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The sugary Southern tradition of baking artful - and delectable - cakes for special occasions is celebrated in this story looking back at some of the town's best bakers. 
- story by Denise Jacobs

• My mom loved Doberge cake, so when I found out I could get a Doberge cake without traveling to Gambino’s in Metairie—a cake that was just as good if not better—I would get one every year for my mom’s birthday. Many happy memories were made sitting around one of Ruth’s cakes! 
•  Ditto all that! 
• Especially the raspberry one. Always had that when out of town guests came in. 
• Yes! Love me Ruth’s baked goods! 
• Oh yes! I used to buy two or three cakes at a time at Ruth’s—Doberge! I’d have one cake to give away and one to take home. I miss those days!

Still, beloved as she was, Ruth Thompson, owner of Ruth’s Cakery in Bay St. Louis, was just one of several cherished cake makers in the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area. 
And there was Inez Blaize Favre (1900-1983). 

In the ‘60s, Inez and daughters Udell and Inez—or “Little Inez” as she was known—baked from their house on Felicity Street. Little Inez became Inez Favre Pope. She baked from her home on Highland Drive in her retirement from the late ‘80s until Katrina destroyed the house. 

Rachel Pope Cross, one of Mrs. Pope’s daughters, remembers her father building a special kitchen on the back of the house to have a proper home bakery. “A delicacy was always in the oven,” Mrs. Cross said, “and friends and neighbors popped in almost every day of the year to pick up their sweet treats.” 

Mrs. Cross remembers her mother baking over 500 petit fours for the opening of a Biloxi casino. “It fell to me to put dots on sugar cubes to resemble dice.”

Danita Scianna Luttrell, another of Inez Blaize Favre’s 40+ grandchildren, remembers her Aunt Udell as the master decorator. “Aunt Udell once baked a five-foot tall lighthouse for a Hancock Bank anniversary; I can still see it sitting in the lobby of Hancock Bank down on the beach.” 

Both Luttrell and Cross remember customers bringing party-themed napkins to Little Inez and Udell. Danita or Rachel would transfer the design onto the cake with a toothpick, and the bakers would fill it in with icing or hollowed-out sugar mold designs.  As the girls tell it, all the relatives got in on the act at one point or another by washing mounds of mixing bowls, delivering cakes, or answering the front door.  

Luttrell remembers her grandmother as an amazing cook and a woman who did everything to perfection. “She would spend more money making something perfect than she made selling it!” Luttrell attributes this to a convent-based education. “She just wanted everything to be beautiful, and she passed down all her talents, from cookery to crewel to cakery, to her children and grandchildren.” 

L:  wedding cake by Inez Favre Pope for daughter Rachel Cross.  Top R:  wedding cake for Inez Favre Pope made by Inez Favre.  Lower R:  cake by Inez Favre Pope for Rachel Cross's daughter.  Photos courtesy Rachel Cross

Other cake bakers in the Inez line include Laurin LaFontaine, daughter of one of Inez Blaize Favre’s sons. LaFontaine baked from the mid-1970s through the late ‘90s. Also, Mary Ann Benvenutti, another grandchild, began baking out of her home in the late 1980s. Benvenutti no longer bakes except for special family events. At Christmas, her red velvet cake graces the family dinner table.  

• That red velvet cake has a permanent place in my heart. Many fond memories and never able to replicate it
• The best red velvet cake! 
• My wedding cake won state contest. It had beautiful white doves on top.

Luttrell said that all the women have Inez Blaize Favre’s cake recipes but are sworn to secrecy. “The red velvet cake frosting was not the typical cream cheese type,” she says.  “It was almost like a whipped cream, but it’s not whipped cream.”

More cakes by Inez Farve's descendants:  Top left - Moana cake by Paul Scianna, top right, graduation cake by Mary Ann Scianna Benvenutti, Car birthday cake (center) by Mary Ann Scianna Benvenutti, lower left - chocolate cake by Laurie Benvenutti, lower right - Berry Chantilly cake by Laurie Benvenutti. Photos courtesy Danita Scianna Luttrell 

Women were not the only ones working the cake angle. Other FB commenters mentioned Gregory Morreale, who is said to have made birthday, holiday, and christening cakes that were works of art.

• I remember going to the Morreale house with my mother and sitting under the kitchen table eating petit fours. 
• I remember Gregg and his partner making my wedding cake. It was wonderful! They even put silver pulls in it for me. 
• Scott and Greg used to make my kids’ birthday cakes. I’d just hand them my Hallmark invitation, and they’d work something up to go with the theme. They always made me a big cake for the guests and a little cake for the birthday boy or girl. 
• Gregg and Scott did awesome work. Their cakes were the best tasting and most beautiful cakes around—the best hands down.  

While it is likely that Katrina washed away many photographs of cake-worthy occasions—and there were many—our fondest memories are intact, right down to the aroma of delicate vanilla and warm butter baking, a cake’s soft velvety texture, and the distinctive and delicious taste of childhood—an essence we have never quite been able to replicate. 


Special thanks to "You Know You're From the Bay" Facebook page and contributors.

A new grassroots group seeks to support both the Bay St. Louis Historic District and the volunteer commission that oversees it.  
- by Grace Wilson 

The Bay St. Louis Historic District, created after Hurricane Katrina with the overwhelming support of property owners within its boundaries, helps preserve the city’s unique ambiance and charm. It’s overseen by a Historic Preservation  Commission (HPC) made up of volunteers, each with experience in some relevant field – history, restoration, architecture, real estate and construction. 

In the wake of a proposed motion recently circulated between some council members and the administration - one proposing to dissolve the HPC - a new group formed in May.  Its mission is to network and solidify community support for the Historic District and the Historic District Commission. 

​The grass-roots group was begun by Ellis Anderson, publisher of the Shoofly Magazine. Anderson served on the HPC for five years and is currently a Mississippi Heritage Trust board member. In the first few weeks after establishment, the group garnered 400 followers/members as word spread about its Facebook page (see BSL Historic District Supporters) and website.  

​The Bay St. Louis Historic District Supporters (BSLHDS) website calls historic Bay St. Louis the place “where good things come together.”  The group connects the dots between economic development, quality of life and community heritage engendered by the district. There are no dues and no meetings.  Information is relayed to members as threats to the district or positive news about the district occurs. ​

​The website encourages citizens to attend the public meetings by posting the schedule and agendas.  Basic information about the district itself is also made available so people can learn more about this valuable city asset.  

​“Property values in the historic district of Old Town Bay St. Louis are the highest and most desirable along the coast,” said Terie Velardi, a group member and a state certified appraiser.  Velardi was also instrumental in helping create the district and served on the HPC for several years. 

 “Historic preservation is a significant component in support of property values and the character of Old Town,” said Velardi.  “The blending of the old and thoughtful new development protects and enhances the interest and value of all properties.”   

Lolly Rash agrees that new development can complement the historic district.  

“By setting the bar high, you get better development,” Rash said. “Bay St. Louis is not a blank slate. It has a unique character.  If you’re smart about developing, you are respectful of that fabric.”

The city charges the volunteers of the HPC to oversee all building within the district.  Applicants for most building permits within the district also submit applications to the HPC.  The HPC is an advisory board that meets monthly and oversees about 150 applications each year.  New building projects – whether restorations or new construction within the district - are brought before the commission while they’re still in the planning phase.  

At the monthly public meetings, the commission refers to the written, adopted design guidelines while inspecting the plans.  The majority pass through without issue.  A few are passed with stipulations.  

On rare occasions, a property owner will disagree with the commission’s decision and appeal to the city council. In the past five years, only six property owners have opted to appeal the commission’s decisions. 

The supporters’ website credits this less than one percent appeal record on the fact that the BSL HPC “has a long-standing reputation for ‘going by the book.’  Decisions are based on written guidelines adopted by the city, not politics or the personal preferences of commissioners.” 

The BSLHDS website also points out that the Historic District Design Guidelines are akin to the covenants property owners must adhere to when they buy into upscale neighborhoods. Property values are protected from unsightly/inappropriate development, which offsets any minor inconvenience at having to apply for an additional permit.   

While property values and economic development are the backbone benefits of historic preservation districts across the country, honoring community heritage plays a part as well.

​Rash recalled post-Katrina Bay St. Louis as a place where residents were determined to preserve the remaining historic buildings that had survived the devastating hurricane (the city lost hundreds during the storm).  

“I remember very vividly the lead-up to the original ordinances and how passionate the community was on these historic priorities,”  Rash said. “But citizens need to continue to let elected officials know how important their community character is.” 

She continued, “It can be discouraging when you feel like you don’t have a voice or you feel like you’re being dismissed, but you have to step up and stand for what you believe is important in your community.” 

A savvy entrepreneur and nature lover finds that making camping easy for others isn't just fun - it's a growing business.  Meet Kristine Lyons of Gulf Coast Camper Rentals.
- story by Lisa Monti, photos courtesy GCCR

Kristine Lyons has held on to fond childhood memories of family camping trips to Buccaneer State Park, exploring nature trails and pulling in fish and crabs on the seawall with her brother.

Those special memories were so strong that she wanted her own kids to have similar experiences, so Lyons continued the tradition of camping at Buccaneer with them as they grew up.

Lyons knew that the camping tradition was successfully passed when her daughter asked to go camping on a visit home from college. But there was a hitch.
​

“I had just sold my camper, and when we started looking for one to rent we couldn’t find one. I ended up buying one,” she said. Always the entrepreneur, Lyons decided on that very camping trip to start renting her new rig to help make payments on it. That was in late 2014 and in short order Gulf Coast Camper Rentals was officially in business.

