The Louisiana Life & Heritage Issue

Page 1

FREE AUGUST 2018 | VOL. 12 • ISSUE 8 | POVHOUMA.COM

Louisiana

L I F E & H E R I TA G E


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CONTENTS |

AUGUST 2018 • VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 8

CONT HOME + LIVING

Page 16

FOOD + FUN

Page 32

MIND + BODY

Page 52

14 POV PICK

30 POV PICK

50 POV PICK

16 CHATEAU CHIC

32 A LEGACY OF CHANGE

52 MUST LOVE DOGS

38 OH SNAP

56 RECONNECT WITH YOUR WORLD

Louisiana Books

Renovation & Innovation

22 THE OBSERVER Saying Yes

24 A BEAUTIFUL ESCAPE FROM SILENCE

Artist Christy Boutte overcomes challenges to create stunning paintings.

Alligator Hatchlings

The shrimping industry lives on with Austin Trahan.

Playing with Fire

40 DO YOU NONC NU?

Swamp Pop band Nonc Nu and da Wild Matous

46 BON APPETIT

Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet

August 2018 4 povhouma.com

Cajun Music

Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 continues the family tradition.

The Hearing Clinic

58 WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE

Make Going Back to School Happier and Healthier


ENTS EXTRAS

ON THE COVER

WORD, YA HEARD ALLONS French to English: Let’s go

WORD ON THE STREET Allons chez l’autre voisin. (Let’s go to the other neighbor’s house.) Allons parler français. (Let’s speak French – or what our grandparents would say when they wanted to speak without us understanding!)

Page 24

08 EDITOR’S NOTE La Vie Sur le Bayou

10 INTERVUE Say What?

Page 40 Nonc Nu and da Wild Matons make beautiful music in the swamp. Read more on page 40.

VISIT US ONLINE: povhouma.com

Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy

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60 UNDER THE SCOPE

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Summer Movie Previews

62 RENDEZVOUS

tinyurl.com/povnewsletter

Where you need to be around town

64 SCENE IN

Look at ol’ so ‘n’ so!

66 THE ART OF SMART

It’s not an article it’s a smarticle.

67 LOOK TWICE

Sponsored by Synergy Bank

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PRESENTS

NIGHTMARE

What is your favorite Cajun dish?

IN YOUR

SUITE!

PUBLISHER

Redfish Courtboullion

Brian Rushing EDITORIAL

Bonnie Rushing EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mary Downer Ditch MANAGING EDITOR Drew Miller STAFF WRITER ADVERTISING

Terry Trahan Jr. SALES MANAGER Harold Cancienne Michelle Hansen Gumbo Linda Pontiff OFFICE/CIRCULATION MANAGER

Michelle Ortego SUBSCRIPTIONS Point of Vue magazine is published monthly. Subscriptions are available for $36 for 12 issues. For more information, email mail@rushing-media.com or visit rushing-media.com/subscriptions.

!!!ente

r at o

!!!ent

wn r

at o k!!!en ter a !!enter riskt! own risk!!! own !!!ente r er at wn r is

risk!!

Danielle Harrelson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amber Duplantis GRAPHIC DESIGNER Paul Guidry GRAPHIC DESIGNER Erika Verberne INTERN GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jambalaya

PHOTOGRAPHY

Channing Candies James Loiselle Misty Leigh McElroy Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

John DeSantis Jaime Dishman John Doucet Darian Graivshark Emily B. Rini

Boiled Crabs

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Kim Ross CONTACT

Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: mary@rushing-media.com Creative: graphics@rushing-media.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

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at ow n

CREATIVE

!

Copyright ©2017 Rushing Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of editorial and/or graphic content is strictly prohibited.

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.

142 Library Drive | Houma, la 985.223.8996

August 2018 6 povhouma.com



EDITOR’S NOTE |

MARY DOWNER DITCH • MANAGING EDITOR OF POV

LA VIE SUR LE BAYOU Y’all, I’m a terrible Cajun. There, I said it. Whew! I feel better. While I’m an excellent Southern lady, my family roots don’t really lie deep on the bayou. My mother’s family is from Texas and my father’s family is from New Orleans. Nobody speaks French in my family, although Madame Colasurdo did her best to teach my brother and me in high school. We didn’t grow up boiling seafood or eating dishes with red sauce like courtboullions. I don’t really even like seafood! But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the heritage and culture of the area I have called home for my entire life. I am drawn to the sounds of the Cajun fiddle and an accordion. Throw a little Cajun French into the song, and I’m yours. I can’t two-step, but my feet still beg to move to the rhythm stirring in my soul. I love taking a ride down the bayous and seeing the majesty of the waterways that traverse our parishes. The giant white fishing vessels with their nets hanging high to dry are like a landmark leading the way to where the land ends and the fishing begins. Our Louisiana Life and Heritage Issue celebrates the things that make our area unique. We are a diverse group of people that are rich in culture and tradition. This year’s Golden Meadow-Fouchon Tarpon Rodeo introduced us to a new artist, Christy Boutte. Although she’s not from the area, her paintings depicting the Little Pass Lighthouse, pelicans, fish and more lead us to think she’d be right at home on the bayou. Read more about her story and struggles as a deaf artist on page 24. Seafood is one of the top things that comes to mind when thinking of life on the bayou. But how much do you really know about how that shrimp ends up on your plate? We

visit with boat captain Austin Trahan about the legacy of fishing that is fading in our community, starting on page 32. What would a Life and Heritage Issue be without a little music to accompany it? Specifically the original Swamp Pop sounds of local band Nonc Nu and da Wild Matous! Bringing the party to wherever they set up to play, this group of local guys gets down to the truth about the most asked question… exactly who is Nonc Nu?? Your question and more are answered on page 40. Eventually the weather will begin to cool down and we will find ourselves approaching hunting season. Man’s best friend is anxiously awaiting his turn to assist in anyway he is directed. But before your pup takes his turn in the duck blind, he might need a bit of instruction. That’s where Eddie Rodrigue and his family step in. Eddie trains dogs for hunting, general obedience, police work and even service dog needs. Tradition runs deep with the Rodrigue’s, with Eddie learning from his dad and now turning to the third generation, teaching his sons all he knows. Learn more about Eddie’s family business on page 52. In all honesty, this issue was difficult to pull together! How in the world can we pick just a few stories to represent so much? We had so many amazing stories ideas; we could have produced an issue for every week in August! So many things go into our culture and heritage. Being from this area creates a beautiful mess of so many influences that uniquely reflect upon our families and their traditions. Yet somehow, we all blend together in this thick gumbo of culture to proudly represent the generations that came before us. Let us continue to teach the generations to come so that our heritage and culture will never be lost. POV

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INTERVUE |

SAY WHAT?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAJUN WORD/ EXPRESSION? WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND CAN YOU USE IT IN A SENTENCE?

