Bluffs & Bayous September/October 2023

LIVIN' LARGE ON

At Last Farm

social scenes

Brookhaven, MS Magees’ 60th Anniversary

Brookhaven, MS Retirement Celebration for Richard Furr

McComb, MS Leslie Clark Baby Shower

Natchez, MS 2023 Food and Wine Festival’s “Tastings Along the River” Natchez, MS

Natchez, MS Jim Lessley’s 80th Surprise Family Birthday

Summit, MS Mississippi American Legion Riders Family Award

Natchez, MS The Order of the First Families of Mississippi 2023 Spring General Assembly

Vidalia, LA Concordia Bank Celebrates 120

Photo by Lisa Whittington

our team

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.

from the PUBLISHER

Festivals, galas, parades, state fairs, music events, football games, and flea markets—productions and occasions of all kinds pack the agenda for September and October in the Bluffs & Bayous region. Many of these events are long-standing rituals celebrating music, crafts, food and social gatherings, making this summer-into-autumn season the ideal time to connect with friends and family while attending these day-time or even weekend-long events. Friday night lights along with Saturday collegiate rivalries and Sunday NFL games fill our weekends as well. This busy, engaging season affords one of my favorite Bluffs & Bayous issues to build!

We have some terrific stories this month. The Vicksburg, Mississippi, couple Jennie and Jarrell Smith from At Last Farm give us a peek into their daily life of raising goats, chickens, and Pyrenees with some gardening and farm-

based products for sale on the side. Cecilia Stevens recaps some tailgating traditions and recipes from three families supporting rival SEC schools. Of course, this issue also includes our traditional listings of college football schedules, a quick reference for the season’s game-day weekends through January 2024.

Always, when working during July and August on this fall issue, I try to flee the dog days of summer by closing the blinds in my office and turning the AC below 68, all as a shield from the steaming temperatures and glare of the harsh sun. I begin to transcend these conditions, transported by the prospect of the sounds and sights of upcoming autumn—a time that now you can embrace. I urge you to seize the many opportunities our area has to offer, fill your calendar with a variety of events to attend, and relish all the elements of this season as we live to the fullest our life along and beyond the Mississippi.

JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor

ERIN NORWOOD Design Director

CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales

BILL PERKINS Photographer

KARI L. BLANEY Sales

CECILIA STEVENS Contributor

DR. EDDIE SMITH Contributor

ALMA WOMACK Contributor

LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer

SAM GWIN Contributor

THE socialSCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Magees’ 60th Anniversary

Shirley and Harley Magee celebrated their 60th Anniversary with family and friends at The Homestead in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on June 17, 2023. Photos by Bill Perkins

Shirley and Harley Magee

Angie Cox and Shirley Magee

Laura Leigh White and Connor Smith

Sandra Gerald, Shirley Magee, Nelline Reed, and Ann Morris

David Derrick, Shirley Magee, Lynda Derrick, and Nelline Reed

Shirley Magee and Annabelle

Dickerson

Karen Sullivan and Cindy McLain

Wilma Robertson and Millie Owens

Alex McLain, Cindy McLain, and Doug McLain

Gary Hutson, Shirley Magee, and Renee Hutson

Douglas McLain, Shirley Magee, Peggy McLean, Ann Jackson, and Daniel McLain

Eric Boyd and Jeannie Pyeatt

Harley Magee, Mary Virginia Stone, and Mamie Stone

Betty Ann Perkins, Shirley Magee, and Peggy McLean

Terry Doremus and Jeff Doremus

Jolyn Stone, Mamie Stone, Mary Virginia Stone, and Vesta Pittman

Stacy Magee, Amanda Russell, and Miriam Moyer

Thursday, September 28, 2023 • 6:30pm

The Gala is back bigger and better than ever! Headlining this year is popular singer, songwriter and actress Haley Reinhart, with her elegant jazz voice backed by her amazing band!

Wear your sparkles and join us for the party of the year in support of greater healthcare growth and excellence for our communities. Since 1979 the Medical Foundation has dedicated every dollar raised supporting our hometown Medical System in the acquisition of new services, equipment, facility renovations, walking track, landscaping, to benefit our patients, employees, and guests.

Reserved concert seating and the AFTER PARTY at THE PALACE featuring incredible eats and drinks is $100 per person.

General admission for the concert only is $50 per person.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of our sponsors, all proceeds from the sale of Gala tickets will go directly to help our medical and health needs right here at home.

If you’d like to help sponsor the Gala, you will receive VIP tickets and will be featured heavily in our marketing and social media channels, digital billboards, local newspapers and radio, as well as having your logo prominently displayed throughout our Health System where more than 1,200 employees, 100 physicians, patients and visitors will see your support every day.

SMCC Fine Arts Auditorium

FEATURING singer, songwriter & actress Haley Reinhart!

Retirement Celebration for Richard Furr

After forty-three years of banking, Richard Furr has retired, having been Vice President at Pike National Bank in Brookhaven, Mississippi, for the past eighteen years. On May 22, 2023, Furr was honored with a celebration at the Brookhaven Branch of Pike National Bank where his many colleagues, clients, friends, and family members gathered to mark the occasion.

Diane Cothern, Georgia Sones, and Richard Furr

Becky Bass, Richard Furr, and Geralyn Russell

Kara and Abby Garcia

Dave and Lil Ann Pace

Robin Furr and Geralyn Russell

Chantay Butler and Richard Furr

Martha Arrington and Richard Furr

Richard Furr and Teresa Allred

Richard Furr and Amy Alderman

Jack Rutland, Richard Furr, Phil Magee, and Jason Furr

Photos by Bill Perkins

Miss-Lou Dental welcomes its newest doctors to the team!

Dr. Womack grew up in Vidalia, LA, and graduated from Cathedral High School in 2010. She completed her undergraduate education at Louisiana State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Science. Then, she continued her education in New Orleans at Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, graduating in 2020. She and her husband Brendan welcomed their first child, Perry, in 2022. In their spare time, they enjoy their dogs, being on the lake and visiting friends and family.

A native of Fayette, MS, and a graduate of Jefferson County High School, Dr. Harried completed her undergraduate education at Alcorn State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science. She then earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2022. Dr. Harried enjoys cheering on the ASU Braves football team and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. She also loves reading, books, painting, fishing, trail riding, and cooking meals.

Anna Bet Womack, DDS

Amber Harried, DMD

Leslie Clark Baby Shower

Leslie Clark, wife of Andy Clark, both of McComb, Mississippi, was recently honored with a vintage-themed baby shower welcoming baby boy James William Clark who arrived in July 2023. The shower was held at the childhood home of the mother-to-be. The dining table featured vintage silver and porcelain baby items belonging to the family. The menu consisted of Leslie’s favorite brunch foods of homemade scones, cheese straws, yogurt parfait cups, pimento and cheese sandwiches, and sausage pinwheels and featured a baby stroller fruit display. The gift area showcased vintage baby clothing belonging to Leslie's two younger brothers and a baby card from the paternal great grandparents. As guests arrived, they signed a vintage book. Each of the guests gifted the soon-to-be parents with a children’s book to stock the nursery. Hosting the shower were Freya Biggers, Karinlee Brister, Sarah DeLee, Taylor Ferris, Marla Hinckley, Melisa Jefcoat, Sandra Kavanay, Dinea Kraft, Kathy McCarlie, Misty Smith, Nancy Smith, Carla Stringer, Melissa Stringer, and Hope Thompson. Future grandmothers, Jeanna Clark and Barbara Willis, along with aunts Maggie Clark, Kim Clark, and Lisa Hughes celebrated the happy occasion.

Andy and Leslie Clark

Leslie Clark

Mattie Rials and Leslie Clark

Anne Marie Huff and Leslie Clark

Melinda Wallace and Barbara Willis

Carla Stringer, Jennifer Gholson, and Marla Hinckley

Karinlee Brister, Barbara Willis, and Carla Stringer

Jeanna Clark and Barbara Willis

Kim Clark and Leslie Clark

Leslie Clark and Karinlee Brister

Tricia Holliday, Carol Anne Graves, and Carol Ann McMorris

Angela Remley, Barbara Willis,

Freya Biggers, and Marla Hinckley

Hope Thompson and Louise Lampton

Karinlee Brister, Hope Thompson, Barbara Willis, Melisa Jefcoat, and Kathy McCarlie

Melisa Jefcoat, Freya Biggers, Barbara Willis, Leslie Clark, Jeanna

Clark, Hope Thompson, Karinlee

Brister, Carla Stringer, Marla Hinckley, Kathy McCarlie, Misty Smith, and Melissa Stringer

Dixie's tupperware show

battle of the belles & beaus

Choctaw hall cocktail party drag show brunch

Mrs. Kasha Davis

Silky Nutmeg Ganache

Adding Pollinator-friendly Plants to Your Landscape

ARTICLE | Dr. Eddie Smith PHOTOS

MSU Extension Service

I recently visited the home of Marian Hill in Tupelo and toured her beautiful pollinator gardens full of plants buzzing with activity. There were several varieties of yarrow, some bachelor’s buttons and Stokes’ aster planted throughout.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 75% of the world’s flowering plants and about 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce. That means one of every three bites of food you eat relies on pollinators for production.

