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Notes and Noteworthy

Central Progressive Bank

Hundreds turned out for the grand opening celebration of Central Progressive Bank’s fifth Slidell location at 740 Brownswitch Road. Pictured at the event are CPB CEO Richard Blossman Jr., U.S. Representative Bobby Jindal and CPB President Brandon Faciane.

Madisonville Expo

Madisonville business owners, residents and officials turned out to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the Greater Madisonville Chamber of Commerce’s First Annual EXPO, held in March.

BPW Scholarships

Members of the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women recently announced they will award $10,000 in educational scholarships to women in the community who are either currently attending or enrolled in a vocational, technical or standard two- or four-year college, or women continuing their education for professional reasons. Pictured is the BPW Scholarship Committee, including (front row) Serena Westberry, Olga Marquette, Sandy Morris (back row) Patti Mayeux, Kristine Hartley, Malise Prieto, Dana Hernandez, Bonnie Berry, Dorothy Garcia and Katie Champagne.

Teen Athletes Summer Program

Teen athletes are invited to participate in a six-week summer program to help them become better athletes. The June 4-July 13 North Oaks Sports Medicine Performance Program, to be held at Southeastern in Hammond, is open to junior- and senior-high students. Registration fee is $200. For information, call (985) 230-6160.

Louisiana Children’s
Discovery Museum

Entergy recently presented a check for $600,000 that will help establish the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Museum. Planners envision the museum to be an interactive and educational journey through time, focusing on the development of the Florida parishes. Pictured are Entergy’s Shelley MacNary and Kathy Montecino, president of the museum board.

Delta Tau Delta

The Epsilon Phi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity at Southeastern Louisiana University has again earned top honors at the Southern Division Leadership Conference in February. The chapter was chosen as having the most “Outstanding Brotherhood” for the second consecutive year, as well as for exceeding recruitment goals, excellent consultant hospitality and exceeding Southeastern’s all-male and all-fraternity grade point average. Pictured are (frontrow) Greg Gaiennie, Matt Perrin, Matt Taylor, Trevor Simpson, Justin Poché, Joe Vandigo, Nick Cavaretta, J.T. Erwin, Chris Barcelona, (back row) Greg Vick, Josh Thibodeaux, Andrew Ross, Reuben Washington, R .J. Root, Brady Watts, Derek Roth, Jeremy Barrios and Rudy Koppenol.

Harrison Richard

St. Paul’s student Harrison Richard was selected as a Regional Finalist Student of the Year, 8th Grade Division. The honor advances him to the next round of competition in Baton Rouge for the state finals.

Tami Ellis

Northshore artist Tami Ellis’ “Hope Floats” painting drew $2,600 at an eBay auction earlier this year. The sale, along with sales of poster prints and special events, combined to total over $25,000, which Ellis has donated to Habitat for Humanity for rebuilding efforts.

Bill Dobson

Mandeville resident Bill Dobson was recently awarded the 2007 International Association of Marine Investigators President’s Award. This marks the second time Dobson has received the prestigious award.

Scoggin Properties

Scoggin Properties GMAC Real Estate in Covington was honored recently during the GMAC Home Services Annual Business Conference. The company was recognized for ranking among the real estate network’s top five companies that have experienced the greatest increase in gross commission income growth from 2005-06.

Miss SLU

Southeastern Louisiana University piano performance major Kristen Hilliard of Covington has been chosen Miss Southeastern 2007. Hilliard received her crown from Miss Southeastern 2006 Blair Abene of Hammond at the annual pageant Feb. 7 at Southeastern’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Statewide Bank

Statewide Bank has announced the appointment of seven new officers to its team. Matt Faust was named president; Michael Cahall, vice president and chief credit officer; Michael Lofaso, Tangipahoa market president; Vicky Talley, vice president and commercial lender; Ferd Marsolan, vice president and commercial lender; Karen Sharp, vice president and sales and service manager and Debbie Collins, vice president and branch manager. Leigh Nezat and Megan Levine were also hired as administrative assistants. Pictured is Matt Faust, president.

Westin Twardowski

Westin Twardowski, a sophomore at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, won first place at Tulane University’s National Shakespeare Competition, where students presented a 20-line Shakespearean monologue and a sonnet. He’ll be competing in the national semi-final round in New York City against students from throughout the country, all hoping to win the grand prize of a full tuition scholarship to the British American Drama Academy’s Midsummer Conservatory Program in Oxford, England.
Ryan O’Krepki

In March, Covington’s Ryan O’Krepki won the Wilson Junior Open Tournament in Slidell in the 9-10-year-old division. He’s pictured with Federico Palombo, director of junior tennis at Cross Gates Athletic Club.

Middendorf’s

Middendorf’s restaurant, a local favorite open since 1934 renowned for its thinly sliced fried catfish, has new owners. Karen and Horst Pfeifer, who operated Bella Luna restaurant in New Orleans, say there are no plans to make changes.