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EDITOR’S LETTER By JEREM Y PIT TARI
ELCOME
The more things change, the more they stay the same. An iconic home, the desire to join a club and do things for the community or the motivation to grow and sell flowers; these are the things that make life much more interesting. For many years, former band director Johnny Baker gave music lovers an avenue to continue their hobby of playing music in an organized setting through the Pearl River County Community Band. The group’s efforts also brightened up local events, such as Christmas on the Rails. Upon Baker’s passing, a void was left, but now, a new director, Archie Rawls, has filled that vacancy. Do you ever pick out landmarks while riding down a familiar street? I know I do. Most of the time the landmarks I choose are interesting homes, especially when they are painted a unique color. As I drive by them I often wonder who the occupants are and what the interior looks like.
There’s a house in Poplarville that the locals call the “pink house.” In this edition, take a tour of the home, which has been lovingly restored after being unoccupied for 12 years. Part of those renovations included repainting it white. Sunflowers are one of nature’s most iconic blooms. When I think of sunflowers I get a craving for sunflower seeds. One local couple grows these beautiful flowers, not for seeds, but rather as ornamentals. And finally, not everyone in Pearl River County knows that we have an 18-hole golf course right here at Millbrook Country Club. Even more people may not know there’s a golf association for women of all ages called the Ladybugs who utilize that course each Wednesday. Turn the pages to read more about this energetic group of sports enthusiasts.
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CONTENTS 7 MUST-HAVES4
Summer is here. Check out these seven must have items.
36 WHERE?
Test your knowledge of Picayune & see if you can identify our secret locale.
8 SUNFLOWERS One Pearl River County gardener sells her work beautiful sunflowers across the region.
12 HOME: Poplarville Realtor Heather Holliday takes us on a tour of her home.
16 COMMUNITY BAND: Picayune’s Community Band lives on after the passing of its creator.
20 MILLBROOK LADYBUGS: Golf is how these ladies enjoy spending their leisure time.
ON THE COVER
When you think of sunflowers, you may get a craving for sunflower seeds. But one Pearl River County gardener grows a variant of the buds for their beauty. Photo by Julia Arenstam
STAFF LINDA GILMORE Publisher
ADVERTISING Laci Lee
JEREMY PITTARI Associate Publisher
COMPOSITION Jan S Wells
WRITERS Taylor Welsh Julia Arenstam 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, Paul’s Pastry Shop, Apple’s LTD, Watt’s Veterinary Services, Silver Medical Associates, Greater Picayune Chamber of Commerce, and the offices of the Picayune Item and The Poplarville Democrat.
5 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
INFORMATION: Picayune Living is published four times per year by Picayune Newsmedia, LLC. All content is subject to copyright.
30 WHY I LOVE PICAYUNE Picayune Mayor Dr. Ed Pinero Jr., shares his story of why he loves his hometown.
POSTMASTER: Please send any changes of address or undeliverable information attn: Picayune Item, P.O. 580, Picayune, MS 39466
4 SUMMER 2017
Browse the calendar page for a look at this season’s upcoming activities.
24 OUT & ABOUT
See who’s attending the city’s premier events.
WHERE A M I ? By JEREM Y PIT TARI
SCHOOLASTIC PERFORMANCE Do you know where this picture was taken? If you do, then send your guess to news@ picayuneliving.com or post it on Picayune Living’s Facebook page. We will unveil the location in the next edition of Picayune Living. LAST EDITION: If you’ve visited the Pearl River County Fairgrounds on a warm day, you were certainly glad these devices were installed on the ceiling.
WHERE A M I ? By JEREM Y PIT TARI
SEVEN ON 7 By PIC AY UNE LIVING S TAFF
PICAYUNELIVING.COM 7
SUN POWERED BLOOMS By JULIA ARENS TAM
8 SUMMER 2017
Coastal Ridge Farm By Julia Arenstam Terri and Dave Doyle came to Mississippi on a whim over 30 years ago, following Dave’s parents down from upstate New York to start a dairy farm. After Hurricane Katrina, the old barns on their property in the north end of Hancock County were damaged. Though they continued the dairy farm for a while, ultimately it came time to find something that required less physical labor, Terri Doyle said. So, the couple settled on sunflowers and other cut flowers. Now, they have several sprawling acres they sow from March to November. Thousands of bundles of their cultivated flowers are sold at Rouse’s stores in the New Orleans area and at the farmers market in Ocean Springs, Doyle said. The flowers grow so quickly they often till the land and plant new seeds every week during the busy summer season, she said. Then, just when the blooms start to open and a touch of yellow is visible amongst the sea of green, the tall stalks are harvested, Doyle said. Weeding and spraying for bugs isn’t necessary because the flowers are cut before the bugs can get to their favorite yellow bud, Doyle said. Though some of the plants grow multiple blooms off each stalk, Doyle says she has to trim the excess flowers to achieve a single, long-stemmed flower that is better for bouquets.
