PROVEN LEADER & ACCOMPLISHED BUSINESS WOMAN
PARISH DISTRICT COUNCIL #1 FOR
As the summer sun gradually gives way to the anticipation of football season, we welcome you to the latest edition of Social Northshore. In these pages, we capture the essence of the changing season and the vibrant events that define our community.
This issue holds something truly special - a celebration of the remarkable events that showcase our community. We relive the magic of Covington’s White Linen Night, where the streets came alive with art, music, and camaraderie. The elegance of the Southern Night Soiree is also beautifully portrayed, reminding us of the power of unity in supporting local causes. Let’s not forget the vibrant energy of WEW Northshore’s Mix and Mingle, where connections were forged, and ideas bloomed.
In addition, we proudly present our Financial Leader profiles, highlighting the individuals and organizations shaping the economic landscape of our region. Their insights and expertise serve as beacons, guiding us through the intricacies of the financial world.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our cherished readers, for your unwavering support. It’s your enthusiasm that fuels our passion to showcase the amazing business leaders, local events, and community charities that make our Northshore truly exceptional.
JEN MEADOWS Editor, Social Northshore
On the Cover: Randy and Charlotte Benefield
PUBLISHER
David Renfro
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jen Meadows
COPY EDITOR
Lana Cagle
STAFF WRITER
Liesel Schmidt
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Lead Designer Chris Shenk
Kim Mesman
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEB DESIGN
Jen Meadows
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jen Meadows
Melissa Calico
Katie Ulmer
Kha Tran
Sherri Howard
Leslie Bear
Erin Fiorello
Trish Trahan
Tiffany Chabert
Jessica the Photographer Wedding by Josh Williams
Home Photos by Eugenia Lubrano-Gangi of NOLA RE Marketing
SALES
Jen Meadows | 985.687.8980
Trish Trahan | 985.773.4280
David Renfro | 731.499.1414
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SOCIALNORTHSHORE
11.18.2023
Hosted by: Lolo Jones & Chris Myers
Presented by: Mercedes-Benz of Covington
Benefiting Scott’s Wish...meeting the direct needs of critically ill people & pets
Our community is one of the finest in Louisiana. Safe neighborhoods, good schools, and a beautiful family-oriented community. But as our community continues to grow, we must maintain what we love - through leadership and loyalty to our community and our values. I humbly ask for your support and your vote and I can’t wait to get to work, representing you in Baton Rouge!
JoshAllisonforDistrict89.com
By Liesel Schmidt
Regardless of where we live—uptown or down, in a massive house or a modest apartment—we rarely consider the larger aspects of community life until it directly affects us. We pay our taxes and expect that everything will continue operating as it always has— or hopefully better—never thinking beyond that.
But there are needs larger than the abilities of the taxpayer—which is where grant funding becomes so necessary. As the director of grants for St. Tammany Parish, Jeanne Marino oversees the operations of the Department of Grants, which manages all of the Federal, State, local, and private grant funding received by the Parish. Currently, the parish’s $250 million portfolio is managed by a staff of 12, including Marino. “The grants department administers seven programs: the STAR Transit (Public Transit for St. Tammany), the Residential Home Elevation Program, the Arts Programming for St. Tammany Parish, the Entitlement Programs (a public service operated through non-profits) and Individual Sewer Repair, Home Repair, and Emergency Rental Assistance,” explains Marino, who began working for Parish government in April of 2011 before becoming director of grants in May of 2012.
Marino graduated with a degree in accounting from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and also holds an MBA with a concentration in real estate finance from UNO. She began her career in public accounting and then worked in industry and for several consulting firms prior to her tenure with St. Tammany Parish government.
“I moved to St. Tammany Parish in 1999, and I wanted to utilize my accounting career to serve the community where I lived and raised my kids,” Marino says. “I love my job with the parish government because I work with so many community leaders to improve the quality of life in St. Tammany.”
