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2001
The Reverend Howard B. Kishpaugh (1926-2001), former rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, expired on January 11th at Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The O’Keefe Foundation’s New Hope Center on Government Street was named as “The Facility of the Year” by the Mississippi Recreation and Parks Association. This organization works within the local school and community recreation programs to ensure the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to promote disability awareness.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 25, 2001, p. 6)
The Elks Mardi Gras Parade was ruled by King and Queen Marge Holmes Gum (1947-2013) .(The Ocean Springs Record, 2001, p. A and The Sun Herald, February 17, 2013, p. A13)
The Ocean Springs Carnival Association held its annual Mardi Gras night parade on February 8, 2013. The theme was Red, White and Blue. (The Sun Herald, February 9, 2013, p. A3)
William Paul Shelton (1910-2001), local jeweler, who opened his first store at Biloxi in 1945 and Ocean Springs in 1972 expired on February 16, 2001.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 1, 2001, p. 3)
James David Sullivan (b. 1945) , principal of OS High School, announced his resignation effected June 30th. He came to OS in 1995, as principal. Eventually replaced by Robert Hirsch.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 15, 2001, p. 1)
E.R. Moore Company, now American Identity, plans to close at the end of the year.(still open in 2004!)
The Manhattan Grill and Steakhouse opened on Washington Avenue.
Big year for the medical industry of Ocean Springs as medical offices for Dr. Zayed, cardiologist and Dr. Franklin Rawls, Gulf Coast Eye Center, under construction on US 90, Carl Germany, AIA. Also new Endoscopy Center Building west of the original structure for Dr. McNair and the Ocean Springs Hospital Endoscopy and outpatient surgery clinic east of hospital near walking track.
US 90-Bienville Blvd. lane widening project between M.L. King-Vermont to Washington Avenue commenced in the spring.
Red Caboose
[L-R: original donated CSX Caboose June 1996; moving day on Porter Avenue and relocation at Davidson Park in May 2001. Images by Ray L. Bellande]
The Red Caboose, which was YELLOW, when donated to the City by the CSX Railroad in June 1995, was placed in the City Hall parking lot on Dewey Avenue. It was moved in May 2001 from Dewey Avenue to Davidson Park near 'Crooked Feather' on Bienville Boulevard.
Municipal elections held in June. Seren Ainsworth wins mayoral race in a landslide.
Cingular Wireless comes to town. Will utilize old Wal-Mart building on Bienville Boulevard and hire 500-700 people. Building remodeled in May-July.
June-July: Brad Lemon continues remodeling of the Lemon Building on Washington Avenue with Paul Campbell, contractor.
New Ocean Springs Public School District building commenced construction on Government Street and Holcombe Boulevard in July 2001.
Dr. William Lobrano began building a large domicile on Lovers Lane in the Seapointe Subdivision.
In August, Salvetti Brothers moved from Washington Avenue to their new building on US 90 east of the Super Wal-Mart. Carl Germany, AIA designed the structure and Danny Jalanivich, was the general contractor. Opened for business on August 22, 2001. Salvetti's closed its doors in the spring of 2007.(The Mississippi Press, August 20, 2001, p. 1-A)
James and Cindy Ricketts acquired The Ocean Springs Record from Gannett on September 19th.(The Ocean Springs Record, September 20, 2001, p. 1)
Construction started on the new Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant on Old Fort Bayou and Bienville Boulevard.
In October, Al Fresco restaurant opened on Washington Avenue in the space vacated by Salvetti’s.
On November 11, 2001, ground was broken on the East Campus of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.(The Mississippi Press, November 12, 2001, p. 6-A)
Margaret Virginia Seymour Norman (1908-2001) expired on November 24, 2001.
New shopping center on the west side of the Super Wal-Mart commenced construction in December.
2002
Two fires in January. 322 Lovers Lane, an Ishee cottage, burned on January 2, 2002, with damage estimated at $45,000. Six units at The Ocean Pointe Apartments at Martin and Front Beach were destroyed by fire on January 10, 2002.
Mel Hornback and Ilene Dubose ruled the Elks Mardi Gras parade in January. Jeffrey H. O'Keefe was the Grand Marshal.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 17, 2002, p. A3)
On February 2nd, Father Henry McInerney replaced Father Farrell at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Father Henry celebrated his 25th year as a priest in June 2002.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 2, 2002 and June 13, 2002, p. B3)
Napoleon 'Nap' Cassibry II (1918-2002), Gulfport native and attorney and historian and genealogist, died at Bay St. Louis on March 21st. Mr. Cassibry wrote The Ladner Odyssey (1987) and Early Settlers and Land Grants at Biloxi (1986).(The Sun Herald, March 23, 2002)
“New” Fisherman’s Wharf opened on Bienvile Boulevard in April.
The Landing of Iberville was cancelled for the first time since its inception in the 1970s for lack of interest.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 18, 2002, p. A-1)
In early May first “Trade Days” weekend held on Washington Avenue. Featured antiques. Organized by Wilson of The Very Thing, a local gift shop.
In May 2002, new McDonald’s construction on Bienville Boulevard begins and opens for business in late July.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 1, 2002, p. A-3)
First Renaissance Fair held by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marshall Park in May or June.
The City's elected official agreed to purchase the utilities situated at the Sunplex on Mississippi Highway 57 on the eastern perimeter of the city.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 20, 2002, p. 1)
In July, Fletcher Construction commenced work on the $1.7 million, Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Centerrenovation-addition. Official ground breaking, August 6th, 2002, Senators Lott and Cochran in attendance.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 8, 2002, p. 1)
Old McDonald’s Restaurant on Bienville Boulevard torn down to build a new one further west on same thoroughfare.
Former US Postmaster and School Board member, Orwin J. Scharr (1914-2002), expired on August 7, 2002.(The Sun Herald, August 8, 2002, p. A-6)
In September, Deedy Baxter Munro, widow of Donald Munro, commences first new home construction on Front Beach in several decades. Replaced the John Cook home at 212? Front Beach Drive. Carl Germany, architect, and Dan Resch, contractor.
Tropical Storm Isidore struck east of New Orleans and unleashed heavy rain and beach erosion at Ocean Springs on September 25, 2002.
In September, construction began on Robinson Street for a new restaurant. Bay View Gourmet of Mary Ratliff will relocate here from Government Street. Restaurant created from the old house situated at Robinson.
In early November, Dr. Jon Spiers, cardiovascular surgeon, performed the first heart by-pass surgery at the Ocean Springs Hospital. John Hedman Jr. was the patient receiving a double by-pass.(The Sun Herald, November 8, 2002)
2003
An Indian Motorcycle Company dealership opened on Bienville Boulevard.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 26, 2002, p. A1)
The Elks Mardi Parade was ruled by King Phil Quigley and Queen Carolyn McMullen on February 1st.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 30, 2003, p. A3)
Bay View Gourmet opened on Robinson Street opposite the L&N Depot.
Henry 'Hank' Zuber III, State Representative District 113, was Iberville and Ellis Branch, local realtor, was Bienville at the Landing of Iberville Commemoration in late April.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 24, 2003, p. A-1)
On May 11th, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has first services in new Family Living Center on US 90. Old sanctuary on Porter continues for parishioners who want to remain.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 15, 2003, p. A-1)
New upscale condominium developments on Old Fort Bayou, Camilla Pointe of Dr. Bahrat Sagani and Walter “Buzzy” Bolton’s Iberville Landing, in planning stages.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 15, 2003, p. A-1)
On June 15th, the new facility of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on US 90 near Ms Highway 57 was dedicated.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 19, 2003, p. )
In July, Chile Poblano, a southwestern food restaurant opened on Government Street in the Furr Building formerly occupied by Bay View Gourmet.
In August, McElroy’s Harbor House of Biloxi took over the operation of The Fisherman’s Wharf in Ocean Springs on Bienville Boulevard.
The M.C. O’Keefe Center for Art and Education formally opened on September 5, 2003.
New restaurant, “Dinner is Served”, opened on Government Street in September 2003.
The Homunculus, a locally filmed and produced silent movie, starring local potter, Shane Sekul, was shown at the M.C. O’Keefe Center on September 19, 2003.
In September, an outdoor patio was built for Al Fresco restaurant on Washington Avenue. Designed by H.H. Furr, AIA.
Shearwater Bridge opened in October, after a two-year closure.
Bello Bakery building on Government Street, refurbishment-construction began in November by Fred Moran.
Henry H. Furr and spouse acquired from Gary Tompkins, aka Gary Thompkins, on October 8th, the southeast corner of Washington and Government, familiarly known as the Zanca Oil Station. They immediately sold it toSEFCO, a Mississippi LLC.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 1320, p. 240 and p. 252)
J. Boyce Holleman (1924-2003), native of Wiggins, Mississippi, and Gulfport attorney, thespian, and bon vivant, expired at Houston, Texas on November 21st.
A small fire occurred on December 5th on 12th floor of the Villa Maria on Porter Street injuring one tenant.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 11, 2003, p. A1)
2004
In January, Burger Burger, a Biloxi hamburger phenomena replicating the food of Biloxi’s Abbey’s Little Diner of the 1950-1960s, opened on Washington Avenue in the Moran building formerly housing Southern Traditions, a failed restaurant.
In January, Jack Gottsche sold “Germaine’s”, his fine dining establishment, on Bienville Boulevard to Wayne and Vikki McElhose. Name changed to Chandler’s Fine Dining, the name of her father.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 15, 2004, p. A1)
The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was named as one of the US globally important birding areas.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 8, 2004, p. A1)
The Reverend Andrew Wells, First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, left for the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 22, 2004, p. A8)
The Ocean Springs Recreation Department commenced construction of a new walking track at the Civic Center. This 1/3 mile path will replace the one near the Ocean Springs Hospital. The hospital donated $100,000 for its construction.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 12, 2004, p. A1)
Harbor Landing LLC Dry Stack Marina
Construction permitted February 20, 2004 at 1709 Harbor Drive by Harbor Landing LLC and built by Anchor Realty Company. Demolished November-December 2013.[L-R: April 2004 and July 2004 by Ray L. Bellande]
Percy T. Miller (1931-2003), former hospital administrator, was honored in March with the naming of a boat landing and park on Old Fort Bayou.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 31, 2004, p. 3-A)
The Fountain at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center dedicated to Bob Meyer and Virginia Meyer on March 20, 2004. Robert E. Meyer (1921-2009) was a philanthropist who gave $100,000 to HOSA, which funds town improvements.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 25, 2004, p. A1)
Sybil G. Sauls acquired the Young Building at 630Washington Avenue from Glen and Eleanor Young in March.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 1336, p. 412)
1st Baptist of Ocean Springs demolished the old F.E. Schmidt Bakery shop on Washington Avenue on April 2, 2004.
Adrian G. Lee (1929-2004), local businessman and zealot Republican politician, expired on June 6th. He was a native of Pinola, Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, June 8, 2004, p. A?)
Beatles Tribute held at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center on July 10th to raise funds. Music by the “Un “Beatle” bles” led by Scharr brothers, Alex and Travis.
Ocean Springs Hospital gets permission to expand to sixty beds.(The O Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center ceanMary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center Springs Record, August 12, 2004, p. A1)
Former Governor Daniel Kirkwood 'Kirk' Fordice Jr. (1934-2004) expired on September 7th.
HOSA dedicated its new meeting room in the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center on September 3, 2004.(The Mississippi Press, “The Ocean Springs Press”, September 15, 2004, p. 1)
First Whataburger, a Texas chain, in Ocean Springs opened in September on Bienville Boulevard, just west of the SuperWalmart.
Category 3, Hurricane Ivan, strikes Gulf Shores, Alabama on September 16, 2004. Minimal storm damage at Ocean Springs.
1st Ocean Springs Film Festival held September 24-26, 2004 at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.
The Fresh Market opened at Desoto and Cash Alley on September 25, 2004.(The Sun Herald, September 6, 2004, p. A8)
Albert B. Duckett (1907-1974) Memorial Art Museum opened in the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, formerly the 1927 Ocean Springs Public School, on October 24, 2004. This was the second room in the structure to be completed with local money.
Jamie Sablich and Alfred R. "Fred" Moran win Bob and Virginia Meyer award of $4000 from HOSA for his creation of La Bella Cortile, the courtyard of the Al Fresco Restaurant on Washington Avenue.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 25, 2004, p. A1)
Sunset Beach Apartments, which were built in 1967 by Virginia Shiell, at the foot of Jackson Avenue were demolished in late November by Tom Reynolds Sr. They will be replaced by ten red brick townhouses.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 11, 1967, p. 3 and The Sun Herald, December 1, 2004, p. A-4)
The Ocean Springs High School football squad lost 39-18 to South Panola in the 5-A Mississippi High School Football Championship played at Jackson on December 3 2004.(The Sun Herald, December 4, 2004, p. 1-A)
The auditorium in the M.C. O’Keefe Cultural Center was named for US Senator Trent Lott.(The Ocean Springs Record,
Sleet fell on Christmas Day and stayed on the ground for several days, as temperatures were very cold.
On December 26th, a 9.1-9.3 temblor occurred in the Indian Ocean that created a tsunami condition resulting in the deaths of over 230,000 people in Indonesia [primarily Sumatra], Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
In late December, the First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs demolished the old Step-and Style Building of Marie Hudson and Fred Moran tore down an auto repair garage on Government on the old Zanca filling station property on the southeast corner of Washington and Government.
2005
Charlie Carr withdrew his 12-acre Bienville Boulevard property from its pending sale to the City of Ocean Springs due to the petition circulating to have a referendum on the bond issue to finance the $1.2MM purchase. The City needs recreational facilities for its soccer and other athletic programs due to the eight-year fiasco at its Highway 57 and US 90 property. On January 4, 2005, the aldermen voted to have a vote on the Carr property purchase bond issue.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 6, 2005, p. A1)
Bernard Savario “Buddy” Dileberto Jr. (1932-2005), longtime New Orleans sports personality expired on January 6, 2005 in New Orleans.
Ron Yanik was King Fidelity and Val Brennan, Queen Charity, at the Elks Mardi Gras parade on January 15th.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 13, 2005, p. A1)
In early January, the Ocean Springs Harbor Commission acquired the Tom Reynolds Jr. home at 1310 Harbor Drive for about $250,000 to utilize as it office to oversee functions at the small craft facility. Harbormaster Johnny Hughes moved his office from the Tax Collector's Office on North Washington to the Inner Harbor. It was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.(The Bay Press, January 19, 2005 and The Ocean Springs Record, January 20, 2005, p. 8B)
In early January, Tom Reynolds Sr. commenced construction on eight Dutch Colonial style town homes on Front Beach and the west side of Jackson Avenue.
In mid-January, two water towers were removed. The downtown water tower near City Hall, which was a landmark, and the one near the Ocean Springs hospital.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 20, 2005, p. A8)
First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs broke ground for an education building at 602 Washington Avenue in mid-February.(The Mississippi Press, “OS Press”, February 16, 2005, p. 1 and p. 3)
Harbor Landing, a dry boat storage facility on the west side of the small craft harbor, almost completed.(The Mississippi Press, “OS Press”, February 16, 2005, p. )
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Efraim 'Fred' E. O'Sullivan
[courtesy of Arieh O'Sullivan]
Efraim 'Fred' E. O’Sullivan (1938-2005), former Police Chief from 1979-1983, expired on February 20, 2005. Under Fred O’Sullivan’s leadership, the OSPD recruited the town’s first black officer and also appointed, Carolyn Wilkerson Frayser, who went on to become Police Chief from 1989-1997. When he was named Chief of Police, Fred O’Sullivan made history as being the first ever Jewish Police Chief in the State of Mississippi.(Arieh O'Sullivan, June 2011 and The Sun Herald, February 22, 2005, p A6)
Myrtle E. Jackson Keys (1922-2005), popular Black businesswoman, who resided on Government Street expired on March 29, 2005.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 31, 2005, p. A3)
On April 18, 2005, the Fontainebleau Nature Trail, east of the Ocean Springs Middle School was dedicated.
On April 20, 2005, Ethelyn M. S. Connor was recognized by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street for her contribution to the preservation and planting of trees in the community. An honor, The Ethelyn and D.L. Connor Keep Ocean Springs Beautiful Award, will be presented annually to the citizens who have “gone beyond the call of duty” to protect the trees of Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 14, 2005, p. A4, April 28, 2005, p. A1 and The Sun Herald, April 21, 2005, p. A4)
State Senator Thomas Gollott, was Iberville, Terry Miller, JXCO Chancery Clerk, portrayed Bienville, andJerry Munro, Biloxi businessman was Sauvolle in the 1699 Landing Ceremony on Front Beach.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 21, 2005, p. A1 and April 28, 2005, p. A1)
Tato-Nut, local coffee shop on Government Street operated by David Mohler was selected by Travelocity as one of the ten “Local secrets, Big Finds” in Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, April 29, 2005, p. A2)
Government Street Grocery, a new restaurant, opened in early May.
