March/April 2024

MAGAZINE

our team

HOPKINS STEVENS Contributor

from the PUBLISHER

Leisure—time afforded us to seize opportunities to do what we enjoy. With its origin from the Old French leisir based on the Latin licere, “be allowed,” leisure frames its intent as allowing us to be free from work or duties or responsibilities or commitments and to delve into what pleases us, fulfills us, rejuvenates us.

Our features this month afford glimpses into two types of leisure. The first focuses on leisure time devoted to the rewarding effort of watching a project come to fruition. Laura Newkirk’s passion for the renovation of her family home, the Benbrook House in Natchez, Mississippi, has been and continues to be a decade-plus mission of devotion as she dedicates her leisure time to saving this home and passing it to future generations.

Our second feature, Discoveries Along and Beyond, explores a catalog of opportunities and surprise adventures for spending your leisure time--a morning’s or afternoon’s jaunt, a day trip for nearby events, or even an over-night or weekend away to absorb the culture and entertainment a bit farther

than just down the road a bit. Some of these events are annual ones and some are new, but all have the potential to intrigue your interest and challenge you to move out of your comfort zone (or has it become a lazy zone?). Fill your leisure-time calendar with these adventures; then, pack up the kids, pets, and friends and discover the delights of events close to home.

Our Up & Coming section also details additional productions, events, and celebrations close to home or relatively nearby that you will want to factor into your leisuretime plans. To tempt your leisurely perusing and reading time, contributors Alma Womack and Sam Gwin share their spin on travel and leisure; our Social Scenes spotlight celebrations throughout our reading area; and Cecilia Stevens in our Something Scrumptious section features our region’s favorite dishes for seasonal crawfish and shrimp, the results of her delicious recipes treating your palette to delectable, leisurely moments at the dinner table.

We hope many moments of good times and leisure times come your way as you venture into spring in our life along and beyond the Mississippi.

JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor

BONNIE DICKERSON Design Director

KARI L. BLANEY Sales

CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales

LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer

MELANIE SOJOURNER Sales

SAM GWIN Contributor

BILL PERKINS Photographer

ALMA WOMACK Contributor

CECILIA

In Mississippi, our rock stars wear aprons and wield sharp knives.

It takes a creative spirit, an artful eye, and a deep passion for food to become a great chef. Maybe that’s why, in Mississippi, we have a healthy reverence for all those who’ve dedicated their lives to transforming simple ingredients into unforgettable experiences. From classic Southern comfort food to locally sourced and internationally-inspired cuisine, Mississippi is the perfect destination for all those who like their travels flavorful and fulfilling. Learn more at VisitMississippi.org/Flavors.

#WanderMS

Chaz Lindsay, Pulito Osteria | Jackson, Mississippi

THE socialSCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Krewe of Ceres Reveal Party

The Krewe of Ceres met at the home of Taz and Mandy Milstead on January 18, 2024, to reveal the royalty for 2024. Dr. Jeff Clark and Lucy Donegan were introduced and served, respectively, as King and Queen of the Krewe of Ceres during the 57th annual Krewe of Ceres Charity Ball held February 24, 2024, at the Lincoln Civic Center in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Photography by Bill Perkins

Barbara Davis, Betty Dixon, Betty Ann Perkins, and Jennifer King Burt

Pete and Mabry Moak

Charlsie Estes, Rachel Powell, and Michelle Fitzsimmons

Mandy and Charlsie Estes

Mandy and Taz Milstead

Charlsie Estes, Rachel Powell, and Michelle Fitzsimmons

Ricky Davis and Amy Valentine

Stephanie Bullock

Betty Ann Perkins, Stephanie Smith, and Shannon Clark

Bill Perkins and Michelle Fitzsimmons

in the garden

Honeysuckle for Landscapes

ARTICLE | Dr. Shaun Broderick

Weeds are often defined as being any plant out of place, but that definition never sat well with me. This simplistic definition seems to emphasize the aggressiveness of plants that don’t behave in the garden.

For example, I’ve never heard anyone having problems with hydrangeas popping up in the landscape unexpectedly. Nor have I heard someone call a hydrangea growing in the wrong spot a weed. Instead, I think of weeds as nuisance plants that have the capacity to outcompete desirable plants in the landscape or garden.

Unfortunately, we have introduced many plants in the U.S. that have become weedy problems. Kudzu, cogon grass, tallow tree, Chinese privet, and Chinese and Japanese wisteria are just a few examples.

But one plant that shows up on nearly every invasive species list is Lonicera japonica, commonly known as Japanese honeysuckle. This vining plant was first introduced in the U.S. in 1806 at Long Island, New York. Since its introduction, it has taken off in the eastern U.S.

It is one of the most fragrant flowers in the landscape, and it blooms prolifically. Birds love its red berries and help disperse the seeds. From there, the seeds quickly grow to overtake other plants in the forest. Several states have outlawed Japanese honeysuckle sales, indicating how destructive and invasive this plant has become.

If you find Japanese honeysuckle on your property, it would be prudent to remove it, but it requires some effort to get it out of the garden.

I had some growing along our fence line that I was able to remove over the course of a couple of years. I pruned the plants to the ground and dug out the shoots that reemerged over time. Herbicides can be effective, but the plants I was trying to remove were next to other plants that I did not want to risk damaging.

Once you remove Japanese honeysuckles, there are fantastic–and in my opinion, even more beautiful–noninvasive alternatives.

One of my favorite vining plants is the native coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens. These vines have trumpet-shaped, red-orange flowers that emerge in early spring, which is late March or early April for central Mississippi. Hummingbirds love them.

Their leaves are often a powdery, bluish-green while others are glossy green. These vines are usually evergreen in mild winters. In the fall, they often develop small, red berries that birds love.

Native coral honeysuckle also tolerates a wide range of soil types and sun exposure. Ours flower and grow very well at

the Mississippi State University Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs despite the heavy shade of oak trees. These plants are also easy to grow with little to no disease and insect problems. In full sun, flowering is especially heavy.

Coral honeysuckle is very versatile in the landscape. It can be grown on structures such as arbors or along fences. This can create eye-catching hardscape-softscape combinations in areas needing extra height. And unlike some vining plants that get out of hand, you can prune coral honeysuckle to keep it a manageable size.

Perhaps the only downside is their lack of the iconic honeysuckle fragrance.

If you miss the fragrance of Japanese honeysuckle, a good alternative is the woodbine honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum. This selection is native to Europe but does not appear on any invasive species list. Several cultivars are available. Scentsation and Graham Thomas have flowers that look very similar to Japanese honeysuckle and offer good fragrance.

If you have a spot needing a vine, try these alternatives.

Dr. Shaun Broderick is a Mississippi State University Extension Service ornamental horticulturist, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station researcher, and Southern Gardening guest columnist. Locate Southern Gardening products online at www.extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening.

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NATIVE CORAL | Numerous red, trumpetshaped flowers bloom on a vine.

JAPANESE | Dozens of dainty yellow and white flowers bloom on a vine.

JAPANESE | Yellow flowers bloom on a vine.v

online financial education to all high schools in the communities we serve, partnering with Banzai, an award winning interactive content platform that teaches real-world finance.

