Eastern Shore Parents Child Care Issue (February 2025)
How to Be Humble
Helping
Check out these
Fun
Child Care Guide
Our detailed guide to Mobile daycares, preschools and MMO programs.
Briar Psalm Bell Jones (3) daughter of Daniel and Gabriele Jones and little sister to brothers, Nate (18) and Luke (11). Her grandparents are Bob and Darlene Jones and Robin and the late John Peters.
Briar Psalm truly enjoys learning, singing and playing outside with her friends. At home she likes to play with dolls, dress up, color and play with her puppy, Mako. She also looks forward to sleepovers at her Mimi’s with her cousin Alice. The highlight of each week for Briar Psalm is going to Forward Church in Gulf Shores on Sunday for donuts and to see her “church family”.
Publisher’sNote
One evening during the holiday break, we ran a slideshow of old photos on the TV, which gave us a brief look at the last several years. As the pictures scrolled through, we reminisced over family vacations; the girls made fun of each others’ creative outfit choices and laughed until we cried over homemade videos. As I sat there, looking at my family, younger on the screen and now almost grown in my living room, my heart was truly full thinking about how much joy being a mother had brought me.
As all parents know, it is not an easy path, especially in the beginning. With my first, I had a tough time adjusting when it came time to go back to work. I had a full-time job, my maternity leave was ending, and I had to find the strength to leave my sweet girl with who I felt were strangers for the whole day. Fortunately, I had some amazing ladies at our childcare center who helped make the transition much easier. They shared their years of experience and nurturing and grew to be our extended family. As a bonus, we also developed lifelong friendships with the other parents and their children.
It does not matter if you are going back to work full-time or looking at part-time care, or preschool, the transition can be a big adjustment, but once everyone is settled into the new routine, having your child in some type of childcare program or preschool can be a very positive experience for both the child and the parents. For some encouraging news on the benefits of childcare, check out Why Day Care Is Great For Your Kids by Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
Finding the right childcare is so important. If you find the right fit, it is truly a blessing. The key is to find the right fit for YOUR family. Childcare is not a “one size fits all” option. What works for your neighbor or best friend may not work for you. Whether you are looking at full-time childcare for an infant, a part-time program, or a preschool program, you can find a list of local programs in our annual Childcare Directory. One very important piece of advice: do not wait until six weeks before you need the childcare to start looking. Many centers are full and have waiting lists. If you begin the search the day you realize you will need childcare, the more options you will have and the more time you will have to research the center’s policies, procedures, curriculum, registration process, and more. While you are visiting centers, make sure you listen to your gut too.
Whether you have children in school or childcare, most families struggle with fitting everything into their schedule, and we tend to put exercise on the back burner. Fortunately, Pam Molnar shares some great ideas for combining two very important activities in this month’s feature, Fitness and Family Time: Fun Ways to Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle. Spoiler alert: She mentions participating in local 5K/fun runs together. You will find several options for runs/walks in this month’s Family Calendar, along with several other family-friendly activities and, of course, Mardi Gras Parades!
As we step into February, I wish you all a warm and cozy month filled with sweet family time, self-care, peace, and laughter.
Lynn
lynn@easternshoreparents.com
Eastern Shore Parents Magazine, is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting,
Eastern Shore Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: P.O. Box 374, Montrose, Alabama, 36559. The phone number for voice and fax is (251) 929-2099.
Eastern Shore Parents is copyrighted 2025 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Eastern Shore Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
by Works of Wonder Therapy
Teaching Children How to Be Humble
Pride destroys relationships. Pride prevents successful conversations, hinders people from accepting responsibility, disregards others, eliminates a person’s ability to compromise or connect, and eradicates vulnerability. When a person struggles to maintain successful relationships, pride is often the problem. If pride is the disease, humility is the cure. If you want to raise children who love others well, you must teach them to be humble.
humility is lacking, there is an abundance of selfishness, anxiety, and insecurity.
Here are seven ways to teach your children how to be humble.
Humble people care for others. Prideful people focus on themselves. To fight against our self-centered culture, parents must focus on the cultivation of humility in their homes, their children, and themselves. The trademark of humility is a genuine care for others. When you model caring for and serving others, you are laying the groundwork for your
1. Teach them to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Help your children to become curious about others. Teach them how to meet people, ask questions, and listen intently to the answers. Teach them to listen to answers to get to know others better, not so they know to respond. Prideful people walk into a room with an attitude of “Here I am.” Humble people walk into a room with an attitude of “There you are, I am so happy to see you.”
2. Make them practice empathy. Help them see that every living thing has value. You first do this by showing your children how important they are. Help them feel valued by focusing on them and what they
giving your children chores to help around the home and having them care for pets.
3. Help them see inconveniences as opportunities for interaction. For example, if your car battery dies and you must alter plans, encourage your children to be extremely kind to the person who assists you and emphasize the blessing of the interaction over the inconvenience of the dead battery.
4. Commit to serving others as a family. Research has repeatedly shown that people who serve others are generally happier and more content than those who do not. The high of making the game winning goal, winning a trophy, or obtaining perfect grades provide children with fleeting satisfaction. Serving others provides them with a consistent sense of fulfillment and purpose.
5. Make a habit of stating at least one thing each person is thankful for every day.
6. Cultivate respect by helping your children notice what they admire in others.
7. Embrace encouragement by having kids say and write uplifting words to others.
Raising children who are humble will always be a work in progress for your family. Do not become frustrated by the slow movement of this process. Just remember that you are raising adults, not children. Your focus must always be on who they will eventually become.
Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Beth has worked in six unique clinical environments across the country and currently owns Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Beth utilizes the knowledge from a variety of different disciplines to give her patients the best care possible. To learn more visit www.worksofwondertherapy.com.
Search and Rescue Instruction Program for Kids
Blakeley is a partner with several local Search and Rescue organizations providing trained search personnel and Search K9’s to law enforcement, fire & rescue squads, and other agencies in our region to assist in finding missing persons. During this special program on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10:00am at Blakeley State Park, children will be introduced to a few of the basic survival techniques that could mean life or death in the unfortunate event they became lost in the outdoors. Everyone will see demonstrations of how search dogs are specially trained and learn how they find a lost person. You’ll also get to meet-and-greet these specially trained search dogs. This program is complimentary with Regular Park Admission, but registration is requested. Please register at https://www.blakeleypark.com/.
Inaugural Foley Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off
The Foley Kiwanis Club is thrilled to announce the first-ever Foley Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off set to take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Foley Heritage Park from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This familyfriendly event promises a day filled with flavor, fun, and community spirit, all for a great cause.
Local chefs, home cooks, and chili enthusiasts will compete to showcase their best chili recipes, vying for top honors and bragging rights. Attendees will have the chance to sample a wide variety of chili flavors, from mild and savory to bold and fiery. A panel of esteemed judges will crown the winners. In addition to mouth-watering chili, the event will feature live music, local vendors, a kid’s zone with activities, and more. This cook-off serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the Foley Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship Fund, supporting local students in their educational pursuits.
Event Schedule: 9:00 AM – Event Opens to the Public 11:00 AM – Chili Samples Available 12:00 PM – Judging Begins 3:00 PM – Winners Announced Admission: $10 Entry Fee, Kids 10 and Under – Free For more information, to register as a competitor, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please visit FoleyKiwanis. club or Facebook - The Kiwanis Chili Cookoff or email kiwaniscluboffoley@gmail.com.
Thomas Hospital Auxiliary Seeks Junior Volunteers
The Thomas Hospital Auxiliary is seeking students to participate in their junior volunteer program this summer. This opportunity is offered to high school students between the ages 14 to 17 with at least a 3.0 grade point average who have an interest in volunteering at Thomas Hospital. The goals of the program are to help students explore possible healthcare careers and provide service to the community. “This is a great opportunity for our area students to get involved in healthcare careers early in their lives,” Melita Willkie, manager of volunteer services at Thomas Hospital, said. “We are looking for mature students who have great communication skills and positive attitude, and a desire to learn and accept responsibility. We look forward to offering them a wonderful place to volunteer and provide a valuable service to their community.”
Participants are asked to complete health screenings, attend an orientation class, and then volunteer one shift per week for a minimum of four weeks between June 2 and July 25. Interested students must apply online at the home page of www. thomashospital.org. Applications must be completed and all required documentation must be submitted WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9. Applications will not be accepted after this date. The number of openings for this program is limited, so students are strongly encouraged to apply early. For more information, please contact Manager of Volunteer Services Melita Willkie at 251-279-5525 or melita.willkie@infirmaryhealth.org.
Mystic Mutts of Revelry Parade
Get ready to strut your stuff at the most pawsome event of the year: Mystic Mutts of Revelry 2025 - “The Real House Dogs of the Eastern Shore” parade! The parade will be held on Saturday, February 22 starting at 3:00pm.
Join us for the most fun parade of the Mardi Gras season, filled with tail-wagging fun, fabulous costumes, and plenty of furry friends! You and your beloved pups can show off your unique personalities, Eastern Shore style. From fancy fur coats to playful accessories, let’s celebrate our canine companions! Don’t miss out on the fun! Enjoy dog-friendly activities and the chance to meet fellow dog lovers in our community. As always, proceeds benefit The Haven, Fairhope’s no-kill animal shelter. For complete event details including the downtown parade route and participant pre-registration, visit the Mystic Mutts of Revelry Facebook page or the website, mysticmutts.org. This year’s MMOR Presenting Sponsor is McSherry’s Irish Pub.
2025 Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris
Join us on March 8, 2025 at 10:00 am at OWA Parks & Resort for The Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris. This is a family-friendly Walk/ Run raising awareness of diabetes, and an opportunity to participate in fundraising efforts to make it possible for kids to attend Camp Seale Harris for kids and families living with diabetes. Visit https://campsealeharris.org/programs/diabetes-walks/ to register.
An Evening of Education Champions
Emily’s Closet Prom Dress Giveaway
Emily’s Closet will hold its annual prom boutique from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the former Bay Minette Elementary School. A classroom has been transformed into a boutique-style set up to provide young ladies with an inviting atmosphere to select a prom or pageant dress.
The Baldwin County Education Coalition is proud to host An Evening of Education Champions Friday, February 7th, 2025, at Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope, Alabama. The evening will celebrate our future educators, feature updates from Superintendent Eddie Tyler, and include a silent auction, live music, food, & networking. Proceeds benefit the Baldwin Proud Future Teacher Scholarship Fund.
Future Teacher Scholarship awarded to graduating seniors and undergraduates working towards a degree in the field of education, and the Josh Hall Memorial Scholarship awarded to employees and children of employees who aspire to become a teacher or further their education. Last year, proceeds from the event allowed us to award $62,000 in scholarships. For tickets and additional information visit betterbaldwin.com > Events & News.
Racks of dresses will be divided by size allowing young ladies to “shop” amongst the selections to find the perfect dress – at no charge. Those attending are encouraged to park in from of the BMES gymnasium and follow the signage. The project was founded in 2008 by Heritage Women’s Club to honor the memory of Emily Rose Parker, a Bay Minette teenager who was killed in an automobile accident in 2003 -- just before the start of her senior year at Baldwin County High School.
Club volunteers continue to accept donations of prom dresses to help restock Emily’s Closet and monetary donations are also welcome. For more information, contact Marlee Bailey at 251-752-4763.
Short the Squirrel Celebrates 5th Birthday and You Are Invited
SHORT the Squirrel, Alabama’s beloved literacy mascot, is celebrating its fifth birthday with a virtual party and the release of its new title, SHORT Races to Read. The event will be available to view on SHORT’s YouTube channel beginning on February 21, 2025, giving students across the state the chance to join in the fun. The event is free, but pre-registration is required to access the virtual party and accompanying educational materials.
The virtual party will take place at Talladega Speedway, a unique setting that highlights the speed and excitement of reading. Sponsored by YellaWood, Wiregrass RC&D, and Coosa Valley RC&D, the event will bring together the thrill of racing and the joy of literacy in an engaging and educational experience for students of all ages.
SHORT Races to Read will encourage young learners to race toward reading with excitement, all while promoting literacy and community involvement.
The SHORT Races to Read event will feature fun activities, interactive games, and educational content designed to inspire children’s love for reading. The event will also highlight Alabama’s heritage and the impact of community partnerships that make initiatives like SHORT’s possible.
Teachers and parents can register their students online at www.shortthesquirrel.com Once registered, participants will receive a link to access the virtual party, along with a curriculum guide to make it easy for educators to integrate the experience into their lesson plans.
In addition to celebrating SHORT’s fifth birthday, the event will mark the release of the latest title in the SHORT series, SHORT Races to Read. This new book is aimed at fostering a love of reading through engaging storytelling and fun, race-themed activities that appeal to young readers.
“SHORT’s mission has always been to create fun and engaging reading experiences that resonate with children,” said Bennett. “We hope SHORT Races to Read will inspire students to keep racing toward their reading goals, and that they’ll carry that enthusiasm with them for years to come.” Through the support of grants and community partnerships, SHORT makes reading accessible and understandable for young minds through its engaging reading materials, which are available on the website. To learn more about SHORT’s mission and how to get involved, please visit www.shortthesquirrel.com.
