As we begin to feel the first tinge of autumn in the air — or at least enjoy a break from the most oppressive summer heat and humidity, our Natchez Legends & Lore program at 5:30 on Monday nights continues into its final quarter of weekly presentations. This series is organized by the Natchez Tricentennial Ethnic & Social History Committee.

These programs have been far more successful than we ever anticipated, with more than 100 people attending most weeks.  Thank you to all in the community for your support of these great speakers who have turned out to share their expertise!

The first week of October marks the 51st anniversary of one of the milestone events of modern Natchez history — the series of oppressive actions, bold Civil Rights activities, and corresponding violent reprisals that took place in the summer and fall of 1965 and have come to be known as the Parchman Ordeal. This year, this momentous week also marks the publication of a new book by our Oct. 3. speaker, Stanley Nelson, editor of the Concordia Sentinel and 2011 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Later in the week, Nelson will be signing copies of “Devils Walking: Klan Murders Along the Mississippi in the 1960s” on Thursday evening at the Natchez City Auditorium for the 6 p.m premier of “The Parchman Ordeal: The Untold Story” — the documentary film based on oral history interviews with local participants.

The mood will be more jubilant on the following Monday, Oct. 10, when a panel of Natchezians of Italian descent including Charles Mascagni, Walter Brown, and Smokye Joe Frank will gather on Columbus Day to discuss the deep roots and broad branches of the Natchez Italian community. Venite, per favore!

On Oct. 17, the local conversation will take yet another twist when Mark Brockway previews his new film on famed Natchez madam Nellie Jackson whose North Rankin Street bordello thrived in the city on the hill for roughly 60 years until her death in 1990.

The following week, Oct. 24, Dr. Dianne Bunch, professor of English at Alcorn State University, will discuss acclaimed Natchez native and National Book award nominee Ellen Douglas whose published works include “Black Cloud, White Cloud: Two Novellas and Two Stories;” “Apostles of Light;” “The Rock Cried Out;” “Can’t Quit You, Baby;” and “Truth: Four Stories I am Finally Old Enough to Tell.”

On the final week, Oct. 31, longtime editor William Terrell will discuss The Bluff City Post, an African-American owned, bi-weekly newspaper that has for many years been dedicated to serving the Natchez African-American community.

Thank you again to René Adams and the staff at Rolling River Bistro for providing such a wonderful gathering space for our October events — and for the sumptuous wining and dining that often follows! For more information, please contact Kelin Hendricks at the Natchez Tricentennial Office (1-800-647-6724 or kelin@natchezms300.com).
Kathleen Bond serves as co-chair of the Natchez Tricentennial Ethnic & Social History Committee.