September/October 2022 FOODFABULOUSFESTIVALSFOOTBALLFEVERFALL
MUSIC LINEUP SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Drive-By Truckers Tank and the Bangas Chapel Hart Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers YZ Ealey FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 The Molly Ringwalds THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 Live At Five - Natchez Bandstand FOR TICKETS: natchezballoonfestival.com — WE THANK OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING THE FESTIVAL —
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 3
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Pictured on the cover are Leslie Willis and Andy Clark (now Mr. and Mrs. Andy Clark) during their 2021 “Egg Bowl” rivals football engagement party. See coverage on pages 42-47.
Page 4 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous PUBLISHER/EDITOR Cheryl Foggo Rinehart COPY EDITOR Jean Nosser Biglane GRAPHIC DESIGN Susan R. DeBusk Jan Ratcliff SALES STAFF Cheryl Rinehart Kari L. Blaney PHOTOGRAPHERS Bill Perkins Lisa Whittington CONTRIBUTORS Beth SamAlmaRichardWomackGwin
Jean BiglaneCheryl Rinehart Susan R. DeBusk Bill Perkins Alma Womack Jan Ratcliff Kari L. Blaney
22 22nd
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October and November are the harvest months for Louisiana’s sweet potatoes, the state’s official vegetable. We salute this ancient, delicious, sweet-tasting tuberous goodness used as a root vegetable on today’s tables. Recipes abound for this vegetable, but we focus on a couple of easy selections and an interesting collection of “Did You Know?” facts about this treat that you can eat all year long but especially freshly harvested locally during the October-to-November sweet potato season. We have covered many social events in our Social Scene pages recapping recent spring and summer events. Our Halloween feature focuses on Nancy Burkhalter Whittington’s clever and creative costume design and headpiece and her over-the-top Halloween decorations. From the Stacks articles in this issue tout a book review of G. Mark LaFrancis’s newly published book, A Song of Hope: A Spiritual Suspense Novel, and Beth Richard’s review of Confessions of A Southern Beauty Queen, a novel by Julie Hines Mabus. May these two months bring you a full calendar of fun, football, food, festivals, and all that is good in our life along and beyond the Mississippi.
Lisa Whittington Sam Gwin
Beth Richard C learly, this time of the year is one of my favorites with the beginning of football, numerous festivals, and Halloween on the horizon. The days become a bit shorter, and sometimes we may be blessed with cooler temperatures as we transition with the changing of the seasons. We move from lingering, idle days to academic structure and those sports that are entwined with academia. We begin to rev up for our Friday night lights, our NCAA Saturdays, and those NFL Sundays. In this neck of the woods, football is a “big” thing”. We schedule our other events around this multi-level and multi-venue fall sport. Our summer days have been long, hot, and welcoming of all things summer, all things relating to water activities, beach times, vacations, family gatherings, and celebrating our nation’s birthday on the 4th of July. However, with the approaching Labor Day holiday, we turn away from those summer lifestyles and embrace the festivities that fall brings.
One of this issue’s features showcases area college schedules, a terrific guide to keep close to your television set if you begin Saturday mornings with ESPN’s Game Day and stay glued to your set until the last game of the evening. We also have featured several area festivals that are worth putting on your weekend agenda, and our Up & Coming events include many other festivals of interest for a day’s or weekend’s getaway. Another feature in this issue covers a charming football rivalry engagement party for a “house-divided” couple—Mississippi State and Ole Miss graduates Leslie Willis and Andy Clark (now Leslie and Andy Clark). The beautifully staged party beckoned guests to wear their alma mater clothing as they were welcomed to a themed party with football tailgating and décor relating to the rival Egg Bowl game on Thanksgiving Day.
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 insure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.
OFFICE 225 John R. Junkin Drive Natchez, MS 39120 bbupandcoming@gmail.combluffsmag@gmail.com601-442-6847 www.bluffsbayous.com
ON THE COVER ANNIVERSARY
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Page 6 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous SOCIAL SCENES 66-6963-6536-39213014507052-5340-4132-3322-2312-13101920213451545424-2842-4755-61 FAVORITESFEATURES ALONG AND BEYOND HALLOWEEN MAGIC FROM THE MISSISSIPPILOUISIANAUPSTOMPINGTREASUREDSOUTHERNTHELOUISIANASCRUMPTIOUSSOMETHINGASSAULTLEGALASOUTHERNCONFESSIONSSTACKSOFABEAUTYQUEENSONGOFHOPENOTESRIFLEUNDERASSAULTSTATEVEGETABLE-SWEETPOTATOSAMPLERTIMESOFCOTTON&COMING FALL HOMETOWN FESTIVALS TAILGATING RECIPES FOR FOOTBALL RIVALRY COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES 2022 75 YEARS OF FABULOUSNESS A FUNDRAISER FOR JUDGE DEBRA BLACKWELL TRIBUTE TO VETERANS AND BOOK SIGNING LINCOLN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS’ ANNUAL WATERMELON CONTEST A GARDEN DEDICATION AMERICAN CRUISE LINE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY 92ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS BUDDING CHRISTMASPHILANTHROPISTINJULYCOCKTAIL & FUNDRAISER PARTY CELEBRATING JOSIE CRAIG’S 103RD BIRTHDAY GRAND MARSHALL & LAKE ST. JOHN FLOTILLA CELEBRATION HEUCK RETREAT’S FIRST BAPTIST LADIES POTTERY CLASS WHITWORTH COLLEGE REUNION
Bluffs & Bayous { In my time as CEO at Southwest Health I’ve been impressed by the dynamic of this hospital, its supporters and its patrons. In the last year alone we’ve made great strides in the expansion of our services, facilities, technology, providers and healthcare partnerships, and so much more. With the forward movement our health system has already made, and a future of great things still to come, I truly believe we are building a strong path toward a new standard of care for our community! Innovation Facilitating medical, scientific, and educational opportunities Expertise Expanding our provider team, partnerships and resources Compassion Growing the bonds of support with our patients and their families Healthcare Offering more options for healthcare services Excellence Establishing Southwest Health as a regional leader for quality healthcare Growth Continuing to enhance our technology and capabilities The Future of Southwest Health Includes New Standards of: Thank you for allowing Southwest Health to serve Pike County and our surrounding communities. We look forward to sharing our goals and accomplishments as we continue to demonstrate, and grow, the standard of care for every patient who walks through our doors. Building a New Standard of Care Charla Rowley Chief Executive Officer 215 Marion Avenue • McComb, MS 39648 www.smrmc.com • 601-249-5500
Page 8 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous A message from Entergy Mississippi, LLC ©2022 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The communities we serve are the communities we call home. We stay active and involved – because we know our responsibility reaches beyond the power grid. So, we invest in education and industry, while developing new solutions to power tomorrow. As a community, our successes fuel each other. entergymississippi.com Touching lives. Powering the future. VENDORSNEEDED!THE2022VIDALIA RIVERFRONT FLEA MARKET OCTOBER 14-16 The deadline for vendor applications is Tuesday, October 11. Reserve your space today! For Questions, email Rfleming@vidaliaconventioncenter.com
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 9 OCTOBER 20-23, 2022 benefiting mental health organizations in the miss-lou and sponsored in part by EVENTS saturday, oct 22 BATTLE OF THE Bees & Beaus sunday, oct 23 drag Brunch thursday, oct 20 DRAG QUEENBingo friday, oct choctaw21hall Cocktail Party Josalyn R aleMrs. Kasha Davis starring hosted by 8 local volunteers BATTLE for the crown tickets & INFO AT yallmeansallNATCHEZ.org Al AnnCammieWalker&BillDale&RandyTillman
23 7 12 8 11 75 Years of Fabulousness 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 THE socialSCENCE NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI 13 14 15 TAKE YOUR YARD BACK Are mosquitoes preventing you from enjoying your yard and the surrounding outdoor living space around your home? If so, the Redd Man can help. /mo. Year-Round Reduction Mister & Larvicide Applications Annual Agreement with AutoPay No Charge Call-Backs mosquitoes can be an annoyance by biting and irritating you around your home. For protection, trust the Redd Man to help reduce the mosquito populationyouraroundhome. MOSQUITO REDUCTION C elebrating T hank you so much for your business. YEARS OF SERVICE!
A75th Birthday celebration was held in honor of Ginger Hyland at her home, The Towers, on July 27, 2022, in Natchez, Mississippi. The bejeweled event involved glitz, tiaras, and cocktail attire. The cocktail hour, buffet dinner, and cutting of her birthday cake included champagne toasts for many more happy years of celebrations; and the occasion concluded with a musical presentation and sing-along with guests featuring lead-singer Hyland herself and musical accompaniment by Reverend Geoff Butler and Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.
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Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 11 Put Me in Your Speed Dial 601.807.1700 READY TO SELL? Now Is the Time! Donna Ball I have Active Buyers Looking for Property!
Page 12 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous 2 3 4 4 1 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 9 10 Asocial gathering was held Thursday, June 23, 2022, at The Burn in Natchez, Mississippi, honoring incumbent candidate Judge Debra Blackwell, who is seeking reelection for Circuit Court Judge. Family, friends, and supporters gathered to show their support for her upcoming election. A Fundraiser Party for Judge Debra Blackwell 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 THE socialSCENCE NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI JaMar White and Joe Stone Fred Parker, Jane Gardner, and Jack Kelly Matt and Joanna Kidder Phillip Zuccaro, Judge Debra Blackwell, and Charles Zuccaro Pattye Wallace, Wanda Holder, Judy Strickland, and Linda Golden Betty Jo Krouse and Sue Goss Paige Blackwell with Mike and Brenda AprilHopkinsColbert, Cheryl Peterman, and Audra Quin Mark Diamond, Kevin Preston, and Kevin Scott Stone Jack Kelly and Regina Charboneau Tony and Annette Byrne with Margaret Keyes Mike Cloy, Laura Lester, Susan Lester, and Sherry Kiser John Wilkinson, Libby Faircloth, and Ray Bradford “Serving The Area For Over 50 Years”“Serving The Area For Over 50 Years”
1417 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 Judge Debra Blackwell and Fred Parker Lillian Ross Ray and Andrea Bradford Terrel Williams, Judge Debra Blackwell, and Kevin Scott Stone Judge Debra Blackwell and Philip Carby Brenda Hopkins, Lewis Blackwell, Xan Arnett, Judge Debra Blackwell, Will and Stephanie Arnett, and Mike Hopkins Eileen Richardson, Linda Golden, Peggy Ballard, Brenda Hopkins, Judge Debra Blackwell, Wanda Holder, and Judy Strickland Judge Debra Blackwell and Walter Brown Jack Kelly and Judge Debra Blackwell Judge Debra Blackwell and Lillian Ross Annette Byrne, Judge Debra Blackwell, and Tony JudgeByrne Debra and Lewis Blackwell Sherry Kiser, Andrea Bradford, and Brenda Hopkins Susan Lester, Sherry Kiser, Judge Debra Blackwell, Laura Lester, and Mike Cloy 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 INSTANT ISSUE SAY GOODBYE TO WAITING! DEBIT CARDS *Subject to approval.
Beth Richard is Director of Library Services at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus.
Confessions of a Southern Beauty QueenConfessions of a Southern Beauty Queenby Julie Hines Mabus
Patsy’s drama in Confessions of a Southern Beauty Queen begins and ends in the infirmary at the “W”; but the unfolding story between the first and last chapters flows from interviews conducted by author Julie Hines Mabus with her friend Patsy. The interviews capture the first twenty-one years of a beautiful, but lonely girl from Memphis, Tennessee, who dreams of becoming Miss America. Raised by a troubled single mother, Patsy grows up a survivor of childhood trauma while experiencing the stress of navigating life in a South that is radically changing.
