LVFC PRESIDENT

Ethel Adcock

Volume 37Issue 1

LOUISIANA BAYOU MISSION STATEMENT:

To strengthen individuals, families and communities through . . .

EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP AND ACTIONSpring Issue

President

Ethel Adcock

3530 Verot School Rd.

Youngsville, LA 70592

337-856-7523 (h)

337-235-6111 (w)

ectnetwork@ cox.net

VP for Program s

Sue Nelson

46207 M ilton Rd.

Ham m ond, LA 70401

225-567-9769

gradynelson@ att.net

VP for Public Policy

M aureen Felder

14195 Jones Rd.

Ponchatoula, LA 70454

225-294-3092

susieq@ internet8.net

Recording Secretary

Elaine Chatagnier

1142 Connie Rd.

Iota, LA 70543

337-779-2226

topselaine@ yahoo.com

Treasurer

Linda M cCord

305 W infield Blvd.

Houm a, LA 70360

985-876-5711tempestmoi@aol.com

Past President

Judy Broussard

804 S. John M . Hardy Dr.

Abbeville, LA 70510

337-893-4857 (h)

337-652-3657 ©

jlibersat@ agcenter.lsu.edu

Parliam entarian

Letha Briggs

112 Grand Ave.

Lafayette, LA 70503

337-984-1868

wilrdbgs@ bellsouth.net

State Advisor Agent

Dr. Karen Overstreet

P. O . Box 25100

Baton Rouge, La 70894-5100

225-578-2284

koverstreet@ agctr.lsu.edu

Area Directors

Pat Anderson - Area 1

M ary Lee LeBlanc- Area 2

Karen W aters - Area 3

Letha Briggs- Area 4

Thellos M axwell - Area 5

Editor - La Bayou

Rosie Trahan

274 Broadacres Dr.

Crowley, La 70526

337-783-0924

rm trahan@ cox.net

Dear LVFC Members:

Spring’s just around thecorner which means new growth. So let’s think about:

NEW PROGRAMSNEW OFFICERSNEW MEMBERS andNEW ETC.

Not only is Spring around thecorner BUT so is . . .

STATE CONVENTION FOR 2010 # # # # MARCH 23-25 with BOARD Meeting on MONDAY, THE 22 at 1:30 p.m.ND

Martha Latimer, along with members from Area I, have really worked hardputting this convention together so that everyone will have a great time. My thanksto all involved in this planning.

Ladies, don’t forget to bring your T-shirts for the Tail-Gate Party for Fun Night -Tuesday evening. Some of you may have “black and gold” which you may want towear proudly.

I hope to see you all in Baton Rouge - come and get your . . .

“LAGNIAPPE ON THE RIVER”

. . . being held at the Holiday Inn South @ I-12 and Airline - EXIT B.

LVFC - SPANNING THE YEARS“In 1931, there were 16 parish councils with some 8,500members organized in the state. Thirteen of the parishcouncils were members of the state council. In 1981, all 58 ofthe organized parish councils belong to the state council.

There were almost 16,000 members in clubs that hold membership in their parish and statecouncils. About 10 percent of the clubs choose not to belong to their parish councils so do notbelong to the state council.”

Taken from the book, “Louisiana Extension Homemakers Council - The First Fifty Years - 1931-1981"

mailto:rmtrahan@cox.net

LVFC ADVISOR DR. KAREN OVERSTREET FCCS DIV. HEAD & PROFESSOR

In all of the hoopla surrounding Mardi Gras, the Saints, and other spring activities, an important daygets overlooked. February 5 was Go Red for Women Day to focus on heart health for women. Go Redth

for Women is a movement much like several of the breast cancer organizations to educate about and promote healthyhabits for women as they relate to our hearts. February is National Heart Month, easy to remember because ofValentine’s Day. Most of us are concerned about the heart health of the men in our lives whether father, brother,son or husband. We also have gotten very knowledgeable about breast and other typically female cancers. But, didyou know that heart disease is actually the number one killer of women? If we take our heart health as seriously aswe do breast cancer, we could make a significant reduction in the incidence of heart disease in women. A significantnumber of incidents can be prevented through life style changes. Spring is a wonderful time to start a walkingprogram. Maybe you’d prefer to spend more time working in your garden for your exercise. If you’re not a gardener,stick a few herb plants in a pot and try cooking with fresh herbs for seasoning. Or, visit the farmers’ markets orproduce stands often. Fresh fruits and vegetables are so good this time of year. Those of you who attended minicollege received information on nutrition & exercise for a healthy lifestyle. The fact sheets you received would makegood club lessons so share with your club members and take it to heart.

