B&B_May June 2025

May | June 2025

f lavorful FIG RECIPES

wildflower

GARDEN INSPIRATION

AND MUCH

more

CELEBRATING YEARS

COME RIDE, EAT AND DRINK WITH US

T his Summer in Natchez

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Dolphin encounters and guided underwater treks are available, too.

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a look INSIDE favorites 12 From the Stacks

Natchez Reads Horse by Geraldine Brooks

14 In the Garden

Nice Garden Wildflowers Bishop's Flower & Dara

18 Something Scrumptious Fabulous Figs

36 Natchez Festival of Music 40 Legal Notes

Vulnerable Adults

48 Southern Sampler

Summertime Planting– Pleasures Past and Present

Anniversary features 24 Something Scrumptious A Speck of This & That

28 All Outdoors

Father of Waters & Lord of the Land

May | June 2025

cover

f lavorful FIG RECIPES

wildflower

GARDEN INSPIRATION

AND MUCH

CELEBRATING YEARS

Featured on the cover from Cecilia Stevens' Something Scrumptious article "Fabulous Figs" is Fig Bruschetta. See story on pages 18-21.

more

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 5

a look INSIDE social scenes 10 Brookhaven, MS

Engagement Celebration for Netherland & Boone

16 Brookhaven, MS

Engagement Party for Gray & Adamson

22 Brookhaven, MS

Luncheon for King of Ceres Don Coleman

26 McComb, MS

42 Wesson, MS

Bingo & Bubbly

32 Natchez, MS

Wesson Chamber Awards Night

Krewe of Killarney Membership & Auction Party

34 Natchez, MS

46 Woodville, MS WCCA Annual Field Day

Krewe of Killarney St. Patrick's Day Parade

MAGA Z I NE

Do you have a social event you would love to see on our Social Scene pages?

SUBMIT your event and we will do the rest.

SCAN QR CODE for information & guidelines on how to submit your social event

Contact info: bluffsmag@gmail.com | ph.601-442-6847 | 225 John R. Junkin Dr., Natchez MS 39120 6 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | MAY-JUNE 2025

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 7

M AG A ZI N E

our team

225 John R. Junkin Drive Natchez, MS 39120 601.442.6847 bluffsmag@gmail.com bbupandcoming@gmail.com bluffsbayous.com

CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales

JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor

BONNIE DICKERSON Design Director

MELANIE SOJOURNER Sales

BETH RICHARD Contributor

SAM GWIN Contributor

CECILIA HOPKINS STEVENS Contributor

ALMA WOMACK Contributor

BILL PERKINS Photographer

LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer

from the PUBLISHER

Welcome to our May/June 25th Anniversary Edition! This bi-monthly issue offers so much to read about and to see and do. Throughout our reading area, May is the month of Mother’s Day and graduations; and, of course, in Natchez, it is the month of music.

Spring, now, is finally in her full bloom; and the landscape is plush with color. Just recently, we have celebrated Easter; and it is now prime time to plant your gardens if you haven’t already. June finds us into our equally busy and exciting summertime and Father’s Day celebrations and vacation trips planned along with beach and lake weekend getaways. If you check out our Up & Coming, you’ll find many events to fill your calendar.

Our 25th Anniversary reads include a revisit with two of our former and treasured columnists--Loveta Byrne in her A Spec of This & That, for some delicious cake, coffee, and chicken pie; and Ross McGehee in his All Outdoors commentary Father of Waters & Lord of the Land. We hope you enjoy their articles from our 2008 May and June issues, respectively.

8 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | MAY-JUNE 2025

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.

Cecilia Stevens has once again brought our attention to an ever-favorite fruit—figs. This easy-to-grow fruit is a staple in our area, and some of her recipes should be keepers to enjoy during this tasty treat’s summer ripening season. With so many opportunities for occasions to attend, be sure to delve into the article featuring Natchez Festival of Music and its month of musical offerings. As always our Southern Sampler with its pleasurable memories and Legal Notes with its timely information will pique your interest. Finally, because we love sharing many happy occasions in our Social Scenes, be sure to send us your special events so we can “show off ” what is happening all around our area.

We look forward to your joining us in celebrating May and June in our life along and beyond the Mississippi.

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MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 9

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Engagement Celebration for Netherland & Boone 19

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On January 18, 2025, Andie Netherland of Brookhaven, Mississippi, and Baylor Boone of Tulsa, Oklahoma, celebrated their engagement with family and friends at the home of Dr. Don and Becky Doty in Brookhaven. Guests enjoyed delicious food, drinks, sweet treats, and live music by Blake Scafidel while offering their heartfelt congratulations to the happy couple. It was a night full of celebration as Andie and Baylor begin their journey together.

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1— Andie Netherland and Baylor Boone 2— Julie and Ray Montalvo 3— Sandy and Stan Winborne with David Braden 4— Becky Green, Stephany Smith, and Lynn Kebert 5— Sharyl and Ron Donegan 6— Jack and Katy Jones 7— Deanna Pendley 8— Marty Stevens, Bram Wolf, and John Sones 9— Carolyn Stevens and Becky Doty 10— Sharon Allen and Karen Braden 11— Katie Campbell and Clyde Bean 12— Mitch Rayborn and John Netherland 13— Debbie Jordan and Claudine Pennington 14— Alvin Hoover and Andie Netherland 15— Dr. Melnee Williams and Kelly Patti 16— Donna Hodge, Don Hodge, and Rocky Netherland 17— Robin and Kevin Laird 18— Rhonda Rayborn, Amye Howell, and Cathy McDonniel 19— Amye and Greg Howell 20— Don Doty with Theresa and David Entrekin 21— Lynn Kebert, Mitch Rayborn, and Mike Said 22— Clyde Bean, Katie Campbell, and Don and Rocky Netherland 23— Laura Keener, Donna Hodge, John Netherland, and Nancy and Alvin Hoover 24— Donna Hodge with Don and Rocky Netherland 25— Connie Greene and Joel Bennet 26— Sandy and Stan Winborne with Don Netherland 27— Laura Keener, Rocky Netherland, Don Netherland, and John Netherland 28— Andie Netherland, Baylor Boone, Christy Boone, and Dr. Brad Boone

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 11

from the

stacks

Natchez Reads Horse by Geraldine Brooks “So many books, so little time” accurately expresses the way I feel about reading a book more than once.

However, Horse by Geraldine Brooks is one book that I did not mind repeating to write this review. Brooks is a Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction and the New York Times bestselling author of several books which I enthusiastically recommend to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction. Two of her novels Year of Wonders and People of the Book are on my best-read list. Her book Horse, published in 2022, also makes the list.

Horse racing was wildly popular in the 1800s and Brooks uses the sport to cleverly weave a book filled with historical events, places, people, and a special horse, Lexington. The horse not only is real but also is one of the most prolific sires of champion horses in history.

The portrayal of the characters and the story, real and imagined, were so well done that after finishing the book I immediately started Googling to discover what was fact and fiction.

