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From Your Publisher . . .
J
uly…..the month to celebrate our country’s independence day, our local art groups and individual artists, weekends at the lake, afternoons in the pool, and family vacations at the beach and beyond. Traditionally in July, the summer’s heat intensifies; however, June was a warmer than usual month for all of us in this part of the South. Both these summer months have always been a time to dress down and relax. I love to discover new or old reads and change my busy schedule of meetings and commitments to unscheduled daily meanderings. This month, Bluffs & Bayous provides the perfect magazine for an entertaining summer read and for frequent referrals to intriguing shopping prospects and professional services. In addition, our July’s annual emphasis on the arts and arts listings underscores this area’s bountiful art opportunities for your upcoming season of ballet, symphony, opera, theatre, and museum exhibits. We also highlight some new area artists whose unique flair is sure to intrigue your interests. Our Bluffs & Bayous’ coverage shares with you the talents and enthusiasm of many gifted artists in a variety of disciplines; and we invite you to become avid ambassadors of the arts through participation in surrounding theatre, dance, and music organizations as well as in the shows, exhibits, and studios of individual artisans as you involve yourself and your family in the enriching diversity of the arts. H. C. Porter of Vicksburg, Mississippi, one of our many artists of note, has embarked on the fascinating project— Blues @ Home—of capturing living and legendary blues musicians in the Mississippi Delta. Her gift of documentary through photography, art, oral history, and music will provide dramatic insight to
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enthrall world-wide audiences. Just as her project Backyards & Beyond depicts the personal and economic devastation of the Mississippi Gulf Coast following the ruthlessness of Hurricane Katrina, so her new project will personify the panorama of our rich Delta Blues Legends. Among our local contributors, Johnny Bowlin reflects on his experience as a first-time softball coach for his daughter in Meadville, Mississippi; and Natchezian Courtney Taylor, author of two cookbooks, How To Eat Like a Southerner and Live to Tell the Tale and The Southern Cook’s Handbook, shares some delicious recipes with us. I would be remiss if I did not mention my experience with friend, artist, and Natchez business owner Erin Eidt Myers. Her genius has provided rich room and accent colors and imaginative placement of our most prized possessions as we have finally finished the renovation of our new home to make it uniquely ours. Myers’ visual arts flair has engendered a retail business featuring her original works, custom-painted Walter Anderson prints, and hand-stained, hand-painted furnishings. Her eclectic talent graces chic homes throughout this area as she shares her gifts with all of us. In this escalating heat of July, take a bit of time for yourself, dress down, relax, and enjoy the good read our July issue offers as we share the arts with all of you in our life along and beyond the Mississippi.
From Our Readers Dear Cheryl, My friends and I thank you for the wonderful article and pictures in the June issue of Bluffs & Bayous. I appreciate all you did to make this story of childhood friends come to life. You and your staff should be commended for your fine work not only with this story but also with all the issues you publish. I always enjoy reading your magazine.
Sincerely, Bee Byrnes
Dear Cheryl, I thank you and Bluffs & Bayous for being so kind to put my greatgranddaughter’s birthday party in your magazine. It meant a great deal to our family and friends. We love it and have received many calls concerning it.
Sincerely, Ruth Beard
C o n t r i b u t o r s
publisher Cheryl Foggo Rinehart editors Jean Nosser Biglane Cheryl Foggo Rinehart graphic designers Jan Ratcliff Anita Schilling staff photographers Cheryl Rinehart Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker sales staff Courtney McGraw Cheryl Rinehart Donna Sessions JoAnna Sproles
Jean Biglane
Courtney McGraw
Cheryl Rinehart
Van O’Gwin
Anita Schilling
Elise D. Parker
Donna Sessions
Jan Ratcliff
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.
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.
Johnny Bowlin serves as pastor at Meadville Baptist Church in Meadville, Mississippi. He has had editorials published in ESPN the Magazine, The Birmingham News, and The Desoto Times. He has also written two youth devotionals entitled The Real World and Teenagers God Uses and was a contributing writer for the New Orleans Zephyrs newsletter Bleacher Creature. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and of New Orleans Baptist Seminary, he is married to Melinda, and they have one daughter.
Donna K. Jones is a co-owner of Natchez Clay community studio. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in business education, Jones is currently the Senior Financial Analyst at Louisiana Hydroelectric where she has been employed for 20 years. She also is co-owner of Jones Website.
Columnist Mary Emrick is the owner of Turning Pages Books & More in Natchez, Mississippi.
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.
Columnist Ross McGehee, a lifelong resident of Natchez, Mississippi, owns a diversified and far-flung farm operation.
on the cover Bill Howl-N-MADD Perry, photographed by H. C. Porter, is one of the featured musicians in Porter’s current multi-media project in progress—Blues @ Home. This project focuses on 40 of Mississippi Blues’ Living Legends, showcasing the unique cultural landscape of America’s music—The Blues. See story on pages 30 through 33.
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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July 2011 FEATURES The Art Scene 2011................................................................................. 20-27 Blues @ Home: Capturing Mississippi Blues’ Living Legends through Art, Oral History, and Music................................. 30-33 A Flourish of Area Artists........................................................................ 36-37 Seek the Enrichment of the Creative Arts............................................. 38-39
FAVORITES All Outdoors JD and That Ignorant Schneider............................................................. 14-15
Blues @ Home: Capturing Mississippi Blues’ Living Legends through Art, Oral History, and Music pages 30 - 33
Events July . . . Up and Coming!......................................................................... 60-65
From the Stacks Gothic Mystery in a Grand Setting................................................................ 9
In the Garden Beautiful, Tasty Summer Basil..................................................................... 19
In the Kitchen with Cheryl’s Friends and Family Courtney Taylor, Home-town Gourmet: Easy Summer Party................ 46-48
Southern Sampler
Beach Babes pages 28 - 29
Beach Babes............................................................................................. 28-29 They Call Me Coach Biscuit..................................................................... 54-55 Mania of My Own Making..................................................................... 58-59
THE Social Scene Gulf South Art Gallery’s “Artistically Me”.................................................... 8 Boiling on the Bluff................................................................................. 10-12 Natchez-Adams County Humane Society Fundraiser............................ 16-18 60th Birthday Party for 1969 Graduates..................................................... 40 Parnassus Club’s 60th Anniversary.............................................................. 44 Pine Burr Garden Club Flower Show........................................................... 45 Battling for A Cure Mississippi State Rally 2011.................................... 50-53 Business After Hours............................................................................... 56-57 Auburn Antebellum Home’s New Officers................................................. 57
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THE Social Scene Gulf South Art Gallery’s “Artistically Me”
G
ulf South Art Gallery in McComb, Mississippi, recently hosted an exhibit called “Artistically Me,” featuring the work of artist Paulette George. The exhibit opened on Sunday, May 15; and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Paulette George was there to meet visitors and take pictures. The exhibit ran through June 14.
Madison Knight and Paulette George
Front—Ally and Jordan Knight; back—Paulette George and Madison Knight
Lynn Wells and April Caleendar
Paulette George and Lynn Wells
Cindy Williams, Dee Blackford, and Noel Anders
Paulette George and Sarah Giacne
Jan Wilson, India Bradford, Paulette George, and Lynn Wells
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From the Stacks | review by Mary Emrick
Gothic Mystery in a Grand Setting Bones of a Feather by Carolyn Haines Recently I was questioned, “Why should people read?” Allowing my mouth to race ahead of my brain, I responded with humor, “So I can stay in business!” Luckily, Becky Spears came to my rescue by interjecting her thoughts on the subject: “Because books take you anywhere you want to go, and they take you away from it all.” I concurred. With an author leading the way, you can visit any state, any country, any faith, and any profession—the world is totally accessible through books. You can visit places that do not exist and experience events that will occur in the future or may never occur. You can gain knowledge, compassion, and wisdom by reading books. Where you direct your mind to gain these, of course, is your choice. When readers choose the new book Bones of a Feather published by St. Martin’s Minotaur Press, they will be making the choice to visit our fair city, Natchez, Mississippi. Will readers learn anything profound? Probably not, but they certainly will be entertained and taken “away from it all” on a rip-roaring jaunt through historic Natchez. Award-winning author Carolyn Haines chose Natchez as the setting for Bones of a Feather, the eleventh in her Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series. Haines describes her newest mystery as “a nod at the Southern gothic”; and therein she has captured the essence of Natchez, complete with antebellum home tours, ghosts, antiques, quaint hotels, fine restaurants, and eccentric characters. A group of Haines’ fans, representing many southern states, arrived in Natchez eager to help launch this new book that was released June 21, and the group came ready
to enjoy Natchez hospitality and to party Natchez style! Because all Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries include the character Jitty—a ghost who haunts Sarah Booth’s childhood home, Dahlia House—the enthusiastic group chose to indulge in the popular “Natchez Ghost Tour.” Jitty brings added dimension to the Haines series while the “ghost tour” brought depth to the book launch…and FUN. Bones of a Feather’s story line is centered on twin-sister characters Monica and Eleanor Levert. The sisters file a claim against an insurance company regarding a policy they hold on a family heirloom, a ruby necklace valued at $4 million dollars. They are the fifth generation of Leverts to inherit the necklace; and the claim is that the necklace was stolen from Briarcliff, their antebellum home. Natchez law enforcement will not pursue the claim of these ladies, so the sisters hire Sarah Booth and her detective partner Tinkie to investigate the theft. The original Levert ancester, Barthelme, arrived in Natchez from England in the mid-nineteenth century. His reputation was that of a scoundrel, a highwayman who murdered and robbed travelers on the Natchez Trace. Barthelme used his blood money to gain access to property occupying a prime location on Natchez’s bluff overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River. The current Leverts are not in good standing with Natchezians because they have never been able to shed Barthelme’s scandalous reputation. In the first six chapters of Bones of a Feather, the reader is introduced to a minimum of seven characters that are suspects in the mysterious disappearance of the valuable Levert heirloom. Several of the suspects have motives of revenge as well as greed to qualify them as the possible thief.
This entertaining novel takes its readers along with the lady detectives on a grand tour of Natchez. Beautiful gardens, Victorian homes, antebellum structures, “Natchez under the Hill,” downtown shops, a local hotel, and fine Natchez restaurants all make a grand setting for solving this gothic mystery. Author Carolyn Haines loves Natchez and has done us a tremendous favor by promoting our intriguing hometown in her latest novel. If you have read other Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries, you know that Carolyn Haines’ who-dun-it scenarios provide humor, great dialogue, true-to-life settings, and interesting characters while developing their tales of suspense. Bones of a Feather is a great summer read and will entertain all who enjoy the twists and turns of the unexpected; for the plot, full of surprises, keeps the reader guessing while characters are being kidnapped, drugged, and drowned—right here in Natchez, Mississippi! Prolific novelist Carolyn Haines has written seventeen novels, eleven titles in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. At the nationally acclaimed, annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, she was awarded the Richard Wright Literary Award of Excellence in 2009. Born and raised in Mississippi, Haines now lives in Alabama on a farm with more dogs, cats, and horses than she can possibly keep track of.
