what now magazine | february 2015

1WHATNOWMAG.com

FEBRUARY 2015

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

RENE GHIRARDI: A STILL LIFE 12

DOWNTOWN ROYALTY 20

TIGHT LINE 29

Celebrating Mardi Gras with the Krewe of Chronos - 24

2 WHAT NOW | February 2015Stay in Touch with Rouses • @RousesMarkets • facebook.com/rousesmarkets • www.rouses.com

King cakes are a local tradition that’s meant to be shared.

King CaKe hotline: 1-800-688-5998 We ship anywhere in the continental U.S.

order online at www.rouses.com

We’ve been baking real louisiana king cakes for over 55 years. our bakers start with our exclusive gourmet cinnamon dough — it’s a Rouses original — and hand decorate every king cake we sell.

There’s A Reason We Sell More

King Cakes Than Any Other Bakery.

Over 350,000 last year!

FEEDING YOUR WHOLE KREWE IS A PIECE OF (KING) Cake!We’ve got Mardi Gras covered, from the food and drinks, to the ice chests you put them in. Our kitchen krewe is frying chicken and making our famous St. Louis-style ribs to eat on the route or at the house. And check out our great selection of party trays and sandwiches.

Rouses Mini Muffaletta Party Tray

Stay in Touch with Rouses • @RousesMarkets • facebook.com/rousesmarkets • www.rouses.com










3WHATNOWMAG.comStay in Touch with Rouses • @RousesMarkets • facebook.com/rousesmarkets • www.rouses.com










4 WHAT NOW | February 2015

February is truly a busy month for our area. Besides Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day, be sure to check out all of the other events going on. If you have a recommendation of an event or idea you’d like us to cover this year email it to us! We don’t bite! Don’t forget to send over your photos for Flashback of things you did this month, especially if you attend events. You can email them to [email protected].

Enjoy the month and all of the festivities that come with it! Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Happy Mardi Gras 2015! I’m sure by now you are all prepared for the music, the food, the beads, and of course, the drinking. If you are trying to figure out which parades you’re going to catch or which parades Auntee and Uncle are riding in, then look no further than our calendar. We’ve listed the parades in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish to ensure that you won’t miss out on the Mardi Gras madness passing right down your street.

We’ve also picked our krewe this month - The Krewe of Chronos. Read up on the origins of the Mardi Gras krewe and meet this year’s royalty, Dr. Pete Leichty and Alex Donner.

In this issue you will also find tips, advice, and ideas for Valentine’s Day. Whether you are spending it with friends, with your new spouse, or your spouse of 60 years, there is advice and tips for all ages on being happy and in love.

EDITOR’S NOTEGet Ya Mardi Gras On

Ben Jones Jr, Editor @sirbenjaminjr

PUBLISHERS/EDITORSBen Jones Jr

Cody J. Blanchard

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSCeleste Roberts Bergeron

Megan LedetJessi Suire

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTSGinger Gaubert, Todd Kennedy,

Niki Landry, Jeffery Markel,Jasmine Richard, Scott Silverii, Kate Theriot, Katherine Toups,

Laura Valenti

MARKETING AMBASSADORSKara DomangueLeon Hutchinson

PHOTOGRAPHYJuliana Pennison

Brian Waitz

FEBRUARY 2015VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 2

Copyright © 2015 by Fathom Media, LLC.All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part withoutpermission is strictly prohibited.

BUSINESS ADDRESSFathom Media, LLC

985.414.7073P.O. Box 5702 | 1214 Canal Boulevard

Thibodaux, LA 70302

What Now Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material such as manuscripts or photographs, with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Information in this publication is gathered from sources con-sidered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

The opinions expressed in What Now Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Fathom Media, our employees or any of our advertisers.

5WHATNOWMAG.com


19

20 22

24

Southdown Plantation hosts Ghirardi’s exhibit “The Colors of Life and Mardi Gras”

RENE GHIRARDI: A STILL LIFE12

FEATURES

BY JESSI SUIRE

IN EVERY ISSUE

ON THE COVERPeter Leichty, MD, King Chronos LXI, and hisQueen, Alexandra Donner.

Brian Waitz

The Duke. Where Deep Fried Is An Artistic Expression.

DOWNTOWN ROYALTY20

Five old ladies must rely on their wit to save their historic house.

THE LADIES OF THESACRED SOUTH

22

BY CELESTE ROBERTS BERGERON

Celebrating Mardi Gras with the Krewe of Chronos

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL24

BY JESSI SUIRE

A look at your submitted photos from January.

FLASHBACK9

Highlights of upcoming events in February.SNIPPETS15

Check out the events going on this month.FEBRUARY CALENDAR17

Take a look at our top picks this month!STAYING IN18

Solve the puzzles to win a $50 Visa gift card sponsored by Synergy Bank.

WHAT SAYING?39

A look at upcoming events for MarchFLASHFORWARD42

What Now? Meet Vera Holloway

A HELPING HAND & HEART19

BY MEGAN LEDET

BY CELESTE ROBERTS BERGERON

An inside view from kids, newly weds, and relationship pros!

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE27

7WHATNOWMAG.com

Contact us for more information at 985-873-6408 & find us on Facebook - Terrebonne Folklife Culture Center

WEDNESDAY1st & 3rd

of Each Month

Cajun Dancing5:30 - 7:30 pm

TUESDAY

Painting9 am - noon

Wood Carving6 - 9 pm

THURSDAY

Quilting9 am - noon

MONDAY

Knitting/Crocheting 10 am - noon

Painting 6 - 9 pm

JOIN US FOR OUR WEEKLY CLASSES!

317 Goode St. − Houma, La


COLUMNS

1WHATNOWMAG.com

FEBRUARY 2015

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

RENE GHIRARDI: A STILL LIFE 12

DOWNTOWN ROYALTY 20

TIGHT LINE 29

Celebrating Mardi Gras with the Krewe of Chronos - 24

View this month’s issue online atwww.WHATNOWMAG.com

Loving the Local WayBOTTOMS UP30BY JEFFERY MARKEL

Compassionate BehaviorDUTY CALLS31BY CHIEF SCOTT SILVERII, PH.D.

The Healthy CajunHEALTH & WELLNESS32BY KATHERINE TOUPS

Prioritizing ProjectsHOUSE TO HOME33BY NIKI LANDRY

When Harry Met Sally (1989)LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!34BY TODD KENNEDY, PH.D.

Down in New OrleansONE TANK TRIP35BY GINGER GAUBERT

Your Serve-Me PersonaUP IN YOUR BUSINESS36BY LAURA VALENTI

Oryz and Crake by Margaret AtwoodTHE PAGE TURNER37BY JASMINE RICHARD

The Mardi Gras TraditionsYOU’RE WORTH IT38BY KATE THERIOT

Redfishin’ in FebruaryTIGHT LINE29BY KALON JOHNSON

9WHATNOWMAG.com

LJ, Landen, Bryden and Bransen were excited to meet a real cowboy at the 8 Seconds to Glory Bull Riding show in the Houma Civic Center.

A MEETING A COWBOY

PHOTOS

Houma Junior High Sweethearts Kaylee DeRoche, Carlie Christ, Taylor Hartman, Taylor Walls, Danisha Williams, Tia Gorrell, and Emerald Dillard represented their school in Orlando, Florida at the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Game on January 1, 2015. They were among 1,400 participants from around the country.

B HOUMA JUNIOR HIGH

Looking for a spin on your traditional King Cake experience? Stop by Spahr’s Seafood in downtown Thibodaux and try their King Cake Beignets!

C KING CAKE BEIGNETS

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

[email protected]

B

C

FLASHBACK January 2015

A


Congratulations to Meagan Hebert, Anna Rodrigue and Maddie Constant for each completing their first marathon at the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge.

D FIRST MARATHON

PHOTOS

Jack Smith received the “Student of the Year” Award for Raceland Middle School.

E STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Kylie & Ainsley Ashley, Tina, and Wendy “Smiles at Mile 7” in the Louisiana Marathon.

F AINSLEY’S ANGELS

Bebe Mahler, Jonathan Foret, and Raegan Creppell at the Downtown Chili Cook-Off in downtown Houma.

