Bluffs & Bayous February 2015

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FROM THE EDITOR

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matter of the heart can be just about anything you love to do. Whether it is making art for others to enjoy or just organizing your spice rack, if it brings you any shred of happiness, it can be a matter of the heart.

There are many aspects of my life that I can consider matters of the heart. I love my little house in my little town with my little dog and working on my little computer in my little ofÀFH RYHUORRNLQJ P\ OLWWOH EDFN\DUG (DFK RI these tiny parts of my everyday life brings me so much joy that every “bad day” I come across is a little easier to get through.

While in college, I, like many girls at Delta State, was a part of a sorority. I was a full-blooded Tri Delta and loved every little bit of that group of girls. However, I think what I loved most was the hard work we did every year for the little kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Whether it was cooking sausage patties at our pancake breakfast or playing “ball girl” during our tennis tournaments, I always felt like those small acts of kindness to give back to those kids in need were part of a much bigger picture. And visiting the hospital in Memphis made all of the long hours and hard work worth it. Seeing our contributions at work inside those happy hallways was a reward all of its own.

So whether you give back to a local charity in your town or help others far away, those matters of the heart are what count the most in your life along and beyond the Mississippi.

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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 Elise D. Parker Bill Perkins Cheryl Rinehart Lisa Adams Whittington SOCIAL MEDIA & EVENTS MANAGER Anne Elise Rinehart SALES STAFF Jennie Guido Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Gary R. Bachman Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin Becky Junkin Ross McGehee Alma Womack

Cheryl Rinehart

Jean Biglane

Anne Elise Rinehart

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Jennie Guido

Jan Ratcliff

Aimee Guido

Anita Schilling

Van O’Gwin

Tim McCary

Donna Sessions

JoAnna Sproles

Elise D. Parker

Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin

Becky Junkin

Ross McGehee

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 | fax 601-442-6842 bluf fsmag@gmail.com | bluf fs.editor@gmail.com bbupandcoming@gmail.com | media.bluf fsandbayous@gmail.com www.bluf fsbayous.com

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February 2015

FEATURES

ON THE OVER Filling the Empty pages 32-33 Having a Ball for Charity pages 36-39 Baked from the Heart pages 40-42

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Amanda Jeansonne throws bowls from the heart to help with the Empty Bowls Project in Natchez, Mississippi.� Story on pages 32-33. Photo by Jennie Guido. Artistic Design by T.G. McCary

February 2015

FAVO R I T E S All Outdoors “Ole Luke”.................................................................................................................10

Events February Premier Events .....................................................................................52-53 February Louisiana Up & Coming! ......................................................................54-58 February Mississippi Up & Coming! ....................................................................59-62 2015 Mardi Gras Events and Parades .......................................................................63

G’s Fare A Valentine Feast ..................................................................................................14-16

In the Garden Loropetalum for Early Spring Blooms ................................................................24-25

Legal Notes Understanding Attorneys’ Fees..................................................................................20

Southern Sampler Humor to Warm the Heart...................................................................................64-65

A Valentine Feast pages 14-16

The Social Scene Birthday Party for Langston .....................................................................................11 Dauphin Surprise Party ............................................................................................12 Krewe of Locomotion Four-Man Caddy Shack Scramble ........................................13 Krewe of Phoenix’s Twelfth Night Party.............................................................. 18-19 Senior Party for Kuehnle ..........................................................................................21 Krewe Mystique Royal Court 2015............................................................................28 Estes Receives VIP Award..........................................................................................29 Bray’s Annual Christmas Party ............................................................................30-31 Natchez B&B Association’s Christmas Party ............................................................43 MUW Natchez Alumni Gathering .............................................................................46 Party for Duke Kirby .................................................................................................47 Warren County Master Gardeners’ Christmas Luncheon ...................................48-49 Krewe of Heart & Soul Ball ..................................................................................50-51

The Wedding Scene Bridal Shower for Blackwell.................................................................................22-23

Loropetalum for Early Spring Blooms pages 24-25 Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 9

ALL OUTDOORS

“B

story by Ross McGehee

“Ole Luke�

oss, them buzzards got to be somewhere.� It was a pretty amusing remark but true.

Cleve had checked cows for Big Jim and had not bothered to report the circling column of birds over the cattle. Big Jim saw WKHP DQG Ă€JXUHG WKDW D FRZ ZDV GHDG EXW Cleve knew that the “carryway boysâ€? were MXVW ZDLWLQJ ,QGHHG LW LV GLIĂ€FXOW WR UXQ D passel of buzzards away once they camp out on your herd.

I’ve been checking cattle myself for the past few weeks. They are calving now; so two or three times a day, I ride through them, looking for a calf that is stuck in a cow or has fallen into a gully. The buzzards are always WKHUH )URP ÀIW\ WR RQH KXQGUHG FLUFOLQJ RU watching from a tree, ole Luke is waiting for afterbirth or the opportunity to pick the eyes out of a calf as it is delivered. Sometimes they are just on the ground out there among the cows wandering around, not doing any harm; but they are there. As soon as they see my truck, they are gone again.

Actually, there is a way to rid yourself of the birds. Since it is illegal to kill RQH 7KDW¡V DOO LW WDNHV MXVW ÀQG D URDG killed buzzard and transport it to wherever you don’t want them. Just throw it on the ground, and the rest are out of there. They know that something there is not good for them, and they are gone. How often do you see a road-kill buzzard? Yeah, I thought so.

Take it from me; you don’t want to be the one to make a road-kill buzzard. Quite by accident, I hit one years ago; and the broken windshield was nothing compared to the other bodily functions that came into play. It was nasty and ruined a perfectly good beer run. Just don’t do it.

And for the bird watchers and Audubon W\SHV , NQRZ WKHVH SHVWV DUH RIÀFLDOO\ WXUkey vultures. But everyone knows what a EX]]DUG LV (YHU ZRQGHU ZK\ WKH\ KDYH no feathers on their heads, and how long does a road-killed armadillo have to lie RQ WKH EODFNWRS EHIRUH ROH /XNH ÀQGV LW" Five minutes, maybe ten? Still kicking?

Whatever is in armadillo must be good because there is usually nothing left but the shell.

A woman fell 980 feet to her death off a cliff a few years ago. It took the vultures IRUW\ ÀYH PLQXWHV WR FOHDQ XS WKH PHVV That’s how long it took the rescue team to get there. All that was left was shoes, bones, and clothes.

We had at one time a buzzard that made its nest in a deer stand. That was pretty!

Thank goodness the stand was only three feet off the ground because the guy that owned it had no idea there was a buzzard nest inside when he opened the door. He didn’t have far to fall when Mama buzzard à HZ RXW LQ KLV IDFH %XW PDQ WKH VWHQFK (YHU\ GHDG DQLPDO \RX FRXOG LPDJLQH KDG

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been brought into the stand for the babies.

Their mess was awful. An eviction was necessary; but the next year, it was the same thing so all the windows and cracks were boarded up in the off season. But the smell was too much to bear, and the stand was abandoned.

Butler Barksdale is long since deceased but had hatred (among other things) for buzzards. If he saw one among or above his cattle, he would shoot it with his 22 rià H +H ZRXOG HYHQ JR VR IDU DV WR LQYLWH himself onto someone else’s property to dispatch a buzzard if he drove past and saw one. He was indifferent about an invitation, and you don’t argue with a man holdLQJ D ULà H +H DOVR VKRZHG KLV DFFRXQWDQW the same piles of bones four years in a row, claiming a loss for income tax purposes each year, but that’s another story. Am I the RQO\ RQH WKDW ÀQGV LW LURQLF WKDW D ODQGÀOO was placed next to Butler’s farm?

Buzzards have the ability to digest stuff that would make any other animal deathly ill. Disease, bacteria, rotted meat—they can handle it. They do clean up the roads, SDVWXUHV ODQGÀOOV DQG ZRRGV EXW WKHLU DWtention to personal hygiene leaves much to be desired. I just wish they would stay away from my cattle.

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

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Birthday Party for Langston o mark the eighty-fifth birthday of Betty Langston, she and friends traveled from Brookhaven, Mississippi, to nearby Natchez for a delicious lunch at Roux 61 complete with toasts.

This was followed by a tour of historical sites of the oldest Mississippi River settlement and an afternoon delight at Steampunk Espresso Bar. Photos by Bill Perkins

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1 Betty Ann Perkins, Gwen Davis, Shirley Estes, and Dott Cannon 2 Betty Langston, Dot Cannon, and Gwen Davis 3 Betty Langston and Miranda McMurray 4 Rena Jean Schmieg, Betty Ann Perkins, and Bill Perkins 5 Lawrie Gulley, Phyllis Spearman, and Betty Langston

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Dauphin Surprise Party riends and family gathered Friday, December 12, 2014, in Natchez, Mississippi, to surprise Mildred Dauphin with a 70th birthday surprise party. Daulphin enjoyed a delicious brunch at Dunleith Plantation. Tables were decorated with sentimental family items such as decorative hats and pictures. Dauphin’s two sisters, aunts, cousins, and fellow teacher-friends traveled from out of town to join the festivities.

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1 Lynn Fales, Mildred Dauphin, and Bebe Maxwell 2 Adair Brabham and Barbara Bryant 3 Margaret Brown and Lynell Ross 4 Teri Estes and Laura Beird

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8 5 Judy Hill, Betty Bracken, Julie Caldwell, Lynell Ross, Bebe Maxwell, Margaret Brown, and Betsy Crawford 6 Bebe Maxwell, Teri Estes, Laura Beird, Mildred Dauphin, Adair Brabham, and Lynn Fales 7 Betsy Crawford, Julie Caldwell, Lois Gore, Mildred Dauphin, Judy Hill, and Judy Sturdivant 8 Back—Margaret Brown, Lois Gore, Judy Hill, Betsy Crawford, Judy Sturdivant, Meg Freeman, Mildred Dauphin, Julie Caldwell, and Lisa Whitman; front—Theresa Mullins, Lynell Ross, and Meggie Thompson

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THE social SCENE MCCOMB, MS

Krewe of Locomotion Four-man Caddy Shack Scramble he Krewe of Locomotion held a four-man scramble fundraiser benefiting a new shelter project for McComb Animal Shelter on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at Fernwood Country Club in McComb, Mississippi. Participants were encouraged to dress and decorate golf carts in Caddy Shack style.

