Our guest columnist for January brings in the New Year with thoughts from the past and remembrances of a father and a flier.
- story by j.a.guido, photos courtesy the Guido family archives

I also thought about how good it felt to be back home in my native state of Mississippi. I giggled to myself about trying to find the building to get my Mississippi license in the Kiln. I swear I rode by that small building ten times before I found it. It was raining that day, which did not help the search. Being a city girl, I was looking for some big building with a sign. Later, leaving with my license and a smile, I thought about how nice everyone is here on the coast — so very different from big-city living.

I never knew how much I missed that friendliness until I got back home to small town Mississippi living here in the Bay. It really is something very special, and is part of the allure to newcomers as well. It was also surprising to me to realize how rarely I had felt the desire to drive into the city during the past year. I could not believe how easy it was to let city comforts go.

Just driving to Natchez to spend Christmas with family was hard for me. I didn’t want to leave the beauty of the Bay, the people here and my comfortable cottage on the lane. Yet, on the way, I traveled beautiful roads through lovely country. I especially enjoyed the part through the Homochitto National Forest with its towering green pine trees on old Highway 98.

Did you know that the Homochitto National Forest is just one of six National Forests in our state? 189,000 acres have been preserved for our enjoyment, with 265 miles of hiking and biking trails and 2000 acres of lakes and ponds. The closest national forest to the coast is DeSoto. A nice New Year’s goal for 2016 for me will be to visit a few of the national forest areas in our own state.

On the drive, I also contemplated how fast the year had gone. For all of you younger people, know that as you age, a year does really fly by. It is also true that you wake up many mornings saying to yourself, “Whose hands are these with all these wrinkles?” So value your youth. Work hard, play hard, and take the time to include play in your life with those you love; it is important. I used to make the time to join family for ski fun each year in Aspen and Vail, even as I climbed the corporate ladder. Take the time to do this.

On the last hour of drives to Natchez, I always turn to thoughts of my father and how much I miss seeing him on visits home. As I passed open pastures thoughts turned to flying with my dad. He flew all over the state in single-engine planes from our home base in Natchez, and took me along with him on many of these trips.

Over the years, I gathered many wonderful memories of landing in pastures over barbed wire fences as Dad traveled to look at land to develop or met with investor friends. So I learned early on to love our beautiful state from high up, even as we flew around our famous Mississippi thunderstorms. Somehow when flying with George I was never worried. Of course my father was my hero and could do no wrong.

It is my own tradition to really think about him and his life each year as we enter the holiday. Dad was a WWII veteran who flew 50 missions over enemy territory and survived it. He was a hard-working man who left the war behind him and went on to focus on providing a good life for his family in the 1950s and beyond. He became a successful real estate and home-building developer in our state.

Over this holiday visit home to Natchez, in reading his autobiography notes, I learned that his first building mentor was an older builder based in Gulfport. I loved learning this fact and now that I live on the coast I plan to contact his mentor’s family.

I also discovered when reading his journals that he stood up to the Klan in our area when they pulled up all his lot stakes for a development in Louisiana. My Father strongly believed in building housing for everyone regardless of income level or race. Sometimes his feelings on this were not popular. He built very nice trailer parks with good roads, lighting, and playgrounds during his career, as well as affordable housing and high-end subdivisions in the Natchez area. I remember asking him one day about the trailer development and why he fooled with it. I never forgot his reply: “Honey, everyone deserves a nice place to call home, no matter what their economic situation.”

I guess my thoughts turn to Dad’s life at each year’s end because it helps me to measure my life against how he lived his life. A truly ageless man, he taught me so much. He had courage to live his convictions, but he always listened to both sides. He always had young and old friends from different backgrounds. He welcomed newcomers and he never met a stranger. He loved his family deeply, even while pushing us to new limits. He always took the time to listen to people and their problems and tried to help and encourage them. He kept his love for his hometown and his state and his country until the day he left us. Dad did his best to leave it all a better place for his children and grandchildren. What better example could I have had in this journey of life?