We love to participate with in-class or online participation!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their business during 2021. We wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2022 and look forward to serving you in the New Year.

All UMB Branches will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the federal holiday, Labor Day, and will re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 8. ATM’s, mobile banking and online banking will be available for your convenience.

THE socialSCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Family Reunion

The Hobbs, Spearman, and Perkins Families gathered at the home of Michael Crawford in Brookhaven, Mississippi, for a reunion on May 27, 2023. Photography by Bill Perkins

Phyllis Spearman

Madeline Neal Amatuli

Lyle Hobbs and Betty Ann Perkins

C. C. and Elliot Neal

Pam Spearman Womack

Hollis Hobbs, Eva Snow, and Elena Sucavic

Justin and Ali Hobbs with Rachel and Kilby Hobbs

Hank Neal, Elliot Neal, C. C. Neal, Mia Amatuli, Susan Neal, Madeline Amatuli, and Erin and Jason Lesko

Turner Hobbs

Kelsey Pidgon, Betty Ann Perkins, and Patrick Pidgon

Jordan Pidgon

Braelynn, Alex, and Sophia Miller

Betty Ann Perkins, Blake Hobbs, and Danita Hobbs

THE socialSCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Retirement Reception for Magee

BankPlus in Brookhaven, Mississippi, hosted a reception on July 6, 2023, for retiring Vice President Phil Magee. His career spanned forty-four years with multiple banks. Photography by Bill Perkins

Phil and Dauphine Magee

Kirk Graves, Becky Bass, and Todd Watts

Betty Ann Perkins, and Phil Magee

BankPlus President Dustin Walker and Stacy Walker

Jodie Shirley, Johnny Donaldson, and Margarette Cook

Dauphine Magee, and Donna McGehee

Becky Bass, Lisa Givens, and Nikki Henning

Dauphine Magee and Carla Snider

Ellee Parker Lumley, Phil Magee, Dauphine Magee, Rosemary Lumley, Mary Lindsey Lumley, Ann Harris Lumley, and Tyler Lumley

Virginia Earl, Andrean Barry, Debbie Vinson, Wanda Dunn, and Wanda Grenn

Becky Bass, Johnny Donaldson, and Jeanenne Mullins

Len Cooke, Owen Carty, and Phil Magee

WHY?

Because unprotected pets are at risk!

42%

Pets will not test positive for heartworms for months after the inital infection at least 6 months up to 8 months

extending the party with cooked After the Boil crawfshand shrimp recipes

Prices for spring 2024 crawfish have caused many consumers to realize the complexity of the seafood industry. Louisiana is the nation’s primary commercial producer of crawfish with over 100,000 acres in production. Weather conditions during 2023 had a profound impact on this production resulting in higher prices per pound and lower yields. Producers are hopeful that increased rain during early 2024 will result in better late-season production.

As a result of the increased prices and lack of availability of crawfish, many consumers are turning to a Louisiana and Mississippi seafood staple as a crawfish-boil substitute—shrimp! Gulf coast commercial fishermen bring in most of the shrimp harvest in the nation; Mississippi alone contributed 99,000 pounds of shrimp during the 2023 season.

Whenever possible, buying directly from the commercial producer is the best economic choice for the consumer. Many fishermen belong to cooperatives that will ship seafood nationwide. One way to access these direct buys is through MarketMaker, an internet-based program that provides sellers of food products (principally small and medium-sized operations) with an efficient means of communicating product availability to potential buyers. Many Louisiana and Mississippi producers of seafood and fresh produce are linked through this free service.

Agri-tourism is another sector of the economy tied to seafood production. To offset the slower seasons, many producers offer farm or boat tours to tourists. The Mississippi Agri-Tourism Association and the Explore Louisiana website are great ways to connect with agri-tourism activities and events.

Once you have found your seafood type and source, it’s time to boil. There are many different variations on boil seasonings and heated discussions on boil and soak times. The primary thing to remember is food safety. Both crawfish and shrimp should be stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit until cooking; cooked seafood should be cooled and returned to refrigeration as soon as possible to prevent food spoilage.

After the boil, consider these delicious recipes that can be prepared from cooked crawfish and shrimp. Additional recipes are available from the LSU AgCenter’s Farm to School Harvest of the Month recipe program.

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.

Easy Crawfish Dip

1 cup chopped seasoning blend (onions, green onions, celery, and bell peppers)

4 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons dried garlic

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

12 ounces cooked crawfish tails, peeled

1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, low sodium 4-ounce jar of diced pimentos, drained Crackers or sliced French bread for dipping

Rehydrate the garlic in ⅛ cup of water; drain off the water after about 15 minutes. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe dish. Add the chopped vegetables; and cook them until they are tender, about three minutes on high. Check and stir halfway through and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the crawfish, garlic, Creole seasoning, and pimentos. Cook for 5 minutes on high, stirring occasionally. Add the cream cheese; stir until smooth. Serve with crackers or sliced French bread.

Yield: 4-6 Servings

LSU AgCenter

1 cup chopped vegetables

4 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons dried garlic

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

12 ounces cooked crawfish tails, peeled

1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, low sodium

4-ounce jar diced pimentos, drained

1 package pie dough with two rolls of pastry

Rehydrate the garlic in ⅛ cup of water; drain off the water after about 15 minutes. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe dish. Add the chopped vegetables; and cook them until they are tender, about three minutes on high. Check and stir halfway through, and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic, Creole seasoning, and pimentos. Cook for 5 minutes on high, stirring occasionally. Add the cream cheese and cooked crawfish tails and stir until smooth. Roll out the dough thin enough to cut out four 5-inch circles. You can get 12 pies from two rolls of dough. Roll the dough until each circle is about 5 inches wide. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of filling in the middle of each round; then fold over one end and seal the edges with a fork. You can cut 3 slits on the top of the crust to allow the filling to expand and heat well. Bake in a toaster oven at 325°F until they are golden brown and heated through, 15-17 minutes.

Yield: 12 pies

LSU AgCenter

Shrimp Creole

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large onion, diced

1 celery rib, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon flour

Wine for deglazing

1 cup chicken stock

1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

Tabasco hot sauce, to taste

2 pounds large cooked and peeled shrimp

5 cups cooked rice for serving Green onion, chopped, for garnish

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic; and sauté until vegetables are lightly browned. Season with salt, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze the skillet with wine; and then add the chicken stock, tomatoes, bay leaves, and hot sauce. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaves. Add the shrimp and cook 3-5 minutes to blend flavors. Serve over rice and garnish with green onion.

Yield: Serves 4-6

LSU AgCenter

Shrimp Dip

1 cup peeled, cooked shrimp

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons shrimp or seafood stock

3 chopped green onions

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon Creole seasoning or to taste

Crackers or vegetables for dipping

Place shrimp and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Use the tines of a fork to mash the shrimp and to incorporate into the cream cheese. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Refrigerate at least one hour for flavors to meld before serving. Serve cold with crackers or vegetables.

