Happenings

Lucky Friday the 13^th

No, I am not superstitious though I have to admit that I do knock on wood and throw salt over my shoulder.  However, I don’t mind walking under ladders, and black cats can cross my path without phasing me.  Others will have luck this Friday the 13^th at the Bayou Sara Auction Depot.  At 6:30 pm the auction begins but you can bet a preview of the merchandise by visiting www.bayou-action.com.  This auction will include estate antiques and home furnishings.  For even more information, call 635-4046.

 

Feel Like Dancing?

Every Friday night the Magnolia Café presents live music for your listening and dancing pleasure.  On Friday, February 13 it’s the Will Westley Band; Friday, February 20, the Feliciana Band; and on Friday, February 27, it’s The Delta Drifters.  Music begins around 7 o’clock pm.

 

Love is in the Air

This Saturday is Cupid’s time to shine.  If you still haven’t gotten your loved one that special gift for Valentine’s Day, you aren’t too late.  Our local gift shops have lots to choose from, including a card that says just what you wish you could!

 

Valentine’s Dining

Wow!  Our local restaurants are cooking up something special for Saturday night!  Ashleigh and Kane over at the Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles have a very special menu that includes a complimentary glass of wine or champagne with each entrée.  The menu looks delicious so give them a call at 635-6278.  Reservations are available for a main seating at 5:30/6 pm or the late seating at 7:30/8 pm.  Ken and Phil at The OxBow Restaurant have prepared a special menu for Valentine’s Day as well as their renowned Louisiana cuisine.  For reservations give them a call at 635-6276.

 

Really Win Her Heart!

Here’s a great idea:  treat her (or him!) to a night away from home.  There are still some vacancies at our overnight accommodations this weekend and what would be better than breakfast in bed for your sweetheart?!  Better yet, get an early start and reserve a room for Thursday night!  Then you can go dancing on Friday night and dine out on Saturday night.  Who says you have to go out of town to have a great time?!

 

Senator Vitter Comes to Town

US Senator David Vitter will hold a town hall meeting on Monday, February 16 from 1 pm until 2 pm at the West Feliciana Middle School Library.  You are invited to discuss improving our economy, growing good jobs in Louisiana, increasing access to healthcare, fighting crime, and other kee issues for Louisiana families.  For more information, call 383-0331.

 

Camping Out Civil War Style

They may be dodging rain showers on Friday but the historical re-enactors who will be camping out this weekend, February 13 -15, at Rosedown State Historic Site will not have to face what the actual soldiers did in the 1860’s.  During the Civil War, Union Soldiers occupied the grounds at Rosedown and also ravaged the house for supplies and luxuries.  On this particular weekend, the 7^th Louisiana will set up camp at Rosedown, perform drills, cook, play music, sew and all other sorts of things.  Visitors will have the opportunity to observe what a soldier’s life was like on an occupied plantation during the war and also see how the Turnbull-Bowman family endured the period of Union occupation on their plantation.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 or 635-3110.

 

Victorian Lady’s Workshop

On the other end of the spectrum, Audubon State Historic Site will feature this program on Friday, February 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm.  A Victorian Lady’s Workshop will present the crafts that a typical lady of Victorian times might have learned through tutors, teachers or life experience.  Included in the class will be an introductory presentation on the Victorian lady, then classes on tatting, potpourri making and sachet making.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739.

 

Celebrating Black History

This great country is a melting pot of different races and cultures, and each has contributed greatly to the life we enjoy today.  In recognition of Black History Month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will present a special historic down-hearth cooking demonstration on Saturday, February 21.  African and Caribbean Influence in Southern Antebellum Cooking will be conducted in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen with Interpretive Ranger Sasha Trana preparing a selection of dishes whose development can be traced back to African and Caribbean beginnings.  She will discuss the development of each recipe and show how southern antebellum cooking was strongly influenced by enslaved African and Caribbean workers throughout the South.  These influences are still seen in today’s southern cuisine!  The demonstration will take place between 11 am and 3 pm, and visitors to the kitchen will receive a printed brochure containing recipes for several of the selected dishes.  For more information, call 635-3110.

 

Readers and Writers

February 28 is the day to celebrate those whose works record our history and tell us stories to both amuse and educate us.  The West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library will host the third annual symposium that recognizes outstanding regional authors and provides a forum for discussion of their works.  For a list of this year’s writers and to make your reservation, call the library at 635-3364.

 

Native American Celebration

It’s called a PowWow, and the first ever of its kind here in the Felicianas will be celebrated on Saturday, February 28 from 10 am until 6 pm at the Republic of West Florida Historical Association Pavilion in Jackson.  There are so many unique and interesting features within this celebration – traditional dances, crafts such as jewelry, beading looms, ladies’ shawls, feathers, blankets, bows & arrows, moccasins and so much more.  Foods such as machu corn, Indian tacos and fry bread.  Storytelling and demonstrations . . . all for a small admission fee of $5 for adults and $3 for children.  For more information contact Dr. Susan Dardard at 635-4555 or by e-mailing DrSusan@DrSusanDardard.com.

 

Upcoming Events

March signals the beginning of spring and with that the opening of Afton Villa Gardens on March 1.  Enjoying the outdoors the annual Rouge Roubaix bike race will be held the weekend of March 7 and 8.  And the granddaddy of them all, here comes the annual Audubon Pilgrimage.  Now in its 38^th year, this signature event brings thousands of visitors to our Parish on the third weekend in March – this year it’s the 20, 21 and 22.  Azaleas will be blooming soon!