A group of young professionals has been selected to spend a month in New Zealand as part of Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program. The group of six includes four women and one man, plus one Team Leader.
DreamWorks Gymnastics Level P4 (Prepop) competed Nov. 22 in Hattiesburg at Planet Gymnastics’ Fall Fest 08.
Employees with the Ocean Springs Public Works Department were recognized by Samaritan Food Ministries for their recent contribution of donated food items with a certificate of appreciation and refreshments. Volunteers with the food pantry Meg Walters and Neal Waddell, Bonnie Furniss, manager of the food pantry, Jerry Anderson, president of the Samaritan Ministries board of directors, and Aldermen-at-Large Julia Weaver served refreshments. There are 47 employees in the Public Works department, under the direction of Andre Kaufman. Pictured: Public Works employee Candice Hooks accepts a certificate of appreciation from Jerry Anderson. The local food pantry provided groceries to 1,100 area residents during November. Citizens who would like to donate nonperishable food items to the food pantry may do so Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, at Community of Christ Church, 403 Halstead Rd.
On Nov. 18, the Biloxi Rotary Club contributed about $800 and a truckload of nonperishable food items to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, a charitable group located at the Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi. The food drive is an annual community service project for the club, which meets every Tuesday at noon at Mary Mahoney’s Old French House Restaurant. Details: www.rotaryclubofbiloxi.org. From left: Mitch Kalom, Toni Briscoe (St. Vincent DePaul), Keith Clayton, Sam Burke, Mike Mahan, Bob Wall, Bruce Marie, Sr. Susan Carr (St. Vincent DePaul) and Rob Briscoe.
The Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs (BOSJA) has selected 10 provisional members, from left, front: Jessica Chevalier, Caty Mahoney Hulett, Crystal Felsher, Kelly Allen, Kelly Vancleave; back: Michelle Wood, Tina Murray, Callie Gottsche Mullins and Amy Weaver. Not pictured: Burgundy Hornsby. The group has 18 service projects in place for the 2008-09 year and has helped more than 6,000 people. Details: www.bosja.org.
The first class of graduates recently completed the eight-week restaurant course, a collaboration of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Restaurant Association, The Innovation Center in Biloxi and the Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center. Students focused on a variety of topics, including the required permits and licenses, health department regulations, writing a business plan, marketing, insurance needs, record keeping, financing, recruiting and retaining key personnel and managing growth after they open. The class also met local vendors of food and equipment, and chefs visited the class. The next class starts March 2. Details: 396 8661 or e-mail Teresa Speir, of the Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center, at gcsbdcolemiss.edu. The attendees and instructors, from left, front row: instructors Steve Whitt, Grady Griffin, Calvin Coleman, Teresa Speir, and attendee Brandon Wooldridge; second row: attendees Indiana Bailey, Maxim Van Norden, Paul Walker, Jr, Lucia Van Norden, Mike Daniels, Cynthia Ladnier, Michelle Beck and Lilian Perez. Not pictured: Rosie Boyd, Ben Thompson and Mike Weems.
Pass Christian Middle School honor roll students were rewarded with a field trip to Park Ten Lanes in Diamondhead for two free games of bowling. Sponsored by the Pass Christian Middle School PTO, the field trip was promoted as an incentive for students to make A-B honor roll on their report cards. Cheering each other on, from left: Tyler Kirby, Daniel Dubuisson, Savio Nguyen, Faith Chamness, Logan Brown, Kieu Le, Prescott Williams and Tanya Connick, assistant principal.
The Lord is My Help food pantry is the latest local organization to benefit from the “100 Acts of Charity” community outreach program established by Rushing & Guice, P.L.L.C., as part of the law firm’s 100th anniversary activities.
The Gautier Garden Club November Beautification Award has been given to Jesse and Lucy Grant of 2631 Valleywood Drive in the Northwood Hills Subdivision of Gautier. The well-manicured lawn is accented with large crape myrtle trees with beds of lantana beneath them. Presenting the award, from left: Audice Shelton, Gautier Garden Club Beautification chairwoman; Jan Fishinger, committee member; Lucy and Jesse Grant; and Kristie Bray from the beautification committee.
Dr. Don Benefield, left, an ophthalmologist in Gulfport, recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to perform eye surgery on some patients to correct nearsightedness. The ICL surgery is a ‘contact lens’ placed in the eye. Also pictured is a patient (Evelyn) and Dr. Juan Battle.
St. Martin North Elementary held a canned-food drive to benefit local food kitchens within the community. A total of 2,665 cans were collected and given to the Lord Is My Help and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Pictured: first-graders Lani Forehand, Brent Chandler, Cameron Poulos, Corey David and Joshua Becnel.
Hancock County Supervisor Steve Seymour, with scissors, and Paul Eddy, left of Seymour, Hancock County Library System acting director, recently cut the ribbon to officially open the new Kiln Walking Trail.
