Denham Springskicks off season with Santavisit,lightingofOld City Hall
Community news report
Denham Springs residents and businesses kicked off theholiday season Fridaywith thecity’sannual Christmas lighting ceremonyatold City Hall.
Members of the Kindness Keeperschoir from Luke 10:39 Church sangcarols,and childrenwrote letterstoSanta, who stopped
by to listen to children’sChristmas lists.
The event was part of thecity’sChristmas in theVillage, which continues Thursday with the popular Chef’s Evening andWine Tasting, aticketed event.
The Kiwanis Lighting of theChristmas Tree is at 6p.m.Dec. 12, and the Kiwanis Christmas Parade is at 2p.m. on Dec. 14. The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra will playinthe historic district at 6p.m Dec. 19, and aChristmas Alive show is at 6p.m.Dec. 22. For acomplete schedule, visit www.cityofdensprings.com or www denhamspringsantiquedistrict.com
BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
The nexttime you’re at alibrary in LivingstonParish, consider picking up somevegetable or flower seedsinaddition to books.
Staff from the Livingston Parish Library System and members of Livingston Master Gardeners have combined knowledgeoftheir respective fields of expertise to expand and enhance system-wide the seed exchange programthat was launched earlier at only one of the library’sbranches.
Since earlyOctober vegetable and flower seedsare available to library patrons at all five branches of thelibrary system. Earlier, theseed exchangeprogram had its humblebeginnings only at the Albany-Springfield Branch and theprogram wasoverseen by the library staff.
Kyla Robertson, director of all libraryprograms and events,said that whilethere wasconsiderable interest in aseed exchange program,the library staffneed exper-
es three,Master Gardeners to each branchwhere they canoverseethe seed exchange program and offer advice on how to sort and label seeds brought to the library along with instructions on best gardening practices.
The library has supplied racks where small plastic containers that hold packets of available seeds are made available. Each container includes printed information on the type of seed enclosed. Holten explained that identifying seeds is important so thatthose who choose them will knowexactly whatthey are receiving.
tise andadditional assistance to expand theprogram throughout the library system. Answering thecall to serve theprogramwere members of theMaster Gardeners. Knowledge, experience shared “The MasterGardeners helped us in twoimportant ways:they had
the knowledge andexperiencerelated to growing things; andthey had volunteers whowere willing to monitor the program in several ways,” Robertson said. Donna Holten, president of LivingstonMaster Gardeners explainedthat her organization has assigned at least two, in somecas-
“There is more to seedsthat meets the eye. For example, we don’twant to pass on seeds that might not be appropriate for our climate andgrowing conditions, Holten said. “Those planning to plant also need to know the proper season forplanting. What fewpeople know is that we cannot pass on patented seeds and we know those seeds from others.”
PROVIDED PHOTO
Children dance to asong with Blue Pup and OrangePup fromthe Petite Princess Company during the Livingston Parish Book FestivalonSaturday,Nov.9,2024, at the Main Branch in
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
Members of the Kindness Keepers choir from Luke10:39 Church sing carols during the Denham Springs Christmas lighting at the OldCity Hall on Friday.
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
Kyla Robertson, right, programsand events director for the Livingston Parish LibrarySystem, holds typicalpackets of seedsthat canbe claimed by patrons of the librarysystem. With her,from left, are members of the Livingston Master Gardeners, JoAnnCook,Donna Holton and Kathy Kiloh. The gardeners have joined withlibrarystaffers to bring the seed exchangeprogram to all five branches of the librarysystem.
ä More photosfrom the event. PAGE 4G
Author and musician JohnetteDowning performs forfestival
AROUND
Continued from page1G
n Denham Springs Kiwanis Christmas Parade: Dec.14
n Livingston Christmas Parade: Dec. 14. Christmasinthe Pines
Macedonia Baptist Church’sannualChristmas in the Pines Celebration starts at 6p.m. Thursday.Celebrate the birth of Christ withmusic and congregational singing. Experience Christmas the old-fashioned way.The church is at 34685 La. 1036, Holden,.For more information contact the Rev.Roger Dunlap at (225) 664-4448. Learning center classes
The Southeaster LifeLong Learning Center in Walker is accepting stu-
dents for upcoming classes. To register for the classes, visitsoutheastern.nbsstore. net/life-long-learning-livingston-center Learn to speak Italian during an online classwith theSoutheastern Life-Long Learning program starting Jan. 21. Theclass, held on Tuesdaysis$60. Register for ACT prep classes on Jan.16and Jan. 23. The class costs$195. Learnhow to fly adrone at an introduction to drones class TuesdaysinJanuary Theonline classis$125. Editor’snote: Thedate of the Chef’s Evening and Wine Tasting event was corrected on Nov.23.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishestolivingston@ theadvocate.com by 4p.m. Friday or call (225) 3880731.
