Here's Pearl River County 2019

The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need For The Pearl River County Area www.heresprc.com

The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need For The Pearl River County Area www.heresprc.com

Board of Supervisors

Pearl River County Board of Supervisors would like to welcome you to our beautiful home, the Pearl of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast.

A high energy and growing community, Pearl River County has become a place of choice for singles, families and retirees, valuing longtime residents while welcoming everyone.

There are few counties in the state that offer as much as Pearl River with our unique blend of small town bustling interchange, boasting over 500,000 square feet of locally owned boutique and antique shopping, as well as our luscious farmlands, beautiful green spaces and abundance of recreational activities for 2 Here’s Pearl River County!

everyone young and old.

With three large metropolitan areas located within a sixty-mile radius, Pearl River County offers the at home feelings we all long for, with the amenities of the city just a short drive away.

The county proudly provides the many services necessary for a comfortable and safe life; such as great school systems, hospitals and many health care providers here to minister to the needs of those of all ages.

We are committed to the preservation of yesterday, while also appreciating that the future is now, focusing on progress, investment and job creation.

Our citizens appreciate the small town feel that we have to offer and pursue ways to celebrate our way of life through year-round festivals like the famous Blueberry Jubilee held in Poplarville every year, or the popular Street Festival, held in Picayune’s beautiful downtown every fall and spring.

We are blessed to serve such a beautiful county, where the residents strive to stay healthy and connected while looking out for their neighbors.

Come for a day, enjoy our hospitality at one of our hometown events and you will experience why we all call Pearl River County home!

– Donald Hart -Supervisor District I– The location is what makes Pearl River County so special. Everything you could think of to do for fun or recreation is in close proximity. It’s an easy commute if you live here and work in the surrounding area. Not to mention the opportunity for growth that we have. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our community!

–Malcolm Perry -Supervisor District 2– I love the people most of all. Anytime someone is in need, everyone pitches in to help, even if they don’t even know each other. We have so many caring people with big hearts in this county.

–Hudson Holliday -Supervisor District 3– As a lifelong resident I have come to love the people! Our quality of life, and diversified landscape, delivers something for everyone.

– Farron Moeller -Supervisor District 4– The people here are the best part of Pearl River County, without a doubt.

They are the kindest, most generous Christian people you’ll ever meet.

Pearl River County has such a unique location. We have big cities within an hour any direction but we get to enjoy all the benefits of country living.

We have such great potential for economic growth.

– Sandy Kane Smith –BOS President District 5– What I love most about Pearl River County is its warm hospitality that makes you want to stay. This is home and always will be.

We are in the best location, not far from big city life while maintaining the presence of a safe, homestead atmosphere.

Here’s Pearl River County! 3

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bank Plus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Picayune Area Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

BeeHive Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Treasure Hunting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10

Chevron Pascagoula Refinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Picayune /Poplarville Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Highland Community Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Paul’s Pastry Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-16

Keesler Federal Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Crosby Arboretum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18

Main Street Picayune. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Shopping in Pearl River County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

McDonald Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Poplarville Area Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Moore Chiropractic Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Pearl River Drug Soda Fountain . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-23

Picayune Funeral Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Pearl River County Statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Picayune Chamber of Commerce. . . . . . . . . . . 6 & 7

Fishing & Hunting in Pearl River County. . . . . . . 25-26

Poplarville Dental Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Student Anglers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29

PRC Board of Supervisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 & 3

Newcomer Information & Important Numbers . . . . 30

PRC Hospital & Nursing Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Pearl River County Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Here’s Pearl River County! is published annually

by Picayune Newsmedia, LLC, 17 Richardson Ozona Road, Picayune, MS 39466.

For additional information on this issue, other publications or for copies, call 601-798-4766.

The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need For The Pearl River County Area

STAFF: Linda Gilmore - Publisher Jeremy Pittari - Associate Publisher Jan Sutherland Wells - Layout & Design Cathy Cook, Jonathan Mitchell, Jeremy Pittari - Writers & Photography 4 Here’s Pearl River County!

©Copyright 2019 by Picayune Newsmedia, LLC.

www.heresprc.com

The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need For The Pearl River County Area www.heresprc.com

PICAYUNE

Points of Interest 1. Picayune City Hall 2. Chamber of Commerce 3. Picayune Main Street, Inc. 4. Highland Community Hospital 5. Picayune Jr. High School 6. Stadium 7. Picayune High School 8. Roseland Park Elementary School 9. Southside Elementary School 10. Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library 11. Friendship Park (Ballfields, Playgrounds, Tennis) 12. Picayune Municipal Airport 13. Crosby Arboretum 14. Shay Park 15. Jack Read Park 16. Picayune Police 17. Post Office 18. Picayune Fire Department 19. Pearl River County Administration Office 20. Crosby Commons

AREA MAP

Legend Main Streets

Millbrook County Club

43

Other Streets Fed/State Roads Rivers/Streams

11

4

Parks/Recreation

HWY 43 NORTH

43

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NORTH BEECH ST

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59

6

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CANAL

16

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8

17

EAST CANAL

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ROSA STREET

18

43

MEMORIAL BLVD

HWY

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SOUTH BEECH ST

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MA R KINTIN L G B UTH LVD ER

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Crosby Arboretum

11 11 13

Picayune City Hall Friendship Park

59

Crosby Arboretum 12

Welcome Center

Picayune Municipal Airport Crosby Arboretum

Shay Park

Crosby Arboretum

Picayune City Hall

Here’s Pearl River County! 5

Pica une THANK YOU

Greater Would like to say to Our 2019 Sponsors!

Area Chamber of

COMMERCE www.greaterpicayunechamber.org

EXECUTIVE SPONSOR

GOVERNMENTAL SPONSORS

PATRON SPONSORS Power Association A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative

ELITE SPONSORS

LEADERSHIP SPONSORS Jim & Pam

BRISTER Your Home Town Realtors®

PEARL RIVER COUNTY HOSPITAL & NURSING HOME

PEARL RIVER FAMILY CLINIC

Make Your Pick...

NISSAN of

PICAYUNE

MOSSY G

URLEY AND

A

SSOCIATES

Your Trusted Medicare Advisors

of

Picayune

MEDICARE MADE EASY! ™ 601-909-3041

Barrett Brayson

FORD REALTY

If you are a current Chamber member & would like more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact Terry Farr at 601-916-2645 or email us at picayunechamber@gmail.com 6 Here’s Pearl River County!

Pica une Greater

Area Chamber of

COMMERCE

The mission of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce: “To promote business; enhance economic and community development; build value-added relationships and serve as the catalyst for improving the overall quality of life in our community.”

Who can join the Chamber?

Any business or individual that would like to promote and network their business in Pearl River County.

Why join the Chamber?

The Chamber is constantly working hard to PROMOTE and STRENGTHEN the commerce and its members and the community. Chamber membership is a valuable investment in your business or organization. Networking, visibility on our website and directory, referrals, membership meetings, etc are only a few reasons to join your local Chamber of Commerce!

“To become a member of community focused on the betterment of Picayune and Pearl River County.”

- Dr. Michael Mitchell, Neurology-Picayune Hattiesburg Clinic - Chamber Board Member “To join an organization/community of like-minded individuals to grow your networking circle and trade ideas on how to increase your business and strengthen the local business community as a whole.”

