Bluffs & Bayous October 2015

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 1

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FROM THE EDITOR

I

have a strong love for the month of October for several reasons. One, I inys of stantly associate the crisp days of early fall with the coming holidays ay is Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two, October reminds me that my birthday late nearing; and my mom will be whipping up a batch of her homemade chocolate ers; icing for my cake. Luckily, there is a little extra in the bowl and on the beaters; and that delicacy just can’t be wasted. \ )LQDOO\ ,¡P IURP 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL DQG WKH KRW DLU EDOORRQV ZLOO EH à \ce ing before long. I love waking up on the Friday morning of Balloon Race HU ZHHNHQG DQG ÀQGLQJ EDOORRQV ÀOOLQJ WKH VNLHV DURXQG WRZQ ZLWK WKRVH HDJHU pilots trying out a test run. While the days of the races quickly heat up to al-most summer-like temperatures, those cool, usually foggy mornings are whatt ring in fall in Natchez. As a family, we enjoy chasing balloons whether we have a family member in one or not. We love to get together with coffee (and

puppies) in hand and hit the road looking for those balloons overhead. There is nothing more majestic than the sight of them looming in the distance and the sound of WKHP ÀOOLQJ ZLWK ZDUP DLU *DWKHU XS \RXU IDPLO\ DQG ÀQG D IHVWLYDO WKLV 2FWREHU along and beyond the Mississippi.

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October 2015

FEATURES

Teaching the Arts pages 40 - 43

A County’s Celebration: The Bicentennial of Pike County, Mississippi pages 44 - 47 Page 8 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

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October 2015

FAVO R I T E S All Outdoors Two-dollar Rooster ...........................................................................................12-13

Events Premier Events ................................................................................................56-57 Louisiana Up & Coming! .................................................................................58-60 Mississippi Up & Coming!................................................................................62-71

A Trick-or-Treating Fiesta pages 20 - 22

G’s Fare A Trick-or-Treating Fiesta ................................................................................20-22

In the Garden Low-maintenance Gardening for Fall .............................................................34-35

Legal Notes Are We Safe? ....................................................................................................26-27

Southern Sampler Sword-wielding Festival-goers ..........................................................................72-73

The Social Scene Low-maintenance Gardening for Fall pages 34 - 35

Tastings Along the River ................................................................................. 14-17 Send-off Party for Mississippi State Students .................................................24-25

ON THE COVER Hot-air balloons are harbingers of the days of fall and festivals throughout the area. Photography by Cheryl Rinehart and artistic design

by T. G. McCary

St. John Hunting Club’s Crawfish Bash .........................................................28-31 McComb Garden Club’s Annual Luncheon ...................................................50-51 Book Signing for Cupit ...................................................................................52-53 Meet and Greet with Mississippi Development Authority ...................................55

The Wedding Scene “His & Hers” Shower for Jones and Hemphill ...............................................36-37 Page 10 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

PUBLISHER Cheryl Foggo Rinehart MANAGING EDITOR

CONSULTING EDITOR

Jennie Guido

Jean Nosser Biglane GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Jan Ratcliff

Anita Schilling

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Aimee Guido

Tim McCary

Van O’Gwin

Bill Perkins

Cheryl Rinehart

Lisa Adams Whittington SALES STAFF

Jennie Guido

Cheryl Rinehart

Donna Sessions

JoAnna Sproles

CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin

Becky Junkin

Ross McGehee

Jennifer J. Whittier

Alma Womack

Cheryl Rinehart

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Jennie Guido

Jean Biglane

Jan Ratcliff

Anita Schilling

Aimee Guido

Van O’Gwin

Tim McCary

Donna Sessions

JoAnna Sproles

Bill Perkins

Lisa Adams Whittington

Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin

Becky Junkin

Ross McGehee

Jennifer J. Whittier

Alma Womack

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 QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHà HFW WKH YLHZV RI WKH SXEOLVKHU QRU GR WKH\ FRQVWLWXWH DQ HQGRUVHPHQW RI SURGXFWV RU VHUYLFHV KHUHLQ :H UHVHUYH WKH ULJKW WR UHIXVH DQ\ DGYHUWLVHment. Bluffs & Bayous strives to insure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.

OFFICE 423 Main Street, Suite 7 | Natchez, MS 39120 | 601-442-6847 bluf fsmag@gmail.com | bluf fs.editor@gmail.com bbupandcoming@gmail.com www.bluf fsbayous.com

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 11

ALL OUTDOORS

BY

Two-dollar Roosters “G

ee, Captain, I bet you’re as proud as a hen with a twodollar rooster!�

That was a great line from Dennis Weaver in the old McCloud television series back in the seventies, told to a captain on the New York City police force. It went over his head, of course. But it got me to thinking about two-dollar roosters.

Every few years there is resurgence in raising poultry in backyards. It’s a good way for kids to get to handle animals and learn some responsibility. Getting to the point of selling eggs is a whole ‘nuther matter, but chickens can be fun. They can also be messy and a bother to feed on cold days and subject to predation by any number of critters. And the roosters are going to start crowing sooner than you think.

My grandchildren hatched some biddies out in school last year. All of a sudden, there were chickens; and no one knew what to do with them after the hatching took place.

So Mary Liz brought them home and kept them in a box in the garage for a few days until she and Andrew could build a pen in the backyard. A proper coop would come later. The kids would play with the chickens and everything was great.

Then the juvenile roosters would try to crow. Mary Liz noticed that more than a few of the chickens were roosters.

Then she noticed that most of the chickens were roosters. Then the neighbors sent a text message wondering when the DEXQGDQFH RI URRVWHUV ZRXOG ÀQG D QHZ home because they were not used to being awakened at four o’clock. And one

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Ross McGehee

particular rooster took a fancy to chasing RQH RI WKH FKLOGUHQ 6KH ZDV ÀQDOO\ SHUsuaded to chase the rooster back, and that ended the aggression. %XW ZKDW GR \RX GR ZKHQ \RX ÀQG WKDW whoever donated the eggs for school had already sexed them and donated roosters? In Connecticut, there is an auction every week where produce, chickens, piglets, dairy products, and beef products are sold. So the kids, right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, hauled the roosters to auction right down the street at the town square. What did they bring? You guessed it, two dollars each. The new owners have D ÀQH FRRS LQ WKH \DUG DQG RQH GD\ ZLOO JHW some hens to put in it.

I know some folks that had much the same thing happen to them. But these were country folks, and crowing roosters were not a problem. Actually, there was one Dominique rooster that could do nothing wrong. They had him as a pet—if you can imagine. He would come into the house and perch wherever he pleased. Nobody seemed to mind. They just got used to having the bird hanging over their shoulders or strutting around on the porch.

One day, the matriarch of the family was sitting on the couch visiting with her sister. The old rooster was perched behind her. She had on one of those croFKHWHG VKDZOV WKDW ORRN OLNH D ÀVKQHW DQG you wonder why she’s got that thing on because it can’t be keeping her warm.

Anyway, she is sitting there; and the old rooster suddenly stands up and starts looking at the back of her neck. He’s got that chicken thing going on where he kind of rolls his head from one side to the other to get a good look.

What he sees is a mole. Now I ain’t making fun, but she had a mole that was a pretty good size, and it stood up more than a little, and we aren’t going to mention the hair (but it was some on there). Well, the rooster didn’t know, obviously, and he had not been in school the day they had etiquette training. So he does what any selfrespecting rooster would do. He pecked it!

Actually, he latched on to it! And when she shrieked and jumped up, he had a death grip on her shawl. It was ugly. She couldn’t reach back, and the rooster was not giving up, so she ran around the house with her sister behind her, trying to catch up and remove the hitchhiker. Finally, her son came

in, found a broom, and knocked the rooster off! I’m told it took three hours to right all the furniture in the house, and the rooster was banished to the yard!

I also have it on very good authority that there is a local attorney whose wife had a à RFN RI SRXOWU\ 7KH\ ZHUH FRQÀQHG EXW she ever so often would let them ramble around the yard and eventually up onto the porch. Poultry does not potty train very well. Counselor would come home to a pooped up porch. He didn’t like that. He laid the law down about the poultry. She tried to get him to be compassionate. He didn’t take the bait. She tried to get him to make concessions. No deal. Finally, in desperation, she offered personal gratuities.

He told her, “Sorry, but it isn’t worth it.�

They are still married.

I am told that if you buy a home in some places, chicken-raising is forbidden there. I was in San Diego last year, and there was a rooster two houses down that started crowing at about four a.m. It sorta made me think of McCloud and wonder if anybody else liked it as much as I did.

Columnist Ross McGehee, a lifelong resident of Natchez, Mississippi, owns a diversified and far-flung farm operation.

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Tastings Along the River

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atchez, Mississippi, was host to the annual Food and Wine Festival held the weekend of July 24–26, 2015. Among the many venues throughout the weekend, Friday evening’s Tastings Along the River was one of the most popular and well-attended event. There were thirty-seven food, wine, and beer vendors offering an array of food and beverage tastings.

