Happenings

For the last 37 years visitors from all over the country and the world have visited St. Francisville and West Feliciana Parish for the annual Audubon Pilgrimage.  There are many, many people who work year round, behind the scenes to make this event as successful as it is.  The Historical Society board, and especially their faithful go-to person Helen Williams, and the Pilgrimage Steering Committee spend countless hours planning.  The home owners who graciously open their homes to the public have made sure that everything is in tip-top shape from the widow’s walk at Hillcroft to the newly painted picket fence at the Brasseaux House.

 

There are between 300 to 400 community volunteers to assist in this weekend’s activities, from parking cars at the sites to making shingles and cornbread at the Rural Homestead.  Our two State Historic Sites – Oakley and Rosedown – have been great partners over the years, and their staffs need to be commended for the great job they do year round.  The Town of St. Francisville and Mayor Billy D’Aquilla, and especially the crews that are out there making sure the town is ready for company, should be thanked for their support.  The members of the West Feliciana Parish Police Jury, Parish Manager Ambrose Sims, and the entire staff have all contributed their efforts.  I could go on and on about the many people who help but the list would be too long.  You know who you are, and we thank you for assisting with this very worthwhile event!

 

Pilgrimage Schedule of Events

Now that I’ve rambled on about the Pilgrimage, here are the details.  Tickets can be purchased now at the Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street.  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

 

Don’t forget that on Saturday night, there will be the third annual Saturday Soiree.  This year’s event will again be held on Prosperity Street with music by Something Blue.  There will be lots of food and beverages, and there will also be plenty of tables and chairs so seating will not be a problem this year!  Tickets are $40 a person and reservations are being accepted at 635-6330.  This event starts at 7 pm.

 

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

 

At the Mag

Live music this Friday, March 14- Bring It; and on Sunday, March 16 - Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles with Special Guests The Fugitive Poets. Sarah is from Boston,Mass. and is currently on tour across the southeast. She is an engaging performer with an amazing band and this promises to be another special night of live music at the Mag. The Fugitive Poets will go on at 6:00 and Sarah and the Broken Singles will start at 7:00pm. There is a $10 cover and don’t forget the great food.
 
Remember that free Cajun -Zydeco dance lessons again this Thursday night taught by super instructors Ned Piper and his lovely partner Ms. V.

 

Easter Brunch at Varnedoe’s

Yes, it’s that time again and Varnedoe’s Carriage House at The Myrtles Plantation is offered a wide assortment of buffet items, such as Pontchatoula Strawberry Salad, Stewed Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits, Herb and Peppercorn Crusted Beef Prime Rib, Plantation Farmer’s Omelot, White Chocolate Bread Pudding and so much more!  For a completely listing of this mouth watering menu, visit their website at www.varnedoes.com.  The brunch buffet is priced at $25 for adults, $12 for those 10-13, $8 for ages 9-2, and tykes under age 2 eat free.  Make your reservation on the website or call 635-2635.

 

Heirloom Cuisine and The Glynns

Heirloom Cuisine, LLC is a local catering company, based in St. Francisville.  Award winning Chefs Jason Roland and Richard "Bingo" Starr (both formerly of the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans) have teamed up to create stunning menus and upscale events catered in private residences or one of their off-site locations.  Theyhave recently joined forces with Baton Rouge business-man and attorney, Danny McGlynn, to take over the event management and catering at The Glynns of Myrtles Plantation St. Francisville.  Their first "official" event there will be an Easter Brunch on March 23 offering such tasty treats as "Fresh Fruit Salad with Riesling Syrup and Pound Cake French Toast", "Louisiana Chopped Salad with Crawfish Tails, Tasso, Pepper Cheese, Roasted Corn, Avocado, Creole Tomatoes and Creamy Green Onion Buttermilk Dressing", "Herb-Roasted Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Demi Glace" and "Heavenly Hash Bread Pudding with Gold Brick Chocolate Creme Anglaise Sauce".  Please call 784-0535 for more info or visit their website at www.heirloomcuisine.com.

