DeLois Smith Adam WatkinsLinda Seifert Debra Pace Scott HolmesBrenda Blackwell Wendy Gay Dennis Baum

Elizabeth Liggett Josh Bellew

Volume 17, Issue 6 / June 2015

4 Willow Bend Drive, Hattiesburg509 S. Main Street, Petal

601.545.3900 • 1.800.DELOIS.SDeLoisSmith.com • GoAllStarTeam.com

Andrew Bird

Dana Quesenberry Antwain RossAme Karoly

By: Linda Seifert/Dana QuesenberryWe are happy to announce that Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette,

retired, has been selected as a bi-annual recipient of The Delois Smith All Star Team’s ‘Great American All Star’ designation. We are grateful to him for not only his service to our nation but for his continued service to our area with his new ‘air taxi’ business called Southern Star Aviation.

After receiving a Zoology degree in 1981 from UC Davis, Admiral Gaouette entered the Navy under the Submarine Strategic Weapons program and was commissioned at Officer Candidate School in April of 1982. He became a qualified submarine officer, and served as communicator in the USS Gudgeon and as a combat systems officer in the USS Lapon. He transferred to Surface Warfare in 1987 and for several years served on ships in several roles from navigator and damage control assistant to executive officer. He later commanded USS Oldendorf, and subsequently the USS Bunker Hill serving as sea combat commander for the Eisenhower Strike Group during its 2006 Middle East deployment as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Admiral Gaouette is also a graduate of the Air War College where he received a concurrent master’s degree in Public Administration from Auburn University. He is the 2003 recipient of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale award for inspirational leadership as well as other personal decorations and awards throughout his career. He

Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette

retired in November 2013 and at that time was serving as Deputy Commander, U. S. Naval Forces, U.S. Central Command.

Over 20 years ago, stationed at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, he met his lovely wife Karen while working together in the security division. Karen is from Leakesville, Mississippi and ‘Chuck’ is from San Diego, California. Chuck credits Karen with being a huge asset to his naval career with her sweet southern accent and warm, friendly personality. While in the Navy, the Gaouette family was stationed from Hawaii to Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. Along the way, the family grew to include two sons, now in the 10th and 11th grades at Oak Grove High School. The family agrees they have all had a well rounded education in their travels while in service to our country. They also agree it is wonderful to be settled in an area near loved ones.

Chuck has always had a penchant for flying, and upon retiring from the Navy he determined that the airways would be a part of whatever he chose to do with his future. Seeing a need for a personal flight service in this area, he became certified to operate his 350 Cessna Columbia and opened his business in 2014. The plane is perfect for jaunts to places like Destin, Memphis, Dallas, Atlanta, etc. It will accommodate the pilot, 3 passengers and their luggage with maximum weight limits established for safety. Chuck is thrilled with his new career, and says his love of the skies would keep him in the air every day if possible. It is our hope that he has much success with his new venture, and it is our privilege to have him serve as a ‘Great American All Star’! Congratulations, Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette.

I don’t know if another season encapsulates the “American” experience as much as summer does. From beginning (Memorial Day) to middle (July 4th) and end (Labor Day), this time of year is colored by celebrations and remembrances that are distinctive to our great nation. Whether it be a trip on the road, to the beach, or to a creek, the long days and relaxed schedule create an environment where memory-making is on overdrive.

A large portion of my favorite childhood memories occurred this time of year. Growing up in northwest Perry County, I was only a short four-wheeler or dune buggy ride from the Tallahala, Buck, or Bogue Homa Creeks. We made our way to these tributaries at least every Sunday afternoon, and often multiple afternoons a week during the summer months, with my Dad, mom, siblings, cousins, and friends. A watermelon was often involved, which we had plenty of, incidentally. My dad didn’t believe in a small “garden.” A worthwhile garden needed to be several acres - and large portions were dedicated to watermelon and corn (amongst other things). Around July 4th each year, the corn would start to come in which coincided nicely with some of our cousins and family arriving from more populated areas of the state (Jackson) where gardening was more novel. My dad put all those extra hands to work shucking corn! The deal he had with us was that we could ride go carts and/or go to the creek after we were finished. So, we shucked and we shucked. The screams of my cousins when they ran across a worm while shucking created a lot of laughs! Truth be told, we all enjoyed it even though we complained. My aunts would silk the corn and my mom and grandma would cream it or put it up whole. It was quite an event! To this day, our cousins remember those times with such fondness. The go-cart and four-wheeler riding, and the trips to the creek and back and forth to our grandma’s and aunt’s houses that followed were icing on the cake!