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Lauren Burns and Casey Smith Wyatt and Chelsea Craig Theresa and Katelyn Garner Amy and James Brown Rene and Pete Cantu Iva and George Ward Ann and Robert Paradise Doug and Kristin Jordan Tamara, Jeremy, and Karli Fakes Scott and Martha Sue Smith Tom and Sandy Taylor

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THE social SCENE

NATCHEZ, MS

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12 Charles Caldwell, Devin Arnold, and Scott Slover 13 Susan, Ariel, and Floyd Gardner 14 Blair Booker, Rachel Lott, and Carmen Keys 15 Joan David with Stacey and Dr. Stephen Worley 16 Bill and Bobbie Henley with Patti Wentworth 17 Agnes Holloway, Parnell Burns, and Donnie Holloway 18 Pat Porter, Betina and Bob Barnes, and Edie Christian 19 Allyson Elliott, Katie McCabe, Bobbie Henley, Kelin Hendricks, and Lindsey Shelton 20 Chad and Simmons Huber with Lauren and Wes Middleton 21 John and Merry Poumaroux with Cheryl Province

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

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Kim and Mike Lazarus Oliver Navo and Lauren Laakso Dr. David and Melaine Hubbs Nancy Durkin and Sue Stedman Shannon and Kelly Gay Sonya Blaney and Bobbie Laird Ronnie and Cathy Boutwell Jerry David with Allen and Beth Richard Lauren Burns, Luke Cockerham, Cammie Williard, Anna Laura Brown, and Adam Kaiser 31 Guy Wimberly, Alex and Joanna Harrelson with Clara Wimberly 32 Kris Cole and Ruthie Cole with Kate Ferguson and Fred Ferguson

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THE social SCENE

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Bobby and Jennifer Smith Cheryl and Mo LeBlanc Carrie and Will Pollard Scott and Emily Pollard Sam and Cindy Gwin Daniel Gasquet, Jeremy and Michelle Skates, Michelle and Hayden Kaiser with Monica and Monty Mayo

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G’S FARE

BY

Becky Junkin

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Jennie Guido

A Trick-or-Treating Fiesta O

ctober is my very favorite month of the year. The leaves are beginning to turn; WKH WHPSHUDWXUH LVQ¡W TXLWH DV KRW DQG VRPHWLPHV , FDQ KDYH D ÀUH RXWVLGH while we watch the ballgames. Halloween has always been a favorite holiday at our house since one Halloween we received the ultimate trick and treat—twin girls.

We would celebrate with hot dogs and chili after trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Lari has continued this tradition by having neighbors come by for Mexican food after trick-or-treating; and if the twins are there, birthday cake. Below are some foods that would be perfect for a trick-or-treating feast or for having friends over to watch the ballgame. So hopefully the weather will cooperate, and we will all be outside this month enjoying this festive fare.

Junkin’s granddaughter, Madeline, trick-ortreating in Oxford, Mississippi.

One of Lari’s friends brought this to the party one year. I am not a fan of apples or apple juice, but this was very good. It is a great way to warm up on a cold, fall football night and after trick-or-treating. I found it at www.yummly.com. We did not put the brown sugar on the glass, but I am sure it would make it even better.

GROWN-UP CARAMEL APPLE CIDER

Grown-up Caramel Apple Cider Page 20 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

4 cups apple cider 1 cup caramel vodka (You can use less.)

1 tablespoon cinnamon 1/4 cup brown sugar (more for garnish) Cinnamons sticks Heat the cider and cinnamon in a large pan and add brown sugar to taste. Heating up the cider before adding the vodka ensures [OH[ [OL HSJVOVS KVLZUÂť[ I\YU VɈ /LH[ P[ \W [V your desired temperature, and then add the vodka. While cider is warming up, take your mugs or glasses and rim them with brown sugar. Add a cinnamon stick, pour in warmed cider and vodka mixture, and enjoy.

I made this while the grands were here this summer, and they all loved it. I wrapped WKHLUV LQ ÁRXU WRUWLOODV DQG SXW -HUU\·V DQG mine over salad with salsa. Either way was tasty. One recipe I found calls for you to put it over rice. This recipe was on Facebook.

FIESTA CHICKEN IN A CROCK POT 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 8-ounce block cream cheese 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can corn, drained 1 package Fiesta Ranch mix 1 can Rotel tomatoes (I used petite diced tomatoes, or you can use salsa.)

Spray your Crockpot with non-stick spray. Put the chicken in the crock pot; and mound the black beans, rotel, and JVYU ZLWHYH[LS` VU [VW :WYPURSL [OL ÄLZ[H ranch dressing over the beans and top with cream cheese. Cook on low for six to eight hours. My chicken shredded very easily in the crockpot, and I mixed it up. Then, you can serve it any of the suggested ways.

This recipe came from my friend Lucille Baldwin who makes this for her family. It is an easy recipe that would be perfect for any fall occasion.

CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN CASSEROLE Fiesta Chicken in a Crock Pot The perfect appetizer for fall is jalapeño poppers, but they can be time consuming for a crowd. This is a quick, easy recipe that I found on Facebook but changed up to taste. The original recipe called for chopped bacon, and you can add more or less jalapenos to taste.

JALAPEÑO POPPER DIP For dip: 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup mayonnaise 4-6 jalapeños chopped and deseeded.

1 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 1/4 cup green onion, diced For topping: 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 stick butter, melted In a food processor, mix together the above dip ingredients. Spread the dip into a greased two-quart casserole dish. For the topping, mix together the crackers, cheese, and butter. Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the dip, and bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for about twenty minutes. (The top should be browned and the dip bubbly.) Serve with tortilla chips or crackers of your choice.

1 tablespoon oil 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 2 gloves garlic, minced 1 14-ounce can Rotel tomatoes, drained 1/2 cup salsa 4 cups Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded (Reserve 1 cup for the topping.)

ZTHSS JVYU VY ÅV\Y [VY[PSSHZ 1 teaspoon cumin 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon oregano 2 jalapeños, chopped 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained 2-3 cups cooked, chopped chicken Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic in oil. Add Rotel, salsa, three cups of cheese, cumin, salt, oregano, and jalapeños. Layer mixture, beans, chicken, and tortillas twice. Top with the remaining one cup of cheese. Bake covered at 350 degrees for forty minutes. Uncover and cook another [LU [V ÄM[LLU TPU\[LZ

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Nancy Lambert gave me this recipe that was shared with her by her daughter Amy. It would go well with the casserole above.

MEXICAN CABBAGE AND CORN SLAW For slaw: 2 or 3 cans corn, drained 1 tablespoon butter (more if needed) Fresh garlic to taste 6 medium green onions, chopped Tony’s seasoning to taste 2 8-ounce bags angel-hair cabbage TLKP\T ILSS WLWWLY ÄULS` JOVWWLK 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 4HRL KYLZZPUN ÄYZ[ 0[ JHU IL THKL VUL KH` HOLHK ! ^OPZR [VNL[OLY HSS [OL PUNYLKPLU[Z PU H ZTHSS IV^S :LHZVU ^P[O ZHS[ HUK WLWWLY Cover and refrigerate.

Pan fry corn with butter, garlic, green onions, and Tony’s seasoning; then let this mixture cool. Combine cabbage, bell pepper, cilantro, and cooled corn mixture. Add dressing to taste.

For dressing: 1/6 cup orange juice concentrate 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup unseasoned rice vinegar 1/3 cup Canola oil Juice of 1 lime Sugar to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Pumpkin Pound Cake

Dessert is always a favorite, and this dessert did not disappoint. I think that it needs a little more cinnamon; and instead of nutmeg, I used pumpkin pie spice, which I will use more of next time. I found this on Facebook, and it was so easy that I did it after a full day’s work with no problem.

PUMPKIN POUND CAKE 1 box yellow cake mix (I used a butter cake.)

4 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup oil 1 cup pumpkin 1/4 cup water 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg Mix everything together, and bake at KLNYLLZ MVY MVY[` Ă„]L TPU\[LZ 0[ PZ good plain or with cream cheese or caramel icing. (I use a canned icing that I microwave to a pourable consistency.)

%HFN\ -XQNLQ PRWKHU RI IRXU DQG JUDQGPRWKHU RI VHYen, is a lifelong Natchez resident, a retired elementaU\ WHDFKHU RI WZHQW\ IRXU \HDUV DQG FHUWLĂ€HG 3LODWHV instructor.

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Send-off Party for Mississippi State Students

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ississippi State alumni and friends gathered at the home of Sandra and Mike Ellard to send off area students to Mississippi State for the upcoming fall semester. The students were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to all of the guests. A video of highlights from the 2014 year at Mississippi State was shown, enhancing everyone’s Bulldog experience.

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Scott Kimbrell and Bryant Reed Clark and Donna Mims Camille Griffin and Rachael Graves Sandra Ellard and Nancy Kimbrell Karen Biglane and Jean Reed Adam Shields and Pam Middleton Tammi Gardner and Cena Mullins Kay Taylor and Dennis Switzer Iris Myles and Pat Jackson Mason Wells, Laurie Wells, Cooper Wells, and Jamie Gibson

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THE social SCENE

NATCHEZ, MS

11 Brittany Holloway, Katie Woodard, and Aaron Cornelius 12 Karen Biglane, Julia Rachel Kuehnle, and Pat Biglane 13 Jamie Gibson with Dick and Silas Whitaker

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 25

LEGAL NOTES

BY

Are We Safe?