With over 30 years of experience in accounting, finance, and consulting, her 11 years with St. Tammany Parish government have also given her a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. “I have significant experience in developing systems with proven results,” Marino says. “My key strengths include business planning, the ability to work with and lead multi-level project teams, benefit-cost analysis, change management, creative problem solving, and coordination of and effective communication with federal, state and local agencies to facilitate resolution of regulatory conflicts. I love putting giraffes in refrigerators every day or fitting squares pegs into round holes. Working in a highly regulated world, it is exciting to be a financial engine for the parish that gives back to the community and helps to make projects happen. I love my job and the challenge it brings to my brain every day.”
All of these skills and strengths have benefitted the people of the parish— often in ways that they don’t realize. But working in any facet of government comes with more than its share of challenges. “The greatest challenge is to achieve goals in a timely way or affect change within a highly regulated and procedure-driven organization.”
Challenges aside, Marino is passionate about her work and takes great pride in what she—and her team—are doing. “I am incredibly proud of the team of young professionals that I get to work with and manage every day,” she says. “I am very lucky. Since the Department of Grants was started in 2012, we have grown in size and in the amount that we manage. Even through several major disasters and the complications of COVID, this group has not missed a beat.”
In addition to her work at the Department of Grants, Marino sits on the advisory board for the Council on Aging and serves as executive director of the Region 9 Arts Council and Leadership St. Tammany. She is the mother of three grown children and grandmother to two grandchildren. Marino and her partner, Stehle, live in Madisonville and enjoy spending time with “da Krewe”—their blended family that includes her children and grandchildren as well as his four children. In her down time, she enjoys reading historical fiction, gardening, music—“I make a playlist for everything and every occasion”—and the arts, as well as all things boat-related. She is also an avid football fan and has been successfully playing fantasy football more than 20 years.
The streets of downtown Covington were covered in white as community members gathered for an evening of art, shopping, music and libations. Attendees dressed in their best whites to kiss summer goodbye in style. This event supports The Covington Public Art Fund.
Tori Morel and Colin Eskine
Nancy Jean and Michael Drapcho
Jessica Boeh and Shay St. Pierre
Robin Vercher, Bradley Hutchinson, and Renee Cazaubon
Casey Naccari and Paige Schaffer
Taylor Sutlive and Joley Hughes
Colleen Cochran and Chase Cochran
Who influenced you early in your professional career and how did they influence you?
So many to name. From previous advisors that I have worked with in previous roles, to management who taught me so much. On my 25th anniversary, I personally hunted down the addresses of these people and sent each of them a thank you note for helping to make me who I am today. Having gratitude is so important and I am not where I am today without each of them.
What do you enjoy most about helping your customers or clients?
Emmett Dupas, Lead Partner at Bienville Capital Group, is a seasoned financial pro specializing in comprehensive planning, guiding clients through wealth protection, retirement, and investments. Dedicated to tailored solutions, he manages personal wealth and business strategies. Services include Investment Strategies, Brokerage, Advisory, Annuities, and Insurance. Dupas' passion lies in impactful financial guidance, removing emotional biases for sound decisions. Simplifying the complex financial world, he shapes success through expertise, paving the way for secure futures in every consultation.
The pleasure of working with a family and employees of businesses to start planning for retirement. Educating and guiding them through all of life’s obstacles and roadblocks that may occur while planning for the what if’s as well as life’s journeys. This provides our team great satisfaction.
What advice would you give a younger version of yourself just starting out in your industry?
I always say in enrollment meetings to the younger participants, the “you” 20-30 years from now will appreciate you contributing to your plan today. The younger version of me worked hard with passion for what we do and the services that we provide to bear the fruits of today. I’d tell the younger me – all of the hard work has paid off for our team’s success and more importantly our clients.
BY LIESEL SCHMIDT
Spend enough time studying any community, and you’ll see the disparities that exist—most markedly in the lower income bracket. The opportunity to thrive should be one available to everyone, regardless of race, income, or ability, and that desire to create such opportunities is one that has been at the core of the United Way’s operations since it was founded in 1887.
As the organization expanded throughout the U.S., its mission found its way to Southeast Louisiana in 1924, originally as the Community Chest of New Orleans, from the growing nationwide effort to improve outcomes in urban centers. “The original Community Chest model collected funds for local charities through a single campaign, coordinated grants and referred clients to cooperating agencies,” explains Sonja Ragusa Newman, executive director of United Way of Southeast Louisiana (United Way SELA). “As we've grown, United Way has become more than a fundraising organization. Rather than measuring success in dollars raised, we're measuring success in lives impacted."