Yield: Serves 4-6

Mandy Morace Duncan

Best of the Bayou Casserole

1 cup seasoning blend (onions, green onions, celery, and bell pepper)

1 stick butter

1 can reduced sodium cream of mushroom soup

½ cup seafood stock

1 cup cooked and peeled shrimp

1 cup cooked and peeled crawfish tails

2 cups cooked rice

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon Creole seasoning

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon paprika

1 cup crumbled butter cracker crumbs or panko-style bread crumbs

½ stick butter

Place seasoning blend and 1 stick of butter in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until onions are transparent and celery is tender. Add soup and mix well. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add seafood stock, shrimp, crawfish, rice, and seasonings. Mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Top with cracker crumbs or bread crumbs and remaining butter. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Serve with a side salad and French bread.

Yield: Serves 4-6

Cecilia Stevens

Shrimp Salad with Remoulade Sauce

1 cup of mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Creole mustard (or grainy)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon creamed horseradish

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Sprinkle of cayenne pepper

1 cup chopped yellow onion

¾ cup chopped celery

¾ cup chopped scallions, white and green parts

½ cup chopped parsley

1 pound peeled, cooked shrimp

Lettuce of choice

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to make the remoulade sauce. Refrigerate until needed. (I like to let the flavors sit for a while.) In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped yellow onions and celery until the onions have softened, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, pour into a large bowl, and let cool completely. Once cooled, stir in the scallions, parsley, and cooked shrimp. Add enough of the remoulade to cover the shrimp lightly. Divide the lettuce among six chilled salad plates. Divide the shrimp evenly atop the lettuce and serve, garnished with parsley.

Yield: Serves 4-6

LSU AgCenter

Local crawfish farmer TBlanchard

THE socialSCENE MCCOMB MS

16th Annual Shuffle to the Chefs

Shuffle to the Chefs, an annual culinary benefit for St. Andrew’s Mission, was held January 25, 2024, at the McComb Mill in McComb, Mississippi. Professional and amateur chefs all gathered and served a variety of their favorite dishes for ticket-goers to sample. Throughout the evening, a silent auction that included donations from throughout the community added excitement for bidders.

Photography by Bill Perkins

Charita Hatcher and Kristin Ratliff

Ramona Patterson and Angela Simmons

Chris Hart, Tina Brumfield, and Karen Hart

Nikki and Rob Belote

Ann Mapp Gibson and Dale Gibson

Melisa DeCoux, Andrew DeCoux, Brad Woods, and India Warshauer

Audry Smith, Sydney Howard, and Hali Scroggins

Kelly Parker, Nikki Belote, and Brooklyn Schmidt

Jonah Lock and Lindsey Gennaro

Caitlyn Smith, Ted Malta, and Sydney Howard

Diane Van and Niki Gibson

Pam Dye Schmidt, Linda Smith

Rasmussen, and Sydney Howard

Lisa Ferman, Belinda Price, Donna Smith, Tina Brumfield, and Niki Gibson

Front: Roxie Skenderis, Belinda Price, Charly Schmidt, Niki Gibson, Diane Van, Betsy Murrell, Shelli Felder, and Kattie Hughes / Back: Tina Brumfield, Donna Smith, Kimberly Stevenson, Catherine Sanders, Nikki Belote, Alisha Chambers, Angela Gill, and Melisa DeCoux

a reNOVATION WITH TIES THAT BIND

Every family has stories—stories of past generations and stories of family artifacts, family curiosities, family furniture, and family homes— stories all lovingly passed down and shared from one generation to another, stories that bind and strengthen the family ties. Natchez, Mississippi, Old Man River’s oldest town, touts more than three centuries of residents and their stories, among these residents being Laura Newkirk, a fifth-generation member of the Benbrook family to own the family home—Benbrook House. The family itself came to America in the 1700s and to Natchez in the 1800s.

Laura’s great-great-grandfather, William Gwin Benbrook, served as mayor of Natchez for thirty-three years, the longest tenure of a mayor in the town’s history. Former twenty-year Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne, an active cheerleader for Natchez still today, reached out to us saying, “I’ve got a story for your magazine.” He visited with us awhile and shared Laura Newkirk’s contact information. We met Laura into her twelfth year of work on the 1883 family structure that she can finally say is “her” home.

Laura Newkirk has been on a journey to renovate Benbrook House, a structure that has remained in the family for 142 years and now has passed on to her from her mother, Jackie Hancock Schulze, following her passing in 2005. On the north side of the residential historic district in downtown Natchez, this family homestead from the front rests high atop a terraced hill on North Pearl Street at the corner of B Street.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Laura grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, but spent her summers in Natchez living in the family home and playing there and throughout the surrounding neighborhood. The numerous descendants of the Benbrook family were very close and Laura’s great-grandmother, Hannah Benbrook Tate, daughter of William and Hannah Parsons Benbrook and fondly referred to as “granny,” ran the roost.

The modest late Victorian home, originally a fourroom structure with a central hallway, was the place which five generations would come to call home, no matter where they lived. Laura Newkirk refers to her home in Texas with husband Clifford as “home home” and her Mississippi family house as “home.” The couple has a cattle ranch, RD Bar Ranch in Cooper, Texas, where they raise registered Red Angus. She explains, “My husband runs the ranch, and I work on my family home, each doing what we love.” The couple alternates their time throughout the year in Mississippi and Texas.

Mayor Benbrook was born in Natchez in 1837, the son of Dr. Daniel G. and Margaret (Boyer) Benbrook, whose portraits hang in the library of Laura Newkirk’s family home today. The story behind these portraits is that they were saved from the house fire in a home next door where Mayor Benbrook’s older sister, Laura’s great-

OPPOSITE TOP & BOTTOM

great Aunt Hortense, lived. Thereafter, the portraits were hung in the main family house. In the mid-1900s, Laura’s mother and Laura’s cousin Hannah Robinson Wilder (Houston) had the oil portraits repaired in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mayor Benbrook was educated in the public and private schools of Natchez, and began professional life as a clerk. He was elected city treasurer and later county assessor, and in 1888 was elected Mayor of Natchez and continuously was re-elected until he passed away in 1922. He served as president of the Natchez public school board of which he was a member for twenty years. Also, he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, served as past Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Mississippi, and belonged to the Elks, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, and Woodmen of the World. In 1858, he married Hannah Parsons of Natchez with whom he had eleven children; only three survived to adulthood.

Upon acquiring the house, Laura knew she had a huge task facing her, but one she was not afraid to tackle. Along with her husband’s reluctant support, which was forthcoming because of his love and admiration for Laura and her love to renovate and preserve the house and family history of all who resided in the home, the two agreed to begin the renovation.

LEFT TO RIGHT | The renovated library hosts family antiques and decorative arts. A portrait of Mayor Benbrook’s father, Dr. Daniel Benbrook , hangs over the library table. A framed picture shows the 1883 family home.

| Other family treatures include a restored portrait of Mayor Benbrook's mother, Margaret Boyer Benbrook, and lovingly placed portraits of Laura’s mother, Jackie Hancock Schulze, and Laura's great-great-grandfather, Mayor Benbrook.

It was not a restoration, as Laura reminded me, because she was not taking it back to the original floor plan. Their intent was to repair and renovate the additions made to the house over the years and to bring the house up to today’s standards and comfort. Her main mission has been to restore the life of the house and revive its spirit brimming with generations of family stories that continue to thrive as she shares the excitement of her continuing work.

