SOCIAL OCTOBER 2021
SLIDELL
BACK TO SCHOOL | LOVE & ROSE GALA | LOBBY LOUNGE
SOCIAL
FROM THE EDITOR
OCTOBER 2021
With fall around the corner, we are so excited for cooler weather and football season to kick off! Social Slidell is here to become the go-to resource in this city. We strive to cover the local events, highlight community leaders and showcase the charities that make Slidell the amazing town that it is. In this issue, we share some your little (and some not too little anymore) kids in our Back to School highlights. We also were able to get out and meet so many of you at events like the Love and Rose Gala and the Fan Up Luncheon. We have been so overwhelmed with the kindness you have all given us being the new publication in town. At Social Slidell, we love being connected to those who love the city and we have found so many of you. With that said, I am very excited to share with you the new editor for Slidell, Shannon Dardar. See you in November!
SLIDELL
BACK TO SCHOOL | LOVE & ROSE GALA | LOBBY LOUNGE
On the Cover: Trent Knight & Rachel Mauti JEN MEADOWS
Managing Editor
SHANNON DARDAR
Editor, Social Slidell
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PUBLISHER David Renfro MANAGING EDITOR Jen Meadows EDITOR Shannon Dardar COPY EDITOR Lana Cagle SALES Jen Meadows | 985.687.8980 Stacy Morris | 985.507.4170 David Renfro | 731.499.1414 PHOTOGRAPHY Bianca Baas Aaryn Crews Jen Meadows Bakhtier Rizaev Katie Ulmer Melissa Calico Eugenia Lubrano of NOLA Real Estate Marketing STAFF WRITER Liesel Schmidt GRAPHIC DESIGN Kellie Gunderman Chris Shenk SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Stacy Morris SOCIAL SLIDELL MAGAZINE www.socialslidell.com Stay Connected:
@SocialSlidellMag
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CONTENTS OCTOBER 2021
FEATURES
12
Community Leader:
23
Fashion:
26
Q&A
30
Impact & Give Back:
35
La Belle Maison:
51
Bride:
61
People You Should Know:
12
Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann
26
Stella & Grace
SMH Foundation
35
The Heath Family
Madeline + Matthew
Patrick Theriot
66
SuperMom:
71
Influencer:
Katherine LeGrande
66
51
Tracey Wiley
THE VIEWS AND COMMENTS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHORS ARE NOT ALWAYS THAT OF OUR EDITORS OR PUBLISHERS. WHILE EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THE PUBLICATION, SOCIAL SLIDELL ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR RESULTANT CONSEQUENCES, INCLUDING ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE ARISING FROM THE RELIANCE ON INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION. ALL IMAGES CONTAINED IN SOCIAL SLIDELL MAGAZINE ARE SUBJECT TO THE COPYRIGHT OF SOCIAL SLIDELL, BUT NOT LIMITED THERETO. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PART OF THIS MAGAZINE WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.
WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU SAW A DIGITAL MAGAZINE AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE? 8
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MAK YOUR B E USINES S
P.O.P POWER
OF PRIN
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Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Expands Care on the Northshore Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group continues to grow and expand its services on the Northshore with the addition of two skilled physicians at a new clinic in Covington. Brad LeBert, MD now offers otolaryngology (ENT) services, while Susan Ovella, MD practices internal medicine and pediatrics.
Dr. Ovella, a longtime Northshore resident and healthcare provider Board Certified in both internal medicine and pediatrics, is passionate about providing primary care to children, teens and adults. She believes in the importance of preventive medicine in one’s healthcare journey.
As a Board Certified otolaryngologist, Dr. LeBert cares for patients of all ages and finds much joy in caring for his entire community.
“As a primary care provider, nothing is more important than my relationship with my patients,” said Dr. Ovella. “I want them to feel comfortable in turning to me as their healthcare guide.”
“This is my calling. Every day, I get to go to work, meet new people in my community, see some familiar faces, and help them feel better and live healthier,” said Dr. LeBert.
Dr. LeBert and Dr. Ovella are now accepting new patients. Schedule a visit at ololrmc.com/northshore.
Brad LeBert, MD Otolaryngology
Susan Ovella, MD Internal Medicine, Pediatrics
728 West 11th Avenue • Covington, LA 70433
ololrmc.com/northshore
CONTENTS OCTOBER 2021
EVENTS
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16
Fan Up Pep Rally
20
Back to School
28
Lobby Lounge: Paul Childers
57
Love & Rose Gala
20
28
MAINSTAYS
74
New & Noteworthy
57 THE VIEWS AND COMMENTS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHORS ARE NOT ALWAYS THAT OF OUR EDITORS OR PUBLISHERS. WHILE EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THE PUBLICATION, SOCIAL SLIDELL ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR RESULTANT CONSEQUENCES, INCLUDING ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE ARISING FROM THE RELIANCE ON INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION. ALL IMAGES CONTAINED IN SOCIAL SLIDELL MAGAZINE ARE SUBJECT TO THE COPYRIGHT OF SOCIAL SLIDELL, BUT NOT LIMITED THERETO. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PART OF THIS MAGAZINE WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.
SHOP. EAT. ENJOY. 10
SOCIAL SLIDELL
LOCAL
COMMUNITY LEADER
STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT
Most of us never give much thought to the men and women of the fire department until we need them. We know they’re there, and we appreciate that fact—but we hope that they stay on the periphery of our lives and never become something that we actually have to call on. And as with all the people on the front lines, keeping us safe, they have a level of commitment and bravery that requires more than many of us are prepared to give. Every day, every call, is a test of that bravery and commitment; and they rise to the challenge without thought or hesitation.
For Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann, being a firefighter seemed to be his destiny. “I always thought I’d like the challenge of being a firefighter and that it would be a respected career that would give me the opportunity to help people, and that is something that is really important to me,” says Kaufmann, who has been in the fire service for more than 30 years and rose to the rank of fire chief just over seven years ago. 12
SOCIAL SLIDELL
Slidell,” says Kaufmann. “I am responsible for the entire fire department, which consists of six divisions, in which the suppression division currently has eight firehouses.”
Most of us never give much thought to the men and women of the fire department until we need them. We know they’re there, and we appreciate that fact—but we hope that they stay on the periphery of our lives and never become something that we actually have to call on. And as with all the people on the front lines, keeping us safe, they have a level of commitment and bravery that requires more than many of us are prepared to give. Every day, every call, is a test of that bravery and commitment; and they rise to the challenge without thought or hesitation. For Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann, being a firefighter seemed to be his destiny. “I always thought I’d like the challenge of being a firefighter and that it would be a respected career that would give me the opportunity to help people, and that is something that is really important to me,” says Kaufmann, who has been in the fire service for more than 30 years and rose to the rank of fire chief just over seven years ago. The scope of his job is immense, requiring a great deal of organization, knowledge, and leadership—all of which Kaufmann possesses. “As fire chief, my job entails oversight of a $23 million budget, with 187 employees charged with serving and protecting over 100,000 citizens in St. Tammany Parish and the City of
As many challenges as such responsibilities would present, even in simply keeping the fire houses running, Kaufmann is tasked with so much more that tests his abilities to do his job on a bigger scale. “My greatest challenge is to provide the citizens with the best fire protection and lifesaving measures in the most efficient manner anytime they call 911 while providing all of our employees adequate training and the best equipment to ensure the highest level of safety to our firefighters. They’re putting their lives on the line to protect and serve our citizens, so they need to be kept safe while they’re doing so,” says Kaufmann. “All of that is a complicated balancing act that requires constant re-working, because situations aren’t static.” As difficult as his work is, and as much as it requires of him, Kaufmann loves being fire chief. “I love being able to set the tone and vision for serving our public while watching all of our employees grow as public servants,” says Kaufmann. “I’m incredibly proud of the opportunity my job affords me to empower our employees to be the best public servants they can be. I’m also proud of the fact that we’ve become Internationally Accredited and obtained a Property Insurance Class 2 rating.” During his tenure as fire chief, Kaufmann has made a number of changes, all of them crucial to the success of the fire departments serving the people of St. Tammany and the City of Slidell. “In addition to obtaining our International Accreditation status and earning a Class 2 Property rating, over the course of my time as fire chief, we have also balanced our personnel at every rank to better serve our citizens, each day, while creating a fluid succession plan for the development of our employees for future promotions,” he says. OCTOBER 2021
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COMMUNITY LEADER
The future is something Kaufmann must always be mindful of in his work: how his decisions will affect things down the line, how changes he makes will improve things for firefighters who come through generations from now. Naturally, he has a vision for what he hopes the future holds. “I hope to maintain our International Accreditation status and PIAL class 2 rating, while continuing to be a progressive fire department and being prepared for anything that we are called upon to provide service,” says Kaufmann, who is also serving as President of the St. Tammany Fire Chief ’s Association in addition to volunteering on several non-profit board of trustees, including United Way Leadership Council, serving as vice president of the board of STARC, serving as treasurer of Hospice House Board, and serving as board president for East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity.
In his free time, Kaufmann enjoys spending time with his family and is a fitness and boating enthusiast. Married for 34 years, Kaufmann and his wife have two grown sons—both of whom have chosen career paths of service, one in nursing and the other in firefighting. Clearly, the desire to serve the community is deeply rooted in the Kaufmann family. And while the firefighters under his command may not be related by blood, they are his family, as well; and his leadership is always, always with their success in mind.
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Thank You! This issue of SOCIAL SLIDELL was made possible by the many businesses you see advertising. Want to let Slidell know how they can support your business? WE CAN HELP!
Get in touch: Jen@VipSocialmag.com OCTOBER 2021
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THE SADIE JANE | FAN UP PEP RALLY LUNCHEON
Stephanie Lide & Amanda Oertling
Miranda Parker, Jill Bergeron & Danielle Evans
FAN UP
PEP RALLY
Suzy Potter & Tom Meyer
Christie Pittman & Kendra McArthur
Linda Larkin & Rachel Templeman
Photos by Bianca Baas
With the Saints 2021 season right around the corner, what better way to kick off the season than with a Pep Rally. Guest speaker, Mike Detillier, joined in on the fun for this luncheon.
Maria Guezuraga & Joseph Montelepre
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Peggy Reeson & Kristen Livaudais
Senator Sharon Hewitt, Mike Cooper & Linda Larkin
Jenny Falgout, Tisha Batuk & Victoria Langlinais
Allison Looper-Chalmers, Tom Meyer & Vanessa Schneider
Davis Pisarich, Mike Detillier & Rich Chase
Rusty Munster & Ovid Davis
Michelle Schellinger & Megan Haggerty
Amber Sheppard & Ashleigh D’Addezio
OCTOBER 2021
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OCTOBER events October 9
October 23, 2021
Olde Towne Slidell Art Market
Sunset Symphony on the Lake: An Evening with the LPO
Olde Towne Slidell 2238 First St., Slidell, LA
Slidell’s Olde Towne Art Market features work by “leauxcal” artists and makers, along with live music, in the private lot at Green Oaks Apothecary.
