JANUARY 202 4
By Ernie Knobloch
President’s Report FOR JANUARY 2024
I regret to inform you that Jerry Gillen (Vice President) and I (President) are resigning from the POA Board at 11:59 pm on December 31, 2023. While we’ve enjoyed serving the membership these last 3.5 years on the Board, medical issues now demand our full attention. Section 4.10 of the POA bylaws state “…. the Board of Directors may appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term of such unexpired term is for twenty -four (24) months or less.” Since the next election is in June 2024, the Board will fill these vacancies. If you have paid your yearly dues in full for 2024 and have your ID card from 2023, bring it to the POA office or the concierge desk in the Club to have it “punched” for 2024. Starting February 1st, if your card is punched with 2024, your server will automatically know that you receive the discount on whatever you purchase. If not punched with 2024, the server is required to verify that you’re a member in good standing to receive the discount. When driving on
Kapalama, you will see a dirt road next to Kapalama Cove. You may be interested to know that this road leads to an assisted living facility that’s under construction. According to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MPO’s are established by federal law and are found in areas of more than 50,000 people. Comprised of representatives from local, state, and federal agencies, they are responsible for developing the long-range transportation planning process. The MS Gulf Coast MPO recently published the average traffic count for our area. The average traffic count for vehicles passing the DH entrance/ exit is 52,000 per day. In addition, the local traffic counts include Golf Club Drive (6,300), turning from Kapalama South (4,200) and turning south off I-10 (4,200). My guess is that this last number is influenced by having the gate closed at times which requires vehicles to use the roundabout to reach DH North. During the recent annual meeting of Coast Electric company, a DH resident, Paul Guichet, was elected as a director on the board.
www.diamondheadms.org VOL. 41, NO. 01
All of us who use Coast Electric were scheduled to receive capital credits in December-January since Coast Electric is a not-forprofit organization. Each member is allocated capital credits based upon how much energy they obtain from Coast Electric. The cost of materials and power generation have increased causing an increase of around 5%, starting January 1, 2024, on our electric bills. A recent newspaper article stated that the average home value in DH is $259,332, an increase of 0.3% from last year and 51.6% over the last five years. The five- year increase is significant. In addition, out of our approximately 9,500 residents, 189 were born outside the US. DH is a unique community with an estimated $30 million in amenities. I’m not aware of any other community this size that has all the amenities that we have here. If amenities close, property values WILL GO DOWN ACCORDING TO THE ASSESSOR. If x number of property owners pay dues to maintain the amenities, that means x is paying to keep the property values
of ALL from declining. It is really a shame that a few property owners expect the amenities to be kept up by other owners and seem unwilling to pay their fair share. They don’t seem to realize that they will be affected, also, if amenities start to close. Hopefully,
ALL property owners will realize this and continue to pay dues until the MS Supreme Court makes a definitive decision as to how to proceed in our situation. This is, also, essen-
• See PRESIDENT PAGE 3
2 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
The Diamondhead News is the ONLY official voice of the Diamondhead Country Club and Property Owners Association, Inc. As such, it is solely responsible for its content. The Diamondhead Property Owners Association, Inc. will maintain sole control of the editorial content. A monthly publication by the Diamondhead P.O.A.; offices are located at 7610 Country Club Circle, Diamondhead, MS 39525 Email: dhnews@dhpoa.org Telephone: 228-255-1900 Editor: Candice Boone Subscription info: DHPOA Membership 255-1900 The Sea Coast Echo will be responsible for production, printing, advertising and distribution (by mail) of The Diamondhead News. For advertising information, call Janet Woolsey at 601-850-3939 or email janet@seacoastecho. com.
• 2023 VIOLATIONS AND COMPLIANCE 459 VIOLATIONS YEAR-TO-DATE WITH 445 BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE
36 - Received notification 28 - In compliance
November Violations/Complaints – 36 3 - Boats 3 - RV/Campers 9 – Appearance of property 6 - Utility trailers 12 - Vehicles parked in yard 1 - Animal running loose 1 – Animal noise 1 – For Sale signs
• PRESIDENT Continued from Page 1
tial to keeping Diamondhead as one of the most desirable places to live on the Gulf Coast. It is my hope that during these past 3.5 years I was able to provide you, as
8 - Pending
members of the POA, with the leadership that you expected and deserved. I can assure you that I took my role seriously and gave you my very best. Thank you for trusting me with the honor of being your President.
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
JANUARY 2024• 3
• COMMUNITY
East Hancock Library News for January
By Mary Gobert
Happy New Year one and all! We wish you your best year yet in 2024. We will work hard to make it our best year yet at the library as we continue popular programs and start a few new ones along the way! Before 2024, however, we must say how fantastic our 2023 Holiday Tree Gala
was! The library staff wants to thank the many businesses, clubs and the city for the fabulous trees they decorated! Their creativity and hard work provided a festive and beautiful backdrop for our Christmas activities and are very much appreciated! And looking forward to 2024... Storytime continues on Mondays at 10:30 for the pre-
school set. Get them ready for reading with these fun and educational experiences! Sit and Be Fit caters to anyone who wants to stretch and stay active! This class meets at 10:30 every Friday. Crafts and Conversation happens at 12:30 on Fridays. You can turn your crafting into a social event and double your enjoyment. You might even pick up a
new crafting idea along the way! Acrylic Painting for Adults will meet on January 15th from 2-3. Come join us for a free art lesson! Acrylic Painting for Kids will meet on Thursday January 4,11,18,and 25 at 3:30 (every Thursday each month). Bring your kiddos in to explore their artistic side! Make and Take Crafts
will meet Monday, January 8 and 22 from 2-3 (the second and fourth Mondays each month). Come in for free crafting lessons and some great company! Book Club will meet on January 10 at 10:30. The January book is Hannah and Ariela by Johnnie Bernhard. The library has several copies.
See you at the library!
4 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• COMMUNITY
VFW Post 2880 Teacher of the Year By Don Ball
Jillian H. Strong of Hancock County High School was presented the VFW Post 2880 National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for 2023-2024 at the annual VFW Christmas Banquet on 6 December 2023. Her selection will now go to VFW District One which covers Hancock, Harrison, George and Jackson counties. District winners advance to State level and from there to VFW National Headquarters level. Winners at all levels receive cash awards and commemorative plaques and all-expense paid trips to the National Convention for state winners. She received a $500.00 reward and a
VFW Certificate of Achievement from VFW Post 2880. Jill is a Biology Teacher at Hancock County High School and William Carey University. Her objective is to apply her education and experience in microbiology classes and laboratories to build a career emphasizing continuous professional, technical, and technological advancement. Her peers at Hancock High unanimously voted her Teacher of The Year. Jill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology Biology and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Mississippi State University. Her and husband Bruce along with their three children Josephine, Elijah, and Oliver reside in Kiln, MS.
