C'est la vie

c'est la vie

River Parishes Magazine

A special publication of L'OBSERVATEUR

www.lobservateur.com

Winter 2015 Edition

c’est la vie ~ 1

COVERS • SCREEN ROOMS • ROOM ENCLOSURES WINDOWS • SOFFIT • SIDING • ALUMINUM GUTTERS

• ROOFING • DOORS • COLUMNS • HAND RAILS • CEMENT • PRESSURE WASHING • SHEETROCK WORK

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Bienvenue!

While preparing for the New Year, it is a great time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.

Voters have afforded me the opportunity to lead St. John the Baptist Parish for another four years and I look forward to making the best of it for our residents and business owners.

The people of our great parish make it a unique place to live and raise a family. As Parish President, I am committed to providing a secure economic future and improving the quality of life for all. With a $94 million budget set for 2016, along with several grant opportunities under consideration, the outlook for our future is very bright.

Home to nearly 46,000 residents on the east and west banks of the Mississippi River, St. John the Baptist Parish is a rich blend of heritage, culture and charm. In this issue, our community’s most valuable resource, our people, will be highlighted. Our residents share in our passion for community living and their hard work, volunteerisim, and public service complement our efforts to reach greater heights.

Please take time to read this special issue and share in the pride of our community and our people. We ask that you support our local newspaper, as it features important news and community events. Be a part of something great and help make St. John the Baptist Parish the best that it can be.

Please visit the parish website at www.sjbparish.com to view our latest news and upcoming events in the community. We also encourage you to Shop Local this holiday season and support our local businesses through purchases and entertainment. The Shop Local Trivia Game is also underway and is a great way to earn gift cards and prizes from local, small businesses.

Thanks for your support to St. John the Baptist Parish, and may you have a prosperous New Year!

– Natalie Robottom St. John the Baptist Parish President c’est la vie ~ 3

Table of Contents Editor’s welcome -------------------------------- 5 Bill Ironside takes long path to RTC ---------- 6 7 Questions with Kentralyn Montgomery ---- 10 Meredith Dufrene’s King Cake --------------- 12 Saints coach McMahon finds local home ---- 15 7 Questions with Jim Planetta --------------- 18 Valentine’s Day ideas without sweets ------- 22 Judy Rongey leads in the classroom ---------- 24 Scene it: St. John Veterans Day parade ----- 28 Dining -------------------------------------------- 36 Parting Shots ------------------------------------ 39

The River Parishes Magazine, C’EST LA VIE Publisher/Editor ~ Stephen Hemelt Advertising ~ Christine Browning • Regina Burrell • Jennifer Glidden Contributing Writers ~ Raquel Derganz Baker • Lori Lyons • Courtney Griggs • Monique Roth • Gladys Davis Mulkey Graphic Designer ~ Christine Browning • Candace Hemelt 116 Newspaper Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068 • 985-652-9545

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Chung-Suk Cutno sits next to her gingerbread house

Heavenly Sweets delivers luscious tradition Many people simply know her as “Chung,” but Chung-Suk Cutno’s story and contribution each year to the River Region’s Christmas season is quite special.

Originally from South Korea, Chung made her way to the United States in 1984.

After raising a family and seeing her children off through school and into the working world, Chung went to STEPHEN school for herself, focusing on courses HEMELT in hotel management.

Following graduation, she worked Publisher in a downtown New Orleans boutique hotel.

“That was after (Hurricane) Katrina, so the hotel had a lot of problems,” Chung told me recently.

“I was working maybe three months. It was not really what I expected and they laid me off. I was the oldest one, and, maybe, I didn’t meet what they were looking for.”

Undaunted, Chung went back to school and took a pastry class. A resident of the Belle Terre community, she also routinely passed an empty storefront during this time in the 600 block of Belle Terre Boulevard in LaPlace.

“Every morning I would say, ‘This place is really beautiful. Maybe, I could make a beautiful coffee shop,’” Chung said.

Those words proved prophetic.

Chung took her education from the hotel management and pastry classes and combined it with some of her South Korean roots and opened a sweets shop at the location in December 2009.

Six years later, Chung’s Heavenly Café is a community

staple for local residents, but also for tourists who frequent the area via her location near Interstate 10.

“I have so many European tourists passing here, I wanted to let them know about the bonfires,” Chung said. “I wanted to introduce a little of St. John Parish.”

What Chung means by “introduce” is adding some local flavor to her annual gingerbread house that is prominently displayed each holiday season.

This year’s version, which won’t be coming down anytime soon, includes miniature bonfire structures that salute the practice synonymous with St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes each Christmas.

“I wanted to share in the Christmas spirit so I started building the gingerbread house and trying to make very huge ones,” Chung said about the effort she began in 2010.

“I have two children, a son and a daughter, so I decorate each side with things that happened in their lives in the past year, and I include something for the parish.”

She kept the display up for two months the first year, but joked by the third year, she kept it up all year long.

“I’ve been doing this so many hours and so many days, I couldn’t just, after a month, say Christmas is done and get rid of it,” she said. “I just couldn’t do it.”