AREA 5 NEWS THELLOS MAXWELL AREA 5 DIRECTOR

Grant, Caddo, and Sabine Parishes met to discuss the 2011 State Convention that will be held inAlexandria, Louisiana.

Area Director, Thellos Maxwell, opened the meeting with a hardy welcome. Mr. Graham Hendricks opened thediscussion part of the meeting with prayer. We had a wonderful meeting and many good ideas were discussed.

Some of the ideas discussed were: place for the convention, theme for the convention, volunteering for committeesand the duties of each, setting up a bank account, meals and program planning, door prizes, and fun night duties.

Mr. Rhudon Eaves blessed the meal, which was very delicious and enjoyed by all. With all parishes being readyto serve, our convention will be great!

There will be more discussion on this later. Hope to see each of you at this year's convention in Baton Rouge.

SUE NELSON A FEW WORDS FROM . . . VICE PRESIDENT FOR PROGRAMS

Thank you for the programs that were presented on “Bullying” during 2009. It is such an importantfocus, I encourage you to continue using information that will help teachers and parents to deal withstudents who are experiencing this difficult action among young students. Please report what programs you give andhow many you have reached, both members and non-members.

In 2010 we will focus on Domestic Violence and Lung Cancer. If you will remember these programs weresuggested when we held our officer training at Tall Timbers in 2008. Please report all other programs that you presenteven if they are not our focus. It really makes a better impact if each council does at least one program on the focusfor that year.

If you have any questions on reporting please feel free to email me at gradynelson@att.net.I look forward to seeing each of you at convention – we are working very hard to have a different convention this

year! See you there!

Louisiana Bayou 2 Volume 37 Issue 1

AREA 1 NEWS PAT ANDERSONAREA 1 DIRECTOR

Hi, I’m Patricia Anderson, the new Area I Director from St. Charles Parish. Under the leadershipof Martha Latimer, members of Area I have been busy this past year working on our 2010 state

conference and are now finalizing last minute details. The rallying cry for this year’s conference is “LVFC~Lagniappe on the River.” What does lagniappe really

mean? According to the dictionary, the broad term means something given or obtained gratuitously – that littleextra. How will this be an integral part of the conference? It’s up to us, the members of Area I to interpret themeaning of that phrase. We’re creative, ingenious and have a few fresh ideas. We used the get-up-and-go andresourcefulness of our members to accomplish this. We will be marching in with exciting extras - keeping thatobscure and strange slogan alive throughout the conference.

The First Timers event and the Hospitality Room is a joint undertaking of East Baton Rouge and St. CharlesParishes. A special function has been planned for all First Timers. Hopefully everyone will stop by the HospitalityRoom for a little lagniappe. The topic for Fun Night is “Let’s Tailgate,” a very fitting idea planned by LivingstonParish. Tailgating has become commonplace at most sporting events along the river. Use your imagination thatnight and dress in your favorite team colors. In light of the Saints winning the Super Bowl, black and gold maydominate the night.

The subject for the LLL breakfast, hosted by the LLL committee of Tangipahoa Parish, is “Ahoy! Jump Aboardthe LLL Riverboat.” It will pay tribute to the recent LLL graduates who cruised upriver for the Mini College. Don’t forget that the Mississippi River levee would be a great place to continue to count steps. The theme selected by Tangipahoa Parish for the awards and memorial luncheon is “Louisiana Treasures.” Theawards will recognize the outstanding work of some well-known members as well as some who are not so wellknown. The memorial ceremony will pay tribute to our deceased members who are gone but not forgotten.