VFW Post 2880 Public Affairs Officer Don Ball presents Jill Strong the Teacher of The Year Award.
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
JANUARY 2024• 5
6 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• CHURCHES CHURCHES SERVING DIAMONDHEAD
family to come and grow in Him with us.
8:45 am Worship, 10 am Sunday School, and 11 am Worship
Every Wednesday we offer Bible study at 1pm.
ST. THOMAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 5303 Diamondhead Cir Diamondhead, MS 39525-3203 (228) 255-9213 mail@stthomasdiamondhead.org WORSHIP TIMES Sunday 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 10:00 am Holy Eucharist
DIAMONDHEAD METHODIST CHURCH 5305 Norma Drive Diamondhead, MS 39525 Office: 228-255-6888 Email: office@diamondheadmethodistchurch.com Website: www.diamondheadmethodistchurch.com Facebook: Diamondhead Methodist Church Interim Pastor: Rev Dwight Ramsey Sunday: 10:00 am Worship and Kid’s Zone 9:00 am Sunday School/Discipleship Hour Tuesday 8:00 am men’s breakfast and devotional Thursday: 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm Bible Study
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC CHURCH 5370 Kiln-DeLisle Rd. Kiln, MS 39556 (228)255-1800 www.annunciationkiln. com Masses: Saturday Vigil 4:00pm; Sunday 8:00am and 10:30am; Weekday 8:00am (Chapel) Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday 3:pm to 3:45pm; Sunday 9:45am to 10:15 am and other times by appointment. Adoration: Tuesday 8:30am to 8:00pm; Friday 8:30am to 9:30am.
OLD TOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PCUSA 114 Ulman Ave. Bay St. Louis, MS39520 Pastor: Rev. Richard T. Gillespie, Th.D. (256)443-4100 Worship, 10am Adult Sunday School, 9am
DIAMONDHEAD COMMUNITY CHURCH 5301 Diamondhead Circle (288) 255-5556 Weekly Schedule SUNDAY WORSHIP – 10 a.m. LIFELINE Discipleship Classes for all ages: 9 a.m. Adult Christian Education Classes: 9 a.m. WIRED - Youth Choir: 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY GriefShare Group: 2:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY Youth Night Activities – Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m. ***********LOOKING AHEAD ************ Women’s Self-Defense Class Free to the whole community. Saturday, January 27, 2024 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Call 228.255.5556 to register. Must be 18 years old. A NEW YEAR – 2024! What a great time to establish a meaningful relationship, or to renew your relationship, with the Lord. We invite you and your
MOST HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9062 Kiln Delisle Road Pass Christian, MS 39571 228-255-1294 Email: admin@mhtcatholic.org Website: http://mhtcatholic.org Mass Times: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am Saturday: 4:00 & 6:00 pm Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 am & 7:00 pm Reconciliation: Saturday 3:00-3:30 pm, or by appointment JACOB’S WELL BAPTIST CHURCH 29554 Vic Faye Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571; 228-2552555, admin@jacobswellbc.org Worship times on Sundays:
Deadlines for Feb. Edition All submission requests for the Feb. 2024 edition of The Diamondhead News must be submitted by noon on Monday, Jan. 15. Please email submissions to dhnews@dhpoa.org.
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE PINES 309 Highway 90 Waveland, MS. 39576 228-467-6771 Pastor Brock Cain Services every Sunday morning are at 10:00am Sunday School for children and adults at 9:00am
BAY SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 106 Turner St. Bay St. Louis 304-1525 Worship/Study Services are held every Saturday (Sabbath) The Church Family Bible Sabbath School Study begins @ 9:30 AM. The Church Family Worship Hour begins @11:00 AM. A Vegetarian Meal follows the Worship Service. Everyone is Welcome! Prayer Meeting every Thursday currently @ 6:15 PM
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JANUARY 2024• 7
8 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• CLUBS LADIES BRIDGE PARTY CLUB
LADIES BRIDGE PARTY JANUARY PARTY The date for our January party is Friday 26, 2024 at the Country Club. Our arrival time is 9:15 and we shall begin playing bridge at 9:30. If you have any questions regarding Ladies Bridge Party, please contact Terre Settle at 255-9892 or Gay Young at 342-1159. The winners of the November Party were Liz Leonard First Place and Kathryn Lewis Second Place. Our Special Prize went to Jerry Ingraham -- By Gay Young
DIAMONDHEAD GARDEN CLUB We hope everyone had a great Christmas and that Santa brought everything you wanted or thought you wanted. We have a new year and a new beginning for our gardens. If you did not get your Spring bulbs in do it now. I hope nobody put theirs in the refrigerator with apples. If you did, don’t expect much from the bulbs. The apples put out a gas that renders the bulbs sterile. The garden club will meet in January on the 17th at the library NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION. Meeting is at usual time, 9:30 social and 10 for meeting. The speaker will be Cindy Lowe who will tell us about the care and feeding of Orchids. Cindy grows them and even babysits them
Liz Leonard
Kathryn Lewis
for some of our resident’s orchids. Did you know that Orchids will bloom twice a year? Not only did I not know that but If can get mine to bloom once a year, I feel lucky. Orchids are a lot more sturdy and less finicky than you think Gardeners bloom where they are planted -- By Brierley Acker
Diamondhead Democrats Progressives Independents Alliance
Diamondhead Democrats Progressives independents Alliance will hold their first meeting of the new year on Thursday January 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Hancock County Library Diamondhead location. This friendly and inclusive group welcomes you to join us as we greet and gather, followed by our business meeting
The Diamondhead Women’s Club collected donations for Veterans in Need, including new and gently-used blankets, coats, gloves, hats and apparel.