D’LYNN GENA

BUSINESS OWNER “My favorite Cajun expression is ‘Sha Bebe’. It means darling baby or cute baby. It can be used in a sentence like, ‘Oh my goodness, that baby is so adorable, aww Sha Bebe!’”

YOUTH CENTER DIRECTOR “I am not really Cajun, but I use Cajun phrases a lot. I say ‘Sha, Bon Dieu’ a lot! (Meaning, ‘Oh Good God’).”

MADONNA & CRYSTAL

BUSINESS OWNERS “‘Vilain manières’ is the Cajun French phrase meaning ‘ugly ways’ as in: ‘C’est des vilain manières.’ Meaning ‘that’s some ugly ways.’”

LUCY ABBY

FULL-TIME PARENT “I don’t realize I do this, but I do. I yell ‘Ça va,’ (it’s OK) to my kids a lot when they are arguing.”

MARKETING COORDINATOR “My favorite Cajun expression is ‘Pass a good time.’ It means ‘Enjoy yourself!’ My coworker always tells me this before I head home to Chicago.”

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THANK YOU, DR. D AJ DELAHOUSSAYE, MD


HOME + LIVING

POV PICK | 14 Louisiana Books

CHATEAU CHIC | 16 Renovation & Innovation

THE OBSERVER | 22 Saying Yes

A BEAUTIFUL ESCAPE FROM SILENCE | 24

Artist Christy Boutte overcomes challenges to create stunning paintings.

August 2018 12 povhouma.com


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HOME + LIVING |

POV PICK

LOUISIANA BOOKS Bent Pages

There are so many tales to be told of our area and so many ways that local authors creatively tell them! From historical depictions of generations past to colorful children’s books based on local folklore, there’s something for everyone in the Louisiana book section of your local bookstore.

August 2018 14 povhouma.com


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HOME + LIVING |

CHATEAU CHIC

RENOVATION & INNOVATION BY BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

1

A journey that began five years ago for Jason and Lori Savoie has become reality as the couple is finally living their dream of a complete renovation of a warehouse located in downtown Houma. Originally a grocery store, then a furniture store, the couple spent the first two and half years of the project in the demolition phase. While tackling most of the renovation himself on nights and weekends, Jason enlisted the help of several talented friends including Andrew Usie, an experienced finish carpenter who was involved from day one. To expose the original brick, the walls were jackhammered to remove half an inch of plaster. Ceiling tiles were removed along with blown

insulation on the second floor, while plaster and chicken wire were removed from the ceiling on the first floor. Outdoor carpet was scraped from the cement floors, then the floors were sanded and refinished. Making the decision to remove a portion of the second floor to acquire height for the living room, courtyard and kitchen allowed for the addition of a fireplace and four 24-foot brick arches adding architectural interest in the vast space. Once the building was deconstructed, the couple admits that starting with a clean slate was one of the hardest parts. Designing rooms for optimal functionality and scale in the 8,000 square foot space was no easy feat. The final plan includes

August 2018 16 povhouma.com


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CHESTER “Our favorite room would have to be the bar, where we gather with friends. When we open the garage doors and overlook downtown, it takes everything to the next level.” — Jason Savoie August 2018 19 povhouma.com

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6 a kitchen, multiple living areas, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a theater room, a bar, a courtyard and a garage. “Our design and plans and décor could be labeled modern nostalgic industrial. We wanted to stay true to the warehouse vibe, but also have a modern home with the most updated electronics and no trendy features,” Jason explains. Utilizing some of their traditional furnishings to add a nostalgic touch as well as displaying collections that were accumulated over the years creates a cool and cultivated space that perfectly reflects the Savoie’s lively personalities. POV

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No. 1 Kitchen No. 2 Foyer No. 3 Downstairs Living Area No. 4 Upstairs Living Area No. 5 Entryway No. 6 Theater Room No. 7 Bar Area Additional photos can be viewed at povhouma.com.


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THE OBSERVER |

BY JAIME DISHMAN

SAYING YES When you’re praying that all your prayers come true, that’s when you know it’s been a good prayer. That’s how the youngest of our crew ended her prayer the other night. “And God, please say yes to all the things we have asked for. We know we asked for a lot, but do them all, not just one. Amen.” I peeked at her, with one eye open, the other eye still shut. I laughed a little, but then found myself thinking that it’s kind of the way I end my prayers, too. My amen is a silent plea for God to please do all the things I’ve asked. It made me think about my kids’ requests to me. It’s been a personal mission for the husband and I to “say more yes’s than no’s.” It’s easier said than done. He reminds me when I forget. Like the other night, one of the last lingering nights of summer, and I wanted all of them to bed. “It’s 9:30,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “More yes’s than no’s,” he added. But I was tired, and I wanted bedtimes and silence and rest. But we watched a late-night movie instead. (And yes, anything after 9:30 qualifies as late-night in my early-to-bed book.) Even with the efforts to tell them lots of yes’s, to not simply allow an easy “no” to slip through my lips, I still say no lots of times. No, you may not eat ice cream for breakfast. No, you may not have a friend over every single night of the summer. No, you may not hit your brother because he hit you. The no’s aren’t because I don’t love them. It’s often because I do. The yes’s are because I love them, too. Yes, we can go ride bikes around the neighborhood. Yes, I’ll cook tacos again tonight. Yes, I’ll watch your backflip off the side of the pool even though I’m pretty sure it’s giving me early onset heart failure. There’s yes’s. And there’s no’s. I wanted to tell her that as she ended her prayer asking for all yes’s. He might say no, sweetheart. And that’s ok, too. Instead, I didn’t say anything. Their nighttime prayers ended, we rounded them all into their rooms, and the opportunity dissolved. I doubt she even remembers the prayer. If you’d ask her, she would probably not consider it remarkable or anything out of the ordinary.

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Bayou Chapter What if I blew her mind with a yes every single time? I almost think she would start longing for a no. She would want me to say no to something, to outline a boundary that she shouldn’t cross, to give her direction. A no guides, and a yes permits. A no tells me it’s not for my best interest when it’s given by someone who loves me. When I tell my kids no, it’s usually because it’s not good for them.

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So when the God we pray to says no, can we assume it’s because he sees what we cannot? I know there’s a lot of questions by many who feel they’ve been told constant no’s by God. This isn’t an area many people want to delve into, and we have asked God for a lot of personal yes’s, lately. A no feels like it would crush my soul, if I’m honest. The constant refrain of my prayer sounds a lot like “God I know I ask for a lot, but this thing, please say yes.” As I write this, there’s still no answer. And that’s the hardest thing. For those who don’t believe in a God, you might think I’m wasting my time waiting. For those who do, you might think I’m wasting my time asking again and again. But for me, I’m like the girl who wanted all the yes’s. But I’m also a mom who knows that when a no is spoken, it’s out of love. So this month, when we are waiting, I’ll keep asking for a yes. But if it’s a no, I’ll trust that His love carries me when my soul feels undone. POV

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Cypress Columns

5:30 - 9 p.m. Food from area restaurants, music, chef cooking demos and silent and live auctions. Tickets and VIP Tables can be purchased at www.LRA.org (Upcoming Events).

