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From the Editor
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, Jennie Guido, am a self-proclaimed, card-carrying, proud-to-be book nerd. Let me tell you; my collections of books have taken over my house in a way I never thought possible. While some could see this as a problem of sorts, I find my love of books to be an educational way to collect items other than heroic action figures or vast quantities of aging coins. I collect books; and I don’t discriminate against any genre, make, or language of books either. I collect them all. If I had to pin-point when this obsession, I mean collection, of books began, I would have to say it was at a rather early age and all because of those massive Disney photo books that were released with each animated movie back in the day. I can remember Mom bringing those home from the bookstore and the excitement I had when I tackled that book and dove my nose into the spine of the illustrated pages. That smell of “new book” is one that I still— to this day—wish I could bottle up or melt into a candle to burn in my house year round. Over the years, my collection has taken a few twists and turns. I went crazy for all things Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the third and fourth grade and would read their mystery books from cover to cover at warp speed. Like all normal children, I devoured each of the Harry Potter books and still treasure all seven of those doorstoppers. While working on my term paper in high school, I grew to love the Kennedy family and have an embarrassing amount of books that pertain to them. When I headed off to college and started into my major, I began to understand why those classics were so important and took individual classes on the works of Jane Austen, Toni Morrison, and many more. Nowadays, I collect just about any book I can find. I have taken a liking to cookbooks since that seems to be an entirely new frontier of reading and learning for me to discover. When I tag along with Mom to every estate sale across creation, I go straight for the
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bookshelves and take my time perusing them to make sure I don’t miss an important gem that needs to be added to my own shelves at home. So, sit back in your easy chair, pour a glass of the “House Wine of the South”, and dive into a good ole book. Nothing can be more satisfying than cracking open a good three-to-four hundred pager and settling in for an adventure along and beyond the Mississippi.
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publisher Cheryl Foggo Rinehart m a n a g i n g e d i t o r consulting editor Jean Nosser Biglane Jennie Guido graphic designers Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling staff photographers Aimee Guido Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker Cheryl Rinehart Research & Publisher Assistant Anne Elise Rinehart sales staff Tracey Farrell Jennie Guido Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles contributors Dr. Gary R. Bachman Caroline Devereaux Robert Ferguson Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin Alma Womack Becky Junkin
Jean Biglane
Cheryl Rinehart
Aimee Guido
Jennie Guido
Van O’Gwin
Elise D. Parker
Jan Ratcliff
Tracey Farrell
Anita Schilling
Donna Sessions
JoAnna Sproles
Dr. Gary R. Bachman
Caroline Devereaux
Robert Ferguson
Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin
Becky Junkin
Alma Womack
Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to insure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.
office
423 Main Street, Suite 7 | Natchez, MS 39120 | 601-442-6847 | fax 601-442-6842 bluf fsmag@gmail.com | bbupandcoming@gmail.com media.bluf fsandbayous@gmail.com www.bluf fsbayous.com
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July 2014
feature
From the Independent Bookshelves..................................... pages 40-49
ON THE COVER Ernest Hemingway stands guard over the many first editions available at Lemuria Books in Jackson, Mississippi. See related story on pages 40-49. Photo by Jennie Guido.
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July 2014
fav o r i t e s Events July Premier Events............................................................................................. 58-60 July Louisiana Up & Coming!..............................................................................61-64 July Mississippi Up & Coming............................................................................. 65-71
G’s Fare Appetizing the Palate...........................................................................................12-16
Healthy Living Keep Calm and Hydrate...................................................................................... 36-37
In the Garden Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch.................................................20-21 Wildflowers in Landscaping................................................................................ 24-25
Legal Notes In Jesus’ Name, Amen..........................................................................................30-31
Southern Sampler Bookmobiles and Library Cards...............................................................................74
The Social Scene Riverstock.............................................................................................................10-11 Moreton’s 80th Birthday Party.................................................................................17 Nation’s Welcoming Party....................................................................................18-19 Retirement Party for Connie Taunton..................................................................... 23 Winnie McCraw’s 90th Birthday Party.................................................................... 35 Caring Women Awards........................................................................................ 52-54 St. John Hunting Club’s Crawfish Boil................................................................55-57 Krewe Mystique de la Capitale Announcement...................................................... 73
Appetizing the Palate pages 12 - 16
The Wedding Scene A Wine and Cheese Party Honoring Faulks and Young..................................... 26-29
Keep Calm and Hydrate page 36-37
Wildflowers in Landscaping page 24-25 Bluffs & Bayous { July 2014 { Page 9
THE social SCENE natchez, ms
RiverStock
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n Saturday, April 26, 2014, the Markets presented RiverStock 2014 on the Natchez Bluff. Deana Carter, Steve Azar, Erik Dylan, and many more headlined this all-day music festival. Photos by Allyson Elliott
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Kristen Anders and Katie Gamberi Daniel Manning and Miley Blackard Stephanie and Andy Guida Toby Maier and Sidney Maier Aaliyah Proby Kayla and Matthew Hinderson Kimberly Stafford, Brad Fussell, Stephanie Weeks, and Eden Whitcher 8 Jenny Robinson, Carol Loy, Lynn Janette, and Lauren Middleton 9 Julia Corbett, Suzannah Ketchings, Anna Huffines, Guylan Britt, and Whitney Arthur 10 Tisha Sontoyo, Tori Edwards, Presley Davis, Nic Webb, and Christian McBride
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THE social SCENE
natchez, ms
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12 11 Bryanna Smith 12 Allie Stewart, Ansleigh Thibodeaux, and Tori Bradford 13 Tristan Brown 14 Julia Corbett, Taylor Brantley, and Anna Huffines 15 Blake Campbell, Jan Lawson, Blain Burns, Taylor Coldiron, Trey Dubose, and Laura Nygren 16 Thomas Garrity and Jacob Hamilton 17 Miranda and Dale Floyd
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g’s fare
Appetizing the Palate T
his month I am featuring appetizers that you can use during the Fourth of July holidays or even parties at your home or by the pool. None of the recipes are very hard, but some are much easier than others. My husband chose the first one. We serve this every Thanksgiving or Christmas as an appetizer before dinner, and it is always a family favorite. The recipe calls for using the chunks of Hawaiian bread to dip with; however, by that time, everyone has eaten the bread, and I use Wheat Thins or some cracker for dipping.
Apache Bread 1 round loaf of Hawaiian Bread (hollowed out but be sure that bottom and sides are intact) 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 8 ounces cream cheese 8 ounces sour cream 1 pound ham, sliced into thin strips 1/2 cup minced green onions 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 can mild chilies, drained Put the Hawaiian Bread on a wellsprayed pan covered with aluminum foil. Mix together all of the other ingredients, and pour into the hollowed out bread. Put the bread top back on, and wrap in the aluminum foil. Bake for one hour and ten minutes in a 200 degree oven. Serve with crackers or chunks of Hawaiian bread.
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story by Becky Junkin photos by Jennie Guido
We served this at my daughter’s wedding. The recipe comes from Gourmet, is really quite easy to fix, and is impressive.
Smoked Salmon “Tartare” on New Potato Slices 6 red potatoes (Usually, I use potatoes about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter.) 1/4 pound smoked salmon, finely chopped 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Salt and pepper 1/4 cup sour cream Slice potatoes into twenty-four (1/4 inch thick) rounds. In a vegetable steamer set over boiling water, steam one layer of potato slices until tender (about five to ten minutes); and cool completely. Steam remaining slices in same manner. Potato slices may be steamed one day ahead of time, kept in a sealed plastic bag, and chilled. (If chilled, be sure to bring potato slices to room temperature before proceeding with recipe.) To make the “tartare”, in a bowl, stir together the sour cream, salmon, red onion, chives, and lemon juice; and add salt and pepper to taste. To assemble hors d’oeuvres, brush the tops of potato slices with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Top each slice with a heaping 1/2 teaspoon of “tartare.”
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We also served these at my daughter’s wedding. These are perfect for the lake or a bythe-pool occasion. This one also came from Gourmet and is not that difficult.
Spicy Tequila-Spiked Cherry Tomatoes 1 pound small cherry tomatoes (about thirty-five) 1 fresh jalapeno 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1/3 cup vegetable juice cocktail, such as V-8 or tomato juice 3 tablespoons white tequila 1 tablespoon minced white onion 1 tablespoon minced fresh coriander leaves 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon celery salt 35 fresh coriander leaves (for garnish) Cut off 1/4 inch from the bottom (the blossom end opposite the stem end) of each tomato and carefully scoop out seeds. Wearing rubber gloves, seed and mince the jalapeno. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over vegetable juice cocktail and let stand one minute to soften. Heat mixture over moderately low heat; stirring until gelatin is dissolved. Remove pan from heat, and stir in jalapeno and all remaining ingredients except tomatoes. Cool filling slightly. Using a small spoon and holding each tomato over the saucepan, spoon filling into tomatoes arranging tomatoes on a platter as filled. Chill tomatoes covered for four hours or until filling is set (up to one day). Garnish each tomato with a coriander leaf.
