expertise
The Baldwin
Fall 2015 Knowledge from our local experts
GULF COAST MEDIA THE COURIER • THE FOLEY ONLOOKER • THE ISLANDER • THE TIMES INDEPENDENT • THE BALDWIN TIMES
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413 E. Laurel Ave. Foley, AL 36535
700 Whispering Pines Road Daphne, AL 36526
251-943-5001
251-626-5000
Outage Reporting System
Outage Reporting System
251-943-4999
251-625-4999
Serving South Baldwin County Since 1916
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Baldwin Expertise • 3
Table of Contents M E E T
Y O U R
L O C A L
P R O F E S S I O N A L S
A/C Heat Maintenance and Inspection.........................8 Choosing Eldercare........................................................9 Chronic Pain.................................................................10 Deer Plots.....................................................................11 Funeral Services...........................................................12 Hardware.....................................................................13
PUBLISHER Parks Rogers DESIGN Cary Howard Leigh Mitchell ADVERTISING Jeniece Bouzan Brad Day Frank Kustura
Insurance Claims on Vehicles.......................................14 Investing.......................................................................15 Jewelry.........................................................................16 Mind and Performance................................................18 Orthopaedic.................................................................19 Redefining Life with Diabetes....................................20 Real Estate...................................................................21 Serving Customers through Technology.....................22 Sleep Science................................................................23 Tractors.........................................................................24 Wine.............................................................................25 South Baldwin Regional Medical Center......................2 Riviera Utilities...............................................................3 Foley Medical.................................................................6 City of Robertsdale........................................................7 UTC Aerospace.............................................................27 Infirmary Health............................................Back Cover
The profiles included in Meet Your Local Professionals are paid advertisements. 4 • Baldwin Expertise
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pertise exYou Can count on!
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Baldwin Expertise • 5
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FOLEY MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS
DR. AWADHESH K. GUPTA. M.D. Diplomate American Board of Internal Medicine
We dispense Appetite Suppressant Phentermine
1440 N. MCKENZIE ST. FOLEY, ALABAMA 8
AM
MONDAY – FRIDAY – 5 PM (CLOSED 12 – 1)
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Robertsdale Come Grow With Us! MAYOR: Charles Murphy CITY COUNCIL: Sue Cooper, Joe M. Kitchens, Paul Hollingsworth, Ruthie Campbell, Brent Kendrick City Clerk: Shannon Hill City Attorney: Ken Raines Chief Financial Officer: Ann Simpson Chief Of Police: Brad Kendrick Public Works Director: Scott Gilbert City Engineer: Greg Smith City Judge: Julian Brackin www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com
Baldwin Expertise • 7
A/C Heat Maintenance and Inspection
“Do not turn on your heat until you’ve had a qualified technician check your unit” - Randy Englebert
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ith the change in seasons coming, Randy Englebert, president of Climatemp, said it’s important for people to go ahead and get their seasonal maintenance and inspections done. “Do not turn on your heat until you’ve had a qualified technician check your unit, especially if it’s powered by gas,” Englebert said. “You need to have it done before the fall season hits, whether it’s 30 days or three months.” And when most folks do turn on their heat after a long, hot Baldwin County summer, they shouldn’t necessarily be alarmed by a smoky or burning smell that might come out of their vents. “Instead of calling 911, call us,” he said. “Most of the time it’s nothing more than dust collecting in the electrical unit.” Most systems are operating between 1,500 and 2,000 hours a year, which can take its toll on those machines. “That’s the equivalent of a car running 100,000 miles,” Englebert said. “You aren’t going to want to put 100,000 miles on your car without getting maintenance done, so why would you do that to your heating and air unit?” He said his business can offer Baldwin County residents the service they need whenever they need it, as Climatemp was the first AC business to offer 24-hour service and doesn’t charge overtime for their services. Englebert says they also offer their PACT (Precision AC Tune Up) agreement to help make AC 8 • Baldwin Expertise
maintenance easier for customers. “Those agreements include three visits a year, and includes a new filter change, but what it really buys folks is peace of mind knowing that our certified, knowledgeable technicians are looking at their units throughout the year,” Englebert said.