October 17, 2021 Abita Springs Trailhead & Museum
22044 Main St. Abita Springs
Abita Springs invites you to the 10th Abita Springs Busker Festival, postponed from spring 2021 to fall, now set for Sunday, October 17, 2021. The festival is a full day of free music from 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Mandeville Lakefront - Stage between Coffee and Carroll Sts. Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville
Experience the power and passion of live music performed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) and the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra (GNOYO). The City of Mandeville hosts the orchestras on Saturday, October 23; 4 pm to 7:30 pm. GNOYO opens the show at 4 PM followed by Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at 5 PM. LPO musicians will be dressed in Halloween costumes, and audience members are invited to get in the spirit by costuming, too. Relax amid Mandeville's natural beauty of centuryold oaks adorning Lake Pontchartrain, crowned with a breathtaking sunset.
Monster Mash 2021 Fun Fall Family Festival
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Bogue Falaya Park, Covington
The St. Tammany Parish Hospital Parenting Center's 33rd annual fundraising event, "Monster Mash," presented by Metairie Bank Northshore, will take place on Saturday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bogue Falaya Park. Monster Mash is a community-beloved fall family festival that has been ingrained in the Northshore community for 33 years. A fundraiser in support of the STHS Parenting
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Center, Monster Mash features a fun and safe Halloween experience, complete with trickor-treating, music, cookie decorating, crafts, carnival rides and so much more. Presented by Metairie Bank Northshore.
Nightmare on Columbia
Downtown Covington and Covington Trailhead
The Covington Business Association will host the inaugural Nightmare on Columbia Stroll, Costume Contest & Concert in Downtown Covington. Costumes and revelry will abound as patrons fill the streets of Downtown Covington strolling from business to business to sample 20+ craft cocktails and craft beers!
October 29, 2021 Olde Towne Slidell Zombie Crawl 2021
Olde Towne Slidell 2200 Block of Carey St., Slidell Olde Towne Slidell Merchant's Association presents the return of Zombie Crawl. The Halloween-themed event takes place on four streets in the heart of Slidell—the 2200 Block of Carey St. between Robert and Cousin Streets—from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Spend an evening in Olde Towne for family friendly fun with live music, local artists, craft vendors, after-hours shopping, kids' activities, pet adoptions and more. This is a pet friendly event.
October 30, 2021 Boo Bash on the Lawn 2021
Children's Museum of St. Tammany 21404 Koop Dr., Mandeville
Come dressed in your Halloween costume to the Children's Museum of St. Tammany's BOO BASH. There's trick-or-treating, games and more. It's going to be a spooktacular time!
Madisonville's Battle for the Paddle Gumbo Cook-off
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM Madisonville's Tchefuncte Riverfront Madisonville, LA
Come on out and taste some gumbo on Madisonville's beautiful Tchefuncte River! The annual Madisonville Gumbo Cook-off will take place on Saturday, October 30, 2021, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Teams will compete for Best Gumbo and prizes will be awarded.
Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie Parade
Olde Towne Slidell, Slidell, LA
Slidell's original marching club, the Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie, is pleased to introduce their theme for 2021, “Mona Breaks Free!”. This arts parade will march (shimmy, dance, boogaloo, skip, prance) through Olde Towne Slidell following the conclusion of the performance of their Victorious Vicar, Vince Vance, at the Bayou Jam Concert.
Bayou Jam: Halloween Bash w/ Vince Vance & The Valiants
Heritage Park 1701 Bayou Ln., Slidell, LA
Don’t miss one of Slidell’s biggest Halloween parties when Vince Vance & The Valiants perform at the Bayou Jam Halloween Bash in Heritage Park. Kids of all ages are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes. Admission is free! Now in its 18th season, Bayou Jam concerts are held in Heritage Park every spring and fall on Saturdays or Sundays, usually 5-7 p.m. Concert‐goers are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. On‐site catering will be available for a nominal charge.
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email upcoming events and noteworthy press releases to:
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OCTOBER 2021
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OCTOBER 2021
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OCTOBER 2021
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“Cooler weather and the pumpkin patches.”
- Victoria Norris & Melissa Bice Jimenez, Loaded To Go
“Schools and churches going back to normal.” - Vince Russell, Klass Ink Trophies
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“Thanksgiving, oysters, fresh shrimp and gumbos.” - Brad Thibodeaux, Slidell Seafood
“For Covid to go away and people have a free life again.” - Jay Neza, Fratelli’s Italian Grille
“Change in weather and our one year anniversary in October” - Brittany Keement, Brazilian Wax
“Families being reunited for holiday celebrations.” - Jolene Hazel, Distinctive Floral Designs
OCTOBER 2021
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THE HARBOR CENTER | LOBBY LOUNGE: PAUL CHILDERS
Bill & Laura Borchert
Vickie Myers, Cecili Trevino & Robin Marquez
Vickie Myers, Cecili Trevino & Robin Marquez
Valerie Waeltz & Taylor Copeland
Dave & Elise Everly
Darlene Rudiger & Kevin McCusker
KeKe Armstead, Eric Gipson & Adrian Scott
Photos by Melissa Calico
Concert goers came out to The Harbor Center in Slidell to listen and enjoy the live music of Paul Childers, while also taking in the fun and unique atmosphere of The Lobby Lounge.
