"Local Living" Overview
Our "Local Living" section is a one-stop-shop for everything Bay/Waveland. You'll find directories and resources to make living and visiting our part of the coast easier - while supporting hometown businesses. Take a quick spin around to see all Local Living offers!
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson
The Local Living section began with the magazine's legendary Community Calendar and its companion Upcoming Events listings which have become known locally as THE source on local happenings. The Calendar lists all Bay-Waveland events in seven different categories. Upcoming Events puts a spotlight on Shoofly staff favorites.
But Anderson kept fielding requests from Shoofly readers who wanted more: information on restaurants, shopping and things for visitors to do. Where to take art lessons, or go camping. How to plan a Bay wedding. She made a list of everything people asked about and came up with three different categories:
The Local Living concept was born. Now complete, each of those three categories contains four to seven guides or directories.
But Anderson kept fielding requests from Shoofly readers who wanted more: information on restaurants, shopping and things for visitors to do. Where to take art lessons, or go camping. How to plan a Bay wedding. She made a list of everything people asked about and came up with three different categories:
- Happenings & Activities
- Hometown Businesses
- Community Resources
The Local Living concept was born. Now complete, each of those three categories contains four to seven guides or directories.
Since the amount of information can be overwhelming, the pages are specially designed to be intuitive, also making use of using easy-to-read animated buttons and drop-down accordion menus.
Directories will be updated twice annually, with updates being made in the interim when Shoofly staffers and readers alert the editors.
"We don't think there's anything like it on the whole Gulf Coast," Anderson says. "Our team and our sponsors are very proud to be able to offer this to our community."
In the meantime, here’s an under-the-hood look at what the new Local Living section offers:
Happenings & Activities
This is the springboard for locals and visitors. Everything you need to plan your day or your vacation is right here. Think of our Community Calendar as the kitchen sink - it lists festivals, live music performances, library and civic meetings - even high school sporting events. Upcoming Events shines a spotlight on don't-miss happenings and gives more details. Both are updated weekly!
Planning a wedding? Dive into listings of florists, musicians, caterers, venues, invitations, hair and makeup and formal wear. How about a bike or walking tour, complete with mobile maps? It’s here, too. Feeling inspired by our arts community? Take a lesson from some of the best around.
Planning a wedding? Dive into listings of florists, musicians, caterers, venues, invitations, hair and makeup and formal wear. How about a bike or walking tour, complete with mobile maps? It’s here, too. Feeling inspired by our arts community? Take a lesson from some of the best around.
Hometown Businesses
The Restaurant Guide lists more than 50 Indie Eateries (independently owned, not franchises) so locals and visitors alike can get mouthwatering ideas when they're hungry. Want to shop for antiques, art, home decor, apparel or gifts? Or all of them? The listings can help you find what you’re looking for. There’s even a digitized version of the Old Town Merchants shopping guide.
If you’re looking for places to stay, Local Living can guide you to inns, houses and cottages, some historic, all accommodating. From automotive to utilities, the Service business listings are indispensable. For your personal and pet needs, home and garden to transportation, this is the place to find it.
If you’re looking for places to stay, Local Living can guide you to inns, houses and cottages, some historic, all accommodating. From automotive to utilities, the Service business listings are indispensable. For your personal and pet needs, home and garden to transportation, this is the place to find it.
Community Resources
This section is the place to find information on all of Hancock County's municipal and county officials, meetings and services - with links to websites and officials' emails. If you want to get involved with business, nonprofit, grassroots, and service or political organizations, you'll find them all here. The Churches page is especially helpful for visitors who want to attend a service or newcomers to the area. Our Education page lists not only local schools, but libraries and groups that support our educational system.
We consider our readers part of our Shoofly Magazine team. We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions, while we're working to make this little online magazine one of the most valuable community resources in the South. Thank you for your encouragement and support!
*The Shoofly Magazine began in 2011 as a neighborhood newsletter we called "The Fourth Ward Cleaver." In that time period, we've grown from about 100 readers a month to more than 20,000 readers a month, and from 50 subscribers to 3,000+. Our readership is nationwide - and sometimes international. We're popular with locals, expatriates, second home-owners and coast visitors - both first-time and frequent.
In short, if you love Bay-Waveland, you're going to find lots to love in the Shoofly Magazine!
In short, if you love Bay-Waveland, you're going to find lots to love in the Shoofly Magazine!