Living Large

Locals in the Limelight

The annual Boo in the Bay Parade, taking place on 10/22 (click for our Upcoming Events page for full details). Photo from 2020 event by Brenda Comer for The Shoofly Magazine. Click the pic to see more from 2020!

Living Large features local businesses and individuals in the limelight. We update this page as we ferret out the stories, so check back often!

Have a Living Large candidate for us? Email us the info or link to the story!

Living Large is brought to you by The Wedding Collection

BSL Landmarks Featured in the Times-Picayune

December 2022

Nola.com, the website of the Times-Picayune newspaper, recently featured videos of the Alice Moseley Folk Art & Antique Museum, Gallery 220, and the 100 Men Hall. Click to view!

Photo by Ellis Anderson

August 2022

WorldAtlas.com, a cartography and geography website, recently chose Bay St. Louis to top its list of "9 Most Charming Small Towns in Mississippi. Calling it an "artsy enclave and beloved beach destination" that "feels like a breath of fresh air," the site promises that visitors will want to "return time and again." Read the full story here.

MacBe Seafood a "Hidden Gem Seafood Spot"

House Beautiful Names Bay St. Louis as one of America's "Cutest Seaside Towns"

Beverly Fitzsimmons

August 2022

House Beautiful magazine recently named Bay St. Louis one of its "Cutest Seaside Towns," citing the city's abundance of shops and antique stores and its deserted white sand beaches. Read the full article here.

Unsplash

December 2022

The website OnlyInYourState.com recently featured MacBe Seafood on Highway 43/603 in Bay St. Louis as a "Hidden Gem Seafood Spot," saying, "Modest in appearance only, the eatery’s fare delivers in a big way." Read the full story here.

Bay St. Louis Tops List of "Cutest Small Towns in Mississippi"

August 2022

In a recent article entitled "These are Mississippi’s Must-See Music Venues," Rolling Stone magazine cited our own 100 Men Hall as a must-see, citing its importance as a stop on the "Chitlin' Circuit" of black musicians, and the importance of the venue today. Other nearby sites in the article are the Government Street Grocery in Ocean Springs and the Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi.

The Port Bienville Short Line Railroad staff (l-r): Matthew Marcukaitis, Norman Givens, Railroad Director Shane LaFontaine, Chief Operations Officer Blaine LaFontaine, Ryan Furey, Justin Stewart, Susan Garcia, Scott LaFontaine, Jason Oliver, Mike Skoros, Brennan Stieffel, Colton Penton and Kevin Krull.

July 2022

Port Bienville Short Line Railroad (PBVR) was recognized for its safety record by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) for above-industry-average performance during 2021.

Port Bienville Railroad also received a Jake Award with Distinction in recognition of reportable injury-free performance last year.

Connecting the port to CSX, Port Bienville Short Line Railroad , owned and operated by Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, boasts 17 miles of track and processes over 8,000 loaded railcars a year.

Martha Whitney Butler Earns AIFD Accreditation

Martha Whitney Butler

July 2022

Congratulations to Martha Whitney Butler, owner of The French Potager on Main Street. Martha has been invited to become an accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD®). Prospective members must participate in the Professional Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE®) and achieve scores at the level required to receive an invitation to AIFD.

Chapel Hart

July 2022

Tears could not be contained when Chapel Hart, country up-and-comers from Poplarville, wowed the judges on America's Got Talent. The judges were so impressed by their performance that they gave the songsters the Golden Buzzer, essentially a free pass to the elimination round of the competition. You can view their performance here. Congratulations!

Pass Books Featured by Mississippi Book Festival

July 2022

Pass Books, the popular local bookseller (and Shoofly sponsor) was featured in a video just posted by the Mississippi Book Festival. The festival takes place August 20. Click above to watch!