 

7th Annual Audubon Country BirdFest

This birding event has continued to grow in popularity, and this year will take place on the weekend of April 4 – 6.  Field trips will feature our most popular sites - Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge and wildlife artist Murrell Butler’s Oakhill Plantation in addition to four outstanding private properties –  Beechwood Plantation, Hollywood Plantation, Woodhill Farm, and Wyoming Plantation.  Birding tours will also be held at Audubon State Historic Site at Oakley Plantation, the Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve, and along the shores of the Mississippi River. A welcome reception on Friday night, April 4, will feature Danny Heitman, author and columnist for the Baton Rouge Advocate, and he will discuss his latest book, A Summer of Birds:  John James Audubon at Oakley House, and will be hosted at Audubon State Historic Site.  New in 2008:  Phyllis Pitre Lastrapes will conduct a photo workshop, all tours have been designed with the beginner to intermediate birder in mind and are led by knowledgeable and experienced local field guides.  For more information visit www.audubonbirdfest.com, e-mail fns@audubonbirdfest.com or call 800-488-6502.

 

Audubon Nature Day At Audubon State Historic Site

As part of the Feliciana Nature Society’s Audubon Bird Fest, this site will focus on nature and how the naturalist artist, John James Audubon interacted with his surrounds at Oakley in 1821. Guest speakers, demonstrations, presenters, walks and talks are included with this program.  Friday, April 4, will feature a school program open to all schools from 9 am – 1 pm.  For more information, please call 888-677-2838 or locally 635-3739.

 

That’s all for this week.  Enjoy the Pilgrimage this weekend!

 

Happenings

Music at The Mag

Friday, March 7 – The Feliciana Band; Friday, March 14 – Bring It

 

Dance Lessons

Starting this Thursday, March 6, The Mag will offer free Cajun-Zydeco dance lessons at 7 pm.  The lessons will start with beginner waltz and will be taught by Ned Piper and his partner Ms. V.

 

New at Varnedoe’s

In addition to the daily lunch buffet for $10 per person which includes beverage, you can now order from the daily salad menu.  Entrée salads vary in cost and can also be ordered with a cup or bowl of soup.  Varnedoe’s Carriage House has now been serving up great food for just over two years and is looking forward to another great year in St. Francisville.  They have expanded their catering capability with a new mobile catering kitchen.  There’s lots more planned so stay tuned!

 

BR Symphony Music This Saturday

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 still available at the Bank of St. Francisville or by calling BRSO 225-383-0500.

 

Native American History

On Saturday, March 8 at 11 am at Rosedown State Historic Site, join Interpretive Ranger James Smith as he demonstrates the art of Flint Knapping, which allowed Native Americans to make many of their own tools from stone.  For more information call 635-3110.

 

Easter at Rosedown

On Saturday, March 8 from 1 pm until 3 pm, children can participate in an old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.  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.

 

Rouge Roubaix Bike Race

The beautiful and scenic roads around West Feliciana parish and southern Mississippi will challenge a couple of hundred or more bicyclers as they race in Raisin’ Cane’s Rouge Roubaix.  It’s a grueling 100 mile journey for the contestants which begins at the Quality Inn on the Lake on Hwy. 61 and ends at Que Pasa on Ferdinand Street.  The race begins at 8 am and will probably end around 1 pm.

 

Saturday Soiree

This street dance has been so popular that it has become an integral part of the Pilgrimage weekend.  Light Up The Night will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 7 pm, and Louisiana’s hottest variety dance band, Something Blue, will perform 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.

 

Audubon BirdFest

This annual event showcases the beautiful and varied bird population of the Felicianas.  Held on the weekend of April 4 – 6, guided tours in Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge are always popular.  Other properties that will feature birding tours include Beechwood Plantation, Hollywood Plantation, Woodhill Farm, and Wyoming Plantation.  Featured speaker for the welcome reception on Friday night, April 4, is Danny Heitman, columnist for the Baton Rouge Advocate and author of A Summer of Birds:  John James Audubon at Oakley House.  For a complete listing of events and tours, visit www.audubonbirdfest.com or www.stfrancisvillefestivals.com.