EVERGREEN PLANTATION • COVINGTON BICENTENNIAL • WOMEN IN BUSINESS • COACH ROBERTS$450 MAY-JUNE 2013VOL. 28, NO. 3
The community magazine of the northshore, serving St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes.
Publisher Lori Murphy
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Associate Publisher Poki Hampton Editor Jan Murphy Art Director Brad Growden Managing Editor Stephen Faure Editorial Assistant Lauren Smith Contributors are featured on page 12.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Business Manager Jane Quillin Advertising Account Executives Brenda Breck Poki Hampton Candice Laizer Barbara Roscoe Hali Ungar Graphic Designer Jennifer Starkey Intern Alexandra Wimley
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For advertising information
phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 email [email protected]
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Please send items for Inside Scoop to [email protected].
Photos for Inside Peek, with captions, should be sent to [email protected]. Submit items for Inside Input
or Dining Guide to [email protected].––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Contact Inside Northside P.O. Box 9148 Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 phone (985) 626-9684 fax (985) 674-7721 website www.insidenorthside.com Subscriptions 1 Year $18 2 Years $30 email [email protected]
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
On the cover Artist Jax Frey––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
INSIDE NORTHSIDE MAGAZINE is published bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September, November) by M and L Publishing, LLC, PO Box 9148, Mandeville, LA 70470-9148 as a means of communication and information for St. Tam many and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana. Bulk Postage paid at Mandeville, LA. Copy right ©2013 by M and L Publishing, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent of publisher. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork. Inside Northside Magazine is created using the Adobe Creative Suite on Apple Macintosh computers.
May-June 2013 Vol. 28, No. 3
May-June 2013 9
14 Infinite Possibilities Cover artist Jax Frey.
32 From Ruin to Rebirth The Peralta Old Mandeville home.
40 Coaching Winners Southeastern Lions’ Ron Roberts.
46 Evergreen Plantation An antebellum treasure.
68 Northshore Roller Girls Rule! It’s all about the attitude.
78 Key West Visiting the Conch Republic.
10 Publisher’s Note
12 Contributors
18 Inside Scoop
29 Insider Mandeville High’s Miles Berry.
30 IN Better Health Dr. John Logan.
60 Inspired Sandra Slifer.
62 Book Report Three Little Shrimp by J. Steven Spires..
64 IN Good Company Amanda Hover of Champagne Jewelers.
74 Book Report Women from the Ankle Down by Rachelle Bergstein
76 IN Better Health Shelly Grigor.
features
departments
table ofcontents
88 Flourishes Treasures for your pleasure.
96 IN Love and Marriage Notable northshore weddings.
99 Inside Look Sun, Sea, Sand.
106 IN the Spotlight St. Tammany Cancer Fund Wine Dinner.
109 Inside Peek
116 IN the Spotlight Children’s Museum of St. Tammany Celebration 2013.
118 In Great Taste
119 Inside Dining
124 IN Development Brister’s Team Puts St. Tammany First.
129 Ad Directory
130 Last Bite George’s Mexican Restaurant.
page 88
87 The Windsor Senior Living Communitybusiness profile
page 32
after page 66.
after page 98.
page 68
page 46
page 99
“Women have always beenthe strong ones of the world.”
- Coco Chanel
As we approach Mother’s Day, I am remembering my Mom, Joel, and her
sister, Jane. They were raised in New Orleans and would have been Irish twins
if not for their strong German heritage. The Hagstette sisters did everything
together throughout a life filled with highs and some very tough lows. When
we lost Mom three years ago, Aunt
Jane was there to carry on many
of her mannerisms and keep us
mindful of the special bond they
shared with each other and with
all of us. A consoling thought when my aunt lost her battle with breast cancer
earlier this year was that Joel and Jane were back together again. These women,
like the many other mothers we are surrounded by, shape our lives. Strong
women make strong children, strong communities and strong futures.
This issue is filled with strong, successful women. What that success
looks like may vary, but in every case it is a demonstration of determined will
and passion. Everyone benefits from that kind of investment, especially when
they share the stories of bringing their dreams to life with us as they do in our
most extensive Women IN Business special edition yet!
Both Matilda Gray and Katie Peralta brought dreams to life in the homes
they saved from ruin. Though they lived in two different centuries, we can
learn a lot from their passionate pursuit of the possibilities of each structure.
Developing possibilities is a driving force for Sandra Slifer, both in politics
and people. Others include artist Jax Frey, whose work graces our cover; a
team of roller divas who play for keeps; Shelly Grigor, who battled severe
nearsightedness; and Amanda Hover, who continues a 65-year-old legacy.
Each woman is unique, committed and focused. Each has a special gift to
give our community, and it is our privilege to honor them here.
p.s. I hope you enjoy the travel story on the Conch Republic!
I encourage you to have your own getaway soon.
by Lori Murphy
ContributorsErin Cowser
As executive director of
public and governmental affairs for
Southeastern Louisiana University,
Erin Cowser has the privilege
of representing the third largest
university in Louisiana in both
legislative and public arenas. She serves on various boards and
community organizations and her advocacy work has been
honored at all levels. Her article on Southeastern’s football
coach Ron Roberts (pg 40) is the latest of her contributions
to Inside Northside. Most importantly, Erin has the esteemed
privilege and honor of being 3-year-old Eliza Kate’s mommy.
Contributors: Marianne Addy, Mindy Cordell, Ann Gilbert and Teri Schlichenmeyer.
Poki Hampton
Poki Hampton’s life is a
healthy mixture of family, work
and play. When not at work,
Poki fills her days with her four
grandchildren (three were foster
adopt kids) and her more recent
hobby, chalk painting. The newly learned skill continues
Poki’s love of decorating. Her husband, Pete, says that if he
sits still too long, she will chalk paint him! Poki’s design
story in this issue (“From Ruin to Rebirth,” pg 32) brought
back many memories of the couple’s renovation of the
historic Magnolia House.
Joel Treadwell
A Covington resident since
2000, Joel Treadwell is the owner
of Shot by Joel Photography,
specializing in family and
commercial photography. He
serves on the board of the
Greater New Orleans Professional Photographer’s Guild
and is active in the Professional Photographers of Louisiana
and the Slidell Photography Club. In 2011, he received
training in photographing people with disabilities through
the organization Special Kids Photography of America.
Joel is also team photographer for the Lethal Ladies of the
Northshore Roller Derby League (pg 68).
Contributors
14 InsIde northsIde
“SIN. REPENT. REPEAT,” says a little painted plaque
in Jax Frey’s kitchen. Framed by a patch of sunlight
coming through the window, it seemed an appropriate
concept for a visit to her home just before Mardi Gras
Day and the inevitable halt of Carnival festivities by
the arrival of Ash Wednesday and 40 days of Lent.
While the plaque’s directive may sound
unabashedly hedonistic, it’s obvious that Jax is
nothing of the sort. For the soft-spoken mom of
four grown children (the plaque was made by her
daughter), it’s really about letting go and starting
anew, something Jax has done many times during her
life, or as she phrases it, during “many lives lived”—
all tied together with art as a common thread.
A New Orleans native from Lakeview, Jax went to
St. Francis Cabrini Elementary, St. Joseph’s Academy
and Kennedy High School. After her marriage, she
and her husband lived “a series of adventures,” going
from upstate New York to a West Virginia farm and
then on to El Paso and Denver. For a time, she went
to medical school in the Dominican Republic.
Eventually settling in California, Jax, then
divorced, had a few adventures of her own. She
went to a culinary academy and opened a catering
business, studied business, marketing and life
coaching, and worked in sales at a software firm.
When she left that firm, she had a new name: “Jax.”
A co-worker, also from New Orleans, always greeted
her by a name associated with the city, like “Mardi
Gras,” “Sazerac” or “Pontchartrain Beach.” One day,
he called her “Jax Beer.” It stuck, and the woman-
formerly-known-as-Judith became “Jax” to one and
all. She says, “I could probably have gone back to
Judith when I returned to Louisiana, but I brought
Jax with me because it actually works as an artist’s
name. And besides, I was pretty used to it by then
and kind of liked it.”
After studying life coaching, Jax became certified,
started public speaking, wrote a book, The One Life
Plan, and became the host of The Sales Diva radio
show in San Luis Obispo, Calif. As a life coach and
public speaker, Jax worked with corporate and
private clients throughout the state. Life coaching,
she explains, involves helping people set a course for
where they want to get to in their lives. “Basically,
what I did, was take a snapshot of where they were
in their life, or where their business was, and ask,
‘Where do you want to be?’” she says. One task was
to keep clients looking forward. “I’d say, ‘Let’s not
look back in your life.’ I’m not a therapist; I’m not
qualified to do that. I’m qualified to get you from
where you are now to where you want to be. That’s
the way we worked.”
About seven years ago, Jax left California. After
a year in Sedona, Ariz., she landed “with both feet
on the ground” in Covington. She says, “I’m never
leaving home again.”
Through all of her many journeys, Jax painted.
She says, “The one thing I didn’t study in all those
Infinite PossibilitiesCover Artist Jax Frey
by Stephen Faure
>>
p
ho
to:
STEP
HEN
FA
UR
E
May-June 2013 15
Meet cover artist
Jax Freyand see some of her
favorite works on display at the
STHBA Raffle House
Maison du Lac Subdivision, 769 S.
Corniche du Lac Covington, La.
Tuesday,May 14, 2013
5:30-7:00 p.m. For more information, call
626-9684
Everyone’s Invited!
years was art! But I did paint, and I
knew that one day I would live my life
as an artist. I always felt like an artist
and knew it was just a matter of time.
As a life coach, I always told my clients,
‘Life is art. Make it a masterpiece.’”
Back in Louisiana, Jax decided she
had to choose between being an artist or a
life coach. She chose art, saying, “I haven’t
looked back since. But I tend to paint
what I used to coach. There is always
an inspirational or thought-provoking
message to all of my paintings.”
Jax has since made a successful
career as an artist, partly on the basis of
painting New Orleans-area landmarks.
She notes that, especially as a result
of Katrina, many of her childhood
landmarks have become things that
“ain’t there no more.” But that’s not
anything Jax dwells on. The landmarks
she does paint are all very much in
existence and still very much beloved.
“I do fine art, and then I do a line
of what I call ‘fun art,’” says Jax, whose
miniature paintings (the “fun art”) can
be found in area gift shops. “I call them
Little Views.” The 4-by-4-inch acrylics
feature a wide range of Louisiana- and
New Orleans-centric subjects; the city is
covered from Jackson Square to Jacques-
Imo’s restaurant. Our cuisine and taste
for adult beverages are mini-fodder for
Jax’s brush as well. Beignets; oysters and
crabs; Roman Candy; and a triptych of
jambalaya, crawfish pie and filé gumbo
are featured, as are Dixie and Jax (of
course!) beers and the Sazerac cocktail.
“I did the Sazerac for the Roosevelt
Hotel,” she says. Home of the Sazerac
Bar, the hotel carries Jax’s Little Views
in its gift shop. A miniature of the hotel
itself is in the works, too. “I’m trying to
develop a Roosevelt Hotel image, but for
some reason it’s hard to get a bead on.”
Jax’s fine art paintings, like this
issue’s cover, The Gathering, present
more of her spiritual side. “My fine art
is usually abstract figurative, usually of
women, and includes a certain kind of
message—like a secret message, if you
will—an inspirational message,” she says.
After she moved to Covington, Jax
started a group, the Women of Infinite
Possibilities, which meets monthly and
engages in a variety of activities. “It’s
going on its fourth year now, and it’s
really cool. We do a yearly retreat in
May-June 2013 17
July, and we use it for networking and
support. We go on trips together—we
have adventures!” she says. “We’ve been
canoeing together; we go to concerts;
we’re planning a women’s night out;
and we’re going to do a bus trip to a
plantation.”
The women appearing in
Jax’s paintings represent their own
possibilities. Some of her favorites she’s
kept in her own collection. “Life Strut.
It’s basically different things that can
happen to you in life,” she explains
about one of the paintings. “It’s a little
bit autobiographical. The desert, the
spirituality, walking through different
parts of the country and moving
forward—themes like that.”
Some are more poignant. Jax
says, “I painted Prayers to the Ones We
Love after losing a friend and thinking
about all the people we’ve lost in our
lives. We think about them up in
heaven—wishing them well, hoping for
abundance for them and that we’ll get to
see them again some time.”
Jax explains how our cover painting
came to be. “My paintings always have
themes. For this one, I knew I wanted a
group of women. I wasn’t sure they were
going to be on the beach, but I always
start with the women first and put the
backgrounds in later.”
And, just as with the inspired
name of her group, the canvas seems
to present Jax with infinite possibilities.
“I always get the feel of the women
first, but sometimes it just turns out to
be someone completely different than
I thought was going to show up. And
that’s kind of fun.”
Jax’s paintings can be found at
Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Decor, Rug
Chic, Simply Southern and at artbyjax.com.
Her Little Views miniatures are available
in area gift shops.
18 In s I d e no rt h s I d e
INSIDEthe definitive guide to northshore events and entertainment
May
1-31 Mandeville City Hall Artist of the
Month. Primitive artist Valree Eberle with
colorful local scenes and activities. Mandeville
City Hall, 3101 E. Causeway App. Mon-Fri,
9am-4:30pm. Free. Nancy Clark, 626-3144.
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Botox Wednesdays. Dr.
Kelly Burkenstock’s Skin•Body•Health, 2040
N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville. Limited
appointments available. $265/area, $665/
whole face. 727-7676. skinbodyhealth.com.
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Wednesday at the Square.
Young Leadership Council concert series.
Lafayette Square, New Orleans. Free. 5-8pm.
wednesdayatthesquare.com.
2 Annieglass Trunk Show. Featuring latest
artistic tableware collection. Arabella Fine Gifts
and Home Décor, 3902 Hwy. 22, Mandeville.
5-8pm. Free. 727-9787.
2-5 Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After.
Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave., New
Orleans. Thurs, 7pm; Fri, 10:30am, 7pm; Sat,
11am, 3pm and 7pm; Sun 11am, 3pm and
7pm. (504) 280-7171. arena.uno.edu.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 New Baby Support
Group. Birth to 7 mos. Child development
and parenting tips. STPH Parenting Center,
1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington.
11:15am-noon. Free. 898-4435. stph.org.
3 The Travelin’ McCoury’s. Columbia
Theatre for the Performing Arts, 220 E.
Thomas St., Hammond. 7:30pm. $28-$36.
543-4366. columbiatheatre.org.
3 Whitney Zoo-To-Do. Silent auction, luxury
vehicle raffle, specialty cocktails and upscale
cuisine. Black tie or white linen suit. Audubon
Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., New Orleans.
8pm-midnight. auduboninstitute.org.
3-5 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival.
Parc Hardy, 2090 Rees St., Breaux Bridge.
Fri and Sun, $5; Sat, $10. (337) 332-6655.
bbcrawfest.com.
3-5 Tickfaw 200 Poker Run. Benefitting
the TPSO Marine Division. Pick up cards
beginning at noon; turn in cards by 7pm.
bloodrivermarina.com.
June 15
An amazing collection of unique and
whimsical bicycles are on display. Many
bicycle owners will let you test ride their
bikes! Ask nicely! Features a bicycle
parade through historic downtown Abita
Springs. labicyclefestival.com.
Louisiana Bicycle Festival
1 Concert Series. Christy and the Rascals.
St. Tammany Parish Library, Pearl River
Branch, 64580 Hwy. 41. 6pm. Free.
863-5518.
1-14 Be The Face of Northshore
Square Mall. Register at guest services
or online by May 14. Voting online May
24-June 16. 150 Northshore Blvd., Slidell.
northshoresquareonline.com.
1-29 Covington Farmers Market.
Wed, Covington Trailhead, 419 N.
New Hampshire St., 10am-2pm; Sat,
609 N. Columbia St., 8am-noon. Free.
covingtonfarmersmarket.org.
1-31 Culinary Kids. Activities and classes
for children and adults. Call or visit the
website for more information and reservations.
727-5553. culinarykidsNS.com.
>>
4 2nd Annual Raffle House Run. 1
mile and 5K. Maison du Lac subdivision,
Covington. Warm-up, 7:45am; run, 8am. 882-
5002. raisingtheroof.net.
4 Jazz’n the Vines. Bring blankets, chairs
and picnics for an evening of music under the
stars. Pontchartrain Vineyards, Bush. 6:30-
9pm. $10; 17 and under, free. 892-9742.
pontchartrainvineyards.com.
4 Poker Run and Hot Wing Cook-Off.
Benefits Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa.
After party, live music and prizes. Hammond
Harley Davidson, 1530 SW Railroad Ave.
Registration, 8:30am. 215-1150.
4 Relay For Life West St. Tammany.
Fountainbleau High School, 100 Bulldog Dr.,
Mandeville. 6pm. Sponsorships and donation
opportunities available.
relayforlife.org/weststtammanyla.
4 Zephyrs’ Run for Home. 1 mile and 5k.
Portion of proceeds benefit Wounded Warrior
Project. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Dr., Metairie.
8:30am. $20. 883-8225. is.gd/eTYfVT.
4,5 Lena Prima & Band. The Carousel
Bar and Lounge, Hotel Monteleone, 214
Royal St., New Orleans. 9pm-1am. Free.
hotelmonteleone.com/carouselbar.
4, 11, 18, 25 Camellia City Market. Robert
and Front Sts., Slidell. 8am-noon. Free.
camelliacitymarket.org.
4, 11, 18, 25 Hammond Farmers Market.
W. Thomas St. and S.W. Railroad Ave.,
Hammond. 9am-3pm. Terry Lynn Smith, 277-
5680 ext. 2. dddhammond.com.
4, 11, 18, 25 Mandeville Trailhead
Community Market. 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville.
9am-1pm. Free. mandevilletrailhead.org.
5 Cinco de Mayo All Day Fiesta. Carreta’s
Grill. Live music featuring Five Finger Discount
at 70360 Hwy. 21, Covington and Super
Charger at 137 Taos St., Slidell. 6-10pm.
Covington, 871-6674; Slidell, 847-0020.
5 Cinco De Mayo Party. La Carreta, 1200
W. Causeway App., Mandeville. 624-2990.
carretarestaurant.com.
20 In s I d e no rt h s I d e
5 Crawfishman Triathalon. Benefiting
Have a Heart Thru Art and Mary Bird
Perkins Cancer Center. Grande Hills, Bush.
7:30am. Individuals, $85; relay teams, $165.
crawfishman.net.
5 George’s Fiesta Block Party. Cinco
de Mayo celebration. George’s Mexican
Restaurant, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd.,
Mandeville. 11am-11pm. 626-4342.
georgesmexicanrestaurant.com.
6, 13, 20, 27 Microderm Mondays. Azure
Spa, 2040 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville.
Limited appointments available. $69. 727-
7799. theazurespa.com.
6, 13, 20, 27 New Baby Support Group.
Ages birth to 7 mos. STPH Parenting Center,
1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington.
11:15am-noon. Free. 898-4435. stph.org.
7, 14, 21 Play and Learn. Ages 16 mos to
4 yrs. STPH Parenting Center, 1505 N. Florida
St., Ste. B, Covington. 9:30-10:15am. $15/
members; $24/child for nonmembers. 898-
4435. stph.org.
8 European Estate Sale. Northshore
Antiques and Auction House, 334 N. Vermont
St., Covington. 10am-4pm. 626-7704.
northshoreauctionhouse.com.
9 Blow-Dry Lounge Event. Featuring
Candy Apple Blog Shop and Haute Off The
Rack. 5:30pm. Studio 311 Salon, 311 E.
Gibson St., Covington. 327-7775.
9 Newborn Care Class. Lakeview Regional
Medical Center, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd.,
Covington. 7-9pm. Free. 1-866-4LAKEVIEW.
lakeviewregional.com.
9,10,11 Mother’s Day Trunk Show. Designs
by Susannah Elle earrings, necklaces, ponytail
cuffs and more. Simply Southern, 70488 Hwy.
21, Covington. 871-1466.
9, 16, 23 Cuddle Buddies. Ages 8-15 mos.
STPH Parenting Center, 1505 N. Florida St.,
Ste. B, Covington. 10:30-11am. $6/month
for members; $12/month nonmembers. 898-
4435. stph.org.
9, 16, 23, 30 New Baby Support Group.
Ages birth to 7 mos. STPH Parenting Center,
May-June 2013 21
>>
1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington.
11:15am-noon. Free. 898-4435. stph.org.
10 French Masters. Louisiana Philharmonic
Orchestra concert. First Baptist Church,
16333 Hwy. 1085, Covington. 7:30pm. $20-
$37. lpomusic.com.
10 Northlake Newcomers Installation
Luncheon. Style show by Belk’s. Beau
Chêne Country Club, 105 Beau Chêne Blvd.,
Mandeville. 10am. Reservations required by
May 3. Members, $26; Guests, $29. 792-4926.
10-11 Interactive Art Exhibition.
Alexandria Museum of Art. Riverfront area
of downtown Alexandria. Fri, 4-9pm; Sat,
9am-7pm. Kathy VonBieberstein, 898-3011.
10-25 Glamour Girls. Cutting Edge Theater,
747 Robert Blvd., Slidell. Fri and Sat, 8pm.
$20. 649-3727. cuttingedgetheater.com.
10-26 Chapter Two. Playmakers Theater,
19106 Playmakers Rd., Covington. Thurs-Sat,
8pm; Sun, 2pm. Adults, $15; students, $10.
892-9767. playmakersinc.com.
10-31 Art & Bloom on the Northshore.
