Bluffs & Bayous July 2015

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FROM THE EDITOR

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may not be able to carry a tune, but I am a lover of all things music. I think it all began when my sister and I were introduced to the sounds of Tracy Chapman and Dan Fogelberg at a young age. We may have been fans of New Kids on the Block in those days, but listening to those cassette tapes and old vinyls from Dad’s college days really instilled a love of the singer/songwriter in me.

When I ventured off into the Mississippi Delta for college, I began a love affair with the Blues. It was something I had listened to growing up in Natchez; but in the Delta, you are immersed in the sounds of a twanging guitar and soulful humming voice.

I can remember being at Po’ Monkey’s on a back road in Merigold, Mississippi, and hearing Blue Mother Tupelo for the ÀUVW WLPH ,W ZDV D SHUIHFW 'HOWD 0DUFK afternoon with a bright sun, hectic wind, and this husband-and-wife duo from smalltown Tennessee. Between her beat of the

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tambourine and his skill on a steel guitar, I was forever hooked on their sound.

Their music became the soundtrack to my college years, and I was lucky enough to be able to follow them around the Delta for many of their shows. From Friday nights at Vince’s in Leland to Saturdays at the Pickled Okra, I made every show possible and sang along to every word. Thank you for putting my

Delta experience to music and reminding me always to go “Home.”

Enjoy the music of summer in your life along and beyond the Mississippi.

JJuly ulyy 2015 05

FEATURES

Follow the Gold Record Road pages 42 - 44

Keeping the Beat pages 46 - 47

The Song of Sam pages 50 - 52

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July 2015

FAVO R I T E S All Outdoors Flats ......................................................................................................................8-9

Events July Premier Events..............................................................................................53 July Louisiana Up & Coming! .........................................................................54-58 July Mississippi Up & Coming! ........................................................................59-63

G’s Fare Savoring Summer ............................................................................................16-18

Savoring Summer pages 16-18

In the Garden Be Creative in Tough Garden Areas................................................................28-29

Legal Notes RENTING: The Landlord’s Obligation (Part 2) .............................................22-23

Southern Sampler Southern Aromas............................................................................................ 64-65

The Social Scene Evening in Lights..................................................................................................14 Judith Robinson DAR Chapter Meeting ..............................................................15 After Hours with Merit Health ............................................................................19 Colonial Dames’ Chapter Meeting ..................................................................20-21

Jessica Abraham & Ben Williams Wedding page 10-11

“Road Dawgs” Meet and Greet........................................................................26-27

ON THE COVER

H.V. Cooper High School’s Class of 1965 Class Reunion ..............................36-38

In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Leo Bud Welch croons the Blues for local patrons and followers of the Gold Record Road at Red’s Bar in Clarksdale, Mississippi. See feature on pages 42 to 44.

Photography by Anthony Scarlati. Artistic Design

by T.G. McCary.

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Children’s Advocacy Center Hosts Sandusky.......................................................33

Ice Cream Social with Southwest Insurance .......................................................38 Town and Country Club Meeting .........................................................................39 Pilgreen Reunion ............................................................................................56-58

The Wedding Scene Jessica Abraham & Ben Williams Wedding ....................................................10-11 Engagement Party for Tindle and Hall...........................................................12-14 Engagement Party for Netterville and Tanner ...............................................30-32

PUBLISHER Cheryl Foggo Rinehart MANAGING EDITOR CONSULTING EDITOR Jennie Guido Jean Nosser Biglane GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Aimee Guido Tim McCary Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker Bill Perkins Cheryl Rinehart Lisa Adams Whittington SOCIAL MEDIA & EVENTS MANAGER Anne Elise Rinehart SALES STAFF Jennie Guido Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Gary R. Buchman Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin Becky Junkin Ross McGehee Alma Womack

Cheryl Rinehart

Jean Biglane

Anne Elise Rinehart

Jennie Guido

Jan Ratcliff

Aimee Guido

Anita Schilling

Van O’Gwin

Tim McCary

Donna Sessions

JoAnna Sproles

Elise D. Parker

Bill Perkins

Lisa Adams Whittington

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin

Becky Junkin

Ross McGehee

Alma Womack

Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do QRW QHFHVVDULO\ UHà HFW WKH YLHZV RI WKH SXEOLVKHU QRU GR WKH\ FRQVWLWXWH DQ HQGRUVHPHQW RI SURGXFWV RU VHUYLFHV KHUHLQ :H UHVHUYH WKH ULJKW WR UHIXVH DQ\ DGYHUWLVHment. Bluffs & Bayous strives to insure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.

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

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ALL OUTDOORS

I

Flats

s there anything worse than coming out the door in the mornLQJ DQG EHLQJ JUHHWHG ZLWK D Ă DW WLUH" 2K ,¡P VXUH WKHUH LV EXW on a day-to-day basis, it can wear you down. And you don’t have to Ă€[ it; you just change it, but that is still a nuisance. And the RGGV WKDW RQH ZLOO KDYH D Ă DW WLUH RQ DQ\ JLYHQ GD\ ULVH H[SRQHQtially with the number of tires one owns. $OO WKLV DVVXPHV WKDW WKH SHUVRQ ZKR GLVFRYHUV WKH Ă DW WLUH will, in fact, do something about it besides calling the man. And , GRQ¡W NQRZ ZKDW LV ZRUVH Ă€QGLQJ WKH MDFN DQG GLJJLQJ LW RXW of its impossible storage spot, or jacking the vehicle up with the Mickey Mouse apparatus that you have been laughingly issued, or breaking the lug nuts off that were last tightened up with an impact wrench. Then, if you didn’t think ahead and get a fullsized spare, you’re stuck for the duration with one of those miserable little “donutsâ€? that limit your speed to a glacial pace.

7KHUH ZDV D IDUP RSHUDWLRQ KHUH WKDW QHYHU À[HG D à DW WLUH ,I D WLUH ZHQW à DW WKH\ WRRN LW RII DQG KDXOHG LW WR WRZQ ZDLWHG IRU LW WR be repaired, and brought it back. Big tractor tires—just call someone, and they’d put you on the list and get to you whenever they could. This farm is no longer in business. I can’t imagine losing that much time. On the other hand, there is a time when you should call for help.

My friend Mike broke down a tire (rear tractor, six feet tall) VHYHQ WLPHV EHIRUH KH ÀQDOO\ À[HG LW $QG P\ RZQ 'DG KDG D WXEH on a tractor in the early sixties that I witnessed him repair that had sixty-four patches on it. It was ridiculous! We actually counted the patches. And back then they were the kind you had to burn Page 8 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

BY

Ross McGehee

on—sixty-four. Somebody mentioned that he really should get a new inner tube, but he said he had way too much money invested in THIS tube to just throw it away!

A couple of friends up in Carlisle elected to do their own tire UHSDLU ORQJ DJR DQG SXW D IRXUWHHQ LQFK WLUH RQ D Ă€IWHHQ LQFK ULP It took a little time. When it wouldn’t “seat,â€? they got out the tape PHDVXUH DQG Ă€JXUHG RXW ZK\ LW KDG WDNHQ VR ORQJ WR PRXQW 7KHQ LW would not come off. They ended up chopping the tire off the rim!

In Port Gibson, there was a tire service area in a gas station with D FRQFUHWH FHLOLQJ , ZDV LQ WKHUH \HDUV DJR JHWWLQJ D Ă DW Ă€[HG DQG noticed that the ceiling had “Goodyearâ€? in a circular pattern printed on it, backwards. I asked how did that happen and the tire man lisped, “I was airing up a truck tire and it blowed off the rim and knocked all my teefs out and put that mark up there.â€?

I got to noticing that my bill at the tire store was always high.

6RPH PRQWKV LW ZDV DQG , À[ PRVW RI P\ RZQ à DWV 7KHQ , counted tires—way over 200 on the ground. Sold a bunch of equipment and consolidated to bigger stuff. Put used aircraft tires on everything. Then went and bought a big truck for hauling grain and the attendant trailers, and I’m right back where I started. Just paid the tire bill for this month, and it is the usual $396 dollars. , À[ VR PDQ\ à DWV WKDW , ZHQW DQG ERXJKW D SQHXPDWLF RYHU hydraulic bead breaker to unseat tires from the rims—$1,500; EXW ZKHQ \RX DUH VHYHQW\ PLOHV IURP WRZQ ZLWK D à DW WLUH RQ a tractor on Friday afternoon, it just paid for itself. When we FOHDUHG -DFNVRQ 3RLQW ZH ZHUH KDYLQJ ÀYH à DWV SHU GD\ RQ WKH tractors; and we moved to Acme to cut milo and sliced the sidewall out of a $3,500 combine tire unloading it off the truck. We found another one at Laurel two days later and had it running again. You can’t call for help like that; the mileage alone would eat you up!

