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houmatimes.com/subscribe • 985.868.7515 May 2018 3 povhouma.com
CONTENTS |
MAY 2018 • VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 5
CONT HOME + LIVING
Page 18
FOOD + FUN
Page 38
MIND + BODY
Page 52
16 POV PICK
34 POV PICK
50 POV PICK
18 CHATEAU CHIC
36 MR. M’S SUMMER LIST
52 HUNTING IN THE DEEP BLUE
24 THE OBSERVER
38 POV’S ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST
Outdoor ceiling fan Modern Rustic Retreat Opening Your Heart to Love
Frozen yogurt cups Myers McAllister provides students with their own bucket list. Fight boredom with our amazing summer bucket list.
26 WAR AND “PIECES” OF HISTORY
30
The Regional Military Museum opens new expansion.
THE FAMILY OF LAW Waitz & Downer celebrates the past and looks forward to the future.
40 OH SNAP Abbey Road
42 FUN ON THE BAYOU 46
Planter boxes Jean Marmande spearfishes in the Gulf of Mexico.
56 LIFE RESTORED
Gulf Coast Orthopedics focuses on Restorative Orthopedics.
58 TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
...just dont step on the chalk line!
The Bayou Country Children’s Museum gears up for summer.
60 ONE OF A KIND
BON APPETIT
61 YOUR DAILY APPLE
Avocados as a Superfood
P.A.T.H. Academy helps students. Check Yourself: Melanoma Awareness Month
62 FOR YOUR HEALTH
Women’s Services at Ochsner St. Anne
63 WE SUPPORT A
HEALTHIER FUTURE Better Sleep Can Be Yours
May 2018 4 povhouma.com
ENTS EXTRAS
ON THE COVER
WORD, YA HEARD
PENULTIMATE 1. next to the last
WORD ON THE STREET “The penultimate question determined who advanced to the finals of the trivia competition.” “The pitcher threw a fastball, resulting in the penultimate out, before striking out the final batter.”
Page 38
08 EDITOR’S NOTE
Page 38
12 INTERVUE
Beth White and her children Cecelia (1) and Elliot (3) prepare for a bike ride around the neighborhood. Read more on page 38.
64 UNDER THE SCOPE
Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy
Oh Hey, Vacay! Say What?
Bridge-crossing, for Graduates
66
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RENDEZVOUS Where you need to be around town
tinyurl.com/povnewsletter
68 SCENE IN
Look at ol’ so ‘n’ so!
70 THE ART OF SMART
It’s not an article it’s a smarticle.
71 LOOK TWICE
Sponsored by Synergy Bank
May 2018 5 povhouma.com
What’s your favorite snowball flavor?
Cherry PUBLISHER
Brian Rushing EDITORIAL
Bonnie Rushing EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mary Downer Ditch MANAGING EDITOR ADVERTISING
Terry Trahan Jr. SALES MANAGER Harold Cancienne Strawberry with Peggy Dominique condensed milk Jamie Mazerac Linda Pontiff OFFICE/CIRCULATION MANAGER
Michelle Ortego
CREATIVE
Hailey Boudreaux CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paul Guidry GRAPHIC DESIGNER PHOTOGRAPHY
Channing Candies Misty Leigh McElroy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jaime Dishman John Doucet Casey Gisclair Darian Graivshark Drew Miller Bonnie Rushing
Cantaloupe
Wedding cake
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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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Welcoming someone new to the family?
Choose Ochsner St. Anne. 9JGP [QW FGNKXGT [QWT DCD[ CV 1EJUPGT 5V #PPG [QW ECP ƂPF EQOHQTV KP MPQYKPI [QW CTG KP VJG JCPFU QH QPG QH VJG PCVKQPoU VQR TCPMGF JGCNVJ U[UVGOU 1EJUPGT 5V #PPG KU QPG QH VYQ JQURKVCNU KP VJG TGIKQP EGTVKƂGF CU Baby-Friendly YJKEJ OGCPU YG QHHGT CP QRVKOCN NGXGN QH ECTG HQT OQVJGTU CPF VJGKT DCDKGU • 5RCEKQWU TQQOU s HTGG VQWTU CXCKNCDNG • (TGG ENCUUGU KPENWFKPI DKTVJKPI DG[QPF ITCPFRCTGPVKPI %24 KPHCPV UCHGV[ DTGCUVHGGFKPI CPF UKDNKPI • 1PNKPG CRRQKPVOGPV UEJGFWNKPI CV ochsner.org • FQEVQT OGUUCIKPI VJTQWIJ MyOchsner
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For more information or to schedule a tour, call 985.537.8291. Ochsner Women’s Health Center – Raceland #ECFKC 2CTM &T | 4CEGNCPF | Ochsner St. Anne Hospital | *Y[ | 4CEGNCPF
EDITOR’S NOTE |
MARY DOWNER DITCH • MANAGING EDITOR OF POV
OH HEY, VACAY! Get ready for the Summer Fun Issue! The kids will soon be out of school and the heat of the long summer days will be upon us. While I don’t exactly miss being in school, I do miss the excitement of summer vacation. Summer for our family used to mean spending time at the beach and in Baton Rouge watching laws being made at the state capitol. For me, it also meant lots of free time to read loads of books that I didn’t have to take a test on.
of iPads and video games. One local educator aims to combat that through the creation of a school wide bucket list with suggestions of activities that get kids out of the house. Myers McAllister hopes his students can find time to enjoy their summer with their family and maybe even reconnect with nature through “Mr. M’s Top Ten Summer Activities.” Learn which activity is Mr. M’s favorite on page 36.
I love to read. It’s no wonder that I now write for a living. I’ve been “studying” the works of other writers for decades. I rather read the book than see the movie. Each summer, I would typically read every book option on my grade’s list, plus one or two on my brother’s grade list. I also enjoyed picking up classics that my teachers or librarian would recommend. I wasn’t the one reading magazines on the beach… No, I was the nerdy one reading Dante’s “Inferno” while lounging in my chair in the shade in Destin. A little light summer reading, right?
Once school is out, it can be hard to stave off the cries of boredom. Our editorial staff took a page from Mr. M’s book and created our very own Ultimate Summer Bucket List that we think every family can pull from. We hope you have fun completing some of the activities featured on pages 38-39. Send us a picture or tag us in your adventures! #povsummerfun
Even now, reading is a favorite activity, although my days are no longer filled with books of my own choosing. Our son Jackson loves for us to read aloud to him. His shelves are filled with beautiful books, ready to take him and his imagination on an incredible journey. Books truly can take you anywhere. Our Summer Fun Issue focuses on some amazing local ideas for you and your family this summer. We start off in Houma at the Regional Military Museum, and explore the newest wing and exhibits. This gem sits proudly on Barrow Street and is filled with not only military history, but also the history of our region’s military involvement and its heroes. Step back in history with us on page 26. For some children, time away from school can mean increased screen time in front of our favorite time suckers
Thibodaux is home to our area’s Bayou Country Children’s Museum. The BCCM recently welcomed to the family its new director, Chris Gergeni. With Chris at the helm, the museum welcomes new exhibits both inside and outside that will thrill children this summer. Explore what’s new at the BCCM on page 42. Aquatic hunter Jean Marmande is answering the summer call of the warm Gulf waters. Jean and his friends enjoy the unique and dangerous sport of spearfishing. Dive into the deep blue with us beginning on page 52. The boys of summer are back and in a big way. Baseball is America’s pastime and summer always means a box of crackerjacks at the ballpark. We take a look at some of the superstitions of the Nicholls State baseball team on page 58. Have fun this summer and remember to take a moment and get outside! POV
May 2018 8 povhouma.com
SATURDAY, MAY 12 DOWNTOWN HOUMA
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A LIFETIME OF BETTER VISION C ATA R A C T S
WHAT ARE CATARACTS?
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye. The normally clear lens lets light enter the eye. A cataract is a clouding of the lens which SCATTERS LIGHT as it enters the eye. Cataracts are common with age and can occur in one or both eyes. The clouding of the lens usually happens slowly over time, but can happen quickly. Generally people begin needing cataract surgery in their 50’s and 60’s.
WHEN IS SURGERY NEEDED?
Since cataracts develop slowly, you may not need surgery right away. Dr. D tends to be VERY CONSERVATIVE when making recommendations for cataract surgery. We only consider cataract surgery if we are certain that it will help, otherwise we will avoid surgery and use other means to improve your vision, such as glasses with special coatings to minimize glare.