Page 14 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous FROM THE STACKS BOOK REVIEW BY Beth Richard Commemorating the 34th Annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration scheduled for Thursday and Friday, February 23 and 24, 2023, Bluffs & Bayous offers this review of a book integral to the conference’s presentations and discussions that explore its 2023 theme — “The Better Half? Fact, Fiction or Fable.” W
e first meet Patsy Channing in 1968 as she sits in the infirmary at Mississippi State College for Women, known today as the “W.” Healthy and clueless, Patsy is kept in the college’s infirmary for eight days without any visitors or any explanations about why she must stay there away from her classes and final exams before graduation. The mystery is revealed to us only as Patsy’s incredible true story unfolds through the remainder of the book.
Through a close friendship with guitarist Steve Cropper, Patsy spends hours at Stax Records where she hears musical legends like Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Isaac Hayes record several of their biggest hits. The music of the late 1960s Memphis Sound helps set the backdrop for the changes facing the South and the shift in the traditions that are so deeply embedded in its culture, and these strains also add an interesting bit of history to Patsy’s personal story.
Into the saga of Patsy’s life, Mabus effectively incorporates the struggle for civil rights, escalating war in Vietnam, assassinations of John F. Kennedy and then Martin Luther King, Jr., the lure of valium, and readily available birth control pills along with Coca Cola and Aquanet hairspray; and in doing so, Mabus portrays a different world from Mayberry and the Andy Griffith Show many of us remember from the 1960s. One of the most significant social changes directly impacting Patsy is the changing roles of women in conflict with the traditional view of femininity and the ideal of the perfect southern belle. Anything more about Patsy’s life leading to her stay in the infirmary would need spoiler alerts. Honestly, at first, I was not excited about reading this book. I enjoy reading a wide variety of genres, but a book about a would-be southern beauty queen did not appeal to me. However, once I started reading Patsy’s story, I was fascinated by a time in history that is just outside the edges of my memory. The snippet of Patsy’s life that is recounted in the book intertwines so perfectly with the 1960s southern world and its changes and challenges as they overshadow the life of a 21-year-old beauty queen from Memphis.Ienjoyed reading Patsy’s story, and I am also excited to hear from the book’s author, Julie Hines Mabus, who will be one of the outstanding featured speakers at the 34th Annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration the weekend of February 23-24, 2023.
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 15 ABOUT US Contact us for more Info: (601) 442-7676(318)EXTENDED336-7172NEWHOURSNO PATIENTNEWFEES! ALL MS & INSURANCESLAACCEPTEDM-F 8A-9P SAT 8A-1P With over 80 years of pediatric experience, our providers and staff are trained to help you! We do wellness/sports physical exams, sick visits, behavioral/mental health care, just to name a few! No problem! We send your visit summary to your PCP the next day! @ DrTimmPediatricAndAdolescentClinic QUICK APPOINTMENT NOT YOUR PCP? FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! 308 HIGHLAND BLVD NATCHEZ, MS 39120 1806 CARTER ST VIDALIA, LA 71373 TWO LOCATIONS FIVE MENTALPROVIDERSHEALTH CARE Walk In / Same Day Natchez, MS / Vidalia, LA Our providers are trained to help Licensedyou!Clinical Social Worker on staff Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic David Timm, MD
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I think that 100% of the reason it was given the nickname “assault rifle” is its appearance. The AR in AR-15 stands for “Armalite Rifle” and not assault rifle. (source Wikipedia).
• There are 300,000 deaths every year in America due to obesity.
If you assumed this was the number for the last ten years (which is when most of the mass shootings have occurred), then you are talking 144 deaths a year by mass shooting and primarily with an AR. When I consider some of the above statistics, I have to think that the AR rifle is not nearly as much of a problem as other issues pointed out but not addressed by our government. For example, we actually subsidize tobacco farmers to plant so they can kill 380,000 people a year.
The fact that you can apply a 20-30 round clip to an AR is also the source of controversy. However, you can apply a 30-round clip to a 22 rifle, a .17 cal., and a whole host of other popular hunting rifles.
Another factor that is never considered in all of the Second Amendment debates is this: Studies have conclusively shown that every year Americans use their guns to protect themselves from serious violence. Americans defend themselves annually anywhere from 500,000 to 1,500,000 times. The utility of guns, then, greatly outweighs the detriment. Automobiles kill right at the same number of Americans annually, but the utility of vehicles greatly outweighs the detriment, so thus we continue their use. The same is true for guns. Our founding fathers were truly brilliant men and knew exactly what they were doing when they incorporated into the Constitution of the United States that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The founders understood the nature of men and the nature of government run by men. To steal a little portion of a speech by Winston Churchill, “Never, Never, Never give up your right to keep and bear arms.”
You have heard the old adage, “There are lies! There are damn lies!
• An average of 95,000 deaths due to alcohol occur in America every year.
Iwrote an article years ago on the Second Amendment. However, my current commentary is on a Second Amendment issue that stays at the forefront of news and media, and there has been a lot more reporting on the subject since my last article All that being said, I want to look at the issue of “assault rifles” otherwise known as the AR-15. First, the term “assault rifle” is a misnomer What is referred to as an assault rifle is not a true automatic rifle like a machine gun. The trigger has to be pulled for every shot fired, so it functions just as any legal pistol, shotgun, or rifle.
The FBI does not break down the homicides by rifles and shotguns pistols very well. It is believed the majority of gun-related homicides are by Howeverpistols.,if we are talking of a mass shooting, the data is good for this. A mass shooting is defined as the death or more persons by shooting. we know, the majority of mass shootings in the last several years were committed with ARs. Reader ’s Digest just came out with a report on mass shootings, and the report states that “1449 people have been killed in mass shootings between 1966 and 2020.”
I am certainly not lost on the fact that AR rifles have been used in the last several years to commit atrocities such as Sandy Hook, Uvalde, and Buffalo as well as others. These have been gutwrenching stories that stir up incredible sadness and heartbreak in any normal human being. With these tragedies comes the famous mantra, “We must ban all assault rifles,” or even worse, we must ban “all guns.” Consider the issue of what homicides are being committed by “assault rifles” as compared to other causes of death in American lives every year and then how Americans tolerate these other causes of death.
Assault Rifle Under Assault
Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing many aspets of the law at the firm of Gwin, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.
• An average of 380,000 people in this country die each year from tobacco-related causes. I have seen a family member die from having lung cancer, and it was torturous.
• There are over 100,000 deaths from prescription drugs every year in the United States.
• There are 43,000 deaths each year in the United States due to auto accidents.
Page 18 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous LEGAL NOTES BY Lucien C. Gwin III
• There are 45,000 deaths each year in the United States due to guns. Of this number, 24,000 are from suicide and 21,000 are from homicide.
And then there are statistics!” Well, let’s look at some statistics that are mostly reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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John “Captain Jack” Kerwin Johnny Mason, Marcia Thompson, Eileen Maher, Charley Blaney, Pat Biglane, and Sonya Blaney G. Mark LaFrancis with Darren and Ginger Cowart Johnny Mason Steve Nielsen and G. Mark LaFrancis
Reverend Aaron Williams and G. Mark LaFrancis
Air Force veteran and author G. Mark LaFrancis of Natchez, Mississippi, presented a tribute “In Their Boots: Voices of Our Soldiers” on July 24, 2022, at St. Mary Basilica’s O’Connor Family Life Center in Natchez. The award-winning tribute is available for schools, civic groups, churches, and all nonprofit organizations through the Mississippi Humanities Council or by contacting LaFrancis at 601-442-0980. This recent presentation was sponsored by the local Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fellowship organization with patriotism as one of its core missions. Also, this occasion noted the release of Mark LaFrancis’s tenth book, A Song of Hope, a novel set in Natchez with scenes from the basilica. Subtitled A Spiritual Suspense Novel, the book depicts the life of a fourteen-year-old who comes to discoveries about himself, life, and Christianity. LaFrancis personalized copies of this book and explained that it includes numerous Natchez references.
1 7 9 810 5 2 3 46 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Tribute to Veterans and Book Signing THE socialSCENCE NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI
Calvin Woodfork and G. Mark LaFrancis Calvin Woodfork and Steve Nielsen Darren and Ginger Cowart G. Mark LaFrancis and Eileen Maher
T his past spring, the Lincoln County Master Gardeners’ provided approximately 600 fourth-grade students in the Brookhaven and Lincoln County schools with seeds of the Congo melon to grow for the Master Gardeners’ annual contest. Students were to bring their heaviest melon to the Master Gardener booth the final night of the Exchange Club Fair on the Saturday in August before school starts. The first place melon this year was grown by Georgia Ann Roberts of Brookhaven Academy; it weighed in at a whopping 59.8 pounds and earned a $125 prize. It is by far the biggest ever for this contest. Previously, the largest was 42 pounds.
Lincoln County Master Gardeners’ Annual Watermelon Contest
Coming in second place was Harper Kyzar and in third place was Jacey Moore, both students at Bogue Chitto Elementary School. Bogue Chitto Elementary had the most participating this year perhaps due to the encouragement of science and social studies teacher Laken Van Norman, who really likes this program. The Master Gardeners encourage more students to plant and grow their seeds next year not only for a chance to win the contest but also to have homegrown melons to enjoy. Those who do this tend to continue planting year after year, and some add vegetables to their crop. When the Lincoln County Master Gardeners initiated this contest years ago, they won first place for community programs initiated by Master Gardener chapters across the state of Mississippi.This contest is one of the many efforts Master Gardeners execute across the country to connect youth with gardening and agriculture. It can be duplicated by other chapters or organizations. One aspect to note is that only the Congo watermelon seed is distributed to the students. Why you may ask? Well, this melon is not found in stores or markets so must be grown not purchased. It is a delicious watermelon well worth the 90-day growing period from seed to table. It has unique lines on its skin distinguishing it from other species.
Winning
Photography by Bill Perkins
Page 20 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous Vidalia • Ferriday, LA Corner of EE Wallace & Texas Ave | Ferriday, LA 318-757-4811
THE socialSCENCE BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI
First-place winner Georgia Ann Roberts melon showing its weight and Roberts’ name
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 21 Pat
BettyDuckworthSpiller,Virginia Case, and Karen Behan Sylvia Campbell and Sharon Hughes Harriet Procter, Debbie Smith, Barbara Shed, and Katie Nations Fran Massengill and Sonya Foster Mary Lu Redd with Kings Daughters Medical Center Director Alvin Hoover Duckworth and Procter Massengill and Harriet Procter Duckworth with
Harriet
Pat
Phil and Emry Duckworth Jillian Sicks, Debbie Smith, and Karen Behan Ribbon Cutting More than fifty people gathered on June 22, 2022, at Silver Cross Health and Rehabilitation Center in Brookhaven, Mississippi, for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating a beautiful new garden dedicated to outstanding Willing Hearts Circle member Pat Duckworth. This garden was her idea for creating a peaceful place where residents and their families may find solace. Photography by Bill Perkins 4 7 11 8 9 10 1 3 6 2 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 A Garden Dedication THE socialSCENCE BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI 317 John R. Junkin Drive - Natchez, MS 39120 601•445•4187 November2023 15, 2022
Pat
Executive
Fran
Page 22 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous 1 4 2 3 5 6 American Cruise Line Symphony Announcement Party 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 THE socialSCENCE NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI
Musical entertainment for the event was provided by Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson with commentary by Visit Natchez Director Devin Heath, Mayor Gibson, and The Natchez Garden Club and Pilgrimage Garden Presidents.
7 8 “Best of the Miss-Lou Furniture Store” “Best of the Miss-Lou Appliances” 506 Louisiana Ave. 524 Franklin St. Ferriday, LA 71334 Natchez, MS 39120 Mon-Fri 9-6 / Sat 9-3 Tue-Fri 10-5 / Sat 10-2 318-757-9227 • BrakenridgeFurnitureCo.com 9
The City of Natchez held a cocktail party at The Carriage House in downtown Natchez, Mississippi, on August 10, 2022, to publicly announce both the arrival of the new cruise ship Symphony, headed to Natchez for its christening on August 30, and to publicly reveal the city’s association with the vessel as the God Mother City of the Symphony. In 2025, Natchez will be the “Port of Origin” for the Symphony, the locale where cruises will begin and end.