:H KDG WKUHH Ă DWV RQ D WUDLOHU WZR GD\V ago. And it is what I consider to be a good unit. Put more miles on it than anything HOVH , RZQ %XW WKDW¡V ZK\ LW KDV Ă DWV 1HZ enough tires; but on gravel roads, back in the swamp, overloaded and in a hurry, what GR \RX H[SHFW" :H KDG D Ă DW RQ D ODQG OHYeler three days ago that took three of us to break down. Old tires are much tougher than new ones, weathered rubber and all that, and QRW D VKDGH WUHH LQ VLJKW , KDYH D Ă DW WLUH RQ the back of a tractor right now at Bellwood that awaits my attention. Thank goodness it is the outside dual. I have another at Rodney, back tire, inside dual. And I really don’t want to be real aggressive about inspecting any more equipment right now because WKHUH ZLOO MXVW EH DQRWKHU Ă DW WLUH WR Ă€[ So if you think you’re having a bad day EHFDXVH \RX KDYH D Ă DW WLUH RU \RX WKLQN you want to farm like Oliver Wendell Douglas, or you wonder why I drive a “tire truck,â€? there’s your answer. Dad used to VD\ ´, KDYH PRUH Ă DW WLUHV WKDQ WKH ODZ DOlows.â€? They need to change the law or enforce it!

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

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 9

Jessica abraham & ben williams brookhaven, mississippi j photography by bill perkins n the evening of Saturday, May 2, 2015, at half past six o’clock, Jessica Abraham and Ben Williams were united in marriage at a rather unique location—the private airstrip of Shady Creek Acres, the estate of Betty and Charles Dixon.

Located in a secluded spot east of Brookhaven, Mississippi, the hometown of the groom, this outdoor setting was chosen for an exceptional reason. The bride, a Vicksburg, Mississippi, native, surprised the guests by arriving at the appointed moment from the sky in a white airplane. Once the chaplain, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen, and flower girl were in place, the bride’s sky chariot appeared at treetop level, buzzing the unsuspecting wedding party and guests.

Pilot Paul Barnett skillfully banked hard after the tree-top flyby, returning for a soft landing, and then taxied near the ceremony. Barnett assisted the bride, complete in her beautiful wedding gown, from the aircraft to be escorted by her doting dad to her place by the chaplain and the groom. Her father, Raymond Abraham, was as surprised as the many applauding guests but quickly jumped into action, delivering his lovely daughter from the plane to the ceremony already underway.

From this point, the marriage preceded as most, following tradition. Once the couple expressed their vows, exchanged rings, and sealed the moment with an embrace and kiss, Barnett and the bridal plane were again airborne. He entertained the wedding party with one more pass over the venue and then disappeared as quickly as he had arrived over the nearby forest.

This was a wedding that will be forever embedded in the thoughts of those present.

As sunset approached, all made their way along the short walk through the woods to the lovely home of the Dixons, who graciously shared their charming residence for this magnificent and memorable occasion. Guests savored delights from braised duck to fresh jumbo shrimp and danced the night away to the sounds of the couple’s favorite band, Cornbred.

This very talented musical ensemble had entertained the couple while on vacation at the Flora-Bama Lounge.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Abraham of Vicksburg. The groom is

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the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Williams of Brookhaven. Serving as matron of honor was Megan Cook Vincent of Naples, Florida; and the maid of honor was Shannon McGowan of Hazelhurst, Mississippi.

Bridesmaids were Scarlett Woods of Flowood, Mississippi; Anna Stone Neth of Fort Meyers, Florida; and Tania and Sierra

Nelson, both of Vicksburg. The flower girl was McKenzie Juge of Hazelhurst.

Clark Dixon of Hazlehurst served as best man. Groomsmen were Dan Campbell and Daniel Smith of Brookhaven; Jason McFadden of Madison, Mississippi; Stephen Laine of Niceville, Florida; and Brad Smith of Hazelhurst.

Chaplain Heath Ferguson of Brookhaven officiated at the ceremony.

A violin trio of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra provided music for the ceremony, and Amy Valentine and Betty Dixon served as wedding coordinators.

A bridal luncheon honored the bride and her attendants on Friday, May 1, 2015, at the home of Tania Nelson in Vicksburg.

Hostesses were Shelia Stone, Tania Nelson, Sierra Nelson, Megan Cook Vincent, Shannon McGowan, Anna Stone Neth, and Scarlett Woods. The groom and his attendants enjoyed a luncheon on the day of the wedding at the home of Sylvia and Chris Campbell of Brookhaven.

Having returned from the honeymoon, the couple now resides in Port Gibson, Mississippi.

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THE wedding SCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

Engagement Party for Tindle and Hall

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r. James Emory Hall and his wife, Valerie Campbell Hall, hosted a party at their home in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on April 10, 2015, to announce the engagement of their son, Sam Hall, to Trevor Tindle, daughter of Dr. Raanne Ray and Mr. Cecil Allen Tindle. The wedding ceremony took place in the bride’s hometown of Cleveland, Mississippi, on June 6, 2015. Pianist Babs Woods entertained the gathering of family and friends.

Photography by Bill Perkins

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Trevor Tindle and Sam Hall Amy and Dennis Valentine Carole Bennett and Kathy Behan Jim and Val Hall Jason Snider and Mike Taylor Celeste Carty and Mitch Rayborn Patti Moak and Bill Perkins Jim Hall and Jerrod Rayborn Karen Behan and Dott Cannon Elliot Crawford, Trevor Tindle, Sam Hall, and Kathleen Fitzpatrick 11 Mary Dee Corkern, Brad and Lissa Boerner, and Linda Moak

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THE wedding SCENE

BROOKHAVEN, MS

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12 Ralph and Martha Ann Peeples with Jean Wood 13 Val Hall, Ed Moak, and Madeline Brown 14 Cathy Swalm, Amanda Warren, Lawrie Gulley, and Brooks Warren 15 Babs Woods 16 Valerie and Val Hall, Trevor Tindle, and Madeline Hall 17 Raanne and Allen Tindle 18 Phylliss Spearman and Shirley Estes 19 Karen Sullivan and Claudia Smith 20 Susan and Mark Smith 21 Jimmy and Patti Perkins with Lyle and Danita Hobbs 22 Mike and Melinda Said, Janie Mooney, and Becky Taylor

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THE wedding SCENE BROOKHAVEN, MS

23 Spencer Mooney, Ellie Phillips, Diane and Henry Ledet 24 Val Hall and Rhonda Rayborn

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THE social SCENE MAGHOLIA, MS

Evening in Lights agnolia, Mississippi’s, Evening in Lights, which took place at the Magnolia Train Depot on Friday, March 27, 2015, was the closing event of the annual Pike County Azalea Festival.

Magnolia Beautification and the city of Magnolia hosted the evening of fun for the community.

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Alice Mitchell, Lisa Loth, and Evelyn Adams

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Charlotte Starrett and Lisa Loth

THE social SCENE TYLERTOWN, MS

Judith Robinson DAR Chapter Meeting n May 14, 2015, Janice Brock welcomed the Judith Robinson DAR Chapter of McComb, Mississippi, to her rustic, riverfront log-cabin retreat overlooking the Bogue Chitto River in Tylertown, Mississippi. Members prepared their favorite recipes for the luncheon, which consisted of baked ham, variety of vegetables, salad, rolls, and tea. A butterscotch cake with the inscription “bon voyage” was served in honor of Ann Hoff, who will be leaving the chapter as she is moving to Alabama.

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1 Front—Janice Brock and Helen Smith; back— Carla Stringer, Sue Boyd, Dell Clawson, and Janis Dowe 2 Carolyn Richmond, Beverly King, and Betty Penick 3 Laila McEwen, Ann Hoff, Pearl Strong, and Wanda Lambuth 4 Melissa Holeman, Peggy Tidewell, Mary Felder, and Nelda Breeland 5 Dell Clawson, Tammy Strickland, Ava Madison, and Beverly King 6 Missy Bates, Ann Hoff, Sue Boyd, and Carla Stringer

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G’S FARE

BY

Becky Junkin

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Jennie Guido

Savoring Summer

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W LV KDUG WR EHOLHYH WKDW LV DOUHDG\ KDOIZD\ ÀQLVKHG DQG LW LV time to celebrate another Independence Day. The recipes below would be perfect as a different twist for the Fourth or any day in the summer. If you are going to spend your Fourth on the lake, the ÀVK WDFRV PLJKW EH D \XPP\ ZD\ RI FRRNLQJ DQ\ IUHVK ÀVK \RX PD\ be catching.

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July with your family and friends; and if you have anything that is absolutely delicious, send me your recipes so that I can share them with the other readers.

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, ORYH ÀVK WDFRV DQG WKHVH DUH P\ IDYRULWH 0\ KXVEDQG Jerry, found this recipe several years ago on the internet; and we have been using it since. It is a little more trouble than most, but the sauce and apple slaw are worth the effort. We make homemade mayo for the sauce, and that H[WUD HIIRUW LV GHÀQLWHO\ ZRUWK LW )RU D KHDOWKLHU FKRLFH \RX FRXOG DOZD\V VXEVWLWXWH JULOOHG ÀVK IRU WKH IULHG

CRUNCHY FISH TACOS 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce Vegetable oil, for frying J\W HSS W\YWVZL Ă…V\Y 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup club soda 1 1/2 tablespoons hot sauce 3 cups Panko bread crumbs V\UJL JH[Ă„ZO Ă„SSL[Z J\[ PU[V [^V PUJO WPLJLZ V\UJL WHJRHNL Ă…V\Y [VY[PSSHZ Apple slaw (below) In the work bowl of a food processor, combine mayonnaise, honey, lime juice, and chipotle in adobo. Pulse until smooth. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot, pour oil to a depth of four inches; and heat over medium to high heat until it reaches 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.

