TARC has Grand Designs for Open House

The Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens is always coming up with new ways to “wow” residents at its annual Holiday Open House.

Why shouldn’t this year be any different?

“TARC is always growing,” marketing director Erica Null said. “We are continuously trying to create something that will keep our clients enthused about participating and keep local residents coming back for more.”

The Holiday Open House originally served as a way for residents to join TARC for breakfast or lunch and view the campus’s various departments.

Over the past six years, however, the event has transformed into an extravaganza that showcases the array of products and services TARC offers. And it gives shoppers the opportunity to jumpstart their holiday gift buying, Null said.

TARC is unveiling its 16th business – Grand Designs Custom Printing – at its Saturday, Nov. 14, event. The screen-printing shop opened in January, Null said. It specializes in printing T-shirts, caps, sportswear and virtually any other type of promotional item: bags, yard signs and koozies.

Null said the print shop was created with promoting businesses, schools or teams in mind.

The concept was born about two years ago after TARC executive director Mary Lynn Bisland purchased a color press to make T-shirts for the agency’s Let’s Get Together Social Club. At that time, the club had iron-on designs for their shirts, Null said.

Several of Grand Designs’ print items will be on display at the Holiday Open House.

Screen-printing isn’t the only new unveiling at TARC. The Houma Grown nursery department is rolling out its latest creation, worm tea bag fertilizer.

Null said the agency’s Hen House, which opened this summer, has attracted more worms than usual.

When life gives you worms, Bisland decided, use the worm castings as fertilizer to stimulate plant and vegetable growth. Suddenly, a new product was born, courtesy of the chickens.

TARC regulars will also find the usual favorites – homemade treats, salsas, pepper jellies and jams from the agency’s Sweet Sensations Confections, Le Bon Temps Bakery and Bon Terre Enterprises.

“Our candies and salsas have become household names and have opened the door for us to bring in new things for our customers to enjoy,” Null said. “Last year, Le Bon Temps was the new favorite, bringing homemade cakes, muffins, cinnamon rolls and tea cakes into residents’ homes.”

Also on display at the Holiday Open House are art exhibits from several La Maison D’art members. And jolly ol’ St. Nick will greet children. Youngsters will also enjoy the pumpkin patch and hayrides around TARC’s campus.

TARC’s Bell Choir and Express Band, along with Sunshine Express Daycare, are performing live as well.

Proceeds from the day’s event foster the agency’s work – providing pre-vocational and vocational training, employment matches, therapy, transportation and residential opportunities for its clients, Null explained.

“TARC serves clients with a variety of diagnoses and syndromes,” she said. “More than 1,000 people are supported in TARC, and more than 200 of them are employed.”

The Holiday Open House is held from 1 to 4 p.m. at TARC’s Restaurant and Gift Shop, 1353 Grand Caillou Road in East Houma.

For more information, contact Null at (985) 876-4465.

TARC has Grand Designs for Open House