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After harvesting, the flowers are taken back to the shed where they’re trimmed, washed and placed in a bucket of cold water to soak up some extra moisture. After a few hours, depending on the temperature outside, the petals open up and the flowers are moved to the cooler until they can be transported for sale, Doyle said. The process is expertly timed so the cut flowers can have the longest vase life, she said. On August 15, Coastal Ridge is hosting a sunflower workshop led by the Hancock County Extension Office where participants can learn how to grow different varieties and make arrangements. In October, the farm will hold their first season of U-pick weekends where customers can walk the farm and select some blooms to take home. For more information, visit www.coastalridgefarm. com or www.sunflowerUpick.com.
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10 SUMMER 2017
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HOME SWEET HOME By JEREM Y PIT TARI
12 SUMMER 2017
THE NOW “WHITE HOUSE” IS A WELL-KNOWN POPLARVILLE ICON, WHICH IS IN GOOD HANDS! Homes can become well-known in a community simply by the color they were painted or their prominent location in town. One such home has both. Ask anyone living in and around Poplarville where the “Pink House” can be found, and they will immediately recall it can be seen along Highway 26. Recently repainted white, current owner Heather Holliday said people still refer to it by the previous hue. The house was purchased as a fixerupper three years ago by Heather’s mother, Paulette Holliday. Before that, the home was unoccupied for about 12 years. To their knowledge, the house is the largest in the city, sitting on the largest piece of land within Poplarville. After some necessary renovations were complete over the span of a year, Heather would later take ownership of the 3,600 square foot home, which was originally constructed in 1981. And Heather has some additional plans for it, such as building a barn somewhere on the nearly four-acre lot and fencing in the pecan orchard. The circular concrete driveway in the front of the home was a recent addition, as were the upgrades to the appliances in the kitchen, including stainless steel ovens and refrigerator.
Throughout the home, touches of cypress can be found on the walls, especially in the study, which has a rustic surrounding of pecky cypress. In the foyer, a smoother cypress wall can be found. Hardwood floors adorn the living room and other areas of the home, while tile covers the kitchen floor. A formal dining or breakfast area, which can also double as a sunroom, faces the back yard and pecan orchard. Heather said she is still deciding what to do with the room. Within each of the four bedrooms are antique or custom bedframes. The master bedroom is home to a unique handmade wooden bedframe and a mysterious closet within a closet. Heather said it’s unknown why another closet is hidden behind the closet in the master bathroom, but the space is used well. In the back yard are two storage buildings, one features a covered patio with a swing. They serve as storage space for all of Heather’s two-wheeled and four-wheeled toys. A wood-burning fireplace can be found in the living room, and to keep the entire home cool, a new HVAC system was installed. Heather said the home is so efficient her electric bill is very affordable and she never hears the traffic from the adjacent highway.
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The garage includes large windows and a door-less entryway for vehicles. Brick and wrought iron adorn the steps to the entryway of the home within the garage.
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MUSIC & THE ARTS By JULIA ARENS TAM
PEARL RIVER COUNTY COMMUNITY BAND 16 SUMMER 2017
PEARL RIVER COUNTY COMMUNITY BAND
By Julia Arenstam
As the group of musicians settles in to what feels eerily similar to high school band practice, the new director of the Pearl River County Community Band steps up to the podium. The group is comprised of about 40 members, from high school students to experienced former band directors and every age in between. Since 2008, the group has gathered at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday evenings to share their love of music. Founded by a group of community members, local band directors, school district donation and accountants who donated instruments, music and funds, Johnny Baker served as the first director until his passing in March, Lydia Jelinski, treasurer and secretary of the PRC Community Band, said. “There was never a doubt that we would continue the band,” she said. Now, former Fine Arts Director at Pearl River Community College Archie Rawls has stepped in to direct the group. “I’m honored to take this on,” he said.
