The Big Buzz - June 2015

This Month:

• Waveland takes Grand Prize in National USA Today Contest
• Bay St. Louis the fastest growing city in MS for 2nd year in row
• Dynamic Leadership program opens for registration
• 100 Men Hall spotlighted in national story
• Stennis now testing rocket engines for deep space
• New Swank Vacation complex opens in Old Town
• Katrina 1oth Anniversary Happenings

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Waveland Wins USA Today July 4th Celebration!

USA Today announced on May 29th that Waveland is one of two winners in their Red, White and You contest.  The Grand Prize is a Fourth of July celebration (including a fireworks display) valued at approximately $50,000, including food and entertainment.

Earlier in the year, entrants sent in 150 word essays explaining why their city was deserving of the grand prize.  More than 2,600 entries were received. 

The winning entry for Waveland was written by Donna Estopinal. 

"Many people were forced to move away leaving their dreams behind to start over somewhere else," she wrote. "Those who stayed were determined to rebuild not just their homes but our beautiful city as well. Waveland is coming back stronger and better than before."

Oroville, California was awarded the other grand prize.  The other finalists were Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Midland, Pennsylvania, and Platteville, Wisconsin. 

Read the complete article here.

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Bay St. Louis Fastest Growing City in the State

For two years in a row, Bay St. Louis has landed the title of Fastest Growing City in the State of Mississippi, at least those with a population over 1,000.

According to an article in the Sun Herald, the city has grown by 23% since 2010, adding 2,128 residents for a total of 11.388 in 2014. 

Mayor Les Fillingame attributes the rapid growth to the real estate market and the rebuilding of the city's historic district.

"The build-out of Old Town Bay St. Louis is the hottest part of real estate in the region," he said. "By and large, we have rebuilt the city to produce the results that we're seeing. Hats off to everyone involved in the recovery."

Read the entire article here.

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Registration for Leadership Hancock County Begins

Leadership Hancock County will be accepting applications between June 1st and July 31st of this year.  The Hancock Chamber began the leadership program in 1996 to “identify and prepare the community’s existing and future leadership resources.” 

The group meets for an entire day each month for field trips and classes that develop an awareness of the community, develop networking skills and teach participants to make the most of their leadership abilities.

Since the program was introduced nearly two decades ago, thirteen classes have produced 320 graduates, many of whom have gone on to become “change agents for the good of Hancock County.”

LHC participants receive a certificate of graduation and celebrate their dedication and hard work in June, with a graduation ceremony and dinner.

Please click here to access the digital application, directly, then fill it out, sign the bottom and fax  to 228-467-6033 or emailing to sally@hancockchamber.org by the July 31st deadline.

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100 Men Hall Spotlighted

100 Men Hall - photo Ellis Anderson

Bill Cleven  travels all across the country seeking people and places making America great, then shares them with readers of his website "Bill On The Road" and fans of his St. Louis radio show.  So of course, he spent time in Bay St Louis recently!  Here's his take on 100 Men Hall: 

The 100 Men DBA Hall in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi once hosted many of the biggest names in music.  Fast forward to 2005 when the same building sat in disrepair and largely unused.  Add in the destructive forces of hurricane Katrina and the hall was on the brink of destruction and for lack of a better word – history.

Now imagine being from out of state, zero knowledge of the building’s great history (that includes way more than just music) and buying it hours before it was set to be demolished.

That’s pretty much the story of Jesse & Kerrie Loya.

Read the rest of the article here.

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Stennis Testing Deep Space Rocket Engines

A billowing plume of steam signals a successful 450-second test of the RS-25 rocket engine May 28

Engines being tested now at Stennis Space Center will power the core stage of NASA’s new rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), which is being developed to carry humans deeper into space than ever before. The heavy-lift SLS will be more powerful than any current rocket and will be the centerpiece of the nation’s next era of space exploration, carrying humans to an asteroid and eventually to Mars.

The successful 450-second test of the RS-25 rocket engine occured May 28 at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The hotfire test was conducted on the historic A-1 Test Stand where Apollo Program rocket stages and Space Shuttle Program main engines also were tested.  RS-25 testing now is set to continue through the summer.

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New Old Town Historic Complex Open For Guests
From Lisa Monti's Notebook

The Bay St. Louis building at 134 Sycamore St., previously known as the Globe Laundry, has been transformed into a tropical-themed bed and breakfast that’s now open for guests.
Owner Kevin Jordan bought the disheveled cinderblock building which was more recently a junk/antique store and spent the next seven years renovating it with thoughts of recreating a Mexican resort vibe a block from the Bay beach.

“When I walked in the front doors with my agent, I thought of residences of friends in central Mexico,” Kevin said. “Hurricane Katrina had blown off the raised roof in the main room of the building which is about 3,500 square feet. I thought it would make a perfect courtyard and be perfect for a swimming pool. I thought it would be a great B&B.”

Renovations commenced on the aptly named “Abode” and included a new roof and windows, plastering exterior walls, carving out rooms and making the kitchen cabinets and bar from lumber reclaimed from his house on Washington Street that was destroyed by Katrina.

Read the rest of the story on Lisa Monti's Notebook!

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New Day in the Bay!
Events currently scheduled for 10th Katrina Anniversary

Thursday, August 20, 2015
Hancock Chamber Business After Hours
5-7pm
Ground Zero – Waveland Library, Coleman Avenue, Waveland, MS
Sponsored by the Library Foundation of Hancock County
This will kick off the week of Katrina Plus 10 Anniversary Events

Thursday, August 27, 2015
2015 Annual Awards Gala
5pm Reception
6pm Dinner & Program
presented by the Hancock Chamber &
The Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
Hollywood Casino, Bay St. Louis, MS
Business Attire

Friday, August 28, 2015
New Day in the Bay - Celebrating Our Can-Do City
11:30am – 1pm
Luncheon for Visiting Media, Elected Officials and Business Leaders
Longfellow Civic Center, Court Street, Bay St. Louis, MS
Media Tours (optional) prior to and following the luncheon
Public is invited to tour, dine and shop all day
Stores will stay open late with music in the streets

Saturday, August 29, 2015
 
Ringing of the Church Bells Across the Coast
9:30am
All churches will be invited to participate to commemorate when Hurricane Katrina made landfall

Waveland’s Ground Zero Hurricane Homecoming
Waveland  Ground Zero Hurricane Museum
5pm Ceremony to remember the lives lost to Katrina in Hancock County
5:30pm Grand Re-Opening of the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum
Music, food & beverages until 8pm
Tours of the Museum featuring the new H. C. Porter Exhibits
Backyards and Beyond:  Mississippians and Their Stories
Sponsored by Mississippi Power Company, the City of Waveland and the Hancock Community Development Foundation
Katrina Authors will be on hand to sell and autograph books through Bay Books
Bring your lawn chairs, Katrina memorabilia, picnic baskets and more for an evening of tail-gating

Sunday, August 30, 2015
Faith-based events
Various churches throughout the county will hold events and special services.
St. Rose De Lima Church in Bay St. Louis has an event in formation and details are not yet available.

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