Happenings

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, January 2 – John Kirby; Friday, January 9 – 5-D Band; Friday, January 16 – Fugitive Poets; Friday, January 23 – Bring It; Friday, January 30 – The Delta Drifters

 

New Year’s Schedules

Audubon Café is closed New Year’s Eve and Day but will re-open on Friday, January 2.

Birdman Coffee & Books will close at 4 pm on New Year’s Eve and will be closed New Year’s Day.

Border Imports will close at 2 pm on New Year’s Eve and will be closed New Year’s Day.

Carriage House Restaurant will be open New Year’s Eve for lunch, 11 – 2; Dinner will be served from 5 pm until 10pm, with special menu choices, each priced at $19.99, as well as the standard menu.  They will be closed on New Year’s Day.

D’John’s Restaurant will be open New Year’s Eve from 11 am – 8 pm and closed New Year’s Day.

East Dragon will be open New Year’s Eve from 11 am – 9 pm and closed New Year’s Day.

Eight Sisters will be open until 5 pm on New Year’s Eve and closed New Year’s Day.

Feliciana Seafood will be open on New Year’s Eve from 9 am until 7 and closed New Year’s Day.

Grandmother’s Buttons will be open its regular hours on New Year’s Eve and closed New Year’s Day.

Hillcrest Gardens will close at 4 pm on New Year’s Eve and all day on New Year’s.

Ins-N-Outs will be closed New Year’s Eve and Day.

Magnolia Café will be open on New Year’s Eve and closed New Year’s Day.

Ox Bow Restaurant will be open on New Year’s Eve from 11 – 1:30 and 5 – 9, closed New Year’s Day.

Que Pasa will be closed both New Year’s Eve and Day.

Sage Hill Gifts will close at 5:30 pm on New Year’s Eve and will be closed on New Year’s Day.

Shanty Too will close at 2 pm on New Year’s Eve and all day New Year’s.

Sonny’s Pizza is open New Year’s Eve but closed New Year’s Day.

St. Francis Art & Antique Gallery will be closed both New Year’s Eve and Day.

The Wine Parlor at the St. Francisville Inn is open until 9 pm on New Year’s Eve.

Wing It Grill will be closed both New Year’s Eve and Day.

 

Anniversary and New Year’s

Tip and Beth Pace of the Carriage House Restaurant invite you to join them in celebrating their 25^th wedding anniversary on New Year’s Eve and to toast the New Year.  They will be open for dinner from 5 pm until 10 pm and are offering the following specials:  Whole Roasted Quail in the Dutch oven served with Dirty Rice and vegetable; Grilled Tuna Steaks and Asparagus with a Citrus Glaze and potato; Seafood Stuffed Portabella Mushroom with Steamed Winter Vegetables and potato; Seafood Platter with all the trimmings; and Pork Roast with Dirty Rice and Green Bean Casserole or smothered cabbage.  All of these specials are $19.99.  The standard menu will also be available.

 

Down-Hearth Cooking

On Saturday, January 3, from 11 am until 2 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will demonstrate 19^th century down-hearth cooking, using appropriate recipes and reproduction cooking equipment.  Featured recipes will be taken from the historic Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers, and demonstrations will be presented in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen outbuilding.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Flint Knapping

On Sunday, January 4, from 11 am until 3 pm, there will be a demonstration on the techniques of knapping and the tools used to do so at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.  Guests are also welcome to bring their arrow head collections.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Cooking Workshop

Audubon State Historic Site presents an Open Hearth Cooking Workshop on Thursday, January 8, from 10 am until 2 pm.  This program will focus on cooking on the open hearth of a kitchen with period cookware.  The workshop will include hands on activities as well as discussions of what foods are appropriate, proper cooking techniques and proper care of the equipment.  Pre-registration is required.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Conservation Workshop

On Thursday, January 15, from 10 am until 2 pm, Audubon State Historic Site offers this workshop geared to museums, Historic Sites and anyone involved in cultural tourism.  It will feature a day of guest presenters on various topics involving interpretation and interpretive challenges or issues and provide a professional training experience for those that sign up for the workshop.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Lost Arts:  Candle Making

Join site staff at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on Saturday, January 15, from 11 am – 3 pm as they demonstrate the every day arts and crafts of 195h century that are not as commonly seen or used today.  This month’s program will illustrate the art of making candles – a necessary item for lighting the house after dark, especially during the long winter night hours.   For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Taste of the Felicianas Gala

The Women’s Service League of St. Francisville will host its Sixth Annual Taste of the Felicianas Gala on Friday, January 23, 2009, at Hemingbough.  This year’s event will be a night overflowing with incredible food from chefs near and far, along with unsurpassed entertainment.  Ticket price is $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door.  Proceeds from this event support local philanthropies.  For further details and ticket purchasing information, visit www.womensserviceleague.com.

