Bluffs & Bayous May/June 2023

A guide to Natchez's month-long celebration

social scenes

Centreville, MS Meet the Pitmaster

Hazlehurst, MS Copiah County Medical Center’s Easter Bunny Visit

Hazlehurst, MS Hearts Matter Walk

Magnolia, MS

Libby Hewitt’s Birthday Lunch

McComb, MS

60th Annual Azalea Ball

McComb, MS

Family Medicine

Residency Program

McComb, MS

20th Annual Shuffle to the Chefs

Musician Bill Summers, will be featured during The Natchez Festival of Music. See article on pages 46-49. Photo submitted

Natchez, MS

Magnolia Festival

Magnolia Ball

Natchez, MS

Pilgrimage Garden Club 2023 Royalty

Natchez, MS Save the Hall Ball

Natchez, MS

Krewe of Killarney Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party and Auction Natchez, MS

Scrumptious

Tried-and-True, Uniquely Southern Pies Legal

Spitting in the Bottle Connecting lives through DNA tests created a fullcircle adventure.

Craig & Vaughan Wedding Ceremony

Anna Kate Craig and Nolan Hayes Vaughn share wedding details.

Fun Bunch Supper Club

Celebrates 30 Years

Celebrating thirty years, these couples have dined, traveled, and experienced life's adventures together.

Natchez Festival of Music’s 2023 Season

Ten spectacular musical events await music lovers during the 2023 Natchez Festival of Music.

Meet the Pitmaster

Steven White of Crosby, Mississippi, cooked for Wilkinson County Christian Academy in Woodville, Mississippi, for several years where he worked. He grilled for football games and other events throughout the school and competed in several community competitions. Known for his famous ribs, smoked chicken, and pulled pork just to name a few he is a master of his craft and dedicated to the grill. Some call him the Pitmaster because he knows how to handle anything grill-wise. Steven now resides in Centreville, Mississippi; and in his spare time, he likes to fire up the grill and try out various new

1-5

6

Steven White works his magic on the grill.

Steven White (far right) with his supporters

our team

225 John R. Junkin Drive Natchez, MS 39120 601.442.6847

bluffsmag@gmail.com

bbupandcoming@gmail.com bluffsbayous.com

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

from the PUBLISHER

Over the past twenty-three years of publishing Bluffs & Bayous, we have covered many of life’s special moments, many unique experiences captured in the multiple and myriad stories and social scenes we have shared. Our May-June issue is no different as we highlight life’s moments with grand balls, a birthday celebration, family member discoveries, national television debuts, musical experiences, and friendships forged through the years from supper-club gatherings.

My personal family has experienced exciting moments of life lately through our welcoming a new baby (grandchild number 10) into our family in April and celebrating local southern traditions with two of my grandchildren serving as Queen and a Junior Royalty member during The Natchez Garden Club’s Magnolia Festival.

Over the past two months in our reading area, many events have flourished that I hope you have enjoyed. As we soon approach midway of 2023, we recall the multitude of life’s moments that the year’s first trimester already has offered; and our Up & Coming calendar offers multiple choices to take in life’s soon-to-be-memorable moments during these upcoming months.

May and June bring both closures and new beginnings for many of our families whose children, seemingly far too quickly, have steered through various stages of educational development in their lives, causing us to wonder, “Where has the time gone?” So let’s all be sure now to savor these slices of life, to cherish and celebrate daily all of life’s precious moments along and beyond the Mississippi.

JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor

ERIN NORWOOD Design Director

CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales

REBECCA BIGLANE BLACK Contributor

SAM GWIN Contributor

KARI L. BLANEY Sales

DR. EDDIE SMITH Contributor

ELIZABETH WOLF Contributor

BILL PERKINS Photographer

LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer

ALMA WOMACK Contributor

THE socialSCENE HAZLEHURST, MS

Copiah County Medical Center’s Visit from the Easter Bunny

Prior to Easter, a visit from the Easter Bunny brought Easter cheer to staff members who serve Copiah County Medical Center. Photos submitted by Kristi Carney

Easter Bunny and Kelli Barfield

Easter Bunny and Dr. William Morgan

Easter Bunny and Tamara Toney

Shelia Morris and Raiven Whittington

Amy Woodham and Nicole Beach

Easter Bunny and Chris Price

Easter Bunny and Brad Johnson

Teresa Harvey and Easter Bunny

Sue Marx, Jennifer Brister, Marilyn Jackson, Melissa Farmer, Trina Sessums, Easter Bunny, Erica Sutton, Hope Mason, Jackie Alton, Katheryn Brooks, and Skylar James

Betsy Montgomery, Easter Bunny, and Cookie Schemmel

Christy Wilson, Lacey Rutland-Tobias, La’Kimberly Cooper, and Cortney Powell

Carla Allen and Easter Bunny

Easter Bunny and Harley Knight

Chasity Beal, Easter Bunny, and Noelle Bailey

Easter Bunny and Carlie White

Easter Bunny and Meredith Perrett

Easter Bunny and Tamararah Harris

Copiah County Medical Center’s Visit from the Easter Bunny continued

Ashley McPherson, Easter Bunny, and Kortney Gaddy

Michael Lee and Easter Bunny

Dr. Robert Walker and Easter Bunny

Kala Kelly, Easter Bunny, Betty Blaylock, and Brookley Allen

Easter Bunny and Devita Barnes

Dr. Randy Hankins and Easter Bunny

Cameron Newell, Caitlyn Hutton, and Brianne Moncure

Karissa Willis, Easter Bunny, and Theresa Long

Cindy Felts, Teandra Averett, Easter Bunny, and Adrian Turner

Anna Phillips, Melinda Wages, Lauren McLeod, and Easter Bunny

Easter Bunny and Lloyd Moreland

Stephanie Aldridg, Shandria Cooper, Judy Evans, and Shannon Armstrong, Easter Bunny, Alice Bates, Erica Brown, Jessica Knight, Amanda McManus, and Patty Foster

Calliope Geraniums for Summer Color

I believe the geranium is one of the most popular landscape plants in the South. I see geraniums at almost every garden center or nursery I visit. I also remember as a kid seeing my grandmother’s potted geranium in a container on her front porch. It had bright red flowers.

Some of my favorite geraniums are in the Calliope series. This is one of the most popular varieties suited for baskets, containers, and gardens. Plants in the Calliope series most closely resemble zonal geraniums in leaf structure and form. They have a vigorous, semi-trailing, strong branching growth habit and semi-double flowers that provide long-lasting color. They are good choices for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard.

Calliope is a cross between upright zonal and trailing ivy geranium.

Red is the most popular color, and Calliope Large Red, an outstandingly rich, deep, velvety red, doesn’t disappoint. This variety grows to about 14 inches tall at maturity with a spread of 20 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground.

My favorite geraniums have red flowers, but Calliope doesn’t stop with this traditional color. It comes in a wide range of colors. Cascade Violet has intense-colored, semidouble flowers. Large Orange Splash has clusters of coralorange flowers.

Geraniums like lots of sun and are heat and drought tolerant. Always plant them in well-drained potting mix, and water only when the soil is dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater since geraniums don’t like wet feet.

They are heavy feeders and need plenty of fertilizer to meet their nutrient needs. Feed them with a watersoluble fertilizer like 20-20-20 every two weeks or with a controlled-release fertilizer every four-to-six weeks.

If you are looking for a plant with variegated foliage, try Wilhelm Langguth Geranium. It is not a Calliope, but it has large clusters of showy red flowers with unique variegated foliage. It will add visual appeal to your hanging baskets, containers, and landscape beds.

When geranium flowers are fading, don’t forget to deadhead them. Do this by pinching or pruning the flower stalk at the base where it is attached to the plant. This process encourages more flowering.

Be sure to check your local nursery or garden center for Calliope geraniums this spring. You know you will be getting plants that will bring you lots of color and enjoyment all summer.

Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He is also host of the popular Southern Gardening television programs. Locate Southern Gardening products on our website at extension.msstate.edu/shows/ southern-gardening.

ARTICLE | Dr. Eddie Smith PHOTOS | MSU Extension Service

Red | Geraniums such as this Calliope Large Red Geranium are among the most popular landscape plants in the South.

Violet | Cascade Violet Geraniums in the Calliope series provide long-lasting color and attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Foliage | The Wilhelm Langguth Geranium has variegated foliage and clusters of red flowers.

THE socialSCENE HAZLEHURST, MS

Hearts Matter Walk

In conjunction with American Heart Month, Copiah County Medical Center recently held its Hearts Matter Walk! Photos submitted by Kristi Carney

Anna Phillips, Ginny Dixon, and Juli Morgan

Chuck and Shirley Busby

Reda Avent and David Channel

Addie Carver (dressed in heart costume) and Dr. Dan Jones

Kortney and Jack Gaddy

Christy Wilson, La'Kimberly Cooper, and Lacey Rutland-Tobias

Jan and Julie Mattingly

Ginny Dixon and Lacie Weaver

Dr. William Morgan, Dr. Randy Hankins, and Kristi Carney

Dr. Randy Hankins and Ann Thrasher

Caitlyn Mack, Kortney Gaddy, Jack Gaddy, Pam Gaddy, Ashlyn Gaddy, Tucker Gaddy, Shannon Armstrong, Sarah Claire Armstrong, and Melanie Byrd

THE socialSCENE MAGNOLIA MS

Libby Hewitt’s Birthday Lunch

Friends recently treated Libby Hewitt to a birthday lunch at the Creole Cottage Cafe in Magnolia, Mississippi, where all gathered for a fine time and delicious lunch. Happy Birthday Libby!!!! And many more! Photos by Bill Perkins

Libby Hewitt

Rossi Johnson, Jimmy Harris, and Betty Ann Perkins

Glenda Robinson and Christopher Hart

Linda Richardson and Betty Ann Perkins

Bill Perkins and Libby Hewitt

John Kaimano Smith was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on September 3, 1942. His mother, Rachel, was Hawaiian; and his father, whom he’d never known, was an American soldier. John made a career of the United States Navy, married, had two sons, and eventually retired in San Diego, California, with his wife, Janet.

