September 2019

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F RO M T H E P U B L I S H E R

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ur second Fall Style Guide has arrived! We seem barely to have returned from our beach vacations, maybe still trying to shake off the sand; but now we are spinning among full-scale back-to-school activities, scampering for “alsoneeded� school supplies, prepping for weekend football activities, and seeking the newest fall fashions.

Our September 2019 Bluffs & Bayous showcases the hottest clothing and accessory trends from local and nearby popular shops—styles from The Well-Dressed Man, Expectations, and Expectations Too in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and from Katie’s Ladies in Natchez, Mississippi. These fashions against the backGURS RI QHZO\ UHQRYDWHG %XWWHUÀHOG 0DQVLRQ LQ %URRNKDYHQ and John Grady Burns’s unique shopping experience Nest in Natchez, Mississippi, spotlight trend-setters and accessories for everyone, including men, women, teens, and young professionals. Our professional photographers Johnny Smith of Johnny Smith Photography in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and Tim McCary of T.G. McCary Studio in Natchez, Mississippi, have captured some of the most striking faces and styles this side of the Mississippi.

Our feature writers Megan Taunton and Jennifer Whitter along with columnists Alma Womack, Becky Junkin, and Sam Gwin invite you to sit a spell and enjoy the respite of a relaxing and informative read. Taunton tells of two worthy efforts—Aiden’s Light and the Go Gold Gala—that assist families in the throes of

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childhood cancer, Whitter writes of her summer travels north into $PLVK &RXQWU\ DQG :RPDFN UHà HFWV RQ KHU RQFH WUHDVXUHG SODQV for escape from life’s hectic times. G’s Fare is all about apples for autumn cooking while Gwin guides us with legal expertise on home buying.

Now, as you prepare for your fall-into-winter lives, we encourage you to patronize those businesses that support our monthly magazine; for with their expertise, talent, knowledge, services, and wares, they each offer something original, unique, and benHÀFLDO :KHQ \RX PDNH WKDW DSSRLQWPHQW RU GURS LQ IRU VRPH shopping, let them know you saw their advertisement in Bluffs & Bayous. Also, don’t forget to keep handy our Premier Events and Up & Coming calendar of activities getting underway throughout our distribution area. Use these guides to plan your visit to something new and somewhere different this month. So many opportunities await you for day trips (or longer!) to experience all this area has to offer in life along and beyond the Mississippi.

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SEPTEMBER 2019

F E AT U R E S Head North for a Change................................. 22-24 Aiden’s Light ........................................................................... 28-29 The Fall Style Guide ................................................... 30-43

F AV O R I T E S

Head North for a Change pages 22 - 24

G’s Fare Autumn is for Apple Baking ........................................................................... 12-15

Legal Notes Property Ownership ............................................................................................20

Southern Sampler Some Not-so-great Escapes .................................................................................58

The Social Scene Girls Night Out .............................................................................................. 10-11 Ritz on the River ............................................................................................ 16-17 Baby Shower and New Parent Resource Fair .......................................................26

Up & Coming

Autumn is for Apple Baking page 12 - 15

Premier Events............................................................................................... 44-46 Louisiana Up & Coming ................................................................................. 48-51 Mississippi Up & Coming ................................................................................ 52-56

ON THE COVER The Well-Dressed Man in Brookhaven, Mississippi, provides svelte, classic attire for model Matthew Hall, seated on the grand staircase of restored, historic %XWWHUÀHOG 0DQVLRQ LQ %URRNKDYHQ See the Fall Style Guide, pages 30 - 43.

Photograph by Johnny Smith Photography, Brookhaven, Mississippi

Mississippi and Louisiana Premier Events: pages 44 - 46 Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 7

OCTOBER

18-20

Rosalie Mansion • Natchez

Bishop Gunn The Allman Betts Band Cowboy Mouth • John “Papa” Gros Mr. Sipp • The B3 • Maggie Brown Chris Gill & The Sole Shakers • Matt Willis and Co. tickets & info: natchezballoonfestival.com

Produced by Page 8 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

PUBLISHER Cheryl Foggo Rinehart COPY EDITOR Jean Nosser Biglane GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling S TA F F P H O T O G R A P H E R S Tim McCary Bill Perkins Cheryl Rinehart Johnny Smith Lisa Adams Whittington SALES STAFF Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions CONTRIBUTORS Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin III Becky Junkin Megan Taunton Jennifer J. Whittier Alma Womack

Cheryl Rinehart

Jan Ratcliff

Jean Biglane

Donna Sessions

Anita Schilling

Tim McCary

Johnny Smith

Bill Perkins

Lucien C. “Sam� Gwin III

Becky Junkin

Jennifer J. Whittier

Alma Womack

Lisa Adams Whittington

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 225 John R. Junkin Drive | Natchez, MS 39120 | 601-442-6847 bluffsmag@gmail.com | bbupandcoming@gmail.com www.bluffsbayous.com

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THE social SCENE BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI

Visit www.bluffsbayous.com for all social scenes.

Girls Night Out he annual Girls Night Out event in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on June 20, 2019, included visits to more than thirty local boutiques and restaurants.

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1 Bella Dunaway, Raini Smith, and Allie Claire Townsend 2 Bella Dunaway, Debbie Smith, and Allie Claire Townsend 3 Stephany Lowe, Lindy Smith, and Anna Lee 4 Laura Douglas, Emily Douglas, Tasha Douglas, and Amelia Warrick 5 Krista Davis, Raini Smith, Mitzi Case, and April Norton 6 Kat Wallace, Bella Dunaway, Allie Claire Townsend, and Allison Wallace 7 Bella Dunaway, Karen Sullivan, and Allie Claire Townsend 8 Felicia Durr and Kalisha Durr 9 Walker Brady, Larry Baker, Hannah Pounds, Sally Doty, Dylan Battles, and Ben Doty 10 Kristy Perry, Kiara Perry, Fiona Perry, Lillie Belle Bridge, and Kristi Bridge 11 Erin Johnson, Sandy Cunningham, Kristy Freels, Christy Lee, Swayze Lee, and PJ Pevey 12 Terri Warnock, Sarah Foster, Sharon Allen, and Deanna Pendley 13 Sherri Mathis, Brandi Day, and Laren Day

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THE social SCENE

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI

Visit www.bluffsbayous.com for all social scenes.

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14 Bella Dunaway, Melinda Said, Sarah Grace Evans, and Allie Claire Townsend 15 Marlee Francis, Emmy Francis, Maycee Francis, and Mary Taylor Francis 16 Front—Lauren Nuckles, Madison Johnson, and Jasmine King / Back— Michelle Boyd, Emily Childress, Angie Warren, Kayla Different, Ashley Hudson, and Karen Dunaway 17 Front—Jeff Freeman, Sabrina Wolff, Chea Branning, and Trinity Webb / Back— Konner Burke and Eli Ferguson 18 Marilyn Dow-Harris, Mary Rowe, Phyllis Strauthers, and Johnette JacksonHenderson

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G’S FARE

BY

Becky Junkin

Autumn is for Apple Baking!

H

ooray for fall y’all! Now if only the weather felt like fall. When I taught kindergarten, September was always the month that we studied apples: we made apple sauce, graphed our favorite apples, made apple Play Dough, and made DSSOH TXLOWV ZLWK SDLQWHG Ă€VWV 7KLV PRQWK IRU Bluffs & Bayous, I am going back to these kindergarten experiences and creating with apples. Two of my grandchildren helped me make the cake; and when Weezie tasted it she immediately yelled, “It tastes like pumpkin time!â€?—her way of saying the spices reminded her of fall. I found this glossary of ways to serve apples (or any fruit) in Cook’s magazine. It provides easy explanation of what the different apple dishes really are: Brown Betty—Sweetened fruit baked with layers of bread crumbs and butter Page 12 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

Buckle—Thick cake batter poured over fruit Cobbler—Biscuit dough dolloped over fruit to resemble cobblestones Crumble—An oatmeal-free streusel baked over fruit Crisp—Fruit baked under a crunchy, streusel-like toping, which often contains oats Sonker—Syrupy cooked fruit baked under a pancake batter When one of my daughters lived in the northeast mountain zone of Pennsylvania, we would go pick apples. We were givHQ D ÀYH JDOORQ EXFNHW DQG IRU ÀYH GROODUV \RX FRXOG SLFN XQtil it was full. Those had to be the best apples I have ever eaten.

