Baldwin County Art & Antiques Trail 2019 by Gulf Coast Media

2019

Tinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine Art and

Frames Custom Framing Local Fine Art

Rick Tino

2200 East 2nd St. Ste H Gulf Shores Al. 36542 www.tinosfineart.com 251-971-8466

BALDWIN ART & ANTIQUES TRAIL MAGAZINE A SPECIALTY PUBLICATION OF GULF COAST MEDIA

publisher

Parks Rogers parks@gulfcoastmedia.com

design & layout Paige Marmolejo

advertising

LouAnn Love louann@gulfcoastmedia.com 251.243.7620 Frank Kustura frank@gulfcoastmedia.com 251.923.8129 Bethany Randall bethany@gulfcoastmedia.com 251.266.9982

Baldwin Art & Antiques Trail Magazine is published by Gulf Coast Media, 901 N. McKenzie Street, Foley, AL 36535 - 251.943.2151 All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Gulf Coast Media accepts no responsibility in the guarantee of goods and services advertised herein.

ADVERTISER INDEX Betty G. Haynie Antiques

Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach 3 Daphne Antique Galleria

The Dragonfly Emporium LLC

Eastern Shore Art Center

E.T. Antiques & Mall (European Treasures, Inc.)

Gulf Coast Arts Alliance

Olde South Antique Mall

The Rabbit Hole

Red Beard’s Treasure Chest

The Susan N. McCollough Gallery/Studio

Tino’s Fine Art and Frames

To Arms Antiques

4 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 5

ABOUT THE COVER

Susan N. McC ollough INTERNATIONAL PRAISE CONTINUES TO POUR IN FOR LOCAL ARTIST SUSAN MCCOLLOUGH In April McCollough received one of the ATIM Top 60 Masters Awards presented at the Museum of Arts and Designs in New York. Then in May, McCollough was awarded the International Price Raffaello Art Award at the Gnudi Palace in Bologna, Italy. This year McCollough celebrates her sixth year owning a gallery in Gulf Shores where she paints and displays her vast collection. She said it is a joy to see those reactions and watch visitors view her artwork. “I really enjoy that aspect. Usually the paintings are sold and shipped and that is it,” she said. “I’m getting as much out of having the gallery and

MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE

6 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

seeing the reaction as I am painting.” And it seems the world cannot see enough of McCollough’s works. In May, 2017, McCollough was named artist of the year by Art Tour International and honored at a show and ceremony in Florence, Italy. Her piece, “Between the Lines” also received a Masters Award at the same event. That same month, McCollough was named a member of the International Culture and Arts Federation in South Korea. Her works are on permanent display at the Haegeumgang Theme Museum. Since 2015, she has made several trips to Europe to collect international awards and praise for her work. Her pieces have delighted visitors to galleries on nearly every continent. Her graceful dance across the global stage is a blessing and a shock to the mother of two who simply loves to paint. She painted whenever she could between being a daughter, wife, mother and working. Now, she is able to paint daily. The studio inside her gallery feels like a trip through the inside of her mind. There are several canvases, each in a varied stage of completion. Tubes of assorted shades of the rainbow cover each surface nearby. Music wafts lightly through the air. To walk through her gallery is to walk through her dreams. Bright strokes of color, melt into cloud-like images. Traditional scenery and portraits mingle with the surreal and abstract. McCollough draws inspiration everywhere she GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

says, though she prefers not to tell guests what any of her pieces mean to her. “I don’t like to go into why I did the painting. I don’t want my opinion infiltrating their minds,” she said. She added that understanding art does not always equal appreciating art. “If the piece doesn’t move you, move on to one you like. That’s all that matters. You don’t have to understand art,” she said. “It’s a special feeling between the person viewing the art and the piece of art. If you like it, that’s all that matters.”

NIAGARA FALLS

BETWEEN THE LINES

INTERACTIVE

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MYSTERIOUS EXCURSION

ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 7

A LOOK AT LOCAL ARTISTS MARGARET BIGGS Quiet. Gentle, instrumental music whispered in the background. No phones. No distractions. When Margaret Biggs paints, her peaceful, meditative sessions are intentional. She creates space for the serenity to flow into her works. The result is what some admirers have called a cathedral on canvas — still and calm. “It’s extraordinary how many times people have not read any of my blogs or anything about me and say my art is so calming, it’s so serene. Someone once called it peace personified,” Biggs said. “I thought, well that’s really cool that people see it.” Biggs draws much of her inspiration from the breezy sea side scene of youthful days spent along Alabama’s coast. “I am a great lover of the coast and of nature, that’s how I was raised, that’s where I find my peace,” she said. Now, in her artwork, Biggs brings that peace to her audience. “To me the beauty here is a much more subtle beauty. It’s not what you see out west with cliffs that drop off into the Pacific. It’s a quieter, gentler beauty,” she said.