 

Civil War Encampment

Audubon State Historic Site will become an army encampment on Saturday, January 24, from 10 am until 4 pm.  This program invites the guest to view what life might have been like for those who fought in the War Between the States.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

West Florida Republic

This program is an 1810 Living History Event, recreating the sights and sounds of the West Florida Rebellion and the short lived Republic of West Florida.  It’s at Audubon State Historic Site on Saturday, January 24 from 10 am until 4 pm.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Future Events

February 6 and 7 – Camellias in the Country featuring Chef John Folse, presented by the Feliciana Nature Society.  For more information, visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

February 28 – Celebration of Readers and Writers Symposium, presented by the West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library.  For more information, call the Library at 635-3364.

 

Here’s to 2009 – may we all prosper and be in good health.  Happy New Year!

Post Office Holiday hours

The US Post Office in St. Francisville will close at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 24, and will be closed on Christmas Day.

 

 

Happenings

Here’s hoping that your Christmas shopping is all done and that your stockings are hung by the chimney with care!  Now, just sit back and relax, enjoy the time with family, and read about what’s happening in West Feliciana:

 

Ferry Status

It’s running again!  Still on the daytime, low water schedule of 6:00 am until 5:15 pm, at least it will be open for the holidays.  Keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens to the propeller again!

 

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, December 26 – The Delta Drifters

 

Restaurant Holiday Hours

Christmas Eve - East Dragon Restaurant is scheduled to be open 11 am to 9 pm; Eight Sisters Café will be open for lunch until 5 pm; Feliciana Seafood is open until 6 pm.  All other restaurants will be closed for Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve – Que Pasa and Wing it Grill will be closed.  Audubon Café, Birdman Coffee, D’John’s, East Dragon, Eight Sisters (until 5pm), Feliciana Seafood, Magnolia Café, and Sonny’s Pizza will be open.  South of the Border will be open 5 pm until; The Ox Bow will be open for lunch 11 am – 1:30pm, and for dinner from 5 pm until 9 pm.

New Year’s Day – Audubon Café and East Dragon are scheduled to be open their regular hours.

 

Carriage House Restaurant

This restaurant at The Myrtles will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and will re-open for dinner on Friday, December 26.  They will also serve dinner until 9 pm on New Year’s Eve with a special menu to celebrate owners Tip and Beth Pace’s 25^th Wedding Anniversary.  Congratulations!

 

Rosedown Events

On Saturday, January 3, 2009, from 11 am – 2 pm, Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sash Trana will demonstrate 19^th century down-hearth cooking in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen using 19^th century recipes with period and reproduction cooking equipment.  Featured recipes will be taken from the original Turnbull-Bowman family papers.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

On Sunday, January 4, from 11 am – 3 pm, Interpretive Ranger James Smith will demonstrate the art of Flint Knapping.

 

Audubon Events

On January 8, from 10 am until 2 pm, Audubon State Historic Site presents an Open Hearth Cooking Workshop.  This program will focus on cooking on the open hearth of a kitchen with period cookware.  The workshop will include hands on activities as well as discussions of what foods are appropriate, proper cooking techniques and proper care of the equipment.  Pre-registration in required.  For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

That’s all for this week.  From all of us here at the Tourist Commission and Information Center, we hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

 

Happenings

Birdman’s New Digs

Birdman Coffee and Books has moved to its new location in the old Mosaic Garden building on Commerce Street, right in front of Magnolia Café.  Lynn Wood invites all her old customers and new ones, too, to visit and see the place.

 

Music at The Mag

Friday, December 19 – Feliciana Band; Friday, December 26 – Delta Drifters

 

Bank of St. Francisville Moves Back

On Friday, December 19 at 2:00 pm, the Bank of St. Francisville will close so that they can move back to their newly renovated and expanded building on Commerce Street.  This includes the drive thru and the current temporary branch.  The Bank will re-open at their regular time on Monday, December 22.

