When Elener and Joe Kralik brought their grandmother from Ukraine to live with them in 1946, she buried a chicken wishbone under the carpet of the small farmhouse on County Road 32 in Baldwin County. Little did she know that the farm would one day become an upscale vineyard and winery. Dawn Fletcher tells me that when she was renovating the house to be fashioned into an office, she found a pearl earring and a wishbone as she pulled up the flooring.

Summer fishing trips are a favorite pastime for locals and visitors to the Scenic 98 Coastal area. The Orange Beach Billfish Classic kicks off the Gulf Coast Tournament Fishing season every year in May, and the Zeke’s Landing Charter Boat Billfish Tournament closes the season in early September. 

Almost 2000 years ago, the first frozen milk and cream served with honey and flavored with fruits were brought to the Roman Emperor Nero. Thus, the summer edible delight, ice cream, was popularized and perfected. In the Scenic 98 Coastal communities, the delectable ice cream of choice is Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream.

Chloe Salinas took some painting classes a few years back, but the lessons didn’t really take. She loved the experience of being around so many creative people, though, and it pushed her into a new direction. For the last year and a half, she’s served as the executive director of the Foley Art Center, which serves as an inviting and accessible gallery for local artists and artisans. 

While chatting with Joy Turner at a coffee shop, her phone rings,“ Entertainment Management Services, This is Joy, How may I help you? “ When she finishes the call and turns her attention back to our interview, she says,” That was someone calling about a Santa booking. I book Santa, Mrs. Claus, a little elf, the Dickens Carolers, and anything Christmas for Holiday events. I used to do about 30 Christmas parties a year. One time, I had 12 New Year's Eve bookings and about killed myself, running from one to the other! A lot has changed over the years with events.”

United Cerebral Palsy has its 15th annual Food and Folly event on Thursday, September 19 at Ft. Whiting Reception Hall in Mobile, and you are invited! This year’s Presenting Sponsor is the Whiting Bradford Wealth Management Group, an office of Merrill Lynch in Mobile.

Just about a half mile east of County Road 32 on Boothe Road in Fairhope is a charming little place that offers every diner a delicious experience.

Ann Bedsole’s book, Leave Your Footprint, describes many of her accomplishments throughout the State of Alabama, especially along the Gulf Coast. She brought the 911 emergency system to the state as a Senator in the Alabama Legislature.