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From Your Publisher . . .
T
o quote from the April column of Mary Emrick, our book review contributor each month, “Now is the most beautiful time of the year in Natchez and its surrounding locales. The trees are budding, and everywhere I look profuse splashes of color make me happy to be planted in the South.” The third full week of March seems to have been the peak blooming period for some of our shrubs and trees as Mother Nature has really kicked off spring with a bang. I wonder how she’ll conclude with this and so much more of spring’s activity already underway—warm breezes, blue skies, Daylight Saving Time’s longer days, and pilgrimage in local towns along the river and in a number of towns throughout the state. Capsuling this bustle of activity at Bluffs & Bayous is our April magazine, always a fun issue to work on as we focus on our area’s homes and gardens. This month we spotlight two unique artisans—James Germany and Kathy Pigott— both of whom craft remarkable features for our homes. Our front cover showcases one of these features, a rather fascinating garden gate that belongs to some friends of mine, Stella and Philip Carby. When they purchased and restored their home, Greenlea, and meticulously landscaped its grounds, I was amazed at their
endeavors and intrigued by their lovely gardens and this unique garden gate. James Germany was the mastermind and master craftsman of this gate, a fact I discovered in my research on the many treasures his trade has produced in and around Natchez, Mississippi. Also in the springtime spirit of gardens and gardening is Mary Emrick’s review of Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens, a gardening reference that is sure to offer timely and sound advice for all of our reader-gardeners with eager green thumbs now that the prime time of outdoor gardening is at hand. Also on tap for those green thumbs are Dr. Gary R. Bachman’s articles on award-winning flowers sure to add landscaping interest all spring and summer long. Another of our columnists, Ross McGehee comments on the “Rites of Spring” in his All Outdoors section as he explores farmers’ tasks in preparing for summer crops. For all of you beach vacationers, our May travel issue will feature popular beach vacation spots. Send us photographs of your favorite beach vacations as we prepare to spotlight these unique get-aways (Redneck Rivieras, they’re sometimes called) in our own and neighboring states. Tell us about your vacation and any interesting sights
you might have encountered, for example, at nearby Gulf Coast spots or a bit farther down the road in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Destin, Key West….if it’s got a beach, we want to know about your adventures there! So share with us via email or snail mail your photos with captions and identifications, along with information about the area where you vacationed either for a weekend, a week or month, or all summer long. Springtime, renewal time, home and garden time, and up-coming beach vacation time....so many blessings in our life along and beyond the Mississippi.
From Our Readers Dear Bluffs & Bayous, I loved the article about Boone Daughdrill. I am originally from Natchez, but married a guy from New Hebron where we have lived for 37 yrs. (Natchez is still my heart, though!) I have known Boone’s family since I moved here and I can tell you, he is a fantastic young man. He has always been a sweet, good-natured, downto-earth kid. Now the only reason I call him a kid is that I taught Boone in the 5th grade and have had the pleasure of watching him mature into a responsible adult. He is ALWAYS making people laugh and puts everyone at ease when he is in the room. He definitely is his parents’ child, because they are such a fine, caring family. Thanks so much for honoring such a talented man. He is exactly what you see which is very uncommon in today’s world among entertainers. Thanks again. Sincerely, Pat (Yalch) Sharp Page 4 { April 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
C o n t r i b u t o r s
publisher Cheryl Foggo Rinehart editors Jean Nosser Biglane
Columnist Dr. Gary R. Bachman is an assistant extension professor of horticulture at Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Columnist Mary Emrick is the owner of Turning Pages Books & More in Natchez, Mississippi.
Columnist Ross McGehee, a lifelong resident of Natchez, Mississippi, owns a diversified and far-flung farm operation.
Photographer Elise D. Parker, M.Ed., lives in Magnolia, Mississippi with her husband, Pat, and four active children. She is a photographer and coordinates private home-schooling and afterschool tutoring along with covering social scenes for Bluffs and Bayous.
A Mass Communications graduate of Louisiana State University, JoAnna Sproles of Brookhaven, Mississippi, has more than 15 years of experience in managing public relations and contributing articles to newspapers and magazines.
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.
Cheryl Foggo Rinehart graphic designers Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling staff photographers Cheryl Rinehart Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker sales staff Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles
Cheryl Rinehart
Donna Sessions
JoAnna Sproles
Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi area in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to insure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.
office
423 Main Street, Suite 7 Natchez, MS 39120 601-442-6847 | fax 601-442-6842 info@bluffsbayous.com editor@bluffsbayous.com sales@bluffsbayous.com www.bluffsbayous.com
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A pril 2011 FEATURES
James Germany: An Artisan Leaving a Legacy...................................... 22-26 Paint by Personality................................................................................. 28-29
FAVORITES All Outdoors Rites of Spring......................................................................................... 14-15
Events April . . . Up and Coming!....................................................................... 50-59
From the Stacks Nifty New Reference for Your Southern Gardening Library..................... 10
In the Garden Plant African Daisies for Profuse Flowering............................................... 34 Sun-loving Sunpatiens for Summer-long Blooms....................................... 35
James Germany: An Artisan Leaving a Legacy pages 22 - 26
Southern Sampler Meanderings on Ordinary Life............................................................... 46-47
THE Social Scene KDMC Fitness Center Grand Opening........................................................... 8 Bearcats’ Reunion.................................................................................... 12-13 Hazel Ferrel’s 86th Birthday......................................................................... 19 PCAC Membership Drive......................................................................... 20-21 Surprise Double 40th Birthday Party...................................................... 30-32 Krewe of Ceres’ Activities....................................................................... 36-37 Department of Tourism Luncheon.............................................................. 38 March Wine Tasting................................................................................ 42-43 And . . . the Recipes from the Wine Tasting!......................................... 43-44 Paint-N-Party Birthday................................................................................. 45 St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce........................................................ 60 80th Birthday Brunch.............................................................................. 61-63 18th Birthday Party Bash............................................................................. 64 Natchez Fine Framing Exhibit...................................................................... 65 Michael Henry Book Signing....................................................................... 66
Weddings & Engagements Mardi Gras Couples Shower................................................................... 48-49
Paint by Personality pages 28 - 29
on the cover Only the sweetest secrets lie beyond this intriguing garden gate designed and built by James Germany for antebellum Greenlea, home to Stella and Philip Carby of Natchez, Mississippi. Photograph by Van O’Gwin, Van’s Photography Bluffs & Bayous { April 2011 { Page 7
THE Social Scene KDMC Fitness Center Grand Opening
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DMC (King’s Daughters Medical Center) Fitness in Brookhaven, Mississippi, held its Grand Opening with Minnesota Twins shortstop Matt Tolbert, a Woodville, Mississippi, native, as its special guest. Tolbert signed autographs for the general public during this event that drew nearly 500 and was arranged by local sports promoter James O. Covington of Meadville and KDMC’s Todd Peavey. KDMC Fitness is one of the top workout and physical fitness centers in the state with a newly expanded, million-dollar renovation that includes a new Speed Training Program.
Sydney Haley, Jasmine Blanks, Chris Huffman, Todd Peavey, Adrienne Allen, Beth Hutchinson, and Kendall Brown
Matt Tolbert and Randy Spring
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KDMC staff and Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber representatives
Matt Tolbert and Brady Spring
Matt Tolbert and Sam Allen
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From the Stacks | review by Mary Emrick
Nifty New Reference for Your Southern Gardening Library Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens: A Handbook for Gardeners, Homeowners, and Professionals by Gil Nelson
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ow is the most beautiful season of the year in Natchez, Mississippi, and its surrounding locales. The trees are budding, and everywhere I look profuse splashes of color make me happy to be planted in the South. Now is also when I begin my yearly trek as the wanna-be gardener. However, my efforts are minimal due to limited time and knowledge.
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There is not much I can do to create more time, but knowledge is at hand both at home and at work. When the gardening bug raises its head—every spring, I seek knowledge in the form of a book. Then, I dream about spending hours in the warm sun of our gardens. This year, the best book I have found to salve my “brown-thumb” capability is one recently published by the University Press of Florida—Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens: A Handbook for Gardeners, Homeowners, and Professionals by Gil Nelson. Author Gil Nelson is a naturalist and field botanist specializing in the Southeastern United States. His new book highlights and illustrates several hundred readily available and easy-to-grow native species for gardeners and landscapers living in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. These states have similar hardiness and heat-tolerance measurements as spelled out by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the American Horticultural Society. Our gardens in Natchez are in the Coastal Plains floristic province, a designation we share with all of Louisiana and partially with the other mentioned states. Nelson has arranged Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens into three parts. Part one, “Gardening with Native Plants,” gives a definition and history of native plants and also differentes among weeds, aliens, and invasive plants. The second part of the book categorizes the native plants into fourteen groupings such as “Old-TimeyNatives,” “Native Roses,” and “Magnolias and Their Relatives.” Part three and my favorite section is the “Catalog of 100 Good-Doers.” The term “Good-Doers” was coined by Dan Miller of Trillium Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida, and is given to
plants with the qualities of availability, dependability and ease of care. This fact-filled guide for gardeners includes native shrubs, trees, and perennials. Most of the plants can be found locally at our yard and garden centers. In the rare case that locating a plant nearby eludes us, Nelson also gives a list of suppliers in the back of his book. My husband’s family home, “The Gardens,” is located on acres of fertile land that boasts hundreds of native American plants, many of which I cannot identify with my limited knowledge. Now, I look forward to walking through the gardens and forested land surrounding our home with my new handbook Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens. With this manual containing beautiful color pictures on every page of native plants at differing stages of their growth, I may just become an armchair authority! Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens is a gardening reference that belongs in every gardener’s hand. The casual gardener, the Master Gardener and the wanna-be gardener all can find valuable information in this newest book on southern gardening.
