CULTURALSTORY
YESTERDAY•TODAY•TOMORROW
FROMOURDIRECTOR
WelcometothesummerissueofEmbrace,wherewe immerseourselvesinthecaptivatingthemeof"Artful FloraandFauna."Thiseditioninvitesyouonajourneythroughtherichartistryofthe OceanSpringscommunitywherethenaturalworldintertwineswithartisticexpression inabreathtakingharmony.
AttheheartofthisartisticlandscapeliesthelegacyofWalterAnderson,whoselove forHornIslandandthesurroundinglandscapescontinuestoinspiregenerations. Throughhisart,Andersonforgedadeepconnectionwiththelandandsea,infusing hisworkswiththebeautyoftheGulfCoast.Throughthefondreminiscencesof hisdaughter,MaryAndersonPickard,weglimpseintothesoulofanartistwhose connectiontonaturetranscendedtimeandspace.Today,hisgreat-grandson,Matt Stebly,continuesthislegacy,sculptingmasterpiecesthatpayhomagetobothhis ancestor'svisionandthebountifulsplendorofoursurroundings.Eachpieceisa
Beyondtherealmofart,wecelebratetheagriculturalcontributionsofDown-Home MushroomsandCoastalRidgeFarms.Thesenature-basedbusinessesexemplifythe spiritofsustainabilityandinnovation,providinguswithnourishmentandbeautythat isbothwholesomeandenvironmentallyconscious.
Joinusasweexploretheboundlesswondersofournaturalworld,aswelearn aboutthebeautyandgraceoftheenchantinghummingbird.Mymotherhastwo,
allowyourselftobetransportedbythebeautyandgraceoftheseenchantingcreatures. Thissummer,embracethebeautythatsurroundsyou,andletitinspireyoutocreate, toappreciateandtocherishthedelicatebalanceofournaturallandscape.Welcometo asummerofcoastalcharm.
RhondaPrice MSCNHADirector
THANKYOU:Averyspecialthankyoutoourcontributorsforthisedition.We oftheMississippiCoastNationalHeritageArea.Yourgenerosityhelpstellourstories. WewouldliketoacknowledgeJulianRankin,MattieCodlingandLilyPearlBennat theWalterAndersonMuseumofArtfortheirenormouscontributionandartcollection ofWalterAndersonforthe“NurturedbyNature,ElusiveArtist”articleonpage2. DeronCuevasandDortyJosephNecaisefortheresearchandcontributionfor“Cat IslandKing,”page6.ArtistGlennMillerfortheinterviewfor“EtchedinTime”on page11.ArtistMattSteblyfortheinterviewfor“InnovativeExpressions”onpage 14.EmmaRhodesandKyleShepard,BandingCoalitionoftheAmericas,forthe contributedarticle“TheBirdHandlers:BandingHummingbirds,” page19.TheAudubonDeltaStaffforthecontributedarticle “SoundofSummer”onpage22.TerriDoyle,ownerofCoastalRidgeFarm, NicholasGipson,ownerofDownHomeMushrooms,forthecontributed article,“CultivatingFamily,FlavorandHealthOneFungiataTime,”page29. DonaldandDiannedelCid,ownersofArchiterraOceanSprings,forthe interviewfor“delCidGardens”onpage33
RECIPECONTRIBUTIONS:GoldenOysterMushroomQuiche, courtesyofDownHomeMushrooms,page38.
U.S.SENATORS
MISSION
ENHANCE,CONSERVEANDPROVIDECONNECTIVITY toculturalresourcesofauniqueanddefinedareathroughidentification, interpretationandpromotion.
CREATEAUTHENTICEXPERIENCES andserveasasourceofpride.Providingincreasedawarenessandappreciation oftheirenvironment,history,culture,traditionsandlifestyles.
PROMOTEECONOMICSUSTAINABILITY ofheritageresourcesthatbenefittheentireregionand supportthelong-termenhancementandconservationofthosequalities thatmakethesixcountiesoftheMSCoastNHAunique.
TELLINGTHEAREA’SNATIONALLYSIGNIFICANTSTORY toresidentsandvisitorsthroughactivitiesandpartnershipsthat celebratethearea’suniquehistory,people,traditionsandlandscapes.
YourMSCoastNHAisapartnershipofcommunities,businesses,governmentalagencies, non-profitorganizationsandindividualswhovaluetheregion’srichculturaland environmentaldiversity,history,naturalbeautyandtraditions.
HISTORICAL
2NurturedbyNature: ElusiveArtist WalterInglisAnderson
6CatIslandKing: TheLegacyandLife ofJuandeCuevas
INNOVATIVE
11Etchedinime:TheArtful EleganceofArtistGlenMiller
14InnovativeExpressions: withLocalArtistMattStebly
CONTENTS
NATURAL
19TheBirdHandlers BandingHummingbirds
22SoundofSummer PascagoulaRiver
24RedCreekBlueway
25BayouBogueHomaBlueway
COMMUNITY
CoastalRidgeFarm
29DownHomeMushrooms CultivatingFamily,Flavorand Health,OneFungiataTime
LIFE
33DianneandDonalddelCid OwnerandFounderof ArchiterraofOceanSprings, Mississippi
FLAVORFUL
37TomatoOnion NoCucumberSalad
38GolderOyster MushroomQuiche
ElusiveArtist
Growingup,WalterAnderson’sartwasaconstantbackdropin mylife–frommymother’sbabyshowerattheiconicOcean SpringsCommunityCenter,adornedwithhismurals,toadeeper understandinggainedthroughanoralhistoryinterviewwithhisdaughter, MaryAndersonPickard.Hisreclusivenatureunfoldedaslayersof mystery,transformingmyadmirationintoaprofoundconnectionwiththe essenceofhismoralcharacter.
WalterInglisAnderson,oftencalledthe"South'smostelusiveartist," standsasoneofthemostuniqueandcaptivatingAmericanartisansof the20thcentury.BorninNewOrleans,La.,in1903toGeorgeWalter AndersonandAnnetteMcConnell,Walterwouldbethesecondofthe couple’sthreesons.In1922,heenrolledintheNewYorkSchoolofFine andAppliedArt,nowParsonsSchoolofDesign.Ayearlaterhewould goontowinaprestigiousartscholarshiptostudyatthePennsylvania AcademyoftheFineArts.Itwasherehestudiedundericonicmodernists, HenryMcCarterandArthurCarles.
Afterartschool,WalterAndersonmovedtoOceanSpringstoworkasa designeranddecoratorinthefamilypotterybusiness.Gainingpopularity intheOceanSpringscommunity,ShearwaterPotterywassynonymous withitshandmadeceramicsandtodaythebusinessstillthrives.
