Point of Vue - January 2023

FISHING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Misty Leigh McElroy

Pain Managed.

Interventional Pain Procedures including: Epidural Steroid and other spine injections, Percutaneous Disc Decompression, Radiofrequency Ablation, Kyphoplasty for Compression Fractures and Discograms

Spinal Implant Procedures including: Intrathecal Pump Implants, Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants, and VERTIFLEX (a minimally invasive treatment for spinal stenosis) Wellness & Osteoporosis Clinic

Bone Density Scans (DEXA), treatment of bone disease, and general well-being

Michael S. Haydel, MD, FIPP Daniel Clayton, PA-C Donovan Matherne, FNP-C Brandi Degruise, FNP-C

AMENITIES INCLUDE: •MUSIC & MEMORY THERAPY •KITCHEN THERAPY •LIVE & LOCAL CONCERTS •IN-HOUSE THERAPY DOG •NOVEL EXCURSIONS •GAMES & CRAFTS Adventure Growth Happiness

Pick IN REHAB SHORT TERM The Best Choice

one word to describe this past year.

PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Mary Downer Ditch

EDITORIAL

Bonnie Rushing Editorial Director

Heidi Guidry

Isabelle Gareis

SUBSCRIPTIONS

CREATIVE

Lauren Hemstreet

PHOTOGRAPHY

Misty Leigh McElroy

Kirk Voclain

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Tara Wolfe

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jaime Dishman

John Doucet

CONTACT

Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com

Editorial: mary@rushing-media.com

Creative: graphics@rushing-media.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

Copyright ©2022 Rushing Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of editorial and/or graphic content is strictly prohibited.

BUSINESS ADDRESS: Rushing Media, P.O. Box 5013, Houma, LA 70361 • 985.868.7515

Point of Vue magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. The opinions expressed in Point of Vue magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Rushing Media, our employees or any of our advertisers. No employee or family member(s) of employees of Rushing Media are permitted to partake in any contests, giveaways or sweepstakes.

January 2023 4 povhouma.com

THE INSPIRATION ISSUE

If you have been a reader of Point of Vue for the last few years, you know that each year I select a word to inspire and guide me through the next 365 days. In 2022, I selected “purpose” to guide my actions. I wrote in last January’s column that I wanted to “move purposefully ahead, do things that are meaningful, and have a positive impact on those around me.”

Little did I know the opportunities that were going to be laid out before me!

In 2022, I was a part of the 30th class of Leadership Terrebonne. During the 10 month program, we were introduced to a new topic each month that we were immersed into, top to bottom. Some of these topics included government, law enforcement, environment, education, health care, tourism and others. Leaders from these different sectors spoke to us about the essential roles they play in our community; about problems, opportunities, and issues facing the community; and how we can make a difference in the future of Terrebonne.

Somewhere in the middle of the year, I realized I had a new word to focus on: growth. I had been presented with the opportunity to grow, to continue my education on how to be the leader that I feel my purpose guides me to.

Through Leadership Terrebonne, I was able to make amazing new friends and

colleagues. Our diverse class opened my eyes and my heart to new opinions and points of view. I was inspired to take everything I learned in this program and use it to help make our community a better place to work, play, live, love and grow.

Our Inspiration Issue this year focuses on three local organizations – and the people behind them – that are providing much needed services to

provides immeasurable support to local families, constantly identifying and developing new and exciting ways to respond to community needs. Learn more about their mission on page 14.

Formerly incarcerated women often cite housing as one of the greatest barriers to reentry, especially when it comes to transitional housing. Here in Terrebonne and Lafourche, finding all-female transitional housing was impossible until recently. Thanks to We Inspire LA, founded by Latoya Walters, Dianne’s House opened its doors in November 2022. Its first resident was welcomed in December 2022. Latoya shares her very personal journey to opening the home, starting on page 18.

our communities. Across Terrebonne, Lafourche, and stretching down to Grand Isle, these groups strive to make a difference and inspire those around them as they go.

Bless Your Heart is a nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by lawyer Jeray Jarreau. The foundation has since become a cornerstone in the lives of those living in Larose, Cut Off, and many other towns located throughout Lafourche Parish. Bless Your Heart

In 1984 in Leeville, a group of anglers decided they wanted a contest not only to fish in, but to also give back to the community in ways that would make tremendous differences. The Creole Classic Fishing Tournament was created to serve that purpose. Last year, the tournament was able to give over $50,000 in contributions based on the 2022 fishing tournament. Learn what they are planning for 2023, starting on page 22.

