Dec. 2014 – Letter from our Editor

Tis the season for gathering together with loved ones and friends, sharing sweet surprises, and counting our blessings. As we engage in all the fun and magic of Christmas, let us never forget to reach out to those in need, those who are struggling, and those who are lonely. GTP has put together a comprehensive guide of the most well respected and trusted charitable organizations in the world! There are 100 choices that offer all kinds of wonderful ways to give back.

Christmas In The City will once again grace the streets of downtown Biloxi on Saturday, December 6, starting at 10:00 a.m. The Arts District will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas village. It is the place to be for a holiday experience like no other! Get everyone together and bundle up for this wonderful weekend of family entertainment.

Nancy Baker Faul presents a unique perspective on two of the most beloved Christmas icons in all the world in our December Mover & Shaker feature! We hope you enjoy this fun, thought provoking article. Grab a bite at Skeeter’s Bar & Grill in Gulfport on Teagarden Road after a big day of holiday shopping. This Coast mainstay has been updated and remodeled by new owners, Vernon Wilson and Jennifer Mullins. Taste Buds will tell you all about it!

Coast women of all shapes and sizes can now be decked out in perfectly fitted undergarments thanks to Melissa Logos. “Foundations” opened in Gulfport in October! Melissa specializes in fittings from sizes 28 to 52 and cup sizes A to K. “I make sure every client feels beautiful, confident, and comfortable. The right fit makes all the difference,” she said.

The Coast is a showplace this time of year. There are so many wonderful things to see and do to celebrate the season. From the beautiful decorations and lights to the holiday shows at the casinos. Don’t miss a moment of it!

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and joyous holidays –

Nancy Marchbanks
Executive Editor

Christmas In The City. Biloxi Main Street

Downtown Biloxi will once again don it’s holiday finery and roll out the red carpet for the most beloved family event of the year, Christmas In The City. Biloxi Main Street is your host for this wonderful holiday treat which takes place on Saturday, December 6from 10 a.m until 4 p.m. The Biloxi Downtown Arts District is the place to be for a Christmas experience like no other. You and your loved ones will enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping, round the clock entertainment, and traditional holiday food and drink. Executive Director of Biloxi Main Street, Kay Carter, said that the Arts District is the perfect location. “The event compliments the businesses on Rue Magnolia and Water Street so beautifully and the decorations are so special. Over the years we tried various locations throughout downtown but nothing fits as well as the Arts District,” she said. The Rue Magnolia is transformed into a charming Christmas village that will make you feel like a kid again.
The celebration begins in the evening on Friday, December 5, with the Children’s Parade and the lighting of the Town Green at 6:00 p.m. The best viewing of the parade is on Lameuse Street. There is nothing that sets the tone of the holiday spirit quite like the Biloxi Town Green when it is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights. It takes several weeks to set up the decorations and hang the lights but the result is truly magical. During the entire month of December, guests can stroll through the holiday wonderland and enjoy it’s sparkle and rainbow of colors. At the conclusion of Christmas In The City on Saturday evening, December 6, Christmas on the Water Boat Parade begins at nightfall. This event is unique to the Coast and there is nothing as extraordinary as sitting along the shoreline to watch these beauties gently roll by. The boat owners spare no expense to decorate each craft. Imaginations run wild as they find wonderful ways to deck the halls on their beloved boats. Downtown Biloxi is a showplace of Christmas pageantry throughout December and must not be missed.

Jesus and Santa

With Christmas fast approaching, we tried and tried to think of a very special subject for our December Movers and Shakers. Two very special names kept popping into my mind; Jesus and Santa.
Now, I know that the two bring about individual and quite personal thoughts for each of us, especially at this time of year. The air turns crisper, the decorations fill the store shelves and prayers for snow in the south fill our dreams. But I wonder, how will you spend your Christmas day and what does it mean to you and your family? You can tell us your story on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear how your family celebrates the season. Feel free to share your photos with us too!
I watched my husband reading his Bible by the crackling fire last night and my memory drifted back to the time I first learned that there were people who didn’t believe in Jesus or the story of the first Christmas. I was about 8 years old and a classmate at school said that Christmas wasn’t a “Jesus thing” it was just a day when kids got whatever they wanted from Santa.