Christine & Scott Tramel
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Geri & Hadley Babin
John Babin, Sarah, Zachary & Kim Richard
IMPACT & GIVE BACK
A FOUNDATION FOR BY LIESEL SCHMIDT
A
s the world has changed, so have the needs of its people when it comes to healthcare. Time and technology have greatly impacted the way the medical community operates, providing it with resources that were once just vague imaginings of visionary thinkers. That said, it takes hospitals with more than just a bottom-line focus to really make a difference in the community, and Slidell Memorial Hospital is one of those community-minded organizations who see the faces of their patients and do the utmost to change their lives for the better. Offering advanced technology and innovative treatments to its patients, SMH is a local nonprofit community hospital that has been providing quality care to the local community for 60 years, leading the way in healthcare on the Northshore. Located in the heart of Slidell, SMH offers a 223-bed acute care hospital with expert physicians, specially trained staff, and a level of care that makes it unique to other hospitals. Its specialty departments include the SMH Heart Center and the SMH Regional Cancer Center—the only facility of its kind in East St. Tammany, where patients can be diagnosed, treated, and rehabilitated in one convenient location—an expanded Emergency Room, and Outpatient Rehabilitation therapists who are certified in LSVT-BIG treatment for Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders, as well as operating the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of its kind in the area and offering a New Beginnings Program for moms coping with Opioid Use Disorder. Recognizing the growing healthcare needs of the community that could not be served without major funding, the SMH Foundation was created as a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization in 2008. “Our purpose is to aid SMH in their efforts to improve the quality of life in our community,” says Laurie Panzeca, Executive Director of SMH Foundation. “Fundraising efforts enable us to grant funds to hospital departments that provide patient and caregiver support programs, equipment upgrades and additions, and renovations that serve the community. Hospital philanthropy directly connects the power of generosity to impact the health and well-being of our community. Our organization offers a vehicle for the community to ensure the longevity and sustainability of having SMH as a nonprofit community hospital.” 30
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CARE
Over the course of its lifetime, the foundation has helped countless individuals, each of whom likely have no idea of the work that the organization does behind the scenes in keeping the hospital running at peak performance. “The work of the SMH Foundation and funds received benefit over 25,000 individuals annually,” says Panzeca. “Chances are that most of the patients that are treated at SMH have benefited from SMH Foundation funding that were granted to SMH. The funds that are raised by the SMH Foundation are dedicated to departments at SMH such as the SMH Regional Cancer Center; the Heart Center; the Emergency Department; Labor and Delivery; Outpatient therapy; Community Outreach that includes health screenings, education, and the Fit as a Firefighter program; the Imaging Center; and Cardio-pulmonary rehab.”
In the fight against cancer, the SMH Foundation has done amazing things for patient advocacy, proving their heart for the community. The foundation offers a host of resources, support programs, care packages, screenings, and celebrations like the survivor “pinking of the fountain.” Cognizant of just how greatly a patient's appearance may change during the course of cancer treatment, SMH has included in its Regional Cancer Center a fully staffed and equipped Appearance Center. “We assist patients with enhancement of their personal appearance,” says Panzeca. Services and products available to patients include transportation assistance, cosmetics and makeup tutorials, skin care, prosthetics, mastectomy garments, hats, scarves, and wigs.
SMH’s pediatric clinic also participates in the Reach Out and Read program, which is funded by the SMH Foundation. “The program offers books to pediatric patients from birth to five years old, supporting the belief that all families should have the tools and information they need to make reading aloud a daily routine,” says Panzeca. “Through this program, the foundation helps integrate reading into pediatric practices. The providers advise families about the importance of reading with their children and share books that serve as a catalyst for healthy childhood development.” Finding funding is, of course, critical to the cause; and the foundation’s donors are its lifeblood, assuring that equipment and services remain excellent at SMH and helping the hospital offer the highest quality of patient care possible. “The foundation raises funds through direct donor engagement and hosting annual special events, and our focus is connecting donors that care about healthcare and the health of our community to opportunities for giving,” Panzeca explains. “The dollars raised by the foundation are from local corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations. The foundation then grants the funds collected through a formal grant process to SMH departments.”
“We love working with the team at Social. They make the process so easy for us, and truly care about our success!” – KRISTEN CALLAHAN Owner of Kiki & Lolli’s
Naturally, the last 18 months have affected some of the foundation’s fundraising efforts. “Although the SMH Foundation is financially healthy and stable, our fundraising strategies include special events such as our signature special event, the Rooftop Rendezvous, which is on hold. Special events like this and our annual golf event represent 30 to 40 percent of our annual fundraising budget,” Panzeca explains. “Still, our purpose has not changed over the last 18 months, nor will it; we have only refined our fundraising efforts based on the needs of the SMH staff and our community. Our foundation is a small shop with only two employees, a volunteer board, and office volunteers. Our success is due in no small part to their commitment to their work and our purpose.”
FOR MORE INFO ON SMH FOUNDATION, VISIT SLIDELLMEMORIAL.ORG.
CONTACT US TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS!
Shannon@VipSocialmag.com
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Life
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Starting At
$70,000 Money Hill has a beautiful selection of homes and homesites with golf course, lake and woodland views, ranging from larger single-family homes and homesites to low-maintenance garden homes.
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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY VISIT MONEYHILL.COM
BELLE MAISON
THE SANCTUARY SPACE By Liesel Schmidt
The French modern feel of the home at 119 Tranquility Drive in Mandeville is one that gives it a certain stateliness balanced with a hominess that makes it approachable and livable—even though it’s nothing short of a glossy architectural magazine spread waiting to happen.
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BELLE MAISON
B
oasting 6,150 square feet, the two-story home comprises four bedrooms, four and a half baths, an office, a formal dining room, and a media/golf simulator room as well as the open-plan kitchen and living room. With white oak floors that flow from room to room, the home has a light, bright interior that is both simple and sophisticated—with the odd touch of glamour that speaks to the design sensibilities of its owners. “I just love creating and living in a space so comfy and cozy for my family and friends to enjoy,” says Brandi Heath, owner of L&H Homes and a licensed custom home builder and interior designer. She shares the home with her husband, Shane, who works in insurance and risk management, as well as their baby son, Cayman, and their dog Sugar.