Saturday, February 15th Saturday, February 15th 10am - 4pm 10am - 4pm
Project Prom
Looking for the perfect prom dress? Want to have a fun/glam morning out with your friends or Mom? The Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore invites everyone to play dress up with us at Project Prom! Have a ball trying on dresses, shoes, and accessories. The best part is, if you find something you love, you can take it home at no cost! Project Prom will be held 4-6 pm on Friday, February 21, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, February 22 at Fairhope High School. This event is open to ALL local high schools! We will have thousands of dresses and accessories with sizes ranging from 00 – 28. All FREE! To check out some of the fun fashions check out our Insta- ProjectPromJAEasternShore.
Do you have a dress, shoes, purses or other accessories you would like to donate to this fun event? Or maybe even have a service like up-dos, manicures, or pedicures that you would like to donate? Donations can be dropped off at Thompson Animal Hospital off 181 in Fairhope, Mobile Bay Realty in downtown Fairhope, or Castle Technology Partners (off Pollard Road) in Daphne. Donations are accepted through February 18. For more information on Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore, visit https://jaeasternshore.org.
The Golden Lyre Music Competition
The Golden Lyre Music Competition invites talented students in grades 5-12 to showcase their skills and shine on stage! Our mission is to support and inspire intermediate-level students to explore and develop their talents and skills. We believe that the aspiring musicians of today have the potential to become the professionals of tomorrow, and we are committed to nurturing their growth and passion for music.
There are two main categories: piano and vocal. Vocal category includes two categories as well: Musical Theatre and Commercial Music. Every applicant is eligible to participate in more than one category if desired. Preliminary video submissions should be emailed before Feb 28th to goldenlyremusic@gmail.com. Please check out the website for regulations and additional information. www.the-golden-lyremusic-competition.com. The date of the actual competition is March 29TH, 2025, Steinway Piano Gallery. In partnership with Steinway Piano Gallery, Floretta P Carson Visual and Performing Arts, and Bishop State Community College.
KidsHealthWatch
Sponsored by Magnolia Springs Pediatrics
It’s Mardi Gras Time!!
Yelling for moon pies, wrestling over beads, dancing with the marching bands, and running to catch the parade multiple times a few blocks over are just a few of the most enduring memories of my childhood and Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras in Mobile and on the Eastern Shore has a storied tradition, and today we’ll talk about a brief history, some differences between Mobile and Eastern Shore parades, some tips on catching the best stuff, and some easy safety plans for you and your family.
Mardi Gras was, of course, started in Mobile (long before New Orleans) way back in 1703 as a festival called Boeuf Gras, which is French for Fatted Ox! However, the first inklings of the Mardi Gras as we know it today with official organizations had their first parade in 1840. Then, in 1866, Joseph Stillwell Cain donned full Chickasaw Indian regalia and paraded to boost the morale of the city during the Civil War. Now, we honor him on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday with the infamous Joe Cain Day parade. Mardi Gras in Mobile has evolved over the years to include multiple societies, complete with parades and formal balls prior
to the Lenten season, which starts the next day on Ash Wednesday.
In addition to the Mobile scene, Mardi Gras has expanded to include all of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. However, there are a few differences between Mobile and the surrounding areas. Mobile is much larger in terms of the individual parades, float size, bands, and the amount of throws you catch. But with this bounty comes bigger crowds and more traffic. The non-Mobile areas tend to feature smaller parades and floats, fewer bands, and potentially fewer throws but are much less crowded and very family friendly. On the Eastern Shore, there are multiple parades in Fairhope, Daphne, Foley, and at the beach. Now, for those who are new to the area, there are some tricks to catching the good stuff. The most common throws are moon pies and beads, so let the riders know what you want. As a rider and a pediatrician, I have a sympathetic eye for kids- so hold them up, and you will be rewarded. If you know a rider in a specific parade, then make a sign and make it big. It’s almost impossible to pick out individuals in a crowd of jumping and cheering people. And if you
see someone with a poster, get near them; you will catch a lot of misfired throws. Last, but not least, we riders like a challenge, so anyone with a funny poster or on a balcony will get pelted.
Of course, Mardi Gras cannot be enjoyed unless you follow some simple rules. First of all, the parades on the Eastern Shore have few, if any, barricades. Therefore, children can jump out in front of vehicles and floats really easily. Oftentimes, good throws will get stuck in the middle of the road, but please wait until the parade is over to collect the goodies. And have a safety plan in case anyone gets lost. Usually, meeting at the car or on a certain corner is a good plan. So, please enjoy Mardi Gras, but be safe. You can learn all about the history and scheduling of this wonderful celebration on the internet by looking for “History of Mobile Mardi Gras.”
Robert L. Rux, M.D. is a Board Certified Pediatrician at Magnolia Springs Pediatrics. Originally from Mobile, he attended medical school at The University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB) and completed residency at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama (UAB).
“I am a fourth-generation teacher on my mother’s side. My mother and grandmother each taught for over 40 years. My grandfather was a professor, and my great aunt was a teacher,” shared Angie Hurst. “I remember always loving helping my mom in her classroom growing up. I think it is just etched on my heart, and I was called by God to do this.”
Mrs. Hurst is wrapping up her 20th year as an educator. She has spent the last two years at Pine Grove Elementary teaching third grade, and before that, she spent 18 years teaching fourth.
“Teaching is a calling more than a career,” she said. “I teach because I believe that my role as a teacher is to guide, support, and empower students to become lifelong learners who contribute positively to their communities.”
Mrs. Hurst has dabbled in many other jobs through the years. She has experience in the restaurant industry, working retail, and even accounts receivable and payroll. However, nothing has filled her cup quite like the world of education.
“My motivation for teaching is the love! I enjoy the hugs every day and the little random notes at the tops of their papers. Seeing the growth of my students is huge for me,” Mrs.
Angie Hurst
Pine Grove Elementary School
Hurst reflected. “When those light bulbs go off for them, I get excited! The smiles on their faces and the confidence and the love of learning that I get to see every day is my motivation.”
Mrs. Hurst believes that relationship-building is the foundation of effective and impactful teaching. She emphasizes that cultivating strong connections, not only with her students but also with their parents, contributes to a child’s success. She also believes that developing solid relationships with school administrators, staff, and fellow teachers fosters ongoing growth for educators themselves.
“Being nominated for the Eastern Shore Parents Magazine Teacher of the Month award is an incredible honor that fills me with gratitude and joy,” Mrs. Hurst said.
Her greatest desire as her students leave her classroom each year is that they ultimately become good people; that they will become good stewards to their community, state and country and always desire to do what is right.
Angie Hurst and her husband David have been married for 25 years and together have two sons, DJ (24) and Zach (18).
Angie loves the beach. Her and Zach have volunteered with Share the Beach, patrolling sea turtle nests. The family loves to joy ride in their jeep when the weather is nice.
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CBMS Bear Pride Winners
Shoutout to the Central Baldwin Middle School
December Bear Pride Winners! We’re thrilled to celebrate the latest winners in our CBMS Bear Pride Program monthly cash prize drawing!
1st Place$20.00: Wyatt Wilson- Not Pictured 2nd Place$10.00: Tylin Westerfield
3rd Place$5.00: Ethan Whedbee
The Bear Pride Program honors the outstanding citizenship of our incredible students here at Central Baldwin Middle School.
Nature Connect Studies
Spanish and Los 5 Sentidos
We are diving into los 5 sentidos at Nature Connect School— oído (hearing), vista (sight), tacto (touch), olfato (smell), and gusto (taste)! Our students love learning Spanish with Marcela from Spanish for all LLC. She brings so much joy and creativity to our enrichment program, making each lesson a fun, hands-on experience! ¡Gracias, Marcela, for sharing your passion and helping us explore the world through language and senses!
Rosinton Elementary’s “The Heart Family”
A big shoutout to the amazing Rosinton Elementary 6th graders for their creativity and teamwork! They did a fantastic job helping with the bulletin board, bringing ‘The Heart Family’ to life.
BCS 1st Graders Celebrate Little House Day
Bayshore Christian School’s first-grade classes stepped back in time for Little House Day, celebrating the pioneer life inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie.
The day began with a hearty pioneer breakfast, just like Almanzo enjoyed in Farmer Boy. Students then explored hands-on crafts, including tin-punching ornaments, making button necklaces, sewing sachets, and decorating mini “log cabins.”
Outdoor activities brought pioneer fun to life with wagon rides around the field and classic relay races, such as egg-in-spoon, stick horse, sack races, and balancing books on their heads.
The celebration ended with a cozy story time featuring popcorn and apple cider, just as Almanzo experienced in the book. Little House Day gave students a taste of history while encouraging creativity, teamwork, and a love for literature.
Congratulations Toro Chess Teams
A huge congratulations to the Spanish Fort High School Toro Chess teams! Both teams are bringing home trophies for the 20242025 year in the Mobile-Baldwin Scholastic Chess League!
Varsity — FIRST place and Junior Varisty — third place
Kevin Judice won the Morphy Award, which is the first place individual award for the entire league!
Kurusharan (KK) Kumaresan was named to the All-Star team, which is comprised of the top 5 players in the league!
We are so proud of these Toros!!
This is only the second year SFHS has had a competing chess team, and we know the future is bright! Also, thank you to Mrs. Griggers, our chess sponsor, for supporting these students!
Elberta High FCCLA Animal Shelter Project
Elberta High School FCCLA brought lots of cheer to the Baldwin County Animal Shelter residents. Club members made dog toys from donated t-shirts and towels. They also received donations of dog treats and beds which members brought to the animal shelter and hand delivered these to many of the dogs up for adoption.
EHS FCCLA would like to thank all those who support this community service project. The club will continue their efforts for the Shelter through out the year.
Pictured are the three students who are spearheading this ongoing project and club president.
From left to right: Mackenzie Santose, Blakely Gorton, Haley Burnett (President), and Addison Cranford
St. Michael Reunion
Last month, our very first St. Michael Catholic High School graduating class (Class of 2019) hosted the very first St. Michael reunion, organized by former SGA President Michael Pierce. It’s hard to believe it’s already been 5 years since they flew out into the world. These Cardinals are doing amazing things, and we couldn’t be more proud! It’s such a joy to see them come back together, reconnect, and share their journeys.
Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal!
BCS 2nd Graders Step Into Narnia
Bayshore Christian School’s second-grade classes recently celebrated Narnia Day, bringing C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to life.
Students entered through a “wardrobe” into classrooms transformed into snowy Narnia. Dressed as their favorite characters, they enjoyed themed activities like creating Aslaninspired art, solving riddles, and tasting Turkish Delight. Teachers highlighted the story’s Christian themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the triumph of good, making the day both fun and meaningful.
Narnia Day remains a beloved tradition, inspiring faith, imagination, and a love for great stories.
CTKCS Spelling Bee Winner
Congratulations to CTKCS Spelling Bee winner Brendan Schott! He had incredible competition, and our middle school students did an excellent job. Best of luck to Brendan as he advances to the Archdiocese of Mobile Spelling Bee.
Hats Off to a New Year at Daphne Elementary
Hats Off to a New Year! DES Teachers and staff came together to demonstrate their unique personalities by customizing their own trucker hats. Everyone wore their hat as a fun way to welcome the students back on January 8th.
Fairhope East Elementary December with Dad
Mrs. Conaway-Washington’s fourth grade class at Fairhope East Elementary enjoyed this year’s December with Dad! The dads and grandfathers read Christmas stories, designed snow globes, decorated cookies, made ornaments, played games/ trivia, completed Christmas Mad Libs, decorated humans Christmas trees, and shared their families’ Christmas
BCS Celebrates 2025 Spelling Bee Champions
Bayshore Christian School is thrilled to celebrate the winners of this year’s Spelling Bee! Laura Cate Carrigan earned 1st Place, with Tucker Lantz taking 2nd Place and Indie Gregg securing 3rd Place.
We are proud of all the students who participated and showcased their talents. May God continue to bless their hard work and dedication!
Bayside Academy’s Named Students to Super 7 Cross Country Team
Bayside Academy senior Annie Midyett and junior Shelby Fargason were selected to the Super 7 Cross Country team. Several cross country coaches from Mobile and Baldwin Counties gathered together to select seven young men and seven young women from the AHSAA in these two counties to be recognized.
Annie was chosen following her season-best time of 19:19 at the AHSAA 6A State Meet. She placed third at the Baldwin County Championships and finished 17 th in the state meet.
Shelby was chosen following her season-best time of 18:58 at the Jesse Owens Classic. She finished first at the Baldwin County Championships and 9 th in the state meet, qualifying for AllState recognition.
We are so proud of Annie and Shelby!
Pictured: Bayside Academy’s Shelby Fargason and Annie Midyett
Stonebridge Student’s Art Chosen to Represent BCBE
A 5th-grade art piece titled “Goodnight Sky” was selected to represent Baldwin County at the State Superintendent’s Art Show in Montgomery!