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ecently, I was asked to participate in designing an updated security plan for my church since they wanted my legal input. In case you haven’t noticed in the last few years, churches, schools, movie houses, and other businesses have become targets for violence. As a result of these situations that we see too often on the news, the question becomes this: what, if anything, can a school board, board of trustees at a church, or business owner do to increase the safety of students, church parishioners, or patrons?

In adopting a security plan, the question is this: do you lessen potential liability by attempting to make a facility safer? Furthermore, does a school, church, or other business even have liability if some nut-job walks in and starts shooting up the place? There may be different answers to these questions, depending on the circumstances.

Businesses have the most exposure to liability should the unthinkable occur. The Mississippi Supreme Court has a fairly black-and-white stance on this issue, and it is this: if a business owner has actual or constructive knowledge of an atmosphere of violence existing on his property, then

the business owner can have liability. For example, take an apartment complex located in a seedy area of town, or a bar or even a shopping center that has experienced violent acts “on its premises.� In this circumstance, they indeed may have legal exposure for injuries or death due to third-party shootings or other violent actions.

Schools and churches almost never have an atmosphere of violence. Under the law, neither schools, churches, nor businesses are ever liable for random acts of violence. Further, crimes in the vicinity of a business are not enough to impose liability on a business owner should a random attack by a third party happen to a particular business patron.

In discussing this issue, it must be determined what measure of security should a business, school, or church take to protect those using its facilities. The law would answer this question with a very vague legal statement that says, “An owner has a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe and warn only of hidden dangers.� How does that legal principle apply to schools, churches, and businesses? Let’s take a look.

First, if a business has experienced several acts of violence on its premises, then

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Lucien C. Gwin III

it has a duty to perhaps provide better security to better protect its patrons. Outside VHFXULW\ ÀUPV DUH WKH VDIHVW way to insure better safety.

However, a business should make sure, if it takes this URXWH WKDW WKH VHFXULW\ ÀUP hired has a lot of insurance.

Often times, hiring off-duty and/or retired law-enforcePHQW RIĂ€FHUV ZRXOG EH FRQsidered keeping a place “reasonably safe.â€? Additionally, business owners may also choose to carry permitted guns (but I know that I open up a can of worms with that last statement).

What about schools? How do schools provide reasonable safety? That is a question that school boards all over our country are wrestling with.

First, lock-down drills are a necessity, meaning schools having the ability to lock children inside a classroom, which in my opinion is a must. Next, the issue that seems to be bothering everyone is this: should a principal or a teacher carry a licensed and or permitted handgun? My personal answer to this question is yes, with the proper training. Why can’t a female princiSDO RU WHDFKHU EH FRQVLGHUHG MXVW DV TXDOLÀHG and just as able to learn basic gun safety and shooting principles and skills as any police RIÀFHU ZRXOG" 7KHUH LV WKH VHFRQG FDQ RI worms I just opened.)

Now, what to do about churches? It is next to impossible to have a lock-down situation in a church, especially with a large congregation. Many argue against guns in fending off a would-be attacker in a church setting, in that a gun battle in a church is certain to strike innocent people. I don’t think I agree with that position. Just as the teachers mentioned above, why can’t church personnel, deacons, and even a preacher obtain a properly permitWHG JXQ OLNH D SROLFH RIĂ€FHU REWDLQ SURSHU training and skills, and thereafter maintain guns inside a church for safety? I know the question on everyone’s mind is probably, “What would Jesus do?â€?

Additionally, what would be the liability if an innocent church parishioner were

shot and killed due to a deacon’s taking poor aim at a would-be shooter? There is no case law on such a point in Mississippi; however, I would surmise, if it were reasonable to shoot back at a gun-toting maniac in a crowd of people, that there perhaps would be no liability for the church.

At least I would hope a jury would see it that way.

My Take Guns in schools, guns in churches, guns in businesses—has the world (or Sam Gwin) gone crazy? I know that, when Jesus ran the money changers out of the temple, he acted radically in doing so. I surmise that the nine deceased members of the South Carolina church may have survived the day’s violent act, if someone in the church had grabbed a gun when that maniacal maniac walked in and took their lives, inside the church, about three months ago. (It seems that I have opened up many cans of worms in this month’s article.)

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, /HZLV 3XQFKHV .HOOH\ LQ 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL ever since.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 27

THE social SCENE CLAIBORNE COUNTY, MS

St. John Hunting Club’s Crawfish Bash

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n April 26, 2015, the weather was perfect for the annual crawfish boil of the St. John Hunting Club. Over 750 pounds of crawfish were seasoned and prepared to perfection by chefs Chad Johnson and Paul Murray at the club pavilion nestled by the cypress-shored lake in the heart of the 3,600-acre estate of prime hunting land in Claiborne County. The Bill Guess Band provided a backdrop of rockand-roll while club members, their families, and friends devoured the piles of succulent crawfish. Photography by Bill Perkins

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1 Christopher, Charlene, Greg, Lauren, and Andrew Develle with Emily Clark 2 Amanda Trosclair 3 Andie Forbes and Natalie Sistrunk 4 Carl Stokes and Belinda Hansen 5 Chad Johnson 6 Colleen Butters, Jena Johnson, Debbie Faciane, Shelby and Courtney Butters

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12 7 Cheney and Paul Murray 8 Francis McDonald, Lisa Casey, Joan Trosclair, and Allison McDonald 9 Ashton Pierce, Maddie Stokes, and Elise Piazza 10 Courtney and Shelby Butters 11 Gail and Sidney Meacham 12 Gail and Zoey Meacham 13 Gloria Brown and Celilia Hotard 14 Jason and Natalie Sistrunk

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THE social SCENE

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, MS

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15 David McDonald with Andrew and Matthew Brewer 16 Karl and Ginger Ehrhardt with Cheryl Trash 17 Rene and Stacey DeJean with Deborah Vinson 18 Patite Magruder, Janie Williams, and Jean Presley 19 Alexis and Erika Slaydon 20 Cheney and Anistin Murray 21 Colleen Butters and Jena Johnson 22 Connie Boudreaux and Paulette Richoux 23 Jenny and Breanna Foster 24 Jenny and Joey Foster 25 Jim Rogers, Gloria Brown, and Ronnie Hotard 26 Kenneth and Sarah Smith 27 Jeff and Haley Ellison

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THE social SCENE CLAIBORNE COUNTY, MS

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Megan Hotard and Andie Forbes Missy and Brian Fletcher Vicki Darden and Lindsey Cooper Sarah and Carrie Smith Jeff, Jonathan, Nancy, and Brandon Caruthers Victoria Darden and Zach McDaniel Shandy and Bella Davis Paul Trosclair and Connie Boudreaux with Ronnie, Enola, and Todd Trosclair Jeff Ellison, Darren Stidham, Steve Heard, and Troy Hotard Nicole Hotard, Sarah Stokes, Missy Fletcher, Charitie Meacham, and Haley Ellison Gene Presley, Bill Burford, Sarah and Kenneth Smith, Brian Tobin, and Mark Presley

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THE social SCENE

CLAIBORNE COUNTY, MS

39 Mia Dupre and Erika Slaydon 40 Terrye Stidham and Steve Heard 41 Zoey, Bear, and Brittany Meacham Wiley Stokes, Belinda Hansen, and Brian Tobin 42 Sarah and Paxton Smith

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 31

On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River

Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Page 32 { October October2015 2015{ {Bluffs Bluffs&&Bayous Bayous

On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River

Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 33

IN THE GARDEN

BY

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Low-maintenance Gardening for Fall M

any homeowners consider it a point of pride to have a nicely manicured landscape. But sometimes, especially at the end of a long, hot summer, the home gardener loses landscape momentum. As I have admitted, I’ve found myself in this position. To tell you the truth, it bothers me even though I downplayed the situation.

As I was listening to a podcast from blogger and virtual mentor Michael Hyatt, I had a moment of landscaping insight. While Michael doesn’t blog about landscaping, what he said made perfect

Top—Ornamental kale and cabbage provide easy fall and winter color.

Right—Dianthus tolerates cool weather and partners well with pansies or violas, providing garden color from fall through spring.

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Violas, such as this Sorbet Raspberry selection, are smaller than pansies and a great fall choice for landscape beds and containers.

sense to me. It’s okay to have a loss of landscape momentum.

Landscaping and vegetable gardening activities all have to deal with the seasons.

We plant. We feed. We water. We harvest (hopefully). Then, sometimes we just have to leave the ground fallow.

This break lets us recharge our batteries and plan ahead for the next year. So it’s okay to lose a little landscape momentum because it will come back. Now, I’m not advocating that we completely leave our landscapes to lie fallow. But we can plant some really low-maintenance plants this fall that will carry us through to spring and allow our landscape batteries to recharge.

