We started with the brisket bao buns, and they set the tone immediately. The buns were light, airy, and pillowy. Inside, the brisket was deeply smoky, incredibly moist, and cooked down to that tender texture that only results from patience and skill. It was the kind of bite that makes you pause mid-conversation.
 

 
For the main course, my partner went with the rib plate, a half-rack of sticky, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs that delivered on every level. The cornbread came out with crisp edges and a soft, fluffy center, balanced with just the right touch of sweetness. The vinegar-based coleslaw was tangy, but it never overpowered the plate. And the fries? Hand-cut, shoestring-style, cooked in tallow; crispy, rich, and easily some of the best fries in the area.
 

 
But the real show-stopper, the dish that sealed the experience, was dessert: a stunning red velvet cheesecake, crafted in-house by the chef, that absolutely delivered. Smooth, creamy, slightly tangy, and perfectly sweet, it hit every note you want in a dessert without being overwhelming. It wasn’t just good, it was memorable.
 
Then, just when you think you’ve seen what they can do, The Wicked Pig keeps evolving.
 

Since our visit, they’ve updated their menu for the season and expanded into a full lunch service. One standout addition is the brisket burger, a rich, hand-processed blend that results in a juicy, tender bite. This isn’t anything close to a store-bought patty. It’s real, craveable, and built for people who take their burgers seriously.
 
Another must-try from the updated menu is the fried green tomatoes. Topped with house-made pepper jelly, pimento cheese, and bacon lardons, it’s an explosion of flavor that hits you all at once. 
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The Wicked Pig isn’t trying to be flashy; it doesn’t need to be. The restarant delivers thoughtfully crafted food with bold flavors in an unassuming space. And that’s exactly what makes it special.
 
If you’re looking for something different – something that feels both elevated and approachable – this is your spot. It is reasonably priced, not downtown but still cartable, and offers a level of service (hot, moist hand towels at the end of your meal) that is unmatched anywhere else around here. Just don’t expect it to stay a secret for long.

On Saturday, May 2, The Arts Hancock County invites the community to experience an evening of art, nature, and discovery at the eighth annual Under the Flower Moon, the organization’s signature spring fundraiser and one of its most anticipated events of the year. ​

- by James Inabinet

 
This isn’t your ordinary art exhibit, typically hung on walls, inside a gallery, impervious to the demands of nature. The gallery for this exhibition is under the sky and clouds, under forest trees, among singing birds and croaking frogs, in spring-laden air, at the interface between artifice and nature, between what nature grows and humans build, in a living space lovingly situated among trees and bushes, buildings that peek out from the trees, a kitchen garden – it’s difficult to say where the built world ends and nature begins. Instead of walls, the art will be laid out onto leaf litter or hung from bushes and trees to become part of nature herself.
 

 
This art is unique in that each installation is actually two exhibits at once, one for the day and one for night. During the day, each exhibit can be experienced fully, in all its nuance. At night, though, that very same art, obscured by darkness and shadow, becomes something else entirely. At night the exhibits disappear into the forest and become magical, part of the dance of fireflies, part of the chorus of croaking frogs and the cries of Chuck-will’s-widows.
 

 
Past events have featured painted gourds hanging in an arbor, jellyfish apparitions dangling from yaupon bushes, white guitar sculptures standing among wax myrtles, copper birds drooping from maple trees, painted fabric dancers hanging among water oaks, an orb dangling from a tree huckleberry, a series of porcelain flowers scattered among leaves, a community of king cake babies caught in the act of living out their lives in a thicket, a totem pole festooned with clay masks, an extraordinary beaded picnic, and colorful displays of hanging fabric. I don’t know what art this year will bring. Indeed, who can know such a thing? Several artists have told me they’ve yet to completely decide what they will create. But that’s how it’s supposed to work when one follows one’s heart. Though such a process usually produces the best art, it’s hard to squeeze into a rigid deadline.
 