Open theme art show. Slidell Memorial Hospital
Cancer Center, 1120 Robert Blvd. Opening
reception Fri, 7-9pm. Free during SMHCC
working hours. 847-9458. slidellartleague.info.
10-June 18 Hammond Art Guild 51st
Exhibit. 217 E. Thomas St., Hammond.
Tues-Fri, 1-5pm; Sat, 11am-3pm. Melissa
Griffin, 542-7113. hammondarts.org.
11 Book Signing. Actor Bryan Batt will sign
his books, She Ain’t Heavy, She’s My Mother
and Big Easy Style. Wine and cheese served.
Hazelnut Mandeville, 2735 Hwy. 190, Mandeville.
1-4pm. 626-8900. hazelnutneworleans.com.
11 Color Me Rad New Orleans. Unique 5K
race benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
NOLA Motorsports Park, 11075 Nicolle Blvd.,
Avondale. 9 am. colormerad.com.
11 FORESTival 2013. A celebration of art
and nature. A Studio in the Woods, 13401
Patterson Rd., New Orleans. 11am-5pm.
(504) 392-5359. astudiointhewoods.org.
11 International Dragon Boat Festival.
Tchefuncte River, Madisonville. (416) 962-
8899. gwndragonboat.com.
11 Live Auction. Northshore Antiques
and Auction House, 334 N. Vermont
St., Covington. 11am. 626-7704.
northshoreauctionhouse.com.
11 Madisonville Art Market. Tchefuncte
River Front, Water St., Madisonville.
10am-4pm. Free. madisonvilleartmarket.com.
11 New Orleans Running Systems
Etouffee Run/Walk. Audubon Park, Shelter
No. 10, New Orleans. 8am. $25; 15 and
under, $15. nolarunning.com.
11 Second Saturday Art Walk. Downtown
Covington. 6-9pm. 892-1873. covla.com.
11 Swing in the Pines. Concert by the
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Bogue
Falaya Park, Covington. 4-7pm. Free.
Non-perishable food donations collected
for the Covington Food Bank. 892-1873.
lpomusic.com.
11, 12, 16, 18, 19 St. Tammany
Parade of Homes. Various locations
throughout the Parish. Sat and Sun,
12pm-5pm; Thur, 5-8pm. 882-5002.
sttammanyparadeofhomes.com.
12 Mother’s Day in Mandeville. “A
Gift to the Street” Annual Home Tour. Art,
crafts and music. Old Mandeville. Tour,
2-5pm. $15; students, $12. Tickets on sale
noon-4pm at Jean Baptiste Lang House,
605 Carroll St. Nancy Clark, 626-4975.
oldmandevillehistoricassociation.org.
13, 20 Children in the Middle. For children
of divorcing parents. Ages 6-12 yrs. STPH
Parenting Center, 1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B,
Covington. 7-9pm. Register by 1 p.m. Friday,
May 10. $10/per child (max $20 per family).
898-4435. stph.org.
13, 20 Children in the Middle. For
divorcing parents. STPH Parenting Center,
1505 N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington.
7-9pm. Register by 1 p.m. Friday, May 10.
$30/members; $35/non-members; $10/add’l
for couples. 898-4435. stph.org.
14 Meet the Artist. Meet Inside Northside
cover artist Jax Frey and view her available
work. STHBA Raffle House, 769 S. Corniche
du Lac, Covington. 626-9684.
14, 28 Figure Drawing Class. Includes
model, wine and cheese. Bring your own
drawing utensils and paper/newsprint.
STAA, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington.
6:30-9pm. $25. 892-8650.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
16 Chamber After Hours. With the Krewe
of Erin. Ponchatoula Country Market, 10 East
Pine St. 5:30-7pm. Ponchatoula Chamber of
Commerce, 386-2536.
16 Monthly Meeting. Women of Infinite
Possibilitiles. Discussion led by Pemmie
Sheasby of Oil & Vinegar. Grace Disciples
of Christ Church, Covington. Optional
lunch. 10am-noon. Sandra Slifer, 875-9388.
womenofwip.org.
16 “Raising the Roof for Charity” Raffle
House Early Bird Drawing. St. Tammany
Home Builders Association Raffle House in
Maison du Lac, 769 South Corniche du Lac,
Inside Scoop
May-June 2013 23
Covington. 7pm. 882-5002. raisingtheroof.net.
16 Hazelnut Ribbon Cutting and
Opening Ceremony. Refreshments, special
offers and prizes. Hazelnut Mandeville, 2735
Hwy. 190, Mandeville. 5-7pm. 626-8900.
hazelnutneworleans.com.
17 Meet Local Artist Keith Villere. Artisan
Home Décor, 3535 Hwy. 190, Mandeville.
5-7pm. 778-2113. artisanhomedecor.net.
17 Sunset at the Landing Concert.
Columbia Street Landing, 100 N. Columbia St.
6-9pm. Free. 892-1873. cityofcovington.org.
18 His Holiness Dalai Lama. Lakefront
Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave., New Orleans. 1pm.
Doors open at 11am; no entry after 12:15pm.
$25. (504) 280-7171. arena.uno.edu.
18 Abita Opry. Abita Springs Town Hall,
22161 Level St. 7-9pm. $18. 892-0711.
abitaopry.org.
18 Taps on the Trace. Beer, food and
bands; children’s section. Covington
Brewhouse, 226 E. Lockwood St., Covington.
2-9pm. covingtonbrewhouse.com.
19 PurpleStride New Orleans 2013.
Timed 5K and 1 mile fun run to support the
fight against pancreatic cancer. City Park,
New Orleans. (877) 272-6226. mpettingill@
pancanvolunteer.org.
22 Empowered Parents Network Group.
STPH Family Center, 1505 N. Florida St., Ste.
B, Covington. 10am-noon. 898-4435. stph.org.
23 STHBA Spring Scholarship Golf
Tournament. Money Hill, Abita Springs.
9:30am. $125; team and sponsorship levels
available. sthba.org.
24-26, 31-May 2 Driving Miss Daisy.
North Star Theatre, 347 Girod St., Mandeville.
Fri and Sat 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm. $15-$30.
885-2000.
25 Jumpin’ into Summer. Children’s
event and family entertainment.
Covington Trailhead. 10am-noon. Free.
cityofcovington.org.
25 Memorial Swamp Pop Festival. Hidden
Oaks Family Campground, 21544 Hwy.
190 E, Hammond. Nita Vedros, 345-9244.
hiddenoaksfamilycampground.com.
25 Fat Boy New Orleans Run/Walk. City
Park, New Orleans. 8am. Chuck George,
[email protected]. nolarunning.com.
25 Reminiscing Covington’s Walker
Percy. Presented by Judge Frederick S.
Ellis. Fuhrmann Auditorium in the Greater
Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson Ave.
7-9pm. Cultural Arts and Events, 892-1873.
covla.com.
25-26 Memorial Day Weekend Getaway.
Visit Ponchatoula for a day of shopping,
dining and more. Downtown Ponchatoula.
10am-5pm. ponchatoulachamber.com.
27 Veterans Appreciation Reception.
Bogue Falaya Hall in the Greater Covington
Center, 317 N. Jefferson Ave. 11am-1pm.
Free for veterans. Cultural Arts and Events,
892-1873. covla.com. >>
24 In s I d e no rt h s I d e
Inside Scoop
30-31 SSA Lacrosse Camp. Girls
ages 9-18. SSA Athletic Fields, 122 S.
Massachusetts St., Covington. 9am-3:30pm.
$90. 892-2540. ssacad.com.
31 Block Party. Downtown Covington.
5:30-9:30pm. Free. 892-8650.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
June
1 Art Market. Covington
Trailhead. 9am-noon. 892-8650.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
1 Big Green Egg Demonstration. Outloor
Living Center, 2101 N. Hwy. 190, Covington.
10am-2pm. Free. 893-8003.
1 Champagne Jewelers 65th Anniversary
Celebration. 65-day extended scavenger
hunt. Visit the store’s Facebook page for more
information. 643-2599.
1 City-wide Yard Sale. Maps available.
Ponchatoula. 8am-5pm. 386-2536.
ponchatoulachamber.com.
1 Raffle House Grand Prize Drawing. St.
Tammany Home Builders Association “Raising
the Roof for Charity” Raffle House Grand Prize
Drawing. Maison du Lac Subdivision, 769
S. Corniche du Lac, Covington. 2-2:30pm.
raisingtheroof.net.
1-2 Woods and Whites Tennis Event and
Gala. Benefiting Hartley’s Hearts. Dinner,
drinks, dancing and auction packages.
Stone Creek Club and Spa, Ochsner
Blvd., Covington. Gala Fri, 5:30-10pm. $75;
tennis event Fri and Sat, $90. 801-7140.
stonecreekclubandspa.com.
1-2 New Orleans Oyster Festival.
Woldenberg Park. Mon, 1-9pm; Tues, 2:30-
8:30pm. Free. neworleansoysterfestival.org.
1-29 Covington Farmers Market. Wed
and Sat; Wed, Covington Trailhead, 419
N. New Hampshire St., 10am-2pm; Sat,
609 N. Columbia St., 8am-noon. Free.
covingtonfarmersmarket.org.
1-30 Culinary Kids. Activities and classes
for children and adults. Call or visit the
website for more information and reservations.
727-5553. culinarykidsNS.com.
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Camellia City Market.
Robert and Front Sts., Slidell. 8am-noon.
Free. camelliacitymarket.org.
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Hammond Farmers
Market. W. Thomas St. and S.W. Railroad
Ave., Hammond. 9am-3pm. Terry Lynn Smith,
277-5680 ext. 2. dddhammond.com.
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Mandeville Trailhead
Community Market. 675 Lafitte
St., Mandeville. 9am-1pm. Free.
mandevilletrailhead.org.
3 Covington Bicentennial Golf
Tournament. Money Hill Golf & Country
Club, 100 Country Club Dr., Abita Springs.
10am-5pm. Individuals, $150; Teams of 4,
$600. Glenn Hanson, 246-0230.
3-7 Guitar Camp. Boys and girls ages
10-15. SSA Campus, Room 94, 122 S.
Massachusetts St., Covington. 9am-noon
or 1-3pm. $125. 892-2540.
ssacad.com.
3-7 SSA Volleyball Skills Camp Week
1. Girls ages 8-14. SSA Gym, 122 S.
Massachusetts St., Covington. 9am-noon or
1-4pm. $115. 892-2540. ssacad.com.
3-7 Summer Fingerprints Art Camp.
STAA, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington.
9am-3pm. Members, $200; nonmembers,
$220. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.
org.
3-23 JPAS Youth Summer Musical
Theatre Intensive. Music Man. Kids in
grades third through seventh will perform a
musical upon completion of the program.
JPAS, 1118 Clearview Pkwy., Metairie. (504)
885-2000. jpas.org.
3, 10, 17, 24 Microderm Mondays. Azure
Spa, 2040 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville.
Limited appointments available. $69. 727-
7799. theazurespa.com.
4 , 11, 18 Play and Learn. Ages 16 mos
to 4 yrs. STPH Parenting Center, 1505
>>
N. Florida St., Ste. B, Covington. 9:30-
10:15am. $15/members; $24/child for
nonmembers. 898-4435. stph.org.
5 Slidell Meeting. Women of Infinite
Possibilitiles. Discussion led by Kellie Holder.
Slidelll Memorial Imaging Center Women’s
Health Alliance Conference Room, 1495
Gause Blvd. 5-7pm. Sandra Slifer, 875-9388.
womenofwip.org.
5, 12, 19, 26 Botox Wednesdays. Dr.
Kelly Burkenstock’s Skin.Body.Health, 2040
N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville. Limited
appointments available. $265/area, $665/whole
face. 727-7676. skinbodyhealth.com.
6, 13, 20, 27 New Baby Support Group.
Birth to 7 mos. Child development and
parenting tips. STPH Parenting Center, 1505 N.
Florida St., Ste. B, Covington. 11:15am-noon.
Free. 898-4435. stph.org.
7-9, 14-16 Disney’s Cinderella. Attractions
Salon, 747 Robert Blvd., Slidell. Fri-Sat, 7pm;
Sun, 2pm. Adult, $16.50; students, $12.50.
649-3727. cuttingedgetheater.com.
8 Madisonville Art Market. Tchefuncte River
Front, Water St., Madisonville. 10am-4pm. Free.
madisonvilleartmarket.com.
8 Second Saturday Art Walk. Downtown
Covington. 6-9pm. 892-1873. covla.com.
8-28 JPAS Youth Summer Musical Theatre
Intensive. Bye Bye Birdie. Kids in grades third
through seventh will perform a musical upon
completion of the program. JPAS, 1118 Clearview
Pkwy., Metairie. (504) 885-2000. jpas.org.
9 Concert Series. Vintage Jazz Band. St.
Tammany Parish Libray, Slidell Branch, 555
Robert Blvd. 6pm. Free. 646-6470.
10-12 SSA Softball Camp. SSA Athletic
Fields, 122 S. Massachusetts St., Covington.
9am-noon. $75. 892-2540. ssacad.com.
10-14, 17-21 Myth Busters Science Camp.
Boys and girls ages 8-14. SSA Science
Lab, Room 281, 122 S. Massachusetts St.,
Covington. 9am-noon. $140. 892-2540.
ssacad.com.
10-14 SSA Student Council Camp. Boys
and girls ages 8-13. 122 S. Massachusetts
St., Covington. 1-4:30pm. $125. 892-2540.
ssacad.com.
10-14 SSA Volleyball Skills Camp Week 2.
Girls, grades first through fifth. SSA Gym, 122
S. Massachusetts St., Covington. 9am-noon.
$115. 892-2540. ssacad.com.
10-14 Summer Fingerprints Art Camp.
STAA, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington.
9am-3pm. $200, members; $220 nonmembers.
892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org.
10-28 JPAS Summer Conservatory
Session 1. High school students study with
industry leaders. JPAS, 1118 Clearview Pkwy.,
Metairie. (504) 885-2000. jpas.org.
11-14 SSA/SPS Cheerleading Camp. Girls
entering pre-K through eighth grade. SSA Gym,
122 S. Massachusetts St., Covington. 1-4pm.
$100. 892-2540. ssacad.com.
11, 25 Figure Drawing Class. Includes
Inside Scoop
May-June 2013 27
model, wine and cheese. Bring your own
drawing utensils and paper/newsprint. STAA,
320 N. Columbia St., Covington. 6:30-9pm.
$25. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.org.
13, 14, 15 Father’s Day Show. Sculptor Todd
Goss’ wire-sculpture wildlife art. Simply Southern,
70488 Hwy. 21, Covington. 871-1466.
14 Kids Fest. Arts celebration for the whole
family. Slidell Municipal Auditorium, Slidell.
9:30am-noon. Free. 646-4375. slidell.la.us.
15 Louisiana Bicycle Festival. Features
bicycle parade and more. Abita Springs.
labicyclefestival.com.
15 Newborn Care Class. Lakeview
Regional Medical Center, 95 Judge Tanner
Blvd., Covington. 10am-12pm. Free.
1-866-4LAKEVIEW. lakeviewregional.com.
15 Northshore Cajun Dance. Abita Springs
Town Hall, 221 Level St. Dance lessons,
7-7:30pm; live music, 8-10:30pm. 887-1485.
15 Roller Derby Bout. North Shore Roller
Derby Lethal Ladies versus the East Texas
Bombers. Castine Center, Mandeville. 6pm
open, match starts 7pm. $12; $15 at the door.
northshorerollerderby.com.
17-21 Summer Fingerprints Art Camp.
St. Tammany Art Association, 320 N.
Columbia St., Covington. 9am-3pm. $200,
members; $220 non-members. 892-8650.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
18 Summer Series. Brown Bag Luncheon.
Noon-1pm. Ponchatoula Rotary Hut, Memorial
Park. 386-2536. ponchatoulachamber.com.
18 TechSmart Educational Conference for
Businesses. Northshore Harbor Center, 100
Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell. 8:30am-3pm. $59.
643-5678. estchamber.net.
19-21 Royalettes and Golden Blues Dance
Camp. Girls entering kindergarden-12th
grade. SSA Gym, 122 S. Massachusetts St.,
Covington. 9am-12:30pm. $85. 892-2540.
ssacad.com.
20 Business Expo 2013. St. Tammany
West Chamber of Commerce business-to-
business trade show. Lakeshore High School,
26301 Hwy. 1088, Mandeville. 3-7pm.
sttammanychamber.org.
20 Chamber After Hours. Networking,
conversation and business. 5:30-7pm.
Rosaryville Spirit Life Center, 39003 Rosaryville
Rd. Ponchatoula. ponchatoulachamber.com.
5 Monthly Meeting. Women of Infinite
Possibilitiles. Erical Morgan on “journaling.”
Grace Disciples of Christ Church, Covington.
Optional lunch. 10am-noon. Sandra Slifer, 875-
9388. womenofwip.org.
20-23 FestiGals. Empowerment workshops,
seminars, networking opportunities and
an insider’s glimpse into New Orleans. The
Historic French Quarter, New Orleans. $325.
1-855-GAL-WKND. FestiGals.org.
21 Sunset at the Landing Concert. Columbia
Street Landing, Covington. 6-9pm. Free. 892-
1873. cityofcovington.org.
21-22 TPSO Mounted Division Rodeo.
Florida Parishes Arena, 1301 N.W. Central Ave.,
Amite. 748-5914. fparena.com.
>>
28 In s I d e no rt h s I d e
21-23 Louisiana Catfish Festival. St.
Gertrude Catholic Church, 17292 Hwy.
631, Des Allemands. Fri, 5-11pm; Sat,
10am-11pm; Sun, 10:30am-8pm. Free. 758-
7542. louisianacatfishfestival.com.
22 Bra Genie event. Swim and bra fitting
event with Fantasy and Elomi. 2881 Hwy.
190, Mandeville. 10-5 pm. 951-8638.
22-26 IMA Conference and Exposition.
Network with other business colleagues
to acquire industry knowledge and remain
current with the latest professional standards
and trends. Hilton New Orleans Riverside, 2
Poydras St., New Orleans. (800) 638-4427.
imaconference.org.
23 The History of the African-American
Community in Covington. Presented by
Dr. Eva Baham. Fuhrmann Auditorium in the
Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson
Ave. 4pm. Cultural Arts and Events, 892-
1873. covla.com.
24-28 Summer Fingerprints Art Camp.
STAA, 320 N. Columbia St., Covington.
9am-3pm. Members, $200; Nonmembers,
$220. 892-8650. sttammanyartassociation.
org.
26 Empowered Parents Network Group.
STPH Family Center, 1505 N. Florida St., Ste.
B, Covington. 10am-noon. 898-4435. stph.
org.
28 Block Party. Downtown Covington.
5:30-9:30pm. Free. 892-8650.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
29 Bicentennial Parade. Downtown
Covington. Noon. 892-1873. covla.com.
29 Hemmings Motor News “Great Race.”
Motor sports enthusiasts racing from St.
Paul, Minn. to Mobile, Ala. stop in Covington
to show off their classic cars. Covington
Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St. 4:30-
8:30pm. Cultural Arts and Events, 892-1873.
covla.com; greatrace.com.
30 Classic Covington: Stories Behind
The Prints. Presented by historian
Howard Nichols and artist Suzanne
King. St. Tammany Art Association, 320
N. Columbia St., Covington. 892-8650.
sttammanyartassociation.org.
Inside Scoop
May-June 2013 29
Mandeville High senior Miles Berry has
played the saxophone since he was 12 years
old and has been studying jazz for about four
years. He says music is what he was born to
do. “It’s my purpose in life. I try to absorb
myself in music 24/7.” Though he has been
attracted to other instruments, like the drums,
the saxophone remains Miles’ main “axe.”
Miles, who also attends NOCCA, was
selected to be part of the 2013 Thelonious Monk
National Performing Arts High School All-Star Jazz
Sextet. The Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz is
named for the ground-breaking pianist and composer.
Monk is recognized as one of the most influential
figures in jazz history; the institute was created four
years after his death. Originally based in Washington,
D.C., the institute now has programs in New Orleans
and Los Angeles.
In early March, Miles traveled to Los Angeles for an
all-expenses-paid trip courtesy of the Monk Institute and
spent a week performing with internationally renowned
jazz recording artist Terell Stafford. Together, Stafford
and the all-star sextet performed for public schools
throughout Los Angeles. They also participated in
musical master classes in an effort to teach similarly aged
audiences about jazz and the important American values
it represents. “It was peer-to-peer learning,” says Miles.
“We were teaching them and they were teaching us.”
Miles plans to attend the New School for Jazz
and Contemporary Music in New York. His heroes on
the saxophone are John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.
Coltrane’s life and music have “affected me positively and
the love and devotion he had for music is something very
inspirational,” Miles says. While he draws
from the experience and careers of musicians
before him, Miles does not plan to imitate
them. “There is no one whose career I would like to
emulate. I want to do what I can by being myself. Being
a musician is a lifelong process and it is something I will
be seeking for as long as I live.”
And Miles is well on his way!
Insider Miles Berry by Lauren Smith
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30 InsIde northsIde
AS A PRACTICING ORTHOPEDIC SPINE SURGEON,
Dr. John Logan is accustomed to treating patients and
giving medical care. However, roles were reversed
when Dr. Logan became the patient as he underwent
cardiac bypass surgery approximately one year ago for
blockages in his heart.
“Kissing my kids goodbye at 4 a.m. when I left
for heart surgery was the most frightening part. That
is something I cannot really describe,” Dr. Logan says.
