Sophisticated Woman Magazine - April 2020

Enterprising Woman Deirdre Klein Ochipinti Author The Northshore's Best 2019 Winners Outdoor Living Spaces Home Feature Tutti Frutti Cocktails

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SophisticatedWoman.com Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

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2017

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Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

2018

W The Northshore’s Best

20

Enterprising Woman

Deirdre Klein Ochipinti................................................20 Home & Garden

Outdoor Living Spaces............................................. 7 Home Feature

A Constructive Labor of Love................................. 12 April Cocktails

Tutti Frutti. Oh Rutti!................................................. 29

A P R I L 2 0 2 0 ENTERPRISING WOMAN

HEALTH

Behind the Scenes

Jonathan Sorrel, MD | SLENT

Deirdre Klein Ochipinti

Liz Tarabour, MS, RDN, CDE, LDN

HOME & GARDEN

CUISINE & COCKTAILS

Home & Garden

April Recipe

Snoann Willett, St. Tammany Master Gardener

April Cocktails

Our Enterprising Woman Cover Shoot................... 5

7

On the Cover:

Super Mom. Super Story....................................... 20

Outdoor Living Spaces............................................. 7 Landscape Design & Your Personal Style................ 8

Telehealth: Remote Medical Assistance ............ 26 What is a Superfood? Any Why? ........................... 30

Chicken Veggie Stir Fry........................................... 28 Tutti Frutti. Oh Rutti!................................................. 29

April Home Feature

A Constructive Labor of Love................................. 12

12

BUSINESS PROFILE Todd S. Brasuell Pediatric Dentistry

Where Kids Are All Smiles..................................... 23

Continuing Tutorships For Your Children.............. 24

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Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

Publisher’s Note........................................................ 6 Northshore Humane Society................................. 31 April Calendar......................................................... 32

LEGAL Doug Sunseri

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COMMUNITY

SOPHISTICATED HOMES Sophisticated Homes Feature Section................ 34

On the Flipside THE NORTHSHORE'S BEST | 2019 WINNERS

Sophisticated Woman Magazine

By Women. For Women.

Inspiring Women.

Publisher Lorie Hollis

Behind the Scenes

Associate Editor Jan Windhorst Art Director | Graphic Design Pam Hendrix

Our Enterprising Woman Photo Shoot With Deirdre Klein Ochipinti

Administrative Manager Emily Warder Sales Manager Stephanie Norman Account Executives Angela Dutel and Suzanne Lucido Contributing Writers Alexandra Coogan,

We met with our April 2020 Enterprising Woman,

Snoann Willett and Jan Windhorst Contributing Photographers Crystal LoGiudice, Jason

Deirdre Klein Ochipinti, at Air Salon & Blow Dry Bar

Masters, Kiki Randon, Steve Randon and Jan Windhorst

in Mandeville where she had her hair and makeup done by Breanna King. Photographer Steve Randon

Social Media Elise Apffel

and the Sophisticated Woman team coordinated her

Production Sophisticated Woman Magazine

cover shoot at the newly-renovated St. Tammany

Distribution Manager Anthony Figaro

Parish Library in Covington and Pelican Athletic

Cover Photography Steve Randon Photography

Club in Mandeville.

steverandon.com

Read Deirdre's story on page 20 and learn more

Hair and Makeup: Breanna King | Air Salon & Blow Dry Bar

about her passion for storytelling for a greater cause.

1111 N. Causeway Blvd. | Mandeville | 985-626-1402 airdrybar.com

Sophisticated Woman Magazine 409 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 Phone: 985-893-7350, Fax: 985-893-7686 e-mail: editor@sophisticatedwoman.com website: SophisticatedWoman.com ©2020 Sophisticated Woman Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

Views expressed are not necessarily shared by the publisher or staff of this publication. Please mail comments or submit articles and photographs to the above address. If you wish to be mailed a one year subscription, please send your name and address with $19.95 for handling.

DISTRIBUTION—Your advertisement reaches approximately 75,000* Distribution is guaranteed by direct mail plus s­upplemental pick-up locations. Our upscale mailing list includes the most sought after customers in Abita Springs, Covington, Folsom, Hammond, Lacombe, Madisonville, Mandeville, Ponchatoula, Robert, Slidell and the New Orleans metropolitan area.

Call us today. You’ll be surprised at how affordable it is to advertise with the best.

NOW AVAILABLE AT ROUSES MARKETS and BARNES & NOBLE

Contributors Jan Windhorst is the Associate Editor for Sophisticated Woman Magazine. She has a Master of Journalism from LSU and is a marketing consultant and photographer. She also enjoys performing in the band Four Unplugged.

Steve Randon is the official cover photographer for Sophisticated Woman Magazine. For more information about Steve Randon Studio, please visit steverandon.com.

Elise Apffel received her BFA with a concentration in graphic design from UL Lafayette. She enjoys practicing yoga, going on bike rides and attending community events and festivals.

Crystal LoGiudice is a freelance photographer with a passion for showcasing the beauty of life through the lens. She has a degree in Mass Communication/Journalism from LSU. In addition to photography, she teaches and designs colorguard shows.

*Figures based on 2.5 readers per issue.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

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publisher's note

We're All In This Together APRIL IS A

time to celebrate spring and

a sense of renewal… Well, that was what I planned to write about. The COVID-19 virus has dramatically disrupted our world and altered how people connect, live and do business. You as our community partners, advertising partners and loyal readers are very important to us. We’re sensitive to the challenges our community is facing in the uncertain environment around us. However, our team is committed to helping local businesses stay strong, and we will get through this together.

