My Ocean Springs: 2007 in Pictures

Live Nativity at Christus Victor

2007-12-22T16:37:00.000-08:00

The shepherds along Highway 90 prepare to visit the baby Jesus on a rainy, windy night. Christus Victor Lutheran has been an active part of Ocean Springs since 1964, and since 1967 the Lutherans have occupied a prominent location on the highway. The Reverend Terri Stagner-Collier became the pastor in 2007, and during the Christmas season the church came together once more to produce the traditional Live Nativity presentation for the public.

The Very Thing

2007-12-20T11:00:00.001-08:00

When you’re looking for “the very thing” to give to a special friend, why not try “The Very Thing” at the tip of Washington Avenue? In the picture, Judy Padon rearranges the offerings in the alcove of Angie Simms’ specialty shop. The Very Thing offers a unique selection of local art, antiques, and decorative items combined with personal services and charming conversation. Stop in, and you’ll be sure to find “the very thing.”

Christmas in Ocean Springs

2007-12-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Don’t look for a white Christmas in Ocean Springs. There were a few snowflakes on Christmas Day in 2004, but your best bet is blue skies, white clouds, and warm temperatures. The tropical feel doesn’t dampen the mood in the least, however; the entire city takes advantage of the beautiful weather to decorate in full force. Alberti’s was a popular Biloxi restaurant with a beach view for decades until Hurricane Katrina led to its relocation to Ocean Springs. Cole and Alison Raiford pause for a picture with Alberti’s famed gorilla, who dresses up for every special holiday.

Hillyer House

2007-12-13T12:44:00.001-08:00

Hillyer House was a popular business in Pass Christian for thirty-five years before Hurricane Katrina swept away its irreplaceable works of art. One year later, Hillyer House found a new home on Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs. It has proven to be a perfect match. Sarah Dryden works at the popular business, which represents over two hundred local and regional artisans. Hillyer House features creative jewelry, pottery, blown glass, and original art with a coastal feel.

The Rebuilding Spirit

2007-12-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

Twenty-eight months after Hurricane Katrina washed it away, Shannon Lawler (left) oversees the pouring of the concrete for his family’s new house. The historic storm completely removed the Lawlers’ beautiful two-story home from it’s piers at the end of Lover’s Lane, and for two years they battled insurance companies, new building regulations, and construction plans. Yet as typifies the residents of the Gulf Coast, in spite of the challenges, the family never lost their spirit to rebuild.

Miner's Doll & Toy Store

2007-12-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Since January 1987, Maryalice Miner and her husband John have graced downtown Ocean Springs with their beautiful toy store. After John retired from the Navy in the 1980s, the couple took a stroll down Fifth Avenue during a business trip to New York City. When they came to FAO Schwarz, they knew how they would spend their retirement years. Miner’s offers nostalgic and state-of-the-art toys, games, dolls, trains, wooden swings, and juvenile furniture at reasonable prices and with friendly, personalized service. As Ocean Springs knows, “The Fun Begins at Miner’s.”

The Historic L & N Depot

2007-12-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

Cynthia Dobbs, Public Relations Director at the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce Main Street & Visitor Center, enjoys the beautiful December weather outside her office in the historic L & N Depot. The Depot originated in 1907, and was purchased by the Chamber in 1965 when it was no longer needed as a train station. Today, the century-old building is home to a permanent art collection and displays the work of several Ocean Springs’ artists and craftsmen. Best of all, the Chamber’s presence allows the Depot to continue its historic role of being a place to meet and greet visitors.

Flying Wild

2007-12-05T14:21:00.001-08:00

Catherine Biggs opened Flying Wild on the first day of September in 2007 in the Wilson Cottage on Desoto Street. The “Little Purple Cottage” was constructed in 1888, and now houses a unique business offering nature-inspired gifts for the bird hobbyist. Flying Wild sells bird feeders and houses, gourmet seed, books, bird baths, and distinctive gifts for the home or garden.

Evergreen Cemetery

2007-12-05T14:15:00.000-08:00

Barbara Haviland visits one of many family markers in beautiful, historic Evergreen Cemetery, including one of her in-laws who fought in the Civil War. Many of Ocean Springs’ well-known citizens are buried at Evergreen, located at the end of Sunset Drive overlooking Fort Bayou. The oldest marker in Evergreen is dated 1854, and though the specific origin of the cemetery is unclear, it carries the distinction of being the first public cemetery dedicated in Ocean Springs.

The Mud Shack

2007-12-04T19:12:00.001-08:00

The Mud Shack on Government Street bills itself as “the paint your own pottery place,” and for four years now people have been coming to do just that. Co-owners Rebecca and Melanie discovered Ocean Springs to be the perfect place for their unique business that offers individuals and groups the opportunity to create their own masterpieces. In addition to regular hours five days a week, The Mud Shack offers after hours rates for group special events. In the picture, Rebecca’s sister, Mary Ann Taylor works behind-the-scenes preparing client-made masterpieces to be fired in the kiln.

Seaman's Memorial

2007-11-29T15:16:00.001-08:00

Chloe Daves enjoys a beautiful November afternoon at the Seaman’s Memorial on Front Beach. The memorial is dedicated to Merchant Mariners who have served their country in peace and in war, with a special section devoted to those seamen who were lost or buried at sea. Chloe’s great-grandfather, Robert L. Hoomes, was instrumental in establishing the memorial which was dedicated in September of 1994. Mr. Hoomes passed away in January, 2000.

Fort Maurepas

2007-11-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Hillary Sturgeon, stands on the site of Fort Maurepas imagining what it was like for the French explorers that landed here in 1699. The French, under the command of Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville, built Fort Maurepas to discourage Spanish and English presence in the area LaSalle had claimed for France. Although the fort was abandoned in 1702 and the French eventually concentrated their efforts in New Orleans, Fort Maurepas remains an important historical site in the history of the Gulf Coast. A marker was placed at the site in 1949. A replica of the fort was constructed on-site in 1982. In 1993, the Fort Maurepas Society began hosting annual re-enactments of the landing of d’Iberville until Hurricane Katrina destroyed the structure in August of 2005. Plans are underway to rebuild the replica bigger and better to preserve the important history the fort represents.

Ocean Springs is truly the City of Discovery. If you visit, you’ll discover why.

AT&T Call Center

2007-11-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

Leah Chevalier, Market Support Manager at AT&T, talks on her cell phone outside the Ocean Springs Call Center. The Call Center opened in the old Wal-Mart building in 2001 and instantly became the largest employer in Ocean Springs. The business was known at the Cingular Call Center until 2007 when the corporate merger made it a part of the “new” AT&T. The Call Center specializes in customer support for the nation’s largest wireless network.

