Retirement is a gift I have earned and intend to enjoy! I have looked forward to retirement for 20 years. Now that I'm here, it has proven to be somewhat of a challenge as well as a blessing.

Nothing connects people to a city like food and drink. Chris Andrews and his wife, Laney own and operate two local food tours, Bienville Bites Food Tour in Mobile and Taste of Fairhope Food Tour in downtown Fairhope. What’s a food tour, you may ask? In this case, they are walking tours to six of the more iconic eateries in Mobile and Fairhope with a dose of history talk thrown in.

With roots in New Orleans on Tulane Avenue, Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Mobile is famous for fine food and exceptional service. With Mardi Gras just around the corner, you can count on a good time, excellent food, and wonderful service that makes every visit to Ruth’s Chris an experience to remember. What a special place to celebrate any occasion!

Pickleball is for all ages, all levels of athleticism, and every socioeconomic group. It has been described as a combination of ping pong and tennis. Scenic 98 communities have more than 50 pickleball courts that we know of plus more in process, all built within the last five years. In fact, it is difficult to even find pickleball players that have actually played the sport for more than five years.

Pickleball is for all ages, all levels of athleticism, and every socioeconomic group. It has been described as a combination of ping pong and tennis. Scenic 98 communities have more than 50 pickleball courts that we know of plus more in process, all built within the last five years. In fact, it is difficult to even find pickleball players that have actually played the sport for more than five years.

Have you ever had a professional chef come into your home and cook for your party or family gathering? Or be able to enjoy entertaining your guests and not have to worry about getting dinner ready or what wine to serve? If not, let me tell you about my nephew, Chef Seth Hargett.

Alan Alford, his wife Kathy, and their son Taylor co-own (with Coby Lake) and operate Ferus by the Bay, a new brew pub and restaurant on the corner of Church Street and De La Mare in the heart of downtown Fairhope. If you’re not familiar with the place, that’s understandable. Church Street has been closed and under construction since Ferus by the Bay opened six months ago. With construction now complete, it’s as if they just re-opened. And it’s good!

Noell Broughton and Mark Strickland are at it again. They opened Grace Restaurant and Rooftop Bar at 555 Dauphin Street at the end of October, and I’ve been eager to check it out. So, I did, on a Friday when the weather was nice and pleasant, and people were in a holiday mood.