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OCTOBER 2020 | VOL. 14 • ISSUE 10 | POVHOUMA.COM
CONTENTS |
OCTOBER 2020 • VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 10
CONT HOME + LIVING
Page 20
12 CHATEAU CHIC Space for Style
18 THE OBSERVER Give Some Thanks
FOOD + FUN
Page 28
MIND + BODY
Page 38
28 ALL-IN IN THE PICKLE BIZ
38 A HAUNTING HOBBY
34 BON APPETIT
44 WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE
Amazin Kajin Pickles takes Houma by storm.
Pumpkin Love
20 TAKING FASHION ONLINE
Cullen Diebold shows off his labor of love.
Three Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risks
Local women open online boutiques to great success.
October 2020 2 povhouma.com
ENTS EXTRAS
ON THE COVER
WORD, YA HEARD
COMITY ( kom-i-tee ) noun mutual courtesy; civility
WORD ON THE STREET Comity in the small community makes it unique and special.
06 EDITOR’S NOTE Keep On Dreamin’
08 INTERVUE
“Who ya gonna call?” Photo: Misty Leigh McElroy
Say What?
46 UNDER THE SCOPE Fowl Play
48 RENDEZVOUS
Where you need to be around town
50 LOOK TWICE
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Mary Downer Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Drew Miller ASSOCIATE EDITOR French Press
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Channing Candies Misty Leigh McElroy
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AMENITIES INCLUDE: •MUSIC & MEMORY •KITCHEN THERAPY •LIVE & LOCAL •IN-HOUSE THERAPY DOG •NOVEL EXCURSIONS •GAMES & CRAFTS Fast track to a comeback program, a state of the art short term skilled therapy.
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Business address: Rushing Media, P.O. Box 5013, Houma, LA 70361 • 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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EDITOR’S NOTE |
MARY DOWNER DITCH • EDITORIAL DIRECTOR OF POV
KEEP ON DREAMIN’ “What’s your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don’t; but keep on dreamin’!” - Pretty Woman
Emily Rodrigue and Marlo Rodrigue, and Saadi Francis launched online boutiques within the last few months. For these avid fashion lovers, owning their own boutiques has been the fulfillment of a longtime dream. Learn more about what drives these young entrepreneurs to succeed on page 20.
I think it’s true - everyone has a dream. It’s more than the stuff movies are made of; it’s that little voice inside you that reminds you of what you most desire. Dreams help us to set goals, to make our plans, and to strive to achieve. I’ll be honest with you all - I am currently in the market for a new dream! As simple as it sounds, my dream was always to love what I do. I never wanted to dread going to work on a Monday. I wanted to be excited about what each day would hold. I tried many different jobs on the way to what I do now. Heck, I tried many different jobs at the company I currently work for! I’ve loved every job I’ve held on this path. But at the end of the day, I discovered I love telling people’s stories, sharing in their successes and dreams. It’s a big responsibility, when you share the story of another. Through my storytelling, I feel like I make a difference in someone’s life. And maybe the life of someone who reads it. Again, it’s a simple dream, but it was one that was important to me to achieve. Thanks to Point of Vue and our readers, my dream has come true. Now onto the next big dream! In this issue, each of our stories focuses on a big dream. From businesses to hobbies, each person we introduce you to this month has achieved their dream, and is striving for continuous improvement.
Amazin Kajin Pickles has been rapidly expanding since owners and husband and wife, Kami Gauche and Armeisha Gauche, decided to go all-in on their pickle business just five months ago. With the help of their two young sons, they have brought a hobby full-circle to achieving their dream of owning their own business. Share in their success story starting on page 28. Taking a hobby and using it to fulfill a dream rings true for our final story too, although this one has hauntingly appropriate timing as we approach Halloween. Cullen Diebold has put many hours into his passion project: turning an old hearse into Ecto-1a of “Ghostbusters 2” fame. More than just a project for him, as a member of the Louisisna Ghostbusters, Ecto-1a will hopefully start making the circuit soon, helping to raise money for good causes. Dream big with Cullen starting on page 38. I hope you are on your way to achieving your dream. Don’t be afraid to reach a little higher or try the impossible along the way. Each step you take, brings you one step closer to living that dream. Keep on dreamin’! POV
October 2020 6 povhouma.com
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INTERVUE |
SAY WHAT?
What is your favorite thing about fall in the south?
KATIE My favorite thing about Fall in the South is the smell of gumbo in the air while relaxing by a campfire.
ERICA Fall me to me means cooler temps for running, Miracle League NOLA Baseball with our boys, roasting marshmallows and Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday.
MEGAN Cool fronts, gumbo, and Halloween, especially the Rougarou Fest are what I look forward to every fall!
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HOME + LIVING
CHATEAU CHIC | 12 Space for Style
THE OBSERVER | 18 Give Some Thanks
TAKING FASHION ONLINE | 20
Local women open online boutiques to great success.