Bees may be the most well-known pollinators, and there are more than 3,500 species of native bees. One of my favorite native perennial pollinator plants is Stokes’ aster, a low-growing plant with dark green, lance-shaped leaf clusters. It has numerous solitary flower heads that are 2-to-4 inches across with deeply divided purple rays and very prominent purple florets emerging from the disc.

Stokes’ aster is easy to care for once established. It performs best in partially sunny locations with well-drained acidic soil. It can grow from 10-to-24 inches tall.

While this plant requires very little maintenance, you may need to divide mature clumps. You can also deadhead spent flowerheads by pinching them off to encourage more flowering.

Yarrow is a native perennial plant with many small flowers that combine into flat-topped flower structures that are very inviting to butterflies, bees, moths, and other pollinators. The native variety produces white, frilly, showy flowers that grow on multi-branching stems. Other varieties produce pink, yellow, red, or orange flowers. The leaves are divided into smaller leaflets, giving them a delicate, fernlike, lacy appearance.

In natural conditions, yarrow is found in the mildly disturbed soils of open grasslands or in open forests. Yarrow tends to be leggy in part-shade conditions, so plant yours in full sun if you desire a more compact form. Plant longevity and flowering increase in nutrient-poor dry soil with full sun.

A classic annual reseeding pollinator plant is bachelor’s button, often called cornflower. It reseeds with blooms that may be single or double. They reseed freely; so once they are planted, you will be growing bachelor’s buttons year after year. They need minimal care and grow well in full-sun locations.

Another great perennial pollinator plant is Purpletop verbena or tall verbena. This is an upright, clump-forming plant with wiry, widely branched stems. The flowers are little tubes in purple or rosy lavender that form in rounded clusters 2-to-3 inches across. These blooms are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other insects.

Purpletop verbena is not particular about soil type, but it is short-lived in areas with winter-wet soil. It grows best in full sun or very light shade. Pinch the plants in early spring as the shoots begin to elongate to increase the plant’s fullness and keep the height at a more manageable level.

Whether you live in a city apartment, in a suburban neighborhood, or on a farm, you can create a pollinator habitat. Try any of these beautiful plants in your pollinator garden, and I’m sure you will be pleased with the results.

Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He also hosts the Southern Gardening television programs.

|

2 Bachelor's Button | Reseeding freely, this annual pollinator needs little care and grows well in the sun.

3 Verbena | Verbena such as this Purpletop variety is highly attractive to pollinators.

1 Yarrow | Its many small flowers combine into flat-topped structures that invite pollinators.

James B. Hall, MD

Our clinic focuses on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and chronic kidney disease prevention. As a hypertension specialty clinic, we also focus on difficult-to-control blood pressure, secondary hypertension, and reno-vascular hypertension. Our full-time and covering physicians are nephrology-fellowship trained and board certified in nephrology. Dr. Hall is also trained and certified as a Hypertension Specialist. Our clinic fosters a compassionate and friendly atmosphere, and our main objective is to delay the progression of kidney disease through community outreach, peer education, kidney screening seminars, and health promotional classes. Remember, “Your health is the most important thin you own, second to your soul.”

REFERRALS ONLY

747 Industrial Park Road Brookhaven, MS 601.833.4111

www.anointedneph.com

Check our our website for new & upcoming events!

2023 Food and Wine Festival’s “Tastings Along the River”

After a hiatus of four years, the Natchez Food & Wine Festival returned to claim its place among summer’s most inviting and exciting occasions, kicking off its popular opening event with Tastings Along the River on Friday evening, July 28, 2023, at the Natchez Convention Center in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. The event offered delectable tastings from local and regional chefs, paired with fine wines and beer. Photos by Lisa Whittington courtesy of the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce

Mike Smith, Ty Rasberry, Angel and Allen Booty, and Katie and Bubba McCabe

John and Robin Branton

Kalynn Vegas, Erica and Key Smith, and Jessica and Mark Carter

Lauren Middleton and Katherine Callon

Sela Gaudé, Mcee Crouch, Wesley Anderson, and Molli Loomis

Glen Green, Tom and Sandy Taylor, and Bridget Green

Frank and Stephanie Smith, Todd and JoAnn Waycaster, and Chris and Emily Maxwell

Marli Vaughan, Mandy Gardner, and Melissa Vaughan

Emily Williams with Amy and James Brown

Jared Hedrick, Jessica Cauthen, Hayden Butts, Rachell Seabolt, and Kate Corso

Natchez Mayor Dan and Marla Gibson with Shannon and Lonnie Melton

Donna and Bryan Calloway, Jennie Calloway Smith, and Kari and Kippy Blaney

Lyn Jenkins, Dickie Brennan, and René Adams

Devin Heath, Nicole Harris, Janice Heath, Dickie Brennan, and Braxton Hobdy

Charlotte Brent, Margaret Perkins, Eric West, and René Adams

Engagement Gathering for Denham and Whittington

Paige Denham and Ethen Whittington were honored with an engagement party in Natchez, Mississippi, on July 15, 2023, at Ellicott Hall on the grounds of The House on Ellicott’s Hill where friends and family gathered to toast the couple. The event was hosted by Ethen’s parents, Buddy and Lisa Whittington. The couple will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for their destination wedding.

Ethen Whittington and Paige Denham

Paige Denham and Lisa Whittington

Trish Santoya and Ty Rasberry

Evan Walker with Jerry and Teli Walker

Sue Freeman with Jon and Debby Betts

Mike and Alicia Norris

Daryl and Stephanie Walker

Chris and Kaci Cothern

Donna and Jim Ball

Lacey and Tyler Barr

Lisa Whittington and Jennifer Lessley

Angel and Allen Booty

Edith Chauvin and Kim Graves

Amanda and Maddy Doby

Trish and Joe Santoya

Mike Smith and Ty Rasberry

Caleb and Evan Walker

Ethen Whittington, Spencer

Whittington, and Sheila McFadden

Edith and Larry Chauvin

Joel and Jennifer Lessley, and Angel Booty

Spencer Whittington, Angel Booty, and Ethen Whittington

2023 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Editor’s note: The following football schedules were up to date at press time. Please consult respective college and NFL websites for any changes should they occur.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Sept. 2 ..................... vs Middle Tennessee

Sept. 9 ......................................... vs Texas

Sept. 16 ........................... @ South Florida

Sept. 23 ................................... vs Ole Miss

Sept. 30 .................... @ Mississippi State

Oct. 7 @ Texas A&M

Oct. 14 vs Arkansas

Oct. 21 .................................. vs Tennessee

Nov. 4 .............................................vs LSU

Nov. 11 ..................................... @ Kentucky

Nov. 18 ....................... vs UT Chattanooga

Nov. 25 .......................................@ Auburn

FLORIDA GATORS

Aug. 31 ........................................... @ Utah

Sept. 9 ......................... vs McNeese State

Sept. 16 vs Tennessee

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Sept. 2 ...... vs West Carolina (Little Rock)

Sept. 9 vs Kent

AUBURN TIGERS

Sept. 2 ........................................ vs UMass

Sept. 9 @ California

Sept. 16 ................................... vs Samford

Sept. 23 @ Texas A&M

Sept. 30 ................................... vs Georgia

Oct. 14 ............................................. @ LSU

Oct. 21 ..................................... vs Ole Miss

Oct. 28 ...................... vs Mississippi State

Nov. 4 .................................. @ Vanderbilt

Nov. 11 .................................... @ Arkansas

Nov. 18 ................ vs Florida International

Nov. 25 .................................... vs Missouri

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Sept. 2 ................................... vs UT Martin

Sept. 9 ................................... vs Ball State

Sept. 16 vs South Carolina

Sept. 23 vs UAB

Sept. 30 @ Auburn

Oct. 7 ...................................... vs Kentucky

Oct. 14 .................................. @ Vanderbilt

Oct. 28 ............... @ Florida (Jacksonville)

