Happenings

New Year’s Eve

The BirdMan Coffee & Books will be open New Year’s Eve from 7 am until 6 pm, closed New Year’s Day, and will re-open on Saturday, January 2 from 8 am until 6 pm

 

The Carriage House Restaurant at The Myrtles Plantation will be open New Year's Eve from 11-2 for lunch and 5-9 for dinner.   The restaurant will be closed on New Year’s Day but will re-open on Saturday, January 2nd for dinner from 5-9pm.

 

Feliciana Seafood will be open throughout the New Year’s weekend at their usual hours.

 

Georges of Feliciana will also be open their regular hours throughout the New Year’s weekend.

 

Magnolia Café will be open New Year’s Eve until 4 pm; closed on New Year’s Day; and will re-open on Saturday, January 2.

 

The OxBow Restaurant is accepting reservations for New Year’s Eve at 635-6276.  They will be closed on New Year’s Day and re-open on Saturday, January 2 for lunch and dinner.

 

Sonny’s Pizza is open on New Year’s Eve, closed New Year’s Day, and open on Saturday, January 2.

 

The Blue Room will have live music on New Year’s Eve by “Styx” with party favors and champagne at midnight, all for just a $10 cover.   The Blue Room opens at 4 pm, and cover will be charged at 8 pm.  They will open again on New Year’s Day at 4 pm.

 

The Bluffs Restaurant will be closed until January 5, 2010.

 

Wing It Grill is open on New Year’s Eve, closed New Year’s Day, and open on Saturday, January 2.

 

Post Office Hours

Please remember that the St. Francisville Post Office will be open on Thursday, December 31 from 7 am until noon only.  The last scheduled mail/collection box pickup is on noon on Thursday the 31^st.  Regular hours will resume on Saturday, January 2.

 

Nature Saturday!

Those wishing for a touch of nature need only to go to Audubon State Historic Site on Saturday, January 9.  At 10 am and again at noon, visitors can participate in an Animal Discovery program which will introduce them to a few of the site’s resident creatures.  At 1:30 pm and again at 2:30 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to go on a guided nature walk around the park led by one of the site’s park rangers to discover the different plants and habitats found within the park.  There is a small admission fee charged.  For more information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Slavery in Spanish Louisiana

As part of the celebration of the Bicentennial of the West Florida Rebellion, Audubon State Historic Site presents this program on Sunday, January 10.  At noon and again at 2 pm, there will be a talk on the lives of slaves in Spanish Louisiana.  At 1 pm and at 3 pm there will be a discussion of African American traditions that came to the new world with slavery.  These programs will be held in the museum theater.  There is a small admission fee charged.  For more information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Wheels to Succeed

This nonprofit organization purchases adapted three wheeled bikes for children with physical disabilities in South Louisiana.  They are hosting their 2^nd Annual “No Such Thing As Impossible” fundraiser bike ride in St. Francisville on January 16 starting at the West Feliciana Sports Park.  There will be 10 mile, 45 mile and 72 mile rides.  For more information, call Ashley Leach at 225-923-3420 or visit www.wheelstosucceed.org.

 

Lost Arts of the Nineteenth Century

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site offers the next of its monthly series on Saturday, January 16, with the Lost Art of Candlemaking.  Visitors will hear the history of candlemaking and will be shown the two most common methods of making candles in the 19^th century – dipping and mold forming.  The presentation will be held in the Old Kitchen Outbuilding behind the Rosedown main house between 11 am and 2 pm.  Each month the interpretive staff at the site presents a “lost arts” demonstration.  Featured in February as a special program in celebration of Black History Month will be “African and Caribbean Influence on Southern Antebellum Cooking,” a down-hearth cooking demonstration.  Admission is charged.  For more information, call 225-635-3110.

 

Living History – Civil War

Those with an interest in Louisiana’s Civil War past are invited to Audubon State Historic Site for this program on Saturday, January 23.  Civil Ware re-enactors dressed in authentic reproduction costumes of the armies of both North and South will be on hand to present a look at life in Civil War Louisiana.  The day’s demonstrations, starting at 10 am and ending at 4 pm, will include drills, black powder weapon demonstrations, open hearth cooking, costume talks, camp life, and more.  There will be a small scale reenactment of the 1863 Battle of Plains Store, the battle that led to the Siege of Port Hudson, the longest siege in American History.  There is a small admission fee charged.  For more information, call 225-635-3739.

