My Ocean Springs: 2007 in Pictures

The Ocean Springs School District is consistently rated among the top in the state. When families move to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the first piece of advice most are given is to find a home in the Ocean Springs School District, and city leaders claim that the school system remains the city’s major selling point. At the helm of the highly-esteemed district is Mr. Robert Hirsch, in his first year as Superintendent. Mr. Hirsch was born in Korea, and with parents in the military, was educated at stops all over the globe. He came to Ocean Springs as a French teacher and has been a part of the district for twenty-three years. Prior to being named superintendent, he spent five and a half years as possibly the most popular high school principal in the history of high school principals, pulling off the impossible by being equally loved by students AND teachers AND parents.

In February, WOSM celebrates its 36th anniversary as Ocean Springs’ first and only radio station. Charles and Margaret Cooper established “The Gospel Giant” in 1971 at 103.1 on the FM dial, based on their dream to provide Christian radio to listeners twenty-four hours a day. As a part of its Christian basis, WOSM serves the citizenry of Ocean Springs in several ways, ranging from broadcasting high school football games to providing emergency information during hurricane season. The station lost towers in both Elena and Frederic, but thankfully the tower survived Katrina, allowing WOSM to serve a vital role by providing critical emergency information to the entire area.

The 32nd Annual Ocean Springs Elks’ Carnival Ball was held at the Ocean Springs Civic Center on Saturday, January 20. King Fidelity XXXII, Donnie Gum, and his wife, Marge (the queen from the 2001 Ball), enter the lobby of the Civic Center, prepared for an enjoyable evening. The Elks’ Carnival Krewe prepared entertainment for the evening set to the theme, “GAS,” in addition to planning the city’s Mardi Gras Parade on January 27. Ms. Billie Everhart reigned as Queen Charity XXXII.

Connie Moran, standing in front of the fleur de lis in her office, holds the distinction of being the first female mayor in the history of Ocean Springs. She simultaneously holds the distinction of having been elected less than three months before Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Mayor Moran was raised in Ocean Springs before matriculating to Georgetown University where she earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She had held a variety of business and government-related positions before winning her first mayoral race in June, 2005.

If there is a singular legendary business in Ocean Springs, it is the TatoNut Shop, home of the best donuts in the universe. David & Teresa Mohler report very early to their most popular business on Government Street, and by 5am a crowd has already formed. No one knows the exact secret behind the perfect TatoNut recipe, but as the name implies, it begins with using potato flour. From there, Ocean Springs’ folks simply know that it turns out just right. The TatoNut Shop has been in business since 1960, and if there’s justice in the world, it will be around for a long time to come.

The Shearwater Pottery showroom began 2007 on the second floor of the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education building while its legendary location on Shearwater Drive continued to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Marjorie Anderson Ashley, daughter of the world-famous potter who founded Shearwater, Peter Anderson, graciously attends the showroom, conversing with tourists from around the world who still find her in her temporary location. Shearwater Pottery began in 1928, and after nearly eighty years of producing world-renowned art, Marjorie continues to keep the business end of it alive, while artists continue the legacy of her father.