Unfortunately, we never found the orchard again. I am not a big apple fan; but the results of these recipes are really good, especially the Upside Down Apple Cake.

This recipe is our creation, and we eat it every day for breakfast during the fall. We usually bake several apples at a time and then warm up as needed. With a dollop of whipped cream topping per serving, this could be used as a dessert. The apples are cooked at a high temperature and become caramelized so you don’t need to add any sugar. I don’t peel the apples since the peeling holds much of the apples’ vitamins and minerals.

BAKED APPLES Apples (your desired number) cored Butter or ghee Cinnamon In a square of aluminum foil (large enough to cover the prepared apple), place one apple. Into its cored area, add about 1 teaspoon of butter (or ghee) or more if you want. Sprinkle the top with ground cinnamon. Bring the sides of the foil up, and wrap the apple. Repeat for each apple.

Place the prepared and wrapped apples in a pan, and put it in a 400-degree oven for 1-1/2 hours. Be careful to let the apples cool a little before you open them up.

This recipe is an old one that a friend gave to me. It was her mother’s recipe and comes from the October 1950 Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

BIG APPLE DUMPLINGS 1 1/4 cups sugar 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup butter 6 apples 2 tablespoons chopped raisins 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts 1 tablespoon honey J\WZ LUYPJOLK ÅV\Y 1 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup solid shortening 1/3 cup light cream Combine sugar, water, and cinnamon. Cook 5 minutes into a sauce; add butter. Pare and core apples. Fill with mixture of raisins, nuts, and honey. Place an apple in each square of *pastry. Sprinkle each apple with additional sugar and spices, dot with butter, fold pastry corners together, and pinch their edges. Place the apple dumplings in a greased baking pan. Pour sauce over the apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. *Pastry: :PM[ ÅV\Y HUK ZHS[ PU[V TP_PUN IV^S *\[ PU ZVSPK ZOVY[LUPUN (KK JYLHT H [HISLspoon at a time; mix and press together. Roll 1/4-inch thick. Cut in squares large enough for each to cover an individual apple prepared in the recipe.

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This is probably one of the best fall cakes I have ever eaten. It really does need to be served hot.

Be very careful when you turn the cake over onto the plate—Jerry and I did this together. It would EH GLIÀFXOW DQG QRW YHU\ VDIH WR WU\ LW DORQH 7KLV recipe was in The Cake Doctor.

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE SKILLET CAKE As Weezie says, “It tastes like pumpkin time!”

Topping 1/3 cup butter 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 medium apples peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick (0 \ZLK HWWSL WPL ÄSSPUN ^P[OV\[ [OL SPX\PK 0[ ^HZ T\JO LHZPLY ) Cake 1 box Spice Cake Mix 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup dark corn syrup 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter in a 10-inch-round, black iron skillet; and heat the skillet on low until the butter is melted. Remove from heat. With a fork, stir in brown sugar and cinnamon, making sure that it covers the bottom evenly. Place apples on the top of the sugar mixture. In an electricmixer bowl, combine all of the cake ingredients. With the mixer on low, blend for 1 minute; then scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the speed to medium; and beat for 2 minutes more, scraping down again if needed. The batter should look creamy and smooth. Pour the batter on top of the apples in the skillet, smoothing it out with the rubber spatula.

Place the skillet in the oven, and bake the cake 43-47 minutes until it rises high in the skillet and springs back when lightly WYLZZLK ^P[O `V\Y ÄUNLY Remove the skillet from the oven and run a long, sharp knife around the edges of the cake. VERY carefully, invert the skillet onto a heatproof serving plate. The cake should release itself from the skillet. If it does not, simply run the knife around the edges of the skillet one more time; and let the skillet rest on the plate until the cake YLSLHZLZ 3PM[ VɈ [OL ZRPSSL[ ;OPZ JHRL PZ best served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream; so slice and serve at once. If serving the cake later in the day, slice and place uncovered in the microwave for 30 seconds.

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The next recipe is from Southern Sideboards and is quick and easy. I used a spice cake which made it more “fallish.”

EASY APPLESAUCE CAKE 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (I use less or omit if using ZWPJL JHRL TP_.)

(0 HKK J\W JOVWWLK ^HSU\[Z.) 1/2 cup butter, softened 3 eggs 1 16-ounce can applesauce 1 box yellow or spice cake mix Blend sugar and cinnamon ((KK ^HSU\[Z PM `V\ SPRL HM[LY you dust/sprinkle pan). Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan and dust with 1 tablespoon of sugar mixture (without walnuts); reserve remainder for cake. Blend eggs, butter, applesauce, and cake mix until moistened. Reserve 1½ cups batter.

Pour remaining batter into pan. Sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Then, top with reserved batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until done. Cool cake in pan; then, invert onto serving plate.

My seven-year-old grandson helped make this cake.

It is easy but looks rather impressive. It is from Aliciathebakerupstairs.com.

IRISH APPLE CAKE J\WZ ÅV\Y 1/3 teaspoon baking powder 2/3 cup sugar 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter, cut into pieces 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped 2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Separate Toppings (optional) Powdered sugar Freshly whipped cream Salted caramel sauce Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a pie dish or 9-inch cake pan with cooking spray, and set aside. In a TLKP\T IV^S ^OPZR [VNL[OLY [OL ÅV\Y IHRPUN WV^KLY and sugar. Cut in the butter, using a pastry blender or two knives, until the pieces are no larger than pea size. Mix the egg and milk together; then, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Pat half of the dough into the prepared baking dish. Toss the chopped apples with the sugar and cinnamon and spread over the dough. Pat the remaining dough over the top of the apples (0[»Z VRH` PM P[»Z PTWLYMLJ[" Q\Z[ KV `V\Y ILZ[ ). Bake 40 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Remove and let cool slightly before adding optional topping.

Becky Junkin, mother of four and grandmother of eight, is a lifelong Natchez resident, a retired elementary teacher of twenty-four years, and FHUWLÀHG 3LODWHV LQVWUXFWRU

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THE social SCENE VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI

Visit www.bluffsbayous.com for all social scenes.

Ritz on the River itz on the River was held July 18, 2019, at the Vicksburg Convention Center. The theme for this year’s event was “Havana Inspired.” A portion of the proceeds from this occasion benefit the Warriors Bonfire Program.

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10 1 Sherry Dees and Phillip Drolla 2 Judge Windell Owens and Holly Simmons 3 Denise Mounger and Launo Moore 4 Paula and John Knapp 5 Art and Sandy Evans 6 Myra and Jerry Dean 7 Diane Curd and Danny Rushing 8 Betty Gibson and Carol Frazier 9 Alicia Sharp and Carol Hayes-Davis 10 Melissa Copelin, Dirk Copelin, Gay Gustafson, and Brent Lack 11 Norma Babin and Don Rathburn 12 Harley Caldwell and Josephine Peterson 13 Janice Carstafhnur and Deborah Potts 14 Lauren Cappaert and Leslie Sadler 15 Mayor George Flaggs and Pablo Diaz 16 Lori Tzotzolas and Patty Mekus 17 Front—Pamela Grady, Mandela Jordan, and Kathy Grady / Back— Robert Netterville, Blue Jordan, and Bud Grady 18 James Barber, Marsha Barber, Belinda McKinney, and Pat McKinney

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THE social SCENE

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI

Visit www.bluffsbayous.com for all social scenes.

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19 Ann Claire Fordice and Sabrina Kingston-Myles 20 Shannon Wood and Annette Kirklin 21 Mickey and Carole Milligan 22 Raymond and Georgia Sweet with Diep Vu 23 Gay Gustafson, Allison Boehn, and Dave Boehn 24 Diane Stevenson, Chris Martin, and Carol Frazier 25 Sarah Watson, Kierstan Dufour, and Daniel Lang 26 Shirley Stephens, Gwen Windham, and Linda Mann 27 Christa Woodley, Amiee Poda, Ashley Sampley, Melody Pickering, and Susan Mandarino

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BROOKHAVEN & MCCOMB, MISSISSIPPI

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BROOKHAVEN & MCCOMB, MISSISSIPPI

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LEGAL NOTES

BY

Lucien C. Gwin III

Property Ownership

I

enjoy writing articles about property ownership because I deal with a lot of real property issues in my law practice. Property laws affect so many of you reading this article whether you lease an apartment or own your own home and/or land.

