EDITOR’S LETTER By JEREM Y PIT TARI
W
ELCOME
It’s official; spring is here and with the warmer temperatures and longer days comes the opportunity to take a peek into the lives of some special people that call Pearl River County and Picayune home. In this edition, you will learn about a home where a decades-long marriage was at the center of its construction. Squabbles over design decisions never got in the way of this couple’s effort to build a perfect retirement home. Ken Newburger said he enjoyed every moment he spent with his late wife as they worked together to build something truly unique. Here in Pearl River County, there are a number of properties with enough acreage to care for any type of livestock. Instead of cows, pigs or chickens, one resident has chosen to pour his care and devotion into raising and training a special breed of horse, the Paso Fino. These horses of Latin American origin are best known for their naturally smooth gait. Our county’s rural nature also lends to plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife. Birds are an especially accessible source of amusement. In this issue, the director of Picayune’s arboretum shares her knowledge about the worthwhile hobby of birdwatching.
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FOCUS ON THE FUN STUFF WE’LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST. FEEL “TOO YOUNG” FOR ASSISTED LIVING? THINK AGAIN! Park Provence’s beautiful & spacious first-floor Independent Living suites offer all the opportunities for a rich, active lifestyle without the headaches associated with running a household. Even though spring is here, there may be a cold night or two left in the season. During those chilly nights, there’s nothing better than curling up under a homemade quilt. Ever wondered how much time and effort is involved in the hobby of quilting? Turn the pages for insight into this long-standing art form that has roots as a utilitarian practice. Set design is an artistic endeavor that incorporates a bit of carpentry and a lot of imagination. Not only do these thespians in training have to construct something realistic, it has to be light and mobile. After reading our story, you will have a new understanding of a theater production’s backdrop. So be sure to peruse these pages not once, not twice, but several times to be sure you didn’t miss a thing.
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CONTENTS 7 MUST-HAVES4
Turn to page 7 to find seven items to make your season spring forward.
323 WHERE?
Test your knowledge of Picayune & see if you can identify our secret locale.
11 SEWN UP: Discover how the long held art of quilting is being continued here in Pearl River County.
14 HOME OF HEART: Ken Newburger and his late wife Grace worked together to build their unique retirement home.
18 FOR THE BIRDS: Crosby Arboretum Director Patricia Drackett shares some tips on how to begin a birdwatching hobby.
20 PROP WORK: PRCC theater students not only learn about acting, they also learn to construct stage sets.
ON THE COVER
Quilting has a storied history here in the United States. These days quilting is considered an art form. Pictured is one work by Glenda Copeland. Photo by Jeremy Pittari
STAFF LINDA GILMORE Publisher JEREMY PITTARI Associate Publisher WRITER Cassandra Favre
ADVERTISING Laci Lee Jeanelle Beck Susan Fradella COMPOSITION Debra Howell Duey Entrekin
Free copies of Picayune Living magazine are available at these fine establishments:
ALSO INSIDE:
Holiday Inn Express, Glass Porch, MS Welcome Center, Stanek Chiropractic Centre, Moore Chiropractic Clinic, Scooters, Senior Center of South MS, Phillips Building Supply, City Rexall Drugs, Ford Realty, Greater Picayune Chamber of Commerce, and the offices of the Picayune Item and The Poplarville Democrat.
9 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
INFORMATION: Picayune Living is published four times per year by Picayune Newsmedia, LLC. All content is subject to copyright.
See who’s attending the city’s premier events.
POSTMASTER: Please send any changes of address or undeliverable information attn: Picayune Item, P.O. 580, Picayune, MS 39466
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Browse the calendar page for a look at this season’s upcoming activities.
