Natchez, MS Students’ Reading Success through Community Collaboration
Natchez, MS Royal Brunch
Natchez, MS Krewe of Phoenix Duke & Duchess Party
Wesson, MS Sonya Cowen’s 80th Birthday
our team
from the PUBLISHER
Welcome to this spring edition of 2026 during our 26th year. We always enjoy building this issue that focuses on our communities’ events, among them the annual Smokin’ on the Tracks in Summit, Mississippi, and the Brookhaven, Mississippi, Camellia Society’s 73rd Show. We also have discovered a unique program training young people in the culinary field and serving their church community. To these, we have added our featured history of the Easter Egg Hunt, sharing multiple images of this delightful experience that speckles our landscape weeks ahead of the Easter holiday.
Our In the Garden section spotlights the Peggy Martin Rose super plant. This beloved and hardy rose can survive and thrive in all sorts of weather and terrain. Also very timely, Cole Mosby with our Mindful Money section offers tips for 2026 taxes. Plus, to lighten the mood, we have a “sweet” gender reveal shared in Along and Beyond.
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Natchez, MS 39120
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Bluffs & Bayous is published monthly to promote the greater Southern area of Louisiana and Mississippi in an informative and positive manner. We welcome contributions of articles and photos; however, they will be subject to editing and availability of space and subject matter. Photographs, comments, questions, subscription requests and ad placement inquiries are invited! Return envelopes and postage must accompany all materials submitted if a return is requested. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Bluffs & Bayous are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Bluffs & Bayous strives to ensure the accuracy of our magazine’s contents. However, should inaccuracies or omissions occur, we do not assume responsibility.
This issue’s Social Scenes cover past month’s events including a fundraiser for McComb, Mississippi’s Shuffle to the Chefs; Natchez, Mississippi, Mardi Gras celebrations; a Fernwood, Mississippi, Christmas party; and an 80th birthday salute for Peggy Cowan in Wesson, Mississippi. Also, we offer a peek into the Brookhaven Founders Day event and the Natchez Downtown Association’s partnership with a successful reading program for a local school.
Finally, our Up & Coming once again spotlights our area events to fill your calendar with activities. Take advantage of these many opportunities to bask in the rebirth of our area’s flourishing spring by focusing on happy times in one of the happiest seasons that enrich our life along and beyond the Mississippi.
COLE MOSBY Contributor
JEAN NOSSER BIGLANE Copy Editor BONNIE DICKERSON Design Director
CHERYL FOGGO RINEHART Publisher/Editor/Sales
LISA WHITTINGTON Photographer
MELANIE SOJOURNER Sales
SAM GWIN Contributor
BILL PERKINS Photographer
CECILIA HOPKINS STEVENS Contributor
Your 2026 Tax Season Survival Guide
Tax season often brings a quiet panic about what you might be forgetting and a last-minute rush to pull everything together before the deadline. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To avoid surprises, minimize your tax bill, and make the process smoother, try these simple steps:
Gather the documentation you’ll need: Record your Social Security number, address, and details for any dependents; secure documents for all income, which include W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, and brokerage statements; for above-the-line deductions, collect IRA and HSA contribution statements and any student loan interest; for itemized deductions, gather your mortgage statement, property tax payments, state and local tax payments, charitable donations, and medical expenses. Compile health insurance details if you’re self-employed or bought coverage through the marketplace. Collect childcare and education expenses, and any expenditures on energy efficiency. Also, note any major events that may have occurred, such as a birth, death, change in marital status, or sale of a home or business.
Be patient with late or corrected forms: Once you have your paperwork together, filing early is tempting; but sometimes that can be detrimental. This is especially true if you have investments or receive K-1s from partnerships. Some custodians don’t have to issue 1099s until mid-February or later. Even then, corrected forms may show up weeks later.
Don't miss overlooked deductions and credits: If you're self-employed and paying for your own health insurance, those premiums are likely deductible. Health Savings Account contributions are another overlooked tool for reducing taxable income as can be childcare expenses, educational costs, and charitable donations. If you made retirement contributions to a SEP IRA, solo 401(k), or traditional IRA, those may be deductible as well, depending on your income and type of plan. Even if you haven't claimed these deductions in the past, revisit them now.
Note new deductions: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced several new deductions that could reduce your taxable income this year.
(1) Tip income. Workers in tipped occupations may deduct qualified tips from federal taxable income, up to $25,000 for married couples filing jointly with lower limits for other filers. This deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Strict eligibility criteria apply, so verify you meet the requirements before claiming it.
(2) Overtime pay. The premium portion of overtime compensation—such as the "half" in time-and-a-half—may now be deductible up to $12,500 annually ($25,000 for joint filers). This applies to overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is subject to the same income phase-outs as the tip deduction.
(3) Car loan interest. Individuals may now deduct up to $10,000 in interest paid on loans used to purchase a new vehicle
for personal use. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers). Lease payments do not qualify.
(4) Additional deduction for seniors. Individuals age 65 and older may claim an additional $6,000 deduction on top of the standard deduction ($12,000 for married couples where both spouses qualify). This begins to phase out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $75,000 or $150,000 for joint filers.
If you own a business, keep these extra steps in mind:
(1) File your business return first if you're an S corporation or partnership. Your business return typically needs to be filed before your personal return because the K-1 that reports your share of the company's income, deductions, and credits flows through to your individual tax return. Delays in filing your business return can delay the rest of your tax process. Also, make sure your books are up to date or that your bookkeeper has everything needed to close out the year—reconciling bank accounts, categorizing expenses, and flagging any unusual income or reimbursements.
