What are Recommendables? It’s a new feature from the folks at Scenic 98 Coastal for discovering businesses, restaurants, services, things to do, places to see, and expert advice that we feel comfortable recommending to our subscribers based on our personal experiences. 

A lot about life is managing expectations. Our Recommendables list is not exhaustive, or meant to be all-inclusive, but simply a curated list of fun places and good people we feel are worth your consideration. 

Recommendables, whether artistic and entertainment endeavors, epicurean delights, specialty retail goods and services, these listings are consistent and deliver on their promises. In addition, they are good people to do business with, and we believe you will have a positive experience!

We will add new Recommendables as we go along, and please know that each Recommendable is one that we feel is worthy and will enhance your Scenic 98 Coastal experiences.

Our first two Recommendables are for the Holiday Season. They are gift suggestions to get you in the spirit. We are happy to partner with Zach Sierke Pottery and Allie Nielsen’s Vine+Branch boutique faux floral shop to help brighten your holidays! 

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Exclusive Limited Edition 2025 Oyster Bowls

A few years ago, Scenic 98 Coastal featured a story on renowned local potter, Zach Sierke. Zach is the epitome of a local artisan. His grandfather was a potter, and when Zach began his pottery path, he became enamored with the history of the local clay, famous for its properties and the stories it tells about the natural world. When he discovered his grandfather’s kiln nearby, it was divine intervention.

As our friendship grew, Linda and I would visit Zach’s studio in Point Clear, where he built a woodfire anagama kiln, the only one of its kind in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. We purchased wood-fired coffee mugs for ourselves and for our family as gifts.

“Coffee mugs are personal. It’s a time in the morning when you reflect and plan your day,” says Zach. “Knowing that each morning is embraced with the knowledge that you are drinking from a vessel harvested from local clay and fired in a time-honored tradition that this area surrounding Mobile Bay is known for just makes the day  better.” 

Each Thanksgiving week, Zach hosts a team of potters who travel from all over the United States to take part in the week-long wood-firing process. Zach’s work, as is the work of other potters, is something to celebrate.

The natural process of the wood-fired Anagama kiln dates back to the 5th century in Japan, and the results of the firing are always surprising. While years of experience have helped hone the outcome, it is never exactly what he plans for. Kind of like life itself!

This year, I approached Zach about a special, limited edition piece to feature this season. I wanted it to reflect a sense of place. He asked me to let him think about what that would be and promised to date it for the 2025 Holiday Season. A few weeks later, Zach sent me a text and a short video of an oyster bowl and invited me to come by for a visit to see his inspiration.

“Since I was a young boy, my father instilled in me a love for the oyster. He was obsessed with everything about oysters. They have been a part of the culture here since the beginning of time. Oysters have sustained populations well before the Europeans came to the New World. Oysters are part of the natural history of our area, and have been a part of my personal mythology since I was a boy.”

Zach’s Oyster Bowls are beautiful works of art. Each is hand-built and fired in an electric kiln. A portion of the clay used was harvested from underneath local, natural oyster beds. Each unique piece entails Zach’s studio mark and the 2025 date to reflect the holiday season. Only 100 will be made available and must be preordered. Only the first twenty-five will be available before Christmas. 

These 2025 Holiday Oyster Bowls can only be purchased through Scenic 98 Coastal at the link provided below. The first 25 Oyster Bowls can be ordered with a a numbered pre-ordered receipt, and can be shipped or personally selected by visiting by appointment, Zach Sierke Studio in Point Clear, Alabama, after December 6th. t. No two oyster bowls are alike.. The price is $125 each, plus shipping and handling, if applicable.

Note: Sale of Pre Orders numbered 26 through 100 will be hand-built and shipped by April 1, 2026. This is a limited edition, one-of-a-kind collectors' piece available exclusively through Scenic 98 Coastal. No guarantees or warranties are promised or implied. All orders and deliveries will be made by Zach Sierke Studios, and are not the responsibility of Scenic 98 Coastal. Order Now!

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The Holiday Season is in Full Swing with 10 % Savings at Vine + Branch! 

Allie Haynes Nielsen began Vine + Branch as a side business to express her creative side. As a lung transplant nurse, her career was rewarding, yet also demanding and stressful. Allie’s creative skills come naturally. Her grandmother, aunt, and mother are renowned in the Birmingham area for their floral designs and party planning. 

Allie married  Will Nielsen, whose family began The Knud Nielsen Company, a dried floral business in Evergreen, Alabama, in 1913. Will runs the company now, and Allie saw an opportunity to exercise her talents by creating permanent faux flower arrangements that are works of art. 

“I’ve always enjoyed creating with my hands. When we moved to Andalusia, I finally had the space to express my creativity, and I had access to the finest floral ingredients.” I use my own designs to accent any home decor.”

Today, six years later, Allie has grown Vine + Branch to become a leading resource for custom-designed floral designs for home decor. With sold-out workshops and pop-up shops throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal area, Vine + Branch is growing like a…well, a beautiful floral arrangement found in the most spirited homes!

This Holiday Season, Vine + Branch is offering Scenic 98 Coastal subscribers special access to purchase Holiday Seasonal Wreaths, Garland, and Accessory Floral Art Pieces to brighten any home. If you are a floral designer at heart, Vine & Branch offers fresh-pulled Smilax, Preserved Bell Balls, and Paper Whites, as well as gift packages that can be delivered to friends and family. 

Let Allie help you make your designs come to life in whimsical, fun, and happy ways! Follow Allie and Vine + Branch on Instagram, and look for Allie at a pop-up shop or workshop near you! 

Use the Promo Code 'SCENIC98' to receive 10% off any purchases. 

Nobody does the Holidays like Vine & Branch