**Kerri Pellegrin, Anne Pitre, Holly Lemoine-Raymond Named in Gulf Coast Woman Magazine's “100 Successful Women to Know”**

Kerri Pellegrin

Anne Pitre

Holly Lemoine-Raymond

July 2022

Kerri Pellegrin, owner of the Wedding Collection; Anne Pitre, marketing & communications manager for the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce; and Holly Lemoine-Raymond, of HL Raymond Properties have been named in Gulf Coast Woman Magazine's “100 Successful Women to Know.” Read the article in full in the July issue here. Congrats to Kerri, Anne, and Holly!

BSL Named One of Top 10 Beach Towns to Escape Winter

Shoofly Magazine file photo

December 2022

When Rebecca Strong of Yahoo!Life assembled a list of the ten best beach towns in the U.S. to escape winter, she named Bay St. Louis to that list - of course - along with more well-known destinations as Destin, FL, South Padre Island, TX, and La Jolla, CA. Read the article here.

BSL Named One of USA’s “Best Coastal Small Towns” by USA TODAY Readers – Again

June 2022

The votes are in – and Bay St. Louis has been named one of the USA’s “Best Coastal Small Towns” by the readers of USA TODAY. BSL came in at #2, with USA TODAY’s travel editors citing the city’s unique shops, excellent restaurants and kayak trails as making it special. Neighboring Ocean Springs was crowned #1. Congrats to both!

Shout Out for Boo in the Bay

Vote for Bay St. Louis as one of USAToday's "10Best"

Oct 2022

The Mississippi Free Press noted this third annual parade in its round-up of
don't miss activities for the fall around the state. You can access the entire article here. Click here for pics of the 2021 event by Gregg Martel for The Shoofly Magazine! Want to participate in or watch the 2022 event? You 'll find full details on our Upcoming Events page!

Beverly Fitsimmons | Shoofly

May 2022

Bay St. Louis once again finds itself among the 20 nominees for USAToday's “10Best Coastal Small Towns,” calling it “The friendly community has everything you’d want from a small town seaside escape.” Ocean Springs is also again a nominee. Vote for your favorite small town here. Voting closes at noon on June 6.

Pat Murphy Spotlighted

200 North Beach restaurant one of top five

May 2022

The website Newsbreak recently featured 200 North Beach as one of the top five seafood restaurants in the state of Mississippi. "This restaurant offers a nice, casual atmosphere and is ranked highly in food, service and ambiance." Read the piece here.

Pat Murphy photo by Ellis Anderson

October 2022

Local musician and historian Pat Murphy was recently profiled in the Sea Coast Echo by writer Cassandra Favre. The piece highlighted his struggles with a youthful polio disability and the obstacles he overcame to fulfill his life's dreams. You can read the whole article here.
Also, check out Pat's "Growing Up Downtown" series in the Shoofly Magazine archives!

Coastal Mississippi Makes the List: 27 Best Places to Visit in December

September 2022

Coastal Mississippi was ranked #23 in the list of "27 Best Places to Visit in December," according to the website ExploreNowOrNever.com, a travel blog that offers monthly travel suggestions. Read the full article here.

Jame’ Crowder Receives MKOTSH Scholarship

Tim Sanford (Captain Longbeard), Sandy Walsh (Lady Claiborne) and John Rosetti (MKOTSH president) present a certificate to Jame’ Crowder at the school award ceremony May 10.

May 2022

Jame’ Crowder was named the recipient of the first annual $1,000 Hospitality Scholarship sponsored by the Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse. Crowder, a senior at Our Lady Academy, is enrolled in AP, Dual Credit and Honors courses and is active in her school and church community. She will be attending Mississippi State University in the fall as a business major and plans to transfer to Auburn University in 2023 for their Hospitality Management Program. Congratulations!

100 Men Hall Cited in Rolling Stone as one of "Mississippi's Must-see Music Venues"

Audubon Poster Contest Educates Students About Nesting Shorebirds

(L-R) Mary Dubuisson - Site Director, East Hancock YMCA; winners Rico, Swainer, Alisa Gurneck, and Fiona Devany; Melinda Averhart, St;wardship Manager, Audubon Delta-Mississippi; and winner Rilee Osborn.

