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Slidell Magazine Every month, it’s the same thing - we’re like players on a stage and we both know our parts. John’s always seated at his desk, proﬁle to me, looking at his computer. He acknowledges me with, “Hey gal, got the latest copy of the magazine?” as he holds out his hand. I always say yes, always give him a kiss on the cheek, and always take my place across the desk from him. I can hear what John says next as if he were saying it to me right now. “You got a minute? I want to read you a story.” I know this moment and I wait to for it eagerly each month. The question is a formality – he knows I’m excited to hear the Storyteller’s next great story. I think he likes this time, too. He always has the story pulled up on his computer, right in front of him, when I come in. I bet he hears me when I enter the receptionist

Editor’s Letter By Kendra Maness

I love my job. There are 3 days each month when I get positively giddy about the magazine: The day we go to print, the day the magazines arrive from the shipping warehouse, and the day I deliver a handful of magazines to the ofﬁces of Lowry, Dunham, Case and Vivien Insurance.

This month’s edition of Slidell Magazine contains, what I feel, is the best Storyteller yet, “Homemade Ice Cream”. When John ﬁrst read the story to me, I cried. I cried because I am honored and humbled to have a writer of his caliber in my publication. Writers like John Case are rare. All of John’s stories strike at the very heart of what we all - as Southerners, and as Americans - believe in and love. His memory is vast and detailed and vibrant in its colorful imagery of his youth and experiences.

I kick my shoes off and curl up in the big leather chair across from him. He faces me and starts with a little background information about the story, how it came about, the references he’s studied and researched or the characters involved. He always apologizes that the story is raw – but it rarely is. Then, he turns proﬁle to me, hand on his mouse, looking through the bifocal section of his glasses at the computer, and then he starts. I lay my head back against that big, soft leather chair, eyes closed, and lose myself in the melodic rhythm of a perfect story told in a Brookhaven, Mississippi accent. His stories always give me chills. Maybe it’s that I know that I’m listening to a modern day Faulkner, or Twain. (John even looks like William Faulkner and attended college in Oxford, MS – where Faulkner was born). Maybe it’s that I can relate, like we all can, to so many of the elements in his stories – the little nuances and observations that the average person forgets, but John remembers. Maybe it’s knowing that having the literary artistry of John Case in Slidell Magazine is truly a gift to be treasured.

magazine PO Box 4147 • Slidell, LA 70459

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Kendra Maness - Editor/Publisher Editor@SlidellMag.com

Graphics: Alan Lossett Photography: ImkePhoto.com Contributing Writers: Alex Carollo Gay DiGiovanni Dane Kennedy Nancy Richardson The Storyteller, John Case Storyteller@SlidellMag.com Jockularity, Corey Hogue Jockularity@SlidellMag.com Pet Points, Jeff Perret, DVM DrJeff@SlidellMag.com Frankly Slidell, Frank Davis www.FrankDavis.com Food Spy FoodSpyOfSlidell@SlidellMag.com

Mostly, I think that I enjoy these moments each month because I know how precious and rare they are. It is our time – the Storyteller and the Editor. To share a common bond, a love for literature. To pause. To enjoy a story together. To appreciate each other and the moment. To be friends.

Thank you my friend.

magazine

Inside of this historic business (founded in 1901 and the oldest insurance agency in Slidell), in the very heart of our beautiful, historic Olde Towne, sits the very heart of Slidell Magazine - my Storyteller. Now, anyone that knows John is familiar with his penchant for telling a good story. He’s got a knack for it. Heck, we all do in some way or another. But, the magic of a John Case story is that he’s not just telling it to you, he’s sharing it with you.

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Extraordinarily Facinating “Ordinary” Person of the Month by Kendra Maness

Jose Hernandez July 2012

EDITOR’S NOTE: Every one of us is fascinating in our own way. We all have a story, an experience, or a mission that makes us unique. Each month, Slidell Magazine will name an Extraordinarily Fascinating “Ordinary” (EFO) Person of the Month. We chose the title carefully - these individuals are anything but “ordinary”.

Born in New Orleans, Jose Hernandez has always been a citizen of the world. “My dad was from Venezuela and my mother was from Cut Off, Louisiana. So, I grew up with a Latin who married a Cajun,” he laughs. “My mother spoke only French around the house so I grew up speaking French.” With such cultural diversity at home (and with really great food!), Jose was also introduced to the accessibility of the world at a young age. He began his international travels at 16 years old, when his father was transferred to Beirut with Saudi Aramco (the American/Arabian Oil Company). Jose attended school in Lebanon and got his ﬁrst taste of the world that would wow him for the rest of his life. “It’s beautiful. My school was on the Mediterranean Sea.” This experience would inﬂuence Jose more than he could ever envision. “It was interesting because,

An EFO Person doesn’t hold public ofﬁce or a board position. They don’t own a company and you won’t ﬁnd them in the Society section. An EFO Person is your neighbor, family member or coworker that has the “it” factor - something about them simply fascinates you. We all know people like this and, often, these individuals don’t get the recognition they deserve.

even as a young person, I realized how small the world is. As a kid, I remember waiting for the bus and I’m sitting on the Mediterranean Sea. The waves are coming in and I’m thinking about where I am, and where my friends are back in the US. And I’m looking out towards the East where they would be, past the Rock of Gibraltar, past the ocean. And I just thought --- wow.” After a period of civil unrest, his parents were transferred to Bahrain and Jose came back to the US to live with his sister in Laplace and ﬁnish his senior year. He traveled back to the Middle East for visits and continued to explore the surrounding areas. “I’ve always been lucky because I’m one of those people that, no matter where I go, I look like I’m from there. So I never looked out place. Everywhere I went, people would speak to me in their language like I was one of them. I was never treated like a tourist.”

Slidell Magazine will be highlighting a different person in our community each month and sharing their story with you.

Send us your submissions! Email me at Editor@SlidellMag.com and tell me about an “ordinary” person that you ﬁnd “Extraordinarily Fascinating”.

After high school, Jose began work as a manufacturer’s representative in the US and traveled extensively across the country. “I started as a peddler going from town to town, door to door. I started out selling women’s undergarments to shops and stores, believe it or not. At one time, I sold Krazy Glue. I would go into hardware stores, convenience stores, anywhere in the US, and put in these Krazy Glue displays.” With the advent of the super store and large inventory supply houses, Jose was forced to change his career path. He took the leap into self-employment and went out on his own as an international buyer. “If a company buys quantities of anything, I could go ﬁnd it – in China, in India, anywhere in the world – I know where to ﬁnd it in huge quantities. I worked with the factories, the shipping companies and the international ports to deliver what the customer wanted.” He asks me,

“Remember Radar on MASH? I was like that. Anything that was needed, they’d ask me and I’d get it.” With clients like Home Depot and Wal-Mart, Jose became a true globe-trotter. “I’ve been so lucky. I went from going door to door and going to these small trade shows in the US and then you fast-forward 20 years, and I’m at the largest trade show in the world in China. It’s just like….wow.” It’s that ‘wow factor’ that kindled his passion for his business and international travel for so many years. “You go into any place - Hong Kong, the Holy Land, or the pyramids in Egypt, or the Nile, or you’re on a mountain overlooking Jerusalem, and you’re thinking WOW. I can remember doing that to myself.” “It ends up sounding like you’re bragging,” he laughs. “But it’s different when you live over there. The world is small when you start traveling and have friends and relatives that live all over the place. When I ﬁrst started as a traveling salesman with my little suitcase, I would just go down the street. Well, I would do the same thing in Paris or London with my little suitcase. It’s really no different. If I’m in India on a sales trip, I would just go to Europe, rent a car and go – just like you would do if you were here in the US. I’m like my father that, wherever you are is your home, and your home could be anywhere. I like change.” After over 20 years traveling around the world, Jose returned to New Orleans to care for his ailing father in 2003. “I stopped work, I stopped traveling. It was my duty. You do that for your family.” It was while caring for his father that Jose’s life would take another dramatic change. “I told myself when I came home that I was going to become part of a community. I wanted to have friends and see the same faces all the time and go to the same coffee shops and restaurants.” “I traveled all over the world by myself and I loved it,” Jose says. “I could sit in a café in Paris, having a cup of coffee by myself and be perfectly content, having my ‘wow’ moment again,” he says. “I loved my job and I soaked everything in. I was like a sponge. I don’t think anybody could have enjoyed it more than me because I was so lucky. Every place I go is awesome to me. I appreciated it.” So, in his 50’s, Jose decided to settle down. “I had been alone most of my life and I was ready to settle down, meet someone across the street and just settle into the community.” Jose met his wife Nancy through the internet. “Here’s the funny thing – I was living in New Orleans and when Nancy said she was from Slidell, I thought, ‘Man, I don’t know if I want

