From treehouse cabins to urban lofts, historic B&Bs and boutique hotels, you’ll find accommodations in Mississippi that are just as memorable and inspiring as the places you visit. Find the overnight stay of your dreams at VisitMississippi.org/UniqueLodging.
The Roost | Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Brookhaven, MS
Climbers Club
Derby-themed Meeting
Brookhaven, MS
Chances for Children Gala Celebrating SMCAC's 25 Years
Flowood, MS
Mississippi Team Hope Walk 2025
Jackson, MS
Uniting for Mississippi's Children: A Powerful Gathering at the 5th
Kentwood, LA
Kentwood Rotary Crawfish Boil
McComb, MS
Brent Rifles UDC Chaper 2137 Spring Luncheon
McComb, MS
DAR End-of-year Luncheon Awards Night
Natchez, MS
Natchez Gallery Opening for Wyatt Waters
Natchez, MS
Annual Sizemore Kentucky Derby Party
Natchez, MS
Gotham Downs Gala
Derby Mystery Party
Honoring Liza Gregg
Natchez, MS
The Order of the First Families Spring General Assembly
Summit, MS Gibbs in the Garden
Vicksburg, MS
Ashmead DAR Installs Officers at May Meeting
our team
from the PUBLISHER
This is the fourth issue of celebrating throughout 2025 our 25thAnniversary. This issue also reminds me of many important people who have contributed to our magazine with their witty and amusing stories. Alma Womack, a long-time contributor to Bluffs & Bayous passed away in early June just as we were preparing this issue; and in her memory, we are running one of her earlier summertime stories. She left a legacy for our readers of warm-hearted and thought-provoking stories in her twenty-five years with our magazine, and we are all the better for having known her and shared her reflections.
Another important person in my life—Mike Rinehart, who for the past eighteen years shaped how I approached publishing Bluffs & Bayous—has been gone a year, and I miss him very much. His advice and support continue to enrich my perspective in all areas of my life including this magazine. I came across a folder of images from one of the early day trips that we used to take, one that landed us in Edwards, Mississippi, to tour Dr. Dirt’s Garden. I have shared that memory in this issue’s “A 2007 Special Garden Tour.”
225 John R. Junkin Drive Natchez, MS 39120
601.442.6847
bluffsmag@gmail.com
bbupandcoming@gmail.com bluffsbayous.com
Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to ensure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.
We also remember former contributors Ross McGehee and Freda Piazza as part of our 25th Anniversary commemorative articles, and we are delighted to share their humorous fishing stories in our July/August fishing-themed issue. Our “A Family Getaway Fishing Trip” feature takes an inside look into the Depta and Carlton guys’ trip to Montana.
With his always informative and frequently light-hearted discussions, Sam Gwin in his “Humor in the Law” article provides recollections we know you’ll enjoy. In addition, this issue’s various Social Scenes celebrate and honor those who contribute to the enrichment of our lives.
On another note, we join staff member Melanie Sojourner in welcoming her newest grandchild, Eliza Jo Russell, who made an early arrival in May and now is at home with her parents, Kaelin Daye Russell and Sean Russell, and her big brother, Justin. Congratulations to this family of four!
We hope all of you enjoy the summer months of July and August and embrace the sunrises and sunsets of each day as we remember and honor those who have made a difference in our lives along and beyond the Mississippi.
JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor
BONNIE DICKERSON Design Director
CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales
LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer
MELANIE SOJOURNER Sales
SAM GWIN Contributor
BILL PERKINS Photographer
CECILIA HOPKINS STEVENS Contributor DR. EDDIE SMITH Contributor
Climbers Club Derby-themed Meeting
The Climbers Club of Brookhaven, Mississippi, enjoyed its Spring Meeting with a lunch on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the home of Kathy Behan. The theme was "Run for the Roses" at the Kentucky Derby. Mint tea and Mint Juleps were served, of course! Karen Braden, the retiring president, passed the gavel to the incoming president, Velma Estes.
by Bill Perkins
Mary Dee Corkern, Kathy Behan, Becky Corkern, Charlsie Estes, Velma Estes, and Amy Baker
Stephanie Smith, Veronica Richardson, Patti Perkins, Holly Slay, Holly Gardner, and Lisa Hodgson
Celeste Carty, Suzanne Fitzsimmons, and Pam Reid
Sally Lampton, Betty Ann Perkins, and Becky Corkern
Paula Rushing, Becky Taylor, and Karen Braden
Theresia Perkins, Rebecca Burns, Martha Ann Peeples, Bettie Dixon, and Melissa Said
Lisa Hodgson and Veronica Richardson
Theresia Perkins and Betty Ann Perkins
Kristi Sessums and Mary Dee Corken
Helen Lynch and Betty Ann Perkins
Charlsie Estes
Sloane Smith
Barbara Davis, Bill Perkins, and Becky Taylor
Paula Rushing and Kristi Sessums
Chances for Children Gala Celebrating SMCAC’s 25 Years
A black-tie event celebrating Southwest Mississippi Children's Advocacy Center’s 25 years of service was held at Butterfield Mansion in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on April 5, 2025. This Chances for Children Gala featured lively music from Bridge Band, a drawdown, a VIP Speakeasy Lounge, collaborative/interactive art, mission highlights, curated food stations, and cocktails.
Photography by Bill Perkins
Cyrena Austin and Mary White
Amy Honea, Donna Lukacs, and Brandy
Harrington
Asa and Sarah Reynolds
Lissa Boerner and Robin Patterson
Angela Simmons and Curtis Butler
Chris and Katie Nations
Carly Barker and Abbey Barker Bozeman
Cliff and Angela Furr
Hannah and Kyle Hutson with
Nathan Berry
Helen and Johnny Lynch
Nic Ricerri and Angela Gill
Shelly Hood, Russell Hood, David Wisner, and Roberto Bonilla
Willis Husband, Tiffany Husband, Sherry Davis, and Tracy Short Mathis
Melnee Berry and Don Underwood
Taz and Mandy Milstead with Dr. Jeff Huff
Taz and Mandy Milstead
Brandy Harrington and Shannon Sullivan
Kelly Ann Sullivan and Kent Sullivan
Ashton Ballard and Angela Gill
Russell Hood and Shelly Hood
Wren Honea and Amy Honea
Stacy Sullivan and Bobby McDaniel
Brandy Harrington and Amy Honea
Stacy Sullivan and Shannon Sullivan
Kristen McBeth, Curtis Butler, and Brooklyn Schmidt
Dr. William Hay and Diane Hay
Khloe King and Alicia Linton
Blake Ballard, Ashton Ballard, Angela Gill, and Major Gill
Sheryl Spraggins and Alicia Linton
Lynn and Chad Leggett
Robb and Fran Massengill
Sherry Davis, Jamie Murrell, and Stacie Cross
Sherry Davis and Wayne Murrell
Ja'Nelle Swilley
Isabel and Prentiss Smith
Linda Kavitz, Doug Sicks, Kelly Johnson, and Marisa Frischhertz
Abbey Barker Bozeman and Carly Barker
sampler
Grand, Forever Summer Days
When Nub, Doug, and I were children, July was the middle of summer vacation. Back then, we were out three whole months for summer, June, July, and August; and the time seemed to stretch out forever.
Forever summer was a good thing for us; for we were outside children and gloried in our freedom those hot, sultry days. No torturous sitting in classrooms and listening to the poor readers drone on and on, trying to get through a few paragraphs of a story. That was always the worst part of school to me, and I dreaded the read-aloud days. In summer, the only one reading aloud was me as I read to our baby sister, Helen, and to Doug; and that was just fine. Books came from the Bookmobile, our connection to the outside world in the summertime.