G DOWNTOWN CHILI COOK-OFF

D

E

FLASHBACK January 2015

F

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS

[email protected]

G

11WHATNOWMAG.com

MARDI GRAS SCHEDULE

Golden Meadow, 1:00 PMKREWE OF DES PETITE1Houma, 6:00 PMKREWE OF HERCULES6Larose, NoonLE KREWE DES T-CAJUN7Chauvin, NoonKREWE DE PETIT CAILLOU7Thibodaux, 5:30 PMKREWE OF AMBROSIA7Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF AQUARIUS7

Houma, NoonKREWE OF HYACINTHIANS8Houma, NoonKREWE OF TITANS8

Thibodaux, 1:00 PMKREWE OF SHAKA8

Larose, NoonKREWE OF VERSAILLES8Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF APHRODITE13Golden Meadow, 7:00 PMKREWE OF ATHENA13Lockport, NoonKREWE OF APOLLO14Golden Meadow, NoonKREWE OF ATLANTIS14Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF MARDI GRAS14Larose, 6:30 PMLE KREWE DU BON TEMPS14

Montegut, 2:00 PMKREWE OF MONTEGUT15

Golden Meadow, 6:00 PMKREWE OF NEREIDS15

Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF CLEOPATRA16Harang Auditorium, Thibodaux, 8:00 PMKREWE OF CHRISTOPHER TABLEAU16Houma, 11:00 AMKREWE OF HOUMAS17Thibodaux, 1:00 PMKREWE OF GHANA17Houma, 11:00 AMKREWE OF KAJUNS17

Thibodaux, 12:30 PMKREWE OF CLEOPHAS15

Thibodaux, Following CleophasKREWE OF CHRONOS15

Gheens, 11:00 AMKREWE OF GHEENS17Galliano/Golden Meadow, NoonKREWE OF NEPTUNE17Chackbay, 2:00 PMKREWE OF CHOUPIC17

Montegut, 4:00 PMKREWE OF BONNE TERRE17

Brought to you by:


Sitting on a park bench outside of the Southdown Plantation House and Museum Rene Ghirardi looks out across the field

of live oak trees, gorgeous in the sunlight of a January morning and just as grounded by their roots as is the culture of South Louisiana. To this he plainly states, “I could paint that oak tree.” Throughout the month of February, Southdown Plantation will feature Ghirardi’s work in an exhibit aptly titled “The Colors of Life and Mardi Gras,” which, like the oak trees themselves, represents both the wonder and heartache of Louisiana culture.

Featured in this exhibit are several paintings that have one central character, one central idea that celebrates the fascination

RENE GHIRARDI: A STILL LIFESouthdown Plantation hosts Ghirardi’s exhibit “The Colors of Life and Mardi Gras”WRITTEN BY JESSI SUIRE

Ghirardi has with the beauty of simplicity in the ordinary that is not limited to Southern heritage alone. He speaks of chairs with great detail, pointing out the wisdom in these everyday objects that those without a painter’s eye may not be able to catch. Chairs, he explains, are objects taken for granted daily and without question. They are not made important in the minds of those who sit down in them at the dinner table or stub their toes against them as they walk across the room, yet chairs have seen their fair share of exultation, of happiness and grief. Ghirardi, though plainly spoken with this explanation of his art, is quick to showcase the balance of his passion and the work it takes to make such passion tangible.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN WAITZ

13WHATNOWMAG.com

“It’s not a bolt of lightning,” he says when describing his artistic inspirations. “It’s hard work. And there are times where you get blocked, where nothing seems to come to you.” He makes it clear in his words that his muse often comes from that which is noticed in everyday life.

Ghirardi, a native of Morgan City and advertising design graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, believes simply that his passion for art was triggered not through academic study but rather through an unknown origin, a love that was simply in his genes. “It’s hard to describe,” he says. “You have a creative urge that builds up, the will to just want to create something, see something evolve, grow into your emotions. Some people express it through music or writing. I do it through painting.” An eclectic sampling of work is how Ghirardi defines the art featured in this exhibit, which includes a series of Mardi Gras inspired paintings, various portraits of seafood rich in vibrancy and color, and several abstract works driven by strength of feeling. Communication has a significant role in Ghirardi’s worldview as an artist, particularly his perceptions on sensory details and human emotions. He is grounded in his belief that people from various walks of life all perceive the senses in different ways, that each individual has a certain way of identifying the world around them that ranges as deeply as the sound of somebody else’s voice to the intricate textures of shellfish such is South Louisiana’s birthright. In

describing his paintings of boiled crabs and crawfish, Ghirardi quips: “They’re mean, angry, and just dying to pinch you.”

One of the more honest representations from Ghirardi’s collection about life in the South is a still life painting that rings of both tragedy and hope deeply inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ghirardi visited the city of New Orleans after the area had been both physically and emotionally ravaged by the storm. His central inspiration for the portrait was the intense sense of loss he witnessed while traveling through the city. Featured in the painting are pieces of seemingly random objects—a cigar box, a rose, a candle—that, Ghirardi explains, are not so much random as they are measures of hope, love, and perseverance. Aptly written on the box is the bolded phrase “Keep Moving,” the cigar brand used by Ghirardi as a call to urgency for New Orleans citizens as they strive to brave hardship, the lighted candle beside it a beacon signaling hope for the future. Art such as this under Ghirardi’s creative perspective is influenced largely by his strong stance on the complexities of human communication, of individual perception and feeling. “Art should never have to be explained,” Ghirardi says. “Art is feelings, feelings you have about these things that other people don’t see. What you see leans you towards the method of how you paint it.”

Ghirardi takes his time when speaking on the nature of his work and is quick to express his art not in terms of financial pursuit but


SNIPPETSrather as a hobby, a pastime he can now enjoy that is separate from a lifetime of skilled labor. Once graduating from college, Ghirardi worked for eight years as an art director in several different locations throughout the South, of which he cites Dallas, Shreveport, and New Orleans as the main areas. In those years, Ghirardi explains, time was spent not on chasing his artistic passions but was instead focused largely on providing a steady income for himself and his family. Eventually he settled down in Houma where for twenty-five years he devoted his time to his work in the retail business. After leaving the business in the late nineties, Ghirardi was able to make the conscious effort to dedicate himself once more to his paintings.

Throughout the years Ghirardi has managed to remain grounded in his convictions that art is a tool used not so much for money or self-promotion as it is about human feeling and the artist’s will to convey knowledge and truth in the simplest terms of beauty. He considers “The Colors of Life and Mardi Gras” as his first art exhibit and has often withheld from entering his work at other public showings. Only when speaking of his native Morgan City’s annual “Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival” does Ghirardi define the recognition and acceptance an artist feels when the work he has created is perceived through the eyes of the public. He admits that he has on several occasions entered his art to the festival though he does not make it a yearly ritual. Much of the public recognition an artist experiences, as Ghirardi explains, is driven strongly by word-of-mouth phenomenon. Ghirardi’s own knowledge of the Southdown Plantation House’s

various art exhibits has ultimately been the catalyst for the present showing of his work. The exhibit has been a plan in the making since last year when Ghirardi saw through social media the museum’s desire in featuring local artists.

Ghirardi’s art is currently on display for public viewing at the Southdown Plantation House and Museum. The exhibit is to last throughout the month of February, where the paintings are available for purchase.” The Colors of Life and Mardi Gras” is a rich celebration of Louisiana heritage, a representation of life in the South, of life at the bottom of the world. The paintings in this collection foster an understanding as plainly stated as the chair on Mama’s front porch, that Southern life is valued just as Ghirardi himself finds it on the canvas—simple, full of truth and in vivid color. WN

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15WHATNOWMAG.com

SNIPPETS February 2015 Events

Let the good times roll and come get your 5K on at Thibodaux Running Group’s first run, “Laissez Le Mon Temps Courir” or “Let the Good Times RUN!”

“We are so excited about our first race ever!” said Erika Esteve, in charge of putting the race together along with other members as well as one of the founders of the Thibodaux Running Group. “The purpose of the event is to raise money for the Thibodaux Running Group as well as a local running group for girls called Girls on the Run. It is a 5K (3.1 miles) or 10K (6.2 miles) race around Thibodaux.”

The event will be held at Peltier Park in

Saturday, February 7 at 8:00 AM (Registration)LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS COURIRSAT

7TH PELTIER PARK, THIBODAUX

Thibodaux on February 7 with registration beginning at 8:00 AM and the race officially starting at 9:00 AM. “I love the fact that we are getting Thibodaux active after the holidays as well as raising money for two great causes!” said Esteve.

“We will have a great race on most of the Ambrosia Parade route that runs the same night! We will have awesome shirts, great giveaways (4 Polar watches, thanks to Polar!), and of course, King Cake!” said Esteve. “I mean, why shouldn’t you go!?”

The cost to be a part of the Laissez Le Bon Temps Courir is $25 for either race. This includes a goodie bag, king cake, a

shirt, beverages after the race, and most importantly supporting Girls on the Run and Thibodaux Running Group.

