River Town

Lights - Camera - Incentive!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:29:00 +0000

I just read an exciting piece of news about the film industry in Mississippi. According to the Mississippi Business Journal, the state's cash rebate program has been expanded by a new bill, just signed by Gov. Haley Barbour. The legislation includes a 25-30% rebate on cast and crew payrolls, with caps of $8Million per project and $20Million per year. That's a lot of incentive, I think, to get some cameras rolling in Natchez!
We've done it many times before, with Huckleberry Finn (twice that I know of), Freedom Road, North & South (both I and II), and Beulah Land, to name those that come to the top of my head, plus a few TV shows and music videos.
It would be great to have another movie production company in town with all that new money, but there's another cool part to this expansion; the program is expanded to include streaming video and internet delivery as qualified distribution! That means that someone local could produce a YouTube-type video and get a cash rebate! Did I read that wrong? I don't think so. To quote the article, "animation, 3D applications, video game cinematics, visual effects and motion capture within the fields of feature film, television, commercials and games, were added as qualified production."
According to this, the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau could produce a TV or internet commercial and get a big rebate, further stretching their advertising dollars. Local TV/Video advertising companies were already able to take advantage of these rebates, but now even more so.
By the way, apparently the 30% rebate is reserved for folks using Mississippi locals, so that's a great incentive to use local folks in your videos, and a great way for local actors to make a little extra cash.
Read the Mississippi Business Journal Article to get more information about the state rebate program.
Meanwhile, I'm ready for my close-up, Ms Durkin...

And don't forget to check out NatchezMS.com periodically to see places to stay, things to do, and where to dine in Natchez, Mississippi!

Hoopskirts, Greek Columns, and Antiques, Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:39:00 +0000

It would be great if I could just describe some of the historical wonders you'll see during Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez, and have you convinced that immediate reservations were in order. For most of you, however, those descriptions would just make your eyes glaze over.

Looking up at Longwood

Until you're standing next to the gigantic Greek columns of Stanton Hall feeling small and completely awed, or looking up 4 floors into the unfinished rafters of Longwood, or trying to figure out how the wondrously unsupported spiral staircase of Auburn holds weight...until you're actually there, it's hard to understand. Most historic places of any significance are like that, I think.
But history is only a part of the reason folks travel by the hundreds to Natchez during this season. Yes, the gardens are beautiful, and the townfolk hospitable, but there's even more.


Downtown Shopping

Like to eat? Step out the door of your B&B or hotel room and you're probably just a few steps away from rich cuisine of some sort. And what do you want? Barbecue? Fried Catfish? Sure, we've got plenty and you're welcome to it. How about some fine, white-tablecloth dining with a great wine list? Yes, we have that, too. Surprised? You shouldn't be. If you're in a group of 20 Natchezians, most likely one or two of them are world class chefs. No brag, just fact.
Like to shop? Natchez has been voted one of the very best places to shop in Mississippi, even in the South. You may never have seen so many really great antiques shops in one place. I'm not talking curios and flea markets, but yes, we have those, too. There are book stores, coffee shops, gift shops, clothing, and fine art shops lining Main Street, Franklin Street, and most of the cross streets between the two.

Kids take part in the Natchez Pageant

Want to see a show? Take your choice; a Gospel choir freeing you from the chains of slavery; a Pageant that dances and sings its way through the different eras of Natchez history; or stage comedians spoofing Pilgrimage itself. Something about the folks here, we just love to entertain.
But the part you may enjoy the most? Simply walking to the edge of the bluff, looking out over the magnificent Mississippi River some 150 feet below, and catching sight of one of the most breathtaking sunsets imaginable.

Sunset on the Mississippi

So, did my descriptions get you thinking about it, at least? Check out NatchezMS.com's pages full of Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Hotels, and Bed & Breakfasts, then come on down and spend a few days with us, especially during Spring Pilgrimage. Chances are, you'll find a lot more to excite you than just a few historical wonders.

Feathers, Females, and Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:29:00 +0000

This blog entry is supposed to be about Mardi Gras time in Natchez, Mississippi, but in going through my photos of Mardi Gras past, I find that practically all of them are of females having fun! They're throwing beads, dancing, smiling, watching parades..and acting downright queenly.
Now, if you don't think you can have just bunches of fun at Mardi Gras in a small town, just look at these pictures and be convinced.

Two big parades come through town - one of them's a night parade with lights all over the floats. It's a sight to behold! Floats of all kinds, marching bands, trucks and cars full of folks throwin' wampum, just about anything that can keep up with the rest of the parade.
We show a schedule of the parades - and other Mardi Gras events - on the home page of www.NatchezMS.com.

We have Call Out Balls, Grand Balls, After-Parade Parties, and lots and lots of bead-throwin', balcony-stompin', music-blarin' good times, with men and women dressed to the nines and dancing like their pants were on fire!