“Driven by the ‘Blueprint for Prosperity’—our strategic plan to end poverty—United Way SELA tackles poverty head-on, taking a holistic approach to addressing its root causes and residents’ emerging needs,” Newman goes on. “This provides the foundation for our collective impact model, in which we serve as a backbone organization that drives work forward. We help the community and nonprofit ecosystem solve the problems no individual organization can solve alone. Our responsive grant-making provides direct financial support to trusted organizations and collaborations aligned with our blueprint; and at the local, state and federal levels, we work collaboratively to advocate for systemic change on the issues that matter most in Southeast Louisiana. We are committed to the idea that it takes all of us, working together with shared goals and a unified approach, to create more change collectively than we can on our own.”
United Way SELA covers seven parishes and more than 50 communities, connecting partners, donors, volunteers and community leaders to tackle the root causes of the region's most complex challenges, like poverty, while positively impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Last year alone, United Way SELA helped people in the community access over 280,000 services through its programs and partners. Over the course of the last century, that collective number has been in the tens of millions. “Celebrating 100 years of service is a remarkable milestone,” says Newman. “Over the years, we've evolved and adapted to meet changing needs, leaving an indelible mark on Southeast Louisiana.”
Other particular points of pride have been their significant strides in creating meaningful, lasting impact across its communities, including their efforts to provide brighter futures and improved outcomes for children on the Northshore through higher quality ECE. United Way also focuses on financial stability, offering Prosperity Center programs and partnerships to empower individuals and families to achieve financial stability, helping to break the cycle of poverty and build generational wealth. The organization also provides assistance for disaster response and recovery, community health initiatives to address critical challenges in the areas of mental and physical health, engages the community in making a difference through volunteerism and advocacy, and lobbies for change at the highest levels.
United Way SELA’s efforts are funded through individual donations, corporate gifts, and public and private grants as well as various fundraisers throughout the year. “United Way's ability to create lasting change is dependent on the year-round generosity of our donors and partners who subscribe for good through regular contributions, be it through their workplace or at home,” Newman says. “Dollars raised here stay here. Fundraisers like our annual Red Beans ‘N Rice Cookoffs benefit mental health support and United Way programs in St. Tammany Parish, and dollars raised through individual and partner contributions support United Way programs and partners throughout our seven parishes.”
As it looks ahead to its next hundred years of serving the people of Southeast Louisiana, United Way SELA has one central goal that has remained the same since it was created: “Foremost, we aim to create a Southeast Louisiana that thrives on equal opportunity for all,” Newman contends. “We believe the Northshore can be a standard-bearer for equitable, prosperous communities, and we will continue to be a guiding pillar as we work to eradicate poverty and create a place that we’re all proud to call home.”
How would you best describe your industry?
Evolving. This past year has shown economic changes and challenges we haven't seen the likes of in 20 years or more, and our industry must change with it.
What services do you provide for your clients?
We are a full-service CPA Firm. We provide Tax management services for both personal and business clients, Estate and trust planning, IRS representation, Tax Resolution, Audit services, Accounting and bookkeeping, Employee benefit plan audits, Financial & retirement planning, International taxation, and a variety of other financial services.
What is it you love most about your industry?
Our work helps people. It is very satisfying to be a part of solving problems for clients.
Who influenced you early in your professional career and how did they influence you?
My father, Gary Garrety. He is a self-starter with a very high work ethic. His influence helped drive our growth.
What do you enjoy most about helping your customers or clients?
When we can solve a tough financial or tax problem; help clients get back on the right track and lift that burden for them, it is incredibly rewarding.
What is it you love most about the NorthShore community?
The Northshore has such a sense of community; it is centered on family. It provides the comfort and familiarity of a small town, while still providing accessibility to the services and experiences you expect from a big city.
What organizations or charities are you most passionate about, and why?
I am actively involved with the Knights of Sparta; a carnival organization/Krewe that not only embraces the carnival spirit, but is heavily involved in charitable and social causes and activities.