I hope you are inspired by the works of these organizations, and find your purpose to help our communities be all we can dream of them being. Happy New Year! POV

ASHLEY

The Crescent Hotel and Spa with my girlfriends!

DANIELLE

I would love to go visit my little cousin and his family in Alaska and I would bring my husband and kids.

BRIANNA

I would like to visit Niagara Falls, and I would bring my boyfriend and family.

RICHARD

I want to take my wife to Costa Rica.

CHRISTY

I would visit a tropical island with my family.

JARROD

In 2023, I’m looking forward to going to Cozumel and Costa Maya with my wife.

What is one place you’d like to visit this year, and who would you bring?

SOUTHERN TRADITION MARRIES MODERN COMFORT

BY BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY KIRK VOCLAIN

In the summer of 2011 with a baby in tow, Brandon and Crystal Holliday began their renovation journey on their acadian style home. The bones of the home stood out from the beginning, and the couple wanted to preserve the home’s beauty, while updating the space. The steep sloped roof, large porches, and copper gas lanterns make an immediate first impression on the exterior.

During the renovation, the Hollidays

kept the original layout, while enhancing the spaces, and maximized functionality. The home is warm and inviting, with timeless features such as brick, wood, and subway tile, while utilizing colors and patterns, giving the home an eclectic, traditional aesthetic.

The home features four fireplaces, including one located in the master suite, one of the couple’s favorite spaces. Complete with a freestanding tub, and a sitting area, it makes the

space a wonderful place to unwind. Another favorite space is the built in wet bar in the living room, which was featured by The Home Depot as part of a collaboration. The couple’s growing bourbon collection is front and center here, as well as a dual zone wine refrigerator, for perfectly chilled wine. Complete with a sliding barn door that was custom built for the space, the transformation of a closet to incorporate a wet bar is the perfect addition to the space. POV

BY ISABELLE GAREIS | PHOTOS

BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

Southern Louisiana has always been, and always will be, a tight-knit community— but one local organization is going above and beyond to provide support and connection for families.

Bless Your Heart is a nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by lawyer Jeray Jarreau. The foundation has since become a cornerstone in the lives of those living in Larose, Cut Off, and many other towns located throughout Lafourche Parish—Bless Your Heart provides immeasurable support to local families, constantly identifying and developing new and exciting ways to respond to community needs.

Although the organization was officially started in response to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, board member Ross Jambon, brother of founder Jeray, stated that a need for community outreach in the bayou was identified as early as 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. Ross shared that while funds were quickly organized and allocated to a devastated New Orleans, locals in Lafourche Parish discovered that donations for further down the bayou were not as easy to obtain. With this revelation, the seeds of Bless Your Heart were planted, and in 2020 the organization was brought to life. “We realized that we needed a funnel for donations in this area of Louisiana,” Ross said. “We became a way for bigger nationwide companies to donate money to help us with our local causes.”

Bless Your Heart’s role as a channel for donations from larger companies became essential following Hurricane Ida in 2021. The foundation was at the center of rebuilding the community after the deep damage left in Ida’s wake, working tirelessly to get Lafourche Parish back up on its feet—particularly children back in school and a sense of normalcy returned to locals. The foundation partnered with two nationwide companies, Shell and Chevron, to receive 100,000 dollars’ worth of school supplies, all to be given

directly back to the community. Bless Your Heart was also able to use donations to purchase up to 4,000 school uniforms for local students to help them return to school following the hurricane—this included two shirts, two pants, and a new pair of shoes for each child.

While its nationwide connection is invaluable, what makes Bless Your Heart truly special is its conscious ability to connect and bring together all those who call Southern Louisiana home. Ross mentions that one of the most inspiring aspects of the foundation is how the foundation works as a focal point to bring people of the Lafourche community together.

“Members of our local community often want to help contribute to nonprofits, but don’t know how to go about it,” Ross said. “Bless Your Heart gives them a reliable way to contribute funds or talents to their community.”

Ross further went on to detail a recent situation in which a local community member had repaired several computers and wished to donate them to the local community but was unsure of the best way to go about this. He was soon put in contact with Bless Your Heart, and those computers were able to be further refurbished and distributed to local gradeschool students in need—allowing them to better complete and access their online school assignments.

“This is just one example of how Bless Your Heart is acting as a central organization in the community, linking people together in helpful and constructive ways,” Ross concluded.

