Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Happenings

A Mystical Night

That’s what the Women’s Service League of St. Francisville is offering this Friday, February 26, as the present the Seventh Annual Taste of the Felicianas Gala at Hemingbough Convention Center.  It all begins at 7:30 pm with an all-you-can-eat tasting from area restaurants and caterers.  Bits & Pieces will be playing your favorite dance music, and then you can rest and bid on some great items in the silent auction.  A wine pull and cash bar will also be available.  Tickets are $60 in advance or $75 at the door, and all proceeds go to support local philanthropies of the WSL.  For further details and ticket purchasing information, visit www.wslgala.com.

 

At The Mag

Music this Friday at The Magnolia Café is by our favorite local band, The Delta Drifters.

 

Sold Out

The Readers and Writers Symposium sponsored by the Friends of the Library will be held this Saturday, February 27, but if you didn’t already reserve your spot, you missed out this year.  Congratulations to the Friends for putting on another great program that is completely sold out!  Look for information on this event to be held at the end of February again next year.

 

View Art at Art View

St. Francisville Arts for All is presenting a special exhibition on Sunday, February 28, from 2 pm until 4 pm, at Old Market Hall on Royal Street honoring the artists profiled in the St. Francisville Democrat’s Art View Column in articles written by Kathryn Ward and Anne Butler.  Come out and visit with these artists and see their wonderful artistic creations:  Marjorie Blake, Carolyn Bunch, Murrell Butler, Elizabeth Denton, Marion Drennen, Herschel Harrington, Laura Lindsey, Michael Miller, Jill Moore, Craig Roth, Nancy Rothschild, Dahn Savell, Joe Savell, Coco Treppendahl, and Leesa Widajewski.

 

Book Signing

There are so many talented people in St. Francisville and West Feliciana.  The artists mentioned above are a testament to that, but we also have many published authors living here.  The newest member of that group is Dr. Glen Dupree, DVM, who will be signing copies of his newly published work entitled, Homeopathy in Organic Livestock Productions.  Dr. Glen will be at the St. Francisville Inn on Commerce Street on Sunday, February 28, from 1 pm until 3 pm.

 

Easter Egg Hun!!!t

On Saturday, March 13, area children and their parents are invited to spend a day at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site celebrating spring with a Nineteenth-Century Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of the plantation.  Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña will greet participants and lead the Easter Egg Hunt, which will begin promptly at 1 pm, with participants meeting in the carriage court in front of the plantation Main House.  Prizes will be awarded to the children finding the special “Rosedown” Easter Eggs.  Following the Hunt, nineteenth-century games will be featured.  Participating children are encouraged to bring their own Easter baskets.   For more information, call 225-635-3110.

 

Nature Saturday

Audubon State Historic Site presents Nature Saturday on March 13.  At 10 am and again at noon, visitors can participate in an Animal Discovery program which introduces 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.  There, they will discover the different plants and habitats found within the park.  For more information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Colonial St. Francisville

Old West Florida “Colonial St. Francisville” will be the featured program on Sunday, March 14, at Audubon State Historic Site.  At noon and 2 p.m., there will be a talk on the towns of St. Francisville and Bayou Sara during the years leading up to the West Florida Rebellion.  These talks by a park ranger will introduce the visitor to one of the states oldest and most colorful cities.  This is part of a series of programs celebrating the Bicentennial of the West Florida Republic.  For more information call, 225-635-3739.

 

Landscape Notes

The art of Donna Kilbourne will be highlighted at the BirdMan Coffee and Books on Commerce Street throughout the month of March.  The show of “Landscape Notes” will feature the exploration of color in landscape.  The public is invited to meet the artist on Friday, March 19 from 2 pm until 5 pm, and again on Saturday, March 20 from 2 pm until 5 pm.

 

Songs & Stories

An exhibit of new works in oil by Lynn Barber Wood opens at The Backwoods Gallery on Tuesday, March 2 at 5 pm.  View this new exhibit and visit with Lynn until 8 pm that evening.  The show will be featured at the Gallery through April.  The Backwoods Gallery is located on Ferdinand Street across from Town Hall.

 

Audubon Pilgrimage

Now in its 39th year, this annual event is the cornerstone of tourism in West Feliciana.  In fact, the ladies who began the Pilgrimage in 1972 started the West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission in 1975.  And look at us now!  The Audubon Pilgrimage, through the members of the West Feliciana Historical Society and over 300 volunteers, has given visitors an intimate glimpse of John James Audubon’s Happy Land and its historic homes and gardens.  This year the homes featured are tied to the history of the Republic of West Florida, whose bicentennial we celebrate this year.  Our Pilgrimage is not your hoop-skirted tour featured in other parts of the South, but the volunteers here are dressed in authentic 1820’s-style costumes reminiscent of the time when Audubon himself tutored at Oakley.