 
To me, the best thing about Under the Flower Moon is the way it inspires. The art, by virtue of the way it’s produced and becomes part of the forest, provides meaning – significance –even as the world we’ve made seems to squeeze all of that out of our lives. Who has time for that? Art and nature can do this by helping us to return, if even for a moment, to the magical world of a child that sees beauty and meaning everywhere. That’s what this event means to me; it helps me to put on the eyes and mind of a child, if even for an afternoon, so I might become inspired.
 

 
Throughout the evening, visitors will also encounter live music, food offerings, and other creative expressions woven into the setting, with a few unexpected moments along the way. Designed to be welcoming for all ages, Under the Flower Moon offers a distinctive way to spend a spring evening while supporting The Arts Hancock County’s exhibitions, educational programming, and community arts initiatives.
 

We bid farewell to a kind man who served his family and his community with grace, humility, a ready smile, and a positive outlook on life.

- by Mauric Singleton

 
Gene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Government in 1995 and a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University in 1998. He and his wife, Edie, moved to the Bay in 2002, where they raised their two children, Gene Hoffman V and Julia Hoffman.
 

 
“I had the pleasure of being one of the first people to welcome Gene and Edie when they moved to Bay St. Louis, recalled Julie Scianna. “I handled the closing when they bought the house the family lives in to this day.”
 
Julie is the president and co-founder of Landmark Title & Escrow Inc. “I had the privilege of working with Gene when he joined our team as a closing attorney in August of 2021.”
 
She reflected on the many enviable qualities of Gene. “What I admired most was his quiet determination, perseverance, and work ethic – unlike any other.
 

 
“He never once complained,” Julie remembered. “Instead, he radiated joy and optimism, smiling as he quietly juggled a dozen things at once.”
 
In addition to working at Landmark and severing as a councilmember, Gene owned a home healthcare business, maintained his law practice, dabbled in used car sales, and regularly volunteered at church and community events.
 

 
“And he never missed a school function for his children,” Scianna said. “He never stopped moving. Gene was a devoted family man, and his love for his family shone through whenever he spoke of Edie, little Gene, Julia, his parents, or his sisters. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.”
 
Former friend and colleague Doug Seal remembers Gene as an analytical mind. “I was always the facts-and-figures guy,” said Seal. “His critical thinking always guided us in how to present things. He had a way of keeping us centered and steering the conversation. He was very thoughtful but always kept a calm demeanor and cool mind.”
 

 
Seal also remembers Hoffman as a man who seemed to never have a bad day. “Every day was going to be a better day,” said Seal of Hoffman. “It was always a hug and a smile. It was a face of faith.”
 
“Great friendship,” said Seal regarding his relationship with Hoffman. “He was a very Godly man. He will be missed.”
 

Because of his time in Louisiana, he was an avid supporter of LSU athletics and a top New Orleans Saints fan.
 
Gene will be remembered for his commitment to his community, his eagerness to help those in need, and his love of his family. He will be sorely missed.
 

Less like a conventional festival and more like a wellness experience, founder Teri Wyly invites guests to shop, learn, and commune with nature at her very special farm.

- by Francesca Bianci

​ 
Founder Teri Wyly, a self-described “recovering lawyer,” spent decades in a fast-paced career before finding herself drawn back to the land. What she discovered wasn’t just a place to grow flowers, but a place to slow down enough to truly experience them. “I can hear a butterfly’s wings flapping next to me while picking flowers,” she said. “Just being still and enjoying nature.”

 
That sense of presence is the foundation of everything La Terre has become and everything this festival is meant to be. The idea itself came together organically. After hosting smaller agritourism events on the property, Teri began to imagine something larger. By January, the vision had taken hold. She picked up the phone and began calling artists, musicians, and wellness practitioners she admired. Thirty-one calls later, she had thirty-one yeses.
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While the festival includes live music, workshops, a curated makers market, and outdoor experiences across the farm’s many acres, its true purpose isn’t in the schedule; it’s in the moments it creates. For Teri, one image captures it perfectly:
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“The perfect moment for me would be a little girl with a flower crown on her head that Martha made, dancing in the oaks like no one is watching—but of course everyone is watching, because it’s pure joy.” That kind of unfiltered joy is what the weekend is built around.
 