Summer was just full of endless possibilities to explore our surroundings. There wasn’t a barn or a shed that we left unchecked, and sometimes that got us into trouble. There was one little shed that we went in one day, but we came out a lot faster than we had slipped in. Stacked up three high were coffins; and our imaginations let us believe that at least one of them held a vampire, sleeping through the day. That shed remained off limits until it was torn down.
The big hay barn was a great place to hang out, especially after the new hay was stacked in as high as the men could reach. We were young and nimble and thought nothing of climbing all the way to the top of the tallest stack. We never knocked the bales down, either; or we would have been banned from the barn.
One day, Nub and I couldn’t find Doug. We looked and looked and called and finally resorted to getting Mama to help. While we were scouring the weed patches, Rambler Woods, one of the men working at the shop, called out to Mama, “Miss Bunnie, Doug’s sitting on top of that hay barn!”
The hay barn was very tall, especially to a kid; but there sat five-year-old Doug, right at the tip top. Mama nearly had a hissy fit, but she got him down, and she and her peach limb convinced him not to do that again.
She didn’t have to worry about Nub or me climbing up that high. Ten feet off the ground on a limb of the crepe myrtle was as high as I could bear, and Nub wasn’t much better. We spent hours in that tree with Doug up high, of course, fighting pirates and bad Indians, outlaws, and Yankees. If I had a dollar for every no good varmint that we killed, I could be driving a Range Rover instead of an F-150.
The crepe myrtle was our favorite refuge, and we thought we were invincible in that tree. We thought we were safe from a mad mama sometimes, too; but she fooled us one day. Nub had done something especially offensive to her (probably threw rocks at the chickens), and she got
after him. Since we were a trio, we all ran to the crepe myrtle tree with her running behind us. We scampered up into the tree...but so did she! She got Mr. Nub out of the tree and spanked him for his transgressions. Doug and I were very quiet so she wouldn’t get us, too. We were just amazed that a mama could climb a tree, even more so that it was OUR mama. It was so very impressive.
There was another Nub-and-chicken incident that would have gotten us punished if we’d been caught. We were throwing rocks at Mimi’s chickens one day to get them away from where we wanted to play ball. Ole sure-shot Nub hit one of the prize laying hens in the head and knocked her out cold. Mimi was a lot less tolerant of accidents than Mama, and we had to keep her from finding out that Nub killed her hen. While we were discussing the possibilities of removing the victim from the crime scene, she jumped up, squawked, and ran away. From then on, we’d just chase the chickens away with sticks.
I could fill pages with our summer adventures being Robin Hood and Colonel John Mosby and Raphael Semmes and Davy Crockett. We enjoyed our freedom and took full advantage of those wonderful days of summer before airconditioners were ever heard of in our world. A good breeze and a rocking chair on Mimi’s front porch served us well for reading our books, and Mimi would give us sweet tea to drink to keep us out of the house when she was taking her afternoon nap.
Once she woke up, the books were closed; and we had the outlaws on the run for the rest of the day. Life was grand.
ARTICLE BY | Alma M. Womack
In Memoriam: Recently, our dear Alma, our Southern Sampler columnist for decades, passed from our lives; and our life along and beyond the Mississippi is profoundly saddened, and the river that runs deep seems suddenly shallow. Yet, how fully enriched have we been by Alma’s legacy—her celebration and joy in farm life, her deep love of family and friends and of her dogs and farm animals, her devotion to the land and to nature, her avid faith and staunch patriotism—so much fervor for life! And all of this she so passionately and colorfully shared with all of us from her treasured Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana, where “in addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she [was] the keeper of the lawn, the lane, and the pecan orchard.” Herewith, as a tribute, we recall her July 2019 reflection, at the time so light hearted, so engaging, and now, particularly poignant.
Mississippi Team Hope Walk 2025
The Mississippi Team Hope Walk was held on May 17, 2025, at Flowood Nature Park in Flowood , Mississippi. Team Hope Walks are fundraising events for the Huntington's Disease Society of America. HDSA helps the local Huntington's Disease families; and the money raised at these events goes to research grants, education days, and HD Centers of Excellence, one of which is located in Flowood. This year the goal was $18,065, and so far the organization has $17,440 of that goal. Team Turner won for the team with the most donations, and Ja'Nae Doyle won for the individual with the most donations. The walk next year will be May 16, 2026, at the Flowood Nature Park just a few miles away from Mississippi Center of Excellence.
by Kathy Braswell Matheny
Team Doyle
Team Turner
Teams Wilmoth Warriors and Gabby HD Warrior Princess
Team Hope Walk Committee: Erin Pitman, Lisa Burr, Sue Meng, Heather Thurgood Wilmoth, Cheryl Turner, KD
JaNae Noyle of Team Turner
and Crystal
Dr. Gregory Pippin! Dr. Pippin is now accepting patients. Call to set up your appointment.
O'Brien,
Wilmoth
Uniting for Mississippi’s Children: A Powerful Gathering at the 5th Annual I Protect Children Luncheon
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi (CACM) proudly hosted the 5th Annual I Protect Children Luncheon, bringing together a remarkable group of over 216 attendees, including more than 15 state dignitaries, community leaders, donors, and child advocacy professionals from across the state in May 2025.
This year’s luncheon served as a powerful gathering in support of CACM’s mission to revolutionize Mississippi’s response to child abuse through leadership, education, and innovation. The theme and central focus of the event was the introduction and impact of a unified response to child abuse cases, spotlighting the development and upcoming implementation of the Mississippi Statewide Protocol for Child Abuse Response.
Each of the fourteen local child advocacy centers across Mississippi was represented and invited guests from their respective service areas, bringing together frontline professionals, advocates, and supporters committed to protecting children and strengthening communities. Community donors and stakeholders joined the luncheon to witness the impact of collaborative efforts and learn more about the future of a coordinated response to child abuse in our state.
The event not only celebrated progress but also called on attendees to continue supporting the essential work of CACM and its members as we collectively work to ensure that every child in Mississippi is protected, heard, and given the opportunity to heal.
Representative Becky Currie, Anna Thames (Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s office), Nic Ricceri (SWMSCAC Executive Director), Alicia Linton (SWMSCAC Clinical Director), Barry Huff (Lincoln Co. SO Investigator), Leslie Falvey (Brookhaven PD Investigator), and Rashaun Tillman (Hazlehurst PD Investigator)
Adams County Youth Court Judge Walt Brown, Gloria Marshall (NCS-CAC), Dee Thomas (NCSCAC), and Kyla Heinzen (NCS-CAC)
Terria Floyd (MDCPS Supervisor), Candice Turner (Pike Co. MDCPS), Aurielle Bridges (Pike Co. MDCPS), Barry Huff (Lincoln Co. SO Investigator), Alicia Linton (SWMSCAC Clinical Director), Matt Walton (Lincoln Co. SO Investigator), Brendon Adams (District Attorney), Leslie Falvey (Brookhaven PD Investigator), Rashaun Tillman (Hazlehurst PD Investigator), Representative Becky Currie, Nic Ricceri (SWMSCAC Executive Director), and Anna Thames (Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s Office).
Adams County Youth Court Judge Walt Brown, Assistant District Attorney Lisa Jordan Dale, Kyla Heinzen (NCS-CAC), Keith Stovall (Copian Lincoln Community College), Gloria Marshall (NCS-CAC), Dee Thomas (NCS-CAC), Katie Boone (Wilkinson County Youth Court Judge and CACM Board Member), and Catherine McPhate (NCS-CAC Executive Director and CACM Board Member) Janice Wilder (Christians in Action and Central MS CAC Executive Director), Nancy Hungerford (CACM Board Member), Kate Doyle, Angela Sayles, Sarita Conley, Adriana Shelton, Eboni McDonald, and Audreanna Steele
in the garden
Yellow-blooming Plants for Cheerful Gardens
Yellow-blooming plants bring a bright, cheerful energy to my garden. There’s something about that bold splash of golden color that lifts the spirit and catches the eye, especially after the gray tones of winter.