Betty Ann Perkins and Mayor Dan Gibson Rusty Jenkins and Betty Ann Perkins Natchez Miss Hospitality Anna Simmons and Visit Natchez Director Devin Heath Sarah Sookraj, Ann Ward, and Sela Gaudé Cheryl Rinehart, Donna Sessions, Michael Boykin, and Carol Jones Jimmy and Carla Allgood, Sarah Smith, Pat McDonough, and Mayor Dan Gibson Sarah Sookraj, Jessica Cauthen, Devin Heath, and Julia NeifaGriffinHardy, Betty Ann Perkins, Mary Lessley, Mayor Dan Gibson, and Myrtle Page Merritt Karen HIll, Chesney Doyle, Norma West, and Diane AndreaDuPontBradford and Martha Salters Scott Kimbrell and Pat Burns Emily Williams with Hunter and Ginnie Rogillio Cathy Boutwell, Ann Ward, and Karen Hill Jimmy Allgood, Mamie Henry, and Steve Campo Bryant Cannon and Marsha Colson Chase and Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff Natchez Adams County Chamber of Commerce Director Lyn Jenkins and Cheryl Rinehart
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Page 24 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous FALL HometownFestivalsHometownFestivals THE 37 ANNUAL NATCHEZ BALLOONFESTIVAL OCTOBER 14-16 Natchez, Mississippi th
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Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 29 Visit us for the Flu Vaccines! • Same day sick appointments • • Well child check ups • Immunizations • • Medical grade ear piercing Ashley•Hickman, MSN, APRN, CPNP Quality care for tots to teens 224 S. Church Street, Ste B | Brookhaven, Mississippi | 601-990-4028 MyTotalUrgentCare.com Vidalia 4014 Carter Street | (318) 414-1800 M–F 8am–8pm | S–S 8am–5pm Give us a follow Walk-InOnlineCheck-In Schedule a Virtual Care Visit InFLUencer Be an Flu shots are #trending this fall. Protect yourself and others by getting your flu vaccine!
To avoid a spoiler, suffice it to say that A Song of Hope has a big ending, the kind for which LaFrancis is known. He was strongly influenced by the books and movies of his formative years in the 1950s and 1960s, and he often says he tries to see the stories unfold like a movie as he writes. All five previous novels (which indeed are intended for young audiences) have the same literary treatment, and all are set in and around Natchez. Also, they are chapter books and fast-paced reads. This structure allows experienced readers to breeze through the novels while giving lessadvanced readers confidence that they, too, can enjoy his work. A professional film maker, journalist, poet, and teacher, LaFrancis strives to give readers satisfying, memorable stories.
Page 30 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 30 FROM THE STACKS BOOK REVIEW Beginning writers are often told, “Write what you know.” The same advice holds true for veteran writers. In his latest novel, G. Mark LaFrancis of Natchez, Mississippi, follows that advice with abundance. A Song of Hope: A Spiritual Suspense Novel is set in Natchez, where LaFrancis lives, and is filled with scenes inside St. Mary Basilica, the magnificent Roman Catholic Church in the heart of downtown. In fact, the church in a way becomes a major “character” in the story. LaFrancis and his family have attended St. Mary Basilica since they arrived in Natchez in 1990. A Song of Hope is his homage to the church where he and his wife still serve as lectors. The book is dedicated in part to the late Reverend Al Camp, who once served as pastor of St. Mary Basilica A Song of Hope tells the story of fourteenyear-old Jesse Christopher, who lives in a modest home with his grandmother Thelma in the fictitious “Wrightside” neighborhood, nicknamed Troubletown because young men like Jesse are more frequently named in police reports than society pages. Wrightside is named after famed international author Richard Wright, who was the grandson of sharecroppers and who actually lived in Natchez for a brief time. Given the age of its young protagonist, this book appears to be written for early and middle teens; however, it provides an enjoyable experience for a wide range of readers. Jesse’s talent is not writing, but singing; and he is mentored by the likeable music teacher Arwin Shelton, who has taken Jesse under his wing. Jesse, though, becomes caught in a web of lies and misdeeds from which he can seem to find no wayNow,out.about the church. By accident, Jesse finds refuge in the church and is enthralled by the exquisite statuary, stained glass windows, and murals. The church has an almost mystical magnetism for Jesse as evidenced in this passage: Jesse rubbed his eyes. Before him was a most magnificent sight: an expanse some sixty feet wide and onehundred-fifty feet long. The ceiling, some two-hundred feet from the floor, was like the sky, a canopy of blue with gold trim and painted stars. But this was no flat ceiling; it was a series of wide arches supported by eight great cream-colored columns. Intricately carved designs decorated the arches. Woven throughout the story are the songs “Amazing Grace” and “Here I Am, Lord” that are important to Jesse because their lyrics inspire and intrigue him even though he has no religious training. For example, the last verse of “Amazing Grace” describes Jesse’s wonderment at the words: When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun. He did not know why, but he liked that final verse best; he surmised it had something to do with the first two lines: “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.” He had no clue to whom the song referred or where those people had been ten thousand years and why they should be bright shining as the sun, but the words had some sense of wonder and power.
In addition to depicting St. Mary Basilica, LaFrancis also weaves into this tale Natchez’s importance in history, particularly African American history. For instance, when Mr. Shelton schools Jesse about how Richard Wright managed to escape the bonds of poverty and prejudice, he takes Jesse to the house where Wright lived and to the site of the Civil-War-era slave market “Forks of the Road” where Wright’s ancestors were brought as slaves and sold to area plantations. LaFrancis even references the great Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration which bestows the Richard Wright Literary Excellence Award every year to a noted author. Jesse also experiences the fascination of the famous Natchez Bluff and the Mississippi River where cruise ships and commercial barges still travel. Life for Jesse, though, becomes rough as his friend and nemesis Tony tempts him to join the “dark side” of Troubletown, further complicating the young teen’s struggles: Jesse always lived life on the edge; he had come to believe that was the way everyone lived. Life was supposed to be tough. Maybe that guy Richard Wright got out, but he was one in a million. As Tony often said, “The only people who fail are those who deserve to fail.”
A Song of Hope definitely fulfills that mission. For additional information about this novel, visit www.gmarklafrancis.com, Amazon.com/G. Mark LaFrancis.
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 31 TJ 912.695.6907BaggettChris318.614.8118Cranford Liz James 601.597.7873 Betsy Iles 601.597.2509 Jim 601.870.8330Smith Pat 601.807.2322Porter Sue 601.431.7653Stedman Angela 601.334.9162Brixey Nancy 601.807.9617Durkin Ricky 601.597.4724WarrenDonna Ball 601.807.1700 Joe 601.431.2286Stedman VirginiadelaVergne FOLLOW US GET THE APP Marsha601.807.5007Colson 504.554.2323 READY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH NATCHEZ? Frances B. Cothren Senior Loan Officer N M L S # 4 6 4 5 9 4 Cell: 6 0 1 . 3 9 2 . 1 3 5 2 Y O U R H O M E L O A N S P E C I A L I S T 6 0 1 M A I N S T R E E T , N A T C H E Z
Photography by Bill Perkins
Betty Ann Perkins at Adele’s On The Boulevard Betty Ann Perkins with floral arrangement Phyllis Spearman Eva Claire Snow Betty Ann Perkins and Mike Durabb Willie Vandenheuvel and Betty Ann Perkins Violetta Easley and Betty Ann Perkins Betty Ann Perkins with cake at the Creole Cottage Cafe Betty Ann Perkins and Jimmy Harris Sharon White, Betty Ann Perkins, and Deborah Richardson
Although her birthday is July 16, Betty Ann Perkins enjoyed birthday celebrations of her turning 92 that began Friday, July 15, at the Creole Cottage Cafe in Magnolia, Mississippi. Celebrations continued at lunch and dinner on Saturday, July 16, at her home, Woodleigh, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. Then, there was Sunday brunch with Mercedes Ricks and friends at La Mariposa in Magnolia. Birthday gatherings continued till the end of the month from Brookhaven to Lake Caroline. During recent years, multiple celebrations have become a tradition for friends and family to celebrate how young Perkins is. “And many more!”
Page 32 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous 1 2 3 5 4 6 7 9 810 92nd CelebrationsBirthday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 THE social MAGNOLIA/BROOKHAVEN,SCENCEMISSISSIPPI
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 33 15 17 18 14 16 21 23 2425 19 20 Barbara Davis and Linda Richardson Jim Harris and Ted Dear Betty Ann Perkins with cake at Woodleigh Martha Ann and Ralph Peeples, Linda Richardson, Betty Ann Perkins, and Bill Perkins Betty Ann Perkins and Mercedes Ricks at La Mariposa Tina Benge and Betty Ann Perkins Bobbye Baham and Betty Ann Perkins Sharon White and Rossi Johnson Front—Betty Ann Perkins, Sam Malvaney, and Bobby Lacoste / Row 2—Susan and Tom McMillan / Row 3— Cynthia Thomas and Ashley Lacoste / Back—Wayne Thomas and Ricky Turner Betty Ann Front—BettyPerkinsAnn Perkins and Bill Boerner / Row 2— Merrie Boerner and Ted Dear / Row 3—Kay Calcote, Dan Gibson, and Kseniya Savelyeva / Back—Barbara Davis, Marla Toman Gibson, and Peggy McNeil Betty Ann Perkins, Donna DeLee, and JoAnn Bennett Betty Ann Perkins with Michael and Cecile Harris Theresia and Don Perkins with Betty Ann Perkins Natchez, Misississippi, Mayor Dan Gibson and Betty Ann Perkins 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1112 13 22 Balloon Festival Brunch October 15 • 11:00 am - 1:00 pm The Natchez Garden Club .....where it all began 1927 3rd Thursday Supper September 15 • 5:30 pm for informations on local events www.facebook.com/bluffsandbayous
Page 34 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous Budding Philanthropist 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 3 5 6 2 4 THE socialSCENCE NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI Young Caroline McKnight with the help of her mother, Lisa McKnight, both of Natchez, Mississippi, set up a lemonade stand for the public during the 4th of July weekend and its concert on the Natchez Bluff featuring the band Alabama. Caroline’s purpose was to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. On her Facebook page, Lisa McKnight thanked the community for its support of Caroline’s“WOW!!project:THANK YOU to the MISS LOU and her visitors for making our 4th of July lemonade stand a SMASHING success! A special thanks to Joe and Sue Stedman at Crye Leike for letting us utilize your prime location for our benefit. Caroline McKnight has been talking about doing this fundraiser since the winter. We were finally able to make it happen and were able to donate $1304 to St. Jude!! I wish I could list everyone that donated but I’m afraid I will leave someone out. Please know we thank you from the very bottom of our full hearts!!” Caroline McKnight with her lemonade stand. Haley Burnsed, Aubrey Oglesby, and Caroline CarolineMcKnight.McKnight in front with Lisa McKnight and visitors from Belgium Caroline and Thomas McKnight Dr. Geoffrey Flattmann with Caroline McKnight Caroline and Lisa McKnight selling unique, homemade bookmarks made by Aubrey Oglesby and Caroline McKnight October is National Pet Wellness Month Contact Us Today to Set Up Your Best WellnessFriend’sExam
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 35 IN OUR TEAM WE TRUST! All your need to make game day a winner!
LOUISIANA STATE VEGETABLE
The Sweet PotatoThe Sweet Potato
SWEET POTATOES ARE ROOTS.
Sweet potatoes don’t get ripe like other crops. They will continue growing as long as the plant has green leaves 120 to 150 days after harvesting. It takes six-to-eight weeks after harvest for sweet potatoes to reach their peak sweetness when baked.
FRESH SWEET POTATOES SHOULD BE COOKED WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO OF BEING PURCHASED. Fresh sweet potatoes can be stored for up to a month. When using candied yams, add them at the end of the recipe because they are already pre-cooked.
STORE AT 55 DEGREES TO 65 DEGREES F. Always use a stainless steel knife when cutting a sweet potato; using a carbon blade will cause the yam to darken.
SOMETHING SCRUMPTIOUS
POTATOES ARE TUBERS.