0U H ZOHSSV^ KPZO JVTIPUL Ă…V\Y ZHS[ HUK IHRPUN powder. Whisk in club soda and hot sauce until smooth.

To a separate shallow dish, add bread crumbs. Dip catĂ„ZO WPLJLZ PU IH[[LY HSSV^PUN L_JLZZ [V KYPW VɈ" JVH[ PU IYLHK JY\TIZ -Y` Ă„ZO PU IH[JOLZ \U[PS IYV^U VUL [V [^V TPU\[LZ WLY ZPKL ;YHUZMLY Ă„ZO [V H WHWLY [V^LS SPULK baking sheet to drain, and keep warm in oven.

Spray both sides of tortillas with nonstick cooking spray. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook tortillas until lightly browned, one to two minutes per side.

To assemble tacos, spread tortillas with mayonnaise TP_[\YL HUK [VW ^P[O Ă„ZO WPLJLZ HUK HWWSL ZSH^ :LY]L immediately.

For apple slaw: V\UJL IHN HUNLS OHPY JVSLZSH^ TP_ .YHUU` :TP[O HWWSL WLLSLK JVYLK HUK Ă„ULS` chopped 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1 jalapeĂąo pepper, seeded and thinly sliced J\W MYLZO SLTVU Q\PJL 1/2 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 0U H SHYNL IV^S JVTIPUL ZSH^ TP_ HWWSL JHYYV[ VUion, and jalapeĂąo. In small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, sugar, and salt until smooth. Pour dressPUN V]LY ZSH^ TP_[\YL [VZZPUN [V JVTIPUL *V]LY HUK refrigerate at least two hours.

I found the recipe for this on Facebook and have been using it at the Pilates studio all summer. I am not a big fan of ginger and mint, but this combination is very refreshing and addicting. I actually add more of everything.

REFRESHING SUMMERTIME WATER 1 lemon, thinly sliced 1/2 or 1 cucumber thinly sliced (How much to use depends on the size of your cucumber.)

1/3 cup mint, chopped 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated 6 cups water Ice Combine all of the ingredients in a jug and refrigerate overnight.

My friend Lucille Baldwin gave me this recipe for stuffed jalapeĂąos. They can be served as an appetizer or as a light meal.

CHICKEN-STUFFED JALAPEĂ‘OS 10-12 jalapeĂąos 1 8-ounce cream cheese, cut in pieces 1 bunch green onions, sliced lengthwise (tops only) 2-3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced in strips 1 pound bacon, cut in half Salt and pepper the chicken strips. Cut the jalapeĂąos in half and remove all of the seeds. (I would wear plastic gloves or be sure to keep your hands away from your eyes!) Fill each half of the jalapeno with the cream cheese; place a small strip of green onion on top of the cream cheese; and on top of that, add a small strip of chicken. Wrap the pepper with a half strip of bacon securing with a toothpick. Cook on the grill until chicken is done for about Ă„M[LLU [V [^LU[` TPU\[LZ VY JVVR PU [OL V]LU H[ KLNYLLZ MVY [OPY[` Ă„]L VY forty minutes.

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Someone brought this cake to the studio, and it was quickly devoured. It reminds me of the butterscotch cookies we baked when I was a child. This cake would be fantastic with a glass of ice-cold milk on a hot summer afternoon or with a cup of hot coffee for a sweet-tooth breakfast.

FRIENDSHIP CAKE `LSSV^ JHRL TP_ 1 cup oil 1 cup warm water 1 cup brown sugar LNNZ 1 cup pecans 4P_ [VNL[OLY HSS VM [OL PUNYLKPents, and pour into a nine-by-thirteen-inch greased pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven for thirty to forty minutes.

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

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

After Hours with Merit Health n May 20, 2015, the Natchez Adams County Chamber of Commerce hosted an after hours event for Merit Health Natchez, which was formerly known as Natchez Regional and Natchez Community Hospital. Merit Health Systems is a multi-branched network with many hospitals across Mississippi. Staff and guests of the community gathered to hear what is in store for the hospital while enjoying catered food and cocktails.

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James Colemann and Renee Cantu Kacy Aubic and Andrew Haile Peyton Cavin and Melissa Jones Benny Jeansonne and Ed Bond Lisa Huffines, Robin Stahlman, Brandon Wilson, and Caitlin Goodman 6 Jimmy Dickey and Lynda Hall 7 Dick Thompson and Evelyn Fairbanks 8 Margaret Perkins and Kay Ketchings

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THE social SCENE MAGNOLIA, MS

Colonial Dames’ Chapter Meeting entury members of the Colonial Dames met at the beautiful, country home of Peggy Tidewell on April 18, 2015, in Magnolia, Mississippi. There were buffet serving stations throughout the home, which included, handcarved turkey and ham with a variety of side dishes of vegetables, salads, deserts, hot rolls, and beverages. The program was provided by Betty Penick, which was a presentation of various ancestral societies’ insignia jewelry and the organizations they represent.

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1 Pearl Strange, Libba Hill, Maryann Mitchell, and Ann Hoff 2 Sue Boyd, Janis Dowe, Carol Burgess, June Holland, and Donna Morgan 6 Connie Lambuth, Emily Lambuth, Pearl Strange, and Wanda Lambuth 4 Dell Clawson and Cecilly Bateman

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THE social SCENE

MAGNOLIA, MS

5 Wanda Lambuth, Lynn Williams, and Patsy Carruth 6 Tammy Strickland, Melissa Holeman, and Peggy Tidewell

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EVERYONE IS INVITED!!

Back-to-School Prayer Rally with

John Luke & Sadie Robertson

Saturday August 1st • 6 pm Football Field at Brookhaven Academy

$10 per ticket Miss Mississippi 2014

Jasmine Murray will perform and present her ministry for teens called

“13 going on 30”

GROUP TICKET RATES APPLY!

To purchase tickets call 601-833-4041 x22 or stop by Brookhaven Academy Development Office or visit Valvoline Instant Oil Change in Brookhaven, Pete’s Interiors by Wallace, Co-Lin Feed & Seed, or Expectations.

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LEGAL NOTES

BY

RENTING:

The Landlord’s Obligation (Part 2)

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ast month I discussed some of the legal issues surrounding the subject of renting a house or apartment. I covered the topic primarily from the lessee’s (renter’s) perspective, regarding his or her duties and obligations toward the landlord (home or apartment owner). This article will cover some of the main issues regarding the landlord’s duties, obligations, and rights. As I said last month, this is a vast topic; and I can only touch the surface but will try to cover some of the issues I experience most in my practice.

One of the biggest issues I see from the landlord’s obligation is his or her duty regarding habitability. Most big apartment leases provide that the landlord is responsible for air conditioning, heating, and plumbing issues. Assume that the entire Page 22 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

toilet system were to go out due to no fault of the tenant. First, under the law, a landlord “shall� at all times during the lease “comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety.�

Should the above scenario occur and the landlord is slow to do anything about it, then a call to the local health department ZRXOG EH WKH WHQDQW¡V ÀUVW PRYH 7KLV FDOO should produce quick action on a landlord’s part.

Second, the landlord must maintain a “dwellingâ€? unit’s (not a strip mall) plumbing, heating, and/or cooling system in good working order and in substantially WKH VDPH FRQGLWLRQ DV ZKHQ WKH OHDVH Ă€UVW started with reasonable wear and tear accepted. Should the tenant be responsible

Lucien C. Gwin III

for damage to the air, heating, and/or plumbing, then this law does not apply.

A tenant under law can walk away from a lease if the landORUG KDV QRW À[HG D SUREOHP within thirty days. If the landlord repairs within thirty days and the same issue arises again within six months, then a tenant may give fourteen days’ notice and terminate the lease.

The additional good news is the law requires that the landlord must refund any prepaid money such as security deposits or prepaid rent.

Another issue I have seen in landlord/tenant leases occurs when landlords have reserved the right to inspect their properties. Most all leases provide a clause giving a landlord the right to make inspections of his properties during the pendency of a lease. The question becomes, “Does the landlord have the right to come unannounced at any time he chooses, admit himself into the premises without SULRU DQG UHDVRQDEOH QRWLFH"Âľ $FWXDOO\ WKH law is unclear on this subject in Mississippi; but in my mind, a landlord should always give reasonable pre-notice of an in-house inspection; otherwise, he may be facing an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit.

The next issue I have seen arise in dwelling leases is a dispute over security deposits. The security deposit is paid on the front end of the lease and held by the landlord in escrow until the lease is up. Should the apartment or house require repairs due to a tenant’s abuse, then the landlord has the right to use as much of the security deposit as is necessary to make repairs. The law requires any remaining balance be refunded to the tenant.

The rub always seems to be that the tenant will claim that a hole in the wall was there when he moved in or that the toilet never worked properly from day one.

The best way for each side to avoid such a nasty little legal battle is to photograph and/or video the house or apartment at the beginning of the lease. Both sides should do this in order to fend off any false accusations.

