Happenings

Live Music at The Mag

Voted by readers of Country Roads as Favorite Musicians, The Delta Drifters perform tonight at Magnolia Café, another winner in the category of Favorite Small Town Dining Destination.  Music starts around 7 pm.

 

New Exhibit at BirdMan

Photographer Jill Moore has an exhibit of work called “everyday” now in BirdMan.  You will see people you recognize!  Also at the Birdman, Barry Galloway has new pottery featured, and Lynn says it is really beautiful, decorated with fleur de lis and Saints designs!

 

Star Hill Half Marathon

Don’t forget that this Saturday, January 30, Rocket Racing will hold a half marathon race as well as a 4-mile race here in West Feliciana parish.  Event organizers say all proceeds from these events benefit charities such as Rocketkidz Foundation, a non-profit hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation which in turn funds local programs that promote childhood fitness and positive experiences through physical activities such as Rouge Runners, Girls on the Run, Wheels to Succeed, Booster Rocket Program, and BREC Summer Camp Scholarships.  The races will begin at The Bluffs, to Freeland Road, down Highway 966 to Hwy. 61 and then back again.  So if you happen to be out running errands on that Saturday, watch out for the bikers and runners.  For more information, visit www.starhillhalf.com.

 

Book Signing

Heminbough will be the site of a presentation and book signing by Leo Honeycutt, author of Edwin Edwards, Governor of Louisiana, An Authorized Biography.  The event takes place on Sunday, January 31 from 2 pm until 4 pm, and is hosted by Arlin Dease, Duane Ulkins, Owen Couhig Kemp and Gaye Landry.  For details call 225-784-2000.

 

Monday Supper

The BirdMan’s Monday Night Supper will feature music by John Craigie and Patrick Cooper.  From California, they were here last year around this time, and Lynn says they are great!!  You can check John’s music out at   www.myspace.com/johncraigie.  Supper to be announced!!!  Send any requests to Lynn at birdmancoffee@bellsouth.net.

 

Happy at The Carriage House

Ashleigh at The Carriage House wants to let us all know that happy hour is celebrated Monday through Thursday from 5pm until 6pm with 2 for 1 House Wine and Wells.  She also has some really great specials --  

All U Can Eat Fried Catfish every MONDAY night for only $14.99; and All U Can Eat Fried Jumbo Shrimp every WEDNESDAY night for just $16.99.  The Carriage House Restaurant is located on the grounds of The Myrtles Plantation.

 

Camellias in the Country

Wow!  This year the Feliciana Nature Society has outdone themselves as this event keeps getting better and better.  It all starts on Thursday, February 4 with pARTy in the Ville.  This popular night of art, cocktails, appetizers, and fun at Sage Hill Antiques and Gifts will feature native artist Elizabeth Leake Mackey.  She will guide participants through the steps of painting their own camellia masterpiece.   The cost is $35 per person.  Reservations can be made by calling 225 635-6596 or to sylvialeake@gmail.com.

 

On Friday evening, February 5, at the historic Market Hall on Royal Street in St. Francisville, the Feliciana Nature Society will host local historian and author Anne Butler as she speaks on the history of camellias in the West Florida Republic.  Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a wine and cheese reception, followed at 6:30 by Anne Butler’s program.  And as an added bonus, a representative from Chef John Folse and Company will be selling a new batch of Camellia Wine for only $20 a bottle.

 

The program will continue on Saturday, February 6, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at the visitor center at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.  The morning session will feature Darrell Chitty who will lead a seminar on camellia photography.  Lunch at Audubon Café will be followed by an extensive walking tour of Rosedown’s historic gardens where participants can practice their photography skills while viewing some of the best heirloom and contemporary varieties of camellias on the grounds.  Participants are advised to bring a camera.

 

A $25 registration fee covers the Anne Butler reception and lecture on Friday night as well as the Saturday photography program and lunch.  Admission for the Friday reception only is $10.  Proceeds benefit projects of the Feliciana Nature Society.  For reservations and more information call the Feliciana Nature Society at 1-800-488-6502.

 

Art View

On Sunday, February 28, Arts for All will host an art show from 2 pm until 4 pm at Old Market Hall on Royal Street.   Art View will feature the work of artists captured in Kathryn Ward’s recent articles published in the St. Francisville Democrat.  Everyone is invited and light refreshments will be served.

 

Taste of the Felicianas Gala

The Women’s Service League of St. Francisville will host its Seventh Annual Taste of the Felicianas Gala on Friday, February 26, 2010 at Hemingbough Convention Center.  This year’s theme, “A Mystical Night in Black and White,” promises endless possibilities for an exciting and fun filled night.  Festivities begin at 7:30 pm and tickets are $60 in advance or $75 at the door.  Ticket prices include our scrumptious all-you-can-eat tasting from area restaurants and caterers, live music by Bits & Pieces, an exceptional silent auction, and other delightful surprises.  A wine pull and cash bar will also be available.  Proceeds from this event support local philanthropies.  For further details and ticket purchasing information, visit www.wslgala.com.

 

Celebration of Readers and Writers Symposium

The West Feliciana Library and The Friends of the Library of West Feliciana Parish have announced its panel of speakers for the February 27 Celebration of Writers and Readers Symposium.  They are poet Ava Haymon, journalist and columnist, Rheta Grimsley Johnson, and novelists Malcolm K. Shuman and Erica Spindler. Closing the program in his own inimitable style will be literary critic and historian, Charles Elliott.  The event will be held at The Oxbow Restaurant in St. Francisville from 8:30 AM until 2:00 PM.  Lunch is included in the day’s agenda of speakers, book signings, Q & A, and critiques.  For more information and to make a reservation, call 225-635-3364.

 

Our Favorite Things

As noted above, Country Roads held a survey of its readers asking for a few of their favorite things.  It was no surprise to us that many of OUR favorite things from right here in West Feliciana and St. Francisville were among the top for others as well.  And the survey said:

Favorite Place to Take a Visitor – The Myrtles.  Best of the Rest – Town of St. Francisville, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.

Favorite Weekend Away – St. Francisville

Favorite Main Street – St. Francisville

Favorite Regional Dish – Best of the Rest – Chicken & Dumplings, Eight Sisters

Favorite Local Chef – Best of the Rest – Martha Haynes, Eight Sisters

Favorite Small Town Dining Destination – Magnolia Café.  Best of the Rest – The BirdMan Coffee & Books, Eight Sisters

Favorite Local Artist – C.C. Lockwood.  Best of the Rest – Murrell Butler

Favorite Museum or Cultural Site – Best of the Rest – Audubon State Historic Site, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery

Favorite Musicians – The Delta Drifters, Fugitive Poets

Favorite Venues – Magnolia Café

Favorite Place to Commune with Nature – Tunica Hills/Clark Creek

Favorite Annual Event – Best of the Rest – Angola Rodeo

Favorite Hostess Gift – Best of the Rest – Grandmother’s Buttons Jewelry

Favorite Local Gift Shop – Grandmother’s Buttons

 

Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up!