Now and then, someone comes along that is bigger than life. When I think of the remarkable people I have known, Mike deGruy is top of mind.

Richard Rutland has been fishing the waters around Dauphin Island for as long as he can remember. Literally. He makes his living at it.

Thursday night we had reservations for a special wine pairing dinner at Local and Company, a cool, attractive restaurant in Foley on Hwy. 59.

Rhonda Hart just comes across as someone you want to be friends with. She grew up in a musical family, starting in Oregon before moving to Nashville in the 80s and 90s with her mom and stepfather, Tommy Collins.

Anya Scott grew up in New York City after her family immigrated from Moscow, Russia In 1979 Before leaving Moscow, she attended the renowned Gnessin Russian Academy of Music.

While my friends and I had attended concerts at The Wharf Amphitheater before, with 3 nights of shows over Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, this time we opted for the ease of staying on-site and booked a condo overlooking the marina at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Kristin Alpine is the kind of person that exudes warmth, friendliness, and a real desire to want to help others. We first met a few years back when she was working in home health.

Today’s celebrity pastry chef owns her bakery called Whipped Up. The fact that its owner just turned 16 and has yet to get her driver’s license is just part of the story.