T C 26, 2018 1PB · we will hear a recap of the year and what future plans are in place. The year...

PB Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday April 26, 2018 | www.thibodauxchamber.com www.thibodauxchamber.com | Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday, April 26,, 2018 1 Thibodaux Chamber insighT/ Thursday, april 26, 2018 www.thibodauxchamber.com

2 Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday April 26, 2018 | www.thibodauxchamber.com

Business First BankGloria Navarro 435 Corporate Dr, Ste. 102 Houma, LA 70360(985) 879-7151

May 10Business At Lunch

Sugar League Jim Simon 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Bayou Country Club, Thibodaux

May 122018 Mud Bug Boil-Off

12:00 PM – 11:00 PMDowntown Thibodaux

May 17Organizational Affairs Committee Meeting

8:15 AM – 9:15 AMThibodaux Chamber Office

MAY

May 17 - May 19Every Woman Conference

House of Prayer Campus, Thibodaux

managingIT

CONSULTING

SYSTEM & NETWORK DES IGN

REMOTE MANAGED SERVICES

APPL ICATION DEVELOPMENT

DATA & VOICE COMMUNICATIONS

HARDWARE & SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

NETWORK & HARDWARE ADMINISTRATION

100 East 5th Street, Thibodaux Tel 985.448.3805 Fax 985.448.3807www.dms-la.com

EXPERTSTechnology

Chamber members are welcome to send their business news releases to be included in the

Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce Insight publication.

Deadline is the second Wednesday of each month, Insight publishes on the fourth Thursday.

To submit an article for Insight, email it to [email protected]

Submit Your Business News!

May 23Lunch - N - Learn

11:00 AM – 1:00 PMThibodaux Chamber Office

May 24Governmental and Public

Affairs Committee Meeting 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

Thibodaux Chamber Office

May 3 - 6Fireman's Fair

Thibodaux Fire DepartmentFairgrounds

May 5Lemonade Day

Thibodaux Fire DepartmentFairgrounds

2 Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday April 26, 2018 | www.thibodauxchamber.com www.thibodauxchamber.com | Thibodaux Chamber Insight | Thursday, April 26,, 2018 3

BOARD MEMBERS:Brandy Braud

Gaubert Oil Company

Crystal ChiassonFletcher Technical

Community College

Howell ChiassonCoastal Commerce Bank

Tommy EscheteCity of Thibodaux Mayor

Greg GaubertCarmel Inn & Suites

Donna GravoisJohn Deere Thibodaux, Inc.

Kayla HenningerAdvance Physical Therapy

& Rehabilitation, LLC

Sandy HollowayBESE Board and BCA

Lance LedetLancescaping, LLC

Terrolyn MitchellThe Cove at Legacy Point

Matt RoanNicholls State University

Danielle SteinThibodaux Main Street, Inc.

Rebecca ThibodauxSimply NonProfits

President and CEOTammy Ledet

[email protected]

Executive AssistantSarah Rodrigue

[email protected]

Membership AssistantRick Reso

[email protected]

Insight Managing EditorBen Jones Jr.

[email protected]

STAFF:

318 East Bayou RoadThibodaux, Louisiana 70302

(985) 446-1187Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

If you are a member of the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce and feel that you have a story or business-related story that would be of interest to our community, please let us know. If you are interested in becoming an advertiser in Chamber Insight, please contact Marian Long of the Daily Comet at (985) 857-2291. Anyone wishing to join the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce should call the Chamber of Commerce office for more information. Use Chamber Insight to promote your products and services. In addition to great advertising rates in Chamber Insight, members who wish to have their advertising flyers inserted into our mailing can continue to do so. Flyers are inserted into the Chamber Insight. A $100 fee assists in the mailing expenses. All flyers must be delivered to the Chamber of Commerce office by the second Monday of the month to be included in the next issue of Chamber Insight.

Contents 2 Welcome New Members

4 Turning Ideas Into Action

5 Flood Insurance

5 Cajun Bayou Food Trail

6 Exercise

7 Mental Health

8 Thibodaux In Time

9 From the Desk of the President

10 BTNEP

12 Cover Feature — Danielle Stein

14 Out and About with the Chamber

17 Q&A with Laura Hoffmann

18 Fletcher's Certified Line Worker

Training Program

19 Nicholls Art Works

20 Non-Profits

22 Nicholls News

Insight is a publication of and produced by theDaily Comet for the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce.

LAYOUT AND DESIGN: Liz Arceneaux

The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the of-

ficial policies or positions of the Thibodaux Chamberof Commerce Board of Directors and Staff.

OFFICERS: Chairman of the Board Cody Blanchard White Car Marketing

Chair Elect Donald Barrilleaux First American Bank and Trust

Treasurer Napoleon Ortiz Thibodaux Regional Medical Center

Secretary Kassie Barrancotto Synergy Bank

Past Chair Marguerite Knight Morgan Stanley

On The Cover:Danielle Stein, Executive Director of Thibodaux Main Street, Inc.

COVER PHOTO BY: BEN JONES JR.

SPONSOR OF THE QUARTER:


TAMMY LEDETChamber President/CEO

Many of you have suggested ideas or offered your expertise in becoming speakers for our events, mainly our quarterly luncheons and “Lunch-n-Learn” sessions. Well we decided to take some of these suggestions and turn them into action. Our calendar of events is now completed with regards to the quarterly events, such as breakfast, luncheons, and business after hours. There are also a couple of “Lunch-n-Learns” scheduled with more to come throughout the year. Don’t forget that if you want to showcase your business and talents and at the same time, develop new relationships with those in attendance, call us at the office, 985-446-1187. We would love to add you to the schedule. It also gives our members attending these events to learn something new at affordable prices.

So, what’s on the schedule? On Thursday, May 10th, our Business Luncheon will be held at the Bayou Country Club from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m., featuring Jim Simons from the Sugar Cane League. Here’s your chance to hear about one of the main industries in our market. Our speaker, Jim, is recognized as a national sugar industry leader as he is Past-Chairman of the Board of the Sugar Association and today serves as the General Manager of the American Sugar Cane League. On Wednesday, May 23rd, join us at the Chamber Office for a “Lunch-n-Learn” presented by Connie Sirois from 11:00 -1:00 p.m. The topic will be “Deepening Your Business/Client Relationships”. In today’s world, developing and maintaining business/client relationships are more important than ever, especially if the economy has produced additional challenges for you. Connie, our speaker and Owner of Reset Focus will certainly share some valuable information. Don’t forget, our educational sessions also come with lunch. It’s not too early to register. Sign up today by going to our website, www.thibodauxchamber.com or calling the office at 985-446-1187.

