WAVELAND, Miss. -- You never really dwell on what a precious commodity choice is, until you don't have it anymore. And for the people here in Waveland and neighboring Bay St. Louis, choice has been in short supply for everything from a place to sleep to a place to buy food.
But choice has come back -- snuck in really -- here at the Waveland Market, which is nothing more than a series of three Quonset huts made from tent material just up the road from Waveland's temporary trailer-park City Hall complex.
The market could easily adopt the mythical Phoenix as its mascot, having resurrected itself after Katrina put a brutal end to its 10-year, every weekend run.
The market took its first tentative post-Katrina steps in early February; five vendors showed up. By late in the month, the market had expanded so fast that it filled three tents and had two vendors selling their wares outside as well.
One of the biggest attractions: fresh fruit and produce brought in from out-of-state. Tammy Berry, a 10-year veteran of the market, is back selling the produce she picks herself and brings in from Louisiana. She has even adapted her offerings, providing small, pre-packaged chopped vegetables that are more easily prepared in the cramped kitchen of a FEMA trailer; providing choice.
"A lot of us have seen each other for the first time since Katrina," Berry says, pointing to the other vendors. "And here in the middle of all this destruction, there is this rebirth."
And there is Leanne LaFrance selling her premade "FEMA Fabulous" casseroles, which she notes are packed in containers that are "FEMA stove friendly."
The market is buzzing with activity this day; a continuous stream of shoppers crowds into the smallish tents to pour over hand-made offerings ranging from hats to home-made bars of oatmeal soap to jewelry. Cakes, candy and cookies are offered up by Arlene "the Pie Lady" Snyder, a resident of Gulfport and 10-year veteran of the market.
"It's nice to do something normal," says Snyder, arranging the few pies and cookies she has left on a single table. "I had three full tables this morning," she says, unable to contain a huge grin. "This is a healing time. These people have no stuff left, but they have their spirit."
And now, too, they also have a little more choice.
Mardi Gras with an asterisk
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Wonderful! I never cease to be amazed by the resilience of the people on the Coast. God bless you and all your families and everyone you sell to and their families.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Feb 26, 2006 10:41:38 PM)
You folks have so much courage that even with future events you will always be a community united. United in the bad and the good. There is a lot more good than bad! Hang in there guys, you're doing great and the whole world is watching you now. You are on candid reality camera, have fun!
terry malone II (Sent Feb 27, 2006 5:14:25 AM)
business IS where a town is formed...folks can get what they need{or want}...and the tax base is there to provide local services...good for everyone
andy,ms (Sent Feb 27, 2006 8:17:03 AM)
What a great story! Farmer's Markets are where the best food can be found and I'm excited to see that communities are rallying together to provide a variety of local produce and products.
If only more people would realize how valuable their local farmers market can be! We all can benefit from the sense of community and the lack of pesticides that come with local and sustainably produced food.
Matt, NY (Sent Feb 27, 2006 1:32:10 PM)
Keeping it local is what its all about taking care of their own. These people are what is going to bring the area back. These are the people that need a pat on the back. Once the people of the land get rolling it will touch off the powder keg and the rest will follow.
William F. Garber III Tucson AZ. (Sent Feb 27, 2006 3:13:30 PM)
Your fresh goods & produce and local People selling same is not only supplying a physical need but also feeds a psychological need!!!
WELL DONE!
Jas Lehnert (Sent Feb 27, 2006 9:30:22 PM)
Thanks so much for providing the link for the Farmer's Market. What an awesome place for everyone to get together to share GOOD THINGS - food and fellowship - you can't beat that! ;-) Great story.
Theresa Mack, Germantown, MD (Sent Feb 28, 2006 12:30:37 PM)
Even though it's been SIX months since the storm, people are still trying to rebuild and get their lives together, and wonders never cease to amaze me. The Farmer's Market, a place for meeting and greeting one's friends and kin, buying good produce and goods, is now providing a comfort that was probably not thought of before. May God shine down on all of you and continue to give you the strength that you're going to need for a long time. And enjoy the bounties of the earth. Nourish your bodies as well as your souls. Live life!!!!!!!
J.A. Washington Charleston, SC (Sent Mar 2, 2006 10:34:11 AM)
Great Coverage! Thanks MSNBC. What would really help the goat milk soap lady in Waveland would be to put her web address which is hometown.aol.com/pdavenp913 where others could help her business by ordering.
Phyllis Davenport, Poplarville, MS (Sent Mar 2, 2006 1:04:31 PM)
The lady in the red scarf (in above picture) makes and sells the best goat-milk soap! I literally don't use any other soap on my skin except hers.
Out here in Colorado, the weather makes my skin very dry, but this soap helps with that. Check out her website if you are interested in the soap: www.hometown.aol.com/pdavenp913
Great article! Glad to see Mississippi heading back to normalcy.
Erika, Denver, CO (Sent Mar 2, 2006 2:55:24 PM)
Such a small thing is such a wonderful thing! Kudos to all of you and may God bless and keep you.
Stacey, Indianapolis (Sent Mar 2, 2006 4:19:18 PM)
goat milk soap?.....my grandmaw made lye soap....it would take the hair off a goats ass too...it would make your skin a pretty rosie color....blistered...i guess....dangitt...LOL!!!
andy,ms (Sent Mar 2, 2006 11:35:17 PM)
hey.... i found grandmaws recipie.....wanna buy some? {make's your skin pink}....don't get it in your eyes though....ithink it started glaucoma
andy,ms (Sent Mar 19, 2006 7:33:20 PM)
This story is so inspiring. Bless all of you.
MELISSA FRANSON, ST.PETERSBURG, FL (Sent Mar 31, 2006 9:42:10 AM)
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