October 2017 by Rushing Media

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CONTENTS |

OCTOBER 2017 • VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 10

CONT HOME + LIVING

Page 16

FOOD + FUN

Page 38

MIND + BODY

Page 60

14 POV PICK

30 POV PICK

54 POV PICK

16 CHATEAU CHIC

32 MY BROTHER’S KEEPER

57 FOR YOUR HEALTH

38 COSTUMES ON PARADE

58 WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE

Gameday Gear My Home Sweet Home

22 THE OBSERVER

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

24 A GIRL WITH GRIT

Stacie Walker is taking the sports and outdoor industry by storm.

The Robichaux The Ben Meyer Foundation aims to leave a legacy of giving.

These kids are too cute to be spooky.

Keep Calm

Sponsored by Synergy Bank

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What was your favorite childhood Halloween costume?

PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing EDITORIAL

Jonah Giroir EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

A “Top Gun” fighter pilot with hand-sewed patches on the jacket.

Jaime Dishman John Doucet Drew Miller Darian Graivshark Bonnie Rushing

INTERACTIVE MEDIA SPECIALIST

Mary Downer Ditch OFFICE MANAGER

Bonnie Rushing CUSTOMER SERVICE

Carley O’Gwynn, Jessica Gifford ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

A ghost. BOO!

Jessica Gifford CONTACT

Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: jonah@rushing-media.com Creative: graphics@rushing-media.com Sales: deanne@rushing-media.com Circulation: michelle@rushing-media.com

CREATIVE

Hailey Boudreaux CREATIVE DIRECTOR Danielle Harrelson GRAPHIC DESIGNER Paul Guidry GRAPHIC DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Channing Candies Misty Leigh McElroy Danielle Harrellson Drew Miller Brian Waitz ADVERTISING

Deanne Ratliff Harold Cancienne Jamie Mazerac Linda Pontiff Chris Moore

Robin, at my uncle’s annual block party.

INSIDE SALES MARKETING CONSULTANT/ CIRCULATION MANAGER

Michelle Ortego SUBSCRIPTIONS 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.

Business address: 6160 West Park Ave., Houma, LA 70364 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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Batman! I couldn’t just be a normal girl. Haha!

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EDITOR’S NOTE |

JONAH GIRIOR • EDITOR OF POV

IT’S FALL Y’ALL

racks in Academy stores. The Houma native is the first woman to make it big by designing her own line of camouflage, and you can find her story on page 24.

One of my favorite things about the fall season is being able to step outside and not start sweating immediately. The weather is finally cooler and we’re getting closer to opportune times for bonfires, pumpkin spice lattes (if that’s your thing) and sweaters. Fall will always hold a special place in my heart, especially October, as I proposed to my fiancée on October 28th of last year. It’s an exciting season as we get closer to our wedding day and enjoy all the pre-wedding festivities. My current fall season may be dominated by wedding bells, but for the better part of my life, fall was dominated by football season (it still is in some ways… just ask my fiancée). No, I didn’t suit up into a helmet and pads during my high school and college years. Rather, I spent my Friday and Saturday nights in a band uniform, marching and playing my trombone. These were some of the best memories of my life as I enjoyed performing and sharing those moments with my friends. Through band, I’ve had the opportunity to perform in front of crowds ranging from a few thousand people in John L. Guidry Stadium at Nicholls and other colleges to tens of thousands of people in the 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl. My fall seasons provided many memories that I cherish and the stories found in this issue are no different. For Stacie Walker, her fall season will be spent celebrating her own line of camouflage arriving on shelves and

The board members of the Ben Meyer Foundation will be putting on the Acadia Music Fest this fall and for many falls to follow. Tommy and Ricky Meyer and thier team are looking to honor their brother, Ben, by creating the foundation in his memory and making a difference in the community. Find out how the foundation got its start on page 32. Fall is not complete without Halloween and there’s no better way to celebrate the spooky holiday than by dressing up. Check out some of the cutest kids on the block in their adorable costumes on page 38. Then we’ll meet Houma native Dustin Lafont, who is making a difference in the Baton Rouge area with Front Yard Bikes. Kids are welcome to bring in broken bikes and learn to fix them before indulging in some well-deserved fun time. See how Front Yard Bikes started on page 44. And finally, October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. To help spread awareness, we sat down with Beau Brooks of Upside Downs and Paige Faucheaux, the group’s first Self Advocate. Find out how they’re making an impact on page 60. Fall is such a beautiful season, and there are plenty of things to enjoy now that the weather is cooler. So, get out there and make it a season to remember! POV

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INTERVUE |

SAY WHAT?

IF YOU WERE A HALLOWEEN CANDY, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

JORDAN | ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST “My childhood favorite was a box of DOTs. The vibrant colors on the package calls to my personality. The sweet fruit flavored candies inside are all different, because who wants to be the norm.”

CAROLINE | PR AND

DESIGN FREELANCER “Sixlets because they’re slightly more exciting to get in your bag than M&Ms.”

CHRIS | SALES

“That’s a hard one since sweets can be a guilty pleasure, but I would have to pick the Peanut-Butter-Kiss. They remind me of my childhood and the anticipation of the holiday since they are only available in their orange and black costumes but once a year. Besides, they are chewy and peanut butter flavored, what’s not to love.”

NATALIE | STUDENT “The type of candy I relate to is candy corn because I have many layers of fun. Also like candy corn, I am very diverse. I can hang out and be friends with anyone just like candy corn can be eaten anytime.”

JORDAN | ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT “I would be a Sour Patch Kid. Under my feisty and sour exterior is a core of sweetness like no other. I’m an odd combination of “don’t mess with me” and “I can be sweet if I want to.” For instance, if someone would ask me to share my Sour Patch Kids I would absolutely oblige, but I would share only the colors that I like the least.”

October 2017 10 povhouma.com

“ I’m able to feel compassion for people

who are sick. They’re not just numbers on my computer screen. These are real living people. They’re someone’s grandmother, sister, mother that I’m looking at, not just financials. ”

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HOME + LIVING

POV PICK | 14 Gameday Gear

CHATEAU CHIC | 16 My Home Sweet Home

THE OBSERVER | 22 From Ordinary to Extraordinary

A GIRL WITH GRIT | 24

Stacie Walker is taking the sports and outdoor industry by storm.

October 2017 12 povhouma.com

FUN FACTS The name rougarou is derived from the French word for wolf, “loup” and “garou,” roughly meaning a man who transforms into an animal.

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One rougarou legend says that laying 13 pennies at the front door will offer protection against the creature. The story goes that the rougarou can only count to 12 and will be distracted by attempting to count any higher.