Nurtured by
Betweenthesummersof1927and1928,WalterworkedatShearwater. Duringthelattersummer,Agnes“Sissy”Grinsteadvisitedherparents’ Gautier,MississippiwhenshemetWalterAndersononavisittoOcean Springs.Grinstead,whostudiedatSorbonneUniversityinParis,France, andearnedanarthistorydegreefromRadcliffeCollege,sharedapassion forartworkandthenaturalworldwithWalterAnderson.
Thistimeframeofblissseemedtobethecatalystforoneofhismost productiveperiods.Theirhomebecameasanctuaryofcreativity,where Waltertransformedtheupstairswallswithscenesofland,seaandair. illustrationsofnatureandhisfavoritefairytalesandfables,aperiodof translatingthosepiecesofliteratureintoworksofart.
However,hisproductiveperiodwouldcometoanendin1946when heabandonedapregnantSissy,histhreechildren-Mary(eldest),Billy inOceanSprings.Sissyandthechildrenwouldthenhaveverylimited
Center:WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965),FallWoods,c.1943.WatercoloronPaper. CollectionoftheFamilyofWalterAnderson.OppositeTop:WalterInglisAnderson(19031965),HawksatSunrise,c.1960.WatercoloronPaper.CourtesyoftheFamilyofWalter Anderson.OppositeBottom:WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965),FrogandIris,c.1960. WatercoloronPaper.WAMAPermanentCollection.
contactwithWalterashefoundsolaceinbeingaloneina smallcottageonthepropertytofocusonhisart,hisfreedom fromtheresponsibilitiesofbeingahusbandandfatherand dreamingofpuresolitudeashisonlydemand.Hewouldlive outtheremainderofhisyearswithinthereclusionofthe cottageandHornIsland,abarrierislandsituated12miles offtheshoreofOceanSprings.Rowingasmallskifftothe island,hecapturednature'smajestyandpoweron8.5x11inchtypingpaper.
OfWalterAnderson'slife,hisdaughter,Mary,paintsavivid portraitofafatherwhowasnotjustanacclaimedartistand natureenthusiast,butapoeticsoul.Marywarmlyreminisces aboutherfather'suniqueabilitytoturnmerestilllifeinto whathebeautifullytermed"Realizations."
WalterAndersoncoinedtheterm"Realizations"todescribe
itforittobecomeallthewayrealtohim.”Athiscottage atShearwater,Waltermeticulouslydocumentedhisartistic whograppledwithhumanfrailtyandultimatelyfound transcendenceinnature.
Shefondlyrecountshowherfather’sprofoundconnection withliterature,fueledbyfables,folkloreandfantasy,ignited hisimaginationsayinghistheorywas,“theformisthere, opening.”Throughtheprismofhisextensiveliterary pursuits,Walterseamlesslywovetalesofcreatures,birdsand deepappreciationforthebeautythatenvelopsus.
Mary,adevotedguardianofherfather'slegacy,cherishes thediversemediumsthroughwhichhemadehisarttangible,
Top:WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965),ContentedRaccoon,c.1960. WatercoloronPaper.PermanentCollection,JohnS.andJamesL.Knight FoundationPurchase.;WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965), AlligatorGar,c.1950.WatercoloronPaper.CollectionoftheFamilyof WalterAnderson.Right: WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965), PrayingMantis,c.1955.WatercoloronPaper.CollectionoftheFamilyof WalterAnderson.
fromwatercolorstocommissionedpiecesand potteryatShearwater.Walter'sloveaffairwith ofboundlessjoyforhim.
ForMary,herfather'sworldwasanenchanting blendofliteratureandnature.Sheexploredhis drawingslaterinlifeanddiscoveredpoems transcribedonthebackofpaintings—aglimpse wherewordsofferedsolace.Mary,aformer educator,thespianandcommunityartsactivist, tracestherootsofherpassionbacktoher mothertaughthertoreadatthetenderageof three.
Mary'sjourneyinvolvedimmersingherselfinthe family'slibrary,transformingliteraryinspirations intofantasticalrealitiesalongthesandyshoresof claybulletstosittingondownedoaktreerootsas animaginativequeen,laidthefoundationforalife thatwouldintertwineseamlesslywithherfather's legacy.
Livingwithherfatheruntiltheageof12,Marywitnessedhisgradual retreattoHornIsland,wheresolitudebecamehismuse,freefromthe judgmentofopinions,nature'screaturesembracedhimthroughouthis daysandweeksontheisland.Despitetheseclusion,Walter'slovefor natureendured.Afterhispassingin1965,theaptlynamed"TheLittle Room"inhiscottageatShearwater,revealedaworldofsunriseand sunsetdepictions—apoignanttestamenttothecherishedislandhomehe immortalizedthroughhisvisionaryeyes.
WalterAndersoninhabitedaworldsooblivioustohisbrilliance,strovefor anabsoluteunderstandingofnature,andtheimperativeabilitytoconnect withitthroughart.InthenarrativeofWalter’slife,Marycontinuesto unveilthethreadsthatbindliterature,natureandartintoalegacythat transcendsmortality,allowingthereal-lifeworldofthisextraordinaryartist toendure,evervibrantandalive.
Top:WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965),DeadDucks, c.1955.WatercoloronWallpaper.CollectionofWalter AndersonMuseumofArt.GiftofCarmenBeck.TopRight: WalterInglisAnderson(1903-1965),PalmettosandPines, c.1955.WatercoloronPaper.WAMAPermanentCollection. GiftoftheFriendsofWalterAnderson.BottomRight:Walter InglisAnderson(1903-1965),HornIslandOil,c.1960.Oil onpanel.CollectionofTheFamilyofWalterAnderson.
CatIsland
TheLegacyandLife of
ContributedbyDortyJosephNecaise
deCuevasandYsabelBâtistainthetownofAlgamitas,intheprovinceofAndalucia,ofthedioceseofMalagain
homelandhavebeenwidelyspeculatedforover240years,butitisbelievedbymostfamilyhistoriansandgenealogiststhathewas draftedintotheserviceoftheCrownunderKingCharlesIIImakinghiswaytothecoastsoftheGulfofMexicoduringthelater recordhasbeenfoundregardinghisenlistmentorrank.
onCatIsland.ThisunionwouldforeverchangetheMississippiGulfCoastandforgenerations,amixtureofSpanishandother
CuevasHomesteadonCatIsland. PhotoCredit:EJYounghans.
WhileCatIslandissynonymouswiththeCuevaslegacy,DeerIslandalsoplaysanimportantroleintheCuevasstory.Notonly wasthistheplacewhereafewmembersoftheLadnerfamilylived,butthisislandwasalsothebirthplaceofsomeoftheelder andmovetothemainlandwhereshewouldsettleat“theChimneys,”presentdayLongBeach,Miss.TheyoungerCuevaschildren, CelesteGalaxite,MarieAnastasie,MarieSolitelle,Pierre,CharlesFerdinand,Ramon,EuphrosineandHenriettaPauline,allappear tohavebeenbornonCatIsland.
