Bluffs & Bayous September 2012

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2012 {

{ September 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous


Welcome to our September Outdoors Issue. I look forward each year to this issue for sever-

al reasons. In early autumn, I always enjoy discovering something new about life out-doors in our part of the South. I anticipate Labor Day weekend with our dinner-club friends as we travel and discover a new part of the country each year. Following Labor Day, the real fall season begins with Friday Night Lights, Saturday SEC Football, and Sunday and Monday NFL Football. Do ya think I love football? I also love the fall festivals that begin taking place throughout our life along and beyond the Mississippi. I just LOVE fall! This month we feature two new muse-ums that have just opened in Vicksburg, Mississippi—the Lower Mississippi River Museum & Interpretive Site and the Old Depot Museum. These museums shed new light on the river commerce, life, and history of the Lower Mississippi Valley. In addition, our focus on Louisiana and Mississippi State Parks should begin to

From Your Publisher . . .whet your appetite for outdoors adventure as opportunities abound in our woodlands and on our waterways for next-to-nature experiences in hiking, camping, cycling, boating, fishing, and bird watching. What exciting times our state parks have to offer!

Speaking of adventure, our visit with Lena Yarborough, co-owner of Everyday Adventure, has me lined up for some of her kayak tours, boot camps, and cycling tours. I cannot wait for the temperature to fall a few degrees so I can get these ad-ventures going.

Mary Emrick from Turning Pages Books & More offers a peek into John Folse’s After the Hunt extraordinary ta-ble-top, cook, and history book. She also shares several of the many ways to make a roux and some specialty recipes to add to your collection when your hunter brings in the kill from the weekend hunt. I have all three of his books; and we delight in cook-ing from them, reading their topical and historical accounts, and enjoying the beau-tiful photographs throughout.

And what household in this part of the country is not without a biography of Patsy Cline! Vicksburg, Mississippi, native and long-time New Yorker Ellis Nassour shares his experiences in writing the defin-itive Patsy Cline biography—Honky Tonk Angel, the Intimate Story of Patsy Cline—this month’s literary focus.

Rounding out this month’s Outdoors Issue are the renditions of columnist Ross McGehee, who each month treats us to thought- and laughter-provoking excur-sions into the real stories of the outdoors; columnist Jennie Guido, who tempts and intrigues us with her tour of the Happy Hours of Natchez, Mississippi; and colum-nist Alma Womack, who in her Southern Sampler of life in the Deep South and on the farm shares a story about her daughter and son-in-law, Jorie and Aaron Wade of Jonesville, Louisiana. Recently, they were featured in NRCS Louisiana Conservation Update by writer Holly Martien, who has allowed Bluffs & Bayous to run this story spotlighting the innovative measures of modern conservationist farmers.

We introduce a new column this month, Legal Notes, authored by Natchez attorney Sam Gwin. Each month he will offer insight into several of the many legal issues we en-counter, and we are thrilled to provide our readers with his comments and counsel.

Cheers to Life Outdoors!—May we fully enjoy all the pleasures of outdoors life along and beyond the Mississippi.


p u b l i s h e r

Cheryl Foggo Rineharte d i t o r s

Jean Nosser BiglaneCheryl Foggo Rinehartg r a p h i c d e s i g n e r s

Jan RatcliffAnita Schilling

m e d i a c o o r d i n a t o r

Adam Blackwells t a f f p h o t o g r a p h e r s

Van O’GwinElise D. Parker

Cheryl Rineharts a l e s s t a f f

Jennifer RatliffCheryl RinehartDonna SessionsJoAnna Sproles

Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced with-out 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.

o f f i c e423 Main Street, Suite 7 | Natchez, MS 39120

601-442-6847 | fax [email protected] | [email protected]

[email protected]

Jean BiglaneAdam Blackwell

Cheryl Rinehart

Donna Sessions

Anita Schilling

Van O’Gwin Elise D. Parker

JoAnna Sproles

Jan Ratcliff

C o n t r i b u t o r s

on the coverA unique bridge at Tishomingo State Park in

Tishomingo, Mississippi, invites visitors into the lush greenery of draping branches and the timeless natural

beauty of massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices found throughout the park. One of the many state parks offering outdoor adventures, Tishomingo

State Park is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Mississippi.

See the related feature article and photos highlighting Louisiana and Mississippi State Parks on pages 54-63.

Columnist Ross McGehee, a lifelong resident of Natchez,

Mississippi, owns a diversified and far-flung farm operation.

Jennie Guido is a graduate of Delta State University with

a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Master’s Degree in English

Education. Having lived up Highway 61 in Cleveland,

Mississippi, she recently has returned to Natchez, her hometown, to pursue her

professional career.

Columnist Mary Emrick is the owner of Turning Pages Books & More in

Natchez, Mississippi.

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.

Jennifer Ratliff

Holly Martien, State Public Affairs Specialist (left), and Brittany Schmidt, Public Af-fairs Specialist (right), work for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Louisiana. NRCS works with agricultural landowners and managers to help them im-prove, conserve, and enhance the natural resources of their land. Louisiana NRCS pub-lishes a monthly magazine, Conservation Update, that features conservation successes of farmers and ranchers in Louisiana.

Ellis Nassour, a Vicksburg native, is an arts journalist and veteran of The New York Times. He wrote the best-selling biography Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline and hit revue Always, Patsy Cline. For Bravo TV, he co-anchored The Voice with k.d. lang. At MCA/Universal Studios, he helped introduce Elton John and Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar and worked closely with Neil Diamond, Bill Cosby, The Who, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, and Conway Twitty. Ellis authored Rock Opera: The Creation of Jesus Christ Superstar. He worked with Jerry Herman and Stephen Sondheim. He was contributing editor of Oxford University Press’ American National Biography. Ellis donated the Mamie and Ellis Nassour Arts & Entertainment Collection, in memory of his parents, in the University of Mississippi’s J.D. Williams Library. Ellis is featured in the book Mississippians.

Robert Ferguson, a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, for most of his life, received his degree in horticulture from

Mississippi State University in 1973. Interested in orchids since the age of 13, he owned Ferguson Orchids from 1973

to 2002 where orchids were cloned, grown from seed, and sold. Ferguson is a Life member of The American Orchid Society, has garnered four American Or-chid Society Awards for his orchids, and has won three American Orchid Society

Exhibition Trophies for Best of Show.

Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III, a native of Natchez, Mississippi, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981. Since then, he has been practicing at the law firm of Gwin, Lewis, Punches & Kelley, LLP, in Natchez. His practice includes gen-eral litigation, real estate law, divorce, contract disputes, eminent domain,

products liability, personal injury, medi-cal matters, and some estate work.


Louisiana and Mississippi State Parkspages 54-63

Two New Museums in Downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi

pages 68 - 73

September 2012

Everyday Adventures:Where an Extraordinary Outing is Just Another Everyday Adventure

pages 51 - 53

FEATURESEveryday Adventure: Where an Extraordinary Outing Is Just Another Everyday Adventure! .................................................................. 51-53

Louisiana and Mississippi State Parks .................................................................. 54-63

Two New Museums in Downtown Vicksburg, Mississippi .................................. 68-73

FAVORITESAll OutdoorsWeeds ................................................................................................................... 18-19

EventsSeptember Premier Events Up & Coming! .......................................................... 74-75

September Up & Coming! .................................................................................... 75-87

From the StacksThe Hunt-— Its Cultural History and Cuisine ........................................................ 9-13

Legendary Songstress Patsy Cline:Remembering Her On What Would Be Her 80th Birthday ................................ 88-89

In the GardenOrchids + Great Roots = Success .......................................................................... 24-25

Different Types of Gardeners and Goals .................................................................. 28

Legal NotesOf Local Interest . . . .................................................................................................. 38

Something ScrumptiousThe Happy Hours of Natchez — Peacock’s Bar & Grill,

Bowie’s Tavern, BriarVue, and The Castle’s Pub ................................................. 32-34

Southern SamplerHelping People Help the Land ................................................................................. 90

THEsocial SCENEClaiborne County MSU Alumni Gathering .............................................................. 22

Vicksburg Military Park Guide Book Celebration .................................................... 30

Petite Picasso Workshop ........................................................................................... 31

Pilgrimage Garden Club’s Annual Flower Show ...................................................... 36

Book Signing—Building the Natchez Trace Parkway .............................................. 37

BARL Summer Camp ................................................................................................. 39

Ladies’ Day Out ......................................................................................................... 40

Miss-Lou Bulldogs’ Send-off Party ............................................................................ 41

Autograph Party ........................................................................................................ 45

Doyle Twins Celebrate Fourth Birthday ................................................................... 67

THE wedding SCENECocktails at Sunset Engagement Party ............................................................... 14-16

Engagement Party Honoring Harkness and Bradford ....................................... 20-21

Hanslip and Cardneaux Engagement Party ........................................................ 42-44


The Hunt — Its CulturalHistory and Cuisine

From the Stacks review by Mary Emrick

After the Hunt: Louisiana’s Authoritative Collection of Wild Game & Fish Cookeryby Chef John D. Folse, CEC, AAC

Chef John Folse knows what hunt-ers desire in a cookbook, and he has provided it in the 870-page

tome After the Hunt. This history-cook-book was first published in 2007, so it is not new. However, it is a book that will never be dated. History does not change, and the recipes included are timeless. With this great text, you have a book that details the history of hunting from the cave man through American colonization. You are given recipes for preparing delicacies us-ing exotic animals, large game, waterfowl, land game birds, reptiles, amphibians and seafood. But not to worry; John Folse has also included scrumptious recipes for side dishes, breads, desserts, and beverages. He has left no stone unturned in his quest for

the all-inclusive book for hunters and the cooks that prepare their meals. Chef John Folse takes the reader down the Mississippi River to the “Land of Louis” for tours of Louisiana hunting camps. He introduces the reader to avid Louisiana sportsmen who know what the sport of hunting is about…not the kill but the pursuit of the perfect trophy. Any per-son can kill a wild animal; not every person can hunt. Chef John reveals the differences in this beautiful book. After the Hunt is a large book that weighs ten pounds. It measures 12x10x2 inches and is compiled of glossy paper with a well-made solid binding. Folse’s book is a tool for the kitchen, but the beau-tiful pictures and the well-researched his-tory make After the Hunt a great choice for the coffee table of a home or hunting camp. When looking for the perfect gift for your hunter or cookbook collector you cannot


go wrong with the choice of After the Hunt by Author-Chef John Folse. John Folse was born in 1946 in St. James Parish, Louisiana, on the German Coast of the Mississippi River. A Louisiana chef and restaurant owner, he is a lead-ing authority on Cajun and Creole cuisine and culture. Folse has written eight books including After the Hunt. He sums up his philosophy of life in explaining, “Risk is the tariff paid to leave the shores of pre-dictable misery.”

After the Hunt . . . A Sampling:

What I love about cooking is that after a hard day, there is something comfort-ing about the fact that if you melt butter and add flour and then hot stock, it will get thick! It’s a sure thing in a world where nothing else is sure, it’s a certainty, the stock will thicken!”—Nora Ephron

Stocks may be thickened by means of reductions, eggs, butter, vegetable purees, cream, foie gras, various starches and even blood. In classical French cuisine, the roux is the primary thickening agent. Equal parts of butter and flour are well blended over heat to create a roux. This process

may produce rouxs of different colors and thickening capabilities depending on the cook’s need. In Cajun and Creole cuisine, the roux has been raised to a new dimen-sion never before experienced in other forms of cooking. Butter, lard, peanut oil, bacon fat and even duck fat have been used in combi-nation with flour to produce as many taste and color variations as there are cooks in South Louisiana. In classical cuisine, the brown roux is used for brown sauce, the blonde roux for veloutes and the white roux is used for bechamels. In Creole cuisine, a brown roux is made from butter or ba-con fat and is used to thicken gumbos and stews requiring a light touch. The Cajuns, on the other hand, are the originators of the most unique rouxs in modern cookery. The Cajun dark brown roux is best made with vegetable oil, although in the past, it was thought imperative that only animal fat be used. The flour and oil are cooked together until the roux reaches a caramel color. This roux has less thickening pow-er. Thus, the thickening capabilities of the dark roux are diminished. The dark brown roux is the secret to traditional Cajun food because of the richness and depth it adds

to the dish. Butter is used in classical and Creole rouxs; however, the Cajuns use only vegetable oil or lard to produce their lighter colored roux. Tan in appearance, these light rouxs are used primarily with vegetables and light meat dishes.

Nothing in Cajun country has a greater aroma than a light brown roux simmering with onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic. On many occasions growing up in South Louisiana, my hunger was satisfied with a touch of this vegetable seasoned roux spread on a piece of French Bread. Certain gumbos are further thickened, in Bayou country, with either okra or file powder.

Considering the variations in cooking time and fats or oils, the number of dif-ferent roux possibilities are infinite. I will attempt to delineate six such rouxs, three used in classical cuisine, one used in Creole cooking and two that are strictly Cajun.

OIL-LESS ROUX2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread flour evenly across the bottom of a 15-inch cast iron skillet. Bake, stirring occasion-ally, for approximately 1 hour. Make sure to stir well around the edges of the skillet so flour does not scorch. Cook flour until light or dark color is achieved, depending on use. The roux will become darker when liquid is added. When desired color is reached, cool on a large cookie sheet, stir-ring occasionally. Store in a sealed jar for future use. 1 cup of oil-less roux will thick-en 1½ quarts of stock to a proper gumbo consistency.

Note: I recommend oil-less roux man-ufactured and sold by Bruce Foods and Savoie’s. Bruce Foods is located in New Iberia, Louisiana (318) 365-8101 and Savoie’s is located in Opelousas, Louisiana (318) 942-7241.8 ServingsCalories: 114Total Fat: 0Saturated Fat: 0% Calories from Fat: 0%Cholesterol: 0Sodium: 1mgCarbohydrate: 24mgFiber: 1gmProtein: 3 gm

THE BROWN ROUX1/2 cup butter1/2 cup flour

In a heavy bottom sauté pan, melt butter


over medium high heat. Using a wooden roux spoon, add flour, stirring constant-ly until flour becomes light brown. You must continue stirring during the cook-ing process, as flour will tend to scorch as browning process proceeds. Should black specks appear in the roux, discard and be-gin again. This volume of roux will thicken three cups of stock to sauce consistency.

THE BLONDE BUTTER ROUX1/2 cup butter1/2 cup flour

In a heavy bottom sauté pan, melt butter over medium high heat. Proceed exactly as in the brown roux recipe; however, only cook to the pale gold state. This roux is popular in Creole cooking and will thicken three cups of stock to a sauce consistency.

THE WHITE BUTTER ROUX1/2 cup butter1/2 cup flour

In a heavy bottom sauté pan, melt but-ter over medium high heat. Proceed exact-ly as in the blonde roux recipe; however, only cook until the flour and butter are well blended and bubbly. Do not brown. This classical style roux is popular in Creole cooking and will thicken three cups of stock to a sauce consistency.

THE CREOLE ROUXThe Creole roux can be made with

lightly salted butter, bacon drippings or lard. As with everything regarding food in Louisiana, whenever someone attempts to reduce this wealth of food lore to writ-ten material, an argument breaks out. Let’s just say that Creole rouxs vary in color the same as Classical and Cajun ones. The Creoles, however, did have in their pan-try, butter for the roux, whereas any butter a Cajun had would be saved for a biscuit or cornbread and never put in the black iron pot for a roux.

If a comparison statement can be made, it would be that, generally speaking, Creole roux is darker in color than the classical French brown roux it descended from but not as dark as the Cajun dark roux.

THE LIGHT BROWNCAJUN ROUX1/2 cup oil1/2 cup flour

In a black iron pot or skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat to approximately

300 degrees F. Using a wooden roux spoon, slowly add the flour, stirring constantly un-til the roux is peanut butter in color, ap-proximately two minutes. This roux is normally used to thicken vegetable dishes such as corn maque choux (shrimp, corn and tomato stew) or butter beans with ham. If using this roux to thicken an etouffee, it will thicken approximately two quarts of liquid. If used to thicken seafood gumbo, it will thicken approximately two and a half quarts of stock.

THE DARK BROWN CAJUN ROUX1 cup oil 1/2 cup flour

Proceed as you would in the light brown Cajun roux recipe but continue cooking until the roux is the color of a light cara-mel. This roux should almost be twice as dark as the light brown roux but not as dark as chocolate. You should remember that the darker the roux gets, the less thick-ening power it holds and the roux tends to become bitter. This roux is used most often in sauce piquantes, crawfish bisques and gumbos. However, it is perfectly normal

to use the dark brown roux in any dish in Cajun cooking.

This roux gives food such a rich charac-ter that I sometimes make shrimp and corn bisque with it, as well as a river road sea-food gumbo that will knock your socks off. Slow cooking is essential to achieve that dark, rich color.

