November-December 2020 Inside Northside Magazine

495

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INSIDEPUB.com

HOLLY REYNOLDS •

FOLSOM LIBRARY • ASHLEY LONGSHORE • HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 VOL. 35, NO. 6

contents table of

Artist Ashley Longshore. Page 24.

page 34

Features

12 In His Own Words Cover Artist Robert Santopadre 24 Naturally Northshore Artist Ashley Longshore 34 Holly Frederick Reynolds Animal Advocate Extraordinaire

page 68

44 Aunt Decie’s Library New Life for Folsom’s Beloved Landmark

Departments

62 Jeweler Marco Bicego

10 Contributors

74 Giving Hope Child Advocacy Center-Hope House

16 INside Scoop

page 44

8 Publisher’s Note

32 IN Other Words Dear 2020 40 Traces Laine Lonero 65 Flourishes Extraordinary gifts and home accents

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84 INside Peek Featuring: I-12 Widening Project Groundbreaking St. Tammany Hospital Foundation Gala 8 8 IN Great Taste Holiday Appetizers

68 INside Look

90 Haute Plates

79 Generous Hearts Ola Magee: In the Footsteps of Dick Knight

92 INside Dining 97 Last Bite Ceasar’s

83 IN Love & Marriage

98 Last Look

Out with the old; in with the new.

There is a quote attributed to Socrates that says the “Secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” It is a great quote, and though it is impossible to know if he actually said it, it is a big concept and he was a big thinker… so maybe.

The old, the existing, is what we know and are comfortable with. The new, the next thing, has an uncomfortable uncertainty. Not that it won’t be good—just that it isn’t known to be. That is the nature of change, and I am standing in the crossfire of it as we prepare this issue for print.

After 20 very happy years in a wonderful place, my husband and I are moving. The experience is fraught with so many emotions, not the least of which is exhaustion. Our daughters live out of town and our rescue dogs are excited, but not helpful at all! It is finally time to examine, remember and—dare I say—discard the saved papers from grade school, high school and college. I was a memory hoarder because I could be. I had an attic large enough to treasure every construction paper holiday card and every science fair project. Given time, I could give you a rundown of the grades my daughters made on every English paper in their academic career! That time is passed.

The attic in our new home is about the size of a bathtub, and it has a pull-down staircase. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, is going in the attic. If it doesn’t have a place on a shelf or in a scrapbook, its days are numbered. It is time for a new family to fill our old attic with memories. I hope they will love it as much as we did.

As for the Murphys, when we finish sorting boxes, we look forward to meeting the neighbors that stroll down our new block. It will never be the same, but we will build our new life into another great adventure.

If you haven’t bought your raffle ticket yet to support the CAC/Hope House and hopefully, drive off in a classic treasure, an antique 1931 Chevrolet, log on to cachopehouse.org.

What a great stocking stuffer idea for the car buff in your life!

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

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

November-December 2020 Vol. 35, No. 6

Angelle Albright

Angelle Albright works as an e-commerce consultant with Ashley Longshore, among others, but most of us on the northshore know her as a passionate advocate. After battling breast cancer herself, in 2009 she founded Chemo Beanies, a company that provides head coverings for women with cancer. Her BA in mass communications is from Loyola University, and she worked as a chief news editor in New Orleans starting out. After moving to the northshore in 1992, she taught English and journalism at St. Scholastica Academy. She lives on the northshore with her husband, as their three children have all grown and flown. On page 22, she shares a tale about one of her inspirations, who happens to be one of our newest famous residents.

Mimi 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 had thousands of articles and essays published in national and regional magazines, as well as anthologies and Christian devotionals. When not writing, she enjoys the home arts of cooking, canning, gardening, knitting, chicken wrangling and beekeeping. On page 44, she writes about the original Folsom library.

Note from the editor: As Mimi was writing this story, we asked her to share with us her favorite book from her childhood. This was her response: “I’d have to say Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. I remember checking it out of the little library in Covington (from Miss Mary, the librarian) and seeing my own name multiple times already on the little card check.

Other Voices: Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Grace Butzman, Candra George, Karen B. Gibbs, Caitlin Hebert, Yvette Jemison, James Letten, Jeanne Martin, Robert Santopadre, Garrett Shearman, Becky Slatten, John Snell, and Kevin Schurb.

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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

Jonée Daigle-Ferrand Anne Honeywell

Stacey Paretti Rase –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

On the Cover

Cover Artist Robert San topadre.

Find more on page 12.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Contact

phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 Advertising Sales sales@insidepub.com Subscriptions subscriptions@insidepub.com ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– INSIDE NORTHSIDE is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana.

Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copy­right ©2020 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.

In His Own Words

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

Cover Artist Robert Santopadre

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Inside Northside

IT’S 3 A.M., AND THE ONLY other body up is my faithful Golden-doodle painting partner, Cricket. I have just completed four pieces of work that have taken almost four months to complete. Two of the four are hopefuls to be submitted into a show in New York.

Ok. Go back seven years ago, and I couldn’t tell you how to start a painting— much less be invited to be in a show at the Salmagundi, the oldest art club in the country, dating back to the days of Toulouse Lautrec and Pierre Auguste Renoir. This is why I get up early. This is why I inhale every credible book on painting and take classes by the best instructors available to me today. I love my friends who come to the shows; I love

when people buy my paintings. It’s a rush for myself as well as the person who sees in my paintings the spots that I can’t even explain how they appear. I tell you, some days the brush just knows what to do. As long as I stay on the other end of it, not even to come up for air, beautiful things happen. Sometimes, I stare so long and hard at the subject and the painting my eyes burn so badly that I close them and put ice on them to soothe.

Lots of folks ask how I was able to progress so quickly. I hate braggers and hope that this all doesn’t sound that way.

I truly work hard at it every day. I think about it when I am not in front of the canvas. I try to look at beautiful things and decipher exactly what makes >>

photos: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

one thing more beautiful than another. It’s usually a combination of the shape of the subject, the way that it naturally exists, the actual predominant colors, as well as the colors that the atmosphere surrounding the subject are laying onto the actual colors of the subject.

Then, the freaky stuff starts to happen. There are all of these colors that lay on top of and sometimes in the cracks and crevasses of the colors that are very obvious. These transitional colors usually reveal themselves when I am not expecting them to do so. I don’t know why I can’t see them in the beginning, but when they pop out, I have to lay them in as quickly as possible before they quiet back down. These little magic spots don’t even care about being mixed, nor do they care about being laid down neatly. The other strangeness is that a day or so later, I see different places that another color is calling to be put on. For instance, I can paint a fellow’s hand one day, putting 14

Inside Northside

his fingers where they should go, distinguishing the fingers with brownish lines to divide the fingers. The next day, the subject’s dividing finger lines light up with red. I lay it in, and suddenly the painted hand is magically lifelike. Ok, so I haven’t lost my mind. I’m sure that there is some reasonable explanation for it.

I really don’t care to know. I like that I can do that. I don’t think that everyone else can, so I just go with it. I think that it’s my gift, and I am appreciative of it.

The above is only one part of the process. The other—very important—part is what’s in the mind and the heart of the painter. There are experiences throughout life that an artist has that are imbedded in each piece of work. These for me are my love of music, painting and classical ballet. I had played several instruments in high school and held season tickets to both the New Orleans symphony and ballet.

I can spend hours at the New Orleans Museum of Art just unpeeling the layers of paint of the Masters to see if they had left behind any clues as to what was going on in their minds.

The cover painting is titled Imaginary Tea, which is also a song by Jon McLaughlin. It started out to be my friend Tim Lantrip. proprietor of The English Tea

Room, and his granddaughter Zoe. I had made the lanterns especially for the painting. The setting is in my cousin Suzette Hubbell’s rose garden. My cousin Dennis was the photographer. We were all set. Tim and Zoe were supposed to be sitting having “imaginary tea” when Zoe got squirmy, daylight was fading and, of course, mosquitos were nipping.

Sometimes, the outcome is better when things don’t always go according to plan. Well, the grandfather and the granddaughter aligned perfectly at the same time that Suzette’s sweet Chloe Poodle— named for the Clotilde Soupert roses in the garden where we were—sat at

Tim’s feet, which was not planned.

Chloe is an extra-special part of the painting for me because she is a 14-year-old Standard Poodle that is beloved by Dennis and Suzette as well as everyone she meets. Chloe has long been a service dog and has made many people in hospitals as well as retirement homes forget their troubles for a while. At some point in the near future, she will pass. I would like to think that this painting will keep her spirit alive forever.

Robert Santopadre’s work can be seen at Armbruster Artworks in Covington. He is available for commissions. robertsantopadre.com.

“I want to participate in life,” says Robert Santopadre, “not watch it. My paintings are derived from my life’s events.”

In the same way that he colors his works, he continues to color his life in many different ways. In addition to his painting, Santopadre is a full-time realtor on the northshore, where he lives with his wife, Lisa, and their two children, Caroline and Thomas. Other passions include flying, racing sailboats, cycling, running marathons and has even secured the title of Iron Man. He is also a Master Gardner, which undoubtedly influences his paintings.

Robert’s works have been displayed at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans, Armbruster Artworks in Covington, and art shows in New York City, the latter gaining him the recognition of the Salmagundi. He is in love with the learning, much of which has been done at Armbruster Artworks under the tutelage of Gretchen Armbruster.

Santopadre never loses sight of his ultimate goal. “My greatest ambition would be to paint a true masterpiece.” It is not about selling paintings;

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

he looks to show the world real life, but magnified.

He continues, “a great work of art is more alive than life is. That’s what makes it exceptional.

I want to be exceptional. I’m hunting for a masterpiece, but I haven’t gotten there yet.”

– Garrett Shearman November-December 2020 15

p resen t ed b y

Candlelight Caroling at Covington Trailhead Dec. 11, 7-8:30pm. All are invited to join the fun for music and sing-along at the second annual Candlelight Caroling. Families will enjoy listening and singing along with favorite holiday tunes performed by local musicians and singing groups and more. For more information, visit www.covla.com. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-1873.

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While information is current as of

adoptions and more, this family and pet

October 20, all dates and times are

friendly event has been instrumental in the

subject to change due to Covid-19

revitalization of Olde Towne. 2200 Block of

restrictions. Additionally, some event

Carey St., Slidell, 285-9215.

producers will not announce December

Oktoberfest at Middendorf’s Slidell Nov.

activities until next week.

6 and 13, 10:30 am- 9:00pm Get out

Farmers Markets Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market Every

your lederhosen, spruce up your dirndls and prepare to eat and drink German style — It’s time for Oktoberfest at Middendorf’s!

Sunday, 11am-3pm Abita Springs Farmers

Middendorf’s Slidell, 1951 Oak Harbor

Market, 22049 Main St. 892-0711 ext 7.

Blvd., Slidell, 771-7777

Camellia City Market Every Saturday,

A Partial View: Drawings by Mary Jane Parker

8am-12pm Camellia City Market, 1808

Friday-Saturday through Nov. 28, 11am-4pm.

Front St, Slidell. 640-7112.

The exhibit features mostly graphite drawings

Covington Farmers Market Every Saturday,

that explore the artist’s interest in hysteria, a

8am-12pm Covington City Hall, 609 N

disease that many women were diagnosed

Columbia St. 966-1786.

with in the early 1900’s. Ms. Parker has

Covington Farmers Market - Wednesday Lunch Market Every Wednesday,

exhibited work nationally and internationally and is represented in New Orleans by Arthur

10am-2pm Covington Trailhead, 419 N

Roger Gallery. St. Tammany Art Association

New Hampshire St. 966-1786.

Art House, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington,

Folsom Farmers Market at Giddy Up Every Monday, 10am-12pm Giddy Up Folsom, 82292 LA-25. 260-5060.

Madisonville Maker’s Market Every

892-8650.

Covington Art Market Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, 10am-2pm. The event features a variety of work from local and regional artists, including

Sunday, 10am-2pm Madisonville Ball Park

jewelry, photography, paintings, woodworking,

& Playground. 264-2328.

fiber art, pottery and more. The purpose

Mandeville Trailhead Community Market

of the market is to provide exposure and a

Every Saturday, 9am-1pm. December

venue for our members to showcase and sell

markets will include additional vendors with

their work. Lee Lane in Historic Downtown

holiday-themed items for sale.

Covington, Covington, 892-8650.

November Chillin’ at the River Concert Nov. 5 and

Up Close & Musical at The Lobby Lounge Nov. 12 - Jamie Lynn Vessels Band and Dec. 3 - Amanda Shaw & The Cute

12, 5-7:30pm. “Rockin’ the Rails” outdoor

Guys, 7-9pm. The Lobby Lounge features

concert series has been moved to the open

nationally touring acts throughout the year,

spaces of downtown Covington’s parks.

focusing on artists from the worlds of indie

Now dubbed “Chillin at the River”, concerts

rock, folk, country, jazz, blues and more,

are still 5:00 - 7:30 pm and free and open

performances will be acoustic or lightly

to the public. Guests are welcome to bring

amplified. Price: $19-$110. Ticket. The

ice chests/picnics/adult beverages if they

Lobby Lounge at The Harbor Center, 100

wish. Bogue Falaya Park, 213 Park Drive,

Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 781-3650.