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T
THE Social Scene Boiling on the Bluff
he Young Professionals of the Natchez Chamber of Commerce hosted their Third Annual Boiling on the Bluff in Natchez, Mississippi, on Friday, May 20. Guests from area businesses gathered to enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish.
Mike, Barbra, and Kevin Lomasney
Christina Babb, Peyton Cavin, and Kelcie Henderson
Nancy McLemore, Pat Porter, and Chuck Babin
Tina Kaho and Ealine Kinnie
Burt Goldman, Catherine McDaniel, and Matthew Goldman
Eric Byrne, Wade Craig, and Lindsey Callon
Matt Pearson, Benny Jeansonne, Brandon Gremillion, and Chad Johnson
Julie Johnson, Katherine Callon, Lee Carby, and Lauren Middleton with Jake Middleton
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THE Social Scene
Jamie June, Bill Bayba, and Melanie Trippe
Bill Furlow, Scott Christian, and Britt Gibson
Alicia Sappenfield, Alan Smith, Kayce Smith, and Justin Foster
Laura Tillman, Joseph Smith, and Lee Carby
Lyn Fortenbery, Christie Monticello, and Tommy Smith
Kevin Lomasney, Chris Hinton, and Richard Adams
Jennifer Slover and Lauren Middleton
Carmen and Justin Adcock
Garrett Jones and Marlee Serafin
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THE Social Scene
Summer Wyllie, William Luca, Nick Wirwa, and Paul Nelson
Robin Christian and Dr. Ruth Nichols
Jessica Carter and Amanda Wingfield
Anka Cannon and Spencer Smith
Laura McLemore and Jack McLemore
Jerry and Trish Stroud
Rachel Byrne and Roger Wheeler
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All Outdoors | by Ross McGehee
J
JD and That Ignorant Schneider
D got his stomach stapled shut. Well, not all the way but mostly shut. The gang at the hunting camp didn’t know whether to send a get-well card or a thank-you note. A few did call to check on him after the surgery, and That Ignorant Schneider gave him a ride home from the hospital. Some of the guys ran his crawfish traps for him for a couple of weeks, and others went to south Louisiana to cut the limbs out of his yard when Hurricane Rita trashed the place and he was still laid up from having his “apron” removed. He’s recovered now and we’re glad. He had already caused us to build a new camp. But if he hadn’t had the surgery, we’d have had to replace bunkhouses, deer stands, and who knows what else! Don’t get the wrong impression. JD is a large-framed man. He is a good friend and there is no attempt being made to exploit his size. He laughs harder at all of this than any of the rest of us. That’s because he faces everything straight on, calls it like he sees it, and lets the rough side drag. JD has hunted with us for close to 20 years. His alter ego is “That Ignorant”
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Schneider, whose first name we can’t remember, mainly because JD has given him a nickname that fits better than any Christian name could. They have had an ongoing prank war for years; and it’s a wonder that they still speak, let alone ride back and forth together to Mississippi to hunt. Of course, they can’t wait to get home after a hunt to tell their buddies what happened to each other at the camp. It bears mentioning that the old hunting camp was just that: old. Four-room frame house, fireplace, add-on bathroom, and add-on kitchen—and if the termites ever quit holding hands, the place was going to collapse. But the roof didn’t leak, and the plumbing worked. The floors had a little “give” under a load, and you’d notice that the chair you were sitting in leaned a little when someone walked past. You didn’t jump out of the top bunk in the front bedroom because you may not have stopped at the floor. The chimney leaned away from the living area, and you could see the trucks going to the back yard by looking at them through the back of the fireplace! So it comes as no real surprise
that a big man like JD would create some problems with the structure. The first time we had a structural situation was when JD arrived to hunt turkeys. That Ignorant Schneider had already backed over the water hydrant in the yard at nine o’clock on a Saturday night, so we were out of water and couldn’t fix the problem until Monday without creative engineering. JD was still chewing on him for that when they went to bed. That Ignorant Schneider was on the top bunk, and JD just collapsed into the bottom bunk. Gus and I were still in the kitchen and heard the crash. Actually, it was more like a whack-woomp-woomp, followed by LOTS of screaming! We raced in to see what the heck and tried real hard not to laugh at the scene. JD had apparently fallen into bed, and the bed had fallen with JD. Subsequently, the top bunk lost all support since the bottom bunk was missing. That Ignorant Schneider lost altitude instantly. He and the top bunk fell on top of JD. Each bunkmate was screaming at the other as they tried to untangle from sleeping bags and lumber. There were no serious injuries,
but it took a while for things to settle down that night after throwing all the splinters in the fireplace. A year later, they were still accusing each other of sabotage. The next incident occurred when we had a house full of deer hunters. We had nine guys and one bathroom; so everyone was taking his turn getting a shower before bedtime. JD was third in line. All the other folks were visiting around the dining-room table when he closed the bathroom door. Almost immediately, we heard a familiar sound of something breaking and JD calling for help. Now I should probably ask, “What would you do?” There’s a guy that weighs over 400 pounds in the bathroom, and he’s requesting your presence. Do you REALLY want to go in there? Not on a bet! So someone stood at the door and divined that JD had fallen and needed help getting up. This is something that we usually don’t mind helping with although there is no merit-badge to go along with it. However, under the circumstances we thought we’d get additional information— through the closed door. No, he wasn’t dressed. Problem! Back and forth it went. How did he fall? Off the toilet? No, with the toilet. What does that mean? How does a toilet fall? Well, it didn’t really fall. So what’s going on in there? As usual, That Ignorant Schneider could not resist the opportunity to have the goods on JD so he cast aside the small measure of better judgment that he had and waded in. Years of a slow leak under the toilet had sufficiently saturated the floor but not where it could be seen. Drop 400 plus pounds on it, and the toilet goes right on through the floor. Whoever happens to be the hapless victim is left wallowing in a corner where he can’t grab anything to pull himself up! It ain’t a pretty picture. Suddenly we were out of restroom facilities for the weekend, and someone’s pride and dignity had been injured. It’s a pretty sobering situation. Do you think for a minute that any of that kept the entire group from falling out laughing? Are you kidding me? There was also the time that JD “fell out” one evening. He was unresponsive, so we summoned an ambulance. The little dinky gurneys are no match for JD, and we couldn’t get him out of the house on one. Somebody grabbed a screwdriver and popped the hinge pins from the
kitchen door and we rolled JD onto that. Everybody grabbed a hold and lifted. We were doing real well until it came time to go down the front steps into the yard. That Ignorant Schneider was in the front; and as all of JD’s weight shifted, he got weak and dropped his load. The whole gang followed the door down the steps, and the entire group landed on top of That Ignorant Schneider! For a minute it looked like we were going to have to call a second ambulance. Turns out that JD had a blood sugar imbalance. We lost a kitchen door in that deal. The final straw was when the camp caught on fire. JD and That Ignorant Schneider had been in for the weekend to turkey hunt. They checked themselves out about nine in the morning and went back to south Louisiana. About ten I came by to lock up; and when opening the back door, I was hit by a wall of smoke! After they had left, a log had rolled out of the fireplace onto the living-room floor. The floor was already mostly gone and still smoldering. I snatched a chainsaw from the back of the
truck and headed the fire off by cutting the rest of the floor out. This measure saved the house, but now we had no floor in the front room. THAT was interesting to repair. So I can’t say that JD is the reason we built a new camp. Not entirely. And he did bring his friends up to help with the project. They were good help, too. His buddy Frank stood flat-footed and held a nail gun over his head to nail the entire ceiling up. That is a big man! We put a concrete slab down this time. We also put in a kitchen that JD could have room to work in. He is a Cajun chef second to none and spoils us with his cooking. But I do have to wonder: What are JD and That Ignorant Schneider going to get into next time?
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THE Social Scene Natchez-Adams County Humane Society Fundraiser
T
he Natchez-Adams County Humane Society held a fundraising party on May 21 at The Gardens, antebellum home of Dr. and Mrs. Fred G. Emrick. Guests at the party, themed “A Picnic,� enjoyed delicious food prepared by Nan Garrison while raising money to support the shelter animals.
Dr. Fred and Mary Emrick with co-hostess, Sugar
G. G. Cleveland and Mike Tatum
Amelia Orlando and Stella Sharp
Moe and Cheryl LeBlanc
Phyllis Demetropoulos and Jimmy Novak
Louis and Allyn DeVries
Stan McCearley and Shelby Sessum
Bryant and Jean Reed
Agatha Weeks and George Piazza
Gail Guido and Greg Brooking
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Caroline Doughty and Barbara Rodrigues
Susan Callon and Jeane King
THE Social Scene
Randy and Helen Smith
Jim and Charlotte Franklin
Lucy Miller and Skip Denet
Mayor Jake Middleton, Sharon Browning, and Jim Browning
Julia Breaux, Rowdy Shaw, and Amanda Newsom with Sheriff Chuck Mayfield
Corky Vess, Lucianne and Bernard Wood, and Judge Charlie Vess
Alan Bridgeforth, Connie Burns, Dianne Bunch, and James Pettigrew
Toby Williams, Michael Boykin, Kevin Brodeur, and Kevin Miers
Noel Lewington, Adrian Bernotti, Peter Toogood, and Ralph Vicero
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Charlie Blaney and Hazel Ferrell
Karren Ewing and Gary Caballero
Sandi and Roy Geoghegan
George Bates and Jay Fitch
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In the Garden | story and photos by Dr. Gary R. Bachman
Beautiful, Tasty Summer Basil
F
or fresh summer recipes, nothing beats the taste of basil. Gardeners who want to grow basil for cooking can choose from a variety of colors, textures, and flavors, making this herb a garden showpiece. Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow during the hot summer months. Most gardeners start with common, or sweet, basil, which comes in a wide range of leaf sizes and textures. Lettuce leaf basil has leaves as big as a man’s hand, and they are textured like lettuce. Try replacing traditional lettuce with a single leaf of it on a sandwich.
