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.

Director: Boys and Girls Clubs a Gold Mine for Students

(Photo from Elizabeth Cumbest)

Kendra Safford, 2011 Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County; Cynthia Baber-Strunk, chairwoman of the Bacot/McCarty Foundation Board of Directors; Lee Bond, vice president of IP Casino Resort Spa and foundation board member; Devon Kyles, member of the Jolly McCarty unit in Gautier; Mariah Wells of Moss Point Outreach (Breanna Benjamin of the Andrew Johnson unit not pictured) display an oversized check for $10,000 that was awarded to the youth organization by the Bacot/McCarty Foundation. The presentation was made during the 2011 Steak & Steak Dinner/Silent Auction on June 23 at the civic center. Chief Professional Officer Catherine Glaude had said that $70,000 was the goal this year for the fundraiser. During dinner, she called clubs a gold mine for students in Jackson County. Featured speaker Irwin F. Edenzon, president of Huntington Ingalls Industries, reminded the students about honor and responsibility. Some 500 youth and community professionals and leaders attended the event.

Steak & Steak to Help Children, Families

Steak and Steak photo from archives of The Mississippi Press (2010)
Official poster of Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County, Steak & Steak dinner 2011.

PASCAGOULA -- The annual Steak & Steak Dinner and Silent Auction gives members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County an opportunity to meet and talk with corporate executives and community leaders who sponsor the meal and award ceremony.

Sometimes the meetings lead to further involvement in the lives of the children who are chosen to attend the event each year, according to Jennifer Joseph Anderson, operations manager of the youth agency.


One year, said Anderson, a corporate employee sat with a Boys and Girls Clubs member who needed a pair of shoes. "He just called and said he wanted to buy her some shoes," she said.

Another year, one of the business professionals became Santa Claus for a student who needed help. "We have had some success from that," she said.

Normally, two Boys and Girls Clubs members are seated with six corporate professionals who take the time to engage the students in conversation and learn about their lives and ambitions.

This year, said Anderson, the fundraiser means the continuation of a 14-year program that has been used to teach students how to stay away from drugs and alcohol and to prevent early pregnancy.

Anderson said the downward economy also has hit operation of the county's Boys and Girls programs in Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Moss Point and Gautier. The United Way agency, which provides afterschool and summer programs for students ages 5 to 18 years, will lose a grant that provided $25,000 last year for substance abuse/pregnancy prevention. The Highway Safety Grant initially provided $30,000 in funding.

"A lot of grants have been slashed," she said. "We have had to come up with another plan."

Catherine Glaude, chief executive professional, hopes to collect about $70,000 by the time the silent auction and dinner is held Thursday night at the Jackson County "B.E. McGinty" Civic Center at the county fairgrounds on Shortcut Road.

Anderson said the fundraiser will provide the needed funds to help with the shortfall in grants.

Funds from the Steak and Steak will come from individual tickets and corporate-sponsored table.

This year's theme is "Strong Ships Need Strong Anchors.

Praise Fest and BBQ Throwdown Planned June 25

Public Event
What: Pascagoula Praise Fest and Bank BBQ Throwdown
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Courtyard at Merchants & Marine Bank, Downtown Pascagoula
Details: $8 plates for adults, children 12 years and under eat free.
Contact: 22-762-3311, toll free 1-866-223-3512, or http://www.mandm.bank/.
Donations: Bacot-McCarty Foundation, P.O. Box 1442, Pascagoula, MS 39568.



PASCAGOULA -- There'll be all the side dishes plus grandma and her tenor voice joining in with the choir when a whole lot of mouthwaterin' barbecue is served up at the first Pascagoula Praise Fest and Bank BBQ Throwdown this weekend.

Right smack in the middle of Downtown Pascagoula.

At Merchants and Marine Bank, no doubt.

Some kind of good time is expected Saturday, June 25, when about 20 gospel bands, church choirs, worship dancers, community groups, praise teams, soloists and singing groups provide music and singing for the Praise Fest.

