when a person gets to do things they enjoy...there is a "harmony" to life...without that there is nothing...KEEP catchin' the big one's Tony!

That which does not kill us makes us stronger. To those who have found peace and the true meaning of life in the wake of a disaster, you have been blessed by the Grace of God. Miracles do happen, and come in many forms, for some it came in the form of a disaster. God's speed to all who survive.

No water up north? Hmmmm My first thought is Minnesota of 100,000 lakes, or Maine, with 4,000. Not to mention that Maine has ocean and the Gulf of Maine... okay, so I totally understand what Tony is saying. "There's no place like home." It's good to hear that the fish didn't leave the area!

Water is a matter of perspective. I'm from Delaware and now living in Utah so I say the same thing. I can't wait to move back to the Delaware area where there are "naturally occurring bodies of water" instead of the mud pit reservoirs around here. Good Luck Tony with your moved restaurant and new home. I will look you up if I'm ever down that way, again.

LIFE IN NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF; BUT CREATING YOURSELF.

More power to you. Just don't be one of the fools that comes crying to the government when/if another storm hits, claiming that other people aren't doing enough to take care of you.

Trapani's was my favorite place to eat when I lived in BSL. I'm glad to hear he has re-opened.

Way to go Tony!!!
Your spirit makes us smile even in the far off places this storm has put us. Keep it up some people could only dream of your determination and love of home. We miss you all

Matt, do you hear the man crying?
Sounds like he has a good attitude and take note he is staying here, he is keeping his business here.
He is the type of person that gives the others faith.

A man with the same faith as myself. There is nothing better than listening and hearing the world turn.

Tony, Keep on fishing! My brother, Mark is just like you. I can't imagine him away from a large body of water... and honestly, away from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Not just any big bit of water will really do! I ate at your restaurant, when I came back for an OLA reunion. The food was delicious! I also really loved what you had done with the building... it had a wonderful atmosphere and all my friends said it had become one of the best places to eat in town. Our family had our ice cream parlor there in the 1970's, so I knew the building pretty well. I was glad to see you did away with the blue paint on the floors! I'm sorry to see it is gone. But I am really happy that you have reopened and I'm so glad to see that you have found your way back out onto the water! It's one of the most spactacular things about life on the coast! I still remember the joy and peace I used to feel looking out at the glistening water, dark with the secret life of so many amazing creatures that lived just below the surface and sparkling with promise and adventure. I was always a bit in awe of the vastness, the depth and the mystery of the Mississippi sound. It was hard to feel invincible in the presence of the deep and wind tossed waters. I guess some people feel that way when they see the Grand Canyon or Niagra Falls...I opened every window in my room on South Beach Blvd and the gentle breeze and the hush hush of the incoming waves lulled me to sleep at night. It was a wonderful place to grow up! So keep on fising, and don't let anything steal your joy!

A famous man once said:

"Give a Man (or Woman) a fish feed him/her for a day...Teach them how to fish feed them for a lifetime..."

Thank you so much - MsNBC as this story would have died without your assistance and sheding of light on the subject.

Sincerely,
Stephen Rene
www.ParentsWhoCare.us
www.eBusinessProfessionals.us
http://FathersWhoCare.blogspot.com

Tony, I am so happy to hear that Trapani's is open again...I was afraid that I had eaten for the last time at your wonderful restaurant...I know u don't remember my family, but you were so great to us the last time we came down to eat with you...we were outside and you came out to chat with us and made us feel so welcome...thanks for sticking around and making a new start in a great place....we will be down to visit and eat that wonderful seafood very soon....God bless you and your family and thanks to Him that you are all safe....see you soon my friend

get out while you are still alive leave with your life start over somewhere else north would be good dont be a fool and risk your familys life!! get out you people are partying down there and they havent even recovered all the dead bodies yet !! get out and dont rebuild !!!!

Tony, i have invited others we have Baysprings Lake and Pickwick.....lot a water and fish....you and yours are welcome too

keep the faith

Nice Freakin' trout..... Keep the good attitude, as long as you stay grounded like you are, you will be just fine no matter what!

