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2008 Awards
The MRG Foundation's Bringing Back
the Beauty Awards Program
continues into its second year.
January
February
March
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January 2008
The Sun Herald
The Sun Herald is recognized
this month not only for its appearance but for all the work they do on
our behalf to the recovery of the Gulf Coast. Over the past year, they
have maintained their high standards of landscaping and appearance. The
criteria that first focused attention on them still are there: clean street
curbs, no visible litter from the street, neatly mowed grass, flowers
and shrubs, and a pristine clean, large parking area.
The newspaper uses their own maintenance crew for upkeep as well as a
landscape firm to change out seasonal plantings. When asked how they keep
the grounds free of litter, John McFarland said, "We encourage the
employees to clean up after themselves, and we give them time on the clock
to go out and pick up trash along Debuys Road."
The Sun Herald has taken a strong stand against litter since Hurricane
Katrina, and is working hard to try to foster a re-greening of the Gulf
Coast. In its "Litter Watch" series, they published photographs
of hundreds of piles of Katrina rubble for months to call attention to
the fact that they needed to be picked up. They regularly publish letters
from concerned citizens who want action taken against litter because they
are embarrassed to live where there is so much of it lying around.
The management of the publication are actively involved a number of state
and community organizations that are trying to bring back the beauty of
the Gulf Coast, and they work tirelessly in this endeavor. Along with
the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plain, the Sun Herald helped
organize "Replant South Mississippi", a program that hopes to
replace 300,000 native trees lost in the wake of Katrina. They were members
of the Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, which
made recommendations to build back better than ever in recovery, rebuilding
and tourism development. They serve on the 150 member Gulf Coast Business
Council Tourism Initiative which is working towards rebuilding boardwalks
and comfort stations along Highway 90, and making that highway a scenic
drive with landscaping and trees replenished.
When informed of the award, Matthews, Publisher of The Sun Herald, replied,
"This (award) is very much appreciated." He added, "We
took pride in how we look. "We wanted to lead by example." We
salute The Sun Herald for a job well done. They not only print the news,
they have a part in creating news for the betterment of South Mississippi.
They have set strong examples for community involvement for restoring
the beauty of our land and our community pride. We hope that others will
follow in their footsteps.
February 2008
Bay Books and Twin Lights Creations
Continuing its efforts to recognize
businesses that are striving to make a difference, this month the Mississippi
Renaissance Garden Foundation, Inc. traveled over to Bay St. Louis to
award two merchants their February "Bringing Back the Beauty"
awards. Bay St. Louis was one of the most devastated towns on the Gulf
Coast, but by the end of March, Main Street will have had its infrastructure
replaced and the street paved, making it easier for more businesses to
come back. Even with muddy streets and repairs underway, nominations from
a local lady resulted in Bay St. Louis receiving the awards. Both Old
Town businesses meet the standards of being litter free and both are helping
to bring back the beauty.
Bay Books
Bay Books, located at 131 Main St., is owned by Diamondhead resident Kay
Gough. It is a charming storefront business with no grass area to landscape,
so container gardens, a bench and two chairs provide an inviting and welcoming
atmosphere. Gough opened in September of last year, and indicated that
business is beginning to pick up. Quick to admit that she didn't place
the container gardens on her sidewalk herself, she gives credit to the
Rebuild Bay St. Louis Fund, with donations from Virginia and local people.
The group had a work day in which volunteers created container gardens
all up and down Main Street. Later, another group of locals donated chairs
and benches to provide rest places for shoppers. Gough has assumed care
of the gardens and regularly tends to them. She said that customers always
comment on how nice and inviting her entrance looks. Deborah Kennedy Designs
next door also received container gardens that enhance the entire storefront.
Asked why she chose to open a new business in Bay St. Louis after Katrina,
Gough said, "I just had a feeling about what a wonderful place Bay
St. Louis is and I wanted to have a part in rebuilding the community."
