May 2013 Bluffs & Bayous by Bluffs & Bayous Magazine

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From Your Publisher . . .

ur May issue focuses on lifestyle—from the traditional activities of May Day celebrations in England to the revitalization of downtown living and the relaxed lifestyle of living on our area lakes. LilAnn and Dave Pace, whose Mississippi and Louisiana roots reflect their revamped and revitalized lifestyle, open their homes to you this month. Our gardening experts Bob Ferguson and Gary Buchman continue to peak our interests and spark our enthusiasm with their monthly tips regarding home and outdoor gardening. Becky Junkin shares her Cinco de Mayo recipes to mark this early May celebration and to enhance your repertoire of recipes all month and all year long. Yes, this month’s magazine provides home and garden ideas to inspire us all. May in Natchez, Mississippi, is the annual Natchez Music Festival. Peruse our Premier Events and Up & Coming sections for occasions to join this month-long

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celebration of the music that enriches our lifestyles. Our Bluffs & Bayous areas host myriads of activities and events this month that likewise enrich our lifestyles. Be sure to seize these opportunities in your community or in nearby communities to embrace the many facets of our rich heritage and broaden the perspectives of your lives. May all of you have a Merry Month, full of sunshine and outdoor activities, family gatherings, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays. Enjoy your last full month of spring by welcoming life as we live it ……along and beyond the Mississippi.

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C o n t r i b u t o r s Columnist Dr. Gary R. Bachman is an assistant extension professor of horticulture at Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Becky Junkin, mother of four, grandmother of soon-to-be six, is a lifelong Natchez resident and a retired elementary teacher of twenty four years. She is a certified Pilates instructior and owner of Pur Pilates Studio. She and her husband Jerry live and entertain in their antebellum home Heckler Hall.

Robert Ferguson, a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, for most of his life, received his degree in horticulture from Mississippi State University in 1973. Interested in orchids since the age of 13, he owned Ferguson Orchids from 1973 to 2002 where orchids were cloned, grown from seed, and sold. Ferguson is a Life member of The American Orchid Society, has garnered four American Orchid Society Awards for his orchids, and has won three American Orchid Society Exhibition Trophies for Best of Show.

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

Jennie Guido is a graduate of Delta State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Master’s Degree in English Education. Having lived up Highway 61 in Cleveland, Mississippi, she recently has returned to Natchez, her hometown, to pursue her professional career.

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

Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III, a native of Natchez, Mississippi, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981. Since then, he has been practicing at the law firm of Gwin, Lewis, Punches & Kelley, LLP, in Natchez. His practice includes general litigation, real estate law, divorce, contract disputes, eminent domain, products liability, personal injury, medical matters, and some estate work.

on the cover Dave and LilAnn Pace are pictured on the balcony of their upstairs apartment on West Cherokee Street in downtown Brookhaven, Mississippi. See related story on pages 44 - 48. Photo by Van O’Gwin of Van’s Photography.

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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.

publisher Cheryl Foggo Rinehart editors Jean Nosser Biglane Cheryl Foggo Rinehart graphic designers Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling media coordinator Adam Blackwell staff photographers Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker Jennifer Ratliff Cheryl Rinehart sales staff Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles office assistant Meaghan McCallum

Adam Blackwell

Jean Biglane

Meaghan McCallum

Van O’Gwin

Elise D. Parker

Jan Ratcliff

Cheryl Rinehart

Anita Schilling

Jennifer Ratliff

Donna Sessions

JoAnna Sproles

Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to insure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.

office

423 Main Street, Suite 7 | Natchez, MS 39120 601-442-6847 | fax 601-442-6842 bluffsmag@gmail.com bbupandcoming@gmail.com media.bluffsandbayous@gmail.com www.bluffsbayous.com

May 2013 FEATURES Today’s Lifestyle~Downtown and Lake Living..................................................44-49

FAVORITES All Outdoors Briar Patchin’.......................................................................................................10-11

Events May Premier Events.............................................................................................63-64 May Up & Coming!..............................................................................................65-73

G's Fare Celebrating Cinco de Mayo................................................................................14-17

Today’s Lifestyle-Downtown and Lake Living pages 44 - 49

High Cotton Shopping Up Franklin Street, Natchez, Mississippi...........................................22-24

In the Garden Divide Perennials with Care................................................................................30-31 Orchid Education in the ‘60s..............................................................................38-39

Legal Notes Law Along the Mississippi~Our Frivolous Legal System........................................34

Random Jottings May Day Traditions.............................................................................................60-62

Southern Sampler A Medley of May Reflections..................................................................................82

THE social SCENE

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo pages 14 - 17

Southwest Bridal Expo............................................................................................8-9 Mardi Gras Dinner and Birthday Party...............................................................12-13 Feliciana Chapter’s OLLI Coffee...............................................................................17 Climber’s Club Guest Dinner...............................................................................20-21 Mystery Dinner....................................................................................................26-27 Daughters and Dads Party Honors Senior Ann Garrison Thomas....................32-33 Easter Egg Extravaganza....................................................................................40-41 Krewe of Ceres Ball.............................................................................................52-59 Isabella Fife’s 2nd Birthday Celebration............................................................76-77 Royal Ball.............................................................................................................78-80 Magnolia Garden Club Flower Show......................................................................81

THE wedding SCENE

Williams and Lord Engagement Celebration....................................................28-29

Divide Perennials with Care pages 30 - 31 Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 7

THE social SCENE Mccomb, MS

Southwest Bridal Expo

he 17th Annual Southwest Bridal Expo was held Sunday, January 27, 2013, at the old McComb Mill in downtown McComb, Mississippi. Approximately 60 brides along with members of their wedding parties and families visited with over 35 vendors. The expo included a fashion show, man cave, games, and door prizes. Plans for the 18th Annual Southwest Bridal Expo are underway for January 26, 2014.

1 Lana Moak and Heidi Moak 2 Amanda and Carsyn Smith 3 Bobby Nations, Dr. David Hubbs, Peyton Slonaker, Randy Slonaker, Payton May, and Brandi Butrick 4 Hayley Craft and Josh Young 5 Carlee Welch and Kristen Ratliff 6 Alleasha Williams and Lee Esther Williams 7 Nicole Jenkins, Michelle Sones, Tiffany Jones, and Ashley Kyzar 8 Billy Powe and Sid Boyte

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THE social SCENE

McComb, MS

9 Kelsey Smith and Haley Terrell 10 Shawn Johnson and Shannon Barclay 11 Monique Wood and Joan Burt 12 Jeanette Netherland, Leanne Gill, and Mandy Dunaway

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All Outdoors by Ross McGehee

Briar Patchin’

hat did I say that for? Sam flew hot in a hurry, and I had to hear the whole story; but the longer he talked, the more animated he got, and the funnier the story became. By the time he was finished, the rest of the crew had added similar recollections; and all were in complete agreement with Sam. And all I had to say to instigate the rant was, “It looks like we’re going to have a big crop of dewberries this year.” Anybody that is even just a little bit “country” appreciates a picking of dewberries. If it’s just a handful picked as you walk past a bush on the way to fix a fence, a bowl full of berries with milk and sugar sprinkled over them, or a cobbler with whipped cream on top, dewberries are delicious. They are much easier to pick than those scrawny blackberries that come later in the summer, and they are much sweeter. They also tend to have fewer seeds to get stuck in your teeth. Of course, if you are “country” enough, teeth probably aren’t a factor anyway. I learned at an early age to keep the location of a good dewberry patch a secret. Dad loved berries and would stop whatever he was doing to pick a mess of them. Of course, anyone in his presence was enlisted to assist whether they liked berries or not! On one particular occasion, we were on the farm at Cannonsburg, fixing fence. Cows had gotten out and crossed a ravine into some woods on the property; so they had to be tracked, located, and herded back. After rappelling down into the Page 10 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

bayou, grabbing roots to climb up the other side, then fighting ticks and mosquitoes for an hour, the hired hand and I found the cows far back in a thicket. After they were returned to the pasture and the fence was fixed, Dad noticed that my hands were stained purple. After a lengthy inquisition (ever try to get intel out of a kid?), it was determined that Earl and I had happened upon a rather large and fruitful dewberry patch in our ramblings. Looking back, I now know why Earl had watched the “question/information” session with a tightened countenance. He knew what was coming. Dad rummaged around in the back of the truck until he found an empty milk carton and a box that some hay rake teeth had come in. He dusted them off and handed them to the two of us and said, “Go get ‘em.” I don’t know what was worse, the trek back across the ravine into the ticks or Earl’s whining about getting caught and having to pick the boss a mess of dewberries. I guess that’s the thing about dewberries or any other chore for that matter. You don’t mind the stickers and the garter snakes so much if you’re the one getting the cobbler when it’s over; but if somebody else is getting all the “goody,” it’s hard to be enthusiastic. And that’s where Sam was coming from with his response to my comment about dewberries. Cleaned up, paraphrased, and quoted to the best of my recollection he recounted as follows: “Man, my ole hateful grammaw had this scam going on. She had a long fence that

run out to the field behind her house and that thing was FULL of them jewberries! So, every year, about the time they was ripe, she’d invite all her kids to the house after church on Sunday. She go play like she was glad to see all us young’uns, but we knew what was up. Soon as the grandchildren had got a belly full of chicken, we all wanted to lay up on the floor cause we had got sleepy; and she had air conditioning, which we didn’t at home. All the old folks would be gossiping and burping, but we didn’t care because we was cool. “Then Grammaw would come in there where we was and say, ‘Get up y’all and come with me!’ It was about twelve of us, and we’d follow her out to the little old shed she kept the lawnmower in. Here she go and come out with all the chittlin buckets she been saving for the last two years and hand everybody one. It didn’t matter if you was twelve or two; you was getting a bucket. Then she gonna go over to the fruit tree in the corner of the yard and break off a limb so we all could see she had it. She’d say, ‘Y’all come on.’ And you better step it up, or she go tighten you up with that switch! “Now the biggest of us all knew that Mamma and Daddy was back at the house talking, glad that they didn’t have to pick berries. Oh, they KNEW what was going on. They was just glad it wasn’t them! So we go down the fence; and Grammaw would say, ‘Y’all fill them buckets. Don’t miss no berries and don’t pick me no red ones!’ We’d all be reaching in, getting scratched up, sweat coming down our

faces, full of chicken, and thinking about that air conditioning. Seemed like the more berries we picked, the bigger them chittlin buckets got. If Grammaw thought you was slackin’, she’d slip up behind you with that limb and pop you on the back of your leg. Now you was pickin’, sweatin’, bleedin’, AND cryin’. “And don’t mess up and fill up your bucket way before anybody else did. Cause she gonna reach and get her apron hiked up, and you gonna dump your berries in that apron and pick some more! And don’t let her find that you picked some berries with some red on them. Cause here she gonna come with that switch again. Don’t try to eat any berries while you picking because she’d say, ‘That’s wastin’.’ And here comes that switch. If she thought you was talking too much instead of picking, here comes that switch. If she found a berry that you missed, you gonna get tore up! “Then, when all the big kids filled their buckets, we jumped in and helped the little kids. They didn’t get popped if they had red berries and played too much. They was just there to bring more buckets for us to fill. We figured that out. So finally we filled up all the buckets and back to the house we go. Grammaw done throwed away her limb, and we all follow her up in the kitchen with our buckets and set them on the floor. She’d take us all in with the old folks and brag on how good we was and how we was all gonna get some jelly when she made it. “Man, I don’t know what she did with that jelly, but WE never saw any of it! Say something to Momma about it, and she gonna cover up for Grammaw and say she thinks Grammaw sells it to raise money for the church. All I can tell you is, when she died and they buried her at that church, they was talking about what kind of flowers to have at the funeral. I told them to get some ole jewberry bushes and put on the grave. Maybe they’d sprout! Then I could eat some berries next to her and not get whupped for it!” I guess that would be sweet revenge. That’s the thing about dewberries; you can pick them off the side of the gravel road with dust all over them, blow them off some, and they’re still good! Actually, they are better that way because you won’t have to wait for a cobbler to cool and you won’t have to share them with somebody that did not help pick. Getting the seeds out of your teeth is a whole nuther matter. Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 11