October 2020 10 povhouma.com
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HOME + LIVING |
CHATEAU CHIC
SPACE FOR STYLE BY BONNIE RUSHING | PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
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Completely transforming their 1,547 square foot home, Kerry and Katie Lasserre prove that a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing style. “While a home is small, you can absolutely make it beautiful and inviting with the decor and personality you put into it,” Katie shares regarding remodeling their early 2000s home. Located on a large lot in a residential neighborhood with many young families, their home has been the perfect for raising their family. After losing her mother in 2018, Katie needed a project to help her through the grieving process. Being inspired by images from Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, as well as television shows on HGTV, Katie and Kerry tackled their first project of refinishing their kitchen cabinets. “Our home was in the style of an Italian villa with lots of dark, rich tones. The cabinets were a dark cherry wood, and I wanted to brighten
up the place. I went with a beautiful gray and used an antiquing glaze to give them a modern Farmhouse feel,” Katie explains. After that, the couple decided to remodel the place themselves over time. Remodeling was a family affair as the family of five all chipped in and completed the remodel themselves. Katie planned the design and decor while Kerry was the carpenter, painter, and handyman doing everything from tearing out old vanities and flooring, to putting up shiplap, and laying tile. “He pretty much made all my crazy ideas come to life,” Katie says with a smile. “Our sons, Kristian, Kollin, and Kameron assisted throughout the process. We worked on weekends and holidays over the last 2 years, focusing on one project at a time.” We used Benjamin Moore paint throughout our home from Dishman Flooring Center as well as purchasing decor items from there,
October 2020 12 povhouma.com
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“My bedroom and bathroom are my favorite spaces in our home. We wanted our bedroom to be an oasis,” Katie explains. White trim against beautiful cream tones make the room appear large and open. Katie layers on style with crisp bedding and linens. The master bathroom
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boasts farmhouse style with black and white tile and a shiplap accent wall. Putting the finishing touch on the master suite are many family heirlooms that hold special meaning for Katie, such as her great-grandmother’s sewing machine. With only a couple of rooms left to complete, the couple will shift their attention to the outside where they plan to paint the brick using a German Smear technique and replace the siding with Hardie Board. “With a little time and determination, you can most definitely do it yourself. We watched YouTube videos, asked experts, and tried things out. Some ideas didn’t work, and that was okay. We learned from the process and just tried again until we got the result we wanted. By doing the work ourselves we not only saved money, but we are able to put our special touch into it. POV
No. 1 Living Room No. 2 Kitchen No. 3 Detail No. 4 Master Bedroom No. 5 & 6 Detail No. 7 Bedroom No. 8 Coffee Bar No. 9 Bathroom See more photos and pre-renovation photos online at povhouma.com.
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THE OBSERVER |
BY JAIME DISHMAN
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When I woke this morning, the air tingled with the slightest hint of a fall breeze. It probably wouldn’t be obvious to anyone not from south Louisiana. But to me, that slight difference meant fall is coming. There will be more sweaty days, too. But fall is coming. About this time of year, I start longing for a little sweater weather. I long for the days when there’s a chill in the house when you wake up in the morning. The hot, humid south Louisiana summers can leave you longing for anything under 80 degrees. Am I right? Because what a summer it’s been. I feel as though I’m typing the same words I typed months ago: Riots. Anger. A country divided more than it’s ever been since the Civil War. With the fall, people are putting out their fall decor. I see the word “thankful” in a lot of stores. It’s a cute throw pillow about this time of year. Can we all take a minute and make the word more than a decoration? Are we thankful? Am I thankful? I’m sitting in a quiet house, typing as my house slowly wakes. The windows are dark, because the sun hasn’t risen in the sky yet. Children are still sleeping. It’s just my coffee and me. Have I counted my blessings? Many days, the answer is no. There’s been no counting of any blessing. I wake up, pour coffee and get the day started. The busy day starts before a blessing has been counted.
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The moments spent giving thanks transform an ordinary day into a day of appreciation. Because I am thankful. In spite of all the chaos of the past few months, I am thankful. Thankful for my family. Thankful to call this country my home. Thankful to live in Louisiana. Thankful for those who have gone before us and paved the way for freedoms that I take for granted. I know I’m about a month too early writing about thankfulness. That’s November, Jaime. Save it for Thanksgiving. But a little thankfulness can transform a world, and maybe we need to start a little sooner than later. Maybe I need to start a little sooner than later. It’s hard to be filled with rage when you stop to be thankful. It’s even harder to hate when you’re thankful to the people you’re tempted to turn your anger toward. There’s a softening of hard places in all of our hearts when we show gratitude. And perhaps all our hearts could use a little softening. A little slowing down and showing thankfulness. Because that’s what gratitude does. It forces you to slow down and notice what someone else is doing that you appreciate. A kid in my house was complaining about a teacher. Maybe you should be thankful for the teacher, I suggested. Why be thankful for a teacher that I 0ctober 2020 18 povhouma.com
don’t even like, kid asked. Well, because if she wasn’t your teacher, you might have one you liked even less. The puzzled look on kid’s face said more than the words he said. He turned. I turned. The conversation ended. But there’s some truth in the thankfulness. There are people we don’t like. Life never promised us that everyone we meet or have in our lives would be people we love. But we love this life, and stopping to be thankful even for difficult people and difficult things changes the way we look at something we previously couldn’t tolerate.