As I pull into the driveway of Mother’s home in Natchez, I feel good. He is still here with me pushing me to do the right thing, and providing a model for how to do it. Maybe I will take those flying lessons in 2016!

Cheers to all of you for a New Year filled with love, good intentions, enjoyable work, fun, and open minds to all the world holds! And God bless this dear place and people by the Bay that I have come to love and truly call home.

One of the most prestigious designations in the country honoring culture and natural resources recognizes the treasures of the Mississippi Coast.  Find out more about the program and how it can help us shine! 
- story by Rebecca Orfila, photos by Rebecca Orfila and Ellis Anderson

Heritage areas are congressionally designated regions that connect natural, cultural, and historic resources in order to recognize the diverse nature of our nearby heritage.  Currently, 49 Heritage Areas have been established within the national program.  Per the National Park Service (NPS), these nationally identified heritage areas are “lived-in landscapes” and not governed by the NPS.  Instead, the heritage areas team up with the home communities to focus on local interests and needs.    

Local management of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area is the job of Department of Marine Resources’ Deputy Director of Coastal Restoration and Resiliency, Rhonda Price and her staff.  Price works to facilitate the necessary partnerships of communities, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and individuals who value our region's rich cultural diversity, history, traditions, and natural beauty.

Among her list of projects for 2016, Price described taking the Bon Silene project a step further with plans to bring back the Bon Silene roses to the property.  The property took its name from the carmine-pink flowers that were originally planted on the grounds.

In 2015, grants totaling $200,000 were awarded by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area to help support diverse initiatives.  All of the grant awards will be matched with local or state funding and donated services.

• The Disability Connections received $40,000 to create a film project to preserve and promote the heritage areas of South Mississippi, while designing tours to educate and connect the public, inclusive of people with disabilities.
• To support its comprehensive education outreach program, the Mississippi Heritage Trust received $25,000.  MHT plans to develop the educational program using five significant sites to educate students and the public.
• The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area awarded Stone County Economic Development Partnership a grant of $35,000 to identify, develop and promote heritage resources.
•  The Gautier Colored School will be the beneficiary of a grant of $50,000 to facilitate renovations to create the Gautier Historic Schoolhouse and Cultural Museum.
• Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional CVB was awarded $15,000 to create six Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area signs to be erected at the corridors coming into the 3-6 coastal counties. Additionally, the grants will underwrite a portion of training for college workforce and visitor center personnel that focuses on the assets of the Gulf Coast Heritage Area.
• A grant of $35,000 was awarded to the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain to compose a comprehensive history of the Turkey Creek area, in addition to a feasibility study for the restoration of the Phoenix Naval Store building for use as an interpretive center for the completed historical documents.

Following Hurricane Camille, foundation repairs of Joe Moran’s art studio in Biloxi uncovered twelve skeletons that were originally identified as Native American.  Moran protected the skeletons in situ and went on about his studio work.  Hurricane Katrina ultimately destroyed the structure, which allowed for additional excavation and study of the site.  This examination resulted in the identification of 20 additional burials.  Following osteological study, the remains were identified as French Colonial settlers.  The Moran site is now recognized as the second oldest cemetery of French Colonial settlers in the United States.

The remains of the settlers were reburied on site in Biloxi. The reinterment ceremony included a Rite of Committal conducted by Bishop Roger Morin.  Also participating were Knights of Columbus from local churches as well as members of the 1699 Society in period garb from Ocean Springs. 

As with the planned landscaping at Bon Silene, Rhonda Price and her team are finalizing plans for a memorial garden at the burial site of the settlers.  Design of the gardens will include evergreens styled in the parterre fashion.  Additionally, a life-size sculpture of a weeping angel will be included to honor the colonists and their suffering.  