May 2022

Recently, Audubon Delta-Mississippi worked with the East Hancock YMCA on an education program about beach-nesting birds. After learning about the lives of Least Terns and Black Skimmers, 60 second- to fifth-grade students were asked to design a poster highlighting some of the challenges beach-nesting birds face. The four winning designs will be hung near nesting bird colonies across the coast this summer to encourage locals and tourists to be mindful of our beach-nesting bird colonies.

BSL Featured in Toronto Travel Article

Port Bienville Railroad Receives Safety Award

Shoofly Magazine archives

May 2022

The Toronto Star recently featured a travel piece on Mississippi's "Secret Coast." Prominently featured, of course was Bay St. Louis, with mentions of the Bay Town Inn and delicious royal reds from The Blind Tiger. Read the full article here.

Shoofly Staffer Named to Audubon BoD

Poplarville's Chapel Hart Gets "Golden Buzzer" on AGT

Dena Temple, photo by Ellis Anderson

May 2022

Congratulations to Shoofly Magazine staffer Dena Temple, who was invited to join the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Coast Audubon Society as a Board member at large. Her stories on birds, birding and the culture of conservation have been featured in the Shoofly Magazine for the past three years. Congrats!

Attorney Brehm Bell Announces Law Scholarship

The first Brehm Bell scholarship recipient, Mary Adelyn Fraiser, with Bell in 2016.

April 2022

For the seventh year, attorney Brehm Bell is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a Hancock County high school senior who is planning to pursue a degree in a law-related field. The application is available here and can be submitted via mail to Brehm Bell, 544 Main St., Bay St. Louis, MS 9520, or via email to [email protected] no later than April 29, 2022. The winner will be announced by May 6.

I-10 Mural Project Winners Announced

Artists Holly Garvin (center) and Addison Moore (far right) display their designs, which were chosen for the high water marker transformation project. | Lisa Monti photo

April 2022

The Katrina high water markers at I-10 Exit 13 will be transformed into murals, and the winners of the design contest for these markers are Addison Moore, Youth Division, and Holly Garvin, Adult Division. Read more here.

Stennis Awarded for Training Program; Island Reaches Service Milestone

(l-r) Commission President Derek Necaise congratulates Jerry Island on 20 years of service.

September 2022

Stennis International Airport recently earned an ANTN Digicast Excellence in Airport Training award, presented by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). This signifies that employees and others working at the facility have completed a specified amount of federally-mandated, airport-specific training and continuing education.

Three OLA Grads Receive Highest UM Academic Award

OLA grads and 2022 Marcus Elvis Taylor Memorial Medal recipients (l-r) Camille Martin, Kiley Jacob, and Sarah Deano.

April 2022

Three 2018 Our Lady Academy graduates (pictured, l-r)– Camille Martin, Kiley Jacob, and Sarah Deano – each received a 2022 Marcus Elvis Taylor Memorial Medal, the university’s highest academic award. Only the top one percent of all Ole Miss students receives this award each year. Sarah and Kiley are pursuing degrees in Accountancy from the Patterson School of Accountancy; Camille is pursuing a degree in Biological Science from the College of Liberal Arts.

Another Food Writer Cites BSL as a "Perfect Escape"

Scrumptious food like this sumptuous fish at 200 North Beach keep food bloggers coming back for more.

April 2022

Food writer Kara Kimbrough, author of the "Foodie Travels" column in the Columbus, MS Dispatch, named Bay St. Louis as a destination for a "perfect escape" recently, citing several area restaurants including 200 North Beach, The Thorny Oyster and Trapani's as some of her favorites. Read the full article here.

OLA Robotics Team Wins 2022 Bayou Regional Competition

Our Lady Academy (OLA) Alpha Omega Robotics Team members Alyssa Fayard, Maddie Amacker, Camille Ivey, Kendall Pavolini, Maria Schuyler, Sofie Talazac, and Ana Wadsworth.