Chung’s customers start asking her about the new gingerbread house each October, but the sweets builder takes on each construction without a specific design in mind, preferring to let her imagination and love of family and community inspire her in the moment.

The results have turned into a River Parishes tradition that we all get to enjoy. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Stephen Hemelt is publisher and editor of C’EST LA VIE and L’OBSERVATEUR. He can be reached at 985-652-9545 or stephen.hemelt@lobservateur.com.

c’est la vie ~ 5

Bill Ironside owns three race cars: A 1967 Porsche 912, a 1995 Porsche 911 SC Carrera and a 1998 Panoz GTRA. His passion for racing has stayed with him as he crossed the country through his career before settling in St. John the Baptist Parish as President of Reserve Telecommunications. (Photos by Courtney Griggs)

Ironside’s career has revved up while racing has calmed him

B

ill Ironside didn’t always dream of being president of a telecommunications company.

It took two decades and half a dozen jobs across the country before the Michigan native landed in South Louisiana and eventually came to work as head of Reserve Telecommunications.

He did always dream of being a race car driver. He first got behind the wheel at 10 years old.

As a child he loved sports but didn’t have the skills or coordination to perform well in elite competitions.

However, racing allowed him then (and now) to use

6 ~ c’est la vie

his mind and hand-eye coordination to succeed.

He won his first race when he was 10 and was hooked after that.

“Most people find it hard to believe, but racing relaxes me,” said the veteran businessman. “I suppose it is like a ‘runner’s high,’ because I feel relaxed after racing.”

That away-from-work relaxation has been a needed stress reliever for a man with a career path that has taken him across the country and in various entertainment and service fields.

Born and raised in Detroit, Ironside earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Michigan

University and started work as a public accountant. was able to return to his life and job in Los Angeles.

He quickly worked his way up to become a CPA and got “I got back and realized no one needed me,” Ironside a job as an internal auditor for Times Mirror Company, said. “My job was still there, but they had been working which owned several newspapers and TV stations and without me for so long that I didn’t have anything to do.” had an investment in something called cable television.

Ironside was 26 and bored. He wanted to go somewhere.

The year was 1981, and the concept of cable was new.

That’s when he found out United Artists was looking for “I remember going down and working on a controller. an audit there,” Ironside said. “I looked at “I liked the sound of that title so I “I looked at my boss my boss and said, ‘Who’s going to pay to applied and got the job,” Ironside said. “It and said, ‘Who’s going watch TV?’ I didn’t pay for TV and I didn’t was one of the best things that ever hapunderstand why anybody in their right pened to me. The person I worked for, who to pay to watch TV?’ mind would pay to watch TV.” ironically was also named Bill, was truly I didn’t pay for TV His first thought was, “This isn’t going to my mentor. I learned so much about how and I didn’t understand to be a manager and how to be respected as last very long.”

Ironside’s boss moved to California to a boss from him.” why anybody in their work for the cable company and asked him Ironside worked there for several years right mind would pay to go with him and handle the auditing. before the company was bought out and to watch TV.” “I went to California and, being in my the new owners made him director of early 20s, saw all the beautiful women finance. everywhere,” Ironside said. “That was my “I really liked that job because I wasn’t a Bill Ironside start to working in cable TV.” corporate guy,” Ironside said. “I was actuRTC president Much like his favorite comic strip ally out managing parts for the company. I Dilbert, Ironside grew tired of working in a was working with people who really liked cubicle and itched to get out in the field. me and making good money at the time.”

“A temporary position in our Las Vegas office as direcAfter a year, Ironside got the itch again. His next career tor of accounting became available,” Ironside said. “My venture landed him in Denver working for a small startcompany was trying to sell that one, and I was very up company. aggressive in trying to get my career going. It was only “They called and offered me a job as the vice president supposed to be for a month or two, and I was promised my of finance, the chief financial officer,” Ironside said. “At job would be waiting for me back in California.”

29, the idea of being a CFO was ‘wow!’ My L.A. boss and Ten months later that company finally sold and Ironside president of the company both told me I really didn’t want

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RTC President Bill Ironside has been with Reserve Telecommunications for the last 13 years. RTC offers telephone, Internet and cable services.

to work for these guys.”

Within six months, the company collapsed, leaving Ironside without a job and having to borrow every penny he could from family and friends.

Ironside’s next career adventure took him to Greenwich, Conn. It was there that, at 32 years old, that he purchased his first race car.

“I come from a car-nut family,” he said. “I would compete with the Quarter Midgets. But this was the first car I bought myself. It cost $3,200.”

His job didn’t last long, but Ironside found new work with a short commute to White Plains, N.Y., working for another Bill.

After a couple of years and another call from his headhunter, Ironside was on a plane headed to New Orleans.

“I told the headhunter that I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a Southerner,” Ironside said. “He told me he didn’t know what New Orleans was, but it wasn’t like a Southern city.”

Ironside moved South to work as director of finance for Ray Nagin with Cox Communications.

He worked as finance director for several years, but was always itching to do something different.

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Cox had just ventured into the telephone industry, and Ironside persuaded Nagin to let him be General Manager for what became Cox Business Services.