The story evolves with three timelines: one begins in 1850 with the birth of Lexington in Kentucky; another is set amidst the 1954 New York art world; and the third occurs in 2019 where pieces of the past intersect with Washington, D.C., and the Smithsonian Institute. The timelines tell the story of Lexington and his enslaved trainer, Jarrett, who experience real events and people in the horse racing world with the Civil War looming, while the modern characters’ story intersects with artifacts of Lexington and Jarrett’s world. Brooks’ ability to connect historical figures, art, science, and horse racing into such a compelling novel is brilliant.

As part of his historical journey to greatness, Lexington, his owner, and his trainer, Jarrett, embark on a riverboat down the Mississippi River landing at Natchez under the Hill in 1853. After a visit to William Johnson’s barber shop by his owner and his trainer, Lexington arrives at Fatherland Plantation, home of Mississippi politician Adam Bingaman.

Here Lexington is trained by John Benjamin Pryor in preparation for competing in the New Orleans racing world.

Later Pryor, a prominent trainer at the time, will describe Lexington as “undoubtedly the best racehorse that was ever foaled.”

Now we get to the point of sharing this book review: Geraldine Brooks, like Lexington, is journeying to Natchez.

Lexington’s real connection with Natchez has created an opportunity, in conjunction with the Mississippi Book Festival, to host a visit from the author. This exciting event for Natchez, beyond hosting this amazing author, also serves to launch Natchez Reads, a community-wide program encouraging everyone to read and discuss interesting, relevant books.

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In addition to the support of the Mississippi Book Festival, and thanks to sponsorship by The Historic Natchez Foundation, Natchez National Historical Park, and George Armstrong Public Library, there will be a series of gatherings prior to Brooks’ visit at The Historic Natchez Foundation. All are welcome, even if you have not read the book. However, just a warning, there may be spoilers.

On Thursday, May 1, Kathleen Bond, Superintendent of Natchez National Historical Park, will present “The Sporting Life of William Johnson.” Discussions on Horse are also happening Tuesday, July 22, and Tuesday, August 26, both at 6:00 p.m. The featured event for Natchez Reads is Friday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Hotel where Brooks will sit down with Alan Huffman, author of Mississippi in Africa, a book also worth reading, to have a conversation about Horse. The circumstances that led Brooks to write a novel featuring the history of a racehorse is almost as interesting as the book’s storyline.

Finally, here are my last words on Horse: Brooks is a gifted storyteller who deftly uses solid historical research to create beautiful works of fiction. So read Horse even if you are not a horse person and have no interest in horse racing— It is worth precious reading time. Please join in the Natchez Reads discussion events; then, hear a Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author talk about her novel which includes a glimpse of history from our town. How often do you have that opportunity?

BOOK REVIEW BY | Beth Richard Beth Richard is recently retired from Copiah-Lincoln Community College where she served as the Director of Learning Resources; she continues as a partner in Natchez Bicycle LLC.

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To schedule an appointment, call (601) 442-1285 LEARN MORE AT MARYBIRD.ORG/NATCHEZ MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 13

in the

garden

Nice Garden Wildflowers

Bishop's Flower & Dara

My friends Ben and Kelly Boerner have a charming home and gardens nestled in the picturesque countryside of Carriere, Mississippi.

When I visited them, I found myself immersed in the beauty of their meticulously curated landscape, which features eye-catching wildflowers. These beautiful wildflowers not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of their gardens but also support local biodiversity by attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.

Among the standout wildflowers is the Bishop’s Flower, an award-winning annual in the carrot family. Its scientific name is Ammi majus, but it is also affectionately known as white dill or False Queen Anne’s Lace due to its resemblance to those familiar blooms.

This plant has white flower heads, which are 4-to-6 inches in diameter, and sit atop stems that can reach an impressive 3-to-6 feet tall. The lacy green foliage adds to its delicate appearance.

Bishop’s Flower thrives in average, moist, well-drained soil and requires full sun to flourish. It is best to sow the seeds directly where you want them to grow as the plant does not transplant well.

Once established, it not only adds elegance to the garden but also attracts a variety of beneficial visitors including lady beetles and lacewings, which contribute to the vibrancy of the garden ecosystem.

One of my favorites added a splash of color to Ben and Kelly’s garden; and that is Dara, another member of the carrot family. Known scientifically as Daucus carota, this wildflower also reaches 3-to-6 feet tall.

What sets Dara apart is its stunning flat, airy flower heads with clusters of small flowers that can vary from a rich burgundy to a delicate blush pink. It also has unique feathery green leaves.

Dara is a biennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle over two years. To enjoy its beautiful blooms, sow seeds from June to September, with the expectation of flowers appearing the following year. This plant, like its cousin Bishop’s Flower, prefers average, moist, well-drained soil and full sun.

The Boerners’ gardens serve as a perfect example of how incorporating wildflowers from the carrot family can add beauty and ecological value to a landscape.

If you are a garden enthusiast looking to enhance your outdoor spaces, consider adding these exquisite wildflowers.

Their stunning blooms and ecological benefits make them a worthwhile addition.

Whether you prefer the pure white elegance of Bishop’s Flower or the vibrant hues of Dara, these plants are sure to bring joy and vitality to your landscape.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS | Dr. Eddie Smith 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.

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1 The stunning blooms and ecological benefits of Bishop’s Flower and Dara make them worthwhile additions to home landscapes.

2

3 Bishop’s Flower has large white flower heads that sit atop stems 3-to-6 feet tall. Lacy green foliage adds to its delicate appearance.

Photos courtesy of MSU Extension Service

Dara is a biennial plant that takes two years to complete its life cycle. Sow seeds from June to September to have flowers appear the following year.

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 15

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An engagement celebration was held Saturday, April 5, 2025, for Gracie Gray and Ethan Adamson at the home of Melinda and Michael Said in Brookhaven, Mississippi. The couple will exchange vows in December 2025.

Photography by Bill Perkins 1— Gracie Gray 2— David and Karen Braden 3— Steve Mills and Richard Rushing 4— Julie Mills and Kinsey Allbritton 5— Scott Smith and John McArdle 6— Larry and Betty Ann Williams 7— Betty Ann Perkins and Betty Ann Williams 8— Kim Sessums, Paula Rushing, and Julie and Steve Mills 9— Melinda and Mike Said 10— Angie Hart, Libby Hewitt, June Hart, and Cherie Langston 11— Rivers Gray, Anabel Gray, Lily Gray, and Nathan Peavey 12— Kim and Kristie Sessums with Cathy and Colby Calcote 13— Wanda Ballard, Sloane Smith, and Karen Sullivan 14— Bruce and Leigh Cher Gray, Gracie Gray, and Ethan Adamson 15— Sidney Wilson with Joe and Angie Cox 16— Sharyl Donegan and Bill Perkins 17— Keith Kavitz and Bruce Gray

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MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 17

something

scrumptious

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something

scrumptious

Fabulous s spring moves into summer, our vegetable and fruit gardens begin to thrive. One crop which excels in the deep-South heat is the fig. Figs are an easyto-grow fruit produced on small, rounded trees making them perfect for gardens of any size.

Whether eaten straight from the tree or cooked into a delectable dish, figs are a southern staple with an international history.