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Is the unnamed kid thankful for the teacher? I’m not sure, but at least the thought has been planted that perhaps showing a little gratitude toward someone you don’t like could be our “new normal” that people keep talking about. So we smile and say thanks to all people. Not just the easy ones. Not just the ones who make us smile. Thank you to the people who share differing opinions. You’re showing me the other side that I might not have previously seen. This month has us hurdling toward a divisive election. Two polarizing sides that seem to barely be able to tolerate one another. People with opinions who can’t seem to stand the other side. So maybe, let’s all stop and give some thanks. And see if that changes some of the things we thought could never change. POV
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TAKING FASH MAREM
When any person wakes up and begins preparing for the day ahead, there is one factor that always inches its way to the front of his or her mind: the outfit choice of the day. It’s easy to see why clothing plays such a significant role in day-to-day life, as it has a way of communicating so much information without the need for any words at all. It can express a person’s personality, celebrate an event or occasion and even, admittedly, reveal whether someone was in a rush that morning or had plenty of time to get ready. Sometimes, clothing has a way of bringing
people together to unite for a common purpose and create connections that span beyond dresses and shirts. This is undoubtedly the case for three local women from the Houma-Thibodaux area that have launched online clothing boutiques over the last few months. Owned by Emily Rodrigue and Marlo Rodrigue, MAREM opened for virtual business in July at https://shopmarem. com/, while blogger Saadi Francis launched U R WHAT U WEAR in September at https://urwhatuwear.com/. For these avid fashion lovers, owning their October 2020 20 povhouma.com
own boutiques has been the fulfillment of a longtime dream. Weeks into operation now, though, both shops have come to hold a deeper meaning: one of self-love, support and sisterhood. “My whole thing is like ‘you are what you wear,’ so wear whatever you want. So, a big thing for me is confidence and being comfortable in what you wear and feeling good about yourself. If you look good, you feel good,” Saadi says. “I don’t want people to say to me, ‘Oh, I wish I could wear that.’ I want people to just wear whatever they want to wear and feel comfortable.” A mental health counseling graduate
HION ONLINE BY KEELY DIEBOLD | PHOTOS SUBMITTED
UR WHAT U WEAR
student at Nicholls State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Saadi’s passion is mental health advocacy. However, the Houma native has always had a love of fashion, even studying retail at LSU for two years before going to Nicholls. After working for a few local boutiques, she discovered that she had an itch to dive into the fashion world. Thus, U R WHAT U WEAR was initially born as a fashion blog. However, Saadi knew she wanted to pursue her love of fashion even further through an online clothing store. “I was terrified at first. I was like, ‘How am I supposed to do this on my own? How
do I even start?’ I had no idea,” Saadi says. Roughly four months of preparation later on Sept. 5, U R WHAT U WEAR’s online boutique officially debuted to the community, fusing Saadi’s passion for mental health awareness and her love of fashion. U R WHAT U WEAR’s purpose was clear: what people wear can substantially impact how they feel, so it’s important to choose clothing that makes them feel confident and distinctly like themselves. Keeping in line with that push for confidence, Saadi says her approach to the style she’s chosen for her boutique centers on bold statement pieces.
October 2020 21 povhouma.com
“I like bold pieces, but I also want to provide basics. Everyone has a basic white tee. Everyone has a good pair of jeans. I just want to find pieces that people are going to look at and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen something like that before,’” Saadi says. Saadi says that working remotely as a result of stay-at-home measures put into place to slow the spread of COVID-19 was a “plus” that gave her the time she needed to save money, develop her website and connect with brands. Now, she’s balancing her blog and online boutique with graduate school, a graduate
“MY WHOLE THING IS LIKE ‘YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR,’ SO WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT. A BIG THING FOR ME IS CONFIDENCE AND BEING COMFORTABLE IN WHAT YOU WEAR AND FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. IF YOU LOOK GOOD, YOU FEEL GOOD.”
Saadi Francis
assistantship on campus and a job working as a life skills mentor to juvenile delinquents. Saadi says she makes local deliveries around town twice a week and sends packages out for shipment three days a week when she’s working on campus. She also spends a great deal of her time browsing through her retailers to search for pieces for her site, as well as unboxing and organizing new shipments of clothing. “I keep a planner for my school stuff, and then I keep a planner for my work stuff, and I have a calendar dry erase board that I write what’s coming in when, when I’m going to do a giveaway, when I’m going to do a sale. I try to map out the whole month so that I know what’s coming,” Saadi explains. Over in Baton Rouge, the women behind MAREM are also learning how to navigate the demands of school and work with small business ownership. The self-proclaimed “inseparable” pair leans on each other for support to make their online boutique a possibility.