THE social SCENE Brookhaven, MS

Mardi Gras Dinner and Birthday Party

ill and Merrie Boerner hosted a Mardi Gras dinner party at their home on River Road near Brookhaven, Mississippi, on February 8, 2013. This gala doubled as a surprise birthday party for Steve Fitzsimmons who reached the milestone of 60 years. Photos by Bill Perkins

1 Mary Dee Corkern and Celeste Carty 2 Dr. Jim and Val Hall with Dudley Lampton 3 Chris Nations and Don Perkins 4 Anna Smith, Bill Perkins, and Betsy Belk 5 Susan and Mark Smith 6 Dr. Dena Jackson and Velma Estess 7 Betsy Belk, Dr. Nic Belk, and Merrie Boerner 8 Dr. Mark Smith and Dennis Valentine 9 Laura Murray and Katie Nations 10 Stacey Wesson, Lindsey Robinson, and Bill Phillips

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THE social SCENE

Brookhaven, MS

11 Jennifer Yeager, Kathy Phillips, Stacy Wesson, Susie Fitzsimmons, Leslie Baker, and Betsy Belk 12 Amy Valentine with Steve and Susie Fitzsimmons

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G’s Fare

by Becky Junkin

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

inco de Mayo, translated the “fifth of May,” is a holiday observed in the United States and in parts of Mexico. Here in Natchez and in other parts of Mississippi, it is a day of celebration with plenty of dishes and drinks that reflect the culture of Mexico and add to the festivities. You can choose to use some of these recipes that I have collected; or if very industrious, you can serve all these dishes to a crowd. Add your favorite Margarita, Mexican beer, soft drink, or that favorite from your Deep South roots—a tall glass of good, old-fashioned sweetened ice tea—and enjoy.

I used this recipe first in 1981, having found it in the Southern Living 1981 Cookbook. It has been a favorite standby for my family for decades now.

Layered Nacho Dip 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans 1/2 package (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix 1 carton (6 ounces) avocado dip 1 carton (8 ounces) commercial sour cream 1 can (4 1/2 ounces) chopped ripe olives 1 large tomato, diced 1 small onion, finely chopped (I usually use green onions.) 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese Combine beans and seasoning mix. Spread beans on tray. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed.

This next recipe comes from my friend Kay Browning from the cookbook More Calf Fries to Caviar. This casserole can be used as a side dish, an appetizer, or a main dish with slaw. It is so easy and very good; however, you might want to double the recipe if using it as an appetizer or main dish since a single recipe serves 4 for a main dish.

Chili Relleno Casserole 2 small cans whole chili peppers (or jalapeno peppers) 1/2 pound Monterey Jack cheese, grated (I have also used a Mexican cheese mixture from Kraft.) 6 eggs, slightly beaten Dash of Worcestershire Sauce Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the bottom of a greased 8” x 8” casserole dish empty chili peppers. (I sprinkled sliced jalapeno peppers, and it was delicious.) Sprinkle with cheese. Combine eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning. Pour over mixture in casserole dish; and bake until the eggs are firm, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot.

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This recipe comes from the family of my daughter-in-law, Stacy Junkin. It was her Great Grandmother’s recipe and handed down to our family from Stacy’s father, Dr. Tom Willis of Decatur, Alabama. Their whole family made these annually on New Year’s Eve and also sold them during the ’50s and ’60s at fundraisers for their church. (Some of the spices, unavailable or unknown in the ’50s, have been added by future generations.) My family now makes these during the Christmas or Thanksgiving holidays when our children are home. We have an assembly line with each person having a station. It is a lot of fun, but the meat takes a while to cook. However, I have to say the results are worth the wait.

Hot Tamales 4-5 pounds of meat (pork loin, beer chuck roast, and/or chicken) 2 medium Pablano peppers 1 sweet onion 1 can broth (chicken or beef) 2 tablespoons salt 1 tablespoon black pepper 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon red pepper If using the pork loin, cut it in thirds; otherwise, place meat in a large stock pan. Add broth and water to cover the meat. Quarter onion and place in pot. Split peppers; remove membrane and seeds, and add to pot. Add spices to pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for approximately 1 hour or until meat or meats are done. When done, remove meat from pot, and let the meat stand and cool. Save the pot stock; do not discard it, for you will use this in the dough. Hand shred, grind, or finely chop the meat and place in a large bowl. Seasonings: 1 tablespoon salt 3-4 tablespoons chili powder

1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper 1 tablespoon paprika 1/2 bunch finely chopped cilantro 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/2 teaspoon oregano 2 medium sweet onions finally chopped 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies Add all of the above seasonings except onions and chilies to the shredded meat and mix thoroughly. Add onion and green chilies. Then, strain the stock to remove the peppers and onions. Liquefy these in blender with a little of the pot stock and add to the meat mixture. Prepare tamale dough: 2 cups Maseca 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup lukewarm pot stock 1 cup hot water 1 teaspoon red pepper 2/3 cup vegetable shortening (which I use) or lard

Combine Maseca, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; add warm pot stock and hot water; and mix into a soft, moist dough. In a small bowl, beat shortening until fluffy; and then add to Maseca and beat until dough has a spongy texture. You should make only one batch at a time so that it doesn’t dry out. You will make this until you run out of the meat mixture. Assemble hot tamales: We use corn husks that need to be washed and soaked for 10 minutes. Place dough evenly over the husk, add a tablespoon of meat mixture to the middle, fold all sides to the center, and tie with cotton twine. Layer tamales in a large pot (We use a large roaster.) side by side and cover with the pot stock and additional water. Place an upside-down dinner plate on top of the tamales to keep them submerged, and simmer for 2 hours. We usually have leftover tamales, and we freeze them with paper in a plastic freezer container.

Ellen Saunders, a friend and co-worker, gave me this recipe. My daughter Lari and I have made this for parties, barbeques, and family gatherings. I sprinkle the dish with a little bit of chili powder just before serving. If the chili powder is too strong, use paprika instead.

Mexican Coleslaw 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar 1 package coleslaw 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 can Mexi-corn, drained 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (or 2 cups grated cheese paprika) for garnish, optional Green onions, chopped Jalapeno pepper for garnish, 1 cup mayonnaise optional 1 1/2 tablespoons mustard Mix together first 4 ingredients. Combine remaining 4 ingredients, stir well, and add to coleslaw mixture. Stir all until evenly combined. I usually sprinkle chili powder on top and add jalapeno pepper for garnish.

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My daughters Lari and Jordan had this recipe. I am not sure which one gave it to me first, so I give credit to both. This is a good meal on a cool spring evening since it is much lighter than the traditional chili and is a good alternative.

White Chicken Chili 1 teaspoon ground cumin 8 skinned and boned chicken breasts, 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano cooked and diced 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 2 medium onions, chopped 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 2 cans (14 ounce) chicken broth Toppings: shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 4 cans (15.5 ounce) cannelloni beans or other salsa, sour cream, and chopped green white beans, rinsed and drained onions 2 cans (4.5 ounce) chopped green chilies 1 teaspoon salt Sauté chicken, onion, and garlic in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 10 minutes or until chicken is done. Stir in broth and next 9 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.

Lari loves Mexican food and shares her dishes with friends. This Easy Mexican Lasagna is a quick go-to on a busy afternoon and works well when friends come over for supper.

Easy Mexican Lasagna 1 can fat-free cream of mushroom soup 3 cups chopped chicken 1 can fat-free cream of chicken soup 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 can enchilada sauce 2/3 cup Rotel 9 corn tortillas 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese 1/2 teaspoon pepper Cook first 6 ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir together chicken soup, mushroom soup, and enchilada sauce in a sauce pan; cook, stirring often, 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Spoon one-third of sauce into a 9” x 13” dish and top with 3 tortillas. Spoon half of chicken mixture and 1/3 of sauce over tortillas; sprinkle with half of cheddar cheese. Top with 3 tortillas; repeat layers once with remaining chicken, sauce, cheddar cheese, and tortillas, ending with tortillas. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until lasagna is bubbly. Serve with desired toppings.

I have made these enchiladas for family and parties. I got this from Emeril Lagasse at foodnetwork.com. It is really easy and quite tasty.

Chicken Enchiladas 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup oil, divided 1 tablespoon flour 1/4 cup chili powder 2 cups chicken stock 10 ounces tomato puree 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Salt 3 cups grated cheddar cheese 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (You can buy a roasted chicken and debone and shred it.)

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1 onion, chopped 10 corn tortillas 1 cup sour cream for garnish 1/2 cup chopped green onions for garnish Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sauce: In a saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons oil; add flour; and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook 30 seconds. Stir in stock, tomato puree, oregano, and cumin; and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes until flavors are well-blended. Season to taste with salt.

Filling: Combine cheese, chicken, and onion. Heat remaining 1/2 cup oil in a skillet until hot. Using tongs, dip in tortillas, one at a time, to soften; and drain on paper towel. Dip each tortilla in sauce, place on a plate, fill with a generous spoonful of filling, and roll up. Place enchilada, seam side down, in a baking dish; and repeat until all ingredients are used up. Top with remaining sauce. Bake 30 minutes. To serve, top with sour cream and scallions.

Cinnamon was first used in cooking in Mexico, so this dessert is perfect for Cinco de Mayo. And it is soooooo easy. I use just one saucepan for this easy, easy dessert. Having had this recipe for years, I am not sure where I originally got it; but to whoever shared this with me, I say, “Thanks!”

Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge Cake 1 cup water Cake: 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 box confectioner’s sugar 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 cups flour 2 beaten eggs 6 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon soda 2 cups sugar Frosting: 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup butter 1 stick butter 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 4 tablespoons cocoa 4 tablespoons cocoa Cake: Sift together flour and sugar, and set aside. Mix together butter, cocoa, and water in a saucepan; and bring to a boil. To boiling mixture, add sugar and flour mixture; then add next 5 ingredients. Add 2 beaten eggs; pour into ungreased jellyroll pan and bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Frosting: Melt together the butter and cocoa. Add to this the remaining ingredients, and pour over hot cake.