(2) If you paid independent contractors more than $600 last year, you're likely required to send them a 1099-NEC by February 2. Missing that deadline can result in penalties, so confirm that those forms have been issued.
(3) It's also a good time to review your mileage logs, home office expenses, and any business-related travel or meals you may have paid for out of pocket. Better records mean more deductions—and more confidence if your return is ever audited.
Understand your deadlines and what an extension really means: As you organize your documents, keep an eye on key deadlines. For most taxpayers, the filing deadline this year is April 15, 2026. Some states may have different dates, especially if disaster declarations are involved. If you're not ready to file by then, you can request an extension—but remember an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay. If you expect to owe taxes and don't make a payment by April 15, interest and penalties can still apply. That's why it's often better to send in an estimated payment with your extension rather than underestimate and come up short.
The more organized you are now, the less time you'll spend hunting down paperwork or worrying about what you might have missed. Filing on time and accurately reduces your chances of missing deductions, triggering penalties, or rushing decisions that can't be undone later. Also, many provisions have detailed requirements, income limits, and documentation standards. Working with a qualified tax advisor is the best way to ensure you're both complying with the latest rules and making the most of every available deduction.
ARTICLE | Cole Mosby
Cole Mosby, CPA, is a Senior Associate at Gillon Christan Mosby PLLC. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Mississippi.
118th Founders’ Day Celebration
The Phi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, proudly hosted its 118th Founders’ Day Celebration in Brookhaven, Mississippi, bringing together members, community leaders, and guests to honor the organization’s enduring legacy of sisterhood, scholarship, and service. The event reflected the program theme, “Elevating Communities through a Legacy of Service and Sisterhood.”
The celebration was guided by Mistress of Ceremonies Tamica Jeuitt; and Chapter President Betty Wilson-McSwain welcomed guests and emphasized the chapter’s commitment to meaningful service, strong community partnerships, and the collective responsibility to uplift and empower communities throughout Southwest Mississippi. Special greetings were delivered by Brookhaven Mayor Reverend Larry Jointer, who commended the Phi Mu Omega Chapter for its leadership and dedicated contributions to the region.
The program featured a keynote address by Dr. Earlexia Norwood. During her address, Dr. Norwood creatively engaged the audience by using familiar phrases and inviting attendees to complete them
aloud. Her interactive approach underscored a powerful message— that everyone shares responsibility for contributing to the betterment of our communities.
Guests enjoyed beautiful selections of music by violinist Torrin Green. The program also included an uplifting performance by The One Man Show, featuring instrumentals and melodious vocals that delighted the audience. A special highlight of the celebration was the recognition of Charter Members, Golden Members, and Legacy Families. The event concluded with expressions of gratitude to sponsors, vendors, and community supporters whose contributions helped make the celebration a memorable success.
As the Phi Mu Omega Chapter celebrates 118 years of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, members remain steadfast in their mission to serve and to continue elevating communities through impactful programs and purposeful sisterhood.
Smokin’ on the Tracks 15TH Anniversary
Smokin’ on the Tracks 15TH Anniversary
On behalf of The Friends of Pike County, a nonprofit group of community champions, the 15th Anniversary of Smokin’ on the Tracks is coming April 17–18, 2026, to Robb Street in Downtown Summit, Mississippi.
What began as a grassroots BBQ cook-off has grown into Southwest Mississippi’s biggest party—and a party with a purpose. This two-day, free-to-the-public celebration features over 70 food and craft vendors, a fierce but friendly BBQ competition, a crowd-favorite antique car show, and high-energy entertainment for all ages— including our 2026 headliner, Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster. In addition to this headliner, we will have Keys vs Strings, popular dynamic duo Marvin Curtis and Topher Brown, on Friday along with The Lonely Hearts band.
Smokin’ on the Tracks began in 2012 in the heart of Summit, Mississippi, rooted in a simple vision: bring people together around great food, live music, and a shared commitment to community. Organized by Friends of Pike County, a group of faithful and community-minded volunteers, the event was created as a grassroots barbecue cook-off and fundraiser to support local causes; but from the beginning, it was designed to serve more than one town.
Inspired by Summit’s railroad heritage, the name reflects the community’s historic role as a place of connection where people, commerce, and culture once
converged along the tracks. That symbolism quickly became reality as the festival grew beyond Summit into a gathering point for families, friends, and visitors from across Pike County and throughout Southwest Mississippi.
By its second year, Smokin’ on the Tracks was already drawing regional BBQ teams, musicians, and guests from neighboring towns and counties. What started as a local cook-off evolved into a true regional festival, blending barbecue, live entertainment, and fellowship into a multi-day celebration. Car shows, vendors, reunions, and community activities followed, transforming the event into a signature spring tradition for the broader region.
Over time, the festival became more than an event; it became a shared cultural experience for Southwest Mississippi—a place where small towns meet, traditions are celebrated, and community identity is strengthened. While firmly anchored in Summit, Smokin’ on the Tracks grew into something bigger: a regional homecoming, a fundraiser with impact, and a symbol of what happens when rural communities come together with purpose.
Today, Smokin’ on the Tracks stands as one of Southwest Mississippi’s most beloved annual traditions—a “party with a purpose” that honors heritage, fuels local causes, and proves that small towns, when united, can create something truly lasting.
