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.
May is upon us and the dog days of summer are not far behind. There are still plenty of exciting outdoor events to take advantage of the weather throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal area and across the Gulf Coast. If you fancy a road trip, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival cranks up again Thursday for the 2nd weekend of festivities.
This is more than a story about Moe’s Original BBQ. It’s a story about perseverance, leadership, music, finding your calling, faith, survival, being knocked down repeatedly, getting back up, and a big dream finally coming to fruition. Attitude and reflection are also a big part of this story.
Food is a big part of what we do at Scenic 98 Coastal. Our approach is to write about places we enjoy, where the experience is always satisfying. We don’t consider ourselves food critics, but we enjoy all kinds of options from no frills to fancy. It’s all about the experience, and a good dining experience comes in many flavors.
The train depot in Foley was the first stop for many of the city’s earliest residents and visitors. It’s still a great place to start when you want to learn about Foley’s history and the people who have made the place what it is.
Now it’s everywhere. Throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal communities, Mardi Gras is a celebration everyone can enjoy. In fact, Mardi Gras masks were originally worn so that people of all classes could mingle freely. The colors of Mardi Gras, purple, green, and gold represent justice, faith, and power, respectively.
On August 1, 2023, local musician Molly Thomas was on her way to Pensacola with her dog in tow, when tragedy struck. It was 9:30 am and Molly was crossing U.S. Highway 98 just south of Fairhope when another driver T-boned her. Her car flipped several times, and Molly had to be cut out of her vehicle and life-flighted to the University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile. She was there for one week before facing a year-long recovery.
We are fortunate to have so many Scenic 98 Coastal communities that host monthly Friday evening art walks, showcasing our talented local artists. In Fairhope, it’s the First Friday Art Walk downtown. It kicks off a new month of good times and serves as a big block party, with galleries open, and bands playing, with an opportunity to visit with friends or take the family out for a free, fun evening.
We are fortunate to have so many Scenic 98 Coastal communities that host monthly Friday evening art walks, showcasing our talented local artists. In Fairhope, it’s the First Friday Art Walk downtown. It kicks off a new month of good times and serves as a big block party, with galleries open, and bands playing, with an opportunity to visit with friends or take the family out for a free, fun evening.
Forty-seven years ago, a 22-year-old girl graduated from college with a BA in Dance Education and with big dreams, opened a studio above the Page and Palette and called it Creative Outlet. Its first iteration was a school for many creative classes; piano, calligraphy, guitar, tai chi, drama, and of course, dance. Her father, a hands-on dad, co-signed a loan and taught her how to run the business, with handwritten financial ledgers, postcard marketing, and in-person, 3x5 card registration. It was the Dark Ages compared to the present day, but it worked.
A small shop along a shady lane off Twin Beech Road is where Evans Davis is happy to spend most of his time. Other than playing music, there’s not much he’d rather be doing than finding new uses for old wood.
Created at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in the late 19th century, Oysters Rockefeller was named after the Rockefeller family due to the richness of its sauce and proved to be an instant classic, quickly finding its way onto menus and at lavish parties across the country.