Prospective Students & Their Parents

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2018-2019 Application Packets will be distributed at Open House Call Alisha Bergeron at 985.446.8486 ext. 116 or email abergeron@htdiocese.org for more information.

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HOME + LIVING |

POV PICK

GAMEDAY GEAR The Basketry

Get your game face on with tees that the opposing team will envy, and support your athlete with custom jewelry sporting their jersey number. Both necklaces and bracelets in a variety of sports will step up your game in the stands.

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HOME + LIVING |

CHATEAU CHIC

MY HOME SWEET HOME BY BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY BRIAN WAITZ

For over 10 years I’ve had the privilege of sharing countless homes in our community with you. The spirit and hospitality of the owners who have opened their doors are what the South is made of and has kept our readers coming back for more. Our homes are so much more than structure and decor, they are personal and represent the stories of our lives. While nothing is perfect in my home and many things are a bit ‘unique,’ it’s the unexpected things in my life and in our home that make it special to us. With a laid back approach to decorating and a philosophy that anything goes if it makes us happy, both new and vintage finds can be found in our eclectic decor. Welcome to my home sweet home.

Since purchasing the house in 2008, we have transformed our home one room at a time, allowing for a very hands-on approach to the renovation and flexibility as our plans evolved. Heavily stained walls and cabinetry combined with dark hues on the floors and ceilings enclosed the rooms. Collaborating with my husband, Brian, we started with simple sketches of each space making improvements to the floor plan and making adjacent rooms function as one large space. Consulting with a contractor and friend, we removed portions of walls and took several rooms down to studs and the slab or subfloor. To bring the thirty something year old house back to life

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“While nothing is perfect in my home and many things are a bit ‘unique,’ it’s the unexpected things in my life and in our home that make it special to us.” October 2017 19 povhouma.com

- Bonnie Rushing

we envisioned brightening the space by using a cool color palette and balancing it with warm tones on the floors by installing natural slate and brick. We opted to leave the original pecky cypress clad walls in the living area in tact and remove the wood elsewhere. Using a pickling stain to gray wash the walls completely transformed the space, as did rebuilding the fireplace hearth to reflect a more simplistic style and painting the entire fireplace white. A rustic mantle made of reclaimed cypress provided the finishing touch and tied in the natural wood beams on the ceiling. By relocating the dining space, the former dining room became a playroom where our young boys enjoy their

own space downstairs while keeping the clutter in check. Enlisting their help to personalize the space, they created custom artwork that hangs above their vintage school desks and chose to embellish the focal wall with metallic beetle decals. Wishing for a clean, timeless look in the kitchen, the redesign included new appliances, custom cabinetry and the addition of both marble countertops and backsplash. Building a larger island and incorporating level seating with the cooking area allows us to work together in the kitchen and to share our passion of cooking with family and friends. Additionally, it multitasks as an area for everything from cooking preparation, to a homework station and most importantly, a place to gather every day, making memories as a family of four. POVÂ

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THE OBSERVER |

R E F R I G E R AT I O N I N C .

Residential Heating & Cooling

BY JAIME DISHMAN

FROM ORDINARY TO

EXTRAORDINARY Remember last year’s super moon? It was all the rage last November. We stared long and hard at that super moon almost a year ago. During the last look at the moon, I thought of people all over the world who turned their faces toward the same super moon. Billions of people, turning their eyes toward one moon. It looked bigger and brighter than I can ever remember seeing it. It appeared larger. More vivid. But still the same moon. A friend from years ago posted a picture of the same moon from his town, as it set over his city. Same moon. Different cities. It’s as though all the world for just one moment in time, joined together and watched for the same thing. A super moon rising over every nation and over every neighborhood. A super moon reflecting the sun’s glory over every inch of this earth. No country left out of its luminous glow. No rooftop left unlit by the marvel of moonbeams.

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Maybe the most super part of the super moon is that we all for one moment focused on something bigger than ourselves. Fast forward almost a year, and we were all staring at the sky again. This time, the moon did its thing during the day. A solar eclipse was highly debated but unanimously watched as the moon jumped in front of the sun for hours, and our whole nation turned eyes toward the majesty of the two great orbs. I checked the kids out of school, darted to the nearest park, and passed out eye protection for anyone turning their eyes toward the sun. With our solar glasses on, we saw a different sight than any of us had ever seen before. The sun’s golden sphere gradually reduced to a black circle by a moon that’s a fraction of its size. While all of these atmospheric events are old news – a super moon almost a year ago, and a solar eclipse months ago – there’s a message written in the sky if you’re leaning in to listen. Some things that sometimes seem different are actually always the same. Sometimes we get to view them from a different perspective.

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So, like the psalmist said so many years ago, we “consider the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained.” He’s hanging stars and suns and moons in so many night skies. I needed the lesson a year ago, and I needed it again a few months ago. Same sun. Same moon. Different results. A different sky eclipsing our ordinary view.

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Most days feel like truckloads of ordinary. Ordinary schedules. Ordinary events. But every now and then, we get an extraordinary view. Objects that haven’t changed at all shift their position slightly, and all the ordinary turns miraculous. We can’t help but turn our eyes toward what has been there all along.

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There’s a preacher on one of my favorite podcasts who says it like this. “Maybe in all our longing for impact, we’ve lost sight of the impact of faithful, everyday living and doing ordinary things with great care.”

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So I’m keeping on doing ordinary things. Waiting for the day the perspective shifts and for just a little while I get to stare at the extraordinary. And maybe when the moment comes that grants a glimpse of greater things, the best part of the moment will be realizing the grandest moments always come from staring at something way bigger than ourselves. POV

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A Girl with BY DREW MILLER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STACIE WALKER

GRIT

The sports and outdoor apparel market is extremely competitive and difficult to get into. It takes creativity, determination, and hard work to stand out in the market that is being held by companies that have been established for many years. One person who has those qualities and an eye-catching product that has won numerous awards is Bourg native and wildlife artist, Stacie Walker. Her creative and unique patterns for her company Prym1 Camo is taking the sports and outdoor world by storm. Stacie inherited her artistic abilities from her dad who was also an artist. He taught her how to hunt and fish, which she has been doing since she was 5-years-old. She learned the patterns and textures of animals through her art and those details go into her Prym1 Camo today.