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The next one is a little more complicated but well worth the effort. This cheesecake is not for a small group but serves a crowd rather well. Every time I have made this, it has been a hit; and I serve this with crackers. I got this off of the internet years ago and have no idea where I found it.
Shrimp Cheese Cake New Orleans Crust: 4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup Panko bread crumbs 1/2 cup French bread crumbs 1/2 cup pecans (plus additional pecans for garnish) 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning 1/2 cup butter, melted Filling: 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 roasted red peppers, chopped 1/4 cup green onions, chopped 16 ounces cream cheese 12 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, grated 8 ounce goat cheese 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup heavy cream 4 eggs, beaten 1 pound shrimp, roughly chopped 1/4 pound Andouille sausage, diced finely For the crust, combine cheese, bread crumbs, pecans, and seasoning in food processor and pulse until mixture is finely ground. Remove and add butter until moist. Press into bottom of a spring-form pan and bake at 325 degrees for fifteen minutes or until brown. For the filling, preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a baking pan large enough to
accommodate your spring-form pan, add an inch or so of water to make a water bath. (I always put this in the oven first.) In skillet, sautĂŠ vegetables in olive oil until tender and set aside to cool. In mixer, beat cream cheese, Gouda, goat cheese, and Parmesan until smooth. Add heavy cream and eggs. Gently fold in seafood, Andouille, and vegetables into the cheese mixture. Pour mixture into the crust. Cut a piece of aluminum foil large enough to go around the pan and wrap the pan so no water can seep into it. Place cheesecake pan into the water bath in the oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until set. Very carefully remove pan from water bath. (I always let the water cool completely before I remove it from the oven.) When ready to serve remove sides from pan and serve. This is very rich and serves a large crowd.
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My whole family loves hummus; and when we all get together, I make several recipes of different kinds of hummus. I change the beans from chickpeas to butter beans, blackeyed peas, or whatever is in the freezer. This is a basic one to get you started. It is super easy and healthy. This comes from www.damyhealth.com.
Red Pepper HumMus 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup chickpea water from the can 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (I use a little more to make it creamier.) 3 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons Tahini Splash of lemon juice 1/2 cup roasted red peppers Puree all ingredients in a food processor, and blend until smooth. Add the chickpea water slowly to make the hummus the proper consistency. Add roasted red peppers and blend until desired texture. (My family likes to still have chunks of the red pepper in the hummus. If I am storing it to be used later, I sometimes add a thin layer of olive oil to the top.) Serve with pita chips for adults and/or carrot or cucumber slices for the grands. Becky Junkin, mother of four and grandmother of seven, is a lifelong Natchez resident, a retired elementary teacher of twenty four years, and certified Pilates instructor.
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THE social SCENE Brookhaven, MS
Moreton’s 80th Birthday Party
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riends and family gathered together on April 26, 2014, at the Ole Town Church in downtown Brookhaven, Mississippi, to celebrate the eightieth birthday of Jimmy Moreton. Photos by Bill Perkins.
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1 Drew and Kathy St. John, Jimmy Moreton, Doug and Mary Moreton, and Mary Beth and Bill Smallwood 2 Becky Taylor and Judge Mike Taylor 3 Dr. David Braden and Karen Braden 4 Katherine Bumgarner and Carole Bennett 5 Mary Beth Smallwood, Doug Moreton, and Kathy St. John
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THE social SCENE Brookhaven, MS
Nations Welcoming Party
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incoln County Supervisor, Dudley Nations, recently announced his joining of the Republican Party at the home of Charlene and Jim Elliott in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Senator Thad Cochran, Congressman Gregg Harper, Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith, State Senator Sally Doty, State Representative Becky Currie, Lincoln County GOP Chairman John Roberts, and other local and county elected officials were on hand to welcome Supervisor Nations to the Party. Photos by Bill Perkins
1 Senator Thad Cochran, Susan and Dudley Nations, Representative Greg Harper, and Supervisor Eddie Brown 2 Chancery Clerk Tillman Bishop and Mike Parker 3 Jennifer Strawbridge and Rachel Allen 4 Jetty and Harold Gary 5 Jim Elliot and Jimmy Moreton 6 Betty Ann Perkins and Ernie Clark 7 Kathleen Kitzpatrick and Chuck Nelms 8 Kevin and Robin Laird 9 Brett Howard, John Williams, Garrett Rushing, and Cody Smith 10 Chris and Lydia Kind and Harold and Jetty Gary with Judge Joe Portrey
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THE social SCENE
brookhaven, MS
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11 Betsy Belk, Ernie Clark, and Dr. Nic Belk 12 Mike and Tracey Farrell with Taryn Tarenberg 13 Lyndy Berryhill with Gregg and Maggie Harper 14 Chris and Linda Richardson with Cindy Moore 15 Supervisor Eddie Brown, Sheriff Steve Rushing, and Judge Joe Portrey 16 Zach Harvester, Alderman Karen Sullivan, and Circuit Clerk Dustin Bairfield 17 Robin and Kevin Laird, Alderman Karen Sullivan, Senator Thad Cochran, and Senator Sally Doty 18 Becky Bertram and Dr. Ryan Case 19 Martha Ann and Ralph Peeples 20 Circuit Clerk Dustin Bairfield and Sheriff Steve Rushing 21 John Roberts and Senator Thad Cochran
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in the garden
story and photos by Robert Ferguson
Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
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had gotten a Dendrobium chrysotoxum from a dealer in Yankeeland years ago. It started out in a four-inch pot and slowly progressed to a twelve-inch basket. This species requires copious amounts of water with bright, indirect sun and good air movement. Usually it produces three to four new growths annually. In 1984, it started growing in every direction. At the end of the season, twenty-six new growths had matured; but no blooms appeared in January after the dry rest period. I must have given it too much water, but it had to have some moisture to keep the pseudo bulbs from shriveling. Most all species have a pronounced dry winter in their natural habitat, but duplicating this can sometime be tricky. Since a cooler dry period is sometimes required, I moved it into a cooler location in the greenhouse. Spring arrived as did much more new growth. The plant doubled itself in size, which I recorded in a calendar for this plant to insure it would bloom in the next season. I started applying 1030-20 fertilizer. This time the new growth was going to bloom along with last year’s growth. We had to find an AOS show to enter for a Certificate of Cultural Merit. These particular orchids do not hold their blooms more than two weeks, so time was of the essence. The plant was in great shape, but I had to do a little primping on it. Over the years, some pseudo bulbs had become damaged; and some leaves were missing. Since the plant Page 20 { July 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous
had been growing in a large basket, I built a new basket when the new growth began; and now the plant had attached itself to the new one. I learned long ago not to disturb roots after they had become well established. I kept track of the AOS shows; and it looked like Houston, Texas, was going to be our show. The pseudo bulbs kept growing to maturity, and the plant grew to over four-feet across. By the time the Houston show had rolled around, the plant had about 3,500 buds. The plant probably weighed 150 pounds, and a steel pole was required to carry it. I had gotten it well packed in the van with several concrete blocks securing it. I wedged polyester between the leaves, buds, and blooms to insure there would be no damage in the eight-hour trip. I had researched the plant in the past Awards Quarterly, and none of the awards were given to plants close to the size of the flower or quantity of this one. It required over four hours to count all the buds and blooms. Gary, a friend of mine, and I set off for Houston early on Thursday morning to be ready for the Saturday morning judging. We decided not to take any other plants due to the size of the Dendrobium. After traveling well over eight hours in my shaded window van, Gary had asked me if I had a headache. He said he had one. We decided the plant was exuding an aroma that was very penetrating. We opened the rear windows
slightly to allow the smell to exit the rear, but it wasn’t much help. By then, we were into the Houston area; and the traffic was unbelievable. I kept looking back to check on the plant. I was also concerned about the flowers remaining open through the judging on Saturday morning. I looked in my mirror on my right side and suddenly saw a small, white car coming up fast. It then pulled out in front of a couple of cars ahead of us and stopped in all of that traffic. We were going sixty-five miles-per-hour when everybody started slamming on brakes. That is when the car decided to pull out in front of an eighteen-wheeler. The Mack truck slammed on its brakes throwing the trailer across three lanes of traffic and running over the white car. While all this was happening, my Dendrobium was airborne with four cinderblocks flying to the front of the van. When we all came to a halt, 3,500 little blooms were
all over Gary and me. They had all torn loose from their delicate hinges. I quickly exited to the right lane, which was now empty. There must have been fifty cars slammed into each other. I went to the back of the van and opened the side door. My beautiful orchid was upside down with broken stems and pseudo bulbs everywhere. I just wanted to cry. All of that growing and poof – it was gone all due to a case of road rage. We were within a mile of the show; in fact, it was taking place at the next exit. We pulled into the parking lot of our hotel, took the plant out of the truck, and carried it up to our room. Several people came by to see it and offer condolences. One judge said it would have been a great candidate for the “Buttersworth Trophy” for 1986. Robert Ferguson, interested in orchids since the age of 13, owned Ferguson Orchids from 1973 to 2002 where orchids were cloned, grown from seed, and sold.