Enslaved africans called sweet potatoes “nyami” because they reminded them of that starchy, edible tuber of the name that grew in their homeland. The senegalese word “nyami” was shortened to “yam.” The beauregard has a sweet, rich flavor, bakes well, and is disease-resistant. In 1987, dr. Larry ralston, an entomologist with lsu agriculture center’s research branch, developed a more insect-resistant sweet potato and named it beauregard. Sweet potatoes were grown in Peru as early as 750 B.C.E.
ONCE COOKED, SWEET POTATO SKINS ARE EASILY REMOVED BY PEELING AWAY. Sweet potatoes are more nutritious if cooked with the skin on.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, THE FIRST U.S. PRESIDENT, WAS A SWEET-POTATO FARMER. APPROXIMATELY 4.2 POUNDS OF SWEET POTATOES ARE CONSUMED ANNUALLY IN THE U.S. In 1910, the U.S. Census Bureau’s agriculture statistics showed that there were more than 55,000 acres planted with sweet potatoes in Louisiana. In 2004, there were approximately 20,000 acres.
NATIVE AMERICANS ALREADY WERE GROWING SWEET POTATOES WHEN COLUMBUS ARRIVED IN THE AMERICAS IN 1492. BOTH LOUIS XV’S AND EMPRESS JOSEPHINE’S FONDNESS OF THE SWEET POTATO ENCOURAGED TWO SHORT PERIODS OF POPULARITY IN THE LATE EIGHTEENTH AND EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURIES. Sweet potatoes have been growing in the South since as early as 1648. IN 2004, 98,300 ACRES OF SWEET POTATOES WERE PLANTED ACROSS THE NATION. FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL POTATO LOVERS MONTH! Sweet potatoes are stored in temperature- and humidity-controlled warehouses that extend the shelflife for the entire year. The season for fresh sweet potatoes is 12 months.
WHEN GRILLING SWEET POTATOES, YOU MUST USE METAL SKEWERS BECAUSE THEY WILL COOK THE INSIDE OF THE VEGETABLE AND SPEED UP THE COOKING TIME. One cup of sweet potatoes = medium sized, cooked, fresh sweet potato SWEET POTATOES SHOULD NOT BE REFRIGERATED UNLESS COOKED.
sweetpotato.orgFrom
A BAD CROP OF COTTON TURNED FARMERS IN SOUTH LOUISIANA TO SWEET POTATOES AS A CASH CROP IN THE 1930S. LOUISIANA PRODUCES 20.3% OF THE ANNUAL U.S. PRODUCTION OF SWEET POTATOES. Louisiana sweet potato farmers started using the term “yam” several decades ago as a national marketing tool to help distinguish their variety from those grown on the East Coast.
Louisiana, designated the sweet potato as its official state vegetable in 2003. Sweet potatoes can be traced to the centuries-old B.C.E. life in Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies. Their botanical name (Ipomoca batata) was derived from the Native Americans of Louisiana, who were growing them in native gardens as early as 1540 and who referred to these potatoes as batatas. Once sweet potatoes are gathered and sorted, they are taken to be cured. Curing is the process that helps sweet potatoes heal from any cuts, bruises, or places where the skin accidentally has been removed.
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½ teaspoon nutmeg 2 tablespoons finely chopped sage 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon Cane Maple Syrup
1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 10-12 ounces each)
Carefully remove skillet from oven and drizzle 1 tablespoon oil in pan; swirl to coat. Gently arrange potato halves, cut side down, in a single layer; drizzle ½ teaspoon oil over each potato half and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Return skillet to oven and bake sweet potatoes 30 minutes.Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; stir in 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, nutmeg, and syrup. Cook until fragrant and bubbly, about 30 seconds. Turn off the heat; stir in sage. Remove sweet potatoes from oven, and separate slices using a fork or knife. Fit a few slices of shallot between sweet potato slices (3 or 4 per potato); spoon butter mixture evenly over potatoes. Return skillet to oven and bake potatoes 10 minutes more. Turn oven to broil, and broil potatoes 2-4 minutes until edges are crispy and charred.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
The large, fried,tuberoussweet-tastingstarchy,rootsofthesweetpotatocanbepreparedinavarietyofwaysincludingbaked,French-andcandied.Theyoungleavesandshootsaresometimeseaten
Kosher salt and black pepper ½ stick butter 3 garlic cloves, chopped Heat oven to 425ºF with rack set in middle position; place a large cast-iro skillet on middle rack while oven preheats. Wash and thoroughly dry potatoes. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; then place cut side down on a cutting board. Working with one half at a time, arrange wood skewers or chopsticks along length of potato half. Cut ⅛-inch slices crosswise (top to bottom) nearly all the way through the potato (about 80% of the way through), stopping before you cut through the bottom. (The wood skewers should act like bumpers and keep your knife from slicing all the way through.)
Hasselback is a potato cut part of the way through into small slices and then baked in an oven with some oil or butter.
ooking time depends on the temperature of the oven (500°F will need less cooking time than 450°F) and the size and thinness of the sweet potato wedges. he browner they are, the crispier they will be; but there is a fine line between browned and burnt beyond edibility. Even if they get really dark, they should still be good because of the natural sugars of the sweet potatoes caramelizing. So watch carefully. When ready let the fries cool for 5 minutes before serving.
1 to 2 tablespoons spice or spice combination of your choice: chipotle powder, smoked paprika, Chinese five-spice, pumpkin pie spice, garam masala, Cajun seasoning, etc.
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 39
The baking times are approximate; they depend on how thick you cut the wedges or rounds of sweet potatoes. Try to cut them evenly so they all cook at about the same rate. For best browning results, bake only one sheet at a time. For extra caramelization, sprinkle fries with a little sugar before putting in the oven. For extra flavor, try swapping out half of the oil with melted butter.
Best Sweet Potato Fries Ever Serving Size 4-6
The Healthy Cooking Blog Holly sweetpotato.orgCleggServingSize4-6reheatovento 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, or line with foil. Cut sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch thick lengthwise strips; toss with oil. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet; bake 15-20 minutes. Turn potatoes over; bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown all over. Season to taste; sprinkle with parsley.
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 pounds orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (about 3 large)
4 sweet potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Chopped parsley (optional) Nutmeg to taste
reheat oven to 450°F. (For more crispiness, preheat your oven to 500°F.) Place a roasting pan or heavy duty baking sheet (one that can take high heat) in the oven to preheat. eel the sweet potatoes and cut off the ends. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, and then, if they are very long, in half crosswise. Cut each piece into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick wedges. Alternately, you can slice the peeled sweet potato into disks either with a mandoline or a sharp knife. Toss with oil, salt, and spices. Put the sweet potatoes into a large bowl, and add the oil. Mix well to combine. Sprinkle with salt and spices of your choice. Use your hands to mix well so all pieces are coated with oil and spices. Remove the preheated baking sheet from the oven. Carefully spread the sweet potatoes out in a single layer on the baking sheet. (Watch out, the pan is hot!) Bake for 15 to 25 minutes. After the first 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and use tongs to turn over all of the sweet potato pieces. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 to 15 minutes, or until they are well browned.
Visit the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission website sweetpotato.org for a plethora of recipes using sweet potatoes as well as for sweet-potato-related activities for children: Below is a “healthy” option recipe for sweet potato fries from the commission’s website and Louisiana-known author and cook Holly Clegg. Visit Holly Clegg’s website thehealthycookingblog.com.
8 10 17 13
Jeanne Lanneau and Helen Smith Tracy McCarthney and Mayor Dan Gibson
Dianna Glaze, Steve Campo, Mamie Henry, Diane Dupont, Jason Dauphin, Devin Heath, and Debbie Germany
Page 40 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous 1 2 345 6 7 9 11 14 15 16 12 Christmas in July Cocktail & Fundraiser Party 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 THE socialSCENCE NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI T he Christmas in Natchez Committee held its annual fundraiser July 28, 2022, at Dunleith Historic Inn in Natchez, Mississippi. Guests enjoyed sampling passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while joining in the bidding for silent auction items donated by area merchants. Dunleith’s exterior was festive with holiday garlands and red bows while the grounds displayed the new Christmas décor—the themed Twelve Days of Christmas and nursery rhyme decorations to be purchased for the town’s Memorial Park, and a Christmas backdrop of colorful Christmas tree lights to be placed on the bluff for everyone to use for photos. Lending a hand on the decorations were Tim Fitzpatrick and daughter Kelly from Christmas Depot, who decorated the downtown for Christmas during the filming of the Hallmark movie in 2021. On hand for musical entertainment were guest artists Amy Allen and Mayor Dan Gibson. Kari Blaney, Christy Williams, Stratton Hall, and Patricia Cothren Marc and Sissy Blackwood, Karen Hill, and Patricia Duffy Kim Chauvin Graves and Lisa Whittington Kippy and Kari Blaney Amy ChristmasAllen in Natchez Committee: Curtis Moroney, Stratton Hall, Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff, Patricia Cothren, Jaki Robinson, Mamie Henry, and Kari Blaney Tim Fitzpatrick and Kelly Fitzpatrick Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff and Caurie Norris Rusty Jenkins, Ritchie Montgomery and Debbie Willson Steve Campo, Robin and Scott Christian, and Suzanne and Scott Landers Sue Burkhalter, Brad Yarbrough, and Sally Fink Marla and Mayor Dan Gibson, Tracy McCartney, and Richard Hess Devin and Janice Heath with Katie and Bubba McCabe Elizabeth and AB Walters
BankPlus was founded as a true community bank. And we’ve been serving our communities for over 100 years. To us, this means much more than banking. We’re committed to improving quality of life and making a positive difference for our customers and neighbors. BankPlus. It’s more than a name. It’s a promise. more at bankplus.net
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 41
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BROOKHAVEN LOCATIONS 147 South Railroad Avenue | (601) 833-4451 600 Brookway Boulevard | (601) 833-4451 Wealth Management About Us Our People Our Ser vicesAccount Access About Us Who We AreIn Community Careers Bene ts The Source Contact Us Chat Facebook TwitterInstagramOther Linked In Online Privacy Business Checking Business Credit Card BusinessPlus Business Online Banking Business Mobile Banking aud Prevention Mer Group Banking Payroll Card Business Borrow Business LoansCommercial Real Estate Loans icultural Loans SBA Loans investment.isCommunityan AND TOGETHER WE MAKE IT GROW. © Copyright 2022 BankPlus. Member FDIC. 18 20 19 Patricia Cothren and Beau DesHotel Jo Ann and Ron Brumfield Sam and Betsy Mosby, Julianna Wallace, and Cole and Sim Mosby 18 19 20
Page 42 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous
In Mississippi, football rivalry between Ole Miss and Mississippi State during the Egg Bowl means as much to Mississippi as the Iron Bowl rivalry between Alabama and Auburn means to football fans in Alabama. Sportswriter Blake Toppmeyer claims that the State-versus-Ole Miss game “is usually good for a fight, or an infamous moment during the Egg Bowl.” Countless households around the state sport competing team colors in their door, porch, and yard decorations and on the rally flags they fly during football season; and parents draw their children into the rivalry, seeking to influence them to sport one team’s (and not the other’s!) football jersey or cheerleader outfit on any given Saturday during football season.
September/October 2022 { Page 43
Tailgating Recipesfor
8 ounces cream PaprikaDash21/211/2cheesecupmayonnaisecupchoppedolivescupchoppedpecanstablespoonsoliveliquidjuicepepper “Offensive” Olive Dip --Nancy Smith 2 cans chicken breast in water, drained, or rotisserie chicken 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 medium onion, sautéed in butter to soften 2 packages cream cheese, softened ½ cup mayonnaise Onion powder, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes to taste Mix ingredients, place in a large casserole, and top with Hot Chicken Dip --Lisa Loper grated cheese. Bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with pita chips
A festive example of such competitive, football-team loyalties occurred late in Football Season 2021, when college rivals Leslie Willis and Andy Clard were celebrated with a “tailgate engagement party” at the home of Taylor Clark in Mississippi. they share some of the recipes for their party fare that would be perfect for your tailgate gathering, whether on campus or at home, with friends and family supporting your favorite team and cheering those gridiron guys on to victory.