The day’s events included silent auctions, mulligan purchases, and contests for hole-in-one, longest drive, and closest to the pin. Photos by Elise Parker

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1 Meghna and Bhavik Patel, Yancy Fisher, Lee Ellen Haskins, Karinlee Brister, and Justin McDaniel 2 Beck Troutman, Charles Beene, Jimmy Coker, Charles Dunagin, and Balfour Lipscomb 3 Yancy Fisher 4 Lee Ellen Haskins and Yancy Fisher 5 Karinlee Brister, Ted Tullos, and Lee Ellen Haskins 6 Justin Ballew, Karinlee Brister, and Lee Ellen Haskins

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G’S FARE

story by Becky Junkin photos by Jennie Guido

A Valentine Feast F

ebruary brings many occasions to celebrate: Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, and Mardi Gras.

This meal is perfect for a romantic Valentine’s 'D\ GLQQHU DQG LV VXSHU HDV\ WR À[ ,Q IDFW , KDG LQ PLQG for each of you guys out there to serve it to your best girl and really impress her. The Cherry Glazed Pork would be perfect for a Presidents’ Day meal and any of these ZRXOG EH JRRG IRU D 0DUGL *UDV SDUW\ (QMR\ I love champagne; and to me, there is nothing more romantic than a beautiful tall-stemmed glass of bubbly.

This is one of my favorite ways to drink it.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL 1 bottle of good champagne 1 box of fresh raspberries -PSS JOHTWHNUL NSHZZLZ ^P[O JOHTWHNUL HUK Ă…VH[ the fresh raspberries on top.

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This is a quick and easy recipe from my good friend, Elizabeth Lehmann. She got it years ago from a friend in Michigan. I used this pie at Christmas, and it was enjoyed by all. If you like a thicker pie, you could double the recipe; but it is delicious as it is.

EASY, BREEZY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE 1 Oreo cookie pie crust 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1-3 tablespoons Kahlua, amaretto, or rum (or any liquor you prefer) 2 egg yolks 1 1/4 cups scalded whipping cream In a blender, pulse the chocolate chips, egg yolks, and rum. Slowly pour in the scalded cream being careful that it does not splash. Blend until smooth. Pour the pie into the pie crust and chill.

You can also serve out of a champagne glass.

Top with whipped cream.

This recipe came from my daughter-in-law, Stacey Junkin; and she found it on www.plainchicken.blogspot. com. It is quick and easy.

WHITE PIZZA DIP 1 envelope Lipton Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix 1 16-ounce container sour cream 1 8-ounce ricotta cheese 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup chopped pepperoni 1 loaf Italian or French bread, sliced Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a shallow one-quart casserole dish, combine the soup mix, sour cream, ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for thirty minutes or until heated through. Serve warm with sliced bread.

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While I was visiting my son over the holidays, we ate dinner with his brother-in-law Nick Willis, and he cooked this smoked pork tenderloin and topped it with a Michigan cherry glaze. I don’t eat meat, so I put the glaze over my tuna, and it was delicious. The recipe comes from Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ Book.

Chris Lilly, the author of this cookbook, is from Nick’s hometown of Decatur, Alabama, and is a world-champion pit master.

SMOKED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH MICHIGAN CHERRY GLAZE For the marinade: 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup cherry cola 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon minced onion 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic For the glaze: 6-ounce jar Michigan cherry preserves (He used a good cherry preserve.)

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon distilled vinegar 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons water For the meat: 2 whole pork tenderloins (1 1/2 to 3 pounds total) In a large bowl, combine the marinade ingredients and mix well. Place the tenderloins in a plastic bag, pour in the marinade, and close the bag tightly. Refrigerate for four to twelve hours. )\PSK H Ă„YL ^VVK VY H JVTIPUH[PVU VM JOHYcoal and wood) for indirect cooking by situating the coals on only one side of the grill, leaving the other side void. (You could use a gas grill, but a charcoal grill is the preferred method.)

When the cooker reaches 250 degrees, place the tenderloins on the void side of the grill and JSVZL [OL SPK *VVR MVY VUL OV\Y HUK Ă„M[LLU TPUutes, turning once.

Combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Use a small pastry brush to paint the tenderloins with the glaze. Cook for an adKP[PVUHS [LU [V Ă„M[LLU TPU\[LZ VY \U[PS [OL PUternal temperature of the tenderloins is 155 to 160 degrees. Let the tenderloins rest under tented foil for ten minutes on a cutting board, slice into medallions, and serve. Nick put this on the table and used the additional glaze on the meat.

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One of my family’s favorite sides is roasted new potatoes. This recipe is a combination that we came up with. There are no exact measurements as we just use what we have.

ROSEMARY ROASTED POTATOES IHN VM Ă„UNLYSPUN WV[H[VLZ +PɈLYLU[ JVSVYZ ^VYR ILZ[ Salt Pepper Olive oil Fresh Rosemary, chopped Cut up the potatoes, and add to a plastic bag with the other ingredients. Shake well and pour onto a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Roast at 375 degrees until done. (I like less rosemary and more olive oil; and my children prefer the opposite.

You can do it to your taste.)

Becky Junkin, mother of four and grandmother of seven, is a lifelong Natchez resident, a retired elementary WHDFKHU RI WZHQW\ IRXU \HDUV DQG FHUWLĂ€HG 3LODWHV LQVWUXFWRU

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 17

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Krewe of Phoenix’s Twelfth Night Party he Krewe of Phoenix held its Twelfth Night party January 3, 2015, at Dunleith Historic Inn in Natchez, Mississippi. Krewe members welcomed the thirty-third Royal Court as they received their 2015 royalty pins. Speakeasy provided the music for the party. Photos by Lisa Adams Whittington

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Robert Paradise and Darby Short Heather Anderson and Kim Falkenheiner Sam Kirby and Matthew Hall Billy Ulmer and Johnny Junkin Tim Lynskey, Allen Booty, Angel Price, and Karen Lynskey 6 Robert Paradise and Billy Ulmer 7 Leah and Rex XXXIII Billy Ulmer with Rosalie XXXIII Lisa and GA Mayers

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THE social SCENE

NATCHEZ, MS

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8 Anne Dyer, Mary and Jim Lessley, and Ross Dyer 9 Noble and Fayla Guedon 10 Lizzie Hall, Caroline James, and Katelee Laird 11 John and Valerie Bergeron with Lana and David Stamper 12 Jennifer Lessley, Mattie Smith, and Andy Yates 13 Andy Yates, Joel Lessley, and Jim Anderson 14 Sandy Taylor, Liz Dantone, Katherine Chanlee, and Tom Taylor 15 Will Godfrey, Tommy Davis, and Mattie Smith 16 2015 Royal Court Mary Kay Doherty, David Stamper, Jana Junkin, Andy Yates, Melissa Jones, Tommy Davis, Billy Ulmer, Lisa Dale Mayers, Sam Kirby, Mattie Smith, Will Godfrey, Brittany Funderburg, Noble Guedon, and Kristin Jordan

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LEGAL NOTES

story by Lucien C. Gwin III

Understanding Attorneys’ Fees O

ne of the reasons I like writing these articles on Mississippi law is that not only does it give me an opportunity to explain the law in layman’s terms, but it also gives me a chance to dispel misconceptions about attorneys and why we do what we do.

Of all of the misconceptions out there, none is bigger than the contingency fee.

The contingency fee is the percentage the DWWRUQH\ WDNHV RI DQ\ ÀQDQFLDO UHFRYHU\ UHalized out of a lawsuit.

People often have the perception that DOO ODZ\HUV DUH ÀOWK\ ULFK IURP ODZVXLWV however, very few of us are indeed rich.

Most feel it is not right or fair that a lawyer can settle a lawsuit and sometimes PDNH VL[ WR VHYHQ ÀJXUHV IURP D FRQWLQgency fee.

The next misconception that I hear often is that lawyers get all the money, and the clients get nothing or very little. In thirty-three years of law practice, I have never witnessed this.

7KH PHGLD ORYHV WR H[SORLW KLJK SURÀOH cases where juries award big dollars, and the lawyers perhaps get millions in attorneys’ fees. Again, these kinds of cases are few and far between.

When working an accident case, most attorneys charge thirty-three and one-third SHUFHQW RQ WKH FDVHV WKH\ WDNH ÀOH VXLW RQ and settle out of court. If the case actually goes to trial, however, they will take up to forty percent. These percentages are called the standard contingency fee in legal jargon today although some lawyers take more, and others take less.

There are some occasions where attorneys will abuse the system; however, virtually all attorneys I know, including plaintiff and defense lawyers, believe that the contingency fee is fair and the only way the poor and middle class can ever afford the

legal system. Most attorneys offer their client the option of paying by the hour or taking a contingency on accident cases.

The question then becomes is thirty to forty percent fair? In a recent case, in which a man was severely burned in a service-station explosion, our Mississippi Supreme Court found that contingency fees were reasonable. The attorney in the case took a contingency and made a recovery of $13 million. His one-third fee amounted to $4.2 million in attorney’s fees. The client later thought that this was too much money and sued the attorney for the fees, saying he should have gotten only an hourly rate. The Supreme Court upheld the one-third contingency.

To perhaps see the attorney’s side in this case mentioned above, let’s look at what he in all probability had in outstanding costs in the case. First, the above-mentioned case went on for years with the lawyer putting in thousands of hours of work in a complicated personal-injury matter. He would have hired, out of his own pocket, experts to prove the case. Furthermore, he would have to pay the treating physicians as well as medical personnel for their time in talking to him and testifying about the treatment.