“We were doing telephone and Internet services,” Ironside said. “Thinking about it now, the gall I had to think I could run a telephone company was amazing. I definitely had misplaced self-confidence. I had no clue what I was doing when I started, but I hired the right people to help me.

Within a year we made the company $12 million.”

Ironside said after the first year, for political reasons, he was thrown under the bus

by Nagin and let go — “It turned out to be the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”

Out of the blue, Ironside received a call from his headhunter with an opportunity in the River Parishes.

“He asked if I would be interested in working for a rural company that was just starting to offer cable and Internet services,” Ironside said. “I knew he was talking about Reserve Telecommunications. Next thing I knew, I was on a plane to New York for the interview.”

His interview came down to one big question: Could Ironside make the company money. He said yes and got the job.

Ironside has been president of Reserve Telecommunications for the last 13 years.

RTC offers telephone, Internet and cable services, and every job Ironside held previously prepared him for this place in his life.

Today, Ironside lives in LaPlace. To combat the pressures of the job, the veteran racer still returns to his Detroit roots. When he isn’t running the largest telecommunications company in St. John the Baptist Parish, Ironside is on the racetrack.

“I participate in ten to 13 races every year,” he said. “I

would race more, but I just don’t have the time to take off of work any more than that.”

He competed in the U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship Nov. 3-8 and won numerous awards, including a silver medal — “It’s definitely something to be proud of.”

Ironside is looking forward to the Amelia Island 2016 Concours D’elegance in March, which is one of his favorites.

“It’s all vintage cars lined up from everywhere,” he said. “I’ll be racing my 1967 Porsche 912. I like racing vintage cars because it has a different feel to it. But don’t get me wrong, I love racing my newer cars, too.”

Ironside currently owns three race cars: A 1967 Porsche 912, a 1995 Porsche 911 SC Carrera and a 1998 Panoz GTRA. “I’ve owned about 30 in my lifetime, but these are what I have now,” Ironside said.

“I just got the Panoz because the motor went out in my ’95 Porsche. Christine was completely against it at first, but she eventually wanted me to get the Panoz.”

Ironside’s wife, Christine, has been by his side for the last 10 years as his biggest racing fan.

“We actually met during Hurricane Katrina,” Ironside said. “She’s a nurse.

I was having horrible headaches that wouldn’t go away and ran into her at a hospital. I literally ran into her, and I asked her out right there.”

Bill and Christine Ironside have been married for more than eight years and share five poodles.

“Some of them are really old and on their last legs, but Christy keeps bringing more home. The two younger ones replaced two other dogs who passed away. Apparently, I am always going to live in a house full of dogs.”

— By Courtney Griggs

c’est la vie ~ 9

7 Questions With ....

Kentralyn JohnsonMontgomery Kentralyn Johnson-Montgomery, 28, grew up in Winnsboro and today teaches at West St. John Elementary School.

The school recently inducted 19 members into the newly formed Jr. Beta Club with a goal of building leaders in the school and helping the community beyond campus.

Montgomery is serving as the club’s sponsor.

She graduated from Franklin Parish High School and Grambling

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State University with honors, where she received her Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems.

She has been married to Larry Montgomery for six years. They have two children: son Larry III and daughter Kamryn. She lived in Little Rock, Ark., for three years, working in IT before deciding to pursue her career path in teaching. For fun, she spends time with family, hangs out with friends, watches TV and travels.

1) What inspired you to get into teaching?

A few teachers in high school inspired me to teach. I also want to have a positive influence on children. I like to be a role model for them and create relationships with them.

I want them to know I’m there, I care about them and care what they are doing. I don’t just teach them math; I teach them why it’s important to focus on school. I also try to include life lessons when I teach. I hope those life lessons go with them behind high school. The students seem interested in the life lessons. They ask questions and probe more about the issue. I also share my experiences, and it makes them more interested. I can tell from the looks of their faces that they are thinking about what we talked about.

2) What is the ideal age group and subject for you to teach?

My ideal age group is 12 - 18 year olds, because it’s an impressionable time period for young adolescents. My ideal subjects are computer classes or math.

3) Can math teachers be cool?

Definitely, yes! I like to teach and have fun with my students. We have fun by sharing jokes. Sometimes during lessons, we play music and we’ve played math Simon Says before with integers. I try to relate their world to the math lesson. I know some of them like music and to dance, so I try to incorporate those things so we have fun. I just

think, ‘What would I want to do if I was around that age?’

Sometimes, they are my own ideas and sometimes I get ideas from other teachers. The more challenging lessons are the ones I try to make fun to help them get the hang of it.

The students respond well to the activities. Sometimes, they come in asking, ‘What are we going to do in math class?’

4) What is the key to reaching students on their level?

Showing them you care by encouragement, being flexible and getting them to look at the subject in different ways.

5) Who was your favorite teacher and why?

My favorite teacher was one of my college professors, Dr. Kevin Sly, because of his support and the compassion he had. Every lesson he taught had a life lesson attached to it.

I had him my freshman year. He would tell us to do something that makes us happy and fulfilling, and to make sure to have an influence on people. He would say little things like that, but it wasn’t just about class. He also talked about life. I remember how he would encourage us to want more and to do more.

