City to recognize volunteers; other news and notes

Hundreds of volunteers will be recognized by the city in the 25th annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, which takes place today at 5:30 at the Donal M. Snyder Community Center.

The event is free and open to the public.

Mayor A.J. Holloway will present awards to individuals, organizations and businesses for contributing time and energy to worthwhile causes in the areas of health, community, arts and history, and sports. A Distinguished Volunteer of the Year also will be recognized.

Preservation takes spotlight throughout May

Biloxi will celebrate preservation throughout May with a host of free programs each Thursday.

The “Thursdays in May” lineup begins this week with a tour of the recently restored Bond-Grant House, on Howard Avenue at the I-110 overpass. Tours of the home will be offered, where visitors can hear preservation updates and view a photographic exhibit of the Westergard Boatworks. A reception will be held on the grounds of the Bond-Grant House.

Other events scheduled include a tour of the Biloxi City Cemetery on May 8, a History Channel-sponsored report by eighth grade students on May 15 at the Biloxi Junior High School auditorium; a brown bag lunch on the Town Green on May 22; and a reception on May 29 to announce 2008 preservation awards and newly identified landmarks in Biloxi.

To print a flyer with details about the month’s events, click here.

Biloxi sees preservation nominees

The City of Biloxi and the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce are seeking nominees for individuals, groups and businesses who have worked to preserve and promote the history of Biloxi since Hurricane Katrina.

The awards, according to Biloxi Historical Administrator Bill Raymond, “will not only honor efforts on behalf of preserving our architectural history but also efforts to promote our cultural history and traditions.”

Deadline for nomination is May 16. To see a nomination form, which can be filled out online before printing, click here.

The preservation awards will be presented by Mayor A.J. Holloway at City Hall on Thursday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. followed by a ribbon cutting and reception at the Bond-Grant House at 932 Howard Ave.

News and notes

More sculptures: Sculptor Marlin Miller created three more Beach Boulevard sculptures – at Oak Street, near the Biloxi Elks Lodge and at the White House fountain – during his visit to Biloxi on April 19-20. To see the latest sculptures, click here.


National Day of Prayer:
The annual National Day of Prayer observance in Biloxi will be held at noon Thursday on the front steps of City Hall.

Special meeting: The Biloxi City Council has called a special meeting for Tuesday, May 20 to discuss Mississippi Cottages in the City of Biloxi. The council at its April 15 meeting tabled a measure by Councilman Bill Stallworth that would have classified the cottages as modular construction, meaning that the once-temporary cottages could become a permanent part of neighborhoods throughout the city.