The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a colorful past with some of that history hidden in the woods with early settlers and their moonshine stills. Local author, historian, and storyteller Al Saucier provides glimpses of that history in “Kiln Moonshine,” the eighth edition of his successful book which tells the story of the wilderness families of the rural gulf coast and the international moonshine trade that originated with them.
The public is invited to meet Saucier at the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd. Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saucier will be signing books and telling stories of how Mississippi Gulf Coast moonshine made it around the world.
Saucier is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast who retired from the Stennis Space Center as an engineer and began telling the little-known stories of Hancock County. With the success of his moonshine books, he is now offering moonshine tours taking locals and visitors to the “hidden” places associated with the early settlement of the Gulf Coast and the moonshine trade.
The event on Thursday is free, and refreshments (but no moonshine) will be served. For more information or to reserve a copy of “Kiln Moonshine,” call the Visitors Center at (228) 374-3105.
News and notes
Irish Hill update: CenterPoint Energy, whose contractors have been installing new gas lines on Irish Hill Drive, reports that paving is now underway on the roadway, and the plan is to have Irish Hill re-opened to traffic Wednesday afternoon. Beginning Monday, by the way, crews are expected to begin installing new gas lines on Gill Avenue, north of Irish Hill. See the status of roadwork through the city by clicking here.
Council reminder: The Biloxi City Council has two meetings today, one at 4:30 to discuss trash pickup and a regularly scheduled meeting at 6. To see the agendas and supporting documents, click here.