Figs originate from the Mediterranean area and the warm regions of western Asia but are now grown around the globe. Related to mulberries, figs have been cultivated for thousands of years. Mississippi and Louisiana have ideal climates for growing figs due to their hot summers and mild winters. The Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service and the LSU AgCenter can make recommendations on fig varieties best suited for any area of these states.

Figs are a favorite of home canners and make excellent preserves and jams. They are also great additions to both sweet and savory dishes. When eaten raw, figs add fiber to the diet and are a good source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.

Locally grown figs are available from late May to August depending on variety and growing zone. Because the fruit is easily bruised and highly perishable in heat, care should be taken when harvesting and storing figs. Figs are best stored whole in the refrigerator and eaten within three days of harvest.

Grilled Fig Appetizers 24 ripe, firm figs 3 ounces Chevre (goat’s milk cheese), cut into 24 small pieces 12 slices bacon 4 tablespoons butter ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons honey, warmed Wash figs and remove stems. Cut a thin slice half-way through each fig and add a slice of cheese. Set aside. Cut bacon strips into half pieces. Set aside.

Roll individual figs in bacon strips. Secure with a toothpick.

Repeat until all figs are rolled.

Melt butter and add spices. Brush butter on outside of bacon-covered figs.Place figs on a grill or on a baking sheet in a preheated 350 Fahrenheit oven.

Cook until bacon is crisp, rotating figs to prevent burning.

Remove to a serving platter and drizzle with honey. Serve warm.

Refrigerate unused portions for up to three days in a covered container.

Yield: Serves 24 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.

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 19

something

scrumptious FIG VARIETIES

gold

tiger

purple Fig Bruschetta 24 slices baguette bread 8 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened 12 large ripe, firm figs 4 tablespoons butter ½ cup pecans (or walnuts), finely chopped 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons honey, warmed Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Spread cream cheese evenly on bread slices and then place bread on baking sheet.

Wash and stem figs. Cut each fig in half and then butterfly each half. Add a half fig to each bread slice, butterflied side up; and set aside.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add pecans and brown sugar.

Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat.

Top each fig with a dollop of the pecan mixture. Bake for 5 minutes or until the bread begins to toast and the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and place bread slices on a serving platter. Drizzle with honey. Serve immediately.

Refrigerate unused portions for up to three days in a covered container.

Yield: Serves 24

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something

scrumptious

Southern Fig Sheet Cake

Sweet Fig Crescent Rolls

1 box spice cake mix 3 eggs ½ cup buttermilk 1 cup fig preserves ½ cup diced pecans 2 cups cream cheese frosting

2 packages ready-to-use crescent rolls (8 rolls per package) ¼ cup water 2 cups peeled and chopped figs 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Place cake mix, eggs, and buttermilk in a large mixing bowl. Beat on low until all ingredients are well combined; then mix on medium speed for 3 minutes.

Fold in fig preserves and pecans.

Pour into greased baking dish and spread evenly.

Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Frost with cream cheese frosting. Cover and refrigerate the cake. It keeps 3-5 days covered in the refrigerator.

Yield: Serves 18

Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place water in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add figs, lemon juice and zest, sugar, nutmeg, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes until figs are soft and sugar is fully dissolved. Stir frequently and reduce heat if necessary to prevent scorching. After fig mixture is cooked, turn off the heat and set aside to cool.

Unroll crescent rolls into triangles. Place 2 tablespoons fig mixture on the short side of each crescent roll and then roll up in traditional crescent-roll format. After all rolls are prepared, place on baking sheet; and bake for 15 minutes or until light brown. Serve warm.

Refrigerate unused portions for up to three days in a covered container.

Yield: Serves 16

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Luncheon for King of Ceres Don Coleman A luncheon was enjoyed by former royalty at Betty's Eat Shop in downtown Brookhaven, Mississippi, on Saturday, February 15, 2025, to celebrate Don Coleman as King of the 58th Krewe of Ceres Charity Ball held the same evening.

Photography by Bill Perkins

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1— Frances Brady, Sudie Brewer, and Ralph and Martha Ann Peeples 2— Bill Boerner, Mike Said, and Dennis Valentine 3— Bill Sones and Terry Reid 4— Teresa Sones, Amy Valentine, and Merrie Boerner 5— Dr. David Braden, Dr. Jeff Clark, and Shannon Clark 6— Shannon Clark and Bill Jacobs 7— King Don Coleman, Les Bumgarner, and Amy Jacobs 8— Pat Allen and Betty Ann Perkins 9— Cheyenne Long, Katlyn Johnston, Caroline Speaks, and Jessica Wallace

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— Something Scrumptious —

this & that

A SPECK OF This article, first published in our June 2008 issue, appears again for our readers in celebration of Bluffs & Bayous’ 25th Anniversary year of life along and beyond the Mississippi. In our Something Scrumptious column, Loveta Byrne for many issues offered select seasonal recipes from other sources as well as eagerly anticipated recipes from her own years as a successful, creative caterer.

May--the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation time with children at home, planning for summer camp and various adventures. In the midst of their high-tech and commitmentfilled lives, why not treat them to some good, old-fashioned, straight-from-the-home-and-heart dish such as Chicken Pie? Then treat yourself to a rather simple yet spirited version of Apple Cake, complemented by Jamaican coffee.

ARTICLE | Loveta Byrne

Apple Cake

Jamaican Coffee

Angel Food Cake, sliced 1-pound can apple pie filling 3 tablespoons apricot jam 1 tablespoon rum 1½ tablespoons butter, melted Sour cream

1½ cups hot coffee 1 ounce dark rum 1 ounce cognac 1 ounce Tia Maria Fresh orange slices Sugar Whipped cream

Combine the pie filling, jam, rum, and butter and simmer. Cool and put on top of cake. Then top with a dollop of sour cream.

In a pitcher, add liquors to hot coffee. Take an orange slice, roll it in sugar, and put it in the bottom of a coffee cup. Top with hot coffee mixture and add a dollop of whipped cream.

Makes 2 cups

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Chicken Pie Preheat oven to 350 degree 4 pounds chicken Optional: Hard-boiled eggs, carrots, peas, etc.

2 cans chicken soup 1 soup can of water 1 stick margarine 1½ cups buttermilk 2 cups self-rising flour 2 cups chicken stock Prepare chicken for boiling and simmer until done. De-bone and save the stock. Line a large casserole dish with the de-boned chicken and add the optional eggs, carrots, peas, etc., as desired. In a separate bowl, mix the soup with the water; and pour over the ingredients in the casserole dish.

Melt the margarine, stir in the buttermilk and flour, and spread over the chicken and soup mixture.

On top of this batter, pour chicken stock, and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes.

Be a part of the

Wedding� Issueb January | February 2025

CELEBRATING YEARS

January/February 2026 Reserve your space soon! bluffsmag@gmail.com or 601.442.6847

BLUFFSBAYOUS.COM MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 25

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Bingo and Bubbly is the biggest annual fundraising event for Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center in McComb, Mississippi. This recently held event provided an opportunity for 250-plus ladies in our community to enjoy brunch, drinks, bingo, and a fun experience with the goal of raising money to benefit child abuse victims in our area. Our guests have the opportunity to win fabulous live and silent auction items as well as door prizes and cash prizes. This event is an opportunity for us to roll out the red carpet and to wine and dine our supporters as they generously give to our organization each year!