The Ocean Springs Chorale

2007-11-12T17:59:00.001-08:00

The Ocean Springs Chorale, under the direction of Mary Elizabeth Sawyer, is an intergenerational and interdenominational musical ensemble that has literally shared their faith in song around the world. The Chorale began rehearsals in 2005 shortly before Hurricane Katrina, but the storm didn’t dampen their spirit. In 2006, they performed at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Plans for 2008 include a summer tour in France and the United Kingdom.

Marble Springs

2007-11-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

The Martin family enjoys a sunny day at Marble Springs off Iberville Drive overlooking Fort Bayou. The historical marker at the park claims that Marble Springs was probably used by the Native American population prior to the arrival of European settlers, and between the 1850s and 1920s it was popular for its medicinal properties. Marble Springs was also known as Mineral Springs, and it was the best known nationally of Mississippi’s many mineral springs resorts.

Peter Anderson Festival

2007-11-03T11:02:00.001-07:00

Becky Dennis set up her Art in Clay tent in front of Hancock Bank on Washington Avenue amid several of her fellow artists. The biggest event in Ocean Springs every year is the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, and the 2007 version did not disappoint the 700+ artisans who set up shop for the estimated 100,000 visitors that poured into the city. Absolutely gorgeous weather accompanied this year’s early-November festival, with blue skies, bright sunshine, and a high in the mid-70s.

Cleopatra's Secret

2007-11-02T09:32:00.001-07:00

Ashley Merriam gives a facial to owner, Laurie Authement, at Cleopatra’s Secret on Government Street. Ocean Springs is famous for its variety of spas, and Cleopatra’s Secret has been carving out its unique niche over its twelve years in existence. In addition to the normal spa treatments such as hair, nails, and massages, Cleopatra’s is the only salon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that offers full body wraps. Laurie also specializes in artistic tattoos and other permanent cosmetics.

Bridge Reopening

2007-11-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

Kelsey Reid, captain of the Ocean Springs High School volleyball team, checks out the competition in the beach volleyball tournament during the festivities surrounding the reopening of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge. Normally, the Peter Anderson Festival is the biggest event in Ocean Springs, but it was upstaged just two days before the Festival in 2007 by the bridge reopening. Katrina destroyed so much when it blasted the Mississippi Gulf Coast in August 2005, witnessed most dramatically by the bridge devastation, so its reopening twenty-six months later came with great fanfare, including live music and a massive fireworks display. The reopening of the bridge served as a metaphor to many Ocean Springs residents, representing in effect the healing of the city.

Downtown Trick or Treat

2007-10-31T18:47:00.001-07:00

One of the wonderful evenings in Ocean Springs each year comes when the city blocks off the downtown area and provides a safe place for children to trick or treat. The event is billed as “Trick or Treat Down the Street,” and business owners and their employees up and down both Washington Avenue and Government Street sit out in front of their stores in costume handing out candy to the scads of children who turn out every year. In 2007, Sonny & Cher made an appearance at the law offices of Dogan, Wilkinson, Kinard, Smith, and Edwards.

CSX Railroad

2007-10-30T18:33:00.001-07:00

The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company began in 1850, and by 1870 the L & N had established service between Mobile and New Orleans, creating a sight that has been familiar in Ocean Springs ever since. After 132 years of service under the name L & N, the railroad company merged into Seaboard System Railroad in 1982, but just four years later, Seaboard lost its name to another merger that became CSX Transportation. With the eerie exception of the period immediately following Hurricane Katrina, the CSX line has been rolling through Ocean Springs for over twenty years now, naturally drawing the attention of Coast residents like Donna Barnes, who watches the train pass her by in Marshall Park.

Crooked Feather

2007-10-30T18:30:00.001-07:00

Pre-schooler Will Marts gets a close-up view of Crooked Feather on a sunny October day in 2007 just two days before the reopening of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge resumed travel by his prominent Highway 90 location. Hungarian sculptor, Peter W. Toth, completed the six-foot tall sculpture from a ten ton cypress log in 1976 as a tribute to the indigenous American Indian, then returned to Ocean Springs in 1987 to restore Crooked Feather after Hurricane Elena toppled him in 1985. The original was replaced in the year 2000 by local sculptor, Thomas King, for $20,000.

Martha's Tea Room

2007-10-24T13:58:00.001-07:00

Martha Reichard opened her Tea Room to enthusiastic reviews on Washington Avenue in 1991, and after sixteen popular years in that location, 2007 witnessed the restaurant’s move to a beautiful Victorian home on Government Street, featuring a wrap-around porch and outside dining. After all these years, Martha continues to make all her homemade breads, something she calls a “dying art,” along with scrumptious homemade desserts. Martha’s is a popular lunch spot, and despite its English tea room atmosphere, Martha taught me that it isn’t just for the ladies! At the restaurant entrance, a sign announces, “Real men eat quiche!”

B.B.'s PoBoys

2007-10-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

B.B. Minton, owner of B.B.’s PoBoys and Seafood on Highway 90, offers the most popular lunch spot in Ocean Springs. Diners enjoy the classic New Orleans dishes, such as a shrimp po’boy, bowl of gumbo, and a Barq’s root beer, along with a full lineup of seafood entrees and delicious desserts. B.B. and his wife, Cindi, have been satisfying customers since 1990.

Boating

2007-10-10T12:26:00.001-07:00

Ruby Entrekin, a lifelong resident of Biloxi and Ocean Springs, relaxes with her family as her son leads his boat out of Ocean Springs Harbor and into the open waters of the Mississippi Sound on a sunny October afternoon. Ocean Springs is an oasis for boating enthusiasts with far too many places to launch to even begin a list. The call of the open expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, the privacy of the intracoastal bayous, and the easy access to the barrier islands provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the call of the water.

Harbor Landing

2007-10-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

The brand new Harbor Landing towers over Ocean Springs Harbor, providing spectacular views of the harbor and the Mississippi Sound. Whether one chooses to relax in one of the shaded hammocks or dine in the restaurant, the Harris family’s Harbor Landing provides everyone with a place to unwind and enjoy the best view in Ocean Springs.

Ted E. Bear's Stuffin' Station

2007-10-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Glenda Fountain, manager of Ted E. Bear’s Stuffin’ Station in downtown Ocean Springs, helps a young lady produce a brand new friend. Located in a historic house on Church Street, the Stuffin’ Station has been bringing joy to the lives of children since Hurricane Katrina tried to do just the opposite. There are over thirty animals to choose from in the workshop, followed by the fun of stuffing the animal and dressing it in the unique Fashion Station! The Stuffin’ Station is a popular location for birthday parties and field trips, too.

Cruisin the Coast

2007-10-05T11:46:00.001-07:00

Cruisin’ the Coast is the biggest special event in the state of Mississippi. What began in 1996 with 374 registered cars, has grown to well over 5,000 cars, bringing an estimated $15 million to the Mississippi Gulf Coast during just one week. Ocean Springs blocked off its downtown area for three days for the cruisers in early October, and although the rain dampened the area, it didn’t keep cruisers like David and Anjanette Gray from rolling down Washington Avenue in their 1940 Chevy Sports Sedan!

