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Father missing in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi
Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 5:35 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> I was trying to refrain from using this message board for this purpose, but seeing as how I can't get any answers anywhere else, I thought I would turn here. Maybe someone here can help.
My 80-year-old father was living on his houseboat at a marina (Bay Marina & RV Park) in Bay St. Louis, MS (100 Bay Marina drive – off of Washington Street). Stubborn man that he is, he does NOT have a cell phone that I can try to text him on (he would call and check in weekly and I have the number to the marina office, etc...). I say this so people don't spend their time telling me to try to text message him.
The marina phone number does not work. The home phone number I have for the couple who ran the marina is not working. I’ve tried to text message them as well, but I get no reply.
I've looked at online newspapers for that area, and most papers, news coverage, etc...seems to be centered on New Orleans (and I do understand why).
If there is anyone on this message board that has heard anything about that area, or if you live in that area and can provide any information to me, I would be extremely grateful. I have a 22-year old who is beside herself not knowing what may have happened to her grandfather.
Thank you in advance to anyone who can provide any help or information. |
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Nick Layman, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Albuquerque | NM | | Posted: 6:45 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Just keeping this post on top. This as a community of friends. We should use this in times of need. Hope for the best. I have family that we haven't heard from. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this.
Nick |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Tucson | AZ | USA | Posted: 7:04 PM on 09.03.05 |
| ->> Joy ... If this were my father, there would be nothing on this planet that could stop me from going down there right now. Don't wait another minute. |
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Melissa Wade, Photographer, Student/Intern
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 7:11 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Sun Herald's discussion board has a thread on Waveland and Bay St. Louis http://forums.sunherald.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=kr-biloxkatrina&msg=438... , but I didn't see any mention of the marina. There are folks posting that are either there now or making trips in so you may want to make a posting. There's also a blog here - http://www.wavelandhelp.zoomshare.com/2.shtml - check the comments; no info on the state of the marina when I checked, but someone was trying to locate the Ladners, who own a marina - if that's your dad's location perhaps that person has heard something, but didn't go back to the blog.
Hopefully he went to a shelter as there is positive news on that:
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/special_packages/hurricane_katr...
"...Christine Stach and Brice Phillips rode out the storm at the EOC in Bay St. Louis, where everyone survived. ..."
If you do decide to try and make it there, be sure to read the above for information on getting into the area. |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 7:54 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Thanks for the links. I will check them out right now.
Believe me, heading down there is a matter of priority, and it is in the works - my brother is heading down there in two days. We have a few law enforcement members in our family (my husband included), and they are all telling us NOT to go due to the fact that there won't be any food, electricity, places to stay, gas shortages, etc....and we also wouldn't even know where to begin looking for him. But my brother is heading down there anyway.
I figured it was worth posting something here to see if anyone in that area had any information they could offer. I did just find a link on msn.com that showed the Bay St. Louis are and showed people walking around, cars strewn about, etc....
Thanks for moving this back up to the top. I'll post here if/when I hear something. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Bradenton | FL | USA | Posted: 9:49 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Joy I've emailed you and tried your cell twice but if you get this please call my cell (941) 705-0649. Bay St. Louis is the area I've been assigned to cover and I'll be going over again at 6:00 in the morning. If you can't get a hold of me (cell service is spotty at best) then just post your father's name and description to this thread and I'll check it in the morning. Good luck and God bless
--Brian Blanco |
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John Mecionis, Photographer
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Port Jefferson Station | NY | USA | Posted: 9:50 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Joy, Go to this link and submit the information.http://www.tsasw.org/qso/healthandwelfare.asp
I'm currently on the air as an amatuer (ham)and will get your information down to that area as soon as I can. There are stations being set up in the affected areas, I'll let you know what's happening. |
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John Mecionis, Photographer
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Port Jefferson Station | NY | USA | Posted: 9:55 PM on 09.03.05 |
| ->> As Brian said, I need his name. |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 10:40 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Brian and John:
Thank you so much. My father's name is Gerald S. Ostrowski (goes by Jerry). 5'7" or 5'8" maybe 160 pounds. Gray hair....has gotten rather cranky and forgetful in his old age. The lady (Flo) who ran the marina had just called us a few days before Katrina to tell us that he seemed to be very beligerent and forgetful the past week or so. He didn't recognize some people who lived at the marina, etc.....we don't know if he had hit his head, had a small heart attack or stroke, etc....(this was all days before the storm) we were planning a trip down there to check on him when the storm hit. So you may run into a grouchy old man who doesn't even remember his kids. His grandkids names are Lauren and Daniel). My brother's name is Paul Ostrowski (if he doesn't seem to remember my name). He's a WWII veteran (purple heart winner), so there is a small chance he could be at the VA Hospital in Biloxi (though we can't get through and I don't even know if it survived).
