Bridge Open

The bridge over Grant’s Creek on Highway 61 is now open to traffic.  Many thanks to Parish Manager Ambrose Sims, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development employees who worked hard to get the work done ahead of time, and especially to Sheriff Austin Daniel and his deputies for keeping the detour traffic going smoothly.

Happenings

Bridge Closed, Businesses Still Open

While progress on the Hwy. 61 bridge is continuing, please note that D’John’s Restaurant and the Vintage Store are still open for business.  A special thanks to the Sheriff’s Department and the Chamber of Commerce for clearing the way for us to still visit these local businesses.

 

Music at the Mag

Kevin Ford is back at The Mag so things are really hopping over there!  Friday night, February 29, Delta Drifters perform, and on Sunday, March 2 at 7 pm there will be a special show featuring Paul Cebar and The Tomorrow Sound with special guest, Chris Cole.  Paul is from Milwaukee, and his music is a mix of Pan-African Calypso, Caribbean Funk.  The band has lots of percussion and horns, and Kevin promises it will be a very special evening.  There is a $10 cover.

 

The Mag goes Cajun

Starting next Thursday, March 6, The Mag will be offering free Cajun – Zydeco dance lessons every Thursday night at 7 pm.  And the first Sunday evening of each month, there will be a Cajun dance band so that everyone can show off their new moves!

 

Afton Villa Gardens

This Saturday is opening day for Afton Villa Gardens.  Open seasonally until June 30, the gardens are a true labor of love.  Camellias, sweet olive, hydrangeas, azaleas and thousands of tulips and flowering bulbs such as daffodils treat your senses to the sights and smells of spring.  For more information call 225-635-6773.

 

Cooking in the Old Kitchen

On Saturday, March 1 at 11 am, Rosedown State Historic Site’s Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña and Living History Presenters Barbara Bryant and Stella Pitts will demonstrate 19th century down-hearth cooking in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen.  Using 19th century recipes with period and reproduction cooking equipment, featured recipes will be taken from the original Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

BR Symphony Music Series Returns

The good folks at the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra will be back with their Chamber Music Series on Saturday, March 8 at 8 pm.  The performance will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Catholic Hill.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville or by calling BRSO 225-383-0500.

 

Native American History

If you’ve ever wondered what this is, you can find out on Saturday, March 8 at 11 am at Rosedown State Historic Site.  You see, Native Americans inhabited this region before the European settlers arrived and made their own tools from stone.  Join Interpretive Ranger James Smith as he demonstrates the art, now known as Flint Knapping, which allowed Native Americans to make many of their own tools.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Easter at Rosedown

Hard to believe that Peter Cottontail will be hopping down that bunny trail in just 4 weeks, but the folks over at Rosedown are ready for him because Easter was an important holiday at Rosedown in the 1800s.  On Saturday, March 8 from 1 pm until 3 pm, children can participate in an old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of the plantation.  After the hunt, children can enjoy playing 19th century games. Prizes will be awarded to the children who find the special “Rosedown” eggs.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

March Music at The Mag

Friday, March 7 = The Feliciana Band; Friday, March 14 – Bring It; Sunday March 16 – Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles; Friday, March 21 – A Band Named Sue; Friday, March 28 –Delta Drifters; Saturday, March 29 – David Morgan.

 

Saturday Soiree

For the last two years during the Audubon Pilgrimage, the Historical Society has produced a separate fund raiser on Saturday night.  This street dance has been so popular that it has become an integral part of the Pilgrimage weekend.  Plans for this year’s Light Up The Night event are shaping up to be the best yet!  Something Blue will perform great dance music so we’ll all be “cutting the rug” on Prosperity Street.  Tickets are $40 a person and include food, beer and wine, soft drinks and a great time.  Call 635-6330 to make your reservation.

 

Pilgrimage Schedule of Events

Tickets can be purchased now for the Audubon Pilgrimage which will be held the weekend of March 14 through the 16.  Private homes on tour this year include Live Oak, Hillcroft and the Brasseaux House.  Tickets for daytime tours are $30, are good for all three days of the Pilgrimage and include tours of the three private homes as well as:  Oakley House, Audubon State Historic Site; Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site; Afton Villa Gardens; the three 19^th century churches in the Historic District; the Rural Homestead; and the Antique Show & Sale held in the historic buildings of Jackson Hall, the Masonic Hall, and Old Market Hall.  Throughout the weekend, children in 1820’s costumes will be performing authentic dances and a maypole dance.

 

Separate tickets can be purchased for the Antique Show & Sale only for $10.  Tickets for evening entertainment on Friday are $15 each and include the following:

7 – 9 pm = Graveyard Tour at Grace Church

6 – 8 pm = Robust Hymn Singing at the United Methodist Church

6 – 8 pm = Wine & Cheese Reception at the Historical Society Museum

 

For a complete listing of all Pilgrimage events, visit www.audubonpilgrimage.info.  Tickets can be purchased at the Historical Society Museum or by calling 635-6330.