Courtney Farms

2007-10-05T11:35:00.001-07:00

The pumpkins at Courtney Farms on Highway 90 officially announce when fall is in the air in Ocean Springs. Haven, a part-time employee at the market, arranges the pumpkins for maximum visual appeal. This popular open-air market began as a fruit and vegetable stand in 2001, and over the years has added flowers, herbs, and plants to its repertoire, making it one of the more popular businesses in town.

The Lord Is My Help

2007-09-28T14:31:00.001-07:00

Since 1984, The Lord Is My Help has actively pursued its noble goal that no one in Ocean Springs should be hungry. Every weekday, you can find manager, Barbara Ruddiman (background), overseeing the volunteers who come to dish up a hot meal to anyone in need, with absolutely no discrimination. In addition to providing lunch to about 60 people every weekday in the Desoto Street facility, the nonprofit organization also delivery around 140 meals a day to elderly, disabled, and ill citizens in Ocean Springs, St. Martin, D’Iberville, and Biloxi. And to top it off, The Lord Is My Help also maintains a food pantry that provides around 400 emergency grocery bags every month.

Homecoming Parade

2007-09-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Few cities know how to throw a Homecoming Parade like Ocean Springs, and the 2007 version was the biggest ever, with over fifty units participating. The parade route began at Front Beach, traveled down Washington Avenue, and finally Government Street, scattering beads, candy, and toys to the large crowd that turned out for the event. Local realtor, Chester Harvey, sponsored the float for the Senior Class, as the entire community came together to cheer on the Hounds as they prepared to face Hancock County, the school that produced legendary quarterback, Brett Favre.

Welcome to Ocean Springs!

2007-09-14T14:02:00.001-07:00

My name is Al Sturgeon, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I moved to Ocean Springs in 1999, three full centuries after the first Europeans made their landing to establish their presence on the North American continent, and it didn’t take me long to realize that I was in a very special place. Every town has a unique character, but there is something extra special about Ocean Springs. I had the idea of taking a hundred pictures in 2007 to introduce you to the people, places, events, and institutions that gives my hometown its special flair, and I have had the best time meeting the faces that make this community such a beautiful place. So without further adieu, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, the City of Discovery.

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church

2007-09-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

Father Henry McInerney gives a watchful eye to the reading of the Gospel at a special Grandparent’s Day Mass at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in downtown Ocean Springs. No offering of Ocean Springs would be complete without including the largest religious community in town, and the five-thousand people that populate the St. Alphonsus parish makes it the biggest by far. Historically, Mississippi has been considered a mission field by the Catholic Church, and for many years now priests from Ireland have left their native country to live and serve on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with Father McInerney continuing that long tradition. St. Alphonsus Catholic Church was named for an early 18th Century priest from Naples, known for preaching the Gospel to the poor.

Blue-Grey Pride

2007-09-08T07:58:00.001-07:00

The Ocean Springs High School Blue-Grey Pride Band, under the direction of Joe Cacibauda, performs in the first quarter of the football home opener versus Gautier. The Blue-Grey Pride has been performing at the highest level for many years. During seasons when the football program was down, many Ocean Springs citizens would attend the football games simply for the half-time band performances! The Blue-Grey Pride has been making Ocean Springs proud all over the country, performing most recently at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Greyhound Football

2007-09-08T07:45:00.001-07:00

Coach Todd Mangum welcomes his Greyhound football team to their brand new $600,000 turf to warm-up before their home opener against the Gautier Gators in early September. Ever since the 2004 season, when the Greyhounds made it to the 5-A state championship game against South Panola, the city of Ocean Springs has come out in full force to support its football program. Coach Mangum assumed the role of head coach in 2006, and with the top recruit in the state of Mississippi on his 2007 roster in senior DeAndre Brown, he is excited about the team’s prospects. In their home opener, the Greyounds shut out the Gators, 42-0.

St. John's Episcopal Church

2007-09-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Reverend Wayne Ray has been the Rector of St. John’s Episcopal in Ocean Springs since early 1999, but the beautiful building that houses St. John’s has adorned the corner of Porter and Rayburn Avenues since 1892, making it the oldest church building in town. The building is listed in the State Register held by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and is described on their commemoration plaque as the finest example of a High Victorian Gothic structure, built entirely of wood, in the state. The famous architect, Louis Sullivan (who taught Frank Lloyd Wright) was a winter visitor to Ocean Springs in the early 1890s, and some claim that his influence is evident in the design.

Marshall Park

2007-09-01T11:07:00.001-07:00

Melanie Allen, President of the Historic Ocean Springs Association, stands at the entrance of Marshall Park, which her organization proudly maintains. Marshall Park has provided a beautiful green space in downtown Ocean Springs since 1911 when the park was completed and named in honor of the railroad superintendent who provided the land. The original covered band stand resides in the center of the park, where a local brass band provided music on summer evenings in the park’s early days. The band stand was relocated to Fort Bayou in the 1920s, but due to the generosity of local citizens, it was restored to its original location in 1989. Marshall Park and its beautiful band stand hosts a variety of civic events in addition to numerous weddings.

Lovelace Drug Store

2007-09-01T11:05:00.001-07:00

Sherie Sekul arranges jewelry she designs for Wolface Designs in front of Lovelace Drug Store. Lovelace changed owners in 2007, but its classic sign maintains it’s solid spot as the anchor of the popular downtown businesses. The building has stood at the junction of the two most popular streets in Ocean Springs – Washington Avenue and Government Street – since Dr. Oscar Bailey built the building in 1926. Dr. Bailey and his daughter, Beryl, opened Ocean Springs Drug Store then, and although owners have changed hands a few times since 1926, the location has met the pharmacy needs of Ocean Springs citizens ever since.

Art Walk

2007-09-01T11:03:00.001-07:00

Norma J. Seward, a local artist, paints a beautiful scene in front of Bayou Belle the first day of September during Art Walk ’07. The Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce puts on Art Walk every year to feature local artists and promote even more traffic to the already popular downtown area. Scores of artists set up shop in front of downtown businesses, and interested shoppers from all around descend on Washington Avenue and Government Street for a delightful, art-filled stroll.

Shopping on Washington Avenue

2007-09-01T11:01:00.001-07:00

Tour guides direct travelers to beautiful downtown Ocean Springs for its quaint shops and delightful shopping, but tourists aren’t the only ones to enjoy a stroll down Washington Avenue. Miranda Mize, and her son, Andy, are among the many locals who regularly enjoy meandering through the downtown shops to pass the time on a lazy afternoon.