While we’re mentioning events, let’s have some fun with a Business after Hours on Thursday, June 21st, at Fremins, sponsored by Eatel. Our sponsors of Business after Hours also get to tell their stories. So, if you are ever interested in sponsoring one, please let us know by contacting the Chamber Office. For those of you who may not know yet, this day will also be the first day of the Manning Camp. Another topic that seemed to be of interest to many of you was to learn more about “Excel”, a computer program. On Wednesday, June 27th, from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber Office, join us for a “Lunch-n-Learn”, presented by Clare Lagarde from John Deere. She will demonstrate the basics

of excel and is willing to answer more advance questions.For those of you who are early risers, join us for

breakfast on Wednesday, July 25th at the Claiborne, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Our speaker will be Ryan Perque, Executive Director of Friends of Bayou Lafourche, Inc. Here’s your chance to learn more about their plans to develop the bayou into an economic, recreational, and scenic resource.

On Thursday, August 23rd, our scheduled luncheon takes us to the Envie from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m., featuring Grady Gaubert from Gaubert Oil. For those of you who may not know, Gaubert Oil has been a prominent member of the Lafourche Parish business community since 1926 and now supplies products and equipment across the Gulf South.

September is another fun event when we go to Advance Physical Therapy for a Business after Hours on September 20th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., sponsored by Advance Physical Therapy. Jason and his team are always eager to demonstrate and talk about their therapy options.

For all of you who attended the October breakfast last year at Nicholls, featuring the coaches, we heard you loud and clear about repeating it. So, we hope that you will join us on Wednesday, October 24th, at the Plantation Room on campus, beginning at 7:30 a.m. It will be another informative event hearing from the coaches and sharing the excitement of Homecoming week!

Right before Thanksgiving, we will have our last luncheon of the year, on Thursday, November 15th, at the Bayou Country Club, featuring Mayor Tommy Eschete and Chief of Police, Bryan Zeringue from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Join us as we will hear a recap of the year and what future plans are in place. The year will end with our Christmas social on Tuesday, December 18th, at Cinclare’s sponsored by First American Bank.

There will be other “Lunch-n-Learns” scheduled during the year. Stay tuned by visiting our website, www.thiboduaxchamber.com or calling the office at 985-446-1187 or on Facebook.

Since we’re talking about events, let us not forget the Thibodaux Volunteer Fireman’s Fair, scheduled for May 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. Show your support in whatever way that you can, as they certainly support our community and take care of us when in need.

One last comment, Thibodeauxville, Saturday, November 10th! We hope to see you there!

Turning Your Ideas Into Action

• Pumps• Generators• Air Compressors• Pressure Washers• Jack Hammers• Concrete Finishing Tools• String Trimmers• Chain Saws• Scaffolding• Power Tools

• Welding Equip.• Compaction Equipment• Heaters & Fans• Tables & Chairs• Floor Care Equipment• Plumbing Equipment• Log Splitter• Forklifts• Trenchers• Mini Excavators

• Loaders• Excavators• Manlifts

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TOMMY ESCHETECity of Thibodaux Mayor

Most of the time, we tend to pay more attention to governmental legislation that is local. The more local the legislation the more direct impact it has upon us. In addition, I also believe that citizens tend to take interest in proposed legislation in which their opinion may have an immediate effect. To me that is a direct result of the accessibility of the local legislators and administrators.All this being said, there is an important issue to be dealt with before July 31, 2018 on the Federal level which deserves your attention.This issue to be addressed by the Federal Government is the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Although many of us purchase flood insurance from our local agents, this program is a Federal Program which provides affordable coverage against the damage caused by flood waters to our properties; mainly our homes and businesses.The key word here is “affordable”. Should Congress fail to reauthorize this program, it is very possible that the current annual premium of a few hundred dollars will increase to annual premiums of thousands of dollars if you can secure coverage at all. In most cases these premiums will be unaffordable and may lead to homeowners, whose mortgages require flood insurance, to possibly lose their homes. I know this sounds drastic and somewhat surreal, but it is very possible. I am happy to say that our Senators and Congressmen in Washington are on top of this situation, but it is meeting with lots of resistance from mid-west and non-coastal legislators who believe the answer to the rising costs of the NFIP is to have residents migrate from the coastal areas to areas which are not as prone to catastrophic flood events. This mindset is certainly not acceptable here at home.Not only could it cause current home owners who have mortgages to lose their home, it will be a tremendous setback for the home construction industry in our area. My recommendation is to educate yourself on this issue and then make every effort to reinforce to our Congressional legislators how critical this proposed legislation is to our region.Although I have highlighted the issue with the NFIP, we should all take some time to research key legislation that is being proposed on both the Federal and State levels. State legislators such as Rep. Dee Richard and Senators Allain and Chabert do a great job of keeping us informed here on the local level and will respond to their constituent’s inquiries if you simply call their office. Visit their websites and don’t be too hasty to toss their mailers and surveys in the trash when you find them in your mail. They have a wealth of information and returned surveys are an excellent resource for the legislators to keep a pulse on the concerns of their constituents.As a final note, don’t forget your own Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce as an excellent alternative to speaking directly with your elected officials. Tammy and the board always tend to be right on top of all the most important issues! Ice down your favorite beverages, I believe it’s gonna be a long, hot summer!

The Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program

TIMOTHY BUSHLouisiana's Cajun Bayou, Lafourche Parish

It’s a simple fact: Visitors to Louisiana know they’re going to enjoy some of the best meals of their lives. But it’s not just the big cities that take justifiable pride in their food scenes, because throughout the state the dining options are simply unbeatable. Here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, there’s an authenticity to the culinary experience that allows visitors to truly understand how the region’s food and culture are deliciously intertwined forever. And research shows it’s that type of genuine experience that today’s travelers truly crave.In celebration of the meals that make the region such a standout – and the people who work together to get all that food onto all those tables – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou will launch the Cajun Bayou Food Trail. The Trail is comprised of 15 restaurants and six festivals and events, all of which focus on giving visitors a true taste of what sets this destination apart. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism has created a dedicated page on its website (www.lacajunbayou.com/foodtrail); a Trail map and passport will be available on May 1, when the program launches. Participants who complete seven stops on the Trail will receive a T-shirt. “Our food has a story that’s rooted in traditions and told by the wonderful storytellers who own and operate these restaurants along the Trail,” says Timothy Bush, president and CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “One of our goals in establishing this new program was to shine a light on both our food and cultural scenes, and to remind visitors that each experience is well worth getting off the main road to enjoy.”Participating restaurants include the following:

