It was Friday, the last day of the most recent five-day Natchez Elderhostel program. Participants would finish the week’s activities at Magnolia Hall with a tour and lunch.

Then they would scatter to the wind, many of them soon to head out to another Elderhostel in a faraway place. They hailed from all over the United States, as usually has been the case during the 12 years of the Natchez program.

&uot;We feel as though we have traveled the world with these people,&uot; said Melba Wisner, an assistant coordinator. &uot;They love to share their stories about where they’ve been, and we love to listen.&uot;

This day, however, the Elderhostel participants wanted to talk about Natchez and the program sponsored by Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

As the final lecture wound down in the roomy hall at the Radisson Natchez Eola Hotel, the crowd of 70 learned that during the break they were invited to talk about their week in Natchez for possible publication in the newspaper.

They flocked to the front of the room for a chance to voice their opinions on Natchez and their Elderhostel experience.

&uot;I’m thrilled with this community; it’s a gem of a town,&uot; said Dorothy Sinclair of Peoria, Ill., traveling with her husband, Henry. &uot;I knew there would be the antebellum homes, but I didn’t expect all the other wonderful things we’ve seen.&uot;

The Sinclairs liked the hotel, too, comparing it to one built in their hometown the same year, 1927.

Dan and Joan Randall of Lancaster, Penn., came a day early to get a feel for the town before the program began on Sunday. It was their first time to visit Natchez.

&uot;We’re impressed with everything,&uot; Joan said. &uot;We were very impressed that everybody welcomes you no matter where you go.&uot;

Ulilla Witherspoon and husband John of Oak Ridge, Tenn., have attended 28 other Elderhostel programs. The Natchez program ranks with the best, they agreed.

&uot;If you just came to the Pilgrimage and missed all the things we were able to do, you wouldn’t know nearly as much about the town and its history,&uot; Ulilla said.

The extras provided by Elderhostel have hooked Rebecca Williams of Hopkinsville, Ky., too. &uot;I wouldn’t want to come here any other way. We were able to get an in-depth look at Natchez that we would not have gotten on our own.&uot;

Glen and Martha Berkenbile of Tulsa, Okla., have been Elderhostel participants for years. Martha admired the efficiency of the Elderhostel staff and the attention to detail throughout the week.

&uot;The preparation by local people and the pride they exhibit in their town has been outstanding.&uot;

Pat Cater, who was in on the beginning of Elderhostel in Natchez, became the coordinator of the program in 1996 and held that position until 2000.

The rave reviews do not surprise her. &uot;Over and over again our evaluations from the Elderhostelers have said how pleasantly surprised they were at the friendly people and the generosity of spirit they found here.&uot;

The Elderhostelers’ rave reviews merit their own scattering to the wind, with a hope that all the friendly, generous Natchez people receive these rewards of praise from visitors who spoke it from their hearts. Here goes.

Joan Gandy is special projects director of The Natchez Democrat. She can be reached at (601) 445-3549 or by e-mail to joan.gandy@natchezdemocrat.com.