A Facebook page and word of mouth quickly attracted customers, so she doubled down on inventory based on high demand. “I bought another one and it stayed booked. Then two more,” Lyons said.  “Once I got to six I quit my day job. Selling furniture wasn’t my thing anyway,”  she said.

Today there are 13 2017-2018 model campers for rent in an assortment of sizes for $120 to $155 a night with a two-night minimum.  The largest can comfortably accommodate four adults and four children.
​

But Lyons takes it one step further by offering delivery and set up of the campers at several campsites in Hancock County and beyond. Her brother, Robert Miller, and his wife, Michelle, take care of delivery and pick up, servicing and cleaning up everything when you’re headed back home. 

Yes, all the renters have to do is show up and, well, camp. “That’s what we do the best,” she said of the unique delivery, set up and pick up service. “We’re living in a society where nobody has enough time. They would rather me do the work so they can just show up and have fun. Our motto is, ‘We do the work, You enjoy the adventure!’ ”

Locally, Gulf Coast Camper Rentals sets up at Buccaneer State Park, long Mississippi’s most popular state park, McLeod Park, the campsites connected to the Silver Slipper Casino and Hollywood Casino and nearby Flint Creek in Stone County. The convenience will cost you an additional $85 for locations in Hancock County. Farther afield you pay by the mile.

Lately they have set up for campers at the new Reunion Lake facility in Robert, La., as well as at popular campgrounds in Lumberton and throughout Louisiana and over to Gulf Shores, Ala., and Destin, Fla.

Lyons said the campers aren’t used strictly for camping. They’re popular with participants at festivals, Cruising the Coast, ATV events and the annual Gulf Coast Winter Classic horse show in Harrison County. “People use them for mother-in-law suites in their yard and for weddings. Film companies use them when they’re shooting commercials and just to hang out in.”

She’s also thinking about adding some special packages for honeymooners and customized services customers may request. 

“We’re flexible. We just want you to have good time.”

It seems that when people get a taste of camping, they enjoy it enough to want to do it again and that means plenty of repeat business for Gulf Coast Camper Rentals. “Some of our best customers owned campers in the past and are not interested in owning one now. They want to camp a couple of times a year and renting is cheaper.”

The success of the camper rentals led Lyons to buy a building on Highway 603 and open a camper store which is stocked with camper parts and supplies, everything from water hoses to backup cameras. 
​

“We’re doing camper service now too,” she said. She and her brother are newly certified recreational vehicle inspectors available for those looking to invest in an RV. “We’re trying to be a one-stop shop,” Lyons said.

And she’s keeping the family camping tradition going these days by taking her grandchildren camping at Buccaneer. “Basically, camping is making memories. Even the most miserable times we had camping we still laugh about today.


Gulf Coast Camper Rentals
10381 Highway 603, Suite A
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
228-463-3200
Email: info@gulfcoastcampers.com

During the Second Saturday Artwalk each month in Old Town Bay St. Louis, you'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music!  The good times roll year around with this family-friendly event celebrating life and art in the Bay. 
- stories by Denise Jacobs

Be sure to check out "Hot Spots" Bodega Sales and Rentals (111 Court Street) and California Drawstrings (216 Main Street).

On Second Saturday, June 9, California Drawstrings will give away a pair of sunglasses with every purchase. The Renegades, a five-piece variety band that plays classic and current dance, rock, contemporary, and country music, will perform from 4pm to 8pm.

Linda Keenan, owner of California Drawstrings, 216 Main Street, will tell you her boutique specializing in cotton, linen, and silk doesn’t have much to do with California. In fact, her company has been firmly rooted in the Gulf South since Keenan had her entrepreneur moment at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans.

“I was working in real estate in North Carolina when I saw this fabulous line of linen clothing at a boat show,” said Keenan. “I knew I wanted to continue my real estate career and move to New Orleans, but I thought people visiting for the World’s Fair weren’t going to understand the heat and humidity. I thought I could earn some extra money by selling this cool clothing line in the French Market, and it just really took off.”

In the beginning, California Drawstrings focused on two or three lines of clothing, and now it stocks about 50 vendors.

"We are always looking for what’s new and different in the marketplace," Keenan explains. "We still carry old standbys like Flax and Matchpoint, but we have found other great boutique lines like Cut Loose, April Cornell, and Fridaze's wrinkle-resistant linen. We have the largest selection of linen and cotton on the Gulf Coast.  We’re a niche retailer. We’re not everything to everybody, but in the natural fiber clothing line, we have a huge selection, and various sizes."

Keenan quickly outgrew her French Market booth and moved into the French Quarter and Covington, La. Today her store on Royal Street in New Orleans is a well-known spot for men and women to pick up the best in resort wear—shirts, pants, shorts, dresses, skirts, outerwear and accessories. No matter how high temperatures rise, California Drawstrings has something for everyone to be comfortable and stylish. 
 
“One day Nancy Moynan of Lulu's called me saying the mayor of Bay St. Louis told her about my shop and they thought it would be a good fit for Bay St. Louis,” Keenan said. “I went to see her space at Maggie May’s and opened a Bay St. Louis branch in 2012.”

​ Just as Keenan faced the familiar problem of outgrowing the space a couple of years later, she heard of a business for sale on Main Street. She saw the building and immediately made an offer. 

"We have so much more space in our Bay St. Louis location - and lots of parking, too,” she said.

"We get a lot of repeat customers, and it is not unusual to sit down with customers and just chat late in the afternoon."

Besides being a picturesque beach town, what she loves about Bay St. Louis is the people. "The people I meet in the store are probably the most rewarding aspect of owning the shop,” she said. 

Bay St. Louis, she said, is a place she wants to spend the rest of her life. “I’ll never really retire, but the pace is so much easier here than in New Orleans.” And after a while, she said, you just appreciate not having to worry about things like parking.

“I feel like I have the greatest sales team and the greatest managers,” Keenan said. “They look after the stores as if they were their own. The greatest compliment you can give me is that you love my staff. They are truly like family to me, watching out for what’s best for all of us. I can’t be in three places at once."

Betty Krieger has been with Keenan since she opened the Bay St. Louis shop and when she retires in June 2018, Stephanie Cooper will take over as manager. 

"And to think I literally started with two tables and $1,500 at the French Market.” ​

As a Second Saturday Hot Spot, Bodega will serve up specials on coconut margaritas and other tropical drinks and a Cuban Special by Chef Rickey.  ​

Located in the heart of Old Town Bay St. Louis, the Bodega is a recently renovated multifaceted complex featuring everything you’ll need to get the best out of this lively and charming town.

Looking for a way to get around town during your stay? Don't have a bike?  You can rent them at Bodega (just off Beach Boulevard at 111 Court Street).  Feeling more adventurous?  You can also ply the local waters with kayaks and paddle boards, also available for rent there.  Bodega Adventure Rentals and Sales has just what you need.  

The idea for Bodega evolved over time. Visionary entrepreneur Kevin Jordan bought the building from the city when it went up for auction several years ago. “I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with it,” he said. “I often put the cart before the horse when it comes to real-estate decisions.” 
​
The property was in excellent shape, having been renovated by the city after Hurricane Katrina, if not a little staid. Jordan and crew went to work using reclaimed Katrina lumber, stucco, and paints. The building’s first iteration was to house the offices of his Gulfview Properties before making the transformation to beach hangout. 
​

Jordan rented bicycles first and then golf carts, followed by kayaks and paddle boards. Then he built a bar, subdivided the first floor for a liquor store and converted the second floor to a loft for yoga. 

Jordan recently teamed up with chef extraordinaire Rickey Peters, who has developed an enormous Gulf Coast following in the past 20 years. Out back, a deep French Quarter style balcony is being added to the building and will offer a covered area for dining below.  Inside, the 1,000-square-foot bar and dining area is adjacent to the kitchen where Rickey serves up his specials.  

Bodega gets its name from the town of Bodega in Northern California, home of Hitchcock’s thriller film The Birds, and one of Jordan’s favorite places to visit when he is at his family’s vineyard in Napa Valley. El Bodega is one of Jordan’s favorite bars in Havana. Jordan explains that in and around New York City, the term is used to refer to a convenience/liquor store, and that seems to fit, as he hopes to eventually carry beach and convenience store items. 
​

More than anything, Jordan would like to see Bodega become a local destination. After all, “everyone wants to go where the locals go.”  Conveniently located half a block from the beach, the Parrot Head Bar and Grill is the perfect hangout to relax and unwind, and Jordan seems to be off to a very good start. 

Bodega Rentals & Sales is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Parrot Head is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until closing time and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. 

George Mills and the Invisibles performs at Bodega each Saturday from 6 p.m.  until.
​

Everyone is invited to join in the creative energy at Gallery 220 Main, home to over 25 local artists. June Second Saturday at the Gallery offers live music from Dave Holt and Friends, delicious food and good company. Find us at 220 Main St., Bay St. Louis, MS, just two blocks north of the beach. Call 228-466-6347 for additional information.

June in Bay St. Louis brings hot temperatures, sandy swimsuits and the taste of saltwater. It also brings together two of the Bay’s top artists, painters Barbara Brodtmann and Janet Densmore. The pair will be featured the entire month at Gallery 220 Main.