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THE Social Scene Bearcats’ Reunion
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he Magnolia High School Bearcats Class of 1969 of Magnolia, Mississippi, has been meeting for Christmas in Dixie Springs, Mississippi, for over twenty years. This year the class invited other graduates of classes in the 1960s to this annual reunion. Guests enjoyed steaks and seafood, drinks, music of the ’60s, reminiscing, photo sharing, and dancing. Other guests included spouses and children. Photographs by Elise Parker
Front—Debra Prescott, Linda Carpenter, Mary Ellen Brister, Teresa Coon, and Judy Thompson; back—Rex and Debbie Simmons, Jean Lambert, Mike Walker, Beverly Boyd Stewart, Colleen Lally, Harold Perret, Mignonne Boyd, Steve Conerly, Debbie Jefcoat, Debbie Zachary, Keith Starrett, Betsy Harrell, Ronnie Frazier, Marvin Zeigler, Bobby Rhodus, and Joey Smith
Mignonne Boyd and Betsy Harrell
Ricky and Anna K. Allen
Mike and Debbie Walker
Marvin Zeigler and Debbie Zachary
Debbie and Rex Simmons
Mike and Judy Thompson
Colleen and Joe Lally
Harold Perret and Debbie Dupre
Norwood and Jane Bultman
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THE Social Scene
Tommy Freeman with Jean and Marlin Lambert
Kelsey Jo Smith with Pauline and Joey Smith
Debra Prescott, Linda Carpenter, and Beverly Boyd
Mickey Boyd with Betsy and Bobby Rhodus
Rose and Ronnie Frazier
Twins Samantha Coon Allen and Cass Coon with their mother, Teresa Coon
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All Outdoors | by Ross McGehee
D
Rites of Spring
eer season is over and turkey season is about to start. Redbuds are blooming in the woods right now and the dogwood trees will have their turn next. Jonquils are almost through blooming in the yards, but the Japanese magnolias are taking their place. The days are getting longer and Daylight Saving Time is about to begin. Turtles are sunning on logs, and lawn mowers are running. Spring is upon us, and planting time is close! Oddly enough, when planting time draws nigh, nothing else is important regardless of its worldwide implications. There may be civil unrest in North Africa, an earthquake in Japan, flooding in Australia, and tyrants in Central America, but the warming of days and drying of ground puts humanity in the mood to regenerate vegetation. I suppose the cold, wet days of winter stimulate the psyche into seeking revenge and proving to Mother Nature that the human spirit will prevail after all. That is why nurseries and big chain stores start putting colorful packages of seeds and large stacks of mulch out front in February. They know that horticultural therapy makes big money. Farmers are the same way but on a different level. A large part of a farmer’s winter is spent dealing with the financial
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end of the business because, when it’s time to plant, there’s no time for paperwork. Seed has been selected months ago, and fertilizer was put out last fall. Machinery has been in the shop for service and repairs all winter, flying services have killed the weeds, and some land has long since been made ready for corn seeding. Both the home gardener and the farmer will face the same weather patterns. The ones that jump out ahead of everyone else and have their gardens or field corn planted before the neighbors will have a setback from an Easter cool snap or one of those 13-inch March rains. A dry spell in the spring will devastate the late-planted flowerbeds, and cotton fields and a dry August will make both grow up in weeds while the preferred plants wither in the heat. We all know, or should recall, that it happens every year; but we plant anyway. It is just something that we can’t escape. People who plant and grow crops for a living, whether it is a field of produce or a plantation, are by nature optimists. There may be an occasional cynic among them, but there is no such thing as a pessimistic farmer. Not one that is still in business, anyway. There are very few things that give as much satisfaction as knowing that every decision and action made by an individual
led to the crop that is harvested in the fall. The anticipation of that satisfaction motivates action in the spring. And it is sometimes not easy to throttle. Impatient folks want their little plants to come out of the ground screaming! All kinds of miracle potions are marketed to pour on or over a crop to induce it to grow faster, make more roots, or repair some mysterious weak link in the growing cycle. Then the tendency is to hover over the garden or crop as if it is a sickly child, watering or draining, weeding or feeding, and spraying a virtual pharmacy at it to push it along. Invariably, the limiting factor they imagine is not the weak link that nature deals in the end. Plant good seed into good ground and stay back a good distance. Look at the big picture. The smell of ground being turned over in the spring is addictive. True, with the advent of reduced tillage we miss some of that. But whether it’s farming along the river or smoothing up after a wet fall harvest season, there will be some plowing required. Tractor cabs tend to insulate the operators not only from the weather but, unfortunately, also from the smells that we all have come to associate with spring. Wet soils smell different from dry ones. The reality is that soil does not have a smell. It is the microorganisms in the soil that do. Weeds can be distinguished by smell. Henbit has a distinctive aroma when it is tilled as does the yellow-top that grows on buckshot land. To a farmer, it all smells like something is getting done. There is always a lot to get done in the spring. Ever fly over the Mississippi Delta and look out of the airplane window? Look at all of the fields as far as the eye can see. Then look for the farms’ headquarters. Look some more. Where are they? They are far between and far from the fields. Then imagine that all of those fields that you see have to have someone come from thirty miles away and make five trips over each of them before the seed comes up! It is overwhelming to imagine the labor and machinery required to do that. But almost miraculously it gets done every year. People who sleep until 7:30 every morning and are home for “dinner” at 6:00 are not the ones doing this work. Frequently it is easier to “camp out” on the farm rather than make the long trip home. On our operation we’ll stay in a deer camp for a week at a time on
a distant farm rather than drive an hour and a half each way. Other folks use camper trailers; and others, motels. You do what you have to do to put a crop in the ground. The actual planting of a crop is the most intense phase of the whole process. Driving past, you can easily see the long, straight rows, then later the tiny green pinstripes of crops as they emerge. What you don’t see is the effort that makes all that happen. The reason for the effort is that most planting mistakes can’t be fixed. Not enough seed? Seed too deep or shallow? Forget to put fungicide on the seed? Plant the wrong variety? You are stuck with it for the growing season and for the next five months will be reminded daily of the mistake. So besides all the high-tech monitors that count each seed in each row of the planter and display that information on a screen, and in spite of the system that steers the tractor automatically so the rows stay straight, sooner or later someone has to get on his knees in the dirt and dig up seed one-by-one to see what is really going on! Consider the “career” of a farmer. Let’s say he or she starts at 25 years of age and retires at 65. I know; we are already in a dream. So for forty years or forty crops this “farmer” is in business. That’s forty times at bat or forty times to deliver the mail or forty times to wire a house. Only forty times to do whatever it is that you do to measure how good you are at it! That’s the reason for the sense of urgency for getting it right in the spring. And that is why in spite of everything going on in the world, and at home, when it comes time to plant, the optimists among us are out early and home late. Rains may drown an early planting and a late freeze may burn it back. A spring thaw may flood entire farms until almost too late to plant but the seed is going in the ground and a crop will be made and sometimes lost again. Gardens will be carefully tended until they either bear or the summer heat defeats them and their stewards. The results come in the fall but the labor is in the spring. And all it takes to get it started is a few buds on the trees and flowers in the woods.
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THE Social Scene Hazel Ferrel’s 86th Birthday
n the occasion of her 86th birthday, Hazel Ferrel of Natchez, Mississippi, was honored with a surprise birthday party at The Pub in the Castle restaurant of antebellum Dunleith Plantation on February 22.