Here are some suggestions to get you thinking and looking. Garden centers are already starting to carry these fall and winter plants. Two of my go-to selections for easy fall and winter color are ornamental kale and cabbage. They offer so many different colors and leaf textures to add landscape interest, but I have to admit that I like the red-colored selections best. While both are good choices, ornamental cabbage has a more uniform look compared to the kale and forms round, semisolid heads.

Another option is the old-fashioned viola, also called Johnny jump ups. These smaller relatives of pansies are a great choice for either landscape beds or conWDLQHUV 7KH ÁRZHUV DUH KHOG KLJK DERYH the foliage and come in a wide variety of colors. I like that violas readily reseed, and I enjoy the places these plants will literally jump up in the landscape.

One of my very favorite cool-season bedding plants is dianthus, especially the Telstar series. Telstar dianthus grows eight

to ten inches tall and wide and tolerates low temperatures. The Telstar dianthus is a great partner with either pansy or viola.

These pairings can maintain interest from fall through the following spring.

So consider planting some of these plants to provide landscape interest without

a lot of hassle for the gardener. Give yourself a rest, and get your garden mojo back for next year.

Columnist Dr. Gary R. Bachman is an assistant extension professor of horticulture at Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 35

THE wedding SCENE MCCOMB, MS

“His & Hers” Shower for Jones and Hemphill n August 8, 2015, a “His and Hers” shower honoring Sara Jones and Patrick Hemphill was hosted by friends of the couple at the home of Meredith and Jordan Talbot in McComb, Mississippi. Hosts included the Talbots; Amy and Charles Adams; Brandon Andrews, Melisa and Andrew DeCoux, Kasie Beth Eckman, Lee Ellen Haskins, Kristen and Carey Hemphill, Kasie and Wes Holmes, Melissa and Will Kimmel, Allison and Karl Ott III, and Jessica and Beck Troutman. Guests enjoyed a relaxed evening filled with music; cocktails; delicious hors d’oeuvres; jambalaya; and a tiered, chocolateganache cake. The couple will be married this fall.

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1 Carl Ott III, Wes Holmes, Allison Ott, Kasie Holmes, Carey and Kristen Hemphill, Kasie Beth Eckman, Brandon Andrews, Patrick Hemphill, Sara Jones, Melissa Kimmel, Lee Ellen Haskins, Melisa and Andrews DeCoux, Meredith and Jordan Talbot, and Jessica Troutman 2 Cole Paulk, Jase Roberts, Kit Stovall, Patrick Hemphill, Matthew Bultman, Brandon Andrews, and Hal Blossman 3 Lee Ellen Haskins, Sara Jones, and Jessica Troutman 4 Meredith Talbot, Sara Jones, and Kasie Holmes 5 Patrick Hemphill and Sara Jones 6 Melisa DeCous, India Warshauer, and Sara Jones

THE wedding SCENE

MCCOMB, MS

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7 Patrick Hemphill and Sara Jones with Kristen, Carr, and Carey Hemphill 8 Brandon Andrews, Patrick Hemphill, Sara Jones, Kasie Beth Eckman, and David Brown 9 Patrick Hemphill and Sara Jones with Jennifer and John McNeil 10 Kasie Beth Eckman, Sara Jones, Kayla Roberts, and Heather Faucett

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 39

The love of the arts takes many forms at Brookhaven’s Mississippi School of the Arts.

Teaching the Arts M ississippi is a state not lacking in talented citizens. In particular, the southwest region of the state is home to three schools that focus on the arts and improving the creative skills of its students from around the state. At the Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and both the Pike School of Art and the Jubilee Performing Arts Center in Pike County, Mississippi, students are encouraged to discover and develop their artistic abilities and, in turn, share their talents with the world.

by Jennie Guido Page 40 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi School of the Arts In Brookhaven, Mississippi, the twelve-year-old Mississippi School of the Arts is home to 140 students with talents that span the artistic spectrum. Jennifer Jackson, the coordinator for School Advancement, explained, “MSA RIIHUV KLJKO\ TXDOLÀHG VWDII DQG teachers that are nationally recognized and award winning. With small classes, students are able to receive one-on-one attention.”

Jackson also shared, “As legislated, ‘the purpose of the school shall be to provide a more challenging educational experience for artistically talented and gifted students of the state to develop their full potential.’ The Mississippi School of the Arts is a statewide residential school that will provide advanced programs of study in music, theatre, visual arts, dance, literary arts, and media arts for artistically gifted eleventh- and twelfth-grade students.”

The Mississippi School of the Arts is located on the beautiful grounds of historic Whitworth College, founded in 1859 as a four-year college for females and sponsored by the Methodist church for many years. “In 1928, it became a liberal arts junior college as part of the Millsaps System,” Jackson explained.

7KH UHFHQWO\ JUDGXDWHG ÀIW\ ÀYH VWXGHQWV RI WKH &ODVV RI received over six million dollars in college scholarship offers; and the school boasts being the alma mater of an American Idol ÀQDOist; contestants on The Voice; and a Miss Mississippi, Jasmine Murray.

“Our students are not all staying in arts majors or arts professions when they leave MSA, but they are leaving us prepared for college or the workforce with a work ethic that is needed for our society,” Jackson said, adding, “Students are leaving MSA to make an impact across the nation and the world.”

For more information or for details about this year’s Experience MSA Day in December, visit www.msa.k12.ms.us or call (601)823-1300.

Students develop their skills in an environment with one-on-one teaching.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 41

Pike School of Art Pike School of Art is new to the area of rural Pike County, Mississippi. Founder Calvin Phelps has returned to his hometown of McComb, Mississippi, to bring the world’s cultures and arts back home.

After many years studying across the United States and throughout California, Phelps found a “change of pace� perfect of this endeavor.

Clay Russell, the school’s Director of Communications, explained, “Almost immediately after his return to Mississippi, Phelps recognized an urge to engage with his community through art, and the result was the formation of Pike School of Art. It’s not a school in the sense of a collection of classrooms under a roof; the venture is indeed about learning. It will draw outsiders into engagement with a region with a long, unique history. Phelps merged his observations, artistic passions, and organizational talents into a project that couldn’t exist anywhere but Mississippi.â€? ,Q 2FWREHU WKH VFKRRO ZLOO EHJLQ LWV Ă€UVW two-week residency. “A handful of artists and writers will enjoy the tranquility of lodging at Percy Quin State Park near McComb and will visit Natchez, Jackson, Biloxi, and New Orleans,â€? Russell said.

7KHVH ÀUVW UHVLGHQWV ZLOO LQFOXGH DUWLVWV from the California area and even a member of the Apple team.

Russell explained some of the programs the PSA has started within the Pike County community: “Public programs planned so IDU LQFOXGH IUHH Ă€OP VFUHHQLQJV H[KLELWLRQV and panel discussions; workshops for children; and the placement of micro-libraries in Summit, McComb, and Magnolia.â€? The Ă€UVW PLFUR OLEUDU\ LV LQ IURQW RI 7RSLVDZ General Store in downtown McComb and functions on the “leave a book, take a bookâ€? system. “The next micro-library will soon be placed in front of The Village in downtown Summit,â€? Russell added.

For more information or for details about becoming involved with this fall’s SURJUDPV YLVLW ZZZ 36$ 06 RUJ

Top—Founder Calvin Phelps and Clay Russell are proud to bring art education alive in Pike County.

Left—Kelsi Case and Eleni Varnado created WKH ÀUVW PLFUR OLEUDU\ RXWVLGH RI 7RSLVDZ General Store in downtown McComb.

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Jubilee Performing Arts Center Located in downtown McComb, Mississippi, the Jubilee Performing Arts Center (JPAC) covers all areas of the arts.

Students Brailey Vine and Jonathan Scott along with Deondra Ellzey, Assistant Director of the school, explained, “As a result of the drive and dedication of Dr. Terrance Alexander and its dedicated staff, the Jubilee Performing Arts Center’s name has become synonymous with artistic innovation through its melodious, energycharged choral performances, award-winning visual arts department, locally and nationally recognized creative writing offerings, and theatrical productions that include full Broadway-style dance routines.�

At the corner of Main Street and %URDGZD\ WKH VFKRRO IRU Ă€IWK JUDGHUV WKURXJK WZHOIWK JUDGHUV Ă€QGV LWV UK\WKP GLUHFWO\ LQĂ XHQFHG E\ WKH KXVWOH DQG EXVWOH of downtown McComb. “I love this locaWLRQ EHFDXVH LW LV WKH IXOĂ€OOPHQW RI D ORQJ time goal which enables us to continually promote the arts in the community as well as take an active part in the downtown revitalization that has begun over the past years,â€? explained Dr. Terrance Alexander, JPAC Director.

Ellzey added, “While JPAC’s kindergarten through fourth-grade program is held at another campus, the academic and arts course offerings are just as rigorous.

The community has been actively pursuing a comprehensive academic and arts program for elementary students for the SDVW IHZ \HDUV 7KH WLPH KDV ÀQDOO\ SUHsented itself for us to offer these types of programs for the lower grades. We are very excited about teaching young students to love and appreciate the arts as well.�

Christy Nichols, the center’s Director of Fine Arts, expresses her delight in the growth: “We are really looking forward to being able to more feasibly serve the artists of McComb. This area has so much to offer, and maybe we will be able to have some small part in presenting those gifts to the world.�

For more information, call (601)680-4185.