AstheCuevaschildrenbegantoreachadulthood,theywouldventureofftheislandandsettleondifferentpartsoftheMississippi
WhileowningpropertyinandaroundBiloxi,laterinlifehewouldsettleinruralNorthwestHarrisonCounty.Helene,thesecond County.“CuevasSettlement”waslocatedinwhatisnowknowntodayasthecityofDiamondhead.BridgetteMoniquewould SpaniardfromCartagenadeVante,Spain.TheywouldsettleinsouthernHancockCountybetweenwhatisnowknownasthe LakeshoreCommunityandPearlington.MarieAnastasiewouldneverseeadulthoodasshepassedawayontheislandbeforeher tenthbirthday.MarieSolitellewouldmarryGermanbornHenrichAugusteKrohnandsettlealongtheeasternborderofHarrison TammanyParishinLouisiana.CharlesFerdinandmarriedRoseDesireeCaillavetofaprominentBiloxifamily.Theysettledin HewouldremarryandeventuallysettleinthetownofShieldsboro,knowntodayasBaySt.Louis,Miss.Euphrosinefollowed
herbrother,Ramon,settlingwithherhusband,Dr. PierreNolasque,inShieldsboro.HenriettaPauline, BasqueofVila,Galicia,Spain,andsettledalongthe eastbankofBayouTallaintheSt.Martinarea.These 11childrenwouldspreadagreatdealofHispanic thevariousothertraditionsandculturesoftheir spousesthroughouttheMississippiGulfCoastandthe surroundingareas. wasmoreorlessahusbandandafarmer.Hegrewcrops ontheisland,tendeddifferenttypesoflivestockand usedthewatersoftheGulftohelpsupporthisfamily. Buyingtheremainderoftheislandfromhismother-in-
theshoresofCatIsland.Forthisactofbravery,hewas awardedasumof$200fromtheStateofMississippi. OnMarch13,1837,afterhischildrenhadleftthe whichwouldroughlyequateto$500,000today,making himoneofthewealthiestmenfromMobiletoNew hisdeathonSeptember24,1849,attheripeoldageof 87.UponMarie’sdeathin1853,hisbody,alongwith thebodyofhisdaughter,MarieAnastasie,werejoined inthefamilytomblocatedinOldBiloxiCityCemetery inBiloxi.TheCuevasEraonCatIslandended,anda newerabeganonthemainland.
childrenandtheirdescendantscanbeseenthroughout theGulfCoastregionandbeyond.Severalwenton tobecomesingers,musicians,politicians,journalists, actorsandactresses,doctors,scientists,professors,
Fountain,actorWilliamH.Macy,thehonorable
Dr.Adolph Kergosienand LaviniaCuevas Family,greatgrandchildrenof JuandeCuevas. PhotoCredit: DescendantsofJuan deCuevasFamily Association.
PaulineBasque Seymour, granddaughterof JuandeCuevas.Photo Credit:Descendantsof JuandeCuevasFamily Association.
JosephGuardia, ,AzelineHermaegildaCuevas, andWalterCuevas,descendantsofJuan deCuevas.PhotoCredit:Descendantsof JuandeCuevasFamilyAssociation.
DanGarcia,greatgrandsonof JuandeCuevas.PhotoCredit: DescendantsofJuandeCuevas FamilyAssociation.
SimonCuevasandwife, PhilomeneNecaise Cuevas,grandsonof JuandeCuevas.Photo Credit:Descendantsof JuandeCuevasFamily Association.
JamesA.Cuevas, grandsonofJuande Cuevas.PhotoCredit: DescendantsofJuan deCuevasFamily Association.
JeffersonYarboroughandVictoriaGarciaYarboroughFamily,great granddaughterofJuandeCuevas.PhotoCredit:DescendantsofJuande CuevasFamilyAssociation.
ThomasHaleBoggs,journalistCokieRoberts,singersongwriterBrianAustinandbasketballstarMahmoud Abdul-Raufarejusttonameafew.Whilenotasfamous astheaforementioned,manydescendantshavehelped shapemanycommunitiesandcitiesthroughbusiness leadership,localpoliticsandphilanthropy.Chancesare thereaderhasmetatleast100descendantsormore,
oftheoldest,mostprominent,well-knownfamilies intheregion.NamessuchasLadner,Moran,Necaise, Letort,Bond,Saucier,Lizana,Northrop,Hoda,Garcia, Quave,Basque,CarverandSeymourallhaveroots ofsomerecognizablenames.
ofthousandsandhavespreadfromtheCarolinasto theshoresofCalifornia.Frommeagerbeginningson abarrierislandlocatedintheGulfofMexico,one today.Weknowthatfromhishumblebeginningsover 4,000milesawayfromalittletowninSpaintothe andhisfamilyisanepicworthyofbeingtoldfor generations.
Inthesummerof2019,withthehelpofseveral FamilyAssociationpartneredwithBiloxiMainStreet toreceiveagrantfromtheMississippiGulfCoast Cuevasrestoredtoitsformerglory.Todaythetomb islookeduponasalocallandmarkandstandsasa February14,2024
JuandeCuevas andMarieCuevas refurbished tomb,current. PhotoCredit: Descendants ofJuande CuevasFamily Association.
ETCHED inTime theArtfulEleganceof ArtistGlennMiller
SteppingintothestudioofGlennMillerislike enteringaserenerealmofartistictranquility. Hissoft-spokenvoiceandgentlespirit,coupled talentedartist.Ihadthepleasureofsittinginhisstudiowhile heunveiledhislatestartcommission,ahand-etcheddrawingofOceanSpringsCityHall,capturingallhismeticulous andintricatedetailswhilehehand-rollseveryprintwithhis customized200-poundpress.
BorninMeadville,Pa.,in1946,GlennMiller'sjourney unfoldedonauniquecanvas.VenturingintotheVietnamWar, AirForceBasein1966andhonorablydischargedin1968. Post-service,GlennsethiscompasstoNewOrleans,where Squareintoanapprenticeunderthehugelytalented,and
Inthebeginning,aportraitartist,Glenn'sartisticevolution wasforeveralteredbytheguidanceandexpertiseofLoving, propellinghimintotheworldofhand-etchingandcreating distinctiveworksofart.
Glennexplained,“Doingportraitswasgreatifyouwere good,butIcouldn’tconvincemyselfIwasgood,soIstarted judgmentaleyes.”Beingimmersedintherealmofjazz etchings,Miller'sartisticendeavorsquicklygainednotoriety. Hetransitionedfromasoloartisttoapursuitofconducting workshopsthatresonatedwithintheartisticechelonsofNew Orleans.Hisoeuvrefoundasanctuarywithingalleriesof theFrenchQuarter,offeringoriginalpiecesandprintsfor connoisseursofthevisualarts.
