Bluffs & Bayous April 2014 by Bluffs & Bayous Magazine

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From the Editor

t is everywhere. It has taken over my Pinterest page; it has infiltrated the department store racks; it has popped up in almost every runway show from New York to Paris; and it is slowing becoming a new obsession of mine. Radiant orchid. Pantone stepped it up this year and introduced us to a shade of violet we have known and loved for years; however, with the creative and vibrant title of “radiant orchid,” this fuchsia phenomenon has transformed my view on the color of purple. As explained by Pantone, this year’s color is “[a] captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple, and pink undertones [that] emanates great joy, love, and health.” Over the years, Pantone’s “Color of the Year” has brought meaning and new life to some of the simplest shades around. Take 2006’s shade of “sandstone” for instance. When have you known beige to be the center of the color world? Again, in 2009, the color chosen was “mimosa,” which is more commonly known as mustard yellow to most common folk. However, Pantone’s helpful hues make choosing a favorite color a breeze by suggesting the “it” color early each year. At Bluffs & Bayous, we see this year’s shade as a jumping off point for the upcoming spring months. With such a cold and frozen winter finally behind us, it is time to dive head first into the warm months ahead. Why not have a radiant spring surrounded by shades of radiant orchid to only heighten the upcoming season? It already surrounds us in the bursting azaleas, dripping wisteria, and purplish petunias that are a part of the South’s gorgeous landscape. Whether you add this color to your garden this year or paint a focal wall in your home with a shade of this year’s purple pigment, radiant orchid is sure to spruce up your life along and beyond the Mississippi.

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publisher Cheryl Foggo Rinehart m a n a g i n g e d i t o r consulting editor Jean Nosser Biglane Jennie Guido g r ap h i c d e s i g n e r s Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling media coordinator Adam Blackwell s t a f f p h o t o g r ap h e r s Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker Cheryl Rinehart sales staff Tracey Farrell Lynn Janette Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions office assistant Rachel Benoit contributors Dr. Gary R. Bachman Robert Ferguson Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin Becky Junkin Alma Womack

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Rachel Benoit

Adam Blackwell

Jean Biglane

Tracey Farrell

Jennie Guido

Lynn Janette

Van O’Gwin

Elise D. Parker

Jan Ratcliff

Cheryl Rinehart

Anita Schilling

Donna Sessions

Robert Ferguson

Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin

Becky Junkin

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 not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to 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 | bbupandcoming@gmail.com media.bluf fsandbayous@gmail.com www.bluf fsbayous.com

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April 2014

feature

Hopping Around the Bunny Trail................................ pages 34-37 An Egg-Static Easter Quest......................................... pages 40-43 Springtime Hats....Fashion to Top Off the Season........ pages 44-48

ON THE COVER Spring has finally sprung in the Bluffs & Bayous area, and Easter is just around the corner! Photo by Jennie Guido

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April 2014

fav o r i t e s Events April Premier Events........................................................................................... 63-64 April Up & Coming!..............................................................................................65-74

G’s Fare An Easter Picnic...................................................................................................12-16

In the Garden Will an Orchid Bloom All Year?...........................................................................18-19 Heirlooms and ‘Love Apples’................................................................................... 24

Legal Notes Splitting Inheritance (Partition)......................................................................... 28-29

Southern Sampler Thawing Into Spring............................................................................................56-57

An Easter Picnic pages 12 - 16

The Social Scene Retirement Celebration for Dr. William Godfrey.....................................................10 Judith Robinson Chapter of DAR Regional Meeting...............................................17 Princess Ball for Fathers and Daughters............................................................ 20-22 Mississippi Music Documentary.............................................................................. 22 A Birthday Celebration for Katherine Bray....................................................... 26-27 Pike County Chamber of Commerce Open House............................................. 32-33 Meet the Baby...................................................................................................... 52-53 Krewe of Killarney Dinner, Silent Auction, and Parade.................................... 54-55 Natchez Garden Club Page Party and Easter Egg Hunt.................................... 58-59 Brunch Honoring Queen Rosalie XXXII.............................................................60-61

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THE social SCENE Natchez, MS

Retirement Celebration for Dr. William Godfrey

fter fifty-five years of service to his OB/ GYN practice, OB/GYN Clinic, Dr. William Godfrey was honored with a party hosted by Natchez Regional Medical Center in the Magnolia Classroom on November 6, 2013. Co-workers, family, friends, and community members came to wish him well and enjoyed reminiscing over the past fifty-five years.

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Dr. Tom Purvis and Beth Mason Judy and Cappy Stahlman Dr. William Godfrey and Dr. Tom Purvis Scott Christian and Donnie Rentfro Dr. Tom Purvis, Tommy West, and Dr. Bruce Kuehnle Regina Charboneau, Pat Burns, and Doug Charboneau Sarah Smith and Mayor Butch Brown Rose and Dr. William Godfrey Katherine Killelea, Kathy Sizemore, and Patty Killelea-Willard

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g’s fare

story by Becky Junkin

An Easter Picnic

e have already made it to April, and Easter is right around the corner. Every Easter, my family gets together for our usual traditions—Good Friday and fried catfish; Holy Saturday with a crawfish boil for family, extended family, and friends; and finally,

an Easter Sunday picnic under the trees (if the weather permits). This month, I have chosen several recipes from family and friends that work well for Easter lunch whether inside or out. I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as mine have.

Starters The perfect salad to start the meal comes from my friend, Bonnie Carter. The recipe is in her cookbook, The Southern Cook’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to OldFashioned Southern Cooking, which she wrote with her relative, Courtney Taylor.

Crab Salad with Caper Dressing 1 pound fresh, white, lump crabmeat 1 head iceberg lettuce 1 cup mayonnaise 1 - 2 tablespoons chopped capers 1 teaspoon lemon juice Red pepper flakes to taste 6 tablespoons chopped parsley Paprika Wash and drain the lettuce. Break into small chunks, and toss with crabmeat in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, blend mayonnaise, capers, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Pour over lettuce and crabmeat. Garnish with parsley and paprika.

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The following recipe is from the Baton Rouge Junior League Cookbook, River Road Recipes. A friend of mine uses this often and has changed the recipe a little for her family. My grandmother would make this for her bridge club and for Easter; but, unfortunately, I don‘t have her recipe. This one sounds pretty close, but she would put a ball of cream cheese and chives in the center of each one.

Shrimp Tomato Aspic Dash of hot sauce (She uses one tea1 1/2 envelopes of gelatin spoon.) 1/4 cup cold water 1 tablespoon minced parsley 2 cups tomato juice (or V-8 juice) 1/4 cup finely chopped celery 1 bay leaf 2 grated carrots 1 rib celery 1 1/2 cups shrimp, cut in pieces 1/4 onion, chopped Hard cooked eggs, sliced Salt and pepper to taste Lemon juice to taste Worcestershire to taste (She uses two teaspoons.) Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer the tomato juice, bay leaf, rib of celery, and onion slowly for five minutes. (She adds all the vegetables at this time and cooks them down since her family does not like the texture of the vegetables in the aspic. She then strains the vegetables and uses the liquid only.) Remove onion, bay leaf, and celery; and add dissolved gelatin. Mix well. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco. Add minced parsley, chopped celery, carrots, and shrimp. Pour a small portion into a large mold (or individual molds), and arrange slices of hard cooked eggs in the bottom. (My grandmother used the cream cheese and chives in place of the eggs.) Allow to jell. Then pour on the rest of the mixture. Place in refrigerator until firm. Turn out on lettuce leaves, and top with homemade mayonnaise.

The following recipe comes from Sissy Eidt’s cookbook that she co-authored with her sister-in-law, Mary Eidt, Ladies Legacies in Natchez, Mississippi. My family enjoys this on Easter, and we use the leftover potatoes from the crawfish boil and substitute the crawfish for the shrimp.

Crawfish Potato Salad 8 medium potatoes; boiled, cooled, and diced 2/3 cup chopped celery 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish 1 - 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 1 pound crawfish tails 1 tablespoon Tony’s seasoning Water Salt and pepper to taste Poach one pound of crawfish tails with Tony’s seasoning and water mixture. (If you are using cooked crawfish that you have already seasoned, omit this part). Drain and cool. Mix potatoes, celery, relish, and mayonnaise. Add crawfish to potato mixture. Adjust seasoning. Chill and enjoy.

entrees Below is a chicken and pork loin entrée that my daughter Jordan uses. She found the pork loin recipe in the February issue of Southern Living.