26 OUT & ABOUT
24 HORSING AROUND: The Gascon family has been training Paso Fino horses for decades. See who has taken the reins.
34 WHY I LOVE PICAYUNE Pearl River County Library System Director Carol Phares shares why she loves this town.
SEVEN ON 7 By PIC AY UNE LIVING S TAFF
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▲ License Plate Birdhouse $26.99 Made by Carson. This company produces an extensive line of garden/home products. Can be purchased at Gibson House Antiques, 120 W. Canal St., Picayune, MS. 601-229-0400. Photo by Laci Lee
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▲ Mississippi Hand Towels $9.95 Can be purchased or ordered at the Glass Porch, 129 W. Canal St., Picayune, MS. 601-889- 0475. Photo by Laci Lee
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Spring Colors Glass Lamp $129. Made by Stein World. Can be purchased or ordered at Shabby Chic, 505 S. Main St., Picayune, MS. 601799-2800. Other styles available. Photo by Laci Lee
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See these genuine fresh water pearl necklaces and bracelets at Crystal Gallery, 210 E. Canal St., Picayune, MS. 601-799-2008. The bracelet is $16 and the matching necklace is $34. Photo by Jeremy Pittari
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▲ Sloggers Waterproof Decorative Shoes $24.95 Other styles available. Can be purchased at Crossroads Feed and Seed, 3854 MS-26, Poplarville, MS. 601-772-9497. Photo by Laci Lee
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Handmade soap crafted in honor of the artisans’ mother, Edna Lucille, comes in 25 different fragrances. Find a wide selection of this homestyle soap at Way Out West, 1112 S. Main Street, Poplarville, MS. 601-795-0717. Photo by Edna Lucille Homestlye Soaps
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Eyeglasses (decorative) $150-$200 They also carry other name brands such as Ray Ban, Lilly Pulitzer, and the new Gwen Stefani line called Lamb. Can be purchased at Picayune Eye Clinic, 908 6th Ave., Picayune, MS. 601-798-4182. Photo by Laci Lee
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL 2 - 3 CROSBY ARBORETUM FOUNDATION ANNUAL ART SHOW The Crosby Arboretum Foundation Art Show will celebrate the Arboretum and the Piney Woods region of Mississippi. Prizes will be given in all categories, which includes wall art such as paintings and photography; three-dimensional art such as sculpture, ceramics, and heritage crafts (basketry, quilting, weaving, woodcarving etc.). Free admission. APRIL 2 - 3 PICAYUNE MAIN STREET BIANNUAL STREET FESTIVAL The biannual Street Festival will be held both days on Canal Street. Local and regional vendors will be selling handmade crafts, candles, antiques, jewelry and many other items. Food vendors will offer culinary treats. APRIL 3 STRAWBERRIES & CREAM FESTIVAL Bring the family and stroll the Arboretum grounds. Then join us to celebrate the history of the old strawberry farm on the lovely Pinecote Pavilion. Ice cream, fresh strawberries, and Picayune Frog Lemonade will be served. Admission is free and open to the public. APRIL 16 SPRING WILDFLOWER FIELD WALK On this field walk located on the Arboretum grounds, Director Pat Drackett will talk about the native wildflowers and other plants blooming this time of year, and how to incorporate them into your landscape. Members free. Non-members $5. Register by April 15. APRIL 17 PRC ARTS LEAGUE 2016 SPRING ART SHOW 42nd Annual Spring Art Show featuring local artists at Knights of Columbus Hall on Carroll Street. Traditional wall hung art, 3-Dimensional art, and photography judged and displayed for your enjoyment. Free to the public. Come join the fun. MAY 7 PAINTED POTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY The perfect Mother’s Day gift for moms who love plants! Children will decorate a clay pot and design a Mother’s Day card using recycled materials at the Crosby Arboretum. Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Members’ children $3; non-members’ children $4. Register by May 5. MAY 14 RELAY FOR LIFE Join Picayune Main Street as they honor the lives lost and saved in the battle against cancer. The event starts with a survivor’s celebration tea followed by Relay laps. The event will also feature a 5K Glow Run and 1 mile Fun Walk. For more information, contact Main Street at 601-799-3070. PICAYUNEITEM.COM 9
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PATCH WORK By JEREM Y PIT TARI
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QUILTS ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER, DEMANDING PRICES UP TO $5,000 AND MORE FOR THE HAND-SEWN WORKS Quilting in America began as a method of making something to stay warm and has had a storied history. Colonists brought the European styles to this country, which was considered a luxury item in their homeland. But as America expanded and went through eras of prosperity and decline, the utilitarian quilt passed through many phases; first of being constructed to provide warmth, to today being considered works of art and even recordkeeping devices. In the early 1800s, quilts were also made by young women in preparation of becoming a wife and mother. Victorian women from prosperous families also made quilts, but of materials that were purely decorative, and as such, the finished products were unsuitable for dayto-day use. In the late 1800s commercial patterns became available for purchase from catalogs. In the early 1900s catalogs would offer devices that would save time in the construction of quilts. A resurgence of quilting would occur during the Great Depression, but fall out of style in the 1950s and 1960s. Twenty years later, cotton fabrics perfectly suited for quilting hit the market, leading to a renewal of interest in quilting. Making a homemade quilt can be achieved entirely by hand, with the use of a sewing machine, or both. No matter the method used, when someone receives or purchases a homemade quilt, they are likely cherished for a lifetime. Pearl River County resident Glenda Copeland, has been making quilts for the past 18 years, ever since her husband bought her an embroidery machine for Christmas, which led her to frequent a shop that also offered a quilting class.