And then we grow up. Those careless childhood years fade into the background. We cherish those beautiful memories of this season, but understand that the ability to grow up in such a time and place came at a price. So, we remember. How appropriate that in the minds of most Americans, the summer season begins with Memorial Day. A day where we remember those who died in our country’s armed forces and paid the ultimate price so that folks like me, and millions of others over the generations, could enjoy creating memories like the ones I described several sentences ago. This hits home for us in the Greater Hattiesburg area this May of 2015, particularly, as we bid a heroes farewell to officers Liquori Tate and Benjamin Deen, who died while serving their community in early May. I don’t know that I have ever been more proud of our city than to watch us come together to support these families, the Hattiesburg Police Department, and civil servants of all types. The displays of “red, white, and blue” along with the police colors of “blue and black” were a unique experience. I know that the police force is not technically the armed forces, but I think we can count these men amongst the heroes that we remember this time of year, don’t you? Our prayers for these families have been continuous, and our support and appreciation for those who serve is as well.

The fight to protect freedom and our way of life isn’t limited to the battle field abroad or to the streets in our cities. It often begins

where laws are birthed - at city hall, Jackson, or Washington, D.C. REALTORS understand this quite well and daily spend millions of dollars of donated resources and man power to remind congressional and legislative leaders around our country of the important part that home and property ownership plays in the health and well-being of our society. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Association of REALTORS, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. in support of these efforts the second week of May. Every year, REALTORS from around the country gather to meet face-to-face with every elected Congressman/woman or Senator over a two or three day period to provide education and insight into the importance of these issues. Issues like making sure that the tax deductibility of mortgage interest remains in place or that the flood insurance program is renewed so that Americans have access to flood insurance where necessary. These are only a few of the hundreds of issues that REALTORS seek to protect that help improve and stabilize the lives of those who live, work, and raise families in our great country, and we seek to extend and expand the freedoms that we’ve enjoyed to the next generation. In this way, we can do our part to be engaged in service to our fellow Americans.

I would be remiss if I didn’t take my last few words to ask you to join our team to celebrate the 239th birthday of our great country! Our annual July 4th event will be held once more at the Canebrake Clubhouse between 11:00 and 1:00. This is one of our favorite times of year, and we love spending it with you. Simply call our office at 601.545.3900 and let us know you plan to come (we like to have an idea of how many so we can adequately prepare). In the meantime, enjoy filling your memory banks this Summer...and if part of that process includes selling or buying a home or piece of property...we stand ready to be part of that journey!

To summer memories...

Adam & Team

Looking for a new home? Visit DeLoisSmith.com to view all of the latest listings!

Break out the red, white, and blue! Tis the season of sun, fun, and family celebrations!

The Executive Committee of the Mississippi Association of REALTORS with US Senator Roger Wicker.

Current real estate market statisticsHattiesburg Area Single Family Median Sold Home Prices (January 1-May 31)

2014 2015

Hattiesburg $102,000 $115,000

Oak Grove $179,000 $182,000

Petal $141,400 $130,200

Hattiesburg Area Single Family Homes SOLD (January 1-April 28)

2014 2015

Hattiesburg 111 107

Oak Grove 162 168

Petal 96 110

Call us at 601-545-3900 for your no obligation home price consultation.

Client Quotes“Adam, Thank you so much for

all your hard work in the sell of our house. We appreciate all you do. ”

-Marla Benefield

“You and your team did an excellent job. I would gladly recommend you.”

-Evelyn Bounds

“This was our first home buying experience & we really enjoyed it! Wendy was always available. We really appreciate all of her help! ”

-Martha M. Cox

Tour of HomesSunday, June 7, 2015, 1:30-5 PM

Lake Serene 4BD/2BA - $289,500PEACEFUL HAVEN AT LAKE SERENE W/ 94’ OF SOON-TO-BE FABULOUS WATER FRONTAGE. PRIVATE PIER & GAZEBO, 22 X 22 DETACHED GARAGE, TOTALLY

RENOVATED. Directions: Hwy 98, turn on W. Lake Road. Turn left on Balboa and cross between the two lakes. Turn right on Buccaneer Drive.

