Memorial Day Weekend Happenings

As the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico continues and the beginning of hurricane season looms, the information our visitors receive from us must be accurate and concise.  We learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that the news can be sensationalized and rumors will run rampant regardless of their accuracy.  So here are some facts to share:

• Much of the Louisiana Gulf Coast is unaffected by the oil spill and remains open for commercial and recreational fishing. All nine Louisiana coastal parishes continue to offer travelers historic and cultural attractions, world-acclaimed indigenous food and music, and notable restaurants and overnight accommodations.
• Louisiana crawfish are a freshwater shellfish species and all commercial crawfish ponds and natural habitat are inland and away from threatened areas.
• Few affected areas are near inhabited areas. New Orleans is approximately 100 miles inland from affected areas and foresees no disruption in guest service or any negative impacts on visitors.
• As of May 24, affected coastal areas and some areas of uncertainty had been closed to fishing by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in portions of Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes. Officials on Grand Isle also closed its public beach.
• The Louisiana Office of Tourism posts daily updates on the oil spill at http://www.louisianatravel.com/oil-spill-response
• You can also find up-to-date information, along with links to other resources such as volunteer opportunities, at http://emergency.louisiana.gov/ and at http://louisianacoast.audubon.org/

Now for what’s happening closer to home:

Farmer’s Market

Yes, it’s that time again.  The Feliciana Farmer’s Market opens this Thursday, May 27, with new hours to avoid the hottest part of the day – 9 am until 1 pm – at the old 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street.  Please support our local farmers and buy home grown produce for a healthier family.

West Feliciana Memorial Weekend Classic

This event will be held this weekend, May 29 and 30, and is billed as an event for cyclists of all ages and stages.  Beginning on Saturday, May 29, there is a time trial set to begin at 8 am from Hemingbough, and is a 36-mile road race that should conclude about noon.  Saturday afternoon at 1 pm, the criterium begins next to Grandmother’s Buttons on Royal Street, and cyclists will have a grueling down-the-hill then up-the-hill course.  This will be an exciting spectator event so stake out your space along the route.

On Sunday, May 30, an 80.6 mile race through the parish will begin in stages from 8 am until 11 am from Bains Elementary on Bains Road.  These hard core racers should be back at the start by about 2 pm, and this is another race that will be fun to spectate along the course.  Also beginning at 8 am and throughout the day, there will be riders coming and going through the main entrance to the West Feliciana Sports Park.  There will also be a mountain bike race on the grueling “Beast” Trail at the Sports Park.  Music and food will begin at 11 am for the Festival for All, a free cycling festival that will feature bicycle polo, trick riding, bike safety demonstrations, and bicycle decorating for the kids.  Bike shops will be showing bikes, gear, apparel, and accessories, and offering advice and on-the-spot tuneups.  The winners of the race will be announced at around 4 pm.  For more information, visit www.westfelclassic.org.

Music at The Mag

This Friday features The Delta Drifters on the screened porch beginning at 7 pm.

At the Library

The summer Reading Program kicks off on June 1 with storyteller Sherry Norfolk at 9:30 am at the West Feliciana Parish Library on Ferdinand Street.  Sherry tells folktales from around the world, using storytelling to teach universal values and promote environmental awareness.  For more information on this and all the summer activities at the library, phone 225-635-3364.

Heirloom Plants and Flowers

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues the Spring and Summer gardening seasons with a horticultural seminar held on the plantation grounds.  On Saturday, June 12, Site Manager Patricia Aleshire will present a seminar on “Heirloom Plants and Flowers.”  The lecture session will present a slide introduction and discussion of the historical background of numerous antique plantings available for modern gardens.  Also discussed will be various cultivation tips, techniques and care needed for these heirloom plantings to thrive in a southern garden.  Following the lecture, Aleshire will lead a walking tour through selected areas of Rosedown’s historic gardens to view various antique plants on site.  The program will being at 10 am in the Rosedown Conference Room.  For more information, call 225-635-3110.