Twin Lights Creations
Almost directly across the street from Bay Books is the picturesque cottage,
Twin Light Creations, a business owned by Joy Panks and Pam Collins. The
unique garden and home décor business is filled with charming yet
sophisticated gifts at affordable prices. Their business was ruined by
flood water, and through a fluke an almost destroyed building across the
street became available. With an SBA loan, they bought it, finished gutting
it and completely rebuilt it.
The partners do all of their own planting and landscaping. The small front
flower beds are filled with plants and garden art, but the "Secret
Garden" courtyard in the back is a breathtaking eye catcher. After
having to add many dump trucks of soil and putting a fence in, the entire
long yard was landscaped beautifully. It is filled with mini gardens with
playing fountains in a variety of locations. A stroll in the lovely courtyard
fills one with peace and serenity.
Collins says the outlook for Bay St. Louis Old Town is hopeful, and right
now local support is carrying them. She indicated that more people are
moving back into their rebuilt homes, many of them created to look old,
as their business was. She and Panks are from New Orleans, but have adopted
Bay St. Louse as their home. In fact, they live in the other half of the
building. Panks said, "This is like a peaceful contentment."
"We have finally found paradise." Anyone visiting their store
will be sure to agree.
March 2008
Murphy Chiropractic and North Bay Physical Therapy Grounds
The Mississippi Renaissance Garden
Foundation has released the recipient of their "Bringing Back the
Beauty" March 2008 award. The offices of Murphy Chiropractic and
North Bay Physical Therapy at 1990 Popps Ferry Road are located on a large
wooded lot that was once a residential site. It housed the office of Chiropractor
Dr. Tim Murphy until an addition to the building created space for North
Bay Physical Therapy for physical therapist Keith Ganey.
Employees who work there are blessed with a work site that is surrounded
by a large lawn with a canopy of trees, although Ganey reported that they
lost 22 trees due to Katrina. Patients using physical therapy equipment
enjoy looking out a large picture window onto natural woods. Ganey says,"The
window provides serenity and is peaceful and relaxing for our patients."
Pretty shrubbery is clustered all along the front lawn. Indian Hawthorne
is in bloom, while azaleas are ripe and ready to burst into a colorful
array of blossoms. A Bradford Pear is just starting to bloom. Just descending
to the parking area is a peaceful experience.
When the business opened at this site bout eight years ago, the parking
spaces that were created were spread out to several areas rather than
paving over a large area in one place. Shrubs placed around the edges
of the parking slots to separate and add greenery. The owners are to be
commended for the environmentally friendly way they transformed the house
into a business. They set a good example for others who might purchase
homes along streets that are gradually changing from residential to business.
April 2008
Carpet Cottage
The Mississippi Renaissance Garden
Foundation announces the recipient of their "Bringing Back the Beauty"
April 2008 award to be Carpet Cottage. It is a storefront in a shopping
center that had no landscaping planned when it was built some 30 years
ago. Carpet Cottage used creativeness and wonderful artistic endeavors
to turn a plain storefront into a charming looking cottage with murals
of plants and trees and flowers painted on the front of their building.
All it took was a written plan with colored sketches, approval from the
Biloxi Planning Commission and a permit that costs approximately $25.00.
Add to that the talents of artist and muralist Frances Chapin Ladner,
window boxes with real flowers under each window, and it is a stand-out
in the Cedar Popps Plaza in Biloxi.
Carpet Cottage recently added two container plants on either side of their
entrance door as part of a Pilot Container Garden Project sponsored by
the Harrison County Beautification Commission and the IP Casino-Hotel-Spa.
The cottage mural attracts attention from Popps Ferry Road and Cedar Lake
Road. Employee Dawn Tohill says, "I have no doubt that the amenities
done to the outside have brought in customers." "Our appearance
captures the eye and imagination and makes people curious as to what is
inside." She added that people have come in just to see what we have
inside and end up becoming customers and recommending us to others. Tohill
added, "We lost so much to Katrina, and it takes very little effort
to bring the charm back to Biloxi."
