41st Edition - December 2013

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF SLIDELL WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

magazine magazin Vol 41 December 2013

Celebrates STARC Art by

Years WE KEEP IT FRESH

SAY KEEP IT POSITIVE

Editor’sLetter

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The wheel is come full circle.

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-William Shakespeare On November 7, 2013, history was made and remembered as the Chamber of Commerce purchased their new home the historic two-story, red brick building on Front Street, in Slidell’s Olde Towne.

fit well for both of us. He taught me about sales and leadership and life. He called me “Sunshine and Light”. Around him, I always was. He made it easy to respect him and love him.

I am so proud of my Chamber for seeing the value in preserving this landmark building and creating a center for the Slidell community. When the renovations are completed, the building will house the Chamber business offices and conference room, a Marketplace featuring the Adam Sambola Art Gallery, KLH Pottery Studio, a coffee house and café, and showcase numerous local artists.

I worked on and off at Professional Image for the next 15 years, with Ed advising and guiding me through college, the successes and failures of relationships, purchasing my home, my journey through cancer, and owning my own business.

The revitalization movement of Slidell’s Olde Towne district will benefit from the presence and the power of our nationally recognized, 5-Star Chamber.

This historic building has seen dozens of owners in its 100+ years. The most recent owners were Ed and Debbie Emerson, and their business, Professional Image.

Ed and Debbie started their company from their home and it expanded and grew to become one of the largest name badge manufacturers in the country.

I started working for the Emersons when I was 23 years old. I was a file clerk, working from a coffee table at their house. Ed saw potential in me (the little girl who talked too much) and promoted me to customer service, where I took orders. Borrowing from his confidence, I became a fearless salesperson, both on the phones and in the field. Soon, I was traveling to different cities and businesses and learning the trade of outside salesperson. He insisted that, as I traveled into each new town, I stop into the local Chamber to make connections and pick up information that could help me in my sales.

He was my mentor and my friend. I began referring to him as my Paran (French for “godfather”). We were not related, but he assumed the role of father figure, and it

Fast forward to February 2010. I move back home with the idea of starting Slidell Magazine. My first stop was to visit my Paran. Not having a location for my office yet, we filed for the Slidell Magazine business license under his work address, 1808 Front Street, that same historic two-story building. From there, following his long-standing instructions, I went to the Chamber to ensure that I started my business on the right foot. From that first meeting, I began a relationship with the Chamber staff and members that is the driving force behind the success of Slidell Magazine.

The first edition of Slidell Magazine was published in June 2010 and was dedicated to my Paran.

Ed died from cancer on June 26, 2011. His business, still thriving, moved to another location on Front Street. The historic red building stayed empty for two years, until the Chamber’s purchase last month.

You never know who or what you will encounter along your journey through life that will impact you in the future. Life truly does come full circle. Lots of circles, of all sizes, constantly being formed and shaped and then completed and closed for others to start.

I miss my Paran. I think of him often and I know I will think of him every time I walk through the doors of the Chamber. A new circle is forming - full of promise, sunshine and light.

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Kendra Maness - Editor/Publisher Editor@SlidellMag.com Alan Lossett - Graphic Design Lee Kreil - Staff Writer Contributing Writers: Donna Bush EFOP, Nancy Richardson Sli-Ku, Lee Kreil The Storyteller, John Case Jockularity, Corey Hogue Pet Points, Jeff Perret, DVM 20/20, John Maracich, III Crimi-mommly Insane, Leslie Gates Lori Gomez Mike Rich John N. Felsher Rose Marie Sand

www.LoriGomezArt.com MikeRich@mypontchartrain.com www.JohnnFelsher.com Rose@RoseMarieSand.com

Slidell Magazine now available at all Slidell

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ef o

Extraordinarily Fascinating “Ordinary” Person of the Month

by Nancy Richardson

Emile Henriquez

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December 2013

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This month’s EFOP spotlight shines brightly on one of our local artists who works in all mediums but who seems to love teaching art the most. Emile Henriquez’s ponytail and soft spoken demeanor make him what most people would envision as the typical “artist type”, if there is one of those. He’s slim, young-looking for his age, married to Mary Ann, and he currently has two rescued dogs.

A native New Orleanian who now lives and works here in Slidell, Emile says that the sights, sounds and architecture of the French Quarter fascinated him and definitely had an influence on him from an early age. “I knew early on that I wanted to become an artist,” explains Emile. He goes on to say, “It was fitting that I would attend and graduate from John McCrady Art School on Bourbon Street in 1961.” He studied drawing, painting and commercial arts.

He’s worked extensively as a free-lance artist. He’s designed newsletters for the Red Cross, and was the Art Director for a nationally distributed numismatic periodical.

Working with H. Alvin Sharpe, the originator of the Mardi Gras doubloon, he designed doubloons and did calligraphic parchments for various Krewes. Later, he designed truck floats which garnered over a dozen trophies for the Krewes.

worked as a graphics designer for the Boeing Company for 10 years and Textron Marine and Land Systems for 25 years.” At Textron, he served as Chief Illustrator in charge of the art department.

The highest accomplishment of his calligraphic skills was to hand letter a parchment written

by H. Alvin Sharpe, and sent to the John F. Kennedy Library.

He began teaching all disciplines of art at the New Orleans Art Institute on Canal Street in 1978. At the Boeing Company, he was awarded a coveted “Snoopy Award” (the award has the image of beloved Peanuts character Snoopy, dressed in a space suit. It is given to recognize excellence in the space and flight industries) and a “Zero Defects” Award for excellence in job performance; he also received a citation for sketches made to facilitate repairs for the Saturn V capsule after an implosion. His name is included in the Boeing Company’s “Lunar Roll of Honor”, in a book placed in a time capsule on the moon.

Later, he studied drawing, painting and art history at Tulane Metropolitan College. “I

As a fine artist, Emile has exhibited in the French Quarter, Slidell and Lacombe. He has

His first art job was in a print shop, so he did many designs for offset printing and later, silk screen. He has designed over 3200 t-shirts and over 200 posters!

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paintings in collections throughout the United States and has received international recognition for graphic designs, cards, cartoons and calligraphy. He has also illustrated six children’s books.

Mr. Henriquez has received many accolades and honors for his art, including being named Artist of the Year by the Slidell Art League in September of this year. Emile feels that the most prestigious honor bestowed upon him was having his design selected for the insignia for the USS Louisiana SSBN743, a final Trident Class submarine built for the U.S. Navy in the late 1990’s. “My wife and I were given extra special VIP treatment at the naming and dedication ceremonies. The highlight of all this was that my wife and I were special guests on board the submarine for a day that we won’t soon forget. Mary Ann

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The Loader Pencil Sketch 11”x14” was even allowed to use the controls as we dove to a depth of 200 feet. It was a huge experience for us, with a slam resurfacing move that lifted the front end of the submarine up in the air and slammed it back down. A fitting finish found all of us up on deck traveling towards a gorgeous sunset!” exclaims a proud Emile.

Emile remembers, “The process of selecting the insignia for the USS LA involved a contest with over 500 entries, with mine being selected.

I included a pelican feeding her chicks as is on our Louisiana seal, complete with the drops of blood. Most people don’t realize that a mother pelican will peck at her breast to feed her blood to her chicks if food isn’t available, so I included that in my winning design.”

Since July 2010, Emile has been the Art Instructor for special needs students at STARC. Preparation for his work at STARC came from his tenure as an art instructor at the New Orleans Art Institute and through working with adults at Delgado in Slidell, Mandeville, and at UNO in New Orleans. In 2008, he was given an opportunity to teach children of all ages at Resurrection of Our Lord Elementary School in New Orleans. Teaching children from kindergarten to 8th grade served as his greatest preparation for his work with students that have disABILITIES in STARC .

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Book illustration for “The Battle of New Orleans, The Drummer’s Story” Holy Guacamole, Batman Acrylic 18”x24”

“Working with children is different from the adults,” comments teacher Emile. “I got a call from Diane Trembly at STARC, asking me to be their art instructor for the Mandeville location. STARC adults have childlike qualities, which took some getting used to.

But as I got more and more involved and learned the unique limitations and talents of each client, I began enjoying it more and more,” Emile says. He actually keeps files on each client so he can keep track of their skill levels and interests. He’s the only STARC art instructor now, handling both the Slidell and Mandeville locations. “I find this work very rewarding. If the clients have a bad day, I have a bad day. But if they have a good day, then I come home excited and happy. I’ve never had a day that I did not feel like going to work. I love it!” Emile says. The instuctor has even become the student. “I’m even learning sign language so I can help communicate better!”

“STARC clients are very unique and have many different levels of ability. They do 98% of the work, with me maybe drawing an outline for them,” says Emile.

Artist Emile says his current favorite medium is acrylic but he’s especially good with pencil and charcoal. He excels in anatomy, saying, “Very few artists are doing figures, but I am good at it and love it! I’m a very quick sketch artist.”

Autumn Beauties Acrylic 22”x28”

Emile has given presentations at two elementary schools, Abney and Honey Island in Slidell, as another way to give back to the community. “One of the things I enjoy doing with a room full of little ones is to ask them to raise their hand and name something for me to draw in 30 seconds or less.” Emile continues, “It’s usually seasonal things, and they are amazed when I can do it in the time limit!”

Emile served 8 years in the LA Army National Guard and, in addition to his artwork, is very involved in other facets of the community. He currently serves as commissioner of Drainage District #4 and is also a past president of Kingspoint Home Owners Association and the Slidell Art League. His other affiliations include the American Legion, Slidell Art League, and Friends of the Library, as well as the Washington Artillery Veterans Association.

Emile holds the framed insignia he created for the submarine, USS Louisiana SSBN743 8

Hats off to this unique and diverse artist who shares his gifts and talents with children of all abilities, as well as all of us who appreciate his fine works of art. Slidell Magazine is proud to name Emile Henriquez our Extraordinarily Fascinating “Ordinary” Person for December 2013.

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Mr. No Nose and The Albertson Kids Every community has them and I am sure there were kids like them in your town. Yes, they were a family with bad kids. Not necessarily mean kids, but kids that not only looked for trouble, but took trouble with them. In our community they were the Albertson kids. Unfortunately for our town, there were four of them, all one year apart in age. Tom the oldest was thirteen, Bob the next was twelve, Joe was eleven and the only girl Marilyn was ten.

Some say that they were so bad because their mother’s gene pool was drained by having so many kids so fast. There could be some truth to that, but that does not explain Tom’s behavior.

