Pass Christian and the Gazebo Gazette: A Gulf Community’s Post-Katrina Triumph

When Hurricane Katrina leveled Pass Christian, a dedicated newspaper helped save the town. After the storm, many evacuees returned to a city they hardly recognized. Local and federal government officials scrambled to restore the infrastructure, including essential water and sewer services. Four months later, the town was still in dire need of basic communication when award-winning journalist Evelina Shmukler, alongside other volunteers, created the weekly Gazebo Gazette. Without funding, offices or a business plan to speak of, they delivered vital relief and safety information when residents had more questions than officials had answers. A godsend for the Pass, the Gazette continues today and was called a New Town Crier by Reader’s Digest. Author and media expert Dr. Lawrence N. Strout chronicles the paper’s journey and the town it served with fortitude and dedication in the face of tragedy and heartache.