“Seeing them after surgery two days later with smiles on
their faces was also indescribable.”
While riding bikes with his family on a vacation
in Gatlinburg, Dr. Logan developed pain in his chest,
left arm and neck. Being a very active person, the pain
seemed strange to him. He mentioned it to his wife
and, after returning home, made an appointment with
Dr. Jim Smith at the Louisiana Heart Hospital. Dr.
Smith ordered a cardiac catheterization to determine
the cause of his pain. The test revealed blockages in his
heart that required surgery.
“I considered the many options of great facilities
and surgeons for heart surgery, like the Cleveland
Clinic and the Mayo Clinic. I certainly wanted to
make the best choice,” says Dr. Logan. “Right here
at the Louisiana Heart Hospital, Dr. John Breaux is
profoundly respected as a heart surgeon. I reviewed
his statistics from the last 10 years, and made the
best choice.
“The surgery went just about as well as it could
go,” Dr. Logan says, “People ask me how I am doing
after my heart attack, but I did not have a heart attack.
My symptoms gave me the warning I needed to get
checked out.”
Dr. Logan has since returned to life as normal
and resumed his role as a surgeon. He is also back to
fishing, hunting and spending time with family and
friends. “I hold my family a little closer,” he says. “I
would also like to think that I am a little calmer, but
my wife and my staff would probably argue that point.”
Dr. Logan is eternally grateful for the support from
his family and friends, especially from his wife and
children.
IN Better Health
with Dr. John Logan
Health Concern:
Chest pain and heart blockages
Treatment: Cardiac bypass surgery
by Kaley Boudreaux
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“My wife Missy is my rock. She
was profoundly strong throughout
the whole thing. She and the kids
supported me every day,” he says. “I am
also grateful to my nurse practitioner
and my physician partners who kept
things running smoothly while I was
out. It meant the world to me. From
the guy who puts my scrubs out in the
hospital each morning, to the operating
room staff, to my practice manager, the
list goes on—I could not have made it
through this as easily without them.”
Members of his concerned staff often
remind him of what he should and
should not be doing.
Dr. Logan says, “I go to the hospital
cafeteria and order breakfast—eggs, bacon
or biscuits—and no matter what I order,
when I get to the end of the line, it is a
bowl of oatmeal on my tray!”
May-June 2013 33
Opposite: The
gracefully curving
spiral staircase
was only partially
constructed when
the Peraltas bought
the house. Today, it
is finished in hand-
applied plaster, with
iron balusters and
cypress steps.
Above: Exterior of
house when first
purchased by the
Peraltas. Below:
The transformed
home, with beautiful
but simple tropical
landscaping, is
accessed by a slate
tile walk.
IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE that it took Katie and
Emilio Peralta less then one year to completely
transform the dilapidated ruin they bought in Old
Mandeville into an elegant yet casual home for
themselves and their three young daughters. “A
Realtor friend sent us pictures of the house, which
was just a shell,” says Katie. “My parents and I
drove by one day, and my dad said, ‘Keep going.’
“At a later date, my mom and I literally
climbed into the house to check it out and saw
that it had really good bones. It was a beautiful
shell with so much potential.” There were no
floor boards on the porch, so shaky stringers were
used to get inside. Doors, bathtubs, windows and
moldings were stacked everywhere. “It looked like a
treasure trove of incredible stuff, so we bought the
house and started working.”
Katie and Emilio were able, with the assistance
of EMB Interiors head designer Ellen Bajon, to
create a floor plan and map out the electrical,
plumbing and lighting systems. “There were
no plans at all, so we had to crawl over doors,
windows and boards to measure each room,” says
Ellen. “I thought Katie and Emilio were very brave
to tackle such a big project.”
They soon learned that the previous owner
had taken down the original house piece by
piece, salvaging and storing everything for re-use.
He began restoring it and poured 49 gracefully
proportioned concrete piers for support under the
house, but then put the house on the market.
In classic Creole-Caribbean style, the exterior
has transoms over French doors and large porches
wrapping around the front and sides of the house. >>
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34 InsIde northsIde
Although the yard is small, it is filled with modern
tropical landscaping. A syrup kettle fountain is the focal
point of the front walk, which is made of slate tiles.
The 49 columns create space beneath the house for
entertaining, with a built-in fireplace for chilly nights.
Katie hired carpenters and craftsmen
recommended by EMB Interiors to create new
moldings to match old ones, repair windows and
doors and salvage every bit of hardware. There was
an entire palate of old hardware among the treasures.
“I found a retired doctor here in Mandeville who
repairs and restores antique hardware. I took him
everything, and he was able to resurrect knobs,
latches and box locks,” says Katie.
The bones of the sensuous spiral staircase were
there when the Peraltas bought the house, but it
was just bare wood. Wrought iron balusters and
handrails were added, along with hand-planed
antique reclaimed cypress boards for the treads. The >>
Above: The family
enjoys many meals
at the 10-foot
trestle table in the
breakfast room. In
the background is
the spacious kitchen,
with cabinets painted
a soft grey. Right: The
paneled walls in the
powder room, which
are painted a deep
charcoal, are original
to the house. The
custom mirror is set
into the paneling. An
intricate mosaic of
Lagos Azul limestone
and white Carrera
marble adds interest
to the floor.
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36 InsIde northsIde
outside of the beautiful
graceful curve is in
hand-finished plaster.
Hallway walls are
painted in a soft
creamy grey. Over
the spinet piano are
a small watercolor by
Daughdrill, framed in
an antique wooden
frame, and a carved
wooden sconce in
Parisian grey with
silver leaf and hand-blown glass teardrops. Across from the
piano is a wall filled with both contemporary and traditional art.
The long antique cypress bench is from a local antique shop.
For the paneled walls in the powder room, which are
original, Ellen chose a deep charcoal grey paint with a hint
of blue. A vintage-style chest is topped with a Carrera marble
slab that has an extended ogee edge. Reflected in the custom
mirror inset into the existing molding are the white porcelain
sink and the chrome faucet, which has faceted Swarovski
crystal handles. Two silver leaf, wood, iron and faceted
crystal bead sconces flank the mirror. Completing the look
are four framed architectural prints. The ground of the floor
is a tiny mosaic in Lagos Aqule limestone and white Carrera
marble; the same limestone is used for the border.
The classic Queen Anne-style dining room furniture came
from Katie’s grandmother. The end chairs are upholstered in
a heavy embroidered geometric silk while other chairs are in
a solid textured grey. Draperies framing the salvaged French
doors that open onto the gallery porch are in ash-color classic
Colton cotton. The large two-tier chandelier is antiqued silver
iron with strands of beaded crystals. Anchoring a corner is an
antique-style planter with an over-spilling plant. The rug is in
muted tones of silver and grey.
Entertaining is a breeze with the butler’s pantry. The
Carrera marble top over painted cabinets from Milltown
Cabinets is an excellent place to make drinks or place
serving pieces. The backsplash is in shimmering geometric
herringbone tiles in tones of taupe, grey and cream. A wine
refrigerator and dishwasher make for an efficient space.
The spacious keeping room/informal dining room is in
the back of the house. Featured are an oversized sectional
sofa in a textured linen weave and a tufted leather ottoman
in taupe-grey, which serves as a cocktail table. The same
textured linen weave fabric is used on the chairs that flank >>
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May-June 2013 37
Opposite page: Antique
hardware throughout
the house was cleaned
and re-worked by a local
Mandeville artisan.
An Aquatic air tub is
the centerpiece of the
spacious master bath.
It sits on a platform of
tumbled Botticino tile,
backed by Moroccan-
style tiles in grey and
paneled mirrors with gold
leaf sconces. Cypress
floors extend into the
bathroom’s vestibule.
38 InsIde northsIde
Above: The formal
dining room is
decorated in soft
grey and cream
with silver accents.
Right: The breakfast
room before
renovation.
the 10-foot-long trestle table. Two chandeliers,
which carry the theme of beaded strands with
turned wood, iron and silver leaf, hang over the
table. Leading to the porch is a refurbished antique
door with arched seeded glass. The draperies are
woven textured cotton in a cream and grey damask
print. Adding a pop of interest beside the table is a
large abstract painting in bold colors.
In the kitchen, rustic cypress beams,
reminiscent of antique kitchens, were added. Three
windows original to the house provide a view to
the lake. Over the large island hang two bronze
lanterns, and an antique French dough bowl
holding plants and fruit is a natural centerpiece.
The cabinets, painted in soft grey, are topped with
Cristallo Quartzite, which has a translucent quality.
The contemporary cabinet hardware and the
antique hardware on the windows meld perfectly,
creating a timeless sophisticated look. The French
stove is La Cornue. The backsplash is 2-inch-by-5-
inch subway tiles in white crackled glass.
The master bath is a study in serenity. Leading
into the vestibule are reclaimed arched seeded glass
doors. The focal point is the aquatic air tub, which
sits on an elevated platform of tumbled Botticino
tile. Moroccan-shaped tiles cover two-thirds of
the back wall while paneled mirrors and gold-leaf
sconces top the tile. Picking up the color of the
cabinets, the oversized double sink with an eased
edge is constructed of Calcutta Vagli honed marble
with veining in taupe and grey. The wall-mounted
gooseneck faucets are in burnished bronze. On a
mirror cut to fit exactly over the sink are two gold-
leaf sconces with drum shades. “Working with
Katie was very easy – she knew what she wanted
the house to look like as an end product, which
made things very easy on our end! She was a
pleasure to work with,” says Dwayne Carpenter of
Northlake Glass.
“EMB Interiors was so instrumental in helping
me along the way,” says Katie. “They recommended
craftsmen who were experienced in working with
reclaimed wood and loved restoration. EMB drew
the plans for the whole house, moving walls,
putting in plumbing and lighting. They also helped
me with the paint colors.”
“Katie was a dream to work with on this
project,” says Ellen. “Helping her restore the house
to its former glory and beyond was a pleasure.
Seeing it all come to fruition is really rewarding.”
Together Katie and the EMB Interiors team have
created a sophisticated, stylish home where all of the
details have been carefully thought out to create a
seamless collection of lighting, color and fabrics.
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Southeastern Lions
head foodtball
coach Ron Roberts.
by Erin Cowser
Coaching Winners
Southeastern Lions’ Ron RobertsALL THE TROPHIES, plaques, awards, framed
magazine covers, published articles and countless
other photos and accolades suggest otherwise,
but according to Southeastern Lions head football
coach Ron Roberts, it’s not all about the X’s and
O’s. When asked about the secret of his coaching
success, Roberts’ immediate response is that
football is as much about coaching players to be
winners in life as it is about coaching them to win
on the gridiron. He does both.
“It’s having a group of men take the field as a
team versus having a group of boys do so,” he says.
“What is a man? It’s not your age or whether you’re
married or have children or a career. It’s being
accountable to yourself, your family, and, in our
case, your football family. Men win football games.”
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May-June 2013 41
>>
Roberts and his coaching staff
strive to instill the right attitude,
trustworthiness, accountability and
a respect for responsibility in their
players. In his 2012 inaugural season
at Southeastern, this holistic approach
translated into a 5-2 record in Southland
Conference action, which marked the
most wins in conference play since 1978.
Roberts’ overall record is 52 wins
and 22 losses (Gulf South Conference:
29-7 and Southland Conference: 5-2).
Prior to coming to Hammond, he led
his Delta State teams to two NCAA
Super Region II titles, including an
appearance in the 2010 NCAA Division
II National Championship game and
the 2011 semifinals, plus Coach of the
Year praise and many other impressive
accomplishments.
Although he has plenty of reasons
to brag, Roberts remains relatively
modest. Some in the community have
even called him reserved (although
his coaching staff and players say
otherwise—at least when he’s in the
locker room or on the sidelines). On
the corner of his desk sits a well-
worn Coach’s Bible with Psalm 101
bookmarked. It reads, “I will live with
integrity of heart in my house.”
“If you go out there and do
everything wrong but still win, you’re
not doing a service to your players,
coaches or fans,” Roberts says. “One of
the best parts of being a coach is when a
former player calls five or 10 years after
graduation and tells me about his wife
and kids, and by the way, he just got
a big promotion, too. That’s when you
know you’re doing something right.”
It makes sense that a man who
grew up at the base of a Sequoia Forest
mountain in the Central Valley region
of California would teach players that
they can stand tall no matter what the
scoreboard says as long as they’ve played
42 InsIde northsIde
to the best of their abilities. “It’s the part of
California where there are more cowboy
hats than surfboards,” Roberts says, while
donning a crisp Lions button-up and
sturdy leather boots.
Roberts came to Louisiana from
California via Tennessee—where he met
his wife, Didi, and played linebacker for
the University of Tennessee-Martin—
and Mississippi, where he was defensive
coordinator and head coach of Delta
State. He says that, while Louisiana and
California are both “football states,”
there’s a definite difference between the
two. “Football in the South is more of
a way of life than just a game. I have
absolutely no complaints about the great
people or the food here, either!”
Roberts begins his second year as
head football coach at Southeastern this
fall, looking to build on the excitement
of the Lions’ most successful season
in the Southland Conference since the
school joined the league in 2005.
In Roberts’ first victory in Hammond,
Southeastern rallied from a 14-point
deficit to gain a 25-24 win over nationally
ranked McNeese State. In addition to
that win, the Lions scored victories over
Northwestern State and Nicholls State,
marking the first-ever sweep of the
school’s in-state rivals in a season.
He also has a knack for helping
catapult several talented student-athletes
into the NFL. He coached Pittsburgh
Steeler corner Ricardo Colclough and
Cleveland Browns wide receiver L.J.
Castile. And by the time this article is
published, former Lions cornerback
Robert Alford may have been chosen in
this year’s NFL Draft.
“When Coach Roberts and his
staff came in, they emphasized the
importance of being family-oriented
and showed that they cared about the
players,” says Alford, who recently
participated in the Senior Bowl and
had an impressive showing at the NFL Combine.
“As a coach, he taught me a lot of things about pass
coverage to prepare me to play at the next level. He
and the entire coaching staff expect and take nothing
less than 150 percent from you.”
“I can’t control how talented the other team is or
how well prepared the other team is,” Roberts says.
“I can and must, however, control how well we’re
prepared. That’s my job.” It’s a responsibility Roberts
takes seriously, and his coaching staff shares his ideals
and vision for Lions football.
“We play serious football,” said linebacker coach
Karl Scott. “And we like to have fun while doing so.”
One example is a recent fast and furious marshmallow
toss, part of the team’s Gridiron Games semester-long
competition among teams of 10 players each. Scott
explains that the teams earn points throughout each
semester for things like visiting local nursing homes
and reading to elementary school children.
The marshmallow toss, in which each player has
one chance to catch a marshmallow in his mouth that
is thrown by a teammate, and an end-of-semester
dodge ball game are examples of other point-earning
possibilities. What makes the competitions even more
appealing to the players is that the winning teams in
both the toss and dodge ball contests get to then take
on the coaching staff to declare domination and earn
bragging rights. Who won the coaches vs. winning
players team marshmallow toss playoff this semester?
With the help of a stellar marshmallow mouth catch
by Roberts, the coaches can now lay claim to the
marshmallow toss champion title.
Running backs coach E.K. Franks says Roberts’
May-June 2013 43
Above: Linebacker
#46 at the
University of
Tennessee at
Martin, where
Roberts helped
guide them to
the 1988 Gulf
South Conference
Championship.
Left: Coach Roberts’
holistic approach
translated to a
5-2 record in
the Southland
Conference.>>
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use of activities like the Gridiron Games concept,
which help the players to get to know each other and
buildstremendous camaraderie for the team, is just
one example of what makes Roberts such an excellent
coach. “He is the real thing,” Franks says. “I’ve had
the privilege of coaching under Bill Snyder at Kansas
State, Barry Alvarez at the University of Wisconsin
and Brett Bielema at the University of Arkansas. They
are all highly respected as coaches. However, I truly
feel working under Coach Roberts is the highest
honor and experience I’ll have in my coaching career.”
With a lighthearted quip, defensive coordinator
Pete Golding adds that Roberts is a fairly good
prankster. “He keeps us laughing. And he’s a horrible
golfer, too.”
All joking aside, where does Roberts see
the Lions five years from now? He has no doubt
Southeastern will be a premier program. “We’ll be a
top-10 team, competing for a national championship,”
he says without hesitation.
Roberts wants to make sure the northshore
knows there is high-quality football in Hammond at
Southeastern. “When you come out to support the
Lions, I guarantee you will see an exciting brand of
football, and,” he adds, “you’ll be backing a winner.”
In order for the team’s success to continue,
Roberts says he plans to recruit as many local players
as possible who fit the needs of the team. “We’re
going to go after the ones we want. However, I’m not
one to say that if we don’t get our first choices, we’ll
take someone simply because they’re local. We’ll go
anywhere in the country to get the players we want—
the ones who have the ability and the mindset to be a
part of the Lions football family.”
One of those players Roberts wanted is
quarterback Brian Bennett, who came to Southeastern
from the Pacific Northwest. He traded in his
Oregon duck feathers and headed south to become
44 InsIde northsIde
Above: 35-16 was
the final score of
the Lions vs. Nicholls
River Bell Classic.
Right: Coach
Roberts.
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May-June 2013 45
Southeastern Lions 2013
Football Schedule
Aug. 29 Southeast Missouri
Sept. 7 at TCU
Sept. 14 at South Dakota State
Sept. 21 at Samford
Oct. 5 Incarnate Word
Oct. 12 Stephen F. Austin
Oct. 19 at Northwestern State
Oct. 26 Lamar (Homecoming)
Nov. 2 at McNeese State
Nov. 9 at Central Arkansas
Nov. 16 Sam Houston State
Nov. 21 Nicholls State
For kickoff times, go to LionSports.net.
a Southeastern Lion. “When I was
considering a transfer, I had a lot of
people say really good things about
Coach Roberts,” Bennett says. “Now that
I’m here, I can say they all were true.
Coach is a winner. He’s a leader. And,
he’s a teacher. We have some really great
things going on here. It’s exciting.”
Linebacker Cqulin Hubert, who
transferred from Texas Tech, agreed.
“He is our family. Thanks to Coach
Roberts, we have fun, but we also get
business done.”
Roberts adheres to the belief that
it’s not about whether you win or lose;
it’s how you play the game. Perhaps it’s
this balanced approach to football that
continues to increase the numbers in his
win column. Whatever it is, we like it!
GO LIONS!
Season tickets for Lions football
start as low as $90. Family Pride Packs
of four tickets to a game are only $45.
Call 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX or go
to lionsports.net for tickets or tailgating
information.
May-June 2013 47
PHILANTHROPIST AND OIL HEIRESS
Matilda Geddings Gray of Lake Charles was a
businesswoman and also an artist, having attended
the Newcomb College School of Art. Gray’s
interests ranged far and wide, from collecting
woven Indian costumes in Guatemala to learning
book binding in France and studying with a Greek
sculptor. She admired objects of exceptionally good
design, whether small or large, and collected houses
like some women collect shoes.
When vacant and crumbling plantation homes
on the River Road north of New Orleans were being
leveled to make way for progress in the mid-1900s,
Gray plucked Evergreen Plantation in Edgard on
the west bank of the Mississippi from that fate. The
year was 1946.
Unmarried when her father, John Geddings
Gray, died in 1921, she, not her brothers, took
the reins of his oil and timber business. It was
a remarkable move for the time, but she was a
remarkable woman. Matilda Gray possessed a keen
intelligence, a strong drive and confidence in her
ability, say those who knew her.
To help her re-do her country estate, she
turned to New Orleans architect Richard Koch, who
was known for his restoration of historic Natchez
properties and Oak Alley. Gray was one of several
preservationists rescuing plantation homes from
death by decay around that time. Others were the
Crozats at Houmas House, the Stewarts at Oak Alley
and the Judices at L’Hermitage, all on River Road.
When Gray chose Evergreen Plantation, she
acquired not only a grand house in the Greek
Revival tradition, but 37 other structures, mostly
antebellum (built before the Civil War). Of key
historic importance in the description of this
historic property are the 22 slave cabins. No other
plantation in the South can boast of this many.
Author Richard Sexton calls them “a melancholy
vestige of the institution of slavery.”
The cabins remain in their original, double-row
configuration, and 82 live oak trees, estimated to
be about 200 years old, shade the cabins. This allée
of oaks is not in front of the house, as one might
expect. Evergreen was well known for its formal
garden encompassing the front lawn. The highly
photographed oak allée is on the side, stretching
back to the cane fields in a vanishing point. The >>
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Opposite: View
of Evergreen
Plantation, with
its Greek Revival
façade, from River
Road. Above:
Twenty-two slave
cabins sit beside
the rows of 82
live-oak trees.
48 InsIde northsIde
trees were reportedly planted by a slave woman
whose name has been lost to history, according to
Mary Ann Sternberg in Along the River Road.
If the slave cabins give you pause, add one
more statistic to Gray’s acquisition on River Road—
2,263 acres of land with sugar cane fields, a swamp
and even a piece of Lac des Allemands. Imagine
your lot measuring about three miles deep!
Because of the history of the house, the
agricultural heritage and the slave cabins, Evergreen
sits beside Mount Vernon and Gettysburg in having
achieved the nation’s highest National Landmark
historic designation. It is also on the National
Register of Historic Places. But Evergreen was in
need of a makeover, and Gray tackled it with the
confidence of the CEO that she was.
When Gray acquired Evergreen, it had been
sitting neglected and forlorn for about 14 years.
Bought by Alfred and Edward Songy in 1894, it
had been known previously as the Becnel Plantation
for 100 years; the Songys named it Evergreen.