Gospel artists include Robin Adams School of Dance; The BOBS, Reggie Bates & First Presbyertian; STOMP Praise Dancers; Home of Grace Men's Choir and Women's Choir; Ben and Lisa Hart of Pascagoula Lighthouse Baptist Church; Victory Christian Center; Keith Brumfield & Greater Antioch Choir; Crystal Westmoreland & Center Pointe Praise; Jaron Tipton & Mercy Ministries; F.G. and Lisa Ware; Terry Mott & Edgewater Christ Fellowship Band; Robby Myrick & Friends; Oasis Creative Arts Ministry; Pascagoula First UMC Praise Team; J. Eric Brown & Lighthouse Apostolic Church, and others.

Fest sponsors include M&M Bank and the Bacot-McCarty Foundation.

Proceeds from the gospel and barbecue festival will benefit the Home of Grace, an alcohol and drug addiction recovery program in Jackson County, Miss., with facilities in the Vancleave community and the city of Gautier.

Residents wishing to make donations may send contributions to the Bacot/McCarty Foundation, P.O. Box 1442, Pascagoula, MS 39568. Contact 228-217-5791 for more information.

Juneteenth A Splash Again in River City

MOSS POINT -- The fountain in the center of the city's River Walk provided some water fun and added to the many activities for children celebrating the Moss Point Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival on Saturday, June 18.

The water also offered some relief from the heat of the day, which reached into the 90s.

Moss Point Celebrates Juneteenth for Second Year
WLOX TV 13 June 18, 2011

This year marked Moss Point's second for the national festival that celebrates the conclusion of slavery in practice across the United States. Union Gen. Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865, and took over Texas to enforce the end of the involuntary servitude. The enforcement came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation officially declared slavery's end on Jan. 1, 1863.

Moss Point Celebrates Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival

The Mississippi Press/June 19, 2011

Huffmans Greet Public, Receive Key Card

PASCAGOULA -- City Manager Joe Huffman became the first resident to receive the new library key card during a welcome reception today at the Pascagoula Public Library.

Lori Smith, branch manager, told about 35 people attending the mid-afternoon fete that patrons of the Jackson-George Regional Library System would begin receiving the new access devices July 1.

"It's a library card that fits on your key chain," she said after the reception. "So you can keep it with you at all times."

Smith also presented Huffman, his wife Patty, and their youngest daughter Jamie with a framed print of the Pascagoula beach at sunset, which was taken by local photographer Lyle Peterzell.
"We hope you will enjoy displaying this lovely print," she said.

Huffman and his family were guests of honor for the hourlong reception, which was sponsored by the Pascagoula Friends of the Library. Attendants included city, county and state officials, library personnel and patrons, and other residents.

The brief ceremony and presentations followed a hourlong meet-and-greet session in the facility's meeting room. Just prior, Huffman and his family toured the library branch and regional system headquarters, where they viewed the reopened genealogy department.

"Joe comes to us from Goldsboro, N.C., where he served as city manger since 2005. Joe holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and he worked in the prison system for much of the 1980s," said Smith.

"I've never been anywhere in my life where the people are so nice," said Huffman. "It's really good to get up and go to work and have a good time."

Huffman was selected from a field of 75 applicants. The Pascagoula City Council announced their choice Feb. 2, and Huffman started work in March. The city conducted a reception during the application process.

"We thought we'd do (a reception) to introduce him to the library community, and for other people who didn't get to meet him before," said Rex Bridges, public relations director for the Jackson-George Regional Library System.

Smith said that Patty Huffman served as executive director for the Partnership for Children of Wayne County (North Carolina) until the family's move to Pascagoula. Huffman holds a master's degree in public health from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, said Smith.

Joe Huffman said August will mark 30 years of marriage for them as a couple.

Jamie Huffman, who is the couple's youngest daughter, recently graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Math, and will attend North Carolina State University this fall. Daughter Emily is now attending college.

"She's going to go to school next year, but she's loving Mississippi. She goes to the beach everyday," her father said.

Pascagoula councilmen Frank Corder and Robert Stallworth are expecting changes and progressive development from Huffman.

"He's a go-getter. He's been very proactive and is trying to take a new look at things," said Corder. "I think he's going to be a great asset to our city."

Corder said Huffman has reevaluated the staff, whom he said has responded well to the new city manager; he's interested in streamlining the budget and is taxpayer conscious; he's worked to bring a new development authority.

"Those are a few things he's touched on since he's been here, and I'm looking forward to more," said Corder.

"He's a good city manager, very observant. He's on top of everything," said Stallworth. "He's seen some things in Pascagoula; he's presented some ideas and I think we'll do it."

