RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
T
Bienvenue!
Mar Reg Sto Mid Lem Fro Din Par
Welcome:
As we bask in this beautiful Spring weather, it is the perfect time to enjoy some of the new amenities throughout the Parish. Quality of life is important to us and there are numerous opportunities to improve your health and well-being by strolling or biking on our Mississippi River Trail from LaPlace to Reserve, the Timbermill Trail in Garyville, and numerous walking paths in our neighborhood parks. It is also a great time to frequent our new and improved parks with family and friends. Line-dancing is being offered at REGALA Gym, we will be reinstating our Water Aerobics Class in early May, and swimming lessons again this summer.
Riv
It is also a time to look ahead and celebrate all of the positive changes that are taking place throughout the Parish. St. John the Baptist Parish is home to over 42,000 residents and is strategically located in the heart of the River Parishes. Our prime location, alongside the east and west banks of the Mississippi River, support agriculture, industry and tourism. As Parish President, I am committed to completing numerous infrastructure projects and guiding the parish to a full recovery from Hurricane Isaac and the tornados of 2016. For the first time in almost 50 years, we finally have action on the Hurricane Protection Levee and the future of flood protection in St. John looks brighter than ever.
C
L
As you drive through the parish, construction cones and barricades are signs of progress. In addition to new buildings and facilities, several state highways are undergoing major improvements. It is a great time to live and work in St. John the Baptist Parish where billions of dollars of new investments are on the horizon and millions of dollars are being dedicated to improving critical facilities and infrastructure. The real magic of Spring is the beauty of our communities along River Road and festivals within an hour in any direction. Locations such as San Francisco Plantation, Evergreen Plantation, Cajun Swamp Tours, Historic Riverlands, Woodville Cemetery, and others deliver the story of St. John’s rich history and culture to tourists from near and far. Please visit the parish website at www.sjbparish.com to view our latest news and upcoming events in the community. St. John the Baptist Parish is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, and we invite you to take part in all that we have to offer.
– Natalie Robottom St. John the Baptist Parish President 2 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
64
w
e
he
r , re
ou
m nt
BAILEY’S
Table of Contents
WORLD FAMOUS ANDOUILLE
Mary Walker creates dolls for others ----------- 4 Region’s best athlete Cara Ursin dishes ------ 8 Story behind legend of Ron Hernandez ------ 10 Middendorf’s celebrates 80 years of work -- 14 Lemonade stand delivers for ARC ---------- 16 From the Garden to the Party --------------- 18 Dining -------------------------------------------- 19 Parting Shots: Service for others --------------- 23
Look for the Sausage Man THE PLACE WHERE QUALITY COMES FIRST!
• Sausage • Andouille • Boudin • Tasso • Hog Head Cheese • Smoked Chickens
HOURS: Monday thru Friday 8am - 5:30pm
985-652-9090
River Parishes Magazine, C’EST LA VIE Publisher/Editor ~ Stephen Hemelt Advertising ~ Christine Browning • Candace Hemelt • Chase Fletcher Contributing Writers ~ Pamela Folse • Melinda Myers • Lori Lyons • Joseph Paul Graphic Designer ~ Christine Browning • Candace Hemelt • Scott Forsythe
513 W. Airline Hwy. • LaPlace, LA 70068 www.baileysandouille.com EJ & MARCELLE BAILEY
116 Newspaper Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068 • 985-652-9545
Louisiana Pottery
March 3 & 4, 2018
Made In Louisiana * More than 100 Artists * Pottery Classes * Gift Certificates
Functional & Art Pottery
225.675.5572
6470 Hwy. 22 “Cajun Village” • Sorrento, LA 70778
www.louisianapottery.com RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Mary Walker holds some of her ‘Cuties for a Cure,’ of which she has created dozens for charitable causes.
d
S
Wa St. J of he the m neve mak “I
225-869-5254
“We Serve Only Louisiana Seafood”
14386 River Road, Destrehan, LA
TUES-WED: 10am-8pm • THURS-SAT: 10am-9pm
•Bedding Plants •Summer Vegetables •Loose Seeds • Shrubs and Trees • Fungicides • Softscape Mulch
• Cypress Mulch • Annuals • Loose Garden Seed
Boiled & Live Seafood, Poboys, Wraps, Daily Lunch Specials & More! • Citrus Trees • Fertilizer • Insecticides
1501 N. AIRLINE HWY, GRAMERCY MONDAY - SATURDAY 8:30 am to 5:00 pm 4 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Call in your order today
985-725-0053
A
m
3
Bless You Babies Handmade dolls bring in thousands to fight cancer
S
t. James Justice of the Peace Mary Walker enjoys making dolls, and now, she’s using that talent to help cancer patients and survivors. Walker recently donated $2,100 to the St. James Relay for Life from the sale of her “Cuties for a Cure” dolls, but the mother of three daughters said she never really planned to be in the doll making business. “I never wanted to sell dolls,” she
said. “I just didn’t want to do that, so I gave all the dolls away until I decided to accept donations for Relay for Life. That was the only time that I’ve taken any money, and I donated it all. I didn’t keep anything for the supplies, so the full doll price goes to Relay for Life.” So how did Walker’s crafty hobby turn into a cancer-fighting tool? About seven years ago, Walker was browsing Facebook when she came across the story of Destrehan’s Caryn Tucker, who had brain cancer. “It touched me,” she said. “I had some doll patterns that I needed to use, so I decided to make a doll and send it to her. From then on, I kept seeing more children that would touch my heart, so I kept mailing dolls out.” That’s how Bless You Baby was born, and it has grown in leaps and bounds. “I would mail them to the sick children with no return address,” she said. “I just enjoy making dolls. I had this pattern recently for this little doll
called ‘Cuties for a Cure,’ which is a little bald-headed doll to represent cancer patients.” It takes about three hours to sew each 11-inch doll, and Walker has made approximately 80 in the past two months. She’s held online auctions as demand increased with all the profits going to Relay for Life. “I work during the day so I sew at night,” Walker said. “I’ve stayed pretty busy for the past couple of months.” Walker said she’s received plenty of support from her husband of 40 years, Kerry, to random folks who heard about her efforts. Her mother, Betty Rodrigue, made the dolls’ hats and headbands while daughters Keri Tramonte and Kim Babin, along with niece Jennifer Rodrigue, ran the live auctions. Mary’s sister Marla Brignac and Girl Scout Brownie Troop 20319 helped stuff the dolls, while numerous people have donated fabric and vintage broaches.
