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ESAC Spring Tour of Homes Starts Friday
John Oldshue & Anne Dorman
April 09, 2025
Happy Wednesday, Fairhope! We’ve made it halfway through the week, and if that ain’t worth a slice of something sweet, we don’t know what is. There’s a breeze in the air, a buzz around town, and a whole heap of happenings you won’t want to miss.
Whether you’re lookin’ for local news, weekend plans, or just need a break from talkin’ to your houseplants, we’ve got stories, smiles, and a little sass to keep you company.
Your Wednesday chuckle: Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.
So go on, grab your coffee, chai, or that fancy kombucha your cousin brought back from Birmingham, and settle in with today’s FN Newsletter. Share it with your neighbor, your hairdresser, or your mama’s bridge club, and we’ll enter you to win a $25 gift card to Kind Cafe. Just email us at [email protected] and say “I shared it!”
Here’s to sunshine, Southern charm, and makin’ Wednesday feel like Friday.
– Anne Dorman & John Oldshue
ESAC Spring Tour of Homes Starts Friday
Library Board Volunteers Honored
Fairhope’s Hermit Hut One Step Closer to a New Home in Nature
Adopt a Dispatcher
Farmer’s Market
Low Cost Spay , Neuter and Vaccinations Available from The Haven
Quick News & Events from Around Fairhope
ESAC Spring Tour of Homes Starts Friday
The Eastern Shore Art Center inaugural Spring Homes Tour will begin with a Cocktail Party held at the Old Barn at Chapel Farm on Friday evening, April 11th from 6 to 9pm sponsored by the Pilot Family. The celebratory evening will spotlight the stunning architecture of the restored Barn, reimagined as an elegant gathering place for friends and family set on its beautiful grounds. Tickets for the Cocktail Party are limited.
The next day on Saturday, April 12 from 10am – 4pm, ESAC will feature 6 beautiful dwellings in Fairhope on tour. The tour will focus on the ‘Fruit and Nut’ neighborhood of Fairhope and its waterfront properties.
Cocktail Party Tickets (SELLING OUT FAST!)
$150 each + Includes Homes Tour
April 11 @ 6-9pm Old Barn at Chapel Farm
Homes Tour Ticket (for the tour only)
$50 each April 12 @ 10-4pm / Houses listed above!
PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE FRONT DESK:
Thurs-Fri 10am-4pm
PURCHASE TICKETS AT 54 FAIRHOPE AVE:
Sat 10am-2pm
Volunteer of the Year: Fairhope Library Board
AL.com reports that: Less than two weeks after having its funding temporarily cut by the state, the Fairhope Public Library is getting recognized by city leaders.
The City of Fairhope announced the Fairhope Library Board as its 2025 Volunteer of the Year. The recognition was made official on Monday, one week after a large crowd of library supporters showed up at a Fairhope City Council meeting to rally support for the local board and push back against attempts to cut the library’s funding.
The recognition is part of an annual honor by the City of Fairhope. The city selects a volunteer or volunteer group to recognize as part of National Volunteer Week. “I think it’s more about supporting our volunteers who often deal with controversy,” Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan said, citing other volunteer groups with the city as well such as the historic preservation and planning commission.
“It is about celebrating the people who started volunteering for their love of the library of the city and how their role sometimes takes a dramatic turn, but they continue to serve, and we appreciate them for being willing to serve through adversity,” Sullivan said. Sullivan, in a news release from the city, said that the Fairhope Public Library Board was selected for their dedication to the library. Read more here
Fairhope Now sponsored by The Dorman Group @ Mobile Bay Realty
Fairhope’s Hermit Hut One Step Closer to a New Home in Nature
AL.com reports that a grassroots campaign to relocate Fairhope’s historic “Hermit Hut”—built in the 1920s by Henry Stuart and made famous by Sonny Brewer’s novel The Poet of Tolstoy Park—has reached the halfway point of its $369,000 fundraising goal, thanks to a $184,500 pledge from the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation. The plan is to move the round, concrete structure from its current location off U.S. 98 to the scenic Flying Creek Nature Preserve, enhancing public access while preserving the hut’s legacy. Co-led by author Sonny Brewer, who wrote the book inspired by Stuart’s life, the Tolstoy Park Committee is working to raise the remaining funds, aiming to make the hut a cultural and educational centerpiece in the new 104-acre nature park. City officials support the move, and Brewer is actively promoting the effort through community talks and events, hoping to preserve what he calls a “century-old architectural gem” for future generations.
Adopt a Local Dispatcher
Let’s show our hardworking local Fairhope dispatchers some extra love next week! When a need to make an emergency call rises, the situation is likely anything but calm. Yet the men and women trained to receive those calls are working hard to keep it as calm and clear as possible, efficiently communicating the situation to officers to help usher in resolution.
For 12 hours at a time, Fairhope Police Department’s dispatchers are confined to a 20x12-foot room outfitted with three stations. With a private bathroom, a mini fridge and a microwave, they are equipped to not have to leave the screen-lined space for the entirety of their shift.
And shifts are brutal: with an average of 3,000 calls a month that result in an officer being dispatched, the 8 full-time and 2 part-time dispatchers, along with their supervisor, are the air traffic controllers for the men and women in blue. Learn more here
Farmer’s Market Thursday
This Thursday behind the Library you can enjoy the Fairhope Farmer’s Market 3-6:00. The market will be held every Thursday afternoon and you can discover a wide array of fresh produce, homemade breads, honey, locally-raised beef, and much more! There will also be face painting for the kids each week, along with exciting giveaways!
Support your local farmers and small businesses by shopping at the Fairhope Farmers Market this spring!
Parking: Farmers market visitors can park on Magnolia Avenue in designated spots marked “farmers market parking only.” Additional parking is available in Arts Alley! You can also call the Downtown shuttle for a ride directly to the farmers market!
Low Cost Spay , Neuter and Vaccinations Available from The Haven
Introducing Project PAWS - Making Pet Care Affordable and Accessible! 🐾
The Haven is excited to announce Project PAWS, a vital initiative designed to support the health and well-being of our community’s pets! 🐶🐱
We know that responsible pet ownership starts with keeping your pets healthy, and that includes spaying, neutering, and vaccinations. That’s why Project PAWS is here to provide low-cost spay and neuter services along with a rabies vaccine for pets 12 weeks and older. Our goal is to make pet care affordable, so your furry family members can stay with you, happy and healthy!
🔹 Spay/Neuter Surgery Pricing:
Female Dog Spay: $150 Male Dog Neuter: $105 Female Cat Spay: $125 Male Cat Neuter: $75 (For feral cats, check out our TNR program for more details.)
🔹 Rabies Vaccination: $26 – A required vaccine for all pets 12 weeks and older per Alabama law.
How it Works:
Prepayment is required when booking your appointment.
Accepted payments: Cash, credit card, debit card, or money order (please note a 3.5% convenience fee for card payments).
No-show fee: $35 if you miss your appointment without canceling at least three business days in advance.
At The Haven, we’re committed to making pet care accessible for everyone, and Project PAWS is the perfect way to ensure your pets get the care they deserve without breaking the bank. 🐾💚
Interested in participating? Complete the form https://ow.ly/9bsx50Vpfhq
Quick News from around Fairhope
Fairhope Weather: Sunny and Cool Days ahead
Support a Graduating Senior with Neighborhood Bridges
Check out Rouxster Catering Lunch today!
Fairhope Shred Day is almost here
Want to stay up to date on even more local events? Check out Let’s Go! Fairhope .
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