In March 2008 hoping to find his father’s family, John completed a DNA test from Family Tree DNA. None of the DNA matches were close enough to help him, so his DNA kit sat there, waiting.

In the summer of 1946, a nineteen-year-old young woman traveled to Natchez, Mississippi, to the King’s Daughters Maternity Home on Cemetery Road. She was a guest there for months when on September 30, 1946, she gave birth to a baby girl who was adopted within a few days.

That baby girl’s revised birth certificate shows that she was named “Suzanne” and adopted by Wallace and Sue Pyron of Natchez, Mississippi. Suzanne was very fortunate and lived a privileged life with loving parents, but she never knew where she came from or who her biological family was. There were a couple of rumors that weren’t true at all.

I met Suzanne and married her in 1970; we raised our children in Natchez and eventually had grandchildren after we moved to Utica, Mississippi.

In May of 2017, our oldest son’s wife, Karrie Rawson Womack, became interested in genealogical research and volunteered to help Suzanne find her biological parents. This was Karrie’s first Ancestry DNA project. She purchased a DNA kit from Ancestry.com and instructed Suzanne to “spit in the bottle.” It took a few weeks to process the sample.

We never dreamed that this small bottle would help connect the lives of so many people from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, and the Philippines.

Once Karrie uploaded Suzanne’s DNA kit to other websites including Family Tree DNA—BINGO! John K. Smith’s DNA had been waiting for a decent match for NINE YEARS. He and Suzanne shared enough DNA to be first cousins. The only information John could share was that his mother told him his father was a sergeant in the United States Army from Mississippi, and his name was John Johnson. Helping John find HIS father would help Suzanne find HER father as well.

With this new information, Karrie started searching the internet for family trees, obituaries, memorials on the Find a Grave website, newspapers.com, census records, and military records. Helpful distant cousins pointed her to Covington County, Mississippi, which is in the south-central part of the state and includes Collins and Mt. Olive.

Utilizing World War II enlistment records from Covington County, Karrie found three Johnson men: Dewey, James K., and Harold H. They were the right age and served in the correct time period to have fathered John K. Smith in Hawaii. Also, she messaged quite a few cousins and people who might know more, eventually being connected with Joann who lives in Texas.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Rachel and James K. Smith in Hawaii | THIS PAGE: Top—John Kaimano Smith during his career in the Navy | Bottom—Baby Girl Suzanne Pyron Womack

Joann and all of her siblings were overjoyed to finally learn what had become of their eldest brother. John was thrilled finally to know who his father was and that he had 10 siblings he’d never known!

CLOCKWISE (from top)—Harold Hayward Johnson | John K. Smith with his siblings in Texas | John K. Smith and daughter, Kris | John K. Smith, his wife Jan, and his daughter Kris with her husband and children in California

Joann knew exactly who John K. Smith was because her father (James K. Johnson) had told her he had a sweetheart in Hawaii and a son named “Johnny Boy.” She had even seen his picture! Joann and all of her siblings were overjoyed to finally learn what had become of their eldest brother. Both Joann and another sister took DNA tests that confirmed John was their half-brother.

John was thrilled finally to know who his father was and that he had 10 siblings he’d never known! Five of his brothers and sisters flew to San Diego to surprise John on his 75th birthday. He would have another surprise later.

John and his wife, Jan, traveled across the United States in their motor home to visit his siblings and extended family in Texas and then on to Mississippi to meet Karrie, Suzanne, and other Johnson cousins. He said it was an unforgettable trip!

Confirming that James K. Johnson was John’s father helped narrow the possibilities for Suzanne’s father. He had to be one of James’s brothers, and Karrie ruled out all of them except for Harold H. Johnson (born 1917), who had been buried in McNair Cemetery in Mt. Olive, Mississippi, for over 70 years.

This conclusion was validated by Suzanne’s newfound first cousin, who had been told by her mother that Suzanne’s biological mother went away and had a baby girl who was put up for adoption. She was deeply in love as a young woman and was devastated when her boyfriend was killed. Using newspapers.com, Karrie found a story in The Clarion-Ledger dated August 27, 1947, describing that Harold was killed in an automobile accident on Highway 49, south of Jackson in Florence, Mississippi. Suzanne was not quite eleven months old.

So how did we find and prove Suzanne’s biological mother’s identity? Years ago, Suzanne’s adopted mother gave me a note with the number “10800” written on it. She said, “If Suzanne ever wants to find her biological mother, this might help.” That was in 1990, and I filed it away.

We discovered this number was a court decree and found it in the minutes record book at the Chancery Court in Natchez, Mississippi. The decree number and the biological mother’s name matched! The helpful people there made copies of the adoption decree and directed us to another building where the office workers dug up everything they had on Suzanne’s adoption, including the receipt from the lawyer who handled it. Unfortunately, we still weren’t able to access Suzanne’s original birth certificate because to do so Mississippi requires a court order signed by a judge, even when all the relevant parties are deceased.

Suzanne’s biological mother married and had another daughter who never knew that she had a half-sister. However, the adoption decree with her mother’s signature

as well as the DNA evidence was enough to convince her of their relationship. They visited each other several times and shared many similarities. The sisters were both registered nurses; loved their families; had horses, dogs, cats, and a green thumb; and enjoyed retirement in the country.

This newfound relationship sadly ended with Suzanne’s death from COVID-19 in 2020. All of her “new” relatives miss her and wish they’d had more time with her.

We thought John’s story was finished; but in April 2022, there was activity on his Ancestry DNA account. John is now 80-years-old, and it’s been 14 years since his first DNA test. When Karrie reviewed the new DNA match who had reached out to her, she called John in San Diego, California, and asked him, “Were you stationed in the Philippines in the early 70s?” He said, “Yes”; and she told him that he has a daughter named “Kris” who would very much like to talk with him.

Since that time, John’s daughter, Kris, and her husband and children drove from Florida to California to visit her newfound father, stepmother, and all of her “new” family members. They talk all the time and are very happy finally to know each other.

Now we have come full circle and maybe this is the end of the story?

Note: I forgot to tell you that Karrie has a master’s degree in education, is a whiz with a computer, and loves to search and connect the dots that make up people’s lives. Since solving John’s and Suzanne’s cases, she has worked on over 30 of these puzzles. Karrie gives lectures on DNA research in genealogy, and she is happy to help people with their DNA tests. She can be reached via email at Ancestry.Karrie.1975@gmail.com.

ARTICLE | Sonny Womack PHOTOS | Submitted

THE socialSCENE MCCOMB,

MS

60th Annual Azalea Ball

The 60th Annual Azalea Ball of the McComb, Mississippi, Junior Auxiliary was held on February 25, 2023, at Oak Hill Estate in Summit, Mississippi. The principal objective of this organization is the welfare of children and those with special needs in Pike County. Their chapter has numerous service projects, the largest being Camp Sunshine, which centers around the ideal of working together to make a positive impact on the lives of children. The Azalea Ball is the organization’s sole fundraiser. Photos by Beth Hemeter, Image Maker Photography

Queen Carlyn Doyle and King Whitney Rawlings

Colin, Luke, Sara, and Sean Doyle; Queen Carlyn Doyle; and Charles, Patrick, Shannon, Mary Parker, and Allyson Plunkett

Igor Shandurenko, Meredith, Bess, Mary Linley Rawlings, King Whitney

Rawlings, Carol, Whit, and James Whitney, with Sara Love Rawlings

Andrea Green, Robin Bonds, Carlie Stutzman, and Courtney Richard

Brad Woods; India Warshauer; Brooklyn Schmidt; Chance, Carly, and James Michale Schmidt; and Justin Brent

Chris and Allie Seay, LeighAnne

Gibson, Chad and Mallory Robinson, Landon Mars, Jamie Ferguson, Rachel Marrs, and Ben Ferguson

Greg and Melissa Duncan with Kelly and Jason Houston

Keith and Brittany Raybon with Jennifer and John McNeil

Heather Harden, Michelle Cooksey, Melanie Wentworth, Kaitlin Cooksey, and Candi Reid

Hillary Freeman, Claire Freeman, Claire Pigott, Brianna Causey, and Caitlin Elliott

Josh and Lauren Yarborough

Hal Blossman and Haylie Allen

Chris and Caitlin Elliott

Blake Boyd, Virginia and Chad James, Mindy Boyd, Kristen McBeth, and Blake and Leslie Brewer

Brooke Speed, Rachel Marrs, Kelsey

Wilkinson, and Amanda Chappell

THE socialSCENE MCCOMB, MS

60th Annual Azalea Ball continued

Kit Stovall, Kris Smith, Jake Holloway, and Sean Doyle

Mario Duvenay, Kigor Shandurenko, Kristin Ratliff, and Taylor Lazarus

Judi Passman, Terri Leblanc, and Anne Crawford

Rod Crawford, Conway Leblanc, and Clifton Van Cleave

Bill and Jean Voss with Sara Hemphill

Ashley Stovall, Courtney Griffin, and Allie Price

THE socialSCENE MCCOMB, MS

Family Medicine Residency Program

Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center has been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to develop a Family Medicine Residency Program. Beginning in July 2024, the program will recruit physicians who have graduated from medical school and allow them to continue their medical education to become board-certified physicians in Family Medicine. The initial class will begin with 4 to 6 residents and eventually mature to 16 to 18 residents within three years. Photo by Dorsey Statham

Pictured: Leanne Andrews, R.T.; Dr. Keith Speed, past Senior Associate Dean of the William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Luke Lampton, Designated Institutional Official; and Robert Weathersby, MSN-HCA, RN

Tried-and-True, Uniquely Southern Pies

The following recipes are from a collection of old and new recipes and hints garnered from members of The Natchez Garden Club and shared with you in the club’s Over The Garden Wall cookbook. The most recently revised version printed in 2019 is available in the gift shops of Magnolia Hall and The House on Ellicott’s Hill in Natchez, Mississippi, or by telephone (601-443-9065) at the club office.

