Bluffs & Bayous May 2012 by Bluffs & Bayous Magazine

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From Your Publisher . . .

t appears that we are jumping into May feet first! March and April hosted whirlwind events, mild weather, and beautiful blooms with lush foliage. May beckons us with more festivals, celebrations, and graduations; and for many it marks the beginning of summer vacation. With thoughts of May’s approaching warmer weather, our focus this month centers around leisure living on the lake. We are richly blessed to be geographically placed by many lakes, and our seasonal lifestyle adapts to these man-made or nature-made bodies of water. Gathering family and friends to enjoy the recreational activities that these lakes afford—fishing, boating, skiing, lounging, sunning, and nature watching—we escape for a bit from a world of work and commitments that, with a nod to William Wordsworth, is often “too much with us”; and we immerse ourselves in the restorative, rejuvenating, and even inspirational power of nature. Our family has a place on Lake St. John near Ferriday, Louisiana, where my children have grown up enjoying the opportunities the lake has to offer. My mother and step-father spend most of their weekends there during the warmer months. My step-father, Joe Eidt, having revived his artistic talents, has begun painting again and has captured life on this

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lake, including pelicans, boats, piers, lake camps, and baptisms. His folk-art style lends itself to our Southern heritage. While working on this note to you, I thought of the painting he rendered of our of lake camp with its sprawling piers, boat house, and decks. Herewith, I share this painting as it reflects the comforts of shady cypress

trees offering cool sanctuary for respite and rest during the summer months, and rekindles our recollections of the sounds and smells of leisure living on the lakes in our life along and beyond the Mississippi.

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C o n t r i b u t o r s

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.

Columnist Mary Emrick is the owner of Turning Pages Books & More in Natchez, Mississippi.

Jennie Guido is a graduate of Delta State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Master’s Degree in English Education. She currently lives in the heart of the Delta in Cleveland, Mississippi, but she still calls Natchez home.

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

A Mass Communications graduate of Louisiana State University, JoAnna Sproles of Brookhaven, Mississippi, has more than 15 years of experience in managing public relations and contributing articles to newspapers and magazines.

Patricia Taylor is a Doctor of Naturopathy and a Consultant Medical Herbalist, having studied at the University of Wales and Clayton, Alabama. She is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists of Great Britain and a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Taylor has a practice in her hometown in England, and she and her husband John split their year between there and their home in Natchez, Mississippi.

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.

on the cover “We love our lakes’ sunrises and sunsets, those picturesque parentheses of dawn and dusk that enclose the celebrated leisure moments of days on the lake; and we bask in our lakes’ laid-back, nocturnal good fun, good fellowship, and good food that perfectly punctuate the passing of each evening.“ Photograph by Cheryl Rinehart

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publisher Cheryl Foggo Rinehart editors Jean Nosser Biglane Cheryl Foggo Rinehart graphic designers Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling media coordinator Adam Blackwell staff photographers Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker Cheryl Rinehart sales staff Susan Harris Jennifer Ratliff Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles intern Marlee Price

Adam Blackwell

Jean Biglane

Van O’Gwin

Elise D. Parker

Marlee Price

Jan Ratcliff

Cheryl Rinehart

Anita Schilling

Susan Harris

Jennifer Ratliff

Donna Sessions

JoAnna Sproles

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 info@bluffsbayous.com | editor@bluffsbayous.com sales@bluffsbayous.com www.bluffsbayous.com

May 2012 FEATURES Leisure Living........................................................................................... 24-27 Leisure Living at Lake Lincoln................................................................. 28-29

FAVORITES All Outdoors

Leisure Living pages 24 - 27

Gone with the Gin................................................................................... 16-17

Events May Premier Events................................................................................. 64-65 May Up & Coming!.................................................................................. 66-80

From the Stacks Fish and Seafood Fare for Summertime in the South........................... 10-13

In the Garden Gardening Possibilities with Mandevilla Vines........................................... 30 The Primrose (Primula vulgaris).............................................................. 34-37

Something Scrumptious Up Highway 61: Isabella Bed & Breakfast, Port Gibson, Mississippi........................................................................ 22-23

Southern Sampler The Pearl Girls.......................................................................................... 38-41 Love and Loss…and Life Ongoing.......................................................... 62-63

Leisure Living on Lake Lincoln pages 28 - 29

The SOCIAL Scene Osyka Civic Club Easter Egg Hunt 2012........................................................ 8 Brookhaven Academy Cougar Shuffle................................................... 14-15 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration................................................................... 18-19 BARL First Annual “Bark Fest”............................................................... 20-21 Chaney and Tidwell Engagement Celebration...................................... 44-45 Lonely Movie Premiere................................................................................ 46 Senator Bob M. Dearing Reception....................................................... 48-51 Natchez Garden Club King and Queen Honored with Parties............. 52-53 Parklane Academy Graduation Party..................................................... 58-59 PGC Royal Court Party............................................................................. 60-61 Surprise Proposal.......................................................................................... 81

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THE social SCENE | Osyka, MS | Osyka Civic Club Easter Egg Hunt 2012

Osyka Civic Club Easter Egg Hunt 2012 The Easter Bunny came to Osyka, Mississippi! On Saturday, March 30, at the home of President Kim Wall, the Osyka Civic Club held its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn decorated with butterflies and bunnies. At the end of each hunt, the children brought their baskets to their leader to count the eggs and to discover who found the Golden Egg. In the 3-to-4 age group, the winner with the most eggs was Eli Alexander, and the winner with the Golden Egg was Ethan Andrews. In the 5-to-6 age group, the winner with the most eggs was Bryanna Andrews, and the Golden Egg winner was Noah Gaitlin.

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Backâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Monica Smith with Trae Smith, Charlene Blade with Jake Smith, and Roseanne Needham Chloe and Brodie Carney Ethan Andrews Bryanna Andrews Eli Alexander Noah Gatlin

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From the Stacks

review by Mary Emrick

Fish and Seafood Fare for Summertime in the South Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC America’s Gulf Coast Favorites by Holly Clegg

olly Clegg is the author of the “trim&TERRIFIC” series of cookbooks. But do not be fooled by the word “trim” that in your mind may conjure the dreaded word “diet.” While Holly Clegg’s books are definitely trimmed of excess fats and carbohydrates, thus reducing the calories, her books are not intended for dieters but for all who desire a healthier life style. The “trim&TERRIFIC” series is remarkable, allowing people to enjoy healthy, lower-calorie recipes while maintaining the delicious flavors and satiety of favorite foods. You will find many of Clegg’s recipes familiar; and if you do a taste test with the non-“trim&TERRIFIC” counterpart, you will possibly enjoy Holly’s lower-calorie version more! All of Holly’s recipes are

test-kitchen perfected and palate pleasing. Gulf Coast Favorites: 30 minute recipes from my LOUISIANA KITCHEN by Holly Clegg is one book in Clegg’s series that I personally enjoy using. It is truly a book with “recipes that undoubtedly prove Louisiana and southern food can be good for you.” The book runs the traditional gamut with recipes divided into sections beginning with appetizers and ending with desserts. Going the extra mile to make Page 10 { May 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous

her cookbooks useful to all, she has included helpful additions. This cookbook will help you stock your pantry in order to be ready and able to cook your meals. She provides menus for the reader, alleviating the task of determining which recipes are complimentary when used together. She and her team, including registered dietitians, provide nutritional analysis and diabetic exchanges. Being a good businesswoman, Holly Clegg has made her cookbooks useful to all who are interested in a healthy lifestyle. Many of the pages include a helpful “Terrific Tidbit” in addition to the recipe. Also included are symbols indicating which recipes would be appropriate for vegetarians and which recipes are suitable to freeze. Holly Clegg also is the author of “trim&TERRIFIC” Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association and Eating Well Through Cancer. Clegg has sold 1 million copies of her books and has promoted her healthy lifestyle recipes on national shows including Fox and Friends, NBC Weekend Today, and The 700 Club. Her home is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For further information on Holly Clegg and her books, visit www. hollyclegg.com. Special Shrimp Scampi Dress up classic shrimp scampi in a light lemon sauce with the addition of avocado and cheese for a quick bundle of flavor. Serve over pasta, spaghetti squash, rice, or patty shells. Makes 4 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons chopped red onion 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley Dash Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste 1 pound medium peeled shrimp 3 tablespoons white wine 1/3 cup coarsely chopped avocado 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1. In large nonstick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, sauté garlic, red onion, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. 2. Add shrimp, continue cooking 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add white wine, salt and pepper to taste; continue cooking shrimp 3-4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and are done. 3. Remove from heat; stir in avocado and cheese. Serve immediately. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 205, Calories from fat (%) 52, Fat (g) 12, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Cholesterol (mg) 174, Sodium (mg) 263, Carbohydrate (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Sugars (g) 1, Protein (g) 20; Diabetic Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 2 fat

Crawfish Cakes with Horseradish Sauce Move over crab cakesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;crawfish adds a new slant to an old classic. Outrageously delicious! Makes 8 crawfish cakes 1 cup saltine cracker crumbs 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/3 cup shredded, reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese 1 pound crawfish tails, rinsed and drained Salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil Flour Horseradish Sauce (recipe follows) 1. In a medium bowl, carefully combine all ingredients except oil and flour. 2. Cover and chill for 30 minutes, if time permits. Shape into 8 patties. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil. Lightly dust patties with flour, and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until browned. 4. Serve with Horseradish Sauce. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 149 | Calories from fat 35% | Fat 6 g Saturated Fat 1 g | Cholesterol 81 mg | Sodium 278 mg Carbohydrate 10 g | Dietary Fiber 1 g | Sugars 1 g | Protein 12 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch | 2 lean meat Horseradish Sauce Quick and easy, this sauce has bite. 1/4 cup nonfat sour cream 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish Pinch sugar 1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 22 | Calories from fat 50% | Fat 1 g Saturated Fat 0 g | Cholesterol 0 mg | Sodium 48 mg Carbohydrate 2 g | Dietary Fiber 0 g | Sugars 1 g | Protein 1 g; Diabetic Exchanges: Free Barbecue Shrimp This book wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be complete without a barbecue shrimp recipe. I played around in the kitchen to insure the recipe included

tons of sauce to dip the French bread, as that is the best part. Serve with French bread and angel hair pasta. Makes 4-6 servings 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup fat-free Italian or creamy onion dressing 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves Salt and pepper to taste 2 pounds large shrimp (not peeled) 1/3 cup light beer 1/2 cup clam juice or fat-free chicken broth 1. In large nonstick skillet, combine oil, Italian dressing, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, thyme, and salt and pepper over medium heat until sauce begins to boil. 2. Add shrimp; cook 5 minutes. Add beer and broth; cook another 5-7 minutes or until shrimp are done. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 207, Calories from fat (%) 44, Fat (g) 10, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 196, Sodium (mg) 614, Carbohydrate (g) 6, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Sugars (g) 2, Protein (g) 22; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate, 3 lean meat Terrific Tidbit: Peeled shrimp may be used in the recipe if desired, but peeling the shrimp is tons of fun; just have plenty of paper towels. Quick Shrimp and Corn Soup No time to cook? Open up cans of corn and tomatoes, and toss in shrimp for this simple yet superb tomato-based soup. Makes 12 (1-cup) servings 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans cream-style corn 2 cups frozen corn 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes and green chilies 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 2 pounds medium peeled shrimp 1 bunch green onions, chopped Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 11