Tanee Janusz,right, of Natureonthe Geaux, showcases a liveturtle during awildlife presentation that took place at the Livingston Parish Book Festival.
attendees at the MainBranch inLivingston.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
Children playa game Nov. 9during the Livingston Parish Book Festivalatthe MainBranchinLivingston.
Winfor twogroups
The process of making seeds available to all who demonstrate an interest is atwo-way street. Residents are encouraged to bring seeds to the branch libraries to share with others and this is where the expertise extended by theMasterGardeners is most critical.
Master Gardner JoAnn Cook pointed out that certain hybrid seeds may not be appropriate for some gardens.
“Wespend considerable time studying gardening and what we learn we are willing to share with others.The libraryprogramgives us the opportunity to connect with those who are interested in planting vegetable and flowering plants,” she said.
“Weencourage gardeners inthe area to bring us seed, especially seed that they think is special or is aheritage seed,” Holten said. “We are especially interested in preserving heritage seeds that help keep treasured old plant varieties viable today.”
The Master Gardeners will also be donating seeds for the exchange program.
Resurgence in gardening
Discussing the interest in gardening in general and
specifically in Livingston Parish, the three Master Gardeners, Holten, Cook and Kathy Kiloh, all agreed that there is aresurgence in gardening
“I think that more and more people areplanting gardens and they are doing so for several reasons. Freshly grown vegetables taste much better than what you can buy in the grocery store,” Kiloh said.“At the same time, people whogrow their own vegetables know that they are more healthy because they can growthem without alot of chemicals.
Growing one’s ownvegetables is also acost saver Besides, it’sgreat exercise.”
HoltensaidMaster Gardeners arereminding area residents that there can be twoproductivegrowing seasons each year.“The appropriate time to plant many vegetables is in thespring, but others can be planted in the fall. This gives the gardener an opportunity to produce freshvegetables pretty much year-round,” Holten said.
TheMaster Gardeners all agreed that while there is always interest in flowers and shrubs, there exists far more interest in growing vegetables.
Litter pickupkits
Discussing how gardening plays an important role in the overall picture of eco-
Spotlight Theater Playerspresents:
‘A Rockin’ Christmas Revue’
Community news report
Tickets are on sale for“A Rockin’ Christmas Revue,” presented by Spotlight Theater Players.
The Christmas variety production is set for Dec. 7 at the Serenity Event Center,33135 La. 16, Denham Springs.
Featuring the King Creole Orchestra and special guest performersTommy Raborn, Kerwin Leblanc, MichelleMorgan and Susan Burdette, ARockin’Christmas Revue promises to deliver ahigh-energy evening
filled with holiday spirit
Doors open at 6p.m., with the show starting at 7p.m.
The event also includes concessions and pictures with Santa.
Tickets are $30 forgeneral admission and$25 for children under 12 and seniors.
Spotlight Theater Players, acommunity theater group based in Livingston Parish, is dedicated to enriching the local artsscene, according to anews release. Proceeds from this event will support the organization’s goalofsecuring popular play scripts,costumes, props, musical talent and take the firststeps in securing apermanent performance space to continue offering memorable theatrical experiences. For tickets and moreinformation, visit https:// www.ticketleap.events/tickets/spotlighttheaterplayers/ christmas.
THELIVINGSTON- ANGIPAHOA
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logically related fields, Robertson said that the library is now offeringspecial kits that can assist area resident
who want to pick up litter from roadsides in the parish. The kitsinclude “grabbers,” gloves, safety vests
and bags to contain the litter “This is part of our effort to provideour patronswithas many services as we can,”
Robertson said. The seed racks and the pickupkitsare availableat all branches.
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