Thursday, January 31, 2008

Happenings

New Hours

The Upper Crust Bistro announces new hours.  They will serve dinner Thursday through Sunday from 4 pm until 9 pm and for lunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 2 pm.

 

Live Music

At the Magnolia Café on Fridays – February 1- Feliciana Band; February 8 - Gary Bello & Friends.

 

News from Cypress Grill

On Saturday, February 2, George Freeman performs and there’s no cover charge.  On Sunday, February 3, it’s the Super Bowl Party – all day and night.  Come watch the game on the big screen and enjoy drink specials.  Reservations are suggested.  Also, every Friday in February the Cypress Grill will present “Louisiana Songwriters Review” from 6 pm until 10 pm feature 3 songwriters playing their own music.

 

Cooking On the Plantation

Compare and contrast cooking for the plantation “Big House” with cooking for the slave quarters on an early 19th century plantation. Try a taste of these foods and watch them being prepared over the open hearth.  Join the staff at Oakley on Saturday, February 2, from 10 am until 4 pm at Audubon State Historic Site.  For more information, please call 635-3739.

 

More Historic Cooking

Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña and Living History Presenters Barbara Bryant and Stella Pitts will demonstrate 19th century down-hearth cooking in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen using 19th century recipes with period and reproduction cooking equipment.  Featured recipes will be taken from the original Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  This historic cooking demonstration will be held on Saturday, February 2 at Rosedown Plantation from 11 am until 3 pm.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Camellias in the Country

The Feliciana Nature Society and Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will host the 4th annual Camellias in the Country program on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9.  This popular event will begin on Friday evening at 6 pm with a camellia showing, waxing workshop and reception at Market Hall on Royal Street.  Continuing on Saturday a morning session will feature Rosedown manager Patricia Aleshire leading a workshop on camellia care and the propagation technique of air layering.  Lunch at Audubon Café is followed by an extensive walking tour of Rosedown’s historic gardens.  A $20 fee covers the wine and cheese reception on Friday night as well as the Saturday program and lunch.  For more information call 635-3110 or visit www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

Civil War Encampment

The public will have the opportunity to observe what a soldier’s life was like on an occupied plantation during the war on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 8, 9, 10, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.  During the Civil War Union Soldiers occupied the grounds at Rosedown, and they also ravaged the house for supplies and luxuries.  On this weekend, the 7th Louisiana will set up camp at Rosedown and perform drills, cook, play music, sew, etc.  Visitors will also see how the Turnbull-Bowman family endured the period of Union occupation on their plantation. For more information call 635-3110.

 

Flint Knapping

Join Interpretive Ranger James Smith at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on Saturday, February 9, as he demonstrates the art, now known as Flint Knapping, which allowed Native Americans to make many of their own tools from stone.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Valentine’s Dinner at Sage Hill

Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is only 3 weeks away?!  Well, Sage Hill Antiques & Gifts and Heirloom Cuisine have joined forces and invite you to make your reservations for a special and romantic Valentine’s Dinner at the gift shop located on Commerce Street.  Beginning at 6:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres and followed by dinner at 7:30 pm, reservations are being accepted by calling 784-0535 or 907-4429.  Price is $50 person, tax and gratuity included.

 

Arabian Nights

Another reminder that the Women’s Service League is hosting its 5th annual Taste of the Felicianas Gala at Hemingbough on Friday, February 22.  Ticket price is $50 per person in advance, and festivities will begin at 8 pm.  For further details visit www.womensserviceleague.com.

 

Saturday Soiree

This will mark the third year that the Historical Society has hosted a Saturday Soiree during the Pilgrimage weekend.  On Saturday, March 15, there will be dancing in the street . . . Prosperity Street!  Lots of food, music and fun are on tap for the evening, and tickets are being sold now.  Get yours by calling the Historical Society at 635-6330.  Tickets are $40 and include food, beer and wine, and soft drinks.  Tables of 8 are being reserved also.