Jerry Ingraham
and a featured speaker. Every month of 2023 brought new guests and members to our organization! Come be part of this growing group of civic minded citizens. -- By Barb Knapstein
Diamondhead Women’s Club In December, we hosted our annual ‘A Merry Christmas Luncheon’. We had a great turnout of 67 ladies in attendance. There were Door prizes, a 50/50 drawing along with a prize for Best Christmas At-
tire and wonderful entertainment by David Delk and James Taylor. We collected donations for Veterans in Need. New or gently used, Blankets, Coats for men and women, sweatshirts and sweatpants, sock, gloves, Hats, caps and socks were collected. Our January meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 3rd starting at 11am in the Emerald Ballroom at the Diamondhead Country Club. Where we will have our annual Mardi Gras Fashion Show, a big thank you to Allison at Exit16 for putting on this fashion show again this year. We are all looking forward to seeing all of the latest trends. No reservation is needed for this event. Here is a brief look at our upcoming events, speakers and fund raiser: In February, we will he Showcasing and honoring our local Charities. In March, this will be our Diamondhead Heritage Program where we will learn all about the history and heritage of Diamondhead. In April, we will be finalizing all of our plans for our annual Glitz & Titz fundrais-
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
JANUARY 2024• 9
• CLUBS PEO Chapter Q
Heidi Boyanton and Kim Buckman at the DHWC Merry Christmas Luncheon.
David Delk and James Taylor -- seen here with Kathryn Lewis, provided wonderful entertainment for the Diamondhead Women’s Club Christmas luncheon. er, set for April 16th. This year it will be “Puttin’ on the Glitz”. Benefiting Pink Hearts Fund. Mark your calendars as these tickets sell out fast. This meeting will be held at the Diamondhead Community Center.
In May, Ernie Knoblock will our guest speaker from the Diamondhead POA giving us an update on the happenings in DH and what to expect in the rest of 2024. Be on the lookout for our
PEO Chapter T: Pictured are: left from front to back are, Julie McCarthy, Beryl Laird, and Audrey Ramirez; right from front to back are Jane Vest and Joyce Cooper.
Restaurant Gift Certificate raffle. This will be ‘A year of Divine Dining’ raffle. Proceeds will benefit the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence. The theme for our DHWC is Supporting & Celebrating Women. The objective of this club shall be to promote an informed and active interest in the civic, social and moral welfare of the community: to serve the community through the dedication of time and energy for worthy purposes; and to undertake and complete one or more charitable, humanitarian or social welfare projects each year. Our meetings (we do not meet in June, July, or August), are held the first Wednesday of each month from September to May, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Diamondhead Country Club, Emerald Ballroom, unless otherwise noted. Membership is $20.00 and is open to all women. Dates and times for upcoming meeting, events and fundraisers to be announced in upcoming issues of this publication and you can follow us on Facebook. For more information about the Diamondhead Women’s Club or any of our events, please contact the DHWC President, Marilyn Lott @ 601-528-3336. -- By Rachel Huskins
PEO Chapter T
P.E.O. Chapter T sisters participated in the Christmas tree decorating contest at the East Hancock Public Library located in Diamondhead. The decorations highlighted our members and the seven educational international philanthropies that P.E.O. funds. These philanthropy funds benefit the continuing education of women through scholarships, grants, loans, and awards. -- By: Dinah Knobloch
P.E.O. Chapter Q congratulates our PCE Grant Team Gay Young and Fran Yates on an outstanding year. They are responsible for eleven PCE Grants for a total of $23,900. The following women were awarded PCE GRANTS during 2023. Jada Bell, Miranda Lewis, Jasmine James, De Anna Salters, Ashely Vilmont, Maria Berrios, Rachelle Micheal, and Temple Chriss. Chelsea Asencio graduated from the LSU-Alexandria as a Registered Nurse. Danneshel Valley graduated from NANA as a Medical Assistant. PEO is a Philanthropic Educational Organization. PCE Grants are a part of Its mission to help women reach for the stars. Information about the grant can be found at the website peointernational.org. -- By Gay Young
Geaux Hiking
DH Geaux Hiking Club News for January, 2024 We’re ringing the New Year’s bells and lighting five candles on our birthday cake as the Diamondhead Geaux Hiking Club starts our fifth year! And we con-
PEO Chapter Q: PCE Grant Team Gay Young and Fran Yates.
10 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• CLUBS tinue to enjoy all things “hiking!” Our December, 2023, monthly planning meeting was pretty special as we hosted guest speakers (and Diamondhead residents), Jerry & Jeanne Schumm. Jerry wrote, “Pass the Paddle”, in which he chronicled his adventures as he paddled his 18foot canoe down the Mississippi River over 2300 miles from Itasca, Minnesota, to New Orleans, Louisiana. At different points along the way he was joined by 19 friends, who shared the paddling and the challenges of the trip as they experienced beauty, terror, and delights and tested their watercraft-handling abilities. During our meeting, Jerry and Jeanne answered questions and described the preparations, the journey, the unexpected modifications, and the triumphant arrival at Jackson Square. The trip, which began in late August,
Geux Hiking Club: The Magnificent Seven at the Grand Hotel, at Grand Point Clear, near Fairhope, Ala. 2000, was completed in mid-December that year. His book is available at the Diamondhead library, or for purchase from Jerry ($10).
We also thoroughly enjoyed our hike to Fairhope, Alabama on November 15. Our hike leader, Linda LaCour, got us started by showing us
Geaux Hiking Club members at Fairhope Pier. the scenic lane along the Gulf at Grand Point Clear near Fairhope, where we got out and had to walk on the beach… (gotta leave ‘yer prints) Then we parked
at the Grand Hotel and strolled the grounds before heading into Fairhope to meander through the shops, followed by lunch at Nini Squares, where most had pizza
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JANUARY 2024• 11
12 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• CLUBS
In December, some members of the Geaux Hiking Club enjoyed caroling and a chili supper at La maison Edwards. Residents of Kapalama Cove were serenaded by the hearty caroling crew of Fa-la-la! “customized” to their taste. Ya can’t go wrong with that! In December, some of us enjoyed caroling and a chili supper at La maison Edwards. Residents of Kapalama Cove were serenaded by the hearty caroling crew of Fa-la-la! (yup, that was a merry hike!) And there are rumors that the “caroling bug” was caught by fellow hikers, who added even more cheer and strolling music-making to our calendar
of events. There was also a pop-up hike to Ramsay Springs, a ghost town in Mississippi. Searched for the town. Found a few remnants: the pond, the laundry building, some signage. Had a very fine lunch at the General Store, which was doing a brisk business. We also went to the Horse Races at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Walked around the large stadium with views of the track and
Geaux Hiking Club members Jeanne, Jerry, Kat and Debra “Pass the Paddle.”
