Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Happenings

Farmer’s Market

I bet that all this rain has those vegetables and fruits growing like crazy!  Our local farmers are still selling their produce every Thursday from noon until 5 pm at the old 4-H barn on Wilcox Road behind Audubon’s Café.

 

Upcoming Music at The BirdMan

At the July 27th Blue Monday Supper, Clay Parker will perform.  This young man plays in the “Mosspickers” with Patrick Sylvest and comes highly recommended.  There will be no music or supper on August 10 as there is an Arts For All board members workshop.  Music returns on August 17 with Steve Judice; August 24 is Nancy Roppolo’s songwriter’s night; and ending out the month on August 31, Nancy Roppolo returns with the Bryant girls!

 

Golfing Returns to The Bluffs

The Bluffs Golf Course will be officially re-opened on Saturday, August 1, but golfers who can’t wait until then are already allowed to play.  While the phone line to the Pro Shop should be connected today or tomorrow, golfers wanting to set up tee times can call Mike Holley at 721-7176 or Gerald Bates at 245-2669.  Green fees for non-members are $65 Friday through Sunday (cart included) and $50 Tuesday through Thursday (cart included.)  If playing with a member the fees are reduced to $50 and $40, respectively.

 

pARTy in the Ville

Here’s something new that is being held at Sage Hill Gift Shop’s meeting room:  Time to wine down and mix and mingle. Bring your favorite beverage and create a picture with a local artist. He/she will show you step-by-step how to make a masterpiece that you will take home at the end of the evening. All supplies will be provided, so come prepared to experience an outing of ART, Food, and Fun. The cost is $35.00. There is limited seating, so make your reservations now for the Summer Series by emailing pARTyintheVille@gmail.com.   Sage Hill will remain open late to give you the opportunity to browse and shop.  The next in the Summer Series is scheduled for Thursday, July 30th with our very own David Norwood as the featured artist; and Thursday, August 6th with Donna Kilbourne as the featured artist.  There is also a Fall Series planned!

 

Live Music at The Mag

On Friday nights, the Magnolia Café offers live music on the screened porch starting around 7 pm.  The lineup for the rest of this month is:  Friday, July 24 – Gary Bello; Friday, July 31 – Delta Drifters

 

Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

This annual event is always a great summer outing, and how could it not be?  These tiny creatures are so colorful and enchanting, and to see them this close is fascinating.  This weekend the Feliciana Nature Society will host a reception on Friday evening, July 24, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site begins the festival, with wine and cheese offered at 6 pm, followed at 6:45 pm with Mr. Bob Loudon presenting a program on the hummingbirds of Ecuador.  Admission for this is $10.  The festival will continue on Saturday, July 25.  From 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., hummingbird biologists Linda Beall and Nancy Newfield will capture and band birds at two private gardens in the St. Francisville area.  Visitors will have the opportunity to observe hummingbirds up close as they are weighed and measured.  In addition, vendors will be at both homes with hummingbird-attractive plants available for sale.  The gardens include the home of Carlisle Rogillio at 15736 Tunica Trace (Hwy. 66) and Murrell Butler at 9485 Oak Hill Road.  A $5 fee covers admission to both gardens. For more information, check out www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

From Sheep to Shawl

This program takes you from the farm to your shoulders.  On Saturday, July 25 from 10 am until 4 pm, Audubon State Historic Site invites visitors to experience how clothing was created on the plantation.  From wool and cotton, to thread, to fabric, and then finally to the seamstress; guests are welcomed to observe carding, spinning, weaving, a dyeing demonstration and more.   For more information call toll free 888-677-2838 or 635-3739 locally.

 

Did You Know?

The summer series of living history programs continues at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site with the popular “Did You Know” series scheduled for Saturday, August 1.  “Women in American History” introduces the most influential women in American history, focusing on what these women accomplished and what they had to endure to reach their personal and professional goals.  Interpretive Ranger Sasha Trana will present this program between 11 am and 2 pm in the Rosedown Conference Room.  For more information, call 225-635-3110.

