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JULY 2021 | VOL. 15 • ISSUE 7 | POVHOUMA.COM
CONTENTS |
JULY 2021 • VOLUME 15 • ISSUE 7
CONT HOME + LIVING
Page 12
FOOD + FUN
MIND + BODY
Page 22
22 BLAZING A TRAIL
12 CHATEAU CHIC
Page 40
Nicholls Student Firefighter Association blazes a path forward.
Home Dream Home
18 THE OBSERVER
40 WALKING A MILE IN ‘GRANDDAD’S SHOES’
Local veteran honors our WWII heroes through song.
Celebrating our Hometown Heroes
44 WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE Play It Safe This Summer
28 HOMETOWN HERO: MILITARY United Veterans League
30 HOMETOWN HERO: FIRE Keith Ward, Houma Fire Department
32 HOMETOWN HERO: VOLUNTEER Terrebonne Garden Club
34 HOMETOWN HERO: LAW ENFORCEMENT Port Fourchon Harbor Police
36 HOMETOWN HERO: HEALTHCARE Dr. Craig Walker
ENTS EXTRAS
ON THE COVER
WORD, YA HEARD
REMEMBRANCER [ ri-mem-bruhn-ser ] noun a reminder; memento; souvenir
WORD ON THE STREET The children couldn’t choose between the remembrancers in the gift shop at Mt. Rushmore. Upon his retirement, he received a remembrancer from his coworkers.
06 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Hometown Heroes
08 INTERVUE
Members of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department and the Nicholls Student Firefighter Association take a break with big red.
Say What?
46 UNDER THE SCOPE
Photo: Drew Miller
First You Break the Heads
48 RENDEZVOUS
Where you need to be around town
50 LOOK TWICE
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Ribs, hamburgers, chicken. My favorite is bacon wrapped jalapenos and a concoction my dad does with potatoes and cream of mushroom soup!
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Mary Downer Ditch EDITORIAL
Drew Miller ASSOCIATE EDITOR Heidi Guidry STAFF WRITER
CREATIVE
The classics! A little bit of chicken, ribs, and sausage with a side of beans and potato salad!
Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER Breanna Parfait GRAPHICS INTERN PHOTOGRAPHY
Misty Leigh McElroy Drew Miller Heidi Guidry VIDEOGRAPHY
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Point of Vue magazine is published monthly. Subscriptions are available for $36 for 12 issues. For more information, email mail@rushing-media.com or visit rushing-media.com/subscriptions.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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Copyright ©2021 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.
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE |
MARY DOWNER DITCH • ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
HOMETOWN HEROES “Hero” was never really a word used lightly in our household. Growing up with a father who was in the military, we used to word with reverence to speak of those who put the needs of others above their own.
This year, we are pleased to congratulate the United Veterans League, Chief Keith Ward, Port Fourchon Harbor Police, Dr. Craig Walker and the Terrebonne Garden Club. Learn a little more about each of our Heroes, starting on page 27. A special thank you to the sponsors and advertisers featured on these pages that support our Hometown Heroes; please give them your support in return.
As you grow older, “hero” takes on a different form. We learn that books, movies, plays, etc. often center around a hero or protagonist. We learn about ‘superheroes’ who often possess superhuman powers. Often there is a villain as well. These definitions of “hero” can certainly be applied to my first definition of hero! As the heroes of the Greatest Generation faced the villains, they often paid the ultimate price with a superhuman act of self sacrifice for their country. Each July, we proudly publish our Hometown Heroes issue. But, what really is a “hometown hero”? In my quest to define the phrase for this column, I started brainstorming, just writing words on a blank sheet of paper: Courage. Honor. Kind. Concerned. Helping. Caring. Perseverance. As I pulled my thoughts together, a firmer grasp on the phase came. A hometown hero can truly be anyone. A person or group who is dedicated to helping others, who is devoted to their work, and who stands up for the greater good. In our fourth annual Honoring Our Heroes special section, we again accepted nominations from the public for hometown heroes in five categories: Military, Police, Fire/EMT, Medical, and Volunteer. It warned our hearts to read of the wonderful individuals and groups in the bayou region that matched up with the meaning of Hometown Hero perfectly. We owe a huge thank you and a debt of gratitude to all of our nominees.
Blazing a trail in this year’s Heroes issue is the Nicholls State University Student Firefighter Association. Currently 29 members strong, this student organization helps to recruit young adults to the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department and increase safety efforts at the university. The volunteer firefighters respond to calls primarily on and around the Nicholls campus. Learn more about this unique group starting on page 22. Sometimes the easiest way to tell the story of a hero is through song. Houma native and Army veteran Kyle Domangue has done just that with “Granddad’s Shoes,” recently released on Memorial Day. The integrity and character that came from the World War II “greatest generation” always spoke to his heart, and through that, this song was composed. Learn more about the inspiration behind this song starting on page 40. There are so many more heroes in our communities than we could ever honor within the pages of a single issue. We hope to provide you with simply a snapshot of the brave men and women who step up each day to serve us. For your service and the service of others like you, we recognize, honor and salute you. POV
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INTERVUE |
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SAY WHAT?
What’s your favorite way to celebrate Independence Day?
MADELEINE I like to celebrate Independence Day by gathering with friends and family, and by being mindful of all the freedoms we are blessed with in the U.S.
JADE I love to spend the day with family!
DARLENE Independence Day is a day we get to celebrate our freedom and I’m very thankful for the sacrifices that were made to be able to even celebrate the holiday. My favorite way to celebrate is to have the family over for great food, a swim in the pool, great desserts, and quality family time!
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DONALD My favorite way to enjoy the 4th of July is by spending the day outside barbecuing with family and friends and popping fireworks
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DANIELLE Get together with family and have a backyard bbq with some patriotic desserts. A little bit of music and swimming and then ending the night with fireworks.
