The Mississippi Coast Historical & Genealogical Society will sponsor the 23rd annual Mississippi Coast History Week Sunday through Wednesday at the Biloxi Visitors Center, immediately north of the Biloxi Lighthouse.
The free event is co-sponsored by the City of Biloxi and the Biloxi Public Library.
Exhibits will open Sunday from noon until 5 p.m., highlighted by a 2 p.m. reception where awards will be presented for winners of the History Week Art Contest. Monday through Wednesday, demonstrations will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Visitors Center will also host three book signings during the observance: Edmond Boudreaux, “Legends and Lore of the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast,” Sunday from 1:30 to 3 p.m.; Ron Skellie, “Lest We Forget – The Immortal Seventh Mississippi,” Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; and Mouise Thomas Richards, “The Bizarre Biloxi Bazaar,” Tuesday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
This event celebrates the anniversary of the landing of the explorer d’Iberville, in present-day Biloxi in 1699. The French Flotilla anchored off Ship Island and came ashore to explore the mainland.
History Week will feature participants dressed in reproduction French clothing, a display of life in 18th century, along with some of the foods that were available when the French first arrived on these shores.
Among the groups participating in this year’s observance are the Gulf Coast Jewish Community, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the Fleur de Lis Ladies Society, the Slavic/Croatian Society, the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, the Biloxi Fire Museum, Beauvoir, the Department of Marine Resources and Biloxi Public Schools.
Also participating will be the historical societies of Gulfport, Long Beach and Hancock County. The Biloxi Library History Division will have a display explaining how to create family tree charts.
School groups are encouraged to attend. For scheduling groups or for more information, contact Jane Shambra at (228) 435-4613. For other information, contact Shambra or Julie Suarez at (228) 435-6280.
Book poster: To print a poster about the book signings, click here.
Weekend preview: Arbor Day run, Merle Haggard and more
The 25th annual Arbor Day Run and Roll for Disability Awareness takes place Saturday morning in downtown Biloxi, and you’ll find professional hockey and public ice skating at the Coliseum, a Valentine’s dinner at the Redding House, and Merle Haggard at the IP.
For details on these events and the complete weekend lineup, courtesy of listings from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, click here.
Hazard mitigation: Your review is requested
The City of Biloxi is seeking public review of its hazard mitigation and floodplain management plan, a document that serves as a guide to help minimize the damage from natural hazards and disasters.
A draft of the federally-mandated plan is on the city’s web site for review, along with a brief online survey. To go to the Hazard Mitigation page, where you can find the plan and a link to the online survey, click here.
A workshop to hear more about the plan – and a discussion of regional climate change trends – will be conducted Thursday, Feb. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Donal M. Snyder Community Center on Pass Road.
To print a flier about the meeting, click here.
News and notes
Popp’s Ferry bridge: The last-minute temporary repairs made to the steel grate on the Popp’s Ferry – square-foot steel plates welded to the existing deck – were completed in about 45 minutes this afternoon. Biloxi Public Works personnel made the repairs at 1 p.m. and expect permanent repairs to be made, once parts are fabricated, in two to four weeks.
Webcasting: In this week’s City Desk webcast, Chief Administrative Officer David Nichols reviews Mardi Gras, previews the agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting, and explains the importance of hazard mitigation. The program, which was recorded this morning, is scheduled to be online by 5 this afternoon. To visit the Gulf Coast News/Radio site, click here.
City Council agenda: The Biloxi City Council will consider measures involving parking at the small craft harbor, repairs to the Lighthouse pier, thermal imaging cameras for the fire department, and repairs to the Natatorium roof. To see the complete agenda, along with individual resolutions and supporting documents, click here.
