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.
If you frequent Fairhope, you’ve probably seen Spencer Johnson out on Church Street teaching a beginner how to cast a fly rod. It certainly adds some local flavor to the town. Fairhope Fly Shop is tucked away behind what is now Willow + Gray Home, formerly The Church Mouse, at 14 Church Street.
Scott Kennedy was born around the waters of Mobile Bay and with three generations to learn from, has been an avid saltwater angler since the age of five. As the founder of Whistlin’ Waters Kayak Fishing and Outdoors, based out of Orange Beach, Scott has earned a reputation as a seasoned angler and expert kayak fishing guide.
Coralie and her husband, John, have had a second home on Dauphin Island for more than twenty-five years. Coralie has a wide variety of interests including growing award-winning camellias and showing blooms in The Camellia Club of Mobile’s annual camellia show each January.
Jack E. Davis, Pulitzer-prize winning author of The Gulf, introduced his new work The Bald Eagle at Page & Palette in Fairhope in early March. Jack is an environmental writer and the Rothman Family Chair in the Humanities at the University of Florida. He spends his time in Gainesville, Florida, and New Hampshire.
It was a good Friday this past Good Friday. There was a positive feeling in the air. People had an aura about them. You could tell they were looking forward to a special weekend. The excitement of being with friends and family was everywhere I went, well into the evening.
We walk into the Fritz Brothers Guitar shop and it's unlike anything I've seen before. There are 100s of partially made, partially created and some outstandingly finished guitars, well, everywhere.I first ask Roger, founder and owner and unique curator of sound (the guitars he make actually have a science of sound to them, the best sound a guitar can make!), "How do you keep it all straight?"He smiles and replies, "I don't."