April 2022

Our Lady Academy’s Alpha Omega Robotics Team won the Bayou Regional Robotics Competition, competing against high schools from 40 states and Mexico. The teams had six weeks to design, build and program their robots to perform a series of tasks using code and programming, CAD, mechanical and electrical engineering, automation and robotics.

Southern Living Names BSL Among "Best Beach Towns for Retirement"

BSL harbor; image by Beverly Fitzsimmons

March 2022

Bay St. Louis made the list when Southern Living magazine chose their "best beach towns for retirement" along with Lewes, Delaware, Cape Charles, Virginia, and ten other coastal towns. Read the full article here.

Rotary Club of BSL Packs "Goody Bags" for Children in Foster Care

The officers of the Interact Club, a student group affiliated with the Rotary Club of BSL, plan ways they can give back to their community.

March 2022

Recently WXXV-25 featured a story on the Interact Club, a group of service-minded high schoolers affiliated with the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis. The group packed "goody bags" for foster children going to court, to help make the court process less frightening. Read the full story here.

Hancock House Floats Winners Revealed

This amazing figure of the late, great Pete Fountain decorated the porch of Best House winner Leslie Welliver.

March 2022

Congratulations to the winners of the Hancock House Floats competition!
Best House: 310 Demontluzin
Best Business: Waveland Public Library
Best in da Bay: 308 Sycamore
Most Wonderful in Waveland: 4185 Coral
Most Dazzling in Diamondhead: 9852 Kalae

Sun Herald Names Six “Inspiring Female Figures” on the Gulf Coast

(l-r) Angel Myers McIlrath, Lela Jordan, Rachel Dangermond, Audrey Duncan, Abby Bosarge, and Molly Kester. Image courtesy Sun Herald / Facebook

March 2022

For International Women’s Day, the Sun Herald singled out six inspiring Gulf Coast women, that “make South Mississippi better, one day at a time.” On the list are:

Jackson County D.A. Angel Myers McIlrath;
Biloxi Community activist Lela Jordan;
Gulfport restauranteur Audrey Duncan;
Pass Christian student Abby Bosarge;
LGBTQ advocate Molly Kester; and
Bay St. Louis’s women’s advocate and owner of the 100 Men Hall, Rachel Dangermond.

Read the full article here.

Hope Haven Earns New Accreditation

March 2022

Hope Haven Children's Advocacy Center hosted an open house recently to celebrate its accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance. The recognition means the group is reaching the highest standards when it comes to helping abused children. One of only 13 children’s advocacy centers in the state, Hope Haven works with the District Attorney, Child Protective Services, and law enforcement to investigate child abuse cases. Last year alone they served more than 400 children.

"March of the Mayors" Food Drive

March 2022

The second annual “March of the Mayors” food drive is now underway, and the mayors of Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead are leading their residents in this collection effort to benefit local food pantries. Coastal cities are charged with collecting a specific food item during this four-week event, with drop-off locations across the Coast. For details on how to give, read the full article here.

Tish Williams has the "Final Say"

March 2022

BSL's own Tish Williams, Executive Director of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, authored this month's "Final Say" column in South Mississippi Living Magazine. The column addresses the current real estate boom and the organization's own new offices in the old Town Hall building. Read the article here.

Beachside at Buoy's: "Best Burgers In The South"

February, 2022

In a a recent article on the travel website, OnlyInYourState.com, author Daniella DiRienzo crowned the supremely delicious burger from Beachside at Buoy's the "Best Burger in the South." Read the original Shoofly article on this waterfront gem here.

In other news, Stennis's Director of Operations, Jerry Island (pictured), was recognized recently by the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission for his 20 years of service.

Silver Slipper Exec Earns Promotion

John Ferricci | Silver Slipper photo

February 2022

Silver Slipper general manager John Ferrucci has been named to the position of Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of parent company Full House Resorts. Ferrucci will temporarily oversee the Company’s efforts to open The Temporary at American Place north of Chicago, continue to serve as general manager of the Silver Slipper, and will oversee operations for the Company’s other properties. Read the full news release here.