 

Christmas at Rosedown

This weekend, December 20 and 21, from 9 am until 5 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will host its annual Christmas celebration.  Site staff and volunteers will demonstrate 19^th century arts and crafts throughout the plantation complex.  The public will see the Main House dressed in period decorations and hear stories of Christmas traditions at Rosedown that were passed down through the Turnbull and Bowman families.  Demonstrations will include period music and dancing, candle making, spinning, quilting, shaving horse and hayrides.  The historic down-hearth cooking demonstration will also be presented.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Holiday Hours and Closings

Barrow House Inn will be closed December 19 through 25; Cottage Plantation, Greenwood Plantation, Hemingbough, and Myrtles Plantation will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Magnolia Café will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  If you have a holiday closing or if you will remain open during the holidays, please let us know so that we can include that information in a separate posting.

 

Last Minute Gifts?

Our local shops still have those special gifts for your special someones.  For convenience and friendly service, too, shop local!

 

Happenings

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, December 12 – Slightly Off; Friday, December 19 – Feliciana Band; Friday, December 26 – Delta Drifters

 

The Mag’s Christmas Party

On Sunday, December 14 at 6:30 pm, The Creole Zydeco Farmers will perform at The Magnolia Café.   There is a $5 cover and a cash bar.  The kitchen will be closed but Kevin says it will still be lots of fun!

 

Great Idea!

If you have relatives coming in for the holidays and you can’t seem to find the room, why not put them up at one of our bed & breakfast inns, lodge or hotel?  Every one will have hot water, can watch what they want on television, go to bed and wake up when they want, and still be in good cheer for those special holiday moments.  Overnight stays make great gifts, too, especially for that hard-to-buy-for person on our lists.  Gift certificates are always the right size!

 

All Dressed Up for the Holidays

The historic homes in West Feliciana are always beautiful and especially at this time of year.  All dressed up in their holiday finery, the plantations offer a unique glimpse into the past, and tours take on a festive air as we find that the customs we celebrate today have simple beginnings.  Treat yourself to a visit today and find out why thousands of our tourists come here and recommend us to their friends and family back home.  And here’s another gift idea – gift certificates are available!

 

Happenings

There have been a group of little elves in our community working hard to make this the best ever Christmas in the Country this weekend.  Countless hours of volunteer time have been given to create that seasonal magic that makes this event so special.  So if you haven’t gotten a full schedule yet, stop at any of our local businesses and grab a copy while you do a bit of Christmas shopping.

 

Now, let’s check out what’s happening:

 

A Colonial Christmas

Oakley Plantation House will be trimmed in the style of the 1800’s, for Audubon State Historic Site’s A Colonial Christmas Experience on December 5 and 6.   School groups are invited to visit on Friday, December 5 from 9 am until 1 pm, to enjoy the holiday decorations and watch as a period meal is prepared by costumed staff in the outdoor kitchen of Oakley House.  In addition, various hands-on craft demonstrations will be located throughout the park.   From 10 am until 4 pm on Saturday, December 6, visitors can see a plantation Christmas dinner setting and rooms decorated for the holiday season.  The plantation kitchen will feature the day’s meal being prepared over an open hearth, and costumed staff will explain how the holiday celebration differed from what is traditional in modern times.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Christmas in the Country Begins!

Events begin on Friday, December 5 at 5:30 pm with the First Baptist Church Children’s Choir singing our favorite carols on the front porch of Town Hall.  At 6 pm Mayor Billy D’Aquilla lights the Town’s Christmas Tree and invites us all to a reception in Town Hall.  There will also be a special visitor there waiting to hear your Christmas wish.  Here’s a hint:  he likes to wear a red suit trimmed in white fur!

 

Christmas at Rosedown

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be all decked out in her Christmas finery throughout the month of December.  The Main House and Nina’s Wing will be dressed in historic, early to mid-19^th century style Christmas décor, consisting of natural greenery garlands, fruit and nut displays, cypress and cedar wreaths, and potted poinsettia blooms.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

White Light Night

The St. Francisville Main Street Merchants have teamed up again to offer this special White Light Night on Friday, December 5 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm.  The Highlands Bank trolleys will run the route between stores so hop on, listen to the music along the way, and vote on your favorite residential or business Christmas decorations.  Parking for the trolley rides will be at the trolley stops:  the Police Jury building on the corner of Hwy. 10 and Commerce Street; Town Hall; the Post Office; and at the Courthouse.  For a complete list of store specials, pick up that schedule!

