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MEET YOUR THERAPIST NAME:
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EDUCATION:
INTERESTS:
Kyle Guidry, DPT, PT, LAT, RTC South Lafourche High School Nicholls State University, BS in Athletic Training Louisiana State University, HSC Shreveport DPT
Galliano, LA
Fishing, college sports, working on antique cars
FAMILY:
Wife, Maigan
HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE IN HEALTHCARE, SPECIFICALLY PHYSICAL THERAPY? Through being injured in sports and throughout my time in the marines, I always had an interest in healthcare, specifically rehabilitation.
WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST? During my first offseason with the Saints as an athletic training intern, I met their physical therapist. This changed my career path entirely.
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR CAREER? Taking someone who is at one of the lowest points in their life and making it ever so slightly better each day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF INJURY TO TREAT? Anything sports related. It would be a toss up between a knee or shoulder and any injury attributed with them.
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CONTENTS |
JULY 2019 • VOLUME 13 • ISSUE 7
CONT HOME + LIVING
FOOD + FUN
MIND + BODY
OUR
2019 Page 16
Page 28
Page 38
14 POV PICK
26 POV PICK
36 POV PICK
16 CHATEAU CHIC
28 IN SERVICE TO COUNTRY AND CAMPUS
38 HOMETOWN HERO
Rite in the Rain notebooks
The Right Mix
22 THE OBSERVER Home of the Brave
Early Halloo Fried Pies
Gilberto Burbante Jr. leads Nicholls Veterans Services
LiveStream Yoga Dr. Barry Landry
40 HOMETOWN HERO Roger Songe
42 HOMETOWN HERO
Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department
44 HOMETOWN HERO Sgt. Debbie Maisog
46 HOMETOWN HERO Lt. Daniel Duplantis
48 HOMETOWN HERO Thomas Ledet
50 WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE July 2019 4 povhouma.com
Safety through Prevention for Athletes of All Ages
ENTS EXTRAS
ON THE COVER
WORD, YA HEARD INTREPID 1. characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude and endurance.
WORD ON THE STREET “The intrepid pirate finally met his match when his ship he came across a 70-foot kraken. ” “After four tours overseas, the intrepid soldier finally decided to retire from the Army and was honorably discharged.”
Page 56
08 EDITOR’S NOTE The Greatest Generation
10 INTERVUE Say What?
Gilberto Burbante Jr. puts his strong face forward during our cover shoot. He’s trying very hard not to smile in this image.
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56 SCENE IN
Look at ol’ so ‘n’ so!
59 LOOK TWICE
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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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New Pain Treatment at Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness Center Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness Center is excited to offer a new state of the art minimally invasive treatment for lumbar stenosis. Dr. Michael S. Haydel specializes in minimally invasive spine procedures and is one of only five physicians in the entire state of Louisiana who is certified in this advanced procedure. Dr. Haydel is also certified by the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians, Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice and American Board of Anesthesiology.
The procedure is Vertiflex, an indirect decompression system, FDA approved and covered by Medicare. It’s a new alternate treatment for lumbar stenosis, providing patients with a minimally invasive approach that puts your comfort and safety first, offering the only treatment on the continuum of care between conservative care and more invasive surgery. This treatment is especially helpful for older patients with significant limitation in walking distance due to pain, which is also relieved by sitting and resting. If you have leg/hip/glute/groin pain with standing or walking, which is relieved by bending forward at the waist and no more than two vertebral levels are involved, then you could be a candidate. This procedure requires only a 3⠄4-inch incision, takes about one half an hour to complete and is completed in an outpatient facility making it a favorable alternative in treatment. Clinical trials indicated 90% patient satisfaction through 60 months post procedure evaluation. They experienced 75% successful reduction in leg pain, which makes this procedure an excellent alternative to the more invasive options. This new therapy allows Haydel Spine Pain & Wellness Center to provide customized and optimal pain reduction or relief utilizing state of the art and groundbreaking minimally invasive healthcare, which can result in improved quality of life.
MICHAEL S. HAYDEL, MD, FIPP, ABIPP 1022 Belanger Street, Houma, LA 70360 985-223-3132 www.painspecialty.net
EDITOR’S NOTE |
MARY DOWNER DITCH • MANAGING EDITOR OF POV
THE GREATEST GENERATION As I am writing this editor’s note, we just marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019. On D-Day 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of the French coastline in Normandy, France, to fight Nazi Germany. The cost of this invasion was high–more than 9,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded–but the sacrifice allowed the soldiers the chance to begin their trek across Europe to defeat Hitler’s regime during World War II.
faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice...”
In my history studies, it was President Roosevelt’s D-Day address to the nation and his prayer that stuck with me longer than any other speech or statement made by our leaders of the time. In part, the following prayer was said: “Almighty God, Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. “Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. “…Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again. And we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. “They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won… For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. “Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home – fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas – whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them – help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed
And so the Greatest Generation is remembered in history books. The youngest of the solders are in their 90s now, if still on this Earth. They have left for us written word, spoken stories, and a knowledge of what it means to sacrifice for your country. Whole families were sent to fight for their country, bands of brothers, both by blood and in arms, leaving those on the home front worrying if any son would come home. I’d like to dedicate this space to my grandfathers, both members of the United States Army, veterans of World War II, and forever a part of the greatest generation. Though they are no longer with us here, we remember them. To Arthur E. Lee and Frank A. Fabregas, I thank you for your service. Both of these men, and all of their brothers, served our country in WWII. Our July issue recognizes our Hometown Heroes. We begin by introducing you to Gilberto Burbante Jr., Coordinator of Veterans Services at Nicholls State University. Gilberto is a former Maine and National Guard officer. As a veteran, he is in a unique position to help veteran students that choose to continue their education at Nicholls. Learn more about Gilberto and Veteran Services on page 28. In our Hometown Heroes Issue, we also accepted nominations from you, the public, on individuals or groups in our community that we should recognize. The nominations were astounding. Thank you for recognizing our Heroes and submitting their names and accolades. This year, we are pleased to congratulate Dr. Barry Landry, Roger Songe, Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, Sgt. Debbie Maisog, Lt. Daniel Duplantis and Thomas Ledet. Learn a little more about each of our Heroes, starting on page 38. A special thank you to the sponsors and advertisers featured on these pages that support our Hometown Heroes; please give them your support in return. POV
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INTERVUE |
SAY WHAT?