A.J. “DR. D” Delahoussaye MD, FACS
CATARACT SURGERY The procedure is a VERY ADVANCED outpatient procedure. The clouded lens is removed and is replaced by an artificial lens. There are no stiches, needles or patches needed. We will remove the cataract, one eye at a time, using a wonderful instrument called PHACO
(pronounced FAY-COE). The eye will heal rapidly in most cases so you can get back to your normal routine right away. There are no limitations to activity after cataract surgery. You can go dancing, bowling, work in the yard, and shower the next day.
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INTERVUE |
SAY WHAT?
Tell us about your favorite summer vacation memory.
KIMBERLY | CUSTOMER SERVICE
HEIDI | RN/STYLIST My favorite summer vacation memory is going to Watersound Beach with my family! The atmosphere is beautiful and it’s so relaxing. We definitely want to go back!
One of the best vacation memories I have is going to Disney with my fiancé this Easter and eating all the yummy food that they had at the Flower and Garden Festival.
LIZ | HAIRSTYLIST My favorite summer vacation memory was a driving trip from New Orleans to Anchorage, Alaska. It took us eighteen days to get there. We slept on top of the Grand Canyon and woke up to a sunrise to die for. We then drove to Sacramento, California, and through Washington where we saw pine trees that seemed to never end. As we made our way into Canada, the weather was freezing. I remember the beautiful ice glaciers that were like a teal blue. Moose and elk have the right of way on the highway and fishing was out of this world. We stayed three weeks in Anchorage. The fact that it was summer and never got dark was very hard to adjust to.
MICHAEL | LOGISTICS
We used to go on vacation every summer in Destin. That was always an awesome time.
LAURA | MANAGER My favorite summer vacation memory would have to be the summer that I went cruising in Europe. We went in July (I actually turned 18 on this trip, so that made it extra fun!), but it was pretty chilly in Europe at the time. We passed a few parks and every inch of grass was covered with beach towels and locals sun bathing! Here I was, freezing, and the Europeans are all in bikinis catching a tan! We had an eight and a half hour flight from New Jersey to Copenhagen, Denmark where we boarded the ship and cruised to multiple European countries. We docked in Sweden, Estonia, Germany, Russia & Finland. Each country had its own wonderful qualities, but Sweden was my favorite! It was such a good, eye-opening experience to learn about other cultures and that not everyone has summers like Louisiana! May 2018 12 povhouma.com
IT’S A PLACE WHERE YOU’LL FEEL CONNECTED. Where music fills the air. Where neighbors become friends. Where a short walk can turn into a night on the town. Right in the heart of Thibodaux. From our pavilion for live music to our fishing lake, jogging trails, parks and playgrounds - there’s a little something for everyone. You deserve a life well lived.
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LIFE RESTORED
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HOME + LIVING
POV PICK | 16 Outdoor ceiling fan
CHATEAU CHIC | 18 Modern Rustic Retreat
THE OBSERVER | 24 Just Give Yourself
WAR AND “PIECES” OF HISTORY | 26 The Regional Military Museum opens new expansion
THE FAMILY OF LAW | 30
Waitz & Downer celebrates the past and looks forward to the future.
May 2018 14 povhouma.com
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HOME + LIVING |
CHATEAU CHIC
MODERN RUSTIC RETREAT BY BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
1
After a yearlong renovation, the dust has finally settled and Dr. Stephen A. Morgan Jr. and Amanda Morgan are enjoying the serenity of their updated modern, yet rustic space. Enhancing the character of the home with the addition of wood beams, floors and doors while finding a balance with muted colors and curated dĂŠcor, creates the perfect combination of casual elegance the homeowners desired. Once the decision was made to update their home located in a quiet area of Barrios, Stephen and Amanda decided to begin with a remodeling of the backyard, adding a pool for their whole family to enjoy. The following year, they met
with Weimer Contractors and Weimer Designs and immediately knew they had found the right fit. Working hand in hand with the construction manager Tina Weimer through the entire process, the Morgans and Tina became dear friends. The home’s floorplan was completely reconfigured. Tina transformed the five bedroom, four full bath and two half-bath home into a four bedroom, three full bath and two half-bath home. The final layout includes a new side entrance, as well as a media room that was created by enclosing the garage. Moving additional walls allowed for a new mud and laundry room in one
May 2018 18 povhouma.com
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“Tina’s entire team became a part of our family, and even though we had to move out of our home for a year, it was worth it. Tina created exactly what we had envisioned for our home.” May 2018 21 povhouma.com
- Amanda Morgan
4
5
6
area and an enlarged master bedroom and bath in another area.
artwork and pieces that were hand selected, creating a layered look with color and textures.
To put the finishing touches on home’s interior, Amanda enlisted the expertise of Meagan Stansbury, interior designer, party planner and owner of Grace Design Co. Meagan filled the Morgans’ home with meaningful
The home’s exterior also received an updated and polished look with tidy landscaping by Jeff Authement, owner of Infiniscapes Grounds Maintenence Group, as well as seasonal flowers that provide the perfect pop of color. POV
May 2018 22 povhouma.com
No. 1 Dining Room No. 2 Entry Detail No. 3 Kitchen & Living Area No. 4 Backyard & Pool No. 5 Piano Room No. 6 Media Room
THE OBSERVER |
BY JAIME DISHMAN
OPENING YOUR HEART
TO LOVE May celebrates mothers: There’s a beauty to this day in the month of May where we stop and celebrate the mothers who gave us life, gave us their days, gave us their best so we could become our best. I own a collection of scribbled cards from the kids who call me mom. They’re tucked into a drawer, saved year after year. Hazy memories of Mother’s Day of my childhood recall the same excitement of trying to surprise my mom with handwritten cards, a fresh flower corsage to wear to church, and maybe even a homemade breakfast. I’m thankful for a mom who taught me motherhood well. May celebrates mothers: A beautiful boy lives in our home. He was carried into our home last May, a small 6-day-old in need of a “foster” mother who would foster within him all the things a mother should. This month marks one year. We have fostered him the only way we know how - a little wild and entirely loved. Fostering means “encouraging or promoting the development of something typically regarded as good.” We have fostered within our boy, who is not our boy, the best parts of us. We have held, loved, cooed, giggled, stayed up through inconsolable newborn nights. It’s a crazy kind of love that looks into the eyes of a little one who isn’t yours, but with a heart that aches for him as though he belongs to this family of ours. Could someone please tell my heart what my head knows? This “ours but not ours” is the hardest kind of love, and fostering good things is not hard, but the unknown places of this kind of love feel fraught with fears. There are thousands of mothers all over this country who on this mother’s day wear the title of “foster.” These mothers who welcome into their home the children whose lives were wrecked by abuse or neglect. We are a collective group of mothers who are taking broken pieces of beautiful lives and piece by piece putting together what will one day be beauty where once it was only broken. May celebrates mothers: Can I tiptoe into an area of motherhood no one talks about? There are mothers who dreamed of motherhood, but had it yanked away because of their own choices, their own neglect, and their own abuse. These mothers ache, too.
8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday - Friday
I’m writing today in the early morning hours. By midmorning, I’ll
6679 Main St. Houma, LA 70360 985.872.6866
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be in our parish jail facility, where a few friends and I gather with female inmates for a voluntary Bible study. These women ache with the loss of their children. I’ve asked myself one question on the long drive down the winding bayou road to the parish jail: “Can I love these women who have not shown love to others?” The sobering days and months in jail often leave these women looking hard at their own lives, particularly their motherhood. Many cry over children lost, through their own choices, but loss brings ache whether it’s selfinflicted or imposed by others. So we pray, we love, we cry with them. They’re so much like us, in so many ways. I’m too aware of the wrong to promise anything, but I can pray for their children, all of whom are being raised by someone other than their mother. The collateral damage of drugs and violence is sending piercing shards into the hearts of the children exposed to harder lives than most can imagine.
THE SCALE Will Surprise
YOU
If May is for mothers, may it be with a mother’s heart that we wrap our arms and lives around our own families and the hearts and lives of others who are so different than us, but yet so much the same. Love is always a mother’s best gift to give. So we open wide our mothering hearts to a world so in need of more love. May this Mother’s Day change all our hearts into something bigger than ourselves. POV
Braces for children, teens, & adults Nicole Thieler, DDS, MSD 985.876.4484 www.surgicalweightmanagementassociates.com
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206 Mystic Blvd. • Houma, LA 70360
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BY DREW MILLER | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
In a large glass front warehouse in downtown Houma, our area’s military history is alive and thriving. From working vehicles to priceless memorabilia, the Regional Military Museum and its veteran volunteers offer knowledgeable stories on the exhibits. The museum’s activities and interactive displays are a great outing for local families looking for ways to spend quality time this summer.