- Clay Sweet, Coast Electric - Chamber Board Member

“Joining the local Chamber of Commerce is a great way to build a presence for your business in the community. Being a chamber member provides networking opportunities in which your business will have the opportunity to be presented to others. You never know who you will meet through the Chamber or where those relationships may lead. The Chamber can provide exposure/visibility, support, credibility and networking opportunities for your business. Every small town needs a strong support network.”

- Misty Toruno, Highland Community Hospital Chamber Board President

To contact the Chamber about becoming a member or for general information please call or email: Terry Farr

Laci Lee

picayunechamber@gmail.com 601-798-3122 (office) 601-916-2645 (cell)

lacileepicayunechamber@gmail.com 601-798-3122 (office) 601-402-0546 (cell)

Chamber Director

Executive Assistant

Visit our website www.greaterpicayunechamber.org We are located at 201 Hwy 11 N. Picayune, MS Here’s Pearl River County! 7

Treasure Hunting

By Jeremy Pittari For many, antiques and other collectible items provide a glimpse into the past and harken back to a time when more care was put into the creation of our everyday items.

They may be a little harder to come by today, but collectors still cherish the build quality and historic nature of a well-kept antique piece of furniture or other item.

Lynne Barzé, owner and operator of Barzé Place Antiques & Collectibles Mall located at 105 Highway 11 in Picayune, said she’s been interested in antiques since she was a child because her parents had them in their home.

She would later inherit her family’s antiques, and now makes a living selling antiques and collectibles. While not every item in her shop is an antique, she has a knowledge of what makes an item antique or valuable.

With an antique, people can expect to get a lifetime of use out of it before handing it down to family members due to its superior construction and materials.

An item is considered an antique based on its age and the type of product, derived from criteria set forth by the purveyor or collector. Barzé said that furniture is considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old, jewelry falls into that category after 50 years and vehicles, glassware and ceramics are considered antiques after 25 years.

Picayune and Pearl River County’s Oldest Most Trusted Funeral Home “Since 1917” 401 West Canal Street Picayune, Mississippi 39466

601-798-1212

www.mcdonaldfh.com

***Vitalboards are available to the public via the McDonald Funeral Home also. Mr. Steve McDonald also provides a life-saving Vital Memo Board to the public for display. First Responders utilize the Vitalboard if someone is incapacitated or unable to speak.

Please feel free to drop by and pick up your free Vitalboard at the funeral home…Compliments of the McDonald Funeral Home.

8 Here’s Pearl River County!

Bill Edwards, owner of The Glass Porch located at 129 W. Canal Street in Picayune, has been dealing in antiques since he retired from the space program in 1988. While he still carries some antiques in his store, he’s noticed that ever since Hurricane Katrina buyers are looking for more modern furniture.

To meet that demand, he began carrying more modern pieces.

Here’s Pearl River County! 9

Edwards also prefers antiques because of the craftsmanship and history they possess.

With minimal observation, Edwards can tell the difference between a quality piece of furniture, and one that may be of questionable workmanship. The first thing to look for is how the wood is put together, such as dovetail joints in the drawers.

The key to making money from selling antiques is simple.

“You got to buy right, and you got to sell right. To sell right you got to buy right,” Edwards said.

At Gibson House Antiques located at 120 W. Canal Street in Picayune, owner and operator Bob Gibson leases space to more than 90 vendors. While touring his store, customers will see a variety of items such as antique bedroom sets, handmade items from Uganda, and more modern pieces.

Gibson also likes to restore certain historic items when he comes across something of value. He recently spent two weeks restoring an old kerosene powered lamp that features a decorative glass shade and he has a roll top desk slated for restoration at some point.

To help draw in more business, Gibson began keeping the business open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. He said he chose Thursday because most people would rather go out to eat on a Friday than shop for antiques.

At Crystal Gallery located at 210 E. Canal Street in Picayune, owner Norma Kleinfeld collects and sells antiques because she admires their beauty. She opened the business in Picayune in 1993 and each Christmas the large display window plays host to a nativity, along with other holiday themed displays. While there are some antiques in stock, the business also sells a number of reproductions. Katy Jarrell, who is Kleinfeld’s daughter and manager of the store, said the reproductions offer the same build quality as an antique at a reduced price.

There are some items in the store that may not be considered antiques but are of note, such as a large amethyst geode, museum grade mirrors and decorative items from Madagascar. They also carry freshwater pearl jewelry and depression era glassware.

During a visit to Picayune, shoppers will want to stop into the many stores offering antiques and collectibles as they hunt for their next treasure.

The next best place to home • Around the clock assistance with activities of daily living from a trained and caring staff • Home cooked, dietitian approved meals • Laundry and housekeeping services 4000 Wildwood Drive Picayune, MS 769-242-2344 10 Here’s Pearl River County!

• Medication reminders and administration • Daily group and individual activities • Private room with an attached bathroom, emergency call system, and cable TV and telephone hookups

www.beehivehomes.com

1031 West Congress St. Brookhaven, MS 601-990-2141

Picayune Statistics* White 57.8% Black 39.0%

RACE

POPULATION 11,008 MEDIAN VALUE OF

Asian 0.7% Other 5.2%

OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING $118,200

AGE

17.1%

EDUCATION

Persons 19-64

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HIGHER

60.6%

25.0%

Persons under 18

Percentage of persons age 25 years+, 2010-2016

14.4%

Persons 65+

82.0%

BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER Percentage of persons age 25 years+, 2010-2016

* US Census Bureau Quick Facts 2018

Poplarville Statistics** White Black Asian Other

RACE

65.4% 28.8% 0% 1.1%

POPULATION 2,894 MEDIAN VALUE OF

OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING $113,800

AGE

EDUCATION

Persons 19-64 Persons under 18

Persons 65+

62.3%

26.2% 11.5%

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HIGHER Percentage of persons age 25 years+, 2017

25.6% 87.0%

BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER Percentage of persons age 25 years+, 2017

** US Census Bureau American Fact Finder - 2016, 2017 estimates

Here’s Pearl River County! 11

bringing people from our entire community to downtown Picayune on a regular basis throughout the year. Events make citizens aware of the unique amenities that exist in the heart of downtown Picayune. These vibrant events that include shopping, are an incentive for the shopper, visitor, resident and investor to return to the New South Old Charm of downtown Picayune, MS. Why does Downtown matter?

Discover the charm in downtown Picayune, MS. Enjoy events, arts, antiques, shopping & dining.

It is the mission of Picayune Main Street, Inc. to drive, enhance, and encourage investment in downtown Picayune, MS through downtown events, beautification & historic preservation projects.

Main Street Communities always focus their attention and resources in the heart of the city.

Throughout the year, Picayune Main Street, Inc. sponsors events in downtown Picayune to help support a vibrant shopping/dining district, creating a place that attracts people and inspires them to Shop Local. Ongoing public events provide awareness of Historic Downtown Picayune,

SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS Shopping local helps strengthen our community. Small businesses are owned by people who live right here in Pearl River County. They go to church here, their family members attend local schools, coach little league teams, donate to the Pearl River County SPCA, support Toys for Tots, Civic Woman’s Club, Kiwanis, Rotary, Exchange Club, Puttin on the Pink, Buddy Ball, and more. When WE spend money in locally owned retail businesses, local media, specialty shops, bakeries, drug stores, restaurants, services such as insurance, beauty salons, fitness centers, realtors, physical therapy, preferred doctors, chiropractic, gas stations, used and new auto dealerships and RV/camper dealers, WE support our neighbors.