Regina Del Buono Hines Ellison (1938-2005), long time journalist, genealogist, and local historian, expired on May 16, 2005. She was a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania and the spouse of Raymond O. Hines (1936-1977) and Bernard J. Ellison (b. 1932).(The Sun Herald, May 16, 2005, p. A 5? and The Sun Herald, May 19, 2005, p. A10 )
In May, Al Young (b. 1939), Ocean Springs native and son of Albert James Young and Mary Nettie Campbell Bell Young, was named Poet Laureate of California for 2005-2007, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.(The Sun Herald, May 31, 2005, p. A6)
Ethelyn MacKenzie Shaffner Connor (1916-2013) was recognized with the Life Time Achievement Awardpresented to her by the Mississippi Urban Forest Council and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for her commitment and work to protect and plant trees at Ocean Springs over a period of thirty years.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 2, 2005, p. A1)
Connie Marie Moran (b. 1956) was elected Mayor of Ocean Springs on June 7, 2005 defeating Travis Norman (b. 1943) in a close race 1893 votes to Moran and 1814 votes for Norman. She is the first woman Mayor of Ocean Springs and the first Democratic mayor elect since Chester McPhearson (1924-2006) retired from office in 1989. Julia Weaver, also a Democrat, was elected Alderman-at-Large. She is the first woman to hold this position. The 2005 Ocean Springs municipal elections resulted in two women elected to office for the first time in the history of the town. Iola Yvonne Faibvre Davidson (1883-1963) was the first elected woman alderman serving Ward 2 for three consecutive terms from 1937-1942. The only women to serve as an alderman in the municipal government at Ocean Springs was Mary Gough Joachim (1902-1978) who represented the citizens of Ward 4 from 1965-1969 and Helen O’Neal, Ward 6 alderman from 1981-1985.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 9, 2005, p. 1)
An $11 million bond issue for public safety and recreational improvements on the June 7th ballot failed when 57% of the electorate voted against it.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 9, 2005, p. 1)
Designed by Henry Hansel Furr, local architect, this tower situated on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and U.S. Highway No. 90, Bienville Boulevard, was commenced by Starks Contractors of Biloxi in the summer of 2005 and completed in December 2005. Its erection was funded by HOSA, the City of Ocean Springs, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. The tower serves the citizens of Ocean Springs as its gateway signpost leading one to the Central Business District, City Hall, the public library, WAMA, Fort Maurepas Park, and the Railroad and Old Ocean Springs Historical Districts. As an events kiosk, cultural and social gatherings sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, WAMA and others are advertised to those traveling Bienville Boulevard and Washington Avenue.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 3, 2005, p. 1)
Swingster, formerly the E.R. Moore Company, closed after fifty-four years in business on Government Street.(The Ocean Springs Record,
The 1926 Standard Oil Station, commonly known as the Zanca Station and situated on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and Government, was demolished on June 11th by the owner, Fred Moran. Roofing tiles were saved for a new structure to be erected here in the future.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 16, 2005, p. 1)
The first Ocean Springs Music Fest was held June 17-19. The event was organized by the Scharr brothers, Travis Scharr and Alex Scharr, Bradley Dale, and Daniel Lorrain. These young musicians known as the “Un-Beatle-Bles” have toiled to raise funds to complete and equip the music room situated in the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 16, 2005, p. B4)
Kathleen Ellis Schwartz (1908-2005) expired at Ocean Springs on June 23, 2005. She was active in the local real estate market and social and cultural activities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.(The Sun Herald, June 26, 2005, p. A9)
Shelby Foote (1916-2005), novelist and historian, expired at Memphis, Tennessee on June 27, 2005.(The Sun Herald, June 29, 2005, p. A4)
Hurricane Dennis came ashore east of Pensacola on the afternoon of July 10, 2005, as a category three tempest.
Patricia Connor Joachim (b. 1942) was named associate provost at USM-Gulf Coast. She had retired as assistant School Superintendent of the Ocean Springs School District in May.(The Sun Herald, August 18, 2005, p. A2 and The Ocean Springs Record, August 18, 2005, p. A1)
Hurricane Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast near Waveland on the morning of August 29th as a Category 4 tempest. The ensuing storm surge destroyed or damaged the structures and infrastructure on or near the shoreline of the entire Mississippi coastline. The death toll in Mississippi approached two hundred while nearly a thousand died in southeast Louisiana. Much of the city of New Orleans was inundated by water from a breach in the 17th Street Canal. The casino industry at Biloxi and Gulfport was virtually destroyed.
In mid-October The Mississippi Renewal Forum, a team of national architects, planners, and public officialsmet in Biloxi with their local counterparts, to “redesign” the severely damaged and partially destroyed Mississippi Gulf Coast. Andres Duany and James Barksdale oversaw the meetings at the Isle of Capri Hotel and Resort. Mayor Connie Marie Moran and her board with local architects, Henry Hansell Furr and Dennis Cowart, were an integral part of these planning sessions.(The Sun Herald, October 17, 2005, p. A1)(The Sun Herald, October 17, 2005, p. A1)
HOSA did not give its Meyer Award in 2005.(Larry Cosper, December 8, 2009)
Gayle Petty-Johnson replaced Marilyn Lyons as director of WAMA in November. She comes to WAMA from the National D-Day Museum in NOLA.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 24, 2005, p. B4)
Alfred F. "Alf" Dantzler (1915-2005), Jackson County industrialist, expired on November 30th at his home in Pascagoula, Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, December 2, 2005, p. A7 and p. A9)
After Katrina damaged the local Memorial to Submarine Veterans of WWII, plans to replace the commemorative stone were made in December at a cost of $9000. This site on the Civic Center grounds pays homage to the USS Tullibee (SS-284). A Mark 14 torpedo has been located and will become a part of the display.(The Sun Herald, December 12, 2005, p. A2)
2006
Mayor Connie M. Moran received Keys to the City of Islamorada, Florida on January 8th. Islamorada held a community benefit to raise funds for Katrina Relief for the citizens of Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 12, 2006, p. A1)
Alberti's, a Biloxi restaurant destroyed by Katrina, relocated to Ocean Springs in the old Trilby's-Germaine's site at 1203 Bienville Boulevard. It opened for business on January 12th.(The Sun Herald, January 12, 2006, p. C12)
Jim Franks (b. 1942) was named the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. Mr. Franks has been a marine biologist with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory since 1968. He will be presented the award on February 25th at Jackson.(The Sun Herald, January 22, 2006, p. A11)
Anna Hurt, Ocean Springs School Superintendent, announced that she would retire on June 30th. The OS School Board scheduled a special call meeting on February 7th to begin the search for a replacement for Mrs. Hurt.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 26, 2006, p. A1)
Demolition of Katrina damaged homes began on Front Beach Drive and feeder streets in late January.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 26, 2006, p. A1)
"Katrina Cottage", born from the October 2005 Mississippi Renewal Forum, was displayed on Washington Avenue and Government in early February. Mary Ann Cusato, a Manhattan based architect, designed the attractive, 300 square-foot structure, as an alternate to a FEMA trailer as temporary quarters for victims of the late August 2005 tempest. The Katrina Cottage was given to the City of Ocean Springs in late August 2006 by the Governor's Commission.(The Sun Herald, January 18, 2006, p. F1 and The Ocean Springs Record, August 24, 2006, p. A1)
Elks Mardi Gras parade held on February 4th with King Robert Reynolds and Queen Constance Ackeretruling. Kerry Belk, Police Chief, was the Grand Marshal.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 2, 2006, p. A5)
WOSM, the 50,000 watt 'Gospel Giant', celebrated its 35th anniversary on February 12th.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 9, 2006, p. A1)
President George W. Bush (b. 1946) and Laura Welch Bush (b. 1946), our First Lady, made a very brief visit to Ocean Springs on March 8, 2006, to view progress of the restoration of East Jackson County from Hurricane Katrina.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 9, 2006, p. A1)
The Gulf Coast Gators, an Ocean Springs Lacrosse team, played on March 25, 2006, at Freedom Field, the first organized Lacrosse game in Mississippi. The Gators defeated Christian Brothers Middle School of NOLA in two contests by scores of 9-3 and 11-2 respectively. Coaches for the Gator squad are: Mark Rocco and Charles Reichel.(Charles Reichel, March 28, 2006-email to Ray L. Bellande and The Ocean Springs Record, April 13, 2006, p. B3)
Jan Galaspy Walker was awarded the Ethelyn and D.L. "Pat" Connor Tree Canopy Award for her work with the Live Oak Rescue Mission, an effort to save Live Oak trees along the Mississippi Gulf Coast that were damaged by the tidal surge created by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 30, 2006, p. A1)
Colonel James O. Poss (b. 1960), USAF, was promoted to Brigadier General. He is a 1978 graduate of OSHS.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 6, 2006, p. A1)
George Lemasson Lemon (1907-2006), former State Bridge Engineer and long time MDOT civil and highway engineer, expired at Jackson, Mississippi on April 11, 2006.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 20, 2006, p. A5)
Dr. Richard T. Furr closed his medical practice effective July 1, 2006, after nearly fifty years at Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 20, 2006, p. A5)
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians announced plans to investigate building a casino on Mississippi Highway 57 at Ocean Springs. Their approximately 100-acre parcel must be put into a land trust by by the US Department of the Interior as reservation land before a casino could be effected.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 11, 2006, p. A1 and May 18, 2006, p. A1)
A four day Charette was concluded on May 25th under the auspices of Dover, Kohl and Partners of south Florida. These architects, planners, and zoning consultants focused on potential areas of "smart code" development on Front Beach, the Inner Harbor, and Shearwater Drive.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 1, 2006, p. A3)
Ethelyn Connor (1916-2013) was given the Mississippi Urban Forest Council Lifetime Achievement Award for her many years of toil in protecting and preserving the Live Oak trees of Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 8, 2006, p. A10)
First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs dedicated their new education building on Washington Avenue on June 25, 2006.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 22, 2006, p. A1)
First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs demolished their 1909 sanctuary on the northeast corner of Porter and Bellande on July 11 and July 12. The empty lot was paved with asphalt and utilized as a parking lot.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 13, 2006, p. A1).
E.R. Moore Company Building Murals
[l-r: work of Cory Griffith; Matthew Stebly; and Vince Palmer]
In June 2006, Matthew Stebly, Corey Griffith, and Vince Palmer commenced the first of what may be severalmurals on the facade of the old E.R. Moore Company Building at 1515 Government Street. The building has been a salient part of the Katrina Recovery, serving as a depot for food, water, clothing and other essential goods in the months after the tempest. Christus Victor Lutheran Church took over the structure and have utilized it to house volunteers working to help Katrina victims and as a site to continue assisting people from the Coastal counties in their slow but determined recovery form the wrath of this incredulous tropical cyclone. The building is now called Camp Victor.(The Sun Herald, July 23, 2006, p. A2)
J.K. Lemon and Eleanor Bradford Lemon Woodcarving and Sculpture Room was dedicated at the Mary C. O'Keefe Center For Art and Culture on July 14, 2006 with family and friends in attendance.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 20, 2006, p. B7)
Cottage Square [2151 Government Street]
[images made October 2, 2006 by Ray L. Bellande]
Cottage Square, aka Katrina Village [a poor man's Seaside?] began construction in early July 2006, at 2151 Government Street. Local architects, Bruce Tolar, Mike LeBatard and George Denmark, plan to potentially erect as many as twenty, small starter homes on their 2-3 acre tract. Cottage Village is seen as a experiment in New Urbanism, a concept, that is being promoted here with SmartCode. The "Katrina Cottage" located on Washington at Government was moved to Cottage Village in late August 2006, after it was donated to the City by the Governor's Commission. Mayor Moran said that she would like to see it become a center for city design and rebuilding projects.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 20, 2006, p. A1 and August 24, 2006, p. A1, and The Sun Herald, July 31, 2008, p. A5)
Chester Marvin McPhearson Jr. (1924-2006), former Mayor and businessman, died on August 3rd.(The Ocean Springs Record, August , 2006, p. A1)
The Gulf Coast Research Lab broke ground for its new marine aquaculture center on August 17th.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 24, 2006, p. A1)
Fort Maurepas Park broke ground on August 29th.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 31, 2006, p. A1)
Maria Mavar (b. 1937) donated two-acres to the Mississippi Coastal Plains Land Trust consisting of five contiguous lots in the Braemar Subdivision for a neighborhood park to be called the Christopher Stephen Butirich Memorial Park. The Braemar Corporation had already given the City of Ocean Springs adjacent lands for a "green zone sanctuary."(The Ocean Springs Record, September 7, 2006, p. A3)
Curmis Broome (1928-2006)
Curmis Broome (1928-2006) expired on September 16, 2006 in Ocean Springs. Curmis worked his way from bagboy to butcher and later owner of several grocery stores in Ocean Springs. He was an honorable man noted for his philanthropy and love of community.(The Sun Herald, September 17, 2006, p. A4 and September 18, 2006, p. A4)
Fallo's Dry Cleaners on Government Street closed down their business after fifty years in Ocean Springs. Their original building was designed by Caroll Ishee (1921-1982) and has been enlarged three times. The business commenced in Biloxi on Back Bay in 1951.(The Ocean Springs Record, September 28, 2006, p. A1)
'new' Annex and new' Showroom under construction both by Jason Stebley and Patrick Ashley
In late September, the Shearwater Pottery folks returned to their new annex building on the pottery grounds on Biloxi Bay after renting work and storage space in the Marcy C. O'Keefe Cultural Center, formerly the 1927 OS Public School building. Jason Stebly and Patrick Ashley, grandsons of Walter I. Anderson and Peter Anderson respectively, built the new annex replacing the one destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005.(The Ocean Springs Record, October 5, 2006, p. B7)
Benjamin Edsel Ruddiman (1917-2006), owner of the Louis Sullivan designed Charnley House on East Beach and long time WAMA volunteer, expired on September 30, 2006. In Edsel's memory, WAMA will open its door free to the public from October 5th through October 9th.(The Sun Herald, October 4, 2006, p. A6 and The Ocean Springs Record, October 5, 2006, p. B7)
Robert E. "Chubby" Beaugez (1927-2006), long time City building inspector and lounge owner, expired on October 1, 2006.(The Sun Herald, October 3, 2006, p. A4)
Dr. Richard Theron Furr Sr., (1929-2006) passed on October 19, 2006 at Ocean Springs. He was a native of Aberdeen, Mississippi and practiced medicine at Ocean Springs from 1958 until his retirement in July 2006.(The Sun Herald, October 22, 2006, p. A14)
Elaine Ryan Miller (1930-2006) longtime Ryan-Seymour family genealogist and local historian expired on November 2, 2006. Elaine and Virgil Dean Miller, her spouse, created a working index for The Ladner Odyssey(1989), the 'magus opus' of Mississippi Gulf Coast family genealogy by Nap Cassibry II of Gulfport, Mississippi.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 9, 2006, p. A1)
Sam Sabagh claimed the Bob and Virginia Meyer award from HOSA for his improvement to Phoenicia, his excellent restaurant on Government Street.(Larry Cosper, December 8, 2009)
In late November, a 'wind event' touched down randomly in a southwest-northeast direction from the OSYC of Front Beach Drive and damaged homes, trees, telephone poles, and the Taconi School on Magnolia. Mohler's Texaco on Washington and Porter lost a portion of the roof of its gasoline pump site.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 23, 2006, p. A1)
James E. "Jim" Cantrell (1929-2006) well-known tennis player, teacher and coach at Ocean Springs expired on December 8, 2006. Jim was a member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association for over thirty years and former pro at Treasure Oaks. He was ranked No. 1 in every age division in Mississippi in both singles and doubles.(The Sun Herald, December 11, 2006, p. A4)
Gerald R. Ford (1913-2006), 38th American President, died on December 26th.
2007
The City hired David Minkler, a certified arborist, to care for trees on public property. His salary was set at $36,861 per year. Alderman Curtis Lloyd, the only dissenter to hiring Mr. Minkler said that, "......this [hiring] is a waste of public funds."(The Ocean Springs Record, January 18, 2007, p. A8)
Donnie Gum (1947-2013), King Fidelity XXXII, and Queen Charity Billie Everhart ruled the Elks Mardi Gras parade on January 27th.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 25, 2007, p. A1 and The Sun Herald, February 17, 2013, p. A13)
January 2007 New Construction and Status
US 90 Biloxi Bay Bridge
FRONT BEACH DRIVE
100 203
209 235
237 243
303 509
527
314 Jackson Avenue 204 Washington Avenue
1012 LaFontaine
Harbor Views
Harbor Landing Restaurant
[demolished in December 2013]
South West
North
1600 Warren
SHEARWATER POTTERY
Jimmy's Place New Showroom
Sissy's Place Bob's Place
Carolyn's Tent Billy's Place
Leif's Place Del's Place
SHEARWATER DRIVE
112-A Shearwater
112 Shearwater-Sherri Arndt
Shearwater Drive-John Oakes
East Beach Drive
401 - Dempsey Levi 409 - Martin and Lisa Waggoner
517 - Charles Shaffer
200 Dewey Avenue
[l-r: image made January 1992 by Ray L. Bellande; demolition images by Gara Gillentine, Oxford, Mississippi on February 20, 2007)
On the last weekend in the month of February, the Snyder Home at 200 Dewey Avenue was demolished for new construction.