The focus of the banquet is to honor our Great Louisiana Family for their outstanding contributions to the qualityof family life and to the community. Jefferson Parish will catch our attention with “Star Lights and SouthernNights.” What image does this conjure up for you? Can’t wait to see what they have done. Officer installation alsowill take place at the banquet.

St. Bernard will host Thursday’s breakfast - “LVFC Always Gives Extra.” The breakfast will honor all thosewho unselfishly volunteer their time - always giving that little extra. Some LVFC members drive along and acrossour mighty river daily, doing what they do best - volunteering.

There’s no question that LVFC is an important organization working in conjunction with the Extension Serviceof LSU. Its members reap benefits from programs that offer help to individuals and clubs who volunteer in familyand community activities. This conference will be another example of what volunteers working together canachieve.

The spirit of camaraderie thrives in Louisiana. We revel in our excess and unconventional behavior. We areproducts of different cultures, a melting pot of influences from many peoples. The river has played an importantrole in what and who we are.

With anticipation, I look forward to seeing everyone in Baton Rouge. I’m confident that the conference will bea historic one as we lean on each other to make it a huge success. Please join Martha, myself and the entire AreaI team in celebrating “Lagniappe on the River.”

Louisiana Bayou 3 Volume 37 Issue 1

ST. MARTIN VFC NEWS

“Reading Food Labels” was presented to STMVFC by Mandy Armentor, (rightin picture) Area 4 VFC Advisor and Vermilion FCS Extension Agent. MavisLandry, Breaux Bridge VFC Club member, introduced Mandy. Mandy told thegroup that when at the grocery, it’s hard to take the extra minute to look at thefood labels, however, that is really the only way to know what you are eating. Serving size, peeling away the fat layers, cholesterol and sodium detection,carbohydrate and fiber content, protein, food label health claims and portioncontrol were some other topics she told them about.

Gussie Delahoussaye was recognized for 75 years of service. They also heardmini-demonstrations on Christmas card boxes, jewelry holders, dish carriers,dual draft stoppers, hand-quilted and hand-embroidered quilts.

SMVFC Officers pictured to the left: Barbara Bird,Treasurer, Betty Frederick, Vice-President, Elsie Castille,President, and Sandy LeBlanc, International Day Chairman. Secretary Pris Breaux was unavailable.

On November 9, 19 members toured the Orphan Train Museum,LeView Village, and Opelousas Museum. Attending were: BarbaraBird, Doris Mason, Sheila Tauzin, Mavis Landry, Pris Breaux, NormaOlivier, Betty DeVillier, Elsie Castille, Pris Melancon, Mary Robin,Anna Belle Borel, Lucy Champagne, Laura Melancon, Eula Peltier,Sue Olivier, Mildred Huval, Eula Landry, Mavis Fruge and RoseBlanchard.

Can you guess who organized the tour? Yep, Elsie!

QUEENS - QUEENS - QUEENSElsie Castille, St. Martin VFC President, hosted a

luncheon in her home in honor of the STMVFC Queens. Pictured (seated) Barbara Bird and Laura Melancon;(standing) Elsie, Betty Devillier, Betty Guidry, GeorgiaCourville and Iva Theriot. Dot Boutte, Norma Olivierand Theresa Guidry were unable to attend. A big roundof applause if you please!! (Louisiana Bayou doesn’t havea centerfold - too bad because that’s exactly where thispicture should be, uh?) CONGRATULATIONS -YOU’RE LOOKING REAL GOOD!!

Louisiana Bayou 4 Volume 37 Issue 1

Louisiana Coastal Facts. . . . . . . . . (Upclose and Personal) ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

Historical Land Loss in Coastal Louisiana - Louisiana has

lost 1,900 square miles of land since the 1930's (Barras et al.

1994, Barras et al. 2003, Dunbar et al. 1992). Currently,

Louisiana has 30% of the total coastal marsh and accounts for

90% of the coastal marsh loss in the lower 48 states (Dahl

2000, Field et al. 1991, USGS 2003).