I found this recipe several years ago. I was looking for something different that was quick and easy to go with a Mexican dinner I was preparing. You can make your own cake from scratch, and then follow the rest of the recipe, but using the recipe below tastes just as good. I found this on Betty Crocker’s website and have used it many times since.

Tres Leche Cake (3-Milk Cake) Cake: 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix (I used the butter cake mix.) 1 1/4 cups water 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 eggs Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for dark or nonstick pan). Grease and flour or spray bottom and sides of 9” x 13” pan. (I spray with a store-bought mixture of flour and oil.) In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, vanilla, and eggs with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds; then beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan. Bake as directed on box for 9” x 13” pan. Let stand 5 minutes. Poke top of hot cake

every 1/2 inch with long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. (I have used a skewer; it’s easier) Topping and Frosting: 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup evaporated milk 1 cup whipping cream 1 container Betty Crocker whipped fluffy white frosting (I changed this to 1 cup whipping cream, whipped with sugar to taste.) In a large bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and whipping cream. Carefully pour evenly over top of cake. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until mixture is absorbed into cake. Frost with frosting or with the whipped-cream mixture mentioned above. Store covered in refrigerator.

Feliciana Chapter’s OLLI Coffee

embers and guests enjoyed the Feliciana Chapter of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Coffee on March 20, 2013, at the First Baptist Church in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Guest speaker was Cathy Fontenot, CCE and Assistant Warden of Support and Public Relations at Angola State Penitentiary. Photo by Barbara Glass

Cindy Mann, Executive Director of the LA Prison Chapel Foundation; Olivia Pass, Council Chair of the OLLI Feliciana Chapter; Cathy Fontenot, Assistant Warden at Angola; and Georgia LaCour, Coffee Chair

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THE social SCENE Brookhaven, MS

Climbers Club Guest Dinner

embers of the Climbers Club of Brookhaven, Mississippi, and their guests enjoyed the annual Guest Dinner at the home of Carl and Susan Aycock in Brookhaven. It was a splendid evening accented with tasty cuisine carefully prepared by hostesses Susan Aycock, Martha Ann Peeples, Carline Stribling, Sally Lampton, Shirley Estes, Lu Becker, Amy Cooley, Karen Behan, and Betsy Smith. Photos by Bill Perkins

Hostesses Sally Lampton, Betsy Smith, Shirley Estes, Martha Ann Peeples, Susan Aycock, Carlene Stribling, Amy Cooley, Lu Becker, and Karen Behan 2 Betsy Smith, Martha Boeling, and Betty Bullard 3 David Calcote and Jack Piper 4 Bettye Langston, Bette Dixon, and Beth Langston 5 Karen Behan and Theresia Perkins 6 Don Perkins with Pat and Celeste Lowery 7 Jean Wood, Meriam Smith, Diana Wilkins, and Johnnie Johnson 8 Dott Cannon, Johnny Perkins, and Norma Hill 9 Susan and Carl Aycock with Karen Braden 10 Val Hall, Bill Perkins, and Martha Ann Peeples

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THE social SCENE

Brookhaven, MS

11 Karen Sullivan and Charlene Elliot 12 Lu Becker, Shirley Piper, and Sheila SandersÂ 13 Racine Reardon and Betty Ann Perkins

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High Cotton

story & photos by Jennie Guido

Shopping Up Franklin Street

Natchez, Mississippi

inally! The weather has turned warmer with small hints of humidity, and the days are getting longer and burgeoning with endless activities. With these welcomed changes, it’s time for one of my favorite pastimes in Downtown Natchez to get underway and into full swing—shopping.

Over the next couple of months, I will feature some of the finest of avenues, venues, and shopping centers in our Bluffs & Bayous area. For starters, why don’t we take a stroll up our very own Antiques Row—Franklin Street—and see what new treasures are out there to be found.

t the beginning of our journey is Burns Pottery, Conner Burns’ gallery and studio that are home to the creation of his original clay vessels and sculptural artwork. Because of his own childhood and his father’s ceramic production, Burns explained, “I always enjoyed going to art festivals with him, and our home was also filled with artwork. I knew that one day I wanted to be a part of this world and take a pottery class.” While his studio at 209 Franklin Street is always moving towards a new series or showcase, one element stays the same. “I think a studio and gallery reflect the owner. My gallery has work displayed in an open and clean manner with both rooms featuring seating to allow individuals to stay and relax. This way they can ‘take in’ the artwork in a comfortable and relaxing environment.” Unique gifts, jewelry, art and brightly painted furniture await shoppers at Sun Moon & Stars. Artist Conner Burns intrigues customers and clients with his intricate, original clay vessels.

ometimes your home needs a new piece of art or brightly painted furniture to spruce it up a bit; and Erin Myers at Sun, Moon & Stars has just what you need. Since 1998, Myers has been creating a myriad of custom-painted furniture, brightly bedecked canvases, and eclectic wall murals to help us Natchezians, as well as those from afar, update our homes. “After a couple of moves down Commerce and Main Streets, I finally settled into our location on Franklin Street and have called it home since 2011,” Myers explains. Myers also has several gift lines that are unique to her store, including fragrant Volusta candles and pretty, practical, and collectible Hadley pottery. If you are looking for the perfect gift for your favorite graduate or bride-to-be, Myers still custom paints any Walter Anderson print you may need. “For the kids, I will have the art camps this summer in June and July,” Myers told me. These camps are open to children ages five to twelve. For more information on these classes, stop by Sun, Moon &Stars to see what Erin Myers has in store for you! Page 22 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

few blocks up Franklin Street, The Pampered Sole is the first stop for the on-trend shopper seeking to add something new to her spring and summer shoe collection or wardrobe. Located in the Buttross Building of the 500 block of Franklin, The Pampered Sole is owned by Julie Smith, who opened this boutique in March 1997 as a ladies’ footwear and handbag shop. Over the years, many changes have graced this store, adding not only several casual clothing lines but also a side boutique filled with elegant to glitzy to avant-garde evening gowns. Some of the brands that Smith carries that seem to be local favorites are Volatile shoes and Ya, Double Zero, and Flying Tomato clothing, selections sought by out-of-town shoppers and tourists as well. Fully aware that retail shopping is all about the customer, Smith explained, “I know that Saturdays are prime shopping days, and I decided to keep later business hours to accommodate my customers and allow them to enjoy their weekend shopping excursions right here in town.” The motto on the door of The Pampered Sole claims, “From Head to Toe—We’ve Got you Covered”; I have to say that they certainly do!

How can you say “no” to a new pair of brightly colored flats?

Primitive Unlimited’s many accents and what-nots await your perusal...and purchase.

ince we are traveling up Antiques Row, I think it is fitting to visit one of the largest antiques shops in our river town—Primitive Unlimited. Located in the building formerly home to Pyron Furniture, Primitive’s owners, Charla and Greg Mophett, just recently moved to this larger location to provide their customers with room to browse in comfort through all that the vendors have to offer. With as many as twenty different vendors set up, Primitive’s selection includes thousands of items just waiting to be treasured and taken home. About these wares, Charla Mophett explained, “The name says Primitive Unlimited, but we offer a vast selection of items for everyone. We have furniture, painted furniture, depression glass, crystal, vintage jewelry, linens, coins, Civil War items, antique firearms, crocks, cast-iron cookware, and more.” I have to admit that many of the items that furnish my house came from Primitive Unlimited and fit perfectly into the antique and modern aesthetic I was trying to achieve. With so much to choose from and explore, a couple of hours spent browsing the many nooks and crannies of Primitive Unlimited will be rewarding ones on your next expedition throughout Antiques Row.

ext up and right next door at 520 Franklin Street, we have Turning Pages Books & More. Opened in 2001 by Dr. Fred and Mary Emrick, this shop’s knowledgeable staff provides prompt and personal information for your next perfect read. A member of many well-known professional associations and alliances, including the American Booksellers Association, Turning Pages made its home in the old Geisenberger Drug Store building erected in the 1830s and vacant for many years prior to the Emricks’ restoration of it as the retail shop it is today. With its vast array of books, ranging from classical literature to modern fiction and from children’s lore and gardening how-to’s to political reads, this is the place to stop by for a visit, select your favorite tome, head towards the intimate back courtyard with your newest find, and settle in for a quiet afternoon in the middle of Downtown Natchez. Emrick believes that one of the local favorites that many tourists seek as well is a selection from our very own Greg Iles’ cannon of Southern suspense-filled dramas. “While our store is overflowing with books,” Mary Emrick explained, “we also carry a selection of magazines, greeting cards, plush toys, and more.” She believes that in the near future Turning Pages will stock additional gift items for customers to peruse while selecting the perfect book for that next unique occasion.

Books, books, books!

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his excursion up Antiques Row would not be complete without a trip through H. Hal Garner Antiques & Interiors to view all of the elegant items it offers. From endless china patterns to bolts and bolts of fabric, H. Hal Garner is a decorator’s dream shop. After working with bridal registries while living in Cleveland, Mississippi, I can say that the selections found at H. Hal Garner represent the best fine china, crystal, and casual dinnerware companies out there. Located behind and throughout three adjacent storefronts on Franklin Street, H. Hal Garner invites you to wend your way through its elegant selections, arranged on antique display tables or intriguing shelves, to find the perfect gift for your favorite bride or Spring Pilgrimage royalty or even a little something for yourself. Each table display also artfully showcases how you, too, can decorate your table top for whatever season may be on the brink. Whether matching your own wedding china with something new and colorful or mixing fabrics to create interesting new tablescapes and dramatic interior treatments—even just to spruce up your living room pillows or recover your favorite chair, the ladies of H. Hal Garner can point you in the right direction.

Antique jewelry from H. Hal Garner—the perfect gift for that special someone!

The unique “flower bed” display at Moreton’s Flowerland

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he final stop on our journey up Franklin Street is one that could last an entire afternoon! Moreton’s Flowerland is the icing on the cake when it comes to floral designs and gift options. What started as Browning Flower Shop, located in the current courtyard of the Eola Hotel, and then moved its way down to the corner of Main and Canal has for the past 30 years nestled itself at the end of Antiques Row. “Once the Star Theatre, our building has a history that is rich and full of stories,” owner Brenda Zerby explained. “What once was a street that did not see much foot traffic has become an avenue with many specialty shops, thriving from one end to the other.” When Brenda and Blair Zerby, her husband, bought the business in 1973, it was located on the Main street corner and remained there for ten years before moving to its present and much larger location. “When Blair designed the front façade of this new building that we were moving into, he knew that exposure through window design is worth everything!” Brenda said. Whether you are sending flowers to a loved one or seeking a unique accessory to make someone’s house a home, Moreton’s can provide an array of choices; for, as Brenda reasons, “It just makes so much sense to be well represented to our shoppers and give them so many reasons to come Downtown!” I can safely say that you have no need to travel very far for an exciting day of shopping. Historic Downtown Natchez’s very own Franklin Street is home to so many selections when it comes to the latest in fashion, the best in gifts, your next favorite novel, antiques of all kinds, a sculptured clay vessel or set of china to complete your home, or even a bouquet of flowers to brighten your day!