But basil plants are used for many things besides eating. They can also be landscape ornamentals. Purple-leaved varieties with pink flower heads are perfect for recipes and for adding to any mixed bouquet. A basil that is attractive in both the vegetable and flower garden is the Mississippi Medallion winner Purple Ruffles basil. The deep purple leaves are very fragrant, and the mature plant reaches 24 inches high and wide. Use this basil as a fresh garnish or harvest as baby greens to add color to salads. Purple Ruffles is a winner in the landscape when companion
planted with another Mississippi Medallion plant, Port Gibson Pink verbena. One of my favorite purple varieties is Amethyst. The bright purple leaves resemble the broad, flat leaves of common basil, and they have the same taste. This variety could be used to create a beautiful red pesto. African blue basil is a member of another basil group that makes a good addition to the landscape. All parts of the plant have hairy surfaces. When properly cared for, African blue basil can grow up to 4 feet tall. The flowers are an attractive pink or purple. Another member of this group is Holy basil, which has green and purple foliage. Flowers are pink and white, and the plant can grow to 3 feet tall. Both African blue and Holy basil can become perennial in the coastal counties. And don’t worry about these getting too big; you can deadhead both to control growth. You should also deadhead faded basil flowers if you are growing basil for cooking. This keeps plants producing tasty leaves rather than seeds. If you are growing basil just for the landscape, pinching spent flower heads is not that critical. Many basil varieties have attractive flowers. For instance, the Thai basil varieties Siam Queen and Queenette have gorgeous purple stems and flower heads that provide beautiful contrast to the bright green foliage. Basil thrives when grown in raised beds planted in well-drained soil, but the roots need consistent moisture. Water deeply each week, and use a good-quality mulch to help conserve soil moisture and keep the soil cooler. If you have limited space, grow basil in containers. Place containers on the porch or patio to keep them near your outdoor living area and handy for fresh summer recipes. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer at planting or use water-soluble formulations every three to four weeks. After you make your first batch of fresh pesto from basil picked in your garden, you will never go back the prepared versions.
Top—The Thai basil Queenette has gorgeous purple stems and flower heads that provide beautiful contrast to the bright green foliage. Bottom—The bright purple leaves of Amethyst basil resemble the broad, flat leaves of common basil, and they have the same taste.
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Alexandria, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Alexandria Museum of Art
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Each year, the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre presents a dance series that includes two performances by the local company and at least one performance by a professional, touring dance company. 2011-2012 SEASON: Houston Ballet II October 11 River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts The Nutcracker, A Tale from the Bayou December 17 & 18: 2:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts Spring Concert April 19: 7:30 p.m. River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts P.O. Box 82288; 225-766-8379; Fax: 225-766-823 www.batonrougeballet.org
This museum attracts diverse tastes with its exhibition program of an ever-changing multitude of collections, extensive permanent collection of contemporary Louisiana art, and the state’s largest collection of North Louisiana Folk Art. $4 Adults; $3 Seniors, Students & Military; $2 Students 4 - 13 yrs.; free children 3 & under Tues. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 933 Main Street 318-443-3458; www.themuseum.org
City Park Players This community theatre offers quality theatre productions, programming, and education. Upcoming for the 2011-2012 Season: July 22 - 31: Ain’t Misbehavin’ Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2:30 p.m. October 7 - 16: Blithe Spirit Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2:30 p.m. $12 General Admission $10 Seniors over 65 and Veterans 1101 4th Street, Suite 201 - Box 6 318-442-1800 www.cityparkplayers.org
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Baton Rouge Continued
Baton Rouge Continued
Baton Rouge Little Theatre Award-winning BRLT is one of the nation’s oldest and largest community theatres, offering over 150 theatrical performances, workshops, classes, and special events each year. 2011-2012 SEASON: Sept. 9 - 25: Crazy For You Oct. 28 - Nov. 13: A Streetcar Named Desire Dec. 9 - 18: A Christmas Carol Jan. 27 - Feb. 12: Almost, Maine Feb. 24 - Mar. 4: Speed-The-Plow Mar. 9 - 25: A Funny Thing That Happened On The Way To The Forum Apr. 13 - 22: The Underpants May 4 - 20: The 39 Steps P.O. Box 64967; 225-924-6496; www.brlt.org Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra Bringing musical education and cultural enrichment to the people of the greater Baton Rouge region and beyond, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra season now contains over 60 concerts held in over 12 venues across the state of Louisiana. 2011 - 2012 PERFORMANCES Entergy Masterworks Series: Sept. - Mar. Lamar Family Chamber Series: Oct. - Mar. P.O. Box 14209; 225-383-0500 Fax: 225-767-4609; www.brso.org
Monroe/West Monroe, Louisiana Biedenharn Museum & Gardens The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens offers something for everyone with its historic home, formal garden, Bible Museum, Coca-Cola Museum, and more! Mon. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 2000 Riverside Drive; 318-387-5281; www.bmuseum.org Masur Museum of Art Known as the largest visual arts museum in Northeast Louisiana, the Masur Museum of Art presents an ongoing collection of temporary exhibitions, educational programs for all ages, lectures, artist talks, art workshops, summer art camps, and much more! 2011-2012 EXHIBITIONS July 29, 2011 - October 19, 2011 River & Reverie: Paintings of the Mississippi River by Rolland Golder 16 Tons: Douglas Weathersby Works in Northeast Louisiana Nov. 3, 2011 - Jan. 28, 2012 James Surls and Michael Manjarris 1400 South Grand Street; 318-329-2237; www.masurmuseum.org Ouachita River Art Guild Featuring paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and wood art, this diverse gallery also offers various artistic workshops! 308 Trenton Street; 318-322-2380 www.ouachitariverartgallery.com Twin City Ballet Company This ballet company strives to provide superb entertainment for the community while also offering quality training for the area’s talented young dancers and opportunities for them to perform. 2905 DeSoto; 318-388-3011; www.twincityballet.com
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New Orleans, Louisiana Broadway Across America This program brings to the area the finest national touring productions—blockbuster musicals, plays, and family shows. 2011 - 2012 SEASON Sept. 15 - 24: The Addams Family Jan. 31 - Feb. 5: Blue Man Group Nov. 1 - 6: Rock of Ages Mar. 14 - Apr. 15: The Lion King Nov. 29 - Dec. 4: South Pacific 1-800-218-7469; neworleansservice@broadwayacrossamerica.com www.broadwayacrossamerica.com
St. Francisville, Louisiana Backwoods Gallery Fine art, custom framing, and stained glass; monthly exhibits of regional talent 501 Commerce Street 225-721-1736
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Offering many concerts at multiple venues, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents the works of classical composers, Broadway show tunes, pop standards, patriotic themes, and more. 1010 Common Street, Suite 2120; 504-523-6530; www.lpomusic.com New Orleans Ballet Association The Central Gulf Coast region’s premiere presenting and service organization dedicated solely to dance, New Orleans Ballet Association features a diverse array of world-class companies and artists and provides concerts, lectures, and workshops for dance enthusiasts. 2011 - 2012 SEASON Oct. 22: Mark Morris Dance Group Mar. 2, 3: Stephen Petronio Company Nov. 11, 12: Jacoby & Pronk Apr. 21: Complexions Contemporary Contemporary Dance Artists May 12: Joffrey Ballet Jan. 21: Shen Wei Dance Arts 226 Carondelet Street; 504-522-0996; www.nobadance.com New Orleans Museum of Art New Orleans Museum of Art also features an extensive collection from Ancient Egypt, a beautiful sculpture garden, and much more! For a full listing of its exhibitions, visit the website. In 2011, celebrate with NOMA as it turns 100! 2011 - 2012 EXHIBITIONS: Through July 17: Ancestors of Congo Square: African Art Through Aug. 14: Read My Pins Nov. 13 - Feb. 19: 100 Masterworks for 100 Years NOMA’s Centennial Celebration Wed. 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Thurs. - Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park 504-658-4100; www.noma.org
Harrington Gallery The magic of St. Francisville and Herschel Harrington’s authentic depiction of Louisiana are reflected in his flowing and spiritual works. 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 9907 Royal Street 225-635-4214 www.herschelharrington.com
St. Francis Art & Antiques Works of regional artists Mon. - Thurs. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 11914 Ferdinand Street 225-635-4199 www.stfrancisartandantiques.com
St. Joseph, Louisiana New Orleans Opera Association Drawing on Louisiana’s abundant artistic talent, this association reaches out to a broad public and presents opera of the highest musical and artistic caliber. 2011 - 2012 SEASON Oct. 15: Puccinis Turandot Nov. 18 & 20: Verdi’s (Un Ballo In Maschera) A Masked Ball Mar. 2 & 4: Strauss’ Salome Apr. 27 & 29: Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Orff’s Carmina Burana 1010 Common Street, Suite 1820 504-529-2278; www.neworleansopera.org
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St. Joseph Arts, Inc. Noted recently as one of the “Outstanding Small Arts Organizations of Louisiana,” the organization offers a talented orchestra and multiple ensemble performances throughout the season. P.O. Box 409; 318-766-3344 www.stjoarts.com
MISSISSIPPI Brookhaven, Mississippi
Brookhaven Little Theatre 2011-2012 SEASON July 11 - 22: Summer Drama Camp Dec.: A Christmas Story Feb.: Francine’s Will May: Nunsense Jamboree! 126 East Cherokee Street www.haventheatre.org
Mississippi School for the Arts The Mississippi School for the Arts offers students the opportunity to focus on creative expression and innovation in dance, drama, music, art, and literature. Student performances are presented throughout the school year. 308 West Cherokee Street 601-823-1300; Fax: 601-823-1555 www.msa.K12.ms.us
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Jackson, Mississippi
Ballet Mississippi By providing well-staged performances and classical ballet training, Ballet Mississippi has nurtured an appreciation and love of quality ballet in Mississippi. SUMMER CAMPS Ages 3 - 9: July 5 - 8 Ages 10 & Up: July 11 – 16 PERFORMANCES Dec. 3 & 4: The Nutcracker 201 East Pascagoula Street, Suite 106 601-960-1560; www.balletms.com Kessler Broadway This company presents magnificent Broadway works and the latest Tony winning shows, drawing a diverse audience of all ages and from all parts of Mississippi. 2011 - 2012 SEASON Sept. 20 & 21: Peter Pan Oct. 14 & 15: Beauty And The Beast Nov. 14 & 15: My Fair Lady Jan. 17 & 18: Spamalot May 8 & 9: Young Frankenstein P.O. Box 514,5 Jackson 39296 601-981-1847 www.kesslerbroadway.com
Mississippi Opera The tenth oldest, continuously producing professional opera company in America, the Mississippi Opera provides entertaining performances for all to enjoy! 2011-2012 SEASON Nov. 12: Madama Butterfly Apr. 21: Elixir of Love 601-960-2300; www.msopera.org
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra The largest professional performing arts organization in Mississippi, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performs over 120 concerts statewide each year and supports three youth orchestras and a musical education program. 2011 - 2012 PERFORMANCES Sept. 17: Ravel’s La Valse (The Waltz) Oct. 29: Hitchcock at Halloween Jan. 14: The Grand Meets The Great Feb. 25: Exoic, Eclectic, and Electric Mar. 31: Ode to Joy 201 East Pascagoula Street 601-960-1565; www.msorchestra.com
Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet July 11 – 15: Princess Dance Camp: Ages 3 - 7 Many other summer classes 601-853-4508; www.msmetroballet.com Mississippi Museum of Art MMA offers an interesting schedule of exhibitions while also hosting numerous entertaining and informed events and workshops. 2011-2012 EXHIBITIONS Through July 17: The Orient Expressed: Japan’s Influence on Western Art Through June 12, 2012: Breach Of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Freedom Riders Tues. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 380 S. Lamar Street 601-960-1515; www.msmuseumart.org
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New Stage Theatre Mississippi’s only not-for-profit professional theatre, New Stage Theatre presents important contemporary works and classics, selected for their artistic merit and their power to illuminate the human condition. 2011 - 2012 SEASON Sept. 13 - 25: Glorious! Oct. 25 - Nov. 6: Dracula Feb. 28 - Mar. 12: Black Pearl Sings! Apr. 17 - 29: All My Sons May 29 - June 10: The Marvelous Wonderettes 1100 Carlisle Street 601-948-3533; www.newstagetheatre.com
Natchez, Mississippi McComb, Mississippi Edgewood Gallery Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 530 W. Georgia Avenue 601-684-0596
ArtsNatchez Gallery The gallery features of variety of art by local artists. Open 7 days a week 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 425 Main Street 601-442-0043; www.artsnatchez.org Conner Burns Studio Burns’ current work, vessels, is a combination of wheel-thrown and slab components, all altered in some manner. He is inspired by nature and intends for his work to look as if it “grew that way” rather than being made. 209 Franklin Street 601-446-6334; www.connerburns.com
Gulf/South Art Gallery This locale displays pottery, paintings, and jewelry by Mississippi artists and craftsmen. Tues. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 228 Fifth Avenue 601-684-9470
Japonica Gallery Japonica Gallery houses an array of paintings, pottery, glass art, woodworks, and other art by multiple artists. Mon. - Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 119 N. 6th Street 601-249-3335 www.japonicagallery.com
Echoes Gallery Photography works of Dr. Lee England line the walls of this small gallery offering exclusive jewelry as well. 107 N. Pearl Street 601-445-2345 M. Schon This collection focuses on signed and handmade jewelry, art, photography, pottery, and glass from local artists and artisans as well as the work of major artists from the early twentieth century to contemporary selections. Hours: Wed. - Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 415 Main Street 601-304-9684; www.mschon.com Natchez Art Association This group supports and promotes artists in Natchez, Mississippi, and surrounding communities. 2011 Summer Arts Camps in July 205 Canal Street; 601-807-3290; admin@skysetter.com Natchez Clay This clay teaching studio offers a variety of entertaining classes and events for all ages. *See Summer Activities in our Premier Events! 101 Clifton Avenue 601-660-2375; www.natchezclay.com Natchez Continued
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Natchez Continued
Natchez Festival of Music The Natchez Festival of Music offers a variety of opera, Broadway, and jazz performances and musical events. P.O. Box 2207; 601-446-6631 www.natchezfestivalofmusic.art.officelive.com Natchez Fine Framing & Art Gallery This unique gallery offers custom framing featuring select molding by LarsonJuhl as well as original Watercolors by Marina and Chris Cavette, most notably the watercolor collection “Natchez Through My Eyes” by Marina. Watercolor and drawing classes are available as are watercolor portraits of your home—a unique gift idea for the person who has everything! Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. 518 Main Street; 601/446-9345 Natchez Little Theatre One of the oldest community theatres in the South, Natchez Little Theatre presents quality performances and offers workshops for youth and adults. 2011-2012 SEASON Aug. 25 - 28: Hair Spray Sept. 30 - Oct. 16: The Civil War Sesquicentennial: “Mississippi Medicine Show” Nov. 10 - 13: Othello Dec. 9 - 11, 16 - 18: A Natchez Christmas Carol Jan. 26 - 29: Sordid Lives Mar. 9 - Apr. 15: Shut My Mouth June 7 - 10: The Rivals SPECIAL EVENT July 15: Annual Standing Ovation Awards Gala P.O. Box 1232; 601-442-2233; www.natcheztheatre.org
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art The museum’s permanent collection includes watercolors; drawings in pencil, ink, and crayon; ceramics; sculpture in wood; linoleum block prints; oil paintings; and furniture by Walter Anderson. Mon. - Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sun. 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 510 Washington Avenue 228-872-3164 www.walterandersonmuseum.org
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Vicksburg, Mississippi Attic Gallery A fun gallery featuring diverse works of art—pottery, paintings, wood carvings, hand-blown glass, sculpture, and much more; many of the works are by local artists. Mon. - Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1101 South Washington Street 601-638-9221; www.atticgallery.blogspot.com The Conservatory of Fine Arts This organization provides comprehensive and quality training for adults and children who demonstrate high potential or achievement in the visual, performing, literary, or media arts. 920 South Street 601-626-0542 H. C. Porter Gallery Features the works of H. C. Porter: mixed-media originals, fine art photography, serigraphs, giclees, reproductions, posters, fine art books, and more. 1216 South Washington Street 601-661-9444; www.hcporter.com Peterson’s Art & Antiques 1400 Washington Street 601-636-7210; www. petersonsartandantiques.com River Bend Galleries River Bend Galleries features watercolors, photography, oils, pottery, jewelry, and pencil drawings. 1915 Mission 66, A; 601-636-5068 Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation SCHF offers an after-school visual arts program as well as a variety of workshops, lectures, exhibits, performances, and more! 2011 WORKSHOPS Sushi Workshop (July 19) 2-Day Figure Drawing Workshops (July & August) 4-Day Glass Painting & Firing Workshop (July) 4-Day Guitar Blues Basics Workshop (July) 4-Day Caligraphy Workshops (August) Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1302 Adams Street 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org
Vicksburg Art Association This group supports and promotes artists in Vicksburg and the surrounding communities. The Firehouse Gallery 1204 Main Street 601-636-6110 http://vicksburgart.com Vicksburg Orchestral Society 920 South Street 601-626-0542 Vicksburg Riverfront Murals The project to have historical murals painted on the Vicksburg floodwall began in October 2001. Robert Dafford and his team of artists are responsible for all thirty-two murals that represent a timeline of Vicksburg history. www.riverfrontmurals.com Vicksburg Theatre Guild As the oldest chartered community theatre in Mississippi, the Vicksburg Theatre Guild offers live theatre throughout the year. 2011 – 2012 SEASON Sept. 9 - 11, 16 - 18: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Dec. 2 - 4, 9 - 11: Miracle On 34th Street Jan. 20 - 22, 27 - 29: Forever Plaid TBA, 2012: The Foreigner 101 Iowa Avenue 601-636-0471; www.e-vtg.com Westside Theatre Foundation 801 Clay Street Performances: The Strand Theater 717 Clay Street 601-618-9349 iknowjack@email.com
Mississippi Arts Commission 501 North West Street, Suite 1101A Woolfolk Building Jackson, Mississippi 601-359-6030; www.arts.state.ms.us
Louisiana Division of Arts 225-342-8180 www.crt.state.la.us/arts
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Beach Babes
Rebecca Wells’ Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and the movie version of this book released in 2002 fully explore the bond of sisterhood shared particularly by Southern women—their relationships with each other and their families. Most Southern towns have multiple versions of such sisterhoods; and Natchez, Mississippi, is definitely among them. One of these sisterhoods is the Beach Babes, as the original five gals call themselves, who have been together for fourteen years, taking trips to the beach or gathering for weekends, or meeting at one another’s homes for dinners, events that sometimes include their husbands. Carol Smith, dubbed Empress Rise and Shine; Betsy Crawford, Serious as a Heart Attack; Diane Laird, Queen Magnolia Blossum (and she is the President and Queen of Everything); Nancy Kimbrell, Queen Cold as Ice; and Patty Hosch, Duchess Singing Creek, are the original fivesome. Cathy Hicks, Empress Spring Frog, joined the group a year later; and then Sarah White, Queen Flies Like an Eagle, has been a part of the group for nine years. The sisters all have hats that display their titles, and they wear these in unison on their beach excursions. The impetus for the group began when Patty Hosch and Carol Smith took a trip to the beach with their daughters. However, following that trip, the moms’ friends wanted to join, and so the daughters were excluded from the “sista-hood” beach trips. Queen Magnolia Blossum, Diane Laird, did not have daughters and lobbied for only the sistas to go, resulting in resentment from the daughters who became known as Beach Babe Wanna-Be’s. Remember, all of this is in fun…but serious as a heart attack!
by Cheryl F. Rinehart Page 28 { July 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
Despite all of the ribbing about the origin and nicknames of the group members, what is core with them is their bond of love, respect, understanding, and support for each other, their husbands and their children. “We are family,” explained Nancy Kimbrell. “We are there for each other through marriages, births, deaths, graduations, and birthdays” and, of course, their fabled beach trips together sans husbands. While on the topic of these husbands, one of the unique perks to this sisterhood is the support and understanding they enjoy from their husbands. Their encouragement to ensure that each year the girls make the trip together is as important to them as it is to the girls. In gratitude, one of the girls’ trips, a trip to the mountains, included the husbands. Joining in other trips has been offered to the husbands but they have not been able to go. “They were really mad…they wanted to go!” the girls laughed. The group recalled that Jerry Smith is the only husband who has been allowed to stay overnight during one of the girls’ trips. Carol and Jerry were returning from a wedding, and he took her to the beach to meet up with the sistas but was promptly told he could stay only for the night. Nancy Kimbrell reminded the others that her husband, Scott, stayed once, but he had to have his own room. When the Beach Babes spend their outings at the beach, they indulge in the usual pampering, sleeping, eating, shopping, and relaxing while each sista lends her special skills, talents, and tasks to the event as well as enjoys her unique pursuits. Hosch, for example, packs her ice chest for the beach at 9:00 a.m. in the morning and does not come back to the house until suppertime! Some members love to cook and prepare the food for the evening meals, and some love to read. There are the marathon shoppers, Cathy Hicks and Diane Laird, whose fetish is frequenting the outlet malls and shopping centers near their beach destinations. Then there are those who do not shop… Nancy Kimbrell. This discussion brought up the infamous grocery store shopping spree at 10:00 p.m. That particular year, three of the daughters (Yes, at times, the moms do allow them
to tag along.) were with the Beach Babes. They split the group into teams, each with a different list, and the contest was on to see which group could complete its shopping list first. The traditional cruising through the supermarket turned into wild buggies flying through the store, team members shouting what they had found, and crazed women racing to the checkout counter. The workers in the store thought the escapade was hysterical and made for memorable, late-night shopping entertainment. What was evident throughout my interview with the Beach Babes is that their bond through the years has made them family. The fact that each of them
is from a very small family, they concur, may be one of the factors that has made their friendship even stronger. When they gather, they discuss with each other, as family members do, the personal events of their lives; they share stories of their children, their trials, triumphs, and disappointments. And while they strongly depend on their husbands and children, they also lean on each other as additional support through life’s experiences. They know they have special sistas who will be there no matter what, no matter when, no matter how. These gals will be there along with their respective husbands and children.…because they are family!
Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 29
,
Capturing Mississippi Blues Living Legends through Art, Oral History, and Music by Cheryl F. Rinehart
“When you picture the Delta—the devouring land, the sultry little black churches and juke joints, the remaining shotgun shacks, the very weather itself—you think blues: it is one of Mississippi’s most extraordinary and far reaching inheritances.” — H. C. Porter Page 30 { July 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
H. C. Porter Gallery and Creative Spirit Studio is nestled in an historic building on Washington Street in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi. Resident artist and gallery owner, H. C. Porter, is a native Mississippian, born and raised in Jackson, who has found a unique connection with this river town. Her gallery adds to the charisma of Washington Street where businesses, restaurants, museums, and specialty shops have witnessed over two hundred years of the nation’s story. While visiting Vicksburg one day, Porter wandered into the downtown area and fell in love with the town. The river’s magic captured her, shaped her thoughts, and allowed her to be more still, more reflective. She had not expected that the influence of the water, history, and people would be so profound. However, she was so enamored that she purchased a building and hollowed out her studio, gallery, and living quarters. With a camera in her hand and a dark room since she was 15, Porter wanted to document life in some way. “I remember in second grade I wanted to be a painter,” she said; “but as a teenager, I was fascinated with photography, and my dream was to work for National Geographic. I was intrigued with sociology, curious about people in their environments and actions.” Developing these interests, Porter earned her BFA with emphasis on painting and photography from the University of Alabama. Porter’s artistry began to develop in 1992 with “Avenue for Art,” a grantfunded neighborhood art project for children in Jackson where she lived following graduation. Hers is a mixedmedia approach, wherein she uses the mediums of painting, printmaking, and photography, and the relationship that emerges from them as the viewer completes the experience.
Opposite page, left—H. C. Porter in her studio Opposite page, right—Porter on location photographing Mickey Rogers This page, on location, top—Porter photographing Bill Perry; middle left— Porter photographing Kenny Brown; middle right—Porter with L. C. Ulmer; and bottom—Porter photographing Jimbo Mathus
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L. C. Ulmer
“With my work I have always felt like an ambassador for the state of Mississippi. Initially my artwork documented the six-block, predominately black, midtown area around my Jackson studio, showing the resilient, adaptable, spiritual, and bluesy everyday life and personality of my neighbors. Thus, my work has always in some respect been called ‘the blues.’ My most recent body of work showcased Mississippi’s diversity on the gulf coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, definitely a huge case of the blues!” — H. C. Porter King Edward
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“My work is a question of identifying with my characters,” Porter explained. “You must respond to their realness—to what they bring to you and what you can bring to them. That’s when the communication takes place. The viewer holds the final step in completing the piece—to respond to us both.” Porter’s next project, titled Blues @ Home was inspired following the installation of her Backyards & Beyond show at Delta State University. Driving along the back roads, she recalled that she had dabbled with the Delta in some of her past works, a juke-joint series with some of the people but no real theme. As she continued driving, she realized the need to tell the story of Delta people’s lives through the art form that was born there… the Blues. Expounding on this new project, Porter shared the following commentary: “Seeing the bluesmen in a personal, home environment through the eyes of an artist is a unique opportunity. We all know what the blues sounds like and what it looks like at blues festivals, and we have a movie version of a bluesman in our minds: swagger, suits, and a beat-up guitar that can wail. “But how many people would know that Mississippi’s bluesmen and women include a Fulbright Scholar—Alphoso Sanders; a man that can grow okra so long that it would cover a ball field—Tommie T-Bone Pruitt; a vegetarian, nondrinker, nonsmoker who grinds his own breakfast cereal—L. C. Ulmer; and the white guy with the only gold-front tooth I have photographed to date—Jimbo Mathus! Bluesman Bill Abel’s home is full of paintings and ceramic pieces that he created. Sure, many have also grown up in sharecropping families, slept three up and three down in one bed, and have been brutally treated by family and life. They have sung the blues and lived the blues. “Some teach the blues, some drink the blues, and some have fathered 26 children, definitely a recipe for the blues. But all of them have a well-traveled journey of being on the road and sharing with this entire world the legacy of Mississippi blues music. “Often, as with some things in life, you are in the right place at the right time; and a blues legend such as Jack Owens or R. L. Burnside hands you a guitar when you are 10 or 12 years old, passing on the gift and the pain of the blues. Thank you to each of the bluesmen and blueswomen who found the strength and desire to put on a suit and hat and find a way into Mississippi’s blues history.”
“My work is narrative in nature, storytelling about day-to-day trials and tribulations and rejoicing in the simple accomplishments of hanging laundry and shelling peas. I tried to capture in paint the sense of place we love to call home, Mississippi. My Backyards and Beyond project gave a voice to and spotlighted brave and determined Mississippians after Katrina, much the way Mississippi bluesmen gave a voice to the strong and passionate but oppressed black Mississippians who plowed the fields and chopped the cotton. My art and the blues music both tell stories of Mississippi’s history…our shared humanity, built on the most fertile soil in the world. “In the Blues @ Home project, I have set out to document Mississippi’s legendary storytellers… the living legends of Mississippi Bluesmen and women. Our rich blues tradition is being used to encourage tourism. Willie Morris wrote, ‘We call it [Mississippi] the hospitality state; but it is best known nationally for our outdated stereotypes of racism, poverty, and mistrust of outsiders. It is near extremes on most social and economic scales, but it is now that we see hope by embracing some or our most vital resources and our Blues music is at the forefront.’”
“There for all to see, Mississippi’s people still don’t fare well in comparison to the rest of the nation. However, we do have hope for our future and we have our music! The Blues….” — Willie Morris
Kenny Brown
Willie Morris wrote, “Mississippi tolerates—indeed, encourages—some of the most colorful eccentrics and dissenters and hedonists to be found anywhere, and with that comes a crafty and artful sense of sin. It is here where you find the blues…the radiance and fire in the midst of fundamentalism and impoverishment, the love of music, the relish of company and of idiosyncrasy for its own sake…the telling of tales, the guilts and the blunderings and the love of strong drink and women.”
Alphonso Sanders Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 33
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Robert Dafford
A Flourish of Area Artists R R C Ron Burt
on Burt recently established Alluvial Art Studio on Liberty Road in Natchez, Mississippi. Since his graduation from high school in 1994, Burt has studied guitar building and repair at Roberto-Venn School in Arizona and worked with stained glass at Tumbleweed Stained Glass in Mesa, Arizona, for ten years. In addition, he has loved photography and taken photos since he was a child. Now, Burt is ready to showcase and sell his art from his own studio. Previously, Burt has had his panoramic photographs showcased at Natchez Under the Hill Saloon for about a year. His new studio affords the space not only to make his stained-glass objects and windows but also to develop and print his panoramic shots of the Mississippi River. These shots mainly include sunsets and the river view of the bridges, but he plans to venture to other local settings in the Natchez area. Burt’s stained-glass sun catchers and photography will also be on display at ArtsNatchez in the city’s historic downtown where he looks forward to sharing ideas with other artists of his medium as well as to connecting with artists of different mediums. Keep a look out for more of this unique artist’s work. www.alluvial-arts.com; 601-812-7498; ron.burt@email.com.
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obert Dafford, nationally-known muralist from Lafayette, Louisiana, has been commissioned by the Port Gibson Main Street Program to design and paint a 10’ by 40’ mural commemorating the local Civil Rights Movement in Claiborne County. The mural will be located in Lightfoot Park, opposite the Claiborne County Courthouse, and will focus on the unique role that the community’s economic boycott, related merchants’ lawsuit, and subsequent U. S. Supreme Court ruling played in the national Civil Rights struggle. Dafford has painted over 400 murals across the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, and England. He is best known for his murals in Paducah, Kentucky; Portsmouth, Ohio; Covington, Kentucky; and his giant “Clarinet” in New Orleans, Louisiana. He also painted the majority of the Vicksburg, Mississippi, murals, most of which are large historical vignettes on the town’s floodwalls, created to bolster downtown development. “To date, most of Port Gibson’s tourism focus has been on the community’s antebellum and Civil War history,” said Main Street Director Kenneth Ross. “This Project will increase and broaden the tourism infrastructure of our community. It will also bring more attention to the AfricanAmerican experience and heritage of our
community and provide a sense of pride in the progress which has been made.” 601437-4500; www.portgibsonmainstreet.com. arrie Golden Lambert’s ancestor Guillerman Montegut, born in 1678, was a Master Tapiste (teacher) and worked on Aubusson Tapestries at Chateau Biron in France. This craftsmanship was handed down through the ages; and many of the tapestries created by Lambert’s Montegut ancestors are still in existence and can be viewed in various locations throughout France, including the town named after her ancestors, Montegut. Lambert watched her grandmother, Edmae Montegut Doussan, crochet beautiful intricate lace pieces—and so began Lambert’s love for fiber art! Born and raised in New Orleans’ French Quarter as the daughter of wellknown artist Rolland Golden, Lambert dabbled in the arts from a young age, and crocheting and beading are just a few of her passions. Lambert designs or edits patterns to make them her own; and marries various fibers, yarns, beads, threads, and color combinations to create unique pieces. Currently, she exhibits original works at M. Schon Gallery at 417 Main Street in Natchez, Mississippi. She has been teaching this art for over 35 years and holds beginner, intermediate,
Aimee Guido
Carrie Lambert
Aimee Guido
Carrie Lambert
and advanced crochet and beaded crochet classes in Natchez. 985-273-9090.