With massive windows throughout, the home is flooded with light, the white walls and thick molding set off by beautiful pieces of art and elegant light fixtures. Color is really secondary to texture, as most of the furnishings throughout the home are shades of white, with accents of gold. “We wanted it to be all neutrals, with lots of whites and textures,” says Heath. “The art I’ve chosen is from local boutiques and made by local artists, so I love that we’re supporting the local art scene. The rest of my decorative materials come from all over, and that’s one thing that people immediately notice when they come into our home—that, and the lights.” 36
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BELLE MAISON
The lights to which Heath refers are indeed notable— chandeliers that are like the finishing touch to a beautiful painting. In the half-bath, a three-tier fixture adds a little bit of sparkle to the room, while the formal dining room features a unique piece with gold and crystals. “Light fixtures are such a great way to finish a room because they are like the jewelry to an outfit,” says Heath. “Your outfits are not complete without your jewelry, right?”
“Light fixtures are such a great way to finish a room because they are like the jewelry to an outfit.”
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Home never looked so good. This is the best home I have ever had! With the attention to detail, and care that went into building it, KPM truly cares about the homeowners they build for.” - DR
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BELLE MAISON
The open floorplan is a particular feature that the Heaths love, with their main living area flowing directly into a large kitchen flanked with double-height custom cabinetry and a massive, 11-foot island in the center. Perfect for parties and a couple who loves to entertain, the kitchen is spacious and wellappointed, boasting appliances from GE MONOGRAM as well as Carrera marble countertops and backsplash tiles. Above the island are two oversized pendant lamps that add a hint of industrial glam to the room. “The kitchen and living room are some of our favorite spaces in the home, and we love having people over to enjoy those areas with us,” says Heath.
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WHERE YOUR HOME TELLS YOUR STORY
“The kitchen and living room are some of our favorite spaces in the home, and we love having people over to enjoy those areas with us.”
3441 E Causeway Approach | Suite C Mandeville, LA 70448 | Phone: 985-951-2142
nestcuratedhome.com OCTOBER 2021
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BELLE MAISON
With a little one in residence, the home has a nursery where he can sleep and play safely and comfortably, and Heath had a great deal of fun decorating it. “Out of all the rooms in our home, my favorite room to work on was probably the nursery,” she says. “It was so much fun decorating for our little miracle and getting to choose all the pieces for the room.”
Naturally, the master suite is a haven of comfort and style. Featuring Carrera marble on everything from the tiles on the floors to the shower walls and the countertops, the master bathroom is elegant and spa-like, with a free-standing tub with floor mounted faucet. As one would expect, the master bedroom is both spacious and intimate, the perfect retreat for the busy owners of the home.
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Outside, the meticulously manicured lawn is lush and green, providing the perfect canvas for the white stucco and brick home whose lines are clean and minimalist. “We have a great wooded backyard for privacy, and we chose this location because we love the Sanctuary,” says Heath. “We have already had a few other homes in this community, and we love this little cul-de-sac, as well. It’s amazing to us that we get to raise Cayman in this house that I designed for the comfort and style of our family, and we’re looking forward to all the memories that we get to create here as a family.”
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BELLE MAISON
OCTOBER 2021
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BELLE MAISON
For the Heaths, this snapshot of French modern architecture is the perfect place for their little family to live, their own slice of heaven tucked away from the busyness of the city nearby. And while their style is hardly off-the-shelf, they keep their home accessible rather than precious, truly living in their home and loving every minute of the memories they make there.
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Landscape Artist Serving the North & South Shore since 1979
FREE DESIGN & PLANNING FULL SERVICE LANDSCAPE SOURCE FULLY LICENSED & INSURED NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED PICK YOUR NURSERY STOCK BEFORE INSTALLATION
For information call Charlie Gambino 985.869.0852 and to set an appointment call Mary Thomas 985.792.5644
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NOLA
Real Estate Marketing
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www.NOLAReMarketing.com | 985.624.5390 OCTOBER 2021
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BELLE MAISON
Garden Spot of Mandeville is a family-owned retail garden center, offering customers a wide selection of high-quality products. Our annuals and perennials are grown at our nursery located in Bush, Louisiana, and our shrubs and trees are sourced from local nurseries so you can rest assured that your plants are coming directly from the grower to you.
PLANTS • POTTERY • GARDEN DECOR • STONE & MULCH 2110 9TH ST. MANDEVILLE, LA 48
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“I had an awesome experience, and Victory Home Center was so easy to work with. The new owner was so nice and honest” - B Boudreux
Victory Home Center is a family-owned manufactured home retailer serving Louisiana. We’re one of the nation’s largest single-lot factory-built housing retailers. We are an independent dealer that represents five different, premier quality housing manufacturers.