Barbara Brodtmann creates unique impressions of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Her subjects range from horn blowing Jazz musicians to beach strutting Sandpipers, all the while capturing the unique colors and light with her favorite mediums of watercolor and acrylic. In addition to her paintings, Barbara has a long history of teaching art, to both children and adults and many have attended her popular Wine, Women and Watercolor sessions. 
 
Janet Densmore will be showing more of her acrylic altered landscapes and beach scenes that change color by means of transparent pigments and minerals. Some images shift from vibrant neorealism to linear abstraction as the viewer moves closer to the paintings. In her smaller paintings and sculptures, Janet pushes the classic genre of still life to hilarious extremes in works she likes to call “Food For Thought,” with titles like “Confronting GMO” and “Cutting Down On Fats.”

Also at Gallery 220 on Second Saturday

Gallery 220 Main, located in old Town Bay St. Louis and MAP (Music, Arts and Practicality) of Hancock Co. have been working together since last March, when the co-operative art gallery had its grand re-opening.

​ Artist Amy Kramer created an acrylic on canvas banner that has been featured in the front window of the gallery since the re-opening. Knowing the window would be reset for summer, Kramer and gallery artists decided to raffle the painting, with all funds going to the MAP summer camp program.

 The $5 raffle tickets will be available for purchase until the drawing, which will take place on Saturday, June 9 at 7 pm in the gallery showroom.

MAP states its mission is to, “provide an enriching environment at no cost for children in grades K-12 and to explore and learn Music, Arts, and Practicality (Life Skills) by establishing a multicultural Children's Theater and Children's Choir.”

This year’s production is, “Shrek, Jr. the Musical” and will be performed later in the summer. MAP is a 501c3 non-profit organization and operates with a volunteer staff. It offers a four to six-week summer camp experience for children who would not normally be able to attend camp due to finances.

MAP representatives and children, along with Gallery 220 artists invite you to join us for this special event. Please call, (228) 466-6347 for additional information or visit our Facebook page for current happenings.

An Old Town retail anchor spreads out in their new location inside one of the Historic District's showstoppers - Century Hall.  Find out what's new and what's the same at Bay Life, from owner Janice Guido.
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson 

Another neighbor is Gallery Edge, an exhibit space featuring works by 10 artists that has already made a name for itself as an artistic showplace. “I love the fact that Gallery Edge is here,” Guido said. “Art galleries like it are very important because they help support the talented artists of the Mississippi coast.”

Guido points out that she sells only original artwork in Bay Life, another advantage that makes her shop special. There’s also home decor such as lamps and pillows, table settings and jewelry.

Local artists Tehle McGuffee and Tracy Stieffel have been with Bay Life since it opened three years ago. A new artist, Donna Cowart Martin, sells her glass work there. 

The shop’s merchandise is meant to reflect the Southern charm of life on the Bay, and shoppers can pick out the perfect gift or something special for their own homes.  

Bay Life’s wedding registry offers beautiful gifts including glassware and table linens. The shop has free gift wrapping or gift bags for all purchases. And if you can’t make up your mind on a purchase, gift certificates are available.

There is one more bragging point about Bay Life Gifts making  Century Hall its home and it’s a major convenience for customers: free parking. That amenity is evident just about every day. A customer came in to Bay Life recently on her lunch hour to buy a wedding gift and pulled right into one of the reserved parking spaces alongside the building.

​“As a retailer, that’s key to your business, especially if you’re trying to keep good local customers,” Guido said. “In today’s world,  a lot of people are working and everybody is in a hurry.”

There’s even plenty of seating at Century Hall for those who want to rest and chat while others shop.

Besides shopping with her and her Century Hall retail neighbors, Guido says locals and visitors can take advantage of shopping and dining at the other unique buildings along and around Second Street. That’s more synergy for merchants and shoppers take take advantage of in Old Town.

With all those selling points at Bay Lift’s new address, it’s easy to see that Guido made the right move. “I’m very happy to be here. It feels right, and everybody really likes the way things look here.”

Bay Life Gifts
112 S. Second St (at Century Hall)
Bay St Louis, MS
228-304-0636

Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed Monday
Or anytime by appointment 
​

Chef Rickey Peters settles into his new Court Street kitchen in Bodega's, taking bar food to new heights with delectable sandwiches, tapas, and of course, his signature gumbo. 
- story by Lisa Monti

Then, Rickey and Kevin Jordan teamed up at Rickey’s Off the Tracks in the Bay’s Depot District. That place was a smaller venue but it quickly became a popular spot. 

These days, Rickey is running the kitchen inside Bodega’s on Court Street, another Kevin Jordan production, where the Parrot Head Bar has tacked on “Grill” to its name. Doors opened March 15 and fans, along with visitors, quickly found their way to the tropical themed Bodega venture that includes a liquor store, yoga studio loft and bike, golf cart and water sports rentals.

The menu is abbreviated compared to the Waveland and Zuppardo kitchens where Chef Rickey presided.  It has just three categories: the Krewe of Sandwiches, Hola Tapas and A Bite of Cultcha. 

Clearly, the New Orleans/Cajun cultural imprint is strong; Rickey got started cooking with renowned chef Paul Prudhomme, so the New Orleans/Cajun cultural imprint is strong. 

Witness the rich Gumbo Ya-Ya, Cochon deLait and Chicken and Boudin sandwiches and the Banana Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce, along with the Shrimp Remoulade Salad with Cajun Remy Sauce, Rickey’s Potato Salad and Mardi Gras Slaw. 

The Cubano - roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese and honey mustard - is a swirl of salty/sweet goodness. And there’s a reason the homemade dressed meatloaf sandwich tops the list of signature sandwiches. Fans say it’s the best they have tasted. Sandwiches come with the classic casual sides: chips and a pickle spear, dressed with lettuce, tomato and mayo.

Rickey has added some new menu items in the Bodega location.  Tapas fans are enjoying the flavors of the Dollar Taco, the 3-to-an- order Cheese Burger Sliders and the Shrimp Salad Rolls (boiled shrimp mixed with Cajun dressing), also three to an order. French Pizza Bread, Wings of Fire and Chili Cheese Nachos round out the bites.

Not surprisingly, the restaurant’s atmosphere is super casual and the wait staff is helpful and friendly. Prices are on the hospitable side too. The most expensive items on the small menu are $9.95 (the Porky Pig, Chicken Club and Ferdi sandwiches and the signature Shrimp Remoulade).  The Dollar Taco is at the lowest end of the pricing. 

Soon, the outdoor eating space will be expanded.  The addition of a large balcony in the rear of the building will cover the bricked courtyard.  Look for Rickey to be happily minding the new brick oven and grill there that will be expanding his kitchen – and the delicious possibilities.   


Parrot Head Bar and Grill
Bodega
111 Court Street
228-363-1290
Bar & Grill hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m. to closing
Closed Monday-Tuesday

Bay St. Louis is the hub of a five-state Gulf Coast plastic use reduction campaign.  Find out who started the movement, who pioneered plastic-free in BSL and what local café is part of a pilot program.
​- story by Ellis Anderson 

Other Bay eateries will be joining  PFGC as well, in a campaign offering drinking straws only-by-request.  PFGC organizer Elizabeth Englebretson with the Gulf Coast Design Studio says that several have already agreed to participate in the effort to become more sustainable.  Restaurants also benefit from building customer good-will and getting positive press exposure.  

Englebretson says the effort stems from the fact that plastic pollution is continuing to increase, despite efforts to curb it.  Calling it “a pandemic,” she believes the only way to stop the pollution is to cut back use of it to begin with, by using biodegradable options like paper and sugarcane-based “plastic.” 

The Mockingbird Café pilot program is being funded by a small grant through the Gulf of Mexico Alliance.  Some of the grant money is being used to help pay for biodegradable non-plastics during the weaning away period.  Customers are also being asked to pay a quarter extra.  

The pilot program grew out of inspiration from the Starfish Café’s successful effort to go plastic-free.  The Starfish (211 Main Street) is a project of the non-profit, Pneuma Winds of Hope.  Di Fillhart is the organization’s executive director and manager of the Starfish Café.  Fillhart says the café started going plastics-free four years ago.  

“We polled our customers and asked if they’d mind paying extra for biodegradable to-go containers,” says Fillhart.  “Unanimously, they said, ‘no problem.’ 

Fillhart believes that the straws by request only is a good way for a business to get its feet wet in the burgeoning new green-market economy.  “Our first step was to start with paper straws.  Now we’re using a plant-based plastic straw.”  

Cutting back usage of the seemingly insignificant drinking straw might seem like a wasted effort.  How could that alone make a dent in the enormous amount of waste produced in this country?  But Englebretson says that US citizens alone use 500 million plastic straws each day.  To put it in perspective, in a single year those straws could fill Yankee Stadium.  

Not once, but nine times over. 

By tackling the drinking straw problem, the group hopes to raise awareness to let people know that they can add a fourth “R” to the saying “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.”  That would be “Refuse.”  

Bay St. Louis is the hub of the pilot program that is slated to spread across the five Gulf Coast states, and the city is also the birthplace of PFGC itself.  The organization began in 2016 as a project called Plastic-Free April.  Three local women concerned about plastic pollution - Kerr Grabowski, Carole McKellar and Ann Weaver - led a public challenge asking people to go without using plastic for one month.  ​

Last year, the group began working with the Gulf Coast Design Studio and Englebretson .  The name of the group changed from “April-free” to “Gulf Coast” as the ideas blossomed.  The movement now has partners in each of the five Gulf Coast states with ambitious plans for projects in them all.  