Houma’s Regional Military Museum, located at 1154 Barrow Street, goes back to 2004. C.J. Christ, president of the Regional Military Museum Foundation, talks about the humble beginnings of the museum. “We had an idea to start a museum but we didn’t have any money. We didn’t have a building,” C.J. says, “We didn’t have anything but an idea.” May 2018 26 povhouma.com
After the foundation started shopping for places to hold the museum, their friend, Bobby Thompson, reached out to them. He told them he had some military memorabilia such as trucks, jeeps, tanks and artillery pieces stored all around Terrebonne Parish. Excited by the idea of a place to display his collection, Bobby bought the building on Barrow Street and donated it to them. C.J. describes the
opening process as “gradual” as it took them a year to clean out and overhaul the building. The hard work paid off for C.J. and other members of the board as the museum has been positively received by the people of Houma and the surrounding areas. The museum also carries excellent review ratings on Google, Facebook, and Yelp. “What [word] goes beyond fantastic?” says C.J. on the response from the community. It’s no surprise this museum is a local favorite with its impressive assortment of historic military memorabilia. Historic guns, uniforms, pictures and documents, the majority from local veteran donors, are on display at the museum. But it’s the impressive collection of vehicles and aircraft that draws the most attention. The museum has an F-4 Phantom jet that can go close to 1,500 mph. They have track vehicles, which attendees can get a ride in around their campus. Another specialty vehicle they have in their possession is a fully-working Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP). LCVP are landing crafts that were used heavily during World War II, but also used during the Korean and Vietnam wars. The museum keeps their LCVP in the Intracoastal Waterway and give rides on it by appointment. They recently got back from a festival in Lockport, where C.J. says they must have took nearly a hundred people for rides in it up and down Bayou Lafourche. May 2018 27 povhouma.com
(985) 223-6370
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Mother’s Day is May 13
Other vehicles they have include nine jeeps and a fully-running German motorcycle with a side car. Almost 100 percent of the vehicles the museum has, run. Another big attraction at the museum is President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Air Force One, U.S. Air Force U-4b. President Eisenhower was one of the first presidents to have an Air Force One. Museum-goers can observe this smaller aircraft up close and look at the detail in its presidential seal.
We’ve got your special day wrapped up. 1539 MLK Blvd., Houma, LA 985.851.3692 • Fax 985.851.3694
The government also recognized the importance of the museum. In 2016, Terrebonne Veterans’ Memorial District approved funds to expand the museum. The expansion has not only improved the first floor, but also added a second and third floor that will be finished within the year. The new first floor expansion is currently open for visitors. The Foundation made sure the museum is affordable for families. Adults can visit the museum for $5 and seniors for $3. College and high school students get in for $2 and elementary students get in for $1. All active military are welcomed to the museum, and attend for free. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. POV May 2018 28 povhouma.com
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WRITTEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WAITZ AND DOWNER
THE FAMILY OF LAW what could go wrong.”
A lot of people who have reached Hunt Downer’s station in life would have long ago retired. But that’s not in the plans for the Houma attorney, whose resume also includes the titles general -- as in Louisiana Army National Guard -- and speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Hunt is very proud of how members of the firm covered his absences during his Gulf War activation and various other military deployments. He is proud as well of the services the firm quietly provided -- often on a pro-bono basis -- for military personnel as well as dependents and veterans.
“Every day you learn something new and every day for the last 46 years I have been learning something new,” is how this dean of the local bar, now partner emeritus at the firm of Waitz & Downer, views the plusses of remaining in practice. Hunt is proud that the firm bearing his name holds close to traditions created at its inception when founded by the late Joseph L. Waitz. The two met when Hunt was a law student working at Saadi’s menswear in downtown Houma. The attorney, knowing Hunt was in law school, proposed that he do research for him. “It was in 1971 and 1972 when I was a senior at Loyola,” Hunt recalled. “I am still so thankful to have been with Mr. Waitz all these years, to have been trained and mentored by him.” Today, Mr. Waitz’s mark remains on the firm in a big way. Attorneys at the firm include his children Joe Waitz Jr.,who is the Terrebonne Parish District Attorney and of counsel; Mary Waitz Riviere; Doug Waitz in Lafayette; and John Waitz in Baton Rouge. The next generation includes Joe Jr.’s son, Joseph Waitz III and David Pellegrin Jr. Hunt points to all of his life experiences as helpful to his practice of law, calling each and every of them, working as a roughneck and roustabout to driving a school bus among them, as benefitting his ability to help clients. “At the end of the day, more times than not, I was the only person in the courtroom with a maritime background,” Hunt said. “I would learn the language, the technical terminology, and gained knowledge of how it could be applied to law. If you told me you were on a rig and what you were doing, I understood
While his own current status as a senior firm member draws from a long time in practice and experience, Hunt says the younger firm members bring equally valuable components to the firm, which means clients get the best of several worlds in their representation. New technology and ways of grasping it are essential to 21st Century representation. The firm’s chief focus has been on personal injury, and an example of how technology has changed the way personal injury law is practiced relates to medical technology. Waitz & Downer attorneys understand the importance of determining the long-term effects of head injuries and can bring that information to light thanks to new medical technology used by doctors. Concussions may be temporary but the damage can be permanent. New imaging techniques are among the tools used by doctors to find the extent of an injury, and the firm can use that information to protect a client’s rights against employers or other parties with financial responsibility. The care with which clients are handled reflects the family-like atmosphere at the firm overall. “Our philosophy is when you are our client you are part of our extended family,” Hunt said. “Mr. Waitz instilled that into us and into me. You are not a number; you are not a dollar sign; you are a person who has an issue that we wish to help with and we are going to treat you as we would any member of our family.”
May 2018 30 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS
May 4th has become widely known as Star Wars Day, stemming from the popular line from the series, “May the Force be with you.” The original trilogy has grown to include a current eight films and several spin-offs. Enjoy a few more interesting facts about one of our favorite series: • Sound designer Ben Burtt got his start on Star Wars. He had to come up with new sounds for the now iconic characters. Chewbacca’s voice is a blend of bear, lion, walrus and badger. Darth Vader’s breathing was created by placing a microphone inside the regulator on a scuba tank. • In the opening of The Empire Strikes Back, we find ourselves on the planet Hoth. These scenes were filmed on a glacier in Norway. The worst ice storm in 50 years hit during production, causing whiteouts in minus 20 degree weather. • Revenge of the Sith was the first Star Wars movie that wasn’t rated PG. The third prequel was rated PG-13. As more movies have been released, this trend has continued. • It took eight puppeteers to bring Jabba the Hut to life: Three inside the body; one for right arm and jaw; one for the left hand, tongue and head; one for the tail; one on a controller for the eyes; and a final person under the stage to blow the cigar smoke and work the bellow for the lungs.
GRAND FUN OPENING SUMMER with celebration at
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Bayou Country Children’s Museum Musuem
SATURDAY, MAY 5 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 211 Rue Betancourt, Thibodaux, LA
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FOOD + FUN
POV PICK | 34 Frozen yogurt cups
MR. M’S SUMMER LIST | 36
Myers McAllister provides students with their own bucket list.
POV’S ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST | 38
Fight boredom with our amazing summer bucket list!
OH SNAP | 40 Abbey Road
FUN ON THE BAYOU | 42
The Bayou Country Children’s Museum gears up for summer.