1. In large nonstick pot, combine creamstyle corn, corn, tomatoes and green chilies, and tomato sauce, until heated. 2. Add shrimp; bring to boil. Lower heat; cook until shrimp is done, 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions; serve. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 162, Calories from fat (%) 8, Fat (g) 1, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Cholesterol (mg) 112, Sodium (mg) 825, Carbohydrate (g) 24, Dietary Fiber (g) 3, Sugars (g) 6, Protein (g) 15; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 1/2 very lean meat TERRIFIC TIDBIT: This recipe is only 6 ingredients! Just open cans of corn and tomatoes; toss in shrimp for this simple yet superb soup. Seafood Cornbread Corn, cheese, seafood, and just a bit of jalapeños unite for truly exceptional flavor in every bite. Makes 28 squares 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup skim milk 1 egg 1/4 cup canola oil 1 onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, cored and chopped 1 (15-ounce) can cream-style corn 1 cup shredded, reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese 1/3 cup chopped green onions 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeño pepper slices (found in jar) 2 cups combination seafood (small peeled shrimp, cooked; crabmeat, or crawfish) 1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat 13 × 9 × 2-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray 2. In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking soda, and sugar. 3. In another bowl, combine milk, egg, and oil. Add remaining ingredients except seafood. Mix well. Stir into flour mixture. Gently stir in seafood. 4. Transfer mixture to prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until golden brown. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 87, Calories from fat 33%, Fat 3 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 27 mg, Sodium 130 mg, Carbohydrate 10 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugars 2 g, Protein 5 g; Diabetic Page 12 { May 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous

Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 lean meat Shrimp Parmesan Easy and terrific, Italian seasoned shrimp baked with marinara sauce and melted cheese instantly won over our entire house. Makes 4-6 servings 1 1/2 pounds medium peeled shrimp 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 egg whites, beaten 1 1/2 cups Italian breadcrumbs 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce 1 cup shredded, part-skim, mozzarella cheese 1. Preheat broiler. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Coat shrimp with flour, dip into egg whites, and coat with breadcrumbs. Place on prepared pan. Drizzle with oil. 3. Broil 4-5 minutes on one side, turn, and broil 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are golden brown. Watch carefully. 4. Reduce oven to 350°F. Line a shallow 2-quart baking dish with a very thin layer of marinara sauce. Arrange shrimp in a single layer on top. 5. Spoon remaining marinara sauce over shrimp and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with angel hair pasta. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 314 | Calories from fat 26% | Fat 9 g Saturated Fat 3 g | Cholesterol 180 mg | Sodium 939 mg Carbohydrate 27 g | Dietary Fiber 2 g | Sugars 1 g | Protein 28 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch | 3 lean meat Fish Soft Tacos These fish tacos are a guaranteed hit! Tacoseasoned fish topped with mild creamy coleslaw and tomatoes served in a corn tortilla combine the best of southwestern and seafood into one delectable recipe. Serve with diced avocados, if desired. Makes 8 servings 1 1/2 pounds fish fillets 1 (1.25-ounce) package low-sodium taco seasoning mix 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 cups coleslaw (shredded cabbage) 1/3 cup nonfat sour cream 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise 1 bunch green onions (scallions), chopped

3 tablespoons chopped green chilies Salt and pepper to taste 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas 1 cup chopped tomatoes 1. In bowl or plastic bag, coat fish with taco seasoning and lime juice. 2. In large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, sautĂŠ fish over medium heat 5-7 minutes or until flaky and done. 3. In bowl, combine coleslaw, sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, and green chilies; season to taste. Set aside. 4. Warm tortillas according to package directions or heat in microwave 30 seconds. 5. Fill each tortilla with fish, coleslaw mixture, and tomatoes. Fold in half; serve. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 144, Calories from fat (%) 9, Fat (g) 2, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Cholesterol (mg) 35, Sodium (mg) 344, Carbohydrate (g) 15, Dietary Fiber (g) 3, Sugars (g) 3, Protein (g) 15; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 carbohydrate, 2 1/2 very lean meat

Terrific Tidbit: Check the produce area in the grocery for a bag of shredded cabbage or coleslaw to use in this recipe. Baked Italian Oysters Reminiscent of a dish from a great New Orleans restaurant, oysters baked in a dynamic Italian breadcrumb mixture offer a rich distinctive taste. Makes 10-12 servings 2 pints oysters, drained 1/3 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/3 cup chopped parsley 1 bunch green onions, chopped 2 cups Italian breadcrumbs 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese Crushed red pepper 1/4 cup lemon juice 1. Preheat oven to 400Âş F. 2. Place drained oysters in shallow oblong 2-quart baking dish. 3. In bowl, combine remaining ingredients; spread evenly over oysters.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until oysters are done and topping is browned. Nutritional information per serving: Calories 209, Calories from fat (%) 40, Fat (g) 9, Saturated Fat (g) 2, Cholesterol (mg) 52, Sodium (mg) 524, Carbohydrate (g) 20, Dietary Fiber (g) 2, Sugars (g) 1, Protein (g) 10; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

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THE social SCENE | Brookhaven, MS | Brookhaven Academy Cougar Shuffle

Brookhaven Academy Cougar Shuffle Brookhaven Academy’s Second Annual 5K Cougar Shuffle was held on March 31, 2012, and was sponsored by Resource and Development Director, Valarie Oglesby. The event’s goal was to promote a healthy you, a healthy school, and a healthy community while providing a great family event. This year 185 adults and children participated in the 5K, and 8 participated in the 1-mile Fun Run. A special “thank you” for the success of this event goes to the Brookhaven Police Department for its safety measures and to Cougar faculty and families and the local community for their support.

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6 Matthew Evans, second place; Brock Smith, first place; and David Gray, third place Diane Watson, third place; Laura Groth, first place; and Sandie Malone, second place Marsha Winborne, Dr. Richard Rushing, and Sandy Winborne Triston Fortenberry, Reagan Fortenberry, Chris Fortenberry, and Rocco Smith Front—Madalyn Oglesby and Grayson Devito; back—Kolby Oglesby, Carrie Crozier, Victoria Jordan, and Tyler Thornhill Caroline Stewart, Anna Carolla, Becca Harvey, Carrie Crozier, Madison Warren, Destiny Allen, Lindsey Winborne, Jordan Jackson, and Ashton Rials Matthew Evans, Jameson Wright, Parker Vinson, Brock Smith, Trey Fortenberry (front), Will Hickman, Ben Dunaway, David Gray, Ben Davis, and Joshua Wiggins Chris Fortenberry, Diane Watson, Kim Foster, Dawn Freeman, Laura Groth, Sandie Malone, Phillip Fisher, Stephanie Thornhill, Tonya Huey, Mignon Strogner, and Michelle Case

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Brookhaven Academy Cougar Shuffle | Brookhaven, MS | THE social SCENE

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Laura Lorraine and Luke Lorraine, 1-mile winner Rocco and Cooper Smith Sandie Malone and daughter Graci Malone Stephanie, Tyler, and Leah Thornhill Tonya Huey and Mignon Strogner

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14 Kolby Oglesby, Will Campbell, Grayson Devito, Harley Smith, Shelby Flumm, and Madalyn Oglesby

15 Olivia McDonald, McKenzy Stewart, Harley Smith, Shelby Flumm, and Madalyn Oglesby

16 Front—Cade and Carter Watson; back—Colton, Diane, and Cameron Watson

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All Outdoors | by Ross McGehee

t’s been a long time coming, and it has finally happened. And by “long time,” we’re talking about a period of time that is just a little bit less than 200 years. So it should be noteworthy from a historical perspective. And in a way, it is sad because so much of our regional culture and economy was built on the enterprise. But now it’s gone and doubtful to ever come back. What is it? There are no more operating cotton gins in Southwest Mississippi, and the ones in Louisiana are dropping like flies. “So what?” you ask. “Who cares? There are cotton gins in other places, like uhhhhh.” And maybe it doesn’t matter in the modern economy. But to the generations who raised cotton and built the foundation for everything we have locally, it is significant. No more gins. That means they ran out of something to do or just couldn’t make money doing it. Available local labor to run them on a seasonal basis has been a factor. And insurance costs hurt. Mechanical obsolescence of existing machinery is a consideration. And cotton being grown in Turkey, China, Brazil, Egypt, and India all affect the world price. Also, government programs that retire farmland negatively influence the production of cotton. Still, think about it. The tourism business in Southwest Mississippi promotes the history of the landed-class and their influence on architecture, agriculture, lifestyle, cuisine, and transportation. We almost celebrate the way of life! Yet the very thing that made it all possible could not be preserved. Wow. That’s sobering. Oh, sure, you can go see the Piazza Gin that was moved from Rodney to a museum in Frogmore, Louisiana, or the Bisland Gin that was moved from Cannonsburg to the Ag Museum in Jackson. But the last gin in Claiborne County was torn down in the late seventies; the last in Copiah County closed in the eighties. The last one in Jefferson County was recently dismantled and mostly sold for parts to buyers in South

Gone with the Gin

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Carolina and Mexico. What was left was sold for scrap iron. The last one standing in Adams County hasn’t run since 1943, and there haven’t been any other gins west of the interstate for years. So if you grow cotton on the Mississippi side of the river, it has to be trucked to Hinds County or Louisiana for ginning. It can be done, but it is expensive to handle the volume of raw product for such distances. As an aside, the cotton from Angola State Prison in Louisiana was trucked almost eighty miles for years to a local gin. But then two inmates hid in a load to make their escape. That didn’t turn out well for them since they were found walking along an Adams County farm road in stripes! It looked like a scene from Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. What do cotton gins do anyway that makes losing them such a big deal? Take that piece of cotton out of an aspirin bottle. Stick a peanut in the middle of it and glue all the fibers of the cotton to the peanut by their ends. Then throw it in a flowerbed and let some leaves stick to the cotton. Then undo it all by hand. You’ve got two minutes! And by the way, multiply that piece of cotton by about a bajillion. That’s what a cotton gin does. And as much as Eli Whitney was credited for the invention of it, vast improvements on the device were made years ago near Rodney, Mississippi, by