“Great results are never boring”
CPA FOUNDER MANAGING PARTNER
Self-described as a “teacher at heart,” Caroline cites education as one of her favorite parts of being a financial advisor. The time she spends educating clients about investments and breaking down jargon for them, to her, is time well spent. Caroline is dedicated to helping her clients feel confident about their financial futures, from assisting their loved ones to retirement.
How would you best describe your industry?
I believe the wealth management industry is all about relationships. While many might see it as driven by investment returns and performance, I see it as guiding clients through every financial decision or issue that comes along in their life. Getting to know my clients is the best way for me to understand their goals and how money will affect them. It also allows me to develop an understanding of their own relationship towards money and how that shapes the decisions they make.
What services do you provide for your clients?
While the core of what my team and I do is investment strategy and financial planning, we have a wide array of resources at our disposal to help clients with all aspects of their finances, including life insurance, estate planning, effective tax strategies, banking and lending.
What is it you love most about your industry?
I love helping people realize their dreams, whether that means travel, education, or buying that vacation home. I especially enjoy working with my female clients and seeing them empowered by taking control of their financial futures, putting to work a career’s worth of savings or an inheritance, or navigating life after divorce or the loss of a spouse. It’s wonderful to congratulate a client on their well-deserved retirement, knowing they can enjoy their lives without the worry of running out of money. Knowing that we’ve planned carefully for something so rewarding and that they can feel secure in the transition from career to retired life; being a part of all these paths truly fulfills me.
Shane Purvis is a Northshore resident and accomplished banking professional. He thrives in banking’s fast-paced and ever-evolving environment and uses his knowledge to help our local community grow. As a Business Banker at Citizens National Bank, Shane offers a comprehensive suite of services to local business owners. From streamlined deposit solutions to a diverse range of lending options, including Working Capital Lines, Real Estate, Equipment, and more. Shane is a dedicated resource to his clients and enjoys guiding business owners as they start, grow, and expand their businesses so they can focus on what they do best while he handles the rest.
What is something, such as a motto or a bit of a philosophy, that drives you every day?
There’s a quote that is attributed to the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo, “Ancora imparo”, which translates to “Yet, I am learning”. When I graduated Southeastern Louisiana University, my Godfather gave me a piece of art with this phrase on it and told me that learning never stops. To this day, I always strive to learn something new and use that knowledge to benefit those I meet.
What do you enjoy most about helping your customers or clients?
The knowledge that I’ve helped to make a big goal possible or to help someone better understand a concept that helps them take their business to the next level is the most enjoyable and rewarding part of my profession.
As a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner on staff at the Children's Hospital Pediatrics Clinic in Covington, Martha Cossich specializes in children's primary care. While her professional life may revolve around children, that doesn’t change when she hangs up her white coat.
The mother of two, Cossich and her husband have been married for nine years and showing their children an example of teamwork, love and dedication. That dedication extends, of course, to her work—and to making sure that both aspects of her life are given the focus they need. “It's a juggling act that requires careful planning and organization,” she says. “I try to create a balance between work and family, but it can be challenging to manage both at
the same time. Striking a balance between work and family is a key goal I strive for. I'm grateful to have a career that allows me to make a difference in the lives of children, while also allowing me to be there for my family. This gives me the chance to experience personal and professional growth, and it also gives my family the opportunity to thrive.
“Being a working mother, I believe it is especially important to model a healthy work-life balance for my children,” she goes on. “For them, it is essential to learn that work and family life are both equally important. It will facilitate their development of empathy and understanding for others, which will help them to raise compassionate children in the future.”
Naturally, being a mother has influenced how she approaches patient care, and vice-versa. “Pediatrics has always been my home,” Cossich notes. “I have had the privilege of watching my patients grow, develop, and reach life milestones over the years. Coupled with the experience of motherhood, I have realized the importance of having a provider who listens to the child and family, is caring, and is focused on the child's healthcare needs. It has been
“Being a working mother, I believe it is especially important to model a healthy work-life balance for my children. For them, it is essential to learn that work and family life are both equally important.”
my experience throughout my career that parents are often the best sources of information about their children. My greatest lesson in healthcare is to always remain humble and listen to what other people have to say—similar to what I preach to my children.”