Some 35 years later, hard times struck with mosaic
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May-June 2013 49
disease attacking the cane and a record-setting flood
swamping the fields. The Depression followed soon
after. Farmers could not recover from that many
lost crops, and many plantations were taken over
by banks during this period, including Evergreen.
The Early DaysThe story of Evergreen begins with the arrival
of the Germans at the port of New Orleans in the
1700s. Ambroise Heidel (which became Haydel)
and his five sons lived along the west bank of the
Mississippi. The extended family eventually owned
five miles of river frontage on the so-called German
Coast. Ambroise’s son Christophe farmed the site
of present-day Evergreen, where indigo was the
predominant crop in the 1700s; later it was rice.
Slaves did the field work and may have built the
French Creole house, circa 1790, for Christophe
and his wife, Charlotte Oubre. Christophe’s brother
built Whitney Plantation next door.
The two raised houses were similar, with wide
galleries and short wooden columnettes on the >>
50 InsIde northsIde
upper-floor balcony. The raised living
area was one-room deep and three-
rooms wide, called “en suite,” meaning
no center hall. One walked onto the
front or back porch to enter another
room. Beneath the living area was an
open space among the brick support
columns. A brick “floor” was laid
underneath the house over sand, which
provided drainage for the seasonal
flooding. Sometimes referred to as a
West Indies design, the Heidel house
was a striking salmon color, originating
from the plaster used on the bricks.
Christophe’s daughter, Magdelaine
Heidel Becnel, inherited the plantation
when he and his wife died in 1799,
about 140 years before Matilda would
own it. There, Magdelaine raised her
eight children and her young, orphaned
grandson, Pierre Clidamant Becnel,
whose parents died of yellow fever.
“In that day, it was customary
to marry your cousins, and four of
Magdelaine’s children married four
Heidel first cousins who lived next
door at Whitney,” says Jane Boddie,
director of Evergreen.
The Becnel PlantationMagdelaine died in 1830, at the
amazing age of 75, and Clidamant
Becnel bought out the other heirs
to his grandmother’s home. He had
a great interest in architecture and
traveled to Philadelphia for a year to
study Greek Revival design, introduced
in the early 1800s by Englishman
Benjamin Latrobe, who designed the
U.S. Custom House in New Orleans.
Clidamant didn’t build his dream
house. Instead, he reconstructed the
ancestral family home, giving it a
May-June 2013 51
stunning Greek Revival exterior while retaining the
French Creole interior floor plan. Boddie suggests
he may have received advice from Samuel Hermann,
who built the Hermann-Grima House in the French
Quarter and was married to Clidamant’s Aunt Marie.
The contract with the builder, John Carter from
St. Charles Parish, still exists. It called for enclosing
the open basement and adding three rooms, raising
the existing floor two feet and raising the roof 31
inches. There was to be the appearance of a terrace
or balcony on the roof, and “two winding stairs of
grace and elegance.” The contract also noted that
Carter and his two assistants would receive “bed,
board and washing during execution of the work.”
Carter’s pay was $1,800 at the start of the job and
the same amount at completion.
Clidamant was quite the recycler. He
stipulated in the contract, “Do the work in such
a way as to prevent a useless waste of materials.”
Approximately 300,000 bricks from Uncle Sam
Plantation (dismantled because the levee was being
moved) were ferried across the river for use in the
reconstruction.
In Ghosts Along the Mississippi, Clarence
Laughlin describes the striking front façade. “A
pedimented portico appears to receive the two fine
free-standing staircases that curve through the air >>
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Above: View of one of the pigeonniers, which were
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Below: One of two curved free-standing staircases.
52 InsIde northsIde
to the second floor.” That pedimented portico is a
defining Greek Revival detail.
Richard Lewis in his Vestiges of Grandeur, calls
the sweeping double stairway on a Greek Revival
house “an unusual aspect.” Because of it, Sam
Wilson suggests in Louisiana History (Winter 1990)
that the designer of the Beauregard Keyes house,
with its similar stairs, might have been Clidamant
Becnel’s architect. But he says, “It may have been
Becnel himself who drew the nine plans mentioned
in the contract, which have not been found.”
John Latrobe (Benjamin’s son) wrote, “The
climate in the South requires all the shade that can be
procured, and to obtain it, the body of the building is
surrounded by galleries.” The gallery is eight feet wide.
Clidamant encircled his home on three sides with
massive Doric columns of plastered brick.
Ever wondered how they made those round
brick columns? “They used pie-shaped bricks,”
explains Boddie. “We have one of the old molds.
The columns were open in the center, first covered
with lime plaster and then coated with lime wash,
as we still do now.”
Standing on the gallery, one can glance at the
18-inch stuccoed brick walls, original from the
1790 French house, and see how they are scored
to resemble stone. The porch floors are pine and
contain an interesting detail, a bowtie-shaped
piece of wood that appears to attach the planks to
each other. This architectural detail is also used
in the loggia in the rear, which Gray enclosed to
provide more living area. (Gray also re-did—her
favorite word—the kitchen in the former butler’s
pantry and put bathrooms in the upstairs cabinets
(cabinays), which were small rooms at the rear
corners used for bathing the children or the help.)
The Evergreen house seen today is the creation
of Clidamant, including the six dependencies,
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The parlor on the
main floor, with a
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Creole woman.
May-June 2013 53
ordered and symmetrical in their
placement. The two garçonnières were
for teenage sons who were banished
from the main house and allowed to
have guests in their private quarters.
Lewis writes, “They provided a
modicum of privacy for unmarried
male members of the family.” The two
pigionniers, with interesting round
windows, were considered status
symbols by the French and used for
raising pigeons and squab, delicacies on
the dining room table.
Immediately behind the big house,
facing the parterre garden, was a separate
building housing the kitchen and a
building for the house slaves, who
needed to be in proximity to their jobs—
cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing and
caring for the children and the sick.
The architectural “piece de resistance”
was the Greek Revival privy with four
seats, two on either side of a dividing wall.
It holds center stage behind the mansion
and is just a short walk through the
garden. Two famous writers commented
on the extraordinarily beautiful outhouse.
Clarence Laughlin wrote, “It tells us so
gracefully of the height achieved in the
art of living by the plantation culture.”
Richard Sexton gets more to the point,
describing the privy as a “diminutive 19th
century temple…to human hygiene.”
Evergreen today has an unusual
combination carriage house/stable/
milking barn, because architect Richard
Koch joined several of these service
buildings into one during Gray’s
restoration. The old sugar house (mill)
is gone, along with many of the other
buildings that served the sugar cane
factory. Plantations were, indeed,
factories, and their purpose was to >>
54 InsIde northsIde54 InsIde northsIde
produce a cash crop on a massive scale
for the international market.
Before the Civil War, processing
cane was a long, arduous and dangerous
task that began by cutting it with a
machete. Cane juice squeezed from the
stalks was boiled in huge, open cast-
iron kettles, which are re-used today
as fountains in home gardens. Great
progress was made in the vacuum-pan
processing of cane by Norbert Rillieux,
a scientist and free person of color from
New Orleans, who spent years working
in Paris. (He was a cousin of the famous
Impressionist painter Edgar Degas.)
Rillieux’s invention was called one of
the greatest in chemical engineering.
Be that as it may, when he visited a
plantation to introduce his invention to
the planter, he could not stay in the big
house, nor could he stay in the slave
quarters. Special arrangements had to
be made because of his mixed race;
Rillieux was a quadroon, one-quarter
black. >>
May-June 2013 55
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Top: The slave
cabins remain
today in their
original double-
row configuration.
Left: Floral print
and antiques
decorate one of
the bedrooms.
56 InsIde northsIde
It is said there was a building for everything on
a plantation, which, in reality, was a self-contained
and self-sustaining village. The plantation store
was the mall of its day, and several old stores
exist up and down River Road. Steamboats and
packets often docked right over the levee, bringing
everything from guests that might stay for one
month to fine dresses for the mistress of the house
to machinery for the mill.
In redesigning the family home, Clidamant fell
into bankruptcy in 1835. He no doubt filled the
mansion with antiques from New York and Europe.
He would have had to buy slaves, as they did not
transfer with the land. Whatever the causes, he was
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The large
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May-June 2013 57
forced to sell to his cousin, Lezin Becnel,
who graciously allowed Clidamant and
his wife, Desiree Brou, to continue to live
in the house. When Clidamant died in
1854 without children, the house was
bought back by Lezin and was owned
by Becnels until it was sold in 1894 to
the two Songy brothers. For 100 years,
the place had been called The Becnel
Plantation, but the Songys named it
Evergreen.
The Songy YearsFour interesting stories have
surfaced from the Songy era. Sternberg
writes in Along the Mississippi that
Evergreen may have had a ghost. A
young teacher and frequent guest at
the plantation died unexpectedly. Soon
after, the piano began to play with no
one seated at the keyboard.
Although the River Road planters
founded a college at Manresa, the
young people were often sent off to
school. One young Songy prayed
that something would happen so she
wouldn’t have to go away to school.
About that time, the Songys lost their
home. Decades later, this elderly
woman told Boddie that she still had
regrets about what she did.
Another descendant, Sylvia
Songy Davis (Alfred was her great-
grandfather) says, “We always heard
the buyers wanted all the family to
live together.” That makes sense,
because several residential buildings
on the property date to the Songy
era, including the one housing the
Evergreen museum and ticket office.
Davis also recalls that as a child, when
guests were in town, her father would
ask Matilda Gray if he could take them >>
58 InsIde northsIde
to see the house. “She always said yes.
I think she understood the connection
the family still had for Evergreen and
felt empathy for them,” Davis says.
Amazingly, though the Songys
lost the property in 1930, descendants
of that family still manage and work
the cane fields today. “It is leased to
them, but I talk to the farmers every
day,” says Boddie, whose other title is
president of Evergreen.
Two MatildasMatilda Geddings Gray died
in 1971. She had no children, no
nephews and only one niece—Matilda
Gray Stream, her brother’s daughter,
who was named after her.
And so enters the third woman
to take the reins of Evergreen. Gray
almost “adopted” her niece, doting on
her from birth, says Boddie. “When
she was born, Gray gave the parents of
her heir an antique Biedermeier cradle,
which is on display in an Evergreen
cabinet.”
Gray groomed her namesake to
one day manage and care for her many
acquisitions, including the plantation
and dozens of l’objets d’art. In her
extensive collection, she had 59 rare
and original pieces, including three
of the famous Fabergé Eggs, from the
House of Fabergé, which catered to the
family of the Russian Czar. Pieces from
Gray’s Fabergé collection are on display
on a rotating basis at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York City.
Gray filled Evergreen with large
portraits of Creoles painted in the
mid-1800s. A “wide angle” portrait
of Evergreen with all of its ancillary
buildings by New Orleans artist Boyd
May-June 2013 59
Cruise hangs in a downstairs bedroom at the
plantation.
For more than 40 years, Matilda Stream’s life has
focused on the world that her aunt left her. Evergreen
remained a private home for 60 years for the two
Matildas until Stream opened it for tours in 1998.
Like her aunt, Stream is a world traveler and
counts royalty as friends. Boddie says, “She is an
ambassador for Louisiana and its culture. There is a
mystique about Louisiana culture. They both took it
with them wherever they moved.”
Evergreen TodayToday, Evergreen Plantation is an active
archaeological site. A recent dig in the area of
the slave cabins by a state archaeologist involved
volunteers from St. John High School and also
area citizens. Boddie wants “to involve the local
community in the life of the plantation and its
history.” A little museum is part of the plantation
operation, with rooms dedicated to each era—the
Heidels, Becnels, Songys and Gray/Stream.
“We are dependent on agriculture,” Boddie
admits. “With 400 acres in cane production, I am
always thinking of the weather in terms of the
cane. We start planting in July and harvest through
December. We never would have been here, nor be
here today without cane.” She adds, “But we put
the same piece of property to work in other ways,
by leasing hunting rights and leasing the batture
on the other side of the levee, which in front of
Evergreen is the widest in this area.”
The movie industry is also a source of revenue.
Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Django Unchained
are two movies that were recently filmed at
Evergreen. Tours are another slice of the economic
pie.
It could be said there is a fourth woman guiding
Evergreen through time and history, and that is
Boddie, who has been at Stream’s side since she
decorated the house in the late ’60s. “She asked if I
could continue to work for her, and I said I could,”
recalls Boddie, now more than 40 years later. “I run
Evergreen for her. This place is my life.”
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One of two oak
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60 InsIde northsIde
A frequent presence at meetings of the
St. Tammany Parish Council and the Zoning
Commission, Covington resident Sandra Slifer, the
newly elected president of the League of Women
Voters of Louisiana, believes wholeheartedly in
private citizens getting involved in local government.
“It is people who really can make a difference,” says
Slifer. “The government relies on our information for
help in making better decisions, whether it’s voter
services or public policies.”
Slifer has held a leadership role in the League
of Women Voters of St. Tammany for more than
20 years. As the current president, board member
and voter services chair, she is passionate about the
League’s mission of developing informed and engaged
citizens on issues affecting their community. But it
was by happenstance that she first got involved in
the League. “I was meeting with an international
company about their computer purchases, and the
gentleman I was meeting with ended up selling me a
ticket to a League event,” says Slifer. “I have a natural
curiosity and was interested in politics, but not being
from Louisiana, I was unfamiliar with how local
government worked. It was really through the League
that I found good mentors who helped educate me.”
Slifer credits League board members Nancy Roe
and Norma Gavin, now deceased, for taking her by
the hand and showing her how voter services works
and how to conduct a candidate forum. Today, she is
frequently the one doing the mentoring, whether it’s a
young person just getting involved in government or
a new League member.
Her volunteerism isn’t limited to the League. In
2007, with Rick Wilke, Slifer helped found Tammany
Together, a non-profit dedicated to reaching out to
neighborhoods and subdivisions about community
issues. She continues to push for the need for an
Office of Inspector General in St. Tammany, and is
president of a local women’s organization, Women
of Infinite Possibilities. At its March meeting during
a Women’s History Month skit, Slifer portrayed
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a major figure in the early
women’s rights movement.
“Were it not for the work of the League of
Women Voters, there would be no group like
Women of Infinite Possibilities,” says Slifer.
Membership in the League of Women Voters of St.
Tammany is open to women and men, including students.
For more information, visit lwvofst.org or contact Slifer at
875-9388.
spired
Sandra Slifer, President, League of Women Voters
IN By Marianne Addy
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Book Reportby Lauren Smith
Three Little
Shrimp
by
J. Steven Spires
Three Little Shrimp debuts on May
10, which happens to be National
Shrimp Day. Coincidence? We think
not! Either way, you should check out
the book and enjoy some shrimp!
Three Little Shrimp is a beautifully
illustrated book about three shrimp
trying to find the rest of their troop.
Along the way, they encounter not one,
not two, not three but four predators.
The talents of 17-year-old illustrator
Jonathan Caron help to bring the
story to life, capturing all that we love
about Louisiana. Some of our favorite
Louisianan elements appear throughout
the pages, like pelicans and other
native wildlife, cast against the familiar
backdrop of swamps and marshes.
With only a few sentences on each
page, the artwork really shines, and
children will love the bright, vibrant
colors. Readers will be as mesmerized
by the colors on the pages as the three
little shrimp are by the wonders of the
open sea. It’s that curiosity that entices
them away from the safety of their
group. As the shrimp come upon their
predators, they are dangerously close
to being a snack for a family of egrets,
a large redfish, a loggerhead turtle,
and the main course on a fisherman’s
dinner menu. Yet the three little
shrimp always manage to slip away just
in the nick of time!
However, slipping away involves
overcoming their fears, like venturing
down a dark hole (one shrimp is afraid
of the dark!), quick maneuvering and
lucky misses. Theirs is quite the journey!
Finally, at long last, the three little
shrimp catch up with their troop. And
once they are safe, there’s nothing else to
do but…sleep!
Three Little Shrimp is the creation
of J. Steven Spires, aka Steve, and it’s no
wonder why. Steve is a composition teacher
and lives in Slidell with his wife, Evelyne,
and their five children, Steven Jr., Chris,
Andrew, Victoria and Ryan. Copies of
Three Little Shrimp are available for order
on Steve’s website, jstevespires.com.
May-June 2013 63
Did you know?• Americanseatonebillion
pounds of shrimp every year.
• Thetermusedforuncookedor
raw shrimp is “green.”
• Shrimpcangrowfromahalf
inch long to more than 12
inches long, depending on
where they are located. The
average length of a shrimp is
six inches. The world’s largest
shrimp, measuring in at 16
inches long, was discovered
in 2006 by a biologist in
Cartagena, Columbia.
• Theaverageshrimphas10legs.
• Ashrimp’sheartisinitshead.
• Shrimpcanonlyswimina
backward motion.
• PrawnsintheUnitedKingdom
are the same thing as American
shrimp.
• Theoldestreferencetoshrimp
cocktail in the New York Times
is this advertisement from
December 15, 1926:
Pride of the Farm Tomato
Catsup. Cocktail Sauce for
Christmas Dinner. Start you
dinner with an appetizer.
An oyster, clam or shrimp
cocktail gives tone as well as
relish ... For shrimp cocktail,
mix the shrimp and catsup
together and serve in small
glass dish at each place.
National Shrimp DayMay 10, 2013
64 InsIde northsIde64 InsIde northsIde
YES,YOUCANGOHOMEAGAIN—
despite what the cliché says. Amanda
Hover, of Champagne Jewelers in Slidell,
did just that. “At a certain point, you
return to your roots,” she says. After
working in the corporate world and
traveling for her job, Amanda decided
to return to Slidell. “When my parents
were ready, they came home, and I
did the same thing. I realized that you
can’t have Sunday dinners if you’re far
away!” Her parents moved back to their
hometown when she was in junior high,
and Amanda attended Our Lady of
Lourdes and Pope John Paul II schools.
She began working for the
Champagne family in 2004. “I went to
work for the business after knowing the
family for years,” Amanda says. The store
officially passed into her hands two years
ago. “When I went to work for them,
it was understood that no one in their
family wanted to continue the business
and that Mrs. Champagne was going to
prepare me to take over the store.”
Amanda’s first day as owner was Jan.
25, 2011, and other than a contemporary
redesign, Champagne Jewelers in Slidell
remains the same store it has always been
since it was established in 1970s. (There
original Champagne Jewelers store was in
Covington on Columbia Street. It opened
in 1948.) The business has served
generations of families and continues
to do so. “We build relationships with
our customers because we’ve been in
business so long,” Amanda says.
A large part of Amanda’s job is
buying for the store, finding traditional
and unique pieces for every customer.
She says traditional styles are still the
most popular, but she does put her
own twist on them. Each fall, she
travels to Antwerp, Belgium, where
she hand selects the best diamonds for
the store and her clients. “I handpick
the type of stone for each customer.”
Champagne Jewelers stocks many
different styles and types of jewelry,
from gemstone and silvery jewelry,
Pandora and class rings. The store also
carries a variety of gifts, including baby
and home décor gifts.
What Champagne Jewelers
really excels in is bridal jewelry. “An
engagement ring is often the first piece
of jewelry a young man buys. It’s a big
deal, and it can be overwhelming,” says
Amanda. This is an opportunity for
the staff to educate the customer about
the four C’s of diamonds (cut, color,
clarity and carat). “We break down the
selection process, simplify it and make
them feel very comfortable, because
that’s what it’s about. We want to get
to know their fiancée through them so
we know we’re choosing the right piece.
It’s about building that relationship
through trust and education so that our
customers feel safe.” That’s what leads
to repeat customers.
“I have one customer to whom I
sold a high school class ring the first
year I worked here. Her boyfriend then
bought presents for her, an engagement
Good Company
Amanda Hover of Champagne Jewelers
IN by Lauren Smith
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May-June 2013 65
ring and a wedding band. They have
two children now, and they come
in to show us the babies. It’s really a
generational relationship,” Amanda says.
“We have another set of customers who
have been married about 30 years. He
bought her first piece of jewelry when
they were dating in high school. They
still come in. Their children come in,
and their granddaughters have had
their ears pierced here. Yes, we’re
their jewelers, and yes, it’s a business
transaction, but you follow their lives
and you know what’s going on.”
It’s that family-like relationship
with customers that has encouraged
Amanda to give back to the community.
“I’ve become very involved in the Slidell
community, trying to give back. It’s just
as fulfilling because I get to see ways
that we could better our community.”
Amanda belongs to EYP, Emerging
Young Professionals, which is part of
the East St. Tammany Chamber of
Commerce, and she is also a member
of the Junior Auxiliary of Slidell. Last
year, Amanda participated in Leadership
Northshore; her small group is building
a dog park, Community City Bark
Park, for Slidell. “It’s amazing how
many people in the community want to
help, fundraise or get involved. Slidell
residents really take pride in their town
and want to make it better.”
Champagne Jewelers has been a
part of the St. Tammany community
for 65 years, and Amanda is continuing
the legacy.
To celebrate the anniversary of the
original store’s opening, Champagne
Jewelers is having an extended scavenger
hunt over a 65-day period starting June 1,
2013. Look for three clues a day in multiple
mediums, like the newspaper and at shops
around town. Visit the store’s Facebook
page for more information.
68 InsIde northsIde
“HIT HER, MOM! HIT HER!” screamed a very young
lady at a group of rapidly moving women at the
Castine Center in Mandeville.
There was no reason to panic, though. Mayhem
ruled over the scene, but it was under control, as the
Lethal Ladies of the Northshore Roller Derby League
met the Crescent City Derby Devils in a Halloween
match-up titled “Slamityville Horror.”