After working with Baker in the past and forming a lifelong friendship, Rawls said Baker was a “larger than life figure” who had a lasting impact on the community. The viability of the band is “a testament to the character of the man,” Rawls said. Rawls said he met Baker during a junior high band camp he attended as student in Poplarville. From there, he attended PRCC and the University of Southern Mississippi before coming back to teach at PRCC for 35 years. Due to their previous successes, and the rarity of a community band in such a small town, Jelinski said she hopes to double its size by the time the group reconvenes after the summer vacation. The group practiced three times this spring, energized by a new director and a fresh start.
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PEARL RIVER COUNTY COMMUNITY BAND
“Everybody just loves to play and it’s a group experience,” Jelinski said. “You miss that sense of family.” While rehearsals are full of excitement, they also produce some of the best music, she said. Many of the members have also participated in the competitive Mississippi Lions All-State band sponsored by the Mississippi Lions Club, Jelinski said. Mississippi’s band has won the national competition
more than 30 times, and is currently on an eight-year winning streak. The group plans to train this summer at PRCC in hopes of continuing that reign, she said. After playing some of the inaugural events at PRCC’s Brownstone Center for the Arts, Jelinski said it would be an honor to play at the new stage at Crosby Commons in Picayune. Anyone interested in joining the band is asked to email Jelinski at lydiakj@yahoo.com.
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18 SUMMER 2017
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DAY ON THE COURSE By TAY LOR WEL SH
Millbrook ladybugs
20 SUMMER 2017
LADYBUGS KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN! A local women’s golf association considers itself to be one of the most enjoyable clubs for women of all ages in the surrounding area, and backs it up with exciting events that people would normally never get the chance to be a part of, Ladybugs Secretary Matty Jo Fox said. The Millbrook Ladybugs Golf Association is not a run-of-the-mill golf club. Each Wednesday, the Ladybugs load their golf bags onto their carts and head out to the links, playing different formats that keep the competitive nature of golf fun. “We love to compete, and playing just ordinary golf every single time can get a bit daunting. So, to spice things up, we like to play different formats, get into teams and just have a great time on the course,” Ladybugs member Beverly Mitchell said. The Ladybugs also hold annual tournaments filled with these different formats, as well as some quirky twists to spark laughter and amusement. Throughout the year, the Ladybugs hold tournaments including Mardi Gras, Ringer, Low Net and a Club Championship at the end of the year. Fox said the highlight of the year is seeing all of the costumes each Ladybug member bravely wears during the Halloween Spooktacular tournament. During this event, Millbrook is swarmed by Ladybug members wearing their favorite Halloween costumes while enjoying each other’s company and having what Fox said is the most fun round of golf anyone will have. “It’s a blast seeing all the costumes and watching people play golf in them. You never see that, ever. We all laugh at one another and have the time of our lives,” Fox said, adding that the association opened doors to lifelong relationships with the other members.
By Taylor Welsh The purpose of the Millbrook Ladybug Golf Association is to help one another improve their game through sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the recognition of individual achievements through awards and luncheons, Fox said. The club welcomes women of all ages and skill levels. “If women who enjoy golf are tired of playing meaningless rounds of golf, they should join. We compete and push one another to get better each day and have fun the whole time,” Mitchell said, who has been best friends with some of the other Ladybug members for over 30 years. The Ladybugs also serves as a good starting point for women who want to get their feet wet in the game of golf. However, in order to join the Ladybugs, interested parties must have a handicap. This requirement can be easily filled when members get together and play rounds on Saturdays. The Ladybugs don’t just show up at the golf course and play rounds of golf, they also contribute to the golf and country club, helping renovate the ladies’ locker rooms at Millbrook, volunteering at the annual Special Olympics golf tournament and the US Kids tournament. “I love all of these women and consider them all my dear friends. We have so much fun together and are also there for one another when the times get rough. I can’t wait to get out here and have some girl time with all of these wonderful ladies,” one of the newest Ladybug members Mindy Pollock said. Dues are affordable, around $25 a year, so joining the Millbrook Ladybugs Golf Association is a great way to play golf with a group of likeminded women, compete in a fun environment and make deep relationships in the process.
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Millbrook Ladybugs dress for success on the links
22 SUMMER 2017
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OUT & ABOUT 1
By TAY LOR WEL SH
ROCKIN’ AND GRILLIN’ PALOOZA Pearl River County residents attended Picayune Main Street’s Rockin and Grillin Palooza 1. From left are Earl and Judy McKay. 2. From left are James Lirette, Terri Canzoneri, Donny G. and Justin Proctor. 3. From left are Kelton Thompson and Louis Graham.
