Living Large - August 2016 - The Shoofly Magazine

Living Large - August 2016

8/1/2016

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 Ellis Cuevas, Rochelle Harper, Sam and Bob McRaney, Greg Matusoff, Frida Fest and the city of Bay St. Louis.
If you know a local who belongs on this page because of recent recognition, email info to our publisher.

Ellis Cuevas Recognized for Lifetime Achievement in Local Beautification

During a July Bay St. Louis Rotary Club meeting, members and representatives from the Hancock Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee surprised Ellis Cuevas with well-deserved recognition for his leadership.

Known for his wardrobe of Hawaiian shirts, many of the members wore similar garb in honor of his more than 40 years of service to the business community as a leader for the Hancock Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Beautification Committee.

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“Ellis has perfect attendance at the weekly Rotary Club meetings,” said Chamber Executive Director, Tish Williams. “So, we knew we could get him the recognition he deserves during one of these meetings!”

Ellis’ passion for beautification first began 40 years ago when he was asked by then Mayor Warren Carver to join the Bay’s Beautification Committee. In the years since then, he has served as chairman of the Hancock Chamber Beautification Committee and in 1995 was elected as president of the Hancock Chamber Board of Directors. He is an inaugural member of the Mississippi Marine Debris Task Force leading the efforts to clean up the marine environment in Hancock County for close to 30 years; and, he also served as Vice-Chair of the Hancock County Beach Task Force.

Mayor Les Fillingame was on hand to present Cuevas with a plaque of appreciation, calling him a “shepherd,” inspiring others to join in the efforts to Keep Bay St. Louis and all of Hancock County beautiful.

Ellis expressed his appreciation to the Mayor, Katharine Ohman, incoming chairman of the Hancock Chamber Beautification Committee, Tommy Kidd and Don Siebenkittel who serve as active members of the committee and have done so much to expand the beautification efforts countywide.

“Over the years, the Hancock Chamber Beautification Committee has launched so many important programs for our county,” he said. “I have had to slow down a bit due to health concerns but I am so thankful for the new leaders who have stepped up to the plate to keep the beautification efforts going.”

“Everyone needs to do their fair share to keep Hancock County beautiful,” he said.

Cuevas credits the staff at the Sea Coast Echo for giving him the opportunity to give back to the community in so many leadership positions. “I could not have done what I have been able to do without the support of Randy Ponder and Geoff Belcher,” he said.

Rochelle Harper Launches New Video

photo by Selena Baroni

Rochelle Harper's new music video, "#Wildflowers" premiered on Thursday, August 4th, at the Beacon Theatre in Waveland, Mississippi. Harper said an "enthusiastic" crowd of more than 75 people attended, as well as collaborator and Mississippi film makerr, Matt Barrett, Gary "Boz" Boswell and many cast members.

The popular local singer/songwriter calls the premier the "celebration of a Mississippi film with a universal message of love, hope and empowerment."

The video is now available for viewing and sharing on Youtube.com

WLOX Video of Frida Fest in Old Town

WLOX videographer/video producer Corey Hudson apparently came to Frida Fest with a vision in mind. The resulting video captures the spirit of the event and a hilarious improv by the first and second place winners of the contest. Thanks, Corey!

The video wouldn't embed at a larger size, so click on the image below to watch it on the WLOX website.

Click on the image to watch the video on the WLOX website.

BSL Resident/NOLA Firefighter Makes the News For Cat Rescue

Click on the photo to see the whole story on the Times-Picayune website! You'll see this photograph and more by Brett Duke.

Old town resident Greg Matusoff laughed when he told The Shoofly that he sustained only minor injuries during a cat rescue on July 26th. A member of the New Orleans Fire Department, Matusoff was part of the team extinguishing a fire on Magazine Street in New Orleans, when he saved the feline - who was understandably traumatized and had sharp claws. Times-Picayune photographer Brett Duke caught the happy ending.

The home of Matusoff and his partner Kristie Buddenbaum was featured in the July 2016 issue of the Shoofly, in the "At Home in the Bay" column.

BSL Wins State Scenic Award

BSL Mayor Les Fillingame accepts the award on behalf of the city.

The MS Urban Forest Council awarded the city of Bay St. Louis the 2016 Scenic Community of Mississippi at their state conference held July 28th in Gulfport. The city's dedicated efforts at beautification and improving its urban forest garnered it the 2015 Green Mayor Award.