On February 23rd, Laura Welch Bush (b. 1946) , First Lady of America, visited Cottage Square to observe the Katrina cottage.(The Mississippi Press, February 23, 2007, p. 2-A and The Ocean Springs Record, March 1, 2007, p. A1)
The Federal bribery trial of Paul S. Minor, local attorney, commenced in Jackson, Mississippi on February 26th.(The Sun Herald, February 27, 2007, p. 3A)
.jpg)
Judith 'Judy' Toups (1930-2007), native of Magnolia, a village in Glouster, Massachusetts and longtime avian advocate and nature writer for The Sun Herald and 'the mother of bird watching in Mississippi" expired at Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama on February 27th.(The Sun Herald February 28, 2007, p. A5)
Sara Lemon Anderson (1910-2007), beloved wife of James 'Mac' McConnell Anderson (1907-1998) passed on March 3rd at Arlington, Texas.(The Sun Herald,
The Shearwater Pottery reopened post-Katrina on March 17th.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 15, 2007, p. A1 and B7)
Del Castle 'THE END-Thanks Bruce'
(north elevation-image made September 2004 by Ray L. Bellande and March 29, 2007-image by Terry Dickson)
Del Castle, the Lee-Legate home on Davis Bayou, which was erected by Frederick E. Lee (1874-1932) in 1925 was demolished on March 29th by Bruce Legate. Mr. Lee called his home 'Casa Flores'.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 5, 2007, p. A1)
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a permit to develop 53 acres of the 120 acres that the City acquired near Highway 57 for a recreation complex. 67 acres of the tract were placed in 'preservation' status as wetlands. Final approval of the City's mitigation plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is anticipated.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 22, 2007, p. A1)
Kenny Ward's, a fine dining establishment opened in early April, at 1504 Government Street.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 21, 2007, p. A4)
First May Fest held on Government Street on May 5th.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 3, 2007, p. A1 and May 10, 2007, p. A1)
Irene Nelson Endt Powers (1916-2007), former beautian, native of Hattiesburg and resident of seventy years, expired on May 16th.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 24, 2007, p. A5)
Two lanes of the new U.S. Highway 90 Bay St. Louis Bridge opened in May 2007.
In late May, the turf at Greyhound Field was replaced with a new synthetic surface made by Evergreen at a cost of about $600,000. The field will be utilized primarily for football and soccer games, but Don Hinton OSHS Athletic Director said that the baseball and softball squads could practice on the field when their grass surfaces are wet. The OSHS Band also will practice on the new surface. Biloxi High School was the first to install an artificial stadium sports turf on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. OSHS was the second.(The Sun Herald, May 28, 2007, p. D4)
Two construction workers were killed on June 14, 2007 while working on the new U.S. Highway 90 Bay St. Louis Bridge.(The Sun Herald, June 15 and June 16, 2007, p. A1)
George Mulvaney, deputy chief OSPD, retired in late June after thirty-three years on the police force.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 21, 2007, p. A1)
Lionel Cothern, native of Biloxi and a twenty-one year veteran of the OSPD, was named police chief in late June.(The Sun Herald, June 29, 2007, p. A3)
Mark Hare, OSFD chief since 1998 and twenty nine year year veteran of the OSPD retired on June 29th to become a bridge tender for the CSX Railroad.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 28, 2007, p. A1 and The Sun Herald, July 1, 2007, p. A4)
Wieder Garage-1019 Government
[L-R: images made March 1993 and January 2007 by Ray L. Bellande]
Built in 1926 by Philip J. Wieder (1887-1985) as a service station. Demolition began in June 2006 by Dr. Jeff Sauls and completed in June 2007 by Alfred R. 'Fred' Moran.
PAPOS [Public Art Project of Ocean Springs] presented its first art purchase to the public at the Mary Cahill O'Keefe Cultural Center on June 27th. James 'Trailer' McQuilkin, local artist and copper flower sculptor, was honored by PAPOS when they acquired his 'Pine Lily' for permanent display in the Mary Cahill O'Keefe edifice.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 28, 2007, p. B5)
[view SSW from Lameuse Street. image made July 11, 2007 by Ray L. Bellande]
The Hard Rock Casino opened at Biloxi on June 30th.(The Sun Herald, June 29, 2007, p. A1 and July 1, 2007, p. A2)
Chief Philip Martin of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws was defeated by Beasley Denson for the leadership of the tribe on July 3rd. Chief elect Denson will take office on July 10th.(The Sun Herald, July 7, 2007, p. A7)
In late June or early July, Ocean Springs was awarded a statewide "Celebration of Trees" award byMississippi Urban Forest Council in accord with the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the U.S. Forestry Service.(The Bay Press, July 6, 2007, p. 5)
The Ocean Springs Record, with a circulation of 3200, was sold to Bay Newspapers Inc. on July 16th. James and Cindy Ricketts, former proprietors of the local journal, had acquired the business in September 2001 from Gannett Corporation. Mr. Ricketts had joined The Ocean Springs Record as publisher in April 1990, after being associated with The Clarion Ledger. The business moved from Cox Avenue to 1308 Bienville Boulevard and Patti Guider named Editor.(The Sun Herald, July 24, 2007, p. C8, James Ricketts, July 24, 2007, and The Ocean Springs Record, August 2, 2007, p. A1)
2007 Ocean Springs-Biloxi Bay Bridge
[image made July 2007]
The Ocean Springs Little League All-Stars won the Mississippi Little League State Championship at Hattiesburg, but lost at the Southwest Regional Championship in Blytheville, Arkansas.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 2, 2007, p. A1 and p. B3 and August 9, 2007, p. A)
The Reverend Williams James Hewson (1917-2007), native of Ocean Springs and probably the first Catholic priest ordained from Ocean Springs, died at Baton Rouge, Louisiana on August 2nd.(The [Baton Rouge] Advocate, 5, 2007)
Pat Williams, interim Fire Chief, was named Chief of Fire and Civil Defense at Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 9, 2007, p. A1)
'Clay Bodies', the gallery and studio of Jan Bailey and her daughters, Annette B. Blockers and Kim C. Businelle, opened in August in the former Solar Control building at 2020 Bienville Boulevard.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 9, 2007, p. B4)
Martha's Tea Room
Government Street [image made October 2007]
Martha's Tea Room relocated from Washington Avenue to the Gryder Commercial Office Complex at 2113 Government Street in early September. Ribbon cutting on October 11, 2007.(The Ocean Springs Record, October 18, 2007, p. A6)
Paul Minor (b. 1946), Ocean Springs' super-attorney, was sentenced to eleven years in Federal prison and fined $2.75 million and order to pay $1.5 million in restitution. He is to report for incarceration by December 27th. Sylvia Fleming Minor (1947-2009), his spouse, expired on April 13, 2009.(The Sun Herald, September 8, 2007, p. A1, April 15, 2009, and April 16, 2009, p. A4)
The Jackson County Cab Company was issued a license to operate in Ocean Springs, St. Martin, and Latimer. First local taxi service in thirty years. In mid-November the Yellow Cab Company was approved to operate in the City as well.(The Mississippi Press, September 19, 2007, p. 1A and The Ocean Springs Record, December 6, 2007, p. A1)
First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs protesting Choctaw Casino proposal
[October 2007]
Chief Beasley Denson, Miko of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, offered the Jackson County Board of Supervisors 4% of the gross gaming revenues to local governments from their proposed casino resort.(The Sun Herald, September 28, 2007, p. A1)
Paving Porter Street
[822 Porter-October 2007]
In mid-October, Porter Street was repaved from Washington Avenue to Front Beach for 2007 Bridge dedication.
On October 30th, Mary Anderson Pickard signed copies of Form and Fantasy-The Block Prints of Walter Anderson (2007), at WAMA. This recently released book was co-authored with Patricia Pinson and Christopher Mauer.
[image made October 28, 2007 and November 1, 2007]
[L-R: Mayor Connie Moran addressing the dedication audience at Biloxi; the bridge; and ribbon tying ceremony]
The new Biloxi Bay Bridge was dedicated on November 1st. Only the west bound Ocean Springs-Biloxi spanwas open for traffic. The other span and walking-bicycle lane will be completed by April 2008.
Laura Bush, First Lady of America, was at the J.L. Scott Marine Education at Ocean Springs on November 2nd.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 8, 2007, p. A1)
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw's casino referendum was defeated in Jackson County by a vote of 18,435 to 12,183. The Choctaws plan to continue to pursue their goal of building a casino resort on Mississippi Highway 57 in the City limits of Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 8, 2007, p. A1 and The Sun Herald, November 8, 2007, p. A10)
Shearwater Pottery won the Bob and Virginia Meyer award from HOSA for their re-building post-Katrina.(Larry Cosper, December 8, 2009)
Shelly Ferguson was appointed new city clerk on November 21st.(The Sun Herald, November 22, 2007, p. A12)
Chester Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) announced his retirement from the US Senate on November 26th. Senator Lott has served Mississippi for thirty-five years in the House and Senate. U.S. Representative Roger Wicker (R. Ms.) was appointed to replace Senator Lott by Governor Barber until the November 2008 Election.(The Sun Herald, November 27, 2007, p. A1 and January 1, 2008, p. A1)
Richard 'Dickie' Scruggs, prominent attorney of Pascagoula and Oxford, and three other defendants pleaded not guilty on federal charges of fraud and conspiracy to bribe a North Mississippi judge with $50,000 cash. A December 15th fund raiser for Hillary Clinton at the Oxford home of Scruggs was subsequently cancelled. Mr. Scruggs alsowithdrew his law firm from the Scruggs Katrina Group (SKA), which was representing about 500 law suits in litigation with insurance companies over Hurricane Katrina related storm damages.(The Sun Herald, November 30, 2007, p. A1 and p. A8 and December 5, 2007, p. A1)
Jeremiah J. 'Jody' O'Keefe IV (1946-2007), former State representative and president of the O'Keefe Foundation, expired at Ocean Springs on December 3rd. His widow, Helen Granberry Lewis O'Keefe (1957-2011), died at Ocean Springs on November 18, 2011.(The Sun Herald, December 5, 2007, p. A4 and p. A8, December 6, 2007, p. A8 and November 20, 2011, p. A13)
The Gem-Elks Mardi Gras parade on January 19, 2008
The City acquired a GEM (global electric motor) vehicle to be used by City employees. It was the first all electric car to be purchased.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 6, 2007, p. A8)
A 2% food and beverage tax on restaurants to fund a public safety building and recreation was passed by the electorate on December 11th with 66% approval of the over 2500 votes cast.(The Sun Herald, December 12, 2007, p. A1)
2008
On January 4th, the Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected the application of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws to erect a casino on Mississippi Highway 57 at Ocean Springs. The U.S. Department of Interior's bureau determined that the proposed Choctaw project was situated to far from its reservation in Neshoba County, Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, January 8, 2007, p. A1)
Elks Mardi Gras Parade-Janet Hamilton, Queen Charity XXXIII and Paul Fox, King Fidelity XXXIII
[on Porter Street near Jackson Avenue]
Mardi Gras season on the Mississippi Gulf Coast kicked off on a wet, cold and windy January 19th with the Elks Parade. Attendance was limited due to the adverse weather, but those hardy souls in attendance enjoyed their chilly selves!
George Craig Jr. was named Postmaster at Ocean Springs on June 9, 2007. He replaced George Cook and assumed his official duties on January 22, 2008.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 31, 2008, p. A1)
Lesley Hamm (b. 1981) was appointed OS Harbor Master, the second woman, to hold this position. The harbor now has 178 boat slips.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 7, 2008, p. A1)
Retired Senator Trent Lott was feted on February 6th at a County wide reception, "Trent Lott Appreciation Day", held at the Pascagoula Civic Center.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 14, 2008, p. A5)
William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008), author, editor, television host, and one of America's most important public intellectuals — died in his home February 27th. Buckley shaped the modern conservative movement into a force in American politics, and he so did with equal measure of charm and intellectual rigor.
Howard LeRoy Hobbs (1935-2008), former Harrison County Sheriff expired on March 3rd.(The Sun Herald, March 4, 2008, p. A1 and March 5, 2008, p. A10)
Brett Favre (b. 1970), former USM and Green Bay Packer football star quarterback, announced his retirement from the NFL on March 4th after seventeen successful seasons.(The Sun Herald, March 5, 2008, p. A1 and p. B1 and March 7, 2008, p. C1)
Ethelyn M. Schaffner Connor (b. 1916), our 'Tree Lady', was honored March 3rd on her 92nd natal anniversary with a surprise celebration in Marble Springs Park sponsored by the Ocean Springs Garden Club, HOSA, and her family. Mayor Moran presented her with a Key to the City .(The Sun Herald, March 4, 2008, p. A2 and The Ocean Springs Record, March 6, 2008, p. A1)
Super-attorney, Richard 'Dickie' Scruggs, pleaded guilty to judicial bribery charges on March 14th. He reported to minimum federal prison at Ashland, Kentucky on August 4th to begin a five year incarceration for judicial bribery.(The Sun Herald, March 15, 2008, p. A1 and p. A11 and August 5, 2009, p. A8)
Monsignor James Joseph Hannon (1920-2008), native of Galway County, Ireland, died at Ocean Springs on March 16th.(The Sun Herald, March 18, 2008, p. A2 and P. A4).
Dr. William 'Bill' Hawkins was appointed director of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, the seventh in the Lab's history.(The Ocean Springs Record, March 27, 2008, p. A7)
April 18, 2008
Guyton Place, a 21-unit condominium began construction on March 26th at 918 Porter Street, by RW Development LLC. House moved to City Hall before construction commenced.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 3, 2008, p. A3 and May 1, 2008, p. A1)
Dolphin Family
On March 29, 2008 Marlin Miller, a wood sculptor domiciled at Fort Walton Beach, Florida carved a motherdolphin with her young utilizing a chainsaw on a pecan tree in Little Children's Park on Washington Avenue.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 3, 2008, p. A1)
Thomas J. Rodi, Bishop Diocese of Biloxi, was named Archbishop of Mobile.(The Sun Herald, April 3, 2008, p. A1)
The pedestrian walkway across the new Ocean Springs-Biloxi Bay Bridge opened on April 3rd and all road traffic lanes opened on April 7th.(The Sun Herald, April 3, 2008, p. A2)
William Carey University broke ground on its new Gulf Coast Campus at Traditions in Harrison County on April 7th.(The Sun Herald, April 7, 2008, p. A1 and April 8, 2008, p. A2)
On April 27th, Dr. Strawford Hale Dees, as Iberville, and Dr. William W. Walker, as Bienville, lead the first 'Landing of Iberville' celebration since Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 24, 2008, p. A1)
The art of Chris Stebly, Ching Walters, Susie Ranager and Patt Odom was chosen to be used in a four-panel, tile mosaic by Elizabeliath Veglia on the Ocean Springs end of the new Biloxi Bay Bridge(The Sun Herald, April 11, 2008, p. A8)
Walter Bolton and Associates, architects, were hired by the City on April 23rd to design the new $6 million dollar emergency management and safety building on Bienville Boulevard.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 1, 2008, p. A1)
The Ocean Springs School Board of Trustees set September 9th as the day for the special election for the School Bond issue to fund a new OSHS on the extreme east perimeter of Ocean Springs.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 15, 2008, p. A1)
In May, the OSHS baseball team beat Tupelo two out of three games to win the 2008 Class 5A, Mississippi State Championship in Jackson.(The Sun Herald, May 21, 2008, p. D1)
The Ocean Springs Hospital celebrated its 40th anniversary in May, although it opened on April 10, 1968.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 22, 2008, p. A1)
Betty Sinclair Magee, executive director of the Mary Cahill O'Keefe Cultural Center resigned on May 20th. She was hired in July by the City to be the liaison between the Board of Aldermen and the Mary Cahill O'Keefe Cultural Center and to develop cultural programs for the OS Parks and Leisure Service Department.(The Ocean Springs Record, May 22, 2008, p. A1 and July 3, 2008, p. A7)
Jeanne-Elise Stebly named 'Shrimp Queen' of the 79th annual Blessing of the Fleet at Biloxi on May 31st.(The Biloxi-D'Iberville Press, June 5, 2008, p. A12)
Beauvoir opened on June 3rd, the 200th natal anniversary of Jefferson Davis (1808-2008), the first and only president of the CSA.(The Sun Herald, June 4, 2008, p.A1)
The $777,000 OS Harbor Pier was commenced in early June.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 12, 2008, p. A1)
OSYC [image made September 2008]
The Ocean Springs Yacht Club broke ground for their new 4000 sq-ft. edifice on June on June 14th. The structure will cost about $1.8 million dollars.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 19, 2008, p. A1)
BYC [image made September 2008]
The Biloxi Yacht Club broke ground for their new 12,400 sq-ft. edifice on June on June 22nd. The structure will cost about $4 million dollars.(The Sun Herald, June 21, 2008, p. C1)
Tyler Conn, former OSHS star athlete, was named a Pro-Line First Team All-American. Conn set a season record at USM and Conference USA for game saves in his role as a relief pitcher.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 19, 2008, p. B1)
MGCCC [Gautier] dedicated a bell tower and carillon in memory of Alfred F. Dantzler II and Vallie Hughes Dantzler on June 18th.(The Sun Herald, June 19, 2008, p.A4)
Captain Chris’ Paradise Bar & Grill plan to open on Robinson Street in July.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 19, 2008, p. A1)
Phoenicia Gourmet’s Essam Sabagh planned a Gulfport restaurant in the Holiday Inn on U.S. Highway 90 to open in July.(The Sun Herald, June 25, 2008, p. B10)
Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. (1928-2006), Biloxi physician and civil rights activists, was honored by having a section of U.S. Highway 90 named the 'Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. Memorial Highway', between Porter Avenue and Rodenberg Avenue.(The Bilozi-D'Iberville Press, June 26, 2008, p. A1)
On July 1st, the Army Corps of Engineers gave Ocean Springs a ‘404 wetlands permit’ to build soccer, football, baseball, and softball fields on 35 acres of the 120 acres off of Ms. Highway 57. City gave the Land Trust for Mississippi Coastal Plain, $175,000 to manage the wetlands mitigation plan and conveyed a conservation easement to them on the wetlands at the sports complex, 169 acres on the Broken Arrow Farms in the Hurley area and 2.7 acres on Old Fort Bayou.(The Sun Herald, July 2, 2008, p. A2)
JXCO Circuit Court rules for City-Harbor Landing in zoning controversy at Inner Harbor with A. Bruce Duckett et al.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 10, 2008, p. A1)
The Promenade, a 700,000 sq.-ft. power shopping center broke ground in D'Iberville.(The Biloxi-D' Iberville Press, July 17, 2008, p. A3)
Glenn Young Sr. (1925-2008), former Civil Defense Director and city alderman, expired on July 16th. Eleanor Hamel Young (1927-2011), Glenn's wife of 59 years, died on August 5, 2011.(The Sun Herald, July 18, 2008, p. A4 and August 7, 2011, p. A13)
Buford Daniel Myrick (1917-2008), native of Jones County and well-known and loved businessman, local historian and former dairyman, died on July 17th. Florence Williams (1909-2009) followed him in death on April 25, 2009. (The Sun Herald, July 18, 2008, p. A4, July 19, 2008, p. A, July 20, 2008, p. A12, and April 27, 2009, p. A4)
Errick Smith (b. 1992) of Ocean Springs set new Guiness World Book Records on July 21th at DeKalb Peachtree Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. He flew solo in a Cessna 172SP-G1000 and a Schweizer 300 CBi helicopter on the same day.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 24, 2008, p. A1)
The Hancock Bank clock on Washington and Desoto was hit by a large truck on July 22nd and sustained considerable damage.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 24, 2008, p. A1)
Hurricane Gustav, a category II cyclone, struck the coast of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana on Labor Day,September 1st.(The Sun Herald, September 2, 2008, p. A1)
The Mary Cahill O'Keefe Cultural Center celebrated its fifth anniversary on September 5th and Eric Zala was hired as the new executive director September 3rd replacing Betty McGee.(The Ocean Springs Record, September 11, 2008, p. B1)
On September 9th, 64% of the voters approved the $37 million bond issue to find improvements to public education.(The Sun Herald, September 10, 2008, p. A1 and The Ocean Springs Record, September 11, 2008, p. A1)
Hurricane Ike, a category II tempest, struck the Upper Texas Coast near Galveston on September 13th causing catastrophic damage in the billions of dollars.