Nov. 4 ..................................... vs Missouri

Nov. 11 ..................................... vs Ole Miss

Nov. 18 .................... vs New Mexico State

Nov. 25 ................................... vs Alabama

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Sept. 2 vs Ball State

Sept. 9 vs Eastern Kentucky

Sept. 16 ....................................... vs Akron

Sept. 23 ................................ @ Vanderbilt

Sept. 30 ..................................... vs Florida

Oct. 7 .........................................@ Georgia

Oct. 14 ..................................... vs Missouri

Oct. 28 ................................. vs Tennessee

Nov. 4 @ Mississippi State

Nov. 11 vs Alabama

Nov. 18 .................................... @ Missouri

Nov. 25 vs Florida State

LSU TIGERS

Sept. 3 ............. vs Florida State (Orlando)

Sept. 9 ................................. vs Grambling

Sept. 16 ..................... @ Mississippi State

Sept. 23 vs Arkansas

Sept. 30 @ Ole Miss

Oct. 7 @ Missouri

Oct. 14 ....................................... vs Auburn

Oct. 21 .......................................... vs Army

Nov. 4 ..................................... @ Alabama

Nov. 11 ........................................ vs Florida

Nov. 18 ........................... vs Georgia State

Nov. 25 vs Texas A&M

Nov. 18 ................................. @ Tennessee

Nov. 25 @ Georgia Tech

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

Sept. 2 ................ Southeastern Louisiana

Sept. 9 vs Arizona

Sept. 16 vs LSU

Sept. 23 ......................... @ South Carolina

Sept. 30 ................................. vs Alabama

Oct. 7 ....................... vs Western Michigan

Oct. 21 .................................... @ Arkansas

Oct. 28 .......................................@ Auburn

Nov. 4 .................................... vs Kentucky

Nov. 11 @ Texas A&M

Nov. 18 vs Southern Miss

Nov. 23 vs Ole Miss

Nov. 18 .......................... @ South Carolina

Nov. 25 ................................... @Louisville

MISSOURI TIGERS

Sept. 2 ............................. vs South Dakota

Sept. 9 .................... vs Middle Tenn. State

Sept. 16 ............................vs Kansas State

Sept. 23 ................ vs Memphis (St. Louis)

Sept. 30 @ Vanderbilt

Oct. 7 vs LSU

Oct. 14 @ Kentucky

Oct. 21 ........................... vs South Carolina

Nov. 4 .......................................@ Georgia

Nov. 11 .................................. vs Tennessee

Nov. 18 ....................................... vs Florida

Nov. 25 ................................... @ Arkansas

OLE MISS REBELS

Sept. 2 ........................................ vs Mercer

Sept. 9 ........................................ @ Tulane

Sept. 16 vs Georgia Tech

Sept. 23 @ Alabama

Sept. 30 ..........................................vs LSU

Oct. 7 ...................................... vs Arkansas

Oct. 21 ........................................@ Auburn

Oct. 28 ................................. vs Vanderbilt

Nov. 4 ................................. vs Texas A&M

Nov. 11 .......................................@ Georgia

Nov. 18 vs UL-Monroe

Nov. 23 @ MS State

TEXAS A&M AGGIES

Sept. 2 vs New Mexico

Sept. 9 .........................................@ Miami

Sept. 16 .............................. vs UL- Monroe

Sept. 23 ..................................... vs Auburn

Sept. 30 ............. vs Arkansas (Arlington)

Oct. 7 ...................................... vs Alabama

Oct. 28 .......................... vs South Carolina

Nov. 4 @ Ole Miss

Nov. 11 vs Mississippi State

Nov. 18 ..................... vs Abilene Christian

Nov. 25 ............................................ @ LSU

BELHAVEN BLAZERS

Aug. 31 .....................................vs Millsaps

Sept. 9 ........................................... @ Lyon

Sept. 23 .............................. vs Greensboro

Sept. 30 @ Wesleyan

Oct. 7 vs Huntingdon

Oct. 14 .................................... @ LaGrange

Oct. 21 .................................. vs Methodist

Oct. 28 ................................... @ Maryville

Nov. 4 ...................... @ Southern Virginia

Nov. 11 ...................................... vs Brevard

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS

Sept. 2 ........ vs North Carolina (Charlotte)

Sept. 9 ...................................... vs Furman

Sept. 16 .....................................@ Georgia

Sept. 23 ..................... vs Mississippi State

Sept. 30 ............................... @ Tennessee

Oct. 14 ........................................ vs Florida

Oct. 21 @ Missouri

Oct. 28 @ Texas A&M

Nov. 4 vs Jacksonville State

Nov. 11 .................................. vs Vanderbilt

Nov. 18 ................................... vs Kentucky

Nov. 25 .................................... vs Clemson

VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Aug. 26 ...................................... vs Hawaii

Sept. 2 ........................... vs Alabama A&M

Sept. 9 @ Wake Forest

Sept. 16 @ UNLV

Sept. 23 .................................. vs Kentucky

Sept. 30 .................................. vs Missouri

Oct. 7 .......................................... @ Florida

Oct. 14 ...................................... vs Georgia

Nov. 4 ....................................... vs Auburn

Nov. 11 ........................... @ South Carolina

Nov. 25 @Tennessee

COPIAH LINCOLN WOLFPACK

Sept. 7 vs East Mississippi

Sept. 14 vs Miss Delta

Sept. 21 @ Jones College

Sept. 28 ................... vs Southwest MS CC

Oct. 7 ...................................... @ Coahoma

Oct. 12 ............................. @ Gulf Coast CC

Oct. 19 ............................ vs Pearl River CC

Oct. 26 ......................... vs East Central CC

Nov. 2 ...................................... @ Hinds CC

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Sept. 2 ................... vs Virginia (Nashville)

Sept. 9 .............................. vs Austin Peay

Sept. 16 ...................................... @ Florida

Sept. 23 ........................................ vs UTSA

Sept. 30 ........................ vs South Carolina

Oct. 14 vs Texas A&M

Oct. 21 @ Alabama

Oct. 28 .................................... @ Kentucky

Nov. 4 ........................................ vs UConn

Nov. 11 ..................................... @ Missouri

Nov. 18 ..................................... vs Georgia

Nov. 25 ................................ vs Vanderbilt

ALCORN STATE BRAVES

Sept. 2 ............................................ @ USM

Sept. 9 ...................... @ Stephen F. Austin

Sept. 16 vs McNeese State

Sept. 23 vs Prairie View A&M

Sept. 30 ............... @ Alabama State Univ.

Oct. 7 ................. vs Grambling State Univ.

Oct. 21 ..... @ Univ. of Arkansas, Pine Bluff

Oct. 28 ...... @ vs Mississippi Valley State

Nov. 4 ........................... vs Southern Univ.

Nov. 11 ................. @ Texas Southern Univ.

Nov. 18 vs Jackson State / Jackson

DELTA STATE STATESMEN

August 31 ........................ @ Missouri S&T

Sept. 9 ............................ @ Chowan Univ.

Sept. 16 vs MS Valley State

Sept. 23 vs Shorter Univ.

Sept. 30 .......... @ Univ. of West Alabama

Oct. 7 .................... @ Valdosta State Univ.

Oct. 14 ............... vs North Greenville Univ.

Oct. 21 ..................... vs Univ. West Florida

Nov. 4 ....................@ Univ. West Georgia

Nov. 11 .............................................. vs MC

GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS

Sept. 2 ........................... @ Hampton Univ.

Sept. 9 @ LSU

Sept. 16 ............ vs Florida Memorial Univ.

Sept. 23 vs Texas Southern Univ.

Sept. 30 ............................ @ Prairie View

Oct. 7 @ Alcorn State Univ.

Oct. 14 ........................... vs Alabama A&M

Oct. 28 .......... vs Bethune-Cookman Univ.

Nov. 4 .................. @ Alabama State Univ.

Nov. 10 ........ @ Univ. Arkansas, Pine Bluff

Nov. 25 .......................... vs Southern Univ.

JACKSON STATE TIGERS

Aug. 26 ............... vs South Carolina State

Sept. 3 ............................... @ Florida A&M

Sept. 9 @ Southern Univ.

Sept. 16 @ Texas State

Sept. 23 vs Bethune-Cookman

Oct. 7 .............................. @ Alabama A&M

Oct. 14 .......................... vs Alabama State

Oct. 21 .......................... @ MS Valley State

Oct. 28 ................. @ Arkansas, Pine Bluff

Nov. 4 .......................... vs Texas Southern

Nov. 18 vs Alcorn State

MILLSAPS MAJORS

Aug. 31 @ Belhaven Univ.

Sept. 9 ........................... vs McMurry Univ.