In this special edition of Sophisticated Woman Magazine, we look to the positive and are excited to showcase the area’s top people, services, food, shopping and events by announcing the winners of The Northshore`s Best. See if your favorites won and who might become new favorites. As always, we encourage you to support local businesses and community endeavors any way you can.

The story of our Enterprising Woman, author Deirdre Klein Ochipinti, is timely—giving hope to all for a happy ending after facing challenging conditions. On page 20, read how she found adoption to be an unexpected blessing, and how her decade-long dream to help other families finally came to fruition.

We also celebrate Home and Garden Month this April—perfect for a time when our homes mean more to us than ever. Find helpful tips on gardening, ideas on outdoor living spaces, a home feature on a Madisonville waterfront beauty and our personal recommendations for top area landscapers.

I’d like to leave you with a quote I recently read.

“Those who create during this time are those who will thrive on the other side.” In that spirit, we will help our communities come together to drive compassion, stability, trust and hope by sharing community news, small business information and stories of interest through our monthly printed publication, Facebook and our website.

Lorie Hollis 6

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

The Northshore’s Best

Home & Garden Come Together In Outdoor Living Spaces WRITTEN BY JAN WINDHORST

THE IDEA OF an outdoor living space has evolved from the humble patio of yesteryear—think simple concrete pads with aluminum camp chairs and ice chests surrounding a folding charcoal pit—to today's elaborate and expansive areas that contain cooking, dining and lounging areas alongside a pool or other water features. As with other types of design planning, the options for different sizes and budgets are endless. It’s just a matter of finding the right inspiration. Here are a few ideas to get you started on a reboot of your existing area or a new project.

To get the most out of your outdoor space, make sure there’s easy access from your inside space. When deciding on the location for your outdoor room, consider how you want to use it and pick an area that’s heavily trafficked, such as off the living room or master bedroom. You can continue to control the traffic flow outside in many ways including creating walkways by using landscaping and hardscaping to create borders. The use of curved paths is popular and can encourage exploration in a garden that leads to a quiet sitting spot or opens up to an inviting entertainment area.

Well-designed rooms are typically built around one element—a sofa, water feature or table—which provides a focal point; the rest of the furnishings and accents support that central piece which orients the view and becomes a gathering point. Outdoor fireplaces can create a strong focal point, draw people to them and provide warmth for those chilly winter evenings. These areas can simply consist of a portable fire pit, two lounge chairs and a charming view, or an expertly fashioned, massive wall of masonry. High-end trends include incorporating artistic elements, promoting them to “fire features” rather than traditional firepits. These usually provide seating areas and a backdrop for TVs. Again—your space, budget, needs and taste dictate your choices.

After choosing a focal point, zone your space. Well-planned furniture arrangement helps to facilitate a variety of uses in one outdoor living space. For example, in a smaller space, a bench and dining table can be placed cozily in a corner; for medium spaces, different flooring textures or rugs can define dining and relaxing areas.

Today’s upscale outdoor spaces feature entire kitchens with weather resistant, stainless steel appliances. A trending design aesthetic is to put stainless steel components in stone or brick creating a pleasing contrast of rustic and modern elements, and serving as an anchor for the appliances while offering an outdoor vibe.

Trendy outdoor cooking areas demand outdoor dining spaces rivaling their indoor counterparts complete with full tables, bar areas and kitchen islands.

Stylish accents and traditional indoor furnishings finish today’s outdoor rooms. Colorful rugs and throw pillows pop against classic, muted stone hues and adorn plush seating, with synthetic wicker being the choice for furniture durability. Lightweight or rolling plant pots also add color and texture to outdoor living spaces and can define borders of the space with a rotating palette of seasonal offerings. Hardscaped outdoor designs, especially those featuring concrete or stone pool lounging areas benefit from landscaping that adds softness. Shrubs and vined trellises can offer privacy from neighbors, the addition of garden areas or fruit trees can add charm, and carefully chosen plants can attract wildlife. Use landscaping as the finishing and unifying elements that reflect your unique personality and make this special space your own.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

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gardening

Landscape Design & Your Personal Style WRITTEN BY SNOANN WILLETT, ST. TAMMANY MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION

EVERY GREAT LANDSCAPE, no matter how large or small, starts with a plan, an idea, a fusion between your personality and the style of your home. Whether your tastes are formal or naturalistic, utilize a straight-forward planning process to formulate your landscaping design. Examine current site conditions. These would include your house orientation as related to hours of sunlight, utilities above and below ground, drainage and grading, soil types, views, and USDA hardiness zone 8a, 8b, 9a or 9b. Note the location and health of existing plants, trees and shrubs. Determine a budget. Consider the architectural style of the home.

There are two general styles of landscaping: informal and formal. The informal style is characterized by curved paths, irregular shapes and placements of plants and a more naturalistic way of pruning, rustic materials (rough cut timbers, branch ties, mulched paths). The formal style has straight lines and geometric shapes, orderly rows, highly defined pruning and smooth materials (urns, statuary, fountains). Of the two styles, formal is typically the most expensive and laborious to maintain but achieves a classic look.

The informal style can be easier to maintain because growth habits are allowed to be more natural.

Use paper or a free online app to draw your site to scale. Books from the library can show you how. Make copies of the scale drawing while preserving the original. Next, decide which style best suits you and your family’s needs. Do you have pets?