August 2018 23 povhouma.com

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A Beautiful

ESCAPE FROM SILENCE

August 2018 24 povhouma.com


STORY AND PHOTOS BY DREW MILLER

There is no question that the fine art by well-accomplished artist Christy Boutte represents South Louisiana culture. Her paintings show her expression, and impressions on the culture’s icons like tarpons, crawfish, oysters, crabs, etc., as shown in her works “Terrific Tarpon,” “House Wines on the Horizon,” “Ms. Fendi the Blue Crab” and more. She wants everyone to be “happy” and “feel proud” of their culture when they view her art. She embraces the culture, and her work has resonated with the with people of South Louisiana as well — doing the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo poster six times and this past month’s Golden Meadow-Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo poster. The communities in South Louisiana often have to adapt when faced with adversity. Rather it be storms, oil spills, coastal erosion or an upand-down economy, South Louisianans often have to adjust their way of life to persevere through tough times. Like them, Christy contains a strong will and ability to adapt that’s carried her through the loss of hearing, changing of schools (from specialized to normal), a maledriven art world and more.

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Due to spinal meningitis, Christy became profoundly deaf at 13 months old. A misdiagnosis of the illness nearly costed her to lose her life. At three years old, her parents moved their family to New Orleans so Christy could attend a specialized school for the deaf that helped with oral communication. Later, she had to quickly adapt to a traditional elementary school by learning how to read lips, which allowed her to attend regular classes without the need of an interpreter.

BEFORE

“People are uncomfortable with others that are different, especially children,” she says. Although she didn’t need an interpreter throughout the high school she attended, Christy was still alienated by many in her class. She also felt most of the classes were difficult and overwhelming due to the language barrier. Fortunately, she found her “release” and “outlet” in her art class.

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“Though I had always been creative, it wasn’t until high school that I fell in love with art. I had found an escape from silence,” says Christy on her website. “With the movement of my painting instruments- a brush, palette knife, fingers— the vivid colors and shapes—abstract or sharp—art became, for me, sound.”

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The talented artist went on to become the first deaf student to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the renowned Ringling College of Art & Design. In 2001, she started Art by Christy as a freelance artist. Her husband Brock, who dated Christy when she was in high school and reconnected with her after college, left the corporate world to join the business in 2006. “Brock is a real southern gentleman and the first guy that accepted me for who I was, disability and all,” she says. “He believed in me and made me feel like a normal girl.” Brock describes Christy as a “model-like,

beautiful girl with a “heart of gold” and is proud and happy he talked to her when other guys were too intimated to due to her being deaf. Today, the business is thriving from their home, which is also their gallery and studio, in Gretna. On top of the posters for the two rodeos, Christy was commissioned to do the artwork the 2018 New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and the 2010 French Quarter Festival. Brock and Christy even successfully published a children’s book titled “Gris Gris and The Cypress Tree.” Although her business is prospering today and she’s hit many goals she set for herself,

August 2018 26 povhouma.com

like her school life, Christy has adapted and persevered in her professional life to keep it growing. Selling her work exclusively —bypassing various overzealous or unreliable art galleries and changing her main art style from pallet knife painting to finger painting after she noticed the over saturation in the market are just some of the ways she’s been able to adjust in the industry. “There have been some ups and downs for sure. In a creative business like this, you are only as good as your last painting. That, coupled with a down and up economy, make for an interesting lifestyle,” Christy says. POV



FOOD + FUN

POV PICK | 30 Alligator Hatchlings

A LEGACY OF CHANGE | 32 The shrimping industry lives on with Austin Trahan.

OH SNAP | 38 Playing with Fire

DO YOU NONC NU? | 40 Swamp Pop band Nonc Nu and da Wild Matous

BON APPETIT | 46

Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet

August 2018 28 povhouma.com


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FOOD + FUN |

POV PICK

ALLIGATOR HATCHLINGS Greenwood Gator Farm

This fully functioning alligator farm raises alligators from eggs gathered from nests in the wild. You can feed gators in the pond like 13 foot T-Boy, learn more about alligators in the wild and even hold a smaller gator. Have you ever heard a baby gator cry? In August, visitors to the farm can watch as the babies crack through their shell and take their first look around.

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A LEGACY

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BY JOHN DESANTIS PHOTOS BY JAMES LOISELLE

A brilliant summer sun pushed its way upward from the Gulf of Mexico horizon as Austin Trahan completed his last drag through waters not far from Isle Dernière. An electric winch whined as they wrenched two full net-bags above the deck of the 32-foot Princess Mickayala, which the 20-year-old Dulac captain had named for his bride. Ropes holding them closed were undone and shimmering shrimp squirmed amid small finfish and skittering crabs. Austin’s deckhand, Dylan Solet, went about the task of separating the shrimp from the bycatch, as the vessel headed north toward home. The shrimp would join those already on ice in the hold, with the bulk of the catch numbering between 14 and 20 per pound, a spread of respectable sizes that would fetch a good price at the dock. “I feel honored that I can continue the family tradition,” the fourth-generation fisherman said. “There are not that many younger guys like myself that shrimp anymore.” Anyone who lives in the Bayou Region can tell you that we – and Louisiana as a whole – have a reputation for harvesting scrumptious shrimp along with other seafood products. But not everyone has a working knowledge of specifics as to how our signature critters get from sea to shore to tables not just here but throughout the U.S. What most of us don’t see is that the local shrimp industry is and has been undergoing some big changes. Nonetheless, certain aspects are the same as they have been from the first cast of a net here centuries ago: our waters are

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blessed with an abundance of shrimp, and if people want to eat them, someone has to go do the catching. And yet, the number of fishermen is declining steadily. As Austin said, there are few young men or women who want to make shrimping a career. Dogged by extremely low dock prices largely due to a market dictated by the prices of shrimp from Asian farms and other factors, experienced fishermen are throwing the towel in early, seeking jobs in other industries or retiring if they can. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries the number of licensed commercial shrimp fishermen in Louisiana dropped from 10,006 in the year 2000 to a low of 5,101 in 2008, and fewer than 5,600 thereafter. Those who continue fishing our near and off-shore waters are the living legacy of a profession important not just from a financial point of view – Louisiana’s shrimp industry is valued at $167 million or more annually – but also for cultural identification. Our shrimping industry is a part of who we are as a community.