According to Laura, “The past additions were poorly planned, and the house leaked horribly for many years. My mother rebuilt an entire new roof over the old roof on the back portion of the house which stopped the problem. My great aunt put up inexpensive paneling throughout the house many years ago to cover up the stains and peeling wallpaper.

“I remember all of this before the paneling was put up. The nails in the paneling also destroyed the plaster, so it crumbled. The termite tunnels were all over the back of the house which was built of yellow pine versus cypress, which the front four rooms were built with. The back two rooms of the house were basically rebuilt including the beams under the house and the studs in the walls and several windows.

TOP TO BOTTOM | The hand scraped front porch performed by Laura Newkirk. A plaque noting the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the renovation of removing the plaster from the walls and ceiling.

“The floor plan hasn’t changed since the renovations other than the addition of the bathroom on ‘the back porch’ as we call it. You have to be a close friend or family member to know which back porch someone is talking about (inside or outside!). The only change I made is adding the crown molding. My mother added the outside back porch, and I had the corbels made to match the ones on the front porch.”

Not afraid to get her hands dirty, Laura scraped, sanded, repaired, primed, and painted all of the doors, woodwork, cabinetry, and molding throughout the house. In 2019, she completely scraped, sanded, repaired, primed, and painted the front porch. “It is cypress and the wood was so beautiful it was hard to paint it,” Laura recalled. “Cypress is very soft wood so it is actually difficult to scrape and sand because it tends to shred. I have been painting the outside of the house (scraping to the wood) for the past six years and it is still an ongoing project.” She has also glazed and primed all of the windows of the house.

Laura led us through the home sharing stories around every corner from the original slide bolts secured to all of the bedroom doors where the family locked themselves in at night, to the windows designed to be off center, and to family relics and antique family furniture that have remained in the house throughout the years. The house was the first house in Natchez to have telephone, electricity, gas, and indoor plumbing.

A bit ironically, the house has no sidewalk in front of it as do all of the other houses on North Pearl Street. When the city began to develop the streets, sidewalks were included so that those in the neighborhood could promenade up and down the street to call on their neighbors. Mayor Benbrook wanted all the other homes to have their sidewalks first and never had one placed in front of his home. When naming the streets, the city wanted to name “B” street Benbrook Street; but the mayor refused to approve this unwanted attention. Such was the nature of this man as Laura affirmed, “He was a very kind and extremely loved man, always doing for his community above self.”

The five generations that have breathed life into Benbrook House, the memories of its people and their love and devotion, and the stories told and treasured and shared from one generation to another, all are the ties that bind and the moments and memories that strengthen Laura Newkirk’s long-term and relentless endeavors in the renovation of her and her family’s historic and cherished home.

ARTICLE | Cheryl Rinehart

PHOTOS |

Lisa Whittington and submitted by Laura Newkirk

LEFT TO RIGHT | The renovated kitchen offers a bright spot with natural light. The once back porch is now used as a cozy family room.

Natchez Garden Club Christmas Royalty Announcement Party

Members of the 2023-2024 Magnolia Festival Royalty were presented December 16, 2023, during the The Natchez Garden Club’s annual Christmas celebration held in Magnolia Hall, an 1858 historic home. The royalty will reign through the Annual Magnolia Ball to be held April 6, 2024, as the culmination of the Magnolia Festival. Photography by Lisa Whittington

King Bankston Jordan and Queen Olivia Edgin

Seated—Eve Claire Case, Jack Ryan, Bankston Jordan, Olivia Edgin, Kennedy Jones, and Caroline Case / Standing—Senior Royalty: Chandler Johnson, Meredith Lessley, Ethan Huff, Ginny Borum, Dow Hairston, and Ashleigh Johnson

Junior Royalty: Seated—Harper Carter, Emma Orr, Amelia Edgin, Anna Leigh Jordan, Tatum Brumfield, Julia Blankenstein, and Gianna Tuccio / Standing—Jake Middleton, Jax Beach, Mason Navarro, Grayson Tosspon, Brody Bass, and Harrison Callon

January/February

Weddings, Engagements

Mardi Gras Mambo

March/April

Spring Tours

Easter Delights

Spring Gardens

Travel Adventures

May/June

Healthy Lifestyles

Summertime Fun

Salute to Graduates

July/August

Patriotic Celebrations

Featuring Local Artists

Summertime Adventure

Fall Garden Preparations

September/October

Back to School Traditions

Football Frenzy

Fall Festivals

November/December

Holiday Decor Holiday Traditions

Approaching spring and its warmer weather provide a tempting time to spread your wings and experience the sights, sounds, and happenings in a short day’s, overnight’s, or weekend’s excursion. Check out the following events to see what’s available for your travel and leisure along and beyond the Mississippi during the spring months.

St. Francisville, LA

March 3 / Uncorked

Sponsored by St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce, Uncorked offers a variety of delicious food tastings as well as a tantalizing selection of wines, cocktails, and liqueur samples held at The Mallory, 5747 Commerce Street in downtown. 5-7 pm / $60 member / $75 general admission

March 23 / Tunica Hills Music Festival

This all-day music fest offers two stages with scheduled musicians from 10 am to 10 pm downtown in Parker Park. Food and art vendors will be available. For updates and band schedules, visit FB: tunicahillsmusicfestival.

April 14 / Azalea Polo Classic

The Azalea Polo Classic is West Feliciana Historical Society's primary fundraiser. Last spring, the inaugural event brought more than 500 enthusiastic and fashion-forward people to West Feliciana for a sold-out New Orleans Polo Club match. Patrons were welcomed into a majestic tent in the lush open fields of the West Feliciana Parish Park to enjoy music, champagne, craft cocktails, and specialty hors d’oeuvres, all while enjoying the parish’s firstever professional polo match. This year’s event begins with the opening of the gates at 2 pm; the game begins at 3 pm with the conclusion of events at 5 pm.

April 20-21 / The Civil War at Oakley Plantation Reenactment and Living History 160th Anniversary

The Civil War at Oakley Plantation is an exciting opportunity to experience the drama and history of the American Civil War. Visitors will observe first hand how battles unfolded and watch activities such as artillery drills, musket-firing demonstrations, infantry drills, and more! They can also explore the encampment grounds to witness the variety of life during the time with period dress, living histories, open-hearth cooking, music, dance, and more! Each day features a re-enactment of the 1864 battle that took place on the plantation grounds, this year commemorating the 160th anniversary of the battle. An admission is charged. For more information, contact Audubon State Historic Site at 1-225-635-3739.

April 20-21 / Angola Spring Rodeo

The Angola State Prison Rodeo incorporates traditional and unique events. Unusual to the Prison Rodeo is convicts poker during which offenders play poker at a table with a loose bull around, and the last one sitting wins; and Prisoner Pinball during which offenders stand in randomly placed hula-hoops, again with a loose bull around, and the last offender still in his hula-hoop wins. The grand finale is Guts and Glory—A poker chip is fastened to the head of a longhorn bull that is released into the area as inmates scramble to snatch the chip and win the prize. Tickets are available March 2 at angolamuseum.org/rodeo.