Deep Dish Strawberry Pie

Mrs.

Lewis Todd

Filling:

2 pints fresh strawberries

⅓ cup water

1 cup sugar

Pastry:

2 cups sifted flour

¾ teaspoon salt

⅔ cup shortening

4-6 tablespoons cold water

Filling: Wash and slice strawberries into saucepan. Add sugar and water and set aside until sugar melts. Place over low heat and bring to a boil for one minute. (Frozen berries may be used in place of fresh; reduce sugar to ⅓ cup and water to ¼ cup.)

Pastry: Sift dry ingredients and cut in shortening. Add water a small portion at a time until mixture will hold together. Roll out on a floured board and cut into ½ -inch strips. Line bottom of deep dish with pastry; add half of strawberries; put in another layer of pastry strips; add remaining strawberries and top with the rest of pastry strips. Bake at 450˚ for 25-30 minutes until brown. Serve with whipped cream while still warm.

Black Bottom Pie

Sandra

Stokes

1 Gingersnap Crust*

2 cups milk, scalded

4 egg yolks, beaten

½ cup sugar

1½ tablespoons cornstarch

1½ squares bitter chocolate, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon gelatin

¼ cup cold water

4 egg whites

½ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

2 tablespoons whiskey

Whipped cream and shaved chocolate

Add egg yolks slowly to hot milk. Mix sugar and cornstarch; stir into milk. Cook mixture in double boiler for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it coats the spoon. Remove from heat. Take 1 cup of hot custard and add chocolate to it. Beat well as it cools. Add vanilla to chocolate mixture and pour into crust. Chill. Dissolve gelatin in the cold water and add to remaining warm custard. Cool.

Beat 4 egg whites. Add ½ cup sugar and cream of tartar until stiff. Then add whiskey. Fold meringue into plain custard mixture, and pour on top of chocolate mixture. Chill.

Note: Chill the pie approximately 2 hours before trying to put the whipped cream on.

*Gingersnap Crust

24 gingersnaps, crushed (1½ cups)

6 tablespoons melted butter

Add melted butter to finely crushed gingersnaps; pat into 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 350˚ for 7 minutes. Cool.

Key Lime Pie

Pat

Baldwin McCoy

1 baked (8- or 9-inch) pastry shell, cooled

1 can sweetened condensed milk

4 eggs, separated (Reserve 3 egg whites for meringue.)

½ cup lime juice

2 or 3 teaspoons grated lime rind, optional

Few drops of green food coloring

½ teaspoon cream of tartar

⅓ cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350.˚ In medium bowl, beat egg yolks; stir in sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, rind, and food coloring. In small bowl, stiffly beat 1 egg white; fold into sweetened condensed milk mixture. Turn into shell.

Beat reserved egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy; gradually add sugar, beating until stiff but not dry. Spread on top of pie, sealing carefully to edge of shell. Bake 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Cool. Chill before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Hint: Cream, custard, chiffon, and whipped-cream pies should always be refrigerated and used within 2 days.

Chess Pie

Mrs. Bill Clark

Mrs. Claude Porter

1 stick margarine, melted

1½ cups sugar

1 tablespoon vinegar

3 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 unbaked pie shell

Bring margarine, sugar, and vinegar to a boil. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well and pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake 40 minutes at 325.˚

Old-Fashioned Coconut Pie

Mrs. Ellis Leigh

½ cup butter

1½ cups sugar

3 eggs

3 tablespoons vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 can coconut

1 unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 325.˚ Blend sugar and butter; add eggs and beat well. Add vinegar, vanilla, and coconut. Pour into unbaked pie shell, and bake for one hour at 325.˚

Grasshopper Pie

Mrs. Robert I. Kerkhoff

1¼ cups fine chocolate wafer crumbs

½ cup melted butter

½ cup milk

20 marshmallows

1 cup heavy cream, whipped

3 tablespoons white crème de cocoa

3 tablespoons green crème de menthe

Combine chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press on sides and bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Chill. Heat milk in top of double boiler over boiling water. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Cool thoroughly. Combine whipped cream (reserving enough whipped cream to garnish pie), crème de menthe, and crème de cocoa. Fold in cooled marshmallow mixture. Pour filling into chilled crumb-crust and chill until firm. Garnish with reserved whipped cream.

THE socialSCENE MCCOMB,

MS

20th Annual Shuffle to the Chefs

The volunteer team for Shuffle to the Chefs hosted its annual benefit at The Mill in McComb, Mississippi, on January 26, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to serve St. Andrews Mission. The event was sponsored by various businesses in Pike County. An evening of unlimited tastings of delicious food prepared by area restaurants included a silent auction and memorabilia items with the Shuffle to the Chefs logo for sale. Photos by Bill Perkins

Leslie Douglas, Courtney Griffin, Nikki Belote, Molly White, Stacy Jones, and Michelle Hughes

Donna Smith and Tina Brumfield

Jimmy Harris and Deb Richardson

Darion and Josh Fortenberry

Kim Walley and Jamie Murrell

Rod and Anne Crawford with Joe Kimmell

Katelyn, Bella, and Rob Surrett

Pat Brumfield and Brenda Haskins

Beck Troutman and Jill Busby

Cheryl and Phillip Scheel

Pam Schmidt with James Micheal and Charly Schmidt

Brendon and Jessica Adams with Kristin Ratliff

Brad and Melanie Whitaker

Mike Austin and Brittany Raybon

Chef Paul Brock

Donna Smith and Jennifer Dumas

Melisa Decoux and Carrie Nunnery

Clifton and Barrie Van Cleave

20th Annual Shuffle to the Chefs continued

Kristin Ratliff with Rachel and Tommy McKenzie

Kristine Kimmel, India Van, and Diane Van

Max and Lacey Adams with Jessica and Brendon Adams

Rick and Laiha Brister and Lauren Codding

Johna Albritton, Kristi Alford, Christy Rushing, Kasie Holmes, and Don Alford

Calvin Phelps and Matt Codding

Diane Van, Niki Gibson, and Kristin Ratliff

Jason Van, Rob Belote, and Stuart Whatley

Tina Brumfield and Niki Gibson

Kristine Kimmel and Betsy Murrell

Barbara Gay

Shuffle to the Chefs Committee: Donna Smith, Melissa DeCoux, Brittany Raybon, Chairman Catherine Sanders, Nikki Belote, Charley Ott and Tina Brumfield

Jonathan White, Jeffrey White, and Mary Phillips White

Craig & Vaughan Wedding

NOVEMBER 5, 2022

Anna Kate Craig and Nolan Hays Vaughan were married on November 5, 2022, at White Oak Farms in Medina, Tennessee.

TThe bride is the daughter of Tracy and Don Friddle and the late John Craig of Jackson, Tennessee. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Roberts and the late Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Craig of Jackson, Tennessee.

The groom is the son of Melissa Vaughan of Natchez, Mississippi, and Hays Vaughan of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He is the grandson of Linda and Marlin John Stubblefield of Benton, Mississippi, and the late Mary Elizabeth and James Vaughan of Prairieville, Louisiana.

Nolan met Anna Kate in 2019 and immediately hit it off over their love for the Ole Miss Rebels. Their relationship grew; and they became engaged in Oxford, Mississippi, in July 2021.

Anna Kate wore a bell-sleeved, fit-and-flare gown by Lillian West from My Best Friend Jenna in Jackson, Tennessee. She walked down the aisle surrounded by friends and family to “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin. Her bridesmaids’ gowns were by Bill Levkoff from Bella Bridesmaid. The groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxedos were from Men’s Warehouse.

Catering was provided by West Tennessee Smokers, reminiscent of the couple’s first date at Central BBQ; and guests danced through the night to Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monsters.

Coordinating the event’s festivities was Hannah Evans. Additional vendors for the occasion were Krista Joy Photography, Sand’s Florist, Carissa Thompson for the wedding cake, and April Baker from Gina Marie Hair and Makeup.

The couple enjoyed their honeymoon at Excellence Resort in Oyster Bay, Jamaica; and they now reside in Laurel, Mississippi, with their two dogs.

Clarissa and Jarrett Iceland ©Hildur Jones Photography

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ,

MS

Magnolia Festival Magnolia Ball

A Royal Presentation and Preservation Benefit, The Magnolia Ball was held April 1, 2023, on the grounds of historic Magnolia Hall. The event included a cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, the Magnolia Festival Junior Cotillion Presentation, the Maypole and Polka dance productions, the Lifetime Achievement Award announcement, a Live Auction, and the presentation of the Magnolia Festival King and Queen with their royalty, all followed by a buffet dinner, live music, and dancing. Photos by Bill Perkins

Madalyn Martin, Cheri Sommer, Natalie Navarro, Ryleigh Martin, Melissa Martin, and Mikayla Martin

Chuck Bearden and Pat Jonatis

Tori Burgess and King 2022

Connor Branton

Mike and Kim Lazarus

Norma Bearden and Helen Smith

Jake Middleton, Jr.; Jake Middleton IV; and Wes Middleton

Tessa Aldridge, Lee Ann Milligan, and Jennifer Wimberly

Jim and Mary Lessley

Ginger Hyland and Carol Jones

Ann and Robert Paradise

Connie and Clyde Ray Webber

Megan Guido and Mark Carter

Izzy Dupre and Ginny Borum

Jack Stephens, Patricia Duffy, Claudia Stephens, and Kristen Gray

Lawrence and Ashley Walton

Kristen, Mary Katherine, and Jason Gray

Wes Stockstill, Dow Hairston, and Ethan Heard

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Magnolia Festival Magnolia Ball continued