Top and right—Jubilee Performing Arts Center’s students perform plays throughout the year for local patrons.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 43

On the historic square in Holmesville, Mississippi, the courthouse of Pike County’s previous county seat serves as a reminder of the history of the county and Mississippi’s formation as a state.

A County’s The Bicentennial of Page 44 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

by Malcolm Allen Photography by Jennie Guido

P

Celebration: Pike County, Mississippi

ike County, Mississippi, was organized on December 9, 1815, dividing it from Marion County, which was organized in 1811. Following the War of 1812, a group of citizens from the area that would become Pike County petitioned the Mississippi Territorial General Assembly at Natchez for separation from Marion County. The reason behind the separation was that many citizens in the western area of Marion County simply lived too far from the county seat at Columbia, which was on the east side of the Pearl River. A new county with its own county seat would help to resolve this problem.

Pike County was named for Zebulon Montgomery Pike, a famous American explorer; Pike’s Peak was also named for him. Pike was a friend and familiar face to many residents of the Mississippi Territory.

Among many other military positions, Pike once commanded 5,000 troops stationed at Fort Adams in Wilkinson County and ZDV RQFH WKH FRPPDQGLQJ RIĂ€FHU DW )RUW Massachusetts in the Mississippi Sound.

A veteran of the Revolutionary War, Pike became Brigadier General of the American army. Leading his soldiers at the Battle of York in Canada during the War of 1812, Pike died a heroic death. Even with his GHDWK WKH EDWWOH ZDV WKH ÀUVW $PHULFDQ YLFtory in the War of 1812.

Pike County’s organization as a county predates Mississippi’s statehood by two years. The Mississippi Territory covered the area of what, today, is both the states of Mississippi and Alabama. Before 1798, this same area was claimed by the State of Georgia and known as the Georgia Territory during the Colonial Period of the United States. Following many illegal ODQG VHOOLQJ VFDQGDOV E\ RIÀFLDOV ZLWKLQ the Georgia Territory, the United States Federal Government seized the Georgia Territory. After much protest and many court challenges, Congress paid Georgia over twelve million dollars for its territorial land; and in 1802, the State of Georgia relinquished all legal claims with the Georgia Territory.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 45

On April 7, 1798, Congress reorganized the Georgia Territory into the new Mississippi Territory. The seat of government for the new territory was Natchez and was later moved to Washington, Mississippi, north of Natchez. President Thomas Jefferson made the move from Natchez in 1802, and it would remain in Washington until Mississippi’s statehood in 1817 when the capital returned to Natchez.

Before 1798, the area that comprised the new Mississippi Territory had many different proprietors, including Native American tribes, the French, the Spanish, Great Britain, and Georgia.

During Georgia’s claim, the Spanish made claims in the western areas of the territory. This area was known as the Spanish District and included Natchez. In 1796, the Spanish government in Madrid and the United States signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo or Pinckney’s Treaty, in which Spain gave up all land ownership rights within the area of the Mississippi Territory. It took three years to negotiate the treaty; and in 1798, 6SDLQ ORZHUHG LWV à DJV DW Natchez, Walnut Hills, and Fort Stephens and evacuated the Mississippi Territory.

Upon the organization of the new Mississippi Territory in 1798, a legislative assembly was organized in Natchez according to the Northwest Ordinance of 1789, which spelled out the rules and regulations for forming new American territories. Following this organization, a Mississippi Territorial General Assembly came together to form counties within the borders of the territory.

The central reason for forming counties was to create county court systems WR HOHFW RIĂ€FLDOV ZKR ZRXOG enforce laws and bring order across the territory. At this time, notorious criminal gangs roamed the territory, preying on settlers. Crime, Indian rights, settling land ownership rights, and securing the new territory against neighboring foreign forces became the most serious issues and problems that the new territorial government had to address. It took many years to resolve these issues; and for many years, vigilante justice held its place within the new Mississippi Territory.

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7KH ÀUVW FRXQW\ RUJDQL]HG ZDV 3LQFNQH\ &RXQW\ QDPHG IRU Thomas Pinckney who negotiated the treaty signed with Spain.

3LQFNQH\ &RXQW\ FRYHUHG DOO RI WKH ÀUVW DUHD RSHQHG WR $PHULFDQ settlement within the new Mississippi Territory. This was the lower one-third of the entire area of the territory. Because Pinckney opposed President Thomas Jefferson’s efforts in Congress to complete the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson removed the name Pinckney from the county and renamed it for himself, Jefferson County, in 1802.

Once organized, Pike County chose a place called Jacksonville as the site of WKH ÀUVW FRXQW\ VHDW 1R town existed in the newly formed Pike County; therefore, only a house site served as the county seat and a place to hold court.

Jacksonville was located on Leatherwood Creek near present-day Holmesville, Mississippi. While the exact location is now lost, the name appears on early maps of the Mississippi Territory.

In 1816 by vote, the county seat moved from Jacksonville to the nearby geographic center of Pike County; and a town was established, Holmesville. The center of the county would make all residents an equal distance from the county seat. In the new town, streets were named for famous people and were laid out in a grid design surrounding the courthouse square.

Holmesville was named in honor of Andrew Hunter Holmes, who was killed in an attack on Fort Mackinac during the War of 1812.

Holmes was the brother of David Holmes, who served as a Mississippi Territorial Governor and was elected DV WKH ÀUVW *RYHUQRU RI WKH State of Mississippi.

With the arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad from New Orleans through Pike County in the late 1850s, bypassing Holmesville, the county seat was moved to the new town of Magnolia, which was located on the new railroad line. Today, the picturesque and historic town of Magnolia remains the county seat of Pike County. Holmesville became an outback town, and the once vibrant county seat died from lack of commerce and population. Holmesville remains a historic and tranquil site with its squarely laid streets; its beautiful

Above—Malcolm Allen, perched on a front porch in Holmesville, Mississippi, retells the history of the county and the upcoming celebration.

Left—Allen and the Committee planning Pike County’s Bicentennial celebration created a proclamation inviting everyone to help commemorate 200 years of Pike County.�

red-brick, Federal-style courthouse; and several early parochial-style houses built around the courthouse square.

As Pike County celebrates its historic bicentennial, its citizens commemorate the founding and early history of the beloved county; and the historic site of Holmesville serves as the center of the festivities. The celebration will conclude with a public program at Holmesville on November 14, 2015, and, thereafter, on December 9, 2015, the unveiling of a Mississippi State Historical Marker, denoting the organization of Pike County with Holmesville as one of its early county seats. )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ 3LNH &RXQW\¡V %LFHQWHQQLDO &HOHEUDWLRQ YLVLW WKH )DFHERRN SDJH ´3LNH &RXQW\ %LFHQWHQQLDO &HOHEUDWLRQ ¾ $Q DUWLVW IURP WKH 3LNH &RXQW\ DUHD 0DOFROP $OOHQ LV ZRUNLQJ ZLWK WKH RWKHU PHPEHUV RI WKH %LFHQWHQQLDO committee to plan the celebration in November.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 47

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI Page 48 { October October2015 2015{ {Bluffs Bluffs&&Bayous Bayous

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 49

THE social SCENE FERNWOOD, MS

McComb Garden Club’s Annual Luncheon

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he McComb Garden Club held its annual luncheon at Fernwood Country Club, welcomed new members, and installed the 2015-2016 Executive Board. The young gardener groups of the Johnny Jump Ups, Busy Bees, and Garden Girls were also in attendance for the luncheon. The theme for the event was Dylan’s Candy Store featuring table centerpieces created with diferent types of candy and fresh flowers.

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4 1 Sandy Summers, Laurie Calhoun, Samantha Burris, Heather Harden, Julie Fletcher, and Meredith Talbot 2 Niki Gibson, Kindra Price, Brittany Rayborn, and Kristin Ratcliff 3 Addison and Kim Root 4 Barbara Willis, Stacey Tamor, Debbie Simmons, and Autumn Tamor 5 Donna Smith and Virgie Dunagin 6 Amy and Kiley Gazzo

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THE social SCENE

FERNWOOD, MS

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7 Front—Claire Long, Jonalyn Clark, and Sandy Summers; middle—Meredith Talbot, Jennifer Van, and Tammy Wells; back—Brittany Raybon, Allison Ott, and Lisa Lewman 8 Front—April Boarman, Cindy Henderson, and Carla Stringer; middle— Sara Jones, Alisha Reeves, Heather Harden, and Kindra Price; back—Tina Brumfield, Kristin Ratliff, Cori Honea, Stacey Tamor, and Gay Austin 9 Lauren Woodworth, April Boarman, and Robin Kuntz 10 Charlye and Brande Moak with Sandy Summers 11 Terri Lewis, Shannon Boone, and Rachel Williams 12 Mary Elizabeth and Carla Stringer with Melanie Bishop 13 Kathy Reid with Cindy and McKenna Henderson 14 Shelby and Lauren Woodworth with Carolyn Richmond 15 Samantha Burris, Laurie Calhoun, and April Boarman 16 Cindy Henderson, Sara Jones, and Cori Honea 17 Leah, Cori, and Kate Honea

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 51

THE social SCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Book Signing for Cupit n July 7, 2015, a book signing was held at Magnolia Blues Cafe in Brookhaven, Mississippi, for Maggie Cupit’s Why God?.