This past Christmas season, Bless Your Heart furthered its commitment to connecting members of the community through its yearly event, “A Merry Twist on an Open House.” On December 10, 2022, Bless Your Heart put on an exciting, cheerful, and completely free event for

families all throughout Lafourche Parish at the Cut Off Youth Center. The open house included a variety of Christmasthemed craft tables, a face painting station, multiple interactive games, and even backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies and local uniforms for students. However, the main event of the Merry Open House was the ever-popular family pictures with Santa — which included a free gift for each child to take home with them after the event. These gifts were purchased with local donations given to Bless Your Heart and included all kinds of toys for kids to enjoy together with their families, such as board games, Play-Doh, art sets, and dolls or action figures.

“Christmas can be a difficult time financially for a lot of families,” Ross explained, gesturing towards the large pile of expertly wrapped presents next to Santa’s chair. “Having events like this can really help community members provide a special experience for their

kids, especially if they are not able to do so at home.”

Alongside all the Christmas cheer spread during this Merry Open House, Bless Your Heart included a special twist to a traditional holiday event—the nonprofit organization partnered with eleven local first responder crews, such as Lafourche Fire District 3 and Lafourche police, to include them as a focal point in the event. When driving up to the open house, families were greeted with the impressive sight of a dozen fire trucks and a variety of other first responder vehicles accompanied by friendly crew members and operators, ready to put on demonstrations for families and children.

Chief Devin Dedon of Lafourche Fire District 3 explained the importance of this partnership between local first responders and community outreach organizations such as Bless Your Heart.

“We believe it is so important for families, especially kids, to interact and be familiar with their first responders,” Chief Dedon said. “We have an all-hazards approach to the community, and we will be the first ones there to help with any emergency. For example, we were personally on the scene following the events of Hurricane Ida helping families. It is very important to us for kids to be familiar with us and what we do in the community. We want them to know we are here to help, and we are able to do that better when invited to participate in community events.”

Bless Your Heart is an organization working every day to enrich the lives of those living and raising families on the bayou. The welfare of the Southern Louisiana community is deeply at the heart of their work, and it shines through in the foundation’s commitment to organizing local events that spread joy and bring the Parish closer together.

Bless Your Heart is an organization breathing fresh life into its vision daily: “To build a community where no family feels alone and gets every possible help they need as soon as possible.”

For more information and future events, visit their website: www.blessyourheartnonprofit.com. POV

BY MARY DITCH | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

Each January, we often prepare ourselves for new beginnings and fresh starts, whether it pertains to personal goals like weight loss or business goals like expanding your customer base. Each new year, we make resolutions and form support groups to help us reach our goals. It just seems like the thing to do when the calendar signifies the start of something new.

But what if the signal to your new beginning and fresh start was the opening of the cold, steely bars in front of you? What if your personal goal was to not return to the only life you knew before finding yourself locked up behind those bars? What if you had to achieve these monumental life changes all by yourself, with no family or friends to help you?

That is often what life is like for those who are released from incarceration with the intention of re-entering society with a new outlook on life.

Louisiana has an incarceration rate of approximately 1,094 per 100,000 people (including prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities). One out of every three people behind bars today is held in a county (parish) or city jail.

Louisiana’s women imprisonment rate (82 per 100,000 female residents) is higher than the imprisonment rate of the United States (63 per 100,000 female residents) as of June 2019. Louisiana’s population of incarcerated women was 1,244 at the end of 2021, according to the Crime and Justice Institute.

As these women are released and try to re-enter society, they are faced with many struggles and battles as they attempt to navigate a new way of life. In most cases, they’ll be nearly alone — they’ll have no job, no place to live, no support plan, and very few programs to assist them. Over 70 percent of incarcerated women nationwide are reported having young children. Without housing and a job, being granted visitation or custody to their children is extremely difficult.

Formerly incarcerated women often cite housing as one of the greatest barriers to reentry, especially when it comes to transitional housing. Differing from other housing programs, transitional housing is typically short-term with the intention of helping residents integrate back into the community. With services such as life skills and mental health assistance, this kind of support is supposed to be there until residents can secure long-term housing.

Here in Terrebonne and Lafourche, finding all-female transitional housing was impossible until recently. Thanks to one woman’s personal experience, life struggle and determination that no one needs to travel that journey alone, Dianne’s House opened its doors in September 2022.

We Inspire LA, founded by Latoya Walters, is “a nonprofit created with the intent of providing transitional housing to those who need a helping hand. This could be those re-entering society post-incarceration, individuals who don’t meet income

or credit requirements to obtain permanent housing, or those who have fallen on hard times due to addictions.”

Latoya was placed on this journey many years ago when she herself hit rock bottom and was arrested for her third DWI. Struggling with alcoholism, she served six days in jail alongside other women whose stories weren’t that different from her own.

