Internationally-acclaimed author Erik Larson will be speaking about his latest book, "Dead Wake," at the Randolph Center in Pass Christian on Wednesday, October 5th, starting at 7pm.  The event is free since it's a part of the "One Book/One Pass" reading program!

Who:  Erik Larson, best-selling author of "Dead Wake," "In the Garden of Beasts," "Thunderstruck," "The Devil in the White City," "Isaac's Storm," "Lethal Passage," and the "Naked Consumer." 

When:  Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm.  Admission is free. 

Where:  Randolph Center, 315 Clark Ave., Pass Christian, Mississippi.  

What brings a writer of Erik Larson's stature to the Mississippi Gulf Coast:  The author will be making a 50-minute presentation about his latest book, "Dead Wake," followed by a Q&A period.  

Larson is appearing as part of a five-month community reading program called "One Book/ One Pass," that began in April.  

The purpose of "One Book/One Pass" is to promote the value of reading by recommending a compelling book that links the community in a common conversation. The program hopes to encourage dialogue about a particular book and also foster lifelong learning and the development of a strong community identity.  Each year, a new book will be selected.

For 2016, the book selected was Larson's "Dead Wake," a spell-binding story about the luxury liner "Lusitania" which was torpedoed by a German sub in 1915.  Larson's talent of combining meticulous historical research with a compelling narrative has made him one of the country's most revered - and best-selling - authors. 

"One Book/One Pass" committee members include Scott Naugle, Margaret McMullan, Patrick O’Connor, Wendy Allard, Sally James, Mellissa Harris, Leslie Leyser, Merri Haines, and Carol Church.

For more information, contact Wendy Allard at the Pass Christian Public Library - 228-452-4596 or w.allard@harrison.lib.ms.us.

Lisa Monti gives the scoop on the opening of Cuz's restaurant in its new Old Town location, just across from the harbor!  Spoiler alert:  Wendesday, September 28th.  Lisa's got the details! 

Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill at 108 South Beach Blvd. will be open for business at 4pm Wednesday, September 28th. 
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Owners Cuz and Christy Barnes will offer the same seafood-filled menu as the one at their popular restaurant on Highway 603, and then some. There will be the signature boiled seafood, appetizers, fried seafood, homemade gumbo, homemade seafood bisque and more.

Cuz’s new restaurant will take up most of the bottom floor of the French Settlement building next to Hancock Bank in downtown Bay St. Louis. The dining room has tables, booths and a full bar. More seating will be available in the courtyard, just in time for the fall weather and Cruisin’ the Coast.

Lisa Monti's Notebook blog has more details and photos. 

Twelve Bay St. Louis residents have been featured in video interviews by the Mississippi Museum of Art as part of a project called Modern Mississippi.  The Shoofly has embedded all the videos in this post, so have fun sharing!

Mapping a Modern Mississippi is a project of the Mississippi Museum of Art, presented in partnership with Visit Mississippi, the state's Tourism agency.  A team from the project visited Bay St. Louis in July and interviewed a dozen artistic movers and shakers who have created positive reverberations throughout the state.  Join the Shoofly Magazine in celebrating these champions of our community. 

The Bay's already known as one of the Coolest Small Towns in the Country.  Three more recognitions in August only add to our coolness quotient. 
- by Ellis Anderson 

Bay St. Louis brought home what might be called a national trifecta for all-round coolness in August when it was named one of the 10 places in the state "Where Life is Still Simple," and one of 50 top "Hippie" towns in the United States and “One of Safest Beach Towns" nationally.  

One town wag observed that the “Safe” status is probably made possible by the town’s “Simple” and “Hippie” character traits.  That may be true, so to celebrate, we'll don our tie-dyed t-shirts and head down to the beach in the VW van.  

Below are links to the articles and excerpts: 

The Only In Your State website published an article on August 29th naming ten small towns in Mississippi "Where Life Is Still Simple."   Here's why BSL made the grade:

Named one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget and Travel Magazine, Bay St. Louis has it all – oceanfront views, a small town vibe, and a hip Old Town area filled with great restaurants, galleries, and more. As if it couldn’t get any better, the art scene is really flourishing thanks to city’s monthly “Second Saturday Artwalk.” The one-day fest includes art shows, live entertainment, and local cuisine.

The popular national men's website, Thrillist, named their choices for the "Best Hippie Towns in the United States."  We're not sure what their criteria was since Fairhope was the representative for Alabama and Key West was Florida's pick, but it just goes to show that we're in good company.  Here's what they said about Bay St. Louis: 

Mississippi is about as known for hippie culture as Oklahoma is for seafood. But once you head south of I-10, it’s an entirely different ballgame. And while the beach culture, casinos, and welcoming attitude of the Mississippi Gulf Coast give the whole region an almost-hippie feel, nowhere is it more prevalent than in Bay St. Louis. Here the old main street is lined with art galleries and antique shops, complete with a fantastic pay-what-you-want restaurant at the Starfish Café. The town feels like California got dropped right at the end of the Mississippi River...  

A national security blog named 12 beach towns in the United States to help readers "Plan a Safe and Secure Summer Family Vacation." The list included heavy hitters like, Gulf Shores, AL, Mystic, CT and Neptune Beach, FL. 

Bay St. Louis, MS
If you live in Mississippi, Bay St. Louis makes a perfect vacation spot. This small community is bursting with southern charm and safe beach spots, since the overall crime rate in Bay St. Louis is 22% lower than the national average. Mockingbird Café is the place to go to experience local twists on classic meals. The vintage venue has been around since 1868 and is only two blocks from the Beachfront, Old Town Bay St. Louis. Spend a day on Ship Island with a Ship Island Excursion. Bring the family, sunblock, and an umbrella to relax on the best beaches in the area. You may even spot a dolphin in the wake of your boat on the way there!