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THE social SCENE Natchez, MS
Retirement Party for Connie Taunton
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n May 1, 2014, a crawfish boil and fish fry were held in honor of the retirement of Natchez’s Director of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Connie Taunton. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Grand Hotel in Natchez, Mississippi, to wish Taunton a happy retirement and thank her for her service to the city.
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in the garden
story and photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman
The huge flowers of Coreopsis Corey Yellow are deep, bold yellow with maroon center splotches.
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Wildflowers in Landscaping
ou can hardly miss the yellow flowers of Coreopsis lanceolata along highways in the summer, so it’s easy to see why this is the state wildflower of Mississippi. Several species of the plant fall under the common name of tickseed. Coreopsis lanceolata grows up to two-feet tall along roadsides and in prairie-type sites. Its flowers are daisy-like with bright yellow petals and centers. Another common Mississippi native is Coreopsis tinctoria, which many folks call calliopsis. It has the familiar yellow petals but has centers of brownish-red. Several selections are available in garden centers, and one of the best I have seen is Cha Cha Cha. If you are looking for a coreopsis for the garden, I always lean towards Coreopsis grandiflora. As the botanical name suggests, this plant is commonly called big-flowered coreopsis. It has broad, lobed leaves with flowers that seem to float on long stems. Coreopsis Page 24 { July 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous
grandiflora typically has a clumping growth habit in the landscape. The variety “Early Sunrise” has a semi-double flowering habit. Related to this variety is the variegated “Tequila Sunrise”. I like this variety so much that I have grown it wherever I have lived for more than twenty years. It has a compact growth habit with individual, semi-double flowers that are a bright, clear yellow. I also like the coreopsis selection “Corey Yellow”. Its flowers are huge compared to other coreopsis; and its petals are deep, bold yellow with maroon center splotches. Growing coreopsis in our Mississippi landscapes and gardens is pretty easy as long as you maintain well-drained soil. Go easy on the watering as coreopsis will tolerate a droughty spell, but it does best with consistent moisture. Coreopsis varieties produce abundant flowers, especially “Early Sunrise”. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plant blooming. This
Right—Coreopsis lanceolata is the state wildflower of Mississippi, and it grows frequently along the state’s roadsides and in prairie areas.
selection freely self-seeds, a trait shared among varieties of coreopsis; and the seedlings are very similar to the mother plant. Coreopsis tends to be a tender, shortlived plant; but the self-seeding trait allows it to act as a perennial. Divide the plant every two to three years to maintain vigor. Don’t forget to share these divisions with your friends and neighbors. Tidy up the appearance of coreopsis plots by pruning as needed late in the summer if the main plants open up or start to sprawl. Now a word of caution: Coreopsis is well adapted for northern Mississippi, but it can struggle in the coastal region because of the winter’s cool and wet conditions. Don’t let this stop you from enjoying coreopsis in southern Mississippi. Just consider it an annual and plant it anyway. Columnist Dr. Gary R. Bachman is an assistant extension professor of horticulture at Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.
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THE wedding SCENE vicksburg, MS
A Wine and Cheese Party Honoring Faulks and Young
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delightful wine and cheese party was given to honor Dr. Emily Faulks and Hubbard Young on Saturday, May 31, 2014, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The woodland garden encircling the stately home of Dr. Al and Cindy Windham was the perfect setting for the many friends and family greeting the young couple. The couple will exchange wedding vows on the Florida coast in September. Photos by Becca Stewart.
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Hubbard Young and Dr. Emily Faulks Katherine and Bob Pitts Nancy and Charlie Montague Cherie and Larry Kilgo Carol and Tell Duncan Dr. Al and Cindy Windham Debi and Stuart Webster Caroline Biedenharn and Dr. Albert Lin Harley Caldwell, Ann Morrison, Nancy Montague, Penny Brown, Hubbard Young, Cherie Kilgo, Dr. Emily Faulks, Debi Webster, Katherine Pitts, Cindy Windham, and Carol Duncan 10 Penny Brown
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THE wedding SCENE
vicksburg, MS
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11 MiHyang Faulks with Dr. Randy and Janie Easterling 12 MiHyang Faulks, Dr. Emily Faulks, and Ann Morrison 13 Mack Varner with Paul and Donna Ingram 14 Kimberly McCarthy, Robert Webster, and Dr. Emily Faulks 15 MiHyang Faulks and Connie Hosemann 16 Drs. Judy and Jim Pennington 17 Willenia Young and Hubbard Young 18 Kimbery McCarthy, Dr. Emily Faulks, Dr. Michelle Buckius, and Steven Faulks 19 Steven Faulks, MiHyang Faulks, and Betty Bexley 20 Frances Koury and MiHyang Faulks 21 Nellie Hopkins and Debbie Haworth 22 Jo Glyn and George Hunt
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THE wedding SCENE vicksburg, MS
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Monnie and Jim Chaney Susan and Joe Koester Karen and Mike Calnan Alan and Melynn Arendale Eddie and Sarah Carlisle
THE wedding SCENE
vicksburg, MS
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Holim Lee and Steven Faulks Hugh Green and Faye Wilkinson Emily Lee and Jim Faulks MiHyang and Jim Faulks
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legal notes
story by Lucien C. Gwin III
In Jesus’ Name, Amen O
n May 5, 2014, the United States Supreme Court did something I thought I would never see in my lifetime. They held that the aldermen of the town of Greece, New York, did not violate the constitution by allowing Christian prayer at the beginning of their “public” town meetings. Specifically, they found that Christian prayer did not violate the “Establishment Clause” of the first amendment of the United States Constitution. The Establishment Clause states as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The separation of church and state has been a hot topic in this country since the day the above constitutional language was adopted and ratified. Basically, the establishment clause has been interpreted first to mean that the law
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prohibits the establishment of a national religion by congress and secondly that our government shall show no preference for any one religion. The irony is as soon as the first congress passed the Constitution both the Senate and the House of Representatives hired “Christian” chaplains to open their sessions with prayer. At that time, our country was 98% Protestant, 1% Catholic, and 1% “other”. Through the years the court has limited and even denied prayer in many government settings. So how is it that Greece, New York, was able to pull off allowing Christian prayer at the beginning of its meetings? It appears that the town authorities invited all sects and denominations to participate on a voluntary basis. It just so happened that the majority of volunteers in this community were Christian. The town, however, had no input or control into the prayers
themselves. No one was coerced to stay and listen. Some prayers were very religious while others were somewhat secularly and benign. There was a Jewish layman who prayed along with a Wiccan Priestess. The Supreme Court found that since prayer was a privilege that was afforded to any citizen of the town who could pray in any way he or she chose such action did not violate the establishment clause nor did it show partiality for any religion. Thus, a Christian prayer uttered in a public meeting under these circumstances is constitutional. I suppose the next question is “what is legal public prayer?” Well the following is my opinion based upon the Greece case (which means I could be overruled any day now). Basically, if you have a government situation where there is no “captured” audience (a school is a captured audience) and if you open pray opportunity up to all faiths, creeds, and beliefs (including, but
not limited to, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Agnostic and Atheists), then you are probably okay. I suppose I should next ask the rhetorical question, “Was our country founded as a Christian Nation?” The answer to this question is far more complex than some of my fellow Christian readers would like to think. In my spare time, I read a great deal of history. My two favorite historical periods are those surrounding the founding of our country, as well as the period of history that I refer to as First Century Christianity. Based upon a good deal of historical reading concerning our nation’s beginnings, I cannot agree that our country was founded specifically as a Christian nation. The evidence is clear that the founding fathers implemented Judeo Christian values and beliefs into our Constitution. In fact, the majority of our founders were devout Christians and only a handful were what is known as deist. I know my position can sound almost blasphemous to some devout American Christians. The other area of history that I enjoy a great deal in reading is First Century Christianity. I have read and researched
the Old and New Testaments; Josephus, the renowned Jewish historian who lived within fifty years of the time of Christ; Tacitus, Roman historian born in about 50 A.D. who was a secular writer but talks about Jesus; Phlegon, the Greek historian born in 80 A.D. who documents the darkness of the Earth in the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (June 33 A.D.); Eusebius, born 260 A.D. bishop and confidant of the emperor Constantine; and Egyptian history. Based upon my years of study on the subject of Christianity, I believe the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and thus His deity is simply overwhelming. My Take: Both Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin (avowed deists and unbelievers in the Deity of Jesus Christ) stated that they believed that the teachings of Jesus constituted the greatest moral code ever devised in the history of the world. Amen. Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing many aspects of the law at the firm of Gwin, Lewis, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.
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THE social SCENE Bogue Chitto, MS
Winnie McCraw’s 90th Birthday Party
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innie McDavid McCraw celebrated her ninetieth birthday on April 7, 2014, at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Bogue Chitto, Mississippi. While she lived most of her life in the Jackson area, McCraw has recently relocated to the coast to be with her family.