 

The Great Outdoors

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site offers a whole range of nature programs throughout the day on Saturday, August 1.  Beginning at 10 am, the one-hour program Ecosystem of Audubon State Historic Site invites guests to explore the nature around the park and learn about how the different habitats and creatures interact with each other.    The Tree Identification Walk begins at 11 am and focuses on a more specific aspect of nature, allowing guests to Audubon SHS the chance to learn about the forest that surrounds them.  At 1 pm and again at 3 pm, the Guided Nature Hike, a short hiking tour of the site, focuses on the naturally forested area surrounding the plantation home as well as the original paths which John James Audubon would have used during his stay at Oakley in 1821 while allowing the guests a chance to observe the natural beauty which surrounds the home.  The last in the series this day will be at 2 pm, the Plants and Animals of Oakley.  There will be hands on animal demonstrations as well as introductions to the plants that one should be most aware of when hiking the grounds at Audubon SHS.  For more information on all these programs, call them at 635-3739 or toll free at 888-677-2838.

 

Garden Talk

On Sunday, August 2 at 10:30 am, Audubon State Historic site offers this program introducing the different plants found in the gardens of Audubon SHS.  The talk will cover the history and origins of the plants as well as their uses, both modern and historic.  For more information, call 635-3739.

 

Slave Life on the Plantation

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site offers a series of programs on Sunday, August 2, focusing on the daily lives of the slaves who worked and lived at Oakley.  Beginning at noon, Life in a Slave Cabin allows guests to have a better understanding about what life was like for slaves on a plantation.  This hour long program is held in one of the original slave cabins, and will cover family life and customs, as well as discussing housing accommodations, rations, and other things.  At 1:30 pm, guests are invited to observe the types of cooking used by slaves for themselves in Cooking in Slave Cabin Row.  The program discusses not only what slaves ate and how they cooked it, but also the differences between their meals and that of the owner of the plantation.  Ending this series of programs will be Plantation Crafts at 3 pm.  This hour long program invites the guests to observe one of the many period handcrafts which would have been done by a slave on a plantation.  These crafts would be some of the same skills from which the plantation itself would have been built.  For more information on these historical programs, call 635-3739 or toll free 888-677-2838.

 

Open Hearth Cooking

A cooking demonstration on the open hearth at Audubon State Historic Site is set for Saturday, August 8 from 10 am until 4 pm.  See the different methods used to prepare and cook foods in the 1800’s, and learn the different types of foods which would have been served to the Big House during this time period.  For more information, call 635-3739.

 

Old West Florida

As we prepare to celebrate in 2010 the Bicentennial of the Republic of West Florida, the folks at Audubon State Historic Site offer this program which explores the unique and rich history of the Felicianas, from Spanish colony to early statehood.  Scheduled for Sunday, August 9 from noon until 4 pm, activities may include black powder weapons demonstrations, costume talks, period crafts, and more.  For more information, call 635-3739.

 

We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues its “Lost Arts” programs with Ice Cream Making on Saturday, August 15 from 11 am until 3pm.   Yummy!  For more information, call 635-3110.

 

White Linen Night

The St. Francisville Downtown Merchants will again host White Linen Night.  On Saturday, August 22 beginning at 5 pm, shop, eat and unwind with music, art and refreshments.   More information later but save the date because you don’t want to miss out on all the fun! 

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Happenings

Farmers’ Market

While you’ve been inside enjoying the air conditioning, our local farmers have been toiling and sweating in their gardens to bring you fresh vegetables and fruits.  The Farmers’ Market is held each Thursday from noon until 5 pm at the old 4-H barn on Wilcox Road.