Rising out of Depression-era marathon skating
exhibitions in the late 1930s, roller derby gained
great popularity—it was one of the first sports ever
televised, in 1948. By the 1950s, professional leagues
were developed; they never really took off, but never
really disappeared, either.
In the early 2000s, the sport saw a resurgence;
all-female amateur leagues developed and are
now found nationwide. Combining fitness and
camaraderie with a style that could be described as
Goth-punk meets pinup girl, the sport has found
thousands of adherents who don helmets, wheels and
fishnet stockings to battle it out with each other on
the track, often as their kids cheer them on.
photo: THOMAS B. GROWDEN
May-June 2013 69
Roller derby hit the northshore with the
formation of leagues in recent years, first in the Slidell
area (Pearl River Roller Derby) in 2009, and then in
the Mandeville-Covington area in 2011.
The Mandeville-Covington area league is the
Northshore Roller Derby League, which is comprised,
at the moment, of one team, the Lethal Ladies. The
Pearl River league’s team is the Swamp Dolls. Many
roller derby leagues have only one team, but leagues in
more populous areas may have more, with an all-star
team that represents the league in regional or national
tournaments. In New Orleans, there is the Big Easy
Roller Derby League with the Big Easy All Stars as the
“A” team and the Crescent Wenches as the “B” team.
Wait. That team’s named the “Crescent
Wenches?” It’s all about the attitude, and one thing
that’s developed over the years has been that skaters
and teams adopt witty, pun-filled names that are often
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70 InsIde northsIde
racy (or raunchy) and also have a hint of violence.
Like “Crescent Wenches,” which works in the roller
derby world on several levels—a play on the name of
a tough steel tool, the crescent wrench; a geographical
reference, the Crescent City where the team is based;
and an element of femininity, albeit one with an
un-ladylike connotation, to close out the joke.
Over-analysis aside, this means you might see
teams from around the country named the “Trauma
Queens,” the “Angels of NO Mercy,” “Babes of
Wrath,” “Trampires” and the “Scream Puffz.”
Individual skaters come up with some great ones,
too. Across the lake, we have nice young ladies like
“Lake PUNCHatramp” (not to be confused with the
retired “Pontchartrain BeAtch”), “Die-it Choke,” “Deb U
Taunt,” “Coal Miner’s Slaughter” and “Fleur d’Lethal.”
Our Lethal Ladies on the northshore are led by
president “.357 Madame,” and the team includes
such sweethearts as “Lola Steam-Rola,” “Brawlberry
Shortcake,” “Bruiza Palooza” and “Misfortune Cookie.”
Playing the gameMaria Lascola, known on the track as “Bella
Lunatic,” the Lethal Ladies spokesperson, along with
Shane Bard (“Pi Radical”), one of the team’s referees
(or zebras, as they’re affectionately called), explains
how they got started with the team and what it takes
to play and put on a roller derby bout.
Lascola says she had wanted to play roller derby
since she was a kid. A couple of years ago, she and
some friends watched a roller derby bout, and that
evolved into the idea of playing.
“One of my friends started researching and
found that Baton Rouge had a ‘fresh meat’ [rookie]
program coming up,” Lascola remembers. “The only
rule was that you had to be able to stand up on your
skates. So we went to a skating rink one day and
tested ourselves—we stood up! So we showed up at
Baton Rouge on Feb. 1, 2011, and started fresh meat
training. I was terrible. I was holding onto the sides of
the walls—I was terrible for a long time. It was hard
to find somebody older than me or worse than me!”
They soon learned the Northshore Roller Derby
League had formed and decided to get on board. “I
heard there was a team five minutes from my house.
Rather than driving an hour and back twice a week
[to Baton Rouge], I transferred over and got involved
in the organization,” Lascola says. She adds, “I think
it was awesome being part of building a team instead
of going onto something already established.”
Lascola says there are quite a few teams within
easy driving distance that the Lethal Ladies could
match up with. “You have the Big Easy Roller Girls
in New Orleans; Cajun Rollergirls down in Houma;
Red Stick Roller Derby in Baton Rouge; Acadiana
Roller Girls in Lafayette; Pearl River Roller Derby,
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which is kind of Slidell and Picayune
together; the Mississippi Roller Girls
in Gulfport; and there are teams in
Jackson, Hattiesburg and Columbus,
Miss., and in Mobile and along the
Florida Panhandle. There’s also a brand-
new team in New Orleans, Crescent
City Derby Devils, an up-and-coming
team that’s getting established.”
Referee Bard says he got involved
with the team through his spouse, Lora
(“Misfortune Cookie”). He explains
how the game is played. “There are 14
skaters on each team; five play at a time,
four blockers and one jammer.
Teams get one point for
each opposing player
their jammer laps,
so the blockers
are trying to help
their jammer move
forward while blocking the
other team’s jammer,” he says.
Bouts are 60-minutes long and are
divided into two 30-minute halves. Each
half is divided into two-minute “jams.”
Jams are the time the game is being
played and points scored; in between
jams are 30-second “line-ups,” which is
the time when players are substituted
and lined up for the next jam.
The rules are designed to keep the
game as safe as possible while keeping
the action going, so the chaos spectators
might think they are seeing on the
track is actually highly controlled. To
ensure fairness and safety, penalties are
assessed against players who violate
rules such as cutting across the inside
of the track boundary to get ahead of
a player or blocking a player in the
back. “If you touch someone above the
neck—high blocking—it’s always a
safety issue,” notes Bard.
“It’s not always easy to avoid,
because you’ve got 6-foot-tall girls and
you have 5-foot-2 girls,” adds Lascola.
She notes that there are not many rules
regarding who can play. “Women have
to be 18 or over and pass a minimum
skills test. There are no height or weight
requirements; there is no upper age
limit. Our oldest is 54, and I’m 49.”
Team members come from a variety
of professions. “We have a bunch of
nurses, about five right now. We have an
environmental scientist, a girl who works
for the Corps of Engineers, housewives,
marketing people, everything.”
There are a few male leagues out
there, Lascola says, but most are on the
East and West coasts. Junior
leagues are also sprouting
up, and the Northshore
Roller Derby League holds
camps for junior skaters
a few times a year that
are becoming very
popular. They also get
the kids involved in the bouts, skating at
half time and, she says, “For the national
anthem, the kids hold the flag and skate
around” before the game.
Kids’ skate camps are just one
way the league is involved with
the community. It’s a non-profit
organization, and Lascola says, “What
we make from the door and concession
sales is either put into putting on
another bout or it’s donated to charity.
We probably gave away $3,500 in
2012.” The league has supported
groups such as the St. Tammany
Humane Society, Smiles International,
the USO and Autism Speaks.
The team tries to participate in as
many community activities as possible,
with one of the most fun being the
annual Running of the Bulls, the San
Fermin en Nueva Orleans event. Each
July, New Orleans stages its homage to
the running of the bulls in Pamplona,
Spain. Roller derby players from all over
the world come to play the part of the
May-June 2013 73
bulls, sporting horned headgear and
wielding whiffle bats to whack unlucky,
or some might say lucky, runners as
they crowd the streets downtown.
“It’s exhausting being a bull!” Lascola
says. “Last year there were four or five
hundred roller derby girls from around
the United States and several other
countries and somewhere between 12 and
15 thousand runners.” The run used to
take place in the French Quarter, but it
outgrew the narrow streets and now runs
in the Warehouse and Convention Center
area. “It was packed. It’s free; everyone
was drinking beer and sangria.”
On a tamer note, the ladies have
skated in the Running of the Reindeer,
part of Old Mandeville’s Christmas
celebration, and in the Olympia and
Lyra Mardi Gras parades.
“People have the wrong image for
roller derby, that there’s too much body
showing—we wear fishnets—but all have
tights on. That’s just the style that’s evolved.
We pride ourselves on being proper in the
community. We get involved to show that
we’re a legit non-profit that’s here to do
things for the community and have fun at
the same time.”
The NSRDL is on the lookout for
new recruits, non-skating volunteers and
sponsors. Visit northshorerollerderby.com
for more information and bouts schedule.
Bouts run through November.
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YOU ALWAYS TRY to put your best
foot forward.
Whether that foot is clad in a flat,
heel, sandal or boot depends on the day,
the weather, the look you’re attempting
and your mood. Doesn’t matter; you
have shoes to fit every possibility.
No, you don’t need more shoes,
but you need more shoes because shoes
are fun. They’re like chocolate for our
feet. But why? Why do we fuss over a
common, often-utilitarian item? In the
book Women from the Ankle Down, by
Rachelle Bergstein, you’ll learn more.
For thousands of years, we’ve
been obsessed with footwear. Ancient
Chinese women bound their daughters’
tootsies tight so they could wear teensy
embroidered slippers—a fad that was
outlawed a mere 100 years ago. High-
ranking Renaissance women wore what
amounted to stilts to signify that they
were wealthy enough not to have to
walk. Even Cinderella (a fairy tale from
the 1600s) had her glass slippers.
Bergstein dips her toes into shoe
history at the beginning of the last
century when eleven-year-old Italian
Salvatore Ferragamo informed his
mother that he was going to Naples to
learn to make shoes. Later, as a young
man, he immigrated to America and
went to Hollywood. While there, he
noticed that wearing shoes changes
the way we walk. For his astuteness,
Hollywood made him rich.
And speaking of Hollywood,
imagine Shirley Temple high stepping
down the Yellow Brick Road. Yes, that
almost happened: Judy Garland was
MGM’s third choice to wear the ruby
slippers, which in the original story
were silver. Hollywood also influenced
shoes during World War II. On
February 7, 1943, shoes were officially
rationed because of the war. Research
indicated that Americans purchased 3.7
pairs of shoes per year then, but officials
recognized that fashion was increasingly
persuasive—women wanted to look like
Book Reportby Terri Schlichenmeyer
Women from
the Ankle Down
by Rachelle Bergstein
May-June 2013 75
Lana Turner, Betty Grable or a Varga
Girl—and a shortage seemed imminent.
As soon as the soldiers came
home, women started quickly stepping
through a succession of fads: stiletto
heels, Hepburn-like flats, Birkenstocks
and sneakers. Jane Fonda made us want
“athletic shoes.” Nancy Sinatra said we
oughtn’t be “messin’.” Carrie Bradshaw
made us lust after Manolos. Today, we
can wear Doc Martens by day, kitten
heels by night. “And,” says Bergstein,
“isn’t that the greatest pleasure of the
twenty-first-century woman?”
I have to admit, I got quite a kick
out of Women from the Ankle Down.
From the start of the 1900s through
recent times, author Rachelle Bergstein
walks her readers through the history
of women’s shoes, but that’s not all.
Along the footpath, she steps near
pop culture, history, men’s fashion
and science; we learn why men love
heels in the bedroom; why we tolerate
uncomfortable footwear; and how a
polygamist put boots on a superhero.
This is a serious book that’s
seriously fun. I loved it, and I think any
woman who owns more than 3.7 pairs
of shoes will love it, too. For footwear
fashionistas, Women from the Ankle
Down is a book with sole.
76 InsIde northsIde
Shelly Grigor has worn eyeglasses or contact
lenses every day since elementary school. Her poor
vision as a child became progressively worse over
time, and as a young adult, Shelly was legally blind
in both eyes. “I couldn’t even find my glasses to
put them on; I had to feel around for them. I have
never been able to wake up and see the time on a
clock radio,” she says. Working at a bank behind
a computer screen all day aggravated her eyes
even more, so, frustrated with strained eyes, Shelly
searched for a solution.
In 2012, Shelly opted for refractive lens exchange
surgery with Dr. Henry Haley at the Eye Care Surgery
Center in Covington. Dr. Haley performed the
procedure, commonly referred to as lens replacement
surgery, on Shelly’s right eye in mid-November and
her left eye two weeks later. The results were almost
instantaneous. “I noticed a significant difference
as soon as I was out of my first surgery. The very
next day, I had 20/20 vision in that eye. After both
surgeries, I had perfect vision up close and far away.
It was incredible,” she says.
Identical to cataract surgery, the procedure
removes the natural lens of the eye and replaces it
with an implant. In Shelly’s case, Dr. Haley used a
multifocal lens, allowing her to see at a full range
of distance. “The only difference between refractive
lens exchange and cataract surgery is that in
refractive lens exchange, we remove the lens before
it becomes cloudy. Shelly has no natural lens left
in her eyes. As an added benefit, she can never get
cataracts,” says Dr. Haley.
The procedure takes approximately six minutes
per eye and requires little recovery time. Shelly’s
surgeries were done on a Thursday morning, and she
was able to return to work the following Monday.
Shelly says the procedure is completely painless.
“The most worrisome part was the preparation—the
measurements and examinations—which took more
time than the actual surgery. Dr. Haley’s education
IN Better Health
with Shelly Grigor
Health Concern:
Extreme nearsightedness Treatment: Refractive lens exchange
by Kaley Boudreaux
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May-June 2013 77
beforehand and patient care afterward
were excellent.
“After I had both eyes done, I
woke up in the middle of the night and
thought, ‘Oh no! I forgot to take my
contact lenses out!’ I was mistaken. I
didn’t have them in. After all these years,
I could finally see without them! It is so
nice being able to wake up and see. I
just love it. I can go for a jog and don’t
have to worry about glasses on my face.”
Shelly wants to celebrate her new
eyesight in an extreme way. “I have
always wanted to go skydiving,” she
says. “My three oldest children had
planned to give a jump to me as a gift
for my birthday, and I put it off because
I wanted to be able to see really well,
without the hassle of fitting the goggles
over my glasses. I am looking forward to
finally going in the next few months.”
Unlike Lasik surgery, the results
of refractive lens exchange surgery are
permanent. Shelly is expected to maintain
perfect vision for the rest of her life.
78 InsIde northsIde
ERNEST HEMINGWAY DESCRIBED Key West
life in the late 1920s by saying, “It’s the best
place I’ve ever been anytime, anywhere, flowers,
tamarind trees, guava trees, coconut palms...Got
tight last night on absinthe and did knife tricks.”
It is a description that could stand today with
only moderate adjustments. Our drink of choice
wasn’t absinthe and the
games involved dice, not
knives—but just weeks
ago we visited the very
same place he loved so
much. Its soul remains
the same.
In early March, we
were excited to hear
that Southwest Airlines
had added a non-stop
flight directly into Key
West from New Orleans. Though making the
drive from Miami has its sights to behold, the
Overseas Highway adds quite a bit of complication
to a great weekend trip like one to the Conch
Republic. In less than two hours, we were sitting
on the deck of a friend’s beautiful sport fishing
yacht having a cocktail. The harbor where we
were docked was filled
with names of familiar
home ports—Destin,
Venice, even Covington!
We were perched on
the southernmost tip of
Florida in a place that
felt like a true mix of the
French Quarter and the
Caribbean.
The word, “key”
comes from the Spanish
Visiting the Conch Republic
by Lori Murphy
May-June 2013 79
term “cayo” or “little island.” There
are more than 800 coral islands in the
string heading south from below the
Everglades towards Cuba, with Key
West being the last. In fact, Key West
is actually closer to Cuba than it is to
Miami, which may have something to do
with the laid-back attitude of locals and
visitors alike when they sit soaking up
the breezes.
On the northshore, we use the
term come-heres to denote those of us
born elsewhere who call this home.
In Key West, we would be called
freshwater Conch, even after being in
residence for seven years. I like the
sound of that. It honors the original
Bahamian settlers and those born in
the Keys, but celebrates newly minted
converts to island life.
A great way to enjoy the
compact hamlet is to walk, and that
is exactly what we did. The island is
approximately four miles long and just
over one mile wide. From the harbor,
we strolled Caroline Street up to
Simonton and across the island to have
a cocktail at Louie’s Backyard, a bar
situated on a prime piece of Atlantic
oceanfront. From there, we passed the
infamous southernmost buoy where
too many tourists waited in line for
a photo op. The signs point to Cuba,
a mere 90 miles away, and vendors
sell coconuts you drink from with
a straw. We took Whitehead Street
west past the Hemingway Home and
the Lighthouse, stopping for brunch
at the Six-toed Cat Café. We finished
our walking tour with a shopping
stroll down Duval Street. On foot, you
can’t help but take in all of the unique
wonders and great people-watching
the island offers. We were passed every
now and then by Conch Trains ferrying
Midwesterners to points of interest,
but we never hopped on. I imagine it
Visiting the Conch Republic
>>
80 InsIde northsIde
would be like riding in one of New Orleans’ horse-
drawn carriages or on our new double-decker tour
bus. It could be an interesting way to gather tales to
tell, but you wouldn’t want to miss the experience
of being on foot in either city.
Duval becomes the heart of Key West nightlife
after dark. Again, I am reminded of home with a
feeling of Bourbon Street, perhaps a bit cleaner and
with better lighting. Renowned for having more bars
per capita than anywhere else in the United States,
Key West has a little something for everyone. There’s
a Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and a Fat Tuesday’s,
both of which make you feel right at home. There is
“We immediately shift into
‘island time,’” said Charles
Macgowan, with our hostess
Adrienne Laborde.
Dan and Deenie Reese
of Madisonville.
May-June 2013 81
an Irish bar, a sports bar, a biker bar—you name it.
There’s even a clothing-optional bar that we decided
to skip. Some of the best-known watering holes
include Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a Hemingway favorite,
and the Green Parrot housed in a building from
the 1890s. The Hogsbreath Saloon served up some >>
Far left: Roosters in
Key West have the
run of the streets, and
they seem to know
it! Center: Island
polydactyl cats are
descendents of one
given to Hemingway in
the 1930s. Right: The
Hemingway home.
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great oysters on the half shell and the
Schooner Wharf Bar on the docks had
an eclectic line-up of musicians, some of
whom were great and some that made
us very thirsty! We never lasted until 4
a.m., but there are many who do!
The rich waters that surround Key
West draw fishing enthusiasts today
much as they have for nearly 200 years.
Today, the waters are rich in barracuda,
sailfish, yellow and blackfin tuna,
dolphin, bonefish, mackerel, snapper and
grouper. Charter boats of all kinds fill the
marina, ready to take visitors deep-sea
fishing in the blue waters, snorkeling on
the reefs, even diving for lobster! Perhaps
you will spend the evening feasting on
your very own catch of the day!
Until it was named an endangered
species in the mid-’60s, the sea turtle
provided the island with a thriving
industry. It is interesting to note that
the first can of prepared turtle soup was
produced in 1895, and that the meat was
used for burgers, steaks and chowders.
Another catch whose popularity caused
its demise as an industry was the
sponging trade. Small boats plied the
waters and bights (natural pools created
by a bend or curve in the shoreline) of
Key West and took much of the sponge
of the time to market.
The first industry to challenge
the mariner tradition that guided Key
West fortunes was the cigar industry.
Transplanted from neighboring Cuba, it
began with an initial factory established
in 1831, but by the late 19th century,
there were 166 factories and thousands
of employees hard at work hand-rolling
cigars, many of them escaping unrest in
Cuba and making this their new home.
The enormous growth of the industry
required affordable housing for these
employees and a building boom ensued.
The ready availability of wood
made it the natural choice for home
construction in Key West during the
second half of the 1800s. As an added
benefit, the wood could withstand high
winds and humidity much better than
plaster, which would crack and decay
in the tropical environment. Simple
native cottages are often called Conch
houses, but architectural styles in Key
West run the gamut from Victorian
to Revival and from West Indian to
Queen Anne. They are, however,
generally presented in smaller, simpler
versions than seen elsewhere in Florida
and beyond. Many of the homes were
built by ship carpenters and captains
who used the forms familiar to them
in the construction of their homes.
There are shotguns and center-hall
cottages so familiar to New Orleans
and generous porches and hinged
shutters from the Bahamas. Decorative
cupolas, turrets, dormers and widow’s
walks adorn homes of all styles, and
fretwork is found on rooflines, fences,
porches and pergolas, illustrating the
personality and whimsy that speaks
loudly everywhere you turn.
The treacherous underwater
landscape of the Keys created a
wrecker’s paradise between Havana
and Key West. Former New England
seafarers jumped at the opportunity of
salvaging ships that sank on the coral
reefs. When a law was passed requiring
all ships wrecked in American waters to
be brought to the nearest U.S. port, the
industry grew, reaching a peak in 1855.
A court was established on the island
to determine a value for the rescued
cargo. Many stately homes of the period
were built with salvaged lumber and
furnished with top-quality cargo raised >>
Above: The Key West
community is compact.
It is an easy stroll at sunset
from Mallory Square to
dinner on Duval.
Left: This West Indies
Conch house features
porches to catch the breeze.
84 InsIde northsIde
from the surrounding waters.
The courts were not the first
government presence on the island.
When Florida was ceded to the United
States in 1822, the Navy established a
base on the island to curb an outbreak
of piracy that threatened the growing
economy. During the Civil War, the
Union troops that held Fort Zachary
Taylor at Key West and Fort Jefferson
in the Dry Tortugas were able to deter
the movement of Confederate blockade
runners through the channel to the
Gulf of Mexico. Their presence had a
powerful impact on the outcome of the
war, despite the Southern sympathies
held by most residents of the Keys.
Today, the complex at Fort
Zachary Taylor has a host of amenities
in addition to its historic roots. The
beautiful surrounding park offers one of
the best sunset views on the island. The
other very popular, and crowded, locale
for catching the sunset is Mallory Square
Above: The back patio at Louie’s offers a spectacular view of the
Atlantic coast. Below: The pool at the Conch Harbor Marina.
May-June 2013 85
at the foot of Duval Street—complete
with roaming roosters and sword-
swallowing entertainers.