Photography by Bill Perkins

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1 Cindy Price and Maggie Cupit 2 Margaret Alice and Dudley Lampton with Laney Manville 3 Betty Ann Perkins and Maggie Cupit 4 Celeste Carty and Maggie Cupit 5 Bob Jones, Donald and Cindy Price, and Libby and Charlie Hewitt

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THE social SCENE

BROOKHAVEN, MS

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6 Anne Houston Cupit, Carl Craig, and Maggie Cupit 7 Becky Green, Emily Green Phillips, Maggie Cupit, and Paden Phillips 8 Mitchell and Jill Johnston 9 Paul and Ellie Phillips with Brooks and Amanda Warren 10 Maggie Cupit and Lisa Holland 11 Maggie Cupit, Carlisle Henderson, and Dr. Anne Henderson

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 53

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Meet and Greet with the Mississippi Development Authority

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atchez, Inc and the NatchezAdams County Chamber of Commerce hosted a meet-and-greet reception for Glenn McCullough, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at The Vue overlooking the Mississippi River in Natchez, Mississippi.

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5 1 Donnie Holloway, Joe Stedman, and Glenn McCullough 2 Pat Biglane, Marlo Dorsey, and Mike Lazarus 3 Dr. Ruth Nichols and Heather Malone 4 Peter Burns, Jr., Mike Gemmell, and Marlo Dorsey 5 Kay and Ronnie Harris 6 Joe Stedman, Representative Sam Mims, and Glenn Green 7 Jennifer Combs, Regina Charboneau, and Lynn Beach Smith

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 55

OCTOBER

premier events ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA

October 24 & 25 The Southern Garden Symposium Known for top-quality speakers, historic-plantation settings, engaging social events, and outstanding gardening lectures and workshops, the twentyseventh Southern Garden Symposium will once again offer the annual symSRVLXP IRU JDUGHQ HQWKXVLDVWV *XHVW VSHDNHUV VXFK DV /68 $J &HQWHU¡V $OOHQ 2ZLQJV DZDUG ZLQQLQJ à RUDO GHVLJQHU 6FRWW +DVW\ DQG QRWHG DXWKRU Larry Mellichammp, will provide ideas and inspiration for the guest gardeners.

Included throughout the weekend are social activities surrounding the event in classic southern elegance.

For information and registration, visit www.SouthernGardenSymposium.org or call (225)635-3738.

Crystal Springs, Mississippi

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI

October 16 & 17 Fall Flower & Garden Fest The 2015 Fall Flower & Garden Fest will be held at the Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, 0LVVLVVLSSL +RXUV ZLOO EH IURP DP XQWLO SP ERWK GD\V DQG IRRG YHQGHUV ZLOO EH DYDLODEOH 7KLV LV WKH ODUJHVW home gardening show in the southeast with an average attendance of 5,000 people over the two-day event.

Featured in the three-acre garden are winners of the prestigious All-America Selections award. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (601)892-3731 or visit www.msucares.com.

Liberty, Mississippi

LIBERTY, MISSISSIPPI

October 23 - 25 Sawdust and Splinters Festival The third annual Sawdust and Splinters logging sporting event and festival will be held October 23, 24, and 25 at the Ethel Stratton Vance Park in Liberty, Mississippi. Gates will open at noon Friday through 8 pm, on Saturday from 8 am until 8 pm, and on Sunday from 1 until 5 pm. Admission is free for children under four and ranges from $5 to $20 each depending on age and day. New activities and attractions for this year include several demonstrations; blacksmithing, bowl turning, sawmills, and other related crafts.

An Antique Engine & Tractor Show and Open Car Show will be on display Saturday. There will be a variety of food vendors and a selective line up of arts and crafts vendors producing quality and uniquely created wares. Children will be entertained with the KidsZone and playground area. area On Saturday, SouthSoul will provide entertainment in between the competitions and other activities.

For more information, visit www.sdsfest.com and Facebook page.

NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI Through October 12 Fall Pilgrimage and Special Events Nineteen antebellum mansions throughout historic Natchez, Mississippi, will open their doors to visitors during this three-week Pilgrimage. The guides are costumed family, friends, and descendants of the original owners, whose stories are as real as the bricks and mortar in their hearths. Each house is unique with 18th DQG th century furnishings, porcelain, silver, clothing, tools, documents, and diaries. Special events LQFOXGH DQ $PHULFDQ PXVLF FRQFHUW LQ WKH URWXQGD RI /RQJZRRG $PRV 3RON¡V 9RLFHV RI +RSH DW WKH &DUULDJH +RXVH 5HVWDXUDQW D FDQGOHOLJKW WRXU DW 7KH 7RZHUV DQ (YHQLQJ DW $XEXUQ DQG D GLQQHU DW 6WDQWRQ +DOO For more information, visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com or call (601)446-6631.

Page 56 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

premier events OCTOBER NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI October 16 – 18 Great Mississippi River Balloon Race 7KH *UHDW 0LVVLVVLSSL 5LYHU %DOORRQ 5DFH LV 0LVVLVVLSSL¡V PRVW H[FLWLQJ IHVWLYDO 6HH D EHDXWLIXO DUUD\ RI KRW DLU EDOORRQV DV WKH\ à \ RYHU 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL 9LGDOLD /RXLVLDQD DQG WKH 0LVVLVVLSSL 5LYHU 7KH IHVWLYDO WDNHV SODFH RQ WKH JURXQGV RI 5RVDOLH¡V %LFHQWHQQLDO *DUGHQV RQ %URDGZD\ 6WUHHW LQ KLVWRULF GRZQWRZQ 1DWFKH] 7KH IHVWLYDO JURXQGV IHDWXUH a carnival section with plenty of rides, games and fun for children of all ages. Saturday ZLOO SUHPLHU %OXIIWREHUIHVW ZKHUH ÀYH /RXLVLDQD DQG 0LVVLVVLSSL EUHZHULHV ZLOO IHDWXUH WKHLU brews along with an exclusive collaboration brew for this event. Craft beer will be available for sale along with Octoberfest style games and contests. Watch college football on SaturGD\ DQG WKH 1HZ 2UOHDQV 6DLQWV RQ 6XQGD\ DW WKH SRSXODU 6SRUWV %DU 7HQW 7KHUH¡V DOZD\V plenty of food to choose from when you get hungry, even a selection from some local chefs.

For more information, visit www.natchezballoonrace.com.

November 5 - 7 38th Natchez Antiques Forum The Pilgrimage Garden Club will present the thirty-eighth annual Natchez Antiques Forum themed ´$W +RPH DQG $EURDG 1DWFKH]LDQV on the Grand Tour� this year. Seasoned experts will offer three days of lectures, events, and conversa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ore more information, email antiquesforum@bellsouth.net or call (601)443-1261.

November 5 - 7 Angels on the Bluff Each year, the Natchez City Cemetery presents an elaborate production featuring iconic Natchez personalities buried there as portrayed by their descendants and other local citizens in period costumes. Tour this beautiful, historic site, stopping at graves to hear stories and musical tributes to the lives and deaths of some of Natchez oldest “residents.�

For more information, visit www.natchezcitycemetery.com.

Osyka, Mississippi

OSYKA, MISSISSIPPI

Osyka Fall Festival October 3 & 4 7KH WKLUW\ ÀIWK DQQXDO 2V\ND )DOO )HVWLYDO ZLOO EH KHOG RQ 5DLOURDG $YHQXH LQ GRZQWRZQ Osyka, Mississippi, from 8 am until 5 pm. There will be all day entertainment including a petting zoo, camo costume and turkey call contest, archery, a rock-climbing wall, face painting, and more. Craft and food venders will also be available. On Sunday, there will be gospel entertainment from 1 until 5 pm.

For more information, visit www.business.pikeinfo.com.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 57

OCTOBER Louisiana Up & Coming!

ALEXANDRIA Through October 3 Art Exhibits featuring Seth Thibodaux, Joanne Kohara Thompson, & Michael Duncan Exhibits River Oaks Square Arts Center (318)473-2670 www.RiverOaksArtsCenter.com BATON ROUGE Through October 3 -XQLRU /HDJXH RI %DWRQ 5RXJH·V HollyDays Market Baton Rouge River Center Price & time varies www.juniorleaguebr.org Throughout October Festivals & Events www.visitbatonrouge.com October 1 Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre presents BalletX River Center Theatre 7:30 pm (225)765-8379 October 2 Brew at the Zoo Baton Rouge Zoo 6 – 10 pm www.brzoobrew.org October 3 Baton Rouge Arts Market Fifth St. at Laurel & Main 8 am – Noon www.artsbr.org October 3, 10, & 17 Corn Maze Saturdays 10 am – 6 pm www.lsuagcenter.com October 4 Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat Baton Rouge River Center 7 pm www.brrivercenter.com

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Louisiana Up & Coming! OCTOBER October 18 Shaw Center for the Arts presents The Lightning Thief – A Musical Manship Theatre 2 pm www.manshiptheatre.org October 22 – November 1 Greater Baton Rouge State Fair www.gbrsf.com October 23 Halloween Opera Ball City Club 6:30 – 10 pm www.operalouisiane.com FERRIDAY October 1 & 15 Delta Music Tour at Frogmore MS Blues Trail Reservations required / 10 am (318)757-2453 www.frogmoreplantation.com

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 59

OCTOBER Louisiana Up & Coming!