 

Baton Rouge Symphony Christmas Concert

The St. Francisville Symphony Association presents its Spectacular Annual Christmas Concert featuring the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, with Timothy Muffet, Conductor.  This wonderful event will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Friday, December 5 at 7 pm.  Following the performance of Christmas favorites by the Brass and Percussion group, there will be a dessert reception in Jackson Hall, featuring the Famous Coffee Punch.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville, 635-6397, or at the door, but this concert usually sells out, so be sure to get your tickets now!

 

Fresh Wreath Sales

The Women’s Service League will again be selling their fresh wreaths beginning on Friday, December 5 at 1 pm, and throughout the Christmas in the Country weekend.  They will also have their popular Plantation Country Cookbook on sale and already wrapped to place under your tree.

 

A Musical Christmas

During White Light Night on Friday, The West Feliciana Middle School choir will sing on the front porch of the Historical Society Museum; Jay Hanemann will be at Better Bodies for Ladies playing Christmas and Christian music; and on the front porch of the Robb House on Royal Street, Better Than Nothing will perform!

 

Throughout Saturday there will be local choirs performing at different sites throughout St. Francisville.  At the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, at 9:30 am – Bains Elementary Chorus; at 10:30 am – WFHS Spanish and Latin Club; and at 11:00 am – WFHS Choir.  On the front porch of the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum, at 9:30 am – Bains Lower Elementary Choir; and at 10:00 am – West Feliciana Middle School Choir.  The Lagniappe Quartet will stroll along Ferdinand and Royal Streets from 10 am until 2 pm, and the Angola Inmate Traveling Band will perform across from the Garden Symposium Park on Ferdinand Street from noon until 4 pm.  The Main Street Band will be In Parker Memorial Park from noon until 2 pm.

 

Jump In!

That’s the theme of this year’s Christmas in the Country annual parade where Miguel Pate, our very own Olympic athlete will be the Grand Marshal.  The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 pm on Saturday, December 6, and travel down Ferdinand and Commerce Streets.

 

Candlelight Tours

As an added feature of A Colonial Christmas, candlelight tours of Oakley House will be given from 6 pm until 8 pm on Saturday, December 6.  During the tour there will be live colonial music and traditional holiday snacks such as roasted chestnuts, fig puddings and wassail will be served.  At 6 pm, the Vintage Dancers will perform dances of the early 1800’s.  The $2 adult admission to Audubon SHS includes the site video history presentation, the plantation house tour and all special programs.  Children, 12 and under, and senior citizens, 62 and older, are admitted free.

 

More Christmas!

Also on Saturday, December 6, there will be a Community Sing-Along at 6 pm at the Methodist Church on Royal Street.  The First Baptist Church on the corner of Highway 10 and Highway 61 will feature a live nativity from 6 pm until 8 pm.  Also from 6 pm until 8 pm, Peep Into Our Holiday Homes are designated by signs at the participating houses along Ferdinand and Royal Streets.

 

St. Francisville Transitory Theatre

Christmas would not be complete without the special performances by this local and very talented group of individuals.  This year they will give up two Christmas stories:  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.  Performances are scheduled for 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 6, and 7:30 pm on Sunday, December 7, at Old Market Hall on Royal Street.  Each performance will run approximately 90 minutes which includes a 15 minute intermission between plays.  Admission to all performances is $5 per person, and tickets will be on sale 30 minutes prior to each performance.  Seating is limited to 50 people so come early to get your seats.  For more on the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre, visit www.sftheatre.net.

 

Library Tour of Homes

The Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library will feature some beautiful contemporary homes in our area on their annual Library Tour of Homes.  This event will take place on Sunday, December 7, from noon until 5 pm.  Tickets are $15 and are available at the Library before and on the day of the tour.

 

Christmas in the Country Schedule

Here’s the information again on how to get a complete schedule: visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com or visit the Information Center in the Museum on Ferdinand Street for a copy or any of the businesses in town.

Happenings

Ferry Schedule Update

Kevin Reed with DOTD reports that the ferry is only operating during daylight hours because of the low water.  He tells me that the ferry’s first run is at 6:15 am and the last load is at 5:15 pm.  Hopefully, the river level will rise but he also reports that if the river gets lower, they will have to shut the ferry completely.  Let’s hope that doesn’t happen!

 

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, November 28 – Delta Drifters

 

OxBow and Thanksgiving

The OxBow Restaurant will be open and serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day.  Make your reservations by calling 635-6276.

 

Restaurants Open Friday

All of our local restaurants will re-open for business on Friday after Thanksgiving, so if you don’t feel like turkey again, you’ll find plenty from which to choose!