• Barrios Seafood Restaurant, Golden Meadow • Bubba’s II Po-Boys, Thibodaux• Cher-Amie’s Restaurant, Cut Off• C-Moran’s Restaurant, Port Fourchon• Flanagan’s, Thibodaux • Fremin’s Restaurant, Thibodaux• Harry’s Po-Boys, Larose• Kajun Twist, Galliano• Leeville Seafood Restaurant, Leeville• Rock’n Gator, Larose• Rose’s Café, Galliano• Spahr’s Seafood, locations in Des Allemands, Galliano, and Thibodaux• The Venetian Food & Spirits, Thibodaux

In addition, three festivals – the French Food Festival, La Fete des Vieux Temps and the Louisiana Gumbo Festival – and three events – Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-off, the F.O.P Mud Bug Boil-Off and the Wild Game Supper – are included on the Trail, encouraging visitors to return to Lafourche Parish again and again for special culinary and cultural experiences.One of the true delights of the Food Trail is its authenticity, and the participants’ understanding that the secret ingredient at every stop on the Cajun Bayou Food Trail is the love that local chefs and restaurateurs infuse into each dish. Visitors can

New Cajun Bayou Food Trail Takes Visitors off the Eatin’ Path

See BUSH, page 18


BLAKE BARBERA PT, DPT, CES, Cert. DN

There are two times during the year that many people get back into the gym or started on an exercise routine: New Year’s Resolutions and that moment you realize summer and a beach trip are around the corner. So here we are in April, many of you have already started and finished your New Year’s Resolution exercise plan long before you intended for it to be completed. You got derailed for one of several reasons: injuries, work responsibility, kids, lack of time, sickness, family matters, etc. Whatever the reason, they should have all been temporary excuses. Our bodies are the one vehicle we drive in our lifetime. We don’t get a chance to trade them in every 5-10 years when the engine starts to go or the maintenance cost gets too high. Our bodies maintenance costs will grow just the same as your vehicles if we don’t keep them up: physician visits, x-rays, MRIs, hospital stays, medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic, and possibly surgery. Yeah, all those things kill your pocketbooks, finish off those dreaded deductibles, and take the biggest excuse for not exercising from you - TIME. So, let’s start doing the work on the front end to avoid the big speed bumps in the future when they surely aren’t convenient. As a physical therapist, I often get asked the question: WHAT SHOULD I DO OR NOT DO? The fact of the matter is that there is no RIGHT answer. There are many different exercise routines that can get you closer to your goals or simply keep you in better health. There are several things that I typically recommend ensuring safety and a successful outcome for everyone, regardless of fitness level.

1. Start Slow • Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your physique or fitness level. So, don’t try and make it happen by going too fast too soon. You will be sore whether you start slow or go all out,

so don’t risk the injury which will surely de-rail your efforts. 2. Have a Plan • Take time to plan your workouts. There should be a plan for each day of the week, even if that plan is rest. There’s no quicker way to failure than a poorly planned workout routine. A plan will keep you honest, consistent, and looking forward to achieving something new each day. 3. Ask for Help • You may be unsure of what to do, when to do it, how much to do, what combination of exercise is right for you, or simply how to perform an exercise. Seek advice from a physical therapist or a personal trainer. Don’t be so prideful that you don’t take advantage of the tools and help around you. 4. Track Your Progress • Set realistic goals and track your workouts each week. You will surprise yourself and feel better about yourself as you see the weight increase or the time of your cardiovascular exercise increase. Changes will occur on paper before you see changes in the mirror. 5. Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition • It is as important or more important than the exercise itself. Many different diets and thought processes on proper diet exist. Whichever you choose, the focus should be consistency. As difficult as that may seem here in South Louisiana, it is possible! 6. Snow Ball Effect • Don’t let one missed workout or a cheat meal derail your efforts. They are going to happen, so don’t be frustrated, disappointed, or feel like a failure. Show up the next day, get back on track, and work harder than before! 7. Weekends • Weekends can be tricky. We have so much free time, or at least more free time than the work week. So, take advantage and don’t miss a weekend workout. Exercising on the weekend will help you to stay more nutritionally sound when we typically order out or have family events. And here in LA, family events usually mean lots of food! 8. Learn as You Go

• No two exercise routines should be alike and no two people will respond to the same program the same way. So, learn from each week: What worked well for your nutrition and what workouts were more enjoyable/effective. 9. Trust the Process • We are a NOW based people. We want results NOW. We want the “magic pill” to disease processes and obesity that took 20 years to create. We want the QUICK FIX. It’s time to look in the mirror and realize that we didn’t develop arthritis yesterday or gain the extra 30 lbs. yesterday. So, don’t expect it to be gone tomorrow. Trust that the process will work and be patient with the results you are working towards! 10. “NO PAIN NO GAIN” • While this mantra has been offered up for years and years, it doesn’t always hold true. In physical therapy, it is #FAKENEWS 75% of the time, but in the gym when #GAINS are trying to be made it holds true more than 75% of the time. Accept the pain, the soreness, the fatigue, and know that each of those things mean you did something meaningful the day before. You are slowly inching toward your goals.

With all these things in mind, starting an exercise journey can seem like a daunting task. Utilize the resources around you, remain focused on the goals in front of you, and be consistent in your efforts to achieve them!

Exercise: Tips for a Successful Outcome


KIM THOMPSON Many business people tend to

overlook “psychology” articles in lieu of practical information about finance or human resources; however, if you own a business, lead a family, or are in any type of environment where there are humans, please READ ON. Undoubtedly, you have an employee, coworker, family member, or neighbor that is struggling daily with psychological challenges. Yes, it may affect you. And, yes, YOU can help! With all the tragic news surrounding us in today’s world, we are thankfully engaging in an important discussion about the psychological aspect of man-made tragedies such as school shootings, sexual assault, suicide, drug epidemics, and even terrorism. As with many of these stories, it may start with various environmental factors such as bullying, child abuse, or perhaps a genetic predisposition that led to an undiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness. It is unfortunate that it takes such tragic events to bring a long overdue discussion to the forefront of our daily lives. But the mission to promote mental wellness through awareness and intervention is thankfully gaining momentum. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans experiences a mental illness every year, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, autism, and so on (data reported by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of America, SAMHSA). In Louisiana, 650,000 adults and 245,000 children have diagnosable mental illness. We are obviously not immune to the effect it has on our workplaces and families, either directly or indirectly. Psychological challenges can decrease an individual’s productivity and motivation on the job. They can become a liability to a company. And, in the worst cases, they can potentially put others in danger. Unfortunately, due to the cost and lack of quality resources, often only the most severe forms of mental illness get treated by clinicians. The

