September 2022 2 povhouma.com CONTENTS | SEPTEMBER 2022 • VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 9 WORD ON THE STREET ARIOSO VISIT US ONLINE: povhouma.com CHATEAU CHIC Happy At Home PUBLISHER’S NOTE Young Minds at Work INTERVUE Say What? THE OBSERVER September to Remember WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE Blue for Boys Takes on New Meaning in September UNDER THE SCOPE Are You Ready for Some Episkyros? RENDEZVOUS Where You Need to Be Around Town LOOK TWICE Sponsored by Synergy Bank STAYING FOCUSED Ava Parra and Baby take life one pole at a time. #BETAFAMOUS Houma Christian Beta Clubs earn national recognition. Photo: Channing Candies LIFE ON THE FARM Life on the farm is part business, part fun!1006082628303234 14 2218 Page 10 Page 14 Page 18 EXTRAS ON THE COVER WORD, YA HEARD table of The verses were sung as an arioso by the chorus. The fall performance will feature an arioso. [ ahr-ee-oh-soh, ar- ] adjective in the manner of an air or melody.
September 2022 4 povhouma.com
Mary
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YOUNG MINDS AT WORK
If these three stories are any indication of the future, I will be the first to say we will be in good hands. It is my hope that we can continue to encourage and mentor these young minds to do great things. POV
September 2022 6 povhouma.com PUBLISHER’S NOTE | MARY DOWNER DITCH • ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Summer is officially over this month, and our children are back in school. It was a fun and crazy summer in our household! Our son Jackson is seven. This year, we decided, was the “summer of adventure!” While we did not have time this year for a week-long vacation, we maxed-out our time on the weekends, going on adventures in our own state! We did everything from tent camping at Lake End in Morgan City, to kayaking through the Manchac Swamp, to swimming and playing on giant inflatables at White Sands Lake in Bogalusa. It’s amazing the adventures you can have, right in your own backyard!
Our next young lady, Ava Parra, and her horse Baby, have set their minds on first prize. The talented equestrian is returning back-to-school as a champion, having won first place in the preliminary pole competition in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championship. Ava’s journey to the championship started as equine therapy to help her focus in school. She is now reaping the rewards, both in school and in the arena. Hear more about Ava’s quest starting on page 18.
Finally, we are honored to recognize a group of young minds at Houma Christian School that are now #BETAfamous. Houma Christian Beta club is made up of three groups: Elementary Beta, Junior Beta, and Senior Beta. After the school year itself was disrupted by Hurricane Ida, the Beta Clubs continued to meet and practice wherever they could find space. Their hard work and dedication was rewarded at the National Beta Convention, where they simply swept the Beta community away. Collectively, the Houma Christian Beta Clubs returned home with just over twenty awards and honors. Read about this fantastic group of kiddos on page 22.
The first week of August brought with it the first day of school and the start of another school year. For our family, that means back to schedules and routines. Jackson is in second grade this year! I swear, I feel like I was just writing a note to you sharing he was starting ForPre-K!all of our children, this year holds the promise to be a “normal” year. I am hopeful for our children (and our communities), that this school year will be free from pandemics and natural disasters. Our children have all gone through so much over these last few years, that it leaves me wondering what a “normal year” will look like. I am looking forward to opportunities to be present on our school campus, volunteering where I can! It’s always special to be welcomed onto campus and see the amazing things our children are learning. Children are one of the most amazing gifts God has given to us. Being a parent is my most favorite job title. Seeing them grow from tiny babies that need you at every moment, into wonderful, brillant, independent young adults is just a blessing. Our community is filled with children who accomplish so much by the time they transition into adults. These young minds at work are the future of the Ourworld.September issue takes a closer look at these young minds at work.
Our first three young entrepreneurs are hard at work, ensuring the family business, Thibodaux Bee Company, is a success. Eleanor, Amelia and Fitz Straney see to it that the company’s products and operations departments are run smoothly. Along with their Mom and Dad, the family businesses rely on hard work and dedication from all parties. Learn more about the family-run farm and business starting on page 14.
JARET Student Council made a difference to me in high school by giving me the opportunity to push out of my comfort zone when meeting others. It also provided an opportunity to travel around our state and beyond, as well as foster a belief in serving others. The organizaiton helped me to understand that beautiful things can happen right here on the bayou, but that there is a much wider world out there full of great things.
My favorite organization I belonged to in high school was the Thibodaux High Football Team.
DEX Being a part of DECA was my top tier experience throughout high school. Not only were we taught professionalism and business aspects; but, we were given the opportunity to be foreign exchange students in Germany. DECA created relationships and attributes that I use still to this day!