Maybe he was just born bad and the others followed. Every one pitied the neighbors who lived next door. The condition of the Albertson’s property was blight on all the neighbors and a standing topic on the city council agenda.

Marilyn was the worst, or at least the most visible, even though she was the youngest and the only girl. She was not your normal girl.

We had rather fight her older brothers than her because she kicked, pinched, bit and spit. All of this was for no reason. One time Dalton made the mistake of teasing her about her new patent leather shoes. He told her that she better make sure she wore clean underwear because those

Mr. Dan Wagner, a prominent attorney, was a fan of hot rod automobiles. He built a building just beside his house and he must have had eight or so rebuilt hopped-up automobiles stored inside.

One morning, he made the mistake of talking at the coffee shop about a Lincoln Zephyr transmission that he had just purchased. Mrs. Albertson was a waitress there and she heard the conversation.

Zephyr transmissions were tough transmissions built by Ford Motor Company in the early 1940’s. They were then - and are still today - a favorite of hot rod enthusiast and were excellent for autos configured to run whiskey. shoes reflected like a mirror from beneath her dress.

In two minutes she solved that problem because the shoe was red. She beat Dalton so bad it took three stitches in his lip to sew him up. Most of us tried to avoid the whole family.

When I say the whole family, that certainly included her parents too. They say her dad ran whiskey for a local moonshiner and that makes sense as the only thing they had of any value was a nice fast automobile.

One night, Mr.Albertson placed each of his children in trees and hedges around the Wagner house on the opposite side of the house from the auto storage building. He taught each of them to hoot like an owl, and they could hoot loud.

Tom started first with a chorus that could woo the most virtuous of female owls. His calls were so loud they would have attracted a mate from the next county.

It was impossible to sleep while this was going on so Mr. Wagner came outside in his pajamas.

Of course Tom had slipped away, but Mr. Wagner shooed in the area he had thought the

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Mr. Jennings was a meticulous gardener and had the nicest landscaped yard in town. He built a garden pond in his back yard. He stocked it with colorful fish and had a waterfall made from stacked up sandstones.

Several species of aquatic plants were planted nearby or in the pond itself. No one else had anything like this in our town, and it was not only beautiful but considered a local attraction.

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Almost every Sunday afternoon, a different Sunday school group would take a tour of his back yard and marvel at the beauty. Ms. Jones, Marilyn’s fourth grade teacher, heard about it and thought it would be a nice field trip for her class. All the kids thought it was beautiful. Well, all except Marilyn.

Marilyn knew that water just did not spew from sandstones staked in a level yard unless it was connected to something. She slipped behind the sand rock waterfall and disconnected the return water line from the pump back to the pool.

As Mr. Jennings explained the reason for each plant around his aquatic garden, his eyes kept glancing at the water in the pond. Suddenly a look of panic was seen on his face. He realized that the water level was dropping as he spoke. He could not imagine what was happening.

About the time the water level got so low that the fish were just flopping in an almost-dry pond, he found Marilyn behind the water fall laughing.

She was taken directly home and told not to come back to school without both her parents. (You should know by now that this was not her first offense.)

Having to miss a couple of hours of work at the coffee shop and maybe an entire day of running whiskey did not set well with her parents. She had to be punished. It was Friday and they did not have to go to school with her until Monday. Her punishment was to clean the front yard. The city had cited them for too much junk in the yard anyway.

By Sunday afternoon, she had loaded three loads of trash on a dump truck her father had borrowed. Most of the junk was toys, bicycles, tricycles, etc., that she and her brothers had stolen from the other kids in the neighborhood. Her father hauled them to the first curve in the road and when no traffic was coming, he dumped it. His yard was now clean and what was out of sight was out of mind.

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through a maze and experience several macabre ventures. There would be a tub of spaghetti that was to represent the feeling of brains. There was to be a tub of Jello with grapes in it to represent eyeballs. All kinds of spooks dropping from the ceiling, and yes, witches. Finally the blind folds would be removed and they would bob for apples before being led outside to a real fire and a hot dog roast.

Mr. Neese heard about it and wanted to take part. He said it was the least he could do to contribute and, after all, what he did was not make believe.

After much discussion, it was reluctantly agreed to have him participate.

He would be the last thing the kids would see after taking the blind fold off and before going to the bon fire for the roasted hot dogs.

The big night came and every child in three counties showed up. It was turning out to be a success the PTA had never dreamed of and, of course, the highlight was Mr. No Nose. Each child was guided by an adult through the maze until the blindfold was removed and then they were on their own.

About an hour before closing, Marilyn shows up. No one knows where she got the dollar for admission. In fact, a dollar was charged not only to make money, but to keep her type out. Everyone knew there would be trouble when she handed over her dollar.

Marilyn may have been bad, but she was not dumb. When she put her hands in the spaghetti, she screamed, “That ain’t brains, that’s spaghetti.”

When she got to the eyeballs, she screamed, “That ain’t real, that’s grapes in Jello.”

On Monday, the trio made their way to the principal’s office. Her parents explained that she had been punished and what she had done as punishment. The principal felt that she should be given a civic award for the cleanup but of course he could not say that. He told them she would have to accompany Ms. Jones to Mr. Jennings home and apologize.

Saying you were sorry is something the Albertsons just did not do. Not willingly anyway. That night, after she apologized, she and her brothers decided to visit the pond again. First however, they would go by Smith’s Grocery and steal three boxes of Tide and a bottle of Clorox.

In addition to having a family of bad kids, every community has someone that has suffered an accident or had a birth defect that leaves them disfigured. Ours was no exception. Mr. Bennet Neese was a veteran of WWI. He had gotten his nose shot off, or some say frozen off, in this conflict. The government had given him a prosthesis made of a wax-like material. Actually, he had two. Since he worked outside, his face would turn brown in the summer; so he had a dark one for summer and a light one for winter. It was a poor example of a cosmetic device.

Mr. Neese loved children, but having none of his own, he did not know how to relate to them. I suppose he thought the only way to make an impression on them was to scare them by removing his nose when they approached. This would scare anyone, especially a child. He had a fetish about doing this even though he saw that it was not endearing the children to him. Due to the similarity to his name, they called him Mr. No Nose.

Even Mr. No Nose knew the reputation of the Albertsons and he refrained from this morbid greeting when he saw them. To my knowledge they had probably heard about his nose but had never seen it detached.

The Halloween season was approaching and Marilyn was now in the fifth grade. The PTA wanted to have a fund raiser and decided that it would be in the National Guard Amory. Some of the most artistic minds designed the sets and they did an excellent job. Kids would be blind folded, led

14

She swallowed one of the grapes to prove it. At the apple bobbing station, she just reached in and picked it up with her hand and moved on through the maze.

Finally she got to Mr. No Nose. I am sure he was hesitant as he reached up to pull off his nose, but he was obligated. As soon as it came off she grabbed it from his hand, ran outside and threw it in the fire.

This was too much. Marilyn had gone too far. She was turned over to the juvenile authorities and a hearing was scheduled. Juvenile hearings were closed to the public, but to everyone’s surprise Mr. Neese wanted to make a statement. He could not be denied as he was the one who had been damaged.

To everyone’s surprise, Mr. Neese said that he did not want the child to be punished. He said that he had frightened children too long and that she had actually taught him a lesson. He said he was old now and that everyone knew he had a fake nose, so that dark one would do year round.

Marilyn got off again.

The next year, Marilyn’s father was killed in an accident running whiskey.

It was a fiery, gruesome accident and, believe it or not, the community showed compassion. Making ends meet was hard for the family on just the little money her mother made at the coffee shop. Mr. Neese was known to bring groceries by from time to time, and I hear he became a stabilizing force in the family.

Jesus Christ could have walked into the First Baptist Church that morning and the congregation would not have been any more surprised. When Mr. Neese and the Albertson kids came and seated themselves on the first row, the pianist lost her place in the music. I think the minister was hesitant to ask that Sunday if anyone wanted to give their life to Jesus and be baptized. If the Albertsons were there, something was up. The only redeeming thing was that they were with Mr. Neese and he was well respected.

All of that happened over fifty years ago. Two months ago, I met with all four of the now-grown children at Pete’s Iron Skillet Truck Stop in Hammond. They asked me if I would write their story.

They shared with me the fact that, as children, they felt as if they were outcasts. Rebellion was the only way they had to be noticed. They told of other incidents that they were involved in, but I chose not to repeat them. I was surprised to know they felt no shame, but did want the folks back home to know that they were no longer in any way the way they were then.

The two oldest boys joined the Army, went to Vietnam, made careers of the military and are now retired. The other son got a job with Ocean Drilling Exploration Corporation out of New Orleans. He became a tool pusher in the off shore oil industry and is also retired.

Finally, the preacher invited any interested to come forward and give their life to Christ. In Albertson fashion, they hopped and skipped to the center of the church. Yes, they wanted to be baptized and they wanted to be baptized that day. Mr. Jennings was a deacon and he slipped a note to the preacher telling him to check them for Tide and Clorox.

Mr. Neese had always been an ardent church attendee, but from that time on, the Albertson kids were there every Sunday and sometimes on Wednesday night. Everyone noticed the change in them, especially in Marilyn.

Marilyn, well things were not so good. She was married three times in six years. But while being supported by those husbands she became a registered nurse.

Mr. Neese became very ill with cancer in 1975. His wife had already died and he had no children. Marilyn took six months off from her job to care for him and was at his bedside when he died. What few assets he had, she inherited.

Thirty years ago she married a doctor that had privileges at the hospital where she worked. It appears they live happily in Baton Rouge. None of them had any children.

A couple of years later their mother married a respectable man and they moved a few miles out of town. The family transferred to another school district and for the most part was forgotten.

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empting T the

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There’s something so special about this time of year. The holidays have a way of bringing up some of our favorite childhood memories.

For me, the most special memories are not of the presents under the Christmas tree (although every kid loves that), but of me and my mom making Christmas cookies.

I only recall us doing that a few times but the feeling that memory brings up within me is pure happiness. There’s nothing better than the house being all decorated and Christmas music playing in the background.

We usually had Bing Crosby, Gene Autry and my favorite, Elvis Presley, Christmas albums (yes, I said albums) on the turn table playing on repeat. Some of the names may not be familiar to kids nowadays, but their Christmas songs will be cherished forever. Throw in the smell of fresh baked cookies and what more could you ask for?

