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APRIL 2021A compendium of what’s happening in BiloxiAN APRIL SHOWER OF NEWSBiloxi to cast ballotsin Wards 1, 4, 5 and 6Spring break andthe traffic plan– Page 8– Page 4Openings and closingsThe latest on the virusand the vaccinationsWoolmarket City Center, Page 4Shriners Boulevard, Page 10– Pages 6-7Shuckerscounting downto first pitchIt’s a birthdaylandingfor astronautFred HaiseRandom news and views– Page 16– An update,Page 10– Page 9New novel isa 1900s Biloxipage turner– Page 12Who remembersAbbie’s Little Diner? – Pages 22-23biloxi.ms.us Even more insideBack in the Day. 22BTV in April. 21Calendar. 17Infrastructure maps. 14Nick L. Shrimp. 2Public meetings. 19Random notes. 16VA Today. 13BNews Monthly – April 2021 – 1
Elder statesman John Warner,on a stop at Keesler in the wakeof Katrina, had the most-colorfuldescription of the devastation.Gimmesome ofthat oldtimepolitickingFar be it from us to turn these pagespolitical (as politics go, we’re pro-Biloxi, forthe record), but as Election Day nears, fondlywe remember the Biloxi politicking of the past.Blame the electronic era, namely televisionat the outset, then the explosion of socialmedia, and now, of course, the waning daysof the pandemic.You just don’t see the political rallies as youdid in the Good Ol’ Days.What an environment it was, back in theday, when candidates would take to thepodium on a stage before dozens of localvoters at church bazaars and other gatherings.They were look-you-in-the-eye events, wherewould-be officeholders glad handed, and,depending on their station in public life, eitherrailed for better days or praised the manybenefits of the status quo.Such gatherings typically occurred in anoutdoor field, most commonly on church orschool grounds amidst a collection of boothsoffering hamburgers, hot dogs or a seafooddish. There were cake walks, live music,dunking booths and maybe even a dice gameor a row of nickel slot machines.“Politicking or campaigning in those dayswas real All-American sweaty, workinghard politics,” said Ted Riemann, a politicalstrategist and gadfly from Gulfport. “It wascolorful, not like it is today, mostly on socialmedia.”It was, frankly, a matter of wholesale vs.retail campaigning.Nonetheless, today, they say (and evenno less an authority than Riemann agrees),successful candidates on the local levelmust wear out the shoe leather, canvassingneighborhoods, knocking on doors andlistening, and making their case one on one,ever so briefly, to the person answering thedoor before moving to the next door.Alas, we tip the cap to those with thegumption to put their names on the ballot, toput themselves in the arena.In the most noble of the cases, theyepitomize those storied words of TeddyRoosevelt:“It is not the critic who counts; not the manwho points out how the strong man stumbles,or where the doer of deeds could have donethem better.“The credit belongs to the man who isactually in the arena, whose face is marredby dust and sweat and blood; who strivesvaliantly; who errs, who comes short againand again, because there is no effort withouterror and shortcoming; but who does actuallystrive to do the deeds; who knows greatenthusiasms, the great devotions; whospends himself in a worthy cause; who at thebest knows in the end the triumph of highachievement, and who at the worst, if he fails,at least fails while daring greatly, so that hisplace shall never be with those cold and timidsouls who neither know victory nor defeat.”***To be sure, one of our favorite politicalanecdotes didn’t even involve local politics,but a collection of powerful U.S. Senators thatgathered in Biloxi.It was a few weeks after Katrina, when Sen.Thad Cochran led a delegation of a dozen orso U.S. senators to tour the damage at federalinstallations along the Gulf Coast. One of thestops, of course, was Keesler Air Force Base.The group included Ted Kennedy ofMassachusetts, former VP candidate JoeLieberman of Connecticut and Tennessee’sBill Frist, who was Senate majority leader atthe time.Mayor Holloway, speaking to the group afterlunch at Keesler, quipped that Biloxi hadn’tseen this much federal power in Biloxi sincethe Kefauver hearings.