What's UP, Waveland? November 2022

Waveland resident Bruce Northridge unveils plans for upcoming street fairs and shows, and discusses progress on Highway 90 and the future of Coleman Avenue.

-by Bruce Northridge

Make sure to check out the art show "Quilt Tales" at the Waveland Ground Zero Museum at 335 Coleman Ave. The exhibit can be seen during regular museum hours, Tuesday–Saturday (10am–3pm), until January 14, 2023.

​Waveland has been showing it’s GOOD at throwing a party. There was the end-of-summer party (Waveland Festival) back in September; and then the White Linen Night Party; and Shine n’ Brew supporting Hancock Resource Center; the Coleman Ave Fall Festival; and the Fresh Fits & Fedoras party supporting Waveland Helping Hands. Not to mention our Food Truck Fridays every second Friday of the month.

What's Up, Waveland 
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Don't miss the Christmas Bazaar on Coleman on November 19. Photo: Ryan Wallace|Unspash

​To keep the trend going, Waveland is having two holiday-palooza events on November 19. Check out the Christmas Bazaar on Coleman Avenue, where you'll find crafts, food vendors, face painting, Dane the Balloon Man, and kids’ games.

Make sure you stop in at the Waveland Ground Zero Museum (335 Coleman Avenue) to check out the Fiber Arts Festival, featuring weaving, dyeing, and screen printing! The festival will be set up in the town green space beside the museum and is being held in coordination with the museum’s quilt show. "Quilt Tales" can be seen during regular museum hours, Tuesday–Saturday (10am–3pm), until January 14, 2023.  

Of course, you'll find full details of both on our Community Calendar and our curated Upcoming Events page where we list "don't miss" happenings! 
 
For info on how to participate in the Christmas Bazaar, contact Brenda at brendamccomb77@yahoo.com. For more on the Fiber Arts Fest, see the Facebook page managed by The Arts, Hancock County.

Progress on Highway 90

The "Crunch" ship prop and demolition site of the former waterpark and hotel located at Hwy 90 and Hwy 603. Photo Ellis Anderson

Many Waveland residents have been noticing the demolition of the hotel at the intersection of Highways 90 and 603. It had seen its glory years. The hotel was a lifesaver during Hurricane Katrina as rescuers dropped people off onto second-floor rooms.
 
But it was time to go. According to Claiborne Hills’ Garrett Acquistapace, the new owners’ current plan is to plant grass and enjoy some green space on the corner, saying it will give more visibility to their store.

Clairborne Hills grocery, photo by Ellis Anderson

Meanwhile, Wavelanders are seeing lots of activity in front of WalMart. The gas station is being upgraded to a Murphy Oil store/station. The car wash business has been removed, and there is new construction on either side of the Walmart entrance.
 
Although some folks posting on social media are asking for a chain sit-down restaurant, it looks like those spaces will be new storefronts.

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Coleman Avenue project

Wavelanders will get a chance to see the proposal for one part of the future of Coleman Avenue on November 14 when a condominium development at the foot of Coleman Avenue comes before the Planning & Zoning Board. Officially, just the site plan has been submitted; but the discussions have indicated a proposed building with nine condos and a restaurant/bar included.
 
Meanwhile, the sale of the C&R establishment has been pushed to the right again. What can we say? Future development on Coleman Avenue is a moving target!
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Election Results

No one can say that the Waveland municipal elections aren’t interesting.

In the Republican Primary back on Oct 4th, the voters downselected to one out of the four Republican candidates for mayor. But the choice for Republican candidate for Ward 1 Alderman was not clear cut.  

Rhonda Aimes-Gamble got 237 votes and Bob Martin got 148. Since the 50% threshold wasn’t reached, a run-off was scheduled. On Oct 25th, Rhonda Aime-Gamble won with 263 votes while Bob Martin garnered 139 votes.

The race attracted quite a bit of attention on social media.

What’s left now is the General Election on Dec 6th.  

In the Mayor’s race, it’s Jay Trapani (R ) facing Independent Micah Tinkler and Libertarian Brice Phillips.

In Ward 1, Aime-Gamble (R ) will face Independent Cheryl Crosby Tenney and Libertarian Mathew Adams. 

Over in Ward 2, incumbent Bobby Richardson (R ) is being challenged by Clarence Harris (D ).

In Ward 3, incumbent Shane Lafontaine (R ) does not have any opposition; so he’ll be on the Board for the next 4 years.

And in Ward 4, the race is between Republican Gary Catalano and Independent Jeremy Clark and Libertarian Lynn Smith.

What we do know is that we’ll have a different mayor and different Ward 1 and Ward 4 aldermen. On Dec 6th, we’ll find out what other differences may come our way.  ​

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