“In the Gulf states, we don’t have a green economy where people have access to plastic alternatives,” Englebretson says.  “We’d like to create one.  And we’re even finding that some of the alternatives to plastic are now less expensive.” 

“It’s not about going completely plastic-free right now.  There are times you can’t avoid using it,” Englebretson says.  “But it’s about making changes that eventually become part of your life.” 

The Mockingbird has already explored sustainable-practice options through the years.  The newly launched program, overseen by manager Whitney LaFrance, has is pushing the sustainability-business model envelope.  Owner Alicein Schwabacher found herself asking, “Do we even need some of these products?  And if if we do, can we replace the plastic with something less harmful to our ecology and customers?”

“All of us at the Mockingbird want to be part of the solution,” said Schwabacher.  

Englebretson believes that sort of attitude can lead to big changes.  

“We just all need to work together and support each other,” she says.  “We can make this happen.” 

Award-winning author Rheta Grimsley Johnson checks out a new and unusual cookbook for Southern swamp to table meals. 
- by Rheta Grimsley Johnson

Anne, with bearing as regal as you’d expect the doyenne of a family plantation to exhibit, has written books on travel, crime, the misadventures of running a bed and breakfast and, most memorably, her own story – being shot and left to bleed out by an estranged husband, the former warden of Angola. She’s penned a couple of children’s books as well.

Recently her home was the setting for a Hallmark Channel movie, one of those romance stories that has scenery so beautiful you don’t mind the show is missing good acting and a plot.

This time out my author friend is wearing her good citizen hat, helping to tackle what’s become a real problem in the woods of Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana and, yes, her own lush but manicured backyard.
​
The Big Badass Boar Cookbook, co-authored by Amanda McKinney, reports that wild pigs are more destructive than nutria and may be “the most prolific large mammal on the face of the earth.” Feral hogs average six piglets per litter and can have several litters per year.

 Turns out, however, there may be a way to control the population and help end the $1.5 billion national cost of wild pig damage to agriculture and the environment. Eat them. The book says wild pigs are good to eat.

“When prepared properly so that high temperatures destroy any internal bacteria, they are safe, tasty and cheap.”

Being a responsible sort, Anne includes in her book a list of diseases that humans and hunting dogs can get while cleaning, butchering, handling or eating wild pigs. It sounds a little like the inevitable side effects list whispered quickly at the end of television ads for pharmaceuticals.

Swine brucellosis, leptospirosis, trichinosis, toxoplasmosis tularemia and swine influenza are reasons, for instance, that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries no longer provides any recipes for cooking your wild boar kill.

This cookbook, however, gets past the warnings about safe butchery and cooking to share both high- and low-church recipes. Famous Chef John Folse is included. So is John “JD” Desselle with his “Wild Hog Street Tacos” and Kerry Bordelon with “Real Hog Headcheese.”

I haven’t been offered any of the 180,000 pigs killed in Louisiana per year, or from anywhere else, so I probably won’t be using the recipes, though I love game and love to eat and try to keep an open mind when it comes to food. I’d sure try a hog if I knew the source – and the cook. The taco especially sounded good.

The cookbook mentions nutria and how Louisiana chefs also concocted recipes for those rats. It took pseudo-sophisticated New Yorkers to belly up, however, and then only after menu writers got creative and used the French for nutria -- ragondin -- and made the rat sound better than it tasted.

I never tried it; I owe nutria nothing.

Once, in Leland, Miss., city hall tried to solve a beaver problem in the town’s picturesque Deer Creek by introducing alligators. You can guess how that story ended.
I call it The Kudzu Syndrome. The story often ends badly when something is plopped into an environment not its own. Anne’s book says Spanish explorers brought us the wild boars. My alma mater Auburn, or at least its extension service, gets the blame for kudzu. Louisiana fur farmers for nutria.

The moral of this story? Look before you leap. Cook before you eat. One man’s beast is another man’s pate. A wild boar in the pot is worth two in the bush.
​
Stop me before I hurt myself.
 
 

Waveland Mayor Mike Smith gives a state of the city report, looking at current, future and proposed projects that will continue the revitalization of Waveland. 
- photos by Lionel Haynes, Jr. and Ellis Anderson 

Thankfully, there has been a lot of interest in the Coleman Avenue district, as well as Highway 90.  I am really excited over the amount of interest in the Coleman Avenue area.  There’s the potential for condos, restaurants, and other prospects that cannot be discussed at this point.

I’m very excited that the lease was awarded to Studio Inferno to take over the vacant spaces of the Waveland business center. I’m really pleased that this business is now open on Coleman Avenue. We believe that it will promote growth in the downtown area of Waveland. These artists are wonderful people and bring a unique type of art culture to our charming little city. If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Mitchell and Erica Gaudet, please do so. You will not be disappointed.

2018 will bring the long-awaited and much-needed beachside parking bays along Beach Boulevard, along with pagodas along the walking/biking path.  The Nicholson Avenue widening project is also scheduled to begin this year. This project will create a bike path alongside of Nicholson Avenue from Highway 90 to the railroad. 
​

Projects are beginning to break ground such as the much-anticipated lighthouse/bathroom facility, which is in the process of being built and should be completed by summer 2018.

​This project is a true partnership between the Board of Supervisors and the City of Waveland. The lowest and most responsive bid received was $1.9 million. The Hancock County Board of Supervisors pitched in more than $800,000 from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds and the balance is being paid through tidelands funds. This means the cost to taxpayers is zero. We owe a huge “thank you” to the Board of Supervisors.  

One very important note: many residents do not understand that the monies being spent on the lighthouse/bathroom facility cannot be used for other projects such as paving streets, or any other project not connected to the beach.

The Waveland Avenue sidewalk project will go to bid very soon.  It consists of five-foot sidewalks on the east and west sides of Waveland Avenue, from the railroad to Highway 90. This project was approved for funding in 2015. It is a Mississippi Department of Transportation funded project which means that many departments of the agency have to approve each step. However we are almost over those hurdles. 

The citywide sewer repair project will begin shortly, now that the few remaining ROE (Right of Entries) were signed. Please be patient in the areas that are to be replaced. It will be aggravating until these repairs are completed. Major work areas will be Meadow Lane, Herlihy Street and a portion of Gladstone.

A small bathroom facility will soon be constructed at Elwood Bourgeois Park, thanks to the revenue received from the sale of the city’s remaining mobile homes that were previously used as the police station and for Public Works.

The Wikoffs have completed the overview of the Coleman Avenue Plan, which consists of an elevated boardwalk.  Businesses would be located along the boardwalk to overcome the challenges with the drastic flood elevations imposed by FEMA. Once the architectural drawings are complete, we will have those available for review, and hopefully garner the support of the community. 

We have been approved for funding by the Mississippi Development Authority to build a brand new community center in Martin Luther King Park to replace the center that is there now. The existing center is full of mold and rot and is unsafe to use. The new center will be 1,200 square feet, with a kitchen, indoor restrooms and outdoor restrooms. The center will be available for weddings, birthday parties, etc. The required fee and deposit for the use for these facilities will help defray the cost of insurance and maintenance.

2018 will be an aggressive year for blighted properties throughout Waveland. The Days Frontier property has been demolished and plans are being submitted for two businesses at that location. Other properties are making their way to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for demolition. Mr. George Coatney (litter control) has been hired and is working diligently to keep the city clean, along with help from the Public Works department. Great job!   

As you may have noticed, ditches are being dug throughout the city to help alleviate the flooding and will be in a neighborhood near you soon.

The golf cart legislation has passed through the state Senate and will go into effect as of July 1st. The Waveland and Bay St. Louis ordinances almost mirror each other, so that the cart drivers can cross city lines and not have to worry about different requirements.
​
In closing, I would like to thank each and every citizen for the opportunity to serve as your mayor. It is a pleasure to serve the city I love.
​

Each year, a colorful crew of scalawags takes over the town, during Pirate Day in the Bay, May 18 & 19th.  But forget the pillaging - the party boosts the local economy and raises money for charity.  
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson

The Seahorse Krewe was organized in 2014 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of St. Louis Bay, which helped the U.S. defeat the British in the War of 1812. During the battle in the bay the USS Seahorse and other wooden schooners delayed the British fleet that was headed to New Orleans.
 
The historic observance of the little known battle launched the krewe’s Lundi Gras golf cart parade as well as Pirate Day. Both have grown each year and now both are much anticipated events enjoyed by visitors and local celebrants. Pirate Central, at the corner of Main Street and Beach Boulevard, is headquarters for all things Pirate Day.​

Pirate Central is "party central" when Krewe members and sponsors gather Thursday evening for the King and Queen pirate party from 6 to 9 p.m.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance online. 

On Friday, loads of pirates will land at the municipal harbor and then parade up to Pirate Central at 5 p.m. for the traditional capturing of the mayor.

The Pirate Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday will feature music at Pirate Central and the search for a hidden treasure chest in Old Town.

“We have about 10 bars and restaurants you can go to and get a drink and a clue. From those clues you can go find the treasure chest,” Rosetti said.

The finder of the chest will receive about $500 worth of goods, including liquor and gift certificates from downtown merchants and others.  Tickets for the event are $20 and can also be purchased online.