McComb,
Here,
Mix well all but the paprika. with paprika just before serving with crackers.
Sprinkle
Thaw shrimp and crawfish. Slice sausage, cook in pan, and drain grease. Sauté Rotel tomatoes, bell pepper, green onions, and celery in butter; and then add shrimp/ crawfish and sausage to vegetables. Add rice, soups, chicken broth, and water; and mix well. Pour all ingredients into a greased 9 x 13 Pyrex dish and cover with foil. Place in the oven and bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Serve with French or garlic bread.
1 can Rotel tomatoes 1 bell pepper, chopped 1 bunch green onions, chopped 4 stalks celery, chopped 4 cups uncooked Uncle Ben’s converted rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup plus 1 tablespoon water
1 pound sausage, sliced 1 box chicken broth
1 can French onion soup plus 1 tablespoon water
Mississippi in May Lemon Cookies --Sarah Delee
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese 1 jar dried beef 4 small onions, diced very small 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Finely chopped pecans 1 bell pepper
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup pecans, finely chopped Powdered sugar, optional Beat butter and both sugars with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add grated lemon rind and lemon juice; then blend. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended. Divide into three equal portions; roll each portion on wax paper to a 12-inch log. Cover and freeze. Cut each log into ½-inch slices, and place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Roll in powdered sugar while warm.
Football Chipped Beef Cheeseball -- Carla Stringer
Seafood Jambalaya --Tony Stringer
2 pounds shrimp (or 1 pound each of shrimp and crawfish)
1 cup sugar 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs Zest of one lemon 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Soften cream cheese and place in mixer with next four ingredients. Once well combined, form the mixture into the shape of football; and roll/cover the outside in finely chopped pecans. Cut strips of bell pepper to create the white stitching of a football. Serve with wheat crackers. Perfect for any tailgate!
Page 48 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous Email: Bestcontact@rhvnlaw.comPracticesCertied LET OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM WORK FOR YOU Robison Holmes Van Norman PLLC Attorneys at Law Mark R. Holmes and Michelle Wroten Van Norman Wills & Estates | Personal Injury | Divorce & Custody | Car Wrecks Real Estate Closings | Title Insurance | Litigation | Mediation TWO OFFICES TO SERVE YOU 112 Commerce Street • McComb, MS 39648 • 601.249.3112 932 East Main Street • Liberty, MS 39645 • 601.980.5080
Downtown and All Around Our City...Vicksburg SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 @ 8:00 A.M. Proceeds to benefit: The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation Online Registration Musical entertainment, fun and refreshments for all runners, walkers and volunteers will follow the race in the Ameristar Delta Point parking lot. Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation 1302 Adams Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180 601-631-2997
Nancy Burkhalter Whittington of Madison, Mississippi, loves to embrace the holidays but none more than Halloween. She and her husband Dr. Alex Whittington have hosted Halloween parties in the past before Covid. Halloween 2021 found Nancy organizing her Livingston Neighborhood tent party in their home’s cul de sac. Tents were decorated for the outdoor social gathering, and the evening concluded with a hayride for the trick-or-treaters. Nancy spent three weeks creating the headpiece for her Medusa costume, an original design. We are sure she was a hit among the Halloween revelers.
Halloween Magic
We at Bank of Franklin are committed to seeing you through the big moments in life. Whether you’re planning for that once in a lifetime celebration or saving for that long-awaited dream house, Bank of Franklin cares about the financial needs of our customers. For 110 Years, Bank of Franklin has provided the best in banking services to bring peace of mind to you and your family.
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Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 51 Jimmy Lou Vasser and Josie Craig Vickie Mergner, Shirley Booth, and Jean Marie Richard Sherrill Sasser, Joy Irving, and Josie Craig Shanda Graves, Crystal Rodriguez, and Josie Craig Judy and Jerry Herring with Josie Craig Josie Craig, Kimberly Boothe, and Jean Fairbanks Paula Joseph, Ann Rabb, and Nan New with Josie Craig Josie Craig with Barbara Persons Dianne Jordan, Angela Gibson, Tanna Davis, and Katie McCarstle with Josie Craig Kim Brown and Josie Craig Jean Fairbanks, Josie Craig, Penny Gregg, Lollie Hammett, and Dorothy Chauvin Celebrating Josie Craig‘s 103rd Birthday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 THE socialSCENCE
NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI Josie (Dolly) Craig celebrated her 103rd birthday on May 8, 2022, at Katie’s Ladies in Natchez, Mississippi, where she still loves her beautiful clothes. “Ms. Josie,” a resident of Concordia Parish, Louisiana, says she is a miracle having never smoked, drank, or taken medication. She is a member of First Baptist Church and The Natchez Garden Club and is a faithful bridge player meeting once a week for this challenging card game. She loves her family and great grandchildren. Katie’s Ladies’ girls look forward to Ms. Josie’s 104th celebration in 2023. Bank of Franklin –We’ll Get You There. bankoffranklin.com
Page 52 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous In celebration of the Fourth of July, a Grand Marshal Party was held at The Oxbow on Lake St. John near Ferriday, Louisiana, on Friday, July 1, 2022, to honor all the past Lake St. John Flotilla Grand Marshals, kings, queens, and their families and friends. The Grand Marshal for 2022 was Kathy Cook. On July 2, the Lake St. John Flotilla got underway with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet as the large procession of decorated boats began it caravan around the lake passing by judges stationed at various piers to determine the best-decorated boat. The day’s events also included a contest for the best pier decorations and an at-dusk fireworks display that ended the holiday’s celebration. The winner of the best theme-decorated boat was Top Gun. 7 9 13 10 14 15 11 12 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 3 2 4 5 6 THE socialSCENCE FERRIDAY, LOUISIANA
Mary Ruth Caldwell and Mandy Wisner Grand Marshals, past and present: Kippy Blaney, Andy Anders, Steve Kaiser, Kathy Cook, Mary Catherine and Milton Rawles, Kay Kilen, Richard Alwood, Richard Prescott, and Johnny Fudickar
Lake St. John Flotilla Grand Marshal and Lake St. John Flotilla Celebration
Grand Marshal Float with GM Kathy Cook Grand Marshal Friends & Family: Front—Angie Pace, Matthew Guidry, Barbara Pace, Jordan Guidry, and Delaney Guidry / Row 2—Coye Pace, Halie Guidry, Lori Cowart, Kathy Cook, Tammy Terrio, and Mark Turner / Row 3—Jeremy Rowzee, Mike Cook, Hannah Cook, Randy Cowart, and Abby Kahrs / Back—Hunter Cook, Brett Cook, Jillian Cook, and Justin Bonura Mary Catherine and Milton Rawles Refreshment table with sponsor banner John Bennett Fudickar, Johnny Fudickar, and Marvin Bossett Flotilla Winner, Top Gun Christy Farmer and Jimmy Riley Drew GrandDavidMarshal Kathy Cook with Mike Cook Glen Wisner and Cameron Harris Nancy and Andy Anders with Richard Alwood Barbara and Coye Pace Flotilla Committee Kari Blaney, Richard Alwood, Mandy Wisner, and Susan Harris (not pictured Wesley Steckler)
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 53 17 18 1619 Hunter Cook, Kathy Cook, Jeremy Rowzee, and Halie MatthewGuidryand Delaney Guidry Night view of fireworks display Sheila Alwood and Jenny Wren Fudickar Dupont 16 17 18 19
Page 54 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous Heuck’s Retreat First Baptist Ladies Pottery Class THE socialSCENCE WESSON, MISSISSIPPI This past spring, Renee Cotton led a special ceramics class at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi, for the ladies of Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church. Cotton inspired them to further pursue this endeavor. All enjoyed the experience immensely! Photography by Bill Perkins Oakleigh Tull and Courtney Owens Allison SamanthaWallaceGrissom and Nay Thornhill Anna AngelaLeeRitchie and Mollie Goldman Dianne Hathorn Sherra Front—SidneyCourtneyAllisonCourtneySmithMyersWallaceOwens,Bilbo, Samantha Grissom, Courtney Owens, Oakleigh Tull, and Betsy Guerry / Back—Sherra Smith, Angela Ritchie, Allison Wallace, Holli Henry, Nay Thornhill, Dianne Hathorn, Courtney Myers, Mollie Goldman, Suzanna Dunaway, Paige Britt, and Anna Lee 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 1111111 11 3 6 10 7 8 2 4 5 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
College Reunion THE socialSCENCE BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI
On July 16, 2022, the alumni of Whitworth College met on its former campus, currently the home of the Mississippi School of the Arts, in Brookhaven, MIssissippi, at 10:00 A.M.
for the sixth annual reunion. Held in the Mary Jane Lampton Auditorium, the event was hosted by Whitworth alumni Willie Harrell and Brianna Moore-Christa, author of Theatre of War, the early history of Brookhaven and Whitworth College. Brianna Moore-Christa and Dwight Ramsey Darlene Gerald-Johnson and Harry Johnson David Peavey and Marcus Peavey Dorothy King-Sellers, Rhoda Everett, and Andrea DwightDawson-FortenberryRamseyand Gay Everett-Fuller Dwight Ramsey, Gay Everett-Fuller, and Aubrey EstherEverettDrummond and Zelma Gordon Jerry Brown John Burnett, Wayne Sellers, Willie Harrell, and Aubrey Everett Josie Summers and Roger King Marilyn Durr, Anita Durr, and Mike Durr Nancy and Harry Johnson John and Carolyn Riggs Dorothy and Sayne Sellers Richard Rodgers and Jessica Amber Applewhite 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Whitworth
Editor’s note: The following football schedules were up to date at press time. Please consult respective college and NFL websites for any changes should they occur.