Whether for restoration, preservation, access projects, signage, or educational programs, the Department of Marine Resources’ Mississippi Gulf Coast Heritage Area team encourages leaders of our area resources to apply for annual grants. For additional information, click here.

Note:  The Bon Silene Restoration and Preservation Project was the Recipient of a 2014 Heritage Award for Preservation Education and the Trustees Award for Exemplary Restoration of a Mississippi Landmark.

 Hancock County Tourism looks back on 2015 with satisfaction and toward 2016 with anticipation!
 - photos by Ellis Anderson

One of the joys of preparing this report is that it gives us the opportunity to look back and be thankful for all that has been accomplished.  The past year was filled with wonderful opportunities and many challenges. The BP-funded advertising print and radio ads were very successful to bring visitors to our area.

Some of the highlights were:

• Stella Blues and BBQ Festival
• Pirate Day in the Bay
• St. Claire Seafood Festival
• Our Lady of the Gulf Crab Fest
• Harbor Fest
• Diamondhead Arts & Crafts Show
• Hancock County Fair
• St. Rose de Lima Heritage Festival
• Monthly events :
  • Bay St. Louis Old Town Second Saturday
  • Lazy Magnolia Brewery First Friday

We also co-sponsored events this year such as:

• Old Town Bay St. Louis Souper Mudfest
• Gulf Coast Regional USA Beach Volleyball tournament held in Waveland

 
Primary Sponsorships for the year were:

• Midsummer Night's Dream Festival in the Historic Depot District
• WGNO News with a Twist
• Crusin' the Coast 2015 in Bay St. Louis
• Snowflakes in the Bay Brochure( listing Hancock County Holiday Events)
• 8th Annual Bay St. Louis Christmas Parade
• Snowflakes and Sugarplums Festival

We were happy to award the Hancock County Tourism Award to Friends of McCloud Park at the 2015 Hancock County Gala. Tourism hosted a dedication reception for the Alice Moseley Pavilion located in the Depot green space. And we welcomed guests from all over the world to the Visitor Center and Mardi Gras Museum.

In 2015 we welcomed over 18,000 guest to our Visitor Center and Mardi Gras Museum; we also  hosted 12,000 Motor Coach Tours and Convention groups from 48 different states and 36 foreign countries. With the increase of foreign visitors to our state, we were lucky to host many European travel writers and members of the press.
 
As the year comes to a close, I would like to express thanks to the Hancock County Tourism Staff and all of those volunteers who labored long and hard to make all of this (and much more) happen.

We would also like to welcome our new board members for 2016.  Finally, we would like to thank the Board for their guidance and support in 2015.  Recognizing the important role of tourism, we will continue to identify and target best-potential customers and inspire them to travel Hancock County Mississippi in 2016.
 
Myrna Green, Manager
Hancock County Tourism Bureau

Common sense is the best resolution, reminds Bay St. Louis fire chief Pam San Fillippo.

Most adults should be able to predict the outcome of bad choices and reckless behavior and therefore, much of the time, prevent the same.  So please make responsible choices when engaging in fun activities. Keep them fun, and set an example for children and young adults.  They pay attention to what we do and how we act more than you might realize. 

Always have a designated driver. Don’t use alcohol along with prescription medication.  And please make sure your children know that they won’t be in trouble, ever, for asking you to come get them after they’ve been out partying or drinking.  And if the party (for kids or adults) is at your house, make sure no one drives home “impaired."

Be aware of your surroundings when you are in large crowds; watch the people around you who might have had just a little too much partying.  If even one person is “getting out of hand,” it’s fairly predictable what will happen. It’s safer to leave the area and if needed, notify the police. 

It’s a new year, and it’s a great time of year with a lot of fun things going on. I predict if you make smart choices in all of your activities, you’ll prevent bad things from ruining a fun time.  Have a safe 2016! 

