Life Styles

For the 25th year, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, called attention to both the need for affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity’s work to help low-income families realize the goal of homeownership. This year’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Project was held along the Gulf Coast, May 11-16 from Houston to Mobile. Pictured is the St. Tammany West Habitat for Humanity staff, partner families and volunteers with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

The City of Slidell and The East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce will present the second annual Cultural Extravaganza on August 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. It will feature an 8-course meal, wine, exhibits by local arts organizations and live music, plus presentations from leaders within this arena. Keynote speakers are Pam Breaux, Secretary of the State of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and Assistant Secretary Scott Hutcheson, the former Executive Director of the state’s Cultural Economy Foundation. Business attire. Tickets are $25 each; limited quantity available. Call 985-646-4375.

The Friends of the Northshore Harbor Center hosted Cirque in Black & White, its third annual gala celebration on June 28. The spectacular evening included not just fabulous food and music, but entertainment that captivated attendees, including aerialists swinging overhead, ribbon twirlers dancing and stilt walkers. Proceeds benefitted the Northshore Harbor Center, which will purchase additional staging for future events 

1) The St. Tammany Hospital Foundation’s Annual Leadership Recognition Celebration took place on Wednesday, May 14 at Benedict’s Plantation in Mandeville. 2007 donors who were new to the Foundation’s Donor Wall of Honor or whose donation enabled them to reach a new plateau of giving were invited to the reception where they were recognized. Pictured (l to r) are: Angelique Knoblock, Director, Home Health and Hospice of St. Tammany Parish Hospital; and Pat Maltese, Department Head of Radiology, St. Tammany Parish Hospital with husband Tony Maltese.

2) Leadership St. Tammany Alumni Foundation renewed their commitment to the community by working on the Habitat of Humanity houses earmarked as the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project–Gulf Coast 2008 in Abita Springs. Pictured from left to right: Ashley Chitwood, Sharon Lo Drucker, Laura Tobin, Levere Montgomery IV, Levere Montgomery III, Bert Duvic, Maria Burkhardt,  Ron Burkhardt, Larry Burch and Tom Quinn.

3) The St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees was recognized for outstanding growth at a recent meeting of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.  The LFT has grown statewide by an unprecedented 17 percent over the past year.  Pictured from left are St.TFT/SE President Elsie Burkhalter and LFT President Steve Monaghan.

4) Students from Geaux Dance Ballroom of Mandeville/ Slidell represented the Northshore with style in the South Central Championships and Louisiana Challenge June 6-8 in Baton Rouge. Pictured L to R: Julia DiGiovanni, Rose Marie Sand, Al Henriquez (Instructor), Stacey Sutton. Front: Gabrielle Henriquez.

1) Rusty Palmer, Robert and Debi Levis and family, Tim Ryan, Billie Garrett Semmes, Jeffrey Bayer, Mayor Ben Morris, Parish President Kevin Davis, Councilman Lionel Hicks break ground on the future home of the Summit mixed-use center.  The selected 400-acre site will be home to a unique regional, community development that will house significant retail, office, residential and medical facilities.  Phase I of the project is scheduled for completion in spring 2010.

2) Sophia Hodgson, daughter of Shane and Melissa Hodgson of Madisonville, recently donated 12 inches of hair to Locks of Love at H2O Salon in Mandeville. Sophia is 8 years old and has been growing her hair for three years with the intention of donating it in honor of her best friend’s grandmother who has cancer.