You'll meet kings and queens. That person next to you who's competing for the beads thrown from parade floats may be a prince or a pauper. And none of that will matter, because they all want to be your friends. I know I've often sat down to drink with people I had never met before.
And since all of this happens right in downtown Natchez, you're always within a few steps of good food, refreshing drinks, shops full of goodies and a warm bed.
Want to find out about restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, attractions, and shopping in Natchez? Go to www.NatchezMS.com!

One word of warning: save a little room in your luggage for all the pretty beads and trinkets you're gonna want to bring back with you. And don't worry about wearing a smile. We'll give you one when you get here - absolutely free!

The Colorful Costumes of Pow-Wow

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:56:00 +0000

For centuries before the first white man laid eyes on the land that is now part of the Natchez area, the Natchez Indians lived, and celebrated, and worshipped "The Great Sun." The Natchez are all but extinct now, but several village, burial and ceremonial sites have been found here. One of those is now called "The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians." It is here that the singers, dancers, and peoples of other tribes gather to celebrate a culture that will never come again.
It's a made-for-camera weekend. The dancers flail in their bright costumes, drummers beat out their heartbeat rhythm, singers chant the ancient songs, calling the people to celebrate life the old way.

This past March I was able to be there, trusty camera in hand, to take a few photos. Enjoy the photography, but come on down yourself next year and experience this event for yourself. Besides the music and dancing, there's also food and Native American arts and crafts for sale. It's a fun - and maybe educating - afternoon outing that the whole family can enjoy.
It's just one more of many reasons to come to Natchez for a weekend or so.
If you'd like to see more of my Natchez Pow-Wow photos, Go to my Flickr.com Page!
And to see more about Natchez, Mississippi, click on NatchezMS.Com, The Travel and Tourism Guide to Natchez, Mississippi.

Natchez Spring Pilgrimage

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:42:00 +0000

It's Spring Pilgrimage in Natchez, a time when many of the antebellum homes open their doors to tours. Visitors come from all around the world to step inside these architectural and historical wonders, and hear stories about the people who built and lived in them; stories full of humor, drama, and pathos, of great riches brought by king cotton, the devastating ravages of war and the preservation of history.

I've just spent the last 3 days taking photographs at many of those historic homes, and it was a thrill.

Taking pictures was a special treat for those 3 days. The weather was beautiful, camellias were in bloom everywhere (there's one in the first picture), hostesses wearing hoopskirts and antebellum gowns graced each home, and throngs of tourists - we like to call them 'visitors' - roamed the homes and grounds.

The antebellum home Richmond was one I'd never seen before. The mansion was built in different stages and with three distinct architectural types. The front is Greek Revival, the middle is Federal, and the back, the newest portion, is 3 stories of brick.

Elms Court was another I had not seen before, though I happen to know the owners. The massive amounts of wrought iron bordering the frame of the house set it apart from all the others.

Natchez offers morning and afternoon tours, with plenty of time in between for lunch. There's time afterward for shopping and dining, too. Dining in Natchez, like most Southern towns, is a real treat, and there are plenty of restaurants to suit just about any taste.

Evenings can be spent being entertained at the Natchez Pageant, Southern Road to Freedom, or Southern Exposure.

The Natchez Pageant is a series of tableaux, or 'pictures brought to life' representing the different periods of Natchez history, beginning with the Natchez Indians and ending with the Civil War.

Southern Road to Freedom is the story of slavery - and freedom, told with music.

Southern Exposure is a theatrical spoof of Pilgrimage. Yes, we like to make fun, even of ourselves.

Combine all that with some of the most magnificent antiques shopping in the South, a panoramic view of the Mississippi River, and the kind of hospitality that makes one wish he could live here forever, and you've got what we think is the perfect vacation.

So we'd like to know, have you been to Natchez, especially for Spring or Fall Pilgrimage? What did you think? And how can we improve your experience?

What did you like best? Is there anything you didn't like?

And personally, I'd like to know what websites you looked at before you came to Natchez.

That's a lot of questions, but if you'd like to just make a comment about your experience, that's ok, too. But please, make a comment - let us know something about your experience. Better yet, take another look at the questions and answer a few of them.

You'll be helping us make Natchez a better, more fun, more interesting place to visit. And that's what it's all about!

Thanks!

Sam

See more photos of Spring Pilgrimage

>NatchezMS.com, Travel & Tourism Guide to Natchez, Mississippi

Look Who's Marketing Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:28:00 +0000

First off, this is not a rant. I love what I do, and what I do is website development. The creativity and detail of my job make me happy, and I'm happy to help my clients.

But I've got to talk to more clients about their commitment to the internet.

Some think that once they've got a website their troubles are over. The website does all the work, the great Google god shines his blessing, and customers flock to them by the thousands.

