The once-popular Humanities Lecture Series returned to the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex Thursday, September 16, with a presentation by D.C. and Stephen Young of Hattiesburg entitled, "Sources of the Delta Blues: The Continuing Vitality of a Mississippi Tradition." The Youngs were joined in their program by Bobby Whalen, a musician, artist, and teacher from Indianola, MS.

The lecture series, featuring historical and/or cultural presentations, will continue on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Future topics include Native American life in the Colonial Period, conditions in Vicksburg during the Civil War, and the history of higher education in Mississippi.

According to Ted Smith, executive director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, the Humanities Lecture Series will play an integral role in new programming being developed at the Cultural Complex.

"We want this to be something that folks can count on," he commented. "We were very pleased by the excellent attendance at September’s presentation, and we’re certain that interest will grow as the series continues."

David Rae Morris, a former employee of the Vicksburg Post and now a photojournalist in New Orleans, LA, will speak October 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Complex Auditorium. His subject will be Dr. Jane McAllister of Vicksburg and African-American life in the mid-20th century. He will also comment on the Mississippi Project he conducted with his father, the late author Willie Morris.

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Wildflowers, butterflies, and moonlit gardens will be among the topics discussed at the Fourth Annual Historic Vicksburg Landscape Symposium to be held October 8 & 9, 1999, at the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex.

According to Joy Brabston, chair of the committee overseeing the event, the symposium offers participants a unique opportunity to explore a variety of horticultural topics.

"We have a great group of speakers lined up," she said recently. "They have diverse backgrounds and interests, and I think this will allow everyone who attends to gain excellent insights into a variety of subjects."

The Symposium begins Friday, October 8, with a morning visit to Linden Plantation near Vicksburg where Bob Brzuszek, Senior Curator of the Crosby Arboretum and Professor of Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State University, will lead a nature walk.

After lunch on the plantation grounds, participants will return to the Cultural Complex for a flower design presentation by Rita J. Maggart from Nashville, Tennessee, of HGTV fame. Kelly Patrick-Williams will present a demonstration entitled, "Cooking from a Southern Garden," using herb and spice mixtures that she has created. She is host of the Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s Cooking Television Series, Savor the Regions, and is also nutritional chef for the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.

Friday’s activities will conclude with a speakers’ party and book signing at Belle of the Bends and the Carroll House owned by Wallace and Jo Pratt.

Norman Winter leads off the schedule for Saturday, October 9, with a presentation on "Outstanding Annuals and Perennials." He is Extension Horticulturist with Mississippi State University as well as a columnist and radio and television personality. "Camellias Past, Present and Future" will follow, presented by Thomas Perkins, III, who has served as national president of the Camellia Society. Author Scott Ogden from the Texas Hill Country south of Austin will expound on the delights of moonlit gardens to conclude the morning sessions.

Dr. Gary Hill Ross, known as Louisiana’s "Butterfly Man," has an international reputation and will speak on "Gardening for Butterflies" Saturday afternoon. Fronderosa Fern Nursery owner Mary Elliott will present "Ferns, the Forgotten Perennials" to round out the afternoon’s presentations.

A plant, book, and tool sale, as well as a silent auction, will be highlights of the symposium, according to Brabston.

"I am very excited about the large number of vendors and the wide variety of native plants and garden art that will be available," she said. "This is the only symposium of this kind offered in Mississippi, and we are very privileged that we can sponsor this in Vicksburg."

Participants may register for individual events or the entire symposium. Fees vary with the level of participation. For more information, call 601-631-2997 or visit www.southernculture.org

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Ted J. Smith, the new Executive Director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, has only been on the job since April of this year, but already he feels very much at home in Vicksburg.

"My wife, M.K., and I have just felt very welcomed by everyone here," Smith said recently. "I’ve been extremely impressed by the support and interest that local folks have for the work of the Cultural Complex. I was drawn here by the wonderful buildings that are part of the Complex and the importance of the Foundation’s mission statement, but the enthusiasm of the community has been a real bonus for me."

Ted was born in New Orleans, LA, but grew up in various towns across south and central Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Management in 1993 and a Master’s degree in History in 1995. While living in Arkansas, Ted also worked for the Arkansas Territorial Restoration in Little Rock and the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. In 1995, Ted entered the Ph.D. program in History at the University of Mississippi and is currently working on his dissertation which deals with Southern migration in the Antebellum period. In addition to his studies at Ole Miss, Ted also taught American History, coordinated two major conferences, and wrote and implemented a grant to improve teaching technology in the classroom.

Ted has had little time for recreation since starting his new job, but when he does, he enjoys playing golf, taking drives in the country, and reading computer and business magazines.

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This is truly an exciting time for the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. We are focusing our efforts toward the attainable goal of becoming an outstanding cultural activities center that preserves the diverse cultural heritage of Vicksburg, the Mississippi Delta, and the American South.