Cossich obtained her master’s degree in the midst of her busy schedule with work and parenthood, and that achievement was one she was proud to share with her children—and one that she hopes will inspire them as they grow into adults to follow their dreams. “My husband and I made the conscious decision to have both our children attend my graduation for my master’s,” she says. “While it may have only been a small snippet in their lives, we both hoped it would one day be meaningful and encouraging for them in their future endeavors. We were proud to show them that hard work and dedication can lead to great accomplishments and that, with enough effort, any dream can become a reality. I strive to be both a good role model for my children and a compassionate healthcare provider.”
Demanding though her work can be, Cossich makes her children a priority—a fact which she hopes they never question. “I want my children to remember that I was always available to them when they needed me,” she says. “I also hope that they will remember that I provided unconditional love and support in all of life's moments, both good and bad. Above all else, I pray that my children will remember that they have a large and loving network of people who are always available to provide support, no matter the circumstance.”
Over the past eight years of raising her children, Cossich’s son and daughter have taught her “patience and deep, unconditional love.” As well-educated and worldly as she may be, Cossich never imagined the ways that being a mother could teach her how to live. “They have shown me that life is about seizing the moment and embracing the joy of living—that we need to play more and worry less. I don't believe I'll ever regret getting down on the ground to play Barbies or monster trucks while the laundry piles up. As I watch my children grow, I am constantly reminded to enjoy the small moments, for those moments are what we will remember in the future.”
Photos by Erin Fiorello
Community members gathered together to feast on the Monday tradition of red beans & rice and decide who does it best. Each year the Red Beans ‘N’ Rice CookOff event marks the official Kick-Off of the United Way fundraising campaign in St. Tammany Parish. The funds raised at this annual event support suicide prevention, mental health services, and other United Way programs in St. Tammany Parish.
Kassie Wilson, Jason Bilich and Cathryn Thurman
Larry Rolling, Billy Nungesser, and Kurt Marks
Hyatt Hood, Parish President Mike Cooper, and Gina Rowbatham Kimmi Duncan, Mark Johnson, and Karen Johnson
Randy Ponthieux and Robyn Brian
Anne and Scott Brewer
Michelle Punnick and Linda Larkin
Trinidy Steinhauer and Barrett Jones
TV personality, host, and poker player Trishelle Cannatella was born and raised on the bayou in Cut Off, Louisiana. She has appeared on more than 30 TV shows, including MTV’s Real World Las Vegas, Surreal Life, Punk’d.
In addition, Trishelle is a poker player who has made the final table of a World Poker Tour Tournament and plays in the World Series of Poker and other events representing Americas Cardroom.
Trishelle helps with marketing for the family wine business, Elisa Christopher Winess. She truly loves New Orleans, where she lives with her pilot husband, John, and her golden doodle Saint. Trishelle also devotes herself to multiple charitable causes, including Clover, City Park, Cure by Design Gala, and is a 2023 shucker for Shuck Cancer.
TRISHELLE CANNATELLA
TV Personality, Host, and Poker Player
@TRISHELLEC
1,349 POSTS 40k FOLLOWERS
4,156 FOLLOWING
@TRISHELLEC
4,218 FOLLOWERS
@TRISHELLE CANNATELLA
3,906 FOLLOWERS
The streets of downtown were filled with all the best that Covington has to offer for the 6th Annual Kokomo Stroll. With Hawaiian shirts as far as the eye could see, the community enjoyed small plates and summer cocktails from local businesses as well as live music and shopping. The event was presented by Resource Bank in partnership with the Covington Business Association.
Christina Clements and Kim Woods
Arthur Mitchell and Danelle Mitchell
Raina Twiggs and Heidi Mesmon
Regina Mayeur Galjour, Wade Cheramie, and Krystal Cheramie
Joyce Donohue, Meredith Mendez, Kelly Tucker, and David Tucker
Coty Reeves and Kenny Fourroux
Nick Pechon and Greg Amrine
Angela Morton and Chris Beckan
At Dr. Todd S. Brasuell Pediatric Dentistry, our mission is to treat each child as if they are our own, to deliver the highest quality dental care, to introduce dentistry to children in a fun and entertaining environment, and to emphasize pediatric dentistry at a young age that will last a lifetime!
