 
Mississippi Main Street celebrates 21 years with Guitar Raffle, Scholarship Award
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
Mississippi Main Street announces 2010 Annual Award Winners
Mississippi Main Street announces 2010 Annual Award Winners in Downtown Revitalization
The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) celebrated achievements of Mississippi Main Street communities and member towns at the 2010 Annual Awards Luncheon held at the King Edward Hotel in downtown Jackson. The presentation of awards was made by MMSA Executive Director Bob Wilson and 2010 Board President Randy Burchfield.
The 2010 Award Winners: Click here to read Award narratives.
Best Creative Fundraising Project - Chair‐ity Auction, Water Valley Main Street
Best Newsletter – Population over 5,000 - Main Street Clinton Electronic Newsletter, Clinton Main Street
Best Special Event - 2009 Loblolly Festival, Laurel Main Street
Best Retail Promotion - OceanSpringsEats.com, Ocean Springs Main Street
Best Image or Branding Promotion - Welcome Home to Pontotoc, Pontotoc County Main Street
Best Adaptive Re‐Use Project - Early Grove Avenue Development, Webster County Development Council
Best Historic Rehabilitation Project - Main Street Market, Woodville Main Street
Best Historic Rehabilitation Project - Ritz Theatre and Conference Center, West Point Main Street
Best Façade Rehabilitation Under $10,000 - Joyce Yates School of Dance, Webster County Development Council
Best Façade Rehabilitation Over $10,000 - Ladybug’s Building Renovation, Downtown Tupelo Main Street
Best Public Improvement Project - Tupelo Guitar Art Project, Downtown Tupelo Main Street
Sam Kaye Excellence in Design Award - Belinda Stewart, AIA
Main Street Merchant of the Year - Nancy Moynan, Bay‐Waveland Main Street
Best New Development Project - First Presbyterian Church, Main Street Meridian
Special Service Award – Private Sector - Frances Koury, Vicksburg Main Street
Best Public/Private Partnership Project - Outdoor Sound System and Hanging Baskets, Clinton Main Street
Spirit of Main Street Award - Thursdays in May, Biloxi Main Street
Spirit of Main Street Award - Pascagoula School District Interactive Center, Pascagoula Main Street
Spirit of Main Street Award - Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Association
Charles O. Beasley Scholarship Award - Debbie Brangenberg, Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association
"This year's award winners reflect the commitment of so many people who champion what Main Street is all about - making our communities better places to live, work and play," Wilson said.
From records dating back to 1993, the Mississippi Main Street program, a program of the Mississippi Development Authority, has been responsible for more than $4 billion in combined public and private investment across the state.
MMSA currently has 49 active community programs throughout the state as well as more than 30 Downtown Network, Association and Charrette communities. In addition to the investment figures, MMSA has been responsible for more than 4,701 new businesses, 27,766 new jobs and 3,611 building improvements.
More than 1,800 Main Street programs participate in 50 other states as well as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The Main Street program is an economic development program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Jeannie Waller
Free Concert Series on Tupelo’s Main Street
Free Concert Series on Tupelo's Main Street
The concert series is fun for all ages and enhances the downtown experience
Tupelo, Miss.--Returning for its second year, the “Down on Main” concert series kicks off the first of three events on July 8 at Fairpark Amphitheater in Downtown Tupelo.
Each event will be held on the second Thursday of the month in July, August, and September. All concerts are free and open to the public. Festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“We are very excited about the return of the Down on Main series,” said Debbie Brangenberg, director of Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. “It totally enhances the downtown experience.”
“Each concert this season, will have its on flavor,” said Chris Root, one of the original committee members. “They all three span different cultures and demographics and appeal to a diverse audience. From rock ‘n roll, blues and bluegrass to folk, jazz and jambands, all three concerts will be unique.”
Entertainment for the event includes Memphis band John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives opening for the modern blues band Hill Country Revue on July 8. On August 12, Sardis, Miss. native Sanders Bohlke will open for the bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters. Moon Taxi, an explosive Rock band from Nashville, Tenn., will open for New Orleans group, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band in the last of the concert series on September 9.
This year’s image for the series is an original watercolor designed by local artist Brent Farrar with the poster design by Russell Staffard. Brent attended Mississippi State University in 1998, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture. Currently employed by Mercier Landscape Architect, Brent first showed his work in Tupelo's 2009 GumTree Festival. Brent's work can be purchased at Reed's Bookstore and The Main Artery in Downtown Tupelo.
“Down on Main” is a free summer concert series organized by a group of young Tupelo professionals, partnered with the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. “With Tupelo and Mississippi both having such a claim to music, we wanted to give the community an opportunity to experience different genres of live, original music,” said Chris Root, one of the original committee members. The event, which is funded by corporate sponsors and personal donations, has a family friendly atmosphere.
For more information about the “Down on Main” concert series or to inquire about obtaining a sponsorship, call 662-841-6598 or visit the website http://www.tupelomainstreet.com.
‘Cruisin’ Main Street’ benefits downtown Laurel
‘Cruisin’ Main Street’ benefits downtown Laurel
LAUREL — Area and out-of-state residents filled downtown Laurel as part of Laurel Main Street’s first car show, “Cruisin’ Main Street.”
Jackie Lee, executive director of Laurel Main Street, said the car show was created as a way to raise money for the downtown association.
“Randall Dykes of Cool Cruisers recently joined our committee,” she said. “He was able to tell us how a car show should be run. He was instrumental in getting everything set up.”
Lee said more than 84 vehicles including cars, trucks and motorcycles registered for Saturday’s competition. Trophies were distributed to the top vehicles in each category as well as a Mayor’s Choice and Sheriff’s Choice. Door prizes were also raffled off throughout the day.
“People who purchase these vehicles put a lot of passion into them,” Lee said. “This gives them an opportunity to show them off to the public.”
Lee said “Cruisin’ Main Street” also brought many downtown that haven’t been there before.
“We had visitors from Louisiana and Florida,” she said. “They’ll eat here and some of them will spend the night.
“We love any opportunity to show off our downtown,” Lee added. “I’ve had phone calls from people who haven’t been to Laurel in 30 years. Downtown has changed a lot since then. Bill Dollar’s Store used to be an abandoned building and now there’s work going on there.”
One of those displaying their classic car Saturday was Bob Walters of Moselle. Walters, who owns a 1930 Chevy Coupe, said he enjoyed the downtown event.
“I like to go to car shows,” he said. “I like looking at old cars, new cars... any cars. I’m seen several that I really like, especially the older models.”
Robert McKenzie of Columbia took some time out to talk to Walters. McKenzie, who has a 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner, joined Walters in the shade to stay out of Saturday’s blistering heat.
“I’ve been into classic cars for about five years,” he said. “I like working on old cars and participating in car shows. I really like ‘60s muscle cars.”
McKenzie said his Plymouth Roadrunner was “a car I couldn’t afford when I was a teenager.”
“Of course, if I could have afforded it, I may not be here today to enjoy it,” he said.
Although not a car collector, Laurel resident Johnny Aricer enjoyed looking at the various makes and models.
“These are some fine cars, but they make me feel old,” he said. “I remember when most of them were new.”
By David Owens,
Laurel Leader-Call
Photo by David Owens: Some classic cars sit on display Saturday during Laurel Main Street’s first car show, “Cruisin’ Main Street.” The event featured nearly 100 classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
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Downtown Meridian
Downtown Meridian has many notable and historic buildings including General Supply Store, Hamasa Shrine Temple Theater, Terminal Hotel, MSU Riley Center for Education and the Performing Arts, Hulett Furniture, and Weidmann’s Restaurant. |
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