October 2022 - The Fall Issue

Rougarou Queen

SHOOT STRAIGHT AND COME HUNGRY Duck Camp Dinners brings the fun. TERREBONNE 200 Terrebonne Parish celebrates its Bicentennial with a festival and parade.

WORD, YA HEARD

Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy

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Brian Rushing

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Mary Downer Ditch

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FEELING FESTIVE

Don’t tell the other three, but fall might just be my favorite season. Even though living in south Louisiana, we don’t truly see the beauty that the season brings to other areas, I choose to still find plenty of reasons to claim it as my favorite!

As I write this note in late September, the rain of late summer has finally drawn to an end. We had several days this week where the humidity dropped significantly and our morning temperatures were in the upper 70s. After a summer of record-breaking heat, this was a welcome change. All it took was that slight change and I was ready to start putting out my pumpkins!

Fall also marks the return of football season, tailgating, hunting season and all the festivals you can imagine! After so many festivals were on hiatus following Covid and Hurricane Ida, I am looking forward to the return of my fall favorites! There really is truth to the theory that you can smell fall in the air… with all the delicious foods we cook and share over tailgating, at the dump camp, or at festivals, you really can't escape it!

In our Fall Issue of POV, we are excited to share three stories that bring fall to life for us. Two festivals and a trip to the duck camp are all you need to feel festive this fall.

The Rougarou Fest, like so many others, took a forced break as our community

pulled itself back together. Extremely unique to our area, Rougarou Fest is a family-friendly festival with a spooky flair that celebrates the rich folklore that exists along the bayous of Southeast Louisiana. All proceeds go to the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit

elaborate headpiece. Join our Queen in welcoming Cajuns home to celebrate, starting on page 14.

The cooler fall temperatures also bring with it the start of hunting seasons. In this sportsman’s paradise, all game is fair game! There’s nothing more memorable than a trip to the duck camp, to hunt birds, and also to just kick back and relax. Thanks to Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, the whole world can now share in this southern tradition. Duck Camp Dinners follows a group of local men as they hunt and cook with the land and skies provided. Take a trip to the Hobo Hilton in Gibson as we learn more about this new television craze starting on page 20.

organization that is revolutionizing how we think, teach and learn about Louisiana’s disappearing coast. Each year, the fest selects a Rougarou Queen to rule over the parade and the festivities. This year’s queen is Mrs. Celeste Roger. Enjoy a beautiful pictorial of her intricate costume and

This year, Terrebonne Parish is celebrating its Bicentennial anniversary. What better way to do this than by hosting a festival and parade! The yearlong celebration has included monthly presentations on all aspects of life in this amazing parish, from business and agriculture, to government and culture. This amazing gumbo of people and fun all leads up to the day-long festivities on October 15. Learn more about the history of our parish and the festival on page 24.

Fall always brings out the best that our area has to offer. Here’s hoping for cooler temps, sunny skies, and the celebration of all that makes our area unique! POV

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What’s your favorite Louisiana fall festival and why?

STEPHANIE

This time of the year takes me back to the Lagniappe Fair in my hometown of Chauvin, LA. There will never be another like it! The cajun culture, the love and collaboration of the whole community and the amazing food will be missed forever.

TIERRANY

My favorite fall festival for this year is the National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans. Fried Chicken is my favorite food and the festival always has the best to offer.

MANNY

My favorite fall festival would be the Maw Maw Walker and Tailgate presented by the Hache Grant Association. This event is close to me, being one of the organizers of the event. More than that I enjoy this event because it expresses the true nature of south Louisiana. Football, food, drinks, music and fun! It’s an event that fosters active community togetherness while promoting local business and having a fantastic time. Doesn’t matter if you put on a Muu Muu and hit the streets with hundreds of your closest friends or hang out watching football all day, all while listening to a live band! It’s a great day right here in downtown Houma Louisiana!

SARAH

Definitely Rougarou Fest. I only attended once, but I love just about everything of it. Halloween is my favorite holiday, integrated physically and morally into the community, and there’s something for everyone. It’s good, wholesome, spooky fun!

KRISTEN

The Rougaru Fest. I love that it celebrates a mythical creature native to the area, also, the highlight, the thriller dance! So fun!