Covington, 892-1873 Olde Towne Crawl Block Party Nov. 6,

Sunset Paddle on Cane Bayou Nov. 13, 6pm. Come paddle the majestic Cane

5pm-10pm Featuring three live bands,

Bayou and watch the sunset over Lake

over 75 local artists, crafters, vendors,

Pontchartrain, then return in the dark

after-hours shopping, kids’ activities, pet

to the sounds of nature and the sights

>>

Inside Scoop of amphibious glitter! This

Wonderland Nov 14-15, starts

excursion includes your kayak,

at 2pm. Follow us down the

guide, paddle, vest, drink,

rabbit hole for the world premiere

snack, and use of a headlamp,

of award-winning playwright

$55 per person. Bayou

Tommy Jamerson’s latest play.

Adventure, 28178 Hwy 190,

Tickets can be purchased over

Lacombe, 882-9208.

the phone, online, or in-person

Music from The Who’s Tommy Friday and Saturday

students, $20 adults. Columbia

November 13-14, 8pm.

Theatre, 220 E. Thomas St.,

Tommy is a 1975 British satirical, operetta, fantasy-

Humanity Fall Gala Nov. 20,

by Ken Russell and based

6-11pm. This annual fundraiser

on The Who’s 1969 rock

for East St. Tammany Habitat

opera album Tommy about a

for Humanity supports its

“psychosomatically deaf, mute,

mission of eliminating poverty

and blind” boy who becomes a

housing by building simple,

pinball champion and religious

decent, affordable homes in

leader. Tickets range from

the community. Tickets are

$27.50-$45 + online fees.

$75 per person. The Harbor

Cutting Edge Theater at

Center, 100 Harbor Center

Blvd, Slidell, 649-3727 5th Annual Anchor Classic

Blvd., Slidell, 639-0656.

Bayou Showdown Car Show Nov. 20-21, 8am-3pm. Bayou

Golf Tournament Nov.

Showdown is a truck, Hot Rod

13, 12:30-5pm. The Lake

and bike show, and all vehicles

Pontchartrain Basin Maritime

are welcome! Bikes, lowriders,

Museum in Madisonville

classics, bagged or lifted cars,

invites you to join in the 5th

trucks and big rigs. Admission

Annual Anchor Classic Golf

is $10 for adults, free for

Tournament to benefit the

kids 12 and under. Enter

museum. Price: $125/player or

your vehicle in the show for

$500/team. Carter Plantation

$60. The Harbor Center, 100

Golf Course, 23475 Carter Trace, Springfield, 845-9200.

Covington Three Rivers Art

Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell.

Tammany Turkey Trot & Food Drive for Northshore Food

Festival Virtual Show Nov. 14,

Bank Nov. 26, 8-10am. Run,

10am-4pm. Join the Covington

jog or walk your way to the

Three Rivers Art Festival on

finish on Thanksgiving Day.

their Facebook page to meet

The fun, family event is also a

and talk to artists and purchase

food drive and fundraiser for

their art! Covington Three Rivers

the Northshore Food Bank.

Art Festival Facebook Page.

Each runner is asked to bring

Columbia Theatre presents Alice’s Christmas in I n s i d e N o rt h s i d e

Hammond, 543-4371.

East St. Tammany Habitat for

drama film written and directed

Attractions Salon, 767 Robert

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at our Box Office. $15 for

three non-perishable, canned food items to help them

>>

Inside Scoop “pack the pantry” at the Northshore Food Bank. Price: $30-35. Starts and ends at St. Tammany Parish Justice Center, 701 N. Columbia St., Covington.

Louisiana Bicycle Festival Nov. 28, 9am-5pm. The fest features a swap meet starting at 9 am throughout the town and in the open field across from Abita Town Hall, a bike auction at noon by Brooks’ Bike Shop, vintage and art bikes.

Abita Springs Trailhead, Tammany Trace, and central Abita, 22275 Hwy 36, Abita Springs, 871-5327.

Christmas in the Country Friday and Saturdays Nov. 28 – Dec. 19. Savor the turn-of-the-century charm of Lee Lane with your family and friends and make holiday memories! Enjoy refreshments and live music while discovering quality merchandise and one of a kind gift items.

Lee Lane and throughout Historic Downtown Covington, 630-2865.

December Christmas Extravaganza Arts & Crafts Expo by Steinhauer Productions Dec. 4-6, 9am-5pm. One of the biggest arts & crafts shows in the South, the Christmas Extravaganza Arts & Crafts Expo by Steinhauer Productions features rows and rows of arts and crafts vendors from 15 states selling their unique products. $5 Adults, Free for kids 12 and under. Coquille Sports Complex, 13505 Hwy 1085, Covington, 796-5853.

A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular Dec 4 – 13, Friday and Saturdays 7pm, Sundays 2:30pm. Bring the whole family to this spirited celebration of the holidays featuring a variety of acts by local performers of all ages. Tickets, $10-19; can be reserved by visiting 30byNinety.com or calling 1-844-THE-3090. 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St., Mandeville, (844) 843-3090.

Louisiana Food Truck Festival Dec. 5, 20

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

11am-4pm. The festival will feature great food, live music, vendor booths, a “Kid Zone” activities area and more. Participating food trucks will be announced as the event nears. The Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 781-3650.

Deck the Rails at Covington Trailhead Dec. 5, 4-7:30pm. Free, kid-friendly holiday event at the Covington Trailhead. Santa Claus, holiday entertainment and other family fun to be announced. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and masks! Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-1873.

Shop Local Artists Week Dec. 6-12. Local arts organizations, galleries, restaurants and businesses will host artists’ gatherings, festivals, showcases and more, celebrating local visual artists, filmmakers, authors, musicians, performing artists and fellow arts organizations. Find information on local events at https://www.facebook.com/ ShopLocalArtistsWeek. St. Tammany Parish and locations across Louisiana.

Caroling with NPAS Dec. 11, 7:30pm.

Conducted by Artistic Director Dr. Alissa Rowe, NPAS will carol into the night at its December performance singing familiar carols. Known for musical excellence and award-winning performances, the NPAS Chorale performs major classical works, Broadway and contemporary music. Free admission, with donations encouraged.

Hosanna Lutheran Church, 2480 US-190, Mandeville, 276-9335.

Columbia Theatre presents: Hammond Ballet Company The Nutcracker Dec. 11-12, 7pm; Dec. 13, 2pm. Enter a winter wonderland of sugar plum fairies, dancing flowers, and toy soldiers as the classic ballet returns to Columbia this holiday season. Columbia Theatre, 220 E. Thomas St., Hammond, 543-4371.

Cajun Christmas at Big Branch Dec. 12, Open 9am-4pm; Pictures with Santa 2-4pm. Each year Santa and Mrs. Claus November-December 2020 21

Inside Scoop make a special visit to the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center. Kids of all ages are invited for story time, cookies, and hot cocoa. Photos with Santa are provided at no cost. Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, 61389 Highway 434, Lacombe, 882-2025.

Olde Towne Slidell Art Market Dec. 12, 4-9pm. Slidell’s Olde Towne Art Market features work by “leauxcal” artists, crafters, and live music on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Green Oaks Apothecary, 2238 First St., Slidell, 285-5613.

Deck the Park with Pyrotechnics Dec. 12, 3-7pm. Enjoy a festive evening with family and friends! The night will include food trucks, arts & crafts vendors, kid’s games, a movie night in the park showing The Star, and the Gulf South’s most epic Christmas Fireworks Musical Display performed by Jake West with Geaux Pyro!

Tickets for ages 6 and up will be $25 at the door, 5 and under are free. Coquille Parks & Recreation, 13505 Hwy 1085, Covington, 796-5853.

Christmas Past Festival Dec. 12, 10am-4pm. The event will feature more than 75 artists, craftsmen and merchants from across the Greater New Orleans area. Elements at this year’s event include children’s art and craft activities, local food vendors, and singing/roaming holiday characters. In addition, attendees will enjoy live musical performances by a trio from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Girod Street Shops & Restaurants, Mandeville, 373-5271.

Mandeville Trailhead Evening Holiday Market Dec. 19, 3-7pm. Holiday fun for the whole family! This special evening market will have a variety of vendors and local artisans selling art, jewelry, crafts and accessories. Plus, live music, face painting, Santa Claus and family fun. Free and open to the public. Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, 630-0440.

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Naturally

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Northshore

Inside Northside

THE FIRST TIME I LAID EYES on an Ashley Longshore painting was on the cover of this very publication. Something ignited in my physical being just looking at the vibrant peacock fashioned delicately on Audrey Hepburn’s head. What was this?? I had never seen artwork like this before. It was wild and eccentric, like most things from New Orleans, but it also had a grace and elegance about it that left me wanting to consume it, capture it, own it! I happened to be a contributor to that edition, so it lingered on my coffee table indefinitely,

with the other NOLA icons such as Emeril Lagasse and Drew Brees. Maybe you visited Palette Cafe at Bergdorf Goodman’s, where her art inspired every single window along 5th and 58th, or maybe you caught her stint as guest judge on Project Runway, or her segment on Seth Meyers performing scream therapy with Mark Hamill, or maybe you heard she was last year’s Artist in Residence at New York Fashion Week, where Christian Siriano stole the runway with designs inspired by her vibrant art.

Or you may have visited her curated collection

by Angelle Albright

photo: JAMES LETTEN

Artist Ashley Longshore and it kept speaking to me, like a voice screaming from the pages. “I’ m so pretty, look at me again!” I started following Longshore on lnstagram; I literally laughed out loud with every post. “Who is this woman? She’s obnoxious... she’s talented... she’s intelligent... she just said the “F” word?... wait, she just sold $1.3 million in one hour, she’s a brilliant entrepreneur and she’s freaking hysterical!” For years, I would flash the screen to my husband before we dimmed the lights, and we would giggle together at her silly antics, and the beautiful Audrey, flashing her feathers, would visit me in my dreams.

If you’re a regular Inside Northside reader, you, too, have certainly heard the name Ashley Longshore before. Maybe you’ve been to her vibrant gallery on Magazine Street in New Orleans or waited in line to take a picture with her Lil Wayne portrait at the Pontchartrain Hotel; or maybe you noticed her face on the famed Ritz Carlton Streetcar, along

of powerful women at Diane Von Furstenberg’s Flagship in NYC, or even London, where the Gucci billboard stood, or maybe you caught a glisten of her latest Judith Leiber designs or her Limited Edition Lipsticks from her Maybeline collaboration.

But one thing you may not know. All the craziness of 2020, coupled with Ashley’s lifelong love of nature, has brought her to a farm on the northshore, and some of her latest collections were inspired from her new retreat under the peaceful pines of our community!

Dubbed by the New York Times as “Fashion’s Latest Art Darling,” her colorful personality is as bold and bright as her works of art, and her body of work and >>

November-December 2020 25

photo: JAMES LETTEN

relationships with celebrities have knighted her time and again as the female Andy Warhol. A beloved NOLA transplant, Ashley has spent over twenty-five years building her empire, and the city has embraced her vivacious personality, her masterpieces, and her philanthropic nature. In her first book, You Don’t Look Fat, You Look Crazy, she tells of her life growing up in Montgomery, Alabama, under her mother’s expectations to be a good “Southern Belle,” where her future was preordained to shine at Cotillion, sharpen her Southern manners, prepare to be a good wife/mini-van driver—and she better like it!! Ashley says, “I was just born different; it was never going to work out.” To her mother’s dismay, she left Ole Miss sorority life after just a couple of

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

As a part of her

weeks and never looked back. Her love of nature drew her to Montana, where she finished her studies supported by her father. She attributes a lot of her success to him, advertising executive Spencer Longshore, whom she adores. “One of my happiest moments was standing outside the Bergdorf Goodman store looking at the windows

with him; we just cried and cried,” says Ashley, tearing up. “He allowed me to be myself. It’s all about positivity, believing in yourself, and having the courage to put yourself out there.”

With her self-determined will and a $50 investment in some art brushes, she taught herself how to paint and started her journey into >>

collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman, Ashley Longshore created an immersive experience in their Palette Cafe.

November-December 2020 27

Audrey with Birds and Lace, acrylic on canvas, 72” x 60”. A fine example of her latest Audrey Collection, completed in the new studio at her northshore farm.

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the cutthroat world of the business of making and selling art. “I’ve had success,” says Longshore, “but I also have goals I’ve yet to reach. There was a decade of my career when it was just struggling, working, understanding business, taking time to learn who my collectors are, not being able to pay rent, giving away 50 percent of all my hard work to galleries. So many galleries told me I was not marketable.