Dolly meets Bay St. Louis - can you imagine a more delightful combination? Find out all the happenings!
- story by Ana Balka

• Pull on your most impressive wig and your snuggest western shirt.  Then apply makeup liberally and strut down to the Washington Street pier at 4 p.m. for BSL Icy Pint Athletic Association’s (non-timed) Books, Boots and Boobs 5K Costume Run. Proceeds benefit the Library Foundation of Hancock County on behalf of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. See more info and register here.

• Afterwards, keep your shirt on because the Dolly look-alike contest happens at Smith & Lens at 7:30, and organizers strongly encourage both women and men to unleash the Dolly within! Judges include writer Kyle Tibbs Jones of the Bitter Southerner, Tales of the Cocktail founder Ann Tuennerman, and Bay Town Inn owner Nikki Moon, with prizes including $25, $50 and $100 gift certificates from Bella Mar boutique in the Bay Town Emporium and swag bags from Smith & Lens.

• ​
• The Bay St. Louis Rotary Club and Social Chair gift shop are sponsoring a Dolly Parton Edible Sculpture Contest to raise awareness for Dolly’s Imagination Library, with $200 in prizes for winners. Bring entries to Social Chair, 201 Main Street, by noon for judging at 2 p.m. For registration and more information see the Social Chair’s Facebook page.
• Square Dancing at George’s Girls boutique, 108 S. Beach Boulevard. Square Dancing with calling by Dan Wally Baker & Band, 6-7 p.m. All are welcome to join. For more info, see George’s Girls Facebook page.
• 
  
• Look for temporary lending library boxes near participating businesses around Old Town.

• From 1-6 p.m., the French Potager, 213 Main Street, will host a PETTING ZOO as well as Imagination Station with lots of kids’ activities, including a Pin the Hair on the Dolly game! (Dolly’s wigs from multiple decades will be available for pinning!)

• Carroll HouseB&B, 304 Carroll Avenue and Bay-tique, 125 Main Street, are hosting Hayrides from 3-6 p.m.!

• Flaunt your Dolly lip-syncing skills on the balcony at Bay Emporium (112 South Second Street)!

• There's a pie contest at Gourmet Galley (111C Main Street) with a gift basket valued at $250 as the prize!  See details below or go to the Gourmet Galley Facebook page.

 “I hope we have a hundred or more Dollys walking around,” said Alicein Wonderland of Mockingbird Cafe, where Poplarville bluegrass band Cross Ties will perform on the outdoor stage in full western regalia.
 
No justification is needed for throwing a party in honor of Dolly Parton, but Dolly’s well-known philanthropy inspired Smith & Lens co-owners Ann Madden and Sandy Maggio when they brainstormed a follow-up to Frida Fest, which brought enthusiastic crowds to the Bay in celebration of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo last July.
 
The Dollywood Foundation runs Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, close to Dolly’s girlhood home. According to its website the park provides over 3000 jobs and hosts more than two million visitors annually. In 1995 the foundation launched the Imagination Library, which gives more than 10 million books to children under the age of five every year in communities across North America and the United Kingdom.
 
Dolly’s work in literacy and her commitment to giving back to her community were things that Madden, who is a photographer, and silversmith Maggio wanted to promote in Bay St. Louis.
 
“A big thing that draws us to Dolly is she came from Pigeon Forge, and she has brought so much back to that community,” says Sandy. “Their economy has boomed because of her. She shined a light on them. Plus, she seems game for anything!”
 
Smith & Lens opened in January 2015 as a venue for Madden and Maggio’s work and as a place for them to curate shows by other regional and nationally known artists. But larger participatory events like Frida Fest and “Surrender” — a mass collaboration in which artists “surrender” an incomplete work and then finish the work of another participant — are events that will go on annually, and which reveal community-building vision that goes beyond commercial aspiration.
 
“Bringing back to the community is big,” Sandy says. “We strive consciously to bring visibility to the Bay. We want people to know what’s here.”
 
“We want the community to be a part of it,” she says of Smith & Lens’s events. “We try to be super, super inclusive with everything we do. It’s not always about selling the art; it’s about just being exposed to it.”
 