The race will also feature a costume contest! The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will EACH receive a Polar Heart-rate Monitor watch! They will also be randomly selecting a number and that participant will also receive a Polar watch!

For more information on signing up for the run, visit www.runthibodaux.com or the Facebook page – Thibodaux Running Group. Let the good times run! WN

The South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center will host Terrebonne Parish’s sixth annual World Wetlands Day celebration Monday, February 2 at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum.

February 2 each year is World Wetlands Day. Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general.

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, the Wetlands Discovery Center will

Monday, February 2 from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PMWORLD WETLANDS DAYMON

2ND BAYOU TERREBONNE WATERLIFE MUSEUM, HOUMA

host an educational event complete with hands-on activities and a tour of the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum in Downtown Houma on Monday, February 2 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

“World Wetlands Day gives the Wetlands Discovery Center an opportunity to give back to our community by inviting students from three schools to attend this field trip free of charge. We work hard during the year to raise the funds to be able to produce these programs. We’re also very lucky to have several groups that partner with us

to provide the hands-on activities during the day. These groups include BTNEP, Bayouland RC&D, CWPPRA, USDA Sugarcane Research Station, Wildlife and Fisheries and 4-H.”

Terrebonne Parish’s 2015 World Wetlands Day is made possible by funds raised by the Rougarou Festival.

For more information about the Wetlands Discovery Center or its programs, please visit www.slwdc.org or call (985) 580-7289. WN

MORE EVENT INFO AT www.whatnowmag.com


Come one, come all and grab some exotic grub! The Larose Regional Park and Civic Center are hosting their 18th Annual Wild Game Supper on Thursday, February 26 at the Larose Civic Center.

“The Wild Game Supper is held yearly to benefit our long-term Endowment Fund,” said Jasmine S. Ayo, Director of the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center. “This one-of-a-kind event was given to the park to benefit our long term Endowment Fund by a family of local business leaders — brothers, Pat and John Brady, avid park supporters.”

The supper began in their local warehouse and was held there for many years for fun with guests, cooks, and stories. Once their warehouse was outgrown, the park took over the event…what started as a small event in the gym with less than

Thursday, February 26LAROSE REGIONAL PARK’S WILD GAME SUPPERTHUR

26TH LAROSE CIVIC CENTER, LAROSE

200 people in attendance and a few animal mounts became a 1500 person event held in the 25000 square foot pavilion with more than 40 unique dishes prepared by local cooks and chefs. Hundreds of animal mounts, a cash bar, live auction, and music round out this amazing one night dinner! Featured at auction are a Gun of the Year, Best Tasting Dishes are awarded in Fin, Fur, and Feather, and Best Overall. Specialties such as Hog Wings, Nutria Routee, Pheasant Gumbo, and much more! A community Outdoor Icon Award is also presented to an honored community member who promotes the conservation, culture, and history of the community.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, you can call volunteer Chef Brent Vizier at 696-4942 or you can call event

volunteer Mark Bourg at 985-696-2002. Individual tickets are $60, VIP Tables

are $800 for 8 seats, a company banner displayed, early admission seating to event, bucket of beer, event t-shirts, and a personal server. Conservation Tables are $2500 for 8 seats, a company banner displayed, early admission seating to event, preferential seating, bottle of wine, event fishing shirts, and a personal server. ONLY advanced ticket sales allowed for this event.

For more information visit www.bayoucivicclub.org or Larose Regional Park and Civic Center Facebook Page or by calling 985-693-7355 for information or ticket sales. WN

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! One way to show your love this Valentine’s Day is by attending An Elite Night Out at the Regional Military Museum in Houma on Saturday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day) at 5:30 PM.

“It’s going to be a great evening of class and romance catering to couples for a classic date night but we also welcome singles to have a night of fun and enjoyment,” said Terrolyn Mitchell, event architect and host for the evening. “We are looking forward to bringing a new and elite conceptual experience to the area. We are also excited to initiate the community to visit the top of the line and new Regional Military Museum of Houma.”

The evening will consist of a cocktail

Saturday, February 14th at 5:30 PMAN ELITE NIGHT OUTSAT

14TH REGIONAL MILITARY MUSEUM, HOUMA

hour, elite decor, a three-course dinner, elite giveaways, couple/group photos, and a live band for the epitome of interactive and real time entertainment. “There will be no lines and no waiting as in typical restaurants for Valentine’s Day,” said Mitchell. “We encourage all to join in this experience, enjoy themselves, and dance the night away in a very unique environment and sophisticated atmosphere with impeccable ambiance. This will certainly be the Ultimate Elite Valentine’s Experience that everyone will be talking about until next year and we don’t want anyone to miss this opportunity.”

The cost to attend the event is $75 per couple and $37.50 singles (must be prepaid).

The proceeds will benefit Events by

Charisma Creations’ newly organized scholarship: “The Maggie Johnson Single Mothers Scholarship Fund.” This scholarship was created with the single mother non-traditional student in mind. The other benefiting entity will be C. Miles Photography’s scholarship: “The Kendrick Johnson Scholarship Fund.” This scholarship is geared toward high school graduates. They will also welcome any other businesses as sponsors or individuals that would like to donate to the cause.

For more information you can visit Charisma Creations Events on Facebook or email [email protected]. WN

17WHATNOWMAG.com

CALENDAR February Events at a glance

WEEK 1 (FEB 1 - 7)

Golden Meadow, 1:00 PMKREWE OF DES PETITE1

WEEK 2 (FEB 8 - 14)

Houma, 6:00 PMKREWE OF HERCULES6

WEEK 3 (FEB 15 - 21)

Larose, NoonLE KREWE DES T-CAJUN7

Chauvin, NoonKREWE DE PETIT CAILLOU7

Thibodaux, 5:30 PMKREWE OF AMBROSIA7

Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF AQUARIUS7

Houma, NoonKREWE OF HYACINTHIANS8

Houma, NoonKREWE OF TITANS8

Thibodaux, 1:00 PMKREWE OF SHAKA8

Larose, NoonKREWE OF VERSAILLES8

Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF APHRODITE13

Golden Meadow, 7:00 PMKREWE OF ATHENA13

Lockport, NoonKREWE OF APOLLO14

Golden Meadow, NoonKREWE OF ATLANTIS14

Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF MARDI GRAS14

Larose, 6:30 PMLE KREWE DU BON TEMPS14

Montegut, 2:00 PMKREWE OF MONTEGUT15

Golden Meadow, 6:00 PMKREWE OF NEREIDS15

Houma, 6:30 PMKREWE OF CLEOPATRA16

Harang Auditorium, Thibodaux, 8:00 PMKREWE OF CHRISTOPHER TABLEAU16

Houma, 11:00 AMKREWE OF HOUMAS17

Thibodaux, 1:00 PMKREWE OF GHANA17

Houma, 11:00 AMKREWE OF KAJUNS17

Thibodaux, 12:30 PMKREWE OF CLEOPHAS15

Thibodaux, Following CleophasKREWE OF CHRONOS15

Gheens, 11:00 AMKREWE OF GHEENS17

Galliano/Golden Meadow, NoonKREWE OF NEPTUNE17

Chackbay, 2:00 PMKREWE OF CHOUPIC17

Montegut, 4:00 PMKREWE OF BONNE TERRE17

Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum

WORLD WETLANDS DAY CELEBRATION2MON, FEB 2 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Evergreen Cajun Center, HoumaTOOL SHOW AND SALE12THURS, FEB 12 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 PMFRI, FEB 13 | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PMSAT, FEB14 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM

21SAT, FEB 21 | 7:00 PM - 11:00 PMHouma Airbase, 221 Moffet RoadTLAFA WINTER SERIES RODEO*

*Fees associated with event

WEEK 4 (FEB 22 - 28)

Larose Civic Center, LaroseWILDGAME SUPPER*26THURS, FEB 26

The Bayou Playhouse, Lockport

BAYOU PLAYHOUSEPRESENTS “HARVEY”*27FRI, FEB 27 | SAT, FEB 28


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AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 17

Wherever Chelsea Handler travels, one thing is certain: she always ends up in the land of the ridiculous. Now, in this uproarious collection, she sneaks her sharp wit through airport security and delivers her most absurd and hilarious stories ever.

Complete with answers to the most frequently asked traveler’s questions, hot travel trips, and travel etiquette, none of which should be believed, UGANDA BE KIDDING ME has Chelsea taking on the world, one laugh-out-loud incident at a time.

