Fairhope is in Bloom

AuthorAuthor

Anne Dorman & John Oldshue
February 10, 2025

Happy Monday afternoon Fairhope,

We may be small, but we are unique. This newsletter is full of unique things that are Fairhope-specific and we want to share them with you! Most of us agree that living in a small town has many perks - such as knowing your neighbors and the names and faces of our local leaders. Today we’ve gathered just a few of our favorite things to update you. However if we’ve missed anything, let us know so we can help spread the word.

First, your Monday laugh: What do you called a person who says “I love Mondays”? On vacation.

Now grab your hot tea or coffee and dive into this week’s updates! Be sure to share this with your friends and neighbors. If they subscribe at FairhopeNow.com (or click the big blue button below), you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card to Kind Cafe! Just email us at [email protected] to let us know, and we’ll add your name to the raffle. Here’s to a great week ahead! – John Oldshue & Anne Dorman

Today’s Fairhope Now Newsletter

  1. Fairhope Flowers are Showing Out

  2. New Recycling Center has begun

  3. Pirate Dash Wrap Up

  4. Our Southern Souls - Peaks and Valleys

  5. Trivia Night on Tuesday

  6. Fairhope Adoptable Pets: Meet Billy Ray

  7. Quick News from Around Fairhope

Fairhope Tulips in Full Bloom

In 1981,  the first beautification project was a tree-planting program in downtown Fairhope. Local Fairhope citizen Dr. Howard Wulff raised funds with the local Rotary Club support to fund the tree planting. In, 1983, Tim Kant was hired as Fairhope’s city horticulturist, the first municipal horticulturist employed in the state of Alabama. In 1984, Fairhope was designated as a “Tree City USA” and in 1985 the first green house was built and Fairhope began growing annual flowers for the flowerbeds. In 1986, Fairhope was recognized as having as AARS accredited public rose garden and in 1987 Fairhope received the Outstanding Rose Garden Maintenance Award by the AARS. The rose garden at the pier had over 1,000 roses in 41 varieties. In 1988, the Eastern Shore Corridor 98 Committee was formed, which implemented a sign and landscaping ordinance program for U.S. Highway 98 leading into Fairhope. Today that corridor is home to more than 100 beautiful crepe myrtles and flower beds on the corners of Fairhope  and Morphy Avenues and Greeno Road.  In 1989, the third city greenhouse was built. and in 1990 a courtyard was built in downtown next to Julwin's restaurant.  In 2000 Timothy M. Kant elected mayor and Jennifer Fidler was hired in 2001 to take over as the City horticulturalist. In 2000, the City also competed in the Nations in Bloom competition and placed 3rd for cities in our population category. This competition recognized cities and towns internationally for landscape and environmental stewardship. Since 2001, the City has added two tree trails, implemented a tree recognition program and planted more than 100 trees for the City's Centennial in 2008. The City of Fairhope has continued to add flower beds throughout town and sidewalks to connect neighborhoods and schools. Thank you to the amazing Melinda Murphy for sharing this photo with us!

The Pirate Dash was a Huge Success

Fairhope runners and walkers of all ages showed up bright and early for the 10th Annual Pirate Dash this past Saturday moring. This 5K race and 1-mile fun run in Downtown Fairhope brought out a record breaking 850 participants! The after-race party at Knoll Park on Magnolia Avenue was full of sponsors, music from a deejay, delicious treats, and even a few visiting pups! Benefiting Fairhope East Elementary, Fairhope West Elementary and J. Larry Newton Elementary schools, it is a certified 5K. 