Small business owners give back to the community through volunteering, in-kind contributions, and/or cash donations. Many small business owners are members of various local organizations throughout the community.

Support LOCAL Owned Business Year-Round.

Picayune Main Street, Inc. is a Proud Member of Mississippi Main Street; National Trust for Historic Preservation; MS Heritage Trust & Visit MS Tourism Association MAINSTREET 4-POINT APPROACH Design- Enhancing the commercial district’s physical appearance by rehabilitating historic buildings and managing design improvements and new construction. Serve to educate others about good design and offer advice that will encourage quality improvements.

Organization- Building agreement and cooperation among downtown and individuals, who have a vested interest in the commercial and residential districts, to work toward the same goals.

Promotion- Marketing the downtown’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourists and others. Focus on downtown’s best assets and potential, to build a unified image of downtown and establish downtown as the center of community life.

Economic Vitality- Strengthening the existing economic base of downtown while finding ways to expand to meet new opportunities.

We encourage locals to shop with our many merchants not just our downtown merchants but throughout the entire county. Shopping local helps strengthen our community.

What membership in Picayune Main Street, Inc. offers?

•Volunteer and Business Members are invited to General Membership Meetings each year.

Members network with each other and share upcoming events with those in attendance and share ideas. Special guests are invited to speak during the buffet meal served to members.

•Business Members can apply for a Matching Façade Grant that is available 2 times a year.

FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM. Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors accept 2 Façade Grant Applications from Downtown Business Members.

12 Here’s Pearl River County!

Grant Applications are reviewed by the Economic Vitality and Design Committees & recommendation presented to Board.

•Assistance with Tax Abatement Preparation •Façade Grant & Tax Abatement Applications are on website www. picayunemainstreet.com •Business Members are included on the website and in business brochures printed at no expense to members •Business Members receive a special rate to participate in the bi-annual Street Festivals •Business Members are invited to participate with a Merchant Committee to plan several downtown annual events •Business Members Specials are shared on Picayune Main Street, Inc Facebook page or via email when requested At the present time Picayune Main Street, Inc. has over 9,000 followers on Facebook.

What has Picayune Main Street, Inc. achieved?

•Picayune Main Street, Inc. sponsors Fall and Spring Street Festivals, Blues & Heritage Festival and Co-Sponsors Shop by Candlelight/Christmas on the Rails with City of Picayune. These events attract up to 40,000 visitors each year.

•Through Visit MS Tourism grants, Picayune Main Street, Inc. has been awarded $162,000. These funds were used to increase tourism by advertising our locally sponsored events.

•Profits from fundraisers allowed us to purchase benches, wayfinding signs, planters, magnetic info signs, trash receptacles, lamp posts, picnic tables and clock garden for the downtown.

•When visitors come to the Intermodal & Tourist Center, they will see items donated by Picayune Main Street, Inc. such as window blinds, chairs, furniture, framed prints, display boards & cabinets in the museum, waiting room benches, furnished supplies to refurbish the antique baggage wagon.

•Locally, Picayune Main Street, Inc. was able to acquire funding through MS Main Street to provide revitalization programs such as Your Town, Randy Wilson Design, First Impression, Retail Leakage Study, Charette Team, Arnett & Muldrow Marketing and Asset Mapping. Knowledge from these reports was provided to the City of Picayune as reference for future planning.

•Through a MS Tourism Grant, Picayune Main Street, Inc. was able to provide speakers for Crosby Commons.

•In 2007, Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board President and Director assisted Patti Brantley with submitting a Downtown Revitalization Grant after Hurricane Katrina. The City of Picayune was awarded a $2,178,000 grant for Downtown Picayune, MS •Picayune Main Street, Inc. promotes tour groups in the area and assists tours at the Transportation Museum located at 200 Hwy 11 South.

•Re-painted 43 benches in Downtown Picayune along with Pearl River County Trustees •Actively funding murals to downtown buildings as part of Downtown Beautification Projects through our Design Committee •2018 Nominated Crosby Commons for MS Main Street Outstanding Public Improvement project- Result Awarded •2018 Nominated City Manager Jim Luke for MS Main Street Hometown Hero- Result Awarded

•2019 Nominated Entrepreneur Bill Edwards for Hometown Hero for restoring 30 historic properties in Picayune, MS •Achieved National Main Street Accreditation for years 2005-2010 and 2013-2019 Annual Fund Raiser & Downtown Event Collectible Historical Christmas Ornaments est. 2000 Bi-Annual Street Festival 1st full weekend in April and November est. 1995 Shop by Candlelight established 2004 Christmas on the Rails 1st Friday in December, est. 2013 Blues & Heritage Festival 4th Saturday in October, est. 2007 Annual Community Activities Company is Comin’ Bi-Annual Keep Picayune Beautiful Clean Up Campaign Christmas Appreciation Luncheon for city employees Downtown seasonal photo opportunities Assist/promote Local Organization fund-raisers

Here’s Pearl River County! 13

Paul’s Pastry Shop

For almost 50 years, Paul’s Pastry has been a family-run bakery offering freshly made cakes, petit fours, truffles, cookies and other confections.

Current owner and operator Sherri Thigpen and her daughter, Laci Brunson, continue to head up the family owned business.

Thigpen said her mother and father, Shirley and Harry Paul, opened Paul’s Pastry in 1970, while they were in their early 30s.

Operating out of only 850-square-feet at the time, the bakery employed three other people. Today, the business employs 35 people through the slow season, and more than 40 for the busy Mardi Gras season. Paul’s Pastry is now located in the Top of the Hill Shopping Center at 1 Sycamore Road, in Picayune.

The new, larger building allowed for more staff in the bakery, a cafe where customers can have lunch and a 600-squarefoot event room for occasions suitable for up to 40 people that features vintage movie theater light fixtures salvaged from a now shuttered local movie theater.

14 Here’s Pearl River County!

By Jeremy Pittari

Just like her children, Thigpen said she started working at her family’s business when she was 13. In 1988, Thigpen purchased the business from her parents, and has been running it since. Brunson, also began working at the bakery at 13. She would later graduate from college. Brunson said she never planned to become part of the family business, but at the age of 27, she and her husband became fully involved shortly after the opening of the Top of the Hill location. Thigpen’s four grandchildren have also been known to work at the bakery parttime with varying responsibilities based on their age. Thigpen said it’s a good opportunity for her grandchildren to learn how to be responsible, while also helping the family business.

Even though there is a family business to run, Thigpen and Brunson agree, the grandchildren are urged to seek a college degree. When the time comes, it will be up to the next generation to decide if they want to continue the tradition of running the bakery, Thigpen said.

The local bakery’s iconic filled King Cakes became a permanent addition to its product line two years after it was established, Thigpen said. The initial flavor was cream cheese, but as customers began asking for new flavors, the menu expanded. Pecan Praline was an addition by Shirley Paul, and Mixed Berry was added in the 90s. This past season, the bakery added Raspberry Amaretto and Italian Cream Cheese, both of which were popular with customers, Thigpen said.