Some time ago, I was discussing the origin of the dark roux with my good friend, Angus McIntosh, a chef and as-piring Cajun. I’ve always contended that because the Cajuns cooked in black iron pots over open fires using lard as a base, the dark roux was discovered by accident when the fire got too hot and the flour over-browned. With their lean pantries in mind, the Cajuns kept the roux instead of discarding it. They enjoyed the flavor and kept doing it that way. Classical cookbooks written as far back as the mid-1500s state that roux is derived from the French word “rouge” meaning “red” or “reddish” in col-or. Thus, the origin of the name. Angus felt that it developed during the Cajun’s less af-fluent years as a means of enriching a soup or stew with flavor when the pantry was not as full but the number of chairs at the table were many. Either way, if properly


done, the dark Cajun roux enriches food with color and flavor that is so fantastic it could only be Cajun.

Table of Sauce and Soup Consistencies Using The Roux of Cajun and Creole Cooking

THE BUTTER BASE ROUXS(The Classical and Creole Rouxs)1 cup butter1 cup flourThis recipe will thicken the following:6 cups stock to a thick white sauce consis-

tency.8 cups stock to a concentrated soup con-

sistency.10 cups stock to a thick soup consistency.12 cups stock to a perfect Louisiana

gumbo consistency.14 cups stock to a light gumbo consis-

tency.

THE OIL BASE ROUXS (The Cajun Rouxs)1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup flourCooked at 300 degrees F. for three to five

minutes, this recipe will thicken the following:

6 cups stock to a thick brown sauce con-sistency.

8 cups stock to a thick gumbo consistency.10 cups stock to a perfect Louisiana

gumbo consistency.12 cups stock to a light gumbo consis-

tency. It should be noted that the butter or oil base rouxs may be made well in advance, cooled, separated into half cup portions

and placed in the refrigerator or freezer. The roux will keep well for months and al-ways be available to you should an emer-gency arise.

Pecan Smoked Leg of VenisonPrep Time: 3 HoursServes: 10-12

My good friend, Reece Williams of Cajun Injector fame, really took the fuss and mess out of marinating game. I often recommend the Creole Garlic or Roasted Garlic with Basil injector marinade to sea-son roasts simply, and these may be found at your local grocery store under the Cajun Injector label.10 lb. young leg of venison1/4 lb butter16-ounce jar Roasted Garlic with BasilCajun Injector marinade1/4 cup Steen’s 100% Pure Cane Syrupsalt and pepper to tastegranulated garlic to tasteLouisiana Gold Hot Sauce to tastepecan chips soaked in water, drained

Prepare a home-style smoker or barbe-cue pit according to manufacturer’s direc-tions. When smoking in a barbecue grill, place the coals on one side of the pit and light. (For perfect cooking on the grill, I recommend Percy Guidry’s Cajun Grill from Lafayette.) Replace the grill and pre-pare venison as follows. Rub the roast well with the Steen’s Cane Syrup and season to taste with salt, pepper, granulated gar-lic and hot sauce. Melt the butter over me-dium-high heat and add to the marinade. Using the injector provided with the mari-nade, inject the roast slowly, until all has

been used. Sear the roast quickly on top of the hot coals to brown evenly and then place on the opposite side of the grill away from the coals. Place pecan chips, 2 to 3 handfuls at a time, over the hot coals dur-ing the cooking process to flavor the roast. Cover pit and open air vents to maintain a temperature no less than 275 degrees and no more than 350 degrees. Cook 3 hours or until internal temperature reaches 135 de-grees for medium rare.

Matt’s Hot Pot Venison RoastPrep Time: 8½ HoursYields: 4–6 Servings

One of the best ways to ensure your ven-ison roast is tender is to cook it slowly. This crockpot method allows you to return home from work to a perfectly prepared dinner.

1 (2-3 pound) venison roast3 tbsps olive oil2 tsps salt1 tbsp cracked black pepper18 garlic cloves3 chile peppers, minced½ cup sliced green onionssalt and cracked black pepper to tastegranulated garlic to taste1 cup flour4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered2 small onions, coarsely chopped½ pound whole baby carrots2 celery stalks, chopped1-2 (10.5-ounce) cans French onion soup

with beef stockLouisiana hot sauce to taste

With a paring knife, make 12 incisions into roast. In a small mixing bowl, combine


2 teaspoons salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, 12 garlic cloves, chiles and green onions. Stuff each slit with an equal amount of mixture. Season outside of roast well with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Lightly dust roast with flour. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Lightly brown roast on all sides. Once browned, remove roast and drain excessive oil. In a 3½-5 quart crockpot, combine potatoes, onions, carrots, remaining garlic cloves and celery. Place roast on top of vegeta-ble mixture. Pour 1 can French onion soup slowly over roast. Roast should be slightly covered with soup. If it is not, use remain-ing can of soup. Cook on low for 8 hours or until fork tender. Serve over steamed white rice. NOTE: If desired, more vegetables may be added.

Breast of Duck withCaramelized StrawberriesPrep Time: 1 HourServes: 6

Often the breasts of large ducks or small geese were removed for pan sautéing. The plantation cook would quickly sear the breasts to medium rare, remove them from

the heat and caramelize fresh fruit in the drippings. You will definitely want to try this modern day version.6 Long Island or Mallard duck breasts2 cups strawberries, sliced½ cup strawberry wine1 tbsp cane syrup1 bay leaf1 tbsp garlic, diced10 black peppercorns6 basil leaves, torn4 sprigs fresh thyme6 sage leaves, torn¼ cup vegetable oil1 can beef consommésalt and cracked pepper to tasteLouisiana Gold Pepper Sauce to taste

In a large mixing bowl, combine breasts, strawberry wine, syrup, bay leaf, garlic, peppercorns, basil, thyme, sage, salt and Louisiana Gold. Toss to coat the breasts in the marinade. Allow to sit at room temperature a minimum of 4 hours. In a large black iron skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Sauté duck breasts, skin down, until lightly browned. Continue to sauté, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees For me-dium rare. Remove and keep warm. Add

strawberries and sauté in the drippings. Reduce heat to low and cook until straw-berries are caramelized, approximately 10-15 minutes. Add consommé, bring to a low boil and reduce to sauce consistency. Season to taste using salt and pepper. You may wish to add a few tablespoons of the marinade for additional flavor. To serve, slice each breast and top with a generous portion of the strawberry sauce.


Cocktails at Sunset Engagement PartyRiver Edge Suites was the setting for an engagement party honoring Leslie Harkness and Chase Bradford on July 7, 2012, in Natchez, Mississippi. Hosts for the event included Missy and Walter Brown, Darlene and Dennis Christian, Edie Christian, Deborah and Lee Martin, Kay and Ron Jinkins, Francey Killian, and Brenda and Blair Zerby. The wedding will take place in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 2012. 1

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THEweddingSCENE | Natchez, MS | Cocktails at Sunset Engagement Party

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Lynn Bradford, Francey Killian, Darlene Christian, Missy Brown, Edie Christian, Kay Jinkins, and Brenda ZerbyBilly Key Smith, Page Ogden, Bob Flurry, and Ron JinkinsCarolyn Mullins, Kay Jinkins, Betty Paradise, and Darlene ChristianChase Bradford and Leslie Harkness

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Cocktails at Sunset Engagement Party | Natchez, MS | THEweddingSCENE

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Howard Jones and Cole BradfordSissy Allen and Lynn BradfordDavid Paradise, Craig Bradford, and Dan BlandChuck Caldwell, Charles Johnson, Craig Bradford, John McGee, and Hayden KaiserLeslie Harkness and Dan BlandBrenda Zerby, Edie Christian, Kay Jinkins, Darlene Christian, Missy Brown, Francey Killian, and Lynn BradfordChase Bradford and Chuck Caldwell

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THEweddingSCENE | Natchez, MS | Cocktails at Sunset Engagement Party

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Sally Jones, Missy Brown, Kay Jinkins, and Carla JohnsonRon Jinkins and Robin PunchesBlair Zerby and Walter BrownHolly Freeman, Cole Bradford, Leslie Harkness, Craig Bradford, and Lynn BradfordJudy Heard, Bob Flurry, and Judy Flurry

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Weedswith a bulldozer to hide any evidence of the wreck. They thought that they’d gotten away with it until the feds showed up a cou-ple of days later. Any pilot knows what an “ELT” is. (You’ve started laughing by now.) When an airplane of a certain size has any kind of extreme impact, the Emergency Locator Transmitter starts sending a continual beep-beep signal that is picked by the FAA so they can follow the signal to the crash. The signal they fol-lowed to a bare spot on the ground with fresh dirt over it was sure strange. “Dig here” was their order. What do you know—they found an airplane under-ground, and no one seemed to know how it got there, or who had a bulldozer, or why it had deviated from the fl ight plan, or a whole bunch of questions that federal em-ployees ask just because it’s their job. That weed episode did not turn out well either. As can be expected, “the law” is always looking for herb gardens. They have ad-vanced their technology to using helicop-ters and supplying the crews with special devices that illuminate the illegal plants in sunlight. We watched a squad work from a local airport for a week a number of years ago, using six or seven small chop-pers scattered across the county. Every

We were just sitting on the tail-gate of a pickup truck, swinging our legs and killing time, when

something that I had been looking at all day caught my eye. It’s kind of like look-ing at a pile of rope for hours and suddenly realizing that there is a snake in the middle of it. I went over to look closer, then sum-moned the other guys. When it was all said and done, I was able to leave the sheriff’s offi ce about nine that night. The best defi nition for a weed is “a plant out of place.” The best defi nition for weed is left to someone with more experience than I obviously possess in identifying can-nabis. Smelled some at a concert one time, and it made me sick. The odor was kinda like burning Johnson grass. It just smells like trouble. The only way to get in more trouble than using it is to get caught grow-ing it! Lots of locals have tried. Without going into the moral, legal, horticultural, economic, or commercial discussions that could take off in multiple directions, we’ll just stick to the clowns that got caught or had near misses. When I was at MSU, pursuing a degree in Agronomy, we had a classmate from Greenville whose family farmed quite a lot of acreage. He didn’t show up for the fall semester one year, and someone inquired

about his change of plans. The story went that some DEA offi cers discovered a quan-tity of marijuana plants growing in the middle of a cotton fi eld in Washington County. The landowner was confronted and claimed no knowledge of said plants. His son, our classmate with glazed-over eyes, only responded, “Whut?” Since no one was going to be easy to convict, the DEA stipulated that, if the crop was destroyed, no charges would be made. The farmer immediately ordered one of his employees, “Go over there and disk up those weeds!” The DEA folks corrected him. By “crop” they weren’t referring to the weeds. They meant the WHOLE 250-acre cotton fi eld! 250 acres? I’ve some-times wondered if Freddie ever worked off the 500 bales of cotton his dad lost to his foray into herb gardening. There’s also the well-known story of some local guys who did quite a bit of “al-ternative agriculture” 40 years ago. They grew so much contraband that they modi-fi ed a John Deere combine to harvest their crop! They were doing all right until the airplane that they transported the stuff with crashed while trying to land in their pas-ture at night. Almost killed the pilot. He was hauled across the county to recover undercover, and the airplane was buried

All Outdoors by Ross McGehee


the glass. A deputy came out pretty quick-ly and asked where the weed came from. I told him that nobody seemed to care FOUR hours ago when I called, so why should that matter now? Besides, I wasn’t too sure what the weed was in the first place. Some girl with three teeth that was waiting in the lobby said, “Scratch it with your fingernail; and if it smells skunky, that’s marijuana.” Arrest her now. She knows too much. I told the officer, “Look, I don’t know what it is. But if it is what I think it is, I want it off my place. So here you go.” As he took it he asked, (I still can’t believe this.) “What do you want me to do with it?” “Look, if you don’t know what to do with it, give it to the inmates. I’m sure they can come up with something. See ya.” He was saying something about papers to fill out when the front door slammed shut be-hind me. I know those guys in Mendicino County make more money with a Grow-light in their back bedroom than I do farming large acreage. But that stuff is horticulture, and all those guys had earrings when I was in class with them. Besides that, my wife says I don’t look good in stripes!

day, narcotics teams hauled huge bundles of contraband to the airport, doused them with diesel, and burned them. We’re talk-ing truckloads. At the end of the week, everyone was packing up to go home, and the first chop-per lifted off to go back to headquarters. The pilot made it a very short distance; and then we watched him hover, turn around, and return to the airfield. The ground crew figured he’d had an equipment malfunc-tion, and they had already opened the ser-vice truck back up to repair whatever was needed. All other aircraft had aborted de-parture as well, just in case there was some other reason for his return. As his rotor wound down, the pilot got out of the chop-per, grinning and shaking his head. “What’s wrong?” the crew chief inquired. “Y’all aren’t going to believe this. The biggest patch I’ve seen this week is right under our noses, a quarter-mile from the terminal!” No need to rush. The drive was so short that the narcotics crew could have held their breath for the distance. As usual, the owners knew nothing about it. Pin the tail on the donkey. On another occasion, there was an in-dividual locally who had a reputation for his gardening interests and frequent use of the fruits of his labors. He was driving home one afternoon and passed someone he recognized sitting on the side of the road. Since the scene didn’t look quite right, he turned around to see if any-thing was wrong. As he pulled to a stop, “Snake” looked at him dimly and bare-ly spoke. He was incoherent, gazing at nothing in particular, and obviously un-der some kind of spell. What our curious traveler did not know was that Snake had been cutting some firewood in his pasture that afternoon. Somehow a chunk of firewood must have sprung back from the saw and knocked him silly. When he woke up, he didn’t know where he was; so instead of going to his pickup truck, he started walking around the pasture. After a while, he ended up on the side of the highway, still dazed; and that’s where he was found. After several attempts to get a response from Snake and getting none, our hero said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re on, but I want some of it!” All right, so why did I end up at the sheriff’s office? We’d been at the airstrip all day loading crop dusters and hadn’t noticed the unusual plant growing in the weed patch by the hanger. It was only five

feet tall so it was easy to miss, I guess. Anyway, after walking around it and looking, I summoned the ground crew. They didn’t want to commit as to the species in question. The pilots came in to reload and I invited their opinions. They got REAL busy looking the other way and easing off towards their planes. So I called the local law enforcement agency although we were literally straddling the county line and jurisdiction was debat-able. They said to call Metro Narcotics. So I did. “Metro” was in a meeting, ac-cording to their machine. They haven’t called back yet. It’s only been a year. I guess they’ve been too busy looking for people growing marijuana. So night came, the crop dusters finished up and went back to their home base, and the crew packed up and left. I was leav-ing but thought I’d have a little fun. So I pulled up the weed in question and put it in the truck—up in the front seat in case there was a Highway Patrol roadblock, of course. Drove right up to the front door of the sheriff’s office and walked into the lob-by with the five-foot-tall stalk in my hand! “Y’all want this?” You would not be-lieve the looks I got from the folks behind


Engagement Party Honoring Harkness and BradfordLeslie Harkness and Chase Bradford were honored on July 6, 2012, with an engagement party at the home of Bobby and Frances Meason in Natchez, Mississippi. Hosting the event along with the Measons were Ray and Andrea Bradford, Chuck and Julie Caldwell, David and Judy Heard, Tom and Pam Middleton, and Billy Key and Augusta Smith. Guests enjoyed a Mexican Fiesta complete with margaritas and tamales.

Leslie Harkness and Chase BradfordJack Aubic, Janet Aubic, Paula Edwards, Barbara O’Brien, and Sheila AlwoodCaroline and Brennan O’BrienChase Bradford and Joanie DavidDonna Ball and Bobby MeasonCole Bradford and Holly FreemanEdie Christian, Kay Jinkins, Leslie Harkness, Chuck Caldwell, and Lynn Bradford

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Engagement Party Honoring Harkness and Bradford | Natchez, MS | THEweddingSCENE

Peter Burns, Sissy Allen, and Phebe WintersFrances Meason, Donna Ball, and Julie CaldwellBilly Key Smith and Richard AlwoodChase Brown, James Brown, Andrea Bradford, and Amy BrownAugusta and Billy Key Smith

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Bill Lambert, Barbara Potter, Wayne Potter, and Nancy LambertKay Jinkins, Blair Zerby, and Brenda ZerbyRon Jinkins, Carol Jones, Janet Aubic, and Jack AubicDavid Heard, Chase Bradford, and Augusta SmithPat and George DickensPam Middleton, Frances Meason, Julie Caldwell, and Sheila Alwood

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Claiborne County MSU Alumni GatheringMississippi State University Alumni from Claiborne County gathered at Gibson’s Landing on Church Street in Port Gibson, Mississippi, in preparation for the 2012 football season. Rocky Felker, former quarterback for MSU and coach, was on hand to greet members and gave a brief presentation.