As a teenager attending Vandebilt Catholic, Stacie was asked one semester why she was taking two art classes by faculty members. Even then she knew she wanted to use her artistic abilities for her profession, yet she didn’t know what that profession would be. They asked her about taking more math classes so she would be able to eventually handle her taxes. Stacie responded with, “I’ll hire an accountant.” She went on to marry an accountant, Lance, after she graduated from Memphis College of Art with a degree in illustration and graphic design. She worked in the medical field as a medical illustrator for 14 years, but left the field after she had her sons, Cort and Cole. Stacie became a fulltime mother while still doing wildlife art on the side. Lance, who is also an avid hunter like

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Stacie, knew her talent and suggested she make an alternative style of camouflage patterns. That’s when Stacie started to come up with Prym1 Camo, which is based off of the predators she would draw in her wildlife art. “Years of this study led me to develop Prym1 Camo, which uses the colors and textures of nature with the organic patterns of wildlife to create a camo with the effectiveness of a predator,” says Stacie on the Prym1 Camo website. Stacie’s knowledge of hunters’ movements across different backgrounds is what makes her camouflage stick out from others on the market. This is stated in the Prym1 Marketing Campaign, “A hunter moves across diverse terrains, and through changing backgrounds of foliage, which is often influenced by light and shadows. Let’s face it, trees and brush do not move, and they stand out as solid objects from a distance. Traditional “sticks and leaves” camouflage will often fail because they tend to become solid forms and “black out,” therefore revealing the shape of the hunter, which eliminates the purpose of the stalk. Digital, static, and hard line shape blurred camo works well at a distance for outline break up in various terrains, but is not effective as distance is closed as it lacks depth, highlights and shadowing.”

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Prym1 was started to not only be a good hunting camouflage, but also to make a lifestyle pattern. This was made apparent when they won “Best Lifestyle Apparel” at the 2017 ICAST Convention, a large showcase for retail sport fishing. They teamed with the company Frogg Toggs to make the Prym1 Series Pilot II jacket and bibs, which got them the award. That got Prym1 more recognition and a contract with Mojo Sportswear, where they are doing a signature Prym1 Camo lifestyle series. Starting only 20 months ago, Prym1 has just over 40 licenses with different companies for their camouflage patterns. “I want one or two companies in every category,” says Stacie, “I only want the companies that do the products well because when they succeed, I succeed.” Stacie, who attends an outdoor showcase in Germany every year, set another goal—for Prym1 to be on the global market.

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She works closely with Cervus-UK, a global hunting and shooting agency based in the United Kingdom. Prym1 also is currently in negotiations with Denmark based company, Seeland—the largest outdoor apparel company in the world. Internet presence is key to Prym1’s success. The company’s website—prym1camo.com, Twitter, and Facebook stay updated with news and press releases, and promotional videos can be found on their YouTube channel. Stacie’s two sons started crosspowerstore.com, which sells numerous products with Prym1 Camo on it: sunglasses, jackets, bags, etc. “I stay in front of the computer talking to clients and marketing from the morning until eleven at night,” says Stacie. Not only does artistic ability run in Stacie’s family, but also the hard work ethic it takes to run a company, which traces back to her grandfather that owned his own business. That determination and business acumen, made stronger by her dedicated husband, propels her and her company forward, even though she is the only woman in the world with her own camouflage patterns on the market.

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“I go to some of these trade shows and the men who work at the companies get caught off guard,” Stacie says, “It’s strange for them to see a woman come in and start talking shop.” Academy Sports and Outdoors will release Prym1 products this October and November. For anyone looking to start their own company Stacie says to do your research to know your market, build a lot of capital before you start it, know it’s going to be hard work, and never give up. She adds, “You have to be a tough person with a lot of grit.” POV

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FOOD + FUN

POV PICK | 30 The Robichaux

MY BROTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S KEEPER | 32 The Ben Meyer Foundation aims to leave a legacy of giving.

COSTUMES ON PARADE | 38 These kids are too cute to be spooky.

OH SNAP | 42 Tab Squared

WORK FIRST PLAY SECOND | 44

Meet Dustin LaFont, founder of Front Yard Bikes.

BON APPETIT | 50

Sponsored by Terrebonne General Medical Center

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FOOD + FUN |

POV PICK

THE ROBICHAUX Cinclare

Warm up with the new classic cocktail, The Robichaux. Bayou Satsuma Rum adds the perfect punch of fall flavor and color. Combined with ginger ale, Angostura and a splash of simple syrup, this cocktail will get your juices flowing.

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Love

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Brother’s keeper BY JONAH GIROIR | PHOTOS BY CHANNING CANDIES

The term “legacy” is something that gets tossed around a lot these days. A quarterback can build his legacy by throwing hundreds of touchdowns and winning championships, while a pitcher can achieve greatness through having a low earned run average and consistently causing batters to swing and miss. In the business world, a person can build a legacy by checking off personal goals and rising through the ranks of his or her company, and a regular, everyday person can make their own legacy through charitable acts and impacting the lives of those around them. Legacies are what we remember when we think of great people in their respective fields. These people touched the hearts of those around them or reached significant milestones in their careers that caught the attention of everyone. The Ben Meyer Foundation, created by Tommy Meyer, of Meyer Financial Group, Ricky Meyer, and a group of board members is looking to honor Tommy and Ricky’s late brother, Ben, by leaving a legacy of giving. After years of giving to various charities in Ben’s name, the brothers sought out a way to better facilitate

October 2017 33 povhouma.com

the funds and continue honoring Ben’s charitable nature. Thus, the Ben Meyer Foundation was born. “It was a great opportunity for me to honor my brother’s memory,” Tommy says. “The foundation pretty much embodies who he was. Ben was the type of person who gave. Even though he was very young, that’s what he was known for, being generous and helping people who needed it. At the same time, he was very good with children. He was a Tae Kwon Do instructor, and even though he was a student at Nicholls, he was a substitute school teacher.” Following his brother’s passing in 2001, Tommy wanted to find a way to honor the giving nature of his brother that gave so much to the community around him. “It’s kind of a way of leaving a legacy for him, and it’s a good way to do it. That’s the primary reason for starting the foundation,” he says. “It’s a private charity, and all the profits from the music fest, which is the primary donor to the charity, are given to the community. The best way to facilitate that was through a foundation.” The brothers and the board are still in the development phase of the foundation as they enter the second year of the Acadia Music Fest, the foundation’s primary fundraiser. Last year, Upside Downs received funds from the first iteration of the festival, and the group is looking to continue providing money to the community and helping it flourish.

“Any profits that are generated from the music fest will go into the foundation,” Tommy explains. “Everything will be local charities that we’ll give to. We want our gifts to have a direct impact on the community.”

Once the board sees the funds earned from each year’s festival, Tommy says that they will analyze the community to see where the funds are needed and decide on which charity will receive them accordingly. And with other charities in mind, the foundation is looking to keep their fundraising efforts focused on the Acadia Music Fest. “We’re still in the early years of the development of the whole music fest concept. In years to come, we’ll have a better understanding of that, but as of now, it’s basically whatever funds come in,” Tommy says. “We won’t do any other activities that we do to try to generate funds. The last thing we want to do is deter people from going to other events that other charities put on.”