PHOTOS | Manuel Scott
But behind the fun is a mission-driven heart: each year, the event raises funds for some of the region’s most impactful nonprofits, including the following: PALS Rescue Inc. (animal shelter); Flo’s Angels, honoring the legacy of Flo Boyd; Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center; MICA (food pantry); Greater Hope Homeless Shelters; and ASAP – Aiding Shelter Animals Project.
BBQ teams compete for bragging rights and crowd love while working together to serve up the most mouthwatering dishes in the region. From the smoky flavors to the soulful sounds to the spirit of community service, Smokin’ on the Tracks is what small-town Mississippi does best.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
SmokinOnThe Tracks.org or facebook.com/smokinonthetracks.
10th Annual Fernwood House Christmas Party
December was the tenth year of the annual Fernwood Christmas party hosted by Denver Mullican at Fernwood House in Fernwood, Mississippi, on December 13, 2025. Saint Nicholas of Myra, portrayed by Father John Lambert, visited and distributed the traditional golden ball candy. Photography by Manuel Scott, Jr.
Lesli Fumar and Chris Pietraroia
Simone Sandifer, Saint Nicholas, and Stacy Guidrey
Margaret Pigott and Gayle Entrekin
Jack Shah and Tracey Levens
Magician Tommee Pickles
Enola Perkins and Randy Daniel
Rhonda Weidner, Denver Mullican, Alex Mann, and Will Mann
Bets Enochs and Edgar Enochs
Cameron Buccola, Sheree Buccola, and Denver Mullican
Saint Nicholas, Andreea Lazar, Bobby Mihoc, and Jenna Mckenzie
Adelle Davis
Carla Waguespack, Leon Molinario, Kristen Molinario, and Michael Waguespack
Saint Nicholas, Tracey Levens, and Angie
Williams Daly
Tracey Levens with Hazel and Scott Hughes
Johnny and Kimberly Tillmon with Ashlee and Lance Reed
Louisiana Super Plants
Peggy Martin Roses
Peggy Martin roses are a robust and recognizable feature in the Louisiana landscape. The showy, fragrant pink flowers are sure to attract the eyes of passersby and pollinators. This plant makes an excellent addition to the landscape where it can be trained over features such as fences to create a unique aesthetic with its undefined form. A favorite feature of many gardeners is that these plants are generally thornless, keeping people and pets safe from a prickly predicament.
Peggy Martin roses prefer full-sun conditions and well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH of 5.6-6.5) with supplementary water recommended during periods of extended drought. An overall resilient plant, popularized by its survival through floods in the wake of Hurricane Katrina at its namesake’s residence, Peggy Martin roses need minimal maintenance. Pests and disease issues are not a common concern. A spring and fall application of complete fertilizer and a late winter pruning to guide growth and remove undesired canes is all that is typically needed.
Recommended Use:
Vining shrub, trellis shrub
Habit: Climbing, Spreading, Twining, Trailing
Exposure: Full Sun Recommended
Size: 13 to 17 ft.Tall 5 to 7 ft. Wide
Bloom Time: Early Spring, Late Summer & Fall Rebloom
Highlights:
Water: Average Water Use
Maintenance: Minimal Maintenance
Profuse pink flowers grab attention in spring and re-bloom later in the year in established plantings. This low-maintenance shrub is often trained around structures such as trellises and fences, allowing the form to be contorted to the desired shape. The lack of thorns contributes to the ease with which this plant is maintained with light pruning to remove dead canes and to train the plant typically being all that is necessary.
ARTICLE | Dr. Damon E. Abdi
Damon E. Abdi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station; Jeb S. Fields, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station; Ashley Edwards, Research Associate, LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station; Maureen Thiessen, Research Associate, LSU AgCenter, Hammond Research Station
Delicate but tough Southern gem!
Requirements:
The soil pH should be adjusted to between 5.5 and 6.5 since roses prefer slightly acidic conditions.
Full sun is generally best. Morning sun is recommended. Some light afternoon shade is appreciated in the hottest of times.
Peggy Martin roses perform best in properly prepared landscape beds. Despite its story of surviving floods, ensuring ample drainage is essential. Roses in general suffer in wet soils.
Growth Habits:
A prolific spreading plant, the Peggy Martin roses’ undefined form is partially responsible for its popularity, allowing gardeners to creatively shape this plant in the landscape.
This selection is very common in space-limited landscapes, given its capacity to grow on fences and other structures.
Peggy Martin roses are recommended for hardiness zones 4-10, and they do well throughout Louisiana.
Care and Maintenance:
Ensuring adequate moisture is vital, and supplementary irrigation may be needed during drought periods. Providing drip irrigation at the base of the plant is an effective way to limit foliar wetness, and ensuring proper drainage can help prevent disease.
Applying 3 inches of mulch around the base is important in preventing the soil from drying out and ensuring proper root health. This can also reduce weed pressure.
Spring and fall fertilizer applications can help ensure growth and bloom quality. Complete fertilizers are good for this.
Peggy Martin roses do not need deadheading as they will continue to bloom; however, deadheading will not cause harm and may be done to maintain aesthetics.
While relatively thornless, it is not uncommon to occasionally encounter thorns. In fact, some consider this plant semi-thornless. The backs of the leaves are fairly prickly, so wearing gloves is recommended when performing maintenance.
The plant is commonly cited as highly disease resistant, contributing to its success across a range of environments.
Peggy Martin roses can be quite attractive as container plants although additional care may be necessary to keep the shrubs contained.
