Please go out and vote this Saturday for what is an important election for all of us in St. Tammany Parish.
The runoff week following a huge election, which is what we had in the primary on Oct. 24, is traditionally followed by a light turnout in the runoff, but for once I hope you will help me and others change that this Saturday.
The runoff in our sheriff’s race is certainly very important to see who will head the law enforcement in our parish for the next four years, then we have nine propositions that could effect change in the St. Tammany Parish Home Rule Charter. There are also a pair of Parish Council runoffs, a Justice of the Peace runoff and some important proposition votes for regular issues.
So please make that extra effort to get out and vote Saturday. It’s important for us to exercise our rights in the ballot box.
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Props to the Slidell Main Street organization for a great show put on in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium last week—a tribute to the city of Slidell and 127 years of history.
Not only was the show entertaining with the local folks wearing period clothing dating back to the late 1800s, but Main Street Director Sharon DeLong had interesting facts about Slidell going back over 100 years. All-in-all it was an entertaining show.
Perhaps my highlight to the show was when I saw my good friend Louis Ochoa march onto the stage with Jerry Begue and the Borcherts, Laura and Bill. They were wearing clothes from the early 1900s during the time when the Charleston dance was made popular.
It didn’t surprise me to see Laura and Bill come out dancing, but I must admit Louis shocked me by joining right in with some pretty nifty Charleston steps. And Louis, I think you played the “captain” part just right by gazing across the audience with your binoculars!
Louis is the owner of NOLA Southern Grill and also took on a second business when he formed a partnership with Pinewood Country Club to operate their restaurant and ballroom. The guy is double-timing it day-and-night from the many events I cover where he provides the catering. For that matter, on election night Oct. 24 I went to a couple of different campaign parties and kept seeing “NOLA Southern Grill” as the business providing the food.
At one point I asked someone how many places he was serving that night and was told he had seven catered events on that particular Saturday night! Louis confirmed that to me the other day when I brought it up.
Pretty hard working guy for sure, and he still has time to go dancing!
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There is someone else I wanted to mention from the “Down Thru the Years” show. My longtime friend, JoAnn Chelchowski, continues to amaze the way she heads up almost every fashion show at all the local non-profit fundraising events I attend.
JoAnn and her husband, Stan, have been friends of mine going back to my days when I covered sports in the 70s and 80s. In the past 20 years I got to know JoAnn even better from seeing her head-up the fashion shows all over St. Tammany Parish.
The amazing thing about her is the way she remembers so much information during the pressure of the shows. She knows every person who walks onto the stage and I have never seen her with a cue card. And she tosses out so much fun information to keep things interesting for the crowd that I’m impressed with her command of the entire event.
One thing I can tell you about my good friend is that she is a real lady—she will never tell her age! But I do know JoAnn has been at this for quite a while and still looks fantastic on s tage, which just adds to a personality you can’t help but love.
Great job JoAnn. Keep it going another 10 years, will ya?
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I’ve got to throw in one final story that involves one of my granddaughters. Yes, yes, I know I tell plenty of stories about the kids and grandkids, but I think this one is worth sharing.
I was getting ready to shave the other day when my 3-year-old granddaughter, Reagan, walked to the door of the bathroom, gazed up at me and said, “what are you doing Papa?”
Her brother, Zachary, said, “Reagan, you know he is about to shave.”
Figuring I could have a little fun I asked her, “Reagan, will you give Papa a kiss?”
She suddenly looked puzzled, noticing the shaving cream all over my face, and then did her best to keep “Papa” happy.
“But you have shave cream on,” she said.
Finally, trying to let me know she still loved me, I got the next best offer.
“Papa, I will kiss your leg,” she said as innocently as can be.
I assured her I didn’t need her to kiss my leg, but then I got the last laugh with her as I shaved around my mouth, leading her to finally say, “OK Papa, I’ll kiss you now.”
So of course I quickly slapped on some more shaving cream and gave her a big smooch so she had plenty of shaving cream on her face. She was so shocked she almost started crying, but then I hugged her and laughed, leading to a quick picture from her mom.
You can’t make up that kind of fun.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.