It is important to know how you may “ownâ€? your property especially if you are married or own property with family members such DV VLEOLQJV DV D SDUW RI DQ HVWDWH 7KHUH FDQ EH KXJH UDPLĂ€FDWLRQV WR this that many people may not understand. Let’s use examples of people’s homes, which are often the largest investment most people PDNH LQ WKHLU OLYHV , ZLOO VSHFLĂ€FDOO\ H[FOXGH RZQHUVKLS RI ODQGV and property held by limited liability companies, corporations and/ or trusts.)

Assume you are single and you own a home. Your ownership of that home is called fee simple ownership. This means that you have a permanent and absolute ownership of your home and are able to GLVSRVH RI LW DV \RX VHH ÀW 0\ SURSHUW\ ODZ SURIHVVRU DW 2OH 0LVV Law School used to refer to fee simple ownership of property as the purest form of ownership under the law.

In Mississippi, if two or more people own real property together, i.e., a home, building, or land, there are three possible forms of ownership: tenancy by the entirety with rights of survivorship, joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, and tenants in common. I will break down each form of ownership; but due to limited space, I can RQO\ WRXFK RQ D IHZ RI WKH UDPLĂ€FDWLRQV XQGHU HDFK IRUP A tenancy by the entirety with rights of survivorship may only be between married couples. This is the form of ownership by ZKLFK PRVW KRPHVWHDGV DUH KHOG 8SRQ WKH GHDWK RI WKH Ă€UVW WR GLH in the marriage, the surviving spouse becomes the automatic owner of the property regardless of what the deceased‘s will may say. The PRVW VLJQLĂ€FDQW DVSHFW RI WKLV IRUP RI RZQHUVKLS LV WKDW LW FDQQRW be severed by one of the married parties. It takes both married parties to change ownership. This means that neither the husband nor Page 20 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

the wife can convey his or her interest in the property to a third party unilaterally as long as the parties are married. Under law, a divorce action between couples automatically converts a tenancy by the entirety, to a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship.

The second form of ownership is joint tenancy with rights of survivorship whereby the last survivor of the owners is automatically vested with ownership, again regardless of what a will may say. Married couples often own their homestead under this type of ownership. A joint tenancy is normally between two people although it can be among more than two people. Sometimes siblings who want to keep property in the family will own property under this form of ownership. A joint tenancy can be severed, which means that a joint tenant can sell or convey his or her undivided portion of the property to any third party of his or her choosing. In addition, joint WHQDQF\ FDQ EH WHUPLQDWHG E\ ÀOLQJ D SDUWLWLRQ VXLW 7KLV is also the safest way to sever a joint tenancy as well.

The important thing about ownership as tenancy by the entirety and/or joint tenants is that when the property is owned between married partners, the ownership rights of the survivor usurps the deceased party’s debts. In other words, assume a husband and wife own the homestead either as tenants by the entirety or as joint tenants and the husband dies with a large individual debt. The wife automatically inherits the property without the debt attaching, assuming she is not a joint debtor.

The third form of ownership is tenants in common. If two or more persons own property as tenants in common, it means that their pro rata share of ownership is owned jointly, but separately.

For example, if a husband and wife own a house as tenants in comPRQ XSRQ WKH GHDWK RI WKH ÀUVW RI WKH SDUWLHV WKH GHFHDVHG SDUW\¡V interest in the home goes to his or her separate estate and not necessarily to the surviving spouse although the survivor oftentimes has a lifetime homestead right to live in the marital domicile.

I almost never recommend that husbands and wives own property as tenants in common unless, perhaps, theirs is a second marriage wherein both parties have children from previous marriages. One disadvantage to a surviving spouse’s owning a homestead through WHQDQWV LQ FRPPRQ LV LI WKH ÀUVW VSRXVH GLHV ZLWKRXW D ZLOO DQG WKHUH are children in the marriage, the surviving spouse, while owning a ÀIW\ SHUFHQW LQWHUHVW RI WKH KRPHVWHDG LQ KLV RU KHU RZQ QDPH ZLOO only receive a child’s share of the deceased spouse’s interest in the property. The result of this is that, while the surviving spouse has a lifetime homestead, he or she may not borrow money on the home or sell it without the surviving children’s blessing, assuming they are adults. In addition over my career, I have seen countless deeds between spouses with the ownership as tenants in common and countless problems associated with this form of ownership.

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, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.

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Head North for a Change story and photography by Jennifer J. Whittier

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RU WKH SDVW WZHQW\ ÀYH \HDUV ZLWK RQO\ D IHZ H[FHSWLRQV P\ husband, a native of Ohio, and I have made our annual summer trek north to the Buckeye state. When our daughters were younger, they looked forward to loading the car to capacity, eating endless amounts of junk food, and napping their way from the heat and humidity of south Mississippi to the cool temperatures of Ohio.

Now, they have families of their own and make their own vacation plans; but Greg and I continue our tradition of spending a few days in Berlin, Ohio, the Heart of the World’s Largest Amish Settlement (about 35,000 in Holmes County alone), and then ferrying over to a little piece of heaven called Put-in-Bay, a quaint Victorian village located on South Bass Island on Lake Erie.

We prefer to drive the almost 1,000 miles from Brookhaven, Mississippi, to Berlin, Ohio. The scenery is worth the effort

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DOWKRXJK WKH WUDIÀF DQG URDG FRQVWUXFWLRQ FDQ VRPHWLPHV EH KDUrowing. From our familiar red clay and piney woods, the roads wind through the foothills of north Alabama, past the rugged coal PLQHV RI :HVW 9LUJLQLD DQG LQWR WKH EHDXWLIXO IDUPODQG DQG ÀHOGV of golden wheat in Ohio. Holmes County, the hub of the Amish community, where this sect of Swiss-German, Protestant Christians (self-described as the plain folk EHOLHYH LQ SDFLÀVP DQG WKH LPSRUtance of living a life of faith and discipleship, is our destination.

The Amish village of Berlin is off the main highway—way off; one really needs to take the scenic route that twists and turns for miles on end to absorb the charm and beauty of the plain folk and their simple life style. Prepare to trade GPS apps for traditional road maps; technology hasn’t quite connected to the township roads that lead to the villages.

tips and recipes, and to ask questions of their own about life outside their microcosm. Their language is a dialect of German, known as Pennsylvania German or Pennsylvania Dutch, but also includes many English words. Dialects vary among communities, but English is spoken as well so that conversations with the Amish are QRW GLIĂ€FXOW The plain folk are iconic in their distinctive clothing, homes, language, religious serYLFHV WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ SDFLĂ€VP DQG GLVFLSOHship. The Amish trace their religious heritage to Switzerland during the Protestant Reformation of the early 1500s when a faction of dissidents argued that many of the reforms promoted were unwarranted. They believed that “only Christians who voluntarily chose the way of Christ should be baptized and welcomed as part of the church.

A small group of them met and re-baptized each 7KH DEVHQFH RI HOHFWULFLW\ DQG WHFKQRORJ\ RI WKH WZHQW\ Ă€UVW FHQWXU\ LQFOXGLQJ :LĂ€ FHOO SKRQHV DQG HYHQ WHOHYLVLRQ LV FRPmon in this rural setting. Limited access to the outside world, which might seem like an inconvenience, ironically becomes a luxury which allows visitors to the area to relax and bask in the peace and quiet. Narrow roads lead from one Amish township to another where horse-drawn buggies replace motor vehicles, and hand-made toys displace those bought from “cityâ€? stores.

The food is basic and simple: baked or broasted chicken (battered and deep fried in a pressure cooker), roast beef, creamed corn, PDVKHG SRWDWRHV ZLWK JUDY\ ZKLWH EUHDG VWXIÀQJ DQG JUHHQ EHDQV and peas fresh from the garden. The popular Amish buffet restaurants provide bountiful helpings of all of the above, along with fresh, homemade pies, cakes, cookies, tarts, jellies, jams, peanut butter, and bread. If you’re craving spicy food, you’ll be disappointed; there’s no Tabasco, Tony Chachere’s, or Slap Yo Mama VHDVRQLQJ WR EH IRXQG EXW \RX¡OO ÀQG SOHQW\ RI WKDW ZKHQ \RX JHW back down South.

Although the main streets of some of these charming Amish villages have become tourist attractions, there are always back roads WR H[SORUH WKH WUXH VLPSOH OLIHVW\OHV 7KH H[SHUWLVH DQG ÀQHVVH RI the Amish are unparalleled in their furniture, arts, and crafts (personally signed by individual crafters), and in their traditional homes and barns, including the homestead, iron horse, gambrel, round, raised, and Yankee barns.