It’s hilarious now.”

Ashley used the rejection as fodder and was determined to show them she could do it on her own. Her

strategy evolved along with the new technology of social media, but she had to be brazen and brave enough to take that step and allow the world to embrace her or reject her. “It’s just about being yourself, being authentic; it’s a sound, excitement, being alive, working, living, traveling, meeting people, putting myself out there, getting rejected, getting approved… it’s just life.” Her “overnight success” has created a kind of a fun Groundhog Day moment for her where she gets to replay Julia Roberts’ Pretty Woman revenge scene over and over again, repeating to the naysayers, “Big Mistake, Big Mistake!”

Ashley also attributes that burning fire within her to rejecting the premise that she had to rely on a man to support herself, and this is another reason why her Instagram has nearly 300,000 followers worldwide. Her fans call her an inspiration, and they sometimes live by her mantras, which have become some of her beloved text pieces, affectionately called by her team “Ashleyisms.” She says, “What comes out is just my brain emptying out onto the canvas. Art is my life experiences for all the world to see.

If I live it, I’m gonna paint it.” One of her early series takes a poke at traditional women, shining the light on American culture and her own mother’s desire for her to be a “trophy wife.” She quotes Cher when she says, “I don’t want to marry a rich man. I want to be the rich man.” This kind of talk has made her a feminine business icon and an inspirational figure women listen to. Clients from all over the globe reach out to commission their own unique versions of her collections, including those of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lil Wayne, Maya Angelou, past and current presidents,

royals, “trophy wives,” self-portraits and Audrey Hepburn.

I was personally drawn to that Audrey because, after all, Audrey was a beautiful creature to admire, not just because of her physical beauty, but because she spent a lifetime using her star power to help others. One of her first muses, Ashley seems to be following in Audrey’s footsteps of philanthropy. “During Covid, it was important for me to keep painting, even though I wanted to bury my head.

I wanted to keep my team employed and be able to help the most vulnerable in my community. The food banks were empty; the homeless needed help.

There was—and there is still—so much going on. It’s important for all of us to work hard and give back. It changes things!” says Ashley.

Another famed “fempreneur” and fashion designer, Diane Von Furstenberg, was so taken with Ashley’s work that she gave her a list of over fifty inspirational women and commissioned her to paint them for a temporary display in her Soho flagship store; it became a permanent exhibition.

“People come there, and they just feel inspired,” says Von Furstenberg.

Global sensation and model Iman says, “The minute I discovered Ashley on Instagram, it made my day, my week, my year. I start with Ashley in the morning, and go from there!”

On any given day, when the phone rings at the Ashley Longshore Studio, it may be the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation inviting her to collaborate, network executives, Reese Witherspoon, the Hilfigers commissioning a portrait for Kris Jenner—or someone just livening up their Mandeville home with a goldleafed masterpiece that will bring joy for generations.

Longshore’s art recently graced the 30

Inside Northside

MONEY DOCTOR

Take the Long View Q A

W. Mike Stewart AIF, RFC

Mark asks: With the election so contentious, how will that affect my investments?

In our world of 24/7 news, things will become uncertain, as the media will sensationalize everything. Add to this election cycle

the obvious division and COVID-19. Things will be volatile, but what should you do? My opinion: Take a deep breath, and look longer term!

RBG Forget Me Nots, acrylic on canvas, 48” x 48” This portrait, honoring Justice Ginsburg, was part of the Powerful Women exhibit at DVF’s Flagship Store in New York.

Investing should be a deliberate act, but at the same time, you must

ignore the instinct to react to short-term events. Ask yourself a question: Are you “investing,” or are you “speculating”? There is a big difference in risk between the two, and you should know the difference. Investing is a longterm event, and speculating is generally a short-term event that carries extra risk. If you are like most of us, you are an “investor,” and the election is an

halls of The Southern Hotel in downtown Covington to kick off this year’s Pumpkin Stroll. The private showing benefitted the Circle of Red Northshore Chapter for the American Heart Association. “It’s exciting to have one of Forbes’ leading female entrepreneurs in the South here on the northshore,” says Inside Northside publisher Lori Murphy, who is also one of the founders of the Circle of Red campaign here. “I love a strong female entrepreneur, and many of us are her clients! We’ve gained a great asset having her as a member of our community.”

As for whether I ever got the Audrey Hepburn...well, let’s just leave that for now. But full disclosure…for the past year, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of calling her a colleague!

Witnessing her genius up close and watching her star rise is something all of us can be proud of as fellow Louisianians.

Ashley compares her career to planting a garden. “When you’re first starting, you plant seeds. We have to tend to our garden. We’re not gonna get fruit the next day; we have to keep the rabbits out. We cannot get distracted. We have to water it daily, make sure the sun is hitting it right. We have to tend to our garden so we get the fruits of our labors. We fail as much as we succeed, but we have to keep growing.”

When asked about her life’s work, Ashley often quotes Warhol himself. “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art, making money is art, and working is art, and good business is the best art.”

insignificant event along the long road to your investing road trip.

History suggest that the few months leading up to an election can

be extra volatile but usually level out shortly after. History also shows that no matter who wins the election, capitalism moves markets higher over the long run.

As far as which party is best for the stock market, Democrats have a

slight advantage historically, as in modern times (1947-2020) they have averaged 10.8% per year vs. 5.8% for Republicans. This is surprising, as Republicans are known as the “business-friendly” party.

Trying to predict who will win vs. who will be best for returns is not

a useful investment strategy anyway. The best strategy is to invest in quality companies for the long term and forget trying to time things or predict who will win. Long-term results will be there for the investor that ignores the media noise and stays the course!

You have financial questions? Call or email Mike today.

W. Mike Stewart AIF, RFC • Wealth Management Services 985-809-0530 • wmsgroup@advisormike.com Check out Research Materials and Video Library at: www.advisormike.com November-December 2020 31

IN Other Words

by Becky Slatten

DEAR 2020, We began our journey together euphoric and drunk with the taste of victory and prosperity. But, as it happens in a lot of relationships, you turned out to be a complete psycho, and I’m done with you. Just for fun, let’s recap this year from hell.

In a pinnacle of perfection, LSU topped off their undefeated season with a national championship, Tulane claimed yet another bowl victory, unemployment was low, the stock market was high—life was good. And then, with no warning at all, you turned into a colossal dumpster fire. Who could’ve predicted that an occasion as festive as Mardi Gras would usher in the end times?

Suddenly, we were trapped inside, hiding from Covid 19, learning to simultaneously work from home and teach our kids math. We were forced to cook and eat our own food and clean our kitchens five times a day. Everyone got so used to wearing slippers every day we all immediately got blisters after wearing real shoes for the first time.

And I can’t wait to make a bonfire with these face masks; it’s almost not worth going anywhere knowing I’ll have to breathe my own carbon dioxide. You will also forever be held responsible for the spike in the divorce rate, the death rate and the birth rate. In the year 2033, you will have spawned a huge crop of “quaran-teens” named Charmin and Covida, and we can only pray they aren’t Children of the Corn or worse.

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Inside Northside

In addition to quarantine, you saw fit to cancel all fun and sprinkle in a contentious presidential election, a worldwide toilet paper shortage, African locust swarms, a murder hornet invasion, a worldtraveling Saharan dust cloud and a land hurricane that destroyed Iowa. Strange seeds mysteriously arrived in the mail from China, alligators became hyper-aggressive due to meth in the water, rats the size of rabbits infested Liverpool, social justice protests morphed into anarchy causing fires, death and destruction all over the U.S., forest fires raged throughout California, Oregon and Washington— and I haven’t even started on this hurricane season. Two in the Gulf at the same time??

Really?? It’s just sad that you saw fit to destroy Lake Charles and Gulf Shores, and you’re not even done yet. In fact, you were so busy making hurricanes that, for only the second time in history, we had to resort to naming tropical storms using the Greek alphabet.

I’m sure there were some good things that came from this year. I can’t really think of anything right now, but surely there’s something. It’s possible that families got to know each other a little better being trapped in the same house for weeks and weeks.

Young married couples apparently did (unless they got divorced), so we have a bumper crop of babies to look forward to. Let’s just remember to check their little heads for 666. So, goodbye forever, 2020. Take everything with you, because I’m changing the locks and blocking you on social media. With any luck, we can forget you ever happened.

far the greatest animal rights advocate in the state,” says Jeff Dorson, executive director of the Humane Society of Louisiana. And she’s probably the oldest.

The only child of Helen and C. Sidney Frederick (Covington’s district attorney from 1922-30), Holly graduated from Ursuline Academy, earned a BA degree in sociology and physical education from Brenau College in Georgia and an MS degree in recreation from LSU in 1941. (That’s quite an accomplishment considering fewer than 4 percent of American women had more than four years of college at the time.)

With the exceptional qualification of a master’s degree in recreation, Holly served two years with the Red Cross in the European Theater of Operation during World War II. There, she was in charge of providing recreational programs for infantry soldiers on leave for rest and relaxation. While on that assignment, she met and married an American soldier, Robert Reynolds. Unfortunately, when the couple reunited after the war, the marriage fell apart.

“I was very upset about the divorce,” says Holly. “I don’t know why I got a dog at that point, but for some reason I did. I think God had a hand in it.”

The dog was a stray, born on Abita Road in Covington on the 4th of July. Holly named him Yankee Doodle Dandy. Although Dandy lived only a

by Karen B. Gibbs

Animal Advocate Extraordinaire

HOLLY FREDERICK REYNOLDS has a “to do” list that looks something like this: • • •

Holly Reynolds and her beloved rescue, Chloe.

34

HFR Foundation board meeting.

Arrange for Covid-19 pet food distribution.

Contact legislators regarding tethering.

Impressive, right? What’s even more impressive is that Ms. Reynolds is almost 102 years old! A citizen lobbyist, she has the respect—and the phone numbers—of area lawmakers and doesn’t hesitate to bend their ear when it comes to animals. “Holly is by

Inside Northside

short time—he died in 1950—having Dandy made Holly realize what a positive impact an animal can have on one’s life. “I was at rock bottom, and Dandy got me through the divorce. That’s when I decided to devote my free time to the care of animals.”

Unlike today, there weren’t many Humane Societies in 1953. “There was a need for someone to take over the problem of strays and unwanted pets,” says Holly. “Dogs were traveling in packs. They were sick, hungry and attacking people and pets.”

Hoping to form a local Humane Shelter, Holly contacted the Louisiana SPCA for help in getting the project rolling. “I put an ad in the St. Tammany Farmer and asked people who were interested in starting a Humane Society to call Holly Reynolds at 272. (That was my phone number back then—just

photos courtesy: HOLLY FREDERICK REYNOLDS

Holly Frederick Reynolds

three digits.) I had quite a few calls, about 24. The interest was there, they just needed somebody to gather it all together.”

First order of business for the newly formed St. Tammany Humane Society was to select board members and officers.

Next on the list was to find a place to house the animals. For the first couple of years, some members kept animals in their own homes. “I kept the first dog at my house until she was adopted,” recalls Holly. “I remember taking her to Dr. Leicester Landon, the local vet, to have her spayed. At the time, interest was growing for spay/neuter.”

After convincing the Police Jury to lease property at the Covington Fairgrounds to the Humane Society for a shelter, Holly started looking for a building. “I found a one-room house off Lee Road and got it donated to the shelter,” she says. “We poured a cement foundation large enough for six dog kennels and a separate feline >> November-December 2020 35

section. Thankfully, the city moved the building to the property at no charge.”

To make it official, Covington Mayor Emile Menetre was invited to dedicate the city’s first Humane Society shelter.

Many years later, the St. Tammany Humane Society (today known as the Northshore Humane Society) relocated to a larger facility on Harrison Ave. off Hwy. 59 in Mandeville. The shelter is one of the largest, nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue shelters and community veterinary clinics in Louisiana.

It is important to note that animal advocacy was not Holly’s full time job. For 24 years, she worked as head of recreation for two Louisiana mental institutions—Mandeville State Hospital from 1953-1973 and Jackson State Hospital from 1973-1977. It was while working in Jackson that Holly discovered that the Baton Rouge SPCA had gone out of business. “I thought it was terrible that our capital no longer had a humane society.” With retirement just a year away, Holly decided to move to Baton Rouge to remedy that situation.

“I didn’t have the connections in Baton Rouge that I had in Covington,” says Holly, “so it was a shot in the dark but it worked out very well.” Just as she had done in Covington, Holly turned to the local newspaper to get the word out.

“I asked Smiley Anders if he would tell people to call me if they were interested in starting a Humane Society.”

Two years later, in 1979, Holly founded the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society. The oldest animal welfare organization in Baton Rouge, CAAWS is the first and only no-kill, nonprofit organization/shelter committed to the well-being of animals in the Baton Rouge community. To that end it offers adoption of homeless animals, provides education about responsible pet ownership and humane treatment 36

Inside Northside

photo courtesy: HOLLY FREDERICK REYNOLDS

of animals, and promotes spay/neuter.