Julia Chadwick, Lydia Moncrief, and Ana Scasny

Katherine Callon, Megan Guido, Michael Boykin, and Heather Callon

Ellen Hairston, Bailee Hoggatt, and Jessica Hoggatt

John Grady Burns, William Thames, and Carter Burns

Dr. Fred and Mary Emrick

Neifa Hardy, Judy Busick, Torri Webber, and Faith Ann Gremillion

Debbie Prout, Judy Stahlman, PSEH Chair Jennifer Smith, and Susan Jane Drummond

Faith Ann Brown and Abagail Hand

Anne MacNeil, Elizabeth Boggess, and Katharine Boggess

Tance and Lesley Hughes

Jeannie Ballew and Punky Carlton

Bella Milligan and Natalie Navarro

Dennis Johnsey, Dianne Bunch, and Klydell Johnsey

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ,

MS

Magnolia Festival Magnolia Ball continued

Grayson Gay, Nestor Navarro, and Owen Jordan

Lisa Whittington, Sarah Lindsey

Laukhuff, and Jennifer Smith

Audrey and Luke Janette, Doug and Kristen Jordan, and Peggy and Jimmy June

Sam Shortess and Caroline Creech

Donna Sessions and Natalie Navarro

Shay Gay and Michael Boykin

Melinda Biglane and Lauren Middleton

Jennifer Smith, Barrett and Mattie Brown

Caroline and Porte Devereaux

Adara and Liz Blalock

Kate and Eric Orso

Ella Skates, Julia Smith, Faith Ann

Johnson, and Liza Gregg

MS

Magnolia Festival Magnolia Ball continued

Front—Wesson Farmer, Barrett Brown, Braxton Zerby, and Stevie Jenkins / Middle—Mason Navarro, Griffin Hootsell, Bankston Jordan, Ethan Shaifer, Therrin Blalock, and Jacob DePaula / Back—Douglas Smith, Gibson Hillyer, King Ryan Skates, Ethan Huff, and Dow Hairston

Front—Ann Parker Warren, Caroline DePaula, Vivian Bass, and Linden Hughes / Back—Anita Maria Jordan, Anna Leigh Jordan, Harper Carter, Mary Katherine Gray, Queen Blair Smith, Sophie Webber, Faith Ann Brown, Stella Devereaux, and Kylie Emrick

Queen Blair Smith and King Ryan Skates

Queen Blair Smith and Caroline Devereaux

Russel, Crissy, and Jace Barmer

48

Queen Blair Smith and Michael Shull

The intense summer sunshine emits UV rays that can damage eyesight — especially when reflected off surfaces like water.

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L. Douglas Smith, M.D. and Aaron J. Smith, M.D. The EYE CENTER of Natchez, Inc.

10 Vision Lane (off Highland Blvd.) | Natchez, Mississippi 601-445-5884 | eyecenterofnatchez.com

Protecting your eyes has never looked so good.

a group of Krewe of Alpheus (a former Natchez Mardi Gras organization) friends got together and decided to form a supper club. Original members were Mary Ann and Mark Carter, Angie and Dee Druetta, Rick Freeman, Suzan and Dennis Hogue, Babs and Ken Price, Esther and Roy Price, and Gladys Terrell. Through this Fun Bunch Supper Club, this fun-loving group has continued and strengthened their bonds of friendship formed through establishing the Krewe of Alpheus; and their creative gatherings always provide a “fun” social time together. Other past members throughout the years were Rossi and Phyllis Copeland, Meg Freeman, and Randy and Glenda Hazlip.

Today, the supper club members include Mary Ann and Mark Carter; Suzan and Dennis Hogue; Babs and Ken Price; Nancy and Bruce Laird, who joined in 1995; and Ginna and John Holyoak, who joined in 2004. The three couples from the original group have set the trend for the F in this group’s “fun” culinary gatherings as they meet once a month and cook up some pretty tasty meals. While prepping for the meals sets the tone for the “fun” times, the dining, chatter, jokes, and sharing news with each other that nurture and repeatedly enliven the friendship.

Over the years, the group has taken some “fun” trips together for concerts, cruises, festivals, Saints games, beach visits, and camping ventures; and at times, the jaunts are just for a girls’ getaway. Always planning for the next trip, this group's ventures are in the works.

In 1999, one of the many social activities the Fun Bunch Supper Club planned took place during the Natchez Mardi Gras festivities when they built a float, “The Love Shack,” that all of them boarded to ride in the season’s annual parade. The club members invited friends and family to ride on the float as well, and it saw seven years of Mardi Gras parade participation. The parade audiences during those years could always spot “The Love Shack” approaching with its stylized ensemble, lively music, and festive throws delighting the crowds.

“We’ve been together for the births of our children and grandchildren and have seen each other through our losses,” explained Babs Price.“We are an extended family, and it’s hard to believe we are in our 30th year! Cheers to many, many more!!”

In October 1993, after another successful chili cookoff, in downtown Natchez, Mississippi

The “Fun Bunch” has shared some of their favorite recipes, and encourage others to join a supper club and have loads of “fun” too!

Mary Ann Carter’s Party Drink Batch Margaritas

1 (12-ounce) can frozen limeade

1 can tequila

1/³ to ½ can triple sec

½ cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Put ingredients in a blender. Fill the blender with ice and blend until slushy. Serve Margaritas over ice in glasses rimmed with salt.

Ginna Holyoak’s Best

Hors d’oeuvre Onion Soufflé

½ cup mayonnaise

1 bag frozen chopped onions, thawed

2 cups shredded Parmesan

3 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened

Optional: crushed Fritos Scoops corn chips

Mix and bake at 450˚ for 15 minutes or until bubbly and brown on top. Top with Fritos Scoops.

Suzan Hogue’s Favorite Staple

1 ½ cups self-rising corn meal

1 can cream-style corn

1 cup buttermilk

²/³ cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

½ cup chopped onions

¼ cup chopped green bell pepper

2 tablespoons chopped Jalapeños

1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350.˚ In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until combined. Pour into a greased baking pan or muffin tins or cast-iron skillet (works best). Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Babs Price’s Favorite King Ranch Casserole*

6 whole chicken breasts, boiled and chopped (Save broth and set aside.)

3 cans cream of chicken soup

3 cans cream of mushroom soup

3 cans of Rotel, well drained

1 ½ cups broth

5 onions, chopped

2 bell peppers, chopped

1 bunch celery, chopped

2 packages of chili mix

Shredded cheese

Flour tortillas

Melted butter

(Put onion, bell pepper, and celery in a food processor for better results.)

Mix soups, broth, Rotel, and chili mix. Mix onions, bell pepper, and celery in a colander; and using hands, press out as much juice as possible.

Brush pan with melted butter, cover with corn tortilla pieces, and brush them with butter. Layer chicken, vegetable mixture, sauce, cheese, and tortillas. Bake at 350˚ for 45 minutes. Makes 3 large casseroles

*Recipe by the late Christina Hall, who was a wonderful cook and served as a food columnist for The Natchez Democrat

Nancy Laird’s Tried-and-True Favorite Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

1 cup mayonnaise

4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

½ cup sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup chopped green onions

3 cups broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

3 cups cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 can chic peas (Sometimes I roast them.)

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup chopped colorful bell pepper

½ cup cashews and almonds sautéed in butter until brown

Optional: sunflower seeds, red onion, celery, and finely diced carrots

Whisk together the first six dressing ingredients in a large container that has a top. Set aside. Then add the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

ARTICLE | Cheryl Rinehart

PHOTOS | Submitted

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ,

MS

Pilgrimage Garden Club 2023 Royalty

The Pilgrimage Garden Club 2023 Royalty was presented at Stanton Hall on Saturday, January 7, 2023. The formal affair was the inaugural event for their Royal Court. Presiding as royalty were Queen Baylee Rose Graning and King Hagan Kennedy Speed. The event entertained guests with a ball following the royalty presentation. Photos submitted by Noelle Stewart

Front—Queen Baylee Graning and King Hagan Speed with Royal Pages Benton

Ater, Grafton Dollar, Sutton Smith, Aubrey Ryan, Ella Blase Gaudé, and Abigail Hall / Ladies of the Royal Court— Emily Stewart, Hannah Mire, Clare Meng, Christi Harrison, and Liza Mayo / Gentlemen of the Royal Court—Lael Lum, Luke Wright, Coleman Tate, McLain Henderson, J. D. Frasier, Will Vaughan, Jackson Moody, Lance Gaudé, and Hayes Daly

Front—Gwen Massey, Jennifer Lessley, Leigh Saunders, and Melissa Vaughan / Back—Betsy Mosby, Lisa Falkenheiner, Monica Mayo, Noelle Stewart, and Sarah Smith

Royal Attendants—Alice Martin, Jordan Stubbs, Grant Carlton, Walker Carby, and Mary Blair Johnson

Grafton Dollar, Abigail Hall, Aubrey Ryan, Ella Blase Gaudé, and Benton Ater Brooksie Speed and brother, King Hagan Speed

Queen Baylee Rose Graning and King Hagan Kennedy Speed

Front—Emily Stewart, Queen Baylee Graning, and Clare Meng / Back— Coleman Tate, Liza Mayo, Hayes Daly, J. D. Frasier, Hannah Mire, Will Vaughan, Lael Lum, McLain Henderson, and Luke Wright

Queen Baylee Rose Graning and King Hagan Kennedy Speed

Royal Heralds—Eden Smith and Sophia Waldrep

Robbie Barnes, Noelle Stewart, Laurie Peré, and Melissa Vaughan

Protecting Home from the Government

ARTICLE | Lucien C. Gwin III

The idea, of course, is that if you put your home in the name of your adult children and then you need to go into a nursing home, then the government will have to pay the nursing home tab and the home is spared from having to be sold to defray the nursing care. However, it really doesn’t work that way.

First, if you want Medicaid to foot the bill, you must not have owned your house for at least five years. In other words, if you put the house in your children’s names without their paying for the house and then, let’s say, if three years later you have to go into a nursing home, Medicaid will not cover you.

Also, if your bank account has more than $4000.00, then you will also have to “spend down” to that amount before you are eligible.

There are several other disadvantages to putting your house in your children’s names. First, in Mississippi, you could lose your homestead exemption. If you are over 65 in Mississippi and you sign up with the tax assessor’s office for age-related homestead, you get a pretty good break off your property taxes every year. Once you convey the title, you have to pay for the full ride.