He would also have to take depositions of any experts hired by the defense and pay them for their time. Doctors charge anywhere between $500 and $1,000 per hour in most cases of this nature. A burn case could very easily have as many as ten to twenty medical personnel all being deposed and then testifying at trial.

Next, the attorney has to employ experts to determine the cause of the exploVLRQ (QJLQHHUV DUH MXVW DV H[SHQVLYH DV doctors. To prove how an explosion occurred can be tricky when evidence is destroyed in an explosion.

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Also, the attorney will have to employ long-term care experts as well as economists to determine the future health care needs of the injured plaintiff. The outof-pocket expense in the case mentioned above can range anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000.

Finally, after all of this, there is no guarantee the lawyer will win in court. He very often is taking a tremendous gamble in litigating such a case. I have seen cases that appear to be open and shut but were lost in court, and I personally know a lawyer who had $1 million in expenses go to court and lose.

My Take: If you were to take away a lawyer’s ability to be rewarded in court for his efforts and out-of-pocket expense, then you take away the overwhelming majority of people’s right in this country to access the court system.

Who could afford to personally pay a lawyer and all of the expenses that it takes to get to court and then to win?

Lucien C. “Samâ€? Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing PDQ\ DVSHFWV RI WKH ODZ DW WKH Ă€UP RI *ZLQ /HZLV 3XQFKHV .HOOH\ LQ 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL HYHU VLQFH

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Senior Party for Kuehnle n Saturday, December 20, 2014, hostesses Suzanne, Aimee, and Jennie Guido threw a senior party in honor of Julia Rachel Kuehnle and the girls of Cathedral High School’s Class of 2015. At the party held at Jennie Guido’s home in Natchez, Mississippi, the girls made keepsake ornaments to remember their high school days and enjoyed an array of homemade goodies and cookies. In addition to the ornament making, the girls dressed in “tacky” Christmas sweater attire and competed for the ugliest ensemble of all. Photos by Aimee Guido

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1 Kayla Cauthen, Julia Rachel Kuehnle, and Tori Bradford 2 Ansleigh Thibodeaux and Abby Massey 3 Caroline Smith, McKenzie Milligan, and Morgan Taylor 4 Chandler Russ and Julia Rachel Kuehnle 5 Carleigh Combs, Chandler Russ, and Tori Bradford 6 McKenzie Milligan, Abby Massey, and Maggie Kelley 7 Ansleigh Thibodeaux, Tori Bradford, Presley Davis, Joey Davis, and Julia Rachel Kuehnle 8 Standing—Chandler Russ, Morgan Taylor, Kayla Cauthen, Abby Massey, McKenzie Milligan, Caroline Smith, Maggie Kelley, Carleigh Combs, and Ansleigh Thibodeaux; kneeling—Tori Bradford, Julia Rachel Kuehnle, Presley Davis, and Joey Davis

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THE wedding SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Bridal Shower for Blackwell n November 22, 2014, friends and family gathered for a bridal-shower brunch in honor of Elizabeth Blackwell at the Castle Restaurant in Natchez, Mississippi. Elizabeth Blackwell and David Ryan were married on December 27, 2014 in Natchez, Mississippi.

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1 Front—Carrie Hughes, Elizabeth Blackwell, Lauren Smith, and Kelsey Brock; back— Emily Cothren, Lindsay Holleman, Anna Huffines, Rigby Porter, and Anne Elise Rinehart 2 Kayleigh Gremillion, Elizabeth Blackwell, Anna Huffines, Kelsey Brock, and Lindsay Holleman

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5 3 Paige Blackwell and Tammy Ryan 4 Penny Daggett and Joan David 5 Betsy Holleman and Stephanie Butts 6 Teri Lynn Ryan, Susan Knighton, Amy Ryan, Mary Smith Overbey, Frances Daniel, John Ruffin Daniel, Anna Claire Ryan, Tammy Ryan, Peggy Ryan, and Elizabeth Blackwell

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THE wedding SCENE

NATCHEZ, MS

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7 Lisa Huffines, Priscilla Dale, and Andree Gamberi 8 Francis Cothren, Brenda Rasco, and Catherine McDaniel 9 Laura Hough, Lisa Huffines, and Caitlin Goodman 10 Laura Hough, Caitlin Goodman, and Mattie Smith 11 Mary Smith Overbey, Amy Ryan, and Leighton Netterville 12 Anna Claire Ryan, Tammy Ryan, and Frances Daniel 13 Lauren Smith, Rigby Porter, and Emily Cothren 14 Elizabeth Blackwell, Paige Blackwell, and Tori Gremillion 15 Front—Nancy Burns, Vicki Byrne, Morgan Taylor, and Alyce Jewel; back—Scottye Taylor, Paige Blackwell, Elizabeth Blackwell, and Tori Gremillion 16 Anna Claire Ryan and Mary Smith Overbey

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IN THE GARDEN

story and photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Loropetalum has a long blooming season that begins in early spring and continues through summer. These lateĂ RZHULQJ SLQN EORRPV ZHUH RQ GLVSOD\ LQ ZLQWHU

Loropetalum for Early Spring Blooms B

ecause we haven’t yet had much of what you would call winter weather in Mississippi, we’re seeing some earlier-than-normal garden activity.

I thought the one cold snap we had in December put the landscape to bed for the season; but since then, the bananas, elephant ears, and canna have started pushing new growth in my coastal landscape. I know this is probably short lived, but I’m enjoying it nonetheless.

Another landscape plant that is giving some earlier-than-usual blooms is loropHWDOXP VKUXEV (YHQ ZLWKRXW WKH XQVHDVRQDEOH Ă RZHUV ORURSHWDOXP LV D JUHDW ODQGscape plant for our gardens.

The many selections available range from large shrub/small tree sizes on down to dwarf and trailing. The straight species has

green foliage. I especially like the burgundy-leaf varieties that develop the best color when grown in full sun. In shady situations, the foliage on these plants remains green.

This shrub is commonly called Chinese IULQJH Ă RZHU DQG WKH EXUJXQG\ VHOHFWLRQV are the rubrum variety. The native range of loropetalum is from Japan to China and the Himalayan areas of Asia. /RURSHWDOXP Ă RZHUV DUH XQXVXDO KDYLQJ VWUDS OLNH SHWDOV UHPLQLVFHQW RI WKH Ă RZers of the winter-blooming witch-hazel.

This is not surprising since they are in the same family. Normally, loropetalum begins blooming in early spring and then blooms sporadically through the rest of the summer.

The green-leaved varieties typically have ZKLWH Ă RZHUV ZKLOH WKH GDUN EXUJXQG\ OHDYHG VHOHFWLRQV KDYH SLQN WR UHG Ă RZHUV

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Loropetalum is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones sevHQ WR QLQH DQG PDNHV D ÀQH ODQGVFDSH plant all across Mississippi. The selection called Burgundy was named a Mississippi Medallion Winner in 2001 and is still a landscape favorite. This selection will grow to ten feet or more if left unpruned.

7KH WUXQNV FDQ EH OLPEHG XS WR PDNH D ÀQH small tree form.

Loropetalum tolerates pruning well if you want the plant a certain size. The foliage is reddish purple that can turn bright orange with lower temps in the fall. The Ă RZHUV KDYH WZLVWHG VWUDSV DQG DUH KRW pink with a delicate fragrance.

I really like the smaller selections and consider them a versatile landscape plant.

Ruby loropetalum is a small form that

Loropetalum is a versatile landscape plant that FRPHV LQ D YDULHW\ RI VL]HV VXFK DV WKHVH GZDUI burgundy-leaved varieties.

commonly reaches a rounded three feet tall and wide though there are larger specimens.

5XE\ IUHHO\ Ă RZHUV DOO VHDVRQ ZLWK SUHWW\ SLQN Ă RZHU FOXVWHUV 1HZ IROLDJH HPHUJHV ruby red before maturing to dark burgundy.

I think one of the best new varieties in recent years is Purple Pixie loropetalum.

The evergreen foliage is a deep purple-burgundy. I really like its growth habit, which is distinctly weeping. This feature makes Purple Pixie a good choice for the spiller plant in a combination container. Consider using it as a perennial with annuals as thrillHUV DQG ÀOOHUV DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH VHDVRQ

As a ground cover plant, Purple Pixie spreads up to 4 feet wide and only about a foot tall. Loropetalum is also a good choice when you consider its watering needs. This plant tolerates the drought conditions we frequently experience in Mississippi gardens and landscapes.

The loropetalum shrubs tolerate many landscape soil conditions, especially if attention is paid at planting. One of the most common mistakes gardeners make when planting loropetalum is planting the root ball too deep. Never plant deeper than the top of the container, and dig the hole at least twice as wide as the container. Amend native soil with good organic matter when ÀOOLQJ LQ WKH KROH WR JLYH WKH ORURSHWDOXP roots a good base to grow into. Finish off with a two-inch layer of mulch to conserve soil moisture.

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 { February 2015 { Page 25

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Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 27

THE social SCENE BATON ROUGE, LA

Krewe Mystique Royal Court 2015 e Krewe Mystique de la Capitale celebrated a “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” theme at its thirty-ninth Mardi Gras Ball held at the Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Reigning over the festivities as King Mystique was Will Clark, former first baseman of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants. Daughter of Lisa and Eric Lane and granddaughter of the late Gerry Lane, Ashton Lane was presented as Queen Mystique.

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3 1 Back—Pages Jacob Michael Duplechain, Aubrey Fabre, Lillian Frances Clark, Rebekah Amoroso, and Olivia Ann Hebert; front—King Will Clark, Ball Captain Rhonda Brouillette Cassano and Queen Ashton Lane.