Happenings

Live Music

Magnolia Café - Friday, December 18 – Feliciana Band beginning at 7:30 pm.

The Blue Room – Friday, December 18 – Emily from 9 pm until 12 pm.  Saturday, December 19 – Karaoke from 9 pm – 12:30 pm.

 

Fa La La La La

Arts for All is hosting a Carol Sing-a-Long at BirdMan Coffee & Books on Monday, December 21, with Nancy Roppolo and special guests.  They will be collecting canned goods for the West Feliciana Food Bank as admission so bring a can or two and join the fun.  BirdMan will offer the Monday night supper as usual, and this week’s menu will be “hearty soup and grilled cheese or salad” for $7.

 

Christmas at Rosedown

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be ringing in the Christmas season on December 19 and 20, with the seventh annual “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  Throughout the weekend, visitors will see the Main House decorated in nineteenth-century style as site staff relate stories of Christmas traditions at Rosedown that were passed down through the Turnbull and Bowman families.  Each day, costumed living history presenters from around the area will be displaying numerous 19^th century crafts demonstrations and activities.  Among the demonstrations scheduled for this season’s celebration will be down-hearth cooking, candlemaking, spinning, quilting, medical arts and basket weaving.  Also featured will be period dancers, musicians and carolers.  In addition, children of all ages can enjoy hayrides and have a photo taken with “Father Christmas.”  Each day’s activities will culminate with a marshmallow roast.  As a special gift to visitors, garden admission is free, and fees for the main house are being reduced to $5 for the “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  The site will be open between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

 

Avondale Antiques

Just in time for your last minute gift finding, Avondale Antiques on Commerce Street will be open this weekend.  Hours are Friday and Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm and on Sunday from 11 am until 5 pm.

 

Post Office Hours

The St. Francisville Post Office will have special holiday hours for the upcoming holidays.  On Thursday, December 24, and again on Thursday, December 31, the Post Office will open at 7 am and close at noon.  Please note that the last scheduled mail/collection box pickup is changed to 12 noon on both those days.  Regular hours for the Post Office will resume the Saturday following each of these days.

 

Holiday Hours

If you are a tourism related business and will be closed for the holidays or will have special holiday hours, please e-mail me.  I will be putting out a special Holiday Hours Happenings on Friday of this week.  So restaurants that have special Christmas and/or New Year’s menus or require reservations, this is especially for you!  Thank you for your help in getting the word out!

 

Happenings

For ALL "Happening" this week, click here.

Ferry Is Now Open

The ferry is back operational as of noon today, Thursday, December 10.  For the status of the ferry, please visit http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/ferry/.

Angola Museum Open House

You are invited to join the LA State Penitentiary Museum staff in celebrating Christmas at the annual open house to be held on Friday, December 11^th from 10 am until 2 pm.  The theme of the day will be good food, good sales, and good fellowship!  They will also be offering a special on t-shirts of buy one, get a second one at half price, and sweatshirts with hoods are reduced from $25 to $20.

Studio Pottery Sale

Michael Miller invites you to join him at his studio in Weynoke for his Annual Pottery Sale, this weekend.  Saturday, December 12, his hours will be 10 am until dark, and on Sunday, from noon until dark.  To get to his studio, take Angola Road (hwy. 66) for 11 miles.  Turn right on Ouida Irondale Road, take the first right and follow this road – and the signs – to the studio.

Music at the Magnolia Café

Live music is offered each Friday, and the lineup for the rest of this month is:  Friday, December 11 – 5-D Band; Sunday, December 13 – The Derailers ($15 cover, 7 pm); Friday, December 18 – Feliciana Band.