Randy Englebert
CLIMATEMP COOLING AND HEATING, INC. 103-E Hwy. 59 Summerdale, AL 36580 251-968-6006 www.climatemp.com
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Choosing Eldercare
“The most important factors...are the care and safety” - Becky Corcoran
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ecky Corcoran, marketing director at Live Oak Village, along with the entire staff, know how important selecting a senior living community is. One of the most important factors when selecting a senior living community is choosing the one that is specific to each individual need. Live Oak Village focuses on Visionary Care … Personalized. The importance of families discussing possible future need and personal choice, early on, is important in future decisions for selection of a senior living community. “Often, we see families come in for assistance during a crisis mode,” Ms. Corcoran expressed. “ By planning and having those delicate conversations in advance, helps in resolving unnecessary urgency, and making decisions during stressful times.” “Our goal for Live Oak Village, is to offer seniors a community that addresses individual needs and preferences, and allows them to transition in place.” “Here at Live Oak Village, a continuum of care within a senior living community is addressed. We offer Independent Living, which includes homeownership, apartments and townhomes in a secure, gated community, as well as our
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Assistance in Living community. Our goal is to offer seniors the ability to age in place within a senior campus, lessening the burden of future decisions many seniors and families often face.” As a side note: For more information please contact Becky Corcoran at 251-943-6733. Live Oak Village offers weekly lunch and tours for their senior campus!
LIVE OAK VILLAGE 2300 N. Cedar St., Foley, Al. Phone: (251) 943-6733 www.liveoakal.com www.communityseniorlife.org
Baldwin Expertise • 9
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Deer Plots
“A lot of deer plots used to be just for the fall during the hunting season, but now we’re seeing folks want to maintain them the whole year”- Brian Johnson
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ith deer season fast approaching, Brian Johnson at Robertsdale Feed and Seed said he gets the most questions about how to start and maintain a good deer plot on prime hunting land — not just for the season, but for year-long purposes. “A lot of deer plots used to be just for the fall during the hunting season, but now we’re seeing folks want to maintain them the whole year,” Johnson said. “Having a constant food source there for them helps keep the population healthy and in a steady location.” Johnson said his store is a one-stop shop for everything anyone might need for their plots — from seed mixes and fertilizers, to attractants and minerals. And when it comes to the seed mixes, Johnson said it’s a mixed bag as to whether people buy the pre-mixed blends or try to create their own mixture. “We’ve got the components for those old-school guys who like to create their own blends that are specific to their land, but we’ve also got pre-made mixes ready to go for those folks who want that
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convenience,” Johnson said. Johnson said most people will start to plant in mid to late September, but he recommended anyone looking to start a plot do a soil test before they begin the task of planting. “The fertilizer companies can do it for you, for just a few extra dollars,” Johnson said. “And that can save you money in the long run by letting you know what might be good or bad to plant in the soil you’re working with.”
ROBERTSDALE FEED, SEED, & SUPPLY 21353 Hwy. 59 Robertsdale, Al. 251-947-5252
Baldwin Expertise • 11
Funeral Services
“We do what the families want here, and personalizing the service to meet the family’s need is critical to us.” - Donna Hughes “
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t’s all about the families.” Looking over a collection of thank you letters from families they’ve served, Donna Hughes of Hughes Funeral Home holds back tears when asked what those letters mean to her. “It’s very humbling because we’ve always wanted to provide the best possible service,” she says. “When we receive notes like that, it does our hearts good because we know we have served them well.” Benjie Hughes, a funeral director in Baldwin County for over 35 years, opened Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory with his wife Donna in the fall of 2005. Their top priority has always been to meet the needs of the families they serve. Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory offers traditional funeral and on-site cremation services — all with the personal touch they have become known for. “We do what the families want here, from displaying the loved ones quilts, their favorite artwork, playing their favorite music to serving, at times, their favorite food. Whatever way we can to meet the family’s wishes is what we try to accomplish,” Donna says. “Planning each service to the family’s desire is important to us because it ministers to them as they grieve,” Donna says. “It helps them and others celebrate and remember the person they are honoring.” Hughes Funeral Home can accommodate all but large 12 • Baldwin Expertise
funerals which they hold in partnership, at a nearby church. Other venues of the family’s choosing are also possibilities, from the local civic center to the bluff in Fairhope overlooking beautiful Mobile Bay. The Hughes’ have met a real need in Baldwin and Mobile Counties; they have grown so much that they are now in the process of building a new facility in Daphne. This month they celebrate 10 years of dedicated service.