2 Back—Julia Rose LeGrande and Claire Elise Palmer; center—Rowan Edaire Baird and Cameron Small; front—Alison Elizabeth Dazzio and Raegan MacKenzie Gallegos 3 Back—Bethany Suzanne Acosta, Haley Nicole Sylvester, and Cayley Elizabeth Leblanc; front—Kaci Marie Favaro, Mallory Renee Borel, and Caroline Smith

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THE social SCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Estes Receives VIP Award ity board member Shirley Estes represents Ward 4 of Brookhaven, Mississippi, and was presented the VIP Award for 2014 by the O Foundation at a banquet in her honor on December 18, 2014, at the Lincoln Civic Center. The award has been given each year since 2006 for outstanding achievement and service to the community. Senator Sally Doty was the master of ceremonies with the help of Senator Kenny Wayne Jones, Chair of the Mississippi Legislature Black Caucus.

Music was provided throughout the evening starting with Steve Russell on keyboard, followed by the Reverend Herring Band. Sam Mooney provided a soothing keyboard-andvocal backup during the dinner, and the Greg Smith Teenage Prodigy Band concluded the banquet with a classic R & B set. Photos by Ellen Doty

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1 Leah Miller, Brian Estes, Shirley Estes, Jay Estes, and Holly McCreary 2 Angie and Joe Cox 3 Dr. David and Debra Strong with Rockie Netherland 4 Deana and Terry Pendley 5 Kay Burton and Melinda Said 6 Kim and Quinn Jordan 7 Janie and Dr. Spencer Mooney 8 Sarah and Don Underwood 9 Senator Sally Doty and Senator Kenny Wayne Jones 10 Sydney Smith Wilson and Betsy Smith

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 29

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Bray’s Annual Christmas Party n December 6, 2014, at the historic Dunleith, Katherine Bray hosted her annual Christmas party for friends and family. Decorated in its finest holiday finery, Dunleith was the backdrop to guests who milled throughout the house in cocktail attire, dined on splendid hor d’oeuvres and toasted the holiday season with festive spirits. As they departed, Bray sent them home with customized bottles of champagne and individual boxes of Italian Cream cake.

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2 1 Edine Seal, Kitty Bray, Katie McCarstle, Katherine Bray, and Ida Whetstone 2 Clint and Katie McCurley, Scott and Sharron Wesberry, Tim and Laura Lindsey, Wallace and Dina Ferguson, and Will Seal 3 Eric and Laney Skinner, Jim and Jennie Schafen, Jan Neterville, and Emily and BJ Presley 4 Edine Seal, Katie McCarstle, Judy McGraw, and Kitty Bray 5 Ashley and Wheeler Parker 6 Jim and Jennie Schafen and Dina and Wallace Ferguson 7 Andy Lewis, Katherine Bray, Charlie Netterville, and Bob Lewis

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THE social SCENE

NATCHEZ, MS

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8 Ida Whetstone, Laura Whetstone, and Renee McGraw 9 Charles Whetstone, David Bray, and Deborah Whetstone 10 Charlene and Paul Habig with David Bray 11 Laura Lindsey with Stephen and Edine Seal 12 Mike Rinehart with Eileen and John Ball 13 Stephen Seal, Katherine Bray, and Katie McCarstle

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 31

Filling the Empty story and photos by Jennie Guido

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lmost every community has a need ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR WKH Ă€JKW DJDLQVW KXQger. Here in Natchez, Mississippi, local potters and artists get together every other year to raise funds for awareness of this need through WKH (PSW\ %RZOV $ QDWLRQZLGH HYHQW (PSW\ %RZOV ZDV IRXQGed by the Imagine Render Group and calls for artLVWV WR JLYH EDFN WR D FKDULW\ KHOSLQJ WR Ă€JKW KXQger. As explained on the group’s site, “Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.â€?

Page 32 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

The Natchez event’s coordinator, Amanda Jeansonne, explained, “In 2003, Conner Burns opened a pottery studio, Burns Pottery, here in town and initiated a Potter’s Breakfast. A couple RI \HDUV ODWHU P\ PRP (GQD )HUJXVRQ UHDG DQ DUWLFOH DERXW (PSW\ %RZOV LQ USA Today. She brought the article to the studio, and the studio members thought it was a great idea. Many of the members were already involved with volunteer work for the Stewpot, the local soup kitchen in Natchez; so the Stewpot seemed to be a logical choice for the recipient of the funds raised.�

Conner Burns shared his thoughts on what PDNHV (PSW\ %RZOV VXFK D JRRG HYHQW WR JHW

Amanda Jeansonne, one of the founders of the Natchez Empty %RZOV (YHQW ZRUNV ZLWK FOD\ DW KHU home studio.

behind and support. “For the event, clay artists donate bowls that are then sold for the sole purpose of supporting the Natchez Stewpot,�

Burns shared. “The support of the local clay community ensures that all of the money raised goes where it is needed most—the Natchez Stewpot. “When you buy your ticket, you receive a hand-made bowl.

This bowl represents a vessel that we eat out of, but it also is to remind us that there are many who have bowls that are empty and are hungry. This reminds us throughout the year that there are those in need. Often individuals remember the Stewpot during certain seasons, but hunger is not limited to a season.â€? ,Q 1DWFKH] (PSW\ %RZOV KDV EHHQ KHOG Ă€YH WLPHV VLQFH LW EHgan in 2005. For the most part, the event is always a success; and Jeansonne is amazed at what the local potters are able to contribute to the project. However, Jeansonne shared, “In 2013, we did not have a large membership at Natchez Clay, our local pottery studio. We worried that we would not be able to make enough bowls to have the event that year. Luckily, Susan Bergman was here teaching a workshop and heard of our predicament. She DQG KHU VWXGLR PDWHV DW (DUWK DQG )LUH 3RWWHU\ LQ 1HZ 2UOHDQV Louisiana, got busy and made 100 bowls for our event. As a rule, potters are very generous and giving people; and their generosity

A master of clay, Conner Burns WDNHV SULGH LQ EHLQJ D SDUW RI FOD\ and artistic events in the Natchez community.

IRU RXU (PSW\ %RZOV ZDV MXVW what we needed.�

For this year’s event, local artists will be pitching in to make bowls and so will area students at Cathedral High School’s Key Club, many youth groups, and even a Girl Scout Troup. Jeansonne feels that HYHQ WKRXJK (PSW\ %RZOV LV DEOH WR UDLVH QHDUO\ SHU event, the need at the Stewpot is still growing. “As a Stewpot volunteer, I see the need for the money that is raised,â€? Jeansonne said. “The Natchez Stewpot is run very HIĂ€FLHQWO\ WKDQNV WR GLUHFWRU /RXLV *XQQLQJ EXW ZLWK WZR HPployees, facility, and food costs, help is always needed and apSUHFLDWHG ,Q WKH SDVW WKH (PSW\ %RZOV HYHQWV KDYH EHHQ HYHU\ RWKHU \HDU EXW Ă€QDQFLDO QHHG DW WKH 6WHZSRW LV HYHU\ \HDU 6R LQ the future, we are planning to give it a try annually.â€?

Burns added, “If someone cannot physically get to the Stewpot, a meal is delivered to that person. The mission of the Stewpot and the manner in which the organization is run encourage the community to support it.�

This year’s Empty Bowls event will be Sunday, February 15, 2015, at Natchez Clay, located at 101 Clifton Avenue in downtown Natchez. Bowl availability is limited; so for more information and to purchase tickets, email Jeansonne at amandafj@ bellsouth.net or call (601) 446-9549.

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 33

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Having a Ball for Charity G

&UHZH RI &HUHV Queen Maggie Cupit and King Tillmon Bishop

iving back to a charity of any sort is a rewarding experience that most enjoy throughout their lives. In Brookhaven, Mississippi, since 1966 the Krewe of Ceres has been raising money and promoting locals who excel.

Krewe member Sarah Foster shared the history of the Krewe: “The Krewe of Ceres was formed in 1966 ZLWK Ă€IW\ FKDUWHU PHPEHUV DQG KDV JURZQ WR PHPEHUV WRGD\ 2UJDQL]HG E\ WKH ODWH (QRFK &DVH WKH Krewe was derived from the Jaycees and was originally made completely up of men. Now, the Krewe includes women, too.â€?

(DFK \HDU WKH .UHZH RI &HUHV KRVWV D &KDULW\ %DOO in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and involves the community in helping to raise money for many charities throughout the area. The Charity Ball has evolved over the years and is now annually held at the Lincoln County Civic Center in order to accommodate the growing crowd looking to help with their community.

Another member, Sloane Smith, explained, “The Charity Ball is the Krewe of Ceres’ main event of the year, complete with a king, queen, and royal court. The Krewe indeed has a two-fold purpose. One is to recognize the area’s most outstanding young people, and the other is to raise monies for local charitable causes. “The court is composed of ten outstanding young men and ten outstanding young women. They are fulltime college sophomores or full-time military members that are twenty-one years of age or younger. The young

Story by Jennie Guido • Photos by Johnny Smith Photography Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 37

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.UHZH RI &HUHV 5R\DOW\ 0DLGVÂł.DWLH +RZHOO 3DLJH 6PLWK $VKOH\ 0H]]DQDUHV &RXUWQH\ :LOOLDPV 6DOOLH 3HQGOH\ 7HUDK :LQERUQH 0HUHGLWK $OOHQ /HDK %R\G 5DFKHO *DUGQHU $VKOH\ 6WHYHQV 4XHHQ 0DJJLH &XSLW .LQJ 7LOOPRQ %LVKRS (VFRUWVÂł5XIĂ€Q 2EHUVFKPLGW 'UHZ -RQHV 6DP 5DWFOLII %UHQQDQ 0LOOHU :LOO /XFDV -% 3HUNLQV '\ODQ )DUULV -DNH 6KHOE\ -HII 5XVKLQJ %URRNV )RVWHU IURQW $LGHVÂł.DWLH 6SUROHV $ELJDLO 3HDYH\ $XJXVW 6XOOLYDQ DQG 6DP $OOHQ QRW SLFWXUHG $LGH 'UHZ 0HLOVWUXS