OK, maybe the weather could have been cold enough to light the fireplace, which it usually was not. But my mother, being the character that she was, would just crank down the air conditioner and light it anyway.

I think one of the reasons I cherished this time so much was because I got that oneon-one time with my mother. And everyone in the family couldn’t help but to be happy.

So of course, when I had my kids, I wanted to have the same experience with them.

Every year for the holidays, we bake and decorate cookies. I assumed everyone

Story and Art

by Lori Gomez

Palette

did this. Because my daughter’s birthday is in October, it became a tradition to make and decorate cookies during her birthday parties. We would make extra batches so that her party guests could bring the cookies they decorated home with them. It got to the point that none of the kids wanted birthday cake, only cookies. When my daughter turned 13, I figured teenagers would no longer want to come to decorate cookies.

I was wrong. It seems that nowadays with everyone being so busy and the world being so hectic that not many people have time to do this. So her friends truly cherish this and look forward to it every year. Who knew that something so simply could mean so much?

My daughter is now 19 and a college student.

I figured we would no longer get this special time for her birthday, but Christmas isn’t that far away. Then I got an unexpected phone call from her that she had hurt her knee and would be home for the weekend. Once we had her taken care of and settled in, she asked about the cookies. I told her I wasn’t planning on making them this year since she was away at school. In that moment, the expression on her face was no longer that of a 19 year old, but that of my baby girl whose favorite toy had been taken away. So, of course, we made the cookies. The next morning it was just me and her at the kitchen table laughing and decorating cookies. What parent wouldn’t want that moment?

Later in the day, out of the blue, she told me how much she enjoyed that time with me and that she couldn’t wait for the day when she could do that with her kids. And my heart grew three times the size in that moment. Sometimes the simplest of things can bring the greatest gifts. Not the kind you find under a tree but the kind that fill your heart and soul.

So, I have an amazing cut out cookie recipe that is a guaranteed crowd pleaser that I want to share with you this month. But I do want to say that if you do not have time to bake homemade cookies or are not a person that likes to bake, go buy premade sugar cookie dough. And don’t worry about making perfect looking cookies. The point is to spend the time with your kids or loved ones, have fun, and create lasting memories.

Almond Cream Cheese Cutout Cookies: 1 cup butter, softened (Use use real butter) 8 oz. package of cream cheese 1 ½ cups sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla ½ tsp. almond extract 3 ½ cups all purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder

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1. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and cream cheese.

Beat until well combined.

2. Add sugar. Beat until fluffy.

3. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

4. In a medium bowl, stir together flour and baking powder.

5. Add flour mixture to cream cheese mixture. Beat until well mixed.

6. Divide dough in half, wrap in clear wrap and refrigerate about 1½ hours.

7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/8" thickness.

8. Cut with desired cutters.

9. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. I line cookie sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

10. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Cookies will puff up a little but should not brown.

11. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.

Icing: 4 cups powdered sugar 2 tbsp. softened butter ½ tsp. almond extract 4 or 5 tbsp. milk Food coloring 1. Sift powdered sugar.

2. In a bowl, beat powdered sugar, softened butter and almond extract.

3. Add milk until icing has a spreadable or piping consistency.

4. Figure out how many colors you want and divide icing into small ziplock bags or bowls.

5. As an extra bonus, I add a couple of drops of cherry flavoring to the icing that I leave white. It is amazing with the almond flavoring. You can find it in the baking section of Walmart or Hobby Lobby.

Because the holidays are a special time, I also have a very special recipe for big gatherings. Instead of the traditional stuffing, I like to kick things up a notch with something unexpected. This recipe makes a 9” x 13” pan of stuffing. It can be made ahead of time and frozen unbaked. I’ve made this for Thanksgiving, then baked half and kept the other half frozen until Christmas.

Artichoke, Spinach and Brie Stuffing: ¼ cup virgin olive oil 2 ½ pounds spinach, washed (I have used a well drained can of spinach to save time and it worked out fine) 2 cups yellow onions, chopped 1 tbsp. garlic, chopped 2 ½ tsp. salt 1 tbsp. olive oil (in addition) 1 ¼ tsp. black pepper 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning blend or your favorite seasoning blend 2 cans artichoke hearts quartered.

2 large eggs 1 ½ cups heavy cream 2 cups chicken broth 2 tbsp. lemon juice 12-14 cups of 1 inch cubed day-old French bread (about one loaf) 1 pound Brie, remove rind and cut into ½ cubes (Sam’s has the best price) ½ cup grated parmesan cheese 1. Preheat oven 350. Grease 13" x 9" baking pan.

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add spinach for 30 seconds.

Drain and cool. Squeeze out excess water and roughly chop.

(Or use a can of spinach.)

3. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet. Add onions and cook until golden brown and tender (about 5 minutes).

4. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp pepper until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

5. Add artichokes and cook another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

6. In a large separate bowl, combine eggs, cream, chicken stock, lemon juice, remaining Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.

7. Add bread, spinach, artichoke mixture, Brie and ¼ cup parmesan. Stir to combine.

8. If bread does not absorb all of the liquid, let it set for about 20 minutes.

9. Pour stuffing into pan and sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Drizzle with olive oil.

10. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

With so many parties happening at this time of year, I also wanted to include a recipe for my favorite cocktail. I make this by the pitcher so that I do not have to spend my time mixing drinks during the party and I can spend it with my guests. I like to make plenty and keep it in the freezer in case we have unexpected guests as well. If it freezes, just set it on the counter for awhile.

Peach Champagne Daiquiri 1 can frozen peach daiquiri mix ½ bottle of Peach Champagne or Spumante 1 jigger of Peach Schnapps 1 jigger of rum or vodka Ice cubes 1. Put daiquiri mix in a blender.

2. Fill blender ¾ with ice.

3. Add ½ bottle Champagne.

4. Add Schnapps and rum.

5. Blend well and enjoy.

I’d love to hear your feedback!

Send your recipes and opinions to: LoriGomezArt@charter.net

Wishing you and yours a very blessed holiday season!

Lori's painting titled "Little Pizza Makers" shows her children, Glynn and Kaitlin, having fun cooking with Mommy. It still hangs in the Gomez family kitchen as a precious reminder of simple and beautiful family times.

You can enjoy more of Lori’s art on facebook or by visiting: www.LoriGomezArt.com

19

Making ₵ents

of your money

We can’t predict your future, but we CAN prepare you for it.

For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.

– African proverb

When we were growing up, my brother, sister, and I had a Ouija board. My parents - I mean, Santa – gave it to us for Christmas one year, and it probably came from the Sears Wish Book (which, back then, was where just about every toy on the planet came from). We played with our Ouija for hours. Of course, we asked our board its name (Grace Evope), how old her spirit was (332 years), and where

she lived (Lithuania). We asked Grace all kinds of silly questions, had absolute faith in her answers, and consulted her every time we had something big to figure out. As you might have guessed, none of her predictions came true. I am not an astronaut, my brother never married the cute girl who lived next door, and my sister did not become an actress in New York City.

However, we can prepare you for the future, and we have some pretty powerful ways to do it. We can’t make any guarantees, everyone’s situation is different, and you have to ask us for our help. However, we’re confident that, if you work with us and do the following things to get your money life in shape, you will be prepared for many of the things that might try to rock your financial boat. Consider the following future events that you can prepare for now:

What are yours?

Call us for a free consultation.

2242 Carey St. Olde Towne, Slidell, LA

Despite what some people might think – or hope – about financial advisors, we don’t have a Ouija board here at Pontchartrain Investment Management, nor do we have a crystal ball. No matter how hard we try, Andy, Chris, Steve, Robin, and I cannot discern the exact direction of the stock market from year to year, the seeming certainty of the financial entertainers on TV and the Internet eludes us, and we simply do not know for sure that you will die before your money runs out.

In short, we cannot predict your future. Sorry.

Financial planning is all about goals.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

by Mike Rich

985-605-5066

www.mypontchartrain.com

1. Your future is likely to present an

emergency that will require some ready cash. It’s a truism that cash is king. Out there in the financial world, you can read all kinds of guidance about having two, three, or six months of living expenses on hand. If that seems overwhelming at first, then start small, say with $100.

Add to it every month (via an automatic savings account is good), and let it grow for a rainy day. Call us, and we’ll get you started.

2. Your future is likely to be a lot more

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20

enjoyable if you get a check in the mail every month for the rest of your life.

Most working people no longer have an employer pension. If that’s you, you can (and should) build one for yourself. Our guess is that getting a check in the mail or your bank account every month during retirement (and maybe for as long as you or your spouse live) will be pretty cool.

If you agree, call us, and we’ll discuss several strategies with you.

3. Your future is likely to be brighter if you can spend your assets

freely during retirement. By using plain, old, boring cash value life insurance, you might be able to increase your cash flow during retirement (and you don’t have to die first). Here’s how it works: You purchase an appropriate amount of life insurance. Then, during retirement, you and your spouse spend your money a little more freely while you can still enjoy it (think cruises, gifts for the grandchildren, a big motorhome). When you die and are no longer around to enjoy that extra cash flow, the life insurance death benefit replaces the money you spent so the spouse who’s still alive can live out his or her days with dignity and financial security.1 This is a pretty cool strategy, and most people have never heard of it. Now you have. Call us to find out if it can work for you. It’s especially good if you’re in your 30s or 40s and can start the ball rolling now.

4. Your future is likely to hold a time when you can no longer take

care of yourself. Seven out of ten of us are going to need someone to take care of us when we’re old,2 and if that someone won’t do it for free, we’re going to have to pay for it. The future handwriting is on the wall, and if I still had my Ouija board, she would be seeing lots of dollar signs. So, picture a time when you are old and might need care. What does it look like? How do you want to receive care? Who’s going to provide it? How will you pay for it without ruining your retirement and maybe putting your spouse in a serious financial bind?

If you don’t have good answers for these questions, call us and we’ll help you figure it out.

Williams Jennings Bryan was a famous politician who, among his many accomplishments, served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1913-1915.

Bryan said, “Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for. It is a thing to be achieved.” Bryan didn’t know this, but he could have been talking about your money. You can choose your financial destiny and know that you have done everything within reason to protect yourself and your family. Or, you can leave it to chance and wait for your financial boat to be overturned by whatever wave hits it (and live with the results). The choice is yours. Unfortunately, many people choose the latter course. Don’t be like them. It’s our core belief here at Pontchartrain Investment Management that anyone can achieve financial security. But, you have to choose it. Everyone’s situation is different, only you can define what security means for you and your family, and you must have a plan.