“It’s just all about respecting each other’s schedules and times and picking up the slack when the other one has a busier day,” Marlo says. “There’s also things that I always do and that Emily always does, like I always edit the pictures, and Emily always describes the products. There’s just things we both know we have to get done.” It’s easy to mistake Marlo and Emily, who are currently in their junior and sophomore years at LSU, respectively, for sisters. Though they share a last name, the women behind MAREM are only distant cousins. However, since meeting during their seventh and eighth grade years and forming a close bond through their dance team in high school, the duo might as well be sisters. The women both share a deep love of fashion, becoming involved with brand deals over the years and even attending modeling school together in New Orleans. Emily says that they always joked about starting their own clothing boutique years down the line after they’re both married. October 2020 22 povhouma.com
A relatively impulsive decision, though, ultimately led to that dream becoming a reality this summer. “I remember it so vividly. We were in the car one day, and I turned to Marlo and was like, ‘Let’s do this. I’m tired of waiting on our dreams,’ and she was like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s do this,’” Emily says. When the “new normal” set in as a result of COVID-19, Marlo says the pair found themselves with more free time, along with a desire for a change in their normal routine. It was these factors, coupled with the shift to online shopping that many people made in response to COVID-19, that ultimately helped to pave the way for MAREM. Of course, every business needs a brand that captures what’s at its heart. After trying countless name options, the one that stuck was a combination of both of their names—another testament to their close bond. MAREM officially made its debut on July 25 after two months of preparation and one
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month of teasers across social media. The duo celebrated with a launch day gathering of close family friends. “When I tell you, when we launched, the love that we received was just crazy,” Emily says. “We literally lost our minds. We were like, ‘What if this just flops?’ We were so nervous, and obviously we were excited because we had all this support so far.” Marlo says the duo wanted their boutique to be one geared toward college-aged women, featuring clothing that was youthful and edgy, but most importantly, affordable for college students. Additionally, the women sought a unique way to pay tribute to the people who supported them in their journey to launching the store. The result was naming each piece of clothing after a close friend or family member. “If they see something named after them, they’ll get so excited...It’s just been super fun. One of my favorite things is naming clothes because if something reminds me of someone, it’s like, I get to name it after them and see their reaction,” Marlo says.
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“I REMEMBER IT SO VIVIDLY. WE WERE IN THE CAR ONE DAY, AND I TURNED TO MARLO AND WAS LIKE, ‘LET’S DO THIS. I’M TIRED OF WAITING ON OUR DREAMS,’ AND SHE WAS LIKE, ‘LET’S GO. LET’S DO THIS,’” EMILY SAYS.
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As the women behind MAREM and U R WHAT U WEAR look toward their futures with dreams of opening storefronts for their businesses and, for Saadi, plans to launch a men’s clothing line in October, they’re leaning on support from the people around them, including each other. In August, Saadi hosted a pop-up event for local women-owned small businesses, including MAREM, to come together to show support for one another, gain exposure for each other and give each other advice. For both boutiques, the event highlighted the value of women supporting other women. “I think it’s better to just be like, I want everyone to be successful. You do you. I
hope you’re successful. We can support each other, and I think coexisting with other people doing the same thing as you is so important, and when they’re thriving, you congratulate them...and it’s just like a ‘girls support girls,’ [thing],” Marlo says. “It feels good to know other people who have been through what we’ve been through want to see us thrive and succeed. For people looking to start their own business, both the MAREM team and Saadi stress the importance of being confident in pursuing their dreams. “Go for it. I definitely needed the push that I got from other people when I started my blog,” Saadi says. “Have your own message. Make it personal. Ask questions….I know that so many small business owners are always willing to help.” POV
0ctober 2020 24 povhouma.com
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ALL-IN IN THE PICKLE BIZ | 28 Amazin Kajin Pickles takes Houma by storm.
BON APPETIT | 34 Pumpkin Love
October 2020 26 povhouma.com
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“To me, it’s an honor to be able to start and build a business in my community, give my community jobs and be able to give back to my community.” BY DREW MILLER | PHOTOS SUBMITTED
From video blogs to captioned selfies with their products, if you search the hashtag #amazinkajinpickles, you will find rave reviews by many satisfied customers from the Bayou Region and beyond. Now manufacturing 700-800 pickles a week, being featured in roughly 10 local convenience stores and shipping to customers across the country, the Houma-based Amazin Kajin Pickles has been rapidly expanding since owners and husband and wife, Kami Gauche and Armeisha Gauche, decided to go all-in on their pickle business just five months ago. Their success comes about a year and a half after the family decided to start an experiment.
are really good. I think we should share this one for the whole world,’” Armeisha remembers. After just one simple social media post, family and friends began to message Armeisha about the snack, and then word of mouth carried the business from there and created the opportunity for it to enter the next phase -- selling in stores. Kami was interviewing for a position at Cheap Smokes in Houma when he was asked about the pickles by the manager, and later after she and the owner tried them, the store began featuring them. “Cheap Smokes would literally sell out in hours,” Armeisha recalls. “After he would put them there, by the time he got home they were sold out.”
“That was Kam’s idea, but he says it’s because of me. So, I’m thinking he didn’t want to buy me any more pickles,” Armeisha laughs. “He’s very innovative; if he thinks he can do something himself, he will.”