Jeffrey S. Guice was elected District 114 State Representative on September 23rd in a special election to fill the seat of Representative Daniel Guice who resigned the office to accept a position on the State Parole Board. He was sworn into office on October 2nd.(The Sun Herald, October 3, 2008, p. A6)
STEVE WILSON
Steve Wilson (b. 1970), native of Hattiesburg and resident of Ocean Springs, won the U.S. Mid-Amateur Golf Championship and the Robert T. Jones trophy at the Milwaukee Country Club in River Hills, Wisconsin in September. He was invited to the April 2009 Master's at Augusta National. He did not make the cut.(The Ocean Springs Record, September 18, 2008, p. B6 and April 9, 2009, p. 1 and The Sun Herald, April 1, 2009, p. A1)
The Dow Jones Industrial average fell 778 points to 10,3645 on September 29th.(The Sun Herald, September 30, 2008, p. A1)
Ground was broke for the $1.2 billion dollar LNG terminal at Pascagoula on October 15th.(The Sun Herald, October 16, 2008, p. B10)
Mohler's Texaco on Washington Avenue closed on October 20th. Gorenflo's opened here in November 2008.
Biloxi Bay Bridge Murals
Elizabeth Veglia, artist and project director for the 2008 Biloxi Bay Bridge murals, installed two panels in late October. The completed four-panel work was dedicated on May 15, 2009.(The Ocean Springs Record, October 30, 2008, p. A3 and April 30, 2009, p. 4 and and The Sun Herald, December 7, 2008, p. F1, and May 16, 2009, p. A5)
Barack H. Obama (b. 1961) was elected the 44th American president on November 4th.(The Sun Herald, November 5, 2008, p. A1)
'Galaxy'
PAPOS [Public Art Project of Ocean Springs] dedicated its second annual art gift to the community with'Galaxy', an outdoor sculpture by Anthony Rowe of Orcas Island, Washington, in Little Children's Park on November 7th.(The Ocean Springs Record, November 13, 2008, p. A6)
First Lady Laura Bush designated Ocean Springs as a Preserve America Community in November.(The Sun Herald, November 13, 2008, p. A9)
Leo W. Seal II (1924-2008), Mississippi Gulf Coast banker and philanthropist, expired on November 18th.(The Sun Herald, November 18, 2008, p. A1, p. A4, p. A9)
St. John's Episcopal Day School on Rayburn awarded Bob and Virginia Meyer award from HOSA.(Larry Cosper, December 8, 2009)
Cara Chapman (b. 1988), young ballet dancer reared on Washington Avenue, danced in The Metropolitan Opera production of "Thais' in December.(The Sun Herald, December 14, 2008, p. F1)
The first OS Harbor Christmas boat parade was held on December 13, 2008. The Pete and Sharon won honors for Santa's Best of Fleet.(The Sun Herald, December 7, 2008, p. A4, The Ocean Springs Record, December 11, 2008, p. B1, and The Ocean Springs Record, December 18, 2008, p. A1)
Joseph B. Garrard II sold the Cash Alley property of Myrtle Jackson Keys (1922-2005) to the City for parking. Mr. Garrard donated $120,000 of the $136,000 purchase price to St. Alphonsus and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church [Pascagoula] as requested by Mrs. Keys. The parking lot and appurtenances designed by Bruce Tolar will be called Keys Municipal Park.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 18, 2008, p. A1 and The Sun Herald, December 22, 2008, p. A2)
Elaine Young Miheve (1922-2008) expired on December 28th.
2009
-Crestlawn_0.jpg)
The Reverend Robert R. Wilson (1921-2009) native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 1951 graduate of the Western Theological Seminary at Pittsburgh, died on J anuary 8, 2009. Reverend Wilson retired as a Lt. Colonel and Chaplian in the USAF on November 1, 1971 and became Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs in early February 1971. He replaced the Reverend Merlin Usner. Reverend Wilson retired from his religious duties at Ocean Springs circa 1987.(The Daily Herald November 11, 1971, p. 2 and The Sun Herald, January , 2009)
Murville Alleman was hired as city arborist in January.(The Sun Herald, February 8, 2009, p. A6)
The new OS Harbor Pier costing $775,000 was opened in January.(The Sun Herald, January 18, 2009, p. A3 and The Ocean Springs Record, January 22, 2009, p. A3)
Earl Fayard, local seafood processor, indicted for and pleads guilty.(The Ocean Springs Record, , January 2009, p. 1)
Lt. Governor Phil Bryant was in Ocean Springs on January 30th to star at a fund raiser of wealthy politicians and doctors supporting Scott Walker, Mayoral candidate.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 22, 2009, p. A3)
On February 5th, Mayor Moran debated political opponents, John McKay and Scott Walker, at the Mary C. O'Keffe Cultural Center.(The Sun Herald, February 6, 2009, p. A1 and The Ocean Springs Record, February 12, 2009, p. A1)
The Elks Mardi Gras Parade rolled on February 7th with Queen Reva Gaynor and King Mike Polaski ruling over 'That 70's Show". Rene Patout was Grand Marshall.(The Sun Herald, February 8, 2009, p. A2)
Dickie Scruggs, Pascagoula-Oxford attorney, pleaded guilty to mail fraud.(The Sun Herald, February 11, 2009, p. A1)
The new 5000-sq.-ft. Ocean Springs Yacht Club had a soft opening on February 11th. Steve Sloan is Commodore and the structure was erected by Encore Construction with architectural guidance from Dennis Cowart. The club opened officially on February 28th with Mayor Moran declaring the "OSYC the official gateway to our City".(The Ocean Springs Record, February 12, 2009, p. A1 and The Sun Herald, March 1, 2009, p. A13)
The first night Mardi Gras Parade organized by the Ocean Springs Carnival Association rolled at 7 p.m. on February 20th. There was no king or queen.(The Sun Herald, February 18, 2009, p. A2)
John Ray Skates (1934-2009), long time resident of Ocean Springs and retired historian and former Chair of the USM Department of History and author of The Invasion of Japan: Alternatives to the Bomb (1994), as well as numerous books on Mississippi's history, expired on February 18th.(Miss. History Newsletter, May 2009, p. 2)
Joel Richard 'Rick' Carter Sr. of Gulfport and Dewey Elise Brashier of Biloxi ruled the Biloxi Carnival Association's Mardi Gras on February 24th.(The Sun Herald, February 22, 2009, p. F1)
Ground was broken on March 3rd for eight tennis courts USTA regulation at the Halstead Road tennis courts. Cal-Mar Construction, Jackson, Mississippi was awarded the $754,800 contract.(The Sun Herald, February 23, 2009, p. A8)
Paul Harvey Aurandt (1918-2009), national news commentator and talk-radio innovator, died on February 28th.(The Sun Herald, March 1, 2009, p. C1)
Maurepas Parc
[L-R: images 1-2 made March 12, 2009; images 3-4 made April 23, 2009; image 5 made July 13, 2009; image 6 made July 22, 2009; images 7 and 8 made September 28, 2009]
Construction on Maurepas Parc began in early March by Orocon Construction of Biloxi.
The Popps Ferry Bridge was hit by a barge on March 20th dropping a sixty-foot span into Biloxi Bay. No injuries occurred.(The Sun Herald, March 21, 2009, p. A1)
The $750,000 Chester M. McPhearson Jr. Community Pier on Front Beach opposite Maurepas Parc was dedicated on March 21st..(The Ocean Springs Record, March 19, 2009, p. 4, April 2, 2009, p. 13 and The Sun Herald, March 21, 2009, p. A1)
John Richard Blossman (1943-2009), businessman and philanthropist, expired on March 30th.(The Sun Herald, March 31, 2009, p. A4, April 1, 2009, p. A4, and The Ocean Springs Record, April 2, 2009, p. A1)
Reverend Billy Fisher Rutrough (1925-2009), retired pastor of Christus Victor Lutheran Church, expired on March 31st.(The Sun Herald, April 3, 2009, p. A4)
Newton Perry Gautier (1926-2009), former OSHS teacher [1949-1966], OSHS principal [1954-1959 and 1965-1966] and Jackson Co. Superintendent of Education [1960-1964], died on April 1st.(The Sun Herald, April 3, 2009, p. A4)
The Ocean Springs Medical Park, an imaging center, oncology center, cardiac surgery and cardiac rehabilitation facility, at 3535 Bienville Boulevard was dedicated on April 1st.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 9, 2009, p. )
Robert E. Meyer (1921-2009), 'Mr. Gulf Hills' and local philanthropist and art collector, expired on April 19, 2009.(The Sun Herald, April 21, 2009, p. A4)
The Highway 57 sports complex ground breaking occurred on April 20th.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 23, 2009, p. 5)
Alwyn H. Luckey and Dennis 'Den' Knecht were respectively the dynamic duo, Pierre LeMoyne [Iberville] and Jean-Baptiste LeMoyne [Bienille] at the April 26th '1699 Landing of Iberville Celebration' on Front Beach.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 23, 2009, p. 1 and p. 4 and The Sun Herald, April 27, 2009, p. A1)
"Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation" made by OSHS students Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, and Jayson Lamb was shown at Vue Entertainment's flagship theatre in Leicester Square, London, England on April 28th. Mr. Zala, director of the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural center attended the viewing in England. The Zala adaptation was shown again at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural center on June 27th.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 23, 2009, p. 1 and June 18, 2009, p. 1)
The new OS Public Safety complex at 3732 Bienville Boulevard broke ground on May 27th. Situated just east of the Civic Center this bi-complex of 38,500 sq. ft. will house a police station, jail and city court complex, fire station and an emergency operations center. Architects are Bolton, Lack, and Furr, PLLC. This municipal facility is financed by a CBG, titled Katrina Community Revitalization Grant, and the 2% tax levied on food and beverages within the City limits. $2.6 million contract to erect the Fire and Emergency Center awarded to GM&R Construction [Bay St. Louis] and a $3.9 million contract to Gulf Construction [Gulfport] the Police Department-Jail-Court Complex.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 4, 2009, p. 1, June 11, 2009, p. 3, December 3, 2009, p. 1)
Mayor Connie Marie Moran was re-elected leader of Ocean Springs with a close victory over Scott Walker in the General Election held on June 2nd. Final Mayoral results after a recount on June 4th were: Moran 2509 votes and Walker 2413. Other elected officials were: Alderman-at-Large: Troy Ross beat incumbent Julia Weaver 2833 to 2042 votes; Alderman Ward I-John Gill won unopposed; Alderman Ward II-Matt McDonnell, the incumbent, overwhelmed Jeff Glouner 626 to 407; Alderman Ward III-Chic Cody beat Susan Mueller 375 to 276;Alderman Ward IV-Greg Denyer, incumbent, unopposed; Alderman Ward V-Jerry Dalgo, incumbent, unopposed ; Alderman Ward VI-James Hagan defeated Carol Jones 411 to 193.(The Sun Herald, June 3, 2009, p. A1, June 4, 2009, p. A1, June 5, 2009, p. A1, June 6, 2009, p. A1 and June 10, 2009, p. A2 and The Ocean Springs Record, June 4, 2009, p. 1 and June 11, 2009, p. 3)
The new Hurricane Shelter and Community Center on Ms. Highway No. 57 in the Fontainebleau communitybroke ground on June 10th.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 25, 2009, p. 4)
Ted 'Pontiac' Patterson (1926-2009), resident of Gulf Hills and former Biloxi automobile dealer and longtime volunteer at 'The Lord is my Help' in Ocean Springs, expired at Gulf Hills on June 11th.(The Sun Herald, June 13, 2009, p. A4)
Ray Mabus, former Governor, was formally sworn in as the 75th Secretary of the Navy at the Washington Navy Yard on June 18th. Mabus was Governor from 1988-1992 and ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994-1996.(The Sun Herald, June 19, 2009, p. A7)
Patrick Williams, OS Fire Chief, announced his retirement effective June 30th. Deputy Chief Jeffrey Ponson replaced Chief Williams effective July 21st.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 11, 2009, p. 3 and The Sun Herald, July 23, 2009, p. A3)
Memorial services for Charles Stephen 'Bubba' Bond (1977-2009) were held on June 20th at the 1st Baptist Church of Ocean Springs. Stephen was employed by the OSPD as a policeman. He disappeared from a capsized 21-foot boat off Horn Island on May 17th. Four members of his party were rescued, but his skeletal remains were found in January 2010 on Chandeleur Island by fishermen. (The Sun Herald, June 18, 2009, p. A5 and June 21, 2009, p. A1, March 12, 2010, p. A1, march 21, 2010, p. A8 and The Ocean Springs Record, June 25, 2009, p. 1)
Ed McMahon (1923-2009), national TV personality and celebrity, expired on June 23rd.
Farrah Fawcett (1947-2009), actress, and Michael Jackson (1959-2009), mega-rock star, both died on June 25th.
Sister Mary William Hewson, MSC (1919-2009), native of Ocean Springs died on July 3rd at Opelousas, Louisiana.
