JUNE 2021

INSIDE THE FLAGSHIP CITY

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF PASCAGOULA

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

"As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him...Jesus asked, Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except the foreigner?" Luke 17:11-19
How do we develop an attitude of gratitude? It starts with a simple and heartfelt thank you. It continues with a recognition of all the blessings around you and the acknowledgement that those blessings come from God. We have so much to be thankful for in our city: an abundance of jobs, good schools and healthcare, and a safe community in a beautiful setting on the Gulf of Mexico. That is not to say that we don't have problems like every other community. Those problems are best addressed as we work together in a collaborative fashion, respecting each other and treating others with civility. So, I would ask you to join me in thanking our police, our firefighters, our public works partners, our city administration and all those in the city who serve us. I would encourage you to be positive, look for ways to work together to solve problems, and develop an attitude of gratitude. I have loved being your mayor.
-Mayor Steve Demetropoulos

NEW CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE OFFICE

The newly elected Mayor and City Council members will be sworn into office on July 6 at 5:00 pm, prior the the start of the City Council meeting. Judge Robert Krebs will preside over the swearing in ceremony to take place in council chambers at City Hall. Your newly elected council members are:

Mayor: Jay Willis
At Large: Patrick Gatchell
Ward 1: Michael Hyde
Ward 2: Felix "FeFe" Fornett
Ward 3: Johnny Walker
Ward 4: Matt Parker
Ward 5: Chris Blythe

UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE 12: Chevron Women's Network Charity Run, 8:00 am, Pascagoula Beach Park
JUNE 12: Men's Club Fishing Tournament, Point Park
JUNE 15: Blood Drive, 11:00am -4:00 pm, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
JUNE16: Business After Hours, 4:30-6:30 pm, The Jury Room
JUNE 18: Third Friday, 5:00-8:00 pm, Downtown Pascagoula
JUNE 21: Blood Drive, 1:00-6:00 pm, Pascagoula Senior Center
JUNE 23: Cake Decorating Class, 5:00-7:00 pm, Nura Juice Bar
JUNE 30: Kids Cooking Class: Fudge Brownies, 5:00-7:00 pm, Pascagoula Senior Center

BEACH BOULEVARD ASPHALT REPAIRS

Work is underway on Beach Boulevard asphalt repairs in four locations. The work will require temporary one-lane closures at each location. The repairs will happen in stages from west to east, so only one area will be closed at a time. Detour signage will be in place throughout the closure duration. The entire project is expected to take about 2 months.

PARKING AT BOAT LAUNCHES

With summer upon us, our boat launches are more popular than ever. If you do not have a trailer attached to your vehicle, please DO NOT park in spots designated for trailers. This includes golf carts. We ask you to please be respectful of those needing a place to park their trailers as they enjoy our access points to the water.

CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Mary Cooper recently stepped into the role of Coordinator at the Senior Center. Her enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious. She is dedicated to making the Senior Center a place those 55 and older in our community are excited to come to. She has done some rearranging at the center, including creating a new library. We're glad to have Mary as part of the team!

NEW PROGRAMS AT THE SENIOR CENTER

There are a lot of exciting things happening at the Senior Center! Some new programs include a weekly walking group, Friday matinee movies, and a bereavement support group hosted by SRHS Hospice of Light. Luncheons have resumed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. The cost is $5 for Senior Center members and you must register in advance by calling the Center at (228) 769-8329. These luncheons are now catered by area restaurants. Read the Senior Center newsletter here.

BATTLE ON BUFFETT BEACH RETURNS

Battle on Buffett Beach will return to Pascagoula on December 4, 2021. Battle is a 5k obstacle race in the sand. There will be more than 20 obstacles including a vertical wall, hurdles, over/under trench, rope climb, tire run, sand hill challenges, and much more! Battle on Buffett Beach isn't just for adults. There will be a youth obstacle race for kids ages 6-13. You can register for the race here.

DATE SET FOR PADDLE BATTLE

Dip your paddle into one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast's designated water trails and enjoy a uniquely adventurous perspective of our area's abundant natural beauty. Pascagoula Run Paddle Battle will return to the Pascagoula River on Saturday, October 16, 2021. Paddle Battle is a 12.5 mile race down the river for all types of human powered paddle craft. The race begins at Little River Marina in Moss Point and ends at Lighthouse Park in Pascagoula. Shuttles will be provided to the race start. Read more about the race and register here.

SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS

Basketball Camp:

July 6-8 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Pascagoula Recreation Center
Girls & boys ages 6-12
$70 per camper
cityofpascagoula.com/register

Indoor Soccer Camp:

July 6 & 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pascagoula Recreation Center
Girls & boys ages 7-16
$50 per camper
cityofpascagoula.com/register

Outdoor Soccer Camp:

July 19-22 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Pascagoula Soccer Complex
5U-8U: $50
9U-12U: $75
smscsoccer.com

YOUTH FOOTBALL FALL SEASON

Registration is now open for the fall season of Youth Football. The Parks & Recreation Department is offering tackle football and co-ed flag football. Flag football is for ages 5-12 (separated into four age groups) and costs $64 for Pascagoula residents and $89 for non-residents. Tackle football is for ages 9-12 (separated into two age groups) and costs $94 for residents and $134 for non-residents. Register at cityofpascagoula.com/register.

CONGRATS!

Congratulations to both the Resurrection Catholic School and Pascagoula High School baseball teams for winning the 1a and 5a South State Championship & making it to the state finals. We could not be more #PascagoulaProud of what these two teams accomplished this year!

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Pascagoula-Gautier School District:

The Pascagoula-Gautier School District has announced two new principals for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. Derek Read is the new director of the College and Career Technical Center. Read formerly served as the Career Technical Education counselor at the CCTI. Read attended the center as a student and then returned as a drafting teacher, moved to the guidance counselor position and has now been promoted to the director of the center. Greta Adams has been selected as the new principal for Cherokee Elementary, taking over for Tina Bankston, who is retiring. Adams has served the PGSD in a number of positions throughout the district, most recently as assistant principal at Jackson, College Park and Eastlawn elementary schools.

Resurrection Catholic School:

RCS wrapped up the 2020-2021 school year with many graduation and end of the year activities. Seniors participated in a parade down Beach Boulevard followed by Class Night, where the graduating class received $3.4 million in scholarships. At Graduation, Valedictorian Mary Hinman and Salutatorian Amelia Cunningham gave inspiring speeches to their fellow classmates before receiving their diplomas. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors!
Also worthy of celebration, the RCS baseball team made a historic run to the 1A South State Championship, where they would win the title and punch their ticket to the school’s first trip to the State Championship at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS. Junior Jack Thomas Schnoor and Sophomore Cole Tingle were named to the 2021 MAC 1A All-State Baseball Team. Congratulations Eagles on your outstanding season! RCS would also like to congratulate the Pascagoula Panther baseball team on their run to the State Championship. Go Eagles and Go Goula!

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