Haller Nutt, who is also credited for the development of improved varieties of commercial cotton. Back in those days, all of the larger plantations had their own gins. Powered by steam engines, these gins required a water source nearby. I know of one old gin that had five small ponds for gathering water for steam. But the boilers were fired by wood. Someone who worked in that old gin told me years ago that they’d gin cotton for a while, cut wood for a while, gin cotton for a while, cut wood for a while….. Modern gins are powered by electricity, and propane dries the cotton when needed. A thousand gallons of propane per day is not out of the ordinary for a gin. Don’t even try to guess the electric bill! So we are left with cotton gins in museums and artwork. Museums don’t do justice to the hum and rumble of a running gin. Or to the smell of the cottonseed; the motes drifting in the air; the piles of spilled cotton that beg a child to jump in and play; or the wonder that is experienced when you see what came in on the truck and the finished, clean, white cotton going into the press. A museum can’t replace the feeling that a small child gets from helping pick Mamaw’s cotton in the field by hand and bringing it to her apron. And most of the artistic depictions of old cotton gins are improbable scenes with glaring errors and omissions. There is one with the gin in the back of a large cotton field, perched on the bank of the Mississippi River with a steamboat pulled up to it. That is nice in concept and pleasing to the eye but not very realistic. With fewer gins, the cotton we grow locally doesn’t stay around to provide any jobs. At one time, cotton ended up in North Carolina at the mills that made towels and bed sheets. Now, so much of it is shipped internationally for the same end product that is sold back to the people who grew it in the first place! Even the cottonseed is harder to come by since the gins are more distant. Cottonseed is an excellent feed for cattle although it is toxic to horses. Even

the oil mills that process cottonseed into oil, meal, and hulls are further away. There was one in Claiborne County forever that finally closed not too many years ago. Betcha didn’t know that “Crisco” is an acronym for crystallized cottonseed oil. My grandmother that had a cotton field that came almost under her clothesline only used Crisco. She loved cotton, and she loved to cook with it. An amusing story about a local gin was reported to me about 35 years ago. Scott Middleton, who worked for Port Gibson Oil Works, stopped by a gin in Southwest Mississippi to visit with the owner. The gin was running full speed; cotton was pouring through the system as it should and into the “press” where it was made into a bale. Every three minutes the press would be full, and the crew had to switch chambers that they were filling to tie the bale. When Scott parked his car outside the gin and walked in wearing slacks and an Oxford cloth shirt, the press was very near full. He looked around, and there was NO one in the gin! This isn’t possible. Someone HAS to be in a gin to run the press. Actually several someones. The “Full” alarm went off on the press, and still the gin was apparently empty. So Scott figured what the problem was and went back to his car for a minute. Then he went back into the gin. The alarms had gone off, that bale had been tied and was lying on the floor in front of the press, and another was filling. No one was visible in the gin. So he waited for the next alarm to go off and went back to his car. Same thing. He came back in and there was another tied bale on the floor and no people. The gin was obviously run by ghosts! Scott just laughed. He knew that the way he was dressed and the kind of car he drove made him look like an Immigration Officer, so he’d had a little fun with the crew. It’s a shame that the cotton ginning business, which has been such a big part of the South and our area historically, has gone the way of steamboats, girls who can make homemade biscuits, and Ole Miss football. What’s next; the garden clubs or fried chicken?

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THE social SCENE | Natchez, MS | St. Patrick' s Day Celebration

St. Patrick' s Day Celebration The Krewe of Killarney in Natchez, Mississippi, held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party and Auction at the local Elks Club with Bob McWilliams, Saint Patrick 2011, hosting the event. Pat McDonough, St. Patrick 2012, along with former St. Patricks and members enjoyed the festivities which included wearin’ o’ the green, a buffet supper, and a silent auction.

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Ricky Warren, Joe Garrity, and Darren Cowart Marge and Boyd Alexander Annette and Tony Byrne Dickie and Richie Walcott Belinda Garrity and Elodie Maier Ginger Cowart and Jacob Cowart Pat McDonough and Bob McWilliams Dorothy Garrity and Kathy Graning Dr. Bill Godfrey, Pat McDonough, and Rose Godfrey Philip Zuccaro, Walter Sandel, and Peggy Sandel

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St. Patrick' s Day Celebration | Natchez, MS | THE social SCENE

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17 Aggie Shell, Mary Louise Garrity, and Liz Garrity Sister Bernadette McNamara and Sister Kathleen Higgins Karen Gardner, Ron Brumfield, and JoAnn Brumfield Marie Gasquet and Tony Byrne Ann Burns and James Shaidnagle Janet Warren, Larry Gardner, and Margaret Searcy Bob McWilliams

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THE social SCENE | Brookhaven, MS | BARL First Annual "Bark Fest"

BARL First Annual "Bark Fest" The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League held its first annual Bark Fest on the historic campus of the Mississippi School of the Arts in March with Arts students assisting BARL members. Pets and their owners were invited to enjoy an afternoon of live music, a baked goods sale and rummage sale, hayrides, raffles, pet photos, pet pampering, and more. The organization hopes to continue the event again next spring.

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Bubba Gabbert, Cameron Watson, and «Nikki» Robin Laird with «Jack» and Kevin Laird with «Nick» Marion Patti and Anne Houston Cupit with dogs available for adoption Alayna Moak, Melissa Moak, and «Bandit» Nancy Bullock, Evangeline Cook, Caroline Cook, Kay Kay Travis Abby Slay, Tim Slay, Holly Slay, and Ellie Slay Donna Ebey, Tammy Torrey, Danni Wilson, and Kiara Cervantes Martha Arrington and Carole Bennett

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BARL First Annual "Bark Fest" | Brookhaven, MS | THE social SCENE

9 9

Dustin Thompson, Carley Hydrick, Joseph Harris, Denise Thompson, James Green, Becky Green, Jake Cavalier, Tyler Mixon, Cody Mixon, Chloe Johnson, Savannah Cavalier and Anne Henderson Beth Adcock and Rusty Adcock

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Something Scrumptious story and photos by Jennie Guido Isabella’s on the corner of Highway 61 North and Chinquepin Street

Up Highway 61

Isabella Bed & Breakfast Port Gibson, Mississippi

What a relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon

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bout a month ago, I was headed home to Natchez from Cleveland, Mississippi, for the weekend and was determined to make the drive the entire way by myself. With the recent time change, I just knew I could do it! However, once I made my way through the winding hills of Vicksburg and the sun began to slip away, I decided I just could not keep my eyes open for one more mile. Thankfully, I have fabulous parents who quickly jumped in the car with their puppy in tow to come rescue me from the side of the road. I remembered a cute little bed-andbreakfast establishment right on the highway that seemed like a good place to pull over and wait. I also figured with its being right around seven o’clock in the evening and my seeming a strange—and frantic I might add—traveler pulled off on the side of the road, I should probably let the people watching me from the windows know that I was staying for only a little while.

I think it would be safe to say that Bobbye Pinnix had no idea to whom she opened her kitchen door. However, she did bring me inside, offer me a nice little beverage, and sit with me until my parents pulled in. I quickly learned over the next half hour the story behind Isabella Bed & Breakfast; but being a little out of sorts, I decided to make a return visit a few weeks later to learn more and meet with my new friends again. In 2010, Bobbye Pinnix and her husband, Phil, became the third owners of this home in Port Gibson and had an entire year’s worth of work cut out for them to have it bed-and-breakfast ready. Built in 1880 by David Boch and sold to James Person in 1908, Isabella’s needed some serious tender love and care to bring it back to life. From refinishing the hardwood floors to adding a restaurant to the back of the home and applying a few gallons of paint, the Pinnixes were able to transform this gem of a post-antebellum home into

a warm and welcoming interlude for rest, relaxation……..and restaurant fare. Yes, named for the last owner of the home, Isabella Bed & Breakfast is also a restaurant Tuesday through Friday, serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and offering a range of dinner selections. Bobbye explained, “One of the most popular items we have on the lunch menu would have to be the Smoked Chicken Salad.” Phil thinks that the Crab Cakes over Cheese Grits is also a favorite for the locals and guests. “Phil makes all of our sweets and desserts, and I cook all of the meals myself,” Bobbye said. Normal lunch menu items include everything from salads to sandwiches and a daily special. For dinner, you can find an array of delectable dishes from seafood to steaks. Guests from all over the world come to stay at Isabella’s. Bobbye believes that the Blues Trail up and down Highway 61 has brought a number of these guests their way. She added, “Being this close to the river is definitely a draw for tourists, especially with the Windsor Ruins just down the road and the bike tours all along the Natchez Trace.” However, one thing is for sure: you are almost guaranteed to find a friend of the paranormal kind while visiting Isabella’s. Bobbye told me, “We do have spirits

here in the house. They are all friendly and never have done anything scary or harmful. However, there are times when you can hear the furniture scraping across the floor upstairs, only to find that nothing has moved. Some people believe they have had their feet tickled by someone and have even seen them watching over them as they sleep.” After hosting several different groups from the Mississippi Society for the Paranormal (MSP), Bobbye has decided to let the spirits be. “Once they [those of the MSP] left the house, the spirits seemed to disappear for a while; and after finally getting them to come back, I think we can just let them stay around.” The spirits are believed to be the previous owners. One guest that actually saw the figures said they

were in period dress for the time that David Boch lived in the house. So, if you ever find yourself near Port Gibson or just want a quick weekend getaway, stop by Isabella’s, have a glass of wine on the balcony, sample some delectable food, and make a few new friends along the way.

Below left—The hardwood floors are all original to the house. Below—These stained glass windows are all alike throughout the house except for their different color schemes.

Bottom left—This mirror over the mantle in the dining room is an original piece from the Person family. Bottom right—The Ladies’ Parlor

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Steve and Dee Newman pose by their hot-tub that offers dramatic views of Lake St. John.

Leisure Living ~ Leisure ~ free time that far too many of us have far too little of; it is that time we escape the commitments and pressures of the workplace and any necessities squeezed in between such as eating and sleeping. Photographs by Van Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Gwin Page 24 { May 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous

The cozy seating arrangement in the Newmans’ outdoor kitchen allows for great conversation.

eisure time often is relegated or reserved for a particular leisure “place” held in high regard; and for many in this region, especially at this time of the year, the time and the place are capsuled in one term—the Lake! Whether your lake is a weekend camp setting or a weekend home setting, the “sense of place” is as important as the place itself. We are fortunate in our neck of the woods to have an abundance of lakes that provide fishing, skiing, boating, floating, and water-fowl watching and play host to all sorts of creatures that enjoy the natural habitat of water and woodlands. We love our lakes’ sunrises and sunsets, those picturesque parentheses of dawn and dusk that enclose the celebrated

Wine-bottle chandelier commands attention in the breakfast nook.

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leisure moments of days on the lake; and we bask in our lakes’ laid-back, nocturnal good fun, good fellowship, and good food that perfectly punctuate the passing of each evening. One couple who has caught the leisure-living-on-the-lake bug is Steve and Dee Newman. After purchasing a lot with a trailer situated on Lake St. John in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, the Newmans rolled up their sleeves to transform the double-wide trailer into a lake home. Ten years later, they have bricked the base of the structure; attached attractive, painted shingles and shutters; and added an entrance portico, porches, and an outdoor kitchen. Now, the doublewide is merely a memory; the lake home, a warm and hospitable reality. The time, effort, and love these two have poured into their weekend home have paid off beyond measure. Lake St. John is an oxbow lake in east central Louisiana, just a short twenty-five-minute drive from Natchez, Mississippi, and next to Lake Concordia, as well as from St. Joseph, Louisiana, and neighboring Lake Bruin, which is 20 miles south of I-20 at Talluah, Louisiana. Lake St. John is 6.5 miles long and half a mile wide. Bass fishing is one of its major attractions alongside the variety of leisure water activities and lake living. The Newmans’ screened-in porch has a protected overhang and wide back steps that are perfect for sitting down and eating a juicy piece of watermelon or an ice-cold Popsicle. Their outdoor kitchen has a small

Top—The outdoor kitchen with cypress ceilings and walls, granite countertops, tile flooring, and stone cabinetry enhances the space for the Newmans’ leisuretime cooking ventures. Middle—The great room’s plush environment sports bright yellow walls; blackand-white, checker-board floors; and a bricked fireplace to enjoy during cool nights. Bottom—The outdoor screened porch lines the length of the house and catches cool lake breezes.