Children? Hobbies that require outdoor space? A Pool? Do you entertain? Perhaps you wish to grow your own vegetables and herbs. Make a list so nothing is missed and label the scale drawing with notes.

Layout your wants and needs on a copy of your scale site drawing. The idea is to loosely denote the items from your needs list onto your site. The vegetable garden could be a circle or oval. The patio could be a square. Try different versions until finding one that best fits all your needs. Refine the loose circles by deciding which characteristics are desired. Flowering, evergreen/deciduous, color, and size. Once you are happy with the placement and characteristic types on paper, you can select which plants and material to buy.

The benefits of having a plan saves time, money, and labor offering greater satisfaction because the plants and materials were chosen for a purpose. Spend time learning your site and discover your style by looking at other gardens online or in person. Take a garden tour, become a master gardener or join a garden club to stay inspired. Happy Growing!

Spring is Here!

In honor of our Home and Garden Month issue, Sophisticated Woman Magazine recommends our favorite providers of landscaping and outdoor services.

Congratulations to Top Quality Outdoor Services and Smoketree Landscape.

W

Visit us online at SophisticatedWoman.com 8

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

This is the age of a new Louisiana.

We built Louisiana’s largest pediatric health network to care for any of the one million children in our state and deliver on the belief that your child can be part of a stronger, healthier tomorrow. From check-ups to complex medical and emergency care, your child’s care begins here. Visit ololchildrens.org/believe for more.

Believe in me.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

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Thanks Again!

On behalf of the entire Banner family, I would like to thank you for choosing Banner Ford as the Northshore’s Best Automotive Dealership 2019. We are very proud to have received these honors and pledge to you, our customers, to work hard and to live up to the standard of excellence that you’ve come to expect from Banner Ford, year after year.

Come visit us today and find out why the Banner Way is a Better Way!

Best Automotive Dealership

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 11

home feature

A Constructive Labor Of Love

12 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

home feature

WRITTEN BY JAN WINDHORST PHOTOS BY JASON MASTERS

WHEN CHAD AND SHANA ROIG

say they built their four-

for the facia, it’s split-faced and rough-hewn. Complementing that stone are

bedroom, three-bathroom house boasting 7,000 total square feet, they mean

quartzite tops that grace the outside counters which surround commercial-grade

they built their new Del Oaks residence in Madisonville. From the pouring of

appliances including a four-burner stove, oven and grill.

the slab in March 2018 to their move-in day in March 2019, the Roigs were

The indoor kitchen areas house Wolf appliances, a galley-sink and custom

intimately involved in the building process including the design, procuring

cabinets surrounded by Paper White walls. The area is adorned with gold

custom materials, subcontracting and physically framing, staining, painting

hardware and light fixtures. A slate-gray hutch matches the cabinet style and

and constructing as many aspects of the house as they could. “I sketched

holds white and gilded wares that are more sculptures than serving dishes.

it out exactly as we wanted, and Rusty Meyer with Pinnacle Home Designs

What is disguised as a part of the symmetrically-balanced cabinets, is actually

created the official drawings from that,” says Chad. “Our favorite area is the

a door leading to the butler’s pantry which craftily houses the microwave and

outdoor kitchen and patio, which surrounds the pool.”

other appliances out of sight while still keeping them accessible. The pantry

Upon entering the majestic abode through towering cypress doors, one’s eyes are drawn through the impeccable interior designed by Mara Lamb

floor is set with the Turkish marble used outside, but here it’s polished and shows darker and wider gray veins.

Malcolm of Lamb’s Interior Design, Little Rock, AR, and toward the rear wall

While the indoor food prep and storage areas are a chef’s dream, Shana says,

of windows which frames the awaiting outside oasis. Chad sits amidst their

“We also wanted to have everything we needed outside, so we could enjoy that

handiwork—working, but relaxed—alongside their four-legged companion,

space without the back-and-forth to the inside.”

Bora, the French Bulldog named for their honeymoon destination.

For the ceiling of the outdoor living area, over 2000 square feet of dark, clear

The Roigs employed Turkish marble throughout the home. “Because

cypress was used, which Chad and Shana stained and sealed themselves. For the

it’s all from the same quarry, it matches but adds the interest of different

couple of four years, even more impressive is that they designed, framed and

color variations and preparation into different products inside and out,”

constructed the outdoor kitchen cabinetry in matching cypress with stainless

says Shana. “The 2,500 square feet of outdoor flooring is sandblasted so it’s

steel accents. The cypress flows throughout the home’s interior where, once

not slippery. The marble used for the pool coping is a different shape, and

again, they finished the wood for beams, barn doors and a custom-built mantle.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 13

home feature

14 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

home feature Another unique feature is the interior baseboards, designed by Chad and milled into a one-of-a-kind, sleek, tall, squared profile. Those baseboards give rise to soaring ceilings–16 feet at their peak–which cover a spacious yet cozy living area. The great room’s white sofa and indigo club chairs are complemented by large custom abstracts. The entire living space is flanked by the foyer's cobalt sisal rug on one end, and a view of the azure pool through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the other, bringing together the expansive indoor and outdoor areas.

For overnight visitors, the guest suite is tucked to the right of the front door, separated by an arched entry wall to provide privacy. The bath keeps with the home’s overall color scheme but showcases black cabinetry crowned with a unique marble top in hues of gray and gold for a bold statement.