 

Live Music at The Mag

On Friday nights, the Magnolia Café offers live music on the screened porch starting around 7 pm.  The lineup for the rest of this month are:

Friday, July 17 – Late Evening; Friday, July 24 – Gary Bello; Friday, July 31 – Delta Drifters

 

Avondale Antiques

This weekend will be the third weekend of this month so Avondale Antiques will be open from Friday through Sunday.  They are located on Commerce Street.

 

Toymaking and Games

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues its “Lost Arts” programs on Saturday, July 18 from 11 am until 3 pm.  Children of all ages are invited to enjoy demonstrations of the toys and games that would have entertained the families of the 19th century.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

This event is one of the more popular events held in West Feliciana Parish.  The Feliciana Nature Society will hold this year’s celebration of hummingbirds on Friday, July 24 and Saturday July 25.  A reception on Friday evening, July 24, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site begins the festival, with wine and cheese offered at 6 pm, followed at 6:45 pm with Mr. Bob Loudon presenting a program on the hummingbirds of Ecuador.  Admission for this is $10.  The festival will continue on Saturday, July 25.  From 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., hummingbird biologists Linda Beall and Nancy Newfield will capture and band birds at two private gardens in the St. Francisville area.  Visitors will have the opportunity to observe hummingbirds up close as they are weighed and measured.  In addition, vendors will be at both homes with hummingbird-attractive plants available for sale.  The gardens include the home of Carlisle Rogillio at 15736 Tunica Trace (Hwy. 66) and Murrell Butler at 9485 Oak Hill Road.  A $5 fee covers admission to both gardens. For more information, check out www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

From Sheep to Shawl

On Saturday, July 25 from 10 am until 4 pm, Audubon State Historic Site invites visitors to experience how clothing was created on the plantation.  From wool and cotton, to thread, to fabric, and then finally to the seamstress; guests are welcomed to observe carding, spinning, weaving, a dyeing demonstration and more.   For more information call toll free 888-677-2838 or 635-3739 locally.

 

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Happenings

News from The Bluffs

Plans are now being made to open The Bluffs Golf Course to its members and to non-members.  The Bluffs Advisory Board will be meeting soon to work out the details that will also include opening a small restaurant/café in the old turnhouse.  Stay tuned as more information is made available.

 

Watermelon Season

The Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday from noon until 5 pm at the old 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street.  The watermelons are sweet and juicy; the honey is straight from the honeycombs here in the area; the corn was in the field this morning; and the tomatoes are still warm from ripening in the sun.  There is so much more but you’ll have to go out and see for yourself.  Try some homemade goodness this week!

 

Open Hearth Cooking

A cooking demonstration on the open hearth at the Oakley House at Audubon State Historic Site is planned for Saturday, July 11, from 10 am until 4 pm.  Guests will learn about the different methods used to prepare and cook food in the 1800s, and also learn the different types of foods which would have been served to the Big House during this time period.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739, locally.

 

Old West Florida

This program at Audubon State Historic Site invites the visitor to explore the unique and rich history of the Felicianas, from Spanish colony to early statehood.  On Sunday, July 12, from noon until 4 pm, activities may include black powder weapons demonstrations, costume talks, period crafts, and more!  Further information may be found by calling the site at 635-3739.

 

Toymaking and Games

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues its “Lost Arts” programs on Saturday, July 18 from 11 am until 3 pm.  Children of all ages are invited to enjoy demonstrations of the toys and games that would have entertained the families of the 19th century.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

Don’t forget that the Feliciana Nature Society will hold this annual celebration of hummingbirds on Friday, July 24 and Saturday July 25.  The festival will begin with a reception on Friday evening, July 24, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site with wine and cheese at 6 pm, followed at 6:45 pm by a speaker with a short program on the tiny birds.  Admission for this is $10.  Continuing on Saturday, July 25, from 7 am until 3 pm, hummingbird biologists Linda Beall and Nancy Newfield will capture and band birds at two private gardens in the St. Francisville area.  The gardens include the home of Carlisle Rogillio in the Tunica Trace and Murrell Butler’s Oak Hill.  Hummingbird-friendly plants as well as crafts and birding optics will also be available for sale.  A $5 fee covers admission to both gardens.  For more information, check out www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

From Sheep to Shawl

On Saturday, July 25 from 10 am until 4 pm, Audubon State Historic Site invites visitors to experience how clothing was created on the plantation.  From wool and cotton, to thread, to fabric, and then finally to the seamstress; guests are welcomed to observe carding, spinning, weaving, a dyeing demonstration and more.   For more information call toll free 888-677-2838 or 635-3739 locally.

