The gentle giant

The gentle giant

Derick Hall with his sister and mom, Stacey Gooden-Crandle On the day he entered the world, Derick Hall wasn’t expected to live.  Born at 23.5 weeks, weighing 2 pounds, 9 ounces, Hall was placed on life support with a litany of critical health problems, including...
Stay active! Even while on vacation

Stay active! Even while on vacation

Your beach essentials are packed, the car is loaded, your voicemail and e-mail are set for “out of office” and you’re ready for that beach vacation. You’ve worked so hard to just relax — but remember to bring your tennis shoes and water shoes, and plan to stay active.

Exploring New Orleans As A Tourist

Exploring New Orleans As A Tourist

School is over for now, and it looks like we’re returning to some semblance of normalcy. How can you take advantage of the weeks you’ll have with the kids at home, and have some fun, relax, and unwind from a stressful year?  

Flood coverage — prepare for a wave of change

Flood coverage — prepare for a wave of change

As if flood insurance weren’t complicated enough, the whole rating process is changing again as of October. Elevation certificates won’t be required any longer, but knowing the elevation of your first floor will become very important. Replacement cost and construction type (frame or brick) will be used as part of the calculation, as well as the actual distance to any water source, such as a river, shore, coast, levee, dam, lake, etc.

Steel magnolia with a soft heart

Steel magnolia with a soft heart

LuAnn Pappas’s dad taught her what it means to give back. And as the 2021 recipient of the Annette O’Keefe Humanitarian Award, the CEO of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort wishes Bill Sturm could share in the recognition. Bar none, she says, he was the biggest influence in her life.