Gov.-elect Jindal touts change during Houma visit
October 31, 2007November 2
November 2, 2007
Terrebonne’s Association for Retarded Citizens is jump-starting the holiday season at its annual open house on Nov. 10.
The event is designed to give the community insight to all of the different aspects TARC provides, as well as afford shoppers an opportunity to purchase holiday gifts early from the patented Country Store.
“The open house makes it possible for us to share with the community all of the great things TARC has to offer to the citizens of Terrebonne Parish,” said Erica Null, TARC Adult Service Manager/Marketing director. “Our products are growing and we have a lot more to offer. The clients are learning new and different things to put on display.”
Null said the open house will include live music, sweets and arts and crafts – all of which are provided by TARC clients. Expect to find products from all the businesses on TARC’s Houma campus, she said.
“A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to visit the TARC gift shop or restaurant on a regular basis, so we created the open house as a way for them to come in and eat breakfast or lunch and browse the Country Store,” she said.
This year, TARC clients will be making purchasable gift baskets from the agency’s various departments. Baskets filled with Thanksgiving and fall products will also be sold in the country store.
Sweet Sensation treats and TARC’s infamous salsa are among the items available. And, Null said tastings of various homemade treats such as the Bon Terre Salsa, pepper jellies and jams are a popular aspect of the open house.
The agency’s greenhouse department – another of the many TARC operations – will have plants, pumpkins and poinsettias for sale.
“Sweet Sensation is one of the growing markets of Southeast Louisiana,” she said. “Over the years, Sweet Sensation has become a household name. And now, businesses and companies have a variety of baskets to choose from for the holidays.”
The Sweet Sensation candy baskets are also available for purchase by the public.
Santa will be on hand to greet children of all ages. Other entertainment geared toward the younger set include a pumpkin patch and a hayride around the TARC campus, Null said.
The TARC music therapy group called TARC Express Band is among the three live performances scheduled at the open house. Others include TARC’s Bell Choir and a live performance by the Sunshine Express Daycare.
TARC provides pre-vocational and vocation training, employment matches, therapy and transportation and creates residential opportunities for clients, Null noted.
“TARC serves clients with a variety of diagnoses and syndromes,” she said. “TARC supports nearly 1,000 people and employs nearly 250.”
The Holiday Open House is scheduled for Nov. 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the TARC restaurant and gift shop on Grand Caillou Road in East Houma.
For more information, contact Null at (985) 876-4465.