JOE My favorite club was Campus Ministry at Vandebilt. We also had a fun rock band called Liquid Rock that featured a rotation of talented musicians. We would play at basketball games, pep rallies, and football games. It was a way for those of us with less than stellar athletic ability to contribute.
DONEA
My favorite was my high school’s choir.
LAUREN In high school, I was a proud member of the Speech & Debate Team— which is a combination of public speaking, acting, and arguing all in one competitive sport! Now that I am a (little) older, I can clearly see how this organization has helped me develop life-long skills such as critical thinking, organization, persuasion, and most importantly— overall communication! Tell us about your favorite organization you were a member of in high school.
September 2022 8 povhouma.com INTERVUE | SAY WHAT?
KALON
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September 2022 10 povhouma.com HAPPY AT HOME
BY MARY DITCH PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
HOME + LIVING | CHATEAU CHIC
Thespace.open home concept provides a bright, airy feel to the central part of the home with multiple windows allowing sunlight to bathe the living space. Kitchen and bath countertops are white macabus quartzite. A large covered patio surrounding the pool, complete with an outdoor dining space and kitchen, gives the homeowners a space to relax no matter the weather. Inside the home, the kitchen with a large island, allows for ease of movement in the cooking space, and plenty of storage space in the pantry, which is organized to hold small appliances as well as food. The home also features a custom audio system. The homeowners enjoy having speakers throughout the home, with the capability of varying volume and music in all locations. Portions of the home can also be run from a phone app, including sound, HVAC, lighting and aspects of the pool. “We love the comforting and warm appeal of our home with the great view,” shared the homeowners. “Our plan is to age in place. Downsizing our yard and house to a manageable size has given us 1
On a beautiful corner lot sits a custombuilt home by Chris Ledet Homes. The coastal exterior of the home compliments the neighborhood and welcomes you home. Paul Ledet, president of Chris Ledet Homes, guided the family through the building process, and Sean Mitchell with On-Site Design was the architect.
The three bedroom, three bath home built in 2021 also features a pool house. It is a transitional home featuring traditional antique furniture mixed with current day practical chairs and stools. The interior perfectly blends the two styles, creating a warm and inviting
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September 2022 13 povhouma.com ayeee.com Annette DupontNMLS ID: 487985 1362 W Tunnel Blvd Houma, LA 985-851-343470360 Searching for a home loan? Thinking about refinancing? We can help. Stop in or call our Mortgage Loan Originator, Annette Dupont. She will match you with the perfect loan to meet your needs. time to be with family and friends in an easily maintained setting.” Using quality vendors helped the homeowners to know their home will be perfect. The indoor engineered white oak wood flooring, quartzite and tile came from Perque Flooring. Outdoor marble floors and decorative tile were both purchased from Paradise Pools in Metairie. Other vendors that assisted with the home include Chackbay Nursery, LCR Plumbing, Khrisbuilt cabinets, Ronnie Vasquez painters, Louisiana Closets, Sonny’s electronics, Budget Blinds, and Austin from Lynn’s Interiors. POV No. 1 Exterior No. 2 Kitchen No. 3 Living Room No. 4 Master Bedroom No. 5 Master Bathroom No. 6 Guest Bedroom No. 7 Pool No. 8 Patio No. 9 Patio No. 10 Detail Enjoy more photos at povhouma.com. 10
Eleanor, the oldest sister, is the company’s head of sales and finances, while middle sister Amelia specializes in taste-testing for the development of products. Rounding out the team is Fitz, who oversees the business’s vegetable garden and assists his dad with beekeeping and beehive removals.
BY
A honeybee colony is a well-oiled machine made up of three types of bees, all with unique roles crucial to the hive’s operations: workers, drones, and the queen bee. However, it’s the worker bees that ultimately run the show. They’re responsible for cleaning the beehive, building honeycombs, gathering pollen and nectar to produce honey, and more. Take a look at the family-led team behind Thibodaux Bee Company, and one will see that it operates in much the same way. Dad Mike Straney is the business’s resident bee expert, while mom Jen Straney is its marketing mastermind.
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Together, the Straney family has built Thibodaux Bee Company into a multilayer operation, all falling under the umbrella of Vincenzo Farms, that sells an array of fresh products, including raw honey and honeycomb, infused honey, honeypops, fresh eggs, satsumas, satsuma juice, homemade butter, and more.
