COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Ongoing and Upcoming Events, PAGE 17 Three Baldwin teams advance to playoffs PAGE 14 Share your smile The Islander PAGE 22 INSIDE NOVEMBER 7, 2018 | GulfCoastNewsToday.com | 75¢ Regency Place Apartments Tourism board gets final nod from GS celebrates By CRYSTAL COLE Sims, who has been the Sims said the apartments 25 years [email protected] most vocal citizen in opposi- would negatively change the tion to the apartments, lives character of his neighbor- of service Another attempt to stop at The Enclave which sits hood and fought allegations the development of prop- next door to the property in of discrimination by saying erty in Gulf Shores into an question. He said the site plan he and his delegation did By CRYSTAL COLE apartment complex has been for the apartments is flawed not oppose a development of [email protected] thwarted by the City Council. on a multitude of levels. 500 apartments north of the Educational outpost In a special-called Gulf “I implore you to carefully bridge. A somewhat larger Auburn University and the Shores City Council meet- study, discuss and consider “You didn’t hear a peep crowd than usual City of Gulf Shores recent- ing, a personal appeal from this information that’s been out of anybody who has been packed Coastal Ala- ly broke ground on a com- Pete Sims asked for an all or presented to you today and opposed to these apartments bama Business Cham- plex which will serve as an nothing decision to vacate the not rush to make a final judg- that are planned on Regency ber’s First Friday educational outpost for the planning commission’s vote ment,” Sims said. “Take some Road,” Sims said. “They did it breakfast. The event, university and a resource to reapprove the site plan for time to deliberate. I request right. They did it right.” usually held at LuLu’s, Regency Place Apartments. that you table this matter for Mayor Robert Craft spoke is a way to check in for the Gulf Coast. To read The appeal was denied by a a period of time for proper with local business more about the facility, and 6-0 vote. consideration.” SEE REGENCY, PAGE 18 owners and present for photos, see page 19. information important to their interests. This month, it was held at the Orange Beach Event Center at the Finally, The Lodge is open Wharf and celebrated Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. The organization celebrates 25 years of service to the commu- nity, including helping bring people back to the island after Hur- ricane Ivan and the oil spill devastated the coastline. The Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Little Miss was founded in 1993 as Shrimp Festival the official destination The queens, 1st alternates marketing organization and court members of for the areas of Gulf the 47th Annual National Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. Its Shrimp Festival’s Little ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTO primary responsibil- Miss Shrimp Festival Pag- Ribbon cutting ity is to market the eant were officially an- Alabama Gulf Coast as nounced to the public on a premier year-round the Festival’s Coastal Ala- After years of fighting for a rebuild, the hotel destination. bama Business Chamber’s Herb Malone, CEO Stage, Saturday, Oct. 11. To and meeting space is back at the Gulf State Park of the group, said ev- see the winners, jump to eryone who works and page 35. By CRYSTAL COLE plays in lower Alabama [email protected] help to make the area unique. After much anticipation “The magical point is and buildup, Gulf Shores & where the water meets Orange Beach Tourism CEO the land,” Malone said. Herb Malone had one word for “What makes it special the crowd at the opening of is there is less than The Lodge at Gulf State Park- 400,000 linear miles of “finally.” beachfront on Earth. Malone spoke to a standing- We’ve got the best 32 DEATHS PAGE 9 room only crowd on a breezy miles of it there is.” Friday morning in front of the SUBMITTED PHOTO With 34 full-time and Jerry Wayne Keith Sr. newly-constructed hotel. The Guests of the 350-room, to the emerald green waters of 11 part-time employees, Frank Ross McGinnis Sr. Lodge, returning to the Gulf beachfront hotel, located the Gulf and over 6,150 acres the CVB has a $10.46 Richard Owens Coast after being destroyed by within Alabama’s Gulf State of trails and activities within million budget, which Joan Margaret Urban Robinson Hurricane Ivan, is the first full Park, will enjoy stunning the park. is funded by a 2 