Continuing through the home, one enters the massive master suite through a special barn door hiding a love note from Chad to Shana, inscribed as he was constructing the cypress portal. Dark furniture pieces–some new and some treasured antiques–are balanced by pale, muted velvets and linens, with the extremes mediated by smoky blues. Artwork and accent pillows repeat those

PHOTO BY JAN WINDHORST

Upon entering the MAJESTIC ABODE, one's eyes are drawn through the IMPECCABLE INTERIOR and toward the wall of windows which frames the awaiting OUTSIDE OASIS.

hues and add a gradient of tones in between.

According to Malcolm, “All the bedroom’s appointments were intentionally designed to be soft and soothing, reflecting the serenity of life on the Northshore.” Tall windows let sunshine in from the pool area but are tempered by blackout curtains when sleep trumps daylight.

The master bath repeats the theme of sleek, square, white cabinets and the use of quartzite, but here, in charcoal and black hues. Gold-toned landscape art and gold hardware surround a freestanding soaking tub, and the room is grounded with marble of a subtly different color that runs throughout the oversized walkthrough shower.

As the Roigs return to their favorite area of their water-side sanctuary, they proudly show off the grounds separating the pool area from Bayou Perez and the sizable boat house that sits on the waterway. Proud because they designed and installed the landscaping, including 12-foot Sylvester palms, and framed the enclosure that can accommodate a 30-foot boat and two Jet Skis.

In sum, the home is a labor of love and reflects the excitement of new beginnings, the Roigs’ open and warm personalities and their inviting sense of style.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 15

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Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 19

E N T E R P R I S I N G

W O M A N

Deirdre Klein Ochipinti

20 Sophisticated Woman | January 2020

Super Mom. Super Story.

cover story

WRITTEN BY JAN WINDHORST PHOTOS BY STEVE RANDON

NOW, DEIRDRE KLEIN OCHIPINTI turns her world upside down on purpose as a show of strength and self determination at her regular workouts. But it wasn’t very long ago that she felt her world was spinning out of control.

After five years of unsuccessful fertility treatments, which left her and husband Joe in deep debt, Deirdre says the financial, mental and emotional strain was overwhelming. “I never imagined adoption would be my path, but we felt called to follow this option and trust that God has a plan.” And there were more challenges to face upon the birth of their son.

“Alec was born at 29 weeks making everything that much harder,” she recalls with emotion. Deirdre had recently resigned from her job and was therefore able to care for him in the hospital eight hours a day for seven weeks. After successfully nursing him to health, the new mom’s next mission was addressing his emotional health. “The advice I got was to talk about being adopted from the start, but when I looked for a light-hearted book to help him learn how special he was, I couldn’t find any. That’s what inspired me to write one myself. I wanted hopeful parents to know that it’s possible to turn heartache into the most magnificent thing that’s ever happened to them. The minute that baby is born, there’s no concern about whether the child is bio or not. There’s just overwhelming love. Adoptive parents also fear their children will mistakenly feel given-away or different. It’s my mission to help them overcome that fear.”

In Alec, Deirdre had the inspiration she needed to write; however, she had no idea how difficult it would be to get her heartwarming message into print. “I was a good writer and earned a degree in business and computer science – how hard could writing a children’s book be?”

Over the next nine years, Deirdre submitted her story to hundreds of publishers. She joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and traveled to conference after conference for workshops, meetings with editors and advice. “One big city editor told me that not only would she not publish my book, but that no one else would ever publish it either. I was totally demoralized. There was frustration, tears, and I even quit trying for about a year. Looking back, I’m mad for letting one person affect me so much, but I picked myself up, determined to succeed.”

Finally, on November 1, 2019, after years of countless rejections, many re-writes and the refusal to quit, "Super Alec’s Very Super Day" was picked up by KiCam Publishing. With Alec now 11 and a big brother to adopted sister Kate, the premise of the story had matured along with the Ochipinti family. “I got the superhero idea from Alec’s fight to survive during his first few weeks of life. I wanted to tie in that Superman was also adopted, but was advised I couldn’t use any direct association for legal reasons.” The book’s final version has Alec heroically setting up his new sister’s nursery with the help of his dog. “So, already I have to think about another book because Kate’s now asking to be the superstar of the next one,” laughs the now fit and confident mother of two.

With the stress of rejections and hurdles, Deirdre credits husband Joe with unwavering support and financial backing. She also credits her trainer, Mike Linstead, for taking her through the home stretch. “Mike teaches that physical health contributes directly to mental health in terms of creativity and perseverance.

Getting in shape helped me to avoid burn out and reach the next level to meet my goals. He’s so positive and always has a new way to look at any problem. His passion for helping people is inspiring. He led me through a physical transformation where at 49, I feel better than ever. I want to pass on his example of how physical health and success feed off each other.”

Deirdre says the day her accomplishment really set in was when she and Alec brought 50 published books to his 5th grade class at Mary Queen of Peace. The year before, Alec’s class analyzed the story – then just words printed on white paper - for an English assignment. They identified the main character, the plot, and offered thoughts on what they would change. “I got great feedback from the kids and promised that when, not if, it got published, I’d be back. We brought the bound and illustrated books that I had signed, and I made a little speech. When I finished, they all jumped up and ran to Alec to get his autograph too. That… that was a magical day.”

Her goal now is to expand her outreach to touch as many lives as she can. “November is National Adoption Month and I’m working with a national book retailer to establish a display table for adoption awareness.

I want this book and others to help adoptive parents and kids to feel as happy and fulfilled as our family.”