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THEsocial SCENE | Port Gibson, MS | Claiborne County MSU Alumni Gathering

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Shelby Donald, Dr. Eddie Lipscomb, Brittnee Martin, Linda Sue Stuart, and Mike HerrinFlo Strawn, Beth Cade, Nancy and Jimmy Hyum, Rockey Felker, and Jo Ann MikellBugs Gilbert, Mac Drake, and Garnett Van NormanWalter Cade, Jr., and Sam Magee

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Beth Culpepper and Dianne WadeDarrell Purvis, Charlie Donald, and Wesley PurvisMike Herrin, Moody and Beth Culpepper, and Hank and Sue Ann Drake

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Growing any kind of plant requires a healthy root system. Most plants have an extensive underground

root system that absorbs nutrients suspend-ed in water. This solution is absorbed via the plant’s root hairs in the soil. Epiphytic plants (Epiphytic means “growing upon.”) do not have root hairs as such. The solu-tion, therefore, travels through the plant’s cell system and is transpired through the many leaf openings and then back into the atmosphere. The larger the plant grows, the more the transpiration. This process is dif-ferent in orchids. There are close to 29,000 species of or-chids, a number second only to the number of grasses. Only about 1 percent of these species are soil growers. The remaining 28,000+ species are epiphytic in nature. The root structure is the major difference in ter-restrial and epiphytic plants. Epiphytes have a root that is surrounded by a layer of ab-sorbent tissue called Velaman. It is corky in nature. Orchids will send roots into crevices

In the Garden story and photos by Robert Ferguson

of tree bark, bricks on structures, and rocky cliff faces. These surfaces dry very quickly in tropical areas; and water drains away, cre-ating a ‘perfect’ drained medium. We lovers of these plants mostly use pots for convenience but many growers use media like cedar wood slabs, cork oak, and tree-fern slabs—anything that will dry quickly and allow humid air to again in-vade the corky tissue for proper gaseous exchange. If this layer remains wet too long, the plant can be-gin to suffer from lack of oxygen. This is the prima-ry problem most people

experience when growing orchids. The healthier and the more extensive the root system, the better the growth. There are miniature orchids, medi-um-size orchids, and very large orchid plants. There are orchids that have fl owers less than ¼ inch and others that exceed 6 inches. They can grow in 2-inch pots and in up to bushel-basket-size containers.

The healthier and the more extensive the root system, the better the growth. When orchids are watered, the entire length of the root will turn green.

Orchids + Great Roots = Success


Orchid plants can be as small as 1½ inch (Tolumnias) and as tall as over 6 feet, weighing a ton (Grammatophyllum).

I have found in my 50-plus years of growing orchids that western fir bark cre-ates the best growing medium for many different and popular orchids. The materi-al is light weight, inexpensive, easy to use, doesn’t decompose quickly, and stores eas-ily. Orchids require fertilizer as does any other plant. Totally soluble 20-20-20 has worked well for me for all these years. My 20-20-20 comes with the addition of the

micro elements needed for proper growth. I use a quarter-strength fertilizer with ev-ery weekly watering, and that will vary with the amount of humidity.

The less the humidity the faster the plants dry. When orchid roots are grow-ing, the root tips will remain green. When orchids are watered, the entire length of the root will turn green. When it is time for the fifth weekly watering only wa-ter is used. Any fertilizer that remains in the pot will then be flushed from the con-tainer. Accumulation of fertilizer will cause the plant to deteriorate and cause rapid de-composition of the potting medium.

Orchids are grown much like cacti be-cause of their limited root system. Orchids can be grown in strong, indirect light if in-troduced early in the spring with sufficient air movement. I have grown Vandas and Rhynchostylis in full sun for years and en-joyed blooms year round. Cattleya alliance, which people refer to as ‘florist orchids,’ re-quire 50 percent shade to bloom properly. Phalaenopsis grow in heaviest shade. These are the orchids that chain stores sell.

Some orchids only bloom in specif-ic seasons. Most beginners start with Phalaenopsis. These, for the most part,

bloom only in the late winter and early spring. Through selective breeding, we can have orchids blooming year round.

In years past, orchids were a rich man’s hobby; but with the discovery of cloning, orchid plants can be purchased and grown by almost anyone.

This article in no manner covers all there is to know of the vast family of or-chids. There are volumes of information available online and in libraries about the culture of this family of plants. One can spend a lifetime studying them.

Some orchids only bloom in specific seasons.

Orchids can be grown in strong, indirect light if introduced early.

{ September 2012 { Bluffs & BayousPage 26 { September 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous

Bluffs & Bayous { September 2012 { Bluffs & Bayous { September 2012 { Page 27


Different Types of Gardeners and GoalsThe late summer/early fall months

certainly take a toll on most gar-deners. The continuing heat and

humidity can make even the most dedi-cated gardener decide to stay inside for the duration. As I considered going out in the 100-degree-plus heat index the other day, I was reminded of the difference between a gardener and a “yardener.” I first learned about the concept of a “yardener” a few years ago at a confer-ence. I was listening to well-known gar-dening author and entertaining horticul-turist Allan Armitage talk about gardening as a four-letter word. He said “yardeners” make up about 80 percent of the garden-ing public – they are the eager springtime buyers who buy a few plants, plant a few seeds, then disappear inside until they are

For some, gardening is a passion that leads to community service; but for others, gardening is just hard work. Lowndes County Master Gardeners, from left, Jean Wilson, Mary Faglie, Jennifer Duzan, and Nell Thomas examine some of the herbs growing in the garden they renovated for the Culinary Institute at Mississippi University for Women. (Photo by MSU Ag Communications/Scott Corey)

In the Garden by Dr. Gary R. Bachman

forced to mow, weed, or deal with the landscape. Allan divided gardeners into four categories:

Category 1 – Master Gardeners: Master gar-deners are highly moti-vated about their gardens and other gardening ac-tivities. These folks at-tend organized classes, earn their Master Gardener status, and provide volunteer ser-vice to beautify their communities. Master Gardeners also assist the Mississippi State University Extension Service by helping in their counties and making presentations to interested groups. Category 2 – Enthusiastic Gardeners:As the name suggests, these gardeners are

excited to have a beautiful garden and land-scape. They are confident in their garden-ing abilities. Enthusiastic gardeners find the garden relaxing because they are successful gardeners and do not worry about failures.

Category 3 – Anxious Gardeners:These gardeners enjoy their garden but are unsure of what to do. They find the garden to be a stressful environment and worry about every planting decision. Their enjoy-ment of the garden is tempered by the anxi-ety that they haven’t followed planting and growing directions exactly.

Category 4: – Just-Because-You-Have-To Gardeners: This group looks at the gar-den and sees work. These people are not gardeners, but “yardeners.” The lawn has to be cut, the garden beds have to be weeded, and flowers have to be planted. There is no joy in these gardens, just long labor in the hot sun.

So under which category do you fall? Which category do you want to be in? Here are some tips:• Enjoy your garden and the process, and understand that there is work involved. Consider this work to be sweat equity.• Do not worry about following direc-tions perfectly. There are many different paths to follow when planting the garden, and they all end up at the same place.• Do not get discouraged if a planting fails. It happens. Look at this situation as an opportunity to plant something new.• Try new plants and designs.• Most importantly, relax – it’s gardening. It is not rocket science.

So get out into the garden and landscape; sweat a little (or a lot, in my case), have fun, and enjoy your garden and landscape.


Vicksburg Mil itary Park Guide Book CelebrationOn June 29, 2012, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Convention and Visitors Bureau members and enthusiasts gathered on the steps of the Illinois monument in the Vicksburg National Military Park to celebrate the press release marking the initial publication of The Art of Commemoration by retired Brigadier General Parker Hill. This 100-page guide was made possible by a grant from the National Park Service’s Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative. The park will soon make plans for a year-long observance of the 150 anniversary of the Siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War.

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Harry McMillian, Mike Madell, Patty Cappaert, Pete Stone, Landy Teller, and Bobby Bailess Vicksburg Fire Chief Charles AtkinsBrenda Prazak and Bess AverettRetired Brigadier General Parker Hill and Skipper GuzerixDebra Ellis and Patty CappaertSharon Andrews, Jim Drake, and Landy TellerMichael Dorsett with grandson Brady Crouch

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THEsocial SCENE | Vicksburg, MS | Vicksburg Mil itary Park Guide Book Celebration


Petite Picasso WorkshopSouthwest Mississippi Art Guild recently held a Petite Picasso Workshop for young, aspiring artists, ages 6 to13, at Southwest Mississippi Community College in McComb, Mississippi. Techniques included music mixed-media collage, watercolor/salt painting, torn-paper collage, and unprimed canvas. Some of the participants later competed in the eighth annual Mississippi Artist Guild Art-in-the-Round - Master Class held in early August.

Photography by Elise Parker

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Petite Picasso Workshop | McComb, MS | THEsocial SCENE

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Guild Member Tracey Ferrell with Whitney Howell, Hayden White, and Abby ElliottGuild Member Sue Brewer with Emily Elliott, Lorelai Davis, London Dunn, and Blain WhiteGuild Member Linda Wallace with Bri Lowery, Avery Knox, and Beth ElliottGuild Member Emily Lambuth with Hannah Hinkley, Jessica Manley, Lily Warshauer, and Gracie Knight

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One thing is for sure: Natchezians love to have a good time. Whether folks are shopping through down-

town, attending noteworthy events, or set-tling into a fantastic meal somewhere, there never seems to be a dull moment around our bustling little town. This month, we take a little journey through downtown and the surrounding areas to a few of our very own and oft-frequented watering holes. Located in the heart of Downtown Natchez on the corner of Pearl and Main, the historic Eola Hotel includes not only fantastic accommodations but also the popular Peacock’s Bar & Grill, a place where you can feel right at home. One skillful bartender remarked, “The atmo-sphere is like going to your favorite place – a ‘Cheers’ of the South. People are amazed that I remember their names and usually their drink order when they come in.” After the Eola’s renovation and restora-tion in the 1970s, its lounge, known as the Moonflower bar, opened on the top floor with a spectacular view of the Mississippi River and its western landscape beyond. It was a place for locals to visit after work, enjoy a relaxing drink while watching the

The Happy Hours of NatchezPeacock’s Bar & Grill, Bowie's Tavern, BriarVue, and The Castle’s Pub

Something Scrumptious story and photos by Jennie Guido

sunset, and make a few bets every now and then. Now renamed and relocated on the first floor of the gracious hotel, Peacock’s Bar & Grill offers discounted cocktails al-most every night of the week.

Jo Ann Brumfield, manager of the Eola, explained that the hotel, which opened in July of 1927 and was named after the build-er’s daughter, currently is celebrating its 85th birthday. “Eola is an Indian word which means ‘blowing in the wind,’” Brumfield stated. Over the years, the hotel has seen its fair share of celebrities, some of whom have enjoyed a cocktail or two at Peacock’s or its predecessors, one of these celebrities being John Wayne. “Wayne was a patron of the lounge while filming Horse Soldiers in Washington, Mississippi,” she said. All of the bartenders and Brumfield agree that there are several favorites when it comes to their cocktails. One is the Italian Margarita, made with Amaretto Di Serrano that gives it a sweeter taste. Another favor-ite is the Orange Eola, a refreshing drink that really helps beat the heat. Of course, there is almost always a request for the Eola Mint Julep—a Southern favorite throughout the Miss-Lou.

On the corner of Main Street and Broadway, Bowie’s Tavern is the place to be on almost any given night of the week. As Nancy Best explained, “My favorite time at Bowie’s is around sunset. There isn’t anything better than sitting on its pa-tio and watching one of the most beautiful sunsets with a cocktail in hand.” What was once the original Natchez Cotton Warehouse, Bowie’s Tavern serves its Miss-Lou fans from behind a mas-sive mahogany bar built in 1880. It orig-inally was located inside Tony’s Bar in Holly, Colorado, and was the largest bar west of the Mississippi River at one time. Complementing this history, Bowie’s main bar room is decked with pictures of his-toric Natchez from the 1870s to the 1900s. “These photos are all a part of the Gandy collection,” stated Best, and they give Bowie’s that nostalgic atmosphere that lo-cals love and visitors seek. “Customers like to come sit and relax after work,” Best said. Whether they come for Trivia Night or to enjoy a juicy steak or have a night out with family and friends, Bowie’s patrons seek its home-away-from-home environ on many memorable nights. With the start of football season, Bowie’s Tavern is the perfect place to sit back, cheer on your favorite team, and knock down a cocktail or two. Maybe even plan a gath-ering here for a major rivalry game, for a college bowl or playoff game, or even for the Super Bowl. “We do rent our space, The Barrel Room, for all kinds of occasions in-cluding dinner parties, showers, class re-unions, and birthday parties.” About a mile down the river located on Irving Lane, The Briars antebellum home rests majestically on the highest point on

Far left—The Eola Hotel is home to both Peacock’s Bar & Grill and Cafe LaSalle.

Left—Peacock’s Bar & Grill on the corner of Main and Pearl inside of the Eola Hotel


the Mississippi south of the Show Me State. Nearby, perched atop and flush with the bluff, BriarVue, the home built between 1989 and 1991 by the property’s former owners, plays host to many locals on Thursday nights for “Cocktails at Sunset.” According to the current owners of The Briars, Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Atkins, “You may see as far as ten miles in each direc-tion on a clear day at BriarVue.” With this unique and tranquil setting, hap-py hour at BriarVue has become a sta-ple event for many Natchez natives. The Briars is well known for being home to Varina Howell and the set-ting of her wedding to Jefferson Davis in 1845. One of the signature cock-tails served at BriarVue is one actual-ly served by Davis himself called “Jeff Davis Punch,” a concoction of bourbon, gin, and simple syrup.

Malan Parks, and cocktail consultant Mark Brockway, both expressed that there is something enthralling about The Pub that keeps the locals coming back. “We have a large group of regulars that seem to come almost every afternoon. They each have a specific seat at the bar, and the bartenders usually have their

drink waiting for them when they come through the door” Parks explained. Located in the antebellum home’s orig-inal horse stables of the carriage house, The Castle restaurant opened its doors for a brunch on Thanksgiving in 2000. Ever since, The Castle has provided a fine din-ing experience that residents near and far

have grown to love; and The Pub, downstairs in The Castle’s carriage-house setting, has estab-lished its reputation for those upscale cocktails and wines that you can’t find just anywhere. A bartender told me that when someone new comes

Far left—Bowie’s Tavern on the corner of Main and Broadway

Left—Bowie’s front porch provides a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River sunset.

BriarVue’s spectacular panoramic views.

“The Briars claims to be the most se-cluded Bed and Breakfast in the Natchez area and has been voted the Most Secluded in Mississippi several times. While The Briars offers the leisure of modern-day accommodations, it also offers the feel of Camelot,” the Atkins explained. For that step back in time and libations to comple-ment this ambience, be sure to take a trip to BriarVue on a Thursday night.

Another stop on our cocktail tour is The Castle’s Pub located behind Dunleith Plantation on Homochitto Street. When I sat down with manager


Peacock’s Bar & Grill’s Eola Mint Julep2½ ounces Old Charter½ ounce Southern Comfort½ ounce simple syrup8-10 sprigs of mint Muddle the mint leaves and simple syr-up together. Pour the Charter and Southern Comfort in next. Served best over crushed ice; add mint sprigs for garnish.

BriarVue’s Jeff Davis PunchAn aged Tennessee bourbonGinSimple syrup Add in seasonal fruits for taste and garnish.

The Pub’s Berryand Ginger Martini2 ounces Ciroc Red Berry Vodka1 ounce Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur1 ounce Ginger Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar and water) cooked for 6 to 8 minutes with fresh ginger2 ounces Cranberry Juice Shake ingredients together and serve.

The Castle Restaurant and Pub on the grounds of majestic Dunleith Plantation

into The Pub, he or she can be quickly and skillfully steered into the right direction of something tasty from the exten-sive drink menu and wine list. “Sometimes we just make up something new. It just depends on what the person is looking for,” she explained.

While there, I tried a couple of fabulous cocktails and taste tested some of the scrumptious appetizers The Pub has to offer. I started out with the Ginger and Berry Martini paired with Duck Eggrolls served on a bed of delicious gumbo and wild rice. After sampling Parks’ suggestion of a Champagne Martini, we all enjoyed the Ribeye Sliders and the Gulf Fish Tacos. Brockway reminded us that those who choose to “can call and make a reservation to eat din-ner down in The Pub.” This is something I strongly suggest. The food is out of this world!

Something new that The Pub has started and found suc-cessful is a Mixology Class for patrons and locals alike look-ing to learn a thing or two about cocktails and food pairings. “Each class has been filled with participants that want to come to each class we offer in order to keep learning,” Brockway said. You can keep up with these Mixology Classes by fol-lowing “The Castle Restaurant and Pub” on Facebook and @dunleithnews on Twitter.

For lovers of the occasional libation, Natchez is definitely the place to be for a night out on the town, an after-hours cocktail, or even settings just to enjoy the company of some old friends.