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
JANUARY 2024• 13
• CLUBS paddock. Found great seats at the finish line and got our steps in walking back and forth to the betting window and snack bar. Watched nine races and mostly broke even on our wagers. Had the usual great meal at Albasha’s in Slidell on our way back to Diamondhead. Unfortunately, several other hikes were cancelled due to rainy weather. Those hikes will be re-scheduled. Up-coming hikes: Saturday, January 6--First Saturday of the month hike at Fountainebleau Nature Trail in Ocean Springs. Led by an expert, this hike is free and sponsored by the Jackson County Recreation Department, Mississippi Sandhill Crane Wildlife Refuge, and the Audubon Society. Meet at Twin Lakes a bit before 8:00am. Leave at 8:00am. Hike starts in Ocean Springs at 9:00am. Leader: Sheila Edwards Thursday, January 11—Hike in St. Francisville, Louisiana (a little over 2 hours away; meet in Golf Club parking lot at 8:00am). We’ll start on Cat Island (the one in Louisiana), where we’ll stare at,
take photos in front of, and walk around, the largest circumference tree East of the Sierra Mountains. Next, lunch somewhere nearby. Then, some may go shopping in St. Francisville or go to Hemingbough Plantation to walk the acreage. We’ll meet back at the St. Francisville Museum at 4:00pm and have dinner nearby or some may decide to return to Diamondhead. Leader: Obie Watts Wednesday, January 24—Early Diamondhead. Why is there a Gex Drive? Why is there an Exit 16? History walk & talk. Wear hiking shoes; dress for the weather (will cancel if raining). Meet/park in Red Zone lot at 10:00am (lunch there after the hike). Leader: Sheila Edwards Our next planning meeting will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024, in the Kanaka Room, DH Country Club at 6:00pm, during which we will plan our February, 2024, hikes. There are no dues to join this club. All ages and abilities are welcome. Get out here! Let’s Geaux Hiking! -- By Sheila Edwards
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DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• DIAMONDHEAD MARDI GRAS
Krewe of Diamondhead 49TH Annual Coronation Ball By Renee Kirschenbaum The Krewe of Diamondhead held its Coronation Ball for the Mardi Gras year 2024 with the theme of the Abracadabra. Stephanie Hardesty, Ball Chairperson, welcomed guests and ushered them to their seats for the festivities. The National Anthem was sung by Mike McGraw to kick the ball off in traditional fashion. The master of ceremonies, John Kirschenbaum, entered to the song “Magic Man,” by Heart and opened the celebration with a brief history of the Krewe the announcement of our queens being named in the tradition of the founding members. Mo’iwahine, or queen in Hawaiian will ensure that our royalty continue to lead Carnival Season each year. Board members from the Krewe of Diamondhead were then recognized and thanked for their hard work and willingness to ensure the Krewe has the finest every changing events and functions of any on the coast. Kirschenbaum then introduced the Captain for the krewe, Ricky Sheppard who entered to the theme song, “Magic,” by The Cars. Once he took his place in front of the stage, it was time to introduce the reigning court. The 2023 court entered the ballroom to their theme 007 Shaken Not Stirred and the song “Golden Eye,” by Tina Turner. The court included Duke David Ciolino and Maid June Curtin; Duke Craig Harvey and Maid Lalet Harvey; Duke Darryl Davis and Maid Judy Davis; Duke Randy Rogers and Maid Marci Rogers. The “Herald Calls” signaled the entrance of royalty. Ali’I Ho Nua the 48th Hoppy Smith and Mō’īwahine the 48th, Suzy Smith entered the ballroom to “If Ever I Cease to Love” and paid one last tribute to their loyal subjects. They took their places on the stage and the MC announced the retirement of the royal scepters. The past royalty, 2020 HRH Scott McNamee and 2018 HRH Sara Koger received the scepters and King Hoppy and Queen Suzy took their seats. The MC thanked the 2023 court for their outstanding Mardi Gras season before they adjourned to their seats to the song “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service/A View to A Kill” thus concluding the 007
Ali’l Ho Nua the 49h Jeremy Damiens and Mō’īwahine, Meg Damiens. theme. The fanfare signaled and everyone turned their attention to the back of the ballroom where the doors opened once again for the incoming court. As the Royal Court for 2024 were formally announced, they entered the ballroom to the song “You Can Do Magic” instrumental by America and each took their place on stage as they awaited the arrival of the King and Queen elect. The maids wore the traditional black floor length gowns and handmade gold personalized name necklaces which were a gift from the King and Queen. The Dukes wore traditional black tuxedos but added flare with Mardi Gras dress socks and Tree Hut zebra wooden watches, a gift from the King and Queen. The Royal Court for 2024 are Duke Mike Lawson and Maid Renee Lawson, Duke Chris Liese and Maid Anna Liese, Duke Trey Giarrusso and Maid Margaret Giarrusso and First Duke Heath Harwood and First Maid Jessie Harwood. The “Herald Call” once again alerted the audience to the pending presentation of royalty. Queen elect, Meg Damiens entered the ballroom proudly escorted by Diana Harwood. Meg was stunning in an ivory and nude flourished Cinderella Divine gown, stringed with beaded spaghetti straps. The mermaid skirt was ornament-
ed with beadwork and godet that flared into a sweeping train. Her hair and makeup were done by Behind the Scenes team from Biloxi. Meg wore a handmade gold personalized name necklace by Roberto Gold Diamond in Texas, an elegant Australian crystal v shaped necklace and earrings along with a white gold and cushion cut amethyst ring, which was a gift from her royal court. She then took her place on the stage and all turned with an eager anticipation for the arrival of the King elect. The fanfare again sounded and all eyes were on the back on the ballroom as King elect Jeremy Damiens was announced and entered to the traditional song “If I ever Cease to Love.” The King elect wore a traditional black tuxedo with white vest and tie. The tuxedo was adorned with a purple and black boutonniere made by krewe member Kyle Bauer. The royal crowns and scepters were presented by 2019 HRH Ron Rhoades
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
JANUARY 2024• 15
• CLUBS and HRH Dinah Rhoades. Jeremy and Meg’s crowns were by Crown Designers. Jeremy’s crown was a Victory Rhinestone design featuring the royal look of palatial lines, scrolls and contours set with clear Swarovski crystals and set in gold. Meg’s crown was a Continental design in gold and adorned with Aurora Borealis crystals. Ali’I Ho Nua the 48th Hoppy Smith and Queen Suzy Smith crowned Ali’I Ho Nua the 49th, Jeremy Damiens; and Mō’īwahine, Meg Damiens. Then departed the stage and bid their final farewell to their reign. Captain Ricky Sheppard presented the traditional toast to the newly crowned Royalty. The royal pins were presented by President, Jeffrey Hardesty and the royal flag was present by Captain, Ricky Sheppard. Ali’I Ho Nua the 49th, made his official proclamation to all attendees that the streets shall be adorned with vibrant colors, music shall fill the air and laughter shall echo through every corner of our realm. This proclamation served as a reminder of the importance of unity and celebration. She summoned forth an ancient spell that will bring forth a magical feast of delectable treats, goblets that forever refill with the most sumptuous beverages and plates overflowing the enchanted delicacies that will leave the krewe spellbound. The Krewe then enjoyed dinner, dancing and merriment throughout the evening as the Band of Brothers from Slidell,
LtoR – Duke Mike Lawson, Maid Renee Lawson, Duke Chris Liese, Maid Anna Liese, Ali’I Ho Nua the 49th Jeremy Damiens, Mō’īwahine, Meg Damiens, Maid Margaret Giarrusso, Duke Trey Giarrusso, First Maid Jessie Harwood, First Duke Heath Harwood. Louisiana entertained all who attended. The Krewe of Diamondhead will hold their annual Mardi Gras ball on February 3, 2024, with the Magic and Illusion of Abracadabra. This will be followed by their annual parade that will take place, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. For information or applications on the parade, please contact Parade Director, Sandy McGraw.