CHLOE

The Gumbo Festival because you can taste all the different gumbos!

HELLO GOURD-GEOUS

BY SHANNON BELLA & BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY KNIGHT N DAY DESIGNS

Aswe enter fall, many families in South Louisiana are still settling into their homes, and making it feel special again. We followed along with our friend Shannon Bella with Knight N Day Designs to see how she’s personalizing local homes to reflect the family’s personality, while creating a one of a kind space that puts a smile on everyone’s face.

About Shannon

I have been designing and creating my entire life. At a young age I was very aware how my environment affected me. Without any money and very little resources, I always had to be creative and make something out of nothing.

Almost 20 years ago I started holiday decorating. It quickly led me into designing special events both large and small. After establishing relationships with my clients I then began decorating, styling and organizing homes which is my true passion. It took me several years

to realize that what I was doing was changing people’s lives. Style matters because your home is an extension of you. It’s where we live and love, it’s where we entertain family and friends, its our sanctuary from this chaotic world.

I hope that by following me on facebook and instagram you will be inspired. No matter what your budget is, you can create a beautiful space, a festive holiday season, an organized home, or a special event.

Because sometimes less is more, I kept things on the simple side here. The key is adding the right balance of fall foliage with greenery, and mixing in metallics with organic materials are a

must. Notice I use a lot of items in my clients' homes they already have, such as candlesticks, books, trays, bowls, lanterns and vases. Blue is big this year as an accent color, so be sure to make

October 2022 11 povhouma.com Fall: Muted Neutrals & Blues

My client loves blue so it was only natural that I would include it in her fall decor. I used lots of natural organic florals such as wheat, fall leaves, berries, and dried eucalyptus mixed with metallic golds to adorn her mantle and dining room table. Different shades of blue and ivory pumpkins are nestled in. I created a grand entrance with these custom made pumpkin topiaries, potted mums, fall foliage, and custom painted pumpkins. I love using a large outdoor rug to really frame out the whole space, and completed the look with a custom rug from Etsy. To top it off I made a wreath to match.

Simple Yet Chic

some room for it. The finishing touch in any home this fall is the addition of a fall scent to put you in the mood.

Halloween: Black, White, & Neutrals

By using neutral colors, you can have a more elegant Halloween look. I used various greenery stems and black moss with pumpkins and candles on the mantle. Inside the fireplace are birch logs for a cozy feel. The coffee table

Halloween: Whimsical

When decorating my home, I always infuse my witch collection into my Halloween decor. One witch greets guests in the foyer. On the mantle sits another witch in a spooky pumpkin patch. And on the buffet is a potionmixing witch ready to stir things up. The ambiance is elevated by the addition of lights, candles and creepy cloth. Incorporating Halloween books from when my children were young adds a bit of nostalgia to my coffee table. The staple colors are black and white, and this year I included a pop of orange.

holds a mirrored tray with a halloween touch as well. When I’m styling I always add various foliage that reflect the season. It groups things together and accentuates the items being showcased. Apothecary jars are a great staple piece

to use for all occasions. I used small pumpkins and greenery with a beautiful glass pumpkin that lights up. The foyer table is ready to greet all of the trick or treaters complete with a witches hat, broom and black cat.

Fall: Vibrant Blue and Orange

With chinoiserie making such a huge comeback it seemed only natural to include it in fall decor. Pairing it with white pumpkins and vibrant orange fall florals are simply breathtaking in this home. Wood and woven accents with metallics pull it all together and give it lots of texture and interest. Custom monogrammed napkins, gold chargers, woven placemats and plates with a fall motif dress up the dining table as well.

BY MARY DOWNER DITCH | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

The Rougarou is Back! This year’s Rougarou Fest will be held October 21 through October 23, 2022, at a new location. The Fest will come home, bringing the fun to the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, which is still under construction, located on Civic Center Blvd. in Houma. This year, the Rougarou welcomes all to return home to celebrate our culture and heritage at this three-day festival.

ALL HAIL, OUR ROUGAROU QUEEN

Each year a Rougarou Queen is selected to represent the festival at various events throughout the region. This year’s Rougarou Queen is Celeste Roger.