To contact Deirdre Klein Ochipinti, email deirdre@deirdrekleinochipinti.com or visit deirdrekleinochipinti.com.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 21

22 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

business profile

Todd S. Brasuell Pediatric Dentistry: Where Kids Are All Smiles IMAGINE TAKING YOUR kids on a fun adventure. For the little ones, the journey begins as soon as they enter a jungle world with more animals than they can imagine everywhere they look. The older kids head straight to the gaming area or relax watching a Netflix or Disney Plus movie. Either way, their visit is a rewarding experience in a welcoming environment where their care and comfort are top priority.

Although it doesn’t sound like a typical doctor’s appointment, it is the experience that Dr. Todd Brasuell and his staff create for their pediatric dentistry patients.

Dr. Brasuell credits his 10-person team for the success of the practice and they reciprocate with their enthusiasm and loyalty.

Office Manager Theresa Margiotta describes the office philosophy. “Dr. Brasuell is a board-certified pediatric dentist with a mission to offer fun and entertainment while delivering the highest quality dental care. We welcome patients and parents like family and build lasting relationships.”

Dental Hygienist Rebecca Mitchell echoes the importance of relationships. “I’ve been interested in dentistry since high school and always wanted to work with kids. I’ve been here since the beginning – 13 years – and absolutely love it. It’s so rewarding to win over a little one on their first visit or help them overcome any fears or anxieties. It’s great when they come back, remember you and jump in the chair with a smile. Remembering they get a prize at the end helps too!”

“We see patients from age one to 21,” explains Theresa, “and we relate to them personally throughout. From toys and coloring books, to the animal murals, gaming area, the Swamp and LSU treatment rooms, and TVs above every chair for entertainment during their cleaning, there’s something to engage every age group. We also do fun things like holiday costume contests, giveaways and patient of the month. Dr. Brasuell supports local schools, is on the board of the Miracle League and even established a patient scholarship program for graduating seniors.”

Parents choose Dr. Brasuell because of the relaxed and fun experience, because he is passionate about his job, and conservative as far as treatment planning and non-necessary treatments, reports Rebecca. Theresa adds that the relationship is not just between him and the parents, though. “The first thing he does is talk to the kids and engage them. My kids came here before I began working here so I knew Dr. Brasuell was a kind and caring person.”

The office is also professionally respected as they often receive referrals from other dentists and doctors for treatments. Theresa adds that they welcome special needs children. “It’s such a relief to parents when their child is able to get treatments they were never able to get before. Because so many of our team are long-term, these kids see the same familiar faces. We note their favorite treatment room to ensure they get the same one, and they see the same assistant which makes them feel much more comfortable.”

Dr. Brasuell’s pediatric dentistry office is located at 189 Greenbrier Boulevard. Suite A in Covington.

For more information, call 985-892-5942 or visit toddbrasuelldds.com Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 23

legal

Continuing Tutorships For Your Children WRITTEN BY DOUG SUNSERI

A CONTINUING TUTORSHIP

is a legal

process whereby the court decides that your child will not be competent to make decisions after he or she reaches 18 years old. Continuing tutorships are usually for children with special needs or disabilities who will be impaired from making their own decisions as an adult. Once a disabled child turns 18, the child is considered an adult and the parent may no longer make medical and financial decisions for the child.

A parent may file for a continuing tutorship from at least 15 years old but the child cannot be over 18 years at the time of the court decision.

The court will usually name the child's parents but may select someone else if necessary. The person named to make decisions for the child is called the child’s “tutor.� The tutor then is the person who has the legal authority to make medical, financial and legal decisions for the

Endless Possibilities...

adult child. Once your child turns 18, you can no longer ask the court for a continuing tutorship.

Instead you will have to ask the court for an expensive and time-consuming interdiction, which is a far more complicated legal process whereby the court appoints a lawyer for your child and may be required to post a bond.

It is much easier and less expensive to apply for continuing tutorship before the child turns 18.

The child will have a tutor until you or an attorney representing your child asks the court to remove the tutorship and presents evidence that the child no longer needs a tutor. Please note that once a person turns 18, parental income and resources are no longer considered by SSI, even if the recipient's parents have continuing tutorship.

1090 W. Causeway Approach in Mandeville 985-626-6136 | www.michelecoopermd.com 24 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

Doug Sunseri is a partner with Nicaud Sunseri Law Firm, where he specializes in making complex subjects understandable.

He is also a host on WWL 870 AM/105.3 FM. For more information, visit nslawla.com or call 504-837-1304.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 25

health

Telehealth: Safe & Easy-To-Use Remote Medical Assistance WRITTEN BY JONATHAN SORREL, MD | SLENT

TIMES ARE CHANGING

at a rapid pace. In a matter of weeks, news of a virus affecting

people in a land far away has become news of a virus affecting our nation, our state, our community you. The world as we know it changes by the day. We are adapting to new ways of teaching, learning, working from home, shopping, socializing, and seeking medical care.

Remember back to the days and weeks following Hurricane Katrina? Text messaging was still in its infancy, but it quickly became the sole means of communication as landline and cell phone calls were not an option. In this time of social distancing, healthcare services are evolving with Telehealth as an adaptive means to communicate with your physicians.

Telehealth allows uninterrupted care through easy-to-use, online platforms. Simply log onto the provided website and you are video chatting with your doctor in a matter of minutes. You obtain remote medical assistance, education, intervention, monitoring, and prescriptions from a provider that you already know and trust without having to sit in a waiting room full of people and without unnecessary exposure.

Despite everything else going on in this world, patients continue to need healthcare services. Remote Telehealth provides patients, physicians, and clinic staff with a safe alternative to face-to-face office visits.