The Castle’s Duck Eggroll4 duck legs and thighsSalt and pepper4 sprigs of thyme1½ cups of Port2 cups of water

Add everything but the duck into a pot, and cook on medium heat until it starts to boil.

Then add the duck and cook until the meat is done. Strain the meat and reserve the liquid. Shred the meat with forks once it is cool enough to handle.Filling:1 julienned green bell pepper1 julienned red bell pepper1 julienned shallot1 tablespoon of chopped parsleySaltPepperEgg washEggroll wrapper1 cup of cornmeal

Combine the shredded duck meat with the items listed above except the last three items.

Once you have mixed thoroughly, place an eggroll wrapper on the table like a diamond (Have the corners north, south,

east and west.), put a small amount in the center of the wrapper, and brush the edges with the egg wash; then roll it up. Dust the eggroll in cornmeal.

The Pub’s Berry and Ginger Martini paired with the delectable Duck Eggrolls

The Pub is a part of Dunleith’s Castle Restaurant.


S H O P M C C O M B g S H O P M C C O M B g S H O P M C C O M B


Pilgrimage Garden Club's Annual Flower ShowOn Saturday, May 5, 2012, the Pilgrimage Garden Club of Natchez, Mississippi, held its annual flower show at antebellum Longwood in Natchez. This year’s theme, “Springtime Around the World,” celebrated the earth’s global beauty from Main Street, USA, to the Far East. Each room in Longwood was given a specific country with flower arrangements reflecting life in that area. Chairpersons for this year’s event were Julie Johnson and Stacey Heflin.

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THEsocial SCENE | Natchez, MS | Pilgrimage Garden Club's Annual Flower Show

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Chairpersons Julie Johnson and Stacey HeflinLou McGee, Arboreal and Sweepstakes Award winner in horticulture, next to her winning plantsTanna Davis, Designer’s Choice Award winner, with her winning design in the “France” categoryCourtney Taylor and her winning design in the “USA” category

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Book Signing – Building the Natchez Trace ParkwayTurning Pages Books & More in Natchez, Mississippi, recently held a book signing for Building the Natchez Trace Parkway, written by members of the Natchez Trace Parkway Association. Tony Turnbow, President of the Association, and Bryant R. Boswell, Incoming President, were present at Turning Pages to sign copies of the book for the interested public.

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Smokye Frank and Bryant R. BoswellBryant R. Boswell, Smokye Frank, Tony Turnbow, Leslie Bruning, Carol Frank, and Tamara ScalesBryant R. Boswell, Tony Turnbow, and Sarah BoswellTony Turnbow and Leslie BruningTony Turnbow and Barbara DuckTony Turnbow and Emma Crisler

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Of Local Interest . . .

This new column in Bluffs & Bayous will address legal ques-tions that seem pervasive, as well as those that arise from time to time, in the state of Mississippi. In addition, I will

focus on legal matters that seem to puzzle or concern area residents. I also invite you, our readers, to submit as concisely as possible any legal questions you may have by sending them to my email address, [email protected]. I will address as many of these queries as possible. The focus of my law practice for over thirty years has been gen-eral litigation, real estate law, divorce, contract disputes, eminent domain, products liability, personal injury, medical matters, and some estate work. I guess you could say I have dealt with just about every aspect of the legal arena except bankruptcy. With all of the above being said, let’s start with some of the cas-es recently addressed by the Mississippi Supreme Court, cases that may garner local interest.

Renegade Employee: Parmenter vs. J&B Enterprises and McDonald’s (MS 2010)

Facts: Most of us have heard of the famous McDonald’s case where the lady bought hot coffee from McDonald’s, spilled the steaming brew in her own lap, and sued McDonald’s for making the coffee too hot. Well, now Mississippi has its own McDonald’s case.

It appears that customer Kerrie Parmenter went into McDonald’s in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and ordered food, which for some reason took an inordinate amount of time to prepare and serve. Parmenter (the Plaintiff) got into a heated argument with cashier Keshia Jones. Jones went into the kitchen; brought back a spatula; and, thereafter, in the words of an old, law-school buddy “whooped her like a red-headed stepchild.” Parmenter received multiple abra-sions, contusions, lacerations, and great damage to her pride and emotional well-being.

Parmenter sued McDonald’s; the National Corporation; and J&B Enterprises, the franchise owner of the particular McDonald’s restau-rant; but, strangely enough, she did not sue Keshia Jones.

Ruling: Our Mississippi Supreme Court held that McDonald’s, the national corporation, did not hire Jones, had no control over Jones, and did not set the policy for the hiring and firing. In fact, J&B Enterprises was Jones’ employer. McDonald’s was dismissed be-fore trial.

J&B Enterprises went to trial but showed that they had conduct-ed a criminal background check on Jones prior to hiring her. They further checked out her references and obtained no information that Jones had any violent propensities. Thus, the Court found J&B was not negligent in hiring Jones.

Also, the Court found that Jones’ assault and battery on Parmenter was outside the course and scope of Jones’ employment as a ca-shier. In no way did it further her employer’s business; and, in fact, her actions were an abandonment of her job as cashier. Mississippi Law is that “a master is not liable for its employee’s actions if the

Legal Notes by Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III

employee abandoned her employment and went about some pur-pose of her own not incidental to employment.” J&B Enterprises was thus not liable for Jones’s actions toward Parmenter.My Take: Employers should always conduct a thorough back-ground check before hiring and have defined written policies as to an employee’s conduct. Failure to do so may cost you.

Greedy Grandma: Yarborough vs. Patrick (MS 2010)

Facts: The facts in this case are simply that Mrs. Yarborough, an elderly lady, conveyed all of her real property and her CDs to her daughter, Mrs. Patrick, in order to qualify for Medicaid. Subsequently, Mrs. Yarborough suffered a stroke; and upon recov-ery, she decided she wanted her assets back, claiming her daughter was holding these assets under a constructive trust.

Ruling: The Court found that Yarborough basically admitted that she conveyed her assets to her daughter to “conceal assets from a governmental agency” and thus violated what we call the “clean hands doctrine” that states, “He who comes into equity must do so with clean hands.” Mrs. Yarborough was obviously attempting fraud, which gave her very dirty hands. Mrs. Patrick got to keep everything.My Take: Before you transfer your assets to your adult children, you should discuss this transfer with either an accountant or attor-ney as to all of the ramifications of such. There are many pros and cons to doing so. Taxing the Rich

Finally, unless Congress and President Obama come to some agreement before December 31, 2012, the federal estate tax for 2013 will apply to all estates of one million dollars and over in-stead of the current five million dollars and over. Also, the tax rate will jump from the current 35% to 55%. Ouch!My Take: If your estate comes close to one million dollars, you should consult with your attorney quickly.

You may send legal questions to [email protected].


BARL Summer CampThe Brookhaven Animal Rescue League in Brookhaven, Mississippi, recently hosted its “Dog Days of Summer – Doggy Day Camp” where participants learned about all sorts of animals, including snakes, scorpions, and birds. The week of fun wrapped up with a parade of dogs and owners in downtown Brookhaven.

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THEsocial SCENE | Brookhaven, MS | BARL Summer Camp

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Marlee Gunnell and Anna DavisAsher Newman, Philip Patrolia, Marlee Gunnell, and Anna DavisJaden Sivils, Zach Mannon, and Isaac SivilsSarah Kate Teaster

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Ladies' Day OutA Ladies’ Day Out of shopping and painting took place on July 14, 2012, at Fantastic Finds and Abracadoodle in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The ladies shopped upstairs and then painted and were treated to refreshments downstairs.

THEsocial SCENE | Vicksburg, MS | Ladies Day Out

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Emma VincentBetty Carlisle, Jennifer Sanderford, and Stacy TruesdaleDeanne Shover and Trish KeyesJennifer and Emma VincentFront—Deanne Shover, Trish Keyes, and Angie Pearson; back—Betty Carlisle and Jennifer SandifordMary E. Huff, Leanne Vancleave, and Dr. Janet Fisher 4

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Gwen and Earl EdrisWhitney Simmons and Kim HudsonMelissa, Joshua, and Barbara HickmanMary E. Huff and Leanne VancleaveJennifer Sanderford and Betty Carlisle

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Miss-Lou Bulldogs'Send-off PartyOn Tuesday, July 31, 2012, the Miss-Lou Bulldogs of Adams, Franklin, and Wilkinson Counties in Mississippi and of Concordia Parish in Louisiana held a send-off party at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church in Natchez, Mississippi, for incoming Mississippi State University (MSU) freshmen and current MSU students. Special Guests were Lynn Mullen and Janet Downey, MSU representatives, who welcomed the incoming freshman by teaching them the tradition of “Ringing the Cowbell” and giving them official MSU T-Shirts. Returning MSU students offered words of advice to the incoming freshmen while tailgating food and ice cream sundaes were enjoyed by all.

Miss-Lou Bulldogs Send-off Party | Natchez, MS | THEsocial SCENE

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Matt Lewis, Kati Woodard, Judge Debbie Halford, Kaley Blackwell, Bill Halford, and Heather LewisReed McCaleb, Frances Cothren, Lisa Dale, and Donna SessionsDennis and Phyllis LewellynPhyllis Lewellyn and Laurie WellsMicaiah Chenier and Maleiah DixonMason and Cooper WellsMaleiah Dixon, Phyllis Lewellyn, Sonya Gooden, and MaKayla GoodenClara Wimberly, Guy Wimberly, and Jean ReedTom Middleton, Bryant Reed, and Pat Biglane

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Hanslip and Cardneaux Engagement PartyAn engagement party on July 7, 2012, honored Lacy Hanslip of Houston, Texas, and Austin Cardneaux of Natchez, Mississippi, who will be married on March 9, 2013. Family and friends gathered for the event at antebellum Dunleith in Natchez.

Austin Cardneaux and Lacy HanslipMason Hanslip and Lacy HanslipAustin Cardneaux with Lindy and Andre FarishAdam Cardneaux, Lacy Hanslip, and Tevah SaxonTom Allain, Lindy Farish, and Walter BrownLori and Kendall Golden with Lindy FarishMason Hanslip, Andre and Lindy Farish, Austin Cardneaux, Adam Cardneaux, Tevah Saxon, Lacy Hanslip, and Tammy and Charles Hanslip

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Hanslip and Cardneaux Engagement Party | Natchez, MS | THEweddingSCENE

Layne Little and Mason HanslipTammy and Charles HanslipJulianne Hanslip Frehe, Lacy Hanslip, and Chuck CharltonCindi and Michael Johncock, Chelsea Johncock, and Lacy HanslipBrad Hightower, Daniel Hollowell, and Scott YosteSarah Burns, Lacy Gill, Padon Gill, and Pat Gill

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Front—Mary Adams Mize, Lacy Hanslip, and Chelsea Johncock; back—Lindsey Barefield, Natalie Phillips, Laura Hathcock, Kirby Richard, Elizabeth Pettis, Grace Cole, and Jordan Wilkerson

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Lindy and Andre Farish with Sally C. YoungSusan Jerden, Lacy Hanslip, Lauren Jerden, Kelly Jerden, and Craig Jerden Tammy and Lacy HanslipAustin Cardneaux and Rosilyn AdamsMark Carter, Jr.; Jessica Carter; Thomas Ater; and Rivers HoseaAustin Cardneaux and Sally C. YoungMatthew Hall, Chase Brown, Chase Laukhuff, Austin Cardneaux, Brad Hightower, Scott Yoste, Thomas Ater, Will Torsch, Alex Middleton, Alex

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Autograph PartyAn autograph party on June 25, 2012, honored contestants of the Miss Mississippi Pageant 2012. The public was invited to the event held at the Vicksburg Outlet Mall in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

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Jennifer Seymour, Miss New South; Jamie Shannon Ferguson, Miss Clinton; Kenna Spiller, Miss William Carey University; and Anna Beth Higginbotham, Miss Heartland Amanda Chandler, Miss Mississippi Delta Community College; and Jessica Terrill, Miss Historic SouthBen Shaw entertains attendees.Jennifer Lynn McMillan, Heather Murphy, Allyson Johnson, and Alley Farrell

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Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k Natchez k vidalia k Ferriday k

On the River k On the River k On the River k On the River

Page 48 { September 2012 { 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 { September 2012 { Page 49


ver thought about getting back in shape or wanting to kayak local rivers and lakes? Well, now you can! Everyday Adventure is an outdoor adven-ture and personal training venue geared towards helping people gain fitness, lose weight, and increase self-confidence by exploring the great outdoors and pushing themselves to limits they once only dreamed of. This one-of-a-kind operation co-owned by Melanie Sojourner and Lena Yarbrough and based out of Natchez, Mississippi. Yarbrough is an AFAA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, Level 3 USA Cycling Coach, and 4-3-2-1 Training Instructor and is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Everyday Adventure: Where an Extraordinary Outing Is Just Another Everyday Adventure!


With instructors seasoned by training and first-hand expe-rience, Everyday Adventure offers urban boot camps, one-on-one training, kayak trips, summer youth outdoor and adventure camps, and bike and kayak rentals. The compa-ny’s Kayak Adventure trips tour many waterways, view-ing nature at its finest; and its Sunset Kayak tours involve area lakes. Special packages can be tailored to include din-ner, cooking classes, wine tastings, massages, and other amenities following a day of fun. In addition to the bike and kayak tours, Bill Passman, who has joined the team, specializes in teaching people to travel longer for less money; and he also offers back-packing tours that provide an up-close and personal view of the world we live in. He has traveled to seven conti-nents and forty-four different countries; and his upcom-ing trips include Ireland, Italy, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. However, these trips are not backpacking trips; they are budget-friendly trips with accommodations that cater to the traveler. Teaching children about nature is another aspect of Everyday Adventure. The downtown shop, 334 Main Street, where bike rentals are secured and tours are booked, shares its space with Kids’ Night Out. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on designated nights, parents may bring their children, aged 7 years to 14 years, to participate in this program during which they focus on the environment, adventure, and other exciting activities. In the summer, Yarbrough offers Kids Adventure Camp, assisted by Alonda Wright, a Wildlife Biologist with nearby St. Catherine Creek. This camp teaches basic skills from reading a compass to hiking and kayaking. No wonder kids and adults are jumping on board and participating in a back-to-nature adventure, rediscovering the beauty of our natural surroundings and becoming fit as they enjoy the world around them. Be sure you check out the website and FaceBook page for updates on classes and activities. www.everydayadventure.com, [email protected], [email protected], 601-392-3079, or 601-334-6729.


September• Shorebirdsmigrate.• Broad-wingedhawksmigrate.• Blue-wingedTealpassthrough.• Rattlesnakesbegintohibernate.• Heronsandegretsfeedonarea

lakesandimpoundments.• Fall(Southbound)songbirdmigra-

tionbegins.

October• Deerarcheryhuntingopenson

October1,2012.• FriendsGroupmeeting—Grand

VillageoftheNatchezIndians;Natchez,Mississippi;Monday,October22,2012;5:30p.m.;Lastmeetingoftheyearduetoholidays!

• NationalWildlifeRefugeWeekCelebrationOctober13,2012;9:00a.m.to2:00p.m.

• Hickorynutsfalling• Startofpeakfallsongbird

migration• Acornsfalling

• Squirrelsbarking• Wildpersimmonsripening• Fallcolorsshowing• Beginfloodingwaterfowl

impoundments• FirstappearancesofBaldEagle

usuallyreported

November• YouthGunHunt(Deer):1st7

DaysofStateYouthGunHuntSeason.ALLOTHERHUNTINGISCLOSEDDURINGYOUTHGUNHUNTWEEK.

• Thursday,November12,2013—theofficewillbeclosedforVeteran’sDay.

• Friday,November16,2012—lastdayforfishingontherefugeandforsmall-gamehunting(nodogs)

• Saturday,November17,2012—Deermuzzleloaderseasonopens.

• TheofficewillbeclosedfromThursday,November22,throughSunday,November25,for

Thanksgivingweekend.• NoFriendsGroupMeetingwill

beheldthismonthduetotheholidays.

• Endofseasonforfloweringplants• Peakoffallcolors• Expectkillingfrost• Woodcockflightsarrivefrom

North• WinteringBaldEaglesvisible

nearimpoundments• Waterfowlnumbersbuild

December• MondayandTuesday,December

24-25,2012—theofficewillbeclosedonfortheChristmasHoliday.

• NoFriendsGroupMeetingwillbeheldthismonthduetotheholidays.

• Deerinrut• Lateacornsfalling• GreatHornedOwlsbegin

nesting.• BaldEaglepresentonarealakes

Everyday Adventure has teamed up with St. Catherine Wildlife Refuge, and we thought its calendar of events through December would be helpful. Visit their website: www.fws.gov/saintcatherinecreek.


