Upon our arrival to Hancock County eight years ago, I knew there was something unique about Waveland, Mississippi.  At first I thought it was the physical things--the warm weather, the sunshine, the beach lined with its grand homes, pine trees, magnolias and live oaks.  You can drive for miles along well-maintained public beaches.  Even holidays when Beach Boulevard has an endless stream of cars, RV’s, and visitors, you can find a little piece of beach just for yourself.

One of our favorite activities is to pack a picnic basket, umbrellas, chairs and the kids and sit for hours just looking out over the water "doing nothing."  Kids, kites, floaties all become a part of the blue, white, and sometimes pink-tinged vista.

Then there are the surprises.  Such as the Waveland Civic Association's St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  You haven't lived until you've had a large head of cabbage hurled at you.  And if you have the nerve, you can also beg carrots, onions, and potatoes to add to the pot when you get home.  This lively parade goes right down Coleman Avenue, the old Waveland downtown.  Located there is another of our first attractions to Waveland--the Flea Market.  Here you could spend hours searching for treasures.  Next door is Mombo Graphix, where Scott Blackwell displays his unique artwork and provides screen printing and graphic designs.  And then right across the street is Rickey’s Restaurant where you'll get such large portions of delicious New Orleans-style cuisine that you'll have to spend the rest of the afternoon just "doing nothing" again to recuperate. 

Although the beach, the parades, the food, and the unexpected things like the night sky along the beach being filled with holiday fireworks held a charm that kept us glued to this place.  I soon discovered the real secret charm of Waveland--its people.  There is such a generosity of spirit here.  Waveland is called "the hospitality city."  Webster's defines hospitable as "given to generous and cordial reception of guests."  Well, there you go!

Many personal experiences have led me to know this is true of Waveland and its people.  For instance, the Coleman Avenue Coalition hosted the first annual Wave-Fest Celebration on Coleman Avenue.  We had hired a train ride for the kids.  The fee was $2 for a ride and it was a big success.  The Mayor and the Fire Chief thought they could do one better.  They were worried that someone might want a ride and wouldn't have the money.  So, they built a "Fire Train."  So when Waveland hosts a festivity, adults and kids can ride up and down the avenue driven by  firemen for "free." 

Waveland is a small town with all the attributes you would expect of a small town.  Everything that happens in a big city happens here only on a smaller scale and sometimes a little slower.   Although we've experienced a lot of growth and many new people have moved in most of the population has lived here for generations.  The old Waveland Drug Store (now That Cute Little Shoppe) was owned and operated by the Lynch Family for 57 years.  Ms. Louis Lynch and her seven daughters ran the pharmacy and lived upstairs.  It was the town gathering place until it closed in 1996.  Next door, Ms. Elaine Colson runs the Krewe of Nereids Mardi Gras Association as its first and only Captain since 1969.  Miss Elaine and Miss Louise were best friends since grade school. 

The Petermans still run Peterman’s L’il Store and Liquor Mart.  They've been here since the 70’s and have raised six children.  If you stop by, Fred is the cantankerous one and Pearl is the nice one!  Another long time favorite of locals is Jack’s Restaurant located just across the street from Peterman’s.  You can get one of the best steaks on the coast here and the atmosphere is very casual.

Just as some things stay the same, others change.  Three new businesses opened this year.  Two of them are La Mer Health Care, Trading Places Gifts and Plants, Dempsey’s Seafood and Steak Restaurant (yes, it's the same family that owned the New Orleans’ Dempsey’s, known for great food and large portions).  The third is at the other end of Coleman Avenue, Toomey’s Shell Station which has become Wave Mart and Gas Station.  Young Brian Brooks is usually there and will "fill ‘er up" with a smile. Now you know this is small town USA when someone will actually put the gas in your car for you.  Don’t tell too many people because it will probably cause a traffic jam and we don’t have a full fledged stop ‘n go light yet--just a couple of blinking lights.

On the surface, Coleman Avenue looks like nothing’s going on, but 25 businesses and services are provided here from getting a haircut, mailing a letter, paying a utility bill, talking to the Mayor, seeing a nurse, checking out a library book, buying a house, having a sign made, seeing an attorney or local artist, to having lunch or shopping.  It’s one of those places where you can walk to almost anything.

I have talked about Waveland’s past and present, but my biggest expectation is for its future.  Improvements are constantly underway.  Highway 90 and Highway 603 seem to grow daily with new businesses.  The Municipal Fishing Pier has doubled in size since we first came here.  It is manned 24 hours a day and you can fish or just sit "doing nothing" again peering out over the horizon.  It boasts new pagodas for a family picnic and even has new bathroom facilities and an extension that stretches out even further into the Gulf.  The new library has been completed and the old schoolhouse is undergoing major renovations.  Both of these will provide more educational and cultural activities for children and adults.  Sewer and water systems are constantly being improved. 

One major improvement to our beachfront cannot be ignored.  The American Legion and the City cooperated and built the Veterans Memorial Fountain and Park.  It received the state's first Blue Star recognition.  Ray Cuevas and his crew have spent long and sometimes very hot hours landscaping the area.  They even built the park benches by making their own cement forms and casting them.  The walking and riding path that joins Waveland to Bay St. Louis is always abuzz with bikers, skaters, joggers, and those just out for a stroll.

I love Waveland and think it is the ideal place to live, play, retire and work.  It is a quiet place where people know your name and treat you like a friend.  If you are one of those who crave city lights, sidewalks, and fast lanes, you only have to drive a few miles away to find it.  But as for me, I love living here and "doing nothing!"

Kathy Pinn and her husband Ron live a life that is far from “doing nothing”.  They are extremely active in community issues and activities.  They own That Cute Little Shoppe on Coleman Avenue in Waveland.  Last year, she was named an Outstanding Citizen by the Hancock Chamber.  During 2004, she is serving as an ex-officio member of the Chamber Board.  She is the President of the Coleman Coalition of Waveland.  To learn more, contact her at  228-467-3922