With two animal welfare organizations set in place—one in Covington and one in Baton Rouge— Holly turned her attention to animal rights legislation. In 1981, she sent a letter to every Humane Society in Louisiana regarding the need for an organization to create laws for animals.

“We didn’t even have a law against dog fighting. I realized that the only way to get anything done is through the legislature. To do that effectively, we needed input and support from animal organizations throughout the state.

That’s when I started working with the legislature. It’s the main reason I stayed in Baton Rouge.”

To promote this cause, Holly founded the Coalition of Louisiana Animal Activists in 1981. “COLAA helped promote the leash law and upgraded certain crimes, like animal cruelty and dog fighting, to felonies,” she says. “When we passed one of the laws, I was so excited, I jumped up and gave Representative Deano from Mandeville a hug!”

Dorson is quick to laud Holly’s work. “Holly is an enormous help calling legislators to support animal >>

of an animal rights bill in 2016 with Jeff Dorson of the Humane Society of Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards.

38

Inside Northside

photos courtesy: HOLLY FREDERICK REYNOLDS

Holly was proud to be on hand for the signing

rights bills.” A few of the issues Holly’s worked on are: a registry of public animal shelters, a spay/ neuter license plate fundraiser and making cock fighting and dog fighting illegal for owners as well as spectators.

“She is amazing,” says Dorson. “A few years ago, we were at the Capitol when an animal welfare bill was passed. When Governor John Bel Edwards found out that a 98-year-old animal welfare activist

was there to watch him sign the bill, he lit up and shook Holly’s hand.”

Although Holly is rightfully satisfied with the work of the organizations she’s established, she wants to make sure her work will continue long after she’s gone. (“I’m not getting any younger, you know!” she says with a smile.) In 1997, she established and generously funded the Holly Frederick Reynolds Support Foundation for Animal Welfare. This organization contributes annually to a great many national animal welfare groups, including those that fight puppy mills. “These mills are not run by people who care about animals,” says Holly. “They only want to make money, so they don’t take care of the mother dogs and breed them over and over again.”

Most recently, Holly requested $5,000 from her foundation to purchase pet food for pet owners impacted by Covid-19. Understandably, local food banks were unable to stock and pass out pet food, so Holly asked CAAWS to handle the distribution.

“Ours was the first organization to do this,” she says.

Holly Reynolds is an eternal optimist when it comes to asking for support for her animal welfare

projects. Nancy Mulhern, a volunteer with CAAWS, says, “There is an ease, an openness about Holly because she is such a positive person. When Holly needs help for an animal cause, her approach is not ‘Will you help?’ but rather, ‘Of course you’re going to help.’”

And, of course, Holly’s going to help whenever she comes across an animal or a person in need. “I’ve seen Holly hand out snacks, clothing and pet food to homeless people,” says Mulhern. “She even rescued a litter of pups born on the streets.”

Holly’s cousin, Patricia Clanton, echoes that sentiment. “When very low temperatures are forecast, Holly springs into actions. She picks up the phone and personally asks local weathermen to remind pet owners to look after their pets. And they do!”

With so many accomplishments to her credit, is Holly Reynolds ready to retire? Not in your wildest dreams. In fact, this dynamic lady recently commented, “As I get older and older, I realize that God might have something more for me to do.”

And undoubtedly, in His infinite wisdom, God knows that Holly Frederick Reynolds will get it done!

Active in politics, Holly knows that working with leadership is the best way to keep the organizations she created flourishing into the future. As she says, “I’m not getting any younger, you know!”

Traces

Laine Lonero

been a featured singer on four Kidzbop CDs. One of her most memorable moments was attending The Atlanta Junior Theater Festival, where, to her surprise, she won the “Best Individual Female Performance” award out of 5,000 participants for her role as Rafiki from The Lion King.

No Sweat is just the beginning of her journey.

Lonero plans to release her next single, Playground, which is a slower song, a style she particularly enjoys singing. The song emphasizes how some people tend to act childish when it comes to relationships. When writing songs, Lonero draws her inspiration from friends, experiences and her small town.

Lonero plans to attend Belmont College in Nashville to study singing and songwriting and minor in business management. She knows whichever direction she goes, she wants to work with music. “Singing was always a hobby, but I also knew that every accomplishment was progressing me forward in my career.”

photo courtesy: LAINE LONERO

LAINE LONERO “always has a big goal,” says her mother, Renee. The 18-year-old from Ponchatoula continues to excel as a pop/country singer-songwriter with her latest achievement, the music video of her debut single, No Sweat.

Lonero and her friends had the joy of being in the video, which was filmed at her school, St. Thomas Aquinas. The song has already received over 25k Spotify streams and is supported by Radio Disney Country and Radio Disney’s exclusive premiere.

“Laine Lonero is quickly becoming one of the most recognized voices across the industry, and with the release of her debut single, No Sweat, she is set to become widely regarded as the ‘next big thing,’ thanks to her soaring vocal and standout songwriting skill,” according to country music blog Raised On It. From six years old, Laine enjoyed music and improved her talents in opera, musical theater, piano and guitar. At the age of 13, she won a Nashville songwriting contest and has

by Grace Butzman

40

Inside Northside

Aunt Decie’s Library

by Mimi Greenwood Knight

EVEN 70 YEARS LATER, Judy Wascom Loyde still remembers running ahead of her parents to the vacant lot behind the home of Decie and James Pittman that summer night. Word was out that a representative of the Louisiana State Library Board was coming to discuss the possibility of opening a library in the Village of Folsom. Judy and her brother wanted to be the first to arrive. “We had learned to read,” Loyde says, “but we didn’t have any books at home, and there was no library at Folsom Elementary.”

Instead, Loyde says, there was a small cart with a few encyclopedias and some picture books that the janitor would wheel from class to class on alternating days. The idea of a library full of books had the whole town a-chatter. “Besides, we kids had heard there might be a tub of iced-down soft drinks, and that was a rare treat back then,” Loyde laughs.

The representative told the gathered villagers 44

Inside Northside

that the state library board would provide the books, if the village could supply a building and a librarian. They’d pay the librarian $12 a month and stock the library with books for kids and adults.

“My Aunt Decie Pittman loved kids—and kids loved her,” says Loyde. “She said, ‘I’ll be glad to stay and help kids get books, if we can find a place.’ Aunt Decie’s son, Clyde, was away in the army, and he had a tiny, one-room building where he stored his electrical supplies and handyman equipment behind his parents’ home.”

The Pittmans decided the 12-by-16 building on Broadway Street, believed to have been built in 1907, could be used as a temporary library until Clyde returned home and needed it. Local men built bookshelves, the library board fulfilled its promise to stock it with books, and on July 19, 1950, what would become known locally as “Aunt Decie’s library” was opened to the public.

photo: KEVIN SCHURB

New Life for Folsom’s Beloved Landmark

“By the time poor Clyde got home, the library was in full swing,” says Loyde. “He never did get his workshop back.”

An iron shingle was hung out front, and that one-room shed served as the only town library from 1950 to 1987, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Decie Pittman served as librarian for the first 22 years. “My brother and I lived in Aunt Decie’s library,” says Loyde. “We probably read every book multiple times. There was one table in the middle to sit and read, but most of us preferred reading outside.”

“The summertime was the best because the library got new books,” says Ann Pittman Hatcher, granddaughter of Decie Pittman. “There was a summer reading program with a party at the end with cookies and Kool-Aid, and each kid got a certificate for completing their summer reading. That was a big deal to us back then.”

Like scores of other Folsom kids, architect Freddie Boothe, Jr., has fond memories of walking with his class single file the quarter mile from Folsom Elementary to Aunt Decie’s library. In fact, the 73-year-old gets choked up just talking about it. “You can’t imagine how many kids walked there to get a book, and how much it meant to us,” he says. “For many of us, that was the only access to reading we had. Aunt Decie kept the place spotless, too. It was right in her backyard, and she treated it like an extension of her home and all us kids like we were her own.

Every kid—every person— was welcome in Aunt Decie’s library.”

Because of chronic health issues, Boothe says more than once he made the trek from school to the library and back with a cast from his hip to his toes.

But for him, it was worth it. Those fond memories were at the forefront of his mind when he was asked to design the new Folsom library, which was built in 1987. “My original idea was to include the old library inside of the new one and make it the children’s section, to give the elementary-school kids their own place they could grow to love,” says Boothe. “The Pittman family agreed to let me have it and move it there. But the woman who was in charge of the library board at the time shot down the idea. They wanted a ‘new’ library and >>

These are among the titles checked out by contributors to this story in the early days of this special library.

November-December 2020 45

had no interest in the old.”

Still, Boothe wanted to pay homage to Aunt Decie’s little library. He did this by including four projections, one in the middle of each side of the new library design. If moved to the center of the library building, they would form the exact footprint

Above: Judy Wascom Loyde and Ann Pittman Hatcher.

Right: Frank Richerand and his daughter Ashley Penton.

46

Inside Northside

of the historic old library building. Few library patrons today realize why those projections are there, but they are Boothe’s tribute to Aunt Decie’s library and all it meant to him and to so many kids like him.

Emma Jo Rogers made the iconic sketch of Aunt Decie’s library that hangs in most of the municipal

The Giddy Up Coffee Shop, which sits where

photos: KEVIN SCHURB

Decie and James Pittman’s home once stood.

buildings throughout the Village of Folsom—and quite a few private homes. “Miss Evelyn Pittman (Aunt Decie’s daughter) would walk the kids from the school to the library, rain or shine, cold or hot,” says Rogers. “The building was so small that only two students could go in at a time. When I did my sketch, I got all finished and thought I’d done fine. Then I showed it to my kids, and they told me, ‘It’s not done, Mama.

You gotta’ draw that cement bench where we sat freezing and waiting our turn to go in.” She added the bench, and her own tribute to Aunt Decie was complete.

Ella Odetha “Decie” Pittman died in 1994. In 1995, then-Folsom mayor Darrell Magee made a request of the St. Tammany Parish Library Board that the new Folsom library be dedicated in her honor. A plaque in the front of the library says just that, and the original iron shingle that hung in front of Aunt Decie’s library hangs on the new library wall.

That sweet, old library building has been sitting moldering since 1987, the roof now covered in resurrection fern, threatening to collapse in several places, and most of the windows broken out. Many a new village resident has been intrigued by its mysterious hulk, and old-timers cast wan smiles when they pass. More than a few of them have approached the Pittman family to ask about buying the building and having it moved to their own property for restoration. But there it sits, abandoned but never forgotten for 33 years, looking more and more decayed. Enter developer Frank Richerand. Born and raised in the Ninth Ward, Frank and his wife moved to Folsom in 1980 and raised their six kids here. “I grew up watching cowboy movies in the ’50s,” says Richerand. “I promised myself as a boy that I’d live in the country someday. Folsom has been ‘home’ for forty years.”

Once his oil field company was doing well enough >> November-December 2020 47

for him to step away a bit, he began dabbling in real estate development. His Giddy Up Coffee Shop built on the site where Decie and James Pittman’s home once stood was a welcome addition to the village. Since it opened in 2016, Frank has purchased other buildings on the main drag in Folsom to open an art gallery, a bed and breakfast, a hair salon and a snowball stand, taking special care to maintain the integrity and history of structures that date back as far as the late 1800s.

His latest acquisition was the lot behind Giddy Up, the very lot where Aunt Decie’s library still stands. As he began clearing the space to turn it into a park and outdoor concert venue, village residents held their collective breath, worried about the fate of this precious slice of Folsom history.

They needn’t worry. Richerand has no intention of destroying Aunt Decie’s library. On the contrary, he’s eager 48

Inside Northside

photo: KEVIN SCHURB

Artist Emma Jo Rogers and her iconic sketch of the library.

to see it brought back to its original condition and is inviting the town to be involved in the restoration. “I was going to restore it privately,” says Richerand, who in his ’70s can—and often does— work circles around men half his age.

“Then I thought what a great community project it could make. I can’t prove it, but I’ve been told the little library is the most drawn, painted and photographed building in St. Tammany Parish. In fact, a guy was here recently from Netflix doing a documentary on small towns and wanted to include the library.”

Richerand says he’s currently looking for people to serve on a Friends of the Folsom Library committee and has set up a Go Fund Me account with a goal of raising $50,000 to go toward the restoration, which he hopes to complete by spring of 2021. “We’re open to ideas.

We thought about moving it to the land alongside the new library, but people really want it to remain where it is. We could open it as a museum or a book exchange. There are many options at this point. We’re really interested in hearing what the townspeople want.”

R. David Lankes, director of the School of Library & Information Science at the University of South Carolina, once wrote, “Bad libraries build collections.

Good libraries build services. Great libraries build communities.” Anyone who lived in Folsom in the ’50s through ‘80s understands what he meant.