BON APPETIT | 46 Avocados as a Superfood
May 2018 32 povhouma.com
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M U S M S ’ M . R M BY MARY DOWNER DITCH | PHOTO BY CHANNING CANDIES
Think back with me for a moment to when you were a child. What things did you look forward to doing each summer? I’d be willing to bet not many of them involved being inside in front of a TV or computer screen! It was a love of being active and outside during his summers as a child that guided Myers McAllister to create his school’s summer bucket list. Myers is the Head of School at St. Matthew’s Episcopal School in Houma. For three years, he has sent students off to summer vacation with a list that aims to keep the children active and perhaps enjoy a few of the same activities he did as a child. While the idea for the list came from a colleague that served as head of school in New Orleans, Myers’ list is entirely his own. “My summer list is a list of ten things that I enjoyed doing as a child or that I still enjoy doing as an adult,” explains Myers. “They are simple things that I think kids should experience at some point in their lives. This is a way to get kids active and trying some new things. It’s also a way to get them out of the house in the summer and away from screens.” Myers’ personal summer activity list always included spending time outside. “Where I grew up, it was all about being outside in the summer. It stayed light until 9 o’clock at night, so right before dark we would catch frogs. I just love those simpler times.” The summer bucket list contains ten activities that are geared toward all age groups, considering the school’s educational program begins with three year olds all the way through 7th grade. Myers feels ten activities are just enough to complete over the summer with your parents or grandparents. The list has experienced a few tweaks in its three years, with the biggest edit revolving around a certain insect that doesn’t exactly call south Louisiana home. “On my first list I included catching fireflies,” laughs Myers. “I didn’t realize you never see fireflies here. I grew up in Georgia where they are everywhere. That was probably my favorite
MER LIST
Weddings
& Receptions
thing to do. So that evolved. It is now a list bonus for if you happen to travel.” Students that complete the entire list and have a parent sign off on each activity, enjoy a treat from local downtown favorite Scarlet Scoop. Myers personally walks across the street with the students during a special outing in the beginning of the new school year. As an educator, part of what Myers loves about the summer list is that these kinds of activities like playing outside offer so many outlets for creativity and imagination. “When we were kids we used to use a stick–it’s nothing but a stick–but it could be anything we imagined, a sword or a wand, anything,” says Myers. “We would make forts as a kid with pine straw walls. Those are some of the best imagination builders, and I think these activities too will encourage children to create.” Mr. M’s Top Ten Summer Activities includes a few parent favorites: Bake a pie with one of your parents, then either share it with your family or give it to a friend or neighbor; write a letter to someone and mail it to them – the old fashioned way; and go on a bike ride with your parents or another trusted adult. One of the student favorites is: Catch some tadpoles and watch the life cycle of a frog. Myers laughs as he recalls some of the messages he gets from parents regarding that particular item on the list. “I do hear from a lot of the parents,” Myers says. “I get texts and letters from parents and grandparents about doing the activities with the children. I get lots of feedback, some not so nice, especially with the tadpoles. I get texts saying ‘I can’t believe I’m out in a ditch catching tadpoles!’” Myers’ own personal favorite on the list is: Read a book that is not required. Try a classic. Every summer, Myers completes this activity himself. He enjoys reading or rereading the classics, and often reads the same books that are required of his students. Myers believes the toughest item on the list is learn to do one of the following: a yo-yo trick, juggle, or a magic trick. “That’s the one I keep coming back to each year,” smiles Myers. “It’s a tough one. The children pick it up quickly, and I know I’ll master it eventually!” POV
May 2018 37 povhouma.com
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ULTIMATE
Summer Bucket List Summer time is finally here! While children look forward to summer and having no school, it’s usually only a matter of time before someone mutters a parent’s most dreaded phrase… I’m bored. This year, take a moment to plan out your summer and create a bucket list. Talk with your family and see what kinds of activities your children most want to do. Are you planning on taking a family vacation? Maybe a weekend visit to the grandparents’ house? Place items on your bucket list that your kids can look forward to completing while not at home. Use a large piece of poster board to write out your family’s summer bucket list and check off activities as they are completed. Feel free to tear this list out and make it your own as well. Here’s to learning some new things, remembering some simple favorites, and keeping boredom at bay. Make S’mores
Roll down a hill
Make a blanket fort
Eat a watermelon
Read a book by flashlight under the covers in your bed
Learn to sew a button
Enjoy breakfast for dinner
Visit a museum
Go on a picnic
Go swimming
Go stargazing
Catch and release bugs
Go on a scavenger hunt Bake cookies and share them Wash the car Go bird watching Make homemade pizza Go camping Create a pet rock
Make paper airplanes
Make homemade ice cream Attend an art class Help cook dinner Visit a splash park Watch fireworks Visit relatives or friends in another town
May 2018 38 povhouma.com
Play in the rain
Go on a bike ride
Make popsicles
Nap outside
Stay in pajamas all day
Visit mom or dad at work
Watch a movie outdoors
Make fresh lemonade
Eat a snowball
Bury a time capsule
Go on a nature walk
Make and sail paper boats
Watch a sunrise and a sunset
Carve a soap sculpture
Fly a kite
Play hide and seek
Make root beer floats
Finger paint
Visit the library
Visit a farmer’s market
Create a clover or other flower chain
Make tie-dye t-shirts
Learn to throw a frisbee
Complete a random act of kindness
Climb a tree
Play bingo
Write a book
Make homemade playdoh
See who can blow the biggest bubble
Go bowling
Toss water balloons
Go look for rolly pollies
Run through the sprinklers
Have a no electronics day
Plant a window box of herbs
Grow butterflies
Decorate your driveway and sidewalk with chalk art
Go geocaching
Visit every playground in town
Watch your parent’s favorite childhood movie
Host a talent show for the neighborhood
Put on a puppet show
May 2018 39 povhouma.com
OH SNAP |
PHOTO BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY • MISTYMACPHOTO.COM
May 2018 40 povhouma.com
ABBEY ROAD
May 2018 41 povhouma.com
“Here Comes the Sun” as Nicholls graduates walk across the field during Commencement at John L. Guidry Stadium, away from the classrooms and into their bright futures.
May 2018 42 povhouma.com
R E F R I G E R AT I O N I N C .
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Chris Gergeni, a not-for-profit lover, has been doing association management for a little over 20 years and has worked with four different not-for-profit groups. Chris was searching for a new position nationally at the end of his contract, and came across the Bayou Country Children’s Museum (BCCM) in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Lucky enough, he stepped into the Executive Director position at BCCM in November of 2017. Chris says, “I love working with kids and have a lot of experience working in not-for-profit management, and the position seemed like a great fit for me with an exceptional organization.” Chris is originally from Illinois, but most recently lived in Indiana. In Indiana, Chris ran the National Muzzleloading Riffle Association as Managing Director. Since moving to Thibodaux, he already feels like it’s home since he was raised Southern. Beyond the new French words he’s been introduced to while living in Thibodaux, Chris says, “The people here are like my friends and family from back home. They love the outdoors, cook and eat very well, and have a heritage that fits well with what I was raised in.”
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With Chris’ arrival at the BCCM, plenty of new things have been springing up within the organization! For the outdoors, there’s a new First Responders playground outside the museum with two vehicles. Chris explains, “Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department donated the fire truck, and we’ve had it set up for kids to play (and learn) safely on it. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Department donated the Sheriff’s car, which they fully refurbished.” Inside the museum, they have Safetyville, which has a uniformed deputy there five days a week. “It’s a wonderful partnership that
308 Hickory St. Thibodaux May 2018 43 povhouma.com
985-447-2647
we have with the fire department, as well as the sheriff’s department, and others within the community,” Chris explains. Safetyville has a number of programs in it, including: weather safety (tornados and lightening, for example), fire safety, gun safety, and dog bite safety. Fire safety is particularly interesting. Chris says, “There’s a fog machine in the room that’s set up as a child’s bedroom. The children are taught how to
stay low, feel the doors with the back of their hands for heat, and even exiting a window.” To add onto that, they even teach the kids how to properly use a fire extinguisher! There are a number of new exhibits, too, that Chris is excited to be welcoming to the BCCM soon. One of those is a sponsorship from South Louisiana Bank, which will be creating a drive up bank exhibit inside the museum teaching children the impor-
May 2018 44 povhouma.com
tance of banking, as well as fiscal responsibilities. They’ll be having a grand opening for this exhibit on May 5! The next exhibit, thanks to the sponsorship of Synergy Bank, will be creating an interactive ATM inside of the museum.
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Coming this summer, there will be a robotics program for kids to learn how to build robots, program them to do different things, and get into engineering, design, and programming! Chris pursued the grant for this program, where they’ll be using Legos to build the robots. Another important partnership they have within the community is with the Nicholls Education Department. Before education majors at Nicholls start their student teaching journey, they are able to take part in the BCCM’s Toddler Story Time. With this, the Nicholls students are able to do reading, crafts, create plans, and work with a variety of ages to get exposure to teaching.