)LUVW .UHZH RI &HUHV 4XHHQ %HWWH &ODUN 'L[RQ FLUFD 4XHHQ 0DJJLH &XSLW ZLWK KHU PRWKHU (OOLH 3KLOOLSV $PDQGD :DUUHQ 0DJJLH &XSLW DQG /LQGD 0RDN 5. Queen Maggie Cupit and King Tillmon Bishop

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people are actually selected based on their performance in both high school and college scholarship, activities, and honors; church and community involvement; and overall moral character of leadership, citizenship, ethical practices, and family community involvement. Court members should demonstrate an overall quality of character. “The queen is typically, but not always, a Krewe of Ceres member’s daughter. She is traditionally a junior or senior in college and has served on the court. She is held to the same standards as the court as far as high school and college scholastics, honors, and activities, as well as church and community involvement. The queen’s family must also be active in the community, as well as the Krewe of Ceres. Above all, the queen must hold the respect of the community. Likewise, the Charity Ball’s king is a gentlemen in the community that is an upstanding citizen, a man of faith, and one who is dedicated to and vigorously serves our community.�

With such a premier group of individuals presented by the Krewe at the Charity Ball, both Foster and Smith explained how intense a process preparing for the ball actually is. “Decorating for the Charity Ball is a tremendous task for Krewe members,� Foster said. “To add to the suspense of the evening, the king and queen are kept a secret from the community until the night of the event.�

So, just how important is the Charity Ball to the Brookhaven area? Smith responded, “The only way the Krewe of Ceres raises money is through the Charity Ball, ticket sales, and business sponsorships. We work for many months prior to the ball organizing and preparing for the ball. During this time, we learn to depend on our 100-member membership and their many different talents. ´%URRNKDYHQ DQG /LQFROQ &RXQW\ KDYH PDQ\ EHQHĂ€FLDO charitable organizations. There are far too many outstanding groups for any one family to possibly be involved in all of them. By being a part of the Krewe of Ceres, we are able to contribute to a variety of exceptional organizations every year. Many throughout our community can feel our hard work and dedication. It is an honor to be a part of a group that continues to donate everything back to our community.â€?

This year’s Charity Ball will take place at the Lincoln County Civic Center on February 21, 2015, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased by calling Sarah Foster at (601)9536162. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the presentation will begin at 7:30 pm. )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW WKH .UHZH RI &HUHV DQG WKLV year’s Charity Ball, contact Sarah Foster by emailing sfoster11@marykay.com.

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 39

Theresa and Betsy MulOLQV VKDUH D ORYH IRU EDNing that has pushed them both to being successes in WKH NLWFKHQ

Baked from the Heart Page 40 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

story by Jennie Guido pictures by Cheryl Rinehart

I

t may just be a Southern thing; but baking, cooking, and food, in general, seem to take center stage in many family and life events. While some may be mere hobbyists when it comes to the art of cooking, there are a select few who are lucky enough to become professionals and share their talents with the world.

Natchez, Mississippi, native, Betsy Mullins, is one of these lucky ones and has recently moved to New York City to perfect her skills in the kitchen.

In October of 2014, Mullins moved to the Big Apple and began her baking career for Momofuku Milk Bar at the Brooklyn, New York, location. Mullins shared her background in the kitchen with me; she said, “After graduating from Cathedral High School in Natchez, I went to the University of Southern Mississippi and studied history and religion there. I later moved to Jackson where I worked as a pastry cook at Brent’s Diner.�

However, her love of all things sugary and sweet started at a young age. “I have always loved food, any food really, but especially dessert. I will never pass it up,� Mullins added. “My mom, Theresa Mullins, owned the Chocolate Delight when I was young and was always baking for people around town; so I was never wanting when it came to sweets. I just always enjoyed making delicious things.

Basically, I wanted to make desserts because I want to eat desserts. “When I moved to Hattiesburg, I heard of a French bakery there that was supposed to be amazing. I applied at C’est la Vie Bakery and started working there as a barista. It opened me up to a world of desVHUW SDVWU\ WKDW , KDGQ¡W H[SHFWHG WR Ă€QG LQ Mississippi. So that job really nurtured my desire to learn more about baking.â€?

Mullins was able to really nurture her education in pastry during her semester in

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Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 41

%HWV\ ZRUNV ZLWK LFLQJ DV mom, Theresa, ORRNV RQ

Pontlevoy, France. While at USM, Mullins took part in the Abbey Program in the Spring of 2009 and spent the semester with students from all over the United States. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We lived together and went to class together in the building. As part of our tuition, we received lunch from the cafĂŠ across the street; so we ate authentic French food every day. The village was very small; so we were able to easily walk to and enjoy the local bakery as well. In the middle of the semester we spent a week in Paris where our professors taught us on the streets, in cafĂŠs, and museums. The pastries there were works of art and unlike anything I had seen up to that point.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a truly amazing experience and JDYH PH WKH FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH DQG LQGHSHQGHQFH to travel abroad two more times to India and Vietnam. My time abroad also gave me the courage to be able to up and move to New York on my own.â&#x20AC;?

So, how is life working in the big city? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m most excited about the opportunities that will be within reach in the city, not only at work but also in general. There will be so many amazing restaurants, venues, galleries, and museums for me to enjoy,â&#x20AC;? Mullins H[SODLQHG ´7KH WUDQVLWLRQ KDV EHHQ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW but I am enjoying the challenge of work and the city! I look forward to learning more and growing from this experience.â&#x20AC;?

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Natchez B&B Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Social n Thursday, December 11, 2014, the Bed & Breakfast Association of Natchez, Mississippi, held a Christmas Open House at Linden Bed & Breakfast.

The beautifully decorated home of Jeanette Feltus was catered with tasty appetizers and cocktails. Guests who attended the event were also home owners of the association, representing such venues as Monmouth, Weymouth Hall, Bisland House, Devereaux Shields House, and Pleasant Hill Bed and Breakfast.

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1 Ron Fry and John Bergeron 2 Eleanor Fry, Valerie Bergeron, and Christine Tims 3 Christine Tims and Tabitha Wroten 4 Ann Watts, Jeanette Feltus, and Christine Tims 5 Marjorie Meng, Tabitha Wroten, and Jeanette Feltus 6 Nancy Reuther with Jim and Sarah Smith

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Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 43

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 44 { February 2015 { Bluffs & 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 { February 2015 { Page 45

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

MUW Natchez Alumni Gathering n Thursday, November 20, 2014, Mississippi University for Women hosted its Natchez Alumni Gathering at Copiah Lincoln Community College in Natchez, Mississippi. Attendees enjoyed a special guest performance by the MUW Chamber Singers.

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1 Tom and Linda Bailey and Jim Bossing with Shelia and Richard Alwood 2 Ginger Schwager, Mollie Phillips, Denise Geter, and Tom Schwager 3 Valerie and Ron Nettles, Angela Ferraez, and Lyndsay Cumberland 4 Delores Porter, Carol Smith, Nancy Kimbrell, and Betsy Crawford 5 Jo Hinton, Claudette Songy, and Cissy Presgrove 6 Norma Walker, Eddie Walker, and Carolyn Vance Smith 7 Lyndsay Cumberland, Angela Ferraez, and Tevah Cardeneaux 8 Virgina Salmon and Mary Willard

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Party for Duke Kirby dinner was held in honor of the Krewe of Phoenix’s Duke Sam Kirby January 9, 2015, at the home of Ann and Robert Paradise in Natchez, Mississippi.

Family hosted the event to celebrate Kirby’s involvement in the Krewe’s Mardi Gras celebration.

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1 Andy Yates, Will Godfrey, Billy Ulmer, and Noble Guedon 2 Betty, David, and Ann Paradise 3 Barbara Kirby, Rene Ware, and Diane Kirby 4 Barbara and Sam Kirby

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THE social SCENE VICKSBURG, MS

Warren County Master Gardenersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Christmas Luncheon he Warren County Extension Office in Vicksburg, Mississippi, never looked more festive than on December 9, 2014, when the Warren County Master Gardeners hosted a potluck Christmas Luncheon. Besides master gardeners, interns, and spouses, Warren County public officials piled plates high with the wonderful variety of food. Many guests mingled with the group and learned what projects Master Gardeners had spent the year working on.

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Sandy Lewis and Charlotte Coutch Kathy Castellane and Sandra Harrelson Carol Duncan and Pat Tisdale William Banks Karen Frederick and Linda Renschler Terri Melby and Susan Hampton Sandra and Danny Harrelson Cynthia Strawn and Judy Pennington Richard George and Sandy Carpenter John Arnold Ken and Virginia Whittington John Coccaro and Marcus Davis

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THE social SCENE

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13 Denise Duvic and Troy Reitan 14 Gale Waites, Lorraine Kent, Tatiana Martin, and Linda Baudo

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Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 49

THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Krewe of Heart & Soul Ball n Saturday, January 3, 2015, the Krewe of Heart & Soul celebrated the beginning of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mardi Gras season with a grand ball at the Natchez Convention Center in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. Guests of the kreweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s royalty dined and danced througout the evening.

Photos by Aimee Guido

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1 Rita Franklin, Shalanda Jones, Veleka Evans, Kelsa Turner, and Joan Evans 2 Bridget Hill and Shemekia Bailey 3 April Thomas and Yalanda Williams 4 Katherine Flemming-Conner and Angela Banks 5 Mr. and Mrs. Keith Dunbar 6 Kina, Kenneth, and Patti Woods 7 Jurrylon Webster and Sharika Watson 8 Stacy and Stephanie Murphy 9 Angela Stanton, Allison Davis, and Erica McCoy 10 Carolyn Wilson, Lajessica Gatlin, Marlon Gatlin, Acacmia Claiborne, and Jordan Rachal

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VICKSBURG, MS

Vicksburg Art Association’s Christmas Party he Vicksburg Art Association hosted a “Really Green Christmas Party” on December 5, 2014, at the Constitution Firehouse Gallery in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Guests, wearing vintage clothes and outfits created from recyclables, enjoyed heavy hors d’oeurves and a silent auction of arts and services by local artists. Proceeds benefited the Firehouse Gallery, which is designated a Mississippi Landmark by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

T 11 Carol Ransom, Rhonda Coleman, and Janice Kennedy 12 Tonii Washington and Willie Wesley

1 Aaron and Christin Matthews 2 Josh McBride, Jordan Amborn, Rob Amborn, Dan Ratliff, and Jennifer Ratliff

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Brookhaven Academy’s Class of 2015’s Christmas Party rookhaven Academy’s senior class celebrated Christmas with a party on December 18, 2014, at the Highway 84 Church of Christ’s Jackie Lea Memorial Building.The classmates enjoyed a buffet supper and a rousing game of Dirty Santa.