Let's all move to Montana or New York. Plenty of rivers and fish. Plenty of places to eat. But the people there talk funny. And the seafood is better here.
Seriously, though, we pay taxes too, Matt and Jordan. The government is our government, the same as it is your government. WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT. All of us. Per capita income, Mississippi is the most generous state in charitable giving, and we don't want something for nothing. We are working hard, very hard. Don't begrudge our wanting to stay home.
Thanks to everyone who has come down here. You all will never be forgotten. There's some really good places to eat up north also. I've traded recipes.

Tony,
You're a man who has his priorities straight. No doubt you understand that there's more to fishin' than catching fish. There's more to the restaurant business than cooking food. There's more to home than a house. And there's much more to life than just good fortune!
All the best to you.

Maybe the wind pushed in some good bait! I think it sucked all the trout out of Galveston Bay... nice fish! If you get blown away again, come to Galveston and I'll take you out to my favorite spot.
Keep your hair short and your lines tight!

I'm glad Tony has such a good attitude towards living. I just hope he and other residents there don't come begging the next time a hurricane comes in and blows the doors off his world. I'm getting a little weary of the this happening over and over again and each time expecting the "government" to bail them out. Move out, build a new life. It will also be an adventure

Keep the faith .... and the trout. Nice to hear such a positive attitude it is becoming a rarity. God Bless

Tony... you've got the right idea. I've survived hurricane Andrew and every other one since then and I'm still here. A little rain and wind once in a while does not rule my life. My home is here and my memories are here so here is where I will stay. By the way... the fishing is pretty good here also. Take care, my friend, and God bless!

Tony - I can't help but wonder what the nay-sayers think is important. You've obviously got it right!
Best of luck with the rebuilding. I grew up in South Louisiana and have always loved the Gulf Coast of LA and MS. Twenty years in the Air Force brought me to a lot of places away from home. Let me assure you - there is no place like home, and people like you make it better. God bless you and yours buddy!

Should we close all the coastal towns/cities and move these people inward? And while we are at it, let's move everyone who lives in an area prone to tornados. Let's move everyone who lives near a mountain that might have a mudslide and for goodness sake, close down California with all their potential disasters. I didn't hear Mike expecting the government to bail him out. We work here in Mississippi. Come visit us sometime. It might be an adventure.

Keep up the speck fishin'...they're out there! When in doubt...pray...and fish...and pray while you fish! It is a nice getaway from the stresses of Hurricane rebuilding. God Bless the Katrina victims.

Well alright Tony, seems you've got the right attitude. Really enjoyed the article and clip.

“It’s more spiritual to me than just catching fish. I look at (it) as my religion more or less.”

We stumbled upon that philosophy in our forums at GoldenStateTrout.com., here in California. Seems many Anglers come to discover this truth about fishing. It's truly about more than merely catching fish. It's good for the soul.

Tight-Lines

Great story, but off that touching subject....what were you using? Live shrimp? Artificial? grubs? flukes? what. and to the guy montana telling him he is endangering his families life and is a fool. hurricanes have been around forever, Houses buildings and other physical structures may be in danger, but the Gulf is a great place to live and grow up, its the area that is home, not buildings, they can be replaced. Hurricanes are an inconvience yes, but you cant escape mother nature. Keep on fishin man!

Man catch a gator{more meat} and da taste like chicken.....but so do those dang Bald Eagles!....come to think of it...Armadillos....Shoot u kill it i'll grill it

I think the comment made about "no water up north" could have been referring to the fact that one would have to leave the immediate area of the Bay/Waveland area to find a good sized lake. There would be nothing in close driving distance that you could live there and have a business here. Long commute.

Certainly is refreshing to know that NOTHING bad ever happens in NY. And I resent the statement that I am a fool and I expect to be taken care of!! I asl anyone that thinks this tp come on down and see how hard we've worked and how many have asked for nothing. Oh, I take that back - I accepted a case of bottled water right after we were blow away!