But here's the reality: Your website just doesn't do everything automatically. You have to be paying attention and do some things that help your web presence grow.

As a developer, it's my responsibility to go through the Search Engine Optimization process with you by researching keywords, optimizing the meta tags, submitting to search engines, consulting with you on the best online directories for your business, and other technical stuff.

You, on the other hand, should be using social media like Twitter, Facebook, and any others that you have time for, to make your business shine. Sign up with business-related directories so that you can log on when you like, making changes when needed to be sure that everything is accurate.

Write a blog.

Your developer may be great at designing and SEO, but you're the one who sees your business day in and day out. Blogging about interesting customers, strange requests, a new sales tactic you tried, or even a troublesome problem you've come across can be a really good marketing tact.

Here's an example: A good friend and client who owns a bed and breakfast bragged a bit about the quality of the breakfast he served. When I checked his reviews on TripAdvisor, sure enough people were praising his food as some of the very best they'd ever had at a B&B. Now that's bragging rights! How much more could he have gained by blogging about it and linking right back to his site so folks could make reservations and taste for themselves?

It doesn't have to be bragging, it just has to be interesting enough for people to want to click the link. Another visitor and potential customer added.

And my web developing skills had nothing to do with it.

He could have done the same on Twitter or Facebook, having his followers and friends see what great hospitality he offers with just a few sentences.

My point is, a website by itself just isn't enough. It's an extremely important tool that offers information, pictures, and a sales pitch, but you are the one who makes your business shine.

If your business is important enough to have a website, then it's certainly important enough to spend a few minutes a day or a few times a week making it shine.

And if you'd like some help learning how to do that, call me and I'll offer my fabulous consulting services for a nominal fee.

What, you thought I'd do that for free? Silly earthling.

By the way, if you want to know who makes the fabulous breakfast, email travel@natchezms.com and I'll tell you.

Now for the cheap plug.

Go immediately to www.natchezms.com, see what a great getaway a visit to Natchez, MS would be, and tell the folks you make reservations with who sent you.

Ghosts in Natchez? Plenty and How!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Do you believe in ghosts? Soon it will be the season for them whether you believe or not, what with Halloween and all, and Natchez certainly has its share.
For instance, there's an article about the ghosts of Historic Jefferson College in the local paper today. It seems they're inviting "ghost hunters" to bring their paranormal-seeking equipment to look for evidence of the spirits seen and heard in the buildings and on the grounds around the old school. Here's a link to the article: http://tinyurl.com/ljubbh. I've seen the photo of the 9-year old boy and it's pretty convincing.
Natchez has a lot of antebellum homes (for you yankees, that's homes built before the Civil War) and you can bet nearly every one has a few stories about the doors shutting when no one's around, ghostly figures walking the halls, and other fairly domestic stuff. Haller Nutt is seen wandering the gardens of Longwood and his wife, Julia, climbs the unfinished stairs. The man with the top hat floats through the guest rooms of Linden, and Madeline plays tricks on the guests of King's Tavern. It's said that the woman was murdered and bricked into an old fireplace. They found her skeleton and the bones of two men. We don't know who the guys were, but you can bet there's lots of speculation about how they died. Ooh scary, very scary.
Walt Grayson of "Mississippi Roads" made a video of the walking ghost tour that existed a few years ago, but only caught a few globes of light on film.
Now the ghost tour is aboard a bus, with some stops along the way to see if you can scare up a spirit or two.
Ghost Tales Around the Campfire takes place at Jefferson College the 29th of October. Bring your blanket and/or lawn chair and sit around the bonfire while story-tellers try to scare the bejeesus out of you. Now that's fun, especially if you're the scarer not the scaree.
Intentionally made un-scary, is Angels on the Bluff. This event, held at the City Cemetery the first weekend of November, has local actors portraying the folks who reside in the graves. We've got Revolutionary War soldiers, Confederate generals, gypsies, artists, and every other kind of interesting folk, all with their own stories to tell. See more here: http://tinyurl.com/mguy7y.
So if you're a ghost hunter or just a curious visitor with a hankering to meet someone from the great beyond, come on down. Whether you see spirits or not, you're bound to have some fun trying. Visit www.natchezms.com to see lists of the hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, attractions, and lots more!