Councilman Joe Abston and city attorney Eddie Williams were among the city personnel present. As well, county Supervisor Mike Mangum and Sen. Tommy Moffett talked with Huffman and other residents.

Pascagoula Joins Backpack Buddies

Find more information at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

Roadkill, Wild Game On the Menu for Sickle Cell Fundraiser

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity served up dishes of wild game, including roadkill, during the 12th Annual Holiday Tea sponsored by the Jackson/George Counties Sickle Cell Association Inc. on June 11 at Pelican Landing in Moss Point. They called their table Le Repas Aujord Cafe during the annual fundraiser.

For the Public

What: Jackson/George Counties Association for Sickle Cell Disease 12th Annual Holiday Tea

When: 3-6 p.m. Saturday, June 11

Where: Jackson County Civic Center, county fairgrounds, Pascagoula

FYI: Tickets are $5 at the door
Contact: Sharon Haynes, executive director, at 228-769-3170, or the agency at 228-769-6516.

PASCAGOULA -- Wild game, namely roadkill, has been among the favorite foods served each year during the summer fundraiser for the Jackson/George Counties Association for Sickle Cell Disease, Inc.

Robert Jennings said members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity call their menu "U.S. 49 Wild Hog Cuisine," which will be served at the assoication's 12th Annual Holiday Tea on Saturday afternoon at the county fairgrounds.

"One guy is going to do deer. He's calls it scrap roast," said Jennings. "Grover Lett is going to do 'coon, rabbit and squirrel."

Alice Bradley, fundraiser chairwoman, said funds from the event helps parents and their children afflicted by the inherited and chronic blood disease. Victims, whose life span usually reaches into the 40s, suffer debilitating pain, organ failure and death caused by the lack of oxygen from the sickling of red blood cells.

Normal and sickle cell red blood cells

She said the 2011 fundraiser is expected to include about nine other community groups who decorate tables and prepare dishes based on the holiday theme they are protraying for the event. Christmas, Easter, Valentine Day, Independence Day are among celebrations. Participants include area sororities, fraternities, churches and other groups.

Each year, there is the unknown, but always official holiday and its menu that captures the attention and imagination of participants and guests who support the sickle cell association and enjoy the feast of holidays.

"Last year we had Cowboy Day," said Bradley. "It's a recognized holiday."

Prizes are given for the best presentation. Cowboy Day and a creative biblical theme from a Pascagoula church have been among the winning presentations.

"They (participants) have different tables. They are going to pick any holiday. They will be judged on the table," she said.

Alpha Phi Alpha is celebrating the Buffalo Soldier, originally members of the Army's 10th Calvary Regiment formed during 1866 in Kansas. The name became synonymous with all African-American soldiers.

Sam Osgood, an executive at Hunington Ingalls Industries, will provide a family recipe of dirty rice, said Jennings. "It's not going to be the box thing. It's going to be gizzards and livers like his grandmama taught him how to cook it."

Jennings is excited about his fraternity's contribution, and is looking forward to competing against dishes provided by sororities and other community groups participating in the event. Jennings looks eagerly anticipates the women tasting and devouring the wildlife dishes, no matter how they try to protest or pretend they won't touch the stuff, he laughed.

"We men can't do all that (cornbread) dressing and other stuff," he said Wednesday. "But we can cook roadkill. We just fan the flies and pick it up."

Bradley agreed. "They have been doing that for years," she said. "And it's good. It's actually good. They do all kinds of things."

Jennings spent Wednesday afternoon preparing wild hog. "I've got this guy coming down from Southaven (Miss.) He's bringing wild hog roast. I'm going to start marinating it today so it will taste good for those ladies," he said.

Bradley said fundraiser is one of two annual events that the Jackson/George Counties Association for Sickle Cell Disease Inc., a nonprofit agency, uses to bring awareness to the disease and to raise funds that provide free testing and genetic counseling to the sufferers of the disease and residents who carry the trait. Sickle cell disease or anemia strikes about one in every 500 African Americans, as well as other U.S. residents and people worldwide who live in are have ancestors from tropical climates.

The association sponsors a Prayer Breakfast during September. "It's to enhance the awareness of sickle cell," said Bradley.

As well, a fashion show and yard sale during the year bring in funds for the United Way agency.

