If you’ve ever attended a civic function on the Eastern Shore, you’ve probably run into Skip Jones. He may be the most civic-minded man I know. His interests run wide and deep. He is also an ‘Old Salt’, an endearing term for someone who knows their way around the waterfront.
We are asked this question all the time, “What are you reading, watching, new music, or podcasts you are listening to? So we asked our readers. Here are some of their responses:
Perhaps the most anticipated annual July event in the Scenic 98 Coastal area is the Pensacola NAS Blue Angel Air Show. Regardless of how many times you may have seen it, it never disappoints.
I've never met any of the Beatles, but I did talk to Ringo Starr on the phone for a short while, and it was certainly a thrill. I thought I'd tell the story in detail in honor of his 85th birthday, which is coming up Monday, July 7.
Walking into the Fairhope Recreation Center Pool on a Tuesday morning during the Fairhope Area Swim Team, aka FAST practice, I am stimulated by the sights and sounds of approximately 350 kids in matching team swimsuits, swimming laps. There are eight lanes with coaches on each side, loudly giving instructions to swimmers aged 7 to 17 years.
Bamboo Willie’s Beachside Bar has earned its stripes as one of Pensacola Beach’s famous landmarks. It is one of those iconic beach bars that define beach towns. Many such establishments dot the Scenic 98 Coastal landscape, harkening back to the youthful days of basking in the sun, catching a wave, or trying your luck casting from the beach.
I first heard about Hope Community in 2021 while working on another local publication. The article quoted Shawn Graham, vice president at the time, “It's not about race when we speak of diversity. It's about the contribution of all people to our community.” I was delighted to hear about an organization dedicated to understanding, communication, and a future for all of its citizens, but the skeptic in me couldn’t foresee how this concept could be effectively implemented. Boy, was I wrong!
For going on three decades, the Baldwin Pops has provided the symphonic soundtrack for Fairhope's big Fourth of July celebration. It seems a shame that these hard-working musicians don't get to see much of the fireworks.
Not Senior in high school or college. Senior means, we get discounts at stores, Medicare, and our own parking spaces. Makes us sound so feeble and needy, but we absolutely are not. I mean senior as in after 65, wiser, and better.
Winter is a season of extremes. Technically, one more month to go. My mind looks at seasons as activities. There is an order to it. The build-up to Winter comes after Thanksgiving. Mid-December gives us an extreme number of social activities culminating with Christmas Day, then a mindless lull as we close a year and begin anew with New Year's Eve celebrations. Lots of football. Get it while you can. And hunting, a Southern tradition is in full swing.
Bucky’s Birdcage Lounge at the Grand Hotel is the perfect setting to capture the essence of a sunset on Mobile Bay. Surrounded by beautiful ancient live oak trees, warm fire pits, and comfortable outside seating areas, when the sun sets to the west, it feels special every time.
Gabriel Hargett is a native Mobilian but spent most of his growing-up days on Mobile Bay at Point Clear. An avid mountain biker, fisherman, and all-around good guy, Gabriel’s tale has lots of twists and turns but is always forward. It’s an impressive story that just gets better and better every day.
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.
One of Scenic 98 Coastal’s missions is to raise awareness for the conservation groups that are working hard to preserve and protect our coastal lands and waters. South Alabama Land Trust (SALT) is one of those important organizations. I sat down with Katherine Kuhn, Outreach and Communications Manager for SALT to learn more about what they do.
Health experts say we should eat like a King at Breakfast, a Queen at Lunch, and a Pauper at Dinner. Since I consider myself a Queen, Lunch is my favorite meal of the day for many reasons: it's less expensive than dinner, the portion size is perfect, and you can have a nap afterward (if you are retired) so it's okay to have a glass of wine.
After hearing of a local performing arts studio celebrating its 10th Anniversary, I called to learn more. When I arrived at our scheduled sit-down, I was immediately impressed. Brandon Marcus is an energetic, multi-talented performer that exudes enthusiasm for what he does and the educational performing arts studio he opened ten years ago, The Studio.