Arlene Canaan, a retired Biloxi businesswoman and former City Councilmember who has made beautification a hallmark of public service, has been named the city’s Distinguished Volunteer of the Year.
The announcement was made during the city’s annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Thursday at the Biloxi Civic Center.
Canaan, who serves on the city’s Architectural and Historical Review Committee, is also an active board member with Biloxi Main Street, volunteering at many of the group’s events. She is a member of the Biloxi Lions Club and has served on the Harrison County Beautification Commission.
Canaan, a retired banker, advocated tree protection during her year-long stint on the Biloxi City Council and has continued to lobby the council on the issue. While serving as a City Council member from 2004 to 2005, she lobbied untiringly for beautification efforts and pushed for the “Keep Biloxi Beautiful” signs that now dot major city thoroughfares.
She has also worked on phone book recycling efforts and a myriad other environmental causes.
“Arlene, like so many of our volunteers, donates her most important asset, her time,” said Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich. “The city would not be the great place that it is were it not for the dedication of people such as Arlene Canaan.”
Other top honorees recognized Thursday night:
— Community volunteer: Ken Wetzel
— Youth volunteer: Abbie Brashier
— Health volunteer: Janice Reed
— Arts & History volunteer: Molly Cox
— Sports volunteer: St. Patrick’s Fast Pitch Softball Team
— Education volunteer: David N. Harris Jr.
— Adult volunteer group: Biloxi Elks Lodge 606
— Youth volunteer group: Biloxi High School ROTC
— City of Biloxi employee volunteer: Biloxi Fire Department
— Business volunteer: Walmart of Biloxi
— Non-profit organization: Friends of Hiller Park
— Military volunteer: Kenton Kershaw
— Military volunteer group: The White Rope Program
— Senior Citizen volunteer: Cathy Selmer
See pictures from the event
Point Cadet hosts Multicultural Festival
The inaugural Mississippi Gulf Coast Multicultural Heritage and Legacy Festival will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Point Cadet Plaza.
Artists, musicians, performers, arts and crafters and more will fill the plaza in celebration of the blended cultures of the Gulf Coast.
Admission is $5 and free for children ages 12 and younger and military members with military ID.
See the festival flyer
See the overall preview for this weekend
News and notes
Council meeting: The Biloxi City Council meets Tuesday night at 6. To see the agenda for the meeting, click here.
Fresh produce and more: You’ll find the Biloxi Farmers Market every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. under the I-110 overpass on Howard Avenue. Vendors sell  fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade baked goods, plants, and new this year, arts and crafts vendors. For more information, call 228-388-2443.
Development: To see the agenda for the Development Review Committee meeting on Wednesday, click here.