“Come here, Mayor,” Sen. Ted Kennedylater harrumphed to Holloway, motioningfor the Biloxi mayor to grab a nearby seat.“Mayor, watch out for those damn insurancecompanies,” and he pointed to Joe Liebermanand said, “and he’s from Connecticut wheremost of them are from.”And Virginia Sen. John Warner – adecorated veteran, former Secretary ofthe Navy and sixth husband of the actressElizabeth Taylor – had a blunt assessment ofthe Katrina devastation. “Mayor Holloway, I’man old man,” Warner said. “I’ve been throughthree wars and five wives, but I’ve never seenanything as bad as this.”***Erratum: How on earth we could do it, butwe did. Clark Griffith’s wife’s name is Jean,not June as printed in this space last month.Apologies to a three-star wife. And, lastly, areference to the Biloxi Bay Area Chamber ofCommerce mistakenly said the chamber wasoriginally known as the Biloxi Businessmen’sClub. Wrong again. Today’s Biloxi Bay AreaChamber of Commerce was originally knownas the Biloxi Business Council. Says WayneHengen, one of the founders of the Biloxi Baygroup: “The Biloxi Businessmen’s Club is verymuch still in existence today and active, andI know you don’t want to make any of themmad.” True dat, Wayne, true dat.The nom de plume Nick L. Shrimp is a homage to the late Walter Fountain, original olde crab, longtime editor of the Biloxi-D’Iberville Press, and longtime Biloxi Chamber of Commerce manager.2 – BNews Monthly – April 2021biloxi.ms.us
Just LOOK at all ourfabulous local tenants! Edgewater Mall has a millionsquare-feet of retail, restaurantsand entertainment in a safe andclimate-controlled environment.L.COMEDGEWATERMALbiloxi.ms.us Visit us foryour Springshopping! Bella Rose BoutiqueCustom Tees ClothingLevel UpMarisol’sMen’s AvenueMy Kind of Place OutfitterPin Ups Spa & BoutiqueSmash ClothingVictoria LynnCell CrazeCell Max IIFix TechWireless WizardAqua MassageBasta BeautyGulf Coast MobileMassage SpaLee NailsBella & Beaux SalonPerfume GalleryTrendsetters Barber ShopGold CenterThe Gold ShopTraditional JewelersTreasuresGames, Inc.Rock Climb WallZoofariCBD PlusE VapesPuzzles USAGulf Coast Cards andSports MemorabiliaSunglass WorldThe EpitomeMasquerade AlterationsRonahi EmbroideryMoWorkPeek A BoosGulf Coast MobileMassage SpaShoeman FreshGold OutletDILLARD’S JCPENNEY BELK FOOD COURTHWY 90 ON THE BEACH 228-388-3424BNews Monthly – April 2021 – 3
h HillIbervilleVeteransCSX noirDivisionMS CoastColiseumGrovePine GrovGrande ort BiloxiEisenhowerEisenho605Popp’s FerryThe traffic planTowLotRestroomsUU.S.S. 9090 isis limitedlimited ttoo ttwo-lanewo-llane ttrafficraffic bbetweenetween CCowanowan RRoadoad aandnd II-110-1110First AidsA word about “venting”90When U.S. 90 traffic approaches gridlock,motorists will be directed to 605/CowanRoad or I-110 and ultimately I-10. No turnsor stopping will be permitted, you mustfollow directions of officers directing traffic.Process may last for 30 minutes or more.Westboundtraffic90EastboundtrafficGet Spring Breaktraffic advisoriesRight lane is for trafficLeft lane is for emergency vehicles onlyText BILOXI to 99411to receive City of BiloxiB-Alert traffic advisories.Left lane is for emergency vehicles onlyRight lane is for trafficApril 9-11, 2021Spring break – and traffic plan – in the worksStill looking for more signs of “normalcy” as theCOVID-19 numbers decrease and vaccinationsincrease?Spring break, the loosely organized ritual of springin Biloxi, is coming back April 9-11, and the city isdusting off its special events traffic plan to keep trafficmoving.The plan, which typically is also used for specialevents throughout the year, involves traffic cones todivide lanes of U.S. 90 traffic between I-110 in Biloxiand Cowan Road in Gulfport. The cones, which willbe in place on the morning of Friday, April 9 will helppolice, if needed, reduce traffic to one lane – reservingthe left lanes each way for emergency traffic.