The Day the War Stopped

This annual event re-enacts the poignant moment during the Civil War when soldiers laid down their arms to bury one of their brothers.   Held June 11 through 13, the weekend begins with graveside histories at Grace Church on Friday, June 11 at 7 pm, followed at 8 pm with historical presentations at the Masonic Lodge across the street.  Events continue on Saturday, June 12 with a parade at 11 am in downtown St. Francisville, followed by lunch at the Masonic Lodge from 11 am to 12:30 pm.  A concert of vintage music is at 11:30 am at Jackson Hall, with vintage dancers at 12:30 pm.  The drama and re-enactment of the burial for Commander John Hart begins at 1:30 pm.  For more information, phone 225-635-4791 or visit www.daythewarstopped.net.

Civil War at Audubon

The Day the War Stopped events continue when Audubon State Historic Site hosts a Civil War encampment on Saturday, June 12, from 2:30 pm until 5 pm.  There will also be black powder and musket demonstrations at 3 pm, a program on Civil War costumes at 4 pm, with Civil War dancers from 6 pm to 8 pm.  The day ends with candlelight tours of Oakley House from 7:30 pm until 9 pm.  For more information, phone 225-635-3739.

Continues on Sunday

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will feature burial techniques in a Civil War medical demonstration on Sunday, June 13, from 1 pm until 3 pm.  Meanwhile at Audubon State Historic Site, a talk on Sara Knox Taylor Davis will take place at 1 pm, with a Civil War demonstration from 2 pm until 4 pm.  For more information on all The Day the War Stopped events, phone 225-635-4791 or visit www.daythewarstopped.net.

That’s all for this week.  Please take time to remember why we recognize Memorial Day as we pause to thank those members of all branches of the military who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today in this, the greatest country in the world.

Mid-May Happenings

Commencement:  (n) beginning; start.  This Friday night when West Feliciana High School holds its commencement, 139 young people from our community will celebrate the beginning of the next chapter of their lives.   We wish them well in their future endeavors and congratulate the parents and teachers who have helped them along the way.  Congratulations, Class of 2010!

 

Good Morning, St. Francisville!

Don’t forget that the place to be this Friday morning is Parker Park in downtown St. Francisville.  That’s where WAFB Channel 9’s Morning Show crew will be – live!  Matt, Jeanne, Diane, Johnny and Greg will arrive in their “Road Show” RV and start the show promptly at 5 am.  There will be cheerleaders from the Middle School and the High School, and some of the children from Bains Lower Elementary’s new Literacy Garden.  WAFB’s Assistant New Director Jolene Reilly has been working hard on getting the stories and guests lined up, and you won’t want to miss this.  The BirdMan will be there with coffee to help you wake up so come out and join the crew from Channel 9 and give them a warm West Feliciana welcome.

 

Black Bear Conservation Celebrates!

On Friday, May 14 at Hemingbough, the Black Bear Conservation Coalition celebrates 20 years of black bear restoration.  This celebration will include a silent auction with artwork from Murrell Butler, CC Lockwood and many other talented artists, a golf package, a National WWII Museum package and other “bearly” believable items.  Master of ceremonies is Leo Honeycutt.  To purchase tickets phone 225-763-5425.

 

Music at The Mag

This Friday, the Fugitive Poets perform on the screened porch at The Mag beginning around 7 pm.  Friday, May 21, is United We Jam; and on Friday, May 28, the Delta Drifters will be rocking the house.

 

Community Market Day

St. Francisville Main Street and Arts For All are opening Parker Park every month on the Third Saturday from 9am until 1pm for Community Market Day.  Saturday, May 15, the market will feature locally grown produce, organic lettuce, sprouts, onions, greens, homemade mini pies, vegetables, bread, quilts, dresses, photographs, jewelry, soaps, canned goods and so much more.  Kevin Johnson will play music in the gazebo between 10 am and noon.  Come spend the morning in Parker Park.  For more information, call either Lynn at 635-3665 or Laurie at 635-3873.  The Community Market is brought to you by St. Francisville Main Street and Arts for All.

 

Spring Garden Stroll

Experience four unique local gardens at this self-guided garden tour in historic St. Francisville on Saturday, May 15, from 9 am until 1 pm.  Highlighted this year are the gardens of Melissa Higgins on Ferdinand Street; Tom and Susie Tully right next door; Mitch and Julie Brashier’s on Royal Street; Buddy Metz’s form on Stirling Road off of Bains Road; and Imahara’s Southern Gardens on Mahoney Road.  Advance tickets ($10) are available at the West Feliciana Extension Office or on the day of the tour, at the tour headquarters at Town Hall.  All proceeds of the tour go to local 4-H scholarships and our local Farmer’s Market.  Ticket holders are eligible for door prizes and admission to other local attractions.  For more information, phone 225-635-3614 or email abrock@agcenter.lsu.edu.