Sept. 16 ................................... @ Sewanee

Sept. 23 ....................... vs Hendrix College

Sept. 30 @ Birmingham-Southern College

Oct. 7 ........................... vs Rhodes College

Oct. 14 @ Berry College

Oct. 21 vs Centre College

Oct. 28 ...................... @ Trinity University

Nov. 4 ................... vs Southwestern Univ.

HINDS COMMUNITY EAGLES

Aug. 25 ................... vs Copiah-Lincoln CC

Sept. 7 @ Northeast MS

Sept. 14 @ Northwest MS

Sept. 21 vs East Central CC

Sept. 28 ..........................@ Pearl River CC

Oct. 5 .............................. @ Jones College

Oct. 12 ...................... vs Southwest MS CC

Oct. 19 ............................. vs Itawamba CC

Oct. 28 ...................... @ MS Gulf Coast CC

Nov. 2 ....................... vs Copiah Lincoln CC

LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS

Aug. 31 ....................vs East Texas Baptist

Sept. 9 ......................vs Arkansas Baptist

Sept. 16 .................................. @ Langston

Sept. 23 vs Wayland Baptist

Sept. 30 @ Okla. Panhandle State

Oct. 7 ........................... vs North American

Oct. 14 ............................. @ Texas College

Oct. 21 ....................... @ Ottawa (Arizona)

Oct. 28 ........................................ vs SAGU

Nov. 4 ............ vs John Melvin (Exhibition)

Nov. 11 ......................... @ Texas Wesleyan

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE CHOCTAWS

Aug. 31............................................@ Keiser

Sept. 9.........................@ Midwestern State

Sept. 16...............................vs West Georgia

Sept. 23.............................@ West Alabama

Sept. 30........................................@ Shorter

Oct. 14...............................vs Valdosta State

Oct. 21..........................................vs Chowan

Oct. 28............................@ North Greenville

Nov 4...................................vs West Florida

Nov 11......................................@ Delta State

HOLMES COMMUNITY BULLDOGS

Sept. 7 ............................ vs Pearl River CC

Sept. 14 vs East Central CC

Sept. 21 @ East MS CC

Sept. 28 vs Coahoma CC

Oct. 5 @ Northeast MS CC

Oct. 12 vs Itawamba CC

Oct. 19 @ MS Delta CC

Oct. 26 vs Northwest MS CC

Nov. 2 @ Southwest MS CC

LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS

Aug. 26 ............................................ vs FIU

Sept. 2 ............................................ @ SMU

Sept. 9 ................. vs Northwestern State

Sept. 16 vs North Texas

Sept. 23 @ Nebraska

Sept. 29 ........................................ @ UTEP

Oct. 5 .................. vs West Kentucky Univ.

Oct. 10 ..................... @ Middle Tenn. State

Oct. 24 .................... vs New Mexico State

Nov. 4 ........................................ @ Liberty

Nov. 11 ............................. vs Sam Houston

Nov. 18 @ Jacksonville State

NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY DEMONS

Sept. 3 @ Montana

Sept. 10 vs Grambling State

Sept. 17 .......................................... @ USM

Sept. 24 ...................................... vs Lamar

Oct. 1 ........................................ vs Nicholls

Oct. 8 ............................ @ Eastern Illinois

Oct. 15 ........................ @ Houston Baptist

Oct. 22 .................. vs Southeast Missouri

Nov. 5 @ Texas A & M ( Commerce)

Nov. 12 @ Southeastern LA

Nov. 19 ......................... vs Incarnate Word

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS

Sept. 3 ....................... vs Florida Memorial

Sept. 10 ........................................... @ LSU

Sept. 17 @ Texas Southern

Oct. 1 vs Ark Pine Bluff

Oct. 8 ................................ vs Prairie View

Oct. 15 .................................... vs Alcorn St

Oct. 22 ................... vs Virginia-Lynchburg

Oct. 29 .................................. @ Jackson St

Nov. 5 ............................... @ Florida A&M

Nov. 12 ........................... vs Miss Valley St.

Nov. 26 @ Grambling

Superdome

UNIV OF LA @ LAFAYETTE RAGIN’ CAJUNS

Sept. 3 ........... vs Southeastern Louisiana

Sept. 10..................... vs Eastern Michigan

Sept. 17 ........................................... @ Rice

Sept. 24 .......................................... @ ULM

Oct. 1 ............................ vs South Alabama

Oct. 12 @ Marshall

Oct. 22 vs Arkansas State

Oct. 27 @ Southern MS

Nov. 5 ............................................. vs Troy

Nov. 10 ..................... vs Georgia Southern

Nov. 19 ............................. @ Florida State

Nov. 26 ............................... @ Texas State

COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP

BOWL GAMES !

Dec. 2

ACC Championship – Charlotte, SC

Dec. 2

SEC Championship – Atlanta, GA

Dec. 2

SWAC Championship – TBA

Jan. 8

NCAA National Championship –

Houston, Texas

SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI BEARS

Sept. 1 ............................... vs MS Delta CC

Sept. 8 ............................. vs Coahoma CC

Sept. 15 @ MS Gulf Coast CC

Sept. 22 vs Copiah-Lincoln CC

Sept. 29 ....................... @ East Central CC

Oct. 6 ......................................vs Hinds CC

Oct. 13 ............................. @ Jones College

Oct. 22 ............................ vs Pearl River CC

Oct. 27 @ Holmes CC

TULANE GREEN WAVE

Sept. 3 ................ vs Univ. Massachusetts

Sept. 10....................................... vs Alcorn

Sept. 17 ............................ @ Kansas State

Sept. 24 ......................................... vs USM

Sept. 30 @ Univ. of Houston

Oct. 8 vs East Carolina Univ.

Oct. 15 @ Univ. South Florida

Oct. 22 .......................... vs Univ. Memphis

Nov. 5 .............................. @ Univ. of Tulsa

Nov. 12 ................. vs Univ. Central Florida

Nov. 17 ............................................ vs SMU

Nov. 26 .................... @ Univ. of Cincinnati

UNIV OF LA @ MONROE WARHAWKS

Sept. 3 @ Texas

Sept. 10 vs Nicholls

Sept. 17 @ Alabama

UNIV OF SOUTHERN MS GOLDEN EAGLES

Sept. 3 vs Liberty

Sept. 10 ........................................@ Miami

Sept. 17 ................ vs Northwestern State

Sept. 24 ...................................... @ Tulane

Oct. 8 .............................................. @ Troy

Oct. 15 .......................... vs Arkansas State

Oct. 22 .................................@ Texas State

Oct. 27 vs ULL

Nov. 5 vs Texas State

Nov. 12 @ Georgia State

Nov. 19 @ Troy

Nov. 26 .......................................... vs USM

Nov. 5 vs Georgia State

Nov. 12 ........................ @ Coastal Carolina

Nov. 19 ........................ vs South Alabama

Nov. 26 ........................................... @ ULM

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Sept. 10 .................... vs Tennessee Titans

Sept. 18 .................... @ Carolina Panthers

Sept. 24 .................. @ Green Bay Packers

Oct. 1 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Oct. 8 @ New England Patriots

Oct. 15 @ Houston Texans

Oct. 19 .................. vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Oct. 29 .....................@ Indianapolis Colts

Nov. 5 ............................. @ Chicago Bears

Nov. 12 .................... @ Minnesota Vikings

Nov. 26 ........................ @ Atlanta Falcons

Dec. 3 ...............................vs Detroit Lions

Dec. 10 vs Carolina Panthers

Dec. 17 vs New York Giants

Dec. 21 @ Los Angeles Rams

Dec. 31 ..............@ Tampa Bay buccaneers

Jan. 7 ........................... vs Atlanta Falcons

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Retirement Celebration for Holyoak

John Holyoak, General Manager of Dunleith Historic Inn and The Castle Restaurant and Pub in Natchez, Mississippi, was honored with a retirement party on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at The Pub. The community turned out to congratulate Holyoak on his retirement after his many years of service to Dunleith Historic Inn and to share with him their best wishes for his next chapter. Photos by Lisa Whittington

Brenda, Blair, and Bethany Zerby

René Ware, Pat Sanguinetti, Sheila Thompson, and Gina Holyaok

Mark Wilson, Chef Doug Hosford, John Holyoak, Wes Guice, and Sandy Comeaux

Diane DuPont, Ann Dupont, and Jim and Sarah Smith

Courtney, Allie, and Charles Feltus

Babs and Ken Price

Linda Caston and Sandra Tipton

Molly and Ian Robertson

Kim and Mike Lazarus

Anette Lewis, Hedy Bolte, and Margaret Byrd

Dub Rogers and Linda Shehan

Lisa and Adrian Sandel

Kerry Dicks and KateLee Laird

Julie and Forrest Johnson

Nancy and Julianna Wallace

Lane and Kate Feltus

FOOTBALL!