Herb Roasted Pork Loin (Chilling and seasoning the meat uncovered will help form a crust, encouraging a deep golden brown color while cooking.) 1 teaspoon finely crushed cori2 tablespoons chopped fresh ander seeds thyme 1 teaspoon dry mustard 2 tablespoons chopped fresh 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red rosemary pepper 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) boneless 1 tablespoon loosely packed pork loin lemon zest 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon light brown sugar Vegetable cooking spray 3 cloves garlic, pressed 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper Combine the first ten ingredients in a small bowl. Rub over pork. Chill, uncovered, for eight to ten hours. Let pork stand at room temperature thirty minutes. (Bringing it to room temperature will help it cook faster and more evenly.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pork in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for two minutes on each side or until browned. Lightly grease a wire rack with cooking spray. Place pork on rack in a roasting pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 135 degrees. Remove from oven, and let stand fifteen minutes before serving. Serves 6 - 8 people

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For those of us that are trying to eat light and count calories, the following recipe comes from Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook. It does not taste lo-cal at all!

Greek Roast Chicken (Roasting in a hot oven makes this chicken wonderfully juicy. Be sure to allow ten minutes resting time after cooking to further insure a moist bird.) 1 (3 1/2-pound) chicken 1 garlic clove, minced 1 lemon 1 cup cooked brown rice 1 large egg 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Pinch nutmeg Freshly ground salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a roasting pan with foil. Remove the giblets and neck, and save for another time. Rinse the chicken under cold, running water inside and out; pat dry with paper towels. Rub the inner cavity of the chicken with the garlic. Cut four thin slices off the lemon, and chop the remaining lemon into 1/2 inch chunks (rind included). Slip two lemon slices under the skin of each chicken breast. Cover the breast with foil. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped lemon, rice, beaten egg, oregano, parsley, cinnamon, and nutmeg; stuff the mixture into the chicken cavity. Tie the legs together, and put the chicken in the roasting pan; sprinkle the chicken with the pepper. Roast the chicken for twenty minutes; reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees. Remove the foil; and roast twenty minutes longer, basting with the pan juices every five minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees, and continue roasting until cooked through and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced in the thickest part with a fork and an instantread thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 180 degrees (about fifteen minutes). Let the chicken stand for ten minutes before carving. Remove the skin before eating.

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side dishes

I use this recipe very often in the summer. It is quick, easy, and goes well with any type of meat. The recipe comes from The Newellton Garden Club Cookbook.

Marinated String Beans 2 cans French-style string beans 1/2 cup vinegar 2 pods garlic Salt and sugar to taste Drizzle of Wesson oil (I use olive oil.) Mix all ingredients together, and let sit overnight in refrigerator. Remove garlic, drain, and serve.

If you want a more traditional bean, below is another recipe from Bonnie Carter and Courtney Taylor’s book, The Southern Cook’s Handbook.

Southern Style Snap Beans 2 quarts or 1 1/2 pounds small pole beans (after the ends are trimmed) 4 - 5 strips bacon 1 cup water 1 cup ham stock or chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or more to taste) Salt to taste Optional: vegetable oil Snap off the tip ends of beans, remove any strings, and discard. Wash the remaining beans in cold water; drain them in a colander; and snap into pieces about two inches long. In an iron Dutch oven, fry bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Put beans into medium-hot bacon drippings. Sauté for about five minutes, turning beans over and over until they are well coated and bright green. If bacon has not produced enough grease to coat beans, add a little vegetable oil. Add enough of the stock or broth mixture to reach just below the surface of the beans. Crumble and add the fried bacon. Add pepper. Cover the Dutch oven. Simmer very, very gently so that the liquid moves, but the beans remain still. Cook four to six hours or more until beans are blackish green, somewhat flat, and slightly shriveled. Cook time will depend on size and age of beans. Once an hour, turn the beans over so that top layer is on the bottom. As liquid evaporates, add more to keep it just below the surface of the beans. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer and prevent scorching.

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desserts

This lemon cake recipe comes from Sissy Eidtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother. It is SO good.

Nannyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lemon Pound Cake 1 box Duncan Hines yellow cake mix 3 eggs 1 cup water 2/3 cup Crisco oil 1 box instant lemon pudding Mix all together, and beat for three to five minutes. Pour in a well-greased tube cake pan, and bake for fifty to fifty-five minutes at 350 degrees. While the cake is still warm, poke holes with a pick; and make a glaze with fresh lemon juice and powdered sugar to pour over the warm cake.

This is an old family recipe from Joyce Westmoreland. It is simple, easy, and a perfect ending to an Easter meal.

Egg Custard Pie 1 pie shell 3 cups milk 6 tablespoons butter 6 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons vanilla Nutmeg for garnish Heat together the milk and butter. Mix together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Then stir the egg mixture into the milk and butter. Strain and pour into pie shell. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake for fifteen minutes at 425 degrees. Becky Junkin, mother of four and grandmother of six, is a lifelong Natchez resident, a retired elementary teacher of twenty four years, and certified Pilates instructor.

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THE social SCENE Fernwood, MS

Judith Robinson Chapter of DAR Regional Meeting

he Fernwood Country Club in Fernwood, Mississippi, was the setting for the March 13, 2014, meeting hosted by the Judith Robinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Society. The regional meeting was attended by fifty-eight DAR members, which represented six DAR Mississippi chapters. Sue Boyd, Regent of the Judith Robinson Chapter, welcomed the Mississippi DAR State Society Regent, Billie Foutch Breedlove, as the guest speaker. State Regent Billie Breedlove addressed the group about the organization’s structure of more than 4,000 Mississippi Daughters of the American Revolution Society who continually make a positive difference in the lives of all citizens in this state. “God, Home, and Country is not just a motto for us, but the central theme of our lives,” Breedlove proclaimed. Breedlove also presented special service awards to Martha Jackson and Peggy Tidewell for fifty years of service to the DAR Society.

1 Jane A. Smith, Peggy McCullough, Catie Boatright, Kimberly Smith, and Ashley Sasser 2 Genevieve Harris, Billie Jane Davis, Billie Breedlove, Brenda Lewis, and Judith Brewer 3 Catie Boatright, Chloe Holt, Vicki Netterville, Judith Brewer, Billie Breedlove, Mary Ann Smith, and Sue Boyd 4 Billie Breedlove, Martha Jackson, and Peggy Tidewell 5 Tammy Strickland, Patty Breckenridge, Cherrie Randall, Billie Breedlove, Patsy Carruth, Wanda Lambuth, and Mildred Fountain 6 Sylvia Jackson, Elouise Campbell, Pearl Strange, and Sandra McKey 7 Janice Brock, Jane Ard, Janette Alexander, and Janis Dowe

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in the garden

story and photos by Robert Ferguson

Will An Orchid Bloom All Year? M

any hobbyists have asked how long their orchid blooms will last. Will they continue to bloom throughout the year? Yes, year-round blooming can be accomplished by educating oneself about the blooming habits of various hybrids that are available today. While having just one orchid plant will not produce year-round blooms, having several well-selected hybrid plants will. Growing orchids can be a very rewarding hobby for anyone willing to learn about these plants. The hobbyist can find plenty of helpful information by researching the available orchid catalogs and the internet. They will find a selection of new hybrids offered by commercial producers. Today’s new hybrids, which originate from many species, have been breed together to extend the blooming seasons for commercial growers, as well as the hobbyist growers. For instance, there are Cattleyas that bloom around Easter that originate from C. mossiae. Then, there is the hybrid Lc. Irene Finney ‘York’, which is a very large, purple hybrid created for commercial production that blooms from late winter to spring. Due to the invention of the cloning process, it, as well as many others, are now available to the hobbyist grower. There are white Cattleyas that originated from C. mossiae; but due to its recessive white genes, it has been bred with other white species of hybrids, as well. Some other good orchids used by breeders are C. Joyce Hanningtons, which are spring bloomers that produces from late winter to late spring, and C. dowiana, which

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Top—This hybrid orchid, “Brown Eyes,” is just one of a few varieties of hybrids that are available today at some commercial orchid produces around the world. Above—Smelling of citrus, the Rlc. Fringe Benefits orchid is an obviously very green cattleya.

is a beautiful yellow with a red labellum that blooms from late spring into summer. Although summer blooms do not last very long due to high temperatures, breeders still use it to extend the blooming seasons into the fall. Also, there is C. perciviliana, which is a Christmas blooming orchid that is very rewarding for the holiday season. Another factor to consider is the size and age of the plant. Producers sell most orchids at a reasonable price, which means they are young plants just at blooming size. Even though these hybrids have preset blooming seasons, continual growing success by the hobbyist can grow an orchid to be larger plants thus causing them to produce flowers and new growth simultaneously. By purchasing hybrids that have the aforementioned species in their background, a hobbyist can have Cattleya orchids blooming year-round. Also, with continuing education, a hobbyist can grow these to their full size, which will tremendously improving their flowering potential. Robert Ferguson, interested in orchids since the age of 13, owned Ferguson Orchids from 1973 to 2002 where orchids were cloned, grown from seed, and sold.