Brookhaven, MS

March 8-9 / Exchange Club Spring Fling

An ole-time fair including amusement rides, games, and fair food will open to the public in Exchange Club Park from 6 to 9 pm each evening. A family event, this is sure to bring pleasure for the second weekend of March in the historic town of Brookhaven. visitbrookhavenms.com.

April 4 / A Taste of The Trust

This culinary feast offers live music, a silent auction, food samples from over 20 vendors, and an open bar. A fundraiser for The Brookhaven Trust, the evening takes place in downtown’s Ole Towne Church. Tickets $35 / FB: TheBrookhavenTrust

jackson, MS

As the vibrant spring season unfolds, Jackson, Mississippi, eagerly prepares to host a slate of exciting events throughout March and April. From lively food festivals showcasing local talent celebrating the city's rich heritage to engaging community gatherings, there's something for everyone to anticipate in Mississippi's capital city.

March 2 / Fossil Road Show

Bring your fossil discoveries to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science to get expert input about their ages and identities from our team of scientists. In addition to the Museum's fossil collection, there will be displays from collectors and exhibitors, hands-on activities, "fossil digs," and a scavenger hunt. mdwfp.com/museum/calendar/ fossil-road-show-2024

March 2 / JXN Food & Wine Festival

Mississippi Museum of Art, Art Garden: Featuring a stellar line-up of local and national award-winning chefs, including Jackson's own and the festival's Chef Chair and Season 34 Chopped winner Nick Wallace along with his co-host, Jackson-born Iron Chef Cat Cora, JXN Food & Wine Festival will offer tastings from over 20 local and regional chefs; samples of wine, beer, spirits, and nonalcoholic offerings; a demo stage with Top Chef participants; and live music. Jxnfoodandwine.com

March 7 / Spring Farm Days

This three-day event at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum affords the perfect opportunity to venture out to see the Ag Museum come to life. Enjoy cooking demonstrations by the MS Egg Marketing Board, learn about Farmstead life and gardening, and see the large farm and forestry equipment display! We will also have baby chicks, chickens, and other farm animals. msagmuseum.org

March 9-10 / Mississippi Anime Fest

From anime, animation, and cosplay, find costume contests, Q&As with guests, fan panels, workshops, video game tournaments, tabletop game tournaments, and more. Vendors and artists nationwide will attend and sell everything from T-shirts and comic books to swords and art. visitjackson.com/events/mississippi-anime-fest

March 9-10 / Brick Fest Live

With hands-on activities, life-size models, and celebrities, Brick Fest Live at the Jackson Convention Complex is the #1 event for BRICK lovers of all ages. Your family will have a blast building memories together while engaging in creative play with the Giant Brick Pit, Minecraft Zone, Glow Zone, Derby Races, Floor Mural, and more. visitjackson.com/events/brick-fest-live

March 16 / Run the Rainbow Marathon, Half, 10K, and 5K

Run the Rainbow will feature a 5K route beginning and ending at Hal & Mal's in downtown Jackson. The event will also offer 10K, half-marathon, and full-marathon. Not only will participants get some awesome race swag and admission to a St. Paddy's after-party at Hal & Mal's, but also the registration fee and all event proceeds will benefit a great local cause—UMMC’s Childrens Hospital. raceroster.com/events/2024/74849/ run-the-rainbow-for-childrens

March 23 / Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival

Central Mississippi's annual celebration of spring held in downtown Jackson has been described as a "green Mardi Gras" and a "lighthearted homecoming where everyone is king and queen for a day." It is also a celebration of the rebirth of Mississippi's capital city, a joyous observance of what is "good and encouraging" about the heart of our state. It is a day where a sense of humor and a sense of place rule the day. It is a time to honor the excellent work of UMMC's Children's of Mississippi. Beloved local television personality Walt Grayson will serve as Grand Marshal under the theme "Telling Mississippi's Story." halsstpaddysparade.com

MS ANIME FEST

THE TELL AGENCY

April 8 / Stewpot’s Taste of Mississippi

Taste of Mississippi held at The District at Eastover is a tasting event that offers culinary delights from fabulous area restaurants and beverages from local distributors, with competition among participating restaurants for Best Appetizer, Best Entrée, Best Dessert, Best Presentation, and People's Choice. For over thirty years, this event has supported Stewpot Community Services in its mission to feed, clothe, and shelter individuals who are homeless and in need. tasteofms.org

April 13 / NatureFEST!

From live animal encounters to fish feedings by divers in our giant aquariums, NatureFEST! At the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science offers something for everyone. Families and young, budding scientists will want to attend live demonstrations of Mississippi reptiles, citizen scientist explorations, and behind-the-scenes tours with our scientists. mdwfp.com/museum

April 13 / Eudora Welty Birthday Celebration

Pulitzer Prize winner, literary great, and local legend Eudora Welty would have celebrated her 115th birthday on April 13. To commemorate the eponymous writer, the Eudora Welty House and Gardens will throw a bibliophilic birthday party from 9 am to 4 pm, complete with complimentary cupcakes, front porch lemonade, and free button-making and tours of the home. visitjackson.com/ blog/five-ways-to-celebrate-weltys-birthday

natchez, MS

March through April / Natchez Festival of Music’s “Journey to Natchez”

This spring the Natchez Festival of Music’s “Journey to Natchez” kicks off on Friday, March 1,with “Classical Laughs,” a benefit concert with piano selections by virtuoso pianist David Maiocco. They will offer Spring Pilgrimage Concerts to begin Thursday, March 14, and run through April 30. For all of the exciting events visit natchezfestivalofmusic.com.

Throughout 2024 / Historic Natchez Foundation 50th Anniversary

Formed in 1974, the Historic Natchez Foundation works to preserve and tell the story of Natchez while stimulating development through the rehabilitation of historic properties. The Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year of being responsible for preparing National Register nominations for eight historic districts throughout the city, preserving endangered historic properties, and much more. Historical Museum 108 South Commerce Street FB: historicnatchezfoundation

March 16 / Krewe of Killarney St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Wearin’ o’ the Green will flood downtown Natchez as the Krewe of Killarney holds its annual afternoon walking parade. The 2024 St. Patrick, Tate Hobdy, alongside former St. Patricks will lead the parade escorted by bagpipes and a flag core, and followed by all others of Irish descent. The parade will begin at The Basilica of St. Mary and will move west down Main Street to the Gazebo on the Bluff where St. Patrick will drive all snakes out of the city and into the Mississippi River. Line-up begins at 5:30 pm.

March 23-24 / Natchez Powwow

Every March, thousands gather downtown on the Natchez Bluff at 319 North Broadway Street to celebrate the area’s rich Native American heritage. The annual event includes traditional Native American dancing, singing, and fun. For more information, visit www.natchezpowwow.com.

MS MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

March 8-April 29 / Natchez Garden Club

Spring Pilgrimage

Visitors may tour 14 unique and beautiful historic Natchez Garden Club homes—as well as the museum home Rosalie. Many of these homes offer late afternoon or evening events such as a candlelight dinner at Magnolia Hall and an occasion to meet the owners at Elms Court. For information and a list of participating homes and events, visit littleeasytours.com.