I'm from Nova Scotia Canada and I've lived through a few hurricanes but perhaps not like down there. in Canada we do build our houses sometimes a bit more sturdy because of the heavy snows we used to get so with six inch studding it helps> Hope all goes well for you and your Family.

glad to see your catch and rellease tony wheres the big bull reds lad lol like your attitude your a winner not a whiner

Note to the ones sending messages about how people should ALL leave this area -- why don't you read other posts and see what other ideas are out there besides your attitude. The people that see this for what it is, a horrible situation that could have happened in some other format to ANY place in this country ---they are the ones that are helping, not you with the attitude "just leave". I don't exactly see you putting out your phone # and address and offering to take anyone into your house or city. TALK IS CHEAP!

Yes Tony,I am from the carribean and we do expereince hurricane every year,we don`t run, we stand up and face the situtation,we rebuild how we could,and life gose on,In 2003I spend two months in NEW Orleans,Ilove this City,looking foward to be in the city in 2007.KEEP THE SPRIT HIGH.

Looks like you are using a Shimano Stratic 1500 SpinCaster. Nice reel. Keep it reel! The 9 pounder is out there somewhere!

talk about making one's heart smile. every summer of my life was spent in Bay St. Louis/Waveland. i knew Trapani's when it was on the other side of Beach Blvd and would sneak in with my pal Mackie Trellis. Sunshine Ice Cream Parlor was where Trapani's was before the storm. such wonderful, magical memories. thanks, Tony, for keeping them alive.

Nice Trout Tony!!! I want to go fishing. See you soon!

nice trout tony my family has been on the coast since dirt was found. my dad fished all his life off the waveland and bay beaches. we are staying and rebuilding in the bay.

Hey, Tony,

I'll be in town this summer. I'm looking forward to a great meal at Trapani's. I hope I get to see you...and Chris and Cary too.

Maybe everyone along the coastline of this beautiful country should move to the "middle", where nothing bad apparently happens. To the nay sayers, the entire East Coast of this country is hurricane and Nor'Easter prone. Those up in New England know what that is!! The entire West Coast has wild fires, wind storms, earthquakes, mudslides. Oh and the middle has tornadoes! So where should we all move so that nothing bad happens? Once you go to the Mississippi Coast region will know why these awesome people are staying and trying to rebuild. And by the way, they do NOT complain and they are NOT sitting around waiting for someone to rescue them. They are wonderful, non-complaining, hard working people. If anyone has any doubts, pack up your gear and take a trip to BSL and Waveland. It will change your attitude. God Bless all those along the Coast.

Tony - who would have thought it?? YOU and our little town on the msnbc website - I love it!! - too bad it took that bit*% Katrina to put us there - you definitely deserve to be featured on this site - thanks for opening back up and hang in there - Knowing you, you will be back in business on the beach as soon as they let you - T.Ryan

Get ta Cookin' ....I'm hungry....dangitt....i need about 2 dozon oysters{half shell}....1/2 LB. shrimp{boiled}....several blue crab{garlic}.....see ya soon!

Tony Once you were told not to do something by your parents that may hurt you, But when there back were turn you did it anyway. I said that to say this, we all learn from the things we suffer and then we move on to the next,Keep Moving on.

Tony, I would like to just say god bless you and your family keep the strenth you are blessed with and everything will keep falling into place.

Did anyone think of what Americans did before advanced warning of impending disater? Well for starters building on coast had some appeal but for the most part, not a good idea. So when you see all those condos and high class housing going up I say not a good idea!! Hope you have great insurance because eventually you will need it!

Keep the faith,Toni, i also live in louisiana,and i don;t blame the people but oir goverment,,i also a fisherman and love the gulf,Next time i come to miss.i will be stopping by and grab a bite to eat and might even go fishing if you need a friend [be well] and god bless

Tony, Even if it would happen agin people in Arkansas will be here to help, because we know that
Ms, La, FL, Tx,and all other could be there to help
if it happen to us. Keep a Home Town dream Priceless

For some, keeping the faith is easy. Fortunately, Tony had insurance and having a good outlook may be easier because of that. But if you were not in the flood plain and had only the insurance neccessary for your town or city and your home and life was destroyed by Katrina, the outlook may not be so peaceful. It is great to see people with positive attitudes receiving as they should for well planned releif. My heart goes out to those that were not aware of a better plan and therefor lost everything and are too old to start over. I pray to God for them and their families.