Current Rate of Coastal Land Loss - Between 1990 and

2000, wetland loss was approximately 24 square miles per

year – that is the equivalent of approximately one football field

lost every 38 minutes. The projected loss over the next 50

years, with current restoration efforts taken into account, is

estimated to be approximately 500 square miles (Barras et al.

2003). According to land loss estimates, Hurricanes Katrina

and Rita transformed 217 square miles of marsh to open water

in coastal Louisiana (USGS 2006).

Population Living in the Coastal Parishes - In 2006, over

two million residents – more than 47% of the state’s

population according to U.S. Census estimates – lived in

Louisiana’s coastal parishes (U.S. Census Bureau 2007). The

coastal zone covers approximately 14,913 square miles, of

which 6,737 square miles is water and 8,176 square miles is

land (LOSCO 2005).

Louisiana Energy Facts - Among the 50 states, the following

are some statistics for Louisiana’s Primary Energy Production

for 2006: including Outer Continental Shelf Production,

Louisiana ranks 1 in crude oil and 2 in natural gasst nd

production; excluding Outer Continental Shelf Production,

Louisiana ranks 4 in crude oil and 5 in natural gasth th

production (LDNR 2007).

Waterborne Commerce - In 2005, Louisiana’s coastal

wetlands provided storm protection for ports that carried 457

million tons of waterborne commerce; accounting for 18% of

all waterborne commerce in the United States. Five of the top

fifteen largest ports in the United States are located in

Louisiana (USACE 2007).

Commercial Fishing - In 2006, Louisiana commercial

landings exceeded 844 million pounds with a dockside value

of $202 million; accounting for approximately 21% of the

total catch by weight in the lower 48 States (USDOC 2007).

Recreational Fishing - Annual expenditures related to

non-commercial fishing in Louisiana amount to $1.7 billion

(LDWF 2006).

Hunting - In 2006, hunting-related expenditures in Louisiana

amounted to $975 million (LDWF 2006).

Wildlife-watching - In 2006, expenditures related to

wildlife-watching in Louisiana amounted to $517 million

(LDWF 2006).

Fur Harvest - The 2007-2008 fur harvest in Louisiana’s

coastal wetlands generated approximately $1.75 million

(LDWF 2008).

Alligator Harvest - In 2006, the Louisiana alligator harvest

was valued at approximately $38 million (LDWF 2006).

Waterfowl - Louisiana’s coastal wetlands provide habitat for

approximately 1.8 million migratory waterfowl (LDWF

2008).

State of Louisiana Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities (225)342-3968

FROM IBERIA VFC

Pictured from left: Debbie Mamerow, dressed in a Burque,Iberia Parish VFC Family Life Chairman Joyce Terrell, PeteMamerow, and LSU Extension Agent Mandy Armentor. Debbieand Pete Mamerow lead a presentation on life in Iran during thequarterly meeting of Louisiana Volunteers for Family andCommunity. Pete Mamerow and his family lived and schooledin Iran for more than three years because of Pete’s job in the oilindustry. This picture is courtesy of Irene Landry, LVFCMarketing Chairman and Iberia VFC member. Irene says thatMr. And Mrs. Mamerowa AND their daughter are members ofIberia VFC.(Sure, it’s a family thing! ()

Louisiana Bayou 5 Volume 37 Issue 1

Editor’s Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rosie Trahan, Editor

Whew! A tornado played “Mr. Scrooge” on our neighbors on Christmas eve at about 7:30 a.m. It tore upa sub-division about two miles north of Crowley in Atwood Akers and destroyed several homes. What aterrible thing to happen - Christmas gifts were hung up in trees among lots of other things.

Well, 2010 is well on its way. More and more, I get the feeling, if you have something to do you had betternot put it off too long because before you know it, seems like we just skip over some months, don’t you think?