A
imee Guido is continuing her artistic career in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, which is the inspiration for much of her work. After careful study under some of the best professors in Mississippi—She is a 2008 magna cum laude graduate of Delta State University with a Bachelor of Arts/Art Education and a 2010 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Masters in Art Education—Guido has stepped out into the artistic world to create for both personal and professional purposes. Designing works in both two and three dimensions, Guido fashions each piece uniquely. All ceramic forms are hand thrown on the wheel or made with the help
of a press mold. A rustic elegance unifies all of her pieces, combining southern influence with function, and each one of her works is conceived as a piece to become a family heirloom. Pattern and repetition appear in many of Guido’s distinct pieces that capture a kaleidoscope of subjects. Her paintings, wherein she employs traditional glazing to render rich, vibrant experiences, and her other two-dimensional works reflect her deftness in expressing emotions and creating treasures for which viewers feel they have waited a lifetime. While Guido’s exclusive pieces are ever changing, they always manifest the Deep South roots that brought her talents to the surface. 601-431-2168; aimguido@hotmail. com; uniquelyaimee.com
Aimee Guido
giving—engagements, marriages, birthdays, anniversaries, and the joy that new generations bring. He loves to sit with each customer and get a feel for his or her personality and preferences. Patrick’s custom work, for example, begins with a pencil sketch and then an auto cad computerized drawing. The third step is a wax impression; step four occurs when the actual ring is cast in gold or platinum; and the final step involves the hand engraving and stone setting. In the end, he has created a one-of-a-kind ring that has special meaning because Patrick has incorporated each individual’s personality and style in the heirloom piece. Patrick’s Fine Jewelry: 225-635-4614.
J
ohn Patrick, owner of Patrick’s Fine Jewelry in St. Francisville, Louisiana, has enjoyed over a quarter century of making memories and marking milestones. The truly exciting element of his artistry is providing his customers significant symbols for their most personal reasons for
John Patrick
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Seek the Enrichment of the Creative Arts story by donna K. Jones photos by cheryl F. rinehart
I
Potters Barbara Kaiser and Amanda Jeansonne
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t is great to live in a community that appreciates art. Natchez, Mississippi, both supports and promotes the arts; for so many people here realize the importance of art in their lives and in the lives of their children. Because school art budgets are consistently being cut, parents who appreciate the value of art seek other outlets for their children to get exposure to creative expression. Parents, too, need these creative outlets since they are busier now more than ever with their children involved in so many sports and other activities; and smart parents set aside time to seek these creative outlets to relieve some of the pressures of their days. Those engulfed in professional and personal deluges of detail also seek the refuge and rewards found in the creative arts as do those who have reached retirement. I look forward to my retirement, when like so many other retirees, I can spend more of my time doing something I love. I’ll spend those days in my pottery studio. I’ve noticed that artists are drawn to each other as are those of other creative talents. In visiting potters around the country, I’ve found that if there is more than one potter in town, they are usually friends; and they are sharing
techniques and glaze tips and helping each other out any way they can. They open up their studios, their kilns, and their hearts to others that share their love of clay. There are no secrets kept, no envy of what another potter is achieving. A wonderful potter friend of mine recently told me that he has always told anyone who asked that he is a self-taught potter. But the other day, he told me he is really not selftaught. He has learned something from almost every potter he has ever spoken with. The lifelong desire to try throwing pottery on the wheel is what drew me to Natchez Clay. The kind spirit, fun, and generous nature of the people in our local clay community are what have kept me there all these years. We have had a few natural-born potters enrolled over the years. However, we have had plenty more folks who said they didn’t know they had a creative bone in their bodies, but they gave pottery a try and loved it. You don’t have to be creative to learn how to throw on the wheel; and with hand-building class, if you can follow instructions, you can complete in just one night a project you’ll be proud of! However, the biggest issue for people is not their level of creativity; it is their hesitance to commit the time and money to something just for themselves. It’s a shame so many don’t think their own needs are important enough to make that commitment. Ask those in our clay community about the difference their participation in our studio has made in their lives. Watch the smiles on their faces as they tell you about how much fun they’ve had and how much stress it relieves. Now don’t you think you deserve that, too? I give my thanks to Bluffs & Bayous for this annual issue to help promote the arts in our area. Take a look through this issue and see all the beautiful artwork and stop by to see the wonderful people who create it. And by all means, join in the fun at one of the creative studios around town! We’ll welcome you into our clay community any time you want to give it a try. Drop by our studio on the corner of Madison and Clifton Avenues or visit our website at www.natchezclay.com to see what is happening at our studio for potential artists of all ages!
Amanda Jeansonne
Bruce Scarborough and Barbara Kaiser
Liz Dantone
Jessica Coffman and Judy Uzetta
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THE Social Scene 60th Birthday Party for 1969 Graduates
M
cComb High School’s Class of 1969 recently held a 60th birthday party/reunion for it members at Fernwood Country Club in McComb, Mississippi. Festivities included dinner and cocktails; live 60s music played by Highway 51; and special guests Sonny and Cher as well as Jimi Hendrix, who “Raised the Spirits” for all during the evening!
Front—Connie Seay, Carol Felder, Molly Ballard, and Peggy Stephenson; back—Jamie Forman and Nancy Fridge
Willis and Chellette Simmons
LeWair and Jamie Forman
Kathy and Jimmy Nikalaus
Jennifer and Dennis Lindsey
Virginia and Wallace Pope
Cindy and Mary Margaret Ponder
Jack and Diane Lazarus
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On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River
Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 41
On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River
Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Page 42 { July 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River
Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 43
THE Social Scene Parnassus Club’s 60th Anniversary
I
n May, the Parnassus Club of McComb, Mississippi, celebrated its 60th anniversary along with the birthday recognition of two of its charter members, Marilyn Brady and Mildred Fountain. The catered dinner was held at Brentwood. The club began 60 years ago when a group of moms decided they needed a night out, away from their small children and husbands, and named their club for the mountain home of Apollo and the Muses. Their community service includes fundraising for the Salvation Army, Camp Sunshine, and the Railroad Museum.
Around and up—Donna Lukacs, Carolyn Richmond, Laila McEwen, Dorothy Gilbert, Mary Ellen Taylor, Mildred Fountain, Cindy Quayle, (center) Madge Mayer, and Gina Gill; behind top/back—Shirley Whittington, Judy Hutson, and Marilyn Brady; coming down the stairs— (in red) Mary Emma Lansing, Yvonne Williamson, Sharon Stroble, Jane Richmond, June Moak, Nancy Lazenby, and Melinda Wallace Mildred Fountain, Mary Ellen Taylor, and Marilyn Brady
Jane Richmond and Donna Lukacs
Marilyn Brady and Shirley Whittington
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THE Social Scene Pine Burr Garden Club Flower Show
T
he Pine Burr Garden Club’s Small Standard Flower Show, “Mississippi, Not Just a Hospitality State,” was held recently at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Scarbrough in Meadville, Mississippi. Winners were Dorothy McGehee, blue ribbon in design; Barbara Herring, two Awards of Merit in Horticulture, Sweepstakes Award, Arboreal Award, Pauline Herring Horticulture Award, and the Dorothy McGehee Design Award for the design that best depicted the theme of the show; Lugenia Scarbrough, Educational Award; Beverly Gabbert, blue ribbon in design, Designer’s Choice Award, and the Barbara Herring Award; Melody Maxey, an Award of Merit in Horticulture and the Horticultural Excellence Award; and Carol May, a blue ribbon in design and an Award of Merit in Horticulture. Pine Burr Garden Club is a member of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi and the National Garden Clubs.
Dorothy McGehee, Barbara Herring, Lugenia Scarbrough, Beverly Gabbert, Melody Maxey, and Carol May
Carol May
Beverly Gabbert
Dorothy McGehee
Barbara Herring
Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 45
In the Kitchen with Cheryl’s Friends and Family
Courtney Taylor, Home-town Gourmet: Easy Summer Party Bruschetta Menu will keep the kitchen and the cook as cool as a cucumber and give your guests something to chat about. For beverages, chilled Pinot Grigio hits the spot, or set up a classic Margarita bar for a fun DIY party activity! For a non-alcoholic alternative, make homemade ginger ale.
S
ynonyms for entertaining: fun, amusing, lightweight, and undemanding—just what we need to keep in mind in throwing a summer party! When temps sizzle, grilling outdoors keeps the heat out of the kitchen and the fare light, but I like to shake things up a little— bring bright flavors and easy recipes. Light on the pocket book and on calories, this
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Bruschetta Bar For bruschetta, I prefer New Orleans style French bread such as Reisings or an airy Italian loaf. If you can’t find this locally, use the least dense French loaf you can find. Fresh crusty bread, sliced ½ inch thick (Cut baguettes on the diagonal.) Extra-virgin olive oil as needed, about ½ cup Coat the bottom of one or two rimmed baking sheets with olive oil and set the bread slices on top in a single layer. Brush the tops with a little more oil and set aside until you’re ready to grill. Light a charcoal fire and heat it until you can hold your hand above the grate for no more than 2 seconds or heat a gas grill to medium high. Grill the slices of bread until one side has dark grill marks, and then turn them to toast the other side. Cut the bruschetta into serving-size pieces. Serve with any of the following toppings—or create your own!
Olive Oil, Garlic, and Oregano 1 bottle of fruity olive oil (extra virgin) 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 10 sprigs fresh oregano Place the chopped garlic and oregano sprigs in a decorative bottle (or a clean, empty olive-oil bottle). Pour in olive oil. Seal and allow to steep at room temperature overnight. Tomato and Basil Salsa 2 cups peeled, diced ripe tomatoes (the meatier the better) ½ cup finely chopped basil 1 garlic clove, minced ¼ cup fruity olive oil Salt, to taste Mix together all ingredients in a bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use. If you make this ahead of time, do not add the basil until you are ready to serve. Basil will turn dark quickly.