Celeste was born and raised in Houma, La. She spent her childhood watching her father sketch, paint, design and carve props for the local Mardi Gras krewes. Watching her father’s creativity and thoughts come to life and roll down the

streets of Houma inspired Celeste and kick started her passion for arts and crafts. Today she uses that passion for the arts daily as part of her therapy sessions as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Start Community Health Center where she provides behavioral health counseling to children and adolescents.

While her father inspired her artistic side, her mother was the one who instilled in her the importance of giving back. Celeste

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firmly believes the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. She can be found volunteering and serving the community through various nonprofit service organizations. She finds great joy in collaborating with friends and family to do for others. What feeds her soul is finding a need and then finding a way to contribute to that need.

As a mother of four, Celeste believes in the future generation and the importance of teaching them about our cajun heritage and displaying southern hospitality to all we meet. Just as her mother guided her, Celeste encourages her children to participate in giving back.

As a wife of a husband who owns multiple seafood restaurants and prides himself on supporting organizations that focus on the restoration and preservation of our wetland, Celeste has become even more aware of the importance. “I realize it is not only the loss of the land, but also the loss of the culture that is unique to south Louisiana. Jonathan’s dedication to advocating for people of our communities, preserving our unique way of life, and his passion about this festival is contagious. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside him,” said Celeste.

This year’s queen costume incorporates details that reflect the local fauna and wildlife that thrives and flourishes within the Rougarou’s Houma territory. Details such as thirteen pennies make their home on her staff inside oyster shells, along with skulls and moss.

Celeste’s costume was designed and created by her and her husband Brent Roger, and Angelle Caro Thibodeaux. Her hair and make-up was created by Janel Poole, Freelance Hairstylist/ Makeup Artist. Her social media designs were created by Nicole Ditch Designs. Special thanks to Jonathan Foret for the use of his home and his friends for this amazing photoshoot.

You can see Celeste as the Rougarou Queen during the Krewe Ga Rou Parade on Saturday, October 22. POV

BY HEIDI GUIDRY | PHOTOS BY DENNY CULBERT

Swaying moss, rippled bayou water from a fish’s tail, gleaming water drops on the windshield of a boat, laughter with the ones you love, and good food that’s unlike any in the world. South Louisiana is a gem that can’t be understood unless you pass a good time on the bayous creating memories that last a lifetime. Although there are good times and bad, there’s a love that runs deep when it comes to southern living.

A core group of friends from Terrebonne Parish have found a way to conserve culture, and share good food along with good times, through a TV show called Duck Camp Dinners. The homegrown folks include Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, Jay Schexnayder, Ben Robichaux, Shawn Picou, Jesse Lagarde, Ryan Blakely, Ladon Miller, and Shane Henry.

Chef Jean-Paul has a passion for conserving the memories we all have when it comes to growing up in the bayou region. The chef has a diverse culinary background which has proven to be the perfect recipe for his career. He was born and raised in Labadieville and moved to Thibodaux where he attended E.D. White Catholic High School. He graduated from the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University and went on to add some impressive experiences to his resume. “I put myself in these different places with different people because I wanted to be exposed to different walks of life and ways to cook,” he explained. Most recently, he moved to New York where he lived a busy life for eleven years, and worked with Union Square Hospitality Group which is arguably one of the most impactful and successful restaurant

groups in the country. It was in the big apple that a girl caught his eye, not once, but twice on the subway trip back home after a busy night in the restaurant. He took it as a sign, introduced himself, and the two eventually tied the knot. When they found out they were expecting their first child, they decided they didn’t want to raise the new addition in the fast life of New York, so they set on an adventure to determine where they would raise their little one. Jean-Paul being from Louisiana and his wife from Texas, the family decided to reside in Montgomery, Texas. Although the chef has moved around and been away from his bayou roots for the length of his career, he still hangs out with the boys, hunts, fishes, and most importantly, stays rooted in the southern way.

His friends Jay Schexnayder and Ryan Blakely, both Houma natives, purchased a camp from Avery Island that they dubbed “Hoboville.” The guys had to figure out how to get the camp to Terrebonne Parish. They ended up towing the camp with a shrimp boat from the island to where it is today in Gibson. The trip took two days to complete, “We just love the camp and we have made so many memories,” Jean-Paul said.