The next disadvantage in putting your house in your children’s names, is that you lose control of what happens. You cannot mortgage the house without their blessing, you cannot sell it without their approval, and you cannot modify or alter the property without the children’s okay. I have seen such situations arise.

The final disadvantage to placing your home in your children’s names is the real possibility of having to pay capital gains when the home is eventually sold. If you die still owning your property in your name and your children inherit the property, then they can claim what is known as a “stepped up basis.” This is a benefit to your children.

Here is how that works. Let’s say you bought your home in 1965 for $50,000 and have continued to live there all of these years. The $50,000 is your basis. And let’s say that today the house has a fair market value of $350,000.00. If you die owning the home, then your children’s basis in the

property is $350,000. That means, if they sell the home for the fair market value of $350,000, they will pay no capital gains tax on the money they make off the sale. They get to pocket $350,000 with no taxes owed.

On the other hand, let’s use the same value of $50,000 fair market value that you paid for the home in 1965, and then assume you give the home to your children 7 years before you die. Well guess what? Your children’s basis in the home is $50,000, but let’s assume the house has appreciated in value to $350,000. What this means is that, when they sell the property, they will pay capital gains tax on the difference between $350,000 and $50,000, which would be $300,000.

The federal capital gain rate can be as high as 20%; the Mississippi capital gain rate is 5%. So, potentially, your children would have to pay $75,000 in taxes to Uncle Sam all because you wanted Uncle Sam to pay your nursing home bill.

There is one way to avoid some of the capital gains tax but under the above scenario, and that would be for the children actually to live in the house for 2 or more years before they sell it. If they do this, then they are eligible to exclude up to $250,000 for an individual and up to $500,000 for a couple. Often, however, this option is not feasible for adult children who have their own homes or live out of state.

I won’t say it is never a good idea to transfer your home to a child, but that depends on what the goal is. Are you trying to escape nursing home debt, or are you attempting to engage in estate planning?

I can say that, if you are up in years, it is always advisable that you confer with your estate attorney and/or a CPA before swapping title to real property.

Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing many aspects of the law at the firm of Gwin, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.

I guess that due to my age and the fact that I have been practicing law for over 40 years, I often get hit with the question from elderly clients, “Should I put the title to my house in my kids' name(s)?”

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In 1990, Ron and Lani Riches, who had moved from California to Natchez, Mississippi, took a vacation to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to attend the city’s opera festival; and an idea was born. If Santa Fe, a small city 70 miles from a large population center, could produce an opera festival, then, surely, the City of Natchez could, too. Luckily, the idea was embraced by the community; funds were raised; an artistic director was hired; and in May of the next year, 1991, under the direction of Dr. David Blackburn, the Natchez Opera Festival presented six events for its first season.

The name of the festival has changed; its mission has broadened; and the Natchez Festival of Music, under the direction of Dr. Jay Dean, has continued to produce an opera as well as rock, blues, jazz, and Broadway concerts each year, all performed by talented professional musicians. Last year, the Festival sponsored 15 concerts—ten during the May season alone. The tradition continues this year as the Natchez Festival of Music presented its first of 10 spectacular concerts on April 29 with productions scheduled every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday through May 20.

Dr. Jay Dean will be at the podium, the opera will be sung in English, and side titles will be provided so we won’t miss a word.

The Natchez Festival of Music

On Tuesday nights of this season at Smoot’s Grocery Blues Lounge, the Festival is debuting its “Listening Room Series” of fabulous jazz. May 2, Katrina Cox and the David Pellow Jazz Trio will entertain with “An Evening with Ella Fitzgerald,” the life story and songs that made Fitzgerald one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists. May 9, the Chip Herrington Jazz 5 will have us “Drifting on the River” with authentic acoustic jazz in a traditional club setting. May 16, Barry Leach, a guitarist known for his riveting technique, will entertain with jazz, rock, pop, and classical selections.

The opening performance on April 29 at the Natchez Civic Center will showcase the comic opera Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by Richard Strauss II, a perfect selection because who doesn’t love a masked ball? Throw in a pending jail sentence, a philandering husband, and an unfaithful wife; and think of the fun to be had!

May’s musical Thursdays open May 4 at Trinity Episcopal Church where its excellent acoustics and beautiful Tiffany windows will be the venue for “The Glorious Sounds of Brass” by the Symphony Brass Quintet, an outstanding chamber ensemble known for its lively and engaging adaptations of early Renaissance music, classics, and popular music. “Rossini, Puccini, and Martinis,” a notable staple of the Festival schedule, returns May 11 to the Historic Natchez Foundation for a night of exciting arias, delicious martinis, and other libations.

tradition continues this year with 10 spectacular events.

Maryann Kyle La Divina: A Maria Callas Centennial Celebration

Katrina Cox An Evening with Ella Fitzgerald

Bill Summers Hot, Sizzling Musical World of Bill Summers

For more information on performances and tickets visit natchezfestivalofmusic.com.

For fans of the piano, on May 18 First Presbyterian Church will host Konstantin Soukhovetski performing compositions by Handel, Brahms, Puccini, and Strauss, as well as one of Soukhovetski’s own compositions. Soukhovetski performed last October at New York City’s Alice Tullly Hall at Lincoln Center in a neverto-be-forgotten concert in which he cut his finger and, while bleeding profusely, continued to play flawlessly the Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 4. The concert ended with bloodied piano keys and an exultant pianist, proving once again the show must go on when we have such a dedicated and talented pianist!

Festival Saturdays are always great fun. May 6, Broadway is in the lineup with “Spectacular, Spectacular,” a compilation of songs from Les Miserables, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Wicked, My Fair Lady, and other classic shows. Then on May 13 in the music room at Waverly, soprano Maryann Kyle and pianist Michael Bunchman present a show based on the life and music of the legendary Maria Callas.

The Festival turns up the heat at the season finale, Saturday, May 20, when the rhythms of Caribbean jazz, soul and funk, and blues and rock fill the Natchez Civic Center with Bill Summers and the New Orleans All Stars’ show, “The Hot Sizzlin’ Musical World of Bill Summers.” Summers is one of the founders of the multi-award-winning Los Hombres Calientes, one of New Orleans’ favorite ensembles. A world-class musician and percussionist who has been called “the personification of world music,” he has worked and recorded with Herby Hancock, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and many other renowned musicians. This is an event not to be missed!

PHOTOS | Courtesy of Natchez Music Festival

Elizabeth Wolf is a Natchez Festival of Music board member and a retired journalist. Six years ago, she and her husband were enticed to move to Natchez by the vibrancy of the town’s civic life, exemplified by organizations such as the Festival of Music.

ARTICLE | Elizabeth Wolf

Top: Pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski

Middle: Stage production from 2022 festival

Bottom: The Mississippi Symphony Brass Quintet

Natchez Festival of Music Events

APRIL 29 | 7PM

NATCHEZ CIVIC CENTER

Festival season opens with Die Fledermaus a comic opera by Richard Strauss II

MAY 2 | 7PM

SMOOT’S GROCERY BLUES LOUNGE

Katrina Cox and the David Pellow

Jazz Trio will entertain with An Evening with Ella Fitzgerald

MAY 4 | 7PM

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Symphony Brass Quintet presents The Glorious Sounds of Brass

MAY 6 | 7PM

NATCHEZ CIVIC CENTER

Broadway comes to the Natchez Civic Center with Spectacular, Spectacular!

MAY 9 | 7PM

SMOOT’S GROCERY BLUES LOUNGE

The Chip Herrington Jazz 5 will have you ‘Drifting on the River’ with authentic acoustic jazz in a traditional club setting

MAY 11 | 7PM

HISTORIC NATCHEZ FOUNDATION

Rossini, Puccini, and Martinis

MAY 13 | 7PM

HISTORIC NATCHEZ FOUNDATION

Maryann Kyle, soprano, and Michael Bunchman, pianist, present La Divina: A Maria Callas Centennial Celebration, a story of her life and music, at Waverly

MAY 16 | 7PM

SMOOT’S GROCERY BLUES LOUNGE

Guitarist Barry Leach will entertain with jazz, rock, pop, and classical selections

MAY 18 | 7PM

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Timeless Virtuosity will feature Konstantin Soukhovetski on piano

MAY 20 | 7PM

NATCHEZ CIVIC CENTER

Bill Summers and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra present The Hot, Sizzling Musical World of Bill Summers

THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Save the Hall Ball

The Pilgrimage Historical Association held its annual fundraising Save the Hall Ball on March 4, 2023, at historic Stanton Hall and The Carriage House in Natchez, Mississippi. The black-tie event is a fundraiser for the Preservation of Historic Stanton Hall and Longwood properties owned by The Pilgrimage Garden Club. The event featured a cocktail buffet, music, and dancing with a late-night breakfast. Photos submitted by Katie Frieberger

Jason Dauphin, Mildred Dauphin, and John Grady Burns

Peyton Feltus, Betsy Feltus, Ginny Brewer, and Lane Feltus

Katie Frieberger and Dunbar Healey

Dunbar Healey and John Grady Burns

Kevin and Laine Berry

Clare Meng, Megan Rollins, and Susan and Paul Meng

Kevin Stone, Marsha Colson, and James Wade

Ana Dalia and Ginny Brewer

John Grady Burns, Ginny Brewer, John Bossard, and Jason Dauphin

Sim and Cole Mosby

Ruthie Coy and Bettye Jenkins

Lisa Smith and Christy Williams

Taylor Boyd and Ann Dalia

Laine and Kevin Berry and Ruthie and Dr. Jim Coy

Fayla Guedon and Christy Williams

Bettye Jenkins and Stella Carby

Tom Bossard, Ginny Brewer, and John Bossard

Noble and Fayla Guedon

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THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ, MS

Krewe of Killarney Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party and Auction

The Krewe of Killarney held its annual fundraising St. Patrick’s Day Party and Auction on Friday, March 11, 2023, in the Fr. David O’Connor Family Life Center in Natchez, Mississippi. A pot-luck supper with all the trimmings, desserts, and libations was enjoyed by members and guests; and the entertaining auction concluded the evening’s festivities. Throughout the event, Pleasant Acre Day School was on hand to sell beads and throws for parade-goers on St. Patrick’s Day. Photos by Cheryl Rinehart