You don’t need a Ouija board for Christmas to know that your future is in your hands and that it’s getting closer every minute.

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

985-605-5066

2242 Carey St. Olde Towne, Slidell, LA 1 Benefits depend on the claims paying ability of the issuing company.

2 Probability of needing LTC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information, 10/22/08 Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual

21

by Jeff Perret, DVM

K

Calling Dr. Google

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Keeping your pet healthy and happy is very important to you, and understanding your pet’s health is a critical part of t h a t e ff o r t . T h e m o r e y o u k n o w, t h e better. There are so many sources of information available to you: books and magazines; friends and family; articles and columns in newspapers; and, of course , a n e n d l e s s su p p l y o f o n l i n e resources.

There’s no question that the internet can be a great source of information, but it’s also a major source of MISINFORMATION. It can sometimes be very hard to separate the good information from the bad. These days, anyone can post something on the internet and promote himself as an expert.

So, where can you find reliable information about your pet’s health?

It goes without saying that your veterinarian should be your number one resource, for several reasons.

Your veterinarian is familiar with you, your pet, and your pet’s unique health needs. They can answer your questions and concerns based on this knowledge, tailored to you and your pet. Also, you know that your veterinarian has the training and knowledge to provide you with current, accurate information.

While it would be great to have your veterinarian on call at any time of the day or night, there are clearly those times when you’ll want or need to find

good pet health information online.

F o r t u n a t e l y, t h e r e a r e a f e w g o o d options. My personal favorite, which I r e c o m m e n d to m y c l i e n ts o fte n , i s v e t e r i n a r y p a r t n e r. c o m . T h i s s i t e is maintained by the doctors of the Ve t e r i n a r y I n f o r m a t i o n N e t w o r k , o r VIN, a veterinarian-only subscription web site used by vets for specialty consults, peer-to-peer message boards, technical references and more.

VIN.com maintains veterinarypartner.com as an educational site for the pet-owning public. Its main feature is a search functi on that pet owners can use to access thousands of articles on common pet health conditions and diseases. The articles there are current and accurate.

Another option is pets.webmd.com.

This is the “animal arm” of WebMD, a human medical resource that many

Dr. Jeff recommends using:

people have heard of. It is maintained with the help of the American Veterinary Medical Association, has a huge data base of reliable information, and offers interaction with AVMA doctors. Many veterinary schools also maintain good web sites with trustworthy information.

Always consider the source of any animal health information you may find online. Is it coming from a veterinarian who graduated from a veterinary school, or is it coming from someone who claims to be a “Doctor” of something other than veterinary medicine? Or is it coming from a lay person or breeder? There are many titles that can be awarded regarding animal health, but that doesn’t always mean the person with that title has the qualifications to provide animal owners with medical advice regarding their pet’s

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health and well-being. If in doubt, reject such advice unless it can be verified by a licensed veterinarian.

Regardless of where you go online to find information, there are some “red flags” that should warn you that a site may not be trustworthy: The site tells you that you don’t need a prescription for medications like heartworm preventives (Heartgard, Trifexis), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox ), flea treatments (Comfortis), or other drugs for which your veterinarian tells you that you need a prescription. These sites may be selling illegal, aftermarket, or counterfeit medications that could be useless or even unsafe. In addition, FDA rules say prescription drugs are only to be used by or on the order of a veterinarian, and state laws specifically require a valid prescription for sales of prescription pet drugs.

The site (or someone on the site) diagnoses, prescribes medications, or tells you how to treat your pet’s condition or problem based on information you provide online, through email or over the phone. This is wrong for several reasons: it is unethical because it does not constitute a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship; it may be illegal in your state; and the person/site is basing the entire process on the information you provide, which may not be sufficient to provide an accurate assessment of your pet’s problem. The results could be very harmful for your pet.

NOTE: There are limited exceptions to this rule. For example, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center w w w. a s p c a . o r g / p e t - c a r e / a n i m a l - p o i s o n - c o n t r o l can provide you with recommendations for emergency treatment for animal poisonings, but they may also instruct you to take your pet to your veterinarian for additional evaluation and/or treatment.

The site is promoting a “homemade” remedy for a pet health problem (such as Parvo Virus, heartworms, etc.), especially if it suggests that the product or treatment is more effective than veterinary care. Unless the products have been tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is illegal for those making the products to make certain claims. In addition, these products can be risky because they may not be produced to meet quality standards for efficacy and safety. I recently saw such a post on the Animal Planet web site (no kidding!) suggesting that Canine Parvo Virus should be treated at home! For the record, this is TERRIBLE advice, and Animal Planet should be ashamed for spreading it. Fortunately, after many months, and many complaints, they finally replaced the article with another one containing solid information on Parvo and its treatment.

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For your p e t’s b e n e fi t, ma ke yo u r tru ste d ve terinarian your first resource for any pet health information, so you understand your pet’s health problem. If you absolutely must consult Dr. Google, do so carefully and with a good measure of common sense and skepticism.

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23

Celebrating

Years

By Lee Kreil

“I am only one, but I am one…”

Ensuring that every individual with a developmental disability has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential is what STARC has been doing for the last 40 years. For the last 39 of those years, Director Dianne Baham has been tirelessly serving this mission with this private, non-profit association. Her organization builds independence and empowers the individuals that it serves to reach their full potential by finding the ABILITY behind the disABILITY. As Dianne Baham lets me know, “We’re in the business of independence.” She sees STARC as a ministry providing a lifetime of care and services to infants, children, and adults in our area with various developmental disABILITIES.

24

Dianne Baham feels strongly that from a very early age, the Lord had been preparing her for a life of taking care of others. Her parents owned a nursing home and she spent a lot of her time there growing up. She spent many days and nights at the home, helping and watching her mom take care of the residents. “I learned from my mother early on how to be observant and how to take care of folks that can’t talk or can’t help themselves,” Dianne explains. Dianne was also taught at a young age by her parents to be very caring. While in college earning her degree in Social Work, she worked in an orphanage, learning many valuable lessons; other experiences were learned after college during her time spent at the then-named Hammond State School. It would be at this time in her life that Dianne was finally prepared to start

the next chapter in her life, an important chapter and one that continues to this day with STARC.

“I cannot do everything, but I can do something...”

Shakespeare once pondered, “What’s in a name…” but to STARC it means everything. STARC strives to live up to its name; literally. STARC stands for and is dedicated to providing a lifetime of: Services – Training – Advocacy – Resources – Community connections.

And like with the name, there are many parts that altogether make up STARC as a whole. Each part, or program, plays an important role in achieving the goal of helping to create independent, contributing members of our community.

Before STARC, there were no special programs for families and individuals with special needs in our community. The very inspiration for the creation of STARC came from a mother’s desire to establish a place in St. Tammany that could provide opportunities to individuals with developmental disABILITIES, like her young daughter. This first child’s name was Heaven; a sign of things to come.

“What I can do, I ought to do...”

STARC wants all of the people it helps to have meaningful and productive lives and be able to contribute to our local economy as well. Their Adult Service Programs help to create independence in a variety of different ways with each program’s goal being to help individuals maximize their potential in various different areas of their lives. All their programs are tailored to the ABILITY of each individual, and by doing so, each person is able to understand and keep the skills they are taught which will help to further foster independence. “The members in this program learn responsibilities that go with working a job that is suited to their abilities. In performing their assigned tasks, they also learn socialization skills; how to get along and interact with others,” C.J. Rogers explains. “With the Flatware Assembly program, the individuals each have an assigned task that they do, working with others in their stations and as a group to get the job done. They learn to interact and work and help each other in a comfortable, supervised setting.”

them and that we continually touch base with the employers to ensure a successful partnership.”

Started in 1999, STARC Commercial Linen is an integral part of the STARC organization. It is a full-scale commercial linen service that works with many local businesses and government agencies in St. Tammany Parish and other surrounding parishes. Half of the employees at this facility have disABILITIES and are beneficiaries of the Adult Services programs. They process over 4,000 pounds of linen a day and offer competitive rates and professional quality. At this facility, hotel towels and linens are handled, tablecloths and napkin service are available for event rentals as well as for local restaurants,

including pickup and delivery. Dust mop rentals and commercial laundry services are available. Area hospitals and doctor’s offices get the STARC treatment with dry cleaning services for lab coats and other needs. The linen service helps STARC as well by generating needed revenue and offering employment and amazing working environment for everyone. As Mark Baham, the Assistant Director with STARC, says, “Our linen service provides a great opportunity for the community and for our people. We provide quality at very competitive rates. Businesses that choose to use us do so knowing the benefit their business does in turn.”

By choosing STARC Commercial Linen Services, local business can make a huge impact on our community by enriching the lives of people with disABILITIES.

As the Adult Services West Administrator, C.J. Rogers and his staff work to help create the best environment or fit for each person to make sure STARC’s goal of building independence gets carried out. They provide work training for adults 18 years and older as well as offering Supported Employment Services and Competitive Employment programs in St. Tammany.

The services C.J. and his staff provide help in finding jobs for those individuals that have acquired the necessary skills needed to perform work in a competitive, off-site environment. They work with local partners and businesses to place individuals and routinely follow up with employers to ensure a successful fit for the worker and the employer. C.J. goes on to say, “We want to make sure everyone finds the job that’s right for

25

Adults clients and employees visit the home of ardent STARC supporters, Ronnie and Gardner Kole, each year to sing Christmas carols

“And what I ought to do, I will do by the grace of God, to the best of my ability” One of the most popular and well-known facets of this organization is STARC Art. Since 2004, STARC Art has been an educational and therapeutic enrichment program for individuals with disABILITES. The talents and full potential that lies within each of the artists are developed through support and instruction with this program. Original works of art are created by some amazingly gifted artists. STARC Art is sold year round at retail outlets, through the new “Heaven Sent” online store, and at special events throughout St. Tammany Parish. Each work of art for sale includes a biography and picture of the artist. The artists earn money for their work, but more importantly they are gaining a sense of accomplishment and pride knowing their artwork will bring joy to many others. With this program, STARC is able to present a face and their story to the public while also giving the public an opportunity to see the artists

26

ABILITIES and not their disABILITIES. Just one more way STARC is creating independence in the people it serves.

Independence comes in many forms and, while not all of the people STARC helps can participate in one of the many work service programs offered, everyone can reach a level of independence right for them. The Waiver Services are for taking care of individuals whose only other option would be institutional care.