mental health movement is promoting awareness to non-clinicians so that we can reduce the stigma of mental health challenges and also prevent the rising numbers of suicide. To know the common SIGNS of mental illness means ANYONE can recognize when someone is in need of support and potentially save their life. Signs include withdrawal, isolation, lower than normal functioning, lack of focus and motivation, thinking or memory difficulties, apathy, nervousness or excessive worry, preoccupation with tragic news, unusual behavior, and sleep, appetite, or mood changes. So what to do if you notice these signs in someone? The National Council for Behavioral Health promotes action plans called Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). Kind of like many lay people are trained in CPR; we can learn to see the danger signs of psychological distress and intervene until the crisis is resolved or until professionals are involved. In fact, all of us are much more likely to encounter someone experiencing a mental health crisis than a heart attack. Perhaps you can save someone’s life by simply asking, “Are you okay?” or “Can I help you?”! Mental Health First Aid uses the acronym ALGEE to suggest ways to intervene when you notice someone in distress. 1. Assess for the risk of suicide or harm. 2. Listen nonjudgmentally. 3. Give reassurance. 4. Encourage or arrange professional help. 5. Encourage self-help and other available support strategies. Prevention and early intervention is paramount, just like tending to a cold early on and treating with medication and rest helps prevent it from becoming worse. Recognizing psychological problems early on can prevent them from becoming dangerous to the individual or environment in which they operate. And we know that people are more likely to recover when their community, workplace, or family is more supportive, equipped, and understanding. Thank you for reading this article to the end and being a part of the mental HEALTH movement by remaining sensitive and informed!

Mental Health First Aid (Yes, YOU Can Save a Life Too)


PATTY WHITNEYBayou History Center, Inc. © 2018

To Preserve means to conserve, protect, maintain, care for, look after, sustain, perpetuate, guard, defend or shield. In June of 1979 the Louisiana Preservation Alliance was formed as an organization which later became known as the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation. Louisiana can boast of some of the most unique and diverse architecture and culture in the country. Sadly, through the ravages of time and lack of protections, many outstanding architectural and culturally distinctive properties have been destroyed and cannot be replaced. It was the destruction of one of these historically significant properties that led to the creation of the LTHP in 1979. Welham Plantation on the east bank of the Mississippi River in St. James Parish was built on a tract of land once owned by Andre Bernard, who bought the property on May 4, 1805. Bernard sold the property in 1836 to the Welham-Goodbury family, who it is believed built the home shortly after purchase. It is thought that the property was used as collateral on a mortgage to obtain funds to build the home. In April 1975 the home and 2,300 acres of adjacent land were purchased by Marathon Oil Company out of Findlay, Ohio, in order to construct a petro-chemical facility with access to the river. The River Road Historical Society and local officials immediately began to petition Marathon to work together to convert the house into a permanent historical landmark. Negotiations were still under way when shortly before dawn on a Thursday morning in 1979, Marathon bulldozers drove up to the home and demolished it without any notification to local historians, leaders or citizens. The subsequent public outcry played a major role in creating a statewide organization dedicated to advocate for the preservation of Louisiana’s unique architectural and cultural heritage and strives to raise public awareness, concern and support through technical assistance, education, outreach, advocacy, and strategic alliances.

This year Thibodaux has the honor of hosting the LTHP’s Annual Preservation Conference, which will be held on May 16-17, 2018. Co-Hosts of the event are Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve, and the National Park Service, Friends of Bayou Lafourche and the Lafourche Heritage Society. The conference will feature a seminar at St. John’s Episcopal Church Hall on historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, a breakfast at Rienzi Plantation for investors, an evening soiree at Ducros Plantation, a tour of historic buildings designed by noted architect Henry Howard, a Bayou Lafourche Boat Tour up to the E.D.White Plantation, presentations by experts in traditional trades like building cisterns and blacksmithing to be held at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center (Jean Lafitte National Park), and a walking tour of Thibodaux’s Historic District. At Nicholls State there will also be three concurrent sessions of educational presentations dealing with Main Street Communities, The Benefits of Preservation, and The Details of Preservation. Vendor and Exhibit booths will also be available for participants to enjoy. Conference Registration deadline is Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Cost is $125 for the general public and $100 for members of LTHP and Main Street Managers with Code. There are additional fees for some of the events and some events are only available to registrants. Online registration is available at www.LTHP.org, and questions can be directed to 22.930.0936 or P.O. Box 1587 Baton Rouge, LA 70821. With the positive statistics of how history and culture play an important role in the development and growth of the tourism industry and its benefit to local communities, understanding how preservation efforts work is an important tool in the workbox of community leaders throughout the state. We encourage anyone interested in preservation of history and culture to attend this conference and look forward to seeing you there! Make your reservation today.

THIBODAUX IN TIME: Preservation Conference to be Held in Thibodaux

Cultural or Historical Calendar of Events

• The Lafourche Heritage Society’s Genealogy Committee, headed by Ms. Mary Musso, meets in the upstairs Genealogy Room of the Thibodaux Library on the first Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m to noon to assist anyone with genealogy. All are welcome. • Thibodaux’s Table Francaise (Cercle Francophone) meets every Tuesday (except Mardi Gras and on federal holidays) at Jean Lafitte National Park, 314 St. Mary St., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The group gathers to speak French and host activities. All are welcome. • On May 16-18, the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation will have its annual meeting in Thibodaux. Info and sign up at www.lthp.org. • The Lafourche Heritage Society will hold its Annual Meeting on May 7, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the 3rd floor meeting room at the NSU Library. After the meeting, a reception will be held in the Archives on the 1st floor. It is open to the public. • The Lafourche Heritage Society is currently having their annual membership drive. P.O. Box 913, Thibodaux, LA 70301. Dues are $5 for students, $10 for individuals, $20 for families, and $50 for contributors or businesses. Donations are also accepted. • The Lafourche Heritage Society’s Annual Genealogy & History Seminar will be held on August 11, 2018 in the 5th Floor Conference Room at the Thibodaux Regional Medical Wellness Center. Contact Kevin at 985.446.2383 for more information. • The Terrebonne Genealogical Society, which covers this area, meets on the last Saturday of each month except November and December, at 1 pm at the Main Branch Library in Houma. All are welcome.