Next, Armeisha built the company a website, which she describes as “the ugliest website anyone could imagine.” However, once she shared that they started shipping and their website on Facebook, the family had 100 orders to fill in a week.
Kami and Armeisha’s two sons Kami Jr. and Konnor began working on the pickling process with their father, and the family was able to eat their own homemade pickles.
The businesses began to blossom; yet, such as most entrepreneurs, Armeisha and Kami encountered some setbacks.
The idea to take the hobby and turn it into a business originated from 5-year-old Kami Jr. “He said, ‘These pickles
Their then cucumber supplier started sending a low-quality product, sometimes being moldy, and other times, because
they weren’t stored in cool places, they turned really soft by the time they reached the customers. “We had to really stop production and go back to the drawing board,” Armeisha shares. “We said if we want to grow this business, we have to give out quality products.” Following testing out different cucumbers from various vendors and
areas this past summer, Armeisha says, they found perfection. “It was about finding the right cucumber that would stay crunchy, crispy and fresh,” she continues. “For the most part, our customers like the idea that it still has that cucumber taste, but it also has that pickle taste. So that’s what kind of separates us from the regular pickles.” In August, Amazin Kajin was ready
October 2020 30 povhouma.com
to continue business and did so with a brand new manufacturing plant. Located at 1103 Barataria Ave. in Houma, the new high-tech plant produces its famous pickle bites in original (dill pickle), spicy, super mix (lemon pepper and spicy mix), garlic and ranch flavors. The super mix was also Kami Jr’s idea. “They [Kami Jr. and Konnor] contribute a lot to the business -- with the name, marketing ideas, all
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Reaching much farther than the HoumaThibodaux area, they have shipped products to all over the United States, even all the way to Hawaii. “It’s the power of social media,” says Armeisha, who notes the businesses focus on engaging customers on online platforms. “So all it takes is for one person to buy your product, and then if they post it, their friends are interested. So, a lot of our success contributes to our community and the power of social media.”
me, it’s an honor to be able to start and build a business in my community, give my community jobs and be able to give back to my community.” The entrepreneurs are still striving to experiment and expand, too. Armeisha says they are working on other products, such as hamburger slices and relish, and are planning to get their pickles into some major supermarkets. “We believe in stimulating our local economy,” she says. “The more we grow, the more we can grow our community.”
The family also decided to include a storefront at the manufacturing facility because they wanted to engage with their customers in-person and create another way for customers to pick up their snacks as local stores would quickly sell out of their products.
Amazin Kajin Pickles products can be found in Houma at Sarah’s, Shop-N-Bag, Jubilee, Cheap Smokes, and occasionally at Nocko’s, Shamsan Plus, and Civic Stop. In Thibodaux, the famous pickles can be found at Peaches Mini Mart and Joni’s Mini Mart.
Family, community and giving back are at the forefront of the Gauche family’s values. “Kami and I are both givers. So for us, it is family-oriented, but we are just about giving,” Armeisha says. “To
Go to amazinkajinpickles.com to order them online. POV
0ctober 2020 32 povhouma.com
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FOOD + FUN |
BON APPETIT
PUMPKIN LOVE Confession time: I’m just not into the pumpkin-flavored whatever it is you’re selling. Coffee, jelly beans, waffles… No thanks. Truthfully, I don’t even care for pumpkin pie or cheesecake. But when it comes to decor, give me all the pumpkins! I have been known to go a tad crazy at our local pumpkin patches, searching through rows and rows to find the perfect one. I love the oddly colored and shaped
ones: the greenish-gray ones or the ones with wart-like bumps. So when it comes to my personal choice for fall food, I’d rather enjoy something pumpkin-shaped, instead of pumpkinflavored! Enter the pumpkin-shaped cheese ball! Easy to make, and even easier to eat, this cheese ball is simple to create for Halloween or even Thanksgiving gatherings.
PUMPKIN-SHAPED CHEESE BALL Directions 1. Add all ingredients except the crushed cheddar chips to a bowl and mix
until combined 2. S hape the cheese into a ball or pumpkin shape and wrap in plastic wrap. 3. Place in the fridge till firm (about 2 hours). 4. Roll the cheese ball in the crushed chips and top with the bell pepper stem. 5. To create the dented stripes in the pumpkin, you can use a piece of string
or yarn. Press the yarn into the cheese ball, starting at the top and make your way down to the bottom. 6. Serve with crackers, black bean chips, or fresh veggies. 0ctober 2020 34 povhouma.com
Ingredients • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temp
• 1 (1.1 ounce) package fiesta ranch dip mix
• 1/2 of a bell pepper, chopped small (save the stem for “pumpkin” top) • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded • 2 green onions, finely chopped • 3/4 cup finely crushed cheddar chips (we used cheddar cheese Pringles)
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Don’t let this tarantula frighten you! Tarantula Azul is the ultimate shooter. A smooth blend of premium tequila and crisp citrus liqueur delivers an invigorating icy-blue shot like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. It stands apart with its intense flavor and smooth finish. It’s the bite without the burn, a flash of flavor without the aftertaste.