Walter Cronkite (1916-2009), longtime CBS news anchor, died at Manhattan on July 17, 2009.(The Sun Herald, July 18, 2009, p. B1)
Mathilda Elizabeth 'Betty' Bradford Milsted (1913-2009), first president of the 1699 Historical Committee, former journalist and local historian, expired on July 22nd.(The Sun Herald, July 24, 2009, p. A4 and July 29, 2009, p. A4)
Katie Thurber, OSHS student, was named Mississippi's Junior Miss on July 25th.(The Sun Herald, July 27, 2009, p. A2 and July 28, 2009. p. A2)
'Wise One'
On August 15th, PAPOS dedicated their third public art sculpture at the Ocean Springs Public Library at 525 Dewey Avenue. Madeline Wiener of Denver, Colorado was the artist of 'Wise One'. Gia Catchot Weiner, formerly of Ocean Springs, is the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Wiener.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 13, 2009, p. 10 and The Ocean Springs Gazette, August 19, 2009, p. 9)
The Ocean Springs Gazette, the first new weekly newspaper at Ocean Springs since 1965, published its first issue on August 19th.(The Sun Herald, August 23, 2009, p. A7 and The Ocean Springs Gazette, August 19, 2009, p. 1)
The new $14 million William Carey University campus at the Tradition was dedicated on August 19th. Seven hundred students enrolled.(The Sun Herald, August 20, 2009, p. A2)
The Mississippi Coast Convention Center $68 million expansion was nearly complete in mid-August.(The Sun Herald, August 20, 2009, p. A1)
On August 22nd, the Shed BBQ and Blues Joint won the 'Ultimate Hometown Grill Off' with its pulled pork sandwich on the 'Live with Regis and Kelly' TV program in NYC.(The Sun Herald, August 19, 2009, p. A9 and August 20, 2009, p. A1)
Jacob Davis Guice (1915-2009), Coast attorney, expired at his Lover's Lane residence on August 24th. Joelean Ann Hornsby Guice (1927-2010), daughter of Andrew Reese Hornsby and Sadie Virginia Hornsby and his spouse of sixty-three years, died on November 21, 2010.(The Sun Herald, August 25, 2009, p. A4 and November 23, 2010, p. A4)
Grover W. Graham Jr. (1913-2009), Coast businessman and Sunkist Country Club charter member, died on August 24th.(The Sun Herald, August 25, 2009, p. A4)
Edward Moore 'Ted' Kennedy (1932-2009), Massachusetts Senator from 1962-2009, died on August 26th.(The Sun Herald, August 27, 2009, p. A1)
Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce parking lot being rebuilt in September.
Portal Live Oak tree on SE/C of Bienville and Washington Avenue removed on September 3, 2009. Tree harmed by Katrina.(The Sun Herald, September 4, 2009, p. A2)
The Old Fort Bayou Blueway, a 13-mile, kayak-canoe, water path in Old Fort Bayou from Gulf Hills to the upper reaches of this perennial stream, was dedicated on September 19th.(The OS Gazette, September 24, 2009, p. 1 and the Sun Herald, September 20, 2009, p. A2)
Iberville (1661-1706)
[L-R: Ray L. Bellande, Iberville, Mayor Moran, Marlene Hilton Moore, sculptor.]
[L-R: Mayor Moran, Father McIrnerny, Ray L. Bellande]
Fort Maurepas Park was dedicated on October 24, 2009.(The Gazette, October 21, 2009, p. 1, The Ocean Springs Record, October 22, 2009, p. 1, The Sun Herald, October 20, 2009, p. A1)
All-China Youth Federation,which is one of China's organizations led by the Communist Party of China, visited Ocean Springs City Hall on Friday. The core group is touring several areas along the Coast to learn about economic development, culture, the response to banking and financial crisis, and a general exchange of ideas.(Ocean Springs Gazette October 28,2009 p.14)
Ground broken on October 28, 2009 for new Ocean Springs High School on Old Spanish Trail and Hamill Farm Road.(The Gazette, October 28, 2009, p. 1, The Ocean Springs Record, October 29, 2009, p. 1, The Sun Herald, October 29, 2009, p. A2)
Edward 'Eddie' Bellman (1920-2009), Biloxi entrepreneur who befriended Elvis Presley, while nascent star vacationed at Gulf Hills and Biloxi in the early 1950s, expired on November 6, 2009.(The Sun Herald, November 8, 2009, p. A12 and p. A 13)
In November, Alfred R. 'Fred' Moran was given the Bob and Virginia Meyer Award by HOSA for his re-modeling and improving the facade and streetscape of the Young Building on Washington Avenue.(Larry Cosper, December 8, 2009)
The $9 million Coastal Research Center at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Jackson County, Mississippi opened on December 7th. The reserve is 18,000 acres of marsh and pine savannah. The center has offices, dormitories, classrooms, and research and interpretive areas.(The Sun Herald, December 8, 2009, p. A5)
TV Evangelist Oral Roberts (1918-2009), native of Oklahoma, died at Newport Beach, California in mid-December.(The Sun Herald, December 16, 2009, p. C1)
Clarence A. Hamilton Jr. (1930-2009), Alderman Ward III from 1981-1989, expired at Ocean Springs on December 14th.(The Sun Herald, December 16, 2009, p. A4 and December 17, 2009, p. A6)
Sunshine Whole Foods opened on December 14th at 918 Bechtel Boulevard with James P. Borden III on staff.
On December 15th, the Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to annex 11.6 square miles of land on the east side of Ocean Springs and north and south of US Highway 90 and west of Ms. Highway 57.(The Gazette, December 16, 2009, p. 1 and The Ocean Springs Record, December 17, 2009, p. 1)
Elmer 'Eddie' Lemien (1925-2009), native of Deer Island, local historian, and long time Latimer resident, expired on December 16th.(The Sun Herald, December 20, 2009, p. A12)
The Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled that the City of Ocean Springs erred in allowing the Harbor Landing Bar and Grill to operate in a C-4B zoned district.(The Gazette, December 23, 2009, p. 1)
The 2nd annual Christmas Boat Parade at the Inner Harbor was held on December 19th.(The Gazette, December 23, 2009, p. 1)
Umar Farouk Abdulmutalab, Nigerian national, attempted to destroy NorthWest Airline Flight 253-Amsterdam to Detroit, on Christmas Day.
2010
Progressing city development early 2010
[L-R: 1-3, "Contrail" [Connie's Trail] construction Front Beach Drive; 4-5, crosswalk improvements at Washington and Robinson and Washington and Porter; 6-7, 'mall' on West Porter, and Fred Moran's new building on Government and Washington. Images made December 2009 and January 2010 by Ray L. Bellande]
On January 10th, St. John's Episcopal Church dedicated their new $1.8 million, 11, 000 square-foot parish hall.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 14, 2010, p. 1.
James Samuel Phillips (1933-2010), Joeanne H. O'Bryant Phillips (1934-2010) and Samuel Joseph 'Sammy' Phillips (1962-2010) residents of 6504 Shore Drive in Gulf Hills were found dead on January 11th.(The Gazette, January 13, 2010, p. 1)
The Art House situated on Cash Alley celebrated its tenth anniversary on January 11th.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 14, 2010, p. 3)
On January 12th, Haiti was severely damaged by a mega-earthquake resulting in catastrophic destruction and loss of over 100,000 lives.
Charles McKellar began his tenure as Editor-Publisher of The Ocean Springs Record on January 14th. He will also write Inside Politics & More for the local journal.(The Ocean Springs Record, January 14, 2010, p. 2)
Denita Beaugez and Jim Cupps were crowned Queen Charity XXXV and King Fidelity XXXV respectively, for the annual Elks Parade held on January 30th. Don Davis, Grand Marshal, led the procession that celebrated with the theme 'Life is a Cirkus'.(The Gazette, January 6, 2010, p. 8 and February 3, 2010. p. 14 and The Sun Herald, February 1, 2010, p. A2)
The second annual Ocean Springs Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade was held on February 12th.(The Gazette, December 30, 2009, p. 1)
Eldridge 'Tiger' Woods, professional golfer, reported to be admitted to a sex addition clinic at Hattiesburg, Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, January 16, 2010, p. A2)
The Secret World of Walter Anderson (2009) authored by Hester Bass, formerly of Ocean Springs, won the 2010 Annual Orbis Pictus award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children presented by the National Council of Teachers of English.(The Sun Herald, January 23, 2010, p. A9)
Harbor Landing Bar and Grill owned by David Harris applied to the City for a license to operate as a private yacht club after the Board of Alderman rescinded on January 19th, their 2007 decision to allow his business operate with special restrictions on the Inner Harbor.(The Sun Herald, January 20, 2010, p. A7 and The Gazette, January 20, 2010, p. 1)
The trailer park at 2209 Government was being removed in mid-January to build 'Cottages at Oak Park", a an Eco-cottage development.(The Gazette, January 20, 2010, p. 1)
The New Orleans Saints won the NFC Championship in the Superdome on January 24th with a 31-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in overtime. They will meet Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV [44] at Miami on February 7th.(The Sun Herald, January 25, 2010, p. A1)
Phillip Martin (1927-2010) former leader of the Mississippi Band of Choctaws expired on February 4th.(The Sun Herald, February 5, 2010, February 8, 2010, and February 10, 2010, p. A16)
William 'Billy' Burdin Jr. (1928-2010), "unofficial town historian of Pass Christian, Mississippi", expired there on February 5th.(The Sun Herald, February 7, 2010, p. A16 and p. A17)
The New Orleans Saints won the 44th Super Bowl XLIV on February 7th at Miami with a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. QB Drew Brews named MVP.(The Sun Herald, February 8, 2010, p. A1)
OSCA 2010 doubloon
The Ocean Springs Carnival Association's 2nd Annual parade with the theme, 'Mystics of Discovery', rolled on the eve of February 12th before a small but very cold crowd of Mardi Gras zealots.
IP Casino/Viking Culinary Arts Café situated in the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, formerly the 1927 Ocean Springs Public School, opened on February 26, 2010. This former room was converted into a working kitchen and culinary classroom with the generous financial aid of the IP Casino of Biloxi and the Viking Range Corporation of Greenwood, Mississippi. Anita Nobles Arguelles was named director of the culinary school.(The Gazette, February 24, 2010, p. 6)
Joseph ‘Joe’ F. Tinney Jr. (1930-2010), long time HOSA member and community volunteer, expired on March 4th.(The Sun Herald, March 5, 2010, p. A4)
In early March, Margaret Mitchell Migues, long-time Hancock Bank employee, was charged by Federal authorities on one count of felony embezzlement. She entered into a plea bargain agreement with Federal authorities and pleaded guilty on May 26th. Co-conspirator, Willie Doris Burney, pleaded guilty on June 24th.(The Sun Herald, March 6, 2010, p. A1, March 18, 2010, p. A1, May 26, 2010. p. A2, May 27, 2010, p. A1 and June 25, 2010, p. A1)
. 
Mark M. Seymour, Sr. (1935-2010)
Mark Mathias Seymour, Sr. (1935-2010), former Ocean Springs City engineer, civil engineering consultant and D'Iberville casino promoter, expired on March 7th.(The Sun Herald, March 8, 2010, p. A4, March 10, 2010, p. 4A, and March 10, 2010, p. A6)
Bellande and Sullivan recognized by Mississippi Historical Society
On March 6th, the Mississippi Historical Society, at its annual meeting held in Gulfport, Mississippi, awarded Ray L. Bellande of Ocean Springs its Award of Merit for his contribution to the history of Ocean Springs. Charles L. Sullivan, emeritus history professor from MGCCC Perkinston, was awarded the prestigious Dunbar Rowland Award for his lifelong contributions to the preservation, study and interpretation of Mississippi history.(The Sun Herald, March 7, 2010, p. A 8)Lt. Governor Phil Bryant and Keith Crosby were chosen as Iberville and Bienville respectively for the April 2010 'Landing of Iberville' at Ocean Springs on April 25th.(The Sun Herald, March 12, 2010, p. A2 and April 26, 2010, p. A4)
1000 Government Street
[installing clock at 1:15 P.M. on March 16, 2010. image by Ray L. Bellande]
The clock was installed in the new Moran Building at 1000 Government Street on March 16th.(Observation by Ray L. Bellande and The Gazette, March 16, 2010, p. )
Merrit 'Pic' Sylvar Fermin (1940-2010), retired executive editor of The Sun Herald died at Biloxi on March 27th.(The Sun Herald, March 28, 2010, p. A1
Bridge Park [image by Ray L. Bellande-April 2010]
Alfred R. 'Fred' Moran was awarded the 2009 Robert and Virginia Meyer Award for his renovation of the Young Building at 630 Washington Avenue.(The Ocean Springs gazette, March 31, 2010)
The Ocean Expo Learning Center chose to locate its $75 million dollar complex in D'Iberville.(The Sun Herald, April 1, 2010, p. A1)
British Petroleum No. 1 OCS Mississippi Canyon Block 252, Macondo Prospect, an 18,000 foot exploratory well blew out in 5000 feet of water on April 20th. The rig burned and sank andsubsequently oil began flowing into the Gulf of Mexico creating a massive oil seep which seriously threatened the environment from Louisiana to Florida.
Sue Mitchell Ray (1938-2010), long time secretary to the Mayors of Ocean Springs, died on April 23rd.
Work on the new OSHS is expected to begin in late May. $37.25 million contract for the 320,000 square-foot structure was awarded to White-Spunner Construction Company on April 30th.(The Sun Herald, May 21, 2010, p. A10)
On June 1st, Steven Palazzo of Biloxi defeated Joe Tegerdine of Petal in the Republican primary for US Representative. Palazzo will face Gene Taylor, incumbent, in November.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 3, 2010, p. A1)
Installation of Oil absorbent fencing on Front Beach at Ocean Springs to capture any oil from the BP blowout No. 1 OCS Mississippi Canyon Block No. 252 began on June 2nd.(The Sun Herald, June 3, 2010, p. A7 and The Ocean Springs Record, June 3, 2010, p. 1, The Gazette, June 9, 2010, p. 1)
John Wooden (1910-2010), the Wizard of Westwood and UCLA's immensely successful basketball mentor, died at Los Angeles on June 4th.
The Halstead Road Tennis Center after an $800,000 upgrade reopened on June 10th.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 17, 2010, p. 1)
The Ocean Springs Museum of History, the first historical museum in the city's history, opened on June 17th in the Mary Cahill O'Keefe Cultural Center on Government Street.(The Gazette, June 9, 2010, p. 1 and The Ocean Springs Record, June 24, 2010, p. 1.)