Notice it's those from places such as Chicago, New York, Georgia and especially Montana that make inane comments on living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? They've more than likely never been out of their own state and most assuredly haven't ever been to the Gulf Coast or they wouldn't make such comments. I live in the Midwest but have been to your beautiful coast many, many times and I know what life is like and why you all want to continue living there! God bless and keep your spirits up; don't let the ignorant few make you doubt what you're doing and why!

Keep on keeping on gulf coast! Live, Laugh, Love and Fish! This is God’s country down here and we will never leave, this is our home! To all of my coastal neighbors, treat yourself an old fashioned sunset over our gulf waters this evening!

I have lived here all my life also and lost everything totally and saddly enough I can't say my out look is so bright.We are being rebuilt,but,for other poeple with much higher incomes and ways of life.I will no longer be able to live here and I have a good job,but everything went up in cost.I not only lost my home but more importantly,my way of life here on the coast.Yes it will be bigger and better,but not for many of us who the coast was home.

It's the craziest thing. I know the old Trapani's is gone, but in my mind I see it standing right whereit was. I can smell the aroma from the kitchen, I can see the exceptional staff serving and clearing tables, Tony laughing and joking with his diners. Hurricanes can destroy structures without a doubt, but they can't touch my vivid recollections of Trapani's.

I look forward to my return visit to your home town, to your eatery. Thank you for not leaving me to just my memories of it.

While I miss the old Trapanis building and everything
else on Beach Blvd, I like the fact that there's more
room in the new (temporary) location. Additionally the
acoustics are better...

To Matt from Rochester NY -

Don't think that everyone is crying waiting for
help from the government. People with attitudes like
yours have no idea of the widespread destruction that's
gone on, nor any idea of how people here are taking
their destinies in their own hands.

The attitude expressed in your post, and in posts
similar in attitude from others scattered around the
country, really torque me off simply because of the
almost willful lack of perspective and knowledge.
If you choose to be ignorant, that's your choice,
hope that works for you.

And as angry as I get at posts like yours, I wouldn't
wish Katrina on my worst enemy. I'll take a blinding
week long blizzard over this anyday.

KUDOS to Tony!! I was born in Florida and raised in Maine. I could not wait to get back again. I moved to Pensacola Beach 10 years ago, just after Erin and Opal. Now I have lived through Ivan and Dennis. I lost my house twice basically. Flooded with 6 ft of water. Yes I rebuilt and did not cry to the government for help. There is no where to run to to escape natural disasters so I choose to live on the Gulf of Mexico. It is a true paradise. I live where thousands of people save their money and vacation days to spend a week here. Katrina might have knocked the Gulf Coast but we are coming back bigger and better.

Tony,
We love you! And we'll continue to pray for you and all our family and friends on the Coast.

Tony, to reopen your restaurant, Trapani's, within a short amount of time after it got damaged by Hurricane Katrina says very loud volumes about your determination.

To Jordan Kirkham: Don't rebuild?!? DON'T REBUILD?!? If they don't, then(to paraphrase what has often been said since-and in reference to-9/11)Hurricane Katrina will have already won. To Tony Trapani and the Katrina victims in general, don't give up hope; you are all in my prayers.

Tony, you drove me mad when I worked for you (I had to snicker at the "I try to be nice" comment). I walked out on you one day when you made me so mad...left you with a table of 20 at lunch. But oddly, when the hurricaine hit, you and yours were on my mind. And your beautiful artwork. You may have been a royal PITA, but you are are doing some things right. Keep it up. Maybe I'll make it back down to MS some day and stop in. I never did get my final paycheck or tips ;).