6) If you could take any course from any teacher what would it be, where and why?

I would take a course from myself, 10 years from now, just to see how much I have grown as a teacher and to see how much education has changed.

7) What would your students be surprised to hear that you guys have in common?

They would be surprised to know that I listen and dance to some of the same music as they do. They would also be surprised to learn that I am human, just like them, and that I make mistakes and am learning and growing daily, also.

c’est la vie ~ 11

Make your own King Cake

I

t’s what the tree is to Christmas and the turkey is to Thanksgiving. Could you imagine Easter without the baskets or Valentine’s Day without the hearts?

It’s KING CAKE, and it’s as essential to Mardi Gras festivities as the floats, parades and beads.

Bakeries all across South Louisiana have added their own flare to the traditional delicacy, and LaPlace resident Meredith Dufrene has perfected her own recipe of the delicious treat.

Dufrene has a knack for baking delicious and beautiful cakes for her family and friends to celebrate with at weddings, birthdays, anniversary parties and baby showers. What follows is her go-to recipe for the Carnival cake.

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Ingredients Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix 1 egg 6 tablespoons of butter 1 cup of hot water ½ cup of sugar ½ cup of brown sugar 1 ½ tablespoons of cinnamon 16 oz. of Pillsbury cream cheese or vanilla icing Purple, green and gold sugar Directions Pour dry contents of hot roll mix and yeast packet into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and shake to mix. Add hot water, egg and 2 Tbsp. melted butter to dry mix. Kneed mixture in sealed bag for 5 minutes. Dump dough into greased bowl and cover. Let sit in warm area until mixture doubles in size.

Roll out half of the dough onto floured surface, making a 1’ x 2’ rectangle. Brush surface with

melted butter. Combine and sprinkle the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over top.

Spread cream cheese filling (see recipe below) or any desired fruit filling. Roll dough length-wise, leaving seam underneath. Repeat with other half of dough. Complete by tucking one end into the other.

Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Let cool. Warm container of frosting to pouring consistency. Pour/ice the cake. Top with purple, green and gold sugar.

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients 8 oz. package of cream cheese 1 cup of Confectioner’s Sugar 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 2-3 tablespoons of milk Soften cream cheese and add sugar, vanilla and milk. Mix until smooth.

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Home perfectly fit for a Saint Special teams coach ‘blessed’ to find security in traveling profession Photo by Michael C. Hebert/ New Orleans Saints

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McMahon contributing to St. John

D

eveloping a successful career in football while also raising a family of five, is a balancing act.

In an industry that facilitates, if not demands, multiple moves through the country, giving a family roots through which they can grow is a challenge in itself. Where those roots are planted, though, can make a big difference.

New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Greg McMahon has achieved such a balance.

While his early career led him to coaching jobs in Minnesota, Las Vegas and other locations, he’s more recently spent all but one of the last 23 years in the same two places.

After 13 years coaching in his hometown in Illinois, followed by a brief stint in East Carolina, McMahon has been able to achieve a level of stability coveted by his peers right here in Louisiana.

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“In this profession, I’ve actually been pretty fortunate.

I’ve gotten 23 years in two spots, so I’ve been pretty blessed. My children only had to move one time. My two oldest moved when they were real young, so I’ve been blessed.”

Greg McMahon New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator

“In this profession, I’ve actually been pretty fortunate,” McMahon said. “I’ve gotten 23 years in two spots, so I’ve been pretty blessed.

My children only had to move one time. My two oldest moved when they were real young, so I’ve been blessed.”

McMahon accepted a job coach-

ing the specials teams with the Saints in 2006, but finding a suitable education for his youngest son proved a bit more difficult.

“When we moved down here, it was right after Katrina and my youngest son, who’s now 21 years old, was in sixth grade and we had always sent him to private Catholic schools,” said McMahon.

“After Katrina, it was very difficult to find anywhere that would take a sixth grade boy. St. Joan of Arc in LaPlace would take him. I went to church there and then got a chance to go by the school and meet Mr. Bourgeois, the principal, and all the people over there.

(Those meetings) and because of the academics for our youngest son is really how we ended up there.”

Nearly ten years later, McMahon and his family have become a vital part of St. John the Baptist Parish and the River Region, often participating in charity events with his wife and volunteering with

Photo by Michael C. Hebert/ New Orleans Saints

his son’s high school, St. Charles Catholic.

Apart from serving as a celebrity judge for the alumni homecoming cook off, McMahon frequently speaks at the football program’s Quarterback Club Meeting, giving advice and lessons to the school’s athletes.

“He’s become a mentor to our coaching staff and is always available to us — always at our beck and call,” St. Charles Catholic football coach Frank Monica said. “Coach McMahon has been a tremendous friend.”

SCC Director of Instruction and Institutional Advancement Dr. Courtney Millet said McMahon helps out with the school’s annual golf tournament, which generates money for the school’s football team.

“He helps with silent auction items like signed jerseys, signed footballs, you know, that kind of thing,” Millet said. “He’s always there. If I have a question with something for school or something we may need, if you call his cell phone, he answers. That’s a nice thing to have for us.”

