By Michelle Lady – bio | email

D’IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) -You have probably heard about “Secret Santas” across the country doing generous things during the holiday season. Well, South Mississippi has its own Secret Santa who paid off 35 layaway bills this week at the D’Iberville Walmart.

Mother of two young girls Likedria Kemp said, “It’s a feeling like no other to know they will have that satisfaction and share what other kids normally do.”

Money is a struggle for Kemp. So when she got a call from Walmart telling her someone had paid her layaway bill, she said she burst into tears and started screaming.

“Thank you, Jesus. Because I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I did it on a whim and hoping I could pay it off on time, so it was just a big, big surprise for me and such a blessing,” Kemp said.

Diane Young was also overcome with emotion when she got the good news that the someone paid for the gifts she put on layaway months ago for her three-year-old grandson.

“To do this for someone she has never met, no words can describe it. No words can even express,” Young said. “I was just blown away. It just came at a really good time and helped me in my life right now.”

Both women say the acts of kindness have been contagious.

“I’m getting teary,” Young said. “This woman not only touched my life, but allowed me to be able to touch another little boy who is going to get a 12-inch Spiderman bike.”

“I decided I am going to put something else on someone else’s layaway, the money that I did save,” Kemp said.

They hope their small tokens of appreciation will touch someone else’s life the way they have been touched.

“Thank you so, so much from the bottom of my heart and my families,” Young said with tears in her eyes. “For you to take the time and pay someone’s layaway without even meeting the person, you are an angel. And I wish I could hug you and tell you thank you and God bless.”

Kemp had tears rolling down her face when she said, “Thank you and God bless you. God bless you and continue to doing and inspire others to do the same thing because it means so much.”

The “Secret Santa” spent about $600 just on these two women’s bills.

Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.

D’IBERVILLE — Second-grade students greeted Santa Claus in song Saturday at the city’s second annual Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony. The parade, marshaled by Mike Mullins and anchored by Santa on a fire truck, wound through downtown and ended at the Town Green where hundreds of people were waiting for the man in red.

The ROTC served up hot chocolate and cookies. Children played under the tree of lights or waited in line to tell Santa their Christmas wishes.

Also on display again this year was the Historic Christmas Village, a replica of Old Town.

Two new buildings were added to the display, which debuted at last year’s ceremony. Councilman Teddy Harder said the site of the display is itself historic, because it is where the old high school had been — the past and present heart of D’Iberville.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/12/08/4348045/diberville-celebrates-a-town-green.html#storylink=cpy

Gulfport and Biloxi have the Coast’s top prep basketball rivalry.

The unbeaten Indians (6-0) and Admirals (9-1) clash tonight for the first time this season at Bert Jenkins Gymnasium in Gulfport. A capacity crowd is expected to see the Coast’s top two basketball programs.

The two coaches — Owen Miller of Gulfport and Biloxi’s Seber Windham — played against other in the 1980s under legendary coaches Bert Jenkins and Jackie Laird, respectively. Miller was member of Class 5A state title teams in 1987 and 1988. Windham starred on the Indians’ title teams in 1989 and 1990, and also has won crowns as an assistant coach and head coach.

“It’s always exciting for me to play Gulfport because of the tradition on both sides,” Windham said. “My kids will be ready and looking forward to it. Gulfport has a good team and might be the best team in 6A right now.”

Miller, the Admirals’ second-year coach, expects the usual hard-fought contest between the two schools. The Admirals won two of three games last season, including in the 6A South State tournament finals at home.

“Anytime Gulfport and Biloxi play in basketball, it’s always a great atmosphere for the players and fans on both sides,” Miller said. “It’s always a big game.”

The Indians and Admirals both have plenty of firepower featuring explosive guards.

Senior Zach Parker is averaging a team-leading 15 points a game for the Indians. Garrett Robinson and Tavonn Tyson produce 14 and 13 points a game. “Zach’s their best player,” Miller said. “He gives us the most concern because of his ability to score.”

Jashire Hardnett leads Gulfport with 18 points a game. All-South Mississippi performer Eddie Lee is second at 11 points and eight rebounds a game.

“As a sophomore, Hardnett’s the best point guard in the state,” Windham said. “We have the state’s best on-ball defender in Tevaris McCormick, but he’s playing at the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Football Classic.”

The Biloxi-Gulfport girls game will be a physical contest. The Lady Admirals have won eight of their first nine games, with Biloxi sporting a 9-2 record.

“It should be a good game,” Lady Admirals coach Donny Fuller said. “It’s a rivalry game and both teams are off to a good start.”

War on the Shore: The annual War on the Shore tournament will be held Saturday at St. Stanislaus.

The only girls contest, a No. 1 vs. No. 2 contest between Bay High and Gulfport, opens the day-long event at noon. Bay High defeated Gulfport earlier this season.

“We’re excited about the lineup,” St. Stanislaus coach Ricky Stone said. “It’s a nice matchup of teams that haven’t played each other this season. We’ve also got a little out-of-town flavor.”

Saturday’s games are Biloxi-Bay High, noon; St. Stanislaus-Seminary, 1:30 p.m.; Harrison Central-Madison-Ridgeland Academy, 3 p.m.; D’Iberville-Picayune, 4:30 p.m.; Pass Christian-St. Martin, 6 p.m.; Pearl River Central-Gulfport, 7:30 p.m.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/12/13/4357917/admirals-indians-resume-historic.html#storylink=cpy

Harrison County will open the D’Iberville Civic Center on Tuesday night for those who need shelter from the cold.

The civic center will open at 4:30 p.m. and close at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to be about 35 degrees along the Coast on Tuesday night.

The center is located at 10395 Automall Parkway.

Coast Transit Authority will prove transportation along its fixed route for D’Iberville.

The Salvation Army in Gulfport will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights for those who need a warm place to stay.

It is located at 2019 22nd St.

The Salvation Army in Pascagoula always is open as a shelter for men, women and children. Officials urge anyone who needs a place to stay to come to the shelter at 3217 Nathan Hale Drive.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/12/11/4352387/diberville-shelter-to-open-tuesday.html#storylink=cpy