Jeannie’s Jaunt to Holly Springs
HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. - The resort town of yesteryear has charmed the soul of this twenty-something of today. To the random passerby, Holly Springs might appear to be a sleepy town that would not have enough attractions to occupy a visitor for more than a festival weekend or two out of the year.
But for the privileged person, who gets to see the town as an insider, another look reveals a jewel of a town, rich in history, culture, art and education. I had the privilege of spending a night and day in Holly Springs with Joy Foy, Director of Asset Development for the Mississippi Development Authority. Our goal was to simply see the town and get to know the townspeople. Our “tour guides” included André DeBerry, Mayor of Holly Springs, Clencie Cotton, Executive Director of Rust College, Tim Liddy, Alderman, and Lisa Liddy, owner of Court Square Inn Bed & Breakfast, respectively, and Stephanie Movre, Executive Director of Holly Springs Tourism.
I joked with Mayor DeBerry that Holly Springs had unintentionally become my “pet” because I got to visit twice in three weeks, the first time being the town’s official designation as a Mississippi Main Street Community. For a town that often feels forgotten by the rest of the state, according to some locals, it is certainly grabbing the attention of state, regional and national organizations now.
Why now? Suddenly, the history, culture, and geographical positioning of Holly Springs have caught the attention of many. It’s time for - in the words of Mayor DeBerry - “Mississippi’s best kept secret” to come out.
TAKE A WALK BACK IN TIME
Holly Springs is a treasure trove for historical preservationists and history enthusiasts. According to tourism director Stephanie Movre (not from Holly Springs or even Mississippi - gasp!), Holly Springs was spared from burning in the Civil War because it was used as an ammunition base for Union soldiers.
More than 60 antebellum homes have survived and are highlighted annually with the Spring Pilgrimage (April 18-20, 2008 marks its 70th anniversary) and Holly Home Tours (December 6-7, 2008). Some homes like the ethereal Walter Place Garden & Estate can be toured daily by reservation. Airliewood Home, circa 1858, is the official headquarters for the Pilgrimage and the Holly Springs Garden Club.
We rode by many of these beautifully preserved and restored homes during our stay, but I must admit feeling jealous of a couple I saw strolling the sidewalk, city maps in hand and tennis shoes on foot.
The houses are breathtaking, the grounds and gardens even more so, but the stories of the families who dwelled within their walls simply entrance. I plan to go back. The view from the road was not enough to satiate this appetite.
GOLF ANYONE?
While its nickname “City of Flowers” may seem like only a gardener’s attraction, Holly Springs boasts a plethora of outdoor and recreational venues. Kirkwood National Golf Club & Cottages is a nationally acclaimed public golf course, and it boasts several chateaus perfect for a group of golfers and spouses on a weekend get-away. After driving around the course, Joy exclaimed, “We’ll have to market this to Sweden!” Apparently, the Swedes take a long holiday to play golf in the states.
Akin to golf, there is disc golf offered just a few minutes outside Holly Springs at Wall Doxey National Park. This course attracts avid followers of disc golf from all over. Or, one can experience the essence of the sport that consumes many Mississippians from November through February. Fitch Farms – Galena Plantation in Holly Springs boasts quail, deer and wild turkey hunting as well as historical guesthouse bungalows to stay in. These include historical houses, like the original home of Nathan Bedford Forest. Chewalla Lake, Holly Springs National Forest and the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center provide more recreational alternatives, such as camping, fishing and hiking miles of nature trails.
OH AUDUBON!
My grandfather has always said that land is Mississippi’s greatest asset. I will have to say I am beginning to agree. Driving to Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, one forgets the office, emails and the general hubbub of city life as the sounds of buzzing bees, chirping birds and rustling branches penetrate one’s thoughts. Walking up the brick walk to Audubon House, I silently cursed my business attire as my high-heeled pump got wedged between the uneven bricks. Seeing the house, half of me wanted to roll up my pants and pull weeds in the flower bed, and the other half wanted to sit on a rocking chair on the front porch and just rock.
Stephanie guided us through the house, telling stories of its past owners (“this is where Mrs. Davis shot the Yankee soldier” and “this is the bed Mrs. Shackleford passed away in”). Peering through the back screen door in the sunroom downstairs, I could imagine the patio teeming with butterflies and hummingbirds in May and September. The next Hummingbird Migration Celebration is September 5-7th, and I plan to stand in line to cup one of those delicate creatures in my palm and release it back to nature. Audubon Center is a priceless educational tool for children and adults alike to learn about conservation and appreciate wildlife habitats.