Traditional Amish transportation is typically by bicycle or horsedrawn buggy. Groceries are bought at neighborhood bulk stores, IDVW IRRG LV KDUG WR ÀQG DQG WKHUH¡V RQO\ RQH 'ROODU *HQHUDO ZLWKLQ a reasonable driving distance. Orange Tiger Lilies grow wild, linLQJ WKH URDGVLGHV DQG GRWWLQJ WKH KD\ÀHOGV )UHVK EUHDG UROOV FRRNies, cakes, and pies replace prepackaged treats. Ice cream is hand churned, and French fries are seldom on the menu.

Photo opportunities abound, but don’t ask the traditional Amish to pose for a picture. Posing for photographs is considered vain and prideful; and photos are termed “graven images� although some of the Amish don’t mind being photographed if their faces aren’t shown. It is considered rude to infringe upon the privacy and humble lifestyles of the Amish.

They are more than happy, however, to talk with visitors and to answer questions. In fact, many seem eager to share gardening Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 23

other; they were known as Re-baptizers, Anabaptists, or Amish, named for their leader, Jakob Ammann� (Ohio Amish Country). Further delving into the religious philosophy of the Amish I will leave to your inquisitive nature. Perhaps you’ll do a little Googling to pique your interest for further research.

Visitors are welcomed into the Amish communities. Beautiful inns, complete with all the amenities one would expect, are plentiful. Restaurants, shops, open markets, and cheese factories, brimming with a large variety of cheeses and meats, are open Monday through Saturday but are closed on Sunday to observe the Lord’s day. Usually the only sounds you’ll hear as you sit outside on any given Sunday are those of horse hooves as the families travel from farm to farm for church services since there are no Amish churches. Time seems to be frozen in these communities, allowing them to focus on God, hard work, and their families. , ÀQG SHDFH ZKHQ YLVLWLQJ %HUOLQ 2KLR DQG WKH VXUURXQGLQJ FRPPXQLWLHV RI &KDUP Walnut Creek, Sugarcreek, Dover, and Millersburg. The simplicity of Amish life draws me back year after year; I’m fascinated by the families dressing in hand-sewn clothing and ERQQHWV IDWKHUV DQG VRQV ZHDULQJ WKHLU à DW EULPPHG VWUDZ KDWV DQG FKLOGUHQ SOD\LQJ LQ WKH yards with homemade dolls and wagons.

The lives of the Amish are not lives of luxury or abundance; their homes are simple, always clean and sparsely decorated; vegetable gardens, horses, cows, chickens, and goats SURYLGH WKH QHFHVVLWLHV DQG WKH EHDXWLIXO Ă RZHU EHGV SURYLGH D VSHFLDO WRXFK RI FRORU Reading is done by lamplight, and clothes are washed by hand and hung out to dry in the sunshine. I am reminded through my visits to Amish country that life should be simple, and time should be precious.

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Simple Gifts ‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘Tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down, Where we ought to be, $QG ZKHQ ZH ÂżQG RXUVHOYHV In the place just right, Âľ7ZLOO EH LQ WKH YDOOH\ 2I ORYH DQG GHOLJKW :KHQ WUXH VLPSOLFLW\ LV JDLQÂśG To bow and to bend :H VKDQÂśW EH DVKDPHG To turn, turn will be our delight 7LOO E\ WXUQLQJ WXUQLQJ :H FRPH URXQG ULJKW — Joseph Brackett (1797) For more information about Berlin, Ohio, and the surrounding communities, visit ZZZ %HUOLQ2KLR,QIR FRP.

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 { September 2019 { Page 25

THE social SCENE VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI

Visit www.bluffsbayous.com for all social scenes.

Baby Shower and New Parent Resource Fair erit Health River Region, The United Way of West Central Mississippi, and Excel By Five hosted a Community Baby Shower and New Parent Resource Fair on July 24, 2019, in the atrium at Merit Health River Region in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Parents observed presentations on proper child seat installation and demonstrations on infant CPR, and received materials regarding child care.

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Eric Beamon and Kay Lee Kay Lee and Leigh White Miki Rickles and Claudia Fridge Heidi Burrell, Ginger Donahue, and Cindy McCarley Karly Henderson, Falange Lusby, and Skylar Connelly Bonnie Henry, Katie Wright, and Kaylie Caldwell Jackie Crosland and Andrea Borva Holly Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Michelle Johnson Charlotte Ferguson, Michele Connelly, Heidi Burrell, and Kami May Greg Honeycutt, Michele Connelly, Heidi Burrell, Lacey Griffith, Leigh Ann Vandevender, and Leigh White

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Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 27

Aiden’s Light

by Megan Taunton

A

iden’s Light was birthed from a time of heartbreak, surrender, and life-changing events. Our family started this peGLDWULF FDQFHU QRQSURÀW IRXQGDWLRQ LQ KRQRU RI RXU ROGHVW daughter, Aiden Taunton, and her two-year battle with the world’s deadliest form of pediatric brain cancer, DIPG. Aiden was diagnosed at just three years old and passed away on June 4, 2017, at WKH \RXQJ DJH RI ÀYH We started our cancer journey at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in which palliative treatment was given to Aiden at no cost to us. If you aren’t familiar with palliative treatment, it is treatment that focuses on quality of life such as symptom management…not treatment to cure the cancer. At the time, we thought that Aiden would be cured; she would survive this cancer; and we would go back to our life. Then, we heard the words, “She has a very large brain tumor.”

Our family soon realized just what type of cancer we were dealing with; it was the kind that no child had ever survived. No clinical trial even at St Jude had ever been known to save a child from DIPG. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma is a fast-growing, intertwining, diffuse tumor in the pons of the brain stem that causes a child to lose all physical abilities such as running, walking, sitting, swallowing, smiling, and writing. Eventually, it stops the heart and breathing in what can seem like a slow and mind-suffering process.

We were quickly thrown into the childhood cancer world, and everything we thought we knew about pediatric cancer was wrong.

I always knew that kids around the world had been diagnosed with cancer; I thought that this happened very rarely; I was wrong. I thought that, when a child was diagnosed with cancer, there was a treatment plan; and those plans included curing the child. I was wrong. Sure, I had heard of children dying from cancer, but I assumed it was from another illness that they became susceptible to because of the effects of chemotherapy. I was wrong.

Page 28 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

I learned that fourteen thousand children will be diagnosed with cancer each month, and close to two thousand will die from pediatric cancer each year. The cancer our Aiden was diagnosed with kills a child in under a year with a survival rate of less than one percent. We learned that, if you wanted to give your child a chance at more than palliative treatment, you as a parent have to become your child’s advocate and search for other options.

During our journey of almost two years, we experienced some devastatingly low times along with some joyous moments, but one thing we discovered was hope in Jesus Christ. A time that was meant to destroy us and leave us angry, depleted, and lost in a dark place instead revealed to us the way in Christ. I say those words QRW LQ D VHOÀVK ZD\ EXW LQ D ZD\ WR VKRZ WKH WUXH ORYH RI *RG 2XU family experienced His love simply by surrendering our journey to Him when we were faced with no options.

We were told like the other two- to three-hundred families each year that our child will die, not when she’s old and gray after a long life, but weeks or months from that moment of diagnosis. Bam! Death is her only option. When your life or the life of a loved one is threatened, all the care for material things goes away; you could lose everything you own and not blink. You think only about how you can give your child more time—you just want more time.

In those days, when we didn’t know how we would pay our bills, how we would afford treatment, how we would pay our insurance, that’s when the blessings came in. We saw and felt the KDQGV DQG IHHW RI -HVXV LQ WKRVH ZKR KHOSHG XV ÀQDQFLDOO\ (DFK donation, small or large, was a stepping stone along God’s path for us, taking us from one day to the next. It was in those gifts that God started something in me that I knew would go beyond Aiden’s time on earth.

Aiden’s Light began at the end of 2017 as God provided me with a vision and a calling to help other families just as mine had

been helped. The reality is that a family struggling with a deadly cancer diagnosis IDFHV ÀQDQFLDO VWUDLQV HYHU\ GD\ DQG LW LV heartbreaking to me to think that some of these families face the struggles without Christ. Aiden’s Light sends donations to families whose children have been diagnosed with DIPG and other forms of pediatric cancer not only to lighten their load but also to spread the hope of Christ. We focus on sharing Aiden’s journey of faith by sharing her testimony on our website aidenslightdipg.com.