Hazell Ferrell
Mario Romano, Ron McGowan, Hazell Ferrell, Sandy Taylor, Tommy Ferrell, Carol Ann Ferrell, Cheryl LeBlanc, Moe LeBlanc, Gary Caballero, and Karen Ewing
Gary Caballero, Karen Ewing, and Mario Romano
Martha Currie, Carol Ann Ferrell, and Tommy Ferrell
Hazell Ferrell, Mario Romano, and Ron McGowan
Ron McGowan, Hazel Ferrell, and Sandy Taylor
Charlie and Sonya Blaney
Martha Currie
Moe and Cheryl LeBlanc
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THE Social Scene PCAC Membership Drive
P
ike County Arts Council recently held a membership drive at the Caboose Restaurant in downtown McComb, Mississippi. A chef-prepared, hot buffet awaited guests as old and new members mingled, sampled wines, and bid on silent auction items. Photos by Elise Parker
Richard Doty, Lloyd Kinchen, Parker Voss, and Mary Grace Moss
Betsy Enochs-Robichaux, Nancy Felder, Nancy Hensarling, and Betsy Randall
Larry and Cindy Stewart, Lloyd and Dione Kinchen, and Michael Gattuso
Lorraine Pigott, Bob Hensarling, Kay Little, Mary Alta Clark, and James Clark
Pat Cornacchione and Bobbi Hart
Carolyn Ford, Noel Anders, and Laura Woodard
Trisha and Mike Artigues
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Kel and Barbara Feind
Jeff Outten and Bill Richardson
Turner and Barbara Willis
Robbin Daughdrill and Jackie Bankston
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Above—The columned archway with its crown molding, made by Germany Construction, frames the view from the kitchen into the family room of Linda and Wayne Barnett’s home in Natchez, Mississippi. Right—The intricately detailed crown molding
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James Germany: An Artisan Leaving a Legacy by Cheryl Rinehart
“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ ” ~ John Ruskin in Audels Carpenters and Builders Guide #3
W
hile working hard most of his life in a laborintensive, oil-and-gas industry, James Germany dabbled in a bit of carpentry on the side. However, what he actually was doing on the side was building a new beginning—a beginning that has garnered the recognition of interior decorators, home designers, historic restoration buffs, and residential homeowners. The son of a cabinet maker, Germany first built pieces for himself and found a yen for and adeptness in the craft as instinctive as a bee gathering pollen from a flower. He fused his affinity for the trade with skills learned from other gifted craftsmen and has centered both in his deep faith in God, therein acquiring the noted artisan status he enjoys today. Now, he is focused on the exciting present of his burgeoning talents and their promising future in creating works that will be appreciated by generations to come.
James and Brad Germany in front of one of their restoration projects, the Snyder House, home of Garreth and Tara Bahlmann in downtown Natchez, Mississippi
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Right—One of a pair of built-in display cases and cabinets that flank the foyer-to-familyroom entrance and were designed and constructed by James Germany to house mementos of the Wayne Barnett family Far right—One of the mantels Germany has fashioned
In the places where he has worked, James Germany has made not just his skillful mark but more of a legacy, as did so many of our forefathers, with his rich architectural woodwork gracing such features in historic homes as door framings, crown moldings, baseboards, archways, mantles, and cabinetry. One particular project was a restoration that took him, along with one other worker, eight months to complete. Garreth and Tara Bahlmann, who have made Natchez, Mississippi, their second home, engaged Germany for this project. Garreth Bahlmann has purchased several pieces of historic property in this river town and has rescued and restored three structures that enrich the Natchez community. For Bahlmann, James Germany continues to be his restorer of choice. Bahlmann purchased the Daniel Snyder House located on
Commissioned by the First Pentecostal Church in Natchez, Mississippi, Germany created this unique reception center with its burled wood insets, Ionic capitaled columns, and duplicate desk tops.
Close-up of the reception center’s counter top with its burled wood “treeof-life” natural motif, a discovery Germany made as he was cutting the wood for this piece of furniture
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South Wall Street, a brick transitional building that is primarily Federal but also has Greek Revival elements in its structure. He knew the original mantles to the Snyder House were sold at auction; and through extensive research Bahlmann located the owner and tried to buy them. Although the owner would not release the mantels, he did invite Bahlmann to take photographs of them. He took Germany with him down to the Mississippi Coast, and they recorded all the specific measurements and snapped close to 100 photographs. In constructing the reproduction mantles, Germany used only simple tools—a hand-block finishing plan, a piece of glass, sandpaper, a router, and a table saw. Now at home in the Snyder House’s original parlors, these two handsome mantles face each other, completing the rooms’ historic ambiance. Additional restoration at the Snyder
Downstairs fireplace before restoration (above) and after restoration (right)
Above—One of Germany Construction’s restored mantels Below—A father and son renovation project
House involved Germany’s working on the front gallery, rebuilding missing molding, and straightening doorways and walls. The intricate nature of the tasks was challenging but completed with the quality of workmanship that the Balhmann’s expected and now enjoy with their twins when they come to visit for a while in Natchez. The Synder House was not the only Natchez property for which Garreth Bahlmann engaged Germany’s skillful finesse. The White Turpin House on Jefferson Street was restored with Germany’s diligence and proficiency and sold to a Turpin descendant; and the Richard Carkett House on Franklin Street has just undergone the first phase of its restoration at Germany’s deft touch. Germany also has worked with interior/ home designer Jan Yates on a recent residential project for Linda and Wayne Barnett in Elgin, an area just south of Natchez. While the large, brick home for the Barnetts and their two daughters,
Sarah and Amy, was under construction, Germany came on board to fashion the mantles, kitchen cabinets, laundry room cabinets, and several areas of molding. In conjunction with Yates and other artisans, Germany completed the project as a team player, and the result is stunning. Other Natchez residents who have tapped Germany’s unique talents include Philip and Stella Carby, for whom Germany constructed an intriguing garden gate (pictured on this month’s front cover) on the Washington Street side of their antebellum home Greenlea. In addition, he designed, built, and finished the bookshelves in the Carby & Carby law firm’s downtown office. Fred and Karen Callon also have enlisted the work
Left—Exterior of restored Snyder House Below—Snyder House before restoration
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of Germany for their pool-house French doors and other areas of their lake home in Louisiana. James Germany feels blessed to have been given the gift of his trade, his skill as a craftsman; and he is passionate about his work—the technical detail, the methodic process, and the challenge. In this passion, he certainly echoes the words of John Ruskin found in one of his father’s carpentry books, a recent gift from his mother. Working alongside Germany is his son Brad Germany, whose skills, gentle nature, and respectful mannerisms are a virtual clone of his father’s. The Germany Construction team provides a refreshing experience for anyone wanting to restore, rebuild, or newly construct something to last for generations. To be sure, the product of such an experience, the result of James Germany’s meticulous creative process, is a treasure. However, the skill and dedication therein are what Germany holds sacred and what, no doubt, “will be held sacred” by generations to come.
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Paint by Personality
by JoAnna Sproles Page 28 { April 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
I
t can be true what they say about the past being filled with stories. Brookhaven, Mississippi, resident Kathy Pigott uses her art to create a new face for the stories that sit within pieces of vintage furniture. Found pieces, forgotten pieces, discarded pieces. For her, they all have a story, and she has made them all part of her story. Pigott began painting furniture out of necessity. Since she had married into the military, her furniture traveled many miles here and there, including overseas. While she was in Germany during her mid-twenties, she was amazed by the types and styles of painting she saw on pieces of furniture that looked like they had been found in the back of a barn, rescued, and redone. “The paintings there had such personality and such a neat patina. My own furniture had gotten scratched and damaged from the moving, so I thought the best way to conceal that was to cover it with paint. And I decided one day to just pick up a brush,” she said. “I have been painting pieces ever since.” Her first piece was an old cedar wardrobe that she admits eventually lost its fight against the moving. Pigott feels that personality has so much to do with the paint—the personality of the furniture and of the owner, and she considers both when she paints a piece. The stories, including the backgrounds, previous owners, and even the person who crafted the piece to begin with, are
all parts of the furniture’s past that she wonders and thinks about as she works. “From beginning to end, I complete seven steps on the piece furniture and enjoy every minute. I don’t know how to love anything just an inch. I love the whole piece,” she said. Admittedly, Pigott is not a trained, technical artist and describes her craft as more about feeling than technique. Not only does she cover her pieces with paint, design, and her own emotion but she also leaves behind a written legacy by including a word or two on each piece. “I always write something after I am done or a word that has occurred to me while I was working through the painting,” she said. “Then, part of myself is left with the piece which has become a part of me.” A successful attempt to camouflage scratches on her own furniture 25 years ago has turned into a passion for paint. Pigott, who has resided in Brookhaven for almost 4 years, said she has had 13 front doors in her life as a result of moving. She does not know where her next or last door will be, but she is sure it will have personality and stand as a reflection of her. “No matter what, where, or when in my life, I will be surrounded by color... paint and color,” she said.
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THE Social Scene Surprise Double 40th Birthday Party
A
surprise birthday dinner was held January 22, 2011, at Rip Rap, home of Brenda and Ricky Edgin, in Natchez, Mississippi, in honor of Cynthia Reynolds, and Bill Ulmer’s fortieth birthdays. The event was hosted by their spouses, Bruce Reynolds and Leah Ulmer.