I Wanna Sleep All Day and F(ish) All Night

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Lend me a few bucks?
A friend of mine has some property for sale that I would dearly love to own. It's a little more than 1800 acres bordering the Mississippi River up in the Delta around Addie, MS. It's got its own oxbow lake as well as having easy access to the river, so you just pick the kind of fish you want to set out for and choose your spot. I do love to fish, and this place has got to be like fishing in Heaven. Rick shared some of his experiences fishing the lake, and described slab crappie bigger than his construction worker-sized hand. Now, every fisherman has his tall tales, but judging by the gleam in his eye I think he wanted to be there right then, catching some more.
The property has plenty of beautiful timber land as well, and everyone knows how big the Whitetail get in these parts. Now, I'm not a hunter anymore, but I would love to roam that countryside just to get a peek at the big bucks that roam that neck of Mississippi woods.
Speaking of peek, I've seen a few pictures of the duck and geese that come into the area. The property is right on the Mississippi flyway. My friend took some pictures of the geese coming in and showed them to me. The earth was literally white with them. It looked like it had snowed geese.
I was impressed.
"Rick, when are we gonna go up there so I can see it in person?" I asked excitedly.
"Nope, I don't have time to go up there just to show it off. Besides, if I spend too much more time up there I might not have the heart to sell it."

Rick was serious, especially about the last part. There are a few areas in Mississippi and Louisiana that are still pristine and full of wildlife, and when you're in one of those places, well, the sights, sounds and even smells are inviting, invigorating - they bring out the country boy in all of us. It's adventure, peace, and some primitive longing to just be simple again and part of nature instead of staring at pictures and computer screens.

Now, the purpose of his showing me all this was so I could help him sell it, but I couldn't help but daydream a bit about owning it myself. Truly, I've not often thought about leaving the Natchez/Vidalia area, with its own beauty and the people I've come to know as friends, but this was tempting.

So I'm not in the market myself, but in case you are - or if you're just curious enough to want to see some of it, go to www.deltahuntingland.com and take a peek.

And if you end up buying the land, maybe you'll take pity on us poor folks and invite me up for some fishing? I'll cook!

Cool Down During Southern Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:56:00 +0000

The temperature quickly warms here in the South, but we-all have lots of ways to cool down. If you're thinking about sitting on the porch, watching life go by while fanning yourself with one of those "church fans," well, that's one way. Another way is to have a large glass filled with ice and your favorite libation. We like a tall glass of iced tea, sweet of course, but there are other favorites as well. That brings me to the source of my post.
"Jeff" emailed me asking about some Mint Julep mix that he had purchased somewhere in Natchez. Could they ship more to him, and how much would it cost, he asked. While I was happy to ask the local merchant about this, I also gave Jeff a recipe - one of many I know of - so he could make his own. It's not particularly difficult, but depending on your geographical area you may not have a ready supply of mint leaves. If you can get those, here's the recipe as I told it to him:

-Take a few leaves of mint (it grows like crazy here) and put them in the bottom of a tall glass. A really good julep goes in a pewter cup to keep it cold.
-Muddle the leaves with some simple syrup. Simple syrup is just sugar water cooked down a bit to make it concentrated - syrupy.
-FILL the glass with crushed, or better yet - shaved, ice.
-Pour at least 2 ounces of good whiskey over the ice.
-Stir gently so you mix the ingredients without melting too much ice.
-Sip like a gentleman (or a lady).
Of course, you can play with the amounts of the different ingredients to suit your own taste. Some like more mint, some like more sugar. I like more whiskey.
In the way of background, allow me to offer a few explanations of the procedure:

"Muddling" is just kind of crushing the leaves and mixing them so the flavor comes out without leaving too many tiny green specks all in your drink.

Before the days of refrigerators, you can imagine that ice was precious. The pewter cup kept your drink cold and let the ice slowly dilute the drink.

Some have made the julep with Southern Comfort. I prefer the taste of good whiskey instead.

Some cheat and make their julep with Creme de Menthe. I suppose that in a pinch I'd understand that, but my first response would be "Yechhhhh!"

Be aware that some folks take such a liking to mint juleps that they find themselves spending a lot of time sipping one under the oak tree, watching other people work, making their womenfolk wear big hats and dresses, and calling their dog "Beauregard."

You've been warned.

Cabins, The Other Accommodation

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:30:00 +0000

I'm finding that one of the best sources of topics for my blog comes from emails sent to my travel guide, NatchezMS.com. These emails contain the many questions from folks who are planning trips to Natchez.

Recently, Keith asked about cabins in the area. He wants to do some fishing, but he wants to be close enough to tour Natchez' attractions as well.

The Natchez State Park was the first place I mentioned. The lake is a great place to fish. Mississippi's record largemouth bass was caught here several years ago - more than 18 pounds! The MS Wildlife & Fisheries site is being worked on apparently - not very informative and with some misleading photos on the Natchez page. I sent him to the ReserveAmerica page instead.

Giles Island is the premier spot to hunt and fish in the Miss-Lou. The advantages to this sportsman's paradise are too numerous to mention in this blog. Go see the website!

Sportsman's Lodge is located on Lake Concordia, about 12 miles northwest of Natchez in Louisiana. Concordia is chock full of largemouth, crappie, bream, catfish, and even some stripers or striper hybrid. The Lodge has numerous cabins, a great pier with boat slots, outdoor grills, and a store with gas, bait and snacks.