And just like the worker bees take charge in a beehive, the Straney family’s three young entrepreneurs have spearheaded the company’s products and operations since its origins at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
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“I think yes, people come for the honey, but when they realize it’s kids doing it and selling it, they’re amazed by that,” Jen says. “ People ask how do we do it, but [the children] are doing it…They do all the labels. They put all the labels on. They’re filling the jars. We have like a little assembly line. We have a Thibodauxprocess.”Bee Company started in 2020 as a quarantine project for Eleanor and Amelia, who sought to have their own money to spend. The Straney family’s property, purchased in 2017, afforded the perfect opportunity to begin a small business. Rich with fruit trees and equipped with room for gardens, KEELY DIEBOLD BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
As Eleanor and Amelia began to review the expenses that would accompany launching a business, they realized they would need financial assistance. As a result, Mike and Jen agreed to cover the startup costs for Citrus Sisters if the duo donated half of its profits to various
Jen’s maternal grandparents are sugar cane farmers, and every generation from her grandfather down to herself was involved with the 4-H livestock project growing up. Mike, who hails from Texas, showed pigs through Future Farmers of America (FFA).
The most challenging part?
The Citrus Sisters business, which operates out of a stand at the front of Vincenzo Farms, gradually began incorporating new products into their offerings - such as homemade butter, at Fitz’s suggestion. “At school, we made butter and crackers,” Fitz says. “He said ‘We can put butter at the stand!’” Jen However,laughs.the driving force that led to the business’s growth was the introduction of honey to its product lineup.
“As soon as we had honey, it was sold,” Jen Sincesays.April, the Straneys’ ever-expanding business has operated under the mantle of Thibodaux Bee Company and hosts pop-up sale days at Vincenzo Farms for its variety of products. In addition, the business
“Family’s a big, important thing for us. Just the heritage, the traditions. It’s something we’ve kept up with,” Jen says. “My mom’s side is the farming and the agriculture, and then my dad’s side is the business. And I grew up [where] everybody works in the family businesses for generations…I felt strongly about trying to teach them about how to balance a checkbook and run a business and make sure you’re supporting your customers.”
“Probably keeping the money,” Amelia “Yousays. have to remember your expenses so you know how much you actually make,” Eleanor says. “You spent money on jars and decorations and stuff.”
The Straneys put out their first swarm traps in 2017 when they moved to Vincenzo Farms, eventually acquiring enough small amounts of honey for themselves and their immediate Whenfamilies. their honey addtheyincreased,productionthough,decidedtoitasaCitrus Sisters offering, and secondaryandtoproperty,beehiveshaveNow,skyrocketed.demandtheStraneysroughly30ontheirwithplansincreaseto50expandtoasite.They additionally offer hive removals.
“There’s lots about bees that people don’t know or that they don’t understand about how they reproduce and what happens when they move from place to place,” Mike says. “Last time we did [a sale] I was standing there for two-and-a-half hours answering questions about bees.”
September 2022 15 povhouma.com beehives and a barn for livestock, the Straneys named the land Vincenzo Farms after Jen’s great, great grandfather and Sicilian immigrant Vincenzo Sotile. “We wanted to pretend to be adults. We wanted our own money, and we wanted to be rich,” Eleanor says. “I was like, well what if we start selling the satsumas from the citrus trees?” After developing their business idea, Eleanor and Amelia settled on the name “Citrus Sisters” for their endeavor - an endeavor that Jen and Mike saw as an opportunity to teach their children about money and hard work from a young age.
The increased demand for honey, particularly during the summer of 2021, was the driving force that led the Straneys to realize it was time to expand the Citrus Sisters operation.
Growing up in families heavily committed to agriculture and operating family businesses, Jen and Mike know firsthand the value of the skills their children could gain from running their own company.
Thus,charities.the Citrus Sisters operation was underway. Since it began, the girls say that their favorite part of running the business has included social media tasks, such as taking photos and making Instagram and Facebook Reels. Fitz also notes that their two barn cats, fittingly named Satsuma and Honey, are another high point.
Mike’s passion for honey and beekeeping began while he studied biomedical science and entomology at Texas A&M University. He says he was surrounded by a great deal of research on insects, particularly bees.
“We put rosemary and lavender and lemon zest in the honey, we let it sit for a couple days, and it was awesome. It’s probably our best seller,” Jen says. “We strain [the honey], so I took all of that out of the honey, chopped it up, and made a butter, so now we have lemon and herb butter.”
September 2022 16 povhouma.com continues to donate a portion of its sales to various charities, including food banks and relief funds following the impact of Hurricane Ida.
