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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.
225 John R. Junkin Drive Natchez, MS 39120 601.442.6847
bluffsmag@gmail.com bbupandcoming@gmail.com bluffsbayous.com
Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to ensure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.
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.
JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor
BONNIE DICKERSON Design Director
CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales
LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer
MELANIE SOJOURNER Sales
SAM GWIN Contributor
BILL PERKINS Photographer
ALMA WOMACK Contributor
CECILIA HOPKINS STEVENS Contributor
BETH RICHARD Contributor
Engagement Celebration for Netherland & Boone
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.
Photography by Bill Perkins
Andie Netherland and Baylor Boone
Julie and Ray Montalvo
Sandy and Stan Winborne with David Braden
Becky Green, Stephany Smith, and Lynn Kebert
Sharyl and Ron Donegan
Jack and Katy Jones
Deanna Pendley
Marty Stevens, Bram Wolf, and John Sones
Carolyn Stevens and Becky Doty
Sharon Allen and Karen Braden
Katie Campbell and Clyde Bean
Mitch Rayborn and John Netherland
Debbie Jordan and Claudine Pennington
Alvin Hoover and Andie Netherland
Dr. Melnee Williams and Kelly Patti
Donna Hodge, Don Hodge, and Rocky Netherland
Robin and Kevin Laird
Rhonda Rayborn, Amye Howell, and Cathy McDonniel
Amye and Greg Howell
Don Doty with Theresa and David Entrekin
Lynn Kebert, Mitch Rayborn, and Mike Said
Clyde Bean, Katie Campbell, and Don and Rocky Netherland
Laura Keener, Donna Hodge, John Netherland, and Nancy and Alvin Hoover
Donna Hodge with Don and Rocky Netherland
Connie Greene and Joel Bennet
Sandy and Stan Winborne with Don Netherland
Laura Keener, Rocky Netherland, Don Netherland, and John Netherland
Andie Netherland, Baylor Boone, Christy Boone, and Dr. Brad Boone
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.
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.
We’re thrilled to welcome four new locations to our UMB family!
NEW ROADS, LA
EUNICE, LA PORT GIBSON, MS BROOKHAVEN, MS
This expansion allows us to offer our personalized service and community-first approach to four new locations!
Growing to better serve you!
Bishop's Flower & Dara Nice Garden Wildflowers
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
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.
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.
The stunning blooms and ecological benefits of
make them worthwhile additions to home landscapes. 2
Bishop’s Flower and Dara
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. 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
Engagement Party for Gray & Adamson
Gracie Gray
David and Karen Braden
Steve Mills and Richard Rushing
Julie Mills and Kinsey Allbritton
Scott Smith and John McArdle
Larry and Betty Ann Williams
Betty Ann Perkins and Betty Ann Williams
Kim Sessums, Paula Rushing, and Julie and Steve Mills
Melinda and Mike Said
Angie Hart, Libby Hewitt, June Hart, and Cherie Langston
Rivers Gray, Anabel Gray, Lily Gray, and Nathan Peavey
Kim and Kristie Sessums with Cathy and Colby Calcote
Wanda Ballard, Sloane Smith, and Karen Sullivan
Bruce and Leigh Cher Gray, Gracie Gray, and Ethan Adamson
Sidney Wilson with Joe and Angie Cox
Sharyl Donegan and Bill Perkins
Keith Kavitz and Bruce Gray 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.
Fabulous something scrumptious
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.
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
Southern Fig Sheet Cake
1 box spice cake mix
3 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 cup fig preserves
½ cup diced pecans
2 cups cream cheese frosting
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
Sweet Fig Crescent Rolls
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 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
Luncheon for King of Ceres
Don Coleman
Frances Brady, Sudie Brewer, and Ralph and Martha Ann Peeples
Bill Boerner, Mike Said, and Dennis Valentine
Bill Sones and Terry Reid
Teresa Sones, Amy Valentine, and Merrie Boerner
Dr. David Braden, Dr. Jeff Clark, and Shannon Clark
Shannon Clark and Bill Jacobs
King Don Coleman, Les Bumgarner, and Amy Jacobs
Pat Allen and Betty Ann Perkins
Cheyenne Long, Katlyn Johnston, Caroline Speaks, and Jessica Wallace
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
— 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.