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Louisiana is actually home to two shrimp fisheries. Small vessels harvest from inshore bayous and bays, many of them making short “day trips” which are largely done at night, when there is less bycatch and the sun less intense during summer months.

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Medium and big boats that have proper permits can travel in federal waters, as far out as they wish. They may stay out for weeks at a time. Once limited by the length of time shrimp could be kept fresh on ice, many big boats, 60 to 80 feet in length, now have processes for quickfreezing on board, allowing them to stay out as long as fuel supplies allow.

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Small or large, the operations involve someone traveling to the waters where shrimp are living out their life cycles,

lowering the booms or skimmer frames over the gunwales of their boats. Net bags open and the ends trail behind the vessels as their motors push and strain forward. After a maximum of 55 minutes — a legal requirement from April through October, increasing to 75 minutes the rest of the year — the nets or bags are hauled up by the winches. The bags are untied then tied again, and the process resumes. Austin’s destination once he had finished the night’s work was Shrimp Kingdom Seafood in Dulac, the dock owned and operated by his father, Tracey. Once the owner of three shrimping vessels and himself an experienced captain, Tracey routinely buys shrimp from Austin as well as from other shrimpers. This trip’s shrimp net $1.80 per pound. Prices fluctuate depending on market demands. The same shrimp a few years back could have earned nearly twice that much. Tracey also takes his own vessel out when he can, the 57-foot Captain Anthony Puky Trahan, named for his late father, also a fisherman like his father before him. “My hope is that maybe our president can help the industry,” Tracey said. “They need to make trade fair because it isn’t fair.” At one time docks like Tracey’s almost exclusively supplied the processors on bayous Little Caillou and Grand Caillou who peeled and froze shrimp for shipping all over the U.S. But the number of processors has dropped substantially. Two of them, Hi-Seas and Gulf Island, remain in Dulac and buy shrimp from docks as well as directly from boats that tie up to them. It is the processors who are more directly involved with the global market in shrimp, pitting them in the most direct competition with importers whose volume increases as prices continue to drop. Total U.S. shrimp imports were more than 664,000 metric tons in 2017, worth an estimated $6.54 billion.

August 2018 34 povhouma.com


“I feel honored I can continue the tradition. There are not that many younger guys like myself that shrimp anymore.”

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The shrimp Austin caught will more likely be sold directly to restaurants, or to wholesalers who will then sell them to retail outlets, the bulk of them being in southern states. Gulf shrimp — whether from Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama, Florida or Texas — make their way frozen from packers and processors to New York’s Fulton Fish Market. But restaurateurs and wholesalers in the north said in interviews that they prefer shrimp from Mexico and some other nations, because they are packed with greater uniformity at a lower price. When dishing out portions strictly regulated to keep costs down, the uniformity matters. In gourmet kitchens, however, some chefs swear by the Louisiana product and are willing to pay more. Despite the bleak market, those who have stuck with the industry continue to find new ways of shipping their product at a price that will make business worth staying in. So long as they can do so, the “skylines” of bayou communities like Chauvin and Dulac, Pointe-aux-Chenes, Dularge and Montegut as well as the towns all along the expanse of lower Bayou Lafourche, will continue to serve as signs of a proud tradition. “I would like to keep practicing to do better,” Austin said, after a day’s rest. “It is hard work but I guess you kind of get used to it. There is always something to do on this boat, just maintaining the vessel itself.”

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With his deckhand on board, and fuel and ice loaded, he took the wheel of the Princess Mickayla. Austin was ready for another trip to the Gulf, the skies west of Dulac turning a brilliant shade of red, always a harbinger for good in the world of those who make a living on the water.POV

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OH SNAP |

PHOTO BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY • MISTYMACPHOTO.COM

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PLAYING WITH FIRE

August 2018 39 povhouma.com

A ‘tit-fer, or a Cajun triangle, is fashioned from an old hay rake over the fire at a boucherie. The French name of this rhythmic instrument is pulled from two words: ‘tit comes from a slang of “petit” meaning little and “fer” meaning iron.


DO YOU NONC NU?

August 2018 40 povhouma.com


BY EMILY B. RINI | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

As an art form as long-standing as South Louisiana culture itself, it’s not easy to come across fresh ways to deliver Zydeco music. But the modern Cajun band known as “Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous” has done just that. This lively group of bayou area natives has developed an innovative sound by combining modern antidotes and often humorous Cajun-French lyrics with the traditional Zydeco rhythms we all know and love. Although officially formed in 2013, the members of Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous have been knowing each other for quite a while; some of them going as far back as elementary school. Each of them having musical backgrounds, they had all played in different bands throughout the years, and were running into each other playing here and there. But it wasn’t until after they had jammed at house parties for a few New Year’s Eves in a row, that Cody Guidry (bass) decided they needed to get organized and officially form as a band. “We had all played in rock bands, metal, alternative through the years... but we had the most fun together when we were playing the music we liked to listen to from local radio stations on the weekends, which was Zydeco,” explained Cody. “So I started making calls and asking my friends to see who wanted to join in. We knew we needed an accordion, which none of us knew how to play. But Mike [Collins] knew how to play the piano, so I told him to just turn it on it’s side and play; and it worked! I called Phillip [Porche] to see if he knew how to play the fiddle, he didn’t. That’s a hard one.” But the band did quickly start to form without a fiddle player, by adding Phillip Porche on guitar and lead vocals, Leith Adams on drums, and finally Nick “Raffi” Adams on the washboard. “I had never played washboard before,” Raffi laughed, “but once I tried, it felt just like dancing. You just get into the rhythm and go. I know we’re having a good gig when the shoes come off in the crowd. That’s when I can let loose because I know they’re having fun.”

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Starting out, they played house parties, some local bars, and fundraisers here and there, but things started to really take off when the band was invited to play at the Voice of the Wetlands Festival in Houma. “That’s where it clicked. We had a great audience, and were able to form friendships with other musicians in the area, and learn from them, and hang out. It was great,” remembered Mike. “From there we started playing other festivals, more bars. We even had about a six month stint on Bourbon

August 2018 41 povhouma.com

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Street. That was interesting. We met people from around the world there.” And although Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous have played from Houston to Atlanta, and many places in between, the group credits their casual, down-home sound and funny lyrics to their unique Louisiana heritage. “We all grew up hearing our grandparents speaking Cajun French, and this kind of music is just as much a part of our culture as the incredible food. It seems everyone down here has at least an uncle or cousin who plays,” said lead vocalist Phillip Porche, “And I’m sure everyone remembers walking into a conversation in the kitchen and if Maw Maw didn’t want you to know what she was saying, she would switch to French!” he joked. “So you learn to pick up on some of the words. We have fun mixing

them into our lyrics. The best compliment I think we ever got is somebody told us our music reminds them of their Paw Paw. Man, that’s the best.” Boasting songs titles like “Boo Poo Dee,” “Whitetail Fever,” “Roux Ga Roux Shuffle,” and “Eyee Ya Yie,” it’s not hard for the band to immediately channel the bayou, wherever they may be. And if one is in the mood for some light-hearted Cajun chuckles, the band’s music can be bought on iTunes, streamed on Spotify, or even better, heard live at various bars in Terrebonne and Lafourche as well as some upcoming local fishing rodeos and festivals. When asked who their target audience is, in true Cajun fashion they jokingly responded, “Cooyons and Knuckleheads!”