Billy Ulmer with Gene and Sandy Horne
Billy Ulmer, Samantha Pope-Yost, Leah Ulmer, and Alana Lolley
Brenda Edgin, Billy Ulmer, and Ricky Edgin Amanda and Benny Jeansonne with Allen Tyra
Julie Timm, Kristie Stewart, and Amy Tyra
Cynthia and Bruce Reynolds with Leah and Billy Ulmer
Edie Christian, Katie-Grace Edgin, Darlene Sparks, Mitzi Conn, and Leigh Dickey
Sue and Joe Steadman with Leah Ulmer
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THE Social Scene
Billy Ulmer and Richard Edgin
Gwen Watson
G. A. Mayers and Lisa Dale
Leah Ulmer and Beverly Ogden
Carol Ann Riley and Simmons Huber
Marla Farmer and Chretia Johnson
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THE Social Scene
Ankey, Billy, and Bill Ulmer
Leah Boydstun, Claudine Hindman, and Cynthia Reynolds
Gwen Massey, Cynthia Reynolds, and Charla Knapp
Bryan and Joy Walker with Jack Walker
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In the Garden | story and photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman
Plant African Daisies for Profuse Flowering
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ome of the prettiest flowers you can grow in the garden or in containers are African daisies, and these beauties are starting to arrive at garden centers. Known botanically as Osteospermum, African daisies are outstanding flowering plants. Hailing from South Africa, these plants are relatively new to many home gardeners. African daisies have the familiar center disk of the daisy family, but their center disks are dark metallic. The brightly colored petals come in
various shades of white, pink, The African daisy Serenity White Bliss has unique, spoonshaped petals that show the color contrast between the yellow, blue, and purple. upper and lower surfaces of the petals. African daisies in the popular Serenity series grow 10 to 14 For landscape bed plantings, set out on inches tall and reach up to 20 inches wide 1-foot centers. This allows enough room in the landscape. Serenity colors include for the plants to reach mature spreads, some improved pink, dark purple, lemonade, greater than 14 inches, without crowding. honey gold, and lavender. African daisies also grow and flower well Two Serenity selections that have when placed in containers. spoon-shaped petals are White Bliss and Water consistently to keep the soil from Lavender Bliss. Their unique shape shows drying out too much, especially right after the color contrast between the upper and transplanting. It is crucial to maintain moist lower surfaces of the petals. soil and potting media to have continual One of the most striking flowering. African daisy selections is the African daisies need supplemental Zion copper amethyst, which has nutrition for ideal flowering and growth in good branching characteristics the landscape. Use a water-soluble fertilizer and flowers early in the season. weekly to promote continual flowering. Having petals of pastel lavender Those grown in containers require a good with copper-orange tips and slow-release, granular fertilizer in addition a bright purple-blue speckled to the weekly water-soluble fertilizer center with yellow stamens, this applications. flower turns heads. Remove fading flowers to keep your For the very best flowering, always plant African daisies African daisies blooming. As the summer heats up, the increased temperatures will in full sun. In coastal counties, Petals of pastel lavender with copper-orange tips and a cause the flowers’ size to decrease. When this these daisies tolerate growing bright purple-blue speckled center with yellow stamens happens, shear the plant back by one third and in partial shade because of the make the Zion copper amethyst one of the most striking apply a heavy dose of water-soluble fertilizer. African daisy selections. warmer climate. The plant will produce new growth and be ready to bloom again once temperatures start decreasing in the fall. Although typically grown as an annual, African daisies can overwinter outdoors on the Coast. In cooler zones, place these plants indoors in a sunny window. Cut back before taking them outside the following spring.
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In the Garden | story and photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman
Sun-loving Sunpatiens for Summer-long Blooms
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everal years ago, a group of hybrid impatiens was developed, offering bright flowers and interesting foliage in the hot summer sun. Sunpatiens’ superior performance in the landscape earned them the status of Mississippi Medallion winner for 2011. For years, gardeners have enjoyed New Guinea impatiens, the flowering annuals that add a special touch to the landscape. However, they had to be planted in the shade because they don’t tolerate the hot summer sun. More recently, through the miracle of breeding, hybrid Sunpatiens were developed to thrive during the hottest parts of the summer season. They flower from spring until the first frosts in the fall. Their landscape performance for the past several years has been monitored in the Mississippi State University trial gardens at Crystal Springs, and they qualified as a Mississippi Medallion winner. The Mississippi Medallion program was started in 1996 to promote awareness of outstanding garden and landscape plants for growers, retailers and the gardening public. Fifty-eight plants have been selected as Mississippi Medallion winners. The program is sponsored by MSU, the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Mississippi Plant Selection Committee. Sunpatiens seem to flaunt their brilliant flower colors and heat tolerance. There are 15 Sunpatiens selections available in three different growth categories. Vigorous Sunpatiens have variegated coral, lavender, magenta, orange, red, and white flower colors. You can’t beat this plant’s ability to quickly fill in large landscape beds. The compact series has flower colors of blush pink, deep rose, coral, white, lilac, orange, and magenta. Compact Sunpatiens are a great choice for flowering combination containers. These outstanding, tightbranching plants require little pruning.
The spreading series has flowers of variegated white and variegated salmon. The foliage is a beautiful creamy yellow These compact lilac Sunpatiens are great in flowering with bright green edges. It is the combination containers. These outstanding, tight-branching plants require little pruning. perfect spiller plant in hanging baskets, and it is also great for growing singly in big containers. Sunpatiens require consistent moisture during the summer months. Use a soaker hose in the landscape bed to keep these plants happy during the hottest temperatures. Plant your Sunpatiens late in the spring for your gardening region in Mississippi. This allows the root system to become well established and increases the plants’ summer tolerance before high temperatures come rolling in. Sunpatiens, such as these blooming in July at MSU’s Truck Always plant in good, loose Crops Branch Experiment Station, are hybrid impatiens soil, or use good potting mix for that thrive through the hottest parts of summer. They flower from spring until fall’s first frosts. containers. Amend high clay soils with good-quality compost to Plant Sunpatiens in your garden, and increase drainage. Sprinkle a couple they will provide landscape interest all tablespoons of slow-release fertilizer around summer long. the plants when you set them out. Every couple of weeks, include a 20-10-20 or 2020-20 water-soluble fertilizer as you water your Sunpatiens to keep them growing strong and blooming through the summer.
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THE Social Scene Krewe of Ceres’ Activities
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n mid-January at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Clark in Brookhaven, Mississippi, Krewe of Ceres members prepared for ticket sales to the Krewe’s Ball, celebrating the Mardi Gras Season. The ball was held February 26 at the Lincoln Civic Center in Brookhaven where guests enjoyed a catered meal and live entertainment with the music of Dr. Zar and the Amazing Funkmonster. Funds raised from the evening’s festivities support the Make A Wish Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, Lincoln Civic Center, Mississippi Scholars, Brookhaven Animal Rescue League, Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library, Freedom Reins, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Dr. Shannon Patterson and Robin Patterson
Lincoln Civic Center: Angie Cox, Quinn Jordan, and Beth Langston
Dr. James Hall and Beth Langston
Freedom Reins: Angie Cox, Anne Henderson, Charles E. Lofton, and Joe Cox
Boys and Girls Club: Angie Cox, Melanie Lewis, and Beth Langston
Brookhaven Animal Rescue League: Angie Cox, Daniel Clark, and Beth Langston
Make A Wish Foundation: Angie Cox, Judy Arnold, Casey Martin, and Beth Langston
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Mississippi Scholars: Angie Cox, Kay Burton, Kenny Goza, and Beth Langston
THE Social Scene
Amanda Warren, Shannon Clark, Laurie Sullivan, and Stacy Walker
Kay Burton, Kenny Goza, and Angie Cox
St. Jude: Angie Cox, Dr. Anne Henderson, Paul Phillips, and Joe Cox
Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library: Angie Cox, Donna Kenny, and Joe Cox
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THE Social Scene Department of Tourism Luncheon
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ecently, the Mississippi Department of Tourism hosted a luncheon at the Old Capital Inn in Jackson, Mississippi. Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant was the featured speaker for tourism delegates from all over the state.
Maybell Beasley, Ron Fry, and Mary Beth Wilkerson
Beverly Britt, Mary Beth Wilkerson, and Maybell Beasley
Melanie Downer, Ron Fry, and Marsha ColsonÂ
Mississippi State Representative Bobby Moak and Beverly Britt
Beverly Britt and Ron Fry
Ron Fry and Marsha Colson
Sandy Bynum amd Beverly Britt
Ron Fry and Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton
Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant and Beverly Britt
Beverly Martin and Beverly Britt
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THE Social Scene March Wine Tasting
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he Church Women of the Episcopal Church of MediatorRedeemer in McComb, Mississippi, held a wine-tasting fund raiser on March 3. This popular annual event raises money for the church’s local and state-wide outreach programs. Guests on hand for the event tasted 6 Italian wines that were complemented by delectable appetizers, the recipes for which appeared in the evening’s program. The cover of the program was a watercolor painting by artist Susy Sanders. The original painting was sold by silent auction during the wine tasting. Photos by Elise Parker Gail McGowan, Alydia Rankin, Colleen Parker, and Gidge Clayton
Noel Anders, Katy Campbell, Lisa Cameron, and Susy Sanders
Sandra Nettles, Kathy Assaf, Lynn Leggett, Gwen Nichols, Noriko Faust, Weezy Morris, Virginia Pope, Virginia Goza, and Sharon Maurin
Betsy Robichaux, Chip Leggett, and Son Nichols
Amos Parker with Michael and Kelly Parker
Vicky Johnson, John Grafton, and Son Nichols
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And . . . the Recipes from the Wine Tasting!