STEVEN DARK

8 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

Local artist Steven Dark has eyes all over town. For some time now, Dark has been placing his “Barnacle Babies” around Pleasure Island as a way to lend public art to communities that really didn’t have any when he started. These busts sit in the water and, over time, collect barnacles on their bodies in the shallow marine waters. “I had always made guys like bikers, truckers, musicians,” Dark said. “In the beginning the figures in the water had costumes. I did an installation in Orange Beach at the Waterfront Park down that pier. There’s a lamp post every 15-20 feet. I put a figure underneath each lamp post running the length of the pier. “I’d put them in low tide. The whole idea was the tide and how it changed the art every time. If there was a real high tide, they’d disappear completely. If it was a super low tide you could see the pole they were stuck in there with. Or, occasionally, the water would be just right and you could see just the eyes.” GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

CELIA DIONNE

Tucked away under tall, mature oak trees on County Road 10 is a hidden gem of Baldwin County textile artisanry. Clara’s Loom and Coastal Textile Center sits unassuming just inland of the Bon Secour River, but the artist inside is the true draw. Celia Dionne, owner and artist, has been sewing and working with textiles since she was a young girl. “My mother sewed, and I would go through the fabric shops and feel everything while she chose a pattern,” Dionne said. “You weren’t supposed to touch anything, but I was small and loved fabric.” Clara’s Loom offers different yarns for purchase as well as completed crafts, scarfs and shawls. Dionne also provides classes for those interested in learning the skill. Taking anywhere from half a day to three whole days, participants can come and learn how to weave by hand on a frame loom.

PATRICE FISHBEIN Turn your head slightly and the mermaid appears to move. Turn again and her tail glistens. Each time you glance back, there is a different sparkle, a new curve to her thick, pink tail or sudden splash of water. Your eyes do not deceive you. This is the magic of Patrice Fishbein’s glass art. Fishbein, a multi-media artist, has spent decades perfecting a complicated technique that breathes the wind and sea into her pieces. The first question everyone asks, “How did you do that?” “It has taken a lifetime of different jobs to come together to create my work as it is today,” Fishbein said. “It has been an evolution of art and style, starting with the simplest of ideas to the most intriguing detail.” Fishbein starts simply by painting. Once her creation is complete, she adds sheets of glass, recycled glass, re-purposed and broken antique glass and shells. Each shard allows her to create subtle color changes on her canvas. Unlike some artists who flood their canvas with epoxy, Fishbein carefully places epoxy to create “movement, flair and sparkle. “Epoxy seems to pull all of the elements together which creates the magic that inspires my art,” she said. “It’s a layering process both mentally and physically.” GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 9

LEGEND

US Hwy

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F G H I J K L M

BARNWELL ANTIQUES

1 Betty G. Haynie Antiques 2 Daphne Antique Galleria 3 The Dragonfly Emporium LLC 4 E.T. Antiques &

ART

8 Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach 9 Eastern Shore Art Center 10 GCAA 11 The Rabbit Hole

Mall (European Treasures, Inc.) 5 Olde South Antique Mall 6 Red Beard’s Treasure Chest 7 To Arms Antiques 12 The Susan N. McCollough Gallery/Studio 13 Tino’s Fine Art and Frames

FORT MORGAN MOBILE BAY FERRY

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180

Fort Morgan Rd.

Over 100 Dealers with 29,000 Square Feet of Furniture, Accessories & Collectibles. 10 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

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SH FORT

ROBERTSDALE

LOXLEY

MALBIS

104

McKenzie St.

Co Rd 9

Ave.

SUMMERDALE

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS

LILLIAN

ELBERTA 98 98

FOLEY Foley Beach Express

49 12

BON SECOUR

Canal Rd.

E 29th St.

y Oyster Bay

JOSEPHINE Bear

Point

a Rd.

Marin

180

13 Lake Shelby

Little Lagoon

GULF SHORES Fort M

GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

Wolf Bay

ORANGE BEACH

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ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 11

JEAN MCKEE

In 1973 Jean McKee earned her dental hygienist degree. Though she doesn’t currently practice she is diligent about keeping her license and credentials up to date. She knows she is lucky to make a living doing what she loves. She keeps her practical career at the ready, just in case. “I’ve always made art, in high school and when I worked as a hygienist. I learned pretty quickly that I could stop my day job and focus on art, and that’s what I did,” she said. Her works are brightly colored, coastal scenes: boats cruising along glistening water, shore birds dipping their beaks into the waves and even alligators waiting in the murky deep. “The U.S. has a big coastline and it appeals to me and it appeals to lots of other people too,” she said. “It seems to be a universal theme that people just love to buy and have in their home.” Her most popular works are scenery pieces that depict popular local hangouts along Alabama’s Gulf Coast: Pirate’s Cove, the FloraBama, the Keg restaurant and others. “People want to take a memory home,” she said. “These paintings are frozen moments at places that they love.”