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SMOKE + MIRRORSImagine Dragons

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Smoke and Mirrors (stylized as Smoke + Mirrors) is the upcoming second studio album by American rock band Imagine Dragons. Self-produced by members of the band along with English hip-hop producer Alexander Grant, known by his moniker Alex Da Kid, the album is set to be released by Interscope Records and Grant’s KIDinaKORNER label on February 17, 2015 in the United States. WN

THE BEST OF MEAVAILABLE FEBRUARY 3

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Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier are high school sweethearts. Brought together by a twist of fate, the once strangers have fallen madly in love. However, due to the past history of their families, they are forbidden from seeing each other. Dating in secret, they try to keep their relationship alive despite it all. Dawson is unable and unwilling to keep of the charade for any longer, eventually leading to their break up. Fast forward 20 years later, and the pair meet up at an old friend’s funeral. Sparks immediately ignite, and the pair fall in love all over again. However, apart from their families, there is another complication. In the time they’ve been apart, Amanda married and had a son. As the pair try to navigate the tangled web of their own desires and responsibilities, chaos ensues.

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 17

19WHATNOWMAG.com

A Helping Heart & HandWhat Now? Meet Vera Holloway

WRITTEN BY MEGAN LEDET


What is your favorite thing about Thibodaux?It really is a great place to raise a family. It is a community that

is very connected. I love how you can go to Rouses and run into someone that you haven’t seen and pick up right where you left off. Whenever I was younger, I thought that was a frustrating thing. I just wanted to get away from that. As I got older, I realized the other side of that. It really is a beautiful thing. I do like the close knit of the community.

What is your daily life like as a marriage counselor?I work in a private practice, so I would say I spend

about 20 to 25 hours in the chair listening to couples and families. I am also part owner of a school for children with the diagnosis of autism. So, I also work out there. I am very involved in a non-profit organization that me and my sister-in-law started many moons ago. That is Refuge 127. It is a non-profit that services orphans in Africa.

What did you appreciate the most about your time in Uganda?

My favorite part was the simplicity of life and the fact that there is no sense of time. If you interviewed my husband, he would say that he can’t stand the no sense of time. For me, it was so nice because we live such busy lives and everything in America is measured by time. In Uganda, it’s not. It’s merely about survival. You work to survive. Time is not rushed there. I loved the simplicity and the heart of the people.

How did you react to being honored as one of Lafourche Parish’s 40 under 40?

When I looked at the people who were among me, I was definitely honored. I was honored to be amongst the greatest of our community. They are definitely the movers and shakers of the community. WN


What kinds of toppings do you like on your burger? Cheese? Ketchup? Mayo? Mustard? Pickles? How about a fried egg,

avocado, pineapple, or caramelized Granny Smith apples?If those unique foods make your mouth water, head to The

Duke in downtown Houma. “The Duke is a unique hamburger restaurant. It has many types of hamburgers and fries with a whole lot of toppings,” owner Mitchell Sargent explains.

Assuming the Throne Sargent is a single father of two boys. He was born in California,

raised in Las Vegas, and served in the United States Army for eight years. He currently works as a boat captain at SEACOR offshore. When he bought The Boxer and the Barrel bar next door, he soon realized how much downtown Houma needed a casual dining spot after the original owner of The Duke closed it.

“I saw a need for some good food downtown late at night. There are several bars downtown without many options for places

DOWNTOWN ROYALTYThe Duke. Where Deep Fried Is An Artistic Expression. WRITTEN BY CELESTE ROBERTS BERGERON

to eat. I thought having a restaurant within walking distance would cut down on the amount of DUIs issued and make downtown Houma safer,” Sargent says.

So, why the name “The Duke”? Sargent laughs and admits, “I’m not sure why this name was chosen by the previous owner, but I have kept it because it has a great following from when it was open before. Plus, it sounds regal.”

At Your Service Although hamburgers are the stars of The Duke, the menu

boasts several other creative dishes: American Sushi (a deep fried hot dog with bacon, bleu cheese, basil bleu ranch, and grilled onion), buffalo fries (fries topped with popcorn chicken and drenched with buffalo sauce, bleu cheese crumbles, basil bleu ranch, bacon, and cheddar cheese), pulled-pork nachos, fried mac-n-cheese balls, and fried Oreos. In fact, the cooks will fry any dessert you bring to the restaurant for $2. With the Mardi Gras

21WHATNOWMAG.com

season in full swing, make sure to stop by for the fried King Cake. Owning and running a restaurant requires plenty of assistance.

Thanks to General Manager Mikey Valencia and Kitchen Manager Rick Voisin, The Duke operates with the same low-key yet passionate service its long-time patrons adore.

Rick Voisin has been working at The Duke since it originally opened. “I was just looking for a job at first,” he explains. “I started as a dish washer and gradually worked my way up to kitchen manager. I don’t think I could work anywhere else. There’s no heart going into the work at other places, I find. I love the atmosphere here and the love that goes into the cooking.”

Rick’s favorite menu items are the buffalo fries and the Cali King Burger. “I like the avocado and the bean sprouts on the burger. It’s a fresh combination.”

For Mikey Valencia, bar management isn’t new. “I’ve managed bars and worked at them for years. I am a safety instructor full-time,” he explains. “When the Boxer and the Barrel was put up for sale, Mitchell and I decided to go for it. This is our break, a fun job from our full-time jobs. Sometimes I’m here until 1 or 2 in the morning. My phone never goes off.”

Because the restaurant doesn’t shy away from frying anything edible, a patron once brought a whole pizza. “We fried that pizza for him, and then Serving Houma began calling us soon after,” Mikey laughs. “People had heard about that, and they wanted to order it. It’s not a menu item right now, but people can certainly bring one in.”

Mikey also emphasizes how fresh the food is and how much work goes in to preparing the meals. “We start fresh every day. Sometimes we hire people who have worked at chain restaurants where the menu items are frozen and manufactured, and they think our menu items will be easy. They end up surprised with how much work goes into making one burger, especially the more unusual ones.”

What Now?The Duke is located at 7819 Main Street in downtown Houma,

connected to The Boxer and the Barrel bar. You can stop in for a bite Monday and Tuesday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Wednesday from 11 AM to 12 AM, and Thursday through Saturday 11 AM until 3 AM. The Duke will be open during Mardi Gras parades with a cut-down menu to allow parade-goers to grab a quick bite to eat and return to the festivities.

The Duke also houses local artist Re’ Howse’s hand-painted mural on the walls, giving the restaurant a psychedelic and fun atmosphere.

Whether you want to bring your family, a date, friends, or co-workers, you and your group will experience comforting cuisine that is anything but ordinary. WN


The beautiful but decaying Magnolia Grove Plantation in Georgia has been under the care of five elderly women for

over thirty years. These ladies refer to themselves as “the Offspring of the Ladies of the Sacred South.” Unfortunately, the building inspector and Fire Marshall threaten to close Magnolia Grove if it is not renovated and brought up to code.

Their beloved home eventually captures the attention of representatives of the Georgia Historical Society. The young historian and his headstrong assistant are interested in making Magnolia Grove or Pinehill, the local museum, a part of The Pilgrimage of Historical Homes, which means that the five Southern ladies will receive money to restore their dilapidated plantation if Magnolia Grove is chosen.

So begins the ladies’ fight to win over the representatives with their cooking, hospitality, and—a thunderstorm with a ghost?

THE LADIES OF THE SACRED SOUTHFive old ladies must rely on their wit to save their historic house. WRITTEN BY CELESTE ROBERTS BERGERON

Georgia on My Mind Sue Peace is directing The Ladies of the Sacred South and is

excited to bring a dramatic comedy to Houma. “I’ve been acting since 1987, and I have done quite a lot of children’s theater for about 14 years. This current play is my fifth or sixth play directing a play with adults,” she says.

What about this quirky play captured Peace’s attention? “It’s a pretty straight show. I enjoy doing plays like these that have a lot of ‘meat’ in them,” she explains. “This play has some comedic parts, but I think it will make the audience think about their own local history. I think people are going to love the elderly ladies in the play. These ladies believe in the home and everything that happened in that home. It’s nice to know that people with strong beliefs like that do exist to this day.”

23WHATNOWMAG.com

Peace is pleased with the cast. “It’s great that we have newcomers and seasoned actors. They can help each other out and add freshness to the play. People are going to fall in love with these characters.”