Lakeview Lodge, on the southern tip of Lake Concordia, is one I don't know a lot about yet, but looks good from the site, and appears to be a good place for groups of fishermen.

If you're looking for something more upscale, try Cypress Shore. It's a two-story house on Lake St. John, just one lake up from Concordia, with a multi-faceted private pier, full kitchen and nice living area. Great for family vacations in the Great Outdoors!

Keith had one caveat; he wants to bring his dog. This isn't always a problem, but it's a good idea to check with the proprietor before bringing a pet to any accommodations.

I hope this proves helpful to those planning vacations in our area. Hotels here can be convenient, comfortable places to stay, but sometimes you want something just a little different.
If I've missed anybody I apologize and I welcome your reply to tell me about your place or your favorite place to stay and fish!

Spring in Natchez

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Spring is such a beautiful time of year here on the Mississippi River, and not necessarily for the reasons you're thinking!
Yes, we have gardens exploding in a fantastic display of color. Dogwoods and Redbud Trees, Tulips, Daffodils, Irises, and that grand Southern favorite, the Azalea bushes. All the antebellum homes in town have detailed their gardens and interiors, and are welcoming tourists with open arms. If you'd like to see more, go see www.natchezpilgrimage.com, the official website of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.

It is a gorgeous time of year because of those things, but some folks here find other things catch their eye in Spring.

It's Turkey season, and the turkey hunters "flock" in from everywhere. That big bearded gobbler, spreading his fan of multicolored feathers to attract a mate is an irresistible sight to a hunter. Nature lovers of all kinds enjoy that kind of treat.

Spawning season is also upon us, and with that some great fishing. Natchez is surrounded by a multitude of lakes and ponds as well as having the Mighty Mississippi in her back yard. As the weather warms, "slabs" of crappie - we call 'em white perch - bream, striped bass, catfish, and lunker largemouth bass come into the shallows to lay their eggs. Those bass especially become an aggressive bunch that will bite at just about anything that disturbs this process.

I mentioned a multitude of lakes and ponds, well two of those are record bass lakes. Just north of Natchez is the Natchez State Park, the lake of which scored the biggest bass recorded in Mississippi. Just across the river in Louisiana lies Lake Concordia, a record-breaking bass lake in it's own right.

Back to turkey hunting just a moment; Giles Island (www.gilesisland.com) is just a few moments' drive and a short boat ride away from Natchez. If you're a hunter, it's an incredible opportunity to get that trophy - or come back for deer season and see what good deer hunting is all about.

I guarantee a beautiful sight.

"A Stalker Just Grunted on My Twitter!"

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:08:00 +0000

Twitter Frenzy

You just gotta see this Daily Show video if you are a Twitter fan!

From Social Media to Fart Molecules in One Easy Step

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Like so many others, I've started working with Social Media to promote my business (website development) as well as Natchez. At first thinking I was wasting my time, I stuck to it. After all, lots of other people are having success. My patience is now being rewarded.
After putting up profiles on TripAdvisor, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others, I worked my way to Twitter. This one seemed like a gigantic waste of time, but so many people were touting the benefits I had to give it a try.
It works.
Suddenly, all these people were "following" me. Reading any and every little item I wrote (and you can't write much at a time like you can on a blog). It's amazing.
Plus, I'm learning things and seeing great articles written by or referred to by people in the know.
"francophile" let me know that Google is making changes to the way it grades your site and turned me on to an article called "15 Applications No Online Business Can Live Without.
"rhys_isterix" links an article about Social Media for Businesses.
Of course, you still have to watch out for what "problogger" calls a Social Media Sleestack - people who use social media for scamming, cheap self-promotion, and even bullying. (see the article on Twitip.com)
Hey, I'm not above showing off NatchezMS.com every chance I get, but at the same time I'm meeting people who are experts at marketing, media, travel, and lots more.
Plus, it's fun. How else would I have found out that a Fart Molecule Could Be The Next Viagra?

Catching Up, and other stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:54:00 +0000

I really must apologize for not keeping this blog up to date as I should, but so much has kept me so busy it's been practically impossible.
Meanwhile, Christmas is almost here with its celebrations, displays, events, and lights. Christmas in Natchez is a hometown affair, though not without its excitement. The big Christmas Tree is put up in the center of downtown, buildings are strung with lights, and there's a Christmas display on the bluff that's beautiful to look at. Vidalia's Christmas display is a sight not to miss. Mechanical vignettes line the roadway that travels along the river at the RiverFront. In them, the elves build their toys and place them on the train to the North Pole, Santa puts the star on the tree, and lots more. It's a treat to drive slowly along, car lights off, and see all the different scenes.
Choirs sing, shops decorate, and all the other wonderful things that go with the Holiday.
One thing we love to do is simply to drive through the different neighborhoods that are famous for their lighted displays. There are several around town that are great fun to see. We pack the car up with friends and relatives and go from place to place. If you're a visitor here and not familiar with where to go to see this show, just ask a local. Most have their favorites, and will instantly give directions.
There's lots more going on in Natchez for Christmas, but to get a complete list go to the Calendar of Events and check out the Natchez Downtown Development Blog.

