Articles by Jan Swoope
Telling Tales: Tales from the Crypt celebrates its 20th Pilgrimage year
Those laid to rest beneath moss-mellowed headstones in the oldest sections of Friendship Cemetery may have been gone for up to a century or more, but for the past two decades, their stories have found new voice.
Y Drama Team’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ a visual treat
It’s been almost 150 years since the Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson — we would come to know him as Lewis Carroll — rowed a boat up the Thames River, entertaining three young children in his company by weaving a fantastic tale of a white rabbit, mad hatter and a myriad of peculiar creatures. One of those children was named Alice, and became the namesake of the English author’s famous tale.
Fire up the grills, GOTR returns April 9-10
The tempting aroma of slow-cooked barbecue will soon waft up and down the Riverwalk in historic downtown Columbus. Grilling on the River, the 2010 Kansas City Barbeque Society Magnolia State Barbeque Championship and Food Fair, will draw approximately 50 teams from seven states to the area near Ruben’s Fish and Steak House April 9-10.
Block party to help kick off Columbus Pilgrimage Monday
Blue skies and warm temperatures are on tap to greet opening events of Columbus’ 70th annual Spring Pilgrimage Monday. In addition to the first home tours and Tales from the Crypt, a community-wide block party will help launch the 13-day showcase of historical architecture, living history and unique activities.
Block party to help kick off Columbus Pilgrimage Monday
Blue skies and warm temperatures are on tap to greet opening events of Columbus’ 70th annual Spring Pilgrimage Monday. In addition to the first home tours and Tales from the Crypt, a community-wide block party will help launch the 13-day showcase of historical architecture, living history and unique activities.
Here comes Peter Cottontail: Virginia Adair’s bunny cake heralds Easter once again
“I can’t even begin to imagine how many bunny cakes I’ve made over the years,” Virginia Adair laughed lightly. With a youthful spirit belying her 81 years, the New Hope woman is still baking and decorating the whimsical cakes she first made 46 years ago. For decades, she delighted her own children and scores of families in three different states with the tasty dessert. This week, she once again shares the recipe for what some might call her culinary signature.
Historic homes, generations return for 70th annual Spring Pilgrimage
Pink, blue, yellow. That was the color progression of Pilgrimage dresses for little girls growing up in the Beneke household in the mid-1970s to 1991.
Wesley to present reflections of Easter
The reverence of the Easter season has inspired Wesley United Methodist Church in Columbus and its Associate Pastor, the Rev. Pamela Cameron, to offer a new, meditative experience for the community during Holy Week.
On a roll: Sister Schubert, of dinner roll fame, to visit Columbus
If searching for a bona fide Southern success story, look no farther than Troy, Ala., and Patricia Barnes — best known at home and afar simply as Sister.
Lace up, Lowndes County, for the Possum Town Mile-A-Day Marathon
Dust off the walking shoes. The YMCA and The Commercial Dispatch are teaming up to sponsor the Possum Town Mile-A-Day Marathon during April.
For the birds: Birder of the Year wants to share what all the flap is about
Dianne Patterson and her husband, Jim, were headed out to church one cold December Wednesday when the phone rang.
Eat, bid, dance and be merry at CAC’s Dining for Art
The Columbus Arts Council’s Dining for Art gala is just around the corner. The March 27 event at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in the heart of downtown Columbus will serve up mouth-watering food, silent and live auctions and entertainment by the always popular Class of 65 and Big Ben Atkins.
Columbus Choral Society, Meridian Symphony Chorus in concert March 28
In what may be one of the most memorable fine art musical presentations in the Golden Triangle’s recent memory, the Columbus Choral Society and Meridian Symphony Chorus will join to present Easter selections of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” Sunday, March 28.
Discover Columbus: 70th Spring Pilgrimage heralds more tours and special events
When Columbus hosts its 70th annual Spring Pilgrimage April 5-17, the hospitality mat will be out and the events varied.
A wee taste o’ the Irish
It never fails. When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around each March, it seems there is a touch of the Irish in all of us.
‘If these walls could talk’
On April 10, a few of those nostalgic memories will surface in “If These Walls Could Talk,” a play written by Pam Rhea for the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus 60th annual Charity Ball at Trotter Convention Center.
‘Mark Twain’ to entertain for Bryan Library benefit
In a rare public appearance in the Golden Triangle, author, lecturer and humorist Mark Twain — as interpreted by Robert Valentine — will entertain an audience Thursday, March 18, at the Ritz Theater and Conference Center in West Point, to benefit that city’s Bryan Public Library.
Ragtime returns
What may have emerged in the 1800s as dance music with a “ragged” rhythm in cities like New Orleans and St. Louis still lives, breathes and draws fans from around the world. Ragtime, that syncopated good-time music often associated with Scott Joplin or the movie, “The Sting,” will be celebrated March 26-27 in Starkville at the fourth annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival.
Late teacher, friend’s memory honored with ‘Sorta Love Songs’
Two cabaret-style performances of “Sorta Love Songs” March 19-20 at McComas Hall on the Mississippi State University campus will be more than pure entertainment. They will be heart-felt tributes to the memory of Lora J. DeFore, a much-missed colleague, mentor and friend.
Junior Auxiliary of Columbus announces court, pages for 60th annual ball
Junior Auxiliary of Columbus announces the court and pages for the organization’s 60th annual Charity Ball and Pageant to be held Saturday, April 10, at Trotter Convention Center. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Presentation of the court will begin at 8 p.m.