 

Tea and Sensibility

Also on Saturday, May 15, from 10 am until 4 pm, Audubon State Historic Site presents this spring gala.  Visitors will get a chance to experience life for the wealthy during the Empire, or Federal, period which was from 1790 to the 1820s.  Focusing on Jane Austen’s guidelines for social etiquette, visitors will learn about what was in fashion, English tea traditions, a woman’s role in society, favorite games and dances of the period and so much more.  For information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Lost Arts at Rosedown

Every third Saturday of the month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents demonstrations of the “Lost Arts” of the 19^th century.  On May 15 from 11 am until 3 pm, the program will feature the “lost art” of medical practices of the 19^th century.   For more information, phone 225-635-3332.

 

Meanwhile, Back at Café du Monde . . .

This unique, festive food story/monologue event about the second universal language – food – and how our lives revolve around it will premiere at The Myrtles Plantation on Sunday, May 16.  The event begins with a cocktail party at 5:30 pm with music by Steve Bing and The Bayou Hot Shots with showtime at 7:00 pm.  Created, directed and produced by Peggy Sweeney-McDonald, originally from Baton Rouge, tickets can be purchased by calling 800-809-0565.  Ticket price is $55 and includes 2 drinks (beer or wine), cocktail buffet with heavy appetizers, dessert and the show.  A portion of the tickets will benefit the West Feliciana Parish TRIAD Program for the Elderly.

 

West Fel Classic

Memorial Day weekend will see the annual West Feliciana Memorial Classic bike race and festival.  Races will be on Saturday and Sunday, and out at the West Feliciana Sports Park on Sunday there will be a festival atmosphere.  Bike hockey, bike safety, bike accessories will all be highlighted.  More details next week!

 

Happenings this week

Don’t forget to shop locally for your gifts for Mother’s Day which is Sunday, May 9.  All of our gift shops have a wide selection of gifts that Mom would love.  Beautiful potted plants from one of the garden stores would also be appreciated.  Can’t think of what to get?  How about a gift certificate from one of our many great restaurants?  Or give her a “girls’ weekend” overnight stay at one of our awesome B & Bs.  Whatever you decide, Mom will love you for shopping local!

 

Channel 9 Live from St. Francisville

Next Friday, the morning crew from WAFB Channel 9 will be airing their morning show live from Parker Park from 5 am until 7 am.  All you early birds are invited to join us as we welcome Matt, Jeanne, Diane, Johnny and Greg to St. Francisville.  They have some great guests lined up, cooking demonstrations and musical entertainment so come on out to see how they put this show together.  Let’s give them a great West Feliciana welcome!

 

Live Music

This weekend the music plays on.  Friday night at the Magnolia Café, come out and listen to the music of Flatbed Honeymoon.  On Saturday night at Georges Feliciana, Fox Fire is set to entertain you.

 

Louisiana Literature at the Library

The West Feliciana Parish Library will host a six-week series of readings and discussions about Louisiana literature, entitled “Encounter in Louisiana:  Conflict and Confluence in Literary Currents.”  The program is free and open to the public, and will be held on Tuesdays from 9:30 am until 11:30 am, from May 4 to June 8.  Since space is limited, please register in advance by calling the library at 784-0260.

 

Market Day at the Methodist Church

On Saturday, May 8 from 9 am until 8 pm, the St. Francisville United Methodist Church family is hosting Market Day.  There will be delicious meals served – breakfast, lunch and dinner – and auctions, too.  A silent auction starts at 9 am with the bidding ending at 5 pm.  The live auction will begin at 6 pm, and expect to find antiques, furniture, household furnishings and lots of other exciting items.  There will a garage sale at 9 am, too, and homemade baked goods, free child care while you shop, a baking contest, and arts & artistry!  For more information on all the events of this day, call the church at 225-635-3763.

 

Nature Day

Audubon State Historic Site presents nature programs all day on Saturday, May 8.  At 10am 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 1:30pm 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.  Beautiful weather and interesting guides make this a perfect day to get out with the family.  For more information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Mother’s Day

May 9 is the day set aside to honor and celebrate our mothers.  The gift shops and garden centers of West Feliciana and St. Francisville have many gifts to choose from, or will give you men some great ideas for what Mom really wants!