 

Christmas at Rosedown

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be all decked out in her Christmas finery throughout the month of December.  The Main House and Nina’s Wing will be dressed in historic, early to mid-19^th century style Christmas décor, consisting of natural greenery garlands, fruit and nut displays, cypress and cedar wreaths, and potted poinsettia blooms.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

A Colonial Christmas

Oakley Plantation House will be trimmed in the style of the 1800’s, for Audubon State Historic Site’s A Colonial Christmas Experience on December 5 and 6.   School groups are invited to visit on Friday, December 5 from 9 am until 1 pm, to enjoy the holiday decorations and watch as a period meal is prepared by costumed staff in the outdoor kitchen of Oakley House.  In addition, various hands-on craft demonstrations will be located throughout the park.   From 10 am until 4 pm on Saturday, December 6, visitors can see a plantation Christmas dinner setting and rooms decorated for the holiday season.  The plantation kitchen will feature the day’s meal being prepared over an open hearth, and costumed staff will explain how the holiday celebration differed from what is traditional in modern times.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Candlelight Tours

As an added feature of A Colonial Christmas, candlelight tours of Oakley House will be given from 6 pm until 8 pm on Saturday, December 6.  During the tour there will be live colonial music and traditional holiday snacks such as roasted chestnuts, fig puddings and wassail will be served.  At 6 pm, the vintage Dancers will perform dances of the early 1800’s.  The $2 adult admission to Audubon SHS includes the site video history presentation, the plantation house tour and all special programs.  Children, 12 and under, and senior citizens, 62 and older, are admitted free.

 

Christmas in the Country Begins!

Events begin on Friday, December 5 at 5:30 pm as the First Baptist Church Children’s Choir will sing on the front porch of Town Hall.  That is followed, as always, at 6 pm with Mayor Billy D’Aquilla lighting the Town’s Christmas Tree.  Afterwards there will be a reception in Town Hall where a special visitor – he likes to wear red trimmed in white fur! – is waiting to hear your Christmas wish.

 

White Light Night

The St. Francisville Main Street Merchants have teamed up again to offer this special White Light Night on Friday, December 5 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm.  The Highlands Bank trollies will run the route between stores so hop on, listen to the music along the way, and vote on your favorite residential or business Christmas decorations.

 

Baton Rouge Symphony Christmas Concert

The St. Francisville Symphony Association presents its Spectacular Annual Christmas Concert featuring the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, with Timothy Muffet, Conductor.  This wonderful event will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Friday, December 5 at 7 pm.  Following the performance of Christmas favorites by the Brass and Percussion group, there will be a dessert reception in Jackson Hall, featuring the Famous Coffee Punch.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville, 635-6397, or at the door, but this concert usually sells out, so be sure to get your tickets early!

 

Fresh Wreath Sales

The Women’s Service League will again be selling their fresh wreaths beginning on Friday, December 5 at 1 pm, and throughout the Christmas in the Country weekend.  They will also have their popular Plantation Country Cookbook on sale and already wrapped to place under your tree.

 

Grandmother’s Buttons Annual Event

GB’s annual Warehouse Sale of discontinued jewelry will once again be held the Saturday of Christmas in the Country, December 6, from 9 am till dark.  Thousands of pieces of jewelry reduced to below-wholesale prices will be available, and because of this year’s economic uncertainty and the consumer’s desire for affordable goods, the Grandmother’s Buttons ladies are working hard to make this the largest and best sale ever!

 

A Musical Christmas

Throughout Saturday there will be local choirs performing at different sites throughout St. Francisville.  At the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, at 9:30 am – Bains Elementary Chorus; at 10:30 am – WFHS Spanish and Latin Club; and at 11:00 am – WFHS Choir.  On the front porch of the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum, at 9:30 am – Bains Lower Elementary Choir; and at 10:00 am – West Feliciana Middle School Choir.  The Lagniappe Quartet will stroll along Ferdinand and Royal Streets from 10 am until 2 pm, and the Angola Inmate Traveling Band will perform across from the Garden Symposium Park on Ferdinand Street from noon until 4 pm.  The Main Street Band will be In Parker Memorial Park from noon until 2 pm.

 

Jump In!

That’s the theme of this year’s Christmas in the Country annual parade where Miguel Pate, our very own Olympic athlete will be the Grand Marshal.  The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 pm on Saturday, December 6, and travel down Ferdinand and Commerce Street.

 

More Christmas!

