Articles

The Hangout at Gulf Shores Public Beach (251-948-3030) on Feb. 3 and Happy Harbor Marina Rd. in Orange Beach (251-981-6111) on Feb. 4 will present North Mississippi Blues with national recording artist Cedric Burnside. Starting time for both shows is 7 p.m., and admission is free. Burnside’s music infuses Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Funk, R&B and Soul to create a sound that will keep your foot stomping all night long.

The grandson of legendary blues man R.L. Burnside, Cedric will be joined by Cody Burnside and Trento Ayers. Together the three form a unique sound that is true to delta blues, as each note draws you closer into the music.

Cedric was born and raised in Holly Springs, Mississippi. At the young age of 13, he began touring around the world playing drums with his grandfather. In late 2006, Cedric & Lightin’ Malcolm teamed up and toured as “The Juke Joint Duo,” which produced the award winning record, ‘Two Man Wrecking Crew’. In 2010, Cedric collaborated with his younger brother, Cody Burnside, and his uncle, Garry Burnside, to create The Cedric Burnside Project.

Cody’s raps are always percussive, funky and entertaining. He can freestyle with the best of them, and is constantly writing new deep and unique lyrics. His flows can be uplifting, thoughtful, sexy, dramatic, or darn right funny. The blend of hill country blues and rap might surprise some people, but it is actually a natural combination that reflects the reality of where this music comes from.

Trenton Ayers grew up with Cedric in North Mississippi. Known for his deep knowledge of the blues, he is skilled on both the guitar and the bass. He plays in many genres, from blues, soul and Jazz to R&B, funk and fusion. Trenton respects the roots and always keeps it new and exciting.

The 18th Annual “Super” Chili Bowl Cook-off will be held at the Flora-Bama Lounge beginning at 11 a.m. on Feb. 4.

Located on the state line, the Flora-Bama will raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life by selling sample cups of chili for $1.

The event includes food, good times and continuous, original music provided by Flora-Bama songwriters.

All three person chili teams entering the event will receive T-shirts, free beer and other give-a-ways, as well as an opportunity to win bragging rights for the best chili.

Team entry fee is $50.

For more info, call 251-980-5118 or visit florabama.com

Pictured: An Elvis inspired team serves up chili and a song during a past Flora-Bama Super Chili Cook-Off.

Free guided bird tours at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge will be given on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week through March. Each tour will consist of a 1-2 hour round trip walk on the Jeff Friend Trail. Beginner and experienced Omithologists are welcome to come out and enjoy the beauty of birds and nature itself.

The tours are free to the public, but reservations are Required. Tours are limited to 12 people and 24 hour cancellation notice is requested.

Tourissts will meet at the Jeff Friend Trail parking lot. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is located at 12295 State Hwy. 180 (Ft. Morgan Rd.) in Gulf Shores.

For more info, call 251-540-8525.

Pictured: Yellow Warblers are a common sight at Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge during the winter.

Dot Moore will discuss her books, ‘Oracle of the Ages: Reflections on the Curious Life of Fortune Teller Mayhayley Lancaster’ and ‘No Remorse: The Rise and Fall of John Wallace,’ at the Southwest Branch Library Monday on January 30 at 3:30 p.m. She will have books available for sale and will sign copies afterward. The Southwest Branch Library is locaated at 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy at Bauer Rd. in Pensacola. For information call 850-453-7780 or visit library.cityofpensacola.com.

Written by the daughter of Heard County natives, ‘Oracle of the Ages’ is a creative work of non-fiction that deals with the unusual and eccentric life of Mayhayley Lancaster. Through recollections from the people who knew her, Moore, with Katie Lamar Smith, recounts the amazing life of this early 20th-century fortune-teller from the poor regions of Georgia. A combination of fact and legend, ‘Oracle of the Ages’ reads more like a novel than a biographical piece. Throughout these accounts, one can hear the voice of Lancaster and experience the powerful effects she had on those in her community. Moore’s childhood memories and encounters with Lancaster inspired the biography.

A famous 1948 murder committed in Georgia’s Coweta County was noteworthy not only for its middle-of-the-night mystery but also for the identity of the killer: prominent businessman John Wallace. In ‘No Remorse,’ Moore explores that fateful night, as well as the events that brought John Wallace to the point of murder – the death of his father when Wallace was only 11 years old and his early exposure to the making and selling of moonshine whiskey. Moonshine would later play a part in the murder, for which Georgia sent Wallace to the electric chair.

The Gulf Shores Swim Team competed in the Greater Pensacola Aquatics Club Winter Invitational Swim Meet on January 15 and 16. The Dolphins sent 15 swimmers to the University of West Florida for the highly competitive, short course meet.

Gulf Shores finished 11th overall in the meet that included teams from New Orleans, Jackson, MS and Tallahassee. Cody Hall, 7, and Holly Blair, 14, led the way for the Dolphins with 32 and 28 points respectively. Head Coach, Brook Hopkins, selected Blair and Nate Hubenthal, 16, as Gulf Shores’ Swimmers of the Meet with Blair swimming personal best times in 8 of 10 races while Hubenthal turned in a similar performance in 6 of his 7 events.

With the short course season well underway, the Gulf Shores Swim Team has entered their winter “swim-ester” for the remainder of the season. The Dolphins will be back in action on February 4 and 5 as the Pensacola Navy Youth Team hosts the Polar Bear Invitational in Gulf Shores at the David L. Bodenhamer Recreation Center.

The Gulf Shores Swim Team practices at the David L. Bodenhamer Recreation Center in Gulf Shores, five days per week. For more information about the Gulf Shores Swim Team, contact Head Coach, Brook Hopkins at 251-968-1427.