GSE Australian Team – Thibodaux Rotary Club
Dear Rotary Members:
At next Tuesday’s meeting, we will welcome the GSE Australian Team. The team will make a presentation at our meeting. Please see attached picture of the team. On Monday, the Golden Meadow Club tours the team down the bayou and the Lockport Club has a dinner that evening for the hosts and team. On Tuesday, the team tours John Deer in the morning and has a historical presentation in the afternoon. On Wednesday morning, they depart for Houma.
Team Leader: Lindsay Wilkin: A farmer/grazier from Coonabarabran NSW….A Rotarian of many years….former GSE Team Leader.
Team Members:
Cameron Wood: Non Rotarian; farmer/grazier/wool classer…. from Uralla NSW
Michelle Webb: Non Rotarian; Agricultural High School Teacher also a farmer / grazier….. from Coonabarabran NSW
Tamara Campbell: Non Rotarian; Senior Forester with the NSW Department of Forestry….from Wauchope NSW
Paul Arnott: Non Rotarian: Senior Farmer Manager University of New England…..from Armidale NSW
Thanks to the host families: Bobby and Leslie Marcello, Vera and Seth Holloway, Hugh and Tonya Caffery and Skip and Sandy Holloway.
Thanks!
Sandy (District 6200 Area 4 GSE Coordinator)
Sandy Holloway
BCA Director
985.414.3131
sholloway@bcacharter.org
Cardinal Place | Thibodaux Rotary Club
July 16, 2013 Meeting
By: Kevin Gros
This past Tuesday the club was visited by Ann Thibodaux and Natalie Barbera of St. Joseph Manor to talk about Cardinal Place, a new residential community being developed adjacent to “The Manor” in Thibodaux.
Ann is the administrator of St. Joseph Manor; Thibodaux’s only assisted living community, since 1995. She has 37 years of experience in the senior living industry. Her prior work included her serving as Director of Nursing and Administration of a local nursing facility for nineteen years. She has been a lifelong resident of the Thibodaux area.
Natalie has been the Marketing and Social Director for St. Joseph Manor since 2011 and she has over ten years of experience in the healthcare industry working in medical records at Ochsner, Thibodaux Regional and a local nursing home.
Cardinal Place will be unique to our area and afford residents 55 years and older maintenance-free living. The development will consist of several three-story apartment buildings containing one and two bedroom living units of varying configurations and sizes.
Chef Randolph Cheramie – Thibodaux Rotary Club
May 28, 2013
By: Amy Connor-Flores
Our rotary club was visited last week by Chef Randolph Cheramie. Chef Randolph grew up in the family-owned Randolph’s Restaurant in Golden Meadow, which was opened by his grandmother and father. In 1981, Chef Randy took over the business and made his own mark on it by specializing in upscale South Louisiana Regional Cuisine.
For twenty years, Chef Randy enjoyed local and regional acclaim as the hallmark of great food while in charge of Randolph’s. In 1999 he was offered an adjunct professorship teaching Classic French Cuisine at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University. He was asked to join the full-time faculty upon the sale of his restaurant in 2001.
Through the Southern United States Trade Association, Chef Randy has taught some of the top chefs from around the world the art, tradition, culture, and methods of Cajun/Creole, Southern and Soul Food cuisine. He has taught chefs from 38 countries through this program.
Chef Randy coached six American Culinary Federation student hot food teams to five bronze medals and one silver medal in regional competition. He has also coached individual students in the San Pellegrino “Almost Famous Chef” competition in which his students won five consecutive championships and have gone on to the national finals in Napa, California.
Two students coached by Chef Randy have ranked 4th nationally in that competition. In 2011, the American Culinary Federation recognized Chef Cheramie as one of the top 25 chefs in Louisiana, and he is a Certified Food Service Educator. Chef Randy’s knowledge and experience in Southern Regional Cuisine is certainly extensive and focused. He is currently the Executive Director of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.
Chef Randy shard with us some of his experiences throughout his years in teaching. He also gave us some insight into the impact that the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute has made at a national level. The Chef is very proud of his students and their ability to compete with others from the top culinary schools in the country. It was a pleasure have him speak to us.
Dr. Laynie Barrilleaux -Nicholls State University Updates – Thibodaux Rotary Club
January 29, 2013
By: Jamie Gros
On January 29th, 2013 Dr. Laynie Barrilleaux with Nicholls State University spoke to Rotary on the new updates of the university. Dr. Barrilleaux has served as an active member of Thibodaux Rotary as well as its president. She joined Nicholls as an instructor of management in 1981 and moved through the academic ranks to full professor in 1998.
During her tenure, she served as head of the department of management and marketing, liaison for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and assistant vice president for academic affairs. She has led Nicholls through successful reaffirmations of the university-wide regional accreditation and the NCAA recertification. Barrilleaux has been instrumental in securing various grants for the university and has publications in numerous journals.