However,thesymphonyofhislifetook anunexpectedturnwhenheencountered aprofessorwithwhomhefellinlove.A pragmaticultimatumensued,compelling Millertochartamoreconventional course.Eagertoenrichhisacademic arsenal,aswellaspleasehismuse,he enrolledattheUniversityofLouisiana. HeobtainedaBachelorinArtsdegree, acompasspointinghimtowardthe realmofsecondaryeducation.
Yet,theclassroombecameanarena whereMiller'sgentlespiritconfronted therelentlessmarchoftime.The impassionedconnectionheforgedwith hisstudentspaintedanunforeseen crossroads.Realizingthemismatch betweenhisdelicatedispositionand therigorsofdailyartclasses,Miller underwentapersonalmetamorphosis.
In1979,heexchangedvowsinNew Orleanswithhispartner,aprofessor atTulane.Encouragedbyher,he embarkedonamaster'sjourneyfunded byhisGIbillandfueledbyherstipend. Ultimately,ahiccupunfoldedinthe formofherdemotiontopart-timestatus, downturnforcedachangeofresidence totheunassumingtownofOcean Springs.Settlingat417DeweyAve foramere$18,000,Miller'sartistic ambitionsfacedanarduousterrain.
Whilehiswifefoundherprofessional footingasadietitianandlatera registerednurse,Millerfaceda periodofunemploymentthatwould strugglesculminatedinthedemiseof hismarriage.Onhisdaysoff,theebb
duringtheday,whileeveningsunfolded asacanvasforpainting.
Hisneighbor,WilfredBeaugez,became alifeline.Taskedwithinvokingthe familialconnectiontohiscousin,"Big BoyBeaugez,"alocalcountyjudge, Millerfoundhimselfemployedasa bridgetenderontheOceanSprings drawbridgeknownasFt.BayouBridge. Thelonghourswaitingforboatsbecame anartistichaven,birthingamultifaceted routineofdrawingsandpaintings.
However,HurricaneKatrina'stempest disruptedthecadenceofMiller's artisticjourney,submerginghisstudio andobliteratinghisetchingplatesin thesaltwaterdestruction.Aphoenix emergedfromthewateryashesasMiller returnedtoabstracts,utilizing thecreativeprocessasatherapeutic salve.
In2012,theechoesofhisetching prowessresonatedanewwitha commissionfromafriendattheOcean SpringsYachtClub.Yet,thetrajectory shiftedonceagain,withhispaintings andetchingsevolvingintogallerypieces andshowstoppers,commandingahigher marketvalue.
Recently,PattyGaston,theCityClerk forOceanSprings,whoserecent requestfor200printsofCityHall rekindledMiller'scommitmentto historicalpreservationthroughart.The intricateprocessunfolded,revealing ameticulousdanceofcreativityand technique.Glenn,armedwithaneasel
andperchedoutsideofCityHall,hand dreweachdetailoftheoriginalscene, sometimesincludingunnoticedwords oranimalsintoeachoriginalpiece. Afterdaysofpiecingtogetherthesmall theuniqueritualofhand-reversingthe image.Whiletechnologycouldexpedite thisprocess,Miller'sinsistenceon authenticityrenderedhimwithaneasel andmirrorbehindhimashisessential toolforreverseimaging.
Themetalplateblanketedwithalayer ofwax,servedasthecanvasforhis freehanddepiction.Anoxidationprocess anddetails,theexcesswasmeticulously removed.Enteraninnovativetwist–the rollingtable.A200-poundrollerweight, insteadofbeingamerepress,tookon anewidentity.Crankedbyhand,it becameakineticsculpture,notonly pressingtheimagebutofferingMillera cardioworkoutintheprocess.
Theunveilingofaforward-facing masterpiecehungtodry,andoncedried, –hand-tintingwithwatercolor.The term'prints,'whileaccurate,beliedthe truth–eachcreationwasanoriginal, atestamenttothesingulartouchofan artist'shand.
Inthisintricatedanceofcreativity andcraftsmanship,GlennMiller'slife unfoldsasacollection,interwovenwith historicalnuances,artisticevolution andanunwaveringcommitment toauthenticitythatwillforeverbe etchedintime.
Left:OceanSpringsCityHallhand coloredetching.Top:GlennMiller outsidehishome.
ThestudiowhereGlennMillercreateshisone-of-a-kindetchings.||GlennMiller,applyinginktohis metaletchingplate.||GlennMiller,allowingtheinktopenetratethemetaletchingplate.||Themetal etchingplateisreadyforstamping.||GlennMillercarefullyappliesthemetaletchingplatetohispress.|| Eachpressisdonebyhandtocreateaone-of-a-kindartpiece.||Carefully,Glennremovestheartfromthe metaletchingplateandpress.||
TolearnmoreaboutpurchasinganOceanSpringsCityHalletchingprint, pleasecontactGlennMillerat(228)217-2235.
WithLocalArtist
WordsbyRoxAnnRankinWicker
mmersedintheworldofartsincechildhood,MattStebly'sjourneyasan artistfeelsalmostfated.WithalineagethatboastsluminarieslikeWalter InglisAndersonandMaryAndersonPickard,hiscreativeDNArunsdeep. However,amidsttheseillustriousconnections,Matt'sartisticvoiceshines uniquely,leavinganindeliblemarkontheGulfCoast.
Duringarecentconversationwithhisgrandmother,MaryAndersonPickard, shereminiscedwarmlyaboutnurturingMatt'screativityduringtheirshared moments.Oneparticularmemorystoodoutvividly—whenshetookhimtoa localhardwarestoretobuycolorfulelectricalwire.Theresultwasmagical, asMatttransformedthosewiresintointricatetrapezesandcircusanimals, revealinghisinnatetalentatayoungage.Thisheartwarminganecdoteoffers aglimpseintotheartistbehindthecaptivating15-footsculptureofCarlthe Rooster,otherwiseknownasCarl2.0,proudlydisplayedindowntownOcean Springs.
OriginatingfromOceanSprings,Miss.,MattandhiswifeGinabreathednew lifeintothehistoricKeysHousewhentheyopenedTwistedAnchorTattoo StudioandArtGallery.Theirvisionwastocreateawelcomingsanctuarywhere artistsandtattooenthusiastscouldthriveandexpressthemselvesfreely.Matt's vibrantartwork,rangingfromdepictionsofwildlifetomaritimetales,adorns thewalls,eachpieceinfusedwithhisunmistakablestyleandpassion.
Thoughrenownedforhistattooingtalent,Matthas recentlyventuredintootherartisticrealms,including sculpture,renderingclaymodelsforassistancewith tattooingandscreenprinting.Drawingfromhisfamily's tiestoShearwaterPottery,Matt'sbackgroundinclay modelinggiveshimadistinctiveadvantage,enabling himtovisualizetheinterplayoflight,shadowsand intricatedetailsinathree-dimensionalspace.This transferringitontoacanvasorperson,ensuringa seamlesstransitionbetweendifferentartformswhile preservinghissignaturestyle.
