Search for Mr. Debonaire Provides Cultural Experience

Arlene Bostic, Callie Marshall and Mae Moulds wanted to provide something different for young males in Jackson County. Organizers of the newly formed Professional Achievers, the women have planned a "Search for Mr. Debonaire," a coming-out affair for 12 male students from schools in Pascagoula, Moss Point and Gautier. The beautillion will take place Dec. 29 at the Pelican Landing Conference Center in Moss Point.

MOSS POINT -- A ball to present teenage male students to society seemed like a perfect  and relatively unknown event in the state's coastal area, according to organizers of a beautillion planned for later this month.

Members of Professional Achievers had not heard of a beautillion being done in South Mississippi. But they wanted to do something different to inspire young males to achieve and succeed. For Callie Marshall, it's an opportunity to do something special for a forgotten group.

"Nobody is doing anything to save the young men. Everybody is doing something for girls, women and kids, but nobody is doing anything for that forgotten group -- the young black males," she said.

"Search for Mr. Debonaire 2012" is set to become the first annual beautillion to present young men to society, similar to a debutante ball but with a different format because the participants are male, according to Mae Moulds of Professional Achievers and event organizer.

"This is the first time for this. It's the first time that I know that anyone in this area is debuting young men," said Marshall. "This would be a rite of passage for some groups and cultures."

The beaus are 12 members of the Purple Knights of America, including students from elementary, junior high and high school students from Pascagoula, Moss Point and Gautier. The organization is designed to provide mentorship for males in grades sixth- to 12th.

"I want society to know these are our future young men, and to introduce them to something like this," said Jeramey Anderson, founder and CEO of Purple Knights of America, which he said will soon become a national organization.

Anderson said the Purple Knights include some 18 members, but the 12 beaus competing in "Search for Mr. Debonaire" were chosen because of their academic grades and overall contribution to the community and the Purple Knights program.

Moulds said the 12 beaus will be escorted by female students from elementary to high school grades. Organizers matched the beaus and their escorts.

As well, other students will serve as hosts and hostesses during the ball, which will feature black and white attire. Residents attending the ball are asked to wear black and white, but it is not required for admittance. 

The organizers said the ball will "provide young men and young ladies an outstanding opportunity to experience a wide array of cultural, academic and social activities in preparation for adulthood."

As of now, rehearsals for the beau ball are being held at Second Missionary Baptist Church on Machpelah Road. The "Search for Mr. Debonaire 2012" will take place at Pelican Landing Conference Center.

The beautillion will include a fashion show sponsored by Runway Images, a company in Atlanta, a silent auction and cash raffle. The fundraisers will help sponsor programs for local youth, including a planned trip to the annual Edmund Pettus Bridge Walk in March, according to Marshall. 

Runway owner Rodney Daniels will serve as host of the beautillion, and Darlene Carter and Yolanda Love, president and member, respectively, of Moss Point Visionary Circle, will serve as hostesses. Kristi Holmes, 5, will be special entertainment; DJ Mohummed will provide music.

Marshall said the fashion company owner may be looking for potential models among local students who will participate in the fashion show.   

Arlene Bostic with Professional Achievers said the silent action will include jewelry, paintings, crystal and other items collected from across the United States. "I've got pieces from Germany that I'm going to donate," said Moulds.

Professional Achievers, which operates under the auspices of the Moss Point Visionary Circle, works to improve the quality of life of young people. The group formed in February 2010 and has partnered with about 75 men in the community to help mentor the young men. 

FYI

What: Search for Mr. Debonaire 2012 
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 29
Where: Pelican Landing Conference Center, 6217 Mississippi 613, Moss Point
Cost: $10 in advance and at the door
Contact: Arlene Bostic at 228-243-9376, Callie Marshall at 228-327-4787 or Mae Moulds at 228-219-3504
Contact: Jeramey Anderson, Purple Knights of America, at 228-206-3049 ext. 236, fax at 888-505-PKOA(7562), or 228-217-4324. Also access www.purpleknights.org

 

RiverBeachCities Making Changes During Hiatus

Changes are coming to RiverBeachCities.

While those changes are being made, followers may review current posts, which may consist of more information and added photographs.

However, except for very special events, posts during December will be minimal, if at all. The editorial changes are being made in anticipation for 2012.

Thanks to our followers. Please stick with us during this transition.

 

Visitors, please add your comments on current posts, and what you think will make this blog serve you -- the Gulf Coast community, and especially the six South Mississippi counties -- even better in the future.  