And in case you were wondering, Dolly has indeed been notified of the citywide shindig, and is “Interested! As are all of her impersonators,” laughs Ann.
 
Will she show up?
 
“There are rumors,” says Sandy.

A trip to Key West fills Rheta's notebook with some interesting observations - by Rheta Grimsley Johnson

Pat Murphy recalls Christmases past and youthful hijinks in this installment of his book-in-progress about historic Bay St. Louis.

The monthly art event takes on a Nashville spin by celebrating Dolly Parton's birthday with an art show, special events and a costume contest.   And both Hot Spots offering store specials to readers of this article!
 - story by Karen Fineran, photos by Ellis Anderson

One of the community's most vibrant women reveals her secret for getting things done:  Keep moving. 
- story by Pat Saik, photos by Ellis Anderson

October 17, 2015

photography by Brittney Bostick

New 3-D printers are making prosthetic devices, making limb loss a “nuisance instead of a disability.” 
- by Dr. Christina Richardson, photos courtesy of Enabling the Future. 

Jon Schull, a research scientist at Rochester Institute of Technology MAGIC Center created an online community, e-NABLE, that pairs children and adults with missing or deformed fingers, hands, or forearms with makers who produce customized 3-D-printed prostheses that can improve their lives.

Enabling The Future is an organization connecting people who are in need and the 3-D printing hobbyists who volunteer to design, print, and fit the devices. A Google+ community was created for makers to collaborate, innovate and improve the open source designs.

Just like printing a document, you press print and the 3-D printer builds the object designed on the screen by putting down tiny layers of plastic to make it.  A prosthetic arm — a fancy one — costs about $40,000, too much to spend on a child who would outgrow it in a year.

One in 2,000 children are born with some kind of an arm- or hand abnormality. They can’t pick things up, write, draw, or play ball with that hand. With a 3-D printer you can make a device with $20 worth of plastic. If it breaks, is outgrown, or the technology improves, just make a new arm or finger or make it another color. The devices hold up well and help kids be just like their friends, but with a cool robo-arm they may have helped design themselves.

Jon Schull spoke to Gwen Ifill on the PBS Newshour on November 23rd. 

Schull said, “You know, disability is a funny word. Disability means you can’t do something. A person has a disability if he’s in a world where he can’t do something. The technology of eyeglasses turned nearsightedness and farsightedness in to a nuisance, when it used to be a disability. New technology is going to turn things like you’re missing a hand or you can’t move your body or you have brain damage into a nuisance, rather than a disability.”

Amazing what we humans are capable of. If you have or get a 3-D printer, consider getting into the hand-making business — you will change a disability into a nuisance.

This month, Daisy Mae (our columnist and registered seizure-alert dog) introduces neighbor rabbit Beatrix Potter, a "house rabbit." 

“She was young when we got her on Mother’s Day and we quickly realized that she was very different from the other 10 rabbits we’ve had. She is very interactive and vocalizes much more than our other rabbits did.”

Rabbits are very social and get bored without companionship. Just picturing one bunny in a hutch in the backyard is a sad thought. Shawn told me that as a solitary female Beatrix needed to imprint on someone, so she now considers Shawn and Woody her fellow rabbits.  Woody is her soulmate and she misses him when she goes to work. She growls, and she has a funny whimper she uses when you pick her up to bring her back inside that says, “I wanna stay outside.”

Beatrix is litter box trained and considers the entire house her warren. When people realized they could litter-train, rabbits became indoor pets. They quickly become integrated into a family's day-to-day activities and add their own special personalities to the mix.

Ms. Beatrix is fond of hopping from rug to rug, her little furry feet never touching the hard floor. Because rabbits need to dig, it is very important for a house bunny to have time outside — in a safe environment, of course. If that isn't possible, watch out for your furniture and your carpets. 