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HOME + LIVING
CHATEAU CHIC | 12 Home Dream Home
THE OBSERVER | 18
Celebrating our Hometown Heroes
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HOME + LIVING |
CHATEAU CHIC
HOME DREAM HOME BY BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
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The elegant home of Pernell and Tara Pellegrin welcomes its guests into a tranquil and serene space with its inviting open floor plan and neutral color palette that encourages you to simply flow from one space to the next. Originally purchasing the property as an investment, the Pellegrins were granted the opportunity to build their dream home on the water when they were approached to sell their house, even though it wasn’t on the market at the time. Once making the decision to build, the couple started sketching out ideas for a four-bedroom, three-and-a-halfbathroom floor plan that worked for their lifestyle. “We had something very specific in mind. I knew I wanted the laundry room near the staircase, I knew I wanted a workout room and I knew we wanted an office all downstairs. So we brought
the ideas to a draftsman. After several rounds of edits, we got exactly what we wanted and it came out great,” Tara explains. “Then we took a picture of a house from a magazine to our designer Kelly Thompson and explained that it was our vision for the outside and she took it from there.” The home is always filled with natural light thanks to its many windows and a sliding door system that expands across the back wall of the living room, leading to the outdoor living space. “I love the natural light and the way the back wall opens to the outdoor living space,” Tara shares. A sparkling white kitchen with custom cabinetry and a large island that seats four, built by Joey Yesso, draws your eye inside the main space that also includes a dining table with seating for ten. The walk-in pantry is pristinely organized
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with labels on dry goods to help keep a clean aesthetic. The wet bar is a favorite of the homeowners, allowing for them to entertain with ease. The health-oriented family also has a home gym overlooking the pool where equipment is standing by for their next workout. A mirrored wall helps the couple to keep their form in check, while sports memorabilia finds its perfect home. The master bedroom, bathroom and his and hers closet are neatly nestled on the first floor, with a gorgeous view of the pool and the bayou just beyond. A separate seating area provides a space for relaxing and reading. One of Tara’s favorite features is having the laundry room right off of the closets and at the base of the stairs. The custom cabinets hide sorting baskets and necessary items, while keeping everything in reach. On the second floor, three bedrooms nestle neatly in a row, just off the landing room that houses a comfortable seating area and television, providing the upstairs residents a place to relax. Outdoors, the living space continues with a second kitchen and gathering area just beyond the main house. The outdoor fun continues with the pool, a boiling kitchen by the bayou and a putting green for Pernell. POV
No. 1 Exterior No. 2 Master bedroom No. 3 Master bedroom detail No. 4 Master bathroom No. 5 Master bathroom No. 6 Entry No.7 Living room No. 8 Kitchen detail No. 9 Kitchen No. 10 Pool No. 11 Putting green No. 12 Outdoor kitchen/boiling area Enjoy more photos and a video tour at povhouma.com. July 2021 17 povhouma.com
THE OBSERVER |
BY BRANDY O’BANION BAUDION
CELEBRATING OUR
HOMETOWN HEROES As you drive down Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux, banners wave with commemoration of local heroes who have served and are currently serving in the military. Banners are also affectionately adorned with soldiers who have given their lives for the importance of freedom. These streamers hang with grace and cast chivalry.
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“You have to be a veteran or family of a veteran who has passed on and you can get a banner made. We have lined Canal Boulevard that runs from the Terrebonne Parish line all the way to Bayou Lafourche. Right now, it’s on every other light pole. We put two banners, one pointing to the left and one pointing to the right,” said Kevin Clement, Parks and Recreation Director of the City of Thibodaux. “This was actually an idea from the mayor’s secretary. She went to Bay St. Louis, and she saw they had a similar program. She’s like, ‘What a great idea!’ She came to me, and I said, ‘Yes, we can do that.’ We thought we would have about ten people. We have room for 40 people, so it started off slow and once we publicized it, it went crazy. We had 40 people in about three weeks. Then, we had a waiting list, and then for some reason, we were able to manufacture some more brackets. We were able to add eight more people. So, this first year of the program we have 48 veterans that we wave and honor,” Kevin explained. The Hometown Heroes Banner Program will be implemented twice a year. The banners are hung two weeks before Memorial Day, flagging Thibodaux with gratitude through the Fourth of July. They will also be hung to memorialize selfless service on Veteran’s Day. Citizens who want to partake in the program can purchase a banner for $100. The payment will include the serviceman or servicewoman’s picture and a brief description about branch, rank, etc. At the end of the year, the banner will be removed and be given to the contributor. If the participant would like to be involved the following year, they may use the same banner with an additional fund of $100. “All the money we create and generate through programs and sponsorships all goes to the city’s general fund,” Kevin explained. “That’s why we’re here… to improve the quality of life and generate community togetherness.” Kevin is poignant and dedicated to precise proposals of a plan. He has meticulously chaperoned the Hometown Hero Banner Program. The Parks and Recs Director has made sure every detail has been conditioned carefully and to its entirety.
July 2021 18 povhouma.com
“We actually made the brackets that go on the poles, we didn’t purchase them. The ones that you purchase kind of give way a little bit and lean and tilt and that’s no good. We are in the process now of how we can make more brackets and put them up on the poles that don’t have them right now,” Kevin said. The Hometown Heroes Program not only synchronized veterans neighbors within the community has also united a team behind project ‘curtain.’
has and but the
“We have guys that work for the parks and recreation department that are pretty handy. We purchase materials and they fabricate them. We have three or four guys out there that have shipyard backgrounds and welding backgrounds. We have a great team back there. Sometimes that gets lost with the day-to-day operations with the parks and rec staff. A lot of our creativity shines through, and this is a prime example,” Kevin stated. The banners are valued and have become heirlooms for the community that can be passed down from heart to caring heart. “It is something people value, especially veterans and families of veterans,” Kevin said. “We want this to bring the community together and to honor the veterans. For years we’ve had the fireworks display and last year we couldn’t do it, and this year we couldn’t do it like we could because of the pandemic. When we thought of this program back in January, COVID was still real and it was still kicking. The restrictions were more intense than they were now. We figured the July 4th celebrations wouldn’t happen. So, we just wanted to improve the life of our community and make it a little bit better, and I think we were able to achieve that,” Kevin ended. POV
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FOOD + FUN
BLAZING A TRAIL | 22
Nicholls Student Firefighter Association blazes a trail forward.
