Another affair with chocolate

Published 10:18 am Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Tyann Ellis, co-owner of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, places a chocolate-covered strawberry in a case Monday at the chocolate shop. (Justin Sellers/The Vicksburg Post)

When the name of your business has chocolate in it, participating in an evening of decadence is a no-brainer, and on Thursday the Southern Cultural Heritage Center will hold the 7th annual Chocolate Affair.

“It just makes since for us to be there,” Tyann Ellis said.

Ellis and her husband Brady are the owners of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. They will be one of the contributing vendors for the event, which will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the SCHC auditorium.

This will be the couple’s fifth year to participate in the fundraiser, Ellis said.

“The chocolate Affair is so much fun, and there is so much chocolate there,” she said.

In previous years, Ellis said she and her husband have contributed fudge and chocolate covered apples for the fundraiser, but this year they want to do something different.

“We are going to mix it up this year and bring chocolate dipped strawberries, a lot of stuff on sticks and our signature chocolate dipped bacon. We are going to do it big this year,” she said.

Tina’s Flowers and Gifts will provide decorations for the event and along with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, additional vendors participating will include Ameristar Casino & Hotel, Cedar Grove Mansion Restaurant, Edible Arrangements, KJ’s River Town Grille, Main Street Market, Palmertree Catering, Roca, Rouxsters Home of Faydra Cakes, Wine House and the Liquor Store, said Stacy Massey, the executive director for the SCHF.

“Ameristar will be bringing chocolate mousse delights, Roca is bringing milk chocolate tiramisu, Faydra Baily is bringing mocha hazelnut latte cupcakes and Edible Arrangements will be bringing chocolate covered fruit,” Massey said.

Hale Baskin, who is currently a resident of Denton, Texas, will be providing the entertainment.

“She has a great voice, and she sings a little swing, jazz, blues, soul and Motown,” Massey said.

Baskin has been performing professionally for more than 10 years and has performed with notable musicians including Arturo Sandoval, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Mike Vax Big Band.

Baskin will be accompanied by a piano and the duo is sponsored by the Lady luck Casino, Massey said.

The deadline to purchase tickets is noon Thursday, and the cost is $25 for SCHF members and $30 for nonmembers, and tickets are available at the SCHF Business Office, 1302 Adams St., Frederick’s Boutique, 1218 Washington St., Paper Plus, 1318 Washington St., by calling 601-631-2997 and online at chocolate2015schf.eventbrite.com.

Tables for the event may be reserved with a group purchase of eight, and if you present your Chocolate Affair ticket the night of the event at Cedar Grove Restaurant, Roca, Martin’s at Midtown or Wine House, you will receive 10 percent off your dinner purchase, Massey said.

“This is a great reason to get together with friends and what better way than to socialize than over chocolate,” Brady Ellis said.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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