Author: Imported Author 2289001

NATCHEZ, MS (May 17, 2023) – Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel responded to The Stewpot’s outreach to local businesses for support during a time when supplies are critically low. On Friday, May 12 the casino, in conjunction with Performance Food Group, delivered 30 cases of chicken, 30 cases of tortilla chips and 2 cases of ham to the Natchez Community Stewpot.

Marcus Archer, Director of the Natchez Community Stewpot said, “We are so grateful for all of our community partners that help make The Stewpot what it is. We will distribute over 90,000 meals this year, and that only happens because of the generosity of individuals and businesses in the Miss-Lou. This donation from Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel is greatly appreciated and will help us continue our mission to serve those in need, 7 days a week — 365 days a year.”

“We’re proud to support The Stewpot on their mission to feed the hungry in our community,” said Tim Morrissey, Vice President and General Manager of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel.

Photo Caption: Standing next to the newly-packed freezer from left to right: Marcus Archer, Director of Natchez Community Stewpot; Dewayne Blanton, 1-year Stewpot Volunteer; Tim Morrissey, Vice President and General Manager of Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel; Johnnie Davis, 35-year Stewpot volunteer.

ABOUT MAGNOLIA BLUFFS CASINO HOTEL
Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel is owned and operated by Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC. The property is located along the Mississippi River in Natchez, MS and offers nearly 500 slot machines, 11 table games, a poker room, sportsbook, restaurant, bar and hotel. For more information visit magnoliabluffscasino.com.

NATCHEZ, Miss. — Jessica Fleming Crawford, southeast regional director for The Archaeological Conservancy, will talk about an archeological site related to the “Natchez Massacre” and chattel slavery at the meeting of the Natchez Historical Society on Tuesday, May 23, at Historic Natchez Foundation, 108 S. Commerce St.

Crawford’s presentation is titled, “Ground Zero for Slavery: The Importance of the Terre Blanche Concession at Natchez, Mississippi.” The social will begin at 5:30 p.m., and Crawford’s presentation will start at 6 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Crawford will discuss the 1729 massacre, or as some call it, the uprising, in which the Natchez Indians attacked and killed most of the French who were here. She will also talk about the “1719 Terre Blanche Concession, a plantation that had 300 acres in cultivation and at least 86 enslaved people who were taken directly from their homes in Africa or were of the first generation to be born the Province of Louisiana.”

Archaeologists with the Lower Mississippi Survey discovered the Terre Blanche Concession in 1971 on property owned by the International Paper Company. The site is located on Lower Woodville Road on the south side of St. Catherine Creek.

The Terre Blanche site, said Crawford, “is one of two that are arguably ‘ground zero’ for chattel slavery in the Natchez District, and archaeologically, very little of it remains.” Crawford noted her presentation will focus on the importance of this site.

Crawford is no stranger to Natchez. In fact, she has made many visits to the city. Over the years, she has worked with Concord Quarters and served as a guest speaker for the NHS and the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. She is also involved with ongoing research projects in Natchez.

“Ms. Crawford is an expert on the history surrounding the Terre Blanche Conservancy and what its archeology tells us about Natchez’s early history,” said Alan Wolf, a director of NHS and its program chair. “She’s not to be missed by anyone interested in our native and colonial past.”

Crawford is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. She holds a master’s degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology.

Crawford’s organization, The Archaeological Conservancy, is considered “the only national non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring and preserving America’s most important cultural sites,” according to the agency’s website. In addition to identifying and acquiring “the most significant archaeological sites in the United States,” the Conservancy helps to preserve these sites.

As regional director, Crawford manages Conservancy properties in eight southeastern states from her office in Marks. She oversees research and works to acquire additional properties, which is made possible by purchase, donation or by holding easements, Crawford said.

Additionally, Crawford plans and guides a week-long educational tour of Southeastern archaeological sites.

For more information, call 601-492-3000 or send email to info@natchezhistoricalsociety.org

In August 2022, Kaelin Ann Daye was able to realize a personal dream, by becoming the new owner of A Gallerie Boutique on the corner of Main and Pearl streets in Downtown Natchez.

Daye made her intentions and goals for A Gallerie very clear when she took over back in August last year and has kept that commitment to her store and those shopping in Downtown Natchez. She has shown herself to be receptive to community feedback and seems to really have her finger on the pulse of the downtown shopping experience most are seeking in Natchez.

When you walk into A Gallerie, you immediately feel welcome and at home amid all the bright colors, beautiful patterns, and carefully curated home decor.

“A Gallerie will make 10 years of being in business come September, and I am so happy that I get to carry on this business and continue moving it forward,” Daye said when asked about the growth of the store.

Since buying A Gallerie, Daye has been able to be even more involved in her community and give back in ways she wasn’t able to before. “I have and will continue to work really hard to make A Gallerie a place that the people of Natchez are happy and proud to have,” she said. Daye has made donations to different causes and has helped organize events such as the Downtown Natchez Easter Art Contest.

Taylor Cooley, a friend of Daye’s and owner of Cooley & Co. and Taylor Cooler Photography, approached her about the contest, and Daye was more than happy to help out. “Taylor always has the best ideas, and I am always down to work alongside such a good friend,” Daye said.

The contest had a great turnout, with 60 art submissions from our youth, and Daye looks forward to seeing it grow over the years.

Daye and Cooley have since announced a new joint venture called Kaelor & Co., which will be coming to Franklin Street in Downtown Natchez this fall.

In a recent Facebook post, Daye said, “It’s scary doing something new. But, do you know what else scares me? The thought of looking back one day on all the could-have-beens if we would have just taken that leap of faith.” And leap they did. These ladies will be keeping the Miss-Lou updated on their journey.

Rest assured though, Cooley and Daye’s current businesses A Gallerie Boutique, Oakwood Media by Kaelin Daye, Cooley & Co., and Taylor Cooley Photography will all continue to operate at full capacity.

In her own words, “Buying A Gallerie was never just about me, I really wanted to play a part in having a place where people knew they were welcome and had help in finding whatever it was they needed. I also didn’t want to see a Natchez business close its doors or fall into the hands of the wrong people.”

It’s safe to say, with such entrepreneurial spirits devoted to our community, the future is looking bright for Daye, Cooley, their businesses, and Downtown Natchez.