Thank you again to both of you. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington | IL | United States | Posted: 11:13 PM on 09.03.05 |
->> Joy, it appears you have tried quite a lot. Have you tried to find an amatuer radio operator in your area? Those guys are usually the first to establish/re-establish any kind of communictaion in a disaster area.
It's a long shot, but may be worth a try. |
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Matthew Bush, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Ellisville | MS | USA | Posted: 11:44 PM on 09.03.05 |
| ->> Joy, I am here in Hattiesburg at the American, our site has a list of names that you can add your father's to. http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com I will not lie, it is bad here, my vehicle is totaled and there is little gas and food, and tempers are on end. I sincerly hope that your father is ok. I also would like to ask all shooters in the N.O if they see ss member Sean Gardner tell him that Gavin Avrill is trying to get in contact with him. |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 1:45 AM on 09.04.05 |
->> Alan:
Thanks....John Mecionis (posted above) is working on that for me.
Matthew:
I have tried a lot...I've posted his name everywhere I can find a list online. Thanks for the honesty. Believe me, I'm not giving up hope yet, but I'm also not expecting the best. Brian Blanco (a few posts up) has very graciously (thank you again Brian) ofered to go and look around on Sunday. Brian will be in that area covering stories and said he will ask around, talk to the shelters, the police, etc....I'm very thankful for his generous offer to ask around. And for John's offer to use his radio skills.
Thank you to everyone. I'll keep updating if I hear anything (good or bad).
And dad, if you're out there and read this....I'm looking for you. And your granddaughter wants to just get on a plane and go door to door until we find you! And we will soon if we don't hear anything! |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 2:06 AM on 09.04.05 |
->> Matthew:
My apologies for forgetting to offer you my condolences on all you have lost. Thank you for taking the time to post a reply to me even while you are under such horrendous conditions. If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask. If mail is getting through to you, I'd be happy to send you supplies, food, clothes, whatever you may need.
Thank you again. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 10:13 AM on 09.04.05 |
->> Joy,
my heart goes out to you and I am hoping your dad is ok.
Debbie |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 4:55 PM on 09.04.05 |
->> Debra:
Thank you. Brian Blanco contacted me and was unsuccessful in locating my father, or in finding anyone who knew him, but he went on to say that the people are scattered all over different shelters, etc.....the marina he lived at is gone so I know that he lost his beloved houseboat.
Brian:
I will send you an email, but I also wanted to thank you publicly for all the trouble you went to to help me, a complete stranger, find my father. I don't know how or when, but I will repay you.
To all ss.com members, Brian took time out from his very busy day with the Herald to circulate flyers with my dad's name, info, etc.....he went to the EOC, went out with a search and rescue team that was there from VA Beach, VA and did all he could do to find any information for me.
I am indebted to you for all your efforts Brian.
Thank you for your kind thoughts.