Open for Business

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:58:00 +0000

Always one to promote my website whenever possible, I've just finished a new and improved version of our travel and tourism site, NatchezMS.com. The look is cleaner, more organized, and with a few new pages.
The reason I bring up our site is because Natchez, Mississippi is open for business and I want to get that message out there. Hurricane Gustav blew down a lot of trees and cut a lot of electricity - the Natchez Democrat reports several thousand still without power - but the downtown area survived just fine, electricity and other utilities are being restored at record speed.
And just in time, as things start getting exciting around here in short order.
The Louisiana State BBQ Championship/Jim Bowie Festival kicks up the last weekend of September over in Vidalia, just across the river from us. Fall Pilgrimage starts up September 27 with two weeks of historic home touring and evening entertainment. We get just a weeks respite, then the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race gives us a weekend of fantastic music and hot air balloon competition. The balloon race is always the third weekend of October, making this one Oct. 17 - 19.
By the way, make your reservations now. Hotels and B&B's regularly fill up for all these events.
So there's my plug for Natchez again. The lights are on. Come see us!

Singin' in the Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Looks like the weathermen aren't even having a hard time out there. CNN is rotating views and opinions of all the guys they stuck out in the weather around the New Orleans area. Yes, some of them are getting hit by 45mph winds, but overall, the weather is not nearly as bad as most expected it to be. There is so little weather news that earlier they were giving a tour of the weather cubicles inside CNN.
Here in Natchez, we've had a few sprinkles and the wind is picking up a bit. I'm sure we'll get more rain this afternoon, but it looks like the hurricane is going to be well west of us by the time it reaches our latitude.
Meanwhile, the local newspaper, The Natchez Democrat, had photos of locals preparing evacuee shelters. The pictures evoked memories of three years ago when scores of those we were not allowed to call "refugees" filled to the brim every church gymnasium and warehouse we could supply with water and electricity. Those poor people were here for months trying to figure out whether they could try to return to their homes, or start again somewhere else.
It doesn't look like they'll have that problem this time.

The Day Before...

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:09:00 +0000

Sunday night, midnight. I'm gonna make this one short.
At last look, Gustav was a little over 200 miles from New Orleans and bearing down at 16 mph. Winds are at 115 with gusts to 140. The eye will most likely make landfall early tomorrow (today?) just west of NOLA.
Looks like most people heeded the warning this time and got the heck out, though we saw some people on TV who just refused to leave, most giving bad excuses for staying. One guy said he didn't see anything on TV that sounded bad enough to leave. I guess all those dead people in the Carribean didn't impress him much. Or his memory's so short he doesn't remember what happened last time.
We've got some friends in New Orleans and I'm wondering what's happening to them. We met them when they fled Katrina. They eventually moved back to N.O. to try to help rebuild, and now it's happening all over again. Maybe more on them later.
Maybe we'll all dodge the bullet this time. It's moving fast enough to pass through quickly. There's a good chance it will abate quickly, too, once it hits land.
We'll all keep our fingers crossed.

Hurricane's A-Comin'

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:09:00 +0000

We're just a few days away from another hurricane. While the eye of the hurricane is predicted to miss New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, that area will most likely bear a forceful storm, perhaps the brunt of the rains and winds this monster is bringing.
Even this far inland we as a community are preparing. The local stores have run out of supplies several times. Water, batteries, flashlights, rechargeable lanterns and radios, canned goods; all are being hoarded by our locals - including myself. We remember just a few years ago, when Katrina and Rita brought such destruction, not only devastating the coastal regions, but mauling Hattiesburg, Pearl, Brandon, Meridian and other cities and communities well inland of the Gulf.
And preparations are being made to help those who will flee from the coast, many of whom are already headed this way.
We had planned a day trip to Baton Rouge with friends for this weekend, but cancelled after we spoke with another friend who lives there.
"The town is crazy. Traffic is nuts. People are flooding in," he said, explaining that he was coming to Natchez not to avoid the storm, but to flee from Baton Rouge and the insanity that has already ensued days before the hurricane is expected to strike.
Weather stations don't agree on the date of landfall, but the majority agrees on where it will strike - Morgan City appears to be its bulls-eye. They also commonly predicted that it would be a Category 3 by the time it made landfall in the U.S., and I think that's an underestimation.
As I check the weather this morning I find that Gustav, centered just southeast of western Cuba, is already at 3 and expected to gain more strength before it actually passes over the island.
Then it will hit that warm, shallow, Gulf.
God, have mercy on us all.
If you read this post, please comment to let me know. Unless power runs out I'll keep tabs on what's going on in the Natchez-Vidalia area. If you don't see my posts here, it's because it's bad enough here that updates are impossible.
I fear that a strong enough storm could find its way to our area this time, before its power can be greatly abated. And I hope I'm wrong.
So how's that for a pessimistic post? Here's the good news. When I stocked up on water, canned goods, batteries, and dog food, I also made sure I had a good supply of Heineken. No one can say I didn't pay attention to the essentials.

