Meeting up for lunch at The Barn at Hope Farm with the dynamic event coordinator, Tonya Dalhaus, was an exciting hour for both of us. We discovered we have a mutual friend, Heather Mitchell, a sketch artist. 

The October Newcomers luncheon, held at the James P. Nix Center, was replete with catered, individual charcuterie boards by the relatively new kitchen business called Rouxsters. Newcomer members and their guests listened attentively to the presenter, Fairhope Film Festival’s executive director, Mary Riser, who announced the details of the weekend-long event, being held in several areas around Fairhope November 9-12.

I thought about telling our three adult (and married) daughters, “If your dad ever retires, we’ve decided to move to Alaska and become homesteaders” just to see their reaction. Would they just roll their eyes, and talk among themselves about how their parents had lost their minds?

If you ever need firefighters to show up on your property to save lives or to help solve a serious issue like the one we had in our home recently, I can attest to the professional, courteous, and thorough job accomplished by the team at Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department, the FVFD. 

For the thrill seekers among us, maybe you’ve always wanted to travel to faraway places, see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, swim with the manatees, or even compete on a game show.

‍I already appreciated a few things about Baldwin County’s Magnolia Springs before I got a close-up view of her community. Over the years, whenever we’d visit the area, in my humble opinion, Jesse's Restaurant – Magnolia Springs, AL, has outstanding food, service, and atmosphere. Then I read Fanny Flagg’s charming novel, A Redbird Christmas, with my West Virginia book club before I relocated here. The author shows how a northerner can relocate to the community of “Lost River,” i.e., Magnolia Springs, and find a welcoming community. 

When I first heard about the local Newcomers Club, my neighbor was out walking her dog and noticed my “West Virginia” license plate. I had just stepped outside and saw her wave. She said, “Hi, I’m Nancy. I’m from Huntington, West Virginia.” (Such a small world we live in!) Then she asked if I’d like to join the Newcomers of Eastern Shore. “It’s $25.00 for the year, and I’m the treasurer, so if I’m not home, just set your check under my welcome mat.” This was within weeks of our arrival in Fairhope.

‍On rare occasions, neighbors peer into shallow waters along our Bayfront with shouts of “Jubilee!” Like an Eastern Shore alarm, the excitement from the sight of fresh fish coming ashore spreads word of mouth, prompting Baldwin Countians to “Come, now!” and gather as much wiggly shrimp, fresh crabs or flounder as their coolers can hold. The phenomenon of a free, bountiful catch is one of legend. When I raise the subject with artist Katherine Taylor of Jubilee Flowers, Jubilee Flowers Fairhope – Wedding & Events Florist in Fairhope Alabama Eastern Shore, she laughs.