Landlords should be careful never to sign a lease with anyone under the age of twenty-one. In Mississippi a person is a minor until the age of twenty-one; and should he or she sign a lease before this DJH WKHQ WKH ODQGORUG PD\ KDYH D GLIĂ€FXOW time enforcing the lease against the minor.

Normally, though, the minor can hold the landlord to the lease but not vice versa.

My Take One of the practical problems with legal actions involving leases on apartments or houses is that they don’t involve much money. Should a legal issue arise over a lease, either the landlord or the tenant may ÀQG WKDW WKHUH LV QRW HQRXJK PRQH\ LQvolved to justify hiring a lawyer at $200 to $250 per hour. Often times, the solution is to represent yourself in either Justice Court or County Court; either side would have the right to do this. On the other hand, it is not expensive to consult an attorney to read and explain a lease before you sign one.

Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing many aspects of the law at the firm of Gwin, Lewis, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.

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THE social SCENE NATCHEZ, MS

“Road Dawgs” Meet and Greet n Tuesday, May 12, 2015, the Road Dawgs tour made its way to The Vue Hotel & Restaurant in Natchez, Mississippi, for a meet and greet with Mississippi State football’s head coaches. Featured in this year’s tour is head football coach Dan Mullen, head women’s and men’s basketball coaches Vic Schaefer and Ben Howland, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, and athletics director Scott Stricklin. Alumni and fellow bulldog fans enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the coaches while hearing what was in store for the upcoming season.

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1 Kay Taylor, Nancy Kuehnle, Sarah Grace Jordan, Dan Mullen, Julia Rachel Kuehnle, and Presley Taylor Jennings 2 Bill and Debbie Halford 3 Jeanne Edwards and Pam Middleton 4 Nancy and Scott Kimbrell 5 Dan Mullen and Mary Frances Sessions 6 Kay Taylor, Presley Taylor Jennings, Jan Scarborough, and John Taylor 7 Kayla Cauthen, Abby Brown, Mary Frances Sessions, and Kailey Hutchins 8 Mason and Laurie Wells

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THE social SCENE

NATCHEZ, MS

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9 Lou Ann Jordan, Vic Schaefer, and Chandler Jordan 10 Carter Dickey with Jack and Heather Lewis 11 Michael Davis, Jeff Davis, and Michael Richardson 12 Mary Lees Wilson, Dan Mullen, and Donna Sessions 13 Steve Scarborough, Tyler Jordan, Jan Scarborough, and Russell Goodman 14 Kirk Gibbon and Randy Gibson 15 Tammi Gardner and Cena Mullins

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IN THE GARDEN

BY

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Purslane, such as this Pizzazz yellow, is a succulent that thrives in high summer temperatures.

Be Creative in Tough Garden Areas I

f there’s one area in almost everyone’s landscape that causes a lot of problems, it’s that area between the sidewalk and the street.

I surrounded my mailbox with a small planting bed to help me try to garden in this area. I have had some success trying many different planting combinations that change with the seasons. But it is the summer that causes me the most trouble.

The conditions in this area that cause gardening angst are many, and they build upon each other. Summer soil temperatures VN\URFNHW IURP WKH UHÁHFWLYH KHDW UDGLDWing off paving materials on both sides, and this really bakes the planting bed. Weeds thrive despite the harsh conditions. I have particular trouble with the combination of green kyllinga, nutsedge, and Virginia buttonweed. Watering is problematic because the area is sloped to the street for drainage, which makes it hard to irrigate the bed.

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Gold Dust mercardonia is a tough DQQXDO WKDW FDQ KDQGOH WKH GLIÀFXOW area between sidewalks and roads.

With irrigation, it can create a EODQNHW RI \HOORZ ÁRZHUV

It’s no wonder professional horticulturists and homeowners alike call this area the hell strip. If you have an area like this that causes you heartburn, I’d like to share a couple of plant selections that have done well for me in my hell strip.

Purslane, a really old plant, is one that I have used. It is a succulent that thrives in high summer temperatures. Purslane has long been regarded by many as a garden weed, and I have removed many of these plants from my garden and landscape.

However, purslane’s summer-loving qualities make the improved selections perfect for the landscape. Purslane is a larger and more robust version of its relative, the popular bedding plant moss rose.

Pizzazz purslanes are low-growing, succulent-looking annuals that are available in a variety of colors. The stems are purplish-green, and the leaves are bright green. They grow up to eight inches tall and spread to eighteen inches, so space WKHP WZHOYH WR ÀIWHHQ LQFKHV DSDUW LQ WKH landscape. Regularly pinch off branches to keep purslanes dense and full. Purslanes are heavy feeders that require adequate nuWULWLRQ WKURXJKRXW WKH VHDVRQ IRU EHVW à RZHULQJ DQG JURZWK 7KH à RZHUV FORVH RQ cloudy days and when the plant is under stress. They have been observed to close in late afternoon and early evening, as well.

The other plant that really surprised me last year with its performance in this tough spot was the annual Gold Dust mercardonia. I planted this selection in the spring, intending to use it as a ground cover until I found something else to plant. I never did.

Until my drip irrigation had a problem, the mercardonia created a gorgeous mat from WKH SURIXVLRQ RI EULJKW \HOORZ à RZHUV Once the bed dried out, so did my mercardonia, so you can imagine my surprise this spring when the mercardonia came back IURP VHHG 0\ GULS LUULJDWLRQ LV À[HG DQG I’m well on my way to having the bright yellow carpet again.

Feed mercardonia once a week with a water-soluble 20-10-20 or 20-20-20 fertilizer, always following label instructions.

This step keeps the growth and continuous à RZHULQJ JRLQJ DOO VXPPHU ORQJ 6R GRQ¡W JLYH XS RQ GLIÀFXOW VWULSV RI garden alongside the pavement; but try some plants that perform well in demanding conditions.

,W WDNHV VSHFLDO SODQWV WR ÀQG JDUGHQLQJ success in the hard-to-handle strip of land between pavement and sidewalk. This Pizzazz tangerine purslane combines well with New Look celosia.

&ROXPQLVW 'U *DU\ 5 %DFKPDQ LV DQ DVVLVWDQW H[tension professor of horticulture at Mississippi State 8QLYHUVLW\¡V &RDVWDO 5HVHDUFK DQG ([WHQVLRQ &HQWHU LQ %LOR[L 0LVVLVVLSSL

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 29

THE wedding SCENE WOODVILLE, MS

Engagement Party for Netterville and Tanner n May 9, 2015, a fiesta-themed engagement party was held in honor of Lill Netterville and Wayne Tanner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wettlin Treppendahl of Woodville, Mississippi. Family and friends of the bride and groom enjoyed an evening with Mexican flare. The wedding will be on October 11, 2015.

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1 Lill Netterville and Wayne Tanner 2 Tammy Tanner and Jan Netterville 3 Jan Netterville, Elizabeth Wilkerson, Lili Lewis, Wayne Tanner, Lill Netterville, Sally Treppendahl, Raven Lewis, Ida Whetstone, Melissa Field, Polly Roosenblatt, Edine Seal, and Renee McGraw 4 Gin Brian, Joe Brian, Lill Netterville, Wayne Tanner, Jan Netterville, and Charlie Netterville 5 Tiffany Ford, Ritchie Tanner, Dwayne Munch, Lill Netterville, Nicholas D’Aquilla, Megan D’Aquilla, and Wayne Tanner 6 Gene Partin, Jerry Tanner, Abby Partin, Tammy Tanner, Deanna Gresham, Patrick Tanner, and Staci Tanner 7 Wayne Tanner with Lill, Seth, and Leighton Netterville

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WOODVILLE, MS

8 Jennie Netterville, Wayne Tanner, Lill Netterville, Tommie Jo Blackmon, and Sam Blackmon 9 Paul Arnold, Edine Seal, Wayne Tanner, Lill Netterville, and Elizabeth Wilkerson 10 Melissa Field, Cindy Thornton, Crystal Picou, Jan Netterville, and Sandy Fabre 11 Hayden Whetsone, Mary Claire Netterville, Victoria Cado, and Ruston Cado 12 Ryan Foret, Elise Foret, Zachary Whetstone, and Virginia Whetstone 13 Susan LeBlanc, Elise Foret, Kathleen Rouprich, and Virginia Whestone 14 Bob Lewis, Raven Lewis, Laura Lindsey, and Wil Seal

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THE wedding SCENE WOODVILLE, MS

15 Nick Folse, Wayne Tanner, Lill Netterville, and Clint McCall 16 Matthew Netterville, Lindsey Netterville, and Richard Adams 17 Kaylee Gorka, Lill Netterville, Emma Kingsdorf, Carrie Carter, and Virginia Whetstone

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THE social SCENE SUMMIT, MS

Children’s Advocacy Center Hosts Sandusky

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he Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center hosted Be the Light: An Evening with Matthew Sandusky on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at the fine arts auditorium on the campus of Southwest Mississippi Community College. A reception honoring Sandusky followed at the Gazzo home at Lake Dixie Springs for corporate sponsors, board members, and committee members.