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Front row—Molly Allen, Susanna Ratcliff, Morgan Walker, Courtney Carol Franck, Taylor Sanford, Hannah Allen; 2nd row—Alex Smith, Mary Claire White, Hillary Wilson, Anna Kathryn Smith, Olivia Thornton, Renee Kakadia, Luke Henry; 3rd row—Olivia Lofton, Rebecca Harvey, Erin Farmer, Marlee Watts, Emily Albritton, Jenna Wright, Mary Anna Rushing; 4th row— Garrett Pace, Zack Dickerson, Collin Hall, Trent Nettles, Connor Dorman, Heath Hickman, Drake Flowers, John Ethan Coleman; back row—Matt Byrd, Caleb Brown, Michael Fiorella, John Paul Jackson, Peyton Hood, Brie Foster, and Brantley Weeks

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 51

FEBRUARY

premier events ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA

March 20 - 22 2015 Audubon Pilgrimage St. Francisville, Louisiana The forty-fourth annual Audubon Pilgrimage celebrates a southern spring in St. FrancisYLOOH /RXLVLDQD WKH JORULRXV JDUGHQ VSRW RI /RXLVLDQD·V (QJOLVK 3ODQWDWLRQ &RXQWU\ )RU RYHU four decades the sponsoring West Feliciana Historical Society has thrown open the doors RI VLJQLÃ&#x20AC;FDQW KLVWRULF VWUXFWXUHV WR FRPPHPRUDWH DUWLVW QDWXUDOLVW -RKQ -DPHV $XGXERQ·V VWD\ DV KH SDLQWHG D QXPEHU RI KLV IDPRXV ELUG VWXGLHV 7KLV \HDU·V IHDWXUHG KRPHV LQFOXGH WKUHH FRXQWU\ SODQWDWLRQV RQH KLVWRULF WRZQKRXVH DQG WZR VLJQLÃ&#x20AC;FDQW VWDWH KLVWRULF VLWHV These venues include Retreat Plantation, Dogwood, The Oaks, the Levert-Bockel House, and Audubon and Rosedown Historic Sites. The tours of the homes and sites are open from 9:30 am to 5 pm; Friday evening activities are scheduled from 6 to 9 pm; and the Saturday soiree begins at 7 pm. A package including daytime tours and all evening entertainment is available. Tickets can be purchased at the Historical Museum.

For tickets and tour information, call West Feliciana Historical Society at (225)635-6330 or visit www.audubonpilgrimage.info.

Mississippi

NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI

February 7 1DWFKH] )HVWLYDO RI 0XVLF·V %HQHÃ&#x20AC;W 'LQQHU Natchez, Mississippi -RLQ WKH 1DWFKH] )HVWLYDO RI 0XVLF DQG FHOHEUDWH WKH WZHQW\ Ã&#x20AC;IWK DQQLYHUVDU\ DW WKLV \HDU·V %HQHÃ&#x20AC;W 'LQQHU RQ )HEUXDU\ DW 7KH &DUULDJH +RXVH ORFDWHG RQ WKH JURXQGV RI 6WDQWRQ +DOO LQ GRZQWRZQ 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL DW SP (QMR\ DQ HYHQLQJ RI Ã&#x20AC;QH IDUH JUDQG PXVLFDO HQWHUWDLQPHQW E\ 'U 5REHUW *UD\VRQ -RQDWKRQ 5D\ DQG &U\VWDO 0RUULV DQG D VLOHQW DQG OLYH DXFWLRQ 7LFNHWV DUH per person, and seating is limited.

For more information and ticket purchases, call (601)446-6631, (601)446-6742, or visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

February 15 1DWFKH] &OD\ (PSW\ %RZOV Natchez, Mississippi 2Q 6XQGD\ )HEUXDU\ IURP DP WR SP 1DWFKH] &OD\ SUHVHQWV LWV (PSW\ %RZOV SURMHFW 3RWWHUV DQG VWXGHQWV IURP 1DWFKH] &OD\ DQG WKH 0LVV /RX DUHD GRQDWH ERZOV RI DOO VL]HV VKDSHV DQG FRORUV DQG WDOHQWHG FRRNV GRQDWH WDVW\ JXPER WR Ã&#x20AC;OO WKHVH ERZOV Friends and family are welcome to gather and have a casual lunch. Take-out containers will also be available. The bowl is yours to keep as a reminder of all whose bowls are empty each GD\ $ OLPLWHG QXPEHU RI WLFNHWV ZLOO EH DYDLODEOH IRU DQG DOO RI WKH SURFHHGV ZLOO EHQHÃ&#x20AC;W WKH 1DWFKH] &RPPXQLW\ 6WHZSRW For more information, email Amanda Jeansonne at amandafj@bellsouth.net or visit www. natchezclay.com.

February 27 - 28 Natchez Literary & Cinema Celebration Natchez, Mississippi &RPH WR 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL IRU WKH 1DWFKH] /LWHUDU\ DQG &LQHPD &HOHEUDWLRQ )HEUXDU\ 7KLV \HDU·V WZHQW\ VL[WK DQQXDO FRQYHQWLRQ IRFXVHV RQ ´%LJJHU WKDQ /LIH ([WUDRUGLQDU\ 0LVVLVVLSSLDQVµ DQG LV VSRQVRUHG E\ &RSLDK /LQFROQ &RPPXQLW\ &ROOHJH DQG WKH 0LVVLVVLSSL 'HSDUWPHQW RI $UFKLYHV DQG +LVWRU\ +HOG DW WKH 1DWFKH] &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU WKH FHOHEUDWLRQ ZLOO EH Ã&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK FLQHPD HYHQWV FRQFHUWV H[KLELWV DQG DFWLYLWLHV ZKLFK DOO IRFXV RQ H[WUDRUGLQDU\ 0LVVLVVLSSLDQV 0RVW RI WKH HYHQWV ZLOO EH IUHH RI FKDUJH For more information, call (601)446-1289 or visit www.colin.edu/nlcc.

Page 52 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

premier events FEBRUARY NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI March 7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April 7 Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Natchez, MS 7DNH D VWUROO WKURXJK WKH WZHQW\ IRXU DQWHEHOOXP PDQVLRQV WKDW 1DWFKH] KDV WR RIIHU GXULQJ WKLV \HDU·V 6SULQJ 3LOJULPDJH <RXU WRXU ZLOO FRQVLVW RI IULHQGO\ tour guides dressed in period clothing and stories of the great history that is the WDSHVWU\ RI 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL $ORQJ ZLWK WKH KRXVH WRXUV VWHS EDFN LQ WLPH HDFK )ULGD\ DQG 6DWXUGD\ HYHQLQJ DQG H[SHULHQFH D WLPH KRQRUHG 1DWFKH] WUDGLWLRQ ZKLFK GLVSOD\V WKH KLVWRU\ RI WKLV XQLTXH WRZQ )URP WKH 1DWFKH] ,QGLDQV· EDWWOH ZLWK WKH )UHQFK WR WKH 1DWFKH] (OLWH WKH WULXPSK RYHU VODYHU\ DQG WKH GLVPDQWOLQJ RI WKH )RUNV RI WKH 5RDG VODYH PDUNHW WKLV DOO ORFDO FDVW PL[HV KLVWRU\ PXVLF DQG GDQFH RI 3UH &LYLO :DU 1DWFKH] 2Q WRS RI WKHVH WZR Ã&#x20AC;YH VWDU HYHQWV 1DWFKH] 6SULQJ 3LOJULPDJH KDV VR PXFK PRUH WR RIIHU LQFOXGLQJ D MDZ GURSSLQJ *RVSHO SHUIRUPDQFH E\ WKH +RO\ )DPLO\ *RVSHO &KRLU 1DWFKH] Little Theatre performance of Little Women, and individual antebellum events.

'RQ·W PLVV RXW RQ WKLV VSHFWDFXODU VHDVRQ For more information about times and ticket prices, call (601)446-6631, (601)446-6742, or visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

March 9 (OPV &RXUW SUHVHQWV )URP 5DJWLPH WR 6ZLQJ Natchez, Mississippi 2Q 0DUFK IURP SP WR SP (OPV &RXUW presents an intimate event featuring music from the repertoire RI IDPHG 1DWFKH] %DQG /HDGHU %XG 6FRWW 7KH SXUSRVH RI WKLV event is to allow guests to tour the house informally and have a chance to talk with the owners in a way that is not possible on a QRUPDO 3LOJULPDJH PRUQLQJ 'DYLG 7URXWPDQ DQG %XUQOH\ &RRN two local musicians, have developed a program on Bud Scott, which includes a musical performance with a brief lecture. TickHWV IRU WKLV SHUIRUPDQFH DUH HDFK DQG ZLOO EH VROG WKURXJK WKH 1DWFKH] 3LOJULPDJH 7RXUV RIÃ&#x20AC;FH For more information, call (601)446-6631 or visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

BRANDON, MISSISSIPPI March 13 - 14 0LVVLVVLSSL 6WDWH 6TXDUH 'DQFH )HVWLYDO %UDQGRQ 0LVVLVVLSSL 7KH VL[WLHWK DQQXDO 0LVVLVVLSSL 6WDWH 6TXDUH 'DQFH )HVWLYDO IRUPHUO\ known as the Mississippi Sweetheart Festival, will be held the weekend of 0DUFK DQG DW WKH %UDQGRQ &LYLF &HQWHU ORFDWHG DW 0XQLFLSDO 'ULYH LQ %UDQGRQ 0LVVLVVLSSL &RPH HQMR\ D IXQ Ã&#x20AC;OOHG ZHHNHQG RI VTXDUH dancing sponsored by the Mississippi Square and Round Dance Association.