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“My hero is my mother. Throughout the years she has loved me unconditionally, has sacrificed time, and has imparted her wisdom so that I can reach my goals. She always sees the silver linings in every situation, and encourages me to do the same. Her smile is contagious, but her laugh absolutely blesses my soul. She’s truly a wonderful person. Without her love and selflessness I am not sure where I would be.”
DEBBIE | RECEPTIONIST
“My hero is my father, because he taught me the value of hard work and diligence in getting your goals in life. To me, there is nothing more valuable than that.”
AMANDA | MOTHER “My heroes are all of the people serving our country. Without their service, we would not be able to enjoy the things we take for granted today.”
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HOME + LIVING
POV PICK | 14
Rite in the Rain notebooks
CHATEAU CHIC | 16 The Right Mix
THE OBSERVER | 22 Home of the Brave
July 2019 12 povhouma.com
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HOME + LIVING |
POV PICK
RITE IN THE RAIN NOTEBOOKS Melaco Sisters Hardware & Supplies
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1
Transitional modern style combined with traditional accents creates the perfect sweet spot between elegance and edgy in the home of Brian and Rachel Bergeron. Clean lines are balanced with playful colors and patterns on vintage and custom pieces establishing the right mix for this family of five. To achieve their perfectly balanced design, Rachel enlisted the help of her best friend and interior designer, Ellen Bourgeois Dominique. “Ellen
perfectly understood our style and made the process so easy,” Rachel explains. Built by Pelican Builders Group, the custom home plans by Ronald Melancon included a large kitchen and large porches because of the Bergeron’s love for cooking and spending time outside. “My favorite feature is probably the kitchen with the large island. It’s the heart of the home. My girls and I do a lot of cooking and baking. They make awesome little sous chefs and
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snap all the green beans and help knead dough for dinner rolls,” Rachel says. The whole family enjoys outdoor living. The back porch, complete with an outdoor kitchen, dining table and seating area with fireplace, is the perfect spot for Brian and Rachel to cook and watch their daughters Laura, Scarlet and Janie play in the yard and on a custom swing set from CedarWorks. POV
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THE OBSERVER |
BY JAIME DISHMAN
HOME OF
THE BRAVE I’m not a very political person. I vote, so take the frown off your face and know that I believe in performing your civic duty. But if I’m honest, politics often feel more divisive than unifying, forcing me to choose a side when truthfully, I like some points on both sides of the political dividing lines. But the truth is, maybe I just don’t like making decisions, because if you ask me to choose a favorite food, color, or favorite just about anything, I struggle. (Whose idea was it to have security questions for passwords where you name your favorite color or food or some other favorite thing? I absolutely freeze.) So maybe my real issue with politics is being forced to pick a favorite? I’m not sure, but here is what I do know. I love the Fourth of July. The older I get, the more patriotic I feel. Which maybe sounds like the opposite of my first statement of “I’m not a very political person.” Can the same person say the first statement and still feel that her patriotism grows every year? I would say yes. And here’s why. I hate the dividing lines in our country between political parties and the “this side versus that side” wars that are fought on media platforms day in and day out. My oldest boys have recently discovered the joy of World War II historical fiction. I couldn’t be more delighted in anything else that they are currently interested in. (Trust me, their World War II book reading is far more interesting than their video game stories. I know Fortnite is a little played out, but I still have to hear about it on a pretty regular basis. Somebody please save me.) But World War II – the stories of ordinary boys becoming heroes who saved our country and ultimately our world. Boys who fought in countries they had never heard of and never imagined visiting. Maybe it’s particularly fascinating because my three sons keep imagining themselves in the middle of the World War II stories they read. When we talk about the books, they talk about if they had fought, what they would have done. And my mamma’s heart thinks about the mothers who sent their sons to the scariest war this world has ever fought. What if that would have been me and my boys would be just a few years older and I would have had to send them to faraway countries, not knowing if they would ever return? So we love our country. We love our freedom. My family and I visited Uganda, Africa last summer on a mission trip. We all came home changed, and one of the things we all appreciated was America - our schools, our system of government, and our freedoms. Visiting other countries will change your level of appreciation for a country that July 2019 22 povhouma.com
READY. still gives its people some of the best opportunities out of all the countries in the world. You only have to be in a foreign country for a few minutes to realize just how free we are in this “land of the free and home of the brave.” Maybe that’s why my patriotism has increased. But maybe it’s because when we read a story of a mamma shipping her son off to war, my heart breaks just a little for the moms throughout the years who had to do just that. Fourth of July is fireworks and cold watermelon and celebration. But it’s the moment that we all turn our eyes toward the darkened night sky in anticipation of the fireworks display that I love the most. I like thinking of the thousands of people across our country who are staring at the same sky, all watching a firework display in the town where they live, with the people they love.
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I guess I want that feeling to spread across our country. Where we are all staring at the same sky, thankful for a place we call “our country” and with people we call “our fellow Americans.” Darryl Brue, Agent 1950 Prospect Blvd Houma, LA 70363 Bus: 985-851-2584 darryl.brue.b3cs@statefarm.com
That for every burst of fireworks celebrating what has been done in this country, we will consider what is being done and celebrate each other as we stride forward in this country that still has its struggles, but is moving forward with beautiful people that we are proud to call neighbors and fellow Americans. So maybe that’s where the lines disappear. When we consider the people around us as people on the same side as us, instead of as people on “the other side.”
M A R K E T I N G
And every moment as Americans will remind us of all the men and women who have fought so hard for the freedoms we love. POV
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FOOD + FUN
POV PICK | 26 Early Halloo Fried Pies
IN SERVICE TO COUNTRY AND CAMPUS | 28 Gilberto Burbante Jr. leads Nicholls Veterans Services.
