We are approaching the best time to plant trees in our area. 

Fall is ideal because it allows the plant to establish a root system in the

new soil long before shoot growth is initiated the next spring.

Root activity takes place in relatively cool soil even though the tops (shoot)

is not actively growing.  Also, usually less supplementary water will be required in

late fall and early winter.

The first real cool front came through this past week but brought no rainfall with it. Many lawns and landscapes are in dire need for rainfall or other irrigation methods due to the dry weather since hurricane Rita came through. September and October have been dry months up to the writing of this column as we have only received 4.15 inches of rainfall since September 1st at the Houma USDA ARS Sugar station located on Bull Run Road just outside Houma. More weather information can be found at: ww2.lsuagcenter.com/weather/index.asp

The cold weather we typically receive now through January can cause problems for home and commercial citrus in our area. It is important to know what the critical temperatures are and the factors affecting them.

Among the citrus types that are most easily killed by freezing temperatures are citrons, lemons, and limes. Temperatures in the high 20s will readily kill or severely damage these plants. Sweet oranges and grapefruit are somewhat more cold hardy and usually require temperatures in the mid-20s before incurring major damage to large branches. Tangerines and mandarins are quite cold hardy, usually withstanding temperatures as low as the low 20s before significant wood damage occurs. But among the edible types of sweet citrus, the satsuma has the greatest degree of cold hardiness. Kumquats are also among the most cold hardy.

The eight-horse Hitch will be available for daily public viewing at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, where they will be stabled for the duration of their visit.  Harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon, they will participate in several local carnival activities. On 2/24/06, the “Gentle Giants,” as they are often referred to, will participate in the Krewe of Aphrodite.  The parade begins at 6:00PM. They will also participate in Terreanians on 2/26/06 at 11:00Am, Cleopatra on 2/27/06 at 6:00PM and Houmas on 2/28/06 at 11:00AM. In the event of inclement weather, the horses will not appear and cannot reschedule

More than two million people in the United States have done it. They’ve joined the fight against cancer by participating in Relay For Life, the signature event of the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Terrebonne Parish is gearing up for the event on April 22, 2006 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.  The next schedule team captains meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 9 at 12:00pm at TGMC’s Medical Atrium and at 5:30pm at TGMC’s Outreach Center in Southland Mall.  All interested in learning more about participating in this year’s event are invited to attend.  Platinum Level sponsors for the 2006 Relay For Life event is Bayou Home Care and Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC).

Are you ready to witness up close the adrenaline packed adventure sport that is sweeping the nation?  Then get ready to “cowboy up” as St. Martin & Williams presents the 5^th Annual Coors/ Coors Light Fear No Evil Bull Riding Challenge brought to you by Houma Tractor and the US Army. It will return to the Houma Civic Center on Saturday, January 21 at 7:30pm.

This bull-bucking, clown-tossing, dirt-flying event will feature over 40 local, regional and national bull riders who will challenge the bulls to an eight-second ride to secure their place in the short round showdown. When the dust settles, ten riders rise above the rest and try for another 8-second dance. Only one will master the beast for a cash purse.

Nicholls State University will hold several events throughout the month of March in honor of Women’s History Month. They include:

·        March 1 to 31 – Ellender Memorial Library hosts an exhibit titled “Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams” that highlights women who have made significant contributions to their communities or to the field of education on the second floor of the library. University Counseling Services presents a display about women who have contributed to the field of mental health at 224 Elkins Hall. Books featuring women in American history and politics are available in the University Bookstore in Bollinger Memorial Student Union.

By: Lee Babin

Celebrating its 43rd annual extravaganza, the Larose Regional Park’s Family Fun Festival kicks off on the evening of Friday, April 28, and lasts through the evening of Sunday, April 30.

Featuring the best in local attractions, the Family Fun Festival allows the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center, self-sustained facilities, to maintain operations for the Larose community. According to Brian Detillier, executive director of the Bayou Civic Club, Inc. and the Larose Regional Park & Civic Center, “At times, the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center complex serves the entire Lafourche Parish Community in its sponsoring of cultural, social, and recreational events. We constantly try to sponsor programs for our community.”  

The 2006 4-H Achievement Day was held on Clover Island at Ellender Memorial High School.  4-H members from throughout the parish gathered to Out Speak, Out Demonstrate, Out Sing and Out Model each other while competing to be a 4-H Survivor.  The challenges were tough but 4-H members survived.