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to travel that far,’ he says, cracking up laughing. Of course, he did make that drive and ultimately settled into the Slidell community. “My lifestyle changed and this is what I want now. I never had a routine before and now I do.” Part of settling down included a local career. “After 9/11, I wanted to do something to defend my country. I would have gone and fought if they let me, I felt that strongly.” Reading an article in the newspaper set Jose on yet another life-changing journey. “It said they needed citizens to help in any way possible because a lot of police officers were called up to the military. They were looking for citizen volunteers, so that’s how I started.” Jose volunteered for 2 years with the Sheriff’s Department before he began a full-time career with them. He worked as a Juvenile Investigations Officer, investigating reports of physical and sexual abuse against children. “It’s very hard, very emotional,” he says. He gets choked up as he tells me about one of the victims he’s helped. “She was my first big case, we talked every week for at least a year and we still keep in touch now. I went to her wedding this year. You can’t help but get attached to all of the cases.” Jose left the Juvenile Investigations Division when the newest parish school, Lakeshore High School in Mandeville, opened up. For 10 months each year, he serves as the School Resource Officer at Lakeshore High. (During the summer, he returns to the Investigations Department) “It’s part of a national program where the goal is to have a certified law enforcement officer in every high school in the US. It’s a program that’s under Homeland Security that was started after the Columbine incident.”

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Jose continues to have his ‘wow’ moments; now they are because of his local career. “I love my job. I would do anything for the Sheriff’s Department and they would do anything for me. I love the brotherhood. We would give our lives for each other. I never had that before and I love it.” The world traveler in him is still alive and vibrant; he now enjoys taking Nancy to all of the places he’s been and can appreciate them all over again from a new perspective. “I want Nancy to see these places. I brought her to India and she just loved it.” “I feel like I’ve lived a lot of different lives and I’ve enjoyed them all. It’s the ‘wow’. I’ve been very lucky.”

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Black Creek Dragonfly By Gay DiGiovanni

I’m OFF!

Editor’s Note: This story was inspired by a canoeing trip taken by The Storyteller, John Case, and his wife Brenda, along with the author of the story, Gay DiGiovanni, and family members. Brenda had long dreamed of canoeing Black Creek from their camp outside of Hattiesburg, MS to Pasagoula, some 100 miles. The trip would be taken in smaller, day trips with various family and friends, over a period of time. Along the way, each journey became a story in itself, with the adventures and conversations changing with each new group. John, being the consummate writer, requested that each of the travelers send their photos, stories and observations so that he could compile the works into a book – a gift for Brenda and each of the companions that shared in a part of her dream. Gay’s notes on her story say, “It was the Summer of 2010, right after the Gulf oil spill. That day, I did observe Brenda taking pictures, and a dragonfly landing on Katie’s sunglasses.” (Gay DiGiovanni) My name is Martin. I am now a full fledged dragonfly about to set out on the journey of my life. I spent some time in the water as a

larvae and then much more time on a tall reed at the edge of the stream. While I was slowly maturing in the reeds beneath a cabin, I heard the conversations of the people above me. They talked of taking a trip down the stream they called the Black Creek. I wondered how they could do this, because they don’t fly. Then I saw other humans float in the stream in vessels they called canoes and kayaks. My parents and siblings wonder why I bother to listen to the humans and the other creatures in my world. They ask me, “Martin, why don’t you want to be like other dragonflies? It’s fun to taunt and tease the humans. It’s more fun to laugh and play.” I like to watch and listen. Sometimes I get mad after I get teased about all my questions and ideas that no one else thinks about. I don’t know why I am different and want to find out about everything. I just do. My mother understands and even listens to me when she has time. Today I came out of my cocoon and I’m making my new wings move as they dry. I can’t wait to get started. Just a little bit more time and I will be off! I want to fly towards the rising sun, and then towards the setting sun, and stop in between to learn about the world I have heard about for so long!

My mother and older sisters are here with me, showing me how to swoop and land and what is good to eat. I never imagined that ﬂying would be so much fun. I can do anything I want, go anywhere I want, and ask lots of questions. Well, Mom did say I have to be back at dark…. But I have all day to explore! I am ﬂying along the Black Creek and I see my human neighbors! They are in their kayaks and have more humans with them this time. I rest for a few minutes on the vessel of the one they call Brenda. She is pointing a small box at a red cardinal near us. It seems like the box captures the bird as if it is frozen in time! I sit with Brenda longer and suddenly I can hear her words that she does not speak out loud. I hear her heart. She is very happy to be connected to the other people. Her heart holds many people and many dreams. She has always wanted to follow this stream all the way to the sea. Just like me, others told her she should not have big dreams. Just having fun is much easier they said. But Brenda is determined and I am too! She is not afraid. I decide to be brave like her! Then I see the girl they call Katie. I look at the BIG eyes she has attached to her head. They are dark and shade her face.

I wonder, Can I see differently through them too? I flew to her frames and sat and just looked. But, I also feel her fear. She is afraid of me? I should be the one who is afraid! She could just squish me. But she doesn’t. Katie wanted to know me, just like I wanted to know her. Wow, that was so cool, I thought as I finally flew away. I met a human, up close and personal, and she didn’t just squish me! I fly above the people and see a snake up ahead. He is hanging on a branch above the Black Creek. Most dragonflies pity the snake. He has no feet and no wings and can only slither on the ground. I think about what it might be like to be the snake. I wonder what he feels as he slides along the ground and the branches of the tree. So I land near him and ask him just that. He said he is happy to be so connected to the Earth. He feels Mother Earth’s tremors, warmth and chill. He also feels the heavy machines, like those that make deep ruts that are felt very far away. He says the deep scars in the Earth tell a tale of the big ego of the humans that made them. The scars hurt Mother Earth and she is sad. I am sad too as I look at the nearby land where trees are uprooted and the exposed red soil looks like blood upon the earth. The snake said the humans are building even more stores and houses when there are many that are empty. They use up the Earth more than they can replenish her. I never thought of that. I am flying higher now and see the hawk as she circles above. I will be brave like Brenda and fly higher than any dragonfly has before to ask the hawk what she sees. The great hawk said she sees the Black Creek as it flows to the marsh and then to the wide water called the Gulf of Mexico. She sees the beginning and end of things. She tells me today of the killing brown tar in the water past the end of this stream. She cries for all to hear that this is the end of many living things great and small. The hawk cries and tears fill her eyes as she thinks no one is listening. But, I hear her, and I will remember. I leave the hawk and head back to my family in the tall reeds upstream beneath the cabin of the humans. The sun is low and I have much to tell my mother, father and sisters. When I land, I see that my mother is waiting with eyes bright with pride. I begin to tell her about the humans and the one called Brenda. Others overhear me and begin to mock me. “How strange for a dragonfly,” they say. Mother says, “Don’t worry about them Martin. Tell me more.” Soon my little cousins are gathered close and other children too. They ask what the snake said, and what I saw so high above the stream when I spoke to the hawk. I look up and see that many others are gathered and they are all listening to me. I tell them about how I was afraid and excited and confused too. How do I explain to dragonflies about Mother Earth’s sadness and the killing brown tar? How can I change anything? I decide to just tell them my stories, and I realized for the first time that others like my stories. They really want to listen. Sometimes I whisper, and sometimes I shout as I speak. My stories are filled with emotion as I remember all that I felt. Then I think, I AM changing things. My stories are changing how my family and friends think about the earth, and our world. My little cousin even said, “I want to be an explorer and storyteller just like you. I want to know everything!” And so it was from that day on, I explored as far and wide as I could, and asked lots of questions. My stories were heard by many others, and I was no longer mocked and teased, but admired. Just like the human called Brenda. Our dreams to explore help others to expand their horizons, and learn and grow. Next time I see Brenda, I will say thank you.