In Grenada, Mississippi, Devo and Rosemary Lancaster have a couple of show-stopping yellow bloomers in their landscape. The first is the Lady Banks’ Rose, known scientifically as Rosa banksiae. It is an old-fashioned climber with timeless charm and exceptional resistance to pests and diseases. This vigorous, rambling rose is nearly thornless, making it easy to train over fences, arbors, or trellises.
As spring settles in, Lady Banks puts on one of the most breathtaking floral displays I’ve ever seen. In early to midspring, the long canes are smothered in clusters of soft yellow blossoms, each about an inch across.
The rose blooms range from semi-double to fully double, and their sheer number creates the illusion of a golden waterfall spilling down the garden structure. These have a delicate, sweet fragrance and completely transform the plant for a few glorious weeks with their abundant blooms.
Lady Banks is relatively low maintenance once established. It thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade, especially in hot Southern gardens. Well-draining soil is a must, and a layer of mulch around the base helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
You can give this rose a light pruning after it blooms to shape the plant and remove any dead wood, but this is not
ARTICLE & PHOTOS | Dr. Eddie Smith
necessary. In Mississippi, it holds its deep green, glossy foliage nearly year-round, providing a lush backdrop for other plants even when it’s not in bloom.
Another standout I saw is the Lancasters’ Japanese Rose plants, which are known scientifically as Kerria japonica. These graceful and adaptable shrubs bring a completely different but equally delightful presence to the garden.
Japanese Rose plants have elegant, arching stems that create a soft, fountain-like form. In early to mid-spring, they are covered with bright, golden-yellow double flowers that look like tiny pom-poms or ruffled miniature roses. Each bloom measures about 1 to 2 inches across and glows against the fresh green foliage.
This plant thrives when planted in partial shade, making it useful where other plants struggle, like under trees, along woodland edges or in mixed borders with dappled light. Its slender green stems remain eye-catching in winter, adding structure and color to the dormant landscape when most plants fade into the background.
Japanese Rose is a hardy and low-fuss shrub that thrives in average, well-drained soil. Rejuvenate it by pruning it hard every few years right after flowering to encourage fresh growth and more blooms the following season.
Both of these yellow bloomers bring brightness to the spring garden. Their glowing flowers, graceful growth habits, and reliable nature make them standout plants in the landscape.
Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County Agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He is also host of the popular Southern Gardening television program. Locate Southern Gardening products online at www.extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening.
Japanese Rose plants thrive when planted in partial shade, making them useful where other plants struggle.
Lady Banks’ Rose
thornless. Soft yellow blossoms smother its long canes in spring.
Kentwood Rotary Crawfish Boil
The Kentwood Rotary Club enjoyed its annual crawfish boil at Wine On Main Saturday afternoon May 24, 2025. Club President Michael Kazerooni cooked and seasoned the crawfish just right. As they say in Nawlins, "They be a party going on in yo mouth!" Perfect weather! Ultimate crawfish! Good times together!
"Wine On Main" owner George Hays, Kentwood Chief of Police, and Kentwood Rotary Club President Michael Kazerooni
Karen Griffin
Monica Williams
Nikki Currier
Evelyn Williams
Kentwood Mayor Irma Gordon
Judge Wayne Smith
Susan Hayes
Ron Harrell, Sherri Slusher, Christian Monger
TITLE SPONSOR:
Catfish FOUR FRESH TAKES!
August is National Catfish Month, and Bluffs & Bayous is ready to help you celebrate! Catfish is a great option for a lean protein that is low in saturated fat and high in flavor. While Mississippi is the nation’s number one producer of farm-raised catfish, both Louisiana and Mississippi boast catfish farms, fish markets, and retail grocers offering locally sourced fish. For the best quality, look for labels identifying catfish that has been harvested and processed within the state or region. Or, if you are a purist, grab a fishing pole and catch your own!
In this issue, we’re spotlighting four fresh takes on this southern staple—each one packed with flavor and easy to prepare. From casual cookouts to elegant porch dinners, these recipes from the LSU AgCenter’s Harvest of the Month collection are sure to become seasonal favorites.
Start your gathering with a crowd-pleasing Catfish Dip that’s creamy, zesty, and full of Southern flair. Seasoned fillets are pan-seared, flaked, and folded into a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and a splash of Worcestershire. A hint of lemon and a sprinkle of green onions brighten every bite. Serve it chilled with crackers or fresh veggies, and you’ve got an appetizer that disappears fast.
For a heartier option, Cajun Catfish Cakes bring bold flavor and satisfying crunch. This recipe is a take on crab cakes and includes fillets seasoned to perfection, mixed with bell peppers and cracker crumbs, and baked until golden. Serve them over greens for a light lunch or tuck them into slider buns with a dollop of remoulade for a fun twist on a classic. They’re easy to make ahead and just as tasty the next day if there are any left!
And for something a little unexpected, try Catfish Pasta Primavera or Catfish Tacos. The pasta dish is a colorful medley of bell peppers, snow peas, and sundried tomatoes tossed with tender catfish and fettuccine in a light wine and broth sauce. It’s elegant yet easy. Meanwhile, the tacos are a crispy, oven-baked delight whose flavor is enhanced with fresh salsa, tangy pickled onions, or a cool Baja cream sauce.
However you serve them, these recipes showcase the versatility of the South’s favorite fish. Enjoy!
Catfish Dip
5 catfish fillets
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
½ cup sour cream
½ cup low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ cup green onions, chopped
Cover both sides of fillets in seasonings. Prepare a non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Cook on medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
Let fillets cool; mash with a fork and add all other ingredients. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Top with green onions and serve with crackers. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.
Yield: Serves 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
something scrumptious
Cajun Catfish Cakes
4 catfish filets, about 24 ounces
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 red bell pepper, diced
½ cup crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 large egg, beaten
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Season the catfish with the Cajun seasoning, red pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook in a skillet on medium high heat until cooked through (about 5 minutes on each side). Move to a bowl to cool.
In a large bowl, add bell pepper, cracker crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, egg, hot sauce, and lemon juice.
Shred the fish with a fork; then add to the cracker mixture. Fold everything together; then form into 8 cakes.
Place cakes on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until slightly browned.
Serve over a bed of lettuce or on slider buns with a remoulade sauce. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Catfish Pasta Primavera
8 ounces dry fettuccine noodles
2 tablespoons butter
1 each red, green, and yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced 2 cups snow peas
1 shallot, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 pound catfish, cut into small bite-sized pieces
4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup dry white wine
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh dill
Cook pasta according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet melt the butter; and cook the peppers, peas, shallot, and onions. Cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove vegetables and set aside.
Next add the catfish and sun-dried tomatoes; season with salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add wine and stock and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and let simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the vegetables and gently fold to coat. Remove from heat.
Drain pasta and add to skillet along with the parmesan cheese. Toss to combine.
Serve topped with fresh dill. Can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 48 hours.
Yield: Serves 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Catfish Tacos
2 pounds small whole catfish fillets
¼ cup evaporated milk
¼ cup water
2 teaspoons salt
Black pepper, to taste
2 cups bread crumbs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
14 corn tortillas
Fresh salsa
Preheat a conventional oven to 500 degrees, 450 for convection.
If using small fillets, leave them whole. Cut large fillets into smaller portions.
In a shallow dish, combine evaporated milk, water, salt, and pepper. Dip the fish into the mixture then into the breadcrumbs until thickly coated. Place the fish in an oiled, shallow baking pan using half the oil. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil.
Bake in oven, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork and is beginning to brown.