www.roselynnfuneralhome.com • Locally Owned & Operated • Modern Facility • Experienced & Professional Staff • Guaranteed Pre-need Services Available • Specializing In Cremation Services
Will honor all insurance policies, including pre-need burial policies from other funeral homes. 1870 Cabanose Avenue • Lutcher, LA Phone: 225-869-0000 • Fax: 225-869-7777 RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
River Parishes
Casino
1173 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace
985-652-3426
Brandi Martin, who Mary met during a sale, even donated handmade tutus for the dolls. “It surprised us all at how big it got,” Babin said. “She has a lot of responsibilities with her full-time job, so it’s hard for her to find time to do everything. She just wanted to do something to make people feel better. She’s such a hard worker, so this was another way for her to give back to those in need.” Mary names the dolls after different people in her life or history and includes a note about their names. She’s named them after each of her seven grandchildren, while others were named after ladies in the neighborhood where she grew up and still others after teachers and bus drivers. “It’s very rewarding,” Mary said. “It’s much more rewarding to give than to receive, especially when you get a note back with a child holding a doll. It’s just so rewarding.” From her humble single doll beginnings, Mary never believed her hobby would grow to the size it has reached today. “In the beginning my children and my family didn’t even know I was doing this, and I really didn’t want them to know,” she said. “I think maybe because the supply was small since I’m just one person that maybe it made it more wanted. I don’t know what made it take off, but people have been very generous.” Mary also joked her cammo dolls for boys named after her father-in-law Buck have been very popular as well. — By Joseph Paul
PETE’S BODY SHOP, INC. Come try o Homema ur de Strawber ry Bread!
OPEN EVERYDAY
10 E. Pine Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
(985) 386-9580
www.ponchatoulacountrymarket.org
“NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL”
581 Garyville Northern St. Garyville, LA 70051
985-535-6654 www.petesbodyshopinc.com
24 HR Towing/Auto & TK Repair Sales/Rental 6 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
ated
e
ted
ck
or
en, od us
get d-
d
ven
ore ave
r
C.
LL”
t.
4
e t a b e l e Come C
o y a M e D o c Cin Live Music | Free Giveaways
27 oz Margaritas $6 Beer $3 ALL DAY
99
1900 Hwy. 51 • LaPlace
985-618-3313 www.elpasomex.com
Download Money Saving App!
t. ohn J S
Community Center 2900 Highway 51 LaPlace, LA 70068
985-359-0732
m
www.thestjohncenter.com RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
7 Questions With .... A basketball superstar
Cara ‘Moon’ Ursin races up the court.
Destrehan senior basketball player CARA “MOON” URSIN is arguably one of the best athletes to ever call the River Parishes home. She and her fellow Lady Wildcats just won the school’s first girls basketball state championship, going 35-0 in the process. Days later, Ursin was announced as the Louisiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year for the third year in a row — the first Louisiana player to achieve that feat. She recently sat down with sports editor Lori Lyons for seven questions.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment? Getting Gatorade Player of the Year three times in a row, especially doing it this season, going 35-0 undefeated. It just means a lot. It means that I’m working hard, and people are seeing that I’m working hard and not another kid with a big name. I am in the gym every day getting better. To win Gatorade, you can’t just stay the same. You have to get better, and I feel like I have done that with the help of my supporters. I have been blessed.
Explain the “Moon” nickname. Moon comes from when I was a baby. When I was born, my auntie said I had a moon head. But, people think it’s because I can jump high — so I just go with that. Everybody calls me Moon.
What was the key to this team’s success? Just wanting it so bad, especially the seniors, and this being our last year. The way we communicated with each other this year. We all get along, even outside of basket-
Celebrating 10 Years of Service
ball. and the c
Celebrating 2 years of Service CHEZ-ELMA
VACHERIE PERSONAL CARE SERVICE, INC.
Programs • Long Term Care • Children’s Choice Waiver • Community Choice Waiver • New Opportunity Waiver • Supervised Independent Living • Early Periodic Screening & Diagnostic Testing
We are accepting employment for CNA or DSW MUST PASS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
Service St. James, St. John, St. Charles, Lafourche, Terrebonne and Assumption Parishes 2554 LA HWY. 20 • Vacherie, LA Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm Office: (225) 265-2280 • Toll Free: 1-(800) 573-4524 *24 Hours Accessibility Call 1-877-456-1146 to enroll in services 8 am - 5 pm Email: vacheriepcs@bellsouth.net
8 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Adult Day Health Care Center, INC. • • • • • • • • • • • •
Transportation to and from the facility at no cost Assistance with activities of Daily Living Meals and Two (2) snacks daily Recreation, including Bingo, Arts & Crafts, Pokeno Music Program Daily exercise, Bowling Cultural activities Prevention and Health promotion for Elders Personal health and nutrition counseling Stress and relaxation exercises Health and wellness education
Volunteers Needed to Interact with Clients
Cara depa is tic care
that the h ther
Co me. worl my f
Monday – Friday: 7 am – 4pm
2544 Highway 20, Vacherie, LA Off: (225)265-4463 • Fax: (225)434-2047 Email: chezelmaadhc@gmail.com Call 1-877-456-1146 to enroll in services 8 am - 5 pm
Wh time how prac I did ask
r
e nt? e cial-0 It nd ing a big y , u eI my .