It’s not just the community that keeps McMahon from moving closer to work, though. He says the more rural, River Region nature that New Orleans tends to lack is just right for a family from a small town in Illinois.

Finding pleasure in things like picking different routes to and from work at the Saints’ practice facility on Airline Drive every day, the proximity to his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in

Prairieville and that small town charm make LaPlace home for a man under pressure every week to bring wins to Louisiana.

“I am what I am; and it’s been a great way to raise a family,” McMahon said. “We’ve raised our family through this game, and it’s been very, very good to us. I love coaching and I love the time with the Saints, as well.”

Whether he’s further ingraining himself in fabric of greater LaPlace, spending time with his family or getting the Saints ready for next week’s game, it’s clear Coach Greg McMahon’s impact on those in his community have been nothing but a blessing.

— By Matt Starlight

c’est la vie ~ 17

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7 Questions With .... Jim Planetta Jim Planetta is the longtime owner and operator of The Donut Hole in LaPlace. He recently passed on the business to his daughter, Kristie.

Planetta says the key to his success comes in the preparation, a recipe that has led to years in business and many customers that include a few famous ones, numerous tourists and hundreds of dedicated local residents.

How did you get into the doughnut business?

I used to go to a friend of mine who had a doughnut shop in Hammond and help him before I’d go to work. One day he said, “So, if you want to get into the doughnut business, I can help you, but you have to go to another town.” I started in Baton Rouge. I opened a Tastee Donut franchise, then I moved on to Gonzales and opened my own doughnut shop.

When I sold that, I came here and opened a breakfast place. It was like a P.J.’s (Coffee). The town wasn’t ready for it then. So we went back into the doughnut business. We knew we could sell doughnuts, but we couldn’t sell fancy coffee.

What’s your favorite doughnut?

I actually don’t have a favorite. People say, “You must get tired of eating doughnuts.” No. Never. You

can make so many doughnuts, you can eat a different one every day. It’s impossible to not eat them, especially the doughnut holes. You just walk by and grab one. You can eat 10,000 calories in here if you’re not careful. It’s an effort. If you ask my wife, we were open two years and one day she came by the kitchen and she goes, “Wow. These are really good.” She had never eaten a doughnut in two years.

Why are your doughnuts so darned good?

Everything’s made from scratch. We start with flour and water. Our motto has always been, “Fresh from the bowl at the Donut Hole.”

Who has been your most famous customer?

Sean Payton. He was doing some work in the area and somebody told him to come here, so he did. He took pictures and all. A lot of the Saints players come in here. What’s amazing is, from the time we opened the shop until we opened a lunch business, we kept a log in for customers. We often said that the powers-that-be in this town don’t realize the number of tourists that come through here. We’ve had people from all over the state, all over the world.

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What is it like to pass the business on to your daughter?

You always want your children to do better than what you do. I have two daughters. One is a teacher and wants nothing to do with the business. But Kristie has begged me for this business for years. But it’s a hard business, and I didn’t want her in it. But, knowing that we have a really good crew and her children are grown, I decided to let her have it. She does much better than I did. She’s a people person like me, but she has a woman’s touch. She stepped it up. She’s got taste. To me, it was just a business.

You are a big supporter of veterans.

Why is that?

“You always want your children to do better than what you do. I have two daughters. One is a teacher and wants nothing to do with the business. But Kristie has begged me for this business for years.”

I always wanted, when I was young, to become a Marine. But as life went on, I went to school and didn’t get drafted and I didn’t join because I was overweight at the time.

But I’ve always been fascinated with the history of World War II, Vietnam, the things that men are willing to do for their country and Jim Planetta their family. I never did The Donut Hole it. It’s amazing to me the courage and stamina they have, to know they might not come back home. So, my way of supporting them is to always support whatever they’re doing, whenever I can, but on Veterans Day, we’ll feed them.

I’m supposed to ask you about a time when you wore a dress?

We were always big Mardi Gras people. Then we started doing Lundi Gras. At the time, it wasn’t as crowded as it is now. And, to have fun at Mardi Gras, you have to have a costume. So a group of us would get together and we’d do different things. One year, I don’t know how it came about, but I dressed as a woman. I have a picture of me coming down the stairs at Napoleon House. (My wife) Judy captioned it as “The bride who got left behind.”

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For more information call 985.764.9762 22 ~ c’est la vie

How to easily take the stress … AND SUGAR … out of Valentine’s Day

V

alentine’s Day…the fun, the flowers, the passion. For adults it’s a day of romance, but for children it can become Halloween Part II with the excessive amounts of treats, candy and an inevitable sugar crash.

While it is relatively easy as a parent to control the amount of sugar your child consumes at home, it’s impossible to manage the treats coming in from your child’s classroom, dancing class and every activity in between. But there’s hope! What follows are 10 ideas for cute messages to be paired with non-candy gifts to use as either ideas for your own child or as a catalyst for group treats.

The warning is going out now — these are very “punny.” But the more puns, the cuter when it comes to any treat, and the sky’s the limit as to what small trinket or toy can suddenly become holiday-appropriate with a little tag.

