Second Street - Gulfport

Second Street has long been one of the nicest area of picturesque homes in Gulfport. Most were nestled under oak trees that added a visual serenity to the peace that existed there. Many of the trees were lost to the storm but the charm and quaintness will return with the neighbors coming home.






There are a few homes that are in disrepair but still they have not been demolished ... so I haven't given up hope on their return. I will remind you that contractors are scarce in our area and that creates a very slow comeback in rebuilding.






This is Second Street 16 1/2 months later... definitely showing signs of returning. We have been so isolated because of two major bridges not functioning that this is the first time I have seen it. Earlier I told you I would be back in a day or two. I wasn't lying, I was tired at the time. Now that I have gotten a "second wind", I am okay to go.

I ask that you not forget us as we have to work through many obstacles to get as far as we have. We will return!

MARTIN LUTHER KING'S SPEECH

I spent the past weekend with my daughter, Peggy, who lives in Gulfport and as she drove me around the areas of cities that are familiar to me, I could look past the destruction and see the cities are coming back. I have mentioned in an earlier post that it is the young people who can bring us back by introducing innovative ideas. Don't "nip and tuck" as we did after Camille. True, we came back after that disaster but this time, we have a chance to put an entirely new face on our area that is up to date with the present times. We were "sitting ducks" for the two big hurricanes that hit us. This time we are building higher and stronger. It didn't take me long to become use to the unique style of our new homes and realize that it is the way to go. It's sad that we the older citizens have lost so much of OUR past but now it is time for the future of ongoing generations. We need to step aside and allow our children and grandchildren to build toward THEIR future. I think Gulfport is doing well. Sure there is much barren land but if you get past the extreme coastal area, there is much activity further inland. Pass Road is bustling. The few pictures below are of Gulfport's beach and downtown area.


The Best Western wasn't demolished, looks like it may be salvageable.


Marine Life is still sitting as it was but I will wager a bet that it will be back to once again house our dolphins who are in the Bahamas.


The picture below is the site of the old Daily Herald building on 14th street. It housed the prominent law firm of Bryant, Dukes & Blakeslee. Founded 1884 as Daily Herald


The next picture is of a building that will be demolished. It was the home for its first five years to a business that would last 36 yrs..... Medical Credit Service, Inc.... who would spend the remaining years of its longevity on West Railroad St. in Gulfport. That building was also demolished.


Okay!!! ... time for me to take a break for a day or so. I will be back with a few more pictures next time.

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Long Beach

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Long Beach: "
Last Mass At St. Thomas Catholic Church Before Demolition
A church family said goodbye Sunday to their old home in Long Beach. Members of St. Thomas Catholic Church held their last mass in the shell of their old sanctuary, which was all that was left after Hurricane Katrina wiped out the rectory, the parish life center, and the entire school."

Gautier Motorcyclist Killed In Pascagoula
In Pascagoula's first fatality of 2007, a young man has lost his life in a tragic accident, and police need your help. 33 year old Joseph Danner of Gautier was killed Sunday on West River Bridge in Pascagoula. 37 year old Benjamin Vetra is being held in the Pascagoula city jail charged with felony DUI. Keli Rabon has more on this tragic story.

The Sun Herald | 01/14/2007 | Programs celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Sun Herald | 01/14/2007 | Programs celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day: "Programs celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
SUN HERALD

A Coastwide program today will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born Jan. 15, 1929.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. at the Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church, 4528 15th St. in Gulfport. Keynote speaker will be Rev. James Orange, founder/chairman of Dr. Martin Luther King March/Africa/African American Renaissance, and soloist Lillian Lily of the Mississippi Mass Choir will sing.

On Monday, a parade will begin at 11 a.m. in Biloxi, with formation at 10 a.m. at the Howard Avenue Community Center. After the parade, the Battle of the Bands event will be held at Yankie Stadium in Biloxi.

These Biloxi and Gulfport events are presented by the Committee for Coastwide Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration and the city of Biloxi. Details: James Crowell at 326-7143."

Early yesterday morning my daughter who lives in Gulfport came to take me to see her new home and stay the night. It gave me a chance to buy flowers and bring to my husband's grave. She and I removed the flowers that she had put on her father's grave at Christmas and placed the new flowers in the urn. When she was born, I named her Peggy as I thought it suited her. You judge....


Bruce my son in law and Peggy have a daughter named Jordan. She was in and out so many times with her friends that it wasn't easy getting a picture of her. So I took a "picture of a picture" of my granddaughter.


They just moved into their new home in October and I would like to "brag" a little. I think it is beautiful. It is raised 23 ft. and the downstairs is used for a family game room.

Guest Room

I had a very nice relaxing time. There are pictures taken of Biloxi and Gulfport that I will post sometimes tomorrow. Oh I forgot... due to the elevation requirements, the homes on the coast require a "lift".

Dolphins cruising in Bahamas

Future home on Coast possible

By JOSHUA NORMAN

jdnorman@sunherald.com

One year after their departure, the dolphins of the Marine Life Oceanarium have met with a mixed fate.

Tessie, the 31-year-old dolphin once left behind without her pod mates in Florida, died after a long illness in the Bahamas about a week ago.

The other 16 are healthy and swimming along in their new confines at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, said Frank Murru, chief marine officer for Kerzner International, which owns the resort.

"All of them are doing very well," said Murru, after returning from a tour of a large facility being built for them. "The whole facility is supposed to be done sometime in May. (Right now) they live in their own social groups. We don't really separate the dolphins into their own pools. The groups that they live in have a series of pools that they call home."

New Modular Housing Offers Storm Resistant Homes
An Australian company says it can bring stronger, storm resistant homes to South Mississippi, and someday jobs as well. "X-Force Homes" is in the process of building its new model home and office off Iron Horse Road in Biloxi. The business will bring an amazing type of modular housing made in Australia to South Mississippi. Meggan Gray shows us the latest rebuilding option to come to the area

Arson suspected in old PHS incidents

Arson suspected in old PHS incidents: "Friday, January 12, 2007
By BRAD CROCKER

PASCAGOULA -- Authorities are searching for suspects in two arson cases resulting from separate fires late Wednesday night.

The first fire occurred in the old Pascagoula High School's band hall at 2903 Pascagoula St. about 9:43 p.m., the second fire intentionally set inside school buildings in less than two weeks."

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi

WLOX-TV - The News for South Mississippi: Your Hometown News - Biloxi: "
Wisconsin Volunteers Build A Home For A Biloxi Woman
A Biloxi woman is witnessing something this week she's often wondered if she'd ever see again. It's a home of her own right back on the land she grew up on, being built by a group of volunteers from Wisconsin."

It's Booming!

Today on my outing looking for pictures to take, I found some. For those who know Pascagoula, they were in the vicinity of Chickasaw and Choctaw Avenue and others around 11th and 12th streets. There are a couple of trailer shots and damaged houses.

I have to be especially careful as I take the pictures while driving, so sometimes I can't get the shot I want. I felt elated for the people.







You wouldn't know it if I didn't tell you but I just took a break. I was looking out at my yards and they look pretty bad .... leaves everywhere. One thing that hasn't changed here is that it is next to impossible to get help with the yards. The weather doesn't cooperate either... lots of rain and cold. Back to the pictures...

There were houses on both sides of the street in the above pics in colors of yellow and green. All on stilts.

There is definitely a "boom" taking place in these areas. I will continue the remaining pics I have on another post.

More pictures taken on January 11, 06 ..