ally last d ll t-
s
47
m
ball. We are there for each other, loving each other so much and taking that greatness off the court and bringing it on the court. I feel we were dynamic on the court this season, especially the seniors and even our freshman girl who played. So, just being able to come together as a team, knowing it was our last possible year that we go undefeated — that did it for us. Why did you choose Baylor? First and foremost, 15 to 1 student-teacher ratio, and it’s small and the coaches, the whole staff, they walked with me like I was one of their own. When did you know this is what you really wanted to do? When I played all stars and I won a thing called Miss Biddy. I won it twice in a row. I think it was Cara Ursin jumps up for a shot. The 11-12 and then departing Destrehan High School senior 12-13 age range, is ticketed to continue her college career at Baylor University. something like that. From that I just was, like, I love this game. It’s fun. And then all the hype that came with it. I just wanted to get better from there. If you could play one-on-one against anybody, who would it be and why? Coach (Angi) Butler because she thinks she could take me. She tells everybody she beat me before. Anybody in the world? It would be LeBron (James). That’s my friend. He’s my favorite player. You’re always calm on the court. What is the most nervous you’ve been off the court? When I had to do my senior project. I built a drone. By the time I figured out what I wanted to do, then I figured out how to do it and actually did it. I didn’t have time to, like, practice flying it. So, I knew how to get it off the ground, but I didn’t really know how to fly it so I was afraid they would ask me to fly it.
MORE THAN HALF OUR DRIVERS ARE HOME DAILY! Martin Transport, Inc. operates a fleet of tank trucks providing transportation of petroleum products, LP gas, molten sulfur, sulfuric acid, paper mill liquids, chemicals, dry bulk, and numerous other bulk liquid commodities.
Our transportation services cater to petroleum, petrochemical and chemical industries located across the United States. MTI has 28 terminals in the Southeast and Southern United States, with more than 800 trucks and over 1,200 trailers designed to haul everything from sulfuric acid to Kosher products.
180 Power Blvd. Reserve, LA 70084
985-479-7002
www.martintransport.com RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Newspaper clippings highlight the largely forgotten accomplishments of LaPlace’s Ron Hernandez, one of LSU’s all-time greatest track and field athletes.
Ron Hernandez set field on fire
G
rowing up, Jesse Hernandez knew his dad was pretty special. He figured he also must have been pretty good. Jesse used to see all the glittering trophies packed in the family attic and in the boxes when they moved. “I knew he went to LSU and did track and that was about it,” Jesse said. “Then as we grew up we’d go to some of the fairs and festivals and people would say, ‘Oh, you’re Ron’s son.’ Then they’d tell us some wild story.” There are so many stories about Ron Hernandez, the LaPlace native and former Leon Godchaux Wildcat who died last year at the age of 74 of complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in St. Amant. Jesse has taken it upon himself to collect them all and is trying to get his father’s accomplishments recognized — or at least not forgotten. Ron was big, brutally strong and, apparently, fearless. Family members called him “Tina” in an ode to his grandmother, Albertina. Most people called him “Jughead,” because he reminded them of the comic book character.
10 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Later, a Jackson, Miss., newspaper tagged him with the title of “The Wrecker” because he wrecked so many records. He started out as the poor kid who grew up with three brothers and two sisters in LaPlace. When one of them got a visit from the “Tooth Rat” (“We were too poor for a tooth fairy,” sister Suzanne Mastainich said) he decided to dig out his own tooth with a spoon so he could get a coin too. He would go to school barefoot, even in the cold. Yet somehow he managed to grow up to be a big, strong young man who played football and ran track at Leon Godchaux. Health-conscious before it was cool, he drank raw eggs for breakfast and before going to bed at night. He also decided he wanted to eat honey straight from a hive at the back of his family’s yard. “He said, ‘I’m going to go get it,’” said Walter, who apparently encouraged (if not instigated) several of his brother’s feats. “I said, ‘Yeah. Do it.’ So he came back with that bee hive and the bees are stinging him all over the place. He just wanted to get it closer to the house so he could eat the honey.” Then again, he did eat horse radishes once. “They were so hot that he actually blistered his mouth,” Jesse said. Then there was the time he pulled a tree stump right out of the ground with his bare hands. “My uncle had been digging on that stump for weeks,” Jesse said. Luckily, Ron had an outlet for all that brute strength — the track, where he specialized in the discus and the shot put. Over the years Hernandez won 45 first places and numer-
ous in in outd mee Be and earn SEC ship disc thre shot only lete He the o athl tory thre cham in th year winn indo put, door and door He the S “I thro
We ich he
omean
for ed of
arr’s e
he
,”
ut
esse
— t
er-
PO-BOYS BREAKFAST HOT LUNCHES 10800 Hwy 3125 • Gramercy, LA (across from Winn Dixie)
225-869-3894
ous other spots in indoor and outdoor track meets. Between 1962 and 1964, he earned two SEC championships in the discus and three in the shot put, the only LSU athlete to do so. He also was the only LSU athlete in history to hold three SEC championships in the same year (1963), winning the indoor shot put, the outdoor shot put and the outdoor discus. He even held the SEC shot put record for 13 years. “I had no idea about all this stuff,” Jesse said, thumbing through a scrapbook he found a few years ago that records
many of his father’s accomplishments. As a Godchaux senior in 1959, Ron set the discus meet record at the Southwest Relays with a throw of 140 feet, 6 ¾ inches. It stood until Ron Hernandez, TOP LEFT, flexes 1963. At the his muscles in the 1960 Mr. St. John Southeastern competition at the age of 19. Louisiana ABOVE, Jesse Hernandez, in purple, Invitational and Aaron Hernandez, sons of the meet he late Ron Hernandez, share stories broke the about their father’s exploits. AT LEFT: Suzanne Mastainich, sister meet record in the shot of the late Ron Hernandez, flips put with a through a scrapbook filled with her toss of 50-7. brother’s feats while her niece-inlaw, Gretchen, looks on. After winning the Mr. St. John Parish Body Building contest, Ron went to Southwest Mississippi Junior College in 1960, but there was no room for him on the football team.
RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
He went back home and Walter put him on a weight-lifting routine. “We didn’t have any weights,” said Walter, who now lives in Maryland. “We filled buckets full of concrete and we used that.” With 25-pounds added to his already hefty frame, Ron returned to Mississippi the following season but the coach wasn’t happy to see him take out four starters in practice. “The coach said, ‘Hernandez, we’re going to have to take you out. You’re destroying my team,” Jesse said. Ron didn’t want to play football anyway. He wanted to go to LSU with Walter. “We were extremely close,” Walter said. Walter got then-coach Al Moreau to give Ron a try-out. “Let’s see it, then,” Moreau said. At the end of the demonstration, Moreau offered Ron a partial scholarship. While red-shirting as a freshman, he broke two records at the Southern AAU Meet, including Billy Cannon’s 1957 shot put record of 57-9 with a throw of 62-8 ½. He broke the discus record of 138 8 ¾ with a throw of 150-4. From 1962-64, Ron was the only LSU athlete to hold six SEC titles in the shot put and the discus and the only LSU athlete to have three consecutive SEC shot put championships. He was ranked as high as 12th in the nation. Jesse and his family often wonder why Ron never attempted to qualify for the Olympics. He certainly was good enough. Sister Suzanne said there just wasn’t any money. “They didn’t have sponsorships and things like they do now,” she said.
Fst Cla Suthern Hostaity Group Rates Available
• Large Outdoor Pool • Large Lawn Area • Banquet Rooms • Parties/ Graduations/ Weddings • Bridal & Baby Showers • Reunions • Meeting Rooms (Corporate Training/Seminars) • Plantation Homes–5miles away • Free Wireless High Speed Internet • Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet (hotel guests only) • Microwave/Mini-Fridge in All Rooms
Sunday Nights 6 pm - 10 pm Oldies But Goodies
3900 Hwy. 51, LaPlace, LA • 985.652.5544 • www.choicehotels.com/hotel/la151 12 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Ins LSU He and He weig “H neve In gara “H drop In he w As wou fath “H He and “I He Ev Je they Tula ques “T to T Then —
ft-
ives
ch ce. ke go
.
a
s 57 the
x SU n-
o
y
Instead, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from LSU and a Master’s from Louisiana Tech. He married his high school sweetheart, Caroline Laiche, and settled down with sons Aaron and Jesse. He continued his healthy lifestyle, too, running and lifting weights. “He used to drink those eggs,” Aaron said. “I tried it but I never could get into it.” In 2015, while visiting Sue in LaPlace, he tripped in the garage. “He started noticing things,” Aaron said. “He had foot drop. His right side became weaker than his left.” In May of 2016 he went to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was diagnosed with ALS. As Ron continued to weaken and need more care, his sons would ask him questions and listen to the stories from his father’s glory days. “He never bragged or anything,” Aaron said. He died in September 2016, just weeks after his, Aaron’s and Jesse’s Ascension Parish homes flooded. “I think the stress got him,” Aaron said. He chose to donate his body to further ALS research. Even that became a story. Jesse told the hospital staff of his father’s wishes and they contacted the first research facility they thought of — Tulane. Jesse was about ready to sign off when someone questioned the decision. “They said, ‘Jesse, are you really going to give your dad to Tulane?’ I said, ‘Oh Lord no. He would never forgive me.’ Then we called LSU.”
500 Fairway Dr. • LaPlace, LA 70068
985.652.6316
riverlandscountryclub.com
INDIVIDUAL GOLF ONLY MEMBERSHIP
— By Lori Lyons
s
1 RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Fried fish & family Duo celebrates more than 80 years at Middendorf’s
S
pend a few decades in, perhaps, the River Parishes’ most frequented restaurant and you’re going to run into some famous people. You just need to make sure you know who the famous person is, according to Dee Dee Holt, a 41-year veteran at Middendorf’s in Manchac. Dee Dee has spent many of those years working with her mother, “Mrs. Dee,” who served as a hostess for 21 years. While Mrs. Dee was working, according to her daughter, she served David Caruso, the well known red-haired star from television’s NYPD Blue and CSI: Miami. Unfortunately, Mrs. Dee misplaced the name of the actor and called him Carrot Top, the red-haired comedian known for using props. “Mr. Caruso was a good sport but not impressed by the mix-up,” Dee Dee said. It’s one of many stories Dee Dee has accumulated in more than four decades of work at the fried fish mainstay of Interstate 55, north of LaPlace.
Metro Centers For Community Advocacy Metropolitan Center for Men, Women and Children
P.O. Box 10775 • Jefferson, LA 70181 Serving the New Orleans Area and the River Region English • Spanish • Vietnamese
Free confidential help Domestic Violence Sexual Assult Stalking Adults or Children 14 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Above left: Elaine Brown was thrilled over her surprise gift basket for working at Middendorf’s for 40 years. She was led from the kitchen to the dining room for the big reveal. At left: Dee Dee Holt, right, thought it was an ordinary day at Middendorf’s until Owner Karen Pfeifer, left, shouted for all to hear, ‘Thank you for working at Middendorf’s for 41 years!’ and presented her with a gift basket.
