Southern Scrapbook.

CRUISIN' THE COAST

Thousands of classic cars will be rolling into Mississippi's Gulf Coast October 3 through 7 for five days of rock 'n' roll, drag races, sock hops, and swap meets all set to a Fabulous Fifties theme at the 6th Annual Cruisin' the Coast.

Car enthusiasts will enjoy showcasing their custom vehicles or simply viewing the array of antique, classic, and hot rod automobiles backdropped by 26 miles of sugar sand beaches and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico at designated stops in Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Bay St. Louis.

"We are proud to become one of the top ten car shows in America in such a short amount of time," said Gene Oswalt, executive director for Cruisin' the Coast. "It is a tribute to what two counties, five cities, 300-plus volunteers, and outstanding corporate sponsors can do when we all work together. We've got folks coming from 35 states and Canada, all because it's a great party with great Mississippi hospitality."

Some of the events planned for this year include the official Cruisin' the Coast Collector Cars Auction hosted by Pete Vicari; special children's activities like the Kids Cruise-In at the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center; the Kid's Sock Hop in D'Iberville; the Welcoming Block Party at Hancock Bank Plaza in Gulfport; the kickoff parade in Long Beach; Poker Runs and Drag Racing; performances by Johnny Rivers, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, and Vince Vance and the Valiants; and appearances by Dennis Gage, host of the nationally syndicated talk show "My Classic Car."

Since its inception in 1996, Cruisin' the Coast has grown from 374 cars to this year's expected parade of 4,000 classic chassis. In recognition of this success, Cruisin' was awarded the Governor's Excellence in Tourism Award for Event of the Year in the state of Mississippi in 2000.

Cruisin' was also named the recipient of the "Shining Example Award" for Best Event of the Year by the Southeastern Tourism Society in 1999 as a result of outstanding community involvement, economic impact, charitable contributions, quality of marketing, and rate of growth.

TALLAHATCHIE RIVERFEST

The Tallahatchie RiverFest, held in downtown New Albany around the Union County Courthouse, is a yearly event that the whole family can enjoy! The festival celebrates the heritage of the region with local, regional, and national entertainment, including arts and crafts, amusement rides, food, national entertainment, literary speakers, storytellers, and a classic car show and shine.

On Friday, September 21, the New Albany Gazette sponsors "Singing on the Square," displaying a variety of music, including gospel. In the meantime, the kids can enjoy more than ten amusement rides in the Union County Library parking lot.

On Saturday, September 22, the children's excitement continues with KidsFest, a new and improved event sponsored by Cingular Wireless that features a magician, a storyteller, puppet show, and tumblers on stage. In addition to face painting, hair painting, moonwalk, and children's toys, this year's fun includes a spectacular petting zoo and pony rides. The petting zoo is one of the southeast's best, including a 300-pound water buffalo, camel, llama, horses, goats, chickens, pigs, sheep, and many more animals.

While the kids experience arts and nature all in one event on Saturday, parents can enjoy literary activities with guest speakers and the popular William Faulkner Writing Competition. For those wanting a little fun with exercise, there is also a 5K River Run and Fun Run sponsored by the Bank of New Albany. Helicopter rides and the 3 on 3 Hoopfest finish the day before the final, free concert given by Highway 101 and Exile, in addition to the local talent of the Mosley and Johnson Band and Hallie and the Board of Alderman. This annual event is sure to be a crowd pleaser with the line-up, and everyone is invited to attend. For more information, call 1-888-534-8232, or visit the website at www.riverfest.ms.

FLORALS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Floral designer Ralph Null and photographer Greg Campbell have collaborated to produce the first in a series of books on seasonal southern flower arrangements. Spring Arrangements from the Southern Garden is a vivid collection of colorful photographs and helpful techniques, celebrating the classic style of floral design.

Null is a native of Mississippi and is well-known for his southern garden style of design. For twenty-five years, Null directed the Retail Floral Design program at Mississippi State University. He is an internationally-recognized leader in all areas of the floral arts. During his floral career, he has presented more than 500 lecture demonstrations throughout the world. Null's floral creations have graced such opulent occasions as presidential inaugurations and state dinners, and such grand locales as Macy's windows and Neiman Marcus catalogues.

Spring Arrangements presents striking decorating ideas for your home in a simple hands-on approach to flower presentations. The suggested floral styles can be adapted to any home and offer a variety of possible selections for your next garden. For ordering information, contact Ralph Null by phone or fax at 662-328-7741, by e-mail at [e-mail], or by mail: Design Concepts, P.O. Box 8707, Columbus, MS 39705-0013.

WILDER MISSISSIPPI

An exhibit from Wilder Mississippi will open at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson on November 15, 2001, and will run through February. The November 15 opening will include a book signing and a multimedia presentation by Stephen and Marlo Kirkpatrick.

Renowned wildlife photographer Stephen Kirkpatrick focuses on familiar surroundings in his sixth coffee table book, Wilder Mississippi, which features everything from majestic white-tail deer to colorful snakes, scaly alligators to cheerful songbirds, elusive gobblers to rainbowed wood ducks.

"I've shot in locations from Alaska to the Amazon, and I can honestly say I find just as much excitement and beauty in Mississippi as I do any other place in the world," Kirkpatrick says. "I hope Wilder Mississippi shows not only Mississippians, but people everywhere, the beauty that's right here in our own backyard."

Wilder Mississippi also offers a fresh look at several Mississippi icons, including live oaks and dogwood blooms, the mighty Mississippi River, and the ubiquitous magnolia. Every area of the state is represented, from the rolling northeastern hills to the tranquil shores of the Gulf Coast.

The text for Wilder Mississippi was written by Kirkpatrick's wife, Marlo, a professional freelance writer specializing in travel writing. Marlo Kirkpatrick has also written several articles and books on the state, most notably the guidebook Mississippi: Off the Beaten Path, currently in its third edition, and Jackson, the Good Life.

"When you talk about 'the great outdoors,' most people think of mountains or deserts or dramatic, sweeping landscapes. Mississippi's outdoors is a lot like its people--a little more understated, but just as fascinating," Marlo Kirkpatrick says. "We wanted to do a book that would showcase Mississippi as a more personal wilderness--a place that's easily accessible and often taken for granted, but every bit as wild."

Stephen Kirkpatrick has published more than 1,800 photographs in books and nationally-circulated magazines. His other coffee table books include First Impressions, Whistling Wings, In Wilderness Song, and To Catch the Wind. He also hosts a recurring segment on The Outdoor Channel's "Adventure Bound Outdoors.

Marlo and Stephen met when they collaborated on the coffee table book To Catch the Wind. Their work has since taken them to destinations throughout the Americas, including Alaska, Hawaii, California, New England, Florida, the San Juan Islands, Canada, Peru, and Belize.

For more information about Wilder Mississippi and other books by Stephen and Marlo Kirkpatrick, please call 1-888-471-4040, or visit www.kirkpatrickwildlife.com.