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.

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

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

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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

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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

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FLOWOOD

May 20

Mississippi Team Hope Walk Flowood Nature Park

8 am HDSA.ORG.THWMS

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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