HUGHES FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 7951 American Way Daphne, Al 251-621-5890 www.hughesfh.com
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Hardware
“We try to do our best to serve the customers as if they were part of our family” - Rob Strawn
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e try to do our best to serve the customers as if they were part of our family,” says Rob Strawn, co-owner of Elberta Hardware. While Elberta Hardware carries tools, feed, generators and power products that could be found at big box stores, he says the knowledgeable staff and their diligent attention to quality customer service at this hometown store is what sets them apart from their largest competitors. He says his employees work hard to ensure their customers are taken care of at every stage of the shopping process. “I know everybody talks about service, but it really comes down to going out of our way to make sure the customer has the best experience possible while they are in our store,” he said. Strawn says each and every employee at his store, which was purchased by his father in 1998, is careful to carry the parts and tools their customers will need to maintain their power products long after they leave the showroom floor. “Along with having the right parts, our service personnel are trained by the manufacturer of the products we sell to ensure they are caring for and servicing these products in the best way possible,” Strawn said. While walking up and down the aisles of products and parts “
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at Elberta Hardware, a customer is sure to be encountered by one or more employees looking to offer assistance. One of the employees who Strawn says most exemplifies the company’s thorough attention to quality customer care and product service is Bill Frazier, who has been with the company for 10 years. “Bill is an expert on generator operations and service,” Strawn said. “I couldn’t guess how many generators he has serviced over the years. It is a huge asset for us to have someone like that on staff to help our customers with any need they may have.” Believe me we know we are not perfect by any means but that doesn’t mean we are not going to go out of are way to serve to the best of are ability and treat you like family. Like Dad use to say come on over to Elberta Hardware we are biggest friendliest little hardware store in lower Alabama.
ELBERTA HARDWARE 25320 US Hwy 98 Elberta, AL 36530 251-986-5233 www.elbertahardware.com
Baldwin Expertise • 13
Insurance claims on Vehicles
“Here, we work for the customers to do what’s best for them.” - Chason Franks
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rying to deal with auto insurance companies after an accident can be a pain for most people, but Chason Franks at Freeman Collision in Foley said it’s easy for someone like him to help customers through that process. “Usually when folks come in, their vehicle is probably the second largest investment they’ve made, so they’re understandably upset,” Franks said. Franks said most of the negotiations over what and how your vehicle gets fixed may depend on your insurance company, but he said a good collision company will be able to come up with a price that helps protect the customer’s needs while staying within the insurance price range. “Customers should know that they have the right to take their vehicle to any shop they want, not just the insurance’s preferred shop,” Franks said. “Here, we work for the Customers to do what’s best for them.” Franks said customers should anticipate some wait time from the time of accident until they receive their car back. “Usually from the time you have the accident to returning the car to you, that process can take anywhere from 7 to 10 business days, with the majority waiting on insurance to process,” Franks said. “And that’s pretty standard throughout the industry.”
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He did warn that some cars could take longer, depending on what parts needed to be ordered. “Normally, everything can be found fairly fast, but some parts are custom to specific cars or might not be being made anymore, making them harder to find,” Franks said. “In those cases, it could add a week or two more wait time, just to make sure the parts people need can be found.” Overall, Franks advocates for patience while dealing with the process. “It just takes time,” Franks said. “It can be frustrating to play that waiting game, but folks should be patient while the insurance is being processed.”
