For those of us who grew up in this area, Magnolia Springs was the place we would stop on the way home from Gulf Shores to jump in the natural springs that were so cold we would turn blue and shiver the rest of the way home. In the present day, boaters can idle into the Magnolia River and find a different version of the Springs in a small cove called “The Cold Hole.“ The water is deep and very cold and will lower your body temperature on a hot summer day.

We are fortunate along the Scenic 98 Coastal area to have so many fine local musicians to see and hear at great venues! It’s something that makes the Gulf Coast special. A couple of weeks ago, Linda and I ventured to Avenue Pub in Orange Beach to hear our good friend, Mike Estep, play with his old high school buddies, The Selma Boys. The weather was a bit dreary that afternoon, but the music and food were outstanding.

You may never meet a nicer, friendlier person than Cecil Christenberry. He and his wife, Linda, own and operate Old Tyme Feed & Garden Supply in Fairhope. If you live in the Fairhope area and enjoy working in your yard, you probably have already stopped by dozens of times throughout the year. I look forward to every trip, they are just that nice!

How does someone from Murray, Nebraska, become a marine biologist and work their way to the Mobile area? Meet Cortney Weatherby. It turns out Northwest Missouri State University has a Marine Biology department that partners with the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg to offer students first-hand access to study on the Gulf Coast. Cortney spent her college summers studying and earning her degree in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

When Sean’s Prime Dining opened last year, we went with friends to check it out. We had a wonderful evening dinner, and I’ve been back several times for lunch and have never been disappointed. Chef Sean Travis has many years of experience in fine dining and combines elements of French, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine in his offerings. 

I recently visited with Susan Sizemore in Orange Beach to learn about a Scenic 98 Coastal eatery, bar, and entertainment staple. It turns out they are unsure when Tacky Jacks first came to be. Was it in 1980 or 1979? No official records exist since Orange Beach wasn’t even a city when Tacky Jacks opened.

Bob and I bought a new car a couple of weeks ago. It’s a Tesla that Bob has been wanting and researching for months, so we headed out for a short road trip with our elderly chihuahua, Emma Claire. 

If you live in the Scenic 98 Coastal area, you are probably familiar with Rose Ann Haven, who anchors the WKRG Channel 5 News in the evenings. I recently sat down with Rose Ann at Provision in Fairhope to learn more about her “Off Air” personality. I found her delightful and very down-to-earth. She’d be a fun person to hang around with.

Did you know that Mobile’s Virginia’s Health Foods and Fairhope Health Foods also have a sister restaurant, the Sunflower Cafe, adjacent to both store locations? The health food stores feature numerous organic, vegan, and non-gmo products, including vitamins and supplements, and we have always found their staff knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to answer questions. 

There is a new speakeasy in Orange Beach tucked away behind a vault door by Frank & Company at The Wharf. You don’t see many speakeasies these days. They are thought to have been created during prohibition-era days when illicit hidden bars with alcohol had to be quiet to stay undiscovered. ‍

When I first heard about the local Newcomers Club, my neighbor was out walking her dog and noticed my “West Virginia” license plate. I had just stepped outside and saw her wave. She said, “Hi, I’m Nancy. I’m from Huntington, West Virginia.” (Such a small world we live in!) Then she asked if I’d like to join the Newcomers of Eastern Shore. “It’s $25.00 for the year, and I’m the treasurer, so if I’m not home, just set your check under my welcome mat.” This was within weeks of our arrival in Fairhope.

I first met Rich Sullivan when he was a student at the University of Alabama. Rich is one of the brightest people I’ve ever known, and we seem to hit it off. A native Mobilian, Rich entered his senior year of college with the intention of attending medical school after graduation. 

If you head up to Diana Rell Dean’s art show, Threads, this weekend, you might want to stop by the Stagecoach Café in Stockton, especially if you are hungry. The Stagecoach Café has been a staple in the area for years and serves a meat and three-style country buffet seven days a week.

The Ice Box in Mobile has just celebrated its third birthday by growing a little larger, a little wiser, and even more fun, if that’s possible. The brainchild of Taylor Atchison and Stoney Boatman, this local watering hole has been a surprise waiting to happen ever since it opened its doors in February 2020. And it’s not over yet! More surprises are cooking as we speak.

Since I never had children of my own, which was likely a good thing considering what a problem child I was, I have adopted my grand nieces and nephews to fill that grandchildren position. They were one of the deciding factors that landed me in Fairhope. I have four grandchildren in Mobile and three grandchildren in Pensacola whose parents are more than willing to share with me anytime. 

No doubt, this job has its benefits. Through a mutual friend, I was introduced to Maria V. Goldberg over lunch at the Fish House Restaurant located on Pensacola’s waterfront. Maria is the Director of Marketing, Public Relations, and Events for Great Southern Restaurants which owns the Fish House.

I’ve driven by it often over the years. Sandwiched on Pensacola Bay between Blue Wahoos Stadium and Joe Patti’s Seafood, the restaurant is almost out of sight behind a larger office building. Shivering on motorcycles in 50-degree weather created the perfect opportunity for a couple of us to seek warmth and nourishment overlooking the Inner Harbor.

Lily Hall Lodging House and Brother Fox Restaurant are the latest in Pensacola’s chic boutique hotel/restaurant scene. Located at 415 N. Alcaniz Street, the property has been beautifully and painstakingly renovated to offer a unique combination of lodging, dining, and entertaining in a historic part of Pensacola. It is truly another feather in the cap for Pensacola’s vibrant revitalization.

Five years ago, Jack and Bevelyn Wallace teamed up with Frank Trainor to create Frank & Company Jewelers in Orange Beach. They recently opened a second store at The Wharf. Their story is one of hard work, customer service, and a loyal following of clients from all over the Southeast.

I love farmer's markets. They read like a seasonal calendar, which they are in a fresh food kind of way. A good farmer’s market begins to burst with color this time of year. I caught up with Darrell Lundy, who with his wife, Sandra, and his 24-year-old twin boys, Ethan and Isaac, and their two sisters, Emma, 20, and Clair, 18 own and operate the family business, Hazel’s Market in Daphne.

Ahhh, good food, music, and history; all in one unique historic Pensacola area recognized on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Last Thursday, Linda and I headed to Five Sisters Blues Café in an area known as “The Blocks” in downtown Pensacola. For decades, the intersection of Belmont and DeVillies was the epicenter of African American business and social life.

Every now and then, you get to meet a friend of a friend that turns out to be an awesome experience. Someone whose life and talents are so energizing; you find yourself giddy that you were so fortunate to make their acquaintance. Diana Rell Dean is one of those people.

MJ Ferraro and her husband, Chef Dominic, moved to the Scenic 98 Coastal area from Rhode Island about six months ago. I had the pleasure of attending their new business venture “Pasta and Paint” which was held at the fabulous Jubilee Suites on Mobile Bay. Pasta and Paint seem to be an unlikely pair, but the couple's intention is to create a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Frances McGowin, a regular contributor to Scenic 98 Coastal (Adventures in Retirement), is also an artist. Hard to imagine she has time for painting since she is out exploring all her post-retirement options. However, “creating art is a daily necessity for living in my post-retirement world.” she says.