- <h2>Mississippi Main Street celebrates 21 years with Guitar Raffle, Scholarship Award</h2>
Mississippi Main Street celebrates 21 years with Guitar Raffle, Scholarship Award
The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) recently celebrated its 21st anniversary at the 2010 Annual Awards ceremony in downtown Jackson.
In 2009, MMSA unveiled a special edition Peavey guitar for the 20th anniversary of the association. The body of the guitar features a collage of photographs depicting Main Street towns across the state and was designed by Randy Wilson, MMSA Director of Design Services.
Over the past year, the guitar has traveled to festivals in Main Street communities across the state. Towns visited included Indianola, New Albany, Ocean Springs, Eupora, Hattiesburg, Vicksburg, Columbus, Tupelo and Jackson. Raffle tickets were sold to raise funds for the Charles O. Beasley Scholarship fund.
The Charles O. Beasley Scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving Main Street manager. Charles Beasley was one of the founding board members of MMSA and served on the Board and in various officer positions, including President. “Charlie” was Board Member Emeritus at the time of his death in 2007 and had served Main Street since it was founded in 1989.
Raffle tickets for the Main Street Peavey Guitar were sold during the Blues Reception before the awards luncheon, and a drawing was held at the end of the awards ceremony. The winner of the Main Street Guitar was Paula Beasley of Gulfport.
"Paula is the wife of Charles Beasley, and the Main Street Guitar Raffle proceeds support the scholarship fund in his name," said Bob Wilson, MMSA Executive Director. "It is very fitting that the guitar, which includes a photo of Charlie, is going home with the Beasley family."
The Charles Beasley Award is a $1,500 scholarship to the National Main Street Conference, given to a Main Street Manager who has shown outstanding service to his or her community and program. The scholarship is awarded annually and nominations come from the MMSA District Directors.
This year's award recipient is Debbie Brangenberg, Executive Director of the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association, who has served there since 1992. In the 19 years under her leadership, the association has accomplished great things, including the redevelopment of the Fairpark District in downtown Tupelo and the planning and implementation of creative events like the annual Elvis Presley Festival.
"When I came to work for Mississippi Main Street, the Executive Director, Beverly Meng, introduced me to Debbie, and said, 'If you do what she says, you'll be fine.' And I have pretty much followed her advice!" Wilson said.
Jeannie Waller
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Hattiesburg Bottling Company
Historic site in Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
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