Say the word, and fierce rivalries come to mind. LSU, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss stand out as competitors. However, even these rivals have something in common; and that is the love of tailgating, especially enjoying barbeque.

Tailgating began when fans would open a car trunk or drop a truck tailgate to spread out a pre-game meal since there were few restaurant options available for traveling fans. Today’s tailgating might take place on campus or be an “at home” celebration where friends gather to fire up the grill and watch the game.

One unique story of tailgating begins with Prent and Anne Castle of St. Joseph, Louisiana, who married in 1956 and spent their honeymoon at an LSU football game. The Castles were devoted fans and attended all LSU home games and most away and bowl games. “Mom said the ladies ‘dressed to the nine’s’ including heels and hats,” recalls Susan Castle Gremillion. “We celebrated all things LSU, and we still do.”

Over the years, the Castles added three children and many friends to their tailgating traditions. Pete Westmoreland and son Charlie of Natchez were Ole Miss fans and joined the group through his wife’s college friendship with Anne. Dale “Red” and Jane Hoover were St. Joseph friends who later moved to Natchez and added to the LSU side of the equation.

Recipes developed by these three couples continue to be staples at their families’ tailgating celebrations. Anne’s Hot Dip recipe, included in the LSU Alumni Association Cookbook, is now the base of a baked cheese grits recipe. Pete’s Divine Swine whole hog barbeque has been simplified to a barbequed pork butt and is served with sides like Asian Cole Slaw, Cucumber Dip, and Sausage Balls which are easy to prepare and transport to tailgates.

Another family with a great tailgating tradition is the Wells family of Natchez. Their family’s Mississippi State tradition began with Ruth Cooper Head who attended MSU Extension training in Vicksburg during World War II. Ruth’s daughters, Phyllis Lewellen and Linda Grafton, were the first Mississippi State alumni in the family. Phyllis’s daughter, Laurie Pittman Wells, and her husband, Patrick, are second-generation MSU graduates while grandson Mason Wells is a junior at State.

“We love our university. It feels like home to be on campus,” says Laurie Wells. “It’s not unusual to have a stranger join our tailgate and end up with our family recipes. Mom plans our tailgating parties. We tailgate with these recipes for football and baseball.” These family recipes include Patrick’s Grilled Duck Breasts, Laurie’s Chess Squares, and Smoked Edam Cheese.

Share these recipes at your next tailgate, and add a little “Hotty Toddy,” “Geaux Tigers,” and more cowbells as secret ingredients for a great celebration.

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.

ARTICLE | Cecilia Hopkins Stevens

TOP | Mason and Cooper Wells at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi (Photo by Laurie Wells)

MIDDLE | Anne Castle and granddaughter Lauren Castle at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Photo by Susan Castle Gremillion)

BOTTOM | Jane Hoover, Anne Castle, and Joyce Ann Westmoreland

Anne Castle’s Hot Dip

(Shared by Susan Castle Gremillion and Ray Castle from files of their mother, Anne Castle)

1 large container

Velveeta, cubed

1 quart Blue Plate

Mayonnaise

8-ounce jar pickled jalapeño peppers

1 large onion

Puree peppers and onion in food processor. Gradually add cubed cheese and mix till smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mix in mayonnaise. Refrigerate at least one hour but best overnight. Serve with saltine crackers or corn chips. Refrigerate unused portions. Keeps one week in refrigerator if you manage to have any left.

Baked Cheese Grits

(Recipe developed by Cecilia Hopkins Stevens)

2 cups quick grits

8 cups whole milk

½ stick butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

½ recipe of Hot Dip

2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9x13 casserole dishes. Prepare grits according to package directions substituting milk for water. When grits are cooked, remove from heat and place grits in large mixing bowl. Add Hot Dip and mix well. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Pour into casserole dishes and bake for 45 minutes or until top is lightly brown and firm. Serve hot.

Asian Cole Slaw

(Recipe from files of Jane Hoover)

1 package cole slaw mix

1 package Ramen noodle soup (dry)

½ cup sunflower seeds

Sausage Balls

(Recipe from files of Cecil Hopkins)

2 rolls “hot” breakfast sausage

1 package (32 ounces) pancake mix

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

16 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large cookie sheet. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using hands, mix ingredients until well incorporated. Shape into balls 1 inch in diameter. Place on cookie sheet and bake 20-25 minutes or until sausage is cooked through. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow sausage balls to cool five minutes. Use a spatula to remove to a plate to continue cooling. Store in an air-tight container and refrigerate. Keeps one week in refrigerator. Good served with jalapeño jelly.

Cucumber Dip

(Recipe from Chasity Dryg)

2 large cucumbers, peeled and grated

½ cup white onion, grated

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup sour cream

3 tablespoons

mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Louisiana Hot Sauce

Salt to taste

Drain cucumbers and onion. Place cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and mix till smooth. Add sour cream, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and salt. Mix till smooth. Add cucumber and onion. Mix till smooth. Refrigerate at least one hour for flavors to marry. Serve with corn chips or wheat crackers. Keeps in the refrigerator 3-5 days.

½ teaspoon pepper

¼ cup red wine vinegar

½ cup sugar

½ cup mayonnaise

Mix vinegar, sugar, and mayonnaise in large mixing bowl. Add cole slaw mix, sunflower seeds, and seasoning. Mix well. Remove Ramen noodles from package. Discard seasoning mix. Crush noodles and sprinkle on top of salad. Mix in noodles just before serving. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Chess Squares

(Recipe from Laurie Pittman Wells)

1 box butter cake mix

1 stick butter

3 eggs

Mississippi State

Smoked Cheese Ball

(Recipe from Laurie Pittman Wells)

1 pound powdered sugar

8 ounces cream cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan. Place cake mix and butter in a mixing bowl and cut in butter. Press butter mixture in the bottom of the baking pan. In a separate mixing bowl, mix eggs, sugar, and cream cheese until smooth. Pour over butter/cake mix crust in baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Cool. Cut into squares to serve.

Pete’s Divine Swine

(Shared by Charlie Westmoreland from the recipes of his father, Pete Westmoreland)

1 whole hog (100 pounds)

Rebel Rub (available at Rebel Butcher Supply in Flowood, MS)

3 gallons of water

4 ounces apple cider vinegar

24 ounces apple juice

4 ounces water

“Daddy developed this whole hog recipe after cooking a Cochon de Lait at Cloverdale Plantation with Red Hoover. They decided that took too long, and they started experimenting.” (Charlie Westmoreland) If using a whole hog, break the backbone so that the hog can be placed stomach side down on the grill. Rub the hog with your favorite rub or seasoning blend. Mix rub with 3 gallons of water to dissolve the rub. Use an injector, and slowly inject this liquid seasoning into the hog. Spritz the skin with oil so that the skin will be crisp. Heat the smoker to 325 degrees. (Daddy liked to smoke it hotter than most do today.) Once you close the lid on the hog, don’t open it again until near the end when you start spritzing with the remaining apple cider/water/apple juice mix. Cook 1 to 1:15 hour per 10 pounds of hog. A 100-pound hog will take at least 10 hours to cook.

Adjust for a smaller crowd by cooking a pork butt or shoulder and using 2 quarts of the liquid seasoning mix. Cook for the same ratio of time and spritz with apple cider mix the last 30 minutes of cooking.

This recipe won 4th at the Memphis in May “Whole Hog” World Championship.

1 ball Edam cheese from Mississippi State Dairy

1 jar Jezebel Sauce or Favorite spicy jelly

Wrap cheese ball in foil. Place on the grill, distant from direct heat source; and smoke for 1 hour. Remove from heat and unwrap. Place on a tray and garnish with selected sauce or jelly. Serve with crackers and fruit.

Grilled Duck Breasts

(Recipe from Laurie Pittman Wells)

8 duck breasts, deboned and halved

1 cup Italian dressing

1 cup red wine

¼ cup Dale’s Seasoning

16 ounces cream cheese

8 jalapeño peppers

8 slices bacon

Prepare grill and heat to medium. Combine dressing, wine, and seasoning in a Ziploc bag. Add duck breasts. Refrigerate overnight. Remove duck breasts and discard marinade. Half jalapeños and remove seeds. Cut cream cheese into 1-ounce slices. Place 1 slice cream cheese on ½ jalapeño. Wrap with duck breast and then wrap with bacon. Secure with toothpicks. Grill until bacon is crispy.