Midd lake
De and hous com bilit lead ing h “F cust brea busi buil
y
ost
us
th-
vi-
d ng
up,”
an ,
Middendorf’s was established in 1934 on Pass Manchac in Akers, sitting between the brackish lakes of Ponchartrain and Maurepas and currently employing approximately 60 people.
Dee Dee started as a server and today is the front of house manager, which comes with more responsibility and the daily charge of leading waitstaff and serving hundreds of customers. “First and foremost, great customer service is the bread and butter of your business,” she said. “We build customer loyalty. We
greet most by name and strive for a well-educated staff. “At the end of the day, you treat your customers like you would like to be treated.” That longtime commitment is not out of the ordinary at Middendorf’s, which recently recognized Dee Dee and fellow staffer Elaine
Brown, who each have worked at the location for 40 years, apiece. Owners Horst and Karen Pfeifer and staff surprised Elaine and Dee Dee with applause, cheers and gift baskets filled with goodies. “We cannot even put into words how honored we are that Dee Dee has been with us for 41 years and Elaine
for 40 years,” said Karen Pfeifer. “In a world where job-hopping seems like a norm, to have two employees who have stayed with you for decades through thick and thin, multiple bosses, new owners and many changes, it’s truly something to celebrate.” Elaine was hired at the age of 15 and has done a little of everything in the kitchen. If you walk in today, you’ll probably find her frying-up Middendorf’s World Famous Original Thin Fried Catfish. Her mother was a single parent with five children so Elaine got a job early to help the family. “It doesn’t seem like 40 years — just crazy,” she said. Dee Dee said the restaurant feels like home ... like family. “It’s something special when you get to know the customers by name, and they know you by name, and you get to watch their children grow up,” she said.
e ed e orkrf’s e e ning
ght y orf’s en uted
t.
RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
LEMONADE & LOVE Siblings launch effort dedicated to ARC clients
C
hris Tregre Jr. was only 11 when he and his cousin, Isabella Breaud, then 7, decided in 2011 to have a lemonade stand. That was the time when kids were encouraged to become entrepreneurs and begin a simple business. Chris’s mom, Karen, said they could have the stand but they would have to give the proceeds to charity. At the end of the day, after paying their expenses, about $50 remained and the two young business owners decided to give the money to the St. James ARC, which serves residents with developmental disabilities. The next year neighbors and friends joined in the fundraising and, in addition to lemonade, they sold hotdogs and nachos. The following year, the people in the neighborhood and friends sold jambalaya tickets in advance and added a sweet shop. Their proceeds topped $5,000. By 2015, the growing number of family, friends and community supporters decided not to have a lemonade stand. They moved the date of their fundraiser to April to host a much bigger event in the District 7 Recreation Park. All the items sold during the ARC Fun Day were donated, and there was no overhead. As a result, the community gave a hefty $75,000 donation to the ARC after the 2016 event. ARC Board President Jimmy Brazan
16 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Chris and Bella Tregre stand behind their first lemonade stand in 2011, an effort that grew into a community event focused on giving, raises thousands of dollars annually and continues this year.
said the ARC faces growing financial challenges each year as state funding decreases and operating costs increase. Brazan said the annual budget is about $300,000; the ARC falls short of that amount by about $50,000 per year. This past January, the ARC welcomed six new clients, parish residents previously in a day program in St. John Parish. The new clients were added to the 17 others who regularly attend the
St. James ARC. Because the new clients live at the northern end of St. James Parish, the ARC contracts transportation services for them. ARC clients on the East Bank of the Mississippi River already leave home as early as 6:15 a.m. to get to the Vacherie center. The Department of Labor stipulates clients who work must be paid for their services. Some clients help to clean local businesses. By 2019, all clients at the ARC must work. Brazan said the board, employees, clients and their families are very grateful to those who stipulate that their United Way donations are sent to the St. James ARC. Center Director Pam Zeringue said she recently received a check representing funds given from donors in St. James, St. John, St. Charles parishes specially earmarked for the local center. Additionally, area businesses and industry give monetary and in-kind donations. Industry employees voted to send safety award funds to the center. Another industry sent a crew with paint and supplies needed to clean and paint the entire interior of the center. Yet another industrial group recently cleaned and painted the interior of a smaller adjacent building that will be used as a game room and place for clients to gather away from the main building. The upcoming ARC Fun Day will be
held Recr begi thro Ev said to pr a thr cent stor the c and shel them the c from purc cloth Ste featu for t and sche inclu auct shop lemo Isab —
• We • Gy • In • Int • Ad • 2D • De • He
301
nd de ort oa ent ng, of nd ar.
e he es ts or
ver y as erie
held April 30 at the District 7 Recreation Park in Vacherie, beginning with a 5K run through the community. Event organizer Barcley Steib said the goal again this year is to provide funds needed so that a thrift store can be built adjacent to the main building. The store will provide a place for all the clients to work, receiving and folding items, separating, shelving, hanging or packaging them for shoppers. Additionally, the community will benefit from the store by being able to purchase quality products and clothing at discounted prices. Steib said the Fun Day will feature a cook-off, with prizes for the best jambalaya, gumbo and sauce. Other activities scheduled for the day-long event include a silent auction, live auction, T-shirt sales, sweet shop, raffle and, of course, lemonade served by Chris and Isabella. — By Pamela Folse
Bella and Chris Tregre, seen this year, have created a community event that includes a yearly fundraiser in Vacherie.
