OCTOBER, 2019
www.diamondheadms.org
VOL. 36, NO. 10
Halls of Hope Inspiring Hope: Diamondhead’s Joyce Cooper paints picture of hope for families
Cruisin’ the Coast
Article excerpt and photos courtesy of Cassandra Favre, Staff Writer Sea Coast Echo
When Joyce Cooper of Diamondhead heard about the Hancock County Youth Court’s Project, Halls of Hope, she said she knew it was a “wonderful idea.” This year, Hancock County Judge Trent Favre, in collaboration with CASA of Hancock County, established the program to “enhance the courtroom aesthetic utilizing the talents of our very own artists in Hancock County. Each volunteer artist was supplied with a canvas and asked to create a work of art utilizing the word “hope.” As of now, about 25 messages of hope line the walls of the youth court building. Cooper said she has been an avid painter since the 1980s and continues pursuing her passion at the Hancock County Senior Citizens Center on Bookter St. in Bay St.
DIAMONDHEAD "BLESSING OF THE CLASSICS” 3 TO 6 P.M. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9 By Mark Duffy
Joyce Cooper PHOTO COURTESY OF CASSANDRA FAVRE
Louis. She said she found out from center director Arlene Johnson about the project and thus far, is the only senior the center to participate in Halls of Hope. “It took a little time to think about it,” she said. “hope kept running through my mind. Then the idea of the Statue of Liberty came to me. That is
the symbol of hope for people from faraway places.” She said she spoke to her sons, who agreed that it was a good idea. Cooper’s painting also depicts the American flag, bald eagles, and doves of hope. She also painted a lighthouse with light shining out to the sea. “I loved doing it,” Coop-
er said. “It gave me a good feeling. It will give them hope that they can get past this.” Learn more about Halls of Hope by contacting youth court staff at 228467-7945. For more information about programs at the senior center, which is located at 601 Bookter St. in Bay St. Louis, contact staff at 228-467-9292.
The Blessing of The Classics was an idea started in 2013 by resident Mark Duffy. Since the gulf coast has, for many years, other blessings, such as the blessing of the fleet, and the blessing of the motorcycles, why not have a blessing of the classics? Duffy presented the concept to the city and Cruisin’ The Coast board and literally escorted several cruisin’ board members and city officials through Diamondhead with a bus tour of the event layout. The president of the Cruisin’ board, Mr. Woody Bailey, approved the event as a trial run in 2013. The blessing has since been a “win-win-win situation for all involved. The cruisers enjoy driving through Diamondhead with all of its rolling hills and picturesque scenery, and are provided with an official blessing certificate, suitable for framing, along
SEE CRUISIN’, PAGE 21
DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 14