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Outside of the museum, Chris is pleased to announce the new painting of the BCCM sign and murals that have become a part of the museum since he joined the organization. Murals by Hans Geist are on the West end of the building. “It’s phenomenal and beautiful artwork. Hans integrated CoCo the Alligator, the BCCM’s mascot, into two of the three pieces of the mural. There may be a fourth one coming,” Chris says. BCCM works heavily with the community and staying involved with it. It’s something Chris is very passionate about. He is extremely thankful for every person and organization he has had the opportunity to work with since joining the BCCM, and is excited to keep these relationships prospering. “I have a really great staff to work with and I’m incredibly thankful to have them,” Chris says. “We’re always working on new projects to bring to our Bayou Country and are excited to keep the community involved!” POV
Mike Bednarz, Agent 907 Jackson Street Thibodaux, LA 70301 Bus: 985-447-6221 mikebednarz.com
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BON APPETIT |
BY MICHELLE BRICENO, MS, RD, LDN AND TAYLOR MELANCON, DIETETIC INTERN
AVOCADOS AS A
SUPERFOOD Did you know that avocados are a fruit? Avocados are a versatile superfood that provide your body with not only healthy fats, but fiber, vitamins and minerals too. Avocados have heart-healthy benefits and can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. They can also help manage your blood sugar and help with weight management. Avocados are also rich in nutrients that help keep you feeling full longer, which can lead to less snacking between meals. A serving of avocado is about 1/3 of a medium avocado - this contains 80 calories, 8 grams of heart healthy fats, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, no sugar and 1 gram of protein – as well as about 20 different vitamins and minerals.
How to store avocados: • Keep them at room temperature (uncut) to ripen. • To slow the ripening process, store them in the refrigerator. • Prevent browning by squeezing lemon or lime juice on the cut portion and tightly covering the avocado to be stored in the refrigerator for up to a day. Avocado Tips: • Try spreading on toast instead of butter. • Add slices to a salad or sandwich. • Make festive guacamole. • Use as a substitute for butter and oil in baked goods.
CREAMY AVOCADO SALAD DRESSING Ingredients • • • • • •
1 large avocado 1 clove garlic, peeled ½ tbsp. fresh lemon or lime juice 3 tbsp. olive or avocado oil ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
Directions Makes 8-2 tbsp servings
1. In a food processor, add the peeled garlic, avocado, lemon or lime
juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. 2. Process until smooth. Scrape down sides. Thin the salad dressing
out with a small amount of water until it reaches a desired consistency. 3. Store in an air tight container for up to a week; 3 to 4 days is best.
May 2018 46 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS The Kentucky Derby is run on the first Saturday in May. Known as much for its fashionable women’s headgear as it is for the horses that run it, the Run for the Roses will be held on May 5 this year. Here are a few more facts about the first race in the coveted Triple Crown:
• The mint julep is well known as the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs. Approximately 120,000 are served during the race weekend.
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• A garland of 554 red roses is draped over the winning horse.
• Secretariat won the Derby in 1973 in 1:59 minutes, setting the record for fastest time.
• On Derby Day, the infield holds around 80,000 viewers.
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POV PICK | 50 Planter boxes
HUNTING IN THE DEEP BLUE | 52 Jean Marmande spearfishes in the Gulf of Mexico.
LIFE RESTORED | 56
Gulf Coast Orthopedics focuses on Restorative Orthopedics.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME | 58 ...just dont step on the chalk line!
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Check Yourself: Melanoma Awareness Month
FOR YOUR HEALTH | 62 Women’s Services at Ochsner St. Anne
WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE | 63 Better Sleep Can Be Yours
May 2018 48 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS
Homeowners • The Indianapolis 500 is held annually on Memorial Day weekend. The 102nd Indy 500 is scheduled for May 27, 2018.
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• Cars make 200 laps on the 2.5mile track, equaling 500 miles.
• The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the world’s highest capacity sports venues with more than 250,000 permanent seats, plus infield accommodations, that raise the headcount to nearly 400,000.
PAUL CLEMENT • Known as the “Brickyard”, one yard of the historic, original street paving bricks is exposed at the start/finish line. Drivers kiss it after winning.
• Winners celebrate with a bottle of milk, which has been a tradition since 1936.
• The race doesn’t actually take place in Indianapolis, but in the tiny neighboring town of Speedway, Indiana.
• The Indy 500 trophy includes sculptures of the winners’ faces.
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May 2018 50 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS Known as “America’s pastime”, baseball has some of the deepest roots in American sports. Believed to have been invented around mid1700’s, here are a few facts about our favorite summer game.
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• The New York Yankees hold the most World Series titles.
• A big-league player can hit a 90mph pitch with more than 8,000 lbs. during the millisecond that the bat is in contact with the baseball. The ball leaves the bat at approximately 110 mph.
• The most stolen base is second.
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• The oldest baseball park still in use is Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
May 2018 51 povhouma.com
HUNTING in the
DEEP BLUE May 2018 52 povhouma.com
Protect your world Auto • Home • Life • Retirement
BY DREW MILLER | PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Jean started spearfishing in 1997, after he took diver certification courses his freshman year of college. He and a group of friends from high school began to get into the sport of spearfishing, which Jean continues today. He and his current scuba partners start their overnight trips with two hours of preparation before the boat takes off from his camp in Dulac. During the preparation, they load their 16-18 scuba tanks, food, and drinks as well as getting the boat ready. From there, it’s usually a two and half to three-hour boat ride until
their first dive. They dive 50-100 miles away from shore. “If you try to do everything that we one do on a dive trip in a day’s time, it’s just almost impossible,” says Jean, “When we return, we have about two to three hours of cleaning the fish and the boat. It’s not something where you can just get on the boat and take off. It’s a lot of prep-work before hand and after.” Not only is the preparation crucial for a successful spearfishing trip, but also the safety measures the divers take. Out of the four to six people traveling on Jean’s boat, two to three dive at a time. There can never be anyone diving by themselves and someone always has to be on the boat. They separate their dives by about an hour and monitor their ascension to the surface, so they don’t get decompression sickness—a serious disease that can lead to rash, joint pain, paralysis, or even death. Despite the tedious safety measures and preparations, the beauty of the deep gulf waters and the marine life it holds makes spearfishing worth it for Jean.
May 2018 53 povhouma.com
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This summer, people of South Louisiana will enjoy their favorite outdoor activities, such as barbecuing, camping, and of course, fishing. Many will enter their boats in the early mornings, with rod and reel in hand, and depart for our beautiful and bountiful waters. Dularge native Jean Marmande, will be enjoying this Louisiana pastime, but in a pretty unique way. He will be underwater in scuba gear, with a spear gun in his hand, swimming among the friends and foes of Gulf marine life.
“The diving that we have in here in the Gulf is really better than any other diving I’ve done, such as the Caribbean and so forth, just because of the amount of sea life we have,” Jean says. “People that haven’t done it or haven’t been offshore here, think of us as not having the prettiest water. Once you get far enough offshore, the water is as pretty here as anywhere else in the world.”
“For marine life, those oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are the reason we have the abundant fishery we have. They are absolutely creating life.” –Jean Marmande
Jean attributes the abundance and variety of sea life in the Gulf to oil platforms, which he and his crew dive close to. He explains how each platform sources an entire food chain. When an oil platform is placed, clean metal goes onto the seabed. Barnacles and coral grow on the metal legs, which little fish seek shelter in. The bigger fish come and feed on those smaller fish.
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“For a lot of people, when they think of the oil industry, they think of the damage that BP did,” Jean says. “For marine life, those oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are the reason we have the abundant fishery we have. They are absolutely creating life.”
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Some of the sea life the group has been able to witness up-close includes sea urchin, cobia, porpoises, pufferfish, octopuses, and spiny lobsters. Last year, Jean was able to shoot a 90.6-pound cubera snapper. They also have come across their fair share of sharks.
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“We see hammerheads and bull sharks,” Jean says, “We haven’t had one that tried to attack us, but we’ve had a couple of curious ones.” Although they swim near sharks, the real enemy of the Gulf of Mexico that the group comes across quite often, is the lionfish. Lionfish are venomous fish that aren’t native to the Gulf. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Indo-Pacific native lionfish most likely got to the Gulf by people dumping them from home aquariums to the Atlantic Ocean for about 25 years now. “Ten years ago, we had never seen one,” says Jean, “Now we see multiple ones on every dive we make.” Because the lionfish aren’t native to the Atlantic, they have very few predators and feast on the young of commercial fish such as snapper and grouper. These factors have made them a nuisance in Atlantic waters and there’s even tournaments along the Florida coast that encourage the eradication of lionfish.
