Gulfport, Mississippi, History

Remember when ‘Pied Piper’ Was A Smashing Hit? -1968- Prodution By Gulfport Little Theatre

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The Pied Piper of Hamelin-Gulfport Little Theatre
Gulfport Little Theatre Cast of “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”

‘PIED PIPER’ IS SMASHING HIT BY GULFPORT LITTLE THEATRE

Playing to packed houses and having to turn people away at the door, 55 children under the capable direction of Mrs. James H. Baxley, brought “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” to life at the Gulfport Little Theater July 12 and 13.

The line cast consisted of Keith Dubuisson, Robert Lizand, Bobby Parker, Emilu Gauthe, Rusty Sumrall, Ronnie Lizana, Beverly Spruill, Neidre Allgood, Jim Tucker, Laurie Juliana, Pete Hamp, Nancy Ciccarelli and Mary Eliza Turner.

The rats were played by Mary Margaret Angel, Misha Andre, Linda Hill, Matt Johnson, Bert Ladner, Geoffrey Morse, Scott McManus, Michael Novak, David Rogers, Lisa Rosetti, Jeff Johnson, and Roberta McIntyre.

The children of Hamelin were Vanessa Lindsay, Don Benefield, Nancy Bernheim, Margaret Bell, Rebecca Dabbs, Donna Glancey, Carol McManus, Charlotte Throop, Karen Hill, Michelle Johnson, Kathy McManus, Lisa Pickhardt, Laura Peno, Martha Rouse, Mary Todaro, and Douglas Bell.

The townspeople were Nancy Bell, Dede Dabbs, Judy Gilbert, Susan Herman, Sheryl Ireland, Ellen Bryant, Florence Keating Derrith Allgood and Robianne Vest. The colorful set was designed by Mrs. Tom Benefield and painted by Mrs. T. N. Roberts, Mrs. H. G. O’Conor, Robert and Ronnie Lizana and Mrs. Benefield. Light and sound were handled by Chris Elam and Tracey Bradley. Costumes were coordinated by Mrs. James Gilbert and Mrs. William Ruble. Lobby decorations were done by Mrs. Dean Keating, Florence Keating, and Dede Dabbs. Theater posters were by Mrs. T. N. Roberts.

Assisting Mrs. Baxley on the production were Miss Lanee Kent, Mrs. Robert Little, Mrs. Spencer Bell, and Mrs. Raymond Lizana. Also working on the production were Miss Lucy Turner, Miss Jan Guild, Rodney Bond, Mrs. Victor Allgood, Mrs. George Rosetti, Mrs. F. A. Stainken, David Longlois, Mr. Blaine Currie, Miss Nancy McKenzie, Miss Sharon Bingham, Miss Maianne Towell, Miss Martha Shae, Miss Jeanette Alford, Mrs. Neil Andre, Mrs. Joyce Foster, Miss Amy Foster, and Miss Gayler Panania.

Helping with hospitality were Mrs. William Hall, Mrs. George Morse, Mrs Jodie Johnson, Mrs. Richard Ciccarelli, Mrs. Charles Parker, Mrs. Edward Throop, Mrs. Charles Angel, Mrs. Neil Andre, and Mrs. Robert Novak. Ticket sales were handles by Mrs. James Bell, Mrs. William Ruble and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rogers.

—–

The Dixie Guide (Gulfport, Mississippi)

Page 13

Thursday, August 1, 1968

 

 

Installation Of Officers By West Ward PTA

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Installation Of Officers By West Ward PTA

Mrs. James P. Estrada was installed as president of the Gulfport West Ward Elementary Parent Teachers’ Association Thursday evening at the annual meeting for the year in the school auditorium.

Walter Ewing, who will be the new principal at the school for the 1967-68 session, was installing officer.

Mrs. Estrada, who succeeds Mrs. Ben Weeks, is a member of the faculty of Bayou View Junior High School.

Installed also were Mrs. Donald Suber, vice president; Mrs. J. L. Pullen, secretary; and Mrs. Curtis Parker treasurer.


West Ward Elementary School PTA-Circa 1967
My mother as PTA president at West Ward Elementary School cir. 1967, Gulfport, Mississippi, and teacher at Bayou View Jr. High.

This newspaper account is one of the articles my mother sent me through the years that she’d clipped and saved for me.

No date or name of publication is given. It is presumed the newspaper was The Daily Herald (Mississippi Gulf Coast) because that is the newspaper my family subscribed to all of my life. The year was probably 1967 – dates of school year).