While Facebook, Etsy and Pinterest are teeming with printable tags — sometimes free and often for purchase — to attach to treats, we’ve included a free one in this article to help get you started on your way to an easy, sugar-free Valentine’s Day. “Punny” Ideas For Treat Tags 1. You blow me away This tag is perfect to attach to a small container of bubbles.

2. You are the apple of my eye Whether it’s a packet of squeezable applesauce, a box of apple juice, a bag of apple jacks or the actual fruit itself, this saying is naturally sweet.

3. You’re my love bug Attached to a bag of toy bugs, this tag idea is perfect for boys.

4. Read my lips: You’re the best Catered to older girls, this tag idea would be adorable on a lipgloss!

5. Life without you would be unBEARable This sentiment would be adorable attached to a teddy bear.

6. You light up my life A candle, glow sticks or cute flashlight is the perfect item to pair this saying with.

7. I’m nuts about you Any can of nuts works for this cute saying!

8. You color my world Artistic children may enjoy a new pack of colors, markers or a paint set with this sweet message attached.

9. I’m stuck on you From stickers to “slime” and every sticky thing in between, this message can easily be attached to a gift that could provide hours of fun.

10. You make my heart pop While there are several “pop” candies (like Blow Pops and Pop Rocks), popcorn may be a healthier way to gift this sweet sentiment.

c’est la vie ~ 23

Tinnelle Lewis, from left, sits next to Kennedy Gambino high fives Judy Rongey, who is also getting a hug from Amari Brown.

Davin Zeringue is sitting far right. The students and teacher are sitting in a circle playing the greeting game.

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Rongey uses team approach, love as teaching leader

L

oving your students and leading them hand-in-hand to love learning is how Judy Rongey describes her approach to teaching prekindergarten students.

She sees it as a special opportunity to transform little children into inquiring and motivated lifelong learners.

“I love when I see the written word come into focus for these young learners,” she said. “It is a very special time for them when they realize they can read, write and count. I love when I hear, ‘Ms. Judy, I can do it.’ I am inspired by these opportunities to make differences in building a foundation for learning in young children.”

Rongey has been a teacher at St. Rose Elementary School for more than two decades.

She is a leader in and out of the classroom, serving this year as the school’s Olweus Bullying Prevention Program coordinator.

Led by strong values and vaulted by early mentors and a supportive family, Rongey is now state president of Epsilon State, The Louisiana State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

Her presidency continues through June 30, 2017.

Delta Kappa unites female educators in a genuine spiritual fellowship and honors women who have established giving or who demonstrate potential for distinctive service in any field of education. Membership is by invitation only, and nominees must be endorsed by at least three current members. ​​The Louisiana state organization is involved in scholarships, grants and projects involving early career educators.

“Our state organization includes 1,600 key women educators from 53 chapters throughout Louisiana,” Rongey said. “For the next two years, I will lead and involve our members in ‘Celebrating Our Past

Addison Chandler counts how man boys are in class with her at St. Rose Elementary School while teacher Judy Rongey watches.

and Advancing Our Future.’”

Rongey is responsible for representing Louisiana at the Southeast Regional Conference and the DKG International Convention in Nashville. In March and April, she selected and appointed more than

100 Louisiana members to serve on state committees to promote the organization’s mission to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

As a teacher, Rongey said the most

c’est la vie ~ 25

“As a teacher, I believe that it takes a lot of teamwork to maximize learning.”

Judy Rongey St. Rose Elementary teacher

imperative goal she has for students is helping them become risk takers and problem solvers.

“These are important traits in becoming productive citizens,” she said.

Rongey’s inspiration comes from many sources, but her mother first directed her into education.

“My mom was a single mother at 16 and did not finish high school,” she said. “At a very early age, my mom instilled in me the importance of learning and education. She believed I could when I thought I couldn’t. She made sure that I had everything that I needed to be successful in school and in life.”

Another source of inspiration was Rongey’s supervising teacher, Suzanne Braniff.

As a student teacher, Rongey said she learned much from Braniff, who she describes as “dynamic” in motivating students and meeting students’ needs.

Braniff is now retired and lives in Lockport.

“She has been instrumental in my career choices as an educator,”

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26 ~ c’est la vie

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Rongey said. “She began 27 years ago as a mentor and continues to be my cheerleader and my friend.”

Braniff said Rongey is a remarkable gift to children, to education and to St. Charles Parish.

“She is a master teacher and what all young teachers should inspire to be,” Braniff said.

“She has a true calling to make a difference in the lives of children.”

Another inspiration for Rongey was former St. Rose Elementary School principal Merlyna Valentine.

Valentine experienced a life-threatening medical condition that left her with physical disabilities, according to Rongey, but through determination and perseverance, returned to her position as school principal.

Rongey has used help from these powerful educators and allies to succeed in the classroom and push her own students and colleagues to even greater heights.

It’s a sense of community that is not forgotten.

“As a teacher, I believe that it takes a lot of teamwork to maximize learning,” Rongey said.