As a community, we each do our part to isolate our families as directed in this time of need. The healthcare providers are following strict guidelines and best practices to make sure they are available to meet your medical needs. A phone call to your provider can determine whether your condition necessitates an in-person office visit or can be addressed via Telehealth.

Jonathan Sorrel is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist with SLENT. For more information, call 985-327-5905 or visit southlouisianamd.com.

26 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

E.J. Fielding:Designing Your Funeral Families come to us because they know we’re dedicated to excellent service and have the highest integrity. We’re proud to assist you in designing your funeral.

Services To Honor A Life­—A funeral or memorial service, whether traditional or contemporary, is the first step in healing. It’s about bringing loved ones together at a time of loss. Your choices include the place of celebration, day of the week and time, musical selections, prayers to be said and songs to be sung. We can also arrange tribute videos, personalized printing, memorial websites and live funeral webcasting.

Caring for Physical Remains—Usually, people are clear on their choice of burial or cremation. Most loved ones have told someone how they wish to be cared for. But it can be a hard decision for some families, especially when the wishes of the deceased were never clearly stated. Please know we’re here to help you with that decision. If you’ve chosen burial, the casket is chosen followed by the selection of vault or desired cemetery location. If cremation is your choice, the next decision will be whether the remains will be placed in a mausoleum niche or buried on cemetery grounds.

We look forward to using our generations of experience to help you create the most memorable and meaningful funeral to honor your loved one.

Since 1992, E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been helping families in their greatest time of need. We are a family-owned and operated funeral home offering full-service funeral arrangements, cremation and burial services in Covington, LA. We proudly serve families of the bereaved and honor their loved ones. We service the Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Folsom, Bush, Lacombe, Metairie, Kenner, and Jefferson areas. Call 985-8929222 to speak to one of our staff who can assist you with all of your needs today, or visit ejfieldingfh.com.

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19432 Crawford Road, Covington, LA 70433

INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE Prices, plans and programs are subject to change or withdrawal without notice. Owned and operated by Discovery Senior Living. Void where prohibited by law. ©2020 Discovery Senior Living. TT-0094 6/19

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 27

Cuisine

&

Cocktails

Chicken Veggie Stir Fry Ingredients:

Directions:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes

1. Make stir fry sauce: In a medium-sized bowl,

Salt and pepper to taste

ingredients and whisk to combine. Set aside.

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 cups broccoli florets

C ner Cafe Berrytown

100 West Pine Street Ponchatoula, La 985-386-5575

Monday-Saturday | 7am – 2pm Sunday 8am - 12pm | Breakfast Only 28 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 berrytowncornercafe.com

½ yellow bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces ½ red bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces ½ cup baby carrots sliced 2 teaspoons minced ginger

whisk together corn starch and water. Add remaining

2. Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a large skillet or heat over medium-high heat.

3. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper.

Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until cooked through.

Remove from skillet.

2 garlic cloves minced

3. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining oil to

Stir Fry Sauce

4. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and carrots and cook–

1 tablespoon corn starch

garlic and cook for an additional minute.

2 tablespoons cold water ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce ¼ cup honey

the skillet. stirring occasionally, just until tender. Add ginger and 5. Add chicken back into the skillet.

6. Whisk and mix in stir fry sauce and pour over chicken and vegetables.

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

7. Bring to a boil for one minute.

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

8. Serve over rice.

cuisine & cocktails

Tutti Frutti, Oh Rutti!

SPRING INTO FRESHNESS and enjoy these fruit-inspisred refreshers! Kick back, relax and tap your toes to your favorite tunes as you sip away the stress and delight in the fruits of your labor.

November 2019

Raspberry Beret

Kiwi Are Family

1 ½ ounces citrus flavored vodka 5 fresh raspberries 4 ounces lemonade 1 teaspoon sugar Sprig of mint

1 ½ ounces silver tequila 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced 3 mint leaves 1 tablespoon agave nectar ½ ounce lemon juice 1 ounce club soda, chilled

In cocktail shaker, muddle raspberries and sugar. Add vodka and lemonade.

Shake until mixed well. Pour over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon, a fresh raspberry and a sprig of mint.

In a cocktail shaker, lightly muddle the kiwi, mint and sugar with the lemon juice. Add the tequila and a handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.

Strain and pour into a chilled glass. Top with club soda and garnish with kiwi.

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Watermelon Sugar High

6 whole grapes 1 tablespoon simple syrup 1 teaspoon lemon juice 2 ounces vodka ½ cup soda water Sprig of rosemary

4 cups frozen, seedless watermelon cubes 4 ounces light rum 2 ounces fresh lime juice 2 ounces orange juice 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup Sprig of mint

Muddle five grapes in a shaker, strain and set aside. Add simple syrup, reserved grape juice, lemon juice, vodka and soda water. Add ice and shake.

Garnish with grapes halves and a rosemary sprig.

Mix frozen watermelon cubes, rum, lime juice, orange juice and simple syrup in a blender until smooth. Pour into a margarita glass and garnish with a wedge of lime and a sprig of mint.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 29

health

What is a Superfood?

Any Why? WRITTEN BY LIZ TARABOUR, MS, RDN, CDE, LDN

THE TERM "SUPERFOOD"

is a marketing

term used to describe nutritionally dense foods with supposed health benefits like “cancer preventative” and “good for your heart”. Most, but not all, are plant-based foods. Critics argue there is no scientific basis for the term, but I tend to think it is a positive way to describe healthy foods. There are many different lists if you google “superfoods”.