Photography by Bill Perkins

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1 Tina Brumfield, Gail Morgan, Matthew Sandusky, Tracey Farrell, Trisha Artigues, Rachel McKenzie, and Judi Passman 2 Kiley Gazzo, Carol Parker, Patty Vanderslice, Johnnie Taylor, and Amy Gazzo 3 Olivia Dickerson, Alana Gifford, Lauren Jones, and Kathy Gifford 4 Ann Houston Cupit and Dr. Ann Henderson 5 Gail Morgan, Kim Walley, Karla Tye, Trisha Artigues, Tracey Farrell, Matthew Sandusky, Mike Artigues, Terri Barnes, and Tina Brumfield

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THE social SCENE VICKSBURG, MS

H.V. Cooper High School’s Class of 1965 Reunion his year’s reunion for H.V. Copper High School’s Class of 1965 celebration started Friday, April 17, 2015, at Sarata, a historic home in Vicksburg, Mississippi, owned by Tal and Carol Conway Duncan. Inside the class gathered for a catered buffet with some of the classmates bringing favorite dishes of their own. The second event was held on Saturday for the ladies, which was a luncheon held at The Main Street Market.

The final event of the weekend was held at The Bazsinsky House, where Mexican fare was catered. Photography by Glenn Koury and Frank Thornton

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1 Carol and Tal Duncan 2 Michael Duhs and Mary Ward Slack 3 Albert Dornbusch and Bobby Weatherly 4 Eloise Dabney Lautier de Varona and Sterling (Socky) Knight 5 Lynn Hilderbrand Baker and Buddy Baker 6 Linda Gray and Tommy Hadad 7 Carolyn Sink Sheppard and Kathleen Boa Allen 8 Gwen Campbell Edris and Glenda Jo Crawford Gullette 9 Dixie Dye Ray and Marguerite Holliday Allen 10 Al Cannada and Bob Wilson 11 Susan Odell Nielsen and Gloria Abraham Dornbush 12 Jack and Karon Ables 13 Gwen Campbell Edris, Norma Kay Najour Massey, and Tem Murphy 14 Pam Jabour Mayfield, Sandra Moore Mannix, and Sherry Rula 15 Susie Dominick, Candice Dominick Prejean, Bob Wilson, and Virginia Steen Miller 16 Jane Freeman Cunningham, Norma Kay Najour Massey, Lana Toney Hand, Leslie Forsythe Thornton, and Kathleen Boa Allen

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THE social SCENE

VICKSBURG, MS

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17 Kathryn Craig Wall and Jane Freeman Cunningham 18 Susan Palmer Hampton 19 Norma Kay Najour Massey and Ellis Glenn Koury 20 Paul Imrie 21 Susan Palmer Hampton and Karon Ables 22 Edgar Allen and Kathleen Boa Allen 23 Earl Edris and Dale McClung 24 Back—Diana Jackson Baker, Sherry Nosser Cannada, Gloria Abraham Dornbush, Cheryl Mitchell McCollum, Susan Odell Nielsen, and Emily Bonelli; front—Lana Toney Hand and Judy Nutt Owens 25 Carl Barry and Eddie Monsour

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THE social SCENE VICKSBURG, MS

28 Bill McRight, Carole McRight, Beverly Biedenharn, and Herman Beidenharn 29 Elizabeth Guider Collins with Carl and Beth Barry 30 Gwen Campbell Edris, Judy Nutt Owens, Gloria Abraham Dornbush, Dee Dee Adams, Glenda Jo Crawford Gullette with Mike Schlosser in back 31 Eloise Dabney Lautier de Varona, Dixie Dye Ray, and Kathryn Craig Wall 32 Linda Jabour, Mike Moses, Phillip Jabour, Linda Kitchens, and Allen Kitchens 33 Susan Phillips Hadad, Leslie Forsythe Thornton, and Dixie Dye Ray

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THE social SCENE MCCOMB, MS

Ice Cream Social with Southwest Insurance n June 2, 2015, Jesse Frohn and his associates of Southwest Insurance in McComb, Mississippi, helped locals kick off summer with an ice cream social at Aunt Mel’s Ice Cream Emporium.

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1 Mary Grace, Richard, and Jesse Frohn 2 Danny and Debbie Creel 3 Kelli Brock, Carolyn Cook, and Darlene Finch 4 Haven, Josh, and Ellie Sullivan

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THE social SCENE VICKSBURG, MS

Town and Country Club Meeting he Levee Street Marketplace and Antiques in Vicksburg, Mississippi, hosted the May meeting of the Town and Country Club of Tallulah, Louisiana. The vibrant club for women was organized in 1938. Their monthly meetings have included musical programs, museum trips, field trips, and fundraisers.

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1 Back—Margaret Leoty, Janet McCoy, Doris Querry, Jeannie Collins, Charlynne Paxton, and Gail Byrd; front—Kathleen Mills, Alice Gaumnitz, Sharron Harris, Donna Ervin, and Ann Collins 2 Alice Gaumnitz, Donna Ervin, and Ann Collins 3 Mary Landers 4 Gail Byrd and Ann Collins 5 Janet McCoy, Doris Querry, and Jeannie Collins 6 Gail Byrd

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BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI Page 40 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 41

Follow the Gold Record Road hether you know it or not, music of any and all genres surrounds and propels our day-to-day lives. Between cell-phone ringtones, radio strains during long car ULGHV DQG DGYHUWLVLQJ MLQJOHV DW VRPH SRLQW GXULQJ WKH GD\ \RX FDQ ÀQG \RXUVHOI singing along and maybe even tapping your toes along to the beat. However, what we may not realize is that the sounds that get us through the day and get stuck in our minds were created from talented individuals back in the day—birthed and penned from the musical minds of Blues players, Zydeco bands, and spiritual groups along the Gold Record Road.

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by Jennie Guido photography by Anthony Scarlati

This Gold Record Road, luckily, has been organized by Aubrey Preston and his talented team of innovators to encompass the Americana Music Triangle. The triangle covers the areas in, around, and connecting major music landmarks in the South: Nashville to Memphis, Tennessee, down to New Orleans, Louisiana, and back again. With a detailed website that will allow any individual at any point along the triangle to create a road trip of a lifetime, the Americana Music Triangle’s Gold Record Road will become an experience that will educate you about the musical background of our country’s music today.

I had the chance to talk with the triangle’s creator; and Preston explained, “My wife and I have always been music lovers; and once our kids moved out of the house, we were able to start traveling and began to see the need to share this musical journey we

were taking. We saw what a day in the life of these small-town musicians looked like, heard their stories, and saw the authentic culture that lives in the South.”

What most people know is that the Blues was born in the Delta and traveled to the Chicago area with the Great Migration, and we also know that at some point these sounds traveled DFURVV WKH SRQG WR (XURSH DQG LQÁXHQFHG EDQGV VXFK DV 7KH Beatles. What we don’t know is how that music was brought to the South. “People from all over Europe and Africa were beLQJ EURXJKW LQWR WKH 6RXWK DQG EHJDQ WR LQÁXHQFH WKH ¶PXVLF scene’ with the introduction of guitars from the Spanish and banjos from Africans. These sounds created those unique Southern genres of the Blues, Zydeco, Bluegrass, and even Country,” Preston said.

Founder of the Americana Music Triangle, Aubrey Preston, recently completed a tour of the key cities along the Gold Record Road in order to share the launch of the website.

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 43

During a visit to Clarksdale, Mississippi, Bubba O’Keefe, Chamber of Commerce President Chris Coleman, Mayor Bill Luckett, and CVB Director Ellie Westman Chin helped Preston celebrate the kickoff of the Gold Record Road.

From his research and work to organize this amazing contribution to the music world, Preston and his team began to realize that people from all over the world would be interested in taking this journey and learning about the hidden gems along the Gold Record Road. “When you get to Clarksdale, Mississippi, and see those juke joints, you meet people from all over Europe FRPLQJ WR VHH ZKDW WKH ÂśIXVV¡ LV DOO DERXW Âľ 3UHVWRQ WROG PH ,Q D way, that’s what the triangle’s purpose is—to help people really understand what all of this “fussâ€? is about down South.

Photographer Anthony Scarlati, originally hailing from Chicago, Illinois, and now living in Tennessee, followed Preston along the Gold Record Road cataloging the experience.

Scarlati said, “For me its all about culture, faces, and history.

As I would travel the triangle, I was always looking for something or someone that had a story to tell—a story from the past, a story that could tell the viewer how things used to be. I love WR ÀQG ROG EXLOGLQJV ZLWK IDGHG VLJQDJH VRPHWKLQJ RU VRPHRQH off the beaten path. For me, it’s really like a treasure hunt.�

Scarlati thinks that jumping into the triangle is as easy as picking a starting point and driving on. “I hope that people traveling the Gold Record Road have an experience of culture and take home with them a memory, a sound, a conversation, Page 44 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

or an image that they will never be able to forget. If that happens, they will be back again and again,� Scarlati shared. “The people down South are a very passionate group of people.

