While it is true that the emphasis on tourism is usually aimed at those who do not live in Natchez, there is one opportunity for those who do live here to tour and learn a great deal about their local area.

Many times a year Copiah-Lincoln Community College hosts a program called Elderhostel.

People from all over the United States — and sometimes from outside the United States — come to enjoy presentations by local historians and tours of local attractions with local guides and residents.

Unlike many of the big tour companies and riverboats, which come to town for only a day or just for overnight, these programs are at least a long weekend. Many follow a Sunday through Friday schedule.

These visitors stay in a local hotel and eat in local restaurants. They roam the gift and antique shops and love the bookstores. They really get a feel for this town and its population, and they, in turn, go home and tell others who come, too.

Since 1989, Co-Lin has been pleased to continue this unique opportunity, even surviving the tourism slumps of recent years when some of the bus tours gave up.

Unlike so much of our tourism in Natchez, this program is not dependent upon Memphis, New Orleans or the Gulf Coast. It stands alone as, quite simply, a trip to Natchez.

The program consists of a good mix of talks and activities in which many of our locals never get to participate.

For instance, have you toured the Norman’s Natchez photo collection at First Presbyterian Church with Joan Gandy as your guide?

Have you heard the history of that church or the history of Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Mary Basilica or Temple B’Nai Israel?

Have you been on a guided walking tour of the City Cemetery? Have you heard Jim Barnett’s history of the native Natchez and been with him on a tour of the grounds of the Grand Village?

And even though many may have toured historic homes in the area, have you done so in the springtime with the guides all dressed for the occasion?

In addition, it is truly a wonderful experience to be with these visitors who may have come hundreds of miles to see our town. You might be surprised at what they see that you’ve been missing.

Now, back to how you can participate. Dee Ray coordinates this program for Co-Lin’s Natchez campus. She can formulate a day or a week of activities for local folks without the cost of the overnight stay, including only those things you wish to do.

The next program will be during the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, Feb. 21-25. There are two sessions in March, one in April and one in May that will be centered on the Natchez Festival of Music.

Sometimes enrollment is limited due to transportation and other seating limitations; so if you think you may be interested in being a part of this very special group, please contact Dee soon.

Her office phone is 601-446-1210. Her e-mail is dee.ray@colin.edu. We would love to have you. Come and see what you may have been missing.

Donna Martello is associated with the Co-Lin Elderhostel program in Natchez.