His passion for conserving Louisiana culture and sharing it with the world led him to the idea of creating Duck Camp Dinners. “Part of me made the show selfishly in wanting to memorialize this place and these times that we’ve had together with these friendships and hunts,” he said, “It just means a lot to me in that way,” he said. On the other side of the coin, he wanted to create opportunities for conversations about the issues coastal Louisiana has faced for decades including coastal restoration.

“There is more to it all than cooking, hunting, and cutting up with the guys,” he said. JeanPaul has always been passionate about coastal restoration and conservation. It was wanting to conserve the memories of the duck camp and the passion for conserving his home that led him to talk with Split Reed Productions which is a waterfowl media company that shares all things waterfowl

related. The company connected him with director and producer Daniel Bagbey and the first season of Duck Camp Dinners was created, airing on YouTube in 2021.

Duck Camp Dinners brings a sense of familiarity and home to television. It makes Louisianans proud and portrays our way of life in a way that resonates with people all over the world. Chef Jean-Paul recalled messages from different nationalities that thanked him for the show and although it takes place in Louisiana, the show struck heartstrings across the globe.

What makes it stand apart from other shows is how raw and genuine it is. The chef shared that all six episodes of the show’s first season were filmed in five consecutive days. The first season consisted of him spending time with his buddies hanging out at the camp, hunting, and cooking. They filmed from the moment they left in the boat, to the moment they returned home. It was pure and unscripted, almost like you were with the guys yourself. The approach brings a breath of fresh air that Louisianans have been waiting for; a show that portrays our way of life in a way that brings a spotlight to our culture and how important it is to conserve it so future generations can continue the way of life.

Season two of Duck Camp Dinners was picked up by MeatEater, Inc., an outdoor lifestyle company founded by writer and TV personality Steven Rinella. Host of the Netflix show MeatEater and The MeatEater Podcast, Rinella has gained wide popularity with hunters and non-hunters alike through his passion for outdoor adventure and wild foods, as well as his strong commitment to conservation. With the backing of this popular outdoor company, Duck Camps Dinners has also started filming on season three.

When it comes to telling the stories of our way of life, Chef Jean-Paul said there are other conversations and stories, both good and bad, to be told holistically. “My intention is to do that for communities of outdoorsmen all over the country, even the whole world,” Chef Jean-Paul said. The hope is to bring an international perspective to the south, one that describes a way of life that homegrown southerners are fighting to keep alive. For the chef and the guys, they want the legacies of the bayou to continue, not only for their children but for generations to come. As Chef Jean-Paul says, shoot straight and come hungry, my friends.

To watch the show, visit www.themeateater. com/shows/duck-camp-dinners. POV

DUCK À L'ORANGE

This recipe comes from Episode 2 of Duck Camp Dinners. This pot of Franco-Cajun goodness is a duck camp favorite at the Hobo Hilton. It’s been said that if it grows together it goes together and this recipe is a perfect example of that mantra. Louisiana navels and satsumas are combined with fresh duck, duck stock, bacon, and mushrooms, making for a pot of stew that you'll never forget.

INGREDIENTS

• 18 breasted duck, skin on *

• 2 lbs. bacon

• 2 oz. reserved bacon drippings

• 4 cups yellow onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups mushrooms, quartered

• 4 cups orange juice

• 4 cups duck or chicken stock

• 2 bay leaves

• 12 satsumas (seedless mandarins), peeled and left whole

• 2 oz. vinegar (apple cider, distilled, white, or red)

• 2 cups green onion, sliced

• Spiceology SPG Blend

• Spiceology Game Changer Rub by Chef Jean-Paul

* Also works with any gamebird

PREPARATION

1. Season duck breasts on both sides with Game Changer Rub.

2. In a large cast-iron pot, add reserved bacon drippings and duck breast in a single layer, skin side down.

3. Render duck fat and brown in the pot. Flip duck breast as needed to achieve browning on all sides.

4. Once duck fat has rendered and breast has browned, remove from pot and set aside. Continue this process until all of the breasts are rendered and caramelized.

5. In the hot fat, add the bacon and render the fat down on medium-high heat until bacon is cooked. Remove from the pot and set aside.