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patio with seating; and just below the outdoor kitchen is a covered hot tub, one of the couple’s favorite spots. “We love to soak in the hot tub as we watch the sunset and unwind from the day’s events,” Dee said. Their pier has a covered boat house for protecting their float boat, speed boat, and Jet Ski. The retreat’s large living space is comfortable and hosts rollout windows that welcome the breezes off the lake during spring and fall. The master bedroom has the rollout windows with their seasonal breezes as well. During a recent makeover, Jan Yates helped the Newmans create the look and feel of a Key West condo. With bright colors in the living space, guest bedrooms, and bathrooms, this lake home beckons guests to relax and enjoy. The outdoor kitchen was built by James Germany and inspired by a friend’s home that had cypress walls and ceilings. The room offers a cozy fireplace, granite countertops, stonestyle tile, and stainless appliances, complemented with tall stool furnishings for gathering while Chef Steve prepares one of his favorite menus. A skilled grill master of a medley of meat, fowl, and fish, Steve Newman has all the conveniences to create his masterpieces while enjoying the scenic panorama of the lake. A sense of place and a respite for comfort and relaxation, the Lake can be the perfect weekend or weeklong getaway. This, combined with fine food, beverages, and friends, is a perfect recipe for leisure living.

The three bedrooms in the lake house reflect Key West colors and offer cheery refuge from the day’s activities. Upper guest bedroom with twin beds, middle room that still is labeled Christine’s Room for their daughter, and the master bedroom offer cozy quarters for friends and family.

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Leisure Living ypical

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^ Han nah Po unds s up to ignals life on thumb the la s ke.

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beaches and point toward the bluest of lake waters. To their visitors, these lakes of Mississippi reveal

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personalities ... the rustic, woody campsites alongside beaches of sand and shorelines. Families ﬂock to these playgrounds that offer nearby pleasures ﬁlled with fun, all within close proximity to many towns throughout the state. Near Brookhaven, Lake Lincoln is such a place. Shady, tall pines

a plate ark digs into ^ Peyton Cl . es or m S’ in smothered

provide a canopy for campsites ^ Walk er Mo ak, 8, his bic lun ycle w ith the ges into th e la help o f a ram ke on p.

just inside the sandy shorelines. Campsites are a popular weekend and holiday getaway without driving out of the state or even out of the county. Some families make the trip every few months as do the Moaks, who usually bring along friends to share the experience. Other families, like

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y Mez d Emil ing an er. K t a a r w a e ^K rom th f k a e a br

Diana Mezzaranes, make the trip ^ Stac y Walk er and catch Joy Ha up on ll visitin g.

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as often as they can to play on the water and ﬁsh for hours.

at Lake Lincoln For many, their trips to the < Mark Lang and Walker Moak prepare the catch of the day.

lake have become necessary outings, traditions of a sort. Being outside offers them the comfort of campﬁres where S’mores are at the top of the menu along with whatever was caught that day. Fish are often prepped on site and enjoyed immediately at meal time. Children and teens work up an appetite playing games, biking, swimming, tubing, or skiing across the water. Lake living offers a refuge from the busy obsessions of a routine

^ Siblings Will Moak, 12; May ley Moak, 11; Morgan Moak, 9; and Walker Moak, 8, with their dog, LuLu

day. Families can take a break from school, work, practices, and projects. The bustling activities back home can be traded in for

heel

w kes the Moak ta , r k e a o lk a ^W Pete M is dad, with h by. e s lo c sitting

restful moments in folding chairs and naps taken inside the tent or camper or outside cradled within a gently swinging hammock. At the campsite, there is no escaping real family time—eating, playing, sleeping, and visiting—all in close and cozy quarters. The charm of the lake comes from all it has to offer, forever there, never changing ... as the pines stretch their arms to welcome visitors back again and again.

s zarane y Mez ^ Ashle e Smith are ig e. > and Pa ride the lak o t y d a re

Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 29

In the Garden | story and pictures by Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Gardening Possibilities with Mandevilla Vines

f you’re thinking about what you want your porch or deck to look like this summer, consider how you can use Mandevilla, a vining plant best known for its showy displays of summertime flowers. You can find these plants in red, pink and white at garden centers. Flowers are displayed against a backdrop of dark green, leathery foliage. Leaves can be quite large -- up to eight inches long. Some selections have smaller leaves. The plants are sometimes sold as Dipladenia, which rhymes with gardenia. Flowering begins in the early summer and continues through frost in the fall. Mandevilla is considered a tender plant that requires protection when temperatures fall below 40 degrees. This plant is hardy through zone 9, which is good news in the coastal counties. Mandevilla is usually killed back by fall frosts, but it may grow back from the root system the following spring. Most gardeners simply treat Mandevilla as a flowering annual. Mandevilla grows and flowers best when planted in full sun. It will tolerate partial shade in hot locations, such as south-facing walls. Make sure the soil in the planting bed is rich with organic matter to assure good drainage, but don’t let the soil dry out too much. Mandevilla can tolerate some droughty conditions, but it requires supplemental irrigation for extended periods of drought. Mandevilla is a great choice for growing in containers on the porch or patio. This is a popular planting method in areas with cold winters. When the cold winds start to blow, gardeners simply bring the container inside for protection. If it is placed in a window with enough light, the Mandevilla makes a fine houseplant for the winter months.

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Left—Mandevilla flowers are displayed against dark green, leathery foliage. Mandevilla blooms from early summer through first frost. Right—Mandevilla works well in containers on the porch or patio. Because it is a vining plant, you must provide support for it to climb.

Because Mandevilla is a vining plant, you must provide support for the plant to scramble and climb. You can make your own supports from hardware cloth, plastic mesh or other materials that give the plants a surface to scramble on. You can hang the mesh between two stakes for a simple design. If you want something more elaborate, you can design a trellis from thin strips of wood secured in a vertical and horizontal crisscross pattern. If you don’t provide support, Mandevilla could be considered an odd choice for a ground cover. Mandevilla is very tolerant to pruning. With careful pruning, you can train the plant to grow in a shrub-like form. Flowers are produced on new growth, so there is little worry about pruning too much and removing the season’s blooms. Mandevilla is a fast-flowering vine that can quickly cover a garden with beautiful, colorful flowers or mask an ugly area in your landscape.

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 Bluffs && Bayous Bayous{{May May2012 2012{ { Page 31

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

Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Page 32 { {May May2012 2012{{ Bluffs Bluffs && Bayous Bayous

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In the Garden |

by Patricia Taylor

The Primrose (Primula vulgaris) “March had come in more lamb than lion, there were windflowers in the woods, and the first Primroses, unburned by frost, undashed and unmired by further rain, were just opening” (The Holy Thief. The Brother Cadfael Chronicles, Ellis Peters).

eing an English woman in Mississippi, I miss our pretty Primroses at this time of the year. They are amongst my most favorite of the spring plants that march cross the wood edges, open copses, hedges, and banks of our English country lanes. Once upon a time in England, they were harvested to the point of extinction; but today farmers are encouraged to seed their field edges and banks with wild flowers and re-plant hedges so as to reinstate the natural habitat of our fast diminishing wildlife; and because of this rethink, the Primrose is once again found in all its glory in early spring. The Primrose is a popular garden bedding plant, too; and my huge lime tree has a pretty grouping of them underneath its spreading branches. For mass garden bedding, many garden centers across Britain carry the Primula vulgaris subspecies sibthorpii, so named for John Sibthorp (1758-1796),

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Sherardian Professor of Botany at Oxford from 1784, in an array of different colors; but for me there is only one—the true yellow Primrose. The Primrose is a native of Britain and Europe, found often in cold and temperate parts of the northern hemisphere, and has for centuries been the herald of spring. Its name is derived from the Old French primerose or the Medieval Latin prima rosa, meaning “the first rose”; but it is also known as the Easter Rose or the Butter Rose. For as long as there have been markets in England, each spring the local women and children would pick the Primroses and bring them into the towns in huge baskets. This was especially prevalent amongst the flower girls of London, whose cries could be heard from every street corner, “Two bundles a penny; Primroses, two bundles a penny.” It was not just the beauty of these heralds of spring that would encourage people to buy them; it was also their medicinal properties and food flavoring. In ancient cookery texts there are recipes for Primrose Pottage made with rice, saffron, almonds, honey, and Primroses. Pottage was a thick soup or stew, the word coming from the Old French,

meaning “the contents of a pot.” Pottage was a common dish in the Middle Ages and would typically include such things as peas, carrots, leeks, onions, cabbage, beans, oats, barley, herbs, and saffron, and sometimes, but not always, meat. For the poor folk, chances are that all it contained were oats, onions, and cabbage. In kitchens throughout the centuries, the Primrose has been used to decorate salads and sweets and has been crystallized for cakes and puddings. Izaak Walton (15931683), an English writer best known for his book The Compleat Angler, used the Primrose when cooking the fish he caught. He fried the fish with the yolks of eggs, Primroses, Cowslips, and Tansy, making, as he called it, a “dainty dish of meat.” The ancient Greeks named the Primrose plant dodecatheon, meaning the flower of the twelve gods. It was their belief that it was capable of healing diseases that did not respond to other herbs, especially paralysis. According to myth, whilst wanting to help a young man who was dying in great pain from paralysis, the Gods created the Primrose from his tortured body in the belief that it would cure paralysis and joint ills in others.

