May 2021

​Unveiling and Dedication of Gold Star Memorial Marker
Saturday, May 29, 2021 - 11 A.M.
Jim Bowie Park - Houma LA
Sponsored by the
Terrebonne Garden Club and
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government

Funeral They Never Had!

On Saturday, May 29, 2021, the community of Terrebonne Parish gathered together to honor history with the dedication of a Gold Star Marker at Jim Bowie Park, 940 Bayou Black Drive, Houma.  The program was a salute to the 90 fallen men from Terrebonne Parish in WWII and to those who have lost their lives in the arena of war. The program included: the Presentation of Colors, Pledge of Allegiance, and 21 Gun Salute by the United Veterans League; a medley of military songs and taps played by the Houma-Terrebonne Community Stage Band; uplifting songs sung by the Mosaic Quartet; a tribute of flowers; a history of the Gold Star Marker given by Retired Major General Hunt Downer; and much more.  Many of those who attended expressed to garden club members that this was the funeral their loved ones never had.  This site was chosen for placement of the Gold Star Marker because in the late 1940’s, Gold Star Mothers along with two Terrebonne Garden Club members planted 21 oak trees in honor of those they lost in WWII.  Since then the Terrebonne Garden Club has registered all 21 trees with the Live Oak Society.  Alongside the Gold Star Marker is a Wayside Marker that has the tree number and the 3-5 names of the 90 fallen.  The Terrebonne Garden Club would like to thank the Louisiana Garden Club Members who traveled many miles to attend the program.
 

2020

Christmas Luncheon - December 11, 2020

The Terrebonne Garden Club celebrated its annual Christmas Luncheon on December 11, 2020, at Grand Bayou Noir, a 3rd generation bed & breakfast and a registered property available for outdoor parties and activities. The highlight of the luncheon was the induction of seven members of the garden club into the Circle of Roses.  The ceremony was led by Sarah LeBlanc, State Chairman of the Circle of Roses and member of the Lafayette Garden Club.  Members were presented with a Circle of Roses pin, certificate, and flowers.  Inducted were Linda Brashier, Grace Bush, Bonnie Clement, Carolyn Dupre, Margaret Sissy Freeman, Carol Marmande, and Madelyn Tedesco.  Many thanks to Linda Brashier, District III Director, for coordinating the Circle of Roses ceremony.
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Other festivities included a Christmas Hat Contest with fresh flower decorations, the pulling of names for the many door prizes, and a delicious meal catered by Debra Ellender, owner of Grand Bayou Noir and Terrebonne Garden Club member.  The table decorations were created by Dawn Tenney of the French Lily and were also given as door prizes.  The entrance arrangement was crafted by Dot Wu, Terrebonne Garden Club member.  Many thanks to all who organized the event.

Blue Star Memorial Marker Planting
October 26, 2020

This is the recent planting around the Blue Star Memorial Marker in Houma, LA.  Mary Jane Peters wrote the grant, and it was awarded to the Terrebonne Garden Club. Featured in the group picture are: Jan Duplantis, Karen LeBourgeois, Mary Jane Peters, Shanna Devens, Ann Kinkle, Linda Brashier and Wanda Dishman.  

On Monday, October 26, 2020, Terrebonne Garden Club members planted Muhlenbergia capillaris around the Blue Star Memorial Marker. The National Garden Club Plant America Community Project Grant is a project restoration of the landscaping around the Blue Star Memorial Marker along highway 182 and is viewed by everyone driving into the city of Houma, Louisiana, and is a source of pride for our city. The funds were used to purchase native plants, soil, and mulch. Mary Jane Peters wrote the grant, and it was awarded to the Club.


District III Fall Meeting
​​October 22, 2020 - The Forest Restaurant

Members of Terrebonne Garden Club with Linda Finley and Roxanna Champagne
Front row: Wanda Dishman, President of club, Linda Finley, Roxanna Champagne, 
Back row:  Shanna Devens, Secretary, Mary Jane Peters, Susan Waalk,
Mona Wiemann, Debra Ellender, Jan Duplantis, Ann Kinkle, Patricia Lawrence

September 11, 2020 Meeting

Terrebonne Garden Club held its first meeting of the year on September 11, 2020. The original meeting place was not available due to COVID-19.  The club improvised and held its meeting at Grand Bayou Noir, a registered property available for outdoor parties and activities.  The open tent provided a perfect backdrop accenting the surrounding gardens. 

​The highlight of the view was an 85 year old oak tree.  Seen below, the tree’s girth measures 25 feet.  There are eight more majestic oaks that the club will register.  To carry on the outdoor theme of the meeting, members were asked to identify the arrangements found on each table. The club has been very creative finding ways to interact with its members.  Thirty of our 88 members attended the meeting .
Member Debbie Ellender loaned us her tented back yard for the first meeting of the 20-21 year.
Paulette Henry holds up sample of horticulture and identifies each of the blooms.  The oak tree is seen behind her. 
Planted in the 1934’s,  it has a girth of 24 feet.  There are nine other trees on the property and the owners want to register all of them.