Another “must see” spot in Key
West is the Hemingway Home, occupied
by the novelist and his wife Pauline
from 1931-39. It is ground-zero for the
island’s population of polydactyl (six-
toed) cats. Originally built by “wrecker”
Asa Tift in 1851, it had fallen into
disrepair and was extensively remodeled
by Pauline while Hemingway spent his
days fishing with friends and writing in
the pool house out back.
There is something almost revered
about independence in Key West. It
is an accepting culture that indulges
creativity in many forms. In fact, Key
West seceded from the United States as
recently as 1982. The Conch Republic,
as the secessionists called the newly
formed country, was created as a
tongue-in-cheek reaction to a very real
threat to tourism. The Border Patrol set
up a road block on U.S. 1 just south of
Florida City to search vehicles traveling
to and from Key West for drugs and
illegal immigrants. After repeated
protests and pleas to officials went
unheeded, organizers decided that if
theirs would be treated as foreign soil,
they might as well become a foreign
nation. The rebellion declared war,
which lasted for one minute before
they surrendered and applied for
foreign aid! The Conch Republic has
become a well- accepted moniker, and
the rebellion is celebrated annually
with a lot of fanfare.
The mingling of history,
personality, architecture and a real
laissez les bon temps rouler philosophy
defines the community of Key West.
No wonder we felt so at home. We
enjoyed good food, new friends,
great storytelling and a total escape in
America’s southernmost city.
May-June 2013 87
If the mention of eldercare leaves you eyeing your
offspring suspiciously, certain they are plotting to take
revenge for ever dressing them in Peter Pan collars or
Mary Jane shoes, fear not. It is safe to read on.
The Windsor Senior Living Community is NOT
a nursing home. It is not even a facility. It is an
apartment community that caters to seniors—a
community of vibrant, active individuals who are
involved with each other and with the greater St.
Tammany community. It is a place where people go
to live independently in their later years when they
wish to shed some of the burden of everyday chores
and take advantage of opportunities to be engaged
physically, mentally and socially.
Residents can choose from studio, one- and
two-bedroom floor plans and are provided with
daily meals, weekly house cleaning services
and transportation, all included in the Windsor’s
surprisingly low rates. Each apartment has a full
kitchen should a resident wish to cook. Residents
may still drive their own cars or use the Windsor’s
transportation for doctor appointments and social
activities. The Windsor’s unobtrusive check- in and
emergency pull cord features provide the comfort
of knowing that, should they need help, it would be
timely in coming.
At first glance, the Windsor’s jam-packed
monthly calendar might look like something you
would encounter on a cruise ship. “It’s definitely a
carefree lifestyle,” says Patty Suffern, the Windsor’s
Director of Marketing. The weekly happy hours
feature live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and
cocktails (non-alcoholic drinks are also available).
Regular outings to museums, theaters, casinos and
sporting events, games, activities and exercise
classes help residents to live very full lives.
For those residents who find themselves in need
of assisted living services, The Windsor offers a full
assistance package or residents can choose our
a la carte assistance customized to the resident’s
needs and the length of time needed. In either case,
The Windsor’s caring staff maintains the utmost
confidentiality while providing these services.
Since opening in 1998, the locally owned
Windsor Senior Living Community has been
steadfast in the fulfillment of its mission to provide
housing to seniors who are not in need of ongoing
skilled nursing care. Suffern says that many
who come through their doors for the first time
are surprised by all that they have to offer. She
frequently encounters the misperception that there
is nothing available for the phase between mature
adulthood and infirmed old age. Suffern confronts
this misperception head-on. “People don’t come
here to die,” she says. “They come here to live!”
The Windsor Senior Living Community,
1770 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, 985-624-8040,
windsorseniorliving.com.
The Windsor Senior Living Community
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1. Stylish service. 100% recycled glass rustic wave plate and polished alabaster
tasting dish, $25.90. Infusé, Mandeville, 778-0903. 2. Color of the sea. Hand-
blown aqua vases with tiny bubbles starting at $68. EMB Interiors, Mandeville,
626-1522. 3. Fresh from the oven! Handmade stoneware basket that goes
from the oven to the dishwasher, $37.The Grapevine, Covington, 893-2766.
4. Porcelain jewelry box with gold accents, $300. Lynn Stirling Antiques,
Mandeville, 626-7704. 5. Keep green. Permanent botanical arrangement, $85.
Florist of Covington, Covington, 892-7701. 6. Sun kissed. Label Me Beautiful
dark bronzer, $35. Private Beach, Mandeville, 674-2326.
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1. Don’t stop the music. Kohler Moxie
showerhead wireless speaker, $150.
Delivers up to seven hours of music,
news and more. Southland Plumbing,
Mandeville, 893-8883. 2. Colorful comfort.
Hand-painted pillows, $25 each. Available in
multiple designs and colors. Artisan Home
Décor, Mandeville, 778-2113. 3. Tranquility.
Decorative glazed ceramic garden seat or
accent table in aqua and black, $129.99.
American Factory Direct, Mandeville,
871-0300. 4. Shabby chic. Distressed
frame for 8x10 photo, $114.95. DeLuca’s
Expressions in Gold, Covington, 892-
2317. 5. Handmade oyster plate by New
Orleans artist. Accents & Things, Slidell,
649-4273. 6. Safe keeping. Super-strong, recyclable, expandable paper-thin
wallet, $12. Tear and water resistant. Arabella Fine Gifts and Home Décor,
Mandeville, 727-9787. 7. Perfect gift. Soy lovebird candles by Mixture, $19
each. deCoeur Gifts & Home Accessories, Covington, 809-3244.
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May-June 2013 91
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1. Beach memories. Mother-of-pearl frame, $24. The Spa
at Stone Creek Club and Spa, Covington, 801-7100. 2.
Deep sea fishing. Oversized glass paper weight with
jellyfish, $108. Berger Home, Mandeville, 624-3433. 3.
She sells sea shells. Seaside shell keepsake box with
mother-of-pearl sides and bottom, $32. Niche Modern
Home, Mandeville, 624-4045. 4. Swim little fish! Driftwood
angelfish, $75. Mélange by kp, Mandeville, 807-7652. 5.
Colorful centerpiece. Natural prickly bush coral on glass
base, $120. Welcome Home and garden, Covington, 893-
3933. 6. Luxurious tresses. Unite Beach Day Texturizing
Spray, $24.95. Downtown Chic, Covington, 809-3860.
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The Village Executive Office Suites2895 Highway 190, Mandeville
(next to N’Tini’s Restaurant) • Contact: Christina Bodenheimer(985) 727-6700 • thevillageexecutiveofficesuites.com
• Private offices• Full-time receptionist
• Conference room• All-inclusive packages
Professionalism is more than just
a coat and tie.
Executive suites—the perfect setting for a northshore practice.
May-June 2013 93
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1. Cherub love. Puti, c1700, $2,500.
St. Romain Interiors, Madisonville, 845-
7411. 2. Elegant reflection. Baroque-style
hand-painted gold leaf mirrored tray with
center crest, $60. Rug Chic, Mandeville,
674-1070. 3. Sweet scents. Liquid soap
and room diffuser by Nest Fragrances.
Soap, $22; diffuser, $34. Several scents to
choose from. Oasis Day Spa, Mandeville,
624-6772. 4. Gone fishin’. Large ceramic
fish-shaped serving bowl, $126. Hazelnut,
Mandeville, 626-8900. 5. Froggy fishing!
Yard bird made of metal and glass by
Fishing Frog, $48. Simply Southern,
Covington, 871-1466. 6. Backyard
breeze! Adjustable outdoor standing fan
with weighted base, $249. Outdoor Living
Center, Covington, 893-8008.
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After seven years of dating, Jules
Galiouras and Jennifer Perrett celebrated their
“big, fat Greek wedding” in New Orleans.
The bride wore a custom-made gown.
In keeping with the black-and-white color
scheme, her attendants wore black Jim Helm
cocktail dresses and carried red roses. The
couple included many of Jules’s family’s
Greek traditions during the reception, like
breaking plates and tossing money at the
bride and groom. Guests dined on oysters
and traditional Greek fare.
Jules is the vice president of market
development for Townsend, and Jennifer is a
Ph.D. candidate in the history department at
Louisiana State University. The couple lives
in Covington with their 5-year-old Golden
Retriever, Miss Lillie.
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SUN • SEA • SAND
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1. Belair sweater, $200; white tank, $33.
Izabella’s Villa, Slidell, 649-5060.
2. Strapless dress with sheer maxi skirt in citrus
yellow by Ark & Co., $79. Laurier, Covington,
875-0823. 3. 100% linen yellow three-
quarter sleeve shirt by CP Shade, $163. Eros,
Mandeville, 727-0034. 4. Open-toe tritone
suede heel in aqua, blue and yellow with strap
and side-buckle closure by Sigerson Morrison,
$425. Emma’s Shoes and Accessories,
Mandeville, 778-2200. 5. Yellow and aqua
summer beach bag made of jute by Two’s
Company, $18.75. the french mix, Covington,
809-3152. 6. 100% cotton men’s Traveler
short-sleeve collared pique polo shirt, $79.50
each. Jos. A. Bank, Mandeville, 624-4067.
May-June 2013 99
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SUN • SEA • SAND1. Lady’s sterling silver cross pendant
and chain with .58cttw round brilliant
and baguette shaped diamonds, $300
each. Available in blue and yellow
diamonds. Champagne Jewelers, Slidell,
643-2599. 2. 100% cotton blue and
aqua paisley print button-down shirt by
Cino, $130. Bastille’s Clothing Company, Mandeville, 626-
4220. 3. Knit dress with diagonal tucking in cove turquoise
from London Times, $82. Columbia Street Mercantile,
Covington, 809-1789. 4. Silk knotted scarf print top by
Fifteen-Twenty, $198. Fleurt, Covington, 809-8844.
5. Bra-sized bandini swim top
and ruched bottom in seafoam
green by Skye. Top, $92; bottom,
$62. Bra Genie, Mandeville, 951-
8638. 6. Lightweight, flexible
and slip resistant gray and aqua
Elise sneakers from Dansko,
$100. EarthSavers, Mandeville,
674-1133. 7. 3.55ct. cushion-
cut blue sapphire and 0.5cttw
diamond ring in platinum, $9,995.
Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers,
Mandeville, 626-1666.
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1. Light turquoise ponytail cuff
with 14k gold plate non-tarnish
metal wire wrap by Susanne
Elle, $36. Available at The Villa,
Mandeville, 626-9797, and Simply
Southern, Covington, 871-1466.
2. Sleeveless faux wrap v-neck
dress in jade with high/low hem
and gold accents by Double Zero,
$48. JuJu’s, Mandeville, 624-
3600. 3. Aqua and white chevron
printed shift dress by Everly, $46.
Paisley, Mandeville, 727-7880.
4. Seafoam green silky plaid
sundress by Dolce Vita, $126.
POSH Boutique, Covington, 898-
2639. 5. Blue patent two-inch Volatiles,
$55. Shoefflé, Covington, 898-6465.
6. Very J Lace button blouse in seafoam,
$39.99. The OSpa Lifestyle Store at Franco’s,
Mandeville, 792-0200. 7. Garden of Hope
100% silk men’s short-sleeve button-down
shirt by Tommy Bahama, $110. H.W.
Rosenblum, Mandeville, 727-9955.
SUN • SEA • SAND
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SUN • SEA • SAND1. 4.55cttw pear-shaped center blue topaz stone
accented with 2.6cttw purple iolite blue topaz trillion ring
set in 18k white gold by Bellari, $1,245. Lowe’s Jewelers,
Mandeville, 845-4653. 2. Strapless Alice Trixie dress,
$395. The Mix, Mandeville, 727-7649. 3. Tie-dyed, high-
low, polyester-lined dress by Renee C, $58. Three Sisters
Boutique, Ponchatoula, 368-8680. 4. Trollbeads bracelet.
Beads starting at $28. Purple Armadillo Again, Slidell,
643-2004. 5. Beaded sequin cocktail dress with nude
illusion sides, $398. Southern
Bridal, Mandeville, 727-2993.
6. Fun N Games strappy sandal
with ankle strap and buckle
closure by BC Footwear, $49.
Available in tan and teal and
vachetta and yellow. brown
eyed girl, Mandeville, 626-
0100. 7. Jungle Beat rainbow
zebra print flip-up sunglasses
and sunglass wallet. Glasses,
$12; wallet, $10. Blossom Girl,
Mandeville, 626-6280.
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INSt. Tammany Cancer Fund Wine Dinner
the Spotlight
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The most successful
St. Tammany Cancer Fund
Wine Dinner to date raised
more than $40,000 for
northshore cancer patients.
Dinner guests at La
Provence in Lacombe enjoyed
an evening of cocktails and
fine wines and cuisine, plus an exciting live auction featuring
rare wines and items of art, travel and entertainment.
The Wine Dinner started in 2009 in conjunction with
the Annual Patron Party and The Goodyear Memorial Golf
Tournament. St. Tammany Cancer Fund supports a college
scholarship program for local youth diagnosed with cancer
as its primary objective. The organization also provides funds
to local hospitals and cancer-based organizations for the
purchase of equipment, programs and services that benefit a
broad range of cancer patients in our community.
For more information on St. Tammany Cancer Fund, please
visit sttammanycancerfund.org.
March-aprIl 2013 109
Go Red chair Kathleen Robert at the American Heart Association’s Go Red luncheon.
Stroke survivor Sarah Arbusley.
Heart transplant recipient Toni Wild.
Resource Bank’s Hydration Station at the Northshore Heart Walk.
“Mac” Rebennack, aka Dr. John, at the Grayhawk
Perkin’s 2nd Annual Concert Benefiting Safe
Harbor at Columbia Street Rock-N-Blues Café.
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital employees Andrea Christiansen,
Yvette Fernandez, Monica Sibile, Kelli Stegall, Jeannie Smith,
Paulette Watts, Vanessa Morrison and Michelle Moreau at the 2013
Northshore Heart Walk.
Scott Gardner, Sharon Lo Drucker, Reina Gardner and
Kimberly Kirby at Ronnie Kole’s Jazz on the Bayou.
SSA recently observed the Feast Day of its patron, St. Scholastica,
with a Mass celebration and history presentation. Pictured are the
committee members.
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Send your submissions to [email protected].
Mardi Gras Queen Mary Catherine Battaglia and King
Bruce Bradley at St. Michael’s in New Orleans.
Eddie Beau and SSA principal
Mary Kathryn Villere.Craig and Connie Boudreaux and Lisa and Christopher Carey at the SSA Patron Party.
Falaya Fling co-chairs Tommy and Diane Vervaeke with Rose and Eddie Beau.
The ladies of Hosanna Lutheran Church wore their best bonnets for Easter.
Kiwanis members Mayor Donald Villere, Rick Johnson,
Mary Kay Chastain, club president Steve Jacobs and
Mark Seamster enjoy the annual Mandeville Northshore
Kiwanis member social.
Susan Blanchard, Crystal Cook Ferris, Deven Nolan and Kelly Villars celebrate the opening of Rehab Dynamics’ new location in Covington. Beatrice Long celebrates her 94th birthday with her daughter Marilyn Horn, Greg Horn and Michelle D’Amico at Rip’s on the Lake.Judy Helmstetter’s kindergarten class at Madisonville Elementary celebrates Louisiana
with a Taste of Louisiana Party.
Noelle Mitcham, Michelle Thibodeaux, Vernon
and Sheri Duplantis, Lacee Hamilton, Becky
McNeely and Shellie Malbrough at Ju Ju’s
Mandeville grand opening.
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At Inside Northside’s Meet the Artist Party
at Arabella and Emma’s: Jessica Gilmore,
Stephanie Pagliarulo, cover artist John
Goodwyne and Patrice Senac.
George Neyrey and Christian Serpas kept the party moving.
Gayle and Mike Reuling.Melissa Bourgeois and Charley Strickland.
Stacy and Kent Robertson with
Sherri Hansen and her son, Dash.
May-June 2013 113
Erin Naquin, Katherine Hamby and Jerilyn Schmidt.
Leanne Ratcliff, Cheryl Roper, Edgar Roper, Raven Plescia, Danielle Danos and Heather Oalmann at the opening of Studio 311 Salon in Covington.
Jed McSpadden, Richard Taobin, Ryan Richard and Joel Champagne.
Ryan Ball, Vanessa Gomes,
Geoff Becker, Zach Ritter and
Joel Champagne, Jr. celebrate
the launch of Fat Tire Ale at
Champagne Beverage Co.
Mallory and Priscilla Morse
with baby Campbell.
side PeekIN
Top Gun’s Mike “Maverick” and Stacey “Charlie” Rase at St. Paul’s Celebrity Waiters dinner.
Don and Sharon
Lo Drucker with
Alexandra and
Blaine Kern Jr. at
the Endymion 2013
Queen’s Party.
Laurie Spurlin, Tony Lemoine and Susan Mchugh at Kids’
Town EGGStravaganza with Rubber Duck Regatta Race,
hosted by Lakeview Regional Medical Center.
Blake Hammer and Polly Herrin enjoy
Lakeview’s EGGStravaganza.
May-June 2013 115
Send your submissions to [email protected].
SSA alumnae at Career Day.
SSA alumnae Katie Maher, DVM (’02); Heather Vinet Oliphant (’02); Ashley LeBlanc (’03); and Brittany Carter (’03) reminisce at Career Day.
Jesse Hearin and daughter, Alma, take a La. Derby Day break at the memorial to Black Gold, Fair Grounds and Kentucky Derby Day champion.
North Oaks volunteer Larry Dominguez
celebrates his 95th birthday with Malissa
Gonzalez, volunteer coordinator; Katrinka
Lopinto, gift shop coordinator; and Melissa
Dufour, volunteer director.
Lynn Abide, Debbie Evans and Sue Capitelli at the Mad Hatters Luncheon and Saks
Fifth Avenue style show at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside.
116 InsIde northsIde
the SpotlightINChildren’s Museum of St. Tammany Celebration 2013
“An Evening of Marvels” was
a fitting theme for the Children’s
Museum of St. Tammany’s 6th
annual Celebration.
The St. Paul Jazz Wolves warmed up the sold-
out crowd for Soul Revival who took to the stage
sponsored by Ochsner Health System. The talented
youth of St. Tammany were well represented by
patron party musician Michelle Hasenkampf of Our
Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Slidell; vocalist
siblings Claire and Paige Putnam of Lakeshore High,
along with sister Bethany; live artists Elise Viola of
Northlake Christian School; Camille Ehrhardt of
St. Scholastica Academy; and photographer Kaitlin
Dougherty of Mandeville High School.
More than 35 area restaurants vied for the title
of “Celebration’s Choice”—an honor that went to
Liz’s Where Y’at Diner for the second consecutive
year. Mistress and Master of Ceremony were
Margaret Orr and Jim Henderson, who were joined
by Hokie Gajan as auctioneer.
The event culminated in the announcement
by Parish President Pat Brister, along with
Bruce Wainer, president of the Tammany Trace
Foundation, and Lisa Barnett, president of the
Children’s Museum Board of Trustees, of a “first
stop” for the Children’s Museum—Kids Town, a
new mini-town project at the Koop Drive
trailhead. Plans were also revealed for a
proposed new Cultural Arts District for
St. Tammany Parish to be located adjacent
to the Colonial/Pinnacle retail property on
Hwy. 21. The district is slated to be the
future home of the Children’s Museum.
ACTIVITIES
Horseback Riding
Swimming
Ropes Course
Tennis
Canoeing
Golf
Basketball
Gymnastics
Dance
Archery
Arts & Crafts
Outdoor Living
Campfire Fun
Rope Swing
Volleyball
Soccer
Riflery
Aerobics
Chorus & Drama
Trip Day
Counselors-In-Training
Climbing Tower
River Water Blob
Cheerleading
Flag Twirling
Sports
Riverview Camp for Girls is a community where your daughters grow in
confidence and maturity - all while having a great time in a safe, carefree and
wholesome environment.
Susan and Larry Hooks, Owners and Directors • For more information, call
(800) 882-0722. Riverview Camp for Girls, P.O. Box 299, Mentone, AL 35984
www.riverviewcamp.com
LONG-TERM SESSSIONS 1st Session: June 9-June 21 2nd Session: June 23-July 53rd Session: July 7-July 194th Session: July 21-August 2
SHORT-TERM SESSIONS A Session: June 9-June 14B Session: June 16-June 21C Session: June 23-June 28D Session: June 30-July 5E Session: July 21- July 26F Session: July 28-August 2
118 InsIde northsIde118 InsIde northsIde
IN Great Taste Louisiana culture and cuisine
is the crème de la crème! There’s no
better time to celebrate all that our
state has to offer than the summer.
Seafood abounds, as do warm
temperatures and sunny days. Below
you will find a few of our favorite
events, festivals and dances in the area.
Consider this your starting point!
Celebrate
ph
oto
: TH
OM
AS
B.
GR
OW
DEN
Louisiana Culture and Cuisine This Summer
May
3-5 Breaux Bridge Crawfish
Festival. Parc Hardy, 2090 Rees St.,
Breaux Bridge. Fri and Sun, $5; Sat,
$10. (337) 332-6655. bbcrawfest.com.
5 Crawfishman Triathalon.
Benefiting Have a Heart Thru Art
and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer
Center. Grande Hills, Bush. 7:30am.
Individuals, $85; relay teams, $165.
crawfishman.net.
11 2nd Annual Crawfish Mambo.