STARC helps provide individualized and family support assisting in the activities of daily living, self-care, communication, and scheduling medical appointments, just to name a few. The Elderly Services provides private, non-medical services to senior citizens with either or both physical and other disABILITES. These two programs help to create a sense of independence for those STARC serves in these capacities.

The Residential Services STARC provides is probably the least visible to the public, but offers the most valuable experience for those with developmental disABILITES seeking independence.

Since 1989, STARC has provided residential services and now operates three residential homes in St. Tammany Parish serving over 20 residents. Heaven resides at Potter’s Clay Community Home, where she is helped out with all of her daily living skills. A fully trained staff is onsite 24 hours a day, every day of the year to provide care and support to each of the residents. Suzanne Bourgeois, Director of Operations for STARC, gives insight to Potter’s Clay. “The facility, this home, looks and feels like a normal home. It runs like a home too. Each resident helps out with daily tasks as they can. Whether it’s cooking dinner or setting the table or sweeping up after dinner, everyone contributes to the best of their ability.” She goes on tell, “They each share a room or have their own bedroom so everyone has their own space to go and to decorate as they want. All the bathrooms are equipped and accessible for all the residents’ special needs, giving them a true sense of independence while they are home.”

“Changing lives starts here...”

Providing a lifetime of services is STARC’s goal and their Noah’s ARC Child Development Center is the key to the future. The center is a source of pride for those connected with STARC. Dianne and Suzanne both know the importance of this part of STARC and they know that changing lives starts with this center. It is an inclusive day care center for children aged 6 weeks to five years. As Suzanne explains, “We have over 50 children enrolled in our day care and after-care programs through Noah’s ARC. Children with disABILITES and those without can learn and play alongside each other.To the kids there is no disability. They learn

that everyone needs help in one way or another and that the special needs children are no different.” The center is fully licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services and has been operational since 1998. Noah’s ARC also offers Quality Start rating credentials, full to part-time enrollment, low child to teacher ratio, healthy meals and snacks, and a dedicated and qualified staff and administration at the facility. The children that attend this center, both abled and disABLED, experience the joy of learning from each other and the opportunities to succeed and grow.

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“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, I will do, by the grace of God, to the best of my ability.”

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—Unknown

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This quote inspires Dianne Baham daily and is a challenge to all of us to share our God-given talents and abilities. STARC is a vital part of St. Tammany and our community. From the services they provide for individuals with disABILITIES; to the rewarding environment of helping others that they provide to their employees and staff; to the professional services they offer to the business community; and the art they display and make available reminding us of the true beauty within all of us. They are serving over a thousand individuals by providing care, training, and opportunity for those in our area. Dianne once again emphasizes, “We are in the business of independence.” With STARC, everyone that you will meet has a smile on their face or will offer up a big hug. All the facilities have wonderful artwork hanging on the walls and fences to appreciate and enjoy. There is still so much more to learn about STARC. Reach out and join them on a tour of one of their facilities; C.J and Suzanne welcome your interest in them. As with Noah’s ARC, education is the way to show the light and bring change. Find out how you can participate and help STARC and the individuals they serve. They are one of the greatest resources located in St. Tammany Parish. The entire staff of STARC are a family totally devoted to enriching the lives of others and making a difference.

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This year, a special tradition makes its 40th anniversary. The Bayou Classic, annually held in New Orleans, brings together Grambling University Tigers and Southern University Jaguars for one of the biggest rivalry games in Louisiana history. And a heated rivalry it is. There are generations of Southern fans that heckle generations of Grambling fans. Having said this, the rivalry is so much more than a game. This event is a city-wide convention. There is everything from fan fests to band duels and the whole week is a family-friendly event.

Without a doubt, this is located in the most perfect place in the country for this type of game. It is important to our history, it brings us together as a family, and it is definitely a true Louisiana tradition.

The Bayou Classic dates back to 1974, but the rivalry game itself dates back to 1936. It is also important to note that both of these schools are considered to be historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and that this rivalry game is the best known rivalry game with such a distinction. It is held on the last Saturday of November and the game frequently draws tens of thousands of fans to the Super Dome to watch these two Division I FCS (Football Championship Series) teams play. While Grambling has held the edge in the most recent years, overall the series is really

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FINE GIFTS close. It’s like splitting a hair with a knife.

These teams are fierce rivals and the winner gets serious bragging rights, and a Waterford Crystal trophy to boot. Besides the game itself, these two schools have had numerous graduates to the NFL ranks and various national academic honors. Some, like Grambling’s Willie Brown, have even made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Serious talent can come from this rivalry and it is always a fun competition to watch.

There is so much more to do than watch a great game though. In addition to the football game, there is a Thanksgiving Day Parade led by the bands of both schools and stretching from the Super Dome to the French Market, helped by the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. There is also a golf tournament, a beauty pageant, and several different fan and family related events. There is even a gospel brunch afterwards. How many other rivalry games you know would have a civilized breakfast afterwards? To top it all off, there is even a career fair for the students of both schools.

It’s almost as if the schools use the week as a reason to remind college kids that they have to think about their careers, and then have their families “reinforce” that reminder.

Out of these many festivities, though, the most famous and well-attended is the Battle of the Bands. The Super Dome plays host to Southern’s “Human Jukebox” and Grambling’s “Marching Tigers” bands while they try to out-duel each other. They perform elaborate routines and play everything from school songs to fan favorites. There is no judge to crown a winner other than fan applause. And these fans are serious too.

This is an all-night affair, aimed at competing with each other but, in the end, giving

everyone a wonderful musical experience.

It’s one of those “everybody wins” kinds of competitions.

The whole week is so reminiscent of a Super Bowl week, but with a family-friendly twist. All of these events are wholesome festivities and really bring great publicity to New Orleans and both of these universities.

It also is a great economic boost to the city.

In 2012 the rivalry drew more than 250,000 visitors to New Orleans and estimates of the impact of this game are consistently in the millions of dollars. That is a serious influx of people. And no, my house is not available. It also attracts roughly 4 - 5 million television viewers on NBC. This is, after all, a nationally recognized game. While both

schools typically forgo Division I playoff eligibility to participate in the Bayou Classic, this game is one of the most watched smallschool games in the nation.

National attention aside, the more I have heard about the game, the more I hear about what a fun time the Classic experience is. Generations of families talk about this game and the great times had in the days before and after. It stands the testament of time solidly, no matter what kind of record the football teams have before the game starts. Both teams could have won only one

game, but this game is the most important of the whole season. Even if both teams are going through a losing season, they still get a chance to play for a championship trophy.

Without a doubt, this is a Louisiana tradition. It’s rare when you can definitively say that an event with that many people is a “family” event. But, in this case, it is true. These schools may be fierce rivals, but it is all in good fun. And that is Louisiana sportsmanship at its finest. We have a strong spirit of competition, but still understand what is important in life. We appreciate the escape, and appreciate the chance to experience that with our families.

This is why it is so much more than a game.

It is a part of Louisiana culture. The game

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is fun to watch, but the experience of the week is really the draw of the whole event.

I always love to hear people from Louisiana joke that any holiday, celebration, or small special occasion is just an excuse to get together, eat food, and have a good time.

But that is truly what we see from the Bayou Classic. Everyone gets together, eats a lot of good food, and has a great time. What is more Louisianian than that?

The Bayou Classic is a great week to be a part of Louisiana culture. There are plenty of fun things to do, it is great for the whole family, and brings together two of the most historically important colleges in the state.

The rivalry stretches for decades, but the competition is just a small part of the

whole experience. When you break it down to its most basic form, it’s a festival that celebrates Louisiana history and culture. I hope you had a chance to catch the game, or got out to New Orleans and experienced the great times. But if you didn’t, make sure you get out there next year. Because, no matter who wins, Louisiana is the true beneficiary of this storied tradition.

Corey Hogue December 2013

You can enjoy more of Corey Hogue’s insights on sports by visiting:

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by Rose Marie Sand

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Vacations are all about sightseeing, right?

We visit natural and man-made wonders for the “ooh & ahh” moments accompanied by the requisite photo opp. And often we pay lots of money and travel great distances to do so.

But in December, opportunities abound within a stone’s throw of our homes for virtually free sightseeing - holiday lights are truly the greatest free show on earth.

Whether your fancy runs to puffy inflatable characters, artful light displays or religious pageantry, pack up the family and friends in a cozy vehicle for your own private showing.

Let someone else do the work and bear the expense of fantastic shows. All it takes is enough gas to get to nearby locations.

True, sometimes it takes a little patience to drive through the traffic, but that’s when CD’s of Christmas carols comes in handy.

Who doesn’t like to sing along to “Jingle Bells” for 25 miles?

What’s that you say? Is there an Ebenezer Scrooge-type in your group? No problem, grumble away. The ghosts of Christmas future will visit your dreams and there will be lumps of coal in your stockings!

A d m i t t e d l y, m y o w n p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n Christmas decorating has often run to Scrooge-like behavior. One year, frustrated with trying to untangle a carelessly stored string of multi-colored mini lights, I simply placed them on a patio table in front of my house in a clump.

“There!” I exclaimed. “It’s abstract art – you can see anything you want in it --- Santa, Rudolph, even Mr. Bingle.” The family wasn’t impressed, but I thought I’d done my part.

Okay, I was lazy but that’s another problem.

Art is subjective.

One of my absolute favorite and inspiring displays of such art was a tree I saw in Pasadena last year. The house had twinkling

white Christmas lights, but a big barren tree in the front yard was adorned with a lawn chair, a lamp, a framed picture and mirror, and assorted kitchen utensils. I’m sure there was an interesting story there – was it a statement piece or a pre-garage sale enticement?

Unusual displays are also often found in the many lighted boat parades that crop up in our Louisiana cities. Catch as many of those as you can this season, they’re a lot of fun. But don’t plan on catching beads. Even though many boats may throw them, they usually end up in the bayou rather than the waiting hands of onlookers.

I caught the boat parade in Slidell last year, and will make it an annual tradition. Even a perennial Scrooge like me has a few holiday traditions that are can’t-miss and there’s a few new ones I’m looking forward to.

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travel to what’s become known as the “Trail of Lights,” in the Natchitoches-Shreveport-Bossier City area. Natchitoches has the largest Christmas celebration in the state each year, and they’ve added so much to the month-plus-long celebration in recent years that every other December weekend is pretty much a mini-festival on its own.