Happenings

Live Music

At Magnolia Café = Friday, February 22 – Hootie & Friends; Friday, February 29 – Delta Drifters

Cypress Grill’s Songwriter Review – Friday, February 22 from 6:30 pm until 10:15 pm featuring Marty Chorkey, Daniel Patterson and Trouvere.

 

Dance by the BirdMan

On Saturday, February 23 at 7 pm, the Original House Band will play in the empty Mosaic building so there will be a big dance floor!  Admission is $5.

 

A Celebration Of Readers And Writers

Presented by the West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library, this program will be held Saturday, February 23, at The Oxbow Restaurant in St. Francisville.  The program will feature 4 authors discussing their writing, includes lunch and a book signing.  Call the library at 225-635-3364 for times and ticket information.

 

Afton Villa Gardens

Afton Villa Gardens opens from March 1 until June 30, so if you are need a touch of Spring, this is the place! Just some of the many plants you’ll find in the gardens and grounds are camellias, sweet olive, hydrangeas, azaleas and thousands of tulips and flowering bulbs.  These gardens are absolutely breathtaking!  For more information call 225-635-6773.

 

What’s Cooking?

On Saturday, March 1 at 11 am, Rosedown State Historic Site’s Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña and Living History Presenters Barbara Bryant and Stella Pitts will demonstrate 19th century down-hearth cooking in Rosedown’s Old Kitchen.  Using 19th century recipes with period and reproduction cooking equipment, featured recipes will be taken from the original Turnbull-Bowman Family Papers.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

What’s Flint Knapping?

If you’ve ever wondered what this is, you can find out on Saturday, March 9 at 11 am at Rosedown State Historic Site.  You see, Native Americans inhabited this region before the European settlers arrived and made their own tools from stone.  Join Interpretive Ranger James Smith as he demonstrates the art, now known as Flint Knapping, which allowed Native Americans to make many of their own tools.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Easter Eggs Already?

Hard to believe that Peter Cottontail will be hopping down that bunny trail in just 4 weeks, but the folks over at Rosedown are ready for him because Easter was an important holiday at Rosedown in the 1800s.  On Saturday, March 8 from 1 pm until 3 pm, children can participate in an old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of the plantation.  After the hunt, children can enjoy playing 19th century games. Prizes will be awarded to the children who find the special “Rosedown” eggs.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

BR Symphony Music Series Returns

The good folks at the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra will be back with their Chamber Music Series on Saturday, March 8 at 8 pm.  The performance will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Catholic Hill.  Tickets are available at the Bank of St. Francisville or by calling BRSO 225-383-0500.

 

Pilgrimage Time Again!

This will be the 37^th year that the West Feliciana Historical Society presents the Audubon Pilgrimage.  The work of many volunteers from all over the community donating countless hours of their time and talent goes into producing this very popular event.  Festivities begin on Friday, March 14 and continue through the weekend.  Here’s a brief schedule but I’ll go into more detail in the following weeks:

Friday – March 14:  Tickets on sale at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum and are $30 for the weekend and include tours of three private homes (Live Oak, Hillcroft and the Brasseaux House) as ell as Oakley House at Audubon State Historic Site, Rosedown State Historic Site, Afton Villa Gardens, the three 19^th Century churches in the Historic District of St. Francisville, the Rural Homestead, period dances performed by costumed children, and the Antique Show & Sale held in Jackson Hall, the Masonic Hall and Old Market Hall.  Tickets for Friday night entertainment are $15 and include the Grace Church Graveyard Tour from 7 – 9 pm; robust hymn singing at the United Methodist Church from 6 – 8 pm; and the Wine & Cheese Reception at the Historical Society Museum from 6 – 8 pm.  Royal Street will be lit by candlelight this night.

Saturday – March 15:  Tours of all the homes and gardens and the Rural Homestead continue from 9 am until 5 pm.  Throughout the day costumed children will perform period dances at various sites in the community.  But that’s not all because Saturday night brings the third annual soiree.  For $40 you can enjoy music and dancing as we “Light Up the Night” on Prosperity Street.  Enjoy food and drinks and the great company of your friends and neighbors and the many visitors who come to our town just to celebrate the Pilgrimage.  The fun starts at 7 pm.

Sunday – March 16:  The final day of the Pilgrimage continues with the tours.  There are so many things to see and do during this weekend.  Headquarters are at the barn behind the Historical Society Museum, and if you’d like more information, visit www.audubonpilgrimage.info or call 635-6330.

 

Daffodils

It’s still not too late to order your bouquet of daffodils from the American Cancer Society.  Orders will be taken until Thursday, March 6 by calling 635-6280.

 

Have a great week!

 

Happenings

Live Music

At Magnolia Café = Friday, February 15 – Fugitive Poets; Friday, February 22 – Hootie & Friends

Cypress Grill = Saturday, February 16 – Rune Jane Run from 9 pm till.  Tickets are limited so to get yours, call Bob or Jenny at 784-0992.

Cypress Grill’s Songwriter Review – Friday, February 15 from 6:30 pm until 10:15 pm featuring Flatbed Honeymoon, David Craig and Eric DiSanto.