 

No Kitchen Duty

Mom should have the day off on May 9, and our local restaurants are happy to provide a delectable array of choices to please any palate.  Carriage House Restaurant, Eight Sisters, Magnolia Café, The Oxbow, South of the Border, and The Bluffs Restaurant are all open and offering something very special for the Moms.  A special Mother’s Day Happenings will follow with detailed menus for all.

 

Old West Florida

Each month, Audubon State Historic Site offers programs to celebrate the Bicentennial of the West Florida Republic.  On Sunday, May 9, at noon and again at 2 pm, there will be a talk on the leaders of the West Florida Rebellion.  Led by a park ranger, these talks will introduce the visitor to a few of the Spanish colonists who led the rebellion against their government in 1810.  For more information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Black Bear Conservation Celebrates!

On Friday, May 14 at Hemingbough, the Black Bear Conservation Coalition celebrates 20 years of black bear restoration.  This celebration will include a silent auction with artwork from Murrell Butler, CC Lockwood and many other talented artists, a golf package, a National WWII Museum package and other “bearly” believable items.  Master of ceremonies is Leo Honeycutt.  To purchase tickets phone 225-763-5425.

 

Community Market Day

St. Francisville Main Street and Arts For All are opening Parker Park every month on the Third Saturday from 9am until 1pm for Community Market Day.  Saturday, May 15, the market will feature locally grown produce, organic lettuce, sprouts, onions, greens, homemade mini pies, vegetables, bread, quilts, dresses, photographs, jewelry, soaps, canned goods and so much more.  Kevin Johnson will play music in the gazebo between 10 am and noon.  Come spend the morning in Parker Park.  For more information, call either Lynn at 635-3665 or Laurie at 635-3873.  The Community Market is brought to you by St. Francisville Main Street and Arts for All.

 

Tea and Sensibility

Also on Saturday, May 15, from 10 am until 4 pm, Audubon State Historic Site presents this spring gala.  Visitors will get a chance to experience life for the wealthy during the Empire, or Federal, period which was from 1790 to the 1820s.  Focusing on Jane Austen’s guidelines for social etiquette, visitors will learn about what was in fashion, English tea traditions, a woman’s role in society, favorite games and dances of the period and so much more.  For information, call 225-635-3739.

 

Lost Arts at Rosedown

Every third Saturday of the month, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site presents demonstrations of the “Lost Arts” of the 19^th century.  On May 15 from 11 am until 3 pm, the program will feature the “lost art” of medical practices of the 19^th century.   For more information, phone 225-635-3332.

 

Spring Garden Stroll

Experience four unique local gardens at this self-guided garden tour in historic St. Francisville on Saturday, May 15, from 9 am until 1 pm.  Highlighted this year are the gardens of Melissa Higgins on Ferdinand Street; Tom and Susie Tully right next door; Mitch and Julie Brashier’s on Royal Street; Buddy Metz’s form on Stirling Road off of Bains Road; and Imahara’s Southern Gardens on Mahoney Road.  Advance tickets ($10) are available at the West Feliciana Extension Office or on the day of the tour, at the tour headquarters at Town Hall.  All proceeds of the tour go to local 4-H scholarships and our local Farmer’s Market.  Ticket holders are eligible for door prizes and admission to other local attractions.  For more information, phone 225-635-3614 or email abrock@agcenter.lsu.edu.

 

Meanwhile, Back at Café du Monde . . .

This unique, festive food story/monologue event about the second universal language – food – and how our lives revolve around it will premiere at The Myrtles Plantation on Sunday, May 16.  The event begins with a cocktail party at 5:30 pm with music by Steve Bing and The Bayou Hot Shots with showtime at 7:00 pm.  Created, directed and produced by Peggy Sweeney-McDonald, originally from Baton Rouge, tickets can be purchased by calling 800-809-0565.  Ticket price is $55 and includes 2 drinks (beer or wine), cocktail buffet with heavy appetizers, dessert and the show.  A portion of the tickets will benefit the West Feliciana Parish TRIAD Program for the Elderly.

 

Please remember those men and their families who lost their lives in the oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.  We hope that the efforts of the local fishermen combined with the resources of the Coast Guard and other entities will bring this catastrophe to a close very soon with limited damage to our fragile coastline.  Have a great week!