When Jeremiah Litwack first dreamed up the concept of Jeremiah's Italian Ice in 1988, he was a high school student hustling Italian ice in front of the Philadelphia Mint. By 1993, after honing his cool craft, he set out to create a market for Italian Ice in the Southeast. 

I have always been fascinated to learn how business people got their start and the roads they traveled to get where they are. Most are lessons in perseverance, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Very few, I’ve found, just stumbled out of the gate and succeeded on pure luck. A positive mental attitude is a common trait.

The spirit of Jim Eddins is strong at Perdido Vineyards, and so is that of his wife, Marianne. Without them, this one-of-a-kind winery wouldn’t exist, and neither would the landmark law that gave it the green light 45 years ago.

I went to a lovely engagement party in Fairhope and the most fun thing happened. A Sno Ball truck arrived in the backyard and all the guests had made to order Sno Balls for dessert. How cool is that?! It was such a novel and delicious idea that I had to learn more.

“I have lived on the buffs of Montrose for 40 years, and it is my inspiration to make things that reflect the geological wonder of where we live.” - Shelley Leigh

I love to meet people who grew up on the Eastern Shore. It’s fun to compare experiences and talk about the old days. This is not to say progress hasn’t been a good thing, it’s just different. 

Daneen Buck is a staple around these parts. Born and raised in Fairhope, she and her family have been immersed in some kind of restaurant or food business all their lives. Her father was a meat salesman for Armour Meats and sold to many of the local restaurants in the Baldwin County area. Daneen’s parents were comfortable in the kitchen and passed the love of cooking, creating, and entertaining on to their kids.

The search for a cheap, easy summer getaway led to the Blackwater River State Park and an overnight canoe trip with a friend who visits often. After a hectic work week, and hitting the road without even Googling the Blackwater River, what awaited was far different than expected.

When Jarrod Jones went to work for Auburn’s Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center, he also found a new home. Starting in 2007, he and his family have lived a uniquely rural life on 800 acres in Fairhope.

The 2024 High Hopes 4 Autism will take place at Pirates Cove Yacht Club in Josephine, Alabama the weekend of July 19, 20 & 21. This fundraiser includes live music, features lots of artists, and a drawdown for a 2024 Jeep. The music starts on Friday at 7:00 PM.

‍My husband is an avid reader, usually reading several books at once. When he meets a new person he always asks “What are you reading?” because it gives him an idea about his or her interests. I’ve heard young mothers say Clifford the Big Red Dog and others say The Bible but with the plethora of book club members and other bibliophiles in the Scenic 98 Coastal area, a new favorite book is always part of the conversation.

The month of July always kicks off in high gear with Independence Day celebrations across the country. Communities and venues throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal area are hosting events to commemorate the holiday, so be sure to check out the Tidbits & Best Bets section at the end of the newsletter for all of this weekend’s events.

Much like the legend of the immortal Phoenix's powers to regenerate by bursting into flames just as it reaches the end of its life and then rising from its ashes toward the sun, the GulfQuest Maritime Museum has risen to become the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico.

You never know who you’ll run into along the Alabama coast—maybe even a member of the Rolling Stones.

The small community of Bon Secour has seen generational changes throughout its history, especially regarding the rich bounty of seafood harvested, processed, and shipped to restaurants and consumers, first locally, then regionally, and now nationally.

When Grandchildren visit during their summer vacation, besides swimming in pools, the bay, and the Gulf, an educational activity is a good balance. (This also gives grandmother 3 hours to catch her breath!) My 6-year-old grandson spent a week with Ashton Crist, owner of Kids Stem for Kids Mobile Bay. For the unfamiliar, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The camp he attended in Fairhope had a Minecraft theme which means it is based on a top-rated video game that every kid I know is obsessed with. Needless to say, he was psyched to go!

Throughout June, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature works by four Mobile-based artists. The exhibitions, titled “Figures of Imagination” and “Ethereal,” have contrasting themes, but are compatible in their focus on figures, extreme detail, and surreal imagery.

Throughout June, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature works by four Mobile-based artists. The exhibitions, titled “Figures of Imagination” and “Ethereal,” have contrasting themes, but are compatible in their focus on figures, extreme detail, and surreal imagery.

Throughout June, the Mobile Arts Council’s Gallery @ Room 1927 will feature works by four Mobile-based artists. The exhibitions, titled “Figures of Imagination” and “Ethereal,” have contrasting themes, but are compatible in their focus on figures, extreme detail, and surreal imagery.

“I’m Debbie Williams reporting…..” - a familiar refrain for anyone who has lived in the Scenic 98 Coastal area for even a minute. I’ve watched and heard Debbie Williams report on all matters for many years. With stints in Dothan, Montgomery, and Birmingham in both radio and television, she’s covered it all. 

Earlier this year, upon learning that AL.Com had named Ed's to its list of Twelve Classic Alabama Burger Joints We Can't-Wait to Revisit, and to Southern Living's, The South's Most Beloved Hamburger Joints, I made the hour trip north to Jackson to have lunch there and to meet the current owners. ‍

I am completely devoted to Devotion, Corn that is. I went to Krupinski Farms in Foley yesterday and bought a half bushel. I cut the kernels off the cob and sauteed them in a pan with butter, salt, and pepper for about 2 minutes. Summer is officially here when the sweet corn comes in and I will eat it for every meal, in fact, I just microwaved an ear for my lunch!

Scenic 98 Coastal held its first-ever Sip into Summer Wine Dinner last Thursday evening at Crown Hall in Mobile. The idea was to showcase many of the small businesses we have featured in our weekly newsletter since we launched two years ago. By all accounts, it was a great success!

Summer is in full swing throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal community, although it doesn’t officially start until the Summer Solstice on June 20th. The extra daylight hours are a welcome opportunity to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of our community whether it's biking, fishing, sailing, playing sports, or just relaxing on the beach!