DR. JAY CLUNE

As I approach my first commencement as president, I can’t help but think back to my own college graduation all the way back in 1986. I was so excited. I had already fallen in love with Nicholls and knew that my future would be on a college campus. But I also knew I had some growing up to do, and that’s why my next step was to go to Guatemala as a member of the Peace Corps. Our students today are so much more motivated and dedicated than I was in college, and their futures are so bright. This summer, Alexandra Aucoin a chemistry student from Morgan City, is going to conduct research in Siberia with the intent of bringing back what she learns to help us study the Gulf. Kellyn LaCour-Conant and other members of the Nicholls chapter of the American Association of University Women went on HTV-10 to discuss the significance of Equal Pay Day. Austin Wendt, the student government association vice president, eloquently spoke to the Louisiana House Appropriations Committee about the importance of higher education in Louisiana. SGA President Tommy Thibodeaux wrote a letter to the legislature about the impact Nicholls has on our region. Our students as well as hundreds from other University of Louisiana campuses met on the front lawn of the capitol in Baton Rouge to advocate for higher education at ULS Day. There they showed off their talents - students from the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute cooked up some jambalaya for all the attendees - and met with legislators. I’m amazed and impressed with how involved our students are and how passionate they are about such important topics. And they’re so talented. Take the College of Business Administration competitive teams for example. Just last month, the Nicholls chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management won its third Louisiana CASE competition. They have

never been defeated in the state competition. Meanwhile, in Muncie, Indiana, our first ever social media competitive team finished third out of 40 teams and was named Most Creative at the Ball State Center for Advancement of Digital Marketing and Analytics Fourth Annual Social Media Competition. If that’s what they can accomplish in their first year as a team, imagine what the future holds for those students. We’ve been talking about the success of the Nicholls women’s basketball team and coach DoBee Plaisance since I stepped on campus. Since then they have won their first Southland Conference Tournament Championship and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance. I had the fortune of standing next to Coach Plaisance and the team at the state Capitol last month as the legislature passed a resolution recognizing and celebrating their accomplishments. It has been amazing to see how much support they have in the community and around the state. This brings me to my next topic. You, too, can support the basketball program and all student-athletes by joining us at the 18th Annual Seafood Extravaganza sponsored by Bubba’s II Po-boys. This all-you-can-eat seafood dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, and will include a live and silent auction. Proceeds go toward student-athlete scholarships. To purchase tickets, visit GeauxColonels.com or call the Nicholls Ticket Office 448-4790. It’s been a wonderful first semester here at Nicholls and I know you’re just as excited as I am about what the future holds. With students like these, we can’t go wrong. For more information about what’s happening at Nicholls State University: Visit nicholls.edu as well as the Nicholls Facebook and Twitter pages.

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SUSAN TESTROET-BERGERON BTNEP DIRECTOR

During the months of March and April the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) hosts several events that blossom directly because our organization is located in a community that cares. On Saturday, March 10th, BTNEP in partnership with the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District hosted its 7th annual Bayou Lafourche Cleanup. The cleanup runs solely in the morning from 8 until noon. This year’s cleanup was done by volunteers who work along the bayou from Donaldsonville to Leeville. These dedicated people were divided into 11 teams and cleaned 30 tons of trash from the bayou. Because BTNEP is a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program our mission to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. This community certainly made that happen by cleaning the bayou that provides our drinking water. Our partners make this vital cleanup possible! Without their kind donations the project would not exist in its current form! We would like to recognize Rouses, Port Fourchon (Greater Lafourche Port Commission), Entergy, Thibodeaux Regional Medical Center, Jani-King, Lafourche Parish Government, John Deere, Regions Bank, Pelican Waste and Debris, Waste Pro, Valentine Chemicals, T. Baker Smith, LA 1 Coalition, and the Nicholls Foundation for their support this year. We also want to thank each and every one of our team leaders and volunteers. From April 5th through April 9th BTNEP hosts the annual Paddle Bayou Lafourche. We had great weather this year which was particularly nice because the paddlers were able to travel on the bayou each day. On Thursday the paddlers traveled from Donaldsonville to Madewood, Friday from Madewood to Thibodaux, Saturday from Thibodaux to Raceland, and Sunday from Raceland to Lockport. The most interesting part of the trip for me was to see our local residents coming out to greet them and welcome them to our community. Paddlers were greeted with music, food, and friendly waves. Again, it was our local partners who make this event possible. Our sponsors for this event included: Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, Bourgeois & Associates, Inc.; Entergy, Spahr’s Seafood, First American Bank and Trust, Acadia Land Surveying, LLC; Alumni Grill, Matherne Chiropractic, Walters & Associates, Sealevel Construction, Donaldsonville Fire Department, Enlink Midstream, Lockport Volunteer Fire Department, Nicholls State University, H&R Block, Cajun Music Preservation Society, Valentine Chemicals, Mosaic, G. Scott Moore, A.P.L.C.; Bryan & Deanna Harang Fund, and Cajun Accents & Design. Our partners included the City of Donaldsonville, Assumption High School FFA, John & Denise Davis, United Houma Nation Indians, Doug & Patricia Guillot, Madewood Plantation, Mark & Dayna Dufrene, Town of Lockport, Justin &

Leslie Tenney, Dr. Mike & Brenda Dardar Robichaux, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve. Additionally, over the spring months we have had several college groups who have come to help us grow out plants and go into the wetlands to plant small trees and herbaceous species. Funding for this project came from donations from some of our oil companies. For the students’ kind service we provide educational activities including field session in our canoes purchased with funds from the Bayou Community Foundation. The funds for all of these projects come to our Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary Foundation. The Board of Directors for our foundation are compassionate conservationists who make all of this work possible. So we also want to extend our thanks to Dr. Earl Melancon, Dr. Steve Matheis, Mr. Nolan Falgout, Mr. Matt Sevier, Dr. Gary Lefleur, Mr. Bill Eroche, and Mr. Mitch Marmande. We all remember the proverb, “It take a village to raise a child.” I think it could be similarly said, “It takes a South Louisiana community to protect a dynamic estuary.” On behalf of BTNEP and our local community, thank you everyone who has worked with us!

To learn about BTNEP visit the web at www.BTNEP.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/

Local Support for BTNEP Vital to Program Success

BTNEP Director, Susan Testroet-Bergeron (in rear of the boat), enjoys the beauty of bayou and its people as she paddles with daughter and grandson

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Brush A Blow Dry Bar Ribbon Cutting:

Salon owner Sara Lindley, along with Chamber members, family and staff, celebrate the ribbon cutting at Brush A Blowdry Bar, located at 710 W. 3rd Street in Downtown Thibodaux.


Walking Right Down the Middle of Main StreetBEN JONES, JR.Managing Editor

In case you haven’t noticed, Downtown Thibodaux has been a thriving center of culture and commerce over the past few years. Danielle Stein, Executive Director of Thibodaux Main Street, Inc. is determined to keep that movement going.

Although Danielle was born in Thibodaux, she lived in Berwick until the age of seven. “My family and I moved to Baton Rouge where I lived until moving to Thibodaux in 1999 to attend Nicholls State University.” Danielle is a 1998 graduate of Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge and attended Louisiana State University for one semester. Looking for a change, she moved to Thibodaux to finish college at Nicholls State University and graduated with honors in 2003 with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Child/Family/Social Services. “Upon graduating from Nicholls in 2003, I worked as a juvenile probation officer with the State of Louisiana for 3 years. I successfully completed the POST Academy in September 2003 and was commissioned a ‘Special Agent’!”