2022 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
C WISHING ALL STUDENTS & STAFF A HAPPY & HEALTHY SCHOOL YEAR! Dr. Kenneth Stubbs Internal Medicine 46 Sgt. S. Prentiss Dr. | Natchez, | MS 601.446.2084 Sept. 4 ............vs Florida State Sept. 10 ............vs Southern U Sept. 17 .................. vs MS State Sept. 24 .......... vs New Mexico Oct. 1 ......................... @ Auburn Oct. 8 ..................vs Tennessee Oct. 15 ....................... @ Florida Oct. 22 ...............vs Mississippi Nov. 5 .....................vs Alabama Nov. 12 .................. @ Arkansas Nov. 19 ............................ vs UAB Nov. 26 .............. @ Texas A&M LSU TIGERS
Sept. 3 .................................... vs Oregon Sept. 10 ................................vs Samford Sept. 17 .....................@ South Carolina Sept. 24 ............................ vs Kent State Oct. 1 .....................................@ Missouri Oct. 8 ......................................vs Auburn Oct. 15 ...............................vs Vanderbilt Oct. 29 ..................................... vs Florida Nov. 5................................ vs Tennessee Nov. 12 ................................. @ MS State Nov. 19 .................................@ Kentucky Nov. 26 ........................vs Georgia Tech GEORGIA BULLDOGS Sept. 3 ............................... vs Miami OH Sept. 10 ................................... @ Florida Sept. 17 ....................... vs Youngtown St Sept. 24 .......................... vs Northern IL Oct. 1 ................................@ Mississippi Oct. 8 ........................vs South Carolina Oct. 15 ................................. vs MS State Oct. 29 .............................. @ Tennessee Nov. 5.................................... @ Missouri Nov. 12 ............................... vs Vanderbilt Nov. 19 ................................... vs Georgia Nov. 26 ................................ vs Kentucky KENTUCKY WILDCATS Sept. 3 ......................................... vs Utah Sept. 10 ............................... vs Kentucky Sept. 17 ....................... vs South Florida Sept. 24 ............................ @ Tennessee Oct. 1 ............................... vs Eastern WA Oct. 8 ....................................vs Missouri Oct. 15 .......................................... vs LSU Oct. 29 ................................... @ Georgia Nov. 5 ...............................@ Texas A&M Nov. 12 ...................... vs South Carolina Nov. 19 ............................... @ Vanderbilt Nov. 25 .........................@ Florida State FLORIDA GATORS Sept. 3 ................................. vs Memphis Sept. 10 .................................. @ Arizona Sept. 17 ..........................................@ LSU Sept. 24 .................... vs Bowling Green Oct. 1 ................................ vs Texas A&M Oct. 8 .................................. vs Arkansas Oct. 15 ................................. @ Kentucky Oct. 22 ..................................@ Alabama Nov. 5 ......................................vs Auburn Nov. 12 ...................................vs Georgia Nov. 19 ..............................vs East TN St Nov. 24 ............................ @ Mississippi MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS Sept. 1 .................................... vs LA Tech Sept. 10 ...................................@ K ansas Sept. 17 .........................................vs ACU Sept. 24 ................................... @ Auburn Oct. 1 ........................................ vs Florida Oct. 8 ..................................... @ Georgia Oct. 22 ............................... vs Vanderbilt Oct. 29 ...................... @ South Carolina Nov. 5 ...................................vs Kentucky Nov. 12 .............................. @ Tennessee Nov. 19 ................................ vs NM State Nov. 25 ............................... vs Arkansas MISSOURI TIGERS Sept. 3 .........................vs Georgia state Sept. 10 ...............................@ Arkansas Sept. 17 ..................................vs Georgia Sept. 24 ............................... vs Charlotte Oct. 1 ..................................... vs SC State Oct. 8 ................................... @ Kentucky Oct. 22 ............................. vs Texas A&M Oct. 29 ..................................vs Missouri Nov. 5 .................................@ Vanderbilt Nov. 12 .....................................@ Florida Nov. 19 .............................. vs Tennessee Nov. 26 ................................. @ Clemson SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS Sept. 3 .....................................vs Mercer Sept. 10 ....................vs San Jose State Sept. 17 .............................vs Penn State Sept. 24 ................................ vs Missouri Oct. 1 .............................................vs LSU Oct. 8 ......................................@ Georgia Oct. 15 .............................@ Mississippi Oct. 29 ................................vs Arkansas Nov. 5................................... @ MS State Nov. 12 .............................vs Texas A&M AUBURN TIGERS Sept. 3 ............................... vs Cincinnati Sept. 10 .................... vs South Carolina Sept. 17 ......................vs Missouri State Sept. 24 .........................@ Texas A & M Oct. 1 .................................... vs Alabama Oct. 8 .....................................@ MS Sate Oct. 15 ...........................................@ BYU Oct. 29 .....................................@ Auburn Nov. 5 .......................................vs Liberty Nov. 12 .......................................... vs LSU Nov. 19 .................................. vs Ole Miss Nov. 25 .................................@ Missouri ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS Sept. 3 ..............................vs Utah State Sept. 10 ...................................... @ Texas Sept. 17 ............................ vs LA Monroe Sept. 24 .............................vs Vanderbilt Oct. 1 .................................... @ Arkansas Oct. 8 ............................... vs Texas A&M Oct. 15 .............................. @ Tennessee Oct. 22 ................................. vs MS State Nov. 5 .............................................@ LSU Nov. 12 ............................. @ Mississippi Nov. 19 ............................vs Austin Peay Nov. 26 ................................... vs Auburn ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Good MississippiFromRebels!Luck,theSouthwestChapter Looking Forward to a Great 2022 Football Season! OLE MISS REBELS Sept. 3 ............................vs Troy Sept. 10 ............. vs Central AR Sept. 17 ..........@ Georgia Tech Sept. 24 ........................ vs Tulsa Oct. 1 .....................vs Kentucky Oct. 8 ...................@ Vanderbilt Oct. 15 ...................... vs Auburn Oct. 22 ............................ @ L SU Oct. 29 ...............@ Texas A&M Nov. 12 ................... vs Alabama Nov. 19 .................. @ Arkansas Nov. 24 .................. vs MS State
Sept. 3 ...........................................vs SFA Sept. 10 ....................................@ Tulane Sept. 17 ...........................@ McNeese St Sept. 24 ....................... vs AR-Pine Bluff Oct. 8 .................................. @ MS Valley Oct. 15 ............................. @ Southern U Oct. 22 .......................... vs TX Southern Oct. 29 ......................... @ Grambling St Nov. 5.............................. @ Prairie View Nov. 12 ........................................ vs B-CU Nov. 19 ........................vs Jackson State ALCORN STATE BRAVES BELLHAVEN BLAZERS Sept. 1 .................................... @ Millsaps Sept. 10 ................. vs Southwestern U Sept. 24 ..........@ Huntingdon College Oct. 1 .............................. @ Methodist U Oct. 8 ...........vs N. Carolina Wesleyan Oct. 15 ............@ Greensboro College Oct. 22 .............vs Southern Virginia U Oct. 29 ................ vs Lagrange College Nov. 5 ......................@ Brevard College Nov. 12 .................vs Maryville College COPIAH LINCOLN WOLFPACK Sept. 1 .....................@ East Mississippi Sept. 8 ..............................@ Miss Delta Sept. 15 ......................vs Jones College Sept. 22 ............................@ Southwest Sept. 29 .............................. vs Coahoma Oct. 6 ................................vs Gulf Coast Oct. 13 ..............................@ Pearl River Oct. 20 ............................ @ East central Oct. 27 ....................................... vs Hinds DELTA STATE STATESMEN Sept. 3 ................. @ Kentucky State U Sept. 10 ........................... @ McKendree Sept. 17 .................... @ MS Valley state Sept. 24 .........................@ West Florida Oct. 1 ..........................vs Valdosta State Oct. 8 ..................... @ North Greenville Oct. 15 ....................... vs West Alabama Oct. 22 .................................... @ Shorter Oct. 29 ............. @ Mississippi College Nov. 5.......................... vs West Georgia GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS Sept. 3 ..................... @ Arkansas State Sept. 10 ....................................@ NW ST Sept. 17 ....................... @ Jackson State Sept. 24 ......................................@ B-CU Oct. 1 ..............................vs Prairie View Oct. 8 .........................@ Alabama A&M Oct. 15 ..........................vs Florida A&M Oct. 29 ...........................vs Alcorn State Nov. 5........................... vs AR-Pine Bluff Nov. 12 ...........................@ T X Southern Nov. 26 ............................vs Southern U HINDS COMMUNITY EAGLES Sept. 1 .........................vs Northeast MS Sept. 8 .......................vs Northwest MS Sept. 15 ......................... @ East Central Sept. 22 ............................ vs Pearl River Sept. 29 ...................... vs Jones College Oct. 6 ......................... @ Southwest MS Oct. 13 ................................ @ Itawamba Oct. 20 ................vs MS Gulf Coast CC Oct. 27 ......................@ Copiah Lincoln VANDERBILT COMMODORES Aug. 27 ..................................... @ Hawaii Sept. 3 .......................................... vs Elon Sept. 10 .........................vs Wake Forest Sept. 17 ........................... @ Northern IL Sept. 24 ................................ @ Alabama Oct. 8 ...............................vs Mississippi Oct. 15 ................................... @ Georgia Oct. 22 ..................................@ Missouri Nov. 5 ........................vs South Carolina Nov. 12 .................................@ Kentucky Nov. 19 .....................................vs Florida Nov. 26 .............................vs Tennessee Sept. 3 ................................vs SAMHOU Sept. 10 ..............................vs App State Sept. 17 ................................ vs Miami FL Sept. 24 ..............................vs Arkansas Oct. 1 .................................... @ MS State Oct. 8 .....................................@Alabama Oct. 22 ...................... @ South Carolina Oct. 29 ............................. vs Mississippi Nov. 5....................................... vs Florida Nov. 12 ..................................... @ Auburn Nov. 19 ..................................... vs UMass Nov. 26 ......................................... vs LSU TEXAS A&M AGGIES Sept. 1 ................................. vs Ball State Sept. 10 ...............................@ Pittsburg Sept. 17 ......................................vs Akron Sept. 24 ...................................vs Florida Oct. 8 .............................................@ L SU Oct. 15 ..................................vs Alabama Oct. 22 ............................... vs TN-Martin Oct. 29 .................................vs Kentucky Nov. 5 ......................................@ Georgia Nov. 12 ..................................vs Missouri Nov. 19 ......................@ South Carolina Nov. 26 ..............................@ Vanderbilt TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Sept. 1 .................................. vs MS Delta Sept. 8 ......................... vs Coahoma CC Sept. 15 .............. @ MS Gulf Coast CC Sept. 22 ............................vs Co-Lin CC Sept 29 ................... @ East Central CC Oct. 6 .................................. vs Hinds CC Oct. 13 .................................@ Jones CC Oct. 22 ....................... vs Pearl River CC Oct. 27 .............................@ Holmes CC Oct. 30 ............... @ MS Gulf Coast CC SOUTHWEST MISSISSIPPI BEARS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS Sept 3 ...................vs Florida Memorial Sept 10 ..........................................@ LSU Sept 17 ..................... @ Texas Southern Oct 1 ............................ vs Ark Pine Bluff Oct 8 .............................. vs Prairie View Oct 15 .................................. vs Alcorn St Oct 22 ..............vs Virginia-Lynchburg Oct 29 ............................... @ Jackson St Nov 5 ............................ @ Florida A&M Nov 12 ........................ vs Miss Valley St. Nov 26 .............................. @SuperdomeGrambling NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY DEMONS Sept. 3 .................................. @ Montana Sept. 10 .................vs Grambling State Sept. 17 .........................................@ USM Sept. 24 .................................... vs Lamar Oct. 1 ...................................... vs Nicholls Oct. 8 ........................ @ Eastern Illinois Oct. 15 .................... @ Houston Baptist Oct. 22 ............. vs Southeast Missouri Nov. 5 ...@ Texas A & M – Commerce Nov. 12 .................. @ Southeastern LA Nov. 19 ..................... vs Incarnate Word Sept. 1 ...................................@ Missouri Sept. 10 .........................................vs SFA Sept. 17 .................................@ Clemson Sept. 24 ...................@ South Alabama Oct. 8 ..........................................vs UTEP Oct. 15 ............................@ North Texas Oct. 22 ..........................................vs Rice Oct. 28 ............................................@ FIU Nov. 5............................. vs Middle Tenn Nov. 12 ........................................@ UTSA Nov. 19 ................................. @ Charlotte LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS MILLSAPS MAJORS Sept. 1 .............................. vs Belhaven U Sept. 10 ...........................@ McMurry U Sept. 17 ...........vs SW Assem of God U Oct. 1 .................................... @ Sewanee Oct. 8 ......................vs Hendrix College Oct. 15 ............... B’ham-Southern Coll Oct. 22 .................... vs Rhodes College Oct. 29 ........................@ Berry College Nov. 5.................................... vs Trinity U Nov. 12 ......................@ Centre College MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE CHOCTAWS Sept. 3 ..........................@ Albany State Sept. 10 ................vs Keiser University Sept. 17 .................. vs North Greenville Sept. 24 ............................... @ McNeese Oct. 1 ............................ @ West Georgia Oct. 8 .................vs Shorter University Oct. 15 .......................@ Valdosta State Oct. 22 ........................... @ West Florida Oct. 29 .............................vs Delta State Nov. 5......................... @ West Alabama Sept. 3 ............@ SW Assem of God U Sept. 10 .......................... @ Stetson Uni Sept. 17 ............ vs Arizona Christian U Sept. 24 ............... @ Ottawa U Arizona Oct. 1 .............. @ Okla Panhandle St U Oct. 8 ...............vs Ark Baptist College Oct. 15 ...............vs Wayland Baptist U Oct. 22 ................ vs Texas Wesleyan U Oct. 29 .............................@ Langston U Nov. 5 ...........................vs Lyon College Nov. 12 ........................ @ Texas College LOUISIANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS JACKSON STATE TIGERS Sept. 4 .......................... vs Florida A&M Sept. 10 ................................vs TN State Sept. 17 ........................ vs Grambling St Sept. 24 ..............................vs MS Valley Oct. 8 ......................... @ Alabama State Oct. 15 ........................................@ B-CU Oct. 22 ................................ vs Campbell Oct. 29 ............................. vs Southern U Nov. 5 .............................@ TX Southern Nov. 12 ....................... @ Alabama A&M Nov. 19 ...........................@ Alcorn State HOLMES COMMUNITY BULLDOGS Sept. 1 ........................ @ Pearl River CC Sept. 8 ....................@ East Central CC Sept. 15 ..........................vs East MS CC Sept. 24 .......................@ Coahoma CC Sept. 29 ...............vs Northeast MS CC Oct. 6 ........................... @ Itawamba CC Oct. 13 .......................... vs MS Delta CC Oct. 20 ............... @ Northwest MS CC Oct. 27 ................vs Southwest MS CC