 The results follow:

4-H Record Book Excellence awards were awarded to the top four schools with the highest percentage of project books submitted. 

1^st place – Oakshire Elementary 4-H

2^nd place – Houma Junior High 4-H

3^rd place – St. Bernadette 4-H

4^th place – St. Matthew’s 4-H

The 25th Annual Terrebonne Parish Christmas Parade will be held Friday, December 9 beginning at 7pm. Besides Santa, costumed characters, Terrebonne High School Marching Band, 20 floats and more, the parade will also have dogs this year! "Yup" you read right, the annual Dog March will immediately immediately follow the annual Christmas parade. 

The parade will begin at Terrebonne High School, follow Main Street, turn on Barrow Street and disband at School Street. Paradegoers can then walk to the Court Square for the lighting of the Parish Christmas Tree. Before the lighting, Christmas carols will be sung by Jolie Cantrelle of LA Kids.

The Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders at Nicholls State University will accept students through July 1 for its Creative Scholars Camps. Students diagnosed as dyslexic will learn interesting, effective ways to get the most from reading and learn techniques for improving writing and math skills. Session 1, for students entering fifth or sixth grades, will be held July 17 to 21. Session 2, for students entering seventh, eighth or ninth grades, will be held July 24 to 28. Camp lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with early drop-off available for an additional fee. A non-refundable $25 application fee is required by July 1. The registration fee is $200 and must be paid by July 10 once acceptance is granted. For more information about the Creative Scholars Camps, contact the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders at (985) 448-4214.

Time to Plant Shade Trees

 Now is an ideal time to plant ornamental trees in the landscape.  Spring is generally the time when most people think about planting trees, but fall is the ideal time.  Planting now allows trees to establish a strong root system.  Root growth, not shoot growth, is the first priority after planting.

After the recent hurricanes, now is a good time to step back before planting and plant the right tree for the right place.  Remember that there often is no perfect tree, but here are a few guidelines to follow when planting:

A mixture of colorful hand puppets and lively music will help spread ecological awareness among children when puppeteer Karen Konnerth of New Orleans-based Calliope Puppets presents “The Fisherman and His Wife” Tuesday, April 4 in the libraries of Thibodaux and South Thibodaux elementary schools. The show is part of the eighth annual Jubilee: A Festival of the Arts and Humanities at Nicholls State University.

 Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHFH) is building for families who lost or received damage to their home in the 2006 hurricane season. BAHFH plans to build 83 houses in Terrebonne Parish and 26 houses in South Lafourche for hurricane recovery by December 2006.  Currently there are 32 families selected, but BAHFH has the opportunity to select 13 more families before June 16, 2006.

BAHFH is partnering with other organizations eager to help hurricane-affected families, but there is only a small window of opportunity to select families to receive these houses. The Habitat affiliate has put staff in place to assist families with the application and offer support during the process. Families are selected based on three criteria; need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.

Nicholls State University is offering numerous youth activities over the summer months. They include:

Academic Enrichment Program (youth entering kindergarten through sixth grades)

June 5 to July 14 (Monday through Friday), 8:30 to 11:50 a.m.

Cost: $175

By: Robert Barrilleaux, Jr.

Are you looking for something to do this weekend, or are you thinking of a place to bring your love ones to go eat great Cajun food and listen to good music. Well there is one place this weekend which will have both of these things as well as great fun and games for the entire family. The 33^rd Annual French Food Festival, which will be held this weekend, October 27-29, in Larose, will be the  place where you can find all of the things mentioned so far plus more.  This festivals purpose is to generate 1/3 of the revenue needed to operate the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center. Since this facility is not owned by the parish it does not receive parish or state funds for operation, it relies on events such as this one to raise the revenue. With this in mind not only are you getting great food, music, and fun, you are also helping support this great atmosphere for events and a place where children can play.    

 In another effort to recognize outstanding employees, Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Customer Service Council has implemented the Employee of the Month program.  This program recognizes employees that exemplify the kind of person patients, family members and fellow employees distinguish as role models. This employee shows dedication, outstanding work ethics, has as a positive attitude that is reflected in their day-to-day work and focuses on meeting both internal and external customer service goals. 

The March TGMC Employee of the Month is Mancy Dean, Ward Clerk Monitor Technician, from 4 South Telemetry. Mancy has been part of the TGMC team for 12 years, working on the Telemetry floor. She also holds a CNA license. Mancy stated, “ I am very honored to be named the TGMC March Employee of the Month.”