October 31 & November 1 Holiday Open House The Gift Box 800 E. E. Wallace Blvd (318)757-0001 JACKSON October 10 Greater Baton Rouge Model 5DLOURDGHUV· th Annual Trainfest 10 am – 3 pm / Free (225)634-3473 www.greaterbrrailroaders.com PORT ALLEN October 4 20th Anniversary SugarFest West Baton Rouge Museum 11 am – 4 pm Crafts, Food, & Live Entertainment www.westbatonrougemuseum.com (225)336-2422 October 7 “I Always Do My Collars First” Talk and Documentary Noon / Free www.westbatonrougemuseum.com (225)336-2422 October 14 +HQU\ +RZDUG /RXLVLDQD·V $UFKLWHFW Book signing Noon / Free www.westbatonrougemuseum.com (225)336-2422

October 15 Bus Day Trip Historic Architecture of New Orleans Tour Registration required www.westbatonrougemuseum.com (225)336-2422 October 16 Annual Halloween Event West Baton Rouge Museum & Port Allen Community Center Trick or Treating & Entertainment ² SP www.westbatonrougemuseum.com (225)336-2422

October 24 – 25 The Southern Garden Symposium (225)635-3738 www.southerngardensymposium.org October 24 – 25 Yellow Leaf Arts Festival Parker Park 10 am – 5 pm (800)715-0510 / www.stfrancisville.us October 26 – November 1 Rosedown Funeral & Soul Stories 10 am – 4 pm (225)635-3332 / www.stfrancisville.us VIDALIA

ST. FRANCISVILLE October 2 Garden Tour Friday Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site 10 am – 5 pm (225)635-3332 / www.stfrancisville.us

October 8, 15, & 22 7KH .HQQHG\V $PHULFD·V 5R\DO )DPLO\ Vidalia Library 5HDGLQJ 'LVFXVVLRQ 6 pm (318)336-5043 / www.concordialibrary.org

October 2- 4, 9 – 11, 16 – 18, & 30 – Nov. 1 The Myrtles Halloween Experience ² SP www.stfrancisvillefestival.com

October 14 – 18 Vidalia Riverfront Flea Market 9LGDOLD 5LYHUIURQW 8 am – 6 pm (601)597-0452 / www.cityofvidalia.com

October 4, 11, 18, & 25 Angola Prison Rodeo & Craft Show DP ² (225)655-2607 / www.angolarodeo.com

October 15 – 18 Mad Jax Carnival Vidalia Riverfront 8 – 10 pm www.cityofvidalia.com

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 61

OCTOBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

BRANDON October 4 The RyanMan Triathlon Lakeshore Park 7 am – 5 pm crookedlettercycling.com BROOKHAVEN October 1 .'0& )RXQGDWLRQ¡V Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon )LUVW 8QLWHG 0HWKRGLVW &KXUFK¡V Ministry Center Noon – 1 pm (601)823-5326 October 3 41st Annual Ole Brook Festival Downtown Brookhaven . 5XQ :DON &DUQLYDO &DU 6KRZ (601)833-1411 www.brookhavenchamber.org November 12 Taste of the Trust Ole Towne Church ² SP Food tastings, live music, & silent auction DW WKH GRRU (601)757-1963 CANTON October 8 Canton Flea Market 8am – 5 pm ZZZ FDQWRQPVà HDPDUNHW FRP October 8 Canton Flea Market Sacred Heart Church $QWLTXHV FROOHFWLEOHV )UHH www.facebook.com/johnoliverdowdleinteriors CLINTON October 3 Moonvine Art & Music Fest Live Oaks Golf Course Noon DW WKH JDWH (601)292-7121 / jordan@ardenland.net

Page 62 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi Up & Coming! OCTOBER CRYSTAL SPRINGS

HATTIESBURG October 9 & 10 5RWDU\ &OXE RI +DWWLHVEXUJ路V Bike-A-Thon Longleaf Trace Gateway 3UH HYHQW 2FW # :DOWKDOO 3DUN DP 虏 SP www.rotaryofhattiesburg.com JACKSON

October 16 & 17 Fall Flower & Garden Fest Truck Crops Experiment Station www.msucares.com/fallfest

Throughout October Live Music Concerts 'XOLQJ +DOO www.dulinghall.com

Throughout October Festivals & Events www.visitjackson.com Through January 3 MS Museum of Natural Science presents Wolf to Wolf: The Story of Dogs www.mdwfp.com October 4 0LVVLVVLSSL路V :DON IRU 'LDEHWHV Southern Farm Bureau Life 1401 Livingston Ln 5HJLVWUDWLRQ SP . :DON SP www.msdiabetes.org

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 63

OCTOBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

October 5, 6, & 8 Power Relief Carving with Sammy Long Craftsmen Guild of MS ² SP (601)856-7546 www.craftsmensguildofms.org October 7 – 18 Mississippi State Fair Fairgrounds Complex (601)961-4000 / www.mdac.ms.gov

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Mississippi Up & Coming! OCTOBER October 13 Arts & Lecture Series presents Debut Southern Writers Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall SP (601)974-1130 / www.millsaps.edu October 27 – November 8 A Time to Kill New Stage Theatre SP SP 3ULFHV 9DU\ (601)948-3533 www.newstagetheatre.com October 29 Barry Moser Book Signing & Reception Eudora Welty House & Garden 5:30 – 7:30 pm (601)353-7762 info@eudoraweltyhouse.com www.mdah.state.ms.us LIBERTY October 23 – 25 Sawdust and Splinters Ethel S. Vance Park 06 +Z\ 1RRQ DP SP 3ULFHV 9DU\ www.sdsfest.com / (601)876-9635 MCCOMB October 3 United Givers Carport Cook-off & 5K Run/Walk Downtown McComb 8 am DW WKH JDWH www.pikeinfo.com October 24 0LVVLVVLSSL¡V :DON IRU 'LDEHWHV Railroad Depot 5HJLVWUDWLRQ DP . :DON DP $20 www.pikeinfo.com October 29 10th Annual Hall of Fame Gala McComb High School 6 – 8 pm www.pikeinfo.com

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 65

OCTOBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

November 5 Mistletoe & Magic Throughout Pike County Until 8 pm (601)684-2291 / www.pikeinfo.com NATCHEZ Through October 12 Fall Pilgrimage www.natchezpilgrimage.com Through October 12 Little Foxes Natchez Little Theatre SP www.natcheztheatre.org / (601)442-2233 Throughout October Live Music & Events www.visitnatchez.org Through November Special Interest Classes Copiah-Lincoln Community College Natchez Campus (601)446-1103 / emily.edwards@colin.edu October 1 NGC Fall Bash Ellicott Hall Silent Auction ² 30 (601)443-9065 www.natchezgardenclub.org October 8 Purple Dress 5K & Bike Ride Rolling River Bistro 5HJLVWUDWLRQ SP 5DFH SP (DUO\ UHJLVWUDWLRQ $GXOWV 8QGHU (601)442-0142 October 8 Girls Night Out Pampered Soul 506 Franklin St. ² SP (601)445-5192

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Mississippi Up & Coming! OCTOBER October 10 & 11 Fall Festival Cathedral Unit School 0DUWLQ /XWKHU .LQJ -U 6W 0LG ZD\ JDPHV $GXOW QLJKW %LQJR www.cathedralgreenwave.com (601)442-2531 October 16 – 18 Great MS River Balloon Race www.natchezballoonrace.com October 16 - November 7 Haunting of The Towers 801 Myrtle (601)446-6890 October 25 Music at the Mounds Grand Village of Natchez Indians Music, food, arts, & crafts (601)870-5852 October 31 Chili Cookoff Natchez Bluff Park DP ² SP www.visitnatchez.org

October 31 Day of the Dead Celebration & Exhibition Arts Natchez Gallery 1RRQ ² SP $UWLVW SUHVHQWDWLRQV ² SP 2SHQ +RXVH 5HFHSWLRQ www.artsnatchez.com October 31 Dash from the Dead 5K Sundown Race www.visitnatchez.org November 5 – 7 Angels on the Bluff Natchez City Cemetery $25 www.natchezcitycemetery.com