Serve on a warm tortilla with fresh salsa, Baja Cream Sauce (recipe herewith), or Pickled Red Onions and Jalapeños (recipe herewith). Leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
Yield: Serves 7
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Baja Cream Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
Pinch of salt
Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix well. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to one week.
Yield: Serves 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Pickled Red Onions and Jalapeños
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
1 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
½ tablespoon Kosher salt
Place onion and jalapeños in a heatproof medium bowl. Mix vinegar, lime juice, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring just to a boil, stirring until salt dissolves. Pour over onions and jalapeños. Let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour; then cover and refrigerate.
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Yield: Serves 8
Prep Time: 1 hour
ARTICLE | Cecilia Stevens Cecilia Stevens (B.A. LSU and M.ED. Louisiana Tech) resides in Concordia Parish, works for the LSU AgCenter, and is the parent of two adult children.
Brent Rifles UDC Chapter 2137 Spring Luncheon
On April 24, 2025, Brent Rifles UDC Chapter 2137 met in the beautiful home of Barbara Willis in McComb, Mississippi, for their Spring Social Luncheon. Everyone gathered in the formal dining room of the home where a delicious meal of Poppy Seed Chicken with sides of macaroni and cheese, green beans, fruit salad, and buttered roll with southern sweet tea was hand served and prepared by host Barbara Willis. The long dining table was draped with linen, and each pastel place setting accented the spring, fresh-floral centerpiece. Lastly, everyone was served a delicious treat, Barbara's famous Strawberry Layer Cake with coffee.
In a Ceremony of Bestowal led by Chapter President Peggy McCullough and Tammy Strickland, Chapter Recorder of Military Service Awards, the UDC National Defense Bronze Medal and Certificate were presented to Sara Penick Jordan of Chesapeake, Virginia, and formerly of McComb, Mississippi. The award is given to service men and women who have shown faithful devotion and patriotic military service to our country. During the Global War on Terror, she exemplified courage and loyalty which reflect honor upon her as well as upon her Confederate ancestor, John Tillman Cannon of Tennessee. She retired as Senior Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy after 26 years of service.
The luncheon was a celebration of chapter members’ outstanding service throughout the community and of our local veterans.
President Peggy McCullough, Award Recipient Sara Penick Jordan, and Tammy Strickland
Connie Lambuth and Sylvia Johnson
Pattie Breckinridge and Cherrie Randall
Rita Brister and Gail Spinnato
Sara Penick Jordan with her parents Rick and Betty Penick
Verna Swinney
DAR End-of-year Luncheon
Judith Robinson NSDAR Chapter members met at the beautiful home of Past Regent Linda Young in McComb, Mississippi, for their end-of-the-year social event on May 8, 2025. Tables throughout the home were set with a patriotic theme for a pot-luck luncheon. A crowd-pleasing fare of BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders and an assortment of casseroles, salads, desserts, and beverages was served buffet style. Regent Lynn McInnis thanked Linda Young for her hospitality, welcomed everyone to this lovely setting, and recognized Connie Lambuth for 10 years of DAR membership. The luncheon was a time of reflection as everyone celebrated the year’s accomplishments.
Crystal Newman, Janice Brock, Regent Lynn McInnis holding granddaughter Ava Jane, and Jane Lawrence
Seated—Betty Penick / Standing—Emily Lambuth Allen and Connie Lambuth
Seated—Virginia Zeigler and Elaine Jenkins / Standing—Mary Felder
Virginia Zeigler and Dee Lindley
Barbara Willis, Ramona Young, Past Regent Linda Young, and Vice Regent Kathy Prospere
Janet Matthews, Lori Keller, Sue Boyd, and Brenda Laird
Regent Lynn McInnis presenting a 10-year membership certificate to Connie Lambuth
Seated—Carolyn Richmond / Standing—Peggy McCullough, Renee Hote, Carla Stringer, and Lee Ann Schirro
Carla Stringer, Past Regent Tammy Strickland, and Sherri Brown
A 2007 Garden Tour Treasure
I remember when I first heard about Dr. Dirt, Leon Goldsberry—He and Felder Rushing were part of a four-year weekly public radio program titled Gestalt Gardener. Back in 2004 and 2005, as The Natchez Garden Club was planning to host a garden symposium with guest speakers and a garden tour, I reached out to Dr. Dirt to be one of our guest speakers. He agreed; but we had to drive up to his home in Edwards, Mississippi, to get him and drive him back.
Of course, I was familiar with Edwards, a town in Hinds County established in the 1830s and situated between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi. Originally named Amsterdam, Edwards was renamed for Dick Edwards, owner and proprietor of the Edwards House in Jackson, Mississippi. In this historic small community, the focus for economic growth was on corn, cotton, and cattle. In 1839, it was bypassed by the Alabama and Vicksburg Railroad with the R. O. Edwards plantation becoming Edwards Depot. In 1871, the town was incorporated. My mother grew up in this town and graduated from Edwards High School. There, she made lifelong friends, her “forever friends,” and recalls many fond memories with them.
I learned from Dr. Dirt that, after living in Canada for thirty years, he returned home to Edwards to take care of his mother, Millie; and during this time, he decided to create a garden incorporating many of her favorite plants and naming the area “Millie’s Gardens.”
Already having a connection to Edwards, I was delighted to meet Dr. Dirt and become acquainted with his gardening style—the entire venture such an enriching experience. During our dating years, I introduced my husband to this unique gardener and his garden: It was early June in 2007 when Mike had some merchandise to return in Jackson; so we decided to make a Saturday day trip, return the merchandise, and have lunch at Bravos. After lunch, we discussed returning to Natchez by driving back on the Natchez Trace to explore the back roads, one of our favorite dating activities during the three years before we married. So, I shared my information about meeting Dr. Dirt several years earlier; and Mike agreed to drive to Edwards and tour Dr. Dirt’s garden. This garden actually was a sanctuary surrounding Dr. Dirt’s home, he being its naturalborn gardener. He greeted us as family and invited us to join a tour group strolling through his garden collections. Some of his “old” plants included a 98-year-old hydrangea along with flowering quince, dahlias, climbing roses, an abundance of green foliage, sunflowers, countless antique roses, and ivy covered trellises. Garden art areas featured plantings in toilets, tennis shoes, and hula-hoops and offered vintage outdoor furniture for sitting a spell. Along with his annuals and perennials, he incorporated trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, and vegetables. Unconventionally appearing throughout the garden were items like an old computer hard drive, bowls,
cups, baby swings, and all types of signs where he had written “Mo Dirt” and “It’s all about dirt.”
Some of the tips he shared at our garden symposium were these: Teach your children and grandchildren about gardening. Root your plants in good dirt. Grow more than one thing in a flower pot or flower bed. Plant some bulbs under your shrubs. Provide plenty of water for your plants. Plant native plants or wild plants suited to your zone. Plant seeds that your grandparents grew. Composting is important--Let the leaves rot.
Dr. Dirt passed away in 2017, having become an inspiration to thousands of amateur and master gardeners. He had been featured in national magazines, traveled around the country with Felder Rushing speaking at many garden seminars, co-hosted (as I previously mentioned) with Felder Rushing a National Public Radio program, and conducted countless tours of his garden for people who stopped by to absorb his simple, natural gift of gardening. His beautiful garden sanctuary, though, exists no longer; and sadly, the legacy of his gardening lives only in the memory of those who were fortunate enough to experience it. With my memories and the photographs I took on our visit, I have never forgotten Dr. Dirt and forever will treasure my Saturday tour of his garden with Mike. Read about Dr. Dirt’s Legacy written January 9, 2018, on Felder Rushing’s Blog (felderrushing.blog).