Raised by her grandparents after her young mother left, Latoya faced many struggles growing up. “I had friends, but I was teased to no end,” Latoya shared. “I was so soft. When I was younger, I realized how much innocence I really had because I wasn't exposed to a lot. I was spoiled rotten. My grandparents gave me everything I wanted.”

Eventually, Latoya’s mother returned to her life, but she really didn’t feel the connection to her mom or to her new brother. So when she turned 18, Latoya joined the Army. A series of events including her grandmother being diagnosed with cancer brought Latoya back home. At 20 years old, she welcomed her own first child into the world. Her grandparents stepped up to help raise the baby and help the new mother to find her way. Not long after that, right after her grandmother passed, she welcomed her second child.

“Things were just so different the second time,” shared Latoya tearfully. “I didn’t have my grandmother to help me. My son, he had no father-figure like my daughter did. I was all alone. So I had to figure out ways to make it.”

“I had to cope with losing my grandmother, having this new child that I didn’t know what to do with or how to care for him,” she explained. “I have to take care of all these bills and all these people and I don't know anything about myself. I don't really know anything about this world. I went into a true survival mode on a whole different level. I was eventually caught stealing.”

That hard lesson brought Latoya to school, and she began studying to become a phlebotomist. She also fell in love and in 2013, welcomed another child. This relationship made her realize that there was more to it than just loving one another. You have to also love yourself. Latoya began searching for ways to continue to better herself, to start the journey to being the person she was called to be.

“I started working at the hospital,” she recalled. “The people that came into the hospital began to share their stories and help me to start growing up and seeing things from a different perspective. I was changing. I started listening to motivation videos. I started to lose the weight I had gained during pregnancy. I had a tummy tuck and started getting all this attention I had never experienced before… but I was still drinking.”

From 2017 to 2018, Latoya had three DWI arrests. On her third arrest, she was unable to bond out, and spent six days in jail. “That was the first time I had ever felt my freedom being taken

from me. Six days away from my children. Six days away from my grandfather, who I was caring for. And I broke down. I had hit bottom. But May 26, 2018 was my rebirth day. I have been sober since that day. That day I asked God, ‘God, what do you want me to do?’ and he said ‘Serve.’”

And from that day, Latoya has not looked back.

Always open and transparent with her story, Latoya is now a motivational speaker for those in our community facing similar challenges. The mother of three strives to help others by taking accountability for her past and helping others to find their way.

“I made my decision in 2018 to start over. I started a tshirt business to earn money. But 2019 was my hardest year,” Latoya explained. “My first year fully sober was the lowest I’ve been. I had to detach myself from being a mother, and find myself during that time. It was the biggest transformation of my life. I was being truly forged in 2019. I was learning to love me. I am accepting of Toya. I’ve kinda figured out what God wants me to do, and I’m enjoying doing it.”

As chance would have it, Latoya joined the Rotary of Downtown Houma. One meeting, a guest speaker, Hester Serrano, spoke to the club about re-entry.

“I go back to those six days in jail,” recalled Latoya. “I asked those women why they continue to come back in [jail]? And they said, environment. A lot of them want to change, but they have to go right back to the thing that had them doing what got them there in the first place. A lot of them don’t have the strength to stay afloat themselves. I realized that women were my ministry – that I was going to open a transitional house for women.”

With the help of people in the community, We Inspire LA was created. Through that organization, Dianne’s House was opened in November 2022 and welcomed its first resident in December 2022.

Dianne’s House is a four bedroom, two bathroom home that has the capacity to accommodate up to eight women at a

time. The goal is to assist women with low income to no income, whatever the circumstances are that brought them to that place. Mostly, the women will come from having been released from incarceration, often on probation or parole.

“That’s my walk,” explained Latoya, “I want to help them change their mindset. I want to be able to provide housing for them where they aren’t so easily triggered to go back to survival mode. I want to give them a certain level of trust; I don't want nothing from you. God has given me everything in abundance. I just want them to realize and to understand that they are worthy and that they have somebody that loves them, that doesn't need, want or desire anything from them. And from there, I want to help them with job placement. I want to help them with mental health and getting counseling. I want to help. I have the first lady in the home now. She has a DCFS case and I've never dealt with someone who didn't have their kids. Even if she wants to be a mother right now, she can't. I want to continue to keep her lifted and help her to get those children back, to be able to be a part of their lives. I just want to be that light to people.”

To be considered for Dianne’s House, an individual must fill out a packet that explains their past and what would be expected of them in the future. The goal is to welcome those women who are ready to accept the change they need to make in their lives, who desire the help. The women are welcomed into the home with healthcare packages, toiletries, clothing, and transportation options. The home has a full kitchen, and

they are assisted with emergency food stamps to help purchase food. Assistance is provided in getting signed up for health care. The Workforce Commission helps with employment opportunities for those with little to no education and no work history.