Ms. Beatrix loves to play, and one of her favorites games is chase. She begs to be chased and to chase. She has a favorite toy. When she gets up in the morning and is let out of her crate she goes for her pink ball which she throws, chases, cuddles and loves on.

If you are considering a bunny for your future think about getting two so they can keep each other company. Having just one like Shawn and Woody do is fine if you take that hour or two a day for bunny time.

If you think a bunny might be a good addition to your family consider checking out the House Rabbit Society, and watch the video below.

Event organizer, Martha Whitney Butler is an artist and floral designer who owns the French Potager in Bay St. Louis.  Butler has been creating small quirky installations in her Main Street shop since she opened three years ago and they’ve become a draw for locals and regular customers, who often stop in just to see her latest creation. 
 
Butler, who also serves as president of The Arts, Hancock County and is a popular columnist with the Fourth Ward Cleaver webzine, has been planning a larger, outdoor floral installation for more than a year.  In October, a group of florists in Detroit made national news by transforming an abandoned building into a“flower house.” Butler was inspired to invite other coast artists and floral designers to work with her on a collaborative project here on the coast to bring in the new year. 
 
According to Butler, the exhibit will be a “jungle of flora and fauna.”  The installation will cover the outside wall of a building on the corner of Main and Second Street, “grow” across an iron patio fence bordering the sidewalk and move through the doors of the historic cottage that is home to Smith and Lens Gallery.  The gallery walls - and even the ceilings - will be included with the installation. 

There's a suggested five dollar donation to view the part of the installation that's in the gallery.  Funds collected will be split between the artists to help cover the costs of the materials.  Several show related items will also be for sale in the gallery, with proceeds going toward project expenses.
 
Butler’s a bit cagey about exactly what the installation will look like.  She wants it to be “a surprise,” and says that it’s evolving.  She did describe a “bird’s nest throne” however. 
 
She says “the point of the project is to emphasize the transitory beauty of life and nature and encourage people to appreciate small moments of joy as time moves on.” 

Smaller installations by Butler in the French Potager

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke welcomes in the New Year with news about the classic Nereids parade, the opening of the new Beacon Theater, a no-truck ordinance, and a recap of the year's achievements. 

So many books, so little time!  You'll love these "Best Book" lists  - including columnist Carole McKellar's personal faves.

If you're featured in one of the pictures above, feel free to copy it onto your desktop and share.  If you're posting it somewhere like Facebook, a nod to the Cleaver is much appreciated!  These images are low resolution for faster internet loading - which means they won't print to best advantage.   Click here to purchase prints or high resolution files.

If you're featured in one of the pictures above, feel free to copy it onto your desktop and share.  If you're posting it somewhere like Facebook, a nod to the Cleaver is much appreciated!  These images are low resolution for faster internet loading - which means they won't print to best advantage.  Click here  to purchase prints or high resolution files.

If you're featured in one of the pictures above, feel free to copy it onto your desktop and share.  If you're posting it somewhere like Facebook, a nod to the Cleaver is much appreciated!  These images are low resolution for faster internet loading - which means they won't print to best advantage.  Click here  to purchase prints or high resolution files.

If you're featured in one of the pictures above, feel free to copy it onto your desktop and share.  If you're posting it somewhere like Facebook, a nod to the Cleaver is much appreciated!  These images are low resolution for faster internet loading - which means they won't print to best advantage.  Click here  to purchase prints or high resolution files.

This month:  Leaders unite to save trolley, a distillery in the Kiln, Bay Beautification in the news, Bay businesswoman competes for Mrs. MS crown, Alice Moseley's Pavilion and Edwards takes new post.

December 3, 2015 - Excerpted from the Mississippi Business Journal: 

Matt Crittenden’s goal is to start making craft whiskey next year on the family farm in the Kiln community. When the liquor starts to flow, it will be the first legal whiskey produced in an area once known as a moonshine capital.

