Osyka, MS Real Estate, Homes For Sale, School & Area Information

The Osyka Veterans Park, in conjunction with Wreaths Across America, hosted the second annual WAA Ceremony yesterday, December 12, 2015. There is such a rich history of military service in Osyka that it is most appropriate to have this ceremony to remember our ancestors who left the small town of Osyka to serve their country. Osyka claims the national distinction of having produced a greater number of commissioned officers than other comparable communities - pretty impressive, I think. The Osyka Veterans Park Board of Directors, small in number, gathers each year to make this event happen.

Again, as I have mentioned in several other posts, Osyka is small and proud. The streets are our playground, and if anything is going on downtown, folks get in the car to go find out what is happening. In a joking way, we call that "stalking". Friday before the ceremony, myself along with others, sat for hours fluffing wreaths, tagging them to honor a veteran, and hanging all 98 wreaths in alphabetical order around the park. It is a beautiful sight to see. The wreaths come into town on a big 18-wheeler shipped by the National Wreaths Across America organization.

The whole mission of this ceremony is to " Remember, Honor, Teach" future generations to remember the significant service veterans do for our country, and honor our veterans in a respectful way. This is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies on a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well as veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

There are not many WWII veterans left, and seeing them represented in the ceremony with Taps playing stirs emotions. I am proud to be an American and live in Osyka!

I have lived in the Osyka area now for 32-plus years. When someone asks me about Osyka, my description has always been, "It is that Little Mayberry Town you always wanted to grow up in". One happy memory is at Exit 1, "Gateway to Mississippi," on the first Saturday for the past 34 years - you will find a fall festival like none other. The Osyka Civic Club, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1969 by five community-minded women. This year, this organization will celebrate the 37th Annual Fall Festival located in the downtown historic district of Osyka on Railroad Avenue.

My children are grown and have left the nest, but grew up knowing exactly when festival time came around! Parades, pageants, kids' activities, entertainment, and vendors galore would spread throughout town. The entire town would be adorned with fall decor of hay bales, pumpkins, and scarecrows. The Mayor would welcome guests, and a prayer would be the kick-off. A train always receives waves from the locals as if to show respect as it goes by.

The things that are precious to me in a small town like Osyka are the people and their consistency with keeping the tradition of our home festivals, families reuniting yearly for a trip back home, and knowing you have the whole village to help raise your children. My daughter held the title of "Tiny Miss Osyka Fall Fest" when she was a baby, and of course it was like winning Miss America to us. Every year there is an award that goes to the "Osyka Outstanding Senior Citizen". What seems to be so special about this is not their accomplishments, but leading the annual parade!

Today, I am honored to be a part of this organization that is making preparations for the 37th Annual Osyka Fall Festival. This huge family event brings all-day entertainment, children's activities, Camo Costume and Turkey Call Contest, archery, aqua ball, bungee, gyro sphere, rock climbing wall, face painting, and more! The menu of food being offered by the vendors ranges from BBQ, jambalaya, chicken on the stick, funnel cakes, and more. The 2015 festival had a "Jail & Bail" set up to catch everybody that is anybody with money to be arrested and sent to jail. Fortunately, that day was the highest crime rate that Osyka has seen to date! Come visit Osyka, get your special Christmas gifts, and see how small towns do festivals in the South!

If you want the best burger in South Mississippi, you need to drive to Osyka. Nyla's Burger Basket is worth the drive. They have other great food also. I suggest you try the double cheeseburger. I'm sure you will enjoy it. Whenever you crave a big, juicy burger, go to Nyla's!

A beautiful lake with amazing cabins. If you want to enjoy the most beautiful parts of nature, you will find it here with a peaceful atmosphere. Take your family to enjoy a time they will not forget!

Osyka, a small town on the border of Mississippi and Louisiana, dates back to 1812, with Jessie Redmond, who is considered to be the founder. Jessie Redmond married in 1825 to Elizabeth Calter and raised his children in Osyka. In 1854, the town of Osyka was built on property belonging to Jessie Redmond and John Carter and later chartered in 1858.

Legend has it that Osyka, a Choctaw tribe word meaning "Soaring Eagle", received this name as a request of a Choctaw Chief who asked the founding fathers to give the town this name in honor of his daughter and Indian princess. The story has been handed down that this Indian princess is buried east of Osyka around the Tangipahoa River near an area called Garden Springs.

Osyka is not only the "Gateway to Mississippi", but also a gateway to the oil fields, timber harvesting, and hauling products. There are several timber hauling companies in Osyka- one of which has received designation as "Logger of the Year" among the timber industry peers.

If you take a drive to Osyka, you can find the hidden treasure. Located in the historic district of Osyka on 106 Railroad Ave., is unique shopping at Ruby's Attic Treasures.

The building is wall to wall with items from exceptional antiques, decor, china, glassware, and porcelain painted pieces made by the owner. A walk through the store is like a walk through time. You will walk away with flashbacks of memories of things you used or had in your past - truly hidden treasures.

Nyla's Burger Basket, located at 1071 2nd Street in Osyka, is a famous spot where tourists come to check out Britney Spears' favorite restaurant when she comes home. Although famous through social media of this fact, it is the locals who make it famous by word of mouth. Of course, the Nyla's Burger is the specialty on the menu - a big bite of "juicy and seasoned burger like momma cooks".

The unique thing about the restaurant is its family atmosphere. It is like coming to the table for supper. The menu has a variety of items from breakfast foods to ribeye steaks. Locals can pick up their daily plate lunches, and the line at the cashier gets quite long at noon. A crowd from near and far are "usuals" on Thursday Fish Nite. The servings are hefty and reasonably priced.

Y'all come down, get a rocker and relax at Nyla's Burger!

On August 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina moved many to Southwest Mississippi. With the influx of different cultures, Pike County gained a diverse population with Cajun roots.

The Osyka Seafood Restaurant & Market began on a small scale as a walk-in market, which led to increased popularity among locals. Gordon & Cheryl Mellerine truly run a "mom & pop" restaurant, as the entire family worked to bring it upscale. The restaurant is located on 1029 Hwy 51N, Osyka, MS, and the atmosphere is totally Cajun

The Mellerines' roots and heritage are from the waters of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Gordon, being a third-generation oyster fisherman, brought a culture of Cajun Cuisine that folks drive near and far to get. The menu includes a mixture of family recipes from Creole and southeastern bayou tastes. Favorites on the menu are boiled shrimp, crawfish by the bucket, fried soft-shell shrimp, gumbo, and Rum Pudding.

It is how we do it in Osyka! Drive on down to 1107 2nd Street to the four-way stop sign and gather around the pull-up window service and order "Southern Home Style Cooking". It doesn't get any better than that.

The menu has anything from chicken n dumplings to a rack of ribs. The delicious BBQ is cooked on an outside grill, and the aroma penetrates all through the Town of Osyka. You will not find a franchise chain in the town, but Osykans still have a drive-thru window for fast pick-up. That is the way we do it!