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM Yes, today I went back to the old homeplace again To visit the memories that I love so To look again at the old house that’s falling down Where I grew up so many long years ago - Melva

In the South, we have lots of “old sayings”. For example, “Rain before seven, fair before eleven”. Farmers and laborers would plan their day’s work based on this bit of wisdom. There was also one that said, “Southern ladies don’t sweat, they just perspire”. I know this was not true because my grandmother was deﬁnitely a southern lady and she did sweat. Numerous times during the day, I would see her wipe the perspiration from her face with her apron. She wore an apron almost all day. It was spotless white when she started her day a 5:30 AM, but by mid-morning, it was stained with the bits of the good things happening in her kitchen.

For years, she sweated in the kitchen of her home in south Mississippi over a wood stove. The temperature in her kitchen in that pre air-conditioning era and a breezeless summer day must have been well over 100 degrees. She cooked three meals a day for a large family, various homeless relatives, ﬁeld hands, and more often than not, at least one traveling evangelist. After cooking a large breakfast she would start lunch; dinner as she called it. Typically, she would have at least three meats. Fried chicken was always one of those, four fresh vegetables, two kinds of cornbread and toast. The grandchildren called her MaMa.

By the early 1950’s, nothing had changed except the children were gone. They were replaced by grandchildren and the wood stove was replaced with a butane range. Not much improvement. In my lifetime, she would rest in the swing on the front porch after lunch until time to start supper, the evening meal. This had not always been the case; as in her earlier years, the afternoon was filled with canning, gardening, and heavy housework. I suppose the swing rest was her reward for getting older. One of the few breaks she got from this routine was on the Fourth of July. On this day, all the relatives were expected to come back home as requested by my grandfather PaPa. Each of his children responded as if

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it were a Command Performance summoned by royalty. Relatives came from Jackson, Brookhaven and farther out in the county, if you can get farther out than where they lived. They also came from Texas. We called those cousins the Texas Bunch. If the truth be known, MaMa worked just as hard on the Fourth of July as any other day, but she was assisted by her daughters and daughters-in-law. This made the day for her a joy rather than a burden and she looked forward to this as much, if not more, than any other holiday. Celebrating the Fourth of July was not a big occasion for many Southerners as that day marked the fall of Vicksburg. Even in the 50’s, the war was not over for some; but at Route 2, Box 8 it was a time for celebration. It was also the day that PaPa brought from his garden his first watermelons. He had planted and cared for them just for this occasion. He was aging too, and there were not as many as in years past, but plenty to provide a summer treat for his family and an occasional friend of the family that just might stop by. It was also the only day of the year that we made homemade ice cream. This was a ceremony that took place under a large magnolia tree on the south side of the house. I think the Texas Bunch was responsible for the ice cream, or at least they were in my childhood. The patriarch of the Texas Bunch was my uncle Big Pop. He was accompanied by his wife and four children ranging in age from about seventeen to nine years old. I was five or six at the time. Big Pop was a favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews. He could have been a favorite because he only came once a year and always had wild stories about armadillos, and other things happening in that foreign country of Texas. He also was in charge of the ice cream making. After dinner, he would load us kids in the car and go to the store to buy a block of ice. It was kept in a small building just outside Pistol Sasser’s store. Just going in there was an experience. Pistol and the store were also an experience - but that is another story. We would return to my grandparent’s home and Big Pop would put the ice in a burlap sack and crush it with the flat side of a single blade axe. It would explode inside the bag into pieces of various sizes and shapes and some would be very sharp; so sharp, they would occasionally cut through the sack. While this was taking place, MaMa would return to the kitchen and prepare the mixture; which, in addition to fresh cream from the only cow they now owned, would have a large number of eggs that had been gathered just that morning. Again in the hot kitchen, she would stir and watch the mixture until it was just the right consistency and then set it aside to cool. No one helped her with this, as no one knew what the perfect consistency was. That was her secret.

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In the meantime, PaPa was instructing all the kids on how to tell the best ripe melon by thumping it. All the thumps sounded the same to the children, but we would agree with PaPa when he said that a certain melon was a perfect ripeness. When the appropriate number of melons was selected, he would then use some of the ice to cool them down. The anticipation of the ice cream and the watermelon mounted in the minds of us children. Back to the ice cream making. Finally the mixture was placed in the ice cream maker and the mechanical part placed in the wooden tub and latched down for hand turning. Next, only Big Pop was allowed to pack the ice in the maker. First an inch of ice, and then a layer of rock salt, and a repeat of this procedure until the tub was ﬁlled to the top with ice and salt. Now the fun part. The older boys would take turns turning the crank. On the side of the tub there was a hole to allow the salt water to drain off as it melted. I was too small to turn the crank so my job was to put my ﬁnger in the whole, from time to time, to make sure it was not clogged and the salt water would drain off and not rise

to the top and get into the ice cream tumbler. Salt intrusion was a sure way to ruin the ice cream. The first casualty of the day was my finger. I took the job seriously and held my finger in the hole with the same determination as the Dutch boy who put his finger in the dike. The cold water made it numb and I did not realize a sharp sliver of ice had cut my finger nail off until someone shouted the water in the ice cream maker was turning red. While I was being bandaged, my cousins kept turning the crank till Big Pop declared it was ready to set. He was the only one qualified to do this and he carefully raked the salt from the top of the machine, removed the dasher and repacked the tub with ice all the way to the top. His final job was to remind us to not touch the ice cream for one hour and only with his supervision. Again, any salt in the cream would be disastrous. Well, I believe it was Michael, the youngest of the Texas Bunch, but as soon as the adults were out of site helping PaPa with the watermelons, Michael removed the ice and took the cover off just to get a taste. Big mistake; the salt water flowed into the fresh made soft ice cream. He hurriedly covered it up and disappeared to some other part of the yard.

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At the anointed time, Big Pop announced that the ice cream should be ready. We should get our bowls and follow him. Michael stood in the background. As soon as the lid was removed, Big Pop saw what had happened. He did not attempt to identify the culprit, but the ice cream was ruined. There was no point in trying to salvage it, and not enough time to make another batch so he poured the cream ice and salt onto the grass. Old Snyder was the family dog. He immediately attacked the concoction as if it were made for him. I suppose the salt was too much for him and he went into convulsions and then into what PaPa called a running fit. This was the funniest thing us kids had ever seen. Around the house, under the house, onto the porch, and out to the barn he ran. Finally collapsing near what was left of the ice cream. That Fourth of July we only had watermelon and the fun of seeing Old Snyder going crazy. Soon all the grandchildren were loaded into their respective family cars and headed home. I stayed, as I lived just across the road. I remember that late afternoon almost 60 years ago as if it were yesterday. Me and MaMa in the porch swing, my head in her lap where the smell of the sour dough biscuits from breakfast and that Southern lady perspiration still lingered on her apron. Now with time having passed, that house, the large magnolia tree and the swing are gone. It is now more or less just a vacant plot of land, much as it was before the laughter of children and grandchildren filled the air. There is little resemblance to the place where a hard living was eked out to support the large family and lots of hangers on. MaMa and PaPa are gone. Most of the uncles and some of the grandchildren are gone, even cousin Michael has passed. Occasionally however, when I go back home, I will pass by the old home place and remember each of them, that Fourth of July, the watermelons, the homemade ice cream and Old Snyder and the running fit.

John Case July 2012

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Eating Shrimp on Christmas Eve It seems that nearly every family has Christmas or other holiday traditions, those events that everyone waits for in joyful anticipation. When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, my family was no exception, and we had a favorite Christmas Eve tradition. We had shrimp for supper.

Without fail, every Christmas Eve, shrimp was on the menu. Our tradition had several layers to it, and here’s how it went. My dad always came home early on Christmas Eve, which really got my brother, sister, and me excited, because it was one of the few times during the year that he would get off work early. My brother and I had already shoveled the snow off the driveway so he could get the car into the garage, where it would stay warm (my dad had a heated garage, which

was an almost unheard of luxury in those days). He usually brought some Christmas treat with him, candy for us and, for as many years as I can remember, a bottle of crème de menthe liqueur for my mom (she hardly ever drank alcohol, so that bottle would last the entire year). We’d put some Christmas records on the stereo and admire the Fraser ﬁr we had bought at the tree lot and decorated a couple of weeks earlier. Mom and Dad would sip a little of that minty liqueur (with a tiny taste for the kiddos), and we’d prepare for our Christmas Eve visits to our grandparents’ homes, where we would party until it was time to go home and get ready for Santa to make his rounds. But ﬁrst, we’d eat shrimp.