Pirate Day festivities kick off Saturday with the family-friendly Lil’ Buccaneers Parade, the first of two for the day. Walkers are welcome, as are wagons and strollers. Line up begins at 10:30 a.m. in the green space at the corner of Main and Second streets. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and ends at Pirate Central. 

​The costume contest follows the parade, also at Pirate Central.  Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the contest gets underway at noon. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: age 9 and under; age 10 to 16 and adults.
 
Lil’ Buccaneers can enjoy all sorts of fun and games in the Kids Zone at the foot of Main Street. There will be a waterslide, inflatables and games for kids.
 
From 3pm - 5pm, pirates and other celebrants can take a two-hour cruise on the paddlewheel Betsy Ann.  

“We’re really excited about the Betsy Ann coming over from Biloxi for this cruise around the beautiful bay,” Rosetti said. The $50 cruise ticket gets you drinks, music and snacks.
 
“Once the Pirates land at the Municipal Harbor, the Pirate Golf Cart Parade will roll through Old Town,” Rosetti said. “No need to register, just bring your golf cart to the harbor (dress as Pirates) and enjoy the parade. 
 
Pirates must be 21 years old to take part in the Pub Crawl and the Pirate Cruise. 

The pirates will be going out with a bang.  The festivities conclude with music and a fireworks show (thanks to sponsor Silver Slipper) by the Bay St. Louis harbor at 9pm.  

A stately 1920s house in the Bay St. Louis historic district fulfills a lifelong dream for a Hattiesburg couple.
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson 

Back then, the new train lines and the burgeoning lumber trade tied the coast to the young boomtown with economic and cultural apron strings.  

​​Nearly 150 years later, those ties still have Hattiesburg natives traveling southward on a regular basis.  Many have second homes on the coast during their working years.  They dream of the day they’ll be able to retire by the water full time.

Marvin and Regina “Gina” Morris followed in those footsteps.  The couple were lifetime residents of Hattiesburg.  Now, as they approach their seventh decade, evenings often find them sitting on the front porch of their Bay St. Louis home.  Watching the moon rise over the Sound, its light filtering through the boughs of the live oak tree, they sometimes consider the path that brought them to one of the loveliest historic houses on the coast, the one at 600 North Beach Boulevard. 
 
Marvin and Gina met while they were both freshmen at Southern Mississippi, in 1966.  Marvin was a Hattiesburg native, while Gina had grown up in Sumrall, a rural community in Lamar County.  Hattiesburg represented the big city to her.  She and her girlfriends from college would cruise through the burger drive-thrus with Gina at the wheel of her parents’ 1963 station wagon. One evening, Marvin and she struck up a conversation.  Neither looked back.  They married in 1968.  

Gina graduated with a degree in accounting (“I like things that add up!”).  Marvin planned to follow in his father’s real estate developer footsteps.  He acquired a degree in a new major offered at Southern – Finance, with concentrations in real estate and insurance.  After graduation, he helped his father construct apartment complexes on the coast, which gave the newlyweds plenty of opportunities to explore the area together. 
 
Skyrocketing interest rates in the mid-seventies had Marvin reconsidering his choice of career.  The young father began law school at Mississippi College.  Working the entire time, he graduated just two days before the couple’s third child was born.  He credits the education he received at Mississippi College for helping him pass the bar exam on the first try – at a time when the pass rate was 17%.  
 
“Those times were quite challenging,” says Marvin.  “But they were fun.” 

​The coast became even more important to the couple as a family get-away, nearby and economical.  The young couple teamed up with another young families to share camps on the coast – first in Vancleave and then in Shoreline Park.  Idyllic memories of those carefree times – and promises of more – made the work-a-day world in Hattiesburg seem brighter.
 
Busy careers and the activities of four children eventually cut into their time on the coast, but still the Morrises dreamed and schemed to return.  Finally, in 2002, the empty-nesters purchased a home on Henderson Point near Pass Christian.  One that  would be their retirement home.  Dream fulfilled.
 
But the dream home’s three bedrooms and two baths proved to be too small when all the children – and growing number of grandchildren – came calling.  The couple began an ambitious addition that doubled the size of the house, allowing for full-tilt-boogie family reunions. 

​The Morris clan and their friends celebrated the completed addition in June, 2005.  Three months later, after the unprecedented surge of Hurricane Katrina steamrolled through, they were left with “a few sticks.”
 
The Morris home in Hattiesburg also sustained tremendous damage, so for the next few years, they focused on getting their lives in order there.  Yet the coast still called. 
So when a cousin suggested that Marvin and Gina start looking in Bay St. Louis, they drove down and found a house for sale on Main Street.  Built on some of the highest ground fronting the entire Gulf of Mexico, the Old Town historic district had taken a beating, but its core was still basically intact. 

​One of the joys of living in Old Town was the walkability of the neighborhood.  After Marvin had open-heart surgery in 2008, the couple’s pleasure walking began included a therapy element.  They marked off their favorite one-mile route.  Round trip, two miles.  Their daily route ended right in front of a stately pink house facing the Mississippi Sound, one built in the 1920s.  They’d always admired the house, so it made a pleasurable marker in their day.
 
One Friday, they spotted a “for sale” sign in the front yard of their turnaround house.  They called realtor Estus Kea, who had sold them the Main Street cottage. The Morrises arranged for a showing the next day and put in an offer the next. 
 
The couple purchased the 2,800 square foot house knowing that it would need both major renovations and a large addition.  Since there was no downstairs bedroom, they wanted to build a master suite in the eventuality that neither could climb stairs at some point in the future.
 
Yet Gina and Marvin were concerned that a large addition could look like “a sore thumb.”  

​“The contractors were talking about adding the addition on through the back door,” says Gina.  “But I didn’t want to really change the original look of the back of the house.”
 
After many talks, Gina finally took out a pad of yellow legal paper and began sketching the addition that would add another 1,600 square feet to the historic home.  It would have modern conveniences and a contemporary feel, yet it would complement the original home. 
 
A draftsman drew up construction documents from Gina’s sketch.  When a friend saw the design, she brought over a copy of the post-Katrina Summary Report, published by the Mississippi Renewal Forum.  Some of the best architects and planners in the country had worked on the publication four years earlier.  It put forth ideas for each of the coast communities to consider while rebuilding.
 
On page 23 of the book, in the section on Bay St. Louis, is a drawing of 600 North Beach.  The house is unmistakable.  The drawing shows an addition to the rear. The drawing is presented in the book as an example of how surviving historic homes could be enlarged.  From the detail that can be seen, it looks almost identical to the one that Gina designed. 
 
Gina had instinctively nailed it. 

​When the addition was completed, The Bay St. Louis Historic Preservation Commission recognized the addition with a 2010 People’s Choice Award for New Construction, a major pat on the back for improving the historic district and the city.

In the addition, the lion’s share of the ground floor contains a master suite for Marvin and Gina.  Upstairs are two spacious bedrooms adjoining a Jack & Jill bath.  All of the bedrooms open onto wide screen porches overlooking the tropical landscaping in the back yard.  It’s obvious that the couple finds gardening one of their joys in life.  Their vision in landscaping is especially apparent when comparing the photo of the addition from 2010 and a current one, taken eight years later.  

​Meanwhile, in the original house, the HVAC systems were replaced and the bathrooms remodeled.  The house was painted (and is under the watchful eye of painting contractor Chris Hansen, who inspects each year for needed touch-ups that will prevent serious damage).
 
Chris’s wife, building contractor Jackye Crane (Crane Builders), remodeled the kitchen and is credited with discovering and resolving a major structural issue.
 
“We’d had other contractors look at the floor upstairs because it was getting bouncy.  No one could find any reason for it, “ says Marvin.  “Jackye had the good sense to actually tear out some boards so she could see the damage.  Termites had eaten everything under the sun between the floors.”  Repairs were made, flooring replaced and it’s now impossible to differentiate between original and new. 
 
This interior of the home thorughout sings with sunshine, even on cloudy days. Paint colors include lots of ambers and golds and daffodil shades.  “We both love yellow,” Gina explains.   “My kids say I’d paint the world yellow if I could.”
 
Most of the furnishings, artwork and décor tell stories.  There’s a statue of Evangeline Marvin’s parents purchased when they were young.  There’s the door knocker from the house Marvin grew up in on Main Street in Hattiesburg.  There’s the old oak table that came from Gina’s grandmother and her mother’s mirror. 

​There are also stunning sunset/sunrise photographs sprinkled throughout the house.  Marvin is a photography enthusiast and delights in capturing the local scenic beauty to share. 

 
The new/historic hybrid house is often filled with family.  At full capacity, there are eighteen adults and children and a dozen dogs.
 
“There’s a lot of howling and digging of holes,” says Marvin, laughing.  “We’re always excited about seeing our children.”
 
When it comes to listing some of their favorite things about living in the Bay, the couple point to the slower pace of life, less traffic, the big selection of indie eateries, and the cultural diversity.
 
“Don’t forget golf carts,” says Gina, smiling.  “If they end up taking our car away eventually, we’ll still be able to find our way down to those restaurants.”
 
The couple still speaks with great fondness of Hattiesburg and they say some Lamar County friends wonder when they’ll return.  Which leads to the question: would they ever consider moving away from the coast again? 
 
Grinning, Marvin has a quick answer: “You couldn’t run me back with a shotgun.” 