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hese recipes, handed out during the March 2011 Wine Tasting, represent this year’s and past years’ menus for the delectables that guests enjoyed with their choice of wines.
Betty Geffs and Lemelia Walters
Ann Johnson and Judy Johnson
Jim and Betty O’Rourke
Kennon and Meredith Singley
Hot Crawfish Dip 1½ sticks butter 2 bunches green onions, chopped 2 green peppers, chopped 2 cloves garlic, pressed ¼ cup parsley, chopped 2 lbs. crawfish tails, thawed Salt, pepper, and red pepper to taste (suggested: 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon red pepper) 2 8-oz. cream cheese, softened Melt butter in a large (12-inch) skillet. Sauté onion and green pepper until tender. Add garlic, parsley, crawfish, and seasonings. Cook over low-to-medium heat for 10 minutes. Add cream cheese; reduce heat to low, stirring until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste, if necessary. Remove from heat. Let cool for 15 minutes. Store in airtight container in refrigerator until needed. Reheat on low. Sage Sausage Bites with Balsamic Apricot Dipping Sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ onion, chopped 1¼ pound bulk Italian sweet sausage meat 3 tablespoons fresh chopped sage, 4 or 5 sprigs ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 cup apricot preserves ½ cup spicy brown mustard 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a small saucepan, sauté onion in oil for about 1 minute. In a mixing bowl, combine sausage and sage. Next, add balsamic vinegar to onion, and reduce by half, 1 minute or so. Remove vinegar from heat and combine with apricot preserves and spicy mustard. Stir until combined. Add 2 tablespoons of apricot dip to bulk sausage and mix well. Form meat into bite-sized nuggets, coat in bread crumbs, and place on nonstick cookie sheet. Bake until evenly browned, turning occasionally. Drain; then serve with picks for dipping with remaining sauce. Mini Tomato Tarts 1 can diced Rotel tomatoes, drained 1 cup mayonnaise 3 oz. bacon bits 1 cup shredded cheese (Swiss or cheddar) 3 19-oz. pkgs. mini filo shells, thawed Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine drained tomatoes, mayonnaise, bacon bits, and cheese. Fill shells and bake 10 to 15 minutes. Delicious warm or at room temperature. Yields 45 tarts. Brie Tarts Into thawed filo shells, place a small cube of Brie cheese, and top with a dollop of apricot preserves (or flavor of your choice). Add a few slices of toasted almonds. Bake in oven for a few minutes just until the cheese is melted. Corn Muffins with BBQ Chicken 1 pkg. corn muffin mix, any brand 1 rotisserie chicken BBQ sauce, any brand Sweet pickle relish Prepare the corn muffin mix batter, and bake as directed in mini muffin tins. Shred the chicken and combine with BBQ sauce to moisten. When muffins are done baking, make a large hole in the center, with your finger or the end of a wooden spoon. Fill the cavity with BBQ chicken mix, and top with a dollop of pickle relish. Serve immediately. Bluffs & Bayous { April 2011 { Page 43
BBQ Pork Slider with Blue Cheese Slaw 3 cups shredded coleslaw mix ½ cup chilled ranch dressing (like Naturally Fresh or Marzetti) ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese 1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled 3 cups pulled pork BBQ, warmed 12 mini sandwich buns or rolls ½ cup BBQ sauce, warmed Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring to coat slaw mixture. Place ¼ cup pork on bottom half of each bun; top with ¼ cup slaw. Drizzle slaw with 1 to 2 teaspoons BBQ sauce, and top with bun tops. You may use any kind of pulled pork, purchased from a BBQ place or homemade. We made ours in crock pots from fresh pork loins and boneless shoulder roasts. Artichoke Bruschetta 1 baguette, sliced ½ inch thick 1 tablespoon EVO oil 1 jar (7.5 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, well drained and chopped 1 jar (2 oz.) diced pimentos, well drained 1/3 cup chopped, pitted Kalamata olives ½ cup chives-and-onion cream cheese (from 8-oz. container) Brush one side of bread with oil. On ungreased cookie sheet, place bread slices, oil side down. In medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Spread artichoke mixture over bread slices. Bake at 400 degrees until melted; check after 3 minutes; continue watching until ready. Charlie’s Deadliest Cakes 1½ squares unsweetened chocolate 1 stick butter 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup flour 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs, beaten Melt chocolate and add rest of cake ingredients. Fill midget muffin tins ½ full and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. While baking, make icing. Icing: 5 tablespoons butter 1 square unsweetened chocolate 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted ¼ cup cold coffee Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Add powdered sugar and coffee. Page 44 { April 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
Stir to dissolve, but do not cook. Make an X on top of hot cakes and pour on icing. Ann Jackson’s Chocolate Nutty Fudge 3 6-oz. packages semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 7-oz. jars marshmallow cream ½ lb. butter, chopped into pieces 2 cups chopped pecans 3 teaspoons vanilla 4½ cups sugar 1 8-oz. can evaporated milk Mix chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, and butter in a large metal bowl or pot and set aside. In a large, deep pot, mix together the sugar and milk. Stirring constantly, bring it to a boil. Cook 9 minutes (At this time, the mixture should be at the soft-ball stage; you can check with a candy thermometer.) Do not let the mixture burn. Add vanilla. Pour sugar and milk mixture over the chocolate mixture. Stir until well mixed. Continue stirring until creamy. Add nuts and pour into a buttered pan when the mixture begins to harden. Chill well, cut into pieces. Kahlua Fudge Brownies 1½ cups sifted flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2/3 cup butter 2 1-oz. unsweetened chocolate squares 3 large eggs 2 cups sugar ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon Kahlua, divided 1/3 cup chopped pecans Resift flour with baking powder and salt. Melt butter with chocolate over low heat in double boiler. In large bowl, beat eggs with sugar until light. Stir in chocolate mixture and ¼ cup Kahlua. Add flour mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts. Turn into a 9-inch square pan, lined with greased aluminum foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly, or when sides begin to pull away from edge of pan. Do not over bake. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10 minutes. Brush top with remaining 1 tablespoon of Kahlua. Let stand until thoroughly cold before cutting into small bars. Makes 24 to 40, depending on how small you cut them.
Hot Olive Dip 8 oz. chopped black olives 8 oz. chopped green olives 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese 2 bunches chopped green onions 2 cups mayonnaise Mix together in a large bowl. Pour into a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips. Hot Pizza Dip 1 8-oz. cream cheese, softened 1 14-oz. jar pizza sauce 1/3 cup onions, chopped 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 oz. sliced pepperoni, diced 1 small can sliced black olives Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Press cream cheese in bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Spread pizza sauce over cream cheese and layer remaining ingredients in order listed. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Serve with corn chips. Hot Onion Dip 3 8-oz. cream cheese 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese ½ cup mayonnaise 1 12-oz. pkg. frozen diced onions Thaw and drain frozen onions, using paper towel to blot. Mix softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Add onions and cheese (Use mixer or food processor.). You may sprinkle paprika on top for color. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly and brown on top. Serve with crackers or corn chips. Blue Cheese Quiche Cups 6 slices bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled ¼ cup walnut halves, chopped 3 green onions, chopped ½ cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise 1 (12-oz.) can flaky biscuits Combine bacon, blue cheese, walnuts, green onions, and mayonnaise. Split the biscuits into 3 sections. Spray mini-muffin tins lightly with cooking spray. Press split biscuits into tins. Fill pastries with mixture. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Tartlets can be frozen and reheated at 350 degrees.
E
THE Social Scene Paint-N-Party Birthday mily Hicks celebrated her birthday with a Paint-N-Party at Sun, Moon, and Stars in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. Hicks and her friends dined on pizza and birthday cake while painting beautiful owls.