Through the love of one quiet woman, a structure originally built to house building supplies became a place where lives and ambitions were built and nurtured.

Toward the end of her life, Decie Pittman told the St. Tammany News Banner, “I’m just an old country gal that got a job in a sweet, little library.” But to library patrons of all age, she was so much more.

November-December 2020 49

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8.

Bay, round profile lantern, in gas or electric, three sizes, four finishes, starting at $892.

8. Conception Street lantern, shown with classic yoke, four sizes, starting at $420. 9. Biltmore Antler Hill lantern shown with ceiling yoke mount, three sizes, starting at $626. 10. Market Street lantern, shown with pendant yoke, three sizes, starting at $358.

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Showroom 401 N. Columbia St., Covington • (800) 910-3275 • (985) 900-2232 • gulfcoastlanterns.com 52

Inside Northside

1 6 8 5 N C a u s e way B lv d . , M a n d e v i l l e , L a 7 0 4 7 1 9 8 5 - 6 2 6 - 1 5 2 2 • e mb i n t e r i o r s @ b e l l s o u t h . n e t

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Trendy from Head to Toe 1. Power shoulder sleeveless mini dress in oatmeal, $49; corduroy wide-leg pants in red, $59; pleated top w/spaghetti straps in black, $28. 2. Titanium steel love rings in Gold, Rose Gold and Silver, sizes 6-13, $25. 3. 4 mm tennis choker necklaces, $29-$49.

4. Titanium steel love bracelets in Gold, Rose Gold and Silver, $69.

5. Decorative trays, various designs, $18-$38. 6. Medium-size

7.

purse with bamboo handle in red w/snakeskin, $79.

7. Decorative pillows, various designs, $24. 8. Black and white snakeskin ankle boots, sizes 5 1/2-10, $59.

8.

Pelican Village Shopping Center • 2881 Hwy. 190, Mandeville • (985) 778-0995 54

Inside Northside

1.

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Your Niche for Gifts

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1. Silver metal palmetto tiered serving tray, $89. 2. Tartan Santa platter, $56.

3. Traditional Santa, 25” tall, $150.

4. White tiger platter, $30. 5. Food face

7.

plate, $19. 6. Men’s duffle bag, starting at $119. 7. Gold leaf frame, starting at

8.

$25. 8. Custom etched cutting board, starting at $50. 9. Gold robes nativity, seven piece set, $109. 10. Ice spheres, $21. 11. Carrara marble cheese knife set, $49.

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The Market at Chenier • 1901 Hwy. 190, Mandeville • (985) 624-4045 • nichemodernhome.com November-December 2020 55

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Put 2020 in the rear view with stress-melting services and holiday savings at The Oasis!

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1. Jane Iredale gifts for skin, eyes, lips and cheeks, $25-$125. 2. OPI 2020 mini kits, $15-$30. 3. Oasis Day Spa $25 Bonus Gift Card with $125 Gift Card Purchase in November. 4. IMAGE Skincare Purifying Probiotic Mask, $45.

5. Satchel Custom Handbags, $204. 6. Oasis Therapeutic Hot Stone Massage, 60 minutes, $100. 7. Oasis Customized Facials for all of your skin needs - even maskne! 60 minutes, $78-$204. 8. Pretty You London Slippers, $40-$50.

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1357 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville • (985) 624-6772 • theoasisdayspa.net 56

Inside Northside

Let the Shopping Begin!

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1. This iconic Ford pick-up truck beverage cooler is fully insulated; it will keep your drinks

6.

cooler longer and comes with handy gas struts on both lids as standard. The working wheels allow you to maneuver the truck around your guests when it is time to re-fill drinks. $739.

2. Officially licensed snack helmet. A great gift item for watching the big game. $59. 3. The Big Green Egg offers more cooking options than all other conventional cookers combined.

With an EGG there is simply no need for a separate grill, smoker, pizza oven or rotisserie device...the EGG does all of this and more...to perfection! We also have EGGcessories and lump hardwood charcoal to get your barbeque started! 4. Four-piece swing set. Includes swing, tote, back-printed pillow and bottom-stripe pillow. Assorted designs. $159.

5. Pawley’s Island Poolside hammock in Sunbrella™ sling fabric. $199.

Tri-Beam® hammock stand, $219. 6. 48” round cast aluminum fire table. Propane tank stores underneath, and the full lid makes it a table when not in use. Includes stainless steel burner and fire glass. $2075. 7. Corinthian Bells wind chimes, visually and acoustically exceptional chimes. Starting at $64. 8. Sunrise heron, hand-painted metal wall art. $159.

9. Cast iron fire bowl with stand, three sizes. From $269.

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1331 N. Hwy. 190, Suite 600, Covington • (985) 893-8008 • outdoorlivingcenter.com Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5:30 • Saturday 9-5 November-December 2020 57

2.

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Your Shopping Destination!

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1. Hemline. Mignonne Gavigan wing earrings, 985-778-0906.

2. Learning Express. LumiPets Lamp, 985-231-7780. 3. J. Ashley. Rose gold and glitter 4” heels, 985-778-0965. 4. Bella Bridesmaids. Formal navy gown, 985-231-7870. 5. Dr. Jason Alvarez. Whitening for Life; call for details, 985-626-8980. 6. Martin Wine Cellar. Custom wine basket, 985-951-8081. 7. Stella Dallas. Fall outfit, 985-951-2047.

8. Fleurty Girl. Mac oval roaster, 985-778-0341. 9. Brown Orthodontics.

Before and after impressions, 985-626-8297. 10. Felix’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant. Chargrilled Oysters, 985-778-2176. 11.

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Legit Nutrition. Insulated Yeti cup, 985-231-7509.

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The Village Shopping Center • 2895 U.S. Hwy. 190, Mandeville • (985) 727-6700 Cheryl Granger Cheryl@pelicanvillage.com • thevillagemandeville.com 58

Inside Northside

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Give Unique!

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1. Modern vintage bee locket, $20.00; pearl necklace, $45. 2. Vietri Hibiscus vase in cobalt; other colors available, $50. 3. Antica Farmacista Acqua Bubble Bath with stand, $40. 4. Saint candle with saint coin in bottom, $55. 5. Elf on If I Were an Elf book; elf $15.00; book $12.50.

1814 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville • (985) 807-7652 Next to Joe’s Shoes • mymelangebykp.com 60

Inside Northside

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Find Yourself the Perfect Gift

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Your One Stop Shop!

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1. Vintage Chanel Button

1. Vintage-style 8” metal holiday bell with bow

Jewelry. Each is one-of-a-kind,

ornament decoration, $19. 2. Wrap gold necklace;

so designs will vary. $89-$129.

assorted styles available, $36. 3. Druzy Geode rings

2. Tiger PJs available in shorts,

with hammered gold bands; choose from assorted

$19; pants, $26; and tee, $21.

stones, $24. 4. 14” x 10” Southern Alphabet Platter is shatter resistant; microwave,

3. Your favorite Sofft sneakers in gray velvet snake, $99. 4. Diva

dishwasher and oven safe. Made in the

wash by Tyler. Available in 4 sizes,

USA, $48. 5. Under the Mistletoe satin

$9-$49. 5. The perfect nude bootie

cuffed top with balloon sleeves and

5.

of the season by Sofft, $149.

cuffing detail, $45. 6. Satin kimono 6.

sleeve front tie; available in emerald, wine or midnight, $39.

Shoefflé • 228 N. Columbia St., Covington • (985) 898-6465 • shoeffle.com 2983 US-190, Mandeville • (985) 674-8811 • redouxhomemarket.com

deCoeur • 228 N. Columbia St., Covington • (985) 809-3244 • deCoeur.net November-December 2020 61

photo courtesy: MARCO BICEGO

Marco Bicego

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Inside Northside

“Every jewel is entirely handmade.

It is unique, like the woman who wears it.”

- Marco Bicego

From the Siviglia collection in hand-engraved 18k gold. Double drop earrings with pave diamond, $3,100. Single drop earrings with pave diamond, $2,460. Gold and pave diamond pendant on 16” chain, $2,620. Gold and pave diamond collar, 17”, $10,890.

LEE MICHAELS HAS BUILT a reputation of representing high quality artisans and Marco Bicego is a great example of that commitment.

Since 2000, Marco Bicego has incorporated the traditions and virtues passed down from his father to create jewelry that embodies the luxury of Italian craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Every piece of Marco Bicego jewelry is handcrafted in the Trissino headquarters in the Veneto region of Northern Italy.

Trissino is in the province of Vicenza, which is known as Italy’s capital of gold.

It is near historical cities such as Venice and Verona.

Every step of the production is done in house, ensuring the highest quality of

fine jewelry. We begin with the smelting of our own 18K gold.

From there, the beauty of each creation begins to take shape by incorporating our signature hand engraving and coil technique.

Hand engraving: The exclusive technique that is a hallmark of the brand.

The brand’s signature hand engraving is made with the traditional “Bulino,” an ancient tool devised for the art of hand carving which gives our gold a fine, brushed texture. The finish is what sets Marco Bicego apart and truly makes each piece unique and recognizable.

Marco Bicego jewelry is available at Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry in Lakeside Shopping Center. 504-832-0000.

November-December 2020 63

Flourishes

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1. Gourmet oils and vinegars offered in a variety of flavors, starting at $15. Oil Vinegar 2Geaux, available at Aquistapace’s, Mandeville and Covington; and Piggly Wiggly, Madisonville. 2. Contempo contemporary lantern in 3 sizes, 18”, 22” and the new 30”, in both electric and gas, starting at $522. Gulf Coast Lantern, Covington, 800-910-3275. 3. Light-up Mr. Moose, available in 3 sizes, $58-78. deCoeur, Covington, 8986465. 4. Laurel wreath candle holder. Niche Modern Home, Mandeville, 624-4045. 5. Deluxe Balance Bike. Lifestyle Store, Franco’s Holiday Market Collection, Mandeville, 792-0270. 6. Nutcracker, 4-foot tall, $425. DeLuca’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Covington, 892-2317. 7. Hand-blown etched crystal from Prague.

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The Southern Hotel, Covington, 866-1907.

8. Interplay of color on canvas by New Orleans artist Nancy Hirsch Lasson. Greige Home Interiors, Covington, 875-7576. 9. Real Fyre® gas logs by R.H. Peterson. Variety of sizes and styles, starting at $434. Outdoor Living Center, Covington, 893-8008.

November-December 2020 65

Flourishes

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1. Rook Articulating Bridge Faucet with Finished Hose, shown in Polished Gold. Southland Plumbing, Mandeville, 893-8883. 2. Precor Stretch Trainer, $999. Fitness Expo, Metairie, 504-887-0880.

3. Seasonal arrangements, starting at $65. Florist of Covington, Covington, 892-7701. 4. Local New Orleans-INspired gifts. Lifestyle Store, Franco’s

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Holiday Market Collection, Mandeville, 792-0270. 5. Guardian Angel or Super Hero Mouse in Suitcase, $25 each. mĂŠlange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652. 6. LSU melamine chip and dip party platter, $22. Nothing Bundt Cakes, Covington, 888-6555. 7. The perfect gift of luxury is affordable with the new 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, starting at $43,385. Mercedes Benz of Covington, Covington, 900-1212. 8. Rustic handmade driftwood Holy Family nativity scene, $59.95. Redoux Home Market, Mandeville, 674-8811.

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Inside Northside

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9. Anne Neilson Angels Collection, books, luxury candles and inspirational cards; prices vary. V Home Interiors, Mandeville, 231-7411. 10. French Quarter Lantern

10

on Holland Post, gas or electric, $1,075.

Bevolo Gas & Electric Lighting, Mandeville, 249-6040. 11. Pamper the ones you love with a gift card to H2O Salon. H2O Salon, Mandeville, 951-8166. 12. On a Can-Am Ryker, every ride is a thrill ride; starting at $8,799. Honda of Covington Powersports, Covington, 892-9730.

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November-December 2020 67

INside Look

1

1. Bracelets that double as hair ties. Various colors and styles, $14. Kent Jacob Salon, Mandeville, 845-8011. 2. Motherdaughter aprons. Daughter apron has embroidered holiday cookies; mom’s is plain for year-long use.

Olive Patch, Covington, 3275772. 3. Faux fur pull-through scarf, $24.95. Nonna Randazzo’s, Covington, 893-1488 or Mandeville, 898-2444.

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Inside Northside

4. Lightweight poncho, available in gray, black and tan, $39. Shoefflé, Covington, 809-3244. 5. Image Skincare hydrating essentials set, $126. Oasis Day Spa, Mandeville, 624-6772. 6. White gold and diamond drop necklace, $135,000. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, New Orleans, 504832-0000. 7. Single-breasted tweed blazer with statement buttons, $69. J. Ashley, Mandeville, 778-0965.