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Jean’s spearfishing group does their part to try and keep the population at bay. “On a dive where two people go down strictly targeting lionfish, it isn’t uncommon for us to come up with 30, and they are delicious,” Jean says. For those interested in picking up spearfishing or just want to go on underwater adventures, Jean says it is one of the most beautiful things you will do. He goes on to say to have fun and reminds that safety is the first priority. POV
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Dr. Jeffrey Rau 5619 LA-311 Suite C Houma, LA 70360 Call 985-709-0467 to schedule an appointment today www.rauplastics.com
MIND + BODY |
WRITTEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GULF COAST ORTHOPEDICS
LIFE RESTORED
What if there was a different way to treat common orthopedic issues? What if your body was able to heal itself without traditional treatment methods? These questions have prompted the orthopedic team at Gulf Coast Orthopedics to embark on an entirely new strategy for common orthopedic problems. The mission of the GCO team is to restore the quality of life of their patients and one of the ways they are accomplishing that mission is with what they call: RESTORATIVE ORTHOPEDICS. Restorative can be described as having the ability to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well being. When the musculoskeletal system has been negatively affected due to a chronic inflammatory process, an overuse injury or degenerative changes, less invasive treatments can be performed to return the affected area to optimal functioning. Surgery is no longer a patient’s only option.
What is PRP? Some of the most talked about restorative in-office treatments are PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections and stem cell based injections. Both of these options offer benefits that essentially allow the body to heal itself. May 2018 56 povhouma.com
When asked why he feels strongly about regenerative orthopedics, Dr. Geoffrey Stone, shoulder and elbow orthopedic surgeon at GCO says, “This technology is discussed at every conference I attend. The results so far are impressive and I want this treatment option to be available to my patients.”
Is it for me? Dr. Stone is consistently using PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections on shoulder and elbow pathology with excellent results. PRP injection areas can include: shoulder injuries; wrist and hand; elbow; back and hip injuries; knee; and ankle and foot. Injuries to these areas that can receive successful PRP treatments include ligament sprains, chronic tendon injuries, and joint and muscle pain. PRP can also be used in conjunction with surgery to stimulate the healing process. PRP injections can be done directly into the surgery site to speed up the process. Recently, PRP has been in the news regarding treatment options for athletes such as golfer Tiger Woods and tennis player Rafael Nadal. PRP as a treatment option for athletes is often a good fit, as the athletes can receive treatment during their season and take minimal time off to recover.
How do you do it? This process involves drawing a small amount of blood from the patient, separating the plasma and injecting the platelet rich plasma into the tissue that needs healing. The high concentration of platelets and growth factors encourage the body to begin regeneration of tissue. Everything is done in the office and is relatively painless. The overall amount of injections needed varies based on the extent of the injury.
storative orthopedics. Patients that seek this type of care are looking for non-operative solutions to their orthopedic issues. These patients are also interested in treatments that allow their own body to provide the healing properties to heal itself. Compared to more traditional treatments like surgery, this procedure has minimal downtown, almost no complications, shorter recovery times and no foreign implants into the body. PRP is biologic orthopedic intervention versus drugs and surgery. As people get more educated and want to put fewer chemicals in their bodies, more patients are requesting this treatment option.
Are there any other restorative orthopedic options? Along with PRP injections, Dr. Brett Casey, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and shoulder arthroscopy, is also using regenerative medicine in his practice. Dr. Casey also uses injections which are stem cell based. It is very important to us that we use only the highest quality products in our regenerative medicine clinic. We partner with a company to help us harvest our stem cell based injections. Stem cell injections are also an in-office procedure that we proudly offer in our clinics. These injections require a little more time than the PRP injections do, but for some patients it is a better choice for their condition. “I have seen positive results from these regenerative options that I cannot deny. I have even explored these options to treat myself,” says Dr. Casey. “I believe that one day soon these options will be first-line treatment for some of the most common orthopedic problems.”
What are the benefits of PRP? At GCO we have committed an entire clinic to focus on reMay 2018 57 povhouma.com
...JUST DON’T STEP ON THE CHALK LINE! BY CASEY GISCLAIR | PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Sure, everyone has his or her own little quirks and superstitions that they might believe in. Things like not stepping on cracks or not walking underneath an open ladder are pretty common. Athletes often take superstitions a little bit further, with baseball players earning the reputation for having the strangest ones. Baseball players often perform elaborate rituals before games that range from eating certain foods to drawing symbols in the dirt, all in the name of keep a winning streak alive or to help pull the team out of a slump. The most common superstition of all? Don’t step on the chalk lines!
The strange and sometimes dramatic rituals are well recorded for us to ponder. Former third baseman Wade Boggs (Boston Red Sox) is reported to have eaten chicken before every game and took exactly 150 groundballs during practice. He also drew a chai in the dirt of the batter’s box. Jason Giambi (New York Yankees) famously revealed his secret to getting out of a hitting slump was a gold lamé thong. His teammates also revealed they wore the thong too when needed to up their batting average. Former Major League player Jason Grilli also used the power of a baseball card May 2018 58 povhouma.com
to help him in his career. Growing up, Grilli was both a pitcher and a hitter. So he glued together his favorite baseball cards - one of Nolan Ryan and the other of Ken Griffey Jr. On days when Grilli pitched, he placed the card in his cleat with Ryan’s side up. When hitting, he placed it in with Griffey’s face up. Professional baseball players aren’t the only ones that have superstitions. The traditions begin early on, often in Little League! It just so happens the baseball team at Nicholls State University has a few superstitions of their own! POV
“My biggest superstition is when I am on deck waiting to hit. I always put the bat weight on my bat and then I make the sign of the cross. After that, I spread my legs and stretch down, reaching to each leg and then I will stand up and twist to each side to stretch my back. Once I take two or three practice swings with the weight on my bat, I’ll hit the knob of the bat on the ground to make it fall to the ground and then I will slide it up against the wall near the dugout to get ready to hit. I do it exactly like that every time.” – Kyle Knauth, Senior catcher/first baseman
“Every Friday morning before our first game of the weekend, I make sure to get a good breakfast in. If we win, I always eat the same exact thing the next morning. I wear the same pair of underwear every game, too. And before I hit, I remember the order of the way I put on my helmet, batting gloves and shin guard. And if I reach base, I make sure I put them on in the same order. Really, I am constantly thinking about little things I am doing and if something goes right, I keep doing it. If things are going wrong, I change it all up.” – Lee Clark, Senior outfielder
“I make sure I get exactly 9 hours of sleep the night before a game. On the day of a game, I drink an energy drink before the game and during the game. I also have to hit the tip of my cleats with my bat before standing in the batter’s box.” – Joey Morales, Senior infielder
“When I walk up to the plate - no matter if it’s a dirt field or a turf field - I scrape the ground with my foot three times. Then, I take a swing and after, I get a sign from my coach. Also, I always wear a pair of dress socks under my baseball socks for every, single game. I have a Dr. Pepper before every game, as well.” – Ethan Valdez, Junior infielder
“We have a couple entrances to our dugout and if we have an inning where we score a few runs, I will make sure to always leave out of the same entrance when I’m going onto the field to coach third base. Also, if I have some gum in and we start playing good baseball, I will leave the gum in. Just little things like that. My sunglasses, too. I have a few pairs and if one pair gets hot, I will use them more - just little things like that.” – Coach Seth Thibodeaux
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MIND + BODY |
BY P.A.T.H. ACADEMY
ONE OF A KIND P.A.T.H. (Positive Aim To Hope) Academy is a school developed for a very special student. The student who is considered a problem by teachers and their parents, who has considerable difficulty adapting to a regular classroom environment, is perfect for P.A.T.H. Academy. Criteria for admission to P.A.T.H. are the criteria for expulsion from other schools.
Mr. William Borskey, LCSW, with over thirty years experience in education and counseling, is the school’s headmaster. He develops individualized behavior modification interventions for the student at school and coordinates these with the parents at home.