Western herbalists today use the Primrose for rheumatism, gout, arthritis, respiratory conditions, and migraines and as a blood tonic or as a mild sedative. The herbalist John Gerard (1545–1611) maintained that “Primrose Tea, drunk in the month of May, is famous for curing the phrensie.” He also suggested that “the roots of the Primrose when stamped upon and then strained should be sniffed into the nose by way of a quill to purgeth the brain.” Well, that sounds like fun; I think I would have given that a miss and simply drunk the tea. Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) tells us that the Primrose “made as fine a salve to heal wounds as any I know.” Many old herbals confirm this by telling us that a mixture of the juice of bramble tops and Primroses made into ointments was used for spots and sores on the face or for mild blemishes. The Romans used the plant to treat malaria; and in the county of Hampshire in England, woodmen boiled Primroses in lard to make an ointment to treat injuries. The pretty Primrose is also my mother’s favorite spring plant, and I will always send her a basket of Primroses on Mother’s Day. Mothers are celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in England; and when I was growing up, a special Mothering Sunday church service would be held. All the children at the service, and there would be lots of us, would queue all the way down the aisle of the church in our Sunday best

dresses, or in our Girl Guide or Brownie uniforms, the boys in their suits, or their Boy Scout or Cub Scout uniforms; and we would sing the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful” as we waited our turn to kneel at the rail for our blessing from the vicar. He would then hand us a small posy of Primroses to give to our mothers. Funny isn’t it, how I always remember the sun shining on these occasions, especially the sunlight streaming through the stainedglass windows. My grandmother too was a lover of the Primrose; and she would make a tea or syrup with the flowers and leaves to ease our coughs, colds, and sore throats. Together Mum and Gran would spend a whole day picking over the flowers and making them into a very potent wine that was reserved for high days and holidays. Both Mum and Gran had lots of Primroses in their gardens; but I remember having great fun walking through the country lanes with them on sunny spring afternoons, picking more of the flowers so there would be enough to make the wine and medicines. This was in the days when one was allowed to do this, of course; now, gathering any wild flowers in the country is definitely frowned upon. We English have developed a special relationship with the Primrose, trying to grow them wherever we go across the world as a reminder of home, often with little or no success, and not just because of their appearance in the hedgerows and

gardens that tells us that spring has sprung and winter has probably gone for another year, but also because of the stories handed down from parents and grandparents. My grandmother would tell me the story her grandmother had told her that Primroses are said to be the little shelters of tiny dwarfs and fairy folk; and if they were caught on the road in the rain, they would look for a Primrose to hide in. To keep from being bored, they would sing a little song which could be heard if you were very, very, quiet. With hindsight this story was probably told to keep me quiet on our picking expeditions and Sunday walks, but who knows. There are lots of stories telling us that children who ate the Primrose flowers would be able to see the fairy folk; or if you held a Primrose in your hand and peered over the petals, this, too, would let you see the fairies. As a child, I would peer over the flower heads or eat the flower tops. Unfortunately, I never did get to see the fairy folk; but the stories were quite lovely. Other stories tell us that posies of Primroses would be left on doorsteps so that fairies would bless the house and the people in it. Also, fairies will not step over the Primrose, so Primroses would be scattered across door steps to prevent the fairies’ coming in the house and causing mischief. Bunches of Primroses would often be left in cowsheds so that fairies would not steal the milk; in Ireland on May Day, Primrose balls were hung on cows’ tails to deter witches;

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and in England, the flowers were used as charms to protect people from evil spirits. Also, if you left a Primrose on the doorstep on May Day eve, it prevented witches entering your home. Folklore also tells us that if you see a single Primrose plant and you keep chickens, you have to dance around the plant three times; otherwise, your chickens will go off their lay. Others would say that a Primrose seen blooming in winter was an evil omen for all. In Germany and Scandinavia, stories tell that Freyja, the goddess of love, happiness, and fertility, used Primroses as keys to open the gates for spring. When Freya floated over the world, her rainbowshaped necklace, forged by skilled dwarf craftsmen, would shine light on the countryside; and wherever the bright rays of the rainbow necklace fell on the cold ground, Primroses would bloom. The use of the name Schlusselblume or “keyflower” originates from this story. We English like to think that the flowers resemble church keys hanging in a bunch. Now, this stems from the story of the apostle Paul, the heavenly doorkeeper who mans the gates of Heaven. Apparently, one day he dozed off; and when he woke, he noticed his keys had slipped from his fingers and dropped down to earth. Straight away, he sent down an angel to collect them for him; and where the heavenly keys had rested, Primroses were growing. I just love all these old stories don’t you? The Primrose is believed to be a magical flower; and Celtic Druidic priests would brew a love potion from its juice, a surprisingly popular potion during the Middle Ages, even moreso than rose water. In Switzerland the Primrose was thought to guard against unclean spirits whilst in Russia the Primrose marked the sight of buried treasure. To find a four-leaved clover is said to be lucky, and similar adages abound regarding the Primrose. Usually, it has five petals; but should you find one with six petals, it is believed to be very lucky, indeed, especially where love and marriage are concerned. Also, if you bring a bunch of thirteen Primroses into the house, all that live there will have good luck; however, bring one single flower into the house, and that would be considered very bad luck. I often wonder where some of these stories come from; there has to be a basis for Page 36 { May 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous

them somewhere. Stories from the county of Worcestershire in England tell us that if you bring in less than a bunch of Primroses (One assumes that to be thirteen.), then disaster will befall the house and all your chicks and ducklings will die. However, if you lived in the county of Norfolk and you brought less than thirteen Primroses into the house, then the same number of eggs would hatch from each goose you owned. This sounds to me as though something became lost in translation from one side of the country to the other. In 2002, the Primrose was voted the county flower for Devon in England; and according to The Reverend J. Jacobs in his book West Devon and Cornwall Flora (1836), the leaves are said to be “palatable to goats and sheep but neither horses nor pigs will eat them but they are eagerly devoured by the common silkworm.” On 19 April, the anniversary of the death of Benjamin Disraeli (18041881), Lord Beaconsfield, the First Earl of Beaconsfield, and Prime Minister of England, Primroses are laid at his grave in Hughenden, his country house in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, England, and at his statue in Parliament Square in London. This day is known in England as Primrose Day. Disraeli was a great lover of Primroses and often wore them in his lapel’s buttonhole. Queen Victoria would send him bunches of them picked from her gardens at Windsor and Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, and she sent a wreath of Primroses to his funeral. I do hope you have enjoyed my random jottings on the Primrose; and if anyone out there has had success in growing these darling little plants in and around Natchez, I would dearly love to know as I long to see them growing in my woods. “O who can speak his joys when spring’s young morn From wood and pasture open’d on his view, When tender green buds blush upon the thorn, And the first Primrose dips its leaves in dew:” ~ John Clare, “The Village Minstrel,” circa 1820

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Southern Sampler

story and photos by Ruth Rodgers King

“Girl-Friend Stories” recount some of the best times in Southern women’s lives, time spent with girl-friends and sister-friends or sustafriends, whether they be sure enough family or as close as family. Ruth Rodgers King of Jonesville, Louisiana, shares just such as story in the following recollection.

The Pearl Girls

he Mississippi Pearl Girls are all sisters and first cousins originally from the Mississippi Delta Region— mainly Yazoo City. Our grandparents, Pleasant Jackson and Mary Poole Walden, were from Alabama and Tennessee and settled in the Mississippi Delta. “The Pearl Girls,” as we call ourselves, started meeting for a four-day girls’ party six years ago at my home in Jonesville, Louisiana. Since then, we have met at other cousins’ homes in Houston, Gulf Shores, Dallas, and Pearl, Mississippi. There are usually about 9 or 10 of the first cousins that meet, but this year the number grew to 11, and several more haven’t come on board yet! These gatherings provide a time for us to catch up on what has been going on

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with our families; but more importantly, they give us the opportunity to reflect on where we came from and also a way to honor our parents. Besides all the fun we have visiting, we always reserve a time at night during which we have a devotion to one of our parents. The first year, we began the tradition with a devotion to our grandparents, and then we started on their children in the order of their births. This year, we honored their fifth child, Alice, and have three more to go. During this time, we all share memories of that aunt or uncle when we were growing up and how they made a difference in our lives. This year, the party theme of “The Pearl Girls” was Rock and Roll. With the exception of the three youngest, ages 55 to 61, this was an era that the others grew

up in: Rock n Roll had hit the scene with songs such as “Yakety Yak (Don’t Talk Back)” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” This was a time when the real heart-throb stars such as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee “The Killer” Lewis became famous in the mid-to-late 1950s and early 60s. Everything was decorated in Rock n Roll style! When all of us girls ganged up on Thursday afternoon at my home on the banks of the beautiful Ouachita River,

Front—Robbie Gail Jackson Bond; Back—Wanda Pickell Screws, Alyce Faye Jackson Jones, Betty Walden Nobriga, Shirley Walden Shelton, Margaret Walden Norman, Ben “Elvis” King, Carol Rodgers Poore, Alice Faye Meyers Lopez, Janell Meyers Eakes, Linda Rodgers Hearst, and Ruth Rodgers King

everyone visited for a while and then went to Jackie’s Riverside Restaurant for a meal of fried catfish. We were told to forego the dessert because there was a special treat at the house that night. Although plenty of desserts awaited us back at my home, these were not the treat—it was an Elvis Presley impersonator that came to the house, singing Elvis’s songs and other songs from that era for about three hours. The Pearls were in heaven! I don’t think any of us slept that night for thinking about our teenage years. On Friday, the Pearl Girls made a day trip to Natchez, Mississippi, where we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Mammy’s Cupboard and toured three of the lovely homes on

the Spring Pilgrimage Tour. Six years ago when I started our parties, the Spring Pilgrimage tours were scheduled a bit later than our gathering, but we still were able to tour two of the antebellum homes and visit around the historic downtown area. Our Saturday morning this year took a serious turn as I put on a pink wig and talked about breast cancer while passing out information and door prizes on breast cancer awareness and other cancers that women face. I am one of four of the first cousins that have had breast cancer, and now the second generation has two second cousins with the malady. All six of us have the same type of breast cancer. Lisa Coleman came by to visit on

Saturday and to eat lunch and meet the Pearl Girls. She demonstrated to the group how to make a door wreath out of Deco Poly Mesh. The wreath carried out the Breast Cancer Awareness theme, and she donated it to me to use as a fundraiser for the Pink Sister Team that participates in the Catahoula Parish Relay for Life event. Sunday morning of the Pearl Girls’ long weekend celebration came far too quickly as everyone packed their treasures to head back to homes and families. At the closing meeting of the party, the “girls” decided they would continue the Rock n Roll theme for their 2013 party and take a destination trip to Memphis to visit Graceland, the home of the King of Rock n Roll.

2 3 1. Betty W. Nobriga, Wanda P. Screws, Ben “Elvis” King, Carol R. Poore, and Faye M. Lopez 2. Linda Rodgers Hearst and Ben “Elvis” King 3. Shirley W. Shelton and Ben “Elvis” King 4. Robbie Gail J. Bond and Ben “Elvis” King

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5. The Pearl Girls at Mammy’s Cupboard: (starting with black top and going around the table) Carol R. Poore, Alyce J. Jones, Robbie J. Bond, Fanell M. Eakes, Faye M. Lopez; standing—Ruth R. King, Wanda P. Screws, Betty W. Nobriga, Margaret W. Norman, Linda R. Hearst, and Shirley W. Shelton (pink top) 6. Standing on the steps of Lansdowne: Alice J. Jones, Faye M. Lopez, Linda R. Hearst, Janell M. Eakes, Robbie J. Bond, Carol R. Poore, Margaret W. Norman, Wanda P. Screws, Betty W. Nobriga, Ruth R. King, and Shirley W. Shelton 7. Lisa Coleman with Breast Cancer Awareness Wreath 8. In front of Mammy’s Cupboard: Robbie J. Bond, Ruth R. King, Wanda P. Screws, Alyce J. Jones, Linda R. Hearst, Janell M. Eakes, Carol R. Poore, Betty W. Nobriga, Faye M. Lopez, Shirley W. Shelton, and Margaret W. Norman

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9. Swinging on the porch of Green Leaves: Carol R. Poore, Faye M. Lopez, and Betty W. Nobriga

10. Swinging at Ruth King’s house: sitting—Linda R. Hearst, Lisa Coleman. and Carol R. Poore; Standing—Robbie J. Bond, Margaret W. Norman, Alyce J. Jones, Janell M. Eakes, Ruth R. King, Faye M. Lopez, Wanda P. Screws, and Betty W. Nobriga 11. Faye M. Lopez and Linda R. Hearst

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KDMC Prostatectomy Full Page magazine revised Final for Pub.indd 1

Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 2/29/12 9:1843 AM

THE social SCENE | Vicksburg, MS | Chaney and Tidwell Engagement Celebration

Chaney and Tidwell Engagement Celebration The celebration of the engagement of Liza Kate Chaney and Blake Tidwell took place at the Bazsinsky House in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi, on February 25, 2012. Family and friends gathered to enjoy the evening with the honored couple. The wedding will take place June 16 in Vicksburg.