Malcolm and Marcia Hall

Tom Graning, Jane Weems, Kathy Graning, Johnny Junkin, Sissy Dicks, and Dana Dupre

Joann Brumfield, Fr. David O’Connor, and Judy Bartley

Charlie Blaney, Tom and Sandy Taylor, Mike and Marsha Thompson, Kippy and Kari Blaney, and Sonya Blaney

Joe Garrity, Mayor Dan Gibson, Tony Byrne, and Pat McDonough

Darren Cowart, Tom Graning, and Joe Garrity

Seated—Annette Burns, Erma Louise Burns, Parnell Burns, and Pat Burns / Standing—Carter Burns, Melanie Kennedy, Ann and James Shaidnagle, and Peter and Diane Burns

Steve Nielsen, Mayor Dan Gibson, Mike Thompson, Eddie Walker, Charlie Blaney, and Tony Byrne

Tate and Abby Hobdy, Bubba and Katie McCabe, Ariel Gardner, and Will Jones

Mary Ann Foggo-Eidt, Maria Lambery, Mayor Dan Gibson, and Lisa Mundi

Krewe of Killarney St. Patricks over the years: Front—Joe Garrity / Back—Ron Brumfield, Pat Burns, Fr. David O’Connor, Kevin Friloux, Darren Cowart, Tom Graning, Pat McDonough, Peter Burns, Tom Taylor, and Mike Thompson, Pat Galloway, Tony Byrne, Eddie Walker, Charlie Vess, Ricky Warren, and Charlie Blaney

Front—Cathy Walker, Faith Walker, Bobby Eidt, Laura Eidt, Keegan Carpenter, Bryce Carpenter, and Ashley Carpenter / Standing—Pat Galloway, austin Walker, Eddie Walker, Ruth Powers and Alicia Pullins

Some version of this phrase has come out of my mouth on a regular basis for the last three years. I’m not sure if I still blush when I say it, but I do know that the absurdity of it will never fade away. Crazy or not, our Family Feud adventure was a most memorable ride that I was lucky enough to share with four awesome sister-cousins.

In the fall of 2019, my cousin, Lauren Biglane Middleton called to run an idea by me. Details were served up quickly…Family Feud open auditions in New Orleans. The weekend before Thanksgiving. Wait. (I’m processing.) What?

“Wouldn’t it be fun if we auditioned to be on the show?” she asked as if it made total sense. This idea was nuts, but I was so in.

A year earlier, Lauren and I spent a fun weekend in New Orleans with two other cousins, Joanna Biglane McNeel and Presley Taylor Jennings, along with one cousin-in-law, Melinda Jett Biglane. While there, we adopted the name sister-cousins because we were simply closer than cousins. As the audition idea made its way to the other three, “Wouldn’t it be fun?” quickly turned into “Let’s totally do this!” So, the adventure began.

This wasn’t a “walk-ins welcome” audition situation. Any interested family had to apply with a letter “sales pitch” including photos and/or videos. Crafting this letter made us all very aware that we do not enjoy talking about ourselves, but we do love talking about our extended Biglane Family. Concisely and colorfully, we described each of our personalities and the lives we have built with our own families. We shared an annual childhood Christmas-night tradition of entertaining our family with dances that I, the oldest of the girl cousins, “choreographed,” soliciting smiles of approval from our

Grandma Dot and with our Papa Noland proudly—and predictably—proclaiming, “Hollywood’s callin’!”

Literally, we were born and bred to perform together.

I sent the letter.

A month later, I emailed the others: “Ok girls...let’s get a plan together...we are going to audition for the FEUD!”

It was time to let Hollywood know we were ready for the call!

We had 10 days to pull our act together! Thankfully, with a good bit of Type A personality in our mix, we had already been coordinating outfits and colors. Everyone had some royal blue—check! A mix of dresses, pants, jackets—check! Still, we needed a hook; or in Presley’s words, “We needed some flair,” something to give our team a memorable personality.

With eight children, 18 grandchildren, and 17-plus great grands in the extended Noland Biglane Family at the time, we had found it fun to talk about our numbers in the family lineup. I’m number 15. My kids and husband know their numbers. It’s an ongoing theme that involves numbered cups at family gatherings and predicting newbie numbers as babies are always arriving and cousins continuing to marry. Our family was our hook—We had 66 members (now 75!) of TEAM BIGLANE. Well, wouldn’t that look good on a Homecoming ribbon? Flair—check!

Ribbons designed and ordered. Mum pins (We wouldn’t forget the mums!) hot glued. We were accessorized and ready to take Team Biglane on the road.

“Yes, we were on Family Feud!"

The audition. Wow. I had no idea so many families still watched Family Feud! In the blur of the hotel ballroom lights, we sat closely calming each other’s nerves while very animated producers told the teams EXACTLY what they want to see from each family. They want ENERGY; they want cheering for one another; they want BIG gestures and good attitudes. They want entertainment! We were five once-upon-a-time high school cheerleaders wearing homecoming ribbons. We were so ready for this!

During our audition, our energy was electric! Highfiving, shouting answers, cheering for one another…in full game mode. When lights in the room unexpectedly flickered, there was a brief pause as we quickly caught one another’s eyes and shared a very Biglane thought, “That was a Holy Spirit moment.” Presley even said, “That was Grandma Dot.”

The producers were fascinated by our story, delighted by our energy, and very impressed—and likely entertained—by our flair. We had a rhythm, a chemistry with one another that we could feel; and we knew the crowd could see.

Surreal, silly, and spectacular. The sister-cousins showed up! Now, we were thinking, “Wouldn’t it be fun if they picked us for the show?!”

Hollywood, standing right in front of us, knew we were ready for the call!

On Christmas Eve, a postcard arrived letting us know we would soon be hearing from the Family Feud Casting Department about taping. Handwritten at the bottom of the note was “Hollywood’s Callin’!” Well, Papa Noland, you were right all along!

Spring 2020 taping dates arrived via email, requested us to provide the options that worked for our schedules, and told us there was no guarantee that we would be selected to tape. We learned very quickly that “no guarantee” accompanied every turn in this wild ride.

We responded…we waited…Hollywood called!

TAPING DATE: FAMILY FEUD! MON 4-6-20 (BIGLANE)

The countdown began. Watch shows—check. Coordinate three days of outfits though we may wear only one—check. Yes, “no guarantee” meant our final audition would be our rehearsals. However, we knew in our hearts nothing would be stopping us from playing the Feud!

Except a pandemic.

At the end of March 2020, our Family Feud adventure along with everything else in our world was officially paused.

Over the next two years, we were contacted twice with date options. Covid concerns or major conflicts made the scheduling not work. Casting assured us we would be contacted again. I quietly worried that Hollywood would stop calling.

On January 31, 2022, Hollywood, disguised as the Atlanta-relocated studios of Family Feud, called with a new list of dates. Yay! …but Presley was delivering a miracle baby late spring so it would be tight. Fearing this was our last casting call, I urged everyone to try to pick dates. Nine weeks were offered, we could only make two.

FAMILY FEUD S 24: July 19 2022 (BIGLANE) We were FINALLY headed to Hollywood (sounds better than Atlanta)!

Now, our sister-cousins’ plans moved quickly. Outfit coordination did not. We all wanted to look our best. We negotiated, threw some vanity out the window, and finally had our team uniforms locked in—the night before we taped.

TAPING DAY arrived, and we got ready in a frenzy of makeup and hair conversations that were loud enough to quiet our nerves. Meeting other families in the lobby, we all looked as if we stepped out of some crazy catalog in a rainbow of bright colors. Raining and humid, it was Atlanta, but today it would be our Hollywood!

Dancing in the shuttle for the whole commute, we arrived singing, “Biglane Energy” as we met the smiling faces of our producers! It had been three long years since our audition, and they were as thrilled to see us as we were to be there!

Rules were read, reminders were given…off to rehearsals. Seven families to tape over two days. Each family rehearsed and received producer coaching while the other families participated in the crowd. We were ON, turned up, performing the entire time. Unless we were talking to Steve Harvey, we were auditioning; and we knew it. We danced, we cheered, we had a complete blast. No phones, no concept of what time it was, we were completely in the moment. And the moment was incredible.

First show call…no Biglanes. We took our seats in the crowd, and he took the stage. Steve Harvey is a super. freaking.star! From the time he walked out until we all left for the day, he entertained. Family friendly during the filming and old-school King of Comedy during the commercial breaks. We had front-row seats to a Vegaslike comedy show. Watching his interactions with the families was a master class in Improv. Please let us play!

Second show call…BIGLANE FAMILY! Makeup chair touch-ups—check. Producer notes—check. In a blink, we were backstage planning our dancing to the podium intros with the competitor family. We really bonded with some of the other families and enjoyed the comradery of sharing this crazy fun adventure.

Almost show time. Joanna leads us in prayer. We line up for the intro. I’m feeling all the emotions. Melinda’s composure calms me. Intro music plays, and

we dance out to take our places in front of a bright blue background that reads BIGLANE. Oh, how our grandparents would have loved to see this!

While the music continues to play, I remind the others: THIS is the experience, no matter the outcome. Our only job is to enjoy it. Standing beside me, Lauren is ready. Her idea. This adventure. We would leave Atlanta with hearts full of sister-cousin memories that we could carry together, always.

Just as Steve Harvey is about to introduce us, she smiles at me and says, “Here we go.”

From Natchez, Mississippi, we have the Biglane Family!

The Biglane Family appeared in three episodes of Family Feud’s Season 24 at the end of April. At Bluffs & Bayous’ production time, these episodes had not been aired; and the contestants were under contract not to reveal details about the filming information and/or results.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS | Rebecca Biglane Black

Natchez native Rebecca Biglane Black is the Corporate Vice President of Marketing and Communications at LifeCare Health and the owner of a brand marketing consulting company, Take Two Creative. She lives in Dallas with her husband, David, and their two teenage children. Once a regular columnist, she now only seems to write when the mood strikes.