DAWSON MORGAN There are holes in Dawson Morgan’s bowls. There are also curves, lines, dips and shimmies. The hand built clay pieces have been pushed, pulled, tugged and broken. Structurally, Morgan has asked a lot of her clay. The result is a stunning, seemingly fragile splash of water, frozen in space and time. Dawson taps on the side of the piece and it dings like a metal dog bowl. The clay splash is designed to look delicate but could be used to bake bread in the oven. “It’s sturdy and functional. That wasn’t my point it’s just a bonus,” Morgan says. Her point was for patrons to take a moment to think about the splashes of Gulf Coast waters and how we are protecting it and destroying it. Morgan says she was inspired by the work of the Mobile Baykeeper, an environmental community organization working to protect the Mobile Bay watershed. Like the water that runs through our gulfs, bays and streams, each piece seems to change mood and even color as you circle it. The works could easily find a home in a streamlined high rise or simple farm house. 12 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

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JACK SWINDLE In his youth, Jack Swindle captured beautiful scenery and faces on a canvas. He painted, traveled and sculpted. And when he said he was able to finally afford a decent camera and equipment he made the jump to photography, and never looked back. “I’ve always been an artist,” he said. “It’s always been in my blood.” Now, sometimes it is hard to tell if his gorgeous photos are created with a snap or a stroke of the brush. His painter’s eye, and technique, has jumped from the canvas to the frame. “I think that is what sets mine apart, not that it’s better, just different,” he said. “I’ve always had an eye for color and always try to look at the color composition, tones and even textures. I use all of that when I’m working up a finished piece. “Everybody is a photographer these days so you really have to find your little niche,” he said. “That’s my niche. It’s not so much photography but artistic photography — something with a little different look and different flair.”

RICK TINO Most days Rick Tino bikes to his shop and wears flip flops even when it’s cold. Really cold. He will gladly paint you a beach scene. A beautiful one. But some days aren’t sunny, or warm. When these moods call Tino also paints crisp fall leaves and dark wooded paths that beckon from the walls of his shop. Light and dark. Beachy and cold. Tino’s works stretch across seasons of emotions. “I’m a Gemini and I think my twins are twins so there are six of us in this head fighting for control,” he said. Tino’s work has been a hallmark of the beach for decades. After traveling with his artwork the tight curled painter opened a roadside shop along the beach. He sat on the porch and painted all day. Storm surges washed into the shop and eventually sent him packing. Now, Tino can still bike to the beach but only epic waves can reach him. His gallery, Tino’s Fine Art & Frames is tucked safely away from the surf. These days he’s more likely to see work by Renaissance masters float through his door. Tino, a self-taught artist, says he paints,

therefore he must frame. And his framing technique has become as coveted as his artwork. Devoted fans say he charges a third of the cost of big box stores while giving triple the attention to their art. He has framed two works by Picasso, seven by Salvador Dali and two Rembrandts. One, valued at $300,000, was prepped, framed and sent home in a cool 40 minutes. “You never know what’s going to come through the door,” he said.

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ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 13

ANTIQUES Betty G. Haynie Antiques

www.bettyghaynieantiques.com 15 North Section St. Fairhope, AL 36532 251-928-1045 Days/Hours: Mon.-Sat. noon-5 p.m. Credit Cards: Amex, M/C, Visa Offering a personally selected inventory of 18th and 19th century American, English, and French Furniture, Paintings, and Silver. Ceramics include Imari, Chinese Export, Majolica, and English ironstone. We have a quiet, charming ambiance! Map Location B-3

Daphne Antique Galleria

www.DaphneAntiqueGalleria.com Like us on Facebook! 1699 U.S. Hwy. 98 Daphne, AL 36526 251-625-2200 Days/Hours: Open 7 days a week!!!

Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sun. 1-5:30 p.m. Credit Cards: Discover, M/C, Visa SHABBY CHIC to FINE ANTIQUES, It’s at the Daphne Antique Galleria!!! More than 100 Dealers, so come by for some shopping therapy and let our friendly helpful staff assist you. Map Location A-3

E.T. Antiques & Mall {European Treasures, Inc.}

22208 Hwy. 59, Robertsdale, AL 36567 251-989-6655 Days/Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Open 7 days a week Credit Cards: All major credit cards accepted Owners Rita & Guy Moortgat Over 12,500 square feet of antiques from all over the world. Map Location B-9