Ever wonder what's in the make-up you're wearing on your face each day?  Or your shaving cream or toothpaste?  A watchdog consumer site maintains an enormous online database so you find out exactly how safe your brand of skin/hair/nail care products are.
- story by LB Kovac 

Propylparaben on its own isn’t particularly hazardous, especially in the amounts found in lotion, and it isn’t going to make you grow an extra limb. In 2010, the European Union Scientific Committee of Consumer found propylparaben to be “safe to the consumer, as long as their individual concentrations does not exceed 0.19%.” At these levels, the committee argues, not enough of the propylparaben can be absorbed through your skin to give you more than a statistically negligible chance of contracting cancer.

Still, if the fact that there are trace amounts of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in your face lotion gives you pause, it would seem you have a couple of options. You could spend the rest of your life standing in the fluorescent lights of the personal care aisle, poring over the labels of lotions, cosmetics, and sun blocks and Googling the ingredients, one-by-one, to see if things like “dimethicone” are as scary as they sound.

Or, you could rely on a company like Environmental Working Group to decode those labels for you.

Environmental Working Group, or EWG, is a two-decades-old environmental organization that seeks to hold companies accountable for the products they make and services they offer. Founded by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles, the company lobbies on the local and national levels for more transparency in business and labeling practices.

EWG rose to prominence a few years ago in 2006 when the organization went head-to-head with soda manufacturers for knowingly including what EWG deemed as unsafe levels of benzene in sodas. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the benzene molecule is carcinogenic in nature but allows quantities smaller than 5 parts-per-billion.

EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database website now serves as a resource for those wishing to pull the curtain back on confusing labels.

​EWG has reviewed more than 70,000 personal care products, from big brands like Curel, Maybelline, CoverGirl, and Old Spice. EWG says that each product is evaluated by their team of scientists and given an individual score from 1-10, with 1 being the best score and 9 being the worst.

Products that receive a 1-3 are deemed “safe.” These products follow EWG’s guidelines for ethical sourcing and testing, and use ingredients that are natural and non-toxic. The best of these products, which adhere to EWG’s most rigorous standards, get EWG’s seal of approval.

Wal-Mart is just one of the companies to show support for EWG. Last year, it made headlines for encouraging all companies that sell personal care products in its stores to get the EWG seal. Other retailers, like Target, have expanded their offerings to include EWG-approved products. 

Products on the other end of the spectrum, 6-10, are the ones EWG claims are unsafe. Propylparaben is just one of the ingredients that can tank one of these products’ scores; “recorcinol,” “methylisothiazolinone,” and “amylcinnamaldehyde,” known immunotoxins, are flagged by EWG’s researchers.

Even if you’re not overly concerned with the health risks involved with using your favorite foundation (and not afraid of the occasional tongue-twister), you still might be served by EWG’s website. Because it labels and flags potential allergens in all of its reviewed products, the site is a great resource for allergy-sufferers. And animal lovers can revel in the fact that EWG won’t give out their seal if a company’s product is known to be tested on animals. 

So, the next time you’re staring at the bottle and can’t decide what “coumarin” is, look it up.

Waveland Alderman Jeremy Burke reports on the St. Clare Seafood Festival and the new recycling bin at the Waveland City Hall. 

On Friday evening, Got Groove will be performing; Saturday at 1:00 Elvis will be entertaining; Saturday evening,  Category 6  perform; and Ross Grisham will play at 2:00 on Sunday.  Later that evening Philman Ladner and the 3 C's will get the music going until the St. Clare Seafood Festival comes to a close with a great fireworks display. There is also classic car show starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday on the church grounds.
 
In addition to the festival, the 6th annual St. Clare Seafood Festival 5K race will take place on the Waveland boardwalk on Saturday, May 27, at 8 a.m. See run/walk registration details here.
 
Please make plans to have a good time while supporting St. Clare this Memorial Day weekend.

Waveland is excited to announce improvements to trash and recycling services offered to citizens. Waste Management has placed a community recycling bin in the parking lot of Waveland City Hall. 

​The recycling bin is funded by the Hancock County Solid Waste Authority.   The bin provides an opportunity for Waveland residents not to go outside the city limit to dispose of their recyclable goods.  The recycling bin will be emptied every Monday.
 
What can you put in the recycling bin?

• Plastics 1 - 7
• Aluminum, steel and tin cans
• Milk and juice cartons
• Mixed paper (e.g. magazines, newspaper, office paper, etc.)
• Corrugated cardboard and boxboard (e.g. flattened boxes )
• Glass jars and bottles

It may be one of the oldest galleries in the state, but with 20+ artists working in different media, this Bay St. Louis Gallery stays on the cutting edge. 
- story by Lisa Monti
photos by Brenda Comer, Ellis Anderson and courtesy Gallery 220

McCardell and Currier organized the artist cooperative a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina displaced artists along the beachfront. They also own and operate the popular Clay Creations, located just behind the gallery showroom inside the building which is known for its colorful tree mural on the south side and the Coke sign painted on the north wall.
 
Joanna Slay, a mixed-media and mosaic artist, joined the cooperative in 2012 and teaches quarterly workshops there. She now handles public relations for the gallery, which is filled with works of 27 local artists.

​There are paintings, photos, pottery, jewelry, sculptures and other creations filling the gallery walls and shelving. Some of the artists teach classes in painting, pottery and mosaics, and most take commissions. It’s been described as “an epicenter of creative energy.”

“We have such a diverse group,” said Slay. “We have artists of all ages, from their 70s on down to their 20s. It’s a great place for young artists to start out and for retirees who have time and energy to focus 100 percent on their work and to show their work as well.”
 
Slay said there is a waiting list of artists who want to be a part of the vibrant cooperative. That’s a sure sign of both the local art community’s vitality and of Gallery 220’s reputation for quality content. “If there’s space available and the caliber of work is up to the gallery’s standards, they will be accepted,” Slay said of prospective members.
 
Because the cooperative is more than a visual gallery, members staff Gallery 220 one day a month, greeting and helping customers. Artist Barbara Brodtmann manages the work schedule and front desk duties.

​That personal interaction with the artists makes shopping a special experience for art fans. Member artist Janet Densmore says the personal connection gives the collectors “an opportunity to participated and express their own creative imagination.” That’s something unique to visiting the cooperative that shoppers won’t experience in generic stores.
 
This year, Gallery 220 started featuring an artist or two each month, displaying their work in the north window as well as in prominent spots inside the Art Deco building.
 
The featured artist for May is Pam Marshall, a watercolor artist who is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, along with the Mississippi and Louisiana Societies. In addition to the window display, you can find Marshall’s new work on display inside the gallery during the Second Saturday  Art Walk on May 14.

The South window will change seasonally, Slay said. The current theme “Around the Bay” features a large colorful canvas painting by Amy Kramer that showcases the easy lifestyle the Bay is known for. The canvas will be auctioned on June 9 during the Second Saturday Art Walk.

All proceeds will go to MAP (Music, Art and Practicality) of Hancock County. This organization offers a 4- to 6-week summer camp that is free to qualifying students. Children learn everything from set design to acting at a performance at the end of camp. Tickets are $5 and available at the Gallery and through MAP organizers.
 
Slay says Gallery 220 provides support to the local arts community and encourages the artist spirit. “We have camaraderie here, “ she said. “This is a good place to start if you’re a new artist or if you’re getting back in the market. We try to encourage each other and promote each other’s work. It’s just unbelievable.”
 
Gallery 220
220 Main St.
Bay St. Louis
228-466-6347
Open 11a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday

The digital age hasn't changed some things:  hanging in a pup-tent on a rainy day is always magic.  Design diva Holly Lemoine Raymond and pal, Desiree, build one together in this cool DIY project. 
- by Holly Lemoine Raymond

Material List

2' x 2’s – 5 @ 5 ½ Ft
2 in. torque screws
Table saw
Bed ruffle
Hammer
Drill
Nails
Carpenter’s pencil
Tape measure
Hook screws
Quick square ruler
Safety glasses
Pillows
Stuffed animals
Light
Snacks (lots of snacks!)

Step 1 
 
Measure and cut 2' x 2's in to 5 ½ ft. long to form the frame. You will need 5 pieces all together. Remember, measure twice and cut once! (Don’t forget your safety glasses!)

​Step 2
 
Now your pieces are ready to be assembled. Using the drill with the torque screws, assemble the legs. Those will be the 4 pieces you cut at an angle. Then you will use the last piece for the top beam. This is a simple “A” frame. 

​Step 3
 
Time to put your personal touch on your soon-to-be Desiree Tent. We used a “Hook Screw” at the front of the tent frame to hang a fun Chinese Lamp I picked up at Family Dollar. 
​
Next we covered the frame with a dust ruffle. (You can use a regular sheet or any other lightweight cloth.)

Step 4
​
Add a sleeping bag or cushions on the floor for added comfort. Surround the tent with your favorite stuffed animals and pillows. Grab your favorite snacks and your best friend, and enjoy hanging out in your very own Desiree Tent!

Desiree, thank you for letting me hang out with you. Jesse, thanks for the idea to make rainy days fun!
 
I hope you all enjoyed this quick and easy project. See you next time with more Beautiful Things to come!

Holly 

During the Second Saturday Artwalk each month in Old Town Bay St. Louis, you'll find cool deals, fresh meals and lots of art and live music!  The good times roll year around with this family-friendly event celebrating life and art in the Bay. 
​- - stories by Denise Jacobs, photos by Ellis Anderson and courtesy C&C Bistro

Be sure to check out "Hot Spots" C&C Bistro (111 Main Street) and The Arts, Hancock County (they'll be headquartered for the evening at the French Potager, 213 Main Street).