Vivian Austin:  228-623-8883.

Voting Brisk at Polls to Decide Governor, Ballot Initiatives

PASCAGOULA -- Voting was brisk at South Missisippi polling places today during state wide elections that will decide Mississippi's next governor as well as three ballot initiatives on personhood at conception, eminent domain and voter identification.

Shelby Smith (right) talks with poll workers J.P. Hollingsworth and Mary Ann Chatterton before signing the registration booklet at the polling station at Oasis Church on Pascagoula Street.

"It's been brisk," said Chatterton of the voting and long lines. "It's a long ballot today."

Hollingsworth agreed. "We've had them lined up. We had 27 at one time."

A small voting precinct, 159 people had voted at Oasis Church by 1 p.m. Tuesday, poll workers said.

Oasis Church is a voting precinct in Mississippi House District 111. Republican Charles Busby faced Democratic incumbent Brandon Jones for the seat during Tuesday's election.

During the 2010 Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting at Pelican Landing, Steve Renfroe, then-incoming president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Carla Todd, chamber CEO, and Morris Strickland, outgoing president, enjoy their meal at the 67th meeting.

FYI

What: 68th annual Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting

When: 6 p.m. coctails; 7 p.m. dinner and program

Where: Pelican Landing, Mississippi 613, Moss Point

Details: Tickets are $50 individual, $500 for table of 8

Contact: 762-3391

Since the 2010 annual meeting of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, more than 100 businesses have joined the agency.

"We've gained over 143 through the year," said chamber personnel.

Most of the new members have been small businesses, plus industries that come through the Jackson County Industrial Suppliers Association.

According to chamber officials, there are now 769 businesses that make up the chamber.

Chamber Sets Annual Membership Meeting

Courtesy of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Pascagoula, Miss.

Gautier Ready for 2-Day Mullet Festival

GAUTIER -- A new location has organizers of the Gautier Mullet and Music Fest all excited about this weekend's event, according to media reports.

The 21st annual festival will be located between Singing River Mall and Lowe's Home Depot this Saturday and Sunday, though the features that festival-goers have come to look for will remain the same -- plenty of fried mullet and other foods, mullet toss and cast net throwing, favorite bands, children's activities, classic car and motorcycle show, king and queen, coastal history.

Times are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 15, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Admission is free.

Mullet Festival begins third decade
The Mississippi Press/Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011

Zonta Festival Gives First Timers A Place to Show Wares

PASCAGOULA -- The early crowd was slow to open their wallets at the Zonta Club Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, but first-timers and regular crafts vendors were not worried.

David Caton of Mobile waits for customers to make a purchase of his intarsia creations at the 34th Zonta festival, where plenty of finds, food and kids activities brought more than 10,000 to Downtown Plaza.

"I think it will pick up," said Sandi Hults of Gautier. "It's a pretty day and I think people will come out."

She was right.


Festival organizers estimated that more than 10,000 people visited Downtown Plaza on Saturday for the 34th annual festival, which covered about two blocks of businesses and stretched from Pascagoula Street to Anchor Square near the Pascagoula River on Fredrick Street.

"There are a lot of lookers," said Ann Mack, whose has displayed nature photography at the festival for three years. "The economy is slow. It's a good way to get exposure."

She said that her sales were good last year. "The first year was awesome,"
said Mack.

Hults, David and Nell Caton of Mobile, and Bruce Bravo of Wiggins are all first-time vendors at the Zonta crafts show. Hults provided jewelry made of seashells that her husband collects from the barrier islands in the gulf.

Bravo makes unique wooden bowls, none with the same shape because of the material. "It's all made of the knot from the side of a tree. It's all natural color," he said.

He is a regular vendor at art and craft shows. So are the Catons.

Paul Bravo makes bowls from tree knots.
"I just pick art shows and I go to them," said Bravo. "I took a quick walk around, and this thing is huge."

David Canton said, "We are into arts and crafts anyway. We were looking for something nearby that we didn't have to go too far."

He does woodwork called intrasia. "It's a technique where the pieces look like puzzles. I take them apart, hand sand them and glue them back together."

Nell Caton makes arm pillows, quilts and other household items.








Among the many offerings at Saturday's arts and crafts show in Downtown Plaza were gourds, t-shirts, toys, flowers, jewelry, shoes, pottery, as well as food, classic cars, several bands, singers and dance troups.