How does this work? P.A.T.H. was founded with the needs of this student in mind. The student who has problems with self-regulation of behavior, poor social interaction, and traits of explosive temper or withdrawn and shy behavior can benefit from enrollment at P.A.T.H. ADHD and ADD often accompany these traits. Research has shown that if these traits are left unaddressed the child is at greater risk for depression, suicidal ideation, antisocial behaviors, substance abuse and diagnoses of mental illness. This population is also more at risk for incarceration as well as increased morbidity and mortality. (Jones et. al. 2002) For a student to qualify for admission he/ she must have two or more of the following problems: behavior, social and emotional dysregulation. Once the child is identified, he/she will go through a baseline evaluation process. This process helps to determine where the child stands academically, behaviorally and the need for medication. An individualized Path Plan is assembled and presented to the parents. This innovative program coordinates the areas that the child needs to work on such as academics, behavioral interventions and medication management. Cora Davis, certified teacher, works with each student individually in the classroom. If evaluation shows child to be behind in his/her grade level, he/she is expected to progress to perform at grade level as there is no social promotion at P.A.T.H. Academy. The student will determine the pace of his/her progress.
Pam Dupont, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and founder of P.A.T.H. Academy, evaluates the student for symptoms that can be helped by medication. Some troublesome behavior can be treated initially using medications. Some of the more common symptoms that respond to medications include: irritability, impulsivity, explosive temper, depression, distractibility, and poor sleep. This gives the student a chance to focus on learning new coping skills. Pam also monitors the effect of the medications in the classroom on a weekly basis in order to determine the effectiveness. Seems to good to be true? Impossible? It does because until now there hasn’t been a school to address the needs of these special children who need more. The secret to all of the skill sets taught at P.A.T.H. Academy are underpinned with the concepts of “Reliance.” Students learn to adapt to situations that are difficult. Many have experienced adversity, trauma, tragedy, bullying, and/or childhood trauma. P.A.T.H Academy’s programs, whether academic or behavior intervention, have resiliency interwoven into each segment of the learning process. The fundamentals of resiliency are: optimism, which gives kids a belief in a brighter future; the ability to face their fears; a moral compass or ethics; and altruism or doing the right thing; helping the child develop a faith in humanity and God; giving them role models; and physical exercise, coupled with how to keep their bodies healthy. Overall these concepts build character and allow the student to develop into the very best version of themselves. In doing so, P.A.T.H. Academy’s mission is to put the child on the road to greatness. If you think this is where your child belongs, give Cora Davis a call at 985-870-4264.
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YOUR DAILY APPLE |
BY SOUTH LOUISIANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES
CHECK YOURSELF:
MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH Soaking up the sun is a wonderful part of summer living, but it can have unintended consequences. One of these is an increased risk for skin cancer. May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and South Louisiana Medical Associates’ Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Alexis Duke wants to make patients aware of the sun’s harmful effects and provide ways to protect yourself this summer.
the only one you can control and is thought to be the crucial factor in most cases of skin cancer. Dr. Duke recommends taking these steps to help protect your skin:
“Melanomas are a type of cancer that most commonly occur in the skin,” said Dr. Duke. “It develops in the cells that produce pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Approximately 90 percent of cases are believed to be connected to UV exposure. This exposure can come from natural sources, like sunlight, or artificial ones, like tanning beds.”
• Seek shade during periods when the sun is the most intense from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to exposed skin throughout the year. • Wear clothing that covers your skin. • Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
Certain risk factors make people more susceptible to developing melanomas. These can include: many freckles or moles, pale skin, light-colored eyes or hair, extensive UV exposure, personal or family history of skin cancer. The most important preventative measure is protecting your skin from excessive UV exposure. Although other risk factors also contribute to your chances for developing skin cancer, UV exposure is
• Be extra careful around water and sand which reflect the sun’s rays and increase your risk of sunburn. • Avoid sunburns, particularly severe ones. • Don’t use tanning beds or lie out in the sun to tan. • Watch for medications that increase the skin’s sensitivity to sun. You should perform self-examinations monthly and see your dermatologist once a year for a skin examination. If you notice anything unusual or concerning about a mole or other spot on your skin, it’s important to discuss anything you discover with your dermatologist or primary care physician.
South Louisiana Medical Associates is pleased to have physicians such as Dr. Duke who are committed to good patient care. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Duke, please call 985.868.1810.
MAY IS
MELANOMA/SKIN CANCER DETECTION & PREVENTION MONTH SCHEDULE YOUR SKIN SCREENING TODAY! May 2018 61 povhouma.com
CALL TODAY! 985-868-1810
FOR YOUR HEALTH |
BY OCHSNER ST. ANNE HOSPITAL
WOMEN’S SERVICES AT OCHSNER ST. ANNE
A majority of women will need to seek care from an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) during their lifetime. Whether it’s a Pap smear, specialized care for a high-risk pregnancy or management of menopause symptoms, you can rely on Ochsner St. Anne Hospital’s award-winning team of OB/GYN doctors. As a woman, taking care of your health is crucial, not just to your well-being but to the well-being of your whole family – to the generations before you and after you. For decades, Ochsner has made it our mission to empower women across the Gulf South with the information, resources, service and treatment choices you need to keep yourself and your family healthy. The care at Ochsner St. Anne reflects a focus on family. Ochsner St. Anne is nationally recognized as a Baby-Friendly Hospital. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global program that was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in 1991 to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding. “The baby-friendly hospital initiative follows evi-
dence-based best practices for all moms and babies including encouraging skin-to-skin contact between moms and babies,” says Kellin Reynolds, MD, OB/ GYN at Ochsner St. Anne. “The Baby-Friendly designation is given to hospitals who successfully implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. It’s a privilege to not only offer exceptional healthcare to moms and babies, but to provide support and guidance as they grow their families.” For three years in a row, Ochsner ranked among the top five percent in the nation for women’s health by Healthgrades®. We’re also proud to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report as “High Performing” in gynecology. By making communication, collaboration and the comfort of our patients a priority, Ochsner provides women across the region with the highest quality of care. Ochsner St. Anne’s staff of nurses, doctors, technicians and other professionals work constantly to improve our medical care and customer service, focusing the resources of our entire hospital on the patient. And, we support the health and vitality of the local communities we serve.
For more information or to make an appointment, visit ochsner.org/stanne.
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WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE |
BY THIBODAUX REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
BETTER SLEEP CAN BE YOURS Everyone suffers from sleepless nights from time to time. We’ve all been there: You’re tossing and turning, squinting at the clock in the darkness, becoming more anxious as the hours tick by. Finally, you sleep – only to awaken to the blare of the alarm clock a mere two hours later. You drag yourself through your workday and eventually you’re home and sleeping soundly again. For some people, this isn’t just an occasional occurrence. Every night, sleep disorders rob millions of valuable, restorative sleep. Sleep disorders affect an estimated 80 million Americans. The four most common sleep disorders are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Sleep disorders can affect your health by leading to daytime drowsiness, and a lack of sleep can also have serious ramifications for your overall health. In fact, sleep loss can have wide-ranging effects on your cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems, among others. Sleep allows your body to reboot itself, allowing for tissue repair and restoration. It’s just one of the many ways the body protects itself against illness.
Sleep loss, a common side effect of sleep disorders, can also increase your risk for diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance. Sleep disorders and issues with sleep can also lead to a host of other health problems, including anxiety symptoms, a depressed mood, and increased alcohol use. If you’re having trouble getting quality sleep, there are things you can do to help you get more zzz’s: • Cut out caffeine. Coffee can affect your ability to sleep even six hours later. • Practice good sleep hygiene. Make your bedroom a comfortable, sleep-inducing environment. Keep your bedroom cool and well ventilated. Studies suggest that the blue light from smartphones or laptops can suppress your body’s production of melatonin. • Avoid naps in the middle of the day, even if you’re groggy from a previous night’s bad sleep. If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling with chronic sleep problems, act now. The Sleep Disorders Center of Thibodaux Regional has solutions.
For more information visit www.thibodaux.com/sleep-center or call 985-493-4759.