Notably,hisrecentproject—thestrikingsculptureof Carl2.0—standsasapoignanttributetoabeloved
ForthoseunfamiliarwithCarl2.0’sstory,hewasa cherishedfree-roamingroosterwhobecameanintegral partofdowntownOceanSprings.Tragically,Carl2.0 waskilledinApril2022,sparkingwidespreadoutrage withinthecommunity.Mattembarkedonamissionto honorCarl'smemorythroughart,ultimatelycreatinga breathtaking15-footsculpturethatcapturestheessence ofhisspirit.
VarioussculpturescreatedbyMatt SteblyatTwistedAnchorTattooGallery
Theprocessofcraftingthesculpturewas anintricateendeavor,requiringmeticulous attentiontodetailandprecision.Each component—craftedfromplywood, epoxy—wascarefullyassembledtocreate alifelikerepresentationofCarl2.0.Once completed,thesculpturewasmountedonthe walloftheadjacentbuildingusinganchors andbracketstoensureitssecureplacement.
Matt'stoweringsculptureofCarlserves asatestamenttotheprofoundimpactof communityandresilience.Itstandsasa beaconofhope,remindingusthateveninthe faceofadversity,beautyandunityprevail.
Inadditiontohissculpturalendeavors,Matthasexpandedhisartisticrepertoire bytransforminghisartworkintovariousmetalandresinsculptures,and screen-printedpiecesthatincludeapparel,includingshirts,hoodies,capsand more.Eachpieceismeticulouslycraftedbyhand,withMattoverseeingthe
AfascinatingaspectofthisexpansionistheprocessofMatt’scustomscreen printing—amechanicalfeatthatrequiresprecisionandskill.Itbeginswiththe creationofhisoriginalartstencil,knownasascreen,whichisthenplacedover thefabric.Inkisappliedtothescreenandpressedthroughusingasqueegee, transferringthedesignontothefabric.Theresultisawearableworkofartthat embodiesMatt'sdistinctivestyleandvision.
MattStebly'sartisticjourneyisareminderofthepowerofcreativityto transcendboundariesandunitecommunities.Throughhisart,henotonlypays homagetohisheritagebutalsoforgesnewpathsofexpression,leavingan enduringlegacyforgenerationstocome.
TopurchaseoriginaldesignsbyartistMattStebly,pleasevisitTwisted AnchorTattooGalleryat1101GovernmentStreet,OceanSprings, Mississippi39564|(228)215-1611|Findthemonsocialmedia,Facebook andInstagram,TwistedAnchorTattooGallery.
mmaRhodesandIinitiallystartedourbanding journeystrainingunderBobandMarthaSargentwith theHummer/BirdStudyGroups.Bob,alsoreferred toas“ChiefHummer,”wasverypassionateabout hummerresearchandconservation.Asaresult,EmmaandI continuedtheworkthattheSargentsstarted,includingstudying hummingbirdmigrationandwinteringpatternsalongthe NorthernGulfCoast.
IntheEasternU.S.,themostcommonspeciesthatyouwill encounteristheRuby-throatedHummingbird.Thisisouronly breedinghummingbirdeastoftheMississippiPlainsandbreeds throughouttheeasternU.S.andCanada.Eachyear,thisspecies embarksonabiannualmigration.Inthefall,adultsandnewly ofwhichwillcontinuetheirmigrationdownthroughMexicoas farasPanamaandBelize.Whilewedonotyetfullyunderstand theroutethisspeciestakes,weknowthatindividualswill, attimes,takeastraightshotacrosstheGulfofMexico, particularlyduringthespringmigrationwhenindividualsare maylastanywherefrom17-24hoursdependingonweather conditions.Whileitishardtoimaginea2-3grambirdmaking individualswillnearlydoubletheirbodyweightinfatbefore leavingthecoasttomigrate.Theirmuscleswillalsoenlarge allowingthemtoburnboththefatandproteinforfuel.
Left,Buff-belliedHummingbird,credit,BCA.Top,BandingProcess. Photocredit,NeilJernigan.
Indeed,manyjuvenilesbetweenthefall andspringmigrationwillnotsurviveto thenextbreedingseasonandthatispurely
manymigratoryspecies,thisspeciesis indeclineduetohumanimpactssuchas habitatloss,windowstrikesandinvasive predatorslikedomesticcats.
Theteamcarefullyassessesthehummingbirdpriortobanding. Thebandusedtoidentifythehummingbirdforlateranalytic. Thebandiscarefullyplacedonthehummingbird. EmmaRhodesdemonstratesmeasuringandsizingduringarecentevent. Ruby-throatedhummingbirdreadyforrelease. UpclosewithaMaleRufoushummingbird. Aruby-throatedhummingbirdwrappedinwarmthbeforebanding.
Photocredits:NeilJernigan(1-3,6,8);BCA(4-5,7)
Ifyouarelookingtoattract hummingbirdstoyouryard,we recommendusingasimplerecipefor waterand1partwhitetablesugar. Wedonotrecommendpurchasing premadehummingbirdfoodasthis isoftenanunnecessaryexpenseand alsogenerallycontainsadditivesthat youwanttoavoidwhenattracting hummingbirds.Whitetablesugar, whenmixedwithwater,closely mimicsthenaturalnectarfoundin
sugar,reddyeorsugaralternatives asthiscanhavedetrimentaleffectsor mayevencausedeath.Manypeople askushowtheycanincreasethe numberofhummingbirdscoming totheiryards.Thereisnotasimple solutiontothisassometimesitis moresobasedonyourlocationalong breedingandmigrationgrounds. However,herearesometipstohelp increaseyourchances.Youcanstart byplantingnativeplantspecies,both folksdonotrealizethathummingbirds alsoeatalotofsmallinsectsand nativeplantswillincreasenative insectsthatwillprovideforaging opportunitiesforhummingbirds.You canalsoincreasethenumberoffeeders youhave,althoughkeepingfeeders closertogetherisbetterthanspreading themout.Thisseemscounterintuitive butspreadingthemoutallows1-2 individualstoconstantlybepatrolling
thefeedersscaringoffotherbirds.Inmanycases,thiscannotbe potentialcompetitorswhomightwanttostealtheirnectarsupply. However,sometimesbykeepingfeedersclose,itmayhelpmore individualstofeedwhiletheterritorialindividualsarebusy feedingthemselves.Duringmigration,certainsiteshavesuchan overwhelmingnumberofbirdsthatterritorialitydisappears,and theyseemtotolerateeachotheroutofnecessity.