Apple Cake
ARTICLE | Loveta Byrne
Angel Food Cake, sliced 1-pound can apple pie filling
3 tablespoons apricot jam
1 tablespoon rum
1½ tablespoons butter, melted
Sour 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.
Jamaican Coffee
1½ cups hot coffee
1 ounce dark rum
1 ounce cognac
1 ounce Tia Maria
Fresh orange slices
Sugar
Whipped 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
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.
Bingo & Bubbly
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!
Wendy Smith and Rhonda Gibson
Kim Walley and Kristen McBeth
Kelli Sicks, Veronica Richardson, and Helen Lynch
Anne Houston Craig and Alicia Linton
Catherine McPhate and Julianna Rabb
Johnny Scott and Brooklyn Schmidt
Judge David Brewer and Susan Dowdy
India Warshauer and Chance Schmidt
Jadea Ervin and Donna Lukacs
Chasity Berberette and Brandy Harrington
Penn Wilson and Michael Haynes Hutson
Jillian Ricceri and Nic Ricceri
Clyde Nelson and Kim Root
Karl Ott, Jonathan White, Andrew Decoux, and Brad Woods
Ken Dixon and Ashton Ballard
Chance and Brooklyn Schmidt
Alicia Linton, Jillian Sicks, and Kelli Sicks
Natalie Moore and Diane Case
Hillary Freeman and Karen Fuller
Jeff and Veronica Richardson
Julianna Rabb, Brooklyn Schmidt, Stephanie Pigott, and Kiersten Lampton
Kelly Parker and Sara Doyle
Christina Mitchell and Elise Reeves
Caroline Bass and Christina Mitchell
Kattie Hughes and Larry McDaniel
Ashton Ballard and Veronica Richardson
Cherrie Murphy, Kim Walley, and Angela Gill
Mary Blalock, and Mandy Douglas
Anna Klaire Drury and Ashton Ballard
Kelli Sicks, Doug Sicks, and Natalie Moore
Angela Gill and Kristen McBeth
Stacey Sullivan and Chasity Berberette
Susan Dowdy, Kim Root, and Stephanie Pigott
Tina Brumfield, Kim Root, and Christina Mitchell
Bill Perkins and Stacey Sullivan
Brandie Kohn and Erin King
— All Outdoors — & Father of Waters 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.
So 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.
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
no magnificent wildlife habitat. Only along the river will you find such
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!
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.
Bubba McCabe with St. Patrick’s Banner
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
Rita Tebbetts and Edna Rose Bellan
Patrick McDonough, Rose Godfrey, and Pat McDonough
Joey and Susan Gunning
Abby Hobdy, Bubba McCabe, Tate Hobdy, Katie McCabe, and Kevin and Angie Friloux
Mark Vidrine, Angie and Kevin Friloux, Quincy Vidrien, Pat McDonough, and Howard and Nicole Suire
Annette and Tony Byrne with Laura Newkirk
Laura Newkirk, Ariel Gardner, and Maria and Curtis Moroney
Kevin Friloux, Eddie and Cathy Walker, Angie Friloux, and Ron and Joann Brumfield
Jack Sojourner, Eddie Walker, and Laura Newkirk
Bubba and Katie McCabe
Barbara Lomasney, Jack Sojourner, and Joe Garrity
Krewe of Killarney St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Ginger and Darren Cowart
Perter Burns, Pat Galloway, and Belinda Garrity
Julie Riley
Ruth Powers and Betsy Bradley
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.
Kevin Friloux
Missi Johnson
Eddie Walker
Tony Byrne and Danielle Blain
Maria Lambert
Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff and Natalie Schwager
Judy Bartley and Ami Scott
Belinda Garrity and Ginger Cowart
Tate Hobdy
St. Patrick Bubba McCade with family members
Frances Cothren; Peter, Carter, and Diane Burns; Melanie Kennedy; Julie Riley; and Noreen Pyron
2025 St. Patrick Bubba McCabe
Leading the Cultural Community for 35 years!
APRIL 26 through may 17
Welcome to the 35th Season of the Natchez Festival of Music!
We’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.
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.