 
Guests can move through yoga sessions in the flower fields at sunset, wander wooded trails, watch artists paint en plein air, or simply sit still long enough to reconnect – with nature, with others, or with themselves. La Terre, French for “the earth,” is intentionally hosting the festival during Earth Week, grounding the entire experience in that connection. “Take a walk in the woods, sit still, and just listen,” Teri said.
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At its core, La Terre is a working flower farm, led day-to-day by Teri’s son, Connor, the farmer behind the operation. Like any farm, it comes with its challenges. With ongoing drought conditions, this season’s blooms aren’t quite what she had envisioned. “You make plans and God laughs,” she said with a smile. “It will be a preview of what is to come this summer."
 

 
Looking ahead, Teri hopes to grow the festival into an even larger experience with a greater emphasis on music, family connection, and time spent outdoors, introducing elements like family camping, fishing, and expanded programming that encourages people to fully immerse themselves in the landscape.
 

 
For those planning to attend, reservations are encouraged, as many of the festival’s workshops and experiences are expected to fill. Parking is $10 per car, so gather your friends, pack a blanket, and plan to stay awhile. While most of the weekend’s offerings are free, a handful of special experiences, including the flower crown class with award-winning designer Martha Whitney Butler and the farm-to-table dinner, do require ticket purchase, with limited availability day of show.
 

 
For reservations, event details, and to stay connected with La Terre Farms’ seasonal offerings, as well as to rent their beautiful short-term rental, the “Whitney Cottage,” visit www.laterrefarms.com.
 
La Terre Farms Flower Festival
April 18–19, 2026 8am – 8pm
11095 Road 514 (1 mile E of Hwy. 603 off Firetower Rd.), Kiln, MS
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Calling artists nationwide: The Arts, Hancock County wants YOU to submit a design for their sculpture garden.

- By Cecelia Hopes

The sculpture garden is a bold celebration of art along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Located in the historic Bay St. Louis Depot District, the Center is located only steps away from the new Amtrak Mardi Gras passenger train line, making it the perfect spot to display work that will be enjoyed by both locals and visitors. 
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The author reflects on how his relationship with Rev. Reed as a young man helped shape the person he is today.

- By Jason M. (“LP”)

​Bishop Reed poured into me at one of the most important moments of my life. After I gave my life to Christ at Miles College, every trip back home to the Gulf Coast led me straight to The Powerhouse [Powerhouse of Deliverance Ministries]. He saw my hunger for God, and instead of just acknowledging it, he invested in it. He handed me tapes from his ministry, taught me, corrected me, and showed me, by example, what a true man of God looks like.
 
I would cut hair in my dorm room, hold Bible studies, and play those tapes over and over. His voice, his teaching, and his consistency helped me build a spiritual foundation strong enough to withstand the pressures of college life. He didn’t just preach to me…. he prepared me.
 
Every time I saw him, he gave me even more than tapes; he gave me his time, his wisdom, and his beliefs. He embraced my gift and welcomed me into the PowerHouse to lead the young people and pour into them as he did for me, long before I fully understood the calling as my life’s calling.
 ​

 
Bishop Reed blessed me in ways he never fully knew. His impact is woven into my walk, my ministry, and my growth as a man. I honor him, I thank God for him, and I will carry his influence and legacy with me for the rest of my life.
 