Emily and Courtney Hicks
Emily Hicks and Erin Meyers
Ali Fury, Emma Thibodeaux, Emily Hicks, and Annie Russ
Front—CeCe McKinney, Emily Hicks, and Ali Fury; back--Haleigh Haynes, Emma Thibodeaux, and Annie Russ
Erin Hicks, Haleigh Haynes, and Cece McKinney
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Southern Sampler | by Alma M. Womack
Meanderings on Ordinary Life
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his is one of those months that has me scrolling through old columns, looking for something that I can run again and hope no one notices that it is a repeat. Nothing caught my eye, so this will have to be something new and fairly original. The two good weeks in February got the farmers all happy, and they cranked up tractors and sprayers and headed to the fields. A lot of land was made ready for spring planting, and a goodly bit of corn did get planted. Then came the inches and inches of rain and cool weather, and we were reminded that winter has not yet finished its time here in Louisiana. But many acres are sitting in readiness for the planters to hit the fields, so those two weeks of early spring were not wasted by those who plant the crops that help to feed and clothe our nation and many other nations as well. I had someone ask me the other day what I thought about the high commodity prices of cotton, corn, milo, wheat, soybeans, rice, and cattle. After a lifetime of low to middling prices, am I supposed to be horrified that a farmer might actually have the chance to do better than break even on a year’s work? Don’t worry, I assured the questioner. Four-dollar diesel and gasoline will cut rather nicely into those potential Page 46 { April 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
profits, as will increases in fertilizer, farm chemicals, equipment prices, etc. The gross income number will look fantastic, but the net will be about the same. It’s not how much you make, it’s how much you keep. A million dollar gross looks successful, but a net of $10,000 is not a lot of income for a year’s efforts. Our Woodrow turned three years old on March 11, and we had a little party at his grandparents’ house on their farm south of Wildsville, Louisiana. Jimmy and Suzanne Wade have a beautiful place and a great area, perfect for little-boy birthday parties. Being Woodrow, he got John Deere tractors of all sizes, trucks and horse trailers and horses, a red barn, and tools to work on all that equipment. His very favorite toy was a new grain cart that he had been wishing for and finally got. Now if he can just get a boll buggy and a module builder, his equipment wish list will be complete. He is careful with his equipment and keeps it all lined up in the big kitchen at his home. One side of the door has been filled, so now he has moved to the other side to store all of his necessary farming equipment. He knows what every piece is and what it does; this is good training for future help. My puppy—and I use that term loosely—had a hot spot develop on his back early in March. In three days, it went
from a quarter-sized spot to a place as big as the palm of my hand. Woodrow and I took him out to Jena to Dr. Field to have the place analyzed and to get medication for treatment. He has finished his antibiotics but still has to be sprayed twice a day. He also has to wear an Elizabethan collar to keep him from biting the spot and making it worse. Rocco the dog is a big boy, and he cannot figure out what to do with that contraption around his neck. He has crashed into me, the wall, the door, the trucks, anything that gets in his way. I took the collar off for one day, but he started to bite the spot again, so it had to go back on. He is good natured and fairly docile, so putting it back in place was no problem. It’s hard to have to do him that way, but it’s for his own good, so the collar stays some more. Woodrow calls it the “collar of shame,” a phrase he picked up from one of his movies. Rocco would probably call it the collar of aggravation. All the other dogs barked at him when the collar first went on, but they are accustomed to it now. They have learned to dodge his big head made bigger by the collar, so all is well on the dog front for the present. By the time this goes to print, I hope to have my yard in better shape for the year. Right now, it is in dire need of mowing, but the four inches of rain we got this week put the mowing on hold for a few more days. Which is just as well, for when son-in-law Coty came to get the mower to mow their yard up the road, the key was on and the battery was dead. Strangely enough, Jorie’s mower was in the same shape. We suspect that a little, blonde-haired three-year-old had been on the mower and, knowing that keys start things, had tried to start the mowers. He hasn’t yet learned that a key left in the on position is not a good practice. I just hope we can get them charged up overnight to get the mowing underway. The lane and the pecan orchard don’t look too bad yet, but it is still the time to get those areas mowed before the burdock gets too big to cut. The orchard was just covered in henbit in February; and even though I know it is a weed that the farmers hate, it was just beautiful to look upon all that lovely purple on the ground. I prefer to call it a wildflower; and like the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush in
Texas, it is an absolute show to behold at its peak. The buttercups are getting ready to bloom and will replace the purple henbit with beautiful bright yellow blossoms. The colors are so close to purple and gold that you have to think that even nature loves LSU. Well, I have meandered for two pages with no news of national or even local import, just more of a report on the ordinary life in a naturally beautiful place in lovely Louisiana. The beauty of nature is beyond compare; and with the wildflowers abounding and the leaves beginning to green on the trees, it is a feast for the eyes and a boost for the spirit. And with the world and our own country in the turmoil that seems to increase weekly, “ordinary life� and the wonders of nature are indeed a blessing.
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Weddings t Engagements t Weddings t Engagements Mardi Gras Couples Shower
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ikki Totoro and Cliff Herring of Southaven, Mississippi, were honored with a Mardi Gras Couples Shower on January 29 at the home of John and Therese Hood in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Miss Totoro is the daughter of Joe and Karen Totoro of Henderson, Nevada, and Rusty and Mona Ragsdale of Madison, Mississippi. Cliff Herring is the son of Howard and Myra Herring of Meadville, Mississippi. The shower was given by the Hoods, David and Shannon Bell, Rick and Harley Caldwell, Randy and Janie Easterling, Stan and Lib Hearon, David and Connie Hosemann, Allen and Shelia Hudspeth, Joe and Cindy Lyons, Russell and Teresa Richards, and Howard and Belynda Waring.
Nikki Totoro and Cliff Herring
Alyssa Totoro and Nikki Totoro
Front—Howard and Myra Herring, Nikki Totoro, and Cliff Herring; middle—Esther Herring, Merry Pickenpaugh, Merry Cline Pickenpaugh, and Brett Herringthen; back—Jett Herring, Robert Pickenpaugh, Dixie Clay, McRae Clay, and Vista Herring
Rick Caldwell, Janie and Randy Easterling, and Lib Hearon
Darla Haire, Ben Hill, Myra Herring, Amanda Lampi, and Casey Hill
Laura Nabors, Alyssa Totoro, and Holly Hearon
Brett Herring, Esther Herring, and Merry Pickenpaugh
Megan Easterling, Rebecca Flanagan, Josie Hood, and Laura Hudspeth
David, Connie, and John David Hosemann
Cindy and Joe Lyons
Laura Hudspeth, Megan Easterling, Josie Hood, Nikki Totoro, and Laura Beth Lyons
Howard and Myra Herring, Mona Ragsdale, Nikki Totoro, and Cliff Herring
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Weddings t Engagements t Weddings t Engagements
Laura Nabors, Drew Denton, Francis Weaver, Emilie Riser, and William Lake
Charles Waring, Beau Theobald, Joey Lyons, and Keith Flowers
Front—Laura Hudspeth, Nikki Totoro, and Holly Hearon; middle—Josie Hood, Megan Easterling, Laura Beth Lyons, Rebecca Flanagan, Katrina Shirley, and Charles Waring; back— John David Hosemann and Kyle Richards
Back row—Howard Waring, Allen Hudspeth, Randy Easterling, Janie Easterling, Russell Richards, Joe Lyons, John Hood; row 2—Belynda Waring, Sheila Hudspeth, Teresa Richards; row 3—Rick Caldwell, Cindy Lyons, Shannon Bell, Therese Hood, Lib Hearon; row 4—Harley Caldwell, David Hosemann, Connie Hosemann; front—Cliff Herring and Nikki Totoro
Joe Lyons, Laura Beth Lyons, and Michael Strickland
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A pril ... Up and Coming! Premier Events
April 1 - 30 Tapestry: The Pilgrimage to Vicksburg Vicksburg, Mississippi The tapestry of Vicksburg, Mississippi, reveals a rich history, woven by the hands of those who were here before us and depicting the many distinctive events of the past to produce the array of beautiful homes and unique cultural experiences we see in Vicksburg today. Explore Vicksburg society by touring its historic homes and their many interpretive presentations that are sure to bring to life the heritage and culture of this remarkable river city. For more information, call 601-638-2000 or 601-883-9956 or visit www.visitvicksburg.com/events.
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April 2 Ironwood Market: Art on the Tracks Downtown Railroad Park McComb, Mississippi Join us in historic downtown McComb to celebrate the colors, textures, and rhythms of our community! Shop with select artists along the sidewalks of Railroad Park, listen to the sounds of regional musicians, and sample the fare of local chefs. Many different artists are scheduled to attend and display everything from paintings to photography to jewelry. This year’s music will include the Grammy-nominated dance band The Lost Bayou Ramblers, along with The Fugitive Poets, Mark Roemer, and the Jubilee Performing Arts Choir. Chefs will include Parker Voss from The Caboose Restaurant, cooking up a big pot of jambalaya; “PJ’s Coffee”; and many more to come. Ironwood Market is a day for fun, for family, and for the arts. The market will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call (800) 993-0757 or visit www. artonthetracks.com.