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THE social SCENE Natchez, MS

Mystery Dinner

he Mystery Dinner Theater presentation of A Decent Proposal was a comedic hit. This February 16, 2013, event, held at BriarVue in Natchez, Mississippi, and hosted by the Natchez Bed and Breakfast Association, offered guests a fun-filled evening of laughter and good food.

1 Angie and Kevin Friloux, Jeanette Feltus, and Chuck Moorhead 2 Trevor and Wendy Hampton 3 Byron and Christine Tims 4 Debbie Tomaine and Ritchie Montgomery 5 Donnie and Christina Babb 6 Amy and Mike Daguiar with Barbara Kirby 7 Lanius Fortenberry, Barbara Lomasney, Carol Ann Riley, and Myrtle Ann Collins 8 Lorraine Hampton, Dick Thompson, and Evelyn Fairbanks 9 Eric Riggs, Keni Bounds, Leslie Palmer, and Wayne Thomas

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THE social SCENE

natchez, MS

10 Joe and Belinda Garrity 11 Sue Goss and Lyda Jordan 12 John and Valerie Bergeron 13 Ron and Eleanor Fry 14 Ronnie and Kathy Boutwell 15 Yvonne Murray and Billy Tilden

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THE weddingSCENE Fluker, LA

Williams and Lord Engagement Celebration

n March 9, 2013, Leslie P. Williams, daughter of Shelton Pittman of Kentwood, Louisiana, and Robert Glen Lord, son of Glenda N. Lord of Summit, Louisiana, and Bobby Lord of Pricedale, Mississippi, were honored with an engagement party in Fluker, Louisiana. Hosting the party were Emmagene Carter, Don and Kathy Kent, Kohl Kent, Dek Kent and Amanda Morse, Connie and Benjy McNabb, and Tommy and Teri White. The couple will marry at Jolimar in Summit on June 8, 2013.

1 Robert Glen Lord and Leslie P. Williams 2 Danielle Reed, Candi Reid, and Julie Roberts 3 Robert Glen Lord, Teri White, Emmagene Carter, Connie McNabb, Kohl Kent, Dek Kent, Leslie P. Williams, Amanda Morse, and Kathy Kent 4 Ida Blades, Kathy Brabham, Joann Travis, Leslie P. Williams, Shelton Pittman, and Edna Simmons 5 Robert Glen, Kelsey, Bobby, and Jacob Lord 6 Glenda N. Lord and Brenda Tullos 7 Kelsey Lord, Mary Stevenson, Leslie P. Williams, Tara Jones, and Ashley Kyzar 8 Robert Glen Lord, John-Paul Nunnery, Cannon Ward, Wade Huhn, and Landon Morgan

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THE weddingSCENE

fluker, la

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Robert Glen Lord, Ross Morgan, Michael Speirs, and Wade Huhn Derrick and Whitney Pattie, Leslie P. Williams, and Opal Myers Emmagene Carter and Kathy Kent Kohl Kent and Maddox Williams Robert Glen and Glenda N. Lord Vickie Lane, Leslie P. Williams, and Lisa Parrish Robert Glen and Glenda N. Lord with Leslie P. Williams Maddox Williams, Lana Day and Shelton Pittman Anthony Campo, Connie McNabb, and Amanda Morse

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In the Garden

story & photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman

Divide Perennials with Care ith spring in the air and our landscapes waking up from their long winter’s nap, Mississippi gardeners jump into the many chores needed to get gardens off to the right start. One of the first decisions to be made is what to plant. We flock to garden centers looking for inspiration and new plants to enjoy in the coming year. Sometimes we forget to look in our own gardens for the options we already have. Many perennial plants can be divided into new, smaller plants to give away or Page 30 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

plant elsewhere. It’s not unusual to divide one perennial into three or more individual plants. You do not need special tools for dividing plants, but the ones you use must be sharp. Get started with a garden spade and fork; serrated knife (an old bread knife works great); and maybe a small, pointed saw. Some perennials can simply be pulled apart by hand and replanted. The process of dividing plants is really simple. Dig the entire perennial out of the ground for less damage and to make more divisions. Carefully brush or shake some loose soil away from the root ball to find the growing points, commonly referred to

Above—DAYLILIES – Daylilies such as these mixed varieties are ideal candidates to divide and share with neighbors or move to new areas of the landscape. Next page—DIVIDING – When dividing plants, separate at the growing points and trim about half the foliage to reduce water loss as the roots begin to regenerate.

as the “eyes.” You may have to use your fingers to find the spots between the growing points where you make the dividing cuts. Make sure all divisions have a growing point and attached roots. This work sometimes requires patience. Generally, the smaller the size of the divided plant, the longer it will take to re-grow. This means you may want to limit the number of divisions you make from each parent plant. When replanting, prune off about half the foliage to reduce water loss as the roots regenerate. Plant the new crown at the same level it was in the ground on the original plant. Arrange the pieces in a random fashion, making sure they do not all grow in the same direction.

Many people recommend you divide perennials in the fall, but most can be divided in either spring or fall. With my very busy schedule, I follow the garden rule that says the right time to divide plants is when I have the time. I find this works well more than 95 percent of the time. I need to make a clear distinction in the terminology used to describe dividing plants. Strictly speaking, division is using a knife, sharp spade, or garden fork to cut up the crown at the numerous growing points. Caladiums, canna, and hostas are examples of plants that are divided this way. Other plants produce growing points that are actually new little plants that can be separated by hand from the main plant. Many bulbs and grasses fall into this category. Whether you divide plants by division or separation, the result is the sameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;more free plants for the garden. Dividing plants also helps keep perennials rejuvenated and gives them more space in which to grow. Whichever method of division you use, always remember to save a few of the new, individual plants to give away to neighbors. This is a great way to make new friends, and you can always visit your plants in future years in their new garden settings.

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THE social SCENE vicksburg, MS

Daughters and Dads Party Honors Senior Ann Garrison Thomas

nn Garrison Thomas of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and a member of the Class of 2013 was honored March 3, 2013, with a Daughters and Dads Dinner Party hosted by Cathy Blagg, Billy Joe and Tee Dottley, Bob and Courtney Houser, Larry and Nina Ricconi, Debbie and Woody Brumitt, Allen and Daria Hood, and Rowdy and Francine Nosser. Wilsonwood Lodge was the setting for the occasion during which the daughters and dads played games, including an ugliest tie contest.

1 Meg Edney, Klaire Miller, Anna Grant, Ann Garrison Thomas, Amanda Hudson, Adria Piazza, and Ginger Shiers 2 Meg and Dr. Dan Edney 3 Ann Garrison and Gary Thomas 4 Ann Garrison Thomas and Katie Humphries 5 Stephanie and Dr. Guillermo Riveros 6 Jerry and Mary Hannah Campbell 7 Larry Hartley and Ginger Shiers 8 Nina Ricconi, Debbie Brumitt, Ann Garrison Thomas, Daria Hood, Francine Nosser, and Courtney Houser 9 Ann Garrison Thomas, Katie Humphries, Blakele Palmertree, and Clara Grace Turner

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THE social SCENE

vicksburg, MS

10 Courtney Houser, Nina Ricconi, Debbie Brumitt, and Dani Kay Thomas 11 Anna and Thomas Grant 12 Daria and Allen Hood 13 Rowdy Nosser and Dani Kay Thomas 14 Dani Kay and Gary Thomas 15 Katelyn and Mike Jones

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Legal Notes

by Sam Gwin III

Law Along the Mississippi

Our Frivolous Legal System F

or 20 years now, I have heard a great deal about frivolous lawsuits. This was the basis for Mississippi’s adopting tort reform in order to stop such lawsuits. The problem is I have never heard non-lawyers give a good definition of what constitutes a frivolous suit. I well remember several years ago an insurance company hired me to defend a middle-aged lady in a wrongful-death action. It appears she was driving her 67-year-old boyfriend around town; and while driving, she failed to pay attention to the stopped truck at a red light in front of her. She plowed into the back of the truck, throwing her boyfriend through the windshield, and he died three days later. His adult children sued her for his death. As she was telling me the story, I could see her voice getting more agitated; and her anger started flaring. She then blurted out, “These people just want something for nothing!” She felt this was a frivolous lawsuit. Page 34 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

Even though she was my client, I did not really view this matter as frivolous; but she emphasized the point that so many people, when sued, feel justified in their actions. Therefore, any suit against them is most certainly frivolous. The Mississippi Supreme Court defines a frivolous suit as follows: “A claim is frivolous when ‘objectively’ speaking, the pleader or movant has no hope of success. […] A matter may also be frivolous if a claim is groundless in fact or law and without substantial justification.” An easy example of this definition would be a hypothetical case where a landowner owns the surface of his or her property but does not own the mineral rights under his or her land. When an oil company comes in to drill on his land, and the landowner files suit to stop this action because he does not want the oil company on his property, he probably has just filed a frivolous suit. The oil company has the

legal right to drill, and there is no law that says a landowner can prevent drilling just because he does not want the company on his property. Contrary to media coverage, the overwhelming majority of lawsuits are and have been filed with merit. That does not mean filing a lawsuit guarantees you will win. The qualifying question is this: does the claimant have a legitimate basis for initiating the suit? If so, then, win or lose, the case is not to be considered frivolous. It should also be pointed out that an attorney filing a frivolous suit may himself be sanctioned or fined by the Courts. Most of the attorneys I know are not interested in pursuing a claim that is both a dead end and a possible cause to fine for the attorney. With all of this being said, I found some examples of frivolous lawsuits: In 1999, a man hid inside of Sea World and evaded security so that he could fulfill his lifelong dream of swimming with an Orca whale. He got his wish, and the fish drowned him. His parents sued Sea World, and the case was thrown out. In California, a policewoman in her police car was trying to tase a suspect who was under arrest but trying to kick out the car windows. She thought she grabbed the taser; but instead, she grabbed her pistol and shot him through the chest, killing him. The city was sued by his estate; so the city, in turn, sued the taser company, claiming tasers should not look so much like guns. In New Jersey several years ago, two PETA members attended an anti-hunt protest against deer hunting. On the way home, they hit a deer with their car. They sued the New Jersey Wildlife Department for poor deer management (which normally entails killing more deer). The suit was thrown out. In a case in Indiana, a lady sued a TV station’s weather department for inaccurate forecasting of the weather. The weather meteorologist predicted no rain; and the lady went out in it, getting soaked, and caught the flu. She sued and won $1,000.00. (Now, I kind of think this lady may have a legitimate beef.) My Take As I have said before, there are fools in all walks of life, and we are admonished never to judge entire groups based on the actions of a few. Legitimate gun owners think they should not have their rights taken away due to a few wackos. Lawyers are no different.