The Ritz Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:48:00 +0000

I think the Ritz Theatre has been closed ever since I moved here in 1977, though there had been a kind of jewelry store there for several years. The facade was in terrible shape, the roof had already been damaged when a tornado struck Natchez in 1998 and tore it up even more.
You can see the old Ritz in the Tom Hanks movie "The Lady Killers," as the old woman walks by it several times during the movie. It was also featured in "My Dog Skip" as the kids go in to see a John Wayne movie. I was told by movie construction people that they had to build a platform for the kids to stand on because the floor was so damaged.
Now the Ritz is coming back, as you can see on the right. I don't know what they're going to do with it, but the restored Art Deco facade looks great. They are currently working on the neon, some of which you can see has been replaced already. Clicking on the thumbnail at right will show you a larger view. I took this photo and several others today (August 16, 2008).

A Quick Note

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:22:00 +0000

To anyone viewing this blog, I welcome comments about the blog or things talked about in the blog, but I'd really like to hear from folks who have been to Natchez - your experiences, good or bad. When you have a good experience I can use that to promote Natchez. When your experience is bad, sometimes I can take those comments to the people responsible. I can't always promise change, but often it's a learning experience that helps us be more hospitable and attentive to the needs of visitors.
That said, if you comment just to trash the place, surely you know where your comments will end up. Just being fair.

Fun in the Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:39:00 +0000

Natchez' food and wine festival was a blazing success, but there's plenty more coming before the year is up. Speaking of food and wine, one of the events is the Martha White Biscuit Cook-off, which has led us to be called "The Biscuit Capital of the World!" (Now there's a strange claim-to-fame.)
The Jim Bowie Festival is up next. It's a fun time outdoors with arts and crafts, food, and really great music. The entertainment always starts with Gospel - it's a good Southern tradition - then moves into combinations of blues, rock, and this year a little rhythm & blues. The headliner is none other than T. Graham Brown. If you don't recognize the name you may not be old enough, but you'll recognize the voice. T. had several top-ten hits in the '80's, but he's also sung on commercials for McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Budweiser, and Ford Trucks, and is probably best known in the commercial world for Taco Bell's "Run For The Border."
October will be a busy month for Natchez, but it's also a good time of year to be here weather-wise. The Phatwater Kayak Challenge is coming up October 11, Natchez Fall Pilgrimage of Homes gives you three weeks to tour antebellum homes around the city. But the really big show happens the third weekend of October. The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is going to be a great one this year! The beauty of seeing all those hot air balloons in the sky, the excitement of the contests, one of which is trying to hit a target on a floating river barge with a bean bag tossed from your balloon. Meanwhile, the entertainment on the fairgrounds will be extraordinary. Dave Mason is the headliner this year. Mason (for those of you who didn't live through the '70's) was a founding member of "Traffic," along with Steve Winwood. He wrote the often-recorded rock 'n' roll anthem "Feelin' Alright," made most famous by Joe Cocker. Cajun fiddle, Zydeco accordion, young rock, and ending with Country Sunday with Shenandoah.
We're having a lot of fun down here, and we'd love to have you all join us. Now we've offered the invitation. If you sit home all Fall and miss it, it's your own fault.

Busy Natchez

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:28:00 +0000

You'd think that in the dog days of summer things would slow down around here, but Natchez and the surrounding area are about to get very busy. Coming up are a number of festivals and events that will appeal to just about every sort of visitor.
For lovers of fine cuisine, The Natchez Food & Wine Festival is just around the corner (August 1 - 3, 2008). The weekend is full of events, including the Martha White Biscuit Cook-off, Brews on the Bluff - complete with bocce ball contest, and Saturday night's Invitation to the Natchez Table, which features celebrity chefs and antebellum homes.
The last weekend of September brings the Jim Bowie Festival and Bowie BBQ Duel to Vidalia, LA just across the river. There's live music, food, arts & crafts, and a re-enactment of the Sandbar Duel, which made the Bowie Knife famous. The festival is also the Official Louisiana State BBQ Championship.
October brings lots of fun in the air, on the bluff and in the water! The Phatwater Kayak Race takes place October 11. See the website, check out the Natchez Democrat, or watch CNN and you'll see plenty about this race down the Mississippi River.
The third weekend of October brings one of Natchez' biggest celebrations ever, The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race. Pilots race their hot air balloons in contests like "Hare & Hounds" and "The Barge Drop," the latter a contest to try to hit a target by dropping a bean bag from your ballon onto a floating barge in the middle of the Mississippi. Meanwhile, there's a festival taking place on the bluff high above the river. The grounds of Rosalie antebellum home is filled with food, drink, carnival
rides for kids, and great music for the adults. Past performers include Edgar Winter, Eddie Money, Irma Thomas, Better Than Ezra, and lots more. This year they're starting up Country Sunday for the Country Music fans.
I haven't touched on everything going on in the next few months, but you get the idea. For a calendar of Natchez area events, you can always go to NatchezMS.com and check out their Calendar of Events.