Poinsettia Selection and Care

Poinsettias are the most popular holiday plant and selection and care are two important aspects we need to look at. Poinsettias are the featured plant in retail garden centers, florist shops and grocery stores from mid-November through December. The popular plants are available in a tremendous variety of colors including red, white, marble, pink and combinations of these colors.

While red poinsettias represent a little over 70 percent of the market, other colors are increasing in popularity. Many new poinsettia varieties that appeal more to floral designers are now available.

It was only for a few days but still it was risky business.  Families, left behind, abandoned, might find it necessary to begin legal proceedings.  So why do two men leave their homes in Utah to travel to Houma, Louisiana?    

Investigators probing the matter might suspect the men, Lynn Lehmann and Roger Brockbank, friends for over forty years, might have fallen and succumbed to the temptation of feeding themselves on crawfish and shrimp.  The same slippery little devils that are very often north of $13 a pound in Salt Lake City and, most often, frozen.       

Or maybe it was the scenery.  Stately southern homes with football-field size lawns and   Oaks dripping with Spanish moss.  The pervasive bayous with their mysterious waters crossed by narrow bridges.  The sun rising over the suddenly golden water near Cocodrie.  The demented thought that maybe an alligator might chase someone down the road providing the perfect photo opportunity. 

CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle Fantasy will take audiences on an all-new soaring adventure when performing at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center on January 3, 2007 at 7:30 pm for 1 night only.  Tickets are on sale now!

In the spirit of the successful international touring sensations Cirque Ingenieux and Cirque Dreams comes the latest reinvention of theatrical circus artistry from Cirque Productions, CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle Fantasy, a colorful dream in an enchanted forest performed on stage and in the air.  An international cast of graceful aerialists, spine bending contortionists, vine swinging characters, strongmen and balancers bring this jungle dream to life in a lush, Broadway setting filled with wildly unpredictable designs, special effects, inventive choreography, puppeteering and dazzling costumes.  Imaginative theatrics combined with world-class acrobatics make CIRQUE DREAMS Jungle Fantasy an exhilarating journey the entire family can experience together

The region is experiencing a critical blood shortage and is in need of blood donors.   Currently, there is an urgent need for Type O Blood. 

Please consider donating blood at The Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) Blood Donor Center.  It is 100 % safe, will take about 40 minutes and one pint could save up to 3 lives.  Blood donors can donate at the TGMC Blood Donor Center which is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 am until 3:30 pm and on Tuesday until 5:30 pm. 

The world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in the area from Tuesday February 12, 2007 to Wednesday February 21, 2007, including appearances in Aphrodite, Terreanians, Cleopatra and Houmas Parades.

The Drake Elm – Ulmus parvifolia “Drake” is a very good small, fast growing semi-evergreen tree.

This tree is a Chinese Elm and Drake is a popular cultivar widely used in the area. The Drake Elm has a fast rate of growth especially for the first eight to ten years. It averages about 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Do not confuse this tree with the Siberian Elm. The Drake Elm is a much better, longer lasting tree than the Siberian.

With our cold winter this year, you will notice that it is also a deciduous tree as the leaves have all fallen off this year.

La Tour is the name of the newest locally owned, master planned, Golf Course / Development Community planned for Lafourche Parish. The plans have recently been approved by the United State Corps of Engineers and construction is underway. La Tour is located along Louisiana Highway 308 and two miles south of U.S. Highway 90 – Future Interstate 49. General Partner, John Brady, says “Most of my life has been about golf and I have been dreaming and planning this golf course for many years. I am looking forward to finally building the course that we have been discussing and dreaming about over the last several years with David Toms and Ken Morgan.”

Coming off a great year on the PGA Tour, Louisiana Professional David Toms, in association with Ken Morgan of Morgan Golf Design, has designed an 19-hole Public Course, which will be over 7,100 yards long. “This golf course has been planned as a signature design from the beginning. I am very excited to come back to Louisiana to play La Tour and be a part of the recovery process in Louisiana, “ says David Toms. Designed with the everyday golfer in mind, the golf course will be enjoyable for all skill levels, using a mix of shot values to create a challenging, enjoyable and memorable golfing experience. “Being a part of this golf course has been an honor and privilege because John Brady always does things first class” says Ken Morgan of Morgan Gold Design.