By Kevin Chiri

My wife is a big book reader and recently began reading a book by John Tesh. She is using the book in the homeschooling of our son, and they read a chapter or so each day as part of their school work.

Of course the wife liked some of what she was reading so much that she marked a few chapters and mentioned it to me, which of course meant I needed to make sure and read it.

One of the interesting things I read in the book was about volunteering, and how great it is to do it. And no, I’m not even talking about the people you help out. The fact is, volunteering is a great thing for you to do for YOURSELF!

That’s right. There are apparently numerous studies that show people who volunteer on a regular basis are actually much happier people, and not just because they see who they are helping. The fact is, just taking your focus off yourself and putting it on others is one of the best things you can do….for yourself!

If you aren’t sure where to plug into helping others, River Parishes Hospital just sent me a note asking that I remind folks about their constant need for volunteers.

Currently, they have volunteer opportunities in the Gift Shop, and at the front information desk area.

You can choose how much time you want to volunteer, and you can even have a say-so in what days and hours you want to help. Plain and simply, they just need some help, and if you offer….they will work the schedule out to work with your own schedule.

Most importantly, however, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of helping your friends and family in the community, since so many people have to use the services at the hospital every day.

If you are interested in volunteering at the hospital here in LaPlace, call 653-4247 today.

Don’t miss our football tab section today, and in particular, look at the great offer being tossed out by Louisiana Federal Credit Union, which has a special coupon on page 2.

The local credit union has a coupon that can get you 1 percent off a loan for a car. Now that’s what I call a great deal!

There are no gimmicks or hidden tricks going on here, it is simply a coupon that will get your car loan for 1 percent less than what you normally would get it for.

So if you are about to buy a car, give them a call….and make sure to get the coupon from today’s special section. It will certainly be worth your while.

And speaking of not missing things, I hear there is a special production going on at St. John Theater this Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 21-24, where a tribute show to the great Patsy Cline will be held.

You can get advance sale tickets at Allied Express in LaPlace, or you can get them at the box office before each performance, which would be at 6:30 each day, or at 1:30 for the August 24 matinee performance.

There will be a live band to perform the music, and Kristen Brooks, a relative newcomer to the SJT stage, reportedly does a great job singing and acting in the lead role of Patsy Cline.

The play is about the special relationship that came about from Patsy and one devoted fan named Louise Seger from Houston, Tex.

For that matter, the play is completely put on by Kristen, playing Patsy, and Leslie Paxton, who makes her debut at SJT in the role of Louise.

This promises to be a special show for the local folks and you really shouldn’t miss it.

For more information, call 359-6630.

A painting contractor was speaking with a woman about her job. In the first room she said she would like a pale blue. The contractor wrote this down and went to the window, opened it, and yelled out “GREEN SIDE UP!”

In the second room she told the painter she would like it painted in a soft yellow. He wrote this on his pad, walked to the window, opened it, and yelled “GREEN SIDE UP!”

The lady was somewhat curious but said nothing, In the third room she said she would like it painted a warm rose color. The painter wrote this down, walked to the window, opened it and yelled ‘GREEN SIDE UP!”

The lady then asked him, “Why do you keep yelling, ‘GREEN SIDE UP!”

“I’m sorry,” came the reply, “But I have a crew of blondes laying sod across the street.”

Kevin Chiri is Publisher of L’Observateur and can be reached at (985) 652-9545 or at kchiri@bellsouth.net