A pril ... Up and Coming! Premier Events April 9 Book Signing: The Haunting of Mississippi Magnolia Hall Natchez, Mississippi From the Native American burial grounds to Civil War battle sites, the Magnolia State encompasses an area brimming with rich history and its related ghouls and phantoms. This ghostly guide—The Haunting of Mississippi—takes readers on a tour of seventeen historical sites that the supernatural tend to frequent. Currently living in Algiers, Louisiana, Barbara Sillery is the owner of Lagniappe Media, an advertising agency that combines creativity with technology. A television producer and writer with a penchant for the paranormal, she is also the author of Pelican’s The Haunting of Louisiana. Barbara Sillery will be reading and signing The Haunting of Mississippi at The Natchez Book Party at Magnolia Hall on April 9 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Lunch is $20. Reservations may be made with Cover to Cover Books & More, 601-445-5752.
April 30 “Flowers and Music: A Southern Tradition” The Burn Natchez, Mississippi The Pilgrimage Garden Club will hold its annual flower show at “The Burn” on Saturday, April 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme “Flowers and Music: A Southern Tradition” is our way of recognizing the fact that we are blessed with so many gorgeous plants and flowers from our state flower, the Magnolia, to the many varieties of roses and other local, favorite flowers. The influence of the South and Mississippi on music is equally important. For more information, contact Babs Price at (601) 446-1352 or bprice@callon.com.
April 16 PSEH Annual Party for Preservation Springtime at Brandon Hall Natchez, Mississippi The Annual Party for Preservation will be held on April 16 at Brandon Hall, home of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Garber, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Preservation Society for Ellicott Hill is a nonprofit division of The Natchez Garden Club. Loveta Byrne will provide a tantalizing array of hors d’oeuvres, entrées, and desserts from her extensive collection of recipes. Entertainment will be provided by the Osgood and Blaque Duo-Band from Vicksburg, Mississippi. Tickets are $45 per person, and a full-service cash bar is provided. A Platinum Sponsorship is $1,000 for 10 people; a Gold Sponsorship, $750 for 8 people; a Silver Sponsorship, $500 for 4 people; and a Bronze Sponsorship, $250 for 2 people. Treat yourself to a fantastic evening for $45 (and cash bar amenities), and enjoy a brief respite from the worries of the world, scrumptious food and cocktails, a good time with friends, music for your dancing or listening pleasure, and all the intoxicating enticements of spring! For tickets, sponsorships, or more information, call 601-443-9065 or visit www. natchezgardenclub.com.
May 6 - 7 5th Annual Symphony of Gardens Tour Natchez, Mississippi Special gardens surrounding a remarkable country estate, a renowned antebellum, and colorful town gardens highlight the fifth annual Symphony of Gardens Tour in historic Natchez, Mississippi. This popular event consists of self-guided tours of the finest private gardens in Natchez and surrounding areas. Additionally, a gardening workshop led by author and horticulturist Harvey Cotten will take place on Saturday afternoon. Eight town and estate gardens will be open, some for the first time. Many of the gardens are at historic antebellum or Victorian houses. Plants reflect a diversity of types, according to the homeowners’ preferences. Some are traditional for Mississippi historic landscapes; others are contemporary versions of old favorites. Designs range from formal and classic to contemporary and informal. Tour hours are 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $15 per person for one day or $25 for both days. A free workshop is included with a ticket to the Friday or Saturday tour. For tickets or more information, call 601-446-6345 or visit www.VisitNatchez.org.
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A pril ... Up and Coming! Through April 3 3rd Annual McComb City Fair McComb Sports Park McComb, Mississippi 601-684-8664 ext 106
Through April 16 Natchez Spring Pilgrimage Natchez, Mississippi 601-446-6631 www.natchezpilgrimage.com/spring
Through April 5 Azalea Festival McComb, Mississippi 601-276-3817 amygazzo@smcc.edu
April 1 Birdie, Bogie, and Boogie for Kids Vicksburg Country Club Vicksburg, Mississippi Register your team (25 teams max). 6:30 p.m. Silent Auction 7:00 p.m. Band Tickets in advance $20 601-262-8037 fundraising@javicksburg.org www.javicksburg.org
Through April 11 71st Annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage Columbus, Mississippi Through April 12 Intermediate Digital Photography Workshop Masur Museum of Art Monroe, Louisiana Tuesdays 6:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. $120 museum members; $160 non-members 318-329-2237 evelyn.stewart@ci.monroe.la.us
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April 1 Lenten Fine Art Series Church of Holy Trinity Vicksburg, Mississippi 12:05 p.m. Free Concert $10 Gumbo Lunch after performance 601-636-0542
Through April 17 Southern Exposure Natchez Little Theatre Natchez, Mississippi 601-442-2233 www.natchezlittletheatre.com
April 1 - 2 Journey of the Prodigal Son Ballet Magnificat! Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center Jackson, Mississippi 2:00 p.m. $15 601-977-1001 www.balletmagnificat.com April 1 - 23 Blue Dogs and Cajuns Exhibit Masur Museum of Art Monroe, Louisiana 318-329-2237 www.masurmuseum.org
April 1 - 30 Tapestry: The Pilgrimage to Vicksburg Vicksburg, Mississippi 601-638-2000 www.visitvicksburg.com/events See Premier Event on page 50.
April 2 Ironwood Market: Art on the Tracks Downtown Railroad Park McComb, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 800-993-0757 www.artonthetracks.com See Premier Event on page 50. April 2 15th Annual Park Day Vicksburg National Military Park Vicksburg, Mississippi 601-363-0583 virgina_dubowy@nps.gov
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April 2 - July 2 Portraits in Gray Exhibit West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana 225-336-2422 ext.16
April 5 1st Tuesday Gardening Series ‘Garden Mama’ Nellie Neal Warren County Master Gardeners & Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, Mississippi Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Corner of Crawford and Cherry Streets Noon - 1:00 p.m. Bring your lunch. Free admission; donations accepted 601-631-2997 info@southernculture.org www.southernculture.org www.warrencountymastergardeners.com April 6 - 7 Photos in Powerpoint Workshop MSU-ES Warren County Office Vicksburg, Mississippi 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. $20 per class; paid in advance Registration required 601-636-5442 April 7 Business After Hours State Farm, NOLA, Coldwell Banker 2170 South Frontage Road Vicksburg, Mississippi 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. vjoerg@vicksburgchamber.org April 8 Lenten Fine Art Series Church of Holy Trinity Vicksburg, Mississippi 12:05 p.m. Free Concert $10 Gumbo Lunch after performance 601-636-0542 Page 54 { April 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
April 8 - 9 “Dancing the Blues” Vicksburg Performing Arts Academy Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, Mississippi 7:30 p.m.; $12 at door; $10 in advance. 601-631-2997 info@southernculture.org www.southernculture.org April 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 Man of La Mancha Pike County Little Theatre Depot Theatre McComb, Mississippi Evenings 7:30 p.m. Matinees TBA Tickets at the door April 8/9: SMCC stud/fac discounts Joe Elliott 601-276-2003 April 8 - 10 73rd Annual Holly Springs Pilgrimage Holly Springs, Mississippi 662-252-2365 www.visithollysprings.com/pilgrimages April 9 April Artists of The Month 2nd Saturday Art Walk Arts Natchez Gallery Downtown Natchez, Mississippi 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 601-442-0043 April 9 Art & Soul Beading Class Art & Soul Vicksburg, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. Seating limited; reservations required $15 & 20% off same-day bead purchases 601-629-6201 April 9 18th Annual Civil War Show Battlefield Inn Vicksburg, Mississippi 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / $2 601-638-1195
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A pril ... Up and Coming! April 9 Natchez Book Party & Lunch with Barbara Sillery The Haunting of Mississippi Magnolia Hall Natchez, Mississippi 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch $20 (reservations available) 601-445-5752 info@c2cbooks.com See Premier Event on page 51. April 9 The Second Annual 10 Minute Play Project Vicksburg Parkside Playhouse Vicksburg, Mississippi 7:30 p.m. / $5 601-636-0471 www.e-vtg.com April 10 - 11 Annual Spring Garden Show City Park Botanical Gardens New Orleans, Louisiana $7 adults; $3 children (5-12) 504-483-9386 garden.neworleanscitypark.com
April 14 Hearthside Dinner Cooking Class West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / Free Registration required 225-336-2422 ext.16 April 15 Lenten Fine Art Series Church of Holy Trinity Vicksburg, Mississippi 12:05 p.m. Free Concert $10 Gumbo Lunch after performance 601-636-0542 April 15 - 16 Riverfest/Arts & Crafts Festival Historic Downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi Fri./Sat. 8:00 - 12:00 p.m.: Live entertainment Gates open 7:00 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m / Free www.riverfestms.com