We created our Dental Savings Plan because we believe that everyone should have access to this quality care. Consistent dental visits not only provide your child optimal oral care but are the best way to keep dental treatment costs down. It is also a great alternative for children that do not have dental insurance or that have recently lost their dental coverage.
Our Dental Savings Plan is designed to provide greater access to affordable and quality dental care at reduced rates.
DENTAL SAVINGS PLAN BENEFITS
• No yearly maximums
• No deductibles
• No pre-authorization requirements
• No pre-existing condition limitations
• Immediate eligibility (no waiting periods) (985)
If you are interested in scheduling with us or would like more information on our Dental Savings Plan, please give us a call!
Certified
Sylvan, Raymond, Shannon, and Soryn Collins
Photos by Sherri Howard Community members gathered for the Columbia Street Block Party to scope out the classic car enthusiasts in Downtown Covington. They were able to enjoy local shops, restaurants, and music at many of the participating businesses.
Lisa Lee, James Pilet, and Denise Hoffman Anthony “Big T” Maturin, Jamie Maturin, and Theresa
CJ Griffith and Natalia Magaletta
Elizabeth and Ronnie Bourgeois
Allison Herrera and Emma Stasi
Angela and Glen Culbertson
Cory and Remi Sanchez
Natasha, Patricia, Paul, and John Paul Cutrer
Parker McConnell and Katie Rose Norman
Featuring custom cement arched doorways and elements of symmetry, the massive brick home owned by Amy and Michael Keller is everything you would expect to see from French provincial architecture. Reclaimed antique pine beams and exterior columns, exterior crown molding and impressively designed porticos add to the magnificent design, while the location perfectly complements the home’s appeal. The sprawling lot comprises the house as well as an outdoor oasis in the backyard, where you’ll find an enormous pool area complete with pergola, beautiful hardscaping, and an outdoor kitchen and seating area. As one might expect, this is a feature particularly loved by the couple and their family. “We utilize the outdoor space as much as possible,” says Michael, who co-owns and operates a wireless telecommunications company as well as a rental management company with Amy. “We host many parties and enjoy the space all year long.”
At 4,820 square feet of heated and cooled space with a total of 7700 square feet under beam, the two-story home boasts 12 and a half rooms—no small space for the family of four who lives there. “It’s a rather large home, but it feels very inviting, cozy and relaxing,” Michael explains.
While the exterior is more traditional, the interior tends more to French modern, with architectural and design elements that speak to the couple’s style and the way their family lives in the spaces. Built in 2006, the five-bedroom home bucks the trend of open concept living, instead having defined spaces and separate living areas—though there is a common thread of a monotonal palette and rich woodwork to include wide plank flooring running throughout.
In the kitchen, a hand-sculpted stone vent hood hangs solidly in place among other stone and tile elements in the sprawling space. Grand enough to accommodate a run of custom cabinetry along two perimeter walls as well as a center island measuring ten and a half feet long by four feet wide, the kitchen is one of the Kellers’ most loved areas in the home. “It is used more than any other space,” says Amy. “Even when it is just our family, we seem to always gather in the kitchen and dining area.”
Featured as a centerpiece above the oven on the brick accent wall is a small wooden hand carved “Lord’s Supper” painting. Granite countertops ground the room, with travertine backsplashes to mirror the flooring.
Opposite the kitchen, the beautifully appointed, oak-trimmed living room serves as an ideal home for a massive seven-foot hand-sculpted stone fireplace. “The fireplace served as inspiration for the French modern aesthetic in our work with Debbie Howell from V Home & Interiors of Mandeville,” says Amy. The design is a cohesive theme throughout the home, brought in through pieces from designers such as John Richards and Tina Marie.
In the spacious master suite, trey ceilings and double crown moldings trace out the space and give it greater visual interest. French doors lead into the master bathroom, where barrel ceilings and hand-painted accents provide a unique aesthetic that, once again, incorporates French modern design. His and hers opposing sinks, closets and cabinetry provide separate spaces for the couple, with a built-in soaker tub and walk-in shower to wash off the stresses of the day.