Also on Saturday, December 6, there will be a Community Sing-Along at 6 pm at the Methodist Church on Royal Street.  The First Baptist Church on the corner of Highway 10 and Highway 61 will feature a live nativity from 6 pm until 8 pm.  Also from 6 pm until 8 pm, Peep Into Our Holiday Homes are designated by signs at the participating houses along Ferdinand and Royal Streets.

 

St. Francisville Transitory Theatre

Christmas would not be complete without the special performances by this local and very talented group of individuals.  This year they will give up two Christmas stories:  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.  Performances are scheduled for 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 6, and 7:30 pm on Sunday, December 7, at Old Market Hall on Royal Street.  Each performance will run approximately 90 minutes which includes a 15 minute intermission between plays.  Admission to all performances is $5 per person, and tickets will be on sale 30 minutes prior to each performance.  Seating is limited to 50 people so come early to get your seats.  For more on the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre, visit www.sftheatre.net.

 

Library Tour of Homes

The Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library will feature some beautiful contemporary homes in our area on their annual Library Tour of Homes.  This event will take place on Sunday, December 7, from noon until 5 pm.  Tickets are $15 and are available at the Library before and on the day of the tour.

 

Christmas in the Country Schedule

While I’ve highlighted some events, there are so many things going on during the weekend of December 5 through December 7.  For a complete schedule, visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com for all the times and events, or visit the Information Center in the Museum on Ferdinand Street for a copy.

 

Happenings

Highway 61 Closure

Work is now scheduled to begin on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. and will last until Monday, Nov. 24, at 6 a.m., weather permitting. Crews will be working 24 hours a day to complete the work, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today.

 

On Friday, Nov. 21, automobile traffic will be detoured via La. 10 east of St. Francisville and La. 68. Beginning Saturday, Nov. 22, automobile traffic will be detoured via La. 966 and La. 965. Commercial truck traffic is being detoured via La. 10 east of St. Francisville and La. 68. All emergency vehicle traffic will be allowed through during the closure.

 

The closure will allow workers to install new cross drains at three locations on U.S. 61 between Thompson Creek and St. Francisville. The work is part of an $18.9 million project to widen a 4.6-mile stretch of U.S. 61 from two to four lanes.

 

Ferry Schedule

The ferry is still operating on a limited schedule.  Monday through Friday the ferry runs from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays the hours are 7:00 am until 7:00 pm.

 

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, November 21 – Bossier & Neighbors; Friday, November 28 – Delta Drifters

 

OxBow and Thanksgiving

The OxBow Restaurant will be open and serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm on Thanksgiving Day.  Make your reservations by calling 635-6276.

 

And Here Comes Christmas!

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be all decked out in her Christmas finery throughout the month of December.  The Main House and Nina’s Wing will be dressed in historic, early to mid-19^th century style Christmas décor, consisting of natural greenery garlands, fruit and nut displays, cypress and cedar wreaths, and potted poinsettia blooms.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

A Colonial Christmas

December 5 and 6, Audubon State Historic Site re-creates a late Colonial/Early Federal Period Christmas at Oakley.  The house will be dressed in a setting of natural greens while the kitchens will be busily working on the Christmas dinner and sweets.  Open for school groups on Friday, December 5 from 9 am until 1 pm, and to the general public on Saturday, December 6 from 10 am until 4 pm, costumed interpreters will take visitors through the holiday decorated home and relate the history of various Christmas traditions from that period and how they relate to today.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Jump In!

That’s the theme of this year’s Christmas in the Country annual parade where Miguel Pate, our very own Olympic athlete will be the Grand Marshal.  The parade is scheduled to begin at 2 pm on Saturday, December 6, and travel down Ferdinand and Commerce Street.

 

Christmas in the Country

Events begin on Friday, December 5 at 5:30 pm as the First Baptist Church Children’s Choir will sing on the front porch of Town Hall.  That is followed, as always, at 6 pm with Mayor Billy D’Aquilla lighting the Town’s Christmas Tree.  Afterwards there will be a reception in Town Hall where a special visitor is waiting to hear your Christmas wish.

 

White Light Night

The St. Francisville Main Street Merchants have teamed up again to offer this special White Light Night on Friday, December 5 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm.  The Highlands Bank trollies will run the route between stores so hop on, listen to the music along the way, and vote on your favorite residential or business Christmas decorations.

 

Baton Rouge Symphony Christmas Concert

The St. Francisville Symphony Association presents its Spectacular Annual Christmas Concert featuring the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, with Timothy Muffet, Conductor.  This wonderful event will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Friday, December 5 at 7 pm.  Following the performance of Christmas favorites by the Brass and Percussion group, there will be a dessert reception in Jackson Hall, featuring the Famous Coffee Punch.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville, 635-6397, or at the door, but this concert usually sells out, so be sure to get your tickets early!