FREEMAN COLLISION CENTER, LLC. 225 East Laurel Ave., Foley, Al. 251-943-4011
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Investing
Nathan Babb, Jason Kozon and Reed Hawkins
“ The best time to get started is right now.”
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nvesting is a Marathon -- Not a Sprint Investors sometimes may get frustrated with their investments because those investments don’t seem to produce quick results. Perhaps that’s understandable in our fast-paced society, in which we’ve grown accustomed to instant gratification. But investing is, by nature, a long-term activity. If you look at it in terms of an athletic event, it’s not a sprint, in which you must pull out all the stops to quickly get where you’re going. Instead, it’s more like the 26.2-mile race known as a marathon. And as an investor, you can learn a few things from marathoners, such as: Preparation — No one gets up one day and is ready to run a marathon. Marathon runners train for months, and even years. As an investor, you too need to prepare yourself for the “long run.” How? By learning as much as you can about different asset classes, types of risk and all the other factors associated with investing. Patience — Marathoners know they have a long haul in front of them, so they typically create a “game plan” — one that takes into account such factors as their physical condition, the weather on race day and the characteristics of the course, such as whether it’s hilly or flat. Investors should also create a strategy — one that encompasses their goals and ways of working toward them — and stick to this strategy. Perseverance — Marathoners may deal with injuries, dehydration and other setbacks, either while training or during the actual race. But as long as they’re able to keep going, they do so. As an investor, you too will face obstacles, such as market downturns. But as long as you continue investing and don’t head to the “sidelines,” you have a good chance of making progress toward your goals. Vision — Marathoners study the course they’re on, so they know what’s
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ahead — and where they’re going. As an investor, you also need a vision of what lies in front of you — the number of years until your retirement, the type of retirement lifestyle you anticipate, what sort of legacy you plan to leave, and so on. Your vision will help drive your investment decisions. Proper coaching — Not all marathoners have individual coaches, but many have at least gone to clinics or joined running clubs so they could learn more about the various aspects of this grueling event. As an investor, you can certainly benefit from guidance or “coaching” in the form of a financial professional — someone who knows your individual needs, goals and risk tolerance, and who has the experience to make recommendations that are appropriate for your situation. Every marathoner is familiar with the difficulties of the challenge and the satisfaction of finishing the race. As an investor, you also will be tested many times. Furthermore, you’ll never really cross the “finish line” because you’ll always have goals toward which you’ll be working. Yet, by emulating the traits of successful marathoners, you can continue working toward your objectives — and perhaps you’ll avoid the blisters, too.
EDWARD JONES
358 N. Alston St., Foley, AL Phone: (251) 943-3399 www.edwardjones.com Coming Soon! Second location 22394 Miflin Rd., Ste 202, Foley, AL "This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor"
Baldwin Expertise • 15
Jewelry
“In today’s market, custom design has become an attractive alternative to expensive designer brands” - Glenn Manning
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hanks to recent advancement in technology, Glenn Manning, owner and operator of Manning Jewelry in Foley, said “It’s easier than ever to get unique custom jewelry designed for you and your loved ones.” “In today’s market, custom design has become an attractive alternative to expensive designer brands,” Manning said. “It’s, more personalized and gives people the ability to have more input into the piece they are creating.” Manning said the customization process begins with a sketch or picture, which is then put into a computer program to create a digital design. That design is then turned into a digital picture, and after approved, a resin model is printed using a 3D printer---utilizing cutting edge technology to help give customers exactly what they want. The customer can inspect and try on a life sized model of what their piece will look like before it is made,” Manning said. Manning added that Manning Jewelry has the ability to do every step in the customization process in-house, which makes it easier for their customers and cuts down on production time.
