Chamber's cruising weekend ......

The Saint Francisville Chamber of Commerce, along with over 60 local businesses, civic groups, and Public bodies, sponsored the 3rd annual "Classic Car Show" in downtown Saint Francisville at Parker Memorial Park, April 6,7,8,9 2006. . The weatherman cooperated by sending us cool temperatures and a beautiful bluebird spring day…what a setting and a venue for over 120 cars from 3 States and an estimated 4,000 people who cycled through the four (4) day event. Good food, live music, special spectator cars provided by local car dealers, select cruises through the "wow…oh my gosh" rolling hills of the Felicianas, as well as many beautiful automotive works of art were all part of the "Cruising in the Country" experience. The Chamber of Commerce sees these type events as a great way to introduce new friends to the unique character and natural beauty of the Felicianas. With this type event, local retail businesses see a boost in their weekend receipts; hotels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants enjoy a banner long-term flow of new tourists. These type tourists stay with us for the 4 day period and bring with them "new dollars" that circulate in the community as many as 6 times. The Chamber's primary job is to help make local businesses successful…what better way than to sponsor events that bring in new dollars, with the additional perk of having these people come back to see us later in the year and visit our local shops, hotels, and restaurants…yet again. The Saint Francisville Chamber of Commerce and the local supporters, designate a worthwhile charity to benefit from any profits that the event generates. This year's recipient was "The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Louisiana" whose mission statement is to "grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich their human experience with hope, strength and joy." Plans are already being started for next-year's event. Lessons were learned, activities will be critiqued and improved, new potential participants have called and would like to be part of future plans. Most importantly, several car clubs from other regions who attended this year's show have offered their assistance to help with the implementation of next-year's event. Finally, as the event coordinator, I wish to thank our many sponsors and the special few who got involved and made it happen. It's amazing what WE can get accomplished when a small group pulls together for the good of the community…how refreshing. Dick Lancaster - Director and Event Committee Chairman of The Saint Francisville Chamber of Commerce

Spring Stroll in St. Francisville

“The Spring Stroll of Saint Francisville Gardens” is a walking tour of three private gardens and two public gardens in the historic district of Saint Francisville from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 29th. The tour was organized to help teach good gardening practices and to raise money for three local charities.

Advance tickets for the tour may be purchased at the West Feliciana Middle School, the West Feliciana Parish Extension Service Office, Ins N Outs Nursery, Grandmother’s Buttons, Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site Gift Shop, and the West Feliciana Historical Society. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour at the tour locations and at the Saint Francisville Town Hall on Ferdinand Street. For more information on the Spring Stroll call the West Feliciana Parish Extension Office at 225/635-3614.

Steamboat Returns to St. Francisville

The Delta Queen Steamboat will dock in St. Francisville tomorrow Wednesday April 19th for the first time since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. We are excited about the boat docking tomorrow. This trip is especially unique since most of the passengers will be arriving on tandem bikes. There will be almost 84 tandems riding into downtown tomorrow afternoon to visit Grace Church. We can't wait to see them ride down Ferdinand Street. Main Street and the WFP Tourist Commission will be hosting a water stop at the Historical Society Museum during the day.

Afton Villa Gardens News

Shop Afton Villa Gardens - Elegant Outdoor Furniture in Solid Teak. Afton Villa Gardens is pleased to announce the opening of its Lawn and Garden Shop. You can now acquire products reflecting the tastes, the looks and lifestyles of Afton Villa Gardens. On a visit to France, the Barrow's, David and Susan, fell in love with a chateau in the Loire Valley and in 1849 construction began on a 40 room Gothic Revival mansion with extensive formal gardens. It was an undertaking fitting of the era. Construction of the plantation mansion lasted 8 years and the formal gardens were the result of the labor of a crew of French gardeners brought to St. Francisville from the Loire Valley. Create your personal style with furniture and accessories inspired by the Barrow family's legacy. Define what quality, style and comfort mean to you and your family with the craftsmanship of Afton Villa Gardens for you home. Bring a century of gardening expertise to your landscape with furniture and fine lawn and gardening products from Afton Villa Gardens. Afton Villa Gardens is pleased to offer the complete line of Kingsley Bate Elegant Outdoor Furniture in Solid Teak. British craftsmen of the 18th century discovered what their Eastern counterparts had known for centuries, that teak has qualities unlike any other wood. It's ability to withstand the rigors of adverse climate, yet weather attractively, make it the ideal choice for outdoor furniture. Afton Villa Gardens is pleased to offer to our Louisiana residents America's leading teak outdoor furniture, using only premium quality teak and precise mortise and tenon joinery in the construction of our furniture. Kingsley-Bate sets the standard for quality, value and design innovation that other companies follow. For the complete listing of elegant outdoor furniture visit the Afton Villa Gardens Shop. Please contact us at info@aftonvillagardens.com for pricing and ordering information.

Project Graduation works the Sports Park

The West Feliciana Parish Sports and Recreational Park hosted USSA 12 & under and M.A.L.B. adults mens baseball this weekend. Some WFP High School senior parents staffed the concession stand to earn money for Project Graduation. If you would like to donate a door prize or money to this all night "drug & alcohol free" graduation celebration call Deborah Norder - 939-7065.

Look back at 5th BirdFest

Tracey Banowetz writes;
Dozens of outdoor enthusiasts came to St. Francisville over the weekend to enjoy the 5th annual BirdFest. With spring migration underway, visitors spotted lots of different bird species, including numerous ducks, herons, egrets, vireos, warblers, finches, woodpeckers, tanagers, hawks, and even a bald eagle. On Friday night, Keith Ouchley gave a presentation on Louisiana birds, "Past, Present, and Future," which was well received by locals and visitors alike.

Visitors relax after a day birding. Tally board in background post sightings. A big hit was Winds in My Feathers, a raptor rehab.

Always a great hit, canoeing Cat Island NWR where the water was just right for an easy paddle in this unique US Fish and Wildlife refuge.

Dr. Keith Ouchley speaking at Friday night reception at Audubon State Historic Site. Participants enjoying conversation and refreshment by Friends of Oakley.