher’s Grill

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

2306 FRONT ST, SLIDELL

Half Shell Oyster House

La Carreta

509 S. TYLER ST, COVINGTON

COVINGTON • 276-4500

HAMMOND

326-8350 892-9992

GALLAGHERSGRILL.COM Award-winning entrées featuring

70367 LA 21

HALFSHELLOYSTERHOUSE.COM Local Gulf oysters and a variety of Gulf Coast seafood with a New

MANDEVILLE, COVINGTON,

AND PONCHATOULA

CARRETARESTAURANT.COM Celebrating over 20 years of fresh

sizzling steaks, pork chops, and the best

Orleans flair and influence that

food in a fun and festive atmosphere, La

seafood Louisiana has to offer. Whether

extends throughout our ambience

Carreta offers authentic Mexican cuisine

you’re looking for fine dining in a

and menu. Steaks, chicken, pasta and

at several locations across Southeast

comfortable setting, or a lunch that’s a cut

so much more. Lunch, dinner, daily

Louisiana. Daily lunch specials, fiesta

above the rest, we specialize in creating

happy hour, Sunday brunch.

time daily and family friendly.

the perfect experience for your needs.

Nothing Bundt Cakes

1905 W. THOMAS ST., STE. V

COVINGTON • 888-6555

SISENORTAQUERIA.COM

1111 GREENGATE DR. #D NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM Our goal is to bake a cake that

Si Señor

HAMMOND • 393-0090

Whether you are looking for an

Tchefuncte’s

407 ST. TAMMANY ST.

MADISONVILLE • 323-4800 TCHEFUNCTES.COM

Overlooking the river, Tchefuncte’s

enhanced dining experience or a happy

celebrates the highlights of the season,

not only reminds you of home but also

hour, Si Señor Taqueria is the best

rooted in classic Southern cuisine.

opens you to a new world. And while

spot for authentic Mexican dining in

Executive Chef Michael Gottlieb sought

that’s no easy request, the handcrafted

Southeastern Louisiana. Experience our

the world’s best ingredients and found

recipes are more than up to the task.

upbeat atmosphere while enjoying our

most in the Northshore area. Tchefuncte’s

Each recipe uses the finest ingredients

fresh cocktails, like the House Paloma

partners with community purveyors for

to bring you Bundt Cake perfection.

with fresh agave nectar.

the best seafood, meats and produce.

March-April 2022 81

Last Look

by John Snell

Mirror Effect by FOX 8’s John Snell.

82

Inside Northside