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This year’s iteration of the festival will feature a lineup headlined by Cowboy Mouth and Better Than Ezra, something that Tommy is very excited about. “If you think about an era of maybe the 90s/early 2000s, the bands that you saw that were regional acts were Cowboy Mouth and Better Than Ezra,” he says. “To be able to put those two bands on one stage in one place, was just a dream come true. That credit goes to Amy Hebert, who has worked tirelessly to make sure that this event is over the top.” The hard work Amy put in is reflective of the board’s efforts to do all they could to help Tommy and Ricky honor the memory of their brother, Ben. And they will continue to strive to make Acadia Music Fest a wonderful event for everyone as the years go by. “The ultimate theme will always remain the same. Amy and our team have done a

terrific job in patching up some of the holes we had in the first year. Going forward, we hope to make it bigger and better every year. We don’t want it to ever become stale,” Tommy says of the board’s efforts. “They wanted the foundation for me. These people are family, and they treat me that way. To them, having the opportunity to honor Ben kind of just snowballed. The music fest is going to give the money away anyway; we’re not keeping the money. If you flow it through a foundation, it’s so much easier.” POV

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showcases local and regional talents in a one day outdoor festival on October 28 at the Acadia Plantation Town Center in Thibodaux. The music lineup is headlined by Cowboy Mouth and Better Than Ezra and includes Burning Kane, Caro & Company, Calling Home, Bang Bang, Snapper and the Fishsticks, John Daigle, and Jordan Anderson Band. An art market, delicious food, and a Kids Korner where kids can be artists and musicians round out the festival’s offerings.

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BY JONAH GIROIR | PHOTOS BY CHANNING CANDIES

With the right tricks, DIY costumes can be a treat! Armed with your imagination and a few basic supplies your little one wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be the only one having fun. Creating a one of a kind costume for your one of a kind kid is the perfect way to show off their personality and interests. Take a peak at these adorable children who are too cute to spook. Find out how to make these costumes online at povhouma.com and make this Halloween your most memorable yet.

Bentley(sons &ofWeston Degruise Brandi and Eric Degruise) Batman and Robin October 2017 38 povhouma.com

Adellah Ledet (daughter of Amanda and Terrel Ledet) Jellyfish

October 2017 39 povhouma.com

Sawyer Candies (daughter of Channing and Seth Candies) Gumball Machine

Ella Means (daughter of Kimberly and Brett Means) Cotton Candy

How to be Maui: Materials:

Wig Tan shirt Tattoo patterns Leaf patterns Green felt Green ribbon Rope Seashells Mauiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magical hook (optional)

How to make:

1. Trace tattoo patterns onto shirt with a black pen or black marker 2. Glue seashells around collar of shirt 3. Trace leaf patterns onto green felt 4. Use black maker to draw lines to create the leaf 5. Glue leaves to the green ribbon 6. Attach rope to the green ribbon 7. Attach seashells to rope around waist Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Welcome! POV

Spencer Brooks (son of Beau and Michelle Brooks) Maui, shapeshifter, demigod of the wind & sea, Hero of Man (half man, half god, all awesome.)

October 2017 41 povhouma.com

OH SNAP |

PHOTO BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY â&#x20AC;¢ MISTYMACPHOTO.COM

October 2017 42 povhouma.com

TAB SQUARED

October 2017 43 povhouma.com

Tab Benoit and his son, Tab Jr., strum their guitars and rock the stage at Voice of the Wetlands Festival.

WORKfirst BY DREW MILLER | PHOTOS BY DANIELLE HARRELSON

It’s a couple of minutes past noon on a Wednesday. Kids excitedly knock on the front doors of a South Baton Rouge bicycle shop. They eagerly wait for Mr. Dustin to arrive and let them in, so they can begin their day at Front Yard Bikes. Mr. Dustin returns from his meeting and opens the doors as the young ones rush in to grab bikes they have been working on or to claim a new one to fix. He takes control of the room by gathering the kids in a circle and plans out the day with them. Yes, they will have a chance to fix their bikes in the shop and afterwards ride them in the backyard park, but the first hour is the cleaning hour. They must first help put bikes on the racks, pick up parts, and put away other donated items such as school supplies. The motto of Houma native Dustin LaFont is “work first, play second” and the community of Front Yard Bikes embraces that motto. Dustin attributes much of his work ethic and ability to work well with young people to his mother. He said as a principal at Pointe-Aux-Chenes Elementary, she looked at the positive aspects of individuals and pointed it out to them; people trusted her as a mentor. Whenever flooding damaged the school and parish funding was low, she took the initiative to clean it out and keep it going. That trust has carried over through her retirement and influences her children to this day. Back at the shop, kids begin to tune up their bicycles, which they get a $5 an hour credit that goes to them earning the value of the bike. Dustin balances between helping them, overseeing the work being done in the facility’s new kitchen, and talking to customers and October 2017 44 povhouma.com

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donors. He has a lot on his plate from this program that started with one kid from the neighborhood who needed a bike repair, seven years ago. Dustin, who taught himself how to repair bikes after the bike he rode to campus everyday started breaking down, was part of the volunteer organization, The Baton Rouge Garden Alliance. Another member of the alliance asked him to fix the bike of a kid that lives in the same neighborhood as Dustin’s rent house. As Dustin sat on the front porch of his house he heard a sound he described as “a wagon being dragged with no wheels.” Then 10-year-old Rejay Wilson walked up with a bike with no tires, no inner tubes and busted spokes. Unfortunately, that bike wasn’t able to be fixed but Dustin came up with an alternative that would grow to become the basis for what Front Yard Bikes is today. He had an old bike that his roommate gave him and told Rejay if he could fix it with him that he could keep it. After they fixed it, Dustin thought it was over, but the next day some of Rejay’s siblings showed up, eager to learn how to fix October 2017 45 povhouma.com

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bikes too, and the word eventually spread. That summer 10-15 children from the neighborhood often showed up to his front yard wanting to learn mechanics, ride their bikes and a place that was safe to visit. People in the community began donating bikes to his front yard as the non-profit organization began to form into what it is today. A year after it had started, Dustinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landlord started threatening eviction because of the liability of the kids working with tools. Dustin was forced to temporarily shut down the maintenance part of the program. That same landlord had a change of heart a few months later after he saw the positivity the program gave local youth as Dustin continued to take kids on bike rides to local businesses, museums and libraries. He made sure Dustin got his insurance and let him rent one of his warehouses. Dustin and the young ones in the community worked in that warehouse with no electricity, water, and installation for two years until they moved into the larger facility that they are located in today. Hannah Kador, a staff member of Front Yard Bikes since June, hands out pizza to the kids outside in the park