Open Hearth Cooking

This Saturday, December 12, from 10 am until 4 pm, the interpretive staff at Audubon State Historic Site will be demonstrating open hearth cooking.  They will present the different methods used to prepare and cook foods in the 1800’s.  Guests will also learn the different types of foods which would have been served to the Big House during this time period.  A small admission fee is charged, and for more information, call 225-635-3739.

Old West Florida

This program at Audubon State Historic Site explores the unique and rich history of the Felicianas, from Spanish Colony to early statehood.  Activities may include black powder weapons demonstrations, costume talks, period crafts, and more.  A small admission fee is charged, and for more information, call 225-635-3739.

More Open Hearth Cooking

Rosedown State Historic Site will also be giving demonstrations of down-hearth cooking but on Saturday, December 19 from 11 am until 2 pm.  Using 19^th century recipes and reproduction cooking equipment, they will feature recipes taken from the historic Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  For more information, call 225-635-3110.

Christmas at Rosedown

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be ringing in the Christmas season on December 19 and 20, with the seventh annual “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  Throughout the weekend, visitors will see the Main House decorated in nineteenth-century style as site staff relate stories of Christmas traditions at Rosedown that were passed down through the Turnbull and Bowman families.  Each day, costumed living history presenters from around the area will be displaying numerous 19^th century crafts demonstrations and activities.  Among the demonstrations scheduled for this season’s celebration will be down-hearth cooking, candlemaking, spinning, quilting, medical arts and basket weaving.  Also featured will be period dancers, musicians and carolers.  In addition, children of all ages can enjoy hayrides and have a photo taken with “Father Christmas.”  Each day’s activities will culminate with a marshmallow roast.  As a special gift to visitors, garden admission is free, and fees for the main house are being reduced to $5 for the “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  The site will be open between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

News from our Neighbors

The 4^th Annual Ebenezer Scrooge Reindeer Race will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm in Historic Downtown Jackson on Charter Street.  Nine racing teams compete in a zany and unconventional race for trophies and “bragging rights” in the Felicianas – East Feliciana Sheriff, The District Attorney, teams from the Towns of Jackson, Clinton, Norwood, Slaughter and St. Francisville, and teams from Jackson and Clinton High Schools.  Little elves have been busy making delicious home-made goodies like pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, pound cake, brownies and sausage cheese balls for sale.  Hot chocolate and mulled apple cider will also be available.  For more information, call 225-634-7951 or visit www.jacksonlouisiana.org.

The Perfect Gift

If you have been searching for just the right gift for those special people on your Christmas list, get a gift certificate.  All of our Bed & Breakfast inns, hotel and lodge offer gift certificates.  The restaurants and gift shops have gift certificates available, too, so don’t fret about not having the right gift.  Get a gift certificate from our local businesses, and you will be appreciated all year long!

Happenings

Christmas in the Country Schedule of Events

There are so many special performances by choirs, bands, and other groups this weekend that this message would be too long if I included all of it.  I’ve given you just some of the highlights below but be sure to visit the website – www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com – for a complete listing.  You can print out the schedule from there, or visit our Information Center in the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street for a print out of the schedule.

 

Fresh Christmas Greenery

The Women’s Service League will begin their annual Fresh Wreath Sale this weekend.  Their trailer/booth is set up on Ferdinand Street right next to the library.  They will also offer pre-wrapped Plantation Country Cookbooks on sale.

Ins N Outs on Legion Street now has fresh cut Frazier Fir Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths on sale.   Poinsettias in all colors have also arrived.

 

Christmas Symphony Concert

Only the location has changed – this year the St. Francisville Symphony Association Christmas Concert will be held at Hemingbough on December 4 at 7:00pm with Dessert Reception to follow.  The brilliance of the Baton Rouge Symphony Brass and Percussion with Timothy Muffitt, Music Director, and David Toms, Conductor, is sure to bring out your holiday spirit with popular selections we all know and love!  Come and relive the joyous memories of holidays past and create a cherished new tradition.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville or at BRSO, 225-383-0500.