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“Typically, there is a two to four week turnaround which is less than it used to be years ago,” Manning said. Even with the new technologies, Manning said with custom jewelry, customers should make sure they are working with jewelers who have actual experience building the jewelry. “You can find people who are great with sketches or building the models, but none of that matters if they can’t actually build a structurally sound design in jewelry form,” Manning said. At Manning Jewelry, we have years of experience building custom jewelry and the latest technology to assure that your design will be treasured for a life time.”
MANNING JEWELRY
207 West Laurel Ave. {US Hwy. 98} Foley, Al. 251-943-4771 www.ManningJewelry.com
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Military Services
“They certainly deserve every possible honor” - Todd Cason
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odd Cason founded Cason Funeral Service in 2005 to give the people of Baldwin County a respectful and affordable choice when making funeral and cremation arrangements. Todd is proud to be the only funeral home in south Baldwin County that is owned and operated by a veteran. He takes this very seriously and to heart with each and every family he serves. Cason Funeral Service has special discounts for our veterans and their families when making funeral arrangements. “The families of veterans deserve our respect very much. Without them at home, our veterans would not have the support that they need so much to carry on.” To make pre-planning easier for our families, we have created a website that will guide a person through the steps of planning funeral arrangements. The site, www.casonfuneralservice. com, has helpful online pre-planning forms for all our families, which are convenient to sit down and fill out. When you submit the form, it goes straight to our office so we can keep it on file. Then you know your wishes are recorded and kept safe. The website also has obituary listings where family and friends can leave a special message or even leave a photo. Also, please check out the background history about Todd Cason and Cason Funeral Service. We are proud of this new service that we hope will make getting organized a little easier. Cason Funeral Service also is the only funeral home in www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com
the area that does not have an answering service. “I believe when a family needs me, I have to be there 24/7.” Cason said. Over the past decade, Cason Funeral Service has helped thousands of families through a very difficult time, and we are always trying to get better. That is our promise to you...
Todd Cason
CASON FUNERAL SERVICE 15213 AL-59 Foley, AL 36535 Phone:(251) 975-2273 www.casonfuneralservice.com
Baldwin Expertise • 17
Mind and Performance
“People don’t realize there is much that can be done to make their brain healthier and feel better.” - Dr. J Douglas Brown, DC DACNB
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r. J Douglas Brown is board certified in chiropractic neurology. His passion for learning how to work with the brain to help it heal itself has stimulated his research for answers about dementia, Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders. Dr. Brown’s treatments are non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive treatments. Dr. Brown of Mind Performance Center has continued developing neurological therapies that are able to target weak pathways in the brain that may cause problems that contribute to autism, dementia, speech difficulties, and other disorders. “There are various therapies that can be used to correct these problems,” Dr. Brown said. “However, that’s just part of the picture.” Dr. Brown performs DNA tests to determine the best therapy for the patient. “For example, does the patient have a genetic abnormality? Then we’ll need to supplement them nutritionally to help them with that. We can tell from their DNA how they will respond to certain medications, if they respond at all or if they may have a reverse effect. That’s just one piece.” Dr. Brown also tests the patient’s hormones and neurotransmitters. “By looking at those three things together, we develop a clear clinical picture of this patient and how to reverse dementia or depression, or possibly a brain disorder.” Dr. Brown treats everything at once and warns if you leave 18 • Baldwin Expertise
anything out, it could be the unturned stone that is the patient’s problem. “You see to it that the brain has optimum opportunity to get well.” Currently, Dr. Brown is beginning a support group for the caregivers and the families taking care of dementia patients. In conjunction with brain pathway restoration, Dr. Brown has the only clinic in Alabama offering Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Deep TMS restores the brain’s ability to generate neurotransmitters, possibly reversing depression and helping restore memory in patients suffering from dementia and other disorders. “It’s a tragedy right here among us,” Dr. Brown said. “People don’t realize there is much that can be done to make their brain healthier and feel better. If a person doesn’t feel part of a community, their dementia accelerates.” For more information on Dr. Brown’s practice visit www. MindPerformanceCenter.com
Dr. J. Douglas Brown
MIND AND PERFORMANCE CENTER 7 S. Summit St. Fairhope, Al 251-597-8787