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They came peeled and frozen in a lump in a plastic bag, and were about the size of your thumbnail. Despite being small, they weren’t cheap, and we appreciated them for the treat they were. My mom cooked them with butter, celery, and bell peppers (no onions; we kids hated onions). She served the shrimp over Uncle Ben’s instant rice and we had a salad with homemade Italian dressing for a side. Thinking back now, the shrimp tasted like what you would expect shrimp that had been frozen in a lump in a plastic bag to taste; but to our Chicago suburb family in the days long before overnight shipping of fresh seafood to anywhere on the planet, it was like they were right off the Rigolets dock that morning. At any rate, it was our tradition, and it lasted for years and years. Here at Pontchartrain Investment Management, we embrace traditions. They help define our families and our lives, and they’re important. And, because our job is to create financial confidence, we want our clients and their families to develop healthy money traditions, as well as the ones they enjoy at holiday times. We know that good money traditions can be the defining difference between financial success and financial mediocrity. So, consider adding these financial traditions to the way you and your family deal with money:

1.) Get (and stay) financially organized. This is more than just knowing where all of your important financial papers are. Financial organization is about knowing how the various pieces and parts of your money life fit together. For example, if your car insurance liability limits are too low, the savings you’ve been building for retirement could go up in smoke if you are sued (and lose) over a car accident. Most of the money things in your life are interdependent. Financial organization is all about knowing how they work together. 2.) Protect your assets. You might be getting tired of reading

this in just about every article I write, but bad things seem to keep happening to many of us. If you are not protecting the assets you already have and the ones you are building, a big piece of your ﬁnancial puzzle is missing. Especially important now is planning for long term care. The costs are going up and the probability is high that you’ll need it (about 70% for a 65year old). A sound long term care strategy can protect tens of thousands of dollars in assets so you and your family can enjoy them, rather than transferring them to a nursing home.

3.) Spend less than you earn. There is no better family money

tradition than to build up a healthy rate of savings. We like to see 20% of our clients’ gross income eventually go into savings, but any amount is better than none. If you can’t do 20%, consider 10, or even 5. Anything more than zero. And, make it automatic. Also, be sure to do some investing outside of your employer plan so you can easily get to your money for an emergency, special spending need, or business opportunity.

4.) Meet with your ﬁnancial advisor at least once a year. When you get that phone call or postcard in the mail reminding you that it’s time to meet with your advisor for a review, use the meeting to assess your progress and bring your advisor up to date. Has your income gone up? Is a child moving out on their own? Are you thinking about changing jobs or starting a business? The more your advisor knows about you, the better he or she can help you address your ﬁnancial goals.

After Mary and I got married, moved 900 miles away from Chicago, and built a family of our own here in Slidell, we added more holiday traditions for us and our kids to enjoy. But, we still eat shrimp on Christmas Eve (real Louisiana shrimp, not frozen in a plastic bag). As the saying goes, it wouldn’t be Christmas without them. Financial traditions can be that way, too. Once they’re a part of the fabric of our families, it’s almost unthinkable to let go of them. So, call us and we’ll help you get started.

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Frankly Watermelon! Check it out! Look it up! Do the research! Tell all the grandkids! History conﬁrms that. . .

2 - The age-old discussion on “how to choose a ripe watermelon” has been going on probably as far back as The Big Bang. Every nationality, every city and state, every neighborhood, in fact everybody and his brother can tell you the perfect procedure for detecting melon ripeness!

Everybody Everywhere Loves Watermelon! “In the good ol’ summertime, In the good ol’ summertime, You bring your watermelon, And I’ll bring mine. . . In the good ol’ summertime!” According to all the botanists and melon-masters, every year from May to September—but especially from June to late August—watermelons, regardless of the varieties, are in their prime season! And in all honesty that just couldn’t come at a better time! Botany tells us that scientists believe watermelons were indigenous and originated in tropical Africa where they grew wild in runners along the ground. Technically, they are actually watermelon

By Frank Davis

“fruit,” but have always been considered to be a type of “melon,” a pepo, a berry with a thick outer rind and a sweet, deep red, ﬂeshy inside. Of course, science notwithstanding, it goes without saying that its sweet, juicy, cooling effect lends a welcome relief to the hot, sweltering days of summer!

Some watermelon stats: 1 - Seedless watermelons were ﬁrst produced by a Japanese scientist in 1950 using genetic engineering.

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Some spin the melon to see if it wobbles as it turns (meaning the inside is still developing and not yet ready to eat); some buy only melons with a dull rind and a slightly waxy shine; Some purchase only melons which are symmetrical without any flat sides; some insist that only melons with a pale yellow underside (not white or light green) are ready to eat; Some say that melons should have a green stem while others argue that the stem of a ripe melon needs to be dried and shriveled and brown; But the most common method of selecting a ripe melon is the “thumping method,” whereby the middle finger is flicked off the thumb so as to produce a deep, rich, resounding thudding sound. Pick the method you like the next time you go melon shopping! I’ve always thought them to be “six of one and a half dozen of the other.”

3 - Watermelons will continue to ripen and soften at room temperature, but not by very much. 4 - Whole, uncut watermelons can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, somewhere between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. But chilling below 40 degrees will turn the flesh to mush in short order. 5 - And finally, most of us are happy as clams just to be able to bite into a slice of ice cold, sweet watermelon and relish it au naturel. However, eating watermelon by the bite right off the slice isn’t the only thing you can do with the popular summertime treat. I’ve got some really super recipes I want to share with you: Watermelon Soup: Great for lunch during the dog days of summer! 10 cups seeded watermelon chunks 3 tablespoons local wild honey 1/3 cup sweet dessert wine 2 pounds miscellaneous fresh fruit cut in small cubes 1 hefty handful golden raisins Several fresh mint leaves In food processor or blender, puree watermelon with honey and wine until completely liquefied. Then transfer to a large serving bowl, stir in the fruit cubes, raisins, and mint leaves. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is better) and serve as a first round fruit soup. Watermelon Lemonade: And you can even make it with a splash of Tequila! 6-8 cups fresh de-seeded watermelon cubes 3/4 cup fresh raspberries 1 cup bottled water 1/3 cup granulated or superfine sugar ½ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice 2 jiggers Tequila (optional, for adults only) Put the watermelon, the raspberries, and the water in a high-speed blender. Then cover and process until totally smooth. At that point, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass pitcher. All that’s left is to stir in the sugar, lemon juice, and Tequila and stir briskly until all the sugar dissolves. Refrigerate for about an hour and serve mid-afternoon out on the veranda! Add a splash or two of Triple Sec and substitute lime juice for lemon juice, and you got yourself a Deep South Watermelon Margarita.

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www.FrankDavis.com Place watermelon chunks into a food processor and whip until you get about 2 cups melon juice. Now transfer the juice to a small saucepan, whisk in the sugar, and the cornstarch and whip until the cornstarch dissolves. At this point, bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Let the mix continue to boil until pudding turns a bright red. Now stir in the orange blossom water and the cinnamon. Immediately, though, pour the mixture into about a half dozen small ice cream goblets. Then stir in the chocolate pieces and the nuts. All that’s left to do is chill the pudding and serve it with a liberal helping of cold whipped topping. Louisiana Deep-Fried Watermelon: Oh, Yeah. You can deep fry it! 1 seedless watermelon, 5-6 pounds 3 cups vegetable or Canola oil for deep frying ½ cup cornstarch 2 egg whites, well beaten 2 teaspoons bottled water ¾ cup all purpose flour 10X powdered sugar for garnish Cut watermelon into quarters (4 lengthwise slices). Now remove the rinds, cut the melon flesh crosswise into 1-inch thick slices, then into 1-inch thick triangles. If you end up with odd-shaped chunks…hey, that’s alright! Then heat the oil in a deep-sided chicken fryer to exactly 350 degrees. While the oil is coming up to heat, whisk the cornstarch with the egg whites and water until totally combined and smooth. All that’s left is to dredge the watermelon chunks in the pan of flour then dredge them in the cornstarch batter. Then deep fry ‘em in batches until the chunks are golden brown (don’t crowd the melon in the oil—the pieces need room to fry). Finally, remove the melon chunks from the oil, drain them well on a cookie rack, and liberally sprinkle the chunks with a generous dusting of powdered sugar. I suggest you serve them immediately while piping hot!