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Is there anything better than a fried pie? We think not! In the absence of the NOLA pie from our childhood in the white and yellow wrapper, these delicious fried pies have ďŹ lled the void and taken their place in our hearts and bellies. Made in the Pearl River area from scratch, Early Halloo pies are vegetarian friendly and contain no preservatives. While our current favorite is Chocolate Lover, they are also available in apple and lemon. July 2019 26 povhouma.com
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BY MARY DOWNER DITCH | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
Talk a walk with me for a moment… You are 18 years old and have decided to dedicate yourself to a life of service to your country by joining the Armed Forces. You enlist and head off to basic training just two weeks after high school graduation. You become an adult overnight, as you learn how to engage with your fellow brothers and sisters in arms. You are told when to sleep, when to eat, and what to do as you move through exercises as a team. As time goes on, you are deployed here and there, in our country and abroad. You serve your country as you have been trained to do, with like-minded individuals who also love their country. You are a soldier first; everything else comes second. After years of dedication and commitment, you decide for whatever reason to hang up your boots and return to civilian life. People quit jobs all the time for new careers and opportunities. It’s your turn to find life outside of the military, a new career path. But where do you go? Who do you turn to for help? After so many years of being told what to do and when to do it, how does a veteran strike out on his own?
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Fortunately for the veterans that choose to continue their education in the Bayou Region, Veterans Services is standing at the ready to help you at Nicholls State University. “Nicholls recognizes that veterans routinely encounter extraordinary obstacles in their college careers,” the department shares. “A 19-year-old freshman can be called up in the middle of a semester and be forced to drop their entire schedule of classes. Returning from oversees deployment, you must re-enter the academic world with a workload that appears insurmountable. You don’t feel like a ‘traditional’ student, and you aren’t – you have chosen to serve your country.”
LEADERSHIP AT THE HELM Heading up Veterans Services is former Marine and Army National Guard officer Gilberto Burbante Jr. Being a veteran himself allows Gilberto a unique perspective when with his students. As a combat veteran, he’s been in their shoes, from service to country, to full-time student and beyond, back into the life of a civilian. Gilberto knew from a very young age that he wanted to be in the Marine Corps. As a child, he attended a welcome home party for a cousin of his that was in the Marines. A young Gilberto watched as a sharp looking young man pulled up at the party in his honor, clean cut, proudly wearing his uniform. This hero’s welcome stuck with Gilberto as he grew older and learned they were celebrating the cousin’s return from boot camp. The image stuck with him over the years, leading to his interest in military service. In 2002, Gilberto joined the Marines in the wake of 9/11. He was first deployed in 2003 to Baghdad. During his four years of service, Gilberto ultimately was deployed three times. When the time came to reenlist, Gilberto decided not to. Taking his savings, Gilberto and his wife Brandy decided to move to Thibodaux where he could attend Nicholls. At Nicholls, Gilberto joined a fraternity, became active in the community, and earned a degree in Government in 2011. But being away from the military was hard on him. Gilberto missed being of service. So he decided to join the Army, commissioning as an officer. From there, Gilberto also served in the Louisiana Army National Guard. His time in the Guard saw him
July 2019 29 povhouma.com
(985) 879-1597 (985) 223-6370 www.morrisonterrebonne.com
activated for hurricanes, the Morganza spillway flooding and multiple training opportunities overseas.
it up with some of my buddies that I served with–we all have the same issues, whether it’s a little bit of anxiety or depression.”
After a total of 13 years in the service to his country, Gilberto decided it was time to hang up his hat permanently. He resigned his commission and returned to civilian life, where he and his wife welcomed the birth of their son, Gunner.
Having a soldier like Gilberto at the helm of Veterans Services is a gift to all he encounters. He admits he himself didn’t believe in PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) at one point. But through talking with his fellow soldiers, he realized that it is common… and it’s ok to talk about it and seek help.
LIFE ON CAMPUS Finding his calling as the Coordinator of Veterans Services at Nicholls, Gilberto has been placed in the right position at the right time in these veterans’ lives. “I held random jobs [in the area] but finally I found my place here at Nicholls,” shares Gilberto. “Whenever I get a new veteran that comes in these doors, I see myself. I remember coming to Nicholls when I was an undergraduate and just trying to navigate the system. I had a good support system, but unfortunately a lot of other guys may not.” Often times, it’s Gilberto’s background that helps the veterans the most. Having been there, he can help to recognize in others when they are reaching for help. “You can be the toughest guy in the world, but I’ll tell you what, it doesn’t matter. I went through three combat deployments back to back… We did some crazy stuff and went through some bad shit. I thought I was the toughest guy there is out there. Every guy that I served with, we thought we were the toughest dudes in the world. We come back home and slowly but surely– I brought
“I think fear is our biggest downfall. Because danger, we can handle danger,” explains Gilberto. “We can eliminate a threat, no problem; that’s what we are trained to do. But the fear is inside you and you really can’t control that. Fear will come out of nowhere and that turns into depression. I try to help control the fear that is the academic environment. We can work with that, and I can help with that.” Guidance and mentoring from their peers is what gets many of the veterans to their next step in life. Many of the veterans that are a part of Nicholls held leadership positions in the military. Through peer mentoring, many of the veterans are able to better cope with what life throws at them. “I run Veteran Services like a Unit,” explains Gilberto. “We have a chain of command and that’s intentional. I did it that way for a reason. I started tasking them to go do things out in the community or out with another organization to slowly integrate them, moving away from our unit to another unit, the civilian sector. I do that
July 2019 30 povhouma.com
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intentionally because nobody did that for me. Transitioning was not easy for me, but I had a good support system. I have buddies that I served with that live locally and unfortunately they didn’t have the support that I had–they ended up in bad spots.” “I’ve had veterans or soldiers that are 18 years old and I have veterans that are 60 years old. I have veterans that were privates, lance corporals, senior chiefs, and above. I had a retired major that worked at the Pentagon…,” shares Gilberto. “That’s a vast group of knowledge right there of guidance that you can get from your peers.”