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UNDER THE SCOPE |
BY JOHN DOUCET
BRIDGE-CROSSING,
FOR GRADUATES They say that “April showers bring May flowers.” I don’t know who “they” are, but they probably weren’t immediately concerned with schools. Around here, it’s more like “April precipitation brings May graduation.” And each May, as I watch our communities prepare for their children’s and grandchildren’s commencement to the next big thing in life, I remember my own high school graduation as well as all the lessons learned from the evening that followed. After dropping our gowns and caps and diplomas and cords and medals and report cards (yes, that long ago) at one or more of our homes, and after a few visits to classmates’ parties, my two best friends and I jumped into an orange and black compact car—an early model Colt or a Corolla, I don’t remember—and departed to finish off the epic day with a late, quiet evening of friendship and reflection. To accomplish this, we drove to a mom-and-pop all-night drive-in for hot, drippy burgers—the kind of burgers that always taste better after midnight. And there’s nothing like that, together with hot fries and cold Coke, on a graduation night to make you wax nostalgic for the olden days—like 10th grade. We talked and laughed and sang so long that my cheeks hurt from being contracted in the happy position for hours. On the way home early in the morning of a curfewless evening, we came upon the high-rise lift bridge on Highway One in Larose. Readers will know the bridge well, as it overpasses Highway 24, the BourgLarose Highway, which connects the two parishes of PoV country. About half-way up the incline of the bridge heading up-the-bayou, and in the middle of the bridge’s 90-degree turn, our early-model compact car showed us just how early a model it was: The engine stopped and the lights went out. And suddenly, there we were: Three innocent honor graduates with promising college careers and newly awarded scholarships alone in the black darkness of early morning in a dead car on a tall bridge in a turn beyond where oncoming cars can’t see on one of those nights when parents wish their kids weren’t on the road. Now, they say that everything in life is a learning experience. Again, I don’t know who “they” are, but the things my two best friends and I learned that night are good life lessons for all graduates. And so, after I got home that evening, and after many ensuing years of reflection, I offer good pieces of advice to help new graduates out there in PoV country to succeed in life.
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(1) Don’t let people or things intimidate you. Have courage. Don’t give up. Don’t turn away. Learn to deal with the situation and solve
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the problem. It would have been easy for us to panic and give up, especially if cell phones had been invented back then. But, instead, we smartly took matters into our own hands as a matter of urgency. And, in the process, we learned the next lesson.
SUMMER
(2) Embrace Teamwork. We would have never made it home if we stayed in the car and tried to urge it upward by moving back and forth in our seats. We quickly agreed that we would get out and push. And, after all getting outside the car, we reasoned that one of us should get back in the car to shift and steer. It was our cooperation that got us going and got us home. (3) Don’t be the smartest person in the car. Michael Dell, founder of the famous computer company first said this to his employees (in a room, not a car) to continuously learn from others. If you’re already smartest in a group, you are not likely to learn new things. If we three all knew best what to do in our situation, we’d never have agreed, we’d still be on the bridge 30 years later, and we’d have never made it to college. Instead, we listened and learned as a group. Some graduates figuratively cross the bridge from high school to college. My best friends and I had to do it in reality. And not inebriation, not incarceration and not injury taught us life-long lessons: Sometimes a bad engine circuit and a good friend or two is all you need. And speaking of those, one friend became my college roommate and the other became my wife. You get to wonder which two of us stayed outside the car to push. POV
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Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair
TFAE Run for Excellence
May 3-6
May 12, 3-10 p.m.
The Thibodaux Fire Department hosts this annual fundraising fair to provide entertainment to the community while also supporting its volunteer firefighters. The fair includes a parade on Sunday at 11 a.m., a 5K on Saturday at 8 a.m., an auction on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday following the parade, and a raffle on Sunday at the end of the fair. Enjoy delicious food, carnival rides and live music, including performances by Ryan Foret, Sister Hazel, LANCO and Waylon Thibodaux.
5K, Kids Fun Run, Food Fest, Kid’s Corner, Live Music all for one price! Race day registration begins at 3 p.m.; Fun Run at 5:30; 5K at 6 p.m. After the race, join in the Food Fest and celebrate with Category 6! Where: Downtown Houma Contact: tfae.org
Thibodaux Firemen’s Fairgrounds, Thibodaux Contact: firemensfair.com
St. Bernadette Catholic School is hosting a trivia night that is open to the general public. During the event, there will be door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and food and drink will be available. The teams of six members will cost $25 per person. Where: St. Bernadette Gymnasium, Houma Contact: 985.637.4726
Where:
Derby on the Bayou May 5, 2-6 p.m.
MAY 4 A TOAST TO LOUISIANA A tasting of spirits made in Louisiana including rums, vodkas, gin and more. Also a selection of wines from Louisiana as well as a few from California.
M AY 1 1 LIVING IN ZIN WITH COFFEE AND CREAM (LIQUEURS) A tasting of coffee liqueurs and cream liqueurs and sample a fine selection of Zinfandels from California.
M AY 1 8 GET WHISKEY’D AWAY BY THE FLAVOR Flavored bourbon and whiskey tasting. Plus wines of Italy.
M AY 25 GO BIG! GO BOLD! GO RED! Big and bold red wines from across the Golden State. Events from 6pm – 8pm at 6307 West Park Ave. • Houma
The Foundation for TGMC presents this unique Derby Day event! On the picturesque grounds of Orange Grove Planation, this fundraiser features mint juleps, a bourbon tasting, a hat decorating contest, and of course, the live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby. Proceeds raised will go towards the purchase of a Wellness on Wheels Mobile Unit. Where: Orange Grove Plantation, Houma Contact: Derbyonthebayou.eventbrite. com or 985.873.4603
St. Bernadette 60th Anniversary Trivia Night May 12, 5-10 p.m.
Spring Community Showcase May 12, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrate the talent, culture and food of Terrebonne parish at this new and unique event! Enjoy the Artisan and Farmers’ Market, kids activities, raffles, live music by Sheauxdown, and a dessert cook-off. Where: Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gray Contact: 985.868.2732
Rougarou Ball May 5, 6-10 p.m.
Enjoy this kick off to the Rougarou Fest featuring food, drinks, a live and silent auction and live music. The night features the selection of the Rougarou Queen. Dress is Swamp Chic attire. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center. Where: Houma Municipal Auditorium, Houma Contact: slwdc.org
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IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN! SUMMER HEAT!
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282 Corporate Drive Houma, LA 70360 985.876.2876 lafarmbureau.com
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PLAY IT FORWARD The Bayou Country Children’s Museum hosted their annual fundraiser, Play It Forward, on April 13. The fundraiser featured funny money casino games, an auction and live music.
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THS ALUMNI SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT PHOTO BY WENDY BERGERON
The Terrebonne High School Alumni Softball Tournament was held in the rain, shine and wind on April 13-15. Graduating classes formed teams to play softball and raise money for the high school. Congratulations to the class of 2012 on their win in the competitive team category and to the class of 1995 for their win of the “Best of the Rest.”
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THE ART OF SMART |
IT’S NOT AN ARTICLE, IT’S A SMARTICLE
1 On May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across which body of water? C Pacific Ocean D Indian Ocean
Atlantic Ocean A Gulf of Mexico B
2 The Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937. In which U.S. city is the bridge located? C San Francisco D Los Angeles
San Diego A Las Vegas B
3 The Indianapolis 500 is traditionally held the weekend before Memorial Day in May. How many laps do drivers make around the oval circuit? C 500 D 200
100 A 300 B
4 Crosby, Stills and Nash released their first album on May 29, 1969. What was the name of the album? C Live It Up D CSN
American Dream A Crosby, Stills & Nash B
5 Which American poet authored Leaves of Grass? C Henry Wadsworth Longfellow D Edgar Allen Poe
Robert Frost A Walt Whitman B
6 Charles Lindberg completed the first solo non-stop flight between New York City and Paris on May 20, 1927. What was the name of the plane he piloted? C Voyager D Spirit of St. Louis
Memphis Belle A Spruce Goose B
7 The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. was dedicated on May 30, 1922. Who was the statue’s sculptor?
HOW DID YOU DO?
C Rudolph Evans D Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr.
1) A, 2) C, 3) D, 4) B, 5) B, 6) D, 7) A, 8) D
Daniel Chester French A Adolph Weinman B
8 Mother’s Day was first celebrated in what year? 1916 A 1926 B
C 1934 D 1908 May 2018 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!
LOOK TWICE |
WIN A $50
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GIFT CARD
Find the six differences in this photo from our feature on page 18. 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, looktwice@povhouma.com. A winner will be picked by random drawing May 14. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank.
Congratulations to Linda Pellegrin for winning last month’s contest.
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 1 Added cat 2 Blanket color change 3 Billiards balls removed 4 Added extra antlers to deer 5 Extra ceiling light added 6 Missing award on wall
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S TAYCATION May 2018 71 povhouma.com
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