“And their ideas,” Jen says. “I kind of taught them ideas, but now they come up with ideas - advertising ideas, new products, and different things like that.” New product ideas come organically for the Straneys, such as through Fitz’s homemade butter experience at school, inspiration from customers or ingredients for other
A personal highlight of sale days for Jen and Mike, though, is the presence of various Louisiana-inspired cocktails the duo has created using Thibodaux Bee Company’s products, including a honey old fashioned and a “Vincenzo mule” incorporating satsuma juice.
“Theproducts.way we got into the lemon and herb honey is we were making honeypops, and my mom posted a picture, just like lemon and herbs…so she posted it and it was like infused honeypops, and someone thought it was infused honey, so then we got into making infused honey,” Eleanor says.
“We have a series of tents and picnic tables, and we set up stations. There’s like a charcuterie section, and then there’s the table with stuff for sale,” Mike says.
The Straney family’s passion for agriculture is evident in the work that takes place on Vincenzo Farms, including Thibodaux Bee Company and the children’s prize-winning participation in 4-H’s livestock program.
Jen dreams of a building to house Thibodaux Bee Company, complete with a facility where they can host tours or field trips to view the beehives, see how honey is made and sample fresh honey.
What means the most to Jen and Mike, though, is watching their children take charge of sale days and develop their business. They note that their children’s desire to work is especially important, since both serve as full-time doctors - Jen as an OBGYN and Mike as an emergency room
The young Straney entrepreneurs, of course, have their own dreams for what they hope to do in the future. Eleanor sees herself as a veterinarian, while Amelia dreams of being either a veterinarian or a teacher. Fitz, on the other hand, hopes to become a tire salesman or a pilot or a paleontologist.“Iknowfora fact that they’re going to be better citizens because they’re learning how to do things like this,” Jen says.
“Thedoctor.thing that I like the most is watching them develop in their business savviness,” Mike says. “When we were doing the last sale in the front yard, [Eleanor] was basically running the register…That was really neat to watch.”
Thibodaux Bee Company and Citrus Sisters can be found on Facebook @thibodauxbee and @VincenzoFarms or online at www.thibodauxbee.com. POV
The Straneys clarify that sale days are less of a chore and more of a party for family, friends and customers, though.
The family is always looking to grow its company and welcome new ideas and offerings. Mike says the Straneys hope to welcome goats to the farm to introduce goat cheeses, expand Fitz’s vegetable garden and, of course, increase honey production by reaching 100 beehives.
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CANDIES
Ava’s journey began in the first grade when her parents noticed she was having trouble focusing in school. Jenna shared her concerns with her mother in an effort to find a solution. The two began researching interactive activities to increase a child’s attention span and ran across horse Aftertherapy.
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The most valuable investment a parent can make is in their child’s education. What began as an effort for Jenna and Hunter Parra to increase their daughter’s attention span developed into a life-changing experience for the family. Thirteen-yearold Ava Parra began her eighth grade year at Vandebilt Catholic High School on Monday, August 8th. The young scholar just returned from Perry, Georgia where she competed in the Southern Regional 4-H Championship.
conducting research, Jenna discovered a host of life-changing benefits equine therapy has on children and adolescents. The family decided to give it a try and Ava’s grandmother gifted her BY YASMEEN SINGLETON BY CHANNING
| PHOTOS
Five years later, Ava has dedicated herself to horseback riding, competing locally and
September 2022 19 povhouma.com horseback riding lessons that year as a Christmas present. Jenna said she gradually witnessed the impact horseback riding had on Ava’s character and academics. “This absolutely made a difference in Ava’s life personally and academically. I noticed she began concentrating and focusing more. Once she started taking lessons she really turned her school work around and began doing really well,” Jenna shared. By the time Ava entered fourth grade, she had developed a passion for the sport, taking lessons with a family friend to perfect her skills. After years of making a 30-minute commute to a barn in Bayou Blue, Jenna and Hunter decided to pack the family up to move to the county, allowing Ava to practice and care for her horse on a daily basis. The family left their residential neighborhood and built a home in the Bayou Blue community. After years of taking lessons with an older horse named “Kissy”, Jenna and Hunter promised Ava if she made the honor roll they’d purchase her a personal horse. Ava ultimately met the challenge and was gifted a new horse, named Baby.
“Anyone who is having a problem with a child who has an attention disorder I highly recommend horse therapy. I encourage people to research it because it has been a life changer for Ava and our family, early on.” POV
Following high school, Ava says she aspires to develop her childhood passion into a lifelong career, pursuing a career in equestrianism, and participating in the Jennapro-rodeo.encourages parents whose child may have trouble focusing in school or was diagnosed with ADHD to learn more about equine therapy and its benefits.