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THE social SCENE Wesson, MS

Princess Ball for Fathers and Daughters

he Band and Colette Alumni Chapter of Copiah-Lincoln Community College sponsored the third annual Princess Ball for Fathers and Daughters on February 8, 2014, at the Thames Center on the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wesson, Mississippi, campus. The event is a fundraiser for the Clyde Wilson and Stanley Stewart Band Scholarships. Photographs by Angela Furr, Alumni Affairs Officer

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Annabel, Jason, and Caroline Gaskin Abby and Tim Slay Adam and Julia Speeg Addi Reese and Corey Myers Chris and Kaylee Williams Kalisha Redd and Harold Watts Cliff and Amelia Furr Duane and Layla Burt Anna, Matt, and Amy Mabil Zoula Hoffman, Betty Nix, and Johnnie Carlise

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THE social SCENE

wesson, MS

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Dylan Harris and Dana Sartin Honesty and James Winston Jason and Caroline Hedgepeth Jason and Kinsley Smith Macy and Jeremy Loy Ricky Breazeale and Mary Murphy Brady Robbie Sartin and Lexi Furr Shelley Smith and Lindi Smith Katheleen and Kelly Allen Jamie Garcia, Terry Britt, and Megan Garcia Kinsley Smith, Amelia Furr, and Addi Myers

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THE social SCENE wesson, MS

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Ken and Kenzie Sullivan Olivia and Charlie Teasley Richard and Brittney Phelps Taz and Kahlen Milstead

wesson, ms

Dr. Jim Brewer, Denise Riley, Juanita Profitt, and R. Shaw Furlow

Mississippi Music Documentary

r. Jim Brewer, founder of the Mississippi Musician’s Hall of Fame, recently presented Copiah-Lincoln Community College with the first copy of the new documentary Mississippi: the Birthplace of America’s Music. The documentary, which is a history of Mississippi music, will be shown in the new Mississippi Music Experience in Jackson, Mississippi, and will also be made available to all in-state schools. The documentary showcases blues, country, and rock n’ roll, which were born in Mississippi.

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in the garden

story and photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman Heirloom tomatoes come in a variety of colors and irregular shapes, but their best characteristic is that they taste how most people think tomatoes are supposed to.

Heirlooms and ‘Love Apples’

here’s a mystique about heirloom tomatoes that causes me to receive several phone calls each spring from gardeners interested in growing these fascinating plants. Let’s set one thing straight right now. There is not just one heirloom tomato; there are literally hundreds. These are not the perfect mass-produced hybrid tomatoes found in the seed racks, transplants at the garden center, or found in the bins of the grocery store. They’re colorful with a range from bright red, orange and yellow, and even a mahogany brown. They even have stripes, and many are lumpy and bumpy. Their best characteristic is most people think heirloom tomatoes taste the way tomatoes are supposed to taste. A frequent question is, “What makes a tomato an heirloom tomato?” First of all, heirloom tomatoes are non-hybrid, open-pollinated plants. That means seeds collected from a particular fruit will produce similar tomatoes crop after crop. Second, heirloom tomatoes are typically defined by age. Depending on whom you ask, an heirloom tomato must be at least twenty-five years old—some say fifty years or more. Others define them as seeds dating from before 1945. After World War II, hybrid developments became more prevalent. I’m of the opinion that age doesn’t matter when it comes to heirloom

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tomatoes—as long as the variety is open pollinated. Third, families pass heirloom varieties down through the generations just like they do antique furniture. Any vegetable can become an heirloom when families collect its seeds and pass them on. The Nebraska Wedding tomato is a prime example. Tomatoes are also called “love apples,” and seeds were given to young couples as a crop to help start their farms. When speaking to garden clubs, I often hear gardeners complain that they tried an heirloom tomato without success. Hybrid varieties have been bred to perform in many different growing conditions across the country. Heirloom tomatoes are very regional, as evidenced by the seed being passed down through families. There are literally hundreds of described varieties. This great variety means that not all will grow and produce well in Mississippi gardens, but many will produce wonderful fruit for the table. Over the past six years, I have trialed more than fifty different heirloom tomato varieties looking for some that will grow well in my Mississippi garden. These personal tests are part of the fun for me. Mississippi’s heat and humidity in July and August influence my selections. I grow primarily determinate varieties because

they are easy to care for. Heirloom varieties can be vigorous growers, and some indeterminate varieties can easily grow six to seven feet tall. Determinates range from three to four feet tall; and once July 4 rolls around, it’s just too hot for the plants to reliably set fruit and for me to care for unproductive plants. Determinate tomatoes have a reputation for all their tomatoes ripening at once. This may be true for hybrid varieties; but in my experience, determinate heirloom tomatoes produce ripe fruit for six weeks—from the end of May to around July 4. This schedule is perfect for my style of tomato growing. At this point, I have to make a confession: I really don’t like fresh tomatoes. I grow them because my wife likes them. In effect, I grow the “love apples” out of love. So there’s no reason for you not to try some heirloom tomatoes starting this year. Now is the time to start your transplants. Seed selection will be limited in the seed racks, but take time to look through seed catalogs to find the heirloom tomatoes you want to grow this year. Try several varieties, and see which will do well in your garden.

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.

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THE social SCENE natchez, MS

A Birthday Celebration for Katherine Bray

riends and family gathered at the historic Dunleith Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi, on January 24, 2014, to celebrate Katherine Brayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday. The attendees enjoyed fine cuisine and entertainment throughout the festive evening.

1 Donna Arnold, Helen Ashley, Katherine L. Bray, Teresa Moore, and Deborah Whetstone 2 Toby Morris and Sally Morris 3 Judy McGraw and Steven Seal 4 Katie McCarstle, Lele Lewis, Deborah Whetston, Rene McGraw, Edine Seal, and Sally Treppendahl, Ida Whetstone, and Teresa Moore 5 Lallie Owens 6 Edine Seal, Charleene Habig, Julie Fletcher, Ida Whetstone, Katherine L. Bray, Aulene Flaccomio, Mallary Cavin, Katie McCurley, Velma Spilliman, and Donna Arnold 7 Kitty Bray, Katie McCarstle, and Judy McGravy 8 Edine Seal, Katherine L. Bray, and Kitty Bray

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THE social SCENE

natchez, MS

Becky Bray, Bob Bray, Katherine L. Bray, David Bray, and Kitty Bray 10 Clint McCurley, Katie McCurley, Scott Westbury, and Sharon Westbury 11 David Bray, Katherine L. Bray, and Joe DeFazio 12 Kevin Preston, Katherine L. Bray, and Wheeler Parker

