January 2024

Rayne Garden Club holds Arbor Day program at Rayne High

RAYNE - Delayed a week due to inclement weather, the Rayne Garden Club hosted a morning Arbor Day program on Friday, Jan. 26, at Rayne High School.
The 2024 “Remembrance” program/donation was held in memory of deceased members of the Rayne Garden Club.
Donated were three magnolia trees to replace three lost to last summer’s drought and extreme hot temperatures experienced throughout this area.
The new trees were donated by:
• Rayne Garden Club in remembrance of deceased RGC members, especially the late Antonia Hoffpauir who passed on since last year’s program;
• Event Chairman Desiree Casey in remembrance of her aunt, Miss Irene Petitjean, long-time charter RGC member who also served as principal at the school; and
• The Bear family of Rayne in remembrance of the late Max Baer, a RHS graduate and life-long supporter of Rayne High School.
Students of the school’s FFA program were also in attendance as they will complete the club donation by planting the trees.
RHS Principal Benny Fontenot, joined by Superintendent Scott Richard and other School Board members, thanked the club for the continued support of the school. The original plants and trees that surround the school grounds today were donated to the school in the mid-1900s by the charter members of the Rayne Garden Club, including Miss Irene M. Petitjean, long-time teacher who also served as Rayne High principal during World War II.
Fontenot has also announced other plans for the school grounds, including the planting of additional oak trees, trimming and shaping of existing trees and shrubs, and additional flowerbeds.
In addition to Miss Irene Petitjean and Antonia Hoffpauir who were remembered during the program, other Rayne Garden Club members who have passed on were also acknowledged during the program.
Members of the Rayne Garden Club were joined by members of the Rayne High School FFA program and special guests during the 2024 Arbor Day program held near the school’s front arches. Among those in attendance were, kneeling from left, FFA officer team treasurer Ben Dupre, reporter Keagan Ardoin, sentinel Hunter Doucet, vice president Kobe Stakes, secretary Harlee Doucet and president Chloe Bourque; standing front row, guest Calise Breaux, RGC members Julia Breaux, Judy Guidry, Becky Servat and Margaret Comeaux, Acadia Parish School Board member Becky Atkinson, RGC President Lisa Soielaux, RGC members Carol Trahan and Martha Pierret, RGC Chairman Desiree Casey and RHS Principal Benny Fontenot. In attendance but not pictured was Acadia Parish Superintendent Scott Richard.
Rayne Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux, center, presents a proclamation proclaiming Arbor Day for the 2024 observation in the City of Rayne hosted by the Rayne Garden Club. Accepting the proclamation were Arbor Day Chairman Desiree Casey, left, and Rayne Garden Club President Lisa Soileaux. The Rayne Garden Club hosted a tree dedication on Friday, Jan. 26, at Rayne High School when three magnolias were donated to replace those lost to last summer’s drought and extreme heat.

December 2023

Ladies of the Rayne Garden Club once again enjoyed their annual December Holiday Social and Plant Exchange following their business meeting at the home of member Margaret Comeaux. The 10 a.m. business meeting was followed by a delicious luncheon with each club member preparing their favorite holiday dish, followed by a plant exchange with each club member providing a plant for the raffle-type exchange, complete with care instructions and a history of the plant. In attendance and enjoying the special holiday event were, seated from left, Desiree Casey, Vice President Chris Simpson, Julia Breaux, Jeanette Daigle, President Lisa Soileaux; standing from left, Carol Trahan, Treasurer/host Margaret Comeaux, Judy Guidry, Secretary Becky Servat, Dianne Sonnier, Corresponding Secretary Fran Bihm, Linda Ancona and Martha Pierret.

October 2023

Dianne Sonnier, right, was officially presented the past-president’s pin acknowledging her dedicated service as president of the Rayne Garden Club during the 2021-2023 term. Dianne spearheaded a number of events and community projects on behalf of the Rayne Garden Club. Making the presentation is Lisa Soileaux, left, new 2023-2025 president who is now spearheading the upcoming 7th District Fall Meeting to be hosted by the Rayne Garden Club in Rayne on October 17th at The Warehouse Event Venue, an historic community structure well over 100 years old, which will also serve as a grand celebration of the club's 75th anniversary of its creation in 1949 entitled, "Diamond Jubilee!" Hope to see everyone in attendance. Emails will begin soon for registration and pertinent information for all clubs of District VII.
Club President Lisa Soileaux, Recording Secretary Becky Servat and Corresponding Secretary Fran Bihm traveled to Oakdale for a very informative 7th District Fall Meeting. The trio even went home with a couple of door prizes. AS club president, Mrs. Soileaux invited all in attendance to the upcoming 2024 7th District Fall Meeting to be held in the "Frog Capital" of Rayne by the Rayne Garden Club on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the historical Warehouse Event Venue. Not only will the club host the 7th District Fall Meeting, but will also incorporate the club's 75th anniversary. Hop on over to the "Frog Capital" for a hopping good time this fall!!!

September 2023

​The Rayne Garden Club occupied a booth during the 9th Annual Old Spanish Trail Day Celebration held Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Rayne, the first city in the nation named an OST City. At the booth, among over 60 vendors and demonstrators in attendance, Rayne Garden Club members provided home-grown plants propagated at home to sell. Garden club members also answered any questions in regards to plants purchased during the event, in addition to other problems or questions the public had in regards to plant and flower care. Ryane Garden Club members busy setting up the booth were, from left, President/Event Chairman Lisa Soileaux, Linda Ancona and Becky Servat.