There’s a true story about a time when Bert Thornton visited a Waffle House in Gulfport, Mississippi, and noticed a lackadaisical mood among the employees. In the middle of serving lunch to a packed house, Bert, a former Georgia Tech football player, called a timeout.

October has arrived, and with it comes that first hint of cool air along the Gulf Coast. Festival season is in full swing across the Scenic 98 Coastal area, and this month's lineup has a little something for everyone.