Barrilleaux announce several updates on the university. The new master’s program in Nursing is starting off very successful and the university has also launched a brand new user friendly website. However, her main goal of the hour was to talk about Nicholls State University Online. Online learning gives the student the ability to attend school and/or study virtually any place, anywhere, and at any time.
This program is geared towards a more specific student. This is a student who has strong computer skills, time management skills. Can learn independently, but ultimately has conflicts with being on campus for classes and presentations. Nicholls Online is a degree that is offered through Nicholls State in a complete online format.
It is currently offering 7 degrees online in an 8 week condensed class session rather than the 16 week semesters. The program is allows students to complete classes more quickly, focus on fewer classes and graduate sooner. However, with Nicholls Online the student is still paying for accredited programs, certified faculty and education with a personal touch. The student also has the ability the extend class up to six months in the event of time restraints. Courses begin every January, March, June, August and October.
With Nicholls online the student has no additional university fees. All undergrad courses are $250 per credit hour and all graduate courses are $350 per credit hour.
Nicholls Online currently offers these degrees:
- Bachelors of Arts in History
- Bachelors of Arts in English
- Bachelors of Arts in Sociology
- Bachelors of Science in General Studies
- Bachelors of Science in general Family and Consumer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( for students who have encumbered RN licenses)
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Masters of Education in Educational Leadership
For those that are interested learning more about the Nicholls Online Program please visit www.nicholls.edu/nicholls-online/
Robert Travis Scott-President Of The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR)
October 30, 2012
By: Amy Connor-Flores
Robert Travis Scott is currently the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR). Before joining PAR, Scott worked for 14 years at The Times-Picayune.
It was here where he received awards for his political, business and investigative reporting. Scott also served as a business editor, columnist, and investigative journalist for a non for profit think tank based in Washington, D.C.
PAR (Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana) was founded in 1950 and is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan public policy research organization. It focuses on the most pressing problems of state and local governments in Louisiana. Through PAR’s research, the organization recommends ways of solving these problems.
Although PAR does not lobby, PAR’s research gets results. Many significant governmental reforms can be traced to PAR recommendations. Through its extensive research and public information programs, PAR contributes constructive ideas and solutions to the mainstream political thinking.
The primary purpose of PAR is to educate the media and public officials’ accurate and objective information on these problems and well as specific recommendations to solve these issues.
PAR differs from other organizations through the following:
- PAR is an independent, unbiased source of information on state and local government issues.
- PAR’s only business is research.
- PAR does not lobby or have a PAC, believing that the best way to improve government operations in Louisiana is through an informed citizenry. Louisiana government will never be any better than its citizens demand.
- PAR’s recommendations are not determined by its members or its board, but by the findings of its research studies. PAR’s research program is not designed to support a predetermined point of view but to find the truth.
- PAR can and does tackle issues others can’t or won’t.
- No other group does what PAR does the way PAR does it.
Louisiana has a significant number of far-reaching problems that require study. PAR has a full research agenda planned. Permeating the list are problems that have plagued the state for a long time: the tax structure, education and governmental ethics. Louisiana needs PAR today for the same reason it did 50 years ago.
PAR also prints out a guide to voting as well as information on the amendments being proposed for that specific election. They also provide an updated handbook known as “The PAR Guide to Louisiana Legislature”
To order additional guides contact PAR at (225) 926-8414 and for more information on PAR please visit their website at
PAR Guide to the 2012 Constitutional Amendments
1. Medicaid Trust Fund for the Elderly
2. Strict Scrutiny Review for Gun Laws
3. Earlier Notice of Public Retirement Bills
4. Homestead Exemption for Veterans’ Spouses
5. Forfeiture of Public Retirement Benefits
6. Property Tax Exemption Authority for New Iberia
7. Membership of Certain Boards and Commissions
8. Non-Manufacturing Tax Exemption Program
9. More Notice for Crime Prevention District Bills
Thibodaux Rotary Club – Helen Terrebonne
September 25, 2012
By: Amy Connor-Flores
Helen Terrebonne, with Crossroads Crisis Pregnancy Center spoke to rotary on Tuesday to give an overview of the Center’s mission in the community. Helen grew up volunteering for many different organizations and has been helping to empower women through Crossroads since she was hired as an executive assistant in 2010.
Crossroads is located in downtown Thibodaux and is an education and counseling resource for women who are vulnerable to choosing abortion due to unplanned pregnancy. The organization is 10 years old and is the first of its type in the Bayou Region.
Founded in 2003 by a hotline volunteer, Crossroads has served over 1800 clients in our area and welcomed approximately 800 babies into its family. More than 3000 Crisis Pregnancy Centers of this type exist nationwide.
Thibodaux Rotary Club | LA Secretary of State J. Thomas “Tom” Schedler
September 25, 2012
By: Jamie Gros
J. Thomas “Tom” Schedler was born and raised in New Orleans. Upon graduating from De La Salle High School in 1967, he went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1971.