McComb Garden Club Hosts
Enchanting 2025 Flower Show, “Paradise Found”
The McComb Garden Club welcomed guests to its highly anticipated annual flower show on November 3, 2025, presenting an exhibition that blended horticultural excellence with artistic imagination. This year’s theme, “Paradise Found,” invited visitors to embark on a visual journey through a designer’s dreamscape where creativity and botanical mastery flourished in every display.
Attendees meandered through a curated collection of arrangements and exhibits that showcased a stunning range of interpretations. Each entry offered a unique glimpse into a world of wonder from mystical undersea realms and reimagined ancient gardens to captivating floral landscapes inspired by cultures across the globe. The show’s diverse compositions highlighted both the skill of the designers and the limitless storytelling power of flowers.
With its vibrant displays and immersive thematic elements, the 2025 Flower Show once again affirmed the McComb Garden Club’s role as a cornerstone of horticultural artistry and community engagement. Guests left inspired, reminded of the beauty that blossoms when creativity and nature intertwine.
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April Boarman—Delores Feldman Award; Mallory Robinson—Distinction Award and Garden Spirit Award; Brianna Causey—Tri Color Award; Virginia James—Designer's Choice Award and Award of Design Excellence; Sarah Finch—Dottie Diamond Novice Award and Designer's Choice Award; and Amanda Ballard—Delores Feldman Award Angie Woodcock, Flower Show Co-Chair; Brianna Causey, McComb Garden Club President; and Virginia James, Flower Show Chair
MYRTLE
TRINITY MEDICAL CTR / FERRIDAY, LA
JEFFERSON ST. METHODIST NATCHEZ, MS
C 3 Catholic Culinary Crew
In Natchez, Mississippi, Ruth Powers, Basilica of St. Mary Parish Life Coordinator, and culinary genius Jim Anderson have teamed up to create a culinary crew of high school participants from the church and Cathedral Catholic School. The collaboration has sparked the interest of a group of young men who voluntarily have taken on the responsibility of feeding parish members each Wednesday night as part of the Parish Life activities. Navigating among the demands of their school work, school activities, and family responsibilities, these young men spend hours prepping and preparing the meals. Dinners are offered at no charge, but a basket is available for parish diners to make contributions toward covering the cost of the food.
Jim Anderson, who is no novice to the food industry and currently also spins his culinary talents at the school’s cafeteria, noticed that many youngsters did not know how to cook a simple meal. After his daughter Wesley went off to college, she called him and said, “Dad, how do I cook this frozen chicken pot pie?” That’s when it hit him. After a year of spending five days a week with students and getting to know most all of them, he had the idea of creating a group not just to teach them to cook a simple meal but to open up their minds to the culinary aspect of the hospitality business.
Anderson then pitched the idea to Powers with details about the organization and involvement of the group. Working out the kinks over the summer, the two came up
with what has evolved from the initial hands-on activity into an experience that will offer these young men a life-long skill set. The cooking proficiencies, dining service, and customer-interaction finesse, along with the orchestration of kitchen setup and clean-up are all a part of this creative and unique group experience now known as the 3C Crew—Catholic Culinary Crew.
The crew’s uniform T-shirts, which they wear when working the Wednesday night dinners, tout their logo, which was inspired by Jim Anderson and designed by Sarah Powers Aldridge. It displays images of a Chef Jesus, a pair of cooking knives, a loaf of bread, and the Chi Rho symbol of Christ, collectively signifying Jesus feeding his people, which is exactly what this group is doing—and having fun and learning life skills while doing it!
Anderson grew up in the hospitality industry working first as a dishwasher and server and then as a restaurateur, food salesman, food broker, and caterer. With his years of culinary and people experience, he understands what customers want. Moreover, he has amazing rapport with each student and adult volunteer working in the program, therein creating a smooth, seamless, and successful experience for all participating in its production and for those enjoying its delicious weekly fare.
At the completion of this invaluable culinary and hospitality training program, C3 Crew members can qualify for a ServSafe Certificate, required for all food service
managers and staff. Toward that certification, an additional project—and a very successful one—that the team recently adopted was preparing casseroles for the C3 Crew’s Super Bowl Sunday Casserole Sale. From scratch, they prepared the dishes for several casserole menus that customers had preordered for pick up on the Friday before Super Bowl Sunday.
For Ruth Powers and Jim Anderson, teaching these skills in such a hands-on, immediate-response manner not only trains the young men of the C3 Crew to cook for themselves but also provides them the spiritual enrichment of serving with a grateful heart and offering small acts of kindness as well as develops their willingness to go beyond the norm in a positive and character-building way.
The Brookhaven Camellia Society Annual Show
The Brookhaven Camellia Society will host their 73rd annual camellia show on Saturday March 7, 2026, at the Brookhaven Building in Brookhaven, Mississippi. A camellia plant sale will complement the competition. Entries are free and may be submitted that morning from 8:30 to 10:30 with the plant sale starting at 8:30 with about 80 plants provided by the Camellia Heaven Nursery near Folsom, Louisiana. The four categories for known entries are white, red, pink, and striped (variegated) with a category for unknown ones and a youth section with the same categories. Entries usually number 800 to 1000 blooms from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee.
Following the judging, a free public viewing will be that afternoon from 2:00 until 5:00; and after the show, the Lincoln County Master Gardeners will collect and take these magnificent blooms to the assisted living centers
of Brookhaven to be enjoyed by the residents, staff, and guests, a tradition in Brookhaven going back decades.