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1— Wendy Smith and Rhonda Gibson 2— Kim Walley and Kristen McBeth 3— Kelli Sicks, Veronica Richardson, and Helen Lynch 4— Anne Houston Craig and Alicia Linton 5— Catherine McPhate and Julianna Rabb 6— Johnny Scott and Brooklyn Schmidt 7— Judge David Brewer and Susan Dowdy 8— India Warshauer and Chance Schmidt 9— Jadea Ervin and Donna Lukacs 10— Chasity Berberette and Brandy Harrington 11— Penn Wilson and Michael Haynes Hutson 12— Jillian Ricceri and Nic Ricceri 13— Clyde Nelson and Kim Root 14— Karl Ott, Jonathan White, Andrew Decoux, and Brad Woods 15— Ken Dixon and Ashton Ballard 16— Chance and Brooklyn Schmidt 17— Alicia Linton, Jillian Sicks, and Kelli Sicks 18— Natalie Moore and Diane Case 19— Hillary Freeman and Karen Fuller 20— Jeff and Veronica Richardson 21— Julianna Rabb, Brooklyn Schmidt, Stephanie Pigott, and Kiersten Lampton 22— Kelly Parker and Sara Doyle 23— Christina Mitchell and Elise Reeves 24— Caroline Bass and Christina Mitchell 25— Kattie Hughes and Larry McDaniel 26— Ashton Ballard and Veronica Richardson 27— Cherrie Murphy, Kim Walley, and Angela Gill 28— Mary Blalock, and Mandy Douglas 29— Anna Klaire Drury and Ashton Ballard 30— Kelli Sicks, Doug Sicks, and Natalie Moore 31— Angela Gill and Kristen McBeth 32— Stacey Sullivan and Chasity Berberette 33— Susan Dowdy, Kim Root, and Stephanie Pigott 34— Tina Brumfield, Kim Root, and Christina Mitchell 35— Bill Perkins and Stacey Sullivan 36— Brandie Kohn and Erin King

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— All Outdoors —

&

Father of Waters

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Lord of the Land

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 May 2008 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.

o much has been written, painted, and sung about the Mississippi River for so many years that the romance and glamour have tended to overshadow the realities of working with it on a daily basis. Granted, the prospect of a trip aboard a steamboat has adventurous appeal, just as standing on the bluff watching the water roll past is at once soothing and humbling. And although he is one of my favorite authors, Mark Twain made a living ON the river, not beside it.

Years ago, someone told me that if you want to make a living with a farm, “You don’t get too far from that river and you keep an eye out for pecan trees.” Both of those conditions relate to soil quality. The best crops will grow where pecan trees already exist, and farmers appreciate proximity to the Father of Waters when they evaluate potential farmland. The downside is the risk that must be assumed when working without the safety net of a levee to keep the water at bay during the growing season.

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Farming along the river can be rewarding, but it can just as easily destroy someone financially. I recall one farmer who planted 6,000 acres of soybeans only to have a spring rise on the river drown them. As the water receded, he replanted soybeans only to get a summer rise that took them out as well. Too late to plant soybeans again, he planted sunflowers, only to get a fall rise that flooded them, too, right before harvest. Three crops were lost in one year. The next year, this farmer had a crop growing and thirteen bulldozers working simultaneously building up his levee when a new river forecast reported that the water would rise phenomenally. Unable to outrun the rise, he pulled the machines out and lost another crop. Why in the world would any sane person do this? Because when it is good, it is VERY good. It just takes lots of management and luck to overcome the bad.

Rain that falls in the big storms in the Midwest affects riverfront farms way down here. Farmers with the most

exposure get personal calls from the folks that monitor the river levels upstream, and they have come to rely heavily on the forecasts. Then farmers know at each river stage which roads will flood and where, how much of each farm will be flooded, whether machinery or cattle should be evacuated, how long the water will be up, and when work can resume.

Of course, forecasting Mother Nature is an imperfect and developing science. In spite of their best efforts and information, those dedicated folks watching upstream flows can be outflanked by a weather system that the computer models didn’t foresee. In those cases, the farmers who planted crops on the assurance that all was well can lose their investment. I know of one such snafu that cost a farmer into seven figures! When it is bad, it is VERY bad!

At certain river levels, it is possible for a farm to be high and dry but the road to it impassible. Crops could be planted if the crew can get in. Boating in is only an adventure the first day; afterwards, it is just a chore. Flying

to be a better way to make a living! The take-home lesson is to move them to high ground early.

Over my desk are three pictures of high water conditions on the Mississippi River. In one, a steamboat is taking refugees from the top of a levee. Another one shows a man carrying a large live hog, upside down on his shoulder, up the gangplank. The third and most wrenching is of a sharecropper family living on a tiny raft they have constructed, floating on logs with a pitiful, porous shanty barely intact on top. Surrounded by water and subsisting on who knows what, they are waiting out the flood. Similarly, Mark Twain wrote an account of rescuing people from high water near Jonesville, Louisiana; and it is interesting to read about the conditions that people would endure rather than leave their homes even when trapped inside with their livestock.

When the water departs, there is always something new to contend with. Whole trees can be left in the middle of a

personnel in and out is better if the farm has a plane. What some farmers do is build a large mound that is above any high-water level. Fuel and machinery are moved there for the winter and left until time to work in the spring. Even though the roads are submerged, work can commence and seed can be boated in until the water goes down. Or you could just hire a barge and towboat, roll tractors and a large truck full of supplies onto it, and take off, hoping that it will all unload onto the riverbank without mishap. Murphy’s Law usually prevails in those cases, however, and frequently something large and heavy has to be fished out of the water and the engine rebuilt.

Moving cattle out of high water is frustrating at best.

Cows don’t like being driven into and through water to a waiting barge or stock trailer. Horses and dogs help, but sometimes there is no easy way to move them out until they are too tired to fight back. Anyone wanting to come along and “play cowboy” for a day will surely decide that there has

cotton field where they floated in. Seed from upstream can also be spread across fields, delivering weeds that have never been seen locally. Willow trees and cottonwood trees can be planted in the piles of drift left behind by the flood. The river’s escaping current can gouge huge clefts in the fields or leave six-foot-deep piles of sand on acres and acres. Wave action can destroy the walls of buildings, and driftwood can wipe out miles of fence.

So why in the world would someone assume so much risk? During one flood, a neighbor laughed that he was preparing for his crops by irrigating, controlling weeds, and fertilizing with “Yankee” runoff, all for free! He is right.

That layer of silt that the river left behind is why the land grows such good crops. My conservation friends up river try to reduce their soil erosion, but I tell them to keep sending it our way! Without muddy water, there would be no Mississippi Delta, no three-bale-per-acre cotton land, no 200-bushel corn land, no vast bottomland hardwoods, or

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no magnificent wildlife habitat. Only along the river will you find such good land.

It is a challenge to make a living under the pre-conditions that the river poses, and it isn’t for the faint of heart. Some have become masters at managing the risks and the game of nerves that go along with it. And I suppose that no one has ever gotten filthy rich by doing so, but most make a living. The side benefit, though extremely costly, is to be in a situation where your ability and resolve are tested daily. Towboats passing during the day keep you mindful of the part you play in the commerce of the region. Migrating waterfowl and resident wildlife that can’t be seen anywhere else are a constant and welcomed presence. The distance from civilization is glorious until machinery breaks down and you need parts. And obviously you rarely have to worry about drought.