6. Add mushrooms to the fat. Brown mushrooms on medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.

7. Add onions and garlic to the pot and brown. Cook at medium-high heat until onions begin to turn golden on the edges.

8. Turn heat to high and add orange juice,

stock, peeled satsumas, vinegar, and bay leaves, along with the cooked duck, bacon, and mushrooms.

9. Season lightly with Spiceology SPG.

10. Stir until ingredients are mixed well together. Bring the mixture up to a boil, cover with a lid, and reduce to a simmer.

11. Cook until ducks begin to become tender, about 1.5 hours depending on species, size, and freshness of ducks.

12. Remove the lid and cook gently, stirring softly and occasionally, being careful not to break down the ducks.

13. Use a cooking spoon or ladle to remove any excess grease.

14.Reduce the liquid for another 30 to 45 minutes until gravy is thickened.

15.Finish dish with green onions, splash of vinegar or hot sauce, and season with Spiceology SPG.

16. Serve over steamed white rice.

Close your eyes for a moment and think back to your oldest memory… Can you remember back 10 or 20 years? How about 40 or 50? Are you lucky enough to remember a childhood memory from more than 80 years ago? Imagine with me what it would be like to remember what life was like 200 years ago when our parish was first founded. Small markers and tributes exist across the parish in the form of street and building names, honoring those who founded the “good earth” setting into motion the future of our parish.

On April 6, 1822, at the home of citizen Alexandre Dupre, a meeting was held to form a Police Jury for Terrebonne Parish (currently the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government) based on a petition of 12 inhabitants and an order of election from Parish Judge Francis M. Guyol. The first four resolutions were on the organizing of the Terrebonne Parish Police Jury, appointment of a Clerk, and forming rules and regulations for the new Parish.

Twelve years later, Houma became the seat of Terrebonne Parish, founded in 1834 on land donated by Hubert M. Belanger and Richard H. Grinage in order to establish a centrally located and more easily accessible parish seat. Prior to this, the county seat had been set at Williamsburg (now Bayou Cane) approximately four miles northwest of present-day downtown Houma. While Williamsburg sat at the junction of two bayous, Bayou Cane and Bayou Terrebonne,

BY YASMEEN SINGLETON

government officials felt that Houma, which sat at the convergence of six bayous, would provide better access for commerce and development in Terrebonne Parish. Houma was incorporated on March 16, 1848.

As the years passed, the town began to grow. Local leaders helped to build five stores, 1012 dwelling houses, a church, a blacksmith shop, a school-house, hotel, a grogshop (tavern), and a billiard-room. A parish justice system was also constructed, including a building to house the courthouse, clerk’s, sheriff’s and recorder ’s offices. A jail was also built.

Covering over 2100 square miles, Terrebonne Parish is now the second largest parish in the state, and in its 200 years of existence, generations have helped shape its culture, building a beautifully close knit community.

The planning of the year-long celebration began nearly three years ago, with Parish President Gordon E. Dove and committees teaming up to plan presentations with local businesses and citizens, highlighting the history, culture and heritage of our beloved parish. The Bicentennial Celebration kicked off in April with “Good Earth, Good Business” as its first presentation of the year. Throughout the year, dedicated committees hosted a plethora of fun-filled and educational events, including Cultivating Good Earth, Good Earth Gumbo, and Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Terrebonne.

povhouma.com

Christopher Pulaski, Chairman of the Terrebonne 200 planning committee, said the planning began in late 2020, but came to halt following Hurricane Ida. “Our planning committee began meeting in 2020 to discuss what we wanted to do, and in the Spring of 2021 we really started meeting on a regular basis. The original plan was to assign each committee one of 12 different topics, ranging from transportation, architecture, seafood, government, sports, entertainment, and other aspects of life in Terrebonne Parish. The idea was to have a set theme for each month of the year. But because of Ida, we weren't able to meet as planned and we were forced to condense our plans. We also planned to have a festival in April 2022, but because of the storm, we felt we had to push it back.”

Chris said during the planning phase, the committee wanted to ensure the community was heavily involved in the celebration; he discussed the importance of including small businesses and local organizations in the year-long festivities. On Saturday, October 15, the parish will host a Festival and Parade.