Joy |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Bradenton | FL | USA | Posted: 6:06 PM on 09.04.05 |
| ->> Joy if you see this check your email.--Brian |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 10:59 PM on 09.04.05 |
->> Brian:
I checked my email and replied to you. Thanks :)
Joy |
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Matthew Bush, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Ellisville | MS | USA | Posted: 11:02 PM on 09.04.05 |
->> Joy,
Thank you. Right now I am pretty well off considering, my strobes that I thought were totaled by water when my truck was smashed by an oak still work, atleast for the time being, the American has been feeding us well, and they have been making sure we drink enough water. I know this has changed me, as a person and as a photo-journalist. 2 weeks ago I wanted to shoot combat, I wanted to be "where the action was" I can tell you that the invicibilty of youth is only a misconception, one I learned when Hurricane Katrina struck land. I wanted to be in Biloxi when it hit, I wanted to be where the pictures were....the pictures came to me, much much much closer and more personal than I could have ever dreamed while shooting 3a football 9 days ago in Collins Ms when hurricane katrina was just another possible story, the pictures came to me, right into my house in small town Mississippi where my mom (yes guys I gota do what mom tells me) had made me return home after getting of from the office. Things I have seen in the last few days will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I have not been able to travel to the coast, or N.O. but just the the people here, many of them are so gratefull to be alive they do not care there houses are gone and are very receptive to us (journalist). and then some local residents here who have lost nothing but scream and yell at us while we try to do our job that we are not doing enough, and then others who have lost much but know many many more have lost even more take what meager supplies they have and give it to them, Theses are the people that make me cry, men and women who right now down the street from the paper are risking arrest by breaking curfuee to unload tour buses of supplies at a local church, the child at the evacuation center who just wanted to be put in the paper, as he smiles at me, he is a resident of N.O , all his wordly prossesions are prob gone. The two children who came to work with there mom to hand out ice to bedragled survivors, All the red cross workers who have been so helpful to us. The girls in Pulley hall at USM who took time to help me look for information on my missing friend, The EMS dispatcher who had been on duty for hours with out relief in Collins Ms. and so so many more people will stay with me for the rest of my life as more than subjects in a photo, but as people who put there problems to one side to help others, As I posted before that it is bad here, worse than I could have ever imagined, I have friends that are missing in N.O, I have friends that are missing on the coast. I remeber reading Omar post, a journalist only 1 year younger than I am and saying out load at my terminal how reckless I thought he was, (no offinse to that Omar, If I am half the photographer you are then I will have accomplished enough) and then I sat in my chair right after I said that and thought to my self of how much I had changed, because If I was not here I would prolly be sitting wherever I lived thinking MAN I GOTA get down there.
I want to send a heart felt thanks to Brian for trying to help another shooter find a family member, thats above and beyond and you will forever have my respect for that act of kindness.
Joy hopefully good news come out of this, I will pray for you and will add your fathers name to my notebook and will check everywhere I go, hopefully this is not needed becacuse hopefully the email that Brian sent you tells you that your father is ok, and located. If not I then I will still ask at shelters around here.
Omar and all the other students on the way. I will not tell you what to do, I will tell you its bad here, but I will not chastise you for wanting to come here make your own decisions but I will say again its bad here, worse than I could ever Imagine, and if you make it to hattiesburg I offer you whatever I have, just call my cell
I know theres spelling errors in this, I am tired, and hope this makes since, God be with all the shooters. I am in the area if anyone needs help call
from Hattiesburg Ms.
Matthew Bush. |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 11:50 AM on 09.05.05 |
->> Matthew:
Reading your post was very moving. And no matter how old we are, listening to our mom or dad is never anything to be ashamed of. I am so sorry for everything you've had to go through in the past week and I'm sure it has changed you. I would imagine that it changes everyone who goes through something devastating like that.
No, Brian hadn't found my father, so if you will keep his name jotted down, I would appreciate it.
I'm sorry that you have fiends missing and will pray that they are safe and just haven't been able to contact you.
Matthew, if and when mail is getting through let me know. I'll email you privately about the reason.
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me privately to offer prayers and thoughts! What a great community this is. |
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Jean Finley, Photographer
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Iowa City | IA | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 09.05.05 |
->> Joy - If you have names of anyone else who lived or worked at the marina, I'd be happy to keep checking the databases for them. Perhaps finding any of those people will give you an idea of where you're father might be.
We'll do anything we can for anyone impacted. |
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Jean Finley, Photographer
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Iowa City | IA | USA | Posted: 3:51 PM on 09.05.05 |
| ->> Joy - Try the Stennis Space Center. My research says that is where some folks ended up. |
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Jean Finley, Photographer
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Iowa City | IA | USA | Posted: 5:27 PM on 09.05.05 |
->> Refugees that were housed at the high school went to Jacksonville, Fl.
