Springing Forward in March

Springing Forward in March by Richard Forester, Executive Director


We have had a taste of spring weather early in February this year. Just makes us long for more of it. We get to spring forward into daylight savings time earlier this year, March 13 in fact and the tourism industry on the coast hopes that all this, along with our traditional fabulous Mardi Gras celebration will be the beginning of a great tourism season. We have weathered many crises, some natural, some man- made and it would be nice to go through a spring and summer season with none of that, thank you very much! The signs so far have been good and reflecting back on 2010 we do find there was good news. We finished the year ahead in hotel/motel occupancy rates and in hotel tax collection totals. So far this year that trend is continuing. The state has recently reported that overall employment in the tourism industry in Mississippi stands at 78,485 direct jobs. That’s 7.2% of the total statewide non-farm establishment based employment. When you add in the indirect and induced jobs the total is over 10% of all non-farm jobs in the state. Tourism is the 5th largest employer in Mississippi with a total payroll over $2.5 billion, with a “b”, dollars. Visitors to the state last year spent $5.5 billion and generated $415.4 million dollars in total tax revenue. Without the tourism industry in Mississippi each of us would have had to pay $371.00 more per year in taxes, to make up for the loss. This is good news and we hope, with a new spring in our step that these trends continue.

Facebook Photo Contest - ARTS & LITERATURE

ARTS & LITERATURE MONTH

Southern literature was born in Mississippi. The state’s literary greats have distinguished themselves the world over with a special talent for capturing the true south and the heart of America in their works. As a creative bedrock, Mississippi has also produced artists in every genre from painting and sculpture to stage and film. This is your opportunity to explore some of it FOR FREE...

Here's your chance to win TWO passes to the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, FOUR tickets to Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, a $100 gift certificate to take an art class of your choice at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, TWO free buffets at Boomtown Casino, dinner for TWO (up to $100) at BT’s Steakhouse at Boomtown Casino, and a Biloxi Shrimping Trip kid’s t-shirt and plastic cup -

Send us a picture of you the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art or the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, at your favorite author’s childhood home, showing us your favorite movie that was filmed in Mississippi, or with your favorite piece of artwork. Show us you reading your favorite book. If so, SHOW US! Any photos related to arts & literature in Mississippi will be accepted! All pictures much show you (or someone you have permission to use in a photo.)

All you have to do to enter is submit your picture to taryns@gulfcoast.org along with your name. Once I received your photo, I will upload it to the ARTS & LITERATURE album on our Facebook page. Once you receive TEN LIKES, your name will be entered for the giveaway at the end of the month. GOOD LUCK!

By submitting your picture via email, you authorize the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB to use your photo on their Facebook page for this contest and consent to your name being published as a winner in the CVB’s E-newsletter, on facebook.com/msgulfcoastcvb, and on Twitter at twitter.com/msgulfcoastcvb. Only one entry will be submitted for the drawing, however, you can submit as many photos as you'd like. Further, you hereby covenant and agree to waive, release and hold harmless the Harrison County Tourism Commission d/b/a Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau from and against any and all claims, demands, charges, liabilities and damages, if any, of every type or nature whatsoever, now or in the future, which arise out of, relate to or may be associated with your submission of any photograph in connection with the contest described herein.

CELEBRATE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST HISTORY

CELEBRATE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST HISTORY



Mississippi's rich culture and heritage can be found in the state's museums, historical homes, Civil War sites and landmarks. You can also see it reflected in the impact of the Mississippi River, in the unfolding of the Civil Rights Movement and in Mississippi's contributions to literature and fine arts and crafts. This is your opportunity to explore some of it FOR FREE...

Here's your chance to win TWO tickets to Beauvoir, the Jefferson Davis Home, and TWO tickets to the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, designed by Frank Gehry:

Send us a picture of you at your favorite Mississippi Gulf Coast historical site. Show us you reading your favorite historical book. Send us a picture of you at Beauvoir's Fall Muster or at the Pleasant Reed House. Do you have a picture of you in periodic clothing? If so, SHOW US! Any photos related to history will be accepted! All pictures much show you (or someone you have permission to use in a photo.)


All you have to do to enter is submit your picture to taryns@gulfcoast.org along with your name and city and/or state that you live. Once I received your photo, I will upload it to the HISTORY album on our Facebook page. Once you receive TEN LIKES, your name will be entered for the giveaway at the end of the month. In addition to the tickets to Beauvoir and the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, you will receive a Mississippi Gulf Coast t-shirt!


I can't wait to share all your historical photos! GOOD LUCK!

By submitting your picture via email, you authorize the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB to use your photo on their Facebook page for this contest and consent to your name being published as a winner in the CVB’s E-newsletter, on facebook.com/msgulfcoastcvb, and on Twitter at twitter.com/msgulfcoastcvb. Only one entry will be submitted for the drawing, however, you can submit as many photos as you'd like. Further, you hereby covenant and agree to waive, release and hold harmless the Harrison County Tourism Commission d/b/a Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau from and against any and all claims, demands, charges, liabilities and damages, if any, of every type or nature whatsoever, now or in the future, which arise out of, relate to or may be associated with your submission of any photograph in connection with the contest described herein.



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Thank you Rouse's Markets

Rouse's Markets is graciously donating THREE king cakes a week for us to give away through our social media outlets - that means 12 CHANCES to win a delicious, mouth-watering, flavored to the core Rouse's KING CAKE until Mardi Gras!

Stay tuned, but for a head's up, start thinking about ideas:

- What do you like to drink with your king cake? A warm caramel latte goes great with a cream cheese filling!
- When's your favorite time to eat king cake? Mine is BREAKFAST! A great sugar rush for the day.
- What's your favorite king cake filling? Pineapple & cream cheese all the way baby...!
- Do you have a king cake recipe you use to make king cake at home? Cresent roll king cakes don't even compare to Rouse's delicious-ness!
- What else can king cake be used for? No, no, not throwing at your neighbor's house instead of eggs because their dog won't quit barking...things like bread pudding maybe?!?