Chris, with the help of the committee, reached out to local businesses and food vendors to provide a platform for exposure. “One of the biggest aspects of our recovery process is economic development. We want to promote local businesses in any way possible. We have local acts in music and entertainment, and local food vendors, which will help get their name out there.

The local Rotary are doing beverages and water, and Terrebonne High Athletic Group will have shrimp and fry baskets for sale,” said Pulaski.

The Festival and Parade will kick off at 11 a.m., featuring presentations on large monitors, art displays, and the return of a historic piece of Houma’s history. “We’re gonna have an opening ceremony and a ribbon cutting for the new bandstand at the Courthouse Square. The effort to raise the money to construct the bandstand was led by one of our local non-profits, the Hache Grant Association. At the turn of the century, there was a bandstand in roughly that same location at the square. The new bandstand isn't intended to be a replica, but intended to represent it. We’ll be able to do a ribbon cutting and we’ll have live music by community bands there and larger acts at the main stage.”

The parade will begin at Town Hall and will be open to anyone who wants to participate. Organizers ask participants to wear costumes of something from the last 200 years. Another fun event will be the burying of a time capsule.

“We’re going to put [the Bicentennial] time capsule next to the 150th year time capsule so in 2122 they get to open them both,” shared Pulaski. The capsule will include remembrances of this year, including a copy of the local newspaper, a covid test kit, and balloons and cups from the Bicentennial celebration.

As the past often guides our future, much of the inspiration for the Bicentennial Celebration came from a brochure from the 1972 celebration to get an idea of the direction to go in. “Those organizers put together a brochure that highlighted the

whole event and what they did, so we used that as a guide to get it started,” shared Pulaski. “The planning committee came up with the idea of breaking everything up into 12 different topics. We contacted the different businesses and organizations that are experienced in the topics. Each committee created a presentation that lasted for about 1 ½ hours, collecting memorabilia, and anything that might be useful to their presentation.”

Pulaski said although Hurricane Ida devastated Southeast Louisiana, he believes the catastrophic storm helped make the community stronger in unity, giving residents of Terrebonne all of the reason to celebrate. “Ida obviously wasn't a part of our thinking process when we first started discussing the celebration, but now I think now I think it’s a great rallying point that our community can get behind and say here we are and look how far we've come. We’re celebrating 200 years of Terrebonne’s history and we’re certainly looking at the future for another 200 years. Whether it’s a storm or a pandemic, we’ve got the same power and community pride, and we’re going to continue with the same strength into the next century. Hurricane Ida was a terrible thing but it’s also providing us with this new opportunity that we’ve never seen before. This is a pivotal point but it’s also a starting point. It’s the beginning of our future today, and I think that’s gonna be one of the biggest messages we put out during this celebration.”

The remaining presentations for Bicentennial Celebration will cover Architecture, Sports, Seafood, and Entertainment. Chris said the presentations are educational and a great way for citizens of all ages to learn more about the parish

and your community. “Let’s enjoy each other and our community while learning about the past 200 years, and have some fun.You will learn something at every event and it’s important to know the history of your community. It’s good to build a sense of pride about your community and it gives you an idea of where we’re going in the future. Was it an easy 200 years? No, but we have to learn from the mistakes made in the past to create a better future. Knowing the history of your community gives us a good general direction on where we should be headed.”

Proceeds from the Bicentennial Celebration will be donated to the Helio Foundation to help victims of Hurricane Ida and to beautify Terrebonne Parish. POV

EARLY DETECTION, ADVANCED TREATMENT STILL BEST DEFENSES AGAINST BREAST CANCER

The recent death of singer-actress Olivia Newton-John after a 30-year battle with breast cancer reminds us that after more than four decades of intense focus on the disease and billions of dollars in research, breast cancer continues to threaten women’s lives.

Breast cancer by the numbers

Breast cancer remains second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer in American women. Other cautionary numbers include:

• Second to lung cancer as leading cause of cancer death in women

• One-in-eight chance for U.S. women to develop breast cancer

• 13% average risk for a woman having breast cancer at some point in her life

• 40% drop in mortality rates since 1989

• 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

Detecting the disease early and getting advanced cancer treatment continue to be the best defenses to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Regular screening mammograms help find breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most successful.