7KH IHVWLYDO GDQFHV ZLOO EH KHOG RQ )ULGD\ HYHQLQJ IURP XQWLO SP DQG 6DWXUGD\ HYHQLQJ IURP XQWLO SP ZLWK ZRUNVKRSV RQ 6DWXUGD\ PRUQLQJ IURP XQWLO DP DQG 6DWXUGD\ DIWHUQRRQ IURP XQWLO SP 7KH DGYDQFHG UHJLVWUDWLRQ IHH IRU )ULGD\ DQG 6DWXUGD\ LV SHU SHUVRQ )ULGD\ RQO\ SHU SHUVRQ DQG 6DWXUGD\ RQO\ SHU SHUVRQ 6SHFWDWRUV DUH ZHOFRPH WR DWWHQG free of charge.

For more information, call (601)924-8226 or email Chair Vicki Cagle at vickicagle@gmail.com.

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 53

FEBRUARY Louisiana Up & Coming! $/(;$1'5,$ February 2 - 7 7ULR %H\RQG %RXQGDULHV ([KLELWLRQ $OH[DQGULD 0XVHXP RI $UW 7XHVGD\ ² )ULGD\ DP SP 6DWXUGD\ DP SP Prices vary (318)443-3458 / www.themuseum.org February 3 - 7 &URVVLQJ &XOWXUHV %HOOH <DQJ $ 6WRU\ RI ,PPLJUDWLRQ $OH[DQGULD 0XVHXP RI $UW 7XHVGD\ ² )ULGD\ DP SP 6DWXUGD\ DP SP Prices vary (318)443-3458 / www.themuseum.org February 5 $EHQGPXVLN $OH[DQGULD 0XVLF 6HULHV Hearn Stage Kress Theatre SP (318)445-7705 www.alexandriapinevillela.com

Page 54 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Louisiana Up & Coming! FEBRUARY February 6 Taste of Mardi Gras Riverfront Convention Center SP DGXOWV FKLOGUHQ (318)729-6045 / www.alexmardigras.com Februari 13 9LFWRU\ %HOOHV &RQFHUW Coughlin- Saunders Performing Arts Center 7 pm (318)442-9546 / www.louisiana-arts.org February 14 Mardi Gras Party $OH[DQGULD =RR SP www.thealexandriazoo.com %$721 528*( Through Febuary 8 2WKHU 3HRSOH¡V 0RQH\ 7KH 7KHDWHU %DWRQ 5RXJH Thursday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday: 7:30 pm / Sunday: SP JHQHUDO VWXGHQW www.theatrebr.org February 1, 3 - 8, & 10 - 15 Capitol City Contemporary Louisiana Art & Science Museum DP SP (225)344-5272 / www.lasm.org February 14 - 15 &DPHOOLD 6RFLHW\ 6KRZ /68 5XUDO /LIH 0XVHXP DP SP www.camellias-acs.com February 14 -RIIUH\ :RUNVKRS 7H[DV 6XPPHU ,QWHQsive Auditions %DWRQ 5RXJH %DOOHW 7KHDWUH SP (225)766-8379 / www.batonrougeballet.org February 21 - 22 %DWWOH RI %DWRQ 5RXJH /68 5XUDO /LIH 0XVHXP DP SP www.discoverburden.com

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 55

FEBRUARY Louisiana Up & Coming!

February 22 %ULGDO 6KRZ :KLWH 2DN 3ODQWDWLRQ SP (225)751-1882 www.whiteoakplantationbr.com February 28 Tea, Fashion & Fancies /68 5XUDO /LIH 0XVHXP SP RYHU XQGHU (225)765-2437 / www.rurallife.lsu.edu 02152( :(67 02152( Through February 14 Shared Earth: The Ancient Mounds Project & Whispering Pines Masur Museum of Art Times vary (318)329-2237 / www.masurmuseum.org February 5 'RZQWRZQ *DOOHU\ &UDZO 'H6LDUG 7UHQWRQ 6WUHHW 5 - 9 pm (318)503-5125 www.monroe-westmonroe.org February 6 - 7 +HDUW WR +RPH :RPHQ路V &RQIHUHQFH Monroe Civic Center 9 am / Prices vary (318)329-2225 www.hearttohomeconference.com February 7 Mardi Gras at the Market River Market DP SP (318)807-1735 www.dontownrivermarket.com February 8 0XVLF 7R 2XU (\HV %ORFNEXVWHU Film Scores 0RQURH 6\PSKRQ\ 2UFKHVWUD Monroe Civic Center SP (318)329-2225 / www.ci.monroe.la.us February 27 - 28 51st Annual Juried Competition Masur Museum (318)329-2237 / www.masurmuseum.org

Page 56 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Louisiana Up & Coming! FEBRUARY 1(: 25/($16 February 1 1HDO $XFWLRQ &RPSDQ\ $QWLTXH 6KRZ 4038 Magazine St (504)899- 5329 / www.nealauction.com February 3 - 8 $QQLH Saenger Theatre 7LPH SULFH YDU\ www.saengernola.com February 16 =XOX nd Annual Lundi Gras Festival Woldenberg Park DP SP www.lundigrasfestival.com 3257 $//(1 Through April 5 $SURQ &KURQLFOHV $ 3DWFKZRUN RI American Recollections :HVW %DWRQ 5RXJH 0XVHXP DP SP (225)336-2422 www.westbatonrougemuseum.com Through March 22 %UDYH 6WHSV 7KH /RXLVLDQD Native Guard :HVW %DWRQ 5RXJH 0XVHXP DP SP (225)336-2422 www.westbatonrougemuseum.com February 28 The Fading Line: A Commemoration of WKH %DWRQ 5RXJH %XV %R\FRWW :HVW %DWRQ 5RXJH 0XVHXP SP (225)336-2422 www.westbatonrougemuseum.com 586721 February 7 .UHZH RI $OOHJUR 0DUGL *UDV %DOO Ruston Civic Center 7 pm (318)225-2031

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FEBRUARY Louisiana Up & Coming!

67 )5$1&,69,//( February 8 'HVHUW 3ODQWDWLRQ :HGGLQJ 6RFLDO 'HVHUW 3ODQWDWLRQ SP 5693 LQ DGYDQFH (877)877-1103 / www.desertplantation.com February 14 $IULFDQ &DULEEHDQ ,QĂ XHQFH LQ Southern Antebellum Cooking 5RVHGRZQ 3ODQWDWLRQ DP SP (225)635-3110 February 21 & 28 Writers & Readers Symposium: A Celebration of Literature & Arts Hemingbough Plantation DP SP (225)302-3524 February 28 (QVODYHG /LIH DW 5RVHGRZQ 5RVHGRZQ 3ODQWDWLRQ DP (225)635-3110 March 20 - 22 2015 Audubon Pilgrimage Throughout St. Francisville (225)635-6330 www.audubonpilgrimage.info.

9,'$/,$ February 28 .DQVDV &LW\ &HUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG %%4 -XGJH 3UHVHQWHG E\ -LP %RZLH %%4 7KURZ 'RZQ Vidalia Conference and Convention Center (318)336-8223

Page 58 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi Up & Coming! FEBRUARY %522.+$9(1 February 7 51st $QQXDO &DPHOOLD 6KRZ %URRNKDYHQ 5HFUHDWLRQ 'HSDUWPHQW 6DWXUGD\ SP 6XQGD\ SP www.homerrichardson.com February 21 .UHZH RI &HUHV· &KDULW\ %DOO Lincoln Civic Center %HOWOLQH 'U Doors open 6:30 pm / Presentation 7:30 /LYH PXVLF (601)953-6162 &/(9(/$1' February 6 'HOWD 6WDWH -D]] %DQG *DOD Cleveland Country Club 6:30 pm www.clevelandmschamber.com February 26 7KH *UHDW *DWVE\ %RORJQD 3HUIRUPLQJ $UWV &HQWHU 7:30 pm www.bolognapac.com +$77,(6%85* February 14 860 7UXPSHW )HVWLYDO Marsh Auditorium 6 pm www.hereshattiesburg.com February 20 - 21 6RXWKHUQ 6WULQJV 'XOFLPHU )HVWLYDO :LOOLDP &DUH\ 8QLYHUVLW\ DP SP www.hattiesburg.org -$&.621 Through April 19 &LYLO :DU (UD 'UDZLQJV IURP WKH %HFNHU Collection Mississippi Museum of Art 5 pm / Prices vary (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org

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FEBRUARY Mississippi Up & Coming!