Doris Burney, former Hancock Bank employee, pleaded guilty in the $2.3 M bank embezzlement scheme. She and co-conspirator, Margaret Mitchell Migues, are scheduled to be sentenced on August 24th.(The Sun Herald, June 25, 2010, p. A1)
X-TEX fencing installed on Front Beach to protect environmentally sensitive areas from crude oil emanating from the British Petroleum OCS No. 1 Mississippi Canyon 252 wild well in the Gulf of Mexico which blew out on April 20th.[Image by Ray L. Bellande-June 2010]
Joseph Augustus 'Joe' Bosco (1948-2010), author, writer and college professor, died July 8th in Beijing, China. Joe was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on August 30, 1948 to Frank A. Bosco (1919-1975) and Wilma Annetta Snyder Bosco (1926-2006). He graduated with the 1966 class of Ocean Springs High School and left this forward in The Greyhound, the school annual: "Beware! I may yet do something sensational." Joe matriculated to USM and UNO where he earned Fine Arts degrees in 1972 and 1976 respectively. His published works were: The Boys Who Would be Cubs: A Year in the Heart of Baseball's Minor Leagues" (1990); Blood Will Tell: A True Story of Deadly Lust in New Orleans (1993); and A Problem of Evidence: How the Prosecution Freed O.J. Simpson (1996). Joe Bosco resided in New Orleans and Los Angeles before his demise in China. While in Los Angeles, he reported on the ludicrous, O.J. Simpson Trial for Penthouse Magazine. He had also written of the murder of Ennis Cosby (1969-1997), son of Bill Cosby, comedian and actor, as "In the Face of Death" for Nation magazine (June 2, 1997). Joseph A. Bosco, a favorite son and friend of Ocean Springs, is survived by Linda Pajwebo Bosco, a former wife, Joseph A Bosco II, a son, and Sylvia A. Bosco, his sister and a special education teacher at OSHS.[Ray L. Bellande, August 7, 2010]
Irma Hoffman celebrated the 100th anniversary of her birth on July 4th with family and friends at St. John's Episcopal Church.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 8, 2010, p. 1)
Phase II of the City's Street Scape project began in mid-July with construction and improvements slated on Government Street from Washington Avenue east to M.L. King Jr. [formerly Vermont Avenue] and on M.L. King Jr. north to South Railroad Street.(The Sun Herald, July 17, 2010, p. A6 and The Gazette, August 4, 2010, p. 1)
Recreational fishing halted in the Mississippi Sound by the BP exploration well blow-out in Mississippi Canyon Block 252 resumed on July 20th. Commercial fishing was opened on August 6th in State waters. Oyster and crab fishing remained closed in selected areas affected by the oil flow.(The Sun Herald, July 20, 2010, p. A1, August 1, 2010, p. A2, and August 7, 2010, p. A1)
Renovations to begin at Mary C. O'Keefe Center. Funding for the project is part of nearly $1 million in grant funding provided by a Community Development Block Grant and Mississippi Archives and History Hurricane Katrina Relief Grant.(Ocean Springs Record June 16,2011 p.2)
DR. JESSE L. TROTTER SR. STREET
Mayor Connie Moran addresses members of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church congregation, as well as interested citizens on our newest street, the ‘Dr. Jesse L. Trotter Sr. Street’, which was dedicated on Sunday afternoon, November 20th. Mayor Moran and Matt McDonnell, Ward II Alderman, both addressed the audience at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Reverend Jessie L. Trotter Sr. Street opposite the church. Both speakers recognized Dr. Trotter for his many accomplishments as a Christian minister and civil rights activist. Two of Dr. Trotter’s children also spoke at the ceremony.(The Gazette, November 23, 2011)
James Hagan (b. 1974), Ward 6 Alderman, was arrested on November 29th at his office at Moss Point, Mississippi. Mr. Hagan was charged with touching a child for lustful purposes and imbezzlement. He bonded out of jail in Pascagoula on November 30th. Alderman Hagan was fired on November 4, 2010 from his position as a code enforcement officer with the City of Pascagoula for damaging his hotel room and five others at the Ameristar Casino Hotel at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Moss Point Mayor Aneice Liddell suspened Hagan with pay pending the results on the ongoing investigation into the alleged crimes of Mr. Hagan. Alderman Hagan was again arrested by the Sheriff of Jackson County on December 6, 2011 and charged with having a pornographic video that had a child in it on his City-issued, laptop computer.(The Sun Herald, November 31, 2011, p. A1, December 1, 2011, p. A1 and December 7, 2011, p. A2)
Clark Levi announced that he and partner had sold Lovelace Drug Store to Fred's Inc., owners of Fred's Super Dollar discount stores of Coldwater, Mississippi.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 1, 2011, p. 1)
The Ocean Springs Central Fire Station and Emergency Operations Center at 3820 Bienville Boulevard was dedicated on December 2nd. The structures were designed by Henry H. Furr, and cost about $4 million, which was funded from Federal Katrina dollars and $350,000 from the City. Past OSFD Chiefs, James Murray, Mark Hare, and Pat Williams were recognized for their service to the City.(The Sun Herald, December 3, 2011, p. A2)
The USS MISSISSIPPI, SSN-782 and a $2 billion, Virginia-Class, fast attack, nuclear submarine, was christened at the General Dynamics Electric Boat yard in Groton, Connecticut on December 3rd. The vessel will be commissioned at Gulfport, Mississippi in June 2012. Later changed to Pascagoula, Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, December 3, 2011, p. A1)
Phase I of Ocean Expo, D'Iberville's marine mammal institute, broke ground on December 9th.(The Sun Herald, December 10, 2011, p. A2)
Diane Claughton, founder of the OS Fresh Market [2004] and former librarian, was awarded the annual Robert and Virginia Meyer award from HOSA for her contributions to the quality of life here. Mrs. Claughton received $5000 and a bronze plaque. She planned to use her pecuniary reward for the Fresh Market and Real Food Gulf Coast, which she also co-founded.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 8, 2011, p. 1 and The OS Gazette, December 14, 2011, p. 3)
The US Justice Department began investigating whether the City of Ocean Springs violated the American's Disability Act in denying Psycamore LLC a medical clinic permit for 1101 Iberville Drive.(The OS Gazette, December 21, 2011, p. 3)
2012
Richey Building-NEW CONSTRUCTION CBD-January 2012
[L-R: 626-628 Washington Avenue and 1019 Government Street]
The $4 million OS Small Craft Harbor bulkhead renovation program began in January.(The Ocean Springs Gazette, January 27, 2012, p. 1 and The OS Record, February 3, 2012, p. 3)
OSPD--JAIL-MUNICIPAL COURT
The new OSPD-Jail and Municipal Court at 3810 Bienville Boulevard was dedicated on February 3rd as part of the $4 million Public Safety Center.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 2, 2012, p. 1)
The Elks Mardi Gras Krewe rolled on February 4th with Elise Fox, as Queen and Mike Gaynor, her King, and Jack Willse as Marshal.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 2, 2012, p. 1 and February 16, 2012, p. 1)
Robert 'Bobby' Cox, 'I won't debate her', was elected Alderman-at-Large on February 7th replacing Troy Ross. He defeated Melanie Allen, an exceptionally, well-qualified individual who has proven her love and devotion to the City. Results 1303 votes to 777 votes. Good ole boys 1-Mayor Moran and the denizens 0.(The Sun Herald, February 8, 2012, p. A2)
The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint on Mississippi Highway No. 57 burned to the ground on February 12th. With the assistance of Big Hoss BBQ, Blow Fly Inn, Half Shell Oyster House and F.E.B. Distributers Inc., Brooke Orrison Lewis and Brad Orrison, co-owners of the popular eatery, opened for business on February 17th with a festival-style setup and with food served from portable buildings.(The Ocean Springs Record, February 16, 2012, p. 1 and The Sun Herald, February 13, 2012, p. A1, February 14, 2012, p. A2, February 15, 2012, p. A2, and February 18, 2012, p. A2)
Eric Meyers, City Planner, resigned from his position to take his expertise and skills to Gautier, Mississippi. Eric was an outstanding City employee and will be missed by many who appreciated his character and integrity.(The Sun Herald, February 17, 2012, p. A7)
The Ocean Springs Carnival Association rolled for the fourth time on February 17th under mild weather and with its largest turnout ever.(The Sun Herald, February 18, 2012, p. A2)
Christina Ann Carter and Mark Donlon Mavar ruled as Queen Ixolib and King d'Iberville on February 21st as The Gulf Coast Carnival Association celebrated Mardi Gras in Biloxi.(The Sun Herald, February 19, 2012, p. F1)
Curtis Lee Davis Sr. (1927-2012), native of Vancleave, Mississippi and first dean of the Jackson County Campus of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College [1964-1991] and long time Mississippi junior college educator [1950-1991], died on March 23rd. Mr. Davis also coached junior college tennis and won many awards for his success in this endeavor. His corporal remains were interred in the Ramsay Cemetery at Vancleave.(The Sun Herald, March 26, 2012, p. A6)
1699 Celebration-April 2012
1699 Marker returns to Ocean Springs Iberville returns on April 28th.
CHARLES F. MCKELLAR (1935-2012)
Charles Fortson McKellar Jr. (1935-2012) was born on October 15, 1935 at Columbus, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1958 and has acquired much experience in journalism, media and political promotions, and politics in his plus fifty year career. Charles was press secretary for a Governor of Mississippi; the first National Media Manager of Billy Beer, a promotion of Billy Carter (1937-1988), brother of President Jimmy Carter (b. 1924).; first Promotion Director for The Daily Herald ; executive producer for Nashville on the Road, a 1975-1981 television show starring Jerry Clower (1926-1998), Mississippi comedian; executive editor of Proud to Call Mississippi Home (2006) and author of The Candidate Conspiracy (2011). Certainly not the acme of his career, Charles McKellar led the unsuccessful mayoral campaign of Scott Walker, a Republican, in 2010 to unseat Connie Marie Moran, incumbent Mayor of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Mr. McKellar left the Ocean Springs Record to promote his book and continue his writing.
Charlie Fortson McKellar, Jr. passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012 in Gulfport at the age of 76. An avid sportsman, McKellar relinquished the day-to-day editorial control of The Ocean Springs Record last year to devote full time to the re-publication of the book, Proud to Call Mississippi Home. McKellar had recently completed his first work of fiction, The Candidate Conspiracy, due out this month in hardcover and online, and was preparing a book tour to promote the novel set in Mississippi and Washington D.C. when he became ill.(The Sun Herald, June 9, 2012)
Marie Wicks-Miss Mississippi
[At dedication of WAMA expansion on July 6, 2012]
Marie Wicks, an Ole Miss co-ed and 2007 OSHS graduate and valedictorian was named Miss Mississippi on June 27th at the state competiton in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She will compete for Miss America in January 2013 at Las Vegas. Miss Wicks won titles as Miss Dixie in 2012 and was the Biloxi Lions Club's 2007 Camellia Queen.(The Sun Herald, June 30, 2012 and July 1, 2012 and January 12, 2013, P. A1.)
The Ocean Springs Municipal Airport owned by Bill McWhirter closed in late April. McWhirter acquired the 26.2 acre site in 1992.(The Ocean Springs Record, April 19, 2012, p. 1)
Bonita Coleman-Potter was named Superintendent of the Ocean Springs School District in mid-June. She came to Ocean Springs from the Prince George County, Maryland where she was assistance superintendent in a large school district which had 215 schools and 123,000 students. Ocean Springs has about 6000 students. Mrs. Coleman-Potter is an alumnae of Jackson State University and a Mississippi native. She commenced her duties in Ocean Springs on July 2nd.(The Sun Herald, June 12, 2012, June 15, 2012, July 1, 2012, and July 5, 2012, p. A1 and p. A7)
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY-July 6th
[L-R: Morris Strickland; Connie Moran; Thad Cochran; John McKay; Troy Ross; and Linda Bloom]
WAMA broke ground on July 6th for a 1770 square-foot expansion to the existing museum structure. A new entry way and two small galleries will be built financed by a 700,000 HUD grant. Senator Thad Cochran (Rep.-Ms) spoke at the occasion and Marie Wicks, Miss Mississippi was in attendance. Dennis Cowart is the architect and Orocon Construction was selected as General Contractor for the project.(The Sun Herald, July 6, 2012, p. A1 and July 7, 2012, p. A1)
Donald Muir Bradburn (1925-2012), patholigist, accomplished photographer and author, expired on July 4th. He was awarded the National Sierrra's Club's prestigious Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography in 1971. In 1975, Donald was named Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. In 2011, the University of Mississippi Press published Bradburn's Last Barriers: Photographs of Wilderness in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 26, 2012, pp. 506.
In mid-July 2012, Linda Bloom announced her resignation as WAMA director and to be effective August 16, 2012. She related that health issues of her father-in-law, domiciled in Hilton Head, South Carolina, as the salient reason for her departure. Linda came to WAMA in 2009 as a museum consultant and was name director by 2010. Morris Strickland, WAMA board chairman, lauded Mrs. Bloom for her accomplishments while leading the WAMA family. Dorothy Shaw was named a chiar of the search committee to acquire a replacement for Mrs. Bloom.(The Sun Herald, July 13, 2012, p. A2)
Matt Stebly, local artist, wins Biloxi Seafood Festival poster contest for second consecutive year.(The Sun Herald, July 19, 2012, p. A1)
HOSA broke ground on July 25th on the John R. Blossman Garden at Shearweater Park.(The Ocean Springs Record, August 9, 2012, p. 1)
Community welcomes new O.S. Superintendent, Dr. Bonita Coleman-Potter.(The Sun Herald August 2,2012 p.3A)
YMCA will host a kickoff event on August 28, 2012 to announce a brick fundraising campaign. The Building Strength Capital Campaign will start fundraising efforts for the expansion of the Ocean Springs YMCA. (The Sun Herald, August 14, 2012 p.A2)
Walter Anderson Museum, WAMA, paid tribute to one of the original Museum founders, Dr.Donald Muir Bradburn who passed away on July 4 at the age of 87. (The Sun Herald, August 14, 2012 p. A2)
The original Broome's Grocery is closing and receiving an extreme makeover. The building dates back to 1948, became Broome's Grocery in 1961. Architect Henry Furr, principal of H.H. Furr Architecture & Development in Ocean Springs, designed the renovation. (The Sun Herald August 20,2012 p.1A)
Renovations raise the roof at WAMA. A ceremony marked the highest point of construction in the museum's expansion project.(The Sun Herald September 19, 2012 p.2A)
Margaret Miller, Director of Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce, was inducted into the Mississippi Tourism Hall of Fame in late September, 2012 in Tunica, Mississippi. (The Sun Herald, October 5, 2012, pg D6)
WWII memorial at Freedom Field gets new light, fresh pine straw fix up. The memorial stands about four feet tall, has a bronze plaque and sits at the corner of Porter and General Pershing Avenue. It has been there since 1949 and lists three of the city's sons who died in the war.(The Sun Herald October 7, 2012 p.3A)
March 2012
Singing River Hospital System marks opening of Neuroscience Center. The 30,726 square-foot facility includes all outpatient neurosurgery, neurology, pain management, sleep center, spinal rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, vesibular rehabilitation and pediatric rehabilitation services.(Ocean Springs Gazette October 11, 2012 p.2)
Cottage saves bait shop. Mayor Connie Moran arranged for MEMA to donate a surplus cottage to the city, when they then declared it surplus property and donated it to YADA-Youth Alternative Development Activities - which will lease it to Kenny DiNero, who operates a bait shop at Ocean Springs Harbor.(Ocean Springs Gazette October 18,2012 p.1)
Jackson County Grand Jury found insufficient evidence to indict Ocean Springs alderman James Hagan on embezzlement charge.(The Mississippi Press November 18,2012 p.1)
Eric Powell, recently appointed head of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, is interested in rebuilding and maintaining the oyster habitat of carbonate reefs.(The Mississippi Press November 18,2012 p.2)
Charges dropped against Alderman James Hagan in Ocean Springs. The District Attorney's Office dismissed a charge of child exploitation against Ocean Springs Alderman James Hagan.(The Sun Herald December 1,2012 p.1A)
Blunt Force, an action movie directed by Daniel Zirilli, filmed on Front Beach on December 11th. Mr. Zirilli was impressed by the cooperation and coordination of the government in Ocean Springs leading him to say: "Ocean Springs is the new film-making capital in Mississippi."(The Ocean Springs Gazette, December 13, 2012, p. 1)
Dr. Alfred E. McNair Jr., Ocean Springs physician and founder of the Digestive Health Center and chief of staff of the Biloxi Regional Medical Center, was awarded the Felix H. Dunn Award by the Gulfport Branch of the NAACP for his many contributions to the Coast community. In 2011, Dr. McNair opened the Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities in D'Iberville, Mississippi.(The Sun Herald, December 17, 2012, p. A7)
Ocean Springs Alderman James Hagan says Sheriff Mike Byrd has issued orders directing agents with the Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County to target members of the board for arrest. That information, he said, has been turned over to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. (The Sun Herald December 20,2012 p.1A)
Ocean Springs was one of seven cities selected as one of the 2012 America's Crown Communities. Penton's American City & County magazine presents the awards annually in recognition of outstanding leadership in local government.(The Sun Herald December 28,2012 p.2A)
Dr. William Walker, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, was suspended without pay by his Board of Directors on December 29th. Dr. Walker was appointed head of DMR in 2002 by Governor Ronnie Musgrove. He has come under scrutiny in recent months in regards to spending DMR funds on land purchases and other items, such as boats, etc.(The Mississippi Press, December 30, 2012, p. 1M)
Ocean Springs was named as one of seven American cities, "America's Crown Communitites" by Penton's American City and County Magazine-an award presented annually in recognition of outstanding leadership in local government. The City was also recognized by the Mississippi Municipal League as "Best Overall City". Both awards resukted from Ocean Springs' planning, construction, and opening of the Public safety Complex on Bienville Boulevard in 2012.(The Mississippi Press, December 30, 2012, p. 3M)
2013
The Ocean Springs and Pascagoula police departments received recognition for earning state accreditation based on their ability to successfully follow the best law enforcement practices on a state and national level.(The Sun Herald January 16,2013 p.6A)
The board unanimously accepted a bid from the city's current solid waste contractor, Waste Pro, which promises to cut garbage costs to city and residents.(Ocean Springs Gazette January 17, 2013 p.1)
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James Webster Wilson
James Webster Wilson (1940-2013) attorney and businessman, expired on January 5th. Jim was a native of Meridian, Mississippi and his early education was overseas, as his father was in the US Foreign Service. He graduated from high school at Havana, Cuba in 1959 when Fidel Castro was becoming leader of this island nation. Jim graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in 1963, and then served in the USN from 1963-1968. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Ole Miss in 1972. After law school, Jim and his family settled in Ocean Springs, where he served as City Attorney from 1977-1980, and then founded boutique law firms in Biloxi and New Orleans. After years of practicing many areas of law, Jim felt his greatest passion was helping seniors, those with disabilities, and their families. He founded Wilson Elder Law Center with the vision of creating not just a law firm but an invaluable resource and support center for families at a critical phase of life. Jim served on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Hills Civic Association and was a past president. He also served on the Board of Directors for the ARC of Mississippi. He was an annual participant in the DREAM Program's golf tournament, and a supporter of the Special Olympics of Mississippi, the Gulf Coast Down's Syndrome Society, the American Heart Association, and the Alzheimer's Association.(The Sun Herald, January 6, 2013, p. A )
Psycamore loss to be appealed. The city will ask the State Supreme Court to reverse a district court's ruling that aldermen were wrong to deny a mental health clinic permission to open on Iberville Drive. After being denied by Ocean Springs, Psycamore opened a clinic in Biloxi.(Ocean Springs Gazette January 17,2013 p.1)
Mayor Connie Moran delivered her annual State of the City address. Her presentation included photos of the new pocket park between the bridge and Yacht Club, the Front Beach walkway, the Sports Complex, tennis pavilion and the award winning public safety complex. Ocean Springs was also named one of the America's Crown Communities by Penton's American City & County magazine. The general fund was $3.1 million; about the same as 2011. Sales tax revenues were also steady.(The Sun Herald January 18,2013 p.7A)
Ocean Springs Alderman James Hagan plans to file a lawsuit against the county and the Sheriff's Department, claiming he was falsely arrested and maliciously prosecuted on child pornography, molestation and embezzlement chares.(The Sun Herald January 19,2013 p.1A)
Crooked Letter Brewing Company [image made February 2013]
Crooked Letter Brewing Company, 1805 Government Street, opened its doors for guided tours and samples on January 12, 2013. Paul and Wanda Blacksmith, proprietors, are brewing: Mystery Romp, a porter-stout; Gipsy India pale ale; Crooked Hefeweizen; and Stabello, an Italian-style larger. (The Sun Herald, January 15, 2013, p. A9 and Ocean Springs Gazette, January 24, 2013, p. 3)
The 38th Elk's Mardi Parade rolled on January 26th with Queen Charity Janan Holland and King Fidelity Paul Auge ruling the streets of Ocean Springs.(The Gazette, Jauary 24, 2013, p. 1)
Ocean Springs' own Marie Wicks reflects on Miss America memories. Wicks, the reigning Miss Mississippi represented her home state in the national pageant. She did not finish amongst the 16 finalists - although her roomate during the pageant week, Miss New York was ultimately crowned Miss America. (The Mississippi Press January 25,2013 p.4)
Rosemary Roosa was named executive director of WAMA on January 30th.(The Sun Herald, February 1, 2013, p. A5)
Open house set at the new $3 million Vancleave hurricane shelter (The Sun Herald February 5,2013 p.4A)
Judge William Harbin Myers (1941-2013), native of Jackson, Mississippi and University of Mississippi graduate attorney and Chancellor 16th District Chancery Court from July 1992 until until he was appointed to the Mississippi Court of Appeals in June 2000. Judge Myers was relected to the Court and served as presiding judge from November 2005 until his retirement in December 2011.(The Sun Herald, February 9, 2013, p. A6)
The Ocean Springs Carnival Association rolled through the streets of Ocean Springs on February 8th with its 5th Annual Mardi Gras parade.(The Ocean Springs Gazette, February 14, 2013, p. 1)
The OSHS cheerleaders competed in the UCA Nationals Cheer Competition at Orlando, Florida and won the World Championship division and placed second in the USA competition.(The Gazette, February 14, 2013, p. 1)
WAMA ADDITION [February 2013]
WAMA's new $750,000 facade and gallery edition were dedicated on February 15th.(The Mississippi Press, February 17, 2013, p. M1 and The Sun Herald, February 17, 2013, p. F1)
The City of D'Iberville celebrated its 25th incorporation anniversary [February 10, 1988] on February 19th.(The Sun Herald, February 16, 2013, p. A2)
Ken Rainer and Nick Rainer, father and son, were drowned while kayaking in Biloxi Bay on February 27th. Their bodies were found on February 28th and March 8th respectively.(The Sun Herald, March 10, 2013, p. A2)
Ronald 'Bo' Hall (1940-2013), well-known and loved in Ocean Springs and Vancleave, expired on February 27, 2013. Bo was a dental lab technician and owner of Hall's Dental Laboratory from 1975 until his retirement in 2011. He was vice preident of the Singing River Electric Power board and an avid collector of fishing lures.(The Sun Herald, March 1, 2013, p. A4)
The Ocean Springs Hospital-Singing River Health System was cited by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi as a Blue Distinction Center of Excellence for knee and hip replacement and spinal surgery.(The Sun Herald, March 23, 2013, p. B6)
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Charles E. Voivedich
Charles E. Voivedich (1938-2013), 'Charley V.', died on April 2nd at Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Charley V. was one of the Coast's better known musicians and its ambassador singing our 'Coast National Anthem'-"Cherry Pie"!(The Sun Herald, April 7, 2013]
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Lyman Paul Bradford
Lyman Paul Bradford Sr. (1935-2013), former USMC Captain and long time Ocean Springs public activist serving as chairman of the Planning Commission, member of the Harbor Commission and president of the Chamber of Commerce, expired on April 9th. Paul and Linda Dalgo Bradford, his wfie, resided on Lovers Lane before their move to Biloxi. Mr. Bradford was a Deacon at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi. His corporal remains were interred in the Evergreen Cemetery at Ocean Springs.(The Sun Herald, April 12, 2013, p. A4)
City Hall-Porter Street-April 30, 2013.