 

News from BirdMan

Before they move in to the old Mosaic building, the BirdMan is having a dance!  On Saturday, February 23 at 7 pm, the Original House Band will play in the empty building so there will be a big dance floor!  Admission is $5.  And on March 9 at 7 pm back at the old place, Kristy Kruger and Dylan Sneed will play some “really good music,” according to Lynn.

 

Upper Crust Bistro

The newest eatery in town is now open for lunch, Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 am until 2 pm.  They are also open for dinner from 4 to 9 except on Sunday when they close at 8 pm.

 

Daffodil Days

Daffodils are one of the first flowers of spring and symbolize hope for a cancer-free world.  The American Cancer Society will be selling bouquets of this beautiful flower, and what a great way to brighten up your place of business or home while helping to find a cure for a disease that has touched all of us in some way.  Orders will be taken until Thursday, March 6, and bouquet pick-up will be on March 12.  To order yours, call 635-6280 or send your tax deductible donation to Post Office Box 262 in St. Francisville.

 

A Victorian Ladies Workshop

Pre-registration for this program at Audubon State Historic Site is required 2 weeks in advance so hurry to sign up.  Scheduled for Saturday, February 16, from 10 am until 4 pm, this program presents in a workshop fashion, the skills that a typical Victorian lady might have learned through tutors, popular trends, or life experiences.  All participants in the class will be provided materials to make their own items while they are here.  Included in the class will be an introductory presentation on the Victorian lady, then classes on tatting, potpourri making and sachet making.  For more information, please call 635-3739.

 

African & Caribbean Influence At Rosedown Plantation

In recognition/celebration of Black History Month, Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña and Living History Presenters Barbara Bryant and Stella Pitts will discuss and demonstrate the tremendous influence of African and Caribbean peoples to the cooking heritage of the Antebellum South.  Saturday, February 16, from 1 pm until 4 pm, visitors will receive printed menus and recipes of all dishes prepared during this demonstration, highlighting the specific African and Caribbean influences in each recipe.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

A Celebration Of Readers And Writers

Presented by the West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library, this program will be held Saturday, February 23, at The Oxbow Restaurant in St. Francisville.  The program will feature 4 authors discussing their writing, includes lunch and a book signing.  Call the library at 225-635-3364 for times and ticket information.

 

Next week, I’ll give a preview of March events but if you can’t wait, visit our website at www.stfrancisville.us and click on “events.”  Have a great week!

 

Happenings

Local Bridge Out

By now we all know that there is a bridge out on Highway 61 between Hwy. 966 and 965.  For detailed information on the detours, visit the Chamber’s website at www.stfrancisvillechamber.com.

 

Music this Weekend

Magnolia Café presents Gary Bello & Friends on Friday, February 8; Fugitive Poets on February 15.

Cypress Grill features “Louisiana Songwriters review every Friday in February.  This Friday’s lineup is 6:00pm-7:15pm, Mrs. D & the PhD; 7:15pm-8:30pm, 2 Guys & 10 Instruments; and 8:30pm-9:45pm, Daniel Patterson.

 

Camellias in the Country

The bright spot in our winter landscape is the color from the beautiful camellias in our gardens.  Celebrate the camellia this weekend with the Feliciana Nature Society.  On Friday night at Old Market Hall, there will be a wine and cheese reception featuring a camellia showing and a waxing workshop.  That begins at 6 pm, February 8.  The program continues on Saturday beginning at 9 am at the visitor center at Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.  This workshop focuses on camellia care and propagation techniques, followed by lunch at Audubon Café and an extensive walking tour of Rosedown’s historic gardens.  A $20 registration fee covers the entire weekend.  For more information call 635-3110 or visit www.audubonbirdfest.com.

 

A Victorian Ladies Workshop

Pre-registration for this program at Audubon State Historic Site is required 2 weeks in advance so hurry to sign up.  Scheduled for Saturday, February 16, from 10 am until 4 pm, this program presents in a workshop fashion, the skills that a typical Victorian lady might have learned through tutors, popular trends, or life experiences.  All participants in the class will be provided materials to make their own items while they are here.  Included in the class will be an introductory presentation on the Victorian lady, then classes on tatting, potpourri making and sachet making.  For more information, please call 635-3739.

 

African & Caribbean Influence At Rosedown Plantation

In recognition/celebration of Black History Month, Rosedown Interpretive Ranger Sasha Traña and Living History Presenters Barbara Bryant and Stella Pitts will discuss and demonstrate the tremendous influence of African and Caribbean peoples to the cooking heritage of the Antebellum South.  Saturday, February 16, from 1 pm until 4 pm, visitors will receive printed menus and recipes of all dishes prepared during this demonstration, highlighting the specific African and Caribbean influences in each recipe.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

A Celebration Of Readers And Writers

Presented by the West Feliciana Parish Library and the Friends of the Library, this program will be held Saturday, February 23, at The Oxbow Restaurant in St. Francisville.  The program will feature 4 authors discussing their writing, includes lunch and a book signing.  Call the library at 225-635-3364 for times and ticket information.