HONORING OUR HEROES | 27
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STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DREW MILLER
During finals week in May, Nicholls State University senior Joseph “Joe” Bourg was heading into his Marketing 300 exam in the Academic Testing Center when he received a report of a possible fire at the John A. Brady Jr. Residential Complex. Though he’d spent countless hours preparing for this final and had uncertainty on when or if he’d be able to make it up as the semester was ending, Joe didn’t hesitate to respond to the call. “I didn’t even have to say anything. I looked at my professor. He gave me a thumbs-up; I gave him a thumbs-up back. He said, ‘I’ll see you after,’” Joe remembers. Joe rushed to Bowie Road to assess the apartment fire, relay information to his team members who were en route and help in any other way he could. Fortunately, the incident caused no injuries. It produced moderate smoke from oil burning on the stove, forcing one appliance to be removed from the building. For Joe, a member of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) and Nicholls State University Student Firefighter Association (SFA) President, responding to incidents while on campus is nothing new, but it being at such a crucial time in his studies was unique. “It’s happened a lot of times, but it’s never actually happened in the middle of Finals Week,” he says. “Being a senior and going through finals, there’s not a whole lot of things that you can miss. It’s the last possible day for finals. They’re [professors] not going to give a lot of exceptions.” In addition to occasionally confronting dangerous situations, that’s a risk the first lieutenant and his fellow Student Firefighter Association members are willing to take. Randy Pate, Department Captain and Chief for Life with TVFD, started the program a few years ago to recruit young adults and increase safety efforts at the university. “It just makes sense for us to recruit and be part of the campus that we support,” he notes. The association currently has 29 members, who each have their own reason for joining the fire department. Hailing from the Lafayette area, Joe wanted to know more about Thibodaux and meet new people. “I knew where I was going to school, and I knew a little bit about the area. But it was through the fire department that I met a lot of people,” he shares. “It really opened my eyes and allowed for me to receive more opportunities. Because of the fire department, I’m at where I’m at right now in life with my career.” Grant Adams, a second lieutenant with TVFD, says he never expected to join the fire service, even though he is now a third-generation member. “My dad had been in it; my grandpa had been in it. And once my dad got back out of it, it was kind of one of those things of us joining to try to get him back into it -- getting the family all together to have fun, enjoy the fire department and help people around the town,” the Thibodaux native shares. A former high school football player from Assumption Parish, Grant Dupaty was looking for something to drive him after hanging up his cleats. “I didn’t really have anything that kept me on my toes,” he says. “[Being a firefighter] gives you something to be accountable for. The whole time [football players] are in school, they’re thinking about having to get their grades right and stuff so that they can like be able to play on the field. Well, I know I want to get my grades right so that I can show up for the fire call whenever I need to.” It’s not an easy duty to be a student firefighter, balancing weekly training, studying, extracurricular activities, work shifts, social life and classroom hours. But what helps, the three SFA members say, is their teachers’ understanding. “All my professors are very lenient,” says Adams, a junior studying computer information systems. “They
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“I LOVE DOING THINGS FOR PEOPLE. TO SEE PEOPLE THAT EXCITED TO SEE US, I KNOW WE’RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT...” -JOE BOURG
tell us all the time, ‘If it was my house on fire, I definitely want you to leave my classroom instead of staying in class and letting my stuff burn.’” Joe recalls a time he had to respond to a car accident during a class. He was packing up his laptop to leave when his professor told him just to go and pick up his things at his office later. “In my four years at Nicholls, I’ve never had a professor that was not supportive and understanding of the situation I was in,” he says. “We tell our students not to abuse it. If it’s a structure fire, we need manpower. If it’s an alarm, maybe listen and see what it’s about before leaving class,” Randy adds. “We’ve been able to work with teachers and kind of tell them what we do and how we do things.” The volunteer firefighters respond to calls primarily on and around the Nicholls
campus. The angle is to become involved in all of the safety, training and other related matters happening on campus, with the supervision of TVFD, Joe explains. With the school being inside TVFD’s jurisdiction, the department oversees operations and works hand-in-hand with SFA firefighters, who are members of the department as well, he notes. And they must remain vigilant to react to incidents. “It’s 2:30 in the morning on a Monday, and I know I’ve got that 7:30 class. But if I know that I can handle it, then I’m going to go,” Joe says. “There are other obligations we have besides the fire service, but when we’re not at our busy times with our families and stuff like that, we make our priority the community.” Randy says the reception to the program, which is going on its third year, has been great. “We have a great working relationship with [Nicholls] President Jay Clune. He
encourages the department on campus. They see the benefit of it to not only the campus but the community.” The Student Firefighter Association benefits its members, too. “Honestly, for me, it brought out more of a social side in me because I was more to myself and not really talkative with people. But with this, you have to communicate with people you may not know very well,” Adams shares. For Dupaty, a sophomore biology major with a pre-medicine focus, the fire service increased his enthusiasm for his studies. “I started learning about the rescue side... when we respond to some medical calls and stuff to help out. As a pre-med major, that’s really interesting,” he says. “Once I started seeing that, I started realizing that maybe the medical field is for me, and I ended up finding an EMT course through some of the guys in the fire department.”