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8. Evergreen dress with Christmas wreath hand smocked embroidery and short balloon sleeves by Antoinnette Paris. Kiki and Lolli, Covington, 9002410. 9. Lorette gold gathered clutch, $350. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories, 8

Mandeville, 778-2200. 10. Jude Frances Casablanca Moroccan earrings in 18K yellow gold, $2,390. Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Mandeville, 626-1666.

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9 November-December 2020 69

INside Look

1. Water resistant Lilli Sucre jacket, exclusive to Ballin’s Ltd. Hand crafted necklace from Nashville, TN. Ballin’s Ltd., Covington, 8920025. 2. White gold, oval emerald

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and diamond post earrings,

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$57,500. Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, New Orleans, 504-8320000. 3. Long-sleeved layered faux fur jacket, $55. Columbia Street Mercantile, Covington, 8091789, 809-1690. 4. Virtue Gold Hammered Hoop; large, $42 and petite, $30. The Villa, Mandeville, 626-9797. 5. Women’s Saltwater Wool Embossed Duck Boot w/ Thinsulate™. Joe’s Shoe Store, Mandeville, 626-5633. 6. Quilted Koala camouflage bag and crossbody love strap; assorted patterns and styles starting at $200. Bliss Clothing + Home, Mandeville, 778-2252; Covington, 276-4609. 7. Animal print faux fur vest. Chico’s, Pelican Village, Mandeville, 624-9459.

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November-December 2020 71

Christwood Without Walls

CHRISTWOOD CATERS TO MORE THAN JUST ITS RESIDENTS!

Christwood, the northshore’s Premier Retirement Community, has had a very strong—and very clear—mission from its beginning: To help all seniors live with dignity and independence.

keeping appointments, personal correspondence, errands, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, meal preparation and more.

For the more dependent clients, At Your Service by Christwood offers

Christwood’s vision has always included expanding into the local

caring companions who can do all that the personal assistants do, but can also

community to create, in a sense, a Christwood “without walls,” and they have

help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, personal grooming,

done just that! Christwood’s newest division, At Your Service by Christwood, is

and repositioning, with a strong focus on overall personal wellness.

a comprehensive in-home maintenance and in-home care program designed

For additional reassurance, At Your Service guarantees that all of

for those adults who wish to remain at home and age in place surrounded by

its service representatives are Christwood employees, thoroughly vetted

the people and things they love but who want trusted providers.

through background checks and drug testing. And just as important, there

What makes At Your Service so comprehensive is that it offers an array of general home services. Maintaining a home can sometimes be daunting, even for the fittest of the fit,

are no contracts or membership fees. Services are simply À La Carte where and when you need them at a price you can afford.

Christwood also

but At Your Service can

offers many on-campus

help with a variety of

services for those

services, such as home

clients living in our

organization, full-service

local community. The

housekeeping, and

Community Center at

gardening/landscaping,

Christwood, a state-of-

as well as handyman

the-art health and fitness

services such as gutter

center, complete with

cleaning, pressure

the first and only indoor

washing, changing

heated swimming pool

lightbulbs and smoke

in Covington, gives

detector batteries,

northshore adults 55+

hanging light fixtures,

a great place to stay fit

furniture repositioning/

and socialize. Whether

moving and much more.

you’re an avid swimmer,

The At Your

experienced exerciser or

Service in-home care

just seeking to maintain

program includes

or enhance your fitness,

personal assistants

you can do it all at your

for those who would

own pace in a friendly and

like help with tasks

encouraging environment.

like scheduling and

The exercise room boasts

72

Inside Northside

user-friendly equipment including Precor treadmills and recumbent bikes, Octane ellipticals, NuStep, CyberCycles and Hoist ROC-IT weight machines.

The aerobics studio offers low-, medium- and highintensity classes, yoga, tai chi and more. The indoor pickleball court and game area are great ways to stay active and socialize. The 25-yard multi-lane swimming pool with an accessible ramp makes it easy for all levels of aquatic takers. Additionally, there are fitness specialist on staff and personal trainers available to help create a program designed for anyone’s specific needs.

Inside the community center, the Lotus Spa at Christwood is an oasis of relaxation, a fullservice spa and hair salon for men and women.

From manicures, pedicures, facial and body waxing, and brow services, to soothing facials and eight different types of massage, there’s something for your every mood. The Lotus Spa also offers a full line of skin-care products to pamper and help inspire ageless living.

For those caring for a loved one, Christwood provides an on-campus Adult Day Stay respite program to give you a much-needed break so you can run your errands and manage everyday life. For as little as two hours or as many as ten hours, leave your loved one and rest assured they are well cared for, fed healthy meals and snacks, entertained and engaged in activities designed to stimulate and sharpen cognizance.

Christhood’s overall mission is very clear and simple: To help all seniors live with dignity and independence. They are doing just that!

For more information, www.christwoodrc.com.

November-December 2020 73

Giving Hope

by Grace Butzman

74

ACCORDING TO NATIONAL STATISTICS, approximately one in ten children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. While individuals may find these statistics startling, what might be more concerning is how often these unfortunate cases are prevalent in our community. Fortunately, a local non-profit organization is committed to helping children receive justice and recovery after they experience these tragedies.

“Because the northshore is a more affluent community, we sometimes assume we’re isolated from the issue,” says Thomas Mitchell, executive director of Child Advocacy Center-Hope House.

But Mitchell reiterates that child abuse is not a socioeconomic problem; it affects children from all walks of life. This year, Hope House expects to surpass 400 forensic interviews with child abuse victims in St. Tammany and Washington parishes, the largest number since opening its doors in 1994.

Inside Northside

Child Advocacy CenterHope House

The child abuse issue is why Hope House in Covington and the other 15 Child Advocacy Centers in Louisiana exist—to bring healing for victims and justice to accusers. Hope House is mandated by the LA Children’s Code to interview, collect evidence and work with law enforcement to respond to cases in the 22nd Judicial District. Research shows that, when Hope House forensics are used, there is a 96 percent conviction rate against child abusers.

In order to continue helping victims, Child Advocacy Centers like Hope House highly rely on donations and grants; they cannot exist without the community’s generosity.

Because of the community’s giving, Hope House is able to offer a welcoming and resourceful place for victims who are suspected of having been abused.

Unfortunately, it is estimated that only 38 percent of child victims actually disclose the fact that they have been sexually abused within their lifetimes. Hope

House makes sure each child who walks through its doors knows they’re safe and not alone. Upon arriving, children ages 3-17 immediately see a family-like home, smiling staff and a wall-length shelf of different teddy bears that they get to choose from after their visit.

Prior to the forensic interview, children are offered an opportunity to select a unique button from the “Buttons for Bravery” drawer; they then place the button in a large glass bowl, with thousands of other buttons, to send the message of unity—they are not alone. The child then proceeds to a forensic interview, an expertly led, neutral interview designed to collect evidence used by the District Attorney’s office to prosecute offenders.

The victims receive a trained advocate assigned to follow their case throughout the entire justice process.

Other professionals from several different organizations who assist the victims and their families come together to create Hope House’s Multidisciplinary Teams. Law enforcement, attorneys, children and family services, forensic medical personal and Hope House staff are part of the MDT mission “to work together through a collaborative, inter-agency approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for children who are victims of sexual abuse and other severe physical abuse.” The MDT meets monthly at Hope House to make sure every case is processed and receives resolution.

All of Hope House’s resources are free of charge, including therapy on site. Hope House’s staff are specialized in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based model demonstrated to decrease the impact of childhood trauma. The goal of the 6-9-month therapy process is to make the children feel as if they have their childhood back.

Approximately 65 percent of children who experience sexual abuse will go on to develop symptoms of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder; the TF-CBT program at Hope House decreases PTSD symptoms and restores happiness and joy.

“What’s the number one concern a child should have?” says Mitchell, as he describes common children’s concerns like homework, their crush, or if they’ll receive that special backpack for their birthday.

“Instead, our kids are often worried about whether the perpetrator will hurt their family if they disclose abuse, or every time they see someone kiss on TV, they have a panic response as a trigger to the abuse. When they graduate from therapy, we want them to feel like a >> November-December 2020 75

kid again and be able to be kids again.”

Not only does Hope House respond after allegations of abuse, the organization also takes proactive measures to prevent child abuse through training and community education. Programs like Play It Safe® help children recognize potential abusive behavior and how to respond effectively. Adults can participate in Stewards of Children, a “smart and evidence based” in-person or online training that gives caretakers actions they can take to prevent child abuse in their organization, business and personal lives.

“A lot of schools have outdated programs,” says Mitchell, “We really enjoy using the Play It Safe curriculum to equip kids with tools for personal safety. Additionally, our Stewards of Children program for adults is a terrific outlet to become educated in methods to protect children; for every one adult trained, ten children are safer.”

In 2019, Hope House trained 295 individuals on site, helping roughly 2,950 children remain safer. This year, Hope House is taking Stewards of Children to new heights by offering free on-site training for any local organization or business through its Partner’s in Prevention initiative. Any business or organization can arrange for private, on-site training to become a Partner in Prevention.

Hope Hose works tirelessly to provide children with a better future, despite the mental toll child abuse can have on employees. Hope House’s employees are offered free counseling and other resources to cope with the chronic exposure to child abuse.

“The work is stressful, but we really consider it an honor and a privilege to work with our children.

Sometimes we receive a graduation card a few years later, and it makes it all worth it,” says Mitchell.

“Hope House would not exist without the beneficence of the community support,” says Mitchell as he discusses the importance of fundraising for the nonprofit. Mitchell gives his appreciation to the Tujagues, Brooke It Forward, and all of their other community partners. “To have that support where people adopt your mission...it’s just incredible because it becomes a shared responsibility,” he says.

To learn more about CAC Hope House, visit their webpage at www.cachopehouse.org, where one can also purchase raffle tickets for the 1931 Chevrolet vehicle.

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Inside Northside

A Way to Give Hope House is currently auctioning an antique 1931 Chevrolet in excellent condition with a market value over $22K. The rare vehicle has been restored properly with desirable color combinations suitable for its period. All proceeds go to Hope House’s mission for ending child abuse.

The antique was personally donated

by Steve and Lucy Tujague, partners with Hope House and advocates for children. For two years, the Tujagues have generously given to Hope House through their foundation, the IJN Foundation (In Jesus’ Name). This year, they decided to give their car to fundraise through a raffle, while also creating unique awareness for Hope House.

“There are a lot of opportunities and needs for donating, but we can’t think of a better cause than when kids are abused. They get love and care from Hope House, and we are happy to be a part of this,” says Steve Tujague.

November-December 2020 77

Generous Hearts

by Susan Bonnett Bourgeois

Ola Magee: In the Footsteps of Dick Knight ETCHED ON A PLAQUE in the old Regina Coeli Convent in Covington, this saying has been one of the guiding forces in the life of Ola Magee. That building, and that statement, changed Ola’s life, and, more importantly, changed the lives of countless children on the northshore for the last 51 years.

The Convent, which housed the first Head Start program here, was where new teachers went to train.

At the age of 20, Ola found herself with two babies just 13 months apart standing at the doors of the Head Start facility in Franklinton looking to volunteer. An elderly, and very persuasive, gentleman at her church, Mr. Butler, had told her that it was time for her to get to work in the community while she was raising her babies. He saw something in Ola, and he wanted to nurture it.

Ola went back every single day after that, even with an hour roundtrip to bring the babies to her

mom. That was after she dropped her husband, Richard, off at work, because they had only one car. And then, in the afternoon, she would do the whole process again—just to volunteer. Ola had found her calling in life; it did not take long for the staff to see her passion and offer her a paying job to officially join the Head Start team.

She and Richard had four babies in five years, and the demands on her time grew and grew. Bolstered with a fierce drive to succeed, help from their families and their strong bond, she and Richard juggled it all, and her family thrived while Ola shot up the ranks of the Regina Coeli Head Start program. “The people I worked with kept me going. They just kept believing in me, and it drove me to do more. I thought, ‘If they see that much in me, it must be there, so I kept moving forward,’” says Ola. >>

“Do something in this life

photo: JEANNE MARTIN

that will outlive you.”

November-December 2020 79

her expectations of me.” There is a saying that good leaders always send the elevator back down. Well, Beverly sent the elevator down to Ola, groomed her to be a leader, and years later, Ola assumed Beverly’s job and her status in the community.

And Ola has continued to give it her all for nearly 51 years.

That passion, commitment and selfless service is exactly why Ola was selected by the Northshore Community Foundation this year to be the recipient of the Third Annual Dick Knight Award.

The Dick Knight Award recognizes individuals for their commitment and service to the charitable nonprofit sector in the four-parish Northshore region.

The spirit of the award is to recognize nonprofit staff who have significant tenure in service-based 80

Inside Northside

work and have a body of accomplishments that reflect that success. Previous winners of the $5,000 financial award include Dianne Baham of STARC and Myrna Jordan of Our Daily Bread Food Bank. The Foundation partners with Resource Bank, the Gia Maione Prima Foundation and the Fund for Bogalusa for the contributions to make this award possible.