Magnolia Festival King & Queen Royal Cocktail Party

The parents of The Natchez Garden Club’s Magnolia Festival King Ryan

Kenneth Skates and Queen Myra Blair Smith hosted a Royal Cocktail Party on Friday, March 31, 2023, the eve of the Magnolia Ball. The Castle on the grounds of Dunleith Historic Inn was the elegant venue for this celebration. Guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres throughout The Castle’s multiple gathering areas along with a buffet supper and a table of sweets upstairs while downstairs guests were entertained by Tyler Gregg and Matt Willis. Parents of the royalty are Lydia and David Moncrief, Michael Shull, and Michelle and Jeremy Skates. Photos by Bill Perkins

Sophie Webber, Taylor Baroni, and Dow Hairston

Caroline Creech, Queen Blair Smith, and Vivian Tran

Tate Rushing, Pres Hudson, King Ryan

Skates, Dylan Overby, and Zack Mann

Queen Blair Smith with Donnie Smith

Carol Jones, Bobby and Jennifer Smith, and Lisa Whittington

Mae Holyoak, Karlee Keeth, and Joshua Poland

Lyda Jordan and Bankston Jordan

Ben Hillyer and Amelia Salmon

David and Patricia Cothren

Scott and Nancy Kimbrell with Melton and Kathy King

Ella Skates, Katie Trotter, Michelle Skates, and Melissa Brown

Jessica Cauthen, Hayes Butts, and Penny Daggett

Theron Blalock, Katharine Boggess, Amelia Salmon, and Gibson Hillyer

Barrett Brown, Mattie Brown, Wesson Farmer, and Stephanie Farmer

Mary and Wallace Willard with Robert Paradise

Dr. Chuck Borum, Michael Shull, and Joey Gamberi

Magnolia Festival King & Queen Royal Cocktail Party continued

Amy Mosley, Kristen Gray, and Kathy King

Anette Burns, Melanie Kennedy, and Karen Hill

Robert Paradise, Mary Ann

Foggo-Eidt, and John Foggo

Clark Smith, Lydia Moncrief, and Susan Smith

Ouida Holland, Cheryl Rinehart, Kitty Bray, Julia Bray, and Helen Gibson

Caitlyn and Walker Foggo

Izzy Dupre and Ethan Huff

Donnie Smith, Danny Martinez, Jonathan Sheffield, Caroline Creech, Sam Shortess, Cam Camus, and Meagan Ezell

Ella and King Ryan Skates

Helen Smith, Donna Sessions, Cheryl Rinehart, and Judy Burkley

Dr. Chuck Borum with Regina, Griffin, and Finley Hootsell

Joseph Ellis, Sophie Webber, and Taylor Baroni

Bert, Marty Clair, and Kylie Emrick

Caroline DePaula, Mary Katherine Gray, and Anna Grace DePaula

Lou Ellen Stout, Felicia Mann, and Eileen Ball

LOUISIANA

louisianatravel.com

A great site for everything Louisiana

ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE alexandriapinevillela.com rapidessymphony.org

riveroaksartscenter.com lagniappetheatre.com themuseum.org

May 2

Chanticleer St. James Episcopal Church 7 pm stjamesla.org

318.445.9845

______________________

BATON ROUGE visitbatonrouge.com lsumoa.org

rivercenterarena: baton-rouge. tickets-center.com batonrougeballet.org Red Stick Farmers Market Breada.com brso.org

______________________

CLINTON / JACKSON louisianasteamtrain.com

FERRIDAY concordialibrary.org deltamusicmuseum.com

July 1

Lake St. John Flotilla Line Up 2:00 pm @ Tom Bell’s FB: lakestjohnflotilla

MONROE / WEST MONROE monroe-westmonroe.org

May 5-7

Red White & Blue Airshow Monroe Regional Airport Gates open 3 pm Sun. 11 am

May 6

Not Ya Mamma’s Chile Cookoff Calhoun Civic Club 318.644.5225

May 6

Hats & Horses Derby Party LA Delta Comm. College 4:30-6:30 pm 866.5322

May 7

Mother-Daughter Tea Biedenharn Museum & Gardens

2-4 pm / $25 318.387.5281

May 13

Ouachita River Fest Downtown 10 am-4:30 pm

May 20

Pork & Pearls Monroe Civic Center 7 pm 318.812.6761

_______________________

NEW ORLEANS

neworleansonline.com neworleanscvb.com ogdenmuseum.org nola.org

FB: nolajazzmuseum/live newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu nobt.org

neworleansfilmsociety.org neworleanscitypark.com

neworleanszombierun.com

Through May 7 New Orleans Jazz Festival jazzandheritage.org

PORT ALLEN westbatonrouge.net

westbatonrougemuseum.com

Throughout May & June West Baton Rouge Museum For All Events 225.300.4674

westbatonrouge.net

FB: TheWBRM

ST. FRANCISVILLE audubonstatehistoricsite. wordpress.com explorewestfeliciana.com/ events.html

stfrancisvillefestivals.com

FB: St. Francisville Farmers Market

June 2-3

Walker Percy Weekend 9 am-10 pm walkerpercyweekend.org

VIDALIA cityofvidaliala.com concordialibrary.org

Every Wednesday Farmers Market Old Court House N. Spruce St. 9 am-1 pm

MISSISSIPPI

visitmississippi.org hikinginmississippi.com

BROOKHAVEN

FB: VisitBrookhavenMS visitbrookhavenms.com brookhavenrecreation.com brookhavenlittletheatre.com llf.lib.ms.us

May 5, June 2, & July 7

Summer Concert Series Railroad Park Stage 7 pm

May 30-June 10

Footloose Brookhaven Little Theatre Performing Arts Camp brookhavenlittletheatre.com

June 15

12th Annual Girls Night Out Event Tickets $20 3-9 pm 601.833.1411

June 19-30

101 Dalmatians Brookhaven Little Theatre Performing Arts Camp brookhavenlittletheatre.com

FERNWOOD fernwoodcc.com

_______________________

FLOWOOD

May 20

Mississippi Team Hope Walk Flowood Nature Park

8 am HDSA.ORG.THWMS

_______________________

GLOSTER

June 10

Junefest Main Street 601.225.4216

May 13

Mississippi Makers Fest Entergy Plaza

Two Museums 10 am / Free

FB: Mississippi Makers Fest

June 2-3

Cathead Jam Duling Hall 6 pm / Free 601.292.7120

June 10-24

USA International Ballet Competition

Thalia Mara Hall usaibc.com

JACKSON dulinghall.com msmuseumart.org visitjackson.com jacksonfreepress.com/ calendarmsnla.org craftsmensguildofms.org balletms.com msmetroballet.com operams.org downtown-jackson.com newstagetheatre.com

LIBERTY amitecounty.ms

FB:Liberty Heritage Days

May 5-6

Heritage Days Downtown Car Show, Music Entertainment All Day Events

FB: Liberty Heritage Days

MADISON/RIDGELAND visitridgeland.com madisonthecity.com ardenland.net mscrafts.org

May 5-7

Art, Wine & Wheels Weekend Renaissance @ Colony Park visitridgeland.com

FB: Art Wine Wheels

calendar up & coming

Every Saturday in May & June Natchez Farmers Market Downtown 300 N. Broadway 8:30 am-Noon

Through May 15 Natchez Garden Club Spring Pilgrimage 17 Historic Homes 601.443.9065

MEADVILLE meadvillems.com

MCCOMB pikeinfo.com mccombarts.com mcrrmuseum.com

FB: McComb Farmers Market

May 13

Iron Horse Festival Bo Diddley Pavilion Downtown 10 am-10 pm

May 20

20th Annual Golf Tournament Fernwood Country Club

T-times 8 am or 1 pm 601.684.2291

June 17

Boys & Girls Club 4th Annual Golf Tournament Quail Hollow Golf Course

8 am 601.684.5437

_______________________

NATCHEZ

Live Music Events Calendar visitnatchez.org/full-eventcalendar visitnatchez.org kreweofphoenixnatchez.com natchezpilgrimage.com

FB: Downtown Natchez Farmers Market thetowersofnatchez.com natchezgardenclub.org natchezlittletheatre.com

natchezgardenclub.org / 601.890.2388 littleeasytours.com toursnatchez.com

Through May 20 Natchez Festival of Music natchezfestivalofmusic.com

May 5, 12 & 19

Live @ 5 River Bluff Park / The Bandstand

5 pm / Free

May 6

Joe Fortunato and Allen Brown Golf Classic

Duncan Park Golf Course

Tee times 8 am and 1 pm $400 / 4-player team 601.446.6450

May 6

Talk Derby to Me Stanton Hall / Carriage House 4 pm / $35 / Cash Bar

May 20

YMAN Green Ribbon Run Broadway

7:30 am / $35 601.660.0412 adm@yallmeansallnatchez.org

June 3

White Linen Night 100 Block N. Commerce St. 5-7:30 pm 985.377.3324

June 10

Natchez Bicycle Classic

7 am-5 pm

FB: Natchez Bicycle Classic

June 15-18 & 22-25

Snow White Natchez Little Theatre

7:30 & 2 pm 601.442.2233

thenatchezlittletheatre.com

June 17

Legends Celebration Natchez City Auditorium

6:30 pm magnoliasessions.org

June 22

Mickey Gilley Memorial Golf Scramble Duncan Park Golf Course Noon Registration / $80 225.933.2300