Schedler first started his legislative career when he was elected in to Louisiana State Senate in 1996, where he served three terms representing Senate District 11 in St Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish. He received numerous awards and honors during his career; such as: Legislator of the Year, Republican of the Year, as well as champion of business several times over.
Thibodaux Rotary Club – Lieutenant Colonel Chris D. Landry
September 11, 2012
By: Luci Sposito
Lieutenant Colonel Chris D. Landry is a native of Thibodaux, a 1980 E.D. White Catholic High School graduate, earned his BA from Nicholls State University in 1985, and later earned a Masters from Marine Corps University. He assumed his most recent assignment as the Deputy Operations and Plans Officer, G-3/5, Headquarters, Marine Forces Reserve in July 2011. He supervises the operational planning and employment of over 39,000 Marine Reserves to meet global demands.
Lieutenant Colonel Landry discussed the emerging security environment along with the sources of stress that are competing for resources including natural disasters, social unrest, hostile cyber activity, violent extremism (criminal, terrorist, religious), regional conflict, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and advanced weaponry in the hands of the irresponsible.
Statistics illustrate:
-70% of the world is water
-95% of international communications travels via underwater cables
-21 of the world’s 28 mega-cities are within 62 mi/100 km of the sea
-50% of the world’s population lives within 62 mi/100 km of a coast
-49% of the world’s oil travels through 7 major sea chokepoints
-42,000 trading ships are underway daily
-95% of the world’s commerce moves by sea
-95% of all commercial cargo travels through the littorals
According to Lieutenant Colonel Landry, a few of the matters worth considering are:
-China and the US are inextricably linked
-U.S. Military posture must be geographically distributed, operationally resilient, and politically sustainable
-U.S. must develop allies and coalitions
-Cyber security is critical to military operations and defense of homeland
He also discussed the pivotal role of the Asia-Pacific
-Twelve of the top 15 U.S. trading partners (import/export) are in Asia-Pacific
-From 2001-2010, approximately 70,000 people a year were killed in the Asia Pacific region due to natural disasters, resulting in -65% of world’s total death from such causes and approximately $35 billion of economic damage per year.
-Thirteen of the fifteen Megacities in the Asia-Pacific are within 100 km of the sea
-Fifteen of the world’s twenty-eight Megacities are in the Asia Pacific region
-Asia Pacific region contains 61% of the world population
-U.S. maintains five security treaties in the Asia-Pacific region
Lieutenant Colonel Landry discussed his experiences in Iraq and stated, “…I believe the military and all forms of government are strong… we are in good hands with those men and women in combat… they are doing an incredible job.”
He answered questions posed by the audience and stated that Bin Laden was just one target, but there were many other security issues to contend with regarding the Taliban. When asked about Iran, Lieutenant Colonel Landry stated, “We are keeping a close eye on things and that’s all I really want to say about that.” When asked if Pakistan was a friend or foe, Lieutenant Colonel Landry said, “It is not that simple to define as friend or foe. To be a friend, one has to find mutual goals and that is difficult in Pakistan.”
Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Landry explained that marine recruiting is successful and a recruiting goal has never been missed. His presentation ended with a standing ovation from our members.
Thibodaux Rotary Club | Hugh Caffery-Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District
August 7, 2012
By: Amy Connor-Flores
Hugh Caffery, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, updated us on the state of Bayou Lafourche on Tuesday.
In recent decades the bed of Bayou Lafourche has been steadily building up, significantly reducing flow from the Mississippi River.
In 2011 the BLFWD held its first Bayou Lafourche Summit, bringing together 200 customers, partners, citizens, and elected officials to determine what needs to be done to achieve the District’s goal of getting freshwater to the people of the area and to the keep the Bayou clean and beautiful. They developed a Master Plan to provide guidance to the District as it attempts to manage Bayou Lafourche.
$200,000,000 CIAP Funding – The first dredge project is currently underway and has helped to identify additional areas near the current dredge project and above Thibodaux that will require work. Continue reading
Meet My Cousin – Dan Borne’
Thanks to the effort of Craig Stanga, past president and present Sargent-at-arms of the Thibodaux Rotary Club, the club was treated to a humorous, entertaining and insightful presentation by Dan Borne’. Dan is president of the Louisiana Chemical Association, and (as it would seem, an even more notable presence as the stadium announcer for LSU’s famed Tiger Stadium).
In addition to some very funny exchanges between cousins (Craig and Dan), Dan had some great stories about Tiger Stadium. And also spoke about one memorable encounter with LSU’s famed baseball coach and past AD, Skip Bertman. Skip Bertman and tubas???
Dan also offered some great insight into the promising future of manufacturing along the lower Mississippi river, which will greatly impact our bayou region.
The videos below are large, so be patient and give them a few moments to load.
This program is divided into 2 videos. One is Craig’s introduction. The other is Dan Borne’s presentation.
Craig’s introduction video (It’s a large file so give it a few moments to start loading):
Dan Borne’s Presentation
(It’s a large file so give it a few moments to start loading):
