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.
When Jennifer Blackwood was working as a Pharmaceutical Rep in the Panhandle of Florida, she had a favorite old gas station in Seaside, which she frequently visited. “ It had a lot of personality, and when I saw Battles Wharf Market, it reminded me of that special place.” And here she is, the new owner of the iconic market on Scenic 98, just north of the Grand Hotel.
We spent Easter weekend on 6150 acres in Gulf Shores known as the Gulf State Park. I could walk on the beach and see nothing but water and sand for miles, which is quite rare in the condo-dense Gulf front strip from Gulf Shores to Perdido Key.
In 2006, after hurricanes Ivan and Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Mark White, having recently moved from Vail, Colorado, to Alabama, found a BBQ joint in Orange Beach that didn’t survive the storms.
While chatting with Joy Turner at a coffee shop, her phone rings,“ Entertainment Management Services, This is Joy, How may I help you? “ When she finishes the call and turns her attention back to our interview, she says,” That was someone calling about a Santa booking. I book Santa, Mrs. Claus, a little elf, the Dickens Carolers, and anything Christmas for Holiday events. I used to do about 30 Christmas parties a year. One time, I had 12 New Year's Eve bookings and about killed myself, running from one to the other! A lot has changed over the years with events.”
United Cerebral Palsy has its 15th annual Food and Folly event on Thursday, September 19 at Ft. Whiting Reception Hall in Mobile, and you are invited! This year’s Presenting Sponsor is the Whiting Bradford Wealth Management Group, an office of Merrill Lynch in Mobile.
Ann Bedsole’s book, Leave Your Footprint, describes many of her accomplishments throughout the State of Alabama, especially along the Gulf Coast. She brought the 911 emergency system to the state as a Senator in the Alabama Legislature.
September is shaping up to be a great month for the Scenic 98 Coastal community with temperatures (hopefully) starting to cool off, football season in full swing, and a packed slate of events to enjoy. With the Autumn Equinox approaching on September 22, several communities have festivals scheduled for September 21. In addition to the Top 5 below, we have linked some other September Events on our radar at the end of the article. As always, be sure to check out the Tidbits and Best Bets section of the newsletter and at Scenic98Coastal.com to see everything going on this upcoming weekend.
Joe LaBue played running back at the University of Alabama from 1970 through 1973. This was during the vaunted Wishbone attack era that Coach Paul Bryant perfected. You may remember his more famous teammate and fellow running back, Johnny Musso, The Italian Stallion.
Visiting the Original Romar House is like stepping into another world, and it’s one that Jerry Gilbreath created piece by piece. A retired lawyer and developer from Laurel, Miss., Jerry has left his mark in a lot of different areas, and this particular one’s very close to his heart.
I saw a great T-shirt quote, 'I'm not being Dramatic, I'm being Theatrical!’ I love being around theatrical people because their personalities are animated, energetic, creative, and fun. Emily Herring is all this and more and has a dynamic resume, too. A professional singer, actor, and voice teacher in New York City, she now makes Fairhope her home. Her career path is as exciting as her persona.