April 14 Mixed Nuts Peterson’s Arts & Antiques Vicksburg, Mississippi 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. / Free 601-636-7210
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April 16 31st Annual Alcorn State University Jazz Festival Alcorn State University Vicksburg, Mississippi 4:00 p.m. Workshop / Free 7:00 p.m. MS Jazz Educator’s concert / Free 8:00 p.m. Featured artists perform / Free www.alcorn.edu/jazzfest www.vccmeet.com
April 17 Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra Southern Cultural Heritage Center Vicksburg, Mississippi 3:00 p.m. 601-631-2997 www.southerncoulture.org
April 12 Bus Trip: A Day in Vicksburg West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana Registration required 225-336-2422, ext.16 April 13 Lunch Time Lecture with Dr. Paul Paskoff West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana 12:00 p.m. / Free 225-336-2422 ext.16
April 16 Magnolia Arts Market Downtown Magnolia, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 601-783-5072 Lori_Felix@att.net
April 16 PSEH Annual Party for Preservation Springtime at Brandon Hall Natchez, Mississippi See Premier Event on page 51. April 16 7th Annual BluzCruz Canoe & Kayak Race American Canoe Association Vicksburg, Mississippi City Front $35 ACA members/$45 non-members 601-415-4615 www.bluzcruz.com
April 18 Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People Copiah-Lincoln Community College Natchez, Mississippi 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Room 300 Tom Reed Academic Center $50 class fee plus $25 materials fee Registration required 601-446-1103 beth.richard@colin.edu April 18 - 20 Living History Days—U.S. Civil War Days Battle Front and Home Front West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana Reservations required for two-hour sessions 225-336-2422, ext.14
April 19 Spring Wreath Workshop Southern Cultural Heritage Center Vicksburg, Mississippi 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. $55 members/$60 non-members 601-631-2997 www.southerncoulture.org
April 21 Melody Golding Book Signing Panther Tract: Wild Boar Hunting in the Mississippi Delta Lorelei Books Vicksburg, Mississippi 4:00 p.m. 601-634-8624 www.loreleibooks.com April 26 - May 27 Mississippi Art Colony Traveling Exhibit Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, Mississippi 601-631-2997 info@southernculture.org April 29 - May 8 Fast Food Vicksburg Parkside Playhouse Vicksburg, Mississippi Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2:00 p.m. $12 adults; $10 seniors (55+) $7 students (13+); $5 children 601-636-0471 www.e-vtg.com April 29 - 30 Relay for Life Vicksburg Convention Center Vicksburg, Mississippi 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. 601-630-2929 Bluffs & Bayous { April 2011 { Page 57
April 29 Dude Look Like A Lady Contest Bains High School Football Stadium St. Francisville, Louisiana 5:00 p.m. Food, games, and other entertainment April 30 Quick Draw Local artist Kathy Miller Stone West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana 10:00 a.m. / Free 225-336-2422, ext.16 April 30 Natchez Bluff Blues Festival Natchez, Mississippi All-day event www.natchez.ms.us April 29, 30, May 1, 6, 7, 8 Willy Wonka Brookhaven Little Theatre Downtown Brookhaven Ticket information: www.haventheatre.org
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April 30 “Flowers and Music: A Southern Tradition” The Burn Natchez, Mississippi See Premier Event on page 51. May 6 - 7 5th Annual Symphony of Gardens Tour Natchez, Mississippi Fri. 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tickets $15 one day; $25 both days 601-446-6345 www.VisitNatchez.org See Premier Event on page 51.
Be sure to confirm details of the events should changes have occurred since events were submitted.
Bluffs & Bayous { April 2011 { Page 59
T
St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce
he Greater St. Francisville Chamber of Commerce in St. Francisville, Louisiana, announces its Board of Directors for 2011. The Executive Board consists of Melvin Harvey, Jr., 2011-12 President; Glenn Thomas, 2010 President; Marty Brouillette, Vice-president; Christian DeJean, Treasurer; Amy Spillman, Secretary; and Linda Osterberger, Executive Director. Other Board members include Sheila Porch, Gloria Fontenot, Joann White, Mary Joy Lawrence, Joe Malara, Glenn Timmons, Jeff Wheeler, and Chuck Lokey. The returning and new Board members met at a Christmas social at The Bluffs Restaurant in December and were officially seated in January.
Front—Amy Spillman, Sheila Porch, Gloria Fontenot, Joann White, and Mary Joy Lawrence; back—Joe Malara, Glenn Timmons, Melvin Harvey, Jr., Christian DeJean, Jeff Wheeler, and Marty Brouillette. Not pictured are Glenn Thomas, Chuck Lokey, and Linda Osterberger.
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THE Social Scene
A
80th Birthday Brunch
n 80th Birthday Brunch honoring Lerlyne Cronia of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was held Sunday, January 30, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eustace Conway III in Vicksburg. Hosting the celebration along with the Conways were Mr. Cowan Conway; Mr. Will Conway; Mr. George Cronia, Sr.; Mr. George Cronia, Jr.; Mr. Jim Cronia; and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Fitzgerald. A large crowd of family and close friends enjoyed the honoree’s special day.
Lerlyne Cronia
Bob and Nell Cunny with Dot Fenwick
Eustace Conway, Dannie Craig, and Dannie Conway
Front—Lerlyne and George Cronia, Sr.; back—George Cronia, Jr.; Kathy Conway; Jim Cronia; and Cindy Fitzgerald
Holly Hayes, Lerlyne Cronia, and Taylor Rae Pace
Martha Hutton, Lerlyne Cronia, and Freddy Hutton
Jim Cronia; Kathy Conway; Cindy Fitzgerald; and George Cronia, Jr.
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THE Social Scene
Kathy Conway, Cowan Conway, and Will Conway
Betty and Buck Penley with Cindy Fitzgerald
Ruth Gay, Patsy Halford, Lerlyne Cronia, Deanna Miller, and Jane Speyerer
Lerlyne Cronia with Larry and Carolyn Lambiotte
Oren and Betty Bailess with B. A. Carr
Louise Winn, Jim Cronia, and Nicole Pitts
Lerlyne Cronia and Jane Batchelor
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Jim Cronia and Morghan Giddings
Lerlyne Cronia and Jim Cronia
THE Social Scene
Susan Yerger, Sue Bryant, and Jim Cronia
Cowan Conway and Morghan Giddings
George Cronia and Pat Tustain
Faye Reed and Lerlyne Cronia
Moody Culpepper and Kathy Conway
George Cronia, Jr., and Cindy Fitzgerald
Greg Hayes and Will Conway
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THE Social Scene 18th Birthday Party Bash
R
ecently, Dinae Forrest hosted a birthday pajama-sleepover party for her daughter Destine to celebrate her eighteenth birthday. Owner of a salon, Forrest arranged for her salon staff to treat the honoree and her slumber party guests to facials and mini-mani/pedi treatments. The girls also enjoyed birthday cake and snacks along with music, dancing, and games. Donnie Smith, Destine’s grandfather, made a cameo appearance to serenade the girls with his country crooning. Back—Mallory Hemphill, Destine Forrest, and Melissa Spieler; front— Brooke Irland, Laura Sumrall, Jessica Scariano, and Julia Cheptea
Front—Mallory Hemphill and Brooke Irland; back—Jessica Scariano, Laura Sumrall, Melissa Spieler, Destine Forrest, and Julia Cheptea
Julia Cheptea, Mallory Hemphill, Laura Sumrall, Melissa Spieler, Destine Forrest, Jessica Scariano, and Brooke Irland
Donnie Smith and Destine Forrest
Destine and Dinae Forrest
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THE Social Scene Natchez Fine Framing Exhibit
atchez Fine Framing in Natchez, Mississippi, recently hosted an art exhibit featuring the artwork of the many talented children and teens who study under the tutelage of Marina Cavette. Guests enjoyed viewing the artwork and sampling a variety of refreshments.
Front—Lucy Pyron, Rylie Horton, Mollie Anderson, Kirsten Sanguinetti, Emily Carpenter, and Fletcher Mims; middle—Tyler Baity, Margaret Jordan, Ali Arnold, and Mary Frances Sessions; back—Chris and Marina Cavette
Peggy June, Margaret Jordan, Lyda Jordan, and Charles Jordan
Mary Frances Sessions with Mary Lees Wilson and Gayle Edwards
Lucy and Noreen Pyron
Sherra and Ali Arnold
Fischer, Paige, and Barry Iseminger
Kirsten and Julie Sanguinetti
Ginger, Fletcher, and Robert Mims
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Michael Henry Book Signing
THE Social Scene
atchez, Mississippi, author Michael Henry was featured at a book signing recently at Turning Pages Books & More in downtown Natchez. Aficionados of this exciting new writer visited with the author, enjoyed refreshments, and selected their autographed copies of his two new books, Three Bad Years and At Random.
Diane Bunch, Ellen Hefley, David Paradise, and Mike Henry
Peter Burns and Mike Henry
Mary Emrick with Mike and Gayle Henry
Barrett Nobile, Ellen Hefley, and Mike Henry
Marcia McCullough, Gayle Henry and Fred and Karen Callon with Mike Henry
Cappy Stahlman and Tony Byrne
Tony Byrne, Annette Byrne, Bill Byrne, and Gayle Henry
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