During May, she said, the association sponsored a blood drive at Moss Point High School. "It's to call attention to what we are trying to do," said Bradley.

Record Audience at 'Good Woman Is Hard to Find'

PASCAGOULA -- Johnnie Swain of Moss Point has attended all of the stage plays produced by local playwright Jacqueline "Jackee" Francis-McMillan.

That's why he was among the audience who came to see "A Real Woman is Hard 2 Find" on Saturday at the Jackson County "B.E. McGinty" Civic Center at the county fairgrounds.

"I enjoyed it very much," said Swain. "I've been to all of them."

The live production of "A Real Woman is Hard 2 Find" is the fifth play written and produced by McMillan since 2002, when she brought "The Wright Way" to the fair hall at the county fairgrounds.

Her second production, "A Lady in Red," came in 2004, followed by "Who's Next Door" in 2005 and "Choices We Make" in 2009.

"It was maginficant compared to the others," he said. "Really, to me, they all have a positive message.

"My favorite was Lady in Red," he said. "This one to me was more like the facts of life. It was more of a reality."


He's knows he's not the only fan of the young writer. "The crowd gets bigger and bigger every time," said Swain.

"A Real Woman" tells the story of a young woman sent to prison for a murder that only two people know the real killer. She returns home to recapture her life, including her daughter, and make up with her family but is rejected by them, including her mother and sister. Still, she is loved by a praying aunt and a former boyfriend who still wishes he knew why she suddenly went away. In this tale of family and mistrust, secrets are uncovered that bring a surprising end.

The play was recorded live by Studio One for distribution and should be available later this year.

Meet the Cast:




Scenes from Set One of "A Real Woman is Hard 2 Find" included So Cold (Misunderstood), Keeping the Faith, The Card, What About Forgiveness, The Confession, Homecoming (Confront You), The Application, Tarnished Family.


Scenes from Set Two included Face-to-Face, Curious Child, Revelation, The Conversation...Mother Knows Best, Disappointment, Keeping Secrets, The Apology, Unfinished Business, The Papers "Reflection," Sister to Sister "It's Okay," Family Outing, Reconciliation "Lord I."

Neighbors Enjoy Sounds by the Sea

Residents wave flags during Sounds by the Sea
Photo by April Havens/Mississippi Press
Used by Permission



PASCAGOULA -- Ginger L. and her husband live close enough to Pascagoula's beach that they could sit on their porch and listen to the music wafting across the air from Sounds by the Sea.

People Flock to Hear Sounds by the Sea
The Mississippi Press/May 30, 2011

Still, the couple walked to the Memorial Day tribute held Sunday at Pascagoula Beach Park, where about 3,00 residents from across Jackson County and other cities in South Mississippi enjoyed the patriotic sounds honoring fallen members of the military.

That number was down from the estimated 5,000 yearly attendants, but enthusiasm was no less among the crowd that waved miniature flags and clapped to familiar songs in honor of each military branch.

Music, Fireworks Over Pascagoula Beach
The Sun Herald/May 30, 2011

"We pretty much come every year," she said. "Some years I've missed. We live close enough that we can walk. We like to bring the grandbaby."

Ginger said that she's been busy those years that they didn't attend the holiday concert, though they've never stayed home to listen to the beachside musical. However, many of her neighbors make the symphony concert a home event.

"When we were walking here some of our neighbors we sitting in lawn chairs," said Ginger. "While I was walking here it waas loud and clear."

Thousands Gather in Pascagoula for Sounds by the Sea
WLOX-TV 13/May 29. 2011

The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra sponsors Sounds by the Sea each year, 2011 marking the ninth year. The Freedom Chorus of Pascagoula opened the concert held in Jackson County. David Knowles led the group.

This year, the pre-concert on Saturday was provided by the South Mississippi Gulf Coast Chorale and Coastal Vibrations from the Jeff Davis Campus of Missisippi Gulf Coast Community College. The concert was held at Centennial Plaza, former Veterans Administrations property in Gulfport.

During the concert in Pascagoula, symphony conductor John Strickler said that some people think of Memorial day as just another three-day weekend. He said the "Navy Hymn" would help inspire residents to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for America.

"I think it's good for the families that did lose someone," said Ginger of Sounds by the Sea. "For the families it shows that they didn't just die in vain. Their memories live on forever."