As a featured Hot Spot during the Old Town Merchants Association Second
Saturday celebration on Saturday, May 12, Cork & Cleaver will provide live music by Serabee, with bar specials between 4pm and 8pm.

Chef David Dickensauge, Jr., owner at C & C Bistro, which features upscale, casual, authentic Italian cuisine, is a happily busy man. The chef is assisted on the financial side by his business partner and father, David Dickensauge, Sr., and appreciatively so. 
 
“Dad is retired Air Force," Chef David notes, “with no clue about the day-to-day operational part of a farm-to-table restaurant. We both do what we're good at, and it works out perfectly."
 
As operational manager and chef, Dickensauge handles sourcing food, planning menus, preparing food, or managing the restaurant.

“We’re not warming things up here,” the Chef notes. “No big truck pulls up to make deliveries here. I’m busy with marketing, cooking, making sure the restaurant is running, the food is perfect, and the kitchen meticulous. I design everything here, and I run it.”  

And it shows. Lisa Monti, restaurant reviewer for the Shoofly Magazine, stated it perfectly in her February 2018 review of Cork & Cleaver—“Dickensauge has crafted weekly specials that might make you want to double down for lunch and then back for dinner in quick succession.”
 
While the menu changes eight times a year to reflect the availability of fresh foods from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, the fare is always true Italian, the pasta is always made in-house, and the pizza prepared in a special gas-fired brick oven.
 
Weekly specials are popular with the local crowd, a crowd that enjoys special Happy Hour deals from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., as well. Monday draws beef lovers for the $20 ribeye and/or sirloin filet, each served with black truffle ricotta salada and twice-baked potatoes.

Pasta fans enjoy the $10 Tuesday homemade signature pastas and/or a selection of artisan pizzas. Wine Down Wednesdays are becoming quite a big deal, in part because of the great selection of wines by the bottle at half price and because of the freshly shucked char-baked oysters that sell for $8 a dozen.

Thursday deserves a paragraph of its own. That’s when evening diners should prepare themselves for a four-course set dinner option for just $38 a person. The menu varies, but a recent Thursday, Chef David prepared a first course of roasted cauliflower with a goat cheese and feta spread, a second course of  seared scallop over scallion mashed potatoes with roasted red pepper sauce, a third course of coffee-crusted tenderloin (4 oz.) with grilled polenta and sautéed vegetables, and a fourth course of ricotta cheesecake in a Mason Jar with fresh blueberries and lavender.
 
On major holidays, Chef David offers six-course meals with a seventh-course lagniappe.
 
There’s really no excuse not to try C&C Italian Bistro at least once. The weekly specials make it easy, but don’t stop there. The menu itself guarantees one of the finest dining experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You'll be back. 

The Arts, Hancock County, a fast-growing, active organization that offers sponsorship and genuine support in the form of shows, classes, events, and other instructional ventures, boasts over 300 members—all of them either artists or lovers of art.

If not butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers, The Arts, Hancock governing board is comprised of business owners, a photographer, an architect, a teacher, potters, a writer, and professional volunteers. This diversity reflects the spirit and rapidly growing membership of a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting art in everyday life in Hancock County.
​
The vision spearheaded by Steve Barney, president of The Arts, Hancock County and founder of the STEAMpunk Pottery Project—an educational program for children—is to “reinvent the organization to support the entire spectrum of artists and capture the artistic buzz centered in Hancock County.”

The buzz goes beyond traditional forms of art to include all types of creative expression and performance. For example, the 2018 ArtsAlive! festival, the largest annual Arts, Hancock County undertaking, highlighted the burgeoning scene of artists, makers, and performers from across the region.

Happy festival-goers found an abundance of live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and artist showcases/marketplaces, from musical performances to poetry readings to belly dancers. At hands-on MakerSpace stations, fest- goers practiced the art of screen printing and drum-making, and volunteers of all ages engaged in public art projects such as the one at Ruth’s Garden on Court Street.

Other participatory art experiences included on-site painting of beach-bound trash cans and the creation of a public mural.

During Arts!Alive, some members of the Old Town Merchants Association hosted artists and artisans at storefront locations throughout Old Town where some artists demonstrated their work while others were simply on hand to talk about their creative process. 

Bay Life Gifts owner Janice Guido, a previous Old Town Merchants Association board member and current Arts, Hancock County board member, noted that Arts!Alive drew an upscale, art-wise, sophisticated clientele eager to buy. By all reports, local artists and the merchants who sponsored them fared well.

At the center of Arts, Hancock County is a 7,500-square-foot industrial building on the corner of Washington and Central, the Bay St. Louis Creative Arts Center (101 Central Ave.).

Since Barney purchased the dilapidated building in 2017, it has become a gathering space in an emerging art district. The building is the seat of monthly Arts, Hancock County membership meetings, the Raw Oyster Marching Club's oyster-painting central, the home of workshops from pottery to flower arranging, and even a space in which Mardi Gras floats are constructed.

The most active part of the Bay Creative Arts Center, however, is the 1,200-square-foot pottery studio, which partners with Lazy Magnolia Brewery and offers adult classes and after-school classes for children. 

Having moved to Old Town, an historic district extending from Beach Boulevard to St. Francis Street and Washington Street to Ulman Avenue, Arts, Hancock County is tapping into the creative economy in Hancock County, expanding into Waveland and the Kiln, and exploring partnerships between local businesses and artists.

As of this writing, Arts, Hancock County boasts overlapping exhibits at four business and civic entities—200 North Beach, Bay St. Louis City Hall, Waveland City Hall, and the Ground Zero Museum in Waveland.

“In the early days of the organization,” Barney notes, “the goal was to help artists re-establish themselves in the aftermath of Katrina. We are circling around, going back to our roots.”
​
To join Arts, Hancock County, visit https://hancockarts.org/join-us. Alternatively, talk to organizational VP Ann Dinwiddie Madden, co-founder of Smith & Lens Gallery (106 S. Second Street, Bay St. Louis), or Treasurer Alicein Schwabacher, owner and manager of  the Mockingbird Café (110 South Second Street, Bay St. Louis).

A band of seasoned jazz performers continues to make their merry mark on the coast with music from bygone days that somehow never grows old. 
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson 

​The repertoire of this talented team is mainly the traditional variety of jazz, but they also showcase the sounds that were popular during the 1930s through the 1950s.
 
Consider their collective resumes: They have played in supper clubs, on Bourbon Street, in elegant hotels in New York and Miami, aboard cruise ships, in the Catskills, London pubs, at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. They’ve played with Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson and the Dukes of Dixieland.

A few of the original members are still playing with the Stompers, including Schnur, a retired professor and dean, who plays the tuba, upright bass and sings.

Ron Simpson plays guitar and banjo. He’s performed in clubs in London, Chicago, Toronto and plays every year at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Drummer Hugh Barlow has played jazz, fusion and rock across the country and has earned raves from top drummers for his recordings.

Sadly, the band’s piano player, Ralph Martin, who played in Miami and New York hotels, as well as cruise ships in the Mediterranean, passed away recently.
 
But  band continues to evolve with the addition of top notch musicians.

Chicagoan Chris Krueger, a retired Marine Corps band leader, plays trumpet, cornet, fluegelhorn and sings. John Hester, a retired chief bandmaster who had a career in the Navy, sings and plays trombone.

“It’s a great group,” Schnur said. “I’m really pleased with the musicianship of the group.” 

Schnur, who played trumpet early on and and got back into music playing the tuba, said he and the other band members have so much experience performing that they forego any practice sessions.

“We just get our instruments out and we play,” he said. “It’s all in our heads.”
 
The Stompers songbook is heavy on traditional jazz, big band sounds and old standards with some contemporary music in the mix. Fans can easily find a lot to like when the group performs such favorites as St. James Infirmary, Fly Me to the Moon, the Girl from Ipanema and Stardust. Songs by Miles Davis are in the mix as well. 
 
Schnur recounts an endorsement given to the Stompers by a successful local businessman who said, “I’ve got to go to New Orleans to get some of my friends and bring them here so they can hear some real New Orleans jazz.”

The Stompers recently unveiled their first CD with a celebratory release party. The 11 tunes on “Do You Know What it Means” are all instrumentals, leaving the door open for a followup with vocals. “We’ll save that for the next one,” Schnur said.
 
If you want to buy a CD, that’s easy, Schnur said. “You can come to the Silver Slipper to hear the Coast Stompers and we’ll be happy to sell you one.”
 
The Coast Stompers perform at the Silver Slipper Jubilee Buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and second  Sundays of each month (see the Shoofly Magazine Community Calendar for exact monthly dates).
 
The group also is available for special events such as weddings and parties, and you may have heard them play at a Second Saturday artwalk. They prefer to perform with all members, but “sometimes we break into smaller groups, as the occasion presents itself,” Schnur said.

​To book the Mississippi Coast Stompers, contact:
Jim Schnur
jamesoschnur@gmail.com
(601) 434-0350

Shoofly Magazine book columnist Carole McKellar checks out  spellbinding new works by contemporary authors based on myths spun thousands of years ago. 

​I first turned to Edith Hamilton’s “Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes,” published in 1942. Hamilton’s retelling of stories from Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology is still used as an introductory text in high school and college. The sheer number of gods and goddesses outlined by Hamilton is overwhelming, but many names are embedded in our language: Zeus, Neptune, Aphrodite, and Atlas.
 