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

His strong personal and professional relationships and stellar reputation in all of South Louisiana was instrumental in the efficacy and strength of philanthropy throughout our communities. To ensure Dick’s legacy, the Foundation offers this annual recognition and service award in celebration of the impact his leadership has inspired in others.

We honor Dick’s legacy by recognizing the life-long service that Ola has given to Head Start and the children and families of her community.

Her dedication and philanthropic heart are the embodiment of the spirit in which Dick lived his life.

“Ola has a gift for teaching in a way that is best for each individual child. She has helped to open 19 new Head Start centers and has taught countless teachers across the state to be a compassionate and caring educator. In my opinion, Ola Magee is the epitome of service to the community, just like Dick Knight, and her accomplishments reflect this,” said Dr. Susan Spring, Executive Director RCCDC, which provides comprehensive early childhood services to over 1,800 children and employs over 500 people in a five-parish area of Southeast Louisiana.

Ola and Richard now have five grandchildren scattered across the country. As for how she plans to spend the $5,000 award, she says, as she laughs, that she made a promise that she would not donate the gift back to Regina Coeli, but that that would be hard to do. Her oldest grandson says, however, that he would be happy to help her figure out how to spend it.

“I want to use every single bit of myself up in this life. When I am gone, I want others to know that I gave everything I had to give and that I squandered nothing and took no blessings with me,” says Ola. “I did something in this life that outlived me.”

photo: JEANNE MARTIN

Ola’s true passion for caring for others flourished at the organization. She took night classes at Southeastern to get her teaching certificate and later earned a B.S. in Education, while earning a reputation as a loving and devoted teacher, employee and leader. Her mentor, Beverly White, who was a director at Head Start as well as an educational leader in the community, saw all of the potential in Ola when she was still just working in the classroom.

Ola says, “She would come into my class, point out something that I was doing a certain way and say ‘THAT! That is what you need to show other teachers so that they can connect with the children like you do. This cannot end with you, Ola,’ she said. She saw me as her legacy plan, and it made me rise to fill

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

Wagner-Hale Lillian Wagner and Ryan Hale were married in a sunset ceremony at The River Terrace in Baton Rouge, located atop the Shaw Center of the Arts. Ryan is the son of Steve and Tricia Hale of Central and Lily the daughter of Ginger Conaway of Abita Springs. She was escorted by her brother, Travis Wagner.

The bride’s gown, in a trumpet silhouette, featured an elegant lace bodice with a sweeping train. Her presentation bouquet included an abundance of white roses and lilies.

Attendants to the bride wore a collection of gowns in a deep merlot and carried bouquets of white roses. Ryan and his groomsmen wore tailored navy suits with crisp black bow ties.

The coterie of bridesmaids included all of Lily’s sisters, but her youngest, Summer Conaway, added to the processional playing the violin. The four-tiered cake from Ambrosia Bakery was presented on a custom Lucite box filled with flowers.

Caterer Gary Bonanno tempted revelers with a long oyster bar, photos: CAITLIN B PHOTOGRAPHY

a filet carving station and more. They danced the night away to music from Rock-It productions and took turns capturing candids for the happy couple in the photo booth.

When the couple took to the floor for their first dance, the applause was met with a flourish of pyrotechnics. It was an evening all will remember. After a relaxing honeymoon in St. Lucia, the couple returned to their home in Goodbee.

November-December 2020 83

INside Peek

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1. Chuck and Tammy St. Philip at You Night.

2. North Oaks Health System’s Nurse Practitioner Michelle Civello spoke at the September Tangipahoa Professional Women’s Organization meeting about ways to combat crisis fatigue with a healthy lifestyle.

3. Fall for Art gathered visitors from across the northshore for a fun night out. George and Barbara Barnes with Claire Friedrichs-Taylor. 4. Covington Mayor Mark Johnson and his wife, Karen. 5. Jane Quillin and Gretchen Armbruster. 6. Madison Wilson and Jamie Morris celebrate the 45th anniversary of

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Rocky Horror Picture Show with two sold-out shows at Columbia Theatre. 7. Hosanna Lutheran Church’s annual Blessing of the Pets administered by Pastor Jay Grave. 8. Mimi and Bill Dossett hosted friends poolside to celebrate his 59th birthday. 9. Becky and Scott Slatten were among the party guests.

10. Marianne Hood and Rebel Caplinger. 11. Mark and Leslie Dudley with Adair Brown.

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November-December 2020 85

INside Peek

I-12 Widening Project Groundbreaking On October 5, Parish President Mike Cooper gathered with community and state leaders for the groundbreaking ceremony of the I-12 widening project in St. Tammany. Not only will it improve safety and significantly reduce traffic, this infrastructure investment will also boost economic growth throughout Southeast Louisiana. Past Parish President Pat Brister was memorialized at the event for her determination in getting this project funded. Gov. John Bel Edwards, Congressman Steve Scalise, and DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D., were among officials present at the ceremony.

St. Tammany Hospital Foundation Gala St. Tammany Hospital Foundation Step(ed) into the Woods for the 10th anniversary of THE Gala with an intimate and whimsical fairy-tale wonderland evening featuring a three-course dinner by Chef Jeffrey Hansell of Ox Lot 9, an out-of-thisworld live auction and many more surprises. This year’s 10th anniversary of supporting world-class cancer care on the northshore raised more than $155,000 in support of the patients and families who need help in the community.

IN Great Taste

by Yvette Zuniga Jemison

Holiday Appetizers

Zesty Marinated Olives and Goat Cheese Servings: 4-6 1/2 cup olive oil, divided 1 lemon, sliced, seeds removed 10 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives, well drained 4 garlic cloves, smashed 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper Zest from 1 lemon, removed in wide strips 6 ounces goat cheese Loaf of rustic bread or flatbread

THE HOLIDAYS ARE HECTIC ENOUGH, so we could use a few easy party recipes. It’s always welcoming to have snacks to nibble on as guests arrive, and these two appetizers are simple and satisfying treats. The Sweet and Salty Date Mix is exactly what the title implies, but it’s also warm and chewy in the most delightful way. The best part is that it goes directly from the oven to the table for effortless entertaining. Zesty Marinated Olives and Goat Cheese is another delicious party dish. Enjoy both with flatbread, rustic bread, festive beverages and plenty of holiday cheer.

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1. Warm 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet on medium heat.

Add the lemon slices and cook until caramelized, 1-2 minutes on each side.

Transfer lemons to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to coarsely chop.

Clean the skillet before continuing.

2. Add the remaining oil, olives, garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper and lemon zest into the skillet on medium low heat. Cook until garlic is golden brown, about 15 minutes.

3. Cool olive-and-oil blend for 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, crumble goat cheese into generous bite-size pieces and arrange on a rimmed serving dish. If using bread, tear into bite-size pieces and arrange on serving platter.

5. Pour warm olive blend over the cheese. Top with the coarsely chopped caramelized lemons. Serve warm or at room temperature with rustic bread pieces or flatbread.

Sweet and Salty Date Mix Servings: 6-8 1/2 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for serving 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 14-16 Medjool dates (about 8 ounces), pitted and torn in half 1 cup unsalted walnut halves 1 cup whole cashews

2. Stir the oil, kosher salt, smoked paprika, thyme and cayenne in a medium bowl until combined. Add the dates, walnuts, cashews and orange zest and stir until well coated.

3. Pour into a rimmed baking dish. Bake about 20 minutes until the nuts deepen in color and the dates are chewy, stirring half-way through cooking time.

4. Stir to coat with the seasoned oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Serve warm or at room temperature with crusty bread or flatbread.

photo: YVETTE JEMISON

Zest from 1 large orange, removed in long, wide strips Flaky salt, for topping Crusty bread or flatbread

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

We’d like to see your version. Share your creation by tagging us on Instagram at @InsideNorthside. For more recipes, go to YDelicacies.com or follow on Instagram at @y_delicacies.

November-December 2020 89

Haute Plates

Ceasar’s

408 N. CAUSEWAY BLVD.

MANDEVILLE • 951-2626

CEASARSRISTORANTE.NET Located just off the Causeway, Ceasar’s offers an Italian classic and

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

Creole Tomateaux

Desi Vega’s Steakhouse

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

MANDEVILLE • 951-2650

COVINGTON • 630-7838

MANDEVILLE • 778-2176

1851 FLORIDA ST.

1950 HWY 190

CREOLETOMATEAUX.COM

DESIVEGASNORTHSHORE.COM

There’s nothing better than

Our USDA Prime steaks are

2891 HIGHWAY 190 FELIXS.COM

Felix’s has been dedicated to

contemporary menu, plus dishes

enjoying a down home meal in a laid

carefully selected, hand-cut and aged for

absolute freshness for our entire 70+

from European recipes. Everything

back atmosphere. From fresh fried

tenderness, then seared to perfection

years. With our always-changing

made to order from scratch. Featuring

seafood, to our famous Fried Green

and served on a sizzling plate. Start

daily specials and the widest variety

dishes that are meant to be shared.

Tomateauxs, to overstuffed Po-boys, to

your meal off with appetizers such as

of preparations anywhere, you’ll

Available for parties and private

appetizers, desserts, and everything in

fried green tomatoes, turtle soup or

always discover something new.

events.

between, we have a little something for

bacon-wrapped gulf shrimp stuffed with

And you will always be enjoying the

everyone. Catering available.

crab-meat.

freshest oysters.

Half Shell Oyster House

La Carreta

COVINGTON • 276-4500

HAMMOND

70367 HWY 21

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

MANDEVILLE,

Nothing Bundt Cakes

1248 N. COLLINS BLVD.

COVINGTON • 888-6555

STE 400, COVINGTON

COVINGTON,

1111 GREENGATE DR. #D

AND PONCHATOULA

NOTHINGBUNDTCAKES.COM

CARRETARESTAURANT.COM Celebrating over 20 years of fresh

Our goal is to bake a cake that

Pat’s Seafood AND 70456 LA #21,

892-7287 • 400-5800

Fresh local seafood and a large

not only reminds you of home but also

offering of deli to-go items, such as

Orleans flair and influence that

food in a fun and festive atmosphere, La

opens you to a new world. And while

boiled crawfish, gumbo, crawfish pie,

extends throughout our ambience

Carreta offers authentic Mexican cuisine

that’s no easy request, the handcrafted

corn and crab bisque, crabmeat au

and menu. Steaks, chicken, pasta and

at several locations across Southeast

recipes are more than up to the task.

gratin and po-boys. On-site catering

so much more. Lunch, dinner, daily

Louisiana. Daily lunch specials, fiesta

Each recipe uses the finest ingredients

available.

happy hour, Sunday brunch.

time daily and family friendly.

to bring you Bundt Cake perfection.

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Gallagher’s Grill

Gallaghers 527

2306 FRONT ST, SLIDELL

527 N CAUSEWAY BLVD

509 S. TYLER ST, COVINGTON

778-2820

326-8350 892-9992

GALLAGHERSGRILL.COM Award-winning entrées featuring

MANDEVILLE

GALLAGHERS527.COM Finest in Louisiana cuisine.

Home to the finest in steaks,

sizzling steaks, pork chops, and the best

Louisiana seafood, and Southern

seafood Louisiana has to offer. Whether

cooking served in a fun and clean

you’re looking for fine dining in a

atmosphere. Daily lunch specials.

comfortable setting, or a lunch that’s a cut

Reservations strongly recommended

above the rest, we specialize in creating

for lunch and required for dinner.

the perfect experience for your needs.

Peace, Love, & Little Donuts

70493 LA-21, STE. 100

COVINGTON • 400-9780 PEACELOVEANDLITTLEDONUTS.COM Great place for friends or

Salty Joe’s

43344 S. RANGE RD.

HAMMOND • 956-7099 SALTYJOESBBQ.COM At our one-of-a-kind dining destination, dishes are made with the

family to gather in the morning or

best local ingredients from the land to

afternoon. Enjoy over 60 flavors of

the sea. Pecan wood in the smoker gives

donuts, coffee, juice and a variety of

slow-smoked meats the intricate flavors

other drink choices. The atmosphere

of BBQ that you love. If it’s fire-touched

will leave you feeling like a hippie in

flavors you crave, enjoy our grilled

the ‘70s.

meats, burgers, and fresh seafood.

November-December 2020 91

New Orleans and the northshore are home to more great restaurants

Mama D’s Pizza & More aa 22054 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 809-0308

than we could hope to list here. For a comprehensive listing of restaurants in the New Orleans metro area, please refer to Tom Fitzmorris’ nomenu.com.

In this guide, you will find some of the best bets around town. Tom’s fleur de lis ratings are shown.