This talented Stonebridge Elementary student is one of only 10 elementary students chosen to represent BCBE. Congratulations on this amazing achievement!
Congratulations to the Daphne Middle School Chess Teams
Congratulations to our DMS Chess teams! The Trojan teams won 2nd place and tied for 3rd place in the Baldwin County/Mobile County Scholastic Chess League Middle School Division Finals. Blake was 5th place individual Middle School winner!
Strumming into Learning at J. Larry Newton
Ms. Mims’ 5th graders at J. Larry Newton School had an exciting music lesson as they learned about the four strings on the ukulele (GCEA)! Thanks to the generous donation of 10 ukuleles from our amazing JLN PTO, we now have a complete class set. Your support helps us inspire creativity and make music education unforgettable! Thank you PTO!
Congratulations to Belforest Elementary Academic Team
Each Spring, 5th and 6th grade students may try-out for the Belforest Mathlete Team. The students take a tough assessment to be included on the team. Through the Spring, they receive training and competition practice. In April they will attend our county meet, which is an intense competition, at Baldwin County Preparatory Academy. Congrats to this year’s team!
Spanish Fort Middle Displays
Excellent Attendance
Congratulations to Ms. Webb’s Homeroom Class of Spanish Fort Middle School!
Your outstanding attendance has earned you the Attendance Belt with an incredible 99.1% average for the month of December! Your dedication to showing up every day sets a fantastic example for the entire school. Keep up the great work!
Thank you to our amazing Pep Squad for bringing the energy and delivering this special honor in style!
7th Grader Wins Bayside Academy’s Spelling Bee
Fifteen spellers from Grades 4–8 competed in the Bayside Academy Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 9.
After 34 rounds, 7th grader Andrew Ray was declared the winner and 7th grader David Green named the runner-up. Third place went to Jeremy Ou in 6th grade, and it should be noted that 4th grader Mary Margaret Wells placed fourth. The 2025 championship word was flamboyant
YOUR PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY CARE TEAM
Andrew will represent Bayside Academy in the Baldwin County Spelling Bee. The event will be held virtually February 10–12.
Bayside Academy Spelling Bee Participants 4th Grade
Phillip Ciaccio, Harry Ruffin, Mary Margaret Wells 5th Grade
Ryan Fribourg, Nicholas Goleash, Harrison Johnson 6th Grade
Sam Babcock, Jeremy Ou, Charlie Sommer 7th Grade
Elizabeth Coumanis, David Green, Andrew Ray 8th Grade
Jay Halbert, Owen Swagart, Avery Therrell
Pictured: Bayside Academy’s 2025 Spelling Bee winner Andrew Ray
W. J. Carroll Spelling Bee Winner
Congratulations to our WJC School Spelling Bee Winner, Harper Duncan! Harper is in Mrs. Besteda’s 5th grade class and will represent our school at the Baldwin County Spelling Bee. We also want to congratulate our 1st Runner Up, Jada Pierce from Ms. Sweatt’s 6th grade class and our 2nd Runner Up, Landon Wynn from Mrs. Jones’ 5th grade class! All of our classroom winners did a fantastic job in the School Bee, and we are so proud of you all!
We’ve expanded our pediatric ophthalmology care team!
Your child’s vision is an important part of their overall development. Our dedicated team of pediatric eye care specialists is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for young patients.
Learn more about our pediatric eye care offerings.
Dr. Sugg
Dr. Rich
Swift Consolidated Spelling Bee
Thanks to Mrs. Ingraham, her team, and our students the Swift Consolidated Spelling Bee was a huge success. The students were so proud of themselves and they all did such a fabulous job. Our 3rd place winner was 5th grader, Ravyn
The 2nd place winner was 4th grader, Jack. Our big 1st place winner was Maelie from 6th grade.
Fairhope High Students of the Month
Fairhope High School December/January students of the month are 9th: Abbigail Jennings and Nash Gearhart
10th: Mary Parish Castle and Walker Gardner
11th: Amiyah Gill and Jackson Westbrook
12th: Teagan Lanicek and Brock Washington
And the staff Pat on the Back goes to FACS/Event Planning teacher, Elizabeth Orfanello
Breakfast this morning at Sweetwater Cafe was sponsored by the Fairhope Rotary Club.
Congrats to all these awesome kids and teacher!
Send School News and Photos to: lynn@easternshoreparents.com!
Summerdale Student’s Artwork Chosen for Superintendent Art Show
Congratulations to Summerdale School student Adam Jones in Mrs. Gunter’s kindergarten class. His artwork was selected for the State Superintendent’s Art Show. There were only 10 students selected from the entire county!
Foley High Recognizes Students of the Month
Congratulations to the Foley High students of the month for December!
Fairhope High Student Represents at Capstone Leadership Academy
Emmalia (Emmy) Kuhn was chosen to represent Fairhope High School at the University of Alabama Capstone Leadership Academy!
The Capstone Leadership Academy is a two-day program for high school sophomores designed to cultivate their leadership potential, honing skills around three essential pillars of leadership—values, vision and voice.
Created by the Capstone Council and sponsored by the Office of the President and the Division of Student Life, Capstone Leadership Academy gives 10th graders opportunities to build knowledge, apply newly acquired skills, and foster relationships with peers from across Alabama. Congratulations Emmy!
Daphne East Elementary Chess Players Rock!
Congratulations to the Daphne East student who competed in the Mobile/Baldwin County Scholastic Chess League!
2nd Place Mobile/Baldwin County Scholastic Chess League
3rd Place Mobile/Baldwin County Scholastic Chess League
Bay Minette Elementary Loves Kidz Eatz
Bay Minette Elementary School is thankful for this amazing group at Kidz Eatz! Always lending a hand to make sure our students who need a little extra love are taken care of. We appreciate all of your help. If you would like to help BMES with snacks/Kleenex for our students please, feel free to reach out to Debbie Rigby. We appreciate all the help we can get.
Elberta Middle Teachers Ready for the New Semester
Here’s a peek at the Elberta Middle School teachers preparing amazing content for our students returning for the semester! Amanda Meadows with Solution Tree did a professional development workshop on unit planning through backwards design. Teachers left with a full unit of awesome lessons planned to kickoff this semester!
Stapleton School January PrinciPals!
We are so proud of the stellar Stapleton School students who were chosen by their teachers to represent their homerooms at the January PrinciPal lunch. Dr. Hughes and Mr. Perry sure enjoyed spending time with the terrific young people and discussing their ideas for making our school an even better place to learn and grow!
3rd / Donald – Wyatt
3rd / Winstead – Derek
4th / Powell – Zaire
5th / Elliott – Presleigh 5th / Walden – Allie
6th / Landreneau – Emma Congratulations students!
preK / Clemons –Norah K / Lamb –Grayson K / McKeough –Ellie
1st / Cross –Alex
1st / McCrummen –Leonna
2nd / Grace –Brantleigh
Pine Grove Students Race to Read
Congratulations to the Pine Grove Elementary School students, Kale’, Faith, Weston & Marquel from Mrs. Downing’s class for crossing the Race to Read finish line!
Send
St. Michael’s DAR Good Citizen Representative
The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards high school seniors who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. SMCHS senior Anna Kiernan has been chosen to represent St. Michael this year. Great job Anna!
Foley Elementary Spelling Bee
Celebrating excellence! Congratulations to the Foley Elementary School spelling bee champion Brantley and runner up Taylor for their hard work, determination, and impressive skills! Great job!
Bayshore Benefit Was Night to Remember
Thank you to everyone who made our 17th annual Bayshore Benefit such a success! From our generous sponsors and auction donors to our dedicated volunteers and attendees, your support was truly inspiring.
Together, we celebrated the mission of Bayshore Christian School and the incredible impact we can make as a community. We are so grateful for your partnership and look forward to what God has in store for the future!
Daphne High DAR Good Citizen Representative
Congratulations to Callie Saxon on her nomination for the Daphne High School Ecor Rouge DAR Good Citizen Program! She was honored during the annual program on Monday, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her representing Daphne High School. A big thank you to the DAR Program for supporting our amazing students!
Spanish Fort Middle Spelling Bee
Congratulations to the Spanish Fort Middle School spelling bee winners! 1st place - Eliex Santiago and tied for 2nd - Madeline Haynes and Jube!
Bayside Academy Teams Place First & Second in the AISA District Math Competition
Bayside Academy’s Middle School math team finished as champions and the Upper School math team finished runner-up at the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) District Math Competition at St. Paul’s Episcopal School yesterday. Each school in the competition is permitted a middle school and a high school team, with each team allowed five competing members and one alternate, and the top four scores are used to determine the winners. The high school team has a ciphering round where four members answer four questions each.
Middle school mathletes were 8th graders Don Chen, Addy Fribourg, Owen Swagart,
Avery Therrell, Owen Williamson, and Kellan
Yamane . Don Chen earned a perfect score of 50 points and was the highest individual scorer of the middle school competition.
High school mathletes were seniors Montgomery Beall, Mai Mai Chatwood, Jared Dull, Micah Howard, Lanee Imperato, and Romann Odic. Jared Dull was the highest scorer. The entire middle school team and Jared Dull will represent Bayside Academy at the AISA State Math Competition in Montgomery on January 31. The team sponsor is Joe Swagart.
Picture 1: Bayside Academy Middle School Math Team members Don Chen, Owen Williamson, Addy Fribourg, and Kellan Yamane. Owen Swagart and Avery Therrell are not pictured, as they had to return to school immediately following the math competition to compete in the Spelling Bee.
Picture 2: Bayside Academy Upper School Math Team members Mai Mai Chatwood, Lanee Imperato, Micah Howard, Jared Dull, Romann Odic, and Montgomery Beall
Ages 12 months - PreK 4
Monday through Friday, 9 am-1 pm
Before care (7-9 am)
Aftercare (1-5:30 pm) available
For more information & registration: stpaulsepiscopalpreschooldaphne.com
Magnolia Elementary’s Bingo Night!
Bingo Night was a blast at Magnolia Elementary School! We had an amazing turnout with families and friends coming together for an evening filled with exciting bingo games,
delicious snacks, and fantastic prizes!
A huge thank you to all our enthusiastic volunteers who helped with setup, game facilitation, and cleanup. Your support made the event a great success! We appreciate everyone who came out to support our school and enjoy a fun-filled night with the community. We would also like to say a special, thank you to American Legion Auxiliary Post 99!
Stapleton School Canby Cup
Since both November and December had reduced numbers of school days, Stapleton School decided to combine the two months when determining which class will next host the prestigious Canby Cup. Because of the combination of the two months, winning the cup was made more difficult than normal since more days were factored into the calculation. This made it all the more impressive to learn that Mrs. Donald’s class had achieved a back-to-back win with over 93% of the students in that 3rd grade class achieving the attendance goal!
The cup is awarded to the class that achieved the highest percentage of students missing two or fewer days per month. This goal is based on the fact that students who miss more than 10% of the school year (about 2 days per month) suffer serious academic consequences. Congratulations to Mrs. Donald’s class and thank you to all the students and families who make school attendance the priority it needs to be!
Robertsdale High Students Build Up Weeks Bay
The Robertsdale High STEM Environmental Engineering went to the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and put up 4 wood duck houses, planted 4 transects of black needlerush marsh grass, and deployed 8 oyster biopods. All of which was designed, grown, and built by our students.
Our Week’s Bay host once again helped us achieve our goal. They are the best in the business! This is a very special group of students who are creative, supportive, and fun to work with. Stay tuned for our upcoming projects!
Foley Middle Employee and Teacher of the Month!
Congratulations to the Foley Middle School Employee of the MonthMr. Tim Brown and our Teacher of the Month - Mr. Jason Haase!
W. J. Carroll Student’s Art Chosen for State Superintendent Art Show
Allie’s artwork is one of 10 pieces chosen from Baldwin County Schools to be entered into this year’s State Superintendent Art Show. The show will be on display at the Alabama State Capital during February and March of this year. Congratulations, Allie!
Silverhill 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year
The Silverhill elementary School 20242025 Teacher of the Year, is Mrs. Geiger! Mrs. Geiger is a kindergarten teacher who displays her passion for education and her students daily! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our Silverhill family!
Daphne Middle Spelling Bee Winners
Congratulations to all of the Daphne Middle School Spelling Bee participants and this year’s winners! First place: Henry H and Runner-up: Joshua T
Elsanor Elementary Global Traveling Mural
During National Picture Book Month in November, the Elsanor Elementary School sixth grade students created our Third Annual Elsanor Mural as part of the Global Traveling Mural Project. The Traveling Mural Project is an art project about connecting with other school communities around the world to create murals of peace, friendship, diversity, and love. Students from schools around the world create their own ten-foot mural to tell others about themselves and their community. Once completed, the original mural is cut up into onefoot pieces and sent to nine other schools around the world. We also receive nine mural pieces from
those schools that we then put together to create a Global Traveling Mural. Here are our students with their final creation (they designed, drew, and painted it) and then the Global mural after we received most of the pieces. Ours was fabulous and centered around the USS Alabama and library and community themes!