Pleasant's

2007-08-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

Michael Pleasant opened Pleasant’s Tire Service with his father on Government Street in the early 1980s. After developing a reputation of dependability, Michael turned to his mother, Marie, and opened Pleasant’s Open Pit Bar-B-Q next door. This family owned and operated restaurant soon developed a reputation, too, that of having some of the best eating around! In addition to excellent ribs and barbecue plates, Pleasant’s also offers tasty desserts, including both sweet potato pie and pecan pie. Still, the hallmark of the restaurant is the barbecue, and to curious patrons, Michael simply says, “The secret is in the sauce!” Pleasant’s has been fixing cars and filling tummies for a quarter-century now!

Al Fresco's Italian Bistro

2007-08-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

Salvetti Brothers was one of the most popular restaurants ever in downtown Ocean Springs, featuring authentic Italian cuisine. Diners weren’t happy when Salvetti’s moved out of its Washington Avenue location, but the craving for all things Italian was soon replaced by the arrival of Al Fresco’s Italian Bistro in October, 2002. Waiter, Dustin Bussard, prepares for the lunch crowd in the Tuscan / New Orleans courtyard that features live weekend music and an impressive Fountain of Flames, all of which combine to provide an unforgettable visit to Italy in the heart of Ocean Springs.

Unique Imports

2007-08-10T14:09:00.001-07:00

Unique Imports serves as a descriptive name for Ocean Springs, but it is also a popular business on the eastside of town. Unique Imports has been in this location for a decade, though Jenny Rice became the brand new owner in 2007. As the name implies, the business features a wide variety of interesting products, but its most popular products have been its fountains and outdoor pottery. Employee, John Vandawalker, works on one of the hundreds of fountains in the courtyard.

Mohler's Fill 'Er Up

2007-08-10T14:07:00.001-07:00

There has been a service station on the corner of Washington and Porter since the 1920s, but most Ocean Springs citizens equate the location with the name, Mohler’s, who took over the corner station in 1981. Mohler’s Fill ‘Er Up featured reportedly the best hamburger in town, affectionately called “The Big M,” until ownership changed hands in the summer of 2007. Deedra Baldwin, the new owner, began advertising the new Corner Café and Bakery in an attempt to carry on the tradition of providing tasty food on this historic corner. But Mohler’s, the only full-service station in the downtown area, continues to offer friendly smiles as demonstrated by employees, Dave Ward and Liz Kouns.

Inner Harbor Park

2007-08-10T14:04:00.001-07:00

Inner Harbor Park is a beautiful secret hidden away on Kensington Avenue. There is an impressive new boardwalk (enjoyed by the Peterson family in the picture), where one can feed the fish, watch the waterfowl traverse the sky, and spot the occasional alligator. There is a spacious pavilion with picnic tables for get-togethers of all sizes. There are two well-maintained tennis courts with a picturesque view. There is a playground with modern equipment for children. But most importantly, there is “inner harbor,” the park’s namesake, offering boat slips that, when filled, produce a gorgeous park setting.

Fishing From the Pier

2007-08-10T14:02:00.001-07:00

Under the Fort Bayou Bridge, just past the folks eating oysters at Mikey’s On The Bayou and the anglers loading up at Who Zat Live Bait shop, you’ll find one of the most popular fishing piers in town. Ocean Springs is near heaven for fishermen (and fisherwomen) that enjoy fishing off the pier, with redfish, mullet, and flounder serving as some of the most popular attractions. On this hot and steamy August morning, Melvin Smith casts his line in hopes of landing a big one.

East Beach

2007-07-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Travel guides encourage day trips to Ocean Springs for several reasons, one of which is its two, quiet, undeveloped beaches, and East Beach is easily the quieter of the two. East Beach Drive meanders along the beach, offering little parking, which makes it a wonderful place for residents to ride bikes, or friends, Peggy Butera and Joey Rice to walk their dogs. Residents of East Beach were devastated when Katrina’s surge destroyed their beautiful homes in spite of how far they sat away from the beach, but as reflects the attitude along the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast, the residents are coming back.

Freedom Field

2007-07-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

Freedom Field, on the corner of Porter and General Pershing, was originally the home of the Ocean Springs Greyhound football team. The field was constructed in 1949, and the Greyhounds won their first game there by the score of 27-13. Coach Clay Boyd wanted to name the field after W.H. Calhoun, but Mr. Calhoun declined, choosing the name Freedom Field instead. The football team played there until 1964; ironically, they won their last game at Freedom Field by the same score as their first game fifteen years prior, 27-13. Since 1964, Ocean Springs has preserved the field as a beautiful green space in the heart of town. Various teams and youth organizations utilize the field, including Trent Bryant and Youth For Christ, who spent Tuesday evenings in the summer of 2007 playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Quake's Frozen Custard

2007-07-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

Quake’s Frozen Custard, in its colorful building on Highway 90, introduced custard as an alternative to ice cream to Ocean Springs a few years ago, and residents have been stopping by ever since. Kara Wescovich serves up custard cones to happy customers on behalf of the Miller family, who recently became the owners. The new owners transformed Quake’s into a “Christian” place, which is evidenced by the music that plays over the speakers, and they added beignets, the tasty French pastry so popular in New Orleans, to the already popular menu.

Wesson Memorial Run

2007-07-04T07:47:00.001-07:00

Leonard Vergunst, race director for the Gulf Coast Running Club, gives instructions to the hundreds of participants prior to the 27th Annual Wesson Memorial Run held on Independence Day in 2007. Many of the participants dressed in red, white, and blue, sending a patriotic stream of colors along the scenic two-mile course from the YMCA through Shearwater Drive and along East Beach. Afterwards, kids age twelve and under enjoyed a quarter-mile fun run.

Horseshoes on Halstead

2007-07-01T13:10:00.001-07:00

Ocean Springs hosted the world horseshoe pitching championships back in 1991, witnessing the legendary Walter Ray Williams in action. Since that time, horseshoe pitching in Mississippi has fell on hard times, without a single organized club in the state. The reversal of that trend began in July, 2007, when the horseshoe pits on Halstead Road hosted a nationally sanctioned event, bringing in eight world class pitchers from four states. Ron Kindrick, from Eclectic, Alabama, Regional Director for the Alabama Horseshoe Pitchers Association, sets his sights on another ringer.

Red, White, and "Blue-Berry" Festival

2007-06-30T12:38:00.001-07:00

The Red, White, and “Blue-Berry” Festival was held on one of the hottest days of 2007 at the L & N Depot parking lot in downtown Ocean Springs. The Chamber of Commerce, Main Street & Visitor’s Center, and Ocean Springs Fresh Market co-hosted the festival which included blueberry products, recipes to exchange, and live music. Culinary specialist, Diane Claughton, was brought in to create one of her blueberry specialties for festival-goers.