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Happenings

More News from American Motel Management

Mr. Melton Harrell with American Motel Management, Inc. informs me that they are in the process of upgrading to a Quality Inn and are also looking for the right restaurant operator to lease the hotel restaurant and lounge.  The hotel, located on Highway 61, is under the management of Tammy Gossett who can be reached by phoning the hotel at 635-3821.

 

Varnedoe’s Wine Dinner

Thursday, January 24 at 6:00 pm, take A Tour Through Louisiana at Varnedoe’s wine dinner.  This 6-course meal includes wine pairings offered by Brian Gibbons of Avenue Wines.  Reservations are required so call them at 635-2635.

 

Music at The Mag

This Friday, January 25, the Delta Drifters will begin at 8 pm.

 

Caring For Antiques

Saturday, January 26 from 10:00 am until Noon, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will host a workshop on the care and cleaning of antiques.  During the workshop, a noted authority on antiques will discuss and demonstrate the various techniques used to care for a variety of antiques. Following the demonstration, interested visitors can participate in a "hands-on" antique cleaning session.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Cooking On the Plantation

Compare and contrast cooking for the plantation “Big House” with cooking for the slave quarters on an early 19th century plantation. Try a taste of these foods and watch them being prepared over the open hearth.  Join the staff at Oakley on Saturday, February 2, from 10 am until 4 pm at Audubon State Historic Site.  For more information, please call 635-3739.

 

More Historic Cooking

Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña and Living History Presenters Barbara Bryant and Stella Pitts will demonstrate 19th century down-hearth cooking in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen using 19th century recipes with period and reproduction cooking equipment.  Featured recipes will be taken from the original Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  This historic cooking demonstration will be held on Saturday, February 2 at Rosedown Plantation from 11 am until 3 pm.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Camellias in the Country

The Feliciana Nature Society and Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will host the 4th annual Camellias in the Country program on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9.  This popular event will begin on Friday evening at 6 pm with a camellia showing, waxing workshop and reception at Market Hall on Royal Street.  Continuing on Saturday a morning session will feature Rosedown manager Patricia Aleshire leading a workshop on camellia care and the propagation technique of air layering.  Lunch at Audubon Café is followed by an extensive walking tour of Rosedown’s historic gardens.  A $20 fee covers the wine and cheese reception on Friday night as well as the Saturday program and lunch.  For more information call 635-3110 or visit www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

Civil War Encampment

The public will have the opportunity to observe what a soldier’s life was like on an occupied plantation during the war on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 8, 9, 10, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.  During the Civil War Union Soldiers occupied the grounds at Rosedown, and they also ravaged the house for supplies and luxuries.  On this weekend, the 7th Louisiana will set up camp at Rosedown and perform drills, cook, play music, sew, etc.  Visitors will also see how the Turnbull-Bowman family endured the period of Union occupation on their plantation. For more information call 635-3110.

 

Flint Knapping

Join Interpretive Ranger James Smith at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on Saturday, February 9, as he demonstrates the art, now known as Flint Knapping, which allowed Native Americans to make many of their own tools from stone.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Valentine’s Dinner at Sage Hill

Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is only 3 weeks away?!  Well, Sage Hill Antiques & Gifts and Heirloom Cuisine have joined forces and invite you to make your reservations for a special and romantic Valentine’s Dinner at the gift shop located on Commerce Street.  Beginning at 6:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres and followed by dinner at 7:30 pm, reservations are being accepted by calling 784-0535 or 907-4429.  Price is $50 person, tax and gratuity included.

 

Arabian Nights

Just a reminder that the Women’s Service League is hosting its 5th annual Taste of the Felicianas Gala at Hemingbough on Friday, February 22.  Ticket price is $50 per person in advance, and festivities will begin at 8 pm.  For further details visit www.womensserviceleague.com.