July 2021 24 povhouma.com
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Randy encourages the youth to join the Nicholls State University Student Firefighter Association and the “Probie” program, which is for teens ages 16-17, to learn the skills needed to become a firefighter and acquire attributes that help in several aspects of life. One can visit www. thibodauxfiredept.org or www.facebook. com/thibodauxvolfiredept to learn more.
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“There’s no better feeling than when you’re going down the road and you got the sirens and the lights on. I love that,” Joe smiles. “But probably one of my favorite things is on an afternoon riding through campus and seeing kids that are walking with their parents freaking out about a firetruck. People get so pumped up to see firemen, and I’m so pumped up to be a fireman for people. I love doing things for people. To see people that excited to see us, I know we’re doing something right.” POV
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While “hero” is the word given to figures such as Hercules or Achilles, a hero to us is someone just a little more humble than that. A hero is an individual of service, to his country or his community. A hero is someone who believes in, defends and fights for our rights and freedoms. A hero is someone who often times puts the lives of others before his or her own. A hero is someone to whom we owe a debt of gratitude, but for one reason or another, we might never have the chance. A hero could be the person standing next to you right now, an every day person who was in the right place at the right time.
MILITARY
UNITED VETERANS LEAGUE BY DREW MILLER
From the harshest jungles to the hottest deserts, American veterans have served their country faithfully with unyielding resolve. There are many ways citizens show their appreciation, such as offering discounts and free meals or just a simple “thank you.” As they should be celebrated in life, they should also be honored in their passing. Knowing this, the United Veterans League was created. Established in 1992, United Veterans League provides military funerals, flag-raising ceremonies and memorial services. The organization covers a 60-mile radius encompassing three parishes: Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary. Veterans are suitably sent off to their next life after the League’s members
read a prayer, present a flag to the family, do a great job,” says Albert, a Vietnam engage in a 21-gun salute and perform war veteran and four-time Purple Heart “Taps,” among other ceremonial duties. recipient. “They want to give them their final salute because they are all veterans “It’s very, very patriotic for the family,” themselves.” says Albert Lirette, United Veterans League Commander. “To me, and I can A 501(c)(3) organization, the United speak for the rest of my guys, it’s very Veterans League can be reached at important.” 985-688-1720. More information can be found on its website: www.bayouvets. The organization, which has about 110 com. members, typically provides around 150 military funerals in a year. “For me, it’s almost mandatory that these guys be at these funerals. That’s “[The families] love the military funeral; the way I look at it as a commander,” they love what we do,” Albert says. “We Albert shares. “I know what I went do it great. All our guys are well-trained.” through. I know what I did because The United Veterans League consists I’m a combat soldier. And that’s the of Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast way I’d want it to be. When I pass away, Guard veterans, hence the name. “I’m I want the United Veterans League to very, very strict on my guys, but they do mine.” POV
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FIRE
CHIEF KEITH WARD H O UMA F I R E D E PART M E NT BY DREW MILLER
In June, after over 30 years of service, nowformer Chief of the Houma Fire Department Keith Ward hung up his bunker gear to pursue other opportunities. “I’m only 51, and there are still things I want to do,” he shares. “I knew it was time.” Keith, a native of Algiers, didn’t always want to be a firefighter. In fact, he didn’t catch the urge until witnessing them in action first-hand -accompanying his friend, who was a volunteer with the Bayou Cane Fire Department, on a trailer fire call. “I went with him to just help, whatever I could do. I was on the outside, just kind of helping pull the hose and do things around the scene of this trailer fire. And I kinda got the bug,” he remembers. “After that, I was like, ‘Man, I think I want to be a volunteer firefighter.’” Keith volunteered for Bayou Cane for around six years and then extinguished fires as a profession when he joined the Houma Fire Department in 1996. For him, the greatest aspect of his former job is the ability to help others. “It was just that satisfaction of being able to go in and give a hand. You’re called in at their worst moments, no matter if it’s a fire, an accident or a medical
call. You do whatever you can do to hopefully the department in a positive direction during come to a good conclusion: saving someone’s his tenure. property, being able to save someone’s life or Joined by the Terrebonne Parish Administration, take care of them at an active scene,” he says. other government department heads and his Unfortunately, the biggest challenges with fellow Houma Fire Department members for the job are when situations go south. “You a special lunch, Keith says his final day was do everything that you could in the scope of emotional. what your job entitles and still don’t come to Before he left, he got to watch one of his a happy conclusion. It’s always a challenge,” captains, who he took under his wing, Keith says. win an award at the Louisiana Fire Chiefs He recalls an incident that happened years ago Association’s annual conference. In her that stays with him. A fire took the lives of a speech, she said Keith was the reason she father, mother and child. The other child, a girl, started working for the department. survived it, however. “She [the survivor] works “Her speech and the things she brought up at a place that whenever I go over there, she really hit home, and she had me crying,” he makes it a point to tell me hi,” Keith shares. shares. “When you’re at the station, you’re “Those are the tough ones that you kind of basically family. You spend more time with live with.” the people in the fire station than you really “To get through them, you just have to do with your own family at home.” remember that you did everything possible Keith has already started the next chapter that you could do,” he continues. “It’s a of his life — selling fire trucks. “I’ll be able to challenge when it comes back up, but you still give back to the communities, not just just do what you gotta do to get through that ours here but around the state, in order to memory.” help other departments protect the citizens Keith was named chief in 2017. He is most in their communities,” he says. “So, I still proud of serving the community, acquiring have that sense of being able to help.” POV better equipment and software and moving
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VOLUNTEER
TERREBONNE GARDEN CLUB BY HEIDI GUIDRY