Construction of the current location began in May of 2005, only months before Hurricane Katrina made landfall that same year. Even with the delays in construction that occurred after that major storm, Thigpen said that being able to open the doors to Picayune’s newest shopping center with Paul’s Pastry as the anchor

business gave her a sense of pride since it added something new to a community dealing with so much loss.

Planning for each Mardi Gras season begins in November with the ordering of the supplies they think they will need, Brunson said. “It’s a huge guessing game,” Brunson said.

When they started making King Cakes, only 1,000 were made for the entire season. Thigpen said the bakery churns out 2,000 filled King Cakes per night these days.

Today, those confections are so popular that people come from across the region to buy them in person, or have them shipped to anywhere in the country.

Also, those items are sold in 54 wholesale locations and offered on the buffet at a regional casino.

Here’s Pearl River County! 15

Tours of the bakery are offered during certain periods of the year. Brunson said the tours are held in March, April and May on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

During the summer months, tours are offered on Wednesday and Thursday.

Tours should be booked in advance, and are held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 10 to 11 a.m.

Tours require a minimum of 10 participants and cost $5 per person. Each package includes free cookies, and coupons for discounts on baked goods or cafe purchases.

Paul’s Pastry can be reached by calling 601-798-7457.

Proud to be part of Pearl River County and that’s a good thing.

There are many ways to join Keesler Federal Credit Union. Start enjoying these benefits by opening your account today at kfcu.org or visit us at 2270 Highway 43 South in Picayune.

Important to you. Important to us.

NO FEE TO JOIN

FREE CHECKING LOW LOAN RATES FREE KEESLER ONLINE AND MOBILE kfcu.org | 1-888-533-7537 Federally Insured by NCUA Membership and credit eligibility required.

16 Here’s Pearl River County!

Crosby Arboretum

By Jonathan Williams

Amongst the tall trees and humming wildlife, sits the Crosby Arboretum, a massive area designated for the preservation and education of native plants.

The site is home to a variety of educational programs that are meant to benefit visitors of all ages. These programs are designed to teach children and adults about their environment and how to better understand it.

With classes ranging from a lesson on Mississippi’s venomous snakes, to learning how to attract hummingbirds to a backyard, the Arboretum does its best to share knowledge of the area.

Director Patricia Drackett says that the Arboretum is a resource more people should use.

However, Drackett said that membership has increased since she took her position 10 years ago. What was once a membership base of 200 people Drackett says now includes nearly 450 members.

Drackett credits some of that growth to social media usage, and the ability to contact more people when an event is upcoming.

“Now we have close to 5,000 followers so when we put out a notice on an event people know about it,” Drackett said.

The popularity of past events has led to them being revisited. Fan favorites like open mic night and a day where people can bring their four-legged friends to the Arboretum are being scheduled again for the fall.

“Our fall schedule will be out around mid August,” Drackett said.

“Right now we’re preparing for all of our big events that’ll be happening in the next couple of months.”

Events and the hosting of school field trips are some of the special things the Arboretum offers to expose people to native flora and fauna.

Here’s Pearl River County! 17

Chiropractic Care

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601-749-4939

203 W Main Ave. Lumberton, MS 39455

769-301-3575

Choose Quality Care, Close to Home.

• Swingbed Rehabilitation • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy

• Wound Care • Laboratory Services • Radiology • Emergency Services

305 W. Moody Street Poplarville, MS 39470 18 Here’s Pearl River County!

601-795-4543

Drackett said she especially enjoys watching children interact with the environment around them.

“If you expose children to those kinds of things when they’re younger they retain that and they learn better when immersed in nature,” Drackett said.

Not only beneficial for children, Drackett says the trails bring people out into nature, which can be a great stress reducer for adults.

“The green and the horticultural focus on nature is very restful,” Drackett said.

Additionally, Drackett said she loves seeing the interaction amongst visitors during classes.

Specialized classes, such as those about mushrooms, may lead to attendees meeting others who are interested in the subject, and all of a sudden there’s a connection that didn’t exist before.

In the end, Drackett is really just hoping more people visit the Arboretum, and that they will become members.

Thanks to the variety of events the Arboretum hosts, visitors don’t necessarily have to be interested in native plant life to be drawn to the area.

“What’s wonderful is when people say they’ve driven by, but didn’t know what it was all about,” Drackett said. “But once you know what it’s all about it can be your Arboretum too.”

The Crosby Arboretum is located at 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, Mississippi, and their contact number is 601-799-2311.

Shopping Pearl River County Downtown Picayune The Downtown Picayune area includes portions of US Hwy. 11, West and East Canal Street, Goodyear Blvd., Haugh Ave. and more. This area has a collection of great little shops, locally owned restaurants and cafes, banks, government institutions, medical and dental clinics, pharmaceuticals and medical supply, transportation, churches and services.

Shopping is pretty much split into two areas in Pearl River County: Picayune, Pearl River County’s largest city and Poplarville, the county seat. However, there are businesses, restaurants and shops in Carriere, Nicholson, Crossroads, White Sands, Henleyfield, McNeill, Millard and in other unincorporated areas of the county. So don’t overlook great choices just because they’re not in an incorporated area.

I-59 & Memorial Blvd.Hwy. 43 South intersection In this area, there are many national chain stores along with fast food spots. Financial institutions are conveniently located in the area as well.

Hwy. 11 Business Corridor A variety of businesses dot Hwy 11 from Lakeshore Drive and Hwy. 11 North all the way down to the Hwy. 11/I-59 intersection, mostly centered in the downtown area and the intersection with Hwy. 43 N.

Poplarville Downtown Downtown Poplarville is centered on Main Street and has a nice mix of shops and services. Hardware, gifts, places to eat, government offices, legal services, and banks are all available in the downtown area.

South Main/Hwy. 53 The shopping in Poplarville continues down Main Street as it turns into South Main Street and Hwy. 53, where there are a great variety of restaurants, real estate offices, auto parts, medical services and more.

Highway 11-Poplarville Along Highway 11 in Poplarville, across from Pearl River Community College is College Square Shopping Center. The center was completed in August of 2018 and houses a grocery store, fueling station, rental purchase store and two restaurants.

Here’s Pearl River County! 19

6

POP Map

13

7

3 1 8

4

5

16

12

2 18 10

9

11 15 14

POINTS of INTEREST 17

20 Here’s Pearl River County!

1. Pearl River County Courthouse 2. Poplarville City Hall 3. Poplarville Chamber of Commerce 4. Post Office 5. Library 6. Hospital & Nursing Home 7. Pearl River Community College 8. MSU Extension Experiment Station 9. National Guard Armory 10. Pearl River County Fairgrounds 11. City Park 12. Poplarville Lower Elementary School 13. Poplarville Upper Elementary School 14. Poplarville Middle School 15. Poplarville High School 16. Poplarville Police Department 17. Poplarville Fire Department 18. Thad Chochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory

By Cathy Cook

Pearl River Drug Soda Fountain

Customers can step back in time at the Pearl River Drug soda fountain in Poplarville where a mug of coffee at the soda fountain counter is only a dollar and banana splits are made the old-fashioned way with hand dipped ice cream, bananas and cherries.