1685 N CAUSEWAY BLVD STE B MANDEVILLE, LA 70471
Angelle is an exceptionally talented and versatile artist from Mandeville, Louisiana. With a unique artistic vision, she specializes in creating captivating textured artwork using clay as her medium of choice.
Angelle's studio is a haven for art enthusiasts, as she warmly welcomes walkins, allowing visitors to witness her creative process firsthand and experience the tactile beauty of her stunning pieces. Her work reflects a harmonious blend of passion, skill, and an unwavering commitment to artistic expression.
Who, specifically, in your life influenced your decision to become a teacher?
If I only had to name one person, it would be my mom, Debbie Annessa. She is a retired occupational therapist and when I was younger, she worked in the St. Tammany Parish schools. I always loved hearing about the students she was working with and the stories she would share when she saw a student grow and learn.
What is your biggest challenge as a teacher?
My biggest challenge as a teacher is helping the parents of my students to “trust the process”. It can be hard to watch their child struggle through a math problem, or answer questions about a reading passage without helping. Part of the learning process is making mistakes and working through them. My job is to try and help students to feel comfortable with facing challenges, learning how to solve them, and growing through it.
What do you feel is the biggest reward?
As a teacher at Northlake Christian, my biggest reward is building relationships with my students and their families. I get the amazing opportunity to share God’s Word with the students sitting in my classroom by modeling the love of Christ. Seeing a student not only grow academically, but also grow in their faith is one of the most amazing things to be a part of.
How do you make learning fun for your students?
I make learning fun by engaging the students with work stations, letting them work together with their peers, and giving them the opportunity to think outside the box. In math specifically, my students can make mistakes and work out problems with their classmates. We have a lot of open discussion about how to solve problems and if there are other ways to solve things. My goal is always for the students to think on their own and take ownership of their learning.
If you could leave your students with one message, what would it be?
Grace, not perfection. My students will be highschool students, college students and eventually adults. My hope is that they understand that it is okay to make mistakes, and it is okay to struggle. Things will get hard, but it’s how they handle the situation and grow from them that will make them stronger.
• 12 chicken wings
• 8 jalapeños
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp ground thyme
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups peanut oil
• 5 oz cream cheese “softened”
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Begin by removing the stems and seeds from the jalapeños, then slice them into 1/2-inch strips. Place these strips in a dehydrator and let them dehydrate at 165°F for approximately 6 hours.
Next, take your shredded cheese and lay it out in a thin layer on top of paper towels. Dehydrate the cheese at 165°F for 3 hours, making sure to change the paper towels midway through. Continue to dehydrate for an additional 3 hours.
After both the jalapeños and cheese have been properly dehydrated, blend them separately until they turn into powdered form. Combine the dehydrated jalapeño and cheese powders in a small bowl, sifting them together to create a fine, even mixture.
Now, it's time to prepare the chicken wings. Pat them dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and thyme to the bowl. Allow the seasoning to infuse the chicken by setting it aside for 15 minutes.
While the chicken is marinating, heat peanut oil in a cast iron pan until it reaches a temperature of 375°F.
Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot oil and cook it for about 6-8 minutes, adjusting the cooking time based on your desired level of texture.
Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oil and transfer it to a spacious mixing bowl. Immediately toss the chicken with the jalapeño/cheese powder, ensuring an even coating.
In a separate small bowl, combine softened cream cheese with ranch dressing. Blend these ingredients well until you achieve a creamy consistency.
Serve your delectable chicken wings alongside the creamy ranch mixture for a truly irresistible treat!
Recipe courtesy of Garrett Hornsby @_SecondHandChef_
and
PHOTOS BY JESSICA THE PHOTOGRAPHER, LLC
An empowering night was held at Meribo for the inaugural Women Empowering Women Northshore Mix & Mingle Event. This new group is for women to uplift each other, network and uncover the potential for joint success and advancement in women led businesses.
G & G salon brings luxury hair care to the Northshore. Located in the heart of historic Madisonville, G & G offers hair care services from contemporary cuts & color to a variety of extensions for all hair types.
The G & G team works consistently on continuing education while also building an amazing salon environment for all their clients.