Lydia Voigt (Mildred) has been acting at Le Petit since around 2008 and performs in one to two plays a year. “My mama says I have been acting my whole life,” she jokes. “I acted in some plays at school and church. My character, Mildred, is meek. She never had children of her own, but she pretty much helped raise everyone else’s children because she was a teacher.“

Julie Jeansonne (Roberta Lee Townsend) describes her character as “a slight hypochondriac.” “Roberta is a retired school teacher of about 70 years old. It seems that the rest of the girls,

surprisingly, do depend on her ideas,” Jeansonne explains. “She and the others ladies are all descendants of the Ladies of the Sacred South. This is only my second play; I performed once and got bitten by that bug.”

Brittany Rogers Bourque (Caroline Hughes) is performing in her second play at Le Petit. “I acted here when I was about 5, and I was involved in theater in high school,” she says. “I graduated from Northwestern State University in theater in 2013. I haven’t been in theater for a while, though, so I wanted to take the opportunity to bring theater back in my life.”

Jeanne Scott (Rosa Bell Periwinkle) has been acting since 1978 and is excited to portray the 83-year-old woman. “My character inherited Magnolia Grove years before, but she didn’t care to see it until twenty years later. She sold it to the other ladies, but she decided to help run it and has been doing so for over 30 years.”

Donna Benda (Olivia Wisteria) is another veteran actress who is also pleased to portray someone in her age group and defy stereotypes of what society thinks an elderly woman is like. “I’m an 80-year-old Lady of the Sacred South who loves the Magnolia Grove Plantation. I have enough sense to know that our purpose is not to work towards our own wants and means to and end; we should be making

sure that our plantation will endure.”

Scott Courville (Jack) is performing in his seventh play at Le Petit. “Jack is this laid-back California actor who works as a delivery man. He can be self-absorbed, but he is likeable and fun. He lives for the day.”

What Now?The Ladies of the Sacred

South runs from Friday, February 27th until Sunday, March 8th. The evening performances are at 7:30 PM, and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 PM. The play runs each day of the week except Monday, and tickets are $15 each ($10 each for season ticket holders). To order tickets, contact 985-876-4278 or e-mail houmalittletheatre@gmail. WN

25WHATNOWMAG.com

From young children impatiently waiting by the roadside to grandparents

resting quietly in their chairs, and even to the tourists who hold up their signs — I’m from Michigan! Throw me something! — everyone seems to identify in some small part with the carnival season. Some folks eat their king cake plain, others thick with sweet fruit fillings, but no matter what the flavor something is always cooking in Louisiana during the months of Mardi Gras. For those looking for a spirit of togetherness and community, goodwill towards men as the year stretches forth towards our Lenten season, then Thibodaux’s original royalty, the Krewe of Chronos, is the perfect place to start.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLLCelebrating Mardi Gras with the Krewe of ChronosWRITTEN BY JESSI SUIRE

Chronos: It’s about TimeSixty-one years ago, in early March of

1954, a group of local residents in the small town of Thibodaux, Louisiana made a decision that would forever change the landscape of such a quiet and uninterrupted community. Mardi Gras had long been absent from the area, and the citizens of Thibodaux had finally found it in their hearts to bring the cultural celebration, with all of its excitement, frivolousness and wonder, to the streets of their city. It seemed then that thousands of people in the community were traveling a great distance to be entertained by the roaring sounds of carnival far out of the realm of their hometown. In initiating a parade established specifically for the

FROM THE COVER


Thibodaux area, this group of determined Louisianans set the standard that has followed the community throughout the years, an early example of carefree indulgence signified by the krewe now known as Chronos.

The Krewe of Chronos was the first of its kind founded in the Thibodaux area and takes its name from a rather interesting source in antiquity. Chronos finds identity through the timeless traditions established by most parades of the carnival season as Greek Gods and Goddesses. The male deity Chronos, also known as Kronos or Chronus, is usually portrayed as the God of Time, a wrinkled man of great wisdom who is never seen without his signature gray beard. He is also said to have been the leader of the first generation of Titans, the divine children of Mother Earth and Father Heaven, of which Chronos was the youngest. Chronos is also known as the father of another legendary deity, Zeus, who would come to overthrow Chronos’ tyrannical leadership just as Chronos had overthrown the power of his own father, out of jealously and desire for control of the universe.

Mardi Gras on the BrainFor those Louisiana natives who have been branded by Cajun

culture since they were children, standing by the roadside screaming out into the crowds for beads and trinkets is not an uncommon sight. For a man such as Dr. Pete Leichty, neurosurgeon at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, an experience such as this is a little harder to come by through means of cultural convention. To this he explains: “I rode in four parades before ever actually watching one from the street.” Dr. Leichty grew up not in his current city of Thibodaux but rather in southwest Michigan, eventually attending medical school in Chicago with his training set in Birmingham, Alabama. The time Leichty spent in Birmingham ultimately led him to establish the South as his home, where then in 2008 he moved to Thibodaux and has been there ever since.

He first became involved with the Krewe of Chronos through his partnership with fellow neurosurgeon Dr. Tom Donner, who has been with the krewe for several years and has also served as past king. “It’s a big part of the culture,” Dr. Leichty says on being named king. “You get to reign over the krewe for a year and throw a lot of parties. The king and queen do a lot of the arrangements. We like to carry on tradition and try to leave it in a better place than it was before.” For this upcoming Mardi Gras season, Dr. Donner’s daughter Alex, an LSU civil engineering freshman, is set to wear the crown as Queen of Chronos, a title she has coveted

since she was thirteen years old. Carnival has been an integral part of Alex’s upbringing as she grew up watching her Dad be a faithful member of the krewe, having served as a page during his year as king and also participating as a maid in last year’s parade.

Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!Both Donner and Leichty agree that the best part of the carnival

Chronos is set to roll the Sunday before Fat Tuesday, beginning at the Nicholls State University football stadium and following right behind the Krewe of Cleophas. The annual tableau and ball, highlighted this year by the theme “Isn’t it Romantic,” is scheduled for February 7 at 7:00 PM at the Harang Municipal Auditorium in Thibodaux, and though the tableau portion of the evening is open to the public, the ball is an invitation-only event.

Whether young or old, from out of town or outer space, the Krewe of Chronos is a carnival sensation that celebrates all kinds of people, where the main theme is not so much romantic as it is an acceptance of community and companionship. So scream as loud as you can, always save room for king cake, and never forget to let the good times roll. WN

KREWE OF CHRONOS ROLLS AFTER THE KREWE OF CLEOPHAS IN THIBODAUX

CLEOPHAS ROLLS AT 12:30 PM

27WHATNOWMAG.com

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?An inside view from kids, newly weds, and relationship pros!

What does love mean to you?Celeste: Love is enjoying the good times and weathering the bad times together. You both need to celebrate with each other and also help each other during challenges

Brett: Love means putting up with each other day to day and still saying, “I love you” before going to sleep.

BRETT & CELESTE BERGERON - NEWLY WEDS

Describe your perfect date.A nice quiet restaurant and a good meal. Just being together anywhere.

What would your sweetheart candy read?My Little Ray of Sunshine

KERRY & CHERYL SUIRE

What does love mean to you?They go hunting and fishing together. If she goes with you, she’s a winner.

What is your #1 love advice?Just be nice. Then you’ll be happy all the time.

MATTHEW BOURGEOIS, 14


What does love mean to you?Earl: Love means family and commitment. Marie: Cooking for the family.

What is the secret to a happy relationship?Compromising or giving in.

EARL & MARIE WILLIAMS - MARRIED 67 YEARS

Describe your perfect date.A nice quiet restaurant and a good meal. Just being together anywhere.

What would your sweetheart candy read?BABE.

SETH & ERIN VAUGHN - NEWLY WEDS

29WHATNOWMAG.com

We are now in the month of February but I’m already

in love with a species called the Redfish. Cold temperatures tend to keep people thinking it’s too cold to fish but that’s far from the truth. When those north winds come through pretty hard and really pushes the water out, no need to panic. Whatever ponds you have been focusing on that were holding fish, search for the nearest canal and those redfish should be holding right there. In other words, they won’t go far. They’ll just move on to find the closest deep canal that’s available. There’s no need to look for 10 feet or more, most of the time 5 feet or

TIGHT LINERedfishin’ in February

BY KALON JOHNSON

more will be good enough around here. Remember that redfish can tolerate much colder water temperatures than speckled trout so when the water temperature gets low, you can still count on some redfish action. Anything below 53 degrees is normally too cold for trout to bite.