University of New Orleans – Lakefront
Campus, 200 Lakeshore Dr., New
Orleans. 11am-7pm. Tickets, $15 in
advance; $20, day of. (504) 280-2586.
crawfishmambo.com.
June
1-23 New Orleans Oyster Festival.
Hard Rock Café, 418 N. Peters, New
Orleans. neworleansoysterfestival.org.
15 Northshore Cajun Dance. Abita
Springs Town Hall, 221 Level St.
Dance lessons, 7-7:30pm; live music,
8-10:30pm. 887-1485.
21-23 Louisiana Catfish Festival.
St. Gertrude Catholic Church,
17292 Hwy. 631, Des Allemands.
Fri, 5-11pm; Sat, 10am-11pm; Sun,
10:30am-8pm. Free. 758-7542.
louisianacatfishfestival.com.
May-June 2013 119
MCC: Major credit cards acceptedME: Menu Express deliveryRR: Reservations recommended
ABITA SPRINGSAbita Barbecue, 69399 Hwy. 59, 892-0205. Ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork and boudin. MCC.
Abita Brew Pub, 72011 Holly St., 892-5837. On the Trace. Good food, great beer. Lunch, dinner. abitabrewpub.com. MCC.
Abita Springs Café, 22132 Level St., 867-9950. Southern cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tues-Sun. MCC.
Breakaway Cafe, 71667 Leveson St., 809-8998. Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm.
Camellia Café, 69455 Hwy. 59, 809-6313. Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com. MCC.
Mama D’s Pizza & More, 22054 Hwy. 59, 809-0308. Great pizza, sandwiches, pasta, fresh homemade bread. Lunch, dinner. mamadspizza.com.
COVINGTONAcme Oyster House, 1202 Hwy. 190, 246-6155. Established 1910 in New Orleans, 1995 on northshore. Seafood, sandwiches, local favorites. Lunch, dinner. mamdspizza.com. MCC.
Albasha, 1958 Hwy. 190, 867-8292. Mediterranean cuisine. albashabr.com. MCC.
Annadele’s Plantation, 71518 Chestnut St., 809-7669. Yellow fin tuna, domestic lamb & much more. annadeles.com. MCC, checks.
Bear’s Restaurant, 128 W. 21st St., 892-2373. Best po-boys in the world.
Buster’s Place, 519 E. Boston St., 809-3880. Seafood, po-boys, steaks. Lunch, dinner. MCC.
Carreta’s Grill, 70380 Hwy. 21, 871-6674. Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas served in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch and dinner. Kids eat free every Wednesday! Private events and catering also provided. carretasgrill.com. MCC.
The Cheesesteak Bistro, 528 N. Columbia St., Covington, 875-9793. Original cheesesteak sandwiches, soups, salads, gumbo and super spuds. Breakfast, lunch. All under $10. MCC, checks.
The Chimes, 19130 W. Front St., 892-5396. Lunch and dinner. thechimes.com. MCC.
Coffee Rani, 234-A Lee Ln., 893-6158. Soup and salad specialists. coffeerani.com.
Columbia St. Seafood, 1123 N. Columbia St., 893-4312. Seafood platters and po-boys. columbiastreetseafood.com.
Columbia St. Tap Room & Grill, 434 N. Columbia St., 898-0899. Daily specials, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, soups and burgers. Live music Thurs-Sat nights. Lunch, dinner. covingtontaproom.com. MCC, ME.
Copeland’s, 680 N. Hwy. 190, 809-9659. Authentic New Orleans cuisine. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Online take-out orders at copelandsofneworleans.com. MCC, ME, RR. Dakota Restaurant, 629 N. Hwy. 190, 892-3712. Contemporary Louisiana cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients. thedakotarestaurant.com. MCC, RR.
Del Porto Restaurant, 501 E. Boston St., 875-1006. Northern Italian cuisine. delportoristorante.com. MCC, RR.
Di Martino’s, 700 S. Tyler St., 276-6460. Great food and reasonable prices. Lunch, dinner. dimartinos.com. MCC.
DiCristina’s Restaurant, 810 N. Columbia St., Ste. C, 875-0160. Conveniently located next to the new Covington Courthouse. Italian and seafood. dicristinas.com. MCC. Don’s Seafood Hut, 126 Lake Dr., 327-7111. Lunch and dinner. donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.
El Portal, 1200 Business 190, 867-5367.
The English Tea Room, 734 Rutland St., 898-3988. Authentic English cream teas. Special event teas, English scones, crumpets and cakes. Serving breakfast and lunch. Mon-Sat, 7:30am-6pm. englishtearoom.com. MCC, RR.
Four Seasons Chinese Buffet, 600 N. Hwy. 190, 893-3866. MCC. Gallagher’s Grill, 509 S. Tyler St., 892-9992. Lunch and dinner, Tues-Sat. gallaghersgrill.com. MCC, RR.
Isabella’s Pizzeria, 70452 Hwy. 21, Ste. 500, 875-7620; 1331 Hwy. 190, 809-1900. Salads, gourmet pizza, sandwiches, paninis, calzones and pasta. isabellaspizzeria.net.
Italian Pie, 70488 Hwy. 21, 871-5252. Pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Dine in or carry out. italianpie.com. MCC, checks.
Jerk’s Island Grill & Daiquiri Bar, 70437 Hwy. 21, 893-1380. jerksIslandgrill.com.
Lola, 517 N. New Hampshire St., 892-4992. Lunch, Mon-Fri; Dinner, Fri-Sat. Closed Sundays. Daily lunch specials, local produce, Louisiana seafood, everything housemade. lolacovington.com.
Mattina Bella, 421 E. Gibson St., 892-0708. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. MCC, checks.
McAlister’s Deli, 206 Lake Dr., Ste. 15, 898-2800. Great sandwiches, salads, overstuffed potatoes. mcalistersdeli.com. MCC, checks.
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>>
side DiningIN
120 InsIde northsIde
Megumi of Covington, 1211 Village Walk, 893-0406. megumirestaurant.net.
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, 1645 Hwy. 190, 327-5407. Salads, pizzas, calzones. MCC. mellowmushroom.com.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, 104 Lake Dr. #1, 898-6362. menchies.com.
New Orleans Food and Spirits, 208 Lee Ln., 875-0432. Grilled fish, smothered rabbit and voodoo crawfish rolls. Family owned and operated. neworleansfoodspirits.com. MCC.
Nonna Randazzo’s Italian Bakery and Caffè, 2033 N. Hwy. 190, Ste. 5, 893-1488. Full service, year-round bakery. Luncheon salads, panini, catering, donuts, kingcakes, cupcakes and wedding cakes. Tues-Sun, open at 7am. nonnaskingcakes.com. MCC.
North Island Chinese, 842 N. Collins Blvd., 867-8289.
Northshore Empress, 31 Louis Prima Dr., 871-6975. northshoreempress.com.
Osaka 21 Japanese Restaurant, 70340 Hwy. 21, 809-2640.
Osaka West Japanese Restaurant, 804 N. Hwy. 190, 871-8199. osakawest.com
Pardos, 69305 Hwy. 21, 893-3603.
An American bistro with a blend of multi-cultural cuisine with local flair. Frutta del mar pasta, rosemary-grilled shrimp, roasted chicken. Lunch, Tues-Fri; Dinner, Tues-Sun; Happy hour, Tues-Fri, 4-7pm. Private parties and catering. pardosbistro.com. MCC.
Pat’s Seafood Market and Cajun Deli, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-7287. Jambalaya, gumbo, stuffed artichokes. MCC, checks, ME.
Peck’s Seafood & Grill, 70457 Hwy. 21, Ste. 108, 892-2121. Po-boys, seafood, burgers and lunch specials. MCC.
PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 70456 Hwy. 21, 875-7894. Catch your morning buzz at this convenient drive-thru! Catering. MCC.
Pizza Man of Covington, 1248 N. Collins Blvd., 892-9874. Checks, ME.
Renaissance Antiques & Gifts with the Original Soda Fountain & Café Cabaret, 322 N. Florida St., 892-7220. Nostalgic soda fountain for lunch and after school, six days a week.
Sala Thai, 315 N. Vermont St., 249-6990. Special salads, spring rolls, soups, noodle and curry dishes. Sun-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm.Lunch buffet weekdays, 11am-3pm. salathaibysu.com. MCC.
Schwing’s Restaurant, 1204 W. 21st Ave., 893-1899. Fresh seafood and home cooking. schwingsrestaurant.com. MCC.
Sicily’s Pizza, 301 N. Hwy. 190, 893-0005. Pizza, lasagna, salad bar, dessert pizzas. MCC, ME.
Sweet Daddy’s, 420 S. Tyler St., 898-2166. Pulled pork, brisket and ribs. sweetdaddysbarbq.com. MCC, ME.
Thai Chili, 1102 N. Hwy. 190, 809-0180.
Thai Spice, 1581 N. Hwy. 190, 809-6483.
Thai Taste, 1005 N. Collins Blvd., 809-7886.
Thai Thai, 1536 N. Hwy. 190, 809-8905.
Tony Bosco’s at TerraBella, 141 TerraBella Blvd., 612-7250. Authentic Italian cuisine. Lunch, dinner, private meeting room, catering. tonyboscos.com.
Vasquez Seafood & Po-Boys, 515 E. Boston St., 893-9336. Cuban sandwiches and more. vazquezpoboy.com. MCC, checks, ME.
WOW Café & Wingery, 501 N. Hwy. 190, 892-9691. Wings, burgers, wraps and more. MCC.
Yujin Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, 323 N. New Hampshire St., 809-3840. Japanese cuisine and sushi in a casual atmosphere. MCC.
Zea Rotisserie & Grill, 110 Lake Dr., 327-0520. Inspired American food. zearestaurants.com. MCC.
HAMMONDAdobe Cantina & Salsa, 1905 W. Thomas St., 419-0027. Fine Mexican cuisine, good spirits, great friends and fun. Ceviche (marinated fish) and Mexican pasta. Live band. adoberestaurant.com. MCC.
Brady’s, 110 SW Railroad Ave., 542-6333. bradysdowntown.com.
Cocoa Bean Bakery and Cafe, 910 E. Main St., 345-2002. Specialty cakes, pastries. Serving breakfast and light lunch. Specials. thecocoabeanbakery.com. MCC.
Don’s Seafood & Steak House, 1915 S. Morrison Blvd., 345-8550. donsseafoodonline.com. MCC.
Jacmel Inn, 903 E. Morris St., 542-0043. Casual fine dining including Creole, Italian, Caribbean and Southern cuisines. Hand-trimmed steaks, seafood and specialties. Dinner, Tues-Sun; Lunch, Wed-Fri; Sunday Brunch; Closed Mondays. jacmelinn.com. MCC, checks.
Kirin Sushi, 221 E. Cate St., 542-8888. First Japanese sushi restaurant in Hammond! Dragon roll, Kirin roll, sake. kirinjapanesecuisine.com. MCC.
La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 108 N.W Railroad Ave., 419-9990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music. Lunch and dinner seven days
May-June 2013 121
a week. carretarestaurant.com. MCC.
Old MacDonald’s Smokehouse, 1601 N. Morrison Blvd., 542-7529. BBQ brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage. oldmacdonaldsmokehouse.com. MCC, checks.
Tommy’s on Thomas, 216 W. Thomas St., 350-6100. Pizza, pastas. Lunch, dinner. tommysonthomas.com. MCC, checks.
Tope là, 104 N. Cate St., 542-7600. Contemporary delights. topela.com. MCC.
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 2100 N. Morrison Blvd., 345-6789. Innovative quality Chinese food served in Imperial surroundings. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.
VooDoo BBQ & Grill, 2108 W. Thomas St., 345-1131. “Taste our Magic.” voodoobbq.com. MCC.
Yellow Bird Café, 222 E. Charles St., 345-1112. A great place to start your day. Breakfast, lunch. MCC, checks.
LACOMBEJanie Brown’s Restaurant, 27207 Hwy. 190, 882-7201. Casual dining with a great atmosphere. MCC, checks.
La Provence Restaurant, 25020 Hwy. 190, 626-7662. Owner John Besh combines hospitality with French cuisine and welcoming hearths. Dinner, Sunday brunch. laprovencerestaurant.com. MCC, checks. RR.
Sal & Judy’s, 27491 Hwy. 190, 882-9443. Great food and line of retail products. Family-owned for 27 years. Veal is the house specialty. salandjudys.com. MCC, RR.
MADISONVILLECafe Madisonville, 410 Covington Hwy., 792-4506. Soups, salads, sandwiches and lunch specials.
Frog’s Pizzeria, 302 Hwy. 22, 845-9500. frogspizza.com.
Hook’d Up Riverside Bar and Grill, 100 Marina Del Ray Dr., 845-8119. Burgers, wings, hot dogs and specials.
Keith Young’s Steakhouse, 165 Hwy. 21, 845-9940. Steak, crab cakes. Lunch, dinner, Tues-Fri. keithyoungs.net. MCC.
Morton’s Boiled Seafood & Bar, 702 Water St., 845-4970. Relaxed atmosphere, seafood, daily specials. Lunch, dinner. MCC, checks.
Water St. Bistro, 804 Water St., 845-3855. Casual ambiance on the Tchefuncte. Lunch and dinner, Wed-Sun. mortonsseafood.com. MCC.
MANDEVILLE The Barley Oak, 2101 Lakeshore Dr., 727-7420. Serving 130 styles of beer, call and premium liquors. Lunch and dinner. thebarleyoak.com. MCC.
Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 1809 N. Causeway Blvd., 674-9090. Bear’s po-boys and more.
bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC.
Benedict’s Plantation, 1144 Lovers Ln., 626-4557. Traditional New Orleans cuisine. Dinner, Sunday brunch. benedictsplantation.net. MCC.
Bosco’s Italian Café, 2040 Hwy. 59, 624-5066. boscositalian.com.
Broken Egg Café, 200 Gerard St., 624-3388. Excellent choice for brunch! Pasta, specialty salads, sandwiches. anotherbrokenegg.com. MCC.
Café Lynn Restaurant and Catering, 3051 E. Causeway App., 624-9007. Casual fine dining for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch by Chef Joey Najolia. Catfish remoulade, pasta du jour. Tues-Fri, lunch: 11am-3pm. Dinner, 5pm. Catering provided. cafelynn.com. MCC.
Casa Garcia, 800 N. Causeway Blvd., 951-8226. Redefining Mexican food one meal at a time. MCC.
Causeway Café, 527 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-9997. MCC.
Chili’s Bar & Grill, 3420 Hwy. 190, 727-2771. Fajitas and the Awesome Blossom. Lunch, dinner. chilis.com. MCC, ME.
Coffee Rani, 3517 Hwy. 190, 674-0560. Soup and salad specialists.
Coscino’s Pizza, 1817 N. Causeway Blvd., 727-4984. New York hand-tossed pizza and Italian foods cooked on stone
using the finest ingredients. MCC.
Country Kitchen, 2109 Florida St., 626-5375. countrykitchenrestaurants.com.
Fat Spoon Café, 68480 Hwy. 59., 809-2929. Breakfast, lunch, Tues-Sun. 7am-2pm. Breakfast served until 10:30am on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Reserve Fat Spoon Cafe for your next party. fatspooncafe.com. MCC.
Fazzio’s Seafood & Steakhouse, 1841 N. Causeway Blvd., 624-9704. Fresh fish daily, aged beef, traditional Italian. Lunch, dinner. fazziosrestaurant.com. MCC, ME, RR. Franco’s Grill,100 Bon Temps Roule, 792-0200. Fresh organic foods for breakfast, lunch and takeout. myfrancos.com/dining. MCC.
George’s Mexican Restaurant, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4342. Family owned. Fajitas, George’s nachos, Carne al la Parrilla. Best top-shelf margaritas in town. georgesmexicanrestaurant.com. MCC, ME.
Gio’s Villa Vancheri, 2890 E. Causeway App., 624-2597. Sicilian specialties by 5-star chef Gio Vancheri. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. giosvillavancheri.com. MCC. RR.
Hong Kong Restaurant, 2890 E. Causeway App., 626-8222. MCC.
Isabella’s Pizzeria, 2660 Florida >>
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122 InsIde northsIde
St. (in the Florida Street Market), 674-5700. Salads, gourmet pizza, sandwiches, paninis, calzones and pasta. isabellapizzeria.net.
Italian Pie, 4350 Hwy. 22, 626-5252. Pizza, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Dine in or carry out. italianpie.com. MCC, checks.
Izumi, 2660 Florida St., 624-8664. Sushi, Japanese specialties. izumi.com. MCC.
K. Gee’s, 2534 Florida St., 626-0530. Featuring Louisiana seafood with raw oysters 1/2 price on Tuesdays. Express lunch and daily lunch specials under $10. Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm. kgeesrestaurant.com. MCC.
La Carreta Authentic Mexican Cuisine, 1200 W. Causeway App., 624-2990. Festive Mexican atmosphere, fresh food from traditional recipes, outstanding service and value. Live music. Lunch and dinner seven days a week. carretasrestaurant.com. MCC.
La Madeleine French Cafe, 3434 Hwy. 190, 626-7004. lamadeleine.com.
The Lakehouse, 2025 Lakeshore Dr., 626-3006, events 807-5014. Special events venue open 7 days for private events. Call for reservations. lakehousecuisine.com. MCC.
Little Tokyo, 590 Asbury Dr., 727-1532. littletokyosushi.com.
Louie & The Redhead Lady, 1851 Florida St., 626-8101. louieandtheredheadlady.com.
Macaroni Grill, 3410 Hwy. 190, 727-1998. Penne rustica, pasta Milano, other Italian favorites. Lunch, dinner. macaronigrill.com. MCC, ME.
Mande’s, 340 N. Causeway App., 626-9047. Serving breakfast and lunch, daily specials.
Mandina’s, 4240 Hwy. 22 in Azalea Square Shopping Center, 674-9883. Seafood, Creole and Italian. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Sat. mandinasrestaurant.com.
Maw Maw’s, 1461 N. Causeway Blvd., Ste. 11, 727-7727. Soups, salads, stuffed potatoes, sandwiches, po-boys.
Megumi Japanese Cuisine, 4700 Hwy. 22, Suites 11 and 12, 845-1644. Yakimono and sushi bar. Lunch, dinner. megumirestaurant.com.
MiMamacita’s New Mexican Cuisine, 2345 Florida St., 674-1400. Great food and margaritas. Lunch, dinner, catering. MCC.
Monster Po-Boys, 1814 N. Causeway App., 626-9183. Lunch, dinner.
N’Tini’s, 2891 N. Hwy. 190, 626-5566. Steaks, martinis. Lunch specials. Mon.-Sat. ntinis.com. MCC.
Nuvolari’s, 246 Girod St., 626-5619. In
Old Mandeville. Gnocchi, escargot, filet mignon, linguini fruta di mare. Dinner. Open seven nights a week. MCC. nuvolaris.com.
Old Mandeville Café (formerly Kickstand Café and Bike Rental), 690 Lafitte St., 626-9300. kickstand.bz.
Pal’s Ice Cream and Yogurt Shop, 2201 Eleventh St., 626-0293. “Only 8” all-natural no-fat yogurt, banana splits, smoothies. Soups, sandwiches. MCC.
Petunia’s Place, 2020 Hwy. 59, 674-3436. petuniasplace.com.
Pinkberry, 3460 Hwy. 190, 612-7306. Sun-Thurs, 11am-10pm. Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm. Pinkberry is the original tart frozen yogurt that is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy paired with high quality, fresh cut fruit and premium dry toppings. pinkberry.com.
PJ’s Coffee & Tea Co., 2963 Hwy. 190, 674-1565. Catch your morning buzz at the convenient drive-thru! Catering. pjscoffee.com. MCC.
Rip’s on the Lake, 1917 Lakeshore Dr., 727-2829.
Ristorante Carmelo & Pizzaria, 1901 Hwy. 190, 624-4844. Family-oriented Italian cuisine. Lunch and dinner. MCC.
Rusty Pelican, 500 Girod St., 778-0364. Lunch, dinner. rustypelicanbythelake.com. MCC.
Sake Gardens Japanese Restaurant, 1705 Hwy. 190, 624-8955.
Sesame Inn, 408 N. Causeway Blvd., 951-8888. Finest Chinese cuisine.
The Scotts’ Coffee Bar, 201 Carroll St., 231-7632. Open seven days. Gourmet coffee & tea. Breakfast and lunch items available. Evening tapas menu - Fri and Sat, 6-10. thescottscoffeebar.com.
Shuck & Jive, 643 Lotus Dr., 626-1534. shucknjivemandeville.com. MCC
Smoothie King, 1830 W. Causeway App., 626-9159. Smoothies. smoothieking.com. MCC, checks.
Subway, 1665 Hwy. 190, 674-0733. Sandwiches, salads. Low-fat available. subway.com. MCC.
Taqueria Noria, 1931 Hwy. 59, 727-7917. Lunch, dinner.
Times Bar & Grill, 1896 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-1161. Famous hamburgers, starters, steaks and more. Lunch, dinner. timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China, 600 N. Causeway Blvd., 626-4476. Quality China cuisine with Louisiana flair. Lunch, dinner. treyyuen.com. MCC, checks.
Vianne’s Tea House, 544 Girod St., 624-5683. A full café menu with over 120 loose leaf and speciality teas.
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Breakfast, lunch. viannes.com. MCC.
VooDoo BBQ & Grill, 2999 Hwy. 190 E., 629-2021. “Taste our Magic.” voodoobbq.com. MCC.
PONCHATOULAMiddendorf’s Seafood Restaurant, 30160 Hwy. 51, 386-6666. middendorfsrestaurant.com.