PRESENTED BY THE ST. TAMMANY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Dice were rolling and cards were dealt at the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce’s premier event of the year. This festive event features casino games, an open bar, samples from fine dining restaurants, and both a live and silent auction. Southern Nights is the Chambers biggest fundraiser of the year. The proceeds allow them to continue to offer their members services at a price that is affordable.
David Kelly and Karen Morgan
Randy and Charlotte Benefield
Misty and Rory Hebbler
Vanessa Schneider and Ron Blitch
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Over the past decade, dating apps have become a mainstream way for meeting potential mates. Unlike its competitors, Hinge brands itself as “The dating app meant to be deleted,” and that certainly held true for Rieleah Hester and Jamie Dezendorf when they connected on the app—only to find that they had a number of friends in common. “It was history from there,” Rieleah says.
History, and something of a rom-com.
The two started dating, and three years and a baby later, Jamie made their deep connection one of forever commitment.
“We’d gone to Orange Beach to have dinner, and as we walked down the pier, my mom was there, playing our song,” Rieleah recalls. “Jamie grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes and started telling me that I was his best friend and that he couldn’t imagine his life without me, and then he got down on one knee. Our little girl was there to see it and share that moment with us, and my sister recorded the whole thing. It was perfect and intimate.”
Just over a year later, Rieleah wore a form-fitting strapless white gown with a high slit running up the side and adorned by a massive bow across the back and buttons tracing the length of it as she walked down the aisle at The Avenue at Covey Rise in Husser, LA. Joining her white tuxedoed groom at the altar, Rieleah and Jamie exchanged vows and were pronounced married by her father, who served as their officiant, as 220 of their closest friends and family gathered in celebration of their love—though things didn’t go off without a few hitches along the way.
“It was definitely a memorable wedding,” Rieleah notes. “As the bridal party was walking down the aisle, it started to sprinkle—and then, when I began to walk, it started to pour! The moment I stepped in front of the arch and looked at Jamie, I asked, ‘Do you want to do this?’ He looked back at me and said, ‘Absolutely.’ So we got married in the pouring rain, and I was literally living my ’90s rom-com dream.”
As with any ’90s rom-com, there were the quintessential movie montage outtakes: Their two year-old daughter throwing a fit before walking down the aisle and Rieleah picking her up to put her on her hip and walking down the aisle with her; being pelted with such hard rain that the videographer suggested they say their vows a second time; a dress change to dry off when the rain had stopped post-ceremony to re-do the vow exchange—just with close family. “Even though none of that was part of the plan, it was a beautiful moment!” Rieleah says.
After their second round of vows, the wedding party joined their guests for an on-site reception, where they enjoyed a feast of Creole and Cajun favorites before cutting into a beautifully decorated fourtier white cake. Dining, dancing, and celebrating came to an eventual end, and the newlyweds were sent off to start their unofficial honeymoon with a weekend in New Orleans, with plans for a full vacation to Mexico at a later date. Now back home in Hammond, the Dezendorf family is growing even closer, and looking forward to all the unexpected moments together.
VENUE: The Avenue at Covey Rise
PHOTOGRAPHY: Josh Williams
VIDEOGRAPHY: Lex Abshire
RENTALS: Southern Hospitality, Royal Events, Ad Event Group
BACKDROPS: Events and Backdrops by KD
FLORIST: Villere's Florist Covington
BAKERY: Falynn's Sweet Treats
3-PIECE QUARTET: Lauren Elizabeth
BAND: Karma
OFFICIANT: Kurt Hester
Members of the family & guests came out for the Fifth Annual Vinnie Pays it Forward Gala to support the Tunnels2Towers Organization in Captain Vincent N. Liberto, Jr.’s name at the Greystone in Mandeville. Money was raised through Live and Silent Auctions, with proceeds benefiting theTunnels2Towers Organization that does so much good for the families of fallen heroes.
Photos by Tiffany Chabert
“Social Northshore is a great publication! The staff is consistent and friendly at local events. They have done a great job capturing the vibe of our business and the experience people have when they are here.
Also, the publicity of our advertisements in the magazine has been amazing. I appreciate everything they have done to help our small business grow!”
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