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legal notes

story by Lucien C. Gwin III

Splitting Inheritance (Partition)

difficult situation that almost every lawyer encounters in a small town or city in all states occurs when the last parent or grandparent dies owning land or a home with surviving heirs that have to wrestle with dividing up the real property. The question becomes how is this done? There are hundreds of scenarios for this. Let’s just say Gran-Paw died after GranMaw, and he had five grown children as heirs; and let’s assume one of those five grown children has died leaving two children of his or her own. Let’s further assume Gran-Paw left 150 acres and one big farm house. Of the 150 acres, thirty acres has highway frontage, which is very valuable; seventy acres is rough hill land; and the balance of the acreage is cut-over swamp land. (I have seen similar factual circumstances dozens of times in my legal career.) Finally, assume Gran-Paw’s estate has been probated; and the Court has declared all of the parties named above as equal owners with two grand-children having their deceased parent’s one-fifth interest. The obvious questions are who gets what and how does a family divide such? What if all five interests want their share out by the highway and none of them want the old, run-down farmhouse? Finally, let’s assume that none of them can agree as to who gets what property of the 150 acres plus the house. What does one do to resolve the impasse? The answer is that any one of the family members may file a partition suit in the county where Gran-Paw lived. What is a partition suit? The legal definition is “a division of real property (or Page 28 { April 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous

personal property) between co-owners, resulting in individual ownership of the interest of each.” In Mississippi, a Chancery Court has the power to partite the property in sale (meaning it is all sold at the Courthouse steps, dividing the money) or to partite in kind (meaning to give each co-owner a pro-rata share of the land itself). In Mississippi, a Chancellor has some leeway in deciding if he will split the property up and give each heir a similar amount of acreage or sale all or some of it and then split both the land and the money. The Court is statutorily bound to appoint commissioners (three uninterested citizens with knowledge in the area of real property, i.e. lawyers, realtors, or surveyors) to look at the particular case and advise the Judge what they think. (Their opinion is not binding on the Judge.) Let’s go back to our hypothetical of the 150 acres and the old farmhouse with the four direct heirs and two grandchildren. Who gets what? The Court is first bound to divide the land up if there is enough of it to be divided equitably. In our hypothetical, the Court very well may attempt to split the property, i.e. the thirty acres on the highway (the good); the seventy acres of rough hill land (the bad); and the fifty acres of swamp land (the ugly) as evenly among all five interests as can be done. As I’ve said, the two grandchildren will have to split their parent’s one-fifth interest. In all probability, the Court could order the house be sold with a small amount of

acreage around it and the resulting money be divided five ways. That is just one way the Chancellor could do it. On the other hand, he could decide the fifty acres of swamp land needs to be sold, since no one wanted it, and then he could divide the remaining 100 acres five ways. The Court will try to divide the property as evenly and as equitably as possible among the five interests. After the Court has made a determination of the division, it then will employ a surveyor to survey out all of the shares among the five interests. At that point, each of the five parties gets to draw from a hat as to what track he or she will get. The law tries to favor partition in kind (division) wherever possible, and this is what most Courts try to do as well. However, sometimes it is not feasibly possible to divide the property in kind; therefore, the property is sold with the proceeds split equally. My Take: Partition lawsuits, no matter how much land is involved, can become very expensive, especially when all co-owners disagree and want the choice piece of property for themselves. There are attorneys’ fees, commissioners’ fees, and surveying fees involved. Co-owners are well advised to consider Rodney King’s question: “Can’t we all just get along?” 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, Lewis, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.

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THE social SCENE mccomv, MS

Pike County Chamber of Commerce Open House

n March 6, 2014, the Pike County Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office moved to a new building and held an open house for the public. The Southwest Mississippi Art Guild furnished all the paintings for the art show that accompanied the open house.

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Linda Byrum Wallace and Joanna Anderson Catherine Sanders and Nancy Soyars Mary Ann Woodard-Ashley and Faye Hodges Bobby McDaniel and Gay Austin Gene Moak, Maureen Clark, Linda Byrum Wallace, and Jim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rourke 6 Pat Randall, Jim Alford, Nancy Soyars, and Libba Alford

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7 Sam Sanders, Whitney Rawlings, Jack Ryan, and John Shivers 8 Robbi Cox, Tammy Strickland, and Renae Smith 9 Carol Rawlings, Whitney Rawlings, Kelli Brock, and Nancy Brister 10 Pat Brumfield and Nancy Brister

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Hopping Around the Bunny Trail

It seems that every year is marked with several high points (holidays) that excite and engage people all over the world. In February, hearts are aflutter; in July, flags are flown from almost every surface; in October, pumpkins make their way onto porches and front steps; in December, Santa graces all chimneys; and in each spring, bunnies, eggs, and crosses pop up all over the place to remind others of Easter. In Wesson, Mississippi, Agnes and Buck Ratliff have a love for decorating for this bright and cheery season more than any one in the entire state. Filled with over three hundred bunnies, bedecked crosses, and colorful churches, Agnes Ratliff personally handcrafted each item’s design Page 34 { April 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous

photos by Agnes Ratliff

and form. With the help of her husband, Buck, she is able to put some of her yard art to work, such as the brightly colored Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. Located on Timberlake Road, the Ratliff house is a staple for most people of the area each Easter season. Ms. Ratliff attributes her love for making her classic yard art to her childhood and a love of drawing. The entire process for making each cut out is crafted by the Ratliffs. She cuts each out, prepares the surface with a sanding and coat of paint, and then the details are added to each character. “I like to give each of the bunnies and characters a personality rather than just a coat of paint,” she shared. “After the base coat is added, I begin

to draw the clothes and the facial features. After that is complete, the painting of the bunnies or whatever item I am making commences. I always say that this is when the bunnies begin to come to life. They have a life of their own.” After the pieces are ready to go, they are arranged in the yard in displays, which include carloads of bunnies, tea parties brimming with rabbits, and even Jesus ascending into heaven. Each display has a white-picket fence added and silk flowers arranged in each individual display. For the Ratliffs, the bunny making and decorating does not seem to be slowing down. Each year, new additions are made to accompany the many pieces in the collection. “I am working on several items at this time. They will be cute little wooden bunnies. One is peeping out of an Easter egg. Then, the other set up is of several bunnies peeping over a fence,” Ms. Ratliff explained. “I still have not quite decided on the third, but I will add another for this season.” For the past twenty years, the amount of bunnies has continued to multiply as Ms. Ratliff’s imagination has continued to grow when it comes to cartooning. “As long as children come to see it,” she added, “I’ll continue to put them out each year.” Each young guest that visits the Ratliffs’ “Easter-land” gets to go home with his or her very own favor in the form of a small Easter Bluffs & Bayous { April 2014 { Page 35

basket filled with treasures, such as candy and a book of Easter themed stickers. “We like to tell them that the Easter Bunny will bring them a bigger one once Easter gets here,” Ms. Ratliff shared. Over the years, the Ratliffs have noticed several people and some entire families returning to their yard to take photographs and visit the bunnies. “Some of the children that have been here in the past are now bringing their children; and yes, families always take pictures of their children. Some like to come on Easter Sunday when their children have on their Easter finery, and many do come for family pictures,” she added. So, hop on over to Wesson, Mississippi, to check out an array of Easter goodness that is sure to put a smile on your face and a pep in your step just in time for the season! Page 36 { April 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous

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An Egg-Static Easter Quest

n March 23, 2013, a festive Easter egg hunt was held in honor of Natchez’s Pilgrimage Garden Club Pages, Mamie Sandel and Hayden Page Seal. Amongst the grandeur of the home of Catherine and Everette Ratcliffe, Routhland, children spent the day searching high and low for the colorful vessels holding the season’s finest delicacies and candies. Photos by Meg O’Beirne Payment and Valerie Ogden Seal Page 40 { April 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous

A festive tabletop spread offered the perfect picnic fair for this Easter Egg Hunt.

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(From left to right) Front— Anna Fair Barbour, Sinnott Bland, Dylan Bailey, Jag Gilfore, Hayden Page Seal, and Tatum Brumfield; back—Liza Gregg, Mamie Sandel, Sarah Grace Stewart, Cooper Brumfield, and Ramsey Sandel

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Springtime Hats.... Fashion to Top Off the Season Story & Photos by Cheryl Rinehart

We all know this tune:

“In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade. I’ll be all in clover and when they look you over, I’ll be the proudest fellow in the Easter Parade. On the avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us, And you’ll find that you’re in the rotogravure Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet, And of the girl I’m taking to the Easter Parade.”

he “Easter Parade” song was introduced into popular culture by Irving Berlin who published its melody and lyrics in 1933. It celebrates New York City’s Easter Parade, a festive promenade of ladies and gents in their Easter fashions and finery that made their way down Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. An American musical film Easter Parade, starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, featured this song and made it famous. Today, many Easter parades and festivals appear throughout the country, some associated with various religious Easter

celebrations, some focused on private social gatherings with ladies’ creating their own Easter bonnets, and others enlivened with Best Bonnet Contests. Another tradition of ladies’ designing and donning intricate, seasonal hats occurs with the Knights of Revelry Krewe, established in 1874; it is the third oldest mystic society in Mobile, Alabama. During Mardi Gras and following their daytime parade, members of the KOR host an afternoon reception where the ladies sashay in spring suits or dresses to showcase their fabulous hats.