To Arms AnTiques BUYER & SELLER

MILITARY RELICS PRE-CIVIL WAR TO GULF WAR CERTIFIED APPRAISER OF

GUNS • MILITARY ITEMS • ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES DOCUMENTS • BOOKS • LETTERS • DIARIES

HIGHEST PRICES PAID FOR ALL CIVIL WAR & MILITARY ITEMS, GIVE US A CALL Certified Appraiser, James Mitchell • Owner, Henry Skinner 15296D Co. Rd 3, Fairhope, AL | 251-422-9474 14 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

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ANTIQUES Olde South Antique Mall

www.oldesouthantiquemall.net www.etsy.com/shop/OldeSouthAntiques 505 N. Section St. Fairhope, AL 36532 251-928-7337 Days/Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Credit Cards: Amex, Discover, M/C, Visa, checks, cash The Eastern Shore’s premiere antique mall for 36 years, just north of downtown Fairhope. Furniture, high quality antiques, art, jewelry and collectibles with modest pricing. Map Location B-3

Red Beard’s Treasure Chest

www.facebook.com/redbeardsal/ 105 Hwy. 59 Summerdale, AL 36580 251-989-0555 Days/Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Credit Cards: Discover, M/C, Visa Antiques, Interiors, & Collectibles Map Location C-9

E.T. ANTIQUES & MALL

Betty G. Haynie Antiques

European Treasures, Inc. Owners Rita & Guy 22208 Hwy. 59 Robertsdale, AL 36567 Tel: 251-989-6655 Booth Space Open: 7 Days 10AM - 5 PM europeantreas@centurylink.net

Enjoy browsing our shop (12-5, Mon.-Sat.)

15 North Section Street Fairhope 251.928.1045 www.BettyGHaynieAntiques.com

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ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 15

ANTIQUES The Dragonfly Emporium LLC

www.facebook.com/thedragonflyemporiumllc www.thedragonflyemporium.com 16821 State Highway 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 251.591.7340 Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AmEx, Discover “Come & Explore the Emporium” … We carry Fine Rummage, Fabulous Antiques, Estate & Consignment Furniture, Shabby Chic, Collectibles, Vintage Gifts, PYREX and more! Map Location E-4

To Arms Antiques

www.toarmsantiques.com 15296 D County Road 3 Fairhope, AL. 36532 251-422-9474 Days/Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:30a.m. – Noon & 1 – 4 p.m. Credit Cards: M/C, Visa We are a Dealer in Military Antiques, Collectible items, Historical Documents; from Revolutionary War to World War II. We Sell, Buy, Trade, and are a Certified Appraiser in the Above Items . Map Location E-3

FIND THE TURTLE TRACKS TURTLES 1. Tacky Jack’s - Gulf Shores 2. Gulf Shores Welcome Center 3. Gulf Shores Chamber of Commerce 4. Gulf Shores Elementary School

5. Beach Club - Fort Morgan 6. Gulf Shores Middle School (was moved to Gulf Shores Beach Park for part of the year) 7. Kaiser Realty- Gulf Shores Office

If you’re looking for a variety of distinctive and one-of-a-kind items, visit the Eastern Shore’s premier antique mall. Our shops have a large selection of furniture and high-quality vintage and new collectibles with conservative pricing.

108 A. US Hwy. 59 Summerdale, AL

251-989-2606 Mon. – Sat. 10 am – 5 pm Sun. 1 pm – 5 pm 505 N. Section St. • Fairhope

251-928-7337

www.oldesouthantiquemall.net Visit our Etsy site ! 16 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

Arts, Crafts, Jewelry, Collectibles, Antiques, Vintage Finds & Furniture. GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

ART Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach

www.coastalartscenter.com 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach AL 36561 251-981-ART (2787) Days/Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Credit Cards: Visa, M/C, Discover, Amex A waterfront arts campus featuring a fine arts gallery with variety of classes; a hot glass blowing shop and a clay studio open to the public. Map Location K-13

Eastern Shore Art Center

www.ESArtCenter.org 401 Oak St. Fairhope, AL 36532 251-928-2228 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10-a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday Credit Cards: AmEx, Discover, MC, Visa FREE ADMISSION TO ARTS CENTER Downtown Fairhope. Six galleries with exhibits changing monthly. First Friday Art Walk. Gift Shop with Art and Accessories. Outdoor Woodfired Kiln. Classes and Workshops for Adults and Children. Open Studios. Annual Outdoor Art Show 3rd weekend in March. Community Outreach Programming. Facility Rentals. Map Location B-3

galleru g Gulf Coast

Arts Alliance

251.948.2627 gulfcoastartsalliance.com 225 E ast 24 th A ve W aterway V illiage , G ulf S hores

GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL 17

Charter Fishing DIRECTORY

Look for it in the teal racks to plan your next fishing trip!

ALABAMA

CHARTER

FISHING

ION

ASSOCIAT

Let ’s Go Fishing!