Natchez Festival of Music Events
APRIL 26 | 7PM
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 8 | 7PM
WAVERLY
Slavic Serenade
MAY 10 | 10AM
ELMS COURT
Lecture by author Ellis Nassour, Honky Tonk Angel
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 15 | 7PM
NATHCEZ CITY AUDITORIUM
Mahler's Symphony #4
MAY 17 | 7PM
NATHCEZ CITY AUDITORIUM
Whitney Houston...Always Love You
Otolaryngology • Head & Neck Surgery • Sinus Surgery & Allergy
405 Marion Ave. • McComb, MS • 601-684-1250
Hours: MON. thru THURS. 8 am to 12 pm, 1 pm to 5 pm & FRI. 8 am to 12 pm
Welcome Dr. Gregory Pippin! Dr. Pippin is now accepting patients. Call to set up your appointment.
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.
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
Abbey Berch, Founders Day Queen Terri Bath, Charleigh Steadman, and Dixie and Bobby Thornton
Mayor Alton Shaw, Parker Shaw, and Christy Shaw
Dr. Steven Liverman with Abbey Berch
Wesson Garden Club Members
Marilyn Britt and Terri Bath
Wesson Friends of the Library
Anita Schmidt, Sonya Cowen, Dr. Steven Liverman, Sharon Langley, Joy Phillips, Barbara Locke, Marilyn Britt, and Terri Bath
Wanda Brister, Tommy Clopton, and Dr. Barbara Roberson
Dixie Thornton and Terri Bath
Chad O’Quinn and Tim Stevens
Ken Carraway, and Sean Ray Braley
Nena Smith and Jerrie Bland
Pam Chance
Gerri Lynn Porter, Dana Lee, Jodi Parker, Brittany Burcl, Elaine Smith and Bryce Chapman
Jakie Martin
Misty Britt, Caylie Britt, Dixie Thornton, Billy Sturdavant, and Marilyn Britt
Lee Smith, CFP™, Stephanie Smith, Emily P. Maxwell, CFP™, John C. Bergeron
WCCA Annual Field Day
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.
Wil Seal, Kelly Spinks, Trey Spinks, Michelle Vines Didier, Tara Whitaker, Lacy Rice, and Chad Vines
Braelynne Aldridge, Lila Robillard, and Quinn James
Braelynne Aldridge, Jackie Ashley, Theo Moffett, Emory Estis, and Abbie Aldridge
Myles Depew, Margery Bennett, and Laurel Depew
Charles Grezaffi, Cannon Holland, Jonathan Meredith, and Wesley Sanchez
Charlie Scott Carter, Celie Abott, and Savanna Clary
Clint McCurley and Ellie Watts
Edine Seal, Sally Treppendahl, and Wettlin Treppendahl
Lucas, Audrey, and Jacob Brown
Patti Percy and Charlie Scott Carter
Mary Ann White and Eliza White
Charlie Netterville, Leighton Netterville, Seth Netterville, Matthew Netterville, Lindsey Netterville, and Jan Netterville
Virginia Whetstone and Emily Hill
Armand Duet, Johnathon Duet, Dinah Cheramie, Savanna Clary, and Steve Cheramie
Isabella Cavin
Tucker Freeman, Brandon Freeman, Michelle Freeman, and Casey Graham
Lacy Rice and Tara Whitaker
Chad Vines and Lacy Rice
Coco Abbott, Easton Buteaux, and Cannon Holland
Marlee Hughes, Carrie Carter, and Camille Thomas
Challie Herrington, Alicia Randall, Hillery Orgeron, Gwen Sellers, and Neil Sellers
Randy Holloway, Tiffany Holloway, and Pat Holloway
Mary Wilson, Diane Alise, Cara Branch, Jackie Ashley, Hannah Moffett, and Erin Ashley
Henry Spinks
Angel Covey, Lacey Alise, and Leslie Daniel
Elizabeth Oliveaux, Deborah Whetstone, and Ronnie Fisher
Magnolia Cheramie
Leighton Netterville and Laina Robinson
Stella Cate Miley and Virginia Anne Miley
Summertime Planting— Pleasures Past and Present southern sampler
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?
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.