— T.Rose

Coast Episcopal Schools Teacher Honored

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Coast Episcopal Schools Teacher Honored
Mississippi Private School Education Association awards Jane Morris Estrada “Teacher of the Year” 1985-86

 

The Sea Coast Times Echo

Thursday, April 10, 1986

Page 10C

***

“Coast Episcopal Schools Teacher Honored”

The Mississippi Private School Education Association each year sponsors a Teacher of the Year Award for elementary and secondary schools.

Each of the 90-member schools nominates a teacher as a candidate for this award. The school must submit letters of recommendation from parents, peer teachers, the principal, and a prominent local leader in the community.

The teacher nominated must submit a biographical sketch and a 300-word essay on a given topic. This year the topic was “Communication: the Key to Education.”

A panel of judges composed of the officers of the MPSEA makes the final selection.

Coast Episcopal Schools’ Jane Morris Estrada, second grade teacher at the elementary school in Bay St. Louis, has been chosen as Teacher of the Year for the MPSEA for 1985-86 school year.

Mrs. Estrada has taught for 22 years in both public and private schools. She has served as past president of the Harrison County Association of Educators, is a former board member for the Mississippi Association for Educators, elected as delegate to the NEA.

Mrs. Estrada is a member of the American Business Women’s Association and was selected Woman of the Year for the Gulfport Chapter. She is presently the Education and Scholarship chairperson.

She is a past Junior and Cadette Girl Scout Leader. She has been a member of the Harrison County Democratic Executive Committee, poll worker and manager.

The Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Mrs. Estrada at a recent MPSEA Convention held in Jackson by Association President Ernestine Cail from Strider Academy in Charleston, Miss.

***

My mother, Jane (Morris) Estrada. She was the daughter of John Harkness Morris and Rosa Ann Elizabeth (Smith) Morris of Gulfport, Ms.

 

 

Christmas Program for Methodist Sunday School-December 23 1921 in Gulfport, Mississippi

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December 20, 1921
Gulfport Daily Herald
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CHRISTMAS PROGRAM FOR METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL

Following is the program of the Methodist church Sunday School to be given Friday night, December 23, at 6:30:
Organ prelude, Mrs. Meadow, Violin Solo
Processional—Organ by Mrs. Meadow, primaries carrying gold stars, juniors carry pine branches, intermediates carrying candles, seniors carrying poinsettias;
Hymn, “Hark the Hearald Angels Sing,” all standing.
Prayer by Superintendent.
Solo, Miss Salome Syfan
“The Christmas Story,” Matthew 2:1-12, James Eaton
Song, “Away in the Manger,” Primaries, Stereo, First Christmas Morning
Reading, “The Other Wise Man,” Miss Irene Morris
Christmas Carols with stereopticon views—Carol, “It came Upon a Midnight Clear,” Stereos, 1. Wise Men consulting Herod, 2. Three Magi Guided by Star, 3. Adoration of Magi.
Carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Carolers, Stereos, 2. Holy Land (Bethlehem), 2. The Star of Bethlehem.
Carol—“Hark! What Mean those Holy Voices?” Choir Stereo, Angel Choir
Carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night,” Sunday School, standing. Stereo: 1. Holy Child—First Christmas Night. 2. The Babe of Bethlehem.
Carol “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks,” choir.
Stereo, Angels Appearing to Shepherds
Hymn (Stereo) Joy to the World. Donald Lytle, Oscar Harper, Floyd Congregation, standing.
Benediction, Pastor.
The ushers will be Barney Eaton, Leonard Hardy, George Tomlinson, H. E. Blakeslee, Jr., Charles Stewart. Donald Lytle, Oscar Harper, Floyd Odom, George Darnall, Edgar Santa Cruz. The Christmas Tree will be decorated by Mrs. Evans and class and Mrs. J. C. Stewart, Misses Syfan, Tomlinson, Lewie Blakeslee, Hardy, Martha Morris and Mr. Wainwright.

 


 

My two great aunts, Irene “Rene” and Martha Morris , daughters of Edna Irene and David Edmund “D. E.” Morris participated in this Christmas program. There were residents of Gulfport during this time.

1970 Gulf Gardens Baptist Church Donation Envelope

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1970 Church Donation Envelope from Gulf Gardens Baptist Church
1970 Gulf Gardens Baptist Church Donation Envelope

I was lucky to have two church homes when I was growing up. My grandmother, Rosie Smith Morris was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in downtown Gulfport and my mother, Janie, grew up in that church. Such a beautiful church! I remember the old church before it burned and watched the new church rebuild after Hurricane Camille. I love the folks who knew me from birth at that church. I was active in the choir as a teenager and fellowshipped with many friends I grew up with there. Many wonderful memories as part of that church family.