A RT E R 2018 C H C T O RY IRE B O AT D

Let ’s Go Fishing!

R TE AR

FISHING

IO AT CI

ONLINE! VISIT US achFishing OrangeBeon.com Associati

AL A B A

www.GulfCoastArtsAlliance.com 225 E. 24th Ave. Gulf Shores, AL 36542 251.948.2627 Gallery Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m., Closed Sunday Credit Cards: AmEx, Discover, MC, Visa Over 50 Local and Regional Artists, Original Art, Pottery, Carved Wood, Hand-Crafted Jewelry, Woven Baskets, Glass Art, Textile Art and More! GulfCoastArtsAlliance@gmail.com Map Location L-10

(dba Orange Beach Fishing Association)

Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery

Alabama Charter Fishing Association

ART

ORA H, NGE BEAC

The Rabbit Hole

108-A U.S. Hwy. 59 Summerdale, AL 36580 251-989-2606 Days/Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m. Credit Cards: All major credit cards accepted Arts, Crafts, Jewelry, Collectibles, Antiques, Vintage Finds & Furniture Map Location D-9

GULF COAST MEDIA THE COURIER • THE ONLOOKER • THE ISLANDER • THE BALDWIN TIMES

www.OrangeBeachFishingAssociation.com

Eat. Shop. Play. Stay. Everything you’re looking for is all in one place!

GulfVisitorGuide.com Alabama Gulf Coast

isitor Guide

Pick up our guide for coupons, maps, listings and more! Visitor is FREE at various locations throughout Southern Alabama. 18 ART & ANTIQUES BALDWIN COUNTY TRAIL

GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

ART The Susan N. McCollough Gallery/Studio

www.susannmccolloughart.media 350 Cypress Bend Blvd., Suite 105, 106 Gulf Shores, AL 36542 251-967-7677 Days/Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Credit Cards: Accepts all major credit cards An intimate gallery featuring award-winning, international artist, Susan N. McCollough. Her works emphasize abstract/impression art designed to enhance any home, office, or institutional building. Map Location J-10

This free monthly magazine includes: • Dining Guide • Beach Art • Recipes • Beach Decor and more... pick up your copy today!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 4

MARCH 28, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com |

PAGE 8

Team Focus honors Coach Nick Saban PAGE 14

75¢

By CRYSTAL COLE crystal@gulfcoastmedia.com

Every year as the days get longer and the soft sand heats up along the Gulf Coast, female loggerhead sea turtles, some weighing as much as 400 pounds, pull themselves from their watery habitat onto our sandy beaches to lay their nests. For information on how you can help these creatures, jump to page 34.

The Orange Beach City Council heard public input to a change in the definition and allowance of vacation rentals at its most recent meeting. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and considered this application to amend the zoning ordinance to define and regulate hosted accommodations, non-hosted accommodations and vacation rentals at its regular meeting in February 2018. The Planning Commission gave the amendment a positive recommendation with a vote of

8-0. The amendment to Section 2.02 will add the definition of vacation rental to the Zoning Ordinance. The definition will mirror the definition proposed for the License Ordinance. The definition will include single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings/duplexes constructed for occupancy where the owner or authorized lessee offers hosted and non-hosted accommodations for a duration of 14 consecutive days or less and does not include accessory structures (garage, storage sheds) It would permit vacation rentals in the following zon-

ing districts: RM-1, RM-2, BR, MHP, NB, MR, GB, RVP, AG and prohibit vacation rentals in the following zoning districts: RS, MHS, RO, I-1, GOV Section 5.2704 will allow the legal nonconformity to stand unless: (1) Ownership of the property changes (2) Structure is substantially damaged (3) Expansion in the number of sleeping rooms or increase in the floor area of the existing sleeping rooms SEE VACATION, PAGE

MARCH 28, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com |

By THE COURIER STAFF

Herb Malone told the Gulf Shores City Council that current spring break tourism numbers are on pace to beat 2017 and a peak is expected in the next two weeks. Malone, President and CEO of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, gave his update at the end of a recent council work session. Mayor Robert Craft also gave a report on the progress of the SEE TOURISM, PAGE

Fairhope canine officer retires Fairhope Canine Officer Segan retired last week after eight years of service to the city. To see photos from Officer Segan’s last day, turn to Page 2.

SFHS Band returns from Chicago The Spanish Fort High Marching Band recently returned from the Windy City. Find out why on Page 3.