She would later join a quilting club after a server at a local restaurant noticed a quilt block on Copeland’s dashboard and subsequently referred her to Kathy Waters, who would invite Copeland into the Picayune Piecemakers Quilt Guild. The guild currently has about 78 members from all over the region including Alabama, Louisiana and southern Mississippi. When the group began, quilting bees were held in member’s homes, said long-time member Edith Musselman. Even today, there are those who make quilts entirely by hand, but sewing machines are becoming more and more popular. “Now they whip out quilts like crazy due to the machines,” Copeland said. Musselman has made them both by hand and with a machine. In the 20 years she’s been enjoying the craft, Musselman estimates she’s made more than 100 quilts, most as gifts for family members. Copeland said she typically makes about three a year, sometimes more.
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45 El Patch Parkway • Picayune, MS
Both Copeland and Musselman use readymade patterns available for purchase, but have been known to incorporate their own creative flourishes into the design. With each pattern comes a different level of difficulty. Musselman said her first quilt, which she made in 1994, utilized a particularly difficult pattern. “I didn’t have anything else to do,” Musselman said. She has made one by hand, which took about year. By using a sewing machine she was able to make many more in that same amount of time, once producing 20 in one year. “See why I stick with the sewing machine?” Musselman said. Others will spend years working on a quilt, sans machine, such as Evelyn Mack who is utilizing the hand applique style on her current project. After spending more than a year on the quilt, she estimates she still has another year to go. When asked what she
will do with the quilt when it’s done, she said, “Have my daughters fight over it.” Quilts are highly soughtafter, demanding prices up to $5,000 and more for the hand-sewn works, said Mack. Rare quilts with historical significance have been known to fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction, such as the Reconciliation Quilt sold in 1991 for $264,000. Mack, a self-professed Luddite who has been making quilts for the past 50 to 55 years, said her quilts take so long because she refuses to use a sewing machine. Mack’s mother and grandmother taught her how to quilt out of necessity, making quilts out of old clothes because they needed them for warmth. The longest she has spent working on one quilt was about six years. “If you really enjoy doing it don’t worry about finishing because once you do you’re stuck,” Mack said.
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HOME M ADE By JEREM Y PIT TARI
THE 3,500-SQ.FOOT CUSTOM-BUILT MAIN HOME WAS CONSTRUCTED USING RECLAIMED BUILDING SUPPLIES What was once a weekend getaway has been turned into a compound of unique buildings, all sitting on 20 plus acres in the Henleyfield community. Ken Newburger and his wife of 56 years, Grace, built the home together after purchasing the property in 1994. Newburger was a commercial insurance broker for the third-largest firm in the world, working out of New Orleans. On the weekends he and his wife would commute from the Big Easy to Pearl River County, at first staying in what is now the 1,700-square-foot two bedroom one bath guesthouse.