Latoya plans to carefully fill the home this year with women who desire to take their place back in society. She will continue to move mountains to make sure she can continue to serve and give back to our community:

“In a short amount of time, I have

BY HEIDI GUIDRY | PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Inspiration lies everywhere, especially when you surround yourself with people who are only going to lift you higher. That’s precisely what a group of local anglers did when they created the Creole Classic Fishing Tournament.

Thibodaux native Kevin Bonvillian, the 2022-2023 Creole Classic Fishing Tournament Board Chairman/President, was approached four years ago by a friend, Ryan Perque. The two were in a fraternity together while attending Nicholls, and knowing the work they used to enjoy doing, Ryan reached out to Kevin thinking it would be a perfect fit for him to join the tournament. “It’s a group of individuals that not only want to have fun but also want to give back to the community at the same time. This is a great avenue for that,” Kevin explained.

The tournament began in 1984 in Leeville, Louisiana when a group of anglers decided they wanted a contest not only to fish in, but to also give back to the community in ways that would make tremendous differences. The tournament was later moved to Bridge Side Marina in Grand Isle where it’s still held today. Not only do they put on the tournament, but they also host Creole Fest which includes a cook-off, live music, and live and silent auctions. All proceeds go to a nonprofit recipient who is selected annually through an application process.

The tournament’s board of directors invites nonprofit organizations serving Lafourche Parish and Grand Isle to apply to be a recipient. The application process is opened up annually so that nonprofit organizations can apply for funding. Kevin said they not only look for applicants that need the funds but also for organizations that will come out to the gathering and get involved. They aim to get four to six nonprofit organizations a year that they partner with, “We like them to be a part of it,” Kevin explained.

Rewinding back to 2021, Hurricane Ida

ravaged the bayous, especially the Grand Isle community. Kevin explained that the Board met in January 2022 to make an immediate decision about this year’s tournament. They decided that instead of canceling the event, they would do it differently because Grand Isle needed monetary help more than ever. The 2022 tournament was held in Thibodaux. He explained that not only did they realize that donations were gravely needed since the storm, but it’s only successful if there is participation, and they were worried about the turnout along with the facilities, “We decided to move it North to an area that was less affected and try to put on a good show where we would have a good response from the public,” Kevin said, “Ultimately that’s why we do this; to try and raise as many funds as possible…We were just worried about the state of the Island and if we were able to put on something that can really raise enough funds so that we can have a big contribution.” The group made the right choice because the participation was phenomenal and they broke a record when it comes to donating funds to the community.

The 2022 tournament had five recipients with a sixth one being voted in by the Board, “We knew Grand Isle needed help,” Kevin said. “We went through a budget

process and realized we had some money left over. We wanted to make a donation as soon as possible to Grand Isle.” The tournament was able to give over $50,000 in contributions based on the 2022 fishing tournament. The recipients were The Jackie Bartels’ Kids Conservation Fest ($14,700), Bless Your Heart Foundation ($6,325), The Virtual Academy of Lafourche-VAL Robotics (9,450), Friends of Bayou Lafourche ($6,400), Friends of Beyond the Bell ($5,900), and the group presented a check to Grand Isle in July in the amount of $10,000.

Kevin admitted that the work put into the tournament is hard and stressful, but it’s all worth the effort, “When you give that check, that’s what fuels you for the next year. It’s like right when you’re down and out…you give those checks, and it gives you the energy for next year to really push through.” He said other than the check presentations, his favorite memories about being a part of the group are simply being out with friends, having a good time, and all while giving back to the community. One of his favorite moments was the 2022 tournament, “This was a good record-breaking year for us. I was able to make the presentations this year, and you see the faces of those receiving the checks…We had some good numbers this year and we were all

really proud were able there.”

The group was able to secure a date for the 2023 tournament which will be the weekend after Father’s Day, June 22 through the 24, and the gathering will return to Grand Isle! When it comes to the future, it’s bright for this group. Kevin explained they want to be more than just a fishing tournament, “Maybe make it a year-long thing…we’re working on projects that we can donate money or time to get involved with other nonprofits that are putting on events and we’ve always wanted to do something involving the youth,” he said. Not all details are final yet, but they may be doing something in the new year that involves getting the youth involved with fishing.

Getting involved with this group is more important than ever, “We ask the public to look us up and keep up with us, “ Kevin encouraged, “We hope to see you in Grand Isle! Hopefully, we can continue these records we keep breaking!”