Watermelon Pudding: What a great Southern dessert! Half of a 5-pound watermelon, rind removed and cubed ¼ cup superﬁne sugar ¼ cup cornstarch 1 tsp. orange blossom water (found in liquor stores) 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 1-1/2 ounces dark chocolate, cut into small pieces ¼ cup chopped pistachio nuts 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream

SUMMERTIME By Alex Carollo

“I’m bored.” Those are the two words that every parent dreads hearing during the long summer months. If you or your kids have a case of the summer time blues, then it’s time to get out of the house. You’ll be surprised to find out how many exciting things there are to do not only in Slidell but in St. Tammany and beyond. I encourage you to become a tourist in your own backyard this summer and explore the Northshore.

this summer. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., kids can enjoy movies on the big screen for only $3. And you don’t even have to sneak in snacks, because the price of admission includes a kiddie sized drink and popcorn. Now, most of the movies are second-run, but they are worth seeing on the big screen, especially if you missed them the first time around. This is also a great opportunity to acclimate the little ones to seeing a movie on the big screen. Visit www.thegrandtheatre. com for more information. Cost for a family of four: $12.

Great Summer Deals for Families

Slidell Little Theatre and their kid’s summer acting program Young Actor’s Theatre of Slidell are offering four plays that are perfect for families and a great introduction to theater for children. The Junior Actors will be presenting Aesop’s Musical Foilbles on July 5 and 7 at 7 p.m. and July 8 at 1 p.m. and Twinderella on July 6 and 8 at 7 p.m. and July 7 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $8. The

People love going to the movies, but not the high price of tickets. With the upcharges for 3D movies and the crystal clear IMAX screen, you’ll need a second job to support your family’s movie habit. The Grand Theatre IMAX 16 in Slidell is offering a great deal for families

Senior Actors will present Seussical Jr. on July 12 and 14 at 7pm and July 15 at 1 pm and Anything Goes on July 13 and 15 at 7pm a n d J u l y 1 4 a t 1 pm. Tickets are $10. All tickets will be sold at the door and are available on a first come, first served basis. For more info, please visit w w w. s l i d e l l l i t t l e t h e a t r e . o r g . Cost for a family of four: $32 - $40. Blue Harvest Farms off Hwy. 21 in Covington is a great family adventure. For only $10, you can pick your own blueberries and take them home to make blueberry pancakes, muffins and pies. The farm provides you with a gallon container for picking

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and recommends bringing rubber boots and plenty of sunscreen. Visit www.blueharvestfarms.com for more info. Cost: $10 per gallon. What is summer without family bowling night? Bowling USA has a fantastic summer promotion for families. Enjoy Family Fun Night on Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. The price includes shoe rentals, popcorn, four hot dogs and a

pitcher of soda. You should call ahead for availability as lanes are available on a first come, first served basis. Friday Family Fun Night for 4 people: $45. Sometimes, parents need a break. DuBuisson Gallery gives parents the perfect opportunity to enjoy a peaceful night out. At Creative Kids Night, kids ages 4 to 12 will have a pizza party and receive hands-on instruction to create a beautiful work of art that they get to take home at the end of the night. Reservations are required. Visit www.dubuissongallery.com for dates, prices and availability. And parents, while your kids are creating their masterpieces, enjoy a great dinner in Olde Towne Slidell. Bistro de la Reine and Christopher’s on Carey both offer great food and the perfect atmosphere for date night.

Slidell Rocks is a great indoor rock climbing gym in Slidell and they are offering two Kids Climbing Nights on July 6 and July 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Parents can even drop of their responsible kids and enjoy a nice dinner out while their kids climb all over the gym. Spotters will be on hand. Prices start at $8 and $11, but you will also need to rent a harness for $2. V i s i t w w w. s l i d e l l r o c k s . c o m for more information. Top-Rope pass for family of four, including harness rental: $52. If you haven’t been to Skater’s Paradise recently, you’ll be in for a surprise. The owners recently renovated the skating rink, making it the perfect place to skate a few laps with the family. Depending on when you want to go skating, admission is a low as $4 and only $6 at peak times. And if you don’t have your own skates, don’t worry, you can rent rollerblades for $3 or the old fashioned four wheel kind for $1. Visit www.skateslidell.com for more info. A Saturday night of family skating for four, including skate rentals: $28. The St. Tammany Parish Library is a great way to beat the heat during the summer months. The library offers lots of kid’s activities during the summer, including storytelling, stuffed animal sleep overs, movies,

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arts and crafts projects and much more. The library is also a great place to borrow children’s books, DVDs, audio books, and even e-books that you can read on your Kindle, Nook or iPad. And best of all, it’s free! For a list off all the summer offerings, visit www.sttammany.lib.la.us. The INFINITY Science Center just opened a few months ago in Mississippi at the NASA Stennis Space Center. This new $30 million, interactive, state-of-the-art center allows children and adults the chance to witness

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the history of exploration on Earth and in Space and showcases the Gulf Coast’s many contributions to NASA and the space program. Visit www.visitinfinity.com for more information. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6 to 17, military and adults over 55. Family of four, two adults and two kids: $28. Olde Towne Slidell If you haven’t visited the Heart of Slidell, come see what you have been missing. Whether you’re a foodie or a shopaholic, an art enthusiast or a history buff, Olde Towne offers something for everyone. If you love to shop, be sure to take a stroll down Antique Row for a unique selection of art, antiques and specialty boutiques. The Reine Olde Towne Center adds an upscale shopping experience to O l d e To w n e . Whether you’re a bargain hunter or a chic shopper, O l d e To w n e has something for everyone in every price range. You’ll also want to attend the Camellia City Farmers Market for some of the best produce and specialty foods

available in Slidell, held every Saturday morning in Olde Towne. Visit www.camelliacitymarket.org for more info. After you’ve worn yourself out from shopping, relax and grab something to eat and drink in one of the many restaurants found in Olde Towne. From Mexican to Greek, American to Creole Cuisine, there is something for even the most discerning of taste buds. And the sign on the Olde Towne Soda Shoppe says that they will be reopening real soon! While you’re in Olde Towne, take a journey through Slidell’s history at the Slidell Museum and the soonto-open Mardi Gras Museum on First Street, and the Guardians of Slidell History Museum on Second Street. The Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall offers world class art exhibitions, such as the Andy Warhol exhibit and the George Rodrigue Blue Dog exhibit from New Orleans Museum of Art, the annual Salad Days juried exhibition of student art and the Mixed Media juried exhibition. All offer free admission. Slidell also has an outdoor gallery featuring eight murals located throughout Olde Towne. Be sure to see them all or visit www.slidell.la.us for a mural guide and more information about the museums in Olde Towne.

For more information about Olde Towne Slidell, including a directory of businesses and a calendar of events, visit www.experienceoldetowne.com. Parks & Recreation Whether it’s sports, exercise, picnics, playground facilities or community events, parks are a great source of free entertainment for families. Lucky for us, Slidell has over 30 of them.

Heritage Park is the home of the City of Slidell’s Bayou Jam concert series and Some Enchanted Evening with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Slidell’s annual Fourth of July Heritage Fest and numerous other events in Slidell. The park lies of the banks of scenic Bayou Bonfouca and features a walking path, Kid’s Community Playground and splash pad, a Hurricane Katrina sculpture, a 9/11 monument with a piece of the World Trade Center, a public boat launch and several pavilions perfect for picnicking in the park. If you want to hit the courts with your kids, grab your rackets and some tennis balls and head on out the Calamari Courts at Veterans Park in Olde Towne. If basketball is your game of choice, head on over to the gymnasium of John Slidell or Fritchie Park to work on your jump shots or shoot some hoops with the kiddos. And if your family likes to bike, explore the Northshore on the Tammany Trace, which connects Slidell to the rest of the Parish. Visit www.tammanytrace.org for more information. Camp Salmen offers a peaceful and serene experience for families. Tucked away along the banks of Bayou Liberty, this new park was formerly the site of a regional Boy Scout Camp. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in an open air pavilion, which was once the home of the Boy Scout’s dining hall. Explore the ruins of old cabins and walk through the bayou on numerous trails. And good news, St.Tammany Parish is extending the Tammany Trace to Camp Salmen. Visit www.campsalmennaturepark.org for park hours and more information. Take a ride through the Rigolets and visit Fort Pike. Take a tour of this historic fort and pack a picnic basket to enjoy a nice relaxing afternoon. You might even see some alligators sunbathing on the banks of the Rigolets. There is a $4 entry fee for adults. Children 12 and under and seniors over the age of 62 get in for free. The web address is a long one, so just Google search “Fort Pike” and you’ll get to the state site.