SERVICE TO STUDENTS The Spring 2019 semester welcomed 287 veteran students that were a part of Veterans Services. Veterans Services has come a long way since its inception in 2012. They currently are housed in Shaver Gym, in a space called the Veterans Lounge. The
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lounge provides the students with a dedicated space to visit between classes or work on school assignments. With comfortable seating, wireless Internet access, a refrigerator and microwave, the lounge feels like a welcoming living room in someone’s home. It is a safe space where the veterans can feel at home around one another. With so many students having faced combat experience, it is important to provide a space where they can be around others who have experienced the same. Veteran Services also has small meeting rooms, a space for the chaplain, and office space for Gilberto to be accessible at all times. Members of the military and veterans can expect priority service when enrolling at Nicholls State University. There are exempted admissions criteria for veterans who are eligible for GI Bill benefits and who have received a discharge for any reason other than dishonorable. Veterans are allowed priority registration as well. Veterans are encouraged to utilize resources and services available at Nicholls, such as health services, disability services, faculty advisors, and counseling to name a few. Their greatest resource is of course the Coordinator, who will help veterans navigate the system. Nicholls State University has the distinction of being named by G.I. Jobs Magazine as a Military Friendly School for five years in a row, an honor bestowed upon about 20 percent of schools in the nation. Outside of the classroom, veterans at Nicholls also have the opportunity to participate in various activities and outings with the Nicholls State Veterans Organization. The Veterans Organization has their own system of leadership including a president and vice president. The organization exists to help veterans become involved in the community and have fun! Activities have included shootouts at the range, volleyball tournaments, softball and baseball, and lifting competitions, to name a few. Every spring, the organization hosts a leadership retreat in Biloxi during spring break. Tailgating is also big for the Veterans Organization in the fall. “I have an email list that I use to keep everyone updated about what’s going on in the community and where they can join us to just get out and socialize,” shares July 2019 32 povhouma.com
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DR. BARRY LANDRY
U N I T E D
S TAT E S
A R M Y
R E S E RV E
BY DREW MILLER | PHOTO SUBMITTED
Since before our country was even founded, brave men and women have fought for our freedoms by taking up arms – or contributing in other aspects – and joined the nation’s armed forces. Not many over the years, however, decided to enlist in military service when they were 59 years old. It takes a great deal of courage and heart to decide to push back retirement and family time to answer a call to serve your country – such as the courage and heart that lies within local surgeon Dr. Barry Landry. Dr. Barry has had an illustrious medical career since opening his private practice at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in 1987 that includes winning multiple awards, being named TRMC Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery, bringing high quality breast cancer care and surgical care to Thibodaux and more. But even after performing countless surgeries to save the lives of people in the Bayou Region and beyond, Dr. Barry still felt
he needed another way he could, put his surgical skills to good use. “…I kind of started looking at the military because they kept sending brochures about their general surgeons and things like that,” the Thibodaux-native recalls. “...So I figured I might as well volunteer for people are willing to put their lives on the line for me and my country.’” He then joined the Army Reserve in 2015. Soon after receiving his Army basic training, he was deployed to Afghanistan for his first tour. There he treated wounded soldiers at a combat field hospital for six months. For his second tour in Afghanistan, which he just returned from this past May, he was part of what is known as a Golden Hour Offset Surgical Team. “...It’s just basically the operating team. We gave care to any injured soldiers in that golden hour so we could stabilize and treat them and then move them back towards a hospital setting,” Dr. Barry explains. “Basically, kind
July 2019 38 povhouma.com
of a surgical first aid station type of thing... In fact, I was the only doctor in a team of only five or six of us.” His tours in Afghanistan have been a life-changing experience for Dr. Landry. “I learned that the United States military takes good care of its soldiers. When they get wounded or injured, they put that as a top priority,” he shares. “And the other thing I learned, with working with some Afghans, is that people are pretty much the same. They want a safe, secure country and the best for their families and their children. They may have differences in philosophies and religions and things like that, but they really want the same thing everyone else wants.” Even with the lives saved here in south Louisiana or overseas in Afghanistan, Dr. Barry still does not consider himself a hero. “I’m just somebody doing what they were created to do,” he says. Put your gifts to use – that’s what you should do.” POV
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808 BARROW ST. • HOUMA, LA WWW.RODSHOUMA.COM
OUR
2019
ROGER SONGE U N I T E D
S TAT E S
A R M Y
BY MARY DITCH | PHOTO SUBMITTED
Roger Songe didn’t have a lot of choices when Uncle Sam called him for military service in 1968. But he had a lot of choices after surviving his tour of duty in Vietnam, and one of the paths he took was a lifetime of serving others who had served. The Houma native passed away in December 2015, leaving behind a towering legacy of lending a helping hand to Bayou Region veterans. “Roger Songe was a Vietnam veteran who understood the needs of veterans and dedicated his life to honoring and assisting veterans,” says former Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet. “He can be credited with two major accomplishments in Terrebonnethe Memorial Park on La. Highway 311 and the other is the Veterans Homeless Shelter.” Songe distinguished himself in service to organizations like the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Disabled American
Veterans. But it was his unique, personal assistance that made the difference for men and women he assisted. Cindy Songe, his wife of 43 years, recalled how Roger would meet with other veterans for coffee in their home, a practice that began in the 1980s. It was only later that he would come to realize that his war experience left him with wounds of the mind. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was not recognized by the military back then. “He didn’t start talking about Vietnam for a while, for a long time,” she recalls. “He formed a group of guys who got together and talked at our home, they would sit up all night and talk. It was healing, it was consoling to him and to them.” Songe returned to Houma after this military service and began working as a medic for the Terrebonne Ambulance Service. He later went to work for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, under former sheriff Charlton Rozands. After
July 2019 40 povhouma.com