Sept. 3 ..... vs Southeastern Louisiana Sept. 10 ............... vs Eastern Michigan Sept. 17 ......................................... @ Rice Sept. 24 ........................................ @ ULM Oct. 1 ........................ vs South Alabama Oct. 12 .................................. @ Marshall Oct. 22 ..................... vs Arkansas State Oct. 27 .......................... @ Southern MS Nov. 5 ............................................vs Troy Nov. 10 ................ vs Georgia Southern Nov. 19 .......................... @ Florida State Nov. 26 ............................ @ Texas State UNIV OF LA @ LAFAYETTE RAGIN’ CAJUNS Sept. 3 ........................................@ Texas Sept. 10 ................................. vs Nicholls Sept. 17 ................................. @ Alabama Sept. 24 ......................................... vs ULL Oct. 1 .......................... @Arkansas State Oct. 8 .......................vs Costal Carolina Oct. 15 ..................... @ South Alabama Oct. 22 .........................................@ Army Nov. 5 ...............................vs Texas State Nov. 12 ........................ @ Georgia State Nov. 19 ...........................................@ Troy Nov. 26 ........................................ vs USM UNIV OF LA @ MONROE WARHAWKS Sept. 3 .....................................vs Liberty Sept. 10 .....................................@ Miami Sept. 17 ............ vs Northwestern State Sept. 24 ....................................@ Tulane Oct. 8 .............................................@ Troy Oct. 15 .....................vs Arkansas State Oct. 22 ............................. @ Texas State Oct. 27 ...........................................vs ULL Nov. 5 ..........................vs Georgia State Nov. 12 ................... @ Coastal Carolina Nov. 19 .....................vs South Alabama Nov. 26 ..........................................@ ULM UNIV OF SOUTHERN MS GOLDEN EAGLES TULANE GREEN WAVE Sept. 3 ........... vs Univ. Massachusetts Sept. 10 .................................... vs Alcorn Sept. 17 ........................ @ K ansas State Sept. 24 ....................................... vs USM Sept. 30 .................@ Univ. of Houston Oct. 8 ................ vs East Carolina Nniv. Oct. 15 .............. @ Univ. South Florida Oct. 22 ...................... vs Univ. Memphis Nov. 5........................... @ Univ. of Tulsa Nov. 12 ...........vs Univ. Central Florida Nov. 17 .........................................vs SMU Nov. 26 ...............@ Univ. of Cincinnati COLLEGEBOWLCHAMPIONSHIPGAMES! DEC. 3 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP - CHARLOTTE, NC DEC. 3 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP - ATLANTA GA DEC. 3 SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP – TBA JAN. 9 NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - INGLEWOOD, CA Sept. 11 @ Atlanta Falcons 12:00 PM CDT Sept. 18 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12:00 Sept. 25 @ Carolina Panthers 12:00 PM CDT Oct. 2 vs Minnesota Vikings 8:30 AM CDT (London) Oct. 9 vs Seattle Seahawks 12:00 PM CDT Oct.16 vs Cincinnati Bengals 12:00 PM CDT Oct. 20 @ Arizona Cardinals 7:15 PM CDT Oct. 30 vs Las Vegas Raiders 12:00 PM CDT Nov. 7 vs Baltimore Ravens 7:15 PM CST Nov. 13 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 12:00 PM CST Nov. 20 vs Los Angeles Rams 12:00 PM CST Nov. 27 @ San Francisco 49ers 3:25 PM CST Dec. 05 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7:15 PM CST Week 14 BYE Dec. 18 vs Atlanta Falcons TBD Dec. 24 @ Cleveland Browns 12:00 PM CST Jan. 01 @ Philadelphia Eagles 12:00 PM CST Jan. 08 vs Carolina Panthers TBD NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Page 62 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous Care That Is Personal 4319 Carter Street Vidalia, LA 71373 (318) 414-2190 Get In line, Online! gosouthstar.com www.instagram.com/bluffsbayous
Up & Coming Red Stick Farmers Market Breada.com
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 63
LOUISIANA Alouisianatravel.comgreatsiteforeverything Louisiana ALEXANDRIA / PINEVILLE themuseum.orglagniappetheatre.comriveroaksartscenter.comrapidessymphony.orgalexandriapinevillela.com
September 30 Live After Five Michael Foster Project Davis S. Rhorer Plaza 5-8 pm / Free 225.250.7474 October 5 The Beach Boys River Center Performing Arts Center 7:30-9:30 pm ticketmaster.com October 14 Live After Five The Mixed Nuts Davis S. Rhorer Plaza 5-8 pm / Free 225.250.7474 October 21 Live After Five Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Davis S. Rhorer Plaza 5-8 pm / Free 225.250.7474 October 23, 29 & 31 Boo At the Zoo 9:30 am-4:30 pm brzoo.org225.775.3877
October 28 Live After Five Amanda Shaw & The Cute Boys Davis S. Rhorer Plaza 5-8 pm / Free 225.250.7474 October Louisiana29Book Festival State Library of Louisiana 9 am-4 pm / Free 225.219.9503 October 31 Boo with the Krewe Festival Scotlandville Plaza 4-7 pm / Free scotlandsaturdays@gmail.com CLINTON / JACKSON louisianasteamtrain.com FERRIDAY deltamusicmuseum.comconcordialibrary.org MONROE / WEST MONROE monroe-westmonroe.org September 15-18 & 22-24 Annie Get your Gun Strauss Theatre Center strausstc.com318.323.6681
Every Tuesday through September Alexandria Farmers Market 2727 Jackson St. 3-6 pm September 10 & October 8 2nd Saturday Free Admission Alexandria Museum of Art 10 am-4 pm themuseum.org October 13-16 Farm to Forest Plein Air Festival farmtoforestpleinair.com BATON ROUGE batonrougeballet.orgcenter.comrivercenterarena:baton-rouge.tickets-lsumoa.orgvisitbatonrouge.com
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO ENROLL AT SOUTHWEST September 20th : 4 - week online classes begin October 18th: 8 - week online classes begin November 15th: 4 - week online classes begin CALL TODAY!
At Region 8 Mental Health, we offer comprehensive individualized treatment of the highest quality for those in need of mental health, intellectual developmental disabilities, and drug and alcohol services. We provide the following: • INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS • COUNSELING • • MEDICAL, NURSING AND PHARMACOLOGY SERVICES • • COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES • • CHILDREN’S THERAPEUTIC DAY TREATMENT • • ALCOHOL AND DRUG INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES • • SUPERVISED LIVING PROGRAMS • • ADULT PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS • • CRISIS PREVENTION, INTERVENTIONS AND ASSESSMENTS • • 24/7 EMERGENCY ON-CALL SERVICE •
October 15 Fall BlackCelebrationBayouLake Free monroe-westmonroe.org October Scarecrows23 in the Garden Biedenharn Museum & Gardens 3-8 pm bmuseum.org318.387.5281
October 28-30 & November 5-6 Hamlet Strauss Theatre Center 7 pm & 2 pm strausstc.com318.323.6681
& Coming September
Page 64 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous
Up 30-October 9 Ark-La-Miss Fair Monroe Civic Center arklamissfair.com
NATCHITOCHES natchitoches.com September 3 Can River Zydeco Festival Downtown Riverbank 1-10 pm 318.332.7455 September 16-17 Meat Pie DowntownFestival/Free meatpiefestival.com October 7 “Crows on the Cane” Scarecrow Contest Historic Business District 8-11 am 318.357.3822
October 7-8 & 14-15 Molly Howard Is No More Dinner StraussTheatreTheatre Center 6:30-8 pm strausstc.com318.323.6681
October 15 Good Ole Days Festival Marthaville 8 am-10 pm natchitoches.com October 15-16 Melrose Fall Festival 9 am- 5 pm Sat. 10 am-5 pm Sun. natchitoches.com October 29 Witch Way to Main Street Farmers Market & Live Entertainment 9-11 am 318.357.3822
FaubourgOktoberfestBrewing Company 11 am-8 pm 504-867-4000 October Crescent14-16City Blues & BBQ Festival Lafayette Square Park Free jazzandheritage.org504.558.6100
September 10 Billie Holiday @ Sugar Hill Exhibit West Baton Rouge Museum
FB:WestBatonRougeMuseum.org225.336.2422TheWBRM
FB:WestBatonRougeMuseum.org225.336.2422TheWBRM
285 Sgt. Prentiss Dr. - Natchez, MS - 601-445-5601
FB:WestBatonRougeMuseum.org225.336.2422TheWBRM
Every OldFarmersWednesdayMarketCourtHouse N. Spruce St. 9 am-1pm September 22 Operation Grits Bless the Blue Community Fish Fry Vidalia Pavilion 10:30 am-2 pm First Responders Free / Public $10 601.807.6470 October Chamber13Golf Tournament Panola Woods Country Club director@concordiachamber.com October 14-15 Vidalia Flea Market Levee ChamberOctoberGrounds15Awards Dinner Vidalia Convention Center 6 pm director@concordiachamber.com
September 24-25 & October 1-2
Craftmaster,
nobt.orgnewcombartmuseum.tulane.eduFB:nola.orgogdenmuseum.orgneworleanscvb.comneworleansonline.comnolajazzmuseum/live neworleansfilmsociety.org neworleanszombierun.comneworleanscitypark.com
September 24 Beignet Fest City Park Festival Grounds 10 am-6 pm beignetfest.com
September 18 Cajun Jam West Baton Rouge Museum 3-5 pm / Free
September 16 Live: One Night w/Billie & Ella Concert West Baton Rouge Museum 6-8 pm
Custom Order Upholstery is Back Select from hundreds of fabrics and styles from Mayo & Bassett
NEW ORLEANS
FB:WestBatonRougeMuseum.org225.336.2422TheWBRM
September 11 Old Time County Open Jam West Baton Rouge Museum 3-5 pm / Free
ST. FRANCISVILLE stfrancisvillefestivals.comFB:explorewestfeliciana.com/events.htmlaudubonstatehistoricsite.wordpress.comSt.FrancisvilleFarmersMarket
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 65 shopnationalhomestore.com
Every Sunday in October Angola Fall Rodeo & Arts Angola Prison 12:30 pm angolarodeo.com October Southern14-15Garden Symposium thesoutherngardensymposium.org October Revolutionary28-30 War Living History Audubon State-Historic Site 225.635.3739 October 29 Music on The Mound Catholic Hill 5-9:30 pm / $20 / Cash Bar eventbrite.com October 29-30 Yellow Leaf Arts Festival Parker Park 10 am-5 pm VIDALIA concordialibrary.orgcityofvidaliala.com
October 22-23 Treme Fall Festival St. Augustine Catholic Church 10 am / Free tremefest.org PORT ALLEN westbatonrouge.net
FERNWOOD fernwoodcc.com GREENVILLE visitgreenville.org October 13-15 Hot Tamale Festival Downtown 9 am-5 pm mainstreetgreenville.com JACKSON msmetroballet.comballetms.comcraftsmensguildofms.orgjacksonfreepress.com/calendarmsnla.orgvisitjackson.commsmuseumart.orgdulinghall.com
Page 66 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous
Up & Coming
September 30-October 1 Ole Brook DowntownFest brookhavenchamber.org601.833.1411
October 20 JA of LincolnShrimpBrookhavenBoilCivicCenter 3-7 pm 601.757.2976 October 20-30 The Addams Family Brookhaven Little Theatre 7:30 pm & 2 pm haventheatre.org
hikinginmississippi.comvisitmississippi.org
BROOKHAVEN
Linclib.org/eventsbrookhavenlittletheatre.combrookhavenrecreation.comvisitbrookhavenms.comfacebook.com/VisitBrookhavenMS
Through September Farmers Market S. Whitworth Ave. & W. Chickasaw St. Tues. 3-6 pm / Fri. 7 am-Noon September 18-25 BARL’S Barks & Bids Online Auction barl.net September 22 Canines, Cats & Corks Brookhaven Bldg. Wine Tasting info@barl.netbarl.net/events601.757.4367
MadisonFallOctoberCANTON13FleaMarketCounty Courthouse 7 am-4 pm cantonmsfleamarket.com CLINTON clintonms.org October 8 Clinton Fall for Clinton Market & Pet Parade Clinton’s Olde Town 9 am-1 pm clintonms.org
MISSISSIPPI
September 24 1st Annual Peanut Boil Tom Land & Homes Live Music & Games Downtown / Free 5-9 pm
OctoberLAUREL 1-2 Loblolly DowntownFestival 9 am-4 pm / Free loblollyfestival.com MEADVILLE meadvillems.com October Homochitto21-22River Festival Downtown FB:homochittoriverfestival.orgHomochittoRiverFestival MCCOMB FBmcrrmuseum.commccombarts.compikeinfo.comMcCombFarmers Marke t
September 24 Jackson WellsFest Jamie Fowler Boyll Park 9:30 am-4 pm October Mississippi6-16State Fair State Fairgrounds MississippiFairgrounds.com October 22-23 Fall Gun Show MS Trade Mart 9 am-5 pm Sat. 10 am-5 pm Sun. October 28 Park after Dark MS Children’s Museum 5:30-8:30 pm mschildrensmuseum.org November 2-5 Mistletoe Marketplace MS Trade Mart mistletoemarketplace.com
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 67 There Is Merit In our community. We’re here to care for you when you need us, and we also contribute to the quality of life in the Miss-Lou Region by providing good jobs, paying taxes and through our community service. ScanHere Learn more about the benefits we bring to our community in our 2021 Community Benefit Report. more than careProviding Through McCombThursdaysSeptemberFarmersMarket 113 Railroad Blvd. 7 am-1 pm September 10 Health & Wellness Fair Southwest Mental Health Complex 601.551.7564 October 6 Toast & Tails The McComb Mill 6-9 pm / $25 pikeinfo.com NATCHEZ Live Music Events natchezlittletheatre.comnatchezgardenclub.orgthetowersofnatchez.comFBnatchezpilgrimage.comkreweofphoenixnatchez.comvisitnatchez.orgvisitnatchez.org/full-event-calendarCalendarDowntownNatchezFarmersMarket Saturdays through September Downtown Natchez Farmers Market 300 N. Broadway 8:30 am-Noon
Check our our website for new & upcoming events!!