stipt me ithe
oyare uRC.
k
ked
d d ed enwith and er. tly
ll or in be
• Well Woman Exams • Gynecologic & Laparoscopic Surgery • In office Gynecologic Surgeries • Intrauterine Device Insertion/ Removal • Adolescent Gynecology • 2D/3D/4D Ultrasound • Dexa (Bone Density) Scans • Healthy & High Risk OB
301 Rue de Santé • LaPlace 985-652-2441 www.ruedesante.com
RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
From the Garden to the Party
M
ake every meal a special event by bringing the garden to the table. Serve your favorite dishes made from homegrown ingredients. Then allow guests to add their own herbal seasonings right from the garden or container. Start by growing the ingredients for your favorite recipes and beverages. Consider those, like tomatoes, that taste best fresh from the garden. Or create a salad bar by filling window boxes and raised beds with greens, hot peppers, green onions and more. Just hand your guests a plate and let MELINDA MYERS them create their own fresh salad. Dress up the table or balcony with a few containers of herbs on your patio, deck or near the grill. Use small herb containers as edible centerpieces. Just include a pair of garden scissors and allow your family and guests to season the meal to their taste. Add a bit of color to your meal with edible flowers. Try nasturtium and daylily blossoms stuffed with cream cheese, calendula petals sprinkled on your salad and mint leaves a top a slice of chocolate cake. Include a few herbs and vegetables that can be blended, muddled or added to your favorite beverage. Use the hollow stems of lovage as a straw for your tomato juice or bloody Mary. You’ll enjoy the celery flavor this edible straw provides. Or pluck a few mint or rosemary leaves to flavor iced tea and lemonade. Just be sure the vegetables and flowers you select are free of pesticides. Remove the bitter tasting pollen from edible flowers. Start your party preparation in the garden. Once you compile your list of favorites prepare your garden and containers for a productive growing and entertaining season.
18 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Alois 504-
Avis 3900 985-
Baba 509 985-
Baile 513 W 985-
Belle 111 Fa 985-
There are plenty of opportunities to use your own garden to dress up your favorite foods and drinks. Above, the showy nasturtium makes for a great salad. At left, a bloody Mary goes to another level with Lovage, of the parsley family.
In the garden, add several inches of organic matter such as compost to the top eight to twelve inches of soil. You’ll improve drainage in clay soil and increase the water holding ability in sandy soils. This is also a good time to incorporate an organic nitrogen fertilizer, like Milorganite (milorganite.com) into the soil. This slow release fertilizer provides needed nutrients for six to eight weeks. Then be sure to add a mid-season boost to keep your garden healthy and productive. For container plantings, select a pot with drainage holes and fill it with a quality potting mix. This is also a good time to add an organic nitrogen fertilizer, which will eliminate the need for weekly feedings. Just give containers a second application mid-season. Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic matter to suppress weeds
and conserve moisture. As the mulch breaks down it improves the soil for future plantings. Harvest regularly to keep your plants looking good and producing. Cut the outer leaves of leaf lettuce when four to six inches tall and it will keep growing new leaves. Pick peppers and tomatoes when fully ripe, so the plant continues flowering and forming new fruit. And dress up the table with a bouquet of your favorite garden flowers. Pick a few extras to send home with your guests and they’ll surely remember your special gathering filled with homegrown flavor and beauty. Gardening expert Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and spokesperson for Milorganite. Myers’ website is melindamyers.com.
Best 530 985-
Budd 2788 985-
Caju 135 B 985-
Chili 1820 985-
Chin 1036 985-
Chur 1601 985-
Chun 607 985-
Conn 1462 985-
Drag 140 B LaPla
Dining St. John Parish Aloisio’s Bakery 504-430-1194 • 504-858-8432 Avis 3900 Hwy 51., LaPlace 985-651-8684 Baba’s Sports Bar & Grill 509 Main Street., LaPlace 985-359-5555 Bailey’s Andouille 513 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9090 Belle Terre Country Club 111 Fairway Drive, LaPlace 985-652-5000 Best Wok Chinese Restaurant 530 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-9989 Buddy B’s 2788 River Road, Garyville 985-535-3663 Cajun Grill 135 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-4745 Chili’s Grill & Bar 1820 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-1227 Chinese King 1036 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-651-7888 Church’s Chicken 1601 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2089 Chung’s Heavenly Sweets 607 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-7987 Connie’s Grill 1462 LA-44, Reserve 985-536-3256 Dragon Garden 140 Belle Terre Blvd., Ste E., LaPlace 985-652-7250
Dunkin Donuts 1334 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-9244 Donut Hole 421 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-651-4001 El Mexicano 1036 W Airline Hwy # 123, LaPlace, LA 70068 (985) 652-4250 El Paso Mexican Grill 1900 Hwy 51, LaPlace 985-618-3313 Frenier Landing 113 Dottie Lane, LaPlace 985-224-2178 Frisco Deli 1113 W Airline Hwy, Laplace, LA 70068 (985) 651-7745 LaPlace Frostop 411 Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-6361 Gator’s Den Old Highway 51 South, Manchac 985-386-7902