 

The Audubon Pilgrimage runs from Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21, and showcases Oakley House at Audubon State Historic Site; Rosedown Plantation State Historic Sites and its lovely gardens; Afton Villa Gardens; the three churches in the Historic District of St. Francisville – Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, United Methodist Church of St. Francisville, and Grace Episcopal Church; and the always popular Rural Homestead where visitors can experience the lifestyle of rural Southerners.  An Antique Show & Sale will be held in three historic buildings during the Pilgrimage.

 

Also featured this year are:  Butler Greenwood, established in the late 1700s and occupied by descendents of the original owner; Cabildo, built in 1809 with a varied and colorful past; Laurel Hill , purchased in the 1830s by the founder of the standard-gauge West Felorida Railroad; and Barrow House, a simple 1810 saltbox on Royal Street.

 

Tickets for the daytime tours are $30 each and are good for all three days of the Pilgrimage.  They can be purchased at the Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street.  For more information, call 635-6330 or visit www.audubonpilgrimage.info.

 

Pilgrimage Friday

After the daytime tours are over, enjoy Royal Street by candlelight and consider the nighttime entertainment.  Graveyard Tours will be given at Grace Church; there will be robust hymn singing at the Methodist Church; ad a wine & cheese reception at the Historical Society Museum.  Tickets for these events on March 19 are $15.

 

Light Up the Night

Food, drinks and dancing under the stars at Parker Park will be the way to go on Saturday, March 20.  This annual addition to Pilgrimage weekend has grown in popularity and is a definite don’t miss.  Tickets are $40 and include an open beer/wine bar, fabulous buffet dinner, and live music!  For more information or to make your reservation, call 635-6330.

 

Chamber Music Series

The last in the St. Francisville Symphony Association’s 2009-2010 Chamber Music Series will take place on Saturday, March 27 at 8 pm at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Francisville.  This concert will feature the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.  Tickets are $20, and children under 18 accompanied by a paying adult will receive free admission.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville or by calling BRSO at 2255-383-0500.

 

Jackson Assembly

Our neighbors in East Feliciana invite us to the Jackson Assembly’s 45th Annual Antiques Show and Sale on the weekend of March 26 through the 28.  Along with fabulous antiques and collectibles, visitors may tour the 1810 Hickory Hill, a restoration in progress of a home with a unique history.  Self-guided walking-driving tour of the Historic District of Jackson, including 3 historic churches and the original 1816 Feliciana Courthouse is also included.  Lunch will be served daily at the Gumbo Kitchen featuring fine home cooking and delicious desserts!  $10 includes admission to the Antiques Show and Sale, Art Show and Sale, and the tour of Hickory Hill.  For more information, call 225-634-7155 or visit www.felicianatourism.org.

 

Become a Fan

If you haven’t done so already, become a fan on our Facebook page by clicking on:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/West-Feliciana-Parish-Tourist-Commission/159748847802

 

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Happenings

Live Music

Enjoy live music Friday night, February 19, at The Mag with Gary Bello beginning around 7 pm.  The Blue Room will have music beginning at 9 pm so you can walk on over!  Next Friday, February 26, Delta Drifters plays at The Mag.  Also at The Mag, a special show on Tuesday, February 23 at 7 pm, features Big Sandy and His Fli Rite Boys for $10.  To purchase advance tickets and for more information, please call 225-721-7003.

 

Cooking at Rosedown

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site features a special program entitled African and Caribbean Influence in Southern Antebellum Cooking on Saturday, February 20 from 11 am until 3 pm.  Interpretive Staff will discuss and demonstrate (yum!) the tremendous influence of African and Caribbean peoples to the cooking heritage of the Antebellum South.  Visitors will receive printed menus and recipes of all dishes prepared during this demonstration.  For more information, such as do we get to sample the demonstration, call 225-635-3332.

 

Spanish West Florida

On Saturday, February 20 at Audubon State Historic Site, a commemoration of the bicentennial anniversary of the West Florida Rebellion will take place.  In 1810, a troop of West Florida dragoons set out for the provincial capitol of Baton Rouge.  They captured Baton Rouge and imprisoned the Spanish Governor.  On September 23, 1810, the dragoons raised their flag over the Fort of Baton Rouge.  By December 10, the United States President James Madison declared West Florida under the jurisdiction of the Governor of the Louisiana Territory.  On this day, guests are invited to Audubon State Historic Site to get a glimpse of what life was like for the Spanish Colonists in the early 1800s.  Some of the living history demonstrations guests will get to see are open-hearth cooking, spinning, blacksmithing, and black powder demonstrations.   For more information contact Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or locally at 225-635-3739.