51 Buccaneer Drive

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Canebrake 3BD/4.5BA - $410,000COMPLETELY FURNISHED, TURN-KEY PURCHASE

OPPORTUNITY! BETTER-THAN-NEW, FRENCH COUNTRY HOME OVERLOOKING THE 14TH FAIRWAY. Directions: Hwy 98 to second Canebrake Entrance (Bienville Trace), left

on Bellerose.

10 Bellerose

Canebrake

1:30 to 2:00 pm

SE Hattiesburg 3BD/3BA - $189,500ENJOY THE DOWNTOWN LIFESTYLE! 1920’S,

VINTAGE, 1.5 STORY CLAPBOARD, RAISED, VICTORIA NOW AVAILABLE BY A JOB TRANSFER. OWN A PIECE OF AREA HISTORY. Directions: W. Pine Street to Southern Ave.,

cross over two RR tracks, turn left on Williams St, turn left on E. Laurel.

820 E. Laurel Ave.

Hattiesburg

1:30 to 2:00 pm

4 Crowns Pointe

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Crowns Pointe 3BD/2BA - $139,900100% USDA FINANCING FOR THIS PERFECTLY LO-

CATED, OAK GROVE STARTER HOME NEIGHBORHOOD. SPARKLING NEW, READY-TO-MOVE-IN. Directions: Hwy

98 West Hegwood Drive, go through 4-way stop, turn into Crowns Pointe on the left.

Canebrake 3BD/4.5BA - $499,500STATELY COLONIAL ON CANEBRAKE’S PICTURESQUE 2ND FAIRWAY. CUSTOM BUILT BY THE LATE JIMMY THOMPSON W/ ATTENTION PAID TO EVERY DETAIL.

Directions: Hwy 98 to second Canebrake Entrance (Bienville Trace), left on W. Canebrake, left on Marais Ridge. House of the left.

77 Marais Ridge

2:30 to 3:00 pm

73 Bienville Trace

Canebrake

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Oak Grove 3BD/2BA - $148,900CHARMING RAISED COLONIAL ON BIG 1.3 AC

WOODSY LOT. DELIGHTFUL WRAP AROUND PORCHES, AND A PARTY-SIZED DECK. Directions: Oak Grove Road to Old

Hwy 24, left on Ruby Lane.

30 Ruby Lane

Oak Grove

1:30 to 2:00 pm

Canebrake 3BD/2.5BA - $349,900 BEAUTIFUL COURT YARD AND UPPER BALCONY. ENJOY THE GOLF COURSE VIEW. OFFICE SPACE

OVERLOOKING THE BACK YARD WITH A GREAT DECK ON THE BACK OF THE HOUSE Directions: Hwy 98 to second

Canebrake Entrance. House is on the right.

Oak Grove 3BD/2BA - $148,500REFURBISHED WITH FRESH PAINT THROUGHOUT & NEW LAMINATE FLOORING. VERY CONVENIENT OAK GROVE LOCATION, JUST OFF HWY 98 W ON A QUIET

CUL-DE-SAC.Directions: Hwy 98 W, go past Hwy 589, turn left onto J M Burge Road,

turn right onto Jared Lane.

26 Jared Lane

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

217 S. 21st Ave

Hattiesburg

2:30 to 3:00 pm

SE Hattiesburg 3BD/2.5BA - $169,900MID-TOWN, TWO-STORY LOADED W/ CHARM & LOTS OF LOVING UPGRADES. BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED,

NEW KITCHEN APPLIANCES, REFINISHED MAPLE HARDWOOD FLOORING, EXTENSIVE BUILT-INS.

Directions: Hardy Street to S. 21st Ave.

Bellegrass 4BD/3BA - $258,900BEAUTIFUL, CUSTOM BUILT HOME BY WALKER THRASH

WITH AN EASY AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY FLOOR PLAN. INTERIOR FRESHLY REPAINTED & WIDE PLANK FLOORING. Directions: Hwy 589 to Bellegrass subdivision, veer left at Bell tower,

take right on May Apple, home is on the right.