ARTICLE | Cheryl Rinehart
Catfish Row Museum Celebrates Southern Culinary Culture with 2025 Summer Chef Series
Catfish Row Museum’s Summer Chef Series is in full swing, offering a season-long celebration of Southern food, history, and storytelling. Following a successful kickoff with James Beard, award-winning author Andrew P. Haley, and chef/designer Danielle Sypher-Haley, the museum invites the public to experience a dynamic lineup of chefs, authors, and culinary creatives every other Saturday at 2 p.m. through August. Set in the heart of historic downtown Vicksburg, the Summer Chef Series highlights the intersection of food, culture, and community with live cooking demos, tastings, storytelling, and meet-andgreet opportunities with some of the South’s most inspiring culinary voices. Upcoming events include the following:
Saturday, July 12, at 2 PM
Malcolm White & Leanne Gault
Malcolm White, a restaurateur, food writer, and former director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, will join Viking Cooking School instructor Leanne Gault for a spirited afternoon of conversation while Gault prepares food and shares her cultural insight.
Saturday, July 26, at 2 PM
Chef Enrika Williams, owner of Fauna Foodworks
Known for her bohemian-chic, ingredient-driven cuisine, Chef Enrika Williams brings bold flavors and a creative spirit shaped by work with celebrity chefs Richard Blais and Sean Brock
Saturday, August 9, at 2 PM Chef Taylor Bowen-Ricketts, owner of Fan and Johnny’s
An award-winning chef and a James Beard semifinalist, Chef Taylor Bowen-Ricketts’ soulful cooking has been praised by Southern Living and USA Today. Her culinary roots run deep in the Mississippi Delta.
Each program in the cooking series is free and takes place at Catfish Row Museum, 913 Washington Street in Downtown Vicksburg. This museum is a vibrant cultural heritage destination in downtown Vicksburg that explores the rich and diverse history of the region through exhibits and programming centered on music, food, art, storytelling, and community. From its riverfront roots to its Delta connections, the museum celebrates the multiple cultures that have shaped Vicksburg’s identity. The Summer Chef Series is a key part of this mission—bringing the area’s culinary heritage to life through live demonstrations, personal stories, and shared traditions.
— Back in the Day —
FondMemoriesFishing
In celebration of Bluffs & Bayous’ 25th Anniversary year of life along and beyond the Mississippi, we revisit this article written by Freda B. Piazza and published in our April 2009 issue. Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was devoted to her home in Rodney, Mississippi; and in her treasured column “Back in the Day,” she shared many amazing moments of life there with her husband, Salvo, a lifetime Rodney resident.
Our Flatland Lake was at one time a fisherman’s paradise; but because of the river overflow, it has filled in quite a bit, and water lilies and alligators have also done much to make it less desirable for fishing. Even though I have done my share of fishing in years past, I rarely do anymore. However, I have many wonderful memories of times in the past.
I am reminded of some of our fishing trips, some that went very well and some that were a little less agreeable. One morning Salvo and I got all rigged up for fishing; and as soon as we pushed off the bank, he cast and caught a small bass. I kept on fishing without a bite. I asked him if he had another bait like the one he was using.
He answered, “No, this is the only one like this.”
“Well,” I asked, “why did you buy just one?” He saw I was not too pleased, so he offered me the “one and only.” I refused because I am rather competitive; and since we are always razzing each other about who caught the most fish, I knew if I accepted the bait and should beat him, he would say that his bait was the reason I had done so.
I kept on casting my old, raggedy bait with no luck; but all of a sudden the fish started biting, and I caught seven very large bass. Salvo did not get another strike. I could see that he had this “mule-eating-briars” look on his face.
He commented, “It is just too hard for me to paddle this boat with these fish hanging on it.” I knew that he was right, but I couldn’t let this opportunity slide.
I retorted, “If those fish were yours instead of mine, this boat would not be the least bit hard to paddle!” Looking back on it, I deserved to be dumped into the lake!
Another time that we were fishing, the weather was cold. I was all drawn up in the end of the boat when something hit the bottom of it. I asked Salvo, “What was that?”
He said my eyes were as big as saucers; and he answered, “An alligator.” Well, I don’t know if it was or not; but it was not a very comforting thought. Shortly thereafter, you have never heard such a commotion in the boat, and we discovered a five-pound bass had jumped in the boat with us. If it had been the alligator, it could not have made more racket!
Since we had not gotten a bite, I asked Salvo, “Are you going to string him?”
He said, “Yeah. If he jumped in the boat, there is nothing to keep him from jumping out.”
There was the time we were trotlining. I remember us having good luck with one or more line to run; however, the wind had gotten up, and holding the boat had gotten difficult. Just as Salvo lifted one of the last hooks, the fish flounced; and the hook went through Salvo’s fourth finger on his left hand. There he was, trying to hold the boat in the wind with the right hand, a finger caught on the trot line, and his knife in his left pants pocket. I really don’t see how he did so, but finally he managed to reach his knife and cut the line.
And speaking of fisherman’s luck— Once Salvo and I had just treated ourselves with brand new Garcia reels and rods for casting. He repeatedly cautioned me while casting to be sure to hold on to my rod and not to throw it away. But what did he do but exactly what he had preached to me not to do! Right out into about 12 or 14 feet of water went his new rod and reel! Can you believe, though, that he taped a large hook to the tip of a cane pole we just happened to have with us in the boat, and after only a few minutes of fishing for it in the windy, rough water, he snapped it and pulled it up? Can you beat that for luck?
When you reminisce about your fishing trips, so many sightings pop into your mind—such as the beautiful swan (Yes, I did say swan.) quietly floating along; three very large beaver sitting upright on a log, resembling three bears; the otter swimming across the lake; the eagle in the snag; and the very pink rosella birds in a tree-top.
Speaking of this, we have a new resident named “Homer” at our place. About two months ago, a homing pigeon made himself at home on my air-conditioner, which is located under the carport. We discouraged this and he left after about a week. Then, here comes another one that stayed over at the barn for about two weeks. He left and now we have Homer. I suppose he has homesteaded. All three of the pigeons have been beautiful birds. We have no idea to whom they may belong or why they have picked, of all places, Rodney to roost! I suppose it is all in the eye of the beholder!
— All Outdoors — Fish Stories with a Twist
In celebration of Bluffs & Bayous’ 25th Anniversary year of life along and beyond the Mississippi, we revisit this article written by Ross McGehee and published in our July 2002 issue. In his many years as one of our “All Outdoors” columnists, Ross entertained readers with his down-home humor, candid camaraderie, hunters’ savvy, frequent irony, and often enthralling tall-tale enthusiasm.
i’m often amused at how seriously some outdoorsmen (and women) take themselves and their activities. Too often, the objective of recreation is lost in pursuit of ego. At other times, lack of understanding of the ground rules can lead to interesting interactions.
I’ve always felt that a 100-foot-long seine with oneinch mesh, a few six-packs of something to drink, and some buddies will accomplish a lot in a short period of time. However, some snooty fly-fishermen would rather starve than admit what their fish actually cost per pound. On the other end of the spectrum, are the folks who actually eat a skipjack or chad.
Recently, I was having a discussion with a friend who had just gotten back from a fly-fishing trip out west. He was describing the river, scenery, type of trout that he was after,
and so on and then got into describing “the presentation.” For the uninitiated, which until that conversation included me, the presentation is how one must place the “fly” (We can’t say bait or lure!) before the fish. What really got my attention was the adjective “sophisticated” being used before the word “fishing.” Sophisticated fishing. What an interesting concept. Don’t those two words directly contradict each other?
Apparently the stream that he was describing was very heavily used. The poor trout had seen everything imaginable pitched at them and were bored with the game, choosing to stick with actual live insects. So if you really did catch a fish, you were able to label your “presentation” sophisticated. I made the mistake of asking what the slot limit was. How unsophisticated of me!!! “Why, you don’t keep any of the
fish, he explained. “The point is to catch and release them.” At what expense does this occur? I chose to change the subject at that point.