A vendor displays baskets filled with flowers in autum colors.

Tie-dyed shirts draw customers.

Nature photographer Ann Mack of Moss Point said business was awesome last year during Zonta's arts and crafts festival. Saturday's start was slow, which she said that was part of the economy. She expected sales to increase before day's end.

Photographer Ann Mack talks to Julie Bass about her nature photography during the Zonta Club Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday in Pascagoula.

Amanda Bass of Mobile, 22, (left) grew up in Pascagoula and remembers attending the Zonta Club every year since she was a very young child. The 22-year-old was at the club's arts and crafts festival Saturday with her mother, Julie Bass, and grandmother Lynn Mullen.





Sandi Hults of Gautier shows off some of the jewelry she and her husband make from seashells.

Zonta Club Arts & Craft Festival Coming Oct. 1

Steve Loper, owner of Lounge Lizard in downtown Pascagoula, expects good business at festival.

Event Info:

Who: Zonta Club of Pascagoula

What: 34th Annual Arts & Craft Show

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1

Where: Downtown Plaza, Pascagoula
Details: More information at 769-6773

Sales person Janet Smith at Coast Clothing gets ready for Zonta festival.

PASCAGOULA -- A sales employee and business owner said that the annual Zonta Club Arts and Craft Festival means a good retail day for shops and restaurants located in Downtown Plaza on Delmas Avenue.

"It should be real good," said Steve Loper, owner of the Lounge Lizard. "It's probably one of the best business days in the city of Pascagoula. Citizens turn out real well."

He said the sunny weather also would make the festival "real nice."

Loper, a four-year owner of the outdoor furniture shop, estimates that up to 10,000 people attend the arts and craft show, which is in its 34th year. He said business traffic at the Lounge Lizard increases "600 percent, in one day."

Live entertainment, an antique car show and activities for children draw people from all over to the area that stretches along Delmas Avenue and surrounding streets, including Pascagoula and Magnolia streets, and the parking lot of Hancock Bank, where a number entertainers will sing.

Janet Smith, a sales person at Coast Clothing, said that normally she is off on Saturdays, but she will be working this weekend because of the festival. "It's really busines and steady, people coming in and out."

She's not sure about the increase in the business traffic, but she knows it's really busy.

"It's a good day for everybody down here," Smith said.

The festival also includes a number of food vendors and book sale at the Pascagoula Library, where another stage has been positioned at the front entrance on Pascagoula Street. Also, a stage is on Delmas Avenue.

Outdoor decor at Lounge Lizard expected to be a hit at 34th annual Zonta Club Arts and Craft Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1

Clear Skies Predicted for Saturday's Zonta Arts and Craft Festival in Pascagoula

The Mississippi Press/Friday, September 30, 2011

Zonta Festival Pulls People Together in Downtown Pascagoula

The Mississippi Press/Saturday, October 03, 2010

Wayne Lee's Gives Away $100 to Celebrate Anniversary

PASCAGOULA -- Since Wednesday, Perry Lee has pulled a name out of a special box each night with the intention of giving away $100 to a customer who visited Wayne Lee's Grocery and Market that day.

Lee said the give-away, which is expected to reach about $700 before it ends next Tuesday, is in celebration of the store's anniversary this week.

He said that each customer may register twice daily for the drawing. The registration box is emptied of its contents each night.

"When I draw a name we go through (the registrations) to see if they've got more than two. If they do we start over," he said.

Celebrate Mississippi Visits Pascagoula Beach Park

Pascagoula High cheerleaders relax aboard one of the
splash pad waves while waiting to show their moves during the Celebrate Mississippi segment broadcast today by WLOX TV-13 at Beach Park.

Mike Reader and a cameraman at WLOX TV 13 pause after a live shot of bicycle enthusiasts at Pascagoula Beach Park this afternoon during the station's 4 p.m broadcast of its Celebrate Mississippi series.

WLOX -TV 13 station Manager Dave Vincent talks with Jackson County Supervisor President Melton Harris during Celebrate Mississippi today at Pascagoula Beach Park.

Pascagoula Beach Pier

Summer Concert on Riverfront in Moss Point

The Moss Point Riverfront Cafe

More Room at Waterfront Cafe

Now that Denny Avenue has become part of the Riverwalk Park in Downtown Moss Point, there is more room for the Waterfront Cafe, a summer concert series held the last Friday of each month starting in late May and ending in September. The summer series, including local bands and plenty of food, is sponsored by the Moss Point Cultural Foundation.