2005 SOUTH MORRISON BLVD | HAMMOND, LA 70403 | 985.542.5420 | VICTORYHOMECENTER.COM
101 ST. ANN ST | MADISONVILLE, LA 70447 | 985-792-7256
G R AYA N D G R A H A M S A LO N .C O M
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When Madeline Cefolia and Matthew Carlos met during their junior year of high school in 2009, they didn’t exactly have a love-at-first-sight moment. In fact, it took two years before they even started dating. Once they did, however, the two knew that they were made for each other; and on December 7, 2019, it became official. “We had family pictures scheduled for his family at the Christmas Tree Farm in Covington; and when we arrived, we were told that everyone else was ‘running late,’” recalls Madeline, a civil engineer. “The photographer took us into the farm for a few pictures while we waited for the rest of the family, and Matthew proposed. After that, we did an entire engagement photo session.” Almost exactly a year later, on December 5, 2020, Madeline walked down the aisle at the Villa in Carriere, Mississippi, wearing a gorgeous A-line white satin gown with a beaded, sheer back to meet Matthew at the altar. As 250 guests watched, the couple exchanged vows and were pronounced married before joining their loved ones for a reception on-site. As guests enjoyed a massive spread of traditional dishes including brisket, spinach dip, muffulettas, crawfish etouffee, crawfish Monica, a mashed potato bar, mac-n-cheese, green beans, bread pudding, crawfish pies, gumbo, and salad, Madeline and Matthew celebrated the fact that they were able to have the wedding of their dreams, even in the midst of so much chaos. “The entire day, from start to finish, was incredible,” says Madeline.
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ENGAGEMENTS
|
BRIDALS
| WEDDINGS
WWW.SOMETHINGBLEUPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
“I feel like our wedding was so unique because it was so us. Being together for so long, you imagine the day you can finally be married to your best friend; and you want everything to be perfect, but you wake up and realize that whatever it ends up being will be perfect. We had an entire table full of photos of us from the previous nine years, a huge homemade wood backdrop for the photo booth, a coffee bar, and a s’mores station set up outside.” After dining and dancing—with a break to cut into their three-tier white cake adorned with flowers and a tiny plastic replica of their Rottweiler, Chevy—and more dancing, the newlymarried Carlos's were sent off by the light of hundreds of sparklers. “I can say my absolute favorite part of the entire night was when everyone was outside for the send off, and it was just
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the details
me and my new husband,” says Madeline. “We looked at each other and said, ‘We did the damn thing!’ With everything going on in the world and all the questions of ‘If you have your wedding, is it safe enough?’ and ‘Is now the best time?’ nothing else mattered in that moment except for us, and I will remember that forever.” Having said their goodbyes, the newlyweds went on their way to their honeymoon at the all-inclusive resort, Excellence Playa Mujeres, near Cancun, Mexico. “Everything at the resort was amazing. We did absolutely nothing for the first couple days until we explored to the island of Isla Mujeres for a day and then laid by the beach and just relaxed for an entire week,” Madeline says. “It was definitely a trip to remember.” Now back home in Slidell, they look forward to spending the rest of their lives being “us”—best friends who love each other more than they could ever have imagined, way back when they first met in high school.
Breathtaking Venue, Memorable Events
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If at first you succeed, try, try again.
C-Class
Mercedes-Benz of Covington
8080 Westshore Drive Covington, LA 70433 985-900-1212 | MBofCovington.com
LOVE & ROSES GALA | THE HARBOR CENTER
Tanya Renea & Candis Camarigg
Sean Burbano & Kimberly Howard
Sarah & Jerry Cottrell
Pastor David Easterling & Diane Amos
Alison Lagasse & Joyce Aguillard
Photos by Jen Meadows
Free Nola hosted a night out at The Harbor Center with live and silent auctions, food, libations, and fun. Attendants learned how a single rose can change the course of a victim's life and what could be done to help the fight against sex-trafficking.
Lindsey Chevalier, Skye Hebert, Hanna Miller & Wykenie Batiste
OCTOBER 2021
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THE HARBOR CENTER | LOVE & ROSES GALA
Stephanie Hailes, Sarah Graham, Elizabeth Valenti & Haley Pettingill
Danny Blackburn & Carolyn Baringer
Deslonde & Bentley Harvey
Jared & Angel LeFort, Pam & Dave Farrar
Jessica Bosch & Ian Chenevert
Trent Knight & Rachel Mauti
Raymond Pizzitolo & Jeff Wylie
8080 WESTSHORE DR | COVINGTON, LA | 985-900-1212 | MBOFCOVINGTON.COM
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Sophia & Lauren Dufour
Angelle Lyman & Kitty Cleveland
Sandra Jourdan & Katie Gruntz
Natalie, Campbell Smith & Parish Councilman Mike Smith
Gary Arnold, Cory & Bradley Hoag
Parish President Mike Cooper & Catherine Cooper
Lasie & Alphonse Smith
OCTOBER 2021
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THE HARBOR CENTER | LOVE & ROSES GALA
Dy Lemoine & Dy Steenkamp
Joe & Allie Stutson, Jamie & Donald Hartman
Tonya Excho & Steve Martin
Patricia & Richard Taubin
Sadie & Trevor Ayala
Kalle & Carol Siekkinen
8080 WESTSHORE DR | COVINGTON, LA | 985-900-1212 | MBOFCOVINGTON.COM
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PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW STORY BY KAYLA BERTUCCI
C
assius Clay may not be a name recognizable right away, but Muhammed Ali’s name is now reverberated all over the world. Norma Jeane Mortenson sounds like a vanilla soand-so, but Marilyn Monroe with her white dress skirt blowing in the breeze from a subway grate is still one of the most popular images to this day.
Different names, but they are one and the same. Now, take Covington-native Patrick Theriot who helps run a successful business that I bet you’ve heard of - See-Hear Productions. Though indistinguishable as he may be apart from his success, it’s time to learn a little bit about the man behind the company. Known for its flash and pizzazz, See-Hear Productions was founded in 2002 and started off modestly with a goal of helping pharmaceutical and oil field industries with educational conferences by producing necessities, such as audio and visual support. Fast forward to 2021, and its resume has seen quite the glitzy boost. See-Hear has transitioned and now specializes in high-end experiences for the social and brand activation markets. It provides custom tailored production solutions like audio video and lighting needs as well a custom fabrication of scenic elements. In short, these team members work on very lavish events, some that cost millions of dollars to produce.