Spanish Fort High DAR Good Citizen Nominee
Sawyer Wilson represented Spanish Fort High School as our DAR Good Citizen nominee! Congratulations!
Silverhill Spelling Bee
The winner of the Silverhill Elementary School Spelling Bee for the 2024-2025 school year is Samuel Kannair from Mrs. Green’s 4th grade class. The 2nd place winner is Gabriel Rosa from Mrs. Clark’s 6th grade class. We are so proud of everyone who participated!
BRRR, It’s Cold Out There
Chilly mornings call for hot chocolate! Christ the King Pastor Fr. Savoie treated students at CTKCS to hot chocolate to combat the cold weather we’ve had lately.
Robertsdale Elementary Student’s Art is Chosen to Represent
Robertsdale Elementary student, Zoe Cipriano’s project was chosen by the State Superintendent to be entered into the Art Show. We are so proud of you Zoe! Congratulations!
Bayside Academy Celebrates Christmas Together
Christmas Together is one of Bayside Academy’s longeststanding traditions, originating in 1971 during the school’s inaugural year. While there have been minor changes over time, the heart of the program remains unchanged: gathering as the Bayside family to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future during the special holiday season. Each year, a special Christmas Together banner is created by students. This year’s festive and joyful “Let Heaven and Nature Sing” banner was created by Bayside middle school art students and incorporates designs and work from all art students in Grades 5–8.
Pictured: Bayside Academy 7th grader Alex Ogburn and 6th grader Charlotte Denniston present the 2024 Christmas Together banner.
Foley Middle School Perfect
Attendance Winner
Congratulations to the Foley Middle School December Perfect Attendance Winner - Benjamin Harding Lewis!
Florence B Mathis Elementary School Spelling Bee
Florence B Mathis is so proud of each of the students who represented their homeroom in the Mathis Elementary School Spelling Bee! Congratulations to our winner, fifth grader, Maitlyn! Congratulations to our runner-up, fourth grader, Phoenix!
Christ the King Teachers in Orlando
Mrs. Kraynak and Mrs. Cisneros have been learning new, innovative strategies this week at the FETC conference in Orlando, FL. They are excited to explore these new methods at the Future of Education Technology conference and are eager to bring fresh ideas back to their students!
Pine Grove Elementary Student Wins Bike for Perfect Attendance
Let’s give a big round of applause to Pine Grove Elementary School student
Andriyah Hale for achieving perfect attendance in December! Congratulations on winning a brand-new bike! Keep up the amazing work! Thank you to Wind Creek Casino for sponsoring this monthly incentive!
Loxley Elementary Spelling Bee
Congratulations to our LES Spelling Bee Champion, Ashlyn D., and our Runnerup, JP M. Ashlyn will represent us at the County Spelling Bee, and JP will be her alternate if needed. We are so proud of all our participants.
Spanish Fort Elementary Spelling Bee
A huge congratulations to Bryant Von Hofe for spelling his way to victory at the Spanish Fort Elementary School Spelling Bee! We’re so proud of all our amazing spellers who gave it their best shot! Keep shining and spelling strong!
Daphne High Student Receives 2025 Bryant Jordan Scholar Athlete Award
We are proud to announce that Senior Alex Potier has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Bryant Jordan Scholar Athlete Award. This nomination highlights Alex’s remarkable achievements on and off the field, recognizing his dedication to academics, athletics, and leadership.
The Bryant-Jordan Foundation, established to honor the legacies of legendary Alabama coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Ralph “Shug” Jordan, awards scholarships to student-athletes across Alabama who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, athletic success, and perseverance. The foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Program celebrates individuals who embody excellence in the classroom and in their sports, while its Achievement Award Program honors those who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve success.
Nationally recognized as one of the top 15 players in the country, Alex was selected to represent the USA on the Youth National Team and is considered the top player in his position nationwide. He is also one of only 15 juniors across the United States to earn a coveted spot on the National Team, where he recently served as team captain and was named MVP during an international tournament by the National Olympic Development coaches.
At the state level, Alex’s accomplishments are equally impressive. A two-time Alabama state champion, Alex has earned All-State and All-County honors and will make history this season as Daphne High School’s first three-year soccer captain. “Few players f rom 7A schools in our region have achieved the same level of local, state, and national recognition as Alex,” said Coach Heath Burt , “His unparalleled commitment and achievements make him an exemplary nominee for the Bryant Jordan Scholar Athlete Award.” In addition to his athletic achievements, Alex is a standout in the classroom. Maintaining an impressive 4.3 GPA, Alex has scor ed a 33 on the ACT and is a member of numerous school and community organizations, including the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Key Club International, Student Government Association, ACT 30+ Club, and the Red Cross Club. His ability to balance academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement underscores his commitment to holistic success.
Alex’s nomination for this award places him among the most accomplished student-athletes in Alabama, reflecting the rich tradit ion of excellence at Daphne High School!
Foley High Model UN Wins Big
The Foley High School Model UN students recently competed in the county Model UN competition. We brought home several awards. Our students were professional, worked hard, and represented Foley well! This year’s topics were very challenging which makes these awards even more of an honor!
Foley took home the only award an entire delegation (country) can win for our students who represented the United Kingdom!
Here are the 5 awards we brought home: Outstanding Delegation- United KingdomPreston Taylor, Michael Repzinski, Dylan Lockhart, Kennedy Brown
Premier Diplomat- Social and Humanities Committee- Dylan Lockhart –
The United Kingdom Outstanding Diplomat Social and Humanities CommitteeEmma Loyola- Columbia Premier Speaker- Social and Humanities Committee- Emma Loyola- Columbia Outstanding Diplomat-Political and Security Committee- Preston TaylorUnited Kingdom
Fairhope West Elementary Crown of Character Awards
Quarter 2 Crown of Character Awards for 5th grade! The Crown of Character program was designed to emphasize the importance of good character within these five pillars: charity, youth, health, leadership, and service.
As our family grows, it is hard to squeeze in everything we have on our to do list. At the end of the day, we end up pushing off exercise until tomorrow, promising ourselves we will be less tired if we take a night off. Instead, we spend our downtime flopped down on the couch, lost in a digital world of glowing screens.
As parents, we are leading by example. If we want our kids to lead a healthier lifestyle, we need to show them how it’s done. It’s time to get up off the couch, shut off the screens and bring back an interactive family time. Can’t think of anything to do? Keep reading for a little inspiration.
Family Fun Runs – Sign up the family for a 5K walk/run in your area. These family friendly courses lead participants through colored foam, glo paint, mud and even obstacle courses. While every child is different, many kids over 8 can walk or run a 5K.
Laser tag – This adrenaline raising activity is a great rainy day plan for families. Players wear lightweight targeted vests and carry a “loaded” laser gun. Played in a semi dark room with plenty of places to hide, teams try to hit their opponent’s target and get points for each hit.
Play Pickleball – Pickleball isn’t just for suburban moms. Make it a family affair and run off some of the kids’ energy while enjoying some friendly competition. While everybody is different, a 150 pound person can burn 178 calories in 30 minutes. Check out how many calories you can burn on carloriejam.com.
Pull out the bikes –Many of the local trails are set up for bikes as well. Let the kids ride their own bicycles or bring them along in a bike trailer if they are younger. Cycling 10-12 mph burns 30-45 calories per mile depending on your weight.
Learn a TikTok Dance – It seems like there is a new TikTok dance every day. The dances on TikTok involve a lot of choreography but are fast moving and fun. Check out slower how-tos on YouTube to get you started.
Trampoline arena –
Jumping on a trampoline uses a lot of energy so you burn calories while having fun. In addition to simple trampoline jumping, many
Post-Workout Smoothies Your Kids Will Love:
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie
1 cup milk of choice
1 cup strawberries
1-2 tablespoons of Nutella
1 avocado
3 cups baby spinach
1 scoop chocolate kids’ protein powder
1 cup of ice
Watermelon Delight Smoothie
1 medium seedless watermelon –cut in chunks and frozen
1 cup milk of choice
1/2 cup non fat Greek vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon flax or chia seeds to thicken
PB&J Smoothie
1 cup frozen mixed berries – strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
1 banana, sliced
2 tablespoons peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)
1 cup baby spinach
1 ½ cups of milk of choice
arenas include dodgeball courts and air-robics classes.
Walk instead of drive –
Challenge your family to walk and ride bikes to do local errands like picking up a loaf of bread or dropping off books at the library. Walking burns 100 calories per mile, leaving plenty of room for a guilt free dinner.
Become a Ninja Warrior –
This training is a fun way for kids, teens and adults to tackle a variety of obstacle courses as they do in the TV show American Ninja Warrior. Facilities offer classes, open gyms, and one time events like birthday parties.
In and On the Water – Rent a canoe, rowboat, kayak or paddleboat for a little exercise and inexpensive fun. Did you know that paddling uses 7 muscle groups including arms, shoulders and core? You can also head to the local pool to race in the lap lanes or play a simple game of Monkey in the Middle.
Try a Climbing Wall – Climbing walls are a great family bonding activity. Kids as young as 4 or 5 can participate in indoor climbing structures. Not only do you get a full body workout, but you will build confidence, improve communication and make memories to last a lifetime.
Play Classic Backyard Games
–
Step back in time and head outside. Play classic games like tag, four square, kick the can, hide and seek, Frisbee, kickball and jump rope. You can also play cornhole, bocce or even shoot hoops in the driveway.
Video games – Yes, you read it right. I am encouraging family fitness in the form of a video game. Try Nintendo Switch Sports, Fitness Boxing, Ring Fitness Adventure, Just Dance or Beat Saber for PS4 or PS5. The kids will love the opportunity to play with their game systems and their parents will like the games that get them off the couch.
Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three busy teens. They are a multi-tasking family that combines fitness and family time whenever possible.
SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT
At Glass Orthodontics, you’re more than just another faceyou’re a unique person and our team values that. With one dedicated doctor and a hands-on team, everyone will know your name! Consultations are always complimentary and we offer flexible appointments and interest free payment plans. With four locations to serve you, there is always something to smile about at Glass Orthodontics.
Laissez les bons temps rouler — let the good times roll — is a phrase that adequately describes the Hymel family during the Mardi Gras season.
“We love Mardi Gras! We attend balls in Mobile and on the Eastern Shore. We love going to all the parades in Fairhope and Daphne,” shared Ryan. “Leah is a member of the Fairhope Order of Mystic Magnolias (OOMM), and we love participating in all the things that go with that! We also love getting king cakes. We usually have a king cake sitting on the counter the whole season, with a knife in it!”
Ryan, Leah, and their twin daughters, Addi and Lori (18), truly enjoy spending time together. Outside of all things Mardi Gras, the family loves simply spending together. You can usually find the four of them boating, paddle boarding, playing games, traveling, camping, and running their family business together.
Ryan and Leah purchased a franchise and started Sign Gypsies Eastern Shore as a way to build a college fund for the girls. They love to be part of the exciting moments in people’s lives and these yard signs allow them to spread joy all over their community.
Family celebrations are very important to the Hymels. In fact, Ryan is one of six children and large family gatherings are one thing everyone looks forward to. When the family gets together, there are close to 70 people eating banquet style. It is truly an experience.
“Gumbo is a family meal and it is not made in small portions. This meal is meant to be shared,” Ryan said. “This is the perfect opportunity to invite family and friends to enjoy time together.”
In fact, it is almost a guarantee you will find leftover gumbo ready in the family’s freezer. It is the perfect weeknight dinner because it freezes well and can be pulled
from the freezer and thawed during the day. It reheats in the amount of time it takes to make fresh rice, according to Ryan.
“Gumbo is a very special meal for us. It serves as the beginning of our “holiday” season. We always have gumbo on Halloween because my mom always made Gumbo on Halloween,” Ryan shared. “She used it as a way to keep tabs on us kids and our friends. She knew we would never stray too far from the food.”
The Hymel family serves gumbo on Christmas Eve and then again during Mardi Gras season.
“It is a perfect meal when returning home from those cold parades,” Ryan said. “In our family, we serve gumbo with vinegar and oil based coleslaw, potato salad, and a slice of French bread. You get to decide if you want to put your coleslaw and potato salad in the bowl of gumbo or eat it separately. Either way, no judgment here!”
Holiday Gumbo
Ingredients:
• 2 large Onions, diced
• 1 large Green Bell Pepper, diced
• 1 Bunch Green Onions, sliced
• 1 lb. Smoked Sausage
• 1 lb. Smoked Andouille Sausage
• 4 Chicken Breast
• 1 Cup Vegetable oil
• 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 2 - 32 oz Chicken Stock (8 Cups Total)
• 2 - 32. oz Beef Stock (8 Cups Total)
• 8 Cups water
• 2-3 Cups Cooked, White Rice for Serving
Directions:
1. On medium-high heat, warm the vegetable oil in a 10-quart pot.
2. Heat oil until a pinch of flour fries when dropped in. Then add the cup of flour.
3. Stir constantly over medium-high heat until a roux forms and is really dark brown.
4. Remove from heat and add veggies.
5. Stir until the roux stops cooking.
6. Add chicken breast to the roux and vegetables. Stir to coat the chicken.
Eating as a family each night is also an activity the Hymels prioritize. The family meal plans together each week and also uses the time to discuss what’s ahead for each family member and plan dinner at home, around their schedules.