March 9-April 9 / Pilgrimage Garden Club’s Spring Pilgrimage

In a tradition dating back to 1932, Natchez opens the doors to its exquisite historic homes. The celebrations include tours led by costumed hosts in 19th-century characters, theater performances, unique presentations and live music. For more information and a list of participating homes, visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

April 4, 27, & 30 / Natchez Festival of Music’s “Journey to Natchez”

The Natchez Pilgrimage portion of the Natchez Festival of Music’s “Journey to Natchez” wraps up on April 4, with “Speakeasy,” featuring pianist Burnley Cook’s. On April 27, the Festival stages a dance event, “Dancing on the River.” April 30, some of the best singers in the nation will entertain during “Rossini, Puccini, and Martinis.”

summit, MS

April 19-20 / Smokin’ on the Tracks

Smokin’ on the Tracks begins Friday with a block party of live music, arts, and food vendors from 5 pm to 10 pm. On Saturday the BBQ cook-off, car show, and arts and food vendors welcome visitors from 10 am to 7 pm. FB: smokinonthetracks

vicksburg, MS

March 11-16 / Classic “Sip Fest” 130th Anniversary of the Bottling of Coca-Cola

March 11 / Biedenharn Museum

4:00 pm Proclamation for 130th Anniversary of the Bottling of Coca-Cola by Mayor George Flaggs, Jr.

4:00 pm-6:00 pm Anniversary Celebration Kickoff Party

March 14

5:00 pm-7:00 pm Classic Shops and Soda Pops in Downtown Vicksburg

6:00 pm Rum and Coke Tasting at The Inn at Cedar Grove (Ride the Vicksburg Trolley from downtown to Cedar Grove!)

March 15

10:00 am-5:00 pm Historic Downtown merchant prize

12:00 pm-6:00 pm Classic ‘Sip Fest Stroll on the Old Mississippi River Bridge. FREE! Bridge will close for train traffic 3:00 pm-4:00 pm.

6:00 pm Sock Hop at Southern Cultural Heritage Center

7:30 pm Gold in the Hills at the Parkside Playhouse

March 16

10:00 am-5:00 pm Classic Car & Motorcycle Show at Washington Street Park

4:30 pm Coca-Cola Party at Duff Green Mansion

6:00 pm Movies on the Lawn “The Love Bug” at Levee Street Warehouse

7:30 pm Gold in the Hills the Parkside Playhouse

Give-Aways All Week at the Biedenharn Museum

Takeaway gift with museum admission the week of March 11-16; free bottled Coke with museum admission on Tuesday, March 12

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Krewe of Phoenix Call-Out Ball

The 42nd Annual Krewe of Phoenix Call-Out Ball and Royal Presentation was held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, in the Natchez City Auditorium in Natchez, Mississippi. This year’s theme was Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rex and Queen Rosalie XLII, Chris McGivaren and Lyn Jenkins, were presented along with their Royal Pages and Dukes and Duchesses.

Ava Sherman and Griffen Agent

Jaki and Brad Yarborough

Dr. Blane and Jennifer Mire with Betsy Mosby

Allen and Angel Booty

Shelby Smith and Jordan Arnold

Dan Thibodeaux, Mandy Gardner, Melissa Vaughan, and Denise Thibodeaux

David Hawkins, Eric West, and Marla and Mayor Dan Gibson

Jim and Mary Lessley

Cole Mosby and Cheryl Rinehart

Curtis Moroney and Maria Smilo

Rochelle and Jason Hicks

April and Mayor Buzz Craft

Jennifer Lessley with Matthew and Lizzie Hall

Joel and Jennifer Lessley

Rex Chris McGivaren and Queen Rosalie Lyn Jenkins

Kyle and Haley Holzhalb and Ann Ward

Travel and Concealed Carry

ARTICLE | Sam Gwin

I have written articles in the past on one’s right to carry concealed weapons; however, I have never touched on a person’s right to carry a firearm while traveling in and out of the state of Mississippi. I am a huge proponent of the right to bear arms at all times and especially when one travels throughout the state as well as other states.

Unfortunately, there are some state legislatures that think the Second Amendment does not apply to their citizens or any other citizen. At the moment there are seven states that highly restrict issuing concealed-weapon permits to carry a firearm. They are California, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

Does this mean that you are free to carry a firearm either in your car or on your person in all of the other states? The answer to that question is not necessarily. All states that allow concealed carry by having a permit or without having a permit have their own set of rules and regulations about exactly where you may carry your firearm.

For example, take Mississippi: We are a very liberal state when it comes to concealed carry. First, you can carry a concealed firearm anywhere in your car without a special permit. However, if you carry a concealed gun on your person, even in Mississippi there are limits to where you can carry your firearm.

You can carry a firearm in a holster, purse, briefcase, satchel, or bag without a permit. But without a permit you cannot carry such weapons into any Federal Building, law enforcement station, school, jail, courthouse, polling place, athletic-event bar, church, or any place with a sign saying no weapons. A firearm permit gives you a little more leeway to carry your weapon allowed in some of these places.

Now think about traveling in another state with a weapon or even a concealed weapon. As you can see in Mississippi, there are restrictions on where you can carry. You can rest assured that every other state that allows carry or concealed carry is going to have its own set of rules and regulations about how and where you may carry your firearm. The gun laws in each individual state are innumerable; so if you are going to travel into other states as well as your own with a concealed weapon, you should familiarize yourself with each state’s laws on carrying a weapon.

Now, let’s narrow this down just to travel into other states with your carrying a gun in your vehicle with no intention of carrying it outside of your vehicle. While this too gets bogged down with various regulations, there are thirty

states that allow permit-less carry of a firearm in your vehicle. You must also be mindful that, if you are traveling on vacation in National Parks, some parks prohibit guns in vehicles even though the state where the park is located allows vehicle carry.

Next and finally, I need to mention weapon or firearm reciprocity. This refers to states which recognize gun-permit carries from other states that also recognize the host state’s concealed-permit carriers. Right now, there are twenty-seven states that recognize each other’s citizen-permit carries. However, remember when traveling to another reciprocity state, you must familiarize yourself with the various regulations of any state in which you chose to travel while carrying a firearm.

Now interestingly enough, there is a Federal Law, 18 USC § 926 A, which mandates that all states must allow for interstate transport of a firearm assuming that A) you lawfully possess a firearm in your state of origin and that B) you can legally possess firearms at your destination, and also requiring that C) the firearm must be stored or secured out of reach, not in the glove compartment or console.

However, 18 USC § 926 A only allows you to travel “through” and “not to” the states in which it’s illegal to carry a concealed firearm.

So as you can see, while you have Second Amendment rights to carry and travel with a weapon, there are a myriad (quagmire) of state rules and regulations that can turn a trip into a nightmare should you be stopped and caught with a firearm. I make no secret that I have a concealed-carry permit, and I recently traveled through multiple states with my firearm. As a precaution, I looked up all these states’ regulations to make sure I was in compliance with their carry rules. You should do the same.

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.

