MARDI GRAS MAMBO!

BY MARY DITCH | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

As you step into the home of Tony and Dawn Romero, you are greeted by a beautiful entryway decorated with a stunning Carnival mask, welcoming you with energy and joy!

“I love decorating my home for Mardi Gras!” shared Dawn. “Once the Christmas decor has been taken down, everything looks plain. Then up goes the beautiful colors of Mardi Gras to spruce things up again!”

The couple moved into their home five years ago. The traditional home features a transitional interior style. “When we moved into this home, we knew lots of decorative work was needed,” said Dawn. “Shannon Knight with Knight n Day Designs has been a huge help in making this home refreshed and beautiful!”

During the summer, the homeowners’ favorite feature is the pool area. However, repairs from Ida are still being done to the pool space, giving Dawn the opportunity to feature two new favorite spaces. “I love the entrance to my home. I like that I can easily change the look of my entrance with the seasons. The formal sitting room to the left of my entrance is also very versatile. This is my “quiet” space. Sitting by the fireplace, looking out the double doors, with no TV or kitchen noise is super relaxing!” POV

For more than forty years, the Houmabased Terrebonne Orchid Society has been cultivating a friendly, helpful, and open community around a shared passion for these beautiful flowers.

The Terrebonne Orchid Society was established in September of 1987 by the late Houma resident and horticulture enthusiast Mr. Ashley. The club was started based on a local love of orchids, and a desire to build a community in which orchid owners could ask friends for advice on their plants and display their prize blooms. The club currently has about thirty members, with two of the original founding members still active in the club.

Beverly Matherne, widow of the late Ashley Matherne, has been an active member of the Terrebonne Orchid Society for almost 30 years and recalls her late husband Ashley’s infectious love for the plants. “He had what I can only describe as a God-given talent,” said Beverly fondly. “He was a hybridizer, which means that most of what he did was focusing on breeding orchids to create new types. Through this process he was able to make some incredibly unique new types of orchids. It was through watching him work that I fell in love with orchids myself. His work was truly special.” Ashley was nationally recognized hybridist and received two First Class Flower (FCC) Awards by the American Orchid Society for his species of orchids. This is the highest award presented by the American Orchid Society, as winning blooms must score a 90 or above on the 100-point scale. While people such as Ashley showed their orchids competitively, the Terrebonne Orchid Society is not solely focused on competitive work. “Our society is really a group of close friends who get together to talk about our experiences and share our passion for these beautiful plants,” said member Denise Mitchell. Denise has been a member of the Terrebonne Orchid Society for five years, but became invested in growing orchids years earlier friends about your experiences.”

Whether participants are involved in the society in a leisurely or more serious way, The Terrebonne Orchid Society offers lots of opportunities to become involved in a larger community of orchidists. The Houma-based group is part of the American Orchid Society, and local members often have the opportunity to travel to different states across the country to attend and present in orchid shows. “We plan whole trips to go visit other orchid society shows,” said Denise. “They are a lot of fun for our members and we always look forward to them.” The local club is a host to these shows as well, and the society is looking forward to a big one– The Terrebonne Orchid Society Show and Sale that will take place on Friday, March 24th (11 a.m. - 8 p.m.), Saturday, March 25th (11 a.m. - 8 p.m), and Sunday, March 26th (12 p.m. - 6 p.m.) at the Southland Mall, 5953 W Park Avenue, “Members of our society and other orchid societies from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mississippi, Lafayette, Texas, and other places will all be attending the show,” said Denise. “We will have judges from the Houston Orchid Society coming as well to award prizes. People in attendance can expect to see all kinds of rare, common, and absolutely beautiful orchids from all kinds of orchidists.” The Terrebonne Orchid Society Show and Sale is open to the public free of charge. If attendees are interested in purchasing an orchid at the show, there will be vendors with orchids for sale.