St. Stanislaus Marine Science Program Engages Students

St. Stanislaus student Ethan Favre serves as one of eight Marine Science interns at SSC. | Facebook

February 2022

Fox 8 New Orleans recently ran a feature on the Marine Sciences program at St. Stanislaus and its oyster gardens. The program teaches students about the importance of the Bay to our ecosystem and about conservation of resources. Read the full article here.

EatPlayStay in the Bay!

Mockingbird Cafe / Instagram

February 2022

BSL is getting a lot of attention lately! The website verylocal.com New Orleans featured Bay St. Louis as a weekend adventure destination in their “EatPlayStay” column. Local favorites mentioned in the article are Shoofly sponsors Mockingbird Café, Bay Town Inn, and Ms. Mary’s Old Town Snoballs, plus other local restaurants, shops and points of interest. Read the article here.

LSU Students Get BSL Recommendation

February 2022

Recently Reveille, the online student magazine for LSU, called out Bay St. Louis as a “destination for students looking for fun outside of Baton Rouge.” The article says BSL “packs a punch in a fun getaway with friends.” The Buttercup on Second St. was singled out as an “excellent place for brunch after a night out,” with a “mighty” menu. Read the full article here.

Thriffiley named National Merit Finalist

Jameson Thriffiley

February 2022

St. Patrick Catholic High School recently announced that Jameson Thriffiley has been named a 2022 National Merit Finalist. Read the full story here.

His parents, Dr. James C. Thriffiley IV and Angie Weems Thriffiley, are natives of Bay St. Louis.

Connie Lyons Earns Hancock Youth Court's
"Charity Cup"

Connie Lyons (left) receives Christmas Charity Cup from Hancock County Youth Court judge Trent Favre (left) | Sea Coast Echo photo

January 2022

Connie Lyons, outreach minister for the King’s Kitchen, 2005 Longfellow Road, Bay St. Louis, recently was presented the 2nd annual Hancock County Youth Court Christmas Charity Cup. The Christmas Charity Cup was established to recognize an individual in the community who supports youth, children, and the needy in Hancock County.

Read the full story here.

BSL Named One of Top "Amazing Beach Towns"

Beverly Fitzsimmons | Shoofly

January 2022

Bay St. Louis was recently cited on the travel website travelawaits.com as one of the top "Amazing Beach Towns" in its annual list for its eclectic restaurants and landmarks such as the 100 Men Hall. Read the full article here.

OLA Continues "Big Sister - Little Sister" Mentoring Program

(l-r) OLD senior Nina Palazzo passing the torch to freshman Margaret Compretta.

September 2021

The Our Lady Academy (OLA) Class of 2022 continued its Big Sister-Little Sister tradition during a special prayer service at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church this past Friday.

Days before, each participating senior left an ornamental gift in her little sister’s locker, offering a clue to her big sister’s identity. The following day, seniors swathed themselves in wrapping paper and a gift tag, naming their little sister. Freshmen searched for their names and excitedly unwrapped their big sisters.

The ceremonial act of “passing the torch” was observed during Friday’s prayer service. The seniors will help them navigate a successful first year of high school.

Ms. Mary's Brings Relief to Storm-torn Louisiana

September 2021

After watching the devastation Hurricane Ida brought to Louisiana, owners Bart and Mary Brooks of Ms. Mary’s Old Town Snoballs collected donations for its victims. Along with a trailer full of supplies, Ms. Mary’s brought their snoballs, which they hope will help keep residents cool. Read the full story here.

Anne Pitre Honored by MGCC

August 2021

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce (MGCCC) named Anne Pitre a Top 10 Business Leader Under 40 at their One Coast awards reception earlier this month. Anne, who is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, said she’s “thrilled, humbled, honored, ecstatic and grateful” for the recognition. Other Hancock County winners included Casey Favre of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and Janell Mallini Nolan of Coast Electric.