The Brookhaven Camellia Society was formed in 1953, and at least four new varieties of camellias were created by Brookhaven members over the years playing with Mother Nature. Members from the Brookhaven Camellia Society have been president of the American Camellia Society and the International Camellia Society, and currently the president of the Brookhaven Camellia Society is a director on the board of the Gulf Coast Camellia Society (Texas to Georgia) and the board of the American Camellia Society.
Incidentally, there will be a classic car show that Saturday in downtown Brookhaven with more than 650 cars to admire (weather permitting)—something special to enjoy that morning before the public viewing of blooms that afternoon.
THE socialSCENE
McCOMB, MS
Shuffle to the Chefs
The eighteenth annual Shuffle to the Chefs was held in McComb, Mississippi, on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the McComb Mill. This fundraiser supports St. Andrew’s Mission in McComb. The event offered tastings from over twenty chefs plus a silent auction. Photography by Bill Perkins
McCOMB, MS
something scrumptious Doughing it Right –intro to
Sourdough Baking
What did you name yours? When did you feed it last?
Are you keeping it warm enough?
These might sound like questions asked of a new parent or even a new pet owner, but they are actually common questions passed around in the world of sourdough bread bakers. I entered the sourdough community in December 2025 with a gift of starter from a friend and have discovered—if the audience will excuse the pun—that it is a world with a culture of its own.
I was hesitant to start sourdough baking or any “real” baking for that matter. I love to cook, but baking is such as exact science that I have never been successful. My daughter came to my rescue and presented me with a kitchen scale
ARTICLE
|
Cecilia Stevens Cecilia
which I have learned is a necessity. And guess what? I am creating some pretty good products while traveling around in this sourdough world.
So, what is sourdough? Sourdough is created using a naturally fermented yeast culture to create the “rise” in dough. According to the Colorado State University Extension Service, “The naturally occurring bacteria in a sourdough starter are species of Lactobacillus. They turn sugars from flour into lactic acid and convert the yeast-produced alcohol into acetic acid. These organic acids give sourdough bread its trademark sour flavor and enhanced preservative qualities.”
Stevens (B.A. LSU and M.ED. Louisiana Tech) resides in Concordia Parish, works for the LSU AgCenter, and is the parent of two adult children.
A few definitions are needed before we get to the recipes. An “active” starter has been “fed” a mixture of flour, water, and existing starter to create an active yeast source for baking. The “discard” is any starter which has been saved but not recently fed and therefore not in the stage to add “rise” to a baked good. Some of the recipes shared will use active starter, and some will use discard starter paired with an extra leavening (rising) agent such as baker’s yeast or baking powder. Recipes using discard starter may have a more pronounced sourdough taste depending upon the age of the discard.
You can create your own starter from scratch or get a “start” from a sourdough enthusiast. However, there are food safety best practices involved in creating and using a sourdough starter. For this article, the writer will assume that the audience has access to a safe source of sourdough starter. If there is any concern about a starter being contaminated including visual signs such mold or discoloration, throw out that starter and begin with a new culture.
One of my favorite things about sourdough baking is that the dough is adaptable to so many types of recipes from traditional loaves to sweet selections and to savory products. The dough is also the perfect conduit for seasonal produce. As you look at the recipes below, think how each could be
adapted using local herbs, fruits, or vegetables available at the farmers market or from a home garden.
Now, to the recipes! The first recipe is Sourdough Boule Bread which translates from French as “ball” bread. This is the classic round loaf with slashes on the finished bread surface. I have included a basic boule recipe as well as instructions for “add-ins” such as Jalapeño and Cheese Boule or Herb Boule. These recipes use active starter, so the process from the start (feeding the starter) to the finish (removing the bread from the oven) can take up to 24 hours to complete. Plan accordingly!
The last two recipes use discard. Sourdough Brownies got top ratings from my family. The brownies are incredibly rich and chocolatey. And because the recipe uses discard starter, the recipe can be completed start to finish in just over one hour.
Herbed Sheet Pan Crackers also start with discard. I love this recipe because the baker can add any favorite herb mix—dried or fresh—as well as any favorite cheese to make a final product unique to the baker or occasion. I am planning to prepare these as an appetizer for my daughter’s upcoming wedding in December.
I hope these recipes encourage you to join the sourdough community and get baking!
Beginner Sourdough Boule Bread
100 grams active sourdough starter (should be fed and bubbly)
350 grams warm water (room temperature; bottled or filtered water)
Place starter and water in a large bowl and mix until milky and smooth. Add flour and salt. Mix with a spoon or hands until no dry bits remain. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature. Remove cover. Use hands to fold dough a few times in the bowl to strengthen the dough.
Over the next hour, do three sets of “stretch and folds” spaced 20 minutes apart. Each stretch and fold consists of grabbing one edge of the dough in the bowl, pulling it up and then folding it to the center. Turn the bowl a quarter turn and repeat. Do this until you return to your starting point. Then cover and set a timer for 20 minutes to complete your three sets of stretch and folds.
After three sets, cover the dough and let rise in a warm place (75-78 degrees Fahrenheit). This may take up to eight hours depending upon the temperature of the kitchen.
The dough is ready for the next step when the dough has domed, has bubbles on the sides, and jiggles when the bowl is gently shaken.
Lightly flour the counter or work surface. Turn out the sourdough and stretch into a rectangle. *If adding herbs or other “add ins,” sprinkle over the rectangle now. Fold as though folding a letter into three parts. Then roll this into a ball. Place seam side up in a floured bowl or banneton basket.