Wealwaysrecommendkeepingonefeederoutyear-round.Many peopleaskuswhyyouwoulddothat.Well,itturnsoutour predecessorsstarteddocumentingbybandingwhatwecall“winter hummingbirds”intheSoutheasternU.S.Priortothe90s,itwas thoughtthatthesehummingbirdswerelostandwinteredinthe southeastduringthewinterbyaccident.However,astheSargents andotherswhostartedbandingtheseindividuals,itbecameclear thattheseindividualsweremorecommonthaninitiallyrealized andthattheseindividualskeptreturningyearafteryeartothesame houses.FredBassett,ofHummingbirdResearchInc,hascarried thetorchofthisworkfornearly30years.Duringthatperiod,we learnedsomethingsaboutthesebirds.
First,themostcommonwinterhummingbirdspeciesinthe SoutheasternU.S.is,infact,nottheRuby-throatedhummingbird, butratherspeciessuchasRufousandBlack-chinnedHummingbird thatbreedintheWesternU.S.andtypicallywinterinMexico andCentralAmerica.Thesewinterhummingbirdsappeartohave adaptedadifferentmigrationstrategyofmovingeasterninsteadof southforthewinter.Manypeoplewillaskusifthesehummingbirds arestayingforthewinterbecauseoffeeders.Theanswerisno. Migrationisacomplextraitthatisgeneticallydetermined.For example,ifthiswasthecaseindividualsduringmigrationwould neverleaveyourfeeder!Feedersareanopportunisticresourcefor aboutfeedersthatmayormaynotexist.
Hummingbirdsareattracted tobrightcolors--scarlet,orange,white, andred--whichiswhyhummingbird feedersaretypicallyred.Hangfeedersin theshade,perhapsundertheoverhangof aporch,tohelpslowfermentationand growthofalgaeinthefeeder.
EddieSmith,Ph.D.,C.A.,ExtensionAgentIV& CountyCoordinator,PearlRiverCounty.Southern GardenHost.MississippiStateUniversityExtension Service.
Sound
archisassociatedwiththestartofspring,new beginningsand,fortheCoast,thereturnofthe Ruby-throatedHummingbirds.
Ruby-throatedhummingbirdsarefamiliarsummerresidents atvariousGulfCoastspots,includingthePascagoulaRiver AudubonCenter.Theirspringarrivalisoneanticipatedby birdersandbackyardbirdwatchersalike.Theynestfromthe GulfCoasttoCanada,wherethey'llbeonthemovenorthfora monthormore.
IncreasingnumbersofRuby-throatsarelingeringingardens andatfeedersaroundtheGulfCoast,Floridaandeventhe
nexttwomonthsuntilarrivinginnorthernstatesandsouthern provincesbylateAprilorearlyMay.Migratingmalesusually arriveaweekbeforefemalesatanygivenlocation.However, climatechangeisaffectingthemigrationofRuby-throats.As conditionswarmonthewinteringgrounds,dataindicatethey leavetheirwinterhomesearlierontheirwaytotheGulfCoast. Interestingly,hummingbirdsthenhangaroundontheGulf Coastforlongerthanusual,perhapstorecuperatefromtheir tripacrosstheGulfofMexico.
SomewaysthattheNationalAudubonSocietyasksresidents andcommunitymemberstohelpwiththemigrationistohave birdfeedersintheirgardensandtoplantnativeplantsintheir communities.
Ahummingbirdfeeder,keptcleanandfreeof mold,canbeoneofthesimplestwaystoattract hummingbirdstoyouryard.Therecommended nectarsolutionis1partsugarto4partswater.There isnoneedtoaddfoodcoloring(orusepackaged "hummingbirdnectar"mix)asthedyesusedin theseformulasmayharmthebirds.Plainwhite tablesugarisalsorecommendedoverbrownorraw sugar.Hummingbirdnectardoesfermentquickly inwarmweatherandshouldbechangedrelatively frequently.Keepajarofsugarwatermixtureinthe fridgetoslowthefermentationprocess,andonly ofitaspossiblebeforeitneedstobechanged. Feedersshouldbecleanedregularlytoremove mold,mildew,ants,andotherpeststhatcanbe attractedtothesugar.
Hummingbirdsareattractedtobrightlycolored
Creeper(Campsisradicans),CrossVine (Bignoniacapreolata)andCoralHoneysuckle (Lonicerasempervirens).RedBuckeye (Aesculuspavia),nativeazaleas(Rhodendron sp)andotherearlybloomingplantsmay beckonhummingbirdsinthespring,coralbean (Erythrinacrista-galli)inthesummerandfall andBlazingStarshelpfuelthembeforethe inOctobereachyear.
NativeazaleasbloominMarchasRubythroatedHummingbirdsreturntoMississippi's GulfCoast.
Notonlydonativeplantsattract hummingbirdsandotherpollinatorstotheir blooms,buttheyalsoprovidecriticalhabitat larvaethatmostsongbirdstypicallydepend upontoraisetheiryoung.Whenyour hummingbirdsdisappearfromyourfeeders andseekingoutinsectstofeedtheirgrowing young.They'llreturninlatesummerwhen consumingmorenectaronceagain!
Non-nativeplantsalsohavearoleinour gardens,andthegorgeousredbloomsof Bottlebrush(Callistemoncitrinus)seem tobloomjustasthehummingbirdsarrive inthespring.Othernon-nativebutnoninvasiveplantsattractivetohummingbirds includetheSalviasandCardinalFlower.
RedCreekisacoastalblackwaterstreaminStoneCountythatgetsitsnamefromboththe redclaybluffsalonethebanksandthenaturallyoccurringtanninsinthewaterthatproduce areddishstain.Theregionalongthecreekisdenselyforested,makingforpicturesqueviews
TheRedCreekBluewayiscomprisedoffoursegments.LaunchingfromHighway26,about clayshelveslinethecreek,makingitcleartoseehowthewaterwaygotitsname.Youwilleven seeseveralsmallrapidsalongthetrip.
OntheRailroadTrestlesegmentofthecreek,locatedabout4.4milessouthofWigginson youcananchorforawhiletoswimorenjoyawaterfrontpicnic.
ThenextsegmentdownstreamistheRedBluffsegment.Alongthistripyouwillobserveand navigatethroughtheremainsofoldraillines,indicativeoftheearly1900’stimberharvest. Lookcloselyandyoujustmightseethefamous“RedBluff”peekingthroughthetrees. Ifyouwouldliketooptforapartialdaytrip,theNaturalSpringssegmentisjustrightfor segmentsofRedCreek,butthescenerywillhaveyouwantingtoslowdownandsoakitall in.TherearenaturalspringsthatfeedthecreekclosetothesiteofhistoricRamsey SpringsHotel.
LocatedinsouthwesternHancock County,thisbayouishometomulticulturalhistoryincludingtribal cultures,pioneers,explorers, tradersandsettlersfrom allovertheworld.Possum Walkisknownforits richAfricanAmerican settlementroots.Itwasin thesewatersalongthebanks ofBayouBogueHomathat PossumWalkandLogtown residentsdrewwater, washedthemselvesand theirclothingandsourced theireverydaynecessities.Today,the PossumWalkHeritageTrailexiststo offerhiker,bicyclersandkayakersa glimpseintohistorywhileshowcasing theregion’splantandwildlife.