“This is all about making sure traffic moves safelyand that we avoid gridlock,” said Biloxi Police ChiefJohn Miller. “We appreciate the public’s cooperation.”As thousands of motorists and spring breakers arrivein the city for the event – numbers unknown at thiswriting – police will transition traffic signals into flashingmode and may prohibit left turns at major intersections.Advisories will be relayed through the city’s B-Alerttext messaging system. Text BILOXI to 99411 toreceive the free updates.Woolmarket City Center to formally openA ribbon will be cut on Thursday,April 15 at 5:30 p.m. to formallydedicate the Woolmarket CityCenter, a facility that has been inthe works for more than a year,sidelined by COVID-19 and now isready to open its doors fully.Refreshments and light fare willbe served for the brief ceremonyand the public will have a chanceto tour the facility, which is at13034 Kayleigh Cove Drive, offWoolmarket Road.The center represents a milliondollar investment for the city andalso includes the Woolmarketbranch of the Harrison CountyLibrary, which formerly operatedout of a small trailer before movingto its 2,000-square feet in thecenter in 2018. Harrison Countyalso provided in-kind services forthe city center, such as paving the4 – BNews Monthly – April 2021News& notesAfternoondrive:Motoristson I-110 are seeing heavier,slow-moving northboundtraffic each afternoon from 4to 6. Chalk it up to some ofthe 35,000 motorists who dailyused the Fort Bayou bridge inOcean Springs, closed untilmid-May for 20 million inupgrades.09 41parking lot.The community room portionof the center can accommodate300 people typically, but COVIDguidelines limit use to groupsof 150 to 200, or 100 seatedcomfortably.“We have chairs and roundtables, a small stage, a smallkitchen,” said Sherry Bell,the city’s Parks & RecreationDepartment director. “This venuewould be ideal for small familyreunions or birthday parties orsmall bridal or baby showers.”In fact, the first event scheduledfor the room will take place afterthe public ribbon cutting, whenWard 7 Councilmember NathanBarrett will holds a ward meeting.For rental information –cost begins at 200 – emailreservations@biloxi.ms.us or callTina Cowart, 228-388-2443.Get the 411:More than 6,200people havesigned up at thenew addressfor B-Alert, thecity’s textingservice. Signup for free:Text BILOXI to99411.99411B-Alert is gettinganew number andifyou want to stay inthe 411, we needyou to sign upforthe 411. Pleasetext BILOXI to99411. That'sB-I-L-O-X-I to99411.Charitable giving: Sparklighthas announced 200,000 fornon-profits in the company’s21-state footprint. Nonprofits can apply in Aprilat www.sparklight.com/charitablegiving.biloxi.ms.us
AWARD WINNINGWINES & CUISINE!Growinggratitudefor natureAs recipients of theMississippi PowerEnvironmental EducationGrants, 12 teachers areguiding students toappreciate and preserveour natural resources bydeveloping butterfly gardens,campus-wide recycling, STEMexperiments and recycle playgrounds.Please join us in thanking andcongratulating the Mississippi PowerEnvironmental Education Grant teachersfor creating brighter days ahead for ourOpen Thursday - Sunday5 PM - 10 PMCall Today (228) 432-8888or reserve at OpenTable.com.LOCATED ATstudents and our environment.Read recipients’ stories at mississippipower.com.BILOXI’S ONLY SMOKE FREE CASINO158 HOWARD AVE, BILOXI, MS us BNews Monthly – April 2021 – 5
Coronavirus by the numbersSee updates Fridayon the city’sFacebook page.Harrison County – Overall (as of March 16, 2021)17,13217,000March 16, 202115300Positive cases301,250(as ofMarch 16)Presumed recovered(as ofMarch 15)Deaths6,929March 16, 2021251250Population: 2.97 Million287,341Harrison County – Daily Cases15,000Statewide overallJan. 13, 2021(as ofMarch 16)Hospitalizations200287150Harrison County – Deaths100Vaccinations administered30010,000296March 16, 202150(as ofMarch 15)25088,462(as ofMarch 15)People fully vaccinated200-50150Harrison 2Jul24Aug.5Aug.17Aug.29Sept.10Sept.22Oct. 4Oct. 16Oct. 28Nov. 9Nov. 21Dec. 3Dec. 15Dec. 27Jan.8Jan.20Feb.1Feb.13Feb.25MaMa rchrch 9160323,819(as ofMarch 15)MaPopulation: 208,080Fully 0Jul12Jul24Aug.5Aug.17Aug.29Sept.10Sept.22Oct. 4Oct. 16Oct. 28Nov. 9Nov. 21Dec. 3Dec. 15Dec. 27Jan.8Jan.20Feb.1Feb.13Feb.25MaMa rchrch 916Apr2MaApr07505,000COVID-19 VaccinationsVisit online at biloxi.ms./coronavirus-infopractical-advice/ for links to the MississippiState Department of Health’s free drivethru COVID-19 vaccination locations,and to health care and pharmaciesadministering the vaccination.6 – BNews Monthly – April 2021biloxi.ms.us Jan.14.20JanJan.2.8JanJan2Oct. 28Nov. 3Nov. 9Nov. 15Nov. 21Nov. 27Dec. 3Dec. 9Dec. 15Dec. 21Dec. 276t. 2Oct. 10biloxi.ms.us Oct. 4t. ay25May31Apr75Mar20Apr1Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline:877-978-6453u For more details, visit online at ews Monthly – April 2021 – 7