The final rise/proof has two options depending upon your baking schedule. Option A—same day—Let the dough rise on the counter until slightly puffy. This will take about two hours. Option B—overnight—Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 to 12 hours or overnight to rise.
To bake, select an oven-safe Dutch oven with lid. Place the Dutch oven in your kitchen oven and preheat both to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut a piece of parchment paper about 6 inches wider than your dough. Turn out the dough onto the parchment paper. Slash the top of the dough with a knife.
Place the parchment paper and dough in the Dutch oven and add the lid. Add one ice cube under the parchment paper to help create steam to make the crust.
Cover with the Dutch oven lid, return to the oven, and bake for 30 minutes covered. Reduce heat to 445 degrees and bake 30 additional minutes or until the dough reaches an internal temperature of 204 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove from Dutch oven, wrap in a tea towel, and let cool at least one hour. Unused portions may be wrapped in a tea towel and then plastic wrap. Keeps up to five days.
*Jalapeño Cheese Boule—Add in one cup of grated cheddar cheese and ¼ to ½ cup sliced jalapeños before the final fold. *Herb Boule—Add 2 tablespoons chopped dried herbs or 4 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs before the final fold. You may also add in 1 cup of your favorite cheese.
Yield: Serves 10
Prep Time: 12 to 18 hours (mostly resting)
Cook Time: 1 hour
Recipe from Lori Shell
Sour Dough Brownies
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces chocolate chips
½ cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
1 cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup sourdough discard (unfed starter)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add chocolate chips, vanilla, and cocoa. Stir over low heat until chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat to cool.
Place eggs and sugars in a mixing bowl and mix for 7 to 10 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add sourdough starter and the chocolate mixture. Beat on low until combined. Add flour and salt. Mix with spatula until just combined and no dry bits remain.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 45 minutes or until set. Cool completely, cut, and serve.
Keeps up to five days covered.
Yield: Serves 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Recipe from Lori Shell
Herbed Sheet Pan Sourdough Crackers
1 cup sourdough discard
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried herbs of choice
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¾ cup all-purpose flour (plus a bit more for dusting)
½ teaspoon salt
cracked pepper
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Select a large cookie sheet for baking the crackers.
Mix the sourdough discard, olive oil, herbs, and garlic powder in a bowl until smooth. Add flour and salt to the mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Cut two sheets of parchment paper 24 inches long. Place one sheet on the cooking sheet.
Dust the bottom sheet with flour. Add the dough and dust the top of the dough with flour. Place the second sheet of parchment paper on top. Roll out the dough thinly, about ⅛ inch, between the two sheets of parchment paper.
Removed the top sheet of parchment paper. Score the rolled dough into desired cracker shapes using a knife or pizza cutter.
Sprinkle cheese and cracked pepper over the dough. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until golden and crispy.
Cool the crackers completely on a wire rack before cutting apart and storing them in an airtight container. Keeps up to one week.
Yield: Serves 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Recipe from recipesbynatalie.com
THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ,
Krewe of Phoenix Twelfth Night Party
The Krewe of Phoenix held their Twelfth Night Party on January 3, 2026, at historic Foster’s Mound, the home of Butch and Missy Johnson in Natchez, Mississippi. The 2026 royalty received their pins before guests and members of the krewe. The Krewe of Phoenix is celebrating their fortyfourth year promoting the traditions of Mardi Gras in Natchez, Mississippi.
Photography by Lisa Whittington
Along & beyond
A Sweet Gender Reveal
A Gingerbread Man theme, Caitlyn's favorite Christmas decor, was carried out in the invitations, the sweet treats, and even the Gingerbread House built by her father, Jeff Upton, to partake in the gender revel.
Since the 2000s, the practice of a gender reveal party has been held during pregnancy to reveal the baby’s gender to the expectant parents’ family and friends. Embracing this trend, a party was hosted for expectant couple Caitlyn and Walker Foggo of Brandon, Mississippi. “What’s Baking?” Gingerbread Men was the gender reveal theme for the party held Sunday afternoon, November 30, 2025, at the home of Shelia and John Foggo in Brandon, Mississippi. Family and friends entered through the front of the house where signage decorations and a front-door holiday garland with gingerbread-man balloons framed the entry welcoming all to the event.
PHOTOS | Ellen Upton
UPPER LEFT: Entry door flanked by balloon gingerbread men | BOTTOM LEFT: Dining table with a winter scene of Christmas trees, deer, and a gingerbread house | UPPER RIGHT: Custom-made He and She gingerbread cookies | MIDDLE RIGHT: Den fireplace mantle displaying a banner along with He and She stockings | BOTTOM RIGHT: Dining Room fireplace mantle hosting hot cocoa with all the trimmings
Elements of pink and blue décor appeared throughout the home. The dining room offered a spread of delicious hors d’oeuvres and sweets including a tray of gingerbread-man cookies, and a hot cocoa bar loaded with peppermint spoons, candy canes, whipping cream, and sprinkles. There was a gender lit Christmas tree touting the pink and blue colors.
Guests were encouraged to vote for either a Team Boy or Team Girl with ballots against the backdrop of Caitlyn’s and Walker’s baby pictures and their wedding picture along with their exciting reveal of a new addition to the family. The main mantel in the den had Christmas stockings featuring both a gingerbread girl and gingerbread boy.