Crittenden, who has a law degree, has had a lifelong fascination with local bootlegging and the lore that still surrounds it. He was about 8 years old when he and his physician father, Dr. James Crittenden, came across the remnants of a still in the piney woods.

“Growing up in Bay St. Louis and the Kiln, you always heard these romantic stories about moonshine whiskey,” he said. “Whiskey is such a part of the history of Hancock County.”

Click here to read the entire article!

Katharine Truett Ohman and the Bay St. Louis beautification efforts caught the eye of the Journal of the Society for Louisiana Irises.  Click on the picture below to open and a digital copy of the article.  Great work, BSL Public Works Department and Katharine! 

She's a popular blogger, a savvy businesswoman, and a video producer.  Now the Bay's own Jaimee Dorris in the running to be the next Mrs. Mississippi.  Of course she'll be vlogging her way through the process, so we'll all be able to follow along on her adventure, which promises to be a fun ride!

Below is one of Dorris's "Hump Day Jams" taped during Cruisin' the Coast, featuring her mom and sister.

If you've driven by the historic Depot lately, you may have wondered about the white Victorian style pavilion that's been built slightly toward the duck pond side of the park.  The new Alice Moseley Pavilion was officially dedicated last month and will soon be playing a role in the outdoor entertainment life of the city. 

The Pavilion is named after one of the most beloved folk artists in the state, who lived and worked in a blue cottage nearby.  The structure was donated by The Friends of Alice Moseley Foundation, which also supports the popular Alice Moseley Museum on the upper floor of the historic depot.  Hancock Tourism leaders are working with the city and the foundation to establish a new Folk Art festival in the future.  Also under consideration are live outdoor performances sponsored by the Depot District Association. 

The pavilion will host it's premier live performance during the 4th annual Snowflakes and Sugarplums festival that will be held on the depot grounds on December 5th. The festival is open to the public and takes place from noon til 5pm.  The event's finale will feature the popular performers Roman Street, who will be putting the pavilion to good use from 3:30 - 5pm.  People are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for the park's concert. 

The most wonderful time of the year anywhere is even better in Bay St. Louis!
 - story by Karen Fineran, photos by Ellis Anderson

photography by Sean Smith

Our creative community boasts a bonanza of cool gifts by local artists!
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson and Ana Balka

Yep!  A regular plethora of artists:
and we've hot-linked Cleaver sponsors who represent them!

By some estimates, over 100 artists show work in Old Town.   The established veteran, Gallery 220/Clay Creations (220 Main Street) is home to 22 artists and craftspeople.   The new Bohemian Gallery and  Something Special host around 20 each, right next door to each other.  The French Potager is home to three more.  The Sycamore House and the Starfish Café use their restaurant walls to showcase local artists too.  That’s just on the 200 block of Main!

Just around the corner on Second Street, Antique Maison, Social Chair, Bay Emporium, Flair, and the Mockingbird Café are longtime venues for local artists.  The new Smith & Lens Gallery has gained a statewide reputation for excellence and imaginative shows in the year that it's been open. 

Toward the beach, on the first block of Main Street, Twin Light Creations, Maggie May’s, Jean Anne’s Fashion Express and the new Bay Life Gifts all feature work by superb local artists.  By all means, one can’t forget the iconic Jim Bonner at the Bonner Collection on Beach Boulevard (in French Settlement). Cappie's Point, also in the French Settlement building, is the sponsor of this Arts Alive monthly column! 

In Old Town's Depot District, The Lawson Studio boasts a collection of art to complement the most discriminating decor, while folk art lovers can pick up prints of popular original paints by the renowned Alice Moseley in the museum named in her honor (top floor of the historic depot building).

Antique shops like Magnolia Antiques and Antique Maison Ulman can be gold mines for outsider or collectible vintage art and artifacts.  While it's hard to guarantee their point of origin, by shopping locally, you're still investing in your community while having a blast!

Special Shopping Opportunities!

Happy Holidays from the Crew at the Cleaver!