This is also a very exciting time for me personally. It is a great honor to have been hired as the Foundation’s executive director, and I deeply appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me by its board of directors. I pledge to them and to all Vicksburgers my fullest commitment to achieving the goals of this organization.

My thanks to all of you who have supported this institution in the past. I will continue to need your help, along with that of many other folks who have yet to discover this wonderful place. Please consider attending events held at the Complex, participating in volunteer work days or as a docent for our tour program, and even just spreading the good word about the Complex to people you know. In the coming months, we will conduct a membership campaign that will be critical to the financial future of the organization, so when the time comes, please consider joining or re-joining the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation at any level you can.

The future is very bright. I deeply believe in the mission of this organization, and I look forward with great anticipation to participating in the realization of its fullest potential.

Ted J. Smith

Executive Director

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On November 7, 1998, there was a real "happening" in the Auditorium of the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex called the Red Tops Revisited Reception and Dance. The Red Tops were a popular dance band which played across the Mid-South during the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s.

Over 400 people attended the event, including all the original members of the Red Tops dance band who still reside in Vicksburg: Walter Osborne, Sr., Louis Spencer, Willard Tyler, Sr., Jesse Hayes, and Jimmy Bosley. Red Tops vocalist Rufus McKay came from out of town, and many deceased members of the band were represented by family in attendance.

According to Betty Barnes Jackson, chair of the committee which organized the event, the Red Tops Revisited was both a celebration of the band and a walk down memory lane for their fans.

"These fine men created music that was enjoyed by young people across Mississippi and throughout the surrounding areas for three decades," she commented. "This event brought back wonderful memories for so many people."

The evening began with a program honoring the Red Tops. Dr. Charles Reagan Wilson, Director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, spoke about the historical importance of the band. Mayor Robert Walker presented the Red Tops with certificates from the City of Vicksburg, and Charlotte Price, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Tyler, sang "Wind Beneath My Wings" to honor her father and his bandmates. Allison Finch, also with the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, explained the process involved in compiling original recordings of Red Tops music for a CD recently by the Center and available for sale.

Then, it was time to rock and roll. The Ben Shaw Band performed music from the era, including many favorites from the Red Tops repertoire. Rufus McKay sang selections with the band, and Walter Osborne, Sr., played the drums during their last set, showing that he hadn’t lost his touch at age 93.

In addition to Betty Jackson, the committee for the Red Tops Revisited Reception and Dance included Walter Osborne, Jr., Jessica Hayes Williams, Bill and Betty Dorman, Myrtle Loviza Curro, Alice Portwood, Michele Walton, Heather Butler, Carolyn Hall, Althea Murphy, Nancy Bell, Grace Aaron, Landy Teller, and the late Lucy Money. Red Tops band member Louis Spencer acted as advisor to the committee. The event was supported with contributions from Fred and Kay Farrell, Mike and Grace Aaron Guthrie, Don and Deana Miller, and Nancy Stepan Cook. Additional donations came from Richard Cowart, Myrtle and Joe Curro, Jo and Wally Pratt, Landy and Peggy Teller, Bill and Betty Dorman, Ed and Betty Jackson, Jerry Hall, Fred Peyton, and the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"There were so many people who worked very hard to make this event happen, and we’re extremely grateful to all of them," Jackson said. "The Red Tops Revisited was a great success, allowing us to preserve and celebrate an important part of the cultural heritage of Vicksburg and the Mississippi Delta."

An anniversary party of the Red Tops Revisited will be held November 6, 1999, at the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex. Reservations will be required. For more information, please call 601-631-2997 or visit www.southernculture.org

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Several buildings on the grounds of the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex have been getting some much-needed attention lately.

The Cobb House has a new "old" look, thanks to a combined grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Bureau of Building, Grounds, and Real Property Management, Department of Finance and Administration. Gatewood Enterprises Incorporated restored the building’s facade, doing extensive work on the windows and exterior doors as well as repairs to the concrete lintels and mortar. Corinthian columns on the restored portico of the house were carefully replicated using the two existing originals. Work on the interior of the Cobb House is planned for the near future.

The Auditorium has also undergone a good deal of both interior and exterior work. The inside plaster walls have been repaired and painted, as has the wooden wall behind the stage. All 66 windows have been scraped, primed, painted, and glazed, and the double doors on the east side of the building have been stripped and painted.

The gutters on both the Auditorium and the Academy buildings have been cleaned out, alleviating some of the drainage problems experienced in recent months. All of the fallen plaster and paint in the Academy building has been swept up and disposed of, and the closets and storage areas have been cleaned and put in good order.

Maintenance of these historic buildings is critical to the mission of the Complex, and volunteer help is needed. Future volunteer work days are planned, so if you are interested in participating, please call 601-631-2997 or e-mail info@southernculture.org

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This fall, the sounds of laughter and learning are again filling Room 102 of the former St. Francis Xavier Academy Building located on the grounds of the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex. The City of Vicksburg, with the support of a grant from the Mississippi Art Association, is sponsoring the After School Community Puppet and Marionette Theater program for children ages 9 - 13.

