This Sunday, a Turkey Shoot fundraiser will be held for the ongoing maintenance at Turtleskin Cemetery.
According to previous Item coverage, the 10-acre cemetery lies in what was previously known as the Santa Rosa community. Today, the cemetery is located within the confines of the John C. Stennis Space Center’s buffer zone.
In the early 1960s, several communities in South Mississippi were relocated due to the space center’s construction in Hancock County, previous coverage states.
According to that coverage, the cemetery is more than 100 years old and is home to 1,554 graves, which includes families from Picayune and Carriere. The cemetery was originally united with Corinth Baptist Church.
During the 1960s, after a settlement was reached between the church and U.S. government, the money was placed into a cemetery maintenance fund. One of the duties of the Hancock County Chancery Clerk is that of cemetery custodian, previous coverage states.
Presently, the funds for maintenance have been depleted and Rosalind Dorr, along with other descendants, are now looking for funding to keep the cemetery maintained, which costs about $3,000 per year, previous coverage states.
This Sunday, the group is hoping to raise more funds.
The fundraiser will be held at the American Legion, which is located at 2500 Union School Rd. in Picayune, Dorr said. The doors open at 10 a.m. and the turkey shoot begins at noon.
Participants may bring their own firearms and there will be guns available, Dorr said. There will be shotgun shells in 10, 20 and 410 gauge sizes available for purchase, she said.
American Legion bar manager Keith Watts said rounds will cost about $50 to $60. Whoever shoots closest to the target will win cuts of meat ranging from BBQ rack, sirloins and Boston butts.
After the turkey shoot, there will be an auction, which will feature furniture, jewelry, homemade blankets, Saints memorabilia and baked goods, Dorr said.
Hungry visitors can purchase a barbeque plate for $8, Watts said. The plate will have pulled pork, potato salad and baked beans.
All proceeds will be donated to the cemetery’s maintenance fund, including the American Legion’s fee, Dorr said.
“The Legion usually charges a five to ten percent fee, but everything the group raises will go towards the fund,” Watts said. “It’s a good thing to do.”
Dorr encourages all politicians to come out and visit with everyone.
“We are hoping to raise enough money to put in the account so we don’t have to struggle from mowing to mowing,” Dorr said.
Donations can be mailed to Corinth Cemetery Fund, 152, Suite A, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520.
For more information about Sunday’s event, contact Dorr at 601-798-9101.