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Photo by: John Cain Photography
Photo by: John Cain Photography
PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
“My kids think what I do is insanely fun. They don’t “The goal is to find out what’s going to make the most impact on the end user or the guest in the seat. What’s the experience at the event? And then, try to heighten that piece of the puzzle,” explains Patrick. “It starts with a theme and brainstorming with a collaborative team whether that’s a planner or producer. Maybe it’s a Christmas event, but with an artistic spin on it. Then, I grab a pencil and a piece of paper. Most of the time it begins with rough sketches that turn into 3D renderings and then get brought to life.” From Serena Williams’ Wedding, to Drew Brees’ surprise 40th Birthday party, to private parties with entertainment by Drake, Michael Bublé, Rihanna and more, Patrick has certainly left his mark when it comes to helping transform a space into an enchanting and memorable event. “I never imagined myself in this role. I feel like I fell into this. I can’t imagine doing anything else. But I never knew this type of career would’ve existed,” says Patrick. “My kids think what I do is insanely fun. They don’t necessarily know the hard work involved, but they want to know who the next headliner is.” When he’s not traveling the country as a visionary for the elite, Patrick spends his valuable free time at home with his wife of almost 20 years, Misty, and two daughters, Skylar and Camden. Skylar is 19 years old and a sophomore at University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she is a member of the Tri Delta sorority. Like her father, she showcases her creative skills through photography and owns her own successful business. Camden, who’s 15 and a sophomore Mandeville High School, also has the talent gene with her love of dance. She’s also passionate about her church, St. Timothy on the Northshore. 62
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necessarily know the hard work involved, but they want to know who the next headliner is.”
With events that stretch from NYC to L.A., Patrick makes sure to also show the love close to home by getting involved with local fundraisers, like this year’s Mutts to Models. “Recently, we started collaborating on a fundraising event called Mutts to Models that will be held here on the Northshore,” says Patrick. “This is a combination of a friendship with one of my very first clients, Denise Gutnisky, and a passion to give back. I have been on the President’s Council and involved in fundraising for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for 8 years. This year MB wasn’t scheduled to have a signature fundraising event, so when Denise approached me with the idea of Mutts to Models benefitting Mary Bird and St. Tammany Parish’s open admission animal shelter, of course, we were all in.” Creative director, father, and entrepreneur only scratches the surface of what friends and family consider Patrick Theriot to be. He, the man that wears many hats, desires to first and foremost be known as a proud Northshore resident.
B t S
WE
S OON TO BE - WO MEN ENTRE PRE NUE RS
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OCTOBER 2021
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Dining Guide
COMING SOON!
Ristorante A UTHEN TIC ITALIAN
1234 WEST 21ST AVE | SLIDELL, LA | 985-321-4321 | RISTORANEITALIAN.COM
1978
2021
132 WEST MAIN STREET 985-123-1234
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NORTHSHORE’S MOST PREMIER RIVE RFRONT DINING EXPERIENCE Come sit at the bar for lunch and soak in the views
Happy Hour Tues & Wed | 5PM–7PM
Lunch | Dinner | Sunday Brunch
Closed Monday tchefunctes.com | 985-323-4800 407 St. Tammany Street, Madisonville
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The Labor and Delivery floor of any hospital is usually the one that holds the most happiness, the most hope, and the most love. All those tiny little lives coming into the world are the source of immense joy, and the sound of an infant’s first cry is cause for celebration. For Katherine Legrand, those cries are the soundtrack of her day, along with the steady beep of heart monitors and the drone of activity in a neo-natal surgical suite. As a surgical tech in the Labor and Delivery department at Ochsner Baptist, Legrand scrubs into surgeries and assists doctors while they are delivering babies and helps prepare for other deliveries, as well.
Although the days I am at work are long and usually pretty hectic between getting home for bedtime and other daily chores, I’m thankful to still have had a steady job through a pandemic to provide for myself and my daughter.” The mother of a two-year-old little girl named Ryan, Legrand knows first-hand how much a child can change everything—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I work 12-hour days— usually three days a week, but occasionally up to five days a week—so I really enjoy being able to be home with my daughter on the days I am off,” says 25 year-old Legrand. Although the days I am at work are long and usually pretty hectic between getting home for bedtime and other daily chores, I’m thankful to still have had a steady job through a pandemic to provide for myself and my daughter.” All those long and hectic days can take their toll, but Legrand never forgets the importance of what she’s doing, both for herself and for her daughter. “Although working such long shifts is difficult, especially since Ryan doesn’t understand some days why I am gone for so long, it enables me to provide everything she needs and more,” Legrand says. “I’m very thankful to have a career that is always in demand so she will never have to go without any basic needs.” There are challenging days, of course. But those are often the ones that come with the greatest lessons to be learned, and Legrand does not take those lessons for granted. “Going to work in a Labor and Delivery unit has been incredibly humbling, to say the least,” she admits. “My co-workers and I get to be with patients during their most vulnerable times of excitement and also sadness because L&D is not always a happy place. I am always a little humbled being able to be a part of something so big—and very honored.” The lessons Legrand has learned have also come from the tiny little girl who has her heart wrapped around her finger. “Although she is only two years old, Ryan has taught me so much about grace and forgiveness in our short time OCTOBER 2021
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together,” she says with a note of pride and awe in her voice. “She humbles me daily, and her innocence and joy has truly taught me to appreciate all of the little things in life. This age is hard, but it is an indescribable feeling watching her discover the world while also teaching me so much about it. When I’m not at work, she gets all of my attention, and we thoroughly enjoy our time together. She keeps me on my toes daily and is truly the sweetest and most energetic little girl you could meet.” As a mother, Legrand is naturally proud of her daughter. But she also takes pride in where she’s taken her career. “Aside from my daughter, my proudest moment would have to be going back to school a week after having her to finish my clinicals in the hospital so that I could finish my degree,” she recalls. “It was truly the hardest thing I have ever had to do, leaving my newborn five days a week for her first few weeks of life. But I was and still am so proud of myself for doing so and choosing to continue my education.” Tiny though her daughter might be, Legrand is raising her daughter to always know her importance in her mother’s life. “I hope she always remembers how much I love her and that all the hours I spend away at work and school have been to give us a better life together,” she says. “She is still little, but I truly hope she remembers all of the fun days we have together exploring and the vacations we go on. Above all, I really hope she cherishes all of our quiet moments, just her and I, before she goes to bed and as she’s waking up in the morning because I think those are my favorite times with her.” From beach trips with the entire family to those sweet moments of just mother and daughter, Legrand is showing her daughter the meaning of love—love that she can carry with her, always and forever.