Polling placesWard 11A . . . . . . .Gruich Community Center591 Howard Ave.1B . . . . . . .Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center170 Porter Ave.Ward 22A . . . . . . .East Biloxi Senior Center461 Parker St.(Formerly voted at Carl M. Ohr Fire Station No. 3)2B . . . . . . .Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Municipal Building676 MLK Blvd.(Formerly voted at Saenger Theater)2C . . . . . . .Lee Chinn Fire Station No. 4168 Veterans Ave.Ward 33 . . . . . . .West Biloxi Branch Library2047 Pass RoadWard 44 . . . . . . .Margaret Sherry Library &Fire Station Complex2141 Popp’s Ferry RoadWard 55 . . . . . . .Donal Snyder Sr. Community Center2520 Pass RoadWard 66 . . . . . . .A.J. Holloway Sports Complex765 Wells Drive(Formerly voted at Business Technology Center)Ward 77 . . . . . . .Woolmarket City Center13034 Kayleigh Cove(Formerly voted at Woolmarket Fire Station No. 8)Map also availableonline at biloxi.ms.usFour wards vote April 6 in Republican primaryIt’s municipal election year in Biloxi, and four ofthe seven City Council seats are being contestedin the upcoming April 6 Republican primaries.Republican and Democratic Executivecommittees in February announced thequalified candidates to Biloxi Municipal ClerkStacy Thacker.Incumbent Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich andCouncilmembers Dixie Newman of Ward 3 andNathan Barrett of Ward 7 face no oppositionin the upcoming elections, but partyprimaries will be conducted in four contestedRepublican races: Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6.Three Republicans will be on the ballotin Ward 1, and two in Wards 4, 5 and 6.Nominees chosen in the primaries andindependent candidates will face off in theJune 8 general election. In fact, Democratincumbents George Lawrence (Ward 1) andFelix O. Gines (Ward 2), unchallenged in theprimary, will not appear on the ballot until theJune election.Biloxi operates under a Mayor-Council formof government: A mayor runs the day-today operation of the city and policymakingcouncilmembers are elected from seven wardsthroughout the city.8 – BNews Monthly – April 2021The Republicanson the April 6 ballotWard 1Keith AndersonSteve “Stevie” Brosh Jr.Becca VanderfordWard 4Robert L. Deming IIIRodney McGilvaryWard 5Terry SheltonPaul TisdaleWard 6Jason A. GibsonKenny GlavanAbsentee ballotsavailable forqualified votersAbsentee voting is now taking place weekdaysthrough April 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the April6 Republican primary.Some registered voters are eligible to vote byan absentee ballot because of age, health, workdemands, temporary relocation for educationalpurposes or their affiliation with the U.S. ArmedForces.For details on whether you are eligible, contactMunicipal Clerk Stacy Thacker via email atsthacker@biloxi.ms.us or 228-435-6254.See more info on city websiteThe city’s website has a detailed mapshowing ward lines, polling places and a list ofcandidates.Click on Voter Information on the left side ofany page online at biloxi.ms.us.biloxi.ms.us
Shuckers baseballis just around the corner!By Dustin FishmanBiloxi ShuckersAfter what seems like an eternity, the BiloxiShuckers 2021 campaign is scheduled tokick off at MGM Park on Tuesday, May 11.When the players hit the field this season,it will be for the first time in 20 months thataffiliated baseball has been played at 105Caillavet St. The Shuckers couldn’t be moreexcited to welcome fans back for what will bea special season.The excitement is already brewing in theShuckers front office, with Shuck Nationmembers and fans. After getting creativelast summer by hosting events such asSchooner’s Landing, stadium tours, andbatting practice, it’s fair to say that everyoneis ready for the return of baseball.Fans should keep in mind that the 2019squad came within a game of taking homethe Southern League Championship. It’salso worth mentioning that the MilwaukeeBrewers and Biloxi Shuckers recently