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One of the most beautiful parks on the Northshore can be found between Lacombe and Mandeville. Fountainebleu State Park was founded on the grounds of an old Sugar Mill. The 2,800 acre park boasts gorgeous oak trees, campground and cabin facilities, nature trails, a water playground and even a beach for sunbathing. There is a $1 entry fee for adults and kids 12 and under and adults over the age of 62 get in for free. Again, the web address is a doozie, so just Google “Fountainebleu State Park”. And speaking of the beach, did you know the beach on Carr Drive is open again? So, next time you want to sunbathe or build sandcastles or have some fun in the sun, skip the drive to the Gulf Coast and enjoy the beach right here in Slidell. Have a WILD summer If you’re willing to take a ride across the lake, the Audubon Institute is offering a killer deal for families this summer. The Audubon Experience Package offers admission to the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Insectarium and Butterﬂy Garden and the Aquarium of the Americas with a ticket to the Entergy IMAX Theatre for one reasonable low price. The Audubon Zoo is one of the best in the country, and there are a bunch of new attractions like the Cool Zoo water park and the Dinosaur Adventure at the Zoo. (Both require an additional ticket purchase.) At the aquarium, you can interact with colorful birds at Parakeet Pointe. Purchase seed sticks and the birds just might just eat right out of your hands!

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The Audubon Experience Package is $35 for adults and $19 for children 2 to 12 years old, students with a valid high school or college ID and seniors over the age of 65. Family of four, two adults and two kids: $108.

If you want to get more up close with the animals, then Global Wildlife Center in Folsom offers a great experience for animal lovers of all ages. Hitch a ride on a covered wagon and go on safari to see zebra, giraffes and other exotic animals in their natural habitat. You can also purchase food and have the giraffes eat right out of your hands. You won’t believe how long their tongues are! For more information, v i s i t w w w. g l o b a l w i l d l i f e . c o m . Family of four: $56.

Of course, it might be worth the extra money to purchase a family membership for $145. With a membership, two adults and children and grandchildren under the age of 21 get free admission to Audubon properties for a year. For more information, visit www.auduboninstitute.org. Lagniappe: After visiting the animals at the zoo, head over a few blocks to Prytania Street and stop at the Creole Creamery for some of the best ice cream you’ll ever eat. I personally recommend the chocolate malt ice cream. And if you have the time, visit the Prytania Theatre, New Orleans’ oldest movie house. This single screen theater shows first run movies but also has a great Classic Movies series on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays at 12 noon. Visit www.creolecreamery.com and www.theprytania.com for more info.

At Insta-Gator Ranch in Covington, kids can learn everything they ever wanted to know about alligators. Fun Fact: Did you know that an alligator’s skin pigment is actually black? The ranch is run by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, and kids and adults will learn about the alligator business in Louisiana, from hatchlings to handbags. Visit www.instagatorranch.com for more info. Family of four: $52. If you want to see alligators in their natural habitat, then head on over to Dr. Wagner ’s Honey Island Swamp Tour in Slidell. Board a boat and follow your guide deep into the swamp where you will experience the sights and sounds and critters of the Louisiana swamplands. Who knows, you might even spot Bigfoot! Reservations are required. Visit w w w. h o n e y i s l a n d s w a m p . com for more info. Family of four: $72. These are just a few of the things you and your family can explore here in St. Tammany Parish and the surrounding areas. The St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission’s website is a great resource for everything that’s happening on the Northshore. Visit their website at www.louisiananorthshore.com for more great ideas.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMERTIME!

Today’s Public Library By Kendra Maness Contributing Writer, Nancy Richardson

Our St. Tammany Public library system is award-winning and with good reason. Today’s public library is more than just about books! Our parish libraries have expanded and evolved to meet the needs of a technologically savvy audience. They pride themselves on their ability to cater to any interest – from the youngest of toddlers to seniors. There’s something for everyone at your local library and best of all, it’s FREE.

Donald Westmoreland started his library career in Jefferson Parish back in the 1980’s. Since 2009, he has served as our St. Tammany Parish Library Director. Donald was recently honored with the Library Director of the Year Award, given by the Louisiana Library Association’s Public Library Section. Considered annually, this award is given to a current director who has provided excellent service to their library and their community and contributed to the development of their library through leadership, inspiration, and creativity to staff, patrons, and trustees. Shellie Savoy, STPL Public Relations and Community Coordinator says, “Donald’s award was the ﬁrst one given out and we are so proud of him!” Donald has made it his mission to exceed the public’s expectations through customer service, staying current with technology, and being creative in the application of that technology to meet our community’s needs. It is a tall order, for sure. Because of his efforts and others like him, the parish libraries are enhanced by technology, rather than succumbing to it. A large and colorful poster on the wall in the Covington Library expresses Donald’s sentiments: “Libraries are icons of our cultural intellect, totems to the totality of knowledge. To claim as some now do that the net is making libraries obsolete is as silly as saying that shoes have made feet unnecessary.” When talking about the impact of the library in our communities, Donald refers to it as the “porch light effect”. Like a welcoming porch light, the library is an insurance policy for times when technology fails, as in the aftermath of Katrina, when it was time for going back to basics. Also, because all services are free, today’s public library system removes the barriers of social or economic restraints. The library is where job seekers go to apply for employment when a home computer is not owned or available. It is where English as Second Language (ESL) classes are taught to help newcomers assimilate into our society, ﬁnd jobs, and be productive. It is a “bootstrap university”, as Donald calls it, providing all of the resources for learning and researching for those who can’t afford college. Or it’s a free entertainment venue for the children, where they can enjoy story hours, puppet shows, and summer reading programs. And, the STPL has always been, and will always remain, where anyone can go just to curl up in a comfortable chair, tuck in their feet and read.

FOR THE KIDDOS For families with children, the library holds adventures and excitement that will spark the imaginations of our youth and make the learning process interactive and fun. Shellie Savoy says, “The Children’s and Teen Summer Reading programs are truly magical. Summer Reading gives us the opportunity to support the reading skills that children and teens have established during the school year, encourage families with young children to read together, and provide exciting and educational events. It’s a ton of fun!” Families can attend free performances of storytelling, music, animal encounters and more. Each branch offers a weekly storytime, rhymes, activities, and a special guest, including puppet shows! Children can be introduced to creatures of the night with the Wetlands Express program from the Audubon Institute. This hands-on, interactive family program features cool stuff like skulls, skeletons, pelts and other biofacts. It’s like a museum in the library! Young children and their grown ups can enjoy evenings “around the camp fire” with stories, s’mores and activities. And, don’t worry if it rains – it’s all inside the library! Or, kids can wear their pajamas and bring in their stuffed animals for a sleep over. No, not the kids sleeping over – it’s a slumber party for their stuffed friends! The library promises that the furry friends will have a whole night of fun playing games, making crafts, hearing stories, eating snacks and tucking in with other stuffed animals. Then, kids are invited back the next morning to pick up their friends, see what they did overnight and have some donuts. Activities for older children ages 8-11 include crafts, space camp, an indoor planetarium, book clubs, investigations and more! One activity, “Franken Food”, gives kids the chance to make monster food! The “Dream Big—READ!” annual summer program is a self-directed reading incentive program to motivate and encourage children to read over the summer. Kids receive a log to track their time spent reading or being read to. Children set a goal for themselves, with the minimum goal being 12 hours over the course of the program. Once the goal is achieved, participants receive a certificate and a prize. Children can also earn collectible patches by reading certain categories of books. Each patch they earn will also get them a chance in a raffle for an iPad. Parents and caregivers can find out about all of the opportunities for kids to have fun AND learn through the Library Podcast, the library’s email list, and the Children’s Services Department Facebook group. Parents, turn the TV sets off and bring the kids to the library! Wouldn’t it be great to never have to hear “I’m bored” again!

TEENS: In addition to being an endless resource for information, teens can also have a blast at the library. Some of the exciting things offered for our parish teenagers include free MP3 downloads for their music (at the library or through the library website), D.I.Y. craft projects, Teen “Book to Film” series’, Book Clubs, Wii Game Nights, Manga and Anime, and Workshops for Art, Yoga, Survival Skills, Archery and more. There are even “Zombie Survival” lessons! Some branches hold teen pizza parties and afternoon movies with popcorn. Teens can have fun and improve their life skills with hands-on cooking lessons with recipes based on popular teen books. One such night had teens making Hazelnut Banana Crepes based on the Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara Zeises. Mmmmmmmm!