Ocean Springs was one of three communities in the nation chosen as a 2013 Great American Main Street Awards winner.(The Sun Herald, April 15, 2013, p. A1)
GINS , which includes Horn, Petit Bois and Ship Island, was ranked 9th in visitors for 2012 with 4.97 million folks coming to the Ocean Springs facility of the National Park system.(The Sun Herald, April 11, 2013, p. A2)
Michael Impey IIdefeats James Hagan in runoff vote for Ward VI Alderman. (Ocean Springs Gazette May 23,2013 p.1)
World Champions The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint brings home the bacon.(Ocean Springs Record May 23,2013 p.8)
A. Fred Moran Jr., as Iberville, and Henry Hansell Furr, as Bienville, led the cast of faux animators at the 1699 almost annual landing on Front Beach on April 27th.(The Sun Herald, April 28, 2013, p. A6 and The Gazette, May 2013, p. )
PAPOS V
[image made April 29, 2013 by Ray L. Bellande]
Public Arts Project of Ocean Springs [PAPOS] unveiled their lastest outdoor sculpture on April 26th at the Myrtle Keys Park on Cash Alley. Donated to the public for their aesthetic appeal, this free standing statue by Vicki Banks of Los Angeles is titled "Crow and the Pitcher" . UPDATE: The sculpture on display at Keys Municipal Park on Cash Alley has been vandalized. The crow has been taken from the top of the bronze and granite sculpture, entitled "The Crow and the Pitcher. (The Ocean Springs Record, April 25, 2013, p. 1 and The Sun Herald May 14, 2013, p.2 A)
Salmagundi Gift Shopcelebrates 50 years in Ocean Springs. Current owner, Jeannie Stevenson, is the third owner of the business that was opened 50 years ago by Ralph and Lois Raum. Stevenson bought the business from Bob and Mary Costa 21 years ago.(The Sun Herald May 2, 2013, p. 6B)
St. Paul United Methodist East Campus celebrates 10 years. (The Sun Herald May 4, 2013, p. 3A)
Community grieves at memorial for two Pascagoula High School football players. Caleb Sweeten andBrandon Rich were killed May 5, 2013 in a water skiing accident on the Pascagoula River. (The Sun Herald May 9, 2013, p. 1A)
USM's Gulf Coast Research Labready to cut ribbon on it's "cool" new building, the Field Studies Building. State, local and educational leaders are celebrating the opening of the building, a first for the lad since Katrina devastated its campuses.(The Sun Herald May 28, 2013 p. 1A)
Ocean Springs High School held graduation for the class of 2013. This year's graduating class received more than $700 million in scholarships. Valedictorian Mikayla Wheeler, Salutatorian Olivia Day and Class Orator Piyush Borse. (Ocean Springs Record May 30, 2013 p.1 A)
HOSA dedicates John Blossman Memorial Garden located near the harbor on Shearwater Drive.(The Ocean Springs Record May 30, 2013 p.1A)
Local artist Matt Stebly (the great-grandson of Walter Anderson) is the latest of the Anderson family to gain national accolades, and this time it's a 16 page feature in the pages of the national publication Tattoo Review.(Ocean Springs Record May 30,2013 p. 1A)
Sakura Restaurant
[mage made june 5, 2013]
Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar, NE/C Government Street and ML King Jr. Avenue, opened in the newly remodeled Broome Building on May 22nd.(The Mississippi Press, June 2, 2013, p. 7M)
Sun Herald Editorial board recommends to re-elect Connie Moran, mayor of Ocean Springs; as well as Les Fillingame of Bay St. Louis; A.J. Holloway of Biloxi; and Leo "Chipper" Mcdermott of Pass Christian. Independent John Fletcher is recommended for Diamondhead.(The Sun Herald June 2,2013 p.2C)
Connie Moran and Steve Phillips-June 4, 2013
[interview at Mayor's victory party on June 4, 2013]
Mayor Connie Moran was re-elected on June 4th defeating John McKay. Moran garnered 2527 votes to McKay's 1539(The Sun Herald, June 5, 2013, p. A1 and The Ocean Springs Record, June 6, 2013, p. 1)
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Architect Carl D. Germany (1951-2013) died at NOLA on June 9th. Mr. Germany, a Pascagoula, Mississippi native and a 1969 graduate of Ocean Springs High School and family, moved here from Fort Worth, Texas, where he was active as a design architect. He married to Nancy Louise Ruspino (b. 1951), a native of Oakland, California. Carl D. Germany matriculated to Auburn University and received degrees in Environmental Design (1978) and Architecture (1979). Since arriving here, he has designed the Villa Maria walking path, Centennial Square Phase One addition (1995), Guay Residence (1994), Baxter Residence (1995), Irene Powers Residence (1995), the major L&N Depot restoration (1997), Little Children's Park bridge and picnic shelter (1998 ), the Senior Citizens Center refurbishment (1998), and the new Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church (1999). In 2000, Carl began working with the Friends of the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center for Arts and Education in regards to the 1927 Public School restoration.
Other notable projects that Mr. Germany was associated were: Germany Home on Belle Fountain Road; Lynne Dudley House on Kensington Drive; Ray and Maureen Hudachek House-post Katrina on Jackson Avenue; Latil House on LaFontaine Avenue-post Katrina; and the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 6705 Jim Ramsay Road in Vancleave. Carl D. Germany left Ocean Springs after Hurricane Katrina and worked for several engineering and architectural firms at Panama City, Florida and in New Orleans, Louisiana. Carl D. Germany expired at New Orleans on June 9, 2013.(The Sun Herald, June 27, 2013, p. A4 )
Eli Troutman, son of Brad and Angie Troutman, was named 2013 Gatorade Mississippi Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Eli has accepted an athletic scholarship to William Carey College at Hattiesburg where he will join Cameron Troutman, his older brother, on the soccer team.(The Ocean Springs Record, June 13, 2013, p. 1)
Former Ocean Springs Ward VI alderman, James Hagan, filed a $30 million dollar lawsuit against Sheriff Mike Byrd, Jackson County, et al alleging that his civil rights were violated among other charges relating to Hagan's alleged acts of child molestation, child pornography, and embezzlement of City property.(The Sun Herald, June 26, 2013, p. A1)
Ward IV-Alderman Greg Denyer and family
Recently elected and re-elected City officials were sworn in at the Community Center on Washibngton Avenue on July 1st.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 4, 2013, p. 1)
Life after restoration set for historic home. Charnley-Norwood house on East Beach designed in 1890 by renowned architect Louis Sullivan of Chicago, the father of the skyscraper, and his young draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright. (Ocean Springs Gazette July 4,2013 p.1)
The recently restored Charnley-Norwood House on East Beach is considered an architectural rarity and many groups were in town last week to discuss possible uses for the property and building(Ocean Springs Record July 4,2013 p.1)
Sea turtle nest discovered. Researchers from the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies have cornered off the area around the year's first documented loggerhead sea turtle nest on South Mississippi beaches. Sea turtles are a federally protected species and tampering with a nest could result in fines or jail time. (The Sun Herald July 5,2013 p.2A)
Richard 'Dickie' A. Waters (1935-2013), son of longtime Gulf Hills owners, Richard "Dick' and Gladys Waters, died on July 4th. Dickie was an awarding winning artist, musician, inventor and horticulturists.(The Sun Herald, July 7, 2013, p. A13)
The Shed gets TV series on Food Network. Starting August 5, 2013. (The Sun Herald July 10,2013 p.1A)
Moran Realty celebrated its 125th anniversary in July. Hiram Fisher Russell (1858-1940) came to Ocean Springs from Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1888 and commenced the enterprises that morphed into Moran Realty.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 11, 2013, p. 1)
City Clerk Shelly Ferguson drew names for the lottery that gave the order for applicants to purchase cemetery plots at Evergreen Cemetery. (Ocean Springs Gazette July 17, 2013 p.1)
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Ethelyn Lucille MacKenzie Schaffner Connor (1916-2013), Ocean Springs 'Tree Lady" and longtime advocate for historic preservation, the Live Oak and greenscapes and gardening expired on July 21st. She was the spouse of our first full-time Mayor Pat Connor.(The Sun Herald, july 23, 2013, p. A4 and July 24, 2013, p. A1 and A4)
Aldermen Fred "Chic" Cody and Matt McDonnell were inducted into the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) Hall of Fame for surpassing 20 years as elected officials. (Ocean Springs Record July 25,2013 p.1)
Jackson County Supervisors voted to fire another architectural firm, The Goldberg Group, in connection with the design of the new multi-million dollar county jail, stating that the latest firm took actions that were not authorized by the Board of Supervisors in connection with the bid process. They also voted to throw out all the bids on the jail the county received from contractors on July 1. The county received a low bid of about $27 million. (The Sun Herald July 30,2013 p.1A)
New Ward 6 Alderman Mike Impey held his first ward meeting. Among other things he told the group that he would not support a smoking ban for restaurants and businesses in the city.(The Sun Herald July 30,2013 p.2A)
Speakers at a public hearing want to designate 750 miles of beaches from North Carolina to Mississippi as being critical habitat for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. But some warned the designation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could restrict communities from rebuilding the very beaches where loggerheads nest. (The Sun Herald August 8, 2013 p.5A)
Ocean Springs High School places 22nd in its MaxPreps Cup Top 25. An esteemed national ranking of high school athletics programs. (Ocean Springs Record August 8,2014 p.1)
Andre Kaufman, OS Public Works Director, was suspended for three days without pay and ordered to attend an anger management class. Kaufman was accused of criticizing an alderman via e-mail.(The Sun Herald, August 15, 2013, p. A1)
Public Works Director Andre Kaufman suspended for three days, ordered to enroll in an anger management class and put him on six months’ probation. (Ocean Springs Gazette August 15,2013 p.1A)
Ocean Springs School District's enrollment at the opening of the 2013-2014 school year is up by more than 200 students. For the first time, parents or guardians were required to register in person in July at their children's schools(Ocean Springs Gazette August 15, 2013 p.1A)
Neighbors want blight addressed. Residents who live near 420 Jackson would like to see action taken on the vacant home and overgrown property. The house has been abandoned since Katrina and has been used by a prostitute as a place of work.(Ocean Springs Record August 22, 2013 p.1)
420 Jackson Street property receives attention from owner to bring property up to city standards. (Ocean Springs Record September 5, 2013 p.1)
Property owners want to build house where trees stand, asking to remove two live oaks on Lovers Lane. The city said no to cutting them down.(The Sun Herald August 25, 2013 p. A1)
'The Gospel Giant', WOSM-FM radio station, owned by Charles and Margaret Cooper have reached an agreement with SuperTalk Mississippi Network, a subsidiary of TelSouth, to sell WOSM for $1,5 million.(GulfLive, June 27, 2013 and The Mississippi Press, August 28, 2013, p. 2M)
Shelter-gym and boutique hotel on Government Street both shelved by the Board of Alderman. City can't afford cost of maintaining shelter.(Ocean Springs Gazette September 5, 2013 p.1)
Ocean Springs School Districtis one of only 18 districts statewide to boast an overall A rating.(The Mississippi Press September 13, 2013 p.1)
Jocelyn's Restaurant to close at end of year. Jocelyn Mayfield will be closing her popular Ocean Springs restaurant in January after 31 years. (The Sun Herald September 17, 2013 p.1A)
Jocelyn Seymour Mayfield
[from The Sun Herald, October 20, 2013]
Historic Ocean Springs house makes a comeback; agencies ponder future for Charnley-Norwood House. The most architecturally significant house on the Coast, after Beauvoir, with it's historical importance. Two famous architects claim it - Louis Sullivan, who designed Chicago skyscrapers, and his draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright, who would later take design elements of the house and run with them in his own renown style. (The Sun Herald October 1, 2013 p. 1A)
Shearwater Pottery celebrates 85 years. It is one of the city's longstanding businesses.(Ocean Springs Record October 3,2013 p.1)
Thomas H. Creekmore is one of 11 World War II veterans who were honored in Jackson on September 24, 2013. Creekmore was a sergeant, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division during WWII. He was presented with the National Legion of Honor.(Ocean Springs Record October 3,2013 p.1)
10 bids received for demolition of controversial Ocean Springs Harbor buildings. Bids DMR received range from approximately $119,000 to $433,000.(The Sun Herald October 9, 2013 p.10A)
"Raiders" biography optioned by "Napoleon" director, Jeremy Coon. (Ocean Springs Record October 17, 2013 p.1)
Ingalls celebrates 75 years as an economic cornerstone.(The Sun Herald October 20, 2013 p.1A)
The Mississippi Gulf Coast Attractions Association awarded Jocelyn Seymour Mayfield their 3rd annual Don Jacob's Tourism Achievement Award on October 21st at the Biloxi Visitor's Center.(The Sun Herald, October 20, 2013, p. A15)
Ocean Springs Art Association holds 42nd Fall Art Show and Sale.(Sun Herald November 3, 2013 p.F1)
Five defendants plead not guilty to public corruption charges. Former DMR executive director Bill Walker, his son Scott Walter and three others pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.(The Sun Herald November 14, 2014 p.1A)
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Dr. Albert Dantzler Jr.