The Terrebonne Garden Club has been beautifying the area since 1929 and has been a member of the national federation of garden clubs since 1954. Since its formation, the Terrebonne Garden Club has taken on many project initiatives such as beautifying New Orleans Boulevard, landscaping the Blue Star Memorial Marker and dedicating the Gold Star Marker in Jim Bowie Park. Terrebonne Garden Club is one of the oldest garden clubs in the state of Louisiana, along with being one of the largest. Linda Braiser has been a member of the Terrebonne Garden Club for 21 years. She is a past president, and she was the District Director of the region. She currently serves on the Executive Committee. She recalls the day a man named Jesse brought her a photo that brought a rumor to life. Linda says the rumor was floating around that the garden club helped the planning of the oak trees that were planted in honor of fallen Terrebonne Parish heroes in World War II; however, there
were no records until the photo came about. The photo, containing a Gold Star Mother and two Terrebonne Garden Club members, was a discovery that has led to closure for many families. Jesse was the brother of the fallen hero that was being paid tribute to in the photo. Jim Bowie Park lies along Bayou Black Drive and pays homage to the fallen heroes of Terrebonne Parish with 21 oak trees. The oaks embody honor and nobility, making them a powerful symbol. The term “Gold Star Mothers” derives from the World War I era, where families would display stars for family members who were fighting in the war. If they lost a member, they would lay a gold star over the pre-existing star to symbolize the loss. In the late 1940s, shortly after World War II, Gold Star Mothers along with two Terrebonne Garden Club members planted the 21 oak trees. Terrebonne Garden Club has since then registered all 21 oaks with the Live Oak Society. Alongside the July 2021 32 povhouma.com
Gold Star Marker is a Wayside Marker that has the tree number and the 3-5 names of the 90 soldiers. During the 2021 Memorial Day service at Jim Bowie Park, The Terrebonne Garden Club invited the community to honor history with the dedication of a Gold Star Marker. The Gold Star Marker pays tribute to the Gold Star families whose loved ones paid the ultimate price defending the nation. It was there where Brasier saw the personal effects the park had on the families of the fallen. After the ceremony, a 98 year-oldwoman led her wheelchair to the Wayside Marker, touched her late husband’s name, and laid down a rose. “I think that says it all,” Linda says, “The story is a wonderful part of Terrebonne Parish’s history. We just wanted that memory preserved.” Linda quoted family members from the ceremony that she said was a beautiful and powerful statement; it was the funeral they never had. POV
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POLICE
PORT FOURCHON HARBOR POLICE BY DREW MILLER
With around ten named storms in the Gulf of Mexico in 2020, Port Fourchon remained on high alert throughout last year’s hurricane season. Tropical weather forced the port to cease operations and be evacuated quite a few times last year. There every step of the way when the port has to go through its tedious storm preparation and recovery phases are members of the Port Fourchon Harbor Police. “The first thing, of course, is the safety of our tenants and the businesses down there and making sure that we don’t have anybody that gets trapped down there. Our biggest concern is La. Highway 1, which goes underwater right now during storms,” explains Michael “Mike” Kinler, Chief of Fourchon Harbor Police. “So, we’re always worried about people getting trapped in Grand Isle, Fourchon or in Leeville that are below that flood wall,” he continues. “And when [the road is] under, there’s no telling, even when the storm passes, how long going to be before the wind changes and it drags the water out. You could be stuck
down there without any emergency services everybody safe there. But we also back the for two days.” Sheriff’s Office on calls close by and have someone stationed at the [South Lafourche Ensuring that tenants evacuate the area Leonard Miller Jr.] airport in Galliano 24 safely, harbor officers can occasionally find hours a day as well.” themselves stuck at the port during a tropical event. Mike adds that his department has made approximately five meth and heroin arrests “We try to get out, but we have had times in the last two months. “We do basically where officers have not been able to get the same stuff as anybody else does,” Mike out before the water came up. We do have says. “A day for us is patrolling, looking for facilities that are off the grounds, where we suspicious people, enforcing traffic laws and have generators, beds and stuff,” Mike says. drug laws and hoping nothing happens.” “They are brave enough to risk it. They’ll stay there until the last minute to make sure In addition to the more traditional police work everybody else is safe, even if it means that on land, Harbor Police officers can be seen they have to be stuck themselves and have on the water, towing stalled vessels or safely to put themselves in harm’s way.” guiding boaters. “We are a service-oriented department,” Mike says. “And we worry about And hurricane safety isn’t the only duty of the the same thing that every police department 21-member law enforcement agency. “We’re in the country has to worry about: making the closest department to back Grand Isle, sure my officers get home every night to their and we handle a lot of Leeville situations, families, that they’re protected and they have too,” Mike notes. “On a typical day, we handle everything they need to do the job.” POV our port, making sure that we’re keeping
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MEDICAL
DR. CRAIG WALKER
C A R D IOVA SC ULA R I NS T I T U T E O F T H E S O U T H BY HEIDI GUIDRY The Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) was founded by Dr. Craig Walker in 1983. The institute originally began as a one-physician practice in Houma and has since then grown tremendously. Dr. Walker envisioned CIS as a leader in the development of new techniques and technologies in the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery diseases. Dr. Walker has brought innovative leadership to not only the institution, but the community as a whole, and has created waves in the healthcare industry. Dr. Walker is a Bourg native who acquired his medical education in Louisiana before going to Boston to train at Harvard. He was unsure exactly which field he wanted to pursue, and after he completed his training in Boston, he knew he wanted to bring an innovative approach to cardiovascular medicine to Houma. When he came back home as a 28-year-old doctor, he wrote the mission statement, which still is instilled in the institution today. “I asked myself, what do I want to accomplish? What do I want to use as a moral compass for my path?” Dr. Walker says. The passion behind the mission led to: “Our mission is to provide our patients the highest quality cardiovascular care available. We pledge ourselves to technological superiority to assure the best means of diagnosis and treatment; Research so that our experience and
commitment help create the next generation of techniques and technologies; Education by our never-ending pursuit of knowledge and our ongoing commitment to share state-of-the-art medicine, our community, and our patients; Compassion to keep forever before us the goal of achieving the best possible medical results with the least possible discomfort; communication by word and deed, of our respectful appreciation for our patients as fellow beings who have honored us with their trust in our abilities and humanity.”