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The original barn, now converted into a studio that could be considered a house in itself, offers 1,700-square-feet of living space, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a partial kitchen. The barn was 1,500-square-feet, until a lightning strike in 2001 set the structure on fire, prompting Newburger to rebuild it bigger and better. The 3,500-square-foot custom-built main home was constructed using reclaimed building supplies from now shuttered schools in and around New Orleans. Newburger would buy more than 10,000 new bricks, reclaim cypress logs from the bottom of waterways and granite and windows
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from McDonogh schools in New Orleans. The stair railing is original, with a sculpture of one of his seven children as the newel post cap. Newburger said there’s a saying that when a couple builds a house together it will tear them apart; but he enjoyed every moment he and his late wife Grace spent planning and building the home. The main house was designed by famed New Orleans architect, who is also Grace’s first cousin, Davis Lee Jahncke Jr. It features an outdoor fireplace on the front porch, 19-foot cathedral ceilings, and incorporates styles of construction, including brick, brick between post, logs with chinking between the logs and board and batten. The compound has an outdoor pool with an infinity edge, small pond with a bridge, a woodshop, and a long winding drive that traverses most of the acreage. With seven children and 12 grand children in his family, the property and its many structures accommodate the large clan during reunions. In the library is a photo of the couple taken while on their first date, which was a blind date. “I fell in love with her on the first date,” Newburger said. Family is important to Newburger, which is evident in the décor of the home. On the banister is a brass sculpture of his daughter, who was a prima ballerina. A metal sculpture of one of his sons graces the nearby wall and family portraits and paintings of his children are prominently displayed throughout the home. Also displayed in the home are many works of art by his departed wife. Some are renditions of those made by famous artists, but Newburger cherishes them all still today. Her various works of art can be found in nearly every room of every building on the property.
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FEEDING WILDLIFE By PATRICIA DR ACKE T T
FRIENDS
Sing for their supper
Are you a birdwatcher? Do you keep the backyard feeder stocked because you enjoy watching, and perhaps even photographing, the activity that ensues when the birds come to feed? Perhaps you pull on your boots in the wee hours of the morning, grab binoculars and a field guide and journey to a nearby birding site to await the magical “dawn chorus” as awakening birds, mostly males, call loud and strong to one another. You don’t have to go far to experience this early morning chorus. Most likely, it goes on every day right outside your window. You may have even heard our Mississippi state bird, the mockingbird, singing in the middle of the night at high volume. This bird has amazing vocal abilities, and can mimic hundreds of other bird songs and animal calls, even car alarms and other mechanical noises. Known for its aggressive behavior in defending its nest, this spunky bird will peck at you, the family dog or cat, or even much larger birds of prey. Mockingbirds offer only one example of the many fascinating species of birds. WHERE TO GO BIRDING According to Mississippi State University wildlife biologist Adam Rohnke, around 400 bird species have been documented in Mississippi, and about 160 of those breed in the state. Coastal Mississippi abounds with sites where birds are fun to watch. The Mississippi Coastal Birding Trail (http:// mscoastbirdingtrail.audubon.org/) lists more than 40 sites that offer prime birding in the six southernmost counties of Mississippi. In Pearl River County, the Coastal Birding Trail lists Old River Wildlife Management Area and The Crosby Arboretum. Learn about the species of sparrows that winter
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in south Mississippi at the Grand FOR YOUR BACKYARD FEEDER, TRY BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER Bay National Estuarine Research SEED, HIGHLY PREFERRED BY MANY BIRD SPECIES... Reserve in Jackson County. Visit the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Gautier to see these amazing endangered cranes with wingspans of up to eight feet in their wet pine savanna habitat. Take a Mississippi Coast Audubon coastal birding field trip, perhaps to Ship Island, to see shore birds. Other great birding sites include Honey Island Swamp, located near I-59 Exit 5-B, and Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, accessed by I-59 Exit 11. FEEDING BIRDS For your backyard feeder, try black oil sunflower seed, highly preferred by many bird species, and higher in oil and meat than the typical striped seeds. Feeders don’t need to be complicated. They can be simply a post with a board nailed on top. Adding a low side keeps the seed from being scattered to the ground. Include “natural” food for the birds in your yard. Trees with a high wildlife value include southern crabapple, wax myrtle, Eastern red cedar, black gum, southern magnolia, parsley hawthorn, native fringe tree (Grancy graybeard), persimmon, sassafras, and sweetbay magnolia. Native shrubs that attract birds include American beautyberry, arrow-wood Viburnum, hollies, AUDUBON RESOURCES blueberries, elderberry, and red buckeye. Audubon Mississippi http://ms.audubon.org/ Birds enjoy being in the vegetative edges adjacent to open areas, Mississippi Coast Audubon Society where they have protection, food sources, and places to perch. http://pascagoulariver.audubon.org/mississippi-coast-audubon-society Include plants with a variety of heights - planting in “layers” - to http://www.mscoastaudubon.org/ increase habitat opportunities and attract more species of birds. Orleans Audubon Society MSU Extension publication No. 2402 on “Mississippi Recreational http://www.jjaudubon.net/ Gardens: Establishing a Backyard Wildlife Habitat” may be Pascagoula River Audubon Center downloaded at www.MSUcares.com. The document illustrates http://pascagoulariver.audubon.org/ how to design your yard for birds, hummingbirds, and other Pine Woods Audubon Society wildlife, and includes extensive lists of plants to attract birds and http://www.pinewoodsaudubon.com/) other wildlife.