Bottom line, if it’s on a list somewhere, there’s probably something good about it. Here are a few: avocados, apples, blueberries, cabbage, fish or fish oil, garlic, quinoa, kale, black beans, green tea, beets, ginger, mushrooms, almonds, eggs, flaxseeds, pomegranate, red wine, dark chocolate, goji berries, chia seeds, kefir, hemp seeds, and açai. However, this isn’t a list of foods to “eat as much as you want”. Many of these, such as wine and chocolate, should be eaten in moderation.

If you find yourself with nutrition questions, consider reaching out to a Registered Dietitian for guidance. Try this tasty superfood quinoa recipe.

7TH ANNUAL

TO REMEMBER RUNAPRIL 18, 2020 Benefiting The Wounded War Heroes

To donate, run, sponsor or volunteer,

POSTPONED

Quinoa Salad 1 cup quinoa, uncooked ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed ½ cucumber, chopped 2 green onions, green and white parts chopped 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice Directions: 1. Cook quinoa. Set aside and cool.

2. Combine cheese, cucumber, onions, tomatoes and black beans together in a mixing bowl.

3. Add olive oil and lemon juice to coat the salad.

4. Mix in the quinoa.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

visit GetWellAtDynamic.com/RunToRemember or call 985.893.4700 LOCATED IN

PRESENTED BY

MUSICAL GUEST Liz Tarabour is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator located in Mandeville.

For more information, call 619-602-5199 or visit liztarabour.com.

30 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

community

A Full Service Veterinary Hospital Including:

A Summer Camp to Roar About WRITTEN BY ALEXANDRA COOGAN, NORTHSHORE HUMAN SOCIETY

NORTHSHORE HUMANE SOCIETY’S Safari-Themed Summer Camp is sure to be the most wildly fun summer camp of 2020! Don’t let your child miss out on all the action this camp has to offer as they simultaneously learn advocacy and respect for animals. As a non-profit organization, all proceeds from this furr-filled summer camp go to a

Surgery Preventative Care Bathing Boarding AAHA Accredited Fear Free Certified Class IV Therapeutic Laser Therapy

985-888-1566

70323 Highway 1077 Covington, LA Dr. Christie McHughes Dr. Eugene Jenkins crosspointveterinaryhospital.com

wonderful cause—the care of homeless animals in desperate need of loving families.

If you are the parent of an animal lover longing to make four-legged friends, Northshore Humane Society has come to your rescue! Now welcoming even younger ages, we invite children between 6 and 13 years old to spend a week celebrating ALL animals. Campers will be grouped by age and participate in age-appropriate activities. Your child will engage in fun, interactive games and activities, meet animal experts and ambassadors and put their compassion into action through service projects that benefit homeless animals. They will also be given an opportunity to interact with the rescued dogs and cats on site. Our camp programs foster a sense of responsibility and respect for animals through inquiry and experienced-based learning.

The 2020 dates are below. Parents may choose half or full days for any week.

• Half-day camp: Monday-Friday, 9 am-1 pm.

• Full-day camp: Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm.

• Drop-off begins at 8:30 am.

• Camp Weeks: June 1-5, 15-19 and 22-26; July

6-10, 13-17 and 20-24.

• Before care and after care are also available.

For more information, contact the Northshore Humane Society at 985-892-7387 or visit northshorehumane.org.

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 31

community

A P R I L C A L E N D A R 1-30

13-17

A Taste of Covington. Times and prices vary, St. Tammany Art Association, Bogue Falaya Hall, Downtown Covington and participating restaurants, 985-439-2543, atasteofcovington.com.

Junior Ranger Spring Break Camp. 9 am–2 pm, $40, Big Branch Marsh Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, 61389 Hwy 434, Lacombe, 985-882-2015, fws.gov.refuge/Big_Branch_Marsh.

From the Vaults of the New Orleans Museum of Art. 12–4 pm Wednesdays and Fridays, 12–6 pm, Thursdays, Free, Slidell Cultural Center, 2055 Second St., Slidell, 985-646-4375, myslidell.com.

16

2 Rockin' the Rails Concert.

5–7:30 pm, Free, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com.

3 Mandeville Live! Bottoms Up. 6:30–8:30 pm, Free, Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, 985-624-3147, cityofmandeville.com.

3-4 Gulf States Quilting Show. 10 am–5 pm, Adults-$7, Kids under 12-$4, The Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 985-781-3650, gulfstatesquilting.org.

5 Tour de Lis Louisiana Ride/Hike Race.

8 am, Park entry-$3, Participants-$10-$200, Fontainebleau State Park, 62883 Hwy. 1089, Mandeville, 504-733-5539, tourdelisla.org.

Bayou Jam Concert: Box Office Giants.

5–7 pm, Free, Slidell's Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell, 985-646-4375, myslidell.com.

9 Rockin' the Rails Concert.

5–7:30 pm, Free, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com.

Jazz'n the Vines: Amanda Shaw. 6:30–9 pm, Adults-$10, Under 18-Free, Pontchartrain Vineyards, 81250 Old Military Rd., Bush, pontchartrainvineyards.com.

11 Spring for Art. 6–9 pm, Free, Downtown Covington, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985-892-8650, sttammanyartassociation.org/springforart.

Dew Drop Jazz Hall: Ben Redwine & Dirty Rice.

6:30–9 pm, Adults-$10, Students-Free, 430 Lamarque Street, Mandeville, 985-778-2525, dewdropojazzhall.com.

