Page 10 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2026

PUBLISHER: MICHAEL SUNDERMAN michael@m2mediacorp.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: MARY SUNDERMAN mary@m2mediacorp.com
EDITOR: KELSEY SUNDERMAN-FOSTER editor@m2mediacorp.com
BUSINESS MANAGER: AMY CHATAGINER manager@m2mediacorp.com
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: LORI BETH SUSMAN loribeth@m2mediacorp.com
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JENNIFER COX jennifer@m2mediacorp.com 228.697.5119
JIM MCCLOSKEY jim@m2mediacorp.com 228.297.1173
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BRIAN TREADAWAY brian@m2mediacorp.com
JOHN SUKMANN john@m2mediacorp.com
KEVIN BROUILLETTE II kevin@m2mediacorp.com
CONTRIBUTORS:
John N. Felsher Chelsea Gieselmann Holly Harrison
Joey Lee
Lynn Lofton
Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray Anne Pitre
Victoria Snyder Shannon Stage Barbara Travis
Cherie Ward
Gaye Winter
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Sabrina Marie Katherine Sowers
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Office Phone: 228.385.7703 Office Fax: 228.385.7705 Website: www.smliving.net
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Copyright, 2026
South Mississippi Living is owned and published by
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FROM THE editor’s desk What I
About This Issue
Our April issue is filled with inspiration, helpful resources, and plenty of family fun. Inside, you’ll find everything from private school listings and summer activity ideas to family outings and healthcare tips designed to support parents through their child’s every stage.
We’re also excited to introduce our 2026 Terrific Teens! This year brought in an incredible number
of nominations, and we’re grateful to our readers for sharingthestoriesoftheseoutstandingyoungpeople. A big thank you as well to our sponsors for helping us recognize and celebrate these inspiring students. If you missed the nomination period, be sure to follow us on Facebook so you can submit a Terrific Teen next year.
This month’s People feature highlights Alyece Smith, the mother and community advocate behind Caiden’s Corner. Through her nonprofit, she works to support children on the autism spectrum and the families who care for them, creating spaces where kids feel safe, parents feel supported, and siblings are included every step of the way.
Our cover story spotlights TrainTastic, the world’s largest model railroad museum. Spanning 50,000 square feet, the museum features more than 20 elaborate train layouts along with interactive exhibits and play areas designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence. You can learn more about their locomotive-sized adventures and summer camps in our Kids & Pets special section.
And this year, that section has expanded to include our four-legged family members! Along with kid- focused stories, you’ll find articles on welcoming your family’s first pet, pet-friendly activities, and more.
This month is packed with stories that celebrate childhood, community, and the joy of family life. We hope you enjoy every page.
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“Kids don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember w”hat
you are.
– Jim Henson
Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
Editor
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10 | April 2026
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