A SQUARE VIEW
Let me preface by saying I love any town with a square. Whoever came up with the idea to build the town hub in a square was brilliant (Of course, they did not have the traffic problems we do today). There is something so communal about having the central gathering place in a town enclosed on four sides. Visit Oxford or Canton, and you can see the true economic potential of a square.
The square on Holy Springs has just that – great potential. And with potential comes the sweet blessing of getting to make it right on the first go-round. The Court Square Inn Bed & Breakfast (where we stayed) and BJ’s restaurant (where we dined) are two premium additions. Sadly, there are several vacant buildings remaining, but for the most part, the façades of the buildings are in great shape and American flags dot the clean, wide sidewalks. The center of the square has a truly beautiful Courthouse and grounds. Holly Springs townspeople, like Tim and Lisa Liddy, dream of more restaurants, a coffee shop, a blues club and other venues being located on the square in the future.
CHARMING RUST
Another dream is to clean up Memphis Street, which runs from the square to Rust College, a prime street to attract students and visitors alike to eat and spend money. Holly Springs Main Street, city officials and Rust College are committed to making this happen.
Clencie Cotton greeted us warmly at his office across from the main entrance of 140-year-old Rust College. Rust College, a liberal arts university, is “home” to more than 1,000 students. Clencie’s affection and dedication to the students at Rust College and people of Holly Springs were obvious.
The eyesores on Memphis Street include a business with a junk yard of automobiles in the front yard and the dilapidated buildings of the former Mississippi Industrial College (across from Rust College), which has been closed since the early 1980s. The old Industrial College, now owned by the United Methodist Church, needs to partner with the National Trust of Historical Preservation, Mississippi Heritage Trust and Mississippi Main Street to get state and federal tax credits and save its dilapidated buildings. The only visitors these buildings receive are police cars in the parking lot and vultures. Not ravens, not crows, not hawks - vultures. Or, on the bright side, at least some living creature is making use of these historical buildings.
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM?
The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best. I have a dream. Everyone has a dream. Most people have several. Mayor DeBerry has the dream to promote tourism through the rich Civil War and Civil Rights history in Holly Springs. And, indeed, it is rich. Both Union and Confederate soldiers rest beneath the grounds at Hillcrest Cemetery. Hiram R. Rebels, the first African-American U.S. Senator, is also buried there.
The building next to City Hall on South Memphis Street was used to house General Grant’s horses. And the beautifully preserved Walter Place was the location of the Van Dom Raid during the Civil War. These are just two of many historical landmarks located in Holly Springs.
“The hospitality piece of tourism is so important,” Mayor DeBerry said. “It is important to know the history of your city.” Quoting his father, the mayor added, “A person who does not know about and talk about one’s town is like a dog that won’t wag its own tail.”
Clencie Cotton has the dream to attract and enroll more students at Rust College by making Holly Springs a more enjoyable and student-friendly place to live. Clencie envisions seeing students’ artwork on display beyond the college campus and perhaps an art gallery on the square to showcase their work. The talented choral groups at Rust should showcase their talent around town with more public concerts, with one possible venue being the green space at the walking trail behind the square.
Tim Liddy has the dream to expand the retail and restaurant offerings on the square. He and wife Lisa manage three charming upper-floor lodging suites on the square. Directly beneath these fine suites is an empty corner space where Lisa envisions a coffee shop or perhaps a combination deli, coffee, ice cream and wine bar. Tim thinks it is high time for a blues club to come to the square. “Holly Springs is famous for its hills blues,” he said.
Between the square and the newly completed walking trail is an old railroad depot station. The building lies in ruins now but there are plans to renovate this building to become the new Welcome Center and house the offices of Holly Springs Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
Now, I have a dream -to drive to Holly Springs, park and shop on the historic square, walk a block to the newly renovated railroad depot/Welcome Center and across the walking trail to a public blues concert. I look at local artwork on display from Rust students and the Ida B. Wells Museum and listen to some hills blues music streaming from the stage. Around me are Holly Springs citizens, visitors and students.