WherethebayoumeetstheEastPearl Rivermarshes,ancientbaldcypress treeslinethebanks.Otherplants youwillseeincludewildriceand pickerelweed.Youwilllikelyevensee analligatorortwo,sobeware!
Looktotheskyandyoumaysee birdscirclingtreetopsorglidingin forafreshcatch.Birdsofthearea includeospreys,hawks,baldeagles, buntingsandmore.TheBayouBogue Homaisasereneplacetocomesit andenjoynature’screaturesintheir naturalhabitat.
Visitmsgulfcoastheritage.ms.gov tolearnmoreaboutourvarious blueways.Downloadmapsthatinclude launches,milemarkersandpointsof interest.
Coastalridge farm
wordsbyroxannrankinwicker
iscoverCoastalRidgeFarm,anidyllicfamilyownedhavennestledintheheartofSouthMississippi, landscape.Myyoungestson,MatthewRocco,andI yourselfimmersedinasensorysymphony,wherethe celosia,bachelorbuttonsandlarkspurharmonizewith thedelicatehumofpollinators.Specializinginbig, andyou-pick-itexperiences,invitingyoutoenjoythe splendorofnature.Here,everyblossomtellsastory ofresilienceandrenewal,atestamenttotheenduring beautyofnature.
MeetTerriDoyle,thevisionarybehindCoastalRidge Farm,whosepassionforsustainablefarmingtranscends merecultivation.SituatedjustoutsidePicayune,Miss., stewardship.FormerlyadairyfarmravagedbyHurricane Katrina,CoastalRidgeFarmemergedasabeaconof agro-tourism,championingeco-friendlypracticesto leaveapositiveimpactonourplanet.Everyaspect ofthefarmpracticeiscarefullydesignedtominimize theenvironmentalfootprintandpromotelong-term ecologicalhealth.Fromcompostingoldplantmaterialto incorporatingcovercropsthatenrichthesoil.AtCoastal RidgeFarm,sustainabilityisn'tjustabuzzword—it's conservationefforts,they’recommittedtoleavingthe farmbetterthantheyfoundit,ensuringabrighterfuture forall.
Howcouldtheynot,withthesoundsofbuzzingbees,thesymphony perhapsaglimpseintoheavenonearth?CoastalRidgeFarmoffersa youroutlook. aparadiseforphotographersseekingtheperfectshot.Theywelcome stunningsummersunsetsagainstabackdropofradiantblooms.
Admissiongrantsyouaccesstopickyourbouquet,sodon'tforgetto content.Beforeplanningyourvisit,checkouttheirFacebookpagefor seasonalopenings.Remember,nopetsareallowedonthefarm,socome preparedwithsunprotection,arefreshingdrinkandacontainerforyour
you'reinvestinginthelocaleconomyandpromotingagreener,more sustainableworldforusall.
VisitCoastalRidgeFarmforamemorablevisitandcreatebeautiful memoriesthatwilllastalifetime.
THINGSTOKNOW!
Address
(601)918-3770|doylescoastalridge@gmail.com
Hours andU-Pickisinsession.
Tickets:Cash,Venmo,CashApp,orpre-purchasedticketsfrom thewebsite.NODEBITorCREDITCARDSAccepted atthegate.
Admission:$18.00requiredperperson(12+).
Seasons: onthedroughtseason.Fall/Winterusuallyrunsfrom mid-SeptembertoOctober.
BYOB:BringYourOwnBucket–includingcuttingclippers andgloves.
Caution:Itisrecommendedtowearclosedtoesshoes, plentyofwalking,roughgroundinplaces,watchforantsand softholesthatnighttimecrittersleavebehind.
Theconceptofcultivatingmushroomshasbeenapassion ofminesincetheearly2000s.However,itwasn't untillater,duringaquestforfreshoystermushrooms toprepareasimpleoystermushroomsoup,thatmy journeytrulybegan.Facedwiththeunavailabilityoffreshoyster mushrooms,Iembarkedonamissiontolearntheartofgrowing myown.
Initially,Iventuredintothisendeavorbypurchasingagrowkit onlineanddelvingintoresourceslikeYouTubetutorialsandPaul Stamets'book,"GrowingGourmetandMedicinalMushrooms." Throughtrialanderror,andlearningfromnumeroussetbacks,I eventuallysucceededincultivatingblueoysters.
In2021,Idecidedtoturnmynewfoundhobbyintoabusiness.The anameevokingtheessenceofthesouth.Inspiredbyasongwith thephrase"downhome"echoinginmymind,Ibegansketching. Afterseveraldaysofdoodlingduringworkbreaks,Iarrivedat alogothatencapsulatedourvision.Thebusinessisajointeffort betweenmyself,mywifeKatieGipsonandmymotherRegina Gipsonhandlesmuchoftheday-to-dayoperationswhenneeded. Weprideourselvesonbeingafamily-runenterprise,witheveryone contributingwheneverneeded.Evenmyfatherlendsahandby deliveringtorestaurants,andmywifespearheadstheresearchand formulationofthetincturesweproduce,holdingtheexclusive knowledgeoftheirrecipes.Ourdecisiontoestablishthisbusiness wasdrivenbyadesiretospendmoretimewithourfamilyand contributetosustainablefoodproduction.
GROWING:Asforourgrowingprocess,weutilizeamixtureofhardwood sawdustandsoyhullpellets,supplementedwithwheatbranforcertainstrains,such strainsandcreateanutrient-richliquidculturecontainingthemushroommycelium. Weemploywholeoatsandmilletasgrainsubstrates,hydrateandsterilizeina15psipressurecookerfor2.5hoursbeforeinoculationwiththeliquidculture.After a10–16-dayincubation,thesubstrateistransferredtomushroom-growingbags, steamedforsterilizationandlefttocolonize.Oncefullycolonized,thebagsare transferredtoourgrowroom,wheretemperatureandhumiditylevelsareadjusted accordingtotheneedsofeachstrain.
CULTIVATE:Currently,wecultivate31differentmushroomstrains,thoughwe typicallyfocusonaroundeightatanygiventime,includingpopularvarietieslike PinkOyster,KingBlueOyster,ShiitakeandLion'sMane.
HARVESTING:Gourmetmushroomsboastashortlifecycle,typicallymaturing withinaweekortwoandmaintainingfreshnessforaboutaweekinrefrigeration. Toensureoptimalfreshness,weharvestmushroomsjustbeforemarketdays.It's ourcustomerstostoretheminpaperbagsratherthanplastictoextendtheirshelf life.