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 67

OCTOBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

November 5 - 7 38th Annual Natchez Antiques Forum Throughout Natchez www.natchezantiquesforum.org November 6 – 7 Art Affair Gala & Indoor Art Market Natchez Art Association )UDQNOLQ 6W SP www.natchezartassociation.org PORT GIBSON, MS October 10 2nd Annual Southwest Mississippi BBQ Competition Blues & Bikes Downtown Port Gibson Noon - 6 pm (601)437-4500 RIDGELAND October 1 Honeyboy & Boots Soulshine Pizza 7 pm (601)856-8646 October 31 Wooden Gumbo Paddle Class with Ken McLemore MS Craft Center DP ² SP (601)856-7546 ROLLING FORK October 24 Great Delta Bear Affair www.greatdeltabearaffair.org SUMMIT October 3 Stop, Drop, & Roll Run Town Hall DP ² 1RRQ (601)551-2707 / summitfd@cableone.net October 5 SMCC Running with the Bears Southwest Mississippi Community College SP 3ULFHV YDU\ www.smcc.edu

Page 68 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi Up & Coming! OCTOBER October 10 32nd Annual Fall Festival Downtown Summit 8 am – 4 pm (601)276-7518 www.facebook.com/townofsummitfallfestival October 20 60&&·V 3DUDGH RI %HDXWLHV Southwest Mississippi Community College www.smcc.edu TYLERTOWN October 3 +HDUW 2· 'L[LH &KDPSLRQVKLS Horse Show Southwest Event Center SP www.walkinghorsereport.com October 30 Halloween Party Throughout Tylertown www.co.walthall.ms.us VICKSBURG Throughout October Live Music & Events www.visitvicksburg.com October 3 6th Annual Bricks & Spokes Downtown www.downtownvicksburg.org October 3 Downtown Fall Festival Downtown Vicksburg DP www.downtownvicksburg.org October 3 Old Court House Flea Market Downtown Vicksburg 8 am (601)636-0741 / www.oldcourthouse.org October 5 Vicksburg Meet & Greet The Wine House 6 – 8 pm (601)642-7151

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 69

OCTOBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

October 6, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28 Storytime Warren Public Library 700 Veto St DP (601)636-6411 October 10 Day at the Museum Paranormal Hunt Lower MS River Museum :DVKLQJWRQ ² SP )UHH www.lmrm.org

October 10 27th Annual Over the River Run Old MS River Bridge & Washington St. 8 am (601)631-2997 / info@southernculture.org

October 16, 23, & 30 Classics in the Courtyard 1302 Adams 1RRQ ² /XQFK (601)631-2997 / www.southernculture.org

October 16 & 17 :HVW 6LGH 7KHDWUH )RXQGDWLRQ· V Fantastic Films Festival Day Two The Strand Theatre 7 pm www.westsidetheatrefoundation.com

October 21 Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce Luncehon Ameristar Casino Noon (601)636-1012 www.vicksburgchamber.org

Page 70 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi Up & Coming! OCTOBER October 22 Richard Grant Book Signing Lorelei Books 1103 Washington 5 pm (601)634-8624 / www.loreleibooks.com October 22 Chamber After Hours Pigs in Flight 5 – 7 pm www.vicksburgchamber.org October 24 Spooky Pooch Contest Outlets at Vicksburg 5 pm (601)636-7434 www.outletsatvicksburg.com

October 30 The Detectives Mystery Dinner Theatre ROCA Restaurant 7 pm (601)638-0800 / www.detectives.biz October 31 Spooky Sprint 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run Halloween Carnival 8 am – Noon www.vicksburgcatholic.org October 31 A Haunting at Duff Green 1114 First East SP 5HVHUYDWLRQV 5HTXLUHG www.ghostscouters.com

October 29 *KRVW 7DOHV $URXQG WKH &DPSÀUH Halloween Duck Hunt Historic Jefferson College ² SP )UHH (601)442-2901 / mdah.state.ms.us WOODVILLE, MS October 10 Deer & Wildlife Festival Downtown Woodville DP SP (601)888-3998

WASHINGTON October 24 River City Challenge BBQ Contest Lady Luck Casino (601)636-7575

October 24 Black & Blue Civil War Reenactment Historic Jefferson College DP ² SP )UHH www.visitnatchez.org

%H VXUH WR FRQÀUP GHWDLOV RI WKH HYHQWV should changes have occurred since events were submitted.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 71

SOUTHERN SAMPLER

BY

We took in all the sights, the dances, the sheepdog competitions, the bagpipe contests, the caber toss, the singing groups, just everything. We even got to walk in the grand entry with the Clan MacLeod since McClures are a sept of that clan. When it was time to get food, I went to one of the food stands and ordered a chicken pie. The vendor looked me over and said, “You must be from Southern Scotland!� I told him that, actually, my family came from the Highlands; but I was about a ninth- or tenth-generation transplant to the colonies, which accounted for my strange accent.

I also went to a Scottish Festival in Dallas, Texas, one time, too. My college roommate, Donna Albritton, had invited me to come spend the weekend so that we could go to the festival, one of the biggest clan gatherings in the South. It was a tremendous setup in some stadium over there and just chock full of all things Scots.

We went to a lot of the competitions; and we also were able to hear some really good musicians, singing modern songs about Scotland and their place in the United Kingdom.

The songs taught me that the Scots still didn’t like the English after all these years since Culloden; they still yearn to be a free nation; and they are quite fond of whiskey, music, and the old traditions. I bought some of the bands’ CDs and still play them now and again to get a true taste of Scotland since their songs were the songs of the common man and they are sung with true Scottish accents.

The last Scottish Festival that I attended was in Jackson, Louisiana, when Liza ZDV DERXW Ă&#x20AC;YH 0\ VLVWHU LQ ODZ <RODQGD McClure and her daughter, Bess, went with us, to enjoy a sunny day, saluting our ancestors. I hate to say this about my countrymen, but Scottish Festivals are kind of like rodeosâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;size is about all that ever changes.

The contests are the same; sometimes the

Sword-wielding Festival-goers A

ttending fairs and festivals has never been my strong suit. There are usually too many people, too much heat, too much noise, too many smells to suit me, semi-recluse that I am.

Oh, yes, I have gone to a number of these activities but always with the promise that I will be good if I never have to go to that particular one again.

The summer of 1997, before Miss Liza was born, saw Jorie, Claire, and me visiting Holly in the state of Washington in July, one of our hottest months. When our plane landed in Seattle, Holly met us, wearing a

denim jacket. Did she not know this was July, I thought to myself. When I stepped out of the airport into that cold wind, I saw the reason for the jacket. It was cold.

During our week there, we went to a town named Enumclaw to attend a Celtic Festival. It was cool enough for long sleeves, but people there were complaining about it being â&#x20AC;&#x153;hot!â&#x20AC;? It was under 70 degrees, and these people thought it was hot.

When we left Louisiana earlier in the week, it had been over a hundred degrees, which LV ZKDW KRW WUXO\ LV , Ă&#x20AC;JXUHG WKRVH IRONV LQ Enumclaw would die in Louisiana heat.

Page 72 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Alma M. Womack

musical entertainment is excellent as it was in Dallasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sometimes, well, no. Watching the sheepdogs is the most interesting activity to me, for at least it is based on something useful.

The one thing I most remember about the Jackson festival was that Liza wanted, and received, a plastic sword. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a claymore, but it was still a goodly-sized weapon. There was a small hill at the site ZKHUH WKH OLWWOH ER\V ZHUH DOO Ă&#x20AC;JKWLQJ ZLWK their swords, and one of them spied Liza and her sword.

Two boys rushed up to challenge her, but I made one of them leave so it would be D IDLU Ă&#x20AC;JKW /L]D DQG WKH ODG FURVVHG VZRUGV a few times; then Liza, with a well-aimed swing, whacked the boy on the wrist. He dropped his sword and started crying. Liza looked at me, thrust her sword in the air, and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes! I made him cry! I win!â&#x20AC;?

After that, it seemed best to head back home before more kids cried and mamas came to see why.

Columnist Alma Womack lives on Smithland 3ODQWDWLRQ RQ %ODFN 5LYHU VRXWK RI -RQHVYLOOH 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.

Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 73

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Bluffs & Bayous { October 2015 { Page 75

McCOMB’S DEPOT DISTRICT Blue-Eyed Sisters Boutique 223 State Street

Gulf South Art Gallery 228 Fifth Avenue

Twice is Nice 227 Main Street

McCOMB’S MID-TOWN Alford’s Flowers & Gifts debec’s / Sew Be It Ginny’s Gifts & Collectibles 115 North 6th Street 529 Delaware Avenue 704 Delaware Avenue Signatures Custom Framing/Japonica Gallery Selman’s Jewelers-Gemologists 119 North 6th Street 1311 Delaware Avenue

HIGHWAY 51 District 51 1079 Highway 51/98

McCOMB’S APACHE DRIVE

Holmes’ Stationers & Gifts 1136 Highway 51/98

Friendgirl Things 1410 Apache Drive

SUMMIT Johnny and Jean’s Boutique 815 Robb Street Southwest Vendors’ Mall 806 Robb Street Page 76 { October 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Rustic Charm Vendor Gallery 710 Robb Street The Village Flower & Gift Shop 606 Laurel Street

Shooters Discount 810A Robb Street Wizard Electronics 822 Robb Street