agreedto extend their relationship for the nextdecade, securing a high caliber of baseballbiloxi.ms.us Get tickets andmore info atbiloxishuckers.comon the Mississippi Gulf Coast over the next 10 years.Many questions have flooded the Shuckersrecently regarding Hurricane Zeta repairs, individualgame tickets and the release of apromotional schedule.Fans should know that theShuckers and the City of Biloxi areworking together on stadium repairsand the stadium will be back intip top shape come opening day.Information regarding individual gametickets and the promotional schedulewill be released in the near future.Fans can expect some changes whenvisiting their hometown team, includingreduced capacity to start the season,sanitizing stations throughout the park, digitaltickets and more. But these are all necessarymeasures in order to ensure baseball canreturn to Biloxi this season.Be sure that the Shuckers are workinghand-in-hand with Major League Baseballas well as the City of Biloxi to make surethat they are operating safely and followingguidelines in place to play ball this year.BNews Monthly – April 2021 – 9
Fred Haise statue to land in Biloxi for birthday weekendShriners to closefor huge drainageimprovementsStewart RdJim Byrd RdRdOldWoolmarketLorraine RddShrine rs BlvdnlawakRoad ClosureTo Thru TrafficCedar Lake RdHwy 60 5OldWoolmarketRtOesW67 «Woolmarket Rd5wy 110§ 10§ RdWoolmarket RdHOldDetour (All Vehicles)Hwy 67Shorecrest RdDetour (No Trucks)ohn RdeinrraLoLegendn-krHudso7y6dWoolmarket RdRoad Closure (To Thru Traffic)y67³Hw605HwRoadClosure15 «OldJohnLeeRVU67 «510 – BNews Monthly – April 2021Shriners BoulevardRoad Closure To Thru Traffic and Detour RoutesHwy 60The huge drainage project that has beentaking place along Woolmarket Road will crossShriners Boulevard in April, prompting 11,000motorists to detour off the major roadway northof Interstate 10.The 1.4 million project, which has seen newdrainage lines installed along Woolmarket Roadto Old Highway 67, will see Shriners Boulevardclose just north of Woolmarket Road for aslong as two months, from April 1 to June 1, but“if weather cooperates we should be finishedahead of that deadline,” says Bobby Carson ofthe city’s Engineering Department.The work will see two culverts -- 10-footwide by six-foot tall by 58-foot long -- placedacross Shriners, which along with other workto the east of Shriners Boulevard will doublethe capacity to drain stormwater from newresidential subdivisions in the area.The detour route uses Woolmarket Roadand Old Highway 67 to bypass the work area.The city also has constructed a temporaryroadway – for local traffic only and no trucks –to accommodate businesses near the ShrinersWoolmarket intersection.Sculptor Mary Ott Tremmel Davidsonshapes the torso of the 8-foot statue.Photo by August Taconi.me that it captures his image,” Davidson said.The statue commemorating Biloxi native“If I can do that, I will feel like it’s a good job.”and Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise, whichPlans are still in the offing for the Nov.has faced challenges not unlike the space13 weekend; Haise turns 88 on Nov. 14. Amission itself, is back on track toward a Nov.number of community co-sponsors, headed13 dedication at its pedestal south of theby Mississippi Power and the MississippiBiloxi Lighthouse.Development Authority, areA preliminary look at the statueinvolved in the project, whichhad been planned for April 13,commemorates Biloxi’s most2020, the 50th anniversary offamous citizen. Haise, who livesApollo 13, but was postponedin Houston today, is one of onlybecause COVID-19 and artistGet an update from24 astronauts to have gone toMary Ott Tremmel Davidsonsculptor Mary Ottthe moon.being diagnosed with cancer.At the site, Hurricane Zeta“I must say, it’s been a longTremmel Davidson,damaged nearby circular ballardsroad, but it’s much, muchsee her progress, andin an area that will be knownbetter,” Davidson said the othersee the history of theas “the Moonwalk,” but theday. “I’m working away, and IFred Haise projectpedestal for the statue, a six-footmust say that having this projectin “Mission Update”tall circular concrete structurewas a wonderful positive thing.airing daily on BTV indesigned to represent the base ofBetween the cancer and theApril, at 8 a.m., 8 p.m.virus out there, I could have aand 2 in the afternoon. a Saturn V rocket, was unmoved.