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With its distinct Arctic blue hue, formidable flavor, and silky finish, Tarantula Azul is the perfect shooter to add to a hauntingly good event! POV
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MIND + BODY
A HAUNTING HOBBY | 38
Cullen Diebold shows off his labor of love.
WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE | 44 Three Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risks
October 2020 36 povhouma.com
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October 2020 37 povhouma.com
October 2020 38 povhouma.com
BY DREW MILLER PHOTOS BY MISTY LEIGH MCELROY
Hobbies — everyone has them. From something as simple as reading books to a more complicated (and perhaps more bizarre) one like extreme ironing, there are many options out there for folks to enjoy their leisure time. It is rare, however, that hobbies, which enthusiasts can often invest so much of their passion, time and money into, create opportunities to help others. As depicted in movies and television, the Ghostbusters put on their flight suits, strap on their proton packs and hop in the Ectomobile to rid the city of devious phantoms. Smiles can be seen on citizens as they cheer on their heroes after a job is finished. In real life, the Louisiana Ghostbusters (LAGB) still gear up with their flight suits and proton packs and travel by Ectomobile; however, they don’t blast ghosts with streams. For them, the joy and appreciation come from different avenues: guest appearances at children’s hospitals, raising money for charitable organizations and other community efforts. Houma native Cullen Diebold, a member of LAGB, calls himself a recent fan of the popular movie franchise, but as a kid, he loved playing “Luigi’s Mansion” — a Nintendo video game where players get to hunt ghosts. So, he took a liking to the ghost adventure concept. “I saw [an Ectomobile replica] at a monster truck show and thought it was pretty cool,” Cullen remembers. “I’ve always loved emergency vehicles, and to see this ghostcatching emergency vehicle was interesting.” In 2015, Cullen decided to transform his truck into a Ghostbuster vehicle to see how people would react to it. The then-18-year-old debuted his vehicle at the Rougarou Fest parade and later drove it around on Halloween, and he says the appearances were a “huge hit.” “Then I decided to watch the movie. And from there, I was hooked,” shares Cullen, who also notes that for him, it is more the cosplaying as a Ghostbuster October 2020 39 povhouma.com
“God works in mysterious ways...I just happened to run into a way to take something I love and help people in need while doing it.” that he enjoys rather than the movies themselves. He first encountered LAGB at a Krewe of Titans parade in 2013, when he saw them display one of their Ectomobile replicas. Cullen briefly talked with them at Comic Con New Orleans 2016 and later was invited to join the organization after meeting them again at a Relay for Life event. “The cheap Halloween costume with the inflatable proton pack I had wasn’t going to cut it anymore,” Cullen laughs. “So I went ahead and decided to go for the realistic costume. I got a military flight suit, got a custom patch with my last name on it,
got the Ghostbusters logo. I had my mom sew them on. And later that Halloween, I built myself a proton pack from wood and EVA foam.” Attending roughly 12 events a year with LAGB prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cullen wanted a Ghostbuster vehicle that was easier to assemble, with his truck requiring a 30-minute setup as it’s unable to be driven on the interstate with all the attachments. He also wanted the vehicle that better mirrored the ones in the films. Saving money with a plan to ship a car from out of state, Cullen just so happened to be scrolling through Facebook Marketplace one day when he discovered October 2020 40 povhouma.com
a 1990 Cadillac hearse for sale in Cut Off. Since buying the car in July, he’s put many hours into his passion project: installing the electrical writing, building the attachments, painting the red stripes, etc. His remodeled car is able to travel on the interstate with the add-ons, and he plans on taking the hearse, which is modeled after the Ecto-1a from “Ghostbusters 2,” to events this Halloween. A charitable organization, the Louisiana Ghostbusters can be seen at birthday parties, parades and conventions, and the funds its members receive for attending such events go toward causes, one being the fight against cancer.
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“It makes you a lot more passionate about what you do because it’s not like you’re building stuff just for yourself. You’re actually taking what you enjoy and using it to help others,” the local ghostbuster shares. A man of faith, Cullen says he always knew that helping the poor is an important virtue of his religion,
Catholicism, and his patron saint for confirmation was St. Nicholas -- who was known for assisting the poor and sick. “God works in mysterious ways,” he says. “I just happen to run into a way to take something I love and help people in need while doing it.” LAGB also attends an autism rally in Baton Rouge every year. Even though he hasn’t
been able to attend one with the group yet, it’s a cause Cullen can relate to. Cullen was diagnosed with autism when he was 4 years old, which he shares comes across his mind a lot. “One thing my mom says is that I’ve really been able to overcome a lot of the obstacles, and I’ve definitely learned to control it a lot more,” he says. “There are still things I struggle with, but
0ctober 2020 42 povhouma.com
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for the most part, I am doing better and able to just live a normal life.” “One of the misconceptions is that [people on the spectrum] are incapable of making it in life,” says Cullen, who is working on becoming a licensed electrician to freelance in addition to his current job. “I’m proof that that’s false.” POV
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WE SUPPORT A HEALTHIER FUTURE |
BY THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM
THREE WAYS TO REDUCE BREAST CANCER RISKS Few things frighten women more than the annual mammogram. The reminder on the refrigerator strikes dread months before the appointment. The anxiety stems from most of us knowing someone who has had breast cancer. One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Despite promising new research and treatments, the risk remains with us most of our lives. While we seemingly have no control over who and when breast cancer strikes, we can control some of the risks.