Yes, this is a dream, but it is also a tangible reality. Can you see it? Mississippi has a big story to tell to the rest of the country and world, and the city of Holly Springs is part of it. Let’s tell it! The story begins with a big smile and Welcome Sign.
Jeannie Waller
ARC and WIRED Charrette Program Coordinators Meeting
MMSA is proud to announce that we have received funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, The Montgomery Institute and the University of Alabama University Center for Economic Development on behalf of the WIRED Initiative District in Mississippi to produce a series of Design and Economic Development Charrettes. The project covers eight charrettes in the ARC Mississippi District and six in the WIRED District of Mississippi over the next two years.
The basis for this project comes from a successful series of Design Charrettes produced by the Auburn Urban Design Studio (http://www.cadc.auburn.edu/soa/urban-studio/) in Birmingham, AL under the direction of Cheryl Morgan, AIA. MMSA plans to replicate this process and add an economic development component that will include Network Membership in MMSA, access to MMSA Training and Workshops and the involvement of many of MMSA’s Partners. These Partners include, but will not be limited to, The MSU Carl Small Town Center, The MSU Department of Landscape Architecture, First Impressions, Mississippi Development Authority (Asset Development, Heritage Cultural Tourism, Existing Industry and Business and others), the Mississippi Arts Commission, Southern Foodways Alliance, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi Urban Forestry Council and the Mississippi Heritage Trust. Private Sector partners will include architects, landscape architects, city planners, engineers, preservationists and historians, urban foresters, economic development and tourism professionals and artisans.
Each community charrette will consist of an initial one-day assessment of needs, a Thursday evening town meeting and a Friday and Saturday charrette program followed by a written report and output poster. Because of the number of communities involved, several projects may be in development at once so multiple teams are needed. Paid positions will be combined with pro bono work to ensure each team has the ultimate talent and experience to match the community’s needs. Cheryl Morgan, AIA, and Nisa Miranda, Director of the President’s Office of Economic Development at the University of Alabama will assist with several of the initial community projects. The projected paid positions include:
Project Manager
Licensed Architect
Carl Small Town Center and MSU staff and students
Economic Development and Tourism Professionals
Professional Positions (Engineers, Planners, Preservationists, Artisans, etc.)
Traditionally, MMSA has limited its Resource Teams for new community programs to MMSA Staff and limited contract design, engineering and planning professionals. This project will allow MMSA to “cast the net” in Mississippi to include design and other professionals throughout the state to become involved in Main Street’s proven Four Point Approach (http://www.msmainstreet.com/our-purpose.html) for community revitalization and developing relationships with Main Street’s existing network of 56 certified communities (http://www.msmainstreet.com/communities.html).
To further explain this opportunity and explain the methodology, MMSA, Cheryl Morgan and Nisa Miranda, as well as representatives from ARC Mississippi and Washington D.C. and The Montgomery Institute, will conduct a workshop at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps in Jackson, MS on May 28, 2008. A more detailed agenda will follow; however, the workshop will begin at 10 a.m. and will adjourn no later than 2 p.m. There is no cost to attend this workshop and lunch will be provided. Please join MMSA for this exciting new program!
RSVP: Denise Halbach, Program Associate, 601-987-8741, 601-987-8239 Fax, denisehalbach@msmainstreet.com.
Questions: Bob Wilson, Executive Director, 601-987-8741 or bobwilson@msmainstreet.com
For those coming from out of town, a block of rooms are available at participant’s cost at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps.
MMSA Resource Team Hard at Work
MAIN STREET TEAM MAKES PROGRESS IN COAST PLANNING
By Jeannie Waller
JACKSON, Miss. April 22, 2008 - Rebecca Davis is eager to wear a T-shirt with the phrase "I do it in downtown" and "Pascagoula" written beneath. Davis, manager of the Pascagoula Main Street Association, was given the T-shirt design to commemorate the progress being made in the city's redevelopment efforts.
The Mississippi Main Street Association (MMSA) is providing ongoing services to its Main Street programs along the Mississippi Gulf Coast where Main Street districts were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. These communities include Pascagoula as well as Picayune, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Biloxi and Ocean Springs.
"The team is helping us get our name out and showing us how to present the plan to our community," Davis said.
The MMSA Resource Team's services are made possible by a grant provided by the Mississippi Development Authority. The grant that is funding the program was part of a $500,000 grant that was awarded to the lower six counties and divided among the Main Street communities.