September 2022 20 povhouma.com regionally. She began competing in 4-H shows in May, practicing 30 minutes a day. In June, she was named the high point champion for the district and came in second place at the state 4-H state show. Illustrating her skills, Ava qualified to compete in the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championship. In preparation for the competition, Ava and Baby set goals for daily practice routines. “For regionals, me and Baby would ride around the pond in the back for about 30 minutes. Our routine includes five minutes walking around the arena, 10 minutes trotting, and then five minutes of loping and galloping around. We wrap up our routine going over the barrels and poles,” said Ava.
Jenna said Ava’s little sisters, Ella and Mia, are her biggest fans, cheering her on at every show. “Her sisters are always so happy and proud of her. They sit through her shows and are always there to cheer her on through competitions.”
Ava said she plans to participate in a recreational riding program in high school and compete nationally.
The competition took place August 2-7 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. The event consisted of three categories: poles, stakes, and barrels. Ava won first place in the preliminary pole competition, defeating riders from across the country between approximately 10-17 years old. “It was two shows in one day where you ran the first show and you’d have to qualify for the finals which were that day. I won first in poles and went to the finals, but we were disqualified in the finals because she turned too early, which we’ll have to work on. But we placed first for the preliminary Avashow!”and Baby returned home from the championship on Sunday, August 7th, with a grateful heart and a lot of experience. Jenna reflected on her daughter ’s journey to the championship and witnessing her growth both personally and academically. “It’s pretty impressive, neither I nor her dad knows anything about horses. This is not anything we grew up doing so anytime she gets on the back of that horse I am extremely nervous. We’re so proud of her for coming so far and sticking with this for so long. She and Baby have come so far together; it’s pretty impressive to watch, especially at such a young age. She competes against so many people, including adults. This is the first time she’s gone this far and we’re extremely proud.”
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Houma Christian Beta Club has three clubs: Elementary Beta for grades fourth and fifth, Junior Beta for grades sixth, seventh and eighth, and Senior Beta for grades ninth through twelfth. The organization’s mission is to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. In addition to serving the community, the club participates annually in the Beta National Conference where the Houma Christian Clubs have gained national recognition.
BY HEIDI GUIDRY PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Learning becomes a part of who we are. Children learn from anything and everything they experience. They learn wherever they are, not just in a classroom, and Houma Christian’s Beta Club proves that it’s not only academia that teaches a child life-long Kristilessons.Hebert started volunteering at Houma Christian School, almost ten years ago when her sons started attending. Eventually she joined the faculty as a P.E. teacher. As the school grew in size, so did its needs, and Kristi became the Media Director. While her position has changed over the years, one thing has not, and that’s her love for engaging students in education as the Beta Club’s main sponsor.
Kristi shared that the students who participate in the national competition prepare year-round. Despite Hurricane Ida making marks on the region, the students were consistent in practicing and preparing for the national competition, finding areas in parking lots, and even the grass, when facilities were not available. “It wasn’t always convenient for the kids, but they were consistent. Once school started back up we practiced every week from when we got back from the hurricane, til’ the time it was time to go to state convention,” she said. The club left their mark in Nashville,
985.872.1431
In addition, the Elementary club placed first in the nation for their service project, “Closet of Hope”. Following Hurricane Ida, as southern communities came together to serve each other and to extend helping hands to those who needed it, the Houma Christian Beta club was no exception. In the aftermath of the storm, Kristi said the elementary Beta students recognized a problem in the bayou region where some families did not have access to transportation to go to supply distribution centers to wait in long lines to get the necessities they needed. This led to the project “Closet of Hope”, a project the club is very proud of.
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Tennessee this past June at the National Beta Convention, securing a slew of awards. Elementary Beta secured the National Champion titles for Performing Arts, and Project Proposals, as well as placing ninth in Create and Animate, ninth in Reimagine, Recreate, Recycle, fourth in Lead Outside the Box, tenth in Collaboration Connection, and second in Solo, Duo, Trio.
The mobile “closet” held donated items such as personal hygienic products, baby items, cleaning products, etc. The students then traveled with the “closet” to areas affected by the storm to bring these necessities to the doorstep of those in need. They visited areas such as lower bayou communities and the Rebecca Plantation site.