Mabile’s Restaurant
“Home of the Best Roast Beef in Town!” • Fresh Po-Boys • Seafood Muffaletta • Finger Sandwiches • Vegetable Trays • Plate Lunches • Italian Muffaletta
985-651-2893
1124 W. Airline Hwy. • LaPlace, LA 70068
Madea’s Kitchen 975 Cambridge Dr., Ste. B, LaPlace 985-359-1929 Mama Jo’s 2917 Hwy 51, Ste A., LaPlace 985-224-2666 McDonalds •4297 U.S. Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-652-5171 •1608 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2600 •5387 W Airline, Hwy, Garyville New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood Co. 1338 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. 7A, LaPlace 985-653-6731 Napoleon’s Bakery 532 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-9549
Hibachi Supreme Grill 1721 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace 985-652-5233
Petra 10363 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-8888
Huddle House 4325 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-1800
Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar 3017 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-651-0300
IHop 220 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-4468 Jacob’s Andouille 505 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9080
Rotolo’s Pizzera •3503 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. B, Reserve 985-536-3503 Ruby Garden Chinese Restaurant 3101 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-653-8700 Sam’s Southern Eatery 1173 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-1677 Sicily’s 214 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-7010 Subway •357 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8700 •1616 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-4822 •2701 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace •1900 Hwy. 51, Ste. B, LaPlace 985-479-7827 985-652-9699 Tavern 61 1421 W Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-6161 TNT Seafood 405 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-6312 Turn Arounds 1107 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-224-2818 Waffle House 4304 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-6111
PJ’s Coffee 1808 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-764-7573 Pirougue’s Cafe 719 W. 10th St., Reserve 985-479-7800
Kobe Japanese Steak and Sushi 506 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8880/652-8853
Popeye’s Fried Chicken 1603 W Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-3030
LaCaretta 107 Carrollwood Dr., LaPlace 985-651-9991
Raising Cane’s 123 West Airline Hwy, Laplace 985-652-4701
Wayne Jacob’s Restaurant 769 W 5th St., LaPlace 985-652-9990 Zaman Mediterranean Cafe 1502 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-5566 Zora Christina 2003 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-3673
St James Parish Breon’s Frozen Yogurt 10850 Hwy. 3125, Ste. C, Gramercy 225-258-4448
RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
Café Perique 234 East Main St., Gramercy 225-869-1774
Popeye’s 982 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060
Destrehan Buster’s Grill 10405 Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-472-0771
Grumpy’s 14984 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-2083
China King 849 N. Pine St., Gramercy 225-869-2000
Sandwich World Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060
Cafe Ormond 1974 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-0741
Happy Gardens II 15264 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-3888
Chuck Lee’s Chinese Kitchen 10560 Hwy. 70 W., St. James 225-473-3050
Sonic Drive In 852 N. Pine St., Gramercy 225-869-5666
Creole House Cafe 3409 Hwy 3125, Paulina 225-859-3333 DJ’s Grille 21060 La. Hwy. 20, Vacherie 225-265-7600 Golden Grove Restaurant 935 La. Hwy. 641, Gramercy 225-869-1212 Grand Point Truck Stop & Casino 3415 La. Hwy. 3125, Paulina 225-869-6960
Spectacular Tubers 1665 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-5600 Subway 10850 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy
Cajun Kitchen 13322 U.S. 90, Boutte, Ste. Q 985-785-2405
Hong Kong 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. D, Destrehan 985-725-9099
Cashio’s Food Villa and Deli 13572 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-9389 Chow’s Garden 1974 Ormond Blvd., Ste. I, Destrehan 985-725-2469
The Howling Pepper 109 St. Rose Ave., St. Rose 504-466-1944
Cucina Bon Creole At Cypress Lakes Country Club 10 Villere Dr., Destrehan 985-764-6868 Daddy’s Fried Chicken 15683 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743
Hymel’s Seafood Restaurant 8740 La. Hwy. 44, Convent 225-562-7031
Taylor’s Express Truck Stop 964 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-1734
Destrehan Donuts 1974 Ormond, Ste. D, Destrehan 985-764-0050
Jenny’s Overstuffed Poboy & Chicken Shop 114 N. Airline Hwy., Gramercy 225-869-0899
Tod’s Catering 2180 S. Albert St., Lutcher 225-869-7000
Dot’s Diner 12179 U.S. Hwy. 90, Luling 985-785-6836
Nobile’s Restaurant & Bar Serving Authentic River Road Cuisine In An Historic Place
Open Lunch: M-F 11 am - 2 pm Dinner: Thursday 5 pm - 8:30 pm Fri - Sat S 5 pm - 9 pm CLOSED Sundays
0. 60 U, K_gl ê Js raf cp* J?
003+647+67. .