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STAGECR AFT By C A SSANDR A FAVRE
Artistic
Construction Local theater students delve into the art of set design There are many elements involved in producing a live stage production. Theater students at Pearl River Community College are learning more than just acting techniques; they are also gaining hands-on stagecraft experience. Speech and theater instructor Christopher Flynn teaches a variety of classes at the college, including stagecraft, theater appreciation and drama production. The acting class is offered in the fall, he said. In February, stagecraft students were gearing up for the school’s production of the musical “Beauty and the Beast,” which will be performed April 14-16 at the Brownstone Center for the Arts. They began in January and worked on sets during classtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Flynn said. For this production, students built a main castle set, complete with platform stairs, the beast’s lair and library. They also designed scenery for the town, Belle’s house, the woods, a water well, the tavern, the front façade of the castle and Belle’s room inside the castle. “Students learn different building techniques,” Flynn said. “There’s a difference between building a house and building a set. One of the keys to scenery is that it should be lightweight and portable. Unless you’re standing on it, it needs to look strong but doesn’t have to be strong.” Students make what Flynn calls Hollywood flats,
“THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUILDING A HOUSE AND BUILDING A SET.” 20 SPRING 2016
because they are sturdy. “You make a rectangle out of 1 x 3s or 1 x 4s and then you take luan paneling and staple that to the top of it, then it becomes stable, but lightweight,” Flynn said. “You can paint it whatever color you want.” To make the well prop for “Beauty and the Beast,” Flynn will introduce the students to canvas flats, which are a traditional method in set construction. It utilizes the same sort of framing as the Hollywood flats, but instead of making a box, set pieces are laid flat and then pieces of triangular plywood are used to hold them together. A piece of canvas is then stretched over and painted with a white glue and water mixture, which is referred to as sizing the flat, Flynn said.
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After the glue mix dries, it’s ready to be painted, he said. “That’s actually what we’re going to do with the well,” Flynn said. “I want to show them that technique. I’m going to get some muslin or canvas and we’ll wrap it, staple it real good, get the glue mixture and then paint it. I’m using it in two different scenes so it needs to look different from one side to the other. I’m going to have them paint a traditional dark stone on one side and the other side will have a white stone or something like that. It gives the audience the illusion, that even though they know it’s the exact same piece, they’re in a different place.” For the most part, students begin Flynn’s class with little to no construction experience. However, they are learning skills they can use later in life, Flynn said. Students learn how use table saws, cordless drills and circular saws, he said. They are also learning how to paint to make the sets look a certain way. Flynn also has to take into consideration the amount of space he has. Up until two years ago, he had been putting on shows in the school’s cafeteria, where the stage was small. “Now that we have this big beautiful theater, you’ve got to make the visuals as good as the play,” he said. Flynn said the sets are designed to enhance the theater experience, but are not the number one thing audience members are going to see. “There’s a quote from an old professor of mine, ‘You don’t go out singing the set,’” Flynn said. Flynn said it’s very important for students to experience all the elements that make up a theatrical production. “When I went to Ole Miss, all theater majors had to have performance and production credits,” Flynn said. “I’m very glad to have had it, because now I’m able to teach it.”