Danielle loves the sense of community in Thibodaux. “People really love living here and that’s reflected in the pride they take in our City, it’s people, and our culture and traditions,” said Danielle. “Whether it’s supporting our Colonels for ‘Red Out Fridays’ or attending a Downtown event, the people of Thibodaux love to have a good time and come together to support our community.”

In her time living and working in Thibodaux, Danielle has developed a passion for supporting local. “I try to encourage people to get involved with and develop an awareness of our community. Being the Executive Director of Thibodaux Main Street affords me the opportunity to meet, work with, and support a diverse range of individuals, businesses, and organizations and further my pursuit of promoting local. Our mission at Thibodaux Main Street is the promotion and revitalization of Historic Downtown Thibodaux; it felt like the perfect fit for me. I enjoy what I do and hope to have a positive impact on tourists and locals alike to see what I see in Downtown, Thibodaux, and Lafourche Parish.”

Being the Executive Director, Danielle wears many hats – each day is different. “One day I may be in the office handling administrative and accounting tasks or walking the streets of Downtown visiting with our businesses. The next day may consist of meetings and collaborating with other individuals, businesses, and organizations to provide community support and promotion. We host and assist with several large events in Downtown Thibodaux so a good portion of my time is spent working out the details and logistics to make sure they’re a success for everyone involved. With the way we communicate today, social media is always at the forefront of my daily ‘to-do’ list: trying to develop engaging content to promote our businesses and get the public interested in all things Downtown! No matter how I spend each day, it’s all working towards the goal of promoting Downtown Thibodaux.”

Outside of her Thibodaux Main Street duties, Danielle enjoys being outdoors either working in her yard and landscaping or doing a DIY project. She also enjoys cooking and spending time with friends and family. “Mix in music and some football and I’m a happy camper!”

As for her membership and association with the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce, Danielle started out as a Chamber Ambassador and is now a Board Member for the organization. “The Chamber has given me the opportunity to develop an invaluable network of support and friendships with individuals and organizations that I may not have met otherwise. I enjoy the opportunities it gives me to become involved with and support our community.”

As for three tips to be successful, Danielle recommends that you be considerate of people’s time, opinions, feelings, and goals but stay true to yourself too. “We all lead busy lives, between work and family, and we all have different priorities. Accept that and be mindful of it with each person you encounter. Bend but don’t break.” Danielle also suggests that you don’t over-commit yourself. “It’s not necessary, or even productive, to serve on every board or committee or participate in every activity you’re invited to. Figure out what’s most important to you, what will benefit you and your goals, and where you can best serve. If you say you’ll do something, commit to it and see it through. Learn when, and that it’s perfectly okay, to say ‘no’. I believe in choosing ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’.” Finally, Danielle recommends taking pride in everything you do. “The work you produce, the way you treat people, and the manner in which you respond to situations are all a reflection of you. Always strive to leave people with a positive impression.


Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street


Having fun in the photo booth at Business After Hours are: Howell Chiasson, Pedestal Bank; Crystal Chiasson, Fletcher Technical College and Greg and Rhonda Gaubert, Carmel Inn.

Board member Howell Chiasson poses with the ladies from Business After Hours sponsor Cox Media; Allison Benoit, Jennifer Middlebrooks, Cathy Bice and Saralee Savin.

Melissa Durocher and Timothy Bush from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou showed support by sponsoring last month’s Business After Hours.

David Cavell with the Office of Congressman Garret Graves, Kim Thompson, and Angela Terry with John Deere enjoy Business After Hours at the Cove at Legacy Point.


Business After Hours sponsor Jennifer Middlebrooks of Cox Media and Cody Blanchard, White Car Marketing and Thibodaux Chamber Chairman of the Board, enjoy Business After Hours held at The Cove at Legacy Point.

Chamber Ambassador Ana Lorena Kearns won a door prize at Business After Hours from sponsor Cox Media.

Melanie Boudreaux, Nicholls State University Management Instructor, presents HR Jeopardy to a group of chamber members during a “Lunch-n-Learn” session on 4/17/18.

Nicholls State University students’ Paige Thomas and Jace Fairchild also assisted with the HR Jeopardy at the Chamber office.

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Royalty Aromas celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new location at 1602 Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux.

Our co-sponsors for the joint Business at Lunch held at the Cypress Columns; Doug Toups, eLearning; Katie Portier, Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence; and Lori Leblanc, Lori Leblanc, LLC.

Enjoying our Business at Lunch with special guest Congressman Garret Graves are Steve Gaubert, Thibodaux Regional; Lafourche Parish Assessor Wendy Thibodeaux; and Dr. Camile Chiasson, Chiasson Eyecare Center.

Thad Angelloz, City of Thibodaux; and Joni Tuck, Lafourche Port Commission; pose at our Business at Lunch with guest Congressman Garret Graves.

Doug and Nancy Toups from eLearning were sponsors for our joint Business at Lunch with special guest Congressman Garret Graves.

Jason Jones from Advance Physical Therapy and his staff, Hunter Hannegan, Jana Andras, Kayla Henninger, Magan Hebert and Brittney Dinger, enjoy Business at Lunch with special guest Congressman Garret Graves.

Business After Hours guest speaker Congressman Garret Graves gathers with spon-sors and Chamber representatives at Business After Hours; Doug and Nancy Toups, eLearning; Cody Blanchard, White Car Marketing and Thibodaux Chamber Chairman; Suzanne Carlos, Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce President/CEO; Tammy Ledet, Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce President/CEO; Congressman Garret Graves; Eddie Callais, Eatel Business and Lafourche Chamber of Commerce Chairman; Lori LeBlanc, Lori LeBlanc, LLC.; Lin Kiger, Lafourche Chamber of Commerce President/CEO; Katie Portier, Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence; Jason Bergeron, Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce Chairman.


A Quick Q&Awith Chamber Member Laura Hoffmann with A&G Refrigeration

Q: How has your background prepared you for your industry?A: I am the Office Manager at A&G Refrigeration, Inc. My degree in Business Administration definitely helped prepare me for the monetary aspect of my role with the company in managing money/budgeting, and my previous two years of managerial experience helped prepare me for positively dealing with my employees to best understand and deal with their ideas and concerns since I am also the HR department.

Q: How did you get started in this business?A: By chance really. I was unhappy with my previous job and began searching for something different. I happened to apply at A&G Refrigeration at the right time as their previous Office Manager was leaving and was offered the job.