Louisiana, Mississippi, and now Illinois. Since its formation, CIS has grown from one to over 1,050 employees. They believe that their unwavering dedication to the CIS mission of providing the highest quality cardiovascular care has truly been the cornerstone of their successful growth. Dr. Walker said he could never have imagined the institute would be where it’s at today, and he is very proud of the innovations that led to saved lives. His next big ambition is to focus on preventive care. They see many patients that are in the advanced stages of disease, but if the focus is on preventative care, that can create a Dr. Walker prides that CIS has, and continues healthier lifestyle for everyone. to, meet every mark of the mission statement by continuouslyresearching new technology. “We are going to forever follow those goals. The institution is currently part of more than That means continuing research until we get to 50 research trials which is pivotal to develop a nirvana state of people not having these issues new technologies. They’ve completed tech- and having a better quality of life,” Dr. Walker nological superiority by success stories such said. He said despite a reputation Louisiana may as being the first to use the flexible TRYTON have, the state has the greatest improvement in Side Branch Stent. They continue to provide the country. CIS treats patients not only from education because as Dr. Walker said, preventive the Houma area, but statewide, nationally, and care is key when it comes to cardiovascular some internationally. “I do think it is something care. Compassion is showcased, Dr. Walker our community can be proud of. It should be a says, through “our willingness to see those to sense of community pride. Houma is an area those otherwise could not be able to be seen. that has been first in so many ways, in some We wanted to extend care to those that might cases internationally.” Dr. Walker may have not have insurance and the means.” founded CIS with lofty goals, but they have proven to exceed the goals, and continue to Today, the institution continues to grow and do so. POV expand to multiple locations spreading across
July 2021 36 povhouma.com
Thank You to our Healthcare Heroes
Even in uncertain times, the one true constant has always been our team at Terrebonne General Health System. These Healthcare Heroes go above and beyond the call each year, and showed their true mettle through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing vaccines and beyond. We are proud to call these individuals the Terrebonne General family. For over 65 years, we have had the great honor of caring for the bayou region, and we look forward to with hope, the many years to come.
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WALKING A MILE IN GRANDAD’S SHOES | 40 Local veteran honors our WWII heroes through song.
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Kyle Domangue’s office is lined with hand-drawn festival posters, CD release plaques, and intricate futuristic architectural designs. In title, he’s Vice President of Architecture at Duplantis Design Group (DDG) in Thibodaux. Look a little deeper, and he’s a creative soul who loves to tell a story and strives to leave a legacy behind through music. Kyle is a native of Houma who has been playing music since childhood. His mother had guitars in the house while growing up, where he would pick it up, picking around on the neck until it made a melodic sound. Although she tried to teach him music
by John Denver, his heart always led him to want to play music such as Led Zeppelin and Boston. He later picked up an electric guitar, and that was the beginning of his musical journey. He has been playing, writing, and recording music since he was 12. He attended Louisiana State University to study architecture and worked in the summers as an airbrush artist at a Christian retreat center, “Noah’s Ark” in Panama City, Florida. While there, they had music ministry at 8 and 10 p.m. on the beach. One day, he was playing the guitar, not thinking anyone was listening, but someone was. They
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offered the opportunity to play, and it was there he began his transition from a timid college student who had crippling stage fright to the beginning of his acoustic guitar career. Serving the country is rooted in Kyle’s family; his grandfathers, fathers and uncles all served in military services. Kyle has memorabilia, such as ribbons and hats, from his grandparents and has always been amazed at the dedication the generation had. He went on to serve as an Army Tank Commander in Operation Desert Storm, which helped pay his way through college. After a year away, he returned home to Baton
Rouge, where his previous Kmart job was no longer there. While he was at a microbrewery one day, a musician was playing, and it prompted the idea of starting a career playing on stages around LSU. “Next thing you knew,” he said,” I was playing at all of the college bars and paying my way through college. It was a lot of fun.” He moved back home to Bourg with his high school sweetheart, where they married and had their first child. Tragedy hit when, at just 30 years of age, his wife lost her battle to cancer, leaving him and their two-yearold daughter to figure out where life would lead them next. He then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where the band “The Preserve” was started in 2007. The group consists of Jaques Billeaud of Phoenix, Arizona, and Chris Fiscus of Tempe, Arizona on Drums. They have released two albums, opened for bands such as The Doobie Brothers and Gin Blossoms, and shared the stage with Pistoleros. Kyle moved back to South Louisiana when the housing values dropped almost overnight, causing economic struggles in the Arizona community. The band tapered off at this point. Besides the two albums, Kyle said they had other unfinished songs. He also joined Voodoo Bayou, which is a local band that plays at festivals and travels, and they still play around the area today. Almost a decade later, during a global pandemic, The Preserve decided they had “Unfinished Business,” which is the title of the band’s newest seven-song album that includes the latest Memorial Day release, “Granddad’s Shoes.” It was Kyle’s love for music and pride in patriotism that led to the fruition of the song. He said the integrity and
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“Imagine the feeling of a teen who receives their grandad’s shoes, the old combat boots he walked in for miles during war. Imagine the sadness that swells to pride, remembering all the sacrifices made so many years ago so that we could all be free. That’s the story behind Granddad’s Shoes”
character that came from the World War II generation always spoke to his heart, and “Granddad’s Shoes” is a story that portrays that very thought. Surprisingly, the song was partially written back in 2007, but it was one of several older songs that brought the guys back together. Despite being quarantined, they managed to come together to bring back some unfinished songs from years ago.