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“WE ALL GREW UP HEARING OUR GRANDPARENTS SPEAKING CAJUN FRENCH, AND THIS KIND OF MUSIC IS JUST AS MUCH A PART OF OUR CULTURE AS THE INCREDIBLE FOOD, IT SEEMS EVERYONE DOWN HERE HAS AT LEAST AN UNCLE OR COUSIN WHO PLAYS.”

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So, who is Nonc Nu? And what are Wild Matous? Glad you asked. With a literal Cajun-French translation of “Uncle Naked and the Wild Tomcats,” the band claims it’s more of a state of mind. “Whoever gets casséd at a gig- that’s Nonc Nu for that night,” explained Phillip. “It’s no one person. We just thought it was funny,” added Mike. With five years, two albums, and one compilation under their belt, the future looks bright for Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous. They are currently writing songs for their third album, which the band is hoping to record themselves. Phillip credits their success to their ability to have fun and stay together. “Lots of bands just don’t get legs because it’s so hard to stay together. But we’re like a brotherhood, a big family. Even with other local musicians we’ve met. That’s what’s great about Cajun culture. Everyone’s family, no matter where you are. And by the way, we are still looking for a fiddle player!” POV

August 2018 44 povhouma.com


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FOOD + FUN |

BON APPETIT

ONE POT WONDER Mais, il fait chaud! With August temperatures still sitting in the high 90s, who really feels like cooking a full meal in the hot kitchen? And with school starting, we all just want something fast and easy, but still healthy! Make things a little easier by utilizing a quick, one pot meal. This dish is made with easy summer vegetables and

beautiful Louisiana shrimp. Basically throw everything into one pot, cook it down and in about 20 minutes total, you’re done. It can be served straight from the skillet as a meal on its own or dished out atop brown rice or even quinoa. (Your Maw Maw might say that takes the Cajun out of the dish, but hey, it’s still delicious!) POV

SHRIMP & SAUSAGE VEGETABLE SKILLET Ingredients

Directions

• 1 lb. large Louisiana shrimp,

1. I n a large bowl, add the shrimp, sausage, zucchini, yellow

peeled and deveined • 14 oz. pork or chicken sausage, sliced • 2 medium sized zucchini, sliced • 2 medium sized yellow squash, sliced • ½ bunch asparagus, sliced into thirds • 2 red bell peppers, chopped into chunks • Salt and Pepper • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning

squash, asparagus, bell pepper and salt and pepper. Add olive oil and Cajun seasoning and toss until coated. 2. Add to a large skillet and turn to medium high. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the shrimp are pink and the vegetables are tender. 3. G arnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

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FUN FACTS

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August is National Back to School Month! Are you ready to head back to the classroom?

• A ccording to the National Retail Foundation, back-to-school and college spending is projected to reach $82.8 billion, which is close to last year’s $83.6 billion.

Are you diabetic and have symptoms of nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, or early fullness after meals?

• On average, families doing back-to-school shopping are predicted to spend $685 and families shopping for college are projected to spend $942.

We are enrolling volunteers for a clinical research study evaluating the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug for individuals with Diabetic Gastroparesis.

Qualified participants must:

• Some of the most expensive school supplies include the Row Alligator Skin Backpack ($34,000), Luvaglio Laptop ($1 million), Oscheriyori Lunch Box ($229,000) and Aurora Diamante Fountain Pen ($1.47 million).

• Be 18 or older • Have Diabetes Type I or II for at least 5 years • Have had the above symptoms or been diagnosed with Diabetic Gastroparesis for at least 3 months. Those who qualify will receive study-related exams, evaluations and study drug at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may be provided.

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MIND + BODY

POV PICK | 50 Cajun Music

MUST LOVE DOGS | 52

Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 continues the family tradition.

RECONNECT WITH YOUR WORLD | 56 The Hearing Clinic

WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE | 58 Make Going Back to School Happier and Healthier

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FUN FACTS

We all have memories of picking up our bright yellow #2 pencil at some point during our years in the classroom. But how much do you know about this writing tool?

• Pencils can write in zero gravity and under water.

• The average pencil can draw a line 35 miles long.

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• Pencils actually contain no lead — just a mixture of clay and graphite.

• The #2 on your pencil describes how hard and how dark the lead is. The #2 is pretty middle of the road.

•O n average, a pencil can write around 45,000 words.

• The metal band that holds your eraser on is called a ferrule.

•M ore than 14 billion pencils are manufactured each year.

• The pencil was first invented in 1565. The eraser wasn’t added until 1858!

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MIND + BODY |

POV PICK

CAJUN MUSIC

All around South Louisiana There’s just something special about Cajun music – the way those first notes of the fiddle stir in your soul. Then the accordion begins to squeeze out a melody. Add in the guitar and the bass, then the percussion of the drum and the tit fer – if your toes aren’t tapping by the time the full jam begins, you might need to check your heartbeat. Enjoy the tradition of Cajun music at locations such as the Jolly Inn in Houma or Gina’s at the Legion in Thibodaux.

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FUN FACTS Part of the fun of going back to school is getting new school supplies. Chances are, you got a new box of crayons each year while in lower elementary. While Crayola did not invent the crayon, they are currently the most popular brand. Enjoy a few facts about our favorite colors.

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• T he first box of Crayola was made in 1903. It contained only 8 colors.

take your photo with a live gator! • The average child wears down 720 crayons by their 10th birthday.

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The best form of defense against diseases related to smoking is prevention. Thanks to Dr. Espinoza of SLMA, programs like FATE educate young women on the extreme effects that smoking can have on our overall health. We are proud to support Dr. Espinoza and her efforts to make positive changes in our community.

• Crayola makes 3 billion crayons a year.