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STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM
The Strawberries and Cream Festival at the Crosby Arboretum is a popular event that celebrates the history of the location. 4. Cindy Stockstill poses with her two grandchildren. 5. Pictured from left are Denise Steil, Katie Steil and Nancy Crowe. 6. From left are Nancy and Ken Hall.
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OUT & ABOUT By JEREM Y PIT TARI
DANCING WITH THE RELAY STARS
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Each year supporters of Relay for Life gather at a formal event to dine and watch locals vie for awards based on their dancing skills. 1. From left are Christy and Kevin Goss. 2. From left are David and Eileen Baker. 3. From left are John and Laurie Huck. 4. From left are Melissa and Alan Lumpkin. 5. From left are Wornett and Donald Hart.
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24 SUMMER 2017
OUT & ABOUT
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By JULIA ARENS TAM
LOVE YOUR SELFIE
Members of the Rotary Club of Picayune hosted an inspirational event for young women in the community.
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1. From left are Kamryn Clymer, Madalyn Huey and Marquita Sanders. 2. From left are Cailynn Gerald, Izzy Scardino, Emily Goss, Gracie Frank and Hannah Davis. 3. From left are Capri Miller, Isabella Ramsay, Tiffany Ramsay, Kristina Sleik and Camri Sleik.
A TASTE TO REMEMBER
Members of the community joined the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce for a night of wine and food. 4. From left are Robert and Jane Coleman. 5. Glen Mussemann, Diane Sonait, Mike Sonait, Carol Musseman, Sally Edwards and Bill Edwards. 6. From left are Bryan Dawsey, Tonya Cialona, Wendy Lamulle and Paula Crosby.
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OUT & ABOUT By JEREM Y PIT TARI
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STREET FESTIVAL
Fun, food and shopping is had twice a year at Picayune Main Street’s Street Festival. 1. From left are Jo Scheel, Claiborne “Buddy” McDonald, Reba Beebe and Angie Cross. 2. From left are Paula Adams and Allison, Ryan, Emery and Chord Stockstill. In the child carrier is Wesley Stockstill 3. From left are Rylie Moore and Kelly Harvey. 4. From left are Piper, Rachel and Emma Bennett. 5. From left are Linda Hanberry, Bill Roberts and Kathy Holland.
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OUT & ABOUT By JULIA ARENS TAM
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RELAY FOR LIFE 5K
Pearl River County’s Relay for Life held the annual 5K and fun run along Goodyear Boulevard. 1. From left are Jordan Roche and Abby Graham. 2. From left Judy Weldon, Evelyn Mack and Jill Whipple. 3. From left are Lisa Keene, Amy Smith and son, Paula Wallace, Lisa Mitchell, Torie Rosen, Patti Bruno, Brianna Matthews, Beth Gonzales and Taylor Fail.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY 5K
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Members of the Rotary Club of Picayune held a 5K and fun run in time for St. Patrick’s Day. 4. From left are Kaleb Raybon and Chris Fleming. 5. From left are Aryna Hollander and Shelley Deville. 6. From left are Karina Smith, Jason Grice and Lela Guidry.
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OUT & ABOUT By JEREM Y PIT TARI and TAY LOR WEL SH
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PAWTY IN THE PARK
Members of Pearl River County’s Animal Adoption Society Inc. held a fundraiser to provide medical care to foster animals. 1. From left are Rita Jones, Marti Martin, Betty Bond, Cindy Hoppe, Evelyn Agnelly and Joseph Allen. 2. From left are Penny Smith, Tammy Lacombe and George Smith. 3. From left are Nancy Norton and Chris Bounds.