“As our girls get older, and prepare to graduate from high school and go off to college, we have really focused on spending time as a family,” Ryan shared. “Any chance we get to have family adventures, family movie night, or family game night we try to take full advantage.”
7. Pour chicken stock, beef stock, and water into the pot. Stir until roux is mixed in.
8. Add sausage and bring everything to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer about 45 minutes.
9. Remove the chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks, and return to the pot.
10. Remove sausage, slice, and return to the pot. Cook 10 minutes.
11. Turn off the heat, let it rest, and skim the grease off the top and discard.
13. Serve over cooked white rice. Enjoy!
Gabriele has been married to her husband Daniel for 17 years. Together they have three incredible children – two boys, ages 16 and nine, and a sweet girl who will be two in August.
Gabriele is a full-time Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. When she isn’t spending time with family or building her business, she supports her husband who is the Lead Pastor and Planter of Forward Church in Gulf Shores.
The Game’s Not for Everyone
Q. I’m 38, and after looking and waiting for years, I think I’ve found a rental property scenario I like. My plan is to take $30,000 out of my retirement account, and use it as a down payment on a property. My loan payment would be $1,400 a month, but I could easily rent the place for $1,800 a month. What are your thoughts?
A. No offense, but I can tell you’ve never been a landlord before. Bringing in nearly $1,800 a month, while paying out $1,400 may seem like a nice place to be. But you’ve left one very important factor out of your equation—risk. Rental properties just sit there empty sometimes. And this happens to all rental properties. You’ll also have repairs to contend with, renters who don’t pay and other expenses. See what I’m saying? You won’t
be able to count on an easy $400 in your pocket every month.
Now, I love real estate. I understand the excitement and allure. But what you’re really saying is you want to cash out part of your retirement, get hit with a penalty and take on debt, all to buy an investment property. This is not a good plan.
My advice is to save up, and pay cash for one small, decent rental property to see if the landlord game is really for you.
The Safest Place?
Q. Where is the best place to keep my savings?
A. In my mind, when it comes to savings, the idea is to park the money in a safe place—like a money market account or basic savings account—and keep it separate from the rest of your cash, so you don’t accidentally spend it on the wrong thing. I’m not really concerned with making money in a savings scenario, so things like setting money aside for an emergency fund or vacations fall into this category.
Investing, on the other hand, is when you’re going to leave the money alone for a bare minimum of five to 10 years to grow it. Things like college planning and retirement fall into this category. In these instances, I recommend good, growthstock mutual funds that have stable track records of at least 10 years.
I’ll never forget the first time I dropped off my now-teenage son at day care. He was just three months old, but I had to go back to work and I didn’t have any family members living nearby who could take of him; dropping him off that first day, I felt really sad and guilty. In hindsight, I didn’t need to worry so much. My son has grown to become a smart, confident, and well-adjusted teen, and apparently so do other kids who were babies or toddlers in day care. Research shows that attending a quality day care is good for kids in so many ways, and those benefits persist over time.
Communication and Social Skills
In a typical day care, your kids spend their days in the company of many other kids and adults. So it’s not surprising that kids who attend day care develop excellent communication and social skills. They’re well-behaved, good at playing, taking turns, and sharing with other kids, and can solve conflicts with peers on their own. Since they’re exposed daily to a lot of adults with different personalities, they become versatile communicators who successfully interact with people in different situations. That’s certainly the case with my son. Since he was a toddler, he has engaged with confidence with all kinds of adults, including teachers, after-school counselors, and doctors.
Cognitive and Language Development
Kids who spend so much time in the company of other kids and adults at day care also develop language skills rapidly. “Highquality daycare focusing on structured educational activities,” says Dr. Noam Shpancer, a clinical psychologist, “has been linked to improved cognitive and language development.” I observed this from my own experience. When my son first started day care, I was concerned that he’d be confused when spoken to in two languages: English in day care, and Danish (my native language) at home. I was wrong. One of the care givers from South America told me that my son understood Spanish after a year there. With continued Spanish language classes at school, today he’s fluent in all three languages.
Academic and Employment Preparation
Virtually all day cares have a daily schedule that includes play, meal, story, song, and nap time. The structured environment makes it easy for the kids to transition to a formal school day, teaching them both discipline and the ability to focus and listen attentively to teachers. These benefits persist over time. One recent study, which tracked a large sample of kids over several decades, found that kids who went to day care were more likely to earn college degrees, and they had an easier time finding jobs than kids who hadn’t gone to day care.
Health Benefits
Some parents are very concerned about health at day care centers. They hesitate to send their kids to day care, fearing their kids might frequently get sick. They’re not completely wrong: research shows that kids who attend day care get more infections than those who don’t. However, here’s the good news: they build up their immune system so well that by the time they start elementary school, they’re much less likely to get sick than their peers. As Dr. Gail Demmler-Harrison, a prominent researcher of the health benefits of day care, puts it, attending day care “benefits the immune system and the ability to fight infections.”
Tim
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a
“I felt very taken care of, knowing that my care team was with me every step of the way.”
Ages: 2 months - 5 years (251) 510-3974 www.facebook.com/abidinglovepreschool
Ascension Christian School
8888 County Road 64, Daphne
Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00am-11:45am with Full and Part options available. Afterschool care is 12:00pm-3:00pm or 5:00pm Ages: PreK3 - PreK4 (251) 348-7510 ascension.schooldaphne@gmail. com www.christian.school
AUC Resource Center, After School and Daycare
8355 Jonesboro Road, Daphne
Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm
Ages: 6 weeks - 14 years
(251) 626-6056 www.africanuniversalchurch.org
Baldwin County Public School System PreK
Baldwin County
Ages: 4 years old by September 1 (251) 937-0306 www.bcbe.org/Page/9446
Bright Beginnings Preschool
Ministry at OBMC
28751 Canal Road, Orange Beach
Hours: Open Daily from 8:00am-2:30pm. Morning care-7:30am-8:00am ($2 per use), after care-2:30pm-5:30pm ($12 per use)
We offer 2 and 3 days per week for one’s and two’s Ages: 12 months - 4 years (251) 981-6750 brightbeginnings@obmchurch.com http://obmchurch.com/brightbeginnings
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 4:30pm, Preschool hours are 8:00am-12 noon. We offer early morning and afternoon extended care options. Ages: 2 - 4 years (251) 929-9355
It’s always a great occasion to consider what you can do to make your life as stress-free as possible. How about downloading a parenting podcast or two? The wonderful thing about podcasts is that you can listen to them whenever you have some time, including when you’re doing other things. Here are some of the very best parenting podcasts on mental health and wellbeing. Listen up: they offer lots of advice on how to de-stress your life.
A Little Easier
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Hosted by Kendra Wilde, a mom of three with an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, A Little Easier is a long-running podcast on how parents can stay more resilient and less stressed when their kids are faced with behavioral, emotional, learning, or medical challenges. Through interviews with a wide range of experts and ordinary parents whose kids experience various challenges, Kendra covers topics like the importance of creating a community of support, engaging in self-care, and being honest about one’s emotional journey as a parent.
HERSelf
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Unlike A Little Easier, which focuses explicitly on how to keep calm when raising kids with various challenges, HERSelf explores more broadly how parents can de-stress their lives. It was created by Abby Green and Amy Kiefer, two mothers who, after long careers in sales and nursing, respectively, decided to share their life experiences (they each have three kids). Recent topics include the importance of asking for what you need, how to have a satisfying relationship with your partner, and how to love your kids without losing yourself in the process.
Holding Space
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Holding Space is the brainchild of Dr. Cassidy Freitas, a licensed therapist with a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Freitas draws heavily from her own, clinical experience in her podcast which examines topics such as the importance of letting go of perfectionism and maintaining a strong work/life balance. She’s a highly-regarded expert on mental health and wellbeing and is a frequent guest on other popular parenting podcasts, including Momwell (mentioned below). She also offers online courses for expectant and newly-minted parents.
Momwell
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Erica Djossa, a practicing psychotherapist who specializes in women’s mental health, created Momwell (originally called Happy As A Mother) to reach a wider audience of women. Her podcast explores such issues as how to share parenting responsibili-
ties with your partner and how to engage in peaceful conflict-resolution. Like the hosts of HERSelf and Holding Space, Erica also offers online courses and workshops on questions like how to prepare emotionally to go back to work after pregnancy and how to create a smooth transition to child care.
The Motherly Podcast
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Elizabeth Tenety, a mom of five and one of the co-founders of Motherly, the well-known parenting site, is the creator and host of The Motherly Podcast. Aside from interviews with experts from various fields, this podcast includes conversations with dozens of mothers on the strategies they use to keep their lives as stress-free as possible. The podcast also has interviews with prominent people from the world of politics and entertainment, like Valerie Jarrett (former senior advisor to President Obama), Christy Turlington Burns, and Kristen Bell.
The SelfWork Podcast
(Available at: Apple, Audible, Spotify)
Like Dr. Freitas of Holding Space, Dr. Margaret Robinson Rutherford draws heavily on her extensive experience as a clinical experience on her podcast, The SelfWork Podcast (she’s been practicing for more than 30 years). As an expert herself, the podcast resembles more a conversation between equals than interviews. Recent themes include emotional self-regulation and the importance of making and maintaining close friendships. One of Dr. Rutherford’s central points is that mental health and well-being require knowing and satisfying your own needs.
Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. ESP
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Saturday February 1
Battlefield Blitz
8:00 AM Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Hwy 225 Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Blakeley’s annual “Battlefield Blitz 5K and Fun Run” is a fundraiser directly benefiting park programming and special projects. Held on the grounds of Alabama’s largest Civil War battlefield, the Blitz is a unique community event. www.blakeleypark.com
Senior Bowl 2025
12:00 PM Hancock Whitney Stadium, 500 Stadium Dr Mobile, AL, 36608 The Reese’s Senior Bowl is widely regarded as the preeminent college football all-star game and the first stage in the NFL Draft process. www.seniorbowl.com
Krewe de la Daphine Parade
1:00 PM Dauphin Island, Dauphin Island, AL Krewe de la Daphine Parade https://www.townofdauphinisland.org/
Expect Excellence Theatre Presents “Shrek - The Musical”
2:00 PM Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Expect Excellence Theatre will perform “Shrek - The Musical” on Jan. 30-31 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 1-2 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $15.
www.orangebeachal.gov/423/Performing-Arts-Center
Theatre 98 Presents Dial M for Murder
7:30 PM Theatre 98, 350 Morphy Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 An updated version of Frederick Knott’s tale of deception, jealousy, and murder that inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. www.theatre98.org/
Radio Theatre Show Featuring The Day the Earth Stood Still
7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 Set in the Cold War during the early stages of the nuclear arms race, the story line involves a humanoid alien visitor who comes to Earth, accompanied by a powerful robot, to deliver an important message that will affect the entire human race.
www.sbct.biz/tickets
Sunday February 2
Expect Excellence Theatre Presents “ShrekThe Musical” 2:00 PM Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Expect Excellence Theatre will perform “Shrek - The Musical” on Jan. 30-31 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 1-2 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $15. www.orangebeachal.gov/423/Performing-Arts-Center
Theatre 98 Presents Dial M for Murder
2:30 PM Theatre 98, 350 Morphy Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 An updated version of Frederick Knott’s tale of deception, jealousy, and murder that inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. www.theatre98.org/
Radio Theatre Show Featuring The Day the Earth Stood Still
2:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 Set in the Cold War during the early stages of the nuclear arms race, the story line involves a humanoid alien visitor
who comes to Earth, accompanied by a powerful robot, to deliver an important message that will affect the entire human race. www.sbct.biz/tickets
Monday February 3
South Baldwin Chamber 81st Annual Gala
6:00 PM Foley Civic Center, 407 E Laurel Avenue Foley, AL, 36535 This year marks the 81st Annual Gala for the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce! During the Gala, we celebrate our accomplishments with awards for Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Diplomat of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Healthcare Hero, and Public Service Award. The Annual Gala has an average attendance of 275 people, including elected officials, Chamber members, and our Board of Directors.
https://www.southbaldwinchamber.com
Winter Concert SeriesEINSTEIN
7:00 PM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center , 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 EINSTEIN! is an inspirational true story based on recently released documents and extensive research. The play sheds light on Albert Einstein’s early struggles and triumphs, offering insight into his personal and professional challenges during a tumultuous period in 1914 Berlin. www.gulfshoresal.gov/1426/Winter-Concert-Series
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour
7:00 PM Mitchell Center, 5950 Old Shell Road Mobile, AL, 36608 You love the dunks, alley-oops, looooong shots, magic, history and laughs! Don’t miss your chance to see what fans love about the Harlem Globetrotters plus more as the world-famous Globetrotters level-up every game with all-new, exciting challenges in 2025.