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on the computer is second nature to teens. We also have scheduled super fun events which will appeal to both teen guys and gals. I am looking forward to meeting all of new teens that will visit the library.”

GROWN-UPS:

Public libraries offer teens a constructive way to spend the summer. The Teen Summer Reading Program seeks to instill a lifelong love of reading in St. Tammany Parish teenagers and to involve them in rewarding and stimulating activities at the library. Studies have shown that the effects of Summer Reading Programs improve reading comprehension skills between school years. This summer kicked off with a “Monster Mash” DJ dance at the Slidell Branch. Teens were invited to dress up as their favorite night time characters - monsters, zombies, animals, even superheroes! Teen Services Coordinator Jennifer Deffner says, “We have the most fun summer programs yet! I love that teens are able to keep track of their reading minutes on an online log – being

For adults, The St. Tammany Public Library offers programs that vary from Japanese Folk Dancing lessons to Arts Round Table discussion groups. They often have author visits and are proud to promote their eleven book clubs across the parish. Curling up with a great book is a favorite of mine but there’s tons more stuff to do for us big kids! Events such as film screenings with discussion, monthly Scrabble Nights, and seasonal lectures on gardening and cooking keep adults active and engaged – and we’re sure to learn a few things! On July 21, the Causeway branch library in Mandeville will host award-winning documentary filmmaker, Royd Anderson. If you’re from this area and over 35 years old, you’ll remember the fateful date of July 9, 1982 when a horrendous airliner crash in Kenner, caused by a summer storm, forever scarred the Greater New Orleans landscape. Mr. Anderson produced, wrote, and directed the Pan Am Flight 759 documentary. The film covers the story of the Boeing 727 which fell from the sky and skidded through homes causing a fiery explosion and killing 153 people, including 8 Kenner residents. July 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 759 disaster. Like all library events, this amazing opportunity to pay respect to our neighbors is free and open to the public.

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On Wednesday July 25, Patrick O’Connor, owner of Zydeco Louisiana Iris Garden in Metairie, will host a lecture and electronic slide show at the Slidell Branch Library. And, you can take your mind off of the heat and humidity by attending the program “Growing Fall Vegetables: Cooler Temps and Extended Harvests” taught by Dr. Gerard Ballanco on August 4 at the Slidell Branch. Attendees will learn how to prepare their vegetable gardens to produce a plentiful fall harvest throughout the growing season. A HUGE event is coming up for the whole parish to enjoy on July 14, “Bastille Day”. Celebrate the French heritage of Louisiana with Cajun French music and food. The Folsom Branch Library hosts its Annual Bastille Day Celebration with Bernie David and the Cajun Friends band. Ah-eee! Venez dancer et manger avec nous! (Come dance and eat with us!) Be sure to visit the Slidell branch for their Second Saturday Special Sales, held on the second Saturday of each month. These sales feature several hundred pre-owned items on a particular subject or theme. Book prices range from 50 cents to $3. In addition to all of the events and things to do, the library offers resources at each branch and through their website that are nothing short of AMAZING. Looking at their website is the one-stop shop for ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. Want to know about your family’s ancestry? You’re just a few clicks away from dozens of resources. There’s even a link to teach you HOW to do the research! If you’re looking for a job or hoping to explore new avenues of employment or service, you absolutely MUST look at the St. Tammany Public Library website. Their Occupations and Career Exploration page is chock full of information and links. For the business owners, the STPL Business Resource Center offers FREE business counseling and nearly limitless resources on how to help your business be successful. For any need or interest, the library’s website is impressive! I was blown away and you will be too. There are thousands of links – I had no idea the library made it this easy but it’s now saved as a favorite search place of mine! The St. Tammany Parish Library is a beautiful example of federal funding done right. Stop by any of their locations, there’s a library in each city and town in our parish. Check out their website and sign up for their emails so you can join in all of the fun.

~ THURSDAY ~

With the spirit of true community stewards, the library opens their arms and welcomes you to DISCOVER WHAT’S INSIDE!

3pm - 9pm

www.sttammany.lib.la.us/

Ladies Night

This Month In History

July 23, 1999 Air Force Colonel Eileen M. Collins becomes the ﬁrst woman to command a space shuttle, sixteen years after the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, broke through the ultimate glass ceiling, blasting into orbit on the shuttle Challenger. T h a t ’s o n e small step for... Well you know the rest.

1985 When released in July of 1985, Back to the Future became the most successful ﬁlm of the year, grossing more than $383 million worldwide and receiving very positive reviews.

1960

Etch-a-Sketch goes on sale. In the past, some have called it a “sandbox” even though it contains aluminium.

July 19, 1940 Winston Churchill uses the two ﬁnger “V” for victory sign.

July 1, 1200 Sunglasses made from flat panes of smoky quartz were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier. Ancient documents describe the use of such crystal sunglasses by judges in ancient Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses.

July 27, 1940 Bugs Bunny debuts in Warner Brothers animated cartoon “A Wild Hare”

1937

Baseball great Joe DiMaggio hits his ﬁrst grand slam. He was voted the sport’s greatest living player in a poll taken in the baseball centennial year of 1969.

1904

Charles E. Minches of St. Louis, Missouri fills a pastry cone with two scoops of ice cream, and the ice cream cone is invented. H o w e v e r, e d i b l e cones were mentioned in French cooking books as early as 1825, when Julien Archambault described how one could roll a cone from “little wafﬂes”.

Music notes

by Dane Kennedy

Travelin’ Down Sheridan Road The crowd slowly trickled into the large building, finding their spaces close to the stage. The slight haze of colored lights gave illumination to the equipment that was soon to pour energy into the room. Then out of the shadows of the perimeter, the cast of players took their positions. The lights exploded into an array of colors as the speakers rang out with initial tones from every instrument. Then a voice filled the room... “Please give it up for SHERIDAN ROAD!!!” The drums thundered, the guitars wailed, the bass thumped as the singer belted out lyrics with intensity. The crowd was engaged. The music rang out while each member exhibited their own individual style and energy. The group interacted with each other and the crowd with their expressive looks and posturing. They were in their zone! A week earlier, I had been told about a group of young men that were writing and performing original material. It is never easy to break into the “music scene”. The early career format usually gives way to a group of buddies jamming to their favorite songs in the local bars and an occasional private party. After playing a decade or more, the song list of some bands starts to look like the last five groups and the next five groups performing in the various local bars. Not to discount the commitment and skill it takes to put out a show of cover songs. But, this routine leaves many musicians with a void. The creative and artistic wells that flow inside many musicians can not be contained. The thoughts, the runs, the beats ... They start to take shape into their own personal pennings. Much like a writer of

stories, the different life experiences of people give way to compositions that they feel more intensely. Creating original music in any genre is special. The ability to tap into a market segment and become successful….well, that’s tough. I was invited to take in a rehearsal session at the Sheridan Road studio. The date and time was set for me to follow Mark Frost, the drummer, to the location. Mark has been playing the drums since he was 8 years old. Through training from an early age with his father, he learned about musical passion and

perfecting his skills. Mark is still young, but seasoned in his abilities. His career path in music has placed him in cover bands, touring and record deals. Yet he still thought something was missing. Playing all original music was his desire. After driving down winding roads with landscapes reminiscent to a Norman Rockwell print, we arrived. The studio is located on a cattle ranch owned by the McKenzie family. Jeremy McKenzie is one of the guitar players and a founding member of the band. Jeremy grew up in the country. After graduating from LSU and becoming an Agriculture teacher, he started exploring his musical diversity. Juggling a teaching career, being in a band and helping out on the family farm, Jeremy says, “I am really happy and a blessed man to do the things I love most. It is hard work, but I can’t imagine it any other way”. As the other members arrived and began setting up, I watched and listened to the group interact. They reviewed their song choices and matched them with the time constraints placed on their performance the following night. The House of Blues is a professionally run venue that hosts touring artists of the highest caliber from every genre. Music artists want to give their best possible performance for the crowd and the national touring groups they share the venue with. You never know who in the audience is going to be impressed and make an impact on your career. The possibility of an agent, talent scout or record producer being in the crowd at the House of Blues is not uncommon. That is how it happens sometimes...