Guidelines for breast cancer screenings

The following guidelines are recommended to help women take charge of breast health:

• Be familiar with how breasts normally look and feel and immediately report any changes to a healthcare provider;

• Begin screening mammograms between ages 40 and 44;

• Continue annual mammograms from ages 45 to 54;

• At age 55, women of average risk continue annual or biennial mammograms;

• Continue screenings as long as a woman is in good health and expects to live another 10 years or more.

Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Cancer

Does a positive screening test mean I have breast cancer? A screening test alone cannot diagnose cancer. Additional tests, such as biopsies, are done to determine if the patient has cancer.

What is considered high risk? The two biggest risks for breast cancer are being born female and getting older. Women are at higher risk if:

• There is a family history in a firstgeneration relative (mother, sister, daughter)

• They have an inherited gene mutation

• They previously had breast cancer

• They underwent radiation to the chest between ages 10 to 30

How can I control my risks? While you can’t change family history or aging, you can control certain lifestyle behaviors including:

• Limit alcohol consumption; the American Cancer Society recommends that women consume no more than one drink a day

• Watch your weight; being overweight or obese after menopause when the ovaries stop making estrogen increases risk

• Stay active as regular physical activity is shown to reduce breast cancer risk, especially in post-menopausal women

Resources for Information

To learn more about breast cancer symptoms, risks, treatments, and guidelines, visit the American Cancer Society website at cancer.org or contact Thibodaux Regional Cancer Institute at 985.493.4008.

povhouma.com

From Overwhelmed to Over Easy

Kitchen updates can make anyone feel scrambled.

appointment today, and let’s bring

Coburn’s.

— Houma, LA 70360

Monday – Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM (985) 873-7776

Thibodaux, LA 70301

Monday – Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

(985) 446-0458

CoburnsProjectPartner.com

Schedule a tour of our community to help your loved ones discover their new home with our expert care.

LIVING WITH AUTO CORRECT

I’d like to speak to the person who coined the phrase “smart phone.” And I’d use a rotary phone to call. I find that smartphones aren’t very smart. They only think that they’re smart. Or maybe it’s that we think that they’re smart because they can do so many commonplace things, like take pictures, play music, show maps, set alarms, and-oh, yes--remember phone numbers, all things that frankly we could do before their invention and before their pricey imposition on our life.

One of the more arrogant applications of the smart phone is the “replace-as-you-type feature,” commonly known as “auto-correct.” There are such features on other computer devices, like common word-processing software available on nearly every laptop and desktop computer, but on smart phones the auto-correct feature assumes a mind of its own--which not only messes with your own mind but can make your life and happiness precarious by its unilateral choice of words and spellings that you didn’t want. Some people blame this word choice problem on the discordance between large human fingers and the small, touch-screen keyboard that smart phones provide. Others blame speech recognition applications like Siri for the smart phone’s smart-alecky word and spelling choices. But I don’t find Siri very smart, either. No matter how many times I complain (and worse) to her, she replies “Sorry. I don’t know what you just said.”

And you can tell that smart phones are enjoying choosing wrong words and spellings at your expense. They keep doing it and show absolutely no remorse for it. When a smart phone automatically tags your message with an advertisement, like “Sent from iPhone,” it’s not an apology for its use of the wrong words. It’s an advertisement! It’s we human users of smart phones who must apologize by adding a phrase to that ad, like “Please forgive any typos.”

What a smart phone doesn’t tell you, of course, is that you can inactivate this replaceas-you-type auto-correct feature. But Siri and all the other pretentiously intelligent microcircuits lingering in your hand-held mobile device know that some of their word choices--no matter how many problems or how much embarrassment they cause you--might be found amusing. Even addictively amusing by smarter human users, who instead of helping the situation perpetuate it with responses appropriate to the incorrect message. Consider these I encountered and responded to while working on office documents:

• Could you twerk this sentence? [tweak] / Sure, but not sure that will improve the grammar.

• Can you supply an antidote? [anecdote] / I’ll be happy to send some comments, but will you live long enough?

Or consider these auto-corrected from innocent and kindhearted messages:

• Hope you’re dying well. [doing] / Thank you, but I’m really okay at this point in life.