Since the beginning of 2018, we have sent over $45,000.00 in donations to thirty children around the world. We focus on KHOSLQJ IDPLOLHV DV QHDUE\ DV SRVVLEOH ÀUVW in Louisiana, Mississippi, and surrounding states; but we have sent donations as far as South Africa.

One of the greatest blessings for each RI WKHVH VXIIHULQJ IDPLOLHV LV ÀQGLQJ D check in the mail to cover the upcoming travel expenses for their child’s next treatment or even a check to help pay for their child’s funeral. There are so many ways to help a child dying of cancer and that FKLOG¡V IDPLO\ -XVW WKLQN RI WU\LQJ WR ÀW a lifetime of memories into a few short months; no parents want to be away from their suffering child, even for a single moment; and we know how donations can help those parents enjoy their time with their child.

Aiden’s Light hosts two large fundraisers annually—the Aiden’s Light Mind Over Matter Obstacle Course & Kids Course early in the year and our upcoming Go Gold Gala on September 21, 2019, at the Vidalia Convention Center in Vidalia, Louisiana. Last year our Gala raised over $40,000.00! This year we are asking local restaurants to join us by donating a small dish to serve our guests. The Rewind Band of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will be entertaining us; and we will also have a variety of auction items to entice those joining us for this exciting and worthy event.

Gold is the color that represents childhood cancer, and September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month around the United States. We Go Gold to honor the children and families struggling ZLWK WKLV PDODG\ DQG WR IXOĂ€OO RXU PLVsion. Please visit aidenslightdipg.com and contact us at with any questions at aidenslightdipg@gmail.com. We would love your help through volunteering and through acquiring sponsorships; and we covet your prayers! Thank you.

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 29

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHNNY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

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FALL MUST-HAVES

Fall Gifting

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1. Baby’s First Keepsake Bracelet from Hidden Treasures at Merit Health, Natchez, Mississippi 2. Fun Mississippi towels in favorite collegiate colors at Magnolia Hall Gift Shop, Natchez Mississippi 3. Permanent Botanicals from Nest, Natchez, Mississippi Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 41

FALL MUST-HAVES

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1. Original jewelry by Lana Stamper from Magnolia Hall Gift Shop, Natchez, Mississippi 2.Necklaces by Terri Warnock at Engravables, Brookhaven, Mississippi 3. 14K Hand-engraved emerald necklace (other gemstones available) from Patrick’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, St. Francisville,Louisiana 4. Unique Texas-made cowhide cross-body purse (also in animal prints and solids) from Katie’s Ladies Apparel, Natchez, Mississippi Page 42 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

FALL MUST-HAVES

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1. Hushpuppies Davis Chukka Boot in Camo (also available in cognac leather) from The Well-Dressed Man, Brookhaven, Mississippi 2. Tretorn tennis shoes from Expectations Too, Brookhaven, Mississippi 3. Earrings by Terri Warnock at Engravables, Brookhaven, Mississippi 4. Colorful Mono Reno fall blouses from Hidden Treasures at Merit Health, Natchez, Mississippi Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 43

SEPTEMBER

premier events ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA

October 18 & 19, 2019 The 31st Southern Garden Symposium St. Francisville, Louisiana No other gardening program brings together top-quality speakers and historic garden settings as well as the Southern Garden Symposium in St. Francisville, /RXLVLDQD 7KLV \HDU¡V IHDWXUHG VSHDNHUV ZLOO EH 6WDFL &DWURQ 1LFKRODV 6WDGGRQ &KULVWRSKHU :RRGV DQG à RUDO GHVLJQHU -DPHV 'HO3ULQFH :KLOH WKH V\PSRVLXP¡V ZRUNVKRSV DQG OHFWXUHV SURYLGH LGHDV DQG LQVSLUDWLRQ IRU WKH JDUGHQHU WKH VRFLDO DFWLYLWLHV VXUURXQGLQJ WKH HYHQW DUH FODVVLF VRXWKHUQ HOHJDQFH DW LWV EHVW )URP WKH KRPH EDNHG EUHDNIDVW EUHDGV VHUYHG LQ WKH PRUQLQJ WR WKH VXPSWXRXV IDUH RI WKH HYHQLQJ JDOD DQG WKH 6DWXUGD\ DIWHUQRRQ WHD QRW D VLQJOH GHWDLO RI VRXWKHUQ KRVSLWDOLW\ LV RYHUORRNHG For complete program information and registration forms, visit southerngardensymposium.org, call 225.635.3738, or email luciecassity@ bellsouth.net. For information regarding overnight accommodations visit stfrancisville.us, call 225.635.4224, or call toll free 800.789.4221.

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI October 4 & 5 45th Ole Brook Fest Downtown Brookhaven, Mississippi The Ole Brook Festival, a tradition since 1974, is MisVLVVLSSL¡V SUHPLHU IDPLO\ IHVWLYDO LQ EHDXWLIXO GRZQWRZQ %URRNKDYHQ ,W LV KHOG HYHU\ \HDU RQ WKH ÀUVW )ULGD\ DQG 6DWXUGD\ LQ 2FWREHU 7KLV \HDU WKH HYHQW EHJLQV ZLWK D NLFN RII RQ )ULGD\ 2FWREHU DQG FRQFOXGHV ZLWK D ZUDS XS RQ 6DWXUGD\ 2FWREHU IURP WR S P IROORZLQJ D GD\ IXOO RI IXQ IRRG DQG HQWHUWDLQPHQW 7KH %URRNKDYHQ &KDPEHU RI &RPPHUFH KDV ZRUNHG KDUG DW PDNLQJ WKLV \HDU¡V HYHQW VDIH DQG IXQ IRU WKH ZKROH IDPLO\ 7KH IHVWLYDO LQFOXGHV RYHU DUWV DQG FUDIWV YHQGHUV D NLGV ]RQH ZLWK JLDQW LQà DWDEOHV DQG OLYH HQWHUWDLQPHQW RQ WKH PDLQ VWDJH WKURXJKRXW WKH HYHQW 7KH DQQXDO 2OH %URRN )HVWLYDO &DU 6KRZ IHDWXULQJ YLQWDJH DQG DQWLTXH FDUV DOVR ZLOO EH RSHQ GXULQJ WKH IHVWLYLWLHV ,Q DGGLWLRQ LV WKH WK $QQXDO . DQG . %UHDVW &DQFHU 6XSHUKHUR :DON DQG 5XQ HYHQW WKDW UDLVHV IXQGV IRU 06 *LUOV $ &XUH $Q DGGLWLRQDO DWWUDFWLRQ DW WKLV \HDU¡V IHVWLYDO LV D SHWWLQJ ]RR KRVWHG E\ /LQFROQ &RXQW\¡V + VWXGHQWV 7KH YHQXH LQFOXGHV JRDWV UDEELWV FKLFNHQV GXFNV DQG EDE\ FDOYHV For more information, visit brookhavenchamber.org or call 601.833.1411.

MEADVILLE, MISSISSIPPI October 26 4th Homochitto River Festival 2019 Meadville, Mississippi 7KH +RPRFKLWWR 5LYHU )HVWLYDO ZLOO RIIHU D IXOO GD\ RI HQWHUWDLQPHQW IURP D P WR S P IHDWXULQJ )UDQNOLQ &RXQW\¡V ODUJHVW HYHU VKRZFDVH RI PXVLF $GGLWLRQDO DFWLYLWLHV LQFOXGH DQ DUW VKRZ DUWV DQG vendor booths, culinary explosion, trunk-a-treat, kids game area, GXQNLQ¡ ERRWK SHW SDUDGH EHDXW\ FRQWHVW DQG FLUFXV DORQJ ZLWK JUHDW IRRG DQG GULQNV 2QH RI WKH KHDGOLQHUV IRU WKH IHVWLYDO ZLOO EH 0DUW\ 6WXDUW D Ă&#x20AC;YH WLPH Grammy winner, platinum recording artist, Americana Music AssociaWLRQ /LIHWLPH $FKLHYHPHQW ZLQQHU *UDQG 2OG 2SU\ VWDU FRXQWU\ PXVLF DUFKLYLVW SKRWRJUDSKHU PXVLFLDQ DQG VRQJZULWHU +H JUHZ XS ULJKW KHUH LQ WKH JUHDW VWDWH RI 0LVVLVVLSSL DQG KDV VSHQW RYHU IRXU GHFDGHV FHOHEUDWLQJ $PHULFDQ URRWV PXVLF 7KH RWKHU KHDGOLQHU ZLOO EH 5RQQLH 0F'RZHOO DQ DUWLVW LQ HYHU\ VHQVH RI WKH ZRUG NQRZQ FRDVW WR FRDVW IRU KLV FKDUW WRSSLQJ UDGLR KLWV DQG VKRZPDQVKLS 7ZR RI KLV VLQJOHV ´2OGHU :RPHQÂľ DQG ´<RX¡UH *RQQD 5XLQ 0\ %DG 5HSXWDWLRQÂľ UHDFKHG QXPEHU RQH RQ WKH FRXQWU\ FKDUWV ZKLOH HOHYHQ PRUH UHDFKHG WKH 7RS 7KHUH DUH WKUHH VWDJHV RI DOO GD\ HQWHUWDLQPHQW WKDW FXOPLQDWH ZLWK WKH IHVWLYDO¡V KHDGOLQHUV LQ WKH HYHQLQJ 7KHUH LV D SHW SDUDGH D WUXQN U WUHDW D NLGV DUHD ZLWK MXPSHUV DQG JDPHV DQG DQ RXWGRRU DOOH\ $ . UXQ DQG ND\DN UDFH ZLOO EH KHOG DORQJ WKH EHDXWLIXO +RPRFKLWWR 5LYHU $ &ODVK RI WKH &RRNV VWDUWV HDUO\ 6DWXUGD\ PRUQLQJ DQG WKLV \HDU WKH RYHUDOO ZLQQHU UHFHLYHV D FDVK SUL]H )RRG DQG DUWV DQG FUDIWV vendors will be on site.