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Blake Tidwell and Liza Kate Chaney Reed Thompson, Kennedy Miller, Derek Hoppe, and Blake Tidwell Liza Kate Chaney, Katie Hewes, Rachel Batten, and Ali Phares

Chaney and Tidwell Engagement Celebration | Vicksburg, MS | THE social SCENE

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Sheila Hudspeth, Cindy Scurria, Joey Halinski, and Saralie Johnson Melba Mitchell, Carol Ann Oakman, Joy Wing, and Peggi May Morgan Tidwell, Lee Tidwell, Jay Tidwell, Blake Tidwell, Liza Kate Chaney, Lee Evans, and Martha Evans Dr. Martin Chaney, Teresa Chaney, Liza Kate Chaney, Logan Chaney, Lacey Chaney Lee, and Ryan Lee

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THE social SCENE | Madison, MS | Lonely Movie Premier

Lonely Movie Premiere From September to December 2012, the film Lonely was produced in and around Mississippi with area talent, and the premiere for the movie was held at the Malco Theatre in Madison, Mississippi, in early March. Scenes for the movie were shot in Brookhaven, Jackson, and Hattiesburg as well as parts of Louisiana.

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Steven Lloyd and ReTina Gray Nathan Wilmouth and Heather Thurgood Torino Johnson and Sarah Stafford ReTina Gray and Dunlap Peeples IV Steven Lloyd, Anne Marie Johnson, and Torino Johnson Frontâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Greg Thomas, Heather Thurgood, Torino Johnson, and Steven Lloyd; backâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Dunlap Peeples IV, Kenya Galespie Jefferson, Regina Gray, Chris Hicks, and John Stafford

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THE social SCENE | Natchez, MS | Senator Bob M. Dearing Reception

Senator Bob M. Dearing Reception The Committee to Honor Senator Bob M. Dearing held a reception in his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, at the Natchez Convention Center on Saturday, March 10, 2012, to recognize and pay tribute to Senator Bob M. Dearing for his 32 years of distinguished service in the Mississippi State Senate, representing the citizens of Adams, Amite, Franklin, Pike, and Wilkinson Counties and the State of Mississippi. The friends of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bob Mâ&#x20AC;? turned out in force, and a number of prominent attendees shared reminiscences of both the serious and humorous sides of his career. We all thank Senator Dearing for his 32 years of outstanding stewardship.

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Lillie DeShields and Bob M. Dearing Former Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne and Dianne Brown Ann Vidal Willett and Bennie Boone Sandy Taylor; State Senator Willie Simmons from Cleveland, Mississippi; and former State Senator Barbara Blackmon from Canton, Mississippi Marge and Boyd Alexander Larry and Annette Holder Sonia Blaney, J. J. Whitehead, and Charlie Blaney Sandy Taylor and Rena Jean Schmieg Mike Gemmell and Mike Lomasney State Senator and Mrs. Kelvin Butler from Magnolia, Mississippi, and Reverend LeRoy White Reverend LeRoy White and Vernon Ventress from Lafayette, Louisiana

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Senator Bob M. Dearing Reception | Natchez, MS | THE social SCENE

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Dr. Milton Bradley, Dr. Kent Wyatt, Janice Wyatt, Bob M. Dearing, Hugh Ellis Walker, Jeffrey Farris, and Keith Fulcher Kathy Walker, Adams County Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker, Davilyn Furlow, Eddie Songy, and Bill Furlow Senator Bob M. Dearing J. Ed Morgan, Commissioner of the Mississippi Bureau of Revenue Joe Eidt presenting Plaque of Appreciation Bennie Milligan of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State Senator Willie Simmons from Cleveland, Mississippi Lynn Posey, Central District Public Service Commissioner State Senator Dean Kirby from Pearl, Mississippi Ronnie Musgrove, former Governor of the State of Mississippi Mike Gemmell; Gail Healy; Chris Kirby from Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and State Senator Dean Kirby from Pearl, Mississippi

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THE social SCENE | Natchez, MS | Senator Bob M. Dearing Reception

23 Adolph Jonaitis, Adams County Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker,

Dottie Stubbs, Kathy Walker, and Elaine Gemmell Jerry and Pat Delaune from Ferriday, Louisiana Marie Gasquet and Annette Byrne Dr. Curtis Whittington of Jackson, Mississippi, and Fred Callon Bennie Boone and Adams County Board of Supervisors President Darryl Grennell Mike Gemmel; Andrew Calvit; David Campbell from Meadville, Mississippi; and Reverend LeRoy White Jeffrey Farris, Delta State University Alumni Director, Allen Whittington, and Dr. Curtis Whittington Former Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne, J. J. Whitehead, Bob M. Dearing, and John LeTard from Osyka, Mississippi

24 Sharon Browning, Agatha Weeks, and 25 26 27 28 29 30

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Senator Bob M. Dearing Reception | Natchez, MS | THE social SCENE

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Floyd Eppinette with Janice and Dr. Kent Wyatt, President Emeritus of Delta State University, from Cleveland, Mississippi Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton, Larry and Ruthie Nix from Brandon, Mississippi, and Glynn Laird Jimmy Waycaster, Mattillee Waycaster, and Rita Holland Mike Gemmell and Archie Willett John and Letta Crocker and John LeTard from Osyka, Mississippi Pat Biglane, Stephanie Hutchins, and Mike Belote from McComb, Mississippi Glynn Laird, Central District Public Service Commissioner Lynn Posey from Union Church, Mississippi, and Kathy Posey Freddie and Pam Sandel with Sandy and Tom Taylor

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THE social SCENE | Natchez MS | Natchez Garden Club King and Queen Honored with Parties

Natchez Garden Club King and Queen Honored with Parties During their royal reign throughout the first two weeks of Spring Pilgrimageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Historic Natchez Tableaux, Natchez Garden Club Queen Julia Bray and King Miller Jordan were honored with various parties prior to their evening appearances at the Tableaux. At these events, the royal couple and their families were entertained by friends and members of the royal court.

6 5

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Andree and Josh Gamberi with Blanche Morrison Josh Gamberi, Melanie Smith, and Miller Jordan Jesse Morrison, Cheryl Rinehart, and Josh Gamberi Kitty and David Bray with Kay and John Taylor NGC Queen Julia Bray and King Miller Jordan Jessica Cauthen, Julia and Kitty Bray, and Kim King Bryant and Jean Reed, Julia Bray, Miller Jordan, with Gay and Albert Metcalf

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Natchez Garden Club King and Queen Honored with Parties | Natchez, MS | THE social SCENE

9 10 11 12 13

11 Kim King, Kathleen McAndrews, Jessica Cauthen, Lesley Pomeroy, Olivia Bridewell, Steven Eames, and Tina Rodosta Kathryn Tidwell, Blanche Morrison, Ginny Scarborough, and Jan Scarborough Kathleen McAndrews, Jessica Cauthen, Leslie Pomeroy, and Josh Gamberi Mary Catherine Iles, Anne Elise Rinehart, Josh Gamberi, Steven Eames, and (seated) Joanna Waller Julia Bray and Regan Rabb Preston Edwards, PGC King Jesse Morrison, and Josh Gamberi

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THE social SCENE | Summit, MS | Parklane Academy Graduation Party

Parklane Academy Graduation Party Parklane Academy seniors Katie Edwards, Chancey Harvey, Case Johnson, Shelby Lampton, Shane McKinley, and Kelli McMichael recently were honored with a dinner party at Lake Dixie Springs CafĂŠ in Summit, Mississippi. Hosts were Beverly and Wesley Harvey, Jr.; Kristi and Wayne Herring; Jody and Shea Johnson; Kim and Les Lampton; Yvette and Dennis McKinley; and Kim and R. D. Smith.

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5 6

Shelby Lampton and Chancey Harvey Chancey Harvey and Olivia Haskins Shelby Lampton, Katie Edwards, Shane McKinley, Case Johnson, Kelli McMichael and Chancey Harvey Mary Linda Remley, Shelby Lampton, TyLyn Brumfield, Charly Ott, Shelby Wallace, Molly Adams, Abby Kunkendall, Chancey Harvey, and Olivia Haskins Christina Fledsburg, Skye Williams, Mary Linda Remley, Charly Ott, Amy Lea, and Renee Fortenberry Shelby Lampton, Heather Magee, Jorden Reynolds, Amy Lea, and Renee Fortenberry

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Parklane Academy Graduation Party | Summit, MS | THE social SCENE

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9 10 7

Clayton Dyar, Bradley Wall, Tylar Simmons, and Micah McNight Host parents: Kristi and Wayne Herring, Yvette and Dennis McKinley, Shea and Jody Johnson, Beverly Harvey, Kim Lampton, and Kim Smith Chancey Harvey, Hannah Savargnan, Jessica Oliver, and Katie Edwards Mikey Ferrell, Adam Kavaray, Hunter Aultman, and Billy Newman

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THE social SCENE | Natchez, MS | PGC Royal Court Party

PGC Royal Court Party The Royal Court of the Pilgrimage Garden Club in Natchez, Mississippi, held its annual court party, honoring King Jessie Morrison and Queen Ginnie Scarborough on March 24, 2012, at historic Linden, the home of Jeannette Feltus. The cocktail party took place in the evening prior to the royal coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening night, reigning over the Historic Natchez Tableaux for the remaining two weeks of its performance during Spring Pilgrimage.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Kevin Jenkins and Jesse Morrison Betsy Iles and Emily Maxwell Steve, Ginnie, and Bruce Scarborough Paul, Laura, and Harrison Burns Elizabeth, Gary, and Page Blackwell Chris Maxwell, Wade Heatherly, and Chad Huber Harrison Burns, Daniel Jenkins, Steve Scarborough, Tyler Morrison, Stowers Mohon, PGC King Jesse Morrison and Queen Ginnie Scarborough, Anne Elise Rinehart, Rebecca Seale, Lauren Smith, Elizabeth Blackwell, Mary Catherine Iles, Ramsey Armstrong, Sarah Katherine Cauthen, Graci Gamberi, and Parker Maxwell

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PGC Royal Court Party | Natchez, MS | THE social SCENE