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Orthopaedic
“I’ve been in their shoes and can tell more about what to expect from a personal standpoint as well as a doctor’s standpoint.” - Dr. Jason Determann
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r. Jason Determann, orthopedic surgeon for Bayside Orthopaedic in Fairhope, says his specialties are “twofold.” Determann recently ended a fellowship in Charlotte, North Carolina where he trained in shoulder and elbow reconstruction and sports medicine. “I will treat any and all shoulder and elbow conditions, young and old, whether it’s an open surgery or a replacement.” Determann said. Another one of Determann’s focuses in his orthopedic practice is sports medicine, particularly cartilage transplant, cartilage repair and realignment procedures. “I’ve treated athletes from the 8-year-old gymnasts to the 90-yearold triathlete,” Determann said. Determann pointed out the best form of sports medicine is prevention. “There’s a lot of what we do in terms of teaching and preventive measures to take. Obviously dedicating time to the field, and being available for the athlete are a big part of it as well.” Having a history in sports and athletics himself, Determann tries to play an active role in the high school athletics community. “I personally love working with athletes because I was always involved with athletics myself, so I’ve been there and know what it’s like to go through from a patient’s, surgery and rehab standpoint,” Determann said. “I’ve been in their shoes and can tell more about what to expect from a personal standpoint as well as a doctor’s www.gulfcoastnewstoday.com
standpoint.” The primary goal is to get the patient better without the need for surgery. A major part of the healing process is rehab. “Rehab is largely patient-driven. I try to stress that rehab is a huge part of a patients recovery,” Determann said. Bayside Orthopaedic therapy locations provide experienced physical therapists who work with their patients’ preoperative and postoperative needs and everything in between. Dr. Determann is happy, willing and open to see anyone young and old, regardless of their muscle or joint complaint.
Dr. Jason Determann
BAYSIDE ORTHOPAEDIC 341 N Greeno Road, Fairhope 1622 McKenzie St, Foley 251-928-2401 www.baysideortho.com
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Real Estate
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10 Tips for Selling Your House Faster and For More Money
very seller we meet is interested in two things: selling their property quickly and maximizing their profits. Finding an expert Realtor to help you is the key to both, but there are some things you can do as the seller to help your Realtor get the job done. 1. De-Clutter – By getting rid of junk and either having a garage sale or putting all your extra stuff in storage, you bring out the beauty of each room and help the rooms look larger, cleaner and all-around awesome. 2. Make all necessary repairs and upgrades – A leaky faucet or chipped paint on a baseboard can suggest to buyers that you might not be maintaining the house well. Only do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. 3. Fresh paint – You can’t go wrong with fresh paint on trims, doors, or windows. You’d be surprised at how new you can make a house look with just fresh paint. Remember to choose colors that are neutral and pleasing to your buyer. 4. Ensure that any little “dings” or dents in the wall are taken care of – These are quite noticeable. You might be able to do the repairs on your own with just some wall putty and paint, but make sure the repairs look professional. 5. Don’t ignore the back yard – Back yards are a big deal for buyers with families. The back yard is where the “entertaining” happens – and is a huge source of pride for homeowners. 6. Clean, Clean, Clean- Have all windows and baseboards cleaned and closets cleaned and organized. (Don’t forget to clean the stove and oven.) It’s also a good idea to have all carpets cleaned (especially if you have pets!) This will leave your house smelling clean and inviting. 7. It’s about first impressions – Sometimes, the first impression is the only
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impression. In fact, most buyers decide if they’ll place an offer on a house within just seconds, so make sure it counts. Make sure the lawn is mowed, bushes trimmed and the front entrance is clean and inviting. 8. Make sure style and arrangements appeal to everyone- Focus on the style of the prospective buyers. Try to understand the demographics of the potential buyer – and learn what style they like. Try to appeal to everyone who might come through your property by using minimal design. 9. Always be up for showings- Even though we would like to have lots of time to prepare for a showing, the fact is that it just doesn’t always happen that way. Now that you’ve done repairs, cleaned, and staged your home, it’s important to be “SHOW READY” at any time; or what we like to call at Swiger & Company, “MUSEUM MODE”. This makes your home easier to show, easier to sell. 10. Hire the right Realtor – To sell your condo, home, land, or business faster, a good Realtor might just be all you need. Choose a Realtor who knows your market and take his/her advice! Make sure you choose one who’s good at marketing and is “hungry” to sell your property. Swiger & Company Realtors doesn’t just list. We MARKET AND SELL!