The soda fountain is tucked into the back of the pharmacy and still has the counter top, barstools, tables and chairs customers sat at when the pharmacy and soda fountain opened in 1954, said former owner Robert Applewhite.

Sunni Bresnahan scoops vanilla ice cream from metal containers, then adds milk. Milkshakes are still mixed with the machine from 1954, said Bresnahan.

Strawberry milkshakes are made with vanilla ice cream and strawberry syrup for a stronger flavor, Bresnahan said, and served in tall soda glasses with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Scooping ice cream, pouring milk and adding flavors for milkshakes is second nature for Bresnahan, who spends her mornings chatting with customers from behind the

counter. “You learn about the town and how it used to be,�

Bresnahan said.

Three regular customers have come in for coffee every morning for the last 30 years, Bresnahan said, and are waiting outside the store before the staff arrives.

Regulars come to the soda shop to recharge, manager Laci Holifield said.

The store also attracts out-oftown visitors, like bicycling groups on cross country road trips or Red Hat Ladies from Alabama who want to recapture their childhood memories of soda fountains, Holifield said.

While nostalgia may bring people in, old-fashioned drinks like nectar sodas or ice cream sodas delight customers once they sit at the counter. Nectar soda is made with soda water and homemade nectar, which has a sweet almond flavor, Holifield said.

New weekly creations like a lemonade float or the salty sundae with peanut butter, caramel and salty chips are inspired by customer requests, Holifield said.

The soda fountain also sells malts, frozen coffee, and waffle cone ice cream tacos. Sherbet was added to the menu to accommodate kids and adults who require dairyfree diets, Holifield said.

Here’s Pearl River County! 21

The soda fountain buys dessert supplies locally and serves the same brand of coffee it’s offered since the 70s, Holifield said.

Applewhite took over the pharmacy and soda shop a year after the store opened and filled prescriptions for 42 years behind the pharmacy counter.

The current owner, Lawrence Holden, began working there at the age of 15, Applewhite said.

Holden eventually went to school to become a pharmacist and took over the business when Applewhite retired.

The soda fountain is a gathering place in the community. Local students walk over for field trips and are rewarded for good grades with free ice cream, Holifield said.

Homeschool groups and book clubs also gather around the tables where they can discuss novels and eat brownie bowls.

Alongside satisfying their sweet tooth, customers can drop off their UPS packages, Holifield said.

22 Here’s Pearl River County!

The soda fountain continues to survive, because “we insist it does,” said Applewhite.

Pearl River Drug is located at 510 South Main St. in Poplarville and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and closes at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Here’s Pearl River County! 23

Pearl River County Statistics COUNTY POPULATION PROJECTIONS* (2015, 2020, 2025)

Female: 50.8%

BOTH SEXES WHITE

MALE WHITE

FEMALE WHITE

BOTH SEXES NON-WHITE

MALE NON-WHITE

FEMALE NON-WHITE

2015

50,174

24,689

25,485

10,079

4,942

5,137

60,253

2020

53,051

26,140

26,911

11,193

5,483

5,710

64,244

2025

53,958

26,483

27,475

12,140

5,888

6,252

66,098

HOME VALUE**

Male: 49.2%

TOTAL POPULATION

RACE**

Median Value $120,900

of owner-occupied housing units

OCCUPATIONS Production, transportation, and material moving occupations

Natural Resources, construction, and maintenance occupations

14.0%

15.5% Service occupations

White A

84.4%

Asian

0.5%

Black

12.5%

Hispanic or Latino

3.2%

2 or More Races

1.9%

Am. Indian & Alaska Native 0.7%

16.6% 31.3% 22.6% Management, business, science, and arts occupations

Sales and office occupations

AGE**

EDUCATION** 59.2%

Persons 19-64

15.0%

Persons under 18

84.2% Persons 65+

22.6% 18.8%

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HIGHER Percentage of persons age 25 years+, 2013-2017

BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER Percentage of persons age 25 years+, 2013-2017

* Office of Policy Research and Planning, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, “Mississippi Population Projections 2015, 2020, 2025”, February 2012.

A. Those designating only one race. ** US Census Bureau Quick Facts, 2018 est.

24 Here’s Pearl River County!

Fishing & Hunting in Pearl River County

By Mark Wallace

The miles of creek bank in Pearl River County seem to have been forgotten in today’s world of angling. Many have forgotten the appreciation of fishing on a creek bank or farm pond. The availability of free water to anglers is extensive but is passed over each and every day on the way to and from work and play.

Boley Creek float trips on a canoe or your favorite kayak is a great way to learn the rivers and creeks in our county. Kayaking is the new craze for a lot of outdoor enthusiasts and floating down Boley Creek offers great bass, bream and catfish action. Looking at Google Earth of the creeks and planning trips from bridge to bridge on a full day is the way to go. Pre-planning is key to any trip and making sure someone knows your route especially if you plan to go it alone. Creek fishing may not be the same in your mind as setting out on a long run in the Gulf waters but not being prepared can get you into a heap of trouble. Simply adding a small emergency kit is a must and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Traveling on McNeill/Henleyfield Road between McNeill and Millcreek, you pass over what is commonly referred to as West Boley. This is where I spent many days mostly swimming with my buddies, but there were plenty of times when the fishing pole made the trips on the bike.

East Boley is on the east side of Interstate-59, off of McNeill Steephollow Road. East Boley is just the same as West Boley in that the fishing is especially great in the summer when the water almost looks red in color.

Many other creeks such as Juniper, Stanfield, Cole, Magee and Chinquapin meander their way all over Pearl River County. The secret to good creek fishing is to find the deep holes around the bends of the creeks or next to bluffs.

Walking the bank with a short 4-5 foot rod and an array of beetle spins and small top water lures is all that is needed to fill your stringer.

If you have catfish on the brains the Pearl River may be your best bet.

Catching the high water cycles after a good rain is the optimum time to set limb or trotlines for the creek running channel cats. Short run lines placed in current in the back water, baited with crawfish, catalpa worms or cool cats is the preferred way to fish for these great tasting fin bearers.

If river or creek fishing is not your cup of tea, then you need to check out the famous “local pond”. Over the years of writing many stories about someone’s first or their largest fish, farm ponds have been responsible for some great

first time and trophy catches.

Farm ponds are located all over Pearl River County and on average they do not get fished or managed enough throughout the year. If you have a neighbor with one or several ponds, don’t be too proud to ask permission to fish, but respect what they may tell you.

Many pond owners have certain fish they are raising and want to keep stocked such as catfish or bass, but would love for someone to come and catch all the perch and bream they would like. On the other hand, some folks only want the big bream and bass and would love for the catfish to be taken out. In either case, respect the wishes of the pond owner and always offer cleaned fish to them as a token of thanks when the trip is over.

Never offer fish without cleaning them

first, this is an unspoken code of pond fishing.

Whether it be Old River, Walkiah, Boley, Magee or the local pond, we are blessed with many miles of river, creek and pond banks right here in Pearl River County so take a day off, hit the water and remember what it was like as a kid to walk the bank and as always, get outdoors and enjoy what God has given us.