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In the Garden

story & photos by Robert Ferguson

Orchid Education in the ’60s ll orchids DO NOT breed together since they are so diverse. The ones you choose to breed have to be in the same tribe, botanically speaking. Cattleya, Epidendrum, Encyclia, Sophronitis, and Rhyncholaelia will all interbreed, being in the same tribe, Epidendrodiae With little success, I started breeding orchids in the very early 1960s on my mother’s dining room table. I had bought a couple of Cattleyas, Laeliacattleyas, and RLCs and was attempting to breed them. Several seed pods were successful initially but not for the long term, which can be up to 9 months for viable seed. I was growing these on the table and also had some under the shade of the large pecan tree in the back yard. Phalaenopsis are easier to grow; but at the time, there were not as many available as there are today. I was only 12 or 13 years old and knew very little about requirements for plants, let alone orchids. I was told many times by my grandmother’s florist friend that I could not grow them, but I was a determined kid. Gramps had educated me about growing in the vegetable garden, and I was amazed how corn grew on the cob. Page 38 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

Finally, I had gotten a seed pod to hold longer than 3 months and was reading about stronger sunlight requirements for seed-pod production, so I hung the plant under the backyard tree. I checked it every day and didn’t see much of a change. In a cattleya, the flower stem evolves into the capsule. As the pollen grains grow down the stem, the capsule slowly swells; and long before 9 months pass, the capsule will attain its full size; but the seed inside aren’t mature. I didn’t learn until many years later that maturity in orchid seed isn’t necessary for germination. With lima beans, for example, 95 percent of the bean is stored food for the embryo to sustain life until the plant can begin photosynthesis. Orchid seed has no such food storage. Close to time for maturity, I kept checking to catch it before it started cracking open. I didn’t want to lose any seeds in the wind.

As the capsule ages and dehisies (opens and disperses), the capsule begins to split from the base of the column all along the three loci of the capsule. There are also tapered straw-like protuberances inside termed elators. These dry with a twisting motion that creates momentum and expels the seeds into the air currents that surround the plant instead of just dropping the seeds onto surrounding surfaces. Usually a cattleya will produce 100,000 seeds but not all are viable. One can examine seed under a binocular scope and see the tiny embryo inside. Sometimes seed will produce more than one embryo/seed. Many theories exist about “Orchid seed.” Some scientists do not refer to them as seed but as rudimentary plant tissue. Orchids produce such quantities of seed to insure successful future generations. Not all orchid seeds land on proper growing media. Many are washed off the bark of

trees and carried down to the forest floor into the limited light and either just rot or grow very poorly until some “bug” comes along and makes a meal of them. Well, back to my seed pod. I went out to examine my treasure and think about harvesting. IT WAS GONE! It was nowhere to be found. Abscission layer was still intact. I kept looking on the ground to find remnants of a chewed seed pod but found NOTHING. I assume some squirrel chewed the stem since there were no visible signs he had dined on it at the spot. That was when “The Greenhouse Plans” began.

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THE social SCENE Magnolia, MS

Easter Egg Extravaganza

eacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia, Mississippi, hosted an “Employee Easter Egg Extravaganza” on March 29, 2013, on the hospital grounds. Hospital patients and children hunting for egg-filled goodies enjoyed this event as the Beacham Bunny hippity-hopped with them. 1 Front—Barbara Butler and Tina Tobias; middle—Kim Smith, Linda Campbell, and Alesia Dillon; back—Cynthia Duncan, Linda McQuery, and Stacy Smith 2 Zoe, Marilyn, and Dylan Tilton 3 Jana and Ethan Jackson 4 Lamarquis Duncan, Braeden Royal, and Xavier Billiot with “Easter Bunny” Becky McGhee 5 Jackie, Kate, Billy, Ben, and Heather McKenzie

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THE social SCENE

magnolia, MS

6 Front—Rodney Dykes holding Walker Kirkland with Rylee Kirkland, and Mandy George; back—Diane Kirkland, Vivian Reynolds, Presley Kirkland, and Kayla Roberts Braden and James McDaniel with Chloe and 7 Ashley Butler

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Today’s Lifestyle

Downtown and Lake Living “It’s not just a place but how one lives in that place, that makes the place a home.” ~ Walt Grayson

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A place to call home, a place to entertain, a place to soak up the surroundings, a place to capsule time and history. For LilAnn and Dave Pace, home in is two placesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a restored upstairs apartment in downtown Brookhaven, Mississippi, and a newly built home on Lake St. John near Ferriday, Louisiana. The Paces have combined their love for both states: LilAnn is a Louisiana girl and LSU fan, and Dave is a Mississippi boy and Mississippi State fan who never meets a stranger. Having lived for many years in a Brookhaven subdivision home they built, Dave saw an opportunity, following Hurricane Katrina, to invest in downtown Brookhaven and change their lifestyle. The idea of living in downtown Brookhaven was intriguing. The Paces purchased The Old Samuels Furniture Building, circa 1896-1900, in 2005 and a year later bought the adjacent Old Leader building, circa 1880, located on Cherokee Street. Today, the buildings house retail clothing and fabric shops downstairs and two apartments upstairs. The Paces reside in the larger 2,700-square-foot residence while the apartment next door is a rental, sporting a one-bedroom living space of 1,100 square feet. Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 45

LilAnn and Dave enjoy finding refurbished items that lend character to their home. Throughout the apartment appear old doors salvaged from the Johnson Institute building on the campus of Whitworth College, less than a block from their restored building; and the beautiful glass front doors to the apartment came from First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven. In all areas of the renovation, the Paces wanted to maintain the atmosphere and history of the building while creating modern, comfortable features as well. The master bedroom is located in the front of the building facing Cherokee Street and opens onto a large double balcony, perfect for parade watching and other downtown events. Accented with exposed brick walls and large windows for natural lighting, the expansive, open living area, lends itself to entertaining with its unique bar, dining area, and kitchen island. The rear of the room at the kitchen opens to a double-level deck for outdoor entertaining, cooking, and relaxing. In the back, covered, off-street parking provides privacy. Page 46 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

Dave remarked that Brookhaven has 40 downtown apartments, catering to the increasingly popular trend in downtown living. With their frequent travels and their children grown and out of the nest, the two did not need the maintenance of a yard. “Living downtown has all of the conveniences,” said LilAnn. “Our church is right down the street, the post office is next door to the church, and the bakery is around the corner. All is in walking distance; just about anything we need is right in this area.” Interestingly, the Pace’s downtown and lake properties were owned by related Pasternack families. Having owned property on Lake St. John years ago, the couple decided to rekindle their love of lake-side living and entertaining. The site chosen was once a recreation area with a juke box and coke machine on the pier, a tradition of good times waiting to be revived. “We’ll plan a neighborhood block party sometime soon,” said Dave. “We do entertain a lot,” LilAnn added. “We enjoy our friends and love having events at our apartment and our lake house. We wanted to build the lake house to be as maintenance free as possible so we can continue to travel and enjoy our children when they come to visit.”

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At the front entrance to the site, a large stone bears the name of the lake property, Requiescat in Pace (“Rest in Peace.”). The cypress used in the house construction came from the Paces’ Vicksburg, Mississippi, store; and the granite both inside and out came mainly from Georgia and South Dakota. The home’s connected double garage provides ample parking and an entrance into a large, open area that includes the eat-in kitchen, office space, and great room with beams that trace their origin to a “monument buddy” in Vermont. At the rear are glass doors and windows leading to the screened outdoor room and lower deck that overlook the lake, cypress trees, and pier. The master bedroom and bath lie to the left of the great room with the two guest bedrooms and their Jack-and-Jill bathroom on the right. LilAnn, who chose the colors for the home as well as its low-key, relaxing décor, explained, “We are not fancy folks. We just enjoy comfort and want our family and friends to feel comfortable when they visit us.” The outdoor room is one of LilAnn’s favorite areas. “The home has been built high enough off the ground for the cool breeze to blow through even in the summer. Some of the hottest days are bearable out here,” LilAnn explained. The room boasts ceiling fans, a fireplace for cooler days, a large cypress dining table, and railings around the screened walls to protect younger children from running out to the lower deck and pier area. “Some of my favorite times are when I sit here and watch the shadows on the lake change during different times of the day,” said LilAnn. “We chose this property because we loved the cypress trees by the pier.” Page 48 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

Brookhaven touts itself as a Home Seekers Paradise. The Paces certainly have found their home there, their base of operation; and not too far away—just a stretch down the road to Natchez and across the Mississippi past Ferriday, Louisiana—they have recently built their lake home. A little bit of Mississippi and a little bit of Louisiana. In these locales, they have fashioned a new lifestyle that fuses a bit of historic restoration with more than a bit of modern amenities. These homes with the entertaining and sharing therein are paradise for the Paces— LilAnn, who treasures time with friends and family, and Dave, who never meets a stranger.

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THE social SCENE brookhaven, MS

Krewe of Ceres Charity Ball

he Krewe of Ceres celebrated its fortysixth annual Charity Ballâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;A Venetian Masqueradeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at the Lincoln Civic Center in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on February 23, 2013. Reigning over the court this year were Charity Ball King William D. Boerner and Queen Lydia Elizabeth Warren. Photos by Bill Perkins

1 2 3 4 5 6

King Bill Boerner and Queen Lydia Warren Amanda Warren and Meg Nordberg Amy and Jake Baker Anna and Dr. Michael Peavey Austin Stewart and Anne Houston Cupit Sloane and Josh Smith

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THE social SCENE

Brookhaven, MS

7 8 9 10 11 12

Amy and Nancy Hoover with Sarah Ayers Betsy and Dr. Nick Belk Anna Smith, Merrie Boerner, and Betsy Belk Bill Perkins and Elizabeth Jones Brad and Lissa Boerner Anne Houston Cupit with Christopher and Lindsey Robinson 13 Ansley, David, and Karen Braden 14 Audrey Montalvo, David Efron, and Lily Montalvo 15 Betty Ann, Theresia, and Don Perkins

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THE social SCENE brookhaven, MS

15 Dorothy and Mark Leblanc with Sloane and Josh Smith 16 Dr. Joe Moak, Mark and Lorin Lewis, and Lindy Lewis 17 Carl Craig, Chase Magee, and Brandon Baker 18 Carla and Kelly Snider 19 Carlie Brooke Acy and Brandon Case 20 Chris Conley and Caroline Mitchell 21 Cody Jordan, Lindsey, and Christopher Robinson 22 Dennis and Karen Behan 23 Debra Strong with Joe and Angie Cox 24 Dr. Richard and Paula Rushing 25 Ellen Gerland and Jennifer Barnett