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“When you see the remarkable sacrifice from this generation that had to live through the Great Depression and go on to fight the war, the trenches they had to go through, it’s hard to imagine what they had to deal with,” he said while explaining how today’s generation may not truly
understand the level of sacrifice the older generation has had to make. The Preserve strives to preserve the legacy to make sure everybody knows and understands as much as possible the kind of commitment that is evident in the song’s video. The video was directed and produced by Phoenix-based agency Magnetry Inc. The band also worked with videographer JJ Smith, along with producer and engineers Kolby Peoples and Mike Bolenbach, who works with bands such as Alice Cooper in the Phoenix area. The video begins with the band playing in the studio and then transitions to a teenager, who happens to be Fiscus’ son, unboxing World War II memorabilia. It blends
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“When you see the remarkable sacrifice from this generation that had to live through the Great Depression and go on to fight the war, the trenches they had to go through, it’s hard to imagine what they had to deal with...” scenes of a B-17 bomber at Mesa’s CAF Airbase in Arizona, a pair of actual World War II 1940s combat boots, photos of Fiscus’ father Neal Fiscus, who flew a Mitchell B-25 during the war. The Bible in the video was also Neal Fiscus’s during his time in service. The song honors Neal Fiscus by telling a story of a younger generation remembering the sacrifices made and honors the men and women who fought against oppression, genocide, dictatorship and terrorism during World War II. Those boots are followed through mud, trenches and a soldier’s journey to create a visual of the hardships the soldiers endured. “Imagine the feeling of a teen who receives their grandad’s shoes, the old combat boots he walked in for miles during war. Imagine the sadness that swells to pride, remembering all the sacrifices made so many years ago so that we could all be free. That’s the story behind Granddad’s Shoes,” said Kyle. Check out the music video for ‘Granddad’s Shoes’ on Youtube (https://youtu.be/437yFtXUVNU) and Vimeo (https://vimeo. com/551526048). Follow the band on Facebook at facebook.com/ PreserveBand. POV
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WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE |
BY THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM
PLAY IT SAFE THIS SUMMER Last summer, sun and safety precautions were replaced with risk guides as to which activities were most likely to expose you to COVID. The virus is still around, but the moment you’ve waited for is finally here. While masks may no longer be essential to summer ensembles—unless you haven’t been vaccinated—you should still protect yourself from COVID and other viruses. • Wash your hands frequently. • Be aware of symptoms. No vaccine guarantees 100 percent safety from COVID. Even with the jab, you can still test positive for the virus. • Stay home if you feel sick. After more than a year of pent-up wanderlust, get ready to safely enjoy summer.
who have been vaccinated. Be cautious about mingling with unvaccinated persons. There is still a chance that you can get infected and transmit it to others. Stay safe in summer heat. Some summer practices didn’t change— during or post-COVID. The Louisiana heat and humidity have not lessened. Heat exhaustion and sun stroke still pose dangers. For many, more than a year of altered lifestyles may have resulted in reduced physical activity and COVID weight gain. So be mindful of not overdoing it in the heat. In particular, watch for signs of dehydration—thirst, body weakness, decreased urination, mild headaches and dry skin. Remember to:
Keep your mask handy.
• Stay hydrated
As a rule of thumb, don’t leave home without it. Masks are still required on planes, trains, buses, streetcars and other forms of public transportation. Also, most businesses and workplaces can set their own guidelines. At Thibodaux Regional Health System, we continue to have restrictions in place for the safety of patients, staff and visitors.
• Drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day • Avoid strenuous activity in high temperatures • Stay inside or under shade during the hottest parts of the day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reunite with friends and family. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, you can safely get together with—and even hug—others
Wear sunscreen. Taking precautions against harmful UV rays can help to protect your body’s largest organ. Here are some tips: • Massage sunscreen with at least SPF 30 thoroughly onto your skin • Let it dry for 10-15 minutes before going outdoors • Use water-resistant sunscreen and reapply often, every 15–20 minutes or every 2 hours if it contains zinc • Apply on easy-to-miss spots such as the neck, scalp, feet and tops of ears • Don’t use sunscreen on infants younger than six months old; keep them out of the sun when possible or dress them in UPFrated clothing and wide-brimmed hats • Wear sunglasses. Make regular appointments with a dermatologist or your primary care physician for routine skin checks. Check moles at home and look for any that appear larger, discolored, asymmetrical or with jagged borders. You’ve eagerly awaited summer 2021 for what seems like an eternity. So go outside, catch fireflies, enjoy the company of friends and continue to play it safe with your health.
For resources to help you reach your health and wellness goals, contact Thibodaux Regional Wellness Education Center, 985.493.4765.
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UNDER THE SCOPE |
BY JOHN DOUCET
FIRST YOU
BREAK THE HEADS July always means shrimp to me. It’s like the equinox between seasons here in PoV country, when the brown shrimp season is waning and the white shrimp season is soon to rise. Few trawl boats are docked on the bayouside, which means they’re all out working. Roadside stands all have plenty “frash shrimps” to sell. Every now and then you can see people on their carports breaking heads from an ice chest and tossing headless tails into a bucket. And inside supermarkets, even the Zatarain’s ether seems refreshed from the peak of crawfish season.
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My Doucet grandpa was part of the great shrimp trawling tradition here in and along the lower reaches of the bayous. He was renowned as the best packer in town. Not a Green Bay packer, mind you, but more like a Caminada Bay packer. (Come to think of it, that bay is usually green as well.) In his day, a packer was also known as an “iceman,” and an iceman often worked in the hull of a large “ice boat” that collected catches of smaller boats and packed those catches in ice. But icing was an art for Papére. Working in the ice boat hull, he would spread a boatload of shrimp in a thin layer and then cover it with a thin layer of ice. The next boat’s catch would be loaded on top and spread, and then he’d cover it with another layer of ice, building a sort of Doberge cake made with shrimp and ice instead of cake and pudding. It’s said that he never lost a shrimp during all the seasons in the hull of that boat. The proud day eventually came for Papére when he could afford his own boat. And he bought a big one. We have an old family photo of him proudly standing at the bow right above the name “China Clipper.” That was the name given by the first owner—the one who burned the engine. Fortunately, Papére knew how to overhaul engines, and fortunately his brother owned a supply store. Another brother made trawl boards and nets. Later than sooner, Papère was off on the shrimp-roads, atop the deck and at the wheel and no longer in a damp and smelly hull. The thing about shrimping, especially back in the day, is that sometimes you need some luck to find the shrimp. And sometimes you need more luck to keep your overhauled engine running. And then you need luck to get a good price for your catch and make some money to support your family. Unfortunately, the boat didn’t cooperate with Papére, and neither did the shrimp. After a brief but proud time, he bid one tradition adieu and welcomed a new one—working for Texaco like nearly everyone else in town.