SWIGER & COMPANY REALTORS 229 E 20th Ave., Suite #6 Gulf Shores, AL 36542 251-609-2973 www.SeasTheDay.biz
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Serving Customers Better Through Technology
“Obviously, the Internet has changed the way the car business works” - Mark Morgan
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bviously, the Internet has changed the way the car business works,” Mark Morgan, manager of Southern Chevrolet in Foley, said. “We got more aggressive with it when we realized how it could help us reach out to more people, and now we have a whole division dedicated to Internet sales.” While Southern Chevy has been a part of the Foley community for decades now, Morgan said they’ve gone out of their way to find ways to help customers who’d rather shop online. “Simply by going on our website, our customers can see what vehicles we have here, as well as the average prices they’re going to find across our area,” Morgan said. “Our surveys have told us customers want a one-stop location for information on prices and vehicle specs, so we’ve tried hard to provide that for them.” Once customers have found the vehicle they want, they can also navigate through the site and make an appointment to meet at the dealership to learn more. “In this day and age, folks want to do things quickly and easily, so the more we can do to facilitate that, the better — so that’s what
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we do,” Morgan said. Morgan said the dealership also can use onboard navigation equipment to find out when a vehicle might need to come in for its annual service inspection. “When it hits that mileage, it sends us an email and we can then contact the customers and let them know it’s time to come in,” Morgan said. “Some folks might lose track of it, so it helps us be able to better serve them and it makes it easier for customers to find out this information.”
Mark Morgan
SOUTHERN CHEVROLET 2255 S. McKenzie St. Foley, Al. 36535 Phone: (251) 943-8505 www.southern-chevrolet.com
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Sleep Science
“We want them to be able to sleep peacefully and easily...” - Mike Mehaffey
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ike and Vickie Mehaffey at Good Morning Mattress Center in Foley want to help you find the best way to get a good night’s rest, just like their motto says “Good Mornings begin with a great night’s sleep.” “The minute somebody walks in the door, we’re concerned with what their needs are and we’re here to help them select the best choice possible to meet their sleep needs,” Mike said. “We’re not just out to sell them something – we want them to be able to sleep peacefully and easily.” Back issues, uncomfortable mattresses, being hot on the mattress – the Mehaffeys have heard it all, and they have numerous models available in their showroom to help find the perfect fit for each and every customer. “For example, if you’re married and your husband or wife keeps turning over and waking you up in the middle of the night, we have a variety of ways we could help solve that issue,” Mike said. Proper support, balanced temperature, minimalizing partner movement – these are all issues that are easy for the Mehaffeys to fix. Even mattress sagging and edge rolloff are no problems for
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these seasoned sleep professionals. Their showroom, located in the heart of historic downtown Foley, is a place you have to see to fully experience, as it welcomes you in with soft lighting and cooling wall tones as Mike and Vickie escort you around and sample the resort quality mattresses and sleep accoutrements they have available. “From top to bottom, we’re trying to take care of people the best way we can,” Vickie said. “Every customer who comes in gets individualized attention as we help them find their perfect fit.”