There are only two things to worry about if you farm along The River: what are the commodity markets doing in Chicago and what is the river doing in Cairo? Simplistic, yes, but I don’t want to be accused of glamorizing it. I’ll leave that to the painters, songwriters, and those who can actually write!

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61st Annual Azalea Ball The 61st Annual Azalea Ball of Junior Auxiliary of McComb, the Mississippi, with this year’s theme of “Saturday Night Fever” was held on February 24, 2024, at Oak Hill Estate in Mississippi. JA of McComb Summit, strives to make a positive impact on children’s lives throughout their community with advantageous service projects, the largest being Camp Sunshine. The Annual Azalea Ball is the organization’s sole fundraiser.

Photography of royalty by Beth Hemeter, Image Maker Photography

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1— Queen Nancy Smith and King Pat Brumfield 2— Queen Nancy Smith and Ashley Stovall 3— Jeana and Boo Bennett with Vane and Zach Mills 4— Brianna Causey, Hillary Freeman, and Lynn McInnis 5— Julius C. Butler and King Pat Brumfield with Tina Brumfield, Honorable Quordiniah Lockley 6— Rachel Galdino, Kristen McBeth, and Simmons Copeland 7— Courtney Richard, Ashley Stovall, Melanie Whitaker, and Kattie 8— Chad and Mallory Robinson, Hughes Mikey and Laci Godbold, and Allie and Chris Seay 9— Olivia Haskins and Brooklyn Schmidt 10— Jordan and Stephen Porter 11— Christina and Chris Mitchell 12— Betsy Lindsey, Suzanne Lindsey, and Kate Lott 13— Brad Woods and India 14— Michael Parker, King Warshauer Pat Brumfield, and Dr. Shane Hinckley 15— Sara Doyle, Carlyn Doyle, and Shannon Plunkett 16— Claire Mitchell, Brittany Crawford, Kandace Hart, Valerie Turner, and Rachel Galdino 17— Quentin Smith, Queen Nancy Dr. Scott Smith, and Oliver Smith, Smith 18— Jason and Michelle Cooksey with Kaitlin and Reed Jones

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Krewe of Killarney Membership and Auction Party The Krewe of Killarney in Natchez, Mississippi, held their annual membership meeting March 15, 2025, in the Fr. David O’Connor Family Life Center where they announced the 2025 St. Patrick, Bubba McCabe, and held a potluck supper with a live auction providing revenue to offer scholarships for area high school graduates and organizations.

1— Bubba McCabe with St. Patrick’s Banner 2— Former St. Patricks Pat McDonough, Tony Byrne, Joe Garrity, Ron Brumfield, Pat Galloway, Kevin Friloux, Tate Hobdy, Mike Tompson, Tom Graning, Darren Cowart, Charlie Vess, Eddie Walker, and Peter Burns with reigning St. Patrick Bubba McCabe 3— Rita Tebbetts and Edna Rose Bellan 4— Patrick McDonough, Rose Godfrey, and Pat McDonough 5— Joey and Susan Gunning 6— Abby Hobdy, Bubba McCabe, Tate Hobdy, Katie McCabe, and Kevin and Angie Friloux 7— Mark Vidrine, Angie and Kevin Friloux, Quincy Vidrien, Pat McDonough, and Howard and Nicole Suire 8— Annette and Tony Byrne with Laura Newkirk 9— Laura Newkirk, Ariel Gardner, and Maria and Curtis Moroney 10— Kevin Friloux, Eddie and Cathy Walker, Angie Friloux, and Ron and Joann Brumfield 11— Jack Sojourner, Eddie Walker, and Laura Newkirk 12— Bubba and Katie McCabe 13— Barbara Lomasney, Jack Sojourner, and Joe Garrity

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Krewe of Killarney St. Patrick’s Day Parade On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2025, in Natchez, Mississippi, the Krewe of Killarney hosted their annual walking parade honoring Bubba McCabe, 2025 St. Patrick. The “Irish” parade walkers traveled down Main Street from Memorial Park to the bandstand at Natchez Bluff Park to celebrate St. Patrick’s symbolically casting the snakes into the Mississippi River.

1— 2025 St. Patrick Bubba McCabe 2— Ginger and Darren Cowart 3— Perter Burns, Pat Galloway, and Belinda Garrity 4— Julie Riley 5— Ruth Powers and Betsy Bradley 6— Kevin Friloux 7— Missi Johnson 8— Eddie Walker 9— Tony Byrne and Danielle Blain 10— Maria Lambert 11— Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff and Natalie Schwager 12— Judy Bartley and Ami Scott 13— Belinda Garrity and Ginger Cowart 14— Tate Hobdy 15— St. Patrick Bubba McCade with family members 16— Frances Cothren; Peter, Carter, and Diane Burns; Melanie Kennedy; Julie Riley; and Noreen Pyron

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Leading the Cultural Community for 35 years!

APRIL 26 through may 17

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Welcome to the 35th Season of the Natchez Festival of Music!

The Magic Flute Experience the magic of mozart

W

e’re thrilled to invite you to a spectacular month of music this May 2025. With a lineup as diverse as the community we serve, this season truly offers something for everyone—opera, blues, country, classical, and more.

Now in my 14th year as Artistic Director, it’s been an incredible journey watching the festival flourish. I’m continually inspired by our extraordinary performers, devoted board members, and generous supporters who make this all possible. This year’s program includes a comic opera, a beloved musical, multiple concerts, and two free academic presentations. (See full schedule below.)

Natchez is a vibrant cultural hub, and your continued involvement has been vital to our success. Over the next three weeks, we invite you to experience an exciting array of performances.

Always... Patsy Cline

Starring Patricia Garner and Natchez’s own Diana Glaze

Whitney Houston...

Always Love You Tribute Concert

For more information on performances and tickets visit natchezfestivalofmusic.com.

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 37

Opening Night - Saturday, April 26 The Natchez Festival of Music kicked off the season at the Natchez Civic Center with B.B. … King of the Mississippi Blues, a centennial celebration honoring one of Mississippi’s most iconic musical legends.

Opera Weekend - Friday & Saturday, May 2–3 Experience the magic of Mozart with The Magic Flute on Friday, May 2, at the Natchez City Auditorium. Often considered the crown jewel of his career, this opera blends comedy, fantasy, and timeless music.

Then, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, bring the whole family to Little Red’s Most Unusual Day at the Natchez Little Theatre—a modern, kid-friendly take on Little Red Riding Hood.

Admission is free for children of all ages.

From Classical to Country - May 8 & 10 On Thursday, May 8, at Waverly, enjoy A Slavic Serenade – A Musical Journey with the Szlubowska-Belsky Duo, a breathtaking violin and piano recital showcasing the music of central and eastern Europe.

