It was the gentle hum of the plane’s engines that signaled the beginning of my adventure to Puerto Rico, a place I’d heard about for years but had never set foot in. As the plane descended toward San Juan, the island’s vibrant colors—lush greens, deep blues, and warm sands—appeared beneath the clouds, a stunning contrast to the gray of the city I had just left behind.

Have you ever been fooled by The Fairhope Inquisitor? Lots of people have over the last seven years, and it could very well be happening again right this moment.

Christmas Art is a rich part of Fairhope’s legacy, and the art series entitled The Twelve Days of Christmas has become one of the City’s most legendary symbols of the season.

I’ve noticed these days that more than a few restaurants are creating their own hot sauces. It’s hard to know from which to choose. Many start with a base sauce, easily sourced from a variety of products on the market. The names may be familiar, and most people have their favorites. For us, it’s Crystal Hot Sauce.

This is a story about a story slam, a live storytelling event where participants share personal stories based on a theme. My favorite podcast, The Moth, “promotes the celebration of the commonality and diversity of the human experience through the art and craft of true personal storytelling.”

If you drive by the Weeks Bay Visitor Center and see a school bus or two parked out front, just know that it’s a field trip that’s not just fun and games. There’s probably some serious learning happening, too, and it could even be life-changing.

Where to begin? I had so much fun with this story, that I had to rewatch Almost Famous again to see the reference to Topeka, Kansas, the inspiration for the parent company that produces Moon Crush Curated Music Vacations. This classic 2000 movie is about a band on the rise, and the story fits like a glove for the journey of Andy Levine, Chief Promise Maker. He created and launched the Moon Crush concert series in Destin, Florida, and hosts it several times a year. It’s the industry of cool!

Known as “The Venice of America,” the Sunshine State’s own city of Fort Lauderdale has numerous ways in which to get around. Although many of its citizens and visitors move about the city by auto or bicycle, a large number of people navigate the city by boat. 

With the holiday season upon us, I decided to visit the folks at Beau Rivage & Casino in Biloxi to see what they have in store to get us into the spirit. Turns out, there are a lot! The resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has dressed up for the holidays. The fun is on full display.

For Dharma Blue in Pensacola and Chuck’s Fish in Mobile, good deeds are always at the forefront of their restaurant's mission plan. This also includes the original eatery, Harbor Docks in Destin, Florida. On a recent Moon Crush music festival weekend in Miramar Beach, Florida, Charles Morgan, Harbor Docks’ founder, invited our group to experience their 29th annual Take A Kid Fishing Day on Sunday, November 3. We loved it! 

December brings the magic of the holidays to the Scenic 98 Coastal Community with an array of festive events for all ages. There's no shortage of seasonal cheer, from sparkling tree lighting ceremonies and vibrant parades to captivating holiday concerts and theatrical performances.

Remember the little ditty, “Every party needs a pooper, and that’s why we invited you?” Here is a sure-fire way not to be that person! Lights by the Bay is the side gig of Ashley O’Brien, and she can help you dress up any celebration with marquee light displays and digital photo booths.

We recently attended an event at 8 Reale in Orange Beach, where Patron revealed a new tequila. As part of the festivities, the Patron logo was perfectly sculpted in sand. As guests arrived, the sculptor, Janel Hawkins, was adding the finishing touches to the work of art and it got my attention.

Peter Albrecht has always been one of my favorite people. Whether he is reporting the news for WKRG News 5 or working to honor the legacy of athletes by serving on the board of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, he is professional and engaging. Recently, I was fortunate to sit down with Peter for “the rest of the story.”

At Scenic 98 Coastal, we love promoting good causes, and there are many opportunities to get involved. We encourage people to support these causes when they are the right fit.

Zoe Lombard-Todd, Artistic Director of Children’s Dance Theatre and owner of Creative Outlet Dance Academy in Fairhope, has performed in the classic Nutcracker Ballet for more than 23 years. She knows the music and choreography backward, forward, and sideways. At 7 years old, she was cast as a baker with Alabama Dance Theater, under the direction of Major Burchfield.

Are you looking for a quick road trip that is sure to get you into the holiday spirit? We have the answer. Andalusia, a quaint small town with a big personality, is hosting the perfect family-friendly Christmas in Candyland celebration which runs December 6 through December 29. 

Orthopedic care has made great strides in improving the quality of life for people in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. As we age, stress on our joints can become acute, and fortunately, science and medical procedures have advanced so much that replacement surgery has become commonplace. 

Busy musician Jimmy Lee Hannaford loves playing cover songs at his gigs along the Gulf Coast, but he’s ready to reveal more of his artistic skills as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. That’s exactly what he does on his brand-new album, called Jubilee.

Ashley Terrell’s talent graces the homes of many art lovers in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Her landscapes and abstracts are ethereal and soft with muted colors, painted with big brushes, so the shapes have no edges. With layers and layers of thin acrylic paint, she glazes the finished piece with a clear top coat. “The glaze makes the colors pop out, creating depth,” she explains. Get ready, Ashley has chosen to Change!

I have been looking forward to hearing the story of Cris Eddings and his mother, Yoshie, for a while. Cris is a partner in the original Chuck’s Fish in Tuscaloosa with Charles Morgan. My son first introduced me to sushi there, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Bright and always cheerful, Cris has a warm, inviting, and infectious personality.

The Fall Festival Season is upon us, and the November calendar is overflowing with chances to get out and enjoy the cool weather. It’s a great opportunity to relax before the hectic holiday season begins. There is something for everyone, with festivals of all sizes and themes offered across the Scenic 98 Coastal Area.

If you like classic Southern cooking with a healthy twist, you’re in luck. Cheryl’s Café in Spanish Fort offers a wide array of lunch options and plenty of choices for the most finicky eater.