Mike and Vickie Mehaffey
GOOD MORNING MATTRESS 121 S. McKenzie St. Foley, AL Phone: (251) 970-5757 www.GoodMorningMattressFoley.com
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Tractors
“We have knowledgeable staff to help customers with parts and service,” - Dan Middleton
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ll of the employees here take pride in what they are doing,” says Dan Middleton, president at Baldwin Tractor and Equipment in Robertsdale. Middleton says that pride should be evident to his customers from the moment they first enter the store, to the day they purchase a product and then continue as they work to keep it maintained long after it leaves the showroom. “We deliver the equipment correctly, we educate our customers about our products and we have service and parts people that follow up with them whenever service is required,” Middleton says. That commitment to continued service has helped Baldwin Tractor and Equipment earn Kubota’s highest certification, when they were named a Kubota Premier Dealer within the past year. “We have knowledgeable staff to help customers with parts and service,” Middleton says. “We don’t just sell something and let it go, we take care of every customer that comes through the door.” The Premier Dealer designation is a new way Kubota has sought to recognize dealerships that offer the highest possible quality service to their customers. Middleton says every technician and parts and service employee undergoes annual training, testing and re-certification in order for the business to retain such a high designation from Kubota. “
24 • Baldwin Expertise
The company started renting equipment in 1992, but began selling Kubota products after buying out a dealership that had previously been open in Robertsdale in 2001. “We have a grown a great deal since we opened and we are just trying to keep up with the growth we are still seeing throughout the county,” Middleton says. While the store sells all kinds of Kubota power equipment — including lawnmowers, farm tractors, side-by-side utility vehicles and construction equipment — it is his employees’ dedication to quality customer service that Middleton says makes a difference. “Kubota ranks all their dealerships on about 10 different categories, and we outrank other regional and national dealerships in the area of customer service,” he says.
BALDWIN TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT 22463 Al Hwy 59 S. Robertsdale, Al. 251-947-4171
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Wine
“If you are just entering the world of wine, don’t be afraid” - Jon Robitaille
B
enjamin Franklin once penned that “Wine is a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.” Nowhere is this more true than your local Cain’s Piggly Wiggly stores. Director of marketing, and former Wine Stewart in Fairhope, Jon Robitaille says that Cain’s Piggly Wiggly works hard to keep their shelves fully stocked with the best and most interesting varieties of wine. “If you’re just entering the world of wine, don’t be afraid,” Robitaille said. “We’ve got something in stock that can satisfy the needs of any of our customers.” In fact, Robitaille said wine sales make up 20 percent of the total sales for the Fairhope store. If customers don’t see a particular brand or type of wine, Robitaille encourages folks to ask for it. “Nine times out of ten, it can be in our store by the end of the week,” Robitaille said. “We have a great relationship with distributors and vineyards, which is why we can offer almost 4,500 different labels between our locations.” Cain’s Piggly Wiggly also offers wine tastings and wine education classes to help their customers learn more about what and how their drinking. “We’re not just here to sell wine,” Robitaille said. “It’s about wanting to help educate our customers to get the best experience possible when they make their purchase and take it home to enjoy it.” Jon offers the advice that most people feel intimidated when faced with
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a large selection of wines to choose from. He says not to be afraid of trying something new and different and don’t be afraid to ask opinions. When pairing foods with wines, remember that red wines typically go with red meat and white wines with white meat. Stop by your local branch of Cain’s Piggly Wiggly and take home a bottle today!
Jon Robitaille
CAIN’S PIGGLY WIGGLY 6530 Spanish Fort Blvd. Suite E Spanish Fort, AL (251) 308-9584 100 Plantation Pointe Fairhope, Alabama (251) 928-0239
1200 S Mckenzie Street Foley, Alabama (251) 970-1480 1087 N. Hickory Street Loxley, Alabama (251) 964-6272
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Baldwin Expertise • 27
GET BACK FASTER See the doctors closest to the beach.
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251-968-CARE (2273) Sawgrass Landing
(Between Waterville and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo)
1140 Gulf Shores Pkwy. (Hwy. 59), Suite A Gulf Shores, AL 36542
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