• No, Idiot. [No, I don’t] / Okay. But I won’t be asking again… for anything.

• Just ate a light sabre and failed butter. [life saver and felt better] / Not sure that’ll help your heartburn. Hope now you feel at least margarine-ly well.

UNDER THE SCOPE | BY JOHN DOUCET

Because smart phones boastfully consider themselves one-stop devices for all your needs, they remain insensitive to family and friends who offer to help with your errands:

• Whatcha want for sipper? [supper] / Perhaps some Chardonnay, but what should we eat?

• Going to barf. Need some cack? [bank, cash] / Sounds like cack would make be barf as well.

• Want some flesh fast? [fresh fish] / (No comment.)

If it lives with you long enough, a smart phone will pick up some ideas local to PoV Country:

• I’m going dam the bayou [down the bayou] / Don’t waste your time. It was dammed at Donaldsonville in 1904.

• Crack crayfish, $70. [sack crawfish] / (Clearly an out-of-town dealer who uses the yankee term for our favorite seafood).

• Please pick up bebe food. [baby] / Sure thing, but I’m not sure what Ed Orgeron likes to eat.

As you may have experienced, sometimes auto-correct will write some things that will make even Siri blush. Here’s some advice.

• Always use numerals, especially number 6. Watch for auto-correction of phrases like “Pick me up for [six].” And be careful with requests, like “I’d like [socks] for Christmas.”

• Never waste your time criticizing your smart phone. Phrases like “Smart phones aren’t smart” will be irreversibly auto-corrected to “are smart.” Go figure.

• If you get into trouble, always blame the smart phone’s auto-correct feature. It doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, it seems to become addicted to fun responses—just like smart humans. POV

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE

Maw Maw Walker and Tailgate

October 1, beginning at 9 a.m. Downtown Houma

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 District.

The 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.

La Fete Des Vieux Temps

October 7-9

Raceland

Meaning "The Festival of Old Times” the long standing event will span three days and will showcase authentic Cajun culture. Featuring music by Leon and the Hot Sauce Band, Tet Dur, No Posers, Snapper and the Fish Sticks, Ryan Foret and Foret Traditions, and more, in addition to Cajun food, and an arts and crafts show.

French Food Festival

October 28-30

Larose Civic Center

There is something for everyone at the French Food Festival! In addition to delicious Cajun food, and music, the festival offers a carnival, auction, art show, petting zoo, and contests.

Acadia Music Fest

October 29

Acadia Plantation Town Center

Acadia Music Fest is Thibodaux’s largest outdoor music festival that features local musicians, artists, and the best southern food. The festival also features a Kid Korner that includes face painting, family-friendly activities and games. This year’s music lineup includes Ludacris, David Shaw, Dumpstaphunk, DJ Spin, Little John & The Dirty Clarks and more. The fest was started by The Ben Myer Foundation which was founded in 2016 to honor the memory of Ben by giving back to charities in the community.

DON'T FORGET!

Terrebonne Bicentennial Festival & Parade

October 15

Downtown Houma

Rougarou Fest

October 21-23

POV

South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, Houma

FUN FACTS

Halloween candy fills the store shelves, leaves are starting to fall, and everything is available in pumpkin; this can only mean one thing–it’s fall y’all! Enjoy these fun fall facts while you're sipping on your next pumpkin latte.

Fall is caused by the Earth’s tilt, not our distance from the sun.

Americans are more likely to gain weight during fall more than other seasons, due to a lack of vitamin D.

The color of fall leaves are determined by the amount of sugar in the leaves.

Birds spend most of the season migrating and finding food.

The fall season earned its name from leaves falling from the trees

Pumpkin spice, apple, vanilla, leaves, and sage are the most popular fall scents.

*According to findithealth.com

WIN A $50 GIFT CARD

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 October 15.

The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank. Participants must be 18 years or older.

Congratulations to Denise Matthews for winning last month’s contest.

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST

1. Duplicated football bunny

2. Added another book to top shelf

Added another book to stack of books on second shelf

4. Removed author of blue book on second shelf

Removed title on spine of tiny blue book

Added teapot to bottom shelf