General News and Events

Most of us are very aware of the tree loss experienced during hurricane Rita. The ReTree LC program was developed to help deal with that loss.  Toward that effort and for the 2nd year in a row, Lake Charles was the recipient of trees as a result of the Apache Foundation Tree Grant Program.

Elizabeth and Caroline Martel and Donny Pitzer on Wilson StreetThis year, the City of Lake Charles received 600 trees, all awarded thanks to the Apache Foundation. As stated on the page dedicated to this initiatve on the city's website, "Planting trees improves the air quality of the environment, provides essential habitat, and enhances neighborhoods."

As a result of this 2013 initiative, Margaret Place was given 30 Crepe Myrtyle and 10 River Birch Trees. In addition to the 10 m/l trees that will be planted at the Pithon Gardens, several of our neighbors responded to the offer of these complimentary trees.

  • ICCS (along Wilson)
  • Elizabeth and Darren Martel (to help detract from a power pole on Wilson)
  • Kay Noble (Grove)
  • JoEllen Lee (Park Avenue to replace damaged and diseased trees between her home and the Brulet Apartments.)
  • Angie and Troy Stine (Pithon)
  • Monte Hurley (Wilson)
  • MK Hopkins (enhance DeBakey Drive)

We are reserving 2 of the River Birches as they may be needed to replace 2 of the Willows at Perkin's Point.

A few Crepe Myrtles and River Birches remain so call or e-mail MK Hopkins if you are interested. The trees are free, with only two olbigations:

  1. Keep the trees watered before and after planting
  2. Send a photograph of the trees being planted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so they can be entered on our photo page and sent to the city for their website. In turn, the city may forward the photos to the Apache Corporation along with our thanks.

As always, an effort such as this takes the efforts of many. Kudos to:

Margaret Place will host a group of 20-30 members of the statewide Master Gardener Association on Friday, October 26th between 12:00 and 3:00. After a box lunch held on the Barnatt's (S/E corner of Wilson and Pithon) porch and lawn where the Griffith Street lawns and the Rives Rose Garden will be enjoyed, the walking schedule is as follows:Garden Gate

  • Wilson Ave to the Filo's patio
  • Wyman porch and back yard patio
  • Grove Street to Harrison
  • Piper yard along Griffith Coulee
  • Perkins' Pointe
  • Pithon Gardens (handouts illustrating plans)
  • Wilson to Ranier Gardens
  • Return to cars on Griffith Street

The city street sweeper will visit on Thursday betwen 10:00 and 12:00 (they work 4 ten-hour shifts so do not work on Friday). Please move cars off the street to allow the street sweepers to do a thorough job. And, if possible, mow yards on Wed or Thurs. morning so we can maximize the street sweeper's visit. 

We acknowledge and thank the Barnatts, Raniers, Filos, Wymans, and Pipers for allowing visits.  We also appreciate the Quinn's, Filos, and Raniers for lending us their golf carts for this event. Thanks also to Christine Perry for once again lending us her two beautiful wrought iron tables and chairs. They will be used during the box lunch.

We could use one or two more golf carts and 2 more black wrought iron tables as well as chairs.

What can everyone do to "show off" Margaret Place for the Master Gardener's and year-round? 

  • Fly a flag (American, LSU, McNeese, Fall, Halloween, etc).
  • Manicure yards PRIOR to that afternoon. (Mow, edge, trim shrubs, use blower as needed, pick up litter, place limb trash somewhere other than the curb)
  • If you are going to decorate for Halloween anyway, carve that pumpkin or place whatever decorations are planned by the morning of the 26th.
  • Make sure trash cans and other “visual clutter” are placed out of sight.
  • To the extent possible, park cars in carports or garages rather than on the street.
  • Open window treatments.