COMING JAN 2022 NORTHSHORE’S TOP WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MAGAZINE
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Proud Supporter of All Super Moms! (985) 900-2410 | 70515 LA-21 SUITE D | COVINGTON, LA
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BACK TO SCHOOL | LOVE & ROSE GALA | LOBBY LOUNGE
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NEW & noteworthy Kisha Gant Named Pharmacist of the Year Kisha Gant was named the Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists (LSHP) Health-System Pharmacist of the Year during a virtual ceremony in May 2021. LSHP is a professional organization of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and related personnel that advocate to advance public health by promoting the professional interests of the pharmacy workforce practicing in hospitals and other organized healthcare settings in the State of Louisiana.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to Expand Services, Enhance Northshore Oncology Associates Partnership [BATON ROUGE, LA] – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s ‘Prevention on the Go’ program recently celebrated a significant milestone of 100,000 cancer screenings. This achievement, which occurred during the Cancer Center 50th anniversary year, was recognized at a recent free breast and colorectal cancer screening at LSU Mid-City clinic. Prevention on the Go is a comprehensive program that provides prevention and early detection services to detect cancer in its earliest stage when better outcomes are more likely. Using mobile medical clinics, Prevention on the Go provides services in locations where people live, worship and shop throughout southeastern Louisiana, southwestern Mississippi and beyond. Since the program began in 2002, over 750 cancers have been detected from over 2,500 screening events.
The Health-System Pharmacist of the Year award honors one health-system pharmacist for their outstanding performance in Institutional Pharmacy Practice. The criteria for this award includes outstanding cooperation with the entire health care team, outstanding service to the profession of pharmacy, outstanding service to the community, and outstanding contributions to pharmacy programs. The recipient must possess the “Everyone involved with Prevention on the Go is excited to celebrate this important milestone of providing 100,000 free cancer screenings for our communities,” says highest integrity and best exemplify the profession of Health-System Pharmacy. Heather Johnson, director of early detection and education, Mary Bird Perkins. “Our Prevention on the Go team is fortunate to experience the positive impact our program St. Tammany Parish Libraries Purchase Additional is making in Louisianans healthcare each and every day, but it’s important to remember Laptops for Public use and Enhance Digital that our free program is made possible by generous, compassionate donors. We couldn’t Collection through American Rescue Plan Act Grant do it with them.” [COVINGTON, LA] - The St. Tammany Parish Library (STPL) recently received a $47,064 Screening participant Tonya Truehill received the 100,000th screening and has been grant through the State Library of Louisiana as part of their $3,012,150 disbursement a participant of the program for more than 10 years. Truehill was recognized at the from the American Rescue Plan Act. A portion of the funding — $27,000 — will be screening event with a special certificate and gift basket. used to purchase 35 new laptops to be used for computer classes for the public. The remainder of the funds will be used to purchase e-books to enhance the Library’s “I believe this program is beneficial for people because early detection is so important,” digital collection. says Truehill. “I make it a point to receive my free breast cancer screening every year because of my family history of the disease. I am extremely grateful to Mary Bird Perkins “This funding will give us the opportunity to expand services to our patrons, and make for offering these free screenings to our community and I know that they are saving lives.” an impact on our ability to provide additional digital resources,” said Kelly LaRocca, Director, St. Tammany Parish Library. The Prevention on the Go program also includes a workplace screening component. It is designed to easily integrate with existing wellness initiatives in the corporate The priorities of the grant are to enable the library’s digital inclusion efforts, particularly setting and is able to fill the gap in cancer prevention by offering cancer specific in support of education, health, and workforce development needs. Another priority of education and screenings that can help save lives and reduce employer and employee the grant is to support library services that meet the needs of communities including healthcare expenses. costs such as technology, materials, and equipment.
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“Art is Life”
Art, Pottery & Framing
829 ASbury Dr. Mandeville
985-626-0028
pineapplegallery.com
Our 400+ pediatric specialists are here for your little one. Since 1955, Children’s Hospital New Orleans has provided extraordinary care for children and families across Louisiana, including on the Northshore. With our all new, expanded pediatrics, specialty care and outpatient therapy location in Covington, choosing specialized care for your little one close to home has never been easier! To schedule an appointment today call 504.896.2888.
Schedule today on the Northshore. chnola.org/northshore