These Redfish in the canals can be caught jigging or slow rolling your choice of swim baits on the bottom. Also, suspending lures work very well. I like to throw a Matrix or Vortex Shad. Color selection depends on the condition that’s given to me. Fish them very slow when the water temperature is down and remember to have

KALON is a Saltwater Angler from Thibodaux and college graduate of Nicholls State University. He is an outdoor writer/social media manager for Coastal Angler Magazine “NOLA” and Elite Pro Staff/Sales Representative for Standard Mapping, so fishing is a business for him.

patience especially if you know the fish are there. Also, pay attention to the first couple of Redfish you catch. If you can spot any kind of leeches on the Redfish, that will tell you that they are on the bottom. So from there on out, be sure you are getting your lure to the bottom. Remember deep canals/dead end canals and holes are what you want to look for with the low water temperatures. Lake Tambour and Madison Bay of Pointe Aux Chenes has some surrounding canals and drop offs to fish this time of the year. Sister Lake and Lake Mechant of Dularge also have some great canals to fish this time of year as well. When the sun

comes out to warm up the flats and ponds, the Redfish will come back up to get some sun and that’s when I get out of the canals and start sight fishing.

Until next time, Tight Lines and God Bless! WN


If you’ve ever driven past the little stands that set up

Sunday morning on West 1st street between the Carrot Patch health food store and the Wetlands Acadian Cultural center and wondered what was going on then you should know that what you are seeing is the Thibodaux Farmers Market. Admittedly there aren’t a whole lot of vendors there but I’ll tell you it is definitely worth stopping for. Fresh produce and new locally made products always inspire me both in the kitchen and the bar. I love just going to look around to see what they have. The last time I went I bought a couple of syrups that were made by a man named Bunga. He always has something different and they have always been a good quality. He also makes preserves and jellies but I see the syrups and I immediately think of them as a cocktail ingredient. I have had a lot of fun using them to make a wide range of cocktails, from an Old Fashioned to a Margarita.

BOTTOMS UPLoving the Local Way

BY JEFFERY MARKEL

JEFFERY is the bar manager at Flanagan’s Creative Food and Drink in Thibodaux.

But I’ll save those for another time. This month we are going to make a sparkling champagne cocktail, partly because V-day looms on the horizon but mostly just because I love to make (and drink) champagne cocktails.

This month’s recipe came about because I had gotten together with a bunch of friends for this past New Year’s Eve and when we ran out of the second batch of French 75’s, one of my friends pointed to the bottle of Bunga’s plum syrup on the bar and said “I love that guy’s stuff but what do you use that for?” I said, “Well I don’t know yet but why don’t we figure it out.” What follows is a slightly more refined version of what we came up with that night. By refined I mean I actually measured out the

The Plum Rose (Makes 4 Cocktails)

1 bottle of good quality Champagne or Prosecco2 ½ oz. vodka 2 oz fruit syrup (I used plum)¼ tsp rose water

In a separate mixing glass add vodka, fruit syrup and rose water and mix with a spoon until the syrup has dissolved enough that it is no longer clinging to the sides or bottom of the glass. Chill this mixture in the fridge. When it comes time to serve, drizzle about an ounce into a glass of chilled champagne. Enjoy!

ingredients. I also added a few drops of rose water in the spirit of St. Valentine’s Day.

Now I know not everyone has rose water and plum syrup hanging out in their fridge. So I found a great website called OliveNation.com that has the same brand I use. It’s only about four dollars a bottle and you can use it in a lot of other things. Just use it sparingly, it can get

overpowering really fast. If you can’t get to the farmers market for some of Bunga’s tasty syrups then go to Rouses and get a good quality seedless preserve or jelly of a flavor you like. You can thin it out into syrup by mixing it with a little vodka. WN

31WHATNOWMAG.com

Compassion. It’s a word I learned to associate with

policing years ago. Unfortunately it’s not a term commonly associated with policing.

In an environment measured by crime statistics and crash data, quantifying compassion is difficult, if not impossible. Or so I thought.

Understanding the value of mashing big data, I recently worked through a session of year end analysis. Comparing informational trends for discovering social harm patterns is a daunting task. It’s vital for the efficient operation of a public safety organization.

A number jumped out at me - 64. I looked to another category and saw a smaller but still significant number - 11. They’re important because they illustrate the percentage of vehicle stops over the last four years that ended in a warning.

DUTY CALLSCompassionate Behavior

BY SCOTT SILVERII

SCOTT is the Chief of Police for the City of Thibodaux. He is a national subject matter expert in policing with data and mapping, and has authored several books on cop culture. Connect with Scott on Twitter at @ThibodauxChief.

That’s right. Over 75% of all vehicle stops ended with the Officer simply asking the driver to comply with the law that was being violated.

Beyond a measurable performance showing that officers exercise discretion instead of issuing the violator a summons, it also demonstrates that compassion can become effectively infused with protecting the public.

While policing is a tough job it doesn’t absent the opportunity for acting humanely.

The overall effect of exercising discretion and developing a partnership with the city we serve has netted historic lows in most every category of crime, crash and quality of life concerns.

Fighting crime is always hard work but always being hard isn’t necessary.

The Thibodaux Police Department has established a model of positive policing that supports a high quality of life in the city. Most importantly, we’ve become what I trust is the next evolution in public service - compassionate. WN


It’s about that time of year…

Mardi Gras season! With this

comes lots of food, fun, and

alcohol! It is important but very

tough to stay healthy during

Carnival time, so read the tips

below on how to enjoy this

season while still staying true to

your Cajun roots!

— Although this may be

tough, limit your alcohol

intake to 1-2 drinks. Too much

alcohol consumption can lead

to unhealthy eating and possibly

some regretful decisions! Also,

when you drink too much, you

tend to eat unhealthy the next

day. Hangovers = no willpower!

— If you do have a drink, go

for something low calorie such

as vodka with water and a lemon.

Stay away from high calorie

drinks such as beer or daiquiris!

— Make a king cake rule for

yourself…only one piece during

the entire season! Another

tough one, but too much sugar

will lead to weight gain and it

will also increase your cravings

for sugary foods. Don’t forget

your fruits and veggies as a

healthy snack!

— When you are going to

a Mardi Gras party, ball, or

parade where there will be lots

of unhealthy food, be sure to

eat a healthy meal before filled

with LOTS of nutrients! For

example, a salad with several

veggies in it or a grilled chicken

breast with a side of veggies.

This will help prevent you from

overeating at the party.

HEALTH & WELLNESSThe Healthy Cajun

BY KATHERINE TOUPS

KATHERINE is the owner and creator of Fusion Wellness Solutions. She is a certified wellness coach, personal trainer, and exercise class instructor. For more information on her wellness services or exercise classes, Contact Katherine at [email protected].

— If you are the person

hosting the party, be sure to

have a fruit and vegetable

tray for your guests! Snack

on that before you dive into

anything else. When preparing

your favorite Cajun dishes,

substitute some of the items for

healthier options if possible! For

example, substitute applesauce

for oil, butter, or sugar, Greek

yogurt for mayo or sour cream,

and/or whole-wheat flour

instead of the white stuff. Your

guests will never know!

— Exercise, exercise,

exercise! Do not slack on your

exercise routine!

Although staying healthy

during this time of year is tough,

read below on why it is so

important:

— According to the CDC,

approximately 34.7% of adults

are obese. Louisiana has one of

the highest percentages in the

country.

— Obesity can lead to heart

disease, stroke, heart attack,

diabetes, and some cancers.

— 70% of some of these

diseases and illnesses can be

PREVENTED by taking care

of our bodies! WN

33WHATNOWMAG.com

Now that the New Year

is well under way, many

homeowners find themselves

revisiting unrealized changes

and upgrades to their home.

Prioritizing household

improvements can overwhelm

even the most seasoned DIY

homeowners, but there are a

few steps to simplify the process

and successfully start and finish

your projects.

Start with a list. Mentally

evaluate your home, and break

each section down by room or

area. Get to work brainstorming

every project or purchase

needed to complete the

space. Include repairs, decor,

maintenance, and furniture to

your list. This will also help later

when budgeting your projects,

but for now it will give you

a starting point and make it

easier to visualize and tackle

the changes. Having everything

laid out will assist in comparing

which projects are more

important or feasible. Anything

that concerns the overall

comfort or safety of you and

your family should immediately

move up the list.

Time, money, and expertise.

Of the projects that rise to the

top of your list, realistically

evaluate each in terms of

its timeline, budget, and the

skills required to complete the

project. If you will be doing the

work yourself, assess the time

and energy you can devote to

the project, and if completion

is feasible in the foreseeable

future. Half-finished projects

can often be more stressful than

never starting a project at all.

Also, evaluate the budget for

each item. Three small repairs

may equal the cost of one larger

project. Consider which one will

have a greater impact on your

household and which can wait

until a later date.