The Louisiana Bayou is the official newsletter of Louisiana Volunteers for Family andCommunity, Inc. It is published four times a year:

Spring - February 15 Summer - May 15Fall - August 15 Winter - November 15

Editor: Rosie Trahan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rmtrahan@cox.net274 Broadacres Dr., Crowley, LA 70526337-783-0924

View/download LA Bayou at LSU AgCenter online:

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/administration/about_us/professional_organizations/

CREDITS:Advisors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Karen Overstreet, State VFC Advisor

Adrianne Vidrine, Acadia VFC AdvisorProofed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paula Stewart, Acadia Extension Secretary

NEXT ISSUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUMMER ISSUE

ARTICLES ARE DUE BY APRIL 10AND PUBLISHED BY MAY 15

CONTRIBUTORS FOR NEXT ISSUE

PRESIDENTADVISOREDITORIALVP FOR PUBLIC

POLICYLITERACY

CHAIRMANAREAS 2

DIRECTOR

GREAT LA.FAMILY

LVFC HEART OFVFC

LVFC SPIRIT OFLLL

ESSAY AND POEMWINNERS

GOT CABIN FEVER?JOIN LAFAYETTE VFC

EXPLORE YOUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

February 25, 20109:00 - 11:00 A.M.

St. Edmond’s Family Center$3

Paraticipate in mini lessons on:

1) Using Crawfish Puree in Everyday Mealsby Margo Babin

2) Crazy Patchwork Quiltingby Theresa Grisson

3) Wire Art Jewelryby Kim Gravouilla

To reserve space phone Genevieve Bourgeois

337-984-2319 by 2/18/10

LVFC TASK CALENDAR

FEBRUARY, 2010All reports should have been turned in by Jan 31Budget Committee - prepare 2011 Proposed BudgetBy-Laws Committee - discuss possible changes

15 By-Laws Chairman - mail copies of proposed changes toExe. Bd. 30 days prior to 3/22/10 board meeting.

MARCH, 201022 LVFC Board Meeting - Baton Rouge

22-25 LVFC Convention - “Lagniappe on the River”ASAP after convention - state committee chairmen -submit any items for publication in Louisiana Bayou(names of awards/certificates recipients; Great LAFamily, Heart of VFC and Heart of LLL names/stories;etc.)

APRIL, 201018-24 LVFC Volunteer Week and Great LA Families Week21-28 ACWW Triennial - Hot Springs, Arkansas - USA Theme

“Women Worldwide: The Voice of Today”

Louisiana Bayou 6 Volume 37 Issue 1

LOUISIANA BAYOU Volunteers for Family and Community, Inc.221 Human Ecology BuildingBaton Rouge, LA 70803

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S.POSTAGEPAID

BATON ROUGELA

PERMIT 363

A CAJUN WHO DIED WENT TO HELL.The devil assigned him the usual punishment...put him in the mass pit where the heat was melting others. The

devil came back sometime later surprised to find the Cajun just sitting around, not even misting, much lesssweating. "How come you're not so much as sweating here where everyone else is screaming for relief from theheat?" The Cajun laughed and said, "Man, I was raised in the bayous of Sout Looziana.. Dis ain't nothin' but Mayin Lafayette to me!"

The devil decided to really put the Cajun through it. He put him in a sealed off cave in the pit with open blazesand four extra furnaces blasting. When he came back, days later, the Cajun was sitting pretty, had barely begunto bead up with sweat. The devil was outraged. "How is this possible!? You should be melted to a shrieking puddlein these conditions!"

The Cajun laughed even harder than before. "Hey, man! I done tole you. I was raised in Sout Looziana. Youtink dis is heat?! Dis ain't nothin' but August in Jennings!"

So the devil thought, 'Alright, a little reverse ought to do the trick.' He put the Cajun into a corner of hellwhere no heat ever reached. It was freezing and to add to the Cajun's misery, he added massive icebergs andblasting frozen air. When he returned, the Cajun was shivering, ice hung from every part of him but he wasgrinning like it was Christmas.

Exasperated, the devil asked "HOW? How is it possible? You're impervious to heat and here you sit inconditions you can't be used to....freezing cold and yet you're happier than if you were in heaven. WHY?"

The Cajun kept grinning and asked, "Dis mean de Saints won da Super Bowl?"

BELIEVE DAT!!!!!. . . . . . . YES!