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Patsy Nelson and Winnie McCraw Sylvia Walker Todd and Melissa Buie Greg Powell and Mark McCraw Pat and Peggy McCullough Ty and BeBe Thompson Winnie McCraw with Billy and Nancy Richardson 8 Emma, Chopper, and Erin Walker 9 Hannah, Logan, Carolyn, Eddie, and Ryan Pettro
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Healthy Living
story by Caroline Devereaux
Keep Calm and Hydrate A
s we roll through the summer months in south Mississippi and Louisiana, I want to focus on keeping ourselves and our families (the kids especially) hydrated as we brave the heat. Not only is my family frequently out and about in the New Orleans summer heat looking for fun things to do but also the girls are in summer camp with frequent pool days and break times on the playground sans-Momma. It is important that I make sure I hydrate them before they go off to daycare/camp/summer activities and not rely on the adults in charge to give them water when they are thirsty or outside. So this month, lets talk real talk about staying hydrated. Staying hydrated is important because our bodies depend on water for survival. Did you know that water makes up more than half of your body weight? Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water to function correctly. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe; and let’s all agree that we pretty much do all of those things on a regular basis. You lose water even faster when the weather is really hot, when you exercise, or if you have a fever. If you don’t replace the water you lose, you can become dehydrated. Children are much more prone to dehydration because their bodies don’t cool down as efficiently. The danger arises when fluids are leaving the body through sweating faster than they are being replaced, and severe dehydration can be life threatening. Three studies by the University of Connecticut found that more than half of Page 36 { July 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous
the children at sports camps were significantly dehydrated despite the availability of water, sports drinks, and the encouragement to drink liquids. Get your little ones in the habit early on by scheduling frequent beverage breaks during activity – about every twenty minutes or so. I’m a huge fan of toasting adult beverages when in the company of adults; so my kids and I love to play “cheers”, fill water in their favorite cups, clink the cups together, and empty their glasses into their bellies! You better believe I take this game on the run with me when we are outside because, let’s be honest, it’s pretty funny to see toddlers toasting each other. As an avid runner and Pilates instructor, I am frequently exercising both outside and inside; so it’s very important for me to make it a priority to hydrate all day, every day in preparation for the following day. Here are some basic facts about hydration that we all need to know: Symptoms of dehydration include: Little, no urine, or urine that is darker than usual Dry mouth Sleepiness or fatigue Extreme thirst Headache Confusion Feeling dizzy or lightheaded No tears when crying
So, how can we make sure the kids are getting enough water? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children drink six glasses of water on an average day. During activity, however, your child can lose up to a half-liter of fluid per hour. The AAP suggests about five ounces (or two kid-size gulps) of water or a sports drink every twenty minutes for an eightyeight-pound child. Kids and teens weighing about 132 pounds should drink nine ounces. I really enjoyed the following article from The Huffington Post; however, it is a bit more serious than the type of dehydration or thirst most of our readers will encounter this summer. Regardless, it puts things into perspective for us, especially those of us who will be out exercising in this heat. The examples of how to stay hydrated included in that article are some I wish to follow up on. Read it. Now. Please! (http://www.huffingtonpost. com/2013/08/03/stay-hydrated-summertips-heat_n_3696810.html) The tip on supplementing with an electrolyte drink is very important if you are exercising for longer than sixty minutes and run the risk of hyponatremia. Do not think that you should drink sports drinks in lieu of
water or frequently give this to children who refuse to drink water. This is a supplement and not a replacement to water!
Fun Ways to Stay Hydrated Freeze water bottles ahead of time! Make sure they have a chance to thaw; so when ready to drink, the water temperature is moderate and can be consumed. The first few freezing cold sips might be refreshing, but it will be especially difficult for kids to drink the proper amount at such extreme temperatures. Refrain from drinking or serving caffeine-filled drinks to hydrate. The caffeine is a stimulant and can suppress the symptoms of dehydration. Also, not all sports drinks are created equal! Avoid high-insugar juice drinks/electrolyte replacement/ sports drinks because they are usually very high in carbohydrates and calories, so use only during or after exercise/activities. Make Popsicles ahead of time. There are tons of Popsicle molds available at grocery stores during the summer, so pick up a few and save money making your own natural, healthy Popsicles that are not loaded with sugary juice drink mix.
Watermelon. Since this fruit is ninety percent water, it ranks highest on the list of hydrating fruits. Growing up spending summers at my grandmother’s lake house at Lake St. John, I can’t remember anything as refreshing as ice-cold, fresh-cut watermelon. My grandmother, Mae Mae, would call everyone from the water to join her on the porch mid-afternoon, crack open the ice chest filled with iced-down watermelons, and start slicing away—usually forced to serve to the outstretched hands of her grandchildren first. Waiting for my slice always made my mouth water; but the cool, refreshing wave of satisfaction I had when I finally sunk my teeth into the bright red flesh was worth the wait. So grab some water (or watermelon), relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy this beautiful summer fully hydrated! For specific Popsicle recipes or brands of juice/sports drinks to avoid, email caroshull@gmail. com. I am looking forward to hearing from you! Caroline Devereaux is wife to Matt; mom to two daughters, Stella and Mary Tucker; and a certified Pilates instructor residing north of the Big Easy in Covington, Louisiana.
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From the Independent Bookshelves
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Story by Jennie Guido
here really is nothing quite like settling in to your favorite spot on the sofa, cracking open a brand new book, and diving into a world of places you could only imagine. With the help of the many locally and independently owned bookstores in our area, we, as readers and lovers of the written word, are able to get first-hand help from a trusted, hometown friend. Let’s take a closer look at what these local bookstores have to offer that will help you discover your next favorite read!
Opposite page—The classics grace the shelves of Cottonwood Books in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Cottonwood Books: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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ear the campus of LSU, Cottonwood Books offers just about every title you can imagine when looking for Louisiana history, writers, and Southern tales. Opened in September of 1986, this bookstore is filled with over 40,000 titles. “Our second-hand books concentrate on Southern fiction, Southern history, the Civil War, and Louisiana history,” owner Danny Plaisance shared with me. “The book selling business has changed tremendously in the last few years, which makes it very difficult for the independent bookstore to compete,” Plaisance added. “At its peak, Baton Rouge had nine independent bookstores. We now have two left. The internet and e-readers have mainly contributed to the ‘brick and mortar’ stores’ demise.” Walking through Cottonwood Books’ numerous shelves made me realize just how many books are really out there for a lover of books to dive into. Why not enjoy a book that has been read, re-read, and loved by someone else? “I am one of the fortunate ones who truly loves to come into work everyday,” Plaisance told me. To learn more about Cottonwood Books, visit Danny at 3054 Perkins Road, which is just five minutes from Downtown Baton Rouge and LSU’s fabulous campus.
Above—If you are a lover of all things sports, Cottonwood Books has a vast collection of previously-owned reads. Top left—Located on Perkins, Cottonwood Books is just minutes from the campus of LSU. Bottom left—Children’s literature takes a Louisiana twist at Cottonwood Books.
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Left top—John and Marcia McCullough, Bob Flurry, and Key Smith received signed copies of Michael Henry’s (seated) book Finding Ishmael. Left middle—What’s not to love about a brand new book from Turning Pages? Left bottom—Home to many titles in children’s literature, Turning Pages can offer a little something for everyone in the family. Below—Turning Pages can be found on Franklin Street in downtown Natchez, Mississippi.
Turning Pages: Natchez, Mississippi
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n the heart of Downtown Natchez, Turning Pages opened its doors on Washington Street in 2001. Mary Emrick, Pat Butler, and Becky Spears had worked in the book industry for many years before joining in this adventure in books and more. In 2007, Turning Pages moved to its current location at 520 Franklin Street. “As an independent bookstore, we are not under the constraints of a ‘chain’ store,” Emrick shared. “We are free to order any titles our customers want to read. We do book searches for the out-of-print books and try to find the hard-to-find books our customers hear about in conversations or in the media. Also, we bring local and regional authors into the community for book events, which not only helps the customer but also the authors and the economy of our small town.” As for what to read this summer, the ladies of Turning Pages suggested a few page-turners to add to your “must-read” list. “The book everyone is reading is Greg Iles’ Natchez Burning. If you haven’t read that book by now, you should. You will enjoy this thriller while learning a bit of the Natchez history,” Emrick listed. “Another new thriller I recommend is Finding Ishmael by former Natchez businessman and author Michael Henry. Michael’s book is set in modern day Israel with all the ancient intrigue that abides there. David Baldacci and Steve Berry both have newly released thrillers: The Target and The Lincoln Myth, respectively. Both ladies and men would enjoy the fore mentioned books; but especially for ladies, let me mention a few for you: Booty Bones by Carolyn Haines is new in her Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series, Reading Circle by Ashton Lee (another Natchez author), A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams and The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell. All four would be great ‘beach books’.” Open seven days a week, Turning Pages in Natchez, Mississippi, also has a website (www.turningpagesbooks.com), e-mail (turningpages@dixie-net.com), and Facebook page for you to submit your inquires and questions.
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Top—Located downtown, Brookhaven Christian Book and Gift Store offers more than meets the eye. Above—With an abundance of books, you can find exactly what you are looking for at Brookhaven Christian Books. Below—Cookbooks are just some of the interesting titles that can be found at Brookhaven Christian Books.