Bayou Segnette7777 Westbank ExpresswayWestwago, LA

Conveniently located just thir-ty minutes from New Orleans, Bayou Segnette State Park is open to guests of all ages. From boating, fishing, and canoeing to camping, hiking, picnicking, and playgrounds, the park boasts nothing but enjoyment. Offering access to a wave pool on site, chil-dren and their families are sure to have a blast. Salt water and freshwater fishing are available for those who choose to fish. The most common catches are bass, catfish, bream, perch, redfish, and trout. Overnight guests can stay in any of the 98 premium

campsites. For more information, call 504-736-7140 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Bogue Chitto17049 State Park BoulevardFranklinton, LA

This 1,786-acre park includes numerous streams, swamps, and upland forests and a hard-wood forest. Overnight visitors can choose to stay in tents, RVs, or the cabins overlooking the bluffs. The park offers a group camp and conference room for larger groups. Boardwalks have been built for visitors to admire the sandstone creations in the Frickes Cave. Fourteen miles of equestrian trails allow guests to experience some of the most in-teresting and beautiful scenery of southern Louisiana. The river is perfect for day visitors to ca-noe or kayak; eleven lakes of-fer a variety of freshwater fish. Multiple picnic pavilions, a wa-ter playground, and an outdoor classroom are great for families, groups, and day visitors. For more information, call 985-839-5707 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Chemin-A-Haut 14656 State Park RoadBastrop, LA

Situated on a high bluff over-looking Bayou Bartholomew, this 503-acre site includes two playgrounds, a swimming pool, and a wading pool. RV and tent

camping are welcome, but visi-tors may also choose to use the cabins on the bayou. A hard-sur-face trail goes through the picnic area and along the high, scenic banks of Bayou Bartholomew. Rental boats afford visitors an even closer view. Located on the edge of the park, Big Slough Lake offers great fishing and water-re-lated experiences for peak visitor entertainment. For more infor-mation, call 318-283-0812 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Chicot3469 Chicot Park RoadVille Platte, LA

Chicot State Park, located in South Central Louisiana, is situ-ated on 6,400 acres of rolling hills and cool waters. Lake Chicot holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and red-ear sunfish—a fisherman’s dream. A boat-house, three boat launches, and a boat rental are located on site. Visitors can see several primitive campsites while hiking along the trail encircling Lake Chicot. Mountain bikers and cyclists are also welcome to ride on the trail through the park. The North Landing holds such amenities as campsites, a playground, a boat launch, a dock, and a 400-foot fishing pier. Linked to the North Landing by scenic roads, the South Landing boasts cabins, a group camp, a lodge, picnic areas and playgrounds, a swimming

LOUISIANA STATE PARKS

Bayou Segnette

Chemin-A-Haut

Image Courtesy of Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism


pool, a boat launch, a fishing pier, and a dock with boat rent-als. Though less developed than the other two areas, the East Landing is the perfect spot for day visitors because of its boat launch, dock, meeting room, and barbeque pavilion. For more in-formation, call 337-363-2403 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Cypremort Point306 Beach LaneCypremort Point, LA

Located in southern Louisiana, Cypremort Point near the Gulf of Mexico can be reached by car. Its man-made beach is the perfect place to relax and picnic with the family while enjoying the wa-ter. Visitors can go fishing, crab-bing, water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. Fishermen can travel a few miles from the park’s en-trance to fish in the Bay or Gulf. A 100-foot fishing pier is avail-able for those who choose to fish; overnight guests also have access to boat docks and fishing sta-tions. Nature fanatics will enjoy this 185-acre park for its abun-dance of wildlife—deer, black bears, rabbits, red foxes, and even alligators. Cabins are avail-able for renting, and six deluxe cabins can sleep up to eight peo-ple comfortably. For more infor-mation, call 337-867-4510 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Fairview-Riverside119 Fairview DriveMadisonville, LA

Sprinkled with numerous pic-nic tables throughout the park

and boasting a group pavilion, playground, and comfort sta-tions, Fairview-Riverside is the place to be. Take a trip out onto the water, or enjoy the park’s nature trail. Rest overnight at the park’s campground after a day of fun-filled adventure. The Tchefuncte River holds a variety of fish including bass, bluegill, white perch, bream, channel cat-fish, speckled trout, and redfish. Entering the park, visitors will no-tice a large home facing the wa-ter called the Otis House, which was originally built in the 1880s as the family home for sawmill owner William Theodore Jay. Later renovated in the 1930s by Frank Otis, it served as his sum-mer home until his death in 1962. Mr. Otis left the property to the State of Louisiana to be devel-oped into a recreational site for visitors. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. For more informa-tion, call 985-845-33148 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Fontainebleau62883 Highway 1089Mandeville, LA

Rich in history, Fontainebleau State Park spans 2,800 acres of land located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Daily, sail boats of all shapes and sizes skim across the waters. Visitors wish-ing to get a tan can sunbathe on the delightful sandy beach. The Tammany Trace, once a rail-road track, is now open for cy-cling, hiking, and in-line skat-ing. Overnight guests may stay at

the campground or in one of the lakefront cabins or lodges. Over 400 species of animals live among the trees and shrubs, and the park is surrounded by water on three sides—Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane, and Bayou Castine. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Fontainebleau Birding Guide with its interesting information about the park’s numerous ani-mals, birds, and flora. For more information, call 985-624-4443 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Chicot

Cypremort Point

Fairview-Riverside

Fontainebleau


Grande IsleAdmiral Craik Drive Grand Isle, LA

The most popular barrier is-land off the coast of Louisiana, Grand Isle serves as a breakwater between the Gulf and the net-work of inland channels. For seri-ous anglers, it is an excellent spot for deep-sea, salt-water fishing. Swimming at Grand Isle gives visi-tors a chance to relax and feel the warm waters against their bod-ies. This unique environment at-tracts numerous species of birds and other wildlife, so bring your binoculars or a camera to en-joy the panorama of nature un-spoiled. Canoes, paddle boats, and surf bikes are available for rental. Overnight guests can stay at any of the 49 premium camp-sites or the 10 beach-tent camp-sites. Don’t miss your chance to fish, bird-watch, crab, hike, tan, boat, and relax at Grand Isle. For more information, call 985-787-2559 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Hodges Gardens1000 Hodges LoopFlorien, LA

Located in Sabine Parish, Hodges Gardens boasts a collec-tion of lush gardens. Take a stroll through these gardens or the na-ture trails, boat on the lake, or fish from the shore. An equestrian

campground is available for those visitors who choose to take their horses on the park’s trails. The abundant flora, waterfalls, pools, geysers, and lake offer an oasis from everyday life. Come relax at Hodges Gardens. For more infor-mation, call 318-586-4020 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Jimmie Davis1209 State Park RoadChatham, LA

Opened in the fall of 1996, Jimmie Davis State Park was orig-inally named Caney Creek Lake State Park. The 2003 Louisiana State Legislature approved re-naming the park in honor of two-term Governor Jimmie H. Davis, who served from 1944 to 1948 and again from 1960 to 1964. Located on a peninsula on Caney Lake, the park has boat launch-es and fishing piers for fisher-men and waterskiing on the clear waters of the lake. The lush for-est surrounding the lake pro-vides memorable photo oppor-tunities of the landscape as well as the wildlife that inhabits it. Playgrounds and bike and nature trails are just a few of the special features of the park. Cabins and lodging are available as well as group camps with two dormito-ries and a dining hall for larger groups. RV campers are welcome as well. For more information, call 318-249-2595 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Lake Bistineau103 State Park RoadDoyline, LA

Located in northwest Louisiana on the western shore of Lake Bistineau, Lake Bistineau State Park offers such delights as two boat launches, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, two swimming pools, camping and cabins, and excellent fishing! From early January to the begin-ning of fall, the lake is a fisher-man’s paradise. Picnicking along the lake at numerous sites and several picnic pavilions is popu-lar with many patrons. The park includes nearly 10 miles of wood-land trails and an 11-mile canoe trail for visitors who want to see the park’s beauty from the water. For more information, call 318-745-3503 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Lake Bruin201 State Park RoadSt. Joseph, LA

Originally established as a fish hatchery, Lake Bruin State Park is situated on 53 acres of land with over 3,000 acres of water. Lake Bruin is the perfect spot for fresh-water fishing and water sports. The park is open for year-round fishing, but the best times to fish are April, May, June, September, and October. Enjoy boating, swimming, and other water ac-tivities from its three fishing piers or its protected beach. With its

Grande Isle

Hodges Gardens

Jimmie Davis


picnic tables, barbeque grills, playground, and more, there is never a dull moment at this beau-tiful park. For more information, call 318-766-3530 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Lake Claiborne225 State Park RoadHomer, LA

Lake Claiborne features such attractions as swimming, fishing, birding, boating of all kinds, wa-terskiing, camping, and hiking. The park’s RV campground and two-bedroom cabins guarantee good night’s sleep as visitors get close to nature. Claiborne’s main attraction is its sandy beach lo-cated on a lake inlet which is pro-tected from boats and water ski-ers. Park naturalists conduct na-ture programs and guided hikes through woods rife with wildlife. For more information, call 318-927-2976 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Lake D’Arbonne3628 Evergreen RoadFarmerville, LA

Lake D’Arbonne State Park’s 656 acres state park comple-ments the natural landscape to enhance visitors’ outdoor expe-rience. Recreational events on Lake D’Arbonne are the central attraction at the park. Holding such fish as bass, catfish, crappie, and bream, the lake is a fisher-man’s dream, and its scenic views offer great picture opportunities for visitors. Don’t forget to bring binoculars for the many beautiful natural trails. Rolling hills allow for refreshing bike rides for cy-clists to enjoy, and lighted tennis

surrounding the park was once home to the Chitimacha Indians. In the mid-1700s, the French and Acadian farmers and trappers dominated the area even though the Spanish were in control un-til 1802. During this time, the Isleños, Spaniards, and Canary Islanders, emigrated to the area, enhancing the cultural diversity of south Louisiana. Guests at this extraordinary park can fish, boat, and canoe in the multiple wa-terways that wind through the basin. Overnight guests can stay on campgrounds or in lake-front cabins. The Visitor Center pro-vides programs and activities to learn about the park and its sur-roundings that boast three hiking trails and a canoe trail for visitors to get a little more personal with the area’s wildlife and nature. For cultural exploration, study, or simply curiosity, Lake Fausse State Park is the place to visit. For more information, call 337-229-4764 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

North Toledo Bend2907 North Toledo Park BendZwolle, LA

With more than 900 acres available for camping, picnick-ing, hiking, and relaxing, North Toledo Bend State Park is the place to visit. Located on the country’s largest man-made res-ervoir, Toledo Bend Reservoir, the park offers great experienc-es for individuals, families, and groups. Housing an Olympic-size swimming pool and bath house as well as concession and laundry areas, North Toledo Bend invites both short-term and long-term visits. Boating and fishing are

courts offer fun for all ages. After a long day, relax and enjoy a pic-nic under the canopy of pine trees. For more information, call 318-368-2086 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Lake Fausse Pointe5400 Levee RoadSt. Martinville, LA

Lake Fausse Pointe consists of 6,000 acres of land that have deep roots in history. The area

Lake Bruin

Lake Claiborne

Lake D’Arbonne

Lake Fausse Point North Toledo Bend


welcome, and the reservoir even has its own fish-cleaning station and boat rentals. North Toledo Bend is the place to be for an all-around enjoyable stay. For more information, call 318-645-4715 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Palmetto Island1950 Pleasant RoadAbbeville, LA

Palmetto Island on the Vermillion River is the place to be for a Louisiana experience. A boat launch entices visitors to boat and fish on the river while interior lagoons provide a place for canoers and kayakers to see native plants and animals. Guests who choose to stay overnight can stay in one of six cabins set-tled among trees and foliage, each comfortably sleeping up to eight visitors. Ninety-six camp-sites are available for RV campers, twenty of which include an extra tent camping pad. For day visi-tors, the Visitor Center includes a water playground, bathhouse,

and multi-purpose room that can be rented for special events. For more information, call 337-893-3930 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Poverty Point Reservoir1500 Poverty Point ParkwayDelhi, LA

This 2,700-acre man-made lake is home to a plethora of fish and wildlife and hosts many mi-grating species every spring and fall. Cormorants, ducks, geese, and pelicans are among the many migratory animals in this area. Overnight guests can choose two-bedroom waterfront cabins, spa-cious lodges with loft bedrooms, or RV camping. Children can get away from the sweltering heat in the water playground located in the campground area. Black bear sightings are exciting experience appreciated by many on the na-ture trail that winds along an off-shoot of Bayou Macon. For more information, call 318-878-7536 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Sam Houston Jones107 Sutherland RoadSt. Charles, LA

Originally named for a Texas folk hero who traveled all over western Louisiana, Sam Houston Jones State Park was given its cur-rent name in honor of the state’s thirty-seventh governor, who was instrumental in setting aside this tract of land for public enjoy-ment. At certain times of the year, almost 200 species of birds occu-py the park in a 30-mile circum-ference. Many species of wildlife and beautiful flora call this park home and offers visitors a chance to be closer to nature. Numerous waterways, two boat launches, fishing, and rental boats as well as three hiking trails, and cabins and campsites for overnight visi-tors are among the amenities of Sam Houston Jones. For more in-formation, call 337-855-2665 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

South Toledo Bend120 Bald Eagle Road(648 Bass Haven Resort—GPS)]Anacoco, LA

Conveniently located on sev-eral bluffs overlooking the Toledo Band Reservoir, South Toledo Bend offers fishing tournaments, hiking, cycling, camping, bird and animal watching, and many other recreational activities. Bald eagles commonly nest at the park because of the abundance of fish on which they feed. Guests can learn about these eagles and other local animals at the Visitor Center. For more information, call 337-286-9075 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

St. Bernard501 St. Bernard ParkwayBraithwaite, LA Want to spend quality time with your family? Then there is no better place to be than St. Bernard State Park located right along the Mississippi River. People who cannot or do not want to

Palmetto Island

Poverty Point Reservoir

Sam Houston Jones

South Toledo Bend


get away from the city are com-mon guests. A network of man-made lagoons offers guests plea-sure and serenity, and a stroll along the nature trail reveals the park at its best where woodlands meet wetlands. Picnic tables, bar-beque grills, restrooms along with a large, covered pavilion complete with a grill are perfect for a family outing. A swimming pool and bathhouse are available as well to delight children and their families during the summer. Visitors may also launch their boats and experience great fresh and salt water fishing. For more information, call 504-682-2101 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Tickfaw27225 Patterson RoadSpringfield, LA

Visitors at Tickfaw State Park can expect a plethora of activi-ties, adventures, and explora-tions. Periodic flooding of the

park sites offers a chance for vis-itors to learn the importance of such natural occurrences for the habitat and breeding grounds of the wildlife and fish. Night hik-ing is available for visitors who choose to do so, and vacation cabins are available for those who simply want to listen to the swamp’s nightlife. Bicycle, stroll, run, or canoe—whatever you choose—to grasp the beauty of this magnificent park. Visitors can bring their own canoes or rent them on site at the entrance sta-tion. Don’t forget to try the wa-ter playgrounds for a refreshing cool-off with your children, and visit the gift shop in the Nature Center to select that perfect me-mento of your park visit. For more information, call 225-294-5020 or visit www.crt.state.la.us.