Q: Can you give us a brief description of your company?We are a 50-year-old family-owned HVAC (AC & heating) company. We service, replace, and install residential and commercial systems as well as commercial refrigeration.

Q: If you could have given yourself a piece of knowledge or advice when you started, what would that be?A: Have patience. It is a learning experience, and you shouldn’t stress yourself out so much. This job was a new field for me, and not knowing exactly how to do everything on day one didn’t sit well with me, but over time, it got much better, and now I’ve learned to take each experience one at a time and embrace the learning process.

Q: What is the best advice you received recently that you still follow today?A: Take pride in how far you’ve come, and have faith in how far you’ll go.

Q: What enticed you to become a Chamber member?A: When I began at A&G almost 5 years ago, we were already a Chamber member, so there wasn’t any decision making on my part; however, I can confidently say that I would have made that decision if given the choice. Being a part of the community is important to us, and we believe that our citizens value their service providers being engaged in the world around them.


Information sessions for Fletcher Technical Community College’s 16-week Certified Line Worker Training Program will be held on Wednesday, April 25 at 11 AM and 6 PM at their Schriever campus. This program will provide the necessary foundation for an individual to begin a line worker career as a helper/apprentice for an electrical utility company. Participants will obtain NCCER Certification, be qualified for employment and receive job placement assistance. The program, a first of its kind for Louisiana, began at Fletcher when Entergy, along with other electric utility companies and contractors saw a need for over 550 line workers in Louisiana over a 5-year period. To help meet the needs of this future workforce, they decided to partner with community colleges. Fletcher was selected as that partner and the first class started in January 2018 The next class begins June 11, 2018 and ends on October 11, 2018. Class information can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or calling Crystal Chiasson at 985-448-7938. The deadline to have all pre-assessments completed is May 11, 2018. To register for the workkeys test, applicants must contact Catherine Barber at [email protected]. Test Dates and Times are as follows. Participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes in advance of the test. Test is in three parts, one hour each for a total of three hours. Test dates are also subject to change and a notification will be made. Day Assessments are Monday, April 23, 2018 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Evening Assessments are Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Re-Test Dates are Monday, May 7, 2018 at 9:00 AM and Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 9:00 AM. Participants who successfully complete this class will receive a NCCER Power Line Worker certification. Class is held Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM. It involves in-class instruction and hands-on training outside in the “Pit.” The participants have had First Aid/CPR, OSHA 10, Human Performance Training from Knowledgevine and will have a training on Financial Literacy from Ameriprise and Pedestal Bank. This program has been exciting to work on because it is filling high demand and high wage positions that are needed in the energy industry. Participants in the program have already met with hiring managers of 8 companies. Multiple offers are going out to students at this time and their final selection of the company they chose to work for is April 20. All participants will start work on or about May 14, 2018. Seeing the participants go through the training has been such a pleasure. The excitement of learning about the work of a line worker has been fun for all of the participants and they are ready to start their future career. This program was spearheaded by the LEWC (Louisiana Energy Workforce Consortium) which includes a cross-section of industry, educators, and workforce professionals. The LEWC reviewed and approved the phases of acceptance into the program which includes pre-assessments such as WorkKeys testing, Drug Testing and Background screening for all participants. After all of the 3 areas are successfully completed, the student can register for the program. It has been a pleasure to work with the industry on this project. It directly

supports Fletcher Workforce Solutions mission, to partner with business, chambers, and other agencies to create programs that they need to address the local workforce needs to enhance economic growth for our area. Entergy provided $50K to help start the program. Other energy utility companies and suppliers have donated over $150K worth of tools and equipment for the Materials Identification Room. Entergy donated 16 utility poles for the training area. The training area was built by workers of Entergy, SEC, Diversified Services and Chain Electric. These workers came on their day off and volunteered their time to get the project ready for their new co-workers. The partnership of companies working on the project and donating time and materials are LEWC utility partner companies include: Chain Electric, CLECO, DEMCO, Diversified Services, Entergy, Lafayette Utilities System, Linetech Services, SLECA, Southern Electric Corporation, Terrebonne Parish Utilities, T&D Services, T&D Solutions, Utility Lines Construction Services and Willbros. These companies will be looking for workers that complete the program. Without the help of each of these companies, this program would not be possible. Fletcher Workforce Solutions is available to help you with your needs, whether it is program development, customized training or taking an online course through workforce. We can help you and your company grow. There are no admissions requirements to take classes with workforce unless it is a specialized training. For information on any courses that we offer or for customized training or program development, contact Crystal D. Chiasson at [email protected] or 985-448-7938.

Fletcher Technical Community College’s Certified Line Worker Training Program

find restaurants with white tablecloths here, but they’ll also find plenty of family-run restaurants where recipes have been passed down for generations. “You’ve got to put your heart into the food,” says Anthony Goldsmith, chef and owner at Kajun Twist in Galliano. “That’s where the flavor comes from.” Goldsmith and the other hosts along the Trail will tell you that the desire to cook and entertain is just part of their DNA. The time, effort and care that they put into their cooking is simply one more part of their rich heritage, and it’s something they’re eager to share with visitors. The hope is that the new Food Trail will help attract even more visitors to the parish.“There’s no denying that food is truly one of our stand-out experiences in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou,” Bush says. “Whether you’re traveling up the Bayou or down the Bayou, you’ll find some of the most authentic Cajun cuisine anywhere in Louisiana.” Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou will host an official launch kick-off event on May 8 at Fremin’s Restaurant in Thibodaux. The event will be emceed by Susan Ford, publisher of Louisiana Kitchen and Culture magazine, who will unveil the Trail map along with restaurant and festival participants. All Lafourche Parish tourism partners, elected officials, stakeholders and media are invited to attend.

BUSH | Con’t from Page 5


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Art Works meets fundraising milestone, exhibit planned for contributing artistsThe Nicholls Art Department raised more than $30,000 during its annual

spring art exhibit, Art Works, which is the most raised in the event’s 5-year

history.

Held on March 20, the fundraiser, which highlights the department’s fac-

ulty and students through tours, demonstrations, hands-on crafts and an

auction, benefits students through scholarships, grants and equipment and

technology upgrades.

New this year was the ability for patrons who couldn’t make the event to

bid on the unique auction items online.

“Our fifth anniversary of Art Works was a huge success,” said Jean Do-

negan, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The community,

faculty and students came together to put on a great event that will help

our students attend conferences, workshops, exhibitions and study abroad.

I can’t wait for next spring.”

Last year’s event raised $27,000 and proceeds have funded nearly $45,000 in scholarships awarded over the past four years and even more for grants that have helped more than 20 students to hold exhibits and attend regional and national conferences.

