Some people were born to be restaurateurs. Count Bo Hamilton, owner of Ox Kitchen Fairhope, and newly opened Ox Kitchen Pensacola, located at The Garden at Palafox and Main, as one of them. Both restaurants serve a limited menu, including a perfect burger. Bo’s food philosophy is simple, fresh, and delicious, and his story is an interesting one.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.”

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. 

September is shaping up to be a great month for the Scenic 98 Coastal community with temperatures (hopefully) starting to cool off, football season in full swing, and a packed slate of events to enjoy. With the Autumn Equinox approaching on September 22, several communities have festivals scheduled for September 21. In addition to the Top 5 below, we have linked some other September Events on our radar at the end of the article. As always, be sure to check out the Tidbits and Best Bets section of the newsletter and at Scenic98Coastal.com to see everything going on this upcoming weekend.