Announce your special engagement or wedding in our January Wedding Edition of Bluffs & Bayous.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
• Wedding coverage includes up to ten photographs and a wedding story. Engagement coverage includes one photograph and engagement information.
• Submit your formal wedding announcement of up to 850 words or your engagement announcement of up to 250 words in a Word document only. Editorial staff may make slight changes to the wording but will not compose the announcement from information submitted in lists.
• Submit up to 10 wedding photographs from which the editorial staff will choose the number relative to the length of your announcement. Photographs must be provided as jpeg files at 300 d.p.i resolution, sized at 3x5” or larger.
• Engagement Only - $250
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• Wedding & Engagement Package - $450 (Package includes engagement and wedding coverage.)
Contact us for availibility at bluffsmag@gmailcom.
LOUISIANA
louisianatravel.com A great site for everything Louisiana
ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE alexandriapinevillela.com rapidessymphony.org riveroaksartscenter.com lagniappetheatre.com themuseum.org
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
BATON ROUGE visitbatonrouge.com lsumoa.org rivercenterarena: baton-rouge. tickets-center.com batonrougeballet.org
Red Stick Farmers Market Breada.com brso.org lasm.org
CLINTON
June 7
Feliciana Wildflower Festival Downtown Clinton felicianawildflowerproject@ gmail.com 225.921.4634
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
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
ST. FRANCISVILLE audubonstatehistoricsite. wordpress.com explorewestfeliciana.com/ events stfrancisvillefestivals.com
Every Thursday
St. Francisville Farmers Market 9 am – 1 pm 9961 Wilcox St.
May 10
St. Francsiville Home & Garden Stroll Noon visitstfrancisvillela.com
May 25
Cultivation & Culture: Cotton on a Feliciana Plantation Oakley Plantation 225.635.3739
June 9
The Day the War Stopped Festival Downtown 9 am visitstfrancisvillela.com
MISSISSIPPI
visitmississippi.org hikinginmississippi.com
BROOKHAVEN
FB: VisitBrookhavenMS visitbrookhavenms.com brookhavenrecreation.com brookhavenlittletheatre.com llf.lib.ms.us
May 2 – 3
Hogwild BBQ Festival Downtown
May 10
Summer Concert Series The Lincoln Outfit Railroad Park Stage 7 – 9 pm
June 6 – 8
Bye Bye Birdie Brookhaven Little Theatre Brookhavenlittletheatre.com
June 12
Girls Night Out Area Shops Visitbrookhavenms.com
June 14
Summer Concert Series
Mike Rob & The 601 Band Railroad Park Stage 7 – 9 pm
June 26 – 27
Seusical Kids
Brookhaven Little Theatre brookhavenlittletheatre.com
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
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McCOMB pikeinfo.com mccombarts.com mcrrmuseum.com FB: McComb Farmers Market
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
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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
May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Live @ Five Bluff Park 5 pm
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
June 26 – 29
Guys and Dolls
Natchez Little Theatre 601.442.2233
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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
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
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
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
WESSON
FB: Wesson Chamber Happenings
WOODVILLE woodvillems.org woodvillemainstreet.org
FB: Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association
January/February
Weddings, Engagements & Special Events
March/April
Spring Tours
Easter Delights
Spring Gardens
May/June
Enrichment Exhibits Intriguing Arts Travel Adventures
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
Nat chez Reads 2025
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.
Schedule of Events
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.)
All events are free and will be held at the Historic Natchez Fo undation, 108 S outh Commerce Street, except for the Geraldine Brook s event at the Grand Hotel on Septe mber 12.
“ The Sporting Life of William Johnson” ” by K Kath leen Bond
Superintendent, Natchez National Historical Park
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Book Discussion, led by B Betty Jo Harris
Staff, Historic Natchez Foundation Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
In Conversation with M ary Beth Gibson
Descendant of Benjamin Pryor and author of PryorKnowledge Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
In Conversation with G Geraldine Brooks
Author of Horse
Grand Hotel, 111 North Broadway Street
Friday, September 12, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
For More Information
Historic Natche z Foundation 108 South Commerce Street Natchez, Mississippi 39120
Phone: 601 -442Email: hnf@ natchez.org We bsite: N atchez.org
Sponsored by the Mississippi Book Festival, September 13, 2025, Mississippi State Capitol
