Living Large - April 2016 - The Shoofly Magazine

Living Large - April 2016

4/1/2016

Welcome to our community's Hall-O-Fame, where we spotlight local individuals and businesses who have well-deserved kudos coming their way! This month, we recognize Carroll House B&B, Rochelle Harper, the Bay Rollers bicycle club, Grace Wilson Birch and Magnolia Brewery.

Living Large
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Rochelle Harper Band to Rock NYC
(event cancelled - see 4/12 update below)

Updated 4/13: The Rochelle Harper Band was scheduled to rock Central Park in New York City on June 11 at an event billed as the 37th Annual Mississippi Picnic. Hosted by The New York Mississippi Society, the 2016 theme was to be “Nothing but the Blues,” a tribute to Mississippi’s own B.B. King.

More than 5,000 people were expected to attend the celebration, which would have showcased blues performers from Mississippi. The Rochelle Harper Band from Bay St. Louis was scheduled to bring their special brand of "Mississippi musical mayhem" to the event.

However, organizers canceled the event on April 12, citing the controversy surrounding Mississippi's HB 1523, which was signed into law last week. In a statement released to the press, organizers stated that "for almost four decades, the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park has consistently celebrated the best of Mississippi, without regard to race, religion, or gender orientation.

We took pride in sharing our rich heritage and diversity with the rest of the world through these annual gatherings. Any law such as HB 1523 that discriminates against even a single member of our community cannot be tolerated, and therefore we have decided to stand up for all Mississippians by canceling the 2016 picnic in the park."

"We understand why the event was canceled. It's really disturbing," said Harper in a phone interview on April 13. "But how does that help if I'm not in New York singing ‘Universal Love?’ I'm saddened that we and the other Mississippi artists don't get to deliver this message."

Rochelle's husband and lead guitarist Gary Bowell wondered how the state legislators who voted for the law are feeling the impact professionally. "Are those cats not getting their paychecks?" he asked. "Are they not able to go to work?"

"We're all people. There's no reason to discriminate. It's the Golden Rule," said Harper. "That's a message Mississippi artists need to keep delivering. I'd like to see a concert right here in Bay St. Louis where musicians come together to protest the bill and use music to help bring people together instead of divide them."

To read more about local grassroots efforts to protest the bill, click here.

Carroll House B&B Makes "Perfect Getaway" List

Jane Alford, owner of Carroll House B&B

On March 4th, the website "Only In Your State" published an article featuringten Mississippi B&Bs for the perfect getaway. The Carroll House B&B, owned by Jane Alford, is located in Bay St. Louis's Historic District. It garnered the recognition as one of the editors' ten picks — quite the feat considering Mississippi's reputation for hospitality.

"Located in the heart of Bay St. Louis, guests of the Carroll House are mere minutes from charming antique shops, art galleries, fine dining, and coffee shops. The seaside bed and breakfast also offers access to the Gulf of Mexico and the amazing views that come along with it, which can be enjoyed from the private porches that complement the guest rooms."

Bay Rollers Bike Historic Route from Selma to Montgomery

(l-r) Myron, Bruce, Nat, Bill, Byron

On Saturday, March 19th, a group of cyclists from the Bay were in Alabama following their personal fitness goals, enjoying a weekend of camaraderie, and touching on a bit of history.
A half-dozen of the Bay Rollers made the trip: Myron Labat, Bill McIntyre, Nat Fairconnetue, Bruce Northridge, Byron Curry, and Craig Saucier.

The group traced the history-making, 52-mile route on which Civil Rights activists marched from Selma to Montgomery over five days in March, 1965. The Bay Rollers' challenge was to ride their bikes along the historic route and back again for a total of 104 miles.

Leading the pack was the group’s senior member (and most experienced cyclist), Bill McIntyre. Finishing right along with him was Bay Rollers founder Myron Labat, who is said to train the hardest. And coming in in under 8 hours and finishing his first-ever century ride was Bruce Northridge, who joined the group just a year ago. It was a true team effort, with three of the members providing invaluable support for the three members who completed the ride. Watch for the Bay Rollers in their bright yellow shirts as they ride around Bay St. Louis!

Bay Resident Grace Wilson Birch Profiled in New Orleans Magazine

Social media diva, journalist and resident of the Palm House in Old Town, Grace Wilson Birch divides her time between Bay St. Louis and New Orleans. If you don't know Grace, this article is a fun intro. If you're already acquainted, this interview will make you smile.

Lazy Magnolia Makes Top Ten in the South

Lazy Magnolia Brewery, located in Kiln, was recently named one of the top ten breweries in the South by Culture Trip, a website that showcases the best of art, food and culture from around the globe. Read the whole article here.

If you have an announcement that belongs in this section, email us and we'll do our best to get it in!