Bucky’s Birdcage Lounge at the Grand Hotel is the perfect setting to capture the essence of a sunset on Mobile Bay. Surrounded by beautiful ancient live oak trees, warm fire pits, and comfortable outside seating areas, when the sun sets to the west, it feels special every time.

Retirement is a gift I have earned and intend to enjoy! I have looked forward to retirement for 20 years. Now that I'm here, it has proven to be somewhat of a challenge as well as a blessing.

It was a glorious weekend along the Scenic 98 Coastal beaches this weekend. The weather was warm, the sun was out, and it was one of those December days that makes you appreciate where we live.

Robert Burns wrote, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” When that happens it's best to be nimble and quick on your feet. That scenario was repeated often when Covid hit. The rules changed, especially in the restaurant industry.

When Beth Hargett worked at Gourmet Yogurt and Ice Cream at age 15 in a mall in Mobile, it piqued her interest in the hospitality industry. The owner, Tommy Webb taught her that you have to learn from everyone, but especially from the guests' perspective. She worked there throughout high school and became the assistant manager before heading to Auburn for college where she also started working at Ruby Tuesday’s.

One of my favorite activities in the Fall in Fairhope is the Live at Five Concert Series It is so much fun to pack your cooler and your lawn chairs, gather your friends, and set up the perfect spot to experience an outdoor concert. 

I find wedding planning an interesting process. It’s chaotic and stressful on so many levels. Most planning involves the bride, the bride’s mother, the mother of the groom, and, on occasion, the groom himself. But what about the father of the bride? What’s his reward at the end of the day? He’s usually the afterthought until it comes time to pay the bills.

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.