If you don’t have a couple of days to travel, there are more than enough Christmas activities in New Orleans. Celebration in the Oaks of City Park is a favorite, and riding the train around the park isn’t just for kids anymore!

New Orleans’ beautiful St. Louis Cathedral offers several holiday programs, and there’s caroling in Jackson Square in the evenings.

You can make a day of it, as five French Quarter residences are open to the public and dressed up for the holidays.

Try a Creole Christmas Home Tour in New Orleans, with a walk with the Friends of the Cabildo to visit three historic houses dressed in Creole Christmas decorations, followed by the Creole Christmas Story and refreshments.Or choose the Preservation Resource Center tour of New Orleans’ Garden District homes bedecked for Christmas, with music and shopping provided, too.

If you’re a glutton for this sort of thing, just about every plantation home in Louisiana is a red and green masterpiece right now; the Beauregard-Keyes house is one of my favorites. It offers a peek into past celebrations and Frances Parkinson Keyes’ doll collections and folk costumes.

There’s something for everybody in these grand homes and plantations, and you won’t see an abstract clump of lights, I’m sure.

If you’re inspirited to do more to your own home after viewing the plantations dressed in holiday finery, take a peek into your neighbors’ homes by visiting one of the many Parade of Homes for ideas. Ambitious homeowners actually work for weeks and then open their doors to gawkers, usually to benefit charitable organizations. While I personally will never be moved to do such a thing, I’m sure glad others do!

There’s one on December 12 at Docville Farms in Meraux that I’m looking forward to. The Docville facility will be turned into “A Winter Wonderland” featuring antiques, entertainment, artisans and crafters, food, and all of the proceeds benefit the St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community.

Slidell’s Christmas celebration is at Christmas Under the Stars in Griffith Park and throughout Olde Towne. At the park, you’ll find the Parade of Trees decorated by each of the area’s schools, a beautifully painted Nativity scene from artist Lori Gomez and – oh, yes - the toy train is back! But there’s more – a light show, and a variety of nightly musical and fine art performances, photographs with Santa and a gingerbread house contest.

The Grinches among you still not convinced that holiday lights will melt their hearts?

How about watching people burn up structures they’ve built on the levee on Christmas Eve? I’m always in awe of the groups that build elaborate wooden bonfires to light the way for Papa Noel.

What a great use for the levee system!

Now if you’re still turning your back at these traditional holiday activities, don’t fear.

There’s a celebration (of sorts) for you called “Festivus” - for the rest of us. Made popular by the Seinfeld comedy series, Festivus is a true event with roots in ancient history. It involves AOG (Airing Of Grievances), a bare aluminum pole, and FOS (Feats Of Strength) aimed at claiming the rightful place of head of the family. I’m sure Festivus lovers will be just fine with lumps of coal in their stockings.

Festivus is sarcastic, anti-holiday, and absolutely fills a need for some of us to blast to smithereens every pre-conceived holiday notion.

I’ve heard many a complaint from visitors in my neighborhood who get stuck in traffic surrounding the display of a Christmasaholic neighbor. Personally, I love the place. The owners have gone all out, and you can even tune into a radio band to hear Christmas music coordinated with their light display.

Longtime residents of our area may remember the brouhaha when Al Copeland turned his home into a lighted display of gigantic proportions. Those decorations are now displayed at Lafayenre Park in Metairie, and friends tell me that it’s become bigger and bigger over the years.

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But there’s truly only one place in the hemisphere to see as many lights as possible on one street. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the ultimate Americana Christmas Display.

This display took my heart a couple of years ago when my family visited Disney at holiday time. Our group included my siblings and their spouses, and we all took turns pushing my Mom in a wheelchair around the Streets of America location on a back lot.

Over five million lights that drape the buildings are synchronized to holiday music and flash to the beat with changing colors. It’s sensory overload, but in a good way.

The history of the display dates from a Little Rock family whose family light displays were closed down by the Arkansas Supreme Court when they started buying houses in the neighborhood to erect and store their spectacular displays. I’m not sure whose side I’d be on if I’d lived in that neighborhood, but I’m glad Disney saw the press coverage of the ruling and provided an appropriate crowd-controlled home for this extravaganza. Young and old alike congregate in the street and stare at this unbelievable megadisplay.

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I carry several special memories of seeing bright holiday lights with my children. Experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child keeps these traditions going. But that year in Disney, I was a child again.

Chuck Sabadie

Tania Fuselier

Jay Badeaux

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At times, the Grinch that lives in my head looks around at the over commercialization of the holiday and shakes her head in dismay.

But on that street, in the mecca of make believe, my Mom’s happy face made me smile and look forward to Christmas.

We stopped in the street as the music and blinking lights began.

My Mom held up her hands to the falling (fake) snow that showered upon us and my brother took her in his arms to dance to “White Christmas.”

That melted every “bah, humbug” thought I had.

We make memories to last a lifetime during this important holiday – memories that make us look forward to December all year.

I hope the sights you see this holiday season fill your heart with hope and love and that you have a safe and happy holiday season.

Sli-Ku “Time’s fun when you’re having flies!” no, wait…that’s what Kermit the Frog would say. “Time flies when you’re having fun!” yeah, that’s it!! I always get those two mixed up. The point being, this year has flown by and I had so much FUN writing each month’s installment. It seems like just the other day, I sat down to write the first ever Sli-Ku, beginning my adventures writing for Slidell Magazine. This December marks the dozenth Sli-Ku as well as the final one of 2013! I managed to come up with an entire year of Sli-Kus and you, the reader, managed to survive an entire year of puns, silly wit, digressions, and being informed of way too many obscure holidays and observances. That being said, it’s time to delve into December…

And what better way than to point out that December is Awareness Month of Awareness Months Month (AMAMM). That’s right; this mouthful of an observance is when all the 2014 Holidays and Observances get finalized, voted on, officially recognized, etc…during this, the penultimate month before the next calendar year. Heaven help us if Bathtub Party Day on December 5th gets skipped because someone forgot to officially request its annual recognition date! Quite a few observances are permanent as a result of passage through acts of Congress, like Pearl Harbor Day on December 7 for example. On the other hand, National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day on the 16th…not so much an automatic observance and thus the reason and need (I use “need” very loosely) for AMAMM. Slidell is a wonderful place to live and work the other 11 months of the year, so why expect December to be any different? In fact, this final month is the

icing on the cake. With more activities, events, meetings, Chamber happenings, and performances than I can mention, I encourage everyone to keep this copy of the magazine with you at ALL times this month. December is as full as Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays by making your very own Calendar of Events. Pick any night in December and just hop in the car and drive around the different neighborhoods and business districts of Slidell and you’re sure to see wonderful lights and decorations of all kinds. Christmas lights and Nativity scenes, giant Menorahs and Hanukkah displays, and simple Winter-themed decorations adorn houses and businesses alike. And yes, there will be almost as many WHO DAT? decorations and flags out, as many Slidellians hope the Saints make another playoff run!

There is something in December for everyone to enjoy. Focus your attention on what gives meaning to you during this time of the year; help others to see… the experience can be eye opening for you both. Slow down and enjoy what you have; you’ll discover you have more than you think once you stop and look back. Now keep looking - not back, but backwards, and you’ll find that “stressed” is really just “desserts” when spelled from this new viewpoint. When you start to feel pressure…eat a cupcake… if for no other reason than having to take the paper cup off is like the adult equivalent of counting to “10” in order to calm down or relax. Joy and kindness are always free to give; receiving either one is more valuable than anyone can put a price on. Thank you, readers, for this past year and Peace Yall!

You’ll celebrate life See son, when you look closely You’ll know the reason

Until next time…

Lee Kreil

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Barry Rush with his sister, Betty Cuevas

A Brave Face

by Lee Kreil

If you were to visit Olde Towne and walk along one end of First Street, you would come across several unique small businesses offering antiques and wares of all kinds. It’s fun to go in all these shops and look around; you will almost always see something new each time you pop in one of them. The old buildings and houses that make up the antique area look rustic and charming on the outside; all rather similar in appearance actually, but each one with its own personality and special treasures. Almost like each shop’s façade hides what’s really going on inside. Antiques and Arts on First is one of these shops; if you stop by, you will be greeted warmly by whomever is there. If you are lucky, Barry will be there to personally greet and welcome you upon entering his shop. Like the building itself, Barry Rush has a pleasant appearance with a warm welcoming smile and nature about him. But Barry’s personal façade hides a secret to what’s really going on inside. Barry is fighting for his life.

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Walking among us, without most others ever knowing, are people whose outside appearances hide the challenges and struggles that each may be going through. In most cases, as with friends and colleagues, we are totally unaware of any struggle simply because their outward appearance gives no hint of any ill health or condition. Kidney disease is one of these conditions. Up almost 25% from just a few years ago, twenty-six million adults suffer from chronic kidney disease, with 1 in 3 American adults being at risk of developing kidney related diseases. Nearly 350,000 Americans are currently on dialysis with just over 70,000 people waiting for a kidney transplant.

You may not realize it, but we all know someone affected by kidney disease; a family member, co-worker, colleague, or friend or acquaintance. Statistically and realistically, there is someone that each of us interacts with on a regular basis that suffers with a kidney related condition.

Barry Rush is just one example.

Born with only one kidney, Barry was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease

when his only organ began failing in 1980. Barry was fortunate in that he was typed with his sister and was able to receive a “Live Organ” kidney transplant from her. His age at the time, plus factors including the genetic match and the fact that the transplant procedure was with a living donor, all contributed to the longevity of a properly functioning transplanted kidney. “My kidney lasted for over 30 years…that’s a long time for a transplanted organ,” Barry informed me. He went on to say, “I was on dialysis for about six months leading up to the transplant and developed side-effects associated with being on dialysis. But after the transplant, my diabetes, high blood pressure and the restrictive diet and fluid regiment were all things of the past.” Though Barry’s transplant was caused by a birth defect, diabetes is the most common cause for kidney transplantation and accounts for nearly 25% of procedures in the United States.

The dramatic health improvements like Barry experienced are some of the benefits patients can experience when receiving kidney transplants.

Transplant recipients generally living up to 15 years longer versus being kept on dialysis only. And as with Barry, patients generally have fewer medical and health complication from a successful transplantation than if just kept on standard dialysis. Barry benefitted greatly from the type of transplantation he received, which is a factor in determining the overall long-term prognosis of recipients.