• At age 55, women of average risk Regular Exercise can continue annual or switch to According to the National Institute of biennial mammograms depending on Health, regular exercise is vital to good preference; health. Research indicates that exercise • Screening should continue as long as a women is in good health and expects can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring as much as 46 percent and to live another 10 years or more. lessen the risk of an initial diagnosis. Healthy Diet Diet may contribute to about 30 to 40 Women who exercise regularly during percent of all cancers. Research indicates treatment may also experience 40 to 50 that a low-fat diet and one high in percent less fatigue.
vegetables and fiber can help reduce the The U.S. Department of Health and risk or recurrence of breast cancer. Eating Human Services recommends that adults well during treatment can also help rebuild should do: muscle strength and overcome side effects Early Detection • At least 2.5 hours to 5 hours per week Early detection remains key to recovery such as anemia or fatigue. Healthy choices of moderate intensity exercise, such as brisk walking; and survival. Mammograms are to consider include: still the best tool for early detection. • Or 75 minutes to 2.5 hours per week • Diet low in added sugar and processed of vigorous exercise such as running, foods; Approximately 90 percent of all breast biking or high-intensity cardio; cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. The • Diet rich in unprocessed, nutrient• Muscle-strengthening exercises two dense foods such as fruits, vegetables following guidelines are recommended to or more times per week; weights, and whole-grain products; help women take charge of breast health: yoga and pilates can build muscles. • Low-fat milk and dairy products; • Be familiar with how breasts normally look and feel and immediately report Regular exercise, combined with a • Lean meats, poultry and fish; any changes to a healthcare provider; healthy diet, help women to maintain • Baked or broiled foods, not fried; • Start screening mammograms healthy weight. Being overweight or obese between ages 40 and 44; • Healthy snacks such as nuts, carrots, increases the risk for breast cancer. fat-free yogurt or bell pepper strips • Continue annual mammograms from instead of ice cream or candy; ages 45 to 54; • Limited alcohol. For more information contact Thibodaux Regional Cancer Center, 985.493.4008.
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FUN FACTS
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Dressing up for Halloween is an ancient tradition. The Celtic people believed that ghosts roamed the earth on Halloween and wore disguises to hide from the spirits.
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October 2020 45 povhouma.com
UNDER THE SCOPE |
Fall Tummy Tuck consult demonstration using Vectra 3D Imaging GIFT BAGS GIVEN TO THE FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO RSVP. MUST BE PRESENT TO CLAIM
5619 LA-311 Suite C Houma, LA 70360 Call 985-709-0467 to schedule an appointment today www.rauplastics.com
BY JOHN DOUCET
FOWL PLAY In the sophomore summer of my high school days, I spent a month touring South America with a large, marching band of fellow high schoolers from around the U.S. We were supposed to accompany the Mexican national soccer team, who were heavily favored to win the World Cup that summer. But, alas, Mexico unexpectedly lost in the quarterfinals. So, our organizers quickly set us upon an independent tour of select events in cities farther south of the border. Our first stop was Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. We arrived too early for the hotel and especially the hotel’s kitchen, which couldn’t keep up with how much U.S. teenagers could eat. After a week of trying to palate things our finicky U.S. stomachs had never tried before—like fried bananas, thin slices of llama steak, and green leafy salad so fresh that insect larvae were still eating on the leaves—we were desperate. Then, however, on one day, manna fell. Deliverance came. The promised land appeared. And choirs of angels sang in their perfect harmony from the halo of glory that always shines around joyful things. A sunburned and sub-beaten tribe of emaciated desert wanderers, we marched across the wide streets of downtown Quito that day and stepby-step came upon the friendly face of a kind, welcoming man. His hair, mustache, and goatee were of the most heavenly white, and he appeared to us as a vision emblazoned onto a red and white bucket of salvation. The bucket read “Pollo Frito Kentucky.” Now, no mixture of 11 herbs and spices can ever beat my mom’s two, but when you’re south of the equator in a foreign continent and you just can’t stomach llama any longer, you gotta survive until the next parade. And we did, barely overcoming the difficulty of playing the National Anthem of Ecuador for adoring and waving crowds through uncontrollable secretion of saliva. We heard the bell: Pavlov was right. Fried chicken saved 150 American high school musicians that equatorial week, and we all eventually made it home. However, some decades later, we 150 now find ourselves in a country where our traditional American values are under continual attack. In fact, just in the past few weeks, no less than three major attacks on American chicken-eating culture have transpired. Here are the headlines: LOUISVILLE, KY. Kentucky Fried Chicken, the nation’s second largest fast-food chain, has decided to temporarily suspend its best known slogan, “finger-lickin’ good.” “Finger licking,” the company says, “might not be the best idea during a global pandemic.” Meanwhile, the nation’s second largest chicken chain, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, claims that its fingers, specifically its Spicy Chicken Fingers, are perfectly fine to lick under any global circumstance but are more hearty if chewed and swallowed—something KFC patrons should not do with their own fingers 0ctober 2020 46 povhouma.com