Then, on Saturday, May 10, we shift gears with the heartwarming musical Always … Patsy Cline at the Natchez City Auditorium. Starring Patricia Garner and Natchez’s own Diana Glaze, this fan-favorite is sure to delight. Enhance your experience with a free presentation by New York Times writer Ellis Nassour, author of Honky Tonk Angel – The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline. Join us at 10:00 a.m. at Elms Court (542 John R. Junkin Dr.) for coffee, pastries, and insider stories.

Festival Finale - May 15 & 17 We close our season with a stunning musical journey—from the sublime to the soulful. On Thursday, May 15, experience Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, The Heavenly Life: A Child’s View of Heaven, at the Natchez City Auditorium. Earlier that day, Dr. Thomas Peattie, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi, will offer a free preview lecture at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Natchez Foundation.

On Saturday, May 17, don't miss the grand finale at the Natchez City Auditorium: Whitney Houston…

Always Love You—a tribute concert dedicated to festival founders Ron and Lani Riches. The grand finale promises to be a spectacular event, with a lineup of talented performers who will bring Whitney Houston's music to life. The concert will feature a mix of solo performances and collaborations, each artist adding their unique touch to Houston's timeless hits.

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Natchez Festival of Music Events MAY 10 | 10AM

APRIL 26 | 7PM

ELMS COURT Lecture by author Ellis Nassour, Honky Tonk Angel

NATCHEZ CIVIC CENTER B.B. … King of the Mississippi Blues

MAY 2 | 7PM

NATCHEZ CITY AUDITORIUM Mozart’s The Magic Flute

MAY 3 | 10AM

NATCHEZ LITTLE THEATER Children's Opera

MAY 10 | 7PM

NATCHEZ CITY AUDITORIUM Always... Patsy Cline

MAY 15 | 10AM

HISTORIC NATCHEZ FOUNDATION Lecture by Dr. Thomas Peattie, Mahler's Symphony #4

MAY 8 | 7PM WAVERLY Slavic Serenade

MAY 15 | 7PM

NATHCEZ CITY AUDITORIUM Mahler's Symphony #4

MAY 17 | 7PM

NATHCEZ CITY AUDITORIUM Whitney Houston...Always Love You

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legal notes Vulnerable Adults Now that I am in my forty-third year of law practice, I seem to encounter a lot of clients who are older and are facing “elder law” issues. These are issues that can be any one of the following: physical or mental abuse of an elderly person; nursing home neglect, abuse, or exploitation; need for a guardianship (control of a person) or conservatorship (control of a person’s estate); hospital abuse; overreaching; or undue influence.

There is a Mississippi Code section called the “Mississippi Vulnerable Adults Act” designed to have the state or some state agency help, assist, and/or protect adults who are over 18 years of age; who “regardless of residence, are unable to protect their own rights, personal interests, or vital concerns”; and who are not able themselves to seek help without assistance due to physical, mental, or emotional impairment.

Examples of vulnerable adults abuse that I have seen through the years include embezzling an older person’s money, straight out physically abusing or even sexually abusing a vulnerable adult, refusing to turn elderly bedridden individuals and thus creating horrible bed sores—you get the idea. I am even aware of a case once in which a healthcare facility allowed a brain-dead woman to starve to death.

In the last 20 to 30 years, there have been thousands of lawsuits across the United States whereby nursing homes have been charged with elderly abuse in one form or another.

The Vulnerable Adults Act is designed to create a reporting mechanism to state agencies and law enforcement with the idea of first getting a vulnerable adult out of a hostile environment, and then seeking criminal and civil penalties against those who may have perpetrated such harm against an adult.

Physical and emotional abuse can be very apparent but sometimes not so, depending on the vulnerable adult’s ability to communicate. There is also the issue of exploitation, which the Act defines as “the illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult or his/her resources for another’s profit or advantage.”

I have seen nursing home employees, yard or maintenance people, or maids or home nurses claim that the older vulnerable person gave them a gift, usually money. I have seen such “assistants” abuse older people’s bank accounts and credit cards, abuse which can often be hard to detect or track.

The Act’s mechanism for reporting such conduct is first contacting the Department of Human Services or the county welfare department where the vulnerable adult is located. You may also report to law enforcement officials who in turn are to report to the welfare office.

If you do report an issue to one of the agencies, regardless of whether you are a private individual or an employee at a hospital or nursing home, and you report in good faith, regardless of whether or not there is abuse found, you are immune from civil or criminal liability for filing the report. If you are an employee of a medical care facility or nursing home and the hospital or nursing home retaliates or even fires you, there is a whistle-blowers provision in the Act that prohibits such retaliation and has damage provisions if violated.

Of course, any report filed is held confidential and not subject to public disclosure. There is also a separate provision that applies to nursing home or hospital personnel who become aware of elder abuse. These individuals are “required to report and could face fines for not doing so.”

If you are just a person who becomes aware of possible abuse, then the statute says such person “may” report the abuse to authorities.

Now, for the individual who “willfully commits an act or omits the performance of any duty to an elderly vulnerable person, which act or omission contributes to, tends to contribute to, or results in the abuse, neglect or exploitation of such adult, then the individual shall be guilty of a misdemeanor” and can be fined up to $1,000.00 and jailed up to one year.

Depending on the severity of the abuse, the conduct can rise to a felony with up to a twenty-year sentence. The statute also allows civil actions for monetary damages.

A vulnerable adult does not have to be a person who has dementia or even a person who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but can be someone who is mentally challenged, emotionally beaten down, advanced in age, or just plain incapable of caring for themselves for one reason or another. I know it can be very hard to step in to help such a person, but this is our duty as citizens and Christians!

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.

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Wesson Chamber Awards Night During a special awards banquet in April 2025 at the Co-Lin Thames Center in Wesson, Mississippi, the Wesson Chamber of Commerce presented various awards to businesses, non-profits, and individuals in Copiah County.

Photography by Bill Perkins 1— Abbey Berch, Founders Day Queen 2— Terri Bath, Charleigh Steadman, and Dixie and Bobby Thornton 3— Mayor Alton Shaw, Parker Shaw, and Christy Shaw 4— Dr. Steven Liverman with Abbey Berch 5— Wesson Garden Club Members 6— Marilyn Britt and Terri Bath 7— Wesson Friends of the Library Anita Schmidt, Sonya Cowen, Dr. Steven Liverman, Sharon Langley, Joy Phillips, Barbara Locke, Marilyn Britt, and Terri Bath 8— Wanda Brister, Tommy Clopton, and Dr. Barbara Roberson 9— Dixie Thornton and Terri Bath 10— Chad O’Quinn and Tim Stevens 11— Ken Carraway, and Sean Ray Braley 12— Nena Smith and Jerrie Bland 13— Pam Chance 14— Gerri Lynn Porter, Dana Lee, Jodi Parker, Brittany Burcl, Elaine Smith and Bryce Chapman 15— Jakie Martin 16— Misty Britt, Caylie Britt, Dixie Thornton, Billy Sturdavant, and Marilyn Britt

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 43

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On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Wilkinson County Christian Academy in Woodville, Mississippi, celebrated their annual Field Day, their largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s event was held in memory of Deborah Vines, former WCCA teacher and pillar in the Woodville community. The day began with “The Fruit of the Spirit” program performed by the elementary students and concluded with the live auction. Everyone enjoyed the food, festivities, and fellowship.