Hats, of course, are synonymous with the Kentucky Derby. Where “dress to impress” is the game ticket for the fastest two minutes in sports, elaborate hats bring good luck (or so says superstition) on Derby Day. “Wearing a hat is like wearing a costume; it surprises the wearer and boosts the individual’s personality,” stated Ginger Hyland. On Franklin Street in downtown Natchez, Mississippi, Hyland’s hat display embellishes her windows at The Tower’s Gift Shop, mixing spring hues with dramatic flair that offers classy, fashionable styles for every personality. Bluffs & Bayous { April 2014 { Page 45

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Hats are available in all colors, sizes and shapes that capture and enhance the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personality.

Contemporary hats fit the bill for every personality. Bluffs & Bayous { April 2014 { Page 47

Fasinators are also aplenty for an interesting take on the spring bonnets.

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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 50 { {April April2014 2014{{ 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 Page 51 51 Bluffs & Bayous{{April April2014 2014{ { Page

THE social SCENE mccomb, MS

Meet the Baby

n February 16, 2014, Bluffs & Bayous photographer, Elise Parker, traded holding her camera for her daughter at a “Meet the Baby” celebration, which introduced her newest addition, Honora Cady Parker, to friends and family. Honora Cady is Elise’s fifth child and second daughter. Friends and family from Mississippi and Louisiana enjoyed holding the new baby, sharing cake and fruit, and praying over the baby in a dedication led by Mrs. Pat Holifield. The shower was held at the Historic Brentwood House in McComb, Mississippi, and was hosted by the ladies of Covenant Family Church. Pictures by Reflections Photography by Amanda Smith

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Elise and Honora Cady Parker Lori Keller and Honora Cady Parker Martha Hennessey and Honora Cady Parker Leslie Hoffstadt Honora Cady Parker and Peggy Sharpe Samantha Clark and Kim Shepherd Melissa Ragazzi, Elise Parker, Pat Holifield, Honora Cady Parker, and Ellen Parker 8 Kortney Hebert, Caitlyn Cook, and Samantha Clark

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9 Sarah Holifield 10 Pat Holifield and Honora Cady Parker 11 Caroline Ingram, Maggie Parker Ingram, Honora Cady Parker, and Wylene Parker 12 Betsy Harrell, Elise Parker, and Honora Cady Parker 13 Kim and Zoe Alford

13 14 Back—Tonya Ellis, Lola Holifield, Samantha Clark, and Jenny Miller; middle—Pat Holifield, Debbie Watkins, and Amy McCarty; front—Kortney Hebert, Kim Shepherd, Elise Parker, Honora Cady Parker, and Wanda Hebert

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THE social SCENE natchez, MS

Krewe of Killarney Dinner, Silent Auction, and Parade

embers of the Krewe of Killarney held their annual St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day dinner and silent auction on the evening of Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Elks Club in Natchez, Mississippi. Members toasted the 2014 St. Patrick, Pat Burns, who marched down Main Street on St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day and chased the snakes into the Mississippi River.

1 2 3 4

Kathy and Melton King Darren Cowart Judy Bartley and Corky Vess Sheriff Chuck Mayfield and Judge Charlie Vess 5 An Irish Reveler

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Joe Garriety, Pat Burns, Charlie Blaney, and Belinda Garrity 7 Pat and Cindy Galloway 8 Mike Thompson, Father David Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, Sheriff Chuck Mayfield, and Pat McDonough 9 Kathy King, Francey Killian, and Melton King 10 Charlie Blaney

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SOUTHERN SAMPLER

story by Alma M. Womack

Thawing Into Spring

e submit our articles to Bluffs & Bayous a month in advance. While this April issue is to be on the homes and gardens of springtime, here on Smithland Plantation, I am still recovering from the February ice storm. This storm came, and it stayed for two days and decimated one of the live oak trees in my yard. I do not use the term lightly, for limbs are still everywhere as I sit here at the computer. The largest tree was the hardest hit and lost a number of limbs—one of them was very large. That one fell on my beloved blue swing, smashed it to smithereens, and opened up a gap overhead that had provided shade for the swing in the hot July and August sun. Oh, we’ll get it cleaned up eventually; and I’ll be able to see what was crushed underneath. My house and the pool house escaped without any damage at all; and for that, I am thankful. I figure if I live to be ninety-five, I’ll see the decimated live oak looking pretty normal again. This winter has really done a number on my yard; there are dead plants everywhere. I have decided that most will not be replaced since there was an overabundance anyway. The blue pots collected through the years will remain and be replanted, but the others are history. Maybe I’ll feel differently once the true spring is here, and the nurseries are laden with blooming beauties. Right now, I do doubt it. Except for snow and ice storms, we had a relatively quiet winter. I know that I burned more wood this year than I have in previous years, which just about eliminated the woodpile stored under the mule barn. The wood is always cut in the summer, giving it time to dry down before fireplace season begins. Dry wood is easier to pack and easier to burn, which is a double blessing. There Page 56 { April 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous

will need to be a good bit cut this year for there will be nothing left to build on. I am most thankful that I am not the one to cut it, but I greatly appreciate those who do the work. When the barn painters came through last fall, we had a few buildings that required a fresh coat of paint on the walls and roofs. It was time to paint the roof of the old mule barn again; but before it was painted, Jorie and I decided to let the painters paint the old barn red. They did, and it looks amazing standing there in all its redness. It is very noticeable driving down the highway, down my lane, onto the turning rows, and on the levee; it looks like the center point of all the sheds. This barn was built in the early ‘50s by Buster’s dad, Grover Womack, back when there were many mule teams on Smithland. There were feed troughs, storage areas on two floors, and a big lot that corralled the mules at night. The barn was made of cypress— the most logical wood for our climate. In the ‘60s, Buster added a room on the side to store corn for the cattle that used to be here. Now, we have no corn and no cattle; so the room is for storage. The lumber used on this room was also cypress that was sawed on a small sawmill that used to be across the road from the equipment sheds. I can remember watching the men load and saw the logs and can recall hearing the racket that the saw blade made. Quite a bit of lumber came from that little mill, and it was used all around the place. Two decades later, some of the boards from the side of the corn room were used by Mr. Otis Coleman to make a worktable for our kitchen. Buster fussed about us tearing up his barn, and Mr. Otis was a bit uneasy about removing the boards, but I encouraged him to take them anyway. He built a beautiful, rustic table that I will

treasure always; and he replaced the taken boards on the barn with some of the old stored cypress. So, it worked out just right. That little table has been the place to make biscuits in Ms. Eunice’s (Buster’s mom) old dough bowl and the place where homework was done, where quilts have been cut out, and where we ate when it was just us here. Now, a third generation is sitting at the table enjoying good food and family time; and I have silently thanked Mr. Otis many times for his skill in putting these cypress boards together to make a table for our family. This will be our first spring without Buster, but Jorie is ready to take up the reins left by her dad. They both share a love of the land and a love of farming, and she has been well trained to accept the responsibility of managing a place this size. The crew that works here are all good men who know farming, and they will help her along with this major change in all of our lives. She already knows that the weather and market prices are beyond anyone’s control, and you just do the best that you can and hope for help from the uncontrollables. Besides a good crew, we also have a top-notch crop consultant in Tim White and a knowledgeable chemical advisor in Paul Lazarus. The crews at Goldman Equipment and Scott Equipment are excellent men in their field; so when repairs are needed, we have the best to help out. Ronnie Hill will still take care of the cotton pickers as he has for some years, so the operation of Smithland will go on as before. This year, Woodrow will be six; and I’m certain that he plans to have a major role in the crop production. He rides with the men in all stages of getting a crop in and harvested, so he knows what’s going on at all times. I can just see him explaining to his mama that he is just about old enough to drive a tractor by himself. He’s not, of course; but that doesn’t affect his thinking one bit. For now, he’ll just have to ride and advise—his specialty. Just as Jorie did at that age, he will be absorbing the knowledge that it takes to run a place; and what he learns now will help him in later years when it is his turn to make the decisions. Maybe by the time Woodrow is the boss, my oak tree will look decent again. Columnist Alma Womack lives on Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana. In addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she is the keeper of the lawn, the lane and the pecan orchard at Smithland.