West Indies Crab Meat Salad (If you cannot find fresh crab, make something else!) I first tasted this dish at the Monteleone in New Orleans, but the original simple dish was invented by Bill Bayley, a merchant marine from Mobile, for his small grocery/ deli in 1947. The deli evolved into Mobile’s legendary Bayley’s Seafood Restaurant. I prefer to marinate only the onion and dressing and toss it with the crab right before serving; but if you are purist, by all means follow Bill Bayley’s 1940s recipe as it appears below. Here’s a link for the Mobile restaurant: http://www.urbanspoon. com/r/223/1092011/restaurant/Mobile/ Bayleys-Seafood-Restaurant-Theodore. By the way, Bill Bayley also invented fried crab claws. 1 small sweet Vidalia onion, finely chopped 1 pound best quality fresh jumbo lump crabmeat Salt and pepper, to taste ½ cup cider vinegar ½ cup ice water ½ cup vegetable oil Spread half the chopped onion in the bottom of a bowl. Next, add the pound of picked crab over the onion. Top with remaining onion, and season with salt and pepper. Over the onion and crabmeat, pour the vinegar, ice water, and oil. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or 2 days. It was originally served with saltines, but it is delicious on bruschetta. New Orleans cooks sometimes add capers and celery. To further refine the dish, I have used white balsamic vinegar, sea salt, and olive oil. Olive Tapanade ½ pound pitted kalamata olives 1 small garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons capers
2 to 3 fresh basil leaves 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Process to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the mixture becomes a coarse paste, approximately 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer to a bowl and serve. Grilled Ratatouille 2 zucchini, cut into quarters lengthwise 2 Japanese eggplant, halved lengthwise, or 1 large eggplant (peeled and sliced in ¼-inch discs) 2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and quartered 2 yellow bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and quartered 2 red onions, quartered 8 ripe Roma tomatoes, halved ½ cup olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped ¼ cup chopped basil leaves ¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves Preheat grill to medium-high. Place all cut vegetables and the tomatoes in a large shallow baking dish; add the ½ cup of olive oil, and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the vegetables on the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time. Remove the tomatoes, cover grill, and cook the remaining vegetables for 2 minutes, or until almost cooked through. Transfer vegetables to a cutting board and chop finely. Or place in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Place the chopped vegetables and tomatoes in a large bowl; add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, basil, and parsley; and season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature. Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 47
Pesto and Goat Cheese Spread For the Pesto: 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup pine nuts (You may substitute almonds or omit.) 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste ½ cup freshly grated ParmigianoReggiano cheese (available locally at Wal-Mart; aged is available at Whole
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Foods in Baton Rouge or online.) Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor, and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add ½ cup of the oil, and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. For the Spread: 1 six-ounce log goat cheese ¼ cup basil pesto (or more to taste) 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Taste for seasoning. Add salt, pepper, or more pesto,
to taste. If you like lemon, add a little lemon juice, to taste. Classic Margarita 1½ ounces best quality Tequila ½ ounce Cointreau 1 ounce lime juice Rim a glass with lime juice; dip in salt. Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice. Strain into prepared glass. Homemade Ginger Ale 2 cups (about 10 ounces) coarsely chopped, peeled fresh ginger 3 strips lemon peel (about 4 inches each), yellow part only 1½ cups (about) sugar 3 quarts chilled club soda Ice cubes Place ginger, lemon peel, and 4 cups of water in a 4-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer at a low boil, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. Add sugar, stirring constantly, and continue to boil until reduced to about 3 cups, another 15 minutes. Place a fine wire strainer over a large bowl. Pour in ginger mixture to separate solids from liquid. Discard the lemon peel. The cooked ginger may be reserved and served with other dishes like vanilla ice cream. Cool the syrup, pour into a glass container, seal tightly, and chill at least 1 hour until cold or up to 1 week. For each 16-ounce serving, mix 1/4 cup ginger syrup with 1 cup cold club soda and pour over ice. Additional ginger syrup and/ or sugar may be added to taste. Yield: about 4 quarts, 12 servings
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THE Social Scene Battling for a Cure Mississippi State Rally 2011
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ississippi River flood waters did not deter the 145 bike riders who found their way to Vicksburg on May 20 through 22 for the Mississippi State Rally of Southern Cruisers Riding Club hosted by Warren County, Chapter #212. The event featured Friday night’s barbecue supper; Saturday’s ride through Warren County and benefit poker run, both of which hit historic flood and local interest sites, vendors and bike-skill games, and the evening’s live and silent auction and various raffles to raise money; and finally Sunday’s blessing of the bikes before the out-of-towners headed home. It was a weekend of fun and fundraising with over $5700 raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
Cindy Mathes and Liddelle Ditto
Debbie Dolan and Dan “Liljack” Jackson
Bo McLeod and Laura Callaway
Sam Pitchford, Jim Hickman, Marvin Weast, Dan Klein, and Richard Dunaway
Donna and Danny Spry, Mark and Debbie Loose, and Susan and Jeff Martin
Keith “Mojo” Meissner, Kent “U-Turn” Baldenhofer, Caj Justilian, Terrie Laterade, and Bill “Wild Bill” Wehner
Ed Schilling, Doug Kamien, Cindy Mathes, and Bob Petersen
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Walt Newell
Baron “Cracker” Kleinhans
Christi Wooley
Paul Boolos
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Mark and Debbie Loose
Phil Hollis and Kimbilia “Special K” Williams
Rose Kress
Linda and Dave LaSalle
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Brister and Christi Wooley
Charlotte Pearson and Robert Webb
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Southern Sampler | by Johnny Bowlin
“A
They Call Me Coach Biscuit
re you sure you want to play?” was the question my wife and I asked several times as we double or maybe triple checked to see if our daughter was serious about playing fast-pitch softball. Our daughter assured us again that she wanted to play. She had played T-ball for three years, starting at age three, and was a very good T-baller. I had helped my friend Charlie coach her first team, the Marlins, and had a wonderful time. During these years, my daughter and I played baseball in the yard, practicing, as I pitched to her and we threw the ball around (I thought of Field of Dreams every time we played!). Fast-pitch softball would be a greater challenge, though, with that ball humming in toward our six-year-old at over 30 miles per hour, but I was positive she could learn this new game. I signed up to be an assistant coach to support her and help however I could with the team. After I got a text about the coaches’ meeting, I showed up, clueless about the inside workings of girls’ softball. I was a little late to the meeting, entered the high school girls’ softball building, and was directed to a table with two ladies and sheets of registration forms. We started talking about teams and how the teams would be divided and such. The
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ladies told me that there would be two teams and they were going to coach one of the teams. When I asked who was going to coach the other team, they said, “You.” I said, “Say what?” I didn’t know the first thing about coaching six- to nineyear-old girls in softball. I used to “coach” a men’s church softball team back in the 1990s, but that was because I was the only one on the team somewhat active at the church. I know the game of baseball from
playing and being a huge fan of the game (My groom’s cake at our wedding was a chocolate glove.)—but coaching? We have only lived in Franklin County for little over a year, and I didn’t know the kids except the one who shares my last name. We picked teams, and I left that meeting with my head spinning with ideas. My first thought was that we needed a nickname for the kids to rally around. I knew we would have a team sponsor, but a team nickname would help pull us together. As stated before, I am a baseball nerd/fan/maniac, especially of the minor leagues. I particularly love the cool logos and nicknames of the minors. So I thought—what minor league hat and shirt do I have in my collection that would be fun for the kids on my team? It hit me. Biscuits. Ironically, our sponsor is Georgeanne’s Deli and Gifts, so an eating place ties in well with Biscuits. I have been a fan of the Montgomery Biscuits since they moved from Orlando to Montgomery, Alabama. My wife and I went to Montgomery in 2009, coming back from a church youth camp, saw the stadium, and shopped at the Biscuit Basket team store. At my first meeting with the kids, I told them our nickname and got some looks, but they as a whole have loved the nickname as we have progressed from practice to games. For the first practice, I put together an information sheet with this quote from the great Cal Ripken, Jr.: “It’s up to us to
keep our perspectives and our priorities in order. Let the kids play the games. We had our childhood. It’s our kids’ childhood now. It’s time for us to simply let them go out and watch them enjoy themselves.” It really is about kids playing a game that is fun. I have been blessed with some great kids on this team and two great assistant coaches, and this season has been a blast. As I am writing this, our record stands at 2-2. It is rewarding to see these girls improve and celebrate the wins and hate the losses. I encourage every parent to take the time to enjoy mentoring and sharing in the lives of children. One afternoon before practice, one of the kids called me Coach Biscuit. The girl’s grandmother got on to her for calling me Coach Biscuit, but I laughed. Later, I mentioned this new title to my wife and told her I need Coach Biscuit on a business card or at least make sure that it is on my tombstone.
Bluffs & Bayous { July 2011 { Page 55
THE Social Scene Business After Hours
B
ancorpSouth and the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business After Hours Tuesday, May 17, at the bank’s main office in downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi. Special guest was Wayne Mansfield, Executive Director of the Warren County Port Commission.
Bobby Rose, Jane Hamilton, Cindy Craft, and Diana Hanks
Joe Bonelli, Wayne Mansfield, and Marjorie Kinnebrew
John Kamman, Jr.; Wayne Mansfield; and Mark Buys
Kaitlyn Ellis, Alice Ellis, and Annette Kirklan
Katie Ferrell, Jennifer Lynne McMillin, Katie Feibelman, and Lauren Cappaert
Jennifer Lynne McMillin, Stephen McMillin, and Riley Nelson
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Auburn Antebellum Home’s New Officers
Mike Curtis and Bobby Ellis
N
ew officers were recently installed by Mayor Jake Middleton for Auburn Antebellum Home in Natchez, Mississippi, for the 2011-2013 term. They are President, Clark Feiser; Vice President, Dottie McGehee; Secretary, Kaye Harris; Treasurer, Evelyn Halford; Historian, Donna Martello; and Parlimentarian, Gwyn Bacot. The Past President was Phyllis Feiser. Mayor Jake Middleton, Donna Martello, Dottie McGehee, Clark Feiser, Evelyn Halford, Kaye Harris, Gwyn Bacot, and Phyllis Feiser Beverly Steward and Lisa Hardy
Sheila Hudspeth and Laura Beth Lyons
Brother Blackburn and George Jabour, Jr.
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Southern Sampler | by Alma M. Womack
Mania of My Own Making
T
he chickens that I bought in April have been a difficult flock to raise. The wee ones started out at a dozen but were down to six when they made it to the chicken yard. The pretty little red pullets were seven when they came but are now down to two, thanks to a hawk and wood rat. I have ended up with eight youngsters, one hen and one rooster in the chicken yard, a bit of a disappointment for me. The murdering wood rat was building himself a nest in the feed box in the laying room. I’d chase him out, but he’d come back at night and haul more garbage into the feed box. I tried to get the little dog, Mouse, to come in with me and catch the rat, but she and the others have been chastised so much about coming close to
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the door of the chicken house that she had to be dragged into the house. Of course, by that time, the rat had escaped again, to continue his hauling trash to the feed box. I wouldn’t try to shoot him since the floor is concrete; and a cartridge would be likely to strike the floor, bounce, and hit the shooter. Also there is the problem that the rat can move a lot faster than I, so the chances of hitting him were slim. All that was left was rat poison; and, believe me, I set out a liberal dose. The poison was a “one bite will do him in” variety, but it was a lot slower than advertised on the package.