ESS ELLN FW YEARS O

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BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY

Always having hunting dogs, and growing up around them, Eddie Rodrigue has had a love for training the dogs, too! From Raceland, he grew up training dogs with his father, who trained dogs his whole life. Around age 11, Eddie started helping to train narcotics police dogs. When Eddie was 18, he went into the law enforcement for about 19 years. Around 2-3 years ago, Eddie was working in the street crimes unit for the Thibodaux Police Department. This job made it difficult for Eddie to see his family since he was working nights a lot. Eddie says, “It got to the point where my family was coming home, and I was leaving for work. They were growing up, and I wasn’t able to see them.” He decided to take a different direction in life after he experienced some danger on a scene. The sheriff for the department hired Eddie to work the K-9 unit, working days instead of night shifts, for about a year. Eventually, Eddie decided to branch off on his own to train dogs and was excited to do so because he was truly following in his father’s footsteps. Eddie explains, “I always trained dogs on the side, but when I stepped aside to do it on my own, I was lucky enough to have some guys that I worked dogs for before that were willing to help me and allowed me to train their dogs for a

while sometimes.” From there, Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 business began to grow. Eddie says, “We are always busy now. We’re almost done booking dogs to train until 2019. We really only need a couple more to be completely booked up!”

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Something really great that Eddie got the opportunity to do was meet a lot of old school trainers through his father. Eddie even got to meet, and train with, the trainer for the United Nations K-9 Unit. He still meets with him in places like Texas and will even joke and call him his dad. Eddie explains, “I enjoy the old school training, because sometimes you’ve got to be a little stern with the dogs. I learned a long time ago that tough love is the best love.” Another thing Eddie loved about training dogs was the idea of being able to track people. However, once he left the police force, he put the talent of tracking people into tracking animals, or hunting (deer, ducks, so forth). To teach these dogs how to do these things, it requires a lot of discipline. Eddie explains, “I saw a big need to have well disciplined dogs within family life. A lot of people want that disciplined police dog, but don’t

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always realize all of the steps it takes to get their dog to that point. That’s where I come in!” Discipline is a big deal for Eddie. It’s one of the things he preaches. Two other things he preaches are structure and leadership. “Discipline, structure, and leadership are the three things that all dogs need,” he says. “It’s almost like a kid. If you don’t have those three things, they’re probably going to walk all over you.” The biggest categories of training for Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 includes hunting and discipline (sit, stay). Sometimes they even train service dogs. Eddie mentioned that they’ll be training one in November for a nursing home. In regards to training law enforcement dogs, Rodrigue’s Cajun K-9 doesn’t typically train those as much as the other categories. When training the

dogs, the length of time usually depends on how long an owner waits to begin training, and even then, every dog learns at a different pace, especially if they’re older. To get a general idea, basic obedience takes about 30 days, whereas on leash/ off leash training takes about 60 days. Family still plays a huge role in what Eddie does. Eddie has three young sons, Jay , 12, Carson, 8, and Cade, 5. He hopes that at least one will be open to following in his footsteps, just as Eddie had followed in his father’s footsteps. In between their successful rodeo training, the boys assist in working the dogs right alongside their father. They can often be found riding their bikes or horses near the dogs to help with getting the dog to focus no matter the distraction. What is sometimes just playing to the boys, are life lessons for the dogs.

August 2018 54 povhouma.com


“They work with me every day, and I hope they take it over once they get older. They all work the dogs, but all of my sons have their little niche with them. One may like to cattle dogs, and the other may like the hunting aspects of it more,” he says. He loves being able to train animals the way that he does, and his favorite part about doing it is having the ability to help people with their animals. Eddie says, “We try to help people and make them understand that there are a couple of steps that need to be taken to make their dog listen, that way they aren’t taken out of their homes for being disobedient.” His biggest hope is to keep animals out of the pound, and Eddie hopes that his business can provide professional, quality dog training and professional, quality Labrador retrievers. POV

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MIND + BODY |

ADVERTORIAL

RECONNECT WITH YOUR WORLD You don’t need a passport to travel the globe at The Hearing Clinic. All that’s required is a desire to reconnect with your world. Dr. Catherine Lo has been practicing audiology for 23 years, the last 19 of which have been at the clinic’s current Thibodaux location. Drawn to the hearing profession by both an interest in technology and a desire to help people, Dr. Lo takes an holistic approach that allows her to determine a patient’s hearing baseline and customize treatment so he or she can experience improved hearing and be a part of family and everyday activities. “We’re patient-centered,” Dr. Lo says. “Our focus is on you and how you interact with other people and your world. Our suggestions aren’t based on hearing alone. We give tips on what family members can do to help improve communication. We talk to them about ways they can help you use your hearing device. The focus is not on the device but on how the device can enrich and improve your life.” The family talk takes place in the clinic’s bayou room, one of four named and themed rooms, each with a designated purpose. Margaret Breaux, patient care coordinator at The Hearing Clinic, invites patients to Boracay, where they can relax on the beach while Dr. Lo gathers baseline data. San Pablo, Dr. Lo’s hometown in the Philippines, is where patients explore speech mapping, get fitted for their hearing devices and get an up-close look at artwork by Dr. Lo’s three children. “Vegas is the room where you spend your money,” Dr. Lo jokes, noting that a patient suggested the name as a tie-in to the clinic’s “reconnect with your world” theme. Each room features original artwork by local artists, from swamp scenes in the bayou room to wooden spiral ornaments in the lobby. Also in the lobby are photographs by award-winning travel photographer Yen Baet, a childhood friend of Dr. Lo. The prized art collection is part of what makes The Hearing Clinic feel less like a clinic and more like an inviting home. “Having the artwork eases our patients’ anxiety,” Dr. Lo says. “I want you to feel like you are with family.”

August 2018 56 povhouma.com


Inside the bayou room, Dr. Lo keeps a TV and chairs to simulate a living room at home. Today’s advanced hearing devices are wireless and often Bluetooth-enabled, allowing them to work with existing home technology by dually functioning as remote controls and external microphones. Before a patient leaves the clinic, Dr. Lo gives a full demonstration to the patient and his or her family.

power tools. The Hearing Clinic offers custom-fitted ear molds to help combat damage to hearing. Specialty ear plugs can be created for specific activities like hunting and playing live music. “That’s the most inexpensive way to protect your hearing from longterm negative effects,” Dr. Lo says. “Any time you are exposed to these loud noise, it’s essential to wear ear protection because there is no way to restore the hearing. Once you’ve lost it, it’s gone. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

“When you’re in a noisy environment or a meeting, you can use the device to amplify a speaker’s voice,” Dr. Lo says. “Because the microphone is on a lanyard, you can even politely ask a priest to wear it during Mass so you can follow along more easily.” Although hearing devices are typically associated with the elderly population, Dr. Lo stresses that maintaining good hearing is essential at any age. She recommends that every adult get an annual hearing checkup, like you would for your teeth and your eyes. Across all ages, the greatest risk to hearing loss remains exposure to loud noises, including music, guns and even

The reality is, many people suffer from some type of hearing loss. For those wanting to improve their hearing, Dr. Lo takes great joy in helping them reconnect with their world. “We want to ensure you are getting the best out of life,” Dr. Lo says. “Audiology is not just for people who have lost their hearing. It’s for everyone. Hearing is your vital link to your world. It’s important to make sure it’s in good working condition.”