 

37th Annual Audubon Pilgrimage

Save the date for this premier event in West Feliciana . . . March 14, 15 and 16, 2008.  More information will be given in the weeks ahead, but if you’re anxious to know the details now you can visit www.audubonpilgrimage.info.  It gets better every year!

 

That’s all, folks!  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

 

Thursday, January 17, 2008

January Happenings

 

It is definitely a new Louisiana . . . a new year, a new govenor, a new perspective on the possibilities, and several new things right here in West Feliciana.

New Owners
Please join me in welcoming the new owners of the Best Western here in town.  Mr. Melton Harrell with American Motel Management is overseeing Tammy Gossett, the Mississippi/Louisiana Area Manager for American Motel, and the improvements at the hotel.  Stop by and say hello when you get a chance.

New Restaurants
You may have already tasted the soul food at Eight Sisters but if you haven't, you're in for a treat.  Open from 11 - 7 Monday through Thursday, 11 - 8 on Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 6 on Sundays, this family owned eatery offers "a soulful experience."  They are located in the former Benoit location on Commerce Street at the light.
Upper Crust Bistro is another family venture and just opened this week in the old yoga studio on Ferdinand Street.  Right now they are open from 11 until 2 every day except Wednesdays.  Future plans include dinner seatings but don't wait to try them out for lunch.

New at The Bluffs
The Bluffs Country Club will go private as of February 1.  Creekside Grille and 18, the two restaurants there, will no longer be open to the public.  Fat Mama's has also closed.  The Lodge at The Bluffs is still taking reservations for overnight visitors who will have use of the restaurants and the golf course during their stay.

Live Music
The Magnolia Cafe presents live music each Friday night beginning at 8:00.  Here's the schedule for the rest of this month:  January 18 - John Lisi and January 25 - Delta Drifters.

Louisiana Secedes
Audubon State Historic Site, Oakley Plantation, presents a Civil War encampment program, and invites the guest to view what life might have been like for those who fought in the War Between the States.  It's scheduled for this Saturday, January 19 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.  For more information, please call 635-3739.

Lost Arts Saturdays At Rosedown Plantation
Also this Saturday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues its demonstrations of the "lost arts" of the 19th century.  This month will feature the lost art of candlemaking.  For more information call 635-3110.

Avondale Antiques
Every third weekend of the month Avondale Antiques on Commerce Street is open for business.  Check them out this weekend . . . you just may find what you've been looking for.
 
Wine Dinner at Varnedoe's
On Thursday, January 24 beginning at 6:00 pm, take a "Tour Through Louisiana" at a wine dinner hosted by Varnedoe's Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles Plantation.  Each of the six courses of this meal will be paired with a wine selected by Brian Gibbons of Avenue Wines.  Reservations are required so call 635-2635.
 
Caring For Antiques
Saturday, January 26 from 10:00 am until Noon, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will host a workshop on the care and cleaning of antiques.  During the workshop, a noted authority on antiques will discuss and demonstrate the various techniques used to care for a variety of antiques. Following the demonstration, interested visitors can participate in a "hands-on" antique cleaning session.  For more information call 635-3110.
Mark Your Calendars!
We'll have more information in the following weeks but please mark your calendars for these very special events coming up in West Feliciana Parish:
Camellias in the Country, February 8 and 9, produced by the Feliciana Nature Society
A Taste of the Felicianas, 5th Annual GALA, February 22, at Hemingbough, presented by the Women's Service League and the restaurants of the Felicianas
37th Annual Audubon Pilgrimage, March 14 - 16,  and the
3rd Annual Saturday Soiree, March 15 on Royal Street, West Feliciana Historical Society
Audubon Bird Fest, April 4 - 6, Feliciana Nature Society
 
For a complete calendar, visit our website at www.stfrancisville.us.
 
That's all I have for this week.  Remember to send in your special events or good news you have to share.  And if you know of someone who'd like to be on my e-mail list, forward their address.  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