Living donors and deceased donors (formerly known as cadaver or cadaveric donors) are the two classifications of kidney transplantation. Currently, almost 1 in 3 (or 6,000 of the nearly 16,500) kidney transplants that take place come from a live donor. There are always exceptions and special cases, but the benefits of a live donor kidney are more preferable when compared to those of a deceased donor organ. However, improvements in medicine and procedures are helping to close the gap in performance and longevity of the organs between the two sources.

The first kidney transplant occurred in 1950 with the kidney being rejected ten months later as a result of no immunosuppressive drugs being available. With the first reliable kidney dialyses being available from the 1940’s, deceased donor transplants were not even performed in some countries until well into the 1960’s, with the advent and development of reliable anti-rejection medications.

The first live organ donor transplant occurred in 1954 between identical twins. They were chosen because of the low risk of rejection due to a perfect genetic match, with the recipient going on to live another eight years after the procedure. To date, medical advances have improved greatly and have led to transplantation of non-compatible and non-genetic organs. Advances in techniques with the transplantation surgery and procedure itself have improved, making those compatible for receiving or donating a kidney more numerous. Also, recent studies have found that there is no long-term harm to the health of the donor, which has helped to increase the available pool of kidney donors.

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Education is paramount and groups and organizations like Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) and National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) work tirelessly to get their word out. The purpose of these two groups are to help patients raise money and manage the cost of transplantation, in addition to education and awareness about organ donation. LOPA is a not-for-profit agency and is responsible for servicing the state of Louisiana through housing and maintaining the Louisiana Donor Registry and recovering organs and tissue for transplant. LOPA’s goal is to save and enhance lives and educate people on the importance of being a donor. Their aim is to make organ donation accepted as a natural extension of life.

NFT is helping Barry and others like him with fundraising efforts to help pay for the high costs associated with kidney transplantation.

“I have to come up with $10,000 to be eligible to start the process of finding a donor for my kidney transplant,” explains Barry. He continues, “I have to be able to show

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an ability to pay for the transplant. Just as costly as the operation are the followup care and drugs that I’ll need and will take for the rest of my life.”

All of Slidell will have another chance to help in Barry’s cause - and have a great while helping! On December 5th, the Slidell Little Theatre will host a special showing of “Gifts of the Magi” with 100% of the proceeds for the night going towards the $10,000 goal. In addition, tax-deductible donations can be made to Barry via NFT by check. Just write “in honor of Barry Rush” on the memo line. You can even make a secure credit card or online donation to NFT in Barry’s name.

Volunteering for the Kidney Foundation just after his first transplant, Barry reached out to that group for assistance but found there is little money available.

He then found the NFT and, as a foundation, this group has worked with individuals for the last 30 years to help raise the money needed for transplants.

But the $10,000 payment still must be made by the recipient. That’s where Barry’s extended family and friends, throughout Olde Towne and all of Slidell, come in.

Every day, people walking amongst us put on their brave faces as they go through their daily lives and put up their own fight with kidney disease. It can strike anyone at any time. Barry’s journey could one day be mine…or yours…or someone close to you. 1 in 3 American adults will face some form of the disease. Find out more and become educated about this disease that touches us all. Learn about organ donation and become an organ donor. Reach out to LOPA, NFT, or your local hospital to learn more about how to protect yourself, get involved, or

“We had a huge garage sale on antique row to help raise money and deposit in my NFT account. The sale went well but there is still a long way to go raise the rest of the money I need for my transplant,” Barry says with a mix of appreciation and pride.

“It’s hard asking people for money and I am so thankful for everyone who supported and participated in the garage sale.”

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even become a living donor. Find out how you can make a difference in your own life or in the lives of others. Go by and see Barry at Antiques and Arts on First and see the brave face of someone determined to overcome chronic kidney disease again and, as Barry says, “live a normal, contributing to society, amazing, adventurous life!”

TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TO “GIFTS OF THE MAGI” TO BENEFIT BARRY RUSH OR TO MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE CALL: 985-643-4790 Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency www.lopa.org 1-800-521-GIVE National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) www.transplants.org 1-800-489-3863

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by John Maracich III

Slidell Bui lds Business Using Social Media...

In just a few years, “social media” has gone from an interesting oddity to the dominant form of communication (in addition to excellent magazines focused on small to medium sized municipalities, of course). Your grandmother is on Facebook or your grandkid is on Instagram. Dad’s on Twitter. Mom’s using Pinterest. Even your weird uncle has a Google+ account.

Slidell businesses have realized how important it is to have a social media strategy. And with a number of top notch companies focused on honing and crafting the online presence for many local businesses, Slidell is ahead of the game in comparison to other towns.

To learn more about how Slidell businesses connect with their customers on the internet, we talked to Drew Franzo, a local social media expert. Drew’s company, eSYNCS, has been recognized as a leader in “buzz marketing.” In business since 2011, eSYNCS has already won several high profile awards for marketing and advertising.

do it right. Services like Instagram and Pinterest cater to certain demographics - their reach isn’t as broad as Facebook and Twitter. Google+ is a desert.

Give us a success story - not just about how you helped a business increase its “likes” on Facebook - but how those “likes” translated into a real increase in revenue.

Slidell 2020: What are the most popular social media sites here in Slidell?

Franzo: If you’re going to go fishing, cast a pole where the fish are swimming the most. Locally, Facebook rules the land in regards to numbers.

Are there any other sites that have high usage elsewhere that we don’t often use here in Slidell?

In densely populated areas nationally, Twitter is very popular. LinkedIn has very strong benefits for business professionals, but the learning curve is much higher for people who want to

Additionally, we offer services like website development, email marketing, search engine optimization, graphic design and digital signage.

What kind of services does a company like yours offer to a small business?

Complete management for social media. We handle all the day to day postings, monitoring, communicating, and overall brand management for business and organizations of all sizes.

Here’s a great example of how social media can change a business in the short term: a local steakhouse here in Slidell. We manage all their day to day postings on Facebook. Since starting our service, in just over two months, we have increased their fan base to just over 2000. The results are a direct impact on the number of Christmas party bookings, weekend dinner reservations and overall brand engagement.The return on investment has been incredible!

Brrrriiiiinnnnnng!

By Donna Bush

S

pinning through the cool, crisp air, wheels turning in big round circles, feeling the breeze in my face.

Cycling brings such pleasure.

Bicycling knows no age or season. We all remember our first new shiny bike on Christmas morning. I know you remember the purple one with the banana seat and the streamers from the handlebars. Or maybe yours was a red BMX that sent you racing ahead of all the neighborhood kids. Thoughts of bicycles always bring back childhood memories. But bicycling is something you never outgrow. Like they say, you never forget how to ride a bike!

Bicycling has much to offer – it’s an excellent form of low-impact exercise, opportunity to commune with nature, visit with friends, see places you can’t see from the highway and it’s even kind to the environment. You can enjoy bicycling during any season, even winter. Our winters are so mild that bicycling gives you a perfect opportunity to get off the sofa and go outside. You don’t have to travel far to take advantage of cycling. You can do it in your own local neighborhood or you can

40

take advantage of some of the wonderful trails we have available to us within a short drive. In some cities, bicycles are a primary mode of transportation, allowing riders to easily avoid car-congested streets. Some people even commute to work along Hwy 90 from Fort Pike to the NASA Michoud Facility. The rides are in the early mornings and late evenings, when it is still cool and provides the best opportunity for observing wildlife, not to mention beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Check out bikeeasy.com, whose mission is “To make riding in New Orleans easy, safe and fun.” They are a grassroots, non-profit organization aimed at promoting an improved quality of life for all who share New Orleans streets. How can they go wrong, with a motto like “Getting New Orleans Streets in Gear?” They provide commuter maps and a listing of bicycle incidents and thefts on their website.

You can spend a little or a lot for the necessary equipment. If you are a casual rider, you may want to start with an inexpensive bike from your local Wal-Mart or sporting goods store. As you become

hooked on cycling, you will want to advance to better equipment. At this point you are ready to make a decision on your favorite style of riding – mountain biking or street biking, even racing or competition. Bike choice is important and should be tailored to your cycling style. You don’t want to take a mountain bike, with its fat, off-road tires on a paved bike path. You will be miserable and always trying to keep up with your friends, who will fly past you on their thintired street bikes. There are a whole host of options available for bicycles. They can be extremely lightweight, made of carbon fiber, streamlined for every ounce of speed. They can even have shocks to cushion every bump in the trail.

There are choices beyond the traditional upright bike that we all grew up with.

One option is the recumbent bike. Not necessarily new, but increasing in popularity.

Recumbent bikes offer an ergonomic design by providing a more natural seated position for the back and legs. The back is in a slightly reclined position, legs extended in front of the body, head balanced in a natural position above the cervical spine.

This takes all the stress off the neck, shoulders, wrist and back. All the weight is on the butt, as in a normal seated position.

There can be an adjustment period, as they are a bit tippy on take off. Another consideration would be recumbent trikes, even lower to the ground with 3 points of contact, making for a very stable ride. An option in between the recumbent and the upright is the crank forward. These bikes offer ease of use, comfortable wider seat, no wrist, arm or neck pain and a flat-footed stance while seated.

Local Clubs:

In addition there are many other clubs dedicated to promoting safe cycling as a recreation, sport and alternative mode of transportation, such as the Crescent City Cyclists, which is the oldest and largest cycling club in the New Orleans area. Visit their website at crescentcitycyclists.org.

Becoming involved with your local cycling club will prove invaluable to you as a beginning cyclist. They will instruct in the finer points of cycling, whether it be for racing, adventure or just the sheer fun of it. Most clubs have weekly organized rides, running anywhere from 25 miles (short) to 70 miles (long). These rides are guided and pre-mapped to ensure a safe riding environment.

Many of the local clubs will take part in fundraising events such as the Tour for the Cure for Multiple Sclerosis and Tour de Cure for Diabetes. There are numerous other events raising money for breast cancer research, United Way, March of Dimes, children with disabilities and a host of others. What a great way to get your exercise and do your part to help others as well.

Trails within New Orleans and Northshore Area:

As a beginning cyclist, you may want to consider one of the local cycling clubs.

There are many clubs that focus on cycling as a racing sport, like the New Orleans Bicycle Club. Check their website at neworleansbicycleclub.org. You will find that most major cities along the Louisiana/ Mississippi coast have a racing club. You can find a number of these listed on the N.O. Bicycle Club website along with corresponding website links.

Also check out the League of American Bicyclists’ website for lots of useful information for the beginning cyclist, as well as the experienced.