August 2018 57 povhouma.com


WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE |

BY THIBODAUX REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

MAKE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER It’s time for the kids to head back to the classroom. Changing from a summer to a school schedule can be stressful for everyone. Here are a few things that you can do to help your children have a healthy, happy new school year.

Sleep Schedules Going back to school means the end of late bedtimes. According to the National Sleep Foundation, school-aged children (ages 6 to 13) need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep. By setting earlier bedtimes, you are helping to teach your kids about healthy sleep habits.

Importance of Immunizations When it comes to your child’s health, ensuring that their immunizations are up to date is critical. Not sure which immunizations are required? Check with your child’s doctor, their school, or your local health department. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a full recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents ages 18 and younger on its official website (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/ imz/child-adolescent.html)

Plan Healthy Lunches It can be all too easy to fall into the “sandwich, chips, cookie” routine when you’re packing school lunches for your children. Sure, your child may like all these things, but they’re not the healthiest option. With a little pre-planning, you can ensure that

your child has a delicious and nutritious lunch – as well as one they’ll want to eat. Variety is key. Try to include different foods each day. For example, instead of a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, why not try a veggie wrap? And don’t forget to add the proteins: slip in a yogurt or a granola bar. If you load up your child’s lunch with too many carbohydrates, they’ll be hungry again before the school day ends. And while it’s great to include a lot of different kinds of fruits and veggies, keep your child in mind when you prep. Do they like raw cauliflower florets? If they don’t like to eat a certain food at home, you can be pretty sure they won’t eat it if you pack it in their school lunch.

Don’t Overload Those Backpacks Did you know that according to the American Occupational Therapy Association, well over half of students carry a backpack that is too heavy? This can cause potentially serious health issues, including back and neck pain, as well as poor posture. A backpack should weigh no more than 15 percent of a child’s body weight. Make sure they’re wearing both shoulder straps and the waist strap, to help better distribute the backpack’s weight. The heaviest items should be placed low and near the center of the back. If your child’s school allows them, consider getting a wheeled backpack, especially if your child regularly overloads their pack.

August 2018 58 povhouma.com


FUN FACTS

WE ARE REACHING • T he month of August is also known as “Admit You’re Happy Month”, “Goat Cheese Month”, “National Picnic Month”, “Panini Month” and “Romance Awareness Month”.

• International Beer Day (Aug. 3), International Hangover Day (first Saturday of the month), National Clown Day (Saturday during International Clown Week), Mild Child’s Day (Aug. 12), World Mosquito Day (Aug. 20) and Race Your Mouse Day (Aug. 28) are celebrated in August.

• August is named after Augustus Caesar and has 31 days because he wanted the same amount of days as the month named after Julius Caesar (July). They took the extra day from February.

Jacob Rhodes Agent, Agency Manager

Todd Hebert LUTCF, Agent

Derek Charpentier LUTCF, Agent

Gene Gueniot Jr. Agent

WE HOPE THE SUMMER HAS BEEN

COOL FOR YOU

Brandon Allen Agent

Natalie Wallace Licensed CSR

• Sardonyx and peridot are the birthstones for August, and poppy and gladiolus are the flowers.

• The first Woodstock Festival opened on a dairy farm in Bethel, N.Y. on August 15, 1969. The three-day event (actually turned into four days), saw huge acts like Jefferson Airplane, the Who, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and more. An estimated 400,000 people attended the festival.

THE END OF SUMMER... FALL IS IN SIGHT...

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August 2018 59 povhouma.com

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UNDER THE SCOPE |

PERSONAL SERVICE IN PERSON 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. Personalized service. Trusted advice.

BY JOHN DOUCET

SUMMER MOVIE

PREVIEWS August seems all too familiar. The days are hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoons and humming mosquito trucks in the evenings. The grass is tall, the price of gas is high, and there’s a low pressure system in the Gulf. The impending doom of going back school permeates the air inside every shopping place. And the title of every new movie released over the past summer has been known to you for years. Big studios these days seem to be overly interested in the tried-and-true. If a movie was a blockbuster a few decades or even just a few years ago, they’ll make a sequel. If a movie involved the death of a lead actor or a major story line, then they’ll instead make a prequel. I, for one, would like to see something new rather than another trilogy of middle-earth legends. After all, it’s the bold courageousness of studios and investors that gave us “Ishtar” and “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.” And where would society be without those? And so, I’ve concocted a way to force major studios to invest in new ideas. Instead of simply sending them new, innovative scripts which they would clearly cast aside, my plan is to infiltrate studio readers with prequel and sequel scripts telling stories with such absolute finality that moviemakers will be powerless but to move on with new ideas. Below are synopses of a few of these infiltrating scripts. Although the following descriptions may contain spoilers, the movie titles are so familiar that your viewing enjoyment will not likely be compromised. Jurassic World: Mass Extinction. Chris Pratt’s favorite dinosaurs escape, congregate, and multiply in the wetlands of south Louisiana. And then the Cajun Navy arrives with their favorite wild game recipes. Season opens and then closes forever.

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Star Trek: The Last Enterprise. This is the last go-round for Chris Pine as James T. Kirk. After crashing the U.S.S. Enterprise four times in three movies, Starfleet can’t get insurance. Dr. McCoy goes on to write a television drama called “Bones.” Mr. Scott becomes CEO of a major paper product company. Mr. Spock becomes a galaxy-famous pediatrician. Ocean’s Two. Rusty and Danny are second graders in Atlantic City. After getting caught taking bets at the school spelling bee, they are expelled by an unsympathetic principal seeking to groom the next national champion. With assistance from a veteran bookie named Ruben, they replace the competition words with long words containing

August 2018 60 povhouma.com


WHAT no vowels. When one contestant accidentally spells a word correctly, she’s named winner. Her name is Tess. Close Encounters of the Last Kind. Instead of repeating just five notes, scientists teach the revisiting aliens to play rock & roll, highlighted by the keyboard solo on “Roundabout.” Avengers: Finity War. Sequel to “Infinity War.” A new superhero emerges. He’s the CGI artist who finally allows the Hulk and Iron Man to stay hurt after being hurled into a skyscraper by some form of villainous electromagnetic power. This movie finally gets all the preposterous smashing and clobbering over with.

are you

WAITING for?