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THE social SCENE natchez, MS

Natchez Garden Club Page Party and Easter Egg Hunt

n March 14, 2014, at the home of Leah and Billy Ulmer in Natchez, Mississippi, an Easter Egg Hunt was held in honor of Natchez Garden Club page, Faith Ann Johnson. Guests enjoyed a springtime event filled with treasures and goodies galore.

1 First row—Jack Moffett, Anna Leigh Jordan, Sophia Killelea, Harper Carter, Reagan Rabb, Colten Rabb, Owen Jordan, Tamihana Starr, Penny Starr, Faith Anne Johnson, Ella Skates, and Brady Bubrig; second row—Matthew Starr, Nella Gardner, Olivia Edgin, and Claire Ulmer; third row— Sasannah Southern, Sarah Bryan, Savannah Vance, Madison Chandler, Mary Catherine Wilkerson, and Katie Steele; forth row— Avery Middleton, Russell Goodman, and Rudy Lazarus 2 Avery Middleton, Russell Goodman, Leah Ulmer, Dee White, Lee White, Susannah Southern, and Billy Ulmer 3 April Hand, Tammy Gardner, Edie Christian, Leah Ulmer, Kelly Pugh, and Marla Farmer 4 Penny Starr, Faith Anne Johnson, Claire Ulmer, Nella Gardner, Olivia Edgin, Reagan Rabb, and Harper Carter 5 Brady Bubrig, Jack Moffett, Matthew Starr, Owen Jordan, Harper Carter, Colten Rabb, Penny Starr, and Tamihana Starr

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6 7 8 9

10 11 12

Leah Ulmer and Josh Wilkerson Faith Anne Johnson and Ella Skates Faith Anne and Chretia Johnson Queen Madison Chandler and King Rudy Lazarus Kelly Pugh and Chretia Johnson John Davis and Mary Catherine Wilkerson Madison Chandler, Katie Steele, Sarah Bryan, Mary Catherine Wilkerson, Savannah Vance, and Sasannah Southern Faith Anne Johnson

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THE social SCENE natchez, MS

Brunch Honoring Queen Rosalie XXXII

brunch was hosted in honor of Krewe of Phoenix Queen Rosalie XXXII, Cheryl Rinehart, Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Hechler Hall in Natchez, Mississippi. The festive brunch was hosted by Eileen and John Ball, Teresa and Emmett Burns, Andree and Joe Gamberi, Beverly Jenkins, Melanie and Rick Kennedy, Kitty and David Bray, Penny and Rod Daggett, Amanda and Benny Jeansonne, Becky and Jerry Junkin, Karen and Biff Partridge, and Donna and Tim Sessions. Along with special family and friends, the 2014 Royalty Dukes and Duchesses and the Board of Directors also joined the Mardi Gras Brunch. 1 Donna Sessions, Beverly Jenkins, Becky Junkin, Cheryl Rinehart, Andree Gamberi, and Penny Daggett 2 Cheryl Rinehart and Robert Paradise 3 Walt Wilson and Joel Lessley 4 Mary Ann Foggo-Eidt and Renee Cantu 5 Amanda Wingfield and Penny Daggett 6 Matthew and Lizzie Hall with Jordan Farmer 7 Amanda Wingfield, Chris McGiveran, Dana McGiveran, and Ann Paradise 8 Ron and Kay Jenkins, Ronnie Harris, and George and Peggy Murray 9 Robert and Ann Paradise with Kaye Harris

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10 Mark and Jessica Carter 11 Jennifer Smith, Lisa Wilson, and Gloria Neames 12 Joel and Jennifer Lessley

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premier events APRIL Through April 5 Historic Natchez Tableaux Natchez, MS Step back in time each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening and experience a time- honored Natchez tradition, which displays the history of this unique river town. See the depiction of Natchez pas through an all- local cast that mixes history, music, and dance of the Pre-Civil War Natchez. Showtime begins at 8 pm each night. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours or by calling (601)446.6742 or (800)647.6742. Through April 8 Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Natchez, MS Take a scroll through the twenty-seven antebellum mansions that Natchez has to offer during this year’s Spring Pilgrimage. Your tour will consist of friendly tour guides dressed in period outfits and stories of the great history that makes up Natchez, Mississippi—The City Under the Hill. The tour includes the home Longwood, Rosalie, Stanton Hall, Hawthorne, Elms Court, Twin Oaks, Magnolia Hall, and much more. For more information about times, ticket prices, etc., please visit www.natchezpilgrimage.com or call (601)446.6631. Tapestry: The Pilgrimage to Vicksburg April 3 - 26 Vicksburg, MS Experience the rich Tapestry of Vicksburg life. Explore the fabric of Vicksburg society with tours of historic homes and hallways. Enjoy interpretive presentations of Vicksburg’s history that bring to life the heritage and culture of this remarkable river city. Thirteen of Vicksburg’s most historic properties will tell their stories from antebellum grandeur to the Siege of Vicksburg to the turn of the 20th Century. Together these stories weave the Tapestry of who we are today. Ticket prices for Tapestry 2014 events are $30 for three presentations and $15 for single presentations. Tickets are available at each venue and at the Vicksburg Visitor Information Center, 52 Hwy 27 (located across the street from the entrance to the Vicksburg National Military Park), (601)636-9421 or (800)2213536. www.visitvicksburg.com

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APRIL

premier events April 25 - 26 Riverfest Music & Arts Festival Vicksburg, MS The 27th annual RiverFest featuring live music as well as free Saturday daytime activities is from 6 pm to midnight. Gates for nightly events open at 6 pm and admission is $10. Saturday’s daytime activities start at 8 am at the FiverFest Arts & Crafts Show around City Hall. The live music includes Street Sweep, Ben Shaw Band, The Chill, Pizza Punk, Jenny Jenny, Miles Flatt, Projekt Blues Band, Ashley Proctor, and much much more. Other activities include street performers, children’s activities, food booths, and fabulous side-walk sales with participating downtown merchants. For more information, please visit www.riverfestms.com.

April 27 Serenade in the Cemetery 2014 Natchez, MS The Natchez City Cemetery Association will present the third annual Serenade in the Cemetery from 1:30 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Enjoy an afternoon of musical and dramatic entertainment with complimentary refreshments while strolling through the park-like landscape of our city’s historic cemetery located at 2 Cemetery Road. Cemetery gates open at 1:30; musical and character presentations begin at 2:00. Cemetery “residents” whose stories will be shared include former cemetery superintendent C. W. Vincent, Jane Johnson of Melrose, and the Balfour family of Homewood. Dub Rogers and Sally Durkin will also be on hand to talk about “Get On Up,” the forthcoming James Brown biopic, much of which was filmed in Natchez. Musicians during the event are Terry Trovato and piper Darin Parkhill; Father Walton and the Funky Friars; violinist David Troutman and flautist Debbie Hudson; and harpist Merisha Gore and flautist Robin Rutherford. A dowsing demonstration by local historian Don Estes and storyteller Joan McLemore will talk about Victorian customs and cemetery symbolism. Floral arrangements by John Grady Burns will be on display throughout the cemetery. A new feature of this year’s Serenade is a photography competition showcasing photos of the Natchez City Cemetery. Contest photographs will be on display from 1:30 to 5:00 pm, Sunday, April 27, 2014, in the cemetery’s historic Shelter House. Deadline for contest entries is Friday, April 18, 2014, at 5:00 pm. For registration forms and rules, stop by Kimbrell Office Supply, 520 Main St., Natchez, or Mrs. Holder’s Antiques, 636 Franklin St., Natchez, or email natchezcemeteryphoto@yahoo.com. Information is also available online at www.natchezcemetery.com. Parking for Serenade will be available at the Natchez Little Theater parking lot at 319 Linton Avenue with free shuttle service to the cemetery. Limited parking will also be available at the cemetery. Tickets, $15, are available at the Natchez Visitor Center, 640 S. Canal Street (601)446-6345; (800)647-6724, or at the cemetery gate on the day of the event. May 3 Kitchen and Garden Tour Natchez, MS The Natchez Garden Club is hosting the third annual Spring Home and Garden Tour, which will be featuring kitchens and gardens this year. This year’s tour will showcase four unique kitchens and the gardens offering historic, traditional, and modern modes of southern living. Outside scapes to these homes will display these home’s patios, courtyards and gardens as well. Kitchens and gardens included are the homes of Guy and Lou Ellen Stout, 415 South Commerce Street; Marc and Chesney Doyle, 704 State Street; Becky and Kevin Wilson, 305 Creek Bend Road; and Adlai and Sue Pate, 3 Bingaman Lane. Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased in advance at the Natchez Garden Club office on the grounds of Magnolia Hall, 215 South Pearl Street, (601)443-9065 or at the door on the day of the tour at all tour homes. Chairman for the event are Missy Brown, Eileen Ball, Lynn Janette, and Michelle Skates.