September 16-17 MS Science Fest LeFleur Museum District 9 am-4 pm mssciencefest.org September 30-October 1 Euro RenaissanceFest @ Colony Park All Day
REFERRALS ONLY
October 1 Breast Cancer Gala Adams County Safe Room 7-10 pm / $25 checkout.square.site
October 7-8 Blues & Soul Super Bowl Bluff Park 5 pm / $40-$300 visitnatchez.org October 13 Live @ Five Chad BandstandWesley/Natchez Bluff October 14-16 Natchez Balloon Festival Rosalie DowntownBluff 601.446.5676 natchezballoonfestival.com October 14-16 Merry NatchezMarketConvention Center visitnatchez.org601.442.5880
October 6 Live @ Five Big Al & The Heavyweights Bandstand / Natchez Bluff
2ndOctoberPOPLARVILLE7-8SweetMississippi Tea Festival smteafest.com PORT GIBSON FB: msculturalcrossroads.orgportgibson.chamber MADISON/RIDGELAND mscrafts.orgardenland.netmadisonthecity.comvisitridgeland.com
October 29 Fall Gospel Fest True Love Missionary Baptist Church $25, $30 / 5 pm 318.434.1599 October Longwood29 Afternoon Music Fest Longwood Grounds 11 am-8 pm 601.442.5193 or FB:longwoodafternoon.com601.807.1595LongwoodAfternoonMusic Fest
James B. Hall, MD
Our clinic focuses on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and chronic kidney disease prevention. As a hypertension specialty clinic, we also focus on diffi cult-to-control blood pressure, secondary hypertension, and reno-vascular hypertension. Our full-time and covering physicians are nephrology-fellowship trained and board certified in nephrology. Dr. Hall is also trained and certified as a Hypertension Specialist. Our clinic fosters a compassionate and friendly atmosphere, and our main objective is to delay the progression of kidney disease through community outreach, peer education, kidney screening seminars, and health promotional classes. Remember, “Your health is the most important thin you own, second to your soul.”
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October 15 Balloon Race Brunch Magnolia Hall Grounds 11 am-1 pm $20 Adult / $10 12 & under natchezgardenclub.org601.443.9065 October 20-22 Y’All Means All The Weekend yallmeansallnatchez.org601.807.7759
October 6 Rossini, Rampal & Red Wine Natchez Festival of Music Carriage House 7-10 pm / $30 / Cash Bar natchezfestivalofmusic.com601.807.4442
September 3 & October 1 1st Saturday Market MLK Triangle 5-10 pm September 3 1st Annual Aelex Washington Foundation Fundraising Gala 323 Liberty Road 5-10 pm / Formal Attire visitnatchez.org September 17 NAMI Walks your Way Bandstand 8 am-Noon / Free September 30 Live @ Five Karma & The Kill Joys Bandstand / Natchez Bluff
Page 68 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous
November 3-5 & 10-12 Angels on the Bluff Natchez City Cemetery $40 tix.com/ticket-sales/natchezcitycemetery601.445.5051
October 21 Live @ Five Black BandstandCabbage/Natchez Bluff October 28 Live @ Five Mira. Got. BandstandSoul/Natchez Bluff
Every Saturday in September Farmers Market Jackson St./Washington St. vicksburgfarmersmarket.org601.634.4527
MeetVicksburgTeam_BB7.625x4.875.indd
Bluffs & Bayous { September/October 2022 { Page 69 Introducing Our We invite you to stop by the bank to meet the Vicksburg team. Experience the technology you need and the service you deserve today! Same Great Service From Familiar Faces In a New Place. Vicksburg Team MIKE CURTIS City President ROSE HODGES Rose Hodges Vice BranchPresidentManagerLoanOfficer FORBES GROGAN Senior Vice CommercialPresidentLender PAM PUGH Asst. Vice President Loan Officer 601-630-8201deltabk.com
September 3 McRaven Ghost Hunt Investigation McRaven 8:30 pm-2 am / $75 Contact to schedule: manager@mcraven.com601.501.1336 September 8 & 22 Coloring, Coffee & Conversation Vicksburg Public Library / Veto St. 10 am 601.636.6411 September 10 2nd DowntownSaturday FB: Second Saturday September 24 Make a Holiday Wreath Vicksburg Public Library / Veto St. 10 am 601.636.6411 October 1 38th Old Courthouse Museum Fall Flea Market Around Old Courthouse 8 am-5 pm oldcourthouse.org October 1 Bricks & DowntownSpokes 601.634.4527
WESSON FB Wesson Chamber WOODVILLE FBwoodvillems.orgWoodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association Be sure to confirm details of the events should changes have occurred since events were submitted.
Through September 4 Freaky Friday Parkside Playhouse Fri., Sat. & Sun. 7:30 pm & 2 pm vicksburgtheatreguild.com601.636.0471
October McRaven21-30Candlelight Tours 7-9 pm / $25 / 12 yrs. and older mcraventourhome.com601.501.1336
#26338998 DB 1 4/7/22 1:07 PM October 27 Trunk or Treat Freedom Ridge Park 6-8 pm SUMMIT pikeinfo.com October 8 Summit Fall Festival Downtown 8 am-4 pm FB: Town of Summit Mississippi Fall Festival VICKSBURG southernculture.org visitvicksburg.com vicksburgartassociation.org tarawildlife.com vicksburgtheatreguild.com downtownvicksburg.org
October 8 Over the Hill Run Old MS River Bridge 5-K Run & Walk $30 raceroster.com601.631.2997 October 13 Supper on the Sip Old MS River Bridge 6-8 pm / $35 unitedwayvicksburg.org/sip October Princess16& Pirate Party Vicksburg Convention Center 3-5 pm / $15 601.630.2929
Page 70 { September/October 2022 { Bluffs & Bayous
SOUTHERN SAMPLER
After I went to college, some of my friends, especially Becki Merritt, would come here for a fall weekend where they got the chance to stomp cotton, a rare and special experience for them. When I had children of my own, they, too, got to play in the cotton as we had done decades back. Even after we switched over to the big modules, the youngsters could still get down in the cotton and play as kids had done for years.
Treasured Times ofStomping Cotton
When Miss Liza came along, she, too, was put in the cotton to play. She was most uneasy about that operation; and when her Aunt Jorie asked how she liked it, her little face, which showed absolute terror, replied, “Fun!” when she really was thinking, “Get me out of here!” After a bit, she learned that it was just a place to play for a while; and she began to enjoy the experience, too.
BY Alma M. Womack
One activity that has gone by the wayside is stomping cotton. For those not familiar with this term, let me enlighten you. Once upon a time, long, long ago in the mid-twentieth century, cotton was harvested this way: cotton was picked by hand, dumped into the back of a pickup truck with wooden sides added to it, and pressed down by the repeated stomping of several people.
Columnist Alma Womack lives on Smithland Plantation on Black River, south of Jonesville, Louisiana. In addition to her duties as maitresse des maison, she is the keeper of the lawn, the lane and the pecan orchard at Smithland.
Now, there are round bale pickers that pick, compress, and roll out round bales of cotton. Four of these bales are the equivalent of one large module but much easier to move and to load on module trucks. One man is doing the work that it formerly took three men to do per module builder. Automation, ain’t it grand.
The fun of stomping cotton and the smell of the picked cotton were things that farm kids in the South used to take for granted, but that time has passed. Now, they’re just a memory of what life used to be, down on the farm at cotton-picking time.
When my brothers and I were children, we would help stomp cotton in the trailers; or at least we considered ourselves helpers. There was always a man or two in the trailer, but we stomped and played and dug holes and had a load of fun every afternoon after school.
James Duncan was usually the man in the trailer; and besides us, he had a bunch of sons who would help him stomp, too. I remember one fall when the cows were turned into the cotton fields where the cotton had been picked but while the picker was on the next field. Cows being cows, sometimes they would get pretty close to the trailers filled with cotton. There was one mean Brahma cow named Eloise that did not like cotton pickers or trailers in her way. If she saw kids picking up spilled cotton by a trailer, she would charge in that direction. All someone had to do was shout “Eloise!” and kids would be clinging to the sides of the trailer quicker than you could believe.
While the fall is a time for football games, festivals, and other merry-making, it is also harvest time for farmers. After the expenses of planting in the spring and the follow-up expenses of protecting the summer crop from insects, fungi, and weather, harvest is the culmination of a year of work. Harvest time has changed drastically from when I was a child. Where it once took many people to harvest corn, soybeans, and cotton, now relatively few are needed. Huge machines have replaced small machines and people, and are much more efficient in gathering the crops.
Then came bigger pickers and the new method of getting cotton to the gin in modules that held generally 10-12 bales of cotton. The module builder had built-in presses that the operator moved up and down to press the cotton as much as possible.
Later, with the advent of the one-row cotton picker, cotton was picked, then dumped into a metal trailer to be hauled to the gin. Said trailer would sit in line while waiting to be emptied to bring it back to the field to be loaded again. Before it went to the gin, the cotton was stomped down by several someones in order to get the maximum amount on the Thetrailer.next improvement came with two-row pickers and a machine that mechanically stomped the cotton down. It was noisy and clumsy, but effective, and required just one man whose job was to operate the machine attached to a tractor.
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