For further information, visit franklincountynow.org.

Page 44 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

premier events

SEPTEMBER

NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI September 27 -- October 14, 2019 Fall Pilgrimage Natchez, Mississippi 6HYHQWHHQ DQWHEHOOXP PDQVLRQV PRVW RI WKHP SULYDWH residences, open their doors to visitors during this threeZHHN DQQXDO DXWXPQ HYHQWÂł1DWFKH] )DOO 3LOJULPDJH <RXU JXLGHV DUH FRVWXPHG IDPLO\ IULHQGV DQG RU GHVFHQGDQWV RI the original owners, whose stories are as real as the bricks DQG PRUWDU LQ WKH KHDUWKV RI WKHVH KLVWRULF KRPHV (DFK venue is unique with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century IXUQLVKLQJV SRUFHODLQ VLOYHU FORWKLQJ WRROV GRFXPHQWV and diaries.

For information regarding tours and special events, visit natchezpilgrimage.com, call 601.446.6631, or call toll free 800.647.6742.

October 1, 2019 %RRN 6LJQLQJÂł/LIH %HWZHHQ WKH /HYHHV $PHULFD¡V 5LYHUERDW 3LORWV Natchez, Mississippi /LIH %HWZHHQ WKH /HYHHV $PHULFD¡V 5LYHUERDW 3LORWV is a new book conWDLQLQJ RQH KXQGUHG ULYHWLQJ RUDO KLVWRULHV RI ULYHUERDW SLORWV RQ WKH 0LVVLVVLSSL 5LYHU LWV WULEXWDULHV DQG WKH *XOI ,QWUDFRDVWDO :DWHUZD\V :ULWWHQ DQG LOOXVWUDWHG E\ DZDUG ZLQQLQJ DXWKRU DQG SKRWRJUDSKHU 0HORG\ *ROGLQJ RI 9LFNVEXUJ 0LVVLVVLSSL DQG SXEOLVKHG E\ 8QLYHUVLW\ 3UHVV RI 0LVVLVVLSSL WKH ERRN FKURQLFOHV QHDUO\ D FHQWXU\ RI ULYHUERDW SLORWV¡ SHUVRQDO VWRULHV 2YHU D KXQGUHG RI *ROGLQJ¡V SKRWRJUDSKV DFFRPSDQ\ WKH VWRULHV 7KH ERRN ZLOO EH WKH VXEMHFW RI *ROGLQJ¡V IUHH LOOXVWUDWHG SURJUDP ´/LIH %HWZHHQ WKH /HYHHVÂľ DW S P 7XHVGD\ 2FWREHU DW &RSLDK /LQFROQ &RPPXQLW\ &ROOHJH LQ 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL 7KH HYHQW LV VSRQVRUHG E\ WKH &DURO\Q 9DQFH 6PLWK 1DWFKH] /LWHUDU\ 5HVHDUFK &HQWHU DW &R /LQ 1DWFKH] OLEUDU\ $ ERRN VDOH DQG VLJQLQJ VHVVLRQ ZLOO WDNH SODFH IURP S P XQWLO S P 7KH ERRN FRVWV ZLWK SURFHHGV EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WLQJ 7KH 6HDPHQ¡V &KXUFK ,QVWLWXWH RI 1HZ 2UOHDQV DQG 1HZ <RUN 7KLV DJHQF\ VHUYHV PDULQHUV WKURXJK HGXFDWLRQ SDVWRUDO FDUH DQG OHJDO DGYRFDF\ To be sure to get a copy, books may be purchased in advance by emailing %HWK 5LFKDUG#FROLQ HGX or call 601-446-1107. A reserved autographed copy will be available at the Co-Lin Natchez branch library to be picked up.

October 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20, 2019 34th Natchez Balloon Festival Natchez, Mississippi &ULVS DXWXPQ DLU Ă XII\ ZKLWH FORXGV DJDLQVW D SDOHWWH RI EOXH DQG FRORUIXO KRW DLU EDOORRQV Ă&#x20AC;OO WKH VN\ GXULQJ UDFH WLPHV WKURXJKRXW WKH IXQ Ă&#x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¡V PXVLF OLQHXS LQFOXGHV )ULGD\ QLJKW¡V SRSXODU JURXSV -RKQ 3DSD *URV DQG 7KH $OOPDQ %HWWV %DQG 6DWXUGD\¡V HQWHUWDLQPHQW EHJLQV ZLWK 0DJJLH %URZQ FRQWLQXHV ZLWK % 0U 6LSS DQG &RZER\ 0RXWK DQG HQGV ZLWK %LVKRS *XQQ 6XQGD\ DIWHUQRRQ¡V ZUDS XS LQFOXGHV 0DWW :LOOV &R DQG &KULV *LOO 7KH 6ROH 6KDNHUV For more information, visit natchezballoonfestival.com or FB natchezballoonfestival; call 877.987.6487; or visit or call The Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 S. Commerce, 601.442.2500.

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 45

SEPTEMBER

premier events NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI

October 25 &26 “The Weekend” Natchez, Mississippi 3UHVHQWHG E\ <·DOO 0HDQV $OO D XQLTXH HYHQW ´7KH :HHNHQGµ ZLOO WDNH SODFH LQ 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL RQ 2FWREHU DQG 7KH ZHHNHQG DFWLYLWLHV ZLOO FRPPHQFH )ULGD\ HYHQLQJ ZLWK UHJLVWUDWLRQ DQG D :LQH &KHHVH 0HHW DQG *UHHW DW DQWHEHOOXP &KRFWDZ +DOO KRPH RI 'DYLG *DUQHU DQG /HH *URYHU IURP WR S P IROORZHG E\ DQ $IWHU 3DUW\ DW 1DWFKH] %UHZHU\ IURP WR S P DQG WKHUHDIWHU E\ $IWHU DW 7KH %LUGFDJH ODVWLQJ ´XQWLO µ 6DWXUGD\ ZLOO VHH HQWHUWDLQHU 1LQD :HVW KRVW D SHUIRUPDQFH E\ (PP\ QRPLQDWHG FRXQWU\ PXVLF VLQJHU 7\ +HUQGRQ DV ZHOO DV HPFHH WKH %DWWOH RI WKH %HOOHV IRU WKH FRYHWHG WLWOH RI 0LVV )DEOHDX DOO DW WKH 1DWFKH] &LW\ $XGLWRULXP <·DOO 0HDQV $OO 1DWFKH] ORFDWHG LQ 1DWFKH] 0LVVLVVLSSL LV D RUJDQL]DWLRQ WKDW EHQHÀWV 6RXWKZHVW 0LVVLVVLSSL 0HQWDO +HDOWK FRYHULQJ HLJKW FRXQWLHV 7KLV JURXS·V JRDO LV ÀQDQFLDOO\ WR KHOS \RXQJ DGXOWV LQ QHHG RI PHQWDO ZHOOQHVV DQG VXLFLGH SUHYHQWLRQ 7KH RUJDQL]DWLRQ·V PLVVLRQ DV D JURXS RI 1DWFKH] /*%7 DQG VXSSRUWHUV LV WR FHOHEUDWH DQG H[SDQG WKH FRPPXQLW\·V VSLULW RI DFFHSWDQFH DQG GLYHUVLW\ DV DQ HVVHQWLDO HOHPHQW WR WKH YLEUDQF\ RI WKH FRPPXQLW\ DQG ZHOO EHLQJ RI LWV FLWL]HQV 7KHLU PRWWR ´+HOS IRU 7RGD\«+RSH IRU 7RPRUURZµ IRFXVHV RQ VXLFLGH SUHYHQWLRQ 7KHLU JRDOV DUH WR XQGHUZULWH OLFHQVHG FRXQVHOLQJ VHVVLRQV IRU WKRVH LQ QHHG VXSSRUW D FULVLV KRWOLQH RULJLQDWH D VXLFLGH SUHYHQWLRQ FDPSDLJQ aimed at young adults, and promote unity and community involvement. There are sponsorships available as well as WD[ IUHH GRQDWLRQV IRU WKLV HYHQW For further information, visit yallmeansallnatchez.org

