The wonderful and successful 17th season of the Natchez Festival of Music is behind us, and we say bravo to David Blackburn, the performers and stage crew whose talents and hard work we enjoyed so very much.

But there are others whose work was not as visible to the audiences who deserve recognition and our thanks.

We have personally received kudos for the improvements made to the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center this season, but we want to clarify that none of the improvements could have been made were it not for the hands, heart and cooperation of a few quiet, behind-the-scenes people.

We want the audiences who enjoyed the performances at Margaret Martin to know who the real movers and shakers were who worked so diligently to enhance their experience and comfort during the performances.

Let’s all give a round of applause to

4 Buzz Harper who orchestrated the beautiful entrance.

4Les Wisinger who created the curtain and drapes.

4Curtis Thompson and Quality Glass for the installation of all the missing glass.

4Butch Thorpe who fixed the air-conditioning system.

4Arthur Brown who figured out how the house seats needed to be disassembled, upholstered and reassembled and then reinstalled them.

4Sandi Arnold of Sandi Fabrics who brought us the fabric for the cushions.

4Annette Rollinson and Pat Bowlin who upholstered the seat cushions.

4Kevin Brodeur and Kevin Miers who coordinated the whole seat project.

4Ginny Benoist who handled the logistics of correspondence among all the parties, especially Sheriff Ronnie Brown and the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and the cleanup committee.

4And special recognition goes to Paul Dawes of the city Inspection Department and Eric Smith of the Department of Public Works whose expertise on the project was instrumental in its success.

All of these individuals were the real people whose pride and commitment to our wonderful city helped create a new beginning for an old monument.

Thank you from Natchez Council of Art and Culture.

May we all smile at a job well done.

Jennifer Ogden is a natchez resident.