Trails outside New Orleans and Northshore Area:

Don’t overlook the possibility of a used bike. Serious bikers are always upgrading to newer, better bikes and selling their old ones. Check with your local bike shop, newspaper classified sections and Craigslist. Bike shorts are important to add to your comfort factor. They come padded to increase the cushion of your ride. Padded shorts are not as much of a necessity with the recumbents as with an upright.

A helmet is another crucial part of your bicycling safety equipment. Regardless of how slow you think you are going, a helmet is indispensable if you have a mishap. If you are riding in automobile traffic, you will want to be seen easily. Reflective clothing, a light and a flag are all good options to make you more noticeable.

The rails-to-trails system provides a great place to cycle in St. Tammany Parish.

Visit their website tammanytrace.org for the latest details on recently completed additions to their trail system. In St. Tammany Parish the trail system provides a 31-mile recreational outlet for cyclists, joggers, walkers, roller bladers and equestrians. Don’t overlook such great paths as City Park, Audubon Park and the lakefront as wonderful places to take a morning or afternoon ride. If you want more of a nature-oriented experience, my favorite is the trail at Boy Scout Road in Big Branch NWR in Lacombe. On the ride out to the observation deck, you are likely to encounter red-cockaded woodpeckers, great egrets fishing among the wild irises and maybe even a bald eagle. At the observation deck you have a great view of the marsh out to Lake Pontchartrain. Ride down to the end of the trail and you will venture through an old-growth oak forest and end up on Lacombe Bayou. Check out bikelouisiana.com for the most complete information on biking in Louisiana. It provides a list of road rules for bicyclists, along with trail information, events and contacts for rental companies, clubs and trails throughout the state. There’s even a cool search feature that allows you to find a trail that matches your location, style of riding and length of trip.

Bring back some of those childhood memories! Dust off your bike or buy a new one. But go out and ride.

You can even put the streamers on the handlebars and get a bike bell!

Brrriiinngggggg!

New Orleans Bicycle Club Crescent City Cyclists League of American Bicyclists

neworleansbicycleclub.org crescentcitycyclists.org bikeleague.org

Long Leaf Trace (Hattiesburg to Prentiss 41 miles) longleaftrace.org Kisatchie National Forest southernregion.fs.fed.us Hooper Park Baton Rouge (5 mile shaded bike path) trails.com Natchez Trace natcheztracetravel.com Louisiana Bike Trails bikelouisiana.com

St. Tammany Trace East Bank Miss. River (22mile) Fontainebleau State Park Big Branch NWR – Boy Scout Road Bayou Sauvage NWR – Levee trail Louisiana Bike Trails New Orleans

tammanytrace.org jplanaux.com crt.state.la.us/parks fws.gov/bigbranchmarsh fws.gov/bayousauvage bikelouisiana.com bikeeasy.com

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Crimi-mommly Insane I WILL, be ok. And so will I.

By Leslie Gates

Cartwheels and Christmas Shopping Editor’s Note: Readers, It is my pleasure to introduce you to Slidell Magazine’s newest contributing writer, Leslie Gates. I first read Leslie’s hilarious and touching family stories through her blogspot and have been addicted since. Leslie was born and raised a Slidell girl and a diehard Saints fan. Her love of writing started at a young age where it was nurtured by her biggest fan, and strictest grammar teacher, her Mom. It blossomed later, as life gave her different challenges.

She graduated from Salmen High in 1995 where she danced as a Spartanette (but always secretly wished she played basketball instead).

Due to a strong sense of patriotism, and to follow in her Dad’s footsteps, at age 17 she joined the Army. Her travels took her to places such as Ft. Lewis, Washington, Kuwait, and Ft. Benning, Georgia, where she jumped out of perfectly good airplanes. After 4 years as a truck driver and helicopter refueler, she was honorably discharged from the Army.

Her heart brought her back to Slidell, where she completed nursing school and began working as a medical research nurse. During this time, she met and married her other biggest fan, her husband Brian, now a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. During her six years in the new role of military wife, they had 3 children, now ages 11, 8 and 6.

Leslie’s children have been the center of her world and her writing, and her full time job since the day she learned she would be a Mom. This journey through motherhood has been her greatest challenge, fullfilled her deepest love, and opened a whole new world of wacky, everyday, real-life stories to tell. Slidell Magazine is proud to share her stories with you. ~ Kendra Maness, Editor

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It never fails. I always get the shopping buggy with the one spinny wheel.

Oh yes, I could easily put it back and grab another one, but I never do.

Ya wanna know why? Because I‛m only gonna end up picking its defective twin brother.

I am meant to have them.

What are the odds in the buggy line-up that ole‛ wobble wheel is at the front of the line every time I walk in the store?

I‛m usually convinced it will get better as I‛m pushing it along. That maybe it will just fix itself in some magical way.

If I‛m feeling extra smart, I will pretend like I know what I‛m doing and grab a random item out of my purse, shoving it into the mechanisms of the wheel, hoping to straighten it out.

But then it just stops rolling all together.

By the time I get to the produce aisle, I‛m ready to give up.

As I‛m shamefully pushing my defective buggy though the store, I always look around for others of my kind. Another poor soul, click, click, clicking their way through the aisles. Someone to share a brief look of sympathy with. But nope, it‛s just me.

At the mercy of Satan‛s buggy.

Halfway through the store, I start frantically searching the aisles to find that one lonely buggy sitting by itself so I can do a quick trade off.

If I find one, it‛s usually in worse condition. Or there is a hairpin stuck in the wheel.

Duh. That‛s why they left it there in the first place.

Now, this whole wheel issue always comes with a bigger problem. THE VORTEX. It‛s that pull to the left or the right that causes me to keep having to scoot the damn thing straight again. The heavier the buggy, the harder to keep from being sucked into the sideways vortex.

This causes a major forearm cramp during the whole shopping experience.

I play it cool though. Trying to hide my shame. But there are always those people that are snooty about their buggy once they see mine.

It‛s that look...”Oh, you‛ve got THAT buggy”.

How they mock me so.

Every now and then, I will get a little humor break when I find someone‛s old shopping list down at the bottom of the cart. That always amuses me. I mean, ya gotta read it, right? Right.

It always starts with milk.

Then it gets weird.

Milk, dog bones, tampons, whistle, a wrench, smelly thing for car, and carrot sticks or Milk, WD-40, hemorrhoid cream, flashlight, glitter, and potatoes It makes me laugh to myself, forgetting about the problem at hand. But only briefly.

Now. Imagine this...

It‛s Christmas time.

The store is packed.

And I have to get the kids some presents without them seeing. Because, yes, they were with me on this shopping trip.

The baby was crying, trying to pull things off the shelves.

My toddler was riding underneath, purposely hanging a limb over the side because he thought it was funny to control the brakes. Which, by the way, is most likely NOT going to get me the “Mother of the Year Award.”

Then my five year old, hanging onto the front of the cart.

Usually a little to the left or right, causing the vortex to suck me in even more.

Got that image? Greeeeat.

Because my foot was also broken. One in a big boot and the other in a flip flop. It‛s like having one long leg and one short leg. It hurts the hips. I know this now.

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BOYS & GIRLS PONY RIDES • FUN ACTIVITIES BIRTHDAY PARTIES • & MUCH MORE! Step one: Push though the pain. Head to the blanket aisle and grab a very boring blanket. This is important. Just make sure there are no patterns or pretty colors because the kids will try and take it. It needs to be cozy though, you WILL be buying it. Unless you just want to pack it back up the way you found it once you are done with it. Ya know - folded perfect, cardboard insert, perfectly straight ribbon meeting in the middle to a cute little bow. Yeah. You‛re keeping it.

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Part C: Head to the toy aisle with open blanket at the ready.

Once you find the item of interest, use one hand to point away from you and yell, “it‛s Santa!”, quickly grabbing the item simultaneously with your other hand and throwing it under the blanky.

Please don‛t pick a toy that makes noise upon movement. That would require another block of instruction. And I really don‛t have the energy. Or the meds.

Five: Once you have retrieved all desired items and hidden them under the blanket, grab a couple of odd things to go on top. Duck tape, trash bags... oh wait, scratch that. But definitely grab a bottle of wine. You will need it.

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Time for check out! Say your prayers!

Cause this part STINKS. The lines are ridiculously long, two registers are open, and there are 10 employees standing around playing Candy Crush, talking about God knows what.

I‛m sure it isn‛t about opening another register.

At this point, the candy in the check out line is your best bet. Just give into it this time.

Let them all pick a candy with the letter...

I don‛t know...Q. That should give you enough time to get everything on the conveyer belt, while the kids are still looking for that Qit-Qat or whatever.

Throw the blanket on top, give the cashier “the Mommy look” which means, double bag it please, then REALLY let your kids pick out a candy once all toys are hidden.

After all, they have been putting up with your cursing for the last hour.

Finally - pay, do a happy dance, and be on your merry way!

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Make sure to give those 10 workers a dirty look as you are walking sideways out the door. They should be fixing the damn buggy wheels!

Almost to the car!

Your forearm will be painfully numb at this point, and will most likely be the arm you will need to hold up the back door of the SUV, if it‛s like mine was, and had a broken spring.

One arm holds the door up, one arm grabs a bag.

Don‛t get this confused. That door really hurts when it falls on top of you.

The kids think it‛s funny though, as they are climbing the cart return in the pouring rain.

When you pull up in your driveway, the lights from above will be shining upon you, and the angels will be singing songs of praise.

Get out the car, grab the bags, throw them in the closet, go get on the couch with your cozy new blanket and bottle of wine, and give yourself a pat on the back.

Wait! Get back up and get the kids out of the car!

Okay, NOW you can relax.

If it just so happens to be around the same time that your spouse gets home, he/she will most likely wonder why you are sitting on the couch doing nothing.

Hold it together.

And just be glad you didn‛t grab the duct tape and trash bags.

So remember, if you ever get THAT buggy (which you won‛t, because I‛m the only one that does) keep on pushing through it.

WHATEVER it is in life. Push though.

Even when the cart wheels try and stop you, there will still be a light at the end of the aisle.

And a bottle of wine.

In any case…

Happy Christmas shopping!

FOR MORE OLDE TOWNE SHOP HERE FOR CHRISTMAS! Unique & “one-of-a-kind” items

985-259-4337

manager@dejaneaux.com 2143 First St. Slidell Check us out at

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Antiques and Art on First 985•643 4790 985•643•4790 1952 First St. • Slidell

Open 6 Days a Week!

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