Page 46 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

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SEPTEMBER Louisiana Up & Coming! louisianatravel.com

September 14, 21 & 28 Summer Concert Series Huckleberry Brewing Co. ² SP 318.704.6833

ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE Throughout September alexandriapinevillela.com rapidessymphony.org

BATON ROUGE Throughout September visitbatonrouge.com lsumoa.org rivercenterarena:baton-rouge.tickets-center.com

September 21 Romance on the River Rapides Symphony Orchestra Alexandria Amphitheatre SP rapidessymphony.org

September 7 Pop Up Art Show Gem on Third ² SP (DUO\ %LUG 3UHYLHZ ² SP 0DLQ (YHQW 318.704.6833

September 6 & 13 Free Friday Night @ LSU Museum of Art ² SP lsumoa.org 225.389.7200

September 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Shrek The Musical Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts SP SP lagniappetheatre.com

September 7 & 8 Baton Rouge Arts Market Downtown Development District 225.344.8558

Choose Co-Lin! WESSON 601. 643.5101 Page 48 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

NATCHEZ 601.442.9111

SIMPSON 601.849.5149

www.colin.edu

Louisiana Up & Coming! SEPTEMBER

September 8 Baton Rouge Bridal Show /·$XEHUJH &DVLQR +RWHO 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 pm %DWRQ5RXJH%ULGDO6KRZ FRP September 13 Opera Louisiana Opening Night: Music & Movement Manship Theatre SP )UHH manshiptheatre.org September 14 Red Stick Farmers Market Main Street Market DP ² 1RRQ breda.org September 20 Live After Five City Hall Plaza September 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Harvest Days LSU Rural Life Museum DP ² SP lsuedu/rurallife

, 1 & 2 5 3 2 5 $ 7 ( '

CLINTON eastfelicianachamberla.chambermaster.com FERRIDAY Throughout September concordialibrary.org deltamusicmuseum.com September 21 Just Connect: Library Data Bases Ferriday Library ² DP )UHH 318.757.3550 September 21 Ronnie Cox & Friends Arcade Theatre SP 318.757.4297 / deltamusicmuseum.com September 28 Avery Michaels & Exit 209 Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute Arcade Theater ² SP 318.757.4297 / deltamusicmuseum.com

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 49

SEPTEMBER Louisiana Up & Coming!

GONZALES September 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Ascension Hot Air Balloon Festival Lamar Dixon Expo Center DP ² SP )UHH XQGHU 225.621.1700 / ascensionballooning.com JACKSON felicianatourism.org MONROE/WEST MONROE Throughout September monroe-westmonroe.org September 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Munchkin Market Fall Kids Consignment Pine Grove Baptist Church 318.325.7719 October 4 Food & Wine Festival Bayou Pointe Event Center ² SP 318.342.5216 / nelaarts.org October 5 6th Bald on the Bayou 6W %DOGULFN·V )RXQGDWLRQ Karoli Park DP ² SP 318.396.4016 October 12 64th Annual Art & Folk Festival Schepis Museum Columbia, LA DP ² SP FB LouisianaArtandFolkFestival

October 19 The Chennault Gala The Hub Music Hall ² SP eventbrite.com/e/the-chennault-gala-tickets NEW ORLEANS Throughout September neworleansonline.com neworleanscvb.com ogdenmuseum.org noma.org newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu nobt.org PORT ALLEN Throughout September westbatonrouge.net westbatonrougemuseum.com September 14 & 15 Oldies But Goodies Fest BBQ Cookoff, Antique Car Show & Poker Run West Baton Rouge Convention & Visitors Bureau DP ² SP westbatonrouge.net ST. FRANCISVILLE Throughout September stfrancisville.us audubonstatehistoricsite.wordpress.com September 14 Hummingbird Festival National WildBird Refuge 15736 Tunica Trace (Hwy 66, Tunica, LA) DP ² SP )UHH &DUO\OH 5RJLOOLR nwr-raw@att.net

Page 50 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

September 20 Whiskey Tasting Heirloom Cuisine & Greenwood Plantation Greenwood Plantation ² SP 225.784.0535 / eventbrite.com caryn@heirloomcuisine.com September 21 Audubon at Oakley Plantation DP ² SP 888.677.2838 or 225.635.3739 September 28 :HVW )HOLFLDQD &KLOGUHQ·V %RRN )HVWLYDO Parker Park Missy Couhig at 225-245-5025 FB @WFCBF Every Sunday in October Angola Prison Rodeo & Craft Show Angola Prison Rodeo Arena *DWHV RSHQ $0 5RGHR VWDUWV 30 225-655-2060 / angolarodeo.com October 18 & 19 Southern Garden Symposium Afton Villa Gardens & Hemingbough 225-635-3738 / SouthernGardenSymposium.org VIDALIA Throughout September cityofvidaliala.com concordialibrary.org

Louisiana Up & Coming! SEPTEMBER

Every Wednesday Farmers Market Old Court House N. Spruce St. 9 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 pm September 7 Junk Fest Bless this Mess DP September 21 $LGHQ·V /LJKW *R *ROG *DOD Vidalia Conference & Convention Center ² SP aidenslightdipg.com September 19 & 26 Eisenhower: Soldier & President Vidalia Library ² SP )UHH October 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 Vidalia River Front Flea Market & Carnival Vidalia Conference & Convention Center )UL 1RRQ ² SP 6DW DP ² SP 6XQ DP ² SP 318.336.9934

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 51

SEPTEMBER Mississippi Up & Coming! visitmississippi.org BROOKHAVEN Throughout September facebook.com/VisitBrookhavenMS visitbrookhavenms.com brookhavenrecreation.com brookhavenlittletheatre.com Throughout September Afghan Sale Lincoln County Historical & Genealogical Society

601.265.2052 October 4 – 20 Matilda The Musical Brookhaven Little Theatre 601.990.2243 / haventheatre.org October 17 QG 3HHO·(P (DW·(P 6KULPS 'LQQHU Lincoln Civic Center SP 601.754.3980

October 22 %$5/·6 &HOHEULW\ 'LQQHU Featuring Jill Connor Browne: THE Sweet Potato Queen Lincoln Civic Center 'RRUV RSHQ SP Julie Montalvo 601.757.1057 CRYSTAL SPRINGS October 11 & 12 Fall Flower & Garden Fest Truck Crops Experiment Station 2024 Experiment Station Road DP ² SP extension.msstate.edu/fallfest

Page 52 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi Up & Coming! SEPTEMBER

FERNWOOD fernwoodcc.com JACKSON Throughout September dulinghall.com msmuseumart.org visitjackson.com jacksonfreepress.com/calendarmsnla.org September 5 & October 3 Fondren After 5 Downtown Fondren Historic District September 7 Opening New Symphony of Time Exhibit MS Museum of Art Tues. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thurs. 11 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 pm )UL ² 6DW DP ² SP Sun. Noon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 pm &ORVHG 0RQ Free 601.960.1515 msmuseumart.org / FB msmuseumart September 7 Flea-Pop-Up Market & Party The Ecoshed 133 Commerce Park Dr. DP ² SP September 27 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Art on the Rez 6W 3HWHU·V E\ WKH /DNH (SLVFRSDO &KXUFK 601.207.3302 / neal_jan@yahoo.com MADISON madisonthecity.com September 28 11th Dragon Boat Regatta Old Trace Park madisoncountychamber.com MCCOMB Throughout September pikeinfo.com mccombarts.com mcrrmuseum.com September 5 Pike County Republican Party Fundraiser Oak Hill Estates ² SP Deidre Brewer 601.551.4905 September 28 Pink Ribbon Walk Bo Diddley Pavilion ² DP pharmacy.marketing@yahoo.com

