Photo provided courtesy of Ken Murphy
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Covering Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead and Pass Christian.
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Amtrak Gulf Coast
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amtrak update
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Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Line Brings Rail Travel – and Joy – Back to the Gulf Coast
On July 1, amid the buzz of anticipation and the sound of sequins rattling, Bay St. Louis celebrated a moment that only comes once in a generation: the return of passenger rail to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. - Story by Francesca Bianci – Photos by Gregg Martel, Dena Temple, Scott Saltzman, and Ken Murphy |
15 minutes
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SRC vice chairman John Spain and chairman Knox Ross speak to members of the media aboard an Amtrak car. | Photo by Scott Saltzman
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Special Report: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service to Begin August 18
On July 1, Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission held press conferences from Mobile to New Orleans to announce the official start of rail service between the two cities. Turnout was the largest by far in Bay St. Louis, where the community dressed up and turned out in large numbers to herald the long-awaited news. – Photos by Gregg Martel, Ellis Anderson, Wendy McDonald, Dena Temple, and Scott Saltzman |
second saturday
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Baytique is one of July's Second Saturday Hot Spots.
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Second Saturday, July 2025: Frida Fest!
On July 12, Second Saturday celebrates the art and style of Frida Kahlo. Frida Fest includes a "5-Kahlo" Fun Run, a Frida look-alike contest, an art pop-up market, weekend shopping specials, and our festive bar scene. Join us in Old Town for a ton of fun! - By Holly Harrison & Shannon Stage, Old Town Merchants Association |
talk of the town
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The grounds of Webb School (on Third Avenue) the afternoon of Katrina | Photo by Joe Tomasovsky
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Under Surge, Under Siege: Chapter Five- The Passing of the Eye
In this fourth installment, the eye of Katrina has passed, but what it has left in its wake can't yet be imagined. - by Ellis Anderson |
15 minutes
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Blues legend Little Freddie King captivates the audience at the recent St. Rose de Lima Blues & BBQ Fest | Gregg Martel photo
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St. Rose Blues & BBQ Festival Brings Blues Legend to the Depot
Blues legend Little Freddie King headlined the annual St. Rose Blues & BBQ Festival last weekend at the historic Depot in Bay St. Louis. Festival attendees also enjoyed great Mexican food and BBQ, craft vendors, and lots of talented performers during the two-day event. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
on the shoofly
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Celebrating Dr. Jim Keating, Local Historian
The “dash” between one’s birth and death is representative of how we spent our time on earth. I am sure that Jim’s “dash” is full of personal and professional accomplishments. - By Chris Roth, President, Hancock County Historical Society |
shore thing
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The Karas crew with a tripletail they tagged and released near Bayou Caddy.
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Shore Thing Fishing Report, 7/2/2025
If you love speckled trout, you are going to love this fishing report! The tasty trout are everywhere feeding on plentiful bait. Go early and look for the bait. - by Sonny Schindler, Shore Thing Fishing Charters |
15 minutes
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Freedom Summer Concert at 100 Men Hall
100 Men Hall celebrated the Juneteenth holiday and the first day of summer with their Freedom Summer Concert featuring genre-bending singer-songwriter Twurt Chamberlain. The music was so good it drew people off the street! - Photos by Melanie Cole |
talk of the town
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Houses closer to the beach would be underwater by now... Citizen Street after the storm, close to the beach. Photo by Joe Tomasovsky
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Under Surge, Under Siege - Chapter 4: The Fourth Step
In this third installment, the seething surge cuts off escape and communications, as the writer watches it submerge the steps to the house, one by one. - by Ellis Anderson |
coast cuisine
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Coterie: Coastal Charm Meets Culinary Craft
After making their mark in New Orleans, Kristian and Timi Wadsleigh set their sights east, landing in Long Beach, Mississippi, for the second location of their acclaimed restaurant. – By Francesca Bianci |
noteworthy women
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Julie Scianna Timberlake: Poised Power
Julie Scianna Timberlake describes herself as “low key,” but don’t let that modest demeanor fool you. Beneath her composed surface is a fierce drive and a tireless work ethic. - by Maurice Singleton |
talk of the town
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Webb School House, built in 1913 and a designated Mississippi Landmark. Photo by Ellis Anderson
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Under Surge, Under Siege: Chapter 4 - The Dominos of Denial
In this installment of the award-winning book, Hurricane Katrina's unprecedented storm surge begins to push ashore, crushing the author's illusion of safety. - by Ellis Anderson |
talk of the town
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To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Katrina, the Shoofly will publish a chapter of USUS each week through August 29th.