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Finding and catching shrimp was a challenge for Papére and other coastal trawlers of the day. But it’s not so for others around the world. You can find shrimp even in the hottest place on earth—the “Desert of Emptiness” in Iran, where temps can approach 160 degrees. On rare occasions when it rains there, and the residual ponds become teeming with the shrimp Phallocryptus fahimii arising from decades-old eggs. Though these ponds will dry in a few hours or a few days, that’s
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long enough for the desert shrimp to frolic and lay more eggs that’ll settle in the sand to await the next rain, which may come in another 10 years. And further east across the globe, if you put a net along certain watersides in Thailand, shrimp will scurry right into it. Schools of the shrimp Macrobrachium dienbienphuense will avidly avoid strong water currents and parade across rocks and grasses along the waterside until they find calmer waves. They’ve actually become a tourist attraction. It’s so easy there that it seems unfair compared to the hard work of our bayou trawlers here. Now, neither of those shrimp populations are likely large enough to sustain a mass market, and it’s not even known if the locals eat them. But “That don’t matter,” as Papére would say, “If you can catch it, you can cook it!” I imagine how easy trawling might have been down here on the bayous if you could find shrimp on land and if they would walk into your trawl net. The iceman never avoided hard work but he may have been less interested in making money than simply living the tradition he learned from his own father. If shrimping were as easy as it might be in Iran and Thailand, he might never have given up the boat and worked in the oilfield, where he earned a steady paycheck for the first time in his life, and then neither would my dad, and then my generation might never have afforded to go to college. In a way, trawling worked out after all. And I believe Papére knew it would be so.
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I hope he would be proud to know how I’ve become part of the great tradition. No, I’ve never trawled for shrimp, but I have studied their DNA to learn their genetic secrets. That’s kinda like trawling except it’s for genes. To extract DNA from a shrimp, you use the tail. But first you keep it on ice until you break the head and peel away the shell. Sound familiar, Papére? POV www.houmafamilydental.com July 2021 47 povhouma.com
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RENDEZVOUS |
WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AROUND TOWN
Show. A Poker Run will start at Big Mike’s BBQ and Smokehouse in Thibodaux and finish at Bayou Terrebonne Distillers. Once arriving at the distillery, there will be a Car Show, BBQ, and live music.
THE LARGEST
SELECTION - ON THE -
Market at the Marina July 3, 8 a.m. Houma Downtown Marina
A new healthy initiative for our community! In partnership with the Houma Downtown Development Committee, Market at the Marina features local vendors. The market is held on the first Saturday of every month.
Pickle Fest July 31, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Amazin Kajun Pickles, Houma
Attention pickle lovers! Amazin Kajun Pickles is hosting the inaugural Pickle Fest! Enjoy treats such as fried pickles, pickle pizza, cotton candy pickles, Bloody Marys with pickles, along with new products from Amazin Kajun Pickles. Children’s activities and live music will accompany the pickle-palooza.
Case Discounts Available! SHOP ONLINE AT:
WWW.CANNATAS.COM
Craftin’ Cajuns Indoor Craft Show & Marketplace
SAVE THE DATE
July 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center
Scan QR Code to Learn More or Join Today!
Craftin’ Cajuns is a seasonal craft show and marketplace featuring over 200 vendor booths with a large variety of handmade items, specialty products, and boutique styles.
HUDDLE UP! on the 50 August 21, 3 p.m. Nicholls State University
OR LIQUOR & WINE DELIVERED IN AS LITTLE AS 1 HOUR. QUESTIONS? CALL: 985-873-9189 FOR INQUIRIES & ORDERS CONTACT:
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Inaugural Contraband Run & Car Show
The 4th annual HUDDLE UP! on the 50 5K Run/Walk & Tailgate Cook-Off is an all day celebration of Nicholls Football. Huddle Up! was organized in 2015 to create a platform of support for Nicholls Football. This family-friendly event features a Cookoff Competition that begins at 8 a.m., Kids Fun Run at 4 p.m., 5K Run/Walk at 5 p.m., followed by a spirited Colonels football scrimmage to end the day. POV
July 31, 9 a.m. Thibodaux to Houma
The Hache Grant Association presents the inaugural ContraBand Run and Car July 2021 48 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS INDEPENDENCE DAY BY THE NUMBERS
74 million - number of people planning to grill
85% - of people are cooking burgers
150 million - number of hot dogs consumed
68 million - cases of beer are consumed
Designer Smiles 750 million - number of pounds of chicken are consumed *According to blog.aghires.com
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LOOK TWICE |
WIN A $50
COURTESY OF SYNERGY BANK
GIFT CARD
Find the six differences in this photo from our feature on page 22. 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 July 20. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank. Participants must be 18 years or older.
Congratulations to Stephanie Altman for winning last month’s contest.
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 1 Changed color of watering can 2 Changed color of pillow 3 Changed color of flower pot 4 Removed rooster on painting 5 Changed color of flowers 6 Added watering can
s Help u
! s u b e h t K PAC
Donate new school supplies to benefit Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish students! Donations accepted at all Synergy Bank locations. July 2021 50 povhouma.com
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