According to program coordinator Susan Causey, the workshops will give participating children a chance to actively learn about literature.

"They don’t just read or listen to stories, they get to act them out, using their hands and incorporating music, drama, and other artistic elements," she said in a recent interview. "Even shy kids love doing this, since they can hide behind the stage and let the puppets be the performers."

The workshops, which began September 23, will be held every Thursday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. until December 16. Space is still available for interested children, but registration is required. For more information, call Marcia Weaver at 601-634-4509.

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The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation lost a dear friend and member of its Executive Board of Directors on September 8, 1999, with the passing of Lucy Money. Lucy was a special person who touched many lives, serving the community she loved with diligence, grace, and compassion. The Cultural Complex was just one of many endeavors which benefitted from her time, talents, and energy. Her work will continue, and the support she gave this organization will not be forgotten.

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"There are still ten members of the Class of ‘50 in Vicksburg. We do keep up with our friends who have moved to other parts of the country, too. We get together every month and go out to dinner. We try to act like Academy girls, but sometimes we do get a little out of control." - Theresa Ford

Lately, the Academy "girls" of the St. Francis Xavier Class of 1950 have stayed under control and are putting their get-togethers to very good use. They are in the process of assembling an archival display honoring the Sisters of Mercy. Completion of the project is planned for spring of 2000.

The Sisters of Mercy have served Mississippi since 1860, making an indelible mark on the history of the state by opening hospitals and schools ministering to people of all ethnic and religious groups.

The Class of 1950 will utilize two classrooms in the Academy building of the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex for the exhibit. One will feature memorabilia from the St. Francis Xavier Academy and the Convent of Mercy, while the other will house items from the Mercy Hospital-Street Memorial, later called Mercy Regional Medical Center.

Donations of photos, printed materials, furniture, clothing, or anything else connected with the Sisters of Mercy would be greatly appreciated. For further information, please write Mrs. Theresa Ford, 1321 Baum Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, or e-mail Mrs. Dorothy Downey at dgdowney@vicksburg.com

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Browsers on the worldwide web can now access the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation at its brand new web site www.southernculture.org for information on the Foundation and the events it sponsors at the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex. Designed by Taylor Wood, a student at Vicksburg High School with a computer design business, the site’s home page offers a brief introduction to the Foundation, a rotating gallery of photos from past events, and buttons which connect to additional web pages containing a history of the Complex, a calendar of events, and even a map with directions to the facility.

"The web site offers us the chance to broaden our audience through the use of new technologies," Ted Smith, executive director of the Foundation, said recently. "We are excited about the prospect of having online exhibits that will further allow us to connect with the general public, some of whom might not be able to visit in person due to time, distance, or special circumstances."

Visitors to the web site can send comments, questions, or suggestions to the Foundation by linking to its new e-mail address info@southernculture.org

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Lights, cameras, and action filled the Auditorium of the Southern Cultural Heritage Complex during three days in early July for the filming of a major scene in the movie, Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?, produced and directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. Earlier movies by the Coens include Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, and Fargo.

George Clooney, Holly Hunter, Charles Durning, John Turturro, and T Bone Burnett were among the cast members featured in the scene filmed at the Cultural Complex. Hundreds of extras, many from the Vicksburg area, filled the Auditorium to capacity for several shots, including the scene’s climax when a gubernatorial candidate is run out of town on a rail.

While passers-by may have missed the action inside the Auditorium, they certainly knew the film company was in town. Streets surrounding the building were blocked off during filming, causing detours for drivers trying traveling along Cherry Street. Trucks and trailers associated with the cast and crew filled Crawford Street in front of the Auditorium as well as the nearby parking lot of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. Extras in 1930s costumes could be seen walking down the street, and local fans even got an occasional glimpse of the film’s lead players taking a break at the commissary in the First Presbyterian Church or relaxing by the caterer’s truck on Crawford Street.

Perhaps the most eye-catching presence was that of a flat-bed trailer parked in front of the Auditorium which held a generator with two very large, brightly-colored hoses running into the facility. This provided air conditioning for the cast and crew during filming, since the building does not have a built-in cooling system of its own at this time.

While the presence of the film company elicited great excitement among the community, it also meant long hours for executive director Ted Smith and several board members and friends of the Complex who helped him monitor the film crew during three weeks of set preparations, filming, and striking of the set.

"While it was a great opportunity for us to have the production here, our job is to protect and preserve the wonderful historic properties that make up the Cultural Complex," Smith said. "The Auditorium, which dates from the 1880s, was painted by the film crew and many temporary fixtures were added for the filming, so we had to provide careful oversight to ensure the integrity of the building was maintained. The filming days were particularly challenging since we had hundreds of cast and crew moving in and out of the building, doing some things we normally wouldn’t allow."

Other Mississippi locations used for filming included Canton, Edwards, and Yazoo City. O, Brother, Where Art Thou? will appear in theaters next year.

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