July 27-29

Natchez Food & Wine Festival Downtown 601.445.4611

natchezchamber.com

PORT GIBSON

FB: portgibson.chamber msculturalcrossroads.org

SUMMIT pikeinfo.com

May 6 & 20

Saturdays in Spring Events Williamson Nursery 601.276.2794

VICKSBURG

southernculture.org visitvicksburg.com vicksburgartassociation.org

tarawildlife.com

vicksburgtheatreguild.com downtownvicksburg.org

Through May & June

Vicksburg Art Association

Spring Show

Old Constitution Firehouse Gallery

Noon-4 pm 361.331.7621

May 5-7

Red, White & Blue Air Show

Southern Heritage Air Foundation Museum Hanger 318.574.2731

May 5 & 12

Spring Classics in the Courtyard

Southern Cultural Museum Noon-1 pm 601.631.2997

May 12-21

And Then There Were None Parkside Playhouse

7:30 & 2 pm 601.636.0471 vicksburgtheatreguild.com

May 13

Chill in the Hills

10K, 5K Walk, 1-Mile Fun Run

Downtown

8:30 am

601.636.5703

Martins@ Midtown

May 13

2nd Saturday

Downtown

All Day

May 20

Author Series @ Vicksburg

National Military Park

Timothy B. Smith, Speaker Book signing

2 pm 601.636.0583

May 20-July 28

“Southern Exposure”

All-Day Summer Camp SCHF

7:30 am-5 pm

Ages 4-13 601.631.2997

Eventbrite.com

May 27

Lake Fest

Eagle Lake

601.218.8100 eaglelakematers.com

May 28

Symphony @ Sunset

Vicksburg National Military Park

7 pm

601.456.0804 friendsofvicksburg.org

June 2

2nd Saturday Downtown / All Day

June 3-4

Little Miss & Little Master

Vicksburg City Auditorium

7 pm

601.695.3737

June 5

Miss Mississippi Parade

Downtown

7 pm

June 7-10

Miss Mississippi Pageant

Vicksburg Convention Center

$30 & $40

601.638.6746

miss.mississippi.com

June 9

Blues Show

Vicksburg City Auditorium

8 pm

601.634.4511

June 10

Author Series @ Vicksburg

National Military Park

Isaiah Tadlock

Book signing

10 am

601.636.0583

June 17

Juneteenth Heritage Festival

Halls Ferry Park

10 am-7 pm

662.719.2087 or 601.630.5847

WESSON

FB: Wesson Chamber

May 5 – 6

Founders Day

601.643.8403

FB: Wesson Chamber ____________________

WOODVILLE

woodvillems.org

woodvillemainstreet.org

FB Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association ____________________

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

Superbells, Supertunias do Well in Hanging Baskets

ARTICLE | Dr. Eddie Smith PHOTOS | MSU Extension Service

Every year, I look for ways to add interest to my front porch with colorful hanging baskets, and there are many different plant choices and combinations that make this possible. One of my favorite hanging basket combinations is Supertunia petunias and Superbells.

Supertunia petunias are great for hanging baskets because they have mounding, trailing growth habits and function as both fillers and spillers in containers. They are also excellent landscape plants, best suited to be placed near the front of beds.

Superbells are also called million bells or trailing petunias because of their prolific, bell-shaped flowers and their resemblance to petunias. Like Supertunias, Superbells have mounding, trailing growth habits.

These plants are native to South America and typically grow 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. They are both best grown in containers where soil moisture can be easily controlled since they don’t tolerate constantly wet soils.

Superbells are low-maintenance plants that require no deadheading. They do best when located in a full-sun location.

I believe Superbells Grape Punch and Superbells Yellow planted with Supertunia Persimmon make an outstanding hanging basket combo. The color contrast of purple with warm sunset colors of orange and yellow is mesmerizing.

Another great hanging basket combination is Supertunia Vista Fuchsia, Snow Princess, and Laguna Compact Blue with Eye. The pink of Supertunia Vista Fuchsia pops with the beautiful blue flowers with white eyes of the Laguna Compact Blue with Eye and the cascading white flowers of Snow Princess.

If my plants begin to look open or a bit tired, I give them an allover trim. I use a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to trim back up to 1/3 of the volume of the plants. After any trim, I use a water-soluble fertilizer to provide instant energy to help kickstart new growth, branching, and flowering.

The plants take a week to recover from the trim, but the end result is fuller plants with more blooms going forward. I repeat the trim as needed throughout the growing season.

If you are looking for a hanging basket that is different and unique, try a Goldfish plant.

The dark-green leaves provide a backdrop for orange flowers that resemble tiny goldfish. The flowers on a Goldfish plant may be red or yellow. Native to southern Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica, this plant comes in more than 25 different varieties.

Consistently water and fertilize these baskets to keep them popping with color all summer long on your front porch.

Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. He is also host of the popular Southern Gardening television programs. Locate Southern Gardening products online at extension.msstate.edu/shows/southerngardening.

Hanging baskets are great for bringing color to the landscape. This arrangement contains Supertunia Vista Fuchsia, Snow Princess and

Growing plants in containers is a great way to control soil moisture. These Superbells Grape Punch, Superbells Yellow and Supertunia Persimmon do not tolerate constantly moist soil.

Spring and summer bring a sea of tiny "goldfish" blooms to this hanging flower. The dark-green leaves of the Goldfish plant set off its unique flowers in red or yellow.

1. Supertunias

Laguna Compact Blue with Eye.

2. Superbells

3. Goldfish

Birthday Celebration for Concordia Head Start Vidalia Site

A Candyland-themed birthday celebration honoring Supervisor Cynthia Dixon was held at Concordia Head Start (CHS) Vidalia Site in Vidalia, Louisiana, on Monday, January 30, 2023. The celebration was planned by her daughter, Trista Demby, with additional assistance from family, friends, and CHS Vidalia Site staff to allow Mrs. Dixon the opportunity to celebrate her birthday with her “bonus children.” Students were able to participate in a coloring contest, game of pin the cherry on the ice cream cone, scratch game, and gumball guessing game for Candyland-themed prizes and giveaways. In addition, staff and students were treated to a Candyland-themed sweets table, treat boxes filled with Candyland-themed goodies, cupcakes, cake, and ice cream. Photos submitted by Trista

Lexie Franklin and Kyleigh Franklin

Treyvn Taylor, Bryson Melton, and Justiss Hubbard

Cynthia Dixon and Trista Demby

Cynthia Dixon and Mary Knight

Bayleigh Tennessee

Brylie Brooks

David Lillie

Zyion Smith

Anna Shows

Jeremiah Orellano

Jade Jefferson

Quincy Hawkins, Jr.

Ava Roy

Danecia Taylor, Avery Thompson, Aly Jordan, Brunner Maples, Huntley Holland, Peace Morales, Laikyn Tyler, Caleigh Beard, Paisley Floyd, Kenleigh Kitchen, Ella Seals, Maycee Cormier, and Cristan Green

Cristan Green, Aly Jordan, Paisley Floyd, Brunner Maples, Maycee Cormier, Ella Seals, Caleigh Beard, Peace Morales, Huntley Holland, Kenleigh Kitchen, and Avery Thompson

Demby

Celebrating Beltane to Welcome Summer

ARTICLE | Alma M. Womack

For many Christians, their ancestors worshipped pagan gods before Christianity was introduced to what is now Great Britain. One of their major pagan holidays is coming up now, the celebration of Beltane, which is interpreted variously as “The Great Fire,” “The Lucky Fire,” or “The Bright Fire.”

It begins at sunset on April 30 and concludes at sunset on May 1. Beltane was celebrated as the blossoming of earth after the bleakness of winter. Beltane is also known as the Gaelic May Day Festival.

Halfway between the Spring and Fall Equinoxes, Beltane is considered the official beginning of summer. It was celebrated in ancient times by the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Manx, etc., and was observed for over 2,000 years before falling out of favor with the Christian church.

These societies celebrating Beltane were agricultural societies, and their Gaelic calendar was set around agricultural seasons. Beltane marked the end of winter, time for cattle to be moved from their winter pastures, time to prepare the fields for planting.

One of the oldest customs of Beltane was its giant bonfires. The cattle, on their way to summer pastures, would be driven between two large fires to rid them of winter diseases. These fires would have added to them the herbs fennel, rue, chervil, and thyme to act as fumigants to get rid of fleas, lice, and other pests.

People would also jump over the fires to bless and cleanse themselves from the ails of winter and to bring prosperity and fertility to their household. Flames, smoke, and ashes from these fires were considered to have special properties and power.

Eating oatcakes also was part of the ritual of Beltane. These oatcakes, baked in the ritual fires, had nine knobs on each of them that represented the nine important Celtic gods. Later, the knobs were changed to a cross after the introduction of Christianity. A community feast was held at the conclusion of Beltane.

In the nineteenth century as part of celebrating Beltane, yellow flowers were collected and left at doors and windows or fastened to livestock or milking equipment, another way to welcome the coming summer.

One of the longest standing traditions of Beltane has been that a person did not borrow fire from another’s home. It was believed that the borrower would hold power and influence over the house that provided the fire.

By the end of the eighteenth century, many of the Beltane celebrations waned. The lighting of the bonfires became nearly non-existent until they were revived in Edinburgh in 1988.

Today, the celebrations are a mix of old and new customs. The pagan tradition celebrated Beltane as the Great Wedding of the God and Goddess. Today, it is common for Beltane to be a day for the handfasting ceremony when a couple join their hands and pledge their lives to each other. It has been done for centuries in the old countries and also in our colonies. It was most notably done in rural areas that had no permanent preacher. When a traveling preacher came through the area, he would bless their marriage through the church. Solved long engagements!

The May Pole was part of the early celebrations for it symbolized the fertility of the earth and the potency of God. The ribbons intertwined were green (growth and fertility), red (passion and strength) and silver/white (cleansing). They were woven together to symbolize the spiral of life and the merging of the God and Goddess.

If you choose to celebrate Beltane today in honor of your ancestors, you could dance around a May Pole, light a cleansing fire, or simply brighten up your home with beautiful yellow flowers.

And this, dear readers, is your history lesson for today. Since I don’t have any cattle to run between two bonfires on their way to summer pasture, I think that decorating with yellow flowers is a nice touch—just a small nod to my ancestors who braved the ocean voyage from the Old Countries and settled in the colonies to help build a new nation.

Alma M. Womack lives on Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana. In addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she is the keeper of the lawn, the lane, and the pecan orchard at Smithland.

COME RIDE, EAT AND DRINK WITH US

This Summer in Natchez