King Jeremy Damiens and Queen Meg Damiens.
16 •JANUARY 2024
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
JA N UA RY 2 0 2 4 C LU B N E W S
GOOD TIMES AND GREAT FOOD By Chris Rahaim Club Manager Happy New Year! We look forward to an extraordinary 2024 and hope you will join us throughout the year.
cludes two drink tickets, a cigar ticket, and appetizers. Please call 228-2552918 ext.3 to reserve your spot. *Discount available for POA members in good standing.
Thursday Dinner Special
Tuesday Night Bingo
LASAGNA TOUR
Join us every Thursday night in January for our Lasagna Tour! Each week, you will be treated to a different style, served with garlic bread and a side salad. $18 • January 4 – Voodoo Seafood Lasagna • January 11 – Crab & Eggplant Lasagna • January 18 – White Chicken Lasagna • January 25 – The Godfather Lasagna (Classic Italian)
Saturday Night Dinner Special – Royal Reds
Our Saturday Night Royal Reds Special will be back in January! Peel & eat Royal Reds, sausage, corn, potatoes, & mushrooms 1 pound - $20, 1/2 pound - $12
Bourbon & Cigars January 27
Join us for a fun night on the Oak Room Patio from 5:00 – 7:00! Enjoy light appetizers and a custom selection of rare and unusual bourbons and cigars. $46 per person*, plus tax & gratuity. The price in-
With Brigitte & Sylvia on the 2nd (January 9) and 4th (January 23) Tuesday from 6:00 –7:30, in Latitude 30 Patio and Grill. It’s always a fun night!
Wednesday Night Trivia
Every Wednesday is Trivia night in Latitude 30 with Ronnie Hammons from 6:30 – 8:30. Gather your team & get competitive. Eat, drink, & tease your brain!
Thursday Night Karaoke Night
Every Thursday night in Latitude 30, from 6:00 – 10:00 with Ray Walters. We look forward to hearing you!
Friday Night Live Entertainment
January 5 – Crow the Culprit January 12 – Razzoo January 19 – Missi & Ray from Witness January 26 – Monster Crawfish
Looking Ahead
• Superbowl Party in Latitude 30 – February 11. Buffet from 5:00 – 8:00. Wings, Build your Own Nachos. $20 per person • Mardi Gras Day Tuesday, February 13. Mardi
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS Gras Bingo (6:00 – 7:30) & Mardi Gras Buffet (5:00 – 8:00). $20 per person o FriedCatfishCreole o Crawfish Pies and Voodoo Sauce o SmotheredOkra o CrawfishMonica o Squash & Zucchini Casserole o MuffulettaSalad o ShrimpDip o Praline King Cake o BananaFostersBreadPudding • Valentine’s Dinner in The Oak Room February 14. Prix-Fixe Menu. 5:00 – 8:00. $60 per person Starters (Select One) o Lobster Salad with toasted brioche croutons, tender greens, garden fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, creamy Old Bay buttermilk dressing o She Crab Soup with grilled bread and snow crab topping o CandiedPorkBellywithcharredpickledpepperslaw Entrees (Select One) o Six-OunceFiletwithsteakhousepotatoesandcharredBrussels sprouts o Scallop Grenobloise (Lemon & Capers) with angel hair pasta with herb butter sauce and charred asparagus o Lobster Thermador with crispy bread, drawn butter sauce, and roasted corn salad Desserts (Select One) o EspressoCrèmeBrûlée o Strawberry Shortcake with Champagne Anglaise o Molten Chocolate Beignets with Caramel Sauce’ o DaCrooner will be playing in Latitude 30 Patio andGrill from 6:00– 9:00 • Australian Wine Dinner featuring Mollydooker Winery. March 2, 2024
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Diamondhead POA Employee Appreciation Christmas Party
Board members recognizing employee length of service. Pictured l-r, Dennis Tauzin, Ronnie James, Ronnie La Fontaine, Gary Becker, Ernie Knobloch, & Gerry Gillen.
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
• SPORTS DH Golf Chris Altese, PGA Director of Golf Looking forward to another fun year of golf at The Club at Diamondhead! Happy New Year from all of us in Golf Operations! Let’s all support OUR club and make this year one of the best! We hope that all residents and annual golf members will participate in some of the many golf activities planned this year. Even if you don’t play golf, you might know someone who does…please tell them all to come play our Diamondhead golf courses. Reminder…As part of the efforts to maintain and properly utilize the World Handicap System/GHIN at The Club at Diamondhead for our members, we have implemented eligibility requirements to play in club events that are based on net scores or pre-flighted based on handicap/handicap index. The eligibility requirements to play will read as follows: Must have a current WHS/ GHIN handicap index and must have a minimum of six (6) 18hole scores, or equivalent, post-
ed within 90 days of the event start date at the time of turning in your registration form and payment. Also, in order to give the tournament and handicap committees sufficient time to administer the new eligibility requirement along with other event details, all club events will have an entry deadline of no less than 5 days prior to the event date. The entry deadlines posted for each event will be strictly adhered to and no flexibility will be given. Fully completed entry forms along with full payment must be received before the entry deadline in order to participate in a club event. The 12th annual Gobbler Golf Classic was held on November 25th (Saturday after Thanksgiving.) Thank you to all golfers that supported this event as well as all of our golf events this past year. More importantly, this group donated over 380 lbs of canned goods to the Hancock County Food Pantry and hundreds of toys to the Toys for Tots program as part of their entry fee. Congratulations to our winners…
Employees recognized for length of service with the POA. Pictured l-r Chris Altese, PGA, Dir of Golf, 11 years, Heather Fetters, Community Center, 11 years, Jennifer Nunez, Operations Manager, 17, Hoppy Smith, PGA, Director of Instruction, Nancy Perkins, Sales & Marketing Dir, 17 years, Damon Foy. Photo from The 12th Annual Gobbler Golf Classic.