Buccaneer 1150 South Beach BoulevardWaveland, MS Located on the beautiful Mississippi coast, Buccaneer State Park is nestled among large moss-draped oaks and marshlands and bordered by the Gulf of Mexico. After extensive damage from Hurricane Katrina, Buccaneer has undergone various phases of con-struction with the final stage to conclude next year. With many developed camping spaces and

MISSISSIPPISTATE PARKS

primitive camping sites, Buccaneer State Park offers a little some-thing for everyone. Other ameni-ties include bathhouses, two pa-vilions, Jackson Ridge Disk Golf, Pirate’s Alley Nature Trail, and a large playground. The picnic area, Camp Store, Activities Building, laundry facilities, and Buccaneer Bay Waterpark are currently un-der construction and should be completed in 2013. For more in-formation, call 228-467-3822 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Clark Creek Nature Area366 Fort Adams RoadWoodville, MS Clark Creek Nature Area boasts some of the most beau-tiful scenery in the state. In the colorful splendor of a mixed hardwood and pine forest, you’ll find beautiful waterfalls and a magnificent nature trail, all in all a haven for the bird-watcher, hiker, photographer, or botanist. This natural habitat is open year round, and visitors to the site should take plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing for their venture. For more informa-tion, call 601-888-6040 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

St. Bernard

Tickfaw

Buccaneer

Clark Creek Nature Area


Clarkco386 Clarkco RoadQuitman, MS

Located on 815 acres of gently rolling woodlands near Meridian, Clarkco State Park offers camp-ing, cabin rentals, and water sports. Clarkco features devel-oped and tent camp sites. In ad-dition, Clarkco offers twenty va-cation cabins, each sleeping two to eight persons. The cabins are air conditioned and include a pri-vate pier. The Vacation Cottage at Clarkco sleeps four comfort-ably and includes multiple ame-nities. If you’re looking for more of a day trip, Clarkco offers picnic areas; a nature trail; boat launch; playground; tennis courts; wa-ter skiing; fishing; sites for soft-ball, baseball, and disc golf, and a splash pad water area. For more information, call 601-776-6651 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

George P. Cossar165 County Road 170Oakland, MS

Found in North Mississippi on Enid Lake, George P. Cossar State Park is known as a sportsperson’s paradise. With most of the land around the lake and near Holly Springs National Park open for hunting and with the wide vari-ety of fishing options, outdoors enthusiasts are sure to have fun at this state park. Amenities in-clude developed camp sites, thir-teen cabins that accommodate four to six people in each, group camping for up to 26 people, an activity building, a picnic area and pavilion, miniature golf, a nature trail, a playground, water skiing, world-record fishing, disk golf,

and non-denominational worship services in the summer. For more information, call 662-623-7356 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Golden Memorial2104 Damascus RoadWalnut Grove, MS

A picturesque setting, Golden Memorial State Park offers pic-nic tables, grills, two pavilions, nature trails, a 15-acre spring-fed lake stocked with bass and bream, developed campsites, two cabins, tent camping sites, and a playground. The park’s Loblolly Trail features the second largest loblolly pine tree in Mississippi. You’ll also find a post-Civil War, one-room schoolhouse located on the site! For more informa-tion, call 601-253-2237 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Great River Road101 State Park RoadRosedale, MS

Bordered by the Mississippi River on its western edge, Great River Road State Park’s beauty is “unmatched.” To view the land-scape, take advantage of a photo opportunity and picnic on mag-nificent heights when you vis-it the top of the park’s seventy-five foot high overlook tower. Fourteen sites are available for primitive and developed camp-ing, featuring picnic tables, grills, and electrical and water hook-ups. A banquet room in the Visitor Center, which holds ninety persons, is ideal for large groups. Recreational activities include disc golf, fishing, boating, and hiking. The park also has a soft-ball field for those who choose to

get out there and play. For more information, call 662-759-6762 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Holmes County5369 State Park RoadDurant, MS With a convenient location right off of I-55, abundant wildlife, two lakes covering 88 acres, and camping/cabin options, Holmes County State Park is perfect if you just want to get away. The park in-cludes developed and tent camp-ing sites, vacation cabins accom-modating four to six persons, a group camp site available for up to 100 persons, dining hall, picnic area, nature trail, and playground; boat launching, fishing, and laun-dry facilities; a skating rink; and Sunday non-denominational wor-ship services in summer. For more information, call 662-653-3351 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Hugh White3170 State Park RoadGrenada, MS Located on Grenada Lake in northern Mississippi, midway be-tween Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee, Hugh White State Park is best known for its crappie fishing. Bass, bream, and catfish also are in the lake. The park consists of 158 developed camp sites located in a shaded area near the Outlet Channel, a limited number of primitive camping sites, and 12 duplex va-cation cabins perched on a bluff overlooking Grenada Lake. Carver Point accommodates groups up

to 35. The park also features Dogwoods Golf Course, which was carved out of the forest with only necessary clearing. For more information, call 662-226-4934 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

J. P. Coleman613 CR 321Iuka, MS J. P. Coleman State Park, lo-cated on the rocky bluffs over-looking the Tennessee River, is the place for your water-sport desires. Sail, swim, ski, or fish on Pickwick Lake. If you choose to stay overnight, you can opt for accommodations at the RV camp-ground, tent campground, cab-ins which sleep up to four peo-ple, or the two-bedroom cottag-es. The Park includes a miniature golf course, picnic areas, a boat launch, and a swimming pool. For a day visit or overnight, J. P. Coleman State Park is the perfect get-away from the rush of every-day life. For more information, call 662-423-6515 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

John W. Kyle4235 State Park RoadSardis, MS One hour from Memphis, Tennessee, on the Sardis Reservoir, John W. Kyle State Park boasts nu-merous recreational activities. With the University of Mississippi only 25 miles away, the park is the perfect spot to spend your foot-ball weekends. The park offers 200 developed camping sites with picnic tables, and grills; water and

Hugh White

John W. Kyle


electrical hookups; and 20 air-conditioned cabins. Additionally, two villas are located on the golf course. Fish, water ski, picnic, en-joy a game of disc golf, or watch your children play on the play-ground. It’s the best place for a family visit. For more information, call 662-487-1345 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Lake Lincoln2573 Sunset Road, NortheastWesson, MS

Lake Lincoln State Park is eas-ily accessible since it is located close to Interstate 55, Highway 51, and State Highway 27. The park includes two open-air picnic pavilions. With shade from tow-ering hardwood trees, picnick-ing is one of the central activities at the park, but nature trails and the beautiful, clear water of Lake Lincoln provide equally enticing venues. Disc golf, fishing, boating, and biking are only a few of the many activities available at the park; and overnight guests can stay in developed campsites or in the park’s only vacation cabin. For more information, call 601-643-9044 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Lake Lowndes3319 Lake Lowndes RoadColumbus, MS

Located on a beautiful 150-acre lake, Lake Lowndes State Park provides a complete recre-ational facility for individuals, families, and groups. The park offers unlimited opportunities for fishing and camping, softball,

tennis, football, and other orga-nized sports. Only a short distance from Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women, Lake Lowndes is the per-fect place to stay for those foot-ball weekends and other major collegiate events. Stay in devel-oped campsites, tents, vacation cabins, or vacation cottages after an exuberating hike or ride on the nature and equestrian trails. For more information, call 662-328-2110 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

LeFleur’s Bluff2140 Riverside DriveJackson, MS

In the heart of urban Jackson, LeFleur’s Bluff provides an es-cape from the city with its lavish greenery. In addition to camping,

fishing, picnic spots, and nature trails, the 305-acre park features a nine-hole golf course and a driving range. There are 28 sites available for camping and ten newly added tent sites located near the lake. Enjoy boating, fish-ing, and disc golf at this lush and vibrant state park in the midst of Mississippi’s state capital. For more information, call 601-987-3923, or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Legion635 Legion State Park RoadLouisville, MS

The fourth of the original state parks, Legion State Park was first inhabited by the Choctaw Indian Nation. Garnering particular in-terest at this site is Legion Lodge, a hand-hewn log structure that

has remained unaltered since its construction in the 1930s. Boasting such features as a boat launch for fishing and cruising, a picnic pavilion, a playground, and a visitor’s room, Legion State Park provides an all-around good time. Guests can feel comfortable staying overnight in the RV camp site, tent sites, or cabins after an adventurous day on the na-ture trail. Enjoy a fun-filled day or weekend with your family at Legion State Park! For more in-formation, call 662-773-8323 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Leroy Percy1400 Highway 12 WestHollandale, MS

Leroy Percy, the oldest of Mississippi’s State Parks, is well known for its artesian springs, cy-press trees, and ancient oaks drip-ping with Spanish moss. It is the only state park featuring a wild-life preserve. Deer, squirrel, tur-key, duck, and dove call to hunters in search of an unspoiled hunting area. Leroy Percy is also known for its alligator population which visi-tors can view from a safe distance at two observation towers. A beautiful biking trail awaits those wanting to peddle their way to a closer encounter with nature. For more information, call 662-827-5436 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Lake Lincoln

Lefleur’s Bluff


Natchez230-B Wickcliff RoadNatchez, MS

Located in southwestern Mississippi, the Natchez State Park has a picturesque landscape and picnic area. It has a nature trail that is approximately .75 miles long that starts in Campground B and finishes on the lake. The park also has approximately 2.5 miles of logging roads in the hunting area where horseback riding is al-lowed; however, riding is not al-lowed during hunts. For the chil-dren, there is a playground where they can enjoy their time spent at the camp while their parents leisurely watch. For more infor-mation, call 601-442-2658 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Paul B. Johnson319 Geiger Lake RoadHattiesburg, MS

Paul B. Johnson State Park is the gateway to a natural wonder-land where visitors can enjoy a va-riety of activities. The University of Southern Mississippi is just a short drive from the park, so this park is the ideal location for foot-ball weekends. The site has mul-tiple camping sites and vacation cabins to suite your desires. While there, enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. Don’t forget to stop by the splash pad with your children

before you leave! For more infor-mation, call 601-582-7721 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Percy Quin2036 Percy Quin DriveMcComb, MS

One of the original state parks constructed in the 1930s, Percy Quin is only one and a half hours from New Orleans. It boasts a multitude of outdoor activities, including golf, swimming, hiking, and skiing. Lodging is available if you choose to stay overnight and do not bring your own RV or want to stay in the tents. Rich in nature’s ever changing palette of colors, Percy Quin is the perfect place for magnificent landscape photography. For more informa-tion, call 601-684-3938 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Roosevelt2149 Highway 13 SouthMorton, MS

Offering an abundance of outdoor recreational opportuni-ties, Roosevelt State Park is hard to beat, and its brightly colored leaves in the fall provide some in-credible “photo opps.” With its disc golf, picnics, and swimming pool, it’s the ideal spot for those trying to commune with nature or just get away from their hec-tic lives. Cabins are available for

overnight visits if you choose not to bring your RV or do not plan to camp in the tents. For more infor-mation, call 601-732-6313 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Shepard1034 Graveline RoadGautier, MS Historical and ancestral sto-ries imbue the atmosphere of Shepard State Park. Legend has it that the members of the Pascagoula Indian Nation joined hands and walked into the river while singing a death chant to avoid being captured by hostile Indian tribes in the area. Today, the park hosts happier venues, including disc golf, playing fields, a playground, and the option to

host a group camp. One-day visi-tors and overnight guests are al-ways welcome. For more infor-mation, call 228-497-2244 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Tishomingo105 CR 90Tishomingo, MS

Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is steeped in history and scenic beau-ty. Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of Paleo Indians as early as 7000 B.C. in the area now encompassed by the park, and the famed and his-toric Natchez Trace Parkway runs directly through the park. Visitors to Tishomingo State Park discover the same timeless natural beauty that enchanted Native Americans centuries ago. Tishomingo offers a unique landscape of massive rock formations and fern-filled crevices found nowhere else in Mississippi. Huge boulders, blan-keted in moss, dot the hillsides; and colorful wildflowers bor-der trails once walked by Native Americans. For more informa-tion, call 662-438-6914 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Tombigbee264 Cabin DriveTupelo, MS

Only six miles south of Tupelo, Mississippi, Tombigbee State Park offers the finest in outdoor recre-ation opportunities only minutes from one of Mississippi’s premier

Percy Quin

Roosevelt


shopping, dining, and entertain-ment areas. Tupelo is the location of the bi-annual Tupelo Furniture Market, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and the headquarters of the Natchez Trace Parkway. For more information, call 662-842-7669 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Trace State Park2139 Faulkner RoadBelden, MS

Trace State Park, a quiet, nat-ural retreat located just min-utes from Tupelo, offers a vari-ety of outdoor activities, ranging from fishing and water sports to

exploring miles of secluded na-ture trails. A special arrangement with the Pontotoc Country Club allows Trace State Park guests to enjoy the club’s 18-hole golf course without paying green fees. Trace State Park also adds enfolds a bit of Mississippi history, for an area in the park was once home to one America’s early and color-ful pioneers. Davy Crockett lived here as a horse trader with the Chickasaw Indians after his de-feat for re-election to Congress in his home state of Tennessee. It was while living here that he heard his friend Sam Houston

was in trouble in Texas. Traveling there to help, Crocket and other heroic patriots were later killed in the Battle of the Alamo. For more information, call 662-489-2958, or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Wall Doxey3946 Highway 7 SouthHolly Springs, MS Wall Doxey State Park offers an abundance of outdoor recre-ational opportunities in a setting rich in natural beauty. Centered around a sixty-acre, spring-fed lake, Wall Doxey is only forty

miles from the exciting shopping, restaurants, and attractions of Memphis, Tennessee; and it is just seven miles from the splendid an-tebellum homes of Holly Springs, Mississippi. The University of Mississippi is only a twenty-five-minute drive away, making Wall Doxey State Park the perfect place to spend a football week-end. For a weekend getaway or as a central vacation spot, Wall Doxey State Park is an ideal des-tination! For more information, call 662-252-4231 or visit www.mdwfp.com.

Tishomingo

Trace State Park

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Doyle Twins Celebrate Fourth Birthday Twins Alston and Archer Doyle, the children of Chesney and Marc Doyle and the grandchildren of Kathie and Rawdon Blankenstein, all of Natchez, Mississippi, celebrated their fourth birthday with a Princess and Pirate Party at Ellicott Hill Pool in Natchez on Saturday, July 14, 2012. A scary Captain Jack Sparrow (the twins’ uncle Boatner Blankenstein) and the beautiful and bejeweled princess Rapunzel (Leigh Carby) made cameo appearances—he to perform and deftly slit the stubborn piñata with his sword, she to dazzle all present, and both to have pictures made with the children. Guests also enjoyed swimming, sampling Alston’s Rapunzel Tower cake and Archer’s pirate-ship cake, and receiving themed party favors.

Doyle Twins Celebrate Fourth Birthday | Natchez, MS | THEsocial SCENE

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Archer and Alston Doyle with Captain Jack SparrowHite Brown with Captain Jack SparrowSophia Killelea and Jane Carby with Rapunzel (Jane’s mother) Cooper BrumfieldJane CarbyOwen Jordan with Captain Jack SparrowCaptain Jack Sparrow and Archer Doyle

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The Mississippi River is North America’s great-est waterway, running for more than 2,300 miles from northern Minnesota southward to

the Gulf of Mexico. First discovered by the Spanish, the Mississippi River later was claimed by the French, and then landed back in the hands of the Spanish before

Two New Museums in Downtown Vicksburg,

Mississippithe United States acquired the Mississippi River as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Witness to centu-ries of our nation’s past and an ever current chronicle of its present, the Mississippi River now is the focus of two new museums in Vicksburg, Mississippi, seeking to capture and share this waterway’s rich holdings.


Built by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Lower Mississippi River Museum and Riverfront Interpretive Site is an interactive muse-um for folks of all ages. This exciting addition to downtown Vicksburg touts a complex that includes a reception room, theater where visitors watch a 5-to-7 minute film introducing them to the exciting tour, class-room/activity room, office, and workroom in addition to the museum. Project Manager Mike Renacker and his team have fashioned the mu-seum and interpretive site to showcase the river valley’s cultural and natural history along with historical events that have involved the river and its nearby residents. A day trip or weekend jaunt is well worth the effort to take in the panorama of Lower Mississippi Valley life from the early Native Americans to the U.S. Corps of Engineers, all who have lived, worked, and loved life along this river. The two-story, 20,000-square-foot museum also features the retired Motor Vessel Mississippi IV, a Corps of Engineers working towboat, and the Fairground Street Bridge, which was relocated from its present site about a mile south of the Museum. The bridge is an historic cast and wrought iron Pratt truss bridge, originally constructed in 1870. If these venues are not enough to satisfy the both the casual tourist and the histo-ry buff, located on street level within eyeshot of the river is a scaled rep-lica of a 65-to-70-mile portion of the Mississippi River, showing south of Greenville to just a few miles south of Vicksburg. This replica allows visitors to walk barefoot through the river model where it holds about two inches of water to represent normal conditions and up to five inches to represent flood stage. Exhibits in the museum are an engaging mix of river history, river vessels, and river migration; events along the river in Mississippi and Louisiana since 1775; history of the levee system; and information about the vital role of the Corps of Engineers. Also on site is an aquar-ium housing river species, a replica of a 1927 flood tent, a riverboat

Lower Mississippi River Museum and Riverfront

Interpretive Site

Sternwheel

US Corps of Engineers’ Mississippi

River Timeline

Flood Tent


stern for young hands to steer, interactive ex-hibits such as the Stream Table that allows the visitor to observe how water fl ows through a channel, and display exhibits that show the wildlife that live in and along the river.

Motor Vessel Mississippi IV, used from the 1960s until 1993, gives visitors a glimpse of history through various historical items, in-teractive displays, and a boat simulator in the pilothouse. The boat served the Corps of Engineers and was fl agship for the Mississippi River Commission. During each spring and summer, members of the MRC boarded Motor Vessel Mississippi IV to conduct inspection trips and public meetings at various locations along the length of the river. Yes, visitors are welcomed aboard and can actually control the boat with active simulators. There are themed tours for all three decks as well as the main level, the engine level and the pilothouse. When boarding the Mississippi IVeach visitor receives a map and a themed ticket of choice that provides directions to the venues and explains the activities. Learn how Morse code works and sounds, see how seamen lived on the vessel, view tools used during this time

Interactive activities, such as the Morris Code display and interactive exercise pictured here, delight visitors during the Mississippi IV tour.