Follow the group on Facebook at creoleclassicfishing and visit the website at www.creoleclassic.com for more information. POV

BY JAIME DISHMAN

LEARN TO LEAN IN

I wrote these words seven years ago. The nine year old is now 16. He has a license. He got in his first fender bender. Time has flown, and I didn’t expect it to, even though everyone said it would.

But for everyone out there with someone to love, make this the year that you take time to listen. Take time to care. Take time to share their space. Lean in because the long days fade into short years.

From a mom of all teenagers, listen to the words of this same mom when they were all younger, shorter and just a little more carefree.

From 2015:

Tonight, I lay down with my middle son. He’s right smack in the middle of our family. Two in front of him and two behind him. The truest middle child if there ever was one.

When he went to bed, he asked if I would lay with him for “just a few minutes.” It’s his usual request, one I can’t grant every night. He followed it with, “I want to talk with you.”

And that’s where he had me. With the “I want to talk” line. I’ll lie there all night if you’ll talk to me, son. If you’ll tell me more than two sentences about your day, if you’ll tell me why you were so angry earlier, if you’ll tell me what it feel like to be nine with your whole life in front of you.

Because honestly, I can’t remember what it feels like to be nine. I don’t even know that I can remember more than one or two events from that entire year of my life.

So I lay down with him for a few minutes in the bottom bunk bed, as he told me of the book he was reading, his soccer practice, and why his sisters aggravate him so much.

Nothing important, but it was his world. And I felt honored to be a part for the few minutes I lay there, listening.

Our day together hadn’t been smooth.

It was one of our hardest in a while. But somehow, his stories at the end made everything seem a little better. And maybe he really wanted me to lay down and listen all day long. Maybe his anger from earlier was his nine-year-old way of saying “Pay attention to me. Make me your world. Can we pretend like we don’t have anything to do or anywhere to go?”

Time stands still at the bottom of a bunk bed. We lay side by side, looking at the underneath of the top bunk. He’s asleep now, and I wish I could go back and listen again. I’m so afraid that it’ll all be gone before I know it, and I’ll lie there by myself, wishing I could hear him talk about his day just one more time.

Our day had been filled mostly with me talking. Lecturing. Threatening. But when I lay side by side with him, we’re equal. One heart listening while the

other heart talks. The years between us fade, and I can almost imagine being in third grade again. When he tells me about his broken lead pencil, I get it. When you’re in third grade, a broken lead pencil is the worst. He finishes talking, and waits. I don’t really have anything to say that seems to matter.

I want to whisper into his heart. I have nothing to say, yet everything.

When does a boy stop asking his mamma to lay with him for a few minutes to talk?

So many things they tell you are important wind up not being as important as they said.

No one told me my greatest moments would have nothing to do with grades, scholarships, achievements, job positions, or success.

The moments I wish I could go back and relive are these. I would do anything to go back just a few hours in time and lay there again. Hear one more broken lead pencil story.

I want to tell him to spend time with the people he loves. I want to tell him that good grades are good, but gratitude is better. Scoring goals is great, but helping an opponent up will really make you a winner. Be kinder than you think you need to be.

But I don’t say anything. Instead, we both just stare at the underneath of his brother’s bunk bed for a while.

Maybe silence sometimes communicates more than our millions of words ever will. Because he looked at me, and smiled.

“It was a good day, wasn’t it, mom?” “Why yes. Yes it was.” POV

MAKING AND KEEPING EXERCISE RESOLUTIONS PAST JANUARY

The most common New Year ’s resolutions are exercise more and lose weight.

The most commonly broken New Year ’ s resolutions are the same exercising more and losing weight.

How do you keep those resolutions past January 31, 2023? One way is to not make resolutions. Try self-motivating affirmations instead—I am strong. I am confident. I am the best I can be today.

However, if making a list of resolutions on January 1, keep it short, simple and authentic. According to the American Psychological Association, the more realistic the goal, the better your chance of keeping it throughout the year until it becomes a healthy behavior.

Here are some tips for success with resolutions beyond January.

Set specific goals. Get fit is a lofty goal; it can also be overwhelming. Go to the gym three times a week is specific and manageable. Start new exercise routines by taking small steps and being consistent. Block time on your calendar for exercise. Set an alarm on your phone or watch.

Change one behavior at a time. A list of a dozen resolutions may set you up for failure. Keep the list short to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Unhealthy behaviors develop over time. Replacing those with healthy alternatives also requires time. If you tend to binge watch

Netflix or Hulu on the weekends, resolve to have television-free Saturday afternoons. Instead, go outside and garden or do yard work. Gardening incorporates all four types of exercise— endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Along with physical benefits, it can also improve mental health.