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• SPORTS Gobbler Results… Butterball Flight Champions – Chris Morrison/Jay Sanders/Kevin Rea Jennie-O Flight Champions – (2-way tie) Judith Sonntag/Lawrence Nutting/ Courtney Nutting & Chris Reed/Ron Reed/Dawson Strong Honeysuckle Flight Champions – Gregg Altese/Karstyn Altese/Chris Altese Swanson Flight Champions – (3-way tie) Ronnie Austin/Michael Curia/Robert Johnson, Norman Bowley/ John McLaughlin/David Gex & Brice Howard/Steve King/ Al Salas Join our annual golf membership and play more golf! When you consider the benefits, our annual golf memberships are second to none in our region. Full-service, award-winning golf shop. State-of-the-art Golf Academy at Diamondhead. World class practice facilities. Full-service grill and bar. Friendly and helpful golf professionals and staff. And the list goes on. Play at The Club at Diamondhead and be treated like a member for the day or join and be a member for the year. Proposed Schedule of 2024 Golf Events (subject to change)… • 1/20 - Double Black Diamond • 1/27-1/28 - Jack O’Neill Junior Championship • 2/4-2/6 - Gulf Coast Invitational hosted by MGCCC • 2/11 - Super Bowl Scramble • 2/18 - Sweetheart Scramble • 4/5-4/7 - Big Kahuna Golf Challenge • 4/24-4/25 - Ladies’
DWGA Champion Flight Winners Marta Wald, Karen Dougherty, Jeanne Hudgins, Liz Bell. Overall DWGA Champions Amy Swint & Jodi Crosby.
DWGA First Flight Winners Joyce Teerling, Bet Bowen, Lottie Williams, Colleen Jones. Malahini Member-Guest ball marks and fill two divots • 5/17-5/19 - Malahini every hole...any two will do... Member-Guest they don’t have to be yours! • 5/31-6/2 - Hawaiian Mixed We look forward to seeing Couples Invitational you “PLAY MORE GOLF.” • 7/6-7/7 - Magnolia Classic The 2024 Golf Guides are • 9/6-9/8 - Member-Member available now. Please take • 10/3-10/5 - Diamondhead the time to refresh yourself CP Four Ball on our golf policies and proce• 10/12 - Wheel of dures. As always, let us know Misfortune how we can help. • 10/19 - Fall Festival Scramble • 10/26-10/27 - The Shaka Club Championship • 11/30 - The Gobbler
During this time of year, it is critical that we all fix two
DWGA By Colleen Jones November 2nd and 3rd we had our DWGA Championship where we played the Cardinal Course on the cold
Turkey Day First Flight Winners Liz Bell, Margie James. windy November 2nd and Jones. The First Flight Net then played the Pine Course winner was Bet Bowen and on a nice pretty November second was Joyce Teerling. 3rd. The combined scores deNovember 9th we played termined the winners. The the Best Ball from a team of Overall Gross winner was three on the Cardinal Course. Jodi Crosby. The Overall Net The winning team was Colwinner was Amy Swint. The leen Jones, Lottie Williams Championship Flight Gross and Joyce Teerling. Closest winner was Jeanne Hudgins to the pin winners were Coland second was Liz Bell. The leen Jones on hole #4, Karen Championship Flight Net Dougherty on hole #7 and winner was Karen Dough- Carol Kirschenbaum on hole erty and second was Marta #13 & #17. Birdies were had Wald. The First Flight Gross by Joyce Teerling, Lottie Wilwinner was Lottie Williams liams and Liz Bell. Chip Ins and second was Colleen were had by Margaret Papa-
DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
Turkey Day Second Flight Winners Carol Kirschenbaum, Cathy Weber, Georgeanne Luxion. leo and Karen Dougherty. Cassandra Godbold, Colleen November 16 we had our Jones and Joanne Fried. Turkey Day Tournament Closest to the pin winners on the Pine Course. In this were Jodi Crosby on hole #4, game you see how far you Marta Wald on hole #7, Bet can take your turkey before Bowen on hole #13 and Carol you reach your stroke limit Kirschenbaum on hole #17. accourding to your handi- Birdies were had by Cassancapp. The First Flight win- dra Godbold and Amy Swint. ners were Liz Bell, second There was one Chip In by was Mary Lou Czaplicki and Cassandra Godbold. third was Margie James. The DWGAN Second Flight winners were Carol Kirschenbaum, second By Shirley Halterman was Cathy Weber and third Well, the weather most was Georgeanne Luxion. of us moved South to escape Closest to the pin winners has managed to almost catch were Joanne Fried on hole up with us this past month. #2, Jeanne Hudgins on hole Chilly overnight temps made #6 and #15. Birdies were had for some challenging golf by Liz Bell and Mary Lou matches even causing one Czaplicki. Chip Ins were had game to be cancelled. by Joanne Fried and Terrie Tuesday, November 7th, Garrett. found us holding our Annual November 30th we played Club Championship. Twena team game of Low Gross/ ty-six of our gals turned out to Low Net on the Cardinal play for this honor. And, our Course. There was a tie for 2023 Nines Club Champion first place. One of the win- is (drum roll please) Therening teams was Marta Wald, sa Mauterer posting a Gross Margie James, Bet Bowen Score of 43 on the Front Nine and Patty Hourin. The other of the Pine. Congrats to Thewinning team was Liz Bell, resa! All scores posted are
JANUARY 2024• 21 Low Gross. In Flight One, 1st Place went to Judy Tauzin, 2nd Place to Toni Rossol and 3d Place to Tracey Garriga. When it came to Flight Two, 1st Place was taken by Ruth Holmes, 2nd Place by Nancy Sislow and 3rd Place by Dinah Knobloch. In Flight Three, Cathy Gesell got 1st Place, Beryl Laird got 2nd Place and Kathy Jones got 3rd Place. Me thinks Beryl and Kathy have been practicing together. Is it a family thing? Scoring for Closest to the Pin (Hole #2) in Flight One went to Therese Mauterer, in Flight Two to Brigitte Becker and in Flight Three to Cathy Gesell. When it came to the Low Putt Competition, Judy Lakota took the honors in Flight One, Nancy Barker in Flight Two and Pauline Singer in Flight Three. The following gals scored ChipIns: Nancy Barker (Hole #5) Shirley Halterman (Hole #5) and Pauline Singer (Hole #7). And, Birdies were garnered by Nancy Barker (Hole #5) and Therese Mauterer (Hole #6). Unfortunately, Tuesday the 14th’s Trophy Day had to be cancelled as Mother Nature decided we all needed a shower. However, we did manage to hold our General Meeting, elect new officers and enjoy a lovely lunch. While the weather forecast did not look promising on Tuesday, November 21, 12 brave gals came out to play in our “Turkey Day” competition. During this game you are given a paper turkey with your score (36 + your handicap). The challenge is to score that number or below. This Tuesday we played the back nine holes of the Pine Course. Only one gal managed to achieve this honor: Brigitte Becker whose Turkey number was a
DWGAN: Therese Mauterer 2023 Nines Club Champion.