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around 2 p.m. In the gated play area, children play basketball on the full court, ride their bikes along a paved path, and talk to each other while eating the food and drink provided to them on the vibrant painted bleachers. It’s a safe place for this community to have fun after the hard work they put in. Even though Hannah has only been with the organization for a few months, she has noticed the uplifting impact Front Yard Bikes has had on this South Baton Rouge area. “It’s broadening their minds,” she says, “It gives them things to do and keeps them out of trouble. People will say it’s a bad area, but these kids aren’t bad. This program helps them grow and believe in themselves. They know they can have anything in here if they just work for it.” While studying history at LSU, Dustin became passionate about Civil Rights. “Baton Rouge has a lot of economic, racial and academic dividers. It’s different than growing up in Cajun culture where there’s mixed ethnicities and backgrounds,” the Houma native, says.

October 2017 47 povhouma.com

Dustin set out to create a community like the one he saw growing up, where he witnessed neighbors helping each other after hurricanes. He learned what a group of people can accomplish together through those experiences and the experiences he had going on church mission trips to El Salvador and Nicaragua. At the end of their lunch break, the kids get to choose if they want to keep putting in time on the bikes they are working on or stay outside and play. Some stay outside and some rush back into the shop. On the basketball court, now 17 and a head mechanic for Front Yard Bikes, Rejay Wilson helps a kid with his bike outside. No one can probably tell you more about the effect this program has had than the young man it all started with. “It has impacted everyone in the area, not just me,” he says, “I really look up to Mr. Dustin. He’s like a father figure.”

Rejay says he’d probably be in jail if it wasn’t for this organization. With the program’s help and Dustin’s guidance, he recently accepted a job with LSU’s maintenance department. Dustin doesn’t want anyone to look at these kids as charity cases; they are an investment. He says they’ve contributed as much to the shop as he did. They helped build, paint, clean and garden. “They are destined for greatness,” he says. “God made them that way.” As the shop hours wind down, Dustin gives children still working on their bikes some extra time to finish up before closing. At the end of the day, some of their bikes still aren’t finished, but Dustin assures them he will help in finishing the repairs when they open the shop the next day. After all, they earned it. POV

October 2017 48 povhouma.com

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BON APPETIT |

BY MICHELLE BRICENO, REGISTERED DIETITIAN AT TGMC

IMPRESSIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF

PUMPKINS

Not only are pumpkins perfect for carving and decorating the front porch, their sweet, signature flavor comes packed with health benefits. Pumpkins are free of fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are a good source of Vitamin C and an excellent source of Vitamin A. In fact, just one cup of pumpkin has only 50 calories, 3g of fiber and contains more potassium than a medium banana. Their rich color comes from the antioxidant beta-carotene.

The more intense the color of the fruit or vegetable is, the more beta-carotene it contains. Antioxidants help lower the risk of heart disease and boost the immune system. Beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A, which in turn helps with vision and overall eye and skin health. Just remember to balance out your pumpkin with a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables to give the body the strongest defense against disease.

PUMPKIN CHILI Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • •

1 lb 93% ground beef 1 lb 93% ground turkey 15 oz can black beans 15 oz can white beans 15 oz can pumpkin 3 cups low sodium vegetable juice 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilis 1 packet chili seasoning 2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp cumin

Directions SERVINGS:8

1. I n a large pot over medium heat, cook meat until brown and

drain. 2. Stir in remaining ingredients and seasonings and simmer 1 hr. 3. Spoon into festive bowl, serve and enjoy.

October 2017 50 povhouma.com

FUN FACTS Have a sweet tooth? We sure do. And nothing gets our mouth watering like the sight of all the candy and chocolate taking over the shelves in stores as we approach Halloween. So much so, that we decided to look into some fun facts about our favorite treats.

• If Brach’s laid out the candy corn kernels they sell each year end to end, they would wrap around the Earth 4.25 times.

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• Surprisingly Milky Way bars weren’t named after their home galaxy. Rather, the name comes from a type of malted milkshake that was popular in the early 1920s.

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• Why is bubble gum pink? When it was invented, pink was the only food dye on hand.

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MIND + BODY

POV PICK | 54 Keep Calm

FOR YOUR HEALTH | 57 Sponsored by Ochsner St. Anne

WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE | 58 Sponsored by Thibodaux Regional Medical Center

A HELPING HAND | 59

Written in partnership with Houma Digestive Health Specialists

LIVING ON THE UPSIDE | 60 Paige Faucheaux proves people with Down syndrome can succeed in anything.

UNDER THE SCOPE | 66 Why the Sea Smells So Good (Part 1)

October 2017 52 povhouma.com

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FUN FACTS The three major facets of Halloween tradition come down to horror, dressing up, and, of course, candy. We all know this to be true, but letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at some interesting tidbits about these staples in Halloween culture.

Holding the Guinness World Record for the longest haunted house at 3,564 feet , the Haunted Cave in Lewisburg, Ohio is located 80 feet below ground in an abandoned mine.

According to the National Retail Federation, over Americans spend over $2.8 million dollars on costumes.

Young Learners

Halloween trumps Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day as the sweetest national holiday selling more than twice as much chocolate.

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FOR YOUR HEALTH |

BY OCHSNER ST. ANNE HOSPITAL

OCHSNER ST. ANNE TO HOST

WOMEN’S HEALTH EXPO

For the mothers, sisters, and daughters of our lives, taking care of others often comes naturally. Taking care of one’s self, on the other hand, can occasionally be put on the back burner. Ochsner St. Anne recognizes the importance of preventative screenings as a means of enhancing health for both current and future generations, establishing a foundation of healthy families in the Bayou Region. On Tuesday, October 10th, Ochsner St. Anne will host its annual Women’s Health Expo. This expo is a yearly feature of the facility’s community outreach efforts and offers essential health screenings to all generations of women (and their families) in Lafourche and the surrounding parishes. Hosted in October, concurrent with national breast cancer awareness month, this facility highlights opportunities for women to receive the most advanced technology when it comes to breast cancer screenings. Ochsner St. Anne

is the only hospital in the region to offer 3D mammography. Instead of viewing all the complexities of the breast tissue in a flat image as with a traditional mammogram, 3D mammography allows the doctor to examine the breast layer by layer. Having a better view of the breast tissue increases the efficacy of the test and improves the ability to catch breast cancer at earlier stages. Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 should receive a mammogram on a yearly basis. On-site screenings offered at this event include: cholesterol testing, blood glucose testing, blood pressure, body mass index calculations, skin cancer screenings, bone density screenings for women over 40, and flu vaccines for anyone over the age of 18.

