When I’m not getting treated to personal training sessions or experimenting with new ways to torture myself with infrared hotboxes, my home gym is one of Hattiesburg’s newest facilities, one that just happens to have won Best Place to Work Out in this year’s Best of the Pine Belt awards – Planet Fitness. 

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”  – Pablo Picasso

Given that statement, Picasso probably would have been pretty impressed with Tasha Messer Williams.

For the third year, Signature Magazine inducted four new members into the Best of the Pine Belt Hall of Fame. Inductions were made during a dinner at 206 Front and sponsored by First Bank, prior to the Best of the Pine Belt Awards Show at the Saenger Theater.

Eight years ago, Signature Magazine instituted the Best of the Pine Belt Awards, designed to showcase the Who’s Who of the Pine Belt’s businesses, personalities, cuisine and charitable organizations. That was followed four years later by the Best of the Pine Belt Awards Show, where the awards were given to spotlight the people, places and businesses that make the area unique.

SHOW CATEGORIES:

Best Unsung Hero
James Moore

FINALISTS:
Andrea Saffle • Kathy Garner
Dr. LB Bell • Sarah Newton

Best Local Instagrammer
Alex May (@mindful_yet_mindless)

FINALISTS:
Smellin Keller Moreno (@smellin_keller) • Tyner Sullivan (@mr_todd_tomorrow)
Bridget Prater Smith (@blendingbybetty) • Larran Ulmer (@ripeweb)

Best Musical Group
Pine Belt Pickers