 

Fresh Wreath Sales

The Women’s Service League will again be selling their fresh wreaths beginning on Friday, December 5 at 1 pm, and throughout the Christmas in the Country weekend.  They will also have their popular Plantation Country Cookbook on sale and already wrapped to place under your tree.

 

St. Francisville Transitory Theatre

Christmas would not be complete without the special performances by this local and very talented group of individuals.  This year they will give up two Christmas stories:  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.  Performances are scheduled for 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 6, and 7:30 pm on Sunday, December 7, at Old Market Hall on Royal Street.  Each performance will run approximately 90 minutes which includes a 15 minute intermission between plays.  Admission to all performances is $5 per person, and tickets will be on sale 30 minutes prior to each performance.  Seating is limited to 50 people so come early to get your seats.  For more on the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre, visit www.sftheatre.net.

 

Christmas in the Country

While I’ve highlighted some events, there are so many things going on during the weekend of December 5 through December 7.  For a complete schedule, visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com for all the times and events, or visit the Information Center in the Museum on Ferdinand Street for a copy.

 

Happenings

(The following highway closure has been postponed due to weather. Visit back for updates.)

Highway 61 Weekend Closing

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced Tuesday that a portion of U.S. 61 in West Feliciana Parish will be closed this weekend. The closure is being put in place to allow workers to install new cross drains at three locations on U.S. 61 between Thompson Creek and St. Francisville. The work is part of an $18.9 million project to widen a 4.6-mile stretch of U.S. 61 from two to four lanes. Work is scheduled to begin on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. and will last until Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 a.m. Crews will be working 24 hours per day to complete the work.

Automobile traffic is being detoured via La. 10 east of St. Francisville and La. 68 until Saturday. Beginning Saturday, automobile traffic will be detoured via La. 966 and La. 965. Commercial truck traffic is being detoured via La. 10 east of St. Francisville and La. 68. All emergency vehicle traffic will be allowed through during the closure.

Live Music at The Mag

Friday, November 14 – Chris Cole; Friday, November 21 – Bossier & Neighbors

Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles

Tip and Beth Pace are proud to announce that the doors are open at the "Carriage House Restaurant" at the Myrtles. Kaine Pace will be the general manager and Ashley Pattillo will be the office manager/events co-ordinator. They will be open for lunch at 11-2:00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and dinner 5:30 till 9:00pm except on Fridays and Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 for dinner. They are taking Tuesdays off for now. Brunch will be served on Sunday. Tip says, “We will be going back to a simpler menu serving "plantation foods" and still plan to have steaks and seafood and a tremendous selection of good wines at a great value so come see us at the Carriage House Restaurant!”

Rosedown Thanksgiving Menu

On Saturday, November 15 from 11 am until 3 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents Lost Arts: Down-Hearth Cooking. Featured this month will be the Thanksgiving Menu taken from recipes from the Turnbull family papers. For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

Colonial Craft Days

Also on Saturday, November 15, Audubon State Historic Site will host these interactive demonstrations that allow for visitors to experience first hand the crafts needed to make a plantation successful. Included will be soap, candles, baskets, spinning, natural dyes and many more interactive stations. For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

Highland Games

Our neighbors in East Feliciana will host the Ninth Annual Highland Games of Louisiana in Jackson this weekend – November 14, 15 & 16. There will be sanctioned Highland athletic competitions, a Highland dance competition, a fiddle workshop, a Scottish country dance, bagpipes competition, sheepdog demonstration, a Children’s Village and Scottish wares and food vendors. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 – 12 years, and under 6 is free with a paid adult. For more information, call 634-7397 or visit www.lahighlandgames.com.

Thanksgiving Schedule

So far, we have the following:

Hemingbough will close on Wednesday, November 26 and re-open on Monday, December 1.

Angola State Prison Museum, the St. Francisville Inn and the Wine Parlor will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, are: Audubon Café, Audubon State Historic Stie, Backwoods Gallery, Birdman Coffee & Books, Border Imports, the Cottage Plantation, D’John’s Restaurant, East Dragon Restaurant, Eight Sisters Café, Grandmother’s Buttons, Greenwood Plantation and B & B, Harrington Gallery, Hillcrest, Historical Society Museum, Ins-N-Outs Nursery, Magnolia Café, The Myrtles Plantation, Rosedown Gifts, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, Shanty Too, Sonny’s Pizza, South of the Border, St. Francis Gallery & Antiques, Wing It Grill.