MOSS POINT -- Residents attending the summer concerts along the Escatawpa River in downtown each fourth Friday this summer enjoy each other's company, local bands and plenty of good food. Allen Lane (second from left) is among the organizers of the concerts.

Another Woods Fire Endangers Homes

(Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to extend the county burn ban to July 18.)


GAUTIER -- For the third time this summer, a woods fire has endangered homes in a Jackson County city.

Media reports said Monday's fire covered a 10-acre area in north Gautier. The fire lasted about two hours as it burned woods on Francis Street and Kingfisher Drive, where six homes were threatened, and other roadways.

Gautier Homes Have Close Call with Woods Fire
The Sun Herald/July 12, 20110

Agencies helping to fight the 3:30 p.m. blaze included the Gautier Fire Department, Jackson County Central Volunteer Fire Department, Mississippi Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service, and Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge.

Back to the Woods: Fire Threatens Neighborhood
The Mississippi Press/July 12, 2011

Infrastructure work continues on a steady pace along Pascagoula Street. Traffic is detoured around the intersection of Live Oak Avenue and Pascagoula during late June and July.

Hornets Enjoy Time Together, Roll Down Market Street

PASCAGOULA -- The Hornets were doing their best to make use of the time they have together this Fourth of July weekend.

"It's going great," said Sandra Burton. "Everybody seems to be excited and happy."

At War Memorial Stadium, she walked among former schoolmates preparing floats and decorated cars for their school reunion parade this morning. President of the Pascagoula Negro/Carver High School Alumni Association, she talked about the history of the all-black school, which at one time included first to 12th grade students. She said alumni include those from 1930s to the school's closing in 1971.

"We've got a special shuttle bus for those from the 30s, 40s and early 50s. It's a shuttle bus but it's decorated. They will ride in the parade on the bus."



Burton rejoiced at seeing old friends, though tired from all the details needed to help organize the biannual event. And she noted the reason for the reunion of the historically black school, which first opened during the 1860s. "We are the legacy of Jim Crow," Burton said.



This year's theme is "Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away."

Pascagoula Negro School later became Carver High before integration in 1971. Some 800 alumni, their descendants, associates and other residents are expected to participate during the four-day school reunion.


Evette Anderson, Dorothy Lee and Renather Edwards waited on their float for the parade to start, huge amplifiers blasting old school songs. They are members of the Jackson County Ladies 4 Wheelers.



"One of our ladies went to the school in Pascagoula. She's in it," said Anderson.



The heat measured 95 degrees as time neared the 10 a.m. start of the reunion procession.



Digital cameras and videos worked over time. A huddle of friends dressed in the blue and white colors of the Carver Hornets repeated itself for numerous snapshots and video memories.



"We are having a ball ," said Shirley Woodson, Class of 69. "Our class came in third place in the Motown Showdown last night."


Roy Stewart, a graduate of Pascagoula High, attended Carver High two separate times. When the school was combined first grade to senior students, he attended as a first-grader. When Fair Elementary School was built to house black students, he attended there from second to sixth grade before returning to Carver High as a seventh grader.



After integration, Carver was renamed Pascagoula High Annex, and housed only 10th grade students before a new high school was built farther west on Tucker Street.




The historic school building is located at Tucker and Market Street.

After a new PHS was built, the school became an alternative school and learning center. Now, the Pascagoula High Interactive Center



Tours of the building were made following the parade.

"Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away" for the 2011 theme.


Festivities started with Thursday with a meet and greet at the Grand Magnolia Ballroom.



















A Motown Showdown was held at the Gautier Convention Center on Friday; reunion parade from War Memorial Stadium on Tucker Avenue and the reunion ball at the B.E. "Mac" McGinty Civic Center at 7 p.m. were highlights Saturday. A worship service will be Sunday at 8 a.m. at Union Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Hawkins officiating. A picnic is set for 11 a.m. at Beach Park.

Courthouse Coffee, Palace Sav-Rex Now Partners

July 1, 2011 --

PASCAGOULA -- Businessowner Mike Colborn spent last week gathering up equipment in preparation for the final move of Courthouse Coffee to a new location -- about a block away into Palace Sav-Rex Downtown.

Slowly, over several weeks Colborn and his cashier, Sharon, have shut down the Downtown
Plaza spot that he found two years ago to expand his Nutty Bavarian franchise. He'd opened just in time for the 2009 Downtown for the Holidays along Delmas Avenue.

