This week’s “Thursdays in May” offering will focus on two Point Cadet cultural institutions: the Slavic Benevolent Association of St. Nikoli and the Fleur de Lis Society, or, as locals know them, the Slavonian Lodge and the French Club.
Thursday’s free affair, which is scheduled to run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will be a “culinary field trip” at the Lodge and the French Club. Visitors will walk or motor the several blocks between to two locations.
At the Lodge, which is on Maple Street just north of Howard Avenue, you’ll find demonstrations of the art of pusharata-making and you’ll be able to sample dobe spaghetti. Lodge visitors also will be able to view the documentary of the lodge’s centennial, which also will be for sale as part of the “Katrina +10” photo album and DVD.
Meantime, at the French Club, which is on Howard Avenue a block west of the Palace Casino, visitors will find demonstrations of praline-making and  can sample gumbo. Award-winning historic re-enactor Edmond Boudreaux also will be on hand to discuss French settlers, Croatian immigrants and their lasting influence on Biloxi and the Gulf Coast.
The events are part of the city’s month-long celebration of history, part of National Preservation Month. The award-winning “Thursdays in May program” kicked off last week with more than a hundred people taking part in a scavenger hunt of historic sites in downtown.
The programs are designed to give residents and visitors a chance to explore the history of Biloxi. The annual series is organized by the City of Biloxi, Biloxi Bay Chamber, Biloxi Main Street, Biloxi Public Schools, and the Local History & Genealogy Department of the Biloxi Public Library.
News and notes
Mayoral inauguration: The inauguration of Mayor-elect Andrew “FoFo” Gilich will take place Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Biloxi Civic Center. The ceremony, of course, will be free and open to the public.
Fallen officers ceremony: A host of past-and-present public safety workers were on hand today at the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center for the annual Fallen Officers Ceremony. To see dozens of photos from the event, click here.
Biloxi’s youngest firefighter: West End Hose Co. No. 3, the city’s fire museum, welcomed the city’s youngest firefighter Sunday afternoon with arrival of Daelyn Beesley. The grandson of Biloxi Fire Department Chief of Operations Jeff Merrill was actually observing his second birthday, a occasion that saw the toddler don his own turnout gear. To see photos from the party — and to learn how the museum can host your next event — click here.
