My family, particularly my mother, was a great believer in helping people in need, all people in need, and volunteering everyone else to help them too. For our family and Mom’s close friends, there were endless projects requiring food preparation, events organization, and time spent with strangers.

If you ever need firefighters to show up on your property to save lives or to help solve a serious issue like the one we had in our home recently, I can attest to the professional, courteous, and thorough job accomplished by the team at Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department, the FVFD. 

Writing a book is no small task. Having dipped my toes in the publishing business many years ago, I admire anyone who decides to put pen to paper to write a novel or their life story. It takes courage and willingness to be subjected to criticism and opinions that aren’t always kind.

You may not be familiar with the history of downtown Mobile, Alabama. It was the center of activity where businesses, hotels, and restaurants thrived. It was and still is the center of city and county government. I was a kid when my parents would take us to Contstantine’s Restaurant at 80 St. Francis Street after church or the lunch counter on the corner of Bienville Square at Dauphin and North Conception Street during Mardi Gras.

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 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’ve heard a lot about Impact 100 Baldwin County over the years and knew it was a group of women who were collectively making a difference throughout Baldwin County communities.

Therapy Dogs of South Alabama opens with a major impact. Seven registered Therapy Dog Teams are already visiting Mobile Infirmary in Mobile, and three Teams are registered to visit Thomas Hospital in Fairhope and Daphne.