"I think a lot more of this should happen in business," said Colborn. "It's a win-win."

This week, they are waiting for a health inspection to begin serving again gourmet coffee -- cappuccino, expresso and latte -- and specialty beverages including smoothies, favored iced teas, and European sodas. Lattes and teas come hot and cold.

"It's going to work out, I think," he said of the new business move that had been discussed since his relocation from Singing River Mall in Gautier.

Colborn has kept the Nutty Bavaria treats of almonds, cashews and pecans. And he makes
his own fudge in an assortment of flavors.

"Hopefully, next week I'll be open for business," he said on Thursday.

He doesn't expect Courthouse Coffee will reopen until after Fourth of July because of usual business and government closings for Independence Day.

Paul Clark, owner of Palace Sav-Rex, and Colborn believe the partnership will allow the two businesses to provide their respective customer base with offerings each could not provide alone, but with the convenience of one-stop shopping.

"I play off of his customers and he plays off mine," said Colborn. "We have two different customers. Together we are stronger."

Clark agreed. "

Colborn said that most of his customers were business people who work in the downtown area, and a regular number of students who attend the Catholic school.

The partnership has meant a shift in seating in the pharmacy that hearkened back to the mid-1950's where an eatery with its iconic soda fountain was part of th.

The Blues Brothers figures that were prominent at the store's front are now at the back, watching over the pharmacy/restaurant from near the ceiling. hat the change has meant already for Sav-Rex

"I'm being exposed to his customer base for breakfast and lunch, and then at holiday
season he has people in for the gifts and I have the gift nuts," said Colborn.

Bankers Up All Night for BBQ, Praise Fest

Merchants and Marine employees Morgan Holloway, Noel Grafe, S.T. Phillips and Gary Cumbest, and Hancock Bank employee Mark Silver were up all night grilling for the Praise Fest and BBQ Throwdown.

PASCAGOULA -- Bank employees who fancy themselves grill chefs were up all night basting and turning three different kinds of meat for a first-time musical and cookoff fundraiser on Saturday in the courtyard of a downtown bank.

Noel Grafe and fellow employees at Merchants and Marine Bank joined workers from four other banks to provide Boston butt, pork ribs, sausage, chicken and hamburgers for the Pascagoula Praise Fest and BBQ Throwdown.

Food, Fun and Fellowship at Praise Fest and BBQ Throwdown
The Mississippi Press/June 26, 2011

Todd Trenchard, executive director of the Bacot/McCarty Foundation, said some 700 to 800 people attended the fundraiser.

Residents paid $8 for dinner plates and contributed other monies if desired to help fund the work of Home of Grace, a substance abuse recovery program with facilities in Vancleave for men and Gautier for women.

The event was sponsored by M&M and Bacot-McCarty.

Morgan Holloway, collections depart at M&M Bank, and S.T. Phillips, branch manager in Moss Point, enjoy a laugh about the night vigil preparing pork, beef and chicken for the estimated 700 folks who attended the barbecue fundraiser that helped the Home of Grace.

The bankers and their barbecue were co-stars of the festival that featured some 20 local gospel artists including soloists, singing groups, churches and ministry leaders.

"We certainly enjoy cooking and enjoy raising money for

S.T. Phillips shows off the ribs and Boston butt fired up on grills stationed at the drive-thru at Merchants and Marine Bank in Downtown Pascagoula. The Praise Fest and Barbecue Throwdown was held in the bank's courtyard.

the Home of Grace," said Grafe, a credit analyst.

He hopes the community can continue to reach out and help people who have substance abuse problems.

Noel Grafe, credit analyst with M&M, Phillips and the other bankers also cooked hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken.

Grafe, Morgan Holloway, S.T. Phillips, branch manager in Moss Point, and Gary Cumbest, a credit card specialist, made up the cooking team for M&M Bank. Mark Silver, technology department, and other team members competed for Hancock Bank. The Home of Grace also provided a team, as did several other banks.

Home of Grace representatives also added their hands to the barbecue throwdown.

The men started early to earn bragging rights for the best tasting meats. Though a competition, there were no prizes given.

"We've been out here all night," said Holloway. "We put ours on a little after 10 or 11 p.m."

"We started cooking about 10 p.m.," said Grafe.Noel Grafe and other bank employees relax from their cooking duties while preparing for the first-ever Praise Fest and BBQ Throwdown.