health issues took their toll on him, Songe’s public sector employment came to an end, but not his dedication to public service. He trained to become a service officer for veterans, aiding them with the paperwork. Eventually, when he opened the shelter, Songe found a home for his work and continued to help all that passed through the shelter’s doors. One of Songe’s final projects was to secure funding to help the memorial park in Houma. In 1995, a wall was erected in the Memorial Park off of Hwy. 311 in Houma in honor of our country’s veterans. Soon after, the wall and the plot of land fell into disrepair. No one was maintaining the park on a consistent basis. Songe saw the potential for the park to be great, to truly be an area of remembrance and tribute to those who have served our country. In honor of his service to the Bayou Region veterans, the park has been renamed the Roger D. Songe Veteran’s Memorial Park. POV
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2019
THIBODAUX VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT BY DREW MILLER | PHOTO SUBMITTED
The members of the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) aren’t just beloved for throwing one of the biggest entertaining events in south Louisiana with its annual Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair. Since its inception in 1874, the dedicated men and women of the TVFD have been there to help the people of Thibodaux not just by saving lives and property from fire emergencies but also by just being there for their community — helping in any way they could. “You hear so much negative stuff on the national scene, and they break the mold. They totally break the mold,” says Dr. Justin M. Tenney, 2019 Grand Marshal for the Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair and Parade, and avid supporter of TVFD. “Those 475-plus men and women just do it because they have goodness in their souls, and they want to let people know it. They show it, and their actions speak louder than words ever do.” All of the good deeds they accomplish every day is at no costs to the approximate 15,000 residents of Thibodaux. These dedicated firefighters receive no salaries, pensions or benefits. In addition to the hard work they do (Together they accumulated over 10,600 hours of training, meetings
and fire prevention in 2018.), many in the department hold full-time jobs to support them and their families. Often, those individuals find themselves returning to their job the same day they went deal with a fire call. “They are kind. They are community leaders. If you look at the civic organizations that they’re associated with, it’s off the charts. Their service to the community does not stop with the fire department,” says Justin. “They are in politics. They are in small businesses. They are in every service industry that you need every day. Then, they are volunteering on the top of that.” With eight stations, around 324 active members, extreme vigilance and intensive training, the TVFD — which is one of the largest, if not the largest volunteer fire department in the country — is always ready to quickly respond and react to emergency situations in the Thibodaux area. “They are brave; they are courageous,” Justin expresses. “They make you want to do better things in your own life. And I think that’s what the true definition of a hero is. If that’s not a hero, then I don’t know what is.” POV
July 2019 42 povhouma.com
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OUR
2019
SGT. DEBBIE MAISOG TER R EB O N N E PA R I S H S H E R I F F’S O F F I C E STORY AND PHOTO BY DREW MILLER
When we honor heroes, we often look to the first responders and military personal out in the field, albeit well-deserved honors, but there are plenty unsung heroes — behind the scenes — who act as a ‘lifeline’ to those brave men and women in the field, such as dispatchers. “Our dispatchers are our lifeline to our deputies. They don’t have to just keep track of where just one deputy is out; they have to keep track of all of them and know the status of what’s going on with them,” says Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Office (TPSO) Col. Terry Daigre. “Without a doubt, our dispatchers are the lifeline for our deputies out there on the streets…” Dispatchers are vital for not only the safety of first responders arriving on the scene but also the callers who request assistance. It takes the most reliable and dedicated individuals to assess high-pressure situations, communicate with those in an emergency, stay calm and relay the essential information through the proper channels. One such dedicated and reliable individual is TPSO dispatcher Sgt. Debbie Maisog.
When Debbie started with TPSO in 1997, she had no idea what being a dispatcher meant, but she quickly gained appreciation for her job.
department seven years ago. During her time guiding her group of 12 dispatchers, Debbie has been applauded for her leadership.
“I really didn’t know what I was walking into, but once I got in, I loved it. If it’s really for you, you can’t leave it cause it’s more than just a job,” the Houma-native says. “The thing that I like the most is the feeling I get after I actually helped someone, no matter what the call may be, just knowing that I actually helped that person is a good feeling.”
“Debbie is a great leader. She has all the knowledge that she needs to run that division correctly, says Terry. “She has the supervisor’s skills for it and the right demeanor to deal with the employees and the public.”
Debbie truly loves being a dispatcher and helping people, although the job has come with fair share of heartbreak over the years, especially with the loss of fellow officers during her career. “There’s been times when you answer calls and you shed tears in here. It depends on the call and then, the emotions…We’ve had officers that we’ve lost; that was really, really hard,” she shares. “…I think the angels help with all that. You just get through it, go on and then you come back the next day.” Because of her reliability and resiliency, Debbie was made supervisor of the July 2019 44 povhouma.com
“She jumps in as much as she can, when she can,” adds Ashleigh Dupre, who has been a dispatcher in Debbie’s division for nearly five years. “If you have a question, you know you can go to her.” Although those around her everyday see Debbie as a hero, she herself sees the dispatchers in her division and officers around her and in the field as the real heroes. “I don’t want to take all that credit,” Debbie says. I love my work; I love all the people I work with. “You got to have the heart to want to want to help people. It’s in everybody here, or you wouldn’t be here.” POV
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OUR
2019
LT. DANIEL DUPLANTIS A I R
F O R C E
R E S E RV E
BY MARY DITCH | PHOTO SUBMITTED
Lt. Daniel Duplantis has dedicated himself to a life of service, not just within the Armed Forces, but also as a priest within the Catholic Church. Daniel is a 2012 graduate of Central Lafourche High School and a 2016 graduate of Saint Joseph Seminary College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. After graduation, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. Recently ordained as a Deacon in May, he is scheduled to be ordained a priest in June next year. Both military service and the priesthood have been on Daniel’s heart since he was a child. He knew as young as 3 or 4 that he wanted to enter into the priesthood. “We had great priests in Bayou Blue [at St. Louis] when I was growing up,” shares Daniel. “It was their charisma where you could see they were very happy with what they were doing. That sense of fulfillment really struck me.”
Daniel started getting serious about his faith in high school attending youth rallies such as Steubenville. After high school, he spent his freshman year at McNeese State University studying music, but quickly decided that wasn’t for him. He made the decision to go to Seminary and hasn’t looked back.
active duty Air Force chaplain through an agreement and cosponsorship between the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the military archdiocese. His active duty commitment is five years.
The military was always a constant in Daniel’s life. An uncle was in the Army and the family often visited him at the different locations where he was stationed. In high school, Daniel did two years of Army Jr. ROTC and enjoyed that environment.