Writer's Bio: Jason M. Sr., known as “LP,” is a Gulf Coast-born artist, youth advocate, licensed barber, educator, motivational speaker, life coach, and author. A Miles College alumnus and award‑winning artist, he has led national youth outreach for over 20 years and founded the community organization Our Corner of the Coast.
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The concept behind Souper Mudfest is simple. Guests purchase a handcrafted ceramic bowl created by one of our local artists for $30. That bowl becomes both a keepsake and a ticket to the event, granting participants a wristband that allows them to sample soups prepared by local shops and restaurants. All funds benefit the Old Town Merchants Association and local artists.
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Bowls can be purchased at Main Street United Methodist Church at 162 Main St. The event kicks off at 11 am, but participants usually start lining up well before then; prepare to come early for the best selection. There are over 40 merchants serving soup this year! 

For the first time, the event will kick off with the “Battle in the Bay - The Art of the Cocktail,” a VIP experience. This premiere gala will be held on Friday, March 13, from 6 to 8 pm at 200 North Beach restaurant. Tickets are $45 and include three drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres. 
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Whether you come for the soup, the art, or the atmosphere, one thing is certain: you’ll leave with a full heart and full tummy. 

For many local families, the weeks leading up to Easter mean gathering with neighbors over plates of fried seafood, homemade sides, and desserts prepared by generations of parish volunteers.

- by Shoofly Staff

Beyond the meals themselves, Lenten dinners reflect a deeper Gulf Coast tradition rooted in hospitality and shared experience. Volunteers begin preparations hours before serving time, and recipes passed down through families often make their way onto each week’s menu. For many residents, attending at least one fish fry each season is simply part of living on the Coast.

All dinners will run each Friday through Lent, March 6, 13, 20, and 27. We encourage attendees to bring cash, but most of the churches will accepts checks or Venmo payment.

And as longtime Coast residents will tell you, Lent may ask for sacrifice — but in Hancock County, no one goes hungry on a Friday night.
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In Bay St. Louis, St. Rose de Lima Catholic Church continues its long-standing tradition of serving lunches on Fridays during Lent. Volunteers prepare classic Gulf Coast fare featuring fried Mississippi catfish or shrimp with sides of potato salad, green beans, bread, and homemade desserts. Service starts at 11am and runs until meals sell out (or 2 pm), so get there early! Plates are $12, with options to dine in, drive thru, pick up, or delivery. Place orders by calling 228-467-9700. 301 S. Necaise Ave., Bay St. Louis. 

Just down Beach Boulevard, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church hosts drive-thru evening Lenten dinners. These fried catfish plates will come with hush puppies, fries, coleslaw, and green beans, all for $10. Just pop into the Holy Trinity Catholic School car line to pick up your plate! Service starts at 5 pm and runs until meals sell out. 228 S. Beach Blvd. Bay St. Louis.

In Waveland, St. Clare Catholic Church offers one of the county’s most popular Lenten dinner options with a variety of choices. This drive-thru runs from 5 to 7 pm, and plates are $13 with a choice of entrée, two sides, hushpuppies, and a dessert. Entrée options are fried catfish, fried shrimp, shrimp stew, and seafood gumbo. Pick your choice of sides, from French fries, potato salad, coleslaw, and green bean & artichoke casserole. 236 S. Beach Blvd., Waveland.

Down in Lakeshore, St. Anne’s Catholic Church has fish plates for $15 with three pieces of fish, 2 sides, bread, drink, and a dessert. They also have a kid’s plate for $10, with two pieces of fish and one side. Dine in or take out from 4:30 to 7 pm. 5858 Lower Bay Rd., Bay St. Louis.

​In Pass Christian (or the back of Diamondhead, as the locals say), there is Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. They are selling fish or shrimp plates with French fries, coleslaw, and hushpuppies for $14. Dinner runs from 5 to 7:30 pm. 9062 Kiln Delisle Rd., Pass Christian.

Although not in Hancock County, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church is just a hop away in Long Beach. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 pm at the community center. Plates are $12 with dine-in or carry-out options. 720 Beach Blvd. E., Long Beach.