We understand it's been difficult to change almost every part of life and find a new normal as we all work to stay healthy and safe. We also know that you might be interested in learning how some of our industry partners are spending their newfound time at home. Take a break from the headlines to learn more below!
Ann Dinwiddie Madden
Photographer, designer and Lens of Smith & Lens Gallery, located in Bay St. Louis
Photo by Kandice Gunning
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
We love a family game night. Also, I love cooking for my family. Bonus when they actually eat it.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Last night we watched Call of the Wild. It was wonderful. We have been bingeing the Fosters on Netflix. Family favorite is probably Schitt's Creek.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
We have started going on a bike ride every afternoon at 6 p.m. It's the highlight of the day.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
I really am loving the unstructured time with my kids.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
My favorite thing about this area has always been and will always be the people.
Brenda Blount
Director of Development at Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, located in Biloxi
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Cooking, gardening, home decor and moving furniture around.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
The Babies Documentary on Netflix. This is such a positive and beautiful documentary of babies from birth to toddler stage.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
Yes, I'm learning more about gardening. It's really hard work.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
My husband is happy and Dogwood, our pet dog, is happy.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
Great people, great food, and the great beauty of the Coast.
Michael Moore
Owner of Biloxi Cruise Company, which owns and operates Biloxi Shrimping Trip, Biloxi Fishing Trip, and Strictly Business Fishing Charters
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Cook, hang out with the family, and exercise TJ the boat dog.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Ozark and Tiger King. Ozark keeps me on my toes, while Tiger King is just a flat-out train wreck.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
Typically I do not do housework because I am always on the boat. I have been doing one job a day at the house and one a day on the boat.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
We are getting stuff done that has been needing to get done, and getting a chance to hang out with my wife and daughter. Although I think both of them want me to go back to work.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
Resilience. Rebuilding and recreating is part of our culture, heritage, and way of life on the Gulf Coast. I truly believe growing up in a commercial fishing/coastal town makes an area tougher. I am ready to go back to work, and the coast is ready to go back to work. That's just who Coastal Mississippi is....we never give up and we are always ready to roll up our sleeves and do what is needed to be done.
Eddie Robinson
Photographer and owner of Robinson Photography + Film
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Showing my daughter all the fun outdoor activities I loved as a kid.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Obviously Tiger King is a must watch, but I have to say I really enjoyed JoJo’s Rabbit. It’s a dark comedy set in WWII Germany that shows even in the darkest of times there’s always a silver lining.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
While I haven’t learned a new skill, I have dusted off my roller blades to get some exercise around my neighborhood.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
The most positive outcome of spending time at home for me has been the extra family time. We have been having family game and movie nights, long walks with our dogs, crafts, and middle of the day naps.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
My favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi is everything that comes with living along the coast. Whether it's spending a day at the beach, looking for fun out on a boat, eating fresh seafood, or spending time at the islands. It just doesn’t get much better than this.
Roxy Condrey
Owner of The Roost Ocean Springs and The Inn at Ocean Springs
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Playing with kids (and having wine in the evening, of course).
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
We just watched The Men Who Built America. It was eye opening and sad at times to see how progress was made. These men were able to achieve things that forever changed the way we live, but this movie gave me a new perspective on the sacrifices our forefathers went through to get us to here. We have a lot to be appreciative for.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
How to slow down.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
Spending time with my family, and I'm surprised I am saying this, but teaching my kids. It's hard to be a teacher for sure, but it's been really awesome having this time with them!
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
I have a lot to say about this, but right now what seems to stand out the most is the sense of community! Real character shows when things get tough, and we have so many amazing people here! It has been awesome to see how everyone has come together to support each other during these strange times.
Captain Louis Skrmetta
CEO of Ship Island Excursions, Gulfport and Biloxi
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Watching classic movies.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Any film featuring Gregory Peck. My top three favorites are Keys to the Kingdom, Roman Holiday, and The Guns of Navarone.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
I now have time to catch up on completing our family business history, now in year 94.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
Newly found time at home allows for catching up on household chores, but it also gives me a chance to finally organize old files and photographs, both business and personal.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
The ability to look out over the Mississippi Sound and islands every day is a special gift. Coastal Mississippi provides local folks and visitors views of the water that one can never get enough of.
Rachel and Constantin "Tin" Dangermond
Owners of 100 Men Hall, Bay St. Louis
Photo by Ann Dinwiddie Madden
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Costuming and reading.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Harry Potter - all seven! We love the books and the characters.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
Performing on the stage of the Hall in front of nobody!
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
Afternoon bike rides.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
Access to nature and the beach - with less crowds, and the fantastic community.
Julian Rankin
Executive Director, Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Ocean Springs
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Enjoying the Spring weather.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Westworld; it’s a true escape.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
Repainting the fence.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
Breaks to play baseball with our five-year old.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
The outdoors is always close at hand, which helps guard against impending cabin fever.
Sonny Schindler
Owner of and guide for Shore Thing Fishing Charters (Long Beach, Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis)
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Cleaning, homeschooling, and getting much needed sleep.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
Just watched “Tiger King” on Netflix. It’s the most bizarre, funny, sad, and craziest thing I’ve ever seen.
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
I’m trying to learn how to sleep late, but I seldom make it past 5 a.m. I’ve cut mine and my neighbor's yard. Now I clean windows, make beds and fold laundry like a madman. Just trying to knock out all the “honey-dos."
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
I’m gone from home a lot. I’m either staying overnight at Cat Island, or on my insane day trip schedule. I leave early, and I get home in the afternoon. I eat dinner (sometimes) and go straight to bed very early. I don’t get to hang out with my wife and daughter a lot. I absolutely love staying at home. Most of my life is outdoors, so being inside is very enjoyable for me.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
How tough the people are. Like all things, this will pass. We will learn from it, and hopefully we will be able to handle the next big hurdle. It’s always going to be something. We take care of our family, friends, and neighbors. It’s what we do and who we are.
Paige Riley
Owner of Hillyer House, Ocean Springs
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Hanging on my back deck and reading a good book or trade magazine.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
We just finished watching The Crown and loved it!
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
Relaxing! I am enjoying my family and furry friends more than ever.
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
Being with my sweet daughter and chatting with old friends on the phone.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
Our sense of community, and our beaches of course!
Nikki Moon
Owner of Bay Town Inn Bed & Breakfast, Bay St. Louis
What is your favorite activity to do at home?
Working in the yard - I love getting my hands dirty planting, weeding and mulching. It's therapy for me.
What is the best show/movie you have watched at home? Why?
I love Grace & Frankie - it makes me laugh and forget everything!
Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby at home?
Working on knitting an afghan which I haven't done in years. It's taking forever, and because of mistakes, I have to rip out most of what I've done. Oh well - I don't need it until Christmas!
What is the most positive outcome of spending time at home?
I'm getting lots of projects done that I had put off. Spending loads of time with my pups. Most importantly, I'm calling people I haven't talked to in forever, just to say hello and make sure they are doing okay.
What is your favorite aspect of Coastal Mississippi?
The people of the Coast - as I have said often, they have grit. They also have a soft, welcoming side that lets everyone know they are special.