percent service hotel to open in the views of the Gulf of Mexico or area in two decades. Lake Shelby with direct access SEE LODGE, PAGE 20 SEE TOURISM, PAGE 2 INDEX Gulf BALDWIN LIVING, 5 OUT & ABOUT, 8 Coast CLASSIFIED, 25 PUZZLES, 4 Media HEALTH, 22 SPORTS, 14 VOLUME 42 • ISSUE 46 LEGALS, 27 TV LISTINGS, 10 1 SECTION • 36 PAGES OPINION, 3 2 • The Islander • November 7, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media GSWC fashion show SUBMITTED PHOTOS It was “all that jazz” at the 17th annual Gulf Shores Woman’s Club charity Luncheon and Style Show Oct. 4 at the Craft Farms clubhouse in Gulf Shores. Ten models representing five local merchants sashayed throughout the luncheon crowd to show off trendy fashions to the background of well-known jazzy tunes for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Add- ing to the afternoon’s enjoyment were annual guest waiters, members of the Baldwin County firefighters, who earned donations to the department’s causes, as well as a silent auction of attractive items. Fashion styles were offered by: The Beach House Boutique, with models Karen Means and Dale Sumter; Chico’s, with models Nancy Jones and Shirley Tucker; Geez Louise, with models Kathe Hoffman and Sue Moreno; Too Hot Mamas, with models Ann Russell and Marlene Whelan; and Wildflowers Boutique, with models Judy Beckvermit and Jodie Foote. Special kudos to the club’s event com- mittee, especially coordinator Rosemary Reichstetter and models coordinator Beth Taylor. TOURISM zation operates as the process and unveiled its exist to better serve island has experienced to 50,574 travel-related Alabama Gulf Coast new name - Gulf Shores them and result in a bet- seven record years in jobs. CONTINUED FROM 1 Convention and Visitors & Orange Beach Tour- ter vacation experience. a row for guests and In June 2008, the Bureau. In August 2010, ism, which will help After the recession visitor spending. In 2017, Alabama Gulf Coast lodging tax. the CVB completed a guests quickly identify and oil spill took their visitors left $4.4 billion Convention and Visitors Legally, this organi- corporate identification the helpful services and tolls on tourism in the of their money on the Bureau (CVB) became information that solely area, Malone said the island which has led the first destination marketing organization (DMO) from the state of The Islander The Future of Christianity in America Alabama to be accred- ited by the Destination ChristianityThe in AmericaLeaves has a unique areto keep attendingFalling and (2) has driven Marketing Accredita- 901 N. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535-3546 Idynamicwrote thesethat separateswords while it fromwatching other forawaya memberslittle while. whoThe are seriousgood news about is that, tion Program (DMAP). PHONE: (251) 943-2151 | FAX: (251) 943-3441 developed nations. Whereas Christianity their faith. For every one member that the already-turning leaves falling from because our times are in His hands, The CVB joins a limited [email protected] a riverin Westernbirch Europein my backyard.is in a generalIt wasstate a ourtheologicallystories endconservativewith Him churchesand with loseone of decline, the story in America is quite because they’ve stuck with the Bible rather number of other ac- Parks Rogers Allison Marlow cleara bitreminder different.that, Despiteeven thein crowingthe warmth by anotherthan driftthrough with the Christ.culture, Andfiveso membersas I credited organizations Publisher Senior Features Editor of asecularistsLower Alabama that the churchSeptember, is in a free fall, grieveare gaineda little, from mainlineI do not churchesdo so without that throughout the nation [email protected] [email protected] thethatseasons the “Nones”are changing. (those espousingThe static no hope.made theMoreover, opposite decision.with the WhyPsalmist, is this I and nearly 30 other religious commitment) are soon to take dynamic the case in America? Because of countries. Classified Advertising endlessness of the Gulf Coast summer call to the Lord, “Teach us to number Cliff McCollum over, an attentive look at the statistics our unique commitment to freedom of Gulf Shores & Orange Whisper Edwards really is just an illusion. Those of us our days, that we may present to You Managing Editor doesn’t bear this out. Nearly all of the religion. We have kept the government Beach Tourism operates [email protected] fussing about the heat will be fussing a heart of wisdom” (90:12). 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