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Brookhaven Christian Bookstore: Brookhaven, Mississippi
ocated in Downtown Brookhaven, you can find more than just your average bookstore. This wonderful town is home to Brookhaven Christian Bookstore, which has been owned and operated by Daveen McCullough since June of 1993. “In 1994, we moved up the street to the ‘Jackson Studio Building’ on Railroad Avenue. Ten years later, we moved to Schwen Avenue. Finally, last June, we relocated to our current store on West Cherokee Street,” McCullough shared. “We love downtown and are meeting many new customers.” Offering a full line of Bibles, Christian books and music, school and church supplies, and gifts for all occasions, you can find so much at the Brookhaven Christian Bookstore for yourself and others. “As an independently-owned bookstore, we can give personal attention to our customers. We know most of them by their first names and try to accommodate them in any way possible,” McCullough added. “We are a family-ownedand-operated business with our children and now grandchildren helping when need!” While McCullough knows that the majority of the books she carries can be readily available on the internet, she believes, “most of our customers just want to buy and have the actual book in hand or want the one-on-one commentary.” To learn more about what Brookhaven Christian Bookstore has to offer, visit its location or call (601)833-7671. McCullough is open six days a week.
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Lorelei Books: Vicksburg, Mississippi
ocated on Washington Street in Downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi, Lorelei Books offers more than just your average bookstore and retail shop. This place is home to comfort and an ambience that brings in customer after customer looking to settle in for an afternoon read. “We hear on a regular basis how lovely our shop is and how nice it is to find a bookstore with real books. If our bookstore’s blend of aromas could be identified, we would bottle a fragrance to share,” owner Laura Weeks shared. She and her husband, Troy, have owned and operated this Vicksburg gem and offer only the best to their local customers. “In the age of digital everything, brick-and-mortar bookstores and print books stand in firm defiance to the download,” Weeks explained. “Readers are content with the opportunity to read. Booklovers are looking for more; real bookstores and real books satisfy the desire to possess something that is beautiful, tactile, and fragrant.” A suggestion that Lorelei Books offered for your summer reading list is The Education of a Lifetime by Robert Khayat. “This memoir of Khayat’s is one that tells of his stories from his days at Ole Miss and what has changed in Oxford over the years compared to what the history books have written,” Weeks shared. Another tip from Weeks is The Tilted World by Beth Ann Fennelly and Tom Franklin. “This book has finally been printed in paperback,” Weeks added. “That makes this a perfect option for book clubs in Mississippi looking to learn more about one of Mississippi’s historical events—the Flood of 1927.” For more information about other titles that Lorelei Books has to offer, visit its website (www.loreleibooks.com) or send an email (customerservice@loreleibooks.com) to learn more.
Above—Located on Washington Street in downtown Vicksburg, be sure to visit Lorelei Books with a steaming cup of coffee from next door. Right top—Why not grab a candle to heighten your senses while reading the classics? Right middle—Mississippi history and glory can be found at Lorelei Books in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Right bottom—Sometimes books can be considered works of art, and Lorelei Books is filled with decadent art pieces.
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Top—Located in Banner Hall along the interstate, Lemuria Books is home to many interesting and intriguing titles. Middle—A book lover could happily get lost in the many nooks and crannies of Lemuria Books in Jackson, Mississippi. Above—Lemuria Books has many titles signed by the author including Greg Iles’ newest novel, Natchez Burning. Opposite page—Jackson, a publication by Lemuria Books, is being released this summer.
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Lemuria Books: Jackson, Mississippi
long the busy interstate of Jackson, Mississippi, Lemuria Books stands tall and beckons readers in to get lost in a world of books. Opened in 1975, Lemuria has continued to grow and expand in size with several locations around Jackson. Lisa Newman explained to me what makes Lemuria special in independently owned bookstore retail; “We sell new books on a wide variety of subjects, including an entire room devoted to children’s books. We also carry out-of-print books and have three rooms of fine first editions. Customers can order any book by phone, and our website features first editions along with a listing of our local and national author events. If we don’t have what you are looking for in the store, we will try our best to get it for you. We also ship books all over the world. Our booksellers are strong readers and take pride in helping customers find the right book for their needs.” Another interesting aspect of what Lemuria offers customers is the First Editions Club. “Since 1993, we have been selecting one book a month for our members. We deliver a signed first edition (occasionally two) every month to your doorstep or you can pick up the book in the store. The selections are predominately fiction (mix of contemporary literature, Southern fiction, and mystery) and chosen based on literary content and potential future collectability,” Newman shared. “This may mean choosing an established author or singling out a new writer for our support. Most of the time, the selected author comes to the bookstore for a signing and a reading.” John Evans shared in the foreword of Lemuria’s publication, Jackson, “As Jackson’s independent bookstore, we feel we are an integral part of its cultural heritage. As the cultural strengths of Jackson have been challenged and eroded, we want to reinforce the positive aspects of our city. What better way for a bookstore to show pride in its community than to publish a book? Jackson is the result of our efforts.” Released this summer, Jackson is a work of art between the partnership of Lemuria Books and Ken Murphy’s eye for the fascinating capital city. So, what does this Mecca of booklovers suggest for your summer reading? “ One author we are really proud of is Greg Iles. His latest book, Natchez Burning, has been number two on the New York Times Best Sellers’ list; and it has been a favorite of our customers,” Newman added. “Another book we are talking about is a novel called In the Light of What We Know by Zia Haider Rahman. Customers and booksellers are saying this is one of the best books they’ve read in years. Rahman’s book is a beautifully executed book, a book that will break your heart, make you laugh and cry while painting a perfect picture of our contemporary world. For nonfiction readers, don’t miss Mississippi Entrepreneurs by Polly Dement who does a great job of capturing the entrepreneurial spirit of Mississippi and A New History of Mississippi by Dennis Mitchell—the first comprehensive history of Mississippi since 1976.” If you want to check out what Lemuria has to offer, visit the store located in Banner Hall, read through its website (www.lemuriabooks.com), and follow it on Facebook and Twitter.
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Turnrow Books: Greenwood, Mississippi
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Top left—What a picturesque setting to curl up with a new book! Top right—Elizabeth Spencer reading at Turnrow Books in February of 2014. Above—Eben Alexander speaks about his book, Proof of Heaven.
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pened in 2006 in the middle of the Mississippi Delta, Turnrow Books has been offering the best in literature and the arts to the area in a relaxing way. “We converted the ground floor of a legendary department store in Greenwood and opened Turnrow in 2006,” Jamie Kornegay shared with me. “We installed a coffee counter upstairs, which has evolved into Turnrow Café and offers lunch and drinks daily, and Turnow Gallery, which is a collection of paintings, photographs, and pottery by Mississippi artists.” What can Turnrow do for you the reader? “We love recommending books to curious readers. There’s nothing more satisfying that introducing a customer to a book that will stick inside their hearts and minds forever. We’re trying to start them young with our Child’s First Library, which is a great book club for kids. Each month we select a new illustrated children’s book, have the author/illustrator sign it, and send it out to the kids on our list,” Kornegay added. “There’s a personal touch in independent stores that you won’t find at most big corporate store. Our books are hand-picked, and a large percentage of them are read and approved by our staff. As well as discovering new titles and recommending books we love, we buy according to the tastes of our customers, who we take the time to know and talk to every day. I think people in small towns are more used to this brand of personalized service because it’s always been part of the mercantile culture and hasn’t disappeared into the fast-paced mall/online culture of most urban areas,” Kornegay believes. Outside of Natchez Burning, Kornegay has the following suggestions for your book list: “We have a pair of exceptionally fine coffee table books on Greenwood history that have been huge sellers. We’re always reading ahead to find out what’s good out there, which new authors people should be reading. Our ‘Turnrow 20’ is a seasonal list of our favorite new books, and we’ve just announced the summer titles we’re recommending, which include James Lee Burke’s new novel, Wayfaring Stranger; Flying Shoes, a hilarious debut by Oxford writer Lisa Howorth; and some riveting suspense novels, including Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta. The ‘Turnrow 20’ list can be found on our website and at our blog, turnrowbooks.typepad.com.” Open Monday through Saturday, Turnrow can also be visited through its website (www.turnrowbooks.com), emailed to turnrow@turnrowbooks.com, and followed on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Square Books: Oxford, Mississippi
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pened along the bustling town square of Oxford, Mississippi, in the fall of 1979, Square Books has offered one of Mississippi’s famously literary towns a safe haven for readers looking to dive into a world unknown. Lisa and Richard Howorth first opened this small-town franchise in an upstairs location next to Neilson’s Department Store. After a few years, the bookstore was moved to its current location on the Square and two additions were added to the Square Books line-up: Off Square Books and Square Books, Jr. When I spoke to Lyn Roberts about the importance of Square Books to Oxford and to the world of independent bookstores, she explained, “Independent bookstores are responsible to their communities and create communities. It is a community in the sense of people who share something in common: their location, town, county, region, state, love of reading, or whatever brings people together. We try to provide what our community wants to read and are not answerable to a distant, unrelated business structure.” To tantalize readers into coming to Square Books, “We have an online ordering site to help make shopping a little easier. Also, we have over 150 author events per year and sell lots of signed and collectible books. Another aspect we share is a Signed First Edition subscription where, for only the list price, individuals are shipped a signed, first edition each month,” Roberts added. While Roberts suggestion for books to read this summer is “books” in general, Square Books has an entire Pinterest Pinboard devoted to suggestions from its staff. Some of these suggestions from owner, Richard Howorth, are The Suitors, which is similar to the idea of Downton Abbey with a French twist, and & Sons by David Gilbert. If you find yourself in the Oxford area, head toward the Square and visit Square Books at any of the three locations; follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Vine; and sign up for the newsletter, “Dear Reader”, on the website (www.squarebooks.com).