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10 11 12 13 14 15

Steve, Ginnie, and Jan Scarborough Ryan, Jesse, Tim, Blanche, and Tyler Morrison with Kathryn Tidwell Mike, Anne Elise, and Palmer Rinehart DD, Melanie, and Lauren Smith with Patrick Vogt Melanie Downer with Bradley, Christy, and Genny Harrison Rebecca, Jessica, Jasper, and Denise Seale Kathleen McAndrews, Miller Jordan, Josh Gamberi, Steven Eames, and Jessica Cauthen Kevin and Cindy Jenkins, Gina Cauthen, Elliott McCann, and Daniel Jenkins

15 Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 61

Southern Sampler

written by Alma M. Womack

Love and Loss…and Life Ongoing

have been doing articles for newspapers and magazines since the mid 90s, and have written often of the exploits of three little children who grew up in Louisiana’s rural Catahoula Parish in the 1950s and 60s. My two younger brothers, Nub and Doug, and I had many wonderful adventures in our childhood without ever leaving the friendly confines of home. Nub was born when I was not quite two years old, and Doug was born two years later; so we were pretty close, time wise. The boys became my charges at an early age, and I took the care of them seriously. I considered myself standing between them and danger at every turn; their welfare was my job. Mama would turn us out to play in our yard, and we were allowed to go over to Mimi’s house and wander around all the little specialty houses that used to make up a farm. I led and protected; they followed; it was a perfect arrangement. Cowboys and Indians was always our most favorite game; I was the great Indian Perico, Nub was Charles Starrett, and Doug was Little Beaver. We chased outlaws all over creation on our stick horses, and we never had any trouble coming out on top of

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every touchy situation. We were a trio like the Three Musketeers — “All for one, and one for all.” These stories, which are so dear to my heart and embedded in my memory, have stayed bright through the years. When I think of my brothers, it is always with the care and concern that I had for them back when we were just youngsters. Thus, it is with great sadness that I tell you that my younger brother, Doug, passed away on March 30. He had health problems that couldn’t be corrected, but he died peacefully and at peace. Nub and his wife, Sandra, and I were with Doug as he left this earth as were his sister, Helen, and his daughter, Brandi. Kenneth and Sam, the youngest of the family, preferred not to be with Doug at the end but stayed in another room as we watched him quietly depart this life. Doug was a talented architectural draftsman and an accomplished musician who taught himself to play guitar when he was just a youngster. He lived his adult life in the Shreveport, Louisiana, area; so we didn’t see him as often as we would have liked. He was a gentle soul; and above all,

he was Nub’s and my little brother. Always, always. He is at rest beside our parents, and I know that he is at peace. Life goes on for those who remain, and we farmers are planting our crops in hopes of a bountiful year. Last year was such a miserable time, drought and excessive heat inside the levee and flooded land for weeks outside the levee. We are all hoping for a normal year this year with rain not so sparse and the temperatures more bearable. My yard continues to embarrass me, for so much has been neglected while I hobble around with this wretched plantar fasciitis in my heel. I have a lot of ground to cover when I do work outside; but it is just not being covered this year, not to my satisfaction anyway. The brake in front of the house is higher than usual and has flooded some flowers that took the better part of forty years to get established and flourish. I cannot mow close to the water without getting stuck, so the grass is knee high to a giraffe. Overall, things are looking pretty raggedy for this time of year; and I am just disgusted. Surely this malady will let up after a while; and I can do what needs doing, plantwise.

I did get a copy of the new Felder Rushing book from Mary Emrick at Turning Pages Bookstore last week, hoping that it would inspire me to become a slow gardener; since I am, for the time being, slow. There are always good ideas in any Felder Rushing book; and this one is entertaining and informative, too. My favorite Felder book is still Passalong Plants, for that has always been my special way to acquire plants for my own garden. So many of my plants have a history of coming from someone else’s garden that I could write a book on the plants and the people they represent. Who will care for my plants when I am gone? This haunts me sometimes, for a time; but then I will think how foolish I am for thinking such. These passalong plants have managed to survive droughts, floods, lack of care, insects, children, and dogs and cats; and yet, they are still here. There’s no real reason to think that they won’t exist in some form one hundred years from now. They may even provide some enterprising plant person with the opportunity of lifting, as I have lifted, plants from an abandoned site. The dogs are fat and fine, the chickens that Woodrow and I raised last year are laying eggs every day, and our two little boys continue to grow and charm us with their clever ways. Woodrow has had his first rodeo and has signed up for tee ball, a real adventure for him. He told me in no uncertain terms that, if he didn’t “wike” tee ball, he was going on to Montana to help Gus with the cows. (Gus is the Gus of Lonesome Dove for those who are not dyed-in-the-wool Lonesome Dovers.) It will not surprise me if the cows win out. As you enjoy the beauty that is spring in the South, please take time to remember our country’s soldiers, who daily put their lives at risk that we may live safely in America. They are for the most part very young; and they offer their all for the freedom that we have enjoyed for so long. Pray that their sacrifices are not in vain and that those political leaders who disdain them will soon go by the wayside. A lovely May to all.

Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 63

MAY up

& coming! Premier Events

May 1 - 4 2012 Southern Region Master Gardeners Conference Natchez, Mississippi The Mississippi Master Gardeners Association and Mississippi State University Extension Service will host the 2012 Southern Region Master Gardeners Conference May 1 through 4 in historic Natchez, Mississippi. The conference combines presentations and workshops and will be held at the Natchez Convention Center in downtown Natchez. Day one includes registration, bus excursions to private and public gardens, and time to explore Natchez. The next two days include a program packed with keynote presentations, workshops, walking tours, gardening forums, and a silent auction. Keynote speakers feature Gestalt Gardener Felder Rushing; landscape architect Rick Griffin; and horticultural experts and innovators Dave Shanklin; Stanley Wise, Jr.; Nicholas Staddon; and Robert “Buddy” Lee. The conference has a registration fee of $205. For more information, visit www.msucares.com/srmg. May 2 - 3 Gardeners Expo Natchez, Mississippi

The Gardeners Expo set for May 2 and May 3 will provide two days of unique gardening activities and opportunities. From 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day at the Natchez Community Center at 215 Franklin Street, gardeners from the novice to the avid to the expert will gather to share their gardening experiences, dilemmas, and expertise. Boutique shopping will be hosted by approximately thirty-five vendors from across the South, selling unique and exotic gardenrelated merchandise. In addition, Mississippi State University Extension Service specialists will be on hand throughout the event to answer gardening and landscaping questions as well as conduct soil sample analyses. So bring your soil sample, weeds, plants, and bugs to get professional solutions to your gardening problems. Admission is free. Contact Kelly Parks, Event Chairperson, 601-431-1422, for additional information. May 15 - 23 Natchez Trace Bike-a-Thon Natchez, Mississippi Dr. Edward Glaser of Sole Supports, Inc., has partnered with Dr. Charles C. Southerland, the founder of the Yucatan Crippled Children’s Project and a member of Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine, to hold an annual Bike-a-Thon of the 444mile Natchez Trace Parkway, beginning May 15 in Nashville, Tennessee, and lasting 9 days, to fundraise and publicize the need for donations to support life-changing treatments and surgeries of the children of the Yucatan Peninsula who otherwise would be left in need. The ride will end in downtown Natchez, Mississippi, on May 23 to celebrate the Sole Supports Bike-a-thon mission to Help Children Walk and their ongoing mission: To Make People Better. For more information, contact Joshua Evans, Managing Editor, Sole Supports, Inc., at (303)941-3944.

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Premier Events up Throughout May Natchez Festival of Music May 5 Swingin’ Blues: An Evening with the One O’clock Lab Band The World Famous University of North Texas One O’clock Lab Band Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center 64 Homochitto Street 7:00 p.m. $20 May 6 A Hungarian Rhapsody Featuring Jonathan Levin as Franz Liszt Trinity Episcopal Church 305 South Commerce Street 4:00 p.m. $15 May 11 A Night of Romance in the Salon Julia Mortyakova Waverly Plantation 790 Highway 61 South 7:00 p.m. $15 May 12 The Sound of the Mighty Calliope A Family Fun Concert Burnley Cook Memorial Park, Corner of Main Street and South Rankin Street 3:00 p.m. Free May 12 Dancing in the Park Natchez High Show Choir and Robert Lewis Middle School Choir Memorial Park, Corner of Main Street and South Rankin Street 4:00 p.m. Free

& coming! MAY

May 12 The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan Natchez Festival of Music Opera Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center 64 Homochitto Street 7:00 p.m. $25 May 13 The Glorious Sound of Brass Music for Trumpet and Organ Jason Bergman and Vincent Bache Trinity Episcopal Church 305 South Commerce Street 4:00 p.m. $15 May 18 The Voice of a Nightingale: An Evening with Jenny Lind Kristin Vogel, soprano Stanton Hall, 401 High Street 7:00 p.m. $15 May 19 A Portrait of Elegance: Orchestral Music of Mozart and Haydn Natchez Festival of Music Chamber Orchestra Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center 64 Homochitto Street 7:00 p.m. $20 May 20 A Musical Wine Tasting Kimberly Houser, Harpist Lansdowne Plantation 17 Marshall Road 4:00 p.m. $30

May 25 Night and Day: An Evening with Cole Porter Maryann Kyle and James Martin The Towers 801 Myrtle Avenue 7:00 p.m. $100 May 26 Don Giovanni by Mozart Natchez Festival of Music Opera Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center 64 Homochitto Street 7:00 p.m. $25 May 26 Final Festival Gala Linden, 1 Linden Place 10:00 - Midnight $20 For tickets and other information, please check www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com or telephone 601.446.8280.

June 9 33rd New York Mississippi Central Park Picnic Central Park/Bandstand New York, New York For the past thirty-two years The New York Society for the Preservation of Mississippi Heritage has sponsored the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park. This historical event takes place each summer in early June. Over 5,000 individuals and groups who are invited to attend the annual event enjoy a plethora of food, competitions, and performances of varied musical guests as they celebrate Mississippi’s heritage with all the trimmings. The New York Society for the Preservation of Mississippi Heritage accepts donations to assist with the costs of expenses of entertainment, insurance, tents, supplies, permits, and other items needed for the successful event. Contact Rachel McPherson at 718788-2988 or mail your contribution to The New York Society for the Preservation of Mississippi Heritage, 607 Sixth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215. For more information or to view images online from previous picnics visit www.nymspicnic.com. Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 65

MAY up

& coming!

May 1 Story Time Tuesday Jackson Zoo Jackson, MS 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Regular Admission 601-352-2580 www.jacksonzoo.org

May 1 - 29 (Tuesdays) Intermediate Digital Photography Workshop Masur Museum of Art Monroe, LA 6:15 pm - 8 pm $160 non-members / $120 members 318-329-2237 www.masurmuseum.org

May 1 - 18 “Becoming Louisiana: The Path to Statehood” Audubon State Historic Site St. Francisville, LA 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Admission $4 225-635-3739

May 2 Vicksburg Farmers Market Downtown Vicksburg, MS 4:00 - 6:00 pm Washington Street between Jackson & Grove Streets www.vicksburgfarmersmarket.org

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May 2 Live at Lunch Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Free Admission 601-960-1515 www.msmuseumart.org May 2 - 5 Southern Region Master Gardeners Conference Natchez Convention Center Natchez, MS 662-316-0088 May 3 High Note Jam Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Free Admission / Cash Bar 601-960-1515 www.msmuseumart.org

up & coming! MAY

May 3 Fourth Annual Chocolate Affair Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, MS 1302 Adams Street $25 Members / $30 Nonmembers 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org May 3 - 5 The Life of Jesus Christ Louisiana State Penitentiary Angola, LA 10:00 am Tickets $10 225-931-3664 225-655-2592 May 4 First Friday Cougar & Cubs Ball Hollywood Casino - Boogie Nights Baton Rouge, LA 9:00 pm - 2:00 am 225-709-7789

May 4 Alison Krauss & Union Station Thalia Mara Hall Jackson, MS 7:30 pm Tickets starting at $49.50 1-800-745-3000 www.ticketmaster.com Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 67

MAY up

& coming!