Abita Brew Pub a 72011 Holly St., Abita Springs, 892-5837 Abita Springs Café aa 22132 Level St., Abita Springs, 400-5025 Camellia Café Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine, 69455 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, 809-6313

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Hampshire, Covington, 875-9390 Blind Tiger 19124 Rogers Ln., 900-

COVINGTON Abita Roasting Company 1011 Village Walk, Covington, 246-3345 Albasha aa Mediterranean, 1958 Hwy. 190, Covington, 867-8292 Annadele’s Plantation aaaa 71518 Chestnut St., Covington,

ABITA SPRINGS

Beck ‘n’ Call Cafe 534 N. New

809-7669 Apres Lounge 1950 N Highway 190, Covington, 276-4994 Barrel Wine Bar Wine, small plates and more, 6x9305 LA 21, Ste. E, Covington, 272-8485 Bear’s Restaurant aa Po-boys, 128 W. 21st St., Covington, 892-2373

2443 Bud’s Broiler aa Hamburgers, 1250 N. US 190, Covington, 985-803-8368 Buster’s Place aa 519 E. Boston St., Covington, 809-3880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks. Open seven days a week. Lunch, dinner. MCC. Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 70380 LA Hwy. 21, Covington, 871-6674 CC’s Coffee House Coffee and pastries, 1331 N Hwy 190., Covington, 900-2241 The Chimes aaa Cajun, 19130 W. Front St., Covington, 892-5396 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad,

234-A Lee Ln., Covington, 8936158 Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill aa 434 N. Columbia St., Covington, 898-0899 Copeland’s aa Creole, 680 N. US 190, Covington, 809-9659 Dakota aaaa Contemporary Creole, 629 N. US 190, Covington, 8923712 Desi Vega’s Steakhouse1950 N Highway 190, Covington, 276-4994 Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 69292 Hwy. 21, Covington, 871-2225 DiCristina’s aaa Italian, 810 N. Columbia St., Covington, 875-0160 DiMartino’s aaa 700 S. Tyler St., Covington, 276-6460

i Don’s Seafood Hut aa 126 Lake Dr., Covington, 327-7111 The English Tea Room aaa 734 Rutland St., Covington, 898-3988 Fat Spoon Café aa 2807 N Highway 190., Covington, 893-5111 Gallagher’s Grill aaaa

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Covington, 898-2166

Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys a 515 E. Boston St., Covington, 8939336 Yujin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar aaa 323 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 809-

21, Ste 100, Covington, 276-4500

i

875-1006

1331 N Hwy 190, Ste. 100, Half Shell Oyster House 70367 Hwy

d

Sweet Daddy’s 420 S. Tyler St.,

600, Covington, 871-9760 Covington, 900-2124

e

501 E. Boston St., Covington,

892-9000

Habanero’s 69305 Highway 21, Ste.

d

Covington, 809-0250

St., Covington, 892-9992

327-7420

i

Ristorante Del Porto aaaa Italian,

TCBY 70488 Hwy 21, Covington,

River Highlands Blvd., Covington,

s

Raising Canes 1270 N. Hwy. 190,

Contemporary Creole, 509 S. Tyler Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food 200

n

3840. MCC. Zea aaa American, 110 Lake Dr., Covington, 327-0520

La Carreta aaa Mexican, 812 Hyw 190, Covington, 400-5202 La Casa de Sabores 324 East Boston St, Covington, 900-2297 Lola aaa 517 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 892-4992 Mattina Bella aaa Breakfast, 421 E. Gibson St., Covington, 892-0708 McAlister’s Deli 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15, Covington, 898-2800 Megumi of Covington aaa 1211 Village Walk, Covington, 893-0406 Meribo Modern Italian, 326 Lee Ln, Covington, 327-5407 Mugshots Grill & Bar 300 River Highlands Blvd., Covington, 893-2422 New Orleans Food & Spiritsaaa Seafood, 208 Lee Lane, Covington, 875-0432 New Orleans Style Seafood Restaurant & Market Seafood platters, gumbo, burgers and more! 1536 N Highway 190, Covington, 888-1770 Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Cafè 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste. 5, Covington, 893-1488 Outback Steakhouse aa Australianthemed cuisine. 60 Park Place Dr., Covington, 893-0505. MCC. Ox Lot 9 aaa Contemporary, 428 E Boston St., Covington, 400-5663 Pat’s Seafood 1248 N. Collins Blvd. and 70456 LA #21, Ste 400, Covington, 892-7287 Peace, Love & Little Donuts 70493 Highway 21, Ste 100, Covington, 400-9780 Pot & Paddle 70493 Hwy 21 Stuite 800, Covington, 234-9940 Pyre 70437 LA-21, Suite 100, Covington, 888 -6129 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 70456 Hwy. 21, Covington, 875-7894 Pizza Man of Covington aaa 1248 N. Collins Blvd., Covington, 892-9874

HAMMOND Brady’s 110 SW Railroad Ave., Hammond, 542-6333.

Don’s Seafood & Steak House 1915 S. Morrison Blvd., Hammond, 345-8550 Jacmel Inn aaaa 903 E. Morris St., Hammond, 542-0043 Kirin Sushi 223 S. Cate St., Hammond, 542-8888 La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine 108 N.W Railroad Ave., Hammond, 419-9990 One Thirteen Restaurant New American cuisine, 113 N Oak St, Hammond, 402-3481 Salty Joe’s BBQ 43344 S. Range Rd, Hammond, 956-7099 Si Senor 1905 W Thomas St, Hammond, 393-0090 Streetside Market 201 W Thomas St, Hammond, 318-7370 Tommy’s on Thomas Pizza, 216 W. Thomas St. Hammond, Tope là Contemporary delights, 104 N. Cate St., Hammond, 542-7600 Yellow Bird Café 222 E. Charles St., Hammond, 345-1112 LACOMBE Sal and Judy’s aaaa Italian, 27491 Highway 190, Lacombe, 882-9443 MADISONVILLE Abita Roasting Company 504 Water St., Madisonville, 246-3340 The Anchor 407 St Tammany St, Madisonville, 323-4800 Keith Young’s Steak House aaaa Steak, 165 LA 21, Madisonville, 845-9940 Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar aa 702 Water St., Madisonville, 845-4970

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La Carreta aaa Mexican, 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 624-2990 La Madeleine aa French, 3434 US 190, 626-7004

MANDEVILLE The Barley Oak Serving 130 styles of beer, 2101 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 727-7420 Beach House Neighborhood Cafe, 124 Girod, Mandeville, 624-9331 Bistro Byronz aa American, 1901 Highway 190, Mandeville, 9517595 Bosco’s Italian Café aaa 2040 Hwy. 59, Mandeville, 624-5066 Café Lynn aaaa Contemporary Creole, 2600 Florida St., Mandeville, 624-9007 Ceasar’s Ristorante aa Authenic Italian cuisine, 408 N Causeway Blvd, 951-2626 Coffee Rani aa Soup and salad, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-0560 Coscino’s Pizza aa Italian, 1809 N. Causeway Blvd., 727-4984 Creole Tomateaux Authentic Creole Cuisine, 1851 Florida St., 9512650 Daisey Dukes 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Ste 13, 951-2140 El Paso Mexican Grill 3410 US 190, 624-2345 Fat Spoon Café aa 68480 Hwy. 59., 809-2929.

Fazzio’saa Italian,1841 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 624-9704 Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar 2891 Highway 190, Suite D. Mandeville, 778.2176 Franco’s Grill Fresh organic foods, 100 Bon Temps Roule, 792-0200 George’s aaa Mexican, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 6264342 Gio’s Villa Vancheri aaa 690 Lafitte St., 624-2597

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The Lakehouse aaa Contemporary Creole, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 626-3006 LaLou Breakfast, 200 Girod St., 231-7125 Leonardo’s Trattoria & Pizzeria Authentic Sicilian dishes, 2625 Florida St, 788-2550 Little Tokyo aaa Japanese, 590 Asbury Dr., 504-727-1532 Liz’s Where Y’At Diner aaa 2500 Florida, 626-8477 Mande’s 340 N. Causeway App., 626-9047 Mandina’s aaa Italian, Seafood, 4240 La 22, Mandeville, 674-9883 Nuvolari’s aaaa Creole Italian, 246 Girod St., Mandeville, 626-5619 The Old Rail Brewing Company a Homemade American cuisine, 639 Girod St., Mandeville, 612-1828 Pardo’s aaaaa Contemporary Creole, 5280 LA-22, Mandeville, 893-3603 Pat Gallagher’s 527 Restaurant and Bar aaaa 527 N. Causeway Blvd, Mandeville, 778-2820 PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co. 2963 Hwy. 190, Mandeville, 674-1565 Poke Loa Louisiana’s freshest poke bowls, 1810 N Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 778-0444 Pontchartrain Po-Boys aaa 318 Dalwill Dr., Mandeville, 626-8188 Raising Canes 3801 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, 674-2042 Rip’s on the Lake aa 1917 Lakeshore Dr., Mandeville, 7272829 Rob’s Rockin’ Dogs 2890 E Causeway Approach, Ste B, Mandeville, 231-7688 Rusty Pelican aa 500 Girod St.,

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PONCHATOULA

Mandeville, 778-0364 Times Grill a 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 626-1161 Trey Yuen Cuisine of China aaa Quality China cuisine with Louisiana flair, 600 N. Causeway

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

Blvd., Mandeville, 626-4476 SLIDELL METAIRIE Acme Oyster House aaa Seafood, 3000 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504309-4056 Andrea’s aaa Italian, 3100 19th St., Metairie, 504-834-8583 Andy’s Bistro aaa American, 3322 N. Turnbull Dr., Metairie, 504-4557363 Austin’s aaaa Creole, 5101 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 504888-5533 Caffe! Caffe! aa Breakfast, 4301 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie, 504885-4845; 3547 N. Hullen., Metairie, 504-267-9190 Carreta’s Grill a Mexican, 2320 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504837-6696; 1821 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 504-305-4833 Drago’s aaaa Seafood, 3232 N. Arnoult Rd., Metairie, 504-8889254 Impastato’s aaaa Creole Italian, 3400 16th St., Metairie, 504455-1545 Legacy Kitchen aa American. 759 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-309-5231 Riccobono’s Peppermill aaa Creole Italian, 3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504-455-2266 Ruth’s Chris Steak House aaaa Steak, 3633 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-3600 Shogun aaaa Japanese, 2325 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-8337477 Vincent’s aaaa Creole Italian, 4411 Chastant St., Metairie, 504-885-2984

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A Touch of Italy Café 134 Pennsylvania Ave., Slidell, 6390600 Assunta’s aaa Italian, 2631 Covington Hwy., Slidell, 649-9768 Blue House Grill Sandwiches, 2170 Gause Blvd W., Slidell, 288-5544 Cafe Luke Breakfast and brunch favorites plus Dinner Theatre, 153 Robert St., Slidell, 707-1597 Camellia Cafe aaa 525 Hwy. 190, Slidell, 649-6211.

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

photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN

Last Bite

Ceasar’s

FOR TWELVE YEARS, Ceasar’s Ristorante has brought a taste of Italy to the northshore, making authentic Italian cuisine from scratch. Early this November, guests will be excited

by Ceasar’s expanded menu with made-to-order, homemade European and Mediterranean dishes. Patrons will select from dishes like shrimp and crab ravioli, seafood paella, beef bourguignon and veal parmesan, all made with the highestquality ingredients. Traditional and innovative Italian will continue to be offered as well.

“Our backbone will always be Italian, but we wanted to introduce new, popular dishes from many cuisines,” says Ceasar.

Ceasar is also expanding his restaurant services. Starting in November, guests can order to-go lunches, either by phone or online. The to-go lunches are a great opportunity to enjoy a fresh, quality meal that won’t break the bank. Guests can also look forward to Ceasar expanding his restaurant hours once COVID-19 restrictions allow, opening six nights a week for dinner and four days for lunches.

For a traditional Italian experience, guests can choose the “small plate” option called “Mangia-Bevi,” meaning “eat-drink.”

by Grace Butzman

This tradition is for those who want a drink of wine or cocktail with a small taste of food, like chicken salad caprese crostini, spicy crab salad tapas and grilled polenta and cheese. With any meal, guests are served Ceasar’s wonderful homemade bread.

As we approach the holiday season, Ceasar offers his famous cooking demonstrations for private parties.

Participants will learn from Chef Ceasar how to prepare a four-course meal with a selection of wines according to the choice of the customer. Then, they enjoy the food and go home with the recipes to prepare the meals in addition to or in place of the traditional Christmas dinner.

Ceasar and his wife, Roberta, invite everyone to come and experience the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. He says, “Just imagine you are by Lake Como before entering our ristorante—we’re sure you will enjoy the food, wine and the atmosphere.”

Ceasar’s Ristorante is located at 408 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville. Dining-in service and drive-through; online ordering.

Wed.-Sat, 5-9pm. ceasarsristorante.net 951-2626.

November-December 2020 97

Last Look

by John Snell

Another gorgeous Fontainebleau State Park sunset captured by John Snell.

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