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1— Wil Seal, Kelly Spinks, Trey Spinks, Michelle Vines Didier, Tara Whitaker, Lacy Rice, and Chad Vines 2— Braelynne Aldridge, Lila Robillard, and Quinn James 3— Braelynne Aldridge, Jackie Ashley, Theo Moffett, Emory Estis, and Abbie Aldridge 4— Myles Depew, Margery Bennett, and Laurel Depew 5— Charles Grezaffi, Cannon Holland, Jonathan Meredith, and Wesley Sanchez 6— Charlie Scott Carter, Celie Abott, and Savanna Clary 7— Clint McCurley and Ellie Watts 8— Edine Seal, Sally Treppendahl, and Wettlin Treppendahl 9— Lucas, Audrey, and Jacob Brown 10— Patti Percy and Charlie Scott Carter 11— Mary Ann White and Eliza White 12— Charlie Netterville, Leighton Netterville, Seth Netterville, Matthew Netterville, Lindsey Netterville, and Jan Netterville 13— Virginia Whetstone and Emily Hill 14— Armand Duet, Johnathon Duet, Dinah Cheramie, Savanna Clary, and Steve Cheramie 15— Isabella Cavin 16— Tucker Freeman, Brandon Freeman, Michelle Freeman, and Casey Graham 17— Lacy Rice and Tara Whitaker 18— Chad Vines and Lacy Rice 19— Coco Abbott, Easton Buteaux, and Cannon Holland 20— Marlee Hughes, Carrie Carter, and Camille Thomas 21— Challie Herrington, Alicia Randall, Hillery Orgeron, Gwen Sellers, and Neil Sellers 22— Randy Holloway, Tiffany Holloway, and Pat Holloway 23— Mary Wilson, Diane Alise, Cara Branch, Jackie Ashley, Hannah Moffett, and Erin Ashley 24— Henry Spinks 25— Angel Covey, Lacey Alise, and Leslie Daniel 26— Elizabeth Oliveaux, Deborah Whetstone, and Ronnie Fisher 27— Magnolia Cheramie 28— Leighton Netterville and Laina Robinson 29— Stella Cate Miley and Virginia Anne Miley

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MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 47

southern

sampler

Summertime Planting— Pleasures Past and Present The English poets once upon a time celebrated June as one of the loveliest months of the year. It might be loverly in England; but here in the South, it is usually hot, not the smother-you-when-you-walk-out-of-the-house hot, but normal-people hot, around 90 degrees. It is still hot for me, so I try manfully to get all my flower planting done before the lovely days of June arrive.

So far, I have made only one trip up to Badge’s Nursery to get geraniums and begonias for planting. Getting just a few things at a time seems to work better for me, rather than buying the truckload I used to get at one trip. I’m waiting on my favorite plumbagos to come back from the ravages of winter, but so far, only one is showing signs of life. If Badge’s runs out before I give up on these, I will have to look elsewhere.

Oh, dear, I may have to drive up to Buds and Blooms in Wesson to look for my plumbago, and put blinders on when I get there, to not be dazzled by this fantastic nursery. It is huge and stocked with everything a gardener could dream of and is a joy to visit. I do get most plants from Badges, for this beautiful nursery is the work of four generations of plant-loving ladies, and all friends for a long, long time. Buying there is helping a local business and a friend’s business, and it is only about eight miles up the road. Buds and Blooms is just an extra springtime treat for me and my plant-loving friends.

Planting vegetable gardens and flower gardens this time of year always makes me remember the times my little grandsons were still at home in the spring. Woodrow and Jay were my two helpers, years apart; and we had some interesting adventures.

One spring, Woodrow went with me to Buster’s garden to pick some spring lettuce. I had my back to him, assuming he was following me on the lettuce row. He came to put his lettuce in the bucket with mine, and I realized he had pulled up all of his Pop’s bell pepper plants.

We quickly replanted and watered them, but to no avail. That night at supper, Buster, who checked his garden every afternoon before coming home, noticed that all the bell pepper plants were wilted and dying.

What in the world had happened to them since that morning?

48 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | MAY-JUNE 2025

After weighing the possibilities of telling a yarn versus telling the truth, I confessed that beloved grandson had quite accidentally pulled them up when he was helping me.

Thank goodness it was early in the season so Pop could replant and not miss out on his summer peppers.

Another time, Woodrow was helping me to trim bushes by the greenhouse. He always had real tools, no plastic toys for this young man. I heard him say, “There!” and I turned around to see that he had trimmed to the ground a blue althea that I had rooted from my bigger plant that had come all the way from South Carolina. When I told him that he had basically cut it down, in his wise little boy way he assured me not to worry; it would come back even better. It didn’t; but I can still see his sweet, earnest little face assuring me that it would.

When Jay got old enough to go to the garden, he delighted in picking the tomatoes. Red, green, large, small—all tomatoes went into his bucket the first time. I had to convince him that we just wanted the big red ones for now and that he should let those babies grow up to be big and red, too.

I even fixed a little garden for him in my yard, one tomato plant, one squash, and one cucumber. He didn’t harvest a lot but was very proud when he presented his produce to me.

There’s a plaque on my computer cabinet door that reads thusly: “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Well, I have plenty of books and plenty of plants, so I reckon I’ve no reason to be bored.

But I have to admit: I do miss those little helpers I had, a few years ago, and the joy that they brought to my days.

ARTICLE | Alma M. Womack Alma M. Womack lives on Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana. In addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she is the keeper of the lawn, the lane, and the pecan orchard at Smithland.

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up & coming calendar LOUISIANA

CLINTON

louisianatravel.com A great site for everything Louisiana _______________________

June 7 Feliciana Wildflower Festival Downtown Clinton felicianawildflowerproject@ gmail.com 225.921.4634

ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE alexandriapinevillela.com rapidessymphony.org riveroaksartscenter.com lagniappetheatre.com themuseum.org

NEW ORLEANS neworleansonline.com neworleanscvb.com ogdenmuseum.org nola.org newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu nobt.org neworleansfilmsociety.org neworleanscitypark.com neworleanszombierun.com FB: nolajazzmuseum/live theatreneworleans.org Through May 4 New Orleans Jazz Festival nojazzfest.com

Every Tuesday Alexandria Farmers Market 2727 Jackson St. 3 pm May 1 – 3 Alex River Fete Downtown Various times 318.449.5225 May 3 Dragon Boat Races Lake Buhlow 8 am – 4 pm May 17 Holi Fest Tamp & Grid Downtown 10 am – 1 pm

_______________________ FERRIDAY concordialibrary.org deltamusicmuseum.com Throughout May/June Concordia Parish Library Various programs concordialibrary.org _______________________ MONROE / WEST MONROE monroe-westmonroe.org May 2 – 4 Red White & Blue Airshow Monroe Regional Airport 11 am whiteandblueairshow.com

BATON ROUGE visitbatonrouge.com lsumoa.org rivercenterarena: baton-rouge. tickets-center.com batonrougeballet.org Red Stick Farmers Market Breada.com brso.org lasm.org