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WHERE AM I? By JEREM Y PIT TARI
MYSTERIOUS PARKING Do you know where this picture was taken? If you do, then send your guess to news@picayuneitem. com or post it on Picayune Item’s Facebook page. We will unveil the location in the next edition of Picayune Living. LAST EDITION: The photo below was featured in our Winter edition of Picayune Living. This window is part of the entrance to St. Barnabas Anglican Church. Congratulations to those of you who recognized the feature of this historic building.
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UNIQUE BREED By C A SSANDR A FAVRE
on his HIGH hORSE Local man trains horses and entertains thousands
Three years ago, Poplarville native Michael Gascon left his underwater welding career to pursue his love of horse training. However, his love for horses didn’t begin then. Gascon rode his first horse before he could walk, wearing only a onesie and a diaper. Although he is equipped to train all breeds, Gascon’s specialty is the Paso Fino, the world’s smoothest riding horse, he said. He trains them at his family’s ranch, Horse Haven, which is home to about 100 of the breed. “I’m going to be the person that makes them a household name,” Gascon said. “I want everyone to know what they are and to do that, I have to get out of my comfort zone and do something that’s going to draw everyone’s attention.” It took him about 100 attempts to create his viral video, which features Gascon atop his Paso Fino, Tito. Gascon donned a dinosaur costume while performing tricks. At Gascon’s last count, the video had more than 20 million views and has been featured on national television shows and some television stations in Puerto Rico and Columbia. About two years ago, Tito was featured in the film, “A Fine Step,” alongside Luke Perry. Gascon played Perry’s stunt double. Film producers heard about Gascon after they family ranch was named the winningest farm in the United States in 2009, which means they hold the most national titles of any farm, Gascon said. He will also be featured on Extreme Mustang Makeover on RFD-TV. The Paso Fino has a natural gait and are native to Puerto Rico and Columbia. “When the Conquistadors came from Spain to Columbia and Puerto Rico, they had Andalusian horses, which weren’t so good at going through uninhabited mountains. So they started mixing the Andalusian with a native trail pony and they starting getting a horse that was so sure-footed and had so much stamina, that they started riding those instead. And that was the Paso Fino. Their gait is always in cadence, one, two, three, four,” he said. “It’s always fluent and 100 percent natural since birth.” Before a horse can be taught to do tricks, Gascon must ensure the animal is comfortable enough in their own space so the trainer can place their hands on them. For example, during a clinic, Gascon will place a blue tarp over the back of the horse. “You bring out the scariest thing imaginable and show them that as long they’re with me, they’re safe,” he said. “It’s not a horse’s fear, it’s their reaction that matters. If I can minimize that and control their reaction, I can make them safe for
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“IT’S NOT A HORSE’S FEAR, an amateur. Once you have them on your side and riding, then you can ask them to start going out of their comfort zone and IT’S THEIR REACTION THAT MATTERS.” start giving you tricks.” One of the tricks is bowing, where the horse puts their face and knee on the ground and bows to the crowd. Another trick is when the horse simply lays on the ground. Gascon also teaches the horse to rear on command, an action where the animal stands on its hind legs. He can also teach a horse to jump in the back of a truck. “They also play soccer, which is an uncommon thing,” Gascon said. “They kick the ball around. They can also run through an obstacle course with hanging tarps, staircases, jumps and pool noodles.” Cowboy-mounted shooting is a mix of barrel racing and target practice, he said. Gascon and Tito perform in their own show, The Mike and Tito Show, which features a light show in complete darkness. A highlight of the show is a wineglass demonstration, during which a full glass of wine is placed on top of the horse and he gallops around without spilling a drop. It can take years for a horse to learn these tricks, Gascon said. Every movement of the horse is controlled by the connection of the reins between his hands and the horse’s face. He is able to tell them the speed and direction to go. “It takes three things to train a horse,” he said. “Time, time and time. Paso Finos are so willing to give you anything. Their passion for working is unrivaled. In a society where everything is easier and everything comes without effort, where you don’t really have to work for it, the Paso Fino is America’s perfect horse. You don’t have to push them or ask, you just point them in the direction and they go.” Consistent hard work and a singular focus are what Gascon attributes his success to. He studies his craft each day, which he said is the only option he has if he wants to grow. “I live above the barn and roll out of bed, go down the stairs and get onto a horse,” Gascon said. “I eat, sleep and breathe horse all day every day.” Gascon hosts numerous horse clinics every month and plans to open a horsemanship academy this spring. “I want to make the Pasos a household name,” he said. “I”m going to teach the next generation of trainers the proper way to go about it and help find them job opportunities and the skills and the training it really takes to make it in the equine industry. If you haven’t ridden a Paso, you should try one.” PICAYUNEITEM.COM 25
OUT & ABOUT
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CROSSFIT 534 HOMETOWN THROWDOWN On Jan. 31, Crossfit 534 hosted its Hometown Throwdown in Poplarville. 1. From left are Michael Frierson, Nathan Day and Daryl Bosarge. 2. From left are Kristina Lane and Megean Millis. 3. From left are Ed Pinero and Cody Breland. 4. From left are Angie and Tony Smith.