On the outside deck stood a large gingerbread house where the gender reveal began with smoke drifting out of the gingerbread-house chimney to indicate a boy or girl. It’s a girl!
Business on a Handshake
I had a client and good friend who died a few years ago after he had relocated to Natchez to retire from Hollywood, California. He actually owned a production studio; and in the 1960s and 1970s, he worked with a lot of the famous people that we regularly saw on the movie screen and TV. He confided in me something that I found shocking.
He stated that almost everyone who was in either the TV industry or movie industry in Hollywood did business on a handshake! He said the reason for this was that, if you did not hold up your end of the bargain, you would never work in Hollywood again. Hollywood, however, is a small captured society with which I am not enthralled.
Does the old traditional handshake actually work in modern times and in the real world when you are conducting business, buying a house, contracting for services, financing a car, or settling a dispute of some kind? While you may think my answer to this question is self-serving, I will tell you that it is always prudent to have virtually all agreements which involve quid pro quo (this for that) put in writing. It still shocks me how many people do not follow this principal today. Most oral agreements which involve exchanging items of value or services in Mississippi are unenforceable.
There is a doctrine in Mississippi called the Statute of Frauds, which says no oral contract or agreement is enforceable if it involves the sale or lease of real estate (land, house, or buildings), or if it will take longer than 15 months to perform, or if it promises orally to pay for the debt of another, or if it involves any promise to marry someone, or if it involves the sale of goods or services for a price of $500.00 or more.
There are a multitude of exceptions to the general principal laid out above, but I don’t have the space to elaborate.
The Mississippi Supreme Court just decided a case between two merchants, a case in which one merchant owned a small grocery store and the second merchant approached the owner to buy the store. The seller and buyer verbally agreed to the terms which were going to take two to three months to complete, and both parties hired the same attorney to draw up the paperwork (bad mistake).
The attorney drew up a letter of intent as to what he understood was to be the contract for sale; however, neither party signed the letter of intent. Within two weeks, the seller
advised the buyer that they had closed the business down for the buyer to start renovations. However, the buyer ran into complications with the seller’s chain supplier, and you guessed it—the buyer informed the seller a few weeks later that he was not going to sign a contract nor pay a dime for the business. The seller then sued, and the lower court found that the transaction was going to cost far more than $500.00 and must be in writing and must be signed by both parties. The Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court for more technical reasons dealing with merchants, but you get the idea.
Agreements that involve money, land, personal property, services, purchases, or anything of value should always be in writing. I can’t tell you how many times parties have come to me and said something to this effect: “I repaired a washing machine in so-and-so’s house and they won’t pay me; I gave so-and-so $1,000.00 for his old car, and he won’t give me the title to it; I paid so-and-so $5,000.00 as earnest money, and now he won’t give me a deed to the land.” Always, get things in writing with all terms laid out, and have it signed and dated.
On the other hand, if you are presented a contract to sign, you need to read and understand it before you sign. If you don’t understand it, DON’T SIGN IT. Go see your lawyer, especially if the matter involved is over $500.00.
These suggestions even apply to agreements between family members. When I was a young attorney, I once bought my mother’s undivided interest in some family property; and she financed the deal for me. She signed a quitclaim deed over to me; and I signed a promissory note back to her, along with a mortgage from me to her. This is the cleanest way to handle such a transaction.
People often will not consult with attorneys when entering into agreements, thinking they will be fine in a verbal deal only to have a rude awakening. These are the people that attorneys love to see coming!!!
ARTICLE | Lucien C. Gwin III
Lucien C. “Sam” Gwin III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1981 and has been practicing many aspects of the law at the firm of Gwin, Punches & Kelley in Natchez, Mississippi, ever since.
Students’ Reading Success through Community Collaboration
Historic Downtown Natchez Partners in Natchez, Mississippi, is celebrating students’ reading success through it community collaboration. This celebration at McLaurin Elementary School library brought together students, educators, downtown business owners, and community partners to reward reading progress and expand access to books for young readers. Dixon Books in Natchez donated more than 40 copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Party Pooper after store owners identified an overstock and chose to place the books directly into the hands of local students. Recipients were Mrs. Jazzalin Noble’s fourth grade reading classes that were nominated by administration in recognition of strong student growth and reading progress. The student-centered literacy event was coordinated by the Downtown Natchez Alliance, which connected the bookstore, school leaders, and sponsors.
Royal Brunch
The Krewe of Monarchs hosted a royal brunch honoring Rex XLIV Tommy Ellett and Queen Rosalie XLIV Lisa Salvo Jaber on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Magnolia Hall in Natchez, Mississippi. Toasts and salutes were made by former Rexes in honor of this year’s Rex and Rosalie. This Krewe has been in existence for over forty years passing down the royal celebrations to each new Rex and Rosalie who automatically become members following their reign.
