Without question, we have some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I challenge anyone, anywhere, to prove me wrong. I’ve seen many beautiful sunsets in other places, but consistently, the spectacular Scenic 98 Coastal sunsets are incredible.
For the first half of my life, I was Jim, and then, increasingly, I was Jimmy Lee. It's a nickname I gave myself in 1993, and I encouraged it to stick. It's been confusing at times, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing.
Sahada Buckley has accomplished a lot in her 29 years of life. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in Violin Performance and Music Theory. Currently, she is a member of the Illinois Symphony and the founder and Artistic Director, along with her husband, Trace Johnson, of the Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival. “I have always dreamed of bringing classical music to Fairhope,” Sahada says. “There are musical events in the area, but one must travel to larger cities to experience live classical music. This is our third year of bringing classical music to my hometown.”
Summer is in full swing throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal community, although it doesn’t officially start with 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!
You never know what you’re going to get when you sit down with someone for the first time. I mentioned to my friend, Jack Wallace, that we had received an inquiry from the Pink Pelican Art Gallery owner about an event they are having in late May. He said, “That’s a great art gallery. We love going there, and they are great people.” I decided that I would like to meet Tamara Scott, the artist who owns the Pink Pelican Art Gallery in Orange Beach.
Once they’ve been to Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, many people think, “Ok, been there, I’ve done that, I’ve been to The Bahamas.” While, about five decades ago, I was a part of this category of people, once I discovered the “Out-Islands,” also known as “The Family Islands,” I fell in love with an entirely new and unique aspect of true Bahamian island life.
Most people traveling along U.S. 98 probably breeze through the little town of Lillian with little more than a passing thought, but Curry Weber isn't like most people. The audio engineer and archaeologist moved to this community on Perdido Bay nine years ago, and he's determined to find out as much as possible about its past.
Something that even some of my friends don't know about me is I'm into birds, and have been for over 30 years. The preferred term is "birding" for people who are seriously into it, but I've never quite put myself in that category, even though I do own a handful of reference books, some nice binoculars and even a high-powered spotting scope.
Orthopedic care has made great strides in improving the quality of life for people in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. As we age, stress on our joints can become acute, and fortunately, science and medical procedures have advanced so much that replacement surgery has become commonplace.
Busy musician Jimmy Lee Hannaford loves playing cover songs at his gigs along the Gulf Coast, but he’s ready to reveal more of his artistic skills as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. That’s exactly what he does on his brand-new album, called Jubilee.
Ashley Terrell’s talent graces the homes of many art lovers in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Her landscapes and abstracts are ethereal and soft with muted colors, painted with big brushes, so the shapes have no edges. With layers and layers of thin acrylic paint, she glazes the finished piece with a clear top coat. “The glaze makes the colors pop out, creating depth,” she explains. Get ready, Ashley has chosen to Change!
I have been looking forward to hearing the story of Cris Eddings and his mother, Yoshie, for a while. Cris is a partner in the original Chuck’s Fish in Tuscaloosa with Charles Morgan. My son first introduced me to sushi there, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Bright and always cheerful, Cris has a warm, inviting, and infectious personality.
The Fall Festival Season is upon us, and the November calendar is overflowing with chances to get out and enjoy the cool weather. It’s a great opportunity to relax before the hectic holiday season begins. There is something for everyone, with festivals of all sizes and themes offered across the Scenic 98 Coastal Area.
If you like classic Southern cooking with a healthy twist, you’re in luck. Cheryl’s Café in Spanish Fort offers a wide array of lunch options and plenty of choices for the most finicky eater.
The GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL is about to take off again on November 1-3 in downtown Pensacola as it has, almost uninterrupted, since 1973. As always, the all-volunteer committee will put their heart into organizing a beautiful 3-day event and the fine artists who grace Historic Seville Square will provide the soul with their amazing creativity.
One yellow cat is responsible for creating the Hound Dog Music Festival benefitting the Baldwin Humane Society and Beth Fugard, chairman of the event for the last 8 years, is the mastermind behind it. She had a rental property in Silverhill with a nice tenant who had a yellow cat. The cat looked out the window when she walked her property, which was once the Woodhaven Dairy.