32 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020

Rockin' the Rails Concert.

5–7:30 pm, Free, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com.

17 Mandeville Live! Four Unplugged.

6:30–8:30 pm, Free, Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, 985-624-3147, cityofmandeville.com.

LPO American Virtuosos. 7:30 pm, $20-$140, First Baptist Church, 16333 LA-1085, Covington, 504-523-6530, lpomusic.com.

18 All-You-Can-Eat Crawfish Cookoff. 11 am–6 pm, Advance-$30, Gate-$35, Kids 12 & under-Free, Fritchie Park, 905 W. Howze Beach Rd., Slidell, 985-643-5470, hospicehouse.org.

Run to Remember. 4 pm, Runners-$10-$30, Sponsorships vary, Terra Bella Village, 100 TerraBella Blvd., Covington, 985-893-4700, getwellatdynamic.com.

Abita Opry Concert. 6 pm, $20, Abita Springs Town Hall, 22161 Level Street, Abita Springs, 504-214-7777, abitaopry.org.

18-19 Aqua-Fest Aquarium Show. 11 am–5 pm, Adults-$10, Kids 12 & under-Free,The Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, AquaFest.com.

18-19, 24-26, 30 Moby Dick Rehearsed. 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 pm Sundays, $21-$16, 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St., Mandeville, 844-843-3090, 30byNinety.com.

19 Camp World of Wonder Family Fundraiser.

3–6 pm, $10-$50, Pontchartrain Yacht Club, 140 Jackson Ave., Mandeville, jinxvidrene@gmail.com, eventbrite.com.

Bayou Jam Concert: Cuisine. 5–7 pm, Free, Slidell's Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell, 985-646-4375, myslidell.com.

Third Sunday Concert: Brian Hsu. 5–6 pm, Free, Christ Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-892-3177, christchurchcovington.com.

community 23

25

Rockin' the Rails Concert. 5–7:30 pm, Free, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com.

Girod Street Stroll. 5–9 pm, $35 to sample food and drink-21 and over, Girod Street, Old Mandeville from trailhead to the lake, oldmandevillebiz.com.

Up Close & Musical: The Black Feathers.

7–9 pm, $19-$110, The Lobby Lounge at The Harbor Center,100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 985-781-3650, harborcenter.org.

24 Columbia Street Block Party. 6:30–9 pm, Free, 200-500 Block of Columbia Street, Downtown Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com.

Mandeville Live! The Boogie Men. 6:30-8:30 pm, Free, Mandeville Trailhead, 675 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, 985-624-3147, cityofmandeville.com.

24-26 En Plein Air Exhibition. 6-9 pm Friday,10 am–4 pm, Saturday and Sunday, Free, Trailhead Museum, 22044 Main St., Abita Springs, 985-400-5393, trailheadmuseum.org.

Dreamgirls. 8 pm Fridays & Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays, Adults-$28, Students-$17.50, Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Dr., Slidell, 985-641-0324, slidelllittletheatre.org.

The Comedy Club-Benefit for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. 6:30–9:30 pm, $150 per ticket, Tchefuncta Country Club, 2 Country Club Park, Covington, 985-276-6808, marybird.org.

Dew Drop Jazz Hall 125th Anniversary: Doreen Ketchens. 6:30–9 pm, Adults-$10, Students-Free, 430 Lamarque St., Mandeville, 985-778-2525, dewdropojazzhall.com.

26 Some Enchanted Evening with the LPO. 6 pm, Free, Slidell's Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell, 985-646-4375, myslidell.com.

30 Rockin' the Rails Concert.

5–7:30 pm, Free, Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Events may have been canceled or rescheduled.

Please contact the organizations directly or refer to their respective websites for updated information.

Follow us on Facebook for any updates that may be available. facebook.com/sophisticatedwomanmag

Sophisticated Woman | April 2020 33

47 LOT SUBDIVISION | 1-4 ACRES | LOTS STARTING AT $130,000

Fresh air. Friendly neighbors. Spacious lots. Downhome charm. These are

some of the many pleasures of country living—and they can be yours when you own a home in Wingfield, a new subdivision on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.

LIESHA FOSTER

985-981-2089 liesha@nhrep.com www.wingfieldsubdivision.com

70325 Hwy 1077 ¡ Ste 203 Covington, LA 70433 Office 985-206-9099

34

Located in Covington, Louisiana, approximately 15 minutes from its historic downtown area, Wingfield is ideally situated near many neighborhood conveniences.

Immersed in the serenity of nature while being close to the excitement of the cities: It really is the best of both worlds. We invite you to come see Wingfield for yourself.

You may just find your next home there.

AUTO • HOME • LIFE

PROUDLY SERVING ST. TAMMANY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

Please call us for your insurance needs

985-892-4917 985-641-0345

Farm Bureau® Insurance prides itself on providing our policyholders with genuine personal service and fast claims processing.

By maintaining an expansive network of local agents across the state, we can better serve you because we’re already right there with you.

635 Falconer Drive | Covington sttammanyfarmbureau.com Chad A. Roig, CLU LUTCF Agency Manager

*Louisiana Farm Bureau® Mutual Insurance Company Louisiana Farm Bureau® Casualty Insurance Company, Southern Farm Bureau® Life Insurance Company and Southern Farm Bureau® Casualty Insurance Company.

Discounts may vary, and do not apply to life insurance products.

Sophisticated Homes | April 2020 35

36 Sophisticated Woman | April 2020