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

2007-06-24T18:23:00.001-07:00

The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church began in 1891, and by the year 1895 it had established itself on the corner of Weed and Vermont Streets, serving the African-American population of Ocean Springs. In 1968, the Reverend Doctor Jesse L. Trotter, Sr. became the church’s pastor, and he has enjoyed popular acclaim in that role for the thirty-nine years since. From a pastor standpoint, Dr. Trotter is particularly noted for rising up future pastors from his congregation. From a community perspective, Dr. Trotter is recognized as the first black alderman, elected in 1981 after eighty-nine years of municipal government. In the picture, Dr. Trotter pauses after a huge celebration in June, 2007, honoring him for his thirty-nine years as pastor at Macedonia.

Coffee Fusion Bubbletea Cafe

2007-06-23T19:15:00.001-07:00

Brandy surfs the internet and enjoys one of her favorite drinks at Coffee Fusion on Highway 90 while musician, Robert Killen, entertains the Saturday night crowd in the background. Adam Flinchum opened Coffee Fusion in October, 2003, and his dream of becoming THE hangout place in Ocean Springs soon became a reality. Coffee Fusion moved to its present location in April, 2005, and even opened a second store in D’Iberville in 2007. Coffee Fusion bills itself as a bubbletea café, offering a large variety of unique flavors in addition to its wonderful coffees, sandwiches, and desserts. The hangout’s popularity is enhanced by offering itself as a Wi/Fi hotspot, along with free internet computers, and there is also live music every weekend along with an open mic night every Tuesday.

The Mary C.

2007-06-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center for Arts and Education is an ongoing effort by community activists to restore the 1927 Ocean Springs School building and to create an environment for artistic activities, including music, visual and performing arts, and education. Friends identify Betty Magee as the heart and soul of the effort that now features seven beautiful rooms (highlighted by the Senator Trent Lott Performing Arts Theatre). There is much more on the way to “the Mary C.”, however, including four more rooms, a café, and the City of Ocean Springs Museum.

Garden Gate

2007-06-22T12:47:00.001-07:00

With beautiful weather to enjoy year around, Phil Deperro fills a unique niche with his business, Garden Gate / BP Flags, on Government Street. Garden Gate offers garden art, patio accessories, porch paintings, fountains, bird feeders, and a wide selection of flags. The popular downtown store can even take a personal picture and transform it into a full-size flag!

Ocean Springs Fresh Market

2007-06-16T07:05:00.001-07:00

The parking lot of the L & N Depot is the place to be on Saturday mornings to find the best produce in South Mississippi. As one of the local vendors at the open-air food and plant market, Wess Jones of Latimer stands by his home-grown products claiming, “If I don’t grow it, I don’t sell it.” The Ocean Springs Fresh Market is open on Saturday mornings year-round, featuring Mississippi-grown organic and conventional produce.

YMCA

2007-05-29T20:16:00.001-07:00

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Blossman YMCA in Ocean Springs is one of the finest YMCA facilities in the nation. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, these facilities were put to good use by housing and, more importantly, showering untold numbers of relief crews that descended on the Coast from all over the world. The “Y” boasts an excellent aquatics program with an Olympic-sized indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool. It offers quality programs for children, including youth sport leagues, a fully-functioning preschool, after-school care, and summer camps. And, the “Y” keeps Ocean Springs in excellent shape with its first-rate fitness center, managed by exercise physiologist, Joey Hans Edmonson, offering the latest in exercise equipment along with a full slate of aerobics classes.

Broome's Grocery

2007-05-29T20:03:00.001-07:00

When Barry Broome was asked how to summarize the history of the popular Broome’s Grocery on Government Street, all he could say was, “It’s all about daddy. I’m just trying to keep it going.” The year 2007 was the first year for the business without its legendary founder, Curmis Broome, who passed away in September of 2006 at age 78. Mr. Broome opened the business in 1960, but over the years garnered a reputation of being a philanthropist over and above his status as a successful businessman. He was involved in many civic organizations, though the most popular stories from his life were those in which he provided free groceries for the poor without any fanfare. Today, Barry Broome is simply trying to keep going what his daddy started.

Rocket Launch

2007-05-18T10:26:00.001-07:00

Mr. Ronald Carstens (left), along with his students and parent volunteers, looked to the skies when Magnolia Park Elementary hosted its annual rocket launch in May. For over a decade, the blue ribbon school sends its fourth grade class out with a blast – literally – while teaching one final lesson from the world of science.

Children's Park

2007-05-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

Children’s Park, on the corner of Washington and Calhoun avenues in downtown Ocean Springs, provides a delightful opportunity for parents and children to play, or in the case of Marchetta Manning, and her granddaughter, Emma, a place for grandparents and grandchildren to relax and play. The beautiful walkway escorts visitors to the park over the manicured lawns and into an oasis of child-friendly fun, with swings, modern play equipment, pavilions, and benches. The name is “children’s” park, but it is a place of relaxation for the child in everyone, regardless of age.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home

2007-05-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

The most beautiful structure in Ocean Springs houses more than the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home; it represents a family history. Jeremiah J. O’Keefe, the first generation son of Irish immigrants, built this family mansion on Porter Avenue in 1906. As a founding father of Ocean Springs, Jeremiah operated a thriving livery stable and undertaking business as well as a boarding house frequented by Coast travelers and vacationing New Orleanians. The Great Depression put an end to the family business, and the O’Keefe family sold it’s mansion in the midst of mounting debts. The passing years saw the house turned into a restaurant and lounge, but in 1986 the O’Keefe family purchased the property and restored the family mansion. Today, Jeff O’Keefe (waving at a passing motorist on Porter Avenue) represents the fifth generation of the O’Keefe family in Ocean Springs.

Front Beach

2007-05-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Front Beach has been a popular place to spend an afternoon for a literally untold number of years. Brynn Bryant and Emily Havard enjoy playing in the sand together, but people of all ages enjoy their time at the beach, from playing in the sand to simply enjoying the view ranging across the Mississippi Sound to the barrier islands.

Renaissance Faire

2007-05-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

St. John’s Episcopal Church hosted the sixth annual Renaissance Faire on a sunny weekend in May at a new location on the corner of Lemoyne Boulevard and Washington Avenue. The Renaissance Faire raises money each spring for local charities while providing medieval-themed education and entertainment for the entire family. This year’s faire featured the internationally renowned Knights of Valour who traveled from Canada to put on a jousting exhibition, as well as the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, who recreated a Medieval village and taught the finer points of armored sword fighting and Medieval dancing. In the featured picture, Alan Clampett of Gautier, the local baron of the SCA chapter, presides from his Baronial chambers.