DWGAN: Brigitte Becker Turkey Day Winner.
54 posted a final score of 51. Good job Brigitte! Some of our runners up were: Kathy Jones with a score of 58, Susie Fontenot with a score of 57, Ruth Holmes scoring 56, and Pauline Singer scoring 60. All of these were just a few strokes more than their Turkey Score. During this competition we also played for Longest Drive and Closest-to-the-Pin. Therese Mauterer took the Longest Drive honors in Flight #1 and Pauline Singer in Flight #2. When it came to Closest-to-the-Pin, Judy Tauzin grabbed the honors in Flight 1 and Dinah Knobloch in Flight 2. Both Therese and Judy tied for Lowest Putts in Flight 1 and Kathy Jones and Pat VanDervort did the same in Flight 2. During our final Tuesday of November - the 28th, only 9 gals braved the cold temps to play a Scramble on the Front Nine of the Cardinal Course. The First Place Team consisted of Nancy Baker, Nancy Sislow and Mary Ann Stromeyer. Not to be left out, Second Place was taken by Judy Brannan, Dinah Knobloch and Toni Rossol.
All of the Nines wish you and yours a very Happy and Blessed Holiday Season. We will keep you posted of our Holiday adventures on the golf course next month.
Pink Hearts Fund Check Presentation
By Brigitte Becker The Diamondhead Women’s Golf Association Nines and the Diamondhead Women’s Golf Association held their annual Pink Heart Funds Tournament on October 10 to benefit the non-profit 501c3 organization that provides services and products for adults and children who are battling cancer and are uninsured and/or underinsured. Forty-eight women golfers participated in this 4-person scramble raising a record-breaking $3400 for the charity. A check was presented to Debbie Albrecht, Vice President of the Pink Heart Funds on October 7. The two women golf associations have been supporting Pink Heart Funds since 2012. DMGA By Gene deMedicis The Diamondhead Men’s
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• SPORTS Golf Association is open to all men who are members at Diamondhead. The annual membership fee is $25 for men 79 and younger. The membership is free for those that are 80 or older. We play every Wednesday morning and you must check in by 8 AM. I encourage you to come out and play with us if you are not already a member. The format for the game on November 15 was ABCD Two Best Ball. Finishing first was the team of Ernie Lee, Erie Hebert, Dennis Tauzin and Kevin West with an excellent score of 15 under par. In second place was the team of Dave Barbato, Ron Davis, Art Burgoyne and Don Perkins with a score of 2 under par. Dennis Tauzin won low individual with a net score of 70. Closest to the pins were won by Jan Vest and Tony Holt who each won two pins. Closest shot of the day was hit by Jan Vest at 2’0”. In the Mixed Bag competition on November 22 the team of Ron Davis, John Black, Don Perkins and Lenny Alphonso won with a score of 12 under par. Finishing second was the team of Tom Amedee, Tom Woolbright and Dennis Laumann. Two teams tied for third place with a score of 7 under par. The team of Gene deMedicis, Sam Lee, Dennis Tauzin and Art Burgoyne tied with the team of Billy Stroud, Don Crosby and Tony Holt. Tom Woolbright won low individual with a net score of 70. Closest to the pins were won by Bill Merna, Kevin West, Larry Popovich and Sam Lee. Closest shot of the day was hit by Sam Lee at 1’5”.
A check was presented to Debbie Albrecht, Vice President of the Pink Heart Funds on October 7. The Diamondhead Women’s Golf Association Nines and the Diamondhead Women’s Golf Association have been supporting Pink Heart Funds since 2012. The format for the game on November 29 was Peers Points. Finishing first was the team of George Thibodeaux, Fred Wiles and Michael Galvin with a score of minus 8. In second place was the team of Sam Lee, Gene deMedicis and Dave Barbato with a score of minus 12. In third place was the team of Lenny Alphonso, Dennis Tauzin, Bill Merna and Jim Shoemaker with a score of minus 14. Dennis Tauzin and Jim Shoemaker tied for low individual with a net score of 69. Closest to the pin winners were Dave Barbato, Fred Wiles, Dennis Tauzin and Art Burgoyne. Closest shot of the day was hit by Fred Wiles at 4’5”. In the ABCD Points Competition on December 6 the winning team was Gene deMedicis, Renny Pangan, Val Miller and Ronnie Austin with a score of minus 9. In
second place was the team of Ron Davis, John Black, Dennis Laumann and Dennis Tauzin with a score of minus 12. Finishing third was the team of Norman Bowley, Erie Hebert and Don Crosby with a score of minus 14. Gene deMedicis won low individual shooting a score of 75 with a net 68. Closest to the pin winners were Sam Lee, Ronnie Austin, John McLaughlin and Gene deMedicis. Closest shot of the day was hit by Sam Lee at 4’1”. On Saturday December 9 the DMGA held our quarterly play day which included lunch after the round. The format for the competition was ABCD Shamble Two Best Balls and was won by Michael Galvin, Marc Beddoe and Val Miller with a score of 29 under par. Finishing second, one stroke behind, were two teams at 28 under par. The team of Gene deMedicis,
Erie Hebert, Lenny Alphonso and Al Mast tied with the team of John Black, Byron Gandy, Bill Merna and Joe Murray. Finishing fourth was the team of Sam Lee, John Benus, Dennis Tauzin and John Speed at 27 under par. Closest to the pin winners were Lee Kormondy, Erie Hebert, Dennis Laumann and Renny Pangan. Closest shot of the day was hit by Erie Hebert at 1’7”. I’d like to wish everyone a very prosperous and healthy new year in 2024. Diamondhead Marina By Dianne Simonson, Harbor Master Ahoy Mates, Hopefully, everyone had a wonderful holiday Season! The Marina had Sonny Schindler come down to the Marina December 20 and gave his wonderful presentation on fishing the Gulf Coast
waters. Thanks, Sonny, for supporting the Diamondhead Marina! There are only a few Slip vacancies available, so don’t hesitate to contact me and enjoy the convenience of not having to deal with loading and unloading your boat. 2024 boat rates are $5.00 a foot for POA Members in good standing and $7.00 a foot for Non-Members. Take advantage of paying Annually and get 1 free month. I can take you payment at the Marina, you have this offer until January 31, 2024. Hopefully, everyone has a fantastic 2024! The Tennis Club at Diamondhead Hoping everyone had a great Holiday Season. Usta spring league is upon us, we will have all levels 2.54.0 both men and women’s. If you would like to join a team please contact Matt at 228255-5030.