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Under Surge, Under Siege: Chapter 1 – The Language of Loss
Chapter One of the award-winning book that follows Bay St. Louis through the very heart of Hurricane Katrina – and three years of grueling aftermath. This installment includes an introduction by the author. - by Ellis Anderson |
arts locale
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Hancock County Library System Releases First Annual Report
The Hancock County Library System documents its Growth and its impact on our community in their 2024 Annual Report. |
15 minutes
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Bart and Mary Brooks of Ms. Mary's Old Town Snoballs & Ice Cream organized this new event.
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Bay Fest 2025 Brings the Fun
Bay St. Louis certainly knows how to party, and on May 31, over 70 vendors lined the streets, and Second Street became the soundstage for Assumed Risk and Joni Compretta & The Baytown Groove. For a first-time event, organizers Bart and Mary Brooks really brought the goods. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
15 minutes
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Crossing the Bridge for Jazz in the Pass
The event may be titled Jazz in the Pass, but there was truly something for every music fan at this concert in Pass Christian last week. The headliner of the show was the high-energy Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. You can't not smile when dancing to a dude playing the washboard! - by Marian Glaser |
15 minutes
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Pirate Takeover in Downtown Bay St. Louis!
Pirates took over Old Town Bay St. Louis last weekend for music, merriment, and swashbuckling fun during Pirate Day in the Bay. Now in its tenth year, locals and visitors partied like it was 1699! The event included a pub crawl, live music, costume contests, a parade, and fireworks. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
arts locale
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Nature and Art: Waveland Marsh Pilgrimage
An exhibit at Studio Waveland + Gallery now through May 25 showcases how our marshes shaped the creative vision of 25 local artists. - Story by James Inabinet |
talk of the town
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Main Street United Methodist Church Consecrates New Peace Garden
The quiet retreat is intended for contemplation and prayer. - by Kirby Rhodes |
15 minutes
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"Under the Flower Moon" a Magical Event
As darkness envelops a tranquil nature trail, guests discover enchanting art installations as they stroll along. That was "Under the Flower Moon," sponsored by The Arts, Hancock County. - Photos by Marian Glaser, text by James Inabinet |
15 minutes
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Waveland Crawfish Cook-Off Gets Rave Reviews
Crawfish connoisseurs from across the Coast gathered on Coleman Avenue in Waveland to boil, pinch, and slurp up hundreds (maybe thousands) of pounds of everyone’s favorite local delicacy – all for a great cause. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
15 minutes
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Swamp(gr)ass Getdown at 100 Men Hall
Music lovers from Bay St. Louis and beyond descended upon the 100 Men Hall on April 19 for a day of music with the "the OGs of T-Bois" for the "Swamp(gr)Ass Get Down." The event commemorated the 15th anniversary of the T-Bois Blues Festival held in Larose, Louisiana. - Photos by Melanie Cole |
good neighbor
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Clarence Harris: A Devoted Advocate for Hancock County
Clarence Harris is a pillar of the Hancock County community: ever-present, particularly when the voices of underrepresented citizens need to be heard. - by Maurice Singleton |
nature notes
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Teasing Out the Whole Story: Pilgrimage Walkabout
“Dreaming oneself into things ...” [Bachelard] - By James Inabinet |
15 minutes
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Waveland Annual St. Pat's Parade Brings the Craic
Irish eyes were smiling as the Waveland Civic Association's St. Patrick's Day parade brought the craic (fun). Originally scheduled for Saturday, March 15, the parade was moved to March 16 due to bad weather - and Sunday's weather could not have been more perfect. Sláinte! - Photos by Gregg Martel |
coast cuisine
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Lester’s, A Local Haven
Lester’s is a great option away from downtown: Parking is easy, prices are reasonable, and you most likely will bump into someone you know. It’s truly a locals’ spot. - Story and photos by Francesca Bianci |
on the shoofly
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Hummingbirds: Jewels in the Garden
Hummingbirds, gems of the Southern garden, are returning to our area after wintering in Central and South America. Learn how to attract them to your yard. - Story and photos by Dena Temple |
partner spotlight
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Gurley & Associates: Helping the Community, Young and Old
Whether advising her customers on Medicare solutions or volunteering in the community, Kristine Gurley and her staff are in the business of helping people. - by Dena Temple |
big buzz
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Author Lisa Genova is one of the many writers/authors scheduled to appear / photo by Greg Mentzer
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Hancock Libraries Sponsor “Homegrown” Event at Southern Miss
Thirty talented authors from Mississippi and surrounding areas will participate in live, in-person discussions about their books, what inspires them, and how others can join their exclusive club. |
What is a shoofly?
A shoofly is a raised wood deck circling a large tree and historically, almost every hotel on the Mississippi coast had one. Now the shoofly by the old Bay St. Louis City Hall is one of few remaining, and it's become our iconic town landmark.
A shoofly is a raised wood deck circling a large tree and historically, almost every hotel on the Mississippi coast had one. Now the shoofly by the old Bay St. Louis City Hall is one of few remaining, and it's become our iconic town landmark.
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