 

A St. Francisville Christmas Carol

The St. Francisville Transitory Theatre announces its 2009 Christmas Special Production – A St. Francisville Christmas Carol.  Director Adam Tidwell will take the classic Dickens tale and set it in a place we all know and love.  Back from a year off, James Lanius and his creative crew are ready retell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s sleepless night in typical Transitory style.  They’ve decided that 19^th century London just isn’t interesting enough!  It will be present day St. Francisville, and Ebenezer is now Ellen Ezra Scrooge. Performances are held in conjunction with the annual Christmas in the Country celebration and will be Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm and again at 7:30 pm, and again on Sunday, December 6 at 4 pm and at 7:30 pm.  Admission is $10 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors.  The play will be performed at Jackson Hall so there will be plenty of seating.  For more information, visit www.sftheatre.wordpress.com.

 

A Colonial Christmas

Experience A Colonial Christmas at Audubon State Historic Site on Saturday, December 5.  Area students are invited to the site on Friday, December 4 to experience a special version of A Colonial Christmas.  Oakley Plantation House will be trimmed in the style of the 1800s.  From 10 am until 5 pm, visitors will 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.  In addition, various hands-on craft demonstrations will be located throughout the park.   For more information, call 635-3739.

 

Christmas in the Country

This annual hometown celebration is set for the weekend of Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6.  The First Baptist Church Children’s Choir will sing on the front porch of Town Hall beginning at 5:30 pm, followed by the West Feliciana Middle School Choir singing on the front lawn at 6 pm.  They will make sure that Mayor Billy D’Aquilla doesn’t light the Town Christmas Tree too early!  After the lighting of the tree, there will be fireworks before the Mayor invites all to an open house and reception inside Town Hall where a certain man in a red suit will be there to hear some Christmas wishes.  The West Feliciana Parish Hospital will have a Balloon Release for the Relay for Life before the fireworks.  From 6 pm until 8 pm, you are invited to “Peep Into our Holiday Homes” as participating residents invite you to step up onto their porch and see their holiday decorations inside.  Don’t forget the annual Baton Rouge Symphony Concert at Hemingbough at 7 pm.  Throughout the weekend, Grace Episcopal Church and its members present an art exhibit – “Saints & Angels” in Jackson Hall with all proceeds going to the Anglican Diocese of Honduras for their mission work.  You can also check out the downtown shops for late night shopping.

 

Holiday Baking Contest

Christmas in the Country will hold a holiday baking contest this year on Saturday, December 5.  Entries must be delivered to the tent in Parker Park by 10 am, and judging is set for 11 am.  There are three categories of competition:  decorated cakes and desserts; candy and cookies; food gifts.  Awards will be given in both Adult and Student categories.  For more information, call 635-3614

 

Homegrown & Hip

That’s the theme for this year’s Christmas in the Country which continues on Saturday, December 5.  Beginning with a Prayer Breakfast at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 7:30 am, the day continues with Breakfast with St. Nick at Grace Episcopal’s Jackson Hall with three seatings – at 8 am, 9:30 am and 11 am.  The Women’s Service League urges you to make reservations by calling 202-5403.  Tickets are $6 each.  Throughout the day there will be choirs and music throughout the downtown area, and for a complete schedule, check out www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.  Parker Memorial Park will be filled with food, music and children’s activities like spacewalks, train and pony rides, games, The Main Street Band, Christmas photos and lots of food and fun.  Vendors will also be displaying and selling their homemade items such as jewelry, photographs, honey, paintings, t-shirts and much more.  All of these activities at Parker Park will be from 10 am until 4 pm.

 

Christmas Parade!

The Women’s Service League presents this fabulous children’s parade that begins at 2 pm on Saturday, December 5, and travels along Ferdinand and Commerce Streets.  This year’s theme – Homegrown & Hip – pays tribute to our local Farmers Market, its wonderful farmers and dedicated organizers.  Following the parade at 6 pm will be a Community Sing Along at the Methodist Church on Royal Street, and a Live Nativity from 6 pm until 8 pm at the First Baptist Church at the corner of Highway 10 and 61.