 

Civil War Encampment

On Saturday, February 20, from 9 am until 5 pm, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be hosting the 7th Louisiana Civil War re-enactment group, as they begin their 2010 season.  The group will be presenting a Civil War-era winter encampment on the grounds of the plantation, and throughout the day will demonstrate typical camp activities, as well as presenting military drills such as marching, patrolling, and military maneuvers.  The 7th Louisiana re-enactors are best known locally for their participation in the popular annual re-enactment of the historic Civil War Siege of Port Hudson. The Port Hudson Siege took place during the spring and summer months of 1863 and remains the longest military siege in the history of the United States.  The annual Port Hudson Siege re-enactment is scheduled for the weekend of March 27-28, on the grounds of Port Hudson State Historic Site.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

 

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.

 

Art View Exhibit

A special exhibition honoring the artists who have been featured in the St. Francisville Democrat’s Art View column written by Kathryn Ward and Anne Butler will be held on Sunday, February 28 at Old Market Hall from 2 pm to 4 pm.  Arts for All will be hosting this event and featured artists include Marjorie Blake, Carolyn Bunch, Murrell Butler, Elizabeth Denton, Marion Drennen, Herschel Harrington, Laura Lindsey, Michael Miller, Jill Moore, Craig Roth, Nancy Rothschild, Dahn Savell, Joe Savell, Coco Treppendahl, and Leesa Widajewski.  Old Market Hall is located on Royal Street in the Historic District of St. Francisville.

 

Coming Events

39th annual Audubon Pilgrimage – March 19 – 21

Light Up the Night Saturday Soiree – March 20 at Parker Park, St. Francisville

St. Francisville Symphony Association’s Chamber Music Series – March 27 at 8 pm at Grace Church

Matzoh Ball Gumbo, A Symposium on Jewish Life in the Lower Mississippi River Valley – April 16

Angola Spring Rodeo – April 17 and 18

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Happenings

For Your Valentine

This Sunday is Valentine’s Day and for those looking for something special, here is what the following restaurants have to offer:

Carriage House Restaurant will be serving Valentine’s Dinner on Saturday, February 13 with special entrees to include Filet Mignon and Grilled Shrimp, Trout Almandine, and Spinach & Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast.  A complimentary glass of Carriage House Wine or Champagne per entrée is included.  They will also be serving Valentine’s Day Brunch on Sunday, February 14 from 11 am until 2 pm.  635-6278

The OxBow Restaurant is taking reservations for Valentine’s Dinner on Saturday, February 13, and will also be open for lunch on Sunday, February 14.  635-6276

Magnolia Café is offering a special Valentine’s Dinner on Saturday, February 13, featuring Chicken Orleans, Mango Tuna, or Prime Rib, all served with a salad, veggies and garlic smashed potatoes.  635-6528

For a complete listing of local restaurants, click on http://stfrancisville.us/component/option,com_sobi2/catid,9/Itemid,9999999/lang,en/.

 

Snow Again?

So much for global warming!  Tommy Boyett, Director of EOC for West Feliciana Parish, tells us that we are expecting a sleet/rain mix with this changing to snow later this evening and tonight.  The Weather Service is predicting a possible accumulation of as much as 2 to 4 inches of snow.  The EOC is monitoring the weather closely and is in touch with the NOAA Slidell Weather Office.  He adds, “Please ask everyone to check on the elderly and their neighbors during this event.  That is what helps make a community strong.”

 

Live Music

If there is snow during the night, it will be clear by tomorrow afternoon so you can get out and enjoy live music Friday night at The Mag with Copas Trio beginning around 7 pm.  The Blue Room will have music beginning at 9 pm so you can walk on over!  Next Friday, February 19, Gary Bello plays at The Mag.

 

Nature Saturday

Don’t forget that on Saturday, February 13 from 10 am until 2 pm, Audubon State Historic Site presents an Animal Discovery program which introduces visitors to a few of the site's resident creatures.  Participants will have the opportunity to go on a guided nature walk around the park led by one of the site's park rangers.  There they will discover the different plants and habitats found within the park.  For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739.