The team of skilled professionals are from Mississippi, South Carolina and other parts of the nation. Team members are working with each individual program to assess needs based on previous charette planning conducted in each community directly following the storm.
The work plans include investment site design, branding and marketing strategies, financing, facade rendering, zip code surveys and implementation workshops. Work plans will be implemented over the next three to five years in each town.
In Biloxi, the resource team recently met with approximately 20 property owners and conducted individual on-site visits offering free architectural and financing consultations. The team will follow up with additional services over the next few months to help the property owners with additional developments.
"The MMSA Resource Team has met with Mayor AJ Holloway and key stakeholders in downtown Biloxi," said Stacy Pair, MMSA Program Services Director for the Southern District. "They are working with the mayor's office as well as the Biloxi Main Street Association to create some real investment and project financing opportunities that will help reinvigorate the downtown while supporting and embracing the casinos and the tourism traffic they create."
In Ocean Springs, Pair and other team members recently met with the newly created Main Street Association Merchants Committee to reveal results from a marketing study and discuss solutions to challenges and possible marketing and tourism strategies.
In Pascagoula, Davis was especially impressed with the team's facade renderings and the Pascagoula city logo: We are Pascagoula. "They really took the time to talk through and explain everything," she said. "The more they talked, the more it clicked."
The resource team is scheduled to make return visits to the coastal communities on May 5-8, June 9-12 and July 14-17 of this year.
"The team's presentation was excellent," Davis said. "They really saw the city the way we see it."
"There was not a dry eye in the room."
Photo Collage of Pascagoula by MMSA Resource Team
Two Main Street directors nominated for South Mississippi’s “Top 10 under 40”
Stacy Pair and Lisa Bradley, both of Gulfport, have been named nominees for the Top 10 Under 40 Business Leaders in The Journal of South Mississippi Business. Pair is the Southern District Director of Program Services for Mississippi Main Street Association. Bradley is the Main Street Director for the city of Gulfport.
Year Round Tourism Offered In Columbus
`Hospital town' offers antebellum homes, Catfish Alley
Sunday, April 13, 2008
LYNN EDGE
For The Birmingham News
While many Southern towns only open the doors of their mansions for tours once or twice a year, Columbus, Miss., keeps the welcome mat out year-round.
That's just one thing that sets the city apart. And perhaps it's one of the reasons the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Columbus one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
"Columbus will surprise you with its diverse and abundant cultural resources," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "As one of the best kept secrets in the state of Mississippi, it is an unrivaled destination for anyone who enjoys Southern architecture, savors down-home cooking and seeks an escape to the great outdoors."
Because Columbus was a "hospital town," during the Civil War, its homes were not burned, explained Yvonne Sanders of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As a result, the town has three National Register Historic Districts with 676 properties, including not only antebellum and Victorian homes, but also Friendship Cemetery, which is said to be the site of the first Memorial Day celebration.
Columbus also is home to Mississippi University for Women, one of the oldest public colleges for women in the United States and the site of 23 National Register properties.
The city also offers tours of landmarks that showcase the remarkable impact the African-American community has had on the city. This tour includes such sites as Catfish Alley, a central business district for African-Americans during the late 19th century, Concord CME Church, one of the oldest churches in Columbus (dating back to 1867) and the Robert Walker Home Site, where Walker was trained as a butler and went on to become one of the first African-Americans to own and operate a hotel.
Because there is so much to see in Columbus, it's best to have an organized approach to all the attractions.
A visit to the city should start at what Sanders described as "the hub," the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. The center is set in the first home of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Columbus native son Tennessee Williams.
The Welcome Center, in addition to introducing visitors to Williams and his writing career, also is the spot to buy tickets to the homes tours and other attractions and pick up information about a driving tour of the city.
Lynn Edge is author of three books on travel in Alabama as well as other books. E-mail her at quicktrips@bellsouth.net
THE DETAILS
The Tennessee Williams Welcome Center is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It is located at 300 Main Street.
MORE TO SEE AND DO
Market Street Festival. The festival offers entertainment on five stages, arts and crafts and children's activities. Set to perform this year are Sweet Water Jade, Little Texas, Gospel Warriors, Swing Shift and Eden Brent. The festival will be May 2 and 3. Tickets are $15.
