SEPTEMBER 2024 GARDENETTE NEWSLETTER
Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc.
Mark Your Calendars:
2024 –
September 4-5 Gardening School, Abbeville LA
September 11 Gardenettes Monthly Meetingbr
September 14 Hummingbird Event - HRS 7am-noon
October 5 Fall Garden Day - Hammond Research
October 7-8 Environmental School 3 – Zoom
October 8-9 Landscape Design School – Baton Rouge
October 11 Blue Star Dedication - Keithville
October 15 Last Day to Order Spring Bulbs Thru
LGCF!
October 22 District VI Fall Meeting Gonzales
November 7-8 Flower Show Judges School
GARDEN STUDY - SEPTEMBER 4-5: Gardening School Course 3 will be held in Abbeville, LA on September 4-5, 2024. The course is sponsored by Lafayette and Abbeville Garden Clubs. We have some excellent instructors lined up for the school. Lunch will be provided on Wednesday. On Thursday, we will drive to Jefferson Island for lunch and a tour of Rip Van Winkle Gardens led by owner Mike Richard, Sr. You will also be able to tour the mansion. All are included in your registration fee. The fillable registration form is attached. Please come for education, fun and fellowship!
CLICK ON THIS LINK!
CLICK ON THIS LINK!
GARDENETTES MONTHLY MEETING SEPTEMBER 11: Held at the Strawberry Board Building 11 a.m., hostesses will be Marilyn Wright, Mellie Singer and Dottie Boudreaux. Food first, program at 11:30 a.m. Topic is Plant Propagation: Make & Share by Vicky Fannaly and Susan Pizani.Don't forget your horticulture and exhibits!
Exhibit: “Natures Way through Willow” Still Life Design, plant materials and other components by which a story is told or theme is interpreted. ( each month is symbolic of a tree species, Kathy Bruce used trees since they are green /emerald with stated theme; Willow is symbolic of imagination, intuition, and vision). INFORMATION
Exhibit: “Natures Way through Willow” Still Life Design, plant materials and other components by which a story is told or theme is interpreted. ( each month is symbolic of a tree species, Kathy Bruce used trees since they are green /emerald with stated theme; Willow is symbolic of imagination, intuition, and vision). INFORMATION
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HUMMINGBIRD EVENT - HAMMOND RESEARCH STATION - SEPTEMBER 14: Held from 7 p.m. to noon Featuring: Hummingbird banding by Dr. Erik Johnson, Audubon Delta -
Presentation about Hummingbirds by Jane Patterson, Baton Rouge Audubon Society Feeding supplies – Wild Birds Unlimited and Backyard Birds and Gardens CLICK FOR MORE INFO! |
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FALL GARDEN DAY October 5 Hammond Research Station: Hours 7:30 to 1:00: Get into the Fall Spirit at The Hammond Research Station's Fall Fest and Plant Sale! It will be fun for the whole family! Shop fall season annual color, shrubs, trees, and fall vegetable starts! Also learn gardening and landscape techniques from our industry's leaders. The Tangipahoa Master Gardeners will have a garden demo, fun children's activities, a garden shop, plant swap, and more!
ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOOL 3 - October 7-8: This is one of four courses which do not have to be taken in numerical order. Upon completion of the co vironmental Council. Most important, you learn a lot about becoming better stewards of our natural environment.
CLICK ON THIS LINK!
CLICK ON THIS LINK!
LANDSCAPE DESIGN SCHOOL - October 8-9: Course 1, Series 21, at the Baton Rouge Garden Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to look at your garden (and others) with an artistic eye. It will no longer be just grass and trees, but a LANDSCAPE, color, pathways, garden rooms, purpose and function. The teachers are professionals in the field, and most of them teach at the renown Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture at LSU. The best of the best! So do yourself a favor. Grab a friend and enjoy a couple of days in garden glory! Click here for more information!
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BLUE STAR DEDICATION - OCTOBER 11 - You are invited to attend the unveiling and dedication of the Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication, Northwest LA Veterans Cemetery, Keithville, 11:00 a.m. This is a tribute to all the Armed Forces who have and continue to defend the United States of Louisiana. |
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LGCF INC. FUND RAISER ENDS October 15: Buy bulbs for the fall through our state group and get some wonderful daffodils, alliums, tulips and more. I ordered some last spring and got some beautiful tree lilies! These are the first group that bloomed. Prices were cheaper than those I bought through commercial firms.
CLICK ON THIS LINK!
CLICK ON THIS LINK!