What in the Wide World of Sports is A-Goin On!

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Fri, 30 May 2008 22:09:00 +0000

Little ole Natchez is growing up and out. There are four new hotels in town - two of them under construction - and another going up in Vidalia, LA just across the Mississippi River from us. Two more casinos are coming up besides the one we already have. Several people who are supposed to be "in the know" have speculated and sited statistics (traffic numbers crossing the bridge, stuff like that) but no one is saying what's driving these big corporations to build in a town of just 18,000people.
No matter what the reason, good things will come from it.
In October we'll have the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race. Up to this year it was hard to get a hotel room on that weekend if you didn't make a reservation a year ago. This year there'll be plenty for all and, I hope, an even bigger crowd.
In case you haven't seen our balloon race go to their website, NatchezBalloonRace.com. It's an incredible, fun weekend.
Natchez will slow down a bit after May. The hotter days of summer make everyone slow down, though there's still plenty to do here. Golf courses, nearby lakes, and shopping in air-conditioned antiques stores are just a sample.
If you're looking for a get-away that's not too far from home and won't drain your pocketbook, come to Natchez and slow down for a weekend.

Natchez Festival of Music

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:56:00 +0000

The Pfister Sisters are coming!
I'm really looking forward to this weekend, as the festival's "Night of Jazz" comes up May 23. This year's jazz group is The Pfister Sisters, of New Orleans, LA. They are a close harmony group along the lines of the Andrews Sisters, but with a better show. You can see more about them at PfisterSisters.com.

For those of you who don't know, the Natchez Festival of Music has events throughout the month of May. Last weekend was Broadway time, with Oklahoma! taking center stage. Our "Curly" was none other than Nat Chandler, who gained fame playing the phantom of Phantom of the Opera for 5 years on Broadway.
In case there are opera lovers out there, Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte is on deck for the last weekend of May, followed by a Gala attended by hundreds of music fans as well as many of the performers.

Things will slow down a bit here in Natchez after the festival, though there will be a few good events leading up to the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race in October.
By the way, you can see the other events slated for the Festival of Music at their site, www.natchezfestivalofmusic.com.

First Shot

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Jones) — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:02:00 +0000

I'm a website developer. There's a long list of sites in my portfolio, but the site I promote the most is one I've owned since 2000 - NatchezMS.com. The site itself has lists and links for bed and breakfasts, hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other things that visitors to Natchez, Mississippi would want to know.
In an effort to market NatchezMS.com (thus get more ads and make Google pay for the lifestyle to which I would like to become accustomed) I'm getting more into "viral marketing" which includes blogging, so here goes my first attempt.
Natchez really does have a lot to offer, especially for such a small town. No, there's no DisneyWorld here, nor Six Flags Over RedneckLand, or anything like that. In fact, we do quite well without them.
Here's a partial list of what we do have:

A plethora of antebellum homes that have been preserved in a state very close to what they would have been like before the Civil War (hence the term "antebellum").
An equal number of Bed & Breakfasts - I know, lots of towns have these, but if you want a real treat try one of ours.
Shopping that's been rated as some of the best in the South - especially the antique shops.
Dining experiences (you can't just call these places "restaurants") that run the gamut from white tablecloth to picnic table.
Small town atmosphere - and I name this one for two reasons; it's laid back and relaxing, but it's also convenient to have the shops, restaurants, attractions, and such mostly within walking distance.

Now if you're looking for something more festive, just come around at the right time of year. The entire month of May, for instance, has the Festival of Music - jazz, Broadway shows, opera, Gospel music, with performances in locations all around town.

In October look for the Great Mississippi Balloon Race - hot air balloons compete while down at the fairgrounds there's music, food, kiddie rides, etc.

So you see, Natchez is a great place to check out for your next vacation or getaway. Maybe you're looking for a different place for your wedding (get married in a Greek-columned mansion), a girls' getaway, or a golf-buddy trip (there are 3 courses within a ten-minute drive and more an hour out of town).

I'm going to take most of these subjects and write about them separately, but for this first blog I wanted to hit the highlights.