Big Brother’s Comeuppance

ARTICLE | Lucien C. Gwin III

Have you ever read George Orwell’s 1984, a fictional work about a government taking over and controlling its citizens’ every move, every thought, and every action through surveillance and legislation? Our current government has recently been compared to 1984’s fictional plot about “Big Brother.”

However, in recent months, our United States Supreme Court has backed down both federal and state governments from excessive overreaching and usurping of power, liberty, and speech. Specifically, four just-decided cases have fired shots across the bow of government power grabs. A fifth and most egregious case sits in the wings.

The first case is Groff vs. DeJoy decided in the summer of 2023 wherein a Christian who worked for the U. S. Postal Service intentionally transferred to a rural area where USPS provided services, all in order not to have to work on Sundays. However, a short time later USPS required him to work on Sundays even though other employees were available to work Sundays and didn’t mind working on the Sabbath. USPS then started writing him up, an effort designed for demotion and termination. He sued them under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act for religious discrimination, and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court held that without a showing of hardship by USPS it had to make the religious accommodation.

The next case styled 303 Creative vs. Elenis dealt with antidiscrimination in public accommodations of the Free Speech Clause. The State of Colorado passed a law that businesses could not discriminate against LGBT citizens. The plaintiff was in the business of creating and selling wedding websites, but it was against her religion to create a website for LGBT individuals. The plaintiff actually sued the state asking the federal courts to declare she did not have to obey a law that violated her long-held religious belief and practices. The U. S. Supreme Court agreed with her and said the law violated the plaintiff’s right to free speech.

The third case is styled Student Fair Admissions vs. Harvard. This case involved Harvard University’s using race as one of the determining factors in admitting students to the university. Asian students felt they were discriminated against under affirmative action, and so they sued. Justice John Roberts ruled that it was unconstitutional to use race as a determining factor in college admissions.

The last case recently decided is Biden vs. Nebraska which involved a campaign promise by Joe Biden that, if elected, he would seek legislation to forgive up to $10,000.00

worth of student loans for students who made less than $125,000.00 per year. When legislation failed, Biden sought loan forgiveness through executive order. The case was very complicated and involved several federal acts. The Supreme Court ruled in essence that a debt forgiveness of this magnitude which did not have clear legislative authority for the President required Congress to act, and thus the Supreme Court set aside Biden’s executive order.

All four of these cases seem to peel back both state and federal government control over an individual and society. They are certainly controversial.

The final case, one that is pending, involves a doctrine known as the “Chevron Doctrine.” Simply put, the Chevron Doctrine, decided by the Supreme Court several years ago, held that, when a federal law is ambiguous and involves action by a federal agency, the Court should defer in favor of the federal agency’s determination of what the law means. The case involves a New England family-based fishing company. Some federal agency has decided under a vague interpretation of federal law that the agency has the right and power to place federal inspectors on every fishing boat to ensure government compliances with fishing regulations and to have the fishing company pay the government fishing inspectors. This amounts to 20% of the fishing company’s earnings.

If the government wins this case, then Pandora’s Box is kicked wide open. Big Brother would certainly be unleashed further to invade our private lives, our speech, and our freedom. Our founding fathers completely understood how tyrannical government can become if there are no checks and balances. This is exactly why you should cherish and fight hard for your constitutional freedoms.

In my lifetime, I have never seen such overreaching by the government as has occurred in the last ten years. The nightmares of North Korea cannot be far away from the United States if we do not stand up for our constitutional freedoms. Twenty years ago I would have thought that impossible, but society is changing with lightening speed right before our eyes.

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.

In celebration of our 50th birthday, we have decided to give back to the communities that have supported us throughout the years. We will be donating a total of $50,000 to educators, charities, and organizations throughout the communities that we serve.

888-757-8601

This donation serves as a small token of our gratitude for the trust you have placed in us. We believe that together, we can continue to make a difference and create a brighter future for generations to come.

deltabk.com

Jim Lessley’s 80th Surprise Family Birthday

A surprise 80th birthday party for Jim Lessley was held July 15, 2023, at The Castle restaurant on the grounds of historic Dunleith Inn in Natchez, Mississippi. The family coordinated their attire with summer white and kaki. Cocktails, dinner, and family photos filled the evening as family members honored and toasted Jim for his 80-years-young celebration! Photos by Bill Perkins

Jim and Mary Lessley

Lanie Reese, Elizabeth Van Uden, Taylor Lessley, Meredith Lessley, and Lessley Van Uden

Grayson, Bryan, Elizabeth, Lessley, and Michael Van Uden

Taylor and Meredith Lessley

Front—Meredith, Mary, and Jim Lessley with Lessley Van Uden and Taylor Lessley / Back—Grayson Van Uden, Turner Lessley, and Michael Van Uden

Lanie Reese and Lessley Van Uden

Front—Jay Lessley, Mary Lessley, and Jim Lessley / Middle: Turner Lessley, Taylor Lessley, Joel Lessley, Elizabeth Lessley Van Uden, Bryan Van Uden, Lessley Van Uden, and Grayson Van Uden / Back: Meredith Lessley, Jennifer Cox Lessley, and Michael Van Uden

Jim Lessley toasting

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Mississippi American Legion Riders Family Award

American Legion Drane-Prine Post 79

Commander Bobby Thornton and Auxiliary District 7 President Sara Lassiter announce that the Wesson Legion Family has been awarded the 2023 American Legion Riders Family Award. The award was announced at the recent 104th Annual Department of Mississippi American Legion Convention on July 22, 2023, in Natchez, Mississippi. The American Legion focuses on the Four Pillars which are Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth.

LIVIN' LARGE ON AT LAST FARM

At 8:30 a.m, dressed for walking outside on a farm, Lisa Whittington, Bluffs & Bayous photographer, and I drove up to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to see what At Last Farm was all about. Knocking on the front door of Jennie and Jarrell Smith’s home, we got no answer. After a text to Jennie to let her know we had arrived, Jarrell appeared around the corner and led us to the goat barn where we found Jennie milking two of their goats.

Mind you, they both had been up and working since sunrise; and our arrival was around 10 a.m. We spent over an hour and a half with them on their eleven-acre farm while they talked with us about their seventy-four animals—goats, Pyrenees dogs and pups, and chickens—as well as a large seasonal garden.

The couple met through mutual friends and coworkers at a Super Bowl party for two consecutive years before finally dating and tying the knot in 2013. A South Carolina native, Jarrell is a research civil engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Jennie, a Natchez, Mississippi, native, worked in the food and hospitality industry following college and served as Food and Hospitality Director for Isle of Capri and Diamond Jacks Casinos in Vicksburg.

No stranger to the farm life, Jarrell grew up on a small family farm boasting a variety of poultry— chickens, turkeys, pheasants, and quail—a big garden, fruit trees, a Christmas tree farm, and feeder

hogs. From a young age, he was accustomed to feeding the livestock before he went to school and tending to the farm chores afterward. “It was a great childhood,” he explained. “We were living the dream.”

The closest Jennie came to a farm experience while growing up was her grandmother’s chickens; “and they were mean,” she quipped. In her neighborhood, several families shared a garden growing vegetables and fruits; however, the water supply had to be “toted” to the site. When her dad and the other men were away, the children were tasked with the watering chores. Therefore, when Jarrell suggested a farm, Jennie flat out stated, “I won’t tote water!” She was soon hooked, though; and today she is co- owner and operator of At Last Farm.

Jumping right in with chickens and feeder hogs, the Smiths have now been passionate farmer-owners for ten years. They eventually introduced goats to the farm, the raising of goats being a skill learned from Sandra and Ronald Collins. Jennie shadowed these mentors for over a year to garner everything necessary to know about goats.

At Last Farm’s three Pyrenees dogs, Minnie Pearl, Slim Pickins, and LuLu, respond eagerly and affectionately when called by their Hee Haw television show-character names from the 1960s and 1970s. Minnie Pearl and LuLu are sisters. At the end of our tour, we visited Minnie Pearl’s new puppies in the basement of the Smiths’ home. The couple breeds and sells these dogs to other farmers as the breed most protective in guarding goats to keep them from harm.

The Smiths’ sense of humor with names also includes their other animals: Betty Jo, Irene, Eeyore, Jethro, Smokey, Bandit, Brutus, Braxton, Red Mayo, Nellies, and Anna Fortunato are just a few of the names that stand out. Some are named after family, some after friends, and some after television characters.

It was a warm August Saturday morning when we left Natchez, Mississippi.

Jarrell and Jennie Smith

And the humor continues with The Egg Drop Inn, a jazzed up chicken coup that has colored lights strung around the building. “Mr. Fix It,” as Jennie lovingly refers to Jarrell, built the structure and all of the fencing around the property. He is the repair guy, snake retriever, chicken-lovin’ man about the place.