As a thank you to the artists who have donated work in the past, Nicholls held a Friends of Art Works exhibition from April 16-20 in the Ameen Art Gallery. The exhibition featured select pieces from the faculty, staff, stu-dents, alumni and community members who have worked with Art Works over the years. A reception was held on April 18 in the gallery, located in Talbot Hall. “This is in honor of the artists who have made this event pos-sible with their donations,” she said. “The pieces provided by these art-ists have helped to make Art Works the success that it has become. This is our way of expressing our gratitude and recognizing their contributions to Nicholls.”

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Nicholls campus organizations, departments and athletic teams received more than $75,000 from more than 1,100 donations during the University’s inaugural Give-N-Day fundraiser. Nearly a quarter of the 820 donors donated to multiple organizations throughout the day of giving, with two donors tallying more than 10 donations. Donations were received from 26 states, representing all four corners of the U.S, including California, Washington, New Jersey and Florida, and as far away as Hawaii and United Kingdom. Colonel Catholics benefited the most from Give-N-Day, receiving $6,460. The other top earners were the Nicholls Alumni Federation with $5,426, Nicholls College of Education with $4,395, Nicholls Bridge to Independence Program with $4,235 and the Nicholls Worth, with $3,885. Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority received $3,420 from a Give-N-Day high 112 donors. Four other organizations received more than 50 donations, including Delta Zeta

sorority with 83, Bridge to Independence with 63, Colonel Catholics with 58 and the Nicholls Department of Nursing with 55. “I’m ecstatic with the results of our the first Give-N-Day. This was a success,” said Jeremy Becker, executive director of the Nicholls Foundation. “We had tremendous student buy-in. They really enjoyed the process and their organizations are going to benefit. They’re already asking about next year.”

Give-N-Day raises more than $75,000 for campus groups


Give-N-Day raises more than $75,000 for campus groups

On Tuesday, May 1, our Bayou Region community will come together to support the great work of 57 local nonprofits during the 24-hour online giving event known as “GiveNOLA Day.”The Bayou Community Foundation, which serves Terrebonne and Lafourche, is once again coordinating a “Give Bayou” campaign to promote our local nonprofits participating in GiveNOLA Day and to encourage local residents to make online donations to our Bayou Region nonprofits through GiveNOLA.org.Donations start at only $10 and giving is easy. Log on to the GiveNOLA.org giving site between Tuesday, April 4 and Tuesday, May 1. Search for your favorite participating nonprofits and click to give! All donations will be processed on May 1 and your gifts will go directly to the nonprofits you select. Your gifts stay here to work in our community!For a complete list of local nonprofits participating in GiveNOLA Day, visit GiveBayou.org.

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Thibodaux Garden Club Backyard Tour

Sunday, May 20, 2018 1 - 4 p.m. (rain or shine)Advanced sale tickets $10 $12 at the gardens

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Three Nicholls biology students were recognized for their research last Saturday during the 92nd annual Louisiana Academy of Sciences meeting in Alexandria. Sixteen Nicholls students and faculty attended the day-long meeting held on the campus of LSU-Alexandria. Megan Boudreaux received the Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation award in the Sciences and Humanities Division for her research on medical forensics. Kyle Bird, a graduate marine and environmental biology student, received the Outstanding Graduate Poster Presentation award in the Environmental Sciences Section for his research on water quality, bacteria and antibiotic resistance in Bayou Lafourche. Alexis Risner, a graduate marine and environmental biology student, received the Outstanding Graduate Oral Presentation award in the Zoology Section for research into Bowfin diets and reproductive activity in the Upper Barataria Estuary and Atchafalaya River Basin. “We’re very proud of our students. They have once again shown that students from Nicholls can put their research up against students from bigger universities and be successful,” said Dr. Quenton Fontenot, department head of Biological Sciences. “It also shows that they’re developing great communication skills, which will help them get jobs when they graduate. You can do all the science in the world, but if you can’t effectively communicate to the public, then it loses some impact.” The Louisiana Academy of Sciences was established in 1927 and is the state’s premier organization for scientists, university science faculty and university science students.

Nicholls biology students bring home awards from state science conference

A Nicholls art major will have her advertising campaign judged on a national level after being recognized at the local and regional level. Celeste Bourgeois, a senior from Thibodaux, received a Silver ADDY - a term coined for an American Advertising Federation award - for Integrated Brand Identity Campaign. “It’s invigorating to have a Nicholls student receive local and regional ADDY awards and be recognized by industry judges as one of the best among her peers,” said Trisha Rabalais, associate professor of art. “Celeste is an example of the truly remarkable talent that we have in the Nicholls department of art.” Bourgeois was first honored by the Baton Rouge chapter of the AAF on March 3 for her project titled, “MARGZ Margarita Festival.” Her project later received top honors in District 7, which covers Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, and will move on to Nationals. She will receive her district award at a ceremony on April 13 in Jackson, Mississippi. Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." Its membership is comprised of nearly 100 corporate members made up of the nation’s leading advertisers, agencies and media companies; a national network of nearly 200 local clubs representing 40,000 advertising professionals; and more than 200 college chapters with 5,000 student members.

Nicholls art student receivesadvertising awards


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Another Louisiana Human Resource Case Competition and another win for the Nicholls chapter. The Nicholls SHRM chapter has now won all three state case competitions they have competed in, dating back to 2016, after sealing another victory today. During the competition, held in New Orleans at the state organization’s annual meeting, students were presented with a case similar to a viral incident that United Airlines faced last year. The Nicholls team presented a solution to the situation and long-term changes to practices and policies for the company.This spring’s team consisted of five upperclassmen business majors with concentrations in human resources: Taylor Boudoin, Peyton Chiasson, Josie Graham, Olivia Lege and Paige Thomas. “This team received very little negative feedback from the judges who all mentioned how impressed they were,” said Melanie Boudreaux, faculty sponsor and Harvey Peltier, Sr. Endowed Professor of business administration. “Our students continue to outpace the competition, which only makes them even more prepared for the workforce when they graduate.” Each student won $100 cash and the student chapter received $500.With more than 120 active members, the Nicholls SHRM chapter is the largest in the state.The Society for Human Resources Management helps to enhance the students'

real-world human resources experience through attending various events and workshops, including conferences, an etiquette dinner, resume workshops, and mock interviews, among others.

Nicholls human resources team wins its third state competition

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Photo Left to right: Melanie Boudreaux, Paige Thomas, Josie Graham, Peyton Chiasson, Olivia Lege and Taylor Boudoin.

T C 26, 2018 1PB · we will hear a recap of the year and what future plans are in place. The year...

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Transcript of T C 26, 2018 1PB · we will hear a recap of the year and what future plans are in place. The year...