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BY BROOKE R. CANTRELLE
SPECIAL TO L’OBSERVATEUR

LAPLACE – Health, horticulture and author talks highlight this month’s adult programming at St. John the
Baptist Parish Library branches, while a line-up of STEAM-inspired events await children and teens.
Health & Horticulture
LSU AgCenter nutrition agent Rinalda Rocquin will lead a four-part “Small Changes, Healthy Habits”
series at 10 a.m. Tuesday mornings at the LaPlace Branch, located at 2920 Highway 51. Attendance is
requested at each session as follows:
– Session One: Habit formation and physical activity (Jan. 9)
– Session Two: Healthy kitchen makeover (Jan. 16)
– Session Three: Grocery store tour (Jan. 23, location TBA)
– Session Four: Cooking and knife skills (Jan. 30)
On Jan. 18, LSU AgCenter extension agent Andre’ Brock will lead a discussion on edible landscapes.
Learn how to use fruit trees and root vegetables to beautify your property at 10:30 a.m. at the LaPlace
Branch or 2 p.m. at the Garyville Branch, located at 111 Historic Front Street.
Author Talks
“Bayou Justice” author HL Arledge will visit the LaPlace Branch this month to discuss his research into
historically notable cold cases originating in Southeast Louisiana, including the nationally publicized
1957 disappearance of Audrey Moate from St. John Parish.
Arledge’s writings about the Audrey Moate case were featured in L’OBSERVATEUR in 2020 and received
a swell of interest from community members who were teenagers at the time the investigation began.
Arledge’s visit is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at the LaPlace Branch.
Through a partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, St. John the Baptist Parish Library offers
live, virtual Q&As with bestselling authors. Visit libraryc.org/stjohnlib to register for the live event or
watch the replay anytime. This month’s virtual author talk line-up is as follows:
– Embrace Love in the New Year with Rebecca Serle – 7 p.m. Jan. 10
– How to Avoid the Hidden Traps in Retirement Planning Advice with Rajiv Nagaich – 1 p.m. Jan.
23
– The Lure and Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine with Dr. Robert Lustig – 1
p.m. Jan. 30.
Mardi Gras Crafts
With excitement building for Carnival season, St. John the Baptist Parish Library invites adult patrons to
decorate Mardi Gras king cake door hangers. This event will take place at 6 p.m. Jan. 8 in LaPlace, Jan. 11
in Reserve (170 W. 10 th Street), Jan. 17 in Garyville, and Jan. 24 in Edgard (2979 Highway 18).

Teens and tweens can join the fun by creating LED Mardi Gras medallion necklaces at 5 p.m. Jan. 16 in
LaPlace, 5 p.m. Jan. 17 in Edgard, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in Reserve, and 4 p.m. Jan. 25 in Edgard.
Youth Programming
Technology meets creativity as teens and tweens are invited to visualize goals for 2024 with digital
vision boards and explore the science behind 3D glasses by making anaglyph art. Dates and times are as
follows:
– Digital Vision Boards: 5 p.m. Jan. 8 in Edgard, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 9 in Reserve, 5 p.m. Jan. 9 in
LaPlace, and 5 p.m. Jan. 10 in Garyville.
– Fun with Film – Anaglyph Art: 5 p.m. Jan. 22 (Edgard), 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23 (Reserve), 5 p.m. Jan. 23
(LaPlace), and 5 p.m. Jan. 24 (Garyville).
The Library’s youngest patrons can enjoy programs crafted specifically for their age group:
Ages 0-5: Pick up a reading log at any Library branch to participate in the 1,000 Books Before
Kindergarten Challenge, a program that lays a strong foundation for future academic success. Children
receive incentives for reaching each 100-book milestone.
Ages 3-8: Celebrate Arbor Day by creating leaf imprints out of air-dry clay at 4 p.m. Jan. 11 (Edgard), 5
p.m. Jan. 16 (Reserve), 4 p.m. Jan. 17 (Garyville), and 4 p.m. Jan. 18 (LaPlace).
Ages 6-11: Share your favorite dance moves, play air guitar, and make a craft during a showing of “Trolls:
World Tour” at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 (LaPlace), 12 p.m. Jan. 20 (Edgard), and 12 p.m. Jan. 27 (Garyville).
Ages 9-12: Learn easy running stitch and make a snow bunny sock plush at 5 p.m. Jan. 10 (Edgard), Jan.
22 (LaPlace), Jan. 25 (Reserve), and Jan. 31 (Garyville).
Coming soon…
The new year is just beginning. In the next few months, families can look forward to an Easter
Extravaganza and the opening of the new Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library, currently under
construction adjacent to the historic St. John Theatre in Reserve.
Libraries have evolved from repositories of books to full-fledged community centers, and the new
branch will be no exception. Amenities include a library-operated café, makerspace, gaming room, a
one-button studio for telehealth appointments, flexible reading and computer space, and much more.
Keep abreast of updates by following St. John the Baptist Parish Library on Facebook, Instagram, X and
YouTube, or visit us online at stjohnlib.com. For more information, please contact
bcantrelle@stjohnlib.com.