“At Little Roots, Big Adventures, I want to give children what I had as a child,” Maria Hoffman exclaims in a bright, enthusiastic voice. With Native American heritage, Maria grew up in the mountains of North Georgia and attributes her love of nature to her grandfather, who exposed her to the natural world while hiking and camping. She reminisces about walking barefoot in creeks, catching minnows, and chasing frogs and lightning bugs.
In the interest of full disclosure, I confess to being Sandy Stimpson's childhood neighbor and lifelong friend. Later, I met Jean, Sandy’s wife, in Tuscaloosa as students at the University of Alabama. To say that I’m an admirer of both would be a severe understatement.
Chad Kirtland knows that food lovers along the Eastern Shore are pretty savvy, but there's a certain segment of his clientele that he really wants to satisfy. He can spot them right away from the distinctive accents that he's known all his life, and that they have no trouble pronouncing the names of popular menu items such as jambalaya, muffaletta, or étouffée.
Did you know Andalusia, Alabama, is home to the World Championship Domino Tournament? I didn’t either until I met Riley and Reid Taylor at Provision in Fairhope a few weeks ago. Since 1976, the Andalusia Rotary Club has sponsored and produced the event. If you want to match your wits and Domino skills against the best players in the world, you can register here to compete on July 11 and 12 at the Kiwanis Fair Complex in Andalusia.
When we started this venture called Scenic98Coastal.com, I talked it out with lots of people I know and respect. The best advice I received was from a friend’s son visiting Fairhope from New York during the pandemic. We were having lunch at Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek when I told him about our idea to launch a newsletter for the area between Mobile and Pensacola.
There is a paw print in the logo of Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, and I never knew why. While lunching there with girlfriends, I learned that the restaurant was named for the owners, Brian and Jodi Harseny’s, beloved black dog. His portrait is prominently displayed on an outside mural and on a particularly nice silhouette painting of Cosmo and his cat friend, Junior Mint, looking at the moon. Junior Mint is still alive, living the good life with the Harsenys, but Cosmo is in Dog Heaven.
Katrina McLeod is the kind of person who is always up for a new challenge, and for the upcoming Air Race Classic, she's found a well-suited flying partner who shares her love of adventure.
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.
Press & Co. in Olde Towne Daphne will celebrate its first anniversary with a party on Friday evening, August 16th, beginning at 5:30 pm. The celebration will include live music, entrees, appetizers, and specialty cocktails. You're invited, so make plans to attend!
Did you know that the Scenic 98 Coastal area is home to one of the world's most important and popular birding hotspots? According to the eBird app, Cornell University’s go-to tool for birding enthusiasts, this natural area along the Gulf Coast attracts a diverse array of bird species, many of which are migratory. As a result, bird watchers flock (pun intended!) to immerse themselves in avian wonders in this region year-round.
It’s nearly August and the so-called “dog days” are upon us here along the Gulf Coast. The kids are tired of swimming; band, cheerleader, soccer, and football camps are in the books; they’re likely finished with Vacation Bible School, the bills for the family vacation have come in and no one wants to be out in the stickiness of the heat and humidity.
Brought to you by Dharma Blue, Pensacola, and Chuck’s Fish, Mobile
It’s easy to forget just how hot and humid it gets in late July, and how thankful we are when an afternoon rain shower cools us off. f you want to squeeze in the last drops of summer fun before the school year begins, there are still many events to enjoy in the Scenic 98 Coastal Area. Just don’t forget your water and sunscreen!
What I love most about a wine dinner is that I don't have to make any menu decisions. I just sit down and have delicious food and wine brought to me by a courteous server. I always enjoy interesting conversations with my table mates and also learn something new about wine. The Red, White, and Rose` dinner hosted by Scenic 98 Coastal, held at Char 32 in Point Clear was no exception. With five courses paired with French wines from Seth Hargett’s ABM Wines, it was a delightful Thursday evening.
When Jeremiah Litwack first dreamed up the concept of Jeremiah's Italian Ice in 1988, he was a high school student hustling Italian ice in front of the Philadelphia Mint. By 1993, after honing his cool craft, he set out to create a market for Italian Ice in the Southeast.
I have always been fascinated to learn how business people got their start and the roads they traveled to get where they are. Most are lessons in perseverance, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Very few, I’ve found, just stumbled out of the gate and succeeded on pure luck. A positive mental attitude is a common trait.
The spirit of Jim Eddins is strong at Perdido Vineyards, and so is that of his wife, Marianne. Without them, this one-of-a-kind winery wouldn’t exist, and neither would the landmark law that gave it the green light 45 years ago.