They love their music; they love their history. It’s fun to be around a community that is so interested in preservation rather than commercialization.�

With so much culture to take in while traveling the Gold Record Road, Preston thinks that this experience of a lifetime taught him just how much more there is to learn about the music world. “There are so many areas rich in authentic culture along the triangle that don’t have any other way to promote what they have to offer,â€? Preston said. With the website, people traveling DORQJ FDQ Ă€QG ORFDO MXNH MRLQWV RU YHQXHV ZKHUH WKH\ FDQ VWRS and enjoy the local color and sounds. “I’m excited to see the development that comes from this.

Personally, I see good things starting in Natchez with the formation of a real music community,� Preston added. “I am happy we are able to pull this project together and present it in a way that anyone can follow.�

To begin your journey along the Americana Music Triangle, YLVLW ZZZ DPHULFDQDPXVLFWULDQJOH FRP DQG VKDUH \RXU H[SHULence with others along the way.

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 45

Blue Mother Tupelo wows a full house at the 408 Listening Room in downtown Natchez, Mississippi.

Page 46 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

n the middle of Natchez, Mississippi’s historic downtown, Rolling River Bistro offers the musical stylings of many local and regional talents in its 408 Listening Room. With the help of Brandon McCranie, the 408 is keeping the beat on a weekly basis. “Rolling River Bistro and the 408 Listening Room celebrated its one-year anniversary on Valentine’s Day. It started out offering great food and live music but was having a hard time getting the word out, so I came to work to start booking talent and publicizing the shows,�

McCranie shared. “I’ve been playing around Natchez with my band, Mojo Mudd, for over ten years and have seen restaurants come and go. After playing at Rolling River for a couple of months, I approached owners Michael Gore and Rene Adams about maybe letting me try to get things moving a little better.�

With a musical background and contacts throughout the state, McCranie started to bring in artists and bands that have never made the journey to Natchez. “I’ve met a lot of musicians over the years and thought that with a few phone calls to New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta I could really shake things up on Main Street,� McCranie said. “Now, we are booking

most of our acts based on references from the musicians that have already played for us, which helps bring those new artists in.�

McCranie added, “I’ve always thought that Natchezians should never have to leave town to hear world-class music of all genres. In the last few months, we’ve had two Grammy winners. We’ve brought in Blues legends like Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Brint Anderson, and Leo Bud Welch. We’ve also featured today’s top Americana acts like Jimbo Mathus, Cary Hudson, and Blue Mother Tupelo. Trust me, these are just a few of the great artists we’ve had.�

With free shows that are open to the public, guests of the 408 are able to enjoy a delectable dinner from the bistro while sitting back and listening to the music. “With Michael and Rene’s full support, we plan to continue to bring the best in food, entertainment, and good old southern hospitality to our downtown,â€? McCranie said. “We’ve got live music every Wednesday through Saturday, and some great acts are already booked WKURXJK WKH VXPPHU $V , OLNH WR VD\ Âś:H¡UH keeping the beat in the heart of Natchez!’â€?

For more information on the 408 Listening Room at Rolling River Bistro, visit its Facebook page.

When not playing with his band, Mojo Mudd, Brandon McCranie brings talent into town from all over the South.

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 47

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 48 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

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

Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 49

The Song of Sam

by Jennie Guido • Photography by Kate Dearman • Album cover art design by Luke Campbell

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Mississippi is the birth place of more music artists than you can imagine, and the music that is created here is something that seems to ooze from every bluff and every bayou. In Brookhaven, Mississippi, Sam Mooney is an emerging music artist, beginning his musical career and hitting the ground running with the release RI KLV Ă€UVW DOEXP From a family of seven children, Mooney is the second youngest and believes their close bond as brothers and sisters tremenGRXVO\ KHOSHG KLP WR Ă€QG KLV YRLFH ´/\ULFDOO\ , Ă€QG PRVW RI my inspiration in the events of my life and the lives of the people around me. There are times when I’m writing stories with my songs; but generally, I write my best music when it’s about real events and feelings,â€? Mooney shared. $V IDU DV KLV PXVLFDO LQVSLUDWLRQ 0RRQH\ H[SODLQHG ´, Ă€QG D lot of inspiration both lyrically and instrumentally in the music of the artists I love. John Mayer, Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Gavin DeGraw, and so many others were huge inspirations to me. Especially Maroon 5 and John Mayer, though, because they really helped me remember that soulful pop music can be commercially successful even in 2015. Listening to their albums UHDOO\ KHOSHG PH Ă€QG P\ VRXQG Âľ While Mooney’s sound may be a combination of many genres, he thinks his music can be categorized as “soulful pop.â€? “Sometimes I want to be country; sometimes it’s mainstream pop; sometimes I want nothing more than to go start a Frank Sinatra cover band. I love all kinds of music; consequently, I think my albums will always be pretty diverse stylistically,â€?

Mooney said.

As a young child, Mooney began working to better his talent WKDW VHHPHG WR FRPH QDWXUDOO\ ´, GHĂ€QLWHO\ ZDV EOHVVHG WR KDYH a natural ear for music, but I started taking piano lessons at eight, and my ability really took off after that,â€? Mooney explained. “I was lucky to have a teacher, Marvin Curtis from Brookhaven, who really recognized where my strengths were and helped me develop them. I may have quit if I had a teacher that only let me play classical, but Marvin let me run with my love for blues and pop, and that made piano so much more fun for me.â€?

Mooney’s love for music really turned into a passion at this point; and at age thirteen, he began to put lyrics to the music that ZDV à RZLQJ IURP KLP :KLOH KLV YRLFH PD\ QRW KDYH EHHQ VRPHWKLQJ QDWXUDO DW ÀUVW KH VDLG ´, KDG GHFHQW SLWFK EXW , ZDV KRUULÀHG to sing in front of anyone till I was about sixteen. I knew I wanted to be a singer, though, so I started taking lessons from Lorin Lewis; and she helped me improve tremendously. Mrs. Lorin was a huge part of helping me reach the next level musically. Before

working with her, I was a good piano player with a lot of good song ideas; but I was too scared to sing. Once my singing was up to par, I could really start to make music a career.�

With her help, Mooney began to book events in the Brookhaven area and learn more about performing for crowds. “At that point, , ZDV EH\RQG UHDG\ WR PDNH DQ DOEXP EXW , FRXOGQ¡W Ă€QG WKH right studio; and, quite frankly, I had no idea how I’d make one,â€?

Mooney shared. “Thankfully, in January of 2014, I came in contact with Casey Combest, the producer and owner at BlueSky Studios in Jackson, Mississippi; and we really hit it off. Within four weeks of meeting, we were in the studio working on my debut album. “Casey was perfect to work with because he was not only a fantastic producer for the album but also a great friend and mentor for D \RXQJ JX\ OLNH PH ZKR ZDV WU\LQJ WR Ă€JXUH RXW KRZ WR JHW P\ career off the ground,â€? Mooney recalled. $IWHU KH Ă€QLVKHG KLV Ă€UVW DOEXP Somewhere in Between, in June 2014, it was released internationally on iTunes and spent a few days at number one on the Singer/Songwriter EP chart. “The album was a far bigger success than I could have ever imagined,â€?

Mooney said.

With the support of his family and hometown, Mooney is continuing with his career and making a name for himself in the world of music. “People in Brookhaven have been incredibly supportive of me, and I love the way people there really root for each other,� Mooney shared. “On top of that, I think I’ve taken a lot Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 51

of inspiration from Brookhaven and Lincoln County. Even when the lyrics aren’t about the places, some of my songs just sound like southwest Mississippi. You can really hear a southern sound in a lot of them, and I think that’s a result of growing up in a beautiful place like Lincoln County.

I absolutely love that area.

To this day, playing shows in Brookhaven is probably one of my favorite things to do because I get to see family and so many friends in the crowd. Plus, no one supports you quite as well as your hometown does!”

For more information on Sam Mooney and his debut album, visit www.sammooneymusic.com or listen to him on iTunes.

Brookhaven, Mississippi, native Sam Mooney credits his downhome upbringing as his inspiration in the music industry.

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premier events JULY FERRIDAY, LOUISIANA July 4 Lake St. John Flotilla 7KH WZHQW\ ÀUVW DQQXDO /DNH 6W -RKQ )ORWLOOD ZLOO EH KHOG RQ 6DWXUGD\ -XO\ VWDUWLQJ DW SP 3UL]HV ZLOO EH DZDUGHG IRU GHFRUDWHG ERDWV LQ WZR FDWHJRULHV SDWULRWLF DQG QRQ SDWULRWLF 5HJLVWUDWLRQ WR HQWHU D GHFRUDWHG ERDW ZLOO EH DW 6SRNDQH 0DULQD LQ )HUULGD\ /RXLVLDQD IURP DP XQWLO QRRQ 7KH UHJLVWUDWLRQ IHH LV )DWKHU /RXLV 6NODU RI 6W 3DWULFN·V &DWKROLF &KXUFK ZLOO EOHVV WKH ERDWV SUD\ IRU VDIH VDLOLQJ DQG DOVR ZHOFRPH WKH UHVW RI WKH FRPPXQLW\·V ERDW RZQHUV WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKLV IHVWLYH RFFDVLRQ For more information, contact Donna Maroon (318)481-0182 / donnamaroon@aol.com.