26 May Apple Ave.

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Canebrake

149 Madison Place

Oak Grove

3:00 to 3:30 pm

Audubon Hills 4BD/2BA - $226,900THIS STUNNING, ONE-STORY BRICK HOME HAS A BRAND NEW 30-YEAR ARCHITECTURAL ROOFING

SYSTEM. Directions: W 4th Street towards Hwy 589, right on Madison Place.

1002 Estelle Ave.

Hattiesburg

2:30 to 3:00 pm

SW Hattiesburg 4BD/4.5BA - $259,500SPACIOUS ESTATE HOME IN SW HATTIESBURG. THIS WELL MAINTAINED HOME IS VERY CONVENIENT TO

USM AND FGH. Directions: S 28th Ave., turn left on Mimosa Ave., right on Velma St., left on Carriage Rd., right on Estelle Ave.

Woodlands South 4BD/3BA - $398,500COUNTRY FRENCH, CUSTOM BUILT HOME ON

SPRAWLING 1.59 ACRE, CORNER LOT. CLASSIC OLD WORLD MOLDINGS, DOORS, CABINETRY, & LIGHTING.

Directions: Hwy 98, south on Cole Road, right into Woodlands South.

42 Woodland Trace

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

115 Wedgewood Trail

Oak Grove

3:30 to 4:00 pm

Shadow Ridge 4BD/2.5BA - $314,500 WONDERFUL FOUR BEDROOM PLAN W/ BONUS

ROOM ON THE 11TH GREEN IN THE SO CONVENIENT SHADOW RIDGE SUBDIVISION. Directions: Hwy 98 into

Shadow Ridge. Pass golf club and turn right on Wedgewood.

SE Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $169,500 WELCOME HOME TO THIS 1910 WHITE STUCCO

CASTLE! SO MANY LOVELY WINDOWS, SIDE COURTYARD, HARD SURFACED FLOORING! Directions:

Hardy Street, turn right onto S. 22nd Avenue.

100 S. 22nd Ave.

Hattiesburg

3:30 to 4:00 pm

SE Hattiesburg 3BD/2.5BA - $275,000 ONE OF MID-TOWN HATTIESBURG’S MOST PICTURESQUE,

HISTORIC HOMES! A QUINTESSENTIAL PICKET-FENCED, TWO-STORY, CARRIAGE HOME NESTLED WITHIN A

CHARMING ENGLISH GARDEN THE BLOOMS YEAR ROUND. Directions: Hardy St. to S. 21st Ave.

309 S. 21st Ave.

Hattiesburg

1:30 to 2:00 pm

For more information and photos of these homes visit DeLoisSmith.com/Tour-of-Homes

187 Balboa Drive

Oak Grove

4:00 to 4:30 pm

Lake Serene 4BD/5BA - $585,000PALATIAL, CUSTOM, TWO-STORY COLONIAL W/

BEAUTIFUL & PRIVATE IN-GROUND POOL. DRAMATIC, TWO-STORY ENTRANCE THROUGH LEADED GLASS

FRONT ENTRY DOORWAY. Directions: Hwy 98, turn on W. Lake Road. Turn left on Balboa.

The Trace 4BD/2.5BA - $221,500STATELY, ONE-OWNER, ONE-STORY, QUALITY

BRICK HOME W/ LOTS OF SPECIAL UPGRADES AND AMENITIES YOU WILL LOVE! .

Directions: W 4th Street to The Trace Subdivision, turn onto Woodville Trace.

87 Woodville Trace

Oak Grove

4:00 to 4:30 pm

Hattiesburg 3BD/2BA - $124,900TOTALLY RENOVATED HOME CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO USM W/ BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF CHURCH & CAMPUS ACROSS THE STREET. CHARMING HOME, LARGE LOT.Directions: Hardy to North 24th Avenue. Home across from church.

111 N. 24th Ave.

Hattiesburg

4:00 to 4:30 pm

Burks Place 5BD/3.5BA - $229,500OAK GROVE USDA! BUDGET APPRECIATING, BRICK, TWO-STORY JUST OFF OAK GROVE ROAD. FRESHLY

PAINTED & NEW CARPETING THROUGHOUT.Directions: Oak Grove Road to Hickory Hollow.

28 Hickory Hollow

Oak Grove

2:30 to 3:00 pm

Looking for a new home? Visit DeLoisSmith.com to view all of the latest listings!