DAR MEETING On Feb. 13, the Picayune Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution hosted their monthly meeting. 5. From left are Gloria Crassons and Emily Lauritzent. 6. From left are Liz Dunphey and Brenda Robinson. 7. From left are Ethel Mae Furr and Jane Chaffin.
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OUT & ABOUT By JEREM Y PIT TARI
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FORGE DAY Crosby Arboretum hosted their annual Forge Day event on Jan. 30. It brought people from Pearl River County and the surrounding area interested in seeing the art of blacksmithing. 1. From left are Walker and Heather Wilson. 2. From left are Jim Fortenberry and Sue Seely. 3. From left are Ryder Coello, Tabitha Coello, Hope Furr, Sonnet Furr and Ann Cagle. 4. From left are James Aabel and Alan Phelps. 5. From left are Elizabeth Treadaway and Thomas Treadaway.
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6. From left are Gerald Mohring and Marion Mohring.
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OUT & ABOUT
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By JEREM Y PIT TARI
PALAZZO VISIT Steven Palazzo made a visit to Picayune on Feb. 16 to speak with city and county officials.
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1. From left are Steven Palazzo and Jim Luke. 2. From left are Tammy Valente, Steven Palazzo, Farron Moeller and Wayne Gouguet. 3. From left are Steven Palazzo and Christy Goss. 4. From left are Steven Palazzo and Joe Wheatley. 5. From left are Steven Palazzo and Larry Breland.
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OUT & ABOUT OUT & ABOUT 1
By C A SSANDR A FAVRE
KREWE OF THE PEARL MARDI GRAS BALL On Jan. 9, the Krewe of the Pearl hosted their third annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Centraplex in Picayune.
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1. From left are Geoff Clapp and Kristie Smith. 2. From left are David Barrows, Kerrington McCurnin, Bobbi Barrows and Candice McCurnin. 3. From left are Ron Lorio and Lisa Lee. 4. From left are Lisa Beck and Sara Rabion. 5. From left are Gladys Hughes and Bonnie Hughes. 6. From left are Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison and Leah Woodward.
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7. From left are Angelo Schibeci and Stefano Schibeci.
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OUT & ABOUT By JEREM Y PIT TARI
PICAYUNE MAIN STREET MEETING Picayune Main Street held their quarterly general membership meeting Feb. 18th where business owners and community members heard about plans with the city of Picayune and the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce.
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1. From left are Rhonda Furby, Judy Wheaton, Maria Diamond and Dara Hooper. 2. From left are Keri Castleberry and Ashtyn Castleberry. 3. From left are Dr. Debbie Moore and Kathy Merwin. 4. From left are Bob and Diane Gibson. 5. From left are Marvin Beebe and Julie Beebe Samples.
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6. From left are Lynn and Ted Barze. 7. From left are Tonya Cialona and Tammy Valente. 8. From left are Reba Beebe and Jo Scheel. 9. From left are Beth Lenoir and Nuria Arias.
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OUT & ABOUT 1
By C A SSANDR A FAVRE
PRCC WOMEN’S HEALTH SYMPOSIUM On Jan. 31, the 10th annual Women’s Health Symposium was held at Pearl River Community College. 1. From left are Betty McClendon, Rhonda Shedd and Kailee McGrew.