Through Beta, Kristi along with parent volunteers and co-sponsors Chantelle Solet, and Ashley Boudreaux, foster a servitude heart with the students. “One of the things that really makes me think that we’re doing something right is to see kids learn to love serving other people because, in the grand scheme of life when you become an adult, that’s the goal. We want kids to have been trained that serving others is a way of life. It’s not something that you do to get bonus points or do for recognition, it’s the way you live your life.” POV
The Junior Beta members also earned a National Champion title in Living Literature. Additionally, they placed fifth in Marketing and Communications. The Senior Beta members placed seventh in Create and Animate, third in Lead Outside the Box, eighth in 9th Grade Math, third in Performing Arts, second in Project Proposal, tenth in Technology, and fourth in Living Literature. The Houma Christian Beta Club also snagged the TikTok Award for their creative content that follows the club as they navigate the halls of what it means to be At#BETAfamous.thenational convention, the club reported the results of the service project they put into action, and wowed the panel with their project, earning the first place title. “It’s a really big honor to win that,” Kristi said, “When Beta first started, it was all about service, so that’s one of the things that we really value in our club.”
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The phrase “you’ve been quarantined” felt like a prison sentence for the past two years to so many of these kids. The state championship of __________ (you fill in the blank) and suddenly you couldn’t go because of a positive test in your family or for yourself or even just coming into close contact with the wrong person. Then Hurricane Ida destroyed homes and businesses, and south Louisiana focused on restoring homes and livelihoods. Teenagers watched homes of parents and family members undergo unprecedented damage. Their generation isn’t the first to live through trials. But honestly, it’s been decades since we had a nationwide crisis. We toured the Regional Military Museum this summer (one of our favorite local summertime stops) and I was reminded of the generations who went before us. Teenagers called to war at 16, 17 years old. Bayou boys called from summertime in the swamp across the world into jungles and lands they never knew existed.
THE OBSERVER | BY JAIME SEPTEMBERDISHMAN TO REMEMBER
This generation’s path has been tough. It’s been a different kind of battle. These teenagers watched a world change in the past two years. Our country divided along lines of race, morality, legislation. But as I’ve spent time with the teenagers of this generation, I’ve heard them ask
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This September feels like the first September in a long time.
Assisted Living and Memory Care
The first time fall events are maybe going to go as planned. Maybe we will sit at football games on Friday nights. Maybe we will go to fall festivals. Maybe we will put out pumpkins and worry about small, trivial details like “can we plan a hayride in our neighborhood?” It’s been a while. It’s possible that I’m hyperaware of the lack of normalcy over the past two years. My oldest is a high school senior, and his senior class had a brief taste of normal for a few months their freshman year, and the following two years were the chaos of Covid, followed by Ida. The Covid-Ida combo stole homecomings, football games, pep rallies, soccer games, band festivals, and so much more. You name it and this year’s senior class has learned what it means to think something would happen only to have it taken away in a Thismillisecond.year’ssenior class has weathered all manner of storms. Years of childhood normalcy and then these seniors watched a worldwide pandemic change everything they knew. Their high school memories are filled with cancellations and quarantines.
September 2022 27 povhouma.com Make the world a better place. Our generation clearly needs some help. We are waiting on you. This September could be the beginning of it all. POV www.houmafamilydental.com TRACTOR802HWY 182 Houma, LA 70364 (985) www.spehouma.com851-1242
According to the American Cancer Society, aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, affecting as many as one in every nine men.
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• Family history and genetics also play roles. Several inherited gene mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are linked to an increased risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers in some
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• Diet seems to have an impact. Obese males tend to have higher risk for more aggressive forms of the cancer. Anyone at high risk should talk with their doctor about medications or other preventive treatments. Several drugs can control prostate enlargement. According to American Cancer Society guidelines, men can reduce risks by: Eating at least 2.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a low-fat diet with limited red meat and dairy products Choosing foods rich in vitamins and minerals Drinking plenty of water Limiting caffeine and sugar-sweetened beverages Exercising frequently Maintaining a healthy weight Watch for Symptoms
As men age, their prostates can become enlarged and press on the bladder or urethra. They should not overlook an enlarged prostate as there are often no early symptoms of cancer. In more advanced stages, symptoms can include: Frequent urination, especially at night Difficulty starting or stopping urination Weak or interrupted urinary stream hips, Screened Regularly
The American Cancer Society advises men to begin screening tests at: • Ages 40–49 for men at high risk including anyone with a father, brother or son diagnosed before age 65
Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or radiation. Side effects can include impotence, urinary impairment and erectile dysfunction. However, advanced surgical techniques help minimize damage to nearby nerves. When it comes to prostate cancer, like with most cancers, screening and early detection help to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. We encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider sooner rather than later. Why not make an appointment now? If you need a doctor, use our Find a Doctor directory on our website: https://www.thibodaux.com/find-a-doctor/ or call Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute at 985.493.4008.