Linda Nix, MRG awards chairperson, states, "By showcasing businesses
such as Carpet Cottage and what they have done to improve their appearance,
we hope that other businesses will want to create similar atmospheres
for their businesses." The MRG is dedicated to trying to help bring
back the beauty of the Gulf Coast by encouraging pleasing landscapes as
well as attention to cleanliness and a litter-free environment. They hope
to see more storefront businesses add container gardens, window boxes,
hanging baskets and other amenities such as murals, benches, or fountains
to improve their appearances. Statistics show that shoppers are more likely
to shop at an attractive store than an unattractive one. In addition to
improving their appearance, all businesses should consider placing an
attractive trash receptacle by their entrances for trash and cigarette
butts to help alleviate the litter problem on the Coast.
May 2008
Regions Bank - Cedar Lake Road
The May "Bringing Back the Beauty"
award was presented to Region's Bank at 905 Cedar Lake Road in Biloxi.
The bank is located on property it owns next to the new Nor de Lieu Shopping
Center on the corner of Cedar Lake and Popps Ferry Road. Benji Richoux
is branch manager of the bank that has been open since December of 2007.
Anyone who passes by can't help but notice the abundance of landscaping
all around the bank building. Trees, shrubs and flowers are planted all
around the perimeter of the bank, and although the plants are young, one
can imagine how lush it will look in a few years as the plants mature.
A sprinkler system will help ensure that the plants and grass are maintained.
The Mississippi Renaissance Garden Foundation likes to recognize local
businesses that have gone over and above what has been required in city
landscape ordinances when they consider sites for their award. The city
of Biloxi increased requirements for green space and trees in parking
lots (called landscape buffers) in 2003; however, some businesses provide
more green spaces than required. It is hoped that others who own businesses,
and those who are planning new construction, will see the example set
by the MRG award winners and choose to incorporate more trees and landscaping
around their property than is required.
Cheryl Johnson, President of Regions on the Mississippi Gulf Coast said,
"We put a lot of work into making sure that our green spaces are
as attractive as possible." "We replace plants that aren't doing
well and keep weeds under control. It is something that we care about."
They have a landscaping company that keeps their properties well maintained.
At Region's headquarters on Cowan-Lorraine Road, they spent a good deal
of money saving two oak trees that were damaged from Katrina because trees
are important to them. This is important for our environment and exemplifies
civic pride.
June 2008
The Dock
The Dock Bar and Grill in Gulfport
received the June "Bringing Back the Beauty Award". The Dock
has been open for three months. The plan for the establishment was conceived
on a table napkin two years ago by its three owners, John Dane III, Ben
Puckett and Thomas Genin, and was built on Dane's property. The bar and
grill is located at 13247-C Seaway Road in a heavy industrial area, and
it almost seems out of place. People are quickly impressed with the appearance
of the building and its landscaping as they turn down the drive and round
a curve to the building sitting on the Industrial Seaway. The property
is inviting, and its clean and litter-free appearance makes it a place
that people can enjoy.
The tropical-themed landscaping was done by a professional landscaping
company with guidance from Leslie Dane, wife of one of the owners. It
is regularly maintained by the same company. Shrubs and palms are routinely
trimmed to maintain their neatness, and a-top-of-the line irrigation system
keeps large expense of grass between the restaurant and the docks green
and healthy. The green area between the building and the extremely nice
boat docks is pleasing and as well landscaped as the entrance in the front.
Mike Dixon, General Manager, says that The Dock has quickly outgrown its
present space and is building a new kitchen on the western end to serve
the Tikki Bar, which will have a separate menu from the main restaurant.
Volleyball courts are being constructed on the eastern side of the building.
Dixon says, "The most important thing to a business is the first
impression that people see when they walk into a place". Every morning
someone walks around the parking lot to pick up any broken glass and trash,
and to pick up any cigarette butts that are tossed down by customers.