Mississippi IV

Early measuringinstrument on display


period for testing purposes. Step into the kitchen and see how the cooks worked to prepare meals for the captains and Mississippi River Commission delegates, and check out the main deck’s meeting room and dining room. Learn the language and life of the river through the interactive river experienc-es that come to life on Mississippi IV. To learn more about the Lower Mississippi River Museum, Riverfront Interpretive Site, and Motor Vessel Mississippi IV, visit www.LMRM.org.


The OldDepot Museum

Claiming the collection is a “hobby that got out of hand,” Lamar Roberts has oper-ated a museum from his private train and vessel collection since 1993. Today he and his wife Sue operate The Old Depot Museum, located at 1010 Levee Street in downtown Vicksburg’s restored Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Depot, a $2.4 million res-toration by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. A unique museum with self-guided tours, the Old Depot Museum offers models of historic transportation and travel on the river and land, it also houses a model and live animation of the Siege of Vicksburg. In addition, private collections of boats, trains, cars, airplanes, and Civil War exhibits are at home in this two-story museum along with original art depicting scenes from the Civil War. One collection displayed includes 111 ships named after Mississippi people and places; another collection documents air-planes fl own by Mississippians, and yet an-other includes 150 model cars and 18-wheel-ers that span 1903 until present day time. In the Civil War Room at the Old Depot Museum, a model of the Cairo and other war ships are on display. The exhibit room stag-es a multi-media presentation of sights and sounds from the Vanishing Glory with voices giving life to words from soldiers’ and citi-zens’ letters and diaries, recounting their ex-periences during the Civil War. Another addition to the museum is a dis-play of the architectural styles in Vicksburg. Learn where the designation “red-light” dis-trict came from—an association with the railroad. When the train stopped and the trainmen got off for the night and settled in at home or elsewhere, they would place a red bulb in the light fi xture so the captain could fi nd them in case of an emergency. Now where the story went from there....not sure! Once a busy rail center, a bustling river-boat town, and crossroads for US 61 and US 80, Vicksburg sports a transportation histo-ry worth viewing. Old Depot Museum is a non-profi t entity and accepts display dona-tions and monetary donations. The muse-um is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $3.25 for students, $1.10 for chil-dren, and $5.00 for seniors and military, and a Family Max of $20.00. Group rates avail-able as well. Visit www.theolddepot.net for additional information or contact [email protected].

Sue and Lamar Roberts, owners of The Old Depot Museum


Make plans to travel to Vicksburg, Mississippi and en-joy relaxed shopping, dining, touring, and viewing history through contemporary multi-media presentations and a num-ber of other venues at Vicksburg’s two newest museums. An outdoor adventure program that includes a trek through the city is also available. Visit www.visitvicksburg.com, download the Vicksburg Nature Guide, and check out its monthly calen-dar of events.


SEPTEMBER up & coming! PREMIER EVENTS

September 7 - 9Celtic Heritage Weekend DeclaredTo Coincide with CelticFest MississippiJackson, MS

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is-sued a proclamation that the weekend of September 7 - 9, 2012, is declared “Celtic Heritage Weekend” to coincide with the 21st Annual CelticFest Mississippi held at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum. The festival is a weekend-long celebration of the music, dance, and cul-ture of the seven Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Gallicia.

CelticFest Mississippi is the culmi-nation of various “Celtic” events of the week, which include a Millsaps concert, featuring CelticFest headliners Máirtín de Cógáin Project on Tuesday, September 4; the Crossroads Film Society’s Screen on the Green showing of The Quiet Man on Thursday, September 6; and Detroit-based, Irish traditional band Finvarra’s Wren at Fenian’s Irish Pub also on Thursday, September 6. CelticFest is a family-orient-ed event, and all CHS events are open to the public.

For more information, visit www.CelticFestMS.orgU.

September 16Natchez Festival of Music Presents A Musical Tour of HomesNatchez, MS2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The Natchez Festival of Music presents A Musical Tour of Homes, an event which opens Natchez’s beautiful, private homes for public tours with musical accompani-ment. The Petrie House, The Bahlmann House, and Ravenna will be available for touring from 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. At 4:00

p.m., there will be a concert at the recently reopened home The Briars, featuring bass-baritone Will Earl Spanheimer, accompa-nied by Donna Schaffer, with a reception to follow. The cost for attendance is $25.00.

For more information, contact Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at 800-467-6742 or [email protected] or Mary Robertson at 601-445-2210 or [email protected].

October 6 - 14NYCity Slicker’s “Mississippi Home”Mississippi The NYCity Slickers, an eight-piece, NYC-based bluegrass band, announced their “Mississippi Home” tour at the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park on Saturday June 9. One of the NYC’s pre-mier bluegrass bands, the NYCity Slickers was formed by the native Mississippian, husband-wife team of Faser Hardin (broth-er of Barbara Crespino and brother-in-law to Ole Miss football star Bobby Crespino from Macon, MS) and Annie Chadwick (Jackson native; sister of Dorothy Chadwick, Canton, Mississippi, and Pat Lamar, Oxford, Mississippi). Also includ-ed in this family-driven band of singers, musicians, and songwriters is their daugh-ter Abigail Hardin and the songwriting tal-ents of their Mississippi family – brother, Vernon Chadwick (aka Varner Stomps, Oxford, Mississippi) and brother-in-law, Reeves Jones (Canton, Mississippi).


PREMIER EVENTS up & coming! SEPTEMBER

Through September 3Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum FestivalMorgan City, LA800-256-2931www.shrimp-petrofest.org

Through September 316th Annual The Tucker Benefit Golf

TournamentBrookhaven Country ClubBrookhaven, MSTimes vary.$200/person $400/teamJoshua Smith [email protected]

Inspired by a genuine love of their Mississippi roots and authentic American roots music, the NYCity Slickers have thrilled NYC audiences with their unique synthesis of traditional bluegrass, zydeco, Delta blues, and country pop. Having had much East Coast success, the NYCity Slickers are excited about traveling South to entertain the folks from back home.

Departing from traditional male-driven bluegrass, this eight-piece bluegrass band combines the wailing, tight harmonies and talents of three gorgeous gal singers with the hard-driving sound of five musicians on banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass, and accordion. Their “Big-Apple Bluegrass” sound has been described as a fusion of the Andrews Sisters, Dixie Chicks, and Bill Monroe, resulting in theatrically in-spired, toe-tappin’, one-of-a-kind, rock-in’ fun music. Their album is available through iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and NYCitySlickers.com.

The NYCity Slickers are excited to have Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, as a Presenting Sponsor of the “Mississippi Home” tour and will be performing at the Millsaps Arts and Lecture Series on October 9. Other tour engagement ven-ues include Hal & Mals on October 6 in Jackson, a gospel concert at First United Methodist Church in Canton on October 7, the Tupelo Link Centre Concert & Jam on October 11, and Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale on

October 12, and Oxford-University United Methodist Church in Oxford on October 14. For more information, call 212-265-0260 or visit www.NYCitySlickers.com.

October 13 2012 Woodville Deer & Wildlife FestivalCourthouse SquareWoodville, MS

The 2012 Woodville Deer & Wildlife Festival celebrates the cultural, culinary, and artistic heritage of Woodville and Wilkinson County, Mississippi, including attractions such as art, live music, family fun, local food, and children’s activities, in an attempt to engage local citizens in building community pride and enhancing the cultural life of the community through art. The event will be held October 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5 and is free for children 5 years and younger. The festival is now accepting applications from regional Arts and Crafts Vendors; ap-plications can be acquired at the Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street office in the Wilkinson County Museum. In addition, to become a volunteer, visit www.deerand-wildlifefestival.com, or contact Main Street at 601-888-3998. To participate in the 2nd Annual Deer and Wildlife Festival Photography contest, contact Ramona Pace at 601-888-3542. All photos must be submitted digitally to [email protected] by September 21, 2012.

For more information, visit www.deerand-wildlifefestival.com or call 601-888-3998.

October 19 - 21Great Mississippi River Balloon RaceRosalie Bicentennial GardensNatchez, MS Every October, the residents of Natchez, Mississippi, open wide their arms of welcome and hospitality to visi-tors from along and beyond the Mighty Mississippi for the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race. Hosting two balloon flights every day, weather permitting, the Balloon Race seems to take over Natchez each year. Everyone rushes out of their homes or into town to watch as the pilots sail overhead in their elaborate balloons. From 8:00 p.m. Friday night until 4:00 p.m. Sunday after-noon, the Races host numerous musicians, singers, and bands with a wide variety of sounds and genres. Some of the enter-tainment includes the North Mississippi Allstars, Pat Green, The Lowrider Band, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Anders Osborne, The Revivalists, Benton Blount, and Lil Poochie & Hezekiah Earl. Games, rides, music, and great food—there is no better place to immerse yourself in such a plethora of excitement and entertainment than the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race. Ticket prices vary. For more infor-mation, call 601-446-1352, visit www.nat-chezballonrace.com, or email Babs Price at [email protected].

up & coming! SEPTEMBER

Through September 16Art Glass by Jean-Louis DealWest Baton Rouge MuseumPort Allen, LA225-336-2422www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

Through October 5Girl Scouts: A Centennial

Anniversary DisplayWest Baton Rouge MuseumPort Allen, LA845 North Jefferson AvenueTicket prices vary.225-336-2422www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

Through October 20Improvisations in Time: Eugene J.

Martin and the Masur Museum of ArtMasur Museum of ArtMonroe, LA318-329-2237www.masurmuseum.org


SEPTEMBER up & coming!Through November 24Trailer McQuilkin: An Uncommon

BeautyOhr-O’Keefe Museum of ArtBiloxi, MSTues. - Sat. / 10 am - 5 pm228-374-5547curatorofcollections@georgeohr.orgwww.geargeohr.org

Through November 24Geoff Mitchell: Chaos at the

ConfessionalOhr-O’Keefe Museum of ArtBiloxi, MSTues. - Sat. / 10 am - 5 pm228-374-5547curatorofcollections@georgeohr.orgwww.geargeohr.org

Through NovemberHollywood Comes to Natchez: A Civil

War Film SeriesNatchez Visitors Center TheaterNatchez, MSEvery second Saturday4 pm / Free601-446-1289www.colin.edu/nlcc/fim-series

Through December 1The Art of Eugene Martin: A Great

ConceptOhr-O’Keefe Museum of ArtBiloxi, MSTues. - Sat. / 10 am - 5 pm228-374-5547curatorofcollections@georgeohr.orgwww.geargeohr.org

September 1Civil War Soldier Life—Zouaves!Audubon State Historic SiteSt. Francisville, LA11757 Ferdinand Street10 am - 4 pmPrices vary.888-677-2838 / [email protected] www.stfrancisville.us


September 134th Annual Prairie Arts FestivalWest Point, [email protected] http://westpoint.ms.org

September 1 - 3 Great Southern Stampede Barrel Race Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center Hattiesburg, MS 962 Sullivan Drive www.forrestcountycenter.com

September 2In the Footsteps of AudubonAudubon State Historic SiteSt. Francisvile, LA11757 Ferdinand StreetPrices vary.888-677-2838 / [email protected] www.stfrancisville.us

September 4Story Time TuesdayJackson ZooJackson, MS2918 W. Capitol Street10 am / Free601-352-2580www.visitjackson.com www.jacksonzoo.org

September 54th Annual Culture CollisionGenerations HallNew Orleans, LA5 - 8 pmAfter Party in the Big Room 8 pm - 10 pm / Freewww.culturenola.org

September 6Hit the BricksVicksburg, MSHistoric Washington Street5:30 pm - 8 pm601-634-4527www.downtownvicksburg.org



SEPTEMBER up & coming!September 6Screen on the GreenMississippi Museum of ArtJackson, MS380 South Lamar Street7 pm / Cash Bar / Movie at Dusk601-960-1515www.msmuseumart.org

September 6 - 8Pecan Ridge Bluegrass FestivalJackson, LA4225 Highway 952 Alvin Havard / 225-629-5852

September 7Screen on the GreenMississippi Museum of ArtsJackson, MS201 East Pascagoula Street7 pm / Cash Bar & ConcessionsMovie at Duskwww.msmuseumart.org

September 7 - 8Lydia Cajun Food FestLydia, LA4412 Weeks Park RoadFri. / 5 pm - 11 pm; Sat. / 9 am - 9 pm337-519-3131 / 337-230-6730www.lydiacancerassociation.org www.louisianatravel.com

September 7 - 936th Annual Bayou Lafourche Antiques

Show & SaleWarren J Harang, Jr. Municipal

AuditoriumThibodeaux, LA310 N. Canal BoulevardFri. & Sat. / 10 am - 5 pm; Sun. 11 am - 4 pm$5 / Advance $7 / At door985-413-1147www.tawasi.net

September 7 - 9 & 14 - 16Westside Theatre Foundation:The ProducersThe Coral Room TheatreVicksburg, MS801 Clay Street601-636-8313



September 82nd Saturday EventArt on the BluffNatchez, MS10 am - 5 [email protected]

September 8 - 94th Annual The Civil War at Oakley

PlantationAudubon State Historic SiteSt. Francisville, LA11757 Ferdinand Street10 am - 4 pm / 10 am - 2:30 pmPrices vary.888-677-2838 / [email protected] www.stfrancisville.us

September 9“Mark Twain Tonight”West Baton Rouge MuseumPort Allen, LA842 N. Jefferson Avenue2:30 pm / Free225-336-2422 / 888-881-6811www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

September 11Music in the CityMississippi Museum of ArtsJackson, MSTrustmark Grand Hall5:15 pm / Hors d’oeuvres & Cash Bar5:45 pm / ProgramFree201 East Pascagoula Streetwww.msmuseumart.org

September 11Elton JohnMississippi ColiseumJackson, MS7:30 pm$77 / Ticketswww.ticketmaster.com

September 13Sweet Potato JamboreeASU Mound Bayou Demonstration

CenterMound Bayou, MS294 Grainger Dorsey Road8:00 am - 2:00 pmLarry Russell / [email protected] / www.alcorn.edu


SEPTEMBER up & coming!September 14 - 152012 Lincoln County Wildlife ExpoLincoln Civic CenterBrookhaven, MSFri. / 5 pm - 9 pm; Sat. / 9 am - 7 pm601-823-9064www.lincolncountywildlifeexpo.com

September 14 - 15Meat Pie FestivalRiverbank Stage Downtown

NatchitochesNatchitoches, LA

781 Front Street318-352-8072 / 800-259-1714www.explorenatchitoches.com

September 15Dan Klein Memorial RodeoKlein Rodeo ArenaJackson, LAGross Road8 pm225-683-1623

September 1535th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues &

Heritage FestivalWashington County Civic CenterGreenville, MS888-812-5857 / 662-335-3523Howard Boutte / [email protected] Benson / [email protected]

September 15 - 16Auditions for The Nutcracker—A Tale

from the Bayou Baton Rouge Ballet TheatreBaton Rouge, LARiver Center Theatre for the

Performing Arts275 South River RoadTimes vary. / $5225-766-8379Nicole Naquin / nicole@batonrougebal-

let.orgLeigh Phillips / leigh@batonrougeballet.

orgwww.batonrougeballet.org



September 15 - November 15Cotton Pickin’ & Ginnin’Frogmore PlantationFrogmore, LA11054 Highway 84Mon. - Fri. / 9 am - 3 pm; Sat. / 10 am - 2 pm318-757-2453www.frogmoreplantation.com

September 16West Baton Rouge Parish History:

People, Places, & ProgressLectureWest Baton Rouge MuseumPort Allen, LA842 North Jefferson Avenue2:30 - 5:00 pm / Free225-336-2422 / 888-881-6811www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

September 17Heather Clancy-Opera UndergroundMississippi OperaJackson, MS119 South President Street.6 pm - Doors open / 7:30 pm - Show601-960-2300 www.msopera.org

September 18Unburied Treasures: Greatest HitsMississippi Museum of ArtsJackson, MSTrustmark Grand Hall5:30 pm / Cash Bar6 pm / Program201 East Pascagoula Streetwww.msmuseumart.org

September 20Curator’s LectureMasur Museum of ArtMonroe, LA1400 South Grand Street6 - 7 pm 318-329-2237www.masurmuseum.org

September 20NGC’s Fall BashBarrel Room @ Bowie’s TavernNatchez, MS$15 at doorSilent Auction / Cash [email protected]@bellsouth.net


SEPTEMBER up & coming!September 20International Crochet: Europe &

Hairpin LaceRolland Golden GalleryNatchez, MS419 Main Street7 - 9 pm$25.00Carrie Golden Lambert / [email protected]

September 20International Crochet: Europe &

Hairpin LaceRolland Golden GalleryNatchez, MS419 Main Street7 - 9 pm$25.00Carrie Golden Lambert / [email protected]

September 20 - 21Pioneer DaysHistoric Jefferson CollegeNatchez, MS16 Old North Street601-576-6850Kay McNeil / [email protected]