Although I attended First Baptist Church in Gulfport for years off and on-was in child care there, my favorite church when I was growing up was a small neighborhood church in Gulf Gardens located across the street from Milner Stadium. It was only a block or two from my neighborhood. I felt God there in that church. I went to Bible School at this church, sang in the choir, participated in Girls Auxiliary and went to camps through in church. I loved the people and the friends I had there. Lots of fellowship and love in that church. Good people!

 

Central P.T.A. Meeting

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The Daily Herald, Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi Coast

Page Six

December 23, 1920

CENTRAL P.T.A. MEETING

The Central Parent Teachers Association met Tuesday, the 24th, at the Central School with a most encouraging attendance of both parents and teachers. The usual routine of business was followed by a discussion of playground equipment. The final decision was that quite a good sum of money would be expended for the equipment, which will be good news to the pupils as it means fun and exercise. Some of the money is on hand but, much of it will have to be raised before the order is placed.

Another move made by the association of benefit to the teachers will be divulged at another time.

The pleasing program rendered was a piano solo by Claudia Baylor, song by Irene Morris. The serving of delicious refreshments brought this interesting meeting to a close.

 


 

Edna Irene HARKNESS (1880 – 1952) also known as “Irene Morris” —
My great-grandmother – went by “Irene”, married David Edmund Morris, is mentioned in this article. Her son (my grandfather) attended Central Elementary School in Gulfport, as did I. When I attended Central Elementary in downtown Gulfport, there was no playground equipment. My mother, Irene’s grandaughter, was a member and an officer in the Central P. T. A. when I was a student there.

John Harkness MORRIS (1901 – 1965)
son of Edna Irene HARKNESS (Irene Morris)
Janie Lucille MORRIS (1935 – 2013)
daughter of John Harkness MORRIS
Me, the daughter of Janie Lucille MORRIS

Pleasant Surprise Party

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PS_JanetScott_PondLife_Flowers

Biloxi Daily Herald November 14, 1923

PLEASANT SURPRISE PARTY

A pleasant surprise party and miscellaneous shower was held at the handsome new bungalow of Misses Stella and Mae Harkness, on West Howard avenue, Monday night in which a number of their relatives and members of the Biloxi post office force participated. The event was given in honor of the birthday of Miss Stella Harkness, who has charge of the general delivery window of the local postoffice. The guests gathered at a designated point and marched to the Harkness bungalow where they were delightfully entertained. The guests with a huge birthday cake all lighted with candles entered the home, and were received by Miss Harkness with considerable surprise. During the several pleasant hours delicious hot chocolate and cake were served. Pleasing recitations were given by the Misses Irene and Martha Morris of Gulfport, who also presided at the piano. Many handsome and useful gifts were showered upon the honoree. Among the guests present included Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Harkness, Giles Harkness Peresich, Mrs. Walter G. Wilkes and daughter. Miss Laurie, Mrs. J. W. Swetman, Dr. and Mrs. B. Z. Welch, Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Thompson, Mrs. D. E. Morris and daughters, Misses Irene and Martha Morris, and son John Harkness Morris, of Gulfport, Misses Sadie, Harriet, Stella and Mae Harkness, Mamie Hannon and Messrs. J. R. Munier, J. C. Brent and Addison Jackson.

D.E. Morris Purchases 40 Lumber Railroad Cars for Dantzler Mills

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1912-10-14 Daily Herald – Gulfport, Mississippi

40 CARS FOR DANTZLER MILLS

D.E. Morris Purchases Cars to Be Used In Moving Lumber of Big Company’s Mills

Gulfport, October 14

D.E. Morris, manager of the Dantzler Foundry, returned last night from Chicago, where he went to buy 40 lumber cars for the Dantzler Mills. The deal for these cars was practically closed, but it is not known when they will come forward. “The big truck line railroads,” says Mr. Morris, “are getting freight cars to relieve the congestion of freights along their lines. In the pursuance of this practice they will get cars which are billed to the roads owning and operating them, and convert them to their own use. Not in the history of railroading in the west has there been such a wild scramble for cars with which to move the grain crop to the exporting centers. The movement of the cotton crop also is creating an additional demand for cars.”

 


 

David Edmund “D.E.” MORRIS (1866 – 1934)
(My great-grandfather)
John Harkness MORRIS (1901 – 1965)
son of David Edmund “D.E.” MORRIS
Janie Lucille MORRIS (1935 – 2013)
daughter of John Harkness MORRIS
Me-the daughter of Janie Lucille MORRIS