Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2024

COAST NOTE
story by Lori Beth Susman
Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence (GCCFN) is hosting its 14th annual flagship fundraising event on Saturday, October 26, at the White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge in Biloxi. Moonlight Masquerade: Wicked Wonderland is an elegant, spooky, adult Halloween party featuring a “dark” Alice in Wonderland theme this year.
Since 1977, Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence
has worked throughout South Mississippi to provide lifesaving services and support to thousands of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as the surviving loved ones of homicide victims, all without charge.
“Cuts to federal funding for domestic violence programs makes this fundraising event more important than ever,” said Rene Davis, communications director.
Moonlight Masquerade will serve food prepared by James Beard finalist Chef Austin Sumrall; signature cocktails sponsored by Cathead Vodka; and live music by Symone French. Guests will also enjoy tarot readings by Mrs. Martha and interactive readings by special guest Angel Leigh, known as the Southern Spiritual Messenger.
There will be a silent auction, and guests are encouraged to enter the costume contest, although costumes are not required. Tickets to the event are $85 per person or $150 per couple. The event is open to all aged 21 and up. Information and ticketing can be found at gccfn.org/MM24.
OCEAN SPRINGS GARDEN CLUB Celebrates 6oth Anniversary
story by Lynda Brokl
photo courtesy of
Ocean Springs Garden Club
The Ocean Springs Garden Club will
celebrate its 60th Anniversary on October
13, 2024, at the Ocean Springs Community Center in Ocean Springs. The Open House will be from 2 to 4 p.m. with a short program at 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
The Open House will highlight some of the many different projects the Garden Club has done over the years, including beautification projects such as planting flowers around the city and cleaning and maintaining flower beds like the one found at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center.
For Arbor Day, the club plants a tree each year honoring some of its past members or persons who have done great work for the city. These events often feature tablescapes and flower shows to highlight the talented members, all while raising funds for cancer patients in Ocean Springs as well as placing a Blue Star Marker at the Civic Center and a Gold Star Marker at the Mary C. In addition to garden related projects, the club has worked on other projects such as Plant It Pink to bring awareness to breast cancer and educational
events for the community like the Monarch Butterfly Program, which shows the
importance of adding plants to support the survival of Monarch butterflies.
20 | October 2024 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living