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THE social SCENE

Brookhaven, MS

26 26 Lori and Dr. Paul Dykes with Lissa and Brad Boerner 27 JoAnna Sproles, Mandy Dann, Tommy Sproles, Ron Donegan, and Stan Foster 28 Emily Lowery and Hannah Allen 29 Holly and Mitch Pounds 30 Jean Boling and Merrie Boerner 31 Jess Carter, Mark Leblanc, and Jeff Henning 32 Sally and Dudley Lampton with Dudley Lampton, Jr. 33 Lindsey Robinson, Bill Perkins, and Anna Smith 34 Katie Beth Case, Mary Catherine McDonniel, and Cathy McDonniel

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THE social SCENE brookhaven, MS

35 36 37 38 39

Brandon Baker and Alyssa Craig Cindy Smith and Josh Smith Dr. Shannon and Robin Patterson Mary Dee Corkern and King Bill Boerner Dr. Mack and Amy Baker (front) with Anna and Dr. Chad Smith 40 Dustin, Stacy, Gatson, and Alice Ann Walker 41 Jason Snider, Sarah McDurmont, Whitney Hedgepeth, and Justin Hobbs 42 Will, Pat, and Bob Allen

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THE social SCENE

Brookhaven, MS

43 Mayor Les and Cathy Bumgarner 44 John Chrestia, Betty Anne Perkins, and Ricky Taylor 45 Micah and Collins Allen 46 Roberta Barnett, Merrie Boerner, and Dr. Jim Barnett 47 Mason Smith, Carl Craig, and Cliff Furr 48 Brooks Warren, Dennis Valentine, and Michael Boerner 49 Phillip and Mary Lindsey Magee 50 Krewe of Ceres King Bill Boerner, and David Boling

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THE social SCENE brookhaven, MS

51 52 53 54 55

JoAnna Sproles and Kelly Pattie Kate and Micheal Boerner Kayla Becker and Stephanie Orr Malisia Smith and Sherry Mathis Mark Mathis and Glen Driskell

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THE social SCENE

Brookhaven, MS

56 57 58 59 60

Velma and Cecil Estess Melissa Smith Coleman and Betsy Belk Rick and Patti Reynolds Velma Estess and Brenda Smith Whitney Hedgepeth and Sarah McDurmont

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Random Jottings

story & photos by Patricia Taylor

May Day Traditions The Bluebell is the sweetest flower That waves in summer air: Its blossoms have the mightiest power To soothe my spiritâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care. from The Bluebell Emily Bronte, c. 1846

ay is here in England, and the countryside has suddenly burgeoned into life in a profusion of greenery and wildflowers. Orchards are an explosion of apple and cherry blossom, and everywhere hawthorn smothers the hedgerows like the froth of sea foam. Fields are a patchwork quilt of green summer wheat, yellow mustard, and ploughed fields waiting for planting with summer vegetables. Ancient woodlands across the country are massed with bluebells, a carpet of lavender blue as far as the eye can see, flower heads rippling like the Mediterranean, their exotic perfume wafting on the warm spring breeze. The bluebellsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ring was said Page 60 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

to call the fairies to their gatherings; and if you were unlucky enough to hear a bluebell ring, you would be whisked away by the fairies, never to be seen again. The Elizabethans had a practical use for bluebells: they would crush the bulb and use the sticky juice to glue paper. Amongst this mass of bluebell growth, sweet violets fight for survival, nestling under the great oaks and beech trees towering above them. Stories abound regarding the beautiful violet. Flower of Aphrodite (Venus), goddess of love, was said to have grown where Orpheus slept; and Bonaparte gave his Josephine violets as love tokens. Violets are favourites in Tussie Mussies,

small posies of flowers carried by ladies as far back as the Middle Ages. Traditionally, our Queen carries a Tussie Mussie when she attends the 800-year-old Maundy Thursday service commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples. In medieval times during this service, the monarch washed the feet of beggars and gave clothes and food to the poor as a gesture of humility. This tradition ended with James II in 1701, being replaced with the distribution of specially minted Maundy coins to a number of men and women equal to the age of the reigning monarch. Many May Day traditions are steeped in ancient folklore. Most go back to pagan

times when gods of spring were worshiped to ensure a good harvest. The earliest, thought to be pre-Christian, celebrated the festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of Flowers, and Beltane, an ancient Gaelic festival marking the beginning of summer. The pagan connections were dispensed with or modified during the conversion of Europe to Christianity. Since then, a more secular version of May Day tends to exist with sunrise services, Morris dancing, Maypole dancing, crowning the Queen of the May, and Well dressing. May Day begins with a climb to the top of your local hill to celebrate the coming of spring with religious services and to watch the sunrise. Country fairs abound with Maypole and Morris dancing being part of the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities. The highlight is the crowning of the Queen of the May, a representation of the Roman Goddess Flora. By tradition, the Queen of the May takes no part in the games or dancing but sits like a queen on a flower-decked throne to watch her â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;subjectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; take part in the festivities. In Medieval times, May Day celebrations began on May Day eve, Beltane Eve, with bonfires, dancing, and celebrating. At dawn, the young men and women of the village would go into the woods and gather flowers and greenery to dress their houses; they also would push Mayblossom branches into the ground outside their doors to protect them from evil spirits. A suitable tree for a Maypole would be brought in from the woods, too, and decorated with garlands and ribbons and placed in the centre of the village. The Maypole is generally believed to be a representation of the tree of life or a symbol of springtime fertility. Village girls would dance in two circles around the pole, the youngest to the centre, winding and unwinding ribbons as they went. The Maypole also served as the centrepiece

for sports, dancing, and games that took place around it. The Puritans under Oliver Cromwell banned May Day and Maypole dancing, considering it too pagan. With the restoration of King Charles II in 1660, the customs of May Day were reinstated; but it was during the reign of Queen Victoria that dancing the Maypole became a more family-oriented custom with small children encouraged to take part. English villages and towns, especially in May, continue a most wonderful custom, that of Well Dressing. A Well Dressing is a collage, often with a religious theme, constructed on a base of clay and housed within a wooden frame. Flower petals, leaves, moss, bark, and seeds of various colours and textures are used, depending on the time of year the well is dressed. Well Dressing starts around the beginning of May but carries on throughout the summer all over England although mostly concentrated in the county of Derbyshire and the

Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 61

Peak District where it is believed to have its origins. Many stories exist regarding the origin of Well Dressing, some dating back to the Celts who arrived in Britain in 400 BC and worshiped local water gods. Early Christians thought many wells and springs had healing powers, and offerings of flowers and greenery were made at the wells. However, it was at the time of the Black Death (Great Plague) of 1348 -1350, which swept the country killing half the population, that Well Dressing became really popular. It appears that where the plague was less severe, rightly or wrongly, the purity of the spring water was assumed to be the reason. The villagers gave thanks by ‘dressing’ their wells during religious celebrations and dedicating their wells and springs to their saints. Of course, no May Day celebration would be complete without our wonderful Morris dancers. The type of dances and the costumes they wear differ in various parts of the country; but all dances are performed in the streets to lively music provided by pipes, drums, fiddles, and anything else revelers can lay their hands on that makes a very loud noise. The dances are performed by sides of six, all dressed in brightly coloured costumes, covered with ribbons and bells, waving handkerchiefs and clashing sticks, and making spectacular leaps high into the air. Now, there is hot debate as to the origins of Morris dancing. Unlike other May Day celebrations, little or no evidence can be found to connect Morris dancing with pagan festivals. Some say its origins stem from the European courts of the fifteenth century where ‘Moreys dancing’ was performed as a common court entertainment. As with modern-day Morris dancing, the dancers would wear elaborate and colorful costumes, often with pendent sleeves, bells, and ribbons. Others believe the dance came in from Spain after 1492, when Ferdinand of Aragon and his wife Isabella of Castille drove the Moors out of Spain. They celebrated their success with a pageant known as ‘Moresca’ which included a sword dance with performers dressed in exaggerated Moorish costumes. The strongest argument comes from those that consider it a characteristic English Folk Dance, maybe an extension of the Maypole dances of medieval times. Its origins lost in the mists of time, Morris Dancing is such a sight to behold. Until next time, goodbye for now............ Page 62 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

Premier EVENTS up May 4 - 25 Natchez Festival of Music Natchez, MS

The Natchez Festival of Music celebrates its 23rd Season this month with an intriguing array of activities and events. Contact information for these events: 601-445-2210; natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 4 – 7 p.m. / $30 / First Presbyterian Church—Opening Night (Pre-party 5:30-6:30 PM Historic Natchez Foundation) Rhapsody in Blue, A Tribute to George Gershwin, America’s Music Man May 5 – 4 p.m. / $20 / Trinity Episcopal Church American Frontiers with Pianist Jonathan Levin May 10 – 7 p.m. / $30 / Van Court Town House Puttin’ on the Ritz, An Evening of Irving Berlin Second Saturday Events, May 11 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Downtown Fun, Shops, Shops, Restaurants, Vocalists Mid-day Vocalists Downtown 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Art on the Bluff 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. / Refreshments in Shops 7 p.m. – $100 (group rates available) / Trinity Episcopal Church Signature Event: Bel Canto Gala with Superstars Paul Groves, Lucas Meachem, Emily Pulley, Maryann Kyle and Robert Grayson Pre-party 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. / The Merrill House Gala at Gloucester follows performance.

& coming! MAY

May 12 4 p.m. / $20 / Waverly Plantation / Homage to Adelina Patti 7 p.m. / Free Performance / Natchez Eola Hotel Lobby Rossini, Puccini and Martinis May 16 – 7 p.m. / Free Lecture / Trinity Episcopal Church The Black Swan of Natchez: Elizabeth Taylor-Greenfield An Illustrated Lecture by David Sansing, Ph.D. May 17 – 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. / $20 / Cherokee The Black Swan Elizabeth Taylor-Greenfield Tribute May 18 – 7 p.m. / $30 / Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate May 19 4 p.m. / $40 / BriarVue / Musical Wine Tasting 7 p.m. / Free Performance / Natchez Eola Hotel Lobby Rossini, Puccini and Martinis May 24 – 7 p.m. / $30 / The Prentiss Club Alejandro Drago and the Tango Rendezvous Ensemble May 25 –7 p.m. / $30 / Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center Rigoletto; Gala (following performance) $20 / Linden

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MAY up

& coming! Premier EVENTS

May 11 7th Annual Garden Tour Natchez, MS

The Natchez Garden Club will host the 7th Annual Natchez Tour of Gardens on May 11. One the oldest continuous settlements along the Mississippi River, Natchez is home to many historic sites, homes, and gardens. The array of gardens on the tour will include courtyard gardens, water gardens, historic gardens, and outdoor living spaces. The tour will showcase three gardens in the morning and three gardens in the afternoon. Featured this year are gardens at the following locales: antebellum Greenlea, home of Philip and Stella Carby at 211 Wall Street; the Victorian home of Gary and Molly Wills at 500 Pearl Street; antebellum Cottage Gardens, home of Betty Jo and Jerald Krouse at 816 Myrtle Street; antebellum Choctaw at 217 High Street; and Oak Hill, an antebellum Bed & Breakfast home at 409 South Rankin Street, home of Doug Mauro and Donald McGlynn. The morning tour runs from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with the afternoon tour from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Individual tour tickets

are $15.00; combined tour tickets are $25.00. Refreshments will be provided throughout the tour. For more information, contact the Natchez Garden Club office, 601-443-6065, or Chairperson Doug Mauro, 601-446-2500.