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI August 1 - 8 Brookhaven Exchange Club Fair *HQHUDOO\ KHOG WKH ZHHN EHIRUH VFKRRO VWDUWV WKH ([FKDQJH &OXE KRVWV D IDLU LQ WKH KHDUW RI %URRNKDYHQ 0LVVLVVLSSL ZLWK DQ ROG WLPH FRXQW\ ÁDLU 6WDUWLQJ LQ LW LV FRQVLGHUHG RQH RI WKH ROGHVW IDLUV LQ WKH VWDWH RI 0LVVLVVLSSL /RFDOO\ RZQHG DQG UDQ WKH IRXUWHHQ DFUH SDUN FRQVLVWV RI KDQGPDGH ULGHV IRRG DQG HQWHUWDLQPHQW IRU WKH ZKROH IDPLO\ $UPEDQGV FDQ EH SXUFKDVHG IRU IRU DQ DOO DFFHVV SDVV WR WKH ULGHV For more information, contact Bill Haag (601)754-0861.

NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI

Throughout July Co-Lin Kids College /RRNLQJ IRU IXQ DFWLYLWLHV IRU \RXU NLGV WKLV VXPPHU" &RSLDK /LQFROQ &RPPXQLW\ &ROOHJH LV KRVWLQJ LWV DQQXDO .LGV &ROOHJH WKURXJKRXW WKH PRQWK RI -XO\ &DPSV LQFOXGHG IRU WKH PRQWK RI -XO\ DUH &\EHU &DPS 7KH $UW &DIp 6WRU\ERRN 7KHDWUH DQG $UW ([SORVLRQ ,, &ODVV VL]HV DUH OLPLWHG DQG WLPHV DUH DP XQWLO QRRQ RQ 0RQGD\ WKURXJK 7KXUVGD\ 7R UHJLVWHU SOHDVH YLVLW WKH :LOOLH 0DH 'XQQ /LEUDU\ RQ &R /L·QV FDPSXV RU call Emily Edwards (601)446-1103.

July 24 – 26 Natchez Food & Wine Festival 7KH 1DWFKH] )RRG DQG :LQH )HVWLYDO ZLOO KRVW D ZHHNHQG RI SDUWLFLSDWLQJ FKHIV UHVWDXUDQWV IRRG SXUYH\RUV DQG ZLQH DQG EHYHUDJH EURNHUV 7KH 1DWFKH] )RRG DQG :LQH )HVWLYDO LV D ZHHNHQG IRU IRRG DQG ZLQH HQWKXVLDVW WR JDWKHU IRU LQGLYLGXDO HYHQWV 7KH VFKHGXOH FRQVLVWV RI VHYHUDO GLIIHUHQW W\SHV RI HYHQWV WKDW DUH WDLORUHG IRU VSHFLÀF SDODWHV DQG LQWHUHVWV ,W EHJLQV RQ )ULGD\ HYHQLQJ ZLWK ´7DVWLQJV $ORQJ WKH 5LYHUµ DW WKH 1DWFKH] &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU IROORZHG E\ D IXOO GD\ RI HYHQWV RQ 6DWXUGD\ RI SUHVHQWDWLRQV GHPRQVWUDWLRQV WDVWLQJV DQG LQFUHGLEOH GLQLQJ H[SHULHQFHV RQ XQLTXH KLVWRULF VHWWLQJV 7KH IHVWLYDO ZUDSV XS RQ 6XQGD\ ZLWK D -D]] %UXQFK DW 7KH &DUULDJH +RXVH 5HVWDXUDQW RQ WKH JURXQGV RI 6WDQWRQ +DOO For details and tickets, visit www.natchezfoodandwinefest.com.

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 53

JULY Louisiana Up & Coming!

ALEXANDRIA

July 11 FOATAZ Feeding Frenzy Alexandria Zoo DP www.thealexandriazoo.com July 11 Second Saturday Alexandria Museum of Art DP ² SP www.themuseum.org July 24 - 25 The Exonerated Lagniappe Theatre SP www.lagniappetheatre.com July 25 +DFNHUV¡V &OXE *ROI 7RXUQDPHQW $OH[DQGULD *ROI &RXQWU\ &OXE DP ² SP (318)442-2870 %$721 528*( Through July /68 )RONV¡ $UW &UDIW 6KRZ ([KLELW /68 8QLRQ $UW *DOOHU\ DP ² SP www.unionweb.lsu.edu July 16 Art After Hours Louisiana Art & Science Museum ² SP www.lasm.org July 20 – 25 Baton Rouge Restaurant Week Throughout Baton Rouge ² SP

www.eatbr.com July 25 Cangelosi Dance Project presents $UW 0HOW 'RZQWRZQ 'RZQWRZQ %DWRQ 5RXJH www.cangelosidanceproject.com

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Louisiana Up & Coming! JULY

August 7 – 16 Next to Normal Theatre Baton Rouge

(225)924-6496 / www.theatrebr.org CLINTON July 4 – 5 Red, White, & Blue Festival American Legion Park (225)281-3144 FERRIDAY July 4 Lake St. John Flotilla Lake St. John SP July 9 David LeBouf Magician Feriday Concordia Library DP www.concordialibrary.org July 14 Sylvia Davis Storyteller Ferriday Concordia Library DP www.concordialibrary.org

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JULY Louisiana Up & Coming!

JACKSON July 3 – 5 Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Festival Pecan Bluegrass Campground +Z\ Sadie and Alvin Havard / (225)629-5852 MONROE

July 13 8/0 *ROI &ODVVLF Bayou Desiard DP ² SP (318)342-3579 / www.ULMwarhawks.com NATCHITOCHES July 17 - 18 36th Annual Folk Festival Prather Coliseum ² SP www.natchitoches.net NEW ORLEANS July 9 -12 San Fermin en Nueva Orleans &LW\ RI 1HZ 2UOHDQV www.nolabulls.com

July 15 – 19 Tales of the Cocktail French Quarter (888)299-0404 www.talesofthecocktail.com

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Louisiana Up & Coming! JULY July 30 – August 2 7KH 1HZ 2UOHDQV $QWLTXH )RUXP The French Quarter www.hnoc.org/antiques.htm July 31 – August 2 Satchmo SummerFest Old U. S. Mint ZZZ ITÀ RUJ PORT ALLEN Throughout July When the Cannons Fell Silent: 6HVTXLFHQWHQQLDO RI WKH (QG RI &LYLO :DU West Baton Rouge Museum 7XHV ² 6DW DP ² SP 6XQ ² SP www.westbatonrougemuseum.org Through July 12 Neal Family Blues West Baton Rouge Museum 7XHV ² 6DW DP ² SP 6XQ ² SP

www.westbatonrougemuseum.org July 9 Lunchtime Lecture: We All Wore Black West Baton Rouge Museum SP www.westbatonrougemuseum.com July 18 – July 31 Holding Out & Hanging On: 10 Years After Hurricane Katrina West Baton Rouge Museum 7XHV ² 6DW DP ² SP 6XQ ² SP www.westbatonrougemuseum.org RUSTON July 9 – 12 Bye Bye Birdie The Dixie Center for the Arts SP 6XQGD\ SP 6WXGHQWV (318)255-1450 / www.rustonlincoln.com

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JULY Louisiana Up & Coming!

ST. FRANCISVILLE

VIDALIA

July 11 – 12 Songbird Music School Birdman Coffee DP ² SP birdmancoffee@bellsouth.net

July 9 David LeBouf Magician Vidalia Concordia Library SP www.concordialibrary.org

July 14 Sylvia Davis Storyteller Vidalia Concordia Library SP www.concordialibrary.org

July 23 & 30 American Snipers: Protecting Troops One Shot by Chris Kyle Vidalia Concordia Library SP www.concordialibrary.org

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Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY BROOKHAVEN July 11 %URRNKDYHQ $UWV *XLOG SUHVHQWV Watercolor Workshop by Billie F. Mathis Mississippi School of the Arts DP ² SP Sue Minter / (601)757-8550

July 13 – 24 Summer Theatre Camp presents The Headless Horseman The Haven Theatre DP ² SP www.brookhavenlittletheatre.com July 16 Lunch & Learn Series presents ´*HWWLQJ 6WDUWHG )LQGLQJ <RXU 5RRWVµ Lincoln County Library DP ² SP modestyann@aol.com

July 16 %URRNKDYHQ 5HJLRQDO $UWV *XLOG Monthly Meeting Lemendai Arts & Interiors SP modestyann@aol.com July 18 Brookstock XV 1154 Beltline Drive DP Don Jacobs / (601)259-8596

JACKSON Through June 7 1HZ 6WDJH 7KHDWUH SUHVHQWV ,W $LQ·W 1RWKLQ· %XW 7KH %OXHV 1HZ 6WDJH 7KHDWUH SP 6XQGD\ SP www.newstagetheatre.com

July 23 Thursday Theatre featuring The American President Lincoln County Library ² SP modestyann@aol.com July 27 – 31 %URRNKDYHQ $QLPDO 5HVFXH /HDJXH·V Dog Days of Summer Camp Brookhaven City Park DP ² 1RRQ samanthasivils@gmail.com +$77,(6%85* July 26 – August 1 Miss Hospitality Pageant Lake Terrace Convention Center www.misshospitality.com

Through September 6 Sid the Science Kid 0LVVLVVLSSL &KLOGUHQ·V 0XVHXP DP ² SP www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com July 11 Country Fair Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum DP ² SP www.mdac.state.ms.us

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JULY Mississippi Up & Coming!