under any slogan. LINCOLN, NE. The city council was urged to ban the term “boneless chicken wings” as it represents food items that don’t actually come from or even resemble chicken wings. “We’ve been living a lie for far too long,” one activist argued. “Children need to be properly taught that meat grows on bones and that chicken wings come from the wings of chickens. Besides, boneless chicken wings are just chicken tenders, which are already a thing.” Despite these adroit arguments, in a national survey 53 % of Americans said that “boneless wings” should count as “wings.” Sadly, the same 53% also believe that fish sticks are made of wood. BETHLEMEN, PA. The manufacturer of Peeps, the marshmallow candy named after its most recognizable shape—the little yellow chick—has suspended operations to ensure the health and safety concerns of its employees during the pandemic. The small, spongy confections are holiday favorites of both kids and adults, and suspending production will lead to dramatic shortages of fun things that both kids and adults can heat in microwave ovens to watch explode. The last stop on our South American tour that summer was the seaside city of Cartagena, Columbia. I wrote my mom on old-fashioned, onion-skin hotel stationery that I’d be home in a week and that I was craving her fried chicken. And when I returned home, she rewarded that envie, watching me as I checked all the wings for bones and all my fingers for lickability—all without uttering a peep. It was the best meal ever. There’s something to be said for preserving traditional chicken values. Maybe one day, we’ll never have to ask why it crossed the road. POV
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October 2020 47 povhouma.com
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October 10, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center
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St. Matthew’s Episcopal School will host its 6th Annual Fishing Rodeo on Friday, October 2nd, and Saturday, October 3rd. Weigh-ins will take place at St. Matthew’s Episcopal School in Downtown Houma. Friday’s weigh-in will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday’s weigh-in will be held from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Weigh-ins will take place at the Belanger Street carpool entrance. Scales close promptly at 3:00 on Oct. 3rd. The door prize drawings and announcement of category winners will be live-streamed at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. New this year is a $10,000 raffle that will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. Please contact the school if you would like to buy a ticket. Raffle tickets are $10 each. Rodeo tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children 13 and under. More information can be found at fishforsmes2020. eventbrite.com.
SCIA Golf Tournament
October 5, 7:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Ellendale Country Club
It’s time “fore” a little golf! The 18th annual SCIA golf tournament is a 4-person scramble with a blind bogey draw. The entry fee is $1040 per team, which includes the cost of games on the course, a selection of an item for the mobile pro shop, along with world class food and drinks along the course. Over $300,000 worth of prizes are awarded.
Craftin’ Cajuns Craft Show and Marketplace presented by H2 Motorsports is excited to return to the Civic Center! This indoor craft show and marketplace features over 130 vendors (with many more expected), free admission and free parking. At press time, for the safety of shoppers, vendors and staff, all persons entering the building will be required to pass a temperature screening. Additionally, anyone entering the event is required to wear a face covering at all times inside the building according to the Governor’s mandate. If the maximum allowable building occupancy is reached, those wishing to enter will be able to wait outside until individuals exit the building.
Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic October 26, 11 a.m. Ellendale Country Club
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host its 12th annual golf tournament! The Golf Classic features great food and drinks on the course as well as a number of prizes and golf-related awards for closest to the hole and longest drive. The format for the tournament will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $150 per person or $600 per fourmember team.
All events are subject to cancelation and/or date/time changes to due to current COVID-19 phases or mandates. 0ctober 2020 48 povhouma.com
TAILGATING IN THE SOUTH!
WWW.ROBICHAUXFORD.NET
Keep your health on track with Ochsner Primary Care.
985.537.CARE
October 2020 49 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 38. Email your answers to us at looktwice@povhouma.com or drop it in the mail: Rushing Media, P.O. Box 5013, Houma, LA, 70361. A winner will be picked by random drawing October 20. The winner will receive a $50 Visa® gift card courtesy of Synergy Bank. Participants must be 18 years or older.
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CONTEST 1 Recolored the picture on wall 2 Changed Lamp color 3 Removed knob on the end table 4 Removed photo from the book 5 Changed color of plate 6 Removed pattern from carpet
Congratulations to Sylvia B. Portier for winning last month’s contest.
POISED
TO DELIVER Synergy Bank’s team of local financial experts understand the needs of our community and are committed to the success of your business.
John Hebert
VP Commercial Lending NMLS# 450026
Patrice Oncale
VP Commercial Lending NMLS# 450029
Jerry Ledet
VP Commercial Lending NMLS# 450028
Russell Touchet VP Commercial Lending NMLS# 202209
Brett Means
VP Commercial Lending NMLS# 1019222
banksynergy.com October 2020 50 povhouma.com
Spooktacular Sales Event
6161 WEST PARK AVE., HOUMA, LA | 876-1817 October 2020 51 povhouma.com
www.southlanddodgechryslerjeep.com
October 2020 52 povhouma.com