Recruit exercise buddies. Most of your inner circle probably set the same resolution to exercise more. Rather than going solo, share your goals with friends, family or coworkers.

Invite them to join you for a yoga class, weekend hike or nightly walks around the neighborhood. Set group goals and celebrate successes together.

Avoid the guilt trip. Don't beat yourself up if you skipped your exercise routine for a couple of days or even the entire two weeks leading into Fat Tuesday. Exercise is not about perfection; it’s about practice. Get back on track and keep moving.

Do what you enjoy. Forcing yourself into a physical activity that you don't enjoy can be counterproductive to keeping the resolution. If just putting on running shoes is stressful, then don't run. Ride a bike. Go dancing. Swim. Play soccer or jump rope with your kids. Take an exercise class. The Fitness Center, located in the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center, offers hundreds of classes a month. From yoga, water dance, cycling and Zumba to PiYo, Body Pump, P90X and many others. Try different classes to see which ones you enjoy. If you enjoy it, you are more likely to participate regularly.

Create a playlist. Stay motivated to keep exercising by making it fun. One way is by listening to music while you move. A playlist of high-energy music helps increase endurance, improve your mood and even help prevent agerelated cognitive loss. Research also shows that when listening to high-tempo music while exercising, people tend to think they're putting in less effort during the workout.

Take a walk. Daily walking increases metabolism to help maintain healthy weight and prevent muscle loss. According to the American Heart Association, it can also lower risks of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer, as well as improve your mental health. Start by setting a goal to walk for 30 minutes a day and see where it leads.

Make anti-resolutions. Instead of setting a resolution to start something new, think about something you want to stop doing in 2023. If you regularly set an alarm for 5 a.m. to start checking emails, get up and work out rather than starting your workday. Or set the clock for an hour later and get more sleep, the ultimate self-care goal. Your body, mind and overall wellbeing will thank you.

For more information on how we can help you set and realize your exercise resolutions go to ThibodauxRegionalFitnessCenter.com or call 985.493.4950.

100 NEW YEARS AGO

January always marks a new year around the world, even sometimes in China if the New Moon appears early. Across the globe, it’s a time for both celebration of the upcoming year and reflection on the previous one. And after reflecting, we often make resolutions to do better things in the future. To make good resolutions, you really gotta reflect, and to reflect well you really gotta look back. Sometimes, you wanna make such good resolutions that you look way, way back, even beyond the previous year--like even before you were born. Or maybe it’s only me that does this. Nevertheless, join me now in reflecting back to New Year’s Day 1923.

What was New Year’s like in POV Country back then 100 years ago? For answers, I consulted newspapers, like 1923’s first issue of the Thibodaux Commercial Journal, which reported that “New Years Was Marked as Usual.” It was disappointing to learn that the day was nothing but the “usual,” but, after all, that’s kinda the definition of “tradition.” Though apparently unremarkable to that Journal reporter, his column provides a poetic scene ripe for nostalgia:

“A number of bells rang out tolling the old and welcoming the new with joyous peals. Whistles were blown and one whistle in particular seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of steam, and is said to have blown twenty-five minutes without let up.” I imagine massive church bells swinging in their high towers and an historical factory or locomotive or even a steamboat blowing its noisy white plume straight up into the cold bayou air that midnight. “Prospects for the new year look excellent, and if everyone will cease talking blue all will be well.” Funny to hear the press criticizing negativism. Seems like that sells newspapers nowadays.

In early 1923, Red Goose school shoes for husky boys and girls were on sale. Dance, song, and comic selections of Columbia Records were 59 cents each while supplies lasted. Cardui, the women’s tonic, was popular, and, at 19% alcohol, I’ll bet it cured a few men’s ailments as well. After all, it was Prohibition back then. Speaking of which, the Journal bemoaned the fact that law enforcement was refusing to enforce the national prohibition of alcohol (especially, I imagine, on New Year’s Eve). “It is unpopular but it is law,” told an admonishing editorial.

The new year in 1923 marked the first whole year that Louisianans lived under their new constitution--the 10th since statehood. This one was particularly hurtful to people in POV country, as it reversed a provision in the previous 1913 constitution that allowed French to be taught and spoken at public schools. Thus began the “Time of Shame” (L’heure de la honte), when French speakers in Louisiana, especially colloquial Cajun speakers, were demeaned and pressured to speak English. We’ve all heard stories of corporal punishment used on our parents and grandparents when they spoke French as school children. It wasn’t until 53 years later--after a whole generation was forced by law to lose their native language--that a new constitution in 1974 would assert “the right of the people to preserve, foster, and promote their respective historic, linguistic,

and cultural origins” in Louisiana. (Thank you, Edwin.)