These simple tasks can assist

in prioritizing your projects,

and with diligent planning even

the most complicated projects

can be feasible. So take the

time to organize your home

improvement projects and lets

get to work! WN

HOUSE TO HOMEPrioritizing Projects

BY NIKI LANDRY

NIKI is the owner of Niki Landry Designs, LLC specializing in Resi-dential Interior Design. For more information or samples of her work please visit www.nikilandry.com.


Time hasn’t been kind to Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met

Sally. Twenty-five years—and countless imitations—later, it feels like the most predictable, cliché-driven romantic comedy you’ve ever seen. But this Valentine’s Day it might just be worth a second look. Watch it like it’s 1989 again, and realize just how innovative, influential, and funny the movie really was.

Using jazz music in a romantic comedy. Depicting male and female, platonic friends. Having a platonic friendship lead to romance. Including honest and frank talk about sex that wasn’t meant to be crass. Tying the tale to quirky lead characters who are more lovable for being foible than for seeming like typical Hollywood love interests. All of these things were really groundbreaking in 1989. All of these things made for a funny,

surprising, and original film experience. It isn’t this film’s fault that everything worked so surprisingly well that (nearly) every romantic comedy since then has wanted to copy it.

There are a zillion funny lines and moments in this film—most notoriously the fake orgasm scene in Katz’s deli. But those moments aren’t what made this film so fresh, so new when it came out. The movie is worth remembering because this is one of the first romantic comedies to ask us to laugh with (rather

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!When Harry Met Sally (1989)

BY DR. TODD KENNEDY

TODD is the chair of the Film Studies Program at Nicholls State University. He has published scholarly articles on Sofia Coppola, Ang Lee, Robert Altman, and Bob Dylan.

than at) couples who are just as hapless at life, love, and success as all the rest of us. And to find that haplessness endearing. The movie says that none of us are Audrey Hepburn, and we shouldn’t be looking for Gary Cooper. Sometimes—nay most the time—good things come in more complex packages.

Those lessons seem commonplace now. We’ve had a quarter century of TV shows like Sex and the City, Girls, and Mad About You, and countless (mostly bad) film rip-offs of

When Harry Met Sally (Meet me in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail…here’s looking at you). That is a quarter century that is difficult to undo. It isn’t easy to put oneself back in 1989, to forget the scores of imitations. But it’s worth a shot. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are worth it. Just remember to learn something from Meg Ryan’s character—don’t misplace any of your “days of the week underpants.” You’ll regret it later. WN

35WHATNOWMAG.com

ONE TANK TRIPDown in New Orleans

BY GINGER GAUBERT

GINGER is a retired high school teacher. She is a travel enthusiast who enjoys food and wine and ex-periencing new sights and tastes.

Hello, What Now readers! Well, it’s already

February—Mardi Gras season is in full swing and culminates on February 17, and Valentines Day is just around the corner. Here are some one-tank trip suggestions for this month.

Marvel Universe LIVE!

Bring your Super Hero fans to see this authentic and original story that brings more than twenty-five Marvel characters together on an epic quest to defeat Loki, Mighty Thor’s villainous brother, and his adversaries to save not only Earth but also the Universe. To defeat Loki, Marvel’s biggest Super Heroes must band together, including The Avengers—Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor along with Spider-Man and Wolverine—and trek across the globe to retrieve the Cosmic Cube fragments and unite them. Marvel Universe LIVE! is being presented by the New Orleans

Smoothie King Center through November 18. Ticket prices vary, and you can purchase them online here: http://www.neworleansarena.com/calendar?cats=11

Road to Berlin

European Theater Galleries (National World War II Museum)—“Road to Berlin,” the first of two exhibits in the new Campaigns of Courage Pavilion, traces the American struggle to defeat the Nazis. Included in the exhibit are oral histories, personal artifacts, authentic film footage, and animated maps and re-creations. For more information, visit http://www.nationalww2museum.org/campaigns-of-courage.

From “Dirty Shirts” to Buccaneers: The Battle

of New Orleans in American

Culture (Cabildo)

New Orleans is celebrating the bicentennial of the Battle of

New Orleans, which was the last major battle of the War of 1812. “The Louisiana State Museum’s groundbreaking bicentennial exhibition features two national treasures: the uniform coat Andrew Jackson wore while leading troops at the Battle of New Orleans and a portrait of him by Ralph E. W. Earl. The exhibition explores how a diverse group of French Creoles, Kentucky and Tennessee riflemen, Baratarians and free men of color, among others, defeated the mighty British army. With movie clips and a variety of memorabilia, the exhibition also considers what the battle meant to later generations.” For more information, visit http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-museum/exhibits/battle-of-new-orleans/index.

So, here are just a few suggestions for a February outing. Fill up your tank, and check one or all of these out. One-tank trip, y’all! WN


The person you are portraying when you talk

to someone who is providing a service to you speaks volumes about who you are as a person, and is a reflection of who you are in the business world.

There are three basic categories of personas that are typically portrayed by customers. Which one are you?

“I want it now!” (Veruca Salt, from Willy Wonka). There is no asking. This person is rude when asking for a refill and doesn’t have a nice gesture in their deck of cards. Ironically, when they’re amidst their colleagues in lunch business meetings, this person can turn right back to a familiar face and pull a Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde. The business inference: You are left to question who this person is, really, and how they are representing your company.

“I’m just here.” (Eeyore). To serve this person is difficult, and can give you a false sense of a job well done simply because they are “satisfied” with just existing. The problem lies in what this person really wants – a refill, or a hug? The business inference: What makes this person tick? They don’t even know. No one is impressed by this person.

The thoughtful, aware of their aura, multi-tasker (Mary Poppins). While it is magic, this person is simply able to

balance their needs, speak with a respectful tone and words, kindly asking for a refill, and is pleasant to be around. Because of their bag of tricks, Poppins is the ideal employee, and friend.

Pay attention to your colleagues with these thoughts in mind. Most importantly, reflect on the person you are portraying to the world so that no one thinks you are Veruca or Eeyore. Whether it’s a waiter, the person taking your order at the drive thru, or the clerk at the dry cleaners, think about what you’re saying with how you say it. “Your smile is your logo. Your personality is your business card. How you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark” (Jay Danzie, motivational speaker). WN

UP IN YOUR BUSINESSYour Serve-Me Persona

BY LAURA VALENTI

LAURA is an opinionated marketing professor at Nicholls State University and Jill-of-all-trades. She finds time to write about and teach workshops on personal selling and marketing skills though her nonprofit organization, SHE-Selling: Selling Her Everyday. For more information, go to www.SHE-Selling.com.

37WHATNOWMAG.com

Margaret Atwood has proven herself as a

writer with a gift for storytelling and the art of subtlety. Oryx and Crake offers a ‘what if’ scenario that doesn’t overplay science fiction clichés or atmosphere, but places the reader in a world similar to our own. Genetic engineering and experimentation has already happened in our lifetimes, with cloning, stem cell research, and genetically modified organisms by large corporations. Bioethics is still an issue on our horizon, but in Jimmy’s world, the Monsantos of the world have

won out and are splicing animal DNA to create new organisms better suited to human needs.

In an eerie romp through a post-apocalyptic future, we see the end through the eyes of a man who seems to be the last natural human on Earth. Snowman, known as Jimmy in his former life, is now a lonely man haunting a wilderness on the outskirts of a scientific compound that shielded him from a deadly virus engineered to wipe out Earth’s inhabitants. Before the virus, Jimmy lived in the compound with Crake, a brilliant genius who worked in genetics and his helpful muse, Oryx, an exotic beauty with a strange past. Together, the three of them stood on the brink of a new era unaware of what was to come. The bigger picture was skewed by individual motives such as Jimmy’s desire for Oryx and awe of Crake and Crake’s need to play God. Margaret Atwood has written a compelling story that started off slow and vague but blossomed

THE PAGE TURNEROryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

BY JASMINE RICHARD

JASMINE is the technology librarian at the Lafourche Parish Public Library. She obviously likes to read.

into a fascinating plot with believable and complex characters. If you are looking for something different to read, then I suggest Oryx and Crake. Two books follow this one in the series. WN


Mardi Gras, the quintessential party. Is

that all there is to Mardi Gras? According to historians the

celebration of Mardi Gras originated in the Pagan Roman Tradition as the celebration of Lupercalia. Lupercalia was a February holiday honoring the Roman god of fertility. As the Christian faith began to grow there was a strong need to blend the ancient Roman traditions with the new religious beliefs of the new Christian faith in an effort to transition away from paganism.