Rex and Rosalie XLIV along with former years’ monarchs
Sara and Chandler Russ with Sue Stedman
Rene and Pete Cantu with Donna Sessions
Charlotte Brent, Lisa Mayers, and Eric West
Annette and Tony Byrne
Scott Christian and MiMi McKie
Valerie and John Bergeron
MiMi McKie and Valerie Bergeron
GA Mayers with Mary and Jim Lessley
Donna and Tim Sessions
Dee and Steve Newman with Dennis Short
Tracy Gammon, Tommy Ellet, Sim and Betsy Mosby, Chris Maxwell, and Darby Short
Lisa Mayers, Lisa Jaber, Lisa Whittington, Cathy Ellett, and Cheryl Rinehart
Lisa Mayers and Lisa Jaber
TeEaster Egg Hunt
RICH IN TRADITIONS, NEW TAKES, AND TREASURES
The rabbit has been noted in ritualistic ceremonies as far back as Europe’s Neolithic Age, and the idea of an egg-laying rabbit might have started back with the Romans, who believed that all life came from eggs. However, another link between the rabbit and the egg comes from Pagan traditions in which the rabbit was associated with the moon and the egg with the sun. At the spring equinox, when day and night are the same length, the rabbit and egg come together. Also, eggs and rabbits for centuries have been symbols of fertility, the egg even a symbol of resurrection; so with spring’s similarity in symbolizing renewal and rebirth, eggs and bunnies easily transitioned into themes of the season.
The Easter Bunny legend itself seems to have started in 1600s Germany with an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase." German children made nests and left them outside for the hare to comfortably place her eggs. Easter Egg hunting began in America when German immigrants brought their Osterhase tradition to Pennsylvania in the 1700s. The festivity soon spread across the nation, and Easter baskets replaced the nests used by the Germans. Eventually, the game evolved into a treasure hunt, and the prizes expanded from just hard-boiled eggs to include chocolate and other candies, toys, and coins. In many families, the Easter Bunny leaves a basket filled with gifts, not just eggs to find.
Decorating eggs for Easter probably began in the thirteenth century when eggs (in addition to meat) were forbidden during the Christian Lenten Season which ends on Easter. To mark the end of the time of penance and fasting, people painted and decorated eggs before eating them. Some historians believe that the tradition of decorating eggs has ancient roots in Persia and Zoroastrianism with the colored eggs appearing on altars made for the Persian New Year celebrated at the vernal equinox. For centuries, parents emptied raw eggs and dyed the eggshells or dyed hard-boiled eggs for their children to find. Others also hand-painted the eggs with elaborate colorful designs.
More recently, the decorated real eggs have been joined by, or even replaced by colorful plastic eggs with diminutive
their baskets. In many families, these hunts occur soon after the children awake on Easter morning to find the Easter Bunny has left a basket filled with sweets and surprises, and outside has hidden numerous decorated hard-boiled eggs and/or treat-stuffed (or even money-stuffed) plastic eggs for hunting. Additional Easter Egg Hunts today are offered in schools and churches and sponsored by organizations, towns, and cities just prior to Easter, seeking to enhance children’s Easter Season. Some families host a children’s egg hunt following Easter lunch; and at times after the children’s hunt, adults love to get in on the excitement by ponying up money into a golden egg to be hidden, pursued, and discovered as the highlight of their hunt.
Rituals and traditions, new takes and treasures all weave the rich tapestry of an occasion—the Easter Egg
THE socialSCENE NATCHEZ,
MS
Krewe of Phoenix Duke & Duchess Party
Following the Natchez Christmas Parade on December 6, 2025, the 2025–2026 Krewe of Phoenix Dukes and Duchesses hosted an “Ugly Sweater” Party to celebrate the Mardi Gras season. Accustomed to costume attire, members and guests donned their favorite “ugly sweater” attire and celebrated in the old Budweiser building in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. Photography by Lisa Whittington
11 AM: Magnolia Hall / 2 PM: The Towers / 5:30 PM: Dunleith
–THURSDAYS ONLY PACKAGE–3 HOUSES - $70
March 19, 26; April 2,9, and 16 9:30 AM: Linden / 11 AM: Choctaw / 2 PM: Magnolia Hall
–WEEKENDS ONLY PACKAGES - FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS–5 HOUSES - $115
March 20 & 21, 27 & 28; April 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18
Friday: 11 AM: The Towers / 2 PM: Magnolia Hall Saturday: 9:30 AM: Linden / 11 AM: Choctaw / 2 PM: Ellicott’s Hill
TOURONEHOUSEor TOURTHEMALL!
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Our Fabulous Spring Lineup
The Towers Sunnyside Magnolia Hall Linden Frogmore Elms Court Ellicott's Hill Dunleith Choctaw
Lee Smith, CFP™, Stephanie Smith, Emily P. Maxwell, CFP™, John C. Bergeron
Sonya Cowen’s 80th Birthday
To honor Sonya Cowen on her 80th Birthday, Wesson Friends hosted a party on February 7, 2026, at the Wesson Baptist Church in Wesson, Mississippi. State Representative Becky Currie attended the party and read an honorary birthday proclamation from the Mississippi House of Representatives. Photography by Bill Perkins
Marilyn Britt, Mississippi State Representative District 92, with Becky Currie and Sonya Cowen
Edward Graham, Sr., and Ann Beall Kimbrough
Kelly Smith and Linda Wall
Donna Carr, Jennye Greer, Becky Lockhart, and Greg Lockhart
Elwood Husser and Mallory Husser
Mary Ann Jasper, Rhonda Ishee, Sharon Speights, and Lee Ann Knight
George Huffman, Zoula Huffma, and Sonya Cowen
Karen Smith and Jax Slonaker
Ira Head, Cherry Head, and Billy Sturdivant
Cherry Head, Marilyn Britt, and Jennifer Peets
Sharon Payn, Amy Shelley, and Steve Russell
LOUISIANA
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FB: Woodville/Wilkinson County Main Street Association
April 23
Wesson Chamber of Commerce
Annual Banquet
Thames Center
Co-Lin Campus 5 pm
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