Top left—Take a walk into the pages of the books of Square Books. Tor right—Books are a plenty at Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi. Above—Square Books, located in downtown Oxford, also has two companion stores nearby to visit – Off Square Books and Square Books, Jr.
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On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River
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On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River
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THE social SCENE Natchez, MS
Caring Women Awards
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atchez Community Hospital celebrated the sixth annual Caring Women Awards on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at the Natchez Convention Center. Sixty-six women were honored for their service to the community in six different categories. A beautiful print of the “Turning Angel” was presented to all winners.
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Disa Taunton and Cathy Dale Liz James and Carolyn Ridley Jane and Al Vaughann Renee Cantu and René Adams Crystal Davis and Lee Ann Mason Letta Crocker and Cynthia Cane Bryan Lewis, Sallie Ballard, Glenda Wilson, Jarielle Gibson, Stephanie Hutchins, Alicia Yielding, Patricia Wise, and Lee Hinson
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THE social SCENE
natchez, MS
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8 Nancy Kennedy, Janis Holder, and Patricia Anderson 9 Maxine Brice and Joan McLemore 10 Sheronda McKenzie, Jarielle Gibson, and Inis Myles 11 E’Keria Williams, Tammy Williams, and Velma Allen 12 Veronica Bruce, Stephanie Hutchins, and Lacy Boykin
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THE social SCENE Natchez, MS
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13 Alice Fletcher and Abby Goldblatt 14 Sue Stedman and Margaret Perkins 15 Nancy Hungerford and Bryan Lewis
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THE social SCENE Pattison, MS
St. John Hunting Club’s Crawfish Bash
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he weather was perfect on Saturday, April 26, 2014, for the annual crawfish boil of the St. John Hunting Club. Over 750 pounds of crawfish were seasoned and prepared to perfection by chefs Chad Johnson and Paul Murray at the club pavilion nestled by the cypress-shored lake in the heart of the 3,600 acre estate of prime hunting land in Claiborne County. The Bill Guess Band provided a backdrop of rock and roll while the piles of succulent crawfish were devoured by club members, their families, and friends. Photos by Bill Perkins
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Cecilia and Ron Hotard Chad Johnson and Gail Meachum Cheney Murray and Melissa Kellogg Drew Johnson and Camden Allen Joey and Jenny Foster Kim and Ray Allen
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THE social SCENE Pattison, MS
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Brittany and Sid Meachum Lane Harper and Caden Cole Maddie and Trish Vickery Nicole and Troy Hotard Sid and Gail Meachum Haley Ellison, Rob Ellison, Sid Meachum, and Jeff Ellison 13 Peggy McNeil, Chad Johnson, and Bill Perkins
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14 Charitie Meachum with Denton and Sarah Stokes 15 Sarah Jane Pierce with Maddie and Carl Stokes 16 Jarrod, Maddie, Trish, and Becky Vickery 17 Bill Guess, Cindy Kennedy, and Gerald Williams
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JULY
premier events
Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana
July 19 Family Art Class: Memory Murals with Sarah Albritton Alexandria Museum of Art
Ruston, Louisiana, artist Sarah Albritton paints reconstructed emotional memories using both real and imagined elements. Most of her works are situated in a bird’s-eye view of the rural, north Louisiana landscape, confronting the past with blunt reality. Albritton’s exhibit, Through The Eyes of Sarah Albritton, is on display at the Alexandria Museum of Art throughout the months of June, July, and August. The Family Art Class will be held on July 19 from 1 to 3 pm. For more information, please contact the Museum by calling (318)443-3458 or visiting its website, www.themuseum.org. Ferriday
Ferriday, louisiana July 5 Lake St. John’s Annual Flotilla Lake St. John
When the annual Lake St. John Flotilla sails on Saturday, July 5, 2014, the boaters will be continuing an age-old Mississippi Gulf Coast and South Louisiana tradition. Priests will bless the boats and pray for safe sailing and remainder of the summer. The Lake St. John Flotilla Committee encourages everyone to have watercrafts blessed at this event and enjoy this year’s Flotilla. This year’s event will set sail at 2 pm. Registration will be from 9 - noon at the Spokane Resort on July 5, 2014. There is no theme and no pier decorating judging this year, but residents are encouraged to decorate their piers. Roscoe “On the Radio” will be Grand Marshall of the 2014 Flotilla. For further information, contact Donna Maroon by calling (318)481-0182 or by emailing donna@aol.com. St. Francisville St. Francisville, louisiana
August 23 Polos & Pearls Downtown St. Francisville
Taking a cue from the French Quarter’s popular event, the St. Francisville Main Street Merchants Association hosts its own Polos & Pearls Night beginning at 5 pm on Saturday, August 23, 2014. The evening promises to put a little sizzle into summer by pairing popular shops with the area’s finest eateries, local artisans and musicians. Trolley transportation will link the featured locations along Commerce, Ferdinand, and Royal Streets; and each retail outlet is offering special red-hot deals to draw customers to the downtown area to shop in the cool of the evening. Stroll along the street, hop on and off the trolley, but by all means make it to as many participating destinations as possible because intrepid shoppers who make it to every location receive a special reward. For additional information on the St. Francisville area, telephone (225)635-4224, (225)635-3873, or (225)635-6330 or visit online www.stfrancisville.us or www.stfrancisville.net.
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Brookhaven, Mississippi July 14 – 25 10th Annual Summer Drama Camp Brookhaven Little Theatre
Girls and boys are invited to join the Brookhaven Little Theatre in downtown Brookhaven for its tenth annual Summer Drama Camp. This year, the production will be Sleeping Beauty. Once the camp comes to a close, campers will perform their production for audience members. The two-week camp runs from July 14 through July 25, 2014, from 9 am until noon. Campers will experience all aspects of putting together a fun-filled production. Students must be entering 1st through 7th grades to participate. Tuition for the camp is $175 and includes two weeks of instruction, daily snack, a camp t-shirt, and a souvenir cast photo. Everyone is encouraged to attend the play with tickets available at the door for $5. Performances are July 24 and 25 at 6:30 pm. Visit www.haventheater.org for more information or to download a camper registration form.
premier events JULY Canton
Canton, Mississippi July 4 - 6 28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival City of Canton
This year is the twenty-eighth anniversary of the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest, which will be held July 4 – 6, 2014. Don’t miss the dozens of hot air balloons that will lead a fun-filled weekend for children and adults of all ages. The three-day event will include several competitive balloon races and fun flights, three spectacular balloon glows, two incredible firework presentations, children’s activities, great food, and great entertainment. For more information and a complete listing of events for the weekend, please visit www.ballooncanton.com.
indianola, Mississippi August 21 Blues @ Home The B. B. King Museum
The second opening of the Blues @ Home exhibition will be on Thursday, August 21st, 2014, at The B.B. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi. The B.B. King Museum is located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta on US Highway 82 between Greenwood and Greenville—not far from the famous Crossroads at Clarksdale. The Blues @ Home exhibition will be located at the historic Cotton Gin inside the Museum’s venue. The twenty-eight featured musicians will also be invited to the opening reception. Plan your trip to the Mississippi Delta today! For more information, please contact Lauchlin Fields by calling (601)661-9444 or emailing hcporter@hcporter.com.
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JULY
premier events natchez, Mississippi July 25 – 27 Natchez Food & Wine Festival City of Natchez
The Natchez Food & Wine Festival is proud to announce the 2014 Schedule of Events and participating Chefs, Restaurants, Food Purveyors, and Wine & Beverage Brokers. The Natchez Food and Wine Festival is a weekend for food and wine enthusiast to gather for individual events. The schedule consists of several different types of events that are tailored for specific palates and interests. It begins on Friday evening with “Tastings Along the River” at the Natchez Convention Center, followed by a full day of events on Saturday of presentations, demonstrations, tastings and incredible dining experiences in historic unique settings. The festival wraps up on Sunday with a Jazz Brunch at The Carriage House Restaurant on the grounds the majestic Stanton Hall. Tickets sell out very quickly to some events. Please visit www.natchezfoodandwinefest.com for details and to purchase tickets.
vicksburg, mississippi July 7 - 12 Miss Mississippi Pageant Vicksburg Convention Center
This year’s Miss Mississippi Pageant will take place at the Vicksburg Convention Center in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi. Before the week’s events begin, the Vicksburg Main Street will host the Miss Mississippi Parade on Monday, July 7, 2014, at 7 p.m. in downtown Vicksburg. The parade begins at Washington and Veto Street and will travel North. The preliminary rounds for this year’s pageant are Wednesday night through Friday night with each contestant grouping competing in talent, swimwear, evening wear, and an on-stage question. On Saturday night at 8 pm, the top ten will be announced and compete in all four categories. For more information on this year’s pageant and other events throughout the week, please visit our website (www.missmississippipageant.com) or call us at (601)638-6746.