Several years ago, when the Natchez State Park Lake was relatively new, there was a pretty good crowd out on a Saturday, fishing from boats and from the bank. We watched a rather large woman who had been sitting on the dam, fishing with a cane pole, as she pulled a pretty good stringer of small bass out of the water and proceeded to her car.
Fortunately, a park employee was watching also and rushed out to confront the departing patron. He dutifully informed her that from what he could see none of her fish were big enough for the slot limit and needed to be returned to the lake.
“I caught ‘em; I’m gonna keep ‘em,” was her response. Once again, he patiently explained that the fish had to be a certain size to remove from the lake. Otherwise, they had to be left in the lake to grow some more and reproduce.
Once again he got, “I caught ‘em; I’m gonna keep’em.”
So, taking a little more direct approach, he informed her that, if she didn’t put all those bass back in the water at that moment, he would issue a citation and collect a fine from her. What she had to say as she dropped the fish and stalked off to her car is unprintable. But before she got to her vehicle, from across the lake came a bass boat with the horn blowing, the fisherman shouting, and the motor screaming.
A crowd gathered at the pier as a huge bass was pulled from the live well on the boat. Quickly, those around took pictures and measurements, shook hands, slapped backs, and conveyed congratulations. Then the lucky fisherman
eased the big bass back into the water, held him for a moment, and released him.
At that point, our extremely upset and empty-handed matron tapped the park employee on the shoulder and asked, “Mister, just how big do them fish have to be to keep ‘em?”
Another misunderstanding, one that did not seem to matter, occurred a number of years ago. After a big rain, I watched as water poured through a culvert in a river bottom carrying with it a variety of fish. Any number of people lined the downstream ditch bank with everything from dip nets to pitchforks, attempting to take advantage of the windfall. Buckets and sacks were filling fast with the desirable species, and I use that term loosely. Only the shad, or skip-jacks, were being thrown up on the bank, discarded as being worthless. One uninformed individual was picking up all the shad he could find and putting them in the trunk of his car.
Finally, it was more than his audience could bear. Someone shouted over the roar of water, “Man, you don’t want the things. They got about a million bones.”
His response was, “I ain’t got nuthin but time!”
From misunderstanding to miscommunication, fish stories always entertain. Years ago, there was a local gentleman who was interested in having his ponds seined to clean them out so he could restock from scratch. Having access to personnel who would perform the chore out of the goodness of their hearts, if he gave them the fish and a case of beer, I made arrangements for the job. I had always referred to this gentleman as Uncle So-and-So even though he wasn’t related, and it created a problem that could have been most embarrassing.
> Continued on page 34
> Continued from page 33
In transporting three pickup loads of volunteers fifty miles to seine the ponds, we got split up. Seems that some of the guys got a head start on the refreshments and got confused on the directions. Within two miles of our objective, there was a pond that belonged to someone who really was my uncle, but he didn’t want his pond cleaned out. One of the lost volunteers knew of the pond and assumed that was where we were headed. Since they had the seine in their truck and thought we were behind them on the road, they proceeded to seine the wrong pond and were halfway across it when I came back looking for them. Imagine getting eight wet, inebriated rednecks out of a half-seined pond before they got all of us in trouble! At times like this, I’m tempted to try “Mrs. Paul’s.”
Natchez Gallery Opening for Wyatt Waters
Wyatt Waters Art Gallery held its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at its Main-at-Commerce-Streets location in downtown Natchez, Mississippi, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. A welcome reception for Wyatt Waters was held in the gallery following the ribbon cutting and a City Proclamation read by Mayor Dan Gibson. Throughout the evening, art enthusiasts and well-wishers filled the gallery as they visited with the artist and enjoyed the opportunity of viewing his many creative works.
by Bill Perkins
Lyn Jenkins, Mayor Dan Gibson, and Kristi and Wyatt Waters
Kim Stephens, Leah Hunter, Lyn Jenkins, Mayor Dan Gibson, and Kristi and Wyatt Waters
Marty Buchman and Betty Perkins
Chesney Doyle
David Hawkins, Doris Ann Benoist, Wyatt Waters, and Marjorie Hawkins
Lainey Hill, Mylee Cronin, and Caroline Patton
Stella and Philip Carby
Dianne Bunch, Margaret Perkins, and Denise Sebastian
A Family Getaway Fishing Trip
Afamily "boys"-bonding fishing experience was in store for Mike Depta, his son, son-inlaw, and grandsons during Memorial Day weekend 2025. Brent Depta with his sons Parker and Labryn along with John Carlton and his son Grant all joined Mike in traveling to an area in the Yellowstone River Basin, west of Billings, Montana, at the Montana Fly Fishing Lodge for a memorable experience with Mother Nature, family bonding, good food, and a little fishing. "The lodge was an amazing log cabin with incredible service and fine food," John recalled.
The guys spent two days in Absarokee, Montana, fishing and then fished the Stillwater River one day and drove to Cody, Wyoming (two hours away), and fished the Shoshone River. Throughout this time, John explained, "We caught mainly rainbow and brown trout."
Montana Fly Fishing Lodge is an Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge nestled along the banks of the federally designated "Wild and Scenic" East Rosebud River. The entire weekend proved a phenomenal opportunity for Mike to share immeasurable memory-making moments with his grandsons.
On the first page of the lodge's website appear the words of John Muir: "Onto the river I must go to lose my mind and find my soul." A travel getaway of fishing with "the boys" taps into something fundamental, something spirit connecting and soul rejuvenating; and from all accounts of this three-generational getaway, it was beyond extraordinary!
No matter where one chooses to drop a pole or cork in the water, the excitement and satisfaction of fishing can become both a life-long and life-changing hobby and a defined skill set. Sports Hall-of Famer-Mariano Rivera takes the matter one step further: "Fishing is not just a hobby; it's a state of mind."
“Onto the river i must go to lose my mind and find my soul.”
“FISHING IS NOT JUST A HOBBY; IT'S A STATE OF MIND.”
Annual Sizemore Kentucky Derby Party
Kathy and Bob Sizemore entertained guests on Derby Day, May 3, 2025, in their Natchez, Mississippi, home. Having donned their best Kentucky Derby attire, all enjoyed celebratory libations, hors d’oeuvres, and the colorful media coverage of the iconic running of the Derby. The couple has hosted this annual event since 1997 with only two interruptions—once, when Covid prevented the gathering in 2020, and thereafter, when the couple attended the 150th Kentucky Derby in Bob’s native state.
Photography by Bill Perkins
Tanya Biglane, Kathy Sizemore, and Jan Shiells
Jason Dauphin and Curt Johnson
Laurie Belshan, Maria Rocha and Randy Busick
Ritchie Montgomery with Judy and Randy Busick
Richard Hess and Patti Wentworth
Mary Jane Gaudet
Lynn Wentworth and Bill Perkins
Kathy Sizemore and Bettina Mas Coffey
John Mott Coffey, Bob Sizemore, and Bettina Mas Coffey
Kathy and Bob Sizemore
Daye Dearing
Bob Sizemore and Charles Lehmann
Humor in the Law
Some of the funniest things I have ever witnessed have been in my law practice. The following are true stories that happened to either me or my close friends in the practice.
ALIMONY HELL
A close friend of mine was trying a divorce case in a small town. His client was a small, elderly man with a beard; and he somewhat resembled a California prospector. He was divorcing his wife of many years. At the end of the trial, Judge Joe Zuccaro announced to the gentleman that, after hearing evidence, he had decided to give the gentleman’s wife four hundred dollars per month in alimony.
With that, the little prospector stood up and seriously announced back to the Judge, “Why yo’ hona’, that’s mighty nice of ya. Why, I think I may give her a little money myself.”