May 4 - 5 Arts Alive Smith Park - Downtown Jackson, MS 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Free Admission artsalivejackson.com May 4 - 6, 11 - 13 The Foreigner Vicksburg Theatre Guild Vicksburg, MS Fri/Sat 7:30 pm; Sun 2:30 pm Tickets: $5 - $12 601-636-0471 www.vicksburgtheatreguild.com May 4 - 20 The 39 Steps Baton Rouge Little Theatre Baton Rouge, LA 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Admission charged 225-924-6496 www.brlt.org May 4, 11, 18, 25 Natchez Poetry Society Readings Natchez, MS ArtsNatchez Gallery 425 Main Street Free Admission 601-442-0043

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up & coming! MAY

May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, & 19 Nunsense 3: Jamboree Brookhaven Little Theatre Brookhaven, Mississippi Haven Theater Downtown Brookhaven Fri./Sat. 7:30 pm; Sun. 2:00 pm Tickets: Reserved or at door www.haventheater.org May 5 The Duel at High Noon St. Francisville, LA Noon 225-635-3110 www.lastateparks.com May 5 Baton Rouge Arts Market Main Street Market Baton Rouge, LA 8:00 am - 12:00 pm 225-344-8558

May 5 Breakfast with George Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 9:00 am - 10:00 am Regular Admission 601-960-1515 Bluffs & Bayous { May 2012 { Page 69

MAY up

& coming!

May 5 Monkeying Around with George Family Day Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Regular Admission 601-960-1515 www.msmuseumart.org May 5 Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Outdoor Festival Mayes Lake LeFleur’s Bluff State Park Jackson, MS 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Admission $10 www.facebook.com/pickinandpaddlin May 5 Fest for All Downtown Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA 10:00 am - 7:00 pm 225-344-8558 www.artsbr.org

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up & coming! MAY

May 5 Red Stick Roller Derby Baton Rouge River Center Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm www.redstickrollerderby.com May 5 Babalooza Duling Green Jackson, MS 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm www.fititinfondren.com May 5 Springtime Around the World Pilgrimage Garden Club Longwood Natchez, MS 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm 601-445-8661 May 5 Stanton Hall Attic Sale Natchez, MS 401 High Street 2:00 - 5:00 pm 601-442-6282 thecarriagehouse1@att.net May 5 EXPLORE! Bees Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS Ages 6 - 8, 10:00 am - 11:30 am Ages 9 - 12, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Admission $10 601-442-2901 kmcneil@mdah.state.ms.us

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MAY up

& coming!

May 7 Songs of the Lower Mississippi Valley Jazz Concert Natchez Bluff Gazebo Broadway Street Natchez, MS Free Admission National Park Service: Civil War in Natchez Talk: 6:00 pm; Concert: 7:00 pm Jennifer_Clemetson@nps.gov 601-445-5347 May 7 Take a Tasty Bite Out of Crime Highland Village Jackson, MS 7:00 pm Admission charged 601-717-0946

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up & coming! MAY May 8 Songs & Stories of the Civil War Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Auditorium Vicksburg, MS 7:00 pm; Free Admission 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org

May 9 - 12 Lincoln County Carnival Lincoln Civic Center Brookhaven, Mississippi Rides, Games, and Food Nightly LIVE Entertainment/Music Garden Extravaganza Animal Viewing Zoo and more! www.lincolnciviccenter.com

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MAY up

& coming!

May 10 Paul Thorn Jackson, MS 7:30 pm $25 at the door www.fititinfondern.com May 10 Reception for Mississippi Scenes: A Watercolor Exhibit by Tom Cochran Lincoln County Library Brookhaven, MS 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm May 11 Hot Art, Cool Nights at the Mid City Art Hop Mid City Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm 225-924-6437 lizgalry@bellsouth.net May 11 Pops III: Pepsi Pops Old Trace Park Jackson, MS 7:30 pm Admission charged 601-960-1565 www.msorchestra.com May 11 Deadline for Dance & Vocal Music Auditions MSA Brookhaven, MS Audition Date May 25 Junior & Senior / 2012-2013 601-823-1300 www.msa.k12.ms.us

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up & coming! MAY May 11 Blues Concert Vicksburg Convention Center Auditorium Vicksburg, MS 901 Monroe Street 8:00 pm $25 601-955-4894 or 601-630-2929 May 12 Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis 5K Run / Walk Railroad Park Brookhaven, MS Downtown Brookhaven 7:30 am registration day of event elainaanders@gmail.com May 12 Baton Rouge Greek Festival Downtown Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm 225-767-7163 www.brgreekfest.com May 12 Second Saturday in Downtown Natchez “French Travels” Rolland Golden Gallery Natchez, MS 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm 601-304-5500 www.rollandgoldengallery.com May 12 EXPLORE! History: Early American Weapons Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Free Admission 601-442-2901 tavance@cableone.net May 12 Stray at Home Duling Green Jackson, MS 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Admission charged www.strayathome.com

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MAY up

& coming!

may 12 italian memory Box workshop Southern culture heritage foundation Vicksburg, mS 8:00 am - 12:00 pm $90 SCHF members / $100 non-members 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org May 12 - 13 Skirmish at kingston: a living civil war history reenactment cedar Grove plantation natchez, mS Hosted by Co. H-Conner Battery of Natchez 601-807-3273 shuhper@bellsouth.net may 13 mother’s day Jazz luncheon oak alley plantation Baton rouge, la 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Admission charged 225-265-2151 www.oakalleyplantation.com may 15 - 23 Bike-a-thon of the 444-mile natchez trace Beneﬁtting Yucatan Crippled children’s project nashville to natchez 303-941-3944 may 15 lunchtime lecture architects of antebellum mississippi historic Jefferson college washington, mS 12:00 pm Free Admission rperson@mdah.state.ms.us may 16, 23, 30 & June 6, 13 Seven-Step method of chair caning Southern culture heritage foundation Vicksburg, mS 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm $50 SCHF members / $60 non-members 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org

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up & coming! MAY

May 17 River City Jazz Masters Presents: Patti Austin Hartley Vey Theatres @ Shaw Center of the Arts Baton Rouge, LA 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Admission charged 225-344-8558

May 18 - 20 GreekFest 2012 Greek Orthodox Church Jackson, MS Greek Food / Pastries, Live Greek Music / Dancing Greek Marketplace 5725 Pear Orchard Road Fri. 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Drive-thru Lunch Sat. 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Sun. 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm 601-355-6325 greekfestjackson.org May 18 - 20 Tunica-Biloxi Tribe Pow Wow Marksville, LA Pow Wow Grounds 318-253-1946 www.tunicapowwow.org

May 19 Big Yam Potatoes Old Time Music Concert & Fiddle Contest Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS Free Admission 601-442-2901 rperson@mdah.state.ms.us May 19 Trail of Honor JPD Pistol Range Jackson, MS Free Admission 601-372-5770 www.trailofhonor.org

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MAY up

& coming! May 19 Fill Your Heart…and Pound the Pavement For Pals Walk/Run Summit, MS Registration $15 - $25; add $5 for onsite www.msracetiming.com

May 19 Heritage Music Series 2012 Dexter Allen & Band Coral Room Vicksburg, MS 8:00 pm Tickets $20 / Cash Bar 601-618-9349 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com www.vicksburgheritage.com

May 19 - 20 Holt Collier Sacred Harp Singing Old Court House Museum Vicksburg, MS 1008 Cherry Street Sat. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Sun. 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm 601-636-0741 societyhistoica@bellsouth.net www.oldcourthouse.org May 22 - 26 New Orleans Wine & Food Experience New Orleans, LA www.nowfe.com May 24 Screen on the Green Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 7:00 pm Free / Cash Bar 601-960-1515 www.msmuseumart.org

May 24 - 27 Jambalaya Festival Gonzales Civic Center Baton Rouge, LA Times vary. Free Admission 225-675-6550 May 25 Westside Theatre Foundation Back to the 80s Strand Theatre Vicksburg, MS Aldolph Rose Building 717 Clay Street 601-618-9349 Page 78 { May 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous

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MAY up

& coming! May 26 3rd Annual Soul Survivors Festival Downtown Ferriday Ferriday, LA 11:00 am - 9:30 pm www.ferridaymusic.com

May 25 - 27 Louisiana Southern Fried Festival Hamilton Expo Center West Monroe, LA 318-396-5000 www.lasouthernfriedfestival.com May 25 - 27 New Orleans Greek Festival New Orleans, LA Mid-City 504-282-0259 www.greekfestnola.com

May 26 - 27 Bayou Country Superfest LSU Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 4:00 pm - 12:00 am Admission charged www.ticketmaster.com Throughout June Masur Museum Summer Art Camps For Children Monroe, Louisiana www.mansurmuseum.org

June 1 - 2 Cookinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; On The Cane Front Street Natchitoches, LA 800-259-1714 www.natchitochesjaycees.com

June 2 - 3 New Orleans Oyster Festival Decatur Street New Orleans, LA neworleansoysterfestival.org

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

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Surprised Proposal | Natchez, MS | THE social SCENE

Surprise Proposal

Tyler Ellis and Callie Elizabeth Monger became engaged in Natchez, Mississippi, on April 7, 2012, on the steps of historic St. Mary Basilica. Callie is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ralph H. Monger of Germantown, Tennessee, and granddaughter of Sissy Eidt of Natchez, Mississippi. Callie’s mother, Margaret Eidt Monger, grew up in Natchez; and Callie has visited her mother’s hometown throughout her life. Tyler is the son of Betsy and Wes Ellis of Collierville, Tennessee. Tyler knew how special St. Mary’s was to Callie and wanted to include it in some unique way in their engagement and wedding plans, but he knew it would be hard to get all their friends down to Natchez for a wedding. Therefore, he thought to propose in Natchez would be the next best thing. Keeping the secret was all the more exciting for immediate family including Sissy Eidt. Following the proposal, the newly engaged couple returned to a cheering crowd at her grandmother’s home with toasts, congratulations, and hugs from all.

2 3

The Proposal: Tyler Ellis and a surprised Callie Monger on the steps of St. Mary Basilica The happy couple inside St. Mary Basilica The couple celebrates at the home of Sissy Eidt.

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Wray Eidt with Tyler Ellis Sissy Eidt and Callie Monger—kisses from grandmother Tyler and Callie enjoy toasts of celebration.

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