Braveheart 2. William Wallace comes back from the dead and Mel Gibson comes back to starring front man who, at this age, looks remarkably like William Wallace coming back from the dead. After being hanged drawn and quartered in the first movie, Wallace’s body magically reassembles to orchestrate a second, more peaceful Norman invasion as the British mainland is repopulated with little French babies. Regal Select by

Mission Possible. After multiple bone brakes and concussions, Tom Cruise is done with his owns stunts and is taking on easier tasks. He plays a screenwriter working on the sequel to “Top Gun.” Hopefully, with scripts like these, studio execs will get the idea and give other films a chance. The next time you walk out of a cinema into a clear blue sky, however, stay wary: There’s likely a third Death Star out there. POV

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August 2018 61 povhouma.com


JOIN US EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT IN AUGUST FOR CANNATA’S

WINE & SPIRITS 6-8 PM

in our Wine & Spirits Dept.

AUG 3 Brew Can

Tango!

Craft beers & Spanish wines!

AUG 10

Yum! Yum! We Are sampling

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RENDEZVOUS |

WHERE YOU NEED TO BE AROUND TOWN

Les Miserables

White Linen After Hours

August 3-5 & 8-11

August 17, 7-9 p.m.

Presented by Lorna and Company, the award-winning musical will be performed by young actors. This dinner theatre features a delicious meal before the musical begins. Tickets are $60 plus tax. Where: Ellendale Country Club Contact: 985.860.2940

Wear your best, cool summer whites and bring some friends to Downtown Thibodaux! Enjoy specialty cocktails, live music, demos, food and shopping at downtown stores at this event. Where: Downtown Thibodaux Contact: 985.413.9886

Summerfest 2018

Junior Auxiliary of Houma’s 4th Annual Moonlight Masquerade

August 11, 6 p.m.

Cenac Marine Services presents Summerfest 2018 featuring the hot sounds of Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters, LeRoux and Amanda Shaw. This indoor concert’s tickets are now on sale, starting at $25 for standing floor tickets. Where: Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Contact: houmaciviccenter.com

Artisan craft cocktails & california wines

AUG 17

IT’S A WHISKY & WASHINGTON THANG!

svedka Flavored vodkas and Italian wines

RSVP

TO EVENTS ON

& FOLLOW

US FOR MORE

DETAILS

6307 WEST PARK AVENUE HOUMA, LA 70364

Enjoy a night out full of fun as you help support the community. Houma’s Dancing with the Stars competition takes center stage as Houma celebrities and dance professionals are paired up for this wonderful event. The event is cocktail attire and will include a silent auction, live entertainment, complimentary beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds benefit JA of Houma, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of local children’s wellbeing. Tickets are $65. Where: Houma Municipal Auditorium Contact: eventbrite.com

Bayou Culinary Showcase August 22, 5:30-9 p.m.

Bourbons/whisky and washington wInes

AUG 24 Tantalize Your Tastebuds!

August 18, 7-11 p.m.

SMES Fishing Rodeo August 17-18

St. Matthew’s Episcopal School hosts this back-to-school fishing rodeo to help raise funds for the school. The rodeo features kids and adults inshore and kayak divisions. Cleaned fish will be donated to Terrebonne Parish Veterans. Where: CoCo Marina, Chauvin Contact: fishforsmes.eventbrite.com

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Bayou Chapter will host its 6th annual interactive tasting event, presented by The Ground Patî and Taco Bell. General admission is $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Food from area restaurants, music, chef cooking demos, and silent and live auctions make for an entertaining evening. Where: The Cypress Columns, Gray Contact: lra.org

August 2018 62 povhouma.com


Inspirations Unique gifts for unique people Custom embroidery & monograms

Homeowners Auto- Personal & Commercial Business/Commercial Flood Employee Benefits

MEMORY PILLOWS from loved ones’ clothing

CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAY, AND CELEBRATION ITEMS.

PAUL CLEMENT

Owner, Broker, Agent Paulc@clementinsurance.com

BILLIE JEAN ANDERSON

Personal Lines Producer Billie@clementinsurance.com

Painted ornaments, new or old.

DANAIE VERRETT

Commercial & Personal Lines Producer Danaie@clementinsurance.com

ANGIE WEBRE

Commercial Lines Producer Angie@clementinsurance.com

CLAUDIA ALDAMA

CSR Claudia@clementinsurance.com

1702 Saint Charles St

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

985-872-1391 Phone www.facebook.com/inspirationsbydebbie

debrushing1213@gmail.com 985-226-4463

August 2018 63 povhouma.com

504-910-9904 Fax www.clementinsurance.com


SCENE IN |

LOOK AT OL’ SO ‘N’ SO!

FREEDOM CARNIVAL The Bayou Country Children’s Museum hosted their inaugural Freedom Carnival on June 30. The fun event included museum admission, carnival games and prizes and a special visit from Batman.

VISIT THE

OPEN Monday through Friday 10AM to 4PM Saturday 10AM to 2PM

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SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE We received hundreds of pictures from readers this past month, boasting of their successful fishing trips. Our bountiful waters are what truly make Louisiana a Sportsman’s Paradise.

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C’EST FINI! August 2018 65 povhouma.com


THE ART OF SMART |

IT’S NOT AN ARTICLE, IT’S A SMARTICLE

1 Which famous musical artist died on August 16, 1977? Jimi Hendrix A Elvis Presley B

C Janis Joplin D John Lennon

2 On August 24, 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying what city?

Babylon A Tulum B

C Athens D Pompeii

3 What painting was stolen from the Louvre Gallery in Paris on August 21, 1911? The Starry Night A Girl with a Pearl Earring B

C The Last Supper D Mona Lisa

4 Martin Luther King Jr.’s groundbreaking “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered on steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28 of what year?

1960 A 1958 B

C 1963 D 1965

5 On August 31, 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in what city? Paris A London B

C Manchester D Dublin

6 What famous New Orleans jazz musician, who appeared in the film “Hello, Dolly!”, was born on August 4, 1901?

Duke Ellington A Buddy Bolden B

C Louis Armstrong D King Oliver

7 What “Frankenstein” author was born on August 30, 1797? Jane Austen A Mary Shelley B

HOW DID YOU DO?

C Charles Dickens D Percy Shelley

1) B, 2) D, 3) D, 4) C, 5) A, 6) C, 7) B, 8) A

8 On August 9, 1945, the second atomic bomb was dropped by American forces on what city in Japan?

Nagasaki A Hiroshima B

C Tokyo D Kyoto August 2018 66 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

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? Fax it, 985.873.9009, or email it to us, looktwice@povhouma.com. A winner will be picked by random drawing August 17. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank.

Congratulations to Catherine Ohda for winning last month’s contest.

August 2018 67 povhouma.com

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 1 Removed switch on the wall 2 Removed shell from pillow 3 Green bowtie on gator 4 Added lobster 5 Removed the light 6 Changed lamp color


August 2018 68 povhouma.com


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