GETTING HIS ATTENTION
Many years ago, an older attorney in Jackson had a new client come in to see him about his wife having an affair with another man. The lawyer listened to the story and advised the new client that he could have his divorce papers filed in the morning. The client announced to the attorney that he did not want a divorce because he still loved his wife. He simply wanted advice on how to make the paramour stop.
The lawyer responded, “Oh, so you don’t want a divorce?”
Then, the attorney reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a long barreled 357 Magnum pistol and said to the shocked client, “Here’s what you do. You take a pistol this big, you go to this guy, you stick the barrel right in his face, and you tell him if he ever looks at your wife again you’ll blow his *** to hell and back.”
The shocked client caught his breath and asked the attorney, “Will that work?”
The lawyer replied, “It sure cured me of it.”
WALKING TALL
Another close friend of mine in Jackson by the name of Ned was called by an insurance company to defend an older gentleman who owned and ran a convenience store. The man was accused of hitting a young punk with a very large stick causing severe and serious injuries. Ned went to the store to interview the old gentleman; and upon questioning the owner, the owner stated that, while the young man was giving him a hard time, he never touched the punk with a stick and only threatened him. Ned then noticed a video camera up in the corner of the building and asked if there was a tape. The owner sheepishly said, “Well, yes, sir.”
Ned then reviewed the tape, which also happened to have
audio; and it showed the owner standing at the counter talking to a friend of his (who we will call Willie). Then, in walks the punk, a heated discussion begins, and the owner pulls out the “stick” and begins threatening the punk. At that point, they start moving out of the view of the camera, but the audio was still going.
Then, the audio reveals screaming and hollering; and all of a sudden, Willie starts screaming, “Hit ‘em with that stick! Hit ‘em with that stick! Hi ------ oh-h-h-h.”
Needless to say, Ned settled the lawsuit.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR
After I had been practicing law for about a year, I was tagging along with my law partner trying to learn what to do. He had a paternity suit in a small town, and he represented a young lady who had unfortunately gotten pregnant by a young man in the town. This all occurred before DNA, and paternity was proven by determining blood type and accusing the woman of having multiple affairs in order to prove that the child might be someone else’s.
The attorney on the other side was an old southern attorney whose dialect was a true southern brogue. One of my dearest friends from law school was his associate, so we were looking really hard at each other across the table. The older attorney began the questioning of the girl and warned her that his questions would be “brutal.” Then, he began accusing her of having sexual relations with several other young men in the small town.
Next, he asked, “Isn’t it true that one night last year you were in a car with three boys?”
She replied, “Yes, sir.”
He then demanded to know the names of those boys. With that, the witness stated, “John Doe, Larry Doe, and your son.”
This is absolutely a true story. I hate to admit it, but both my dear friend and I lost it at the table that day.
ARTICLE | Sam Gwin
Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing many aspects of the law at the firm of Gwin, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.
Gotham Downs Gala Derby
Mystery Party Honoring
Liza Gregg
A festive senior party was held March 30, 2025, at historic Sunnyside in Natchez, Mississippi, honoring Cathedral Catholic School senior Liza Gregg. The party was hosted by her grandmother, Donna Martello.
Donna Martello, Liza Gregg, and Robyn Gregg
Ella Samrow, Lacy Welch, and Lauren Lambuth
Allie Grace McGehee, Madelyn Fielder, and Sally Hudson Linton
Liza Gregg, Sally Hudson Linton, Ella Samrow, and Lacy Welch
Lauren Lambuth, Lillie Kay Floyd, and Ella Samrow
Lacy Welch
Seated—Allie Grace McGehee, Madelyn Fielder, Lily Crum, and Kolemyn Grace Fisher / Standing—Lauren Lambuth, Lacy Welch, Kinslee Young, Liza Gregg, Sally Hudson Linton, Lizzie Verucchi, Ella Samrow, and Lillie Kay Floyd
Liza Gregg, Madelyn Fielder, Ella Samrow, Sally Hudson Linton, and Kinslee Young / Stairs—Lacy Welch, Lizzie Verucchi, Lily Crum, Kolemyn Grace Fisher, Allie Grace McGehee, Lillie Kay Floyd, and Lauren Lambuth
The Order of the First Families Spring General Assembly
The Spring General Assembly for The Order of the First Families of Mississippi was held May 17, 2025, at the Natchez Grand Hotel in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. Various events were held throughout the weekend of the General Assembly.
Photography by Bill Perkins
Charlie Carlisle, Bill and Ann Simmons, and Wendy and Paul Cartwright
Virginia Carlton and Kathy Pipitene
Vicki Wilson and Vicki Netterville
Judy and Claude Marchesini with Betty Perkins
Gail Evans, Bill Simmons, and Gene Herrin
Dan Johnson, Vicki Netterville, and Greg Hatcher
Seated—Jerri Dear Wallace, Becky Rhinehart, and Betty Perkins / Standing—Vicki Netterville, Michael Boykin, Marsha Colson, JB and Elizabeth Walters, and Bobby Dear
Dr. Vernon LeCour, Jerry Lilly, and Mark Henry
Jena and Jan Melancon
Chad Couch, Greg Hatcher, and Dr. Vernon Le Cour
Betsy Haney and Jamie Haney
Incoming Council: Mark Henry, Kevin Davis, Jamie Haney, Neva Rath, Wendy Cartwright, Dr. Beth Herring, Becky Rhinehart, and Betsy Haney
Gibbes in the Garden
“Gibbes in the Garden” was a collaborative garden dinner party hosted on May 30, 2025, by H. D. Gibbes & Sons of Learned, Mississippi, and Williamson Nursery in Summit, Mississippi. Over 100 guests, traveling from Shreveport, Jackson, New Orleans, and multiple spots there around, reserved tickets and gathered to enjoy a four-course dinner set amid the vibrant, blooming backdrop of the nursery. Local musician Cody Dunaway provided acoustic entertainment throughout the evening, adding to the warm and inviting atmosphere. Henry Gibbes, son of Chipper and Susan Gibbes, led the culinary experience, bringing the same attention to detail and quality that defines the family’s restaurant in Learned. Meanwhile, nursery owners Stephen and Jordan Porter transformed their space into a picturesque garden venue, carefully organizing every detail to ensure a memorable and immersive evening. As a parting gift, guests were invited to take home handmade wildflower bouquets arranged in quart-sized mason jars, along with a 10%-off-coupon tag from Williamson Nursery—a thoughtful gesture that extended the evening’s charm just a little longer! Williamson Nursery has held several pop-up-style dinners in the past but none since before Covid. Collaborating with Gibbes was the most perfect way to offer this garden-dinner-styled event to our community once again, and we are already planning another one for October!