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

2024 Pilgrimage Garden Club

Royalty Presentation and Ball

The Royal Court of the Pilgrimage Garden Club held their Royal Presentation and Ball December 30, 2023, in Stanton Hall and The Carriage House in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. Members of the Royal Court included the King and Queen, Royal Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, Pages, Flag Bearers, and Program Attendants. Flower Attendants were Mary Virginia Waycaster, Meribelle Edmonds, and Adeline Jeselink. Flag Bearers were Addison Beach and Sydney Heflin. Serving as Heralds were Anne Bailey Maxwell and Brooklyn Rayborn. Following the presentation, guests enjoyed a celebratory spread of catered delicacies from The Carriage House and live music by the Groove Factor Band. Photographs courtesy of Ben Hillyer

Queen Presley Hennington and King Conner Tate with Pages Landry Gaudé and Colette Costa

Megan, Colette, and Jeremy Costa

Kakki, Blase, and Landry Gaudé

Back—John Wallace, Miah Wheeler, Carolyne Heatherly, Sam Cole V, Queen Presley Hennington, King Connor Tate, Elizabeth Estes, Max Watson, and Olivia Waycaster

Front—Pages Landry Gaudé and Colette Costa

Mayor Dan and Marla Gibson

Lindsay, Katherine, and Brett Estes

Michael, JoAnn, and Nic Waycaster

Susannah, Carolyne, and Wade Heatherly

James, Nancy, and John Wallace

Max Watson and Diane Dupont

Lisa Falvey Vanderberry and Woody Falvey

Chesney and Miah Wheeler

Grace Hodanich and King Conner Tate

Kate Herndon, Grace Ward, Lucy Pleasants, Mikaela Moore, and Caroline DuCharme

Natchez Spring Pilgrimage - March 8 - April 28

Few American cities offer an in-depth look at the lives of southerners like Natchez. Since 1932, homeowners have opened their doors to the public for tours of their magnificent homes. We invite you to wander through manicured gardens, tour historic properties, and experience the stories of our city's great history and charm.

With over 36 homes on tour and special culinary and musical events, Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez is something you don't want to miss!

VISITNATCHEZ.ORG

(601)492-3000

THE socialSCENE VICKSBURG, MS

Vicksburg’s 3rd Annual Jesters Ball

Sponsored by The City of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg Convention Center, the third annual Jesters Ball was held February 3, 2024, in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi. Nominations for the Jester position are based on community service and volunteerism; and this year’s nominees were David Blackledge, Amanda Harris, Walter Osborne, Debbie Haworth Peacock, Charles Pendleton, Chris Rials, and Larry Walker. The online voting offered to the public gave David Blackledge the title of 2024 Jester. Ball-goers enjoyed music by The Chill, heavy hors d’oeuvres, Second Line merriment and dancing throughout the evening.

Balloon decor welcomes guests

Aerial view of the ballroom

Ball Volunteer Bead Distribution Team

Walter Osborne with Debbie and

Craig Peacock

Walter Osborne and VCC Executive Director

Erin Southerland

2024 Jester David Blackledge with 2023

Jester Joyce Blue

2024 Jester David Blackledge with family and friends

Jester Ball guests

Guests enjoying music from The Chill

Travel Trials and Treasures

ARTICLE | Alma M. Womack

My travels have been more on the order of the travels of Henry David Thoreau: I am very familiar with my own surroundings. I have traveled some in my life but not as much as I would like to have done.

The impediment to my traveling was my beloved husband, Buster Womack, who thought the world would end if he weren’t here on Smithland to ride around and check the fields twice a day. Buster’s idea of a good trip was to drive to north Mississippi to an equipment sale in the dead of winter, and he had his comrades to travel with him.

I tried that one time but ended up inside a giant tractor wheel to get out of the frigid wind. I didn’t really care about all the equipment being sold, the food was only tolerable, and I was cold. That one time convinced me to stay home and let his farmer buddies accompany him.

The last year of his life, he went up north to one of those sales and came home sick. Jorie and I got him to bed to get warm, fixed him some soup and hot chocolate, and medicated him; and I told his buddies he could not go play with them again that winter. Of course, he did when he felt better—can’t keep a good man down and all that.

Buster did like to go to the beach, but it was mostly to get a good meal at the local seafood restaurants. All day long, he would fret about what was going on at home, if whatever he had left to be done was getting done. Three days and it was time to load up and head west, vacation time done, hallelujah.

We did have two other trips that didn’t involve the beach, and I was surprised by both. We went to the World’s Fair in New Orleans, whatever year that was. The girls were all small, so they were quite excited to be walking through New Orleans to go to this great big fair. When we got to the gate to check in, the very first people we saw, of all the people in New Orleans, were Harvey Ray White and Glenn Tiser from Jonesville, Louisiana. I think that’s an example of “It’s a small world.”

Our next surprising trip was to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Driving in all that traffic was nerve wracking even for Buster, who was used to driving all over, all the time. But we made it and got in the gates at Disney World to be awed by the many wonderful things to see.

The girls were determined that their first ride was to be Space Mountain because their friends had told them it was the best ride there. So, there we went to stand in a line longer than registration at LSU. We got into the building, and there were signs everywhere: “If you have heart problems, be cautious about this ride. If you are pregnant, this ride is not advisable,” and so on.

Well, I neither had heart problems nor was I expecting, so I didn’t think much about it. When the ride before us ended, little children were running out the door, excited and laughing; so I thought, it can’t be too bad if the kids are okay.

Then we were let in to get in our seats, and I realized that Space Mountain was a rollercoaster, and I cannot ride such things. No one told me it was a roller coaster, and I didn’t think to ask that it would be something I might not survive. I couldn’t back out; I was stuck.

Holly got in the seat in front of me; and I had Claire, the little one, with me. Jorie and Buster were somewhere; I wasn’t thinking too clearly at that point. I told Holly that I was going to put my head against her back, and she could tell me when it was all over. Off we went, roaring up the mountain, only to come back down at the speed of a jet plane. I opened my eyes once on the entire ride and quickly shut them again; then, I kept praying.

Once it mercifully ended, we exited the building with happy and excited children, and me with my head spinning. Buster was fine. I was the only casualty—I stayed nauseous the rest of the day but survived because I had three girls to herd. From then on, I had the good sense to see if what we were going to ride was anything as severe as Space Mountain; but everything else was peaceful.

All in all, it was a good trip, the girls were happy that they got to go to Disney World; Buster was proud of himself for being a good dad; and I promised the good Lord if He would just get me back to Tupelo Brake, I’d never go back to Disney World again.

I have kept my word.

j

up & coming

LOUISIANA

louisianatravel.com

A great site for everything Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE

alexandriapinevillela.com rapidessymphony.org riveroaksartscenter.com lagniappetheatre.com themuseum.org

BATON ROUGE

visitbatonrouge.com lsumoa.org

rivercenterarena: baton-rouge. tickets-center.com batonrougeballet.org

Red Stick Farmers Market Breada.com brso.org lasm.org

Saturdays in Mar. & Apr.