As the Christian faith spread throughout Europe in the first millennium each culture adapted practices to celebrate the last day before the beginning of Lent. In France this meant feasting on foods that would be given up during the 40 days of Lent on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. The French

gave this feasting the title Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday.

As the Americas were colonized religious practices were brought over and as the French settled in Louisiana so too did the Mardi Gras tradition and in 1875 Louisiana declared it a legal holiday. A legal holiday steeped in religious tradition.

The season is called Carnival, which is Latin for “farewell to flesh.” The season begins on the 12th night after Christmas, the day the wise men arrive in Bethlehem bearing gifts for the Christ child, the feast of the Epiphany. The colors of Mardi Gras, purple, green, and gold are those of royalty and bear the meanings of justice, faith, and power, respectively. These colors are fit for a King, Christ the King, and as we celebrate the season we celebrate with “King Cake,” a circular braid (crown) decorated with the Mardi Gras colors and hidden inside is a baby, the baby Jesus.

Where today we may look at the celebration of Mardi Gras as a secular party, the traditions are deeply steeped in religious traditions and values. All of Mardi Gras, the krewes, the royalty, Kings and Queens, the gift giving, the colors, and the food all bring us back to our Christian roots and faith in Jesus Christ. WN

YOU’RE WORTH ITThe Mardi Gras Traditions

BY KATHLEEN “KATE” THERIOT

KATE is a board certified coach, spiritual director and a certified CDC work@health trainer and the owner of Coaching for Change, LLC. For more information please visit her website at www.asthyself.com or call 985.804.2903.

34 WHAT NOW | January 2015

Now is the time when we sit down to make a list

of things we want to change in our lives. We make New Year resolutions. We’ll keep these resolutions for a while and then they become cumbersome so we let them go. However, I have a thought. What if we added PLAY to our list? Yes, that’s what I said, Play.

The more responsibilities we have the less time we have to play. We become more and more serious and more and more stressed. Taking time to play is not only fun, but it has a positive effect on our health.

Play usually includes the use of our imagination. Wikipedia defines imagination as “the ability to form new images and sensations in the mind that are not perceived through senses such as sight, hearing, or other senses.” In other words, imagination is a way for us to picture in our mind what

doesn’t exist, we pretend.One of the ways I use my

imagination and escape from my reality is through reading books. Not watching TV, not going to the movies, but reading a fictional tale. By reading a book I’m able picture the setting of the story in my own mind. I’m the inventor of the scene, the way the characters look and dress, how they act and the places they visit. I’m able to imagine the world in the story without restraints. By reading the author’s description and using my imagination the world in the story becomes my world; a fantasy world only for my viewing and one where no one can invade. In the fantasy world I’ve created I can escape from all the problems, worries, and responsibilities in my daily life. I can play for just a while, relax, smile, and laugh.

Make one of your resolutions a visit to your local library. Search the fiction section for your next escape and PLAY. WN

YOU’RE WORTH ITLet’s Play!

BY KATHLEEN “KATE” THERIOT

KATE is a board certified coach, spiritual director and a certified CDC work@health trainer and the owner of Coaching for Change, LLC. For more information please visit her website at www.asthyself.com or call 985.804.2903.

4954 Space Center Dr., San Antonio, TX 78218210.480.0860 | www.shweiki.com

39WHATNOWMAG.com

®WIN A$50 GIFT CARD WHAT NOW? Figure out the puzzles on this page and e-mail

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JANUARY WINNER: Paige Naquin

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JANUARY ANSWERS: rock star, big foot, party time, drinks on me, no parking on the dance floor, somewhere over the rainbow

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ADVERTISERS’ DIRECTORY

613 Canal Blvd, Thibodaux

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES

21

985.446.1968

1011 Verret St, HoumaASSURANCE FINANCIAL12985.868.7554www.lendtheway.com

7837 Park Ave., Houma

BRIAN WAITZ PHOTOGRAPHY

36

985.855.9400www.bwaitzphoto.com

7825 Park Ave, Houma

CRAIG LANDRY, ATTORNEY AT LAW

29

985.857.9111www.craiglandry.com

806 N. Acadia Rd., ThibodauxELEARNING32985.447.5994www.elearningk12.com

609 St. Mary St., Thibodaux

EMILE’S FURNITURE & APPLIANCES

33

985.446.7555www.emilesfurniture.net

100 Pecan Street, ThibodauxLAHAYE ORTHODONTICS26985.446.0988www.lahayeortho.com

MAJOR LEAGUE LAWN SERVICE

37985.226.4487

604 N. Canal Blvd., ThibodauxOFF THE HOOK3985.493.5352

202 E. 7th St., ThibodauxTHE OLD ESTATE34985.447.5413

PEONY WEDDINGPHOTOGRAPHY

23

985.397.0494www.peonyweddingphotography.com

6146 W. Park Ave., HoumaPERQUE FLOORS33985.868.1026www.perquefloors.com

269 Gabasse St., HoumaTHE PRENTICE FIRM35985.868.3106www.prenticefirm.com

407 W. 4th St., ThibodauxQUEENY’S BOUTIQUE21985.449.1080

1301 St. Mary Hwy., ThibodauxROUSES MARKETS2985.447.5998www.rouses.com

5953 W. Park Ave., HoumaSOUTHLAND MALL44985.876.4765www.southlandmallonline.com

210 Synergy Center Blvd. HoumaSYNERGY BANK39985.851.3341www.banksynergy.com

200 S. Hollywood Dr., Houma

TRAPP CADILLACCHEVROLET

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588 Corporate Dr., Suite C, Houma

TRINITY INSURANCEAGENCY

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1050 Canal Blvd., Thibodaux

WOODY FALGOUST,ATTORNEY AT LAW

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985.447.6665www.woodyfalgoust.com

404 N. Acadia Rd., ThibodauxJONES DERMATOLOGY5985.447.3889www.jonesderm.com

416 N. Canal Blvd, ThibodauxSHOE-SHI42985.446.7336www.shoeshishoes.com

523 St. Mary St, ThibodauxTHIBODAUX GLASS34985.449.1945www.thibodauxglass.com

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ADVANCED EYEINSTITUTE

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605 E. First St., Thibodaux

JONES INSURANCE SERVICES

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6161 W. Park Ave., HoumaSOUTHLAND DODGE7985.876.1817www.southlanddodge.com

555 Cardinal Drive, Thibodaux

E.D. WHITE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

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901 Canal Blvd, ThibodauxANN’S CORNER FLORIST12985.447.2052

HOPE FOR ANIMALS31www.hopeforanimals.com

41WHATNOWMAG.com


FLASHFORWARD What to expect in March

WEEK 1 (MAR 1 - 7)

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Thibodaux

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHMUSICAL SERIES1SUN, MAR 1

Along Bayou LafourcheBAYOU LAFOURCHE CLEAN UP14SAT, MAR 14

WEEK 2 (MAR 8 - 14)

Houma Municipal Auditorium, Houma

4TH ANNUAL OVER AND UNDER TUNNEL RUN21SAT, MAR 21

WEEK 4 (MAR 22 - 21)

Bayou Playhouse, Lockport

BAYOU PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS “HARRY”1SUN, MAR 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Top Water Marina, Leeville

LEEVILLE ARTS & HERITAGE FESTIVAL28SAT, MAR 28

WEEK 3 (MAR 15 - 21)

Lockport Bayouside Park, Lockport

16TH ANNUAL LOCKPORTARTS & CRAFT SHOW14SAT, MAR 14

2854 Choctaw RoadCHOCTAW FIREMEN’S FAIR13FRI, MAR 13 | SAT, MAR 14 | SUN, MAR 15

Nicholls State University, Thibodaux

LOUISIANA SWAMP STOMPFESTIVAL20FRI, MAR 20 | SAT, MAR 21 | SUN, MAR 22

Center for Traditional Boat-BuildingBATEAU DE BOIS FESTIVAL28SAT, MAR 28

Southdown Plantation, Houma

SOUTHDOWN MARKETPLACEARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL28SAT, MAR 28

Cut Off Youth Center Pavillion, Cut Off

C.Y.O.C. CHILI-JAMBALAYA COOKOFF AND CRAFT SHOW28SAT, MAR 28

Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center

THE HAVEN ANNUALSPRING GALA28SAT, MAR 28

Ellendale Country Club, Houma

6TH ANNUAL HOUMA-TERRE CHAMBER GOLF CLASSIC30MON, MAR 30

43WHATNOWMAG.com

what now magazine | february 2015

Documents

piece of king cake

king cake hotline

real louisiana king

rouses original

kitchen krewe

krewe of chronos

great selection of party

celebrating mardi gras