7:00 PM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center , 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 EINSTEIN! is an inspirational true story based on recently released documents and extensive research. The play sheds light on Albert Einstein’s early struggles and triumphs, offering insight into his personal and professional challenges during a tumultuous period in 1914 Berlin.
www.gulfshoresal.gov/1426/Winter-Concert-Series
Wednesday February 5
Drew & Ellie Holcomb: The Memory Bank Tour
7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 Drew & Ellie Holcomb will bring their Memory Bank Tour to the Mobile Saenger Theatre February 5th.
www.mobilecivicctr.com/saenger-theatre
Thursday February 6
ESCC Annual Celebration-2025 ($50 per person)
5:00 PM Bluegill Restaurant, 3775 Battleship Parkway Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Annual Celebration at Blue Gill Restaurant https://business.eschamber.com/
Theatre 98 Presents Dial M for Murder
7:30 PM Theatre 98, 350 Morphy Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 An updated version of Frederick Knott’s tale of deception, jealousy, and murder that inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. www.theatre98.org/
Friday February 7
Sunset Cruise from Five Rivers Delta Resource Center ($13.50/adults and $9.50/kids ages 6-12)
4:50 PM Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Come along on a brief relaxing voyage departing from the Bartram Landing at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center as we experience nature’s splendor and be back in time to grab a seafood dinner on the Causeway. www.blakeleypark.com/
King Cake-Off
5:00 PM Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive Mobile, AL, 36602 Join us for the 6th annual King Cake-Off on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Mobile Civic Center Expo Hall, located in the heart of downtown Mobile. Local bakeries, eateries, and grocery stores will compete to see who has the tastiest King Cake and King Cake-Inspired Treat on the Gulf Coast. This family-friendly event will feature live music, local vendors, kids’ activities, King Cake tastings, and more! kingcakeoff.com
An Evening of Education Champions ($50 per person) 6:00 PM Oak Hollow Farm, Fairhope, AL, 36532 The Baldwin County Education Coalition is proud to host An Evening of Education Champions featuring a silent auction, live music, food, & networking. Proceeds benefit the Baldwin Proud Future Teacher Scholarship Fund. (251) 942-6695 betterbaldwin.com Events & News
Theatre 98 Presents Dial M for Murder
7:30 PM Theatre 98, 350 Morphy Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 An updated version of Frederick Knott’s tale of deception, jealousy, and murder that inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. www.theatre98.org/
Liverpool Legends: The Premiere Beatles Tribute
7:30 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 All You Need is Love… and the Liverpool Legends: The Premier Beatles Tribute live at OWA Theater
https://visitowa.com/liverpool-legends/
Saturday February 8
Pirate Dash 2025
8:00 AM Knoll Park / Henry George Bluff Park, Fairhope, AL, 36532 The Fairhope Elementary Schools Pirate Dash 5k & 1-Mile Fun Run is set for February 8, 2025. This beloved Fairhope community event supports all three Fairhope Elementary Schools: Fairhope East Elementary School, Fairhope West Elementary School & J. Larry Newton Elementary School.
10:00 AM OWA, Foley, AL, 36535 Join us for a free event with music, food, and fun for the whole family! When your team walks in honor of your favorite camper, all donations raised support your camp fees and “Living with Diabetes Scholarship.” Walk live, or online, and support camp.
Delta Discovery Tour ($21/adults and $13/kids ages 6-12) 10:00 AM Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 This 90-minute excursion into the wild and scenic
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Mobile-Tensaw Delta--known as the “American Amazon,”--introduces visitors and residents alike to a truly astounding natural habitat. This cruise departs from the Bartram dock at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. www.blakeleypark.com/
Dauphin Island People’s Parade
1:00 PM Dauphin Island, Dauphin Island, AL Dauphin Island People’s Parade https://www.townofdauphinisland.org/
Joy of Life Mardi Gras Ball
6:00 PM Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 The 11th Annual Wind Creek Hospitality “Joy of Life” Mardi Gras Ball benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025. The 2025 gala will present St. Jude patients as King and Queen. The “Joy of Life” Mardi Gras Ball will showcase the culinary skills of Mobile’s most amazing chefs and restaurants, a live and silent auction, as well as great musical entertainment all while raising funds for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://joyoflifegulfcoast.org/events/joy-of-life-mardigras-ball-2025/
Theatre 98 Presents Dial M for Murder
7:30 PM Theatre 98, 350 Morphy Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 An updated version of Frederick Knott’s tale of deception, jealousy, and murder that inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. www.theatre98.org/
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra Presents Modern Romance
7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The Mobile Symphony Orchestra Presents Modern Romance www.mobilecivicctr.com/saenger-theatre
Liverpool Legends: The Premiere Beatles Tribute
Theatre 98 Presents Dial M for Murder
2:30 PM Theatre 98, 350 Morphy Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 An updated version of Frederick Knott’s tale of deception, jealousy, and murder that inspired the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. www.theatre98.org/
7:30 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 All You Need is Love… and the Liverpool Legends: The Premier Beatles Tribute live at OWA Theater https://visitowa.com/ liverpool-legends/
Sunday February 9
Malbis Market
10:00 AM Historic Malbis Nursery, 10145 US-90 Daphne, AL, 36526 We will be showcasing over 50 local vendors! This is a FREE family friendly event. Come out to the beautiful Historic Malbis Nursery and shop local!
Delta Discovery Tour ($21/adults and $14/kids ages 6-12) 1:30 PM Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 This 90-minute excursion into the wild and scenic Mobile-Tensaw Delta--known as the “American Amazon,”--introduces visitors and residents alike to a truly astounding natural habitat. This cruise departs from the Bartram dock at Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. www.blakeleypark.com/
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra Presents Modern Romance 2:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim Street Mobile, AL, 36602 www.mobilecivicctr.com/saenger-theatre
Monday February 10
Winter Concert Series-What a Wonderful World 7:00 PM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center , 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 www.gulfshoresal.gov/1426/Winter-Concert-Series
Tuesday February 11
Winter Concert Series-What a Wonderful World 7:00 PM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center , 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 www.gulfshoresal.gov/1426/Winter-Concert-Series
Wednesday February 12
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes 7:30 PM South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2022 West 2nd Street Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 This deliriously funny Southern-fried farce finds the
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Verdeen cousins of teetering on the brink of disaster again when a 50th birthday party turns into a surprise funeral. As the outrageous complications of this ferociously funny Jones-Hope-Wooten comedy explode into chaos, you’ll find yourself hoping your next family celebration—be it birthday, wedding or funeral—is even half this much fun! www.sbct.biz/tickets
Thursday February 13
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes
7:30 PM Details on February 12.
Friday February 14
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes
7:30 PM Details on February 12.
Be MINEcraft Valentine’s Night
7:30 PM 26050 Equity Dr Suite F Daphne, AL, 36526 Come join us for some Valentine’s FUN but make it MINECRAFT! Of course we will have all things Lego and extra challenges! Pizza, popcorn, and drinks provided! https://www.sfkmobay.com/
Saturday February 15
Arbor Day - Gulf Shores
8:30 AM Erie Meyer Civic Center, 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 The City of Gulf Shores is celebrating 38 years of being named a Tree City with its 38th Annual Arbor Day Celebration, presented by the Gulf Shores Beautification Board. This event will take place on Saturday, February 15, at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., or until all trees have been distributed. Residents of each household that reside within the Gulf Shores corporate limits may select four different trees from six different varieties.
Civil War on the Eastern Shore Cruise ($27 for adults and $17 for kids ages 6-12)
9:00 AM Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Hwy 225 Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 This unique, 90-minute, voyage of discovery explores the major battles of the Civil War’s “Mobile Campaign” from the rivers along which its major actions took place! This narrated cruise offers guests a unique waterside view of the battlefields of Blakeley and Spanish Fort as well as a rare opportunity to glimpse the sites of Fort Huger and Tracy. www.blakeleypark.com/
Emily’s Closet Prom Dress Giveaway
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Former Bay Minette Elementary, Bay Minette, AL A classroom has been transformed into a boutique-style set up to provide young ladies with an inviting atmosphere to select a prom or pageant dress. Racks of dresses will be divided by size allowing young ladies to “shop” amongst the selections to find the perfect dress – at no charge. Club volunteers continue to accept donations of prom dresses to help restock Emily’s Closet and monetary donations are also welcome. For more information, contact Marlee Bailey at 251-752-4763. 251-752-4763
Inaugural Foley Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off ($10 Entry Fee, Kids 10 and Under – Free)
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Heritage Park, 125 E Laurel Ave Foley, AL, 36535 The Foley Kiwanis Club is thrilled to announce the first-ever Foley Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off
set to take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Foley Heritage Park from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This family-friendly event promises a day filled with flavor, fun, and community spirit, all for a great cause. kiwaniscluboffoley@gmail.com
Beaded Jamboree Family Day 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 29001 Bass Pro Dr Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Join us for a day full of fun, music, and community spirit at the Beaded Jamboree Family Day! Enjoy: Vendors, Live music, Delicious food by Double D’s Burger, A giant inflatable for kids, Exciting activities and games for all ages and A festive walking children’s parade around The Fort.
Arbor Day Celebration
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Coastal Alabama Community College, Fairhope, AL, 36532 This annual event highlights the essential role that trees play in our environment which includes activities, awards, and a tree seedling giveaway for guests.
Saturday Storytime
10:30 AM Daphne Public Library, 2607 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 Join Ms. Rhonda and Ms. Kristen in the community room for a special Saturday Storytime at 10:30 am! Geared toward ages 2-5. 251-620-2500 www.daphneal.com/178/Library
Guided Walking Tour of the USCT Heritage Trail ($5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6-12. Complimentary for guests with tickets to our Civil War cruise immediately prior.) 11:00 AM Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Hwy 225 Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 In honor of Black History Month, Blakeley will offer a special guided tour of our USCT Heritage Trail. Join us as we walk in the footsteps of one of the largest concentrations of African American soldiers to fight in any Civil War battle. www.blakeleypark.com/
Battle of Mobile Bay 5K
8:10 PM Fort Gaines Historic Site, Dauphin Island, AL A scenic 5k course that starts at Fort Gaines and winds through scenic Dauphin Island neighborhoods. Benefiting Historic Fort Gaines https://portcitypacers.com/battle-of-mobile-bay-5k/
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes
Details on February 12.
Dream On Reprise: A Tribute to Classic Rock Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The City of Orange Beach Expect Excellence Music Department will present a reprise of “Dream On: A Tribute to Classic Rock” on February 15th-16th at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center. 2pm, 7pm www.orangebeachal.gov/423/Performing-Arts-Center
Sea Turtle Half Marathon & Sweetheart 5K
The Hangout, 101 E. Beach Blvd. Gulf Shores, AL, 36532 Make plans to participate in this long-standing race in Gulf Shores- half-marathon, 5K or 1-mile fun run! Events will take place at The Hangout and will run down to West Beach in Gulf Shores. https://runsignup.com/Race/Sweetheart5kandSeaTurtleHalfMarathon
Dream On Reprise: A Tribute to Classic Rock Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 “Dream On” is a classic rock tribute show dedicated to some of the greatest music of all time. Come and rock out to this City of Orange Beach original production! Showtimes will be
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15th, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16th.
www.orangebeachal.gov/423/Performing-Arts-Center
Sunday February 16
Dream On Reprise: A Tribute to Classic Rock
2:00 PM Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The City of Orange Beach Expect Excellence Music Department will present a reprise of “Dream On: A Tribute to Classic Rock” on February 15th-16th at the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center. 2pm, 7pm
www.orangebeachal.gov/423/Performing-Arts-Center
Dream On Reprise: A Tribute to Classic Rock
2:00 PM Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 “Dream On” is a classic rock tribute show dedicated to some of the greatest music of all time. Come and rock out to this City of Orange Beach original production! Showtimes will be 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15th, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16th.
www.orangebeachal.gov/423/Performing-Arts-Center
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes 2:30 PM Details on February 12.
Massacre Island Secret Society Parade 6:30 PM Dauphin Island, Dauphin Island, AL Massacre Island Secret Society Parade https://www.townofdauphinisland.org/
Monday February 17
Winter Concert Series-Forever Motown
7:00 PM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center , 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542
www.gulfshoresal.gov/1426/Winter-Concert-Series
Tuesday February 18
Winter Concert Series-What a Wonderful World 7:00 PM Erie H. Meyer Civic Center , 1930 W 2nd St Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 www.gulfshoresal.gov/1426/Winter-Concert-Series
Wednesday February 19
NatureNauts Academy
10:00 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road
Theodore, AL, 36582 Are you looking for an engaging and educational program for your kindergarten through sixth grade student? Look no further than NatureNauts Academy at Bellingrath Gardens & Home! Our monthly nature science workshops are designed to inspire and educate young minds through interactive STEM challenges and hands-on activities. Registration online. https://bellingrath.org/learn/youth-programs/
Science Lecture Series
4:00 PM Daphne Public Library, 2607 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 Join us on the 3rd Wednesdays at 4pm every month for a science lecture series. 251-620-2500 www.daphneal.com/178/Library
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes 7:30 PM Details on February 12.