When we approached the fenced area, we were met by Braxton, the retired barn rooster. His home is outside the coup protected from the other roosters and hens. At Last Farm’s flocks of chickens are Dominique, Barred Rock, Easter Eggers, and Ameraucana breeds. To our delight, we caught the action of some hens laying eggs and some flying from one level to the next as we listened to the clucking and crowing “dialog” of the hens and rooster.

We strolled over to the garden where our eyes met rows of vegetables and fruits just about finished with their growing season and soon to be followed with fall crop preparations. Throughout the summer, annual produce usually includes thorn-less blackberries, asparagus, okra, basil, dill, rosemary, squash, corn, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, purple hull peas, eggplant, various greens, and snap beans.

From these selections, Jennie reigns as queen of the kitchen creating varieties of goat cheese dishes, salsas, and pickled eggs along with okra, breads, pies, and a plethora of other items for sale. You are welcome to text her and cruise up through the circle drive; and she’ll be there to hand off fresh eggs, cheeses, and vegetables, as well as other selections of your choice. At Last Farm has a Facebook page where Jennie posts her daily,

available-for-purchase, fresh-from-the-kitchen dishes.

Also of interest are the property’s two ponds where the Smiths raise bass and brim. The smaller of the ponds is for breeding and raising young brim to be transferred to the larger pond. Here, the couple enjoys fishing during any short time off during the day and then later basking in the comfort of an evening feast from the catch, the cultivation, the care, and the harvest of the land and resources their planning and hard work have produced.

The Smiths offer tours of the farm to interested groups, and Jennie has been known to speak to various civic and educational gatherings about her farm life and about the breeding and raising of Pyrenees, goats, and chickens. Our morning was a delightful and refreshing tour infused with large laughs and goat love. Did I mention that the farm welcomed several sets of kid goats born back in February? All of that excitement amidst Jennie and Jarrell Smiths’ keeping the kaleidoscope of life cycles going while livin’ large on At Last Farm.

To place your orders at At Last Farm, visit their FB page, email atlastfarmsmith@gmail.com or text 601.838.1702.

ARTICLE | Cheryl Rinehart

PHOTOS | Lisa Whittington Jarrell and Jennie Smith

LEFT | The couple's clever humor for the chicken coup entitled The Egg Drop Inn RIGHT | Jennie holding one of their hens from The Egg Drop Inn

LOUISIANA

louisianatravel.com

A great site for everything Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE

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

October 7

Kent Plantation House Fall Herb Day

Arts & Crafts Festival/Yard Sale

Kent House

8 am-4 pm / Free

October 28

Van Gogh Gala / 7 pm RiverOaksArtsCenter.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

Saturdays in Sept. & Oct. Red Stick Farmers Market 5th & Main Streets

8 am-Noon

1st Saturdays in Sept. & Oct. BR Arts Market

Red Stick Farmers Market

5th & Main Streets

8 am-Noon

September 15-24

Grease Theatre Baton Rouge thearebr.org/tickets

September 21-22, 28-29

Boo at the Zoo

Baton Rouge Zoo

9:30 am-5 pm / brzoo.org

October 7, 14, 21 & 28

Corn Maze at Burden

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens lsu.edu/botanic-gardens/ events/cornmaze.php

October 31

Boo with the Krewe Boo Village

8551 Scotland Ave. 4-7 pm / Free

CLINTON / JACKSON louisianasteamtrain.com

First Fridays in Sept. & Oct. Jackson Market Town Hall Gazebo Charger St.

11 am-4 pm / 225.933.4911

September 2

Stop & Shop the Choctaw Trail Garage Sale Clinton-Jackson-St. Francisville

8 am-3 pm

FB: JTEC Jackson

_______________________

MONROE / WEST MONROE monroe-westmonroe.org

September 29-October 8

Ark-La-Miss Fair Monroe Civic Center 318.396.8700

October 3-7

5th Annual NELA Scarecrows in the Garden

Biedenharn Museum & Gardens bmuseum.org

October 13-28

Oktoberfest

Fridays (4 pm-11 pm) Saturdays (1 pm-11 pm) oktoberfestnola.com

October 21

Krewe of Boo Parade French Quarter

6:30 pm / kreweofboo.com

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

stfrancisvillefestivals.com

FB: St. Francisville Farmers Market

Thursdays in Sept. & Oct.

Farmers Market 9961 Wilcox St.

8 am-12 pm / 225.245.1752

October 12

Witches Ride Commerce @ Burnett Rd.

FB: Witches ride of St. Francisville

October 28-29

Yellow Leaf Arts Festival Parker Park

10 am-5 pm

NEW ORLEANS neworleansonline.com neworleanscvb.com ogdenmuseum.org nola.org

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

VIDALIA cityofvidaliala.com concordialibrary.org

Wednesdays Farmers Market Old Court House N. Spruce St.

9 am-1 pm

November 3-4

VPD- Back the Blue BBQ Competition River View RV Park 318.336.1400

FB: Vidalia PD Back the Blue KCBS BBQ Competition

MISSISSIPPI

visitmississippi.org hikinginmississippi.com

BROOKHAVEN

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

September 16

Fall Concert Series

AA’Keela & the Beats Downtown Railroad Park Stage 7-9 pm

September 28

Canines, Cats & Corks Wine Tasting Brookhaven Building barl.net/events

October 6-7

48th Ole Brook Festival

Downtown 8 am-5 pm visitbrookhavenms.com

October 12-22

Into the Woods Brookhaven Little Theatre

Historic Haven Theatre

7 & 2 pm

brookhavenlittletheatre.com

October 14-November 26

Crossroads: Change in Rural America

Multimedia Exhibit

Lincoln County Public Library

Downtown

October 21

Fall Concert Series

Clear Creek

Downtown Railroad Park Stage 7-9 pm

_______________________

HAZLEHURST

October 12

2nd Annual Power of Pink Gala

Joe L. Johnson Community Safe Room

6 pm / 601.574.7232

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

October 5-15

164th Mississippi State Fair State Fair Grounds mississippifairgrounds.com

October 21

2nd Annual Oktoberfest Fertile Ground Beer Company Belhaven Town Center fertilegroundbeer.com

October 5

Toast & Tails The Mill

6 pm / $25

October 7

20th Anniversary Celebration McComb City Railroad Depot Museum

10 am / 601.248.3625

October 12-15

The Nerd Pike County Little Theatre

Oct. 12-14 / 7:30 pm

Oct. 15 / 2:30 pm

pcltmccomb.org/shows

October 19

Cooking for a Cause

The Palace Theatre

6 pm / fernwoodflippers@yahoo.com

October 30

MEADVILLE meadvillems.com

October 28

Homochitto River Fest

Downtown 8 am-9 pm / $9 admission homochittoriverfestival.org

_______________________

MCCOMB pikeinfo.com mccombarts.com mcrrmuseum.com pcltmccomb.org

FB: McComb Farmers Market

Thursdays in Sept. & Oct. Farmers Market 113 North Railroad Blvd. 7 am-1 pm / 410.693.7701

September 28

Southwest Medical Foundation’s Gala SMCC Fine Arts Auditorium After Party: The Palace Theatre

6:30 pm 601.551.5180

The Artisan’s Table Flower Show McComb Garden Club Palace Theater

2-6 pm / Free

NATCHEZ

Live Music Events Calendar visitnatchez.org/full-eventcalendar visitnatchez.org

kreweofphoenixnatchez.com

natchezpilgrimage.com

thetowersofnatchez.com

natchezgardenclub.org

FB Downtown Natchez Farmers Market

Saturdays in Sept. & Oct.