50 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | MAY-JUNE 2025

_______________________ ST. FRANCISVILLE audubonstatehistoricsite. wordpress.com explorewestfeliciana.com/ events stfrancisvillefestivals.com Every Thursday St. Francisville Farmers Market 9 am – 1 pm 9961 Wilcox St.

up & coming calendar May 10 St. Francsiville Home & Garden Stroll Noon visitstfrancisvillela.com

MISSISSIPPI visitmississippi.org hikinginmississippi.com ________________________

June 26 – 27 Seusical Kids Brookhaven Little Theatre brookhavenlittletheatre.com

BROOKHAVEN FB: VisitBrookhavenMS visitbrookhavenms.com brookhavenrecreation.com brookhavenlittletheatre.com llf.lib.ms.us May 2 – 3 Hogwild BBQ Festival Downtown

May 25 Cultivation & Culture: Cotton on a Feliciana Plantation Oakley Plantation 225.635.3739

June 6 – 8 Bye Bye Birdie Brookhaven Little Theatre Brookhavenlittletheatre.com June 12 Girls Night Out Area Shops Visitbrookhavenms.com

PHOTOS BY SCOTT CLAUSE

June 9 The Day the War Stopped Festival Downtown 9 am visitstfrancisvillela.com

May 10 Summer Concert Series The Lincoln Outfit Railroad Park Stage 7 – 9 pm

June 28 Brookstock Music Festival Brookhaven Building 6 – 9 pm _______________________ JACKSON dulinghall.com msmuseumart.org visitjackson.com jacksonfreepress.com/ calendarmsnla.org balletms.com msmetroballet.com operams.org downtown-jackson.com newstagetheatre.com May 10 Jackson Coffee Festival MS Trade Mart 9am – 4pm nolacoffeefestival.com _______________________

June 14 Summer Concert Series Mike Rob & The 601 Band Railroad Park Stage 7 – 9 pm

McCOMB pikeinfo.com mccombarts.com mcrrmuseum.com FB: McComb Farmers Market

MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 51

up & coming calendar May 3 Miss Mattie Day 1022 Virginia Ave. 10 am – 2 pm

May 9 22nd Annual Golf Tournament Fernwood Country Club Tee Times: 8 am / 1 pm 601.684.2291 ________________________ NATCHEZ Live Music Events Calendar visitnatchez.org/full-eventcalendar visitnatchez.org natchezpilgrimage.com thetowersofnatchez.com natchezgardenclub.org natchezlittletheatre.com natchezfestivalofmusic.com FB Downtown Natchez Farmers Market Saturdays Natchez Farmers Market Downtown 300 N. Broadway 8:30 am – Noon Through May Natchez Festival of Music natchezfestivalofmusic.com Friday’s throughout May Natchez National Park Architectural Walking Tours Begin William Johnson House 10 am / 2 pm Alternating Tours 601.445.5345, nps.gov/natc

52 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | MAY-JUNE 2025

May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Live @ Five Bluff Park 5 pm

June 26 – 29 Guys and Dolls Natchez Little Theatre 601.442.2233

May 2 Crawfish Countdown Cathedral Catholic School 701 Dr. MLK 601.442.2531

________________________

May 3 National Football Foundation Joe Fortunato/Allen Brown Memorial Golf Tournament Duncan Park Golf Course 601.496.6450 May 3 Stay Tuned Music Fest Dunleith Gates Open 11 am $25 601.807.1595 staytunedmusicfest.com

May 10 Miss-Lou Makers Market 107 South Broadway 9 am – 4 pm missloumakersmarket @gmail.com June 7 Natchez Bicycle Classic 8 am / $65 natchezbicycleclassic.com

PORT GIBSON msculturalcrossroads.org FB: Port Gibson Chamber of Commerce ________________________ RIDGELAND/MADISON visitridgeland.com madisonthecity.com craftsmensguildofms.org mscrafts.org Tuesdays Farmers Market Main St. @ Caboose 3:30 – 6:30 pm May 2 – 4 Gardens of Madison County Kick-off Party & Tours mrapats.org

up & coming calendar SUMMIT pikeinfo.com VICKSBURG visitvicksburg.com vicksburgartassociation.org vicksburgtheatreguild.com downtownvicksburg.org May 2 – 11 Fools Parkside Playhouse 7:30 pm 601.636.0471 e-vtg.com

MAGAZI NE

Look what is coming in

June 1 Miss-Lou Makers Market 107 South Broadway 9 am – 4 pm missloumakersmarket @gmail.com June 9 Miss Mississippi Parade Downtown Washington St. 7 pm downtownvicksburg.org

2025!

January/February Weddings, Engagements & Special Events March/April Spring Tours Easter Delights Spring Gardens May/June Enrichment Exhibits Intriguing Arts Travel Adventures

_______________________ WESSON FB: Wesson Chamber Happenings May 9, 16 Classics in the Courtyard Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Noon – 1 pm May 17, 24, 31, June 7 Farmers Market Corner Jackson @ Washington 8am – 11 am May 24 Symphony at Sunset Vicksburg National Military Park MS Symphony Orchestra 7 pm 601.456.0804

_______________________ WOODVILLE woodvillems.org woodvillemainstreet.org FB: Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association

July/August Patriotic Celebrations Local Artists’ Highlights Summertime Adventure Fall Garden Preparations September/October Back- to-School Traditions Football Frenzy Fall Festivals November/December Holiday Decor Holiday Traditions Holiday Foods & Finds

January | February 2024

Wedding Edition Edition� �

March | April 2024

renovations through Generations

Inside

Recipes for after the Boil Discoveries Along and Beyond

BLUFFSANDBAYOUS.COM MAY-JUNE 2025 | BLUFFS & BAYOUS | 53

N at chez Re ad s 2 0 2 5 Join your friends and neighbors and make new friends by participating in Natchez Reads, a reading program focused on reading a single book that resonates with the history of our community. The shared experience of reading, discussing, and exploring the themes of a book encourages us to learn more about our history and to learn from and listen to one another.

The book, Horse, by Geraldine Brooks is based on the true story of racehorse and sire, Lexington, who was trained in Natchez in the early 1850s by John Benjamin Pryor on the plantation of Adam L. Bingaman. Pryor and wife Frances, Bingaman’s mulatto daughter, established a family that settled in New Jersey and included four sons who trained horses.

(Thomas J. Scott painted Lexington in the 1850s in Kentucky and appears as a character in the book.)

Schedule of Events

For More Information

All events are free and will be held at the Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 South Commerce Street, except for the Geraldine Brooks event at the Grand Hotel on September 12.

Historic Natchez Foundation 108 South Commerce Street Natchez, Mississippi 39120

“The Sporting Life of William Johnson”” by Kathleen Bond Superintendent, Natchez National Historical Park Thursday, May 1, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

Phone: 601-442Email: hnf@natchez.org Website: Natchez.org

Book Discussion, led by Betty Jo Harris Staff, Historic Natchez Foundation Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

In Conversation with Mary Beth Gibson Descendant of Benjamin Pryor and author of Pryor Knowledge Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

In Conversation with Geraldine Brooks Author of Horse Grand Hotel, 111 North Broadway Street Friday, September 12, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Mississippi Book Festival, September 13, 2025, Mississippi State Capitol

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