October 2017 57 povhouma.com

WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE |

BY LAURA GROS, RN, CBCN, PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

THINK PINK FOR MORE THAN JUST ONE MONTH During the month of October, breast cancer gets a lot of attention. There is a heightened sense of awareness that early detection and screening saves lives, that your annual mammogram is due and that getting yourself checked is of utmost importance. We see this all month, but then once the pink campaigns fade out and the calendar turns to November what happens? For many of us we put it behind us and move on to the next thing.

40,610 women will die from breast cancer in 2017 in the United States. ACS also reports that there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Advances in early detection, use of screening studies, and improvement in treatment options may be the reasons for the tremendous number of survivors, and that number is expected to continue to rise.

The truth is breast cancer is here all year long and it matters every day. About one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women and about

This October, let’s remember to remind each other of the importance of breast cancer awareness, the importance of having that yearly mammogram, the importance of self awareness and having routine exams by your physician. But most importantly, let’s remember it’s not about the month, it’s about the message and let’s all do our best to make it a message that lasts all year long.

For more information contact the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional at 985.493.4008.

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October 2017 58 povhouma.com

MIND + BODY |

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUMA DIGESTIVE HEALTH SPECIALISTS

A HELPING HAND

When he’s not cooking, fishing, hunting, or perusing his collection of awesome bowties to decide which one to wear, Dr. Nathaniel “Teddy” Winstead can be found at Houma Digestive Health Specialists. He and his staff have a lot to celebrate these days as Dr. Teddy was recently named one of 2017’s “Top Doctors” by two independent surveys. The team is also in the process of getting acquainted with their new office space on Wood St.

and provide more personalized care, rather than shoving people through the system. You can take your time, get to know people, and that’s been a good fit for me.” Working alongside Dr. Teddy, you can find Allison Vining, his Physician Assistant and “righthand man.” She joined the practice in January 2015 and knew immediately that it was the right fit for her.

Hailing from New Orleans, Dr. Teddy cut his teeth at Ochsner Medical Center before making his way to Houma. “I worked at Ochsner for five or six years, then came down here because this area needed a gastroenterologist,” he explains. “There’s a ton of colon cancer in southeast Louisiana. I was doing a lot of clinical trial work at Ochsner, and clearly there was a need in Houma for that too. Through our research program, we have been able to offer cutting edge medical therapy to patients that you cannot get anywhere else in southeast Louisiana.” Another reason behind Dr. Teddy’s move from New Orleans to Houma comes in the form of his patients. The ability to develop relationships and get to know those he cares for is something that is very important him. “I had a number of patients, when I was at Ochsner, who were coming all the way [from Houma] for their medical care. That was one of the indicators to me that there was a need in this area,” he says. “Those people are still patients of mine and some of them are now friends of mine.” Dr. Teddy adds that he prefers to work in a smaller community. “It allows me to develop a much better relationship

“When I got pregnant for my second son, I wanted to be in Houma,” Allison says. “This is where home was. One day I just looked online, saw an ad and put in my application. When [Dr. Teddy and I met], it was good and easy. Things flowed, we got along well, the communication was easy, and it was right. I knew I wanted to work with and learn from him. He’s always looking for new things to do that are progressive in the gastrointestinal field. It’s been a big learning experience and a lot of fun.” Ultimately, the gastrointestinal field has given Dr. Teddy the opportunity to challenge himself. “It combines aspects of cognitive medicine and procedural medicine in a way that a lot of other specialties don’t,” he says. “Everybody has had digestive problems in their life, pretty much, so it’s something that everyone can relate to.” Dr. Teddy does everything he can to make his patients comfortable enough to be frank and honest about their symptoms. “I spend all day talking about uncomfortable things, so there’s very little you can say that will shock me. I’ve always had a great relationship with my patients.”

For more information on Dr. Teddy Winstead and his team, visit www.houmadigestivehealth.com or call (985) 601-2662.

October 2017 59 povhouma.com

LIVING ON THE

UPSIDE BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

Upside Downs, a non-profit organization that services individuals in our community with Down syndrome with recreational activities and awareness, was founded in the heart of Thibodaux in 2016. Recently, Paige Faucheaux was named the first self-advocate for Upside Downs. Being a self-advocate, for her, means “Helping other members in our organization and being a positive image for Upside Downs.” Paige says, “Being a self-advocate is great. It allows me to show people that individuals with Down syndrome are able to succeed in college, on campus, or anything else.” It’s something that makes Paige proud and extremely happy.

Beau Brooks, the President of Upside Downs, states, “Paige has been a missing component of Upside Downs. She will take us to the next level of the organization by allowing someone with Down syndrome to shed light on what she thinks would be good activities, or events, as someone with Down syndrome.” To him, this is important to the organization, and is going to help steer it in the right direction. Alongside Upside Downs, Paige is involved with the Bridge to Independence program at Nicholls State University and holds the program close to her heart. “The program is about hanging out with friends, making friends, learning about other people, and even getting to hang out with the sorority

October 2017 60 povhouma.com

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girls,” Paige says. She adds that she likes Delta Zeta a lot at Nicholls State University, as the sorority partnered with the Bridge to Independence program around September of 2016. This was done to ensure students with intellectual disabilities would be given the full college experience of leadership, social skills, and skills for future employment and independent living. Paige lives independently on campus already, has her driver’s license and plays a great game of tennis. The program has helped Paige in a few ways. She explains, “It has helped me get involved with the people in our community and bring awareness to those with Down syndrome. It has given people with Down syndrome the opportunity to

October 2017 61 povhouma.com

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experience things they may not have while attending college.â&#x20AC;? Another positive about the program that has helped Paige is that it requires her to get all her schoolwork done, thus allowing her to further her education. While Paige is involved on the Nicholls campus with the Bridge to Independence program, she also makes sure she involves herself in other ways. Previously, she has worked on campus at the daycare where she aided with the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class assignments and helped with nap times. Last summer, she also worked on campus with a summer camp program, working with kids again. This coming year, Paige will be working with St. Joseph Elementary School with the first and second graders.

October 2017 62 povhouma.com

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SATURDAY POT 2 LA SOUTHPAW Her favorite thing about living on campus is when any of the sororities have events. Paige explains, “Delta Zeta’s karaoke nights and bake sales are events I’ve enjoyed.” Her favorite memory was when she got to model for the Fashion for a Passion Fashion Show, which raises money for the Starkey Hearing Foundation. She noted that it was a really exciting experience. The other place she enjoys events at is St. Thomas Aquinas. She says, “St. Thomas has Halloween and Christmas parties,” which are the two events that she enjoys the most from them.