Open on Thanksgiving Day will be the OxBow Restaurant serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm.

That’s all I have this week. Enjoy this much needed rain and have a great week!

Kitty Martin, LCTP

Executive Director

West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission

St. Francisville, LA

800-789-4221 or 225-635-4224

www.stfrancisville.us

Happenings

Veteran’s Day Program

On Tuesday, November 11, at 9 am, the annual Veteran’s Day Program will be held at West Feliciana High School Stadium.  For more information contact the school at 635-4561 or the School Board at 635-3891.

 

Rosedown Thanksgiving Menu

On Saturday, November 15 from 11 am until 3 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents Lost Arts: Down-Hearth Cooking.  Featured this month will be the Thanksgiving Menu taken from recipes from the Turnbull family papers.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Colonial Craft Days

Also on Saturday, November 15, Audubon State Historic Site will host these interactive demonstrations that allow for visitors to experience first hand the crafts needed to make a plantation successful.  Included will be soap, candles, baskets, spinning, natural dyes and many more interactive stations.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Ferry Schedule

The St. Francisville/New Roads ferry is on a low water schedule which means that it will run only during daylight hours.  Until further notice, the ferry will operate from 6 am until 6 pm.

 

Highway 61 Closing

Highway 61 from Folks Road to Highway 965 will be closed on Friday, November 14 at 7:00 pm with a scheduled re-opening on Monday morning, November 17 at 6:00 am.  Denton & James, the contractor for the widening of the highway, will need to do culvert work during this time.  There will be detours set up to allow flow into state highways.  More information on the exact route of the detours will be forthcoming.

Happenings

Trick or Treat

Yes, those little ghouls and goblins will be out and about this Friday.  The Town of St. Francisville and the Main Street Merchants will be passing out treats between the hours of 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm.  Trick or treating throughout West Feliciana parish on Friday, October 31, is from 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm.  Drive slowly and carefully during these witching hours!

 

Halloween Extravaganza

The Myrtles Plantation invites you to experience the true meaning of Halloween at America’s most haunted house on October 31 and November 1.  Tickets will go on sale at 6 pm for $10, first come, first served.  (Cash or check only.)  Advance ticket sales will continue up to and resume after the Halloween Extravaganza.  Parking will be available at the NAPA store across Highway 61 with jitney service for those who need it.  Food and beverages for purchase will be sold in the courtyard.  For additional information, please phone 800-809-0565 or 635-6277.

 

All Hallows Eve of the 1800s

Audubon State Historic Site invites you to discover Halloween traditions of the 1800s during the program All Hallows Eve to be held on October 31, of course.  Between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, on the grounds of Oakley Plantation an old-fashioned torch light celebration will be held exploring the traditions of Halloween in the United States.  Guests are invited to join in historic Halloween activities including Jack-o-Lantern carving, apples on a string, a candlelit rope maze, fortune telling, superstitions, storytelling, Halloween treats, and more.  Children of all ages are invited to attend in costume.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Music at The Mag

Friday, October 31 – The Delta Drifters begin around 7 pm.

 

Down Hearth Cooking

Demonstrations of 19^th century down-hearth cooking, using 19^th century recipes and reproduction cooking equipment, will be held at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on Saturday, November 1 from 11 am until 3 pm.  Featured recipes will be taken from the historic Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  For more information call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

The Spinning Wheel

On Saturday, November 8, Audubon State Historic Site presents this program that centers on the work required on a plantation to provide the thread and cloth utilized by the house and its inhabitants.  There will be demonstration of spinning on the spinning wheel along with how the wool and cotton are prepared.  The program runs from 10 am until 2 pm, and for more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

The Weaving Room

As a follow up to the earlier program on spinning, Audubon State Historic Site will present a demonstration and talk about the use of the plantations original weaving loom on Saturday, November 8 from 2 pm until 4 pm.  This program centers on the work required on a plantation to provide the thread and cloth utilized by the house and its inhabitants.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Save the Date

With the enormous success of our White Linen Night held in August, the St. Francisville Merchants Association has teamed up again to offer White Light Night on Friday, December 5 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm following the lighting of the town’s Christmas Tree.  This year’s Christmas in the Country will be held the weekend of December 5, 6 & 7 with the Friends of the Library Annual Home Tour to be conducted on Sunday, December 7.  More information to come!