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WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE | BY THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM BLUE FOR BOYS TAKES ON NEW MEANING IN SEPTEMBER
or upper thighs Get
Identified by blue ribbons, National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month focuses attention on the disease this month and ways for men to safeguard their health.
Ethnicity can increase risk, with AfricanAmerican men and Caribbean men of African descent having the highest rates of the disease.
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• At age 45, African Americans should discuss screening with their doctors • Age 50+ for average-risk men
The disease begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. Men ages 50 and older are advised to undergo annual screenings, which typically consist of a blood test to measure prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Now is the perfect time to schedule a screening with your doctor or healthcare provider. Know the Risks Incidence rates for prostate cancer in Louisiana rank among the highest in the country. Healthcare providers urge men to not delay annual screenings and to know their risks.
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• Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation • Blood in urine or semen • Deep pain in the lower back,
Choosing Treatment Options
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When detected early, the five-year survival rate nears 100 percent if the disease is confined to the prostate or nearby tissues (stages I, II or III).
If it spreads to lymph nodes or distant organs such as the lungs or bone (stage IV), the rate drops to 29 percent.
Screenings typically consist of a blood test to measure PSA levels. A PSA level under 4 is considered normal, while a reading above 10 suggests higher risk of several conditions including cancer. Anything between 4 and 10 is considered borderline.
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• Age is the biggest risk factor, particularly for men over 50.
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England inherited the mob game, and in their hands the game first became less footed. In 1828, a mob player picked up the ball and ran with it beyond the goal marker. It was such a novel play that they gave him points for it. This unfortunate historic event foreshadowed the predominance of running the ball over kicking the ball. Then, in 1898, such “touchdowns” were promoted from 4 points to 5. Six years later, field goals were demoted from 5 points to 4. The footness of football was diluted further when the forward pass was legalized in 1906, made even easier when the ball was tapered at the ends in 1936. The rifling motion of hurling such a tapered ball was nicknamed “throwing a bullet.” In the 1980s and 1990s, NFL
Speaking of gladiatorial times, football is actually much older than those black-andwhite photos of leather-headed college teams in the late 19th century. It’s older than earlier bare-headed players who suffered injuries before someone decided it was smart to protect a player’s head.
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“Protect your [other organ],” Hemingway famously told a young player. (It’s all his fault.) Yes, football can be traced all the way back to ancient Greece. Vases and sculptures from 2400 years ago show players exchanging a large round ball. Back then, the game was called “episkyros,” and it was played by throwing a ball over a scrimmage while avoiding tackles. Kicking was also permitted, but ancient Greek kickers weren’t very good at it, often kicking wide left and wide right, damaging roofs and columns of great temples and occasionally breaking arms off of fine statues. Damage caused by these aberrant kicks is what today we call “ancient ruins.”
But the most significant contribution Romans made to football was for the first time allowing players to wear clothes while playing.
After the Greeks, the Romans changed football in important ways. It’s not known from archaeology if they played on Monday nights or even if they had a second generation singer from the country provinces to sing a theme song before games.
As the Zombies first sang in 1968, “It’s the time of the season.” Yes, September in the U.S. not only brings cooler temperatures, fewer daylight hours, and new types of allergenic pollen, but it also brings America’s favorite televised sport. Training camps and pre-season games are done, and stadiums around America are degreasing their industrial popcorn machines for the season. Actually, I hope they degreased at the end of last season. But, as the Zucchabar slave trader told Proximo before selling him rotten arena fighters in the movie Gladiator, “Adds to the flavor.”
If there was either an Armour Star or Libby’s factory at the end of the village, however, they were forced to play the game with plant gourds.
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After the fall of the empire, football continued in the former provinces among barbarian tribes. In their hands, the game became a mob sport, with unlimited number of players on opposing teams who would clash in a heaving mass to drag an inflated pig’s bladder by any means possible to markers at each end of the village.