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DISTRICT VI FALL MEETING - October 22: Registration for the District VI Fall Meeting ends October 1. Held in Gonzales at Mike Anderson's, It should be a good event. Each club in our district brings a nice item to raffle for fundraising for the District. Sunday Hanson donated a beautifully framed Carmel Foret print showing iris for our club donation. REGISTRATION |
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FLOWER SHOW JUDGES SCHOOL - November 8-9: For the group rate of $132 at the Holiday Inn Causway (Group code is “NOJ”) you can ask for the New Orleans Flower Show Judges rate. REGISTRATION |
GARDENETTES - THIS AND THAT!
GARDEN OF THE MONTH: Martha Davis on Annette Drive received the August honors. Martha's garden has color, eye-appeal and imaginative use of non-plant accents. Late breakfast at Paul's Cafe ended the presentation. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION
Sea Turtle Rescue: A Visit to Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island, Texas by Mellie Singer, Conservation Committee
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Last month, while on vacation in South Padre Island, Texas, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Sea Turtle Inc., a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center. I was profoundly impressed by the dedication and impact of this organization.
Sea Turtle Inc. was originally founded in 1977 by Ila Fox Loetscher, affectionately known as “The Turtle Lady of South Padre Island.” Her passion for sea turtles led to the creation of this remarkable center, which continues to thrive today. As of 2024, the facility has rescued and released 931 sea turtles, protected and released 3,439 hatchlings, responded to 640 emergency turtle calls, and educated 82,439 visitors. The center’s vision is “a world with thriving sea turtle populations,” and their work focuses on turtle conservation, medical care, applied research, and public education. The Challenges Sea Turtles Face Sea turtles become stranded for several reasons, including: - Predators - Entanglement in nets and fishing lines - Boat strikes - Plastic consumption - Sudden cold weather Sea Turtle Inc. receives no government funding and relies entirely on public donations, center tours, and gift shop sales. During my visit, I learned about three of their most notable rescue stories. Fred: The Persistent Loggerhead Fred, a loggerhead turtle, was found stranded at a local port in 1996, entangled in netting, with his left front flipper amputated. After receiving medical care, Fred was released twice in 1997, but he was re-stranded both times. The staff at Sea Turtle Inc. determined that he was no longer releasable, so Fred lived the rest of his life at the rescue center. Known for his calm and docile personality, Fred loved having his shell rubbed by staff and volunteers. He became a visitor favorite and brought in many donations, helping to keep the center active and successful. Allison: The Trailblazer with a Prosthetic Flipper Allison, an Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, was rescued in 2005 after losing three of her four flippers in a predator attack. The rescue |
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center designed and fitted her with a prosthetic flipper, enabling her to move around in the water and enjoy a good quality of life, despite being deemed unreleasable. Allison was known for splashing water at visitors as she waved to them and played a key role in advancing prosthetic design for future sea turtles with amputated flippers.
Cowgirl: The Country Music Lover
Cowgirl, another Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, was found stranded in 2021, weighing just over 2 pounds. Despite normal blood work and X-rays, she was re-stranded multiple times after being released. Eventually, the medical experts at Sea Turtle Inc. decided she was unreleasable and provided her with permanent lodging at the center. Now weighing 60 pounds, Cowgirl is thriving, enjoying her favorite food—mackerel—and spending her days listening to country music, which she loves.
A Lasting Impression
My visit to Sea Turtle Inc. left me deeply impressed by the dedication of the staff and educators, who were eager to share their knowledge and encourage visitors to support the center through turtle adoption or donations toward medical expenses. The center is located in southern Texas, just 30 minutes from the border with Mexico, and offers an unforgettable experience for anyone interested in wildlife conservation.
For those in Louisiana, turtle rescue assistance is available through the LSU Wildlife Hospital in Baton Rouge. If you encounter a stranded turtle or one in need of help, you can call them at 225-578-9600 for assistance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SEA TURTLES INC. CLICK HERE
Cowgirl: The Country Music Lover
Cowgirl, another Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, was found stranded in 2021, weighing just over 2 pounds. Despite normal blood work and X-rays, she was re-stranded multiple times after being released. Eventually, the medical experts at Sea Turtle Inc. decided she was unreleasable and provided her with permanent lodging at the center. Now weighing 60 pounds, Cowgirl is thriving, enjoying her favorite food—mackerel—and spending her days listening to country music, which she loves.
A Lasting Impression
My visit to Sea Turtle Inc. left me deeply impressed by the dedication of the staff and educators, who were eager to share their knowledge and encourage visitors to support the center through turtle adoption or donations toward medical expenses. The center is located in southern Texas, just 30 minutes from the border with Mexico, and offers an unforgettable experience for anyone interested in wildlife conservation.
For those in Louisiana, turtle rescue assistance is available through the LSU Wildlife Hospital in Baton Rouge. If you encounter a stranded turtle or one in need of help, you can call them at 225-578-9600 for assistance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SEA TURTLES INC. CLICK HERE