Slidell Music Where & When

The Agriculture teacher, a car salesman, a student, an Accountant, and an auto collision specialist all make up the very talented group, Sheridan Road. The power and intensity in combination with meaningful and understandable lyrics gives them a sound that rivals many in the Alternative Rock genre that I hear playing regularly on the FM airways. You can hear the influences of the band in their individual styles and content of their amazingly well-composed original songs. They are a fusion of Creed, Shinedown and Staind... with a little Red Hot Chili Peppers thrown in to the mix. Josh Spell, the lead vocalist, pushed out the set of powerful vocals with the ease of an old pro. Josh started his musical journey playing the guitar. He did not focus strongly on his vocal abilities until years later. The entire band is involved in the writing and arrangements. This gives their songs ownership that transfers into pride and enthusiasm. As they casually went through their set list, the confidence of their skills and passion for their music was evident. Ben Shaw, the bassist and newest member of Sheridan Road, only two weeks on board, filled in the gap with the skill and confidence of a long term fixture. Ben is a student pursuing a degree in Music Business, with concentration on live sound engineering and production. Cory O’Bryant, the other guitarist and vocalist, ran through the set pushing the sound and energy in a subtle but aggressive manner. Cory grew up playing sports. As he plays in the music game now, he said, “The thing about being part of Sheridan Road is I get to share my passion of music.” With a live concert video of Shinedown cast on the front wall inspiring them, they prepared with intensity for a stepping stone in their musical journey - opening for a national touring band at the House of Blues. The opportunity to bring their own music to the masses in this venue, known historically for amazing talent, was no less than humbling to all of them. After round one of the set rehearsal, the members sat around discussing the feel of the set, ragging on each other, telling stories about shows, reviewing song lyrics in progress and sharing logistical input and ticket sales for the House of Blues show. Talking to each individually and as a group, I felt their passion to continue their quest in delivering Sheridan Roads’ music to the Alternative Rock mainstream market. As any one of them will confess, it is not an easy road ahead. But, I will assure you, it will not be for the lack of dedication, talent and passion in these impressive young artists. Their road to musical success may just be Sheridan Road.

6 7 8 11

JUL

Blues Night ......................................................The Dock Speak Easy .....................................................Landlubbers DvDJ Madd Plaid .............................................Olde Towne Tavern Chicken on the Bone .......................................Speckled T’s Karaoke ...........................................................The Dock The Crowe Brothers ........................................Fox’s Pizza Den The Hangovers ................................................The Landing Cindy Scott ......................................................Landlubbers LA Lightning .....................................................O’Aces Video DJ MIG ..................................................Olde Towne Tavern Foret Tradition .................................................Silver Slipper Groovy 7 ..........................................................Speckled T’s Redline .......................................................... The Dock Witness .......................................................... Fox’s Pizza Den Ed Wills & The Blues4$ale Band ................... Landlubbers After The Fact ................................................ O’Aces Backﬂow ........................................................ Olde Towne Tavern Foret Tradition ............................................... Silver Slipper Alley Cats ...................................................... Speckled T’s Meanies ...........................................................The Dock “Fox’s Idol” Karaoke Competition .................. Fox’s Pizza Den Blues Jam ...................................................... Landlubbers Blues Night ....................................................... The Dock Harvey Jesus & Fire ......................................... Fox’s Pizza Den Speak Easy ...................................................... Landlubbers DvDJ Madd Plaid .............................................. Olde Towne Tavern Top Cats ........................................................... Speckled T’s

13 14

Karaoke ............................................................The Dock The Crowe Brothers .........................................Fox’s Pizza Den Rick Sampson ..................................................Landlubbers Burger N Fries ..................................................O’Aces Video DJ Cliff Melerine .....................................Olde Towne Tavern Bobby Cure & The Summertime Blues.............Silver Slipper Meanies ............................................................Speckled T’s

15 18

Monster Crawﬁsh..............................................The Dock Redline .............................................................The Landing

Barrel of Monkeys.......................................... Fox’s Pizza Den Speak Easy ................................................... Landlubbers DvDJ Madd Plaid ........................................... Olde Towne Tavern Music Mix....................................................... Speckled T’s

20 21

LA Lightning ................................................... The Dock Kipori Woods ................................................. Landlubbers Backﬂow ........................................................ O’Aces DvDJ Knuckles .............................................. Olde Towne Tavern Bobby Cure & The Summertime Blues.......... Silver Slipper 90 Degrees West ........................................... Speckled T’s

“Fox’s Idol” Karaoke Competition .................. Fox’s Pizza Den Blues Jam ...................................................... Landlubbers

Karaoke ......................................................... The Dock The Crowe Brothers ...................................... Fox’s Pizza Den Redline .......................................................... The Landing Lynn Drury ..................................................... Landlubbers 4 Guys & A Girl .............................................. O’Aces Video DJ Cliff Melerine .................................. Olde Towne Tavern Al “Lil Fats” Jackson ...................................... Silver Slipper Supercharger ................................................. Speckled T’s Harvey Jesus & Fire ...................................... The Dock Boothill ........................................................... The Landing Lil Red & Big Bad .......................................... Landlubbers Group Therapy .............................................. O’Aces Video DJ MIG ................................................ Olde Towne Tavern Al “Lil Fats” Jackson ...................................... Silver Slipper The Soul Acoustic .......................................... Speckled T’s

22 25

Sons of Sonia ................................................ The Dock

Harvey Jesus & Fire ...................................... Fox’s Pizza Den Speak Easy ................................................... Landlubbers DvDJ Madd Plaid ........................................... Olde Towne Tavern Chicken on the Bone ..................................... Speckled T’s

Karaoke ......................................................... The Dock The Crowe Brothers ...................................... Fox’s Pizza Den TBA................................................................ Landlubbers South Soul ..................................................... O’Aces Video DJ Cliff Melerine .................................. Olde Towne Tavern The Van-Dells ................................................ Silver Slipper Group Therapy .............................................. Speckled T’s

Redline .......................................................... The Dock Smoky Greenwell .......................................... Landlubbers The Meanies .................................................. O’Aces DvDJ Knuckles .............................................. Olde Towne Tavern The Van-Dells ................................................ Silver Slipper At Fault .......................................................... Speckled T’s

Monster Crawﬁsh........................................... The Dock Redline .......................................................... The Landing

“Fox’s Idol” Karaoke Competition .................. Fox’s Pizza Den Blues Jam ...................................................... Landlubbers

by Jeff Perret, DVM

Unleashed

Last month there was an article in the (soonto-be-shrinking) Times Picayune about the relative lack of dog parks in the New Orleans area. These parks are designated, fenced areas where dog owners can take Fido to roam freely, unleashed, romping and playing with his fellow canines. The metro area, as a whole, lags well behind other large and medium-sized cities in the “dog parks per capita” ranking. In New Orleans, there’s City Bark in City Park. In Mandeville, there’s one in Pelican Park. And here in Slidell, a move is afoot to build a dog park in Fritchie Park. Who doesn’t love this idea? On the surface, it’s hard to take issue with dog parks. They encourage dogs and their owners to go out and get some exercise, fresh air and sunshine, all while strengthening the bond between them. With our fractured, modern lives, and a spreading epidemic of human and pet obesity, it seems like a no-brainer. It is hard to find fault with the idyllic image of dogs romping and playing, tails wagging, while their owners brag on them, swap dog stories and make small talk about the news of the day. When I first got out of veterinary school over 20 years ago, this was my impression of dog parks; beautiful wonderlands where our four-legged best friends could romp, and people could reconnect with their pets and each other. You could practically hear

Trifexis

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the theme music in the background. I was a big proponent of them, in principle anyway, even though there weren’t any actual parks back then. I have thought about it a lot over the years, and I have a few observations.

“We were on a walk when this HUGE dog came out of nowhere!”

Leash laws were enacted for many good reasons. Clearly, they protect citizens from potentially dangerous dogs; but they also protect the dogs from each other. I routinely treat dogs (and cats) that’ve been injured in fights with other dogs, and the resulting injuries are often extensive, sometimes even resulting in the death of a pet. The stories from the owners of the injured are always the same:

“This pack of dogs just swooped in, attacked, and ran off – I didn’t see an owner anywhere!”

Dr. Jeff recommends using:

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