The Bird Supper & The Celebrities

So, what's a bird supper?  To answer that, one must know a little about what Union Springs, Alabama is famous for.  Ask any local in town and he or she will tell you it's the, Field Trial Capitol of The World.  Field trials have to do with quail or pheasant hunting.  The "bird dog" is wonderful and loyal dog that is well trained to track the scent of that particular bird.  The dog also retrieves the bird for the hunter. They are extremely smart and love what they do.

Below, the bird dog statue is situated in the center of mainstreet, and proclaims the name of Field Trial Capital Of The World.

The quail pictured here, puts the "bird" in bird supper.

Below, the bird dog, locked on his target.

Field Trials...

Below, another view of the statue, is actually the only bird dog statue in the whole State of Alabama.

Back in the late 1920's, L.B. Maytag, an avid hunter, purchased land that later became known as Sedgefield Plantation.  The plantation became a very popular place for bird hunting and prestigious field trials,which are still held today.

The plantation has also had its share of celebrity guests too.  Former guests that have indulged in the opportunity to hunt this great land include:
Dwight Eisenhower

Bing Crosby

Jackie Gleason

Also, Sam Walton and many others.  Below, bird hunting on the plantation.

Want to know more about Sedgefield Plantation?  I've provided a link to their website here:
http://www.sedgefieldlakesplantation.com

Now, what does all of this have to do with a bird supper and where does the Josephine Hotel fit in?

It was back in May of 1951, The Gun Club, during bird season, would have a "Bird Supper" at the Josephine Hotel.  The wives and friends of the hunters would be invited to attend the dinner. Imagine, if you will, several hundred birds were brought in and piled up on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.  Each of the hunters would bring in anywhere from 50 to 75 birds. 

Now, I have know clue who did all the cooking of these birds, let alone, pluck and clean them.  Good grief, that is a lot of work!  My guess is the wives got roped into it.  I hope they got a nice fist full of money to go shopping after the work they put in preparing the haul for that dinner.  

The bird supper may not be held at the Josephine anymore, but the tradition of bird suppers still goes on from time to time, probably out at Sedgefield Plantation, or some other location.  

Around the time that the bird supper began at the Josephine Hotel, there was an old fashion ice cream parlor that occupied one of the retail spaces.  
Below is just example of what the parlor may have looked like.

It's possible that after the delicious bird supper, many would have gone over to the parlor and had a chocolate shake.  

 Still, bird suppers take place all over.  As I was researching "bird suppers", I found that many of them happen to occur as fund raisers, club events, and even political events that allow a politician to eat first, then meet, and greet his constituents, all while fund raising. Interestingly enough, the bird supper is a sporting tradition that still lives on even in these modern times and I have a feeling they will be around even longer. 

Wouldn't it be great if the bird supper could once again be held at the Josephine Hotel?  

Actually, it could. These days, Allen and Joyce Perrin, host dinners of all kinds right there at the Josephine.  They can seat up to 100 people just like they did in the old days.  Groups book dinners there all the time, only the members of the group don't bring their food to be cooked as they are participants in a sumptuous dinner prepared on-site.  I was stunned to hear they have served meals as simple as sandwiches to elegant prime rib and succulent pork shank.  The presentation is amazing.
See in these photos just a hint of what they do:

And yes... The Josephine has been visited by some pretty important people too, that is, since Allen and Joyce have been owners.
Like Alabama Senator, Jeff Sessions, pictured here with Joyce Perrin.

Alabama Senator, Richard Shelby with Joyce.

Alabama Chief Justice, Roy Moore with Joyce.

And yes, even State of Alabama Governor, Robert Bentley with Joyce

Below: 

And most recently, yesterday, Alabama 2014 gubernatorial Democratic Candidate, Parker Griffin, stopped by for a cup of coffee and purchased a piece of handcrafted jewelry made by a local for his wife. 

Wow, this is really a great place.  A historical and fun place to be.  You can eat good food, have a party, shop, hold a meeting, enjoy a sundae, admire and buy art, and so much more. 

You know, if you haven't seen the Josephine lately, you haven't really seen the Josephine.

Stop by when you can or check out their website here to learn more about booking your next party there.

http://www.artatjosephine.com