All you have to do for a chance to WiN the FIRST king cake giveaway contest is JOIN THIS BLOG! (You know you wanted to anyway...a chance at a king cake just puts the icing on the cake - LITERALLY!)

So sign up, join, and you could receive a message Monday saying that you are the winner!! Woo hoo!

Join in the Mississippi Gulf Coast History week

The Mississippi Coast Historical & Genealogical Society will sponsor the 21st annual Mississippi Coast History Week Feb. 21-23.

The event, which is co-sponsored by the City of Biloxi, celebrates the anniversary of the landing of d’Iberville, which took place on Feb. 13, 1699 at what is now present-day west Biloxi. The French Flotilla had anchored off Ship Island before coming ashore to explore the mainland.

History week will feature three days of history with re-enactors dressed in 18th century reproduction French clothing. There will be a presentation on French Colonial soldiers and their contacts with Gulf Coast Indians. There will be portrayals of the life of 18th century French ladies along with a display of foods that were growing here when the French arrived.


The event will feature exhibits from the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, and Beauvoir. The Biloxi Library History Division will have a display and will be explaining the making of family tree charts and exploring your family history.

Also exibiting at the event will be the Ocean Springs Genealogical Society, the Historical Society of Gulfport, the Hancock County Historical Society, the D’Iberville Historical Society, the Pass Christian Historical Society, the Long Beach Historical Society, the Coast Jewish Community, the Fleur de Lis Society, the Greeks, the Slavonian Club, the City of Biloxi, Delta Sigma Beta Society, the Department of Marine Resources, Biloxi Regional Medical Center, Keesler Archives, the Biloxi Fire Museum, the Ms Coast Archaeological Association, and the Southern Anthropology Department.

The public is invited to attend the presentations at the Biloxi Community Center, Howard Avenue, Biloxi on Monday February 21, Tuesday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 23 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bishop Joseph Morin will conduct mass at 10:00 on Tuesday. Admission to this event is free.

School groups are encouraged to attend. For scheduling groups or for more information, please contact Mary Adkinson at 435-4613.

If you would like to participate in this event, please contact Mary Adkinson or Jane Shambra at 435-4613 or Julie Suarez at 435-6280.


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This article was prepared for the Examiner by Hank Richards.
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Join in the Mississippi Gulf Coast history week
Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/gulf-coast-recovery-in-biloxi/join-on-the-mississippi-coast-history-week#ixzz1D0ZnU5hB

Celebrate Gulf Coast HISTORY in February!

EXPLORE THE TRUE SOUTH’S HISTORY AND HERITAGE THIS MONTH

ON THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST

BILOXI, Miss. (February 1, 2011) – The MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST invites visitors to experience Mississippi’s rich history and cultural heritage and to find their true south during the month of February. Whether you are interested in Civil War history, the Civil Rights Movement or Native American culture, Mississippi is full of authentic sights, sounds and attractions for you to experience firsthand. It’s true: Mississippi is home to some of our nation’s most important history and heritage.Plan trip to Mississippi in February to experience it for yourself.

The year 2011 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, and Mississippi is home to many of the Civil War Sesquicentennial activities and events being planned for 2011-2015. The Civil War Preservation Trust lists 39 Mississippi sites on its Civil War Discovery Trail. The recently launched www.mscivilwar150.com is an excellent resource for up-to-the-minutes details about Civil War-related activities happening around the state.
February is African-American History Month in America, bringing an increased focus on Civil Rights history to the world. Mississippi Civil Rights leaders were central to that movement, and you can learn more about how they helped shape our future while you are here. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders and Freedom Summer 1961, a pivotal part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Following are some local attractions that will help you savor the region’s rich heritage and point you in the direction of discovery:
• The Pleasant Reed House, located at Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi.  http://www.georgeohr.org/
• Beauvoir, the Home of Jefferson Davis http://www.beauvoir.org/
The MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST has its own story to tell about the people, places and events that helped shape the history of Mississippi. What better way to find your true south than to take a trip tosouth in February!

To view more details about places you can visit to enjoy the history and heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, visit http://www.gulfcoast.org/.

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"The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe"

I took my daughter to her second live play this week – “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe”. Jaylyn – my five year old – loves Narnia, and “The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe” is one of her favorite stories, thanks to her MawMaw Tracy. My younger cousins, Olivia & Dmitri, performed in the play. Olivia was a member of the witch's army, and Dmitri played Mr. Tumnus.
The play was performed at Biloxi Little Theatre, on Lee Street in Biloxi. I had never been inside the theatre before and was quite surprise at the limited space and seating; however, it provided a more intimate atmosphere, and there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. My daughter, mom, and I chose a seat on the second row from the front, towards the right side. It was a perfect spot! We arrived about thirty minutes early, so keeping Jaylyn entertained before the show was quite interesting.

The talent of the children – ages three to eighteen – was incredible. Claire, the high-schooler who played Susan did an excellent job with her accent and complete identity as the girl in the book and movies. She was also a student director for the performance. Ester, the third grader who played Lucy, surprised me with her ability to memorize all the lines and make you feel like you were really somewhere off in Europe. The White Witch, played by Bethany, and Tumnus, played by Dmitri, also gave great performances. Bethany was so convincing that she literally made you nervous for the children in the play!

I was extremely surprised with how great the story and actors kept the attention of all the young children in the audience, especially Jaylyn.

We will absolutely be checking the theatre’s schedule at www.4blt.org for upcoming performances of plays. - Taryn