September 20 - 23Dixie Region Team Penning FinalsForrest County Multi-Purpose CenterHattiesburg, MS962 Sullivan Drivewww.forrestcountycenter.com

September 21Look and Learn with HootMississippi Museum of ArtsJackson, MS10:30 am / 4 - 5 yrsFree201 East Pascagoula Streetwww.msmuseumart.org



September 22Landry Vineyard’s Outdoor Concert

Featuring the Ann Savoy Family BandLandry’s VineyardWest Monroe, LA569 New Natchitoches Road$5 - $8 / Person; 12 yrs. & younger / Free3:30 - 7 pm318-557-9051www.landryvineyards.com

September 22 - December 2“Mardi Gras Shipwreck: Recovered

Cache c. 1812”West Baton Rouge MuseumPort Allen, LA842 North Jefferson Avenue225-336-2422 / 888-881-6811www.westbatonrougemuseum.com

September 22 - January 13To Paint and Pray: The Art & Life

of William R. Hollingsworth, Jr. Mississippi Museum of ArtJackson, MS380 South Lamar StreetPrices vary.601-960-1515www.msmuseumart.org

September 22 - January 13Artists by Artists Mississippi Museum of ArtJackson, MS380 South Lamar StreetPrices vary601-960-1515www.msmuseumart.org

September 26Lunchtime Lecture & Book Signing – New Roads and Old RiversRandy Harrelson and Brian CostelloWest Baton Rouge MuseumPort Allen, LA842 North Jefferson AvenueNoon / Free225-336-2422 / 888-881-6811www.westbatonrougemuseum.com


SEPTEMBER up & coming!September 27Romantic Giants with the USM

Symphony OrchestraNatchez Festival of MusicMargaret Martin Performing Arts

CenterNatchez, MS64 Homochitto Street7 pmMary Robertson [email protected]

September 27 - October 14Sordid LivesNatchez Little TheatreNatchez, MS319 Linton AvenueSept. 27 - 7 pm / $10.00Fri., Sat., Mon., Wed. / 7:30 / $15www.natcheztheatre.org

September 27 - October 142012 Fall PilgrimageVarious Historic Natchez LocationsNatchez, MS9:00 am - 12 pm / 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm800-467-3742www.natchezpilgrimage.com

September 28Tommy Emmanuel ConcertIstrouma Baptist ChurchBaton Rouge, LA10500 Sam Rushing Drive225-295-0775www.lpb.org

September 29Revelations QuartetSaenger TheaterHattiesburg, MS201 Forrest Street601-584-4888www.hattiesburgsaenger.com



September 29Race for the CureForsythe ParkMonroe, LA7 am - Registration / 8 am - Race$30 / Adults; $10 / [email protected] [email protected]

September 29Clarke County Forestry & Wildlife

FestivalArchusa WaterparkQuitman, MS9 am - 5 [email protected] clarkecountychamber.com

September 29St. Jude Fall FestivalSt. Jude Catholic ChurchPearl, MS399 Barrow StreetKelly [email protected]

September 29 - 30Cajun NationalsEngland AirparkAlexandria, LASat. / 8 am Sun. / 7:30 am$10 / $5 non-perishable foods / $5 [email protected]/CajunNationals

September 29 - 30Jim Bowie FestivalVidalia Riverfront Vidalia, LA10 am - 8 pm318-336-8223director@concordiachamberofcommerce.

com

September 30Calca-Chew Food FestivalSt. Margaret Family CenterLake Charles, LA1103 17th Street7 am - 3 pmMary Rothermel / [email protected]


SEPTEMBER up & coming!October 3 - 14Mississippi State FairMississippi State FairgroundsJackson, MS1207 Mississippi Street601-961-4000www.mdac.state.ms.us

October 4Nadja Salerno-sonnenbergUSM SymphonyHattiesburg, MSPat Ferlise CenterW. Fourth St. & Golden Eagle Ave.www.southernmisstickets.com800-844-8425

October 5 - 638th Annual Ole Brook Festival Brookhaven, MSDowntown BrookhavenFri. & Sat. / booths and kids’ areaFri. pm / live entertainmentSat. 6:30 pm / concert / free601-833-1411www.brookhavenchamber.com

October 5 - 617th Annual Fall FestRiverstage PlazaVicksburg, MSHistoric Washington StreetFri. - 7:00 pm; Sat. - 10 am - 5 pm601-634-4527www.downtownvicksburg.org / www.visit-

vicksburg.com

October 5 - 638th Annual Ole Brook Festival230 South Whitworth AvenueBrookhaven, MS601-833-1411www.brookhavenchamber.com

October 5 - 618th Annual Fall FestivalDowntown VicksburgVicksburg, MSFall Outdoor ConcertFarmers’ Marketwww.vicksburgmainstreet.org


October 6Bricks & SpokesVicksburg, MS10 / 30 / 50 mi. rides / Prior registration8 am 601-634-4527www.downtownvicksburg.org

October 6Town Creek Arts FestivalMississippi Museum of ArtsJackson, MSThe Art Garden10 am201 East Pascagoula Streetwww.msmuseumart.org

October 6Osyka’s 32nd Fall Fest & Chickin Fixin’Railroad AvenueOsyka, MS9 am - 7 pmDebbie Crawford [email protected]

October 13 2012 Woodville Deer & Wildlife FestivalCourthouse SquareWoodville, MSDowntown $5 / 5 yrs. & younger - Free9 am - 4 pm601-888-3998www.deerandwildlifefestival.com

October 19Patty Griffin in ConcertShaw Center for the ArtsBaton Rouge, LA7:30 pmAdvance tickets on sale225-344-0334manshiptheatre.org

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



She was an original. Tempestuous. Tormented. Talented. A trailblazer. Triumphant even in defeat. Patsy Cline was one of a kind. The occasion of what would be her 80th birthday,

September 8, and the exhibition Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You in her honor, mounted at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame, provide an opportunity to look back at the life of this legendary and innovative recording artist. Sadly, just when the best of her life began, it ended: March 5, 1963, when on the journey home from Kansas City, after per-forming at a benefit, she, her manager Randy Hughes, and Grand Ole Opry stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas were killed outside Camden, Tennessee, in the crash of Hughes’ four-seater airplane. For 18 years after Cline’s death, following the impact of such a great loss to country music and the entertainment world, virtu-ally nothing was written of this unique personality. Then came Vicksburg, Mississippi, native Ellis Nassour’s first biography of Patsy Cline. He has devoted a good deal of his career keeping the legend alive and growing. Though she died shortly after turning 30, Cline left behind a rich personal and musical legacy. She has developed cult followings around the world, especially among young fans who are mesmer-ized by the hurt in her voice that, many agree, is yet to be equaled. Cline is more famous in death than she was during her lifetime. It seems the world cannot get enough. Nassour had a brand new Collector’s Edition hardcover Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline published in 1993. Others have attempted to tell her story. From the acclaim for Nassour’s biography, published in an expanded edition in 2008, it is considered the best and the most definitive. “I was blessed to be the first to write about Patsy,” says Nassour, “and the only one to interview so many intimates, including her two husbands and her mother.” From her early Virginia days, Cline struggled to make a name for herself. “As sweet as her music could be,” observes Nassour, “her personal life was as passionate as it was reckless. She was a rebel and a homewrecker. She wanted fame so badly she let nothing and no one stand in her way.” Born Virginia Patterson Hensley near Winchester, Patsy Cline possessed from the earliest age a self-assurance that made her be-lieve not only that she could be the best female singer in coun-try music but also that she was. Nothing could daunt her. A saying sprang up about Cline: “She’s not conceited, she’s convinced.” Cline never had lessons; but from age eight, when she began singing on street corners and in her church choir, she had the most incredible voice. She had aspirations of being the youngest star ever on the Opry. She sang anywhere she could: as a child on street

Legendary Songstress

Patsy Cline:Remembering Her On What Would Be Her 80th Birthday

corners; then, in church; and later, “tired of waiting so long to be discovered,” bursting into a radio station at the age of 14 to demand they put her on.

Cline was so determined, in fact, that she made costly mistakes, such as allowing the older bandleader she worked for (and with whom she was having an affair) to sign her to a self-defeating re-cord deal in the late 1950s. In the male-dominated country arena of that era, women were part of a show or sang with their husbands. “That wasn’t for Patsy,” notes Nassour. “She wanted to be accepted as a solo female artist, which didn’t go down too well with the male stars, but she eventually won out. ‘Overnight fame’ helped.”

Though she had starred on Jimmy Dean’s regionally-syndicated variety show out of Washington, Cline’s breakthrough came in 1957 on CBS’ Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, which showcased budding professionals and amateurs. She won with a decidedly non-country song, “Walkin’ After Midnight,” which had been passed over again and again, that her label made her record.

“She hated it,” says Nassour, “and not just because it was crammed down her throat. She told friends it made her feel like a streetwalker. Godfrey liked the tune, however, and refused to budge when she wanted to sing country and yodel.”

Godfrey felt he had discovered the real thing and hired Cline. They clashed constantly. He fired her two weeks later!

“Walkin’ After Midnight” was huge and, in a first for a coun-try female, crossed over to the pop charts. Cline got to tour solo. You cannot argue with success. She proved a country female could draw audiences and, as Nassour observes, “not be window dressing for some male artist. It also led to her first album. The male stars and many in the industry considered her a fluke. The gals looked down on Patsy, who could be, to say the least, one of the guys.”

Patsy Cline, in another career

milestone, plays Las Vegas, November 1962.

Photo courtesy of Kathy Hughes


Cline was soon an Opry star. Her song sold well for over a year. Due to the constrictions of her contract, stipulating she could only record what the label dic-tated, it was followed by four dry years. If Cline could not lay claim to birth-ing what became known as the Nashville Sound, she brought it out of diapers. And, not willingly. Cline loved pop and rock music, but preferred to record country – the hill-billy kind. Enter big bandleader and pianist and Nashville Decca Records producer Owen Bradley, who intro-duced her to up-and-coming songwrit-ers Harlan Howard, Hank Cochran, and Willie Nelson. Nassour notes that Cline had “the ability to segue from hayseed to heart-breaking ballads. Bradley coerced her to record songs from the 20s to the 40s, which he gave a new spin. He claimed Patsy could sing anything and discour-aged her from her desire to yodel.” He surrounded Cline with Nashville’s best musicians as well as backup singers such as the Jordanaires, who were associated with Elvis’ early work.

Bradley knew he had a star; he had to convince her. He pushed Cline – sometimes screaming and fighting – where she never thought she could go. He broke Nashville taboos, adding strings and drums and soaring arrangements to her sessions. “To get his way,” explains Nassour, “he’d select tunes he wanted to record; she selected those she wanted. He’d get one, she’d get one! This kept her popular with country fans while expanding her pop audience. Then, artists were either country, rock, or pop. Today, where lines are easily crossed or merged, it’s hard to image the impact Patsy and Bradley had.”

Cline hated “I Fall to Pieces,” which took six months to begin its ride up the country and pop charts. She hated “Crazy.” “But,” laughs Nassour, “when they became hits, earning big money, Patsy, always struggling financially, grudgingly admitted she warmed to them. She wanted to sing up-tempo, but Bradley convinced her bal-lads were her bread and butter.”

According to Nassour, vocally, Patsy Cline had a majesty and poignancy that continue to mesmerize. “She could produce extend-ed Western yodels, but also sweeping high notes. She had amaz-ing dexterity, switching from a country hoe-down to vintage Irving Berlin or Cole Porter and torch ballads written for her.”

Cline was on the charts, selling albums, touring, headlining with Johnny Cash, doing TV, and making money. She was generous to the gals coming up the ranks, helping Loretta Lynn and Dottie West, as they began their careers, and being a big sister to her be-loved Brenda Lee, who, reveals Nassour, credits Patsy with teach-ing her words her mother didn’t approve of.

Patsy Cline’s impact on the industry was such that “Faded Love,” recorded days before the fatal crash and which had been a huge hit for a number of country male stars, be-

came a posthumous hit. Today, it’s only remembered for Cline’s poignant rendition.

In 1973, in tribute to her incredible popularity and artistry, Cline was the first solo female named to the Country Music Hall of Fame. She left behind a great musical legacy, honored in 1995 with a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Patsy Cline influenced legions of performers. In 1997, People Magazine named her to its list of The Most Intriguing People of the Century. Cline took her crossover appeal to New York’s Carnegie Hall, Las Vegas, Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, and even to the TV teen dance show Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. She won countless music awards with her landmark hits “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” and “She’s Got You.” “She brought happiness to millions,” Nassour points out, “but had a difficult time finding it in her personal life. Though Patsy and second husband Charlie Dick were deeply in love, as her fame increased they made recriminations against each other. He couldn’t cope with her success

and long absences. A heavy drinker, Charlie’d berate her in public, hit her, and Patsy’d famously fight back. He’d accuse her of infidel-ity, when he was the guilty one, and being an unfit wife and mother. “Patsy was in a near-fatal automobile crash in the summer of 1961,” continues Nassour, “and had a nervous breakdown as she at-tempted to get back to work too soon. She was plagued with bouts of depression and felt her terrible scars drove Charlie further away.” Just as she re-established her place on the charts with “Crazy” and “She’s Got You,” Cline began contemplating a break from Charlie. Then fate intervened.

Returning from Missouri, fighting thunderstorms all the way, Randy Hughes landed in Dyersburg, Tennessee, to refuel for the last leg. Warned against continuing, Hughes, who

wasn’t instrument trained, boasted he’d flown the area many times. Within 20 minutes of take-off, the skies darkened. He lost visibility. From the way the plane crashed, the FAA assumed he was flying upside down. Only three albums were released in Patsy Cline’s lifetime, but there were great songs from a session only a month before her death. Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits was on the Billboard magazine album charts for over 900 weeks. “Crazy” is the Number One worldwide jukebox champ. Cline’s gravesite outside Winchester, Virginia, is marked with a simple bronze plaque that reads “Death cannot kill what never dies, love.” “Patsy Cline is remembered today,” observes Ellis Nassour, “be-cause of her indelible gift of music. She was a star when she left us, and a star she remains.” For more information, visit www.PatsyClineHTA.com

Turning Pages Books & More in Natchez, Mississippi, is offering $2.00 off the price of Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline during the month of September: 601-442-2299; 520 Franklin Street, Natchez, MS 39120; [email protected].

This sophisticated candid was snapped during a May 1962 impromptu visit to Nashville’s WSM Radio when Patsy was asked to sing.

Photo courtesy of Les Leverett


“Being in the field and around all the equipment—especially combines and cotton pickers—always seemed natural and comfortable to me,” said Jorie

Wade. “When I came home from college and said I wanted to farm, my parents supported me and made it possible for me to become a farmer.” Jorie Womack Wade grew up around farming but start-ed learning in earnest from her father during the summer of 1994. She planted her first crop in 1995, and she hasn’t looked back since. Jorie’s parents, Buster and Alma Womack, made sure no corners were cut in her farming education. “My father made sure I was familiar with EVERY aspect of farm work—from loading hoppers and hoeing weeds to plant-ing cotton and marketing crops,” said Jorie. “And my Uncle Kenneth McClure . . . well, let’s just say, he was very tolerant of a ‘green horn’—he taught me how to keep everything running!” In 2006, Jorie married Aaron Wade, an independent turf grass producer. Two years later, their son Woodrow Womack Wade was born, and the farming family tradition is continuing with “little bossman” Woodrow. “I am eternally grateful for the way of life I have always known and the support system I have,” said Jorie. “Now, we are teaching Woodrow to love farming as much as we do.” The Wade’s primary crop is centipede turf, but you will also find cotton and corn on their farm—and you will find conservation prac-tices in action. Aaron and Jorie Wade are investing in Woodrow’s future by pro-tecting, conserving, and improving the natural resources on their farm. Working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation

Service Jonesville Field Office and the Catahoula Soil and Water Conservation District, the Wades implemented nutrient manage-ment by soil mapping—based on electrical conductivity of the soil; nutrient management using swath management on spray equip-ment; ridge till to reduce soil erosion; and cover crops to reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter, and improve infiltration. The Wades implemented conservation practices on their farm through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

—reprinted from NRCS Louisiana Conservation Update (July 2012)

Helping People Help the Land

Southern Sampler by Holly Martien and Brittany Schmidt

• Turf farms produce grass or sod specifically for the establish-ment of lawns. The sod is sold to landscapers, home builders, or home owners.

• Jorie Wade’s mother, Alma Womack, was a supervisor for the

Catahoula Soil and Water Conservation District from 1985 to 2010. She was one of the first women district supervisors in Louisiana. Aaron Wade is currently a supervisor for the Catahoula Soil and Water Conservation District.

• Of the 3.3 million U. S. farm operators counted in the 2007 Ag Census, 30.2 percent — or more than 1 million — were wom-en. USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

• The vast majority of farms and ranches in the United States

are family owned and operated. USDA classifies family farms as “any farm organized as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or family corporation. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Bluffs & Bayous September 2012

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