DEATHS ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTOS

An arrest has been made in connection with the homicide investigation in Orange Beach. Sunday morning the OBPD interviewed Micheal Burns, a Gulf Shores resident, and arrested him in connection with the homicide. He is being charged with murder. Police chief Joe Fierro said due to the ongoing nature of the

OPINION, 9 OUT & ABOUT, 6-7 PUZZLES, 12 SPORTS, 13

for prosecution, he was unable to provide many details. “What I can tell you is Mr. Burns was acquainted with the victim, Mr. Dudley, for a period of time and I can also tell you the Orange Beach Police Department in conjunction with Foley Police Department and Gulf Shores, have been diligent in this and pursuing all leads which led to this arrest this morning,” Fierro said in a press conference Sunday afternoon. On March 22, at approxi-

mately 11 a.m., Orange Beach Police and Fire responded in reference to an unresponsive person on the ground at the North end of Cypress Street on Wolf Bay. The person was identified as a white male in his 50’s who was the victim of an apparent gunshot wound. The case was quickly classified a homicide. After notifying next of kin, the police department released the name of the deceased as Raymond Curtis Dudley, 53 years of age, and homeless. Dudley was

Gulf Coast Media

VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 14 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES

Silverhill to reimburse library for repairs By JOHN UNDERWOOD john@gulfcoastmedia.com

MARCH 28, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com |

75¢

BALDWIN LIVING, 8

Dudley

Burns

CLASSIFIED, 31

originally from the State of Massachusetts and a registered sex offender. Fierro said he and the department were confident the crime occurred where the body was found. He also said Dudley and Burns were acquaintances who SEE HOMICIDE, PAGE 2 Alabama coast featured in series

GARY SKIPPER LISTING & SELLING PAGE 8

SKIPPER

REALTY, L.L.C.

251-947-7373 22193 Hwy 59 Ste. D Robertsdale, AL

251-947-7373 Savage will speak at Tiger Life FORforSALE PAGE 13

DONNA SKIPPER 251-747-7373

SKIPPERREALTYLLC.COM

Lightning Aviation gives Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge students a new perspective

Call for artists and vendors

SEE SILVERHILL, PAGE

DEATHS

INDEX BALDWIN LIVING, 8 CLASSIFIED, 31 HEALTH, 21 LEGALS, 24 OPINION, 9 OUT & ABOUT, 6-7 PUZZLES, 12 SPORTS, 13 TV LISTINGS, 15

FOLEY — Lightning Aviation, a local flight school located at the Foley Municipal Airport, joined forces with the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge, based out of Mobile, to give students from Palmer Pillans Middle School the ride of their lives. “The commitment of everyone involved in making the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge a meaningful expeSEE LIGHTNING, PAGE

JESSICA VAUGHN / STAFF PHOTO

Students and mentors in the Airbus Foundation Flying Challenge prepare to take a ride in an airplane thanks to the pilots at Lightning Aviation.

Foley is accepting applications for vendors to participate in the Heritage Park Marketplace. Our first market days will be Friday, April 20 and April 27. The marketplace will be closed for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival on May 5 and for Art in the Park on May 12 (for their set up in the park). Heritage Park Marketplace will resume on May 18 and 25, June 1 and SEE ARTISTS, PAGE

Baldwin County Special Olympics

ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTOS

Schools from across Baldwin County competed in the annual Special Olympics, held in Fairhope last Friday. The day kicked off with the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Officers carried the torch for three miles from Fairhope High School to Fairhope Municipal Stadium where the games were held. See Out & About on pages 6 - 7 for more photos.

BCBE holds groundbreakings for Elberta High, Magnolia School Last week, Baldwin County Schools officials broke ground on nearly $14.5 million in school expansions. School system staff, Baldwin County Board of Education members and other elected officials were on hand at Elberta High School and Magnolia School for the groundbreaking ceremonies. Elberta High’s groundbreaking was for Phase II of construction that will help finish the project of creating a high school for Elberta. Magnolia School’s

ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTOS

HEALTH, 21 LEGALS, 24 OPINION, 9 OUT & ABOUT, 6-7 PUZZLES, 12 SPORTS, 13 TV LISTINGS, 15

Original Oyster House will award two Chelsea Garvin Spirit Scholarships The Original Oyster House will award two $1,000 Chelsea Garvin Spirit Award Scholarships to high school seniors in Baldwin County. In 2006, the Chelsea Garvin Spirit Award Scholarship was created in loving memory of Chelsea Garvin who was

Scholarships you must be a high school senior of Baldwin County in the 2017-2018 school year with a minimum 2.5 GPA, have participated in recent school or community art event and submit artwork that reflects the Original Oyster House in some way. Artwork medi-

a 2004 graduate of Fairhope High School, a Fish River Fire Department Rescue Diver, an Original Oyster House employee and a talented artist. Tragically, Chelsea’s life was cut short in a boating accident in 2005. To qualify for the 13th Annual Chelsea Garvin Spirit Award

The Baldwin Times Gulf Coast Media

VOLUME 124 • ISSUE 35 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES

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ums can include oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, pastel, charcoal, pen and ink, colored pencil, mixed media, ceramics or Sculptural media types. The winning artwork must be ready for display, completely dry and SEE OYSTER, PAGE