Rox, 147 N.W. Railroad Ave., 370-0930. Crafted cuisine and martini bar Open 7 days a week. roxrestaurant.com. MCC.
Sister’s Coffeehouse & Cafe, 18440 Hwy. 22 E., 370-9424. Warm, friendly atmosphere, unique food, gourmet coffees, teas. MCC, checks.
Taste of Bavaria Restaurant & Bakery, 14476 Hwy. 22, 386-3634. Charming Bavarian bungalow, European-style breakfast, German-style lunch. tasteofbavariastaurant.com. MCC, checks.
SLIDELLA Touch of Italy Café, 134 Pennsylvania Ave., 639-0600. Seafood, veal, steaks, daily specials. Lunch, dinner. kathrynandcompany.com. MCC, checks.
Assunta’s, 2631 Hwy. 190 W., 649-9768. Italian food, extensive wine selection. Dinner. assuntas.com. MCC, checks.
Bear’s Grill & Spirits, 550 Gause Blvd., 201-8905. Po-boys and more. bearsgrillandspirits.com. MCC.
Bistro de la Reine, 2306 Front St., 288-4166. Sunday brunch, live entertainment, fine wines and spirits. Open seven days a week. bistrodelareine.com. MCC.
Bonnie C’s, 1768 Front St., 288-5061. Home-style Italian, seafood, and barbecue.
Camellia Cafe, 525 Hwy. 190, 649-6211. Traditional seafood and New Orleans cuisine. thecamelliacafe.com. MCC.
Carreta’s Grill, 137 Taos St., 847-0020. Great Mexican cuisine and margaritas served in a family-friendly atmosphere for lunch and dinner. carretasgrill.com. MCC.
Eddie D’s, 39510 Hwy. 190 E., 847-1000.
KY’s Olde Towne Bicycle Shop, 2267 Carey St., 641-1911. Casual dining in former bicycle shop. Kids’ menu. Lunch, dinner. kysoldetowne.com. MCC, checks.
La. Pines, 1061 Robert St., 641-6196. Meet under the water tower for Ahhhfull-waffles, Sugar Watcher specials. Breakfast, lunch. lapinescafe.com. MCC, checks.
Michael’s, 4820 Pontchartrain Dr., 649-8055. Steaks, seafood, veal, duck, eggplant au gratin. Extensive wine selection. Dinner.
Nathan’s Restaurant, 36440 Old Bayou Liberty Rd., 643-0443. Waterfront dining featuring seafood, steaks and pasta. MCC.
Nola Southern Grill, 1375 Gause Blvd., 201-8200. Burgers, ribs, steaks, pasta, sandwiches and seafood. MCC.
Palmettos on the Bayou, 1901 Bayou Ln., 643-0050. palmettosrestaurantslidell.com.
Peck’s Seafood Restaurant, 2315 Gause Blvd. E., 781-7272. Po-boys, seafood, burgers and lunch specials. MCC.
Phil’s Marina Café, 1194 Harbor Dr., 641-0464. philsmarinacafe.net.
Shenanigans Irish Pub & Restaurant, 2165 W. Gause Blvd., 288-5286. Authentic Irish food, drink and entertainment in a traditional pub atmosphere.
Smoothie King, 150 Northshore Blvd., 781-3456. Low-fat health drinks. smoothieking.com. MCC, checks.
Steak Out, 1325 Gause Blvd., 645-8646. Eat in or delivered to you. steakout.com. MCC.
Tacos and Beer, 2142 Front St., 641-4969. Lunch, dinner and late-night.
Times Bar & Grill, Front St., 641-4969. Famous hamburgers, starters, steaks and more. Lunch, dinner. timesgrill.com. ME, MCC.
The Wine Market, 2051 E. Gause Blvd., 781-1177. Deli restaurant, lunch, 11am-3pm. Sandwiches, soups, salads, wraps. MCC and checks.
WOW Café & Wingery, 2170 Gause Blvd. W., 661-9692. Wings, burgers, wraps and more. MCC.
Young’s Restaurant, 850 Robert Blvd., 643-9331. Steaks, seafood, nice wine selection. Dinner. youngssteakhouse.com. MCC, checks.
NEW ORLEANS/SOUTHSHORECafé Giovanni, 117 Rue Decatur, (504)-529-2154. Chef Duke’s New World Italian Cuisine. Dinner, Sun-Thurs, 5:30-10pm. Fri-Sat, 5:30-11pm. Live Entertainment Wed, Thurs, and Friday Evenings. Perfect Catering for next social or business event. Cafegiovanni.com. RR.
Criollo Resturant and Lounge at Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., (504)-523-3340. hotelmonteleone.com/criollo/. MCC, RR
R’evolution, 777 Bienville St., (504)-553-2277. Located at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Offering modern, imaginative reinterpretations of classic Cajun and Creole Cuisine. Triptych of Quail, Gulf Shrimp, Grits “Villages de L’est and Oysterman’s spaghettini. Revolutionnola.com. RR.
i n s i d e d i n i n g
FOR PARISH PRESIDENT PAT BRISTER, building a
successful administration that serves the people of St.
Tammany Parish exceedingly well involves not only
steadfast principles but also the right people. “As we
move forward in our second year, we continue to
place the needs of our citizenry first and concentrate
on specific areas we feel are vital to the continual
smart growth of the parish,” she says. “However, we
remain focused on customer service, transparency,
accountability and cooperation.” With these
principles in place, Brister has strategically selected
people she feels will nourish her vision and enhance
the productivity of the parish government.
Sidney FontenotSidney Fontenot, director of the Department
of Development, has seen the evolution of his
department in real time since Brister took the
oath of office. “The planning, permits, parts of
the environmental, and even some engineering
departments are now embedded into the Department
of Development,” Fontenot says. “The construction
Brister’sPuts St. Tammany First
Team
124 InsIde northsIde
IN Development
May-June 2013 125
process is a trying experience under the best
circumstances. Now that we are in one building,
we can generally answer any question concerning
construction in St. Tammany Parish—whether you
are building a backyard shed or you are building a
subdivision—in
one single stop.
If we do not
have the answer,
we will find the
person who does.”
Fontenot says
his department
earned stellar
reviews during
recent customer
service training;
he adds that citizens’ ideas are always welcome.
Combination inspectors (inspectors qualified
in several different areas) now reduce the number
of trips to each inspection site, reduce the cost to
government and reduce the cost to the developer.
In addition, the mypermitnow.org feature allows
access via the web to project and inspection updates.
Permits for commercial construction, as well as single
family residences, increased in both 2012 and the
first quarter of 2013.
“Over the past 15 years that I have worked in
St. Tammany, I have seen the parish evolve from
somewhat of a teenager in an identity crisis, trying
to figure out who we are, to a largely independent
community with a streamlined government,” Fontenot
says. “If someone is willing to meet our quality
standards, it is my job to uphold these standards and
make it as easy as possible for them to build here.”
Don SheaDon Shea will tell you that he wakes up every day
thinking about ways to enhance the current economic
climate in his role as St. Tammany’s first director of
the Department of Economic Development. “The
citizens of this parish already have high expectations,
in part because they are forward-looking,” Shea says.
“This is exciting for me in the sense that I have no act
to follow; I can move forward without trepidation and
find my place as part of the sum. President Brister is
unequivocally committed to economic development
and smart growth, and I am excited about my role in
harnessing the energy of the citizens. I am charged
with the task of bringing together the residential,
commercial and retail industries, and achieving a
harmonious balance among them.”
With his background in several diverse markets,
Shea brings fresh ideas to St. Tammany on par with
the high standards already in place. “St. Tammany
is all about live, work and play. We have it all
here,” he notes. “We have a broad-based economy,
which is actually a buffer against things outside of
our control that can affect the economic climate. I
envision directed development that can do the most
good to maintain our living, breathing, full economy.
St. Tammany
is no longer
the bedroom
community
‘across the lake.’
The people here
are talented and
committed to
the advancement
of a versatile
economy and job
creation.”
With a vision that includes innovative strategies
to retain and attract businesses, Shea places heavy
emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. “People
will locate their businesses where they feel fulfilled.
We have the right formula for fulfillment—quality of
life, diverse activity, mild climate, our tax structure,
the arts and many forms of recreation. The concept of
co-working is a way to attract an independent, tech-
savvy workforce and give them the confidence that
this is the place where they can make their mark.”
Shea stresses that everyone has a role in the economic
success of St. Tammany. “Every citizen is a stakeholder
in the future. My role is to articulate our collective
vision and to do my part to see it through to fruition.”
Beverly GariepyWhen Brister trimmed more than $3 million
from the parish operating budget in 2012, she
solidified her commitment to fiscal responsibility in >>
government. When she hired Beverly Gariepy as St.
Tammany’s chief financial officer, she reaffirmed that
commitment. (Gariepy will fill the role of outgoing
First Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kim Salter,
who will retire later this year.)
“My role is
multifaceted and
ever-evolving in
that we continue
to explore how
we can most
effectively be good
stewards of public
funds—essentially
other people’s
money,” Gariepy
notes. “It is all
about good governance, not putting up road blocks,
but being facilitators. Fortunately, I can build on the
sound financial practices already in place.
“The operation of this government starts with
the one at the top, and our citizens have high
expectations,” she notes. “It is our job to do the
most that we can with the resources that we have.
This parish is full of people who have unlimited
potential that we continue to develop. Government
is by its nature a collaborative endeavor; the staff
here continues to exceed expectations because we
find people’s strengths and leverage their potential
every day. I appreciate that no one can do this by
themselves.”
Ronnie Simpson Communication between parish government and
the public is essential to maintaining transparency.
“People want to feel they know what is going on
when it comes to their community,” says Ronnie
Simpson, director of the newly formed Department of
Public Information. “Our part in this administration
is to utilize every form of communication at our
disposal to bring to the public information that is at
times of vital importance and at other times simply
a matter of community outreach. We are the liaison
between the entire operation of parish government
and the citizenry.”
The Department of Public Information also
houses Access St. Tammany, the local government-
access television station. “Access St. Tammany is
one of only three government access channels in the
United States to carry high definition programming,”
Simpson says. “We bring to the public not only
government programming like parish and city
council meetings, but also local cultural events
like the Abita Opry; Health Quest, which discusses
pertinent health topics with local health care
professionals; ArtSpark, which spotlights the arts
in our community; and our newest show, Home,
which introduces local and widely known celebrities
who call St. Tammany home.”
Simpson continues to build on the digital aspect
of communication
through utilizing
social media, web
access and Vimeo
(a video sharing
service). “We
want citizens to be
plugged in, so we
are designing our
communications
to meet the
changing way
people get information. For instance, you can sign up
for various departmental email lists and fine tune your
communication with us to suit your needs. You can
watch Access St. Tammany through either On Demand
or live streaming via the website, stpgov.org. We
want everyone in St. Tammany to take an active role
in shaping their government; our job is to keep you
informed so that you can be an educated participant.”
Brister continues to build on her second-year
agenda. “We work every day to make the most
efficient, yet productive, use of your tax dollars and
my job is to put a team in place that will take this task
seriously,” she says. “I am committed to a transparent,
efficient government that works, and to the long-
term success of St. Tammany Parish. With these four
individuals and the rest of our hardworking staff, we
will accomplish just that.”
Visit stpgov.org to sign up for email alerts
and to learn more about St. Tammany Parish
government.
126 InsIde northsIde
n o r t h s h o r e l i v i n g
May-June 2013 129
10/12 Properties ................... 985-626-8200 127
Accents & Things ................... 985-649-4273 89
Advanced Hand Specialists .... 985-674-4170 57
Agena, Dr. Gary M. - OBGYN ... 985-845-7121 28
Al’s Plumbing Co. .................. 985-845-9390 54
Arabella Fine Gifts ................. 985-727-9787 17
Artisan Home Décor .............. 985-778-2113 90
Asset One ............................. 985-727-2834 75
Azure Spa ............................. 985-237-1980 74
Bamboo Gardens ...... bamboogardensla.com 36
Bastille’s Clothing Company .. 985-626-4220 98
Bedico Creek Preserve ........... 985-845-4200 27
Bella Cucina .......................... 985-626-7886 90
Bennett’s Waterskiing and Wakeboarding School
............................................. 800-869-7297 94
Berger Home ......................... 985-624-3433 21
Berry, Dr. C.M. ....................... 985-345-2555 35
Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights .. 985-249-6040 19
Blossom Girl .......................... 985-626-6280 105
Boudreaux’s Fine Jewelers ..... 985-626-1666 7
Bra Genie .............................. 985-951-8638 97
Broussard’s Pianos ................ 985-503-5038 62
brown eyed girl ..................... 985-626-0100 98
Brown Family Orthodontics .... 985-626-8297 24
Café Lynn .............................. 985-624-9007 123
Carreta’s Grill ....... 985-871-6674, 847-0020 4
Cedarwood School ................ 985-845-7111 45
Champagne Jewelers............. 985-643-2599 24
Christwood Retirement Community ..............
......................................... christwoodrc.com 15
Church of the King ................ 985-727-7017 21
Columbia Street Mercantile ... 985-809-1789 101
Computer Troubleshooters ..... 985-624-2302 128
Covington Cardiovascular Care ... 985-871-4140 25
Culinary Kids ......................... 985-727-5553 128
deCoeur ..................................... decoeur.net 93
Designs in Windows .............. 985-209-1689 93
Downtown Chic .................... 985-809-3860 101
Earthsavers ........................... 985-674-1133 97
Etan Enterprises .................... 985-966-7042 110
Eye Care Surgery Center ........ 985-892-4858 6
Fairway Medical Surgical Hospital .................
......................................fairwaymedical.com 77
Fazzio’s Restaurant ................ 985-624-9704 121
Fertility Institute ............. fertilityinstitute.com 111
Fielding Photography ............. 985-626-7549 86
Fitness Expo .......................... 504-887-0880 57
Florist of Covington ............... 985-892-7701 77
Franco’s Athletic Club ............ 985-792-0200 BC
french mix, the ...................... 985-809-3152 73
Gallery D’Art Francais ............ 504-581-6925 26
George’s Mexican Restaurant .... 985-626-4342 119
GNL Contractors.................... 985-288-5112 58
GNO Property Management .. 504-528-7028 67
Gomez Pine Straw ................. 985-264-3567 128
Grapevine, The ..grapevinegiftsandgallery.com 89
H.W. Rosenblum .................... 985-727-9955 105
Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West ........
..............................................habitatstw.org 79
Hazelnut ............................... 985-626-8900 114
Home Bank ...................... home24bank.com 120
Honda of Covington .............. 985-892-0001 IFC, 85
Infusé Oils & Vinegars............ 985-778-0903 53
Integrated Spine & Disc ......... 985-626-0999 63
Integrity Builders, Inc. ............ 985-626-3479 28
Istre Hearing Care ................. 985-845-3509 45
Izabella’s Villa ....................... 985-649-5060 3
Jim Stone Co. ........................ 985-882-5907 89
JLGC - Polo .......................................jlgc.net 75
Jos. A. Bank ........................... 985-624-4067 82
Ju Ju’s Boutique .................... 985-624-3600 102
KentJacob Color Salon ........... 985-845-8011 82
Lake After Hours .................... 985-375-9979 73
Lakeview Regional Medical Center ...985-867-3800 IBC
Latter & Blum - Jennifer Rice.. 985-892-1478 127
Latter & Blum - Stevie Mack .. 985-630-1934 128
Laurier .................................. 985-875-0823 98
LCI Workers Comp ................. 985-612-1230 86
Leadership Northshore .......... 985-643-5678 65
Louisiana Custom Closets ...... 985-871-0810 58
Louisiana Heart Hospital ...............................
........................... louisianahearthospital.com 8, 31
Lowe’s Jewelers..................... 985-845-4653 53
Lynn Stirling Antiques ............ 985-626-7704 83
Mariette Fortenbery Interior Design ...............
............................................. 985-206-5173 94
Martin Wine Cellar ...............martinwine.com 113
Mary Bird Perkins ..............marybird.org/stph 81
Mix, The ................................ 985-727-7649 102
Moody Law Firm ................... 985-542-1351 50
MoreSmiles-Dr. Jim Moreau .. 985-809-7645 115
Niche Modern Home ............. 985-624-4045 84
North American Insurance Agency ... 985-871-5480 72
NORTH Institute, The ............. 985-871-4114 20
North Oaks Health System .......northoaks.org 42
North Shore Square Mall ....... 985-646-0661 11
Northlake Glass ..................... 985-626-9788 36
Northshore Harbor Center ..... 985-781-3650 22, 23
N’Tini’s .................................. 985-626-5566 122
Oasis Day Spa, The ................ 985-624-6772 102
Ochsner Medical Center - North Shore .. ochsner.org 50
Outdoor Living Center ........... 985-893-8008 41
Paisley .................................. 985-727-7880 101
Pan American Power .............. 985-893-1271 13
Pardo’s .................................. 985-893-3603 122
Paretti Jaguar ... 866-751-0237, 504-455-2101 65
Pinkberry.................................pinkberry.com 121
Plaisance, Dr. Kevin M. ........... 985-893-3777 63
POSH Boutique ..................... 985-898-2639 105
Private Beach ........................ 985-674-2326 94
Purple Armadillo Again ... purplearmadillo.net 101
Rehab Dynamics ................... 985-871-7878 41
Resource Bank ..............bankonresource.com 79
Rick’s Professional Painting Service ...............
............................................. 985-845-0533 128
Riverview Camp for Girls ....... 800-882-0722 117
Rug Chic ............................... 985-674-1070 112
St. Joseph Abbey ........ saintjosephabbey.com 85
St. Romain Interiors ............... 985-845-7411 90
St. Tammany Home Builders Association ........
............................................. 800-715-1387 128
St. Tammany Parish Hospital..... 985-898-4000 71
St. Tammany West Chamber .. 985-273-3006 66
Scott Sandage Homes ............ 985-542-2724 12
Scotts’ Coffee Bar, The ........... 985-231-7632 119
Shoefflé ....................................shoeffle.com 98
Simply Southern .................... 985-871-1466 93
Slidell Memorial Foundation .. 985-280-8820 61
Southern Bridal ..................... 985-727-2993 97
Southern Pain Center............. 985-727-7275 123
Southland Plumbing Supply, Inc. ... 985-893-8883 80
State Farm Insurance, C J Ladner .. 985-892-5030 105
Stone Creek Club and Spa ..... 985-801-7100 5
Stone Source ......................... 985-892-0695 127
Studio 311 ............................ 985-327-7775 97
Studio MV ............................. 985-867-5601 41
Surgical Specialists ...............whyweight.com 17
Tchefuncta Club Estates ........tchefuncta.com 39
TerraBella .............................. 985-871-7171 54
Three Rivers Gallery ............... 985-892-2811 90
Three Sisters Boutique ........... 985-386-8680 102
Town & Country Travel, Inc. .... 504-838-8702 62
Tran, Dr. David ....................... 985-893-1070 10
Vantage Point ....................... 985-259-7774 16
Village Executive Office Suites, The .. 985-727-6700 93
Welcome Home and garden .. 985-893-3933 94
Windsor Senior Living Community, The ..........
............................................. 985-624-8040 87
Wood & White Tennis Tournament ................
.....................................985-674-4307 x202 89
Youth Service Bureau ............. 985-893-2570 107
ADVERTISER ..........................CONTACT INFO PAGE ADVERTISER ..........................CONTACT INFO PAGE ADVERTISER ..........................CONTACT INFO PAGE
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130 InsIde northsIde
Last BiteWhen you’re driving on North Causeway Boulevard in
Mandeville, it’s easy to tell when it’s Cinco de Mayo. The service
road at the intersection with St. Ann is lined with the parked
cars of all the folks enjoying the annual block party at George’s
Mexican Restaurant.
George Espinal and his sister, Egla Trujillo, have been serving up
Latin-American fare for loyal northshore diners for nearly
30 years. They’ve been throwing their Cinco de Mayo
celebration for 12 years, and it keeps on growing.
“What can I tell you?” Egla says. “It takes two
months to prepare for it. I have to triple-order
everything and start cooking a week in advance.”
It’s a family-oriented fiesta, with the entire
shopping center parking lot blocked off to
accommodate the 700-800 people who attend.
It’s also for the adults, of course, as
Coronas and margaritas flow. “We go
through 40 cases of Corona, and where
I usually order four cases of tequila a
week, we get 30 just for Cinco de Mayo,”
says Egla. Live music outdoors and a DJ
inside keep the crowds moving.
Their most popular drink is the George’s Special,
a top-shelf margarita made with Sauza Gold tequila,
Cointreau, a splash of grenadine and fresh lime juice,
the key ingredient in all their margaritas. More than
20 premium tequilas round out the fully stocked bar.
The menu at George’s features all the Mexican staples
(including a new tableside guacamole) and daily specials,
as well as dishes that reflect the family’s Honduran roots,
like Sizzlin’ Pork Plate. Their signature item is fajitas.
The meat is marinated for 24 hours, which Egla says is
important for the dish’s fantastic flavor.
“We’ve been serving the same food for more
than 29 years,” Egla says, “Consistency is the key
to our success. We get to know our customers.
I know what they like to eat, what they like
to drink and I try to sit with them as much as
I can. To us, everyone is family, and we treat
everyone like family. You know when you come
here that this is your second home.”
George’s Mexican Restaurant is located at
1461 N. Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville, 626-4342.
georgesmexicanrestaurant.com.
George Espinal and Egla Trujillo ofGeorge’s Mexican Restaurant
by Lauren Smith
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