“Soldiers are going for months on end without Mass or confession, or any of the sacraments,” shares Daniel. “A goal for me is to deploy as often as needed. In the Air Force, active duty, we have only 52 priests. That’s out of the 120 that we need total. So we are operating at under 50 percent for Catholic priests alone.”
Once Daniel entered the seminary, his uncle often told him of the need for chaplains in the military. After visiting with the Bishop and understanding the need for priests in the military, Daniel received the Bishop’s blessing to join the Air Force Reserve.
For Daniel, being in this position has been an amazing experience so far. “It’s so humbling, even as a deacon now, to come on orders and be at [Keesler Air Force Base] and be involved has been such a huge blessing already,” shares Daniel. POV
After Daniel is ordained a priest, he will serve in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for three years. After that, he will reappoint as an July 2019 46 povhouma.com
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HEROES!
OUR
2019
THOMAS LEDET
BATTA LIO N C H IEF, LITT LE C AI LLO U F I R E D E PART M E NT BY DREW MILLER | PHOTO SUBMITTED
Chauvin native Thomas Ledet has dedicated most of his life to serving others. “I always wanted to go ahead and do something for my community,” he says.
their lives and/or property — during his career that spans over four decades, that people know and appreciate him for the most in his area.
Thomas’ history of protecting and helping others goes back to when he was just 14 years old — when he was a lifeguard at the Chauvin pool.
“He has become an incredible asset to the community of Chauvin, saving countless numbers of people’s lives and property. Thomas is especially depended on upon in the community because the nearest hospital is between 20 and 45 minutes away, depending upon which part of the community you are in,” said Thomas’ wife, Sheila Ledet. “…He is the person elderly people look for when they just need a blood pressure checked or having critical heart and breathing issues. He is the person that young parents look to when their babies are running a fever or have swallowed something and have stopped breathing. He is the person that arrives when the house is on fire or you just need a smoke detector installed.”
Wanting to be there for his community even more, he later signed up to be a volunteer firefighter for the Little Caillou Fire Department (LCFD) while still in high school at South Terrebonne. He then started working fulltime for the department shortly after graduating. Since his career started with the LCFD in 1980, Thomas has amassed an illustrious career in service, reaching the rank of Battalion Chief — a position he still holds today. Some other noteworthy accomplishments during his career include becoming an EMT and later the more advanced EMT-A; acquiring Instructor 1, Instructor 2, Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certifications; and teaching countless future first responders in fire and medical training. But it’s perhaps the tremendous amount of people he helped along the way – by checking on them and saving
Good deeds that Thomas gladly commits, as he always had a deep appreciation for his community. “I was born and raised in Chauvin. I had lot of family in Chauvin,” he shares. “I just really like the community, working for the community and helping them out.” POV
July 2019 48 povhouma.com
OUR HOMETOWN HERO SPONSORS
See the Vietnam era Huey Helicopter now on display
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July 2019 49 povhouma.com
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WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE |
BY THIBODAUX REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
SAFETY THROUGH PREVENTION
FOR ATHLETES OF ALL AGES Whether you have a child playing organized sports or you yourself enjoy playing a game of pick up every now and then, safety in athletics is important in preventing and minimizing sports-related injury.
The Right Gear
The right protective gear is critical in preventing injury. Equipment should be right for the sport and right for the athlete. Use equipment certified only for the sport in which it is being used. A helmet designed and tested for bike riding does not provide adequate protection and therefore should not be used when playing baseball. Proper fit of protective gear is important. As athletes grow, protective equipment must change accordingly. Also, be mindful of wear and tear. According to KidsHealth.com playing tennis with a badly strung racquet and wearing worn out shoes can increase your risk of injury almost as much as playing football without shoulder pads. Coaches and parents both should monitor appropriate use and fit of safety equipment.
Preparation
To help prevent injury, athletes must prepare before the season as well as prior to games and practices. Before playing organized sports, athletes need to receive a pre-participation physical exam. Also referred to as a PPE, the exam is usually mandatory for participation in most organized team sports and helps identify medical conditions. Exams aren’t just for youth sports. It is a good idea to consult your
physician prior to participation in any new activity as your doctor may be able to provide tips to help make physical activity safer for you. For example, if you have weak knees, your health care provider can show you exercises to strengthen the area, making participation safer and reducing incidence of injury. Warm ups are essential to prevent injury. Athletes should prepare for each practice and game with a proper warm up of light aerobic activity and stretches to increase blood flow to the muscles and get them ready. The few minutes it takes to warm up can go a long way toward injury prevention. In addition, warming up prior to sports activity helps with mental preparation as well as physical preparation.
Remember to Hydrate
Important in warm weather and cool weather – staying hydrated. Water helps cool the body’s temperature. When athletes lose water through sweating, and do not replace it, dehydration or heat-related injuries or illness can occur. Drink fluids 30 minutes prior to athletic activity and every 15-20 minutes during activity. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water. When the thirst mechanism activates, it is usually a sign the body is already under-hydrated. Participating in sports – whether organized or not – offers tremendous social, emotional and physical benefits. Don’t let injury sideline your participation. Play hard, play to win, but play it smart by preventing sports-related injuries.
For more information about the Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional call 985.493.4502.
July 2019 50 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS
Security And Storm
Protection July is National Ice Cream Month.
• Ice cream’s origin goes back to at least 4th century B.C.
• It takes 12 pounds of milk to make one gallon of ice cream.
don’t wait
until it’s too late!
• The tallest ice cream cone ever made was over 10 feet tall in Norway.
• With 7.5 gallons per person per year, New Zealand consumes more ice cream per capita than any other country. The US is second with 5.5 gallons.
SUMMER SNACK WRAP
$4.99 Chicken & Shrimp Wraps
985-693-3223 sh u tt ers t o meet any
sty le & Budg et
WWW.HURRICANESHUTTERCOMPANY.COM July 2019 51 povhouma.com
2 - 4 PM E V E RY DAY DURING SUMMER
UNDER THE SCOPE |
BY JOHN DOUCET
OPEN LATE WITH
The Best Choice
IN SHORT TERM
REHAB
MUSIC & MEMORY
Music soothes the soul, is therapeutic for the mind, and supports memory function for the residents living at The Retreat.