“Parents, community members, staff and faculty are invited to participate in learning activities of my young learners.”

— By Gladys Davis Mulkey

Luis Salmon writes his name while Judy Rongey uses a tablet to help make a game of the school work for her prekindergarten students.

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985-725-0053 c’est la vie ~ 27

SCENE IT:

BY RAQUEL DERGANZ BAKER RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

RESERVE — As part of this year’s Veterans Day celebrations, residents and family members gathered at the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve to watch the end of the St. John the Baptist Parish Veterans Day parade.

War Home residents, their family members and local veterans enjoyed locally cooked food like jambalaya and listened to music performed by high school bands as they waited for the parade to roll by.

Crafts were sold, along with snacks, and volunteers passed out ice cream and goody bags.

Volunteers, along with residents, could be seen waving their miniature American Flags in the air as they enjoyed the sunny November day.

The St. John Young Marines presented the colors, and the famous Otis Scott sang the National Anthem. Resident George E. Jones stopped to listen to Scott sing, adding he did a wonderful job.

All the Veterans seemed appreciative of the celebration and the support of their loved ones. They were also willing to share their stories with new friends.

When the parade made its way to the Veterans Home, swarms of cars came through, along with motorcades. After the parade was done, elected officials could be seen walking around shaking Veterans’ hands and thanking them for their service.

Everyone involved seemed to have smiles on their faces.

Reecie Crooks sparkles in her red, white and blue dress while waving her flag.

28 ~ c’est la vie

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Mary Truehill was passing out American Flags to visitors.

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Gerry Hotard uses her American Flag hat to cover up, what she joked was a bad hair day, to show her support for local Veterans.

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769 West 5th Street, LaPlace • 985.652.9990 c’est la vie ~ 29

Members of VFW Post 5852 of Lutcher show their support for local Veterans, including Harris Louque, Frank LeBoeuf and Greg Robertson.

Members of the National Association of Buffalo Solider and Troops Motorcycle Club pose with Veterans Home resident and Buffalo Solider George E. Jones. Club members are Wayne Howard, Terry Earl, Jerome Roamy Young and Patricia Wheeler.

30 ~ c’est la vie

Friends Russel Landeche and Clarence Peto pose before grabbing some food.

30 Years c’est la vie ~ 31

George E. Jones, a resident of the Southeastern Louisiana War Veterans Home, sits and waits for the parade to roll by his seat.

32 ~ c’est la vie

Darryl Sicarelli and son Neil sit and wait for the festivities to begin.

Leonard Sanders, who rode his bike all the way from River Forest, stands next to friend Denise Smith at the Veterans Day event.

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Resident Joseph Grahier poses with War Veterans Home therapy department member Alex Ashcraft.

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34 ~ c’est la vie

Susan Guidry and Mary Humphries enjoy music played by one of the local high school bands.

c’est la vie ~ 35

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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

1502 W. Airline Hwy. (Behind CVS) LaPlace, LA 70068 Phone: 985-653-3336

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509 Main Street • LaPlace, LA

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

Frostop Drive-In Restaurant 411 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-6361

Madea’s Kitchen 975 Cambridge Dr., Ste. B, LaPlace 985-359-1929

Dragon Garden 140 Belle Terre Blvd., Ste E., LaPlace 985-652-7250

Fuji Japanese Express 1922 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-618-3186

Mama Jo’s 2917 Hwy 51, Ste A., LaPlace 985-224-2666

Dunkin Donuts W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-9244

Gator’s Den Old Highway 51 South, Manchac 985-386-7902

McDonalds •4297 U.S. Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-652-5171 •1608 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2600 •5387 W Airline, Hwy, Garyville

1468 River Rd. • Reserve, LA

Best Wok Chinese Restaurant 530 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-9989

Hibachi Supreme Grill 1721 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace 985-652-5233

Bombshells 1421 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-2654

Huddle House 4325 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-1800

Buddy B’s 2788 River Road, Garyville 985-535-3663

IHop 220 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-4468 Jacob’s Andouille 505 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9080 1900 Hwy 51 • LaPlace

985-618-3313

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36 ~ c’est la vie

Jenny’s Overstuffed Poboy & Chicken Shop 136 W 10th St., Reserve 985-536-0019

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 Petra 10363 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-8888 Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar 3017 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-651-0300 PJ’s Coffee 1808 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-764-7573

“A LOCAL TRADITION FOR ANDOUILLE MADE THE OLDE FASHIONED WAY”

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769 West 5th Street, LaPlace • 985.652.9990

Jenny’s Overstuffed Poboy & Chicken Shop 114 N. Airline Hwy., Gramercy 225-869-0899

Raising Cane’s 123 West Airline Hwy, Laplace 985-652-4701

St. James Parish Aunt Ellies 1934 Main St., Lutcher 225-869-4088

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 Turn Arounds 1107 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-224-2818 Waffle House 4304 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-6111

Tod’s Catering 2180 S. Albert St., Lutcher 225-869-7000

Nobile’s Restaurant & Bar Serving Authentic River Road Cuisine In An Historic Place