Red Stick Farmers Market

5th & Main Streets 8 am-Noon

1st Saturday in Mar. & Apr. BR Arts Market

Red Stick Farmers Market 5th & Main Streets 8 am-Noon

Through March 10

Thrillville Fair Airline Highway Park 5 pm Mon-Fri. / 1 pm Sat. & Sun. / $10

March 3

Old State Capitol Easter Egg Roll

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol 1 – 4 pm / Free

March 16

39th Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade Hundred Oaks @ South Acadian Thruway, 10am – 2pm

March 24

An Old Fashioned Easter Celebration

LSU Rural Life Museum & Windrush Gardens

2:30 – 5 pm / $8 / 3 and under free

April 19

Wild Wine Walk BRECS Baton Rouge Zoo

5 – 7:30 pm / $50

April 20–21

Cinderella

Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre River Center Performing Arts Theatre

2 pm / $30 – $50

CLINTON / JACKSON

First Fridays in Jan. & Feb.

Jackson Market Town Hall Gazebo Charger St.

11 am – 4 pm / 225.933.4911 historicjacksonla.com

FERRIDAY concordialibrary.org deltamusicmuseum.com

MONROE / WEST MONROE monroe-westmonroe.org

NEW ORLEANS

neworleanscvb.com ogdenmuseum.org nola.org

FB: nolajazzmuseum/live newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu nobt.org neworleansfilmsociety.org neworleanscitypark.com

March 17

Downtown Irish Club St. Patrick’s Day Parade Begin @ Washington Park 6:30 pm

March 20–24

Tennessee Williams & NOLA Literary Festival tennesseewilliams.net

PORT ALLEN

westbatonrouge.net westbatonrougemuseum.com

March & April

Site Events

westbatonrougemuseum.com

ST. FRANCISVILLE audubonstatehistoricsite. wordpress.com explorewestfeliciana.com/ events.html stfrancisvillefestivals.com

FB: St. Francisville Farmers Market

March 3

Uncorked The Mallory 5 – 7 pm / $60 & $75 westfelicianachamber.org/events

March 9 A Walk in the Park Parker Park 10 am – 5 pm

March 15

The Friends of the Old Benevolent Society presents Little Jimmy Reed Hemingbough bontempstix.com

March 16

Arts & Nature Fest Audubon State Historic Site 225.635.3739

March 23

Tunica Hills Music Festival Parker Park 10 am – 10 pm

FB: tunicahillsmusicfestival

March 23–24

Siege of Port Hudson Re-enactment Port Hudson State Site 9am – 5 pm / $4

April 14

Azalea Polo Classic West Feliciana Parish Park 2 pm

April 20–21

Angola Spring Rodeo Angola Prison angolamuseum.org/rodeo

cityofvidaliala.com concordialibrary.org

Wednesdays

Farmers Market Old Court House N. Spruce St. 9 am-1 pm

VIDALIA

calendar up & coming

MISSISSIPPI

visitmississippi.org hikinginmississippi.com

BROOKHAVEN

FB: VisitBrookhavenMS visitbrookhavenms.com brookhavenrecreation.com brookhavenlittletheatre.com llf.lib.ms.us

April 4

A Taste of the Trust Ole Towne Church 5:30 – 9:30 pm visitbrookhavenms.com

HAZLEHURST

April 20

Rockin’ Railroad Festival

Downtown @ the Pavilion

FB: Rockin’Railroad Festival

JACKSON dulinghall.com msmuseumart.org visitjackson.com jacksonfreepress.com/ calendarmsnla.org balletms.com msmetroballet.com operams.org downtown-jackson.com newstagetheatre.com

March 2

JXN Food & Wine Festival Mississippi Museum Jxnfoodandwine.com

March 9 – 10

Mississippi Anime Fest visitjackson.com

March 23

Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival

Downtown halsstpaddysparade.com

April 8

Stewpot’s Taste of Mississippi The District @ Eastover visitjackson.org

NATCHEZ

Live Music Events Calendar visitnatchez.org/full-eventcalendar visitnatchez.org kreweofphoenixnatchez.com natchezpilgrimage.com thetowersofnatchez.com natchezgardenclub.org natchezlittletheatre.com

FB Downtown Natchez Farmers Market

Saturdays

Natchez Farmers Market

Downtown 300 N. Broadway 8:30 am-Noon

March 1

Natchez Festival of Music Carriage House 6 pm Silent Auction, 7 pm Concert natchezfestivalofmusic.com

March 8 – April 28

Spring Pilgrimage

For schedule: visitnatchez.org

March 14 – 17 & April 4 – 5

Last of the Red Hot Lovers Natchez Little Theatre thenatchezlittletheatre.com

March 16

Krewe of Killarney Parade Downtown 6 pm

March 23

Miss-Lou Makers Market/ Handmade Art Natchez Bluff

March 21 – 24 & April 6 – 7

The Odd Couple Natchez Little Theatre thenatchezlittletheatre.com

March 23 – 24

Annual Natchez Indian PowWow

Natchez Bluff Park visitnatchez.org

March 24

NGC Easter Egg Hunt Grounds of Monmouth 2 pm

April 5

Golf-Tennis-Pickle ball Tournament Duncan Park

April 18 – 21

2nd Annual Concours D’Elegance natchezconcours.com

April 27

Bluff City Open Duncan Park visitnatchez.org

PORT GIBSON msculturalcrossroads.org

FB: portgibsonchamber

April 20

Claiborne County Spring Showcase Festival

Downtown 10 am – until FB: portgibsonchamber

MADISON/RIDGELAND visitridgeland.com madisonthecity.com craftsmensguildofms.org mscrafts.org

Tuesdays Farmers Market Main Street @ Caboose 3:30 – 6:30 pm

April 6

17th Annual Township Jazz Festival Township@Colony Park

April 12 – 13

WOMENwrite 2024

Bill Waller Craft Center 601.856.7546

April 30 – May 5

Providence Hill Farms Providence Cup 601.924.2014

SUMMIT pikeinfo.com

April 19 – 20

Smokin’ on the Tracks Downtown smokinonthetracks.org

TYLERTOWN walthallchamber.com

March 23

The South MS Boucherie Southwest Events Center 10 am-9 pm (breakfast at 7 am) thesouthmsboucherie.com FB: thesouthMSboucherie

VICKSBURG southernculture.org visitvicksburg.com vicksburgartassociation.org tarawildlife.com vicksburgtheatreguild.com downtownvicksburg.org

March 8 – 10, 15 – 17 & 22 – 24

Gold in the Hills Parkside Playhouse vicksburgtheatreguild.com

March 11 – 16

Mighty Sip Fest visitvicksburg.com

March 22

Sunset Concert Marshal Deluxe Vicksburg Convention Center vicksburgconventioncenter.com

April 19 – 20

Vicksburg Arts & Music Festival Headliner Bobby Rush Vicksburg Convention Center vicksburgconventioncenter.com

BECAUSE WE CARE. . .

Meal preparation

Personal hygiene

Medicinal reminders

Light housekeeping

Transportation to appointments

Companionship

At PERSONAL HOMECARE SERVICES our family is your family! Our clients remain in the comfort of their home, with their belongings and memories, where they are most comfortable. Our caregivers allow you to regain the time and energy to get back to being a true family member and not just a caregiver.

PHS is one of the first non-medical services specializing in live-in care working in conjunction with doctors, healthcare and hospice providers to provide continuous around-the-clock care without the worry and expense of hourly services. Our clients call us because someone they trusted shared their experience with PHS.

To learn more about PHS call 318-757-1225 or visit personalhomecare.net

Service area includes all of Mississippi and Louisiana