“We’re already working onfocus. I am very grateful.”dressing up that area,” MayorDavidson said the clay statueAndrew “FoFo” Gilich said. “We certainly were– an 8-foot likeness of a spacesuit-garbeddisappointed that COVID delayed things lastHaise cradling his helmet – will arrive at ayear, and we’ve prayed for Mary in the interim,foundry in June, where it will begin a threebut the thing to remember is this: We’re doingmonth process to create two sets of moldsjust what Fred Haise did back on Apollo 13.before the bronze statue is fired.And the reaction so far? “People have toldYou have a plan and you pivot as needed.”Rd10§ Shriners Boulevard will be closedto thru traffic beginning onApril 1, 2021 at 8 a.m. throughJune 1, 2021 at 6 a.m.biloxi.ms.us
CITY OF BILOXI PUBLIC NOTICEAvailability of Information Relative tothe City’s 2021 One-Year Action PlanInformation about Biloxi’s 2021 One-Year Action PlanComponent of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for theCommunity Development Block Grant (CDBG) EntitlementProgram is now available, as required by the U.S. Departmentof Housing and Urban Development.Information includes planning, development, andimplementation of the program andavailable documents include: CDBG General Program Rules andRegulations; Citizen Participation Plan; and A Residential Anti-Displacement andRelocation Assistance Plan for the Cityof Biloxi.Visit the Engineering Department, 214-A Delauney St., Biloxi,weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information is available tothe public for at least five years. Details: Federal programs,228-435-6269, spickich@biloxi.ms.usMore about Biloxi’s CDBG Program also can be found atbiloxi.ms.us/cdbgTelehealth Appointments Now AvailableVirtual visits are openfor new and existing patients.Call now to make an appointment.Lakeview – 228-354-9300Cedar Lake – 228-392-7760Promenade – 228-456-0173Cowan Road – 228-523-8800Whether it’s a checkup or something more serious, you andyour family want convenient, accessible healthcare. Fortunately,the providers at Merit Health Medical Group are making iteasier than ever to get primary care.www.MyMeritDoctor.combiloxi.ms.us BNews Monthly – April 2021 – 11
Newspaper clippinginspires new novelset in early 1900s BiloxiBy Keith WilsonMultimedia Journalist, StreetcarPRCandaceCoxWheeler12 – BNews Monthly – April 2021Seafood. Pusharatas. Horse-drawn carriages. Electric streetcars. Tourists.And roadways covered in crushed oyster shells. Sounds like paradise,doesn’t it?It was reality for Biloxi in the early 1900s – a time when families whoworked in the “Seafood Capital of the World” relaxed by watching theirchildren dance in a circle to Cajun music. Now, all of that heritage and morecomes together in a new novel.Practicing law has been a passion for attorneys Candace CoxWheeler and her husband, David, who opened their downtownBiloxi law firm Wheeler & Wheeler, PLLC in 1981.Today, that same passion continues inside their Main Streetoffices, but it’s Candy who will soon add published author ofhistoric fiction to her legal resumé. Her first novel, “Cradle in theOak,” makes its debut this month.Wheeler’s inspiration for the book came from a 1906 newspaperclipping that she found among treasures left behind by herhusband’s late grandmother.“The sentence that caught my attention was: Handicappedby traveling alone across the country as a woman, she had cuther hair, donned masculine garments, and changed her name toHarry,” Wheeler explained.But it was the rest of the article that had the fourth-generationBiloxi native hooked.“It mentioned her determination to obtain possession of herchildren, who were abducted at home in Biloxi by herunfaithful husband and his young mistress, and describedher journey by train to locate them,” she said.Wheeler gives readers a chance to help this young mother“unmask” clues amid a difficult situation. The storyline alsoinvolves real-life historical characters and inklings of Biloxi’spast, which sets the tone of this suspenseful read.In writing the book, Wheeler used her imagination anda few research tools to help uncover some turn-of-thecentury history from Coastal Mississippi and the East Coastof Florida. As a result, ninety real-life characters interact withfictional characters. And some names, Wheeler says, may berecognizable.