A lot of people have been sent to Bryan Union Hall in West Point, MS. If you call the West Point Police Department, they can give you more information. West Point will be opening more shelters
North Bay (Central) Elementary is a Red Cross shelter I think. |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 7:31 PM on 09.05.05 |
->> Jean:
Thanks for the tips....I am in Colorado at the moment and will check out all those leads. Police departments down there (very obviously) cannot field calls about each missing person and I do understand why (at least they weren't in the first few days foloowing the disaster).
From Brian's visit down there yesterday, he said that the shelters, etc...were not yet organized enough to have lists of each person there. Things like that are in the works. I have listed my father on no less than 10 websites (Red Cross, FEMA, Coast Guard, craigslist, and even some of the newspapers have lists, etc...). So far no luck, but I'm not giving up.
The owners of the marina are Don and Flo Hartzler. Unfortunately, being a marina and RV Park, lots of people would come and go after only a few months so those are the only other names I have besides my father.
Once I am home from Colorado, I can do more from there....and my brother and I will be able to get together in person to work out some sort of plan. And maybe by then, enough time will have passed that we will find him on some list somewhere...be it a shelter, hotel, or heaven forbid, another list. But at least we would know. It's the not knowing that is so unnerving.
I'll repeat this again...many thanks to all who have offered help, suggestions, and support.
Joy |
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Robert Smith, Photographer
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Brandon | MS | USA | Posted: 8:00 PM on 09.05.05 |
->> Joy: I realize that this is not an easy thing to adhere to, but you may have to give it some more time. I am in Jackson and MANY shelters are still in the staging area. They are trying to get there numbers down so that they are a little more managable. There is a great Country radio station, Miss 103, that has been huge in finding people around here. You might want to contact them. Rick and Kim in the morning have been unbelievable during this crisis. They may can possibly put you in touch with a channel to get you farther. Here is the Station web site:
http://www.miss103.com/cc-common/katrina/
You can email them as well.
I heard this morning from my photog business partner who is down there shooting photos for MEMA that they are getting power back in some places. Maybe the communication will get better sooner than we anticipated. My thoughts and prayers are with you. If I here anything I will let you know.
Robert |
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Joy Absalon, Photographer
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Centreville | VA | USA | Posted: 11:44 PM on 09.05.05 |
->> Robert:
Thank you. That is the info I have been told by a number of people down there. Sit tight and wait until things are a bit more organized. I will try the radio station. Heck, I'll try anything.
And thank you for your offer to help and for your thoughts. I do know that one of these days I will know SOMETHING. It just may not be what we want to hear.
Joy |
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Nick Layman, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Albuquerque | NM | | Posted: 11:49 PM on 09.05.05 |
->> Hey Joy,
Could you post a picture of your dad. Maybe in a hidden but public gallery. We have some hurricane victims coming to our town in New Mexico. I'll keep an eye out.
Nick |
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Rick Burnham, Photographer
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Enfield | CT | USA | Posted: 10:24 AM on 09.06.05 |
->> Joy
Just bumping this back to the top for you. My heart goes out to you and John.
Rick |
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Grinell A. Talbot, Photographer
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Concord | NH | USA | Posted: 1:34 PM on 09.06.05 |
->> Joy
I'll echo the words of all prevoius posters, and say a prayer for your family. Having met you at Clarkson's seminar, I can place your name with your face and voice and personality. It's makes it all the more personal and heartfelt.
My warmest regards to you and John,
Gil Talbot |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 9:40 PM on 09.06.05 |
| ->> bump |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Bradenton | FL | USA | Posted: 10:21 PM on 09.06.05 |
->> Joy, no news so no rush but check your email if you see this tonight. I'm still having trouble reaching you on that cell.
--Brian |
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Pat Farrington, Photographer
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Ft. Collins | CO | USA | Posted: 1:05 PM on 09.07.05 |
->> Making sure this stays at the top.
Joy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, as well as all of those affected by Katrina.
Pat |
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