Welcome to interview #16 of Project World Showcase!
Today’s interviewee is Creoledreamer from Mississippi!
1. What is your name or PC username, the name of the city you live in, and the name of your country/state? How long have you lived in your country/state?
PC username: creoledreamer
City: Gulfport
Country/state: USA/Mississippi
I have lived in various cities/towns around Mississippi all my life.
2. What got you started in postcard collecting?
My grandmother introduced me to postcards. She sent my very first card to me when I was four years old. She lived in many different states and travelled quite a bit. Everywhere she went, she sent me a postcard. She passed away some time ago, but I carry on her tradition of postcard collection. In 2003, I opened my collection to international trading. I think my grandmother would be excited and awe struck at how many countries and people I have come in contact with during my postcard journey.
3. What are your 3 most favorite postcards and why?
This is the very first postcard my grandmother sent to me. It will always be my favorite.
My grandmother loved going to the rodeo and attending Indian Pow-Wows (she was part Cherokee). I always looked forward to her postcards, Indian toys, and wonderful stories she would share.
My best friend lives in Tokyo. Although she does not collect postcards, she loves finding new cards for me. This card always brings a smile to my face because I feel very fortunate to have such a special friend.
4. Show us a picture of your mailbox or post office.
5. What other hobbies do you enjoy besides collecting postcards?
Besides postcard collecting, I like collecting souvenir books, photography, traveling, watching movies and plays, writing, and reading about historical events. I have recently begun collecting recipes too. I also like swimming, walking, and bike riding.
6. Is there anything about your city/state/country that makes it special? What is it known for? What do most people associate with it?
Mississippi Gulf Coast
In 1699, the French built its first settlement in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area.
A replica of the French fort is located in the Gulf Coast city of Ocean Springs.
Many of the descendants have French last names and some of the streets and towns also have French names.
At one time the Spanish also settled the area. A remaining fort lies on the Mississippi barrier island named Ship Island. It is open to visitors. While traveling to the barrier islands, one can see playful dolphins swimming besides the boats.
Currently the area is known for its tourism, fishing, and gaming industries. Also NASA has a center in the area. At the Stennis Spaces Center, they build and test rocket engines. Also NOAA and Hurricane Hunters make their home off the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina destroyed many special landmarks in the area. Recovery has been very slow.
Mississippi is called the Magnolia state. Currently is known as the “Cradle of American Music” because so many blues and jazz musicians come from Mississippi.
From Civil War to Civil Rights, Mississippi holds an interesting spot in US history. There are many battlefields that have now become memorials and a new Civil Rights museum being built in the capital city of Jackson. Also visitors can trace the history of Blues Music on the Blues Music trail that covers a great deal of the state.
The Choctaw Indians live in the small town of Choctaw, Mississippi. Every July they hold the Choctaw Indian Fair. They call Mississippi their birthplace. The nation named its first female Indian chief in 2011.
7. What are at least 3 good places or attractions to visit if someone were to travel to your city/state/country?
Free to the public, this building used to serve as the state capitol building. Now the building has been turned into a museum. It begins with early settlement of Mississippi up to today. There are some very interesting interactive features in throughout the museum. It hits the history of slavery straightforward and invites guess to listen to some of the legal cases.
During the late 1700s and early 1800s thousands of travelers walked the Natchez Trace. This primitive pathway went through Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian territories. The trace extends from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. Pirates used to also use the Trace to rob the pioneers. Today, visitors can drive along the Trace and stop by some of the landmarks.
A fierce Civil War battle raged in Vicksburg. Vicksburg was the last town holding out. When it fell, it ended the Civil War. The battle ground is now a military park. One can see memorials throughout the park. The gunboat USS Cairo is on display on the park grounds. A must see for those interested in US Civil War history.
8. What are some traditional foods or dishes one should try in your state/country?
9. Show a picture of nature or animals in your city/state/country that is native to where you live.
Magnolia is the state flower
Mockingbird is the state bird
Some other animals that inhabit Mississippi are skunks, opossums, otters, muskrats, beavers, raccoons, black bears, flying squirrels and a host of various snakes.
Mississippi has very mild winters. Many people from the northern states (snowbirds) move to Mississippi for the winter. The summers are very hot. The subtropical weather makes everything lush and green.
10. What are at least 2 major historical events that happened in your country/state and why are they important?
December 10, 1817- Act of Congress admitted Mississippi to the Union as the twentieth state.
1922 – The State Legislature authorizes a system of junior colleges, the first in the nation.
11. (Optional Question) Are there any other facts associated with your state/country, such as major festivals, celebrations, unusual happenings, unusual laws, road-side attractions, names of famous people who were born there, etc. that you think someone should know about?
Famous people born in Mississippi (short list)
Elvis Presley, BB King, Robin Roberts (ABC Good Morning America anchor), Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, Jim Henson, Brittany Spears, Oprah Winfrey, John Grisham,
12. What language(s) do you speak or what is the primary language of your country? Can you share 3 words in this language and give their English translation?
I speak English and little bit of Spanish. Being of Creole heritage, I recall my grandparents speaking French. I did not learn French fluently, but know a few phrases.
In southern Mississippi and Louisiana, Creole/Cajun French is still spoken in some communities. Here are a few phrases:
Laissez les bons temps rouler- let the good times roll
Vieux Carre- French Market
Lagniappe- a little extra
13. What are some major holidays celebrated in your country, or what are some holidays that are only celebrated in your country and nowhere else? How do you spend these holidays?
Aside from the U.S. Federal holiday and Christian holidays celebrated, Mississippi has some confederate holidays such as Robert E. Lee’s birthday, and Jefferson Davis’ birthday. South Mississippi recognizes Mardi Gras as a holiday.
14. Is there any type of folklore associated with your state/country?
One popular folklore story is Robert Johnson at the Devil’s Crossroads:
“Robert Johnson was branded with a burning desire to become a great blues musician. He was “instructed” to take his guitar to a crossroad near Dockery Plantation at midnight. There he was met by a large black man (the devil) who took the guitar and tuned it. The “Devil” played a few songs and then returned the guitar to Johnson, giving him mastery of the instrument. This was in effect, a deal with the Devil In exchange for his soul, Robert Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.” – taken from Wikipedia
He died a mysterious death. To this day, no one is quite sure where his remains are located.
15. Lastly, is there anything else you’d like to share about your state or country that you didn’t get to mention before?
No, I think that is it. 
Thanks to Creoledreamer for a great interview! If you liked this interview, please click the “like” button below, rate the post above, leave a comment, or share this post with a friend. Check in next week for another interview!
