Tag Archives: Fairhope Living Magazine

Still Curious?

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Sirmon Farms, Daphne, Alabama

Although, I have not lost my curiosity, *@$!&%’ COVID scared it some. So, what’s with the symbols instead of the swear? It’s got a name. It’s called a grawlix. The word was coined by Mort Walker, creator of the Beatle Bailey cartoon. Every darn spell checker turns it red, so I’m happy to have something the computers don’t have a clue about how to autocorrect.

On the subject of humans and computers, I’ve heard told we don’t always gee haw. Yeah, I learned this southernism from Art, our local planner, and yes, it means get along. Right is Gee, and Haw is left, and there’s some mule from 135 years ago who didn’t hear nothing, and so farmers started saying, “Me and this mule just can’t gee haw.”

As for the writing, the Birmingham Arts Journal published my essay, “The Flo of Old Fairhope” in August. If you just read it, and you live locally, you’ll realize that I have to rewrite the ending. Maybe to the tune of “Another One Bites the Dust.”

Libraries: Culture, History and Society just published my essay, “In a Foot of COVID-19 Clay Are the Feats of Library Writing Communities.”

libraries-5.2_08_samry-1

I’ve been happily cranking out copy for Fairhope Living magazine. The October issue has the historic hotels of Fairhope’s past. It was a cool article to write, similar format to the street history. Also enjoyed getting to know Jenny Resmondo of South Alabama Physiotherapy. November has the Gaston and Mershon family history and a home on Coleman Avenue. December has a story of how a pole barn becomes a retirement home and the Knoll Park Christmas tradition.

Hope everyone’s alright out there. Stay curious and keep creating. At this blogging rate, the best of 2021 list will be next. Happy Halloween.

What’s Happening in November?

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The debut issue of Fairhope Living will be arriving in your mailbox soon! The free print version, with three articles written by yours truly, is being mailed to more than 10,000 Fairhope residences. 

Fairhope Living Magazine November 2020 Cover

In the meantime, visit the website for more information or click on the cover to view the interactive digital version of the magazine. The digital version includes cool embedded links to websites, videos, and even a virtual home tour, a project done by Coastal Alabama Community College animation students. 

This is Alodia Arnold’s Fairhope Living. This Organic-Schooled Fairhoper and mom dreamed, created, sacrificed, and conquered the 2020 challenges to make her dream come true. I am so proud and thankful for Alodia and our team including Laura Miller, Stephen Savage, Susan Beeco, and Chris Riley. I’m excited, honored and humbled to be a part of Fairhope Living. This is Fairhope’s magazine, and we welcome new sponsors (advertisers) and contributors (writers/photographers/creatives). We’d love to read, see, or hear your first impressions on the print or digital editions, so please comment below or find us on Facebook or Instagram. 

Pensters Writing Group Zoom-November 14 

I’m also excited about talking to the Pensters Writing Group. The online meeting via Zoom is from 10:00-noon. As the Vice President, I’m honored to be the featured speaker this month. After COVID cancelled me in May, I’m looking forward to talking about the reader, writer, and librarian connection. Our meetings are open to the public. If you want to join us, leave an email below in the comments and I will send you the meeting link. 

Page and Palette Holiday Open House-November 22, 2020 

I’ll be hanging out with my friend, author, and fellow Fairhoper Leslie Anne Tarabella at Page and Palette’s Holiday Open House. I will be there from 3-5 pm, selling my 2020 book on a local building block called Clay City Tile: Frank Brown and the Company that Built Fairhope. Copies of Stump the Librarian will be for sale too. Leslie Anne will be there all afternoon selling copies of her latest book Exploding Hushpuppies, the second collection of her newspaper columns. In the meantime, watch a video about Clay City Tile by local filmmaker Michael Marr.   

Thanksgiving 

The last week is for giving thanks. In this weird and wacky year being thankful has never been so important. Thank you for being you, and as always, thank you for reading.  

Clay City Tile, Fairhope Living, and Valentino

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Cover

My new book is out! Clay City Tile: Frank Brown and the Company that Built Fairhope, is a local history book. It’s about the Brown Family and how their company Clay Products Inc., and their clay building block is built into Fairhope’s history. It’s technically not a new book, but I used the Safer at Home order to update and rewrite the introduction. It’s heavily footnoted and illustrated, which means fans of local history,  historic buildings, and people just curious about how Clay City Tile was made and used will find the details fascinating. P&PsignZeke

Please join me for a signing at Page and Palette on Saturday August 8, at 1 PM. Books are $9.99. Stop by and say hi. If you have a Clay City Tile home or story, I’d enjoy hearing about it.

ClayCityAlan

The book is for sale at Tom Jones Pottery, the only retailer at Clay City, and through Amazon. If you’d like to purchase my book in person but can’t make it Saturday, there is a third option.

I’ll be at the Safe Trade Zone in front of the Fairhope Police Department on Saturday August 22, at 11 AM.

Also, look for a short video of me pitching the book on a Fairhope Public Library book talk later in August. I’ve shared some Clay City Tile history that is not in the book.

If you want more information about the book or Clay City, visit my website, Clay City Tile.

Fairhope Living

I’m thrilled to be part of a new Fairhope publication! Fairhope Living magazine is the brainchild of Fairhoper Alodia Arnold. She successfully launched the first N2 Publishing magazine in Pensacola, Florida. The first issue will be published in October! Check out our Facebook page for updates.  

Valentino the Goat

Click on the photo to read Valentino’s Alabama leg-end by Michelle Matthews at AL.com.

Valentino is currently getting acclimated to his new prosthetic leg. (Photos courtesy Serenity Animal Farm)