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 53

SEPTEMBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

October 3 PALS Toast & Tails The Mill ² SP October 10 – 13 The Mousetrap Pike County Little Theatre )% 3LNH &RXQW\ /LWWOH 7KHDWUH MEADVILLE Throughout September meadvillems.com October 26 Homochitto River Festival Town Square DP ² SP 5KRQGD +XII (YHQW &RRUGLQDWRU 601-384-5206 homochittoriverfest@gmail.com franklincountynow.org NATCHEZ Throughout September Live Music Events Calendar visitnatchez.org/full-event-calendar visitnatchez.org September 7 Paula Norris Mestayer Book Signing & Coffee Addiction: Dark Night of the Soul/NAD+: The Light of Hope Edgewood Plantation DP ² 1RRQ hedyboelte@gmail.com September 12 Unforgettable: A Tribute to Nat King Cole Natchez Little Theatre SP 601.442.2233 / natcheztheatre.org September 25 – 29 Super Retriever Series Crown Championship Bluff Park Allevents.in September 27 – 28 Natchez Biscuit Festival Downtown visitnatchez.org September 27 – October 14 Fall Pilgrimage 'DLO\ WRXUV DP ² SP 601.446.6631 / natchezpilgrimage.com

Page 54 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

Mississippi Up & Coming! SEPTEMBER

September 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 29 Cathedral Fall Festival Cathedral School 601.442.2531 PORT GIBSON Throughout September FB: portgibson.chamber RIDGELAND Throughout September visitridgeland.com September 28 Bike Your Park Day Old Trace Park %LF\FOH 5HYROXWLRQ#\DKRR SUMMIT Throughout September pikeinfo.com October 12 Summit Fall Festival Robb Street VICKSBURG Throughout September southernculture.org visitvicksburg.com vicksburgartassociation.org tarawildlife.com vicksburgtheatreguild.com downtownvicksburg.org FB: Vicksburg Farmers Market September 7 Mad Scientist 5K DP raceroster.com September 10 Vicksburg Art Association Fall Kickoff Firehouse Gallery vicksburgartassociation.org September 26 2nd 6XSSHU RQ WKH ·6LS Old Mississippi River Bridge ² SP $GYDQFH WLFNHWV VXJJHVWHG 6HOOV RXW IDVW unitedwayvicksburg.org/sip September 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 28 )LEHU )XQ LQ WKH ¶6LS Vicksburg Convention Center ([KLELWV FODVVHV HQWHUWDLQPHQW IRRG Ã&#x20AC;EHUIXQLQWKHVLS FRP

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 55

SEPTEMBER Mississippi Up & Coming!

September 28 10th Bricks & Spokes DP FB Bricksandspokes September 28 Fee Free Day Vicksburg National Military Park 601.636.0583 / nps.gov October 5 Old Courthouse Flea Market Old Courthouse Museum DP ² SP 601.636.0741 / oldcourthouse.org WESSON Throughout September Facebook: Wesson Chamber September 14 Flag Dedication Ceremony & Patriotic Political Rally Lake Lincoln State Park DP ² SP 601.757.4331 WOODVILLE Throughout September woodvillems.org FB: Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association

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

Page 56 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2019 { Page 57

SOUTHERN SAMPLER

BY

Alma M. Womack

Some Not-so-great Escapes

I

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about most folks, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always had an escape plan in place to get me away from whatever is bugging me at the moment. The location has changed through the years, going from an Apache wickiup in Arizona when I was ten to a home in the Highlands of Scotland right now.

For a while, my place of escape was to become Amish and lead a simpler, less machine-centered life. I loved the idea of living as if I were in the past, circa 1900. Unlike the other escapes, I got to see the reality of living the simpler life a few years ago when I visited a Mennonite settlement in Kentucky.

My sister-in-law, Yolanda McClure, invited me to ride with her to see her parents when they were living in Nashville; and I quite happily accepted. We made the long drive from Jonesville to Nashville in one day, arriving in time for supper and a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep. Her parents, Gladys and Grover Elliott, entertained us royally while there, showing us all around the Nashville scene; they also promised a trip to lower Kentucky to visit some of their friends who were Mennonites. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe my good fortune.

We loaded up the vehicle one day and made our drive up to 0HQQRQLWH FRXQWU\ 7KH Ă&#x20AC;HOGV RI WKH IDUPHUV ZHUH VPDOO EXW very neat and tidy. The only equipment was that pulled by teams of beautiful horses. Every yard had a clothes line with garments ZDYLQJ LQ WKH EUHH]H 7KH KRXVHV KDG Ă RZHUV DQG WDOOHU JUDVV LQ the lawns than what I was used to seeing here in Louisiana. We stopped at a little country store that looked like the ones that used to be on Elmly Plantation up the road from our home and on the Montgomery land in Parhams, years and years ago.

We talked to some of the local Mennonite farmers who were aghast at the size of our farms here in Louisiana, and at the size of the equipment we use. Then, it was on to visit the friends of the Elliotts. As well as I remember, the lady of the house had been a nurse in upstate New York when she married the man who was from a wealthy family in the same state. I am thinking to myself, counter-culture, hippies, something on that line, giving up the materialism of their world for a chance to â&#x20AC;&#x153;get back to basics.â&#x20AC;?

Page 58 { September 2019 { Bluffs & Bayous

They were very cordial and welcomed us with a glass of iced tea; they stopped their daily chores to visit with us, a gesture we appreciated very much. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help noticLQJ WKH SUHSRQGHUDQFH RI KRXVH Ă LHV EX]]LQJ RYHU HYHU\thing like uncovered food, houseplants, and me. Come to Ă&#x20AC;QG RXW WKH\ GLGQ¡W KDYH VFUHHQV RQ WKHLU ZLQGRZV VR WKH Ă LHV WKDW RULJLQDWHG IURP WKH DQLPDO EDUQ MXVW IHHW IURP their back door, had free range in the house.

They had no electricity, meaning no air conditioners or fans or refrigerators or washing machines or anything.

A horse or pony, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember which, went around and around in a circle to generate enough power to wash clothes. They must not have had running water, either, or believed in deodorant; for a daily bath was not on their schedule. I was losing faith in the simple life very quickly.

What I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand was how a person trained DV D QXUVH FRXOG OLYH OLNH WKDW ZLWK Ă LHV FUDZOLQJ RYHU HYerything and never even shoo them away. I suppose she Ă&#x20AC;JXUHG LW ZDV QR XVH ZLWK D UHDG\ VXSSO\ RI WKHP DOZD\V FRPLQJ from the barn with no screens to stop them. It was a take on the old classic changed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat â&#x20AC;&#x2122;em, ignore â&#x20AC;&#x2122;em.â&#x20AC;?

They had children who seemed to be quite happy in their environment as were their parents. The parents were gentle, kind, and courteous to us; it was just their living conditions that shocked me and destroyed my dream of living as my ancestors did only a few generations ago.

I learned a dreadful truth about myself: I liked being a spoiled American with electricity and good tractors and automobiles and running water. The simple life was a lot of hard work to just keep people fed, and the amenities that we take for granted were few or non-existent. Thusâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the end of my dream of running away to join the Amish, who are basically like the Mennonites, for me.

The lure of the wickiup in Arizona faded long ago, too; so the last two escapes are a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains around the Shenandoah Valley or a home in the Highlands of Scotland. I have been told that the people in all of Great Britain get their view of America from CNN, so they are all very anti-Trump and conservatives and are very liberal compared to me. My friend who grew up in northeast Scotland advised me to not go there and share my SROLWLFDO YLHZV RU ,¡G HQG XS LQ D VKRXWLQJ PDWFK RU D Ă&#x20AC;JKW 7KLV means Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to live alone and never communicate with the local folks, or Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be accused of something awful like being conservative.

I suppose the Highlands will just be a place to visit as the home of ancestors, not to run away to forever.

Really, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run away anymore, not even to Virginia; for my grandsons would not hear of it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never leave them at the mercy of a crazy world without me to teach them the true history of the South and the history of their own family. My address will remain as is, Jonesville, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, United States of America.

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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