PICAYUNE —
Picayune developers and businessmen, Bill Edwards and Garland Crosby, are at the helm of Picayune Main Street, Inc.
Both have done much in the community developing the local business district and residential properties. They are both known as powerful motivators and facilitators in community groups. Currently, in addition to running their respective businesses, Edwards chairs Team Picayune, where Crosby is a member, and Crosby chairs Picayune Perks, where Edwards is a member. They are both emerged as powerhouse groups which have had the foresight to umbrella other business and civic groups and focus their attention towards the same goal.
Now, at Picayune Main Street, the time has come for Edwards to return to lead the group he started back in 1996 when Picayune became a Main Street community. With Crosby as his co-captain, they are sure to make big strides in their endeavors.
Picayune Main Street is a 501 3.C non-profit organization governed by a board of volunteer directors who establish policy, review and monitor committee work in progress. Its main purpose is the preservation of the historic character and integrity of the downtown commercial and residential districts. Picayune Main Street sponsors charitable programs such as: Historic preservation, community education and lessening the burden of local government.
Crosby said, “There are a lot of dedicated people who want to see Picayune prosper. We are fortunate to have a city government who want our city to expand, grow and prosper while maintaining our quality of life. We know nothing happens without a lot of hard work.”
Edwards said, “We have a board full of members who want to work together and are supportive. As Garland said, there is nothing accomplished without hard work, and we have the support and dedication from board members and community members involved with Picayune Main Street to make some things happen.
“One thing Garland has shown us is that one person can make a difference. Through Picayune Perks, he gathered a group of business owners who went about making changes in how businesses promoted themselves and catered to customers. Now, Picayune Perks will merge with Team Picayune, which already works with Picayune Main Street, and the effort with be consistent and strong.”
There are positive changes coming. In addressing the recent slowdown of traffic and vendors at the Street Fair, Edwards had some thoughts on a new direction.
“We took a hard look at the Street Fair and after a recent trip to Foley, Ala., I would like to see us go in the direction of having vendors with inventory exclusively from Miss. or at least made in the U.S.” said Edwards.
“It will take time to transition into this but, the event at Foley was very eyecatching and full of talented people with quality items to sell. All of them were from Ala., Ga. or Miss., and so in demand that they are already booked into next November. But, nothing sold there was made in China; it was not allowed,” he continued.
“Picayune is like a diamond in the rough. Slidell and other areas in close proximity to Picayune are pretty much built out right now. The flow of population is bound to come this way, and sooner than later,” said Crosby.
“Bill started Picayune Main Street and it is exciting to have him back. We both have a personal interest in Main St. and we are passionate about helping this community and local businesses. Our goal is to increase membership and have members come to meetings and actively be a part of Picayune Main Street. We want their input and ideas. We value their contributions,” he continued.
Memberships for Picayune Main Street are: Individual/family — $ 25; civic organizations — $50; financial Institutions and industry — $250.
Picayune Main Street, Inc. invites the community to join them in and working to advance a new vision for the community.
Lifestyles
Related Photos
-
Above: Garland Crosby and Bill Edwards are this week’s Picayune Item Super Seniors for their ambition and drive to make Picayune a better place to live. Both have served on civic committees throughout the years, while continuing to run full time businesses. Edwards is responsible for making Picayune a Main Street Community. Today they both serve as vice president and president of Picayune Main Street, Inc. Jodi Marze
Garland Crosby and Bill Edwards
Picayune Item Super Seniors
- Lifestyles
-
- 2013 Partners for Pearl River County By Jodi Marze The 10th class of Partners for Pearl River County celebrated its graduation at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 10, in the Fellowship Hall. The graduating class included: Jason Bounds, Nacole Dillon, Christy Goss, John Huck, Jeff McClain, Teenia Perry, Paul Reese, Brooke Rester, Eric Stafne, Richelle Stafne, Kristin Thibodeaux, Pat Tidmore, and Jim Walker. The staff is comprised of: Jo Woods, Tricia Knight, Shirley Wiltshire, Marilyn Bailey, Rod Lincoln and Scott Langlois (Program Chairman).
-
Tami Harris takes state
Local business owner and community volunteer Tami Harris has won the coveted title of 2012 Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs-Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs (MFWC) Club Woman of the Year for the state of Mississippi. A member of the Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune, Harris is one of only three club members, along with Darlene Adams and Leslie Lincoln, to take the state title.
-
Arboretum Paths
Last week, students participating in the 2013 Mississippi Master Naturalist Program visited the Crosby Arboretum for an all-day training. The session was part of 40 hours of field and classroom instruction they will receive, educating them about natural resource management and environmental stewardship, and is a part of their preparation to become Certified Mississippi Master Naturalists.
- Chamber Ribbon Cutting Children's International Medical Group held a grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at their first Mississippi location, located in Picayune.
-
Historic City Hall Dedication Friday
Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. the New City Hall will be dedicated on Goodyear Boulevard. This event will coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Old Historic City Hall building.
- PRC Community Band presents: An American Legacy The Pearl River County Community Band, under the direction of Johnny Baker, will present “An American Legacy: An afternoon of American music for concert bands,” on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the Picayune Memorial High School Auditorium.
-
Arboretum Paths
On their recent tour, fifth grade students from Lamar Christian School in Purvis encountered a seemingly endless variety of wildlife, ranging from crawfish to inchworms, to writhing masses of spiny, newly-emerged caterpillars. There is no such thing as a “typical” walk around the Arboretum’s Pond Journey and Pitcher Plant Bog. Every venture reveals something new to every group of visitors.
-
Beebe returns to Main Street
“I was excited when the Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors asked me to return as manager to the local Main Street program. Also, extremely grateful to Picayune City Manager Jim Luke, Mayor Ed Pinero and city council for their blessings and approval to relocate our office,” says Beebe. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.’ I have to say, I had a blast working on committees, projects and events with the most dedicated staff and group of volunteers in Pearl River County from March 2005 to May 2010. I look forward to getting new committees in place and working with ‘seasoned’ volunteers as well as new volunteers who share the same passion and desire to keep Picayune moving forward.”
-
15th Annual Rotary Fishing Rodeo held in McNeill
“We are all fortunate to play a small part in the joy we see in their faces when they get a bite on their line and see the fish they catch. My wife, Sharon, and I hosted it last year on our anniversary and we would not have had it any other way. It was a perfect day.”
— Rotarian Tony Paternostro -
Picayune Main Street relocates to Intermodal
Picayune Main Street, Inc. has relocated to the Intermodal Transportation and Tourism Center at 200 Hwy 11 South. With the change in location the organization is also shifting focus back to the four points of the Main Street Approach according to President Bill Edwards.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