Fat Thumb Originals

2007-05-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

Michele Hirata's mother fought breast cancer for seventeen years before her death three years ago. Through many radiation and chemotherapy treatments, one of her biggest battles was dealing with the loss of her hair. Michele learned to knit after her mother’s death, and inspired by her mother’s courageous battles, she created a fun, comfortable hat from a tie-dyed t-shirt. She began donating her hats to various organizations, and they were an absolute hit! Fat Thumb Originals was born. Michele created “Fat Thumb Originals” in April 2004, naming her operation after her own thumbs, objects of teasing her entire life. With her passion deeply formed in her heart, Michele came to understand that while being different might be hard, it can also make one beautiful and strong. She continues to donate the hats to all those fighting cancer, while selling hats, purses, and other accessories at local art shows and on-line to cover the expenses.

Not Too Little Play and Party Center

2007-04-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

The “Not Too Little Play & Party Center” fits a unique niche for the many young families of Ocean Springs. The Center opened for fun on Government Street shortly before Hurricane Katrina rearranged life along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Nevertheless, Not Too Little was up and running before long, catering to the play and party needs of parents with children under six years old. The Center is not a daycare; instead, it is a massive indoor playground (close to three-thousand square feet!) where parents can bring their kids or playgroups for a very affordable price, as well as a facility available for rent for children’s parties. Allison Crabtree became the owner of Not Too Little in early 2007, setting aside her career in Interior Design for something she loves even more. With her new approach, Not Too Little began a series of summer camps in 2007.

Treasure Oak Country Club

2007-04-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

Few small towns have a country club exclusively devoted to the sport of tennis, but Treasure Oak Country Club has been serving the tennis community of Ocean Springs since 1964. Legend has it that pirates once buried gold under a special oak tree on the premises, and though no gold has ever been found, the legend of the “treasure oak” carries on in its country club namesake. In addition to tennis, Treasure Oak provides both swimming and boating facilities for its members. Steve Pennington, once named Southern Tennis Professional of the Year, is the tennis pro and club manager, a job that keeps him busy in a variety of ways, including hosting three USTA sanctioned regional tennis tournaments every year.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

2007-04-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Miranda Vandermuelen, Summer Park Ranger at the Gulf Islands National Seashore during her school break from the University of Southern Mississippi, interacts with young visitors to her Cast Netting exhibition during Earth Day festivities in Ocean Springs. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a wild 150-mile stretch of barrier islands and coastal mainland operated by the National Park Service in two locations: Pensacola, Florida, and Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The national seashore was established in 1971, and the Mississippi portion features sparkling beaches, historic sites, bayous, nature trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and islands accessible only by boat.

The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

2007-04-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Situated on fifty acres of waterfront property in the middle of Ocean Springs, The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory is home to approximately two-hundred students, faculty, scientists, and support staff who conduct groundbreaking marine-related research while providing educational opportunities to untold numbers of people. Jim Franks first came to Ocean Springs in 1963 as a student at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory where he completed his graduate studies in 1968. He is a senior research scientist with the Laboratory’s Center for Fisheries Research and Development and is adjunct faculty with the University of Southern Mississippi’s Department of Coastal Sciences. His primary research involves studies of life history aspects and habitat requirements of coastal and large pelagic fish, such as cobia, tripletail, billfish, tuna, and dolphinfish, in the northern Gulf of Mexico. His current research also includes investigations of pelagic fish species as potential aquaculture candidates. He has conducted studies on barrier island fish ecology, co-authored a plan of response to protect Mississippi coastal habitats and fishery resources during oil spills, and worked with colleagues and fishers to establish angler-based cooperative tag-and-release programs in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean regions. He has authored numerous scientific papers and serves on fisheries advisory committees and boards. He is on the board of directors of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and several sport fishing tournaments, and is a member of the American Fisheries Society, Billfish Foundation, and Coastal Conservation Association.

Chandeleur Outfitters

2007-04-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Kim Westman stands outside her workplace, Chandeleur Outfitters, in downtown Ocean Springs, the only fly shop on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Rob Recio lived in San Francisco, dreaming of owning his own fishing business. After seeing Chandeleur for sale on-line, he made the trip to Ocean Springs and instantly fell in love with the quietness of the area. Recio sold everything and made the move to Ocean Springs two years ago. Chandeleur Outfitters offers guided fishing tours, specializing in shallow water sight casting for trophy redfish, but the store offers a haven for all fishermen to come to swap stories and shop the latest lines of outdoor apparel.

Two Dogs Dancing

2007-04-12T11:18:00.000-07:00

Phoebe Mendenhall relaxes on the front porch of her favorite store, Two Dogs Dancing, in downtown Ocean Springs, while her owner, Mary, visits with owner, Mickie Miller. Mickie first owned a dog five years ago, and instantly fell in love with the canine world, so much so that she decided to open a business catering to other dog lovers in January, 2004. The name “Two Dogs Dancing” was simply Mickie’s attempt at a unique name, and the unique nature of the name and shop has brought in customers from all over. In addition to dog lovers, Two Dogs Dancing offers gifts for cat lovers, and even for human animals, too!

Urban Art

2007-04-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Post-Katrina, downtown Ocean Springs witnessed a proliferation of bars, much to the consternation of several business owners who took pride in the quiet charm of the area. The push by the drinking establishments to close Government Street for a festival in May led to opposition, with several business owners protesting to city government. In the middle of the controversy, after tiring of picking up beer bottles every morning, Betty Francis of Mississippi Mud Works took the litter and transformed it into what she named “Urban Art” in front of her family’s Government Street business to showcase the trend.

Caboose Cones

2007-04-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

Every town has a sno-cone stand, but few have one in a 56,000 pound caboose in a downtown backyard. After twenty-six years as an Ocean Springs police officer, Timmy Tue retired in 2000 and began working for CSX Railroad. Soon afterwards, his friends thought he was crazy when he bought a caboose on the Internet and had it shipped to Ocean Springs from near Chicago. The 1956 railcar arrived in late 2001, was loaded on an eighteen-wheeler, and carefully maneuvered to a residential backyard! There, Tue completely restored the caboose, added picnic tables and swings to the yard, and opened Caboose Cones, the coolest sno-cone stand on the planet!

The Ruskin Oak

2007-04-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

John Ruskin, the famous 19th Century art critic and social reformer, never traveled to North America in his lifetime, but this little-known fact did not prevent the legend of “The Ruskin Oak.” The legend claims that Ruskin attended a tea party under the massive live oak after visiting New Orleans in 1885, and even though this isn’t true, the legend has led many an artist to seek inspiration beneath its spacious branches. Rochelle Harper moved to Ocean Springs in 1994 and began playing music in 2000. By 2001, the Rochelle Harper Band had taken shape, with the Ocean Springs Herb & Garden Festival serving as her very first “gig.” Since that beginning, Rochelle has been a fixture at festivals and other venues all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The self-proclaimed “hippie chick” and her band are known for their original music, connecting with the crowd, and involving children in their inspirational shows.