HOW TO GET THERE
To get to Columbus, take I-20 West/59 South to Tuscaloosa; . In Tuscaloosa, take I-359 to U.S. 82 West. Take U.S. 82 West to Columbus. It is about 120 miles from Birmingham.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
About Columbus, call 800-327-2686.
Picyaune tops record at 2008 Egg Drop Festival
Main street egg drop 2008
By Jeremy Pittari
Item Staff Writer
PICAYUNE— Picayune Main Street’s Egg Drop featured windy but sunny weather and thousands of eggs.
Plastic eggs, food and fun highlighted the annual event, which featured a number of new and returning activities.
A number of volunteers helped to organize and plan the event, such as 20 business owners who sold the eggs in their shops, said Picayune Main Street board member Marti Fegter. About 30 Main Street members volunteered their time to stuff the plastic eggs with candy and coupons from local businesses. About 10,000 eggs were dropped from planes at Picayune’s airport.
A key business Fegter recognized for its help with the event was Phillips Aviation.
“It’s kind of a mutual admiration when it comes to egg drops... we love it and they love it,” Fegter said.
Picayune Police Department’s Senior Patrol and Picayune’s Airport Manager Andy Greenwood, Mandeville’s Senior Aviation Cadets and Picayune’s Perfect Dress Teen Board also lent their time to the event, Fegter said.
Eggs were sold the day of the event while pony rides, rock wall climbs, bounce house time, train rides and face painting were all offered for a fee. Pictures by Gloria Travis of children with live bunnies also were available.
Union Baptist church donated about 2,000 eggs to the event. Picayune Main Street Board Secretary Jo Scheel said the church was planning to host its own Easter Egg hunt, but children of the church said they wanted to go to the Egg Drop.
When they were dropped, people who purchased eggs hoped theirs would land in one of many “targets” or kiddy pools. Eggs that land in the targets include contestants in a prize drawing. In the event the eggs didn’t fall into the targets, eggs surrounding a pool would have been collected and entered into the drawing. Prizes ranged from door prizes to $250. Contestants who purchased winning eggs did not have to be present to win, however door prize winners did have to be present.
Free activities for the kids included a large egg for painting and paper basket painting. Picayune Junior High’s art teacher coordinated the large egg painting, Fegter said. The egg will be displayed somewhere in the city for all to see after the event.
Proceeds from the egg drop will help fund renovations to two additions to the Shay, Picayune’s historic train, and also will benefit Picayune On Stage.
“We’re trying to help an additional group over and above ourselves,” Scheel said.
A hand car and a worker car, historically used to work on Shay trains, will be displayed along with Picayune’s Shay. Funds collected will help to renovate those pieces of history. The funds also will help purchase decorative trash cans for the Main Street area.
Greenwood-based Viking Range Takes Top Honor for Exporting Success
Adapted from the Mississippi Business Journal, April 14-20, 2008 Issue
By Lynn Lofton
A well-known Mississippi company is now serving a far-reaching customer base and was honored for its exporting efforts. Viking Range Corporation of Greenwood was presented the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award during the Gulf Coast Trade Alliance’s World Trade Conference in Biloxi.
The award was presented by Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, to Dale Persons, Viking’s vice president of corporate development. Viking Range Corporation has been engaged in international marketing and sales of premium home appliances for more than 20 years.
“We are delighted and pleasantly surprised to receive this award. We’re always proud to be a Mississippi Company and enjoy working with MDA,” Persons said. “On behalf of Viking Range team members around the world, thank you for recognizing our efforts.”
He continued by saying that Viking is not merely trying to reach more countries in the world. “We focus on the quality of our products and recognition of our brand,” he said. “When our products are exported, it’s good for people to say ‘that was made in Mississippi.’”
Downtown Pontotoc sees Renovations
BY SANDRA PRIEST Pontotoc Progress PONTOTOC - Renovation is almost complete for a century-old building downtown.
Work began last May to renovate the former Wilson's TV and Appliance building located on the square. Completion of the project is scheduled for later this month.
Mark Bourne, an investment representative with Edward Jones and local attorney Greg Brown bought the building in February 2007 with a vision of establishing office space inside. Because the building is within the 11-block historical district in the downtown area, the partners were eligible to apply to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for a 25 percent federal tax credit and a 20 percent state tax credit on needed renovations and repairs.
