April 14, 2011
Church legends lead to destruction
Written by Jenna Lostritto
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Deacon Brinkley Walker surveys evidence of vandalism that appears visible on the doors of New Salem Baptist Church. (Photo by Jenna Lostritto)
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Repeated defacing of New Salem Baptist Church in Tate County over the years may be the result of untrue legends.
“This small church out in the county is the church that has been repeatedly vandalized,” said Dan Smith, vice president for Student Affairs, “At least once by our students, because people think it is a ‘satanic church,’ which it is not.”
A circulating urban legend says that an old church on New Salem Road was used by demon worshippers.
Some students and locals have searched for the church, but that building burned down 20 years ago.
Instead they find Pastor Ronnie McCain’s church, New Salem Baptist, only two miles away.
For five years McCain has led the congregation of New Salem Baptist Church. During that time, the church has been vandalized seven or eight times.
“There have been broken windows, holes in doors, beer cans everywhere…and the air conditioning unit was broken,” McCain described.
The police were notified of these crimes, but with only two officers patrolling the area, there was little that could be done to prevent further vandalism.
Brinkley Walker, a deacon and 50-year member at New Salem Baptist Church, said this has been devastating to the church. He pointed out the damage to the front door (right), broken glass windows, and the missing marquee on the front of the building. There were more stories from Walker of people throwing rocks through the window with ‘John 3:16’ written on it, and piles of garbage found on the property.
Northwest students visit the church out of curiosity in the tales they’ve heard. One student told McCain he wanted to “get his spook on.”
McCain is trying to dispel these rumors and stop further damage to his church and his congregation. “Some of the congregation are leaving because they’re scared someone might come in during a service or during choir practices at night.”
National Library Week held at Northwest
Staff Report
Public Service and Reference Librarian, Tenise Faulkner (right), presents Beth Todd of Southaven with a goodie bag for being the first student to complete the library scavenger hunt as part of National Library Week. (Photo submitted)
Northwest celebrated National Library Week with a meet-n-greet with Mississippi Sen. Robert L. Jackson and artist Marie Hensley Humphrey.
The meet and greet was held Monday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in the R.C. Pugh Library on the Senatobia campus. Marie Hensley Humphrey spoke at the library on Tuesday, April 12 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Jackson (left) is a life-long resident of Quitman County and has been employed with Quitman County Development Organization, Inc. (QCDO), since May 1977, where he has served as the Chief Executive Officer since 1987. He also helped found the First Delta Federal Credit Union and served as its only Treasurer/CEO from inception in 1981 until December 31, 2006.
Jackson holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. He later continued his studies at Delta State University in the Executive Master’s in Business Administration Program in Rural Community Economic Development, sponsored by the Rural Development Leadership Network.
Humphrey(left) is a native of Senatobia. She has been painting for over 40 years. For the last five years, Humphrey has been involved in the art community. She is a member of the Tipton Art League. She has been a featured artist at the Ruffin Theater, and she has also shown her work at the Ripley Tomato Festival, the Heritage days in Covington, and the Millington Crafts show.
A scavenger hunt was held at the library with prizes on Wednesday, April 13. Winners of the “Why I Love My Library Video” were announced Thursday, April 14.
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) each April. All types of libraries participate in National Library Week. This year’s theme was “Create your own story @ your library®.”
For more information about National Library Week, visit their website at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary. For more information about the R.C. Pugh Library, contact Maggie Moran, director of Learning Resources, at (662) 562-3277 or e-mail mmoran@northwestms.edu .
Northwest art student receives scholarship to MCA
BY Judith Harell
Northwest art major Britni Morgan of Olive Branch was recently awarded a $47,000 scholarship to attend Memphis College of Art. Morgan was awarded the scholarship after the college reviewed her artwork in January. Her scholarship will be distributed over a four-year period. She plans to major in graphic design or ceramics. After college she hopes to work in the art field.
“This scholarship makes it possible for my dream of attending MCA to come true. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to go there otherwise. I look forward to improving my artistic skills and learning more about ceramics and graphic design,” said Morgan.
Morgan became interested in art in the first grade after winning first place for a drawing of a giraffe in an art contest. “My teachers, Mrs. Manley and Mrs. Brown, encouraged me, believing that I had a special talent for art,” said Morgan.
Her interest continued to grow after another picture of hers was published in the book “Kids Talk about God” at the age of eight.
Morgan finds inspiration for her art through imagination, research and things that interest her. “I enjoy recreating images as realistic as possible, using a lot of detail,” said Morgan. “Having little formal art instruction prior to Northwest, I believe my art instructors have provided me with the skills and encouragement that I will need to be a successful artist,” said Morgan. “They have continually encouraged me as well as provided me with constructive criticism, which I know will benefit me in the future.”
Northwest Art Department Chair, Lawayne House, said, “The art faculty is always impressed with an art major who will apply themselves and go the extra mile with each assignment. Britni Morgan is one of those students who understands that making art takes dedication, patience and persistence. “She embodies ‘tenacity’ and her hard work has paid off. We are very proud of her and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and develop creatively.”
The Northwest Art Department offers a two-year program of foundation courses in drawing, design, painting, pottery, and advertising/graphic design, along with art history for individuals seeking opportunities for a career in the arts or for personal enrichment.
For more information, contact House at (662) 562-3399 or e-mail lhouse@northwestms.edu.
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