With bow season a few months away, many hunters have their pre-season rituals including evening bow shoots with friends and in the past few years the popularity of hunting wild hogs has increased tremendously. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, “Landowners and leaseholders may hunt nuisance animals year-round at any time of day or night with no weapon/caliber restrictions on property titled in their name or otherwise owned, or leased by them.” Wild hogs are classified as a nuisance and the amount of destruction they can cause to farmland and yards is unbelievable.

When you talk to deer hunters you get a lot of mixed feelings about going outof-state to hunt. Some hunters make annual trips out-of-state looking for the chance to take a shot at a record buck.

Other hunters make the trek out-ofstate simply to enjoy the adventure of hunting in other surroundings and to see other woodlands. I am one of those weird hunters that just love the experience of hunting in a new area and meeting new friends.

Record -book hunters may not need to go out-of-state when looking for that trophy whitetail.

Mississippi is blessed with management areas totaling over 850,000 acres in just state management areas. These areas are managed by biologists that take herd data and hunter information to mandate seasons and harvest rates for hunters, not many hunting clubs I know of have this extensive staff for management of the herd.

Here’s Pearl River County! 25

Fishing & Hunting in Pearl River County Now I know what many of you are thinking as you read this, the pressure on the land is so great that I would never be able to hunt a quality buck for any length of time without intrusion from another hunter. I am not going to say you would not encounter this situation, but I hear every year from club hunters that have been jinxed by a member or a guest of a member that came to hunt a day or so and wandered into the situation of taking a buck a member had been hunting for many days.

This is a viable point and when hunting on management areas around the state, I have found that the majority of hunters are very cordial and are not going to knowingly encroach on your hunting area. With proper scouting, planning and luck you can harvest nice bucks on many public hunting areas.

Well, if you want to plan to hunt for big bucks on Mississippi public lands there are a few things you can do to stack the odds a little more in your favor. First, instead of hunting the open season, get brochures from different areas to see if they offer special “draw” hunts.

These draw hunts may include days set aside for a special rifle or muzzle loader season on a “bow only” management area,

youth or senior draw hunts for one to three days and some are special bow hunting days. With all of these different types of draw hunts, the number of hunters on the area each day is limited therefore increasing the odds of you hunting a nice buck alone.

The stories of trophy bucks from state management areas go on and on, and the lack of pressure in many of these areas would surprise you. Call some of the management areas and talk with the managers and staff, load up and take a ride so you can see the terrain and layout of the area. Take the time to surf the Internet and see what is out there in the state. You may be surprised. Within a couple hours’ drive from anywhere in the state, you could be in big buck territory.

In Pearl River County we are blessed to have over 25,000 acres of public hunting land including over 15,000 acres at Old River WMA. All hunting is open with no draw hunts but every year several huge bucks come off of our public lands in Pearl River County.

Each one of the management areas will have its own guidelines for taking quality animals, and it is suited specifically for that area.

Ignorance of the regulations is not an excuse. It is up to you as the hunter to know and follow all rules and regulations when on one of these areas.

Also all persons born on or after January 1, 1972, must satisfactorily complete a hunter education course approved by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license.

For more information on the management areas in Pearl River County and the state or to order a topographic map of a management area just go online to www.mdwfp.com or call 601432-2400.

I hope you get the chance to check out all of the options this great state affords, and as always, get outdoors and enjoy what God has given us.

Fishing Licenses RESIDENT LICENSES Sportsman’s License Does not include saltwater fishing.

All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing Does not include Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow.

Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing 3-Day Freshwater Fishing Saltwater Fishing Senior Lifetime Saltwater License - age 65 and over.

PRICE

AGENT FEE

PROCESS FEE

$45.00 $1.00 $1.29 $25.00 $1.00 $1.29 $10.00 $1.00 $1.29 $3.00 $1.00 $1.29 $10.00 $1.00 $1.29 $5.00 $1.00 $1.29

NON-RESIDENT LICENSES PRICE AGENT FEE PROCESS FEE Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing $33.00 $0 $1.29 Must apply through MDWFP - Application. (Includes Fall Turkey and Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow. Does not include Saltwater Fishing) Freshwater Fishing $60.00 $3.00 $1.29 3-Day Freshwater Fishing $15.00 $2.00 $1.29 1-Day Freshwater Fishing $8.00 $1.00 $1.29 Saltwater Fishing $30.00 $3.00 $1.29 3-Day Saltwater Fishing $15.00 $2.00 $1.29 NOTE: Louisiana residents must purchase both the Freshwater and Saltwater license to fish in the marine waters of Mississippi.

26 Here’s Pearl River County!

Hunting Licenses RESIDENT LICENSES PRICE AGENT FEE PROCESS FEE Sportsman’s License $45.00 $1.00 $1.29 Includes Fall Turkey Permit, Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow - does not include WMA User Permit or Saltwater Fishing All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing $25.00 $1.00 $1.29 Does not include Archery/Primitive/Crossbow, Fall Turkey Permit or WMA User Permit.

Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow $14.00 $1.00 $1.29 Must be bought in addition to All Game Hunting/ Freshwater Fishing when hunting during special seasons. As of July 1st, 2013, this privilege will include the use of a Crossbow.

Fall Turkey Permit $5.00 $1.00 $1.29 Not required with purchase of resident Sportsman License or resident Lifetime Sportsman License. Must be purchased in addition to All Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing license to fall turkey hunt.

Small Game Hunting/Freshwater Fishing $10.00 $1.00 $1.29 Wildlife Management Area User Permit $15.00 $1.00 $1.29 Must be purchased prior to ANY use of a wildlife management area and in addition to any other required hunting/fishing license.

Electronic State Waterfowl Stamp $10.00 $1.00 $1.29 Required with all licenses above for persons 16 years of age and older when hunting waterfowl.

Exempt Under 16 - Voluntary $2.30 $1.00 $1.70 Exempt Age 15 - Voluntary $2.30 $1.00 $1.70 Annual Resident Range Permit $40.00 $1.00 $1.29 Senior Annual Resident Range Permit $20.00 $1.00 $1.29 North MS NWR Permit $15.00 $1.00 $1.29 Trapping License $25.00 $1.00 $1.29 A trapping license is required of any person sixteen years of age or older, who traps or assists with trapping of furbearers. A trapping license is not required for a person to trap on their own land. A trapping license is required to sell the skins, carcasses, and/or meat of any furbearing animal.

Fur Dealer License $50.00 $1.00 $1.29 A fur dealer license is required of any person regardless of age, who buys furbearing animals from trappers or hunters.

NOTE: All Deer and Turkey hunters must buy either an All Game Hunting/Fishing or the Sportsman’s License.

NON-RESIDENT LICENSES PRICE AGENT FEE PROCESS FEE Armed Forces 14-Day Hunting/Fishing $33.00 0 $1.29 Must apply through MDWFP - Application. (Includes Fall Turkey and Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow. Does not include Saltwater Fishing) All Game Hunting $300.00 $3.00 $1.29 Ages 19 and over - does not include Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow, Spring or Fall Turkey permits, deer permit, or WMA User Permit.

Youth All Game Hunting $110.00 $3.00 $1.29 Ages 16, 17 and 18 - does not include Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow, Spring or Fall Turkey permits, deer permit, or WMA User Permit.

7-Day All Game Hunting $125.00 $3.00 $1.29 Ages 19 and over - does not include Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow, Spring or Fall Turkey permits, deer permit, or WMA User Permit.