Thursday February 20
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes 7:30 PM Details on February 12.
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Friday February 21
Seafood Buffet Dinner Cruise ($61 adults and $51 kids under 12)
5:00 PM Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Take in a beautiful Mobile Bay sunset and a relaxing cruise on the waters of the lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta combined with a buffet dinner at the Original Oyster House!
www.blakeleypark.com/
Hero Takes A Fall: An Original 80’s Musical Featuring Hits of The Bangles
6:00 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Get ready to be swept away by the music, heart, and drama of the 80s! Hero Takes a Fall: An Original 80s Musical featuring Hits of The Bangles! comes to life at OWA Theater on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. https://visitowa.com/hero-takes-a-fall/
Apollo’s Mystic Ladies
6:45 PM Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 Starts behind the Daphne Civic Center on Scenic 98
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes
7:30 PM Details on February 12.
Saturday February 22
Coastal Garden Festival
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 781 Farmers Market Lane Foley, AL, 36535 There will be plenty of plants and trees to
get your outdoor space ready. The Master Gardeners will be visiting to help you plan your plantings. We will also have all your favorite artisans on hand so you can pick up fun décor to bring beauty of the season inside your home too. Not to mention all your favorite market regulars carrying produce, seafood, and so much more. The Coastal Garden Festival will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m The City of Foley will be holding their Arbor Day Celebration during the Festival, starting at 1 p.m. After the 1 p.m. ceremony they will be giving out free trees while supplies last.
I Pink I Can 4 Mile Run/Walk
9:00 AM Flora-Bama , 17401 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL, 32507 Join the Krewe du YaYas at our 12th Annual I Pink I Can Run 4 miler run/walk for breast cancer on 2/22/25. runsignup.com/Race/FL/Pensacola/IPinkICanRun
Secret Delta Tour ($29.99/adults and $19.99/kids ages 6-12) 9:00 AM Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 This tour explores some of the forgotten southern reaches of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta that lie hidden just minutes from Mobile and the communities of Eastern Shore.
www.blakeleypark.com/
Orange Beach Seafood Festival and Car Show 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The car show is the major fundraising event for MAAAC, which directly benefits Orange Beach schools. In 2025, the car show’s presenting sponsor is Rita’s Italian Ice & Custard. The Seafood Festival always features a full day of delicious food, 100 arts and crafts booths, music for the
whole family to enjoy, a Kids’ Zone with activities, and a huge car show - featuring antique, classic and hot rod vehicles all along Main Street. https://www.orangebeachal.gov/428/Seafood-Fest
33rd Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival and MAAAC Car Show
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, The Wharf, 23101 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The Seafood Festival always features a full day of delicious food, 100 arts and crafts booths, music for the whole family to enjoy, a Kids’ Zone with activities, and a huge car show - featuring antique, classic and hot rod vehicles all along Main Street. www.orangebeachal.gov/428/Seafood-Fest
Mystic Mutts of Revelry Parade
3:00 PM Fairhopers Community Park, Church Street Fairhope, AL The Mystic Mutts of Revelry Parade is a walking Mardi Gras parade in downtown Fairhope, AL, for the canine population. This year’s theme is “The Real House Dogs of the Eastern Shore parade”. https://www.facebook.com/mysticmuttsofrevelry
Hero Takes A Fall: An Original 80’s Musical Featuring Hits of The Bangles
6:00 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Get ready to be swept away by the music, heart, and drama of the 80s! Hero Takes a Fall: An Original 80s Musical featuring Hits of The Bangles! comes to life at OWA Theater on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. https://visitowa.com/hero-takes-a-fall/
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Knights of Ecor Rouge
6:30 PM Fairhope Civic Center, Fairhope, AL Starts at the Fairhope Civic Center
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes
Details on February 12.
Krewe du Kidz Masquerade
OWA, Foley, AL, 36535 From Moon Pie Bingo to mask decorating and Mardi Gras themed glitter tattoos, every corner of this carnival is full of family friendly activities for young revelers.
https://visitowa.com/winter-wonderland/
Sunday February 23
South Baldwin Community Theatre Presents Rex’s Exes
2:30 PM Details on February 12.
Hero Takes A Fall: An Original 80’s Musical Featuring Hits of The Bangles
3:00 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Get ready to be swept away by the music, heart, and drama of the 80s! Hero Takes a Fall: An Original 80s Musical featuring Hits of The Bangles! comes to life at OWA Theater on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.
https://visitowa.com/hero-takes-a-fall/
Tuesday February 25
“I Am He Said” - Celebrating the Music of Neil Diamond 7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim St. Mobile, AL, 36602 https://www.pensacolasaenger.com/
Wednesday February 26
Echo in the Canyon
1:00 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Witness the soundtrack of the 60s – Echo in the Canyon at OWA Theater https://visitowa.com/echo-in-the-canyon/
Teen Breakroom - Teen Mardi Gras Party
4:30 PM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Teen Mardi Gras Party Participants will decorate mini King Cakes**, design their own Mardi Gras mask, and make mardi gras bead creations. Craft Program for ages 12 & up. Registration required. 251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org/
Thursday February 27
Mobile Discovery Cruise ($35 for adults/$25 for kids 6-12) 1:30 PM Mobile Convention Center Dock, Mobile, AL, 36602 Before the evening Mardi Gras parades roll, explore Mobile’s rich history and its bustling modern seaport on this one-of-a-kind afternoon journey.
Trivia Night
6:00 PM Daphne Public Library, 2607 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 Join us every other month for a trivia night on various pop culture topics! For ages 13+ 251-620-2500 www.daphneal.com/178/Library
Friday February 28
Mobile Discovery Cruise ($35 for adults/$25 for kids 6-12) 1:30 PM Mobile Convention Center Dock, Mobile, AL, 36602 Before the evening Mardi Gras parades roll, explore Mobile’s rich history and its bustling modern seaport on this one-of-a-kind afternoon journey.
Maids of Jubilee
6:45 PM Fairhope Civic Center, Fairhope, AL Starts at the Fairhope Civic Center on Section Street; south on Section to Fels Avenue; west on Fels to Church Street; north on Church to Fairhope Avenue; east on Fairhope to Bancroft Street; north on Bancroft to Magnolia Avenue; west on Magnolia to Church Street; south on Church to Fels Avenue; east on Fels to Section Street; north on Section to end at the starting point.
An Evening with Roger McGuinn for Songs & Stories
7:30 PM OWA Theater, 205 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Join us for An Evening with Roger McGuinn for Songs and Stories on February 28th, as the iconic frontman of The Byrds and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee shares highlights from a career spanning over 60 years. With his blend of songs and stories, Roger shares his journey through the music and memories of collaborating with legends like Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, David Crosby, George Harrison, Marty Stuart, and Tom Petty. https://visitowa.com/roger-mcguinn/
Saturday March 1
Ballyhoo Festival
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, The Gulf State Park, 20110 Hwy 135 Gulf Shores, AL The Ballyhoo Festival is a juried fine art and fine craft event with additional emphasis on various cultures. The Festival features 100 artists from across the United States. https://www.ballyhoofestival.com/
Search and Rescue Instruction Program for Kids
10:00 AM Historic Blakeley State Park, 34745 State Hwy 225 Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Blakeley is a partner with several local Search and Rescue organizations providing trained search personnel and Search K9’s to law enforcement, fire & rescue squads, and other agencies in our region to assist in finding missing persons. www.blakeleypark.com/
Foley Parade
12:00 PM West Roosevelt and Alston Foley, AL Starts at West Roosevelt and Alston and travels north on Alston; turns west on 98 (West Laurel Avenue); turns south on Oak Street; turns east on West Roosevelt and ends at Alston.
Krewe of Mullet Mates
2:00 PM Mullet Point, Point Clear, AL Mullet Point
The LuLu’s Mardi Gras Party & Boat Parade in Gulf Shores, Alabama will take place on Monday, March 1, 2025. The event will celebrate LuLu’s birthday and Fat Tuesday with a boat parade, live music, a costume contest, and free birthday cake.
Ballyhoo Festival
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Gulf State Park, 20115 State Park Road Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 This exciting festival event is unique in its focus on fine art, combined with cultural charm, and the fun-loving spirit of residents of Coastal Alabama! Enjoy fine art from all across the southeast, local seafood, and live music! www.ballyhoofestival.org
The Marshalls, Mystics of Pleasure
5:30 PM Perdido Beach Boulevard Orange Beach, AL, 36561 A two-mile stretch of Perdido Beach Boulevard (Alabama 182) from west to east. Starting at Wintzell’s Oyster House (24131 Perdido Beach Boulevard) and ending at Alabama 161.
Knights of Cote d’Azur
6:30 PM Foley, AL, 36535 Knights of Cote d’Azur parade.
Shadow Barons
6:45 PM Daphne Civic Center, Daphne, AL Starts behind the Daphne Civic Center
Puppy Gras Parade
OWA, Foley, AL, 36535 No holiday celebration would be complete without our furry friends, and we invite you to bring them to the Puppy Gras Pet Parade and costume contest in Downtown OWA. https://visitowa.com/winter-wonderland/
Sunday March 2
OWA Mardi Gras Parade and Party
1:00 PM OWA, 100 N OWA Blvd Foley, AL, 36535 Join us at OWA on Joe Cain Day (Feb. 11) for a Mardi Gras Parade and Party you won’t want to miss.The epic celebration begins at 1 pm with free live music on OWA Island from 5 Mile Brass, an 8-piece funky rock brass band from Mobile, AL. Plus, we’ll have fun kids’ activities where they can create their own feathered Mardi Gras mask or Mardi Gras beads and Moon Pie Bingo. Then, after the parade head to OWA Island at 5 pm to check out Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters. https://visitowa.com/
Loyal Order of the Firetruck
2:29 PM Daphne Civic Center, Daphne, AL Starts behind the Daphne Civic Center
Ballyhoo Festival
Gulf State Park, 20115 State Park Road Gulf Shores, AL, 36542 This exciting festival event is unique in its focus on fine art, combined with cultural charm, and the fun-loving spirit of residents of Coastal Alabama! Enjoy fine art from all across the southeast, local seafood, and live music! www.ballyhoofestival.org
A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music & Dance Sensation
4:00 PM Orange Beach Performing Arts Center, 23908 Canal Rd Orange Beach, AL, 36561 “A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music & Dance Sensation” blends cultural traditions with modern flair and plenty of “craic,” creating a performance that has had audiences across the globe leaping to their feet for an immersive experience that captures the essence of Irish culture. The show combines storytelling with modern Irish dance, tap and contemporary dance, while its worldclass performers offer up heartwarming storytelling, to create a memorable and dynamic performance that bridges traditional and contemporary Irish art forms. ATasteofIrelandShow.com
Monday March 3
MoonPies on Main
4:00 PM The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL, 36561 It’s time to “let the good times roll” at our annual Mardi Gras kid + pet and float parades. The festive celebration will feature something for all to enjoy — even your furry friends. So come early with
FamilyCalendar
the krewe to kick-off the night with our rockin’ DJ + kids’ activities.