 

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Happenings

Breaking News

Pam Breaux, Secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, reports that all of our State Historic Sites will continue to operate 7 days a week.  Budget cuts had forced the decision to only operate them for two days per week, but last minute amendments to the State’s budget gave the funding needed to keep the 17 sites around the State open.  Thank you to all of our legislators and the governor for realizing the economic impact these sites have on the communities in which they are located.

 

Farmers Market

Don’t forget to get all your fresh vegetables for your holiday cookout at the Farmers Market.  It’s open Thursdays from noon until 5 pm.

 

Main Street’s Poppin’!

There is no need to travel to enjoy Independence Day because the St. Francisville Main Street Program has special events going on all day Saturday.  The Main Street Merchants are planning a shopping event, and participating shops will be flying the Stars and Stripes.  Each will have sidewalk sales and will participate in the Shopping Flag Pull.  The Flag Pull works like this:  each participating store will have 10 small flags stuck in a sand bucket, each with a different color tip.  At the time of your purchase, pull a flag to see if you’ve just won 5%, 10% or 15% off your purchase OR a special gift.  Sale items are excluded from the Flag Pull.  For more information, call Laurie Walsh at 635-3873 or visit www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.

 

Annual Pie Baking Contest

This annual Independence Day event benefits the Julius Freyhan Foundation.  If you want to enter your best pie, it must be delivered to the BirdMan Coffee & Books by 12:30 pm on July 4th.  Judging is at 1 pm, and the pies will be sold following the judging with all proceeds going to the foundation to help restore the Julius Freyhan School.

 

Fireworks!

Hot dogs, drinks, music and fireworks will be poppin’ at the Town Ball Park on Burnett Road.  As night falls, the Laughing Lizards will play patriotic music, banjo style, and the American Legion will have food and drinks.  And as always, the Town of St. Francisville will provide a fabulous fireworks show!

 

New Artist Exhibit

In conjunction with all the festivities surrounding our celebrating the birth of this great country, a new artist exhibit opens at The BirdMan Coffee & Books between 3pm and 5 pm.  “Birds” is by the artists from the Charter Street Studio.

 

Ecosystem of Audubon

On Saturday, July 4, at 10 am, Audubon State Historic Site presents this one-hour program which focuses on one of the many ecosystems found at Audubon SHS.  Guests will be invited to explore the nature around the park, and learn about how the different habitats and creatures interact with each other. For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Did You Know: Hunting Practices

Also on Saturday, July 4, from 11 am – 2 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site features their "Did You Know" series of programs which focuses on different facets of life in the past that are not well-known in today's societies.  For this program, hunting practices will be discussed, as well as why hunting was important to 18th- and 19th-century life.  Also included will be demonstrations of some of the tools of hunting from the sling shot to the modern gun.  For more information call 888-376-1867 toll free or 653-3110 locally.

 

Tree Identification Walk

Audubon State Historic Site presents this program focusing on a more specific aspect of nature, and allowing guests to Audubon SHS the chance to learn about the forest that surrounds them.  Set for Saturday, July 4 at 11 am, the identification walk covers the park and discusses many of the important and significant trees found here.  An admission fee is charged.  For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Guided Nature Walk

Following the Tree Identification Walk at Audubon State Historic Site, July 4 at both 1pm and 3 pm, this short hiking tour focuses on the naturally forested area surrounding the plantation home, as well as the original paths, which John James Audubon would have used during his stay at Oakley in 1821. The program allows guests a chance to observe the natural beauty, which surrounds the home.  For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Oakley's Plants and Animals

The interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site will be busy on July 4, as this program begins at  2 pm. Guests are invited to interact with the animal and plant life surrounding Audubon SHS.  There will be hands-on animal demonstrations, as well as introductions to the plants to watch for when hiking through the forest and specifically in the area of the site.  For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739 locally.