Youth 7-Day All Game Hunting $60.00 $3.00 $1.29 Ages 16, 17 and 18 - does not include Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow,Spring or Fall Turkey permits, deer permit, or WMA User Permit.

3-Day All Game - Archery/Primitive Weapon $125.00 $3.00 $1.29 Includes Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow - does not include Spring or Fall Turkey, deer permit, or WMA User Permit.

Archery/Primitive Weapon/Crossbow Permit $75.00 $3.00 $1.29 Must be bought in addition to All Game Hunting or 7-Day All Game Hunting when hunting during special seasons.

Wildlife Management Area User Permit $30.00 $1.00 $1.29 Must be purchased prior to ANY use of a wildlife management area and in addition to any other required hunting/fishing license.

Deer Permit $5.00 $1.00 $1.29 Required for hunting deer during all deer seasons. This license must be purchased in addition to All Game, 7-Day All Game, or 3-Day All Game Hunting License.

Spring Turkey Permit $20.00 $1.00 $1.29 Required for hunting turkey during spring turkey season. This license must be purchased in addition to All Game, 7-Day All Game, or 3-Day All Game Hunting License.

Fall Turkey Permit $20.00 $1.00 $1.29 Required for hunting turkey during fall either-sex seasons. This license must be purchased in addition to All Game, 7-Day All-Game, or 3-Day All Game Hunting License. Fall turkey hunting limited to certain areas.

Small Game Hunting (covers waterfowl) $95.00 $3.00 $1.29 7-Day Small Game Hunting (covers waterfowl) $38.00 $3.00 $1.29 Shooting Preserve $13.00 0 $1.29 Electronic State Waterfowl Stamp $19.00 $1.00 $1.29 Required with all licenses above when hunting waterfowl.

Here’s Pearl River County! 27

Student Anglers

By Jonathan Mitchell

Students in Pearl River County are rivals in many extra curricular activities. However, there is one activity that brings students from all three high schools together with a common bond, fishing.

The PRC Bass Assassins, Picayune Riptide and Poplarville Hooks compete against each other and fish together as a larger team on the Bass Nation Circuit throughout Mississippi and also venture into Louisiana as well.

Some may perceive the sport as one of solitude and silence, but it’s brought these students together to enjoy time on the water.

Guy Stegall founded the PRC Bass Assassins five years ago.

The program was small at its inception with only six anglers who would fish out of a pond.

Now, Stegall says there are nearly 50 kids from Pearl River Central, Picayune, and Poplarville high schools who participate in tournaments.

Tim Herrington, whose son is involved in the Picayune fishing team, says the sport has done wonders when it comes to forming friendships with students from other schools.

“The funny things is when the boys were together at the beginning they had that rivalry,” Herrington said.

“Now they get along really well; those barriers have been torn down.”

With a season that spans from January to August, these young men have learned what it takes to fish successfully.

“Just like any other sport we like to see their growth and their knowledge grow,” Brandon Craft, whose son also fishes for the Picayune team, said.

Stegall said some students have joined the club with absolutely no prior fishing experience, and that’s what makes it so rewarding for him.

“I’ve never had this much fun with kids not only with fishing, but you get to pour a little bit of your life into the kids,” Stegall said.

“You’re essentially a coach, and a coach could make or break you.”

The program has expanded greatly over the years. Herrington said he messages over 140 people monthly to schedule group meetings, and Craft said 39 students participated in the last tournament.

“It’s pretty much been word of mouth and talking at schools,” Herrington said.

“Plus we get home-schoolers and kids from all over the county.”

Craft thinks that the draw of fishing is how accessible it is for newcomers.

28 Here’s Pearl River County!

“Fishing takes a lot of skill and a lot of practice, but the thing about the fishing team is you have kids who aren’t big enough for football or fast enough for baseball,” Craft said.

“Anybody can do it. What you put in it is what you get out of it.”

The tournaments in are held in a variety of areas, from the Jourdan River in Eastern Mississippi to the Delacroix Marsh south of New Orleans, La. Herrington said the change of venue gives fishermen variety in the competition locales and in the types of fish they catch.

Travel and equipment can be very expensive, and Craft said that while the teams do host fundraising events, without their sponsors the

clubs wouldn’t be where they are today.

That assistance isn’t even including all of the adults who captain the boats during competitions with each boat usually having two competitors on it.

“We even have guys who don’t have kids in the program who will come out and captain a boat for the kids,” Craft said.

“And before joining the club I couldn’t have imagined doing that, but now I definitely can.”

Craft’s son has graduated, but that won’t stop him from taking part in the organization and helping mold the next generation of anglers in Pearl River County.

Here’s Pearl River County! 29

NEWCOMER INFORMATION & IMPORTANT NUMBERS GOVERNMENT LISTINGS FEDERAL OFFICIALS U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith Jackson Office ................................... 601-965-4459 Washington, D.C. ............................... 202-224-5054 Roger Wicker Jackson Office ................................... 601-965-4644 Washington, D.C. ............................... 202-224-6253 U.S. Representative Steve Palazzo (4th District) Hattiesburg area ................................ 601-582-3246 Washington ....................................... 202-225-5772

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI OFFICIALS Official Home Page: www.mississippi.gov Governor Phil Bryant ............................................ 601-359-3150 Lt. Governor Tate Reeves .......................................... 601-359-3200 Secretary Of State Delbert Hosemann ................................. 601-359-1350 Attorney General Jim Hood .............................................. 601-359-3680

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2016-2019 Official Home Page: www.legislature.ms.gov State Senate District 40: Angela Hill Capitol Address: P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215 (W) ....................................................601-359-2886 E-mail address: ahill@senate.ms.gov District 45: Billy Hudson Capitol Address: P. O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215 (W) ....................................................601-359-2395 E-mail address: bhudson@senate.ms.gov District 47: Joseph M. Seymour Capitol Address: P. O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215 (W) .................................................... 601-359-2886 E-mail address: mseymour@senate.ms.gov State Representatives District 108: Stacey Hobgood Wilkes Capitol: Room: 402-B, P. O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215 (W) .....................................................601-798-3334 E-mail address: swilkes@house.ms.gov District 106: John Glen Corley Capitol: Room: 201-C, P. O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215 (W) .................................................... 601-818-5205 E-mail address: jcorley@house.ms.us

PEARL RIVER COUNTY OFFICIALS Official Home Page: www.pearlrivercounty.net MAIN NUMBERS Millard .................................................... 601-403-2500 Picayune ................................................. 601-749-7700 Poplarville ............................................... 601-403-2300 Sheriff’s Office: 200 Julia St, Poplarville Sheriff: David Allison Emergency 911 Non-emergency .....................................601-795-2241

CITY OF PICAYUNE Official Home Page: www.picayune.ms.us 203 Goodyear Blvd, Picayune ..................... 601-798-9770 City Water & Gas ...................................... 601-798-9770 or ........................................................... 601-798-9776 Court Clerk: 203 Goodyear Blvd ................... 601-798-9773 Picayune Municipal Airport ....................... 601-749-7017 Police Department: 328 S. Main St., Picayune Emergency 911 Non-emergency .................................... 601-798-4682

30 Here’s Here’s Pearl Pearl River River County!

County!