Oak Alley Restaurant 3645 La. Hwy. 18, Vacherie 225-265-2151 Pizza Hut 1665 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6151
Charles St. St. Charles Parish Parish Anita’s Smokin’ Steak Burgers 13145 U.S. 90 Ste. B, Boutte 985-785-2220 Bamboo Garden 13491 U.S. 90, Ste. 6, Boutte 985-785-9929 Bei Jing 12895 U.S. 90, Ste. D, Boutte 985-331-8885 Breeze Cafe 124 Longview Drive, Destrehan 985-764-8800 Boulevard Bistro 1950 Ormond, Ste. B,
20 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
El Gato Negro 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. 1, Destrehan 985-307-0460 El Mexicano 12715 U.S. Hwy. 90, Ste. 140, Luling 985-785-7694 El Paso Mexican Grill 12895 U.S. Hwy. 90, Ste. A, Luling 985-331-1984 Frostop 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. H, Destrehan 985-725-1116 Grand Café 500 Willowdale Blvd., Luling 985-308-1640
IHOP 14099 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013 Iron Gate 13299 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013 Jas Café 307 Paul Maillard Rd., Luling 985-785-0200 Julie’s Restaurant 15805 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6349 Little Tokyo 13371 U.S. 90, Ste. A, Boutte 985-331-0887 Lovecchio’s Deli 29 Apple St., Norco 985-725-5683 Mariano’s Italian Eatery 12371 Highway 90, Ste. A, Luling 985-785-7777 McDonalds 3009 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-1021 Mizu Japanese Restaurant 12715 Hwy. 90, Ste. 190, Luling 985-785-8168 Mrs. Snowman 110A Lakewood Dr., Luling 985-331-1411 Ormond Plantation Restaurant 13786 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-8544
Palm 1040 504-
Pam 1462 985-
Pizza 1243 985-
P.J.’s 150 O Ste. 985-
Pope Chi •116 985•1321 985-
Port 11698 504-
–Rot 150 O Dest
Palmetto’s Restaurant 10405 Airline Hwy, St. Rose 504-472-0771
Sailfish Food and Spirits 12287 U.S. 90, Luling 985-308-0712
Sub Express 26 Apple St., Norco 985-764-9922
Pam and Dale’s 14620 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-3112
Seafood Pot 14386 River Rd., Destrehan 985-725-0053
Pizza Hut 12439 Hwy. 90, Luling 985-331-8380
Southern Latte Cafe 50 Wade St., Ste. 1, Luling 985-308-1472
P.J.’s Coffee of New Orleans 150 Ormond Center Court, Ste. T, Destrehan 985-764-7573
Sonic Drive In 12557 U.S. 90, Luling 985-331-0099
Subway •613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 200, Luling 985-331-2257 •14130 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-9818 (located inside Walmart) •13001 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-331-1786 •12715 U.S. 90, Ste. 120, Luling 985-785-3999 •12609 Airline Drive, Destrehan 985-725-1108 •1955 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-9444 •15632 River Rd., Norco 504-469-8864
Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken •116 Longivew Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1231 •13210 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-1377
g
Portside Restaurant 11698 River Road, St. Rose 504-5469-3111
e
–Rotolo’s Pizzeria 150 Ormond Center Court, Destrehan 985-725-2411
Sports Pub & Grill 3001 Ormond Blvd, #B Destrehan 985-331-0099 St. Rose Driving Range & Sports Bar 10362 Airline Dr., St. Rose 504-466-0411 St Rose Tavern 14466 River Rd, Destrehan 504-469-8864 /985-725-3133
Taste of Tokyo 1972 Ormond Blvd., Ste. E-2, Destrehan 985-764-1818 Trey Wah (Chinese) 124 Longview Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1147 Two Sisters Bakery 100 Melonie St., Ste. E, Boutte 985-308-0280 Voodoo Grill 100 James Drive East, St. Rose 504-464-1880 Waffle House 14173 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-758-6499
Sushi Cafe 13899 River Road, Ste. A, Luling 985-308-1003
Waffle House 10384 E. Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-467-1522
Take Away Donuts 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499
Wingzzz 613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 400, Luling 985-308-0743
e
A Special Publication of L’OBSERVATEUR
ehan
ing
Advertise in our Summer issue publishing in June
rant an
RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
C
Dest volu Scat and ana
Polly a pa St. J Sher gree at Ea Elem Rese
22 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
C’EST LA VIE: Parting Shots
Louisiana Army Guardsmen from the 225th Engineer Brigade practice animal rescue procedures April 1 during a disaster response exercise at the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish. Destrehan High School student and Wetland Watcher volunteer Heaven Gaudet facilitates the popular Who Dat Scat game in April while Destrehan students Chance Harp and Ashley Bouin present the alligator heads and Louisiana fur mammals.
“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” — C.G. Jung Polly the Bunny, a partner of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, greets children at East St. John Elementary in Reserve.
Ascension of Our Lord students present the Living Way of the Cross with Jesus (Abram Marix) shown being condemned to death by the soldiers, from left, Drew Arceneaux, Liam Carter, Derrick Reid and Durson Augillard.
RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
NOW OPEN ON SATURDAYS!
NOW OPEN ON NOW OPEN ON SATURDAYS! SATURDAYS!
Quick & Quality Urgent Care has Expanded Urgent Care has Expanded Urgent Care has Expanded
To better meet your needs,even St. James Urgent Care is sick now open frommight Mondaynot through Convenient when getting or hurt be. Saturday. To better meet your needs, St. James Urgent Care is now open from Monday through Saturday.
We make getting the the care you St. need convenient—even when getting sick hurt or hurt might not be. St. James Urgent Care accepts most major insurances. We make getting care you need sick or through might not be. To better meet your needs, Jamesconvenient—even Urgent Care is nowwhen opengetting from Monday Saturday. We make getting the care you need convenient—even when getting sick or hurt might not be.
Î Open Monday through Saturday Î Open Monday through Saturday Open through Saturday Î No Monday Appointments Needed ÎÎNo Appointments Needed Î No Needed ÎAppointments Open Late Hours Î Open Late Hours (M–F 5 PM–10 PM, Sat. 9 AM–7 PM)
Now Accepting
Î Open Late Hours (M–F 5 PM–10 PM, Sat. 9 AM–7 PM)
(M–F 5 PM–10 PM, Sat. 9 AM–7 Plaza PM) Î Located in Our Medical
Î Located in Our Medical Plaza (next to Our the hospital) Î Located in Medical Plaza (next (next to thetohospital) the hospital)
Î Easy Access to Additional Î Easy Access to Additional Care if Needed Î Easy Access to Additional if Needed CareCare if Needed
Lutcher, LA Lutcher, LA
Lutcher, LA
24 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE
www.sjph.org Follow Us on Facebook www.sjph.org Follow Us on Facebook www.sjph.org Follow Us onand Facebook This institution is an equal opportunity provider employer. This institution an equal opportunity and employer. This institution is anis equal opportunity providerprovider and employer.
M–F 5 PM–10 PM M–F59 5 PM–10 PM–10PM PM Sat. AM–7 M–F PM Sat. 9 AM–7 PM
Sat. 9 AM–7 PM
225.258.2040 225.258.2040
225.258.2040