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and PoV Country quarterback Bobby Hebert would use other ammo for the forward pass by “throwing cannons” --Cajun ones. In America, football developed first at colleges in the east and later in cities of the Midwest--cities with industrialsounding names with harsh, ironclad consonants like Pittsburg, Latrobe, Allegheny, Chicago, Racine, Duquesne, Syracuse, Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Dayton, Decatur, Columbus, and Detroit. The players, too, had industrial, matter-of-fact names, like Red, Bronco, Pudge, Nagurski, Curly, Stagg, and, of course, the most industrial-sounding of all, Knute and Rockne. American football was geographically a gridiron, hammerand-anvil sport before the vernacular was polluted with Frenchy city names like New Orleans and Baton Rouge and boy-nouveau given names like Peyton and Drew and Archie and Bert and Shaun and Joe. And before scrimmage became so dainty in 1876 like two parallel stirrers at a pristine tea service, even team formations were industrial: Consider the “flying wedge,” first used by Harvard and Yale in 1892, in which a triangle of players surrounded the ball carrier and charged point-first into a line of defensive players. The wedge proved to be so dangerous (and even lethal) that it was eventually outlawed from the game two years and many Ivy-League craniums later. Today, the flying wedge is memorialized in Cambridge and New Haven with food fights involving McDonalds Chicken Nuggets. Only the wedge shapes can be used without penalty. So, now that you know some history, are you ready for some football? As the Zombies sang in 1968, “It’s the time of the season.” The Zombies weren’t talking about football, of course. It’s just that there’s no good football songs from the hippie era.
The Hache Grant Association will host its 2022 Maw Maw Walker and Tailgate in downtown Houma. The organization invites the community to come out and enjoy a day of college football, live entertainment, food, a pub crawl, and more in Houma’s Downtown Historic TheDistrict.tailgate experience will feature a live concert by the Dream Junkies, a wing eating contest, and viewing of Nicholls State University, University of Lafayette, and Louisiana State University football games. The Hache Grant Association hosts the tailgate annually to bring patronage to downtown restaurants and pubs, and the downtown area in general. POV
Arts Walk September 23, 5 p.m - 8 p.m. Downtown Thibodaux
The Bayou Country Children’s Museum welcomes the community to attend their free Grand Re-Opening Event. Since the landfall of Hurricane Ida, the Bayou Country Children’s Museum has remained closed due to damage sustained by the storm. The celebration will feature a carnival style theme, welcoming food and craft venders and will boast a newly renovated building with two new exhibits for children to explore. Maw Maw Walker and Tailgate October 1, beginning at 9 a.m.
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WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AROUND TOWN
The Arts Walk returns this fall inviting you to stroll through Downtown Thibodaux while shopping, dining, and enjoying the talents of a variety of local artists. The event is free and open to the public. Terrebonne 200: Cultivating the Good Earth & a Gumbo of People and Cultures September 8, 6 p.m. - Cultivating the Good SeptemberEarth22, 6 p.m. - Good Earth: A Gumbo of People and Cultures Part September1 24, 10 a.m. - Good Earth: A Gumbo of People and Cultures Part Terrebonne2
Parish Library Main Branch
In honor of the Terrebonne Bicentennial Celebration Year, presentations will be conducted throughout the year in celebration of 200 years of prosperity and growth. This month three presentations will be held. Bayou Country Children’s Museum Re-Opening October 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. VIP hour from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Bayou Country Children’s Museum
RENDEZVOUS |
Downtown Houma
September 2022 33 povhouma.com 751 W. BAYOU RD. THIBODAUX, LA 985.448.114870301 A & H PAINT, INC. F LOO R C O VER I N G 985-851-4281www.slfsllc.com Group and Commercial Insurance Chuck Weaver, Jr.Jean Marmande 985-851-4281www.slfsllc.com Group and Commercial Insurance Chuck Weaver,Jean Marmande 985-851-4281www.slfsllc.com Group and Commercial Insurance Chuck Weaver, Jr.Jean Marmande 985-851-4281www.slfsllc.com Group and Commercial Insurance Chuck Weaver, Jr.Jean Marmande 985-851-4281www.slfsllc.com Group and Commercial Insurance Chuck Weaver, Jr.Jean Marmande FUN FACTS We’ve got spirit! Yes we do! We’ve got spirit! How about you? How much do you really know about school spirit? The bulldog is the most common high school mascot in the U.S. Students who show school spirit are found to excel more academically compared to students who are not as involved. Yale University was the first educational institution to have a mascot in the U.S. The first mascots in the U.S. were live animals. Spirit week was created as an activity filled week to help get students excited about the school year and homecoming activities.
September 2022 34 povhouma.com LOOK TWICE | COURTESY OF SYNERGY BANK WIN A $50 GIFT CARD 1. Removed candles from fireplace 2. Changed color of pillow 3. Added stocking to fireplace 4. Changed color of curtains 5. Changed color of lamp shade 6. Removed lights from ceiling ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 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 September 15. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank. Participants must be 18 years or older. Congratulations to Eddie Olivier for winning last month’s contest.
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