Bernard Clark Antiques

2007-04-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ocean Springs is a gold mine for antique lovers with several impressive establishments throughout the city, and collectors from all over the world travel here to mine for antique gold. After working for decades in a Pascagoula shipyard, Bernard Clark retired to devote full attention to his hobby by opening Bernard Clark Antiques. Bernard has over forty years experience in the antique business, and though he only established his Ocean Springs location four years ago, he instantly fell in love with the city, the people, and the downtown area. Bernard’s offers a wide assortment of treasures, but the owner’s specialty is glass, having been taught the ins and outs of pattern glass by expert, Kate Ward. He travels to Maine three times a year (his favorite place to treasure hunt), but most days you can find him sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of his treasures enjoying life.

The Candy Cottage

2007-04-03T18:54:00.000-07:00

Not every community has a business solely dedicated to candy, so The Candy Cottage on Washington Avenue stands as another witness to the unique nature of Ocean Springs. The Candy Cottage is famous for its pralines, but its chief claim to fame is the “Foote’s Heritage Solid Pecan Log,” which the present owner’s great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Foote, created at their restaurant on the Atchafalaya River. Amber Janes keeps busy at her most tempting job, filling orders for pralines and pecan logs and much more, serving them up in the store as well as shipping them to locations around the world. The Candy Cottage has been a Southern tradition for over seventy-five years!

Gulf Hills

2007-03-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Gary Thone helps run the Pro Shop at the beautiful Gulf Hills Golf Club in Ocean Springs. Now owned by residents, Gulf Hills was developed in 1927 by the Branigar brothers of Chicago. Legend claims that it was developed specifically as a secluded entertainment site for Al Capone, and the remnants of a “speakeasy” and casino on site lends credence to the claims. Over the years, the clubhouse lounge (The Pink Pony) entertained movie stars, gangsters, and the wealthy, including the most famous fan of Gulf Hills, Elvis Presley. Today, in addition to the rolling hills filled with residences on Fort Bayou, Gulf Hills offers a golf club, tennis club, swimming pool, and hotel and conference center.

The Art House

2007-03-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

The Art House, located on Cash Alley in downtown Ocean Springs, is a co-op gallery operated by the Ocean Springs Art Association. The approximately thirty working artisans that make up the co-op each work one day a month at The Art House amid the breathtaking artwork. Bruce Davis was a Seabee stationed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and when he retired he decided to stay put. He then began a successful second career as an engineering consultant, but five years ago he took up pottery, and now, as a member of the co-op at The Art House, he works his day each month among the other artists.

The Studio Up Side Down

2007-03-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Susan Gates grew up in Ocean Springs with dreams of becoming a professional dancer, and by her teenage years she was already spending her summers training under professional instructors in Chicago and New York and Los Angeles. After high school, her professional career took off, leading her to a variety of exciting opportunities including sharing the stage with music legends, performing in off-Broadway shows, and dancing as a member of the Knicks City Dancers in Madison Square Garden. After her marriage to accomplished magician, Christopher Gates, and the birth of their son, Nicolas, Susan moved back to Ocean Springs in 2001. That year she opened “The Studio,” where Susan discovered her love for teaching children to dance. After Hurricane Katrina turned life upside down in 2005, “The Studio” restructured and reopened under the name, “The Studio Up Side Down,” with credit to both Hurricane Katrina and the new in-ground trampoline and tumbling aspect of the new operation.

G.I. Museum

2007-03-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Doug Mansfield, and his wife, Cheryl, opened their G.I Museum in August, 2006, the only military history museum on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Their collection includes over 16,000 artifacts spanning from World War I through Iraqi Freedom, but the museum currently focuses its attention on World War II. The 2,000 square foot building that the Mansfields built to house the collection was named Sean Cooley Memorial Hall in honor of their son’s close friend who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in February, 2005, which appropriately communicates their museum’s goal to impress upon everyone the wartime sacrifices made by Americans. Admission to the museum is free: it is quite simply a labor of love.

Mississippi Rollergirls

2007-03-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Victoria Conway (back row, center) is the Administrative Manager & Founder of the Mississippi Rollergirls, the first and only flat track roller derby league in Mississippi. She also skates for the team under the name, Vikki Sixx, a take-off on the name of the bass player from Motley Crue. The Mississippi Rollergirls formed in April 2006, but they were without a home rink until Skate Zone in Ocean Springs stepped into the picture. The Rollergirls currently consists of twenty-four strong women who practice twice a week in an attempt to get their league off the ground. They hope to develop four fourteen-woman teams and an all-star traveling squad. The Mississippi Rollergirls are focused on supporting their community and promoting female empowerment while providing a safe, family-friendly source of entertainment along the way. Safe, that is, for the fans. Injuries to the athletes come with the territory.

Azaleas in Bloom

2007-03-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

The value of a work of art increases with its rarity. By that standard the breathtaking azaleas that explode in color for a brief period each spring are the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most valuable flower. Patricia Anderson looks over the beautiful azaleas in front of Bliss in downtown Ocean Springs. Carol Gautier opened the “unique boutique” on Washington Avenue in late 2001 and boasts the brightest azaleas in the downtown area. More importantly, according to her employee Patricia, Carol’s personal beauty continues year around, touching the many lives that pass through her popular store.

The Shed BBQ Relief Effort

2007-03-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

When tornadoes devastated Enterprise, Alabama, Linda Orrison decided that someone ought to do something to help. When she told her son, Brad, owner of The Shed BBQ, he immediately volunteered his seventeen-foot trailer to haul a load of supplies. Linda began making phone calls to schools and churches and City Hall, and within a week loaded Brad’s trailer AND two fifty-three foot tractor-trailers full of relief supplies! No one should be surprised. The Shed BBQ began with Brad’s dumpster diving treasures, continued with hard work by both Brad and his sister, Brooke, and struck gold with Poppa Jack’s special sauce, and since its opening in August of 2001 has transformed into a nationally recognized restaurant that has recently sold its first franchise! If you “get fed at The Shed,” you might soon become a Shed Head, too!

Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial

2007-03-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Ocean Springs is home to the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a breathtaking tribute to the 667 casualties from the state of Mississippi, and a living tribute to those who survived. The names and faces of those who made the supreme sacrifice seem to be arranged randomly to the casual visitor, but there is a very distinct pattern: they are arranged geographically. Black and white, rich and poor, young and old, the heroes of Vietnam are located next to their Mississippi neighbors, the men they lived and died beside for the sake of their country. Jim McVeay, whose stellar military career included two tours in Vietnam, emerged from the war with a Silver Star, four Purple Hearts, and such an array of decorations that some claimed him to be the most decorated soldier in Mississippi. But he also emerged with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition he still battles in his dreams at night in his Ocean Springs home less than a mile from the memorial.