That is what it takes to consistently have a clean business environment
that is appreciated by customers.
July 2008
Sacred Heart Parish Life Center
July's award went to Sacred Heart Center
in Biloxi. The Center was built in 1933 as a School and was restored to
become the Parish Life Center in 2005. It received minimal damage during
Katrina and is one of the few Historical Buildings remaining in Biloxi.
After Katrina it was used for two years as the Catholic Middle and High
School, as Mercy Cross High School was lost to the Hurricane. When St.
Patrick's High School opened in the fall of 2007, and the building was
vacated, plans to landscape the grounds began.
A local architecture firm donated their time and energy to prepare a landscape
plan to make this Historical Beauty a show stopper. Another generous donor
provided the trees and shrubs to be planted. With the help of a locallLandscaping
company and volunteers from the church, this endeavor was accomplished
in June. Over 25 large trees have been planted on the site. Numerous shrubs
such as Gardenias, Azaleas, Indian Hawthorne and Monkey Grass now adorn
the area. A sprinkler system was installed and mulch has been applied.
Various members of Nativity BVM are helping to maintain the area by weeding,
fertilizing and watering. The Men's Club at Nativity recently spent an
afternoon working on the landscaping to keep the area pristine. The Center
is used not only by the Church but has been the site for Mardi Gras Balls,
Wedding Receptions, Seminars and Conferences.
It was recently used by President Carter for a reception when he came
down for a Habitat for Humanity Blitz. It is available for rent to the
general public as well as businesses and other organizations.
August 2008
Kalom and Associates
The winner
of the August 2008 "Bringing Back the Beauty Award". Kalom &
Associates, PLLC, is a law firm owned by attorney T. Mitchell "Mitch"
Kalom located at 971 Division Street in Biloxi. The firm takes great pride
in their appearance and their landscaping. Their property was nominated
through the MRG web site and it met and exceeded the requirements for
selection. The offices are located in a quaint 1920's style converted
home that is well-maintained and painted a pleasing shade of blue.
Because the office is right off I-1-10, Kalom felt it is important to
have a nice appearance, not only to the firm but also for the City of
Biloxi. Greenery and flower beds surround the large yard. A centuries-old
Live oak tree shades almost the entire front yard, and other varieties
of trees frame the property. A brick walkway is landscaped with shrubs
and is beautifully mulched, and a stone bench provides a place to sit
under the swooping limbs of the Live oak. Numerous flower beds with annuals,
perennials, bulbs such as Lilies of the Nile and wildflowers that are
edged with stone walls can be found on all sides of the building. The
back parking lot has a wildflower bed surrounded by a stone wall and is
enhanced by trees and shrubs. Flowering shrubs such as azaleas and camellias
add color in winter and spring. All of the flower beds are mulched and
weeded.
Taryn Pratt, Administrative Assistant for the firm, says, "Our office
is small, so anytime one of us sees garbage in the yard, we immediately
pick it up. Because we are on Division Street, we are often picking up
beer bottles and empty food containers, but as soon as someone notices
debris, it is picked up." The staff takes pride in the appearance
of their work place, and it shows.
To keep the lawn clean and neat, a landscaping firm manicures the flower
beds twice a month and treats them for insects and weeds. The grass is
cut and edged bi-monthly by another local firm. Pratt says that both services
keep the landscape appealing. She says, "I am proud of the beautiful
yard that I get to enjoy from my office window." She says they frequently
get compliments from clients and even the mailman. It is no wonder - he
entire setting is as charming as a fairy tale.
Beauty Award Links:
Bring
Back the Beauty Award Information
Bringing
Back the Beauty Award
First Ten Awards
2007
Awards
2008 Awards
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Recommend
a Bringing Back the Beauty site.
Click below for:
Bringing
Back the Beauty Site Standard Criteria
Slogans to Adopt That Will Benefit Everyone
Site Selection Criteria
We Care Cleanup Project
Site Recommendation Form
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