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2. From left are Frankie Lee, Donna Cobb, Sonja Hale and Ann Pritchett. 3. From left are Jonathan Brockhaus and Jonathan Sims. 4. From left are Ashlyn Carr, Colleen Mensi, Caleb Lott and Felicia Mitchell. 5. From left are Laura Ryle, Patricia Kirke and Judy Smith. 6. From left are Mike Poletti, Meagan Faggard, Anna Delancey and Meagan Whitworth.
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OUT & ABOUT 2
By JEREM Y PIT TARI
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SCIENCE OLYMPIAD AT PRCC Pearl River Community College hosted the Mississippi Gulf South Regional Science Olympiad for the second year in a row. It is an event to increase young people’s interest in science and technology. 1. From left are Hannah Newman, Jessica Hendry and Jeanine Barber. 2. From left are Seth Orgeron and Hunter Davis. 3. From left are Matt Hendry, Nick Sumrall and Connie Lowe.
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4. From left are Juan Carreon and Eric Million. 5. From left are Shyanne Marasco, Michael Carey and Leia Freret. 6. From left are Keron Joseph and Kevon Marsh.
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OUT & ABOUT
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By C A SSANDR A FAVRE
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A NIGHT WITH FRED HAISE On Feb. 19, Boy Scout Troop 2 hosted a night with Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise at the First United Methodist Church Pittman Life Center. 1. From left are Keith and Crystal Gravois. 2. From left are Elizabeth Olive, Katelyn Olive, Emma Smith, Meagan Macklin and Victoria Kingrey. 3. From left are Trudy Olive, Patricia Olive, Matthew Olive and Lud Pierce. 4. From left are Debbie Mauldin, Amber Mauldin and Randy Mauldin.
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5. From left are Josh Donaldson, Casey Norwood and Fred Haise.
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WHY I LOVE PICAYUNE By C AROL PHARES
Why I Love PICAYUNE
I GREW UP IN JACKSON WHERE shopping was within
walking distance and anything desired could be found. The library had mountains of books and I could walk to at least one of its branches from my home or school. There were museums, concerts and a zoo! But, something was missing. I knew I had a love for anything country: meadows, lakes, trees and all the accompanying wildlife. That’s the first reason I fell in love with Pearl River County. I had never seen anything quite so beautiful. I was first introduced to Picayune and Pearl River County over 40 years ago. Our family bought some acreage out in the county. Growing up in a city as I did, I had to get used to the differences in culture. A friendly neighbor came to our home soon after we bought the property to show us what we now owned. Later, I had to ask my husband what a “branch” was and where was “down yonder”. I soon learned to love these wonderful people who put in gardens, loved the land and knew so much about how to take care of it. Picayune was my next treat to
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discover. I loved the small shops where everyone made me feel so welcome. I’ve been able to watch the city grow from what it was when we first arrived to what it is today. The people in the small shops still greet folks as though they have known them all of their lives, but there is so much more to do here now. We have the restaurants, local as well as the national chains. The Crosby Arboretum speaks to my “inner country”. Picayune is a small town in a rural setting where one can enjoy city living with country charm. It has easy access to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The civic clubs in Picayune offer plenty of opportunities for volunteering, and people in Picayune love to volunteer. The Historical Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Hilda Hoffman Memorial Archives and the Friends of Crosby Library are just a few of the organizations that function with only volunteer help. They bring life to the city; they make it worth living and working here. I loved Crosby Memorial Library from the first and I love
it even more now. I work with a great group of people who bring information and literature to the people of the community. Patrons of the library bring their own unique personalities to my day. From the adult patron who has just learned to read and is checking out books for the first time, to the serious researcher looking for information on the history of the Copeland gang, they all make my life interesting and stimulating. I’ve met wonderful people who love the library as much as I. Working with the Friends of
Crosby Library has been a joy. Their hard work putting on programs, decorating the library foyer, managing the annual book sale, and every other thing they do for the library is an inspiration for me to do a better job. Living in Pearl River County and working in Picayune is a winwin situation for me. I have the best of both worlds and would not, could not, change it. I invite anyone thinking about moving to the area to give us a visit and find out first hand why Picayune is the small, precious coin in the purse of the South.