Fairhope Now | 08.07.2026 | Fairhope Weighs Breaking From County Schools

Friday, August 7, 2026

Happy Friday, Fairhope!

We have a lot to be proud of in this little town today. Fairhope High students are turning heads at Art Walk this weekend; their wearable art pieces are the kind of thing that makes you stop mid-stroll and reconsider everything you thought you knew about what belongs in a gallery. We're also tipping our hats to Nathan Hathorn, named Firefighter of the Quarter, because if there's anyone who deserves recognition in August in Alabama, it's the folks running toward heat instead of away from it. And we'll take a look at the ongoing conversation about whether Fairhope might chart its own course with a city school system.

Your Friday Funny: What did one pencil say to another on the first day of school? Looking sharp!

Settle in and let's get into this week's news, neighbors.

— Joy Davis, Anne Dorman, & John Oldshue

The city of Fairhope has scheduled public meetings to gauge resident interest in forming an independent city school district, separate from Baldwin County Public Schools. Mayor Sherry Sullivan emphasized the city is satisfied with current Fairhope schools but wants to ensure residents have a say in exploring the option, which a feasibility study found could be financially viable. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have already made the transition to city-managed systems.

Fairhope High School students in Family and Consumer Sciences classes created one-of-a-kind dresses from pages salvaged during a school library downsizing project. The exhibit, Stories Reimagined, debuts this Friday during Art Walk at the Eastern Shore Art Center—a creative way to give discarded books a second life through fashion and design.

The Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department has recognized Nathan Hathorn as Firefighter of the Quarter. Nathan joined FVFD in January 2026 after 13 years with Pleasant Ridge Volunteer Fire Department in Mississippi and a stint with Petal Fire. Since arriving in Fairhope with his wife Rebecca, he's been a dedicated presence at calls and department events.

Local artist Kris Garard is showcasing 30 years of still life and plein air paintings at The Reserve Fairhope on Thursday, August 13. The free reception is open to the public; her work will remain on display through September before moving to Hello Gallery on Section Street. RSVP to 251-255-4840.

Local author and nationally known speaker T. Jensen Lacey will present "The Power of the Written Word" at the Fairhope Museum of History on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1 p.m. The free talk will explore how writing transforms lives and touch on local history, including the story of the "Roundhouse." A question-and-answer session will follow.

Trinity Presbyterian Church at 545 S. Mobile Street is building a new chapel behind the main sanctuary. The project is underway in the Fruit and Nut neighborhood.

For Fairhope artist Ameri'ca Tickle, public art has the power to do something simple but meaningful: make someone smile. A fifth-generation Baldwin County native who grew up exploring the beaches of Daphne, Tickle knew from an early age that she wanted to be an artist. She went on to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where her passion for sculpture and metalworking took shape. Inspired by memories of visiting Alabama Dry Dock with her father, she taught herself to weld before eventually helping spark interest in metalworking at SCAD. Today, her work reflects the coastal landscapes she grew up with, combining nature-inspired forms with a playful spirit that invites people to pause, interact and enjoy the moment.

That philosophy is perhaps best represented by her dancing metal stick figures in Daphne, where visitors have told her the whimsical sculptures simply make them happy. For Tickle, that's exactly the point. Rather than creating artwork centered on conflict or controversy, she hopes her public art becomes a positive part of someone's day. While she continues exploring new mediums and pushing herself creatively, she's also focused on larger public installations that allow her work to become part of the communities they serve. This fall, she'll be the featured artist at the Thomas Hospital Foundation's Grand Summer Ball street party fundraiser, where her larger-than-life metal sculptures will debut before finding a permanent home at the hospital—a fitting next chapter for an artist dedicated to creating work that leaves people smiling.

Source: Editor

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