The People Project:
Tricia Nicholas
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | November 27, 2021
Meet Tricia Nicholas!
Tricia was born in Reserve, Louisiana and attended St. Charles Catholic High School in LaPlace. She attended University of Louisiana of Lafayette and Louisiana State University. After school, she started working at TransAmerican Refinery (which is now Valero) where she met her husband, Skurley. They have 3 children, Dustin (23), LeAnn (21) and Whitny (20). She is the owner of Toula Berry Sweets Treats & Gifts, an ice cream, candy and other treat shop in Ponchatoula.
We want to thank Tricia for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I have always loved children, and this is a dream of mine to have a spot where families can come and have fun. I started in a plant as an office clerk and worked up to where I was helping every department with their forms and other administrative duties. The company was paying for me to be certified in instrumentation, and that is where I met Skurley. He was the teacher! Sounds funny now, but we were both adults. Anyway, I decided to leave the plant and stayed home with the kids, and I had many storefronts selling hair bows. I was and still am known as the bow lady! I also worked at Louisiana Yachting & Boating as the Office and Finance Manager for 3 years. After they went out of business due to the recession, I worked here and there for my best friend at Strawberry Castle Preschool for about 10 years. I love babies and children. So, I decided it was time to open my own ice cream and candy store in Ponchatoula. We serve Hershey's Ice Cream. I did a lot of research on ice cream, and Hershey's has all natural flavors. It is more custard-like. It is so good. But, we have so much more than just ice cream! We have breakfast, with a waffle bar, coffee and pastries from Summer from Candlestick Bakery. We also sell my hair bows and other gifts. We love hosting special events, too - like birthday parties. We have a bounce house, yard games and tons of other activities. We also have an ice cream cart and bounce house package if someone wants to rent them!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: The Shrimp and Grits from Roux & Brew, the Stuffed Mushrooms from Joe's Italian Restaurant, and the Porky Pizza from Nola Mia.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Getting a bike with a banana seat for Christmas when I was about 10 years old at Yogi Bear. We spent every weekend and holiday camping there.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I would like to go to Italy.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: I like end of the world movies like The Day After Tomorrow. I also like history movies like National Treasure. The first movie I remember seeing in the theater was E.T. with my friend and her parents. I remember being in awe.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Always tell the ones you love that you love them. You are never guaranteed tomorrow.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To travel to Italy!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I listen to everything! My favorite is Michael Bublé. I remember seeing him before he was huge and playing in arenas. I like it all though, Frank Sinatra and Classical. I would have loved to see Queen perform.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Yogi Bear Campground! I have so many memories there. We spent every birthday there from birth until I was 17 years old!
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: Gordon Ramsay! And we would eat at Hell's Kitchen.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: We have an alligator in town! I love our community, the old buildings and homes. I love the people here and also that I can be on the nature walk in 10 minutes.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Alive! Still here, but bigger. I want a drive-thru, an indoor bounce house and concession stand.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am an open book! Most people know everything about me.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Where my family is. I always wanted to be the Mom where my kids and their friends would come over and eat!
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A housekeeper, hands down! Folding clothes is not my thing!
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Home cooking, southern food.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Listen to XM music channels.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: Last gift I gave was a neck travel pillow to my son for all his upcoming flights. Last gift I received was a Starbucks cup from my daughter. I collect them.
Q: What are you known for?
A: The hair bow lady and now the ice cream lady!
Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Alive by Pearl Jam or Smells like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: The ability to move fast and get a lot done!
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I love designing, crafting, and sewing!
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The middle finger! Our family is part of a group text, and we just joke and make fun of each other all day long. It is hilarious.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My kids.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My family and a phone with unlimited battery.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: When my son graduated from Advanced Individual Training from Army Aviation recently we played Christmas charades. We were laughing the whole time!
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: Making sure the kids are good for life, invest for us and an island with a home and boat to get there!
Tricia was nominated by Mandy Mae Poche
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
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