TASTEANDTEXTURE:
Theculinaryversatilityofgourmetmushroomsis
Meanwhile,Italianoystersprovideafresh,chicken-liketexturewithlessearthiness. reminiscentofscallopswhenslicedthinly.Pinkoystermushroomsofferaseafood-
HEATHBENEFITS:Beyondtheirculinaryappeal,mushroomslikeLion's highlevelsofantioxidants,proteinandpolysaccharidesthathavebeenlinkedto anti-tumor,antiviralandimmunomodulatoryeffects.However,it'sessentialfor individualsconsideringmushroomsupplementationtoconductthoroughresearch beforehand.
AtDownHomeMushrooms,we'recommittedtoremainingasmall-scaleoperation, focusingonservingourlocalcommunitywhileadvocatingfortheinclusionof mushroomsineverydaydiets.CollaboratingwithlocalbusinessessuchasThe DripHouseCoffeeCo.,TwoBrothersCoffeeRoastersandvariousrestaurants,like TheBrewPaddleCaféinBiloxi,Makin’Groceries,aveganrestaurantinBiloxi, Staigle’sSteakhouseinWiggins,westrivetoofferfresh,diversemushroomstrains toourcommunity,enrichingbothpalatesandlifestyles.
MarketSchedule
Thursday,3p.m.-7p.m.TheDowntownHattiesburgFarmersMarket Friday,9p.m.-1p.m.DiamondheadFarmersMarket Saturday,9a.m.-2p.m.ThePassMarketatWarMemorialParkinPassChristian Saturday,9a.m.–2p.m.McHenryCommunityMarket
OwnerandoperatorNicholasGipson: (228)669-9865|Downhomemushroomsllc@gmail.com
BlueOysterMushrooms
Grainonthedrainingtable
BeechMushrooms
PinkandBlueOysterMushrooms
GoldenMushroomsandKingBlueOysterMushrooms
MixofKingBlueandGoldenOyster,ChestnutMushrooms&LionsMane MotherofPearlOysterMushrooms
ChestnutMushrooms
OwnerandFounder ofArchiterraof OceanSprings,Mississippi
WordsbyChelseaPrince
midthehustleofHighway90inOceanSpringssitsasecludedsecret gardennestledamongliveoaks,naturalspringsandnearlyanacreand hiddenoasis,youinstantlyfeelasifyouhavejourneyedtoafar-offparadise.
Havingtheirheartsguidethem,DianneandDonalddelCidmovedtoOcean Springsin2015.LikeotherswhohavesettledontheMississippiGulfCoast, thedelCid’sdiscoveredtheperfecthaventocallhome.Theypurchasedanold housewhichwasformerlyanoldbarracks,inoneoftheoldestpartsofOcean Springs,butitwasthevegetationandendlesspossibilitiesofthepropertythat sealedthedealforthem.
gotdirtywithfreshsoil,theydecidedtoextendtheirworkintodifferent landscapesbystartinganewbusinesscalledArchiterraofOceanSprings.This newendeavorallowsthemtowork,relaxandplaywhilegivingbacktotheir communityandbeingsurroundedbythingsthatmakethemfeelthehappiest
Everyseasonbringsnewlifetotheir‘MississippiGarden’withaneverchangingamountofcolorandtexture.DianneandDonaldofferclientsavariety ofskillsandtalentsthatcomplementeachother.Dianne’sbackgroundand master’sdegreefromtheUniversityofTexas,Arlington,allowhertowork forbothresidentialandcommercialclients.Shecancompletenew'baredirt' customlandscapedesignsandplans,manageandrenovateexistinggardens, offeringsuggestionsforcommercialorresidentialclients.Sheisagardenclub memberandenjoyspublicspeakingandeducatingothers.
Donald,aTropicalandPreservationArchitect,livedandschooledinEngland andRome,Italy,aftergrowingupinGuatemala.Hewasoneofsevenpeople chosenfromtheworldtoattendtheUniversityofYorkConservationStudies
DonaldandDianneDelCid
suitclimateandwaterriseissues.Hehasbecomeaspecialistinkeepingwaterout ofbuildingsandhasvisitedmanycitiesaroundthecountrycreatingplanstoprepare forwaterrise.
Afternearly10yearsofneglectfromthepreviousowners,thedelCid’shaveused theirexpertiseandpassiontotamethevegetationontheirproperty.Together,they arecontinuouslyclearingpathways,trainingvinesandarchinglimbsinvarious innovativewaystoenhanceandmagnifywhathasbeengrowinginthatlocationfor centuries.
Becomingcaretakersofthisuniquepropertyandencouragingittothrivehashelped itbecomethetrueoasisitwasintendedtobe.ThedelCid’scarefortheirgarden’s needsalongwithofferingittobeenjoyedbythecommunityduringitspeakseason. SmallgroupsareinvitedtovisitthedelCidpropertyandit’sopentothepublicat leastonceperyearwhenthecamelliasareinbloom.
DianneandDonaldcontinuouslygivebacktothecommunityinmanyways. Mostrecently,Diannehasbeenaskedtobeapartofacommitteethatsupports
WashingtonAvenueanddowntown.Togiveamoreuniformlook,Icameupwitha perennialsbecausetheyareeasytocareforandwillbloomduringdifferentseasons oftheyear.”
Donaldregularlyshareshisyearsofexperienceandknowledgewithothersby offeringfreelecturesandgenerouslydonating‘TheDonalddelCidArchitectural Library’toTheMaryC.CulturalArtsCenterasaresearchandeducationaltoolfor thepublic.WearefortunatetohavethedelCid’sontheMississippiGulfCoastandI amlookingforwardtotheaddedcolorandcharmtheycontinuetobringtoourarea.
FormoreinformationonthedelCid’slandscapearchitecturaldesignsandArchiterra ofOceanSprings,pleaseemailthematarchiterraOS@gmail.com.
TheDeepSouthprovidedsultrysummers thatlingeredlikeaslowdance,mychildhood unfoldedamidstthecomfortingembraceofmy grandparents'home.Itwasasanctuarywhere thescreendoorsangitsfamiliartune,asignalof adventuresawaitingbeyonditsthreshold.
Thoselazysummerdaysweremarkedbyaritual snack,thetomato,onion,andcucumbersalad, patientlymarinatingonthewornkitchentable. I'vealwaysharboredadistasteforcucumbers, yettheallureofthatsweetandsaltyconcoction provedirresistible.
Icarriedthebowlofcrispdelightsoutside,only sameirresistiblearomaofvinegarandsugar.
Andjustasquicklyaswedevouredone bowl,anothermagicallyappearedonthe table,replenishedbythelovinghandsofmy grandmother.Itwasacycleofabundanceand joy,atestamenttotheboundlesshospitalityof Southernliving.
Throughtheyears,asIjourneyedfromgirlhood towomanhood,thememoryofthathumblesalad remainedasteadfastcompanion,anostalgic memoryguidingmebacktothecherished itwasaconnectiontomyheritage,areminder ofthesimplepleasuresandenduringbondsthat