January 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 1 +HDUWV 'HVLUH 3DSHU &XWWLQJ &ODVV Mississippi Craft Center ² SP SHU GD\ education@mscrafts.com February 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 0LVVLVVLSSL (FRQRPLF 'HYHORSPHQW &RXQFLO¡V :LQWHU &RQIHUHQFH The Hilton (YHQW WLPHV YDU\ www.medc.ms February 7 'LDEHWHV )RXQGDWLRQ 3UHVHQWV %DFFKXV %DOO Country Club of Jackson SP Prices vary (601)957-7878 / www.msdiabetes.org February 7 0LVVLVVLSSL 6\PSKRQ\ 2UFKHVWUD $ 7ULEXWH WR 0RWRZQ DQG 5 % Thalia Mara Hall 7:30 pm (601)960-1565 February 10 &RXSOHV %ODFNVPLWKLQJ Mississippi Craft Center ² SP education@mscrafts.com

February 10 Preston Chamber Music Series Evening RI 'LDPRQGV ,, 0HVVLDQ 4XDUWHW %HOKDYHQ 8QLYHUVLW\ 7:30 pm www.belhaven.edu

February 23 Voices of Mississippi Winners Concert 0LVVLVVLSSL 2SHUD Duling Hall SP www.msopera.org

February 13 .UHZH GH &DUGLQDO 0DUGL *UDV %DOO 2OG &DSLWRO ,QQ SP SHU FRXSOH (601)336-1157 / www.krewedc.com

February 24 Music in the City Featuring Gena Everitt & Coleman Pearce Mississippi Museum of Art SP www.msmuseumofart.org

February 19 - 25 Junior League Jumble The Junior League of Jackson 5LYHUVLGH 'ULYH (601)948-2357 / www.jljackson.org February 19 Museum After Hours Mississippi Museum of Art 5:30 - 7:30 pm www.msmuseumart.org February 21 ,JQLWH WKH 1LJKW 8QGHU WKH %LJ 7RS 0LVVLVVLSSL &KLOGUHQ¡V 0XVHXP 7 pm (601)981-5469 www.mschildrensmuseum.com

Page 60 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

February 28 Woodturning Workshop Mississippi Craft Center DP ² SP education@mscrafts.com 0$*12/,$ February 7 7KH 0DUGL 3DZV N 5XQ :DON 'RZQWRZQ 0DJQROLD DP (601)551-4905 February 7 - 8 Magnolia Mardi Gras Festival Railroad Park 6DWXUGD\ DP 6XQGD\ DP (601)810-3704 www.magnoliachamberofcommerce.com

Mississippi Up & Coming! FEBRUARY February 13 .UHZH RI /RFRPRWLRQ 0DUGL Gras Fundraiser The Flying Fish 6:30 pm (601)684-2291 / www.pikeinfo.com 0&&20% February 21 -XQLRU $X[LOLDU\¡V $]DOHD %DOO McComb Mill By invitation only (601)684-2291 / www.pikeinfo.com 1$7&+(= February 5 1*& *LUOV 1LJKW 2XW :KDW¡V 1HZ IRU 6SULQJ .DWLH¡V /DGLHV 7KH %DLOH\ +RXVH 6 &RPPHUFH 6W ² SP

www.natchezgardenclub.org

February 14 Second Saturday 'RZQWRZQ 1DWFKH] 5 - 7 pm www.visitnatchez.org

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February 14 .UHZH RI 3KRHQL[ *UDQG %DOO Natchez Convention Center SP DP SHU SHUVRQ

March 7 - April 7 Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Throughout Natchez (601)446-6631 / (601)446-6742 www.natchezpilgrimage.com

February 15 1DWFKH] &OD\ (PSW\ %RZOV Natchez Clay DP SP amandafj@bellsouth.net www.natchezclay.com

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February 1, 6, 7, & 8 2OLYHU Vicksburg Theatre Guild )ULGD\ 6DWXUGD\ SP 6XQGD\ SP Prices vary (601)636-0471 www.vicksburgtheatreguild.com

February 7 Saluting William Johnson Judge George W. Armstrong Public Library SP (601)446-1289 / www.colin.edu/nlcc February 7 1DWFKH] )HVWLYDO RI 0XVLF¡V %HQHĂ&#x20AC;W 'LQQHU The Carriage House SP (601)446-6631 February 8 *HRUJH :LQVWRQ %HQHĂ&#x20AC;W &RQFHUW IRU 6WHZSRW First Presbyterian Church SP SUHIHUUHG VHDWLQJ JHQHUDO 6WXGHQWV (601)442-2581 / www.fpcnatchez.org February 14 3KL 7KHWD .DSSD¡V 0LVV 6ZHHW Heart Pageant %RVZHOO 5HJLRQDO &HQWHU SP (601)497-5080 / (601)382-4477

Bluffs & Bayous { February 2015 { Page 61

FEBRUARY Mississippi Up & Coming!

February 1 88th 6HPL $QQXDO &RLQ 6KRZ %DWWOHĂ&#x20AC;HOG ,QQ DP SP (601)618-7140 / www.visitvicksburg.com February 2 Cooking for Couples Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation 5:30 - 7:30 pm PHPEHUV QRQ PHPEHUV (601)631-2997 / www.southernculture.org February 4 More Than A Painting: Art Workshop for Couples Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation SP PHPEHUV QRQ PHPEHUV (601)631-2997 / www.southernculture.org February 15 9LFNVEXUJ &DWKROLF 6FKRRO 'UDZGRZQ Vicksburg Convention Center 6 pm (601)636-2256 www.vicksburgcatholic.org February 23 ,WDOLDQ &RRNLQJ :RUNVKRS )HDWXULQJ Chef Tom Ramsey Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation 5:30 - 7:30 pm $30 members / $35 non-members (601)631-2997 / www.southernculture.org February 28 :DUUHQ &RXQW\ :LOGOLIH ([SR Vicksburg Convention Center DP SP (601)630-2929 www.vicksburgccevents.com :(6621 February 7 3ULQFHVV %DOO Thames Center SP ² SP RU SP ² SP SHU FRXSOH DGGLWLRQDO FKLOG (601)835-6607

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SOUTHERN SAMPLER

story by Alma M. Womack

Humor to Warm the Heart

S

o far this year, it has rained so much that Tupelo Brake is climbing the hill in front of my house; and today is only the third of January. If this keeps up, I may have to tie the little boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; boat to the front pecan trees so I can get across the brake. The only problem is that the vehicles are here in the yard, so one of them will have to be moved if the brake keeps rising.

I could just stay home and refuse to cooperate with the crazy Louisiana weather.

January and February are wet, cold months when we are lucky.

We need the wet to replenish soil moisture and the cold to kill bugs and obnoxious weeds. The bad weather is hard on our animals, but , Ă&#x20AC;JXUH LI FRZV FDQ VXUYLYH LQ :\RPLQJ ZKDW¡V WZHQW\ GHJUHHV LQ Louisiana and Mississippi going to hurt. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not the one having to feed them in this weather, so my evaluation might not sit well with those who are treading muck and mud to get the feed where it needs to be.

My chickens have a nice little house to stay in if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too cold, and they know how to huddle together on the roost to keep warm. I keep them supplied with scratch, laying pellets, and mustard-green leaves from the mustard patch along with fresh water; and they are content. Their laying is sporadic now, but I still have enough eggs for me and for sharing with Jorie and Claire.

We lost one of the yard dogs in December. Archie, the French mastiff, had gotten in bad shape with no hope of recovery; so he Page 64 { February 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

was gently put down. He was not my dog; but he came to me via Claire. He decided three years ago that he liked my yard better than hers and just moved in. He and Rocco, my Mountain Pyrenees, did not get along and would have to test each other every few days.

Rocco was so much bigger that it was never a real contest, but Archie never gave up trying. Archie was a faithful companion to me and never left my side when I was out and about doing yard work, tending to chickens, or just walking down the turning row. I still look for him when I go outside to work; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just hard to lose a good dog and not miss him.

7KLV &KULVWPDV ZDV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WKDW , KDYH HYHU VSHQW RXWVLGH Catahoula Parish. The only place Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever been on Christmas besides here on Smithland was the year we went to Manifest WR 0V (XQLFH¡V KRXVH ZKLFK LV QRW D IDU MRXUQH\ 7R PH Christmas and home just go together. Anyway, this year I GURYH WR +DWWLHVEXUJ 0LVVLVVLSSL RQ &KULVWPDV (YH WR VSHQG Christmas with Holly, Coty, Liza, and Drew.

I had planned to drive over on the twenty-third, but bad weather kept me at home one more day. The path of the bad weather would have followed Highway 84 from Jonesville to Hattiesburg, and I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about to attempt such a journey. :KHQ , ZHQW WKURXJK &ROXPELD WKH QH[W GD\ , VDZ Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDQG the damage that a tornado can do. Tornadoes had been part of that scary front that went through on the twenty-third. Light poles were

snapped in two and lying all over the place.

Trees were trimmed or uprooted, buildings damaged, some very badly, and sheets of tin in the woods on both sides of the road.

Cleanup crews were everywhere, and electrical workers were doing their best to get power restored. There were a number of out-of-town trucks trying to help relight the town. It took a while to be waved WKURXJK VLQFH WKHUH ZHUH QR WUDIĂ&#x20AC;F OLJKWV WR NHHS WKH WUDIĂ&#x20AC;F RUGHUO\ ,W ZDV DV VDG D thing as I have ever seen.

Once I got to Hattiesburg, we went shopping for Christmas dinner that had kindly been cooked by a local establishment. All we had to do was bring it home, heat it up, and enjoy the goodness the next day. The real treat of the day ZDV WR JR WR &KULVWPDV (YH 0DVV ZLWK Hollyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family.

Because none of the Catholic churches were large enough for a community service, the Mass was held in a school auditorium near Hollyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. We got there in time to choose good seats before the latecomers got there. The priest performing the Mass, whose name I have forgotten already, is from Ireland. He was a very personable, charismatic fellow, and well loved in the Catholic community in Hattiesburg.

Just before the service began, a family came and sat in front of me, about three chairs down from where I was sitting. The dad was a tall, gray-haired man; when he sat down, Coty leaned over and whispered, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brett Favre.â&#x20AC;?

Well, having a famous football player that close just led me to do something wicked when I got home. I told the guys at the gin that Brett Favre had sat real close to me; and when it came to greet-yourneighbor time, he leaned over and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Brett.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, I am Alma Womack from Jonesville, Louisiana,â&#x20AC;? says I. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, are you really Alma Womack? I read your stories all the time in Bluffs & Bayous!â&#x20AC;?

The guys were very impressed; and someone asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No joke?â&#x20AC;?

I paused a moment and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, joke.â&#x20AC;?

I should have continued the lie for a bit, but I got the looks I wanted. Yes, I am shameless.

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.

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