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Southern Prickly Ash – The Thorns Warn 

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ourmshome.com – Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. – 2024-02-11 10:54:51

SUMMARY: The spikey Southern Prickly Ash tree, adorned with sharp spines and thorns, stands out in its natural habitat due to both its physical and chemical defenses, deterring animals and some insects. Known also as the Toothache Tree, it shares family ties with citrus plants, offering a scent and taste reminiscent of orange. The tree’s bark, rich in alkaloids and volatile oils, can numb the mouth similarly to dental medication, showcasing its medicinal purposes. Beyond pain relief, extracts from the tree are utilized in various treatments and culinary practices, particularly in Chinese and Japanese cuisines where it’s known as Sichuan Pepper. This versatile tree not only serves human uses but also supports wildlife, including the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly and potentially the Grizzled Mantis, highlighting its ecological significance.

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Our Mississippi Home

Po-Boys & Paper Towels: A Love Letter to the Gulf Coast Classic

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ourmshome.com – Julian Brunt – 2025-06-16 16:30:00

SUMMARY: A fully dressed, pressed po-boy is a Gulf Coast classic, distinct from subs or hoagies found elsewhere. The fried shrimp po-boy is iconic, especially on the Mississippi Coast, where pressing the sandwich likely began at Biloxi’s famed Rosetti’s. There, the “Vancleave special” was born—crab cake with cheese—named for a hurried customer. Po-boy variations abound, with personal preferences sparking lively debates, especially over the best bread. Favorites include fried oyster, pot roast beef (stewed, not sliced), and the Italian, packed with meats, cheese, and zesty dressing. Ideal sides include potato salad or coleslaw. Above all, a true po-boy must be pressed and dressed.

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Our Mississippi Home

Permanent Skateparks? Coast Skaters Say It’s Time

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ourmshome.com – USM Roy Howard Community Journalism Center – 2025-06-16 12:26:00

SUMMARY: Pete Taggard revitalized his health and lost over 100 pounds by returning to skateboarding after a Type 2 Diabetes warning. Inspired, he co-founded the Picayune Skatepark Project to build Mississippi’s Gulf Coast’s first permanent public skatepark, approved recently in Picayune. Alongside him, the Gulf Coast Skatepark Association is transforming community spaces in Biloxi and beyond through DIY skateparks and events promoting safe, inclusive areas for youth. Skateparks serve as vital “third places” offering exercise, belonging, and emotional support, especially to underserved kids. Their efforts aim to build more facilities, acknowledging skateboarding’s physical and mental health benefits and fostering vibrant local communities.

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Our Mississippi Home

Prescribed Fires Save Forests | Our Mississippi Home

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ourmshome.com – Mark W. LaSalle, Ph.D. – 2025-06-14 09:05:00

SUMMARY: Smoky the Bear’s message “only you can prevent forest fires” evolved as we learned that in the southeastern U.S., fire-adapted pine forests rely on frequent, low-intensity fires to stay healthy. These fires occur naturally every 3-5 years, burning dead grass and pine needles without harming roots or mature trees. Fires release nutrients into nutrient-poor soils, help pine seeds germinate, and control hardwood growth that would reduce plant diversity. Longleaf Pines uniquely survive fires with fire-resistant needles and thick bark. Human interference disrupted this cycle, causing catastrophic wildfires, so forest managers now use controlled prescribed burns to mimic natural fires safely.

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