 

Garden Talk

On Sunday, July 5 at 10:30 am, the staff at Audubon State Historic Site presents Garden Talk.  This program introduces the different plants found in the gardens of Audubon SHS.  The talk covers the history and origin of the plants as well as their uses both modern and historic. An admission fee is charged.  For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Life in a Slave Cabin

Also on Sunday, July 5, at noon, this hour long program is held at Audubon SHS's original slave cabins and allows guests to have a better understanding about what life was like for slaves on a plantation.  This program covers family life and customs as well as discussing housing accommodations, rations, etc.  An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Cooking in Slave Cabin Row

Following the Life in a Slave Cabin program, this program at 1:30 pm invites guests to Audubon SHS to observe the types of cooking used by slaves for themselves.  The program discusses not only what slaves ate and how they cooked it, but also the differences between their meals and that of the owner of the plantation.  An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Slave Crafts

Ending the fascinating and education series on slaves at Audubon State Historic Site, this hour long program begins at 3 pm and invites the guests to observe one of the many period handcrafts, which would have been done by a slave on a plantation.  These crafts would be some of the same skills from which the plantation itself would have been built.  An admission fee is charged. For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Open Hearth Cooking

A cooking demonstration on the open hearth at the Oakley House at Audubon State Historic Site is planned for Saturday, July 11, from 10 am until 4 pm.  Guests will learn about the different methods used to prepare and cook food in the 1800s, and also learn the different types of foods which would have been served to the Big House during this time period.  For more information, call 888-677-2838 or 635-3739, locally.

 

Old West Florida

This program at Audubon State Historic Site invites the visitor to explore the unique and rich history of the Felicianas, from Spanish colony to early statehood.  On Sunday, July 12, from noon until 4 pm, activities may include black powder weapons demonstrations, costume talks, period crafts, and more!  Further information may be found by calling the site at 635-3739.

 

Toymaking and Games

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues its “Lost Arts” programs on Saturday, July 18 from 11 am until 3 pm.  Children of all ages are invited to enjoy demonstrations of the toys and games that would have entertained the families of the 19th century.  For more information, call 888-376-1867 toll free or 635-3110 locally.

 

Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

The Feliciana Nature Society will hold this annual celebration of hummingbirds on Friday, July 24 and Saturday July 25.    The festival will begin with a reception on Friday evening, July 24, at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site with wine and cheese at 6 pm, followed at 6:45 pm by a speaker with a short program on the tiny birds.  Admission for this is $10.  Continuing on Saturday, July 25, from 7 am until 3 pm, hummingbird biologists Linda Beall and Nancy Newfield will capture and band birds at two private gardens in the St. Francisville area.  The gardens include the home of Carlisle Rogillio in the Tunica Trace and Murrell Butler’s Oak Hill.  Hummingbird-friendly plants as well as crafts and birding optics will also be available for sale.  A $5 fee covers admission to both gardens.  For more information, check out www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

From Sheep to Shawl

On Saturday, July 25 from 10 am until 4 pm, Audubon State Historic Site invites visitors to experience how clothing was created on the plantation.  From wool and cotton, to thread, to fabric, and then finally to the seamstress; guests are welcomed to observe carding, spinning, weaving, a dyeing demonstration and more.   For more information call toll free 888-677-2838 or 635-3739 locally.

 

 

 

Kitty Martin, LCTP

Executive Director

West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission

St. Francisville, LA

800-789-4221 or 225-635-4224

www.stfrancisville.us