Open Lunch: M-F 11 am - 2 pm Dinner: T-S 5 pm - 9 pm

2082 W. Main • Lutcher, LA

225-869-8900 Oak Alley Restaurant 3645 La. Hwy. 18, Vacherie 225-265-2151

Sam’s Southern Eatery 1173 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-1677

Sonic Drive Inn 100 Ormond Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-3168

Taylor’s Express Truck Stop 964 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-1734

CLOSED Sundays Sund

Ruby Garden Chinese Restaurant 3101 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-653-8700

985-652-7010

Grand Point Truck Stop & Casino 3415 La. Hwy. 3125, Paulina 225-869-6960 Hymel’s Seafood Restaurant 8740 La. Hwy. 44, Convent 225-562-7031

Popeye’s Fried Chicken 1603 W Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-3030

Rotolo’s Pizzera •406 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-1032 •3503 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. B, Reserve 985-536-3503

Golden Grove Restaurant 935 La. Hwy. 641, Gramercy 225-869-1212

Breon’s Frozen Yogurt 10850 Hwy. 3125, Ste. C, Gramercy 225-258-4448

Pizza Hut 1665 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6151

Café Perique 234 East Main St., Gramercy 225-869-1774

Popeye’s 982 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060

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

China King 849 N. Pine St., Gramercy 225-869-2000

Boulevard Bistro 1950 Ormond, Ste. B, Destrehan

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 Spectacular Tubers 1665 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-5600 DJ’s Grille 21060 La. Hwy. 20, Vacherie 225-265-7600

St. Charles Parish

Subway 10850 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy

Buster’s Grill 10405 Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-472-0771 Cafe Ormond 1974 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-0741 Cajun Kitchen 13322 U.S. 90, Boutte, Ste. Q 985-785-2405 Cashio’s Food Villa and Deli 13572 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-9389

c’est la vie ~ 37

Chow’s Garden 1974 Ormond Blvd., Ste. I, Destrehan 985-725-2469

Iron Gate 13299 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013

Cucina Bon Creole At Cypress Lakes Country Club 10 Villere Dr., Destrehan 985-764-6868

Jas Café 307 Paul Maillard Rd., Luling 985-785-0200

Daddy’s Fried Chicken 15683 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743 Destrehan Donuts 1974 Ormond, Ste. D, Destrehan 985-764-0050 Dot’s Diner 12179 U.S. Hwy. 90, Luling 985-785-6836 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

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

Hong Kong 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. D, Destrehan 985-725-9099 The Howling Pepper 109 St. Rose Ave., St. Rose 504-466-1944 IHOP 14099 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013

38 ~ c’est la vie

Portside Restaurant 11698 River Road, St. Rose 504-5469-3111 Rotolo’s Pizzeria 150 Ormond Center Court, Destrehan 985-725-2411 Sailfish Food and Spirits 12287 U.S. 90, Luling 985-308-0712

(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 Sushi Cafe 13899 River Road, Ste. A, Luling 985-308-1003 Take Away Donuts 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499

Mariano’s Italian Eatery 12371 Highway 90, Ste. A, Luling 985-785-7777

Taste of Tokyo 1972 Ormond Blvd., Ste. E-2, Destrehan 985-764-1818

McDonalds 3009 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-1021

Trey Wah (Chinese) 124 Longview Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1147

Mizu Japanese Restaurant 12715 Hwy. 90, Ste. 190, Luling 985-785-8168 Mrs. Snowman 110A Lakewood Dr., Luling 985-331-1411

Southern Latte Cafe 50 Wade St., Ste. 1, Luling 985-308-1472 Sonic Drive In 12557 U.S. 90, Luling 985-331-0099

HAMBURGERS, PO-BOYS, SALADS Daily Lunch Specials Sun- Thurs 11am-12am Fri & Sat 11am-2am

Ormond Plantation Restaurant 13786 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-8544

Happy Hour Everyday 4pm-7pm

PUB & GRILL

Grumpy’s 14984 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-2083 Happy Gardens II 15264 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-3888

Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken •116 Longivew Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1231 •13210 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-1377

10405 Airline Hwy, St. Rose, LA 70087

504-472-0771

Pam and Dale’s 14620 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-3112 Pizza Hut 12439 Hwy. 90, Luling 985-331-8380 P.J.’s Coffee of New Orleans 150 Ormond Center Court, Ste. T, Destrehan 985-764-7573

3001 Ormond Blvd # B Destrehan, LA 70047 (985) 764-1100

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 Sub Express 26 Apple St., Norco 985-764-9922 Subway •613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 200, Luling 985-331-2257 •14130 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-9818

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 Waffle House 10384 E. Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-467-1522 Wingzzz 613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 400, Luling 985-308-0743 Zydeco’s II 13228 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-308-1058

C’EST LA VIE: Parting Shots It was nice growing up with someone like you — someone to lean on, someone to count on ... someone to tell on! ~ Author Unknown Kayden, left, and Kylie Levet

Brothers Colt, left, and Remy Vicknair

Charlie and Olivia Roth

Kinsey and Judah LeBlanc

Gavin and Garrad LeBouef

c’est la vie ~ 39

40 ~ c’est la vie