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Louisiana Up & Coming! JULY Alexandria Through July 5 Jacob Broussard and Jane Crowell River Oaks Arts Center 1330 Second St 10 am – 4 pm (318)473-2670 www.riveroaksartscenter.com July 7 – 11 Summer Art Camp: Impressionable Impressions with Anne Reid Alexandria Museum of Arts 933 Second St Various ages, times, & prices (318)443-3458 / www.themuseum.org July 17 Acoustic Concert Series Alexandria Museum of Art 933 Second St 7:30 pm (318)443-3458 / www.themuseum.org Baton Rouge Through July 20 A Louisianian’s Grand Tour in the Belle Epoque West Baton Rouge Museum Exhibit Toni Brantley / brantley@wbrmuseum.org July 5 Baton Rouge Art Market Main Street Market 501 Main St 8 am – Noon Kathy Scherer / (225)344-8558 July 5 Red, White, and Zoo Baton Rouge Zoo 3601 Thomas Rd 9:30 am – 5 pm (225)775-3877 July 5, 12, 19, & 26 Red Stick Farmers Market Main Street Market 501 Main St 8 am – Noon www.breada.org
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JULY Louisiana Up & Coming! July 11, 18, & 25 Summer Beat Concert Series Capital Heights 4264 Capital Heights Ave 5:30 – 8:30 pm www.summerbeatbr.com July 13 Bastille Day West Baton Rouge Museum 2:30 – 4:30 pm French food, music, art, & activities Toni Brantley / brantley@wbrmuseum.org July 14 – 19 Baton Rouge Restaurant Week City of Baton Rouge Various locations www.eatbr.com July 23 – 27 Summer Intensives: Session II Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre 10745 Linkwood Ct 9 am – 3 pm / $365 Nicole Naquin / (225)766-8379 nicole@batonrougeballet.org July 24 Lunchtime Lecture and Book Signing with Sam Irwin West Baton Rouge Museum Noon Toni Brantley / brantley@wbrmuseum.org July 25 Cocktails in the Garden Botanic Gardens at Burden 4560 Essen Ln 8 – 10:30 pm (225)763-3990 Clinton July 4 – 5 Red, White, and Blue Festival American Legion Park Liberty Hwy (225)281-3144
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Louisiana Up & Coming! JULY Ferriday July 5 Lake St. John Flotilla Lake St. John 2 pm Donna Maroon / (318)481-0182 donna@aol.com Jackson July 4 – 6 Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Festival Pecan Ridge Bluegrass Campground 4225 Hwy 952 Sadie & Alvin Havard / (225)629-5852 Monroe / West Monroe July 5 RiverMarket Days: Blues, Brews, & BBQ RiverMarket 316 S Grand 10 am – 4 pm (318)807-9985 www.downtownrivermarket.com
July 5 Fireworks Downtown Monroe 100 DeSiard St 9 pm www.downtownmonroe.org
July 19 Lisa Spann & Company LIVE Landry’s Vineyard 5699 New Natchitoches Rd 4:30 – 8 pm / $5 - $8 (318)557-9051 / www.landryvineyards.com
July 6 Spring Tea Talks: Fresh Berries Spice and Tea Exchange 211 Trenton St 2 – 3 pm / $10 (318)388-3920
July 26 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Downtown Cinema 100 DeSiard St Dusk / Free www.facebook.com/thedowntowncinema
July 12 Ronnie McDowell LIVE Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway 7 pm / $25 - $45 (318)329-2338 / www.ci.monroe.la.us
Natchitoches July 4 Celebration on the Cane Downtown Riverbank 6 – 9 pm / Free www.natchitochesla.gov
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JULY Louisiana Up & Coming! July 5, 12, 19, & 26 Cane River Green Market Downtown Riverbank 8 am – Noon www.natchitochesla.gov
July 4 Go 4th on the River New Orleans Riverfront 9 pm www.go4thontheriver.com
July 12 Second Saturday City of Natchitoches 10 am – Until www.natchitochesla.gov
July 10 – 13 San Fermin in Nueva Orleans City of New Orleans Various locations Running of the “Bulls”: Saturday at 8 am www.nolabulls.com
July 18 – 19 35th Annual Folk Festival Prather Coliseum 220 S Jefferson St (318)367-4332 / www.natchitoches.net New Orleans July 3 – 6 Essence Music Festival City of New Orleans Locations TBA www.essence.com
July 31 – August 3 Satchmo SummerFest Old U.S. Mint 400 Esplanade Ave Various locations, times, & events www.fqfi.org August 2 “An Alternate Vision” The Ogden Museum of Southern Art 925 Camp St Art exhibit and book release www.rollandgolden.com Ruston July 10 – 13 The Sound of Music Dixie Center for the Arts 212 N Vienna St Adults: $12 / Students: $6 (318)255-1450 St. Francisville July 4 Fireworks Show Downtown St. Francisville Dusk (225)635-4224 July 12 - 13 Songbird Music School Birdman Coffee 5867 Commerce St Ages 18 & up / $250 (225)721-1296 www.songbird.felicianalocal.com July 14 - 18 Young Songbird Musical Camp Birdman Coffee 5867 Commerce St (225)721-1296 www.songbird.felicianalocal.com
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Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY Brookhaven July 14 – 25 10th Annual Summer Drama Camp Brookhaven Little Theatre 126 E Cherokee St www.haventheatre.org Canton July 4 – 6 28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Fest City of Canton Flights, balloon glows, fireworks, & more www.ballooncanton.com Greenwood August 2 7th Annual Bikes, Blues, & Bayous Downtown Greenwood Front St 7 am – Until www.bikesbluesbayous.com
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JULY Mississippi Up & Coming! Hattiesburg July 7 – 12 Missoula Children’s Theatre Saenger Theater saenger@hattiesburg.org / (601)584-4888 July 12 King Arthur’s Quest Saenger Theater 11 am & 3 pm / $5 saenger@hattiesburg.org / (601)584-4888 July 25 – 26 Miss Hospitality Pageant Saenger Theater 8 pm www.misshospitality.com / (601)268.3220 Jackson Through October 31 “Stand Up!”: Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964 William F. Winter Archives and History Building 200 North St (601)576-6850 July 2 Farm to Fork Jackson Medical Mall 350 W Woodrow Wilson Ave 4 – 6 pm Kobie Wells / (601)718-6578 July 8 Music in the City Mississippi Museum of Art 300 S Lamar St 5:15 pm / Free (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org July 12 Locally Yours Pop-Up Market Anthropologie 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy 11 am - 3 pm Featuring local businesses Anne Rogers / sm520@anthropologie.com (601)898-1201 July 12 20th Annual Ice Cream Safari Jackson Zoo 10 am – 1 pm www.jacksonzoo.org/events
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Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY July 14 – 18 Mississippi Inspectors: Architectural Detectives Summer Camp Old Capital Museum 8:30 am – Noon / $50 4th – 6th Graders (601)576-6800 July 17 Museum After Hours Mississippi Museum of Art 300 S Lamar St 5:30 – 7:30 pm (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org July 18 Look and Learn with Hoot Mississippi Museum of Art 300 S Lamar St 10:30 am / Free (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org
July 23 Art in Mind Mississippi Museum of Art 300 S Lamar St 10 am / Free (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org July 23 “Freedom in Mississippi Series”: Lecture by Terry M. Flucker Mississippi Museum of Art 300 S Lamar St 5:30 pm (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org July 24 Downtown Jazz Mississippi Museum of Art 300 S Lamar St 7 – 9 pm Members: free / Non-members: $5 (601)960-1515 / www.msmuseumart.org
McComb July 31 Kids Day at the Railroad Museum Railroad Museum 108 N Railroad Blvd 9 am – Noon (601)684-6487 / www.mcrrmuseum.com Natchez July 4 Fireworks Show Mississippi River The Bluff Dusk July 5 Biscuits & Blues’ 17th Anniversary Biscuits & Blues 315 Main St 7 – 10 pm www.visitnatchez.org
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JULY Mississippi Up & Coming! July 11 – August 7 Arts Natchez July Exhibition Arts Natchez Gallery 425 Main St Reception: July 12 at 6 pm (601)620-0569 / salongoart@gmail.com
July 12 ASU Extension Program’s 5K Run/Walk & Health Fair The Bluff 8 am (601)786-3131 / jacoleman@alcorn.edu July 12 Second Saturday Downtown Natchez 6 – 8 pm www.downtown-natchez.org July 19 Fruit and Vegetable Festival Natchez Farmers Market 199 St Catherine St 9 am - 1 pm Helen Brooks / (601) 442-4648 brooks@alcorn.edu
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July 25 Natchez Food & Wine Festival: Mae Holyoak & Friends Lemonade Stand Natchez Convention Center 211 Main St 11 am – 3 pm www.visitnatchez.org July 25 – 27 Natchez Food & Wine Festival City of Natchez Various locations (601)442-4895 www.natchezfoodandwinefest.com
Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY July 25 Natchez Food & Wine Festival: Tastings Along the River Natchez Convention Center 211 Main St 6:30 – 9: 30 pm Advance: $55 / At door: $70 www.natchezfoodandwinefest.com
Ridgeland
July 31 – August 3 Bugsy Malone Natchez Little Theatre 319 Linton Ave Various times / $20 (601)442-2233 www.natchezlittletheatre.org
July 7 – 11 & 28 – August 1 Creative Craft Camp Craftsmen Guild of Mississippi 950 Rice Rd Various ages Sheri Cox / sheri@mscrafts.org
Oxford August 1 – 2 The Art-er Limits Fringe Festival Downtown Oxford Various locations & events (662)236-6429 / YACDirector@gmail.com www.oxfordarts.com
July 4 Celebrate America Balloon Glow Northpark Mall 1200 E County Line Rd 6 – 10 pm (601)853-2011