“The names, places, and events from 1906 spoke to me.I could not let that go, and I had to share what I found withothers.”Not everything is fun and games when the heroine is forcedto become a person she doesn’t recognize as danger lurksbefore the party is over.Wheeler has also posted 14 pictures and historical captionsfrom that era to her fanpage on Facebook, which she hopeswill let readers escape from the present as a prelude to readingher novel.“You can enjoy a competitive regatta from the deck of the (old)Biloxi Yacht Club. You can experience a ‘close’ baseball game between theBiloxi Nine and the Mobile Seagulls,” she says.Two book-signing events are scheduled for April 17 – the launch date setby Wheeler’s publisher, Dogwood Press – 10 a.m. until noon at Hillyer Housein downtown Ocean Springs, and 2 to 4 p.m. at the Maritime and SeafoodIndustry Museum in Biloxi.Says Wheeler, “I feel like I’ve been planning a party for my cast ofcharacters for three years, and it’s finally time to invite everyone on theCoast to the party!”biloxi.ms.us
Now is your chance to share our passion for serviceBy Bryan C. MatthewsDirector, Gulf Coast VeteransHealth Care SystemAs we continue headlong into what couldbe described as one of the most challengingpublic health crises wehave ever faced, theGulf Coast VeteransHealth Care System iscontinuing to chargeforward, providingmuch-neededvaccinations to theVeteran populationalong the Mississippi,Alabama and FloridaBryan C. MatthewsGulf Coast andsurrounding areas.This has beena herculean effort, involving all areas ofour health care system, and the men andwomen staffing our facilities – just like thoseacross our great nation – have been workingtirelessly.This unprecedented health crisis has testedus all, and the support from our communitiestoward our employees and residents hasbeen nothing short of outstanding. Thepartnerships we enjoy with the cities inwhich we live and work is a testament tothe continued values we as an organizationhold dear, and on behalf of our wonderfulstaff, I want to thank each and every one ofthe individuals who contribute to making ourorganization successful.But as we move forward, there continues tobe a growing need for medical professionalsacross the nation, and the GCVHCS is noexception. Our nurses, nursing assistants andother individuals involved in patient care arealways looking to expand their ranks, alwayslooking for qualified medical professionalsinterested in joining a staff which providescare to our nation’s heroes with integrity,compassion, advocacy, respect and excellence.As we continue to administer COVID-19vaccinations through weekend clinics andwalk-ins throughout the week, the need forqualified medical professionals continuesgrowing; so many of our staff have workeddaily since we began our first vaccinationsin January – and since this global healthcrisis began a year ago – and we’ve beenaugmenting our staff accordingly.There are so many opportunities to join thisdiverse staff. Numerous full-time and parttime temporary opportunities are listed onthe official U.S. federal employment website,https://www.usajobs.gov/, and I encouragethose with a passion for service to others,a willingness to be part of an organizationdesigned around our nation’s heroes andwishing to make a difference in the healthcare of the more than 77,000 individuals theGCVHCS serves to consider our nationallyrecognized organization.These temporary positions into our hiringprocess represent a perfect opportunity forqualified medical professionals to engagein the COVID-19 vaccination process ofthe Veterans in their area. Qualified medicalprofessionals assistin
school grounds amidst a collection of booths offering hamburgers, hot dogs or a seafood dish. There were cake walks, live music, dunking booths and maybe even a dice game or a row of nickel slot machines. "Politicking or campaigning in those days was real All-American sweaty, working-hard politics," said Ted Riemann, a political