New Recycling Center Construction Started

The Fairhope Times reports that construction has begun on the county's new recycling 'CHaRM' drop-off station at 20609 Bishop Road just north of the courthouse: aka Center for Hard to Recycle Materials. Once in operation, city and county residents alike will be able to bring hazardous items such a paints, solvents, pesticides -- and other regular items (paper, plastic, etc) to be taken to the county's new facility in Summerdale, which is getting close to opening. Fulcrum Construction is the contractor. Read more about Fairhope Recycling here 

“I know How it Feels to be Homeless”

 “I grew up on the prison grounds at Parchman Prison in Mississippi. My dad was a warden, and my mom was a nurse. A few trusted female inmates kept my brothers, sisters, and me while our parents worked. These inmates lived in a bunkhouse behind our home, and sometimes, I spent the night with them. My parents treated the ones who worked around our house like family, showing us that all people deserve to be loved. Just because you go to prison doesn't mean you are a terrible person.

Dad carried out two executions at Parchman. I sat on the front steps during one of them. There was an eeriness with candlelight vigils and protesters across the street. Dad found out one inmate was innocent, causing him to become an opponent of the death penalty. He wrote a book and did talk shows and newscasts. HBO even made a movie about it…

Both of my sons have cystic fibrosis, a terminal lung disease. I had my first son when I was 18. He was born early, and the doctors had to remove most of his intestines. He stayed in the ICU for four months and wasn’t expected to leave the hospital. Now he's 33…

We stood in the hotel room looking over Cambridge. My son had just gotten a feeding tube, and this was so far away from home. What if something happened to him? He said, ‘They keep telling me I'm not supposed to live. But I'm from Prattville, Alabama, have cystic fibrosis, and got into Harvard Law School. How can I not go?’ He moved to Boston and had the best roommates who gave him the help he needed. Today, my son is a senator’s constitutional and criminal law specialist in Washington, DC.

I became the Meals on Wheels coordinator for Ecumenical Ministries in South Baldwin. It was so much more than delivering meals to the elderly. It was providing social services and being the highlight of their day… Homelessness is also people with cancer or mothers with newborn babies living in their cars. We’ve documented 771 homeless people in Baldwin County; over 200 are kids, but we didn’t have many homeless services in Baldwin County. I started talking about doing more with Mitchell Lee of Lee Charities and Deann Servos from Prodisee Pantry. We did our research and started the Sea Glass Initiative in September 2023. People started coming fast.

We are helping nurses, a lawyer, a retired fireman, a former police officer, and someone with a PhD. All living in their cars… We housed 35 people in our first year. We also provided some with bus tickets to reunite them with family anywhere in the U.S. Our dream is to start a community council on homelessness with other agencies and build a state-of-the-art resource center where anyone can get help in one location.

I think of my dad and his legacy of giving second chances and not judging people. I have been at rock bottom and know how it feels to be homeless. But even in our worst times, there is always goodness and ways to serve outside of ourselves.” Michelle

Read the full interview on Our Southern Souls here

Show Off Your Smarts Fairhope

Love to compete? Have some random knowledge on several topics? There are plenty of spots you can Nerd Out with others! Join friends and neighbors at TRIVIA NIGHT tomorrow night and take your pick: Ravenite, Seciton St Pizza, or Tongue & Groove! You can form a team or compete on your own - Trivia Night is a great way to meet people and test your knowledge. Click on these great local spots to learn more about when and where to show up.

Fairhope Adoptable Pets: Meet Billy Ray

Billy Ray is a charming 1-year-old male Plott Hound with a heart of gold. This handsome guy is not only kind and affectionate, but he also gets along great with kids. Due to his energy and silly behavior, Billy Ray would do best with kids over 10 years old, making him a perfect addition to a family! Smart and eager to learn, Billy Ray thrives on mental stimulation and enjoys engaging in activities. Whether it's a game of fetch or a fun training session, he's always ready to show off his skills. If you're looking for a loyal companion who loves to play and cuddle, Billy Ray is your guy!Learn more about Billy Ray and other adoptable pets by clicking through to The Haven.

Quick News from Around Fairhope

Want to stay up to date on even more local events? Check out Let’s Go! Fairhope .

Share this FREE Fairhope Now newsletter to those you think may enjoy it. Or if somebody sent you this e-mail and you want more details than just this, click that big blue button below to subscribe 😍 If you are interested in advertising in our little local newsletter, e-mail us at [email protected]