Greek mythology has provided inspiration to poets and artists from ancient times to the present day. Dating to the 8th century BC, Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” are the oldest Greek writings available. Plato is probably the most famous Greek writer. His dialogues include the “Republic” and “Symposium.”

​Sophocles wrote 123 plays including “Oedipus the King” and “Antigone.” Only seven of Sophocles’ plays survived intact. The list of ancient Greek writers includes Aristophenes, Euripides, and Herodotus. 
 
Roman writers were heavily influenced by Greek literature. “Metamorphoses” by the Roman poet Ovid contains much of what we know about Greco-Roman mythology. Ovid’s writings influenced the works of Milton, Shakespeare, and Chaucer. Virgil, author of “The Aeneid,” is probably the most famous Roman poet.

Consideration of mythology is timely because of the recent popularity of books and movies about mythic heroes. Movies range from “Hercules,” a Disney animated film, to “The Hunger Games” trilogy from best-selling books by Suzanne Collins. “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” was based on the first novel in a Young Adult series by Rick Riordan. 
 
My personal favorite is the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” by Ethan and Joel Coen. This satire is based on Homer’s poem “The Odyssey.”. The film is set in Depression era Mississippi and tells of three convicts who undertake an epic journey to retrieve a treasure. The central character is Ulysses, the Latin variant of the name Odysseus, the hero of the epic poem.
 
In addition to the Young Adult books, the list of books inspired by mythology is long and diverse. “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman weaves ancient myths into modern culture and was made into a television series. Margaret Atwood, famous Canadian author of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” wrote “The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope & Odysseus.”

​Madeline Miller, a Latin and Greek scholar, wrote “The Song of Achilles,” a novel about the Trojan War, and the newly published “Circe” about the goddess of magic and sorcery. Nashville writer Ann Patchett wrote about “Circe”: “An epic spanning thousands of years that’s also a keep-you-up-all-night page turner.” It’s currently on my nightstand, and I can’t wait to read it.

Mythical references abound in our culture. We’re all familiar with Nike footwear, named for the Greek goddess of victory, and the Apollo Theater, which gets its name from the Greek god of music.

​Mardi Gras is filled with mythic names. Nereids, Muses, Hermes, Iris, Comus, Endymion are only a few named for Greek and Roman gods. Perhaps no Mardi Gras krewe is more aptly named than Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry.
 
Other well known allusions to Greek and Roman mythology include:

• Midas touch - King Midas wished every thing he touched would turn to gold which included the food he ate. This tale is a warning about the damaging power of greed.
• Pandora’s box - Pandora was created by Zeus as revenge on mankind. Her curiosity led her to open a forbidden box which unleashed plagues and other evils.
• Herculean size or task - Hercules was the strongest man on earth. His confidence that he could never be defeated was well-founded.
• Achilles’ heel - At birth, Achilles’ mother dipped him into the River Styx to make him invulnerable. She held him by his heel which left that part open to danger. His heel was struck by an arrow leading to his death.
• Sisyphean task - Sisyphus, punished by Zeus, had to eternally push a rock up a mountain.
• “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” - The Greeks presented a giant horse statue to the Trojans as a peace offering. Inside the horse was Odysseus’ army which destroyed Troy and won the war. A “Trojan Horse” has come to mean any trick leading to a target unknowingly inviting an enemy into their domain.

 
It is a Herculean task to reduce Greek and Roman mythology to a few paragraphs, but even a cursory look points out its value to Western civilization.

These three fun itineraries for idyllic days in "The Bay" are tailored for fitness buffs, families with children and BFFs who want to explore Old Town's shops.  You won't go hungry either, with our local eatery suggestions. Feel free to mix and match at will - you really can't go wrong.
- itineraries and photos by Ellis Anderson

Start the morning with breakfast at Lulu’s on Main (126 Main Street, inside Maggie May’s).  Fuel up with one of her specialties like fried chicken beignets or a BLT with a scrumptious bacon remoulade sauce.  

Pick up your copy of the historic walking/biking tour at Lulu’s or click here for the digital version. The Old Town Biking/Walking Tour winds 1 1/4 miles through the town’s lovely historic district, and the guide recounts colorful snippets of the past. 

The tour winds up near the Starfish Café (211 Main Street) with its garden-to-table menu – literally.  Many of the creative and delicious dishes are made with ingredients harvested from the front garden.  The menu changes seasonally – but look for local favorites, like grass-fed beef burgers, fish tacos with mango slaw and veggie spring rolls.

After lunch, check out Green Canyon Outfitters (108 S. Beach Blvd).  Perched in the top floor of the French Settlement building, it's the only retail shop on the beach and a must-see for new residents who lead an active lifestyle.  Green Canyon proves one can find big-city brands on the coast.  More pluses?  One of the best views of the harbor and beachfront scene - and it's dog-friendly.

Rev up again by biking or walking the serene beach path ​(start at the Washington Street pier).  This five-mile paved trail runs between the peaceful beach and an old-fashioned two-lane coast road that hasn’t changed much in the last 50 years. Along the way, keep an eye out for skimmers, osprey, pelicans, and even bald eagles. 

Don't have a bike?  You can rent them at Bodega (just off Beach Boulevard at 111 Court Street).  Feeling more adventurous?  You can also ply the local waters with kayaks and paddle boards, also available for rent there.  If you want to explore the Jourdan River Blueway, a few miles north of the Bay, click here for the map. 

Afterward, you won’t have to dress up to enjoy dinner at Trapani’s Eatery (116 N. Beach).  It’s one of Jimmy Buffet’s favorite watering holes on the Gulf Coast.  Reward yourself with the fried green tomatoes with crabmeat or feast on the low-calorie raw Tuna Poke.

The family-friendly Buttercup Café (112 N. Second Street) is located in the heart of Old Town and offers dining both inside and out. The younger set will crave the fluffy pancakes that smell like birthday cake when they’re served.  Adults will want to sample local favorites like the crawfish étoufée omelets.

Then pile into the car and head out to INFINITY Science Center in the western part of the county.  The museum exhibits and a free bus tour of the adjacent (and restricted access) Stennis Space Center complex give a glimpse into the science behind space travel.  Interactive exhibits like the Carnivorous Plants Conservatory and seasonal tram rides through the surrounding wetlands give lessons in natural habitats.

During summer months, drive to your next stop, Buccaneer State Park (1150 South Beach Boulevard, Waveland).  The extraordinary wave pool and water park are open seven days a week all summer (closes after Labor Day).  The Sea Dog Galley offers hamburger/hot dog basics.

During the rest of the year, grab lunch at the INFINITY Café and set out for the Louisiana/Mississippi border for a swamp tour.  Cajun Encounters is only  15 minute drive from the science center.  They offer two-hour boat tours - even off season – with three early afternoon tour times (see the schedule at www.cajunencounters.com).  Expect to see all types of wildlife in the majestic Honey Island Swamp.  Get your cameras ready during warm weather, the alligators will be basking. The tours last about two hours and everyone will be sad when it’s over.

Finish your day back in Bay St. Louis at Cuz’s Oyster Bar and Grill (108 S. Beach Blvd.).  it has both patio and indoor seating.  The younger set can devour fried shrimp and catfish while the adults will dig into specialties like raw and grilled oysters and boiled seasonal seafood.

Breakfast at the Mockingbird Café (110 S. Second Street) gives any day a special start.  They offer some of the best biscuits in the south (homemade jams available!), specialty coffee drinks and if you’re feeling especially celebratory, order up a strawberry-lemonade mimosa or Bloody Mary to go with the pulled pork and grits or chicken with waffles.

The commercial district of Old Town BSL isn’t large at all, but it’s evolved as two sections, clustered around the first and second blocks of Main Street.  Each “block” has its own distinct personality.  The Mockingbird is a touchstone for the “Second Block.”  It’s right next door to the vast Century Hall (112 S. Second Street), a renovated historic gem that contains more than a dozen shops.  

​Check out Bay Life Gifts for beachy décor and gifts and Gallery Edge for contemporary art.  Also on Second Street you’ll find Smith & Lens Gallery (106 S. Second Street), Magnolia Antiques (200 Main St) and Social Chair (131 Main Street) and Antique Maison (111 N Second).   A bit off the beaten track (only a few blocks), is Antique Maison Ulman (317 Ulman Ave.).  This enormous building is stuffed with finds and treasures.  You can rest your feet in their tearoom and garden - you may need to! 

On the actual second block of Main Street, the three “must visits” are the anchors.  French Potager (213 Main Street) is known for florals and exciting finds. Gallery 220 (220 Main) is one of the oldest artists co-ops in the state, while next door is California Drawstrings (216 Main Street), a boutique specializing in chic, artsy natural fiber clothing.

It’s a quick half block stroll past churches and the historic courthouse to get to the “First Block” area. The focus is on lifestyle and fashion here.  The enormous building at 126 Main serves as home to several shops, brimming with art, stylish boutiques and home décor.  Check out bijoubel Boutique and Joan Vaas (next door) for high-end clothing and jewelry without the sticker shock. 

End the day at a restaurant that’s been featured in national publications like “Vogue.”  The motto at Sycamore House Restaurant (210 Main St.) is “come casual, we supply the elegance.”  The menu offers classic coast fare with inventive twists.  Local favorites include the “flautas of the day,” the tenderloin and the fish of the day.  Save room for divine homemade ice creams (the salted caramel will make you swoon) or one of the best crème brulees in South.