Natchez Farmers Market 300 N. Broadway / Downtown 8:30 am-Noon

September 14-24

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Natchez Little Theatre

Fri. & Sat. 7:30 pm / Sun. 2 pm

thenatchezlittletheatre.com

September 15

BBQ, Blues & Brews 408 N. MLK Jr. St. 6-10 pm / $15 Plate

September 16

Soul Food Fusion Festival Community Dinner En Blanc Broadway St. 6:30-10:30 pm eventbrite.com/e/soul-foodfusion-festival

September 22

Barbie Party Stanton Hall 8-10 pm / 512.665.1166

September 23-24

Cathedral Catholic School Fall Festival

Cathedral School Campus FB Cathedral Fall Festival

September 23-October 20

Pilgrimage Garden Club Fall Pilgrimage

Historic Home Tours & Events natchezpilgrimage.com

October 6-7

Junkin’ on the River 15-mile stretch in the Miss-Lou FB Junkin’ on the River

October 7-30

Natchez Garden Club Fall Pilgrimage

Historic Home Tours & Events natchezgardenclub.org

October 20-21

38th Natchez Balloon Festival Broadway/Rosalie Grounds natchezballoonfestival.com

October 26-29

Y’all Means All The Weekend yallmeansallnatchez.org

October 28

Longwood Music Fest Longwood Grounds 11 am-8 pm / $25 / 12 & u free 601.807.1595

October 28

Evening of Songs & Praise Mississippi Mass Choir True Love Missionary Baptist Church 4-6 pm / 601.597.6960

MADISON/RIDGELAND

visitridgeland.com madisonthecity.com ardenland.net mscrafts.org

Tuesdays in Sept. & Oct. Farmers Market Main St. @ Caboose 3:30-6:30 pm SUMMIT pikeinfo.com

September 23

Fairytale Fall Event Williamson Nursery 11 am-3 pm

October 14

Summit Fall Fest Downtown

8 am-4 pm summitfallfest@gmail.com

September 29-30

Fiber Fun in the Sip Vicksburg Convention Center fiberfuninthesip.com

September 30 & October 5

13th Annual Bricks & Spokes Downtown 8 am / raceroster.com

October 7

40th Fall Flea Market Old Court House Museum 8 am-5 pm / 601.636.0741

October 7

Pickin’ on the Porch Levee Street Marketplace 601.638.7191

October 14

35th Over the River Run Old Mississippi Bridge 8 am / info@southernculture.org

October 27

A Taste of Vicksburg Vicksburg Convention Center Kendra Reed / $15 601.630.2929

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

September 8-10

Play That Goes Wrong Parkside Playhouse 7:30 pm vicksburgtheatreguild.com

September 9 & October 14 Second Saturday Downtown FB: VicksburgSecondSaturday

September 22

A Taste of Vicksburg Women of the Siege Vicksburg Convention Center Noon-1:30 pm / 601.630.2929

September 23

Vicksburg National Military Park Fee Free Day 601.636.0583

WESSON FB Wesson Chamber

October 21

Wesson Annual Flea Market Main Street Downtown 8 am-4 pm / 601.265.1694

_______________________

WOODVILLE woodvillems.org

woodvillemainstreet.org

FB Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association

September 16

Market on the Square Historic Courthouse Square 10 am-4 pm woodvillemainstreet.org

The Order of the First Families of Mississippi

Spring General Assembly 2023

The Order of the First Families of Mississippi (OFFM) held its Spring General Assembly in Natchez, Mississippi, on June 2-3, 2023. Events began on Friday evening with cocktails, conversation, and dinner at The Castle. Saturday morning brought the traditional Welcome Party at the Governor Holmes House, home of Mary Lou Perkins. Lunch followed at The Grand Hotel with guest speaker Tricia Nelson. Concluding was the installation of Dr. Vernon LaCour as Governor General for 2023-2025. Photos by Bill Perkins

Betty Perkins, Anne Anderson, and Darla Goodfellow

Neva Rath and Cynthia Gutowski

Anne McMullen, Kathy Prospere, and Wendy Cartwright

Flora Riley and Mayor Dan Gibson

Dr. Bill and Nancy Howard with Mary Lou Perkins

Marilyn and Stewart Witt

Sylvia Campbell, Jena Melancon, Jan Melancon, Keith Reeves, and John Burns

Dan Johnson, Joyce Shorter, and Leasa Shorter

Mark Henry, Vernon LaCour, and Darla Goodfellow

Opal MacLeod, Will Poe, and Greg Smithhart

Martha and David Cordell

Melanie and Chad Coutch and Dr. Keith Goodfellow

Dr. Ted Dear and Leasa Shorter

Susan and Rodney Bateman

Andy and Nancye Montgomery

Dr. Ted Dear and Mary Lou Perkins

Clinton Bagley and Jena Melancon

JoAnn Russell and Ruben Seminara

Bennie Boone and Candace Bundgard

Dan Johnson, Joyce Shorter, and Leasa Shorter

Brayden Dear, Jerri Dear Wallace, Bobbye Dear, Kayleigh Dear, Rachel

Dear, Zachary Dear, Dr. Jenna Dear, and Dr. Ted Dear

social

Concordia Bank Celebrates 120 Years

Concordia Bank & Trust celebrated its 120th Anniversary on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the main branch in Vidalia, Louisiana. The bank was chartered in 1903 and has been a continuous positive influence and support for the community since its beginnings. President and CEO Pat Biglane along with Executive Vice President Scott McLemore welcomed the crowd of customers, employees, board members, family members, and community business personnel. Photos submitted by Mayor Dan Gibson and Concordia Bank & Trust

Scott and Laura McLemore with Karen and Pat Biglane

Eddie Hobson, Scott Kimbrell, and Cindy and Pat Galloway

Patrick Biglane, Mark Carter, and Patrick Vogt

Shirley Byrne, Rebecca Grantham, and Betsy Mosby

Colby Godfrey and Natchez

Alderwoman Valencia Hall

Pat Biglane and Brent Gore

Danny Grayson and Sue Grayson

Officer Melvin Demby and Trippy Shields

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Pat Biglane

Rebecca Grantham and Joey Merrill

Brian Fisher with Beth and Shane

French and Lindsey Breal

Jared Hedrick, Angie Tenner, Hayden Butts, and Jessica Cauthen

James Falkenheiner and Joseph Sewell

David Hedrick and Brent Gore

Erica Smith and Caurie Norris

Willie Carter, Natchez Alderwoman

Valencia Hall, and Natchez Mayor

Dan Gibson

Genny Cutrer and Traci Gray

Jenny and Dustin Hinkle

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Pat Biglane

Bank Celebrates 120

Diane Johnson, Cindy and Pat Galloway, Mallory Sewell, Paula Morris, Angie Tenner, Lindsey Breal, and Vernita Barber

Dr. Bridget Milliken and Ada Milliken

Dr. Tom Terry Milliken and Dr. Bridget Milliken with Laura, Molly, and Scott McLemore

Michelle Bozeman, Linda Hedrick, Traci Gray, Brooke Roberts, Josh Welch, Casey Reeves, and Adam Roberts

Angie Tenner, Mallory Sewell, Janiece

Netterville, and Sharon Frank

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, Scott and Laura McLemore, Natchez Alderwoman

Valencia Hall, and Sarah Carter Smith

Vidalia Mayor Buzz Kraft and April Kraft with Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson

Laura, Molly, Natalie, and Scott McLemore

Mark Richardson and daughter

A Tiny Tale of Baby Chicks

Before JG and I went looking for berries in June, we got a call from the Jonesville Post Office that our baby chicks had arrived. Mike Duncan went to pick them up for us and soon brought them to my house.

Knowing that we were about to leave to find berries, we put the box of chicks on the kitchen table under the ceiling fan to keep them cool. I also put a saucer with each batch to give them a drink until we came back home.

Fast forward about two hours. We arrived home, berryless, and hurried in to check on the babies. When I took the box top off, I was met with a horrifying sight: instead of the chicks drinking the water, almost all of two dozen had fallen in the water and were soaking wet, and chilled to the bone under that fan.

Talk about a panicked pair of berry pickers! I got a dish towel for JG and told him to wrap up the chicks until I could get a hair dryer to blow them dry. We worked as a good team, drying and protecting the babies, one at a time, until they all had fluffy feathers and warm bodies again.

Sadly, we lost four that couldn’t be blow-dried enough to survive; but if we had been thirty minutes longer, we probably would have lost all of them due to my stupidity.

That afternoon, they went home with Clarence Duncan, who had agreed to raise them for me at his place, where he already has a good setup for baby

chicks. They were chirping and happy, completely unaware of their brush with eternity.

Since then, I have bought 100 pounds of starter feed and now 75 pounds of grower for them; and they are flourishing. I had ordered only Buff Orpingtons; for they are my favorite chickens in the chicken yard, big fluffy, yellow hens who are gentle and lay large amounts of brown eggs for my kitchen. It won’t be long now until they will be ready to let loose in the chicken yard to set their place in the pecking order in the pen.

About November or December, they will start to lay their pullet eggs; and with my older hens, I should have plenty of eggs for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course, I share my bounty of good yard eggs with family and friends so that we all have the best eggs ever to cook with for meals and goodies.

Shakespeare once wrote, “All’s well that ends well.” Thank goodness the story of the baby chicks has ended well, thanks to my friend Clarence, JG with his towel, and a good hair dryer.

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.

Last month my story was about looking for dewberries up in my neighbor’s woods, a search that proved futile. This story is about what was waiting for me when I got home.

ARTICLE & PHOTO | Alma M. Womack