Elberta Sausage Festival Saturday

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During this week’s Baldwin County Commission meeting, Sheriff Hoss Mack gave a presentation on his department’s spending for jail inmate meals, in light of recent reporting around the state of other sheriffs using inmate meal funds to supplement their own salaries. Mack said that wasn’t the case in Baldwin County, as inmate

meal spending is actually funded at a deficit from the state. “Meals cost $1.13 each or $3.38 per day,” Mack said. “The state gives us $1.75 per day to feed an inmate, so we’re losing $1.63 per day.” With an average of 500 to 510 inmates per day in the Baldwin County jail facility, that amounts to an almost $815 per day loss that has to be made up. Mack said he uses a housing agreement with the federal gov-

ernment and the city of Bay Minette to help bridge the funding gap on inmate meal plans. Mack said all of the county jail’s meals are prepared by Aramark Industries — a food vendor who also provides services to several universities and hospitals across the state. Mack said the meals follow a full dietary plan approved by a dietitian, and that 21 different meal plans are currently available for inmates.

“A lot of those are governed by medical conditions and other health issues inmates might have,” Mack said. “Any deviation from our dietitian approved plan has to be signed off on by a physician.” Mack said he has never taken any money from the food account as personal income and he also makes sure he samples some of the meals himself sevSEE JAIL, PAGE

Former councilman’s lawsuit against Elberta continues

By ALLISON MARLOW

CLIFF MCCOLLUM / STAFF PHOTO

District Judge Bill Scully hears the case involving a lawsuit brought against the town of Elberta by former Councilman John Conti (right) regarding travel reimbursements from 2015. ton D.C. in March of 2015,” the lawsuit said. “In August 2017, the State Deputy Attorney General recommended the town pay the travel expenses.” The reimbursement has continued to be an issue between Conti and the town since 2015, when Conti was still a member

of the town council. Numerous votes were taken to reimburse the money to Conti during his tenure on the council, which ended in Nov. 2016, with all of them tying 3-3 and failing. In the hearing in District Court March 23, Judge Bill Scully entertained a motion from the town

of Elberta’s attorney, Lawrence Wettermark, for a possible summary judgement of the case. Wettermark presented Scully with an exhibit that said the town council had adopted a resolution requiring council approval

By CLIFF MCCOLLUM

LISTING & SELLING

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More information has come out regarding Jose Luis AlonsoDe Leon, a Silverhill resident and illegal immigrant accused of killing Daphne woman Amy Hawkins on the morning of March 25. Alonso-De Leon allegedly

case say when Alonsohit and killed Hawkins De Leon was taken into while she was riding custody he was in posher bike along County session of a stolen pisRoad 13 in Fairhope. He tol and was drunk. fled the scene and was Baldwin County later arrested by the District Attorney Bob Fairhope Police Department on Greeno Road at Alonso-De Leon Wilters said they have found seven different the Baldwin Shopping aliases for Alonso-De Leon durCenter. ing this investigation and that Investigators assigned to the

SEE LAWSUIT, PAGE

he has been deported twice. Wilters said Alonso-De Leon is currently charged with manslaughter, leaving the scene of the accident with injury/death and felony third degree receiving stolen property, as well as an immigration hold. Bond has been set for $500,000. SEE IMMIGRANT, PAGE

ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTO

In search of the ancient allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com

Former Elberta Councilman John Conti and Elberta town officials found themselves in Baldwin County District Court last week for a hearing involving Conti’s lawsuit against the town for reimbursement funds the former councilman said are owed to him, but no resolution came from the hearing. Conti filed a lawsuit against the town of Elberta Jan. 18 following a continued issue involving travel reimbursement for a conference Conti attended in 2015. According to the lawsuit, Conti sought the full $2,761.64 reimbursement as well as $176 in court costs and $587.41 in interest. “The defendant has wrongfully and in bad faith repeatedly failed to pay the plaintiff upon numerous requests for payment for the plaintiff’s travel expenses on official town business as a representative to the National League of Cities Conference in Washing-

A FULL YEAR OF YOUR COMMUNITY’S NEWS IN PRINT AND ONLINE FOR LESS THAN

The State Champion Bald Cypress tree near Bayou Jessamine measures 27 feet around.