Gulf Coast Gators Lacrosse

2007-03-10T09:29:00.000-08:00

A unique community lends itself to unique sports, so three years ago Ocean Springs was a natural location to host the Gulf Coast Gators, Mississippi’s only U.S. Lacrosse sanctioned youth team. Coach Charlie Reichel played lacrosse in high school and college (New York Maritime) and quickly became involved with the new club when it was being formed. In March 2007, the Gators hosted the “1st Annual Battle by the Beach” at the Gay-Lemon complex in Ocean Springs. Six clubs competed in the all-day tournament’s two divisions (seventeen and under, and fifteen and under) on a gorgeous Saturday, and that evening the lacrosse teams from LSU and Tulane squared off in an exciting free exhibition match.

Salmagundi Shop

2007-03-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

Visitors to the famed downtown shops of Ocean Springs cross the railroad tracks on Washington Avenue and are greeted by the large letters announcing Salmagundi Gifts. The Salmagundi Shop has been offering its large variety of high-end gifts for over forty-five years now. The original owners found the name Salmagundi (which means “a little bit of everything”) in an old Washington Irving book, and the unique name has been a part of Ocean Springs ever since. Jeannie Stevenson became the owner of Salmagundi Shop fourteen years ago, and her wonderful personality continues to develop a loyal clientele that guarantees the historic shop will survive well into the future.

Villa Maria Retirement Apartments

2007-03-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

One building dominates the skyline of Ocean Springs: the Villa Maria Retirement Apartments on Porter Avenue. The Villa Maria opened its doors in late 1971, providing over two-hundred apartments for independent senior citizens in its thirteen stories. Marjorie Priester moved to the “Villa” with her husband in 1980. Mr. Priester passed away from a heart attack in 1983, and Marjorie has remained a resident ever since. She has worked the front desk, served as counselor to many fellow residents, walked to regular services at First Baptist Church, and made many friends through living at the Villa over the past twenty-seven years.

Cox's Barber Shop

2007-03-01T20:02:00.000-08:00

Mayberry had Floyd’s Barber Shop. Ocean Springs has Cox’s Barber Shop. Bobby Cox (pictured) owns the popular Government Street business, but he is simply one of a host of folks carrying on the most family-oriented barber shop around. In 1961, Robert Cox (Bobby’s dad) began cutting hair at Mr. Webb’s shop in downtown Ocean Springs. In 1962, Robert Murphy joined him there. This began a working relationship between the two Roberts last lasted over forty years until Mr. Cox retired three years ago (although he still works Mondays at the St. Martin shop for some golfing money!). The two barbers moved to the Government Street location in 1970, Bobby and brother-in-law, Gerald Ferrill, entered the family profession in 1989, and even Mr. Murphy’s son, Cliff, began cutting hair alongside his dad two years ago. Best of all, everyone in Ocean Springs who decides to get a haircut at Cox’s Barber Shop feels like part of the family, too.

Aunt Jenny's Catfish Restaurant

2007-02-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

Once featured in Southern Living, Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant is a local legend. Overlooking five-hundred year old oak trees and the Bay of Biloxi, waitresses Christina Scaturro and Domonique Homann serve up the all-you-can-eat catfish, shrimp, and chicken fare to enthusiastic diners from all over the world. Aunt Jenny’s location is filled with history, ranging from being home to the last known flowing springs that gave the city its name to its 1852 home that served as a health resort in the days prior to the Civil War. And legend has it that Elvis Presley frequented the site during the times he spent in Gulf Hills!

The Eaves Bed & Breakfast

2007-02-25T14:24:00.000-08:00

Ocean Springs is the cover picture of a “bed and breakfast community,” and one of the delightful options resides on General Pershing Avenue where Bruno and Linda Schroeder welcome guests to “The Eaves” near downtown Ocean Springs. Their remodeled bungalow from the 1930s reflects the elegant simplicity of their tastes and lifestyle. Guests to the bed and breakfast descend the stairs after a quiet night’s sleep to the Schroeder’s backyard where they encounter beautiful flowers, an ample deck, and a variety of birds enjoying their spacious property. The Schroeders have entertained guests from all over the world since opening “The Eaves” in 1998.

The Ocean Springs Record

2007-02-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Marshall, Advertising Consultant for the Ocean Springs Record, works hard at the newspaper’s Cox Avenue office to keep the advertising dollars coming in. The Record is the only newspaper devoted completely to Ocean Springs; in fact, it is the only locally-owned newspaper on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The first edition of the Record was published on August 5, 1965, and after forty years of reporting the news, the staff continues to publish a weekly edition every Thursday.

Camp Victor

2007-02-22T18:44:00.000-08:00

In the days following Hurricane Katrina, as relief trucks poured supplies into downtown churches, Ocean Springs’ city officials shot the lock off a vacated warehouse on Government Street simply to have a place to unload the supplies. The “old Swingster building” (as it is locally known) has been in business ever since. Eventually, the multi-church site gave way to Lutheran Social Services under the local care of Christus Victor Lutheran Church, and “Camp Victor” emerged. Suzie Harvey, assistant site director, stands in front of one of the beautiful murals painted by volunteers on the front of the formerly unoccupied building. Eighteen months after Hurricane Katrina, Camp Victor still serves 150 families per day on average, giving away an estimated $10,000 in supplies each day.

Lucia's Hallmark Shop

2007-02-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

The staff at Lucia’s Hallmark Shop pauses from their Valentine’s Day rush to pose for a picture. Lucia Baublits (second from the right) has been a fixture in Ocean Springs since opening her store in July of 1984, saving countless husbands (in particular) by providing the best in cards and gifts for every occasion. Lucia’s vibrant personality creates a loyal customer base that returns time and time again.

Walter Anderson Museum of Art

2007-02-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Gayle Petty-Johnson, Executive Director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, stands in “The Little Room,” Walter Anderson’s inner sanctum discovered behind a padlocked door after his death in 1965. Travel guides featuring Ocean Springs begin their list of what makes Ocean Springs special with the museum, opened in 1991 to celebrate the works of Walter Inglis Anderson, and his brothers, Peter Anderson (master potter) and James McConnell Anderson (noted painter and ceramist). The watercolors, drawings, oils, block prints, ceramics, and carvings by the three Anderson brothers are all represented in the museum’s permanent collection, while traveling exhibits also are featured throughout the year.

Roadside Shrimp Stand

2007-02-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is famous for its shrimp, and one of the local luxuries is the ability to stop on the side of the road on the way home and pick up a few pounds for a shrimp boil from Gia Ngyuen. Gia parks her truck on Highway 90 near the Wal-Mart Supercenter when in season and sells "Gia's Fresh Shrimp" from the bayou to a steady stream of customers.

Ocean Springs School District

2007-01-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

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.

WOSM: "The Gospel Giant"

2007-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

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.

Mardi Gras Ball

2007-01-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Office of the Mayor

2007-01-17T20:48:00.000-08:00

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.

The TatoNut Shop

2007-01-16T03:52:00.000-08:00

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.

Shearwater Pottery

2007-01-10T16:01:00.000-08:00

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.