KITCHEN THERAPY
Kitchen Therapy, an insightful and fun-filled once-a-week cooking demonstration, teaching residents how to make three-ingredient meals.
LIVE & LOCAL
Our residents enjoy concerts on-site twice a week by local musicians.
PET THERAPY
Our residents enjoy numerous health benefits that come from our innovative pet therapies.
NOVEL EXCURSIONS
Residents and their family members enjoy new experiences from a wide variety of off-site activities.
GAMES & CRAFTS
Games and crafts combines interactive games and leisurely activities they can share with their families.
Fast track to a comeback program, a state of the art short term skilled therapy.
(985) 532-1011 7534 Hwy. 1 Lockport, LA 70374 www.thebroadwayelderliving.org
CHEESE It’s a hot and muggy Sunday dusk. A man from PoV country has just knocked-off from a seven-and-seven hitch offshore. Heavy from the duffle bag slung over his shoulder, he slowly stoops down from his driveway to pick up the newspaper that the delivery person– probably the local high school quarterback–tossed into the canal. Fortunately, it’s been a rainless week, and so the canal and the newspaper are dry. Up in the sky, dragonflies fight for air space, cicadas bemoan the end of the mating day, and the moon is a waxing crescent, showing big spots on its lighted face. It’s his first day off, and it’s already late. Inside his house, as if pre-programmed, he heads to the kitchen to set his oven to 425 degrees. He pulls from the freezer a slender box that excitedly tells “Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans!” It’s a Swanson Hungry-Man dinner in a shallow aluminum plate, which he mindlessly unboxes and unwraps and then tosses onto the top oven rack. For the next 75 minutes of hunger, he’ll be in the living room sunken into the recliner reading the paper. “Seeing white shrimp in the trawls this late in the season, the damage is already done,” says a trawler on the front page, bemoaning government’s decision to extend the brown shrimp season. He reads and gets it: After all, trawling was his first job. There’s a hog cholera outbreak in Louisiana and neighboring states: So it’ll be Hungry-Man dinners for a while. No tarpons boated or even sighted on first day of Grand Isle rodeo, which is good: More for him to catch if he can get down there before the next hitch. But he’s too tired to metabolize any other written news, and so he searches for visual cues of the life he left behind last week while on the rig—cartoons, advertisements, fishing photos—anything bigger than printed letters. Already the rage of parades, football games, and basketball games, the Acadian Coquettes dance group from Nicholls will be entertaining at the Miss Louisiana World beauty pageant in Baton Rouge. Their sparkly photo was a good first catch and, in fact, an attractive visual cue of the life he left behind last week while on the rig. Libby’s Potted Meat is 10 cans for 99¢—the same price for five cans of their Viennas. Not his favorite brand, but he likes the easy-open Zip Top cans. He’ll buy some cans to pack in the duffle for the next hitch, especially if he gets extra S&H Green Stamps for it. With a drawing of a space rocket, the local A&P Grocery advertised “Out of This World” prices like five Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Dinners for $1. Gordon’s Jewelers suggests that you “Fly Her to the Moon” with their diamond wedding ring sale. West Brothers was “Shooting the Moon” on back-to-school dress fabrics and junior petite dresses. Then, suddenly, it hit him: Not the mac-and-cheese, not the diamonds, and not the fabrics and dresses, but the way those things were written. He levers himself up, springs
July 2019 52 povhouma.com
A / C & R E F R I G E R AT I O N OUR CUSTOMERS ARE THE COOLEST! off the recliner, and runs outdoors into the cloudless night, searching for the light of the waxing crescent. His silent neighbors are also outside, gazing skyward in the 10 o’clock darkness. As all their newspapers tell, it’s July 20th, 1969. And at that very moment, a man is stepping onto one of the big spots on the lighted face of the moon.
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No Americans were killed in Vietnam that day. El Salvador and Honduras are observing a cease-fire, as are Egypt and Israel. Phil Niekro wins his 15th game for the Braves. Mario Puzo’s The Godfather sits atop the Publishers Weekly bestsellers list. Henry Mancini’s “Theme from Romeo and Juliet” sits atop the Cash Box charts. Johnny Cash’s new LP At Folsom Prison is on sale for $2.78. Lula Ameen exhibits new landscape paintings in the lobby of Peltier Auditorium at Nicholls. And Neil Armstrong walks on the moon.
Finance the
In 1919, the U.S. President, like many, may have believed the moon was made of cheese. One hundred years later, the U.S. President, unlike many, believes it’s made of Mars. In the middle of those two historic dates, the moon became made of real stuff when man physically touched it. The man from PoV country will keep his newspaper as a piece of history to show his future children and grandchildren. Little does he know that 50 years in the future those kids would still eat mac-and-cheese and still listen to LPs. Forget that frozen dinner tonight: He should celebrate the landing of those astronaut heroes. The whole neighborhood should, too. The Big Shef with Cheese is on sale for 38¢ this week. He wonders if Burger Chef is still open so late. POV
Just Imagine...
vacation of your dreams!
Reliability & Performance You Can Trust.
HOUMA:
209 Bayou Gardens Blvd • Suite G1 985.655.2200
THIBODAUX:
107 Peltier Plaza • 985.492.1101
HAMMOND:
2200 W. Thomas St. • Suite B 985.956.7665
July 2019 53 povhouma.com
WINE & SPIRITS JOIN US FRIDAY NIGHTS IN JULY FOR CANNATA’S
IN OUR WINE & SPIRITS DEPT.
6-8 PM
JULY 5 NO TASTING
4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND
JULY 12 JUMP ON THE COCKTAIL REVOLUTION GREAT COCKTAILS FOR SUMMER PLUS A SELECTION OF CALIFORNIA REDS
JULY 19 CANNATA’S PIZZA AND PROSECCO PARTY PIZZA MADE WITH FLAT BREAD USING SPECIALITY CHEESE AND CANNATA’S FRESH SAUSAGE (CRUMBLES) LIKE ITALIAN, CAJUN, AND MORE.