Through September 8 The Annie Laurie Swaim Hearin Memorial Exhibition Series Jackson, MS

Old Masters to Monet—sponsored by the Donna and Jim Barksdale Galleries for Changing Exhibitions—features fifty masterpieces from the collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut. The outstanding artworks provide a history of French painting, ranging from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries and into the beginning of the twentieth century and include religious and mythological subjects, portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and genre scenes. Théodore Géricault, Eugène Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Claude Monet are among the masters represented. Admission is adults $12, seniors $10, and students $6; all fees include admission to Symbols of Faith, Home, and Beyond: The Art of Theora Hamblett. For more information, call 601-960-1515 or visit www.msmuseumart.org.

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up & coming! MAY Through May 12 Rainforest Adventure Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Jackson, MS 2148 Riverside Drive Prices vary. Mon. - Fri. / 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat. / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. / 1 - 5 p.m. 601-576-6000 www.visitjackson.com / www.mdwfp.com Through June 1 Lydia Thompson: Roots, Connections, and Pathways Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art Biloxi, MS 386 Beach Boulevard Tues. - Sat. / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Barbara Johnson Ross / 228-374-5547 curatorofcollections@geogeohr.org Through June 1 Terry Tjader: Ingrained in Wood Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art Biloxi, MS 386 Beach Boulevard Tues. – Sat. / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Barbara Johnson Ross / 228-374-5547 curatorofcollections@geogeohr.org

Through June 8 Dusti Bongé: Revisiting the Legacy Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art Biloxi, MS 386 Beach Boulevard Tues. - Sat. / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Barbara Johnson Ross / 228-374-5547 curatorofcollections@georgeohr.org Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 65

MAY up

& coming!

Through June 15 An Adventure in the Arts: Selections from the Collection of Guild Hall Alexandria Museum of Art Alexandria, LA 933 2nd Street Tues. - Fri. / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sat. / 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 318-433-3458 themuseum.org

Through June 23 Symbols of Faith, Home, and Beyond: The Art of Theora Hamblett Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS 380 South Lamar Street $12 Adults / $10 Seniors / $6 Students 601-960-1515 www.msmuseumart.org

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Through November 1 George Ohr: Selections from Gulf Coast Collections Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art Biloxi, MS Tues. - Sat. / 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Barbara Johnson Ross / 228-374-5547 curatorofcollections@geogeohr.org May 1 “This is Home”: Medgar Evers, Mississippi, & the Movement William F. Winter Archives and History Building Jackson, MS 200 North Street Mon. - Fri. / 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. / 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. www.visitjackson.com

May 2 5th Annual Chocolate Affair Southern Culture Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, MS 1302 Adams Street Advanced Tickets Only / 7 p.m. $25 Members / $30 Non-members 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org annette@southernculture.org May 2 The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Luau Riverfront Park Vicksburg, MS 4100 Washington Street 4 - 6 p.m. / $10 601-638-5659 www.vixsawa.weebly.com www.visitvicksburg.com May 2 -4 Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport Tallulah, LA 318-574-1404

up & coming! MAY May 3 Garden Tour Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site St. Francisville, LA 10:00 a.m. 888-376-1867 May 3 Annual King’s Daughters Golf Tournament Brookhaven Country Club Brookhaven, MS 640 Country Club Road, NE Tee Time 1 p.m. / Lunch 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Johnny Rainer / jrainer@kdmc.org 601-823-5326 May 3 12th Annual Party for the Preservation Magnolia Hall Natchez, MS 215 South Pearl Street 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 601-443-9065 May 3 - 4 Mississippi DEAF FEST 2013 Jackson Convention Complex Jackson, MS 105 East Pascagoula Street 6 p.m. www.visitjackson.com

May 3 - 5 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Breaux Bride, LA Times & prices vary. 337-332-6655 / www.bbcrawfest.com May 4 EXPLORE! Owl Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS 16 Old North Street Robin Person / 601-442-2901 info@historicjeffersoncollege.com May 4 Bug Day Kent Plantation Alexandria, LA 3601 Bayou Rapides Road 318-487-5660 / www.kenthouse.org May 4 Natchez Festival of Music “Rhapsody in Blue”: George Gershwin, America’s Music Man First Presbyterian Church Natchez, MS 405 State Street 7 p.m. / $30 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com

May 4 - 5 Auditions for CATS Vicksburg Theatre Guild Vicksburg, MS 101 Iowa Avenue Sat. / 1 - 4 p.m.; Sun. / 2 - 4 p.m. 601-636-0471 vtgpublications@gmail.com www.vicksburgtheatreguild.com May 4 - 25 RiverMarket Monroe, LA Downtown Every Sat. / 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 318-387-1933 www.downtownrivermarket.com

May 5 The Band Perry Thalia Mara Hall Jackson, MS 255 East Pascagoula Street 6:30 p.m. www.visitjackson.com

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MAY up

& coming!

May 5 Natchez Festival of Music American Frontier with Pianist Jonathan Lewis Trinity Episcopal Church Natchez, MS 305 South Commerce Street 4 p.m. / $20 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 5 Chamber Music Festival Church of the Holy Trinity Vicksburg, MS 900 South Street 3 p.m. / $15 Dorothy Brasfield / 601-636-0542 www.visitvicksburg.com

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May 5 Madison County Master Gardener Plant Sale Kroger Parking Lot Madison, MS 1070 Highway 51 8 a.m. - Noon Donna Beliech / donnab@ext.msstate.edu May 5 - 16 Sunday in the Park Baton Rouge, LA North Boulevard Town Square Noon - 3 p.m. www.visitbatonrouge.com May 9 Vocal Talent Competition Lincoln Civic Center Brookhaven, MS 1096 Belt Line Drive, NE Registration 6 p.m. Competition 6:30 p.m. Ages 13 - 21 Jennifer Jackson / 601-669-1500 www.lincolnciviccenter.com

up & coming! MAY May 10 Natchez Festival of Music “Puttin’ on the Ritz”: An Evening of Irving Berlin Van Court Town House Natchez, MS 510 Washington Street 7 p.m. / $30 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.com www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 10 Too Sweet Productions Mother’s Day Friday Blues Concert Vicksburg City Auditorium Vicksburg, MS 301 Monroe Street $25 In Advance / $30 At Door Reservations / 601-955-4894 601-630-2929 / www.visitvicksburg.com

May 10 - 12 Vicksburg Film Festival: “Civil War Through the Lens” Strand Theatre Vicksburg, MS 701 Clay Street Fri. & Sat. / 7 p.m.; Sun. / 4 p.m. 601-618-9349 www.westsidetheatrefoundation.com May 10 - 12 Wirt Adams Drill Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS 16 Old North Street Clark Burkett / hcburkett@hotmail.com May 10 & 17 Live after Five Baton Rouge, LA North Boulevard Town Square Fridays / 5 - 8 p.m. www.visitbatonrouge.com

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MAY up

& coming!

May 11 Greek Festival Galvez Plaza Baton Rouge, LA North Boulevard Jimmy Burland / 225-767-7163 www.visitbatonrouge.com info@brgreekfest.com brgreekfest.com May 11 Daniel Summer Jazz Band Landry Vineyards West Monroe, LA 5699 New Natchitoches Road 4:30 - 8 p.m. 318-557-9051 www.landryvineyards.com May 11 Dragon Boat Races Alexandria, LA Downtown 318-443-3458 www.louisianadragonboatraces.com

May 11 Transit in Concert Riverfront Amphitheatre Alexandria, LA 707 Second Street 318-443-4718 www.louisiana-arts.org May 11 Southwest Mississippi QDMA Rack Pack Event Easthaven Baptist Church Brookhaven, MS 130 Highway 84 East Ages 7 - 17 / Free Registration / 8:30 - 9 a.m. Event / 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bruce Gray / 601-754-5592 btgray@bellsouth.net

May 11 Symphony of Gardens Tour Natchez, MS Morning and Afternoon Tours Multiple Venues Prices vary. Natchez Pilgrimage Tours 1-800-647-6742 www.visitnatchez.org natchezgardenclub.org May 11 Natchez Festival of Music Bel Canto Gala—Paul Groves, Lucas Meachem, Emily Pulley, Maryann Kyle, & Robert Grayson Trinity Episcopal Church Natchez, MS 64 Homochitto Street 7 p.m. / $100 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 11 Art on the Bluff Natchez, MS 101 South Broadway Street 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Free 601-870-7717 Carolyn Weir / skysetter@skysetter.com May 12 Natchez Festival of Music “Home Sweet Home”: Homage to Adelina Patti Waverly Plantation Natchez, MS 790 Highway 61 South 4 p.m. / $20 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 12 Natchez Festival of Music Rossini, Puccini & Martinis Natchez Eola Hotel Lobby Natchez, MS 110 North Pearl Street 7 p.m. / Free Performance 601-445-2210 www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com

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up & coming! MAY May 14 - 16 Master Gardener Conference Lincoln County Civic Center Brookhaven, MS 1096 Belt Line Drive 601-823-4046 / msmastergardener.org May 16 Battle of Champion Hill Commemoration Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center Vicksburg, MS 3201 Clay Street 7 p.m. 601-636-0583 www.nps.gov/vick www.visitvicksburg.com May 16 Natchez Festival of Music Dr. David Sansing’s Illustrated Lecture “The Black Swan of Natchez” Trinity Episcopal Church Natchez, MS 305 South Commerce Street 7 p.m. / Free 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com

May 18 Natchez Festival of Music Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center Natchez, MS 7 p.m. / $30 601-445-2210 www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 18 Big Yam Potato Old Time Music Concert & Fiddle Contest Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS 16 Old North Street 601-442-2901 Robin Person info@historicjeffersoncollege.com www.bigyampotatoes.com

May 18 Pump Up The Color - 5K Run/Walk Benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Co-Lin Campus Wesson, MS Pre-registration Fee $25 Event-day Fee $30 May 19 3rd Annual “Let’s Dance” Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, MS 1302 Adams Street / 2 p.m. 601-631-2997 info@southerculture.org www.southernculture.org May 19 Natchez Festival of Music Musical Wine Tasting BriarVue Natchez, MS 31 Irving Lane 4 p.m. / $40 601-445-2210 www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com

May 17 Natchez Festival of Music The Black Swan Returns Elizabeth Taylor-Greenfield Tribute Cherokee Natchez, MS 217 High Street 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. / $20 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 17 - 19 Tunica-Biloxi Pow-Wow Pow-Wow Grounds Marksville, LA 711 Paragon Place Times vary. 318-253-1946 www.travelvoyelles.com www.tunicapowwow.org www.louisianatravel.com

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MAY up

& coming!