 

Women in Spanish Louisiana

As part of its ongoing Old West Florida programs, Audubon State Historic Site will present this program on Sunday, February 14.  At noon and again at 2 pm in the museum theatre, there will be a talk on the lives of women in Spanish Louisiana.   At 1 pm and 3 pm in the museum theatre, there will be a costume discussion and demonstration.  For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

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.

 

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Happenings

Here’s to You, Joe!

Last week when I was congratulating all of the Winners and Best of the Rest voted by the Country Roads Readers, I left off Favorite Artist – Best of the Rest, Joe Savell of Backwoods Gallery.  Sorry about that, Joe, but hope this makes up for it!

 

Kudos!

Congratulations to Audubon State Historic Site/Oakley House and Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site on being named two of the newest sites to Louisiana’s African American Heritage Trails.  Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu announced Tuesday the addition of seven new sites to the trail, a series of places and attractions significant to African American history and culture in Louisiana.  Other newly added sites are: Centenary State Historic Site in Jackson, Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site in St. Martinville, Winter Quarters State Historic Site in Newellton, Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville and Fort Pike State Historic Site in New OrleansLouisiana promotes the African American Heritage Trail through advertising and public relations as well.  To learn more about Louisiana's African American Heritage Trail, visit www.AStoryLikeNoOther.com.

 

The Carriage House

Don’t forget that The Carriage House has 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.

 

Live Music at The Mag

This month’s lineup looks like this:  Friday, February 5 – Late Evening; Friday, February 12 – Copas Trio; Friday, February 19 – Gary Bello; Friday, February 26 – Delta Drifters.  There is also a special performance by Big Sandy on Tuesday, February 23, for a $10 cover.  For more information, call 635-6528.

 

Camellias in the Country

This annual event sponsored by the Feliciana Nature Society begins Thursday, February 4 with a special pARTy in the Ville, a fun-filled painting “class” held at Sage Hill Gifts and Antiques on Commerce Street.  Space is limited and a fee is charged, so hurry and e-mail sylvialeake@gmail.com.  The event continues with a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 pm at Old Market Hall on Royal Street on Friday, February 5.  At 7 pm, local author and historian Anne Butler will give a special presentation celebrating camellias, West Feliciana and the bicentennial.  Also on hand will be representatives from Chef John Folse and Company selling this year’s bottles of Camellia Wine, made by Chef Folse from West Feliciana camellias.  On Saturday, February 6, the program continues at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site beginning at 9 am with Darrell Chitty.  He will lead a seminar on camellia photography so bring a camera.  Lunch at Audubon Café will be followed by a walking tour of Rosedown’s historic gardens where you can practice your new found photography skills of the best heirloom and contemporary varieties of camellias on the grounds.  A registration fee covers Friday night, the Saturday workshop, lunch and walking tour.  For reservations, call 800-488-6502.

 

Nature Saturday

On Saturday, February 13 from 10 am until 2 pm, Audubon State Historic Site presents an Animal Discovery program which introduces visitors to a few of the site's resident creatures.  Participants will have the opportunity to go on a guided nature walk around the park led by one of the site's park rangers.  There they will discover the different plants and habitats found within the park.  For more information call 888-677-2838 toll free or 635-3739.

 

Women in Spanish Louisiana

As part of its ongoing Old West Florida programs, Audubon State Historic Site will present this program on Sunday, February 14.  At noon and again at 2 pm in the museum theatre, there will be a talk on the lives of women in Spanish Louisiana.   At 1 pm and 3 pm in the museum theatre, there will be a costume discussion and demonstration.  For more information call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-888-677-2838 or 225-635-3739.

 

Civil War Encampment

On Saturday, February 20, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will be hosting the 7th Louisiana Civil War re-enactment group, as they begin their 2010 season.  The group will be presenting a Civil War-era winter encampment on the grounds of the plantation, and throughout the day will demonstrate typical camp activities, as well as presenting military drills such as marching, patrolling, and military maneuvers.  For more information, call 225-635-3332.

 

Caribbean Cooking

In recognition of Black History Month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will present a special historic down-hearth cooking demonstration on Saturday, February 20, 2010.  The program, entitled “African and Caribbean Influence in Southern Antebellum Cooking,” will be conducted in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen.          Presenting the special program will be Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña, 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-American and Caribbean workers throughout the South—influences that are still seen in today’s southern cuisine.   In addition to the demonstration, visitors to the kitchen will receive a printed brochure containing recipes for several of the selected dishes and their specific African and Caribbean influences.  The demonstration will take place between 11 am and 3 pm.   For more information, call 225-635-3332.