Page 178 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2023

SAMI
Owner, The Stone Man & The Gem Lady
FINAL SAY
TAYLOR
For most of us, the Golden Years are a time to reflect on our lives while we continue to stay as active as we can. At age 84 I’m working part time and staying busy. I whole heartedly recom- mend that everyone in this age group find purpose and things they enjoy.
My business in Long Beach, The Stone Man & The Gem Lady, is important to me and I want to keep it vital. It’s been called the Museum of Long Beach because there are a lot of interesting items within its walls. But the business is more than just a store to me. It’s a place full of memories of working with my late husband, John Scranage, who grew up in Long Beach and was
a master goldsmith, silversmith, and stone cutter. We opened in 2006.
John did juried art shows all over the Southeast and made jewelry and repaired it. His interest in fossils was contagious and got me interested too. In the shop we have dinosaur jaws, great white shark teeth, starfish plates, all sorts of minerals, and much more. Of course there’s lots of well-made jewelry.
We’ve got it all. It’s the best place for unusual gifts, and we have inexpensive things for everyone.
Although I’ve cut back on the hours I work, I continue the business because I love it and the people. I’ve thought of it as
a safe haven for kids when teenagers come here after school to hang out. Marine biology students from USM come in to see the artifacts. Ladies from the SeaBee base come. They’re away from home and need someone to listen and love them. You can bring your children here and not worry about them touching things. It’s a hands-on place. If they can’t touch it, they can’t learn it.
There are days I don’t want to get up but I have a business that keeps me motivated. All the fond memories and people are my family as my own children and grandchildren don’t live nearby. As a diabetic it’s not easy to stay fit, but I like to work in my
garden, watch the birds and in general just keep out of a rocking chair waiting to die! My store helper, Terri Duplantis, pulls me through some dark times and I am grateful to her.
So, what does this mean for an 84-year-old widow originally from New Hampshire? My business is open; there are things to do and people to see. Life goes on and it is good.
178 | November 2023
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