The little red pullets were roosting in the bottom of the brooder at night, but I would leave the door open for them to come out in the morning. One night, the poisoned rat killed three of my little ones, leaving me with just three red pullets, for presumably a hawk had already lifted one out the pen a few days before. The next pullet to be killed was my fault since I plain forgot to catch them that night and put them in the bottom of the brooder with the Buff Orpingtons on top. After that, I was obsessed with protecting what chicks were left and would catch them every night and put them in the brooder. When I went to Holly’s house in Baton Rouge for a couple of days, all the chicks were left in the top of the brooder even though it was probably uncomfortable for them. Since the last chick was murdered, I have seen no sign of the rat; the poison must have finally worked but not before the devil decimated my pullets. A few days ago, the little Buffs were first allowed to run in the chicken yard during the day but always caught and put back in the brooder at night. Even though they are gentle chickens when grown, they will run from me when it’s time to go back to the brooder. I don’t have a good catching net handy, so I improvised one from what was on hand. A pool leaf net stuck in a wind chime pipe and taped for security will have to do until I can go to town to get a proper net. The homemade one works fairly well, but the opening is oval instead of round and has to be applied more precisely, hard to do when chicks are running in all directions.
The first day that they were allowed to run free, two of the six found a hole and escaped. When I went to pen them up that evening, there the little varmints were, outside the yard fence. Since putting up a hot wire on the fence, the dogs haven’t been too eager to get close to the yard, which has been a blessing. I finally caught the little rascals with Woodrow guarding the gate, and I got them inside. “Finally” meant that I was red in the face and breathing heavily when I caught them, and there were six more to catch. As I was wiping the sweat from my brow and convincing Woodrow to keep the gate closed, I wondered, “Why I am doing this to myself? I could be inside in the cool, reading a magazine or checking emails and drinking a tall glass of lemon tea, or I could be helping Woodrow work on his cotton picker. Anything but running around like, well, a chicken with its head chopped off, chasing chickens to put in a pen.” No reasonable answer came forth. The same could be said for the yard work. I live in a thicket of my own making and am continually picking up limbs, trimming something, and watering in this horrible extended drought that we are in. The work is never caught up, for I can only work in the early morning until about ten o’clock and then late in the afternoon until it’s time to shut up the chickens, feed the dogs and us. It’s not like I have neighbors to come over and enjoy looking at my flowers or passersby to slow down and admire the beauty of nature. My neighbors are my children; and when people pass by, they are half a mile away. So, once again, why do I do this backbreaking work every year? When all is said and done, it’s just that I like to stay moving and busy and will find something to do whether it is sensible or not. When I am feeding all these animals, I think of Mr. J. Y. McGuffee, longtime beloved sheriff of Catahoula Parish and a cattleman. In his last years, he sold his cattle and got a small herd of goats. He would come here to get corn for his little herd. When I asked him why he was still fooling with livestock, he said, “I’ve just got to have something to feed every day.” I suppose that is a good enough answer for all of us outside oriented people.
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July ... Up and Coming! Premier Events Summer Art Camps Natchez Clay in Natchez, Mississippi, will be hosting two Summer Art Camps this year. The first will be a Teen Camp July 11 through 15 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The second is a Kids Camp July 25 through 29. For this camp, kids may attend from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. or from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Each camp is $160 and includes instruction, clay, glaze, firing, T-shirt, and a gallery opening a few weeks later for participants to pick up their work. There are only 10 spots in the Teen Camp and limited space in the Kids Camp. You may register for these camps by going online to www.natchezclay.com. For more information, call 601-660-2375 or e-mail natchezclay@gmail.com.
Summer Dance Intensive Natchez Ballet in Natchez, Mississippi, will be holding its Summer Dance Intensive from June 26 through July 2. Students, ages 10 and older, will be learning dances in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and repertory. The guest teachers are from The Academy of Florida Dance Theatre. Mai Okubo, originally from Saitama, Japan, began dancing with ballet schools in Japan before she moved to New York and began her professional career with USA Ballet in Illinois. Steven Rhodes Jeudy from Brooklyn, New York, began training at 18 with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Training Group in Denver, Colorado. He studied Horton, Graham, ballet, jazz, and African dance before moving back to New York to train and graduate from The Ailey School’s Certificate Program. Sarah Oepen from central Florida began training in the pre-professional division at The Academy of Dance Arts in DeLand, Florida. She is currently a parade and show performer for Walt Disney World Entertainment. Anthony Neumann began his dance education at the Banff Centre of Fine Arts in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and currently serves as assistant production manager for the International Ballet Company in Jackson, Mississippi. Natchez Ballet is pleased to welcome these talented instructors. Their Summer Intensive Performance will be held at the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center on July 2 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact natchezballet@yahoo.com. Steven Rhodes Jeudy Through July 17 The Orient Expressed Exhibit Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, Mississippi 601-960-1515 www.msmuseumart.org
July 1 - October 16 Morley: The Vanished Lumber Town West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana 225-336-2422 westbatonrougemuseum.com
Through July 21 Kids College Various Summer Classes Copiah Lincoln Community College Natchez, Mississippi 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mon. - Thurs. Pre-registration and fees required for all classes 601-446-1103 beth.richard@colin.edu
July 1 - 4 Red, White & BLUES & Happy Birthday Willie Dixon Vicksburg, Mississippi Various performances 601-634-6179 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com www.vicksburgheritage.com www.visitvicksburg.com
Through July 31 Farmer’s Market Downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi Sat.: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Wed.: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 601-634-9484 www.vicksburgfarmersmarket.org Page 60 { July 2011 { Bluffs & Bayous
July 2 An Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration Mississippi Craft Center 950 Rice Road Ridgeland, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Picnic, craft demos, Miss. Band of Choctaws 601-856-7546 601-856-7531 fax www.mscrafts.org July 2 - 3 Crape Myrtle Magic Imahara’s Botanical Gardens St. Francisville, Louisiana 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 225-767-2250 www.stfrancisville.us
July 6 - 8 Civil War Adventure Camp Historic Jefferson College Natchez, Mississippi $20; Ages 8 - 12; registration required 601-442-9201 hcburkett@mdah.state.ms.us July 8 - 30 Gold in the Hills Parkside Playhouse Vicksburg, Mississippi Fri. & Sat.: 7:00 p.m. $10 adults; $5 children (12 & younger) 601-636-0471 www.e-vtg.com July 9 “Second Saturday� Hosts Author Tom Lawrence Signing: Delta Days: Tales of the Mississippi Delta Turning Pages Books & More Natchez, Mississippi 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 601-442-2299 turningpages@dixie-net.com July 9 Natchez Green Alliance Christmas in July Ornament Decorating Workshop Historic Natchez Foundation Natchez, Mississippi 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 601-238-8325 murrayy@bellsouth.net July 9 Olde Towne Market Downtown Clinton, Mississippi 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 601-924-5472 www.mainstreetclintonms.com July 10 Sundays at the Gallery Reception Honoring Jay Meyers, Photographer ArtsNatchez Gallery Natchez, Mississippi 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 601-807-1298 margaretwatts26@yahoo.com
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July ... Up and Coming! July 10 - August 3 Dawson Reunion Exhibit Gulf/South Art Gallery McComb, Mississippi Exhibit open during gallery hours 40-Yrs. Reception: July 10, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. 601-684-9470 July 11 - 15 Summer Youth Art Camp Natchez Art Association Natchez, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. $115 per week; limited space 601-807-3290 admin@skysetter.com July 11 - 15 Teen Camp Natchez Clay Natchez, Mississippi 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. $160; register online. www.natchezclay.com
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July 12 - 14 Teachers Institute: U.S. Civil War West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana Limit: 15 participants Free; registration required 225-336-2422 westbatonrougemuseum.com July 15 Moonlight in the Gardens Biedenharn Museum & Gardens Monroe, Louisiana 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. $3 per person 318-387-5281 www.bmuseum.org
July 16 Viking Classic Ladies’ Day Colony Park Ridgeland, Mississippi 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Free golf instruction from PGA professionals 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Viking Culinary Tent Hot tips from chefs 3:00 p.m. Annual Wine & Cheese Tasting Free admission and parking 601-605-5252 www.visitridgeland.com July 16 EXPLORE! Insects Historic Jefferson College Natchez, Mississippi Ages 6 - 8: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages 9 - 12: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. $10; pre-registration required 601-442-9021 kmcneil@mdah.state.ms.us
July 19 Sushi Workshop with William Furlong Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Vicksburg, Mississippi 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. $30 SCHF members; $35 non-members 601-631-3734 www.southernculture.org July 19 - 22 Naturalist Camp Historic Jefferson College Natchez, Mississippi Ages 9 - 12; $20; pre-registration required 601-442-9021 rperson@mdah.state.ms.us July 21 Bottles & Brushes Masur Museum of Art Monroe, Louisiana 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Must be 21 to drink and 18 to attend $45 non-members; $35 members 318-329-2237 www.masurmuseum.org
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July 23 Harvest Festival at Landry Vineyards Landry Vineyards West Monroe, Louisiana 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. $5; children 12 & under free 318-557-9050 www.landryvineyards.com July 23 - September 18 Cathartic Art: Remembering 9/11 West Baton Rouge Museum Port Allen, Louisiana Public submissions invited 225-336-2422 westbatonrougemuseum.com July 25 - 26 2-Day Figure Drawing Workshop Southern Cultural Heritage Center Vicksburg, Mississippi 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $55 SCHF members; $60 non-members 601-631-2997 www.southernculture.org July 25 - 29 Summer Youth Art Camp Natchez Art Association Natchez, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. $115 per week; limited space 601-807-3290 admin@skysetter.com July 25 - 29 Kids Camp Natchez Clay Natchez, Mississippi 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. OR 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. $160; register online. www.natchezclay.com July 29 - 30 48th Annual Louisiana Watermelon Festival Courthouse Square Farmerville, Louisiana Fri.: 6:00 p.m.; Street Dance 8:30 p.m. Sat.: 9:00 p.m. 318-368-0044 www.lawatermelonfestival.com
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July 29 - 30 Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration Rosedown Plantaion St. Francisville, Louisiana Fri.: 6:00 p.m.; Sat.: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 1-800-488-6502 or 225-635-6769 www.audubonbirdfest.com July 31 Hank Jones Memorial Juneteenth Jazz and Heritage Festival The Coral Room at The Vicksburg Vicksburg, Mississippi 7:00 p.m. 601-634-6179 shirleywaring@vicksburgheritage.com www.juneteenthjazz.com
Be sure to confirm details of the events should changes have occurred since events were submitted.
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