After a tour of Denise’s personal greenhouse and a look at the process of growing and cultivating different types of orchids, the two society members emphasized the importance of the club to them and their effort to expose their society to the community. “We are always looking for new members,” said Beverly. “Everyone has something different and unique to bring to the table. We always love when new people come to our meetings. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to ask advice, or to show an orchid, or just meet new people– if you want to join, just show up!”

The Terrebonne Parish Orchid Society meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at the Terrebonne Parish Public Library Main Branch. Membership to the society is entirely free.

“This society is special to us,” said Denise as Beverly smiled and nodded. “After all–orchid friends are forever!”

For more information about the Terrebonne Orchid Society and upcoming show, reach out to Denise Mitchell at denise.mitchell123@gmail.com. POV

INFLUENCERS TAKE ON MANY MONIKERS, BUT IT’S HOW THEY SHAPE OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT MATTERS MOST. FROM DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL CARE TO PROVIDING UNFORGETTABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, OUR INFLUENCERS LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH THEIR COMMUNITY. JOIN WITH US AS WE CELEBRATE OUR AREA’S TOP INFLUENCERS.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS/

2021 AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE OF COMMERCE FROM NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY

2018 RECIPIENT, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

GALA HONOREE

2017 RECIPIENT, BEST OF LAFOURCHE EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE

2016 HARVEY PELTIER AWARD, NICHOLLS ALUMNI FEDERATION

2010 REGENT’S AWARD, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVES

• 2009 THIBODAUX CHAMBER FRANK KENNEDY CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD

• 2006 CHAPTER HONOREE BETA GAMMA SIGMA, NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY

• HONORARY MEMBER, BETA GAMMA SIGMA, NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER

• EXECUTIVE PROFESSOR, A.B. FREEMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, TULANE UNIVERSITY

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

• THE HAVEN

• THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

• FOOD BANK

• CANCER-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

BUSINESS SUCCESSES/ ACHIEVEMENTS:

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

• NO. 1 HOSPITAL IN LOUISIANA FOR CARDIAC CARE BY CARE CHEX

• TOP 50 CARDIOVASCULAR HOSPITAL IN THE NATION

• “A” PATIENT SAFETY GRADE BY LEAPFROG

• HEALTHGRADES TOP 10% IN THE NATION FOR PATIENT SAFETY EXCELLENCE

• HEALTHGRADES TOP 10% IN THE NATION FOR PATIENT EXPERIENCE

GROWTH AND LEADERSHIP

• INNOVATIVE CANCER INSTITUTE

• STATE-OF-THE-ART WELLNESS CENTER AND SPORTS COMPLEX

• RECRUITED MORE THAN 40 PHYSICIAN SPECIALISTS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS

Greg Stock

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM

WHAT LED YOU TO THE ROLE YOU CURRENTLY HOLD IN YOUR COMPANY? DID YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THIS POSITION WHEN YOU STARTED OUT IN THE WORKFORCE? I originally intended to become a city manager but changed to healthcare administration. I became fascinated with the complexities of the job and the opportunity to make a difference in the quality of people’s lives.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU HAVE FACED OVER THE YEARS, AND HOW DID YOU MEET IT? Leading change – getting a sufficient number of people to embrace a vision and adopt new and improved ways of doing things; pursue excellence and not be satisfied with mediocrity; so that the hospital/health system actually realizes in large measure its reason for being. This includes overcoming critics and those with little vision, or no vision.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, AND WHAT LESSON DID YOU LEARN FROM THIS JOB? Working with my dad, the rancher. I learned honesty, to work hard, bring energy and enthusiasm to your job, be an innovator, finish the work and strive for perfection.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT EACH MORNING? Prayer.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE DO YOU SHARE WITH YOUR TEAM REGULARLY?

To lead by example, walk the talk and live up to our purpose.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST FULFILLING CAREER MOMENT? There are many of those moments to know you made a difference in the lives of the people you serve.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF WORKING HERE IN THE BAYOU REGION? I love the people. They are the best anywhere.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPACT THE BAYOU REGION IN 2023? Continue work to improve health, wellness and quality of life. POV