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Although she gets to enjoy all of these fun activities and events, she mentions how much she enjoys the Upside Downs organization. “It has motivated me to do the best I can in many things. I want to show everyone that people with Down syndrome can make it in college, and anywhere else.” For her future, Beau explains, “We have sent Paige to the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention to meet other self-advocates and other people from across the country to network, and get an idea of some of the things they do.” Paige also helped plan the tailgate they had for the Family Day football game at Nicholls in conjunction with the Nicholls Veterans Organization. Free game tickets were given to individuals with Down syndrome and their family members who are located off-campus.

October 2017 64 povhouma.com

Their next big event will be October 21, 2017. The event is called the Magical Dance Party, a free event where they give away a trip to Walt Disney World. John Tucker from A&Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Born This Way is also scheduled to make an appearance at the event. Paige has a few more ideas, like Bridge Karaoke, which would be open for anyone to attend and join in on the fun. Keep an eye on Bridge to Independence and Upside Downs as Paige is sure to continue making a difference in the community and proving that individuals with Down syndrome can succeed in college, on campus and anywhere else. POV

LADIES NIGHT

OUT? Enjoy your night. let us do your driving.

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985-446-5823 | thebusybee.info

PLANNING A

Holiday PARTY?

UNDER THE SCOPE |

BY JOHN DOUCET

WHY THE SEA

SMELLS SO GOOD (PART 1)

In one of your many trips down cosmetics aisles in supermarkets, have you ever wondered why so many products are packaged as if a little of the ocean lay beneath their labels? Besides, of course, the company called “Sea Breeze” and all its products, there’s Suave, Zest, Gillette, and Renuzit, to name only a few brands, that all make products labeled “ocean breeze.” Okay, Renuzit products are found down some aisle other than the cosmetics one, but it nonetheless illustrates the essential point: People like to smell and thereby remember feeling the “freshness” of the sea. There’s something about sea smell that always puts your landlocked mind right there on the beautiful, cool water beach. I spent many hours with my grandparents on the screen porch of their bayoufront home in Golden Meadow, and although the screens held back mosquitoes they thankfully could not hold back breezes. We could always tell when weather was coming from the direction of the Gulf not only by feeling it flow through the southernmost screen but also by smelling it. Papère called it “the frash,” which I hope, after all these years, referred to “freshness” and not something you’d find nowadays in impolite Cajun French dictionaries.

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Whether you call it “the frash,” or fresh or salty or ozone, there’s a reason why the sea and the Gulf and the ocean, as well as the occasional summer afternoon rain shower, smell the way they do. And science has discovered it. The explanation, which involves huge mats of gooey green algae, giant viruses, and a whole lot of rotting material might sound more like science fiction than science. But in the end, the scientific explanation is an elegant and aesthetically pleasing result for multiple of your senses. The story begins with algae. These algae are tiny, microscopic green creatures that grow to enormous numbers atop the oceans. The numbers are so enormous that you can visualize these algal blooms from space filling up large oceanic places like the Gulf of Alaska and coloring them green. Green is good, however, as these algae—like land plants—make oxygen, and they otherwise serve as a food source for animals of the sea. Each individual alga is surrounded by a tiny shell made of calcium carbonate—or chalk. You could maybe think of them like microscopic bigorneaux with fleshy insides and a mineralized shell on the outside. Like many organisms, however, these algae have viruses. But the

October 2017 66 povhouma.com

SLMA WELCOMES

DR. NEAL & DR. DUKE viruses are very unusual, very big, and fortunately cannot infect anything other than algae. Scientists call these giant viruses “giruses.” Multiple times a year, as algae bloom across the seas, giruses within them grow as well, eventually killing the bloom and clearing the sea. Like any large organism, however, the dead algal bloom rots, breaking down into a bunch of stinky, sulfuric molecules, the smallest of which is called dimethylsulfide or DMS. I have a bottle in my lab, and it stinks pretty awful, but diluted and diffused across ocean waters and mixed with other oceanic molecules it smells kinda refreshing. As global currents churn and exchange waters across continental beaches, beachgoers get refreshing whiffs of the stuff all day long. Even better, DMS is a small enough chemical to evaporate together with water when the sun beats down on it. DMS eventually seeds cloud formation and atmospheric currents, such that when you get an afternoon breeze or rain shower that smells fresh—even at your faraway inland home—you’re smelling the same stuff. If you’re not yet aesthetically pleased that your olfactory beach experience ultimately derives from the biological decay of some enormous algal bloom killed by giant viruses atop some faraway sea earlier in the summer, then wait till you find out what becomes of the billions and billions of the tiny algal shells left behind. There will be bluebirds flying over, and you’ll never hear the Righteous Brothers sing the same way again. POV

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RENDEZVOUS |

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AROUND TOWN

2nd Annual Spaghetti Cook Off & Equipment Show and Cornhole Tournament

Crime and Punishment 1920’s Halloween Mystery Dinner

Oct. 7, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Throw on your best 1920’s gangster suit or flapper dress and engage in this appetizing mystery dinner. Feast on Speakeasy Spinach and Gulf Crab Soup, Capone’s Oven Roasted partially boned Gatsby Chicken Breast, and Roaring 20’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake while you and other guests investigate the scene. Cocktails and a cash bar open at 6:30 p.m. before show time at 7 p.m. Cost is $65 per person and includes a three-course meal. Where: Fremin’s Restaurant, Thibodaux

Enjoy the friendly competition between Firehouses, Police Departments & Emergency Personnel and bring out those old family recipes to enter the Public Competition this year. There are prizes for both Competition Divisions - along with bragging rights for the year. A Cornhole Tournament has also been added to the mix where teams of two compete for great prizes. All funds are donated to the Houma Downtown Christmas Festival for Decorations in our beautiful Downtown Houma community. Where: Houma Downtown Courthouse Square

Dog Day Fall Fling Oct. 8, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

HOPE for Animals is sponsoring the Dog Day Fall Fling. Events for you and your furry friends include Blessing of the Animals, Dog Walk/Costume Duo, rummage sale, Cake Walk, raffle, Halloweenie Race for dachshunds, music, food and craft booths. Registration starts at 9 a.m., with the dog walk to follow. Where: Peltier Park, Thibodaux

Cache de Bayou Oct. 13 - Oct. 15

Take part in a hunt for nearly 30 new caches hidden on every corner of Terrebonne Parish. Upon completing all of the caches, Geocachers will receive a unique collectible event GeoCoin that is shaped like a shrimp boat. Visit cachedebayou.eventbrite.com or GeoHouma.com for more information. Where: Houma Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oct. 20, 7 p.m.