Vicksburg Throughout July Living History Vicksburg National Military Park 3201 Clay St 9 am – 4 pm / $8 (601)636-0583 / www.nps.gov/vick
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JULY Mississippi Up & Coming! July 1 – 3, 8 – 10 , 15 – 17, 22 – 24, & 29 - 31 Summer Kids Film Festival Wilcox Theatre 3505 Pemberton Square 10 am / $4 (601)638-2135 / www.vicksburgmall.com
July 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, & 26 Vicksburg Farmers Market Downtown Vicksburg Washington St Wed: 3 - 6 pm / Sat: 8 – 11 am (601)801-3513 www.vicksburgfarmersmarket.org
July 3 – 6 39th Annual Vicksburg Homecoming St. Mary’s Community Center Second North St $30 (601)634-0163 / (601)638-5649 vicksburghomecoming@att.net July 4 Fireworks Show Downtown Vicksburg Between Jackson & Grove St 7 – 10 pm / Live music www.vicksburgchamber.org July 4 – 5 Mr. Sipp LIVE Ameristar 4116 S Washington St 9 pm – 1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com July 5 Lorelei Storytime Lorelei Books 1103 Washington St 10 am (601)634-8624 / www.loreleibooks.com July 5 July 4th Boat Parade Eagle Lake Off Hwy 465 2 pm www.eaglelakematters.com July 5 Aaron Lewis LIVE Lady Luck Arena 1380 Warrenton Rd 7 pm / $30 - $40 (601)636-7575 www.ladyluckvicksburg.com July 7 Miss Mississippi Autograph Party Outlets at Vicksburg Clay St 7:30 – 9:30 pm www.outletsatvicksburg.com/events
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Mississippi Up & Coming! JULY July 9 – 12 Miss Mississippi Pageant Vicksburg Convention Center 1600 Mulberry St 8 pm / Various prices (601)638-6746 www.missmississippipageant.com
July 24 Ritz on the River Vicksburg Convention Center 1600 Mulberry St 6:30 – 9:30 pm / Various prices (601)630-2929 www.vicksburgccevents.com
July 11 Big Al and the Heavyweights LIVE Ameristar 4116 S Washington St 9 pm – 1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com
July 25 – 26 King Edward LIVE Ameristar 4116 S Washington St 9 pm – 1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com
July 11 Miss Mississippi Ball Lady Luck Arena 1380 Warrenton Rd 10:45 – 11:45 pm / $20 (601)636-7575 www.ladyluckvicksburg.com
July 25 – 27 Governor’s Cup Baseball Tournament Halls Ferry Park 50 Halls Ferry Rd All age groups Sherman Simpson / (601)831-1691 www.vwaabaseball.com
July 11 – 12, 18 – 19, & 25 – 26 Gold in the Hills Parkside Playhouse 101 Iowa Blvd 7:30 pm Adults & students: $10 / Children: $5 Glenda Arredondo love2sing@bellsouth.net
August 3 Annual Hank Jones Memorial Jazz Concert Vicksburg City Auditorium 901 Monroe St 6 – 8 pm / Free shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com
July 18 Duwayne Burnside LIVE Ameristar 4116 S Washington St 9 pm – 1 am (601)638-1000 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com
July 15 – 17 Junior Naturalist Camp Historic Jefferson College 9 am – Noon / $35 Ages 7 – 9 (601)442-2901
Be sure to confirm details of the events should changes have occurred since events were submitted.
Washington July 9 – 11 Civil War Adventure Camp Historic Jefferson College 8 am – Noon / $35 Ages 8 – 12 (601)442-2901
July 20 – 26 Tara Wildlife Youth Camp Tara Wildlife 6791 Eagle Lake Shore Rd $650 / Ages 9 - 16 Mark Bowen / (601)279-4261 www.tarawildlife.com July 24 Young Professionals Social Cedar Grove Mansion 2200 Oak St 5 – 7 pm Chamber members: $15 / Non-members: $20 (601)636-1012 ecurry@vicksburgchamber.org
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BATON ROUGE, LA
Seated—Sheila Porch, Connie Wagner, Robin Kennedy, Carolyn Pittman, and Kris Cangelosi; standing—Sally Hirschheim, Tommy Davis, David Jumper, Henry Pere, Rick Bourgeois, Bill Ragsdale, David Huet, and Sheila Yellott
Krewe Mystique de la Capitale Announcement
K
rewe Mystique de la Capitale announced the 2014 - 2015 Board of Management at its monthly meeting held at Ralph and Kacoo’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Photograph by Guy Blanchard
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SOUTHERN SAMPLER
story by Alma M. Womack
Bookmobiles and Library Cards
G
Patrons outside of the Concordia Parish bookmobile circa 1927. Photo courtesy State Library of Louisiana.
rowing up in rural Catahoula Parish, there was no exposure to the arts as we know them today. If you were an artist, you were self taught; there were a few piano teachers for kids lucky enough to have a piano in the house and parents who insisted that they learn to play it. Block High School had a band and sometimes a Glee Club, and our elementary teachers let us sing several days a week and draw pictures on paper stapled to an easel. That was pretty much all that we knew or were taught about the “arts”. The one shining exception to our wasteland of the finer things was the Catahoula Parish Library, which was headquartered in Harrisonburg with satellites in Jonesville and Sicily Island. There was also the Bookmobile—the literary connection from the library to the rural areas of the parish. The Bookmobile came our way once a month, and we were able to load up on enough books to last us the month. We had no limit on what we could check out for we took care of the books and made certain they were all returned on time. Those books were our gateway to the outside world, the world of history, and our own imaginations. The Bookmobile was right next to Santa’s sleigh in terms of importance in our young lives. My brothers, Nub and Doug, and I would wait faithfully every month under the big pecan tree in Mimi’s yard where the Bookmobile parked. It did not always come (due mostly to breakdowns), and our disappointment would be deep. No new books meant we would have to read the same ones over and over for another month. Page 74 { July 2014 { Bluffs & Bayous
My interest in history began at an early age when I was able to get books from The Childhood of Famous Americans series from the Bookmobile. I read every one that was offered; and by the time I studied history in regular school, those historical characters were my old friends. The ladies on the Bookmobile at that time were Ms. Lula Routon and Ms. Stafford, and they made certain that I would get a chance to read the new issues of that history series when they were released. After reading all of that series and every book on Indians, my interests turned to science fiction. My friend in Harrisonburg, Benjy Huffman, also loved all of those books; and it became a contest to see if I could check out a book before Benjy did. He did have the advantage of having his mother, Ms. Ruby Huffman, working at the library and on the Bookmobile; but sometimes I would find one that he had missed—nothing like a little friendly competition between voracious readers. We were in the debt of the taxpayers of Catahoula Parish who founded and funded the library, and our gratitude was enormous. Without that link to knowledge, we would have been completely bereft of any connection to our past and our future. Because of that early exposure to the generosity of our families, our neighbors, and our friends, being an advocate for the library had been one of my most devoted causes in my adult life. The library had changed tremendously since those days. Computers, automation, books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, current magazines, and newspapers—the list of improvements is impressive. The backbone
of the library, though, is the printed word in book form that most of us still treasure. Although our parish is small and relatively poor, we have a very good library system with a fine librarian, Wayne Spence, and a staff of people who are friendly, knowledgeable, and always eager to help their patrons. The satellite libraries in Jonesville and Sicily Island serve those communities well, and the faithful Bookmobile (now downsized) still is the outreach for the more rural areas of the parish and the school in Larto. Catahoulans are proud of their library and never hesitate to renew the taxes to keep the library operable. To me, it is an absolute duty to keep this beacon of light shinning in the modern world and to use the library to encourage children to read a real book versus Facebook and text on an iPhone. While we must adapt to the present culture, we must also continue to promote the conduit to knowledge that libraries provide. Like my hero, Thomas Jefferson, I cannot imagine a room without books. I have this pithy little saying taped to my computer cabinet door that describes my situation pretty well: “She has read too many books, and it has turned her brain.” You may make of that what you will. Happy summer reading to all our readers; visit your library and take advantage of all that it has to offer you for entertainment for the long, hot days to come. Columnist Alma Womack lives on Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana. In addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she is the keeper of the lawn, the lane and the pecan orchard at Smithland.
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