Jordan and Stephen Porter
Henry Gibbes
Jordan Porter, Stephen Porter, Susan Gibbes, and Henry Gibbes
Cody Dunaway
William Sparks, Stephen Porter, Lawrence Gobble, and Jordan Porter
Seated—Angela Gill, Molly White, Charly Schmidt, and Brooklyn Schmidt / Standing—Major Gill, Jonathan White, James Michael Schmidt, and Chance Schmidt
Rebecca and Hunter Newman
Heidi Smith and Stephanie Hightower
Gail and Jimmy Nobles
Max Spears, Jordan Porter, and Stephanie Spears
Christina Mitchell and Elise Reeves
Jordan Porter, Christina Mitchell, and Elise Reeves
Joan Wilkinson and Cori Nelson
Jordan Porter, Camri Stutzman, and Ashley Stovall
Elise Reeves, Ashley Stovall, and Camri Stutzman
March/April
July/August
September/October
Lee Smith, CFP™, Stephanie Smith, Emily P. Maxwell, CFP™, John C. Bergeron
Tastings Along the River JOIN US FOR
FRIDAY, July 25TH
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM: Visit Mississippi Tastings Along the River at Natchez Convention Center
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM: VIP Chef’s After Party at Smoot’s
SATURDAY, July 26TH
11 AM: “Made in Mississippi Mixology” at Smoot’s by Coastal Cocktail Consultant, T Francis
1 PM: “Tiki Time” at Smoot’s by Coastal Cocktail Consultant, T Francis
1:30 PM: “Wine & Cheese Tasting” at The Castle Restaurant by Gallo and St. James Cheese Company
5 PM: “Bourbon and Blues” at Big Muddy Inn
5 PM: “Burgers, Beer, & Bocce Ball” at Natchez Brewing Company
6 PM: “Boots, Booze, & Beer Dinner” at Church Hill Variety
7 PM: “Garden of Earthly Delights Dinner” at Conde Contemporary
7 PM: “Invitation to the Natchez Table” - at Dunleith
For more information visit www.natchezfoodandwine.com
FESTIVAL TITLE SPONSOR:
Thousands of Crepe Myrtles Make Natchez a Must-see Summer Stop
Each summer, Natchez bursts into vivid color as thousands of crepe myrtle trees bloom across downtown and nearby neighborhoods. This year, the Downtown Natchez Alliance (DNA) is once again welcoming this seasonal spectacle with its annual Celebrate the Blooms festival running through June and July with self-guided walking and driving tours designed to showcase the city’s vibrant crepe myrtle canopy.
“So far, 2025 is looking good for a banner crop of crepe myrtles, maybe as a result of the intense rains we had this spring,” said Elizabeth Greer, Downtown Natchez Alliance Board Member and Promotions Team Chair. “The white trees—the “Natchez Crepe Myrtles”—are already in bloom. Now we are seeing the lavender and light pink blooms, and soon the magnificent deep pink and red trees should take over. Hopefully, the major rains that could knock off the blooms are behind us; and this will be our most spectacular season in recent memory.”
Natchez’s recognition as the "Crepe Myrtle Capital of the World” is largely due to the vision of the late Sallie Junkin Ballard (1926-2017). Her “2000 for 2000” campaign, launched at the turn of the millennium, led to the planting of more than 2,000 crepe myrtles across the city, supplementing an impressive number of ancient trees that were already a signature feature of Natchez’s streetscape.
DNA’s Celebrate the Blooms program includes three self-guided crepe myrtle tours: the Bloom Drive, a scenic motoring loop through neighborhoods; the City Cemetery Tour; and the Sip & See Stroll, a walkable loop through the heart of downtown. The tours, originally designed by Master Gardener Elaine Gemmell, are available for download at www.natchezdna.org and on the DNA Facebook page.
Visitors and residents are also invited to explore the downtown historic district where locally owned boutiques, antique shops, cafés, and galleries embrace the Celebrate the Blooms season with colorful storefront displays; bloomthemed merchandise; crepe-myrtle-inspired mocktails, cocktails, or desserts; and seasonal specials.
“Summer is a wonderful time of year to experience Downtown Natchez,” said Leah Gibson Hunter, Executive Director of the Downtown Natchez Alliance. “Whether you’re sipping iced tea on a shady patio, contemplating handmade crafts, or pausing under the blooms for a photo, we invite everyone to slow down, take a walk or drive, and enjoy the welcoming community spirit of our city in full bloom.”
Sallie Junkin Ballard Keep Natchez Blooming Award
DNA’s annual Sallie Junkin Ballard Keep Natchez Blooming Award Ceremony is a much-anticipated highlight of the Celebrate the Blooms season. The award honors individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional volunteer commitment to enhancing the appeal of downtown through beautification projects and efforts to create welcoming, outdoor spaces. The 2025 honorees were announced at the Celebrate the Blooms Bash on Saturday, June 28, at Smoot’s Grocery during the Downtown Natchez Farmer’s Market. This casual community gathering that was free and open to the public included refreshments, a cash bar, and a plant sale.
Natchez’s annual Celebrate the Blooms event builds on the vision of New Orleans-based historic property realtor Peter Patout, who founded the Natchez International Crepe Myrtle Festival in 2019. In 2018, Patout had visited Natchez, nearly 20 years after Sallie Ballard’s 2000 trees project, to discover upwards of ten thousand crepe myrtle trees within the city limits alone. Patout’s festival continued through COVID; and in 2022, his team transitioned the project to DNA to continue as Celebrate the Blooms. Patout’s early efforts “to not take beauty for granted” inspired the city’s ongoing commitment to floral beautification and community pride.
About the Downtown Natchez Alliance (DNA)
The Downtown Natchez Alliance (DNA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to revitalizing Downtown Natchez in collaboration with the City of Natchez and downtown stakeholders. Guided by the city’s awardwinning Downtown Master Plan and the Main Street FourPoint Approach—Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization, DNA fosters downtown place-making, walkability, and livability; tracks key economic metrics; works to match market needs to available real estate; and provides small businesses support. It’s in our DNA to keep downtown thriving for residents, visitors, and future generations. DNA is a nationally accredited Main Street America organization and active member of the Mississippi Main Street Association. For more information, visit www.NatchezDNA.org.
Natchez in bloom with self-guided tours through July 31, 2025
1. Crepe Myrtle Cupcakes from Natchez’s own Butter Cakery—at 404 Main Street—have become a beloved tradition, marking the start of Celebrate the Blooms. When these seasonal favorites appear, locals know it’s time to savor the sweetest part of the season. 2. Bloom-inspired cocktails are in full flourish at Frankie’s on Main—422 Main Street—where seasonal sips like the Golden Hour, with Aperol, pineapple, and tequila, toast the start of Celebrate the Blooms. It’s how Natchez does happy hour in full color. 3. Streetscape photo by Douglas Adams 4. The “pink table” at Nest, located at 505 Franklin Street, displays elegant glassware adorned with butterflies, seasonal décor, and a curated collection of all things blooming—perfect for celebrating the beauty of summer in Natchez.
LOUISIANA
louisianatravel.com A great site for everything Louisiana
Bicentennial Independence Day Celebration Downtown 5 pm
July 12 / August 9
2nd Saturday Downtown 1 pm
WESSON
FB: Wesson Chamber Happenings
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WOODVILLE
woodvillems.org woodvillemainstreet.org
FB: Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association
Ashmead DAR Installs Officers at May Meeting
The Ashmead Chapter NSDAR of Vicksburg, Mississippi, recently installed new officers at their May meeting. As the meeting was held on Derby Day, Bobbie Edwards, Outgoing Regent, surprised members with fascinator headbands and thanked them for the opportunity of serving. A Memorial Service was held in which Mary Ann Dotson was remembered as a faithful and beloved member, Martha Ann Diaz was presented with a certificate of 50 years of DAR membership, and Ann Morris was presented with a certificate for 25 years. The program CELEBRATE C.A.R.! was presented by members Martha Ann Diaz and Janis Koestler, past presidents of the Mississippi State Society, Children of the American Revolution.
Ann Morris, Parliamentarian; Robin Jennings, Registrar; Tracy Trichell, Historian; Janis Koestler, Regent; Mary Louise Stevens, Librarian; Jane Speyerer, Outgoing Chaplain; Cecille Hintson, Chaplain; and Bobbie Edwards, Treasurer (not pictured—Elizabeth Joyner, Vice-Regent; and Elizabeth Gurtowski, Recording and Corresponding Secretary)
Announce your special engagement or wedding in our January Wedding Edition of Bluffs & Bayous.
• Wedding coverage includes up to ten photographs and a wedding story. Engagement coverage includes one photograph and engagement information.
• Submit your formal wedding announcement of up to 850 words or your engagement announcement of up to 250 words in a Word document only. Editorial staff may make slight changes to the wording but will not compose the announcement from information submitted in lists.
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