Skeeter’s Bar and Grill in Gulfport

Skeeter’s Bar and Grill in Gulfport has a shiny new look and new menu items to make your mouth water! New owners, Vernon Wilson and Jennifer Mullins took over the 10,500 sq ft building only a few months ago and already the place has been upgraded to a sparkling clean neighborhood friendly place where the guests are greeted with warmth, professionalism and style.
All the things you loved about the old Skeeter’s are still in place but with a visibly updated look. The famous Wheel Burger and patty melt are still available but the owners have added thin cut rib eye steak sandwiches, unbelievably delicious hotdogs, a hangover burger topped with a fried egg and daily lunch specials that will make you think you’re back in grandma’s kitchen on Sunday.
Also try the big chef salad with one of Skeeter’s homemade dressings. It’s a great way to treat yourself without blowing your healthy eating plans. Skeeter’s seating capacity is approximately 178.

Foundations in Gulfport

Melissa Logos, Owner of Foundations in Gulfport, is bringing her special talents to ladies who need help. Foundations opened October 23rd of this year and the word is getting out that Melissa is offering free bra and foundation fittings for women from sizes 28 to 52 and cup sizes A to K.
The focus is primarily on full figured and full busted women that need their lingerie to fit properly. Foundations is also finding a large number of ladies that need mastectomy bras and accessories so Melissa is providing that too.
From camisoles and underwear to special cleansers and soaps for your lingerie wardrobe care, Foundations give you the best and largest variety around.
If you are trying to think of a perfect Christmas gift, this is the place to go. When you purchase a $75 gift card for the lady in your life, you will get a free linen soak to stuff in her stocking!

Nov. 2014 – Letter from our Editor

Welcome to a very special edition of GTP.

Once again we delve into the horrors of human trafficking which is alive and well on the Coast and throughout Mississippi. GTP was the first publication in South Mississippi to reveal the truth of the unspeakable practices going on here and we have continued to do our best to keep the public aware of what is going on. Find out how local law enforcement has ramped up their efforts to battle this ever present threat to young women and children.

Get to know Pastor, Dustin Boles of the non-denominational Mosaic Church. With very humble beginnings, Mosaic began in 2008 with 19 people meeting in his living room. Today, Mosaic offers three services at the Ocean Springs location, and two weekly services in Gulfport.

The Salvation Army kicks off their annual Christmas campaign with the 1st Ever Let’s Glow Festival on Friday, November 21st at the Kroc Center in Biloxi! The event celebrates “everyday angels” who give of themselves throughout the year. Then on Saturday, November 22nd, don’t miss the 5th Annual Gobble Wobble Food Drive & Bridge Run that starts at the foot of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge on the Ocean Springs side. We have all the information you need for both events!

Taste Buds will take you to Monster Subs And Sandwiches in downtown Gulfport. It’s finally here folks! A real New York Deli where you can enjoy the biggest, yummiest sandwiches and every ingredient is piled high right before your eyes. This place is a dream come true! Hurry in for a one-of-a-kind treat.

GTP wishes you all a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy and the ones you love at your table.

Nancy Marchbanks
Executive Editor

Combatting Human Trafficking in Mississippi: The Net is Widening

This year, four Biloxi men were arrested for selling a child into sexual servitude. A Biloxi couple faces prison for forcing a women into prostitution. A Jackson man is serving 23 years in prison for selling a 4-year-old child into prostitution. A Meridian man is serving 50 years for kidnapping and drugging a Hattiesburg teen and forcing her into prostitution. Two teenagers were rescued from a Ridgeland hotel where they were sold by a couple for sex acts to patrons and transported to other locations for the purposes of prostitution. A New Orleans woman was convicted of prostituting several teenagers from her home where she kept them locked up and battered.

Holiday Events along the Mississippi Gulf Coast

As the holiday season gets into full swing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we would like to let all of our readers know about some exciting events taking place. Travel with us from historic Ocean Springs all the way to Bay St. Louis and Waveland as we take a holiday tour of each beautiful city along the way.