Yuki Northington named Woman of Achievement Winner

August 2021

Yuki Northington, owner of the Social Chair and Arts & Interiors in Bay St. Louis, was honored this week by the Lighthouse Business & Professional Women as the year’s Woman of Achievement in the Entrepreneur category. Also nominated in this category was Starr Chapman, owner of Rum Kitchen in Waveland. Congratulations to both of these accomplished local business women!

Hancock Middle and High School Beta Clubs Win at Nationals

HMS student Elise Johnson finished in 10th place in the Two-dimensional Design category.

August 2021

Members of the Hancock Middle School and Hancock High School Beta Clubs recently attended the National Beta Convention in Orlando, Florida. Three talented HMS students and five HHS students placed at the national convention. For a full winners’ list, visit the Hancock County School District’s Facebook page.

Rotary Club of BSL Celebrates Founders Day

August 2021

The Shoofly Magazine congratulates the Rotary Club of Bay St. Louis #6840, which recently celebrated 96 years of service to the community. This group and its culture of community involvement certainly lives up to their slogan, "Serve to Change Lives."

Inaugural "What Floats Your Cardboard Boat" Race
a Huge Success

Brady McCaw and Jaden Talbot piloted their cardboard craft to victory in the team category.

July 2021

True ingenuity was evident at the first annual "What Floats Your Cardboard Boat" Race, sponsored by the Hancock County Historical Society. Fifteen boats entered the race, with winners a half-dozen categories. See our full photo album of the event here!

Ashley Edwards Honored as “Forever Young”

Ashley Edwards

July 2021

Ashley Edwards was named recently by the Coast Young Professionals as a Forever Young Award recipient. Edwards, president and CEO of the Gulf Coast Business Council, will receive his honor on July 15 at the organization’s Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala. The program honors accomplished and influential leaders who have contributed to mentoring young professionals in Coastal Mississippi.

"I think it’s important to share our successes, and hear what others are doing to improve the system.”

CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the court, advocating for abused and/or neglected children.

Gulf Coast Train Called “A Priority” by Head of FRA

Happy BSL residents greet an Amtrak train on a test run from New Orleans to Jacksonville in 2016. The current plan is to restart daily service between New Orleans and Mobile in 2022.

June 2021

Amit Bose, dep. administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, said that restoring passenger service to the Gulf Coast was one of his “top two or three priorities” right now. The goal is to get the Amtrak trains rolling by January 2022, with two trains daily each way between New Orleans and Mobile, stopping in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. Read more about it here.

The Secret is Out: Nola.com Touts our "Artsy, Relaxed Beach Town"

June 2021

A recent article on Nola.com touted Bay St. Louis as the perfect place for New Orleanians to get away from it all. They cite BSL's "vibrant arts community and largely undeveloped shoreline," and suggests enjoying it now, before development and Amtrak service in 2022 bring more visitors. Read the full article here.

Audubon, Tami Curtis Celebrate Installation of New Interpretive Signs

Artist Tami Curtis poses next to one of six interpretive signs featuring her wildlife art that will be installed along Highway 90.

May 2021

Audubon Mississippi has unveiled a Coastal Bird Storyboard Trail comprised of six interpretive displays installed along Beach Boulevard in Harrison County. The signs educate beachgoers about the beach-nesting birds that visit coastal Mississippi to breed. Audubon partnered with local artists The Painter and Poet, artist Tami Curtis and writer Perry Guy to create the storyboards, each featuring one of six key species that nest on Mississippi beaches or migrate through the area. Learn more here.

May 2021

Southern Living magazine declared Coastal Mississippi "back" in a recent article posted on their website. Bay St. Louis was cited for its thriving arts scene, and the numerous entrepreneurs that recently have staked their fortunes on its success. Read the full article here.

May 2021

The Hancock Resource Center has been awarded $400,000 by the Federal Home Loan Bank in Dallas to repair 40 homes owned by older, special needs, and low-income residents. Construction will begin in the coming months and should be completed within the next two years. Read the full story here.