July 11 Ice Cream Safari Jackson Zoo DP ² SP www.jacksonzoo.org

July 18 Neon Lights 0LVVLVVLSSL &KLOGUHQ¡V 0XVHXP SP LQ DGYDQFH DW GRRU www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com

July 31 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 2 Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza Mississippi Trade Mart ² SP www.mswildlife.org

July 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17 Mississippi Time Travelers Kids Camp Old Capital Museum DP ² SP www.mdah.state.ms.us

July 21 Music in the City Mississippi Museum of Art ² SP www.msmuseumofart.org

MCCOMB

July 16 Bridal Open House )DLUYLHZ ,QQ ² SP marketing@fairviewinn.com

July 21 /XFN\ 7RZQ %UHZHU\ 7RXU¡V Pass The Pigs Night!

The Pig & Pint SP www.pigandpint.com

July 17 /RRN DQG /HDUQ ZLWK +RRW Mississippi Museum of Art $OO GD\ www.msmuseumofart.org

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July 26 Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Mississippi Coliseum SP SP www.visitjackson.com

July 7 6RXWKZHVW ,QVXUDQFH SUHVHQWV &DUQLYDO *DPHV 6QRZ &RQHV Central Park ² SP (601)684-7775 July 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 Pike County Little Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors The Depot Theatre SP 6XQGD\ SP

July 22 Kids Day at the Museum Railroad Museum www.pikeinfo.com

Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY NATCHEZ Throughout July Nightly Musical Entertainment Rolling River Bistro & 408 Listening Room )ULGD\ ² 6XQGD\ www.rrbistro.com July 6 - 10 Sun, Moon, & Stars Summer Camp Sun, Moon, & Stars 7LPH SULFHV YDU\ Erin Myers / (601)431-4811 July 6 – 10 Kids Clay Camp Natchez Pottery Studio ² SP ² SP $JHV ² GHSRVLW IRU ZHHN Sarah Meriwether / (225)252-7735

July 11 Second Saturday 'RZQWRZQ 1DWFKH] SP ² DP www.visitnatchez.org July 13 – 14 County Candidate Forum Natchez Convention Center ² SP July 24 – 26 Natchez Food & Wine Festival Natchez Convention Center www.natchezfoodandwinefest.com July 28 Jenny Nolen Training 7KH 6HYHQ /·V RI /HDGHUVKLS Rolling River Bistro DP ² SP

5,'*(/$1' Throughout July Creative Craft Camp 2015 7KH &UDIWVPHQ·V *XLOG RI 0LVVLVVLSSL (601)856-7546 www.craftsmensguildofms.org

July 21 6ZHHWHVW &KHIV RI WKH 6RXWK Mississippi Crafts Center SP www.sweetschefs.brownpapertickets.com 9,&.6%85* July 4 ,QGHSHQGHQFH 'D\ )LUHZRUNV 'RZQWRZQ 9LFNVEXUJ SP

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 61

JULY Mississippi Up & Coming!

July 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11 & 12 - 18 YMCA Summer Camp Warner-Tully Memorial YMCA $JHV ² PHPEHUV QRQ PHPEHUV www.warnertullycamp.com July 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11, 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18, & 24 - 25 9LFNVEXUJ 7KHDWUH *XLOG SUHVHQWV Gold in the Hills Parkside Playhouse SP www.vicksburgtheatreguild.com

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July 10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14, 17 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21, 24- 28, & July 31- August 4 Vicksburg National Park Living History DP ² SP (601)636-0583 July 13 Summer Salads Workshop Southern Cultural Heritage Center ² SP QRQ PHPEHUV www.southernculture.org

July 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17 Splash & Tumble Camp River City Tumble & Cheer DP ² SP IRU GD\V IRU GD\V (601)618-7915 July 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 17 Vicksburg Multicultural Arts Camp Southern Cultural Heritage Center DP ² 1RRQ $JHV ²

www.southernculture.org

Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY July 16 Ritz on the River Concert Vicksburg Convention Center SP 3ULFHV YDU\ www.vicksburgccevents.com July 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 24 Cheer Princess Camp River City Tumble & Cheer DP ² SP IRU GD\V IRU GD\V (601)618-7915

July 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30 Tara Wildlife Archery Camp SHU VHVVLRQ Mark Bowen / (601)279-4261 www.tarawildlife.com July 27 Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Mississippi Blues Commission: Promoting & Supporting the Blues SP (601)631-2997 / info@southernculture.org July 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Sports Camp River City Tumble & Cheer DP ² 1RRQ IRU GD\V IRU GD\V (601)618-7915 :$6+,1*721 July 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 16 Junior Naturalist Camp Historic Jefferson College $JHV (601)442-2901 www.historicjeffersoncollege.com

%H VXUH WR FRQĂ&#x20AC;UP GHWDLOV RI WKH HYHQWV should changes have occurred since events were submitted.

Bluffs & Bayous { July 2015 { Page 63

SOUTHERN SAMPLER

BY

Alma M. Womack

Southern Aromas O

ur sense of smell can trigger memories long hidden and take us back to times long gone by. Smelling the blooms RI D FHUWDLQ VKUXE SXWV PH LQ WKH ÀUVW JUDGH FODVVURRP RI 0UV )UDQFHV 7DOLDIHUUR ZKHQ , ZDV D SHUSHWXDOO\ XQKDSS\ ÀUVW grader, being stuck in a classroom while my little brothers were roaming free at home.

7KH VPHOO RI FUHRVRWH SODFHV PH ÀUPO\ EDFN DW /RXLVLDQD &ROOHJH in Pineville, Louisiana, where the creosote odor permeated everything. And Johnson’s baby powder has followed me through the years from caring for younger siblings, to caring for my children, and then to caring for Miss Liza, Woodrow, Drew, and JG. Freshly cut watermelon has one of my very favorite scents, for it always transports me to the summers of my childhood when our grandfather Ray Dowdy, Papa to us, would bring ice-cold watermelons home from town to make our afternoons a little cooler.

There was an icehouse in Jonesville, Louisiana, back then; and they always kept a supply of cold watermelons in stock. The melons were large, round, and dark green, not like the long, pale-green melons we mostly have now. And they were so sweet and so good, and they were furnished by our beloved grandfather.

Another summer smell that I associate with summer and Papa is the scent of barbecue; for when my brothers, Nub and Doug, Page 64 { July 2015 { Bluffs & Bayous

and I were middling-sized children, Papa decided to buy a barbecue pit and learn to cook in the great outdoors. We three were his RIÀFLDO KHOSHUV Since he generally worked six days a week, the only day that he could cook was on Sunday. Mama was pretty strict about church day; but when Papa announced his intention to cook, we were given the Sunday off.

Preparation for the big cookout started about 8:30 in the morning. First, we’d get the grill nice and clean, for Mimi would not allow her food to touch a grill with any specks on it.

After we cleaned the grill, under Papa’s supervision, it would be time for morning coffee. Papa was always full of stories, so coffee breaks would sometimes last thirty minutes or more. While we were on break, Mimi was doing the work of assembling tools, oil, water, meat, and sauce, all the time wondering how it was that Papa barbecued, but she did all the work. Well, she did a lot of the work, but we associates had the toughest job.

For some reason, Papa would not bank coals on one side of the pit, and let the meat cook slowly on the other side. He wanted the grill turned continually; he said the meat tasted better that way.

We kids would have to take turns, rotating the grill with a stick, for one person couldn’t stand the heat or smoke for very

long. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d turn and turn and turn; and every so often, Papa would move the meat pieces a little closer or a little farther apart from each other to facilitate the cooking process.

While one of us turned the grill, the other two were continually fetching for Papa more coffee or water or a package of Camels or something to fan away insects or smoke. After an eternity of revolutions, it would finally be time to brush on the sauce for the last thirty minutes of cooking.

It was almost always chicken that Papa barbecued. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d do sausage, too, and sometimes would try beef or venison. Once he even barbecued a rabbit as a side dish to the chicken, but even we kids wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat it. :KHQ WKH PHDW ZDV Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ GRQH KH¡G make a grand show of taking it off the grill and putting it on a platter for one of us to carry inside where Mama and Mimi had been busy getting salads, bread, tea, and desserts to go with the barbecue. Papa would then go inside to his easy chair, light a Camel, and sit under the cooling breeze RI WKH IDQ VDWLVĂ&#x20AC;HG DIWHU KLV PRUQLQJ RI hard work.

Of course, we always bragged on his barbecue and thought it the very best in the world. Nobody could cook like Papa.

Nobody could con us into working all morning like Papa.

Since those days, I have eaten barbecue from Texas to Georgia, but never with the satisfaction or appreciation that WKRVH Ă&#x20AC;QH PHDOV FRRNHG E\ 3DSD EURXJKW to us kids on beautiful Black River, summers ago.

Columnist Alma Womack lives on Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana. In addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she is the keeper of the lawn, the lane and the pecan orchard at Smithland.

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