By CLIFF MCCOLLUM cliff@gulfcoastmedia.com

cliff@gulfcoastmedia.com

CLIFF MCCOLLUM / STAFF PHOTOS

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We looked out over the forest floor, covered ankle deep in water and muck. The three men looked at me. We were so close. Or at least we hoped. One GPS directed our trek left. The other pointed to the right. They needed to find it before they ever attempted to bring a crowded boat of tourists out. But with the water well above a level that was comfortable for even seasoned hikers, my Nikes and I were no match for their wading boots. We would carry on only if I was comfortable with the risk. By God, I was seeing that tree. We were on a pilgrimage to the State Champion Bald Cypress tree near Bayou Jessamine. Words like big and huge are far too trivial to describe its SEE ANCIENT, PAGE

More information surfaces on illegal immigrant accused of manslaughter addition is a 35 classroom expansion that will help accommodate movement of students to Magnolia from the overcrowded Swift School in Bon Secour.

GARY SKIPPER LISTING & SELLING PAGE 11

Sheriff Mack gives presentation on jail inmate meal plan cliff@gulfcoastmedia.com

jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com

PAGE 19

James E. Comstock Jonathan Walker Fuller Cheris Grinnell Dewey Leon Littleton Earl J. Maddalena Sr. Delores Marie Malec David N. McVay Joan J. Olszewski Daniel Glynn Shade Alice Elaine Woodall

SEE CYCLIST, PAGE

CLIFF MCCOLLUM / STAFF PHOTO

Covering all of Baldwin County, AL every Friday.

By CLIFF MCCOLLUM

Submitted

By JESSICA VAUGHN SILVERHILL — After a somewhat heated discussion at its March 19 meeting, the Silverhill Town Council agreed to reimburse the Silverhill Library Board for roof repairs at the historic Oscar Johnson Memorial Library. Repairs on the more than 100-year-old structure were first brought up at the council’s Feb. 5 meeting when they were tabled to decide on the cashing of a certificate of deposit owned by the library, then were tabled again at the Feb. 19 meeting after Director Shirley Stephens questioned the use of library funds for the repairs, which will cost approximately $9,300. At the Feb. 19 meeting, Stephens stated that the funds were raised through the annual Memorial Weekend car show, which started as a fundraiser for the library, along with bake sale and other fundraisers and were designated for future

INDEX

TV LISTINGS, 15 investigation and the potential Serving the greater NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH BALDWIN communities

The Onlooker

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James E. Comstock Jonathan Walker Fuller Cheris Grinnell Dewey Leon Littleton Earl J. Maddalena Sr. Delores Marie Malec David N. McVay Joan J. Olszewski Daniel Glynn Shade Alice Elaine Woodall

OBPD makes arrest in homicide case

CLASSIFIED, 31

SEE ROUTTEN, PAGE

At approximately 12:25 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, Alonso-De Leon Alabama State Troopers responded to the scene of a fatal crash involving a bicycle on County 13 north of AL 104. Jose Luis Alonso-De Leon, 36, of Silverhill, was traveling south on County 13 in a 2003 Dodge Ram pick-up

Baldwin County Special Olympics

The Eastern Shore Arts Center recently announced the winners of its annual Outdoor Art Show. Check out the winners on Pages 34-35.

By CRYSTAL COLE

HEALTH, 21

The Rotary Club of Fairhope recently presented the Blake Bauer Memorial Service Award to Fairhope Police Department Communications Officer Jennifer Routten. Routten works in the FPD’s dispatch center, where she proudly serves the citizens of Fairhope and helps advocate for officer safety. Her enormous sense of duty, tremendous work ethic and personality to affect positive change has earned her this year’s high honor within our department.

Eastern Shore Arts Center announces Outdoor Art Show winners

crystal@gulfcoastmedia.com

LEGALS, 24

Cyclist dies in hit and run Submitted

GCM contributor

PAGE 19

INDEX

PAGE 14

By JOHN MULLEN

Baldwin County Special Olympics

BALDWIN LIVING, 8

Team Focus honors Coach Nick Saban

Jennifer Routten wins Blake Bauer Memorial Service Award

Best of the Best

James E. Comstock Jonathan Walker Fuller Cheris Grinnell Dewey Leon Littleton Earl J. Maddalena Sr. Delores Marie Malec David N. McVay Joan J. Olszewski Daniel Glynn Shade Alice Elaine Woodall

PAGE 8

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Gulf Shores Council talks tourism, theater

The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber honored its “Best of the Best” at its Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on Tuesday, March 13 at the Orange Beach Event Center. For winners and more info, see page 2.

DEATHS

Alabama coast featured in series

The Courier

INSIDE

Orange Beach discusses vacation rental change

Loggerhead turtles return to lay eggs

HEALTH: 40th Annual Spring Fever Chase, PAGE 21

Alabama coast featured in series

The Islander

INSIDE

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BALDWIN FAST FACTS

11.7 percent of Baldwin County residents live in poverty. Source: US Census Bureau

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Deaths Page 25

Arthur Allen Jr. Charles Luther Ewing Joan V. Hartsell William Christopher Sanders Mary Jo Palmer Schwaiger

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