The holiday season has not slowed activities offered at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation.

“Beginning next week, we have something going on almost everyday,” executive director of the SCHF Stacey Massey said.

Kicking off the week before Christmas, Margie Heltzel will be conducting cooking classes for children.

Heltzel, who is the lead teacher at Redwood Elementary School, began offering cooking classes for kids this summer and they have become very popular — so popular that the classes fill up in a day, Massey said.

In July, Heltzel offered two 4-day sessions of “Kids in the Kitchen” cooking camps, where children learned cooking basics, and she held a 4-day “Baking Boot Camp for Kids.”

In October, a Halloween version of “Kids in the Kitchen” were offered.

“Margie has been awesome and so giving of her time, Massey said, and the kids love her. And what parent wouldn’t love for their kids to participate. They learn a lot and they get to eat.”

The cooking classes have also facilitated new membership for the SCHF, Massey said.

Beginning Sunday, Heltzel will hold the first of her three December cooking classesgeared for ages four to 12.

“Christmas Cookies, Candy & Cocoa” will run from 3 to 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday, “Christmas Treats & Holiday Eats,” will be offered, and it run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The final event for children, a “Gingerbread House Workshop” will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

“I would love to take the “Gingerbread House Workshop,” Massey said.

Registration for each session is $35 and includes all supplies. Space is limited and reservations are required.

On Monday, the SCHF will hold their annual meeting and luncheon, and Wyatt Waters, the owner operator of the Wyatt Waters Gallery in Clinton, is scheduled to speak, Massey said.

Waters is widely known for his watercolors of Southern Culture and has been featured in Art & Antiques, American Artist, Watercolor, Mississippi Magazine and Delta Magazine. He has also had shows at the Mississippi Museum of Art, the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, The Meridian Museum of Art and the Jackson Municipal Gallery.

“Waters has also collaborated with Robert St. John on “A Southern Palate,” “Southern Seasons” and “An Italian Palate,” Massey said.

During the luncheon, Waters will be discussing one of his paintings he will be bringing, Massey said, and he is also planning to have some of his calendars to sell.”

The luncheon will begin at noon and tickets are $15.

Helen Abraham will be catering the meal and reservations must be made by Friday.

Massey said she had been pleased with all of the events sponsored by the SCHF this year, especially those that were knew offerings.

“It was the first time for the Shrimp & Gritz fundraiser, and I would like to see it grow,” Massey said.

We also had the first Raise the Roof Talent Search & Competition.

“We are planning on doing it again, but will be making a few changes.”

For those looking for events in the New Year, be sure and start marking the calendar. Registration is already underway for the spring semester of the River Kids Free After-School Art Program, which will begin Jan. 26 and run through April 20.

Other January events scheduled include:

• Jan. 9 — “Winter Classic” cooking workshop with Tom Ramsey

• Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31 — “Legends & Legacies” Genealogy Workshop

• Jan. 23 — “William’s Winter Soup Workshop

The SCH Center is at 1302 Adams St. For more information or to make reservations, call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.