Pastalaya on the Bayou Oct. 28, 8 a.m.

Enjoy this pastalaya cook-off to benefit Children’s Water Safety Awareness. The cook-off is open to the public and the entry fee is $100 per team. For complete rules, registration, and schedule, please check www.childrenswatersafety.org/events. Where: Downtown Houma Courthouse Square

Hope Fest Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. until Dark

Food, live music, crafts, pony rides, fair games, 5K and so much more! All proceeds benefit Hope Extreme tutoring center and Hope Restored Pregnancy Resource Center. Call (985) 873-3145 for more information on booth rentals and 5k registration. Where: 437 Grand Caillou Road, Houma

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT IN OUR CALENDAR? Shoot an email to jonah@rushing-media.com and we’ll help spread the word. October 2017 68 povhouma.com

THE SEASONS ARE CHANGING . YOUR SHOES DON ’ T HAVE TO . Our new collection spans the seasons with effortless styling and our concealed support cleverly hidden inside every pair.

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THE ART OF SMART |

IT’S NOT AN ARTICLE, IT’S A SMARTICLE

1 Which of the following musicians never recorded “Autumn Leaves”?

C Andy Williams D Eric Clapton

Roger Williams A Elvis Presley B

2 The term “equinox” is defined as ____. C When day and night are equal in length D None of the above

When Earth’s two poles meet A When the sun is furthest from the equator B

3 What phase of moon supposedly makes people act crazier and causes humans to turn into werewolves?

C Harvest moon D Half moon

Full moon A Quarter moon B

4 Which musician sings the Halloween party hit “Monster Mash”?

C Frankie Avalon D Bobby Pickett

Billy Ray Cyrus A Dr. Demento B

5 Which spooky direct-to-video Scooby-Doo movie was set in south Louisiana?

C Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase D Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island A Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders B

6 Which actress made a cameo appearance in the Boy Meets World episode “And Then There Was Shawn”? C Jessica Biel D Maria Menounos

Alyssa Milano A Jennifer Love Hewitt B

C Annabelle: Creation D IT

Rings A Get Out B

HOW DID YOU DO? 1) B, 2) C, 3) A, 4) D, 5) A, 6) B, 7) D, 8) B

Finn Wolfhard, of Stranger Things fame, stars in which recent horror movie?

8 There are two gemstones for October. What are they?

Amber and opal A Opal and tourmaline B

C Tourmaline and garnet D Zircon and garnet October 2017 70 povhouma.com

# Correct 7-8 3-6 1-2 0

IQ 160 110 50 3

Your Score: Top of the Class You Get a Gold Star Did You Even Try? Oh Come On!

FUN FACTS

We’ll get you started on your next

PRESENTS

ADVENTURE There’s nothing like a good horror movie to get you into the Halloween spirit. The best ones can give you chills and cause you to check behind shower curtains and every nook and cranny in your house before you turn out the lights to go to sleep. Sadly, the horror genre has not gotten much love from the Academy. However, there have been a few that broke through the glass ceiling.

• The Exorcist was the first horror film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. The picture earned 10 Oscar nominations in 1974, including a Best Supporting Actress nod for Linda Blair, who was just 15 years old at the time.

• An American Werewolf in London was a breakthrough of sorts for the horror genre as the film’s crew was able to transform a man into a wolf in real time. The feat was impressive enough to nab an Oscar for Best Makeup.

• Jaws single-handedly convinced everyone to stay away from the ocean for quite awhile. Despite the giant, man-eating shark, the film won the Academy over, receiving Oscars for Best Sound, Best Film Editing and Best Original Score.

SATURDAY

October 28

2017

9AM TO 3PM

PERSONAL LOANS FOR

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October 2017 71 povhouma.com

SCENE IN |

LOOK AT OL’ SO ‘N’ SO!

ROYALTY AROMAS Royalty Aromas celebrates the opening of their store with a ribbon cutting, with Father Mitch Semar on hand to bless the building.

DONNER-PELTIER DISTILLERS Attendees listen to Dr. Craig McClain of LUMCON discuss “How the Astonishing Biodiversity and Mere Existence of Life in the Deep Sea Challenges Everything We Know” at the Science Distilled event.

IT ONLINE?

SCHWAB The

Law Firm

www.theschwablawfirm.com

6168 WEST PARK AVE., HOUMA – ACROSS FROM THE DODGE DEALERSHIP

7847 W. MAIN ST. | HOUMA 985.868.1342

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Danna E. Schwab Patricia Reeves Floyd Camille Saltz Babin

ELEARNING THIBODAUX Students and faculty of Elearning host Colonel football players and cheerleaders for a Red Out Friday.

NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY Nicholls fans pose for a picture before the Colonelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Family Day game vs. Prarie View A&M.

DOWNTOWN FALL FEST The Josh Garrett Band rocks the stage at the first annual Downtown Fall Festival in Houma.

October 2017 73 povhouma.com

SCENE IN |

LOOK AT OL’ SO ‘N’ SO!

TERREBONNE PARISH LIBRARY SYSTEM Locals gather and celebrate comic culture at the Main Library for Terrebonne Comic Con.

October is Medicare Part D Senior Enrollment Month

Confused?

We can help choose a plan that’s right for you.

SOUTHLAND DRUGS

1117 Audubon Ave. • Thibodaux • 985-447-5852

FreshORSilk every

WREATHS & ARRANGEMENTS

“Something for

occasion”

House of Flowers

CALL OR ORDER ONLINE

876-2450

1419 Lafayette Street, Houma • www.houseof f lowersla.com

October 2017 74 povhouma.com

LOOK TWICE |

WIN A $50

COURTESY OF SYNERGY BANK

GIFT CARD

Find the six differences in this photo from our feature on page 44. Drop off your answers along with your name and daytime contact number at the PoV office, 6160 W. Park Ave., Houma. Stuck at the office? Fax it, 985.873.9009, or email it to us, jonah@rushing-media.com. A winner will be picked by random drawing October 14. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank.

Congratulations to Monica Buquet for winning last month’s contest.

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 1 Enlarged perosciutto wrapped cheese 2 Lengthened breadstick 3 Removed black olive 4 Extra salami 5 Extra mushroom 6 Cherry tomato color changed to black

GOING THE EXTRA MILE Our Synergy Team is community driven. Whether it’s a new home or starting a business, Russell Touchet works hard to make sure his customers have everything they need to succeed. In his spare time, Russell runs races for charity. Now that’s going the extra mile.

RUSSELL TOUCHET COMMERCIAL LENDER NMLS#202209

October 2017 75 povhouma.com

October 2017 76 povhouma.com