30

CITY OF POPLARVILLE Official Home Page: www.poplarville.ms.gov City Hall, 200 Hwy 26 E, Poplarville .......................... 601-795-8161 Police Department: 305 Hwy. 26 E., Poplarville Emergency 911 Non-emergency .................. 601-795-4447 If no answer, dial ................. 601-795-2241

HIGHER EDUCATION Pearl River Community College Official Home Page: www.prcc.edu 101 Hwy 11 N, Poplarville, MS Main Number ...................... 601-403-1000

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Pearl River Central School District Official Home Page: www.prc.k12.ms.us 7441 Highway 11, Carriere, MS Superintendent’s Office ........ 601-798-7744 Picayune School District Official Home Page: www.picayune.schooldesk.net 706 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune MS Superintendent’s Office ........ 601-798-3230 Poplarville School District Official Home Page: www.poplarvilleschools.org 302 South Julia Street, Poplarville, MS Superintendent’s Office ........ 601-795-8477

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Heritage Christian Academy Official Home Page: www.hcapicayune.com 21 Richardson Rd., Picayune, MS Office ........ 601-215-6327 St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School Official Home Page: www.stcbcatholicschool.org 1006 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS Office ........ 601-799-0860 Union Baptist Academy Official Home Page: www.ubcnet.org/UBA 1628 W. Union Rd., Picayune, MS Office ........ 601-798-6470

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Picayune Chamber of Commerce Official Home Page: greaterpicayunechamber.org 201 Hwy 11 N, Picayune ........... 601-798-3122 Poplarville Chamber of Commerce Official Home Page: www.poplarville.org 101 N Main St., Poplarville ........ 601-795-0578

ELECTRIC UTILITIES Call Before You Dig ...................... 800-227-6477 Coast Electric Power Association Official Home Page: www.coastepa.com 6375 Hwy 11 N, Picayune ......... 601-798-5013 After Hours, Power Outages ...... 800-624-3348 Mississippi Power Company Official Home Page: www.mississippipower.com 600 W Canal St., Picayune ........ 800-532-1502 201 W Cumberland St., Poplarville .............................. 800-532-1502 Power Outage-Problems ........... 800-487-3275 Pearl River Valley Electric Power Assoc.

Official Home Page: www.prvepa.com 1422 Hwy 13 N, Columbia ......... 601-736-2666

HOSPITALS Highland Community Hospital 130 Highland Parkway, Picayune 601-358-9400

Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home 305 W Moody St., Poplarville ..... 601-795-4543

LIBRARIES Pearl River County Library System Official Home Page: www.pearlriver.lib.ms.us Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library Headquarters of PRCLS 900 Goodyear Blvd. Picayune .... 601-798-5081 Poplarville Public Library 202 West Beers St., Poplarville .. 601-795-8411

NEWSPAPERS Picayune Item - The Poplarville Democrat 17 Richardson-Ozona Rd. Picayune ................................. 601-798-4766

CARS/LICENSE INFORMATION DRIVER’S LICENSE

If you are a new resident, you must apply for a Mississippi driver’s license within 60 days after establishing your residence in the state.

If you currently have a valid license from the state you’re moving from, you just have to take the eye test. If you don’t have a valid driver’s license, you have to take the driving test as well as the written test and the eye test. The fee for a regular 4-year license is $24. Cash, debit, and credit cards accepted. No checks. In Pearl River County, the Dept. of Public Safety driver’s license office is located at 917 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS. For times of testing, call 601-7991428. Normally open Mon.-Fri. 8 am-5 pm.

If you already have a valid MS license and live at the same address as printed on the license, you can renew online, www.ms.gov/hp/drivers/ license/Main.do

TAGS & REGISTRATION

If you are moving to Mississippi from another state bring your title or name and address of lien holder and your current registration. You must purchase your Mississippi tags within 30 days of establishing your residency in Mississippi. Tags are issued for one year. For tags, contact Pearl River County Tax Assessor: Gary Beech, 601403-2300.

To renew your tags online, go pearlrivercounty.net/tax/index.htm

TAXES HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

to

www.

Homestead exemptions are available on the first $75,000 of assessed value. The actual amount of exempted tax dollars is limited to $300.

The county tax collector, where the property is located, determines assessed value. To qualify, the taxpayer must live and occupy the property.

Also the person must have all personal cars licensed in the state of Mississippi and must be current with their Mississippi state income tax.

An application must be submitted from Jan. 1 to April 1 through the State Tax Commission: Homestead Exemption Division. Check with your realtor, mortgagor or local tax office for more information on the Homestead Exemption.

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Wolf River Wildlife Management Area

Desoto National Park

Pearl River County

LEGEND Cities/Towns

King’s Arrow Ranch Golf Course

Airport County Seat

Pearl River Blues Berry Farm

Hospital

www.pearlrivercounty.net Pearl River Community College

The Pearl River Pearl River County Fair Poplarville

Poplarville

Welcome Center

County Seat

RV Park Blueberry Farm*

26

Fishing

Horseshoe Lake

Blue Poplarville-Pearl Tara River County Farms Airport

43

53

Old River Wildlife Management Area

Walkiah Bluff

Walking Track

The Annual Blueberry Jubilee Poplarville

11

Golf Course

Street Festival

Picayune

59

Pond Fishing

McNeill Bogue Chitto N.W.R.

Clearwater RV Park

Carriere

Picayune

Walkiah Bluff

Walkiah Bluff: swimming, Blueberry Ridge kayaking, S&M camping, canoeing, Blueberries tubing, fishing

Pearl River

Millbrook County Club 43

Picayune Airport

Sun Roamer’s RV Park

Nicholson * Blueberry Farms are normally open from the end of May to the end of June

Welcome Center

Pearl River County Courthouse Poplarville

Crosby Arboretum Picayune

COUNTY OFFICE LISTINGS Board of Supervisors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Bookkeeping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Chancery Clerk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Chancery Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Circuit Clerk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Circuit Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Civil Defense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-3058 County Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2280 Data Processing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 District Attorney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 E-911 Addressing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 4-H Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2280 Human Services Department Child Support Enforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-4507 Economic Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-4507 Family & Children’s Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-4507 Justice Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Mapping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Nutrition & Food Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2281 Planning & Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Purchasing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Road/Bridge Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-9930 Safety Department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 Safety Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-9930 Sheriff’s Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2340 Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911 Dispatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-2241 Jail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 TDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-478-6987 Tax Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-403-2300 USDA Service Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-4409 Vets Service Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601-795-2558

Here’s Pearl River County! 31

Poplarville

Dental Clinic Helping you maintain a healthy smile for Life!

Dr. Estep and his staff offer comprehensive care in a comfortable atmosphere to help you maintain your dental health, including the following services:

• Six Month Smiles™ orthodontics • Invisalign ™ orthodontics • Cosmetic tooth whitening

Call today! 601-795-8024

• Oral conscious sedation • 1 hour crowns with CEREC™ • Cosmetic fillings

or visit us online at PoplarvilleDentalClinic.com Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8-5 Friday – by appt. only

Jason R. Estep, DMD & Krista W. Nall, DMD 1718 South Main St. • Poplarville, MS

32 Here’s Pearl River County!

• Replacement of missing teeth • Dental Implants • Dentures-full & partial