 

Merchants’ Specials

Here is a short list of special events that the local merchants and others have in store for this weekend:

Hillcrest on Commerce Street – Open House with refreshments, free ornament with purchase

Tattle Tales on Commerce Street – Enter a drawing for $100 gift certificate with purchase

Border Imports on Commerce Street – Open House and Sale

The Wine Parlor on Commerce Street – 10% off any bottle of wine

Sage Hill on Commerce Street – Complimentary refreshments, free gift wrap with purchase

Birdman Coffee & Books on Commerce Street – Arts Market, Face Paining and Children’s activities

Bohemianville Antiques on Commerce Street – Open House and refreshments

Magnolia Café – Friday night music by Signs; Saturday night music by Joe Hall & the LA Cane Cutters

Backwoods Gallery on Ferdinand Street – Open House

Toni Ladnier CPA & Photography on Ferdinand Street – Open House with appetizers, desserts

St. Francis Arts & Antiques on Ferdinand Street – Open House

Miller on Main – Open House

Belle Glen Traditions on Ferdinand Street – Special Clearance Sale

The Shanty Too on Ferdinand Street – Open House

Harrington Gallery on Royal Street – Holiday Exhibit

Grandmothers Buttons on Royal Street – Discontinued Jewelry Sale until dark

Ridgecrest on Myrtles Lane – “Fear No Art” showcasing 12 local artists on Sunday only, noon – 5pm

 

Candlelight Tour at Oakley

As an added feature of A Colonial Christmas on Saturday, December 5 at Audubon State Historic Site, candlelight tours of Oakley House will be given from 6 pm until 8 pm.  During the tour, traditional holiday snacks such as roasted chestnuts, fig puddings and wassail will be served.  There is a $2 adult admission fee with children 12 and under and senior citizens (62 and older) admitted free.

 

Christmas Tour of Homes

This tour of contemporary homes in West Feliciana Parish will be held on Sunday, December 6 from noon until 5 pm.  Tickets are $15 and will be on sale at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum and at the Women’s Service League Fresh Wreaths booth on Ferdinand Street.  Homes on tour this year include the homes of Richard and Judy Campbell on Sweetwood Hollow in The Bluffs; Chuck and Heather Walters in Audubon Hills; Mike and Julie Bordelon on Plantation Drive in Plantation Ridge; and Mark Sigler on Hwy. 966 in Starhill.

 

Christmas at Rosedown

And for those who don’t get enough of the Christmas spirit this weekend, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be ringing in the Christmas season on December 19 and 20, with the seventh annual “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  Throughout the weekend, visitors will see the Main House decorated in nineteenth-century style as site staff relate stories of Christmas traditions at Rosedown that were passed down through the Turnbull and Bowman families.  Each day, costumed living history presenters from around the area will be displaying numerous 19^th century crafts demonstrations and activities.  Among the demonstrations scheduled for this season’s celebration will be down-hearth cooking, candlemaking, spinning, quilting, medical arts and basket weaving.  Also featured will be period dancers, musicians and carolers.  In addition, children of all ages can enjoy hayrides and have a photo taken with “Father Christmas.”  Each day’s activities will culminate with a marshmallow roast.  As a special gift to visitors, garden admission is free, and fees for the main house are being reduced to $5 for the “Christmas at Rosedown” event.  The site will be open between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

 

News from our Neighbors

Our friends in East Feliciana have holiday events planned, too, and would like to invite us.  On Sunday, December 6, from 1 pm until 5 pm, the Annual Wreath Making will be held at Feliciana Cellars Winery.  The vines are harvested from two vineyards in Jackson and are provided for you.  The winery is open for tasting and tours daily.  For more information, please call 225-634-7982.

The 4^th Annual Ebenezer Scrooge Reindeer Race will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 3 pm in Historic Downtown Jackson on Charter Street.  Nine racing teams compete in a zany and unconventional race for trophies and “bragging rights” in the Felicianas – East Feliciana Sheriff, The District Attorney, teams from the Towns of Jackson, Clinton, Norwood, Slaughter and St. Francisville, and teams from Jackson and Clinton High Schools.  Little elves have been busy making delicious home-made goodies like pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, pound cake, brownies and sausage cheese balls for sale.  Hot chocolate and mulled apple cider will also be available.  For more information, call 225-634-7951 or visit www.jacksonlouisiana.org.