May 19 Natchez Festival of Music Rossini, Puccini & Martinis Natchez Eola Hotel Lobby Natchez, MS 110 North Pearl Street 7 p.m. / Free Performance 601-445-2210 www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 24 The Magical World of Tango Alejandro Drago & the Tango Rendezvous Ensemble The Prentiss Club Natchez, MS 7 p.m. / $30 601-445-2210 kelinhendricks@me.com www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 25 Verdiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rigoletto Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center Natchez, MS 64 Homochitto Street 7 p.m. / $30 After-performance Gala /Antebellum Linden / $20 601-445-2210 / www.visitnatchez.org www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com May 25 2nd Annual Colonial Militia Muster & Market Fair Audubon State Historic Site St. Francisville, LA 11757 Ferdinand Street 888-677-2838 / 635-3739 www.stfrancisville.us

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May 25 - 26 Bayou Country Superfest Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA West Stadium Road 800-745-3000 www.louisianatravel.com www.bayoucountrysuperfest.com May 26 Blessings of the Boats New Roads, LA Downtown 225-638-6008 / www.louisianatravel.com May 31 - June 1 Magnolia State Fiber Festival Lady Luck Casino Arena Room Vicksburg, MS 1380 Warrenton Road Fri. / Noon - 6 p.m.; Sat. / 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free 601-636-7575 / 800-503-3777 www.visitvicksburg.com June 1 Vicksburg Early Summer Coin Show Battlefield Inn Vicksburg, MS 4137 I-20 Frontage Road 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. / Free 601-636-8336

up & coming! MAY June 11 - 13 EXPLORE! Camp (ages 9 - 10) Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS 9 a.m. - Noon Pre-registration required / $35 601-442-2901 June 1 - 2 Oyster Festival Woldengberg Park New Orleans, LA 504-888-7608 www.neworleansoysterfestival.org June 4 - 7 Pioneer Camp (ages 6 - 8) Historic Jefferson College Washington, MS 16 Old North Street Pre-registration required / $35 601-442-2901 Kay McNeil / kmcneil@mdah.state.ms.us June 6 Gallery Crawl Monroe & West Monroe, LA Downtown 5 - 9 p.m. 318-503-5125 www.downtowngallerycrawl.com

June 17 - 21 & 24 - 28 Blast from the Past 2013 Summer History Camp West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, LA 845 North Jefferson Avenue 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration required $65 Residents & Members / $75 All others 225-336-2422 (ext. 15) www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

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

June 7 - 9 The Day the War Stopped St. Francisville, LA Downtown Times vary. 225-637-4224 www.daythewarstopped.net

June 8 - 9 Creole Tomato Festival Old U.S. Mint New Orleans, LA 400 Esplanade Avenue Free 504-522-2621 www.frenchmarket.org Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 73

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Bluffs Bluffs && Bayous Bayous{{May May2013 2013{ { Page 75

Isabella birthday

sabella Fife celebrated her 2nd Birthday in Vicksburg, Mississippi, at the Big Wheelie Skating Area with her version of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Disney on Ice.â&#x20AC;? The experience included appearances of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White, Belle, Winnie the Pooh, Tiger, Piglet, Tinkerbell, Ursula, Triton, and the Fairy Godmother to name a few. 2

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Fifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2nd Celebration 11

1. Isabella Fife 2. Isabella Fife and Elizabeth Bowers 3. Michael Johnson with Desten and McKinley Segrest 4. Jennifer Greer and Iley Baldwin 5. Cody Brown and Cheyenne Brown 6. Nathan Trim and Emily Abbott 7. Margaret Varnado and Peggy Van Norman 8. Emily Abbott and Summer Fife 9. Cassie Sucharski, Isabella Fife, Jennifer Greer, Emily Abbott, and Coritha Puckett 10. Ethan Greer 11. Summer, Isabella, and Chris Fife 12. Cassie Sucharski and Jennifer Greer 13. Carolyn Spencer, Jennifer Greer, Michael Johnson, Desten Segrest, Emily Abbott, Summer Fife, and Cassie Sucharski 14. Summer, Isabella, and Chris Fife 15. Cassie Sucharski and Elizabeth Bowers 16. Madison and Mallory Spencer 17. Carolyn Spencer, Summer Fife, Jennifer Greer, and Cassie Sucharski

Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 77

THE social SCENE natchez, MS

Royal Ball

he Natchez Garden Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spring Pilgrimage Royalty, Queen Betsy Lee Daggett and King Joshua Miller Gamberi, concluded their reign over the final weeks of the Historic Natchez Tableaux with a Royal Ball on April 6, 2013. The gala event, held at the Natchez Convention Center in Natchez, Mississippi, featured festive fare, lively music, and dancing throughout the evening. Photos by Meagan McCallum

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Davis Beard, Julia Gremillion, and Madeline Briley Christi and Genny Harrison with Robert Rasberry Marla and Davis Beard King Josh Gamberi and AndreĂŠ Gamberi Jim and Ann Marie Grazioplene Martha and Bill Salters Madison Farmer, Mary Catherine Wilkerson, and Cari Ainsworth 8 Kitty, David, and Julia Bray 9 Phillip and Herrera Kristi 10 Aaron Sandifer, Brittany McCalip, and Holly Sandifer 11 Brandon Houk, Adrianne Rice, and Cody Warren 12 Buck Barber and Lee Barber 13 Wesley Gore and Murphy Aldridge 14 Kelley Barber, Marlee Serafin, Chelsea Chauvin, Leighann Fraiser, and Amanda Trippe

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THE social SCENE

natchez, MS

15 Allison McCarthy and Garrett Smith 16 Frontâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Colton Rabb, Reagan Rabb, and Kaylie Jester; backâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Bryan Rabb and Wayne Rabb 17 Tim and Penny McCary 18 Susan Bonnette with Margaret and Travis Fulton 19 Penny Daggett, Queen Betsy Daggett, Ginny Daggett, and Rod Daggett 20 Jessica Krueger, Olivia Bridewood, Doug Netterville, Shannon Netterville, and Tori Netterville 21 Byron and Dorothy Garrity, Harrison Burns, and Paul Burns 22 Zac Arnold, Hudson Laird, Nick Blain, and Burne Sharp 23 Ann and Robert Paradise, Andree Gamberi, and Laurie Williams 24 Ken and Lisa Maples with Laura and Gene Laird

Bluffs & Bayous { May 2013 { Page 79

THE social SCENE natchez, MS

25 Benny Slaven and Sarah Strozier 26 Tatia Webber and Blanche Morrison 27 Sarah and Jim Smith 28 Melanie and Rick Kennedy 29 Sarah Grace Jordan, Mallory Martin, and Paige Whittington 30 Pam and David Ames 21 Jennifer Scudiero and Emory Smith 32 Zach and Sarah Calhoun

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THE social SCENE Magnolia, MS

Magnolia Garden Club Flower Show

s the 2013 Pike County Azalea Festival wrapped up weeks of activities and social events this spring, the Magnolia Garden Club of Magnolia, Mississippi, held its annual flower show at The Coney House. Throughout this historic home, owned by Dolores Watson, garden club members displayed their creative, fresh arrangements reflecting the theme “Anything but Traditional.” This was the first event for which the fully restored home, now used as a meditation center and corporate retreat, was open to the public.

1 Eleanor Prescott, Lucy Lowery, Betsy Harrell, and Whit Parker 2 Sue Magee and Joann Andrews 3 Lola and Sarah Holifield 4 Ginger Chappell, Liz Davis, and Nancy Holmes 5 Lisa Hammack, Evelyn Adams, and Kathy Thaxton 6 Sherry and Kerrigan Gaudin 7 Vicki Bryant and Brande Moak 8 Dolores Watson with Lori Felix

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Southern Sampler by Alma M. Womack

A Medley of May Reflections

his is the month for Mother’s Day; and through the years of writing stories, I have been able to honor my mother, Bunnie D. McClure; my mother-in-law, Eunice R. Womack; and my two grandmothers, Eunice W. Dowdy, and Ella Spinks McClure. They were all wonderful women, loving mothers and grandmothers, and hard workers, who could raise a garden, keep house, milk cows, cook fantastic meals, make quilts, crochet baby sweaters, and can vegetables, all the while keeping an eye on whatever children were around at the time. They were conservative, Christian women who gave whatever was needed to their extended families and to their church families as well. They have all been hard acts to follow; and many times, I feel that I do not measure up to their standards. Since we are nearing that holiday again, I cannot thank them personally nor tell them that I love and admire them anymore; for all Page 82 { May 2013 { Bluffs & Bayous

have passed on. But I can remember them and thank them for the marvelous women that they were and for the love that they gave to me and my little brothers and sister. We were far luckier than we ever knew. As I write this in April, it is 50 degrees outside, and I am down to my last two sticks of firewood. They will be saved for tomorrow night when I am watching my Friday night favorite Ancient Aliens. I take a goodly bit of teasing from various folks about my devotion to this show, but I find some of the arguments presented there as likely to have happened as anything that I learned in school about the dawn of humankind. When a person considers the vastness of the universe, it pays to keep an open mind about such things as extra-terrestrial visitations. I will once more say that “to consider the earth the only populated world in infinite space is as absurd as to assert that on a vast

plain, only one stalk of grain will grow.” This wisdom came from Metrodorus of Chios, fourth century, B.C. If it was obvious then, how much more would it seem plausible in the twenty-first century when we have a wealth of technology to help us study the heavens. I just hope when “they” return, it will be a peaceful mission; we could hardly handle a superior civilization from another star system when we cannot even control what crosses our southern border. This cool, wet spring has set me back most severely when it comes to yard work. Thank goodness I have a number of perennials blooming to keep me cheered up enough to wait for the weather to improve. There’s nothing like working in the soil to make a person forget her aches and pains, the confusion in Washington, and the general disorder of a world gone upside down. Every time I want to strangle a politician, I’ll just plant another flower pot with some blooming beauties instead of worrying about a bunch of blooming idiots in Washington, D.C. Nature is still the great healer. Woodrow and I have been talking about the need for a milk cow with a little calf by her side. He is convinced that he could milk a cow if she’s not too big. The plan is to get his granddad, Jimmy Wade, to find us this perfect pair. Jimmy has long been a cattleman and would know where to get just the right cow for us. We will put her in the horse pasture with the three horses where she will have plenty of shade, water, and grass. From what I remember about milking, it is not the easiest job around and certainly not as easy as it looks. I suppose Woodrow thinks that I will give in and do the milking in case he can’t manage it. Little does he know that my milking skills are right next to my computer repair skills, which don’t exist. As long as we keep the cows a nice daydream or at least a plan for the future, I will be safe from what could really turn into an onerous chore. Even the thought of lovely fresh cream does not entice me to want to fool with a milk cow; but in mine and Woodrow’s world, anything is possible. Milk cows, ancient aliens—we are open to possibilities. May is such a lovely month to enjoy the outdoors; and if it will just dry up a little bit, I will do my part to share in the admiration of the flora of this most beautiful area that we are blessed to share. A lovely May to all from Woodrow and me, down here on beautiful Black River as we search for the perfect flowers to plant and the perfect cow to feed and milk.

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