Our first stop will be in Ocean Springs for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa. There will be choirs singing holiday music, a parade, tree lighting and a charity toy drive for all to enjoy. Meet at Marshall Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 4th and bring the family to watch a shiny red fire truck deliver Santa to visit the kids. Sponsored by the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce, admission is free and you can get more information by calling the chamber at 228-875-4236 or 228-875-4424.

DUSTIN BOLES

We spoke with Pastor Dustin Boles of Mosaic Church in an effort to better inform our readers of his deep commitment to the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and to give you his perspective on what role the church plays in today’s culture.

Q. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT LEAD YOU TO A LIFE OF RELIGIOUS SERVICE – TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CALLING.
A. The story of my calling is pretty simple. I did not grow up in church and had a very negative view of church and Christianity in general. This was partly due to ignorance of what Christianity really was and partly due to my experiences with those who professed to be believers who lived in a way that seemed nothing like what they said they believed.
A fine Christian man once told me that “having a relationship with Jesus is not based upon how good or bad we have been (that was a relief!!!). Our relationship is based upon the historical fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day. Anyone who puts their faith/trust in Him is saved.

Monster Subs & Sandwiches

The name says it all! Monster sized subs and sandwiches rule in Gulfport. The brain-child of father and son team, Alan and Alex Roberts, Monster Subs and Sandwiches opened around September 15th of this year in an effort to bring a little of Alan’s childhood memories to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Gobble Wobble Food Drive & Let’s Glow Festival

With the holidays fast approaching, it is certain that the needs of those in our communities are many. There are ways that you can help and have a great time doing it.

Letter from our Editor Oct. 2014

Happy Fall Ya’ll!
Welcome to another edition of GTP as we kick off this beautiful time of year. Cooler weather, football games every weekend, and wonderful things to see and do up and down the Coast fill this season with great fun. Enjoy it!
This month we visit with Linda Sumrall, owner of A Pet’s Memory Funeral Home and Crematory. Although an unpleasant subject, the loss of a beloved pet is part of life. GTP takes you behind the scenes of this very important and much needed service. Meet the compassionate couple who will be there for you every step of the way.
Beauvoir will once again host the Fall Muster and Cemetery Tour! Both events promise to be extraordinary educational opportunities for everyone. Get all the information in this issue.
Adrenaline Tattoo is bringing some of the most noted ink artists to the Coast for the 4th Annual Inktoberfest at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center on October 17-19. It is going to be an epic weekend!
And little girls will make memories to last a lifetime at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center with the American Girl Fashion Show and PJ Party. We will tell you all about it!

GO SAINTS!

Nancy Marchbanks
Executive Editor

A Pet’s Memory, The First Open Door Pet Crematorium on the Coast

The death of a loved one is an inescapable part of life. Those of us who are completely devoted to our pets, feel the pain and loss as deeply as when a fellow human being passes on. It is a time of confusion, sadness, and often disbelief. It is a time when we need the compassion and caring of others, especially those who truly understand what we are going through. The owners of A Pet’s Memory Pet Funeral Home and Crematory, Linda and Glynn Sumrall, understand. They will provide your beloved companion with ultimate respect and gentle care. You can rest assured that your pet will be given a dignified and personal memorial, that will make you proud as well as help you through the grieving process.

American Girl Fashion Show at Lynn Meadows Discovery Center

American Girl is coming to the Coast! What a rare opportunity for girls in South Mississippi. American Girl dolls are the unique creations that allow young ladies to choose a forever friend that’s just like them! From hair color and length to skin tone and eye color, the choices are endless for those who want a customized version of an American Girl to call their own. You can even get a doll that has freckles or a “Bittie Baby” so your doll can have a sibling or two!

THE BEAUVOIR FALL MUSTER AND VOICES OF THE PAST PREMIER PERFORMANCE

Coming up in just a few short weeks, Beauvoir on the beach in Biloxi, will be alive with excitement, pageantry, and fun. This time of year, civil war reenactments take center stage on the historical property, with all the pomp and circumstance of the real thing. It all begins the evening of Friday, October 17, at 8:00 p.m with a special Artillery salute. But this year, the day will include a School Day attraction as well. 850 students will be in attendance and quite possibly many more. Kids will have the opportunity to see what it was really like to live as a soldier during this volatile time in our nation’s history.