The Reverend Dr. Alfred Dantzler Jr. (1948-2013), pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church passed on November 19, 2013. He replaced the Reverend Doctor Jesse Trotter (1925-2010) in September 2012.(The Sun Herald, November 24, 2013, p. A. )
Boat Shed and Harbor Landing Restaurant at Inner Harbor
Both structures built by I. David Harris Jr. (1939-2014) were demolished by Department of Marine Resources in November 2013.[L-R: Boat Shed-November 20, 2013 and Harbor Landing-November 24, 2013]
The State Department of Marine Resources has awarded the bid to tear down and haul off the boat storage shed and restaurant it owns at the Ocean Springs Harbor. Southern Recycling and Demolition Inc. of D'Iberville got the job with a low bid of $118,545. The highest of the 10 bids was $433,000.The demolition project officially starts Wednesday and the company has until Feb. 4 to complete the work.The state agency bought the storage shed, large enough to hold 167 boats, and the elevated restaurant called Harbor Landing from former Blossman YMCA Director David Harris and his family for $3.6 million, using Coastal Impact Assistance Program money, when the property was on the Jackson County tax rolls at a value of $1.3 million. A 2012 federal audit questioned the purchase partly because Harris and then-DMR Director Bill Walker were friends.(The Sun Herald, November 4, 2013)
Gary Demaree (1936-2013), native of Hattiesburg, Vietnam veteran and former Captain of the OSPD with 35 years of service, died on December 6th.(The Ocean Springs Record, December 12, 2013, p. 7)
2014
Historic home could be artistic haven. A group of historic preservationists is working to keep Twelve Oaks, a historic property in Gautier and more than 100 years old, intact by turning it into a haven for scholars, researchers, academics and practitioners. (The Sun Herald p.1A)
Kenneth 'Tree Daddy' McClain (1939-2014), native of Belzoni, Mississippi and local tree cutter and town character, died on January 7th.(The Sun Herald, January 9 , 2014, p. A )
In January, Father Bernard Farrell retired from the priesthood while pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. He served the people of St. Elizabeth Seton for twelve years. Father Henry McInerney of St. Alphonsus was transferred to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi.(The Ocean Springs Gazette, January 16, 2014, p. 1)
Susan L. McClamroch (b. 1955) was named Director of the Mary Cahill O'Keefe Cultural Center in January. Susan replaced Bryant Wheelan who resigned in September 2013. She is a 1973 graduate of OSHS and was educated at Springhill College in Mobile, the University of Mississippia and Tulane. Ms. McClamroch's interests are in Southern Studies, art and architecture She comes to Ocean Springs from Slidell, Louisiana where she was Main Street manager for Slidell, Louisiana.(The Ocean Springs Gazette, January 16, 2014, p. 1)
Salmagundi Gifts, which was founded circa 1963 by Lois Marye Robertson Raum (1926-1967) and Pam Smith of Pascagoula in the Farmers and Merchants Bank Building on Washington Avenue, closed its doors in February. The business moved across the street in the old US Post Office on the southeast corner of Robinson and Washington. Jeannie Steveson, the present proprietor, acquired the business from Mary and Bob Costa circa 1991.(The Ocean Springs Gazette, January 16, 2014, p. 1)
Demolition of the Singing River Mall at Gautier, Mississippi commenced on February 26th. It opened in March 1981.(The Sun Herald, April 5, 2014, p. A-1 and The Ocean Springs Record, January 1, 1981, p. 1)
On March 7th, the Blossman YMCA broke ground for a $3 million expansion and renovation of the facility. John and Mary Alice Minor who built the original natatorium which became the YMCA were present for the event.(The Sun Herald, March 8 2014, p. A-2)
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Samuel A. Cvitanovich
Samuel ‘Sammy’ Amos Cvitanovich (1927-2014) was born March 31, 1927 at Biloxi and died on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Ocean Springs. Sammy was lifelong resident of Ocean Springs and was the former owner of Henriettas Café in Ocean Springs for 52 years. His many interests were the love of his family, riding the horn and having his whiskey cocktail. He was also a longtime member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and the Slavic Benevolent Society.(The Sun Herald, March 19, 2014)
Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran confirmed she is engaged to Jack Rosen of Mobile. Did anyone ask Jack? (The Sun Herald, April 3, 2014, p. 5-A and April 4, 2014, p. 2-A)
Sears and Sears Auto Center, which closed in October 2013, was demolished in late May. The site will become the Gautier Town Commons and a Super Wal-Mart. Demolition of the 390,000 sq.-ft., Singing River Mall at Gautier commenced in February 2014.(The Sun Herald, May 23, 2014, p. A-7)
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James H. “Jim” Neirynck (1928-2014), native of Bloomington, Illinois, passed on June 2, 2014 in Biloxi. He graduated from Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois, then served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a longtime general contractor who built numerous homes and businesses on the Gulf Coast. Jim was a member of the Biloxi Yacht Club for more than 35 years where he was an avid sailor and served as Commodore for 2 years. Jim was also a member of the Mississippi Home Builders Association, Ocean Springs Rotary and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.(The Sun Herald, June 11, 2014, p. A-4)
Donald R. Green (1926-2014)
Donald Rupert 'Don' Green (1926-2014), native of Sherwood, North Dakota and Coast resident since 1952, expired at Ocean Springs, Mississippi on July 19, 2014. Don was a veteran of the USAF and graduate of Michigan Technical University. He joined Ferson Optical at Ocean Springs after completing his military service and became president of the company in 1962. In 1976, Don and Janet Swan Ferson Green, his spouse, founded PFG Optics, and he retired in 1996. Mr. Green was active in civic affairs at both Biloxi and Ocean Springs. He was a director of the Hancock Bank and the Jackson and George County Salvation Army. Don was a fine athlete and participated in ball room dancing, tennis, golf, and skiing. He won a national ski event, gold medal in 2012 claiming the giant slalom title in his age group. Mr. Green was an aviator and had flown in Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and Central America.(The Sun Herald, July 22, 2014, p. A-6 and July 23, 2014, p. A-8)
1820 Government Street-July 23, 2014 YMCA Fire
[see The Ocean Springs Gazette, July 24, 2014, p. 1 and July 31, 2014, p. 1; The Sun Herald, July 24, 2014, p. A-7-middle image by Joey Han Conwill others Ray L. Bellande)
Margaret Miller, executive director of the OS Chamber of Commerce-Main Street Tourism Bureau, was honored for her more than 25 years of leadership within the Ocean Springs community.(The Ocean Springs Gazette, July 31, 2014, p. 1)
In late July, Lovelace Drugs was sold to CVS by Fred's Discount Drugs who has a lease on the building and operated a pharmacy. Clark Levi owner of the building said that Fred's has several years remaining on its five year lease. Future use of the building is unknown.(The Sun Herald, July 26, 2014, p. A-4 and The Ocean Sptings Gazette, July 31, 2004, p. 1)
Lawrence C. 'Larry' Corban (1929-2014), age 85 years, life-long Biloxi resident and son of Judge Lawrence C. Corbanand Gene Sulivan Corban, died on August 4th. Larry was an attorney educated at the University of Mississippi. He was a former City Attorney for the City of Ocean Springs.(The Sun Herald, August 6, 2014, p. A-)
Kenneth 'Ken' Snider (1949-2014), retired USCG veteran and local contractor, died on August 5th. Ken was a born in Michigan to J. Martin Snider (1921-1984) and Jane Snider (1922-2005). He was a student and disciple of Carroll Benton Ishee and continued to build Isheesque homes in the area. Ken built his retirement home at the Gulf Park-OS Airport and worked at the airport for 15 years.(The Sun Herald, August 9, 2014)
Chancery Clerk Terry Miller announced that he would retire in 2015.(The Sun Herald, August 12, 2014, p. A-4)
Danny Jalanivich, former Alderman-at Large and OS Harbor Commissioner, was hired by Jackson County as OS Harbor Master in mid-August. His salary was approximately $50,000 annually.(The Sun Herald, August 15, 2014, p. A-5)
The new $16.5 million expansion and renovation of the Ocean Springs Hospital was dedicated on August 14th.(The Sun Herald, August 14, 2014, p. A-2)
Repairing Front Beach Promenade-September 10, 2014
Landmark Contracting Inc. was hired to repair and replace a section of the Front Beach walkway that was caved in due to erosion beneath its foundation. Department of Marine Resources Tidelands Grants are funding the project.(The Sun Herald, August 30, 2014, p. A-5)
Mayor Connie Marie Moran announced her wedding to Jack Rosen on October 11, 2014 . Nuptials to be held at the Grand Hotel at Point Clear, Alabama.(The Sun Herald, September 14, 2014, p. A-1)
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I. David Harris Jr. (1939-2014) expired on September 30, 2014. David was the long time director of the Blossman YMCA and the founder of the Boat Shed and Harbor Landing Restaurant.
Ground breaking for the Thomas D. McIlwain Harbor Green on November 7, 2014.[L-R: Mayor Connie Marie Moran; Kristen Smith-U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Jennifer Wagner-DMR; Hank Zuber-State Representative; Jamie Miller-DMR; Danny Jalanivich-Harbor Master; Alderman Greg Denyer; Jackson County Supervisors John McKay and Troy Ross; Stacey McIlwain Randall; Janet McIlwain; and Alderman John Gill] (from The Ocean Springs Gazette, November 13, 2014, p. 1-image courtesy of James Ricketts)
Paul Morris Campbell (1955-2014), master craftsman and building contractor, died on November 22, 2014. Paul operated a construction company building many fine homes along the coast and renovating and restoring several historic homes.(The Sun Herald, November 25, 2014)
On December 1st, Scott Walker, former OS Mayoral candidate, reported to a minimum security Federal prison at Pensacola to began an 18-month incarceration for corruption involving the DMR of which his father, William Walker, was the executuve director.(The Sun Herald, December 3, 2014, p. A-1)
Mike Ezell, former OS Police Chief, was elected Sheriff of Jackson County, Mississippi on December 2nd.(The Sun Herald, December 3, 2014)
Little Free Library-Ocean Springs now has a Little Free Library thanks to Lake M. Andrews at 319 Washington Avenue. The Little Free Library operates with the motto-“take a book, leave a book”. Inspired by industrialist-philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), whose foundation built 2510 libraries throughout America, the LFL movement began in 2009 in Wisconsin and now has over 23,000 members worldwide. Mississippi has 14 registrations from Southaven to Waveland. Mrs. Andrews designed her “library” and it ‘opened’ for public use last week.
John M. Fahnestock Jr. (1935-2015)
JOHN MORRIS FAHNESTOCK JR.-(1935-2015)-Born at Colon, Panama on January 4, 1935, the son of John M. Fahnestock (1900-1980) and Mae Cassibry (1902-1984). Married Marion Phillips at New York in January 1956. He was educated in engineering at the Merchant Marine Academy and the University of Virginia. Mr. Fahnestock joined the Ferson Optics Company at Ocean Springs in 1964.
John M. Fahnestock with several key personnel from the Ferson engineering group founded Alpha Optical Systems in January 1975. The company began their business of designing and manufacturing optical systems for the aerospace industry at its Ocean Springs facility in the old Greer’s grocery mart at present day 1611 Government Street. In November 1977, Alpha Optical Systems acquired the structure on Government Street west of Denny from Florence C. Easterling and had it refurbished.
Under the leadership of John M. Fahenestock, Gay G. Martin, Ron Pownall, and Dick Weaver, AOS was very successful in its field of endeavor and was awarded honors by the USSBA and the State of Mississippi for its achievements. In January 1989, Coors Ceramics Company, a subsidiary of the Adolph Coors Company of Golden, Colorado acquired Alpha Optical Systems and its sixty employees. Coors suspended operations at Alpha Optical System and closed its plant at Ocean Springs in the mid-1990s. John M. Fahnestock et al retired from the precision optical business after the Coors shut down. John expired at Ocean Springs on December 23, 2015.
2016
Twisted Anchor
The Twisted Anchor, art gallery and tatoo parlor of Matthew Stebley, opened on April 21st on the former site of the Myrtle Keys residence at Government Street which was demolished to erect this structure. Maugh Construction Company was the contractor and was ably assisted by Jason Stebley, Matt's uncle.(The Sun Herald, April 18, 2016)
Alvin Endt (1933-2016) expired on June 20, 2016. He was an outstanding athlete and civic leader. Mr. Endt was elected alderman in 1965, and served two terms before being elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1983 where he was a member for sixteen years retiring in 1999. He also taught school at St. Martin High School and was a geology major at USM. (Alvin Endt, September 22, 2003 and The Sun Herald, June 23, 2016)
Robert Mohler
2017
Maryalice Fairbank Miner
She met Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House when she was a teenager and it made a big impression on her. It was one of the stories Maryalice Miner liked to tell customers at her Miner’s Big Stuff Doll & Toy Store, at the entrance to downtown Ocean Springs for decades.
Maryalice was with her parents at a While House ceremony, and being young, was prepared to snicker because the first lady was homely, but she paused when she told the story because what happened was not a childish snicker. She was totally captivated by Eleanor, when the first lady looked deep into her eyes.
Maryalice later married John Miner, who was at the White House that day too, and together they ran one of the most consistently successful small businesses in the city.
Maryalice Miner died Thursday morning, December . She was 92 years young.
As they grew up, her husband became a naval architect on the team that developed unmanned vertical-launch missiles. She developed her own style of swim lessons and early-childhood development classes.
They were lauded in 2015 for 60 years of service on the Coast with the Chamber of Commerce community events, for building the Aquatic Club in Pascagoula in 1964 that later moved to Ocean Springs, for the work they did in organizing the Gulf Coast YMCA and especially for efforts in swimming and water safety, which was her specialty.
John Miner died in February at the age of 91.
The Miners are most-known for the toy store they started when they were in their 60s. They ran it for almost 30 years.
When they turned 90 together in 2015, the city threw a birthday party for them.
At the time, Maryalice told the Sun Herald, “I’m half excited and half embarrassed,” but she had her dress picked out, one that was dynamite blue. She knew how to have fun at a party.
About her work, Maryalice Miner said, toys are a way to interact with people, to develop relationships. They are key to a child’s learning process.
Just two years ago, Maryalice was working six days a week, attending morning Chamber gatherings and other events at night.
She inspired other downtown business owners.
Paige Riley, with Hillyer House, told the Sun Herald, “Some mornings I come in to open, wondering how I’m going to make it, and I look across and see her at the front of her shop sweeping, in her blue linen suit with her lipstick on. It gets me going.”
Maryalice Miner had known her husband since the 7th grade, and as a couple, they were almost inseparable.
Her daughter, Merileigh Miner Furr, said, “It was the most beautiful love story. They were holding hands (when he died), even with her stroke. Up until the end he was the ultimate gentleman, professing his love and that he would see her later.”
Her son Steve Miner said his mother passed away in her sleep, with no pain. She had had a stroke, but was gracious, even being paralyzed for more than a year.
“We’ll all miss her joy and her enthusiasm,” he said. “She lived a great life and touched a lot of people’s lives.”
“She had a good time raising three boys and a daughter — all taller than her — but she kept us all in line.”
Furr said her mother died peacefully in the morning hours and when asked yesterday if she had a happy heart, she nodded yes.[The Sun Herald, December 28, 2017]
2018
Effective 2 January 2018, The Ocean Springs Record merged with The Ocean Springs Gazette. The new journal became The Ocean Springs Gazette & Record. Bay Corporation, owner of The Ocean Springs Record and The Biloxi-D'Iberville Press, sold these journals to Campbell Newspapers, LLC, owned by Tommy and Dee Ann Campbell. The Campbells, owners of The Choctaw Sun-Advocate in Butler, Alabama, also acquired The Ocean Springs Gazette from James and Cindy Ricketts.[The Ocean Springs Record, December 28, 2017, p. 1 and The Ocean Springs Gazette & Record, January 4, 2018, p. 4]
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
MARK ARTHUR HARE
FIRE CHIEF [1999-2007]
Mark Arthur Hare, age 66, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on August 16, 2023 at his residence.
He was born on July 28, 1957 at Biloxi Keesler AFB to John Arthur Hare and Alberta Wilson Hare. He was a twelve-year Ocean Springs student and attended MGCCC. He started working as the Fort Bayou bridge tender, in 1971, at the young age of 14. He was a Harbormaster from 1985 to 1993 and worked beach maintenance from 1993-1998. His career was with the Fire Service from 1978 to 2007 serving many levels and capacities. He was the Ocean Springs Fire Chief from 1999 to retirement in 2007. He served in the Civil Defense in 1999.
His second career was with CSX Railroad working the bridges at Rigolets, Pascagoula Draw, and Biloxi Bay until he returned to Beach Maintenance for Jackson County as a part-time job with an effort to help his community shine. Mark’s favorite past time was being on the water. He loved to fish but couldn’t catch. He collected antique outboard motors, loved history, and genuinely loved talking to people.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alberta Hare.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor “Cissy” Hare; sister, Sandy Hare; brother-in-law, Bo Hamilton; nephew, Woody (Morgan) Peterson and their children, Elliot Peterson and Soren Peterson.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs, MS. Friends may visit from 10:00am until service time. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs is honored to serve the family of Mark Arthur Hare.