This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

GULF COAST
Jay Lagasse is big asset for Pioneer Camporee
Tim Ryan, Editor
Community Mindedness
It has been said that there are no extraordinary people, but rather ordinary people doing extraordinary things. That may well be the case with Jay Lagasse, electronics technician-network operations, Biloxi, who has been doing some pretty extraordinary things in service to the community.
Back in the summer when Mississippi's "Magnolia Bells" Pioneer Family Campers hosted the 1990 Telephone Pioneer International Family Camper Rally on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Lagasse showed what Community Mindedness is all about when he served as liaison between the camporee planners and the Buccaneer State Park and the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.
Initially, Lagasse has been asked to help with a few details at Buccaneer State Park in Waveland where the rally would be held, but when Wagon Master Homer "Jack" Hall of McComb met with Park Ranger Greg Smith and Libby Roland, executive director, Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, to make early plans, they all realized they would need to recruit someone locally to be in charge of many of the details required to host the largest convention of it's kind ever held on the Gulf Coast.
Lagasse rose admirably to the "call of need." At least 5(X) camping units were expected at the rally. That meant that 190 camp sites would need to be added to the
existing facilities at the Park to accommodate the more than 1,1 (X) people expected to attend the camporee.
As the grocery list of materials, supplies and miscellaneous items needed for the 10-day event was complied, local city and county officials, along with area businesses, began to pledge their help and support. To properly welcome their guests and give them a flavor of southern hospitality, they planned many activities. A mini Mardi-Gras parade, followed by a red beans and rice cookout, started the week of events.
The planning committee arranged tours to New Orleans and visits to attractions along the Gulf Coast. They even arranged for a shopper's discount for campers at local businesses. Opening ceremonies included skydivers who parachuted in with Mississippi, United States and Pioneers flags which were raised over the campground. An arts and crafts exhibit on the grounds gave campers the opportunity to buy, trade or sell their wares, or to simply admire one another's handiwork.
Lagasse organized local Pioneer volunteers to help with the activities at the rally so that visitors could fully enjoy themselves. Local pioneers helped feed the hungry masses at a barbecue dinner/ dance one evening and at a catlish dinner another.
The swift and complete handling of many, many details made the rally a huge success and Jay Lagasse was a big pail of that success. In a letter from the Hancock Chamber of Commerce, he is credited*' with being one of the forces who made this the largest and one of the most significant conventions ever held in Hancock County. In addition, he was an ambassador of gcxxl will between local residents and businesses and their more than 1,1 (X) guests.
From what his friends and peers say about Lagasse, he?s one ordinary man doing some very extraordinary things for his community. In fact, the camporee is only one example of the kind of Community Mindedness that he demonstrates.
I le is also very involved in other civic activities including helping to organize the annual March of Dimes WalkAmeri-ca along the Bay St. Louis-Waveland beach road or the local Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. He's also very involved in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of which his wife serves as director. He is on the board of the American Cancer Society and has actively worked with the "Beach Cleanup" of the past few years.
There are other activities in which he?s involved for his community. It's only the extraordinary work of an ordinary man, dedicated to Community Mindedness.