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May 3 - 23 Natchez Festival of Music Natchez, MS The 2014 Natchez Festival of Music season will kick off the month on May 3 with the Red Carpet reception at the Historic Natchez Foundation at 5:30. Directed by Jay Dean, the month is filled with music from Jonathan Levin, Jerome Kern, tributes to The Beatles, and Leontyne Price. Experience the rich culture of Natchez through this festival. Visiting various locations such as Twin Oaks, The Eola Hotel, The Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center, Magnolia Bluffs Casino, and much more! For a complete schedule of events, and ticket prices visit www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com or call (601)446-6631.

up & coming! APRIL Through May 3 Student Invitational Art Exhibition Belhaven University Jackson, MS 1500 Peachtree St. 8 am – 5pm (601)968-5940 Through April 5 Historic Natchez Tableaux Natchez City Auditorium Natchez, MS 100 Jefferson St. 8 pm / Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat Admission $15 adults $7 children & students / President’s Box $30 (800)467-6742 / visit@natchezpilgrimage.com Through April 6 Southern Exposure Natchez Little Theatre Natchez, MS 319 Linton Ave 7:30 pm $15 admission (601)442-2233 / natchez@bellsouth.net Through April 8 2014 Spring Pilgrimage Various Historic Homes Natchez, MS Morning tours 9 am – 12 pm Afternoon tours 1:30 – 5 pm (601)446-6631 / www.natchezpilgrimage.com Through April 30 Lagniappe: A little Something Extra Mississippi Library Commission Jackson, MS 3881 Eastwood Dr. 8 am – 5 pm / Mon – Fri Free (601)432-4111 / gloriajw@mlc.lib.mis.us April 2 Ashton Lee Book Signing Lorelei Books Vicksburg, MS 1103 Washington St. 11 am – 1 pm (601)634-8624 / www.loreleibooks.com April 3 – 6 15th Annual Crossroads Film Festival Malco Grandview Theater Madison, MS 221 Grandview Rd. (601)345-5674 info@crossroadsfilmfestival.com www.crossroadsfilmfestival.com April 3 – 26 Tapestry: The Pilgrimage to Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS Various Vicksburg Locations (601)639-9421 / (800)221-3536 www.visitvicksburg.com

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APRIL

up & coming!

April 4 – 5 & 11 – 13 Gold in the Hills Parkside Playhouse Vicksburg, Ms 101 Iowa Ave. 7:30 pm $10 Adults, Seniors, & Student $5 children 12 under (601)636-0471 www.vicksburgtheatreguild.com April 4 – 5 Mr. Sipp Ameristar Bottle Neck Blues Bar Vicksburg, MS 4116 Washington St. 9 pm – 1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com www.ameristar.com/vicksburg April 4 – 6 & 11 – 13 The Great Gatsby Westside Theatre Foundation Strand Theatre Vicksburg, MS 717 Clay Street www.westsidetheatrefoundation.com (601)618-9349 April 5 UMC Community Wide Garage Sale Jefferson St. Natchez, MS 511 Jefferson St. 7 am – 4 am Carol Smith / (601)446-7365 April 5 Hub City Classic Soul Concert Forrest County Multipurpose Center Hattiesburg, MS 962 Sullivan Dr. 6 pm Admission $40 – $60 www.forrestcountycenter.com April 5 Baton Rouge Arts Market Laurel St. Baton Rouge, LA Laurel St. 8 am – noon www.artsbr.og April 5 Family Art Class Alexandria Museum of Art Alexandria, LA 933 Second St. 1 – 3 pm Free for members $20 per family for non-members (318)443-3458 / cindy@themuseum.org www.themuseum.org

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up & coming! APRIL April 5 Duff Green Mansion Ghost Hunt Duff Green Mansion Vicksburg, MS 1114 First East St. 8 pm $60 admission (601)636-6968 / www.duffgreenmansion.com April 5 – 6 Snow White Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge, LA 275 S. River Rd. Sat. 7 pm / Sun 2 pm (225)766-8379 Baton_Rouge_Ballet_Theater@mail.vresp.com April 5 – 6 The Metropolitan Ballet: The Little Mermaid Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center Jackson, MS 4908 Ridgewood Rd. 2 pm / $16 – $22 admission www.msmetroballet.com April 6 The Metropolitan Ballet Little Mermaid Tea Party Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center Jackson, MS 4908 Ridgewood Rd. 4 pm / $20 www.msmetroballet.com April 6 Harlem Renaissance: The Music and Rhythms that Started a Revolution West Baton Rouge Museum Baton Rouge, LA 845 N. Jefferson Ave. 2:30 pm (225)389-7210 April 6 Baroque by Candlelight Main Street United Methodist Church Hattiesburg, MS 712 N. Main St. 5 pm / Free www.hattiesburg.org April 10 – 12 Spring Dance Productions Belhaven University Jackson, MS 1500 Peachtree St. Thurs. 11 am / Fri. 7:30pm Sat. 2 pm & 7:30 pm $10 General Admission / $5 seniors (601)968-5940

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APRIL

up & coming!

April 10 – 13 And Then There Were None Pike County Little Theatre McComb, MS 206 State Street Fri. & Sat. – 7:30 pm Sun. – 2:30 pm $12 General Admission (601)310-4933 / Pdt2012@yahoo.com April 11 WCU Theatre All My Sons William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS 498 Tuscan Ave Admission: $10 adults / $5 students (601)318-6221 / www.hattiesburg.org April 11 Sketches of Spain Gala Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 380 S. Lamar St. 8:30 pm $100 admission (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.com April 11 Bayou Country Jam Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge, LA 275 S. River Rd. 8 – 11 pm (225)389-3030 / www.brrivercent.com April 11 Lady L & Rhythm Blues Ameristar Bottleneck Blues Bar Vicksburg, MS 4116 Washington St. 9 pm -1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com April 11 The Chorale Spring Concert Mississippi School of the Arts Brookhaven, MS 308 W. Cherokee St. 7:30 pm www.msa.k12.ms.us April 11 Cystic Fibrous Golf Tournament Fernwood Country Club McComb, MS 2023 Country Club Rd. 9 am $500 entrance fee / 4-man scramble Shelia Conn / (601)249-3885 April 11 – 12 8th Annual Creative Arts Festival Jackson University Jackson, MS 1400 John R. Lynch St. (601)979-3935 / robert.luckett@jsums.edu

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up & coming! APRIL April 11 – 12 Flower Show Exhibit Hall & Plant Sale Marriott Hotel Baton Rouge, LA 5500 Hilton Ave. Fri. 9 am – 5 pm / Sat. 10:30 am – 5 pm remcmeel@bellsouth.net/ www.DAVS.org April 11 – 13 Spring Market “Boutique Shopping at its Finest” Mississippi Trade Mart Jackson, MS 1200 Mississippi St. Fri. 9am – 9pm / Sat. 9 am – 6 pm Sun 11 am – 5 pm $8 day pass /$15 3-day pass www.themarketshows.com

April 12 Craft Beer Festival Historic Train Depot Hattiesburg, MS 308 Newman St. 1 – 5 pm $30 general admission / $60 VIP www.hattiesburgcraftbeerfest.com

April 12 Arts, Eats & Beats Historic Fondren District Jackson, MS Historic Fondren District 5 – 10 pm / Free www.visitjackson.com

April 11 - 12, 18 - 19, & 25 - 36 Spring Plant Sale Raymond, MS Fri 8 am - 6 pm / Sat 8 am - 4 pm 12600 Hwy. 18 Matha Hill / mghill@hindscc.edu April 12 BRBT Fundraiser Block Party – Dancin’ in the Streets Perkins Rowe Great Hall Baton Rouge, LA Perkins Rowe 7 – 10 pm $35 / $45 at door (225)766-8379 / www.batonrougeballet.org April 12 Baton Rouge Blues Festival North Blvd. Town Square Baton Rouge, LA 200 North Blvd. 12 – 8 pm Free www.batonrougebluesfestival.org April 12 Friends of the Library Fundraiser Reception Ole Towne Church Brookhaven, MS 220 South Jackson St. 6 pm / $20 admission Pam Womack / (601)320-4304 April 12 Juke Joint Festival Downtown Clarksdale Clarksdale, MS Music / Food / 5-K & 8-K www.jukejointfestival.com April 12 CrossTie Arts & Jazz Festival Bolivar County Courthouse Cleveland, MS Fine Arts / Music / 5-K Deborah Cox / (662)719-0512 www.crosstie-arts.org

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APRIL

up & coming!