The SPCA of Diamondhead needs volunteers and donations
The SPCA of Diamondhead accepts donations and offers to volunteer. You can contact them by phone, Email or snail mail. SPCA of Diamondhead P. O. Box 6481 Diamondhead, MS 39525 228 861 2287 Spcaofdiamondhead@gmail.com To Advertise in the Diamondhead News,
Call Janet at 601-850-3939
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DIAMONDHEAD NEWS
Diamondhead’s oldest WWII vet still loves life & golf By Geoff Belcher
When 97-year-old Bill Roofner — the oldest WWII vet living in Diamondhead — celebrated his birthday this past Thursday, Dec. 7, the thing he was looking forward to most wasn’t his party, it was his golf game. “My short game is still good,” Roofner said. “but my eyesight is getting a little bad. My doctor asked me how my golf game is going, and I said ‘Great, I’m hitting the ball out of sight now.’ Of course, about a hundred yards is about as far as I can see.” Despite his age, Roofner still golfs every week — “It gets me out of the house,” he said. “About the only way we can beat him is to tell him we don’t know where his ball went,” Roofner’s friend and occasional golf partner Ernie Knobloch, president of the Diamondhead Property Owner’s Association, said Tuesday. Roofner said that when he retired from working at the steel mill in Detroit in 1981, he wanted to go work on a golf course. “I got my wish” by moving to Diamondhead after Hurricane Katrina, he said. “We have two golf courses. Where else can you find that?” “Most everybody in my family were golfers, at one time or another,” Roofner said, including his late wife Doris and their four children. “Bill and his wife were a very competent team of golfers,” Knobloch said. Their children were too, especially his daughter Barbara, now 74. “She out-drove me on the course once,” Roofner said. Bill and Doris raised four children. Both daughters and
Photo by Geoff Belcher | Sea Coast Echo 97-year-old Bill Roofner, avid golfer and WWII vet, celebrated his birthday on Dec. 7.
one of their sons still live in Detroit, the other son lives in Las Vegas, Nev. “About two years ago, Bill’s daughters asked if he’d rather die in Detroit or Mississippi,” Knobloch said. “I said Mississippi,” Roofner said. Not too long ago, Knobloch said, Roofner handed him an index card. “It said, ‘If I die on the golf course, here’s who you call,’” Knobloch said. It was his daughter, of course. Roofner still gets misty-eyed talking about Doris. “I was married for 73 years,” he said. “She died about three-and-a-half years ago.” Before her death, Doris went through a slow decline and dementia. “I loved that woman even more when I was taking care of her than I did before,” he said. “My wife was something else. When she was 34 years old with four kids, she said ‘I want to go to college,’ and six years later she graduated from
the University of Michigan. Both daughters followed in their mom’s footsteps and became teachers. Both sons followed in their dad’s footsteps and joined the military, although they went into the U.S. Air Force, rather than the U.S. Navy, like Bill. “I was 17 when I joined,” Roofner said. “My mother had to sign for me because I wasn’t 18 yet.” Once in the Navy, Roofner was stationed aboard the USS Samuel N. Moore, a destroyer. “Following shakedown off Bermuda, the new destroyer steamed, via the Panama Canal and Pearl Harbor, to the Pacific war zone, arriving at Ulithi on 3 November 1944,” according to Wikipedia. “There she joined the Fast Carrier Task Force and defended Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher’s aircraft carriers from enemy aircraft and submarines. The carriers that she guarded launched numerous air strikes against Japanese positions in the Philippines, the Ryukyus, Formosa, the Pescadores, Indochina,
China, and the Japanese home islands.” “I had four close calls on that ship,” Roofner said. Once, he said, a German submarine fired torpedoes at the ship while he was out on deck. “I looked down at the water and a Nazi torpedo went right by me. Our skipper got us the hell out of there.” On another occasion, he received a shrapnel wound from friendly fire. “There was blood everywhere,” he said, but he quickly recovered. On yet another occasion, he was in an inflatable boat scraping barnacles off the ship when the man holding the rope keeping him tethered to the ship dropped it and he drifted off to sea. “They finally found me after about two, two-and-a-half hours,” Roofner said. Perhaps the worst incident, though, was the typhoon that the Moore ran into on June 5, 1945. “There were 100 foot waves,” he said. “At one point,
most of the ship was underwater.” Roofner said he was at anchor in Tokyo Bay on the day the Allies dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. With the war over, Roofner said, he still had 30 days left before he mustered out, but the Moore had to go to Shanghai, China, extending his tour of duty a little longer. When he left the Navy as a yeoman third class, he was 20 years old, and wanted to marry Doris. Again, he said, “my parents had to sign for me. It was a rural town in Pennsylvania, you had to be 21 to get married without your parents’ permission.” Today, Roofner still has his health, a comfortable life, his four children, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. “I can’t believe the luck that I’ve had,” Roofner said. “I believe I have two angels taking care of me — you only have one. I’ve had so many close calls, somebody’s taking care of me.”
Living the Dream -- By Kathryn Lewis Diamondhead Berni Breen’s 700 HP Concept 8 Stingray will be featured on the Cover of the December 2023 Corvette Magazine! In addition, enjoy reading the spotlight article on Breen’s journey with the creation of his unique “dream car.”
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