·:[ The Judy Niemeyer Team Blog ]:·
• • • • •

If Hamlet were set in Fairhope, would it be a tragedy? Probably not – how could it be possible in such a beautiful location with all our flowers, parks, and sunny bay front parks?

But you can still ponder that question – To be or not to be? – with Theatre 98’s production of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The show opened last weekend to rave reviews, and performances continue August 29-31 and Sept. 1-2.

I love that we have access to such quality productions right here on the Eastern Shore. It’s so much fun to make an evening of it – have dinner in downtown Fairhope, see the show, and then afterwards, drive a few blocks down to the Bay to take a stroll on the pier. It’s such a “Fairhope” thing to do! Theatre 98 productions almost always sell out, so call today for reservations – 251-928-4366.

Speaking of questions – how do you know if the home you see today is the right one for you? Here are a few tips to make selecting your new home easier.

1. Define your needs and wants in a home. What’s most important to you? Where do you want to live? How much home do you want? How much yard do you want to take care of?

2. Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With a click of the mouse, you can browse hundreds of listings, and take virtual tours of homes that most appeal to you. Use this method to narrow down your search, and then give me a call!

3. When you tour homes, bring a notebook and digital camera with you. Take lots of notes and photos so that you can make comparisons later.

4. Once you narrow down your list of prospective new homes, pick two or three that meet your needs and desires, and visit each a second time. You might want to visit at a different time of day to get a better feel for the neighborhood.

5. Be picky – buying a home is an important decision – but don’t be overly hesitant. Don’t let the ‘perfect’ home get away from you. 

We can feel the summer starting to wind down here on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, but one summer tradition is still on the horizon. The 21^st Grand Summer Ball, a fundraising event for the Thomas Hospital Foundation, is this weekend at the Marriott Grand Hotel Resort in Point Clear. This is THE social event of the summer – and a wonderful fundraiser for Thomas Hospital, our great local hospital. You can read all about the hospital and the foundation at www.thomashospital.com. Tickets for the Grand Summer Ball have been sold out for weeks already, and this year it is even more anticipated because it returns to the newly renovated ballrooms at the Grand Hotel.

Any visit to the Eastern Shore is not complete without a stop at the Grand Hotel (www.marriottgrand.com). Have dinner in the dining room overlooking Mobile Bay, play a round of championship golf on a Robert Trent Jones course, or just take a stroll along the resort’s beautiful waterfront. There’s been a hotel on this site since the 1840s – I guess even back then people appreciated luxurious waterfront property!

If you’re looking for something completely different to do this weekend, drive north of Spanish Fort to the community of Tensaw for the annual reenactment of the Battle of Fort Mims. On August 30, 1813, armed by the British during the War of 1812, Creek Indians attacked the fort in what became one of the worst massacres in American history, with more than 500 men, women, and children killed. Two battle reenactments are held each day at 11 am and 3pm. You can expect to see period re-enactors dressed as settlers, backwoodsmen, militia, and Creek warriors. The weekend usually includes sutlers with period merchandise for sale, artisans and period entertainers. A sutler is a civilian provisioner to an army post often with a shop on the post. You can get direction and more info from the Alabama Bureau of Tourism at www.800alabama.com.