JULY 26 CANNATA’S SIZZLIN SUMMER TASTING. SAMPLE THE PERFECT BEERS AND WINES FOR THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
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WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AROUND TOWN
Pack the Bus School Supply Drive
Duckin’ Out for the Arts
July 1-31
Duckin’ Out for the Arts is a fundraiser event held annually to support the Bayou Regional Arts Council. Local artists decorate ducks and donate art to be auctioned off in this unique event! Entertainment will be provided by Frank Ball. Tickets are $40 or $60 for two. Where: Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, Houma
Help support local schools and children by donating to Synergy Bank’s school supply drive. While all supply donations are appreciated, some of the most needs items are colors, pencils, color pencils, scissors, loose leaf paper, spiral notebooks, binders, glue, glue sticks, rulers, construction paper, pencil bags, and schoolbags. Where: Visit banksynergy.com for locations
Let Freedom Ring Festival July 4, 4-10 p.m.
This 21st annual July 4th event is a family-friendly way to celebrate the holiday. Sponsored by Tiger Battalion and Company, the festival features a bike parade/decorating contest, food, music by Tet Dur, a live and silent auction benefitting Thibodaux High JROTC, and fireworks. Admission is free and open to the public. Where: Peltier Park, Thibodaux
Golden Meadow Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo July 4-6
Cast a line at this annual fishing blowout. This family-friendly event features a weekend-long fishing rodeo and a King of the Catch cook off on July 5. Music kicks off July 5 with The Phunky Monkeys at 7 p.m., followed by Nonc Nu and Da Wild Matous on July 6 at 3 p.m. The rodeo’s poster artist Christy Boutte will be on hand July 5-6 to sign posters. All events and entertainment take place under an air-conditioned tent. To fish the rodeo, cost is $35. Entries include a fishing towel, rodeo book, boiled shrimp dinner, and a chance to win more than $15,000 in awards and prizes. Where: Moran’s Marina, Fourchon
July 12, 6 p.m.
Who Let the Dogs Out July 20, 6-10 p.m.
Hosted by Hail Mary Rescue, this fundraiser will feature music by Tet Dur, cash bar, and a silent auction. Being a kid-friendly event, there will also be a kiddie-corner for the young ones to enjoy. Advance tickets are $15. At the door, adult tickets are $20 and kids age 10 and under are $10. All the proceeds go to helping shelter animals. Where: Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium, Thibodaux
Summer Fun Kids Day July 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Beat the heat at the 20th birthday party of the largest and longest running indoor children’s festival, Summer Fun Kids Day presented by Synergy Bank. There will be four themed areas with exhibitors and activities: Safety Square, Discovery Den, Play Zone, and Wellness Way. Live entertainment will be on stage throughout the day. Admission is $5 for ages 2 and older. Where: Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center
July 2019 54 povhouma.com
WE THANK OUR
HEROES FOR
YOUR SERVICE! 0% FINANCING
Perfect Temperature Regardless of the Weather! • RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
New Orleans Style Snowballs on New Orleans Blvd.
OPEN EVERYDAY! Noon to 7PM
• AC & HEATING SALES AND SERVICE • FACTORY TRAINED TECHS
JULY SPECIAL! Pop-Rouge Pop-Rouge Soft Soft Serve Serve
WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT IN OUR CALENDAR? Shoot an email to mary@rushing-media.com and we’ll help spread the word.
1309 st. patrick st. 446-6256 • Thibodaux 868-4421 • Houma July 2019 55 povhouma.com
122 New Orleans Blvd. Houma, LA
SCENE IN |
IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL
LOOK AT OL’ SO ‘N’ SO!
POV POP-UP: SUMMER ARTS STROLL Our May PoV Pop-Up: Summer Arts Stroll combined all our favorite things – art, music and food – to create the perfect kick-off-to-summer event, held at Town Center at Acadia Plantation. Visit povpopup.com for a full gallery!
What does it mean to be IN good hands?SM It means you get my personal attention. Not just today, but as your coverage needs change over the years. Let me help you choose the right amount of protection with a free Personalized Insurance Proposal.Call or stop in today.
Stephanie Hebert 985-868-1886
Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co. © 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.
227977
854 Grand Caillou Road Houma shebert@allstate.com
July 2019 56 povhouma.com
POV GOES TO THE COLISEUM Emma Adams enjoys PoV while on summer vacation in Rome.
VISIT THE
OPEN Monday through Friday 10AM to 4PM Saturday 10AM to 2PM 1154 Barrow St., Houma, LA (985) 873-8200 regionalmilitarymuseum.com
BEASLEY
PEST CONTROL
• Pest control • termite control • wood destroying insect reports
Complete Pest Control Services Locally Owned & Operated Serving the Tri-parish & Surrounding Area Houma (985) 872-5019 • Thibodaux (985) 446-1811
OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE New Location! 119 Rome Commercial Place Servicing all major brands of outboards.
July 2019 57 povhouma.com
FUN FACTS
IInspirations nspirations Custom embroidery & monograms
• July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month.
Unique Gifts for Weddings, Baby, Housewarming, Birthdays & Just Because
• In 1983, the first cell phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 800x, was launched. It costed $4,000.
PAINTED FURNITURE & FABRIC
• The best-selling mobile phone ever was the Nokia 1100, which sold over 250 million units.
CUSTOM BAGS • Apple sold more than 340,000 iPhones per day in 2012, which approximately equals 4 phones per second.
TOWELS & NAPKINS
• The average person spends over four hours a day on their mobile device.
debrushing1213@gmail.com 985-226-4463
Inspirationsbydebbie July 2019 58 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 16. 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? Email it to us, looktwice@povhouma.com. A winner will be picked by random drawing July 17. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Jackson for winning last month’s contest.
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 1 Added Persian cat 2 Added candle on table 3 Removed lamp 4 Changed color on candle 5 Added plant on table 6 Removed crown
Please donate new school supplies to help Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish students thrive and excel! Drop off your donation to any Synergy Bank location. /BayouPackTheBus
July 2019 59 povhouma.com
July 2019 60 povhouma.com