July 13, 2021by Suzi Altman, Organizer OMG we are on THE FRONT PAGE of the  newspaper (above the fold!!)  <a href="https://www.clarionledger.com/.../hidden-folk.../7880002002/"><a href="https://www.clarionledger.com/.../hidden-folk.../7880002002/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.clarionledger.com/.../hidden-folk.../7880002002/</a></a>  Thank you Maria Clark and USA TODAY for taking the time to interview me about Margaret's Grocery, it is a sacred space one that I am honored to care for. team work makes the dream work and I will keep my promise to save this outdoor art environment with your help. Rev. Dennis and Miss Margaret's simple messages still resonate today- "God Aint't Got No White Church, He Aint't Got No Black Church He Has One Church- Where All Are Welcome" this is what motivates us to continue our work to save this palace that Love Built. Please help us if you can save this sacred space, Picture the difference if we all donated a little bit, it would add up to make a BIG difference. <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/margarets-grocery-store-vicksburg-mississippi-suzi-altman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thrillist feature</a> We have been featured on The Thrillist 7/21/2020 Thank you!! check out the fantastic article . Raise The Roof Fundraiser!! is ongoing...BUT TODAY OUR NEED IS IMMEDIATE to help shore up the Tower that Rev Dennis built.  The Mississippi Folk Art Foundation is dedicated to saving this outdoor art environment- But we need help. Part of the tower that Rev. Dennis built was destroyed by Hurricane Delta. We knew it was only a matter of time for this to happen but we are heartbroken. We have cleaned it up and are now trying to figure out how to shore up the remaining structure so it does not fall down and prevent further damage to this historic art environment. We will need to get a crew together to build a scaffolding system and brace the remaining structure while we work on plans to restore it to its former glory. Margaret's Grocery is in dire need of a new roof. And we need your help raising the funds.  Picture the difference if we all donated just $10 dollars we could save this iconic outdoor folk art environment and keep it where it is in the Kings Community in Vicksburg Mississippi. Love and Promises It’s all about the promise Reverend H.D. Dennis made Margaret and their love. Preacher asked Margaret to marry him and promised her if she did, he would build her a castle. He kept his promise. I met the Rev Dennis and Miss Margaret in 2001 and fell in love with them and their castle. Over the next decade I visited them regularly and they shared their wisdom with me. Their simple messages of God has no white church, he ain't got no black church-He got one church- And ALL are Welcome, and Treat Everyone Equally and with Love, are still relevant today and need to be shared with the world. I promised Miss Margaret on her death bed I would look after Preacher, and I promised Rev HD Dennis before he passed away I would look after his palace and church bus. I am keeping my promise today I am the executive Director of the Mississippi Folk Art Foundation and we are dedicated to preserving this outdoor folk art environment. Picture the difference if we all donated just $10 dollars we could save this Mississippi Treasure and keep it where it is in the Kings Community. Although the site is no longer open as a store and they have both since passed away, the Grocery still attracts visitors from around the world to experience Reverend Dennis' creation. The site, described as a "theological park" by vernacular art scholar Stephen Young, is crowded with signs, gates, towers, and other items created by Dennis. The Reverend was constantly making changes and modifications to the site, adding new signs, repainting items with new designs, and adding more details to existing structures. Since his passing the place is in decline and in dire need of restoration and preservation. We are a registered 501c3 and all donations may be tax deductible. If you prefer you can mail you donation to: Mississippi Folk Art Foundation P.O Box 5986 Brandon MS 39047-5986 And please make check payable to Mississippi Folk Art Foundation The funds we raise will help in a multitude of ways. From purchasing the land for this folk art creation to purchasing paint and brushes. We intend to keep everything where it is- but that will require a large sum of money and a few miracles. Our plan is evolving and we our working on an educational program for the local community to help tell the narrative and the oral history of Miss Margaret and Rev Dennis and others who knew them. I hope with your help we can save this Mississippi Treasure and restore this folk art icon to its original glory.  Although the site is no longer open as a store and they have both since passed away,  the Grocery still attracts visitors from around the world to experience Reverend Dennis' creation. The site, described as a "theological park" by vernacular art scholar Stephen Young, is crowded with signs, gates, towers, and other items created by Dennis. The Reverend was constantly making changes and modifications to the site, adding new signs, repainting items with new designs, and adding more details to existing structures. Since his passing the place is in decline and in dire need of restoration and preservation. Thats where you can help...by donating now. In addition to the masonic art work and religious signs, there is an old school bus that has been lovingly converted into a church. Dennis took out the steering wheel and replaced it with a pulpit and covered the seats to look like pews. <img class="not-resizable" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/20566340_1496257261.0593_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> ￼￼￼Dennis has used beads, Christmas lights, artificial flowers, and other inexpensive items to create a unique worship space inside the grocery and on the bus. What they created and the messages they shared are still important today and need to be preserved and shared with future generations. The dream is BIG and and with your help we will make it a reality. Preserving, protecting,  and sharing this iconic Mississippi treasure with the world, while giving future generations the opportunity to learn from Rev. HD Dennis and Miss Margaret and their simple messages of One Love, One God, Unity and Acceptance. We are a registered 501c3 and all donations may be tax deductible.  Any and all donations help. Thank you for your contribution and support. If you prefer you can mail you donation to: Mississippi Folk Art Foundation P.O. Box 5986 Brandon, MS. 39047-5986 USA And please make check payable to Mississippi Folk Art Foundation To learn more about Margaret and H.D Dennis see link below <a href="http://www.arts.state.ms.us/folklife/artist.php?dirname=margarets_grocery"><a href="http://www.arts.state.ms.us/folklife/artist.php?dirname=margarets_grocery" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.arts.state.ms.us/folklife/artist.php?dirname=margarets_grocery</a></a><a href="http://www.arts.state.ms.us/folklife/artist.php?dirname=margarets_grocery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a> click link below to learn why this site is so important Souls Grown Deep Foundation <a href="https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/artist/rev-herman-d-dennis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/artist/rev-herman-d-dennis" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.soulsgrowndeep.org/artist/rev-herman-d-dennis</a></a>  Please follow the Mississippi Folk Art Foundation on Facebook <a href="http://www.arts.state.ms.us/folklife/artist.php?dirname=margarets_grocery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MargaretsGrocery/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/MargaretsGrocery/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel</a></a> And follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suzialtman/"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/suzialtman/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/suzialtman/</a></a><a href="http://www.arts.state.ms.us/folklife/artist.php?dirname=margarets_grocery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a>You can also share your story about Margaret's Grocery on Margarets Grocery Facebook page  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/suzisnaps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Margaret's Grocery Facebook page</a>

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Help Save Margaret's Grocery an iconic Folk Art Environment

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