Across the U.S., 1922 was a wonderful year to reflect upon. Folks enjoyed the first fast food in the country-White Castle Hamburgers--as well as the first radio broadcast of a baseball game--Pirates vs Phillies. Rudolph Valentino and Charlie Chaplin became movie stars in that year. And fresh off a lecturing stint at Princeton University, Albert Einstein won his only Nobel Prize.

Internationally, it was the year that Chanel No. 5 was introduced. But, unfortunately, world-wide reflections on the previous year were far from perfumy on New Year’s 1923. The world was still reeling from the millions lost to the Spanish Flu pandemic. In Russia, civil war saw the Red Army and White Army fighting for supremacy, as millions of their fellow countrymen succumbed to famine and died. The Journal tells of “the deplorable and unmentionable conditions obtaining in Russia,” and seems to admonish supporters of bolshevism and communism both here and abroad, perhaps even in POV country: “The sooner we cease living on false grounds, or delusions, and snares, the better for all concerned.”

French language loss, pandemic, Russia problems, fake news. After 100 new years, it seems like some things have never changed. But, after all, that’s kinda the definition of “tradition.” On January 1st, 1923, “New year calls were in order throughout the day,” said the Journal, “and there were besides many family reunions.” Yes, some things never change, but some things are good things—like visiting folks and family reunions at New Year’s, as well as shoes for husky boys, which I still wear.

Rene Carreker Ins Agcy Inc

Rene Carreker, Agent 1221 Museum Drive Houma, LA 70360 Bus: 985-851-2554

Darryl M Brue, Agent 1950 Prospect Blvd Houma, LA 70363 Bus: 985-851-2584

Mark Andrepont, Agent

5947 W Main Street Houma, LA 70360 Bus: 985-876-5815

The Addams Family January 13- 22

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve

The Thibodaux Playhouse presents The Addams Family, a musical comedy that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. The play will feature a variety of local talent, and will host showings on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the second and third weekends of January.

8 Seconds to Glory

Champion Bull Riding

January 14, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center

Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute presents 8 Seconds to Glory. The James Pierce Invitational Bull Fight known as 8 Seconds to Glory is an event to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection and treatment of all cancers. Come out to watch some of the best riders in the world compete for a good cause.

Gala Goes to Mardi Gras

January 13, from 6:30 p.m. - till Mardi Gras Hall in downtown Houma The Cancer Center’s signature fundraising event benefiting patients and families in the Bayou Region is back, and

the theme pays homage to our carnival culture in South Louisiana. Guests will enjoy delicious food, creative cocktails, and a silent auction. In addition, the male and female members of the Royal Krewe who raised the most money for Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will be crowned King and Queen of The Gala.

Louisiana Swamp Stomp Music Series 2023 Kickoff

January 28, from 6 - 9 p.m.

Gina's at the Legion in Thibodaux

The Cajun Music Preservation Society is kicking off their Swamp Stomp Music Series in 2023! Grab the kids, and come out to listen to some great music, with no cover charge. The first performance will feature Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole.

Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce 93rd Annual Banquet

January 31, from Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center

Join the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce for the annual banquet, and celebrate local businesses. In addition to a delicious dinner, and some good laughs, delivered by comedian John Morgan “The Real Rajin Cajun” the night will celebrate those that have made a positive impact on our community. Awards will be presented to the non-profit of the year, as well as both large and small businesses of the year. POV

Times Square ball drop was suspended on New Year ’s Eve in 1942 and 1943, during WWII.

Mount Olive, North Carolina, home to the Mt. Olive Pickle Company, observes a New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop. Instead of a ball, a giant pickle slides down a flagpole.

The original New Year’s Eve novelty glasses first made their debut in 1991.

In Spain, the New Year’s Eve tradition is to eat a dozen grapes in twelve seconds, one for each month of the year. If you succeed, you’re in for a good year.

Donning red undergarments at the stroke of midnight on December 31 is said to bring good luck for the new year.

Offering Botox services to treat facial wrinkles and TMJ muscle pain.

Find the six differences in this photo from our feature on page 10. Email your answers to us at looktwice@povhouma.com or drop it in the mail: Rushing Media, P.O. Box 5013, Houma, LA, 70361.

A winner will be picked by random drawing January 15. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank. Participants must be 18 years or older.

Congratulations to Patrick Pellegrin for winning last month’s contest.