Page 95 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2015

PICAYUNE
Picayune is at the southern tip of Mississippi; a town known for its New South/Old Charm vibe. “It’s a 30 minute drive to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, and we’re strategically located on I-59,” said Main Street Director Reba Beebe. “It’s the first municipality of significant size for motorists coming north into Mississippi from New Orleans and is within 15 miles of the converging roadways of I-59, I-12 and I-10.”
Video journalist Bill Keith Edwards moved from Germany to Picayune in
2002. He wrote in a recent article, “One of the things I love is how the people
in Picayune take the time to genuinely express a sincere interest in others. I encounter it everywhere — local businesses, government operations, schools and churches or an over-the-counter chat at a local supermarket, renewing a driver’s license or mailing packages at the post office. There’s a built-in sincerity of goodwill and upbeat spirit in Picayune.”
Edwards says anyone new to Picayune or thinking about moving there is urged to discover the beauty of the area, the people and the slower pace.
Beebe points out that for the first six months of this year, 20 public and private permits were issued for a total of $2,195,169.
LONG BEACH
“Long Beach, the Friendly City lives up to its name,” said Mayor Billy Skellie. “Long Beach has been chosen as the number one place to live and raise a family, as one of the safest places to live, and our schools enjoy a long tradition of excellence.”
Long Beach’s main street, Jeff Davis Avenue, has become a pedestrian and bicycle friendly main street with some of the Coast’s favorite and award winning businesses. These include restaurants, an art gallery, bakeries, a coffee house, a frozen yogurt shop, an antique shop, children and women’s clothing shops, a gem shop, a kite shop, and a spa.
“Jeff Davis Avenue is the perfect place to go for a day of shopping, eating, and fun,” says Main Street Director Shelda Jones. “On any given day you’ll see families strolling down the beautifully landscaped avenue enjoying its amenities.”
On Saturday mornings the avenue hosts a farmer’s market with healthy, organic products. The Harper McCaughan Town Green is also downtown. In the summer it’s full of children and families playing on the splash pad. The Town Green also hosts free movie nights, live concerts, festivals, and Trunk or Treat as well as many other family-friendly events. “The Chamber of Commerce has the yearly Taste of Long Beach, a favorite for the Coast’s foodies, there too,” Jones said.
She notes that no one should be surprised to encounter a parade in Long Beach. “We have the fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival and the Long
Beach Carnival Association’s Mardi Gras parade,” Jones said. “We also honor our military with a special Veterans’ Day Parade. In October, Long Beach kicks off Cruisin’ the Coast on Jeff Davis Avenue with a fabulous parade featuring antique cars.”
Long Beach will celebrate Christmas with a tree lighting ceremony on the Town Green and a parade down Jeff Davis Avenue.
Long Beach’s Small Craft Harbor is centrally located to the restaurants and city’s attractions. It hosts the annual Wind and Wave kite festival.
OPPOSITE PAGE (seated from left): Reba Beebe, Picayune; Shelda Jones, Long Beach; Sue Wright, Moss Point; and Margaret Miller, Ocean Springs. Standing from left: Stacy Pair, Mississippi Main Street Association; Kay Miller Carter, Biloxi; Paula Fairconnetue, Bay St. Louis; Laurie Toups, Gulfport; and Rebecca Davis, Pascagoula.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
August 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 95
This data is for the first six months of 2015. It shows how the Coastal region compares to other regions in the state.
HILLS
Private Dollars Invested: $1,668,500 Public Dollars Invested: $97,266 Jobs Created: 172
Volunteer Hours Dedicated: 1,450
PINES
Private Dollars Invested: $9,963,271 Public Dollars Invested: $9,003,625 Jobs Created: 152
Volunteer Hours Dedicated: 3,864
DELTA
Private Dollars Reinvested: $404,884 Public Dollars Reinvested: $132,000 Jobs Created: 38
Volunteer Hours Dedicated: 910
CAPITAL-RIVER
Private Dollars Reinvested: $22,265,002 Public Dollars Reinvested: $74,947 Jobs Created: 65
Volunteer Hours Dedicated: 452
COASTAL
Private Dollars Reinvested: $51,118,300 Public Dollars Reinvested: $334,350 Jobs Created: 359
Volunteer Hours Dedicated: 2,525