Posts by 

Gina Lanaux

People & Business Profiles

Fantasy Island Toys, Stevi Bell, and Amanda Calhoun

50 years ago, in 1976, Fairhope had a population of about 6,600 people. It was a sleepy little town where everybody knew everybody, and Fairhope Avenue was where the residents did most of their shopping. Jeanne Byrd opened a store, Jeanne’s, and later called Fantasy Island Toys, with an inventory of primarily dolls and dollhouses. I moved to Fairhope in 1977, and I remember that the store was small, quaint, and charming, just like Fairhope!
Epicurean Delights

Sallie and Sweet Magnolia Private Chef Services, Fairhope

I love stories about women who turn setbacks into opportunities, making lemonade out of lemons, if you will. In Sally Stringfellows case, she made a champagne crab bisque! A single mother with 2 young girls, she needed to figure out a way to make ends meet. 
Community Endeavors

Shuck Cancer: Oak Hollow Farm

The Shuck Cancer fundraiser held at Oak Hollow last Thursday had all the elements needed for a great party: beautiful weather, beautiful people, a plethora of local oysters, and bourbon! Oak Hollow in Fairhope is a perfect venue for an event such as this, as guests could stay outside sampling oysters under a huge tent or go inside in the barn, where live music, delicious food, and bourbon tastings were enjoyed. 
Events That Inspire

Ashley Parsons, Equestrian Filmmaker

Three years ago, I was fortunate to see the film, En Selle: The Kyrgyz Ride, when it was screened in Ashley Parsons' hometown of Mobile. It was an incredible tale of Ashley and her partner, Quentin Boehm’s, travels on horseback on the Ancient Silk Road, a 1600 kilometer (994 miles) journey through the mountains and steppes of Kyrgyzstan. 
Events That Inspire

Saturday in the City

“We could be in San Diego,” my friend Ellen said. “Blue skies, low humidity, and eating lunch outside.”
Artsy Side Of Life

Brian Tan, Artist

There is a very hip and cool art scene happening in Mobile and Baldwin counties, and Brian Tan is right in the thick of it. He was recently awarded the 2026 Visual Artist of the Year at the Artys, a project of the Mobile Arts Council that recognizes artists who have made a meaningful impact on the creative community. 
Epicurean Delights

Tin Top Restaurant: A Little Slice of Heaven!

Coming from Fairhope, we turned right off Highway 98 at Magnolia Springs and drove straight to the end of Highway 49 to the new Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Sitting majestically beside the beautiful Bon Secour River, like a great big lodge, it is more reminiscent of visiting someone's home on the water.
Artsy Side Of Life

The Apiary Art Show

Allison Bebee and Camille Cornett have the perfect partnership of business and creativity, and together they will bring a new curated art show to Fairhope during Arts and Crafts weekend, March 20th through 22nd. Allison and her husband, Daniel, own Apiary on Bancroft Street, an event venue that is their newest endeavor, along with their businesses, Gulf Coast Events and Rentals, Belforest Pointe, and Venue 31.