April 12 15th Annual Race for a Cure Old Capitol War Memorial Jackson, MS 100 S. State St. 8 – 11 am www.domencentralms.org April 12 Second Saturday Main Street Natchez, MS Main Street 6 – 8 pm (601)442-2929 / downtown@natchez.org April 12 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Memorial Park Natchez, MS South Union St. 11 am Children ages 2 – 9 (601)442-2929 / downtown@natchez.org April 12 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Outlets at Vicksburg Vicksburg, MS 4000 South Frontage Rd. 9 – 11 am (601)636-7434 / www.outletsvicksburg.com April 12 Shadows of the Past Vicksburg National Military Park Vicksburg, MS 3201 Clay St. 7 pm / Free (601)636-0583 / www.nps.gov/vick April 12 34th Annual Alcorn University Jazz Festival Vicksburg Convention Center Vicksburg, MS 1600 Mulberry St. 9 am / Free (601)630-2929 / www.alcorn.edu/jazzfes www.vicksburgccevents.com April 12 Vicksburg Catholic School Alumni Football Game Vicksburg Catholic School Stadium Vicksburg, MS 1900 Grove St. 7 pm / $10 admission (601)630-9762 / www.vicksburgcatholic.org April 12 21st Annual Civil War Show Battlefield Inn Vicksburg, MS 4137 I-20 North Frontage Rd. 9 am / $2 admission (601)878-8196

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up & coming! APRIL April 12 Lightning Round Sporting Clay Shoot Kearney Park Shooting Reserve Vicksburg, MS 151 Ergon Rd. $100 per shooter / $600 per team (601)529-7432 April 13 Vicksburg Orchestral Society Spring Concert Vicksburg Theatre Guild Vicksburg, MS 101 Iowa Blvd. 4 pm (601)636-0542 April 13 2nd Annual South City Records Music Festival Keg & Barrel Hattiesburg, MS 1315 Hardy St. 3 – 8 pm www.visithattie.com April 15 Managing Diabetes: The Next Step Natchez Regional Hospital Natchez, MS Cypress Room 1st Floor 5:30 pm Kim McDaniel / (601)443-2442 April 15 Wendelin Van Draanen & Mark Huntley Parsons Book Signing Lorelei Books Vicksburg, MS 1103 Washington St. 7 pm (601)634-8624 / www.loreleilbooks.com

April 17 Concordia Parish Golf Scramble Panola Woods Golf Course Vidalia, LA 266 Country Club Rd. 11:30 am $240 per team (318)336-8223

April 19 Easter Egg Hunt & Parade Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum Jackson, MS 1150 Lakeland Dr. 9 am – 4 pm (601)713-3365

April 17 Screen on the Green Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 380 S. Lamar St. 5:30 pm Free (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.com

April 19 7th Annual Fill Your Heart & Kick Cancer with CJ Felder UMC Summit, MS 1061 Campground Circle 6:30 am (registration) Tara Hennington / (601)341-9933 www.msracetiming.com

April 17-18 USM Theatre’s The Tempest Tatum Theatre Hattiesburg, MS 118 College Dr. 7:30 pm (601)226-1000 / www.usm.edu/theatre

April 23, 24, 26, & 27 The Skin of Our Teeth A Dinner Theatre Jefferson Street United Methodist Church Natchez, MS 511 Jefferson St. Wed & Thurs 6 pm / Sat & Sun 7 pm $16 Adult / $12 Student $5 Children (dinner included) Rachel Benoit / (601)597-6797 rbenoit21@ymail.com

April 18 – 19 John Nemeth Ameristar Bottleneck Blues Bar Vicksburg, MS 4116 Washington St. 9 pm -1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com www.ameristar.com/vicksburg

April 24 United Way Day of Caring Vicksburg Mall Vicksburg, MS 3505 Pemberton Square Blvd. 8 am (601)636-1733 / www.vicksburgmall.com

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APRIL

up & coming!

April 24 Downtown Jazz Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 380 S. Lamar St. 7 – 9 pm $5 (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org April 24 Middleton’s School of Dance Spring Recital City Auditorium Natchez, MS 207 Jefferson St. 7 pm / $5 – $7 admission (601)443-1554

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April 24 Mississippi Museum of Art: After Hours Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 380 S. Lamar St. 5:30 – 7:30 pm (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org

April 24 – 26 Spring Dance Concert Mississippi School of the Arts Brookhaven, MS 308 W. Cherokee St. 7 pm (601)823-1300 / www.msa.k12.ms.us

April 24 – 25 Garden Club of Jackson House & Garden Tour Jackson, MS Various locations 9 am – 3 pm $20 admission www.gardenclubofjackson.com

April 25 Relay for Life Wilk-Amite County MS American Cancer Society Liberty, MS Registration 5 pm Survivor Reception 5:30 pm Jeanne Williams / (601)810-3598

up & coming! APRIL April 25 – 26 Riverfest Music & Arts Festival City Hall Area Vicksburg, MS Historic Washington St. 8am – midnight $10 admission (601)634-4527 / www.riverfestms.com

April 26 RiverStock Natchez, MS Corner of Broadway & High St. 9 am Carnival/Flea Market/Food/Music Entry Fee includes day-long event www.riverstockfest.com

April 25 – 26 Natchez Bluff Blues Festival Bluff Park Natchez, MS 101 S. Broadway St. www.visitnatchez.com

April 26 Old Court House Flea Market Old Court House Museum Vicksburg, MS 1008 Cherry St. 8 am – 5 pm (601)636-0741 / www.oldcourthouse.org

April 26 10th Annual Bluz Cruz Canoe & Kayak Race Madison Parish Port Vicksburg, MS 1108 Levee St. 8 am / $45 ACA members $55 non members Wayne Pratt / (601)415-4615 bluzcruzms@gmail.com April 26 Lynch Street Cultural Arts Festival Lynch St. Jackson, MS Lynch St. Noon www.visitjackson.com

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APRIL April 26 Great Migration Tour & Lunch West Baton Rouge Museum of Art Baton Rouge, LA 9 am – 3 pm $20 admission (225)389-7210 April 26 – 27 Angola Prison Spring Rodeo & Craft Show Angola State Prison Angola, LA 9am – 2 pm (225)655-2030 / www.angolarodeo.com April 27 Serenade in the Cemetery Natchez City Cemetery Natchez, MS 2 Cemetery Rd. 1 – 5 pm $15 admission (800)647-67724 April 28 Senior Literary Showcase Mississippi School of the Arts Brookhaven, MS 308 W. Cherokee St. 6 pm (601)823-1300 / www.msa.k12.ms.us

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up & coming!

April 28 Auditions for Schoolhouse Rock Live Pike County Little Theatre McComb, Ms 206 State Street 6:30 pm (601)310-4933 / Pdt2012@yahoo.com April 29 The Historic Journey of African American Quilters Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 380 S. Lamar St. 5:30 pm Free (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.com May 2 Relay for Life Adams Co. Miss-Lou Vidalia, LA 207 Front St. Riverfront 6 pm www.relayforlife.org

May 3 Kitchen and Garden Tour Natchez Garden Club Natchez, MS 9 am – 1 pm / $15 (601)443-9065 May 3 – 23 Natchez Music Festival Natchez, MS Various locations (601)446-6631 www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 10 – 11 Natchez Arts Festival Downtown on the Bluffs Natchez, MS 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Natchez2014@gmail.com www.natchezartsfestival.com

Be sure to confirm details of the events should changes have occurred since events were submitted.

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