"We ended up replacing every single floor joist," said Bourne as he surveyed the partially completed floors of his future office space. Modern conveniences such as additional rest rooms and updated electrical wiring and lighting also are being added.
When the men finally were able to access the second floor, items from previous businesses, including a grocery store, were discovered.
The partners also speculated the building housed a dance studio, an appliance repair store and a pool hall.
When finished, the ground floor will be occupied by Bourne and Brown, with a conference room, a break room and storage areas. Although plans have not been finalized, the second floor is being considered for apartment space.
"Time will tell us what will go up there," said Brown. "We're going to finish the bottom floor first."
Improving downtown
Ellen Russell, director of Pontotoc County Main Street Association, said she is thrilled with the initiative shown by Bourne and Brown.
"I think they will definitely have a nice building when they get through," she said. "I hope to see a lot of others take advantage of the tax credits too."
Brown would like to see others join their efforts, citing the recent improvements made to the Rutledge and Davis law office building as an example of how improvements can add to the overall appearance and atmosphere of downtown.
"We're hoping by us taking the initiative that this might spark some revitalization interest in the downtown area," he said.
Historical Preservation Projects Funded
The mission of the 1772 Foundation is to preserve and enhance American historical entities for future generations to enjoy, with particular interest in farming, industrial development, transportation, and unusual historical buildings. The Foundation provides support for restoration projects throughout the United States. Examples of funded projects include endangered properties funds, mill restorations, historic farmsteads, restoration carpentry and crafts schools, and greenways that link historic sites. Successful grant applications should demonstrate positive community impact, multiple partners, and a solid financial and management structure. Letters of inquiry may be submitted at any time. Visit the website listed above for online application information.
“Ocean Springs to Host 15th Annual Herb & Garden Fest”
15th Annual Herb & Garden Fest Planned for March
(Ocean Springs) – The annual festival returns for another great year. On March 29-30, the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce - Main Street Tourism Bureau will host the 15th Annual Herb & Garden Festival in downtown Ocean Springs.
The two-day event will showcase plants and herbs for gardening, landscaping, culinary use and more, as well as provide entertaining and informative lectures, fun demonstrations and activities for participants. The event will be held from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29 and 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30. Chat with the experts, enjoy the sounds of local musicians, or feast on a variety of herb inspired dishes at many of the local restaurants.
“Spring is almost here and this festival is a strong indicator of the beauty and renewal spring brings,” says Margaret Miller, executive director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce – Main Street – Tourism Bureau.
“I have to say thanks to the growers, herbalists, and artists that make this event so wonderful each year.”
For more information regarding the event, please contact the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce– Main Street – Tourism Bureau at 228-875-4424 or visit the website at www.oceanspringschamber.com.
COLUMBUS NAMED DISTINCTIVE DESTINATION BY NATIONAL TRUST
(COLUMBUS, Miss.) - The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Columbus, Miss. one of its 2008 Twelve Distinctive Destinations. For the official news release from the office of Gov. Haley Barbour, click here.
GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR GIVES FIVE MAIN STREET TOWNS CULTURAL TOURISM BOOST
(JACKSON, Miss.) - Governor Haley Barbour named five communities to the new Certified Cultural Corners program, grants designated to towns with a population of less than 20,000 to preserve and promote their cultural heritage significance.
The five pilot communities are located in five different regions of the state and are certified Mississippi Main Street communities.
"We congratulate Cleveland, Holly Springs, Ocean Springs, Philadelphia and Woodville for achieving this honor," said MMSA Executive Director Bob Wilson. "These communities exemplify the National Main Street Center and the Mississippi Main Street Four Point Approach to downtown revitalization."
To read the official news release from the office of Gov. Haley Barbour, click here.
Reba Beebe named 2008 Charles O. Beasley Award recipient
Picayune Main Street Manager Reba Beebe received the first Charles O. Beasley Scholarship Award. This 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 2008 National Main Street Conference will be held March 30-April 2 in Philadelphia, PA.
The Charles O. Beasley Award scholarship will be awarded annually. Nominations for the 2009 Award are being accepted now. Nominations must come from the District Directors of MMSA. The 2009 recipient will be announced at the Main Street Awards Luncheon on May 16.
Charles 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.
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