https://alwharf.com/
Order of Mystic Magnolias
6:45 PM Fairhope Civic Center, Fairhope, AL, 36532
Tuesday March 4
Gulf Shores Parade
10:00 AM Winn Dixie Shopping Center, Gulf Shores, AL
Orange Beach Parade
2:00 PM Perdido Beach Blvd Orange Beach, AL, 36561
Wednesday March 5
Alton Brown: Live
7:00 AM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim St. Mobile, AL, 36602 Alton Brown Live: Last Bite, the famed foodist reflects on his decades in food media, presents several of his favorite culinary mega-hacks, sings some of his funny food songs, and in general offers a culinary variety show the likes of which human eyes have never seen. www.mobilecivicctr.com/events/detail/alton-brown-live
Thursday March 6
AEG Presents ZZ TOP
8:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim St. Mobile, AL, 36602 www.mobilecivicctr.com/events/detail/zz-top
Friday March 7
BBQ & Blues Cook-Off ($10)
5:00 PM Foley Heritage Park, 125 E Laurel Ave Foley, AL, 36535 Join us on March 7 for the Friday Night
Kick-off event. Enjoy live entertainment from local artists. Tickets for Friday night are $10. www.foleybbqandblues.net
Saturday March 8
BBQ & Blues Cook-Off
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Foley Heritage Park, 125 E Laurel Ave Foley, AL, 36535 Festival goers enjoy great food, popular blues bands, children’s activities, and more. All proceeds support the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation. www.foleybbqandblues.net
Orange Beach Festival of Art
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The Orange Beach Festival of Art celebrates an extraordinary amount of arts including visual, performing, musical and culinary. With more than 100 vendors displaying a variety of media, festival attendees will have plenty to see, touch, taste and hear. The event also has a kid’s art alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare, and a music and songwriter’s stage. https://www.orangebeachal.gov/338/About
5th Annual Beers & Blooms
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Join us for Bellingrath’s Beers & Blooms, an all-day craft beer festival and concert series on the Great Lawn at the heart of the Gardens. Hear great music from local bands, and sample a wide variety of craft brews, shop with local vendors at their booths, and
feast with a selection of food trucks, all in the beautiful surroundings of the springtime Gardens. https://bellingrath.org/event/beers-blooms/
Pace Live Presents A Taste of Ireland
7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim St. Mobile, AL, 36602 The Irish Music & Dance Sensation. mobilecivicctr.com/events/detail/a-taste-of-ireland
Sunday March 9
Orange Beach Festival of Art
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL, 36561 The Orange Beach Festival of Art celebrates an extraordinary amount of arts including visual, performing, musical and culinary. With more than 100 vendors displaying a variety of media, festival attendees will have plenty to see, touch, taste and hear. The event also has a kid’s art alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare, and a music and songwriter’s stage. https://www.orangebeachal.gov/338/About
Friday March 14
Mobile Boat Show
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, The Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The 2025 show will feature a great selection of boats, motors, personal watercraft, and marine accessories. https://gulfcoastshows.com/mobile/
Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak Street Fairhope, AL, 36532 The festival takes place in front of the Eastern Shore Art Center along Oak Street and Section Street up to Magnolia Avenue with over 100 artist booths, live demos, music and more! www.fairhopeartsandcraftsfestival.com/
FamilyCalendar
Saturday March 15
Spring Fever Chase
8:00 AM Downtown Fairhope, Fairhope, AL, 36532 Join Thomas Hospital and Wells Fargo for the 47th Annual Spring Fever Chase, a 10K and 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk that winds through beautiful downtown Fairhope overlooking Mobile Bay. https://raceroster.com/events/2025/98619/springfever-chase-2025
Mobile Boat Show
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, The Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The 2025 show will feature a great selection of boats, motors, personal watercraft, and marine accessories. https://gulfcoastshows.com/mobile/
Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak Street Fairhope, AL, 36532 The festival takes place in front of the Eastern Shore Art Center along Oak Street and Section Street up to Magnolia Avenue with over 100 artist booths, live demos, music and more!
www.fairhopeartsandcraftsfestival.com/
Sunday March 16
J&R Adventures Presents Joe Bonamassa 8:00 AM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim St. Mobile, AL, 36602 J&R Adventures Presents Joe Bonamassa
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, The Mobile Convention Center, 1 South Water Street Mobile, AL, 36602 The 2025 show will feature a great selection of boats, motors, personal watercraft, and marine accessories. https://gulfcoastshows.com/mobile/
Annual Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Eastern Shore Art Center, 401 Oak Street Fairhope, AL, 36532 The festival takes place in front of the Eastern Shore Art Center along Oak Street and Section Street up to Magnolia Avenue with over 100 artist booths, live demos, music and more!
www.fairhopeartsandcraftsfestival.com/
Tuesday March 18
Blippi: Join The Band
6:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 6 South Joachim St. Mobile, AL, 36602 Join Blippi to make music in your hometown in the brand new live Blippi: Join the Band Tour!
10:00 AM Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road Theodore, AL, 36582 Are you looking for an engaging and educational program for your kindergarten through sixth grade student? Look no further than NatureNauts Academy at Bellingrath Gardens & Home! Our monthly nature science workshops are designed to inspire and educate young minds through interactive STEM challenges and hands-on activities. Registration online.
https://bellingrath.org/learn/youth-programs/
Science Lecture Series
4:00 PM Daphne Public Library, 2607 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 Join us on the 3rd Wednesdays at 4pm every month for a science lecture series. 251-620-2500 www.daphneal.com/178/Library
Friday March 21
The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show
The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Take in a display of 80 wet slip boats and yachts, more than 300 sport and console boats on land, live music, kid’s art classes with marine artist Larry Rackley, instructional seminars and much more. There’s something for everyone, from an entry-level boater to a seasoned veteran.
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, AL Explore traditional Native American culture and history with tribal members from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Florida Seminole Tribe, and more. Experience interactive demonstrations such as stickball and pottery making, and Native American dancing, canoe carving, bead work, and cultural displays. www.dauphinislandarts.org/
Crawfish for the Classroom
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Daphne City Hall, 1705 Main St Daphne, AL, 36526 We are excited to announce SEEDS annual Crawfish for the Classroom Event presented by 68 Ventures on Saturday March 22, 2025 from 4-7pm on the grounds of Daphne’s City Hall. Event festivities include Crawfish from MudBug Mafia, live music from 80’s & 90’s cover band DISCO KISS, children’s activities and local brews from Fairhope Brewing Company!
https://www.seedsindaphne.com/
The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show
The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Take in a display of 80 wet slip boats and yachts, more than 300 sport and console boats on land, live music, kid’s art classes with marine artist Larry Rackley, instructional seminars and much more. There’s something for everyone, from an entry-level boater to a seasoned veteran. https://www.gulfshores.com/events-calendar/annualevents-and-festivals/the-wharf-boat-and-yacht-show/
Sunday March 23
The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show
The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL, 36561 Take in a display of 80 wet slip boats and yachts, more than 300 sport and console boats on land, live music, kid’s art classes with marine artist Larry Rackley, instructional seminars and much more. There’s something for everyone, from an entry-level boater to a seasoned veteran.
4:30 PM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Participants will have the opportunity to make their own personalized hard-backed journal, or add a hardcover to their favorite paperback book. Registrants who choose to rebind a paperback must supply their own book. All supplies for journal making and to create hardcover
bindings will be provided. Ages 12 and up. Registration required.
251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org/
Thursday March 27
Best of the Bay - Presented by Daphne/ Spanish Fort Kiwanis Club
Daphne Civic Center, Daphne, AL, 36526 This year our Kiwanis club is challenging all chefs in the county to come out and cook-off while raising money for the kids of Baldwin County. Come enjoy food, music, and more.
https://dsfkiwanis.com/best-of-the-bay-2025-1
Friday March 28
Bay Area Performing Arts Presents Junie B Jones the Musical Jr
Bay Area Performing Arts, 8724 Rand Avenue Daphne, AL, 36526 Bay Area Performing Arts Presents Junie B Jones the Musical Jr https://bayareaperformingarts.com/
Saturday March 29
Bay Area Performing Arts Presents Junie B Jones the Musical Jr
Bay Area Performing Arts, 8724 Rand Avenue
Daphne , AL, 36526 Bay Area Performing Arts Presents Junie B Jones the Musical Jr https://bayareaperformingarts.com/
Every Monday
Lego Free Build - Spanish Fort Public Library
3:30 PM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Every Monday 3:30 - 5 pm, patrons are invited to the Spanish Fort Public Library to exercise their creativity and practice their engineering skills by constructing their very own LEGO® creation.
251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org
Every Monday and Friday
Free Build - STEM Play (Free)
9:15 AM - 12:00 PM, Fairhope Public Library, 501 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 Ages 2 to 10 years old. Come put your creative imagination to the test! We will put out all of our legos, soft blocks, lincoln logs, picnic pieces, buckets of dinosaurs, and more. Join us in the Activity Room for Free Build every Monday and Friday from 9am - Noon.
251-929-1465 www.fairhopelibrary.org/
Every Tuesday
Bay Minette Public Library Story Time
10:00 AM Bay Minette Public Library, 205 W 2nd St Bay Minette, AL, 36507 Story-time runs year-round at 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the Children’s Room at the Bay Minette Public Library. These stories are geared toward younger children but all are welcome. www.cityofbayminetteal.gov/departments/library
Little Explorers
Sensory Play & Learn
Spanish Fort Library
10:00 AM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Come explore sensory play through a new program for preschoolers. Best for ages 3 and up. (Space is limited. Each individual child must be registered to participate)
251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org/
FamilyCalendar
Toddler Storytime
10:00 AM Fairhope Public Library, 501 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 Ages 18mo-3yrs. This storytime is for all of the roamers, movers, and shakers! The program lasts 30-40 minutes, with about 15-20 minutes dedicated to reading, rhyme, and music, and 20 minutes dedicated to block play and socialization or crafts and coloring. www.fairhopelibrary.org/
Story time - Lap Babies (Free)
10:30 AM Daphne Public Library, 2607 US-98 Daphne, AL, 36526 Lap babies at 10:30 am (infant to 23 months) Songs, stories, puppets and more! 251-620-2500 www.daphneal.com/178/Library
Big Kid Storytime
11:30 AM Fairhope Public Library, 501 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 Ages 4+, This is a story hour filled with rhymes, music, games, and crafts. www.fairhopelibrary.org/
Family Game Night - Spanish Fort Public Library
4:30 PM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Bring the family or bring your friends (or bring both!) to SFPL on Tuesday evenings! Pull up a chair and enjoy playing one of the many board and card games we have available for use.
251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org/
Every Wednesday
Storytime - Page & Palette
10:00 AM Page & Palette, 32 S Section Street Fairhope, AL, 36532 Please join us on Wednesdays at
10:30 AM for storytime! Each week, Miss Paula share a silly story the whole family will enjoy. 251-928-5295 www.pageandpalette.com
Every Thursday
Baby Storytime
10:00 AM Fairhope Public Library, 501 Fairhope Avenue Fairhope, AL, 36532 Baby Storytime every Thursday at 10am in the Activity Room for ages 0-18 months. www.fairhopelibrary.org/
Story Time - Spanish Fort Library
10:00 AM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Join us Thursday mornings at 10:00AM in the Spanish Fort Public Library children’s section for Storytime at the library. Thursday morning storytimes are structured for ages 2 - 5 years (Pre-K).
251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org/
Board Game Night
4:00 PM Spanish Fort Public Library, 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 Ages 12 -18 are welcome to the SFPL every Thursday for Board Game Night.
251-410-READ www.spanishfortpubliclibrary.org/
Downtown Foley Third Thursdays
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Foley Main Street, Foley, AL, 36535 Check out the specials on every Third Thursday in Downtown Foley. 5 to 7 p.m. There are tastings, art, special deals, and more! https://downtown-foley-third-thursdays-25323. grwebsite.com/
Second and fourth Sundays
Mobile Bay Maker’s Market
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, American Legion Post 199, Fairhope, AL, 36532 Taking place every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, the Mobile Bay Maker’s Market features over 35 local artisans, farmers, and makers along the gulf coast. The event takes place just south of the Fairhope Municipal Pier. Food trucks are also on site. www.mbmakersmarket.com/
Every last Saturday
Spanish Fort Market Days
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Double D’s Burgers, 29001 Bass Pro Drive Ste. 100 Spanish Fort, AL, 36527 From handmade jewelry, to handcrafted home decor, and scrumptious home-baked goods, you are sure to leave with full hands.
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of these calendar events. However, you should call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.
Embracing the “Let Them” Theory: A Powerful Approach for Parents
As a devoted reader, I get genuinely excited when I discover a book that can truly benefit parents. Recently, I came across “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins, a renowned influencer, public speaker, and author, and it sparked my interest immediately. Mel discussed this theory on her podcast last year, and it resonated with ideas I have long advocated for in my work with kids and teens.
The essence of the “Let Them” Theory is straightforward yet profound. It encourages us to let them —if someone says something mean about you, let them; if you’re not invited to a party, let them; and if someone doesn’t like you, let them. However, this approach’s critical second part is titled “ Let Me. ” This means acknowledging that while we cannot control others’ behavior, we can control our reactions. Let them be who they are, dig their holes, and express themselves. The key is to recognize that we hold the power over our own responses. When faced with negativity, remind yourself: “Let them,” followed by “Let me” decide how I will take care of myself.
I introduced this concept to middle school students last year, and initially, their reaction was hesitant. When I suggested they respond with “let them” in the face of cyberbullying, they felt vulnerable and fearful of being an easy
power, conserving energy that would otherwise be wasted in futile arguments or confrontations.
Moreover, it’s important to note that Mel Robbins wrote this book primarily for adults, emphasizing the critical role parents play in helping children regulate their emotional responses. This is why it’s vital for parents to be attentive to their child’s social media interactions. As issues arise, parents can lead the way by modeling appropriate responses.
target. However, as we dove deeper into the meaning of “let me,” they began to understand its significance. They realized that if they become victims of cyberbullying, saying “let them” means choosing not to engage with the bully. Instead, they could follow up with “let me” and reach out to a trusted adult, contact a resource officer, confide in a counselor, or inform their parents. They could block the bully on social media or simply ignore hurtful comments. This approach allows them to reclaim their
Social media can be an emotional regulation time bomb for kids—and adults—who face daily challenges online. By using the “Let Them” Theory with parental support, children will learn to step into their power. They will realize that while changing another person is impossible, they are responsible for their own reactions and actions.
How empowering is that! Together, we can guide our children to navigate the complexities of social media with confidence, resilience, and self-awareness!!
serves as a national education
media safety advocate. She is a licensed social worker with greater than 15 years of clinical practice and health care experience. She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling. Kristi travels nationally and has spoken with thousands of children, parents, professionals and organizations about the benefits and threats associated with social media. You may reach Kristi through her website at www.knbcommunications.com.
