Ville Platte Rotary Club welcomes recent guests

August 19, Meeting
For the Ville Platte Rotary Club’s, August 19, meeting, Rotary Club President David Mayeux gave his financial firm’s mid-year outlook for 2014. He said the economy is expanding at about three percent, and investors can expect a 10-15 percent return on stocks, as well as a flat return in the bond market. Mayeux then explained the economy is cyclical in nature. In 2008, when the recession struck, the economy began shrinking. He noted that in the past several years, there were signs of an early recovery, with industry adding jobs. He added that now, we are in the mature market part of the cycle, with an improving economy and inflation returning. Mayeux then noted that the next cycle in the economy will be the peak of the market, with rising inflation and the Fed hiking interest rates. He said the recession indicators usually begins when the price to earnings ratio is 17 to 18 percent, and right now, we are at 15 percent. He stated things are looking up and the economy is fairly comfortable where it is currently at. Mayeux said he expects the global economy to perform better this year, and predicted a 10-15 percent return in the stock market.
August 26, Meeting
Rotarian Dan Poret invited Bryan Leach with Delta Waterfowl of Lake Charles to address the August 26, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Leach told members that the 10th Annual Delta Waterfowl Banquet will be held Wednesday, September 10, at the Northside Civic Center. He then gave a brief overview of the organization, noting that Delta Waterfowl has been in existence since 1911 and is the oldest waterfowl conservation program in the country. He said that 75 percent of the funds raised are used to help protect the nesting areas of ducks in several provinces of Canada, as well as the states of North and South North Dakota and Montana. He added that 25 percent of the funds raised in the state are spent locally in each parish for education and local conservation efforts. Leach noted that in Evangeline Parish, the local chapter has been putting out over 500 wood duck boxes throughout the area, which are very successful for nesting ducks. As a result of the successful box nestings, the duck population in Evangeline Parish has greatly increased. He added that due to the extremely wet weather, this year is expected to be a record-breaking year for the duck population, due to the main nesting areas being so wet. On the opposite side, he said that the dry spells will be very tough on the duck population. Leach said that farmers have been asked to help preserve the wetlands by not draining the wetlands, as this causes a loss of habitat for the duck population. In closing, Leach also noted that there are 55,000 members in Ducks Unlimited throughout the United States, with 26 chapters here in Louisiana.
In addition to the guest speaker, the club heard the following community and club updates from President David Mayeux and fellow members:
•Nicole Guillory Winger was welcomed as the club’s newest member.
•A fellowship meeting will be held Tuesday, September 16, tentatively at member Dr. Jerry Veillon’s camp.
•The club will soon host its own Facebook page to keep members and the community updated on Rotary events and information.
•Rotarian and Evangeline Parish Library Director Mary Foster-Galasso announced to the group that the Ville Platte branch of the library will be closed from Thursday, September 4, through Sunday, September 21, as the staff prepares for the move to the library’s new location. The new location will open Monday, September 22, with a grand opening to follow Friday, September 26. The library will also host a family fun day to celebrate the opening of its new location on Saturday, September 27.