SHOT CLINIC
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The Pearl River County SPCA held its annual opportunity for community members to receive low cost vaccinations and shots for their beloved pets. 4.From left are Caleb Delanuville, Ashley Hutchinson and Ben Garfield. 5.From left are Jared Fitts, Beau Pere, Lauren Fitts, Lisa Cipriani, Stevie Stanford and Isabella Cipriani. 6.From left are Kacy Ursin and Gabby Anderson.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 7 CROSBY ARBORETUM CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: INSECTS From 10:00 a.m. to noon children will enjoy this fun and educational entomology event led by Hancock County Extension Agent Christian Stephenson. After a brief overview of insects, including why they are important to our environment, the children will go on an insect collecting expedition around the Arboretum grounds. Members free; non-members’ children $2. Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian (no charge for adults). Register by July 6. JULY 12, 13 & 14 CHRISTMAS IN JULY Picayune Main Street will hold its annual Christmas in July shopping event in downtown Picayune. This event is a prime opportunity to patronize local businesses and get in the holiday spirit, six months early. Santa will make a special visit to town and local businesses will offer special deals. JULY 22 CROSBY ARBORETUM: ALL ABOUT HUMMINGBIRDS From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Long-time hummingbird bander James Bell will reveal how you can fill your yard with hummingbirds.’ Learn what is going on in the hummingbird’s life, how they feed, why they fight so much, and simple tips and tricks to attract them, giving you a chance to enjoy the beauty of one of nature’s most dazzling creations. Suited to ages 8 and up. Members free, non-member adults $5, children $2. Register by July 21. AUGUST 19 NATIVE PLANT SUMMER FIELD WALK From 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. join Arboretum director Pat Drackett on an early morning field walk to explore what is currently blooming in the Savanna Exhibit and pitcher plant bog. Plants of interest will be discussed along the journey, highlighting how you can use them in the home landscape and their value to wildlife. Bring your camera, and dress for walking. Members free; non-members $5. Register by August 18. OCTOBER 21 BLUES & HERITAGE FESTIVAL / ROCKIN & GRILLIN BBQ From 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. bring your lawn chairs and enjoy beautiful downtown Picayune during Picayune Main Street’s annual Blues and Heritage Festival. The festival will feature live entertainment, an art market by the Pearl River County Arts League, and a Storybook Fest by the Greater Picayune Arts Council. NOVEMBER 4-5 PICAYUNE MAIN STREET FALL STREET FESTIVAL Take a walk down East and West Canal Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day to see the local and regional vendors offering handmade crafts, candles, antiques and jewelry. Food will also be available offering culinary treats. PICAYUNELIVING.COM 29 PICAYUNELIVING.COM 29
WHY I LOVE PICAYUNE BY MAYOR ED PINERO
Congratulations to all 2017 High School Graduates! Congratulations to all of the 2017 high school graduates! I sincerely hope these individuals have formed life-long friendships and memories that cannot be erased by time. The recent graduations that took place around Pearl River County have given me an opportunity to reflect on one aspect of my childhood and one of the many reasons why I love Picayune. When I was growing up, we spent our days hunting, fishing, working, swimming in Boley Creek or hanging out on Goodyear Boulevard. If you have no memories of “hanging on the Boulevard” you certainly missed out on a true societal phenomenon. The Boulevard was the peak of an era of face-to-face socializing, which taught us some of our greatest life lessons. There was always a positive energy on the Boulevard; it was one of those happy places which gave me and my friends some wonderful high school memories. People would plan for days in advance to meet on the Boulevard. The crowds were always thick and the cars and trucks clean, and you could be sure that everyone would be there. It was far more than just cruising the Boulevard, it was the interaction with all of the different people who gathered. No complexities at all, just talking face-to-face with friends. Thinking back, I recall a few people had some interesting ideas about what would happen to children because of the Boulevard. Well, today, we are doctors, dentists, lawyers, teachers, preachers, soldiers, engineers, managers, business owners, politicians, mothers, fathers and every other occupation you can imagine, obviously not what they expected. Heck, we were just kids doing what kids do. Although Goodyear Boulevard has changed over the years, those of us lucky enough to experience this era are truly blessed with fond memories of Picayune. I love the fact that time never stands still. Over the years things have certainly improved on Goodyear Boulevard. The Picayune Memorial High School is now the Picayune Junior High School and Crosby Hospital and the old blanket factory are just a memory. We have seen the modernization and growth of First Baptist Church, the historic Picayune City Hall and the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library; the installation of our Military Veterans Memorials, upgrades to Jack Read Park and the development of the brand new Crosby Commons. Certainly not the Boulevard of the 80’s. Today you still see people on the Boulevard, except now they are mostly on foot or bike. You cannot find a day when people are not in one of the parks, viewing the memorials or strolling up and down Goodyear Boulevard exercising and enjoying the scenery. The people are socializing and smiling with hardly a care in the world. Picayune is a city filled with people who are happy and passionate about life. To know Picayune is to Love Picayune. Although I can say I love Picayune for many reasons, ultimately I love Picayune simply because this is a fantastic place to live and raise a family!
30 SUMMER 2017